Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Silly, tortured soul. You would think she'd appreciate my part in not having her description sent all over the continent. Oh well. A tent it is, then.


Baldhart

Aldar laughs, which makes me laugh as well. Wait… was Mauve talking to…? Oh. Gone already. Darn.

I tell Aldar, "I was fighting in the cave, mostly. But you, I recall…" I check to see that Nissa's oil guy isn't around, or any other townsfolk. "…you expended your magic too fast, I think. Mother told me that men go comatose after they expend too much magic, though she said she only knew for certain about my father, and it was her and her lady friends who said all men are like this. I guess Dad used to be a magic man in his younger days, and a damn powerful one at that." I shrug. "I never saw my dad use magic, or any of Mother's friends' husbands."

 

[SomethingToPonder]

I sit listening intently to baldhart. Something about it seems to ring true, though I cant put my finger on exactly what.
"Expended my magic ehh?" I say while rubbing my jaw.
It seems to have something to it, I wonder how many times it has happened to me though, For all I know this has happened loads of times without me knowing it and in less "Pressing" circumstances I could have been out of it for days! I'll need to keep a much tighter grip on it from now on.."

I take a knee and start fixing my backpack to make it slightly more comfortable. I look up at baldhart.
"Hey, Baldhart, Looks like you should have been a wizard." as im saying it I feel that all too familiar grin creeping up my face.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I do like the idea of not lugging a weapon everywhere I go. But I can do that without magic if I trust in my strength." Hmm… perhaps Aldar is crazy enough to like this idea. "Speaking of strength, and trust… how much do you trust my strength? I want to see if I can get my purse. If the dock's collapsed, I may need to climb down and get it myself. But if not, I can use a rope…"

"No!" Nissa shouts as she flies over. "I know where your purse is. I'll see if I can fly and get it."

"But what about the sword? You can't even lift Gisla's sword, so how can you catty mine?"

Nissa looks at Aldar. ​"If you trust her to dangle you from a top so you can get her sword, that's your call, mister. Me? I got wings."

I tell Aldar, "I don't see why she's worried. I saved Batos by lowering Liadan on a rope so she could heal him, then I lifted them up." I shrug and follow Nissa to the cliff's edge. Bressel's there. Maybe he'll help.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

"Wait Baldhart, I'll do it, you could lower me down there no problem. I have a silk rope so it's much stronger as well. Let's go."
I start heading towards the cliffs edge, after a few steps I stop and look around.

"Are you coming? "

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Yes. And thank you."

I ask Nissa if it's safe, and if my weapons are salvageable. Just the swords. The harpy dagger is meaningless. The two-hander, which cut down eighteen of my twenty-seven kills… that I can sell for scrap or for real money if the heat didn't destroy the blade. The scimitar was a fine weapon, and I can only hope it still is. As for my purse, Nissa can get that herself.

If it's safe, I'll use my strength to lower Aldar.

I am confident I won't drop him.



((@SP, Nissa is looking for Baldy's purse full of coins and Baldy is going fishing for swords by dangling Aldar on a rope. Her armor is on top of the ledge, so she can get that without issue, I think. The other stuff… I'm awaiting your call.))



Once we have all we need, I'll check on Gisla though I trust Liadan and Keit are keeping her safe. Hmm… I should probably eat some good berries, too, while they're still good.

 

[Keitsumah]

I spy Liadan trying to get through the vines. Standing up, only to stumble a bit as my legs nearly cave, i stagger in her direction, then wave off the look she gives me.

"I am fine -i just don't drain myself this often. Here, let me help you out of there." I say, holding out my staff to pull her free if she would take it.

(pre-determined action if she does)

 

[Ireth]

((Keit, please don't make assumptions about other characters' expressions or actions if the other user hasn't specified them first. Liadan is not the type to give dirty looks for trying to help.))

Liadan

I gratefully reach out and grasp the staff Keit offers me, accepting her help to struggle free of the vines. "Is there some way you could halt the spell, or do we simply wait it out?"

 

[SomethingToPonder]

As baldhart lowers me down I can hear the waves crashing into the rocks below. "Nissa, Guide me to the items; I cant see properly."

 

[Keitsumah]

"I don't think i can stop it unless i use any more mana." I reply, then hold out the staff again. "But maybe if you use this, you can swing yourself across. If you get stuck, at least you will be closer than you were before."

 

[Steerpike]

As Baldhart finishes off the cowering fish demon and Aliron takes the one fleeing toward the sea, the immediate threat to Arendal looks to be over. No other fish demons surge from the water, and the trees to the west and north of Arendal remain silent. From his vigil atop the cliffs, Bressel sees only the churning gray waters of the ocean and no signs of life.

To the east of town, the tree line is also quiet, though the villagers are all presumably hidden not far within the woods. The sun has risen enough to cast long shadows and orange-pink light across the scene. Ghendra and his gnolls move through Arendal toward the eastern woods, weapons still drawn.

At the site of the last part of the battle, Batos remains unconscious, as does Gisla, though it looks to be only a matter of time until they awaken. Magic will speed the process along, but even without it, it is clear they will recover. The writhing plants continue to grab at anything that passes through them for another minute or so, impeding the progress of some trying to reach their unconscious comrades, but after that minute the tendrils of plant growth go limp and flop onto the hard ground.

It is clear that the stairs will not support any weight. They haven't collapsed entirely, but those supports that remain in place are seriously burned, and it doesn't look like it would take a lot to bring the structure down. Baldhart is able to lower Aldar down onto the wooden docks below, which unlike the stairs seem solid enough despite the damage taken. Baldhart's belongings are on the dock where she left them, having been ignored by the fish demons.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

As the plants release my ankles, I sigh in relief and look to Cadell and Llucheden. Cadell is uninjured, but blood oozes from deep gashes in the horse's flesh. I wince in sympathy and move to see what I can do to help. From the look of it, one spell may not be enough, even if it is strong.

"Poor girl," I murmur, stroking her neck.

That isn't nearly enough. I don't have much strength left to cast, but I know Gisla and Batos will be fine without further healing. I try again to mend Llucheden's wounds further.

((Liadan is now at 1 MP.))

Not nearly enough. The job is half-done, but I think I should preserve what little magic I have left. It will take long enough to replenish as it is. Perhaps the others can help tend to her.

Cadell

I smile and wrap an arm around Liadan, holding her close. "Thank you."

She sighs and leans against me. "I wish I could do more..."

"It's enough for now," I assure her. "Time and rest will do their part. For all of us."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Thanks, Aldar!" It looks like the swords were too far from the flames. Perhaps I can sell mine. The other can be Nissa's, maybe.

With the gnolls out of the way, I go to Cadell. "I don't trust those damned dogs. They've killed children before, and if they find the child they're looking for, we'll see why they really came. Cadell, there's little choice but to believe no innocents are in danger if they don't see Burnbright. Can you follow on horseback and make sure the townsfolk know that Gisla is alive and that she supports this truce? Truth-be-told, it's the only reason I do now that they've outlived they're usefulness."

I should have paid more attention to how Hanako made vows. Nuns' vows don't involve other people. From now on, I make vows like a nun.

"Anyway, if you would like some peace and quiet, it's best I stay with Gisla and you be the one to make sure the gnolls don't light any more children on fire. As long as the people of Arendal know Gisla's part, no one should question your stance with Ghendra." Maybe Grim. What do I tell him? "Also, can you seek out Aga for me? That's Gisla's employee. Can you give her a ride back here?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I hand Baldy her purse, then fly over to Keit. "Could I have… um… eight berries? I suppose we should use them up before they turn, unless you have magic to prevent that. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to heal up, or have some ready in case we can't sleep it off."

Baldy can. And me? I'll endure the pain for another seven minutes.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod and sheathe my sword again, climbing reluctantly back into the saddle -- reluctantly for Llucheden's sake, not because of what Baldhart wants me to do. Turning Llucheden, I follow the gnolls east, further into town.

Any townsfolk I see in the streets, I will assure them that the gnolls mean no harm. I make my way toward the Spear, hoping to find Aga there. It would make the most sense, after all.

 

[SomethingToPonder]

Overhearing Baldhart's conersation makes me think of something important.

"Are the townsfolk not hidden in the woods to the east?" I ask, keeping my voice lowered.
"The gnolls seem to be heading in that direction, with their weapons drawn, I dont particularly like the look of it, Maybe we should check it out."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"They are," I say to Aldar. "I don't like it either, but I trust Cadell can watch them without suspicious eyes. I may provoke a fight if I'm there, and… they won't find what they're looking for. The innocents are not in danger, if we can believe the gnolls' words. We'll kill them when they inevitably meet us again. Hopefully, we won't be in a town of innocents on that day.

"If I thought the party would agree on it, I'd suggest killing them now. Siding with child-killers… in the ways of my mountain, I have disgraced myself by willfully going along with this truce. I even took a wound by saving Ghendra from an attack, when I should have minded my on enemies and let him get cut. I'd have come out unscathed had I not treated him like I would a true ally. But I did right by my Goddess of Battle, and so that was my choice. My Goddess or my family.

"I don't like having to make that choice. I think we need to talk as a party and find out what moral codes we agree upon. If we're to go into town and commit murder, I need to find another means of serving my Goddess. I am not a murderer. How many among us can say the same?"

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

"I can."

My god may be the most hateful toward other races, but I pride myself on not being the same. I am glad He accepts emeralds as sacrifices in place of lives, especially when it came to the time of truce between elves and humans in my home. My former home.

I look to where Cadell left, reminding myself of why I gave that home up. A life without him would be little life at all.

And what if you lose him? whispers a dark voice in my thoughts. He was near to death when he lost his hand. If he suffers such again, even you may not be able to save him. Look at how your archery and your magic have both suffered in this battle. How do you know Oercus has not turned away from you? Teaming up with other races must make Him angry.

I clench my fists and shut the voice out. I cannot give in to doubt. My home, god and beloved are the three pillars of my life, and giving up the first one for the sake of the third has already upset the balance. I can always find a new home. But I will not let the second pillar, my faith, crumble.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I smile at Liadan. I feel like Cadell's strong again because of her, but I don't want to bring up the ugliness from before.

I pick up the trident and say to no one in particular, "I once dreamed of carrying a fine weapon like this."

What a sight I must be now! A useless blade on my back, another on my hip, next to nothing under my cloak, a trident in one hand and a breastplate in the other.

"My mind's made up, though. The life of a nun. I trained with one—a fighting monk, that is, though she preferred the term 'nun.' Brynhild could use a nun, I think. Might as well be me. I got eight of 'em today. One with the sword; seven with no weapon at all. And even lacking armor, I only got hurt when I pulled a demon off of Ghendra. My vow to stop relying on steel is not in vain. Brynhild heard my prayer and answered it. My path is clear."

West. Some distance from the gnolls. But I need to see to Gisla first, no matter how much I miss the girls.



Nissa

I turn to Baldy. "I took one down with a kick," I say.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Baldhart's words about her faith, her path, strike a chord in my heart. I look down at the bow in my hands, a white topaz glinting in the wood just above the leather-wrapped grip. I felled one enemy today, perhaps two, out of dozens. Now I can barely heal my allies. Baldhart's path may be clear, but mine has never been less so. In forsaking my home, my people, have I caused my god to forsake me?

I sigh and shake my head, closing my eyes. It's exhaustion talking, I tell myself. I'll feel better after a proper sleep. But do we have the time? The fish-demons are dead, but there are corpses to deal with still, and the gnolls. Far too much to do before breakfast.

I wander over to the nearest fish-demon's corpse, wondering if there is anything worth salvaging from it. Whether there is or not, I expect we should throw it and the others into the sea rather than attempt to burn them, or bury them in half-frozen ground.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I see Liadan searching corpses. I show her Nissa's discovery, though I have no idea if there are others.

"Liadan... check their fingers." I slide a ring on my right hand--whichever finger it may fit. Though... should I? The last magic item I took from a fish demon gave me those ugly dreams.

((If it fits, she tries it on.))



Nissa

I'll leave Liadan to her search. Is Gisla awake yet? Hmm... Bressel first.

I fly to Bressel, and tell him, "My body will likely not last long enough, so I'll need Baldhart to get me to her. Please lead her there. If the gnolls smell our tracks, it's best that they smell the tracks of a group and someone who stays behind knows our official reason for heading that way. Only if the gnolls notice our tracks and ask, our reason for moving west is to investigate where the fish demons came from. If we move along the coast our story may work. If not, have torches ready. Oil, too. There's plenty on the Spear's roof. You and Alin can throw the bottles if it comes to that. Baldy won't throw anything. Brynhild requires her to deliver death up close. That, and her aim stinks. She'd likely miss and get oil all over the place."

To Baldy, I add, "You should talk to the monk as well. Maybe he can be your sparring partner."

She replies, "What do I need him for? You fight unarmed."

"If you throw me, I won't land. What fun would that be?"



Baldhart

"About as much fun as standing here and waiting." I consider the weight of Aldar's words. "You're right, Aldar. We should follow them. There's only one reason why there weapons would be drawn. They'll slaughter the innocents to make them talk."

I head east, raising my purse so Nissa can grab two or three bottles of oil, or whatever weight she can handle.

Cadell's presence may be enough to assess the situation, but it's too dangerous to assume the gnolls will behave. Their recent actions are all I need to know about their honor.

Forgive me, Brynhild, if I should have pushed Ghendra off the cliff instead of saving him.

I hear Nissa call out to Keit, "She needs berries."

I do. I am wounded. Ghendra's wound is worse. There is hope, if there is to be a fight. I'll be careful not to provoke one.