Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Steerpike]

By the time Baldhart finishes the trap and makes her way back to the Spear, she spots Gisla heading up the road from the temple. She, too, appears to be heading for the Maiden's Spear. When she sees you, she picks up her pace and falls in beside you.

"I'm heading up to my room to collect some old clothes. A couple of the militia men are going to do the same. If the gnolls attack and find the village empty, we figure they'll try to sniff out the direction in which everyone fled. We're going to lay out a false trail for them - hopefully nothing too obvious - heading back toward Srilkind. If they take the bait, maybe it will buy the village some time, or even make the gnolls lose interest in us altogether."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I nod. "I'd rather see them all dead, but if they don't come to the boat I'm glad you have a back up plan to keep everyone safe."

Hmm… old clothes.

"Gisla… I also want to change. Are there any old rags I can take, or if you can spare an old dress or shirt and skirt—a thin, light material in either case—that would be better. I'll need to borrow a towel from the bath house as well."

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla nods. "I just want to see the village through safely, whether that means all of the gnolls are dead, or none of them are, or some are dead and others aren't. I do have an old dress you can borrow, and also a few pairs of old pants..."she pauses and looks you up an down... "that might be a bit short in length. Shirts too. Come on up to my room and you can take your pick."

She opens the door to the Spear to find Grim and Aldar inside, casting covetous glances at the ale keg. "If you're going to have a drink, leave some coin under the counter."

Grim turns. "Is the time close? Maybe a drink ain't the best thing right now. And Baldhart, listen...now that's I've got you without the rest of your group..." he glances over at Aldar... "well, mostly anyway, are you sure Burnbright's safe? That fool southerner was gonna let her walk right out of the Crow and hand herself over to them gnolls, and from what I've heard he's the one now set to watch over her."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I reply to Grim first. "I do believe she's safe…" I sigh, "Honestly, I'm not sure who can be trusted anymore. The ones I thought I knew best in our group have all found unique ways to break my trust. I wish I could say something more reassuring, but the best answer I can offer is that we must have faith and stand together against this threat.

"I took a little time to talk to Masama, and he appears to be a priest or monk of a… well… a foreign faith that, to me, seems wishy-washy. I don't mean to insult his god. Or goddess. I mean he seems to accept anyone's choice as the will of his deity. But he seems honest and protective. If I could watch Burnbright myself and lure the gnolls into my trap at the same time, I would. But it's my trap and my plan, so I must be the one who takes the greatest risk.

"I agree, Gisla, that keeping the innocent safe is our highest priority. If the gnolls live past today, we'll need to face them again… but I can't be sure that they'll come to my trap. Your back-up plan is necessary and appreciated." I look back at Grim, "Let me change before we speak more."




I head up with Gisla.


"Please don't be angry, Gisla, but there is something you must know. No… you don't need to know, and if I were as dishonorable as Hrolfr, Liadan and Mauve say I am, I wouldn't tell you this. But I meant what I said when I first arrived that you are a Sister and I won't keep secrets from you. Mauve's little trick you saw—that secret I was oath-bound to protect, but you know it now.

"She used another trick to call me while you were away. I did consult Nissa first to be sure—it wasn't against my oath to you to talk to her with the hunt temporarily off. I thought she wanted to help, and in fact I needed it. Cadell… he's gone soft. He went to talk to the gnolls before I returned, though he knew I was going to consult you or an elder so someone who speaks for Arendal would influence our plan, then get back to him. Cadell wanted nothing but peace, so I'm not sure what he told the gnolls. And Mauve—she just wanted me to get her things. I told her no—that I was busy trying to save innocent lives, and tempers flared. Things got ugly. But Ankari was there as well. I tried to intimidate him—I warned him to stay away from me, but…

"He was repentant in tone. He offered to track Cadell and deliver my message to the gnolls. I agreed to it as I have yet to meet a better tracker, and… to say I lack such a talent is an understatement. He said he only wanted one thing in return. I told him murder would not be forgiven, but he didn't want that. He simply said to tell the people of Arendal that 'the wraith that has stolen their priest's life will save them from the need to bloody their hands.'" I don't mention the callous part.

"Like I said, Gisla, I don't expect you to treat him any differently. He still murdered a man who was adored by the people of Arendal, and I can't make sense of his actions. He credits Mauve for showing him that he erred, and took my attempt to kill him and my solidarity with you as a sign of my courage.

"I know you're not happy about this, and for that I'm sorry, but I do value honesty despite what I intend for the gnolls. I deceive enemies, and I strike enemies with my sword. Lying and killing are what you do to enemies, not allies, not friends, not people you admire, and not people you want to continue trusting you."


I'm not sure how she'll take this, but she has reason to suspect a trap.


"I am betting my life that his offer to assist me is sincere. Mine—not Arendal's. Ankari knows I'll be in a vulnerable position, and my message is a hand-written note. Either he gives the note so the gnolls die, or gives the note and implies it's a trap so I'm set up. Either way, he has an incentive to send the gnolls my way. They can't kill me without boarding the boat—I won't just row into crossbow range.

"I'll light a torch on top of the sail so Nissa can be there if I need to jump overboard. The clothes I'm asking for won't exactly be modest. I mean to dress for swimming."

 

[SeverinR]

"We have the boat set, what about town defenses?" Bressel asks.

"I once heard of a battle, where the defenders used flammables at a distance, to kill and divide the attacking forces. Maybe make them force a large number of gnolls through a small opening in the flames? Easier to shoot arrows and slows them down also."

"I also heard of small sharp sticks in shallow holes covered with weeds, to injure their feet, slow them down, and punish them for continuing on. Maybe a combonation of the two? Drive them into the spike holes with the fire?
Of course, we don't have time to build large pits, but the spiked holes should be quick."

"Maybe place a pole with a torch around the town to light the fields and mark the distance to the flamables? Not close enough to accidently set them off, but close enough to aid the archers?"

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla's expression goes flat as Baldhart talks, and when the barbarian is finished, Gisla rubs the bridge of her nose between her fingers and thumb. "You should have told me they were here, Baldhart. One is a murderer, the other an accomplice. I give Arendal my protection, and that extends to all of its citizens, including Father Geralt, who now lies dead. Your party is responsible for more deaths in this town than the gnolls. So far, at least."

She shakes her head. "I can't concern myself with this right now. Wherever your friends have gone, they're not my immediate concern. When this is all over, we will find them, or failing that we will send word to the other cities and villages, branding them as outlaws. If we catch them, I can promise that they will receive a trial and have the chance to speak in their own defense. More than that, I cannot offer."

"You're young, Baldhart. I don't mean that as an insult - we have all been there. But I urge you to reflect these matters. The things with the gnolls...the trap...I can't say I approve entirely, but at least I understand it. But consorting with a murderer and his accomplice...allowing them to escape because you think they may want to help us with the gnolls...I cannot agree wit that decision. Law and tradition hold our civilization together. Here in the wild north perhaps more than anywhere. Do we forgive crimes because it may be to our immediate advantage? Do we abandon the principles that hold us together?"

"Whether you liked Father Geralt or not, he was attacked in cold blood. And in the temple of Tyr itself! He did more for Arendal than any in your group will ever know or, apparently, even try to understand. If you feel fine letting his murderer go free, then I'm afraid we have vastly different opinions of our duty."

Gisla takes a deep breath and lets it out, calming herself. "Look, it's late and everyone is on edge. Let's just keep doing what we're doing and hope the gnolls don't come. If, after this is over, it is your desire to see your friends Ankari and Mauve go free, then I suggest you take them and flee this place. I have no desire to cross blades with you. We suffer enough at the hands of the foul creatures and beasts of this land, without striking down each other as well. Maybe you can explain that to your friends."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"They are not friends," I reply.

Friends would never have put me in this position.

"Which reminds me, I'll need to remove a portion of that letter to my uncle. It's the parts that are numbered one and two, in case I die tonight."

I won't. Nothing else is going my way, so why should that be different?

Relax, Baldy. Things can be worse.

I'm expecting them to be.

Funny. That phrase is supposed to cheer people up.



If Gisla still lets me, I head to her room and look for clothing.

"About the clothes…" I hope she'll let me change the subject. "Are you leaving ripped clothing for the false trail? If you are, please let me take an outfit you intend to rip. I won't need much of it on me."

She'll probably think I'm a slut.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

A look of shock comes across my face when grimm suggests not getting a drink.
I grunt, "maybe your right then, next time we'r near a tavern im going to drown my sorrows."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I wait for Gisla to pick an outfit she won't mind giving up. How long must I endure the silent treatment? No matter. I have someone I can talk to. Always…




Nissa, what if Cadell succeeds in driving the gnolls away? Then I put myself in this position with Gisla all for nothing!

You did what you had to. Failure was certain without Ankari's help.

Failure is certain anyway. Ankari commits murder, Mauve hates me, Cadell deceives me, Liadan condemns MY use of deception—hypocrite!—Aliron distrusts me… and how hard is it to go into a town and not act like a bunch of jerks? Gisla's right about our party. We're dangerous. Even those of us who would not commit murder are dangerous. We're so disorganized, we make mistakes that get people killed. My only hope is that our incompetence gets ME killed before I fail in a way that costs me my wings.

I'm here for you, Baldy. I know you won't cross the line, but if you're about to, I'm here for you.

You're the only one I can trust, Nissa. The only one. I need to stop confusing allies with friends. I need to stop imagining a future where we celebrate our days of battle and honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Victory or death, the sooner the better.

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla leads Baldhart to her room, shifts the clothes she is carrying to underneath her injured arm, then uses her good arm to open the door. She dumps the clothes on her bed and opens a tall wardrobe along one while. Hanging on the inside of the door is a suit of armor consisting of a thick leather shirt with bands of metal affixed to the outside and a length of chain mail extending down from the bottom of the shirt. A pair of greaves of similar design hang beneath the shirt.

Gisla reaches into the wardrobe and pulls an armful of clothes off of their hangers. Shirts, trousers, and a couple of dresses. She tosses them onto the bed. "Take your pick. Keeping the town safe is more important than my wardrobe, and I don't have any sentimental attachment to these things."

Gisla then turns back to the wardrobe and removes the pieces of armor, also laying them out over the bed. She then begins to undress and change into the armor, which is a slow process with one arm.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Thank you."

I pick out a shirt and skirt, the most worn out I can find, and both in dark earth tones. They won't look transparent when wet.

I see Gisla needs help, and she reminds me of… yes, I can offer without it being about the arm.

"Gisla, I love that armor. It would… I would be honored if you allow me to assist. I used to help Dad with his armor, though he never owned anything like this."

I wait to see if she'll accept my help. Maybe it'll help mend some wounds…

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla nods. "Thank you Baldhart. I can get into it myself, but frankly it's a real bitch. A little help would be appreciated." As you help her, you see that despite not being your size, she is solid and strong. A particularly nasty, jagged scar extends from her shoulder toward the middle of her back.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"My pleasure."

She's been wonderful to me, and the ungrateful oafs that I once considered more than allies. Look how we've shown appreciation to her. One kills, then the majority of us act like idiots. Maybe she'd've arrested me for 'consorting with a murderer' if she hadn't met Nissa.



Snap out of this, Baldy.

How?

Focus on the task at hand.

…



I can't help but notice the muscle tone as I get the chain mail on her. It's like her body forgot how to age. Even the scar is like a carving into stone. I want to know—the scar, the arm.

"You must have some stories."

Dammit! Not like that.

I move around her to fasten the bands, and I see it. Mother. Maybe it's just a feature I'm singling out because she looks nothing like Mother. Maybe it was the look of disappointment when I confessed, and… the look she gives me now as I help her.

"How did your family take it? I mean, this life you chose? Mother followed Freya. She's from Ullr's side of the mountain, but Eisenbergs follow Freya, so when Mother married Dad, she followed Freya with way more devotion than anyone I've known who was born an Eisenberg. The priestess said my body was useless for child-bearing, but Mother still wanted me to go and marry. I don't know who! Usually if a guy knocked on my parents' door asking for me, he wanted a tag-team wrestling partner. That's why I wrote to my uncle instead of writing home. He can pass the message to my Dad, and he can tell Mother what I'm up to in a way that won't… disappoint her? Worry her? I'm not even sure what."

Yes, babble senselessly. That'll get her to tell you an interesting story.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

As I get the final armor pieces in place, I catch myself blushing at the way I was babbling like a fool.

"Don't mind me," I tell Gisla. "I was just thinking how Mother thought I should worry about whether a boy would show up at our door. I had my first dream of Nissa at sixteen. I thought it was just a dream, nothing more, but… I knew the Nissa was showing me the life I'd want. Having a man in my life would get in the way, so I never worried—or cared—whether a guy showed up.

"But here I am now, worried that the gnolls won't show. I wrote a letter, hoping to make the right impression. I'm about to dress up for them. And… what scares me now is that they won't show. If they do show, I won't be scared. Maybe they mean to kill me. Maybe I'll say the wrong thing and provoke them. The pain of catching bolts, having a fraction of a second to improvise, death if I make the wrong move—none of that scares me.

"But the gnolls not showing up for my meeting… that can only mean they're coming here. I hope I'm wrong. If I'm not, Arendal is the next Srilkind.

"Know that everything I'm doing is about preventing that."

I step back. Magnificent!

"At least if we die defending the children, you'll look good." I laugh, adding, "I won't."

I grab a shirt and skirt, both dark earth tones. I tear the skirt so my thighs are exposed up to the hip. What's left of the shirt is simply to hold everything in place… well, if what I have actually needed to be held in place.

I leave the rest of the tatters on the floor, then take out my woad paint. I strip and apply the paint much more quickly than usual. Fingers rake stripes across my face. I cross both arms; each hand paints the opposing arm. I slide my hands down my legs making swirls, stripes, crosses. Then my body; front, then back. I put on the rags, just a lower and an upper, and that's all. No armor. No boots. Just rags, and strange accessories: the pearl necklace that protects from—I don't know what—not dumb luck… and the ring, of course. I'd freeze without it!



Nissa, look at Gisla! She looks like a future Valkyrie! As for me…

I look like sh*t.

No. You look like a future valkyrie. A future valkyrie in a sh*tty outfit, but it doesn't make you any less worthy of the wings.

Confidence… confidence…

Um… did you say sh*tty or slutty?

Forget about the embarrassing costume! Let's just kill some gnolls!

Right!



I grab my new dress, leather armor (though I'd prefer the metal armor that's at the smith's!), boots, and smallclothes, and wrap them in my cloak—along with my three blades.

I say to Gisla, "Let's move."

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla gives a wry smile as Baldhart mentions stories. "That I do, Baldhart. Most of them involve me in a great deal of pain." She chuckles and bends her good arm back, running her fingers along the scar. "That one came from being thrown onto a piece of glass in a broken window sill. Luckily, the glass broke off under my weight. If it hadn't - well, there were another six inches of glass beyond what sank into my back. If it hadn't broke, wouldn't be here talking to you. They held me down and gave me a wadded up leather coin purse to bite on while they dug all the glass out of me."

Gisla uses her good hand to help with the armor as best she can, listening to Baldhart talk. "Following Brynhild was no big deal in theory," she says. "The goddess is well-respected in the north, despite the fact that it has been centuries since we had any real shield maidens to speak of. That's the part that made it hard for my family. I think they thought I was going to follow Brynhild in name, but settle down and be a proper village girl. When it because clear I was going to take up a sword and shield and actually fight...well, neither of them liked it. My parents wanted grand kids too, and if not a feminine daughter, then at least a proper one. I've never had much time for that kind of life, though I guess since coming back here and opening the Spear I've been living respectably enough."

When the armor is attached, Gisla double checks all of the straps and bindings, and nods approvingly. "Thank you."

She watches as Baldhart applies her woad paint. "That is a positively frightful effect. I like it." When Baldhart says 'let's move,' Gisla grabs her sword and follows Baldhart out the door. "You're going to freeze on the water like that," she says.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look around as we re-enter Arendal, and murmur to Liadan. "Where did you last see Baldhart? I need to tell her what the gnolls and I discussed." Whether she will listen to me is another matter entirely.

"The docks," she answers, shifting one hand to point. "That was after she sent Ankari after you, and spoke of setting up her trap. I followed you rather than help her."

I nod and turn Llucheden in that direction, urging her on faster down the road. Maybe we can put a stop to this. Maybe... but I doubt it.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Gisla approves of my look. I tell her, "My father is a barbarian; my mother is a druid. Let the dog-men see I, too, am an animal. The stronger animal."

Ha, ha… I knew she'd say I'll freeze! I like her worrying about me. I don't know why. Don't tell me I'm homesick.

"Now you sound like Mother." I laugh. "I won't freeze. The burning boat will keep me warm." I'm glad she is able to keep her humor up, despite that she doesn't approve of all I've done. "Please, take my word for it that the cold is nothing to me. I can make a Snow Valkyrie outside to prove it, if I must. Well… when we move out in the boats, you'll be convinced."

I bundle my dry clothes and weapons. As we head downstairs I say, "I'll need a towel for after my swim. And… any chance I could have some booze and some raw fish to scatter on the floor of the boat. If you have any fish that's about to turn, that'll work best—and not cut into your profit. The booze will, so name your price. I need some strong smells that would be expected on a not-well-maintained fishing boat—smells that distract the gnolls' superior scent, but not in a way that makes that intent obvious."

I watch for reactions from the men as I descend the steps.

But… I hear hoofbeats!

"Gisla, I'll put my things in the boat now." I say to the men, "Can you help Gisla get the rest of what I need—a towel, fish and booze?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look around as we keep going through town, looking for any sign of Baldhart. I see her descending the steps of the Maiden's Spear, and turn Llucheden in that direction instead. Head up, back straight, eyes forward. I halt at the steps of the inn, and look down at Baldhart. It's strange to be taller than her for once.

All right... how to go about this? Casual, cold, indifferent, angry?

"You can feel free to turn around, go back inside and change back into your clothes, Baldhart. I don't think the gnolls will be coming to your trap. I've asked them to retreat from this place without harming anyone, including Catli. Their leader has agreed to consult with Aslaug in the morning. As long as Ankari doesn't push them to do otherwise, we can sleep in relative peace tonight."

My eyes narrow, anger showing through my calm demenaor. "And speaking of Ankari... would you care to explain to me why you trusted a known traitor and murderer with a message for the gnolls? Yes, I know you sent him, though he said otherwise. I fail to see how confiding in him so soon after his crime could be of benefit to anyone."

I take a breath to steady myself. "That said, I know that what I did in parleying with the gnolls on my own was a slight, even a betrayal, in your eyes. For that, I am sorry. But, understand this: I was only doing my part to protect the company, and Catli, in the best way I knew how, by avoiding battle altogether, or at least delaying it. If the gnolls do decide to wage war, you may rest assured that I will not fight alongside them."

Are you sorry? Truly?

Yes. I don't think I did the wrong thing, but I don't want us to be divided any more than we already are.

I drop the reins and hold out my hand. "If you and I can still call each other friends and allies, then take my hand."

 

[Keitsumah]

I sit beside Batos outside, stroking his fur. The wolf gains several strange looks, as do I, but at this point I could care less. Being without him has drained my patience to the quick, and it is clear to those who look at us that we are both on edge. Petting him is regaining me some sense of normalcy- but being trapped in a village with so many people continues to wear down on me.

I wish we were out and about -living among humans -even kind ones- is not like living among the trees. It's quiet there, and doesn't reek of death and waste. And nothing can compare to nature's bounty. I scratch at a certain spot behind the wolf's ear and he thumps his hind-foot, a low growl thrumming in his chest.

But we have to help these people. Until our enemies are dealt with, there will be no peace for anyone.

I sigh, then reach with my other hand to grip my staff.

And I will have to fight to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

The clatter of hooves suddenly draws my attention, and I look up to see Cadell. Blood drains from my face, and i wonder how this is going to go over.

Good or Ill, we needed all the fighters we could get.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"They… went to Aslaug…"

What does he think he accomplished? He may have killed us all!

"You killed us. You don't even see it! They went to Aslaug. Do you not see that puts Arendal in grave danger? What do you expect Aslaug to say? Oh, yes. Forget my daughter. Let's go. No! She will send them here with fire and swords! Arendal will be the next Srilkind! I was trying to put a stop to that! When in the two thousand years of your life have you known the stronger army to retreat without completing any part of its objective? They've already proven they're cruel enough to deliver slow, painful deaths to innocent women and children!

"Sorry, Cadell. I'm trying to be polite about this, but… you knew I was seeking Gisla per my oath, then coming back to you. Gisla and Grim are in on this plan. The whole party is other than you two. When you spoke to the gnolls, you didn't speak for the party, or Srilkind, or Arendal. You spoke for yourself.

"As for Ankari, he offered to help. I was trying to find you to inform you of my plan, which I had thought of after speaking to Hrolfr the elder—but you ran off and undermined me. Mauve found me, and… I don't want to get into it. It's best I do not speak of who I trust more than you. It would take too long.

"Pray you are wrong that you have successfully undermined me—and the rest of our party. Pray the gnolls get my message and come to me. If they do not, they will come here. Children in Arendal will die, and so will I because I will remain here to defend them. If you do not intend to help, do not undermine me further by warning the gnolls—and yes, I wouldn't put it past you to do that. Know that they will kill me if they know it's a trap.

"If you are my ally, then do what the rest of the party is doing and unite. At this point, the division is this: on one side are those who will kill the gnolls to ensure they do not harm another innocent… and then there's you two.

"Try to see how burning these damned dogs in a boat is preferable to children being burned in their homes. Try to be realistic about what the enemy is willing, and able, and planning to do. Try not to stop those who are trying to stop them."

I head to the boat, but stop and turn. I speak sincerely, and without anger:

"Liadan, you questioned my honor for using deception as a tactic. I have never deceived an ally or a friend, or even a total stranger. Deception is no different than the use of a blade—you only use it against an enemy. That is where my honor is."

I keep walking. Let them follow and speak. I'll listen. I just need to put my things down before I drop them. Dropping swords while barefoot is not going to make my mood any better.