Spark in Darkness - 104: To the Kitchen!
Nov. 16th, 2009 01:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessI have been almost prolific last night in an attempt to actually become sleepy enough to sleep. Of course, this was rather foiled by how frustrating this was. I have written and rewritten it and in the end just SPLURGED it on the page in quite an unsanitary fashion. I need to proof read it, edit it, the tone is wrong and the pacing is shot all to hell. The verbiage is alsmot Dickensian in its tediousness.
But it is now written and it can stop giving me a migraine
“None of our defences have detected anything.” Brian said calmly.
“Nor did they before. Kyernath has fought Camaalis before and has resided here before,” Rick started but kept quiet. I think Brian was unnerving him. The Shaman Elder was ancient in his craft and power. “He is aware of your capabilities and of the defences here.”
“Neither we nor our ancient defences can sense this threat, but you can?” Evelyn asked, her tone not matching her words - she seemed genuinely curious, her delicate features a picture of eager interest.
I frowned at her. I had hoped to see Doyle alone, but finding him in council with 3 other Elders had left me with little choice. They were starting to annoy me. “I am a Sorcerer. That question is unworthy of you, Evelyn.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. From the corner, away from the group, Prisa made an almost amused sound under her breath. Doyle gently touched Evelyn’s arm. “He has a point, Evelyn - and you Brian. His expertise in this area is unquestionable.” Both nodded, seemingly without grudge.
“He has a Camaalis’ pride,” Prisa murmured, apparently to herself.
“But more sense I hope.” I remarked, dryly. Prisa made another amused sound from the corner. I hurried on before any of the others could comment. “There is a curse on the serving staff. The longer a person is cursed, the stronger it becomes - and the more virulent, spreading to people around them. It has already infected the majority of the servants and several of the Vassal Houses. It will gradually weaken them, ruining their health and eventually kill them.”
“But why?” Brian asked, again calmly. He wasn’t as blunt as most Druids or as vague as most Shamans - but he was always calm as if nothing ever really touched him. “It will be an inconvenience to us to have the servants and even the Vassal Houses disabled. but it will hardly reduce our fighting strength.”
Evelyn shook her head, her long hair bouncing girlishly. “We need them. Most of the work of Camaalis is done by the Vassal families, there‘s so many of them and so few of us. They’re our support nets, our eyes and ears, our worker ants. Whatever metaphor pleases you, they make life smoothly and make sure our tasks get done. We’d be overstretched. Weakened.”
“I agree with Evelyn.” Doyle said. “Without the Vassal families and even our more mundane followers a large amount of our resources will be diverted. This is a very subtle attack, but has the potential to be a devastating one.” He looked at me. I shifted under his gaze, it was disconcerting. “We have a battle to fight. This curse will attack Camaalis, not just our staff and it will defend itself it threatened. We need to go to the kitchens.”
No-one questioned Doyle. I sometimes wondered if the Prophets were the true rules of Clan Camaalis. Prisa gave me a secretive smile, seemingly in answer. I returned a warning frown - she wouldn’t like it if I had to defend my mind from her.
But it is now written and it can stop giving me a migraine
“None of our defences have detected anything.” Brian said calmly.
“Nor did they before. Kyernath has fought Camaalis before and has resided here before,” Rick started but kept quiet. I think Brian was unnerving him. The Shaman Elder was ancient in his craft and power. “He is aware of your capabilities and of the defences here.”
“Neither we nor our ancient defences can sense this threat, but you can?” Evelyn asked, her tone not matching her words - she seemed genuinely curious, her delicate features a picture of eager interest.
I frowned at her. I had hoped to see Doyle alone, but finding him in council with 3 other Elders had left me with little choice. They were starting to annoy me. “I am a Sorcerer. That question is unworthy of you, Evelyn.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. From the corner, away from the group, Prisa made an almost amused sound under her breath. Doyle gently touched Evelyn’s arm. “He has a point, Evelyn - and you Brian. His expertise in this area is unquestionable.” Both nodded, seemingly without grudge.
“He has a Camaalis’ pride,” Prisa murmured, apparently to herself.
“But more sense I hope.” I remarked, dryly. Prisa made another amused sound from the corner. I hurried on before any of the others could comment. “There is a curse on the serving staff. The longer a person is cursed, the stronger it becomes - and the more virulent, spreading to people around them. It has already infected the majority of the servants and several of the Vassal Houses. It will gradually weaken them, ruining their health and eventually kill them.”
“But why?” Brian asked, again calmly. He wasn’t as blunt as most Druids or as vague as most Shamans - but he was always calm as if nothing ever really touched him. “It will be an inconvenience to us to have the servants and even the Vassal Houses disabled. but it will hardly reduce our fighting strength.”
Evelyn shook her head, her long hair bouncing girlishly. “We need them. Most of the work of Camaalis is done by the Vassal families, there‘s so many of them and so few of us. They’re our support nets, our eyes and ears, our worker ants. Whatever metaphor pleases you, they make life smoothly and make sure our tasks get done. We’d be overstretched. Weakened.”
“I agree with Evelyn.” Doyle said. “Without the Vassal families and even our more mundane followers a large amount of our resources will be diverted. This is a very subtle attack, but has the potential to be a devastating one.” He looked at me. I shifted under his gaze, it was disconcerting. “We have a battle to fight. This curse will attack Camaalis, not just our staff and it will defend itself it threatened. We need to go to the kitchens.”
No-one questioned Doyle. I sometimes wondered if the Prophets were the true rules of Clan Camaalis. Prisa gave me a secretive smile, seemingly in answer. I returned a warning frown - she wouldn’t like it if I had to defend my mind from her.