Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Ireth]

Cadell

I have my mouth open to ask Masama whether he noticed anything out of the ordinary, when Aliron arrives and answers my question. I nod and smile. "Good to hear."

To Masama, I say, "Who can say? Perhaps their hope is stronger than their fear. Or perhaps it is sheer stubbornness, a lack of will to abandon the homes they have here."

 

[Steerpike]

Ballara

The two boys with Zoran are more than happy to play games, at least for a little while before heading off to bed. The day has been long. Any game that has to do with them getting to see more of Zoran's weapons or armor will perk them up, and they're both interested in learning how to hold a weapon properly.

Adelbrand studies Baldhart for a moment, then nods. "I'll perform the test." He approaches, muttering some words beneath his breath and making a gesture, ending with his hand palm up toward Baldhart and his eyes closed. When he's done, he nods again. "I don't sense any evil in you." When Baldhart leaves to find Conal, Adelbrand asks Nissa "Why would the orcs and bandits be looking for a visitor? Do they seek you or one of your company?"

Conal turns out to be rather easy to find, because by this time his shift is ending and Baldhart catches him about halfway to Rik's. He nods as he sees her approaching, then stops when it becomes clear that she has something to say.

Camp

Batos gets back to camp with his deer, and by this point everyone outside of town is gathered together again. Branwen shows her teeth as Aliron arrives with his game, and when Batos drags the bloody deer into camp the harpy starts toward it until Burnbright puts a hand on her shoulder and holds her back. She leads Branwen away and sits beside her on the ground. Burnbright frowns and rubs at her legs. "Sure would be nice to be in town with some chairs and a real bed. Are we going to stay out here all night?"

Masama is thoughtful at Cadell's words. "What you say is true. I spoke hastily. Asra must have a plan for these people, else they would not be here. Asra is wise, and has chosen people fit for this harsh life. I believe they are strong and hopeful, as you say."

A wide grin splits Masama's face, flashing white teeth. "I prefer the south, where I am closer to the goddess. It is warm there, and one need never go hungry. Fruit hangs from the very trees, there for a person to pluck." He mimes picking a piece of fruit out of the air. "But I was guided here, away from my homeland, for a reason. Asra must have a purpose for those born here as well, and you and I are now part of that. The things we do here, they are good."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

When Masama mentions fruit, I nod and smile, reminiscing bittersweetly about Aelwyd Eirian. Days of roaming through the orchards with Liadan, picking apples and cherries off the bough. Liadan always loved cherries most.

"I don't doubt that," I say in response to Masama's final words. "I may not worship any one god, but I know they are involved in this. Elven gods and human ones alike."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I tell the priest, "Aslaug seeks her daughter. I fear she will be used in a ritual. According to the gnolls who work for her, the young girl will free Aslaug of a demon's power. But what isn't clear is what this would mean for her daughter.

"Her daughter is not the little girl who stepped into town with us. Her name is Abbi, and she's one of four children who we rescued from dark elves. They had two brothers, a sister, and Miss Liv as their adoptive mother. We were too late to save the whole family.

"That's the grim fact about this continent. There are two evil forces at war, and innocents are dying. I don't know who is fighting both of these forces other than our little group. We must've killed over a hundred monsters. Baldhart alone killed 34. One of ours, a dwarf, fell in our most difficult battle.

"Father, I will fight these evil forces as long as I am able to, but our battle ends the day we face a force that's too strong for us. We're risking our lives to protect the north, but we can't do it alone. Hopefully, Inquisitor Brecht can persuade those in Alfoss to watch the south for dark elves.

"As for Ballara, if your men can recognize the threat for what it truly is, perhaps our combined forces can rid this place of bandits and orcs."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I say to Conal, "I believe I know why the orcs and bandits attack." I tell him what I told Father Adelbrand. I don't mention that Burnbright is with us, but "Rik warned me there may be agents who work for Aslaug here in town. If anyone leaves, it may be the agent. Perhaps your guards should keep a watch on who leaves."

Considering a proactive means of finding the agent (though there may be more than one, I realize), I ask, "Is there someone who normally leaves town before the orcs and bandits come? I don't expect the pattern would be obvious. Perhaps there is a hunter or fisherman who normally heads west, daily or every other day. Unless he only comes back empty-handed before the raids come...

"I don't mean to come into town and give you reason to suspect people. But I'd like to meet with you and some strong men you trust--those who would be willing to be tested by a paladin." To clarify, I tell Conal how I permitted Father Adelbrand to test me. "We should plan on defending Ballara... or maybe we can bring the fight to the orcs."

 

[SeverinR]

"If we were camping all together, I would set traps. But I fear some or all of the rest of the people in town might come and they get hurt. We will need to keep a guard on watch. Batos will probably alert us, but I do not trust one animal with all our lives. Not that Batos would fail us, but a quick attack could take him out. Killing two without a sound is much harder."
Aliron turns to Burnbright, looking towards Cadell.
"It is tough living out here, knowing comfort of the town. I will not risk Branwen's life. If Cadell believes the town is safe for you, he might be able to escort you into town. I do not know if they will allow anyone in after dark. I would have killed anyone that tried to harm her in the last town. Innocent but ignorant people. So I will stay out here with her." (What time of day is it?) "Bressel was wanting a good drink."

Bressel:

"If Cadell thinks it safe, I can take Burnbright to town. I don't think Any one person should go with her. To many people are looking for her. I believe the people in town should signal if the town is attacked. To warn you all, and maybe you could counter attack." He suggests.
"I don't like leaving any group to small." But I beleve an Elf and a monk can hide and protect our winged child."

 

[Steerpike]

CAMP

Masama considers Cadell's words for a few long moments, then says: "I was taught there is but one true goddess, above any others who might claim such a status. By day, she lights our path as she travels across the heavens. At night, she makes a perilous journey across the dark earth to that she may rise again in the morning. I do not know what to make of other 'gods' that folk worship. I have thought much on this since coming to the north, particularly given what I have seen. Perhaps Asra adopts many different aspects, appearing to different races, or even different people within the same race, under different guises. What would your elf scholars say to my idea, do you think?"

Burnbright, meanwhile, brightens up instantly, as a child can, at the talk of going into Ballara. She looks at Cadell. "Can I go? You both went and came back, and no one saw any orcs or bandits. It's just a bunch of townsfolk, I bet. They probably don't even have orcs. And if they do Bressel and I can fight 'em, can't we Bressel? Can I go?"

BALLARA

Nissa

Adelbrand is saddened by Nissa's words concerning the north. "It won't be easy to unify the people here. Each town may experience its share of bandits raids, or attacks by goblins or orcs, but these are all viewed as unconnected events. Just part of life in the north. Convincing people there is some greater evil at work may be hard, even though the evidence of the Taint is right in front of them. And if the towns and villages were united, who would lead them? Alfoss, because it is large? Elders of the Temple?. I believe the people of Ballara might listen to such talk. We are nearer the Taint than some, and have seen attacks worsen in the years since the Taint came to be. But if Aslaug is in league with orcs, gnolls, and other creatures, she may be gathering an army. How can we fight that?"

He pauses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "A daughter, you say? Do we know who this daughter might be? And can you trust that the gnolls spoke true?"

Baldhart

Conal frowns at Baldhart's words. "A spy in Ballara? I can scarcely believe it, at least when I think of those who truly live here. Any number of fisherman, traders, trappers, and hunters come through regularly, even though they don't live in the town. Perhaps one of them....I hate to think it might be one of us.

"Please don't speak too freely about this. I'll tell Rik to watch what he says as well. Folk here are good, but Aslaug's Taint is a real threat to us, and orcs and bandits have hit us more frequently the past few months. I'm afraid that if there is talk of spies in town, people will start seeing them everywhere, among every family. And particularly among strangers."

Conal clasps Baldhart's shoulder with a hand. He has a firm grip. "I'll think on what you said, and ask a few people I can trust to hold their tongues. When do you wish to meet? There are a handful I'd trust with my life - in fact, the whole town trusts them with their lives on a daily basis. I can arrange a meeting."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"It's no way to live, Father. My people were terrorized until an orc and his raiders decided small people were made to be crushed by the big. You ask how we fight Aslaug's army, or the orcs, or the bandits, but it's the wrong question. The question is why you fight them. The answer is because the good people of the north won't tolerate these raids as 'part of life in the north.'"


Baldhart

"Let's meet at the temple in an hour or two," I tell Conal, "or whatever time it would take for you to gather your people."

I don't care to be blindsided. Best I have an idea who I'm dealing with…

"The ones you trust… are they guards like you, or paladins, or witch-hunters?" If he asks why I want to know, I'll just tell him I like to plan ahead, and the more I know about who I'll meet, the better. I wait until he's answered the witch-hunter part before asking if any of the trusted ones is a woman, and if she follows Brynhild. Or does my goddess have a follower in town? If there is such a woman, I'll meet her first.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I ponder Masama's words. "I think the scholars of my people would say you are wrong. But most I know are old and set in their ways, too stubborn and close-minded to accept other ideas. Even cooperating with humans is a foreign concept to some of them."

"Not all," says Liadan, with a pointed look.

"I did say 'most, not 'all'," I tell her with a smile. "What do you think, then?"

"I think there is worth to the idea," she says, looking at Masama. "I think any god would appear to their followers in a form they would be most comfortable with. Different races and peoples hold different things of value, which would account for the variance in pantheons. Some, at least. We have at least one god who is not of good feeling toward non-elves, and I do not believe an all-loving, single god, when appearing in other aspects, would encourage such ideas of disharmony."

Burnbright pipes up with a request to go into town. I shake my head firmly. "No, you may not. Just because we haven't seen any orcs does not mean they aren't out there. I would rather see you safe and briefly unhappy than risk you being killed for a moment of satisfaction. It isn't only orcs we need to fear, after all. Human bandits working with orcs... that spells evil to me. More evil that orcs already are. Why would they band together unless they had a united purpose, some outside influence? You know what we're up against, Burnbright." I look her in the eyes. "I will not compromise your safety."

Liadan taps me on the shoulder, then speaks to Burnbright. "If you wish, Burnbright, I will go back into town and ask Baldhart what she thinks of this. Perhaps she's spoken to the town leaders by now; she will likely know things that we don't."

 

[Steerpike]

BALLARA

Nissa

Adelbrand appears to notice that Nissa avoids his question about Aslaug's daughter and the gnolls. He pauses only briefly, though, and doesn't press the matter.

"You're right of course. We need to unify the people and fight to protect our homeland. I find, though, that it is easier to convince people to do that after tragedy has struck, and not before. We've had our share of troubles in the north, but nothing cataclysmic - yet. You'd think the appearance of the Taint would have had a more long-lasting effect, but after the initial panic most people tried to forget it was there. It doesn't seem to do anything, unless you're in it. But now, with evil creatures afoot and humans in league with them...there have even been tales of devils from the sea attacking ships between Alfoss and Mittelstadt. I can't help but think we're in for a rude awakening.

"I'll do what I can. If you and your friends are here to help, let me know what you need."

Baldhart

"The 'guards' are all townsfolk, and they all have other trades by which they make their living. They've learned to fight, true enough, but I'm the only man employed by the town to see to its defense. That's my only job. The men are more of what you might call a militia."

When Baldhart asks about women, he says "There are no women in...well, no, that's not entirely true. There's Callan. She doesn't live in Ballara, but sometimes she shows up to help when we sound the horns. Once, she came sprinting in at the head of half a dozen orcs who'd burned her cabin down and chased her into town. She spent the last summer rebuilding in the same place, rather than moving here like a sensible person. Why a woman would live alone in the woods when there's a defensible town within...that woman!" Conal stops, his features reddening. "Sorry, I didn't mean to go off on a tangent. But yes, there's Callan. She's worth any two of my militiamen in a fight. My men are competent, but they're not soldiers. I spent a few years in Alfoss, which has a real military guard, though a small one. I'd wager Callan spent a few years doing something similar."

CAMP

Masama listens quietly to Cadell, and when Liadan finishes he says "You speak with wisdom. I, too, believe Asra may appear in other guises to other people. Too, there are lesser beings that some may see as gods, but who are not the equals of Asra. I do not know why Asra allows such things to be, but she does."

When Burnbright hears the pronouncement of her fate to camp another night, she frowns from where she is sitting next to Branwen, who is playing with her doll. "You can go ask Balhart if you want," she says. "I already know what she's going to say. I don't know why nobody thinks I can take care of myself." Branwen waves her doll at Burnbright, but when Burnbright doesn't respond she just goes back to playing. Burnbright absently starts braiding Branwen's hair and muttering about not being a baby.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Would you mind directing me to Callan? I want to meet her right away… and make sure she's safe, though it's likely she's a better warrior than I am."

Nissan can watch the skies, and maybe…



Nissa

"We just need to band together and recognize true evil versus what is hated and feared.

"Even I was tested in Arendal. The gnolls helped us fight the fish demons, and when they saw Aslaug's daughter was not among us, they parted. I wanted them killed for what they had done in Srilkind, but it would be a betrayal to my own goddess to become a false ally, plotting to kill the gnolls after accepting their aid. For the children in Arendal, we accepted their aid and let them leave in peace as promised—though we'd have killed them or died trying had they tried to take an innocent child whether she was Aslaug's daughter or not.

"Protecting the innocent must not be compromised, even to deliver the retribution that the gnolls deserved. Not one child died in Arendal because we all held that principle. Without that gnoll Ghendra fighting alongside Baldhart…? She's strong—you may never meet a stronger woman, or even a stronger man—but she would've been overwhelmed if she held that cave entrance alone. Children would have died, and likely her as well."

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart

Conal is more than happy to direct Baldhart to Callan's home. He describes the way as being about a fifteen minute walk along the river north of Ballara, and then another five minutes inland out of view of the waterway. Conal provides enough detail that Baldhart is sure she will be able to find the place. There are apparently no other homes near where she lives.

Nissa

"I agree," says Adebrand. "It is time to band together. You and your companions set a good example. I fear dark times are coming - darker than just what that witch Aslaug has brought to us. Evil creatures uniting...the dwarves are all astir over something, though they won't tell anyone what...we live in times that will try men's souls. I will aid you in any way I can, and I'm sure Brecht will put the might of the Temple in Alfoss to work as well, though he has his hands somewhat full with representatives of the southern temple. Still, we have to fight together or die separately. I see it the same as you. What's more, I believe you are loyal and true, else you would have turned against those you wanted to kill as soon as they'd served their purpose."

When Nissa mentions Ghendra, Adelbrand starts. "You've met this creature? An educated gnoll, they say. Actually, one person says - the woodswoman Callan, who lives north of town. I'd never have believed it of a gnoll, except Callan isn't given to exaggeration. She had dealings with the creature as she traveled through the western mountains, but the two had a falling out." Adelbrand shakes his head. "I've never believed there could be any goodness in such creatures, but now you're telling me this gnoll helped you fight? Strange times, friend Nissa. Very strange times, indeed.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron:
“Do you consider me a child? I did not go to town so we would avoid a possible fight. They might not welcome me. They surely would not welcome Branwen.I am confident I could possibly fight my wayout of town. But how many otherwise good people would die just because I wanted to go in to town? They might be ignorant, but I cannot kill all the ignorance of the world.” Aliron moves his belongings around where he planned to sleep. “We must choose our battles carefully, and who we trust with the knowledge of our group, we must choose even more carefully.”

Bressel:
“One day, this will pass and we can afford all the comfortsthat we have been missing. On that day, my lady, I will buy you the best dinner money can buy. Fresh hot bread, meat pies, and…, we will eat like royalty.”
Aliron
“As long as we do not eat with royalty, I would lose my appetite. All those people pretending the royal privy does not stink, when it generally is worse than the Dockside whore house privy when the fleets comehome. It does not matter the race, human, Elf, dwarf, or orc. You put a crown on their head, they will be a pain in your arse before long.”

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod in agreement with Alin's words. "Exactly. We aren't singling you out because of your age. Danger certainly doesn't do that to people."

Liadan

While Cadell speaks to the others, I head back toward town in search of Baldhart.



No sign of her anywhere so far. I'll have to keep looking.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Not just gnolls, Father. The children we rescued... we found them by following kobold tracks."

I tell Adelbrand of Tarlack, the kobold leader who refused to harm humans.

"He was imprisoned for it, and though we killed a few kobolds, once we learned of Tarlack we formed an alliance. They led us to the children. We were too late to save a girl, but without the kobolds, the dark elves would have been ready for us. Likely, the two boys in the cage would have become hostages or human shields or killed just to break our morale."

As for using them then killing them...

"Unlike the gnolls, we could have crushed the kobolds. Of course we didn't. We learned from them, one of the lessons being that the 'monsters' who work for Aslaug aren't loyal to her. Maybe we kill the orcs, or maybe they talk and we find out what Aslaug is doing to threaten them. Ghendra hinted at such a plight, though I'll admit that I was unimpressed with him. He's a tall muscular creature who killed innocent people to save his own. He did spare the children of Srilkind, but he orphaned almost all of them. Tarlack is one-tenth Ghendra's weight but far stronger than most, morally. He was willing to be imprisoned or killed just to prevent his people from committing evil acts. I wonder how many of my people would have taken such a risk to save kobolds."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I walk along the river until I see the place that Conal described. I can hardly believe it... another follower of Brynhild. We are few and far between, but not alone.

I rap my knuckles on the door, hoping not to alarm her.

"Callan," I call out, "I am Baldhart Eisenberg, servant of Brynhild."

I suppose I should let her answer the door before I say more. I listen for movement. If I hear her coming, I'll try not to be too close to the door. Distance, poise, expression...

...Mother taught me how a chieftain's niece should appear when meeting someone for the first time.

 

[Steerpike]

CAMP

Burnbright seems mollified, though not entirely happen, by Aliron's rebuke, and Bressel's promise of better days to come. She even cracks half a smile at the mention of whorehouse privies. She nods where she sits when Cadell chimes in as well. "I know you're all just trying to do what's best for me. It's just...well, it's not only that I'm tried of camping. That's some of it, but I don't like hiding. If you read all those old tales of Veborg, she didn't hide. It didn't matter how much danger there was, or what might have happened to her. She was a shield maiden, and shield maiden aren't supposed to hide."

She sighs. "But I wouldn't want to do anything to get other people in trouble. 'specially not this one..." she tousles Branwen's hair, upsetting one of the braids, which she starts to fix. For her part, Branwen seems unconcerned about everything except her doll, and possibly the animal carcasses Aliron and Batos brought to camp, judging by the looks she darts at them.

Ballara

Liadan makes it back to town swiftly enough, and those at the gate remember her. She finds out quickly enough that Baldhart has just left town to visit a woman to the north, but that Nissa is still in town at the Temple of Tyr.

Adelbrand is still engrossed in conversation with Nissa. "I've never heard of a kobold showing such self-sacrifice," he admits. "They're often seen as demons by the common folk, and I admit I've always considered them little more than vermin who plague good people. Your words are giving me a lot to think about. You're right - not many humans would make the sacrifice that this Tarlack made. I'm glad to hear of him, and of his deeds in saving the children. We all have preconceptions that turn out to be false. Even within the Temple there are Inquisitors who take a rather...um...intolerant view of demons, magic, and the like. Some are good men. Many are zealots. But even most of the zealots are sane. What I mean is, they see themselves in the right, and from their point of view what they're doing brings about the greatest good. So it is when we look at creatures like kobolds, or gnolls, or even orcs perhaps. We see what we want to see in them. Though if an orc ever turns out to be honest and noble, I'll eat my hat." He grins a rather ironic grin.

Callan's

Conal's directions prove reliable, and Baldhart finds Callan's place easily enough. It is a small cabin, perhaps no more than a single room inside, with a rough porch built along the front of the structure. It sits at a higher elevation than the river, and Baldhart can see snatches of the blue water below and through the trees as she looks back.

Baldhart knocks, but the door does not open. In fact, nothing happens for a moment, and then Baldhart hears footsteps coming around the corner of the house. A tall woman in thick furs rounds the corner (well, tall for woman in general, but not compared to Baldhart. She's around six feet). She has brown hair that hangs long and falls loosely over her shoulders. In her hand she has a long skinning knife, dirty with blood, and her hands and the front of her pants are similarly covered. She has a streak of reddish-brown across her forehead where she looks to have wiped her hand.

He face is solid, with sharp features. She certainly looks to have some steel in her. Her eyes are wary but not unfriendly as she stops at the edge of the house. Baldhart's successful attempt at good graces prompts a quirky smile, and Callan lowers her knife to her side, saying "Well, Baldhart Eisenberg, servant of Brynhild, what can I do for you?"

 

[Philster401]

"Children I have to stop by the camp for a bit, if anyone tries to enter don't answer the door unless its someone you know hide under the bed and don't make any noise, I will be back as soon as I can," Zoran said. After that I leave the room and head to the camp.

(Should i roll to see if I passed by Laidan if so...)

I say hi and tell Laidan, " I'm on the way to the camp then I'll be heading to where Baldhart is. So you could come back to the camp with me then I can take you to the camp or I can tell you where to go."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I feel an urge to laugh at my own expense, though I stifle it. Mother once said not to appear as a giggly girl, and more than once said I laugh louder than dad.

"Sorry about the long-winded introduction. I don't always expect to meet followers of Brynhild when I get into town, but I always ask. I always want to meet others who follow Her path, and discuss things like how best to serve Her… but I'm afraid I've come with a sort of agenda. I know about the orcs and bandits, and I imagine you and the people of Ballara are getting sick of being attacked by them. Maybe my traveling companions and I can help."

I look at the bloody knife.

"I haven't been on a hunt in some time. Not that I can shoot straight. My friend Addy killed most of the beasts, so I usually volunteered to do the heavy lifting, cleaning the kill, and cooking it. If you can tell me about the orc problem, I ain't afraid to get bloody. After my last battle, I had bits of drow brain stuck under my thumbnails, so no post-hunting job is too dirty for me."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"The first orc I met was certainly not noble," I reply. "And what you say is so true, Father Adelbrand. Good people may do ugly things, even evil things, without realizing it. I believe the gods forgive ignorance, but with some acts I have to wonder—how can people not understand? I have seen little girls burned at the stake, their innocent lives taken due to a suspicion. I have heard people cry out the names of their gods as they wage wars over land, but what good god permits armies to kill and steal from innocent inhabitants. I assure you, the Goddess of Battle does not."

I let my fingers grip the straps of my backpack.

"The easiest way to avoid straying from the path of the gods is to know that the good ones are loving gods. Loki takes pleasure in senseless killings, but Brynhild, Tyr, Freya… the good gods ask warriors to be unfaltering protectors. Protect loved ones, innocents, the oppressed. That is why we diverted from our intended path to save the four children. We knew they existed and knew they were in peril, so we acted immediately. We killed kobolds until one spoke of Tarlack, and no more kobolds died at our hands then. The priority was never to kill kobolds, but to rescue children."

I let the straps slide down my shoulders.

"As long as we all can agree that the innocent lives in Ballara are the priority, and there will be no betrayals in the name of the 'greater good,' I can fight as Brynhild intended me to."

I let the backpack drop.

"I earned these 789 years ago, when I struck down by an orc. Brynhild gave me these wings and, during these dark times, She has given me this body. Can I count on you, Father Adelbrand, to see that my appearance will not prompt any zealots to act in a way that will endanger the warriors I am with or undermine our goal to protect Ballara?"

I spread my wings.

"I assure you I am a valkyrie, not an evil creature in disguise. Please test me as Brecht did."