Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Ireth]

Cadell

I sigh and turn to ride alongside Baldhart. I'm not done speaking yet.

"The gnolls knew that Catli was out of the village before I reached them. Their meeting with Aslaug will determine whether or not they will attack Arendal despite Catli's absence. No matter what happens here, the gnolls will pursue her wherever she goes. Your trap will not stop Aslaug from sending more enemies after her. As for undermining the gnolls by warning them -- too late. I did that first." No sense in hiding the truth. "I did not mention anyone by name -- they don't know the trap is your idea. Give me credit for that, at least.

"I have already said that I will kill the gnolls if they wage war. In that, I am with you. But I would rather face them head-on in a melee than lead them into a trap to burn alive. There was a time in my life when I would have happily gone along with that idea, but I have learned differently. Nearly three thousand years of life have taught me that enacting revenge or justice via savagery is as likely to harm you and your allies as it is your foes."

Liadan

I wait until Cadell is finished speaking before I respond to Baldhart for myself. "Understand this, Baldhart, I did not condone Cadell's parley with the gnolls either. I understand his intention was good, though his methods were underhanded. I never said that I would not fight against the gnolls, or kill them; I said only that I would have no part in your trap. I followed Cadell out of fear that Ankari would harm him -- thank Oercus I was wrong."

I fall silent, wondering whether to speak further. Oercus' name has brought a grim thought to the fore of my mind. Of all the elven deities, he is the most strongly opposed to the other races, and urges his followers to fight their transgressions. It may be that I am bound to oppose Baldhart and her ideas simply by virtue of my god. If sending a murderer and traitor after Cadell is not a transgression against the elves, then what is?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Cadell… remove the words 'traitor,' 'honor,' 'ally' and 'friend' from your vocabulary. You misuse them. Honor, most of all. I've had my fill of people questioning my honor because I plan to win. And winning isn't about me, or doing things my way. For the record, if the party didn't back me up I'd have gone with the majority, but they did back me up because I plan to win. Winning means saving children's lives, so spare me lectures about revenge. I am not interested in revenge. I am interested in children not dying. You keep conveniently ignoring that with vague debatable concepts like honor and revenge, and you vilify me for accepting help from the murderer of one while you offer help to the murderers of many.

"What you have done, good as your intentions may seem to you… you gambled the lives of children by forcing us to face the gnolls head on. Do you think we will actually win by fighting with so-called honor? Does the enemy use honor when they use children to gain leverage? No. You have not only undermined me, but you set me up to fail by informing the enemy of my trap. You do this to me, then have the nerve to ask me to shake your hand and prove my friendship. It is you who needs to act and prove your worth not as a friend, but as an ally.

"You strengthened the enemy's considerably advantageous position and weakened mine, and you endanger my life. Yet, I will still meet them. I only ask two things of you. First, do not further undermine me. Second, never again in your life are you to talk to an enemy. You are dangerously honest with enemies and dangerously dishonest with allies. Oh… here's a third thing: play a nice drum solo at my funeral. I have a job to do, and you increased the likelihood that I'll be killed."

I look at Gisla, "Nissa and I anticipated the possibility the gnolls would expect a trap. The difference is that I am now certain they will expect it. Trust me, and I will trust Nissa… this can still work, assuming they don't just shoot the messenger and go to their leader." Sorry, Ankari… I didn't anticipate Cadell's treachery. "Gisla, I need a lot more fish. Entrails. Anything stinky and slippery… though if you have a lot of fish, that is best as it's expected on a boat. I need the second and third sections to be covered in fish so the floor is slippery. If the gnolls board the boat, then rush me, I need to be able to jump overboard."

I glare at Cadell. "Do not stop me. Know that Nissa is prepared to burn the boat with me on it if the gnolls grab me and I lack the strength to escape. My life is not worth the children of Arendal. Your definition of honor is not worth their lives either. In fact, I fail to see any value in what you call honor. Stay out of my way."

I go to the boat and put down my things. I reach into the bundle… I feel around. Metal. Carefully—so as not to cut myself—I remove the object. I stand on the dock unarmed, with my right hand balled in a limp fist around…

"Keitsumah," I call out, not daring to leave this dock for fear that Cadell will untie the boats so they drift away. What is it with knights and dogs, anyway? Does every squire get a puppy, then years later when facing wargs and gnolls his manhood goes limp from his childhood memory?

"I have something for you, Keit. I hope you will like it."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Anger bubbles up inside me, and I clench my fist. "Why are you so concerned about dying? Isn't that what you've wanted all along, to earn your wings?

"Listen to me, Baldhart. I have bought us time. If we act now, we can evacuate, empty the village of the defenseless before the gnolls even speak to Aslaug. If the gnolls attack tomorrow, all they will meet are warriors, and no children need to die. Do you understand?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Why am I concerned about dying? Are you even listening to yourself? Are you able to move past this selfishness of yours and understand my motives? My future with Nissa is not to be at the expense of allies or innocents—I will not knowingly jeopardize everyone around me so I can die in a blaze of glory. I fight to win. If victory is impossible, I'll fight to protect or die trying. I'm not suicidal. And to purposely put those around me in unnecessary danger—I wouldn't deserve my wings.

"If I die, who will protect Burnbright? If Gisla and the men of Arendal die, who will protect the children? You have no right to waste my life or theirs because you want to be honorable. And meeting the enemy in secret to undermine the rest of us is a lot of things, but honorable isn't one of them.

"You haven't bought time—you wasted time. The trap is set, and you lured the enemy away from it, and you knew you were doing so. Your actions will get good people killed and bring victory to the enemy that Nissa would have easily defeated.

"The worst insult is that you're the one getting angry. You keep finding new ways to justify your treachery, and you can't even be honest about the reason. It's not buying time, it's not strategic, it's not even about honor.

"It's about your desire for peace. Peace is a noble goal, but you picked the worst possible time and method to obtain it. You make peace with the most vile of our enemies—those who delivered slow, painful deaths to the children of Srilkind, and will do it again here—and if we flee, in the next town. You don't care about them! You don't look back with regret for sending Burnbright home, as I do. You don't think about how to prevent such an atrocity from happening again.

"Just… peace. Honor. Pretense that your ideal is worth sacrificing others."

I step up to him.

"You talk about my wings. My faith. Fine. Here's how a follower of Brynhild practices her faith. She sacrifices herself, not others. She fights for just causes, not personal agendas. She cares nothing about the opinions of her enemies. She faces death without fear, and she delivers it to those who deserve it.

"Evil deserves death. What you've become makes me ill, but I will not raise even a bare, open hand against you though innocents may die as a result of your actions. You are not evil. You are weak. I protect the weak.

"Leave my sight. Sleep. Awaken when you are the unrelenting knight I once had faith in as both an ally and a friend. In this state, you are more of a liability than Sir Matthew ever was. He was dead weight. You are a deadly obstacle."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"She's right," I say to Cadell before he can lash back at her. "You're overtired and not thinking clearly. I think we all are to some degree. Let this lie, and go back to the inn."

Cadell

I bite my tongue, and turn Llucheden in the direction of the Spear. My hand is tense around the reins. I don't know what to think. Maybe I shouldn't think at all. Or speak... no one seems to want to listen to me anyway.

Once Llucheden is snug in the stable again, I trudge upstairs to the room I share with Liadan. I take off my gauntlet and set it aside, then all but collapse onto the bed, still clothed. A storm of emotions fends off sleep's best attempts to soothe me. What have I become?

Liadan

I lie down beside Cadell, and reach out hesitantly to stroke his hair. Maybe it will soothe him. Should I speak to him? What can I say that will make anything better?

"I love you," I murmur into his ear.

He barely stirs. "I know." A pause. "Right now, that's all I know."

I wrap my arms around him, questing for his lips with mine. He hesitates, then presses close. I taste his tears, a salty counterpoint to the sweetness of his kiss. His hands shake as they pull away my nightdress; mine are steady as they bare his every scar.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but for right now, it doesn't matter. In weakness or in strength, in wisdom or in folly, I know what's his is mine, and mine is his.


((This is not the scene you're looking for. Move along.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I say to Keit, "It's only me who can be killed by the gnolls if they come to the trap intent on killing me. You'll be safe. If the gnolls do come, and they do kill me, tell Cadell I forgive him. Tell Mauve I'm sorry for what I said—she'll find you eventually. Tell Burnbright she has several acres of land on my mountain, along with everything else I own. Gisla has a letter for my uncle which says that.

"I have something for you, too."

If Keit allows it, I place my gift in her hands.

I turn to the boat and look at the boards along the floor. Eight sections. Me in the front. The last five seat the gnolls. The second and third sections seat no one, and the floor must be slippery enough that I can dive overboard faster than the two nearest gnolls can rush me.

Three torches along the sail—I light them when I arrive at the meeting place. Nissa can appear from any, and grab any, then pull the rope and kill.

Fish and torches, then we head out. Maybe for nothing. But there's a chance they'll come. Even if to kill me, I want them to come…

Can you be convincing?

Yes.

 

[Keitsumah]

"I have something for you too."

I blink in surprise when Baldart places the pin in my hands. Small though it is, it bears the print of a woman upon the back of a winged horse, and a spear is clutched tight in her fist, as if she is about to throw it.

"Thank you." i mutter, then look up and place a hand on her shoulder. Worry gnaws at my stomach, but i force a smile. "Be careful, friend. Right now, trust is something that has become fleeting for us, but I know that you will always stay true." Batos whines, padding in an agitated circle around me before he gives Baldart's knee a small knock with his head. It's an affectionate gesture, albeit a rough one, and it is one that he has only ever given me.

I look out over the water, and let out a shaky breath. "I do not follow any god or goddess, but for your sake, i hope that you are in their favor. Brynhild would be proud."

I watch alongside Batos, a salt-laden wind filling our noses with the bitter tang of sorrow.

And of fragile hope.

I look at the pin, and then replace the clasp to my cloak with it, watching the silver gleam in the light. My lips firm into a thin line, and i look into the ice-blue eyes of the wolf.

Regardless of race, trust is something that can only be given once, and only after can be taken away.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Keit speaks, but I'm too immersed in my maybe-pointless trap and the precautions I'm taking to somehow survive this. Batos finally gets my attention, and I stop spacing out.

I stroke Batos on the head. Maybe I do like dogs, not that he's an ordinary animal. But what is ordinary?

I see the look as Keit studies her new gift.

"No, you don't follow a god or goddess, but you're wearing a holy symbol of Brynhild. I leave it up to you if you want to keep it, even if you decide there is another path for you. I just remembered you asked me about life after death, your brother. The gift doesn't mean you must follow my goddess—and being an elf doesn't mean you can't either. I just want you to know you can always talk to me about spiritual matters.

"Will you join us on the boats, Keit? The gnolls won't be able to get to you. Nissa can appear by the rope trigger…" I point to the (not-yet-lit) torches on the mast. "…and dump oil before they even know she's above them. If something goes wrong, I have more of your Goodberries than I could possibly eat, so I can heal myself as long as I get away. Plus, maybe Batos can sense trouble, in case any goblins try to shoot me."

 

[Keitsumah]

I hesitate for a moment, then nod, a small smile quirking my mouth.

"I think I will. if worst comes to worst, Batos will have a hearty meal at least."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Thank you," is all I say to Keit for now. There is much more I want to say, but I'm not sure if I'll get the chance.

Here's how a follower of Brynhild practices her faith. She sacrifices herself, not others. She fights for just causes, not personal agendas. She cares nothing about the opinions of her enemies. She faces death without fear, and she delivers it to those who deserve it.

Evil deserves death.

I wonder if Gisla heard these words, which were surprisingly persuasive.

Especially since Liadan worships that racist god.

Nissa…

What? It's true.



I look to Gisla and the men. If they need help gathering fish, or whatever stinky, slippery thing I have to sit by for the next three or four hours—or all night if the gnolls don't board… I'll help gather the fish so we can move.

 

[Steerpike]

The men begin to discuss setting out nets for fish or other sea creatures. Gisla turns to Baldhart. "I have fish in my stores. Instead of sitting here fishing until we have enough, let's go get a barrel of those. They're salted, but unless you feel the need for fresh fish, we can use them. Do you have torches with you? I can retrieve some from the temple, if not."

She narrows her eyes at Batos. "Is that beast tame?" she asks Keitsumah.

 

[Keitsumah]

I can't help the quirk of my mouth at her question. Having practically grown up with Batos, i know him more than anyone.

"Man is just as much of a beast as the beast is just as much like man." i say cryptically. "He's bound to his own opinions and actions. But as for Batos . . ." i slide him a look at the wolf gives me one in turn, wondering were I'm going with this. "He's more of a gentleman than most males I've seen thus far in my short life, and an even better guardian. How many lizards did he kill last time Baldart? Five? Six? And I don't think he even took a blow in that battle -yet he still shielded me when the fire threatened to burn me."

I can't help praising him- and its showing. Batos tries to hide it, but he sits up a little straighter, chest puffed up proudly. Despite the old scars marring his shoulders, chest, and stomach, his fur shines with health and his claws gleam from being recently sharpened.

"He's just another human in a different skin. Buuuut that doesn't mean he doesn't have his faults-" i jab a finger at his side and Batos yelps in surprise, curling up to defend himself. Despite what some may believe, he is ticklish in certain areas, and i grin when he gives me a look that promises retribution. "-just as all men do. But isn't that why we girls are supposed to keep them in line?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I pat Batos on the head to show Gisla he's not a concern.

"Salted fish will do. I suppose the smell is more bearable than fresh fish, but it's plenty strong*. I just need to create a boundary that the gnolls are not to cross."

((*I lived in Hong Kong. My sense of smell sucks, but I could smell salted fish from across the street whenever I went to the parts of HK that sell it!))

I head over to the Spear, intent on carrying the load myself.

"Gisla… the gnolls know there is a trap, so I'll have to use that information to my advantage. I don't know if I can get them on the boat or not, but I won't just row to shore and get shot. When I said a follower of Brynhild sacrifices herself, I meant I'll take the riskiest position rather than ask another to… but I intend to save lives, not die for nothing. I want you to know I haven't underestimated the enemy.

"Also, the meeting place is a three-hour walk to the west. I've never even been there before. I'm just buying time so Nissa can come by the time we arrive. If you happen to know a good place to meet them, that'll help.

"Someplace where getting to shore requires a climb down a cliffside. If the cliff overlooks a hundred-foot sandy walk to shore, even better! Then no sneaky goblins would shoot me while I land the boat. The gnolls would be instructed to climb down and board one by one while the goblins are not to climb until the boat is in motion.

"As for the trap they heard of, I won't make an elaborate story. A misunderstanding. I was warning my companions, 'I'll be trapped in the boat with the gnolls, so mind your tones.' Something like that. I was hoping to use only truthful statements to deceive the enemy. It's what they're doing to us, after all. I believe every word they said to Cadell is true. It's what's unsaid that makes this enemy deceptive.

"And… yes, torches! I'll take three since they're being offered. Flint and steel is in my pouch. I'll light them before landing the boat, in part so I can be seen, and in part for Nissa."

As I walk to the Spear, I quietly add, "Or just say Cadell was bluffing so they wouldn't come to us." He must have sounded desperate, trying to get the enemy to just go away. "Whichever's simpler."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I approach baldhart and cadell and overhear them exchanging heated words.
"Friends, the last thing we need is a war in our own ranks. We are united as one and we shall remain that way no matter what our difference in opinion is, We are all entitles to our own views, But I have seen men kill their own brothers over it and I will not stand idly by and watch more of my friends do so."

"I am heading down to the boats, You will find me there should you need me, I have a book I have been meaning to catch up on."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I not to Aldar as he heads to the boat.

As I get the barrel, I say to Gisla, "Oh! Could you make that four torches?"

It'll be easier to light the three above the sail if I light a torch I'm holding first. I may be tall, but striking flint to steel while on tippy-toes and unable to shield the wind…

This is not a good day to make careless mistakes.

 

[Steerpike]

Gisla watches Keitsumah and Baldhart interact with Batos and shakes her head. "Just watch where you take the animal. There are plenty of people who will assume you must be witches if you're traveling with the creature, whether you look like witches or not. I'd hate to think what the Inquisitors in Mittelstadt would make of it."

Gisla follows Baldhart up the stairs, but when Baldhart moves toward the Spear, Gisla heads for the temple to get the torches. Four of them.

When Aldar reaches the boat, Grim is there waiting, sitting on the edge of the boat, looking haggard. "I reckon this is about the longest night I've ever had." He chuckles ruefully.

At the Spear, Baldhart finds the barrel of fish in the inn's store room, among a variety of other barrels. The containers are marked, and this one has been has been opened, though it remains nearly three-quarters full. Baldhart's nose confirms the contents before she gets the lid fully off to check.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Let those holier-than-thou hypocrites tie you to a stake. See how witchy you look when I jump out of the torch, grab the executioner's blade, and cut you free from the stake. Let's see 'em challenge a valkyrie who came from the heavens to free the innocent women they try to burn.

But what happens when they put the fire out and you disappear?

Well… you run!



I reply to Gisla, "Don't worry… Keit will head to a campsite once Arendal is relatively safe. But isn't he an amazing animal? Once, Keit gave a single command and Batos followed me as I swam for several minutes to get a boat. I wasn't wearing any… er… armor, but Batos was my protection. He swam behind me and even followed my signal not to swim ahead. He remained silent as Keit commanded him to, so if there were enemies on the far shore he wouldn't give away my vulnerable position.

"If we can ever have a relaxing moment, I should tell you more about Mother. She knows how to 'tame animals' as well. No law against that on my mountain."

I smile at Gisla as she heads to the temple.

I grab the barrel of fish.

Damn… it's heavier than it looks!

Sheesh.

I slowly lug the barrel over to the boat.

I get as close as I can and get a better grip so I can dump it.

I hoist the barrel onto my shoulder and… damn… I can barely breath with this stench!

I pour the fish into the second and third sections of the big boat, then take some deep breaths of salty sea air!

Ahhhhh…

I see Grim and Aldar waiting.

"Grim," I start to say… only I'm not sure what I'm supposed to tell him. "You've seen monsters. Not just the gnolls, goblins and wargs, but those fire demons we fought when I first arrived in the north.

"I always believed if there are evil beings not of this world, the good exist as well. In fact, it was Eskel's younger sister who saw me and called me Valkyrie. I saw the girls were among the rescued; a part of me wanted to tell her of the truth behind her statement: the devout who follow Brynhild aspire to become one of Her Valkryie.

"You will meet such a woman tonight… well… I guess that depends whether or not the gnolls get on the boat. The gnolls will recognize her as the one who spoke to them while we freed you from your tavern. When you see her, you'll be shocked. But don't be concerned. Know that she is the reason our rescue mission worked. Her name is Nissa." I feel giddy just thinking about her. "She's lovely."



What's with the schoolgirl grin on your face? If I show, it's to burn gnolls to death.

Isn't that something worth grinning about?

Well, yeah.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Feeling a little irritated at the argument between cadell and baldhart I arrive at the boat.
Hearing grim chat though cheers me up a little and I cant help the grin from creeping across my face.

"One of the longest ehh? I would be carefull what you say, It may well be a whole lot longer now you have noticed it."
I walk over and sit next to him, Legs dangling over the side.

"What about that drink then? Im sure baldhart might be able to spare some of the drink from those barrells she wants to scatter all over the deck if we asked nice enough, If it doesn't make time go faster, then maybe you'l at least be able to catch a quick 40 winks."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Well… all I have is salted fish." I sit on the overturned (now empty) barrel. "There's a lot if you really want one. Personally, I can't stand the smell!"

I see Bressel readying his blade.

I tell him, "I can't promise this'll work as well as I hoped, now that Cadell has warned the gnolls of a trap. I may accomplish nothing more than giving them a more plausible message to bring to Aslaug—though it may be possible they'll board the boat to see evidence of what I'll reveal, or they'll board intent on killing me."

Aldar looked a bit annoyed. Did he not realize Cadell put my life in danger by giving the enemy information about my plan?

"Bressel, I'll need you to row the boat with Alin on it, and listen carefully to what I tell the gnolls about your position. It's important we make them feel safe. Of course, even if I tell you to stay 300 feet away, Heartseeker won't miss. I don't want Alin to use Heartseeker unless the gnolls grab me and I'm unable to free myself.

"If getting shot or doused with oil won't get the gnolls to let me go, Nissa will torch the boat with me on it. I hope it won't come down to that, but I promise that if the gnolls board and I start rowing, it's only a matter of time before they die. I don't think they can grab me faster then I can jump overboard, but… just know that no matter what you see Nissa do, she and I have discussed every scenario we could think of."

 

[Keitsumah]

I wince at Baldart's blunt description of what may or may not happen. Fire is by far the worst way to go in my imagination, though there may be others i have not yet thought of.

I plonk down in the boat, then help Batos scamper in. The wolf has never been on the water before, and it's interesting to see his reaction. He spreads his legs wide in panic for a moment, but knows that we are all relatively safe, and gradually takes a few steps around and sits down.

Hope he doesn't get seasick. i thought, stroking him with one hand while dipping my other hand in the water out of habit. The cold liquid feels nice against my scarred palm, and my lids droop halfway closed before shooting wide in alarm.

"Yeek!" i yelp, jerking my hand out of the water. A thin tendril of seaweed coiled around it as if it has a life of its own, and i shake it off, the green plant making a smack as it hits the water again, then vanishes. I'd nearly forgotten that if i wasn't careful around plants that they tended to get clingy.

Wait... plants? I lean over the edge of the boat and batos barks, sinking his teeth into the back of my tunic to keep me from going completely over. Seaweed writhes all around us like hundreds of snakes, and when i move my burned hand over the water the tips of each leaf follow it like the sun.

If we were over a kelp forest when we met the gnolls...

"Baldart! Is there any way that using seaweed to ensnare a boat or tip it over would help if something went wrong?" i call.