[Mkguild] Round Robin: The Next Section

[Indagare]

Sorry for the delay, real life stuff happened. As a reminder, as far as the
story goes it is still June.

-Indy
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[Author: Indy]

As Rorlyn glided the figure became clearer, though no less confusion. It
stood at least nine feet tall and looked almost like an ogre except for its
brilliantly red skin, wild white hair, and a pair of large, yellow horns on
its head. It wore what looked like an elegantly embroidered blue loin cloth
with pouches around the waist. There was another band of thick leather that
looked like tiger hide, and that held a huge spiked club to its back.

“Who or what are you?” Rorlyn circled around the strange figure, readying
magic in case he needed it.

The figure looked up. “I am Hikariarashi Kasaima. You might call me an
ogre, though I’m really an oni. We’re related but not the same. Why don’t
you come down and introduce yourself? I don’t like straining my neck.”

“Thanks, but I’m on patrol right now. You can call me Rorlyn, Mr. Long
Name.” It might not be a good idea to banter with an unknown person, but
Rorlyn couldn’t resist the urge.

“Rorlyn, eh? I’ll remember that. Not too many griffins where I’m from. It’s
been a long journey and through a lot of hostile territory. If you’re not
going to come down, I’ll be on my way to the Keep.”

“Where are you from and what do you want at the Keep?” Rorlyn followed the
strange being as he walked. If he was going to set an alarm he wanted all
the information he could get.

“It’s called different things, and you’ve almost certainly never heard of
it. One name, by some, is the Broken Empire. Another is the Thirteen
Kingdoms. What I’m looking for is information. Even as far away as I come
from the library of Metamor Keep is a thing of legend. I’m not looking for
trouble, but I can handle it if it comes.” He chuckled and tapped the
handle of his spiked, iron club. Even from where he was Rorlyn could sense
magic coming from the thing, though it was thankfully not a runic weapon.

“Right. Information. I’ll just let them know so…” Rorlyn flew as fast as he
could towards the keep, the strange red creature laughing behind him. When
he got to the gates he informed the guards of the creature and its stated
intent.

“Oy. As if we don’t got enough trouble with lutins!”

“Well, if he doesn’t cause trouble don’t give him any! But I’m going to
find Misha and alert the Longs and anyone else I can think of!”

Kasaima, when he arrived, was not surprised to see a rather large number of
soldiers around the gate. At their head was a being that looked like a
humanoid horse. He’d wonder if that was true or simply rumor.

“I am Duke Thomas of Metamor Keep. I have been informed of who you say you
are and why you state you are coming. We are fairly welcoming here, but we
don’t want trouble.”

Kasaima laughed. “If I wanted to give you trouble, that griffon wouldn’t
have made it back. I’d advise you all to stand back so I can give a
demonstration!” The guards, being no fools, stood back as Kasaima lifted
his iron club into the air. “Hi to raito, okiru!”

>From the spikes on his club sparks of fire and flashes of light rose into
the air in a vortex of power! Rorlyn, who was watching, could feel the
power and heat! “Owari!” As suddenly as it begun, the display ended.
Kasaima looked very pleased with himself. “As you can see, if I wanted to
be destructive, you’d already know.”

The display made people nervous, but they also couldn’t deny he would have
been able to kill had he wanted. “Very well, as long as you stay in peace,
you are welcome. You may do your research at the library, providing you can
find it.”

Kasaima frowned. “Do you intend to not give me directions to it?”

“Directions wouldn’t help.” said Thomas. “The library can move on its own.
If it does not wish to be found, no amount of walking will ever get you to
it.”

“Ah, I see. Still, I will try and I don’t think I’ll be denied.” Kasaima
marched into the Keep unopposed but with more eyes watching him than he
knew. The mages of the Keep were already working to figure out how to
contain him if it became necessary.

As he walked in, people stopped and stared, but no one challenged him or
stood in his way. He was grimly amused by that, given the reception he’d
gotten in other places. No one seemed eager to help him find his way
around, so he found himself in an alleyway in part of the Keep. As he
pondered where to go next, a small voice called out.

“Excuse me, would you happen to be in need of rugs?”

Looking to where the voice seemed to come from Kasaima saw a rat. “Did you
just ask me if I needed rugs?”

“Yes! I am in need of someone looking to buy rugs. Lots of rugs.”

“I could maybe use some of your rugs as towels.” Kasaima chuckled. What
else could he do?

“They’re not *my* rugs. They belong to a merchant visiting the Keep and if
he can’t find a buyer there’s going to be trouble. I’m trying to help.”

“Well, I’m not actually in need of rugs, but I may be able to help if you
can help me. I’m looking for the library.”

“Oh! That’s tricky! I can lead you to the right general area, but if Kyia
doesn’t want you to get there, uh, well, you won’t. Oh, I’m Trey by the
way. Mind if I hop on to help?”

“I am Hikariarashi Kasaima. My name to acquaintances is Kasaima-san. I come
from far in the East where the library is legend.” He held up a hand and
Trey jumped down on it and ran to his shoulder.

“Thank you Kasaima-san! Uh, isn’t it odd to use your last name? And what’s
the san part?”

“I’ll explain on the way, Trey-san. Maybe you can tell me more about this
place?”

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