[FIC] Waltz of the Moon, 07
Jan. 9th, 2007 08:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mdseiranTitle: Waltz of the Moon, Chapter 07
Fandom: Original
When the clan known as Aschal was first created it had less than ten people within its ranks. No one but the oldest members remember hearing of those days, and people in Seria or Gheldale don't recall ever knowing an Aschal that was happy with just fishing. Instead, what they remember is Aschal causing mischief and wreaking havoc, Aschal inserting spies among their guards, Aschal fighting long and relentless against those out to hurt them and theirs. They remember their alliance with the despised Dagahasi, remember the Thief Tigruaidh that was never arrested despite the many felonies he committed, remember how the hunters of Aschal dropped the remains of animal carcasses in the middle of the Serian square during a food drive, all wearing masks and hoods that concealed their faces, gone just as quickly as they appeared.
The fear was remembered, but when the citizens of Seria are asked about Aschal, the descriptions they give are all of stupidity. Foolish people, not rational, a plague on this city. So many thieves in their ranks, they must be plotting to rob Seria dry. A menace, dragging monsters and the kings of old into the city for the pleasure of watching others fight them. It was these stories and more that Leiander grew up hearing, and after spending four months with the infamous clan he decided that all the rumors were greatly exaggerated. Yes, they had spies, and yes, they pulled pranks in the square. They trained their recruits, went on group hunts and had drinks with dagahasis. But the most fear-inspiring experience Leiander had with Aschal was the time Hotak ran around in a pink negligee. Not that the sight hadn't given him a few nightmares, but since no one in Seria saw it, he didn't really understand what made them so angry.
Even though his mother still refused to let him in the house, he still tried to visit her once every two weeks just to let her rage at him. That way he performed his familial duties, she felt like she was making an effort convincing him to quit Aschal and he got to spend the day visiting his old haunts. Sometimes he simply sat in the square, much like he used to before, smiling at the girls and cheerfully calling out a greeting to any other young men passing by. But unlike before, instead of receiving smiles back, he was faced with anxious stares and whispers behind his back. He heard them talk about his tattoo and his affiliations, how they'd seen him running around with Breiden (and didn't that make them sound like kids in the nursery) and how whenever he left the square it seemed as though more gold was missing. That last part was a complete lie since he made a point of not picking anyone's pockets when they could see him, but it irked him all the same. And when he asked around, he found that the unfounded suspicions were directed at the rest of his clan mates as well; they just didn't mind them as much as he did.
When cats are faced with danger to themselves or their younglings, they turn from a purring animal to a clawing beast, and the transition is usually too fast to be seen clearly. Once the claws are out they take a while to retreat, not disappearing until all sense of danger is gone.
A group of bandits led by a thief called Vacuous launched a series of attacks on Aschal members, killing some and hurting many. They used Seria as their base of operations and when officers from Aschal went to meet with the King and Queen of Seria to put an end to the bandits, they were informed, politely and regretfully, that Seria could not spare the manpower to catch the ones responsible. Aschal retreated to lick their wounds and for the first time Leiander was there to observe the instant the claws came out of hiding.
The next few days bore witness to long discussions between Breiden, Darshan, and then the officers in charge of each of the factions of their pack; warriors, mages and thieves. They were sorted into groups of ten, each group containing at least one healer and one thief. In the middle of the night, the groups of warriors slipped into Seria, over the walls and through the sewers, silently surrounding the warehouse where Vacuous had taken his company. Leiander remembered that night as hot and bright and brutal. Before sunrise, the warehouse was aflame, and any bandit that came through the windows or doors was struck down with no mercy. When Vacuous emerged, he was caught rather than killed, and the Tigruaidhs were sent for. There was no trial; that was not Aschal's style. But the thief was held up by two others while Breiden unsheathed a dagger that looked as black as the shadows, and with one clean move, Vacuous was falling - blood pouring from the cut on his throat. Aschal left then, silent in their triumph, and when the bodies were found by Serian guards they reported the cause of death to be the fire, and the fire alone.
When Leiander next found himself in Seria, people walked away when they saw him coming, and he found himself in an almost empty square with only a few wary guards for company. He smiled at them and didn't care when all he got in return was dark frowns. Aschal might not be popular and they might not be fair, but he had willingly chosen them and had made his peace with the differences. His step when he left the square was light, and with a wide grin, he vanished into the shadows.
Fandom: Original
Even if it’s really difficult
I’ll dance my path with the wolves.
I’ll dance my path with the wolves.
When the clan known as Aschal was first created it had less than ten people within its ranks. No one but the oldest members remember hearing of those days, and people in Seria or Gheldale don't recall ever knowing an Aschal that was happy with just fishing. Instead, what they remember is Aschal causing mischief and wreaking havoc, Aschal inserting spies among their guards, Aschal fighting long and relentless against those out to hurt them and theirs. They remember their alliance with the despised Dagahasi, remember the Thief Tigruaidh that was never arrested despite the many felonies he committed, remember how the hunters of Aschal dropped the remains of animal carcasses in the middle of the Serian square during a food drive, all wearing masks and hoods that concealed their faces, gone just as quickly as they appeared.
The fear was remembered, but when the citizens of Seria are asked about Aschal, the descriptions they give are all of stupidity. Foolish people, not rational, a plague on this city. So many thieves in their ranks, they must be plotting to rob Seria dry. A menace, dragging monsters and the kings of old into the city for the pleasure of watching others fight them. It was these stories and more that Leiander grew up hearing, and after spending four months with the infamous clan he decided that all the rumors were greatly exaggerated. Yes, they had spies, and yes, they pulled pranks in the square. They trained their recruits, went on group hunts and had drinks with dagahasis. But the most fear-inspiring experience Leiander had with Aschal was the time Hotak ran around in a pink negligee. Not that the sight hadn't given him a few nightmares, but since no one in Seria saw it, he didn't really understand what made them so angry.
Even though his mother still refused to let him in the house, he still tried to visit her once every two weeks just to let her rage at him. That way he performed his familial duties, she felt like she was making an effort convincing him to quit Aschal and he got to spend the day visiting his old haunts. Sometimes he simply sat in the square, much like he used to before, smiling at the girls and cheerfully calling out a greeting to any other young men passing by. But unlike before, instead of receiving smiles back, he was faced with anxious stares and whispers behind his back. He heard them talk about his tattoo and his affiliations, how they'd seen him running around with Breiden (and didn't that make them sound like kids in the nursery) and how whenever he left the square it seemed as though more gold was missing. That last part was a complete lie since he made a point of not picking anyone's pockets when they could see him, but it irked him all the same. And when he asked around, he found that the unfounded suspicions were directed at the rest of his clan mates as well; they just didn't mind them as much as he did.
When cats are faced with danger to themselves or their younglings, they turn from a purring animal to a clawing beast, and the transition is usually too fast to be seen clearly. Once the claws are out they take a while to retreat, not disappearing until all sense of danger is gone.
A group of bandits led by a thief called Vacuous launched a series of attacks on Aschal members, killing some and hurting many. They used Seria as their base of operations and when officers from Aschal went to meet with the King and Queen of Seria to put an end to the bandits, they were informed, politely and regretfully, that Seria could not spare the manpower to catch the ones responsible. Aschal retreated to lick their wounds and for the first time Leiander was there to observe the instant the claws came out of hiding.
The next few days bore witness to long discussions between Breiden, Darshan, and then the officers in charge of each of the factions of their pack; warriors, mages and thieves. They were sorted into groups of ten, each group containing at least one healer and one thief. In the middle of the night, the groups of warriors slipped into Seria, over the walls and through the sewers, silently surrounding the warehouse where Vacuous had taken his company. Leiander remembered that night as hot and bright and brutal. Before sunrise, the warehouse was aflame, and any bandit that came through the windows or doors was struck down with no mercy. When Vacuous emerged, he was caught rather than killed, and the Tigruaidhs were sent for. There was no trial; that was not Aschal's style. But the thief was held up by two others while Breiden unsheathed a dagger that looked as black as the shadows, and with one clean move, Vacuous was falling - blood pouring from the cut on his throat. Aschal left then, silent in their triumph, and when the bodies were found by Serian guards they reported the cause of death to be the fire, and the fire alone.
When Leiander next found himself in Seria, people walked away when they saw him coming, and he found himself in an almost empty square with only a few wary guards for company. He smiled at them and didn't care when all he got in return was dark frowns. Aschal might not be popular and they might not be fair, but he had willingly chosen them and had made his peace with the differences. His step when he left the square was light, and with a wide grin, he vanished into the shadows.
