Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Steerpike]

BALLARA

The boys climb onto the best and nod solemnly when Zoran announces he is leaving. "Don't worry, we won't let no one in!" They watch Zoran until he closes the door behind him.

On the way out of Rik's place, Zoran spots Liadan and she sees him in return. No one else from the party is in sight.

In the temple, meanwhile, talk of theology is forgotten by Adelbrand as soon as Nissa drops her backpack and exposes her wings. Adelbrand stares, open-mouthed, for a moment, then performs the test to determine whether Nissa is a creature of evil in disguise. When the test is over, he drops to his knees before Nissa.

"The gods do help us in these dark times! If the valkyrie are returned, that is tremendous news! What of Tyr? Does he send aid as well? Truly, my heart is lighter now. I do not believe you have aught to fear here in Ballara, for the people look to the Temple and trust in our judgment. I would not expose those wings in Alfoss if I were you, and certainly to no member of the Inquisitor's order. It was a risk, even with Brecht, though I've always found him to be a good man and not a harsh dispenser of 'justice' like those who have risen to the top of his order."

CALLAN'S

"A follower of Brynhild, are you? Well, you look the part, though I'd have expected a spear and shield. Who told you how to find me?"

She starts back around the side of the house toward the backyard, waiting for Baldhart to follow along. Behind the house is a well near the tree line about fifty feet from the house. One of the trees to the left of the well and a good thirty feet away has a heavy branch that extends out of the "yard" behind the house. A rope is tied to the branch, and hanging from the rope is a deer, head down. A wide puddle of blood soaks into the ground beneath the animal's open neck and part of the deer's skin has been removed. Two orange house cats lounge near the rear door of the house, both looking well-acquainted with the outdoors and with skirmishes with other creatures.

"We've always had orcs around," Callan says as she starts back in on the deer. It is clear she's keeping a wary eye on Baldhart, despite trying to project an outward nonchalance. "There'd be the occasional problem with them, but nothing like what we've got now. The ones closest to us are just desperate, I think. The Witch has banded together a bunch of orcs, gnolls, kobolds, goblins, and whatever else she can get. Most of the orcs in the area belong to her, but there's a few that don't and they're hunted down, robbed, and killed by those that work for the Witch. Not that I'll shed any tears over lost orcs, but I think that's why some of 'em are attacking the town more. I've seen the Witch's orcs in the woods too, but they don't go after the city. Mostly, they're just watching and waiting for something. Don't ask me what.

"The bandits may just be men and women gone bad. Some of them travel with orcs though. The Witch's orcs have a few with them, time to time. The bandits that hit Ballara or the trading wagons, though...I think those are Hafnir's boys. Why any of them would run with orcs, I can't tell you. But I've seen 'em do it.

"What's your business in all this? You're no northerner, that's plain. Not many coming up this way from the south these days, unless it's Inquisitors come to teach us the evils of magic. As though we ain't got a Witch living up here to show us."

CAMP

All remains quiet at camp. Burnbright finishes Branwen's hair. Branwen waits rather impatiently for the food to be ready. The comings and goings of party members doesn't appear to have attracted attention.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I wave to Zoran as I see him, and say, "I just came from the camp. I mean to speak with Baldhart, and I'll return there afterward to speak with Burnbright. After that I expect I'll go back to town."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"I'm the only one returned, as far as I know," I tell Adelbrand. "And please, don't feel a need to kneel down for me unless it's to adjust for the height difference. Even then, I can fly up. But aside from being able to fly, consider us equals. You serve Tyr and I serve Brynhild."

I won't put on the backpack just yet.

"As for my Sisters, when they come… that'll mean that the gods had no choice but to intervene. That humankind could not survive without the intervention. I've been pondering Brynhild's choice to send me first. I mean, a lot of my Sisters fell as warriors who took down many foes before they were ultimately overwhelmed. I was dropped by my first opponent, an orc. But my sacrifice was not in vain. An entire village of halflings banded together and defeated a thirty bandits—some of them orcs, all of them bigger than us. It was my death that inspired my people to take action.

"Hopefully, I don't need to get hit on the head by an orc this time. But I believe that's why Brynhild sent me: to rally the people of the north to protect themselves, and to protect the innocent who cannot fight. I can't do that alone, but today I met Brecht and I met you, Father Adelbrand. You serve the God of Courage well if you can inspire courage in the people here in Ballara. We'll start with Conal and his warriors. I'll leave it up to you as to whether I should expose my wings or keep them hidden when we address the men."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I want to pick up the cats and pet them, but instead I contemplate the two blades I have on me—the knife that once belonged to Branwen's mother, and the razor-sharp scimitar. I look at the deer and consider which blade is more efficient for the job.

I ask "May I?" and await Callan's permission before skinning her kill. I'm reminded of my days hunting with Addison…

I tell Callan, "I preferred the two-handed sword over the spear, but just last week, I vowed to fight without weapons and armor. It's messy, but I had trained with monks in my late teens. In my last two battles, I made good use of the bare-knuckle and grappling techniques. And if you don't mind my saying, it was exhilarating… the feeling of rushing into battle empty handed, and winning! I fared better than Ghendra. He's a gnoll that aided me in Arendal—his shield did him little good. The only hit I took was when I pulled an enemy off his back."

I really need to stop getting into my war stories so quickly.

"You ask why I'm here in the north—there's your answer. Because of Ghendra and the like. Not him exactly, but he works for Aslaug. And Aslaug isn't your only problem, you have the dark elves—I'm sure there are good ones, but the eight that I met were sacrificing children. I never thought I would kill by thrusting my thumbs into an enemy's eye sockets, but when I delivered those kills I was only sorry the deaths were quick. I thank Brynhild that I learned of the troubles up north so I could fight for the innocent here. My companions and I… we didn't save all of them, but we did prevent the spilling of some innocent blood.

"I could live a very easy life, Callan. My uncle's high chieftain; I have land—ten acres—on the peak of the Iron Mountain. I could be there now, partying and hunting and turning away suitors while the north suffers. Not only would that make me a lousy servant of Brynhild, but my carefree days might go on for a year or two—or even the better part of a decade—before I find out the hard way that the problems of the north are my problem as well.

"The dark elves mean to raise Aeron. Aslaug's against them, but she's as dangerously mad with power as they are. You have two evil forces going to war, and the people of the north are too busy defending their towns to organize themselves. If they come tonight, I'll be fighting alongside you, Conal, Father Adelbrand… and I'm confident we'll give those orcs and bandits more of a fight than they bargained for.

"But what I really want is for all of it to stop. The senseless killing."

Callan said the orcs who don't work for Aslaug are being killed by those who do.

"Is there any chance I can talk to one of those orcs? I mean the ones that don't work for Aslaug. I met a kobold who refused to work for Aslaug or the dark elves, and I suspect Ghendra works for her out of fear for gnoll children. I hate him for what he did in Srilkind, but… he spared the children and he aided the children in Arendal."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Lays down, Wraps himself up and sleeps.

Bressel
Finds a suitable place to watch the camp from a hidden location.
Places the loaded crossbow near by and his sword he props the sword up within arms reach also.
Ensuring he can see where Baltos is, as he will probably alert to the approach of anyone before him.

(Did anyone heal baltos from the wounds from the deer?)

 

[Steerpike]

CAMP

The long day is winding down, and when Aliron lays down to sleep, Burnbright bundles herself near Branwen and does the same. The game killed by Aliron and Batos has satisfied the group's hunger by now. Batos lays near the fire for moment, his wounds mending, though he does not seem to be in danger.

Masama takes up a position near the edge of camp opposite of the direction Bressel went. He makes a few observances to Asra, who has already set behind the trees, and then lowers himself into a cross-legged position and closes his eyes, facing out into the woods. He seems alert, but it is hard to be sure because he is entirely motionless.

Bressel's vantage point gives him a perfect view of what unfolds next in camp (though some other party members may see as well, depending on what they're doing). A patch of air within camp shimmers briefly - too briefly for anyone to react before a ghostly figure takes form. It is a woman, clad in a white gown with silver embroidery along the cuffs and hem. She wears a pair of thick silver bracelets and wields a staff hooked at the top, an ice-blue gem suspended from the hook. Bressel can see through her - she is insubstantial - but her features are clear enough - a long, smooth, beautiful face framed by black hair. Her features might be those of Burnbright, were Burnbright a couple of decades older. This apparition glances quickly around the camp and her eyes lock on Burnbright's sleeping form.

"My beautiful girl...." the figure says, in a voice half lost on the breeze. She moves toward Burnbright.

 

[Steerpike]

Nissa

Adelbrand rises. "I am glad to see that Brynhild has taken an interest. I understand why the gods do not interfere more directly. We mortals would become nothing more than slaves to them, for all practical purposes, were they to walk the earth. What freewill, courage, and personal glory, what meaning to mortal lives, if the gods were here to direct our every action? Still, I am comforted by this reassurance that they watch us and do provide aid in more subtle ways." His eyes flick to Nissa's wings. "Well, maybe not subtle..."

"I do not believe Brynhild judges her followers based on how many of the enemy they've slain. Certainly, she admires and rewards prowess in battle. That is what I was taught. But she does so because of what these things reveal about the courage and will of the heart of a person. Though you charged to your death in your first battle, she saw within you what caused you to act, and she found it worthy."

Adelbrand lapses into a silence for a moment, studying Nissa. "Let's go find Conal. Hide those wings for now. I don't believe it will do to walk around town with them exposed. Or, if you wish, you can stay here and I will fetch Conal and as many of his men as possible.

Baldhart

Callan accepts Baldhart's help skinning the kill, and listens quietly to Baldhart's war stories. Neither her face nor her actions betray much emotion. "Going into combat unarmed is brave. It is not usual, at least here in the north. The sword and shield have long been the choice of men here. Women typically take up the spear and shield instead. If you ever meet a dwarf, chances are you'll see an axe in his hands. Things have changed as influence of the south has grown, however."

When Baldhart mentions Ghendra, some sort of emotion, hard to identify, does flash across Callan's face. "You fought alongside Ghendra? I knew him...once. An educated gnoll, though I scarcely believed it at the time. He looks back through time and sees an era when his people roamed freely in the north. Maybe he's right and they did, maybe he's wrong. We no longer associate. Ghendra wants to restore his people, not just protect them. If he could do it without shedding a drop of blood, I think he would - I'll give him that. But if the only way to do it were to burn every human settlement to the ground, he'd do that too. He sees Aslaug as a means to an end. She has promised to restore his people's lands to him. When last I spoke to him, quite a long time ago, we argued over that, and over his methods. For a moment, I thought he would attack. Instead, he cast me from his camp. I haven't seen him since.

"I have long traded with some of the non-human races. Gnolls in the mountains, sometimes kobolds, sometimes others. Often have I traded with the dwarves, the misers!" She smirks. "I have not traded with orcs, though. I've had some encounters with some of them that didn't end in battle, but they weren't exactly friendly. I don't know that you'll find friends among any of them, though if you want to find those who are hiding from Aslaug, I can show you where they are.

"Still, I am curious that you associate with non-humans. When I was a girl, I was taught that Brynhild revered humans above all others, and northern humans most of all. As I've grown older, I've strayed somewhat from her path, and in part because I've met many non-humans and come to learn that there is good in many of them. Though I've not met an elf, much less these dark elves you speak of. I have not heard of a dark elf, but do not like the sound of them.

At the mention of Aeron, Callan stops in the midst of finishing up her skinning. "Aeron? That old tale? Are you telling me these dark elves believe Aeron existed and can be brought back?" She chuckles. "Dragons, and wizards. Dark magics shaking the earth. An evil lord risen to control it all. You must realize these are tales to frighten children, Baldhart. Dark magic exists, I'll grant you. We have our own proof of it in the Witch here in the north. But legends and hearthside tales sprung to life?"

After the skinning is done, Callan moves to the back porch and cleans her knife with a thick cloth. The cats amble over and she absently scratches one behind the ears.

"Stopping the killing is something I can agree with. If you've left the comforts of your Iron Mountain and journeyed here to do that, then I wish you godspeed and will provide whatever aid I can. Conal is a good man, though those under his command are not full-time fighters. Some are more seasoned than others, but they're not soldiers. Adelbrand is kind, I believe. And thoughtful. He's worth something in a fight too.

She considers a moment. "If I can get you in to talk to those orcs, what do you propose? To join together against the other orcs and bandits? We fight for Ballara and the north, and they fight for their own hides and freedom from Aslaug's thugs?"

((If you all want to assume Liadan arrives somewhere around this time, that's fine))

 

[Philster401]

"very well I will be off to the camp now," Zoran said to laidan then headed towards the camp.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Yes. Free will. The gods don't want us to be enslaved or forced to behave through the fear of Thor's hammer. There are too few who understand this."

I put the backpack back on, asking Adelbrand to confirm that no feathers are sticking out in back. I turn so he can check.

"I will go with you, Father."



Baldhart

Callan asks what I propose.

"I suppose it's a foolish proposal, but when I spoke to Tarlack—the kobold chief—I learned of how Aslaug intimidated goblins and others into following her. Perhaps Ghendra thinks he's smart enough to use Aslaug for his own purpose, but Aslaug has too many factions working for her. I don't know what she offered the orcs that would cause them to hunt down and kill their own people. If you think they would let me get a word in without attempting to rob and kill me, I'm willing to ask them.

"Maybe we—my allies and the men in Ballara—have enough of a force to beat the orc raiders. But if Aslaug's orcs aren't afraid to hunt them down, then my suspicion is that it's a considerably stronger force, or at least a more organized one. If I can speak to an orc, maybe he'll see that the alliance benefits both of us."

Regarding her question of Brynhild and humans, I add, "I believe Brynhild approves of any alliance formed to protect the innocent."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I hear Baldhart and another woman talking, and move toward their voices. The nun stands with an older woman and a few cats on the back porch of a house. I wave in greeting, waiting for them to notice me before I introduce myself.

"I am Liadan, cleric of Fraxinus and friend of Baldhart Eisenberg." I incline my head to the woman I don't know. I'll let her speak before I tell Baldhart of what I came here for.

Cadell

I remain in camp with the others to wait for Liadan's return. As the others settle down and some fall asleep, I remain awake, watching for any sign of danger.

Something flickers in the air, and then a ghostly woman appears. I leap to my feet, clamping my gauntlet-hand on the hilt of my sword. But will it do any good? The woman is transparent, as if she is no more than spirit. And she looks so much like Burnbright...

As the figure moves toward the girl, I place myself between them. "Get away from her!"

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"Everyone up! Intruder in the camp!"
He leaps from his postion to join Cadell his two handed sword ready.
"Stay back!" He warns the apparition.
Once in position and ready.
"Why are you here?" He demands.


Aliron:
Nochs an arrow and moves for position, flanking the being so as to have a clear area behind the target, in case he missed or the entity is not a physical form. Remaining silent and keeping all options open.

 

[Steerpike]

Nissa

Father Adelbrand checks Nissa over, making sure her wings are not visible. The two set off in search of Conal, who happens to be outside of Rik's speaking to one of his men. He raises an eyebrow at Nissa and Adelbrand when they arrive together.

Adelbrand says "We want to speak to you in private. There's something this young woman has to say that you need to hear."

Conal looks partially puzzled and partially intrigued. He takes his leave from the other man and leads Adelbrand and Nissa to a small home near the river side of Ballara. The palisade on this side of town has yet to be completed. Conal enters and bids Nissa and Adelbrand to follow. The home is sparsely furnished and smells of last night's fire - the ashes of which are still in the fireplace.

Conal closes the door and says to Nissa: "What is it you want to talk about?"

Baldhart & Liadan

Callan thinks over Baldhart's words. "It is true that you and your allies may be able to help against the orcs. We have turned them back before, but a stronger force may force their attention elsewhere permanently. But if what you say is true, and an alliance is possible....I have my doubts when it comes to orcs, but...."

Just then Liadan rounds the corner, seeing both Callan and Baldhart somewhat bloodied by skinning the game that still hangs from the tree at the edge of the yard. One of the cats lopes over the Liadan and rubs against her leg.

Callan flicks a glance to Baldhart and then back to Liadan. "Well, this is a surprise. I've never met one of your kind...Liadan. And I do not know who Fraxinus is. But if you're a friend of Baldhart's, then be welcome here. I am Callan." She inclines her head slightly, trying to mimic Liadan's action, but the gesture looks strange on Callan.

Camp

Cadell and Bressel rouse the camp with their words and action, Cadell being the first to plant himself in front of this strange apparition. The woman holds up a hand toward him, and toward Bressel when Bressel steps in place next him. "Stay your weapons, kidnappers. You can not harm me here today." A quick smile flashes across the woman's face. "Nor I you, for that matter." As her hand moves through the air, Bressel and Cadell can clearly see through it, just as they can through her body. They note Masama has moved around to the opposite side of the camp, behind the apparition, not more than a few paces from where Aliron hides.

The woman opens her mouth to say more, but at the moment Burnbright climbs to her feet, having been awakened by the commotion. For a moment, the ghostly woman's gaze locks and Burnbright and she seems to lose focus. Then, with a step to the side to better see Burnbright, she says "Catli, it is me. Your mother. You do not know me - you were too small when I was taken, but I...I have been looking for you." She reaches out, almost as if she can touch the girl from where she stands, then retracts her hand.

Branwen wakes as well and stands next to Burnbright, clutching at her leg.

Zoran

Zoran is en route to camp as the above happens. There will probably be a couple of rounds of interaction before he gets there.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I nod at Callan's words. "Thank you, Callan." Bending slightly, I stroke the cat who rubs against my leg, then straighten and look back at Baldhart. "I came to ask your advice about a certain member of our company. How much does Callan know of us?" I'm not sure yet how much to reveal about Burnbright, if indeed anything is safe.

Cadell

"Kidnappers?" I echo with a snarl. "We are guardians. Better ones than you, I deem. Why are you here? What do you want with her?" I make no move to lower or sheathe my weapon, my eyes on the ghostly figure. Is this truly Aslaug, or some illusion meant to trick us?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I reply to Liadan, "I thought it best if Callan meets the girls before I talk about them." To Callan, I say, "If Liadan's appearance surprises you, wait'll you see Nissa."

Of course, Liadan does not refer to Nissa.

"Anyway, how can I help you?"



((I'm going out now, so I won't likely be able to reply again until tonight.))

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"Who sends murderers, cutthroats, child killers, armies to forcibly remove a child from her home? The only home she knew.
Who is the one that protects this girl and who is sending harm her way? So much pain, death and misery your minions have brought in your quest to have this possession, because it is not how a mother finds a lost child."

Bressel spits in the apparitions direction. "In your quest to find a "lost" child, how many families have you killed? How many children have died? How many towns have you destroyed? Is this how you show you child how much you love her? A trail of blood?"

Aliron
Remains silent, intently looking for any sign of real form in the apparition, some sign that he might be able to harm the being.
Also any signs that the magic might allow someone to gate into the area.
"Watch for ambush, it might be a distraction or illusion." Aliron finally breaks his silence, quickly he scans the area, listening intently for anything other then the conversation.

Bressel
after Aliron's warning, he looks through the apparition to see if he sees anything lurking, but he doesn't look away from her.
"Don't trust her, a protective mother bear doesn't send ravenous wolves to collect her cub that she fears is in danger."
Bressel adds, then frowns, "No offense Baltos." He adds without looking for the wolf.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I tell Conal, "Inquisitor Brecht and Father Adelbrand already know what I'm about to reveal to you. The people I came with and the children they rescued know as well. You saw me arrive with Brynhild's nun. I serve the same goddess, but not as a nun. As a valkyrie."

I pause for a moment, then go on, "I am going to remove my backpack now. It is empty. I wear it only to hide my wings since… they could cause a lot of commotion."

I let the backpack fall. I fly up so we see at eye level.

"Brynhild trusted me to use this body wisely. Aside from the wings, this is how I looked almost 800 years ago, at the age of 19, when an orc struck me down. I was always this short."

Again with a self-depreciating short joke to lighten the shock? I gotta come up with new material before I show my wings to the dwarves.

"Why She sent me has been a bit of a puzzlement to me, but as I told Father, when I fell under the orc's club, my father's people—halflings, you call 'em—fought back. They decided they'd had enough of being terrorized, oppressed, watching our own die because someone bigger considered us expendable.

"The North is now going through the same thing. If it's not orcs and bandits, it's Aslaug herself—and the dark elves who serve Aeron killed Miss Liv and three of her seven orphans. More will come this way, unless Brecht can convince those in Alfoss to take this threat seriously.

"The North will fall if people fail to band together. With me is a small force—not one that I lead, nor would I claim that these people are chosen by the gods. But these people—humans and elves—have killed over a hundred of Aslaug's monsters in less than a month and saved dozens of lives. They won't last long, however, if they fight their battles alone. And I say 'their' battles, but really, it's your battles we fight.

"Before Aslaug's orcs arrive, we need every able fighter we can get to be ready for 'em. And there can be no false alliance. If a witch-hunter sees my wings, he may think my place is on a stake. It's that line of thinking that will hand victory to Aslaug or the dark elves. There must be no in-fighting, and look at me: surely a well-trained warrior as yourself understands that if I'm to face an orc in battle, I won't last long with a backpack over my wings."

He must be past the stunned silence phase by now. I should let the man speak.

 

[Philster401]

Zoran continues to the camp.

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart & Liadan

Callan seems intrigued and also perplexed by Baldhart and Liadan's words, knowing that there is something hidden that she's not being told, but having no idea what it is.

"Let's clean up and get into town. I'm glad to meet the rest of your group, and Conal should share in any discussions that affect Ballara. If we try to talk to these orcs and it goes badly, the people of Ballara may be the ones who pay for it."

She uses the bucket to clean herself off as best she can, but doesn't bother to get into different clothes. Apparently the concept of 'cleaning up' only stretches so far with her.

She smirks at Liadan. "Looks like Cat 2 likes you. She doesn't like anyone."

CAMP

Though the lighting around the camp isn't the best, it is clear that all of the blood has drained from Burnbright's face. She just stands there, looking at Aslaug, her features twisted in both pain and uncertainty. One of her hands absently grips Branwen's shoulder.

The apparition turns away from Burnbright and for a moment a look of menace flashes across her features. She sneers at Bressel and Cadell both. "Guardians? Better than me? Where were you when the people of Srilkind burned my mother alive before my eyes? If you seek cutthroats and murderers you need only look to whoever remains in that miserable place. Where were you when the orcs came for me, dragging me from my temple and away from my daughter? Where were you when they tortured me, and when all the 'good people' of Srilkind and Arendal and other villages of the north forgot everything I did for them and turned their backs. Don't speak to me of who is good and who is evil, and how many have died. The folk of the north are wicked, superstitious fools who turn on the innocent among them. And even so I am working to save them from an evil none of you can even begin to understand!"

By the time she finishes the speech, she is enraged, and Burnbright has shrunk away from her in fear. The apparition visibly struggles to control herself, then says "Catli, do not be afraid of me. I am your mother. I fed you and played with you in my temple when you were but a babe. We slept together there, you curled close against my stomach. You have been lied to most of your life, and I have been kept from you. I only want us to be together again."

Tears are streaming down Burnbright's face, and expression can best be described as pure shock. She tries to say something, but chokes on the words. Cadell and Bressel are between Burnbright and the apparition, but they hear her voice, thick with grief, behind them. "Is this...is she really my mother?"

Though the question wasn't addressed at her, the apparition says "I am child. Torn from you and now returned. If you'll come, I can send for you."

Nissa

Conal is clearly dumbstruck for most of Nissa's speech. He looks over the wings and then carefully at Adelbrand, judging the other man's reaction.

"Valkyrie," he mutters. "It's not possible. Adelbrand, couldn't this be..."

"A trick of the Witch?" asks Adelbrand, finishing Conal's question. "I do not believe so. I have tested her and found no evil. If this is the Witch or some servant of hers, then she is beyond my power. Test aside, however, I trust her."

Conal nods slowly. "I feel the same way, though now I wonder whether I can trust my own feelings or whether some magic may be at work there." He shakes his head. "No, I can't think that way. I have to trust my instincts. And I do trust you, Nissa, though I'm not sure why. Everything I've been taught my whole life would cast you as a demon or other foul creature, tainted by magic. A harpy perhaps - those dwell in the north, though their features are said not to be pleasing.

"If you and your friends are here to help, then we will gladly accept. Ballara has been able to withstand the sporadic raids that come out way, though of course any losses hurt us badly. If the Witch moves against us in force...well, I suspect we would have to abandon the town at that point. You speak of uniting the north. It has never been united in my lifetime. Maybe it was back in the days of Verborg and the shield-maidens of Brynhild, who fought and died beside the warriors of Tyr. If you are truly a valkyrie, maybe it is a sign those times have come again. But if you mean to unite the north again, you have your work cut out for you. What do you have in mind?"

Zoran

Just at the point where Zoran is about the leave the road and head into the woods to find camp, he hears cries coming from the opposite direction - toward the river. A man and woman emerge from a line of trees, running through tall grass. The man is holding what looks like a fishing pole, the woman a bucket. Perhaps a dozen yards behind them, also emerging from the trees, are two lumbering, muscled forms whose features are impossible to make out at a distance. It is not hard to make out the long daggers they wield, though. They pursue the man and woman across the grass, and the woman turns momentarily to toss her bucket backward, scattering a handful of fish into the air. This does not slow down the pursuers.

The man grabs the woman by the hand, yanking her forward as they continue running toward the road. The man catches sight of Zoran and yells "Help us!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I nod to Callan, then turn to Liadan. "It's best to keep us all together now, I suppose. Why not head to camp first? Anyone who wants to meet with Conal and the others would then have a chance."

To Callan, I add, "You're eventually going to meet them anyway, so brace yourself for my feathered friends. You were once on good terms with Ghendra, so I trust you know all intelligent beings are capable of good or evil. One of the girls camping out has wings because she was born that way. I killed her mother—a harpy who gave our dwarf friend an out-of-body experience. She's at the camp. Her name's Branwen, and she's… about four years old, I guess. Before you ask, had we not adopted her, the options were to leave her to starve or slit her throat.

"Nissa should keep Conal entertained. I wonder if he's seen her wings yet."



Nissa

"I'll follow the example of my Goddess: start small."

I better clarify, or they'll think I'm making another short joke.

"I revealed myself to one person, then to a group, then to a town. So we unite the north starting here. What happens next… any idea I have now is irrelevant if we lose in Ballara. So let's focus on driving the evil forces out—or ending their lives if we're strong enough. The dead don't come back."

I may not be the best person to say that.

"…normally."

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"Now, you seek her out? If you cared for her, why didn't you seek her out this way in the beginning? Let her know you were sending someone for her? Instead of sending band after band to kill anyone with her and take her by force?
"Where were we? We weren't part of this craziness. We stumbled onto this mess. We are strangers in this land. What happened before we took up this fight is not ours to deal with. We have plenty to deal with keeping Burnbright alive and safe from those that would take her by force.
I agree with you on the North, they'd as soon burn someone they fear as much as give a fair greeting. But to kill everyone in one's way is wrong. No better then what happened to you. Maybe even worse because you know how it feels.
It seems you seek to save the people from another evil, while you seek to have your evil reign supreme. One evil ruler over another. Seems it better to fight both, then accept either."

Aliron
Continues to scan the area, with an arrow ready. Uncertain if he could harm the woman, but if she were to suddenly take form, he wanted to be ready.