Srenni Recounts The Infiltration Of Ellish

From FiranMUX

Oh look, Srenni is still standing before Niobe and Zutani. "Your name again?" she requests of the Chimeran.

"Zutani," the Chimeran replies to Srenni, her attention having strayed back now that the argument has died down. She leans forward to pick up another glass of whiskey.

Post settling, Aeryk's eyes veer toward Srenni and Zutani. "I know little of either of you, I am reminded, save that I know of Lady Srenni's mother."

"Srenni." A pause. "Or. Ren." Another pause. "Or something. I hadn't entirely thought out the pirate name yet. While 'Short-Drop Srenni' could work rather well, I fear we will only be sending traitors home rather than hanging them." And she stares at Zutani unblinkingly for a bit, no hint of a smile or joke in her eyes. "A pleasure." Oh, but there. Aeryk. She looks up, then nods, "And I know of your own family and that you are a pilot of some esteem."

"There is little to know about me," Zutani replies to Aeryk with a faint smile. After a moment, she adds reluctantly, "I never mentioned this while we were walking as I never thought it is of importance." Not important to her mind to share perhaps. "I'm the daughter of Sir Alessandro Keniwik and granddaugther to Sir Vasyklo Garkansen." She smiles to Srenni, "A pleasure as well." A nod is also given to her words about Aeryk. It is hard not to have heard of the IstaNydiams.

"Are you? I have served with and under Sir Alessandro. He is a formidable pilot and man." Aeryk inclines a nod toward Zutani before inclining another one toward Srenni. "Yes, as I know you are quite the fighter on the field. But I ask something else of both of you. I ask stories." At Daemio's choice of title, the far side of Aeryk's right eye twitches, but that is all.

"Stories," Srenni echoes, perhaps a bit dryly. She admits, "I fear I am a much better fighter than teller of stories, but I may be able to come up with something." And she looks to Zutani in that 'you first' sort of way.

The corners of Zutani's lips lift in a wry smile at the compliment to her father. "So I have heard. I, sadly, never had the chance to see him in action," she says before asking, "Stories of our lives or stories in general?" She seems a tad reluctant to go first.

"As you choose. I am a follower of Uf, if I am not any great voice for stories either. I lack the capacity to embellish in those quiet, but necessary ways to make the telling interesting and the tale epic." Aeryk clears his throat mildly. "So I gather stories more than tell them. But perhaps we may exchange."

"I...suppose I could tell about my stay in Ellish, though it was not... flattering." A pause. Srenni shakes her head at some memory then mentions, "Or stealing S. S. Fudathim, though Lord Rikon was there for part of it so you may have heard it already."

Zutani nods to Aeryk. "Then we share something in common. I too tend to collect stories instead of telling them. The pleasure of listening, I find, outweighs that of telling." She looks to Srenni with interest. "No, no, do tell about Ellish please. No matter what a story is a story." *Firan*

"A story is different in a different voice. But I am also interested in Ellish, should you wish to tell it," Aeryk offers more than anything. "I saw it only vaguely. From the air. I never precisely entered the walls."

Srenni presses her lips together briefly, and takes the seat beside Zutani that Niobe vacated previously. Her posture is still rigid, even sitting. "Ah. Well. It was after we won Fort Zayes, but before the march upon Ellish itself. I was not supposed to go on the mission, but someone who was to go could not be found or was needed elsewhere, so I agreed to." She shakes her head briefly and sighs, "I have never missed my armor and weapons so much as that mission. You see, we couldn't wear them; only plain, somewhat shabby clothes. We were - ah - posing as newly caught slaves." *Firan*

"Interesting." And Aeryk's voicing of this sounds quite sincere. "That must have been quite the feat - not to fight, but to act as one much unlike yourself."

Zutani listens raptly and smiles at the part about missing armory. She nods to Srenni, silently prompting her to continue.

"You have no idea," Srenni replies dryly to Aeryk. "I was the only woman on the mission, so I am sure it can be imagined the comments I received." Lewd ones, no doubt. "I am a strong woman, after all, and apparently the sort one hopes for on the block." Her eyes unfocus somewhat, so she is not looking at her too companions as she recites this. Obviously, not a piece she is proud of. "We very nearly got caught for the spies we were; a week previously, one of the men in the papers had passed on, but Lord Adan was believed and instructed to have his master get the papers to come and go through the city redone soon."

"Papers?" Zutani questions softly. "What sort of papers?"

"You were nearly caught because the papers were incorrect?" Aeryk sort of restates, but adds, "The men in the papers were Firans or Shamibelians?"

Srenni lowers her eyes in thought briefly before stating, "I do not know what they said, as I cannot read the language of the Shamibelians. However, it was a Shamibelian name that had been mentioned. Slain by the Firan forces. It was not Lord Adan's supposed master himself, but another." She tilts her head slightly to slant her gaze towards Zutani. "Papers to enter and exit the city. To walk freely. To lead other slaves around. To carry a weapon. My assumption is only those trusted by their masters receive them, but it was important they were believed. If it was known we should not have them, we would not have gotten any further -- and, unarmed as we were, with little hope. Fists can only do so much against iron." *Firan*

"Indeed," Aeryk says, his attention growing a bit rapt. "When you entered the city, I expect it was crowded with Shamibelians who may have looked askance at you?"

Zutani hmms softly and nods. "Interesting. I would also imagine there is much acting that is required. Slaves...probably have a much more.." She pauses, looking for the right word. "...submissive manner to them." *Firan*

Srenni does hold herself rigidly and proudly, doesn't she? "To an extent. Some pride and rebellion was not unexpected, however; we /were/ recently captured Firans who had made it further than we had in years. We played the part well enough that no Shamibelians decided to help our 'overseer' of sorts." And, sure enough, her posture straightens slightly. "While we did attract some attention, I believe it was just as much to see the new slaves as suspicion. We were not lost. None stopped us upon the streets once we entered. There were... less slaves than I expected. More shamibelians, likely in preparation for the attack. There were some who were packing to leave, too -- but we did not get to see a great amount of the city. Lord Adan lead us to the slave temple." *Firan*

"And how many slaves were there? I recall that they were being evacuated at one point, so we should not have them, perhaps. I would expect there would, in the end, be few." Aeryk is leaning juuust forward, now.

"There's even a temple just for the slaves? How unusual." Zutani nods to Aeryk's question. She's also heard the city was evacuated.

"Too many to count?" Srenni shakes her head again. The griffon noblewoman shifts in her seat then reaches to snag a whiskey. She states blandly, "Truthfully, I cannot say. This was before the republic reached the gate, afterall. There was a... collection of Ticanee slaves." She lets that hang for a moment, for those who were at the battle know exactly what they were for. "But... yes. There is a slave temple. I did not see any shamibelians within it. It was not so grand as the temples we have in Anarinuell and... very bloody."

"They - made sacrifices in the slave temple? I was under the apparently mistaken impression that it was for slaves to, ah, worship in. Of course, they may have been making an exception to - power that atrocity." Aeryk's eyes half-lid.

Srenni gives a brief shake of her head again, then tugs off her leather helmet. Her hair has been shorn short and she makes no move to retrieve hairpins. "I did not see sacrifices in the slave temple. Yes. For worship. However, worship for them is -- bloody. There was blood letting and -- leeches." Yes. Leeches. *Firan*

Zutani frowns. "In a place of worship. Though I do not suppose they are allowed to worship the gods so much as..." She will not call him by name. "Were it not Ticanee slaves who were sacrificed at the totem?" She wasn't there so she's not all that clear about it. When Srenni explains a bit more, she shudders. *Firan*

"Leeches. You mean they - cut themselves? Even as they perhaps waited to be sacrificed?" Aeryk tightens his face.

"They were, though I am under the impression that the sacrifices of Ticanee were done outside, over their totem?" Srenni purses her lips, glancing towards Aeryk. For confirmation of her memory? Perhaps. "I -- believe it /is/ how they worship. Though, the one we spoke to who had a leech told us it was punishment for not worshipping enough, I am still unsure if I should believe her."

"Oh, I am - certain they were done outside. I saw them." Aeryk's face tightens further. "From the air. But I suppose that I would not be worshipping a god so fervantly that was about to destroy me as - fuel. Punishment makes more sense to me."

Zutani shakes her head sadly. "If they grew up in that environment and the only god afforded to them is one who seeks them as sacrifices, they will know no better. A true shame," she says. *Firan*

Srenni reminds Aeryk, "Some of them know no other way, as they have been slaves for most or all of their lives." Not that she approves either, by the vaguely dark look upon her face. "But, yes. Lord Adan unchained us from each other once we were within the slave temple, such that we might listen around, or speak to slaves. We spoke with a pair of Firans - who essentially told me how to look as if I am praying even if I am not, so that I do not get in trouble - and the Ticanee woman with the leech." A frown tugs at her lips. "/I/ thought we rushed ourselves, trusting too easily, as they told how the Firans were planning to attack and our own goals. In the end, I suppose it worked well, however. The pair said they would take us to the 'Protector' of the rebellion who could protect us until we were ready to make our move; the Ticanee said she would gather people as she could." *Firan*

"I suppose I cannot imagine such a thing. Or, at least, that knowing no other way would be nothing but a miserable and hopeless existence." Still, Aeryk's expression further quiets as he says even this, as if considering something unshared. "It could have easily been a trap. You were fortunate."

"Did you happen to meet this Protector then?" Zutani enquires.

Srenni points right at Aeryk. "And that, Stormborn, is /exactly/ what I thought for days. Perhaps even a week." The soldier downs some whiskey before going on. "You see, the Ticanee left before us. We got back into our bonds -" and sure enough, she rubs her wrist briefly - "and followed the pair out of the slave temple. Through the city, without a question. We were led straight to some shamibelian priests. The pair disappeared. The Ticanee was with the priests -- hanging off one, who spoke on how loyal a pet she was and how good of her to do such it was." She shakes her head once again. "And how were we to fight back? We had neither armor nor weapons. We were in the middle of the city, so no matter where we went we would run into more shamibelians. When I said that the cells of Ellish may be better than below deck, I was not entirely joking. I was locked in one." *Firan*

"So it was a trap?" Aeryk ventures, his brows coming together tight as he side-glances toward Daemio. "And does this compare to your experience?"

Daemio frowns a little "I don't think anyone on the ------- can --------- understand any of it in all honesty. It -- an entirely differant world. Though I'm suprised he favored the savage girl. That's uncommon." *Firan*

Zutani now silently listens to the tale, her gaze slowly moving to Daemio. "Why is it uncommon?" she asks. *Firan*

Daemio frowns and opens his flask again, "Usually they're hardest on the Ticanee. I don't know why. The nobles and the Ticanee... Its part of how it works. It's clever in an evil way. Putting some one even lower then the average slave. If you're bad you'll be treated like them, if you're good you'll at least have them under you." He shrugs his narrow shoulders. "Ellish isn't as bad as Shamibel but it's not any fun either." *Firan*

"So they degrate the most fiercly those that they feel will retain the most pride. Or try to. And they do seem to have a special hatred for the Ticanee," Aeryk states in a low conclusive way.

Zutani's lips thin into a flat line. "My mother is probably in Shamibel," she quietly says. "Is it truly that bad there?" *Firan*

Daemio frowns a little, "They do. But as I said... it serves a purpose besides excersizing thier own hatred. It's... part of how they break people by making them think as hellish as their lives are it could be that much worse if they don't cooperate. That makes their current existance seem bareable and even good. It leans to complacency and then cooperation even. They very clever. Anyone who assumes they are simply 'goats' has not ever met Hralib." He looks to Zutani, his gaze heavy with sympathy. "My mother was in Ellish. I do not know if she's still there or was taken on to Shamibel... It is diffecult the not knowing." *Firan*

"It depends on how you define trap," Srenni replies flatly. Judging from her tone? She may very well think it was, in a way. "We remained within that cell for days. Possibly more than a week. Oh, we got some water and -- strange food. We were hesitant to have it at all, of course." Mm. Death by poison, anyone? "The slaves who brought it seemed loyal, when we spoke with them." And she stops, pressing her lips together. Her eyes briefly flick over to Daemio before she goes on, "And oh, did we hear the humming. The guards and the humming were the sounds we heard for the most of it. I regret not being there for the initial assault upon Ellish, but partway through the battle there was a scuffle down the hall. The Ticanee, with keys. She led us out, to a warehouse -- they had armor and weapons for us. Just bronze, though. A small force of rebels, really. We lead them to join the battle, some time before Lord Nydiam..." She trails off, eyes shifting to Aeryk, and then she breaks off to say, "I like to believe that the reinforcements, small as they were, helped."

"I have no doubt the enemy is clever, especially in matters of subduing slaves." Aeryk's tone dips dark before he turns back to Srenni, his expression again indrawn, as if he is mulling over somethind difficult again. "They helped. If nothing else, they raised the spirits of the dispirited. So many fell. So many dead. Any sign that the slaves - appreciated what we were doing helped."

"Hralib," Zutani murmurs, her golden eyes hardening. To Daemio, she says, "One day. One day we will get all our loved ones back. We have to keep our faith." She turns back to Srenni and her tale. "Humming? The guards were humming?" Pausing to listen to Aeryk, she nods. "There must be those within them who remember what it is to be free. Even the slightest of hope can draw them out."

"Ah...no." Srenni presses her lips together. How to explain. "The -- Tower. The tower that struck our men with lightning. It hummed."

"Yes. It was a - hum of energy. A waiting energy. It hummed and then it struck," Aeryk states with odd tonelessness.

"I was not a fan of the tower," Davonos contributes blandly from his cross-armed and cross-legged position in his chair. He is still listening after all.

Zutani looks from Srenni to Aeryk. Pondering over that for a minute, she then nods once. "I see. And this...energy was fueled by the sacrifices?" She glances to Davonos and nods again. "I wouldn't imagine anyone but the Shamibelians were fans of it." *Firan*

Srenni's back stiffens and she nods as she states, "Luckily, they were too busy with the Firans to bother with us while we were in the cell. I was neither branded a slave nor auctioned on the block. Despite being a woman, I was not harassed at all. And we were not sacrificed ourselves, as they suggested they would do to us, though the last may be because we escaped early enough." *Firan*

"I will just say. I saw two kinds of god-driven power on that field." Aeryk states this with the same low muse. "Both required sacrifice. Save that one asked the sacrifice of innocents, many, many innocents, and the other asked the sacrifice of self."

Zutani nods to Srenni and murmurs, "Thank the gods." Her gaze slides back to Aeryk and she considers his words. "The difference between what is evil and what is good." *Firan*

Daemio takes a long drink as he lapses back into silence and looks over those gathered around the room. "So this pirate thing." *Firan*

"Yes. Evil and good. Coercion and leadership by inspiration. Under a good leader, men may sacrifice themselves for the war, for the gods. Under a bad, they will have no choice." Aeryk, at this, finally fills a glass of whiskey and glances at Daemio. "Ah?"

Conversation goes back to the pirate game, so I am cutting it off here.