[Taocow PBEM] Chapter IX - The King Of The River

[Aaron Clausen]

> [Sia]
> Sialillion walks outside a bit after the others.  As soon as she sees the bloody
> body, she flinches and then looks away.  She doesn't react any further.
>
> "Not much for subtlety, it would seem." she says  "I think we can be certain that
> K'murd-faka's agents are right at our heels.  Best we leave as soon as possible."
> [/Sia]

> > [Bongo]
> > Bongo shakes his head sadly.  "I hope we didn't bring this on these people."
> >
> > He turns to Alex.  "Remember the song at the banquet?"
> >
> > 	"Twas a day in bright June, when the sun was so bright,
> > 	the Reaver came calling, and our lands turned to blight.
> > 	'Pon farms and dales and even the womb,
> > 	The Reaver brought death, destruction and doom.
> >
> > 	Now kings and queens and serfs all alike,
> > 	Were soon enslaved and cast into night.
> > 	And from the shores of the Hudson there rose such a cry,
> > 	Of fear and despair at this horrible time.
> >
> > 	And the Reaver's army marched upon our fair towns.
> > 	And threatened to burn all about us right down.
> > 	But out of the North, in a land by the sea,
> > 	Akirax the Wolfen did hear of our need.
> >
> > 	And so he came down with sword and with gun,
> > 	And as he took to the field the summer sun shone.
> >
> > 	And in a final pitched battle Akirax did call to
> > 	the Reaver, and he demanded 'I lay a challenge upon you!'
> > 	And the Reaver did come, his sword and armor all black,
> > 	And to some it did seem that Akirax might turn back.
> >
> > 	But the Wolfen prince was no coward, 'tis true,
> > 	And lifting his glave he rode right on through
> > 	The hoards of the demon and they cowered with fright,
> > 	For Akirax was transformed into a terrible sight.
> >
> > 	'To Rath-Iren return, demon of Hell!'
> > 	Brave Prince Akirax did loudly yell.
> > 	And sword met sword with bone-wrenching clang,
> > 	And steel did join, and loudly it sang.
> >
> > 	Prince Akirax was victorious that glorious day,
> > 	And the Reaver's soul fled somewhere far away.
> > 	And in the years that passed, when Akirax grew old,
> > 	The Reaver's sword he held in his hands dead and cold."
> >
> > "I'll wager that's the K'murd-faka, that white-skinned demon that keeps
> > chasing us."
> > [/Bongo]

> > [Osiris]
> > Osiris himself weeps quietly.  He places a hand on Max's shoulder.  "She
> > is in a better place, my friend.  But let us take her body down.  This
> > is show enough, I think."
> >
> > Osiris hobbles slowly towards the girls body, reaches up and pulls the
> > pins that hold her up.  Gently he grabs her, his armor getting covered
> > in blood and gore.  His lips move in a silent prayer.
> >
> > He looks at Max.  "I know this is an hour of great grief for you.  May
> > the Lord give you the strength to go on, and remember her as she was."
> > [/Osiris]

> [Sia]
> Sialillion listens intently to Bongo's song, quite impressed.  "Well delivered, Dog
> Boy." she offers as praise.
> [/Sia]

[Bongo]
Bongo shakes his head.  "Just repeating from memory."

Bongo turns to Alex.  "The Reaver is clearly that pale-skinned demon
thing that's been haunting us since we were on that ship.  It was the
thing Kyle sacrificed himself to save us from, and now it, or it's
agents, are right in this town."
[/Bongo]

> [Talas]
> Talas, not even trying to hide his rage, turns to Sia.  "Lady Sialillion, tell me, did
> those two hooded men we saw before have any thing to do with this?"
> [/Talas]

> [Sia]
> Sialillion's reaction, for her part, is a bit detached, her face a mask of calm.  She
> refuses to look directly at the gore, however.  "Two men place a spell on the
> woman, and then she ends up like this.  It doesn't seem like coincidence.  No, I'd
> even wager that they were the perpetrators... tragic we didn't stop them."  But
> there is little emotion in this last statement.
>
> Addressing the group directly, she says, "They could be anywhere by now, but we
> should ask the gate guards if they saw anyone suspicious leave."
> [/Sia]

[Osiris]
Osiris stands up.  "I know we were all looking forward to one last
night in bed, but I agree with Lady Sialillion.  We'd best leave as
soon as possible.  One thing remains.  Max, though he is clearly
grieving, had something to tell us, and I think we'd best hear it as
soon as possible."
[/Osiris]

[GM]
Max stands up and wipes the tears out of his eyes.  "Yes, I'd best
tell you, but not here.  We can step into the kitchen for a bit of
privacy."
[/GM]

-- 
Aaron Clausen   mightymartianca at gmail.com