Chp 4: Marza's tale: Pyotr of Valenar

   "Now... Pyotr was a boy not much older than yourself, child. From a family who's blood had not yet been tainted by the Aetherschism. Pure of blood, and pure of heart, yes. Like you, he manifested at a very young age, and…" Marza was cut off by a sharp tugging at her elbow.

   "What's that mean? Mana festid?" Bug was already deeply engaged in the story.

   "Manifested. It's what we call it when someone's powers come to them for the first time. Yes, yes. Now, don't interrupt Marza." Jangus sat mesmerized by the woman as well, and hung on every word like a neck on a noose.

   "So… Pyotr's father had found employment with the newly formed OSR when Pyotr was just a babe. Paulson, they called him. An honest and hard working man, he was. They were happy to have him, yes. A company man, through and through." Marza gently stroked Bug's head as she continued, her tiny fingers brushing through the girl's short, boyish hair.

   "When the OSR caught wind of Paulson's son, they summoned him to the secret Back Office for questioning. Loyal agent Paulson proved… cooperative. He and his partner took the mission themselves. But something went horribly, horribly wrong. They were never heard from again, and Pyotr was nowhere to be found. Not even by the top Shroud hunters. They all three… disappeared!" The animated storyteller blew a puff of breath into her hand, and pretended to release it into the air. Sparkling dust gently burst from her open palm and shimmered in the rays of the noon day sun as it was carried away on a (seemingly convenient) breeze. 

   Bug drew a quick breath and held it momentarily, releasing it with a mesmerized "oooooooh!"

   "Yes, quite." Marza wore a proud smile on her purple lips. Clearly pleased with herself, she went on in dramatic fashion. "But there were rumors. A ghost. Or not a ghost. A child. Or not a child at all, but a monster. A demon of fire. A golem of granite and quartz. From all corners of the land, the stories came. Something. Something that was there, then just as suddenly, wasn't. Some magical creature. Most accounts described a young boy of some measure or corruption. But some small few simply said: Devil."

   "It was Pyotr! It was Pyotr, I know it!" Bug bounced excitedly on Marza's lap, looking quite odd as both were of similar size, though Marza's build was that of a woman full grown. (And quite attractive... for a Gnome. Gnome?)

   "In-deed! Indeed it was! Such a bright child, Sophia. Now, I told you. Don't interrupt Marza when she's telling her stories, it's rude and distracting. Where was I?"

   "Devil." Jangus found himself answering involuntarily.

  Marza looked at him for the first time since the story began, and smiled warmly. "Quite. Thank you, Mr. Feldspar. Very helpful. Very helpful indeed." Taken aback once again, Jangus found no reply, though he thought he caught a wink from those black eyes as she turned her attention back to Bug, and her story.

   "After some months, the reports ceased. Though, the OSR still occasionally sent their hunters in their shadow armor to those places they had visited before. Most of which, agent Paulson's house itself. The site of the original incident. Though, they always turned up empty handed and even more frustrated and determined than before. Years passed. Then decades. Then, one day… in spring…" She was milking it for all it was worth. But she was good at it. (Damn good.)

   "There was a terrible storm. Unnatural, and dark. It covered the entire land and raged for 27 days, it did. Drowning the ants, and the mice and destroying anything that wasn't tied down or made of stone. When it finally lifted, and the people came out from their rain soaked houses to survey the damage, it was clear. It had been no ordinary rain. In some places, it had eaten through entire tree trunks like some horrible liquid fire, and in other places it had frozen solid the horses in their stables, and the pigs in their sties. Entire herds of cattle lay shattered on the grass they once fed on. In some places, the rain came down as beads of crystal, covering everything under a dozen feet or more of shining glass. But almost nowhere had escaped it entirely. Pyotr's anger was felt all across the continent. And when the OSR returned to their usual routine, they found they had some resistance, now."

   Bug smiled mischievously, happy for the boy and his revenge. But, she kept her silence, and allowed Marza to continue uninterrupted.

   "They were harassed at every turn by hit-and-run tactics, at every attempted pureblood requisition. Pyotr and his newly recruited allies harangued and undermined them on every mission, and saved a great many purebloods of all ages. At least, at first. Their small, ragtag group could overmatch the OSR in magical ability, perhaps. Even in strategy they were the clear superiors. But they could not match the funding of the OSR, and eventually were forced underground. There they are, to this day. With their mighty General Pyotr leading them in secret. Always operating in the shadows. Always watching, though none may know. His agents in this world are numerous, and well hidden amongst the public. You never know, child. You never know when The Promissory is watching. Or who they'll send."

   Bug and Jangus sat still, soaking in the magnificence of the story, and the small purple woman. A half a minute passed in thoughtful silence, when Bug again spoke up, her face bright and eager. "It's you! You're the agent! Pyotr sent you to help me! Didn't he?! Right?"

   Marza smiled softly. "In-deed, child." She answered. Then, addressing Jangus she said "We offer our sincerest thanks to you, Mister Feldspar. You may go on your way, now. You've done… quite enough already."

   Jangus blinked. "What? But, I…" he was cut off immediately.

   "Have done more than your part, and I have thanked you for it. Now, you may go your own way and trouble yourself no more with the child. The Promissory will see to her training and care, rest assured of that."

   Bug looked at Jangus, concerned and obviously very conflicted.

   "I'll do no such thing." Jangus finally found he had control of his own free will again.

   "I beg your pardon?" Marza exhibited genuine confusion and surprise at being balked.

   "I fookin said no. I ain't leaving Bug with the likes of you, on nuttin' more to go on than a good story. You want the girl? Fine. But I'm coming, too. I'd like to meet this… Pyotr."

   Marza's laugher exploded like a bomb from her tiny mouth. "Meet Pyotr?! Hahahahaha! No. No, I don't think so. One does not simply… meet The General of The Promissory. Besides, that's not where we're going. Pyotr is… well let's just say he's too far for walking. No, no. You won't be meeting The General anytime soon, young man." She eyed him thoughtfully, as she added "However… if you truly are concerned with the well-being of Sophia…"

   "Bug." Jangus interrupted.

   "Sophia." Marza corrected. "I might be convinced to see my way to allow you to join us… as a hired hand. Unpaid, mind you. You can carry my bags." She waved a hand in the direction she had come from, and sure enough, there were 6 bags of gaudy purple Paisley. "If you can manage, that is." She smiled, knowingly. "It's not far, but fook are they heavy." 

   Her jibe was met by grumbling acceptance as Jangus went to gather the bags, grunting and struggling under their weight. "Hnnngh! You weren't kidding! Gods, woman! What are you traveling with? Your fookin house?!"

   "Something like that. My, but you are strong, aren't you? And handsome for a Stoner. Isn't he, Sophia? Yes, quite strapping." Both Jangus and Bug blushed a deep shade of red. After tidying up their small camp, they made their way West into the now cresting sun. With its rays warming their faces, and their shadows at their backs, Marza sang as they went. On occasion, she looked back to laugh at the struggling Jangus, more than overloaded with all their gear. In three nights, they reached their destination.

Reviews

[Papaya]

Marza is a great character and I like chemistry between her and Jangus.
Great story here.

[Dripping Chocolate Madness]

ooohhh man... wait until she finds him in the bathroom. shes pretty intense.