Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Sparkie]

((I'm thinking Rydh has at least 4 mana after getting more than a full nights sleep, so casting should be possible.))

I awake to morning's light, cold. My leg still hurts, but that's nothing that can't be remedied. I rouse myself, kneel, and thank Betula for the new day and our salvation through the blood of the fallen. As I speak to Him in my heart, the words of the spell are upon my lips.

Rydh casts Cure Light Wounds on himself.

I feel terrific now. My wounds are healed and I have Betula's favor. I'm complete.

I rise and walk over to Baldhart and Burnbright. I look Burnbright in the eye and say "I don't know what happened to you, child, or why. But I think that you should find and keep that holy symbol. It should still be in the cellar."

I turn to Baldhart. "I know you worry, but the symbol didn't hurt her. Gefjon spoke to her through the necklace, and she gave us His message. To deny her this gift would be tragic."

 

[Ankari]

"Dwarves! The sun has cursed us with the clear vision of your bearded features. Let us gather around the remains of this fire and discuss business. What brings you so far south?"

 

[Ireth]

I cannot help but sigh at Ankari's words. I hope the dwarves do not think me the same as him. I may not like dwarves much, but I at least do not insult them to their faces. This is something Ankari and I should discuss, I think. After the dwarves speak their piece.

Realizing I am still wearing my tunic backwards, I turn it the right way around again, and grimace at the dried blood covering it. That will not be easy to wash out... good thing I favor darker colors as a rule.

 

[Nihal]

No amount of talking, singing or snoring manage to interrupt my sleep during the night. The others are already awake and noisy when I finally stir from my rest. My head is pounding, my body, stiff, but I know I'm going to feel better after the breakfest. I sit and look at the door, surprised that I've slept well past my usual.

I pick something to eat, leaving the spellbook alone. I don't feel like preparing any spells today. Noticing the quartz pendant still dangling from my wrist, I stuff it in my pouch, placing the extra bandages in my backpack and start to eat the stale bread.

((How is her HP?))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((You regenerate HP at YOUR LEVEL + 1 + YOUR CON MOD. So if you have a CON mod of +1, you gain 3 HP in a full night's sleep.))



I pat Burnbright on the head.

"Rydh is right. The necklace is a means of communication with the divine. There are very few of us who are so lucky to have such a gift."

Us? You're not going to brag about me, are you?

I would love to, but who would believe it?

"After last night, I have no reason to fear a blue glow around a lady!"

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright feels better after talking to Baldhart and Rydh. She promises she will retrieve the necklace first thing in the morning. She's warm in her blankets and doesn't want to crawl out of them to go down to the cellar. Plus, it's dark down there.

When morning comes she is rested and cheerful, and is eagerly trying to determine who has breakfast and what it consists of.

Darin rises at Ankari's words. "There are many among my people who consider elves faithless, insolent wretches. You give veracity to their words. Last night we mourned for the fallen. Today we do not. Keep a civil tongue or I'll send you back south on the end of my hammer."

Bren is behind Darin with an eager grin. Darin waves him away and looks to the rest of the group. "If there are any here who know courtesy, we will speak. Otherwise, Bren and I will thank you again for your assistance yesterday and be on our way. Many miles lay between us and our hold, and we have no time to waste on fools."

At a nod, Bren begins gathering his things and loading up his pack. Darin looks at the group for a moment, then does the same.

 

[Ireth]

I rise and look to the dwarves. "I pray you will not judge the whole of our company based on the incivility of one of us. I would be glad to hear what you have to say, if you would speak."

 

[Nihal]

((Thanks, sir! Note taken.))

I stretch, holding what is left of the bread with my teeth, then stuff it in my mouth, washing it down with a bit of wine.

Yeah, I don't feel so bad at all. I almost smile, the taste of the wine lingering on my tongue. However, the things aren't going really well with the others.

"Wait, please." I look angrily at the elves then turn to the dwarves.

"I would appreciate any information you could give about the Taint and everything else. You have been around since it started, don't you?"

 

[Ankari]

"Ha! Well said. And yet, the loss of your companions did not prevent your friend from speaking ill of my kind last night. It was I who ordered your rescue, as I did not judge on the grounds of your race. Yet, in the safety of our company and by the light of my fire, your friend didn't feel he needed to ponder the loss of your fallen brothers. Instead, he spoke ill of me and my ilk. And I still allowed you to share our warmth and food.

I would proceed as civilized people, if you can assure me you intend the same. Have your man apologize and you shall hear the same from me."

 

[Phietadix]

"If you believe apologies should be made Ankari, show you mean it and apologize first” Turning to the dwarves I say. “I hope you will avoid any future insults of elves, Ankari is a bit uncontrolled when it comes to negotiating. Now shall we discuss things civilly or shall we continue to insult each other and learn nothing to help us in our quests?”

 

[Steerpike]

Bren starts forward a step. "I'm not apologizing to no pointy-..."

"Enough!" Darin interrupts him, watching Ankari. "There will be no apology. Much has been said on both sides. We will leave it there and take it no further. If that is acceptable to you, then we can continue. I have already thanked your aid yesterday. We will speak, or we will leave. I care not which."

Darin nods curtly to Mauve and Cadell. "If we cannot speak here, I invite you to walk with us a ways." He looks at the stump of Cadell's arm and frowns. "You gave much in aiding us, elf. I will see our debt repaid."

Darin then nods at Matthew's words as well. "You may walk with us too, if we're not to talk here. Already Bren and I are late in returning to our hold, and we have urgent business."

 

[Ireth]

I nod to Darin, glad that at least one of the dwarves chooses to act civilly. At the mention of a debt being repaid, I smile in gratitude. "Thank you... Darin, is it?" Using his name in courtesy might increase his opinion of me; it could aid us in the long run. "I am Cadell."

 

[Ankari]

"Very well. I've tired of this banter, as it is. We can be of mutual benefit to one another. We've already done our part. Have a seat around the fire while we make some tea and divide our rations. Tell us what brings you south."

 

[Nihal]

I pick up my backpack, with the words Matthew said yesterday echoing in my mind.

I hope they don't try to stop me. I don't think they would treat me as a prisoner, at least not in front of the dwarves... would they?

"My name is Mauve, I am..." - a corrupted mage who don't know how to kick barrels - "...a traveler."

I glance at the elf ranger out of the corner of my eyes when he talks.

 

[Ireth]

I look at Mauve with a smile. "I think most of us here are travellers in one way or another."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

To Ankari I say quietly, "You did well on backing us up on the battlefield. Don't undo our work--and Cadell's sacrifice--with your insults here. If you cannot resist the urge to insult the dwarves, which you must admit is the case, I suggest you give Burnbright an archery lesson. Please urge Aliron to join you." I'm about to join Sir Cadell, Sir Matthew, and Mauve, but I look back once more. I move closer. "You keep such a clear head in battle, Ankari, and your generosity at the Crow was admirable. Why make enemies at a time like this?" I whisper, "For your ears only, Ankari," and I say so only he can hear...

...

"So can you be the one to apologize, then speak kindly to the dwarves if they'll still have you?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I hope my words to Ankari did not make things worse. In his own way, he was trying to make peace, though he's too stubborn to apologize. Why must men fight to be the bigger man or the bigger mouth?

I move to Cadell while the tension, hopefully, dies down--as opposed to growing worse because of my own big mouth.

"Cadell, did you..." I want an answer about the knife, but how to ask? "...rest well?"

 

[Ireth]

I look at Baldhart and smile at her concern, but shake my head. "Not very. My dreams were... troubled."

I remember the things I heard her muttering in her sleep; the marks of her tears are still there in the paint on her face. The most polite thing I can think to ask is, "And yourself?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I had the most wonderful dream! I held my sword alongside of...

"Oh. But the beginning was strange." I pull out the stone knife. I stare at it for a moment. It seems harmless now, but... "The other night, I dreamed of the creature who stabbed me with this. He wasn't in my dream last night. Not exactly, I mean, but... I still felt his presence. When this knife was in your possession--forgive me if this is a silly thing to ask, but--I mean, your hand is--no, I shouldn't say..."

Snap out of it, Baldy!

"I think this knife is not just a knife. I have to know. Is it... possibly... maybe... cursed?"

 

[Nihal]

((Ninja'ed! ò.o))

Smile?

I look at Cadell, trying to see his true intentions, then the barbarian approaches and exchange enigmatic words with him.

Are they... trying to be discreet? Hah! If they started to jump and dance they would be less suspicious than now.

I do not miss their possible allusion to the cursed knife as they talk about dreams, but I keep a blank face, turning to the dwarfs instead. As long they think I don't know a thing they won't refrain from talking near me, even if through codes. I'm going to make sure to play my part.

When she pulls the knife I quickly glance at it, then pretend I'm more interested on my backpack straps.