“Who the fuck are you people?” you demand, taking a step forward to match the swordsman.
The apparent leader stiffens up. “We’re just ordinary people, out for a walk,” he answers with a sneer. “Are we interrupting something?”
“That depends,” you say, scanning the group. They are closing ranks, possibly out of fear and certainly for mutual support. “What-“
“His name is Wan,” says Nuo softly, closing the distance between you. She stops behind your right shoulder, hands clasped in front of her. “One of Aya’s bodyguards.”
“Wan, is it?” you say loudly, directing the question at the swordsman.
‘Wan’ grimaces. He tries to regain face, starting with a fresh sneer. “Who wants to know?”
“Somebody with no time for your shit,” you snarl back. But Wan is not listening to you – another man with a sword pushes from the back of crowd to his side and whispers something to him. Wan looks surprised and starts whispering back. With a small amount of focus, you are able to make out most of their conversation.
“… I think that’s Nergüi!”
“What? The butcher?”
“Gotta be. Look at all those weapons!”
“Shit. What’s he doing out here?”
“I don’t know, we didn’t hire him. Ask!”
“Agh…” Wan turns away from his associate and starts speaking up. “What do you want, merc?”
“Same thing as you, I’d guess,” you reply, following a hunch. “I want to punish whoever destroyed the Ryuunosuke house.”
Wan blinks, surprised. “What? Who are you- “. But before he can finish the question, his crony starts whispering to him again.
“Let’s point him at Himitsu.”
“Huh?”
“Tell him the Magus did it. If he’s on our side, we might not even need the rest!”
“Uhhh…”
“We can use him. Much better than fighting him.”
“Alright…” seeming unsure of himself, Wan leaves his little conference starts talking to you once more. “…well, let me help you along, merc. The man you’re looking for is Magus Himitsu. In fact,” he continues, gaining confidence, “me and this group of concerned citizens are on our way to talk with him about that very subject. Want to come?”
You allow yourself a slight smile1 and sheath your swords. The mob relaxes as well. A few of them even smile back, although most still seem preoccupied with the beaten clerk lying on the ground beside you. Wei is softly sobbing into the dirt. You turn to Nuo, thinking you’ll tell her to move Wei somewhere, but the look on her face tells you that she does not share your sense of triumph.
“Are you crazy?” she hisses at you. “If Himitsu really has that kind of power, what do you suppose he’ll do if you show up on his doorstep with an army? And if he doesn’t, do you think these people will care or show restraint?”
You pause, trying to think of what to say, but she presses on. “Even if you really don’t care who lives or dies…” then she stops, looking a little unsure for just an instant. Then she sets her jaw and steps close enough to you for you to feel her breath. “…You can’t use your ‘blessing’ at full strength with so many watching,” she whispers.
She looks towards Wan and the others, her expression grave. “We should stop them. They’ll get themselves killed, or worse…”
Looks like you have a decision to make.
The apparent leader stiffens up. “We’re just ordinary people, out for a walk,” he answers with a sneer. “Are we interrupting something?”
“That depends,” you say, scanning the group. They are closing ranks, possibly out of fear and certainly for mutual support. “What-“
“His name is Wan,” says Nuo softly, closing the distance between you. She stops behind your right shoulder, hands clasped in front of her. “One of Aya’s bodyguards.”
“Wan, is it?” you say loudly, directing the question at the swordsman.
‘Wan’ grimaces. He tries to regain face, starting with a fresh sneer. “Who wants to know?”
“Somebody with no time for your shit,” you snarl back. But Wan is not listening to you – another man with a sword pushes from the back of crowd to his side and whispers something to him. Wan looks surprised and starts whispering back. With a small amount of focus, you are able to make out most of their conversation.
“… I think that’s Nergüi!”
“What? The butcher?”
“Gotta be. Look at all those weapons!”
“Shit. What’s he doing out here?”
“I don’t know, we didn’t hire him. Ask!”
“Agh…” Wan turns away from his associate and starts speaking up. “What do you want, merc?”
“Same thing as you, I’d guess,” you reply, following a hunch. “I want to punish whoever destroyed the Ryuunosuke house.”
Wan blinks, surprised. “What? Who are you- “. But before he can finish the question, his crony starts whispering to him again.
“Let’s point him at Himitsu.”
“Huh?”
“Tell him the Magus did it. If he’s on our side, we might not even need the rest!”
“Uhhh…”
“We can use him. Much better than fighting him.”
“Alright…” seeming unsure of himself, Wan leaves his little conference starts talking to you once more. “…well, let me help you along, merc. The man you’re looking for is Magus Himitsu. In fact,” he continues, gaining confidence, “me and this group of concerned citizens are on our way to talk with him about that very subject. Want to come?”
You allow yourself a slight smile1 and sheath your swords. The mob relaxes as well. A few of them even smile back, although most still seem preoccupied with the beaten clerk lying on the ground beside you. Wei is softly sobbing into the dirt. You turn to Nuo, thinking you’ll tell her to move Wei somewhere, but the look on her face tells you that she does not share your sense of triumph.
“Are you crazy?” she hisses at you. “If Himitsu really has that kind of power, what do you suppose he’ll do if you show up on his doorstep with an army? And if he doesn’t, do you think these people will care or show restraint?”
You pause, trying to think of what to say, but she presses on. “Even if you really don’t care who lives or dies…” then she stops, looking a little unsure for just an instant. Then she sets her jaw and steps close enough to you for you to feel her breath. “…You can’t use your ‘blessing’ at full strength with so many watching,” she whispers.
She looks towards Wan and the others, her expression grave. “We should stop them. They’ll get themselves killed, or worse…”
Looks like you have a decision to make.
- Nuo is right. Joining Wan’s group won’t lead to a fight on your terms and… you don’t want anyone to die for you. Not again. Not when you have a choice. You’ll stop these idiots here, one way or another.
- Nuo is half-right. Joining Wan’s group won’t lead to a fight on your terms, but if they want to march on the Magus, it’s on their heads. You’ll take Wei and step aside.
- Nuo is wrong. This is a good plan, and you’re sticking to it. With Wan’s gang, those already at the Magus’ place, and whoever else comes along, you’ll sack the mansion and kill everyone inside. You’ll have your revenge, or at least a chance to work out some of your anger.
- Something else?
Exalted
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