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autumnpawtribe · 5 years

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Loa Bound - The Call

Xiao listened attentively, looking over his spot only to find his attention taken over by the INCREDIBLY scantily clad nature of his mates’ clothing. He smiled a bit and let out a bemused chuckle, trying to remain chaste and not ogle his loves too much. When Vol leaned down to kiss him, he met him with a tender one in return, nuzzling his forehead against him.

“Of course, I will be right back.” With that, he held Tarja in one arm and offered his other hand to Zakin so he could lead them away to be watched by Nielka. Once he had the children situated, he came back and took the seat Kit had pointed out to him. He was still mostly quiet, a watchful eye observing everything before him as he also kept a slight guard. After all, Kit mentioned being able to run fast, so he had no idea what to expect at that point.

Jack had come out, in near the same clothing as Vol, the two younger males standing next to their uncle. Vol was only half a head taller, and the tusks were off, but not by much. If those watching didn't know any better, on would thing the older male Vol's natural father. Tsal and Jura sat to the side, still clothed Aret sitting on the ground next to them. They were all within the "fence" that looked suspiciously like a corral. Kit and Hari were on the outside however, but high enough up that they could participate, but out of the way. Both were armed. Tavisi stood with Nazui, the woman without her high collar, but clad in kilt and a top that covered their chests. Hari, Kit and Tavisi were clad the same. There was a bowl of blood, thick black and sticky, Nazui's wrist slashed but healing.

Jack put his forehead to Vol's, smiling as he clapped him on the shoulder. "Better to meet it head on. You didn't kill him. He forgives you. Just take it as it comes."

Xiao was a mixture of nervous, intrigued, and slightly aroused by all of these gorgeous and nearly naked men. He bit his bottom lip and just watched, ready for anything.

When the drums began, Jura and Tsal kept them soft. It was not a heavy beat, but it was apparently known to Pahre and Janaret both. There was a soft almost nonsensical song to it, mostly sounds, no true words from any language. Nazui stood, her mouth not moving but her voice ringing out loud and strong from nowhere.

"I call to you, Loa bound. Those given gifts by our mother, her mother, and her mother's mother. Descendants of the dark, children in service to Bwonsamdi. You who were born to serve death, but given blood of a Loa's child to serve. You have strayed but now it is time to control one of your own."

When she started to speak, Venya, Vol and Jack began a dance that began with their feet and moved up slowly They almost swayed at first, eyes closed as they moved around a fire pit that had no fire. Kit raised her hand, a fire coming to rest in the twigs and branches. The three kept moving around, the dance slow and rhythmic. The dark haired Nazui held her hand in the air, writing runes in blood that seemed to hang where they were. She and Tavi called out, Tavi's voice actually coming from her throat. They called out no names Xiao knew but a spirit came over heads as they were called.

To Kit, a wolf spirit circled round once called, Nazui's tonal "voice singing" as she called in turn with Tavisi. "Come Sister, Wolf's Call..." A large Warsong wolf circled nearby, near as corporeal as She was. Kit became still and unseeing as the spirit manifested.

"Come Bear's Mother!" Hari's closed her eyes as a bear stood next to her, her hand on the spirit's head before she was also fixed in place, eyes unseeing. This spirit was stronger, almost as though a true bear, black furred and significantly large sat at Vahari's side.

"Come Night's Call." A Bat flapped behind Nazui quietly, the daylight becoming darker in its presence. It was strong and solid, staring forward with blind eyes from a blood red stained face.

"Come to us, Viper's Bite." A large Viper, pale scaled and slow came over Tavi's shoulder. The spirit was weaker, but easily seen.

"Come, Thornhoof.." A Stag, tall as Jura and dark furred stood its ground next to its host. This one was near solid, watching and wary.

"Come Eagle’s Wing" The cry of an Eagle was heard as it perched on the fence and watched. This one was only spirit. No real strength came from it, only that it came when called. Venyabi was as still and unseeing as the rest once the spirit that came perched above him.

"Come Claw Hunter..."

Xiao watched in silence, any sort of distraction long gone now as he watched Kit draw blood runes in mid-air. He took a slow breath, remaining calm as he pieced together the ritual, seeing each spirit animal making an appearance. When Claw Hunter was called, he looked to Vol and Jack, waiting to see which of them would react and in what way. He stayed on the ready for whatever might happen, having no real idea what to expect.

When Claw Hunter came forth, It was not a smaller version of a raptor. This one was at least a few feet taller than Honor and built solid. This was a true animal, a loa, even if minor. It had dark blue, black, and violet feathers gracing head, neck and tail. His scales were dark, with a shimmer as the light hit him. The coloring not matching his host as he stood, Jack no longer dancing.

"Come Raptor Blood."

Xiao would get a glimpse of the beast that shared the form that was his mate. Big, bigger than the other by a few feet, the animal also had at least a few hundred pounds on the older male's form. His scales shone in the darkened daylight, the same tone as Vol's. Green and gold feathers on head, neck and tail were strangely accented by the off colored yellow scales on his shoulder. Xiao would barely be able to see the markings that graced the animal spirit's chest, but only due to angle. Amber eyes met matching ones from Claw Hunter as the beast, fully corporeal and making large indents in the grass, strode around.

The drum beat and singing was still happening, but only Xiao seemingly the one breathing. All the rest stopped even the ones who did not call a beast to their side. The animal spirits the only ones moving or speaking.

"You are in my territory, not your own, old one...."

Xiao would see Vol stopped mid dance now, same as the rest, his eyes white and unseeing.

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gavinkblog · 7 years

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A very mundane goose chase (MIT Part 91)

Once they had got all the information they could from the drink spikers the Trader’s stuffed both of them into barrels. Drogarth, Ulfgar and Mongo left before immediately. Ulfgar and Drogarth rolling the barrels over to the police barracks while Mongo fixed the fence after them. Aranys remained on the roof while Rincewind bedded down in the corner behind some barrels to await Locktar.

The three found the guard on duty initially reluctant to lock up their barrel bound captives but when he recognised Ulfgar then it took just an autograph to sway him. He told them that Reale would be back in the morning.

It was still dark at the storehouse and from atop her perch on the roof Aranys saw figures approaching, she quickly shimmied down and warned Rincewind who was inside.

Aranys back on the roof heard voices from the individuals and saw them pointing at the storehouse. It seemed to be the guards from earlier and possibly the Dragonborn known as Locktar.

They entered the storehouse where Rincewind hid. They used everlasting light sticks to check the scene. Some were guards with cudgels but also some held blades.

Rincewind could hear them whispering as they told Locktar about the gigantic Dwarf and how he wasn't likely to hide here. He could remember that one had a brightly glowing weapons

The Dragonborn orded the three guards outside as he remained inside with the blade armed thugs.

They searched the storehouse and came close to discovering Rincewind but eventually they decided to deal with it in the morning. Locktar told them they’d need to report it to their superior Kungo.

The guards were ordered to barricade the door and guard the storehouse and Locktar left with his companions.

When they’d left Aranys slid onto the ground and peered into the unbarred back to inform Rincewind. They quickly agreed that she would go after Locktar and try and find this Kungo. She slipped quickly back into the dark past the guards who were still working on barricading the front door.

With Aranys gone Rincewind stepped out the back door as sounds of hammering came from the front, he casually walked around to the corner of the building to see three guards, one kneeling at the door hammering in nails as two more stood behind him supervising.

One turned and looked straight at Rincewind, a shocked expression forming on his face. He shouted to his mate and with only slight hesitation two of them charged the Wizard.

Rincewind raised his wand as they closed the distance. They were on him quickly and he dodged to avoid their cudgels, catching only a glancing blow to the shoulder before he hit both of them with Sleep. They started to slow immediately as the third who’d been kneeling at the door now charged, Rincewind’s wand pointed at him, there was a flash and a magic missile impacted his chest smashing him backwards into the the air, he landed on his back in a cloud of dust, unconscious. One of the slowed guard’s eyes closed as he slipped to the floor asleep but the other somehow shook it off, he swung again at Rincewind catching him on the arm before before another point blank Magic Missile rendered him also unconscious. As the dust settled he sat amongst the fallen guards and rummaged in his robes for his pipe.

Aranys’ prey had stopped at an intersection where they appeared to be talking. She dashed into the shadows and listened in.

They were talking about the mill that had been hit the previous night. Locktar said Kungo had been shaken up by that. He felt there was something he was not telling him but he hadn’t pushed it. He knew what the Maw was like.

With that their conversation ended and they split up. Aranys stayed with Locktar as he headed to a medium sized townhouse, he entered and locked the door. she waited and watched as a light came on and went out before she returned to the docks.

Aranys retured to find Rincewind smoking his pipe sat by three prone guards, she explained she'd likely found Locktar's house. Shortly the other three returned having left their charges at the police barracks.

They set off towards Locktar's house. Once there they moved quickly. Rincewind used the Knock ritual to unlock the door. Mongo and Aranys headed round the back to cut off avenues of escape while Ulfgar pushed the front door followed by Drogarth and Rincewind. Doorways led to the left and right, another lead out the back and stairs wound back on themselves upstairs.

They followed Ulfgar up the stairs, they came to a couple of doors on the landing. He listened and heard loud snoring from one of them. He gestured to Rincewind, knock? he shook his head and gestured a kicking motion.

The Dwarf swiftly booted the door in as a thunk sounded and a crossbow bolt embedded itself in his chest. His head swam as he felt poisons slow his reaction. In the room a figure rose quickly from his bed.

Ulfgar despite the poison coursing through his bloodstream acted first and stormed forward making a grab for him and missing. Locktar grabbed a knife from his table and stabbed at Ulfgar, the blade glancing off the plate. Rincewind opened fire, Magic missiles blasting holes in the walls and shattering pictures, Locktar dived for cover and as he did Drogarth caught him with the edge of his axe, knocking him cold.

They tied him to a chair in the room and then let Mongo and Aranys in. They woke him with some cold water, Ulfgar stood over him.

“Errrgh, you must have been the ones that hit the yard. What do you want”

“Your boss”

He thought for a moment.

“I'd like to tell you, but you're less scary than they are.”

“How much are being paid.”

“Enough.”

“Look you can die here by our hand, or you can live a bit longer”

“If I die you don't get what you want.”

“We already have a name”

"What name is that then?”

“Kungo”

“Alright yes, I meet Kungo once a week at a tavern called the Random Chance. I met him yesterday.”

“You better tell him the storehouse has been hit.”

“I've informed him already.”

“Why were you spiking the beer?”

“I don't know I just do what I'm told. If I tell you where Kungo is I'll need to leave the city.”

They negotiated and agreed to pay Locktar 1000g to allow him to leave the city and setup elsewhere. He told them he’d arrange to meet Kungo the next day and they could then meet him in his place. He said he would ask for an immediate meeting at midday in the Random Chance.

He described Kungo Hooknose. He was a Halfing with a large nose, with a wart on it and a short beard. The description sounded to the Trader's like one of the business men from the other night who'd sent them into the clutches of Keeda.

As Kungo would expect to see Locktar first, Rincewind made preparations to disguise himself. While he did this Ulfgar, Mongo and Drogarth returned to the barracks to meet with Reale.

She wanted to know why she had two people in her cells that her guards didn't bring in. They explained they believed the men were agents of the Maw and poisoning the Ale in the town. She agreed to have the town Alchemist look at the samples they provided and asked they return at four.

Locktar had told them the table he usually met Kungo at. Rincewind sat disguised as Locktar and Kungo entered with two guards, they went to the bar while he joined Rincewind at the table.

“You asked to meet urgently”

“I needed to let you know two of my people were arrested last night after the raid.”

“Ok but you didn't tell them anything to lead back to us did you.”

“No they don't know anything”

“You said this was urgent”

“Is there anything more on what happened at the mill?”

“No, just everyone there is dead.”

Rincewind believed him but Kungo seemed nervous when he said it. He ran through descriptions of those that hit the storehouse and saw in Kungo a flash of recognition.

“Do you know them?”

“Yes they match the descriptions of those that hit the mill.”

“What can we do about them?”

“Nothing at the moment they're cutting through us.”

So I should continue as normal?

“Yes replace the ones you've lost, clean up and carry on.”

“Ok then, see you next week”

Aranys watched Kungo and his men leave the tavern and began to follow them through the streets. They eventually led her to a fairly large detached house, a cart stood outside. She waited a while, after nothing happened to she returned to the Random Chance and got the rest of the Traders.

She led them back to the house that Kungo had entered, the cart was no longer there. Drogarth knocked on the door as Aranys went around the back. Mongo, Ulfgar and Rincewind watched from across the street.

Aranys found the back door ajar, she approached and peered through into a kitchen and entered. Drogarth having had no answer, pushed the door open and they found the house empty, having been abandoned in a hurry. Clothes and food had been taken, an empty lock-box lay on the floor.

Drogarth asked around a few people before a beggar spoke up. He told them that he’d seen Kungo headed towards the market in his cart with a couple of men in it maybe thirty minutes past. They headed off in that direction as fast as they could, Rincewind sent his Falcon familiar up into the air to see if it could spot him.

The market was about five minutes away they arrived amongst the various vendors selling everything from fish to jewellry. Rincewind's bird returned to tell him that it thought it saw someone who could be Kungo on a road south of the market. Aranys asked a vendor who also saw him in that direction so they sprinted in that direction.

They asked more beggars every couple of minutes and ran as fast as they could. Even with Drogarth and Rincewind lagging behind they made good pace and and saw a cart ahead, but when they finally caught it, although there were three people in it, none were a Halfling.

They returned to the beggar outside the empty house who insisted he was right about who was in the cart, they retraced their steps to south of the market. They tried a different direction at the crossroads and ended up at the southgate.

Drogarth asked the guards at the gate if they'd seen their wagon about an hour ago. One of them said they thought so and they'd left about three quarters of an hour ago.

Rincewind conjured Phantom Steeds while Drogarth left a message with an urchin boy for Reale. They rode hard for two hours without finding anyone and finally they admitted defeat, they'd lost him. They rode back into Southgate and returned to the barracks.

Reale was still working there. Their alchemist had confirmed Mongo's findings. They explained Ramaca Holdings seemed link to the poisoning. Adress Vale the owner had become a recluse after his wife died in childbirth.

They said goodnight to Reale and headed to Adress's house.

#D&D

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