Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Nihal]

I pick up my backpack when arriving and slouch against the wall, watching them work in silence. Other day and I would be offended by the dwarf's commentary, but not today. I don't want to fight anymore, I only want rest. Maybe when I wake up tomorrow everything will be nothing more than a bad dream, I won't be so worn out, I won't be... I bite my lips.

 

[Ankari]

I bite back a scathing remark about valkyrie and false beliefs. She is free to believe as she wills. Children do not respond to blunt statements, they require that you point to the path of wisdom and allow them to tread down it.

"Honor isn't in the eyes of men. It isn't in the words they sing. Those who sing of great feats are masking their own fears. Honor is mired in the sacrifice made for the ideals that shape who they are. Songs of Veborg, as misguided as they are, celebrate her sacrifice, not the witnissing of it. Honorable men usually die alone since cowards flee from the danger that threatens their pathetic lives."

 

[Ireth]

I dismount as I arrive at the temple, and lean on Llucheden as the motion makes my head spin. Blasted bloodloss... thrice-blasted wargs. Steadying myself, I look around for a place to secure the horse. Her coat is spattered crimson with my blood; I make a note to gather some snow to melt, and give her as much of a wash as I can.

I look at the stump of my arm, seeing that it has stopped bleeding, and under the blood that is already there the skin seems to have sealed over the muscle and bone. What now am I to do for myself or the company, robbed of my dominant hand? I do not dare count on performing such feats as I did recently; that killing blow with my off-hand was a stroke of dumb luck. I long to clench a fist that isn't there, and the stump seems to move the slightest amount in response, sending more pain shooting up my arm. I hiss and look away, staring around the temple again, and lead Llucheden toward the others and their welcoming fire.

 

[Sparkie]

Baldhart is good enough to leave me by the fire for warmth. It's a small comfort, and I should be thankful for such mercies. I should, in fact, thank Betula for sparing my life. But I don't feel like praying right now.

Cadell comes over to the fire with an angry expression on his face. It's my fault.

"Ymddiheuraf," I tell him. Then, in Common, I say "My power does not so far as to heal... That."

 

[Ireth]

I manage a smile when Rydh speaks, comforted as always by the sound of my mother tongue, almost as much as the meaning of his words. "You did what you could, fy ffrind. I would likely have died if not for you. Diolch."

I get Llucheden secured and settle down by the fire, trying to scrub the blood from my stump with the cleaner parts of my tunic -- not an easy task, as not much of my tunic is clean to begin with. I sigh and slide my arms out of the sleeves, tugging the tunic around back-to-front. The other side is far cleaner.

 

[Nihal]

The elf knight seems to be in pain.

That's right. Look at him, you idiot! Look! Unlike him you'll be fine, you're still able to fight, so cut out the self-pity!

I really don't feel better, but I force myself to move anyway. I look around and approach the dwarves.

Their dagger.

Holding it by the blade, I offer the dwarven dagger to Darin.

I must earn their trust and discover what they know. I should say something nice and friendly.

"You have been to the Taint." I state in a flat voice.

Ugh.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Bren... you remind of the men on my mountain." They, too, would have been embarrassed to fight a battle alongside a woman who fought as hard and walked away unscathed. But instead I say, "I wish we could have come to your aid sooner. Burnbright--the young one--she wore a symbol of Gefjon, there was a flash of blue light..."

Ironically, I feared this light yet I am surrounded by blue light myself now!

"...and she warned us: 'They're coming,' she said! We were prepared to defend the young girl. We heard the wol--the wargs. I stepped out into the clearing and saw you. Too late to save everyone."

I look upon the dead.

"They're names. I intend to honor them. For my people, we honor the dead by telling others of their feats, their deeds... something to pass on to those who didn't have the pleasure to meet them."

He's not a big talker. Who can blame him? His friends just died.

"On the ship from the south, we were attacked. A boy named Eskel was the first to fall. He was a tall, young man who laid eyes on me. I'm not much to look at, but he saw some reason not to take his eyes off of me. Maybe because I was the only woman not separated from him by miles of ocean, but he knew I was a woman which is more than I can say for the men I trained with.

"So I repay his flattery by telling his story. I honor him in this way. Now, what about your comrades, Bren? I see two great men who I never had the pleasure to meet. What can you tell me about them? I wish to honor your men."

 

[Steerpike]

Dain seems interested in the book mentioned by Matthew. "It is not often that dwarven writings are found outside our holds. At least, not these days. I will look at it for you, after I have seen to my dead."

As he heads back over to the bodies, Mauve approached. Dain takes the dagger offered by Mauve. He frowns. "This belonged to Albin. We will bury him soon. How did you come by it?"

Burnbright is still with Ankari, building up the fire. "But I want people to know who I am!" she says, with some hotness in her voice. "I've never been anyone. I don't have a family or nothing like that. I never belonged anywhere. I mean, the people of Srilkind have been good to me...I guess I'd be dead without them. But I'm not part of any of their families. If I died, they'd be sad for a while and then they'd forget me. I want people to know who I am, and when I die I want people to be sad, and to sing great songs remembering me." She stops what she is doing for a moment, then grins. "Wouldn't that be nice, Ankari? To be important to people? To have the world miss you when you're gone? That's how it is with great warriors."

 

[Steerpike]

Dain glances over as Baldhart and Bren talk, but makes no move to intervene.

Bren coughs. "Your coming did save us," he says, gruffly. "You're right enough about that. It's just not our way, and I admit I'm one who is set in his ways I like to remain there. For dwarves, women are to be protected. They are to tend our children and...er...well, other things..." the dwarf's face is red again, and he quickly moves on. "Were a dwarven hold to send its women into battle, the hold would be dishonored. It would mean the men of the hold couldn't protect them. Do you see?" He leans in a bit closer, lowering his voice. "I know humans do things differently, and I know the women sometimes fight with the men. My words were hasty...I must remember that I am not in the halls of my fathers. More than anything, the sight of these pointy-eared meyla set my teeth on edge. I don't know how well you know 'em, lass, but watch your back. They'll slide a knife in and run singin' back to their trees if you're not careful." Bren rises back up a bit, then speaks more loudly, so that all can hear.

"Let Dain and I bury our dead, as is our way. After, at the fire, we'll talk of their deeds and tell our tale in exchange for your own."

 

[Nihal]

"Campfire. I don't know if you bury your dead with their belongings." I breath. Keep talking. "I wish I could have done something for them, I'm sorry." I really am.

"These people, like me, are here to discover more about the curse looming over the North."

"If... you need any kind of help you only need to ask." I add softly.

 

[Steerpike]

Dain nods to Mauve, then slides his dagger into his belt and joins Bren to bury the dead. They decide to bury them on a small rise in the ground just behind the temple.

 

[Ireth]

Eventually my stump is as clean as I can get it. The fire's warmth spreading through me amplifies the exhaustion I feel from the battle. My head droops, and I lower my face into my hand, closing my eyes. I know there are things to do and discuss, but right now all I want is rest. Hopefully I will be able to contribute to whatever we do... but maimed as I am, and still in pain, it doesn't seem very likely. Maybe my arm will hurt less when I wake up.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I feel a tear in my left eye. I want to fight it. What is the use?

"It is the same on my mountain."

The tear is there, but my voice is energetic. Bren truly is like my father's friends!

"I mean, not eactly the same but... the men from the Iron Mountain would not have me fight their battles. The only way I could put my training to use was to leave my mountain. My father made it very clear the ways that would bring dishonor to the Eisenberg clan. He told me them knowing I would never disgrace myself in those ways. Fortunately, none of those things have to do with fighting, so I am free to use my sword as long as I swing it justly.

"But as you say, we can tell our tales later. It is important that you honor your men in your own way first. If you want help with the burial, I am at your service. If you wish not to bury them in the presence of humans and elves, I will respect that. It will not break the peace."



((So Baldhart goes blah, blah, blah, THEN they bury the dead.))

 

[Ankari]

As Burnbright lobes question after question, I treat my bow with some oil to protect it against the harsh elements of the north. She is as relentless as Baldhart in battle. I smile at her in an attempt to balance my somber words. As I start to answer, I hear the dwarf fail in his attempt to whisper his warning into Baldhart's ear. "We are not stupid, dwarf. We would shoot you from afar. If you live, we would point at the tree you so hate, and challenge you to question it. Taking into account your legendary intelligence, we woud have a few years before you figured things out."

The dwarf is angry. Whether from my words or the unfortunate dilemna of being a dwarf, I can't tell. I turn to Burnbright. "Another lesson. In situations requiring tact, don't take my example. Baldhart and Cadell are better choices. As to your question. No, I wouldn't want to be remembered in the way you put it. Do not confuse 'good' with 'pride'. Warriors who seek witness for their acts are filling a void in their souls. They devalue who they are and what they stand for. Would that same warrior do good if no one were around? Isn't a warrior who does good without reward rarer and more song worthy than one who seeks the reward of recognition? Consider what becomes of the memory if everyone holding it dies. Have your deeds suddenly lost all value?

Better to carve your way into the hearts of a few than to have your name on the tongues of many. You do not know how many people care for you. Do good and people will love you for who you are, not the battles you've won."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I rest by the fire...

 

[Ireth]

I look up as Baldhart comes to rest by the fire, and give her a weary smile. "I never got the chance to thank you for aiding me in the battle, so I will say so now. Your presence gave me the courage and hope I needed to finish the warg."

 

[Phietadix]

I go into the temple and rest by the fire with the others.
"I wouldn't insult the dwarves if I were you Ankari, while they may insult you the way to show elves superior is to avoid such behavoir."
Speaking to Burnbright I say.
"What Ankari says is true, you would be wise to listen to him."

 

[Nihal]

The giant woman was almost crying. How can someone so strong and frightening be this... fragile?

Keeping some distance from the others I sit by the fire, gladly welcoming it's warmth. I take a sip from my flask, then another. I don't want to doze off before hearing what the dwarves have to say, but my hands are so numb.

I need gloves. I sigh.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Thank you, Cadell." I yawn. "You inspired me with your bravery!"

I smile at him, but the world slips away. All is black.

I see a figure before me...

"Nissa?"



((Baldhart mumbled Nissa's name.))

 

[Ireth]

Baldhart dozes off, and I lay down, thinking to do the same. But Baldhart murmurs in her sleep, and I cannot help but perk up a little, watching and listening curiously to see if she will say more. Who is Nissa?