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Holmes: The fact that it's supposed to be much easier to speak to the dead at night is probably small comfort to those who would go to the graveyard to speak with them. The white light of Orhan, though supposedly holy, still somehow is a cold comfort. The hills in the distance echo with the sounds off the many animals that seem to contradict their otherwise arid nature.
Holmes: The graves, rise before Chimrea, each a small pile of rocks with various fetishes on them.
Holmes: Some of these are abandoned - or perhaps never actually contained guardians. Easy enough to scare off those who cannot see the spirits merely by suggesting their existences.
Holmes: But those with real protectors are quite horrific to Chimrea's trained sight.
Chimrea finds the alien atmosphere helpful, cleaning her mind of the day's distractions. She carries a covered bowl of milk and some fresh meat, which she tries to keep hidden from all the spirits it's not meant for.
Chimrea is looking for the sacred bones of an old shaman, carried from place to place and now resting here.
Holmes: The pile of rocks for the shaman is relatively small, but the fetish, a skull of a desert bull, holds a potent spirit protecting it.
Chimrea: Chimrea, who has marks painted on her face indicating her role as spirit-talker, kneels before the little cairn to set out the milk and meat. Bowing her head before the spirit and then looking up, she says, "I come to beg a story, father of my grandfathers."
Holmes: Pulling out her bag of teeth, the spirit within them begins to chatter in unison with Chimrea's question. The spirit pierces the veil between worlds to find the spirit that once inhabited the remains interred here. The shaman spirit responds to the teeth, "Who calls me from the hunt out on the eternal plain!"
Chimrea: "Chimrea, student of Fahd, who stands between the living and the dead. I need your wisdom for the tribe--I need to hear the stories of of Akalatan."
Holmes: The shaman hears her words and their earnestness. The Shaman says, "Akalatan, cursed be his name, is the lie that must be accepted. The small untruth that has to exist to make truth possible. Beware his priestesses, for their words are twisted, though they would have the good of the tribe at heart. I shall tell you the story of how Cay met Akalatan."
Chimrea sits back on her heels to listen, hoping she'll hear something that gives her a way out for Tez.
Holmes: The story of the meeting of Cay and Akalatan is one of Akalatan trying to get the better of his stronger foe through speaking with a forked tongue. Cay would have killed Akalatan, but could never prove that that other had lied. In the end, Cay allowed Akalatan to travel with the great tribe of the eternal plain for a while to try to catch him in a lie.
Holmes: But Akalatan knew that it would be his demise if he Cay succeeded. So he was somewhat circumspect until, one day, they came to the well of purity. Cay asked Akalatan to drink from the well, but Akalatan would not, for fear of losing his lust, which is the source of his fertility. So he fled into the mountains, not to return to Cay until much later, when Cay lay dying, poisoned by the Glass Scorpion.
Chimrea frowns a bit as she listens, wondering if there's a way to bring purity to Tez, then decides that probably isn't the way out.
Chimrea: "Thank you, father of my grandfathers," she says, bowing to touch her forehead to the ground. "As Akalatan traveled with Cay until the lie became part of the journey, I must try to travel with my friend and poison Akalatan's works with the truth."
Chimrea: Raising her face again, she says, "Are there any other words I should bear to the living, while I stand listening to you?" She wants to make sure the spirit is done--cutting off honored ancestors is never a good idea.
Holmes: The Shaman says this, "On the plain today, we saw a great dragon, which Cay slew. All there knew it was a sign, a sign of things to come. Strife will tear your world apart soon. But I'm sure you have already all seen the signs. Peace be on you, youngling."
Chimrea briefly thinks of asking how to reconcile a world torn apart by strife with peace being upon her, but can't think of a respectful way to phrase the question, so she bows her head again in thanks and then clenches the dead teeth in her fist to still their rattling and break the communication.
Chimrea: Walking away from the grave, Chimrea gnaws her lip and ponders the story. It's not really looking good for her or Tez, she decides.

Chimrea finds Fahd dealing with a corpse. Apparently old Misloh had finally passed. He barely acknowledges her entrance.
Chimrea makes a sign of respect as she crosses the threshold, and moves to start some minor part of the duties that she's often done as an apprentice--combing hair or something like that. After a few seconds, she says, "I have a question, and I hope it won't make you think badly of me."
Holmes: This gets Fahd's attention. As he turns, Chimrea gets a blast of his body odor, which is extremely potent at the moment.
Chimrea: Trying not to wrinkle her nose, she continues, "I understand that shamans are dead to the tribe. What about people on the outside?" She thinks of Kerem, blushes, and adds hastily, "Like family, I mean. Mine won't understand."
Holmes: "Shamans of Rozgar," Fahd corrects pedantically. "Others... not quite as dead. Take Belnif, for instance. Certainly lost to us in his thoughts. But otherwise quite present physically. He dances..."
Chimrea wants to say that she's asking about herself, not Belnif, but she finds herself unable to talk about what will happen when she's a shaman--it seems too arrogant, too certain. Instead she says in a small voice, "I want to try finding myself on the other side." She means her fetch.
Holmes: Fahd nods. "You may be young, but the right time is the right time. With all things, life or death."
Holmes: He ceases working for a moment to see her response in earnest.
Chimrea: "I don't feel like there's much time left," she says. "I'm scared, but I think if I'm going to be any use at all in the coming times, I have to try." Her hands clench together to hide that they're shaking a bit, but her gaze is steady as she returns his look.
Holmes: Fahd nods again. "And, yes, you will have times when you will miss your family, Chimrea. To answer your first question. But is there really a choice?"
Chimrea: Chimrea's shoulders sag a bit, then stiffen. Looking down at Misloh's body, she shakes her head. "No. Thank you, teacher."
Holmes: Fahd looks to see if she has more to say for just a moment, and then turns back to his grim task.
Chimrea has the answer she came for, so she'll continue to help in silence. She doesn't trust her voice.

Holmes: Agnes finds Rhakleth, apparently after a long day's work, sitting in the Market at a stand that sells fermented fruit beverages. He sits on a stool, his armor long left at home, relaxing barechested in the Rhiani style.
Agnes: "Hey R!" Agnes punches him on the arm as she takes the seat next to him and beckons to the server.
Agnes: "How's the stable project coming? I've thought of something to keep Rot Rot more secure, but I'm really trying to train him."
Holmes: Rahkleth rolls his eyes at the notion of training the troll. "Why do you keep that thing, little one? Surely no good can come of it. Only more stables destroyed."
Agnes grins broadly. "Have you ever seen a war troll so well behaved? He's making progress. And he might be useful in a pinch sometime. You've seen them fight, haven't you?"
Holmes: Rahkleth replies, "I've only seen them in fights. Correction: other than Rot Rot, I've seen one in a fight once."
Holmes: His eyes widen, "I think that says something, don't you?"
Agnes: "Yes, that I'm making good progress." Agnes takes a long drink of the thick and musky melon decoction. "Wow...this stuff is powerful tonight."
Holmes: Rahketh nods with a grimace as he takes a slug, too.
Holmes: "There's more to life than fighting, Agnes," says Rahkleth dolorously.
Agnes: "Oh, look who's talking..."
Holmes: Rahkleth shrugs. "I'm doomed. That doesn't mean that I have to like it."
Agnes slams down her wooden cup, harder than she meant to. "Let's go. I have somthing to show you."
Holmes: Rahkleth pays for his drink, and takes it, cup and all. The man behind the bar knows he'll get it back.
Agnes: *
Agnes: *
Agnes: It's been an hour since they left the bar. Agnes has lead the general through the tall grass over the hills to a secluded copse of bushes. "Rahkleth, I don't get you. Sometimes you seem like you're as young as I am and sometimes you act like you feel an old man. But I've seen you on the field and I'm pretty sure you're young enough when it counts."
Holmes: "I have to be," he says. "I like to stay alive."
Holmes: "But you should see the inside."
Agnes traces her fingernail along Rahkleth's sweaty chest muscles, watching the skin pink in her wake. She looks up to him. "I bet I can make you feel young inside."
Holmes: Rahkleth is taken by surprise, and tries to rally, "Uh, where are we, Agnes? What did you want to show me?"
Agnes: "This." It turns out that under that black hide she always wears, her skin is pale as the grass under the moon.
Holmes: "Agnes..." he trails off.
Agnes: The alcohol, the long walk, the naked beauty. Whatever was bothering Rahkleth about this scenario is soon lost in the fog of their embrace.
Agnes: As the sun rises over the hills, Rahkleth is happy to fetch water from the nearby coppice's spring for Agnes.
Agnes: As Agnes and Rahkleth each have matters needing attention, they walk back to town and part with a kiss -- a promise that things will be more complicated.

Holmes: The priestesses have discovered the sacred snake bramble where Tez had formerly introduced Agnes to her diety. They have set up tents inside of it very carefully, seemingly in a fashion that melds the tents into the variegated edge of the clearing. They've set up a fire in the middle of the circle, the old Rhiani tradition, and the smoke seems to not want to leave the circle.
Holmes: This gives everything a grey cast, somewhat surreal.
Kerem coughs.
Tez groans and covers her ears, opening her eyes blearily. The smokey air matches the fogginess of her head, and she blinks a few times in an attempt to clear her vision. "Kerem?" She rolls over to look for him, trying to figure out when the bed got so lumpy.
Kerem: "Morning, Tez."
Kerem: "Did we, uh...did we really have to sleep out in the wilderness?" Kerem scratches himself uncomfortably.
Tez: "Wilderness." she repeats stupidly. "Where are we? My head hurts... I can't... What happened last night?"
Kerem: "Well, you drank a lot, and then we met this priestess of Akalatan and came to hang out with her. She was going to tell us about your god quest blood thing, but instead, uh, you decided to go to sleep."
Tez: "What? I did What??"
Kerem: "Uh...which part of that wasn't clear?"
Tez hunches down, like it matters. "I went /with/ the priestess? But... why would I do that?" her eyes are wide. "I thought I was trying /not/ to kill people..."
Holmes: The leader of the priestesses comes out from her tent, looking somehow pristine in her skimpy white outfit. "I see you have awakened. Are you ready to learn?"
Holmes: Her demeanor shows that she's still not quite sure whether or not Tez is a suitable candidate for her god's attention.
Tez: "Um. uh. Breakfast?" she asks hopefully, shooting a look at Kerem.
Kerem: "We, uh..."
Kerem: "We kind of had breakfast two hours ago."
Kerem: "I mean, I guess we could have another breakfast."
Tez: "We did? how come nobody woke me up?"
Kerem: "We TRIED."
Kerem: "You're actually really difficult to wake up."
Kerem: "Especially when, uh, I mean...especially when you've had a lot to drink."
Tez sputters
Tez: but
Tez: "I am... TEZICATLI!" she says dramatically. "You can't eat without /me/"
Kerem blinks, then looks at the priestess with a "look what you did" stare.
Tez: "I demand... sausage."
Holmes: Shira rolls her eyes at Tez's antics. But she claps her hands, and the lesser priestesses come forward, "No sausage, unfortunately. But we do have eggs."
Tez sighs, "Fine, fine. Eggs will do."
Tez eats her eggs without further comment, but she does think very hard at them all to go away. Except Kerem.
Kerem disappears briefly and comes back with a skin of water for Tez.
Tez accepts the water with something in between grace and disdain. She splashes her face with a bit, then drinks the rest, trying to stay clear.. but the smoke.. the grove... the clarity of Akalatan is so much easier. And the responsibility of her station settles heavily on her shoulders.
Holmes: Waiting patiently until Tez is finished, Shira says, "The first lesson is pain, as I'm sure you know. Before I teach you about the first station, we must test your ability to resist pain."
Holmes: She pulls out some ropes.
Tez rises and inclines her head the proper amount for a priestess of Shira's station. "I am ready," she says clearly, and walks forward to her, offering her wrists.
Holmes: The other priestesses erect a pole in the center of the clearing. "You will be bound to the pole, until the blood drains from your extremities. I am expert at this. It will be excruciating, I assure you."
Holmes: Shira looks at Tez for any sign of fear.
Tez shows no fear, although from her previous behavior, it is not all that telling. "I will prove myself, and take this lesson to heart." She approaches the pole, though some part of her attempts to disagree.
Holmes: The priestesses tie her tight, following Shira's very specific directions. She even takes over at some very critical parts of the process. Even before she is finished, Tez can feel her limbs going numb.
Holmes: Kerem notes that parts of Tez are becoming the wrong color.
Kerem: "Uh..."
Tez grits her teeth, trying not to whimper too loudly
Kerem: "Won't this be, like, bad for her extremities?"
Holmes: Shira comes over to Kerem looking him over with disdain, "You doubt that I know what I'm doing?"
Kerem: "Yes?"
Kerem: "I mean."
Kerem: 'You don't have a TEMPLE or anything."
Kerem: "You can turn wine into blood. That's a neat trick, and all, but it doesn't necessarily make you a blood priestess."
Kerem: "And even if it DID, that doesn't make you a DOCTOR."
Tez tests her bonds, trying to find a position which grants her minor relief... though she can't actually move at all. She mutters in Kerem's direction "pain is fleeting, Akalatan is forever."
Kerem: "Like that makes me feel better."
Tez concentrates on feeling the blood in her veins, trying to encourage it to flow into her numb limbs... cause she just realized that this ain't the painful bit.
Holmes: Shira's face starts to change, slowly at first, but then suddenly it erupts into a mass of snakes that leap out at Kerem.
Holmes: Kerem can't control the urge to recoil from the absolutely unnatural and horrific face. But, once he has, he turns back defiant, as the snakes disappear back into Shira's head. The priestess, ever so slightly upset that he hasn't fled, spits out, "Keep your tongue silent, or I'll show you real power!"
Kerem: "You're not showing a lot of respect to the consort of your high priestess."
Holmes: Shira gets a frustrated look, but, reminded of her charge, turns back to Tez to see how she's doing.
Tez looks ill, and mostly resolute. she does muster the energy to smirk at their little tiff.
Holmes: Kerem notes the look on Tez's face, and, at a guess, she's going to either start begging to be let loose soon, or pass out.
Kerem: "Tez...do you want to come down?"
Kerem: "No matter what these people say, you know, you're still the high priestess."
Kerem: "You shouldn't have to go through all this. They're just screwing with you."
Tez gasps, feeling faint, "I think... I'm done now. Can we do the next one now?" she coughs, and tears run down her face as her resolve falters under the constant torment. "I'm done now, okay? You can let me down. Kerem, let me down now." she sobs. "I don't want to do this... I can't do this."
Kerem: "Your wish is my command." Kez springs forward and begins untying ropes.
Agnes: ~~Tez? What's happening?~~ Is Agnes here now? Or is it a halucination?
Agnes: ~~Where are you?~~
Holmes: Shira allows Kerem to take Tez down, a look of contempt on her face. "This is going to take longer than I thought."
Tez: "Agnes? Agnes? They're hurting me... it hurts, make it stop... they said it was a test, but she doesn't like me. Make it stop, please?" She cries, even as Kerem begins to untie her. "I don't want to be evil."
Kerem holds her close as he gently removes her from the pole. "Shh, shh, it's gonna be okay. I won't let them hurt you again."
Kerem: "You don't have to be evil if you don't want to."
Holmes: Shira frowns, "Is there some demon here?"
Tez tries to hold onto Kerem but can't even move her arms, and just sort of slides into his arms, crying incoherently.
Agnes: ~~Tez, be stronger than the pain. The pain will go and you'll be fine. You'll be OK.~~
Kerem: "Shhh." Kerem squeezes her gently, shooting a dirty look at Shira.
Holmes: The pain continues as the blood flows back to her limbs. Tez notes that, not far off, the bird that follows her is looking at her with cocked head, as though gauging her as well.
Tez: "I can't, I can't... move..." she panicks, struggling, and then screaming in agony as the blood starts to move again through her leaden limbs.
Kerem: "Your religion sucks."
Agnes: ~~Tez! Name the demon that has you. Tell me!~~
Tez: "Not a demon.." she gasps. "Akalatan."
Agnes: ~~Have you gone on your quest already, then? Without your friends?~~
Tez clings desperately to Kerem, more or less, and screams again. "Everything... on... fire.." her muscles spasm as she attempts to move, trying to make the pain stop. "Can't do quest. Can't be Chosen."
Holmes: The glow in Shira's eyes seems to say, "I knew that this was a test. That I was to be the one! Not this pathetic specimen."
Holmes: She grins fiercely.
Holmes: "Still want to go on, little girl?" says Shira defiantly.
Agnes: ~~Tez, you can't stop these quests in the middle. If you're already doing it, you have to see it through.~~
Tez: She cries. "I never wanted to be Chosen."
Kerem: "Shhh. Shhh. You don't have to be."
Kerem: "Everything's going to be okay."
Holmes: "Well, then, begone!" Shira shouts officiously.
Agnes: ~~You are who you are. If you're chosen, then you can do it.~~
Kerem glares up. "We will be, as soon as she can WALK."
Agnes: ~~Remember when you analyzed my blood. You tasted it. I'm with you. Use that strength.~~
Tez looks up at Shira, shakily. "If I am Chosen... I can do it." her confusion and fear is evident through the link.. she's not sure she /wants/ to do it.
Holmes: Shira, having just turned away victorious, turns back.
Holmes: "What?"
Holmes: "What did you say?"
Kerem: "Sure, you can."
Kerem: "Do you want to, Tez?"
Kerem: "You don't have to prove anything to these people."
Agnes: ~~Atta girl! Now you have to believe it. Prove it to yourself!~~
Tez tries to stand. "I am the Chosen one... I have to do it."
Kerem looks visibly disappointed for a second, then rallies.
Kerem: "...okay. If you have to, I guess you have to."
Tez: "There is.. no one else.. but me."
Holmes: Shira, so sure of her victory a moment before, looks astonished.
Holmes: Perhaps there's more to this woman than meet's the eye.

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