Nikini Quintus (new Character):

Niki lounged on a set of through pillows. He was in his room with the door locked. He had his one family heirloom. It was the one thing he could grab. If the Tri-king had known about it, he would be dead just like his grandfather. It was a book to some against god called Selune. He was never sure how it was possible for this to be true. Why would the Tri-king and the priests of the Five be so afraid of it, if it was not true? He read this book almost every day. He could barely understand the meanings behind the prayers and blessings. His grandfather believed in this and many other gods. He read it to be closer to him more than anything else.

Niki remembered staring at his soon to be dead grandfather. He wanted to run out and save him, but he could not. His grandfather, Artellius Quintus was tied to a pole. They placed a wetted wool robe on him. It was going to be a long burning death. The Tri-king wanted the screams to warn others. All of Artellius’ books had been piled all around him. He would be burned by his own books. The smell of oil was everywhere. They had Artellius tied to that pole all day, making him watch as his funeral pyre was constructed around him.

They made him wait all day. The fires at night were more spectacular. Niki had grabbed a few possessions and one book. The very book he was reading today. His mother stood next to him. She had convinced him that it would be safer for him to travel to Raam. She had a cousin there and hoped she would house him for a short time. As the family they had to take a place on the stage. His mother, Father and several other family members had to start the fire that would kill their patriarch. They had all seen this in the past and knew anyone that refused would be killed. Artellius knew this and never cursed any of them.

Two men walked up to the podium on the small stage. The Grand Inquisitor stepped further out and began to speak to the crowd. Niki tried to look down but kept looking at the second man. He knew this templar. They all knew this templar. Lord Vashir Tenewrath, stood feet from Niki. Could he charge across and kill that monster before he gained control. Niki had heard he could read thoughts, so he filled his mind with hate for him. He thought about his desires to kill him, but his fear of action. He knew he would die. Vashir smiled from one end of his mouth and thought to Niki, “go for it. If you dare.”

The Inquisitor Spoke: “You Artellius Quintus have been found guilty of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. You are now FUCKed. You will be burned until your death. May the screams of your crimes convince others to avoid suck dangerous activities. As your library was so immense, we are going to burn your family’s homes to the ground and exile them.”

This was unusual. In four or five places around the city fires burst into the sky. Niki knew his home was burning. Artellius’ face had its first reaction. With this news he seemed sad. He was not afraid of his fate but forcing his entire house into exile and likely slavery was more than he had wanted. A tear rolled down his face. The Inquisitor raised his hand and Niki’s family set the books a flame. Artelius’ eyes found Niki and he mouthed, “it is all true.”

Niki made his way off the stage. He wanted to place as much distance between Balic and Raam.

Do to the moist woll vestments they placed on Artellius, he suffered for 20 to 30 minutes before his last breath. He never cried out. He suffered in his own silence until his death. The smell of oil and burning flesh filled the city.

As Niki read the book, knew understandings flowed into his mind. A connection of power came into him. The book had been in tatters as he had read it a thousand times. Many had read it before him. The book barely held its pages. Niki reached out to pray to Selune. He felt connected for the first time. He quietly prayed, “please great Selune, fix your book.” The book mended itself and became the book it was several thousand years ago. It held the pages like it did on it first day again. It still looked worn, but it was whole again.

Niki picked up the book. He stashed it in his backpack and stepped up to the window. The sun had been up for several hours. It was starting to heat up his room. Her Ladyship Meshah Gardiward had given him a small room, but it was shaded most of the morning. It was a very cool room most of the day. She had been amazingly kind to Niki. Giving him a room. The only cost was the stories he would tell her. She wanted every detail of the Tri-King and his agents like Vashir. He went into great detail about Vashir. It hurt as he told the stories.

Niki had been free to move about the house, most of the time. He could come and go as he pleased. Again, most of the time. Right before he met Pakku, her Ladyship had asked him to stay in his room. He was brought food and drink as he needed, but it was a cell for a short time. The window and small patio were on the third floor making it nearly impossible to leave. He had been treated so well up to that point he ignored the disgrace. All he heard from the slave was that her Ladyship had two guests. Once they left, he was free again. She never explained and he knew it was not wise to ask. He noticed that her favorite guard Sora and court Psion David were both gone. None of the slaves really understood.

He looked up to the Sun. It rolled back to the dawn. Niki wondered if he should be afraid. He was not. This seemed to be the sign Pakku had talked about. Pakku was a young flying guard that he met in the marketplace. Pakku was a great drinking friend. They both placed Five-Dice. They often played as partners with others in whatever tavern they were in. Pakku was not in town a lot. When he was the two of them hung out.

Pakku had after some time convinced Niki that change was coming. He told Niki about the heroes of the desert that were going to bring life back to the them. Niki had heard stories like this his whole life. His grandfather had talked the same way. His grandfather’s stories always seemed like change in the far-off future, that would bring the gods back. Pakku’s stories were more concrete, more present. He never named these heroes, but he talked like he knew them. Niki closed his eyes and felt Selune with him. Pakku was correct, the change was now.

Niki grabbed his stuff. Ever since fleeing Balic he always had a bag ready to go. Even when he traveled into the marketplace he took his bag. Someday he might come to the Gardiward house and it would be burning. He headed down the stairs and out the main entrance. The Gardiward guards were locking the door. They knew him well. One of the guards warned him as he left. He looked up to the sun that had moved back to a second dawn, “Once out of the house, I am not sure we can let you back in.” Niki smiled to the guard, “No worries my friend. I will make do.” Niki knew he would be able to get in. His patio was nearly impossible to get in, but he had spent the last month making it easier. He had made little secret hand holds. Only he knew the path. With those thoughts Niki was given a new set of thoughts. He knew this to be Selune, “you will not be back today.”

Niki ran out into the street. He heard an explosion off in the distance. That was the first of many that would happen that day. He looked up to smell the air. It was filled with smoke. He could not see it, but he could smell smoke in the air. This was just like the day his grandfather died. As he ran, he started to cough from time to time. Breathing in the smoke while running was becoming hard. He knew many were going to be killed and harmed this day.

Chaos was in the streets. People were moving in every direction. Guards were out in force trying to maintain the peace. They were not doing a good job. They were likely making it worse. Niki wanted to make it to what they called the clubhouse. He turned a corner and saw a woman holding her child. The child, a little girl had been knocked down and trampled a little. She was unconscious. She did not look good. Niki could see even in her mother’s arms her breath was becoming slow and rare. He walked over to her. He had remembered a prayer of health and laid his hands upon the little girl. Life poured into her. She opened her eyes. The mother looked at Niki with shock. He smiled towards them with his kindest smile, “Tell no one.”

Niki turned a corner away from the market. He entered a well shaded alley. He moved from the chaos of the market into an almost complete quiet of the alley. He checked behind himself to see if anyone had followed him. No one was there. He moved into the old sewer. It had not worked as a sewer in generations, but it was a great place to find small safe places to hide and train. Pakku had one and shared it with Niki. In the clubhouse they would often train. He loved sparring with him. They practiced other skills down here as well. Pakku would just tell him that he needed to be ready. Ready for what was never clear, until today.

He slipped into the clubhouse. He had hoped Pakku was there, but he was not. He knew to wait here for him and the others to arrive. He thought they might be leaving the city soon. He started to gather supplies. They had been gathering travel gear and supplies for months. He made sure his waterskin was filled and placed some rations in his pack.

The Nexus is a Magical Realm where all of the Familiar personal micro realms connect into a world for them and their kin

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