The guide has brought Tasha back along a different route, or at least is seems that way until they come to the 'trap' section, where the tunnel narrows down to something that can only be negotiated on hands and feet. This time, however, a piece of alien ceramic rests on the floor before the smaller tunnel, its surface holding the stylized images of a male and female Vartan that seems to both float above the surface and sink below it at the same time.
So much trouble for such a little thing ... Tasha considers as she approaches the altar. For a moment she wonders if it's really there within arm's reach, but she knows she paid the price for it. It seems that each of the Markers has come with a personal cost and a benefit to society. The latter is, of course, welcome, but she can't help but wonder how much further she's willing to give for a few curious pieces of alien technology.
And Gabriel, I just make him worry. He's not going to be happy when I return. Reaching down, Tasha moves to remove the Marker from its pedestal. Am I simply obsessed, or am I repeating my mother's mistakes? Is there even a differene, now? Her hands reach the stone-like artifact, and she hefts it up.
Like the one in the City of Hands, this marker feels.. odd. It's definitely a physical object with mass and heft.. but there's just no sense of touch when holding it.
"Back through tunnel, back to Vartans, you know the way from here," Tasha's cloaked, nameless guide whisper-clicks.
I wonder just what you're made of? Tasha didn't handle the Origin Marker of Silent-Ones much; she was too busy seeing to the recovery of Balthasar in addition to feeling it might be disrespectful somehow. The weight of the new Marker is curious, but her aching shoulder reminds her she'd best be on her way. It's too dark in here to do more than applhy a compress. I'll have to get Aaron to treat it when I leave. But first ...
Turning, Tasha offers her guide a bow. "Thank you for gudiing me, and allowing me to learn more about your people and culture. I wish your people well.
"If you learned anything, do not repeat it to others," the cloaked figure requests, then turns and retreats back down the darkened tunnel, since Tasha has the only light source.
I guess that means we won't be sending future explorers. Now seemingly alone, Tasha turns to regard the exit. Time to leave.
Using the trail she left, departing is a simple matter. She makes a point of clenaing it up as she goes along, both to keep the Ku'hu'an's tunnels clean and to dissuade anyone else from following her trail back to their home. By the time she steps from the dark in to the cavern below the Keep, her shoulder's aching. "But at least I'm alive."
"Huh?" The guard that led Tasha down there in the first place jerks awake, having been dozing in one of the pews. "You came back! And.. is that the Marker?" he asks.
"I certainly hope so, or else I'm going to feel rather dumb," Tasha as she glances down at the artifact she holds to her chest.
The young Vartan guard comes closer, and asks, "Can I touch it?"
"Of course." Tasha walks to meet the guard half way, holding the Marker out as requested. "It's curiously insubstantial -- it has mass and area but I can barely feel it, and then only because of it's weight."
The Vartan's taloned hand brushes the surface.. then again, as he looks confused. Finally he licks it, since really the tongue is the most touch-sensitive appendage on a Vartan. "It feels like.. it isn't there," he admits.
"It's peculiar, isn't it? I'd be worried, but I've held another Marker, and the sensation is identical," Tasha confides. "Has anything happened since I departed? I'll need to meet with my party and the High Councilor, of course."
"There are other Markers?" the man asks, looking surprised. "I can take you to.. which do you want to see first?"
"Lets find the High Councilor -- walking around with the Marker may cause a disruption and I'm sure he'd prefer to dictate how that should be handled. He'll also be glad to see it back, I imagine." Tasha nods the guard to lead on, then follows in his wake. As they walk, she explains, "There appear to be several Markers, one for each of the races believed to be directly created by the Progenitors. Second-rendering and latter species do not have them, of course, being as they were created by species other than the Progenitors, such as the Humans creation of the Karnors."
"I've never heard of any of this before," the guard admits, recovering his halberd and leading Tasha back up the ramps to the keep. "Progenitors? I only know the Marker is.. a symbol of our people."
"It is said the Markers are a gift from the Progenitors, but of course, that's just one belief. There are apparently a great host of them, like with any mystery-religion; I've been attempting to sort the truth from the fiction, which is how I came to be here," Tasha explains as they walk along.
"I wonder if I should be hearing any of this," the guard notes, and takes Tasha the rest of the way to the High Councilor's chambers in silence.
The High Councilor is actually there when they arrive, still putting back the records that were dug up before Tasha's descent into the K'hu'an tunnels. "You have returned," the bird notes, betraying some surprise.
Tasha can't help but laugh at the reaction. "Hard to believe, I know," she agrees, drawing her mantled wings away from her chest. "And look what I found." beneath the crimson-gold feathers is the Marker, cradled in her hands.
The elder Vartan approaches, staring at the Marker, and then stops and asks, "How did you get it? What happened with the K'hu'an?"
"We came to an agreement. I'd explain, but I was specifically asked not to relate the details of what I learned there save only that if your people wish to cease their relationship with the Ku'hu'an, simply cease to present future children for aid. The bargain no longer depends on the Marker; it is renewed when your people seek their assistance. As for the curse itself, we believe it to be a form of spirit possession -- a magical affliction that can be treated in the same way. My associate Aaron Lightfoof can explain all about it when you're ready. But first ... " Tasha steps forward and offers the Marker over. "Would you like to hold it? My shoulder is killing me, and I really should get it bandaged properly."
The Vartan takes the Marker.. very gently, as if it might be fragile or filled with water.. and sends the guard off to fetch help. It a surprisingly short time (Tasha has just gotten settled into a chair) the doctor arrives, a very old-looking Vartan with cracks in his beak can carrying a bulky bag. "What is the.. patient?" he asks, getting a look at Tasha.
"The patient is a Karnor-Vartan hybrid, and she was bitten on the shoulder by something she will not go in to," Tasha replies as she pulls off her top, then zipz her bodysuit down.
"Hmm," the doctor mutters, opening his back and first taking out a rag and a bottle. There's a strong alcohol odor to it, and of course it stings when the man tries to clean the bite. "Never seen a wound like this. Looks infected but smells clean." He actually rubs fairly hard, as if trying to rub something off.
Tasha's ears go askew, her face a mask of discomfort as the doctor rubs in. She does her best to try and fight it, but after a few seconds her eyes are watering. "Is it ... Is it bad?" She asks in a strained voice.
The old bird leans in to sniff again (although how he can pick anything out over the alcohol fumes is likely a matter of experience). "Ah! Just marked. Odd place for it. There is a wound, but it is minor. Does it hurt, and if so is the pain spreading?"
"No. You say 'marked?' As in, the same as your warding tattoos?" Tasha inquires while trying, and failing, to crane her her to get a good look. Karnor heads just aren't built for it.
"Yes, it has the same scent as a new marking," the doctor notes. "The discoloration is normal for that. The bite seems to be healing, and the pain is localized so you were probably not poisoned."
"Well that's good. Dying would make the tale depressing, and I've had enough of depressing stories and tragic heroisim for ... more than one life time." The young woman grins, then turns to the High Councilor. "So, what are we going to tell them? Do you want me to leave quietly, or should I prepare for an announcement?"
The head Vartan sits in his chair and stares in silence at the artifact on his desk. "Did you learn what the Shadow Men get from the warding?" he asks, rather than answer Tasha immediately.
"Since it has to do with your deal and your business with them, I think it's safe for me to say: the marks redirect, or ward, possession by spirits. Because your community is no longer viable for possession -- and thus feeding the spirit -- the spirits are then attracted to a certain party in the Ku'Hu'An community, who then devours them," Tasha explains as the doctor tends her wound.
The High Councilor stares at Tasha with wide eyes. "By protecting ourselves we are dooming spirits to be.. consumed?" he asks, very slowly and succinctly.
"Those that would possess you, yes; I don't know if other spirits are also consumed," the young woman replies.
"I would like clarification if possible," the Councilor notes. "Would your long-eared tasty-looking companion know? He is the one who accused dead children of causing the plague."
"He might. You could also consider asking your benefactors." After patting her newly tended wound, Tasha glances towards the door and asks, "If you don't mind, the guards could fetch my friends and we could discuss the matter in depth. I'm sure they're worried about me, and I'd prefer not to make them wait too long to know if I survived."
After the doctor finishes treating the bite, he hands Tasha a small jar. "Rub this into the wound if it still hurts tomorrow," he instructs. As the doctor leaves, the guard goes with him as he's told to fetch Tasha's friends.
Several minutes later, the Karnors and Lapi arrive, but only Aaron seems surprised to see both Tasha and the Marker. Gabriel notices the bandage first thing however, since Tasha has to let it 'air out' a bit before she can completely cover it again. "What happened?" Gabriel asks her, and it's clear he's asking about the wound.
"Just a litt-" Head shaking, Tasha realizes it's easier for her to slip back in to using Vartan than the expected, and thus she tries again. "Ahem. Just a little bite. Nothing to worry about, Gabe. I'm glad to see you, too." She then gestures towards the desk with her uninjured arm. "Look what I found."
The Karnor looks at the Marker, then back at Tasha. "What gave you this little bite?" he asks. "Where you attacked?"
"Yup, that's a Marker," Aaron notes. Hakeber seems to be studying the diagrams on it - either looking for some hidden meaning or just ogling the Vartan forms.
"I was asked to keep what I learned to myself, but the people here don't speak Standard and, well ... you're my mate, so ... I think you count as being part of me." She winks, clearly trying to make light of it if the smile on her face is any indication, but Gabriel and Hakeber know her scent, and Aaron, the nuance of her tone. Behind the careful mask forged from her experience in the political arena, there's an undercurrent of anxiety -- and fear. "Are you sure you want to know? It's just a bite. And look, Hake is already nose-deep in the Marker."
"And no, I wasn't attacked," Tasha adds a second later, in after thought.
"I don't like secrets where you're involved," Gabriel says. "We're here to help advise you after all, aren't we?"
"Well ... " Ears reddening and gaze averted, it doesn't take knowledge of Standard to see the shame on Tasha's face. "It's, well ... " She hesitates for several seconds, then simply sighs and nods. "You're right ... I'm being selfish. You deserve more than silence. I'm just trying to protect you ... But I guess that's selfish, too." She shakes her head, then explains, "I was bitten by the Source, an extra-dimensional entity and the creator of the Ku'Hu'An. It took my blood as part of our bargain. In exchange, I was given the Marker."
"That doesn't sound like a very fair trade," Gabriel points out, crossing his arms. "What's the catch?"
"That should I discover more about -- or meet -- Adam, I must return and tell the Source about him. The Source craves knowledge, but has little interest in power or artifacts; it may not have interests as we know them," the hybrid answers.
"I don't see what the bite has to do with it," Gabriel admits. "Is that proof of your promise or something?"
"Well, it's ... erm, it's ... the blood that is ... It was drawn from there," Tasha replies, ears laying back as they grow closer to the heart of her concerns. Her deal was not made without reservation, and a part of her still wonders if she hasn't sold her soul away for a bit of shiny.
"Tasha, stop hiding whatever is making you upset," Gabriel says. "Just tell me.. us."
"S-sorry," Tasha stammers, her ears so far back they seem to want to hide behind her head. "It's just, it's uncomfortable, okay? If I die, if I don't return with news of Adam before then ... The Source will call my spirit to account for my absence and draw the information from it."
"By devouring it," she finishes after a heavy pause, needing the seconds to muster the courage.
Gabriel blinks at this, and then slowly turns his head to look at Aaron, as does Hakeber. The Lapi blinks back, seemingly unconcerned. "What? Summoning a spirit is no different than using one of your data thingies or holowhatsits. It's done as a party trick sometimes; summon the spirit of someone at the party, ask it questions and so on. You can have your spirit put into a candle flame, or a glass of wine or a statue even. It's a pretty weird experience.. err.. so I've been told."
"There's nothing to worry about if this Source thing is going to wait until after you're dead to do it, assuming it can preserve your blood that long. Summoning from just blood is tricky, too," Aaron adds.
"Well, see! It only sounds bad," Tasha points out, sitting up more and cringing less. "I'm sure when you hear it it sounds like he'll eat my soul, but it's hyperbole. I was a little concerned to, because it's embarassing and well, who wants to explain they bargained their spirit away after death? I mean it sounds so classically doomsome, but really it's just nothing," Tasha rambles in support of Aaron's explaination.
"Yeah.. spirits are just magical constructions, not.. actual.. spirits.." the Lapi says, finding the nomenclature a bit difficult. "It's just different when mages talk about spirits than when priests do."
"A like a scientific Theory versus a 'I have a theory about this..'," Hakeber says, grinning.
"Yeah, like that," Aaron agrees. "Probably."
"Vartans take spirits very seriously," Gabriel says.
"There you go," Tasha agrees, smiling. At least, she smiles until she remembers all the spirits who support her, and then her ears wilt. She keeps smiling though. It's a little eerie. "I've got lots of spirits! Everything is fine."
"That's the spi-" Aaron almost says.
Hakeber pinches the bunny's ear.
Throughout all of this, the High Councilor has watched in silence, reading more in body language than spoken.
Tasha just gives Aaron a look before tossing up her hands -- then wincing and wishing she hadn't. After rubbing her shoulder for a moment, she turns to the High Councilor and says, "That's all handled! You had questions, didn't you?"
"I wish to understand the consequences of our agreement with the Shadow Men on 'non hungry' spirits," the Councilor asks.
Tasha nods, then asks Aaron, "The High Councilor wishes to understand how his bargain effects non-hungry spirits. The bargain is this: the marks upon their arms are wards, deflecting or redirecting spirits such that they cannot feed upon the community, and are then drawn towards the Source, which consumes them. The consumption is what is paid, the submittal for marking is the renewing of the bargain, and the warding is what is gained."
"Weird," Aaron comments, then rubs his pinched ear. "Well, depending on how the wards are set up, they'll either keep all spirits from interacting with the Vartans or just the dangerous ones. Since regular ones won't be seeking out life-force to feed on, they probably aren't affected at all. And there's no chance of the Vartans being 'carriers' for these ghosts, so they can interact with Titan's Aerie or anyone else without worrying about spreading infection."
Tasha translates the answer, watching the High Councilor for his reaction.
The old Vartan seems satisfied with that answer. "We do not seek out ghosts, but do not which to harm them," he explains. "We will confer with the Shadow Men to make sure everything is as you have explained it. Until then, you will remain our guests. We will notify your Mist Walker as well, but not allow her entry to the Keep until we are certain there is no chance of infection. I'd like to keep the Marker here for now, so that the full Council can see it."
"That's fine with us. I didn't mention it at the time, but I have made my own bargan with the Ku'Hu'An for the Marker, which was accepted. I don't mind if you hold on to it -- in fact I am glad to provide it -- but I do plan to take it with me when I depart," Tasha explains. She then turns to her own party and relates what was said, adding, "I guess we have some free time until thn."
"You are the Bird of Hermes, the Marker belongs to you," the Councilor notes. "It is only a matter of deciding on a public or private ceremony. Assuming you have been truthful about the Marker's role in the Shadow Men's bargain."
"Do we have to stay in our room, or can we move around?" Hakeber asks. "I mean.. are we still some big secret?"
"It is a bit cramped," Gabriel admits.
Tasha glances back to the Councilor, asking, "I have, but what if they don't believe me? I'm not new to politics." She pauses to listen to her friends, and then relates their question as well.
"I would request that you remain within the Keep proper," the Vartan replies. "A guide will be assigned to you, who can take you where you want, without exposing you to the public."
This is related as well, with Tasha noting, "There's still the possibility of political conflict, so we should stay on our toes until we know how the dice fall. At the very least we'll be free to stretch our legs, if not our wings."
"Or we could sleep!" Aaron suggests, not getting much support from the Karnors. "Well, I could sleep. There's just the one bed.."
"You should enjoy it while you have it, then," tasha tells her Lapine friend, smiling. To Hakeber and Gabriel, ask asks, "What would you like to do?"
"The kitchen," Gabriel suggests with a grin.
"We can follow our nose then. Lets take a walk." Tasha bids the High Councilor good-bye for now, then informs the guard as to where they'll be going. "I haven't even thought about food since we arrived. Do you want me to make you something, or is Vartan food fine?"
"I don't know what the local cuisine is like, but that's part of the fun of travel," Gabriel claims, putting an arm around Tasha's shoulders (keeping the injured one next to him).
Tasha chuckles, leaning her head against her mate. "Lead on," she bids the guard.
After eating their fill, as the Storm Riders certainly aren't hurting for food stocks, the group are given a short tour of the fortress, including some brief history of the statues of famous leaders and other figures, even artists. There's an entire hall of paintings and sculpture, which Gabriel and Hakeber get very excited over - even though they don't seem to be depicting any special events. The two Karnors just really like art. Aaron tries to convince Tasha to come and be a translator so he can trade secrets with the doctor, but Gabriel insists that she get some rest until her shoulder stops hurting.
Tasha gets bed privileges due to her injury (and because Gabriel wants to dote on her), including a massage. They do get some extra bedding from the guard at least, so that they can all be comfortable, even on the floor. Hakeber may have been feeling stress she wasn't showing before, since seems to sleep fitfully until Aaron 'spoons' her into submission. They are awoken by the smell of bacon(!) and news that the Council has finished its checks with the K'hu'an and come to a decision.
Still bleary, Tasha admits, "I had hoped they'd be more like the PHTO and take a few days to come to a decision, but I should have known my people would be as blunt about decisions and we are about everything else!" Laughing, she sits up and tests her injured arm, to see if it's still aching. "Adventure is nice, but I'm starting to miss Elamoore."
"There is a lack of nearly-naked shiny Vartans here, true," Aaron complains. Gabriel and Hakeber both nod in agreement. The guard stands around while they eat (except for Aaron, of course). "When you're ready, I can take you to the council chambers," he tells Tasha.
Tasha laughs all over again, head shaking. "I actually meant Abaddon's Elamoore -- warm beds and modern technology. I feel a bit guilty for being off on this adventure when I could be back helping the Pit," she insists before nodding to the guard. "Finsih up and we'll be off to see the council." Rather than keep talking, Tasha returns to her meal focus on getting some nutrition in her system, deciding she should focus on her welfare for once.
After the meal, Hakeber tugs Tasha aside and starts.. well, grooming her a bit. "You need to look good, this is important," she explains. "Even if it's your execution."
"I know, I know," Tasha insists, although her heart's not in it. In truth, she's enjoying the doting and concern. "I guess I'm just tired after the trek up and the tunnels, I just don't feel very official at the moment."
"Wow, you ate a pound of bacon and still feel tired?" Aaron asks.
"I never do anything in moderation, it seems," the hybrid conceeds.
"And, well, I feel guilty about going off on my own, whatever my reasons. I feel guilty for being here, and for making Gabriel worry. I just wonder, is this really important? Should I risk so much, for these little things? Shouldn't I focus on what I have, and what I can do now, rather than some thousand year old mystery?" She admits.
"I'm sure the entire community won't be waiting there for you," Gabriel assures. "Although you could ask the guard.."
"That was a heck of a bite," Aaron says. "It's turned you old overnight apparently." He grins as he says it though.
"Would you be able to forgive yourself if you set it aside now?" Hakeber asks.
"Hey! I'm not acting old, am I Gabriel?" She looks to her mate for support, then blinks at Hakeber. "Well, I suppose not. It'd nag at me, and of course I'm completly comfortable with waiting to see what happens if I don't meet my part of the bargain."
"So, we go to get the Marker!" Aaron says, pumping a fist in the air. "Whoooo! And then we leave!"
"How can I deny that kind of enthusiasim?" Tasha puts her plate aside and hops to her feet. "To the Marker!" She the nods to the guard. "We're ready; lets go."
The Council are all in attendance, with the Marker set on a small table before them. "We have confirmed your story with the Shadow Men," the High Councilor says. "However, we do not think immediately revealing everything that has occurred to the public is the best course of action. We have been confined to our fortress for hundreds of generations, and there is concern that many would leave and cause a population collapse. We will be negotiating first with the nearby Clans, to ensure that a transfer of people can be handled in an orderly manner."
"/Well, I suppose I can't blame you. I saw what happened to Elamoore when the Boomer hit, and I've seen small villages come and go over the course of my travels. It would be little use to reveal a major discovery only to cause a societal collapse. However, at the same time, I can't be perfectly contented with the idea of keeping the people in the dark in order to artificially maintain the village. However, at present, I don't see any alternative. I will, of course, return some day to see how things have progressed; and of course, we are willing to accept those interested in exploration and our past. The JEF is recruiting, and as we are of the same history, you will find us to be a natural direction for anyone wishing to explore the greater world and learn more about the history you have kept here,/" Tasha tells the Council, adding, "/I'm not particularly interested in fame, but I am interested in the spread of knowledge and of horizons. Please do not be over cautious. Consider this the requst of the Bi
ird of Hermes./"
"Our people have not been a part of the wider world for.. ever," the High Councilor reminds. "We need to learn of it from our neighbors, so that we will not be taken advantage of. We have much to catch up on. We ask only that you respect our insecurities. Even I want to travel." He then stands up, and takes a long box from the side of his chair, which holds out in both hands. "This is for the Bird of Hermes," he says.
Tasha smiles at that. "I guess I'm the sort of person who is used to walking through insecurities, and the games of politicians. Please forgive my insolence." She tilts her head at the box; the Marker is all she expected to recover, after all. There was no mention of anything else. Stepping forward, she holds out her hands, curiosity piqued. "Thank you, but I didn't realize there would be more?"
The long case is surprisingly heavy as it is placed in Tasha's arms. It's Expedition alloy of some sort, with a lid. "This was to be given to the Bird of Hermes along with the Marker."
Tasha peers at the box, noting the materials. It's certainly old, or at least the box is. I wonder what it could be? Did I miss something? Carefully balancing the container, she gentle pushes back the lid.
There's a sword inside. The same one as the figure of Apollyon Stormbreaker holds in grand hall.
Tasha hands the box off to Gabriel as she draws the sword, holding it up to the light. "It's Apollyon Stormbreaker's sword," she explains, in no small tone of awe. "I thought it was just an embelishment on the statue. This sword is from the Expedition-era, maybe even older than the Expedition."
There's a glint at the end of the hilt. A flash of crystalline refraction.
"Hm?" Tasha leans in to get a better look.
It's not ornamental! There's a holographic data crystal installed in the hilt.
"It's a holographic data crystal! I wonder what it contains?" She turns the sword to show her fellows, pointing out the details. "It must be a message from Apollyon to the next Bird of Hermes. He must have realized he wouldn't be the one, and left directions in case there should be another."
"Hmm, no way to know until we return to Abaddon though," Gabriel notes. "No telling how accurate the reading will be on Rephidim or some other sky island."
"I agree. Risking damage to the blade would be a needless risk," the hybrid agrees. Turning back to the Council, tasha holds the blade balanced in her two hands, and bows. "Thank you. I will cherish this artifact of our ancestor, and I will cherish our time together, as well. Thank you for allowing us to enter your community and seek the Marker, for your hospitality and generosity. I hope you will remember us fondly."
"Our shame has been lifted," the High Councilor says. "We will probably use that as the reason why it safe to leave now, rather than disturb people with the notion of angry ghosts and demons. The time for fear is past."
"I'm glad to hear that. More than these artifacts, I am glad we were able to help your community. To avoid causing any further commotion, we will be leaving after this session concludes. Some day, however, I would like to return and see how your people have grown." Tasha bows her head again, both to the Council, and the sword of those who came before her.