Legends of Belariath

Zingara

Zingara's Quest

Real Estate, not the most exciting job, and a far cry from a hobby, but with the growing prices, of food, wine, and healing Zingara, Songstress, Guardian, Chirot, needed funds. It was here she first saw the note, one of many she was certain, someone had left it on the desk, probably another agent, helping her out, or so they thought….

‘ Loria, the highly exalted and esteemed city in the known lands, has been waging a war of survival for countless eons against the armies of the Chirot. Recently, in a preemptive counter attack, the brave warriors of Loria managed to drive deep into the heart of a Chirot stronghold, and secret away some of there top officials for public trial. Among those taken were;

Aluna, Statewoman of the Southern Chirot skies. Belmuan, Colonel of the Chirot military Zapherus, High Mage of the Chirot Empire Holina, Assistant to the High Cleric of the Chirot temple Culinua, High Temple Courtesan Selidan, High Court scribe and Emblem Bearer

These nefarious criminals have aided and abetted in the systematic destruction of the Lorian Empire, and the Torian way of life.

In order to properly see these criminals tried for there crimes, and to show the world that the Torian are a fair and just people, we are extended to all relevant parties immunity from arrest or capture while these trials are happening. Any persons so wishing to attend, and offer testimony for the defense may do so without prejudice, given that while in Torian skies, they obey torian laws.

The time of the trial shall commence on the first night of the full moon following the dispatch of this missive. All those not in attendance at the time the trial begins, will not be permitted to enter into our lands. The trial is set to take place in the heart of the glorious city known as Loria’

The Chirot didn’t give much heed to the note at first glance, the titles meant little, as she was raised by the Caravan verse her own people, and locals she had ‘learned’ to interact with daily were far from that list. She was about to throw the paper to way, when something in her eye triggered a reaction, the paper was held faintly limp, as pale pink lips read over the name a second, third and even fifth time, then in the softest of voice, a voice that should be of a child’s she heard her own whisper [daddy] the word was strange to her, but familiar, like memory of great need trying to force it’s self up over the ages of forgotten use. And then it was there, screaming in her face. ‘Zapherus, High Mage of the Chirot Empire’ it was her father. The one she ran from so long ago.. now came the harder question… what to do…

Zingara sat in silence, looking over the room. the darkness didn’t bother her instead it welcomed her, it was how she wrote music, the darkness, it closed off the regard to sight so many use, it opened up the rest of her. Her thoughts drifted to and fro, over options, twisting them around, turning them inside out, tasting them, letting the very ideas play upon her tongue pushing them against the roof of her mouth, as if feeling out the untangle ideas in her mind, giving them shape and form, and moving to the next, methodically, logically, emotionally detached.

As she stepped out of the large stone building in town, she heard her ‘partner’ Ronin, paw and snort “Sorry stud… not this time.. “ she whispered softly as she swallowed hard once. “I travel light.. and fast… I have not time to waist… “ she explained, more to herself than the horse, but hearing herself speak aided in her resolve to move only forward. She checked over her gear again one last time… her armor, including wearing the faux-plate, or fouls plate, if you wished, she wore her leather body suit, even in it’s torn form, under the armor for protection from rubbing, and s simple robe. Her whip was used as a sash to hook her shield to, and both sword and spear were with her, nothing else. With a final deep breath she lunged forward, leaping into the air, letting the winds about her carry her even faster than her wings alone would, she had a great distance to travel, and she refused to stop until the was at the mountains that made the border lands. The weather was to be cold in the Lorian region, she knew where it was, she was a bard, a traveler, and her caravan had been through there before.. it was near where they found her infact… but that was so long ago, a life time ago…

“Ah what is there to say?” the elf's voice hummed along as Nathsiea stirred to. “Ah see so she is still alive… you owe me ten mhl Ludo.” She nodded and moved away, her voice carrying on about something “I… I ran away from my home two winters ago…” “Run away aye… I bet there's a reward I say return her” sneered the ever loving feather-winger. “No and anything happens to her, my hammer meets someone's skull…period.” Murg settled the issues quickly “she’s to young” “Oh, I don’t know she’s kinda cute… like a puppy..” “puppy? She isn’t a slave” “Oh yes a slave, the bat can be our slave” “listen to you people… she’s half starved scared and alone” “she would die out there, she was close to it as it was” “oh come on what do you expect us to do… we have no food as it is…” “she better earn her keep fucking bat”

She did earn her keep, she worked hard, and practiced harder to play her instrument, and eventually she became a very talented musician in her own right, calling herself ‘Songstress’ a grand title it sounded, and to flourish it more “Songstress of Sheara” a Goddess she knew nothing off, but people are fooled easily, throw her name at the end of a phrase, follow the trends of the others, and soon they not only believe you, but ask for your guidance… but that was long ago, and that was not what this was about, this wasn’t about guidance, it was about something different, something personal, something… hidden away, something the Chirot herself couldn’t understand.

It took days, to travel the distance, but not the weeks it would normally take a chirot, or perhaps even the month a none winged member would need. She made stops only at the safest spots for food, which she hunted at the time, it was rough, she was tired, but she was there… the boarder land. And strife was about, she could almost smell the death in the air, and the hidden eyes about. Spies and scouts were about, the Chirots were planning something, the Torians, were luring and devious with this trap… an eruption was bound. Her mind seemed to feel an old echo… and a drift, the fatigue of her trip had caught her, and she was resting even if her mind was hungry for action.

“Daughter.. of Sheara…” the weak fading voice calling out. “Please… take this… Carry on my fight… carry on Sheara’s will..”

The night that Ash`Tar died saving other Chirots for the simple reason they were Chirots, still burned in Zingara’s mind,

The Chirot was jerked to life again by one of two torian women, more namely her whip. “filthy rat” she scowled as the whip snapped. It took several more lashes from the whip, and a kick to the face before she was able to fully think, and then act. As one went to whip her again, Zin slammed forward, knocking her over, and tumbling over and out of the shelter into the open where there was room. The second woman lunged with sword at Zingara, who summoned lightning from the sky down upon her, with such power she crumpled over in no time. The other stood shocked, and fearful now, a retreat was not allowed though, and as she went to assault Zingara again the Torian was hit with the shield, and hard enough to leave her out cold.

“wake up..” Zingara spoke solemnly, shaking the Torian until she did “what is your name.” “l…l..leesha” the torian stammered she was young for a warrior, not more than 20 passings of winter, not less than 18 though. The Torian started to say something more but found herself kicked once “shut up.” The torian would have responded had her own whip not been used to bind her arms behind her, no words were need for what was next, Zingara would slide herself down atop the chirot, and bury her mound into the torrians objecting mouth “your life depends upon this” was all Zingara stated as she then felt, slowly, and weakly the woman start to lick, softly, as if not wanting to, then as Zingara felt herself wetten the torian seeing no other option, would give in, and make slow deep flat passes over the Chirots lips, making Zingara only desire more… but that wasn’t the point… humility was… and to keep the purpose strait, the Chirot female would push to her feet, and roll the feather winger over “plea for your life” she ordered and the Torian quickly did, feeling the sting now of Zingara’s whip, but not on her back, on her wings, over and over, to make sure she would not fly or follow, and to scar them.. with shame. Finally with the bound torian knowing her place Zingara left her there, Zingara had true business to tend to, and with her tension and stress lowered, she was ready to work, she had a plan, well part of one.. the beginning, it would have to do, the rest would be made as she went, it was all she could hope for. It took not long of searching to find her missing item, sadly, what she was looking for, a fallen chirot whom was already dead. Zingara calmed herself, and focused, starting to cast a series of spells upon herself, ‘change sex’ then ‘alter self’ and ‘Mask of deception’ to make her wings appear to be feathered, she swallowed once, more, tossing her shield with the other body, and gasping as she slammed her spear into her gut and pulled it out, with a flow of blood to follow "by the GODS!” she screamed the pain almost as bad as knowing you did it to yourself. Then dropping to her knees, the spear was wrapped into the bodies hands, and then the final part of her act, the hardest part, she needed the electricity gone form her wings, and the best way was to drain it, thus summoning all her will she focused and shoot all the electricity strait into the sky, creating a beckon of light in the darkness, a sign of light, and life to cause others to swarm. And to rid her wings, temporally of their ‘curse’

Visions.. another time.. another place… a little girl… pouting that she had to learn magic… an older man, scolding her… telling her how disappointed her mother would be if she was here…. Another time… another place….

“Are you okay!?” a deep voice rung her to, she looked up at the feather-winger, fear in her eyes “It’s okay… you killed the winged rat…” his voice seemed to answered an unasked question.. though it wasn’t the one she had, then she remembered, her plan.. her ability to get into the city. “You look unfamiliar…. So many damn divisions right now.. to monitor the sky…. I’m Davinduer.” He smiled and helped Zingara to her feet “I’m called…Z…” “Z….” he repeated waiting for the rest of her name “Zin” she finished in a deep thick voice remembering she was now a he. “It’s dead right…” she seemed to reaffirm, kicking at it once “Not before it got you bad… let us return to the city.. have a healer look at you…” he nodded and padded her shoulder. “Good idea…” she nodded as she reached down taking the spear and shield “good trophies.” She smiled to his puzzled look, a smile which caused him to “how many you have?” he asked “five shields….” She grinned wickedly to him… “shall we?”

The Torian was fast, and she had trouble keeping with him, even with her power over the air. “wounds bad huh?” he question, a nod his response, and excuse for not flying as fast as he did… there were so many little things, she was starting to doubt if she would be able to pull this off, what if one touches her wings.. and feels the smooth leathery of them? What if she doesn’t use the right phrases… what if someone detects her magic… what if they realize her armor is all a lie? What if…

“You sure you are okay Zin?” her eyes snapped back and she looked at him smiling “I will be when I get this looked at…” Zingara retorted as the neared the huge city, it was beautiful… perhaps Torian pride at its best… it was also her fathers doom if she failed… and possibly her own.

The wound was treated and healed, the clerics thanking ‘him’ in his aid in stopping the winged-rats and thus charged nothing. The ‘Torian’ Zin carried the sword at the ready, the spear lute and shield on back, as if prizes. She ate at the local pub, listening to gossip, with her hidden ears. Though she still seemed out of place, a few looking, watching her, perhaps paranoid of a new face, perhaps curious of the bandages and gear finally one approached “HOW DARE you bring THEIR filth in HERE!” it growled as it stormed up looming before her. “ONLY A CHIROT in HIDDING WOULD BE SO STUPID!” it continued and all was silent, but only for the briefest of silence, the calm before the storm. A sword sliding up, hilt hitting jaw, a fist coming round, and a third persons hand grabbing hold, “back of Alexander… Zin is no spy he took one in the gut… deep enough it almost killed him, he has every right to take that shield as a symbol of pride.” Zin fell back, thankful the fist was grabbed, her own sword sliding fully away again, smirking inwardly at Alexander’s probably broken jaw. “thanks Davinduer” she nodded “Join me for a drink…” he smiled to her. With only a look at the ill easy, Zin smiled and made a better offer “Walk… so seldom we do that.. it’ll be good for the legs” And thus the two Feather-wingers left together before anymore trouble could be caused. It was a long walk, and the two talked mindless talk of places they had been, people they had seen, enemies killed, mostly lies from Zingara, but a bard is always one for a good story and she laid them on thick as they walked, making sure to take as much note of buildings and such as she could, the prison, and the guards were noted as soon as they were spotted, as well as the gold crest all who entered seemed to show the two large Feather-wingers that stood guard. Attention was shifted for the Chirot as she had more pressing matter, a mans lips against hers kissing deeply, it had caught her off guard, but the male Torian had kissed her, thinking her another male Torian, she pushed him back quick, shocked, upset, confused.. and annoyed at how talented he was. “Wha…” she started but was cut off by him “I’m.. I’m sorry I thought that’s why you took me this way.. this IS the way to bridge…. You KNOW that’s where people go to be together…” “I…I.. “ she looked for the words, stammered, then smiled “I was hoping to… well… tie you up was all….” She half lied, smiling broadly to him in her never so innocent manner

It was a little confusing what happened next he realized the problem with her about the time he was gagged and bound, so he couldn’t tell others. She also found an impressive looking gold symbol that had strange writings on it, that she had seen the guards checking, before she was kissed that is. “Your life is spared this time.. I won’t strike an unarmed knight.. foe or not…” she spoke softly before kissing his forehead “thanks for the kiss.”

Her heart was pounding, she was sweating mad, trembling, ready to burst, time seemed to freezes, she knew she was caught as the guard checked her ‘pass’ and looked to her, then all at once as she was ready to swing, the nodded and stepped aside to let her in. ALL effort was used to not run. She managed the command of a knight, the command of a performer, the command of will to step easily forward, and head through the building, looking at the various faces ‘damn’ she thought to herself ‘they all look alike…so many of them… of us…’ she couldn’t figure out who her father was, then the work was done for her as one of the m yield, with howling anger, despite his beaten and chained image, his very hands sealed to prevent magic “YOU MONSTER YOU KILLED MY DAUGHTER!” the voice was raw weak and yet commanding it was him… “how… how….why do you say that?” she attempted to sound mussed as she gathered herself “My wife’s lute… I see it on your back….” He began to cry I failed her… I kept hoping to get a chance to apologies to her before it was to late..” He continued to ramble as Zingara looked about for an answer… a way out. And then she took in a deep breath “if I free your hands…” she whispered “can you make an exit?” the man looked confused perplex, he started to ask, but Zin only repeated herself at which point he nodded “This is From Nathsiea, take it” Zin explained, as she handed the lute over to him. she could tell, She wasn’t ready to face him…. She was still a little girl inside when looking at him… “now we must act fact…” she warned, and then at once, she lunged the sword forward striking hard against the shackles, and in a thunderous noise both shackle and sword were shattered.

The High mage took no time in question, he wielded and used magic that made the younger Chirot's, hairs stand on end, the wall erupted in a burst of electricity, and he began to lay siege to the ‘jail’ Zingara was pushed back and slammed to a wall, as guards rushed in, one sounding a horn… though un-needed. Torians were rushing from everywhere. To attempt to stop this. But the jail was rubble in no time, and battle was about, Chirots unarmed save magic verse well equipped torians. And a Chirot left limp in the chaos. The sky was alive and wielded by Zin’s father, Zapherus. While others fought as the could, And if guided by Sheara herself the sky was consumed with the darkness of Chirots, Timing had been perfect, her escape plan had mixed well with the plans of Chirot strike force sent to free the prisoners.

Zin awoke she realized she had lapsed in spells and was exposed, a Torian lunging at her, but Zin was not an amateur fighter, not anymore. She was to her feet, parrying the thrust, her broken sword used to push back the feather-winger, while her free hand unslung her spear, and readied it’s self, targe to arm as broke blade was dropped the Chirot looked ever so faintly like a true Knight of Sheara, and a mountain of will. She was, perhaps, believing in the Faith as well. Torian dove at her, and Zin stood ground, the sword of the foe never reached target, it stopped inches from her face, the torian gagging, gargling, and spitting blood, it had impaled it’s self upon the spear and it’s final words mutter it’s own defeat “..never.. expected... to.. not…run” and it was silent. But the fight was not. More were to drop on both sides, this was not a fight, nor a brawl, it was a bathing of earth in crimson hate, nothing less. But it had to stop. Then, as Zingara, traded a cut to the leg for another torians death, she heard the scream, a painful one a voice she had searched out. She raced to the fallen man, the heat and stench of death mixing with pain and soreness, she collapsed to the man, holding him, seeing him starting to pass away “you cannot!” she yelled “I came all this way for you!” her anger was starting to rise, slowly “Ask my daughter to forgive me for being stubborn” “I AM your daughter!” she yelled. But the voice was lost, for the dead are deaf. Blood was felt on her hands, blood that seemed to ignite her again, as if fresh from rest, her body rose to feet again, as if on accord of their own, her wings extending, her arms at her sides clenched tight in fists, she rose, into the air slowly, as if pulled forth, summoned by they heavens, or hell it’s self. As her eyes opened it was as if looking into the eyes of pure emotion, untouched and as raw as could be… ‘so close… to loose so much…’ she heard it echo in her head as if an old riddle or rhyme that held no meaning now, now there was only an end. “Thunder..” she whispered, her arms moving out, as if crucified by her own actions, blood running from her arms and hands, dripping below her onto the dead, “Thunder” her voice was clear now, firm and exact, her wings spreading full distance, electricity jumping wildly eagerly tasting the hints of what was to come, it wasn’t clear where the energy came from, but it was clear that she had amounted a vast amount of it. And then it came to a head “THUNDERRRRR…” her arms rose strait up, and the sky it’s self dark as the evil that was washing over both races erupted, sky lightning, leeching down and as if feeding the Chirot more power, sucking into her, both sides left shocked, battle stopping, to awed in fear to react at first, then like roaches to the light they started to try and flee “..STRIKE” and the arms slammed down together, clasping as the aimed at the ground, and lighting erupted dancing over the earth and leaping about as if aiming for the sky, and back. When all was said and done, few had actually been hit by the spell, the spell wasn’t truly even Zingara’s it was her Fathers last act, though the Chirot would never understand or realizes this, in fact the Chirot would only remember the act in dreams long away, her body however couldn’t handle the strain of the spell and for now she was left with a different dream far and away…

“You have to learn magic.. it’s in your blood sweety…. “ “I want to be a knight… and charge into battle.” “well… we will see about you learning how to use a sword, only after you learn to control your magic… if you don’t it will control you one day….” “I HATE YOU!” “Don’t say that.. your mother would be ashamed of you” “I Don’t HAVE a MOTHER! I HATE YOU”

“wake up…” “Zin wake up” “come on.. don’t die…” “wake up…”

“huh?… that voice…” she muttered as she was forced back from the world of past, the world of dreams. Zingara was wounded badly, but the Gods deemed it she would live, as her old Caravan found her again passed out near death. They took her back, healing her, and tending to her, until she could stand on her own again, Marg, “you make an old Bull happy” he teased her “I was worried I’d never see you again.” But as before, She left in the night, with none awake…. Or she wished none where, in truth they all were, they all watched silently as she took off again and headed for a place she could only be sure where was with no notes, and no good-byes. Would she return to the inn… or search for Sheara…. For perhaps for peace.

(ooc notes: both her longsword and her Lute were destroyed so the Longsword will need to be removed from her item list when/this is approved. And she will have to purchase/make a new instrument.)

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