Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Sparkie]

Baldhart has grabbed me like this before, but this time I'm more relieved to have her aid. Upon getting to Cadell I drop to my knees, half out of desire to heal him and half just to stop my leg from moving. Unfortunately, it hurts worse now that I'm down.

I place both of my hands on Cadell's back and pray hard, uttering the spell.

Just 2 HP? Rats! And just 3 Mana left!

Not enough. Not nearly enough. Perhaps my own wounds are hampering me. I do my best to shut the agony out of my mind and I try again.

4 more HP now. Down just 1 Mana.

Still not enough. I gather what little power I have and blast it into Cadell for one last casting.

5 more HP ought to cover it. Rydh's now at negative Mana and won't be able to cast for awhile.

I drain my own spirit to help Cadell, and I intentionally collapse at his side, face up, because of the pain. I notice my breathing is short and ragged. I could walk if I had to, but I really don't want to. This sensation in my thigh makes me wonder if I'll pass out soon.

This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. I was supposed to go out bravely, not laying on my back in agony.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I'm about to carry the dwarves to Rydh, but ((I rolled a wimpy 10))... it doesn't seem safe to move them.

I see Mauve with bandages. And Hiljikki... how cute her little steed is!

"Can anyone help these dwarves?" I ask the ladies. Then I step aside, hoping the two of them can save the dwarves, if they are still alive.

I turn to the dwarf who I had first mistaken for a panicking idiot. "It was an honor to fight alongside of you and your men," I tell him. "I pray we were not too late for your friends." I almost forget my manners! "I am Baldhart Eisenberg of the Iron Mountain. I..."

I look at Cadell's bloody stump, then turn and see the other dwarf is about to finish the beast that Sir Matthew spared.

"...hate wolves."

I hope Sir Matthew does not intend to stop the dwarf from doing what I considered doing myself. But my intent would be to protect Burnbright from a beast that would likely turn on her. The dwarf wants to kill it out of anger. I may be a big fool, but neither big enough nor fool enough to stand in the path of a dwarf whose anger can only be quenched by doing what he's set out to do--or escalated by being beaten to it or stopped.

"These damned things make lousy pets and lousy meals, so what are they good for? Send it back to whatever hell it came from!" I say loud enough that I can only hope everyone will take the hint.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I turn to see Rydh lying in agony. I go over to move him but...

...my arms are like jelly.

Then rest a bit, dummy, and talk to the dwarves.

I say to the dwarf, "Let us finish introductions by a fire instead of this miserable place, friend." I smile at him, hoping that I earned his trust by the way I presented myself in battle.

Satisfied that Cadell is able to get on his own horse, I merely help him up with a boost and...

...I carry Rydh and walk to the courtyard.


((Steerpike, I goofed fire starting rolls... I read the full version of Barbarian skills, and now realize it's 1d10 to see how many turns are needed for a barbarian to start a fire. Anyway, Baldy needs to walk there first so please disregard the d20 rolls 6 and 10, both of which come after the 21 to carry Rydh.))

 

[Steerpike]

((Looks like we posted at the same time. Let's assume Baldhart gives the dwarf a chance to respond, and then picks up Rydh and carries him to the courtyard. Cadell is awake and able to walk, though still in some pain)).

The dwarf raises an eyebrow at the mention of of the wolves. "Those are no wolves, lass," he says, his voice gruff and rough-edges. "They're wargs. Brae-wargs, we name them. Smaller than their cousins but nasty enough in their own right."

He seems satisfied at seeing the other dwarf heading over the finish the last creature. His face grows dark as he looks at his fallen comrades. "They have passed. Only two remain now," he mutters.

Then he seems to remember himself and turns to Baldhart again. "I am Darin, son of Dain, of the Drimmen-delve, to the north and west. Well and timely met, Baldhart Eisenberg." He looks around at the others, including the child Burnbright, running toward the scene and Hiljikki approaching on her reindeer.

"You are a strange group..." he says. Then, as Rydh casts his spells, the dwarf's eyebrows rise once again. "Strange indeed. What brings you so close to the Taint?"

When Baldhart suggests they move to the courtyard, the dwarf agrees.

((waiting to see if Matthew does anything to stop the dwarf killing the warg. If not, we'll all move to the courtyard next. If so, we'll resolve that first, though others can head to the courtyard already)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"A desire to end it," I reply as we walk together.

 

[Nihal]

As I near them I reduce my speed, nearly slipping when I come to a full stop. The weird guy with a shield and a torn leg reaches for the fallen knight, and for my surprise, casts something.

It's healing magic! I stare in wonder.

The moment doesn't last for long, for he falls after helping the maned knight. The giant woman asks me to help the dwarves.

((Here I'm betting Hiljikki is going to help our party before the dwarves.))

I go to the closest fallen dwarf, kneeling at his side and listening for his breath if I can't be sure he's alive. If I can't hear a thing I move to the next one.


((If it requires an attribute check I feel sorry for the dwarf.))


I stretch my cloak on the snow and drop all the bandages over it, trying to ignore to my dizziness. I pick one and tear the dwarf's cloth around the wound so I can to dress it.




They're on the snow for too long, we don't have time for this! I feel a bit annoyed by their chatting. I squeeze my eyes shut for some seconds, trying to focus.

"Hey, I need help there!"


((Gaah, I was still writing and rolling badly!))

 

[Steerpike]

Mauve checks both fallen dwarves, and discovers to her dismay that both are already dead.

 

[Ireth]

I wake to find myself lying facedown in the snow, and raise my head with a gasp. My left arm still hurts, though not quite as badly as before. I gingerly raise myself on my right, resting on my knees for a moment. I pick up my sword and clean it in the snow, then sheathe it clumsily before climbing to my feet, my injured arm still tucked against my chest. I do not know where my bow fell, but I do not search for it; I cannot use it anymore anyway. Llucheden is beside me, nuzzling me and whickering in concern; I smile and accept Baldhart's help getting into the saddle, take the reins in my remaining hand and walk Llucheden back toward the courtyard alongside Baldhart. Rydh is barely conscious in her arms, his leg torn open and bleeding profusely.

 

[Sparkie]

I'm being carried now. There's some shame in this, to be sure, but I'm glad I don't have to use my leg.

"Thank you," I mutter to Baldhart. I then see one of the dwarves walking alongside us. Great. Dwarves are not fond of this kind of weakness. I know that I'll never be able to earn their respect now. Oh well.

 

[Phietadix]

I look to the dwarf.
"Kill it if you think it's nessacry, while I don't aprove, I won't try to stop you."

 

[Nihal]

Mauve checks both fallen dwarves, and discovers to her dismay that both are already dead.

((LOL))


I look around in dismay. I'm late! Why can't I do anything right?

As they start to move I stay on the snow a little longer, getting up and lagging behind them after a while.

 

[Steerpike]

The dwarf near the injured warg grunts, then finishes the animal with one quick blow. He and the other dwarf gather their dead, each throwing one of the fallen dwarves over his shoulder, before setting off toward the temple courtyard. As they pick up the fallen, the second dwarf, who has not yet introduced himself, glances around at the group, taking in Rydh, Aliron, Cadell, and Hiljikki on her steed, and says "When did the elves start stickin' their long ears back into the business of the north?" The words are muttered, but loud enough to carry to the group.

The second dwarf, Darin, holds up a hand as he trudges through the snow with his burden. "Peace, Bren."

The dwarf Bren lapses into an unhappy silence.

 

[Phietadix]

I look away as the dwarf kills the Warg, it seems a pity it had to die, but the dwarf obviously thought it was necessary.
"We found a book, written in dwarven runes. Could you translate it for us?"

 

[Ankari]

As quickly as it begun, the battle ended. My companions bear scars of the conflict in silence. What use to rage against something out of your hands. I shrug the bow over my shoulders. "Alin, prepare a fire!"

Something about the scene drags at my mouth. The two women from the temple are in the open. I turn and sprint to the temple to find Burnbright hefting the crossbow awkwardly. The worry eases from my chest. I give her the best scornful face I can muster. "Where do you think you're going? Put the crossbow away and help locate anything that can burn. We need a fire."

I eye the shattered doors and withdraw both of my hand axes. "Here. Return this once we're done. The doors will serve as excellent kindle."

There is much to discuss tonight. Dwarves so close to a human town when their pressence has been acute is one of them. But the injured must be addressed first. Then the dead. "Burnbright. You have witnessed your second lesson today. Battle is not as the bards describe it. Heroes die as surely as villains. Remember this, and keep your head on straight so that it will remain on your shoulders in such conflicts."

I hope the message is clear. No use in hammering it home. If she is bright enough, she'll understand.

 

[Ireth]

I look down at the dwarf who speaks, keeping my voice as civil as possible. "Is not an alliance for the sake of good to be desired, even between races who have long been foes?" Or was the truce between elves and humans in my home forest merely a stroke of luck -- nay, a miracle?

((What's the status of Cadell's stump? I hope it's stopped bleeding by now, nobody was really clear on that.))

 

[Steerpike]

((Yes, bleeding stopped as soon as the first heal spell hit Cadell. Other than some pain and probably being pretty tired, he's doing OK. No danger of death or falling unconscious)).

 

[Nihal]

((Uh, pile of wood near the wall, anyone? ;x))

 

[Steerpike]

Bren spits into the snow as Cadell speaks. "Elves. Faithless cowards. What good, an alliance with them? Allies must be counted to hold at your back! And if elves weren't bad enough, you have women with you. And a child! Do not speak to me of alliances. You would crumble before the enemies we face in the north."

At this Dain stops, turns to Bren who is just behind him, and says "I said 'peace,' Bren, and I'll not repeat myself. Were it not for these folk, elves and women included, you'd be layin' in the snow and I'd have my back to a temple wall, trying to stay alive. What, then, would have happened to the news we carry? Who would bring warning to our hall? It seems to me these elves know their business, and the big lass knows the sharp end of her sword well enough. We will pass the evening here, and with civil tongues. Do not shame us."

Bren reddens at these last words, the hue of his skin visible even through his thick beard. He says nothing further, but stalks ahead of the party, reaching the temple courtyard just as Ankari is discussing a fire.

Bren gingerly places the body of the dead dwarf he is carrying next to the temple wall. Darin does the same when he arrives, and they begin to discuss where to bury the bodies.

((Note - there is actually a stack of wood along one wall. The top is covered with snow, but there is enough usable wood underneath to get a good fire going)).

 

[Ankari]

As I cut a chunk from the door, I remember the pile of wood. I grimace and sheath my axe. "Burnbright, hand me that bit of wood you cut off. I just remembered we have wood. These two dry pieces is all that is needed to ensure a quick light." I take her piece and the axe back.

"Come, let me show you how to start a fire."

I use my flint and steel on the two pieces of wood. When the sparks catch, I blow gently to increase the strength of the flame. "Gather more wood before this burns out."

Soon enough, a healthy fire warms and lightens the dire temple.

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright follows Ankari's directions, helping to prepare for the fire. She seems embarrassed by his earlier statements, but she doesn't say anything about it. Her eyes dart to the dead dwarves, and then to the wounded Dain, who is now bandaging his own wounds.

As she bring Ankari more wood, she leans in and says softly "Was there any honor in how those dwarves died? You're not supposed to just get killed in some field with nobody around. When Veborg died, there were hundreds there, and everyone saw how brave and honorable she was. That's why they still sing about it. What happens if you die and there is no one to see? Do the valkyries still come?"