-A/N: This is the rest of the most recent session.After my players finished the Wyld Hunt battle in just 2 and a half hours of our 4-hour session, I was a bit at a loss for what to do, so I decided to let Huro have his meeting with Venerable Silk, and that's when all hell broke loose.-
Khan picked up the shell-shocked new Solar and said, "We're going to take you somewhere safe." The other two Elder Exalts placed a hand on Khan's shoulders and she transported the four of them to the front of the Sequestered Tabernacle and strode through the gold doors. As they entered, a handsome young man came down the hallway talking quietly to an acolyte. Khan recognized the man as Vir Sanam, a servant and advisor, no one really important. But Huro knew that it was Venerable Silk, the Serenity Caste Sidereal that ran the Sequestered Tabernacle from behind the Solar Amaya, whom everyone thought was the true leader of the training camp. They stopped at the sight of the blazing animas of the Exalts. Hissing of Black Serpents darted down another hallway and out of sight. "What is all this?" Venerable Silk asked.
Khan answered nonchalantly, "A message came that this young Shining One was being set upon by the Wyld Hunt, so we took care of it."
Huro added, "I believe the message came to me by mistake, but there was no time to alert anyone else." He was not making excuses, merely stating the truth.
Venerable Silk nodded slowly. "I will see that the Shining One is properly cared for." He motioned to the acolyte, who moved forward to lead the Solar away. Khan nodded encouragingly. Venerable Silk turned his attention to Huro. "I don't believe I have seen you here before. Perhaps we can talk in my quarters after you have had a chance to freshen up?"
Huro inclined his head slightly. "I will see you then." The two Sidereals headed off in opposite directions to their chambers, ignoring Khan's confusion at the simple servant wishing to speak to... who was it now? There was some guy that had fought by her side, she remembered that much. Khan shrugged and went to her room to meditate.
A few hours later, Huro Tsin walked purposefully through the halls of the Tabernacle, stopping before a pink marble door, the only one of its kind in the building. It was one more than there should be, in Huro's opinion. But Venerable Silk was a Serenity Caste, after all, so he must be gay. Huro knocked firmly on the door. A slight scuffling and rapidly stifled giggles emanated from beyond it. Huro grimaced and waited patiently. Serenity Caste, he thought scornfully. Moments later, the door flew open and a pair of females (a Solar and a Dragon-Blood, Huro noted) scurried out past the Sidereal. The handsome, boyish Chosen of Venus came more calmly to the door to greet the stoic Chosen of Saturn.
Huro entered, Venerable Silk closing the door behind him. "So," Venerable Silk said, "what in Creation brings you to the Sequestered Tabernacle, Huro?"
The other Sidereal raised an eyebrow. "I heard of your little–Abyssal–situation."
"Ah, yes." Venerable Silk winced. "Hissing of Black Serpents. What are you intending to do about him, though?"
Huro replied, "I merely intend to keep an eye on him. And if it seems it is his time for ending, well, that's my department, isn't it?"
Venerable Silk smiled. "You realize he isn't supposed to leave the Tabernacle, yes? Was he not with you earlier?"
"I thought it might be a good way to work off steam and at the same time accomplish the Cult's duties." Huro shrugged.
"In future I would appreciate it if you would keep him from leaving the Sequestered Tabernacle. He is dangerous enough as is, and I prefer to know where he is at all times." Venerable Silk smiled challengingly at Huro.
Huro replied calmly, "Well, if we are to convert him into a Solar, it will be best to conduct any experiments away from your precious Shining Ones. And it may prevent any incidents involving Hissing of Black Serpents and mortals mysteriously dying."
Venerable Silk acquiesced grudgingly and said, "Just keep him out of trouble or I will be forced to hold you responsible. He gestured dismissively.
Huro raised an eyebrow, said, "I leave at my own pleasure," and left, his mind working on how he could turn this little episode to his advantage.
The next morning, Khan decided to seek out... well, whoever it was. Huro happened to be looking for her as well, and as she turned a corner, he was suddenly there in front of her. "Good morning," he said calmly.
"Good morning," she replied. "I was just looking for you. Why did Vir Sanam want to talk to you last night, anyway? I hope he showed you the proper respect."
This was too good an opening for Huro to pass up. "Actually he was rather impolite. He insisted that I prevent Hissing of Black Serpents from leaving the Tabernacle in future." He shrugged. The seed was planted.
Khan's face was quite an amusing sight. First there was the shock that anyone of such a lowly station in the Tabernacle would show such impudence to a Shining One. That quickly melted into fury at Vir Sanam for daring to order the martial artist around. "I think I will have to have a few words with him," Khan said decisively. "You should stay out of sight if you come along."
Huro nodded and moved slightly into the shadows, vanishing from view. A rare smile crossed his face as he followed Khan from the shadows. This was just too easy.
Upon arriving in front of the pink marble door, Khan rapped firmly and purposefully. Several moments passed before the door opened to reveal a slightly rumpled Vir Sanam. He had apparently slept in. Khan lost no time in beginning to berate him.
The scene was most amusing to Huro. At Khan's furious rant, Venerable Silk opened his mouth angrily and then seemed to catch himself. Huro grinned in his hiding place as the other Sidereal's face went from furious to shocked to frustrated in a matter of seconds. He couldn't do anything without ruining his resplendent destiny, which would anger the pattern spiders, which would be far worse than any punishment Khan decided to mete out.
Or so he thought. Khan finished her rant by saying, "For insulting a Shining One, I expect you to perform the lowest tasks in the Tabernacle for the next month. Mucking out stables, kitchen duty, whatever, that is all you will be doing. And I will know if you shirk your new duties." With that, she turned and strode out of the room.
Khan immediately acted on her words by posting notices that Vir Sanam was to perform the said duties for a month and that anyone seeing him do otherwise should report to her. Then, she and Huro decided to check up on Hissing of Black Serpents. They arrived at the black door and knocked. There was no answer. Huro strode in, and Khan followed more cautiously. The Abyssal sat on the slab cross-legged, his back to them, meditating.
"Good morning," Huro said calmly.
Hissing of Black Serpents turned at the interruption, and smiled at the other two Exalts. "What brings you here?" he asked.
Khan informed the Abyssal of what had happened with Vir Sanam. He raised an eyebrow at Huro. He clearly understood quite a bit of what was going on, but said nothing aloud. Instead, he laughed and congratulated Khan on taking the uppity servant down a few notches.
