The Forbidden City
Four months ago...
In the dark, it was easy to spot the orange glow of firelight flickering through the openings of a ruined structure. It was one of many down this long forgotten street, which had long ago been retaken by the sands. Laru approached, and entered into the derelict abode. Within, gathered round a small fire were three figures hooded and robed - as always. They knelt round the fire with their hands clasped together, and their heads bowed. He knew who they were, they needn't reveal themselves or rouse from their silent works.
He came near the fire, and knelt.
"Laru'Dahl," Neh'rai's voice rose, but her face did not, "we have been expectant..."
He remained silent, as was as much of a response as she was likely anticipating from him.
In the fire, a change began to take place. Images began to take shape. First, he saw the image of a scorpion, ensnaring, and lashing. Then the scorpion was split into three, and these three moved across the sands in separate ways, biting whomever they came to. Then, he saw a great fire dwindle, and an emerald rising atop a great pyramid. The emerald shined with light, and there was a shadow that rested near its base. Then he saw the scorpion return, and move against the shining emerald, splitting the great pyramid.
Laru remained silent, but Neh'rai knew him well enough. His thoughts were plainly understood, and she needed no special power for that - though she did have such abilities.
"You know now, what I have seen, and what is expected."
Laru's head turned up from the fire and to her, asking his wordless question. And...?
"He seeks to undo what has been done, and reshape it. There is much danger for those in other camps... there are many yet to be bitten."
Neh'rai was just as cryptic in her speech as he was in his lack thereof, but they both seemed to have an uncanny understanding of one another. But if he understood well enough, then he understood that she was telling him this for one simple reason. But, her final words were enough to save him from any doubt.
"Bring her to me, Laru'Dahl. We will make her like us, and the scorpion's sting will have no venom that can harm her..."
Salitra
Nightfall
Current Day
The city was still quite vibrant with the Sultana's birthday celebration. This made it all the easier for Laru to make his way through the streets rather inconspicuously. If his sources were correct, then Liana was attending Soleimon's celebration at the palace with other delegates of the Empire. This was both a good thing, as it seemed Liana had little trouble introducing herself on her own, but it was also a bad thing, as it put her in the scorpion's path. And so, without drawing any attention, he made his way to the palace. He would be there in only a short time...
Al'alar thought it quite fortuitous that this Sultana had chosen to host such a grand party for her own sake. There were quite simply so many people bustling about with their given holiday that their job would be made only all the easier. The slaying of Medja's loyal associates would begin here, and just about everyone in attendance at the palace was a target. But he was no fool, he was not getting into that palace, nor were any of the others he'd brought with him - three other able assassins. All of them Abtati.
There had been a growing sentiment among the Abtati that the Empire had become far too diluted with human and other ideologies. Following the appointed godhood of Gerra was one thing, but lowering themselves to following a human had, at first, not truly resonated as deeply as it should have. So now, having been fooled, or so those like these gathered assassins felt, they would lash out in anger and vengeance. With blood. So, when a particularly pretty woman wearing a long dark blue gown that cinched at the waist and had flowy short sleeves was spotted exiting the palace, there was a quiet understanding between the group that this would be their first target.
They would strike quickly, as soon as they had the chance...
Four months ago...
In the dark, it was easy to spot the orange glow of firelight flickering through the openings of a ruined structure. It was one of many down this long forgotten street, which had long ago been retaken by the sands. Laru approached, and entered into the derelict abode. Within, gathered round a small fire were three figures hooded and robed - as always. They knelt round the fire with their hands clasped together, and their heads bowed. He knew who they were, they needn't reveal themselves or rouse from their silent works.
He came near the fire, and knelt.
"Laru'Dahl," Neh'rai's voice rose, but her face did not, "we have been expectant..."
He remained silent, as was as much of a response as she was likely anticipating from him.
In the fire, a change began to take place. Images began to take shape. First, he saw the image of a scorpion, ensnaring, and lashing. Then the scorpion was split into three, and these three moved across the sands in separate ways, biting whomever they came to. Then, he saw a great fire dwindle, and an emerald rising atop a great pyramid. The emerald shined with light, and there was a shadow that rested near its base. Then he saw the scorpion return, and move against the shining emerald, splitting the great pyramid.
Laru remained silent, but Neh'rai knew him well enough. His thoughts were plainly understood, and she needed no special power for that - though she did have such abilities.
"You know now, what I have seen, and what is expected."
Laru's head turned up from the fire and to her, asking his wordless question. And...?
"He seeks to undo what has been done, and reshape it. There is much danger for those in other camps... there are many yet to be bitten."
Neh'rai was just as cryptic in her speech as he was in his lack thereof, but they both seemed to have an uncanny understanding of one another. But if he understood well enough, then he understood that she was telling him this for one simple reason. But, her final words were enough to save him from any doubt.
"Bring her to me, Laru'Dahl. We will make her like us, and the scorpion's sting will have no venom that can harm her..."
Salitra
Nightfall
Current Day
The city was still quite vibrant with the Sultana's birthday celebration. This made it all the easier for Laru to make his way through the streets rather inconspicuously. If his sources were correct, then Liana was attending Soleimon's celebration at the palace with other delegates of the Empire. This was both a good thing, as it seemed Liana had little trouble introducing herself on her own, but it was also a bad thing, as it put her in the scorpion's path. And so, without drawing any attention, he made his way to the palace. He would be there in only a short time...
Al'alar thought it quite fortuitous that this Sultana had chosen to host such a grand party for her own sake. There were quite simply so many people bustling about with their given holiday that their job would be made only all the easier. The slaying of Medja's loyal associates would begin here, and just about everyone in attendance at the palace was a target. But he was no fool, he was not getting into that palace, nor were any of the others he'd brought with him - three other able assassins. All of them Abtati.
There had been a growing sentiment among the Abtati that the Empire had become far too diluted with human and other ideologies. Following the appointed godhood of Gerra was one thing, but lowering themselves to following a human had, at first, not truly resonated as deeply as it should have. So now, having been fooled, or so those like these gathered assassins felt, they would lash out in anger and vengeance. With blood. So, when a particularly pretty woman wearing a long dark blue gown that cinched at the waist and had flowy short sleeves was spotted exiting the palace, there was a quiet understanding between the group that this would be their first target.
They would strike quickly, as soon as they had the chance...
Liana
