Two Paths Diverge: Mahanaga - Chapter 8

[TetNak]

Shamad stands there dressed in his normal attire, a set of bone armor, and plethora of weapons, but is covered by a dingy cloak similar to the rest of the group at this point. Its obvious to Toranoshi its to hide his typical gear and clothing which are suited for his station as a leader of men. His hair is short, growing out from the terrible fire he was caught in while trying to save a families life. One that Toranoshi knows well. The right side of his face is still blackened slightly, scarred, from that same fire. His chin bares a different kind of scar, born from acid and the yuan-ti.

Toranoshi and Shamad have been together since the beginning of this whole adventure. And although Toranoshi is basically a paid servant, Shamad has treated him as a friend.

"Toranoshi," he says, moving forward and giving the man an embrace, "Good to see you." Too many of his friends have died to act indifferent to their survival.

"Let us talk of this as we walk to the ship, is it ready?" he asks as he pulls away from the dhuka.

[JohnnyWeird]

"You also, sir." Shamad finds his hug returned with equal force; after bowing and scraping to the kshatriya it is a relief to be treated with dignity once more.

"The preparations are all but complete; with the Mystic's help we have booked passage upon a Zakharan ship, whose sailors feel no loyalty to the eccentric 'maharaja'. Come, let us make haste."

[TetNak]

Shamad releases Toranoshi, "Good," he says, nodding to the Mystic. "Let us keep our talk of politics to a minimum until we are away." He frowns, "I do not wish us to get detained." He looks over to the shudra, Toranoshi, and says, "Lead the way." He immediately follows the dhuka in the direction he leads them.

[Trogdor]

As much as he fears for the fate of his home city, Janak knows that there is little he can do right now to protect it from its megalomaniacal leader. And so he follows Toranoshi, content to help where he can, and hoping that Lakshmana will not suffer too much in the months to come.

[Bitom]

Rhokti, his 'disguise' draped over one arm, follows along with the others. Fortunately, he is the one member of the party who doesn't need a disguise, his clothing is poor enough to fit in, fine. His staff, on the other hand, will always mark him as different.

[Connie_the_Fire_Element]

Sujata pulls the garment over her head and checks that she has covered her original clothing and armor completely. She nods when she is ready. She pulls her hair alittle looser from it's tie back, making it fall in lanky clumps around her face and adding a touch disarray to her hair and face. It's the best she can do, with her clean hair and face, to blend in completely with the teaming masses on the docks.

[JohnnyWeird]

Toranoshi leads them through the market, taking a route more circuitous than he might otherwise; if they are followed, he hopes to suss them out. Additionally, he hopes, he can avoid the patrols that had caused him such grief before.

[Vardaen]

Ghanji is the last of the group known as the Harbingers. He is a Kshatriya as well, but serves as a Shikari among the group known as the "The Slayers" A group of men and woman that hunt down the Yuan-ti anyplace they live. Ghanji is basically a bastard, and no one would disagree with that assessment, but he is loyal, to a fault perhaps to his House Prasad. A firm believer in the caste system it has caused plenty of issues between him and the now gone Azora who is basically an orphan and his place among the Order unknown. Ghanji respects Toranoshi, even if others don't think he does. In Ghaji's mind, yes the man is a dhuka and a shudra, but he knows his place, and his family hired him all those months ago, and he's proven he deserved the pay. That pay has long since stopped coming, as the world falls into chaos around the Harbiners. Ghanji favors his bow, and is a excellent marksmen, the best in the group, the best the group has seen certainly. He wears the Jawa-asi, the twin blades of the warrior caste, but uses them rarely or only at great need. Ghanji is vocal in his beliefs, and it causes friction in the group at times, and not everyone likes him, but that doesn't matter to him. He also has short hair, growing back from a fire from the village of Chun, a different fire than the one Shamad was trapped in. His Chahar-Aina or "Four Mirror" armor is recently cleaned thanks to Janak, but a lingering stink of the jungle swamp still clings to the man.

Toranoshi leads the group down toward the ship, he takes several round about ways, and Janak twice helps him avoid dead ends, or finds a bridge over the variosu canals of the city. The sea stretches out to the south, the massive blue and white ocean rolls in gently against the coast and the spray and smell of the salt air is a new sensation for most of you. Pazi doesn't seem to like it and tugs on Rhokti or Sujata's nose at times (depending on who she's riding on at the moment). Toranoshi causes, the Maharaja's Patrols are near, a collection of Kshsitrya guards that roam the docks harassing foriengers and locals alike.

The ship is up ahead, not far, and Toranoshi points it out at the end of the pier, a Sambuk of Zakaran design it looks sleek and fast, but certainly alien compared to the larger ships of Lakshamana.

Only fourty yards seperates the group from the pier with the ship on it when a bell rings out. A loud bell of the town crier, a man walks down the road toward the docks, slender, nervous, and with shifting eyes seeking danger as he goes. Behind him two vita wielding guards keep watch over him. He pauses in a small yard area and lifts his voice, "By order of the glorious and holy Maharajah Kharan Djikah of Lakshmana I proclaim the newest edict of the Seven Kingdoms. From this day forth, those who bare the blood of foriegners are here by banished from these shores! His most benovolent Maharajah grants any and all foriegners two weeks to conclude their buisness and leave these shores. Any who refuse to do so, shall face the power and glory of his magficent Maharajah Kharan Djikah's army." The man gulps down his words and looks to his escorts.

[TetNak]

Shamad only spares a moment to turn and look at the proclamation. From what he has heard so far, none of this surprises him. Just as the words come to and end, he nods to Toranoshi, and whispers, "No delay, continue forward." He continues walking, hoping to completely ignore anyone nearby and get to the boat and be on their way. He does not plan on coming back to this city-state unless he is forced to later. For the moment, he has other worries.

[Trogdor]

Janak's face hardens as he hears the proclamation. First the Vanaran; now everyone else. It was painful to see Kharan Djikah destroy his home. For this new rule would devastate the city, cutting it off from perhaps half of the trade that had, up until now, been its lifeblood. No good could come if this edict.

But Shamad was right. This was not the time for delay. Holding his tongue until there was time to talk more freely, Janak simply shakes his head and moves forward.