The tiny village in one of the nominally unclaimed regions of the 100k is anomalous only for one reason. There's a man of apparent fighting age present. He's being harangued by the militia, as even the most matriarchal of regions can't quite /ignore/ this huge an event.

Now, there are two men of fighting age present. Even though one of them doesn't live here.

Walker of Shadow approaches on the road, noticing the distinct lack of men. His eyebrows raise as he thinks about the possibilities that opens up. Grieving daughters, vulnerable and needing 'comforting'. He smiles (beneath his mask, of course), and heads towards the town. Perhaps he can get this man to leave as well, making him the most desirable person in the village by default.

        Notified by the strange and spreading event by the servants he has that move unnoticed through some of the human communities of the east, Ishu has come himself to investigate. His servants are not the most intuitive of creatures, though it would be hard to miss something of this magnitude. His appearance draws looks from the townsfolk as he enters the area, though not as many as you would expect considering his condition. If the rumors his children have been telling him are true, this town could be in considerable danger, and he hopes to keep it's citizens safe until they can provide for themselves.

"...Look, I don't care /what/ the Monk said about me, I just want to know where they went." Orduin is arguing unsuccessfully. "No! I don't have anything to do with it!"

Walker of Shadow arches a brow at the apparent non-sequoitor. He ambles towards the conflict. "Hey, what's the matter here? Is this guy giving you people trouble?"

        Ishu recognizes Orduin of the Tools instantly as he enters the center of the gathering. Grinning as he watches the Solar arguing with the citizenry. Waving at the man as he approaches, Ishu calls out, "Lo-there, are you still taking on the weight of everyone's problems whether you feel like it or not?"

Orduin gives up, as Walker probably gets suspicion and lots of comments about the Anathema they were just arguing with. "When am I not, Ishu?"

Walker of Shadow blinks at the information. "Ah. Sorry I asked." He turns to the newcommer. "Saffron? Where have you been, and what happened to you?"

        Ishu looks a second, not recognizing the face. Then a spark of recognition moves across his features, "Walker?" and smiles, "It's been a long time. I've been... estranged, recently, recouping."

"Friend of yours?" Orduin raised a brow as he looked to the other person.

Walker of Shadow bows to Ord. "Walker of Shadow, pleased to meet you. I was his student for a time. He taught me a couple of combat moves. You are?"

        Ishu nods, "Yes, I taught Walker here some of the Golden Janissary style I am so fond of. He is about as much as he appears to be as I am." Frowning, he adds, "Which reminds me, last time we met I had not completed my apotheosis, Walker, I have become much more... and less, than I was."

"Who /is/ as they appear these days?" Orduin asked rhetorically, offering his gloved right hand. "Orduin Of The Tools. Anathema, I'm sure you realized this by now."

Walker of Shadow takes the offered hand, shaking it. "I'm not one to judge. Creature of Darkness, reformed. What brings the two of you out here at the same time?"

        Glad that two people Ishu considers friends havent decided to kill each other, Ishu smiles, "If I know him, and my information is correct, he's out here trying to find what happened to all the men of fighting age here in the village. My goal is similar, though it concerns more those left behind by their men."

Orduin shakes his head. "Not /just/ mortal men. The terrestrial gods are on the march as well. Naturally, I'm investigating." Orduin eyes Ishu. "You're... not familiar with Eastern cities, are you?"

Walker of Shadow nods. "I'm just kinda wandering, but I am also here for those left behind. Well, sort of. I'll help you guys out, if you want."

        "Not particularly, I have a few sources, but nothing specific. I tend to stay away from the largest cities here anyway, too much of a risk to myself or my servants."

"I'll just say that the women around here can take care of themselves by and large." Orduin said simply. "We just need to make sure the men come back so there can be more of them all. Eventually."

Walker of Shadow nods at this. "That seems like an admirable sentiment. So, what have you found out so far, as to why they left?"

        "I have not discovered the reason, though I did not know about the Terrestrial courts arming for war, they have mostly left me alone, so far. Though I should not be supprised, I suppose, there are rumours of war from all corners of the east it seems."

"Some kind of... Seraphim. Cherub. Thingy. Glowing winged humanoid." Orduin shrugged. "It's been whipping up support and they leave with spears."

        "Sounds dangerous. What is to happen to all the people left behind when their brothers, sons and fathers leave for war? The sudden dissapearance of so many in a communaty can't be good for their self-suffeciancy." Ishu frowns, "Why would someone be doing this in the first place, who are they organizing against?

Walker of Shadow shrugs and stays out of the conversation. He doesn't know anything about this stuff, anyway.

"Unknown." Orduin said simply. "There will be economic implications, but I need more data before I can fix /that/. I really have no idea why such an army is being raised. I'm tempted to consult with someone I know well who might have information, but she's awfully busy."

        "And you aren't?" Ishu shakes his head. "Surely she can make time for something of this magnitude, you seem to be." Looking around him, he sighs, "I'm tempted to offer them safety at my Garden, though I doubt many would accept the offer. They don't seem quite as desparate as the tribesman there now."

"You'd be amazed how hard it is to get an audience with one of the most powerful gods of the Celestial City." Orduin said simply. "The time to get to Gate Nineteen, the hurdles in my way then.."

        "Oh," Ishu mutters, "That one, you just couldn't pick someone easier to obsess over, could you. Sometimes I doubt you'll ever be truely happy." To Walker he says "By the way, I have come into possession of a stonghold a little further in the east, should you need it, it's door will be open for you."

Walker of Shadow raises his eyebrows. "Oh, really? Sounds awesome. I'll drop by sometime. Hey, what ever happened with your father? Did you resolve that? Is that why you...changed?" He makes airquotes around the last word.

"I've found happiness and had it for a while, right up until this fresh set of disasters." Orduin sighed.

        "No," Ishu responds, "I believe I managed that on my own. A mortal form can only contain so much raw energy." His expression darkens, his fists clench, "As for my father, no. That is one thing I have not yet laid to rest. I saw his pussience, and I do not feel myself to yet be his match. That simple fact eats away at me constantly. When I finnaly face him I will throw him down and muzzle his graces. I will scatter his servants. I will suspend his body in the silver pyre of my fortress!" Ishu reaches a feaver pitch. "I will break his body and his mind, crush his heart with my bare hands! I will-" He starts, and his eyes refocus. He shivers, an odd sight from a creature like him, "I am sorry, my failure in that aspect has haunted me for a long time now."

Walker of Shadow nods once, slowly. "O...k..." He appraises Ishu for a moment. "Still want my help, or do you 'have to do it alone'?

"I will trust you aren't foolish enough for this 'All on my own' nonsense." Orduin said as a followup. "You're smarter than that."

        "Yes, I do believe I am smarter than that. I would prefer to end it myself, but by our nature I doubt it will be that easy. And in truth his fate is less important than that of my mother, she has deserved none of what she has been through." He sighs again, "but that is neither here nor there, and this problem with the Terrestrial courts going to war and bringing the men of the east with them, that is the more immediate problem."

Walker of Shadow nods. "You are right. Sorry for bringing it up. So, what is to be done about this?"

"I find what's going on." Orduin said simply, shrugging. "Or I try. I can contact you two, if I get anyway."

        "Everything I have is at your disposal, Orduin. I will continue to probe with my own sources, though I doubt they will turn up anything more than gossip. I have no real experience with investigation, but anything I can help with, I will."

Walker of Shadow spreads his hands, shrugging. "Same with me, pretty much. Although, I do wander a lot, and I look a lot less suspicious than either of you do. Also, I've got some friends who might know about this. I'll check up with them, see if I can dig anything up."

"Then best of luck to you both." Orduin bowed his head. "And I have to keep searching regardless. I bid you both good eve."

        "And good luck to you too, Orduin, in more ways than one. I shall see what I can do about the situation." Ishu waves to the both of you, "And stay safe, the people I consider friends are few and far between."

Walker of Shadow bows back. "It was nice meeting you, Orduin, and seeing you again, Saffron. I will also do my part, and I'm a lot harder to kill than I look, so I should be fine. You keep out of the way of Wyld Hunts, the both of you."