Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Before Dalla leaves, I tell her, "Baldhart is the nun. When you are ready, she will give you the letters. If I don't see you seaside, I'll have her come here."

When Elli says she'll measure me, I try to resist sighing with relief.

But... when we get inside where she keeps all her cloth, I can barely contain my excitement.

When we're ready to discuss my outfit I tell her, "I will trust your artistic taste, Elli, and you can even pick the color... but here's the outfit I have in mind: a backless dress I can tie at the waist with a sash; the hem should fall around the knee. The boots should almost meet the hem but not quite. I'll need everything including undergarments, and I'd like at least one pair of tights."

I twist a bit to show Elli my back. The baby dress is unbuttoned to accommodate the wings.

"I suppose a coat or cloak is out of the question." I glance at Fiona and say, "I was her age or maybe younger when I had a pair of long gloves made. I called them 'princess gloves.' If I have a pair of those and a shawl, that might work as well as a cloak. I trust you to find material that's sufficiently warm and light weight so I can fly.

"I will fly in battle, but in a town that does not know of me, I will walk. I need a backpack that carries nothing, but is hollow where it meets my back so my wings are covered. Of course, if you can add a in my arm's reach, I could leave some coins inside." I show her how I have to hold the purse in front of me to fly. "The strap on this purse is inconvenient." I land where I'm to be measured and put down the purse.

I tell Elli, "I imagine this ill-fitting dress will be inconvenient if you're to measure me accurately." I slide one shoulder out of a puffy sleeve, watching the woman's reaction to make sure I'm not coming off as improper before I let the dress fall and kick it over the edge of the stool.




((Or maybe it's a table. I'm picturing a stool.))

 

[Ankari]

A woman stands before the ruined stairs before the ocean, wrapped in an air of contemplation. Distractions will draw the attention of any bored man. Of a man burdened with doubt, it's a refuge.

Whether in the trees, or by the cliff, waiting is waiting.

I go to her.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

After mixing the paint, I tell Gisla, "I think I'll head to my room to apply my make up. I should be done before Brunbright gets out of the bath."

I head to my room and… it's open! Oh, of course it's Mauve. I close the door before speaking, and for some reason I find her princessy posture amusing. "What are you smiling about?" I ask.

 

[Nihal]

"Oh, this is not the reaction I was hoping for." I shrug and lower my eyes to the candle stub. "Close the door.

"Another question brought me there, yet, after what I have witnessed..." I raise an eyebrow, staring back at Baldhart. "You are quick to learn any lessons based on hate, but can you say you have learnt to think through before taking decisions? After what happened to Srilkind, can you honestly say you have stopped ignoring the consequences of your choices?

"Why would you bring Burnbright here? In exchange for some superfluous luxuries you have endangered her, this town and your friends." I rest my chin on my hand and proceed in a calm voice. "Unless you have learnt to restore life to the dead you cannot afford this sort of negligence. You do not know if Aslaug still has spies in this place, therefore, you must assume she has. If she were stupid she would not be alive today. As long Aslaug lives you cannot be seen in public with a young, unknown girl anymore, not you nor anyone else of the group. Never. Otherwise it will be Srilkind all over again. And if she is taken it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to save her. Do you understand that?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I don't need a lecture.

"Aslaug was using her necklace to track Burnbright. The gnolls confirmed this to be the case. Besides, I was able to find where Aliron hid Burnbright without having been told the location. It was a simple matter of following footprints in the snow. If Aslaug has spies looking for her, I would think they would do more than sit in the common room for twenty straight hours."

I wait by the door, wondering if Mauve has anything useful to say.

 

[Nihal]

I massage my temples and laugh. "F— Srilkind, right? Will you listen at least once? Once?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I heard you. Should I leave before the whole building hears you?"

I don't just walk off. I'm sick of the drama. Best I don't create the drama.

"Burnbright needs a bath and a meal. How about I bring a hot meal up for you as well? I can't imagine you've eaten well since the murder."

 

[Nihal]

"Then will you sneak out with her to somewhere safe? Hmmmgg—" I inhale and sigh. "Fine. Despite having eaten something hours ago, I could use a hot meal. If you are taking your time here, no plans were made yet, hm?" I fidget with the fringe of my tunic and watch her in out of the corner of my eyes.

I must tell it. I was hoping it could be avoided.

"Sooo... well... Do you remember that stone knife you gave me? Something... happened last night, and the knife is gone." I shake my head. "Not lost, more like destroyed." I show my teeth in a nervous smile. "Sorry?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Good riddance to it, then. I mean, as long as you don't miss your mermaid trick. I don't miss relying on a blade."

Plan? Well…

"I want to talk to Grim and find out what he knows. Would you like to join me for that? I think you have no reason to hide, at least not from him. Also, I will take Burnbright to the cave after she's fed and clean—I mean when less people are around. But… I need to either be in town or the same cave. I mean… I need to be where Nissa can find me."

I crack a smile. Saying it aloud for the first time makes me realize… "I don't think her spirit will return to me. She wasn't with me when I awoke, but I know she's fine. Her dress is gone, and half my money. I guess she must have gone shopping. Speaking of shopping, I still need to get two large tents. I think it's two days west to the next town… or was it three? Also, I have to pick up your gift. Don't think I've forgotten."

On that note, I head out. I pass by Gisla's room first to see if she wants me to bring food up for her. I order food ((for 3 + Gisla—only Gisla is mentioned by name, since Baldy likely won't be charged for her)) and also ask Aga, "Would you happen to know if Grim is still here? I would like to talk to him."

 

[Nihal]

"This enchantment resided in the knife, without it the spell was impossible. Despite that, due the circumstances I may be able to perform it without the artifact, but—" I shake my head and show a ghost of a smile. "Forget it. Too many small details."

I let her go on, listening and nodding. Grim? What could he possibly know? Wait, Nissa...? How? Why, of all times, have the gods taken interest on us now? Something is wrong. Does that means we are about to witness greater events than the rise of the Lord of Tel's Hall?

I blink, returning to the reality in time to notice her departure. There is nothing I can do about our world now.

Close to the headboard is her blanket. I grab it, sit again on the bed and wrap myself up to my chin. I should have her to fetch me a new cloak. If only I stopped giving them away. My only solace is knowing that my own cloak—my gift—is with Branwen. If I don't get a new one they'll suspect something. It's the last thing I need now they are already full of unfounded suspicions. Besides that, I am cold. I nod. I can't forget to ask her to fetch me one. And wine, maybe?

I wait.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I continue to read through the book deciphering more and more of the old text until I finally am able to get the exact translation.

My eyes go wide when I realize what the old book contained. My heart starts to pound in my chest faster and faster until it feels like its in my throat.

Yes, Finally you have something, I knew this day would come...

(( Sp could you PM me the translation please, Thanks and regards))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"I think we need to put some leagues between this town and us. Get the ladies away from the location our enemy knows where she was. We need to protect them and find a way to put an end to the threat. We can only protect them for so long. Eventually they will find her, we must kill them before that happens."
Aliron hesitates starring into the woods,
" We must kill those that seek to gain power from the girl.
The only other option it to kill the girl, and as bad as I might be, I don't know that I could do that. I'd much rather die with a thousand daggers in me, then join with those that killed an innocent. I don't have much honor, but I do have some honor."
"My life is about profit, there ain't no profit in killin an innocent."
Glancing at Liadan, he begins looking for more game trails.
"I need to find some food for the hideout."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart (at Aga's counter)

I sit by the counter, contemplating what Mauve said about the knife. Why destroy it? Water made it vibrate, just like Burnbright's necklace vibrated. Maybe the knife called the fish demons here, and Mauve...

...she destroyed it. For someone who acts like she doesn't care about innocents or this town, she made the right move.

That puts me at peace. Maybe I can try meditating like Masama does. Just clear my mind, I guess. Clear my...



Nissa (at Elli's)

I stand on the stool, exposed for now, but soon I'll have an outfit that's modest and made for half a halfling and not a baby human girl. I manage a smile at Elli and Fiona too. After I bring her back home, I'll need to fly up over town and make sure nothing hostile is on the way. Perhaps Fiona and I can have a little discussion on faith while we walk. I'll keep it short and sweet. Unlike Burnbright, Fiona can opt for the life of an ordinary girl...



Baldhart

...so loose fitting pants might be more monk-like, but then I'd be mistaken for a man like that time at dad's tavern. Still, a habit is too restrictive for kicking. Hanako could wear that little robe thing and make it work, but I don't have the body for that. Is it not nun-like to wear rags and paint my limbs? I fought so well in that outfit, but how does the team feel? I don't want to embarrass them. Plus if I wear a normal dress, Burnbright could wear the ring so she won't get sick, but then I'll need shoes...

Meditating sucks! Clear your mind, indeed! That's not possible unless you're an idiot!

 

[Keitsumah]

I hear not much more than the patter of feet -and there doesn't seem to be any fuss other than that, so I shrug and move away from the door. Batos sits on the bed again, and I take his head between my hands. The memory of earlier still sticks in my mind, and I wish I was strong enough to turn myself into an animal. Maybe then I could communicate with him.

The realization that I want to talk to him, to know him as if he were human, stuns me. But I have been around him much longer than the others -practically my whole life even. Why does this come as a shock to me?

Batos whines, one ear cocked back and the other forward in an expression of confusion. I smile and thread my fingers into the soft tufts of fur beside his ears, the strands feeling like down. Sunlight filters through the window, warming my back, and I lower my head to lay it on the bed. Batos lays his head on top of mine. Now that the battle is over, I can look back and think on all that has happened since they first rescued me from the harpies.

"What purpose do I have here? How is it that I am still alive -that we are still alive?" a small laugh escapes me when I remember Baldart after she had smashed open the door. How I wished I had had a friend like that after the fire.... Well, better late than never. Cadell and Liadan were also the other two that I trusted most. Though Batos and Cadell seemed to react strangely to one another, I didn't think that was a bad thing.

Batos lets out a small bark and lifts his head. I look up only to freeze when he then touches his cold nose to my forehead. His ice-blue eyes stare deep into mine, alight with challenge, and a smile pulls at the corners of my mouth.

"Yes. You've protected me, oh mighty knight." I giggle.

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart

With Baldhart's help, Burnbright eventually gets enough buckets of water into the tub to make for a good bath. When Baldhart mentions the woad paint, Burnbright's face lights up. "That sounds great! As soon as I get out of here, I'll come to your room!"

Then, as Baldhart rises, the girl says "Uh, Baldhart...can I ask you something? You know I want to be a shieldmaiden for Brynhild. And I've seen you fight, and I've seen Nissa...so it's not like I'm not still one-hundred percent committed. I am. That's what I've wanted to be since I was a little girl." She purses her lips. "When I was practicing with Masama, he was telling me all about Asra, and how she travels across the sky during the day and how at night she walks all the way across the world so she can rise again in the morning, and I was just thinking about whether she might be real. I mean, we have Tyr, and Gefjon, and Brynhild, and even more who are all real, so could Asra be real too? And if she is how come we don't know about here up here in the north?"

Burnbright lapses into a contemplative silence.

When Baldhart gets downstairs to speak to Aga, the girl happily begins preparations for dinner. The common room is sparsely occupied, and though a few heads raise and voices settle when Baldhart enters, the townsfolk quickly go back to their own concerns. Aga tells Baldhart that as far as she knows, Grim is still in the Spear. "He went up to his room just a while back. He and his wife both."

 

[Steerpike]

Nissa

Elli clucks and mutters to herself as she unwinds her measuring tape. She doesn't bat and eye when Nissa disrobes on the stool in front of her. "Tiny thing, ain't you?" she says, chuckling.

She takes Nissa's measurements with Fiona looking on, the young trying not to stare at Nissa's wings. Elli's attention to the wings comes only when she tries to run the measuring tape past them to get Nissa's size. "Beats all I nearly ever seen," the old woman mutters.

Elli is confident she can make not only the dress, but also the gloves and backpack, the latter having plenty of room for folded wings and a small internal pouch for coin. Elli rummages through her materials until she finds a length of wool that will serve as a shawl. The gloves are to be constructed of thing leather, and the backpack of a thicker, hardier leather.

 

[Steerpike]

Ankari

The woman looks out over the gray ocean. Her eyes are puffy and the tracks of tears are visible on her pale cheeks. She crowds the edge of the cliff, small clumps of rock and mud tumbling away from the tip of her shoes. As Ankari approaches, unseen, the sound of his footsteps drowned by the crashing of waves below, he sees that the woman's eyes are closed. Arms at her side, she sways forward, and it is suddenly clear she means to go over the edge.

 

[Ankari]

"Death is an alluring song." I prepare to jump in case my words don't distract her. "The world grinds and grinds, leaving the chaff of our lives to swirl in the vortex of destruction. It may appear we aer powerless, our fate lost under the weight of the mill, but it is a lie. Only the apethetic are condemned. The strong grind back."

The words flow without censor. If not for her delicate situation, I wouldn't care. "What can I do to hear your story?"

 

[Steerpike]

Cadell

Looking out his door, Cadell sees Burnbright pass by multiple times, carrying a bucket of steaming, sloshing water toward one of the other rooms. The child does not see Cadell watching. Other voices are more plain now, sounds of people eating and talking in the common room below, though there doesn't appear to be many of them. Cadell can make out Baldhart's voice as well, and at one point she emerges into the hall, heading for her own room.

 

[Steerpike]

Keitsumah

For Keit and Batos, the sounds of the Spear are muted behind closed door. They, too, hear the sound of footsteps in the hall, and can even make out Baldhart's voice from another room. Apart from these sounds, the two remain undisturbed.