As Seven moved through the increasingly rowdy crowd, she noticed there were increasing numbers of people were "idly" checking knives or rolling their shoulders - a preparation for strenuous physical activity, most likely. Approaching the janissaries who blocked the crowd, she, like Kheldaran before her, noticed that they, too, were hefting their bronze axes meaningfully, the implicit threat contributing to the rapidly plummeting mood of the assembled Akhetani.<br/><br/>Behind them, she saw the wali exchanging curt words with the Immaculate monk who had stayed by his side earlier, though she could not hear what they were over the sounds of the crowd, before turning to one of his retinue and speaking swiftly to her. She darted into the temple.<br/><br/>"Halt!" The harsh voice of one of the janissaries came as she approached. "You - wait. You are Seven Words of Wisdom, are you not?" The golden-skinned slave inclined his head in polite recognition, even as Seven heard the hushed whispers of the crowds behind her reached her ears. No doubt they were speculating on her reasons for approaching the wali.<br/><br/>The janissary lowered his voice, speaking quickly as he lifted one hand from his axe in a placating gesture. "Look, mistress, I understand that you're very wise an' all that, but the wali is about to call for the goddess. He<em>must</em>not be disturbed." The young man looked at her with a sort of gruff sincerity as he dropped his hand back to the axe.<br/><br/>Indeed, even as the janissary spoke, one of the wali's retinue brought out a great drum, nearly as broad around as her arms could reach, upon which a large slave began to beat. The drumbeats filled the Plaza, and the muttering ceased, as all waited with bated breath. The ceremony was truly about to begin.<br/><br/><div align="center">*************************</div>"Well, I shall have to look forwards to your demonstration, then." Brishah replied with a wry smile, shaking her head in amusement. "All tales have some truth to them, though, do they not? It's all a matter of<em>where</em>."<br/><br/>At Krum's compliment Brishah laughed once more, long and hard. Though it no longer drew quite the same stares that it had before, that was due more to the area around the pair having cleared out than any particular acceptance amongst the Akhetani. Shaking her head, she finally managed to get some words out. "You flatter me, Crooked Crane, you truly do. But appearances can be deceiving - a blade might look ready for battle, only to snap at its first use."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">At 2016-01-03 11:11:39, Winter King (uid: 47759) rolls: 8d10 tn1: 7 tn2: 10 Result: 1 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=83955)<br/>Rolled Perception+Awareness, spending 4m peripheral as you requested. Unfortunately, it's not quite enough. No worries, though. Brishah heard it.</div></div><br/>Abruptly, she quieted, straightening and looking to the south. "Drumbeats. The wali's begun the ceremony, then." Her smile grew peculiar, becoming an expression fit more for a great cat that had spotted prey than a woman. "Trouble's afoot, no doubt. You can feel it in the air. Look." She gestured towards the west, where a number of people were moving northwards from the Plaza. "They see where it is going."