Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Nihal]

"Children trust in adults' teachings, they are still learning to discern the right from the wrong. They are guided by them, manipulated by them. When you are old enough to take care of your own life, to feel what is right or wrong, you do not have this excuse. If a simpleton murdered someone would the act be any less wrong? I don't think so.

"I feel sorry for these children, for being dragged into this by their parents and being brought up to become monsters. However, the best way to save them is not being condescending with their parents, its to keep exactly in the path I've set to myself."

I get up, gathering my writing material. "Do you ask how I would be different from these people when condemning this village?" I glance at her with a soft smile playing on my lips. "This is another aspect in which I differ from them: I accept the true nature of my deeds. I can occasionally lie to the others, but deep in my heart I know exactly what I am. I do not wrap my actions in lies, I do not reduce my opponents to less-than-human creatures, calling them demons so it will look 'less wrong', I do not pretend it is the divine will.

"If I killed these people it would be revenge, not the mere fear of what I do not understand. Even then, it would not be any less wrong." I shrug. "Yet, at least I would be honest. Purposely sinking into ignorance to use it as an excuse to do something wrong and live happily after this is unforgivable.

"You know what? Forget it. It is nothing you are willing to understand. Maybe some day, if you live enough to see it, you will. Now it is a waste of the time we do not have. Where they are? Where would Cadell... and Ankari would go at this hour? I could be sleeping by now."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I understand…"

Mauve looks ready to leave.

"I meant no offense. It's not your fault, but you sort of struck a nerve when you said there are no innocents here. I know Father Geralt is a murderer and so are his witch-burning thugs. But an entire village has many innocent lives in it.

"That's why I bought my sword in the first place. To protect innocents and rid the world of monsters."

I pick up my skull helm. "Nineteen kills. I thought I was doing pretty good at the getting rid of monsters part." I let the ugly thing clatter to the floor. "So how many kills should I add now? How many died in Srilkind because of me? Burnbright didn't care about the party's vote—it was ME she wanted to hear. I'M the one who told her to go back when she said only my vote mattered." I stand up. "So how many of these friggin' little marks should I add to this damned helmet? One for Father Harald! Two for Arn and his his wife! Three for Hrolf, Snorri and Bornir! Those now-orphaned children we saw at the temple? Two for each of them! What about the children that didn't make it to the temple? Do I get to count pregnant women twice?" My fists are clenched. I want to ram one through a table.

I don't.

I shut up and sit down. Stare out the window. I want them to come.

 

[SeverinR]

"Liadan, Is Cadell coming soon? I agree with Mauve." We could be sleeping and we will be up early."

"So Mauve and I will take the last watch and will wake someone before we leave, so the team won't be unguarded. I believe Bressel should stay with the group. What would the group action be if the Gnolls attack after we leave and before the counsel decides?"

I look at each person, lastly to Mauve.
"I believe no matter when the gnolls attack, we will be blamed. If you all stay and fight them, after the fight the town will turn on you. If we leave and gnolls attack the town and we rush back, they will turn on you. If the gnolls attack and we don't return, they will blame us. I fail to see how we aren't blamed."

"In truth, Burnbright is the reason we are being attacked, Branwen is innocent but she will be blamed. We need to make sure neither is allowed to face the blame in the eyes of these idiots."

Aliron sighs,
"We are not the military, we are not sworn to uphold the laws. We are tasked to find the reason behind the taint and if possible, put an end too it. The people in this town would kill Branwen without hesitation. This town would kill more then one of our group, and might lock a couple others away to die in a hole. What the town faces is not for us to decide, they threaten us in part and in whole, not just Branwen."

"I work around the law, I would be one to die in a dungeon. definately, three of our group would be burned to death, The elves might die as well, being different then them. Maybe they just continue on, burn those that serve a different god. So who would be left? The barbarians? Wolf girl is already on shakey ground. Would this town leave any of our group alive?"

"I hope that anyone left in town will leave before the counsel meeting. You might take Branwen's place as servants of the demon. Then they will follow those that left. Leaving the town to face the gnolls without their warriors. The town is doomed by its ignorance and we have no options."

 

[Nihal]

I hold Baldhart's arms and answer, "I will not say it was not your fault.

"We are all guilty. But even if we took our own lives would it change anything? Look ahead, Baldhart, learn from your mistakes." I know what she needs, but it doesn't feel any less awkward. I hug her, attempting to comfort her.

Straightening, I look at Aliron, "I agree. The ones staying here must be the most intimidating of us, and in number enough to discourage any retaliation. I do not think they would follow us too far after we are gone, but I think they will send word of us to the nearest towns out of spite.

"Regarding the gnolls, if they appear I can only see one solution: Lure them away. I can not see how to do it yet, however."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I accept the hug, and tell Mauve, "It's not my life I want to take… but it's true we won't win a fight unless the gnolls divided into smaller groups. I'll discourage retaliation with Bressel and Masama at my side.

"About the gnolls… what if I tell Gisla the gnolls can talk? Maybe if they come, I tell Gisla to say we left with our little winged demonic girl during the night. The villagers will rant about Branwen and good riddance to us—go get 'em dogs, but the gnolls'll think it's 'Sinda' they fear. It might be believable enough that they won't kill families trying to get information. It might be naive to think that… but I don't intend to stay here longer than it takes to pick up my armor in the morning."

 

[Steerpike]

Ankari and Cadell

The priest nods as Ankari speaks. "You talk of Srilkind, then? We have already heard what happened there. Were we warriors fighting in the name of Tyr, we would hunt down those responsible. But look around you - what do you see? Fishermen. Tailors. Leatherworkers. A one-arms innkeeper. Children. Arendal has neither the means to track those who destroyed Srilkind, nor the ability to extract revenge were we to find them. Tyr does not expect us to march to our deaths. He will see justice served in his own time. For my part, my place is here with my flock."

Father Geralt inclines his head toward Cadell, then says "Unless there is anything else...." and he makes to close the door again, if possible.

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

I sigh as Mauve and Aliron speak to me. "I know little of Ankari or his motives, but I know my beloved, and Cadell is not the type to abandon those who have his loyalty. Wherever Ankari vanished to, we can easily assume Cadell followed to try to bring him back, or at least keep him out of trouble."

 

[Nihal]

Baldhart's Room

"It might work," I answer Baldhart. It wouldn't work with me. "Sounds good enough. I can not think in anything better in the state I am." I sigh, turning to Líadan.

"Did the ranger explain his absence? If it wasn't him but any other newer acquaintance of us, I would have serious suspicions by now. Oh, by any chance did Cadell leave his backpack around? I need something and I am afraid I will be sleeping already when he arrives, and he will be sleeping when I leave tomorrow. I still have these clothes of his..."

I glance at Baldhart. "Letter. Before I forget, you still have my letter. And you..." I turn to Burnbright, "Can you hand over the knife and the necklace again? It is about time to try again."




((If she agrees))

"Watch the door." Seeking the corner of the room, I place the objects in front of me. The familiar verses flows in the form of a whisper, conjuring the arcane power necessary to make the enchantment work...



...only to make it twist out of my control.



I sigh. That one was close. I rub my eyes. Always twice.

I whisper the enchantment again.



My hands are shaking, the energy growing around me. I clench my teeth, fighting with it, forcing it do dissipate.



"Drat!"

This is ridiculous! It's like if my magic worked better in the dark lands!

 

[Ireth]

Líadan

"Yes, he left it in our room. I'll go and get it." I rise and move to the door, slipping out and darting down the hall. I find Cadell's pack and bring it back to the other room. I enter just in time to hear Mauve's frustrated exclamation, and tilt my head as I approach her. "What is it?"

 

[Ankari]

"There is." I rest my hand against the door in case he had any doubt. "What does your lord say about protecting by assault? Knights of Tyr come by a plan of some vicious mongrel to burn the holy place to the ground. Does Tyr advise his knights to attack before they are attacked? Or does Tyr only have courage in defense?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I stay silent as Ankari speaks, watching Father Geralt for his reaction. I hope this doesn't get out of hand... me having to save Ankari's sorry arse would be difficult for him to accept, if it came to that. All the more difficult with me being unarmed. Such a shame it's impolite to bring weapons to the dinner table... I don't even have my gauntlet on me. I should have borrowed a table knife, at least!

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Mauve mentions her letter.

"Oh… yes. Do you want the letter back?" I get it for her. "I suppose since you leave first, I'm in a higher-risk position. Hmm… maybe I'll have Burnbright take my belongings. My money. If you never see me again, Burnbright gets everything that was mine.

"Alin, do you have parchment? Mauve… um… what writing materials do you have? May I write a letter of my own tonight? It's one of many things I meant to do once in the civilization.

"Listen… I don't mean to be morbid, but should I fall in battle, don't forget the ring and necklace are on me. My sword is the most powerful blade we have, so give it to whoever has the arm for it. I can't take those with me if I'm dead, and I don't need a burial. A corpse is an empty shell and I only care about my soul once I'm dead. Don't even waste two coins on the eyes. Loot my corpse and know it's what I wanted."

I start heading for the door.

"Speaking of morbid letters, there's one more thing I need to do here." I make sure I have the letters to Dalla, and didn't accidentally give one to Mauve. Nope. That's all of them. "Mauve, Alin, I think you have the right idea regarding our exit. I trust you'll see us on the road. Remember, I'll take a detour on horse so I may be the last to catch up.

"And Mauve… let's go to the smith together at midnight. I want to see how he's doing with my armor."

If there's nothing more to discuss, I head out the door saying to Liadan, "See you on watch duty! I'll be in the common room after Gisla and I work out my next… meeting."

 

[SeverinR]

Alilron:
"I am not big on writing. I do think others have parchment."

"If Cadell wishes to speak to me I will be in my room."
(Does Aliron have a room? Are the men sharing one?)

 

[Ireth]

((Aliron has a room as long as he bought one. He and Ankari might share if they're both willing. Cadell will obviously be rooming with Líadan.))

Líadan

I nod when Baldhart speaks, but have one last thing to say before she goes. "What if Cadell has another idea regarding what to do with Branwen? This is something we should discuss as a group, not individually." I glance over at Mauve and Aliron.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I say to Liadan, "I hoped he would have been here to meet. I hoped the whole group would." I shrug. "I guess the upside is that Ankari is alive.

"Of course I'm willing to hear other plans, but Nissa and Gisla explored several options, including meeting an Elder individually. Nothing changes the fact that the Council will not go against Father Geralt as long as he declares this issue a religious one. Best Branwen is long gone before the Elders openly support him. She also assured me that we are in no danger of attack if we quietly remove Branwen from the area. The best we can do is make no trouble and let Mauve and Alin get Branwen out in the night.

"Cadell did good buying us time. Real good. We couldn't have resupplied if not for him, so of course I'll hear him out. But if we're weighing alternatives, I prefer to go with what's least risky to Branwen."





((Baldy's planned actions within the hour, if possible:

1. Ask Gisla if she can meet with Dalla, preferably before the Elder Council meets.
2. Ask when the Council would meet.
3. Tell Gisla gnolls can talk, if they show when we're not here to face them, tell the truth in front of villagers: we left in the night and took the child we seek. Mention that we had a small, winged demon girl who we failed to disguise as a child. The villagers while think it's Branwen but the gnolls will think it's 'Sinda.' Nissa used a fake name while deceiving the gnolls.
4. Write a letter before her watch, if writing material is available for her… since she forgot to buy some!))

 

[Steerpike]

"There is." I rest my hand against the door in case he had any doubt. "What does your lord say about protecting by assault? Knights of Tyr come by a plan of some vicious mongrel to burn the holy place to the ground. Does Tyr advise his knights to attack before they are attacked? Or does Tyr only have courage in defense?"

Ankari & Cadell

Father Geralt narrows his eyes. "Speak to me plainly, elf. What is it you would have of me. Do you speak of the force that attacked Srilkind? Do you expect me to assemble a ragged mob of villagers and go out looking for them?" He shakes his head. "No, my responsibility is to the safety of Arendal. We have a small militia of trained men, or partially trained at least, who are already preparing for a possible attack. If the creatures come, I will fight them, as well those militia-men. I have no illusions about our prospects, but we will hold them off while the majority of the townsfolk get to the caves. More than that, I cannot do. Tyr demands courage, but not foolhardiness."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"Caves?" I have heard nothing of this until now; Gisla's map did not show me that much. "Where are those?"

 

[Steerpike]

Again the priest shakes his head. "The caves are the only protection this village will have if we are beset by the enemy. I'll not reveal their location to outsiders."

 

[Ankari]

"You seek clarity when I am clear. I do not mention the current predicament because I do not care how this town handles it. My questions concern a different matter, one that resembles the hypothetical situation I proposed. Please, answer it plainly and I'll will cease my questions."

 

[Steerpike]

The priest looks suspicious, but answers. "Knights of Tyr would seek to strike first. I speak of fighting men here, not villagers. Those who have pledged to live or die in Tyr's name. If we had such a force on hand, and were not my duties to Arendal greater, I myself would advise that action, both to prevent future attacks and to take revenge for the desecration of Tyr's temple in Srilkind. It is not Tyr's way to stand back idly and wait for the enemy to strike. When they have been identified, courage as well as prudence demand a quick and decisive strike."