And now for a Big Fat Oof

Welcome to Campel base. Please, take a seat," He ushered them in and greeted them all individually as well. Caderik sat in a chair across from Alarick and the others found other seating.

"Is Pathagari late again?" Caderik asked Alarick.

Alarick just nodded, "Yes, that makes three years in a row now," He said disdainfully, "I'm beginning to wonder if he..." Alarick was cut off by the sudden entrance of two persons.

The first was a man who looked to be in his late twenties, and had decidedly tousled brown hair and bright green eyes. He was dressed as a lower noble, rather the same way Caderik and Alarick were. Beside him was a young man who looked younger than Miryanna, with blond curly hair and the same green eyes.

so they're all at least in the noble class. i guess you would have to be somewhat high up to know what's going on in the kingdom enough to do what they're doing. I don't get the vibe that Terinnia educates it's lower classes on the inner workings of the kingdom too well. Also who are these guys? Like seriously, who are they, what prompted them to do this? What's their background?

"Sorry I'm late, Blax and I encountered a little trouble on the road," The brown haired one said as soon as he entered.

"Pathagari, that's the third time in a row," Alarick accused.

dangit pathagari

"Sorry," Pathagari was saying as he took a seat on the other chair across from Alarick, "You both know that the road from the sea port is more dangerous than the road from the mountains. Pirates and sailors use that road to get to Campel," He explained. "I made all haste, but we were robbed on the way, weren't we Blax?" He turned back to the kid standing behind him, "Yeah, yeah, we were," He stuttered.

"Well, we're all here now, and we shall begin this council," Alarick said steadily.

"Yes, yes we shall," Pathagari said, "Now, I've had some concerns about..."

"Pathagari, slow down," Caderik held his hands up, "Neither of us can understand you when you speak a mile a minute,"

"Sorry, sorry, it's just that some important things have happened by the sea and you guys should know about it," He gushed.

when i think about it for more than five seconds, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have a base by the sea. the sea is at the western edge of terrinia and amani is on the east side of terrinia. but whatever. wait a sec did the leaders even know that karayan was from amani before miryanna's kidnapping? i feel like they didn't because they thought he was a rebel. so him being from amani upended their whole operation kinda. instead of dealing with rebels to the crown their dealing with foreign invaders, ft. rebels to the crown. huh. i should think about this whole system for more than five second more often.

"Alright, but let's keep this organized," Alarick was saying. He turned to the others in the room, "In this session we'll be discussing some private matters, so if you don't mind,"

"Of course not," Roric said. He gestured for the others to follow him.

The boy name blax hesitated until he saw Pathagari's gesture to leave.

They exited the room. 'So, what do you guys want to do?" Miryanna asked the others.

Andarin shrugged, "Don't know, what about you, love?"

She shrugged, "Well, I would like to see the city again, if that's alright with the rest of you," She hinted.

Roric just shook his head, " I still think it could be risky," He said.

"Roric, please, anything could be risky. Are you up for it?" She asked the boy.

He nodded, "Sure, I've never seen the city of Campel before,"

Miryanna smiled, "Then it's settled. Let's go!" She led the way to the trapdoor and after checking that no one was around, opened it up and everyone came up.

"You guys have a cool secret entrance," Blax said as he came up into the air.

"Why thank you, Blax, wasn't it?" She asked.

"Yes, I'm Blax. Pathie's--Pathagari's--younger brother," He said.

"Ah, I thought I could see a resemblance," She said.

They all mounted their horses and set out for the city. It was afternoon by this time and they talked about getting something to eat in the city. After introductions, Miryanna and Abdairn *Andarin, but Abdairn is a cool name too were appointed as "guides" since they knew the city better than anyone else in their group.

They entered the city by late afternoon and it was as bustling as ever.

Blax was looking around in wonder, "We have a big city by our outpost, but not quite this big, and not built in this style, and it smells a lot different,"

"Being by the sea, I'm sure it is," Miryanna said. "There," She pointed to a street vendor selling food that looked and smelled delicious. "How about that?" she asked the others.

They all answered in the affirmative, except Roric, who said he wasn't hungry. Miryana knew he was worried about his sister, and he was worried that she or Andarin would be recognized. Miryanna was also worried about Yanev, and while she was also a bit concerned about being recognized, she wasn't going to sweat about it. It's not like they were near the castle, or where Miryanna usually hung out while she lived there, but he was still worried. She could tell by his expression, or lack thereof.

She rode her horse beside his and laid a hand on his shoulder, "Are you sure you're not hungry? You didn't eat much for breakfast," She asked gently.

He just shrugged, "I'm not feeling well today," He mumbled.

"I'm worried about Yanev too, but we can still enjoy the day,"

He shook his head, "do you have any ideas where she might have gone?"

She paused in thought for a moment, thinking back to what Iphnis had told her a few days ago. The feather was still in her pack. She'd thought about it every night since the beginning of the trip. The feather's color reminded her of Karayan's eyes, and Iphnis had said Karayan's name. The feather had fallen after she asked about where Yanev was, and he'd hinted at Karayan earlier. She was pretty much positive at the point that it was Karayan who'd taken Yanev, but she still didn't want to think of that. Karayan was described as a cruel and bloodthirsty man, and in her encounter with him, he'd proven to be just that. Never had such a charming person disgusted her to the degree that he had. She didn't like the thought of Yanev, sweet little Yanev who'd never hurt a fly, in his hands. She wasn't sure if he was depraved enough to hurt a child, especially one like Yanev, but she still wasn't sure.

unless there are blood red birds that can drop feathers (a distinct possibility), how did that happen? Gnomes cannot shapeshift(?) correction: iphnis cannot shapeshift and there are no other gnomes in league with him in this. (?) uughghhhhhhhhh

She sighed, "I think that Karayan Batal kidnaped her," She said at last.

Roric looked confused, "But why?"

She shrugged, "It's just a feeling I have. It seems like something he would do."

but how? hoowww???????

Roric opened his mouth to say more, but a call from Andarin interrupted him.

"Hey, are you guys coming?" He asked them.

"We should probably get going," He said.

Miryanna nodded and urged her horse forward.

"We should also probably get rid of the horses for now," He commented.

"Why?" Miryanna asked.

"They draw too much attention to us," He said.

Miryanna shrugged, "Alright, I know of a livery stable that's trustworthy. We'll get to the others and go to the stable."

Roric nodded.

They caught up with Andarin and Blax who were engaged in some sort of friendly argument about different kinds of food.

"Alright, guys, Roric thinks we should temporarily ditch the horses, as they draw too much attention to us," She explained. "Let's go to Kas' stable and drop them off there. We can get them at the end of the day."

"Alright, sounds good," Andarin agreed.

They dropped their horses off at the stable and headed out to the city again. Andarin, Miryanna, and Blax all had a fun day. Roric stayed silent and to himself. Miryanna tried several times to get him out of his shell, but he stayed. Finally, she decided that if he wanted to be unsociable, then fine. That was all well and good, until suddenly she turned around to ask him something and he wasn't there. She scanned the crowd, thinking he was going to return in a few minutes, as it wasn't like him to just disappear without telling where he was going. She alerted the others to his disappearance, and they stayed in that spot, waiting for him to rejoin them, but five minutes passed, and no Roric.

"Maybe he got distracted by something..." Andarin mused.

Miryanna shook her head, "He'd have told us if he was going to be away for a long time,"

"Did he get lost?" Blax asked.

"I don't think it's possible for Roric to get lost, Miryanna said, still searching the crowd.

A man whose face and most of his body was covered by a gray cloak brushed by, and as he did, Miryanna heard follow, whispered in her ear.

The voice sounded like... Iphnis?

the hecc is he doin there

"Hang on, I'll be right back," She said to her companions before dashing through the crowd after the gray cloak man, or Gnome. He ducked into an alleyway and she dashed in after him. She followed him a long way onto it before he stopped and turned around. Sure enough, it was Iphnis. Miryanna was so surprised, all she could do was stand there with her mouth open. "W--What are you doing here?" She stuttered out. "You followed me?"

"I have only revealed myself to two humans. Both of them are here." He said.

Miryanna was more confused than ever. "What?"

He said nothing.

"Can you for once be frank and tell me straight out?" She pleaded. "Does this have to do with Yanev or Roric?"

"It is not the way of the Gnomes to be frank and speak plainly to a human,"

Miryanna sighed, "Please, I'm trying to help my friends,"

"Me too,"

Miryanna was again confused, "You are?"

Iphnis just gave a nod.

i totally forgot even before the end of this draft that iphnis and yanev knew each other. and that's something i like in stories. characters knowing each other and having relationships with each other.

"Do you know where Roric is?"

"I have an idea,"

"Do you know where Yanev is?"

"I have an idea,"

"Do you have more than ideas?"

"If we act I will,"

"Then when can we act?" Miryanna asked, exasperated.

"Whenever you're ready," Ihpnis said and disappeared into the shadows.

Miryanna huffed, her nostrils flared. She turned and went back out and relocated Andarin and Blax.

"Miry, where did you go?" Andarin asked when she rejoined them, "You just disappeared,"

"Yeah, I'm not the only one," She mumbled under her breath, but Andarin and Blax didn't hear it in the noise of crowd. Out loud, she said, "I thought I saw something," She said. When questioned about what she'd seen, she just shrugged, and didn't answer.

"What are we going to do about Roric? We haven't seen anything of him," Andarin was saying.

"I think..." Miryanna trailed off, not sure how much she should reveal. "I think I have an idea, but it's just an idea,"

"We're all ears," Andarin said.

"I--I think... Karayan."

Karayan chuckled and the sound reverberated through the hollow stone room.

everyone's favorite villain. at least, my favorite villain.

Roric glared as hard as he could held fast by two strong Vanags. "Where's my sister?" He demanded.

"Oh, you are an inquisitive one," Karayan chuckled again.

he's gonna keep losing points if he keeps up with the cliche villain dialogue. In essence, it's not that inquisitive to ask where his sister is, it would be inquisitive if he'd asked multiple questions, such as when was this building built, what did you have for lunch, do you prefer pangolins or anteaters, etc.

"What have you done to my sister?" Roric shouted, trying to yank and twist away from the Vanag's steel grip, but as I just said, the grip was like steel, so Roric's attempts were unsuccessful.

stellar narrative, gadsul. oh thank you, gadsul. you're welcome, gadsul.

"You want to know what I've done to your beloved little Yanev?" Karayan taunted.

karayan, i love you buddy, but you've gotta do better taunting than that

Roric tried again to get away from the Vanag's grip, but was still unsuccessful. "Tell me where Yanev is, you miserable scum!" He yelled.

"Shut it, Ergli," One of the guards slammed a fist into Roric's face, effectively silencing him.

oof

"Miserable scum?" Karayan sounded quite miffed. "I'll show you miserable scum," He snapped his fingers at another Vanag standing by a door. The man disappeared inside of it, emerging a moment later with a struggling figure whose hands and feet were bound and a sack over her head. The Vanag handed the small figure to Karayan. Karayan pulled the sack off of the head to reveal and very shaken, bewildered, and slightly bruised Yanev.

oof

"Roric," She cried as soon as she saw her older brother.

oof

"Silence," Karayan smacked Yanev across the face.

Oof

"Don't touch her!" Roric stormed.

Oof

Yanev cried out in pain and tried to yank away from Karayan's grip, but he held fast. She whimpered and shook with fear.

Oof

One of the Vanags holding Roric shoved a hand over his mouth. "Keep it down," He hissed threateningly in his ear.

"Let my sister go," Roric growled through the Vanag's hand.

"I don't think so," The Vanag growled back and threw another punch, this one landing in Roric's stomach.

He doubled over with pain, but was yanked back up again, and another punch landed on him, and another, and another, until Roric was bruised and bleeding all over.

Oof Oof

Karayan stood watching this whole scene, an evil smile on his well formed mouth. Yanev cried out at seeing her brother so cruelly treated. "Please, stop," She sobbed.

Ooof

Karayan knelt down so that he was at eye level with Yanev. "No. You see, miss, Your brother and I believe in different things, like who should be ruling this country. Because of this, I can't just let him roam about, I have to apprehend him, and if need be, get rid of him. Do you understand?" He purred in his smooth silky voice.

Yanev just stood there. She'd never felt so afraid, or such pain. She was terrified of this man with glowing red eyes. They reminded her of blood, and the eyes of wicked creatures that watched her at night, but never dared approach, due to the presence of her panther, bear and wolf. Her animals were not here, and her brother, who had always protected and loved her was helpless in the hands of cruel men who answered to an even crueller man. She trembled like a cottonwood leaf on a breezy day. She didn't understand at all. She didn't know what some of the words meant, and she didn't understand why this man didn't want Terinnia to be ruled by the king. Roric wanted Terinnia to be ruled by the current king, why should this man want otherwise.

i think i undermine yanev' intelligence a bit, but maybe it's just because she's scared. maybe.

She shook her head, "I want to go home," She whimpered.

Karayan laughed softly, "I'm afraid that that's something that can't be done at the moment." He stood up, "Where are your companions?" He addressed Roric, who was lying prone on the ground, exhausted and hurting from the beating.

Roric didn't answer.

Karayan stepped over by Roric, and kicked him so as to roll him over so he was facing upwards. "I asked you a question, Miserable scum,"

Roric glared back at him, but kept his mouth shut.

"Are you dumb? Answer me, knave!" Karayan demanded.

you can call him worse things, than knave, karayan

"I'm not telling you anything," Roric spat out.

"Fool," Karayan muttered as he leant over and grasped Roric by the neck. By some superhuman strength, he lifted Roric up from the ground. He shoved so that Roric stumbled back a few steps and into a wall. Karayan leapt after him and grasped Roric's neck again, and squeezed, almost cutting off his air supply.

"Tell me where your pathetic base is, and I just might let you go," He sneered in Roric's face.

bruh you knew miryanna was becoming an ergli, you knew she was running away, you were able to find yanev, how. do. you. not. know where at least two bases are?

"If it's so pathetic, why haven't you been able to find it yet?" Roric jeered.

Karayan's fist slammed into Roric's face and he fought unconsciousness. "Don't you address me in that manner, peasant, I asked you where the scum Alarick lurks and I expect a correct answer,"

"I'll never give you one," Roric hissed.

Karayan was about to hit him again, but a scream echoed through the room, surprising Karayan enough for him to pause. In that time, Yanev leapt on him the way the panther had taught her. Karayan was surprised by this sudden attack from so docile a person, but not surprised enough for it to work. He slammed his arm back, and caught Yanev before she could fully reach him and threw her back, where she landed hard on the cold stone floor. She lay still.

OOf

"No!" Roric cried, thinking his sister dead, for how could she survive a fall like that?

OOf

"Tell me what I wish to know!" Karayan roared.

"Avast!" A voice bellowed, silencing all. Another person was now in the room.

AVAST WE'RE PIRATES NOW