Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look from Batos to Keit and back again, my brow furrowing in confusion. Batos has shown signs, at least to me, of being more than he appears to be; perhaps this has something to do with it. I just wish I had more answers.

After a moment I start to hum a tune -- one of those I heard him howling before, as if he could sing like a person. Music drew us together once before; maybe somehow I can find a way to communicate with him through it.

((song is in this post: http://mythicscribes.com/forums/dragon-s-egg-rpg/9281-dragons-egg-act-iii-156.html#post163848 ))

 

[Philster401]

Zoran stated, "I don't believe we have have had the chance to talk yet, Keit, I don't now if you remember my name if not, it is Zoran Alaster. I must say something is abnormal about this wolf he seems intelligent more so then most creatures even some other humanoid creatures."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I listen as Cadell hums a tune and Zoran speaks, bringing up Batos' superior intelligence. I look down at the wolf, my head tilted in thought There's something about him I can't quite put my finger on... Maybe if I look closer. If I look into his eyes, will he see it as a show of dominance? I hope not.

Whatever it is that's strange about him, I still can't figure it out.

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

I listen to Zoran's words and nod. "He is strange. Though even I cannot fully understand him. You see, my home and family were all killed and burned down in a forest fire. I escaped only because my brother dumped me in a stream. I survived by eating whatever herbs and berries that my mother had shown me were edible, but that was only after a hard three days walk away from everything the fire had burned."

"I met Batos as he was being chased by a pack of Wargs. He was only a pup back then, so I mistook him for a tame animal, and snatched him up into a tree with me, but after the incident I realized he was a wolf, but he didn't bite me or fight, so I bonded with him using a little rhyme my mother had told me. I didn't even know it had been a spell all along!"

Batos

My ear turns in Cadell's direction as he begins to hum a song, and I remember it from before -when i had tried to communicate with him. Nervous, trying not to get my hopes up, I tilt my head slightly up and open my jaws to sing the harmony, rather than the melody that Cadell intones. I do not copy, and instead strengthen the song as it drifts between the trees with my small howl.

Liadan looks at me strangely, but I only wag my tail in response.

 

[Philster401]

"I have an idea. If indeed he is able to understand us does that mean that we could communicate with bark, for example one bark means Yes and two means no or we could devise another way of communication." He says to keit.
Then he asks Batos, d,o you know why the link between you and keit has failed?"

 

[Steerpike]

((Moving ahead with the action. Feel free to continue with the RP regarding Batos, the knife, or anything else)).

Branwen accepts Cadell's attention with a grin, rendered only slightly less cute because it exposes pointed teeth. She seems content enough to stay away from the other children, who don't seem to like her. She is friendly to any in the group, though she tends to linger around Aliron the most, watching his actions with curiosity.

When Baldhart speaks to Dalla about writing home, the girl stiffens at first, but then relaxes and nods. "Ma will be worried." She bites her lip and looks around at the group, then at the wild country that extends in all directions. For a moment, she looks like the young girl she is, wondering what she has gotten herself into.

The children continue to huddle together, speaking softly to one another as the group examines the knife and discusses what to do with it. Masama frowns at the knife briefly, says "It is a bad thing, that knife." Then he moves to the edge of the group, watching the surroundings for any threat.

Movement along the road is faster than travel over rough ground, though the group is still slowed by its size and the number of children. After a couple of hours on the road, moving in the direction of Ballara, Masama calls out to the group and points north. There, still some distance away, a small cloud of dust rises from the dirt road. None but the elves can make out much detail at this distance, but the elves spy at least two wagons pulled by animals - perhaps oxen - as well as a number of people and smaller animals around the wagons. At current speeds, it will be at least an hour before the two groups meet on the road.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I start to reach out to Dalla, but stop myself. I still am the one who killed her Tommen. Nothing changes that.

"Dalla, your mother told me to watch over you. Keep you safe. As long as your with us, that's what I'll do. But when we stop in Ballara, yes, we'll write our letters. It's also an opportunity for you to make the choice. You can remain with us, or you can go back to your mother. I'll respect that choice no matter which it is, but please consider what you want after a night back in civilization."

I try to see what the elves are looking at, but my eyes can't make it out.

"Any chance it's that caravan Tarlack mentioned?"



Nissa

I fly up, clutching the backpack Dalla's mother made me. I say to Dalla, "If it is, I might put your mom's gift to the test."

I then ask the elves, "So is it then? If that's the caravan, I'll fly out and meet them. I'll be on the ground before they're close enough for a good look at me, and I'll have the backpack on. If they seem friendly, I'll travel with them. If not, I'll drop the backpack and fly to you with a warning." I hover to Baldhart. "I don't expect I'll endanger myself, but if I do get myself killed, Baldhart will know the second my soul leaves this body and enters hers."

I wait for an elf to confirm it is the caravan before flying out.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look out toward where Baldhart is looking, trying to make it out.

"It is a caravan," I say, "though I'm not sure who it belongs to. There are two wagons, and a number of people around them with smaller animals. At this rate, I'd say we'll meet them in about an hour."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Oh, thank you, Cadell." I take my backpack in my hands, and nothing more. "As I said, I'll fly to them and land somewhere on the road ahead. Hopefully, they'll dismiss me as just a bird if they see me from afar. I won't reveal my wings unless there's a need."

I look at Branwen, then show her how my backpack goes over the wings. "Hide wings," I say to her. Then to Baldhart, "If she doesn't let you cover them up… or her talons… or her teeth…" I sigh. "Then I reveal my wings, too, if that happens. Otherwise," I say to the kids, "we'll let them go one believing all valkyries are tall."

I soar into the air, until both my companions and the caravan are dots below me…

 

[Keitsumah]

Before time jump...

Batos

I bark once in response to Zoran's words. And though Keitsumah frowns, she still seems too puzzled to do much about our situation.

After Time jump...

Keitsumah

I listen to Baldhart and Dalla converse warilly. I know I am young, just as she is, but somehow i feel so much older... it worries me.

Fur brushes against my hand and I look down to see Batos as he rubs his head against my wrist, and I rub his ears affectionately. Though I worry about the fate of the kids, of how soon they will leave and to what people, and what lives they may live, I hope for the best, and that Nissa will find out only good news.

 

[Philster401]

Before time jump

Surprised that Batos answered he started wondering if he was actually a normal wolf or even a wolf at all then he decided to ask, "Batos are actually a wolf, and also did you cause the link to disappear pause a moment between answers." Then he started to wonder if he was taking this to seriously it could have just been a coincidence that Batos barked but if he/she was something else maybe these questions might be to personal.

So he said, "Batos don't answer if you don't want to answer."

 

[Keitsumah]

Before time jump...

Batos

I bark once, pause, then bark again. But it is only after I do this that i realize that even if they do know what I am, there is no difference in what form i have taken. I am not myself. I am not whole, though i long to be...

I growl, my ears flattening against my head as i pound the ground with one paw once in frustration.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

The caravan arrives.

As the caravan gets closer, you can see that the people traveling with the caravan are humans. The front wage is a cargo wagon with a back stuffed full of goods. A heavy man in colorful clothing sits atop the wagon, guiding a team of oxen. A child sits next to him. There are four guards arms with spears flanking the two wagons. The second wagon is a carriage drawn by horses. It is nicer than the wagon, and is curtained. To both sides of the caravan are sheep being watched by a couple of young men. Two herding dogs run from one side of the caravan to another, nipping at the sheep when necessary to keep them moving in a group.

When the caravan stops, Nissa steps out of the covered wagon.

She walks past the guards, smiles up at the caravan master and his boy, then addresses the group. "This is Arnhoff Steig, a merchant if anyone means to replenish the food supply. And inside the carriage, I just had a pleasant and brutally honest conversation with a very godly man. You will address him as Inquisitor Brecht."

I give Branwen a reminder, "Cover wings," and make a quiet request to Burnbright, "Keep her close to Batos and away from the other children."

I step up closer to the caravan. "Did Inquisitor Brecht get a look at the contents of your bag?"

"Oh, yes." Nissa's smile tells me there's no need to be alarmed. "He was quite pleased."

 

[Philster401]

Zoran says , "Hello Arnhoff, I'm Zoran Alaster, so if I might ask where is this caravan heading."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron moves forward to a point out of sight but where he can see the caravan approach. He looks for the person in charge or giving directions, also looks at how the people are acting around the caravan. (fearful, walking as if in chains, or just weary travelers.)
Not moving to far away from the group, but enough to have a clean shot when the caravan can see the group.

Bressel stays towards the front of the group and sings a soft folk tune his large sword resting on his shoulder.
"Rise" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIuCABe-XuI (He's sung it before, but he likes it.)
He glances at Branwen as he sings to see if she will join in.

Changed to a more merry song.

"Form the Shield wall and bend a bow string, we shall rise"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I see Bressel has his sword ready, and Alin... I don't see him at all. We've talked so much about witch-burners. This could go bad.

Ah, he is singing a merry song. Still, best I clarify the situation just to be sure...

"So, as I was saying, Inquisitor Brecht and I had a long and honest conversation. He is aware of the corruption within the order. He is also aware of the item I keep in this backpack, and he understands the significance of it. I trust him when he says that what I have revealed will not bring unwanted attention our way.

"And I can't stress enough the importance of the man in the carriage understanding that." I pause to let those words sink in.

"Rumors of us will spread from Arendal to Alfoss. And inevitably, those rumors would lead the Inquisition to us. Our chance meeting with Brecht is our one chance to stop the wrong people--witch burners--from investigating the rumors. Investigating us. The man has a very good impression of me--of us. Please be aware that our words and tone do nothing to change that."

 

[Steerpike]

The caravan rolls up, creating a cloud of dust as it does so. As Nissa climbs out of the carriage and introduces the group to Caravan Master Steig, the group gets a good look at the caravan. Steig is a large man, rotund, and dressed in fine clothing. A young boy of around seven sits on the bench next to Steig, who is driving the lead wagon and holding the reins of a pair of oxen. The carriage, which arrives behind the main wagon, is pulled by horses.

There are four guards with the caravan, and these move forward, flanking the main wagon as the caravan approaches the group. Three of the guards are armed with spears, one with a sword. They eye the group carefully, though none of them act hostile or make any threatening movements. Around the caravan, a number of sheep follow along, bleating softly. Two herd dogs run circles around the rear of the caravan, nipping the sheep when necessary to keep them in line. Men tend to the sheep as well.

Steig raises his eyebrows as he looks over the elves in the group. When Nissa introduces him, he doffs an imaginary hat but does not climb down from his perch on the wagon.

In answer to Zoran, Steig says: "We're bound for Alfoss, on our return trip from Ballara. Not many traders travel the route between the two these days." He shrugs. "It's a living."

When Bressel starts to sing, Branwen grins and starts humming along to the tune. The child seems animated by anything that has to do with singing or humming.

No one emerges from the carriage while Nissa talks to the group.

Steig looks over the group again and says: "Looks like you've had a rough time of it lately. Not surprising, the way things have got in the north lately. Don't see folks traveling the wilderness as much as I did when I was a lad."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I suppose there's no need to be concerned that the Inquisitor is waiting inside.

I say to the caravan master, "I am Baldhart Eisenberg, servant of Brynhild." To the boy I say, "We met some boys your age and a younger girl not while we were out." To the ones we rescued, I say, "Gunnar, Abbi, Audun, Geir… let's not be shy. Introduce yourselves to the young man."

To Arnhoff, I go on, "It has been rough. I've seen great evils that I did not think existed, and these children… robbed of their innocence, and for what? There simply is nothing lower than one who would harm a child."

I hope all agree in case Burnbright is unable to keep the blanket off of Branwen. And speaking of…

"Speaking of young ones, I should introduce my Sisters, Burnbright and Branwen."

From the little Mauve told me, the trouble came when too much emphasis was placed on hiding Branwen. Better we acknowledge that she exists, then direct attention elsewhere. If the Inquisitor insists on getting a look at her, I hope he's as good a man as Nissa says he is. Then again, why risk it?

"Burnbright? Why don't you have Branwen go relieve herself in private? Aliron is out hunting, so head toward his perch. Warn him not to loose a single arrow until the caravan leaves. They have livestock with them—we don't want any accidents should one of their animals run loose."

 

[Steerpike]

The children who were rescued move, somewhat shyly, toward the young boy on the bench, who fishes some colored rocks out of his pocket and starts to show them off. Steig smiles, then shakes his head as Baldhart talks. "Can't understand what would possess a man to hurt a child. I hope the gods have a very dark place in the afterlife for such people."

'I am pleased to meet you Baldhart Eisenberg." He cocks an eyebrow. "Brynhild, eh? Well, you look the part, I'll give you that." When Baldhart introduces her "sisters," Burnbright steps forward to be recognized, tugging Branwen behind her. The small harpy is now singing along softly to Bressel's song, pitch perfect and matching the melody effortlessly.

"Nice to meet the two of you as well," says Steig. "Er...Burnbright, was it? A peculiar name, if you don't mind me saying. Now Branwen, on the other hand. A northern name! Not that there's anything wrong with yours, young Burnbright. You look like you've the blood the north in you if anyone has."

Burnbright colors slightly and nods at the man. "I also serve Brynhild. I'm a spear maiden."

Steig grins. "Right out of the old legends, eh? That's something you don't hear often. I wonder..."

The man trails off, his attention drawn to Branwen, who is happily singing Bressel's tune, white teeth flashing from smiling lips. Steig looks for a moment, then turns back to Baldhart. "Well, I'd say your sister is a natural singer, Baldhart. Right lovely voice."

The rescued children and Steig's boy are ignoring the adults, the boy having slid from the wagon and picked up a stick. He's drawing something in the dirt for the other kids to see.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I tilt my head slightly at Steig refers to Branwen's name as 'northern'. I don't know if he refers to the names of any elves who live up here, or mistakenly to his own race. I decide not to correct him, however, and turn to see what the boy from the cart is drawing.