Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Keitsumah]

Batos

"I might have bled to death after a warg tore off my hand, or drowned in an underground lake. Humility is easy when you realize everyone can be strong, and everyone can be weak. You just need to find others who will be strong for you when you need it, and sometimes you must be strong for them."

I listen to those words and my lip curls back in a silent snarl. It is truth, those words, but it is bitter truth. I was not strong when my mother needed me to be. Not when he came and hurt her. If he had any weaknesses, I would be sure to use each and every one of them to tear him to peices.

I will find you.... one day. a low growl throbbs in my chest and i stare at the ground, feeling the thrill of pure, unadulterated rage within me. My heart pounds loudly in my ears, and i feel as if i can run for miles. But i daren't move an inch when i feel Keitsumah stiffen next to me. Feel her large violet eyes stare. The growl grows slightly louder and develops into a dull roar.

I will kill him. I will kill him the next time i see him, and then he won't be able to hurt anyone else.

"Batos? What's the matter?" her soft voice pulls me back for a moment and i turn my head away from Cadell and the child, hoping i haven't scared them. Her hands bury themselves in the fur on either side of my face and i stare back at her. If only i could speak. If only i could tell them. I am stronger than many human men, but I am not what I truly am.

And i doubt i ever will be.

 

[Steerpike]

Arendal

The lad speaking with Cadell eagerly takes in any talks of knights, kings, and apprenticeships, and then gapes when Cadell mentions the warg attack, and that his hand was bitten off. With the gauntlet in place, it doesn't appear the child realized Cadell was missing a hand. "A warg..." the kid mutters, a bit breathless as he examines Cadell's hand and then looks the elf over once more. "I've never seen one, but I've heard stories 'bout them. You actually killed one?"

Batos issues a deep growl as the boy and Cadell speak, and the boy looks suddenly alarmed and takes a step back. When Keitsumah talks to the wolf and calms the animal, the boy seems scarcely relaxed. In answer to Cadell's question about his name, he says "Oh...I'm Biorn." Then, still looking somewhat sideways at Keitsumah and Batos, he asks "Is she a witch? They say witches can talk to animals. The animals are called f...not families, but something with an 'f.' Lots of times witches have cats. I heard that in a story too."

Baldhart approaches with a young woman not well known to the group - Dalla. When Baldhart asks about their being friends, Dalla's lips twitch as though to say something, but she keeps silent. As Baldhart approached the group, she mentions Ankari and Mauve. Then she notices the young boy's eyes fixed on Keitsumah, and that there is somewhat of an awkward silence.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Baldy wouldn't mention Ankari's name in town—or Mauve's. I assumed she went to area outside of town where Burnbright camped out, then dropped off Dalla before berry-picking. Or did the boy follow Cadell to the edge of town? OR did Baldy drop Dalla off with Ankari, and THEN on the way to berry-picking, she saw Batos is in town and followed… which she'd likely do, actually. I'm fine with Baldy being in the Keit/Cadell RP… I just want to know where she is, and if Dalla's still with her, before I jump in.

Also, do Dalla's lips 'twitch' as if saying something that rhymes with 'twitch?'))

 

[Steerpike]

((Cadell is still in town. There's no one really within earshot except the kid. I can edit my post when I get to my computer)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((As long as Baldhart didn't blurt the name of a known murderer in town, it's all good. I'll run with it.))


Baldhart

I tell the boy, "This is Keitsumah, who has shown much interest in following my goddess, Brynhild. Whatever you may think of her and her… pet…" I pat Batos on the head. "Batos nearly sacrificed himself in last night's battle—for Keitsumah, and perhaps for the innocents in the caves. I don't know what to make of him, but I can tell you Batos is brave, loyal… and unusually intelligent."

It occurs to me that I'm jumping in in the middle of a conversation—or the awkward pause in a conversation.

"Oh, sorry if I was interrupting something. I'm Baldhart, a nun." With woad paint all over my muscles. I should really say 'servant of Brynhild' instead of nun. Oh well. To Cadell, I add, "This is Dalla." I don't mention Ankari's invitation to her or that I'm not crazy about the idea or why I'm letting her tag along when I could've easily let her go on the damn boat, have a cry, and turn back or marry a sailor or anything but… "The seamstress' daughter," I add.

 

[Nihal]

Somewhere in the forest

Uh?

I rub my eyes and take another look at the sky, unsure whether my mind is playing tricks on me or it was really Nissa flying overhead. I climb a tree in a hurry, before she's out of range.



"Hey! Nissa! Nissa!" I yell, waving my arms wildly and pushing some annoying branches away from my face.

 

[Keitsumah]

I smile at Baldhart in thanks. To the boy, i explain: "I lost my family in a fire when i was a small child, probably not much older than you." I pull at my sleeve and reveal the scars that mar my left hand.

"I found Batos not many days after that. He was a pup then, and he was being chased by Wargs. I don't know why i did it, i was scared out of my wits, but i hid in the bushes and snatched him out of the way when they ran past. Then i helped get us both up a tree before the wargs could turn around and attack again. Ever since then we've been together. I have never actually been around very many people until Baldhart, Cadell and the others all rescued me from the clutches of harpies." I spread my arms wide in emphasis, deciding to play the part of a storyteller since the boy seems so influenced by them. "They are like women, but they have bird legs and huge, dirty wings. When i got scared Cadell told me everything would be okay, and in the end it was." I put my arms down, one hand on Batos's shoulder, and a smile tugs at my mouth. "But before we got out of their lair we had to battle lots of lizard monsters. Batos killed many to protect me, and now I think he will protect the others in our group as well. He would even protect you if you were in trouble I bet."

Batos touches my hand with the cold tip of his nose and i glance at him. he looks int he boy's direction and i pull my hand away. The wolf seems to consider the lad for a moment, the rage gone now. Whatever had angered him clearly wasn't the boy, and in fact he seemed sorry for scaring him.

The wolf slowly lowers his head and takes a shuffling step closer to the boy, careful to not make any sudden movements. His tail wags at the tip like an ordinary dog's, but the keen intelligence in his eyes as he watches the lad is still there. I smile and rub his back. "Would you like to pet him? His fur is very soft, and I'm sure he won't bite you."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I'm about to get a closer look at the… gnolls and goblins and wargs, I guess… but there's Mauve. Well, why fly way out there when I can just ask her?

I fly down to Mauve and find a branch that will support me. "Hi, Mauve." Instead of asking about gnolls, I ask, "What do you think of my new outfit?" I twirl to show off the backless dress that leaves plenty of room for the wings. I expect she'll notice the long princess gloves that cover my arm past the elbow, though not quite to the shoulder, and that they match the tights nicely. The boots are soft and warm and so is my shawl. "The local tailor made it for me. I believe you met her daughter."

Did Mauve have to sit through the whole tear-fest? "Anyway, I believe I saw the gnolls and company headed northwest into the Taint. So… you're safe, they're going sort of away. Did you accomplish what you hoped to out here?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

Dalla hates me, but I don't need to show any bitterness toward her. When Keitsumah turns to me, I tell Dalla, "That's Keitsumah and Batos. They were going to be eaten by harpies, but we put a stop to that." I also refer to the horse and rider, "This here is Sir Cadell, though he may prefer to dispense with the formality, and his trusty steed Llucheden." If Liadan is here, I introduce her as well, though without any emphasis on her relationship with Cadell.

When I can get a word in, I tell the others as pleasantly as I can, "This is Dalla. She has expressed an interest in joining the good fight, so please make her feel welcome." My mother always did see me as some sort of diplomat. I don't have the body for it, but I have the speech. Surely, Dalla doesn't see me as a brawny bitch as Tommen so eloquently put it?

((CHA Check / Prime))

((…just wanted to see if Baldhart comes off as a rhymes-with-twitch as she talks to Dalla.))

No. I'm the polite, well-spoken killer of her boyfriend… winking asshole. I should say that aloud. Maybe Dalla would be impressed at that way I enunciate the ŋ.

 

[Nihal]

Forest

I frown and shake my head slightly, trying to make sense of her talk of dresses.

"What?"

Little time she has to walk in flesh among us, yet she acts as she was out for a casual morning stroll. "Something happened? Why are you here?

I shake my head again and add in a hushed tone, "I... have something of importance to tell. To everyone. They must listen to this, prepared or not."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"So, no opinion on the dress? Well, I'm here because Baldy said you'd be back last night. You weren't, so I thought I'd make myself useful and watch over the area. For hostiles. And your return—a triumphant one, I take it.

"Well, the sooner you get this information to everyone the better, right? They're all waiting. Not just for you. Cadell's getting his horse. Others are packing up camping stuff. I suppose Ankari's crossing his arms and tapping his foot, and the last to arrive will get an earful of his usual mannerism.

"Shall we head back, then? Do I get to hear any of the news on the way? Life outside of Baldy's head is quiet, but I've had enough silence and solitude."

 

[Nihal]

Forest

I start my descent with a sigh. "I apologize for my bluntness. I am sleep deprived again, and I assumed you were running an errand or something grave happened, not that you would waste your precious little time in flesh looking for me.

"I warned her I could be late, and to get going; now I will look like the moron who delayed the group," I grumble and turn to the direction I believe the cave should be. "I would rather inform everyone, explain the details just once. But you will have vanished by the time we get there and would not be able to comment on anything, wouldn't you? We have a destination, I reckon, because if we do not prevent what is about to happen what follows will lead to Mathera's annihilation. Oh, yeah, and we might die in its wake as well." I turn to her, twisting my lips for a smirk.

"But you should know it already. I can't help but think that all these gods are just f—ing messing with us. They know what is happening, what is about to happen and they merely sit comfortably in their divine thrones, drinking their divine wine as they enjoy the show."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I fly beside Mauve as we head back. "If I fly, I can keep up with you." I laugh at her use of the word 'moron.' "If anyone calls you 'moron' for coming back with essential information, what would they call me—oh, let's face it—what would he call me for refusing to leave Arendal over a dress? And if you're wondering why I felt the need to have an outfit made, I think you'll figure it out in about ten minutes."

So, about the end of the world…

"I'll admit, the world-desctruction thing comes as little surprise. I have been informed that the gods are aware of what your group is about to stumble into, as I believe Baldy mentioned back in the tunnels. I'm afraid you have more information than I do at this point. I've been with Baldy for seven years… which put me out of the loop.

"As for the gods, you have it backwards. I mean, they're not f—ing with us. They agreed not to f— with us, though I suspect they phrased it differently. This one's always hard to explain, but I'll try anyway. I apologize in advance if I strike a nerve, but… consider what you thought was the most important problem in the world, until you found out the world itself might meet its end: the witch-burners. Now imagine this: a little girl is about to be burned at the stake by a holy man performing a false ritual in Tyr's name. Only the girl doesn't burn. The one-armed god himself appears, and impales the priest on his spear as punishment for committing an evil act of murder and blasphemy." Maybe Mauve's not impressed with this scenario, but "I know I'd like to see that.

"Baldy would've liked to have seen those gnolls perish, too. Some divine lightning zapping them before they could wipe out a village would've done the trick. I could've used some godly death from above when orcs decided halflings would be fun to kill. I'm sure the priests of Tyr would like their god to strike down Ankari for the murder in the temple, and maybe Aldar as well for casting magic there. Or perhaps they'd prefer the gods control people like you so you won't be able to learn magic in the first place. Ghendra's got innocent blood on his hands, but he justifies himself because of a past injustice between humans and gnolls. Perhaps there's a god who agrees with him.

"I understand why you think the gods should make an exception for this, but where do you think they should draw the line? At what point do they allow free will, and at what point do they take it away? I can tell you for certain that the gods can't even agree on that. They could only agree that there should be no line at all—either they control mortals like dolls, or let the mortals have the world. If you see my sisters leading an army of ancient warriors reborn, then it means the things got so bad that the gods discerned that, without their intervention, there would be no world at all. Believe me when I say you're right to share this information with the others immediately. If the world gets to the phase where the Valkyrie must intervene, my only hope then is that Baldhart is permitted to be among us. I mean as a Valkyrie. She, you and the others would likely be dead long before the world is that far gone. Even Loki, the trickster god, will take no pleasure in watching people being wiped out by the thousands."

 

[Nihal]

Forest

"I would like to point out that my 'most important problem in the world' are not the witch burners. I loathe them, I fear them, but they are not the reason I draw breath. I live for something of far greater importance," I remark indignantly. "If anything, they are more your problem than mine. The majority of people they catch are not mages at all.

"It will be the end of the world as we know, of the light and everything that is free. I have lived my entire life hiding, but this is something different. You cannot hide from him for long. What we are about to face is merely the start of a sequence of events, but if we can postpone it and earn some time to look for a way out we must.

"It is amusing you mentioned witch hunting, because they have a role in these events that goes beyond destroying a couple of lives, and I will have to explain it very soon, no matter how hopeless it is. I would rather not do this, but let you—everyone—see it with your own eyes, experience it yourselves, or you will not understand nor care. It is no secret you are unable to relate to the ones killed by them, neither understand the impact of these crimes on our world, or you would not be able to share a drink and merrily talk with these people and the people who allowed it to happen by averting their eyes and pretending nothing happened.

"Because you too do avert your eyes.

"So do the gods. When something good happens it is 'Thanks to this God', or 'By the grace of that Goddess'. Where were they a thousand years ago? How could they listen to our screams and pleads, see our blood and tears and despair and do nothing? It is easy to take credit for the good deeds, for the successes, and to dictate how one should live while you avoid all the responsibility. There are days I question their existence despite all the signs.

"If they do exist, I have to accept that they have no heart. They are greater than us, they can see the truth for what it really is and more than anyone they can decide on the fairness of the matters, they can see if a plea is just or not. Yet they do nothing, they take no responsibility, they just manipulate the events with a blessing here, an old book with their code there, all under the covers. And their words weight on our shoulders, a burden we are forced to bear daily willing or not. Yet, in the darkest hours they do nothing for us!

"I can understand why mortals avert their eyes, even if I do not agree. They are small, weak, they are worms writhing in the mud, and the cower. I cannot understand why the gods do the same, thus I cannot forgive them."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"So I did strike a nerve. Sorry. As I said, not my intent. But I can certainly relate to innocent victims, having been one myself. I was killed for no reason at all by beings who thought being bigger than my people meant they could crush us on a whim. Upon death, I got a pair of wings and a job. For that, I thank Brynhild. She doesn't take credit for what I did to earn the wings, and I never once blamed Her or any god that orcs cheated me out of life. I blame the orcs, and those innocents who died at witch-burners' hands… they tend to blame the witch-burners.

"And, yes… many ask why people they knew said nothing and did nothing. I'm not belittling your gripe. I'm merely sharing my experience.

"But about being civil in a village, what's to gain from not? You saw how they reacted to Branwen—and I got the warding evil sign myself. I told the guy, 'gimme a break. I'm here to help.' And after I helped, the priest says I maaaay be a servant of Brynhild. Or perhaps I'm a demon—yeah! One who happens to look like a valkyrie and saves lives. If you want to say these people are fearful out of ignorance, that's accurate. They live in fear. And when a group of warriors more powerful than the town militia strolls into town, what do you suggest we do? Give them reason to fear us? Hate us? Justify killing us if they have the power to do so?

"If you're going to hate villagers and gods, you're wasting your hate.

"As for averting eyes and pretending nothing happened… we did that when we accepted an alliance with the gnolls. You can justify it as a necessary means to save the innocents in Arendal, but not killing them in the first place makes us no different than any villager who's seen a witch-burning. Face the fact, Mauve. We didn't let the gnolls go because it was the right thing to do. Or because the gnolls are really honorable beings who were 'just following orders.' Or because they'd be more useful alive. We let them go because their army was too big for us to defeat. Call it cowardice or call it survival or call it tactics… it doesn't matter what name you want to give it. But when you speak of villagers who avert their eyes, give their action the same name you give ours."

She did say the witch-burners are part of this. Perhaps the ritual is not false.

"Now, witch-burners… if you wish to hate them, I'll gladly join you. I know for a fact the witch-burners' ritual is a false one. False to Tyr. But are you telling me they're slaughter of the innocent is a true ritual? A ritual to him?—the one you say we cannot hide from? Who do you refer to when you say him?"

 

[Nihal]

Forest

"And aren't we cowards and murderers? I have never said I was not one, I know what kind of evil I am. Self righteousness always aggravated me.

"You see, I do not agree with what the gnolls are doing, yet I still understand them and I am unable to vilify them as you do. I cannot see them as deserving nothing but death, because to be fair I would have to do the same to all the other said 'higher races'. Our kin do murder innocents and children and women, but these children stink of wet fur or have claws. Our kin murder even our own kin! I am sorry, but I cannot decide who is good and who is evil based on what meets the eye, I cannot decide whose lives are worth more like that. I refuse to value one's suffering over another's based on how pretty they are.

I glance at her. "No, the burning is not a ritual for all I know, but the deaths of true mages benefit him. The Inquisition is doing his dirty job, sparing him from revealing himself, enabling him to gather even more power undisturbed. I will explain everything once we are with the others. We are not too far, are we?" I rub my eyes with heavy hands. "I should think on how deliver it, and what would better be left untold, for you may not wish to belittle me but you do anyway. You always do, especially where it concerns power and magic."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Oh, fudge. Not the race card again…


"I condemn the gnolls not for being fuzzy; I only condemn their specific action: slaughtering the innocent. I condemn witch-burners for the same thing, and even if they burn actual magic-users, that is still slaughter of the innocent in my eye. Punishing magic by death is simply murder made legal. Also, we are not cowards and murderers. I don't disagree with our actions regarding the gnolls. I was merely pointing out that you condemn the villagers for their inaction against witch-burners. Yet we did not attack the gnolls for the same reason the villagers do nothing: self-preservation.

"I don't believe I'm being disrespectful by pointing this out. Is it respectful to remain silent as you condemn me for having the audacity to dine with villagers? You do not care to know what these people are like. You assume they are heartless, but in the short time I spent with them, I saw the opposite. After a family invited me into their home, I learned the man of the house was a builder. To make a long story short, he volunteered to go to Srilkind and help Grim rebuild. When I calmed the mob accusing Aldar of being a demon, I found half a dozen more volunteers.

"Simply treating these villagers with respect made a difference. People are responding to the tragedy in Srilkind in a way that is constructive, and I happen to be proud that I helped make that happen by simply being me. I will not accept a how-dare-you from you or anyone else who disapproves of how I interact with villagers, especially since my actions proved beneficial: they let Aldar walk. If I had a problem with you for talking to the gnolls or whoever gave you this valuable information, would my complaining make you regret your effort? Of course not.

"If you truly care to know how I feel about Ghendra and his warriors, I suspect he acts out of fear for his own people. It's based on a hunch Baldy had when she saw that the lizard people were controlled by fear. Something Ghendra said to me seems to support this. In fact, I was thinking of asking him if Aslaug threatened to harm his people should he disobey her… I know where he is now, but I chose not to follow him. If I speak to him, I fear I would undermine your effort to put him on a false trail. Despite what you may think of me, I value your opinion. Do you think I should ask Ghendra about this? If speaking to him now would undermine your efforts, I will not follow him. I suspect he'll find us later anyway, and that he'll be willing to talk when we inevitably meet again.

"If you value my opinion, I suggest you tell all. Just the facts, at first. If anyone complains or doubts or whatever it is that makes you think you should withhold information, all you have to say is: 'these are the facts. I'm telling you all I heard.'"

 

[Steerpike]

((Most people slept in the cave the night before, so those who aren't actively posting in Arendal are presumed to still be there. Right now I have Aliron, Bressel, and Aldar in the cave; Ankari at an undisclosed location; Mauve and Nissa heading back to Arendal through the woods; and Baldhart, Keitsumah, Cadell and Liadan in Arendal)).

The Cave

Masama prepares food for Branwen, and Burnbright insists on helping out with that. Before long, the two of them have Branwen taken care of, and content, and Masama double-checks all of his belonging, making sure he is ready for the road. Of the party members, only Bressel and Aliron have remained at the cave, with the others who slept there the night before having gone back to Arendal.

Masama cocks an eye toward the heavens, watching the early path of Asra across the sky. "We linger too long," he says. "We should be moving."

Burnbright casts a look between Aliron, Bressel and Masama, and asks "Do you think everyone is OK? Should we go look for them?"

The Forest


Mauve and Nissa find the trip back through the forest pleasant enough, topics of conversation aside. The countryside around Arendal remains peaceful for the moment. It does not take the two long to reach the outskirts of the village.

Arendal

The boy, Biorn, listens to what is said about Keitsumah and Batos, but still looks a bit unsure of himself. Having been raised in the north, where magic is the subject of a great deal of superstition and stories told to frighten small children into bed, he seems unsettled. Biorn puts on a brave front, however, forcing a smile and patting Llucheden one more time. "I better get back before I get in trouble. I was supposed to see if Gisla has any cheese to sell."

He runs a step or two, then turns back to Cadell. "Thanks for telling me about knights. Meeting one in person is even better than the old stories!" Then he dashes into the Spear calling for Gisla.

 

[Nihal]

Forest

((She's heading to the cave, not the town. And I'm sorry if you end having to change in what terms Nissa leaves, but Mauve deserves to have a reaction, even if it's telling to "f- off".))

"How can you contradict—if you only listen to the words coming out of your mouth—no, you know what? Forget it! Forget I have said anything at all. Forget!" I say in a quick succession, my hands flying around me as I gesticulate and stopping and starting again with each change of sentence.

Why do I bother? You naive, hopeless idiot! I made a promise to not get involved with them again! The sooner I'm done with it the better, and I should prepare myself to face more derogation. I can feel my nails digging into my palms, the frustration emanating from them up to my shoulders, squeezing them and making them stone, stiffing my neck and going back down to my feet. I make haste, looking forward to reach my destination. I retreat inside myself, in all my anger and frustration, until Nissa is nothing but background noise.

***​

Vexation clouds the mind, and I will need clarity. I could work on calming down, on controlling my consciousness and perception. I can't rely on getting drunk every time I need to open my mind in order to reach other beings. I watch my surroundings only enough to travel in the right direction and not trip on a root, but it's my other senses that are focused. Each time we pass by a tree I devote myself to sense its proximity, I remember how it is to have the eyes closed and something approaching you, lingering so close to your ear its presence is palpable. I remember the tingling of the magic surrounding me, then of that dark presence just out of the corner of my eyes. Is that thing here now? Of course it is. I let my perception wander among trees, magic and nameless beings. But it only lasts for a moment, for I arrive at my destination.


((The question is: Who is not in town? Depending on who is in the cave she'll talk already.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

Oops. Pushed her over the edge. I smile at Mauve. "Well… we made good time. Thank you for the conversation. We may not see eye-to-eye, but I do admire your honesty. Let me see if anyone's still in town, so you can mentally prepare your presentation in peace."

I fly into town and see Baldy with Keit, Batos, Cadell, Liadan and… Dalla. Why?

"Ladies and gentlemen…" I include Batos when I say 'gentlemen,' despite his canine fuzziness that I'm thought to disapprove of. "It appears that everyone is ready to move."


Baldhart

I politely let Dalla know that I will take her directly to Ankari.