Sunday, September 20, 2020

The Caves of Inharmonious Discord, Part 6

Back in Pasar, Ginjo and Sukh met quietly and formed a quick plan.

Based on what the bakemono had told Ginjo about the kidnapper clan, Sukh proposed a bold move: negotiate. He wasn’t ready to march headlong into another battle against undead hordes. And if one of the temple gems fetched enough silver, they might be able to ransom their comrades and avoid a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.

Sheng, the mercenary, had spent time imprisoned with Shek and was eager to help find his friend. The five sohei, still loyal to Ginjo, agreed—hopeful they might recover Irak alive.


The Deal

Ginjo and Sukh made contact with the kidnappers. These bakemono were different—larger than men, covered in thick hair like bears. They were shrewd, cautious. They insisted on selling both captives sight unseen—no haggling, no picking. But their price was lower than expected: 100 tael for the pair.

The party agreed.

One of the captives was indeed Shek, battered but alive.

The other, unfortunately, was a raving, violent man—wild-eyed, chained, and furious. The hairy bakemono rolled him down the slope like a sack of meat. As soon as he was unshackled, he punched Sukh, grabbed for a sword, and—when thwarted—charged back up the hill, screaming curses and swinging his chains, intent on attacking his former captors.





Reasoning that a dog returns to its vomit, Ginjo and Sukh took the opportunity to get Shek out—fast.


Shek’s Story

Once they reached safety, Shek told them everything.

Pana, the foreign priest, had turned on them. Irak and Shek had been on watch, and Pana used strange magic to paralyze both of them, then bound them and marched them through the forest by night. By the time they reached the canyon floor, dawn was near. Shek described a scene of chaos: dozens of bakemono, fighting and shrieking in the moonlight. They saw Pana and the prisoners and clamored for a tatste.

The two silent acolytes had been the first to be traded—given away to the bakemono to keep others distracted or appeased.

Then Pana had traded Shek as well—keeping only Irak, bound and silent.

Shek didn’t know where they went next.


Next Steps

Ginjo and Sukh conferred.

It was now beyond doubt: Pana was affiliated with the wicked men who had built their own temple lair in the cliffs above the canyon. Possibly the same red and black caves the bakemono had warned them about.

Ginjo was not eager to return there. The sight of undead—zombies, skeletons, moaning spirits—had left him unsettled. But there was no other path.

If they were to save Irak, they had to go back.

And they had to go soon.


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