Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Good to see you again, Grim. And... Mrs. Grim? I am Nissa van Donk." I can see the wings are hard for people to comprehend. I suppose I need to address that. "Well... look at me as living proof of life after death. I think some people find me scarier than monsters.

"Oh! But I came here with good news." The suitcases tell me they won't stay another night. "You're not going back to Srilkind alone. I met a man named Olaf, a builder. And I guess he'd be out fixing the docks if not for me and my big mouth, but I told him about Srilkind. He didn't even hesitate. He'll be joining you tomorrow. I might suggest the two of you stay the night as well and join the men for breakfast. Not just Olaf." I name the other six. "I know Olaf builds houses, and the blacksmith obviously works with metal. The other five, I'm not sure about. Anyway, I placed the order with Aga for tomorrow's breakfast... but if you'd like to come downstairs, I can introduce you to the men. Then maybe you can... well, I don't know anything about building a town. But you do, and those guys downstairs do, so you can talk about that.

"Oh, and Astrid*, my guess is that the wives an children will offer to help you. The children are Rionach, Fiona and Liam. I know the boy and his mother are coming. I'm not sure about Olaf's wife and daughters, but I know where they live if you wish to meet them."



*((I'm assuming Astrid tells Nissa her name after Nissa introduces herself.))

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart

Dalla reads the letters, her eyes welling up with tears again. As Baldhart tells her story, she shakes her head. "This can't be right. Tommen is a good person. He never laid a hand on me. He wrote songs for me, and..." her breath catches, "and we were to be married..."

Her words falter as she listens to more of Baldhart's story. The young woman's hands tremble and tears fall from her cheeks onto the pages she is staring at as Baldhart continues to talk. As the story goes on, Dalla's face reddens, and by the time Baldhart is finished, Dalla's lips are trembling. She turns glistening eyes up from the paper and shrieks "You!" With a strangled cry she leaps at Baldhart, her small fists only glancing off Baldhart's shoulders. "You didn't have to kill him!" She continues to flail at Baldhart, and at one point tries again to leap bodily onto the larger woman, but Baldhart is able to wrest Dalla away with ease. Her strength finally spent, Dalla collapses in a heap on the floor, sobbing.

Burnbright looks on aghast, her own eyes brimming with tears. She seems unsure of how to react, and looks up at Baldhart to take a cue.

As Dalla sobs, she forces out words as well. "Calexa. That was...she hired him. I know that name. Do you think she did something to him? To his mind? She must have!"

When her crying finally eases, she looks up at Baldhart with red-rimmed, puffy eyes. "Where is Aslaug now?"

Nissa

Grim beams at Nissa. "This news does a man's heart good!" Astrid smiles and nods and pats Grim on the shoulder.

"We'll put 'em to good use, lass, and no mistake. Thank you fer what you've done here. The children are welcome too. I expect the children what went up to the temple to hide from the attack on Srilkind will be here before long. We'll get all the kids working together. And we should also..."

Whatever Grim is about to say is lost in a great caterwauling coming from another room on the same floor. It sounds as if a woman is in terrible pain, and there is shrieking and wailing.

Grim and Astrid both start, and Grim says "What in the name of..."


((For those outside of Arendal, you can continue to do some RP. Very soon I'm going to give the events a rather large shove ahead and get the group moving to the next phase of the adventure, so get your posts in now )).

 

[Ankari]

((All I want are some arrows. That's all I want. Some. Arrows.))

 

[Ireth]

((Sorry for my absence. I'm away from home, so posts will be even more sporadic for a while.))

Cadell

I nod to Ankari. "Gladly. Keep an eye on Aldar, won't you?"

Liadan and I hurry back to town. We head to the Spear, hailing Keit and Batos on my way there. Liadan heads inside to gather our belongings and anyone still lingering in their rooms, while I ready Llucheden for riding.

((Not sure who's where at this point, so I'll keep it vague.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Yeah… I thought PM'ing that grapple check was a good idea.))



Nissa

Oh, for crying out loud.

I tell Grim and Astrid, "That's Dalla, the seamstress' daughter. Baldhart killed her boyfriend—not like, murder. He worked for Aslaug. Anyway, Baldy's telling the girl Tommen died by her hands." The noise doesn't last long. "I think it's going rather well. No one will get hurt, physically. The girls will likely end up crying in each other's arms, Grim. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not go in that room and have to see that."

Maybe a fly-by is in order, though.

"So. Would you like to meet the builders now, or…?"



Baldhart

I am ready for the poor girl to attack me. I grappled killer fish demons with brute force, but not Dalla. I am gentle with her. She was quick to attack, but what was I to expect?

Burnbright looks at me as I hold Dalla in place. I tell her, "Relax, sweetie. I expected such a reaction." And another in my sleep if she has an opportunity.

The fight in Dalla doesn't last. I let her go, seeing that she's no threat. I haven't told her of Burnbright's importance, or her relation to Aslaug. I suppose no one did. She didn't look at Burnbright the way she looked at me.

"You have the urge to fight, but I will not harm you. As for Tommen, I wish I could have seen the good in him as you had. I don't take killing lightly, and while I shed tears for Tommen myself, I mourned many more who died at the hands of those he worked for… and they did nothing to deserve it.

"I don't want to mourn you, Dalla. The woman you blame for Tommen's death… I'm prepared to die facing her. I don't want that either, honestly. I want to live in peace with my little sister, but I was sent here for a reason: to protect the innocent. I cannot walk away from this fight and call myself a servant of Brynhild.

"But you can walk away, Dalla. You need to mourn Tommen properly, and face the probability that my words to you are the truth—at the very least, of a side of Tommen that you did not see. I can tell you what drove him to battle: greed and a lust for adventure. I cried for Tommen, but when he buried an arrow in my chest, it was a joke to him—all part of the fun. Was his target good or evil? Would he have spoken to my loved ones and confessed to killing me? None of that mattered to him.

"And now you want to kill for revenge. You would fight forces of evil, and maybe in time, you would appreciate the cause. Or maybe your desire for revenge would darken your soul, or cloud your judgment and get you killed. Aga mentioned your mother, Dalla. Think of her before you decide to do anything rash."

Revenge… kill Aslaug. It was Ankari who sent her. He told her the name, not me.

"A little woman-to-woman advice: don't ever let a man manipulate you into being what you are not."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
looks at his quivers, one has seven arrows.
He moves to the entrance.
"I need more arrows. Do you need anything?"
"I will also try to get everyone working to leave the area."
Aliron waits for his response then climbs up the rope.
Checks the area and moves quickly and quietly towards town.

Unless someone has thought of them, all the arrows still reside on top of the buildings where the defenses were set up for the dogmen.

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart

Dalla manages to get to her somewhat wobbly feet, wiping at her eyes. Some of the color has drained out of her face. Burnbright, meanwhile, looks white as a ghost and still aghast at what has happened.

"They must have been controlling him," Dalla mutters. "That Calexa, or maybe even Aslaug herself. It's the only thing that makes sense." She brushes back a strand of hair that has fallen over her face, thinking. Then she says: "I want to see this through. If you won't have me, I'll go alone. I just need...I've got to talk to my Ma first. To explain."

She is trying to project confidence as best she can, but you can hear fear and uncertainty in her voice.

Nissa

Grim and Astrid both frown at Nissa's explanation and wait for another outburst from the other room. When there isn't one, Grim shrugs slowly and says "OK, let's go meet these builders of yours. We weren't plannin' to be gone before morning. Just gettin' things ready."

He and Astrid follow Nissa out the door.

Aliron

Masama gives Aliron his characteristic broad smile and says "I need only to move once again. My heart tells me that staying too long in one place will do us harm." He gives Branwen a pat on the head, then turns to Aliron. "Where do we head from here?"

((Anyone who wants arrows, assume you can get them in Arendal, either by buying them yourself or, if you can't show your face in town, having someone get them for you)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

This doesn't make sense. She'll get herself killed.

"Dalla. If you truly want to join us, of course I wouldn't turn you away. But where did you get this idea to fight? I mean—" I gesture toward Burnbright. "—I was her age when I decided I'd rather have a sword than a husband. I chose Brynhild's path over Freya's, the goddess of my family. I trained hard.

"And now that I'm in Arendal, I have a chance to walk away. But I won't. I've had time to think about what I'm getting into and why I fight. I'm here to protect the innocent, Dalla."

She thinks Tommen's innocent.

"What if Tommen's mind was controlled? What if he is exactly as you believe him to be? You saw the valkyrie, didn't you? If you had any doubts about life after death, you shouldn't anymore.

"It's possible that Tommen is watching over you right now. What does he want you to do? Avenge him? Die trying? Or start a new life? You don't owe me an explanation, but as you said, you need to explain your next move to your mother.

"If you want to run the explanation by me first, maybe it will help you put your thoughts and feelings into words. Why do you want to join the fight, Dalla?"



Nissa

After flying by Baldy's room, I tell Grim and Astrid, "The girls are fine. Baldhart saw this as her duty—telling Dalla how she killed Tommen, I mean. I know she'd rather I not intervene. Followers of Brynhild are expected to make sacrifices, and I'm glad Baldy does stuff like this as opposed to something weird and creepy like burning a live goat. Did you know Brynhild actually lost some followers because they felt sorry for the animal they chose to sacrifice? I mean, really! Don't burn live animals in the first place if you're gonna cry about it. No deity I know wants to see that."

I think I'm more of a scatterbrain after spending so many years hearing Baldhart's thoughts. I better be going somewhere with this.

As we head downstairs, I go on, "Of course men do not follow Brynhild, but I do admire a worthy sacrifice. Seven men are leaving their home to help rebuild Srilkind. Time and money weren't on their minds at all when I spoke to them, and I need to credit the blacksmith for rallying five other men. My words only swayed Olaf—who's at his home—and the blacksmith, Arn."

Without skipping a beat, I say to Arn, "This is Grim and his wife, Astrid." I then introduce Arn and the five men, as well as their families. I end by introducing the boy Liam, and to him I say, "It is good to see you again, Liam. I haven't forgotten you from last night. Are you friends with Fiona and Rionach, by any chance? It's possible they will also stay in Srilkind, since their father, Olaf, is also helping with the rebuilding.

"I'm sure Grim will find something for you to do, and many boys and girls survived the attack and escaped with their lives. Some are your age. I think it will make it easier for them to cope with the tragedy if you are there, so thank you for joining your father."

 

[Nihal]

The time crawls by without the expected commotion. Even if they presented no objections to the fool's lynching Arendal's people would hardly be silent as they carried out the grim task. Could I have misheard it?

I sneak to the back of the inn, and start to climb the window when a wail somewhere above makes me dart back to the cliffs. The sound dies out, and only the thumping of my heart takes its place. No battle, no chaos. What the hell is happening?

I wait. Nothing alarming can be heard. I think it was a woman's voice, but whose voice? Again I stalk on the balls of my feet, merging into the shadows of the back of the building. I resume my climb, slow, ready to flee, up to Baldhart's window, and peek inside the room with wide eyes.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Aliron walks into town listening for trouble. Once in town he moves in the shadows, to the first rooftop where he left arrows and a rope to climb up. He climbs up, checking the roof for any people, then moving around the edge he checks the tree line and open field for trouble.
Finally he moves to the arrows, refills his near empty quiver. Then lowers the remaining arrows to the ground.
He climbs down and carries the arrows to the building he got them from, leaving them at the door if the shop isn't open.

[Aliron will do this for all the rooftops he placed arrows. I can rp if need be. Aliron will keep an extra quiver of 20 arrows for Bressel's bow.(which I believe he gave back to the owner during the time in town, but in all the confusion of this town, I don't believe Aliron would know this. So it will be an extra 20 for who ever needs them)

Aliron will then move in the shadows and see who is left at the tavern. Advise them of the need to leave soon. (he doesn't even know about Aldar.)

Bressel
"It looks as if there has been new trouble in town. It would appear our mage has a skin condition. Might I assume it is from magic, and that magic was the trouble in town?"
"Aliron believes it is time to leave, I'm thinking this trouble will probably reinforce the need to leave?"
"Who is left in town? Do they know we need to leave?"

 

[Ireth]

((Still not sure who to have Cadell or Liadan speak to, so others can feel free to have their characters spot them or speak to them as they please. Just don't expect a quick response. My computer access is VERY limited these days.))

 

[Steerpike]

The Spear

As night draws near, Arendal begins to settle back in to as normal a lifestyle as can be expected after recent events. Most people are content to remain quietly at home with their families, though the close of the day also draws additional people into the Spear, a place of congregation that also holds many of the members of the party.

Looking down on the scene, we see:

COMMON ROOM

​

Aga and Gisla hustle food and drinks to the tables. The crowd now includes the Srilkind volunteers, who have taken up seats and are order while they wait for Nissa to return. Only a few of them have been served by the time Nissa emeges back into the common room, Grim and Astrid right behind her. Nissa makes her introductions.

GRIM
(nodding approvingly at the men)
I thank you all fer offering to help. There's no way I can tell you
how much it means, having all of you willing to go back with us.
Srilkind's in bad shape, and no mistake, but I reckon with this
group, we'll have 'er back in top form before long.
​

The men respond with nods, or "you're welcome," or "it ain't nothing," most of them looking a bit abashed at the sentiment coming from the large Srilkinder. Astrid takes a step past her husband to address the group.

ASTRID
Those gnolls may have knocked us down, but with friend like
these, we won't stay down long. Our place in Srilkind has a
full cellar, and while you're helping us rebuild it's free food
and ale for as long as we've got it.​

A cheer erupts from the men at this point, and those who have ales already raise their mugs to Astrid. It is just as the cheer erupts that Liadan and Cadell walk in the door. The two elves and Nissa spot each other right away. Many of the patrons notice the elves just as fast, but if they have any misgivings about having them in the Spear, it doesn't show. Everyone is back to their own business within seconds, and a few even nod in the directions of the elves.

When Nissa speaks to Liam, the lad seems pleased to have the valkyrie's attention.

LIAM
(grinning)
Yeah, I'm friends with Fiona and Rionach. Well, mostly
Fiona, on account of she'll go into the woods with me
and pretend to hunt wolves and ogres and stuff. Rionach
mostly likes to stay home, or else maybe go down to
the docks. Before the monsters came, though. I bet
she won't be going down there again soon. Don't you
worry about me. I'm always a big help. Everybody says
so. And if I can help with them other kids, I'll do it.
​

Meanwhile, turning our view to the room upstairs, we find Baldhart, Burnbright, and Dalla where we left them previously, Dalla still steadying herself as she stands, one hand pressed against the bed for balance. Burnbright looks worried still, but not as floored as she did just moments ago.

And what's this? Outside the window, one wielder of magic who responds to the name Mauve is looking in on the scene. But those within do not see or hear her as she eavesdrops.

DALLA
(still teary-eyed and shaky)
It's not fair, what she took from me. From us, I mean.
What she did to Tommen and all. Aslaug should pay
for that. I feel like someone tore my heart right out of
my chest. We had it all planned, a whole future. I could
see it when I closed my eyes. Now what is there? Just
a big black emptiness. Everything we wanted, and
everything we would have had, just gone.
(tears begin anew; she sniffles)
I don't know what Tommen would want. Not for
me to get hurt, I guess. And I don't want to hurt
my Ma. I just don't want to feel like this anymore.
Going after Aslaug will help me move on, to
come to terms with everything. That's what your
friend said.

BURNBRIGHT
(finally shaking free of her astonishment and putting a hand on Dalla's shoulder)
I don't know if it'll help you feel better or not, but you should
listen to Baldhart. She's seen a lot more fighting than both
of us put together. It's not always like the stories, I can tell
you that. I've never been so scared as I was when...
(she trials off, blushing)

​

Meanwhile, as Aliron goes about the business of collecting arrows, he sees the two elves enter the Spear. There is the sound of laughter and cheering from within as the door open, and the sounds fades away when the door is shut again. His attention drawn in that direction, she spies a small, dark figure clinging to the exterior of the Spear and looking into one of the windows. With dusk setting in quickly, Aliron cannot tell who it is.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I'll have to ask Ankari what he expected of this girl. As for Burnbright, maybe it's best she heard this conversation. Alfoss is still along the coast. The gate is another way south.

"Your heart is still in your chest, Dalla, and it's still beating. Please keep it that way. I'm sure even my… friend… doesn't want you to get yourself killed. He has an odd way of persuading people to do the right thing. Likely, he planted that idea of revenge in your head, then sent you to me knowing I'd talk you out of it."

No, this is likely: he murdered the priest and waited by his body so we'd help him with his killing spree, like a real company should. Best I stop trying to guess his motives, and flat out ask him, if I'm to ever trust him again.

"Dalla, you could use a friend right now." Preferably, one who didn't kill your manipulative prick of a boyfriend. "I don't suppose you and Aga are close? Have you eaten yet? I ordered dinner, and it should be ready by now. Why don't we head to the common room, get some food in you, and… if you don't mind, I'd like to walk you home to your mother. You really shouldn't be alone right now." I ruffle Burnbright's curls. "My sister and I need to get out of here anyway, and finally pick up some supplies."

As soon as I head downstairs, I'll ask Aga if my dinner is ready. I'll leave Mauve's plate in my room, just in case she comes back. If I can't get another plate for Dalla, two plates can be split three ways. Then what do we need? A couple tents, a spear and shield for Burnbright, and Mauve's gift. Parchment, too, and a writing implement. Then… I suppose that's all there is to do in this town. Well, and give a proper goodbye to Gisla, Aga, Grim and Astrid.



Nissa

I tell Liam, "Olaf hasn't decided whether or not to bring his wife and daughters. Perhaps your father can let him know that you (and your mother)* are also going. I'm sure he'll bring Fiona along just knowing she has a friend."

As soon as my conversation with the boy is over, I wish him a safe journey, then fly over to Cadell and Liadan. "They're rebuilding Srilkind," I tell the elf couple. "Now that my body doesn't just disappear after a few minutes, I've been keeping busy." I look back at the jovial crowd. "I hope any village or town we enter can be left on a high note like this."

If we don't bring bickering, murder and dragon scales into town that will be easier. And wings. I cannot reveal them unless lives are at stake.



*((Nissa would know not to say "and your mother" if she hasn't actually seen Liam's mother.))

 

[Nihal]

Baldhart's plans won't improve the situation in any way. Truth to be told, they only make it worse! Someone needs to put an end to her folly. They did not see me, and I would rather have it stay this way. I focus on the barbarian, about to mutter my message...



...yet my luck doesn't smile to me this time.



I push the energy back, force it to shrink and behave, fighting and winning the little silent battle. Five deep breaths later, I turn my eyes to Baldhart again.



Alas, my good fortune is gone!



Wood splinters bite the skin under my nails. I go from mental effort to physical, dragging myself over the window frame as soon I release the untamed magic into the air.

"Baldhart, wait!" I raise a hand to Dalla. "Do not mind me, I'm not a threat." I clear my throat and do my best to ignore her, red faced.

"It would be better for the girl to stay here. No shopping! Did you not hear the words about our soft-head friend? I can provide something to help the girl out of this place unseen, you know—do not take her downstairs and do not parade her around in this town!" Having to speak in riddles just angers me. "If you don't trust me to take her out now I'll drop it here and leave. I'll not eat, give the meal to your new... friend. Just give me a time and place to meet with everyone, to discuss what we'll do or leave this cursed town or anything and I'll meet you."

My instinct, or whatever it is, screams to leave the town, to get away from the witch-burners as fast as I can. I pace by the window.

"Just... do not expose the girl!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I tell Dalla, "Uh… yeah, don't worry about her. Ha, ha!"

Oh, really Mauve? How does babbling make you less suspicious?

"Trust you? Yes. Just… eat first." I say to Burnbright, "Sweetie, the important thing is that you're not alone. Now that Mauve's here, why don't you stay with her. Mauve can teach you the art of climbing walls, and you can show her where Masama was practicing his unarmed combat techniques. We'll have to put on the woad paint later, I'm afraid."

I tell Mauve, "I'll get some tents. Now that I won't be blowing all my money on armor and weapons, I can afford to be more generous with my share of the gold." To Dalla I say, "That's another thing you might not know about what we do. Sleep outdoors, climb walls to go indoors to stay in shape for all the climbing you need to do outdoors—did you know I had to climb up and down the cliffs twice just to keep those damned demons out of town? I think I'm all climbed out, so I'll take the stairs."

Now I'm the one babbling. Dammit.

"Come, Dalla. Let's take the stairs. Twice for me, since I need to get the food." I tell Burnbright and Mauve, "No climbing on an empty stomach, if you please." Then add, "Burnbright can show you where she studied her unarmed techniques. I can join you two there within the hour."



((I'll stop here, before Baldy actually leaves in case Mauve has more to say that she'd say even with Dalla in the room.))

 

[Nihal]

I keep my head low as Baldhart tells her senseless lies, fiddling with my clothes and avoiding eye contact with the woman previously in tears. Avoiding giving her a good look of my eyes, the both of them, unmatched. I nod when Baldhart informs she'll get the food. She would hardly accept otherwise—it's surprising she agreed to take Burnbright away from this town! A minor victory is better than none. Yet...

"Please, be fast." It doesn't tell much of the urgency of the situation. I walk to her side, chewing my lips. I did hear it right, I know I did, I knew it would happen. I don't understand why the commoners are so silent, perhaps they caught the senile mage already. Perhaps not. I fear they'll look for him among us, or for sign of others who might practice witchcraft. I do not want to get caught in it again.

"I'm scared." Of a thousand of pretty words and explanations, this is what I whisper. Muttering things while staring at scratches in the wood of a door, it's hopeless. But I couldn't tell much without compromising myself and the others to that woman, right? I push away the notion that I could have phrased a less pathetic sentence and return to the spot by the window, letting my hair fall over my face and hide the mismatched eye as I walk past Tommen's lover.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Bladhart

((I'll assume Dalla is cooperative for now. SP, please let me know if I need to edit.))


Mauve's vulnerable side is adorable. I mouth a thank you to her, since I can use that. I escort Dalla out the door, telling her, "That warrior woman rushed into battle once when I thought I was forced to take on five lizards myself. But sometimes even the strongest are consumed by fear in moments of peace." That should put the nail in the coffin—"Moments of peace are what you need most."—the coffin in which the idea about revenge is buried. "Good food. Talk to mom. Stay home and get some rest." Don't say in peace. Quit while you're ahead.

I head down and ask Aga for the food. Surely it's ready, if not cold. Once Aga brings the meal, I'll pay her, and ask her to split three portions four ways—or I'll just pay for Gisla's portion, and give that to Dalla, if Gisla's too busy to eat. If Aga doesn't charge me, I won't argue this time. I just want to see that Dalla doesn't run off and do something stupid.

While waiting for Aga to get the four plates together, I watch Nissa. She's flying over to Cadell and Liadan. I smile at the lovely couple, and I finally do what I've been dying to do—I give my tiny valkyrie a hug!

She whispers. I try not to react visibly. I ask Nissa to follow Dalla if she leaves, then I head up with the meals.

I address Burnbright first. "Your words to Dalla were a big help, Burnbright. She is an innocent, and not a warrior. As for you, Burnbright… you are both of those things. Being afraid doesn't change that. Any warrior who rushes into battle without fear will survive until he annoys a much stronger opponent. You've seen weaklings consumed by fear, like Sir Matthew cowering behind a table. And now you hear Mauve talk of fear…

"But she's smart about it. She doesn't want to tempt fate, and risk that you'll be seen by enemies." I try to assure Mauve, "We have no enemies in Arendal," then I go on, "but that doesn't mean we throw caution to the wind. I was only a little older than you when I was forced to spend a month in the wilderness. It looks like you'll be getting a taste of that now. We need to make a habit of keeping you hidden. I'll get tents, and if you consider the spear your weapon of choice, I'll purchase a spear and shield appropriate for your arms."

I turn to Mauve. "Nissa saw Aldar, and judging by the happy crowd, she worked her charm and saved the wizard senile, old butt. I know you think Arendal is full of witch-burners, but I'm telling you, this is likely the safest village in the north. I don't mean you fear over nothing. I mean that the fanatics, the witch-burners, the kill-em-all-and-let-Tyr-sort-em-out-lynch-mobs… we haven't seen them yet. And if some of our group have already incurred the wrath of Inquisitioners, leaving Arendal won't make any difference.

"Next village, we can't afford to draw negative attention to ourselves."

I serve the food, and take a bite myself. I think I better eat up here.

 

[Nihal]

"Courage is not the lack of fear, it is moving ahead despite of it," I mutter, stabbing my food. I cut it in little pieces, not particularly hungry after all this situation.

"No enemies in Arendal? We already had this conversation. You assume we do not have enemies here, and you often 'tempt the fate' based on it as if it was a proven fact. I am not referring to mage killers, but agents, her agents and his agents. There is no benefit in parading Burnbright around that could outweigh the danger to her in doing so, no here nor in any other town. It won't end here." I push the food around. "Then there are the mages killers. What makes you think these villagers are so peaceful? They murder they own people if they suspect witchcraft, people they knew their whole lives, who grew with them and partook of the same roof and food! Priests and healers, people who use the gift from their own gods and no arcane magic at all! What do you think they would do to travelers, strangers, people about they know nothing and nothing mean to them? What do you think they would do to Burnbright? The girl has magic in her veins and an unwelcomed mother."

"If they let that idiot go it was because they didn't gather their armed men fast enough. The priest is dead, their leader in this sort of activity, and they didn't install a replacement yet. I presume the wizard was removed from the town and from their sights, quickly enough to be spared. Their lack of power to do anything about it is the true reason he's alive, not their kindness, and I fear they'll not stop at the mage. For all I know they could storm through this door right now, looking for signs of witchcraft in the others of our group. I do not want to get caught in this, not for the senile elf's cause."

I fill the fork and make a face. "I warned about that stupid fool. I knew he would endangers us. Another 'I said so'. Why don't you all just listen? It's frustrating!"

"You do not need to remind me of not drawing attention to us. The only reason I performed a spell was to make sure Ankari had means to flee, and the only reason I did not flee with him was to make sure the others would not take the blame for my spell. I was not seen approaching the scene. I could have walked away." I shake my head and take a bite. "But there was an angry mob surrounding us, surrounding the elves, and they were very upset about their priest being murdered by an elf. If I had not interfered who would take the blame for the spell if not the shiny knight and his girlfriend? I made two difficult decisions. I still do not regret the first, though I may be starting to regret the later."

I swallow some more of the food, barely perceiving its taste. "What are these Inquisitioners anyway? From the way you spoke of them I presume they dedicate themselves to hunt people like me."

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos

I can smell blood. The darkness cloaks the forest in deep shadows, but the scent trail leads me as easilly as if it had been daylight. Dead leaves and frost crunch underpaw as I crouch, nostrils twitching. There's a drop of it not an inch from me, and it's fresh.

There's a faint cry from close by, and it takes a good deal of willpower to keep from turning my head in that moment. My white fur already gives me away enough as it is, and any sudden movements will cost me. Yes, we can likely get food in the inn, but nothing can beat the fresh, warm flesh of soemthing I've caught. The thill of the hunt is everything. The adrenaline, the knowledge of how much power is really in me. How much damage I can do if i wanted.

But that knowledge all goes to protect her. Even with a group and other elves, I cannot depend entirely on them for her protection. That is my job alone, and if anyone dares threaten her I will not heasitate to kill.

The sound comes again, and this time i swivel my gaze around, then my ears flatten in distaste. A chicken. A damn village chicken.

Ugh, well I may as well try to get it back where it belongs. I think before sprining at the bird. The hen sqawks loudly when my laws close around it, but I'm careful not to puncute it's skin with my teeth. The blood is from a wound in it's leg -must've sqeezed out of some wire to get free.

"Batos? What is it?" her voice comes from above and further off, and I raise my head with the still-squawking bird in my mouth. My tail goes limp in annoyance when her eyebrows rise. "Ah. Well, I guess hunting will have to wait. Whoever is missing that hen will want it back for sure."

* * *

We head back to the Spear, the hen now in Keitsumah's grasp. If i'd padded inside witht he bird in my mouth the owner may as well have stuck me with a spear of their own.

The door opens with a creak, and I cast a glance to one side. There's someone further down but we don't bother yet, this seems to be more important at the moment.

"Excuse me, is anyone missing ahen? Batos found it in the forest." Keitsumah raises her voice ot get the attention of some people in the Spear and I snort at the deranged bird again. I prefer deer anyways.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I take a breath and relax. "I wasn't referring to anything you did when I mentioned negative attention. As for what I assume…

"Her agents won't come into town. They can't be stupid enough to think we sent Burnbright away. They'll wait for us to move. West is the most obvious path, so I assume they can find us even without the magic necklace. And if I could find Burnbright's hideout by myself, how safe was it from a gnoll's snout?"

I really didn't want her to bring Ankari up. To Burnbright I say, "Listen, sweetie… Ankari would do anything to protect you. There was a better way to protect Branwen, but Ankari did what he did… in part… because Branwen is a little girl. Her father was a half-elf. She can't help that she was born with wings, and I think you've seen how well-behaved she is. No little girl should be burned to death."

I say to Mauve, "That said, Geralt was a member of the Inquisition. A former member. Hopefully, he burned those bridges, but Mauve… if the Inquisition takes any interest in his death, our days may already be numbered. Ankari cannot be seen in public with us. Convince him to shave his head, grow a beard, wear a hood—all of those things—and even then, not run around villages trying to recruit pretty girls to join our group. Aldar—yes, you said so. Inquisitioners would burn him and all of his known associates, and they'd convince the people it is according to Tyr's will. And the villagers who want to live full lives would say nothing.

"I'm not exaggerating when I say that taking on the Inquisition is like declaring war with an entire nation. They're very powerful, and they really believe these purification rituals make them the good guys. I'll bet they have paladins, too. Maybe they'll search our bags, maybe they can detect your magic just by looking at you, Mauve. Maybe only Bressel and I can enter the villages at all.

"Don't mistake my bringing Burnbright here for a naive sense of security, Mauve. I have a fear, too. That one of our own will pull another stupid stunt, and we'll piss off the wrong guy."

Who are his agents? I'll ask that later.

"You said you can get Burnbright out without being seen. Any chance that means she can travel on the road without being seen?"