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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE - EARLY AFTERNOON
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Narrator: It's been a long day for Lianne since her midnight walk out from the Abyss straight into the Medic's Tent. She's been resting as best she can since she woke up to Gareth and calmed down. She's donned her necklace once more, and she finally decides to unwrap her golden sai. She inspects the pair idly in her boredom, assessing the 'new' imperfections introduced to them from her explosive encounter with Usid months ago.
Nesseth has spoken with some of the healers who have been tending to Lianne, and while they've been insistent that she gets her rest uninterrupted, they concede that any info she might be able to give would help prevent any issues on the approach to the Abyss. Approaching her partition, he takes a peek inside, just to make sure Lianne is awake, since he promised to not bother her if she was sleeping. Upon seeing her examining her sai, however, he gently knocks on a nearby post and steps into view. "Oh, good, you're awake. How are you feeling, Lianne?"
Lianne Sparr's eyes gaze slightly up, looking through the gaps in her Sai at Nesseth with a blank stare. "Like shit." She replies, now putting the Sai down and her expression softening. "You're familiar." Lianne pauses, though continues quickly once her memory clicks. "Ah, right. Nesseth. The kindly gate guard."
Nesseth smiles as he steps into the 'room' and takes a seat. Trying (and kind of failing) to not take note of Lianne's lack of clothing, as well as her apparent nonchalance about it. He doesn't comment, however, as the healers obviously haven't raised any fuss. "Well, hopefully we can get you and the rest back to town for proper treatment so you can recover faster." He dips his head, "And yes, that's me. If it's not too much of a bother, I was wondering if I might be able to ask some questions about the Abyss."
Lianne Sparr notices that Nesseth is trying not to notice, causing her to smile a bit in response, as if to invite it. "Hm. I figured Chickenpox'd have that covered. Ask away what it is you wish to know."
Nesseth takes him a moment to process who Lianne's talking about with the name of 'Chickenpox', but once he figures it out, he can't help but let out a slight, stifled chuckle. He takes a moment to compose himself, and the effort does at least distract him from Lianne's figure for a few seconds. "We've already gotten some good information out of him, but obviously, he's not one of the folks actually working in the mines. You and Emmeline had an extremely close look at how things run in the Abyss, though."
Lianne Sparr: "That we did. Emmeline and I were assigned to help carry the ore to the surface out of the mines, so give me a piece of paper and a pencil and I'll draw a layout if you'd like, at least what I had access to anyway." Lianne offers.
Nesseth nods as he digs in his pack for a few seconds, then extracts a pencil and a sheet of paper, which he offers to Lianne. "Here you go. And, while you're drawing that up... how were the conditions in the mines? Usid mentioned the mines were split into two 'levels', of sorts, that he called the "good" mines, and the "bad" mines."
Lianne Sparr moves her Sai off of herself, placing them nearby, to take the paper and pencil and begin scribbling the layout, noting what the rooms were used for as well as what would have been typical guard counts and checkpoints before Lianne's stunt probably fucked that all up. It's a decently scary amount of detail. As she scribbles, she talks, "Admittedly, aside from the hard labour, it's not the worst conditions I've been kept in." Lianne perhaps slips. "Rocks attached to our ankles, somewhat fed and access to water. Decent space to sleep, even if it was hard rock. No physical method of containment, just a long, linear path to the surface filled with guards." Lianne replies. "There was a deeper section to the mines. Dissenters were sent there, never came back. We'd hear a deep explosion every couple of nights. After a few of those, they started taking the people with the lowest performance. A new explosion meant another person taken." Lianne explains. "Never saw any of them again. The stuff that came out from that part of the mines was what I used to make a rather explosive exit, and what Fowl Cluck had on his arrows."
Nesseth props his elbows against his knees, his fingers laced in front of him as he listens to Lianne. He watches the ray drawing up the map, his attention only wandering elsewhere for the first few seconds until he notes the weirdly intense amount of detail she's putting into the sketch. He raises an eyebrow as she continues to draw, then looks up at her a bit more properly with a furrowed brow at the last couple of details. "Damn... so no real containment beyond a ton of scales and pointy sticks. But, obviously, you and Emmeline had some kind of access to the surface to make your escape..." He hums quietly, "And the deeper mines are actually dangerous, not just really bad conditions... Mmh..."
Lianne Sparr nods, "Yes. They needed, or, rather wanted, people to haul the ore to the surface. I talked my way into being allowed to, meanwhile Emmeline was chosen for her performance. Wish I could give you more information on the deeper mines, but only those who we referred to as doomed went down there. Bit of a morale killer. Or booster, from their perspective, I suppose. Work harder, don't get sent down."
Nesseth shakes his head a bit. "The deeper mines will have to be explored carefully, that's all there is to it." He sighs quietly, "Do you have any idea roughly how many folks were in the Abyss with you and Emmeline when you got there?"
Lianne Sparr: "I was among the first dozen to arrive. By the time Emmeline arrived, we were up to about three to four dozen or so. It's around half that now." Lianne replies. "None more have come in since Emmeline's group."
Nesseth lets his eyes drift shut as he lowers his head a bit and rubs the bridge of his nose in apparent frustration. "Damn it. At least we were able to stop them from taking more, but still. The leader of the Abyss has a lot to answer for."
Lianne Sparr: "If I could, I'd oblige that request myself." Lianne sighs, handing the sketch over to Nesseth, along with his pencil. "That does tie into a question I have of you, Nesseth. . .What is it you're planning on doing with me?"
Nesseth accepts the sketch and pencil, then goes about stowing them both away, though he's significantly more careful with the paper now it has a lot of good info written upon it. He tilts his head curiously at Lianne's question. "What we're planning on doing with you?" He echoes, "Uh... get you back to town and get those wounds tended to, of course. You and Emmeline have been through far more than enough, already, and we're not about to ask folks that barely survived escape to take part in an attack."
Lianne Sparr: "Of course. But I mostly meant right now to your attack. Emmeline's fine and I'd rather not be the cause of having the guard leave useful forces behind just to babysit me." Lianne replies.
Nesseth blinks, then nods. "Oh, right. Well, we're hoping to at least try and negotiate Dyvrisse into surrendering first. With Usid and his riders helping us, his clan's been ensuring the area around the Abyss is clear. We've enough strength to handle a battle if one breaks out, even if we send a small force back with the wounded."
Nesseth shrugs a bit after a moment. "Though, more likely, we'll pitch camp here where it's safe, deal with the Abyss, gather up the rest of the kidnapped folks, then get you all back to town with a small guard while the rest advance on the main town."
Lianne Sparr nods, "So, sit tight is what you're telling me. Fair enough." If only the ocean were in her reach.
Nesseth hums in agreement. "Unfortunately, yeah. I know you'd prefer the open ocean, and would probably heal up a lot faster that way, but the nearest coastline is pretty far away still, and nothing but hostile territory between here and there. It'd take a bit longer, but you're guaranteed a safer departure back to sea once we're back east."
Lianne Sparr: "Mm." Lianne pauses. "That is my only question. I hope my information can be of use. Stick a knife in Dyvrisse's eye, would you?" Lianne requests, sickly sweet.
Nesseth lets out a bit of a laugh and smiles grimly. "If she doesn't surrender, I'll be sure to take an opportunity to do so if one arises." He takes a moment to pat the pocket he's tucked the cavern map into, "As for the info, it'll make things a lot easier once we get to the Abyss, definitely. If there's any way we can thank you for the assistance, just say so and we'll try to figure something out."
Lianne Sparr: "Eh. The guard and I are even, given my current circumstances." Lianne shrugs in response. As much as she'd love to ask for the Paltry Poultry's head, she owes the guard far more than they owe her right now. She considered being even a bargain.
Nesseth dips his head and offers Lianne a smile. "Then, in that case... thank you for the information, Lianne. We'll try to resolve this all as quickly as possible." He tilts his head curiously, "I think that's all I needed to ask, so I think I'll let you get back to resting. Is there anything you want me to ask the healers for, though, before I leave? Something to eat or drink, or anything like that?"
Lianne Sparr: "Be a little less stingy with the painkillers?" Lianne lets off an amused huff with a smirk. "I'll be alright though. Thank you, Nesseth."
Nesseth chuckles a bit and nods as he stands back up. "I'll see if they can be a bit more generous with it, then. Have a good rest, Lianne."
Lianne Sparr smiles at Nesseth, watching him go. She picks her Sai back up, looking at them in thought.
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THE UNRESTING EXPANSE - AFTERNOON
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Usid rides in upon his raptor towards the camp. It is alive with activity, as the final preparations for the push to the Abyss are now underway. Usid has helped coordinate the attacks, using his Clan to approach the watch towers and advanced scouts unexpected, and to strike and cut off communications as quickly as possible. Now, the raptor is reporting in at their efforts, talking to a few of Respite's Lieutenants who go to rush the news to the Captains as Usid takes a moment to rest his mount and let it get water.
Gareth has been helping with the flurry of activity to get the camp ready for the approach to the Abyss, but is currently just walking about and ensuring preparations are going as planned. As it stands, the captains and lieutenants are all busy drawing up plans, in the event the negotiation team fails to resolve things peacefully, so his assistance isn't immediately needed. He spots Usid and calls to him as he approaches. "Usid! I take it yer raids on the watchtowers went well, then?"
Usid pats his mount, cooing softly to it, before turning towards the familiar voice. "Gareth. Yes. The Abyss is blind. Though... for how long Usid cannot say. They will know something is wrong soon."
Gareth hums as he approaches, nodding. "Aye, we'll have an openin', but we'll have to move sooner rather than later, especially with the negotiation team already headin' out that way."
Usid nods slowly, glancing out in the direction of the Mines. "If they cannot, this will be a bloody battle. Dyvrisse is strong. Will not fall easily. Usid's clan will fight, though."
Gareth sighs and shakes his head. "Then we'll just have to hope she stands down. Though, from what I'm hearin' from the other guards, we're not leavin' here without the folks that got kidnapped. We'll get them home, one way or another."
Usid hums grimly, the potential deaths of his clan weighing upon him, "Usid... has made mistakes. Usid is sorry it has come to this. No stranger to death, to fighting... but every death now is more blood on Usid's hands. It is confusing. Unpleasant feeling."
Gareth nods. "I can't say I'm lookin' forward to havin' another war this far out from town, at least, not without a couple o' cannons or somethin' in support. It's not somethin' that's goin' to be easy, and seein' folks gettin' caught up in all o' this is a bit rough." He looks over at some of the people hurrying about nearby, "Especially those that aren't fighters like us. The sooner we can resolve this, less people will die."
Usid sighs, petting his mount's side gently as the raptor drinks. He stands, head down, thinking. "Gareth is a fighter, yes? Why? You seek prey? Strength? Usid has seen your strength firsthand."
Gareth chuckles and shakes his head a bit. "I used to be a pirate. I fought fer meself and me crew, usually at the expense o' those better off than us. Nowadays, I fight as a bounty hunter, huntin' people down that wronged towns or other people, and gettin' paid to do so."
Usid smiles, "Usid is hunter too. Hunts for game to feed the clans. Hunts for prey. The hunt boils in Usid's blood. Whisperer made Respite sound like prey. Usid... enjoyed hunting. First caravan was weak, cowards... made Usid feel stronger, but now, Usid is unsure."
Gareth hums, smiling in turn. "There are plenty o' worthy targets to hunt. It's just a matter o' pickin' what sounds worthwhile fer yer skill." He tilts his head curiously, "What are ye unsure about?"
Usid snorts a bit, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "Unsure... of strength. Of purpose. Of future. Usid is preparing for death, one way or the other. Just... wants to ensure that Usid's clan shall be safe."
Gareth hums. "Well, I can say from experience that yer purpose is whatever ye make o' it. Me parents wanted me to be a merchant, part o' the fleet out o' Vamas. I didn't really want that. Got the trainin' and everythin', but it never felt like somethin' I wanted to do fer the rest o' me life. Instead, I took me own path, and look where it got me." He flashes Usid a bit of a grin, "Yer clan is safe with us, assumin' we get through this victorious, so there's that, aye?"
Usid ponders this for a moment. "...how much more is there beyond our Yzzayt's promised land? Outsiders came from another place... you speak of 'Vamas' and fleets."
Gareth smiles. "Plenty. There's a port city way out to the east o' this place. From there, ye can visit all sorts o' different places. Vamas is a pretty snow-covered place to the northeast, and that's where I'm from. There's also Sarn, another land a bit closer to the north. Then there's Orela to the east a ways, full o' islands and scaled folk." He shrugs a bit, "Might even be more places we don't even know about yet, too."
Usid: "Plenty... legends say that Yzzayt created the world with his brothers and sisters, and even that Yzzayt created others like us, scattered around this world, those like Sister Louma. But it is still difficult to imagine."
Gareth nods. "There are plenty o' different sorts o' people. Orela has more like Louma and Xochi, the Snakes. Lizards also inhabit that place, like Lieutenant Nesseth. Ye can find feathered folk all over too, though ye might see them more from Sarn and Vamas."
Usid nods, though it is hard to tell if he truly comprehends as he glances around the camp at the huge diversity. "Much to learn, if we are to actually work together."
Gareth hums. "And though ye say yer prepared to die, I'd say ye might want to hold off on that if ye can. There's a lot to see, a lot to learn, and plenty o' ways to challenge yerself out there."
Usid: "Not for Usid to decide any longer. Usid will fight to survive, but it shall be Yzzayt's will if Usid lives or dies. And after that, it shall be upon your Captains to decide what justice Usid deserves."
Gareth nods in understanding, staying quiet for a couple of seconds before he gets an idea. "Tell ye what, then. A couple o' the captains owe me a favor or two, so... if ye survive all o' this and we get back to Respite safely, I'll see if I can keep the captains from just killin' ye. Ye'll still have to do somethin', probably time in jail or somethin' like that, but ye'll at least have the chance one day to explore."
Usid narrows his eyes at Gareth, "...Why? Why do you do this? You have no reason to aid me." He swallows his pride, thinking back to their confrontation at the caravan raid. "You are stronger than Usid is."
Gareth shrugs at the question. "I'm a taker o' lives, Usid. Between meself and me partner, Fiora, we've killed a lot o' people that deserved it, and probably a few folks that didn't." He crosses his arms, "The only folks we've killed, though, are always those that fought to the end. Surrenderin' gets mercy. Sure, ye didn't exactly surrender, but yer helpin' us a lot when ye could have just taken yer clan and go into hidin' somewhere else in the land, far from here and Respite."
Usid shakes his head, "Hiding, running, act of cowards. Usid is strong. His clan is strong..." He pauses. "Tizza believes peace will make us stronger."
Gareth nods. "Exactly. Ye could have taken the easy way to ensure yer clan's safety. Instead, yer helpin' us, so that's got to count fer somethin' with the captains when figurin' out what to do about ye after all o' this." He smiles a bit and taps the side of his head with a finger, "And Tizza is right, I think. Strength isn't always about bein' mighty in battle."
Usid remains silent as he considers all of this. "Yes. Although... Gareth. Usid will offer word of warning, if you would listen to it."
Gareth nods. "O' course. Caution is good, and keeps us alive."
Usid nods, snorting quietly, "Usid knows well enough that 'allies' can be the most dangerous. Usid fought alongside Nyzai. Usid has little doutbt Nyzai would have slit Usid's throat if it served him in even the slightest." He frowns, "The prisoner who escaped. The water-dweller. Be wary of her. She is dangerous, and self-serving. Usid has seen it."
Gareth blinks, then chuckles. "Ah, ye mean Lianne? Aye, I'm well aware o' her and how dangerous she can be. We've crossed paths years ago and crossed blades durin' that meetin'."
Usid crosses his arms, "Usid captured her in the first raid. 'Lianne' fled from the wagons, leaving others to their fate. If putting the knife to your throat ensured her escape, Usid has little doubt you would be dead now."
Gareth hums, nodding. "Aye, o' course, if she tried that, she also would have been bleedin' out right next to me. I know her style." He gestures at the scar on his face, "She gave me this, when we first fought. I gave her a good wound in turn. If it came down to it, I'd take her with me."
Usid stares at Gareth, tracing the scar with his eyes, then slowly sighs. "You people of Respite are so strange... but Usid has said what he will. She is in no condition to fight today regardless."
Gareth nods. "Aye, Dyvrisse caught her pretty well with that lightnin' she can use. She won't be in good shape fer a while." He looks Usid over for a moment, "Though, since ye gave me a warnin', I'll give ye one in turn. I spoke with Lianne the other day, and she seems pretty intent on payin' ye back fer kidnappin' her. If ye want to stay alive and keep helpin' yer clan, ye might want to either do everythin' ye can to avoid her, or talk to her and get her off yer tail while she's in no shape to fight."
Usid tilts his head, not really finding the news surprising, but more that the warning had come at all. Still, he takes a breath and nods. "Perhaps... Usid is little good at 'talk', but... perhaps, yes."
Gareth hums. "Then, at least that way, ye can say ye tried, whatever the result, aye? Nothin' cowardly about facin' someone that wants ye dead, and tryin' to set things right."
Usid straightens up slightly, Gareth reframing the talk as a challenge to be confronted rather then retreated from doing a great deal to galvanize him. "...We shall see what the Abyss brings us, then... Usid shall talk with Lianne, yes."
Gareth smiles slightly at Usid straightening up at the implied challenge. "Then I wish ye luck when we get through whatever happens at the Abyss. Here's hopin' Dyvrisse sees reason, but if it comes to blows, good luck in the fight, aye?"
Usid nods towards Gareth with respect, "To you as well, One-Eyed Wolf. Fight well, if it comes to fighting."
Gareth gives Usid a respectful dip of the head and goes to continue on his way. "Then I'll let ye get back to restin', Usid the Swift. We'll be movin' towards the Abyss soon enough."
Usid nods grimly, "Yes, we shall..." He turns his attention back towards his mount, picking up a brush to attend to the animal as he awaits word of the final push forward.