Breaking the Rules Pt. 20

Breaking the Rules takes place in an RPG universe, and is the sequel to Bending the Rules. To understand the characters and how the world works, please start from Part 1 of either series. Not based on any particular gaming franchise or storyline, but there may be guest appearances.

*****

"Surprise me."

Of all the things a woman had ever said to Nuru, this from Furaha was somehow one of the most terrifying. Raziya casually talking about separating people from their heads didn't compare, even if it was rather disturbing.

(What does it mean that I'm this concerned about screwing it up?) Nuru said, nudging his shoulder demon.

/You're smitten. Her regard is so important to you that disappointing her would be a major personal failing. Oh, the things I'd do to you with that kind of power./

(So what is the best thing I could do?)

/Can't help much with this one. My idea of romance would be bring in another dude to screw her brains out, to show your commitment to her happiness and pleasure. But she's not going to take just any old fella, and this is something deeply personal. I can read a lot of things, but this one isn't specifically sexual, so I'm not sure what, if anything, she has in mind. Her dreams confuse me of late./

(You've been reading her dreams?)

/How do you think I learn more about people to target their deepest cravings? Your dreams reflect your desires, and as you learned when we met they are a specialty of Setangarayu. There's an art of interpretation to it, but I've gotten rather good at that, if I do say so myself. I've read everyone you know, more or less. But Furaha is a sophisticated woman; what she wants can vary based on a number of factors, and we don't see her - for days at a time - to know which of them are in play./

(No advice then?)

/Take your time, put some thought into it. At the very least, let her know you tried./

(You think this is a test of our friendship or... whatever it is we are?)

/That's an element of it, yes. You gave her a Favor. How much is that worth to you, where it concerns her? I think she wants to find out./

(She couldn't just ask me?)

/A verbal question would give her one kind of answer; this will give her another. In my terms, telling a sexual fantasy is not the same as experiencing it directly./

(She wants something special, then.)

/Now you're getting it./

(How's the whole Obsidian Ceiling thing going?)

/So, fun story. There's a divide between the demons that are well-informed and are gearing up to snuff me out, and the lower-level riffraff who only get scraps of what the archdemons drop them. Plans are in motion to stop me, but the idiots keep coming out of the woodwork for me to munch on, and spoiling them. I let my new toy boy, Mukhtaar, spread a rumor that he'd enthralled me; now all the hopefuls from his fiefdom are coming out to see him give a public demonstration of how he's 'broken' me, hoping for inspiration to do the same, or see him get slapped down for enthralling a demon - it's a risky proposition; if he keeps a thrall for too long, others will think he's trying to build an army and Ascend by force. Anyway, the higher-ups have issued warnings against associating, but they don't want to drop too much information and if I'm not mistaken they know damn well that if they outright forbid attendance, the underlings will be coming out in droves just to show off a little spine. So my soul intake at this little bash is going to be substantial, as long as we don't get interrupted by the big meanies, and if all goes well I'll have enough ward fodder to start making strategic house calls. But - and this is a 'butt' that's bigger than mine - the archdemons themseves don't want to show up yet, for fear it's one of the others - my fieflord in particular - luring them out into a trap, as I've carefully dropped false hints for, and which happens *all the time*. I and my minions should be able to handle it, but you really need to get out there and bring me some more EXP, and get your own indulgence on. Can't have you dying for lack of levels before I'm done with you./

(This feels kind of familiar, like how I power-leveled my way out of Home Town, before they figured out how close I was without a faction.)

/There's a reason for that. I believe we're exploiting old mechanisms created for various Expansions which were never completely undone afterwards, affecting the very foundational forces that have carefully crafted the world you inhabit. The weakness of them is that they rely on the same strategies as envisioned and implemented by the same gatekeepers, with the same oversights. Say what you will of the Powers-That-Be, but creativity is not their strength. They have attempted to block the channels previously used, but have failed to foresee all the ways that unlikely choices can circumvent the intent of the Rules. They will patch the holes we are using to prevent others copying us, but we are going to - briefly - twiddle the levers of the multiverse itself before they do./

Nuru pondered that in silence. It sounded fantastic - and terrifying.

*****

"Right. Party time! Dreams are coming true!" Nuru said as Furaha stepped back into the room.

"Yes, it is time for you to get moving. You have a meeting with Archon Imari tomorrow, and Whitegarden is a fair distance."

"The White Lily archon? I thought I was going to a party."

"Haven't you been listening? You've got a great big target on your back. There's a dozen assassins just waiting for you to show up at this thing - Tatenda's taking precautions, but there's no way he can truly ensure your safety now that your name's been dropped. There's going to be a Nuru there, but it won't be you. He'll have all these lovely party favors, and yes, you're going to get the EXP for it, but there's no way you'd walk out of there alive considering Smoke Portals don't work on you anymore to make your escape. Even if Katlego's out of the picture for a bit, she's not the only one hunting you now."

"What's the point of being notorious if I can't have any fun with it?" Nuru grumbled.

"Well, now, just wait until we hear what Imari's got to say."

"We? You're coming with me?" Nuru said, perking up.

Furaha smiled. "I'm not much for walking, so I'm going to meet you there. But yes, I will be with you for it. The invitation informally includes up to two friends."

"He's expecting Ace and Dayo," Nuru mused. "Won't he be surprised?"

"Perhaps," Furaha said coolly. "Don't go into this expecting too much, or for him to care about who your associates are. Or at least, don't expect that it's for your benefit, even if he says something that sounds like it is. Chances are this isn't about what you, or anyone around you, want."

"Another heavy-handed faction recruitment effort, you think?"

"Yes, but not quite in the way you've seen before, White Lilies aren't like the Goof Troupe. The Order likes to capitalize on the moments of weakness of others, creating debts that other cannot repay without sabotaging their own goals that don't align with the Faction's agenda. They might even have a hand in arranging for those circumstances to specifically fall upon those weaknesses. I've never proven it, but I suspect my own organization has its roots in White Lily subterfuge."

"Then why would you say I might have fun with what Imari has to say?"

"I'll give you a hint. You love to disappoint very powerful people. You might get to do it in front of an old friend of yours."

Nuru cocked his head to the side, staring at her in confusion. "I have an old friend...besides you?" he trailed off, mind working.

White Lily. Healers. Old friend...

"Zula's going to be there!?"

"They've been biding their time, doing their homework on you. I'd be surprised if she didn't make an appearance."

"You're right, now I'm excited about this."

"I did mention this to caution you, however. They're going to leverage your feelings for her as hard as they can."

"So you're saying I can't agree to anything she asks me to do?" Nuru frowned.

"They won't come out and say what they want from you. They're just going to make it seem like the logical choice - and let you think it was your idea. She's going to be a pawn in that scheme, if she has any role whatsoever; they're not going to ask her to lie to you directly because there's a risk she won't do it. If you get to an inflection point, and feel like joining their Faction is going to solve all your problems, their job is done. And hers, too, whether she knows it or not."

"Well, I'm not joining any factions. That's beyond negotiation, so don't worry about all that."

"Still, let me introduce you to negotiation tactics tonight. I'll alert the White Lily Asylum Office here in the city, and you can go with them. I'll meet you in Whitegarden Library, and you can meet with the archon the next morning."

She kissed him passionately, then giggled and slipped away just as he was getting handsy.

*****

The door unlocked, and Nuru stood up.

"Nuru, at last! Brother Kehinde, delighted to meet you," the man burst out before Furaha could say a word, stepping past the hand Nuru held out for shaking, to grasp him in a giant hug.

"Uh... hi," Nuru said. "Good to meet you as well."

"I'm so excited, are you ready to change the world!?"

"I believe I am, yeah," Nuru said, hoping his smirk wasn't too sardonic.

"Come come come, this way! No time to waste, the archon is finally ready to make you an offer. Oh, I can't wait, this is such a great opportunity."

Furaha held two fingers to her eyes, then swiveled her wrist to point them at Kehinde with a warning look at Nuru. He nodded just enough for her to see, then followed the man down long corridors and finally up some stairs to the open-air level of the streets. They were just a stone's throw from the city gate, and a platoon of two dozen paladins on horses were assembled and waiting.

"Expecting trouble, are we?" Nuru said.

"Can't be too careful, these days. You, least of all - that meteor was aimed at you, I hear. If not directly, then certainly there are those who will think so, and will try to capture you for some imagined reward. Kidnapping and ransom are low and despicable acts, but effective nonetheless. But come, there is nothing to fear here. I am sworn to your safety until you've met with His Holiness Imari, and then I shall see you to your next destination."

"That is wonderful. Is this horse for me?"

"If you wish. I know there are some who are terrified of riding on horseback; there are a few people spreading rumors that the beasts can throw a rider, maiming them permanently. I'll proudly declare that with our healing magic, that won't be a concern, and furthermore, Jax here is perfectly trained and steady as they come. I'd seat my own son on his back without hesitation."

"OK, great. So, let me- ack!"

Familiar strong arms crushed him in a hug. "Hey Nuru. Leaving without saying goodbye?"

"Unhand him, you fiend!" Kehinde bellowed, drawing his sword, followed by half a dozen bowstrings creaking as they were pulled and aimed at the valkyrie.

"Woah! Woah, easy," Nuru said. "This is Dayo, a friend of mine."

"Ah... yes, of course. I saw 'necromancer' and assumed the worst. My apologies," Kehinde said, one look of confusion following another across the man's face.

(What was that, did he struggle to see a Low Factioner as a friend, and then struggle to identify a gender?)

/Looks that way./

"Gods below, weren't you supposed to be going somewhere else?" Nuru said.

"Yeah. Turns out I'm almost as bad as you are at taking orders," Dayo said, smirking under the signature witch hat.

"I just had to see for myself that you were OK. A stretch of road was _very_ busy near where I last saw you."

"Your friends are welcome to join us," Kehinde said. "We have accommodations for two more."

"That's alright, we do have places to be. If you're QUITE done here," Ace said dryly, giving Nuru a quick fist bump.

The valkyrie had apparently decided on a compromise on the armor; the sexy studded leather underneath, and the robe on top, open just enough to show a little cleavage above and a little leg below with the high boots. The effect was tantalizing from the front, giving just the passing hints of shapely flesh underneath as they moved, and indistinct from all other angles.

"I like this look on you. Doesn't it confuse the identity issue though?" Nuru said.

"I'm trying something different with that. Those who bother to listen will hear me tell them who I am. Those not so inclined get distracted trying to figure me out, and refuse to hear what I am telling them directly anyway. So, I might as well have the protection, but I can leave a few hints that let people fill in the blank so we can move on to more productive topics. I got the idea when I decided I've been getting more sun than I like, and I covered up a bit. Anyway, if I feel the need, I can just close the robe up some more. And if I need a bit more Initiative... I can open it. Who cares what they think if I kill them, right?"

"Men, such pigs," Nuru rolled his eyes.

"Have fun, Nuru. We'll send you a postcard," Dayo said, letting go and running away with the thief.

"Catch you later!" Nuru called after them.

He climbed up on the horse, with a bit of difficulty, and the group started off at a decent canter.

"I have to tell you, I'm so proud of the work our outreach program is doing," Kehinde gushed. "Did you know, we not only have a clinic, but we have Heal-For-Hire offices in every major city? Any party can contract with them separately if they need an extra healing hand out on a quest. It's all standardized rates based on known risks, unless the group contracts with an individual - a healer can be substituted at any time, for any reason. They just need a break, sometimes, or they want the change of scenery at another location. We like to give our people downtime, and let them see the world, just explore as much as they want. But in addition to that, we've been running the numbers, and it turns out we had ten percent fewer permanent fatalities for a similar mission risk profile than this time last year. Isn't that amazing?"

"That sounds pretty impressive," Nuru nodded.

"It's part of our See-Something-Say-Something initiative. We used to be impartial observers, but now if a mission looks too risky, our people speak up about it and offer alternatives. They're not voting members of the party, usually, but if they can convince those who are to retreat and fight another day that the odds are better, we can save real lives."

"Makes sense," Nuru agreed.

"The newest Expansion into Mankapi Savannah is a perfect example. We've-"

This was the point at which he stopped listening. The man was earnest, but Nuru found he was already bored with the conversation, and started with his inside voice instead.

(Gods, does this man ever shut up? I should have gotten some Silence scrolls with Dayo when they were in town.)

/There wasn't time though, was there?/

(No, except I guess there was a bit of time when we were making all the other scrolls, I could have taken a break or something. If only we'd gotten Dayo to come by sooner.)

/Better LCK next time. But then again, that might be considered rude, even hostile./

(Sigh. I suppose that's the whole point, they've invited me to talk, and he intends to do most of it apparently.)

Nuru listened with half an ear. Then he had to scroll backwards and replay the sentence in his head.

"I'm sorry, did you say 'enslave all the orcs'?" Nuru said.

"Why certainly. Those creatures have been the bane of every peace initiative we've ever created, and every time society gets a bit of breathing room, some chieftain gets a burr in his britches and invades a town. He puts the pressure on until the Faction requests aid from the others promised by the accord, and then the whole thing falls apart when no one else shows up. As the cause of the issue in the first place, shouldn't we make them serve a year in our shoes, see how we live, and make them understand how they're disrupting the lives of everyone?"

Nuru found himself prompted to agree just to be polite, but felt acutely uncomfortable at the thought of whips and chains on people like Zuberi, who would not get to negotiate - it would be comply, or die.

"Well, now, I don't know. It's not a subject I've studied in any depth," Nuru said.

"Come, it's very simple isn't it? You don't hate a bard for trying to make a few coins from a song, you know what it's like. So then when orcs could live like we do, they'd see why we just want to live and let them live as they wish, in peace, and we wouldn't have to put a bounty on them in our Faction Quests. How much simpler could it get? Then we could focus on the real mosters, the ones that aren't even sentient."

Nuru put his chin in his hand, considering. Did he dare reveal his encounter with an orc, and the delicate moral quandary of both his exile from the tribe, and the illicit relationship with a half-giant? It sounded like the arguments would fall of deaf ears. Or worse, reinforce the argument for enslavement.

"But it's all academic anyway," Kehinde continued, after the silence hung in the air just long enough to get awkward. "We'll never get enough of the factions to agree. And even if we do, some Chaos Factioner warlord will get the bright idea of making a name for himself by ambushing us and laying grievous losses on our combined force. The orcs are not above bribery on evil men to recruit them to their aid."

There it was. Chaos Factioner, the two magic words that Nuru had decided indicated a mind closed to any Low Factions as having any social standing or worth. Nuru immediately gave up on any kind of debate. He was surprised to hear them from a White Lily. Weren't they supposed to be the ones making peace with everyone, including the Low Factions?

"Mmm," he said, going for a noncommittal tone.

They were halfway into a 'discussion' of rooting out spies by sending the accused to be judged by Rules Lawyers who could perfectly detect lies and forcing them to tell their life's story, when Kehinde spurred his horse forward suddenly.

"Get down!" he cried, leaping off and bowling Nuru from his own horse.

Had Nuru merely fallen off, he could have used his tumbling skills to soften the blow, but as it was the man bore him to the ground hard enough to see stars. However, he did hear and see the arrow that flew right through the space he'd just been inhabiting before the tackle.

"Shit, are we under attack?" Nuru groaned.

"Sssh... stay down," the man said, popping his head up as the warriors around them yelled and thundered in all different directions.

"And don't you have, like a shield spell or something?"

"Certainly, but I haven't the mana to push it the whole way to our destination. I wasn't confident of getting the invocation off before you got hit."

"Gods above, you're the only one who has-?" Nuru started.

"Sssh! They're still out there," Kehinde hissed.

Nuru considered calling Tusa, but figured in the confusion he might be mistaken for an enemy and dealt serious injury, to no benefit, and he decided to reserve that for if things really got dire - he'd just given him a few days off, after all. One of the paladins off to one side took a hit and went down, hard.

"Let me see to him. Stay here, I'll be back," Kehinde whispered.

"Shouldn't we be, like, running or something?" Nuru groaned.

"Get out there! Flush them out!" Kehinde ordered some of the other men. "We need to make sure we're not running into a bigger trap. That's what they want, for us to panic and go off without thinking our move through. I have scouts checking ahead, we'll be moving shortly."

Nuru took a deep breath, telling himself that the man knew his business - the White Lily was famous for their Oath of Hospitality, and would lose a lot of prestige if it failed to uphold this, even to an unaligned adventurer such as himself. Any other faction could overlook this, by virtue of him being under sanction from the Rules Lawyers, but White Lily were famously in service to all faction-eligible people, 'no matter your affiliation', even if the form that service took was contingent on whether you were High- or Low-Faction. If he were merely forming a party, all they had to do was give a 'best effort' kind of assistance; if he died, they would publicly wring their hands, but then life would go on. But an official invitation had been extended, and that gave him special privileges. Serious injury or death would be an affront to Adisa himself, and while the White Lily was mostly pacifistic, there would be serious inter-factional consequences. That being the case, maybe he needed to give Kehinde a little pushback for his excessive chattiness, as the man most directly responsible for his well-being.