[A Brief Description of Raila Ghobevit]
This Akkaio fenki appears to be a huntress. She is clad in well-worn leather gear. A hunting knife is tucked into each of her boots. Over her left eye she wears a patch emblazoned with the image of an Enkidukai paw, the symbol of her clan. A silver pendant bearing the same symbol adorns her neck. Her age is hard to guess, but she is probably in her late 30's or early 40's
Astute observers may note that the leather of her eye-patch appears to be in like-new condition, whereas the rest of her leather equipment shows many signs of wear.
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Part 1: "How do you really KNOW?"
A late-morning mist still hung in the air as the Akkaio fenki trotted hurriedly into the eastern gate of the city of Hydlaa. She was panting, having just run a very long way at a sustained rate.
One of the gate guards, Moren Findel, noticed the bow and quiver slung on her back, and the handle of a long hunting knife tucked into each of her leather boots. He coughed and called after her, more out of routine and habit than of any real concern.
"Good day, citizen. Adhere to the laws and don't draw your weapons while in the city," he said, his breath making its small contribution to the morning haze.
The fenki, one Raila Ghobevit, already several paces away, came to an abrupt halt. She inhaled slowly and deeply to calm her ragged breathing, then turned. The soldiers could now see that she was wearing a leather patch where her left eye would have been, and she studied each of them in turn with her uncovered right eye.
She briskly approached the one who had addressed her.
"I have an urgent message for the Adani Order," she intoned, using the moment to lightly scritch around the leather strap of her eye-patch. "Could one of you nice gentleman please tell me where I might find them?"
"Uh... I think their temple's near the Eagle Fortress," answered Moren in a disinterested tone.
The second guard, Nevis Revori, interjected, "No, the Adani Temple is in Gugrontid. Everyone knows that."
"Nuh-Uh, you're thinking of the Temple of Talad," countered Moren.
"Tloke-brain, they're -both- in Gugrontid. The Adani Temple is in the village at the base of the tower, and the Temple of Talad is up behind the Stone Head Tavern."
"Ah, well it figures you'd know where the -tavern- is."
" Hey, what's that supposed to--"
"Gentlemen, GENTLEMEN!" Raila interrupted, her ears flattened back against her head. She paused to make sure she had their full attention. "Tell me: Is it true, the rumor I've heard abroad, that the Hydlaa Guards are reputed to be ignorant and apathetic?"
The guards glanced at each other, and shrugged bewildered.
"We don't know," Moren admitted.
"And we don't care," added Nevis, trying to save face.
Raila merely rolled her eyes in disgust. "I don't have time for this," she muttered as she left the guards standing perplexed at the gate.
She passed swiftly and silently through East Hydlaa and into the main plaza, pausing only briefly to glance at the statue of the masquerade god.
The sonorous chime of metal on metal drew her attention to Harnquist's forge, where the Ylian himself was hammering away at some sword blade or other. He stopped an smiled as the fenki drew near.
"Good morning, Madam. How can I help a noble Enki huntress? Perhaps some new arrows?" he said, nodding to the almost-empty quiver on her back.
Raila smiled, her muzzle wrinkling a bit. At least this Ylian seemed observant and sensible. "I'm actually trying to deliver a message to the Adani Order. Do you know if there are any in Hydlaa at the moment?"
The blacksmith nodded. "Actually, you're in luck." He pointed off to his left, indicating a cobblestone path which ran from the center of the plaza to somewhere behind his smithy. "I saw Mariana of the Adani Order head that way not more than fifteen minutes ago. If you follow that path through the tunnel, you'll probably find her at the Arena. But do be careful; Everyone at the arena is probably spoiling for a fight."
Raila thanked the man and hurried into the tunnel. Despite her weariness and aching footpaws, she was glad to finally be so close to accomplishing her objective.
The Arena is an impressive sight, even for those who have spent many a day testing their mettle there. To Raila, who had never seen it before, it was nothing less than awe-inspiring. Her jaw dropped as she gazed upward at it, trying to take it all in from her vantage point at the mouth of the tunnel. It was the kind of place that made one feel tiny and insignificant, just by being there. She eyed the great carved-stone figures, looking like giant slaves supporting the immeasurable weight of the edifice, as if bearing the burden of the many lives that had been lost within those walls.
This last thought steeled her resolve, and she continued forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
As she dashed up the arena steps Raila tripped and lost her footing. She stumbled forward and reflexively put both handpaws out to catch herself, landing hard on her wrists and knees. "Ow!" she winced as she rolled herself over to a seated position on the stairs.
Just then a Dermorian lady named Celizan rounded the side of the building and noticed the fenki. The felinoid was panting breathlessly, as if she had been running for some time.
"Are you running away from something dangerous to attack?" inquired the Celizan with some concern in her voice.
Raila shook her head. "No, I... *whew* ... I must deliver a message..." she glanced briefly at the elf's hands, as if looking for something specific.
"A message?" repeated the elf.
Raila nodded quickly. Her breathing began to slow, and she appeared to calm somewhat. "It's a long trip from Ojaveda. Even for one in good shape."
"Yes, Oja is a long way...Were you by chance delivering a loaf of bread?"
Raila turned to regard the elf, blinking. "Uhm, no. What a curious idea."
Celizan laughed, "The baker here at the Arena likes to play the occasional joke on her brother in Oja. I thought you might have gotten caught in one of her schemes."
Raila snickered "Oh, you must mean good ol' Orchibaly. Yes, he's an interesting Menki, to say the least." The fenki glanced around, as if looking for someone.
Celizan smiled broadly, "Indeed! So you know him. His sister is a bit calmer, but has a wry sense of humor... But I ramble, if you are out of breath you must be in a hurry; don't let me hold you here."
Raila dipped her head. "It's okay... perhaps you can help me... I need to deliver my message to the Adani Order. I was told I might find one of them here at the Arena."
The elf-lass nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Ah, yes...I was just talking to Mariana of the Order inside the Arena. She is busy training in the Consumer pit now. Very dangerous, those things."
Raila's ears drooped with disappointment. "Oh." She knew she was not yet skilled enough to defend herself against a consumer in a closed-in environment, and even less liked the idea of interrupting someone else's battle with one.
Celizan continued, "Eonwind is also of the order, but I do not know where to find him at this hour. Their guild hall is in Gugrontid."
Raila sighed, "Gugrontid? More running... I think my message can wait perhaps a minute longer." She stretched and worked the joints of her sore knees where she had fallen on them.
"Well, good luck with it," Celizan encouraged her with a wink. "I think I will do a bit more training now myself."
Raila nodded to her. "Good luck to you as well... Dermorian."
The elf smiled cordially. "My name is Celizan."
Nodding once more, the fenki hesitated briefly. "...Raila. Thank you for your time, Celizan."
"Pleased to meet you, Raila. If I see anyone I know from Adani I will tell them to look for you."
The Akkaio offered a small smile in return. "Thank you. Except for... no, that's fine.. thank you." She waved to Celizan as the Dermorian headed into the Arena.
Raila sat on the steps for about five minutes, her heart still pounding at her ribcage like an unruly prisoner trying to break free. She quietly pondered whether to brave the interior of the arena or to begin the trek to Gugrontid. Her sense of urgency compelled her to the first option, while self-preservation suggested the second. It also told her she was terribly thirsty. She pulled a waterpouch from her belongings, and tilted it up to meet her muzzle.
As she drank deeply, the slow metallic cadence of armored boots approaching from behind caught her attention. Lowering her waterpouch she twisted and watched as an Akkaio fenki clad in heavy armor plodded wearily out of the Arena entrance, past Raila, and down to the bottom of the steps.
Raila glanced down at the feline warrior with curiosity and some trepidation. Mustering her courage, she greeted the stranger from behind. "Grrensholo, Tabei."
Mariana turned around slowly, stiffly, and fixed her eyes on the Akkaio sitting upon the stairs. She advanced towards the fenki, stepping up to the first stair and puzzling over her. "Running from clackers and fiendish rats?" she inquired, a hint of laughter in her tone, though her eyes showed kindness rather than spite.
Raila realized she had just been holding her breath in anticipation, and let it out with a small gasp and some nervous laughter. She smiled and shook her head. "No, heheh... It's just... I must deliver a message."
Mariana arched a curious brow. "What sort of message? To whom? You seem to be in a rather grievous hurry."
Raila nodded, breathing more calmly. "I need to find someone from the Adani Order. I was told I might find one here at the Arena."
Mariana blinked in surprise. "Well," she offered. "It appears you've already succeeded." She raised her paw and stretched it out to Raila. "Mariana, knight in the Order."
The messenger did a double-take, giving more attention to Mariana's knightly-looking armor, as well as the Adani signet ring on her finger, and gasped again. "Of course, of course! At last, my long run is over!"
Mariana's face showed concern as she lowered her arm back to her side. "Is there a problem, miss?" She inquired, eyes flicking above her head and towards the corridor as if trying to figure out an alternative motive for all her mad sprinting.
-And now the moment of truth,- thought Raila as she mentally prepared to deliver her message. Would the Adani believe her? "I am Raila... and I've come to warn the Adani... to warn you... that there is a traitor among your ranks."
Mariana's muzzle shifted down into a frown. "What do you mean?"
Letting her emotions guide her, Raila got a plaintive look in her eyes. "The man I'm talking about is a liar, and the son of a liar. His father has enslaved my sister, as well as others of my clan who tried to rescue her."
Mariana slowly narrowed her eyes in thought. She observed Raila in a new kind of light, letting her eyes slide up and down her slowly. "Ah," she replied, calculatedly. "Ahh. I think I see."
Raila frowned at the fenki's reaction, ears flattening, eyes dropping to the ground. "You don't believe me," she said softly, almost dejectedly, then added in angrily muttered tones, "Damn, he's good at what he does.. that bastard."
Mariana sighed softly. "He's a friend of mine," the fenki admitted. "He's described to me details about a conflict between a Ylian and an Enki tribe. I wasn't aware they were ongoing, though. Your sister isn't a slave, Raila. She's married to Timil's father."
Raila stood and turned a hard gaze on Mariana. "Listen. That's what he wants you to believe, but how do you really KNOW? He probably told you about how my sister was 'rescued' from a trap by Retemo Deeps, the humble farmer... But I know the truth. That trap was set by the 'farmer' himself. I was with my sister when we were hunting that day, and I ran to get help when she got stuck. When I got back, she was gone."
Mariana carefully folded her arms over her chest and raised her chin. Raila could sense from the steel in the Adani's eyes that she was talking to someone not so easily swayed.
"Very well," Mariana replied. "I'm not one to retract from giving benefit of the doubt. As you say, I will go and see myself. Tell me where exactly it is you are from. I'll visit your sister personally, get her alone, and speak to her on the matter. If what you imply is actually truth, then I'll seek to free her."
Raila abruptly looked hopeful. "You WILL? You'll actually help me free her? This is better than I could have hoped for! Retemo moved his operation down to the Barn level after my tribe started our attempts to end his slaving business... Oh yes, my sister isn't the only one."
Mariana slowly narrowed her eyes. Something flickered in them, something akin to anger, but also a deep seated pain. Betrayal, perhaps. She turned slightly away from Raila. "I will address it first. I don't know you, but I know him. I will speak with him about the matter, but know this. I'm not going to simply take your word. I will dig. I will garner information, and truth." She spoke the words with her back turned, and then pivoted on her heel, pointing her finger at Raila. "Now listen carefully. If I find that you are telling bald-faced lies, there will be severe consequences. Do I make myself clear?" The anger bore full force, as one lip peeled back to reveal a row of sharp, pointed fangs. With a wave of her paws, a geyser of magical flames erupted and encircled the knight, as if to punctuate her statement.
Raila jumped back from the pyrotechnic display and nodded earnestly. "Of course, I would expect no different."
Mariana closed her paws, and with a mere snap the fire vanished, though certainly not from her eyes. "Good," she grated out. With that, she turned on her heel, and moved towards the tunnel.
Raila watched the other fenki depart, her heart once again pounding on the bars of its prison. Her left ear twitched uncomfortably where the strap of her eye-patch rubbed against it, and she scritched at the area reflexively. -That didn't go as well as I would have liked,- she thought to herself. -I guess it's time for option two. No rest for the weary...-
She sighed, and started making her way toward Hydlaa's North Gate.
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