Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Yes, Aliron. If I call out tactics, it is to be seen as just that - sharing an idea that I think we can benefit from. If it sounds like an order, it's because that's the fastest way to say it. I claim no rank over anyone here. The one time I did was to fool the shaman because I thought I might survive four pointy sticks... though I'm glad I didn't get shot when I stood before her, for the record.

"When I saw Burnbright rush into the fray, I realized we cannot tell each other how to use skills that we don't fully understand. However, I still hope that we will keep a tight group when we can, and use our shields and arrows wisely.

"I would love for someone to teach Burnbright to apply bandages. But... I am probably the worst person here to teach that. Whoever revived the shaman without magic, I am relieved that you can! The more of us who can save the fallen, the better!

"Also, I am not very useful when we are behind a shield wall, so Aliron, if you need someone to charge with you, just ask me. With Nod on my back, I figure if my charge misses - none have, so I fear I am due! - Nod can shoot the enemy in the face! If I get caught in a holding spell, I wonder if it's best to move the wall to me. I'd hate to see half the party out of the fight again... and thank you, again, Sir Cadell, Darin, Mauve. I knew enemies were around the bend, but never knew of a spell that can be cast at a glance.

"That's why I'm glad you came back Mauve."

I look into the fire.

Why would you...?

I didn't say I was glad about HOW she came back!

"--um... decided to stay, I mean. I mean you know something about their magic, which can help us, right?"

 

[Nihal]

I nod and glance at the others, quietly waiting their answers.

The book, then the staff. Parasite.

 

[SeverinR]

"We have time to discuss the battle, Just wanted to make sure people knew why I do what I do, seemingly ignoring directions and also make the case for others, should they see a reason not to follow directions."

"Burnbright has the unique ability to learn from a vast array of experience and professions, I think her teachings should embrace as many arts as possible, granted her honor and religion would probably limit my teaching her much. Save how to look at a problem from different angles and use of different tactics to obtain victory."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I quietly tell Aliron, "Any advantage in battle is fair game, Alin, so you are welcome to share your techniques with the blade with Burnbright. Regarding what you cannot teach because of her chosen religion: Brynhild forbids Her followers to use any ranged weapons--"

I'm so clumsy I never had any interest in a bow, so I never bothered to ask: is there a reason for that?

Yes. It's because...

"--because a Valkyrie will see many fallen in battle up close. Thus, she should drop her enemies from up close, and get a good look at the fallen. Even when her soul leaves her body, she should look back to see what she has become."

You didn't have to say that last part. I was just re-living that moment when I...

"Sorry if that sounds so morbid. Anyway, feel free to teach her how to sever a spine. It won't blow her chance to become a Valkyrie in the afterlife and, really, it's no less honorable than impaling a foe through the gut."

 

[Phietadix]

It appears a decision has been reached. Not one I agree with but I will follow it nevertheless.

"Very well, we will stay and fight. But some things must be decided first." I look to Ankari. "While I know you hate anything being spoken of except the big picture. Every plan has details."

"What shall be done with our animals? Shall we take them down with us? Leave them outside? Keep them in the temple? Send them to the Drimmin-Delve with a message around their neck? Any will work, and this, like all dicisions must be made carefully."

"What of Burnbright? She still has no skill in fighting. What shall she do? Swing her sword around trying to hit something? Learn to mend wounds? Ride to safety while we fight below? Perhaps Cadell could take her to the Drimm-Delve."

"And how will others be warned? Could our druid companion attmept another journeying? Should we send a Message with a party member? Others must be warned in the event we fail."

 

[Nihal]

I sigh. I was too quick in assuming it was over.

"Taking your animals down seems a very bad idea. I do not think they will fit and even if you manage to get them down and through the tunnels you cannot guarantee all the passages have the same size. You might be forced to leave them behind or turn back.

"Of Burnbright I would have her going to Drimmen-Delve if possible. We should not bring her directly to someone who wants to capture her. We can not send her back to this city, do not assume our foes will use only force to reach their objectives. Even if we seal the opening here, I am sure there are more. Also, do not forget about the wargs and goblins, the howling at night. She can not remain here."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"There's no guaranteed safe passage to Drimmen-delve. As much as I don't want to endanger her by bringing her underground, dividing our group or having her remain with one or two of us is even more dangerous.

"Also, Burnbright, unless you know how to mend wounds, I wouldn't place that responsibility on you. You might fail to stop a bleeding wound. I know I would! And the burden of guilt would be more than I could bear! If by any chance Hiljikki stockpiled some of those Goodberries—which I forced myself to resist for those in greater need, but they sure looked good—then Burnbright could help those who are wounded but still in shape to eat while Rydh and those skilled with bandages can focus on the fallen.

"As for animals, is there any chance we can barricade them inside so the wargs won't get to them? There is no door at the main entrance, but there are plenty of doors upstairs. I could rip them from their hinges and bring them down—not that I know if we could construct anything that would hold a warg, but at least the animals would be warm and maybe the wargs wouldn't catch their scent as easily.

"And Aliron, you're handy with making traps, so… if anyone wants me to bust some doors down, I enjoy doing that."

 

[Nihal]

I run my fingers through my hair, softly biting my lips as Baldhart talks.

"Is it safe to assume that all the ones who voted for the descent also want her to accompany us?" I shake my head. "If this is the case, we ought to define a backup plan, to decide what to do when everything else fails. When hopeless, I would like to have Darin taking her out of danger, away from the tunnels. He is a valiant warrior and he knows these lands better than us."

I clear my throat, raising an eyebrow.

"And you... You owe me an answer." My eyes dart from the human knight to the nefarious ranger. The major threats must acknowledge my revindications in front of the other group members, only then I'll be a little safe. Not truly safe, I'm no fool to believe in them, but it will keep them in line when we're in sight of the others.

 

[Phietadix]

"And you... You own me an answer."

((Nihal, owe, not own, owe))

"While there is not guaranteed safe passage to the Drimmin-Delve, there is guaranteed danger below. Taking the horses should allow them to outrun most danger. Plus if a party member goes they can warn others of this threat. Killing two birds with one stone."

"Mauve, when all is hopeless and everything fails. Everyone will be dead and incapable of following any back-up plan. Now as your answer. I answer as the others. It seems fair and I will do my best to follow what you propose. But bickering is inevitable you must accept that. Unless you want a dictator commanding you and not giving any one else a say. Aside from that, the only other option is to bicker.

 

[Nihal]

((Gaaah, I know, when I noticed I couldn't edit it anymore. I even sent a PM asking LS to edit it for me, hah. ^^'))

"You can often glimpse the worst of the dangers before it overwhelms you. If we do not underestimate our foes we might be able to do a last thing for the girl, sending her away from harm. It would take some convincing, for sure, but this is another matter.

"Tell me, knight, are we fighting now? This," I move my hands, gesturing to the whole group, "was all I wished for. Now..." I calmly turn to the ranger, waiting.

 

[Philip Overby]

"Let's get down there then," I say. "I'm ready to kill some more lizards or whatever else is down there."

 

[Steerpike]

Darin nods at the group comes to a decision. "That's the spirit, then. We'll kick those scaley runts back to where they came from. And who knows what secrets we might find in the process, or what wealth." He raises an eyebrow at Aliron.

"I say let her," he points at Hiljikki "take the horses to Srilkind, if she has a mind to. They'll be safer there than tied up in this temple. It's not just wargs afoot of late, but goblins and other things. A group of goblins will tear down a barricade that might keep wargs out, and we'll come back to find the horses have become breakfast."

"I'm of a mind to send the lass to Srilkind as well, though I suppose the decision is hers. Keeping her with us can put us all at risk, because most of us here will worry for her in battle. Worry means distraction, and that can mean death. Sending her on to the Drimmen-Delve won't do. She'll be safer with the whole group than trying to make it to the Drimmen-Delve with a guide or two. There's a lot of nastiness a person can meet between here and there." He claps his hands together and smiles. "I'll get my things together now."

Burnbright stares after Darin, then turns to Baldhart. "I want to go with you. I want to be strong and courageous, like you. But I don't want to get anyone killed because they're looking after me, either. So I guess I'll do what you say. But if you do send me to Srilkind, and then you don't come back, I'm going to come looking for you. I don't care if I have to go into those tunnels by myself!" She looks at the group to see if anyone will challenge her. "So...am I coming with you or going back to town?"

As the party discussed their plans, the wind picked up, blowing snow in through the opening into the temple, sending a chill down to your bones. Close to the fire the temperature is fine, but you don't have to get far from the flames to feel the winter chill.

Darin gets his gear together, lays his hammer across his shoulder, and says "When we go back down there, we should be on guard. Those lizards aren't completely stupid, and when the group that went after Burnbright didn't come back with her, it is likely others were sent after them. By now, those lizards will know we killed the first group. They won't know whether we're coming back down or not, but I'm guessing they'll have prepared for the possibility. So, let's get moving then. What's it going to be? Me first down the hole?"

 

[Ravana]

"If I get killed as result of your actions I swear I will return from the Death to haunt you and exact revenge."

"I would not have made that vow in this place and time, Mauve."

"What shall be done with our animals? Shall we take them down with us? Leave them outside? Keep them in the temple? Send them to the Drimmin-Delve with a message around their neck?"

"They would not care to follow you, even if you could get them down the hole. And mighty as Baldhart is, still there are differences between her and a winch."

((Spit-takes, anyone?))

"In any case: the animals need not concern you. I said it before: I will have no part in taking the child nearer to the hazard beneath us. I do not argue that the group is stronger together than divided; neither do I argue that one or two remaining behind would be sufficient force to resist another attack. Nonetheless, I have made my decision."

"What of Burnbright? She still has no skill in fighting. What shall she do? Swing her sword around trying to hit something? Learn to mend wounds? Ride to safety while we fight below? Perhaps Cadell could take her to the Drimm-Delve."

"And how will others be warned? Could our druid companion attmept another journeying? Should we send a Message with a party member? Others must be warned in the event we fail."

"…a decision which addresses the last of these at least. Warning has already gone out to Drimmen-delve. Bren will no doubt spread what news he knows to whatever communities lie along his path… though of course he left before the rune-lock was opened. I can bear news to Srilkind, and see the horses there as well. Most of you arrived here on foot, so the journey cannot be too arduous; nor are you likely to require the services of your mounts in the immediate future.

"As for the child, I would—and will—see her away if she, is willing to come with me. Though I somehow doubt she is. If Srilkind seems no safer than wandering about in the wilderness… well, in that much at least I have some experience.

"Though for me, Srilkind will be less safe, should I enter it alone claiming to bear tidings that all of you and the child you escort have disappeared down a long-forgotten hole haunted by evil's servants. I cannot imagine such news, from an unfamiliar source, would be well received." (Now there's an understatement.…) "So at the very least it would be well if a written message accompanied me, along with some token to show I was a reliable herald. Whatever that might be.

"While you make your preparations, I will go locate some more berries. That much of me you may take to aid you. As berry bushes do not grow underground, I would be unable to supply more even if I did accompany you."

[Edit: ninja'd by a dwarf. That's a new one on me.… ]

 

[Sparkie]

I chuckle at Darin's last comment. "You first? Nay, I'll be at your side at least. Lets kick some lizard tail!"

Despite the deepening snow, stiffening wind, and frigid cold I feel warm inside. This decision by my companions allows me to hold fast to my faith. Betula gives me this opportunity, I can feel it. I will not fail Him.

I speak up to the entire group. "Whatever is done in regards to Burnbright needs to be done quickly. The weather is taking a nasty turn here, and If the journey is to be made it must be made now."

My things are ready, so I head down to the cellar. I stand by the opening of the tunnel, lantern in hand, waiting for the others. My heartbeats are starting to pick up speed and power. It's time to worship.

 

[Philip Overby]

I turn to Rydh. ""Let the girl go back, I say. I've already had to save her once. Don't want to do so again," I say, slicking my hair back.

I smile at Baldhart. "What do you say, you big beauty? Now you can focus just on training me!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I give Burnbright a hug.

"If you don't hear from me within a week, you are to contact my uncle Wolfgang Eisenberg of the Iron Mountain. Tell him you are my Sister. A southbound ship will take you there. I'm sure there are men like Hrolf and his beefy pals who would ensure your safe passage south in exchange for some of this." I give Burnbright my entire share of the treasure. "You can have a family and a life there. My parents will be your caretakers if I cannot be, and I won't disgrace myself and fail to be a valkyrie now that I've come this far."

I lift her from the ground, hold her in a close embrace and whisper, "Dead or alive, I'll watch over you. Nissa didn't lead me here to stop the Taint. She led me to you. Two future valkyries, you and I. Remember my monk friend, Hanako, if I'm not the one to teach you."

I let her down and turn to the group.

"We go back to Srilkind after this. I won't leave her wondering how it all turned out longer than we must."

 

[SeverinR]

"The weather seems to be turning, is it safe to travel above ground in it? Will it get worse? Maybe the druid or ranger can give us incite on what the weather might do?"
I look from one to the other.
"Should the travel be posponed until the morning or after the storm passes? Would be no benefit to send the child to the city only to have her parish in a storm. If a storm is coming, the animals will need to be in shelter, and there will be no preditors out in a storm."
"Planning for all forseeable possibilities is best done now. The bickering by a warm fire where the walls keep the sounds from carrying to far, rather then in the tunnels where the walls echo sounds throughout."
"Is there a storm approaching, or is the wind just picking up?"

 

[Nihal]

"I would not have made that vow in this place and time, Mauve."

I grin, answering in a low voice, "When stronger foes decide to prey on you, you do everything to fight back."

"I agree that the city is not safe for her." I turn to them. "Would you like to see her burnt? Do you think the demons came all the way from the dark lands to destroy the temple? Those people are not good people, not all of them, and the ones who are omitted themselves in the past. They burnt someone 'beloved', what do you think they will do when faced with the choice of handing her over or facing annihilation? Don't be naive.

"If the majority still wish to send her back there I will respect the decision, but first I want to make sure you know exactly what means sending her back to this place, so your ignorance will not be an excuse in case the worst happens."

I chuckle at Darin's last comment. "You first? Nay, I'll be at your side at least. Lets kick some lizard tail!"

"Oh, don't you want to know about the staff? Get the ranger to say his words. I will not accompany you if he do not."

I nod at Aliron's words, awaiting the response with him.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"When they see Burnbright is with her, they will know she was entrusted with her by us. Burnbright can speak for herself, and those who have known her since she was a baby know this. We earned the trust of those people, especially Father Harald and Grim--both of whom know of Rydh's healing magic--and I doubt Hrolf and his friends have forgotten me!"

Baldy, don't give a long goodbye. You guys can win. You'll survive this. Stay positive!

"I love you, Burnbright. I hope you understand that I wish only to protect you, and others for the reason Darin stated, but I do not fear for you nor must you fear for me. I will return to Srilkind and tell you of our glorious victory!

"Oh... and 5 gold is yours to spend, but the rest of what I gave you is inheritance. It's only yours if I'm dead."



((Note: Baldhart is still by the fire as she says this. If the winter chill makes travel too dangerous for Burnbright, that's something Baldhart would consider.))

 

[Ireth]

I sigh as a decision is finally reached, at least with regards to the adults. Back into those thrice-blasted tunnels, is it? Well, I will go for the sale of the group, but I do not have to like it.

I move to ensure Llucheden has everything she needs, and tuck my makeshift pincushion into one of her saddlebags as I do so. I murmur a soft goodbye and stroke her nose; she snorts warm breath into my face and flicks an ear. Smiling, I turn away and go to Hiljikki, wondering what progress she has made on my prosthesis. At least I have a sword to use if I cannot yet use my bow again.