Tag: Emika

#Lore24 – Entry #151 – Muckenmyre Month #30 – Winter in Grimbridge

From the journal of Takara, Slave Inquisitor of the Stellae Illustris, Town Marshal of Grimbridge.

The first couple of weeks following my return to Grimbridge were fairly calm, giving me some time to study the teachings of Lashana I had been given.  Though not a complete delve into the goddess’s doctrines, the book served as an excellent introduction to her ways, and contained the church’s view on the events surrounding the Great Cataclysm, and the nature of the lies surrounding it.  I still questioned the truth, of course, knowing that everyone who spoke of the matter had their own viewpoints and agendas to consider.  However, I did find her ways appealing, given my own tendency toward strong discipline, and her pursuit of justice and rightful vengeance resonated even more.  During my free time, I would begin learning more of Lashana’s ways, and of the other gods in general, speaking with those of the faiths, or reading what books I could find on them.

Unsurprisingly by now, there were more differences taught, even amongst the faithful of the gods, in the Empire. 

Though we had intended to find lodgings for ourselves, Mayor Pleasence, in his stern way, insisted that we continue lodging with him during the winter at least; I believe he was quite fond of having someone cooking and maintaining the home while he was busy with town business.  Satella continued her work as a cook and part-time healer, for those who could stand her goddess’s particular form of healing.

As promised by the constable, things did indeed pick up as the winter settled in.  More and more ships began to arrive, offloading goods along the Way instead of the rougher and often icy seas to the north, and troubles in the town began to escalate.  Sailors being what they are, there were plenty of scuffles on the docks and at the Bloated Floater, arguments on prices and quality of items, or just general attempts to bully the townsfolk.  As agreed between myself and Constable Tamblyn, we would tolerate none of it, nor would any of the town guard.  Some days went better than others, with my mere presence and a warning gaze enough to calm matters, but often there were fights I had to become involved in.  Though I always waited for the offending outsiders to start the fights with me, jumping in without thought to those that had started when I wasn’t present, I saw to it that I was the one who finished them, most often in ways that would leave the offenders in agony, and any companions of them hesitant, if not outright afraid, to try something on their own.  Satella would find no shortage of customers during the busiest of times, for the other healers in town would typically refuse to heal those who had been taught a lesson from me as a lesson of their own.

Somehow, I eventually earned a reputation and a name for myself in Grimbridge, the Gray Matron.  I was known for my harsh lessons, the pain I inflicted teaching lessons like no scholar could, but also for my willingness to see to it that the law was upheld to the letter, or as closely as possible given certain discretionary judgements rendered by the constable or the town, of course.  Though Lashana is strict on interpretation and application of the law, she is not without consideration for circumstances that may lead some to stray from the straight and narrow.  I had found myself trying to live up to her doctrines more and more as the winter continued, and though my thoughts were still drifting over the vast sea toward the Empire, they were doing so less and less; I barely took out my collar and cuffs to tend to them anymore, feeling guilty when I did, but also ashamed of my past.

As the winter continued, things would settle down in Grimbridge to some extent.  My reputation, and that of the town for taking a no-nonsense approach to outsiders causing trouble had grown, and for the most part, usually aside from drunken sailors getting into brawls, things were calm.  Jessiryn and Augra would earn quite a haul themselves during this time, as they would often escort trade caravans through the Way to Ryanthyr, though we saw little of each other.

Eventually, though, the cool of the winter months would fade, the fresh and warmer air of spring would begin to appear.  As the weather improved, the rush of activity the winter had brought to the docks would begin to fade, and so to would I find more and more time to consider where my path would lead me.

#Lore24 – Entry #150 – Muckenmyre Month #29 – The Truths we Learn for Ourselves

From the journal of Takara, Slave Inquisitor of the Stellae Illustris, Town Marshal of Grimbridge.

Satella and I awoke with the camp the following morning after a deep, peaceful slumber.  Though my mind would later be filled with many questions and puzzles I could not immediately work out, for the time being I simply enjoyed the atmosphere of the camp, the simplicity of their lifestyle.  We joined Emika and a few others for breakfast that morning.  It was another pleasant experience, though I told them we had companions waiting for us near the Muckenmyre and had business yet in Grimbridge that we had to tend to.  They respected my sense of duty and we would part on friendly terms, though I was quite surprised when Emika extended an offer for me to travel amongst them if I decided that I wanted to be part of their family. 

I didn’t know what to say at first, feeling a sudden, strong desire to take her up on the offer, but deciding that I should consider my future more carefully first.  I thanked her graciously and told her I would consider her offer, learning that they would be in Ryanthyr for a few more days before moving on to the southeast for milder winters and friendly territory, but that they planned to come back this way in the spring, which should give me ample time to consider their offer.  I thanked her again and said my goodbyes before Satella and I returned to our inn and retrieved our horses and a few supplies for the road, heading back toward Grimbridge.

I would not be much for conversation on the journey back, meeting up with Jessiryn and Augra around noon to continue down Grimbridge Way together.  My mind would be churning almost nonstop, trying to find the truth hidden amongst all the new information I had learned.  After my initial shock of learning what I had from Justicar Grayforge and Emika, even of the nature of the kerryn language itself, I could finally start to make sense of it all. 

Again, my well-trained slave’s mind tried to tell me that all I had learned was false, that the Emperor was simply doing his duty to protect the world from another kerryn catastrophe by keeping us in check…and yet the other part of my mind, the newly awakening state of a free kerryn, could counter those arguments easily with all that I had learned in a matter of a couple days.  Could all that I had learned be wrong?  Perhaps, but the words were spoken with conviction from people I felt I could trust, from which I sensed no deception.  They were truths to them, at least, and perhaps they were indeed facts…but could not the same be said of what was being taught to and about the kerryn within the Empire?  How big a part in the truth did the elves play in it all?  Their influence seemed to be much greater here than in the Empire, so perhaps they had manipulated the facts to a greater extent, but to what end?

To say that I was a conflicted, confused mess during that journey would be putting it mildly.

The journey back to Grimbridge was uneventful, save for some cooler temperatures and colder rains on the way back, and as we came back into town, I willed myself to push my muddled, conflicting thoughts away for a time so that I could properly greet Mayor Pleasence and others within the town.  The constable and the town guards had returned safely, and we were finally given our rewards for the services wee had rendered with the twins and bandits.  Though in the grand scheme of things, the pouch of gold and silver coins was a trifling amount, but for me, it was a stunning amount of wealth.  With my simple needs, it would last a long time, especially in Grimbridge.

I was briefly uncertain of what would come next, but as it turns out, I would have a job offer already waiting.  Constable Tamblyn asked me to stay on as a marshal for the town since I had done such a good job previously, and due to what would likely be a busy winter for them.  With the warmer climate in the region, and a worse than usual winter being predicted to the north, it meant more ships coming here and traveling along the Way, and that brought with it a lot more disturbances and potential problems.  I readily agreed to continue my services, for I still felt obligated to assist the town that had done so much for me.

And so it was that my winter in Grimbridge would begin.

#Lore24 – Entry #149 – Muckenmyre Month #28 – Amongst the Kerryn Nomads

From the journal of Takara, Slave Inquisitor of the Stellae Illustris, Town Marshal of Grimbridge.

For all the excitement I had within me after speaking to free kerryn for the first time, I rested surprisingly well that night, even awoke later than I usually did.  Satella admitted that she could see a difference in me already the following morning as we practiced our forms and was happy for me.  I told her of my plans, and once we had discussed matters with Jessiryn, Augra, and the constable, Satella and I decided to stay behind in Ryanathyr for a while longer after the business with the magistrate was concluded and the men from Grimbridge were on their way back home.  I couldn’t be sure exactly how long it would be before we would follow, but Jessiryn and Augra said they would wait for us on the outskirts of the Muckenmyre to accompany us back to town. 

Once the business of the town was done and we had bid farewell to the men of Grimbridge and our companions, Satella and I headed off for the nomad camp, which was just outside the city walls to the east.  In the clearing at the edge of the wood lay their two dozen or so brightly colored wagons, their horses in a makeshift stable off to one side, brightly colored tents set up all around the area.  Men and women were working about the camp, tending the daily chores, while perhaps a dozen children were running about playing, while another handful of older, younger adults, aided with the many chores. 

My slave’s mind wondered at the fact that there were no slave collars to be seen.

As we approached, Shani the dancer bounded out to greet us, looking refreshed and full of energy.  Though she too was invited in, Satella excused herself, saying that she had better visit the shrine to Yurisaya lest the Dark Lady become cross with her, but promised to return and bade me to enjoy myself for as long as I wished.  As I was led into the camp, I took in all the new scents, of the kerryn themselves, of the foods they had prepared earlier that morning, of the perfumes and herbs…the whole scene seemed almost a dream that I struggled to believe was real.

I greeted the other entertainers as we passed through the camp, busy tending their daily duties before they could go out and earn some additional money or trade in the city, and was soon brought to the wagon of the clan’s elder, Emika, who I would soon learn was also their healer and herbalist, attended by one of her daughters, Kumi, and an apprentice, Juichi.  I greeted them as warmly and casually as I could manage, still finding it difficult to behave in a manner more common in these lands.  She was quite a bit older than I, her hair having turned silver-gray (whereas mine was naturally a platinum color), her fur retaining its orange color, though, her face sun-darkened and showing lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth, her clothing more simple browns and greens, though she still wore a wide purple sash about her waist.  It was rare to see a kerryn of her age in the Empire, though I had noticed several older kerryn amongst the nomads.

As her daughter served us a blend of tea I had not had before, a darker brew spiced with cinnamon and ginger, and we sat near the low fire, watching some herbal mixture cure, Emika began asking me about my journey to this side of the world, how I was getting along now that my collar had been removed.  I recounted my experiences thus far, giving additional details as she asked for them.  She eventually turned her questions to the Empire itself, even asking if I still had my slave markings, which I showed her.  She and her attendants were upset by the nature of the brands, at the scars that were around it from previous brandings and said that she had heard they used magic tattoos.

I explained why mine were different, what my duties were, lowering my head in newly discovered shame as I explained that I used to train new slaves and punish disobedient ones.  Then, quite freely, I explained the second mark, that of the Stellae Illustris, and what my duties had been as a member of their ranks.  I would never have considered giving this information freely before, but now, it seemed to flow out of me of its own accord, even the details of how we rooted out rebels and put them to the question and of how they had turned even the language we now spoke into a closely held secret.  As our conversation would continue, I would also admit to not knowing some of the words that I heard during the songs of the previous night, and even some of which she had used, for they had never been taught to me, and I had only guessed their meanings from the rest of what was being said.

After learning of my shameful past, I had expected that perhaps Emika would ask me to leave, too offended by my presence in their wholesome camp, but instead she bid me to follow her.  She led me about the camp, telling me of the history of her people, the Nakao clan, of how her own grandmother had been a fortunate escapee from the Empire that had found her way to these shores with a handful of other former slaves with the help of some world-travelling adventurers who taught them some of free living, eventually guiding them into the nomad clans that they would eventually join. 

Eventually she led me beyond the camp and into the great woods, following a well-worn trail through the mighty trees, telling me then about the many “truths” of the Great Cataclysm, telling me some of the same information as Justicar Grayforge, though also presenting how other races, specifically the elves of the ancient Dominion often presented the facts of the matter.  Eventually this turned to the nature of the kerryn people and the fallen goddess Sarresh, of how most of her teachings and ways have been lost to time as her people sought other deities to serve and worship.  The nomads, she revealed, traveled the land looking for Saressh, of any knowledge of her they could find, in the hopes that one day they might find her again.  I could only begin to guess at the possibility of resurrecting a long dead god, for such things were far beyond a someone such as myself.

I listened to Emika intently, absorbing every detail I could of what she told me as we walked, of the stories of her peoples’ journeys and history, the trail passing through several small streams and clearings, circling the city, though never leaving sight of its walls.  We passed others on the trail, citizens of the city returning from a hunt or seeking some solitude and were paid little mind but for a kindly greeting.  Some time later, well after midday, we finally returned to the camp, where I was treated to some of their cooked meats and a vegetable soup, even some of their honeyed bread.  The food was simple, but I found it delicious, and thanked them for allowing me to take part.

With the late afternoon came more rain, and then Emika asked about my future, what I planned to do with myself having learned all that I had.  Truly I did not yet have an answer.  I could not ignore the voice in my head that demanded I return to the Empire, to continue my service as a proper slave.  Nor could I another voice that told me to leave the Empire behind, to find a new purpose, to live…free.  Emika easily discerned my internal conflict, and eased me somewhat, telling me that I need not find an answer immediately, and that I should continue as I had, learning and thinking about what it was I had learned since my arrival here.

I aided her with some of her work after our lunch and asked her about what gods they worshiped within her clan.  Though they ultimately sought our lost Mother, they mostly paid their respects to Uvtarr-Omos, the god of travels and exploration, though they were often acknowledging several others as well, for there were many dangers and challenges on their journeys, and it was wise to keep many deities in mind.  I asked her what she knew of Lashana, and she told me that the Lady of Justice was perhaps too zealous at times, and far too strict with her practices for a free-roaming people like them, though her displeasure with the Empire was certainly well-placed and appreciated.

As evening approached, Satella returned and was brought to us.  She was welcomed as I had been, as had several others from the city throughout the day, I noticed, as they came to conduct some business or visit with a friend.  Emika bid us stay with them for the night, and so we did, mingling with others of the clan now, listening to more stories that were told that evening; though these were told mainly for the children, I was fully absorbed into them, for we had no such history or tales of our own in the Empire.  After dinner, there was more dancing and singing, and this time I was drawn into the festivities by members of the clan who insisted Satella and I dance with them.  Though it had been some time since I had danced, and their dances were different from those with which I was familiar, I remembered my training and quickly adapted, and found it rather amusing that Satella, for all her agility and knowledge of the Arts, struggled to keep up.

It was perhaps the most fun I’d had in my life, almost like every trouble was forgotten, at least for a short while, and for the very briefest of times, I had forgotten what it was like to be a slave.  I was so very glad Satella had been there to experience the night with me, and joined me in the tent we were given for the night.