Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Sparkie]

"Did I...? What did I say?" I mumble, trying to remember. "It wasn't meant to you."

I can't help but sigh. "If I was angry with you? Yes. I am angry, I should slap you twice, one for entering the Taint so carelessly and other when you said you had no use." My gaze turns more serious.

"What's wrong with you, are you going to allow people use you then discard like trash?! Idiot!"

As she berates me I find myself smiling.

It has been my experience in life that the faults we perceive in others are, too often, the same faults we perceive within ourselves. Sometimes we are cognizant of these faults, other times we are more or less ignorant of them. Regardless, we lash out at those who display these traits. We do this, not out of hatred for the person, but out of hatred for our own frailty.

But first thing first...

"You think, then, that we can remove this Taint from the land without entering it? You think this thing can be defeated from afar? No. Problems must be faced head-on, or not faced at all. Delaying will not stop this Taint. Only action will.

"As for your latter point, you're right. But I'm no one's puppet. I do as I will, as do you. If you wish to flee the Taint, do so. Or you can stay. It's your choice."

I step closer to Mauve, hand the book back to her, and continue.

"Not all of us get along, but we all have the same goal. We shall succeed. We will bring an end to this foul curse. If you have the same goal, then I want you with us. With me. I won't speak for everyone, but I will never discard anyone who puts forth their best efforts to help fight evil. I'll always respect those willing to sacrifice everything for the betterment of others. You have remarkable abilities, Mauve. Use them the best way you know how."

I leave without waiting for a reply, and with a little more bounce in my step. Strange. I feel like I felt when I cast the Light spell for the first time, like I just won something. Perhaps Mauve will shrug off what I said. Perhaps she'll criticize and continue berating me. Perhaps she'll leave. But I know without a doubt that one day she'll see the truth of my words. That day may be far off, but the words have been said. Words, once spoken, can last a lifetime.

I head back down to the cellar and light up my lantern again. I begin to prepare my things for another trip down into the tunnels. I'd like to explore a bit. I wonder to myself who, if anyone, would like to accompany me.

 

[Nihal]

What the...? I stand in the same place for a while, perplexed, running then to the cellar, after him.

"You are one of the most disagreeable... self-centered people I've met so far!" I would really like to kick him and shout. I don't do any of them, lowering my voice instead.

"Here you go, thinking you'll change the world, running to the danger unprepared, repeating the same mistakes. You know nothing. Do you remember what I've said the last time? You're going to drag them again, probably to their graves." I shake my head.

"At that time I couldn't imagine I would pay the price. I felt it was wrong to follow you, but I ignored my instincts. I won't repeat this mistake. I'm not abandoning my quest, I'm leaving you. If you take sense for cowardice, then... seriously..." I give him the middle finger and dash upstairs.

What is his damn problem? Moron! That condescending smile...! Why did he talked to me if he despises me?!

I look down to the book in my hands.

Of course.

I should be angry after those insults. I'm upset, so tired of fighting. I go back to the second floor and to the window there.

"Why did I even tried?" I whisper.

He's no caster, no one of mine. Wasted words. I shake my head again, feeling that grief prowling around me, doing my best to keep it at bay.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Burnbright and I clean up after training. I tell her she looks like—"A little warrior princess!" I don't tell her not to get herself killed. That will only scare her, and she's better off if she doesn't panic.

I look for Sir Cadell. He keeps a clear head in both battle and conversation. Plus, he owes me a riding lesson. Ha! But that must wait. Darin is with him. I'm glad he is. Though I doubt Darin thinks himself as a part of the group, he certainly sees value in remaining with us. Darin and Cadell are elders. I will speak to them like a young lady would her own grandfathers.

"Sir Cadell, Darin… I take it you rested well." I lower my head. "I'm going to say this now and be done with it. I made a sacrifice to my Goddess—more like a vow—that I will never again speak to an ally in anger. I mean not to make excuses or justifications before those to whom I owe apologies, so I'll only say this to you." I look to confirm that Sir Cadell and Darin are the only adults in this conversation. "If Burnbright is in danger, it will be very hard for me to control myself—especially if there are some among us who act as if the threat is a figment of my imagination. If I ever even appear to be losing it…

"'Remember your vow.' Those three words are what I'll tell myself. Feel free to say them to me if you think it's necessary… but I doubt it will be. I take my sacrifices to Brynhild more seriously than anyone could possibly understand."

So awkward! I'll keep the vow just so I don't have to run around apologizing the next day!

"Anyway, my sword has proven much more effective than my mouth. How might my sword be of use to you today, Darin? Shall we go back down there? And will doing so bring Sir Cadell closer to getting a new hand?"

I put an arm around Sir Cadell. I hope he doesn't read too much into it, but I'm clean for the first time in days and he needs a hug, so he's getting one. I tell him, "Too bad you can't worship Brynhild. Your sacrifice would prepare you for ten battles in Her eyes!"

 

[Ireth]

I look up and smile when Baldhart greets me. "Unexpectedly well, thank you." I decide not to comment on her dreams just yet; that is a conversation for another time.

Baldhart goes on to speak of sacrifice, and I nod in understanding. "It seems a worthy sacrifice in my eyes. Perhaps one of us can use anger in your stead," I chuckle. After our last fight, I think we all need a laugh or two.

I cannot help but look at her in surprise when she wraps an arm around me, but all the same I appreciate the gesture. I tell myself not to read too much into it -- Baldhart is young, far too young for me (though I would only look a year or two older than her), and I am probably not the type of man she is attracted to in any case. I cannot recall whether or not she knows about Líadan.

My mind wanders. I smile at Baldhart and return her kind gesture, laughing softly at her words. "Somehow I do not doubt that."

 

[Phietadix]

The previous night was tiring, I stayed up once more and kept watch, hopefully someone else can do so tommorw, despite the fact thay our party has proven trustworthy so far, it is still better to be safe than sorry. And while I have adjusted over the years to nights without sleep, It is still difficult to do so.

I can see that Baldhart wishes to speak in privite with Cadell, so I wait until he is done before I speak to her. Once they finish I motion that I wish her to come speak with.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"For your sake," I say to Cadell, "I wish to get to Drimmen-delve, sooner-the-better."

I look to Darin…

((Awaiting GM response for Darin's advice, which Baldy asked for in an earlier post, or confirmation that the underground passage can lead to Drimmen-delve.))

…after he responds, I see Matthew signaling me over.

"Oh!"

Was he waiting long? For me? I run over to him.

"You could have joined us, Sir Matthew. I didn't mean to look like I had secrets. I was just telling Sir Cadell and Darin about vows to my Goddess. It's kind of embarrassing, in a way. I mean, until Burnbright expressed interest in Brynhild, I didn't have any other followers to turn to—and now that I have to teach, don't I end up with a girl who's been studying on valkyries and shield maidens all her life! I never even used a shield, and I think there are things the girl can teach me about my religion! Anyway, I had to talk to an elder which isn't the same as a priestess…

"I'm sorry. I'm so chatty this morning! Let me just… listen now."

I feel awkward.

You look like you feel.

I can feel myself blushing! Nissa! Make it stop!

How? Do you have flesh-tone war paint?

Apricot! I left it at home!

 

[Ireth]

When Baldhart turns to Matthew, I slip away from her and look around for Hiljikki. She seems like the most logical person to ask about needlework, considering how she returned my hand to me... which, come to think of it, needs a new batch of snow. I sigh and retrieve the warg-pelt pouch, then duck out to the doorway of the temple. I dump out the water and scrape up some snow, packing it in around my hand.

That done, I turn to go back inside, spy Hiljikki and walk to her. "May I speak with you for a moment?"

 

[Ravana]

((This may depend on certain actions yet to be resolved, vis-à-vis Question Time with the Secretary of State for Chthonic Affairs. (I'm not at all certain Hiljikki would make a good back bencher. For starters, I'm pretty sure back benchers aren't usually allowed to hold sharp objects next the earholes of Ministers whilst posing their questions.) Rather than hold things up, and assuming this conversation would take place eventually.…))

I turn to go back inside, spy Hiljikki and walk to her. "May I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course. Several, assuming our companions can resist engaging us in another subterranean adventure immediately. Which would be well: I need to replenish my supply of berries. Come, walk with me."

•••

((Since the topic came up anyway:






((I never did get a count on how many people got berries handed out yesterday before I could start doubling up, so it's possible one or two people have a HP more than they thought they did. Though once Rhyd recovers a couple points of mana, he can fix people up faster than I can.))

((In any event, Hiljikki now has 18 magic berries, one elven knight who never knew so many plants bore them during wintertime, and a raven and vihmakissa—whatever that is—who have had their foraging opportunities and are now happily returned to snoozing or watching daytime TV, if there's a difference.))

 

[Phietadix]

I see Baldhart coming over to me, she still talks as if she is sure Burnbright is a devout, but what she herself has said makes me doubt it even more.

"Burnbright was what I meant to speak to you about. You seem convinced that she has great faith in Brynhild. I am not so sure. And despite what you said about Burnbright being intrested in Brynhild, it seems more that you expressed intrest in her becoming a follower of Brynhild and she was trying to please you. Even if I am wrong, she herself admited herself that she knows little of the divine. I wished to ask you if Brynhild has any scriptures that Burnbright could study, and if not, to ask you to teach her about Brynhild yourself. As I said before, the decision you think she has made should not be made lightly, she needs time to study Brynhild and perhaps other deitys as well for at least a few days. Before she makes any choose in the matter."

 

[Ireth]

I gladly join Hiljikki in a walk, and ask my questions as we go.

"Since I am rather less skilled in fighting with my right hand than my left, I was wondering whether I might be of more use aiding our healer rather than our warriors for the time being. People are going to be hurt whether or not Rydh has the energy to heal us with magic. I would gladly stitch and bandage any wounds that need it. For that I was wondering, could you perhaps teach me how to sew?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Doubt. Accusation. Is this how we must talk?

Ooh! Great opportunity Baldy! Remember your vow.

Yeah, yeah. Thank you, Nissa.

“Is it the blue face paint? I’m not angry. I just want to know why my words are dismissed so easily.

“I have only lied in your presence once since we met. I lied to the queen. Even then, I was truthful to her at first—aside from pretending to be leader so Rydh wouldn’t step into the line of fire. I was genuinely seeking proof of innocence, or reason to consider the lizard attack was a defensive reaction to me breaking the door down. If they were innocent, I was prepared to offer my services to the queen to atone for the lives I had taken as a result of my ignorance. I was actually asking someone to bandage the prisoner. But… once the queen stated that Burnbright was her target, the queen and her followers forfeit their right to live according to one of the principles on my mountain: immediate death is dealt to those who prey on children.â€

I say it without anger…

“You and I may come from different backgrounds, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have something like your knightly codes. Where I come from we stick to principles: we don’t lie to friends and allies. And we don’t use lies, secrets or truth to manipulate children. Ever. Even now that I am honor-bound to withhold no secrets from Burnbright, I will defend your questions of her faith and commend your honesty. I know in my heart you worry about her in your own way.â€

I say it without anger…

“I don’t know how to convince you that my honor and faith are not toys that I play with or put away on a whim. But as far as scriptures go, Father Harald is the greatest source that I know of here in the North. He told me himself that he spoke on Brynhild’s behalf at his temple… but all of Her followers in the North died two hundred years ago.â€

I say it—

—I know, I know! You’re not blowing your vow!

“The Eisenberg clan follows Freya, hence our principles regarding protection of loved ones and valuing children. Before our clan settled on the mountain 800 years ago, the natives—who befriended my ancestors, and in fact are the ancestors from Mother’s side—followed Uller. They value freedom, hence our lack of prisons or penalties that require a prison. The principles of Uller and Freya guide our people.

“As for what I know of Brynhild…â€

If he doesn’t believe you, he certainly won’t believe me.

“Kojima Hanako. One of my best friends…â€

I always liked her!

You knew her, Nissa!

“…She studied Brynhild and when her master, and mine, and my friend Addison’s—she’s like a female Ankari!—all decided that their only female teenagers should not spend a full month in the wilderness in the presence of boys—trust me: my dad would have killed my master for putting me at such a risk!—that’s when Hanako taught me about Brynhild.

“I used to carry her around the forest. I had to take long hikes with a 100-pound load and she had to sit and meditate. The hikes were longer than the meditation, so she would start preaching to me. She wears only silky robes and her weapons are her fists! Believe me… I admire her! It didn’t take long for me to see that, while I agree with Freya’s principles, motherhood can never be for me.†I pat my rock-solid abs. “Every scripture of Brynhild that I know of, I heard from Hanako’s mouth. I have learned more since then, and I still have much to learn.

“But I have plenty to teach, so don’t worry about Burnbright in this regard. There are other matters concerning her that are far more worrisome!â€

I can feel the warmth flowing through my body. I hope I didn’t bore Sir Matthew to death—I loved every second of reliving those days. But if has more to say, I’m here to listen. I smile pleasantly…


((CHA check: how pretty is Baldhart really?))

((Ugh! Well, better to use the bad rolls while NOT under attack. That's what I always say… now that my CHA rolls suck.))


…but my tears give away a thought I'm trying so hard to ignore: Will I ever live to see Hanako again?

 

[Steerpike]

DARIN AND CADELL


Darin smiles at Cadell's words about getting out of the tunnels and back to the fresh air above ground. "Ah. We are very different, your people and mine. Not in ways that matter most - not in the ways of honor, bravery, and valor. But in smaller things. I find more comfort in the tunnels beneath us than in the open sky above. Thus has it always been with my people. In times of trouble, we seek comfort in our halls, as many of your folk sought it in their forests."


"And speaking of the forests, it is my belief that there is a Fae Gate somewhere in the tunnels beneath the ground. When was the last time you saw one of them outside of your own woods, my friend?"


DARIN AND MAUVE


Mauve studies the lizard book that Baldhart found. It is slow going, and in fact many of the symbols are completely foreign to her. She can decipher enough to tell that it is a spell book of sorts, but the details of the spells themselves remain largely hidden.


As she works, Darin wanders over, peering over her shoulder. He grunts to get her attention, then says "It may be that I can help with some of that. Many underground creatures use a script based on dwarven. It's a bastardized version, to be sure. Hardly proper writing. But it has enough of the character of the original that I can make it out."


Kneeling next to Mauve, he points out certain bits of the script, giving his interpretation (or, in some cases, his best guess), and between the two of them, with Mauve's knowledge of magic and Darin's knowledge of the underlying dwarven rune script, they are able to translate the text.


((Info coming via PM)).

BURNBRIGHT AND BALDHART


((This can occur any time that they are together; training or whenever))


Burnbright looks thoughtful at one point, her attention drifting away. When Baldhart pulls her back to the present, she blushes. "I'm sorry...I was just thinking...if Aslaug is really my mother, then even if she is tainted or whatever - and by the way we still don't know that, we're just guessing - even if she is, we can still help her, right?"


"I always wished I had a mother. Father Harald and the others in town were good to me, but it wasn't the same. I'd see other girls with their mothers, going to the market, talking about who knows what. Going back home at night and probably getting tucked into bed or told a story. I never had any of that. I had to find Grim's wife when I needed to find out about...um...you know, girl things. There was never a mother to turn to, like other girls had."


"I bet if Aslaug really is alive and we can find her, we can make her better. What if she just went kind of crazy at losing me and just wants me back, just like I want a mother? What if when we find each other, we'll both just love each other and she'll go back to being the way she was before everybody thought she died?"


BURNBRIGHT AND MAUVE


Burnbright seeks Mauve out to talk about Corruption. She seems troubled by it. "I guess you heard what they're saying - that Aslaug is my mother and that's turned all evil or something. Corruption. Do you think that could really happen? Can't you be good, even if you did use magic or something and got this corruption, or whatever it is? Couldn't my mother just want to be with me, only she's out here in this Taint somewhere, and the only way she could think to do it was to send those lizard things to catch me? She might not even have known the rest of you were my friends. Do you think we can cure her, if we find her, and make her like she was before?"


BURNBRIGHT AND MATTHEW AND BALDHART


After beginning her training with Baldhart, Burbright takes to wearing the blue woad paint that Baldhart favors, looking rather proud to be included in that particular tradition. When the subject of faith and swords versus crossbows comes up, she says:


"I've wanted to be a shieldmaiden since I was a little girl. I'd sit near other kids, or outside open windows, while the stories of Veborg and the other shieldmaidens were being told. They were courageous, and honorable, and noble, and they fought their enemies up close. When they died, the valkyries came down for them, I guess to make new valkyries or to take them up to Asgard to wait for the final battle."


"Anyway, that's what I always wanted. The bow just didn't feel right to me - and you saw what happened, I shot Darin with it! I'm glad he doesn't hold grudges. I stayed away for him for an hour after the battle, until he finally found me and just put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. Anyway, I want to learn how to fight with sword and spears and shields. And I want to try to be brave, like Brynhild would want. And to tell the truth. I know Brynhild doesn't like lying because of what happened to her, and I admit I haven't always been the most truthful person in Srilkind. It was little stuff, mostly. Like the stories about wrestling bears. I didn't really steal stuff or anything. Not much. But I'm not going to do that stuff any more. I just want to learn to fight for myself and my friends, and maybe to one day do something glorious that people sing about in taverns!"


Burnbright's blue-painted face is beaming.


((Other info coming via PM. The info above is for characters having direct interactions with NPCs. If you weren't mentioned, it's not because I forgot you. If I have missed something in all these threads and you don't see the answer above or in a PM from me, let me know!))

 

[Ireth]

Flashback to the tunnel (again)

Darin smiles at Cadell's words about getting out of the tunnels and back to the fresh air above ground. "Ah. We are very different, your people and mine. Not in ways that matter most - not in the ways of honor, bravery, and valor. But in smaller things. I find more comfort in the tunnels beneath us than in the open sky above. Thus has it always been with my people. In times of trouble, we seek comfort in our halls, as many of your folk sought it in their forests."


"And speaking of the forests, it is my belief that there is a Fae Gate somewhere in the tunnels beneath the ground. When was the last time you saw one of them outside of your own woods, my friend?"

I nod slowly at Darin's words, then shrug and shake my head at his question. "Never. I have seldom left my own woods in the past two thousand years, save only recently to travel here. But why would there be a fae gate in dwarf-made tunnels, if our kindreds are so often at odds?"

 

[Steerpike]

I nod slowly at Darin's words, then shrug and shake my head at his question. "Never. I have seldom left my own woods in the past two thousand years, save only recently to travel here. But why would there be a fae gate in dwarf-made tunnels, if our kindreds are so often at odds?"

Darin smiles. "That is why I said these tunnels must be old indeed. Long ago, before either of us walked this earth (and you are much older than I), there was more cooperation amongst our peoples. I won't say things were ever perfect between us - at least not as I understand it. But there was communication, and trade, and some good will between us. If I'm right, this underground temple we've discovered must date back to that time. There is no other reason for a Fae Gate to be here, and what I've seen in the runes carved below hints of such a Gate. And even if there is no Gate, the runes make mention of an elven presence in the temple. Of that there can be no mistake. I can think of no recent time when elves would have been found in a temple of dwarves.

 

[Ireth]

I nod again, intrigued. What secrets might these tunnels hide that I can help uncover? "I would be glad to explore further with you, after I have the chance to rest and heal some." I only hope there are no spaces just wide enough for me to move through. At least we should have light, and that will help.

 

[Nihal]

Burnbright and Mauve

I study her.

"I am going to tell the truth I know. It is not pleasant, but it is the truth of our world." I place my hands over her shoulders, seeking her eyes and talking truthfully.

"The corruption changes you. Somewhere you're still the same person, yet you change, physically and mentally. It breaks your soul, eats your mind, twists you." I let the words sink in.

"It cannot be undone." I feel my face getting hot. "You can't go back. The physical wounds we suffer can be cured, but not the corruption." I kneel to get to her eye level. "Burnbright, I am so sorry. I also lost someone to the corruption. I still hope something can be done, that maybe if this world is fixed he can come back, become again the person he was."

I lower my eyes for some moments. "But deep inside I know I'm lying to myself."

"Aslaug is suffering, I think she misses you, but she is not the same person she was. She will hurt you. Look at me." I pull my hair back, showing my scarred face. "I nearly died. He didn't mean to do this. I don't know what he wished for, what he was trying to do, I can't really understand why he kept using his magic."

"I know you're trying to find your place in this world. It is not by her side. I had a family for a while, my pain does not equal to yours, but it was slowly taken away from me while I grew up. Now I am alone. I understand. The sorrow, the questions, "Why did they leave me?". The feeling of not belonging anywhere and being unable to do anything."

"This world is broken. I don't want anyone else to suffer like us. You won't be able to save her by going to her, but perhaps, if you find a cure... The chances are really slim. Probably you won't be able to save her anyway. But it is your, our best shot."

I hug her. It feels like hugging Aurore.

"I'm sorry."

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright returns the hug, frowning at Mauve's words. "I'm sorry about what happened to you." When she steps back, she looks thoughtful. "But that's what you're all doing here, right? You're going to stop the Taint. If Aslaug is my mother, and if she's bad now, maybe we'll all save her together."

 

[Nihal]

Burnbright and Mauve

"I'm afraid we are not strong enough to stop her without hurting her. Nay, in our current situation I don't think we can stop her at all. I am trying to discover the maximum I can about her and those dark lands. Even if I know more about the corruption than the others my information is still so incomplete."

"I believe the final answer to the corruption lies somewhere else. Also... I am not planning to travel with you anymore. Your group, I mean."

How could I possibly explain this to her?

 

[Phietadix]

Matthew and Baldhart

Half of what Baldhart says is irrevant to what I had asked. Did I call her a liar? I do not think so. And her faith is not in question, only Burnbright's. The other half assumes I am wrong. Perhaps I am, but I still would like Burnbright to choose for herself, in a careful educated decision. Not be pushed by any of us to decide simply because we say so.

"Did I call you a liar? Or doubt your faith? I did not even think these things, so why you act as if I did is something I do not understand. What she wishes, other deitys offer as well, and if you let her study each carefully before pushing her to a decision, she may find one that suits her more. But until then, it is best for her to study hard. In sword, and religion. I will not push a bow on her if she does not want it, and you should not push a religion on her until she can study and find what she truly wants. If she, after studing, finds that Brynhild is who she truly wishes to follow, then I will accept it. But only then, will I truly believe she has done it of her own choosing, as she should do."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I listen politely to his lecture after pouring out my heart and soul in front of him. He says he's not calling me a liar, but then he continues to voice his suspicion that I'm pushing her. So he's not calling me a liar; he's implying that I am. There is no sense in telling him for the third time that Burnbright approached me.

Instead, I say what I easily can with a smile:

"I shared my story of Hanako, my monk friend, because I see Burnbright being where I was as a teen. Yes, I admired Hanako herself. But I also admired what she stood for and what her Goddess stood for. Monks and clerics attract new followers to their faith by living their faith. If my way of being true to my Goddess was influential in Burnbright's decision, then that is the greatest compliment I could possibly receive on the matter."

I feel like my words are wasted here… my experience with Hanako should be shared with Burnbright. I want to see her now. Before I go, I add, "As to how serious Burnbright is about our shared faith, what can I say? She's serious enough to discuss and learn—and she asks questions! Good questions! She is no sheep dumbly waiting to be prodded by a manipulative adult. She is a prodigy, and that she comes to me of all people for spiritual advice when all I thought I was good for was the way of the sword… it's a blessing. I won't take it lightly, but make no mistake—Burnbright has brought an unexpected joy to my life.

"How about you, Sir Matthew? Your faith in Tyr—does it not bring joy to you to be true to your God? Worshipping any deity of one of the Good alignments should be joyful for the devout. I pity any who fail to experience that."




Nissa, not being angry again will be very easy! Behold: a shining example of a Daughter of Brynhild!

Good attitude, Baldy. Live your faith to the fullest until you die.

And when I die, my faith will only grow stronger!