[center][h1]-Collab Between Pezz570, Jerkchicken-

[color=aec957]Jen Gibre[/color]
[color=a187be]Sightless Syella[/color][/h1][/center]

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[color=aec957]”Hey, what’s wrong? Old man?! ”[/color] Jen would say as he turned around. Behind him lay Malkev, bleeding and unconscious. A familiar, but unpleasant voice would greet Jen. It was that Sightless, again it was Syella. Just him alone against a Sightless, but he wondered how much help Malkev would have been. Seems like he would be at a disadvantage regardless.

[color=aec957] “And I take it, what you have to talk about is something secretive, is it?”[/color] He’d glance at Malkev. [color=aec957]”Alright, so what did you come here to discuss?” [/color] Jen doubted there was anything worthwhile from her. Only some gloating for separating himself from the others and a fight for his life. 

Sightless Syella gave a smile that almost seemed sad. [color=a187be]”You and your fellow pact makers have won this battle.“[/color] Syella said. [color=a187be]”My fellow sightless have yet to realize this, but I see the truth. Even now, I see your comrades winning back the wall and opening it to the civilians.“[/color] 
As if on cue, one of the doors of the gate house slammed open allowing the angry mob to rush into the fortification. Sightless Syella took a seat on a nearby barrel, her sightless gaze turned up towards the sky as she listened to the cheers of the people.


[color=a187be]”This mission was doomed from the start. Sightless Vetius told me as much before I set out. Whether doomed due to the Being’s intervention or by the military of Touch, we did not know. Though what we did know was that this town was far too close to enemy lines for us to maintain.“[/color]

Syella turned her gaze to the southern wall. [color=a187be]”Sightless Nieffar still thinks he can hold this town. The man is a fool. Always was. Always hungry for power. Never able to quench his appetite. Today, I think those desires will devour him.“[/color]

The Sightless sighed and shook her head. [color=a187be]”You know,“[/color] She continued, [color=a187be]”He ranks me only due to seniority. In wisdom, though, I outclass him.“[/color]

[color=aec957] “And what is this leading to? Surely you didn’t come here just to tell me news over your cult’s internal struggle and the failing attempt to control this town to a vagrant? Although if you really did come to talk I can see why you chose me over the group.” [/color]

Jen, while absolutely holding no trust to Syella, was also willing to hold off attacking her on sight. It was a tense moment as he wanted to figure out what she was doing, besides perhaps trying to distract him and take him out. She had already isolated him by knocking out Malkev. Striking now was opportune for her.

In the distance he could hear a crowd. They seemed excited and it made him feel a bit optimistic about the outcome. For it meant one of those gates was breached which should mean it’ll lead to the army storming in. Of course, it also meant he had to hurry up and get to that heart.

Sightless Syella nodded. [color=a187be]”Your friends… they kill my clan with little care or regard for their lives. You however, have not thus far. You’ve had accidents, yes, but for the most part you see us for what we are. People... I… respect that...“[/color] 

Syella nodded to Jen respectfully. [color=a187be]”Regardless, as I said before, I came here to talk.“[/color] 

Sightless Syella met Jen’s eyes with her own sightless gaze. [color=a187be]”Tell me. I’m curious. What did the Being tell you about us?“[/color] 

[color=aec957]”Only some very basic information, along with the information on how to remove all the people held thrall in this village. ”[/color] His gaze would not avert itself from hers. It was an unpleasant action to do. There was like an odd radiance to her stare. They weren’t like some black hole sucking up the color, but rather like the distorted sun.

[color=aec957]”But if it interests you, I didn’t need any convincing to fight your cult. Gotta say it’s awfully convenient getting roped into this. This village was just a place I was passing through. It was only after the attack and making contact with the being that I became aware of your presence.”[/color]

So the Being told them how to kill the seed… Syella refocus the Insight on the items held by Jen. He had a pouch at his side… Inside… Salt...

Sightless Syella frowned. She inched away from Jen ever so slightly. [color=a187be]”I take it that we’ve hurt you then… or is it because of what we’ve done to this town?“[/color] 

Syella looked up upon the battle ridden city. Her frown deepened. The Clan wasn’t the most peaceful of people, but there were reasons for what they did.

Jen was wondering what Syella was up to. Was she planning to attack or was she simply stalling him? He already knew he spoke too much and was aware she knew about his knowledge on destroying the seed.  Of course, if she was being truthful about this battle being a loss for the cult, would she simply step aside and cut her losses or would there be some token resistance?

[color=aec957]”Your cult is in my way.”[/color] He’d answer Syella’s question. It was coy, but truthful.

Sightless Syella chuckled dryly at the irony of his statement. [color=a187be]”Forgive me,“[/color]  She said. [color=a187be]”It’s just that we view you and the rest of the Pact Makers in quite the opposite way… Or at least we are supposed to view you that way...“[/color] 

Sightless Syella looked towards the wall. She expected one of the gates to open shortly. [color=a187be]”My people… we do what we do because we’ve been starved for many years. The Clan… the Insight… it lives and dies on new recruits. For many years we have lived in exile on the Broken Isles... surviving off of scraps our clans members recruited... People no other country wanted. We gave them a home, a family, and what’s more, a purpose.”[/color]

Sightless Syella closed her eyes and sighed. Before becoming Sightless, she had help so many. People society had forgotten. People who had been forced to beg for food and sleep on the streets. People... much like herself.

A loud cheer, caused Syella to open her eyes. A portcullis had been opened. It wouldn’t be much longer now.

[color=a187be]”When I initially joined The Clan… I joined because they offered me food. Food and a bed to sleep. I figured I’d take advantage of their hospitality until they finally kicked me out back onto the streets like so many others. That, as you might have guessed, never happened. I stayed with The Clan. Grew with The Clan. Became one with The Clan.“[/color] 

Sightless Syella paused. Why was she tell this man all of this? Sightless Syella shook her head. [color=a187be]”I’ve… become colder as a Sightless...“[/color] Sightless Syella said at last.

[color=a187be]”Colder… and far more heartless… Turning Sightless… it changes you… in more ways than one... I used to go out and find homes for those who never had one. Find kids starving on the streets. Gave them food and family to call their own… Now?“[/color]

Sightless Syella looked to the ruined town and grimaced. [color=a187be]”Now? I kill and burn towns to the ground.“[/color] 

It was odd. Jen never had reason or concern to wonder about the background of Syella. But now there was a kinship of sorts due to their shared background. Both were children of the streets. But their similarities would only run so far, as their paths diverged once they got older it seemed. Still he wondered, were she not changed by the insight, if perhaps a similar glimmer might be seen in her eyes.

[color=aec957]”And here I thought you were some bigshot from some internal faction.” [/color] He’d reply. Her reference to the Cult as “The Clan” was interesting to him as well. So it seemed this organization was originally a group that became this religious group? Or was it always this way but the true nature became revealed to her once she became an elder member? He had questions, but yet he held his tongue as he couldn’t trust her to ask.

[color=aec957]”Yeah,  it seems that insight isn’t particularly good for your health. One of our group mates seems to have had an encounter with it, and nothing good came out of it. He killed his wife over visions of her cheating on him. Now he suffers with that guilt. Now you can say that even without it, perhaps his jealousy would have driven him had he found it out himself. Sure, I’ll give you that.” [/color]

Sightless Syella’s ears perked up at this comment. One of the Pact Makers had already been touched by the Insight? But who? And also why? Surely the Being knew this before choosing this pact maker. So then why put himself at risk like that?

[color=aec957]”Still whatever his feelings in heart, there’s no doubt that its presence made it worse.  Shit, for all I know there was nothing at all. He was just going crazy, and went off thinking his worst fear was real. You said it yourself, you’ve lost your kindness and now you’ve nearly burnt this village on top of however many others you’ve already burned down. ” [/color] 
Jen would continue.

They finally had a proper target, Sightless Syella mused. One of the Insight and the Pact. That meant their work was already done. She would have to report this to Sightless Vetius. 

Nodding, she said, [color=a187be]”Such reactions are not uncommon after being touched by Insight. We lock new recruits up in their rooms during when first touched just for that reason. Once the initial madness happens we need not fear such outbursts again.”[/color] 

Syella sighed. [color=a187be]”You see, our magic… It comes from loss. To be Sightless you must discard that which gives you Sight… It is this magic… our magic… that is what the being seeks.”[/color] 

[color=aec957]”That sounds pretty rough.” [/color] Jen would reply. Now if only he could learn the reason as to why Chres was exposed to the insight. At the moment he couldn’t recall if he even remembered if Chres ever explained when he saw the visions from the insight. He didn’t seem like he was a rejected cultist so there was some reason for it.

However, he was more intrigued by the mention of The Being wanting the magic of the Sightless. Even if it was going to be of dubious credibility, it sounded interesting enough.

[color=aec957]”Is that so? And why does the being seek your magic?”[/color]  

Sightless Syella shrugged, making sure not to smile. They might already have a pact maker touched by the Insight, but if they could convince another, then perhaps their chances of success improved. [color=a187be]”It’s not the magic that he wants so much as the power behind the magic. The power… of the gods.”[/color]

Syella looked to Jen. [color=a187be]”Your being… as his title suggests, goes by many names. One that I think that you might be familiar with… That is… The Lord of Senses.”[/color]

She gave Jen a moment to take that in. [color=a187be]”He is the God worshipped by most people throughout this land… but… he is not alone.

”The power of Gods changes from hand to hand.”[/color] Syella continued. [color=a187be]”Who knows what he plans to do with it. Though whatever The Being plans, I’ll be damned before I see it go to his hands! We at least keep our own alive. The Trickster of Tricksters plays with people’s lives. Lives… like your own...”[/color]

While Jen was aware of The Lord of Senses these other gods were not as familiar to him. He wondered what Gods she was aligned to. Her words about The Lord/Being toying with lives might be a valid complaint. But, its efficacy was blunted by his own feelings of distrust to her and her cult. 

Perhaps with this Trickster aspect The Lord of Senses is less benevolent than the devout would believe. On the other hand, whatever they were offering was suspect. The pact and continuing cooperation with their mission was merely convenience. And Jen would prefer the cruelty of happenstance than a kindness that is conditional and using it for its own motives. 

[color=aec957]”So, are you going to retreat? Or will you put on some token resistance. The army is coming soon and I need to get moving.” [/color] Jen would say to Syella. He needed to get Malkev somewhere safe and get to killing the seed.

Sightless Syella frowned. Perhaps she misjudged this man. Did he not care to know more about the Being’s intentions, or did he not trust her enough for intel. The latter seemed likely, but she did think it odd that he didn’t pry at all. 

[color=a187be]”Our work is done here. We have touched many a people with Insight. They will all join us, be it sooner… or later… I, myself, did plan to leave but not before confronting you… You’ve caught my interest, you see.”[/color]

Syella, looked Jen down from head to toe. The action was meaningless. She couldn’t see after all. However, the motion was meant to give an effect.

[color=a187be]”You, Jen, are a man of passion. You seek to obstruct The Clan while engaging in actions meant to prevent death of the lower clansmen. While we perform acts of cruelty you are among a few who recognize that such actions does not mean we are all bad. I came here to you to press that point. While we may seem the enemy, we are not.”[/color]

Sightless Syella paused. [color=a187be]”And yet… I feel there is a deeper reason for why you find The Being’s intentions for using you to oppose us convenient. Is it… perhaps… because you are in search of something… or better yet… someone?.”[/color] A small teasing smile formed across Syella’s black lips.

[color=aec957] “Took you long enough to mention it. So what stupid game or deal are wishing for me to do for a crumb of information on her whereabouts?”[/color] He had been waiting to see what her deal was with this conversation besides stalling him from beelining to where he wanted to go. Jen was not expecting anything helpful out of her, but he would partially humor her.

So there was a connection. But in what form. Sightless Syella shook her head. Didn’t matter. She could use this. 

[color=a187be]”Game? No… Deal? Yes… that sounds better...”[/color] 

Syella looked to the gate. They likely didn’t have much longer. [color=a187be]”At the moment your friend is fine. She is untouched by the Insight. However, my colleagues don’t intend to keep her that way. She has been selected. Selected to become a new Seed of Insight.”[/color] 

[color=aec957]”And say if I decide to pry it out of your lips instead? And even if you don’t speak I’ll leave you as kindling, and move on beating it out of whoever has the loosest lips.”[/color] Despite the amount of venom flowing in that statement, he still remained cordial. Or as cordial as he could when someone important was held hostage by a group he had very little desire to cooperate with.

[color=a187be]”You could do that.”[/color] Sightless Syella said coolly. [color=a187be]”Though it wouldn’t do you much good. My lips and body have a tendency to… regenerate.”[/color] Syella smiled with amusement.

Slowly she rose from the barrel she sat upon. She already could tell that this conversation wasn’t going in the right direction. 

[color=a187be]”The real question is, can you get to her before they give her a taste of Insight? No… Quite unlikely. But I’m here willing to offer you a trade.”[/color]

Sightless Syella pointed a finger in Jen’s direction. [color=a187be]”You, in exchange for her. Think about it. We grant you the gift of Insight and we let your little friend go free. You, a man of good heart, could do so much to better our ways. To help change our Clan from the inside.”[/color]

[color=aec957]”If that’s your offer, I might take my chances and fight my way through.” [/color] Jen would reply.

[color=a187be]”You would risk the person you remember to the Insight?”[/color]

[color=aec957]”You’re right. But joining you is risking her to the Insight too. The only way your cult is changing is if I destroy it! Now are you gonna stand aside or object?”[/color] He’d say to Syella. He was already willing to fight her, but would be pleasantly surprised if somehow she was to step aside and let him go on about his business. 

Sightless Syella frowned. She would have liked to walk away from this conversation without a fight, but this man sought to destroy the Clan. 

[color=a187be]”I learned two things of value from this talk. One, a man of your group has already been touched by Insight. And two, keeping you alive is no longer a requirement. It’s a shame really, but protecting the Clan comes before your life.”[/color]

Sightless Syella’s fingers sharpened and stretched into tendrils. Her aim. Straight for Jen’s chest.
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