Date: August 29, 2000 (Aether: January 5, 3907)
Place: Barracks - Atesh-Gah - Haven, Fairway and North - Haven
Cast: Alcander, Amipal, Caioma, Emmali, Lailah, Kedar, Timin
Emits: Chozan, Faysal, Hamad, Raj (Thalia)
Scene: The Agni-Haidar decide to clean up the streets of Haven.

Barracks - Atesh-Gah - Haven:
      In stark contrast to the elegance of the rest of Atesh-Gah, the barracks themselves stand testament to the ubiquitous practicality of the military mindset. While the courtyard without is underscored in an artistic elegance, here such nuances are more subtle -- curves instead of sharp corners, thick walls of plain stone instead of etched designs or murals.
      The front room is large and lengthy, low-ceiling with fair acoustics and little echoing. It has been partitioned off into smaller rooms, assigned according to rank of the inhabitants.

Night still hangs over Haven, but the first rays of the winter sun already descend upon the city, diving it into a deep red and letting the snow sparkle in morning light. However, little of that is visible in the military barracks of Atesh-Gah. The sunlight reaches the sturdy chambers only dimly through small, albeit clean, windows. A few torches illuminate the rest of the room, allowing the soldiers to better perceive any possible threat in their own quarters.

Despite the early morning hour, Kedar is already awake. He sits on his simple, neatly-made bed in full uniform -- and socks. One boot stands besides him, the other is in his hand, any dirt or dust being brushed off with in almost machine-like motion.

One of the barrack doors cants inward, and the trim form of Kaimakam Chandrima slips through. Even in the early-morning shadows, it is clear that he does not wear the drab black of the Agni-Haidar; instead, he is clad in the rough greys and browns of a common traveler. Dark eyes narrow as he heels the door closed, taking a moment to orient himself before proceeding down the long line of cots and partitions.

Kedar notices the incoming light from the hallway as the door opens, and the shadow of the form filling the frame. While it takes a moment longer to realize just who has entered the chambers, the young Janizar doesn't lose any time to double-check. Instead, he swiftly stops any brushing, places the second boot on the ground straight besides the first, then slips in them in a quick movement. When the Kaimakam's eyes fall on him, he is already standing up straight, looking back up at Amipal.

As the Kaimakam moves, five Agni-Haidar separate themselves from the darkness, falling in around him. They are in uniform, but they all wear covering cloaks that are clearly not regulation; close inspection would suggest that this crew has not been sleeping well of late. The assemblage halts in the vicinity of Kedar's star, his fellows having come to their feet as well.

Amipal surveys this second group in silence, face impassive, his starless gaze passing over Kedar among the rest. Then, softly, he says, "I am Kaimakam Amipal Chandrima. Your superior has temporarily transferred command of your star to me." His eyes flick to the light gathering on the stone casements, then return. "I have come with your orders. The sun rises, and the time for our operation is short, so I will be brief."

Kedar takes the change of command with an unchanging expression, keeping his arms straight at his sides. His eyes briefly wander to glimpse Amipal's companions, but return instantly as his new superior addresses him. He acknowledges with a clipped nod, even though the soft voice takes the young man a bit by surprise; so far, he's used to getting yelled at. Not that it makes a difference to him. "Yes, Kaimakam. At your service." He doesn't bark the reply, but delivers it still clearly, louder than Amipal's announcement.

Amipal inclines his head, then continues in the same undertone, "Your objective this morning is simple: you will patrol the streets of the candala city, and you will kill any member of Clan Al'Gul you find. Pay particular attention to the inns, brothels, and taverns; at this hour our targets will be leaving their rest, and they will be unprepared for attack. If the local authorities arrive, you will break off your engagement and withdraw."

The soldier's eyes move calmly from man to man as he speaks, ascertaining that they are, in fact, paying attention. "Let me be clear about the nature of this conflict. We do not have the luxury of, or the resources for, an 'honorable' combat. I am not interested in your dignity. I am interested in your dead."

Kedar' eyes grow a bit larger, reflecting a touch of insecurity in their light. He has never been out on the streets of Haven. He has heard how depraved the candala here are, and how they do not accept the rightful claim of the Agni-Haidar. The statement alone that they, the Lions of the God-King, have to withdraw, because some other worthless warriors of minor races control the streets, makes him shudder on the inside.

Yet his composure remains disciplined, straight and unwavering. "We have heard of the heathen, honorless dealings of the clan Al'Gul. Their disrespect towards Atar. None of those who roam the streets, bars and brothels will escape alive," he proclaims firmly. "We will give those who dared to rise up against the Atar what they deserve, regardless of our fighting style. "

Pretty confident for such a young soldier who has perhaps already experienced his first battles, made his first kills, but never seen the inside of a tavern, let alone a brothel. His eyes blink once, then, after stating his affirmation of the mission, Kedar asks, a touch more cautiously, "How can we perceive whether any Varati belongs to that clan? Do they carry a particularly nasty scent?"

Amipal focuses on the questioner, and despite the gravity of the conversation, he offers the Janizar a faint, thin-lipped smile. It is a cold, perhaps even a frightening, expression. "The Al'Gul persist in wearing their colors, despite the toll my men have already taken. By these, you will know them."

There seems, quite incongruously, to be a touch of respect in the man's voice for this persistence. "We will work in groups of three, two of your men with one of mine."

The Kaimakam takes a moment, then, to divvy up the group; he selects Kedar -- at random? -- and one of his fellows to accompany him personally. "You will wear traveling cloaks to conceal your uniforms from enemy and passerby. If you are without one, you will be provided. Are there any further questions?"

Kedar notices the smile, but again, it is surprise, rather than fear that touches his lips. Not very often has he perceived his superiors smile.

Attentive and accepting, he receives the information, memorizing the groups of how his star is divided up. "I was only given this uniform," he informs Amipal, before calling out, "No more questions, Kaimakam. We are ready to serve Atar and kill at your command." As long as it is 'up' in the chain of command, the youth seems to make very little distinction of how much higher up.

A closer study is given to Amipal's second man, Kedar's gaze wandering from top to bottom to evaluate his physical appearance and demeanor. As he prepares to depart at Amipal's side, he adds unquestioned, "I am most well-versed in direct combat with the blade."

Amipal nods once more, crossing to the wall and fetching down a ratty, if voluminous, grey cloak; this he tosses to Kedar, locating and delivering a Varati crossbow and three or four bolts to the other man. His men break off to see to their own charges.

"Then we will complement one another well," the Kaimakam murmurs, his midnight gaze traveling the length of the man's form in a brief consideration before returning to his face. "Once our enemies have been surprised, you will close with them. Your companion and I will follow." Then, with a final, "Be about your business. Do not linger long into the day," he turns smoothly to depart.

Kedar catches the cloak out of mid-air, rubbing over the coarse material. He has not worn such a cloth ever since his childhood, so he seems still a bit clumsy as he puts it over himself, feeling definitely not comfortable or even adequate. But it serves.

He follows Amipal swiftly in silence, his shorter legs having trouble to keep the up with the stride of the taller, older warrior. In mid-pace, Kedar adjust the cloak, but it still almost drowns the small Varati. Not asking for a reason of why they should ever hide from anybody, he leaves the chambers at the Kaimakam's side.

The other groups follow, each as its members are prepared, but none remaining long behind.

[Hallway - Atesh-Gah - Haven]

Kedar steps into the hallway from the barracks of the Agni-Haidar.

Amipal sweeps into the predawn hallway, cased in dull greys and browns and moving at the head of perhaps fifteen Agni-Haidar, all armed and all covered, rather strangely, in nondescript cloaks. Kedar, draped in grey fabric perhaps a touch too long for him, does his level best to keep pace at the Kaimakam's side. The soldiers move swiftly if without any clear organization, making for the stairs -- and doubtless for the courtyard beyond.

Lailah is, as usual, not resting on her little cot in the Queen's chambers, with all the other good little slaves. The small woman is -- as usual, yet again -- hidden away in one of the alcoves cut out in the wall for benches to rest within, a mere shadow among others, silent and unmoving. And wide awake; as soon as the doors to the barracks swing open, her eyes move for the men that trickle out.

Amipal is taken note of above the rest, and one eyebrow lifts onto the mongrel's forehead; she waits until the soldiers have paraded past and are well down the corridor, before she finally moves, stands up and peers around the corner of the wall. Hesitantly, she hovers there a heartbeat or two, before a decision is made, and she slips out from her corner altogether, to begin slinking along the wall, after the gathering of men.

Kedar is too busy tackling with the hem of the grey robe and wrapping it up so he won't stumble over it, while keeping up the pace of all the bigger men. The story of his life, he has already gotten used to a quicker pace, and certainly doesn't allow anybody else now to overround him at the head of the group, alongside of the Kaimakam. Lailah is not noticed, and even if she were, Kedar would not spare an additional thought on her. Thoughts of him are rare, after all.

The loose assembly of soldiers continues down the stairs, crossing the elegant foyer to emerge into the pale light of a winter's dawn. Quick steps carry them across the courtyard and out onto the street, where a few of Haven's early risers cut their slow courses on mysterious errands. Here, the fifteen splinter, silently, groups of three and four disappearing down side streets; Amipal, Kedar, and another man move south, in the direction of the Gem Inn.

Travel Interlude: Fairway and North - Haven:
      Imposing buildings line the four corners of this intersection, some built from wood and stone while others sport the organic curves and flowing designs of shaping magic. One of the grandest belongs to the illustrious city guard, more commonly known as "the Hounds." Their headquarters is a squat, stone structure with a tile roof and a wide archway that leads into a courtyard beyond. Flanking it on either side are marble likenesses of the legendary Cerberus -- the hound that earned them their name.
      This close to the center of town, the streets are active even into the early hours of morning. Shops and stalls outnumber private homes, many of them brightly painted with wood or stone columns along the front. Carts and the occasional chariot clatter along the paved road, moving to and from the famed Rialto to the south.

In the early morning hours, a group of three men, huddled in grey, rough cloaks, make their way through the dimly lit streets. Their race is indiscernible, but two of the man look very big, while the third one seems smaller and a touch slimmer.

Taking care to avoid all notice, the shortest is constantly on the lookout for any other people passing by at this time. However, the group walk in a normal, unconspicious manner through the main street, appearing as nothing more than simple wanderers to the untrained eye.

Behind the group, a smaller figure slips along the walls, pressed up against the solid stone where shadows still stretch far. A lot smaller, a lot thinner, and a lot less intimidating is the dark woman who traipses over the ground with nary a sound. Pale eyes are set for those three shapes ahead of her; her head is tilted to one side, alertly, and there is a certain air of anxiety over her whole form, evident in the way she moves, as if ready to leap in any direction at any given moment.

From the Gem Inn, four kshatri warriors stumble out into the cold. Bleary-eyed and singing off key, they warble lyrics which are insulting to women, Khalid Atar, and sheep. Though cloaked, these warriors wear the colors of Clan Al'Gul, and the thick fumes of ale fill the air with white puffs of steam as they sing lustily along.

From the sky, he lands, touching down as light as a feather on fresh-fallen snow, then he commences walking: he has nowhere to be in specific, nothing purportedly to do in specific, nothing to cause him any grief in specific. That might explain his casual meanderings, on foot rather than awing, in the direction of the city park. He has about him the demeanor of a man who spends his time at leisure, and there is no hurry to his pace. Thus is Alcander Acesius blessed, for better or worse.

Into this slips a small kshatri maiden, padding about town on an adventure. Well, it looks like she may get more adventure than she intended. Singing warriors, darkly-clad strangers... Emmali freezes and attempts to blend in with a shadow on a wall.

Amipal, one of the cloaked figures, does not break from his easy walking pace; indeed, chilly weather aside, these three men might just be out for an early morning stroll. One precise hand slips under hanging fabric, folding it back until he can take hold of the knife stationed at the back of his belt. "Let's get to work, then," he murmurs softly, nodding in the direction of the Al'Gul spilling from the Gem Inn down the way. "On my word."

The warriors of Clan Al'Gul -- Chozan, Faysal, Raj and Hamad -- do not appear to notice the attention they have garnered from the cloaked figures. Instead, they change their song upon spotting the more obvious Alcander.

"If I was a Birdie, I'd hump a halfbreed King! Be he man or woman, he's better than a sheep!" sing the Al'Gul.

Raj raises his falcare into the air and swings it around wildly.

As he hears the sound of song insulting Atar, Kedar's face hardens below the cloak. As smallest between the two bigger men, any attempt of keeping his walk both casual, easy and quick reveals the underlying strain on the young man. A quick nod of affirmation is all Amipal receives.

Almost mirroring the Kaimakam's motion, Kedar's hand slides similarly below his cloak, but remains at his side, letting the carved hilt of a weapon press through the fabric. The other hand wanders to the neckline of his cloak, as if he was preparing to get rid of it any moment.

Kedar's focus narrows down on the four men, fading out everything else as he tenses himself up, apparently ready to jump forward at Amipal's command.

As those four stumbling Varati men are taken note of, Lailah stiffens, caught in a moment's stillness in one of the deeper shadows along the wall. Her gaze travels between the kshatri and the trio of cloaked men a few times, and realization dawns upon her veiled features.

She sets herself in motion then, although not at all running all the way back towards Atesh-Gah as might be expected by any smart little girl. She does begin to run, yes, but straight for the men down the road, a quick sprint that lasts only a few, stretched-out seconds. She turns swiftly at a straight angle before she reaches them, ducking in between two buildings and taking cover in the murky alleyway there. Ahh, perfect view of the spectacle, without being seen herself.

"Salutations, my besotted friends," is Alcander's mild riposte in a resonant baritone. "A grand day, is it not? I see you are furthering the cause of proving the detriments to inbreeding." He bows, quite amiably, as he offers these words.

Metal. Lots of metal. Its presence tingles along Emmali's skin, itching at her magic like a sore tooth. She tugs her hood down further and creeps along the wall... stopping again when Empyrean speaks, inwardly thinking, Hush, fool, or they shall spit you like a chicken. She doesn't say that. No, she's far too busy trying to remain invisible.

Amipal's expression darkens a shade as the Al'Gul fall into conversation -- or what passes for conversation among the Al'Gul -- with Alcander; the notion of unexpected casualties floats by on the biting breeze, but the Kaimakam continues to close at an unremarkable stride.

The knife is freed, turned on the palm until he holds it tip first. Taking a slow, settling breath, the soldier intones, "Now."

Amipal lifts the blade back over one shoulder, sights, throws; Faysal, in the process of returning to the Empyrean a rather foul, "You look like a pretty scre--," is cut off midsentence as it embeds itself in the side of his unprotected neck, the man staggering sideways in shock as the blood begins to course.

Kedar doesn't even notice the silly Empyrean trying to pick up some small talk, his attention caught by Raj's wielded blade. At Amipal's sign, he leaps toward the armed Al'Gul, ripping out his own falcare in the jump, in an attempt to slash at the enemy's side before he will bring down his own blade. The clumsy cloak is torn away from his body with the other hand, falling silently into the still white snow. Despite the action, the Janizar's expression is remarkably controlled and passive, not letting the heat of the now commencing battle show upon his features.

Well into her sneaky delving place between the two houses, Lailah takes a moment to lean against the wall, breathing deeply. Her face is set into an extremely troubled frown, now; scowl, even.

Slowly, she leans out towards the open street, just enough so that she may peek around the corner of the building, at the scene unfolding. The Empyrean and the hulking men he has decided to insult are watched, before the slight woman gives a start, and her eyes widen even more as that knife flies through the air and bores into the unsuspecting neck. A stare is aimed at Amipal then, quite horrified, to be frank. She's still staring at him while the other leaps into action.

When Kedar attacks, Raj is in the middle of pointing his unsheathed falcare at Alcander and stating mockingly, "Let's give him another hole!"

Brutishly, Chozan laughs, spraying alcohol-laden spittle. "Easier access!"

Hamad is still singing. "Ding, dong, the King is dead! The wicked King, the birdie loving King! He's dead! He's dead! We can do what we want now that the King is dead!"

However, the singing comes to an abrupt halt as Faysal suddenly loses his voice in a gurgle of blood.

Thoroughly soaked with wine and ale, it takes the kshatri warriors a moment to realize they are under attack. The third cloaked figure raises up a crossbow and fires into the kshatri. The loosed bolt goes through Raj's cloak, only to bounce harmlessly off the chainmail the man wears under his haik. Indeed, the chainmail serves the Raj Al'Gul well this day.

Kedar's slash shreds the cloak, but also clangs miserably aside, leaving a painful bruise, but prevented from doing lethal damage. Chozan and Hamad turn on Kedar in their befuddled state, not processing the fact that there are two other armed warriors on the scene. With hands drawing out their weapons, an axe and another falcare, respectively, Chozan and Hamad swing at the de-cloaked Agni-Haidar, attempting to separate his head from his body.

Well. The last thing Alcander desires to do is to interfere when the dusky savages are slaughtering themselves (well, no... the VERY last thing he wants to do is get so much as a nail broken in this brawl; interfering is the second-last thing). Therefore, drawing aside with his palla wrapped more closely about his shoulders, he ensures he keeps to one side of the butchery and any flying blood. In point of fact, a strategic withdrawal may be best in order, but the hacking and slashing keeps him resting where he is for the time being.

Whoa. Well, add another cloaked figure, 'cept he's not going to get involved in this one. He'd like to walk along the sidewalk, Timin would, or perhaps somewhere out of the range of large, drunken swordswings, but who knows. He'll just watch, for a moment. Halfbreed, off over that way.

Emmali jumps back as blood starts spraying, stifling a cry against her lips. Bright Atar, but that was way too close, to her mind. Trapped like a deer, she is, and that metal is singing to her blood. She huddles down toward the ground... closing her eyes, so glad that she actually has to touch metal to do anything to it, or the Gods only know what would be happening.

The Gem Inn, where all this violence is taking place, is right near the Bastion, meaning that the fracas will be noted almost right away. Pouring out of the gates come a dozen Hounds, led by Caioma. Most of them are armed with crossbows, but the half-breed Commander wields her sword. It'll be a few moments before the Hounds reach the melee, but they are on their way.

Amipal pelts forward across ice and sludge, clearing the small remaining distance, brown cloak trailing out behind; with a visible wince, he yanks his falcare free of its scabbard, interposing it between Kedar and his attackers as he slides to a stop.

Chozan's axe misses entirely, but Hamad's sword rattles off the Kaimakam's weapon, sending the unbalanced Agni-Haidar to one knee. "Take that one," Amipal instructs with a quick nod at Raj, still unsettlingly composed for the present scenario.

The third cloaked Agni-Haidar curses softly and casts his crossbow aside, reaching for his own falcare; Faysal pinwheels to the ground, coughing blood and struggling for breath.

Three figures walk down the street and stop a distance away from the ensuing violence. Two of them are dressed in kaftans -- one Atlantean and the other Varati -- and the pins on their collars signify their membership to Delphi. From this distance though, it is hard to tell which of them is the senior.

The third is a woman, another Atlantean, and she peers curiously down the street at the ongoing struggle. The Varati shakes his head and beckons his companions to follow him as he begins to walk away. "Come... it is not safe here..."

A moment passes, and the pair of Atlanteans finally manage to pull their stares away from the ongoing fight to follow his retreat.

Kedar lands at Raj's side as his blade grazes against the mail with an audible clash. For a moment, he dodges back, his eyes darting to the other warriors approaching him, but once Amipal's command sounds through the air, he concentrates back on Raj. Leaving Hamad and Chozan to his superior and totally ignoring any incoming Hounds, he takes a step forward, feigning a strike at his opponent's neck, but breaks the motion off in the middle, instead drawing a curve with his blade to slash against the less protected lower legs.

Raj is more alert and far less drunk than his companions; he moves to block Kedar's feint, but manages to dance backwards, and towards Alcander. The fore of the brigantine-covered legs show red as the tip of Kedar's blade slices through the armor. Having moved his sword into blocking the feint, Raj now continues the motions to slash at Kedar's neck, though his falcare is high, about cheek-level.

Chozan wrests his axe back into motion, attempting to split Amipal's spine while the Agni-Haidar is down on one knee. Hamad sweeps back for another slash, choosing to focus on the Kaimakam while he is down. He slashes toward the torso, an easy, large target.

Faysal is dying, but not quite yet dead. He pulls the knife from his neck, pushing against the wound to limit the flow of blood as much as possible. Vindictively, he throws the knife at the first target he can see -- Emmali, who is trying valiantly to hide.

The knife flies through the air to land into her stomach. Satisfied, Faysal lets go of his neck and expires.

Right, this is where she starts feeling a bit nauseous. Lailah stays right where she is, mostly hidden in her alleyway, hardly breathing, and nibbling ruthlessly on that lower lip beneath her veil. Green eyes, widened to extreme proportions now, continue staring at the scene unfolding with almost morbid fascination, unable to look away, but the hastily blanching hue to her otherwise dark skin would rid one of any doubt as to whether she is enjoying it or not. We might have one seriously passed-out naraki over in this corner soon enough, and she didn't even get a knife through her.

All that Alcander does is stay the hell out of the way. No need; they aren't after him, but their own kind, and that suits him fine. The expression he wears dictates that, if he had access to them, wine and cheese or some other snack would suit him fine in this unexpected afternoon entertainment.

Emmali screams as the blade impacts, staring dumbly as blood starts soaking her sari. She slumps further to the ground as something strange starts to happen... the blade starts writhing like a living thing, that grows worse when her hand clasps over the hilt. She whimpers, tears spilling from bright, golden eyes that glaze with pain and wild magic run amok. If it's moving like that above her skin.., what's it doing below??

The Hounds rush up, and Caioma shouts to her men, "Surround them, don't let any of them escape. Don't get in the way of the Lions, though!" Her dark eyes seem to have an urgency as she looks among the attackers and a sudden sense of mingled relief, disappointment and fury crosses her features as she fails to see what it was she's looking for.

Following her orders, the indigo-clad guardsmen (and they are all men but for her) spread out around the fighters, fencing them in, awaiting for orders. Once they're in position, Caioma bellows in a hoarse voice that barely rises above the clanging swords, "BY ORDER OF THE ESTRELLA, CEASE THIS AT ONCE!"

It goes extremely quickly, and it's not really evident what happens at first, or where it comes from. One moment, Chozan is swinging that scary axe of his toward Amipal; the next, there's a bright spark, a flash of red shining vividly among the muted colors of early morning, and the tunic the Al'Gul man is wearing over his armor is... burning. Quite violently so.

Flames spread quickly over the warrior's back, licking their way up towards his head, his arms, and, most acutely, his hair, while smoke trickles to dissipate into the crisp morning air above, mingling with the sudden tang of charring leather.

Amipal does not, blessedly, see Emmali take the knife -- or what happens to it thereafter. He can't help but miss his near-certain death suddenly bursting into flame above him, however -- the scream, the discarded axe clattering harmlessly down off of his back and to the ground.

About that time, Hamad's heart goes out of it; his swing clangs off of the Kaimakam's warding falcare, and then he is falling back in drunken horror from his burning companion, towards the encircling ring of Hounds. He begins to gibber.

Amipal straightens, stepping back himself in momentary and undisguised wonder.

The blade of Raj bites into Kedar's cheek, producing a nice, clean cut. Blood spills instantly, but the soldier manages to ignore the pain, his trained motions coming almost automatic. There is no passion in his actions, only the carrying out of a trance-like dance of death, studied for nearly his whole lifetime.

Kedar steps to the side, advances with one foot, while he raises his own curved blade with both hands over the head. Just as he holds the falcare at the top point, he perceives the piercing call of the female Hound, His muscles tense up as he holds the weapon over Raj, looking his enemy calmly in the eye to see if he can catch a sign of weakness.

Eyes widening in horror and amazement as well, Caioma watches the Al'Gul warrior burst into flame. Immediately, her gaze snaps around, looking off into the shadows surrounding the scene. Eyes narrowing, she quickly turns back before shouting to her men, "Jherrin, you and your men get that one."

She points to the drunken, gibbering man backing away from Amipal. Dark eyes flick to the dead man and then the one fighting Kedar. Taking a deep breath, Caioma suddenly has a look of concentration on an already intense face.

Whether it is Kedar's blade hanging over his head, the call of the Hounds, or the alarming pillar of flame that was once his drinking companion, Raj throws his falcare to the ground and prostrates himself over the cold winter earth. He screams, "Khalid forgive us! We have sinned. Forgive us, Amir-al!"

Reclining against the nearest wall, arms folded across his chest, Alcander takes what can only be described as bemusement in the violence -- the Empyre has naught to worry about if the Varati are going to feast upon each other like cannibalistic canines -- but the Hounds' arrival inspires him to take a more distant approach to the fight. He was watching from a near distance, yet intelligence and caution dictate he move a bit more away. Thus he does.

The child-woman who is Emmali somehow has more backbone than may have originally appeared, for she bites her lip and yanks the blade out herself, tossing the warped, useless thing to the side and holding a hand to the hole in her stomach. She tries not to look at the way blood seeps from between her fingers. She watches the living pillar of flame in horrified fascination for a second before muttering softly, "good," in voice that holds a sense of righteous anger.

Golden eyes then roll up in her head and Emmali passes out... at least for the moment.

Mercy. Perhaps for the first time in his life, this virtue comes to the young Lion's mind. Kedar lowers his blade, not so much because of the call of the Hounds, but to fulfill his duty in all forms. He takes a step back from the resigning warrior at his knees in a way of almost complete passiveness. He holds the falcare squarely in front of himself, not about to slash out once again, but ready to spring to duty once again if he has to. His gaze flickers to Amipal, awaiting word on how to proceed.

The scream of the Varati maiden brings another start to Lailah in her narrow alleyway; her gaze does not leave Amipal or his flaming attacker, however, nor does it stray for the shouting Hound-type woman or her many friends. As the Kaimakam seems to be out of danger, she finally pulls further into the shadows, sickly pale by now.

One hand goes to grasp at her stomach, and she turns around, staring wildly for the other end of the path between the houses; without further hesitation, Lailah sets off at a dead run, a lot less steady on her feet than usual, and aiming for the faint light at the far end of the whole scene.

The flames dancing over the poor Chozan's torso seem to fade slightly for a mere moment, flickering uncertainly; then, they simply cease, completely snuffed, with only the thick cloud of smoke rising about the man -- as well as the rather sooty appearance to his whole person -- to give evidence of them ever being there in the first place.

As the fighting seems to end, Caioma steps forward into the circle her Hounds have created. Eyes focused on the burning man, she watches as the flames begin to steadily go out, rather than continuing to consume as normal flame would.

Once she's within a few feet of Amipal, Caioma's eyes snap up and focus on the Agni-Haidar. "Kaimakam. I believe we have several issues we need to discuss. This is the second time violence has erupted into the streets of Haven." Pausing for just a moment, she tilts her head towards Kedar and the Al'Gul, causing a handful of Hounds to move over there while she points towards the alley where Emmali is bleeding. Two others go to check on the woman they're sure is dead.

So, one Al'Gul is dead, another is dying from burns on the ground, one is held by the Hounds, and another is at Kedar's mercy. Caioma looks to Amipal expectantly.

Ah, so much for the fun. Hounds are always the party-poopers. Alcander glances about, spreads his wings, and takes to the air lest he be involved in the legal parts of this brouhaha.

Amipal continues to watch the smoking Chozan, expiring silently on the ground, as the Hound Captain speaks; his expression settles from surprise to a dark muse, and his midnight gaze flicks sidelong to find Caioma's. With what might be a rueful sigh, he trades a few soft-spoken words with the woman -- very few, given the results. The Kaimakam turns away towards Kedar with a soft, "We're done, here."

Caioma gestures for her men, who lay hold of the mumbling Al'Gul, while others drag the praying Raj from his knees. These two are hustled roughly off towards the Bastion, while the circle of constables actually parts peaceably for the Agni-Haidar; it is at this point that Amipal catches sight of Emmali, and with a tightening about his jaw, he sends the third Lion to relieve the Hounds currently seeing to her care.

Lailah does not stop once, nor does she look back over her shoulder to see what happens in the open street. With tears already starting to leak their way down her cheeks in a steady stream, the small naraki finally reaches the far end of the alleyway, and with a bright flare of cloth, she skirts the corner, lost completely from sight a heartbeat later.

Emmali is not dead. Not yet, anyway... though her saffron silks are stained heavily with her own blood. She comes to slightly, eyes widening in fear as she is surrounded by male kafir. She'd back away, except Number One, it hurts like a djinn's hell to move, and Number Two, well, she's up against a wall... where's she gonna go?

Amipal takes a moment to examine Kedar's cut -- at a distance, of course -- as the Hounds quietly disperse. The soldier's lips thin slightly, but it is clear that he is not extraordinarily perturbed by the damage. With a shallow, satisfied nod, and a murmured, "Back to the Atesh-Gah, then," he sheathes his falcare and crosses to the Lion stanching Emmali's wound.

Emmali passes out again... this time from the sight of a Lion coming for her, as well as trivial things like blood loss and pain. The warped dagger lies beside her, looking like a tortured thing. It's up to those of her race to get this kshatri vara flower back to where it's safe for her to be.

Dark eyes, alive with the pinpoints of rapid but unspoken thought, settle on the knife -- his knife -- twisted beyond all easy recognition; this he takes care to retrieve. Another look, clearly more troubled, is cast over his shoulder in the direction of the burnt corpse. So many unexpected turns. Emmali is almost an afterthought, but Amipal does eventually sink to one knee by her side, holding a palm to her cheek before instructing, "Bring her."

Over and done. With a shrug and pitying glance at Raj, Kedar resheathes his falcare leisurely. None of the Hounds are really spared a second glance as he falls in a casual stride at the Kaimakam's side. The blood is wiped away with a simple brush of the back of his hand over the face, leaving it just smeared. "We are done then, for today?" he asks in a tone as smooth and casual as if they just finished cleaning the first row of latrines.

Amipal nods, straightening; the other Lion takes Emmali in his arms without any seeming difficulty. "For now, yes," the Kaimakam intones, bending to collect the third man's discarded crossbow as be passes. "See to that wound. And rest, Janizar. We go again soon." There is just a touch of weariness -- and just a touch of uncertainty, now -- in the man's otherwise placid tone, but only the attentive would catch it.

Kedar takes his time to pick up the ripped-off cloak, throwing it over his shoulder. Despite the heat, the action of the morning and the wound he received, the soldier remains unagitated. "I will, Kaimakam," he replies dryly, falling back into a disciplined pace.

No look back to the bloodbath is given; the pledging warrior at his feet as well as Chozan's burnt-out corpse are already forgotten, Kedar's thoughts focused on what lies ahead of him. Amipal's uncertainty is not caught, or perhaps overheard on purpose. A Kaimakam of the Agni-Haidar should not show hesitation or indecision. Therefore, a Kaimakam does not show either.

FIN  

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