Uphill Battle

[Brian]

"Did a bad thing," Eight says slowly, visibly struggling to remember.  "Broke church.  Got caught.  Then...."  He frowns.  "Don't remember," he says, apologetically.  "Men say, 'Use white door' and 'Use black door', and push Eight.  Remember someone before Eight -- steps through door, falls down and doesn't move after."  He shivers.  "Bad thing."

Seven looks thoughtful.  "Simmons," he repeats slowly, as though testing the name out.  "I ... am ... Simmons?"

[Dracos]

"Pretty sure that's your name, Simmons," Dracos reiterated, vaguely hoping it would be of help.

Dracos

[Carthrat]

Unsettled by the lack of much idea of who he was, Tom just shakes his head to himself, and sits himself down somewhere, packing the papers back into his bag.

"Say, Eight. Is there anything you want?"

[Brian]

"Simmons," the newly rechristened thrall says, nodding.  "Okay.  I am Simmons."  He pauses, brow furrowing.  "Will I remember?"

"Want to know why," Eight says to Tom with a shrug.  Many of the others nod  in agreement.  "Don't understand why.  Can't remember."

[Dracos]

"Well, we'll help, Simmons," He said, turning to see what the minor ruckus was with Rat.

Dracos

[Carthrat]

"We were.. used, by people who thought us conveniant tools to gain power," replies Tom, head bowed. "I don't know what each of our pasts were-"

Yeah, real smooth THERE...

"-but it's clear that.. someone merely thought to profit at our expense. That's it."

[Dracos]

"Seems both the church and probably the aristocracy is pretty good at that,"  Dracos chimed in.   "But it's probably not the time to get angry at them for it.  At least, with any good representative outside of squishing distance."

Dracos

[Carthrat]

"Ugh. Well, I'm through thinking about these difficult things tonight," proclaims Tom. "I'm turning in; Phil, we'll take last watch and get things ready to leave."

With that said, he finds a relatively flat piece of ground, and starts to doze off.

[Dracos]

"Fair enough," Dracos does the same, taking his sleep when he can get.

Dracos

[Brian]

It's cold outside, but not uncomfortable.  The cloaks that Tom and the others grabbed weren't really ideal for all weather, or overnight ... but resistant skin ensures that the only one who shivers is Phil.

Morning comes around with an unsettling unidirectional dawn, and then it's light again.

[Dracos]

Dracos keeps his grumblings silent at the obviously unbothered  individuals as they get moving in the morning, the group making its way carefully through the woods, heading towards Anabara with the intent of avoiding major population centers and roads for now.

Dracos

[Carthrat]

Likewise, Tom sets about leading the mob.

"We'll need to take every second or third day or so to find water, if we haven't come across a lake already," he states. "What I wouldn't give for Bjorn's telepathy-thingy right now..."

[Dracos]

"Well, technically, I could probably do that if we needed it...  though I'm not sure there's a problem with talking at the moment.  Need something private?"  Dracos wondered, not really catching the need.

Dracos

[Carthrat]

"It's useful for talking long-distance," replies Tom, chuckling. "We'd be able to split up without getting lost or seperated for good."

[Dracos]

"Ah, that, right.  Couldn't imitate that.  And I suspect that  wouldn't be too big an issue.  No matter how big this world is, with the culture level where  it is and our general goal to make major differences in the world, it's pretty easy to catch up," Dracos commented back.  "That said, company that knows what you're talking about is much better anyhow."

Dracos