yesterdays 42k

Charity laughed. “Come now it wasn’t that bad. And I did tell you to be carful of the red drinks, not my fault you failed to listen.” She looked at the other two. “Prince Jamale’s tour involves a drink from every pub, and a visit to at least a few of the brothels, with detailed information on all of them. And they have no shortage of either one.”

Luke said. “You would know, Sis. I think you end up visiting them all at least once every trip. Yes I asked Gar for the wine, he said he would bring it. But we do have some other here.”

Feather sputtered, Charity smiled. “Now then watch it before you make someone choke. They are looking a bit red. And I don’t usually end up in but one or two of the brothels. The Pubs, well yes by the time we leave I have generally been in all of them. Best part of being there.”

Jabari said. “I think you forgot to count the Red Rose, Love, as I know he takes you to at least two “

Charity said. “True, so three then, if you count the Rose, there is a bit more if I have to track Phlp down, but he is better about not running from me now.”

Mike smiled. “Yes I think he would be after finding himself naked on the street, with some who truly took a likening to what he was showing them.”

Charity shrugged. “I did warn him, and his Father said it was fine with him is I did as I said. He was the one who chose to issue the changeling and then run when he lost.”

De came in to hear that last and looked at the other two in the room she shook her head. “Just what have you all been telling these poor men? Charity you are supposed to tame the boys not encourage them. Sorry guys I should have know better then to leave you in this company so long.”

Charity said. “Just visiting Jacksome is all. Nothing about facing Huntly and his dement troops. That reminds me, did one of you right Red? He hates the Empire and so I bet he would be more than willing to have guys cover the sands. That is if the Chosen is needing someone who knows sands to help there?”

De said. “I thought you all weren’t going to speak of the brothels? Yes, he has been and is working on making an offer. But things are touchy there. He is not sure he will be heard, but is hopping that the Evil will let the hostiles between him and Crater be temporally set aside. He does want a piece of the Empire badly enough he said he had an envoy on the way, under truce.”

Warren said. “So did I but apparently saying they went in one is somehow different then talking about them.”

Feather was just looking at them. Heanrick shook his head. “I will let my people in the capital know and they will see if they can get the envoy an audience. The Sands is a place the minster was worried about. So you spend a lot of time in Jacksome?”

De said. “Warren and I are from there, and try to visit at least once year, a number of the others came with us even before some ended up knighted and orders to be there each meet we do not have a job during. No I have no idea what all goes on in town, I am out at the farm most of it, relaxing and doing my best not to know just what this bunch is up to. However Charity did indeed see to it that Philp ended up on the street, nude, that has a number of songs about it now, which Philp like to have sung whenever any of us are around.”

Luke smiled, looking at his father. “I prefer the one that includes her asking the King to witness the agreement before agreeing to the dance.”

Charity shook her head. “Gar you want to get us some wine? And Sharel has a good singing voce and will be more than happy to let you hear the songs. Luke can introduce when you get up to the camp. Just know that we were just going to compete at the sword dances, and no one was taking off their clothes to do it. No matter what the bards want to think. I am not Philp’s type, as they should well know, given the other set of songs.”

Luke coughed the shrugged. “Likely they can get those to, as well as the ones with Jammale. We do seem to be good song materiel, somehow. Even without the Princes getting into the mix. They are going to love Cri once they see him. I can see it starting a whole new chain.”

Charity winced. “I didn’t even think of that I can just hear it. Philp is going to be thrilled.” Charity looked at the other two and decided it was best to stop teasing them. It was hard to say who was more upset, but she thought her point had been made. She was not the meek, sheltered, obedient female, they had seen her to be. They needed to start seeing who she was not who they felt she should be, Hopefully the stories had helped with that. Now for the next part. “De is this everyone for this check?” She put up a damping shield as asked.

De nodded. “This is it, now if you can we need a look at the numbers in the camps, but if they are involved just jump over it. I am hoping they are moving, but with them it is hard to know.”

Charity nodded. “Now then first the shield is there to block them from feeling where I am scrying from. The way I find them is a bit loud. One good thing about having to keep my looking to ruins last time was they gave me cover.  After talking to you about spying in them I decide to try it. So next time I was with my guides I set out looking for one of the flags but found nothing. Which is when I realized none of you ever spoke of the tower. That scared me. So I asked the elders who were my guides a few things and found out that peaty much anything could be used to scry. I am a child of fire and so went to it. Since then fire is the only think I use to see them. It feels safe, and that is important. Now I am going to take a look at the Tower first. There is likely nothing there at this time. But it is where I prefer to start looking, just incase.” She took a deep breath trying to relax.

De looked at Luke worriedly, but he nodded. She needed to do this, as much as she need to set those shields in front of them. It was important she started working in front of them before the fight was here. She couldn’t freeze on the field just because she saw a hint of robe.

Fire blazed to life on the hearth, Charity took no notice of the jumps that caused, as she was used to it. Slowly the tower formed, with the scull on top. “That matches a good bit of the flag, so you see why I couldn’t understand no one seeking of it. Turns out the image is a type of spell. There has been some work done to weaken it so you should at least be able to remember anything seen inside, even if you can’t remember it.” She moved to the balcony and was surprised to find a slave on it. “Odd they are not usually up, but then from the feeling of the air they just had a storm. So must be late getting the orders out.” As she spoke a ball of not light left his hand. “We still have no way to stop or safely follow them. There is too much blood taint to that spell.” She stayed there. “Might as well see if he reports to anyone or just goes back to his cell. I do hope they don’t blame him for the storm.”  The image stayed with the man as he walked in the door, and knelt. “Crap. Well looks like we might learn something. Lets see if they are willing to share what they are up to. Air we would like to know what the beings we see are saying, if you would be willing.”

The inspector looked at her sharply. Remembering another conversation he had with her. But then the men moved so he could see their faces and he forgot his question.

Deep voice said. “No luck on the West. They have the other units back, and after last time none of ours in command places will take the risk. There are a few low levels going there, but they won’t be able to do much. Next to worthless. Can’t even expect regular reports from that week lot.”

Claudius nodded. “That was expected. The general is leading that section in person. He needs no extra guidance, and will be honest in his reports, even should they not be as expected. He knows what is needed and is not afraid to ask for needed support to see it happens. The Legions are making good time. They should be seeing the ones in the east now, and are responding as planed. Leavening the west manly in the hands of hired fighters They will learn to late the danger.”

Gravely voice nodded. “I do so love it when they expect Hired people to fight as hard as those who have ties. By the time they see what is coming it will be to late. Then when we gate in the reserve. They will fold, but the sprit will give us good slaves to play with as we move on. This is going to be enjoyable. Much better then what we have to deal with now. We just keep moving in slowly, they will think we are scared and will relax,. Time is on our side, not theirs. Having those hired guys sitting there waiting for the next two months will just help us. They will be even less likely to care then they would have. Now then they are going to camp for a week then move on.” He laughed and turned to the door. “Ah supper is here. Bring it in sluts! Stop dawdling.” Charity paled but didn’t drop the feed. They needed to see just what the Empire did. Jabari’s hand tightened its hold on hers and Warren grabbed her other one, not caring what they thought. The female slaves came into view and the others there looked sick. Charity dropped the feed just as it became clear just what was expected of the slaves.

Garstern said. “One of you let go of a hand so she can take the glass Cri has, would you? Char do you want me to look for the camps? They are draining those slaves. They are as much supper as the food they were carrying. Will any of them walk out of there?”

Charity said. “The females will, most likely, as they are in short supply. It seems they have more males than females. I think a lot are killing the girls before they are noticed. There is a high rate of infant mortality in the empire. I will go for the camps in a bit, thank you for offering Gar, but the illusions on them make it harder for air to find them. Seldom can She bring me clear sound from one of them. Sorry guys, but you needed to know why we will not be put off by a long wait, and why we will be invested in that fight. Crater’s borders are the best shot to stop that for miles, and it will not stop on its own.” She was shaking.

Jab said. “Love, please take the wine, the he will have some cake for you. Warren you want to get that other blanket? The air was ice there but she is trying not to admit how cold she is.”

When Charity took the glass she found Cri had warmed it a bit. Feather looked at them odd as Gar handed Cri the slice of cake, even though it would have been every bit as easy to hand it to Charity. Gar shrugged. “It is Cri duty to see to her, it would be unfitting for him to let another, even another servant is going to upset him.”

Charity said. “For some reason when I scry a place, I feel the temp of it. As to birth rate stuff, well I have been colleting anything to do with the empire since I left here. Now where they are camped they will be setting up games, I will do my best to not get them in the image, but we need a better idea of what their legion is, as they tend to only speak in terms of legions and units.”

Heanrick said. “How? Sounds, but. Must be, but they. Will the sprit do so for others?”

Gar smiled, then said. “Air will carry sounds for anything involving the Empire, but might not for other things. All depends on how it feels. She is amused at being called a sprite, but it is best to just say Air.”

Charity said. “I haven’t looked for the troops to the east. They said the big push would be heading to the passes. Therefore I have just been watching the west. This is what is marching openly.” It was well known, and the smallest. She moved on after a bit. “They said you knew there was more, I am guessing this is what you found.” It was larger, and a bit more alarming. She lingered a bit over it. “Now this is where it starts getting scary. I think this camp is all six they said was in the first wave as I have found no other camps. However there is so much ground out there that it is hard to know. If only we could track the messages.” This camp was six time the size of the last. Charity took her time moving through it, hoping that they good get a good estimate. As she went she did her best to not linger over the places were slaves were being abused, but even so it was clear a number of the slaves were children, and all were to beaten to fight, to do any thing but obey. Then she found mages in the middle of a harvest. She lost the connection then, to sick to do anything but drop it.

Jabari grabbed her. “Asaim get yourself something to drink. Gar we need a refill if you would. Love I know, but there is nothing we can do from here we will get them. Just breath, There was nothing that more that could be done for that poor soul then what you did. Now I know you don’t want to, but you need to eat that cake you have not just look at it. Cri, you need to as well.”

Inspector Heanrick looked just about as bad. “That is proscribed, and those prescripts were just reemphasized. Yet there are those who would treat with them. I will see that the Chosen his self hears my witness. We can give no quarter, even though we are in for a blood bath! Can one of you show me on a map where the camp is? His Holiness will need to investigate as well. Not to worry he has the means to.”

De looked at the others, it was theirs to share this time. Charity said. “They say it is safe to, Sorry, but I.”

Warren looked at her and frowned at the still untouched piece of cake. She needed to eat it. He reached over and took the fork from her. “Nothing to be sorry for, you managed to let us see a lot more of that sickness then we had been able to. Now then I need you to eat this for me.” He held the bite to her lips ignoring her attempts to protest, knowing she needed the sugar.  She took that bite and he got another on the fork, but let her wait a bit. It was hard for her to eat after that, but eating was the only way she was going to get over it. “Cri, I know you want to, but she needs to be forced a bit, and you can’t do it.” He held the next bite up and again she shook her head. “Yes you are going to. You need it for all you think you don’t, dear. Once you get this slice gone we will go for a nice run and you can yell at me all you want, but you are going to eat this.”

Cir said softly, he was pressed as close as he could to her. He hated how upset she was and wanted to take the pain. He needed her to know he was there. It was a relief that Warren was able to get her to eat truly, as she was shaking worse. “I know, and thank you sir.” Gar handed him a piece of cake as well causing him to shake his head, but he took it. “Thanks. I was going to go it is just.”

Gar said. “Eat it, and stop it. She is upset and you can’t move yet. Now eat that cake, not look at it.” He watched until he saw him take a bit then nodded. “Sorry guys, but they did what they could to see those did not get all they waited from the victims they were harvesting. Touching that is draining to the sprit as well as the power they used. The sugar helps with both.”

Charity said. “I should have never gone to that part of the camp, I knew the mages were there, and how they maintain. But I never thought of them doing that in the daylight. So thought we could get an idea of how many. I didn’t want you to see that, I did want you to get an idea of just what monsters they were. But I never wanted you to have to see a true harvest ceremony. The hint you had at the Tower was enough, I know you didn’t need that. I am sorry. I shouldn’t have. We have got to stop it, all of it.” She was shaking with rage and fear, but her color was looking a bit better.

Cri looked at her and gently kissed her leg. “Mistress it is awful that any had to see it, but at least we were there to set them free. Do you need me to back away from you? Am I making it harder by being here?” He worried that his need to feel that anger and guilt was feeding her fear. Yet that fear made him reluctant to move, as he needed to be sure nothing hurt her. Even knowing the monsters behind it were miles away.

Charity shook her head and managed to release her hold on Jab and take a bite of the cake on her own, knowing they had raised to many worries as it was. Wondering just what Feather was thinking. He hadn’t said a word since they had brought up the brothels. “No, boy, you are fine right where you are. There was a time your needs would have bothered me. But I understand better and know you have ways to insure I can’t take your rights, your will from you, like they did those poor folks. You are here because you chose to be, not because anyone forced you to be. None of them asked for anything that was being done. No one there can ask for anything. It actually helps a bit to feel your needs, it reminds me that you are with me because you want to be.” She hoped she didn’t say too much, but she needed him to know her stress was not about him.

Luke was frowning seeing that altar with a priest in the room had let him understand why t felt he should know it. “Sir I know the Church would never support soul bonding or the feed off blood. However there was a similarity to the altar they had and one that is in the temple. I want to be sure you saw that. Least the Chosen sees it and thinks you are trying to imply they are related.” He was also wondering how the hell Charity knew it, and knew it is where they would have taken her, or him for that matter. However this wasn’t the time to ask. In fact it might be best left unasked.

He blinked. “I had forgotten you would know it. Yes I am going to point that out and ask him to look into it. It has me wondering how that could be. We have taken up your afternoon I fear. Thank you for showing us camps as distasteful as it was I needed to see it. I fear I would never have believed. I. Well the Chosen had the inspector questioned under a truth spell, which is how you all were cleared. If not for that. I have a big blind spot, but that forced me to admit I had it. Once it was out I could see all the clues I missed. I could see just how you were so sure.”

De said. “If the Chosen would open the border for it there is help out there. It is going to be bloody, but many can see the need to stop them. This map has the last three locations, likely just looking at the old ones will let the taint be seen.”  

Charity handed him some papers, pleased to see they were not shaking to badly, as well but didn’t tell him what they were. It was up to him what he did with them. One was the key to reading the bracelet and the translations from the ones she had copied the markings of. The second was for his ring. She then looked at Warren. “I hope you really are up for that run. I do need one, I was thinking after supper, but Jab needs to meet with mages before they go to wild.”

Warren smiled. “After supper will be fine, just don’t try going with only Critern with you. Not tell he has time to learn the woods here better. He has not had time to adjust to being up here.”

Jabari said. “As far as that goes I need time to this area is going to be a change from Huntley. At least we have time to learn it.”

Charity nodded. “Now I want Cri to join me in the filed after lunch tomorrow it will do good for everyone to see he can use his blade.”

Jab nodded. “Then we will have our talk in the morning, if you think you can stay out of trouble.”