Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Phietadix]

Ankari, the one to stubborn and selfish to consider what we think. Always there to give an insult to one in need. Or shoot the one who asks his help.

"If we go down we will die, and the threat will remain unknown. No one will try to stop it if we fail because no one will know the threat exists. They will kill all in Skilrind anyway, and those in the Drimmin-Delve too. All because we underestimated our foes. Is that the fate you want? It is likely the one we will get if we go down there. Burnbright will die, and hope with her."

 

[Nihal]

Alone in the fields

I hurry towards the field, my ears pricked up for any sign of danger. When I reach the place where our fight took place I grab the staff and position it in front of me, chanting the spell without hesitation. There is no point in being afraid.


((Detect spell, lvl 0. Finally, it was all she wanted to do. D:
Due a typo I used +1, it should be +2, making it a 21.))

I concentrate on feeling the magic flow, taking as long it's necessary, trying to identify any aura on it, it's nature, intensity and origin.

((If there is any magic in it she'll attempt to discover from which specific part of the staff it comes from.))

I rush back to the temple, my instincts kicking in and bringing a sense of unease about my surroundings.

 

[Ravana]

((Quick side note: Hiljikki asked to see the amulet Burnbright carries. Did she get to?))

•••

" If we depart, then we run the risk of the troglodytes loose upon Srilkind, and other communities."

"And I repeat, since none responded before: who cares?

"And, in particular—why do you?"

She pauses.

"Take a moment to breathe, ranger. To remember why you are a ranger. Did those reasons not include the opportunity to enjoy this world's beauty in peace? To protect that peace? I have never met any who chose your path who did it to emulate the predator—there are many easier paths to follow, if that is your goal.

"Sometimes you must stop… and remind yourself of that peace. Breathe it in. Listen to it, smell it, feel it flow among the roots in the earth beneath you, even as those roots slumber beneath winter's cloak. Become the peace. Restore within yourself the balance you speak of, return to the calm center which lies at the heart of each living thing. Then you can do what must be done to protect it from the forces that would ravage or rot it. If you do not… if you forget why you do what you do, if you are nothing but an instrument of rage against those who would damage it, you will become what you seek to protect it from.

"Remember to breathe."

Another pause.

"If you desire to confront the Taint, I can understand. Whatever corrupts this land, I would see it extirpated as much as you. If you wish to see the troglodytes destroyed, I raise no objection… though that might seem to run contrary to certain views you expressed before. To either, I speak no word to stop you; if that is what you would, I will ask blessings of success upon your quest. What I would say is you should do this for reasons that are your own. Speak your own reasons: leave the motives of others to their own examination. They are responsible for their own balance, their own peace.

"Do not take their consciences for your prey. It is unworthy of your calling. I believe you better than that… else I would not trouble to remind you of it.

"As for the child: if you wish to see her safe… I have yet to hear words from you which addresses that directly. Nothing about how she should be protected, where or by whom. Nothing about why you might believe allowing her to remain near this place would not be the worse choice.

"All I am hearing from you in regard to her safety is 'destroy those who might harm her.' Which will only work if you succeed.

"And which makes me especially wonder why you would care about the fate of Srilkind."

 

[Philip Overby]

"Sorry, I missed the vote," I say. In la la land again, Nod?

"Let's go find some stuff to kill that's not each other," I say. "Even though I want to kill every last--"

Go on, say it.

"--dancing lizard faced trog in the world."

 

[Ireth]

"I agree with Matthew. We would do better to go and warn others of the threat so that many may band together to defeat it, rather than we few trying to face it alone. I would rather live to see this land unite against the darkness and overcome it than die trying to conquer it with only a few by my side, a brave few though they be." I look around at my comrades and smile.

"As for me, I come to face this darkness so that it does not spread southward to my homeland, and those I hold dear. You say I must not focus on my past," I say to Ankari, "but it is not that simple to let go. My past is what drives me to take action in the present."

 

[Steerpike]

Darin grins as he counts his share of the loot and stuffs his pouches as best he can. He winks at Cadell. "Like as not, there's more where this came from. Whether we go now or return another day, we'll find more gold when next we brave those tunnels."

After stowing his valuables, he looks to the fire, which is growing smaller. "Needs more wood," he says, and heads toward the wood pile to retrieve a couple of logs.

As talk turned to the Drimmen-Delve, Burnbright looked thoughtful. Now, with a break in the conversation as Darin goes for wood, she speaks again, adopting as reasonable tone as best she can. Still a child, but struggling to fit in with the adults. "If we go to this Drimmen-Delve, then we should go to Srilkind first. Father Harald, and Grim, and the rest of them - well, they just think I came up here for a day or two. I can't just disappear without a word. It wouldn't be right."

Darin returns, tossing the extra logs on the fire, which sizzles and smokes at the damp fuel. He nods when Ankari questions him about the worth of a dwarf. "A dwarf's worth any ten of them lizards. I've said I'll do what the group decides, but if we're going back, I've got a hammer for those scaley vermin, and I'll shove it down their throats sideways." White teeth flash from within his beard as he grins again.

 

[Sparkie]

Interesting reactions. Both Cadell and Ankari surprise me: Ankari for his willingness to fight, and Cadell for his reluctance.

Ankari may be abrasive at best and volatile at worst, but he's not afraid to sacrifice himself for the greater good. That alone makes him a worthy companion.

Cadell is too passive in this, I swear. By the time we marshall a force there may not be much left to defend. No, we should act now. We must draw the line here.

I turn to Hiljikki. "You speak of Ankari preying on the consciences of others, but what of his own? Would you prey upon his conscience? Would you turn him from allowing other people to live? Would you remove from him the fellow feeling that separates us from animals?"

 

[Ankari]

"And I repeat, since none responded before: who cares?

"And, in particular—why do you?"

I grab my chest and clutch the medallion beneath. "The broken need the aid of the strong. I have met one worthy of sacrifice. This is enough."

"Take a moment to breathe, ranger. To remember why you are a ranger. Did those reasons not include the opportunity to enjoy this world's beauty in peace? To protect that peace? I have never met any who chose your path who did it to emulate the predator—there are many easier paths to follow, if that is your goal.

"Sometimes you must stop… and remind yourself of that peace. Breathe it in. Listen to it, smell it, feel it flow among the roots in the earth beneath you, even as those roots slumber beneath winter's cloak. Become the peace. Restore within yourself the balance you speak of, return to the calm center which lies at the heart of each living thing. Then you can do what must be done to protect it from the forces that would ravage or rot it. If you do not… if you forget why you do what you do, if you are nothing but an instrument of rage against those who would damage it, you will become what you seek to protect it from.

"Remember to breathe."

In her pause, I reflect.

Since coming north, I've bared my teeth like a cornered beast. The druids sent me here with a task. Perhaps I have let the goal interfere my judgment.

Remember to breathe. Remember to live, so that life holds meaning. Remember the pack, and they will remember you.

"If you desire to confront the Taint, I can understand. Whatever corrupts this land, I would see it extirpated as much as you. If you wish to see the troglodytes destroyed, I raise no objection… though that might seem to run contrary to certain views you expressed before. To either, I speak no word to stop you; if that is what you would, I will ask blessings of success upon your quest. What I would say is you should do this for reasons that are your own. Speak your own reasons: leave the motives of others to their own examination. They are responsible for their own balance, their own peace.

"Do not take their consciences for your prey. It is unworthy of your calling. I believe you better than that… else I would not trouble to remind you of it.

Her words act like razors cutting the tension that twists my soul. Our eyes meet. Druids are the spirit, and we are the body. If she has observed a transgressions, then it must be so.

I blink at the others, as if they appear from thin air. "If what the druid says is true, then I owe you an apology. Forgive my blunt tongue. Do as you see fit. As she states, the task before me is my own. If you would choose to accompany me, you are welcome. If you choose to take the knight to the dwarven hold, you are welcome as well."

To the druid, I say "The troglodyte in my custody was injured and incapable of defense. Baldhart's slaying of such a pathetic creature, one that I offered a truce to in exchange for information to fulfill this quest, angered me. What I intend to do now, on behalf of the child, is not related. As Baldhart said, if they wish Catli injury, they will have to pull my axe from their skulls first.

Why does this consume me, even I am not quite sure. Perhaps, druid, after this is done and we both live, you can aid me in taming the beasts within me. It is enough that I want an end to this taint and a life for the child."

"As for the child: if you wish to see her safe… I have yet to hear words from you which addresses that directly. Nothing about how she should be protected, where or by whom. Nothing about why you might believe allowing her to remain near this place would not be the worse choice.

"All I am hearing from you in regard to her safety is 'destroy those who might harm her.' Which will only work if you succeed.

"You were not with us in Srilkind. You did not see the house of falsehood burn because an enemy sought Catli. In it, scrawled with the blood of priests, the word "Betrayers" ended any hope of safety for Catli in her homeland. There are unseen enemies that hunt her. Should we take her anywhere else, those unseen enemies could follow. As difunctional as we are, I am reasonably sure none of us is an enemy. We are fresh to this story to be a main suspect.

In the brief few days we've been on this quest, we have already uncovered a chunk of the mystery the people of Srilkind could not. They are not competent in the skills needed to conduct this hunt. They aren't competent to protect Catli. The dwarves may be, but they are too far away. We need a resolution now. The herd doesn't stay in one spot for the pack to hunt later."

"And which makes me especially wonder why you would care about the fate of Srilkind."

"Let it be enough that I have found an equal among them. One worthy of sacrifice."

 

[Philip Overby]

I walk over to Baldhart. "You mind if I ride on your back again? That was kind of fun."

I sigh. "Frankly, I wanted to talk to you about something. I've seen you training Burnbright. I haven't said much about it, but do you think I could join in on the training sessions? I've always had this...problem with defending myself. You don't seem to have that problem. What do you say? Training for songs?"

 

[Ravana]

I turn to Hiljikki. "You speak of Ankari preying on the consciences of others, but what of his own? Would you prey upon his conscience? Would you turn him from allowing other people to live? Would you remove from him the fellow feeling that separates us from animals?"

"I believe he has answered that question better than I could hope to. I hoped he would not take it as an attack on him… and I seem to have judged correctly.

"As for turning him from allowing others to live: if you thought I said that, you misunderstood my words. They were, however, phrased in a way I thought he might understand best, so perhaps you would have spoken the same thing differently.

"And, Ankari," she says, turning to him once more, "I accept your reason for wishing to defend Srilkind… though as you said, I was not there. No doubt there is much that I missed which might make things clearer to me now. Most of what I know of its people, I have read in books."

She pauses once more.

"Regardless: go where you will go, bearing nature's blessing with you. And, for whatever it is worth, mine as well."

Then she quirks something resembling a smile at him. "And remember, should you ever need to remind yourself, that there is always calm at the center of the whirlwind."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I walk over to Baldhart. "You mind if I ride on your back again? That was kind of fun."

I sigh. "Frankly, I wanted to talk to you about something. I've seen you training Burnbright. I haven't said much about it, but do you think I could join in on the training sessions? I've always had this...problem with defending myself. You don't seem to have that problem. What do you say? Training for songs?"

"I love your songs! Yes to both!"

The first yes means you DO mind, Baldy.

"Oh! I mean, yes... you can ride on my back and join in the training sessions with Burnbright."

 

[Philip Overby]

"Well, I don't have to ride your back now, but I just want to avoid being trampled in battle," I say. "I imagine us as towering twin angels of death, raining song and blood upon our enemies' heads. The terror that will be splayed on their faces will be delicious. As delicious as rat steak." Ah, a good rat steak would hit the spot...

I walk next to Baldhart, mindful of the other squawking birds in the bunch. You're never safe anywhere are you, Nod? Making this one your project are you?

I mutter under my breath so no one can hear. "I thought of the priest, Rydh. He is kind. But this one is kind and strong. The perfect combination."

Are you sure you know what you're doing, Nod? You don't have any urges?

"None at the moment. None that I can't control. I just want a friend. Is that so wrong?"

No one likes you, Nod. You have no friends. You're like a butcher than makes friends with pigs. It won't last. It never does.

 

[Nihal]

My face is flushed and my heart fluttering by the time I enter the courtyard again. I breath once, twice, then stride to the temple. I don't fail to notice how the odious ranger is wearing his armor again. And here they are, still debating.

They still haven't reached a decision.

I sigh and return to my place, sitting again and listening quietly to discover at which point is the conversation now.

((Awwwww, Ankari is melting!))

 

[Ireth]

All this talk of action, yet we still cannot reach a decision. I sigh, and rise to speak again.

"The only way we can act now is if we act as a unit. I would not have our company divided in a land so few of us are familiar with. From what I gather, we are more or less equally split on which way to go from here; in that case we should elect one person to make the decision for all." If that in itself will not cause us to be split further.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Ankari apologizes... and perhaps sees my motivation, not that I excuse pulling a prisoner from his arms.

"Marry her." What? "I... I mean--apology accepted. Please accept mine to you as well, and know that my vow to my Goddess is my way of atoning for anything I did that you thought of as... tyrannical."

Nissa rolls her eyes.

"As for our next move, I do not believe taking the fight below to be a suicide mission, or I would not have supported Darin's vote to begin with. Tactics: maintain shield walls, archers behind shields, no one charges ahead of the wall--I learned that one the hard way! The lizards fight with ranged weapons, which can easily be thwarted in the corridors. It is the priestess we must be wary of, but if we stay together and stay organized, we will win.

"Hiljikki's berries can help the wounded. Rydh's magic goes to the fallen. We bring bandages. As Sir Cadell said, we do not divide the group. If we choose to go below, leaving Burnbright up here does not keep her safe. We'd weaken our force, and it's possible that our smaller group would fail where the full party would have succeeded. Without Darin to seal the rune-lock, the lizards would come up after Burnbright and overwhelm the adult or two who are with her.

"If I'm correct, Darin, Rydh, Nod and Ankari prefer to go below. Hiljikki, Sir Matthew, Sir Cadell and Mauve prefer to go to Drimmen-delve first. I am fine with either, but Hiljikki and Ankari brought up the most compelling reason for my vote: I do care about the fate of innocents, and if the trogdolytes are something we believe to be a threat that will not remain dormant underground...

"We attack them. Now.

"We all have equal say, however. If the decision is by vote. 5 to 4 in favor of underground. A vote from Aliron could go the other way, in which case Burnbright could cast the tie-breaker. After all, what we vote either way puts her at risk as much as the rest of us."


((So does the GM have 2 votes, or do Burnbright and Darin cancel each other's votes?))

 

[SeverinR]

"I am unharmed, feeling even stronger then before. We have injured that could use rest and healing, but there is also a maze of tunnels down there, if we leave, we will have to reclaim ground that we have already cleared, meaning more blood for the same ground."

I slip a gem from a hidden pocket, and hold it up to the light, gaze happily at how the light gleams across the facets.

"If there is any that believes they need time to heal, let them plead their case. But I think it best if we stay underground, move quickly and keep the suprise with us."

I frown and quickly hide the clear gem, and look around.
"If we are to be an effective team, we must work together. Giving directions for tactics, but also knowing that each person knows how best to do their job"

"Know and trust if you want me to go someplace in battle, if I do something else, it is because I see the advantage of skills in a different direction. I think I have shown, I am like a rattler hiding in a shadow, knowing the perfect time to strike, hard and vicious, to extract the greatest harm with the smallest amount of risk.
I wouldn't think of telling a warrior to parry, thrust, chop or cleave an opponent, I know nothing of direct combat. Share your tactical goals with us, but know that each person knows their job, how best to use their skills. Know this, if I have the option to face a warrior face to face that is blocking the leader, I will find a target that I can engage without exchanging blows. while watching for the chance to get the valued target. Strike the head, the body falls, strike the legs the body will fall, strike the arms and the body will be defenseless. Warriors are direct, bash and slash until their enemy falls, I am indirect, slip in unseen and weaken an opponent, until they can no longer defend."
Kneeling by the fire, staring for a moment, stabbing suddenly at a weakened section, the logs topple and glowing embers erupt from collapse.

"Knowing when to strike once, can beat twenty ineffective blows. Knowing the path of an arrow, to take down an enemy at a distance saves damage to the warriors also.
So I say again, trust one another to do what is needed when we enter a battle. I hope the people in the group know that once we seek battles, we depend on everyone to succeed. We need the healer, the song singer, the wizard, and the warriors all working together against the foes."

"We also need to know that our warrior apprentice will do as we tell her, so we aren't distracted trying to keep her safe. I think we all feel safer knowing she has forsaken the crossbow, I'm pretty sure the Dwarf is." I try not to smile.

"Warriors, if the hall is blocked by enemy warriors, protecting the leader or caster behind, create an opening for me to get through. Push one side back or retreat to draw them apart.
Even better have another warrior charge before me, and I will get the targets back quicker. The faster we remove the caster or leader the easier the battle will be."

"Wizard, maybe that staff will help you with the problems you're having with your magic."

"You, Painted warriors, Part of learning the martial arts, is learning to aid the wounded. Maybe teach the child how to bandage wounds along with swinging the sword? Give her something to do besides running into the heat of battle?"

 

[Nihal]

Nodding at Aliron I answer, "Later."

I let them make their points and finish their discussion after the voting takes place.

"A decision, finally? Good. I disagree but I won't argue over it. Now the pressing matter was decided, I have something to talk." I place the staff over my lap, part of me feeling great. It's the magic, I know, I was a fool to think it had abandoned me.

"As some of you know, I intended to leave this group for reasons I do not need to point out. Do you want my aid? Fine. But I have conditions," I say in a tranquil voice.

"I am free to leave whenever I want and no one is entitled to take this decision for me. You will not attempt to hold me, imprison me, threat me, hurt me. You will not lay a single finger on me without my consent, if you dare I will fight back and I might not hold myself." I glance at the bloody ranger, gazing then at the others as I speak.

"You are not entitled to interrogate me, I have the right to withhold any personal information I wish. You will not try to intimidate, control or coerce me. You will not cause me harm in any way; You are bound to keep my magic a secret, you will not, under any circumstance, reveal I am a spellcaster to anyone," I smirk, adding, "If I get killed as result of your actions I swear I will return from the Death to haunt you and exact revenge."

I sit straighter, feeling the power running in my veins. I was so afraid and lost. Not anymore.

"You will not blame me if you get hurt by my magic. I will warn or seek distance before casting, but I will not be held responsible for your actions if you decide it is a good idea to get in the way. You will not force me to use my magic neither hold grudge when I refuse a request; I, and only I, will decide when it is sensible to use it or not. I have also the right to refuse to follow any battle strategy and formation I deem foolish."

I pause.

"You will never attempt to put me out of my misery if you think I am corrupted or mad. You have no rights over my life nor to end it unless I am really serious about killing you.

"You will respect me. You will hear my advices and truly consider it, putting aside your prejudices. Also, you will not use the corruption as an excuse to berate my input on any subject. As long you are not harming me I do not care if you are not treating me as a lady. You do not need to befriend me. But you will hear me. And consider my words. If you do not, I don't see any reason at all to be around.

"You will stop bickering at each other, just like now. You will not be excessively egoistical at the point of consciously endangering the others, you will be a group and act as one.

"And... I exchange I will aid you in your quest. I will fight our way out of harm. I will protect Burnbright as I have been doing so far. I will look for solutions. I will seek knowledge and share it—" I tap one of my fingers on the staff twice. "—starting by this. Does it sound reasonable?"

 

[Sparkie]

I look at Mauve and grin.

"Reasonable enough to me, yes. You wish to be treated better, and I respect that wish. But I doubt even Betula himself could keep us from bickering."

I drop my smile.

"What do you know about the staff?"

 

[SeverinR]

"Trust that each person knows their job." I nod. "Your requirements do not alter my actions in the least, I agree to them, except..."
I glance around the group.

"I believe some in this group could argue endlessly about the color of blood. I believe an end to the bickering is asking for a miracle, but we must demand when times of silence, or danger is near, the bickering ends instantly. In battle we are one, we live or die as one."

 

[Sparkie]

I nod at Aliron's wisdom. "Combat is the Great Uniter," I say, "as well as the Great Divider."