Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod, taking the map and heading up to my room. I wonder what Líadan is up to?

I knock on the door, then slip inside. "I have good news -- Ankari is here, safe and sound."

Líadan looks up from the book she is reading, and smiles. "I was beginning to wonder about him. Does he always vanish at inopportune moments?"

I sigh and nod. "He doesn't always disappear outright, but he has the most irritating habit of rushing ahead when it would be wisest to hang back, and it poses the risk of endangering us all when we must rush in to save him." I think of our encounter with Branwen's parents, shaking my head. What are the odds of everyone agreeing to my plan and carrying it out as a unit?

Not very likely. But that's to be expected... plans go awry when one's adversary does something unexpected. We have no way of predicting what Father Geralt will do when the moment comes.

I find my pen and ink, and smooth the map out before me on the little bedside table. Gisla has kindly colored the temple of Tyr with red ink, and the Maiden's Spear in blue. I pause, my pen hovering over the parchment. I don't think I should do this yet; we need to decide as a group what the safest place for Branwen would be, if not the Spear. If this goes wrong, I don't want a horde of angry villagers mobbing the tavern of an innocent woman.

I sigh and roll up the map again, take my pen and ink and head back downstairs. Maybe supper will be ready soon, and everyone can gather to hear me out.

 

[Nihal]

Baths

My arms are full when we move to the baths. I don't throw a single glance at the people in the common room, fearing some new commotion would get in the way of me and cleanness. Is that a song? I scowl at the noise, hurrying up and dragging Burnbright along.

"Thank you." I smile at Aga, locking the room after she's gone—if it can be locked. I place what I've brought with me near the tubs, grinning and showing a small container to Burnbright. "It is a balm for the hair. A little after washing it will make untangling easier, leaving a smooth feel. Oh, I missed stuff like this!" I motion, showing the room before undressing and slipping inside the tub.

At first I just enjoy the hot water, then I scrub my skin with a piece of cloth and soap until it becomes pink. I unbraid what was left of my braid and wash my hair twice, running my fingers through my scalp and searching for deformities while I'm at it. I smile, feeling better already.

Stretching my legs, I measure them together, then checking the length of my arms. I glance at Burnbright, explaining, "The old knight saw my eye first. After getting it I must be cautious, make sure I am the first to see any changes after... you know. And it already happened when we were rescuing you."

I examine my skin, looking for any imperfection besides the familiar scars, them my feet and hands. I take the mirror and examine my back, then my face, opening my mouth to see my teeth and tongue too. Finally satisfied, I use a little of the balm to undo the tangles of my hair, combing it with my fingers before using the actual comb.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Common Room

((I'm not sure what Ankari will want or if Baldy's assistance is even needed, but I figure pointing out the fletcher won't take long so here's Baldy's planned course of action with several if-statements…))

If he wants me to, I point out to Ankari where the fletcher can be found, based on Gisla's description and what I've seen before.

"If you'd like, I can speak to him first." I whisper, "Some of these people don't trust elves, though I doubt you'll have a problem from a man in this business."

If Ankari wishes it, I stick around long enough to introduce myself, then Ankari, his actual customer. I pick an opportune moment to excuse myself. Branwen must be hungry. So am I.


Masama's Room

I knock softly, then let myself in if no one else does. I see that I missed out on a ritual from the deep south. Fascinating! I don't know what this guy's religion is, but I prefer how he follows it to how Father Geralt follows Tyr.

I find an out of the way place to wait with the food, but do not intend to speak until spoken to. I think on my own ritual.



Not too formal, I hope.

How can it be? We're doing something that's never been done, aren't we?

There's a first time for everything.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron remains silent as he finishes the ritual.

"I do not plan on Branwen being here when the counsel meets. I would prefer you go with us. You are sworn to protect her, and this ritual has not harmed her that I can see."
I make sure not to get too close or look to long at Branwen, to avoid having her move until he is done.
"There are some that want to allow Branwen be taken before the counsel. If the people see her, I doubt they will wait for a counsel decision to decide to harm her. If the counsel gets to decide, then we have to fight to save her, many more people will die and I believe some would be in our group. Taking the chance on her being allowed to live versus so many dying seems the better solution is to have her hidden before the counsel meets. I am not blood thirsty, but I will kill anyone and die to prevent her being killed."
"I believe they will offer their plan before we sleep, so the final decision will be then. Unless I say other wise we leave before dawn. If I don't believe in their plan we will leave, but I will not tell them."

"How Gods have heard prayers for this elfbird." I smile at Branwen. (Tyr, Arg, Agapanthus, Brynhild)

"Crom, so grant me one request, grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to hell with you!" Conan's prayer

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Alin, the last thing we want is to go to war with a village. Even if victorious, we'd be equated with monsters.

"That's why I agree completely with what you're saying. We get her out before dawn and I will go to the council, along with Cadell and others interested. We'll speak in Branwen's defense, and not volunteer our knowledge of her escape. I will justify this action once it's discovered. I'm not worried that I put myself in danger, as long as none of us say things that make us appear to be the enemy."

I look at the child.

"I believe Brynhild heard her prayers. I'm not so sure that a good god as Tyr would condone this ritual. An act of cowardice in the name of the God of Courage? If this ritual is recognized by Tyr, His path is much different than that of Brynhild and the gods of my mountain, Freya and Ullr."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Getting hungry, And enraged at the constant battle in my mind I decide to take a walk down to the common room and see what's going on. When I get there There is a sort of hectic atmosphere of people talking and others rushing to get the evening meal prepared.

"Well, I have been thinking, Perhaps we should move branwen, Then go to the meeting ourself, Should the moment occur and they decide to side against us, We could easily pretend to go to collect her, And then escape as as possible. You have to remember, They will probably want some of us to stay behind, But if they are as superstitious as they seem, We could merely say that if the demon is as powerful as they say, We may need all of us to collect it, Should they send a couple of guards along with us at least we wont be fighting a full village." I say it quietly so as to avoid any prying ears.
"How much do we really trust branwen though? If it is a demon, Then it is clearly playing on our emotions, I find it a coincidence that it happens to speak just as we decide to go to a meeting where her fate shall be decided. It is as if she is trying to convince us not to let anything happen to her, I have a bad feeling about her, A really bad feeling."

 

[Steerpike]

Masama

The large man finishes his ritual shortly after Baldhart enters the room, sweeping up the ashes with his hands and brushing them out the window. He uses the hem of his tunic to wipe the ash from Branwen's face, and Branwen hops up and walks over to Aliron, displaying her half-eaten chunk of meat with a grin. She eyes the food Baldhart has brought as well, though she doesn't seem to be certain whether any of it is meant for her.

Masama puts the last of his ritual materials in a leather bag on the bed and says "The child is blessed of Asra, now. So long as the sun is in the sky, the goddess will watch over her." He shrugs. "It may not have been necessary, she being a holy child already. But it has been long since my people have seen one such as her, and the legends are not clear. Bringing her into Asra's protection could do no harm, in any event."

When Aliron and Baldhart talk of the Council and the decisions to be made about Branwen, he says "I will do as you wish in this matter. My path is tied to the child, and so it seems am I tied to all of you. I will work with you as an ally, save should you ever turn again the child."

He makes a shallow bow to Aliron and Baldhart and then eyes the food. "Is any of that for me? If not, I will go get a plate of my own now."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Oh… yes! Yes, it is."

I pass the larger serving to Masama. I probably look like a serving girl, the way I offer it, but I just mean to look respectful to him.

"If you need more, please let me know. There are plenty of men built like you on my mountain… uh, including my father as you may have guessed. Anyway, I think this portion should be enough without being too much. This rare meat is for Branwen."

I watch her dig in. So messy, but I ask, "Is it good?" hoping to hear her voice. I stroke her hair, saying,

"Thank you for the ritual on her behalf. The more Goddesses who watch her, the better. My wish is that we keep her safe without having to use force. Aliron's way is exactly the plan I'd have suggested. I hope you not only recognize Branwen as a holy child, but also as our adopted daughter. By that I mean, I hope you would not consider to take her from us unless we request that—and I'd expect Alin, Mauve and I would all need to agree on such a request. Not just one of us.

"I assume you wish, as I do, that Branwen will live to be an old lady. If so, you are more than welcome to travel with us."

 

[SeverinR]

"I would only turn on Branwen if she becomes the beast her mother was and feasted in town."

to Baldhart:
I will leave along the sea edge,(continuing to go away from the gnolls) sometime later I will turn inland. I will not leave much of a trail, I will point out to Masama where to step to minimize a trail. I'm sure Ankari would be able to follow, I doubt the average human hunter would be able to follow us."
I glance at Baldhart with a smile, "When you see Masama in the woods, know that I am watching you. We will find a place to make a cold camp and make a stand in case the towns people or gnolls find us."
I watch Branwen eat then add, "If you bring anyone from town...keep them behind you. I wouldn't want to shoot them, thinking they were after Branwen.
Do you think I should set up an ambush in case the town follows or just put distance between the town and her?"
To Masama,
"Baldhart, Mauve and I are the only people I completely trust with Branwen. I trust Aldar the least, not for treachery, but because I question his sanity. The others I am uncertain about. I will admit, I would not have trusted you with Branwen alone, but I am not a trusting person."

"Watching you two eat is making me hungry. I will go get food, then wait to talk with others. If I don't speak to you again Baldhart, know the plan remains in place and meet us away from town."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Alin asks about setting an ambush.

"I don't think an ambush is necessary. While I don't like this purification business and can't possibly think it's holy, the superstitious people here are misled, but otherwise good people. If we're forced to use force—and believe me, I'll protect Branwen and Burnbright as a mother or older sister would her own blood—we'll have no safe places or homes, but will spend our lives on the run." I place my hand over the holy symbol of Brynhild. "If Gisla's vows to our Goddess forced her to fight me, I'd sooner catch her blade with my head than strike her.

"Best to avoid becoming an enemy, which is why I don't wish to keep Branwen here for the decision. Too many lives lost over a ridiculous superstition.

"I trust Gisla when she says we won't be followed. Other than her, the people here don't have much fight in them. Let me work on us not being labeled evil for caring for her, while you get her out in case I fail at that.

"And speaking of Gisla, she and Aga have a lot of food for us. I'm hungry too. Once Mauve joins us with her map, we can figure out where to go next."




Hopefully a place that sells horses. I wonder how I'd handle a war pony…?

Tee, hee!

Aw, c'mon, Nissa! It's the biggest battle-ready steed I can afford!

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I wait in the common room for the others to return, drumming my fingers on the tabletop. No doubt each of them has a different plan for how to deal with this; can any of them possibly be carried out together? I wish we weren't so divided, physically as well as mentally. Trying to make a single coherent plan like this is like trying to herd cats.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I sit down with a full plate in front of me. In silent prayer,

Brynhild,
Grant me the strength to fight my next battle well
Whether it's blade against beast or reason against fear
Grant me the fortitude to survive long enough to protect my friends
The innocent
The ideals and principles that are true to your path
And should I die
Know that I want nothing more than to be in your service eternally
And if my sacrifice benefits Branwen or Burnbright
I'll not have died in vain​

As I pray, I hold the gold holy symbol in my hand. Burnbright's gift. I look up to see if she's on her way here…

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I give Baldhart a nod and a smile of greeting as she returns, and do not disturb her when she bows her head in prayer. I start to eat from my own plate, staring at a knot in the tabletop and going over my plan a final time. My plan, not the plan. One of many we have yet to hear and choose from.

Líadan

I set my book aside an go downstairs to the common room, where it seems dinner has already begin. I fill a plate and sit down at Cadell's side, bowing my head in prayer.

Oercus, whatever befalls us, grant us the strength to overcome it. Keep Branwen safe, for she is a cousin to your beloved people. Help us to work together despite our differences, and be all the stronger for it. It may be an odd thing to pray for to a deity who so hates anyone who is not elven, but nonetheless it is in my heart, and I cannot hide it from my god.

 

[Nihal]

Common Room

I get out of the tub, drying myself and slipping inside the new dress. I dry my hair, nodding in approval when Burnbright puts her new clothes.

"Looks good. I did not know you could not reek, girl," I tease her. When we are both ready to leave, I throw the backpack over my shoulder and unlock the door.

"I'm staaaaaaarving. Luckily I requested our meals to be prepared in advance. Oh, hey, Baldhart!" I head towards her table, gesturing to Aga to bring our food.

((If Ankari is back from the fletcher.))

The ranger? Impossible. Just now I thought him dead... no... is he really here?

I glance at the others; if none of them seem to react to his presence I sit at Baldhart's table, acting as if he didn't exist. He might not exist.

((Whenever the ranger is here or not.))

"I really needed this bath." I smirk.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

The food was definitely worth the wait, in my opinion. I can't recall the last time I've had a hot meal from an inn -- telling time in those tunnels was nigh impossible.

Using cutlery with my off-hand, however, demands a level of dexterity I'm not sure I can reach.

((Hope I did that right -- DEX mod, level and off-hand penalty. For those watching on Rolz, I accidentally rolled twice, and I'm going with the first one.))

Apparently I can reach it, though it isn't easy. I take time to savor each mouthful. Who knows when we'll eat this well again?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I nod back to Cadell and Liadan. When Mauve mentions the bath, I reply,

"I wish I'd waited now… but I had to get clean before shopping. Oh! And I shopped on my own so I could get gifts.

"Burnbright first." I give her the holy symbol. "See? Just like mine. If you're serious about following Brynhild, wear her symbol, not a likeness of Gefjon—" To Mauve I add scoffing, "—who Nissa tells me doesn't even look like the real goddess." I turn to Burnbright, "Never mind that. When we meet with Gisla, we can discuss religion. It bores Mauve."

I turn to Mauve, "And I'm afraid I'm going to bore you even more with your gift. It's…" I pretend to look around. "…not here. Yeah, you need to wait until tomorrow. That isn't my fault. I can only 'use my allure' in front of so many craftsmen before I do irreparable damage to my reputation."

 

[Nihal]

"Religion does not bore me. It is fun to hear fables from time to time," I grin. "But, a gift, for me? You did not have to! You should save your money to buy better gear and supplies when you come across it. Thank you."

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I smile, overhearing Mauve's comment, and chuckle as I reply. "Nothing wrong with a friend showing you they care, dear."

In my heart I wonder at her words... has Mauve had friends before? The company found her as a wanderer, and I know next to nothing about where she came from. Cadell wasn't able to tell me much at all.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Actually, it's a token of appreciation, Liadan.

"I got the gift because when we planned to leave sooner, Mauve, you insisted I stay to meet with Gisla…" I whisper, "…despite cutting it close. You knew it meant a lot to me. I didn't think you would, or at least in that situation, I didn't expect you or anyone would even consider delaying our exit over that.

"Anyway, I saved more at the smith's than what I spent on you thanks to your… tip."

 

[Nihal]

"Hey, do not think I have a soft heart." I raise my hand, with a hint of a smile on my face. "It can be said that taking some time to allow you to show what you wish has its practical applications.

"Heh, you seem to have enjoyed playing the game I have show you.

"Oh, food!" I resist the urge to clap when the serving girl approaches our table with my meal, keeping the composure as a proper lady. "Do you sell beverages here? Before going to upstairs I would love to buy a bottle of wine, to our travels." When I'm served and with my answer I start to eat, slowly at first.

"Who am I fooling?" I start to wolf it down, grumbling, "Hmggm, hmgoomfood." Giving little blows on my own chest to help the food down, I drink then talk again, "We got matters to discuss anyway. First, eat, then let's discuss what need to be discussed upstairs, in private. What a long day!"