Chapter 5: Purr of the Moment (Part 2)
Khinashi breaks through the crowd the many forms of Khajiit around the outside of the plantation, ignoring the remarks on why she is covered in sticky Moon Sugar wax from head to toe. When this one finally reaches an empty plot of grass, she takes a moment to wipe off some of the wax from her face and hands. This one is already having regrets from jumping into that thing, it was hotter than she expected, and this sticky feeling is going to get on her nerves real fast. Khinashi will just have to look forward to taking a long bath after this is all over, the sooner the better. The Suthay was right, though, this one cannot fault the smell.
Beyond the crowd behind her she can still hear the roars of Ma'krin and the chaos ensuing. It will be some time before Jahirr realizes she has escaped, and even more before he gets the chance to pursue her, and this scent will slow him down.
The Moons and Sun are colliding, and soon the Mane will be pulled out on his palanquin, carried by strong Cathay-raht males, while he wears his ceremonial headdress this one is used to seeing him wear. The troubadours playing music are reaching the end of their songs – songs Khinashi has heard many times, the big event is about to take place. Whatever those travelers are up to must be happening soon. Khinashi must hurry and find out what it is she is even trying to stop.
This one scans the area for any clues... She can see much from the hilltop here near the Moon Sugar plantation. To the southeast is the Mane's palace, with guards littered about the steps, and a Khajiit holding a rug ready to lay it out. This one can see Father and Master Do'hasrandru beside the doors to the palace entrance.
Near the temple of the Two Moons Dance is Tolgun Wide-hand and some of the most experienced students of the dance performing moves to spectators to show them their skill in hand-to-hand combat, in a way as to appear like an art form.
On the other side of the plaza is the Temple of Jone and Jode. It is there that all Khajiit revere the moons and hear Clan Mother Zalani teach lessons to Khajiit of all ages about our history, culture and religion. This one can see Zalani there along with some other patrons that tend to the temple, telling tales to children and their parents – while interpretive dancers enact their stories. So that is why Zalani is not at the plantation...She will have quite the surprise when she returns.
Khinashi sees Mother and Jo'banja talking to some of their friends near our house, it would be best if they did not see this one.
While there are still many people along the platform bridges of the city – particularly the marketplace, which is where the Troubadour is performing – most of the festival seems to be taking place on the ground floor. Stalls are set up to trade many trinkets and snacks to the festival attendees, and acrobats and other strange performers ply their trade – such as the flaming torch jugglers. This one has always wanted to know how they do that...
But where are those two travelers? They must be here somewhere, setting up their 'magic show'...
Hmm...
Khinashi walks about the hilltops to get a better view, and sees a carriage being drawn by two Senche-tigers into the city. It stops as they reach the center, and the two traders leap off from either side and check into the back. What are they selling? Most traders would have arrived far earlier to be able to sell their wares throughout the festival – their is not much point in doing so now. Unless they are bringing an offering to the Mane? This one has heard of that happening before, big gifts on certain occasions. Sometimes it is from the King in Elsweyr in Senchal, or the council of the nomadic cheiftains of the north. They usually do this when they are in their phase of power in accordance to the Riddle'thar and the Ja-kha'jay, during times of prosperity, in thanks for the Mane maintaining peace throughout the land with his spiritual guidance.
This one strains her eyes to get a better look at the traders. They are wearing clothes you would expect a trader to wear...One is a Cathay-raht with dark brown fur, and the other is...
It is them! It is the travelers, the ones who spoke of the magic show!
Khinashi nearly trips over her own tail as she races down the hill from the plantation, and later does trip, rolling down the rest of the hill until she crashes into some bushes at the bottom. Thankfully the music of the festival was enough to drown that out or the travelers would have heard her – for they are merely several steps away now.
This one attunes her ears over to them as they collect things from the carriage. Let us find out what they are really up to...
"So then, the preparations are all set on their end with the Mane, yes?"
"How should I know? We just got here! I'm about to go check on them and get ready. You remember what your job is and how to do it right? I don't have to tell you again for the hundredth time?"
"Yes yes, Rajirr, of course this one remembers. He remembered the first time you told this one too. Dazlah was just making sure you remembered, yes? So...You do remember, right?"
Hmm, so the Cathay-raht is Rajirr and the Dagi-raht is Dazlah. What did Dazlah mean about 'preparations with the Mane'?
"I don't understand how you can keep forgetting it, all you have to do is bring the carriage up to the plaza and present it to the Mane when he walks out. Make up something like it's an offering to him or whatever, you just need to keep it going until the eclipse happens, and then you give the signal."
"Ah yes the signal. Then everyone will jump out from the back and the killing begins, yes? That is the fun part."
"Right. Whatever, just remember your targets, you didn't forget those too did you?"
"Rajirr, this one did not get to where he is today in the brotherhood by forgetting faces and names. And...if he did, then he will just make up for it by killing more, no?"
"We're not even a part of the brotherhood anymore Dazlah, and don't forget that's all because of you. Anyway, there's not much time left and I need to get ready, I'll just have to hope one of the others remember the targets. Don't stuff this up, Dazlah."
Rajirr runs off, up the stairs to the plaza and away from where Khinashi can see. As he does, this one takes note that the music played by the troubadours has finished, and the chattering among the festival attendees has died down. The big moment is fast approaching within a few minutes now...
So they are planning to assassinate the Mane? That is why those at the meeting were worried about him, someone wants to kill him! But why? Who would want to kill Rid-Rawl'vah? He is a good Mane, we have had peace as long as this one has been alive to notice! Which perhaps is not that long...but still.
There are more of them too, in the carriage, they plan to jump out and start killing during the eclipse. How did they manage to pass the guards posted outside of the city? They must have been smooth talkers to convince them not to check inside before letting them in.
This one must inform the guards about them to prepare and get people to safety, but before that, Khinashi must deal with Dazlah. How will this one do that? She cannot just walk up to him and fight him, spells or no the guards would be on her in an instant and would not understand the circumstances. Plus, the ones in the carriage could quite easily kill her if they mistook that as their signal...
Khinashi looks around, there are actually no guards nearby for quite a ways, if this one could just somehow lure Dazlah over here...
"Hmm, now what is that delightful smell?"
Well, that was easy.
Dazlah turns to face the bushes Khinashi is in, and this one's heart skips a beat. This Moon Sugar wax must be very strong, perhaps that is not a good thing for hiding.
This one quietly takes out her staff from her back by instinct, although she is not quite sure what she is doing. The bushes are just high and thick enough that he cannot see her yet, but when he gets close enough, it will be too late. She will have to face him.
By her feet, this one spots a small rock. Hmm, perhaps, it just might work...
Just before Dazlah reaches the bushes, Khinashi throws the rock out from the bushes away from his sight, where it lands behind him. Suddenly he stops and his ears perk up at the sound.
"Who is there?"
This one slams her staff against the back of his head. He collapses and falls to the ground.
"Khinashi, the one who is going to stop you and your friend and save the Mane!"
"Butterflies..." Dazlah mumbles through his teeth. What? What do butterflies have to do with anything?
This one drags the unconscious Dagi-raht into the bushes before anyone notices. That was exciting! This one had never done anything like that before. J'shabi had shown her where to hit someone in the head to knock them out, and even had her test it on Khinashi to prove it, but she never thought she would have to do this herself! It is good she still remembers it, for this might not be the only time she will have to do this tonight...
With Dazlah down, those assassins in the carriage will not hear their signal, but they may realize their Dagi-raht is missing if the eclipse takes place and they hear nothing.
Khinashi runs back up the hill and looks by the palace. The Mane has yet to come out, but the people nearby seem ready, and impatient almost. Perhaps something is holding them up. Khinashi cannot see the Cathay-raht Rajirr anywhere, but that right now is not her priority.
This one runs up to the nearest guard she sees – one of the ones around the Plaza square, just so happening to be one of the few Khajiit who did not mind taking such a job and are not a part of the Mane's personal guard. They must be told of the planned assassination!
"You there, guard! The Mane is in danger! Some people are going to try to assassinate him tonight- the carriage, over there, it has people inside, they plan to start killing people when the eclipse happens, you have to get more guards ready and get people to safety-"
"Slow down girl, what is this about the Mane being in danger?"
"People are going to try to assassinate him! You have to stop them!"
"Hah, do not worry, the Mane is not going to be assassinated, he has an entire guard squad protecting him, and the mage Jo'azha and Master Do'hasrandru. Any assassin would be foolish-"
"Yes this one knows Jo'azha is a great mage, he is her father and has taught her a lot, but the carriage-"
"Wait a second...that means you are Khinashi then, no? The same Khinashi who got thrown in jail yesterday for trespassing in the Mane's courtyard and stealing coin from Tolgun Wide-hand, hmm?"
"Yes...She had good reasons to though and that is unimportant now, what is important is that you get guards to surround the carriage-"
"Hah, this one sees what this is, and he will not fall for it. Jo'azha said you might try and pull something to distract us and get inside the palace. This one is not leaving his post, and do not try to fool any of the others, for we all know about you and your tricks."
"But the Mane is in danger-!"
"The Mane is not in any danger, girl, he is well-protected! Now, you would do well to walk away before this one decides to arrest you for trying to start a panic."
"But-Nevermind..."
This one droops her ears and whiskers as she fails to convince the guard of the danger. It looks like she will have to handle this all by herself, somehow...
Khinashi's thoughts are interrupted as drums start to play nearby the palace entrance. A rug is being rolled out down the stairs to the plaza, and the heavy doors to the palace swing open to reveal the Mane being carried out on his palanquin by four strong Cathay-rahts. His ceremonial headdress must be extremely heavy, and hot to wear. It being three times their width just wearing the braids of every Khajiit in your tribe on special ceremonies, the Manes can barely walk with all the weight!
It also makes him a sitting cat for an assassin to kill him.
Father and Master Do'hasrandru walk by his side as he descends the steps to the main plaza. The drumming continues, followed by other instruments. He will now be making his speech to the Khajiit of Torval to welcome a new Lunar Champion to Nirni, just before the eclipse takes place, and afterwards he would talk about a lot of boring political and religious things, that is, if this were going to go as planned.
If the guards will not help Khinashi, she must flush out the assassins from the carriage herself, only then will the guards realize the threat and take care of them –and it would perhaps be better to do it before the eclipse so they are not ready.
But how will she flush them out? Poking her head in the carriage and insulting their mothers does not seem like a good idea, in fact, being close at all would be unwise...
Khinashi leans on her staff to rest and think, and suddenly the idea becomes obvious. Perhaps it is finally time to test out this fire staff!
This one takes the guard's advice and leaves him be, and finds a spot far enough away from anyone that she will have enough time to run out of sight before they look over to where the fireball comes from. So long as it gives her a few seconds, they will realize their attention is more important to the carriage with a bunch of screaming armed assassin's jumping out while on fire.
"It is time," the Mane begins his speech. "In under a minute the Third Moon will collide with Two and the future of our land, and of our people, will be decided."
Hmm, that is not what the Mane normally says, or so from what Khinashi has read – then again most Manes like to add their own bit to their speeches. This one readies her staff, and squints her eyes in focus on the carriage. She has never used a staff before, but from what Father says, they are easy to use. Hopefully he is right, for missing is not an option, everything hinges on this shot.
"What will the gods have in store for us this time? Will a Mane be born to succeed this one? Will our harvests be plentiful and our land free of war? Will our people unite or fall into disarray?"
Khinashi begins to let the flame flow around the tip of her staff, letting it vibrate and get the feel for it being let loose.
"The lattice dictates every aspect of our lives – from our very form at birth, to the one who leads us. We cannot change this, and must accept it as a necessary trial to our lives, and-"
The time is now. Khinashi thrusts the staff forward and - to her surprise - a fireball successfully launches from its end, whisking straight down to the carriage far away. She only just allows her enough time to see it make contact with the covering of the carriage before she sprints away as fast as her legs will take her, further atop the hills toward the Mane's palace. As she does, she hears the screams of every Khajiit in the area as realization hits them that something is on fire, and even more when the assassins jump out.
The sound of swords being pulled from their clasps sing in unison and soon drowned out by that of the feet of all forms of Khajiit, from the mighty Senche-Raht to the tiny Alfiq, stampeding across the city.
And now the eclipse is taking place. Everything suddenly turns darker, until Khinashi's Khajiiti eyes adjust themselves to brighten her surroundings. This one has never seen an eclipse before...It is like a big ring of fire over darkness!
Focus, Khinashi. You are not here to look at the eclipse, the Mane is still in danger! The guards will be handling the carriage assassins now – but what of the Cathay-raht? He had mentioned checking up on others, perhaps somewhere another group lies in wait ready to strike, and this one must find them.
Every guard not in the Mane's personal squad have left the palace completely unguarded, allowing Khinashi free reign as she hugs a wall close to the entrance. She looks beyond the corner and sees that the Mane and his protectors are retreating inside, followed by the sound of someone barring the door.
This one does not hesitate to run back and leap inside one of the windows before the guards inside get a chance to look. Khinashi narrowly evades detection by the onlooking guards by hiding behind one of the wooden pillars in the room. The smell of incense fills her nose, the Mane's palace is always scented this way. This is good, it should mean her Moon Sugar scent will not give her away here.
"Guards, secure the windows, allow no one a chance to sneak in." Father says. A bit too late for that, this one thinks to herself...
"So it was true then...He does want to kill this one..." The Mane says.
"He will not get the chance, Rid-Rawl'vah, for we are here to protect you. We prepared for this." Master Do'hasrandru speaks.
Hmm, who is it they suspect is trying to kill him? Khinashi does still not know this.
This one hears the footsteps of guards approaching her from the other side, and she realizes hiding behind this pillar will not be suitable for much longer. There is no where to go, though, she cannot run out from behind the pillar at the risk of being caught by the guards, and it is too late to jump back out the window...
Then the only way is up.
Khinashi extends her claws fully and stabs them into the wooden pillar and begins the process of climbing up it. Hands then feet, slowly inching upwards, high enough to where the guards would have to tilt their heads to see her. The sticky wax actually helps in this regard, this one is not so sure it would be so easy otherwise...Still, if she were a Dagi she would have been at the top in seconds.
This one then realizes that there is actually a flat series of wooden boards all about the ceiling holding up the roofs that she could stand on, it would make for a great lookout point.
She hefts herself up onto the narrow board with some gasps of struggle, only now noticing just how far up she is. If she were to fall straight down, she would not be getting back up. This one has never been afraid of heights, but that does not make them any less fatal.
This one looks around to where she might be able to move along the wooden boards, and her muscles freeze intently before she takes a single step. In front of her, perhaps a dozen or so steps away, is a Dagi archer assassin aiming his bow down at the room. Khinashi hesitates to look around, and finds three more archers perched on all four corners of the main hall.
It is a trap.
Below her she sees the guards turning around and returning to the center of the room, making a circle around Father and Master Do'hasrandru.
Behind the Mane, whom is now standing on the far side of the room, one of the Cathay-rahts that were holding the palanquin suddenly grabs the Mane by the neck and holds a dagger to him.
Father and Do'Hasrandru both lunge forward at him, and every guard around them steps forward and raises their weapons. They stop, realization falling over them. Every guard here is with the assassins.
"Make another move and the Mane's dead." The Cathay-raht holding him says.
"So you are all with the assassins then, no? This is disappointing, he was not looking forward to killing anyone tonight." Do'Hasrandru responds.
Oh no. They cannot know about the archers. This one does not doubt Father and Hasrandru could take down all of those guards, but with the Mane being held at dagger point they cannot move, and if they cannot move, they will not be able to evade the archers.
Well then, perhaps this one will just have to take them out.
Khinashi lifts up a hand and focuses hard on the magic training she has done. She has never been good at many spells, but Illusion and Alteration are her forte. With some effort, she succeeds at casting a spell to silence her footsteps. It should be enough to allow her to get close to the archers without alerting them, and the incense will cover her scent.
Khinashi sneaks toward the archer with her staff at hand, oblivious to his soon unconscious fate, and slams it across his head. This one catches him and lays him down on the boards so he does not fall and alarm the others.
Perhaps...If this one can just sneak over to the others and knock them out as well, she can prevent the assassination from above, but what are they waiting for? Why do they not just shoot him now and be done with it? They must be waiting for a signal.
"Please, don't kill me..." The Mane pleads.
"Quiet, you."
"What're you waiting for, hmm? If you're here to murder the Mane, you're in the position to do so right now. What's stopping you? You must have a reason." This time it was Father that spoke. Why would Father say that?
The Cathay-raht laughs, and throws his head back, unveiling his face, and something suddenly makes sense. It is Rajirr!
"Oh, come on, Azha, do you think I'd let this moment pass without saying anything? Do you think I'd just kill the Mane without staring into your eyes as you watch helplessly, as you realize who I am, and regret pangs inside of your every nerve?" Rajirr's voice speaks with growing anger and emotion.
This one knocks out the second of the four archers. Two more to go, but how much longer does she have?
"Actually, I have no idea who you are. Care to elaborate?"
"Yes, that is me-wait, what do you mean you don't know? You don't recognize me?"
"Cathay-raht, dark brown fur, scarred face? I've seen a lot of other Khajiit in my days."
What is Father doing? He almost seems to be messing around with him, he does not seem at all concerned, unless, is he...Stalling him? Did he see Khinashi? Does he know of the archers?
"Jo'azha, what are you-?" Do'hasrandru looks confused, but Father interrupts before he could continue.
"Do you have a name, perhaps?"
"Well, it has been a long time...Fine, I'm Rajirr. Feeling stupid now for forgetting?"
Khinashi reaches and knocks out the third archer now, whom almost spotted her whilst he scratched his head in confusion from the events below. Clearly they did not intend for this.
Just one more to go...Keep it up Father, if you can stall him for just a bit longer, she will be able to save your life.
"Would that be Do'Rajirr or Dar'Rajirr? Or, no, you don't look like Dar'Rajirr, he was not as tall."
"No, just Rajhirr."
"Can't say I remember you then, sorry."
"Excuse this one, but, could he perhaps be let go-" The Mane intervenes.
"Shut up. Another word out of you and you're losing your tongue."
At last, this one knocks out the final archer. It is safe from above now, at least, but there is still the matter of Rajirr holding the Mane hostage. Neither Father nor Do'hasrandru can make a move against him or the guards until he is dealt with...but how will she do that?
She could use a fireball to strike him from above, but no, if she missed, this wooden palace would go up in flames. Even if she did not miss it still might, there has to be another way.
"So, how did we meet?"
This one scans around her surroundings for anything useful. Nothing, only the wooden boards she is walking on and the curtains hanging about the walls.
Hmm...The curtains...
This one looks as to where the Mane and Rajirr are standing.
"What do you mean 'how did we meet', we met in Cyrodiil when you-No...Forget it! You're just trying to stall me, you know all of this, you remember me!"
"Wit does not seem to run in your family, Rajirr. That took you just long enough." Father scratches his chin calmly as if he was not worried at all.
"Fire! Now!" Rajirr waves his other hand up in a signal, but no arrows are let loose, for there are no archers left standing to shoot them.
This one pulls at the curtain and jumps off from the wooden boards, swinging down as the rest of the curtain strains and falls loose, Khinashi cannot help but yell from the thrill of the ride.
"I said...!"
Rajirr turns around and looks up just in time for Khinashi to make contact and smash her legs into him, sending him flying back against the wall. He hit it hard enough to shake the palace, and, clearly, to knock him out for the time being.
The Mane is at the floor, and Khinashi and Master Do'hasrandru run to help him up.
"Are you alright, Rid-Rawl'vah?" Khinashi says.
"This one is fine, just a little blood...What happened?"
"Do'hasrandru does not know...Jo'azha! What is your daughter doing here? This one thought you said you made sure she would not be able to get involved!"
"Clearly I was foolish to think I could outwit my daughter, but you have to admit, it's a good thing she showed up. Good job taking care of those archers Khinashi, oh, and nice touch with the curtains."
This one smiled upon hearing him say that, to be proud of her for not doing as he asked.
But that smile turned to a frown as this one noticed the remaining guards approaching, circling us and the Mane.
"I think you should let us take care of it from here though..."
Father and Do'hasrandru prepared themselves for battle, circling this one and the Mane to protect us, as the battle began.
One of the guards lunged forward to Khinashi, but Do'hasnrandru grabbed his arm from the side and twisted it with such speed and force that the weapon flew out of his hand and stuck into the ground below. He fell to his knees and Hasrandru finished him with a kick to the face, sending him flat on the ground. He will not be getting back up.
To the side this one saw a few of the guards close in on Father, but before they could lunge at him, two giant Frost Atronachs, twice their size and width, appeared between them. Khinashi had to turn her head away for she knew their power and as she did, she heard the screams of the guards as they flew in the air with bloody wounds in their chests.
Back at Do'hasrandru a flurry of guards were upon him, Hasrandru was unarmed – but he never used weapons – he used the enemies weapons against them. One guard lunged forward to him, aiming for his chest, but Do'hasrandru ducked backwards, also dodging another who made a swing for his neck from behind, and the two guards instead made contact with eachother.
A third guard came from the side and Do'hasrandru rolled away in time to dodge the greatsword of a Cathay-raht being swung down upon him. The offset of the weight gave the Suthay-raht enough time to recover and ran up the brutes arms and twisted his head with his feet whilst jumping over him.
Over to Father, guards were swinging at him from all directions, but he was deflecting blows with his wooden staff while sending bolts of lightning whenever given the time to aim. The wood would normally not resist a sword blow at all, but this one knows Father is using alteration to make the wood as resistant as stone, but still as light.
Some guards lost their nerve from fighting the Frost Atronachs and made a run for the windows, but they only ended up pinned on the wall...
Finally with them both finishing up the last few guards, in what could only been half a minute, the entire two-dozen squad of assassins posing as guards were now nothing but memories. This one has heard stories of Father and Master Do'hasrandru fighting alongside eachother before, but...to see it with her own eyes. This one is not sure whether to be amazed at their skill or in horror at the bloodshed. Perhaps both.
The only ones who now remain are the four of us - Father, Do'hasrandru, Mane Rid-Rawl'vah and Khinashi. We won. The assassination attempt failed, and it was all thanks to Khinashi not listening to her parents. Perhaps she should not listen to them more often!
Khinashi helped the Mane to stand up, and he approached both Father and Do'hasrandru, lifting his hands to show praise to his defenders. Father and Do'hasrandru hold their arms crossed about their chest, and bow their heads in reverance. This one decided she should do this as well from the side.
"Thank you, both of you, and you, Khinashi. Without you here today to defend this one, he would have surely died. Today the Mane lives on and can guide his people, and pursue his goals. And it is all thanks to you that this is possible."
The sound of swords being drawn from their clasps catches this one off guard.
As does the sound of them being stabbed into flesh.
"But this one regrets to tell you that the old Mane, Rid-Rawl'vah, died hours ago. Those assassins were meant to kill you. Clearly however, if you want anything done right, you have to do it yourself."
"Ra-Zara'chi...It cannot be...How..." Do'hasrandru breaks out the words.
Ra-Zara'chi pulls out the swords from Father and Do'hasrandru's chests, as they fall to the ground backwards. A hand held up to the wound where blood pours out of. Khinashi cannot move, she is just too confused, too shocked...Just...What? This cannot be happening, it just simply cannot.
"How indeed? In truth this one was not planning on using this disguise, but when his brother came to him earlier in the day to talk, well, it would be foolish to miss the oppurtunity then. Such a fool he was, he did not believe you or the others, he had hope. Hope got him killed."
"But...he was your brother." Do'hasrandru speaks again.
"He was a weak-minded fool not fit to lead this land. He could not do what must be done."
"You can't do this, Ra-Zara'chi..." Father speaks. "It will be the end of us all."
"It will be the end of something, Jo'azha, but also the beginning. The end to our curse, and the beginning of our reckoning. Now sleep."
Ra-Zara'chi brings his swords down upon them both once more, and they choke out a last gasp of breath. Father turns his head, and his eyes meet Khinashi's.
"I'm sorry..." He says, and the stare of his eyes seems less in focus, as if he is no longer looking at her.
His words rip Khinashi out of her frozen state. Why is he apologizing? What does that mean? She runs to him and collapses, shaking him to wake him up, but he does not stir. But he cannot be dead, he is Father, the Moon Hallowed, the most powerful mage in Elsweyr, this is just a trick, a magic trick like the magic show...what that the show? It is a really bad show.
A few more moments pass and now this one is not so sure it is a trick...But it cannot be. The tears dampen her fur cheeks as they flood her eyes, but it cannot be.
Then finally, as a sword is drawn from their scabbard once more, the realization hits her hard, he will not be getting up. He is dead.
And Ra-Zara'chi killed him.
Khinashi raises her head and bares all of her teeth, as she looks upon the murderer, who is walking toward her now with his swords stretched out.
"You killed him!" Is all this one can say, for there are not words for that could express her anger.
"This one regrets that you had to witness this. It would have been easier had you not been here to see it, had you not gotten involved. Ra-Zara'chi is also sorry that because you did, he cannot allow you to leave here alive."
Suddenly, with a speed faster than you could imagine a Khajiit wearing such a heavy headress could move, he lunges a sword toward her, where this one's chest would have been, had she not moved with an even faster speed out of the way.
She rolls to the side and within an instant is jumping on his back, thrusting her claws deep into him, scratching madly. She does not know why she did not just use magic, she does not know why she is doing anything, but the headdress is too thick...and this sticky wax does not help.
Ra-Zara'chi is angered by this and with his other hand grabs her by the throat from behind his back, and starts strangling her, crushing her neck with his heavy hands.
Khinashi cannot breathe, and the light around her is dimming as she loses the ability to feel anything that is going on, but she will not give up! She opens her mouth and bites down as hard as she possibly can into the hand that holds her. Ra-Zara'chi yells in pain from this but does not let go, she must go deeper, deeper than the skin. She takes her claws and stabs his hand with them too, and her fangs pass through skin, and through the other side. Blood is pouring out, and at last the pain is too much for him, he releases her and she falls to the ground, too weak to move, but alive.
He kicks her in the stomach, and now she can barely think straight. Holding on to conciousness is an ardous task in itself.
The doors to the palace swing open, someone must have unhatched the lock. People are marching in now, she does not open her eyes to see who.
"Mane Rid-Rawl'vah! It is good to see you are safe. We have caught the assassins who infiltrated the city, no one was harmed. They were too confused and scattered from the carriage fire to do anything, which we are still unsure who caused it, and...Rid-Rawl'vah? What happened in here? Are you alright?"
"Get this one a healer. Those were not the only assassins. There were more...We have been betrayed. This one's own brother, Ra-Zara'chi, convinced Jo'azha and Master Do'hasrandru to turn against this one. Even Jo'azha's daughter, Khinashi - there on the floor - saught Rid-Rawl'vah's murder, we do not know how many more may be with them, or why."
"Your own brother, Ra-Zara'chi conspires against you? You are sure of this, Mane? We found his son amidst the assassins, we were not sure at first...but if what you say is true..."
"He is alive, then? Bring him here!"
Some moments pass as the shuffling of feet bring someone in front of the Mane.
"Yes, father? What is it?"
There is a long pause.
"Uh, he is confused, too much happening, twins, you see. Dar'Zhar-do this one is not your Father, he is your uncle, why is it your Father conspired against this one, Rid-Rawl'vah?"
"Huh? Uh, right. This one does not know. Dar'Zhar-do can go now, yes?"
Once again another long pause.
"He may have just been caught up in it, you see. Dar'Zhar-do, this one does not think you are as guilty as these others are. If you can prove your loyalty to Rid-Rawl'vah he will forget your involvement in this assassination attempt."
"Right, whatever. What do you need?"
"A simple task. You see there is still one assassin alive in this room, Jo'azha's daughter, Khinashi. This one would not put a child to death, but she has assaulted this one directly, and such treasonous actions must be responded to with death. She cannot be allowed to live. Kill her, and you will have your freedom."
Kill her, and you will have your freedom.
Those words sparked what little remaining energy Khinashi still had in her. Ra-Zara'chi is so cruel that he would not see to her death himself, but have his son, this one's old friend, Dar'Zhar-do do it for him. Why? Dar'Zhar-do would not do this, would he?
This one opens her eyes to see Dar'Zhar-do and his father speaking. Next to them is a line of guardsman all holding one of the assassins found from the carriage. They all wear black clothing with veiled hoods, and Dar'Zhar-do wears one such the same as well.
"What? You mean-"
"Did this one not make himself clear, Dar'Zhar-do?"
"Yes, Fa- Uncle. Er, but why? Perhaps she just, 'got caught up' in this too, yes?"
"Does this look like she did not assault this one?" The 'Mane' holds out his hand that strangled Khinashi, it is drenched in blood and torn apart, with fingers limp and unmoving. It does not look like something he could recover from so easily, even with magic or potions.
"Ah, well, perhaps it was just an acc-"
Rid-Rawl'vah forcefully hands a sword to Dar'Zhar-do, making him grasp it.
"Do this and you will prove your loyalty to me. Do not, and you will not see the light of day from your time in jail, and she will die anyway."
Wordlessly, Dar'Zhar-do nods, and walks forward to this one. He does not look this one in the eyes as he approaches, and unbridled fury begins to build in this one's veins. He would do this. Ra-Zara'chi has killed the mane, killed father and Do'hasrandru, impersonated the mane and made his father a villain to the eyes of the public, and he has turned his son, Khinashi's old friend, against this one.
But it will all be over in a moment anyway. This one does not care anymore, but she will not let that snivelling, arrogant Dar'Zhar-do do this without even looking at the one he is about to murder.
He approaches this one and stops a few feet away, and raises the sword. Still he evades this one's glare. Now it is too much for her to not say anything about it.
"Look at this one, Dar'Zhar-do!"
"No."
"Is that all you can say? You brim with confidence, normally, where is that confidence now? Are you afraid?"
"No."
"Then look at this one, look at Khinashi! There is no easy way out of this, face up to it, if you are brave enough! Can you kill a friend in cold blood, Dar'Zhar-do? Is that who you are now?"
Finally his eyes stare into this one.
"No!"
Suddenly everything is happening so quick that Khinashi is not able to think things through properly.
The sound of the sword Dar'Zhar-do was wielding hits the floor, followed by the sound of the doors to the palace being shoved open again. Everyone else turns their heads to see the intruder, but this one sees him clearly already. It is Jahirr. What is he doing here?
But this one does not waste any time on the thought. In the few seconds during the distraction that his enrance causes, this one kicks Dar'Zhar-do back across the room, readies herself up and grabs her staff.
Earlier Khinashi did not want to cast fire spells for the worry that it would burn the palace down, but upon what she has witnessed now, she does not care, she does not care about anything. The fury and rage that burns within her is taking over, and now that is exactly what she intends to do.
"Ahziss zregese jer wo ako!" Khinashi shouts.
The guards not burdened with holding assassins run toward her to stop her, but this one uses her staff to cut a line of fire that they cannot breach without risk of singing themselves.
She casts fireballs at the curtains, at the door, at the walls, at everything.
This one even focuses her energy on summoning a Flame atronach, for it does not matter anymore if her concentration wavers, nothing matters.
The fire spreads, and soon people realize it better to escape than to risk their death here. Khinashi backs up until there is no room left to move, she feels she may be at a window but cannot risk turning around to check, for the flames are surrounding her now.
Then out of nowhere, between the fires and the escaping guards, Jahirr leaps over flame to get to her.
Then this one realizes he is not slowing down upon his approach.
"Jahirr? What are you-"
This one drops her staff and raises her hands to defend herself as he leaps toward her. Khinashi loses her balance and feels herself toppling over the window behind her, and then realizes she is falling far longer than she would have expected.
She looks up and sees the palace in the distance, and the edge of the cliff it overhangs on, as the rest of the flames devour it.
And suddenly her thoughts are dismissed as the world around her changes and she finds herself underwater in the Xylo river, with Jahirr splashing down soon after her.
With the adrenaline of the events over she finds her pain and exhaustion returning to her, and she merely floats on her back on the water, lost in thought. What had gotten over her? She had nearly lost complete control of herself, and nearly burned herself alive. But then, perhaps it allowed Jahirr the chance to save her. This one does not know, and, right now she does not care to think about it. Khinashi is alive.
She does not pay much attention to the fact that Jahirr soon drags her out of the water and on the shore. Nor does she think much of the fact of him pushing her on his back as he runs off into the forests. This one is just barely concious enough to register the events happening at all, and to hold on and not fall off.
After awhile of running she notices Ma'krin and nearby a very damaged plow no longer tied to his back, and takes note of the fact that for once he is not asleep.
Jahirr, with Khinashi on her back and Ma'krin following close behind, continue travelling in the forests, to what destination this one does not know. Off in the distance the bright flame that is the palace glows against the cloudy night sky, behind which the moons must be hiding.
Where Jahirr is taking her now, or why, this one does not know, and she is too tired to ask, but right now, any place is safer than home. Somehow she is still alive, but...
The same cannot be said for Father.
Now the weariness is overwhelming, and Khinashi lets herself drift into unconsciousness.