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Post by Admin on Apr 9, 2024 2:32:30 GMT
Jacob:
It was evident to him that the break is magical, but he can't tell how it was done. There were rumours of Trump tricks to create 'gates' across shadow, but Brand didn't look to be using anything Trump-like in the temple. Surely something involving sorcery requiring the blood of Amber, a thing from some dark art Brand was always thought to have studied. No one else in the family was irrational enough to sink deep into the study of human(?) sacrificial magic.
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Post by Admin on Apr 9, 2024 2:37:50 GMT
Both:
A bloodied, battered, and bruised Eivor pulls herself up the hillside and onto the ledge where Jacob stands. More and more of the creatures are flying back through the rift, most carrying pilgrims in their talons. The moons' shuddering spinning is slowing down, probably indicating that the tear in shadow will soon close.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2024 4:35:27 GMT
Jacob turns to help Eivor join him on the ledge. "You alright? We're going to need to travel and soon, I expect. Even if we're not carried off, we're probably near the top of the list for taking the blame."
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Post by Eivor on Apr 9, 2024 7:42:40 GMT
"This place is somehow significant, I'm not sure I just want to leave it for Brand to re-conquer as it suits him," Eivor replies, leaning on her spear. "How we stop that happening well, I'm open to ideas. Why don't you take our friend here back to Amber and see that he gets fit and well, I can stay here and you can contact me when you have news. You have my trump?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2024 13:05:57 GMT
Jacob rubs his left temple for a moment. "Eivor, I haven't carried anyone's Trump in years - I was spying on Lady Vada for the crown, and Chaos may be used to a lot of fluid alliances, but their illicit quartermaster walking around with a pack of Amberite Trumps in his pocket was probably a bridge too far."
He looks back at the unconscious figure, "Do we even know that this is Martin? I saw one fellow get snatched that looked very much like me. Brand referred to the tear as a 'shadow bore,' indicating this was not only deliberate, it was designed. He also seemed very certain that my blood or his..." pointing to might-be-Martin "...stood as good a chance as any of closing it off with the proper ritual, though the fact that he was here doing his merry slaughtering before any of us even showed up says that he may have had a 'quantity over quality' fallback position...or that Oberon was hoping you'd fill the gap under Brand's knife upon your arrival."
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Post by Eivor on Apr 10, 2024 16:15:49 GMT
Eivor hands Jacob one of her trumps. "Here you go. A pack always starts with one."
She looks down at the unconscious form. "It doesn't matter if it's Martin or not, he has the blood. Possibly diluted, I don't know. It doesn't matter, he is family of a sort and I think we have some small obligation to him, so we can salvage something from this clusterf*k."
"I must admit I hadn't considered Oberon offering me as a sacrifice, but I'm inclined to think not. I was meant to find this place. So what I have to ask, what will you do now?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2024 0:52:19 GMT
Jacob's mouth quirked slightly, "If it is Martin, taking him back to Amber might buy me enough goodwill...or at least, confusion...to let me talk to people. If it's not, I expect I'll get a fine tour of the dungeons." He sighs. "That tear is magical in nature, and Brand seemed quite certain that blood magic would prevent it. If someone has a way to bore through shadow, that's a problem unless they need a big construct or power source to do it, which makes it a solvable problem."
"And how precisely will you stop Brand from 'reconquering' this place at his whim? Going to spend a few generations developing an informed electorate? You realize that the road from 'we will form an orderly slaughter queue' to 'we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights' is longer than you may actually have to spend, right?"
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Post by Eivor on Apr 11, 2024 7:28:33 GMT
Eivor shrugs. "Brand seems the impatient sort. He'll either move on or come back in short order. If you travel to Amber, you can convey the story to Flora. You might find her more friendly when you have news and a peace offering."
She gestures towards "Martin".
"I think what we have here is a solvable problem, but it's not my area of expertise. That said, I'm not without friends. Despite our long silence, I hope I can count you as one."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2024 16:01:46 GMT
An involuntary laugh escapes Jacob for a moment, "You have a remarkably sunny outlook on your family, Eivor, and I hope it does not get you killed. Nevertheless, I'll see what I can do to get my charge here to better medical care. If you don't here from me in the next week or so, presume I have been rendered unable to communicate. Keep me posted on what you find. I'll care for Martin in the moment and we'll get on our way as soon I can get down the mountain and to a horse without being immediately snatched up by a harpy."
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Post by Eivor on Apr 13, 2024 14:25:03 GMT
Eivor arches an eyebrow. "I have spoken to the Regent recently, she is not unreasonable. In fact, she may well be pleased to see one of the family returning with news. Just because your experience has been poor doesn't make my assessment unreasonably optimistic."
Eivor looks out. "Perhaps wait until the portal is closed before venturing out. Being on a horse will make you a target, and there's no immediate rush."
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Post by Admin on Apr 15, 2024 4:39:17 GMT
The portal continues to close as the moons wind down their dance. The caws of the harpies fade, and a deathly silence falls across the land.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2024 10:16:31 GMT
Jacob check on his unconscious patient before lifting him gently into a bridal carry. He then turns to Eivor. "Alright. I'm headed back...again. Do try not to die."
He eventually has to switch to a fireman's carry as he works his way down the mountain, moving steadily, but not so fast that he needlessly jostles his cargo. Once he's mostly off the mountain of sacrifice, he begins seeking a horse - recalling the heavy draft horses he would see on display or pulling parade carriages in Oceania. He had, he was well aware, miles to go.
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Post by Eivor on Apr 16, 2024 17:19:39 GMT
"I shall do my best," Eivor replies. She gives him a quick hug before letting him wend his way downwards. She watches him until he is out of sight.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2024 2:05:15 GMT
Jacob shifts shadows, and as he crosses the plain, he finds the horse he's looking for beside a watering hole.
OOC: Time to move into a new thread.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2024 2:08:19 GMT
Eivor:
Jacob walks away, leaving her alone in the temple.
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