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Dynasty of Dovak	By : JohnDoe Category: +A through F > Exalted RPG Views: 4983 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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Session 61 – Two Weddings and a Murder – Reya (185XP 148DX, 179/143 spent; 9GP 30SP), Melody (185XP 148DX, 176/146 spent), and Ganan (185XP 148DX, 179/145 spent; 8WhP 44GP 52SP)

Realm Year 769, Second Week of Descending Air
The Blessed Isle, Ventus Prefecture, Bright Obelisk

Dark winter storm-clouds roll across the winter sky and snowfalls in sheets. There is a distant rumble of thunder and the howling of a bitter wind.

The inside of Governor Sesus Nerys’s mansion stinks of fresh death: blood and shit from gutted Iselsi assassins, and the rancid smoke from anima charred flesh and furnishings. Mnemon Alinos Muli’s anima still lashes the room, burning anything that’s not bare stone or a fellow Dragon-Blooded. The bright light of his fiery display reaches every corner of the room and leaves nothing to the imagination. Blood gushes from Muli’s head, staining his white wedding clothes, and his throat is purple with bruising.

Ledaal Kebok Coren pulls her sword from the last of the assassins. It makes a horrid sucking sound as she kicks the corpse from her blade. Seven bodies now line the floor – six assassins, and Sesus Raenyah Ilana (Mnemon Muli’s wife).

Ilana lays on the ground, her throat slit to the bone, her front stained with blood the color of her burgundy hair.

Mnemon Alinos Gracious Peeling Melody pushes her way into the room and kneels by the dead woman's side. It is immediately apparent to her that though she has been dead for only seconds, she is dead. Trying anyway, she lays her hand on Ilana’s chest and wills her wounds closed, reaching out with her spiritual anima… and finding nothing. The wounds do not close. Melody closes the Dragon-Blooded’s eyes, and looks up at the others, shaking her head, “She’s dead.”

“We know,” Cynis Ganan intones without emotion as he sweeps the room, his firewand held out in front of him. He turns on Ledaal Kebok Coren, “You should have taken that one alive for questioning.”

Oban falls to his knees at his daughter’s side and weeps openly over the body. He lets out a roar of rage and pain and tears at his shirt, before throwing himself over the body. Muli starts towards Oban, but Tepet Agoram ushers him away, and Coren steers them to an already wrecked part of the room.

Mnemon Alinos Danireya takes control of the situation, “Ganan, stack the bodies of the assassins outside. Melody, reassure our guests. Give Oban some space.”

Melody rises from beside Ilana’s side and goes out to address the assembled wedding guests. Mnemon and Alinos have moved back inside of Mnemon Bekara’s mansion. The other guests stand in a state of confusion: some Sesus scions have drawn weapons and stand in combat formation, other guests are milling around in confusion, or are trying to leave (blocked by Sesus Terel’s Black Guard), whilst still others sit smartly (waiting for the celebrations to resume). She does a quick scan of the vantage points for snipers, not putting a second wave of attack beyond the realm of possibility.

Melody raises her voice, “Cousins, honored guests. I thank you for comporting yourself with the dignity of the dragons and setting a good example for those mortals present today.” She gestures vaguely at the Patricians and servants, and a quiet, guilty hush falls on the assembly as Melody’s Essene. “Let me speak plainly. An attempt has been made on the lives of our newly-weds: we suspect the same group of assassins responsible for the murder of the Regent – the Patrician house Iselsi. Mnemon Nula and her husband Sesus Terel are badly shaken, but Mnemon’s sorcerous defenses have saved them from harm. Sesus Ilana and her husband Mnemon Muli are both severely injured. The assassins are all dead. The sad duty falls to me to call an end to the day’s festivities. Please return to your homes and your lodgings in an orderly fashion and be vigilant against any further plots.” There’s a moment of tension in the air as the proceeding teeter on the brink of pandemonium, then Melody adds in her trademark flippant style, “Or we can kill each other and do Cainan’s job for him.” The severity of the threat contrasted with Melody’s offhand delivery, miraculously brings order to the crowd: the guards part and the guests disperse. Holy crap, I’m good. She thinks to herself.

Ganan emerges carrying four of the gutted assassins, he dumps the bodies unceremoniously in a heap – the blood from their wounds rolls off him like water from a duck’s back and stains the snow red. He goes back inside for the last two bodies, oblivious to the looks of shock and horror on the faces of the departing guests and servants.

Reya follows after Ganan, leaving Oban to his grief. She touches the corpses one by one, reciting a prayer for swift reincarnation: three of them burn up instantly, their ghosts assuaged, mortals; three do not ignite – Exalted, most likely. “Gan, break up some of this furniture, make a pyre.”

Ganan sets to work demolishing the wedding seating and stacking the wood into a funerary pyre (10SP), and Reya speaks the prayer of swift reincarnation again – this time ending with The Burning Name to ignite the pyre and burn the bodies as she did with the Anathema. Then they go to retrieve the bodies from Bekara’s mansion.

Sesus Terel is fuming with anger, but Octavian’s looming presence and Alinos’s stern gaze keeps him in check.

“We need to burn the bodies!” Melody says slapping her hands together cheerfully.

Terel hisses through his teeth, his voice hoarse and muted, “Tell that to this… thing! I have been trying to for hours!”

Ganan folds his arms across his chest, taking an instant disliking to his son-in-law, “The attack was minutes ago.”

Terel makes a dismissive gesture and Ganan advances on him threateningly. Octavian is in between them in a heartbeat, he cows Terel with a single glance and turns his gaze on Ganan. Ganan levels his Dragon Sigh Wand.

“Gan, heel.” Reya snaps smartly, and Ganan steps back, mechanically, holstering his weapon.

Octavian glares for a moment before returning to his haunch of human thigh.

Mnemon Alinos looks unsure of herself for a moment, regarding her daughter carefully as she weighs the balance of power in the room.

And then Mnemon enters, and the question is resolved.

“No-one burns the bodies until I am done with them.” It’s pronounced in a tone that invites no questions and brooks no argument. Her skin is transmuted to Invulnerable Bronze.

Ganan and Melody exchange a glance that can only be interpreted as “oh shit”.

Reya bows her head, “Noble and mighty Matriarch, I have already burned three of the attackers who struck at House Sesus. Three won’t take. I suspected they carry the Dragon’s Blood. I was going to burn them on a pyre.”

Mnemon waves dismissively, “Do as thou wilt, great grand-daughter. What care have I for assassins striking House Sesus?”

Ganan smirks at Terel, whose blood is boiling: his face a bright red. Mnemon Nula lays a hand on his forearm and croaks in a hoarse voice, “What my Matriarch means, is that security of House Sesus falls to Oban and that protecting our allies from vengeful hungry ghosts is more important than her sorcerous experiments.”

Reya nods approvingly at her daughter. “We will lay down salt wards in the house.” She says to Mnemon carefully.

“Very good.” Mnemon turns to leave, “Three and three? Only two of the attackers here were Exalted. What does this tell us?” She sweeps out of the room.

Reya gives out another barrage of orders, “Gan, take Terel and fetch some salt. Lay down lines around this room and the bedrooms. Nula, mother, if I may impose.” She gestures to a sitting room (where Octavian won’t be present) and gives a nod to Melody.

Ganan shrugs and says “Come on chatty!” As he leads Terel out of the room.

Melody and the others follow Reya to the semi-balance of privacy.

Reya begins, “It tells us a lot. These assassins clearly thought the Sesus household would be a priority target. Sesus Ilana is dead, Muli is injured. Likely, this means the assassination plan was put in place before our venture to Sion. Probably before it was known that Mnemon herself would be in attendance – why sabotage a wedding alliance if you can kill the Empress?”

Melody grimaces, “That’s assuming the Iselsi are behind this attack. And that the assassins back Cainan. They could be anyone. It could be Nellens trying to stop us getting too chummy with Sesus.”

“Auntie, be serious!” Nula says with a smile.

“I mean it!” Melody says seriously, “It could have been Mnemon: she knows we’re too well protected here but that the Sesus house would be vulnerable. Make it a personal blood vendetta, without risking future Dragons born into her house. Plus Muli survived to return here to us. And the casual indifference she just showed to what was meant to be a campaign changing alliance? It could have been Ledaal feeling out of favor. It could have been House Cynis making their first foray into the war – punishing Sesus for choosing Mnemon over them. Jumping to patrician assassins is a convenient lie to tell the outside world, but we have no idea who is behind this.”

Nula gives Melody a stern look, massages her own throat for a moment, then speaks, “Well if we’re accusing Great Grand Daimother, we might as well accuse House Sesus. Oban has stepped up into a power vacuum. Could be a jealous matriarch looking to depose him and take control of the House. Or Oban himself, looking to drum up sympathy.”

Reya cuts across the argument before it can begin, “What about a follow-up attack? One wave of assassins or do you think they’ll strike again?” She turns to Mnemon Alinos, “Mother?”

Mnemon Alinos replies slowly, “Committing five Dragon-Blooded to a suicide mission represents an investment that not even House Cathak can make casually – let alone a fallen house like Iselsi – if they had more warriors to spend, they would have spent them. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be vigilant, daughter.”

Reya bows respectfully to her mother, and regards her carefully, not yet ready to engage her mother in a power-struggle. “How would you advise we proceed?”

“Immediate safety assured, we should try to uncover the identities of our attackers. Burning the evidence we have may have been premature, and I’d not rely on Daimother being forthcoming with the results of her sorcerous divinations. This really would have been easier if you’d left one alive.” Alinos casts an eye over Melody, who looks guilty even though she wasn’t to blame this time.

“Perhaps not.” Reya says, “With Octavian busy mutilating corpses and Mnemon doing dragon’s-know-what to the remains… we might be able to question these assassins after all...”

Ganan and Terel return having laid their salt lines.

“I need to return home.” Sesus Terel says simply.

Melody looks at him, “You are home. Welcome to the family, nephew.”

Reya holds up a hand, “I understand that you must be worried about your sister. I must insist you stay here overnight until we identify more information about your attackers. We will take you to see your father tomorrow.”

Terel grits his teeth, “Then at least allow my entourage to come here.”

Ganan shakes his head, “Can’t do that until we know exactly who might be compromised.” He slaps Terel on the back, “You’re just going to have to spend the night with your wife.”

Nula and Reya pull identical faces of embarrassed disgust. Ganan pushes Nula and Terel out of the room.

“I was thinking we could interrogate the ghosts,” Ganan says as soon as they’re out of the door.

****

Come nightfall, the heroes make their way to the entry hall of Bekara’s mansion. The four mortal corpses mutilated by Octavian have been heaped in a pile. A large mirror has been re-positioned over the corpses.

As the sun sets, Ganan senses the rise of a nearby ghost. As the spirit rises from the corpse, Ganan flashes across the room and drives a fist into its chest, pulling it into the material world. The vengeful spirit glares at the Dragon-Blooded – hun and po souls are still united – he breathes hard, pantomiming an action that no longer has any function.

Melody nudges Reya, “Well one out of four isn’t bad.”

Reya approaches, her bearing marking her as someone not to be trifled with as she meets the ghost for the first time. Immediately she senses the ghost’s burning need for revenge. She begins to shape sorcery, casting Peacock Shadow Eyes on the ghost, who drops into a trance. “I am Reya, Exalted Sorceress. Who are you?”

The ghost looks at her dazed and entranced, “I am Amilar Arime.”

Melody and Ganan exchange a look.

Reya pushes on, “I imagine you’d like revenge against the demon that tore you apart.” She gestures at the corpse behind them.

The ghost of Amilar Arime turns and looks at the mangled corpse. He turns back, dazed, “I want revenge against House Iselsi. They are the reason we set out on this mission.”

“Who, specifically, hired you, and what was the mission?” Reya asks. The ghost does not respond. “You’re not leaving this room ghost, not without my leave. But if you tell me, I can help you realize your revenge.”

Arime speaks slowly, “Iselsi Malora. She came to Lookshy over a hundred years ago seeking asylum from the Realm. She married my great-grandfather Amilar Rideb. She hired us and matched us with Dragon-Blooded from her old house. Sent us here to kill the newlyweds. Sent us here… to die.”

Ganan growls, “How many other assassins are there?”

“Eleven.” Arime replies without hesitation, “Six for each pairing.”

Melody nods, “All accounted for then.”

The Dragons continue to interrogate the ghost but reveal little else of use. Reya says a prayer over the corpses and sends her Essence through the pile, burning the mortal corpses to ash. Finally, the dragons turn in for the night.

****

The next morning, the Dragons wake to find Mnemon and Octavian have left. Mnemon has left a bound neomah instructing Danireya to attend her in Juche.

Sesus Raenyah Terel and Mnemon Alinos Nula have risen early. Terel has dressed in white clothes of mourning – as have our heroes. He wears his sword openly at his side, as he presents himself smartly to Danireya. He bows, then states with a precise courtesy, “Matriarch, I have performed my duties and should like to see my sister.”

Danireya nods, rises, and gestures for the others to follow. “Of course.”

They cross the Plaza of Light – servants have cleared away the remains of the funerary pyre and the decorations from the wedding. Sesus Nerys’s servants admit them: the lobby has been fully repaired, Sesus Raenyah Ilana’s body has been moved.

They are shown to a reception room and left to wait. Sesus Raenyah Terel opens his mouth to complain that “This is intolerable.” When Mnemon Alinos Muli enters the room, also dressed for mourning.

The gash on Muli’s head has been crudely stitched – it looks as if he’d done it himself looking in a mirror. He bows to his mother then to his brother-in-law, whom he addresses:

“There are few words to express the deep pain and sorrow of losing Sesus Raenyah Ilana to the assassins who struck us last night. We want to host a private and dignified ceremony with her loved ones here at sunset. She wanted a traditional memorial, so please dress in white and prepare any kind words you would like to share.” Muli intones with the proper amount of sorrow, and he bows his head again.

In a flash, Terel is on his feet, sword-in-hand challenging Muli to a duel.

Ganan scoffs, amused, “A duel over what?”

Reya and Melody are not amused, sensing the real danger in the situation.

“Neither of our wives were warriors. I defended my wife and she lives! But my sister is dead because he let her die! Honor demands satisfaction!” Terel foams at the mouth.

Ganan rises from his feet, “You were passed out on the floor whilst a sorcerer’s demon saved your wife, boy. But I taught Muli how to fight: if you want to duel someone…” He spreads his arms, “I’ll answer the challenge of honor.”

Terel’s lips purse into a hard line. “You are my father-in-law. We are of the same household. Mnemon Muli is of the Raenyah household.”

Melody steps in, “We are allies. House Iselsi are responsible for this, in service to Cathak Cainan. We have enemies enough to fight without squabbling among ourselves.”

Terel’s voice has a dangerous waver to it, “That’s exactly what Ilana said. And if you had kept her alive, I’d be inclined to listen to that advice. Now, are you a coward as well as a traitor?”

Muli steels himself, “I can see this is important to you. So I will beat you without causing lasting injury, for the sake of our alliance. Shall we fight now, or do you need time to prepare?”

****

The dragons proceed through the mansion to a courtyard. Muli draws his Longfang from a burning brazier as Terel faces off against him.

Ledaal Kebok Corin, Tepet Agoram, and four of Terel’s retinue have found their way to the same courtyard.

Terel blazes towards Muli, already glowing with power, he draws his sword from its scabbard with one fluid motion, slashing across with a blow intended to kill.

Muli turns the blow aside, stepping back in a blur of motion that raises his own anima before launching himself forward, stabbing out with his spear. Terel twists his blade right and left, knocking Muli’s strokes aside. A mirthless smile graces Terel’s lips as he steps back with every thrust, giving ground allowing himself to be driven back to the brazier.

Ganan and Tepet Agoram both tense as they watch the two Fire Aspects duel.

Agoram hisses, “He actually thinks he’s doing well.”

“He’s being toyed with.” Ganan grimaces.

Terel throws a shower of blinding sparks as their weapons meet, then surges forward in a firestorm assault, slashing with his daiklave in a blinding flurry of blows. Muli closes his eyes, drops to one knee, and twists his Longfang across Terel’s wrist, disarming him and sending the sword flying. Without hesitating, Terel thrusts his hand into the fire and pulls out a new sword made of flames. He jabs the blade into Muli’s shoulder, and as he reels backward into his knee.

Ganan grabs Agoram by the collar to stop him from rushing to Muli’s side. But he’s too slow to stop Ledaal Corin, who in an instant is standing over Muli defending him with her blade. It starts to rain, the cold biting rain of winter, but somehow Muli and Corin avoid the worst of the deluge.

Sesus Terel tosses his flaming sword aside, and the fire sputters and dies in the rain. “Do you yield?”

“You stabbed him in the spear-arm: ‘yes’ he yields,” Melody says crossing to her nephew to treat him.

Terel shakes his head and retrieves his Daiklave, “I’m satisfied.” He turns his back on Coren and crosses over to his cronies. Nula grits her teeth and goes to stand with her husband. A peal of thunder is heard across the courtyard as Terel and company go back inside the mansion.

Ganan and Agoram approach Muli as Melody treats his wounds. Coren stands with her blue jade Daiklave drawn as if expecting further attack.

“You celebrated too soon.” Ganan admonishes.

“How many times have I told you not to drop your guard?” Agoram adds.

“It’s not over until it’s over.” They both say in unison.

Melody exchanges a look with Reya, “By the Dragons, I see it now!”

“See what?” Agoram and Ganan snap in unison.

Melody raises her eyebrows and turns back to Muli’s wounds, “You both have terrible taste in men.” She mutters.

Ganan and Agoram take Muli by the arms (Agoram on the injured side) and help him back into the house, “You’ll have to change before the memorial.” Ganan tuts.

“Where is Oban?” Reya asks, and Muli directs them upstairs. Corin and Agoram stay with Muli as our heroes head up to Ilana’s room.

Ilana is laid out on her bed. Her wounds have been sewn shut and she has been dressed in fresh white funeral garb (though Ganan is too illiterate in fashion to tell the difference between wedding garb and funeral garb). Oban sits quietly by her side, and he doesn’t look up as they enter the room.

“We are striking for Mnemon-Darjilis as soon as Ilana’s memorial is over,” Reya says, skipping the pleasantries, assuming Oban will prefer to be dealt with directly.

Oban nods and says nothing.

Reya continues, “I should like it if my children were to stay with you. I imagine you will be leaving Bright Obelisk?”

“On the morrow,” Oban says quietly.

“Muli, Nula, and Terel should travel with you. We are a family now. Family takes care of each other.” Reya waits for Oban to respond.

“Our alliance stands,” Oban replies simply.

Melody walks over to him and lays a hand on his shoulder, “That was never in doubt. If it’s… hard for you, we will take them with us. We just thought…”

Oban looks up at Melody, “I should like my son at my side.” He turns his attention to Reya, “Thank you, madame Reya. We will be focusing our efforts on destroying Peleps held ports until you or Berit send word otherwise.”

Reya nods, “Berit is marshaling forces to retake the Imperial City: a pointless exercise if the Imperial Fleet can simply take it back.”

****

The memorial to Sesus Ilana is a brief and muted affair. Key figures say kind words and vow vengeance against House Iselsi and their Cathak masters. Our heroes decline to mention Gens Amilars’ involvement.

At the end of the ceremony, Ledaal Ludila joins our heroes and states that River and her Hearth are heading to Juche to recruit House Nellens to the cause. She asks to join them on their journey to Mnemon-Darjilis. Our heroes do not ask how she learned of their next destination.

Seeing no other reason to stay in Bright Obelisk, the rest of the Alinos household prepares to move on – Nula and Muli with House Sesus, the others traveling with Alinos. Ganan takes a moment to barter with the scions of House Mnemon, purchasing a length of Grayglass wood and a bough from a powerful V’neef manse.

Our heroes make only minimal preparations: they raid Bekara’s larder for provisions and withdraw hard currency from the house’s funds before setting out into the night. Ganan orders Ndiza to enter his Yasal Crystal and his other demons to stay close, with Cresta riding Tisi. As Reya starts to summon her Stormwind Rider, a strange figure emerges from the mansion next to governor Nerys's. She, if it is a she, looks almost like an elemental: she has the shape of a human, but her skin is accented with crystals – flesh merging into rich purple amethyst outcroppings. She wears robes of white and gold, with a red sash on her chest.

The woman approaches. Ganan casually unslings his Dragon Sigh Wand, but Melody lays a hand on the barrel.

“She was watching the wedding,” Melody says, remembering the veiled figure from the day before.

“Which isn’t at all suspicious.” Reya says sarcastically as she folds her arms across her chest, “Who are you and what do you want?”

The woman speaks, her voice like chiming bells, “My name is Holly. Mnemon instructed me to direct you to Juche.”

Reya looks her up and down, “I don’t know who – or what – you are, Holly, but I assure you, we can find our way to Juche.”

Holly smiles a disquieting smile, “This way please.” And she begins to lead them out of the city.

Ganan raises his weapon and aims at the back of Holly’s head, “Just say the word…”

Reya tuts at her husband and starts to follow Holly towards the mountains.

****

Reya spends 4DX to train Archery 3.
Ganan spends 8XP and 4DX to train Titanic Fist Devastation.
Melody spends 3DX train a Presence Specialty in Lovable Outcaste.
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Dynasty of Dovak