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Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2021 7:10:03 GMT
The guards at the castle door recognize Kat and allow her to pass. Inside the welcoming hall, a small army of castle staff is hanging banners and decorations in preparation for Flora's party.
An aged man approaches her.
"Lady Kat, we welcome your return to us. Please follow me this way and we will find your rooms.
"It is said that you left us in the company of Lady Eivor; has she returned to Ambr with you?" he asks friendily.
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Post by Katerina on Jul 13, 2021 7:41:42 GMT
Lady Kat? When did I earn a title here similar to the Goddess'?
"Lady Eivor is in the city and will be joining us presently." She replies neutrally. She doesn't want to give away what the Goddess is doing. She was perplexed as to being told that she had rooms here. After all she was only a visitor to the Gods, but perhaps they were kind to penitent worshippers. The pomp and ceremony being arranged here in the hallway was interesting and said somewhat about the organiser.
"Yes, show me to the room that has been assigned. I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name Sir." She could use a bath if one could be arranged. It was important to make sure that you made a good impression on the honest folk working here, as you never knew when you might need their help.
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Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2021 15:13:50 GMT
"I am Dik, Lady, a member of the castle staff.
"It is good that Lady Eivor has returned. She so rarely makes an appearance in the castle I worry that she doesn't keep in touch with her family."
They go up stairways and along corridors, all also in the process of being decorated.
"This section of the castle has been set aside for honoured guests."
He comes to a door and fumbles with the keys until he gets it open.
"Princess Florimel thought it best to situate you here after your service to Amber and in light of your great status in your homeland. The Princess also recommended you visit with Lord Xu Liang once you are refreshed.
There is a bath and all the soaps, shampoos,and lotions, Kat could need.
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Post by Katerina on Jul 13, 2021 15:48:19 GMT
"Thank you Dik, your assistance is greatly appreciated and the honour that the Queen is giving me is quite overwhelming. Lady Eivor will return for the party." Kat replies
Considering that so far I've achieved next to nothing and just succeeded only in riling the people of the Golden Sands. She thinks misearbly to herself. She gives the man a warm smile that she doesn't herself believe the expression matches her mood. She thanks the man once again and heads into the room.
"You're a fraud Katerina." She says to herself. "You can't get anything right and you've found out nothing of value that will entice the Gods to go and help Eshanta."
Kat wallows in misery for a while as she wallows in the bath until the water grows cold, then cleans her cloak before climbing into bed and finally getting some sleep that was denied her by the policemen.
When she wakes, she dresses and heads back out of the room to go and find who this Lord Xu Liang is and where he might be located.
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Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2021 16:15:35 GMT
Kat's thoughts might not be entirely fair about herself. Coy is unlikely to be defeated battle alone and she did learn something of the man's personality and modus operandi.
She finds Xu sitting cross-legged on the grass in a garden. Unconcerned with the blustery winds and droplets of rain heralding a deluge later in the day. Deep in meditation, a gentle smile is on his face.
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Post by Katerina on Jul 13, 2021 16:52:27 GMT
"Excuse me, are you Lord Xu Liang? I was told to come and speak with him and I hope I've found the right person." Kat asks. She has never seen the mode of his clothing before but given all the strange things she has seen in the past days this is definitely not the most bizzare. The rain she can handle. After all she deserves to be drenched after all her failures in servitude of the Gods.
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Post by Admin on Jul 13, 2021 18:49:37 GMT
"I am indeed he. Come, sit on the grass with me and feel the rain, listen to the drops fall off the leaves of the bodhi tree."
When closer to the man she can see signs of his recent battle, brusing and scratches on his face, his crossed legs not quite fully bent as if they are stiff and in pain.
"It is said that you traveled here from a great distance to look upon the city of the gods. Tell me what it is you see."
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Post by Katerina on Jul 14, 2021 8:21:21 GMT
Kat looks around nervously, knowing that she is being tested by the God, then she goes and sits on the wet ground.
Typical, my clothes are all going to get muddy now after I just cleaned them!
"I see a castle. A bit like home, but different in many small ways. It's what you'd expect being a different place. I didn't come here as a tourist, but I came here to ask for help for my world from the Gods and Goddesses."
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Post by Admin on Jul 14, 2021 23:25:43 GMT
"Ah, not so impressed then with neither the city or the gods. I was the same when I first arrived.
"Tell me what you would have the gods do in your homeland? What can they offer that would make you risk the perilous journey through the Mirror Maze? Yes, I have been told something of your past."
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Post by Katerina on Jul 15, 2021 6:54:35 GMT
The man was trying to trick her by putting words in her mouth.
"That is not what I said at all. The city is fine, what I have seen of it and although the Gods may be capricious that is in their nature. We have not seen the Gods in many lifetimes and the tales of their help to my people may have been a little twisted in the intervening time. I came through the Mirror Maze to ask the Gods for their aid for my people against the Demons that we are fighting. If they do not get aid soon then I fear they will be killed or enslaved. Saving my people is worth the risk of passing through the Maze, though so far I have failed to please the Gods and I fear for them."
Kat feels the raindrops dripping down her forehead from her hair. The rain have saved anyone else from seeing the tears trickling down. Lord XU Liang might of been told something of her background, but he did not know the desperation in their plight.
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Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2021 22:11:22 GMT
"I don't believe that you have failed them. Better to say that you have intrigued them. But, again, do you expect the gods to pick up weapons and fight on the front lines of your war? The wisest of the gods only take up arms against each other and even then only out of necessity."
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Post by Katerina on Jul 16, 2021 6:34:42 GMT
Now Kat is really confused.
"Why would they be wise fighting each other? They have enemies of their own, I have seen that. Fighting amongst themselves just makes the job of the enemy easier and I don't think that's wise at all. I don't know what to expect but help from the Gods. Our ancient tales speak of the Gods coming to Eshanta and helping the people. It may be that they come and help the people fight by giving them better weapons or skill, I don't know but I do know that they did come and help in the past and I hope to show that we are worthy of their help again."
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Post by Admin on Jul 17, 2021 20:16:29 GMT
"Even in the best of conditions, the tide of battle can turn against the mightiest of warriors; a stray arrow strikes the breast, their horse slips in the bloody-drenched mud, one unit loses the will to fight. Going to war is always a risky proposition, and the wise avoid it as long as possible, but when they must, they strike for the kings and queens, not the pawns. Do these demons you speak of rule, or are they common footsoldiers in the war? The gods will want to know the answer to that question before they join the fight.
"But don't give up all hope! As I said, only the wisest avoid battle. Fortunately for you, there are many not blessed with such wisdom - although they are in lesser numbers now than earlier in Amber's history."
He stands then, a graceful rising except for the slight stiffness of his wounded leg.
"Speaking of battle, I have an appointment to train with some of the castle guards. You are welcome to join in the exercise if you wish. A demonstration of your skill may impress the gods of this place."
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Post by Katerina on Jul 17, 2021 21:04:17 GMT
"People die yes, once it is their appointed time. You can die in bed, choking on a fish bone or any number of ways. If the arrow has your name on it then your fate has been marked out. There are risks in any thing that you do in life and sometimes you cannot avoid battle. Sometimes you are forced to fight because the alternative is far worse. That is the case for my people. The King of the Demons is called Malficious and he has lived for an eternity, hating my people. I do not know if that makes a difference, but we do not see him, only his Demon Knights though we know he resides in their home, Longbarrow."
Kat stands nimbly and shrugs, the rain dripping down her face.
"I can fight and have done. If that will help persuade the Gods then I will show my prowess with a blade."
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Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2021 8:49:34 GMT
"People are bound to their fate, yes, but the gods? I doubt you will find any who believe in a greater power than they."
"Malficious? I have heard that name before. It seems that in spite of all my efforts that I too can be counted as unwise. Princess Florimel permitting I would like to see you land and face this Malficious demon."
Their walk takes them through a grove and over a small hill. On the other side is the training area. A dozen of the guards are working through practice routines. Xu Liang directs Kat to a covered area then he picks up a staff and faces off against one of the soldiers. Both men are skilled in combat, Xu using techniques Kat hasn't seen before, and eventually the guard withdraws. Xu then faces off against two of the men, stopping the fight to provide words of instruction, then faces against three of the guards. Only after a ten minute melee against four of the men does he call for a rest.
He returns to Kat and takes a towel to wipe himself down.
"These men learn quick. A week ago they wouldn't have been able to press me so hard even after an hour of training. Now it is your turn. Show them your skills while I catch my breath."
He offers Kat the staff he had been sparring with.
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