Haunted by Demons

Log Info

• Title: Haunted by Demons
• Emitter: Ezil
• Characters: Ezil, Seldan, Cryosanthia, Un'eth
• Place: W02: The Wilderness
• Time: Saturday, July 11, 2020, 9:33 AM
• Summary: Ezil and Seldan are discussing Jerboba in the pre-dawn when Cryosanthia arrives and warns them not to name Demons. An argument ensues, where Ezil and Seldan both accuse Cryosanthia of trying to control people's actions, manipulate them and drive them apart. Seldan saying her letter to Zeke is just another example. Angered, the white-scale leaves just as Un'eth arrives with one of her younglings. Her warning to make sure the fire is out and the camp cleaned is received with greater acceptance. Seldan departs with a promise to aid Ezil with his demon problem, and Un'eth leaves also.

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The path from the village eventually narrows somewhat, with the trees on either side becoming more populous. Moss hangs from large stones that sit surrounded by beds of leaves that has accumulated over the years.

A few trails wander in varied directions though eventually even these woods will thicken. One particular trail carries with it the scent of natural brimstone...this trail wanders north and westward, where the trees grow thick once more. To the east, it's rumored that the druids have built a sacred site.

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Seldan and Ezil discuss things in the pre-dawn, at Ezil's campsite near Mictlan

"Judge yourself not too harshly for not doing so." The stars are still out, and it is just now false dawn, but there are two people talking in the firelight of a campsite near a vardo and grazing mules. Seldan appears to be tackling Ezil's filthy gear with magic of some sort, and seems to have made good progress in the cleaning thereof, but now pauses, and with cleaned hands picks up a cup of black tea. "You have made it right, and they now know. It is not often easy to know what is and is not deserving of mercy, and yet do I think it best to simply destroy Jerboba. Where is it now?"

"He is holed up from Eclavdran, hiding." Ezil mentions with a shrug. "I am going to send him home eventually, but every time I have it arranged... something comes up." he muses, shaking his head. "It's funny you say destroy him, because I had once before. Eclavdran keeps summoning him back to our realm to mess with children as part of his plan. This time I can't do it myself, because I offered my word and bond." another long sip taken, laughing. "Eclavdran is still trying to find him. He's scared of the Duke."

Seldan takes a moment to take a sip of his tea. "By what means do you mean to send him home?" he asks quietly. With the previous topic gone, the formal reserve has begin to melt away, and he begins to relax again.

A white shadow appears in the darkness along the trail and resolves itself into a sith-makar woman. She approaches the campsite and is not subtle in doing so, with heavy and obvious footsteps. A courtesy in the night. Coming closer she says, "Peace on your Nest, Ezil... and is that Seldan I hear?"

It's quickly followed by a warning, "Don't say his name, it attracts his attention and there are nestlings in Mictlan."

"I will do whatever I like." Ezil says, turning to Cryosanthia with a stern look. "You do, and have. I am no child, and I have not seen him ever appear before me, and I have said it many a time." his tea tossed out of his cup as he looks about the camp. "I am tired of warnings from those who think they know better, but then do reckless things themselves."

Seldan looks up at the voice out of the darkness, and all trace of that nascent relaxation winks out, replaced by his usual quiet reserve. "Peace upon your nest, and upon Mictlan's as well," he answers. "I think you in no danger," he adds on the heels of Ezil's words. "The means by which he was summoned to this plane are now sealed, gone, or awoken from their slumber and do not wish to do such a thing. Without that, he cannot return to this plane of his free will, and to refuse to name a thing increases the dread of it. Both of you, peace. If any are a threat to Mictlan's nestlings, it is I, not a name." He sets his tea aside and stands from his own stool.

"I see." Cryosanthia says, coldly returning Ezil's gaze, "This one repeats the Iron Book's warnings and is ridiculed for it. I will let the Wardens know you throw the names of demons about in the dark and that you've had one in the Vardo for a time and they will ask you to move further away or solve the problem of him for you. I think I'll return the Mind-Shield ring and opt out of doing the deed for you as you seem to be acting as if I've already betrayed you and your vows. Did you wash that cup before you filled it, clean off everything that exploded out of that wolf?"

She exhales, looking over at Seldan, "Thanks. I have no nest, Mictlan appreciates it. This one hopes you are not a threat Seldan, this one is surprised to see you. I thought you have run further."

"Why don't you just leave, you're good at that." Ezil says in a cool tone to Cryosanthia, looking up from the camp he was tending. "And yes, I did. I am no novice, Cryosanthia. I don't see why you try and treat me like a babe.... it's not needed." he states, looking about at the vardo. "And if you want it back, sure. But I think it's something we would need to talk to Svarshan about." pausing. "And you feel you can chastise me over something so small, when you have done things that couldn't withstand reason? You threaten me? You were changed by the Tower... and not for the better." turning to pack his camp and snuff the fire. "You may not of betrayed me, but you did things that hurt and worried me, and then when I see you.... we don't talk... and then you suddenly appear telling me what and what not to do? Honestly.... you have some nerve."

Cleaning off what exploded out of the wolves appears to have been Seldan's task, and one he was not far from finished with, if the pile of leather, armor, and gear is any judge. He looks between the two arguing by the light of a campfire in the pre-dawn hours, and seems to have only just arisen from a stool not far from the low campfire. "Peace," he says again. "Fear not, Cryosanthia. I will do it. I had not realized that that one had not yet been destroyed. I do not fear his ilk, no, nor will destroying a minion anger him further at me. As for whether Ezil consorts with demons, will you judge me as you judge him? For surely have I done far worse, and yet do the gods not turn from either of us. Where is the creature, Sentinel?"

"Because it's not small, Ezil." Cryosanthia says, "Nestlings are small. The chalice we stole off your friend was small, yet Svarshan said it was so tainted from his slight use it had to be sealed in a block of lead this big and covered in sigils. It's not about saying names to not fear them, it's about not giving them power. The mark I had was the old gods' way of drawing strength from their followers and when that even started to occur to me I stayed away from Mictlan. It's why you don't blaspheme your own God's name or say it in vain, why Merek's words were so heinous when he doubted them."

She takes a step, then looks back the way she came, as if leaving might be the better idea. "I came to see friends. Not hear the name of the demon that appeared twice when I sat by a fountain, once when I walked the sewers, once in these woods further north when I looked in a pool with a spell, once when I looked at a statue and said 'wow she's fat'. Who appeared without being named, and killed someone I knew almost every time. My fault. Each time."

The white sith looks at Seldan, lowering her nose, "Sir Seldan, I'm not judging. Do you not worry that some of his words have seeped in and found a dark personal place of yours, the way the Mistake very effectively used mine? This one would open a portal and kick him through and be done, with Merek and Mikilos back it should not be impossible to get someone to cast the spell."

"Get the hell out of my camp, Cryosanthia." Ezil says with a fierce tone. "I didn't ask you here. You showed up telling me what you feel I need to do. You weren't asked or invited." his says with a fire. "Then you dare threaten me, and to say I consort with demons... to cowl me to your whim? Am I supposed to be afraid? Well you forget that I don't know fear. I am a SENTINEL!" his inflection on that word coming with a heavy breath. "You eavesdrop from the shadows, and then you try and control me. LEAVE! NOW!" still picking up his things. "I am not the one who ran away for a lifetime at the Shard Tower. Betraying their friends willingly... I had done nothing but actively seek to stop that mess.... and you want to paint me as a traitor to others?" mumbling to himself. "See, even when I am mad at you, I didn't once threaten you for what you've done. Be gone." not looking at either party after he's done.

The darkness before dawn is considered most dangerous, by some, but here, it is oft the opposite. The nocturnal predators have hunted and taken their fill, and the diurnal have not yet risen. Thus it is that two sith travel the game and footpaths, until the light of fire and sounds of conversation draw them towards.

Un'eth approaches the edge of the fire's light, making no attempt at silence, though neither rumbling through the brush to cause alarm. As well, she may simply be a beast of burden to her passenger: a far smaller sith with speckled silver and black scales, and just large enough to sit upon her shoulders while 'driving' his mount with hands upon her horns and slap of tail at her back.

"Peace on your ... nests," she offers as announcement of her presence and greeting, though it becomes hesitant at the sudden raising of voices.

"Ezil, peace. You need not flee. As I have said, I shall settle the matter." Seldan begins, but turns at Un'eth's greeting - and stills at the sight of the youngling on her shoulders. "Peace upon your nest as well," he inclines his head politely to Un'eth, then turns to Cryosanthia. "Cryosanthia. I read the letter you sent Zeke," he tells her evenly and calmly. "It was the same tactic you use on Ezil now, an attempt to turn friend on friend and ally on ally, that others might do as you wish. You attempted to turn Zeke against myself and Malik, and now you would turn others against one you once called friend, because he declines to do as you demand. This is Salina's teaching and Salina's way, not the Cryosanthia that should be. If you would shake that from your soul, I would bid you make requests of your friends and allies, not demands, and not threats. Such is both mercy, and respect, for those you would call friend. Deal honestly and honorably with those you would call friend, and you will drive fewer of them from you."

He picks up his gauntlets from the ground next to the stool, and puts them on. "I shall find you, Ezil, to settle the matter, but I should begone."

"I showed up because I was told of paladins and your wagon and I came to say 'Hi Ezil, I value you. How are you doing? What do you need?' But you know what? Write it in a letter so that way I'll do less guessing than I did with Zeke and I'll know to stay away from you too!" Cryo snaps back, an anger and pain in her voice that surprises even herself.

Compounded by what Seldan says, adding a confusion and the feeling there's something she should be thinking about instead of being caught up in her emotions. For perhaps the first time her Tower works and she's able to consider things while hot. Ezil is reacting very differently from the day before, so something changed. Seldan has promised to do something directly opposing Ezil's vow, and will actually carry through instead of forgetting about it the way she has. Cryo suddenly has two very good ideas where Jerboba might be, and that might be why Ezil is trying so hard to get her to drop the topic.

Or, everything is as it seems on the surface. What is said is face value only. Everyone has no patience from awaking early or not sleeping at all and she needs to go think some more about how she's ruined her life and is ruining everyone's around her. Either way her options boil down to one thing.

She looks at Seldan, Ezil, "Ok." She turns and leaves.

Ezil tsks and closes his eyes as Seldan speaks. The words had caused him to come to pause, ceasing his childishness, and flamboyant packing. "I apologize... it seems some things have weighed heavier on me than I had thought." a remorse in his tone as he turns slowly to face Un'eth. "Peace be upon your nests. I should not of been yelling." looking quickly away from the Sith-Makar and sighing as turns away from the three.

"It's the threats, Cryosanthia. To present me as something I am not to others. It's also how you act to know what is best for me, and you tell me without discussion." Ezil's words coming in a low tone.

"Seldan, you need not leave. I am just at a limit I thought was farther than it is." speaking of his mood. "Perhaps maybe I should of stayed in the Vast, but I can not ignore Telmentar's guidance."

"Heed me, or do not. It is not for my benefit that I speak." Seldan agrees, watching Cryosanthia turn her back and leave. He turns his back on Cryosanthia, then, and back to Ezil and Un'eth. "In truth should I not be here, and yet will I aid you ere I go, but I shall not do so in the presence of the child," he nods to the youngling riding Un'eth's shoulders. "He wishes my aid in the matter of a demon," he explains briefly.

Un'eth makes no judgement of any, whether simply of raised voices or the subject which appears personal between the three and of which she knows little or nothing. For the moment, she says nothing, tail swaying slowly, though her snout dips to Seldan in acknowledgement.

Her passenger, whether seeking greet late or help with the situation, peeps out a quick, exuberant triplet of "Peace! Peace! Peace!" for the three. Un'eth lifts a hand to rub the little one's snout in reward for his manners... and possibly to muffle anything else that might subsequently peep forth.

Cryosanthia keeps walking. Her pale form collects an early morning mist and she's soon lost in the dim lighting between the trees.

Ezil meekly nods his head, looking after Cryosanthia as she departs for a brief moment. "He speaks true." glance shifting to Seldan then, affirming his words. "Perhaps I should of been far more peaceful, but I failed that test." huffing a laugh and raising a hand run down his face in a bit of frustration. "Apologies, Un'eth. I don't have much to say about myself or behavior." slowly moving to pick up his camp again, but setting it right, and stowing the things he spilled.

"If it will aid you, know that I, too, have lost my temper with her, and nor am I proud of it. I do not judge you for doing the same." Seldan appears ready to go, but turns as Ezil names the newcomer. "I do not believe that we have met." He smiles up at the youngling on her shoulders. "I am Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard."

"I did not arrive to judge," Un'eth states plainly, snout and eyes turning to sweep over all, including the spot where Cryosanthia vanished, before returning to the proclaimed camp-maker, "so long as your fire is extinguished and items are not discarded carelessly in the wilds." Those she might judge upon.

At the introduction of Seldan, her tail thumps the ground firmly (and is echoed in imitation upon her back by the youngling). "I am Un'eth, Shaman of the Tyrranik, Warder of Mictlan and Ea."

"I will quench the fire, and tend the mess." Ezil assures Un'eth quietly. As he slowly goes about gathering things, he looks between the two. "You may not judge me, but I do." trying to smile, but the forced curl of his lips might not be convincing. "I can no longer let worry and a foul mood dictate my reactions, but some pain takes a long time to fade, and now there is more to go with it." sighing and moving to empty his kettle over the low flames, killing the fire. "Let this be a lesson to the youngling... don't fight needlessly with friends. It just hurts everyone."

"I appreciate your words, Seldan, and your time. I hope when we meet next it is not as this was." Ezil throws out there, regarding the other human. "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome, and please am I to see you again. I shall seek you, soon, to see your matter to rights," Seldan acknowledges. "But I must go, for now. Peace be upon your nest, and Her light fall upon your path." With that, he turns and strides off into the forest, in a different direction from Cryosanthia.

Un'eth's snout dips to the departing Seldan and then to Ezil. "Wise words.... though most must still learn through their experience, and often failure. Younglings and adults alike. Peace on your nest." The last is offered in farewell, as the fire is extinguished and her reminder was already well-received. She turns to take her rider onward on their journey, though said rider's attention lingers on the softskin a few moments longer. An energetic wave of claws and then he turns back to see what lies ahead on their journey... and to spur his mount get there more quickly.

Ezil raises a hand to wave at that rider, smiling after Un'eth. "Peace on your nest." turning to clean camp and take care of what he must before he returns to the city.