EXALTED: Ep. 7: The Road Not Taken (Pt. 2)

[JanetT]

Based on EXALTED, an epic fantasy role-playing game by White Wolf Game Studio
Characters and story by Janet Trautvetter and Myranda Kalis Sarro

Previously:
Episode 1: The Shadow Road
Episode 2: Bad News Travels Furthest and Fast
Episode 3: Thicker than Water
Episode 4: Reflections on Summer Love
Episode 5: The Games of Court
Episode 6: The Eyes of the Dragon

Exalted: Behind the Scenes -- Junkie's Visit
Exalted: About the Characters

This episode is one of the long ones, so I will post it in sections -- but all in this thread.



(Part I: Ayame's Remedy)


Later that night (or early the next morning....), back at House Sesus wing of the Imperial Jade Palace. Ayame checks up on how his little brother weathered his first night out on the town....



The trail is easy to follow.....





And leads directly to his quarry....



... who has apparently passed out.



Ayame: (thinking) Didn't I warn you about those spiced pomegranate coolers? You are going to feel it in the morning, little brother. Fortunately for you, I am not your commanding officer, and I promised your sister I'd look out for you.



Ayame: (thinking) 'The Thousand Correct Actions of the Upright Soldier.' Ah, you're such a traditionalist... If more officers in the legions kept this book at their bedside, our Legions would not be in the shape they are currently in... But even the Thousand Correct Actions is missing a few tricks one can only learn in the field.



There are advantages to having a sorcerer in the family...



Just a few special ingredients....









Ayame: "Taran. Taran, wake up, I've got something for you...."




Ayame: "Drink this, Taran."

Taran: (moans) "What is it?"



Ayame: (chuckles) "This, little brother, is the infamous Red Piss of the Red Piss Legion... the secret of our success. No matter how much you had to drink, this will get you back on your feet in short order."



Taran: ((Suspiciously) "What's in it?"

Ayame: "Raw egg, the fermented essence of cold-water herring, powdered tannalin root, three hairs from a yeddin's tail, and special red pepper sauce for flavoring. Just hold your nose and drink it down, you'll thank me in the morning."



Taran: "Argghh.... Sounds like a cure that's worse than the disease — why am I not surprised?"

Ayame: "It certainly cured me of ever drinking enough to need it again."



Taran: "You're not making this easier."

Ayame: "I promised your sister I'd look after you. Drink up. She's expecting you at noon."



Taran moans, but drinks...



.... and then collapses back on his bed....

Taran: "Uhhggg.... thanks — I think..."



Ayame: "That's what elder brothers are for. Sleep well...."

To Be Continued...

[absynthe1972]

I think my brother needed some of that in his younger days! lol!

[leopardessmoon]

red piss! lol

[JanetT]

Technically, the official name of the Legion Ayame has spent most of his military career with is the "Vermilion Legion"... but it's commonly referred to as the "Red Piss" Legion. One of the few Legions not sponsored by one of the Dynastic Houses, It is made up of the trouble-makers, discipline problems, outcasts and social misfits that none of the OTHER Legions wanted. Ayame ended up in that Legion because when he graduated from the House of Bells (the Realm's elite military academy), he had been disowned by his real parents and House, and thus could not afford to "arrange" (ie, bribe his way to) a commission with one of the more prestigious Legions. He seemed to think that being a rebel from his youth, that was where he belonged, anyway. He was probably right.

The "Red Piss" Legion is often sent to trouble spots -- they are actually one of the toughest and most battle-tested forces out there, operating on the far frontiers of the Realm (but not considered socially acceptable or welcome at home). They are currently under the command of General Tepet Ejava, one of the most savvy and gutsy war commanders and strategists the Realm has produced in several generations. She is something of a legend among her troops, and as such, knows better than to come home (even when summoned) where she might be considered a legitimate claimant on the throne (and with an army at her back, a serious threat).

More coming soon....

[JanetT]

And here is Part II.... Ayame's Regrets


Having done his good deed for the evening, Ayame returns to his own room, and hangs his traveling satchel back in its accustomed place on the wall.



There are advantages to not having to live out of an officer's traveling trunk, but even though his books and other sorcerer's paraphernalia is easier to access, and his current quarters certainly more comfortable than a tent or barracks, he still misses the military life. There, he had a purpose, to stand ready to use his talents and knowledge for the good of the legion and its mission for House Sesus. But here?



Helping Taran avoid a hangover (and a lecture from his sister) was the most useful thing he feels he's done in months. And hardly recompense enough for the gift his younger siblings brought to him...

Three feathers — the mon of Sesus Makado, an offshoot family from the main Sesus line. That Tsubaru feels comfortable enough to use it now is a good sign that his status in his father's household has improved with his new responsibilities.



And as it happens, there is an almost official reason for him to use it as well...



Sesus Tsubaru: (writing) "Forgive me for not writing sooner with my news, but so much as happened in such a short time, and I wished to provide a more complete report. And in truth, my own ascension to my late uncle's post as Seneschal pales compared to the latest and happiest announcement."



Sesus Tsubaru: (writing) My younger brother, Tsuzuke, has been blessed by the Dragons, by Danaa'd to be exact, which I am sure will delight you in particular. He is nearly sixteen, so my father had all but given up hope of his Exaltation, but now as you can imagine, is full of plans to have him properly educated on the Blessed Isle, perhaps even at the House of Bells."



Ayame: "Danaa'd — Another Water Aspect. And your father is what — Fire, as I recall. Well, I'm sure he's delighted..."



Sesus Tsubaru: (writing) "If you could speak to your noble and honored father for his advice on Tsuzuki's behalf, my family and I would be forever grateful. Tsuzuki is my father's hope to be his heir, but he needs seasoning and training to develop his full potential. From your descriptions, I believe the training at Bells would be a great asset to him, regardless of whether he is able to step into our father's position here or not.

"I write this in haste, so I might included it in this same packet, as I have found a reliable family courier in your own brother and sister to see that it makes the journey safely to your hands. I have written before, but I am not confident you received my earlier missives."



Sesus Tsubaru: (writing) "Also I have included a book for you — don't be misled by the title, this is not the children's book you may remember, though the differences are at first not obvious. It may even be an older (and dare I say it, more authentic) version of the mythology, as some of the characters used in the headers appear to be of a form I have seen only in pre-Shogunate manuscripts."



Sesus Tsubaru: (writing) "It's not in Old Realm, but you can tell from the sometimes archaic phrasing that it must have originally been. However, the book itself is nowhere near that old, judging by the curing of the parchment. But this is certainly not the 'Five Dragons Fight As One' you'd find in a school library, and I'd be interested in hearing your opinion of it — I hope you have a better reference for analyzing its authenticity than I...."



Ayame: "Five Dragons Fight As One. ...I was never allowed to read things like this as a boy — tales of fictional heroes didn't meet my parents' exacting standards of appropriate educational curriculum for their perfect sorcerer prodigy. Might have given me crazy ideas... of being a hero, risking my life fighting monsters and Fair Folk at the edges of Creation... like my grandfather did."



Ayame: "So.... You find a book that might be a lost archaic version of children's folktale, certainly not available in the Realm... and your first instinct is to wrap it up, put it into the hands of cousins you've just met, and ask them to see it gets to me.

"It's been two years, and you haven't changed at all. You haven't forgotten our discussions of Shogunate literary styles.... "



Ayame: "And I have never forgotten you."



Ayame: "Two years since that monster from the Wyld laid me low.... and I had the good fortune to find myself under your care..."

TO BE CONTINUED: IN PART 3, COMING SOON!

[Eseme]

I love that bookcase! I want that bookcase, only bigger...