Of course Gwin's elaborate story had not included everything that had happened. He left out things like himself being controlled, Lena's flaw, and gaining toothpaste out of his story. He did reveal that Lena possessed an echo to them but in his defense what kind of great clan legacy wouldn't have an echo or two? He wasn't too worried about word getting out since Umo's cohort was a stingy bunch when it came to things like info. Gwin continued conversing with Umo's group long after the sun had risen over the forgotten shore. Ada had apologized for nearly crippling him which was a strange experience for Gwin. He couldn't remember the last time someone actually apologized for wronging him. It had been him who wronged people for so long. After his first nightmare he had ceased his antics since he realized how pointless they were. Nightmare creatures did not care about reputations after all.
After a while Gwin could feel he had overstayed his welcome. Umo and his group began preparing to head out into the dark city with grim resolve. They equipped their memories and checked over a series of maps that Gwin wasn't privy to see. He decided to say his goodbyes before heading to the bright castle but before he left his new acquaintances gave him a few bits of advice.
"Stay quiet and don't get into trouble with the guards or hunters. Especially don't get on the bad side of a pathfinder. They have a habit of making people who piss them off disappear."
Cole told him while resting his halberd on his shoulder.
"Your friend is a member of the handmaidens now from what I've heard. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
Umo said with his calm topaz eyes trained on him.
"Also…you really need a bath. You reek…like really bad…like dried blood, body odor, and everything else awful I can think of."
Ada said while pinching her nose. Gwin raised his arm and sniffed himself.
'DAMN….I really do stink.'
He gave her a thumbs up and a wave to the rest of the group before leaving their hut and stepping into the dull light of the sun. He left their shack feeling a deep sense of satisfaction in his chest. A deep itch he had been filling for so long had finally been scratched. If he had to struggle to survive in that godawful city for one more day without speaking to another person he was going to lose it. Maybe he had already lost it a little bit…
The settlement of ramshackle shacks had some more life to it now that the sun had come up. He could see the frail and emaciated figures of hundreds of sleepers stumbling around. There was one or two prominent groups of sleepers equipped with memories who seemed to be preparing to head out into the city as well. Gwin watched them with a growing sense of curiosity and pity. He wondered what the life of the sleepers here was like. It was clear that there was a big gap in power between the sleepers of the outer settlement. Were these sleepers too afraid to go into the dark city? Were their aspects too weak? Did they not have memories? He could understand fully though why people who had all of that would still choose not to fight.
It's not like he could save them though. No matter how much he could try it was up to them to save themselves.
'I'm barely strong enough to protect myself.'
He had to keep a small ego. Pride had almost gotten him killed once already so if he got a big head he was practically done for. His goofy and dramatically animated retelling of his experiences had another reason other than simply wanting to brag. If he shared facts about his capabilities that most people would keep secret about themselves then people would assume they knew more about him than they really did. Or at least that was his thought process. He would have to wait to see if that worked in time.
Gwin began heading towards the main gate of the bright castle.
He passed by several stunning sleepers who had been reduced to skin and bones and flinched under his gaze. He walked up the marble steps to the gate with tense steps. As he approached the two guards stationed there jeered and snickered at him. Both had memory weapons summoned but strangely enough they were in leather sheathes. Gwin would have to figure out who made them another time to finally kickstart his hobby of leather making. That would be after he bashed these guys' heads in. He stopped just in front of them as the two guards examined him like a piece of fresh meat.
"Stop there, rat, show us some shards."
One sneered while resting one hand on his sword's hilt. Gwin eyed him carefully. They didn't seem like much but he couldn't be too careful. In fact his instincts were telling him these sleepers were actually quite weak.
'Strength in numbers? Is that their game?'
While Gwin was silent in thought the other guard suddenly spoke up.
"What's wrong? Too scared to talk? Gods you reek! When was the last time this settlement trash had a bath?"
Both of them cackled while eyeing Gwin up. Perhaps it was his lack of weapons that made them confident. They didn't even seem to be that much older than him and Gwin was taller than them by a good bit. Gwin struggled not to hit them right in the mouth but he would have to be more conscious of how he acted from now on. And so he remained calm and definitely didn't show how annoyed and pissed off by them he was on his face. Feeling his patience dwindle at a frightening speed he leaned down before bringing his clawed gauntlets to his face and clawing bloody lines down his face while staring deep into one of their souls. This act of casual self-mutilation appalled the young guards.
At the very least these guards must have been here for a year longer than he had been and yet they were still so weak. He had no reason to tip toe around them. While they were still reeling from his sudden act he tossed a single soul shard at them and walked past them into the main keep. Sometimes a shock to their system was the best way to shut up an annoying pest. He would have preferred physical violence but this worked too. He was starting to feel antsy from having nothing to quiet his mind anyways so these were welcome.
Red blood dripped down his chin to the marble ground.
One of the guards began drawing their sword but Gwin stopped him with a feral glare. Intimidation was an effective tactic when dealing with people and staying out of trouble. These guys couldn't run off to their buddies and complain about him without revealing how they tucked their tail between their legs. Maintaining appearances was social survival skills 101 and Gwin was a master.
Gwin stepped into the castle for the very first time and felt something die inside of him.
His revelry was utterly hollow.
[End Of Act One]