Sneak Peak for Ch. 27
2006-Feb-03, Friday 02:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
msmoon
Busy
Here’s a rough draft of the next chapter in the EQ Saga. For those of you who actually know what I’m talking about, call it a sneak peak and be done with it. Enjoy!
Title: The Hatching Week
Author: MSMoon
Warnings: ..uh...none...I don't think...uh...Oh! I got one! Mild Peril!...whatever.
Feedback: As long as it's constructive ;)
Characters: MMC04, MMC08, MMC40, MMC52, MMC53, MMC54
Disclaimers: I do not own EverQuest. I am poor. Suing me wouldn't really profit much. However, I do own my own characters from EQ. I would be somewhat upset if someone used my or anyone else's characters without my permission. So if you want to use them please ask.
Rated: PG
Author's Note: Just so ya'll know, Vicari and the other Iksar didn't magically loose their hiss, I just decided not to write them with their hissing. I figured, everyone knows that Iksar hiss when they speak s's and c's and other s-sounding things (and if you didn't know before, you do now!), so I might as well just eliminate all that and make it easier to actually read their dialog.
Also, most of the stuff I'm writing about is purely something that I dreamed up. I don't know if Iksar actually do have a hatching celebration. But I've heard that all the eggs are laid together in one brood, and I just figured they probably all hatched together, and that would be a great cause for celebration. The nice people that made EQ could help a gal out and make a book about Kunark and the Iksar, but no~o.
Kawari panted heavily as she ran towards Surefall Glade. She had arranged to meet with Idlewild today. She couldn’t think of any place that they’d really safe from her family at first...and she was quite shocked when Idlewild suggested just outside Surefall in the Qeynos Hills.
“Look, the only one who’s liable to see us there would be Torako.” Idlewild had reasoned. “And considering that she’s antisocial, she wouldn’t be likely to do much more than watch as we hunt. She seems like the practical type to me.”
Kawari felt a slight pang of guilt as she saw the entrance to Surefall approaching with no Idlewild in sight. Perhaps the Necromancer was hiding somewhere...she didn’t exactly like attracting attention to herself...
A strange rattling noise and a hollow cackle were the only warnings Kawari had as a skeleton began to chase after her.
“Oh, for the love of...” She grumbled as she sped up. She was fairly strong for someone who hadn’t chosen a class, but she certainly wasn’t tough enough to kill a skeleton!
She skidded to a halt when the rattling stopped. As she turned she saw black smoke smoldering around the skeleton, forcing the undead to stop in its tracks. A quick glance to her right showed Idlewild cresting the hill. The Necromancer twirled the great staff in her hand expertly, changing its position and purpose from walking aid to weapon.
“Vebraer, attack!” Idlewild called motioning towards the skeleton.
“Attacking, Master.” Came the droning voice as Idlewild’s skeletal minion lurched forward.
“Kawari, get in there! Veb and I will keep it’s focus.” Idlewild ordered.
“Right!” Kawari cried, sounding more confident than she felt. She ran up behind the skeleton and began delivering blows with her short sword.
True enough, the pet was attacking so aggressively head on, drawing the attention of this undead. Kawari figured the damage she was dealing wasn’t severe enough to gain its attention...especially with the onslaught of spells Idlewild was casting. After a few moments Kawari noticed the skeleton was trembling slightly.
“Kawari, I’m going to withdraw my pet. When I do, try to aim your strikes at the vertebrates in the lower back!” Idlewild ordered. “Vebraer, stand down!”
“Calming down, Master.” Vebraer replied dully, now staring at the ground.
Kawari swung at the base of the skeleton’s spine. It winced, its bony frame rattling uncontrollably. It slowly began to turn to face her. Kawari didn’t wait for it to see her. She struck the same vertebrate, and the skeleton shattered and collapsed. She stared dumbly at the pile of shattered bone chips. She was vaguely away for Idlewild approaching.
“My, what a lively bunch we are.” Idlewild commented dryly.
“Huh?” Kawari asked. When she looked up she realized Vebraer was sporting the same posture she’d just had. “Oh, sorry.”
Idlewild smirked. “No problem. How’s it feel to kill a skeleton on your first trip to the hills?”
“I killed a skeleton...” Kawari murmured, staring at the shattered bones again.
“You did have a bit of help.” Idlewild reminded good-naturedly.
“We killed a skeleton!” Kawari cheered grabbing Idlewild’s arm with a jump. Idlewild found her expression so amusing, she actually laughed out loud.
“Indeed, we did!” she seconded.
“There’ve been times when I couldn’t even kill decaying skeletons!” she said in wonder.
“Well, let this be a lesson to you...” Idlewild said, point at Kawari to capture her full attention. “...It’s who you know.” She spoiled the moment with a smirk.
“Oh, you’re saying I should make powerful friends so that I can use them?” Kawari said with a giggle.
“It wouldn’t be the first time someone tried it.” Idlewild said shaking her head. She sobered as she continued. “But another good lesson is that, when you have confidence in your skills, your equipment, and your comrades there is very little that you cannot accomplish. You have a trusty weapon, good fighting instincts, and you know my advice is sound due to my experience. It makes this little group of 2 and a half quite effective.”
“...So, it’s not just who you know but what you know as well. Knowing your weapon and its functions, your skills and how to apply them, and knowing your teammates and their abilities...”
“Exactly. Very good.” Idlewild said, crouching down over the corpse. She rifled through the bones, putting some into a bag.Kawari cringed. “Yuck...What’s that for?” Kawari asked.
“I have to have bones in order to summon pets like Vebraer.” Idlewild informed as she rose and began walking off the path.
“Oh.” Kawari said as she jogged to catch up.
“You don’t mind do you?” Idlewild asked, not sarcastic or grudging, just curious.
“Oh, no! I’d be a little grossed out if I had to bag them and sell them.”
“Good.” Idlewild said with a smile. “Vebraer, follow.”
“Following, Master.” Vebraer groaned before turning and following them up the hill.
“Is this the first time you’ve been in a team?” Idlewild asked.
“Yes, of course. I’m far too young to actually get many team invites.”
“Well, by the time we’re done, you’ll be killing so many rats and snakes and decaying skeletons they’ll think twice about something as trivial as age.” Idlewild said. She motioned for Kawari to stop. “Don’t look down.” She ordered, twirling her staff into a different position again. She braced both hands firmly on the top of the staff, and thrust downward at an angle. “You can have that one.” She announced.
Kawari finally looked down and found the wriggling corpse of a red and black King snake right in front of her feet. She squealed, jumping back from the shock. She didn’t really like snakes...
“Don’t worry. It’s dead.” Idlewild soothed. She crouched down and poked the snake. When it didn’t respond she nodded. “Comon’.”
Kawari hesitated for a moment, then edged forward. She crouched down, looking at the snake’s corpse warily.
“Uh...” she cleared her throat and jutted her chin out. “What’s the best you can get off a snake this size?”
Idlewild stared at her for a long hard moment. “You have no freakin’ clue hot t loot this snake.” She surmised without blinking.
Kawari winced, slightly embarrassed, and began scratching the back of her head. “W-well...I’ve mostly been killing rats and small rodents...so...”
“I see. All right, listen up.” She said. Kawari was relieved that she didn’t seem too upset about it. “Snakes of all kids are great for making money quickly, especially these red and black ones. You can sell a number of things off these babies. If the skin is loose and in one piece you can sell that. It if has a rattler that’s in tact, you can sell that. You can sell their teeth, you can sell their eggs. And the best part is if you can get a jaw bone or poison gland in tact. That makes a lot of money.”
“Poison gland?” Kawari asked skeptically.
Idlewild nodded. “You could get as much as two gold per gland.”
“Wow...ok. So...skin.”
“Place your hand at the base of its skull, and with your thumb and pointer finger in the shape of an O, drag down. If the skin comes off in tact, you can sell it.”
Kawari did so, but the skin didn’t come away. Idlewild instructed her how to check and remove rattle, and that did work well. The rest of the conversation turned into what to look for, how to find it, and how to remove it properly. Kawari ended up with a tooth a rattle and a poison gland.
“You crushed its head...” Kawari announced as they rose with a hint of awe in her voice.
“So I did.” Idlewild said as if it were nothing.
“I didn’t think casters were very tough...”
“Yes...most aren’t. The advantages of prescribing to the ‘who you know’ policy...and the advantages of a good weapon too.”
“How so? With the ‘who you know’ thing, that is.” Kawari asked perplexed.
“I learned that trick from an old Monk friend very long ago.” Idlewild announced as they resumed their walk. “Having skilled friends who are willing to help teach you a few tricks is also part of the ‘who you know’ policy.” She said with a smirk.
“You can learn things from other classes?” Kawari asked astounded.
“You can learn things from anyone, Kawari. As long as you’re not serving two separate classes on the sly. That takes clearance from the heads of each class respectively.”
“Well, that much I knew...although I never see that many people around who learn from two separate classes...” Kawari admitted. “I guess I just assumed that once you make your choice, you can only learn things from your guild masters...”
Idlewild paused and gave Kawari a glance. “You’re learning things from me, aren’t you? And you don’t intend to be a Necromancer.” She reminded.
“Uh...” Kawari looked away, feeling a bit guilty. That did seem like she was hypocritical. “I – Uh...That is, I don’t know...not sure yet...”
As her head was down she didn’t see Idlewild roll her eyes. “Look, I don’t care what choice you make...just as long as it’s Kawari that’s making the decisions for Kawari. Not Judi, not Zafilia, not Evanthia, not Mom or Dad, and not even Idlewild.” That certainly got Kawari’s attention. “Don’t let family, friends or anyone else decide for you...Be the one who makes your decisions. Our friendship will remain as long as you have that. I can’t stand people who let others make their decisions for them.” She huffed as they began walking again.
“...Ok.” Kawari said with a nod and a smile. “So, do you hunt here often?”
Idlewild shrugged. “Sometimes here, sometimes the sewers. What do your sisters think of the sewers?”
“I doubt any of them have gone there. They certainly don’t want me there.”
“Good thing I choose here then. I figured they wouldn’t approve of the sewers...I have ventured deep into the Karanas, but there’s no way we could go there. Not yet at least.”
“Wow. I’ve only ever been to our Inn...”
“And since you’re right near the entrance to the Karanas, you’re still safe. I’ve only ever gone there with my friend Vicari.”
“Why haven’t I met her?”
“She’s going for a visit back home to New Sebilis.”
Kawari’s brow scrunched up in confusion. “I don’t know any city called New Sebilis.”
“That’s because we call it Cabilis. Vicari is an Iksar Shaman. They sometimes call the city New Sebilis.”
Kawari stopped. “You have an Iksar friend?”
“Yes.” Idlewild said, turning to her confused.
“You are so amazing!”
Idlewild quirked a brow. “I’ve been called many things in my life...amazing never was one of them.”
“I’ve never met an Iksar!” Kawari announced practically bounding back to Idlewild’s side. “Zafilia says they’re not very friendly, but they are very strong.”
“Well, when she gets back I’ll introduce you to her.” Idlewild said with a smile. “Now, come. Let’s see if we can’t find some Gnolls to play tag with.”
Vicar could hardly believe she was actually going home. It felt like an entire age had passed since she’d been on Kunark, let alone this close to her home city. She slowed to a walk as she saw the city walls. When she’d been growing up, she hated how nothing changed in the city. Now that she was returning, she was actually grateful for that quality.
“Vicari?”
Vicari paused giving the approaching female an appraising glance. This lady Iksar was clad in rhino-hide armor, and she was just standing there, staring at her in shock. It wasn’t till she drew nearer, when Vicari noticed the female’s spotted blue and white diamond crest that she recognized her.
“Caxrass...”
“Vic! It is you!” the lady Iksar cheered. She launched herself forward and hugged Vicari. Vicari stood awkwardly. She’d forgotten how overly affection Caxrass could be.
“Yes. It’s me.”
“It’s been forever!” Caxrass said stepping back. “Did you just get back?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I would’ve been upset if you’d been back and hadn’t come to find me.”
“How is the old pace?” Vicari asked.
Caxrass shrugged. “About as well as you left it.”
“Some things don’t change.”
“Yes, but some things do.” Caxrass said with a twinkle passing through her golden eyes. “Like the relationship between a certain male and I.”
Vicari’s brow ridges rose — the Iksar equivalent of raising an eyebrow. “Which one?”
“Which one! You know good and well there’s only been one male among my brood that I’ve given a second look—”
“Xerkisis then.” Vicari announced. Caxrass and Xerkisis had been stuck together since they’d learned to walk. Vicari was once again glad that some things didn’t change.
“Of course Xerkisis. Who else could it be?” Caxrass demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.
Vicari shrugged. “I have been gone a while.” She shrugged again looking away. “Some times things do change.”
“People do not.” Caxrass announced boldly. “Well...most don’t.” She conceded. “I would’ve thought you would’ve sent letters while you were away, but not one single notice did I receive.”
Vicari winced. “My apologies. You know how it is...I forget and the world goes on without me. Besides, it can be difficult when the closest town would kill you as soon as look at you.”
“I suppose.” Caxrass said, relenting.
“So, how is everyone else?” Vicari asked as they casually began walking towards the city.
“Mostly the same...Zolkor has turned into even more of a hermit. If it weren’t for Xerkisis and I, he would talk to no one save his guild masters.” Caxrass muttered grudgingly. Indeed, the large male barely even acknowledged his fellow brood mates lately. He was more interested in strengthening his black spiked hide than making friends.
“As I remember it, Xerkisis was just as antisocial.”
“He can be. If I didn’t drag him around by the tail, he would be.” Caxrass added with a little laugh.
“I suppose they’re all that way.”
“I’m sure.” Caxrass said with a nod. She looked over at Vicari and smiled. “It’s good to have you back, Vic.”
“It’s good to be back.” Vicari replied. She sighed as they entered the west side of New Sebilis. Just because the Necromancer guild lorded over this section of town didn’t mean they couldn’t fix the place up a bit.
“What is it?” Caxrass asked. She knew Vic’s expressions and manner well enough to know something was bothering her.
“Will we allow our city to fall to ruins simply because the Necromancers have claimed this side of the city?”
Caxrass shook her head and chortled. “The whole city is in ruins, Vic. You know that.”
“Still. There’s nothing wrong with taking a bit of pride in the appearance of our city.” Vicari reminded. “Come on, I have to stop at the bank, and that’s all the way on the other side of town.”
“Fine with me. I need to check in there too.” Caxrass said.
“All right then. The sooner we leave this side of town, the better.”
Zolkor paused on the streets, considering for a moment whether or not he should go to the bank now, or put it off till he’d slept some. He’d just come from his guild, and after that experience all he really wanted was to fall into bed and pull it in after him. The overcast day made his senses sluggish. It didn’t help that he’d spent all night hunting either. The javelin he always carried seemed so heavy in his hand. Even his rugged guild masters were beginning to get concerned. He didn’t think his behavior was reckless, but they certainly weren’t pleased with how hard he’d been working himself lately...
His tail twitched as he heard Caxrass approaching. He didn’t have the energy or the patients to deal with that female right now. Something else was creeping on the edge of his awareness...he whirled and put all his weight into a tail-swing. The scaled wolf runt that had been trying to creep by him yelped as it was knocked off the walkway and into the green waters.
“Nice hit.”
Zolkor turned and found himself staring at a blue and orange brow-crested female. Most females aside from Caxrass didn’t earn his recollection; he was much too focused on honing his skills to pay them any mind. But Vicari was one of the few that had gained a permanent spot in his memory.
“Swixsca.” He said nodding in greeting.
Caxrass gave him a withering stare. “You’re on your own time now, Zolkor. You don’t have to call us by our last names, you know?” she reminded for the eleven hundredth time that month.
Vicari held up a hand to her friend. “It’s not as though I mind.”
“Well, I mind!” Caxrass announced unnecessarily. “It’s a terrible habit to get into! We’re all friends, not members of a guild.” She groused.
One of Vicari’s blue and orange lined brows rose. “But we are all members of a guild.” That earned her a glare.
“I haven’t seen you around.” Zolkor said carefully. He hardly ever just saw anyone ‘around’. He briefly teamed up with Xerkisis to hunt now and then, and Caxrass seemed to have made a point of finding him every so often, but he only saw those that he wanted to train with or had appointments with.
“I have been with a friend on Antonica, just outside of Qeynos.”
Both of Zolkor’s brow ridges rose making the black spikes that rimmed his head recede slightly. “Really?”
“Yes. We’re on our way to the bank now so that she can unload all this stuff.” Caxrass said pointing to the many bags that Vicari was carrying.
“Let me carry a few for you.” He offered.
“You don’t have to.”
“I insist. I am also on my way to the bank.”
Vicari shrugged and offered him two of the heaviest bags. He took them easily, and though they were quite heavy, he reminded himself that he was a Warrior and could easily shoulder such a load. Especially if a Shaman had been walking around with them.
“I hear you’ve been training like a Warrior possessed.” Vicari mentioned.
“It never hurts.” He replied.
“Yes it does.” Caxrass practically sang out in a semi-matronly way.
Zolkor glared at her from his place on the other side of Vicari. “Don’t worry over her.” Vicari began. “She’s been stewing over the fact that I didn’t write to her every day that I was gone.”
“Once a month, Vic! That wasn’t too much, was it? I mean honestly, you were gone for four months, you could’ve at least let me know what you were doing, that you were actually alive!”
Zolkor mouthed ‘Thank you’ as Caxrass continued to ramble on indignantly. Vicari only gave him a toothy half smirk.
“So...” Zolkor began carefully. “Are you staying here for good this time, or will you be returning back to Antonica?”
“I only came back to see celebrate the hatching ceremony.” Vicari said.
“Hatching?” Zolkor asked, as if he’d never heard of it before.
Caxrass sighed and shook her head. “It starts tomorrow! The new brood hatches and we all celebrate our hatching day! How can you forget something like that? It only happens at the same time every year.”
“Oh.” Zolkor murmured. It was true, all Iksar were fertile around the same time, thus all mated pairs usually mated and conceived during the same time. Each brood hatched in the same week, so it was a huge celebration for every Iksar alive, as you were either celebrating your own hatching or the hatching of your children, if not both.
“You forget how single-minded he is, Caxrass. Zolkor doesn’t focus on anything but his craft; how then could he possibly remember the Hatching Week?” Vicari reminded.
“Hmph. It’s only one of the greatest celebrations for the entire Iksar race.” Caxrass huffed. “I certainly hope you haven’t planed anything for tomorrow since that’s when it starts.”
“Nothing definite.” Zolkor murmured looking away. He had wanted to train more that afternoon, but as it was Hatching Week he doubted anyone else would be.
“Good. Then we can all celebrate together!” Caxrass said with a smile.
“Yes. If Xerkisis shows up of course.” Zolkor reminded.
“If I have to go into the wilds and find him myself—” Caxrass began.
“Don’t worry, Cax. I’m sure Xerkisis knows about the hatching. He’ll be here.” Vic assured.
“Yes. If only to make sure he knows where you are during the celebrations.” Zolkor grumbled rolling his crimson eyes.
Vicari let out a hissing laugh. “Indeed! If I remember correctly, it was you and not the two males who needed supervision when it came to this celebration.” She pointed out.
“Hey, what’s a celebration without a little excess drinking?”
“Well, if you do plan to get rowdy then I should be headed home. I’ve been training all night, and if I’m to be presentable for tomorrow, I’ll need sleep.” Zolkor commented as they approached the bank.
“You didn’t have to walk with us.” Vicari said, feeling slightly guilty.
“I know. I wanted to welcome you home.” He said. Vicari smiled. It was good to be back among her kin again.
Vicari actually toppled into bed. She and Caxrass had roomed together since they’d left their parents’ homes. It was a wonderful comfort for Vicari while she’d been away, considering the fact that she could’ve been robbed blind without Caxrass around to care for the place. No one in their right mind would break into the house of a well-known Monk.
“I take it you’re tired.” Caxrass aid with a chuckle. She sauntered to the opposite side of the room to sit on her bed.
“After traveling on that terrible boat and the job here, and then meeting with my guild masters...”
“All of whom were very happy to see you’d returned even if for a brief period.”
Vicari sighed shaking her head. “I wasn’t this busy when I was trying to keep a low profile in the hills of Qeynos.”
“I’m just surprised you gained Zolkor’s favor.” Caxrass said with a toothy grin.
Vicari scoffed massaging her brow crest. “He’s always been as courteous to me.”
“He’s always snippy with me.”
“He thinks you’re annoying.” Vicari pointed out.
Caxrass made a face. “Indeed.” She rolled her eyes with a sigh. “But no one else could possibly get a word from him.” She reminded. “And he not only spoke with us, but he also carried your bags to the bank for you! Perhaps there’s some unspoken attraction there.” She sang out.
“Please.” Vicari ground out tersely. She was too tired for this. “He’s from your brood, and two full season ahead of me.”
“When has age ever been a consideration for love?”
“Cax...I’m tired, and this conversation is pointless.”
“Just hear me out. Consider him as you know him. Would it be so bad to be mated to him?”
Vicari paused for a moment considering the proud Warrior that was Zolkor. Certainly he was strong, and passionate about his craft, not to mentioned focused. Honorable was an understatement. “I could certainly do worse. But I didn’t return here to find a mate, Cax!”
“All right, maybe I’m speaking out of turn—”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Neither shall it be the last.” Cax snapped back with a smirk. “Who could possibly tell why those males do the things that they do. His interest in you may be mere camaraderie.”
“Do you intend to rattle on all night?”
Caxrass smiled. “All right, I’ll douse the light. I can meditate better in the dark anyway.” She said rising and snuffing out the candle. “Goodnight.” She chimed as she squatted at the edge of her bed.
“’Night.” Vicari mumbled, already drifting off.
The next day the celebration began. The venders and store owners were still open, but the celebration extended to them as well so it was more of a loose arrangement. Food was discounted as was ale, and Vicari began to enjoy the company she’d missed while on Antonica.
It was not five minutes after three in the afternoon when the first egg in the brood began to crack. After 20 minutes of waiting the announcement came: a strong lizard man had been delivered to them!
“A male!” Caxrass cheered.
“A good strong male.” Xerkisis said with a nod. “A good omen.” The grey spiked male had been in the wilds for days, but he knew well how upset his soon-to-be mate would’ve been with him if he would’ve been late for this.
“Oh? So if it had been a lizard woman you would’ve though it a bad omen?” Vicari teased.
“...This is a trick question.” Xerkisis announced cautiously.
“Aye, and you haven’t prepared yourself for this test.” Zolkor rumbled wryly.
Vicari chuckled and changed subjects, to Xerkisis relief. “I’m glad I came back yesterday.” She said. “Otherwise, I might’ve been too tired to join in the celebrations.”
“Indeed. And we couldn’t have that!” Caxrass said downing another shot. “Damn!” She gasped glaring at the glass in her hand. “These things never last long enough! Who else needs refills?”
“I think we all do.” Xerkisis said. “I’ll go with you to make sure you don’t get us something like you brought back last year.”
“What? We had fun last year didn’t we?” Caxrass questioned trying to sound innocent.
“Come on.” Xerkisis said dragging her away.
“Hmph.” Vicari chuckled.
“So, you’ll be leaving at the end of the week?” Zolkor asked.
“Yes. I don’t think Idlewild can get in that much trouble in two weeks...but still. It’s not something that should be risked.” She noticed fleetingly that Zolkor was studying the water flowing in the canal. “Why do you ask?”
“Well...I was wondering if you would mind if I came with you this trip.” Vicari’s orange eyes snapped to him in surprise. “I’ve been needing to get away.” He said, though it sounded quite weak even in his own ears.
“Have you discussed this with anyone?”
“My guild masters have suggested it. I briefly discussed it with Xerkisis. I had thought to go out on my own, but I’d feel better if I were with you. Especially since you’ve already been...wherever it is you’re going.”
Vicari considered it for a moment. It did seem quite logical for them to travel together if they would be traveling around the same times and have the same destinations. “Sure.”
“Really?”
“Why not? I’d like to have an able-bodied Warrior with me. It would make me feel safer, and you don’t know the way as well as I.”
Zolkor smiled. “Well, that’s settled then.”
“What’s settled?” Caxrass asked.
“Nothing.” Zolkor said firmly grabbing his drink. “Let’s drink!”
“I’ll drink to that!” Caxrass cheered. The other three Iksar only shook their heads.
Caxrass and Xerkisis lay in Xerkisis bed together like lazy sloths. The celebration was still going on, but the two had stopped to rest. It was amusing to Caxrass; if she would’ve imagined the situation they were in right now a year ago, she would’ve been mortified. Her mother had not been the best of consultants when it came to courtship, and thus she had always been unsure of herself.
Finally a female guild master had pulled her aside and told her it was only natural for couples who intended to be mates to share simple intimacies before they were wed. Sleeping in the same bed was hardly something to be scandalized by. As long as they were not reckless or irresponsible, they were allowed to do as they pleased. But they were always reminded that they actions bore consequences. Because of this, she and Xerkisis often slept in the same bed, but they never really did much other than hold one another. It made her feel safe, and they both slept better.
“So, what do you think of those two leaving together?” Xerkisis asked dully. He sounded tired, and he probably should be considering Caxrass had kept him up for 3 solid days of nothing but celebrating. He winced slightly when she thudded her tail against his leg. “What did I do?” he asked.
“You spoke at a normal volume.” Caxrass whispered.
He chuckled and whispered back, “Sorry.”
“Hmm.”
“Well?”
“I think it’ll be good for the two of them. They’re far too isolated for their own good.”
“...They might not make it back for the ceremony though.”
“...Ceremony?”
He chuckled. “Our mating ceremony?”
“Oh...Vicari will bring him back for it. She forgets to write, but she remembers dates.”
Xerkisis nodded. “You don’t mind that Zolkor might end up stealing your best friend away?”
“I can’t.”
“...Why not?”
“Because he never complained that I stole his.” Xerkisis smiled down at her and nuzzled her brow crest affectionately. He was so lucky to have her.
“I cannot believe that you’ve been out in the wide world in nothing but leather breeches!” Zolkor announced as if the thought was scandalous.
“Of course I wasn’t only wearing leather breeches. I also had a nice skull cap and some boots as well. Besides, you wear all leather armor.” Vicari pointed out.
“No. I wear all rhino-hide armor.”
Vicari shrugged. “I had my trusty mace with me.” She said as if that ended the argument.
“You need better armor.” Zolkor argued.
“That I won’t argue with. But I can’t afford it now.”
“Why not? I saw all the money you were able to earn for the items you sold.”
“Yes, but I used that to buy my morning star.”
Zolkor shook his head. “Priorities...” he grumbled.
“This from the male who actually laughed when I showed him my mace.”
Zolkor shook his head. “New topic?”
“Please.”
“You mentioned someone named Idlewild...”
“She’s a human that lives in Qeynos. When Cax and I were younger we ventured to Antonica...Talk about rash, we had no armor and the only weapon we had were our new skills and I had a wooden club. We barely made it out alive...But there was a human that saved us and helped me get Caxrass to a boat.”
“This same Idlewild?”
Vicari nodded. “She’s a human female of incredible skill. A Necromancer, but not like many that I’ve met before.”
Zolkor studied Vicari for a moment. “If she’s earned your respect, she must be something extraordinary.” Vicari looked away, slightly embarrassed. Why did her opinion matter so much anyway?
“Where do you suppose Cax and Xerkisis have gone?”
“To Xerk’s place to sleep it off. Cax boasts a good drinking record, but she still gets affected when she over-indulges.”
Vicari snorted. “She’s a Monk. She doesn’t indulge that often.”
“Aye, and you know what they say about practicing an art to become better at it.” He said raising his mug to her.
Vicari chuckled. “I see you haven’t just been honing your fighting skills.”
“Sometimes this is necessary.”
“Indeed.”
“Besides, drinking small portions over a long period of time is much more pleasurable than drinking three barrels of ale all at once.” He was interrupted when a messenger ran past them.
“What’s the commotion?” Vicari asked one of the other Iksar that had been paying attention.
“The last egg has hatched!” The vender announced.
“The season ended quite early this year.” Zolkor observed.
“Not as many Iksar are coming back to New Sebilis to breed as in the old days.” Vicari said with a nod. “It’s causing a decrease in the amount of eggs being laid.”
“Well, if Caxrass has her way, she’ll be supplying a third of the eggs for next year’s ceremony.”
Zolkor grumbled.
Vicari’s brow crest rose in surprise. “Really?”
“Aye, she wants plenty of young ones and as quickly as possible.”
“I suppose if that’s what she wants. But then she always did say you wanted to have plenty of children. She was an only child you know.”
“Ah. And you?”
“I had an older sibling that was so many broods ahead of me I was practically an only child, but I preferred it that way. Caxrass always felt a want for blood-sibling companionship.”
“I had an older brother and sister from three broods before me.”
“Where are they now?”
“At other settlements on Kunark. They enjoy staying as active as possible.”
Vicari nodded. “Well, considering that the eggs have all hatched, do you think the celebration will be cut short?”
“It will for me. Unlike a certain Monk and Beastlord I know, I like to pace myself.” He said with a smile. “If we keep staying up to these ungodly hours and drinking as we are, we’ll want to stay another week before departing.”
“And we can’t have that.”
“I can’t stand it.” Zolkor said putting down his mug. Vicari looked at him surprised.
“What is it?”
“Come on.”
“Come on where?”
“We’re going to buy you better armor. It’s discounted with the celebration, and we should take advantage of that before the vendors get the idea to halt their celebrating as well.”
“We could wait—”
“No it can’t. Now come on.” He said walking out.
“If you continue to boss me around, you’ll be the one paying for it.” Vicari announced as she followed him.
He grinned at her. “If that’s the cost of such a privilege, then I think I can afford it.”
“Cheek!”
:: 3 Days later ::
“You’re sure you don’t want us to walk you down to the docks?” Caxrass asked, as she looked over the two before her cryptically. She wanted to make sure they weren’t forgetting anything that might prove vital on this trip.
“No, Cax. Two Iksar trying to get to that boat wouldn’t really bother anyone, but four?” Vicari shook her head. “That’d be like saying ‘Um, hello. Notice me.’ We’re capable of getting there on our own, and you know it.”
Caxrass sighed. “I know; I’m just fretting.”
“You do it so well.” Vic said, receive a glare.
“Stay safe, brother.” Xerkisis said clasping Zolkor’s forearm. “They’re no where near as we are.”
“Aye, not to mention you’re better looking.” Zolkor joked wryly.
“I certainly think so.” Caxrass said primly.
“As long as you two don’t get into such a conversation within the city.” Xerkisis grumbled.
“Please write this time.” Caxrass pleaded to Vicari. “It drove me crazy wondering what you were doing those four months...”
“I will. And I’ll use Idlewild’s address so that you can actually write back.”
“Don’t forget to come back for our mating ceremony.” Xerkisis warned. “I don’t want to have to miss it because I’m hunting you down.”
“We’ll be back before you know it, and you’ll wish we were gone so you can have Caxrass to yourself.” Zolkor said with a grin.
“If we’re gonna go, we should go.” Vicari said after observing the sun. Zolkor only nodded.
After bidding one another farewell again, the two began their long trek to the docks. Caxrass didn’t move until both their figures had disappeared in the distance. She sighed heavily. “And she’s gone again.”
Xerkisis smiled down at her. “Come now, love. I’ll fix you breakfast.”
Caxrass smiled and nodded. She was so lucky to have him.
::Ending Ramble::
~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~
MM: Awww, you two are so cute!
Xerkisis & Caxrass: /blush
Kawari: I didn't know Iksar could blush!
Vicari: How do you get ramble rights?
Idlewild: She and I were in the beginning of the story...
Vicari: Oh...right. I forgot.
Kawari: Gee thanks.
Vicari: Hey, all I'm need to do is show up and know my lines. Whatever else happens in the story isn't my concern.
Idlewild: Well, it is your story.
Vicari: Whose side are you on?
Caxrass: Didn't MM already do a story like that?
Xerkisis: Yeah, it was the one with that high-strung High Elf Chick and that Dark Elf Magician guy.
Zolkor: Right.../confused
MM: At least someone's paying attention.
Idlewild: And you came up with the whole Hatching Celebration by yourself?
MM: Well yeah. I mean it's often said that Iksar lay their eggs in broods all at the same time. I've heard the term brood-mates all though EQ. So I figured all the eggs must hatch near the same time, and that would be a good way to show the Iksar at their happiest.
Zolkor: Otherwise this fic would've been boring. Oh wait, it still was...
MM: /glare
Zolkor: Hey, it's all right. It's not your fault that Iksar celebrations aren't as entertaining as Human celebrations. Cazic knows we're more reserved.
Kawari: What's that supposed to mean?
Idlewild: Hon, don't make the big Iksar Warrior mad.
MM: Good advice.
Caxrass: So what's coming next chapter?
MM: I haven't the slightest of ideas. Probably the Vah Shir. There's a group of funnies I haven't revisited yet.
Xerkisis: You're just trying to make sure there's enough space between Human and Shenna drama.
MM: /glare
Xerkisis: ...I never said it was a bad thing.
MM: Whatever. No one's e-mailed me about a group they'd actually like to see up, so I'll just figure it out on my own. See ya'll next month!