audio & text | un: xianxian of yunmeng (the day before stone kidnappings)

[weifinder]

Gather round for a story, ah? Xiao Xingchen, I'll come tell you in person, the rest will get to read along.

( A pause. )

The Stairs of Sighs are named after our ghost general Arha, for the sighs of pining between himself and his lover, Hatisse. The Stairs of Sighs opens on the day Arha arrived with his people, setting off to win his lover free. As may be apparent, it did not end well. Arha's campaign ended in death, and Hatisse survived her love, going on to become a high priestess of some influence.

Arha's army did not reach Taravast. In Mazyar's recounting, "The people spoke of great, uncontrollable fires that suggested the presence of the higher-numbered witches of Bessis defending the city. In the end, the flames grew so high that Taravast called down summon-rains to stop them. After this vast tragedy, all sorcery schools buried their previous animosity and agreed to stand together, allied for the greater good of Taravast. Hatisse made no comment or statement amid the destruction, but her presence was accepted as part of the truce, and she proceeded with a life of charity. It is said she paid to have the bones of each of the fallen of Arha's people found and buried from her own coffers."

I think even now, the Bessis and what is it, the Attareal? Are lines of magical learning in Taravast. Has anyone talked with anyone of the refugees or the ghosts to confirm or deny?

( A pause: )

I'm equally curious what else everyone's heard regarding our armed escort, or what may have truly happened all those years ago.

Comments

[weifinder]

Meanwhile inherited powers linked to the stars seems like an oddity to me, and yet I'm wondering if at some point we might not run into something similar here, ah?

( being: everyone's got weird things going on huh? )

[beitangmoran]

If we do meet actual Star Masters here, I will be very intrigued.

[He has been studying his star map quite diligently.]

For now though, I think you are probably more equipped than I to deal with our escort and their troubles.

[weifinder]

Hey, you have military experience, ah? Maybe discuss with him from that standpoint, about defenses he'd hold against fire attacks?

[beitangmoran]

.... How would that help?

[weifinder]

It might give us insight into what to expect as we get closer to the end of our journey.

[beitangmoran]

You expect that we might meet the same fate these men did? This is a refugees caravan, not an army.

[weifinder]

... I expect the men who died will meet the same fate, in some form.

[beitangmoran]

And you do not wish to let them.

[... They're ghosts, which means, no matter how illogical, that they're already dead. They can't really get dead-er.]

[weifinder]

I don't believe anyone should be caught in a cycle that does nothing but cause them to revisit their own death like it's the first time, each time, if that's what's happening here. But no, in this case, I really do just want an idea of what Lord Arha would think to do facing such an attack for an idea of what he might ask his people to do.

[beitangmoran]

That's very commendable, Master Wei, but... I honestly, truly do not think I can even fathom getting my head around to talking to someone who is already dead, even if they don't seem aware of the fact.

I am having a hard time getting my head around the fact that they exist at all right now. I am quite sure I might end up getting impatient and insensitive about the whole thing.

[Ghosts are one thing and illogical to start with, but ghosts who don't know they're ghosts and are in denial about their death somehow makes it even worse.]

[weifinder]

Oh, it's fine if you do, you'll just shut up!

( he says this so... so... cheerfully... )

[beitangmoran]

.... And why would I want to subject myself to that?

[weifinder]

At this point I kind of want to say to amuse me, but that wouldn't be honest—just a byproduct.

[beitangmoran]

[... Well, at least he's honest.]

I will have to respectfully decline to serve as your amusement, Master Wei.

[weifinder]

Hey, at least you're declining respectfully. Were you taking up any of our caravan master's quests instead?

[beitangmoran]

I am also going to leave this to our more energetic youngsters.

[Shut up Moran you're 26.]

[weifinder]

Yes, your ancientness, a wise plan indeed!

( Says the guy older than the 26 year old trying to retire right there. Again, sounding amused. )

[beitangmoran]

[He will ignore your sarcasm, Master Wei. Just because he happens to be good with a sword doesn't mean he likes doing it and you have another blade-happy Aquarius right there if needed.]

Everyone is so ready to help, I would hate to be a hindrance.

[weifinder]

Awh, don't look down on yourself, there's always a possible need for the two of us to be in different places at the same time! Even among ghosts!