Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Phietadix]

I find myself looking in disgust at all that has happened. My own inability to fight, Baldhart’s starting the battle with murder, and her stubbornness now about the queen's life.

I look back over how little I've fought on this journey. I prefer to fight only when necessary, but the necessity has arisen and I was prevented from doing my part to win the battle each time. I have no love of bloodshed but I feel as if I am doing little to help our party or our quest.

But back to the issue at hand; I move to assist Ankari with bandaging the queen. I quietly whisper to him.
"Despite what Baldhart claims, I hope you have it in you to spare her."

 

[Ravana]

((Since an attempt has been requested of her.…))

Hiljikki examines the fallen troglodyte leader carefully. Given that the creature has two gaping torso wounds, in addition to various other abuses inflicted, she's quite certain that only extensive magical healing would have any chance to prevent death at this point. She's not entirely sure even that would help.

So, as she works to bring the troglodyte to consciousness, she hopes the troglodyte doesn't realize the severity of her wounds. Otherwise, the chances of obtaining anything useful from her will be slim indeed. Even more so than they would have been under any circumstances.

Also, as she works, she removes the leatherworking awl from her tool pouch and places it next to the troglodyte's head.



((Finally remembered to add my level for once. Now, if there aren't major situational penalties to the roll.…))

As the troglodyte begins to stir, the awl is picked up and its point placed next to one of the troglodyte's ear holes. Hiljikki doesn't say anything about this—to her patient or anyone else. She just isn't awfully keen on taking unnecessary chances with hostile spellcasters.

"She will either come to awareness, or she will not. I have done all I can do."

She sits impassively next to the troglodyte's head, awl hand steady, and waits. Which is something she's very good at.

 

[Ireth]

I stand dumbfounded as Baldhart reams Ankari out for his efforts to help the lizard queen. I can see her point, but does she have to lose her temper? Arguing like this can only drive us further apart, can't it? But what is said cannot be unsaid. Now that the truth is in the air, perhaps understanding can be reached.

I make no move toward the queen, whether to help her or kill her. It runs counter to my Code to harm a helpless enemy, and she is as helpless as one can be. Perhaps even beyond help. Hiljikki, though, seems to think there may be hope for her. I watch her for a moment, then look back at Baldhart. Does she really wish to go off on her own when there might still be danger in these halls? Perhaps others will follow her... but dividing our party down the middle is not a wise idea, either.

 

[Sparkie]

I see Cadell looking back at Baldhart as she walks off. I say to him "If you're feeling too ill to stay here you can go back to the temple. I'll stand guard."

I'll be interested to see what he does. Cadell's been a leader by way of example. His actions are often influential.

Baldhart's tirade is understandable, but badly timed. Instead of arguing, we should allow the conflict to unite us. Still, Baldhart is as unbound a soul as I've ever seen. She'll blow off steam freely. I just hope I'm not on the receiving end when she goes off again. If she doesn't watch it, she'll become a bully.

Seeing Hiljikki's... unique attempts to revive the reptile leader leads me to call over to her. "Do you need help?"

 

[Ireth]

I look at Rydh when he speaks, and nod slowly in response. Natural light, open space and fresh air are all things I would very much appreciate. I also don't think I should let Baldhart go alone. "Thank you, I think I will."

I turn to go back the way we came, following Baldhart back toward the temple at as fast of a limp as I can manage. Ow. Ow. Ow.

 

[Ravana]

Seeing Hiljikki's... unique attempts to revive the reptile leader leads me to call over to her. "Do you need help?"

"Thank you, no. All that can be done for her through mundane means, I have done. Unless you possess greater powers of healing than I have been led to believe, there is nothing else to do."

She pauses, checks the troglodyte for signs of change.

"And if you do, there are others who would better benefit from your abilities, I think. Though I think it even more important that you seek rest yourself, and restore whatever abilities you do have."

With regard to who's staying and who isn't, she says:

"Ankari, Aliron and I should suffice to remain here. All of us are accustomed to waiting in silence; it is unlikely any enemy would be able to come upon us unawares. Nor would any approach be likely to go unnoticed by Taevataat and Täplä. If threatened, we will simply retreat to the temple. A larger group might be tempted to make a stand.

"I doubt we will be long in following you, one way or another."

As Rydh turns to go, she adds, almost as an afterthought: "If Taevataat comes to you alone, you will know I have miscalculated."

Then, as another: "In any event, you may be certain any attempt to rescue our prisoner will fail, whatever else befalls." The hand with the awl has yet to show the slightest indication of motion, let alone fatigue.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I'm sorry," I say softly before I walk away. "I will leave you with a question.

"You are an adult with a child in your care. A stranger comes to you and demands you hand over the child and walk away. Is meeting the stranger's demand an option?"

I gesture to Nod to follow me, then tilt my head toward my leather pouch. I walk, then slow down for Cadell as he limps behind me. Mauve is in my arms, Burnbright at my side. I trust Rydh will follow. From Hiljikki's words, I trust others will not.

Divided.

My fault.

Your party was divided whether you said so or not.

 

[Philip Overby]

I look at Baldhart's leather pouch. "I follow you my blood-soaked muse."

 

[Nihal]

I could wish for few things more than I'm longing for the sleep. I welcome it and the numbness it brings.

But then, this nagging feeling won't allow me to rest. It's wrong. Something is happening, but I'm sinking in this state again. I shouldn't. I can't.

I push my body into action. My head dangles in a funny way to the side, allowing me to see what is happening behind Baldhart. Ridiculous, but it's something. For an undetermined time I look at them with vacant eyes, trying to push the crushing void away, looking for anything I may cling to. I'm aware that I must look a wretched thing, yet I can't even care anymore. Any pride I had was crushed sometime ago, leaving only this darkness.

I can see the maimed knight.

A reminder. I still have my limbs intact, but I keep acting as if I hadn't. It stirs more guilty, self-loathe. Anger. I feel a little more alive. The rocking motion makes my neck stiff. Baldhart is still carrying me, that's true.

I look back at her, finding something I was missing. True.

"I'm the one who storms off." It's a little warm feeling. I own it to her. "Half naked." My lips curl with the hint of a smile.

I'm still crushed. But it's something. Better than being depressed.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nod's compliment gives me a much-needed laugh. "I'm a muse, you say? You don't happen to have a song about a lady who doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut, do you? One moment..."

"Mauve," I say to the wizard, softly so I don't disturb her more than I already have, "Hiljikki gave me some... berries. One is for you, and if they do what I think they do, you can have mine as well. Tell me when you are able to walk. I can carry you far, but... there's still a rope to go up. I can pull you from the top, if you want to..."

...be anywhere near me.


((If Mauve walks on her own, Baldhart hands the pouch to Nod. Otherwise, she is wearing it as she speaks. Only those following her hear this.))


"We'll have to sit by the fire so you can read it, but I found a book. The lizard queen scribbled all over it. A man of your talent can read music, so I thought maybe you can figure out what this says."


((Bard skill: DECIPHER - Nod needs a successful INT check!))

 

[SeverinR]

Quietly I check to see if the door is locked. Might as well check.
with the loud battle, I believe any enemies would have come to help, so what is on the other side of the door should be safe.
[Sword in hand, I try to open the door quietly, once open I will wait a few moments to listen for sounds of approach or attack, if nothing I will look in.]
If no occupants behind the door, I will share with the others what I see.

dreaming of a room full of gold coins, gems, and shiny goblet with a scroll in it telling us the answer to our quest.
Reality sets in and I look into the room.

Roll for moving and opening door quietly:

wow, 3 crits in the same scene. (arrow/backstab/move quiet)

 

[Nihal]

I nod at her.

"They'll get me walking. Sorry."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"You've done nothing to be sorry about."

I give her the berries.

"You said you were a prisoner, but I never saw you that way. I saw you as the smart one. I want the harmony and unity you spoke of. I want to protect Burnbright, you, everyone, even the Knight of the Sideways Table--he is innocent and I would risk my life for him. I did, and you risked your life for me when I was defeated by magic!

"But if you wish to leave, I'll help you up that rope, provide fire and bread, and I already said the staff is yours. The only other thing I can do for you is give you a name: Wolfgang Eisenberg. He is my uncle. If you go south, you go to the Iron Mountain. Mention my uncle's name and a guide will take you to him at the peak. Introduce yourself as a friend of Baldhart Eisenberg; you won't get any trouble."

One less to protect. More guilt. My burden is heavier now that the wizard can walk.

 

[Nihal]

The berries renew my strength.
I walk with them, arms crossed, pulling my old cloak close to my body. It's mere existence brings some comfort.

"Did I? I mutter things I shouldn't when drowsy." I raise my eyes. I'm going to just speaking my mind again.

"I'm a bit angry with you too, but not for this reason. Don't get me wrong."

Must be the exhaustion effect or something like that, but it feels so right.

"Everything is happening too fast, faster than I can cope with. I can't make sense of half of the things I am seeing and the other half I just don't know. Knowledge is power, without it I am lost." I yawn. "I'm not leaving for the South yet. I can't ignore what I've learnt about Aslaug. It's related. But I can't see how this group will survive to see another day."

"That's why I shall leave, most of my conclusions proved right, yet I ignored them, trying to stick around. I can't anymore. It is... a little hard to deny how dangerously close I am to my limit."

"And it doesn't matter, nothing will change."

((Now... did anyone pick her things, including spear? =P))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Angry at me?" I reply. "Is there a club for that?

"Well, no matter. I'm only angry at those who I would use my sword on. If I came off as being angry at Ankari and any other person, that's not the case. I'm frustrated by the situation. As for Aslaug--" I turn to Burnbright. "--you have the right to know, Burnbright.

"I meant what I said about there being no secrets between us. Before the battle that you witnessed--that you took part in--it was revealed to me that Aslaug was overtaken by the Taint. Just like the monsters we fought, I believe, the Taint changed her into someone else. Something else.

"She is the one who sends those monsters--those puppets--after us. And Burnbright, know that I love you and know that I wish not to be the one to tell you this... but I cannot hide it from you either, now that I call you 'Sister.'

"Aslaug is your mother. Or more accurately, a demon has manifested itself in your mother's body. I don't believe your mother is responsible for her actions. She is a slave to the Taint now. Her interest in you is not the interest of a mother. It is the interest of a demon who knows that whatever power flows in your mother's blood has passed on to you.

"You are a replacement for the demons when they are through with your mother's body.

"It's a lot for you to take in... let us sit by the fire. Rest can wait."

 

[SeverinR]

{So the people left at the battle site, is Hiljikki, Ankari and Aliron?}
Should have mentioned it, if I hear animal/pet sounds after opening the door, I will try to close it quickly.
The one thing that still could fight, that wouldn't have come out to help prior.
[don't know what a stinky lizardman would keep as a pet, but always cautious. skunk maybe?]

 

[Ireth]

I limp along in silence, trying to ignore the pain in my leg and ravel the tangled threads of my thoughts. Much has happened in a very short time, and I cannot allow myself to be overwhelmed by it. I have a job to do. We have a job to do. But where will we go from here? To the Drimmen-delve, or somewhere else entirely? Will our forces be divided yet again?

I sigh and shake my head. We will have to decide that as a group, though it seems coming to a consensus will be more trouble than it's worth. I look ahead, anxious to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Phietadix]

I pick up my Javelins, and any other equipment I can find befor heading back to the temple.

Baldhart's words turn to Burnbright and Aslaug. Baldhart explains the situation well. Unfortunately, our party has a way of drawing things out far longer than we have time for.

"Do not let rest wait long. Burnbright will have a hard day tomorrow. I plan to begin teaching her in the crossbow as soon as possible. I don't want to risk the two of us sitting out another battle."

 

[Ireth]

((I think we're still in the tunnel, Phietadix; they have yet to get out to the surface and eat, etc.))

 

[Nihal]

((Since we've split, it seems useful to me to inform where we are now, so later people will quickly recognize it.
@Phietadix - Yay, my stuff!))


On the way to temple
(probably almost there)

I can barely believe she's telling the truth to girl. This information isn't relevant only to Burnbright. I fall silent, trying to fit the pieces together.

Corruption. Anywhere I look it stares back. Is Aslaug really being controlled by something?

I try to tuck a handful of hair behind my ear.

I don't think so.

It tears our bodies, our minds apart. She was grieving and now she's lost, but it's still her. I don't have the heart to say it aloud. There is no way back, neither for her, nor for me.

I look at my hands.

Not even a sign. Will I become the same thing?

...yes, I will, sooner or later it gets us all. It started and soon I won't be recognized as a human being anymore. "Demon". I have so many questions, but no one to answer. Oh, grandfather, you damn old fool, why did you leave me?