Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Steerpike]

Darin and Bren put their hammers away when Baldhart picks up Nod. Darin kneels at the spot where Nod was laying, while Bren scans the field in all directions. Then the two dwarves follow the group back into the courtyard, listening to the conversations about Nod.

As Rydh heals Nod, Darin approaches Cadell, with Bren just behind. Bren says "The other one was going to help us talk to the hold, Darin."

"And we will. This first."

Bren grits his teeth, the relatively pleasant nature he exhibited earlier now gone. "Don't do it."

Darin ignores Bren, walking right up to Cadell.

"You can't," Bren says.

Darin spins on him, jabbing with a finger. "That's enough! I can and I will."

"What about the other ones? The woman?"

Darin ignores Bren, turns back to Cadell, digging in his pouch.

"Darin! Your father will..."

"My father will not dishonor me, or our hold. Now say no more, Bren. You try my patience."

Bren goes silent, glowering.

Darin pulls a large medallion from his pouch, made from a shining metal too dark to be silver. A long leather cord passes through a hole near the top of the coin. Darin takes Cadell's good hand and opens his palm. The dwarf's hand is large and cold. He presses the medallion into Cadell's hand. Engraved upon it is a tall mountain with enormous doors set into its slopes. Above the mountain, a single star. Below the mountain, a hammer. Darin closes Cadell's hand around it and says: "This is star-metal, cast down from the heavens by the All-Father, provided for us to forge those things we hold most dear.

"You and your friends did a great service to us, and to our hold. Were it not for you, we would all lay dead. Dwarves do not fear death, but with our passing information vital to our hold would have passed as well. It is thanks to the actions of you and your friends that we live to tell what we must.

"Though many fought bravely, and others beside yourself were hurt, you paid the highest price." He glances at Cadell's stump. "You fought for us bravely, and honorably, and sacrificed much. Therefore, Cadell, I name thee dwarf-friend, and friend of the Drimmen-delve, and I bind this naming in the First Tongue."

Darin begins to speak in Dwarven, the words seeming too fluid and formless to everyone's ear to make out more than just a series of sounds. As he speaks, silver-blue runes flare to life on the medallion, then fade to invisibility once more. Cadell feels a prickling of his skin, as though after an electrical storm, but the feeling fades as quickly as it comes.

Bren, meanwhile, has gathered his things. He slings his pack onto his back and spits once into the snow. "Let's find the other woman, Darin. I will stay long enough to send the message back to the hold, and then I'm off. I'll have nothing further to do with you." He stalks toward the temple, looking for Hiljikki. Darin just shakes his head sadly and grips Cadell's hand again. "Should you visit the Drimmen-delve, I will ask our craftsman to construct for you a hand. Their skill is great."

 

[Ireth]

I look down as Darin approaches, listening uneasily to the brief argument between him and Bren. I gaze in wonder at the medallion Darin presses into my hand, the metal colder than the dwarf's own hands. Darin speaks solemnly of it, and I listen raptly, my eyes growing wide. Dwarf-friend? That is a higher honor than I ever expected to gain from them in many years, let alone a day.

Darin then speaks in his own tongue, and the runes graven on the medallion glow blue; I feel a tingling run down my skin, faint and brief, but utterly significant. Bren's words distract me for a moment, but Darin grips my hand and speaks again. I smile at him, scarcely able to put words to my gratitude, and bow low.

"I am most honored, Darin. May this gift be a sign of fortunes changed for the better." I loop the leather cord around my neck, letting the medallion shine against my tunic. "I hope that I have the chance to visit your halls someday."

 

[Philip Overby]

I stir after laying still for a long time. Just keep your mouth shut, Nod. That mouth of your always gets in you in trouble.

I call out for the one that healed me. "Rydh! Rydh! Most blessed of healers! I shall sing your name from here until the ends of the earth. My hero, my one true friend."

You didn't keep your mouth shut, Nod.

I sit up, looking around at all the others. I squint as to not focus on any one face except Rydh's. "The songs I shall sing of your exploits. The songs I shall sing of your compassion for a poor little insect, not worthy of being graced--"

Shut up, Nod.

My mouth snaps shut and I just smile, looking for Rydh.

 

[SeverinR]

I wonder off, searching for any where we haven't looked in the temple, I noticed a person going up the stairs. We checked the one area downstairs. I will look check other secret doors, and look for other stairs, so as not to follow the one that went up.
If no other areas to look, I will follow, and see if there is a different hall or room to search.

[I don't remember if we completely searched for doors and rooms other then when we met Mauve.]
If more then one, I will check for traps on the first door, then open it. If a unexplored stairway, I will check it for traps or tripwires(best trap on a stair, simple wire to trip a person down stairs.)
If I find a door or stairway;
Check traps:

[will check whole area, then will go to the first door I found, or if multiple stairs would do first set of stairs]

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I wait until Bren is out of ear-shot before I speak to Darin.

"It saddens me that Bren and I broke bread just a few moments ago, but he can't support the way you honor Cadell. Bren is a good man, I believe. He is so much like my uncle Wolfgang in all the ways that are beautiful, and in all the ways that are tragic. I don't know what happened between dwarves and elves. Life is too short for me to concern myself with old wars, and I've already made too many enemies with monsters that I don't need people who are enemies.

"I am grateful to hear you say there is a way to repair Cadell's hand... in Drimmen-delve. How do we get there? Cadell! If there are dwarves who can repair your hand, that is more important than anything else we do now."

I clam up momentarily. Ankari, Aliron, Bren... those elves would be in a delve with thousands of Brens in it! Or would they?

"Darin... Bren made it no secret that my presence on the battlefield was strange to him, and we have two in our party whose lack of self-control may be worse than his. I would hate to divide our numbers, but I don't want to bring trouble into your home. Who among us would be able to accompany Cadell? I hope it would be okay for me... and Rydh, the half-elf, who I'm sure you noticed fought bravely and treated you and Bren with respect.

"Darin, I want to get Cadell to Drimmen-delve sooner rather than later." I point at Cadell. "No arguing! You're too brave to worry about yourself, so let me worry about you and you think of Liadan who worries more than ten of me could! You can write your own letter to her!" To Darin, I soften my tone, "Please tell me I can go, along with those smart enough to not bring trouble."

 

[Steerpike]

Darin nods to Cadell, then turns to face Baldhart. "Old grievances are still remembered by my people and, I dare say, by the elves. With the symbol of friendship I just gave Cadell, he will not be denied entry to the Drimmen-delve. Nor will those who travel with him. As many of you as wish to journey to the hold may do so. I will show you where it lies. Most in the hold will not like it, but they will not shame us by mistreating Cadell. Bren walks close to that line himself. He was right about one thing, however...I suspect I will have to answer to my father for this."

"As for repairing the hand - well, 'repair' may not be the best word. Our craftsman are skilled, and when a dwarf loses a limb we are able to replace it with a forged creation of our own design. It will not function as a natural hand, but I believe it will serve."

He turns to Cadell. "You will fight with that hand again. That much I can say. Now, let me join Bren and see what this Hiljikki of yours has in store."

Darin turns and nearly runs into Rydh, who looks as if he has something to say.

Hiljikki is already inside the temple, preparing. Bren stalks in and plants himself against a wall, looking grim, which seems to be his favored expression. Burnbright is not in the temple room, even though she disappeared into it. The door to the basement is open.

Aliron makes a through check of the building, both upstairs and down, but there seems to be nothing else to find. The temple has yielded up all of the secrets it will.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Thank you, Darin!"

I just hope the loudmouths in our party don't shame us. Well, Aliron and Ankari probably didn't hear what Darin just said, so... maybe we can tell them that their carelessly chosen words would put us in danger. As long as there are more Brens than there are Anakris and Alirons, it would not be a lie to say that insults and empty threats would be no different than firing in arrow over a dwarf's head. It would be a safe assumption.

I turn to Cadell. I want to tell him how wonderful this is, but how wonderful is it? His hand was chewed off and now he'll have a metal hand. Would I want that? I'm not so sure. Maybe a metal hand looks better on a man. Finally, I ask, "What were we talking about before we were interrupted?"

 

[Nihal]

Too many new variables. Risky.

I don't want to part our ways too soon. I can almost feel the unfriendly eyes of the ranger and the knight on my back. In the end, as long they're not planning to hang me as a witch I think I'm able to tolerate them a little longer, their arrows or sword may even save my life one day.

I almost speak up about Baldhart's bold decision when Darin answers her and she seems to calm down. That was close, I don't think they would succeed if they parted their ways. Neither would I.

Looking away, I cross my arms and keep listening for my chance.

 

[Ireth]

I listen to what Baldhart has to say, my eyebrows lifting slightly when she claims my hand more important than anything else. Her words about Bren and others in our company ring true, though. I would not wish to be the one to bring discord and mistrust among the elves and dwarves so soon after being given a token of friendship.

When Baldhart announces that we should seek to have my hand replaced right away, I open my mouth to argue, but she points at me as though able to read my thoughts. I cannot help but smile as I close my mouth and remain silent. She reminds me of several human women I befriended in the human settlement within my Queen's borders, and that is no bad thing, for they are good people.

Darin's words intrigue me as well. A metal hand might not function as one of flesh; that is entirely to be expected. But how can I fight with it if it does not? How can I grasp a sword or draw back a bowstring with fingers that will not move? Or will they? The dwarves have magic of their own -- they may be able to make my metal hand move, though I would doubt they can make it feel. That much will suffice. I nod to him, then smile at Baldhart, tilting my head at her question.

"I cannot quite recall... Ah, yes. We were discussing our dreams. And I have something to ask of you as well."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Curious...

"Sure. Ask away," I tell him.

It's so nice to have a civil conversation. The more I get to know Cadell, the more I see he's not too proud or out to prove himself. Liadan is fortunate. This quality is rare in a man.

 

[Ireth]

"We may not reach the Drimmen-delve for quite some time, even if we leave right away, and we may come across trouble in that time. I cannot hope too much in replicating my feats of yesterday, so... if it is not too much trouble, could you perhaps help me learn to wield a sword in my right hand? Please?"

I cannot say exactly why I chose her to ask above any other -- she is certainly not the only one to wield a sword, or wield it well. But she is certainly one I have grown closer to in our time together, so that is something.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I sure can!"

I grab my two-handed sword, but I only use my right hand to carry it.

"Well? Draw your sword."

Hey! Bossy Boots! You're talking to a knight!

"...Sir Cadell. I mean, we can practice a little while we have the chance."

I look to see if Burnbright is here. ((If so, Baldhart invites her over to join the lesson.))

"You must reverse your stance so your right leg is forward. That you know, of course. What you need more than anything is a second pair of eyes to make sure your grip is like mine."

I swing my sword one-handed.

"Hya!"

"Hai!"

"YAAH!"

That's more like it, but... I get the feeling that my aim is a little off, like Cadell's is when he uses his recessive hand.

"Hmm... maybe I should use a longsword, too. Maybe Rydh will let me borrow... no. No. It is better that I use this sword. That way I can know the difficulty you're going through and still use my right hand while we practice."

I sheathe my sword.

"Let me see your grip now. Give the sword a couple swings. I'll stay out of the way... on your left for now. I need to see what your fingers are doing, so start with overhead strikes."

 

[Ireth]

I raise an eyebrow slightly when Baldhart fairly orders me to draw my sword, though a smile pulls the corner of my mouth. I obey and heed her further instructions, switching my stance. It feels odd, but I am sure I will grow used to it. I hope that I can learn more even after getting a new left hand; being ambidextrous would certainly help, it seems.

I raise my sword and try a few overhead swings for practise.

((Come on, now...))

Really? That is the best I can do? I think not! I shake my head and try again.

((Seriously?))

Well, third time is the charm, as they say...

((I swear this thing knows about the plot. o.o))

Well, that is considerably better, but still nothing wonderful. I look to Baldhart for her assessment. "I knew that killing blow yesterday had to be luck."

 

[Nihal]

I stretch myself, bored. I look around, trying to figure what to do now. I could rest a little, I'm not fully recovered yet. Maybe...

Where is the girl?

Hiljikki is already inside the temple, preparing. Bren stalks in and plants himself against a wall, looking grim, which seems to be his favored expression. Burnbright is not in the temple room, even though she disappeared into it. The door to the basement is open.

I start to search for her inside and outside the temple, quietly, so I won't disturb anyone. She's obviously important, until all the pieces of this puzzle fall in their places I don't want to lose sight of her for too long.


((P.s.: Hahaha, nice swings, Ireth!))

 

[SeverinR]

I move to the perch where I watched the battle to keep watch of the fields, in case something should wonder towards the temple.
Will watch for an animal that might make a good meal.
[I can also watch the group below]

 

[Sparkie]

"Oh! Uh, yes, Darin. I was wondering if you could look at these things I found..."

I present the disc and key to Darin.

"I'm sorry to trouble you this way, but I'm at a total loss when it comes to these sorts of things. I've heard of the prowess of your people when it comes to mechanisims, and I thought 'who better to look at this than a dwarf?'"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Hmm..."

Switching hands and switching stances. Maybe that's not the best way.

"...I think you need to try swinging from a natural stance. They must make you knights do that way more than my people. The men on my mountain didn't have the patience for stances... which worked to my advantage when we sparred. Anyway, feet apart shoulder width. Ten swings."

Cadell seems comfortable with me barking orders at him, but I feel the need to explain, "I hold no rank over you, but this is how my instructor talked to me. It's a waste of time for a teacher to say please. Maybe you can talk to me like that when you teach me to ride. Would that be okay?"

...seven... eight... huh?

"Oh! We can talk about riding later, but only if you don't mind teaching me."

...nine... ten.

"Okay, you're getting better. Only ninety more to go, but first, right leg forward." I draw my sword and show the stance I have in mind. "Lower." I sink into my stance and check to see if Cadell does the same. "Let's swing together. Ten overheads."

I count. We swing.

"Stay like that."

I sheathe my sword, then check his grip. "Tight here." Gently, I squeeze his pinky and ring fingers. "Relaxed here." I lightly tap his middle and index. "Thumb like this." I guide his thumb into the correct position. "Good. Now slowly so you don't take my head off." He swings in slow motion.

I draw my sword. "Eighty more. Then we work on horizontal swings."



((Again, if Burnbright was interested, she's here and getting similar instructions. I'll respond to her in whatever way fits chronologially, even if it's reflecting on the training hours later or something.))

 

[Ireth]

I continue to obey Baldhart's instructions, well-used to receiving orders as I am. It is giving them that I must grow more accustomed to. Between swings I raise a brow at her assertion, and smile and nod at the question. "I would be glad to teach you. We all have things to learn from each other, and what better opportunity than this?"

I attempt to fall into a rhythm as we go on, and I watch Baldhart carefully to mimic her grip and movements, then count the next swings under my breath in elvish. "Un... dau... tri..." all the way to "...saith deg wyth... saith deg naw... wyth deg." I sigh and lower my sword for a moment, pausing to wipe the sweat from my brow with my left sleeve. Then I smile and nod to Baldhart. "Well, if nothing else this is good exercise for all of us."

I pause and frown. "Did anyone bring my bow back from the battlefield? I will want to keep using it when I have a new hand."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I didn't break a sweat, but I say nothing about that.

Sniff, sniff. I'll say nothing, too.

Oh, shut up, Nissa! You're ethereal! You can't smell anything.

Fortunately.

Nissa!



"I'll bet we can find the bow. All we need to do is look for the warg with the missing eye. He was to the right of the other kills where four lie dead together. I remember because I was glad when two were fool enough to split from the pack.

"Let's walk. You were going to say something about a dream before we started training. It will give us something to talk about while we walk. Also, it's just the two of us. If we see any wargs, we run back here, then fight. It's not cowardly to move the fight back if we can."

 

[Ireth]

I nod and follow Baldhart out toward the battlefield, looking around for any signs of danger as we go. I do not return right away to the topic of dreams, but wonder again at the oddity of Nodrick's arrival, as if he expected someone to be here. I am loath to speak ill of my comrades, but the strangeness deserves noting.

"Does it strike you as unusual that Nodrick arrived here badly injured, but with no sign of being pursued? I saw no prints in the snow coming toward him but his own, and none leading away." My suspicion is evident enough in my tone that I do not need to voice it.