[Day 6, Late Afternoon] Refugees - OPEN

[elonweis]

It was easy to spot the straggling line of refugees on horses. All their worldly goods were piled atop beasts of burden and they looked tired and travel stained from their journeys. The storm had been unexpected and they had lost a few of their number, yet still they had continued to Lanka. Lanka the last refuge. Lanka the last hope. Lanka who's gate's were closed against them.

The spokesman, a man who possessed a glorious beard, rode forward to talk to the guards at the main wall. The conversation was shouted back and forth, carried on the wind for all the guards to hear.

"We seek refuge!"

"There is no room, go back-"

"There is nothing to go back to!"

[Akodo Amuro]

Despite Amuro's previous train of though about where he should be because terrible things would likely go down anytime...he found himself aflicted with a wanderlust and ventured yet again toward the outer walls. Escort likely in tow, and hopefully with some sort of translator.

[elonweis]

The man, in fact, had been allowed on the wall. His translator trailing behind him and two of their warriors keeping a wary eye upon him. He was there to witness the exchange between the civilians and the guard on duty. The short stocky woman quietly translates the shouting, turning her eyes towards the guards as they ask what she's doing.

Suzuke answers readily enough to assuage any concern they may have.

[Akodo Amuro]

What are they running from? the Akodo asks looking over the group of refugees trying to determine if their style of dress was different, noting other details as necessary such as what, if anything, they carried with them.

[elonweis]

"An army," the young woman replies, looking slightly pale as they continue to argue. "They say that it is behind them, that they've destroyed the city of Kottaram, where they came from. They have information, but the city is full and the guards do not know if they are demons or not. The refugees say that they will submit to the Test of Ivory and that they can pay. They call for compassion, asking that the guards at least let in the women and children..."

* * *
The refugees clothes had been fine one, gold cloth and silks. It was hard to tell if the style of their clothes were different from any other people in the city, there were so many already from all over the Kingdom that it had become a muddled mess. The chests on the backs of the pack-mules, despite the dust and mud, were beautifully carved. The horses had once been fine animals, but they looked tired after the journey from wherever they came.

[Akodo Amuro]

If they have information then someone needs to hear it. the Lion said. Ask the guards if we can get that information at least. If they agree please ask the refugees. Assure them I will do what I can to help them, as much as I can. he looked at this lands warrior caste person with an expression of part exhasperation and determination, gesturing to the refugees. What assurances do I have to make to at least convince you to let in their women and children?

[elonweis]

The young woman struggles for a moment before bowing deeply to the Lion.

"Akodo-sama, the problem is that ... that their demons are like the boghags," she whispers as she makes a sign against evil, "They have no bodies of their own and wear people like skins."

Below the conversation continues. Something happens and the man moves back to the line of refugees, talking quickly. The women are pushed forward, any man carrying a child gives the child to one of the women. It begins with the wail of a child who clings to their father and soon the sound of weeping and lamentation fills the air. A few of the guards look away, some with tears in their own eyes as families are broken up.

[Akodo Amuro]

The Akodo sighs exasperated. Then the 'information they have' What about it?" he sees and hears the commotion. No real emotion welled in him. There were not human afterall. What are they saying?

[elonweis]

"They are allowing the women and children entrance," she replies in a flat monotone, distancing herself from their wails. "They said the enemy is two or three days away."

[Akodo Amuro]

What is their enemy? he says looking over at the interperator as she backed up. Surely they are saying what happened, what is was and so on? he said with a tad bit of frustration at the lack of information.

[elonweis]

"They did not say, that was the information they wished to exchange for their people's safety Akodo-sama."

Suzuke gets the attention of one of the guards, speaking rapidly to him in Rhumaal. She gestures down at the much thinner stream of people approaching the gate and the man starts shaking his head. The woman frowns and repeats herself, gesturing towards the palace and finally the man shrugs, saying something terse in reply.

"If you wish, we may listen to the questioning."

[Akodo Amuro]

He gives her a look of thanks. "My commander would greatly appreciate it if we did so. My thanks. he smiled and gave only the most cursory of bows to the man she spoke to. Feeling a bit dirtier as he also tried giving him a small smile of thanks.

[elonweis]

He, his guards and his guide descended from the wall and made there way to one of the gatehouses. There a few of the guards were already questioning a proud, hawk-nosed woman with a child on her hip. Her light green eyes flick towards the foreigner before returning to the guard as others made their way through the gate.

Suzuke stood off to the side and translated as they went, "She is Rana of House Yadu, they are like the Kaiu. She says her family was one of those who left Kottoram through secret tunnels. The armies are not human, or at least, very few amongst them are. They are asura, demons, and had help to break the city's defenses. There were members of House Rafiq in the city and they used dark magics to steal the power of the brahmin..."

[Akodo Amuro]

Asura? Does she describe the demons? the lion looked at the woman spilling her story to the foreign guards with a small look of concern. Can this House Rafiq summon forth these demons? or does it not work that way.

[elonweis]

"Animal headed men and women. They say spirits posses a body and... change. Some amongst that House can," she replies as she makes a warding sign and shivers, "It is hard to say, because they are very much like bloodspeakers."

[Akodo Amuro]

Wonderful he says dryly to the translators comments. "And to combat them? the Lion asked aloud.

[elonweis]

Suzuke asks a few quiet questions, receiving impatient looks and surly replies. One can't help but think she didn't translate some of what was said as she murmurs, "I'm sorry Akodo-sama, but that is something to ask the brahmin..."