Fate - First Reply Caravanserai

[Soah]

T A A G I // B A A R A // S T E P P E S
Caravanserai Al'Jami
​

A gust of wind sent a billow of sand and grit flowing through the steep rest stop of Al'Jami. There were a number of caravans that came to rest to the oasis for water, supplies, and trade. Soah was one of them. A gnome, her short stature required her to amble her way quickly so as to not be stepped upon. Her red and white painted face would be a near exotic sight, as were the large floppy ears that would twitch and move with every one of her steps. At her shoulder was a small pygmy griffin, its size small enough to make one believe it was a stuffed animal until it would move.

The shaman was here to try and find some herbs and learn new things. She often would travel, providing her skills in barter for goods and any knowledge. Who would she come across this time? What sights would she see?

Time would tell.

 

[Liath]

Liath adapted to other cultures quite well, though he still managed to stick out. He was tall, brawny, and always wore the plaid battle-dress of his home island. Antiquated sword and shield hung at his side and back, and he carried a rather curious spear that not many would be able to place. And anyone familiar with the Fey or such spirits would feel the odd hum in the air around him. Fiadh was no minor spirit of mischief, and in many ways, the Arch-Fey's powers extended fully to her warlock.

Al'Jami was a stop on the way, and not much else. He was seeking knowledge of the Fey. Some day, he would break his chains to his Patron and return home. Return home and reclaim his crown and his throne. Or at the least, destroy his tormentor. But even one such as he needed diversion and relaxation, and an oasis would bring such.

Soah would meet the mad beggar king quite by accident. A merchant had an antique bronze wrist torc. He probably didn't even know it came from Delbhna. It was also not much younger than Liath. He had commissioned them, centuries ago, to adorn the wrists of his chosen band of personal guard. It was priceless, and mayhap he had tipped his hand, because the original asking price tripled when he went to pay.

Insults were exchanged about each others mothers. The merchant pulled a dagger from a waist-sash. Lunged at Liath, and Liath caught his arm in a rough grip and yanked it inward and up, dislocating the joint. The ornately carved and gilded knife dropped and skittered just by the tiny gnome, almost hitting her. The merchant fell howling about the camels that Liath's mother entertained every night. And Liath calmly put a handful of coins onto the stall board, more than originally asked but less than the raised price, and pocketed the torc after a longing look.

A turn would see him start at the strange features of Soah. But, respect was given to those obviously of spiritual arts. He was Erainn, and disrespecting such was a good way to wind up dead.

"Ahhhh... Excuse the rudeness of my friend here, he forgot our agreement. Just reminding him. I am sure he didn't mean offense. He just... Gets excited. Are you alright?"

The grin flashed was broad, mischevious, but the eyes held a wary danger. Mad? Yes. Stupid? Not often.

 

[Soah]

Liath

The three-foot-tall gnome would give a gasp, her tiny hand reaching for a long flute. A flick of her wrist and she held it almost like a weapon in the midst of the fight. When the knife fell close to her feet, she managed to give it a small tap, pushing it away as if it was an object cursed -- she didn't use weapons.

Large green eyes that would cover the entirety of her iris and sclera would snap up, her head tilting way back just to gather the sheer breadth of the painted man.

She spoke Common, so it was easy to understand him. Her high, but calm voice would float over, "An agreement? What agreement should this be that would cause alarm?" the tiny griffin would take flight, flying around the gnome's head only to settle back upon her right shoulder.

Peering at the struggling man, she cocked her head to the side, "He needs medical care."

 

[Liath]

Kneeling, Liath brought out a flash and handed it to the man, nodding. The odor of whiskey brought a wrinkle to the mans face, but a gruff assurance from the Erainn saw the other swig from the flask. As liquid passed lips, Liath jerked the elbow back into place, and took out strips of fabric from his bag, in the same plaid as he wore under his desert cloak. Old kilts that had been destroyed, the strips were good for binding, and he swaddled the arm in a sling.

Where he came from, the words of such a one as Soah were almost as law. And dangerous even for a king to ignore or disobey.

"An agreement for a relic from olden days. From my home. Very far away."

The impetuous anger and violence seemed gone now, his tone calmer, and even his body stance relaxed as he helped the shopkeep up, telling him to keep the flask and rest the arm. There was no trace of threat in his tone this time.

Madness was a fickle thing. But fleeting, at least in this man.

 

[Soah]

Liath

Far away? Now that piqued her interest, her large ears twitching right and left. She calmly tucked away her flute, asking "From where do you hail from?"

Of course, there was still the matter of the knife on the ground. Soah was not one to touch it but she kept looking at it pointedly.

"Does this belong to you as well? Due to your agreement?"

 

[Liath]

The knife. The look. Pieces clicked into place, and he bent and grabbed the bared blade and chunked it down onto the stall shelf. Directly between the merchant's fingers. The feral grin was again utterly devoid of violence, and rather playful.

Normally he wouldn't give out names specifically. But if someone were here who could identify him? This far out? Then they already suspected he was here, and it altered nothing.

"Delbhna. An island. off the South East coast of the mainland. Near a large forest of Elves."

Soah

 

[Soah]

Liath

To say that the gnome wasn't startled by the act would be a lie. She gave a little jolt, unused to such brash and bold behavior. Her large ears gave another twitch and as if noticing her small alarm, the pygmy griffin gave a flutter of its wings before settling down again.

The merchant's face visibly paled, but he took the knife away quickly, so as to not tempt the man from utilizing on him and drawing any more blood.

Those large green eyes would pan back up to Liath. "Delbhna," she repeated slowly, trying to catch the accent.

"Oh near elves? Which ones?" she had yet to meet any. Interest piqued upon her face and whether or not Liath was violent was simply brushed aside in the search for more information.

"Oh I am sorry. I am Soah."

 

[Liath]

"Liath Lamfada, of the Seabhac. Well to meet you, Soah. My home is near the Falwood, and Elves of Fal'addas. A great city, we once were their friends."

His speech was calming, a lyrical quality and lilt coming into it as he relaxed. As if the rage that had sparked his madness had shifted something within him. Strange, to say the least. But he seemed curious of Soah and for the moment, seem to be gaining grasp of his mind again.

 

[Soah]

Liath

"A pleasure, Liath Lamfada of Seabhac," Soah would reply, giving a dip of her head. The intricate headress decorated with bones, gold and silver cuffs, and plated leaf would give a jingle. After a moment, she would straighten, observing him with rapt attention.

"Falwood." The gnome would repeat, her small pink tongue flicking along the red paint she used to garnish her lips.

"Elves of Fal'addas." she gave a hum of intrigue, "I would like to hear more about them and of your home, Liath Lamfada of Seabhac. Would you care for a meal?"

 

[Liath]

The mirth this time was real, not with the sickly shine of his madness, and he nodded enthusiastically. The headdress and accouterments of Soah caught his eye, but he did not seem wary or disturbed. Curious maybe, but not in any way fearful. Respect schooled his tongue in asking as he stooped to sling a sack back over his shoulders, revealing a bare chest covered in bright blue tattoos of swirling patterns and lines, and a body heavily covered in scars. A warrior, if nothing else.

"I will gladly talk of home, if you wish. I have not in... A long time... Do you know the city well, for a place?"

 

[Soah]

Liath

Soah gave another dip of her head, crimson lips growing wide. "Thank you for indulging me, Liath Lamfada of Seabhac." Turning around, she let her green gaze wander. A shake of her head and that headdress gave another jingle.

"I am new to this area. Perhaps we can walk and find a suitable vendor?" she had a few coins and items she could barter for food.

 

[Liath]

"I admit, other than that lovely chap there, and a rather rough bar... I don't know much. Wandering suits me. But please, just Liath. I don't stand too much on formalities these days, Soah . Let me just gather Fionn."

Turning, he whistled. From over by a tumbly wall, amidst a pile of bricks, a long, lean dog with wiry white coat came. Roughly the size and appearance of a wolfhound, the insides of it's ears and it eyes were fiery red, though overall it seemed mostly normal. Though, to a Shaman, the otherworldly nature of a hound the Fey used to lead a wild hunt and cull the world of souls might have a different feel.

"Fionn, this is Soah. She's a friend. Watch over her."

 

[Soah]

Liath

While the large, blue tattoed man requested she address him by Liath, it would be a difficult thing for Soah to follow. She always ensured that she provided the utmost respect to another, titles and all. Now she was at a conundrum.

"My kind do their best to show as much respect as possible, including address," she explained to him, the barely three-foot tall gnome woman said. However, it was then that a large wolfhound appeared. To be frank, it was larger than the tiny gnome shaman herself. There was no sense of alarm upon her painted red and white face, just avid curiosity.

"Finn. Is he your familiar?" she'd ask, as she had one as well.

 

[Liath]

"Familiar? Aye. Though Warlocks have a bit different bond with ours than others. And Fionn is not of this world in any sense."

For a moment, he scanned the crowd, almost instinctually, and as if reflexively Fionn would stiffen and sniff... Within moments, the alert seemed to pass. Fionn walked to his master and friend and licked at his hand before leaning into him to be petted.

"As for address, I am uneducated in your kind, as you are mine. It is interesting. We tend to avoid titles and clan-names except first introduction or formal occasion. How would you prefer to be addressed then?"

Soah

 

[Soah]

Soah


"If you do not use titles, then Soah is best." she answered him on what to address her by.

Oh, a Warlock? Interest reflected in her large green eyes. They practically overtook the bulk of her face. With a gesture, the diminutive gnome indicated for Liath to follow. They would walk while discussing his intriguing tale.

"What is a warlock?" the term was new for the Shaman, who normally only had visited the area across the Steepes. She'd yet to meet one. That luck and the gods would have it to meet one here meant that the path was blessed.

 

[Liath]

"Beings with natural magical inclination, usually. Though the lesser of our kind are often not. Warlocks take their innate inclination and make bargains with other entities. Most often Fey, or Fairies. Usually, the benefits are minor and varied. The more powerful, the lesser in number the benefits. But the contract between Warlock and Patron gives benefits to both sides, and often the Warlock is bound by their Patron, and vice versa. Almost always they gain an elongated lifespan, and often resistance to charms and glamour - the ability to see through them. Then a specific ability. Some of us take on familiars, to assist with handling the flow of the Ley-line magic we channel. And to gain even more power. That's a quick sketch."

Fionn sniffing, nosed at Liath's hand, and he turned to eye a stall across the way as they walked.

" Soah , do you like fish? And spice?"

 

[Soah]

Liath

The tiny gnome would listen in rapt attention, her large floppy ears giving a twitch now and then in excitement and interest. She enjoyed learning of new cultures and schools of magic. How curious these warlocks.

"What sort of Patrons are there? Are these gods? Or some sort of entities? Perhaps other magic users?" she asked, her steps needing to quicken in pace to keep up with the larger man.

"Yes, Liath, I do! The spicer the better!"

 

[Liath]

"Not quite Gods, no. Some of the elder ones might be just a step below though. They are almost exclusively Fey. You might call them Fairies. Hidden Folk. They inhabit the in-between, a realm between this one and the next. They dance in moonlight in circles of mushrooms, and meet in solemn gather in the sun-drenched meadow in a circle of wildflowers. A race that once populated this world, and then long ago retreated to their current realm, for some unknown reason. Some of them stayed, and some intermingled with humans. One of my Ancestors is said to be such. They share some of their power to gain a different sort of boon from us Warlocks, though only they truly know the benefits they gain from the bond."

Realizing he had stopped next to a rickety-looking cart he had frequented often since coming here, he smiled and indicated it.

"Here. They serve a whitefish from the underground lake, steamed with peppers and honey after being dried and baked with spices and laid on a bed of lemon-rice. It's something else. Just eat it fast. The white peppers have an oil that will build heat over time. And across the plaza is a vendor with goats milk I usually go to after."

He seemed a teenage boy quite eager to pull a prank on a new friend, and a mischievous sort of madness glinted in his eyes, altogether different than before. The air seemed to almost dance imperceptibly around the Warlock, and smells muted seemed to swell and bloom to the shaman, becoming even more enticing.

Soah

 

[Soah]

Liath

Simply listening to Liath's tale was an awestriking experience. The tiny gnome's ears would give emotive twitches now and then as the taller human explained what the Patrons were. Even the small pygmy griffin would settle down nicely along her shoulder to rest its head, its eyes watching curiously.

"So this is why you are blessed with power yes?" she inquired, accepting his decision on the whitefish. That his aura and eyes had a mad quality was of no concern to the gnome, as she'd seen others who were merely blessed with magic and it manifested it so, able to do such wonders.

"This sounds delicious. I accept it graciously," she told him, bowing her little head and making the odds and ends that decorated her hair jingle. Once she straightened, she asked the vendor for two bowls, asking Liath, "would your familiar like a meal as well?"

 

[Liath]

"Yes. Though some I would have naturally from my bloodline. Unnaturally graceful and tall for a human. Charismatic. A natural affinity for fire magic if I were taught. I sought my Patron out to help my people, and did. Now I serve at her whim and pleasure until violence take me to rest."

A barking laugh, a touch of mad glimmer in his eyes before he eyed Fionn and smiled. The fae hound sidled up to the Gnome and gave the very distinct and, for a dog, odd gesture of nodding.

"Yes, I suspect he would. Cu-Sith can understand us, they just can't speak in return, except to their Master. Very intelligent. Just no shellfish for him. Gives him unbearable gas."

Soah

 

[Soah]

How curious! This would be a great discovery indeed. The tiny gnome gave a nod, turning to order a meal for Liath’s familiar.

“No fish,” perhaps some meat would do good.

Turning to Liath, she asked, “Does this patronage last forever or is it temporary?”