LoD Chapter 4 - The Legend of the Captured Son

[Bosolai]

Everyone heard knocking at their doors, waking them up. Some scrambled to get pants on, while others just ignored it. It seemed to early for visitors. It was what... 11 am?

When everyone was fully clothed and in the hall, Ayden was there waiting for them. "Spare me the tired looks and hangover expressions, there are still five keys to get. You'll get some time to rest after this next one, hopefully. Wake up, and follow me. Oh, and here's your pay for the most recent one." He handed each person save Katsu a bag of gold, and when it came his turn, Ayden asked, "We've got a tenth now? Word travels quickly I guess. I'll pay you after the next one."

The group followed him out to the sunny outdoors. There was still snow covering the ground, but the sky was clear and almost warm. When the teleportation gate was a clear view at the center of town, Ayden handed the group a stack of paper. "Here's ten tickets to the town of Drisden. To those of you who don't have light skin, keep on guard and don't stir up too much trouble. The town is overrun by racist groups, and hate crimes are overlooked by the law. Which is also why we believe that there is probably some unfinished business there for Samoht, as well. It looks like we're here, so he can fill you in. Good luck, everyone."

Ayden used his own ticket and went through the gate, and when everyone followed, they found themselves in the oasis town of Drisden. It was a rather large town, but beyond the gates was desert for as far as the eye could see. Which wasn't really that far, due to sandstorms and the like. The buildings weren't too tall, and everything seemed rather dusty, but at the center of town was a large pool, a spring from which supplied clean water for the entire town.

[Toastburner B]

"I don't know if my skin is light or not, I've never shaved off my fur to find out." Connor joked weakly.

He looked at the character party. "Some of us are decidely...not human. Perhaps it would be better if those of us who can't pass off as such remain on the outskirts of town, so the others can investigate more openly."

[MC43]

Katsu shook his head when he was offered a reward for his services. "No need for payment. I am only here to observe and to help. Besides... I feel like I should be with this group." Shaking his head he took his ticket and walked through the gate, taking note of the heat and desert. "From one element to the next I guess." He looked around, "By the way, which one of you is Samoht? In fact, if you do not mind, who are all of you? I think this may be a good time to get to acquainted."

He bowed his head. "My name is Tomagitchi Katsu. I may look old, but these bones are stronger than they look. I'm sure you are all wondering why I stumbled upon this group. To that question, I do not have an answer, for I do not know why our paths crossed. All I do know is that they have crossed, and I hope that I shall be able to aid you in the best way possible."

[Raiden]

Samoht looked over at Connor.

"It's not humans that are the racists here. It's the High Elves. Which is why lowly dark elves like me aren't very well liked around here."

As they talked, the group began to walk further into the town. It was quite busy, the streets filled with merchants peddling their items, and bandits looking for the easy pick.

Samoht in particular was being bumped by a few too many people. If it weren't for the fact that he wouldn't be able to take on all the people himself, he would have hit someone. But no. In this place, if he even fought in self-defense, he'd get locked up.

Samoht was pushed hard, and was moved to the side.

"Watch it, darky."

The man that pushed Samoht was wearing a hooded cloak, but it didn't take a hard guess to tell that he was a High Elf. The man was holding the hand of a younger child, who was also wearing a dark cloak. The two were hurrying through the streets. Samoht didn't like that man.

"Whatever. Just don't go down any dark alleys. You know how we like dark places."

The high elf turned to give a glare at Samoht.

And that was when their eyes met. Samoht would never forget those eyes, and obviously, the high elf didn't forget Samoht's.

"You!"

The high elf turned and began to run, tugging the child with him. From the pulling, the child's hood fell back, revealing the face of the being below. His face was drow, but his eyes were green, which was strange for a dark elf to have. Samoht's face dropped.

"Michael? Michael!"

The high elf and the drow child were running through the streets, farther away from Samoht. Samoht broke off from the group, and began to run through any space he could find. Almost like a hidden signal was given off, the street began to become more crowded, and more people began to get in his way. Samoht looked around, but he couldn't see the elf or the child.

He stomped down on the ground, the metal soles of his boots charging with electricity. Then, they magnetized against the deposits of ore deep within the ground, and he flew up high. When he was in the air, he searched. He couldn't find them. They must have ducked into a building somewhere. Samoht's eyes were frantic.

"I have to find them. Where did they go? Where did they go!"

When he landed, he stayed where he was. He was in almost too much shock to do otherwise. He was so close. So damn close!

[Lioness]

"Welcome, Tomagitchi Katsu. We are pleased that you have joined us. My name is Ian Roberts, and these are ..." *does brief introductions*.

"Now, let us be off." The group began to move towards the city. Ian nodded to what Samoht had to say, agreeing completely.

"We should perhaps try not to appear as too much of a group - I don't know how many of us will be favoured nor how many will be shunned, but in this way we will have at least a few among us who will not be viewed as being with a group of racially disfavoured people. In this way, we may be able to obtain otherwise difficult-to-find information. Keep everyone in sight if you can, though."

Ian was one of the first of the group to reach the town. He noticed Samoht, for one, was getting a rough treatment, but that his own fair skin - kept just far away - was fine, with only a few bumps and a murmured apology or two.

When Roberts saw his friend's incounter with the man and the boy, he bit his lip. "Samoht!" he thought, "Don't get yourself in trouble! We've got to stay low!"

Just then, Ian was jostled and got distracted for a moment, but then he heard a voice - there was no mistaking it.

"Michael? Michael!" cried Samoht. "What now?" thought Ian. Then he realized what had happened, and he briefly caught a glimpse of a boy's face as he rounded the corner, yanked along by the man who had caused a problem for Samoht. The boy looked remarkably like Samoht himself.

Then Ian's ally took off into the air, and came back down farther away. Ian motioned for the rest of the group to follow him and took off as quickly as the crowd allowed to Samoht. He directed him towards a quiet street, under the cover of jostling him as the rest of the crowd was doing. He did not speak until they were all together in the deserted street.

"We need a plan, and Samoht, I think we'd all be interested in some explanations or at least some background on the boy we saw."

OOC: Sorry about not naming everyone, but I don't want to miss anyone. Ian wouldn't miss any, but you know what? Lioness would miss many. Take your time getting the alley, etc. I just wanted to get somewhere where the characters can all converse.

[Astral Harmony]

"Let's not pry into the whole 'boy' issue," Renetta said, putting a hand on Samoht's shoulder. "Don't worry, Samoht. We'll find them. We will."
Then she became thoughtful. "It seems that these keys have been linked to each of us. My brother, Kerith's father, and now Samoht's link is here. We should search the whole town. It won't be easy if the townspeople think we're associated with Samoht, but I think it's too late for that. Still, we'll turn this town upside-down to find that boy. I never really liked High Elves anyways."

[Raiden]

Samoht's cloak was drooped around him, covering his entire body. The others thought that he was simply hiding his skin. Given the town, it would have been a smart idea. In reality, Samoht had clutched at a small locket that hung around his neck. He rubbed it gently.

"That high elf. He's the leader of a big anti-drow movement group. He's powerful among his circles, and commands much respect in them. He's ruthless. He cares not for the lives he makes worse...or the lives he destroys."

Samoht looked down at the ground.

"That boy...was my son. Michael Grebedahcs. He was stolen from me several years ago. That's all you need to know."

Samoht looked around.

"I'm not asking anyone to help me, and I don't expect it. But my son is out there, and he needs his father."

[Lioness]

"I am sorry, Samoht. I did not mean to try to pry," Ian said, realizing he had not said what he said exactly the way he had meant to. "I understand a son needing his father." For a moment, Ian looked very upset, as if remembering a terrible loss. He quickly collected himself, saying with the most conviction anyone there had ever seen from him, "We will find your son."

He paused for only a moment, before continuing, "Well, let's get searching! Would you prefer to split up, or stay together? I vote splitting up and meeting back here."

[Raiden]

Samoht looked up. His red eyes were glowing with a strange light in the darkness of his hood. There was a great anger in his eyes.

"This isn't the first time I've been here. I know some contacts. If anyone wants to join, I'm going to check in with them."

[Lioness]

"I would join you," Ian said with fervour, "if you do not mind."

Ian knew what it was to live without a father, though no-one there knew it. And with Michael also a prisoner, he wanted to find Michael almost as much as Samoht clearly did.