Ambrosia Software Web Board: Cythera Chronicles: Dark Legacy - part II - Ambrosia Software Web Board

by cache22 and Moonshadow

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Shadows in the Dark

Two shadowy figures crept carefully through the dark slums of Cademia. "Where does she live, anyway?" came a youthful female voice.

"I thought you knew!" her male companion replied.

They stopped, and stared at each other a moment. "Well," Kurt began, "we could check the 'Alraeican Tavern'; after that, the 'Two-tailed Rat'."

"And if neither of those work, we'll just have to ask around."

Kurt nodded in agreement, and they set off once more - this time with a definite objective in mind.

They'd both heard many tales about the 'Alraeican Tavern', and knew exactly where it was, but - being under age - neither had ever been inside. They reached their destination in short order, and looked in through a window. There was no sign of Katze. A patron exited, and they quickly stopped him to ask a few questions.

"Katze? Yes, she was here earlier, but she left."

"Left for where?" Kurt's impatience was definitely showing.

"How should I know?" the patron replied, and marched off into the night.

Kurt sighed. "I guess we'll have to try the 'Rat', then."

From the shadows of a nearby alley, the man they'd accosted frowned after their retreating forms.

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"No luck," said Kurt; he'd just returned from questioning a patron of the 'Two-tailed Rat', without success. "And no-one seems to know where she lives."

"Or they're just not telling," Jadia replied. "Well, genius, what do we do now?"

Kurt sighed, and shook his head. Unable to think of another course of action, they set off back to the edge of the city, where they'd hidden the zeppelin.

"Whoops, must have taken a wrong turn," Kurt commented, as they found themselves in a blind alley.

Turning, they found themselves confronted by a large group of men, armed, and looking distinctly ugly.

"We don't take kindly to strangers asking questions, here," one of the men said, slapping the palm of one hand with a club. "We're just going to have to teach you two a lesson!"

The pair drew their swords, and backed further into the alley. They'd both been thoroughly trained in combat, but had never before faced a genuine threat; to say they were nervous would have been an understatement.

The man who'd spoken laughed. "Oh look, the children are carrying knives! Are you trying to scare us with those? It won't work; we're going to beat you within an inch of your lives!"

"You'd regret trying!" The new voice seemed to come from behind the mob. The original spokesman whirled round.

"Katze!" he exclaimed. "We were just trying to help out!"

"That kind of help I can do without, Malthus! Now get out of here, all of you - before I lose my temper!" Grumbling, the mob slowly dispersed.

When the last of them had departed, Katze approached the two teenagers, frowning. "You really should have known better, you know; but I guess you have your reasons. Come on, let's go somewhere we can talk."

It was a night for shadowy figures in dark alleys. As the trio passed the mouth of another nearby alley, a shadowy figure - who'd been waiting for them to pass - crept forward, intending to follow. He'd barely reached the end of the alley, when yet another shadowy figure rose up behind him; there came a muffled thud, and the first man dropped to the ground.

Sideline pocketed his sap, and stooped to examine the would-be tracker; strangely, he seemed most interested in the inside of the man's right wrist. Rising to his feet, he stepped carefully to the mouth of the alley; the three had already passed on, hearing nothing. Nodding in satisfaction, he began to silently follow their trail.

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Jadia looked around the large, yet seemingly cramped room in surprise. "This is where you live? What are all the extra beds in the other rooms for?"

Katze gave an amused smile. "No, I don't live here; this is the barracks the Ronin lived in, when they first came to Cademia."

"Really? That's hard to imagine!" Kurt seemed as astonished as Jadia.

"They didn't mind, they were always close," Katze continued. "The city still considers this place as theirs, and the Ronin let me use it from time to time."

Katze turned to the cooking embrasier, and quickly started a fire. "Right, let's have your story, while I make some tea."

More hesitantly this time, Jadia once more related what she had overheard. When she was done, Katze sat sipping her tea, silent in introspection; finally, she spoke.

"I can understand your feelings, but you really should have trusted your mother. Neither she nor the Ronin would leave a single stone of Cythera unturned to find Flynn; but now they'll be distracted, looking for the two of you as well!" Jadia blushed, and Kurt stared guiltily down at the table.

Katze smiled at their obvious discomfort. "I might have done the same thing myself! Anyway, the damage is done. I'll see what I can find out, and send word to Moonshadow that you're OK." Standing, she made for the door, pausing for one last comment before closing it behind her. "You'll be safe here while I check out a few contacts; but don't open the door for anyone but me!"

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On a rooftop across from the barracks, Sideline had found himself an almost comfortable spot from which to observe, unseen. After some time, he saw Katze leave; he argued briefly in his own mind whether to follow or stay. "Katze can take care of herself," he concluded, "but the youngsters might need watching."

It was shortly past midnight when Katze returned. Rather than entering the barracks immediately, she leaned against a wall in the shadows; Sideline surmised she was waiting for someone.

His supposition was proved correct, when Malthus arrived a few minutes later. He stopped, looking around, until Katze emerged from the shadows and approached him. They kept their voices low, but Sideline was close enough to catch some parts of the conversation - enough to gather that Malthus was being sent to find Moonshadow, with some kind of message.

Malthus nodded and departed. Katze re-entered the barracks.

In his hiding place, Sideline's forehead wrinkled in indecision. He'd never really trusted Malthus, although he had some respect for Katze's judgment; still, he decided he could best help by watching the man. Silently, he set out to follow Malthus' trail.

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Jadia looked up from her place at the table, as there came a knock at the door. "It's me, Katze!" came a voice; Jadia relaxed, and quickly walked over to unfasten the bolt.

Katze walked in, relocking the door behind her. Kurt had apparently been dozing in one of the dormitories, but on hearing Katze arrive he quickly rose, and joined them at the table. Katze poured herself some more tea, before beginning to speak.

"I wish your mother would stock this place with some coffee," she grimaced to Kurt.

"Yes," he agreed, "she's always been partial to tea - especially herbal varieties."

Katze took a couple of sips, while collecting her thoughts. "There have been a lot of strange people gathering in Cademia over the last few months. No-one knows where they came from, and they kept pretty much to themselves. They arrived so gradually that no-one really noticed anything, until I started asking around tonight."

"What's that got to do with my father?" Jadia asked, once more growing impatient.

"Maybe nothing, maybe everything," Katze replied, "but when strange things start happening, you have to start looking for anything out of the ordinary."

She paused, sipping some more tea. "The most interesting thing about those people, is that they've almost all disappeared over the last week."

"It sounds to me," Kurt said after a pause, "like some kind of secret group was gathering, waiting for the right time to move; and that time came."

Katze nodded. "Exactly; and I don't believe in coincidence. As someone wiser than me once said, 'All is linked'."

"So, you think that group has my father?"

Katze nodded again. "I think it likely. All I can find out is that they departed northward, but weren't seen in Catamarca or Odemia. They must be hiding out somewhere between here and Landking Hall."

"That's an awful lot of ground," Kurt mused.

At that moment, there was another knock at the door. Katze froze.

"It's me, Sideline," a voice called out. "I have something you might find useful!"

"Sideline?" Katze said in surprise, "I didn't even know he was back in Cademia!" She hastily unlocked the door, and Sideline entered - pushing a bound and gagged Malthus ahead of him.

"Sideline, what do you think you're doing?" Katze exclaimed, as she rebolted the door. "Malthus was doing a job for me!"

"Or so you thought," said Sideline. "I trailed him. He made no effort to find Moonshadow, but instead sought out a member of a group I've been watching. I took this off his contact." Sideline threw a curved dagger onto the table, and indicated a symbol engraved on the handle - a black crescent moon, bisected by a sword. "They all have that mark tattooed on the inside of their right wrist."

With a quick motion he exposed Malthus' right forearm; the tattoo was clearly visible.

"I took care of another one earlier this evening; he looked like he was paying a little too much attention to you three."

"Thank you, I won't forget this." Katze turned to Malthus, removing the gag. "Well, what have you to say for yourself?" Malthus squirmed, obviously afraid, but said nothing.

Katze picked up the dagger and stroked Malthus' cheek with the blunt edge. "Come, Malthus," she coaxed, "is it worth dying for?"

Malthus sneered. "You've spent too much time with those Ronin - you don't have it in you to kill in cold blood!"

Katze threw the dagger back onto the table with a curse. "He's right, and he knows it!"

"Perhaps I should try." Everyone turned to face Jadia; her voice had had an eerie, cold quality to it that none of them had ever heard before, and her eyes were shining an icy silver. "My father may not approve, but he's not here - and I want him back!"

Malthus looked uncertain, but still refused to speak. Jadia reached out and gently caressed the tattoo. It instantly turned black with frostbite; Malthus screamed in pain.

Jadia reached up toward Malthus' face; he shied away from her touch, but Sideline held him firm.

"Imagine what would happen," Jadia continued in that soft, yet chilling voice, "if I touched your eye."

Malthus turned to Katze, with a pleading look. "You can't let her do this, stop her!"

Katze shrugged, her eyes showing a degree of astonishment. "She's beyond my control; I'd suggest you give her what she wants."

Kurt stood dumbfounded, with a shocked expression on his face. "I can't watch this!" He quickly walked into another room, slamming the door behind him.

"First," Jadia continued, as if no-one had spoken, "the eyeball would freeze solid; then it would shatter. No-one would ever heal it, I'd see to that. Then the other eye; you'd be blind for the rest of your life. Then, perhaps, your fingers, or your nose, or ears; whatever takes my fancy."

All the while, she waved her fingers gently back and forth in front of Malthus' eye; he followed their every movement, almost hypnotised. "Ultimately, when all that's left of you is a stub, I'll freeze your heart - or let you go, to live as a disfigured freak. After all, if you haven't talked by then, you probably don't have what I need; and there'll always be others. Well, time to begin. Unless," she said, pulling her hand back a little, "you have something to tell me?"

"Yes, yes!" Malthus screamed in terror, turning a pleading gaze toward Katze. "Just don't let her touch me!"

"Talk then," Katze harshly replied, "and don't waste words!"

The now thoroughly demoralised Malthus proceeded to tell them everything he knew.

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Kurt had been pacing angrily back and forth, unable to comprehend the ruthless streak Jadia had just displayed; it just didn't fit his mental image of the fun-loving girl he thought he knew so well. He looked up, as Sideline opened the door and roughly thrust Malthus into the room.

Not one to waste effort, Sideline struck Malthus on the back of the head with his sap, before binding the now unconscious form to one of the beds.

"Interrogation's over then?" Kurt asked with a scowl.

Sideline took one look at his dark expression, and decided it would be safest to just stick to the facts. "Yes, we got enough. We know where they are, but still don't know for sure if they're the ones who have Flynn."

Kurt stormed into the main room; Sideline followed, locking the door behind him.

Jadia was standing in the middle of the floor, facing the windows. She was hugging herself and shivering, although the room was quite warm.

Reaching out, Kurt roughly grasped Jadia's arm and spun her around; enraged as he was, he completely failed to notice the sadness in her expression. "How could you do that!?" he lashed out. "I don't think I've ever seen anything so cold-blooded in my life!"

Katze quickly interposed herself between them, putting one arm around Jadia and fending Kurt off with the other. "She did what she had to! There was no other way to get Malthus to talk. Look into her eyes! Can't you see how this all has upset her?" Kurt stopped in mid-tirade, looking at Katze in surprise. "Perhaps if it was your father that was missing, you'd think differently!" she finished.

Kurt stood, mouth agape, staring back and forth from the woman to the girl. He blushed, and looked down at the floor. "I'm - I'm sorry, I didn't stop to think..."

Sideline clapped him on the shoulder. "You sure didn't, boy! But you're young yet, you'll learn!"

Katze turned to Jadia. "You did a good job, you hear me, girl? Your mother would be proud."

Jadia returned Katze's gaze; her mouth showed the hint of a hopeful smile, and her eyes appeared a little pleading. "You really think so?" Her voice was quiet and tentative.

Katze nodded. She studied Jadia's eyes for a moment, before deciding the girl would be all right. She gave her a quick squeeze before letting her go.

She turned to address the others. "Well, now we know where they are, we'd best get moving. The jungle in that area is too dense for horses, so we'll have to go on foot, at least part of the way."

"How about by air?" Kurt queried, eager to contribute and make amends.

Katze's face lit up with a smile. "You brought the zeppelin? Wonderful! It's been ages since I flew in that! Let's go!"

They extinguished the lamps, and locked the barracks behind them.

(to be continued)

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[This message has been edited by Slayer (edited 02-06-2002).]

Excellent work, you two! I can hardly wait for part three!

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Slayer's guide to Cythera:
[url="http://"http://www.macclassics.com/cythera/cythera.htm"]http://www.macclassi...era/cythera.htm[/url]

Nice job. From this, I've been getting a better understanding of the characters, and I personally enjoy that. I'll have to get more from the Unknown Power soon.

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Those who know the truth are not up to those who love it; those who love the truth are not up to those who delight in it.
-- Confucius (a.k.a. Kong Fuzi)
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Battle.Net Screen Name: ev3-ferazel The Game: StarCraft

Ah, this cron is just as good today as it was a week ago.
Skiming it again, I picked up a somthing new involving the Tavern.
Seems there is an age requirement for entrance. What is it, anyway?

I aggree, Ferazel. The charicter development is good. The etical conflict between Kurt and Jadia is also interesting, adding alot of depth to them.

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I'll just put a random number at 0008EC and see what happens.
(Famous Last Words #-32767)
   
Where do you want to [url="http://"http://www.macclassics.com/cythera/tricks/rJade.htm"]teleport[/url] today?

Since we've had characters their age in the tavern before (notably Sya and Violet), I'd say this wasn't so much a legal restriction, but more likely an edict laid down by their parents.

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Kobayashi Maru!

That makes sense.

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I'll just put a random number at 0008EC and see what happens.
(Famous Last Words #-32767)
   
Where do you want to [url="http://"http://www.macclassics.com/cythera/tricks/rJade.htm"]teleport[/url] today?

Excellent story chap's hmmm is there more to it i know these things take time but???



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"Thus die those who attack the inocent. Deaths harvest is rich with blood of the cowardly the virtues have strength to reap it. The claimer is here take heed......

Ok, first thing first: I'm female
And yes, more chapters are already finished, but I don't know when they will be submitted, not to mention released. cache is the one who submits them
Oh, and thanks!

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As l lay in my bed staring at the sky I asked myself:
Where the hell did the roof go?

Quote

Darn i knew i shouldnt have put chaps i always goof up oh well sorry. i like moonshadow for a name oh and no rush i was just wondering. and what is a zeppilen?


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"Thus die those who attack the inocent. Deaths harvest is rich with blood of the cowardly the virtues have strength to reap it. The claimer is here take heed......

It's an airship. Check out the 'Custom Weapons/Items' topic on the Cythera board - you'll find all sorts of things described in there that we use in the stories - including the zeppelin.

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Kobayashi Maru!

Well, I finally read this, and now I'm scolding myself for not reading it sooner. It's great! Congrats, Moonshadow and cache. Can't wait for Part 3.

As for the age restriction, there might have been one. How old are Kurt and Jadia? (It probably says in the first chapter but I'm too lazy to go look it up ; ) Sya is 16 and I don't know, did Violet ever say how old her character was??

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Need a name??? Need a character??? I GOT LOTS!!!
Email me or visit my site at [url="http://"http://www.danicsoft.com/kat"]http://www.danicsoft.com/kat[/url]

[This message has been edited by iKaterei (edited 01-27-2002).]

Thanks, Katerei!

Jadia is 16, and Kurt is 17 at the time of this chronicle. Violet set her character's age at 17, in the Character Info topic.

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Kobayashi Maru!

Oh, in that case it can't have been a legal restriction, unless Sya and Violet sneaked in somehow. That makes sense, then, and I can understand why their parents wouldn't want them going in the Tavern. Nasty place it is at times!

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Need a name??? Need a character??? I GOT LOTS!!!
Email me or visit my site at [url="http://"http://www.danicsoft.com/kat"]http://www.danicsoft.com/kat[/url]