The chatter beings. No need to add to it. If there is anything they love more than hearing themselves speak it's hearing themselves speak their opinions of my wrongs. I descend back into the cavern and draw an arrow.
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Dragon's Egg - Act IV
- Thread starter Steerpike
- Start date
Nihal
Valar Lord
"Torch? You could try to keep some bodies intact just for once."
I turn my attention back to the lizard, resting my hands on my knees and crouching slightly—just a little—to see him eye to eye. "They will not harm you. Skivver, do you know any secret paths leading to where the dark elves are? Paths the dark elves do not like or use, paths me and my friends can use?" I let him absorb my first request, calmly asking my other questions, "Do you know how many of the dark elves can use magic? Would the other lizards turn against the ten at your request? Can you convince them, or make them ignore us?"
I turn my attention back to the lizard, resting my hands on my knees and crouching slightly—just a little—to see him eye to eye. "They will not harm you. Skivver, do you know any secret paths leading to where the dark elves are? Paths the dark elves do not like or use, paths me and my friends can use?" I let him absorb my first request, calmly asking my other questions, "Do you know how many of the dark elves can use magic? Would the other lizards turn against the ten at your request? Can you convince them, or make them ignore us?"
Baldhart
Big surprise. I'm lacing my boots and there goes Ankari, into the cave without a word. I agree this is not the time to sit and talk, but is he so stubborn that he won't even have a healer clean and patch his wound? Does he have nothing to say to his student?
I say to Burnbright and Dalla, "Looks like we're ready for round two. If either of you has a torch, keep it close by. Perhaps you've seen what Nissa does with these." I hold up an oil bottle. Then I tell Burnbright, "You can keep a bottle in your backpack, but for Nissa or Dalla to throw. It's best you and I do not throw them ourselves. Dalla is not of our faith, and Nissa is but has already earned her wings. We have not, and it's too easy to use a weapon like this while running away, or in a way Brynhild may deem cowardly for Her devotee." I smile at Burnbright. "You dropped your spear and used your fists. I may worry about you, but where you must stand with Brynhild... I'm not worried."
I head to the cave, ready to follow Ankari, but Mauve asks Skivver a question. I may not fit in Skivver's alternate route, but Nissa, Mauve, Burnbright, Branwen... maybe Keit and Dalla. There may be a way to rescue the children before we kill all the elves, or we can attack elves from multiple directions.
Liadan's right that Skivver is like the gnolls, though I might add he has more annoying bark. I'll be glad to be rid of him, whether he walks or is killed by the elves he's supposedly betraying. Still, his answer to Mauve's question may reveal a better course of action. I wait by the cave, listening.
Big surprise. I'm lacing my boots and there goes Ankari, into the cave without a word. I agree this is not the time to sit and talk, but is he so stubborn that he won't even have a healer clean and patch his wound? Does he have nothing to say to his student?
I say to Burnbright and Dalla, "Looks like we're ready for round two. If either of you has a torch, keep it close by. Perhaps you've seen what Nissa does with these." I hold up an oil bottle. Then I tell Burnbright, "You can keep a bottle in your backpack, but for Nissa or Dalla to throw. It's best you and I do not throw them ourselves. Dalla is not of our faith, and Nissa is but has already earned her wings. We have not, and it's too easy to use a weapon like this while running away, or in a way Brynhild may deem cowardly for Her devotee." I smile at Burnbright. "You dropped your spear and used your fists. I may worry about you, but where you must stand with Brynhild... I'm not worried."
I head to the cave, ready to follow Ankari, but Mauve asks Skivver a question. I may not fit in Skivver's alternate route, but Nissa, Mauve, Burnbright, Branwen... maybe Keit and Dalla. There may be a way to rescue the children before we kill all the elves, or we can attack elves from multiple directions.
Liadan's right that Skivver is like the gnolls, though I might add he has more annoying bark. I'll be glad to be rid of him, whether he walks or is killed by the elves he's supposedly betraying. Still, his answer to Mauve's question may reveal a better course of action. I wait by the cave, listening.
- Thread starter
- #144
Skivver shrinks back further as Aliron speaks, but when Aliron asks why the lizard is not dead, he pokes his head around Mauve's legs and yips back. 'Skivver good. Have friend witch. You hurt Skivver, witch smash head." Despite the oft-repeated threat, the lizard doesn't seem entirely convinced of it at this point, and lapses back into a nervous silence until Aliron questions him about the different colors of elves. "Skivver see black elfs," he offers. "And see yel...other elfs. What elf Skivver call you?"
The lizard absently puts a hand on Mauve's robe, then jerks it away as though burned. He cringes throughout much of the conversation, looking with renewed fear at Branwen when Bressel describes her attempt to eat a lizard.
Burnbright flushes slightly and clutches her spear in a hard grip when Bressel mentions her bare-handed fighting, and the bear wrestling tale she told in Srilkind. She makes an effort to catch neither Masama's nor Baldhart's eye. When Liadan asks about parley with lizards, Burnbright steps toward the elf, gives Biorn a quick grin, though a forced one, as though something is troubling her, and says "We were ambushed. We killed all but this one. Mauve went after him, but it looks like he might know something about this place, so she left him alive. At least, I think that's why she let him live."
Dalla says nothing until Baldhart approaches her, then grows uneasy when Baldhart has kind words for her. "It's OK," she says, keeping her eyes tilted at the frozen ground. "Besides, I think what I did in the fight was mostly luck. You might still end up being right..." She trails off, her mind drifting into her own thoughts.
Branwen scrambles down from Baldhart's shoulders, her pleasure at the ride being deflected by Bressel's food comments, which the young harpy clearly understands and responds to with a "Bwannen eat" in her high, melodic voice.
When Baldhart mentions Burnbright's actions directly, she blushes again, casts a look at Masama as well, and tears spring to her eyes, her own shame at having lost her spear having built up since the battle and now boiling over at being put on the spot. "I dropped my spear. I was afraid to pick it up, so I stood there trying to punch the lizard. So much for a spear maiden." She wipes a hand angrily across her eyes, then says: "Next time, I won't drop it."
Masama looks at the girl a moment, and says "Every warrior has made a mistake in battle. It is not the mistake itself, but how you respond to it. Asra was with you, spear or no. Having lost one weapon, you simply utilized another." He smacks his hands together for emphasis, but Burnbright still looks down red-faced at the spears in her hands. "Next time, I won't drop it."
It takes some coaxing to get Skivver to answer Mauve's questions. The lizard seems to expect to be struck down at any moment, and also seems to struggle alternatively between abject fear of Mauve and the conviction that she's his friend. He finally relents to her questions, more fearfully than when speaking to others in the party. "You not call lizard. Call [-------]" He utters something in the reptilian tongue, and the closest word you can put to it is the common word 'kobold.' Skivver continues: "Kobold not listen Skivver. Skivver not chief. Skivver tell them, it no. Skivver get Tarlack. Tarlack tell kobold, it yes. Black elfs take Tarlack, but Skivver know holes. You get Tarlack, you..." Skivver trails off as Ankari heads down into the tunnel. He points a scraggly finger and says "Yel...uh...that elf go in."
Masama's gaze follows Ankari, and he says: "It appears the battle is joined."
The lizard absently puts a hand on Mauve's robe, then jerks it away as though burned. He cringes throughout much of the conversation, looking with renewed fear at Branwen when Bressel describes her attempt to eat a lizard.
Burnbright flushes slightly and clutches her spear in a hard grip when Bressel mentions her bare-handed fighting, and the bear wrestling tale she told in Srilkind. She makes an effort to catch neither Masama's nor Baldhart's eye. When Liadan asks about parley with lizards, Burnbright steps toward the elf, gives Biorn a quick grin, though a forced one, as though something is troubling her, and says "We were ambushed. We killed all but this one. Mauve went after him, but it looks like he might know something about this place, so she left him alive. At least, I think that's why she let him live."
Dalla says nothing until Baldhart approaches her, then grows uneasy when Baldhart has kind words for her. "It's OK," she says, keeping her eyes tilted at the frozen ground. "Besides, I think what I did in the fight was mostly luck. You might still end up being right..." She trails off, her mind drifting into her own thoughts.
Branwen scrambles down from Baldhart's shoulders, her pleasure at the ride being deflected by Bressel's food comments, which the young harpy clearly understands and responds to with a "Bwannen eat" in her high, melodic voice.
When Baldhart mentions Burnbright's actions directly, she blushes again, casts a look at Masama as well, and tears spring to her eyes, her own shame at having lost her spear having built up since the battle and now boiling over at being put on the spot. "I dropped my spear. I was afraid to pick it up, so I stood there trying to punch the lizard. So much for a spear maiden." She wipes a hand angrily across her eyes, then says: "Next time, I won't drop it."
Masama looks at the girl a moment, and says "Every warrior has made a mistake in battle. It is not the mistake itself, but how you respond to it. Asra was with you, spear or no. Having lost one weapon, you simply utilized another." He smacks his hands together for emphasis, but Burnbright still looks down red-faced at the spears in her hands. "Next time, I won't drop it."
It takes some coaxing to get Skivver to answer Mauve's questions. The lizard seems to expect to be struck down at any moment, and also seems to struggle alternatively between abject fear of Mauve and the conviction that she's his friend. He finally relents to her questions, more fearfully than when speaking to others in the party. "You not call lizard. Call [-------]" He utters something in the reptilian tongue, and the closest word you can put to it is the common word 'kobold.' Skivver continues: "Kobold not listen Skivver. Skivver not chief. Skivver tell them, it no. Skivver get Tarlack. Tarlack tell kobold, it yes. Black elfs take Tarlack, but Skivver know holes. You get Tarlack, you..." Skivver trails off as Ankari heads down into the tunnel. He points a scraggly finger and says "Yel...uh...that elf go in."
Masama's gaze follows Ankari, and he says: "It appears the battle is joined."
Nihal
Valar Lord
"Leave him," I admonish Baldhart. "To cover his escape I once performed a spell before an entire town, and with this act tarnished my reputation in the North. If the word of one who went to such lengths to protect him is worth anything, hear me: leave him.
"This is not the time for reckless advance. We ought to make a good use of any advantage we can, and we cannot mindlessly endanger the children. He is a capable adult, yet he put himself in this position. Follow him and I shall not follow you." I shake my head and turn back to Skivver.
"Kobolds." I nod. "How well guarded is Tarlack? And can you take we through another path, to surprise the dark elves?"
"This is not the time for reckless advance. We ought to make a good use of any advantage we can, and we cannot mindlessly endanger the children. He is a capable adult, yet he put himself in this position. Follow him and I shall not follow you." I shake my head and turn back to Skivver.
"Kobolds." I nod. "How well guarded is Tarlack? And can you take we through another path, to surprise the dark elves?"
Baldhart
Tarnished reputation? Had I not acted as I did, all of our reputations would be tarnished. Maybe she sees that. Then there's no need to say it then, is there…?
I don't move from my place by the cave, other than positioning myself to block the hole so anyone else who wants to follow Ankari needs to pass me.
((Readied grapple check. Not an attack, but more of a gentle grab.))
I say, "We need to act as one. Ankari already dragged us into that cave prematurely once, then did nothing as we fought. This is a rescue mission, and the enemy has been alerted to our presence due to Ankari's error. Like you said Mauve, making a mistake once is enough. Ankari's making the same one twice."
I wait for Skivver's answer. An alternate path… hope I can fit in it.
Tarnished reputation? Had I not acted as I did, all of our reputations would be tarnished. Maybe she sees that. Then there's no need to say it then, is there…?
I don't move from my place by the cave, other than positioning myself to block the hole so anyone else who wants to follow Ankari needs to pass me.
((Readied grapple check. Not an attack, but more of a gentle grab.))
I say, "We need to act as one. Ankari already dragged us into that cave prematurely once, then did nothing as we fought. This is a rescue mission, and the enemy has been alerted to our presence due to Ankari's error. Like you said Mauve, making a mistake once is enough. Ankari's making the same one twice."
I wait for Skivver's answer. An alternate path… hope I can fit in it.
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Nissa
When Burnbright cries, I tell her, "You've done nothing wrong; talk to Baldhart."
When Skivver points out Ankari's recklessness, I rush to him. I drop my sword by the cave, though I know Baldy wouldn't stand in my way if I were brandishing it. Ankari must crawl in this space. I can move quickly.
((If Nissa can catch up to Ankari…))
I whisper, "Anakri, come out to the light so I can clean and heal your wound. Why let it fester?"
When Burnbright cries, I tell her, "You've done nothing wrong; talk to Baldhart."
When Skivver points out Ankari's recklessness, I rush to him. I drop my sword by the cave, though I know Baldy wouldn't stand in my way if I were brandishing it. Ankari must crawl in this space. I can move quickly.
((If Nissa can catch up to Ankari…))
I whisper, "Anakri, come out to the light so I can clean and heal your wound. Why let it fester?"
SeverinR
Valar Lord
Aliron
"Ankari will do what Ankari wants. We will make a coordinated attack, by the best means possible. They expect us to enter like Ankari. Let him fulfill that expectation. The rest might find a better way to enter. But we need to stay together as much as possible. So we can each protect the other, if need be."
"I can kill very well, but I know if I did not have the rest of you I would fall. We stand stronger united then we do seperated."
Bressel
"Burnbright, I built the perfect story for the fight and you ruined it with the facts. You don't really believe all the great war stories are totally accurate do you? They are embelished to make the victors or survivors great and the fallen stories of legend."
"We need to be united in our attack. If the secret entrance is big enough we all go that way, if not then we work around it."
"We need to feed Branwen before we do anything. Baldhart do you have some meat? I'd prefer she not try to eat our new friend."
Baldhart
I nod at Alin's words, and I get a kick out of Bressel's. To answer his question to me, I say, "I was attacked with a pair of 'throwing rabbits' just down the hill. I'm sure they're edible, but there's rations in my bag." I don't know if Bressel's talk of songs cheered Burnbright up.
I know from me, Burnbright needs serious words. I signal her to come to me, putting an arm around her if she does.
"There's no need to make up a story; be proud of the truth.
"Disarming an opponent is a common tactic. The idea is to render the opponent defenseless in that moment of panic when she finds her hands are empty. If you picked up your spear, claws would have raked your back. You did not drop your guard, but used the weapons you were born with: your fists.
"I was disarmed in Arendal. And the sword wasn't forced from me; I dropped it so I could climb a wall. Children were under attack and Batos was bleeding to death, and may have drowned if not for the saltiness of the northern waterfront. And there was my sword twenty feet below me! I may have acted like I had it all under control, but I was scared. I thought Gisla would die, Batos would die, children would die... and despite my training, I feared my fists wouldn't be enough to make a difference. I was praying, doing all I could to prevent my Goddess from sensing the words of a scared little girl.
"I didn't like the feeling of dropping my weapon either... so much that I don't ever want to brandish one again."
I nod at Alin's words, and I get a kick out of Bressel's. To answer his question to me, I say, "I was attacked with a pair of 'throwing rabbits' just down the hill. I'm sure they're edible, but there's rations in my bag." I don't know if Bressel's talk of songs cheered Burnbright up.
I know from me, Burnbright needs serious words. I signal her to come to me, putting an arm around her if she does.
"There's no need to make up a story; be proud of the truth.
"Disarming an opponent is a common tactic. The idea is to render the opponent defenseless in that moment of panic when she finds her hands are empty. If you picked up your spear, claws would have raked your back. You did not drop your guard, but used the weapons you were born with: your fists.
"I was disarmed in Arendal. And the sword wasn't forced from me; I dropped it so I could climb a wall. Children were under attack and Batos was bleeding to death, and may have drowned if not for the saltiness of the northern waterfront. And there was my sword twenty feet below me! I may have acted like I had it all under control, but I was scared. I thought Gisla would die, Batos would die, children would die... and despite my training, I feared my fists wouldn't be enough to make a difference. I was praying, doing all I could to prevent my Goddess from sensing the words of a scared little girl.
"I didn't like the feeling of dropping my weapon either... so much that I don't ever want to brandish one again."
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Ireth
Mythic Scribe
Cadell
I roll my eyes as Ankari heads into the cave. Baldhart positions herself by the mouth, but I have no intention of following him in. If he wants to break off from the group and do as he sees fit, let him reap what he sows. It's on his head, not ours, if he gets killed.
I roll my eyes as Ankari heads into the cave. Baldhart positions herself by the mouth, but I have no intention of following him in. If he wants to break off from the group and do as he sees fit, let him reap what he sows. It's on his head, not ours, if he gets killed.
Keitsumah
Grandmaster
Batos
I hear Baldhart's words of how she nearly panicked during the battle, and before i can stop myself I give her leg a small head-butt. Not enough to move her, but enough to get her attention. My tail wags and I hum a line from a lullaby my mother had sung for me. An elvish tune. It's brief, but I hope she understands that no matter what happens the best she can do is just that: her best.
Keitsumah smiles in the corner of my eye, but has been listening to the others better than i have. "If Branwen needs food, Batos can hunt for something." she replies to Bressel. "He could also be the first to go down the tunnel -his nose is the sharpest of ours, so he can detect any dangers beforehand. Hopefully..."
She considers her staff as well. "And if things get bad... I will try the spell i used before in the last fight. But not to grab the enemy. I don't think roots can reach that far. But the Dark elves may not like being exposed to the open air if i can manage to pull the earth up enough. Then again it just may collapse the whole place..."
I hear Baldhart's words of how she nearly panicked during the battle, and before i can stop myself I give her leg a small head-butt. Not enough to move her, but enough to get her attention. My tail wags and I hum a line from a lullaby my mother had sung for me. An elvish tune. It's brief, but I hope she understands that no matter what happens the best she can do is just that: her best.
Keitsumah smiles in the corner of my eye, but has been listening to the others better than i have. "If Branwen needs food, Batos can hunt for something." she replies to Bressel. "He could also be the first to go down the tunnel -his nose is the sharpest of ours, so he can detect any dangers beforehand. Hopefully..."
She considers her staff as well. "And if things get bad... I will try the spell i used before in the last fight. But not to grab the enemy. I don't think roots can reach that far. But the Dark elves may not like being exposed to the open air if i can manage to pull the earth up enough. Then again it just may collapse the whole place..."
- Thread starter
- #152
Burnbright scowls in thought at Bressel's words, perhaps considering whether the stories she has heard of Veborg are all they're cracked up to be. It doesn't seem like it will be easy to Burnbright to believe Veborg was less than what the stories say. When Baldhart puts an arm around her, she allows herself to be lead away. She listens attentively to what Baldhart says, nodding at the large woman's points. when Baldhart finishes, Burnbright says: "I understand what you're trying to tell me, and I'll try to remember it. But I still want to do better in the next fight." She gives a wry grin and pats her hand against the haft of her spear.
As Nissa heads after Ankari, Skivver looks up at Mauve and says: "Skivver know holes. There holes take Skivver where dark elfs put Tarlack. Dark elfs busy, might not seeing him. Get Tarlack, get kobold yes."
Skivver is still wary of Batos, and when Keitsumah talks about possibly caving in the whole place with her spells, the lizard grows more agitated than before and says. "House-Lug not let you." He tugs on Mauve's sleeve. "That right?"
((I'm going to let Ankari take another action via PM before Nissa gets to him, and then we'll either handle them in a side thread, or PM, or pull everyone back into the main thread if appropriate)).
As Nissa heads after Ankari, Skivver looks up at Mauve and says: "Skivver know holes. There holes take Skivver where dark elfs put Tarlack. Dark elfs busy, might not seeing him. Get Tarlack, get kobold yes."
Skivver is still wary of Batos, and when Keitsumah talks about possibly caving in the whole place with her spells, the lizard grows more agitated than before and says. "House-Lug not let you." He tugs on Mauve's sleeve. "That right?"
((I'm going to let Ankari take another action via PM before Nissa gets to him, and then we'll either handle them in a side thread, or PM, or pull everyone back into the main thread if appropriate)).
Baldhart
I nod to Burnbright. I'll have more words for her later. Dalla too. Now they are calm, and that is enough for now.
Of course, I must speak in a tone that keeps the kobold calm. Dead kobolds are calm, but unless he proves to be a false ally, I will not harm him despite what he had in mind for Burnbright.
"Rescuing Tarlack is fine with me, but it's the children the black elves intend to kill so I want to get to them quickly."
There's no point discussing this. Skivver says he knows the tunnels. Either we kill him now or trust him and begin our rescue mission.
"Assuming we can get Tarlack on our way to the kids, and assuming you know fast ways through the tunnel so our detour doesn't get innocents killed…" So many unknowns. I pray to Brynhild that I'm doing right by the children. "…unless anyone objects, I say we move with Skivver as our guide." I point to the place Ankari went in. "Do we follow the yellow elf, or is there a better way in?"
I nod to Burnbright. I'll have more words for her later. Dalla too. Now they are calm, and that is enough for now.
Of course, I must speak in a tone that keeps the kobold calm. Dead kobolds are calm, but unless he proves to be a false ally, I will not harm him despite what he had in mind for Burnbright.
"Rescuing Tarlack is fine with me, but it's the children the black elves intend to kill so I want to get to them quickly."
There's no point discussing this. Skivver says he knows the tunnels. Either we kill him now or trust him and begin our rescue mission.
"Assuming we can get Tarlack on our way to the kids, and assuming you know fast ways through the tunnel so our detour doesn't get innocents killed…" So many unknowns. I pray to Brynhild that I'm doing right by the children. "…unless anyone objects, I say we move with Skivver as our guide." I point to the place Ankari went in. "Do we follow the yellow elf, or is there a better way in?"
- Thread starter
- #154
Skivver nods his head at Baldhart. "Go Tarlack, then go children. Only way go dark elfs not know." He points down the slope of the hill toward the north. "Hole come out in Taint. Tarlack cover, tell kobolds no. But Skivver remember. Dark elfs not see."
Baldhart
So, this route—if Skivver is truthful—is the better way to make our rescue…
"You may call me Baldhart. Baldhart the… House-Lug?" His word for human? "I serve the Goddess of Battle. I will tell you what the others already know: I will do whatever it takes to protect the innocent, including the dishonorable if it will gain the advantage… but what I am not is a false ally. As long as you are true to your word, I will do all in my power to keep the dark elves from harming you as we fight them."
I look back at the cave. "Nissa, the winged one… she serves my goddess. She will not do anything stupid in there, and she'll find us." I pick up her sword and purse, and take a few steps in the direction Skivver is pointing in. Like Ankari, I crave action, not words. Unlike Ankari, I will stop if others do not follow.
So, this route—if Skivver is truthful—is the better way to make our rescue…
"You may call me Baldhart. Baldhart the… House-Lug?" His word for human? "I serve the Goddess of Battle. I will tell you what the others already know: I will do whatever it takes to protect the innocent, including the dishonorable if it will gain the advantage… but what I am not is a false ally. As long as you are true to your word, I will do all in my power to keep the dark elves from harming you as we fight them."
I look back at the cave. "Nissa, the winged one… she serves my goddess. She will not do anything stupid in there, and she'll find us." I pick up her sword and purse, and take a few steps in the direction Skivver is pointing in. Like Ankari, I crave action, not words. Unlike Ankari, I will stop if others do not follow.
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SeverinR
Valar Lord
Aliron
"I agree, we need to move now. Before the dark ones have time to kill more or set up ambushes."
"I dislike waiting even long enough to get word to the ranger."
Bressel
"Is the hole big enough for the largest in the group to move through?"
"I agree, we need to move now. Before the dark ones have time to kill more or set up ambushes."
"I dislike waiting even long enough to get word to the ranger."
Bressel
"Is the hole big enough for the largest in the group to move through?"
Nissa
I fly out of the tunnel, trusting Ankari is only seconds behind.
"Ankari follows," I say. "Baldy--burn it."
Baldy leaves her bottles for me to pick up and sprints downhill. "Fueling the flames," she semi-explains. I guess she'll use the brush to start her fire.
I pick up both bottles, and smash one at the entrance as soon as Ankari runs through. It's the narrowest point, and well ventilated. I'll save the other for whatever fuel Baldy has in mind.
Baldhart
I head over to the nearest tree, asking Masama and Bressel to help.
I rip out some branches, saying, "A few armfuls of these should burn a while."
I fly out of the tunnel, trusting Ankari is only seconds behind.
"Ankari follows," I say. "Baldy--burn it."
Baldy leaves her bottles for me to pick up and sprints downhill. "Fueling the flames," she semi-explains. I guess she'll use the brush to start her fire.
I pick up both bottles, and smash one at the entrance as soon as Ankari runs through. It's the narrowest point, and well ventilated. I'll save the other for whatever fuel Baldy has in mind.
Baldhart
I head over to the nearest tree, asking Masama and Bressel to help.
I rip out some branches, saying, "A few armfuls of these should burn a while."
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SeverinR
Valar Lord
Bressel helps Baldhart move sticks and twigs.
The savage claws at the tree no doubt eager to kill the defenseless thing for existing. That it does not fight back makes it the perfect victim.
Everyone is present and in good health. Good. They haven't tripped over their ignorance and impaled their heart on sharp fear. The youth may prove worthy of usurping their elders, bloodthirsty as they are. I move to one of the corpses and grab it by its clothing. They are not like their larger kin that served Calexa, not heavy enough to need assistance. But there are lessons in all things.
"Della. Come help me move this body by the entrance to the cave. Look upon the work our hands have wrought while you do."
Everyone is present and in good health. Good. They haven't tripped over their ignorance and impaled their heart on sharp fear. The youth may prove worthy of usurping their elders, bloodthirsty as they are. I move to one of the corpses and grab it by its clothing. They are not like their larger kin that served Calexa, not heavy enough to need assistance. But there are lessons in all things.
"Della. Come help me move this body by the entrance to the cave. Look upon the work our hands have wrought while you do."
Baldhart
With help from the men, we hastily build a fire. I pour oil onto the sticks, then take one branch aside. I use my flint and steel to light the oily end, then use the burning branch to light the whole thing.
No bolts shoot through the flames. Maybe there's no chase; maybe we look like we've committed to not attacking them.
I see Ankari and Dalla are carrying up one of my kills. I don't know how well lizards burn, but the way I stacked the sticks could work as a funeral pyre I suppose. I'm not sure how Skivver will react, so I distract him as best I can. "Lead on," I tell him.
I offer Branwen another piggyback ride. Battle brings so many unknowns... I'll let her live like a child when she can.
With help from the men, we hastily build a fire. I pour oil onto the sticks, then take one branch aside. I use my flint and steel to light the oily end, then use the burning branch to light the whole thing.
No bolts shoot through the flames. Maybe there's no chase; maybe we look like we've committed to not attacking them.
I see Ankari and Dalla are carrying up one of my kills. I don't know how well lizards burn, but the way I stacked the sticks could work as a funeral pyre I suppose. I'm not sure how Skivver will react, so I distract him as best I can. "Lead on," I tell him.
I offer Branwen another piggyback ride. Battle brings so many unknowns... I'll let her live like a child when she can.
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