Dragon's Egg - Act V

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"There was Mauve. She was good about being discreet. And Alder was... not..."

Nissa chimes in, "He tossed a couple fireballs and turned himself into a dragon. Well, sort of. He was scaly. I don't think he could breathe fire or anything."

It finally sinks in that Matthew of all people is the connection.

"Well, it seems the wizards are as much a part of our past as Sir Matthew. Anyway, Nissa's getting sick of hiding her wings. No one should have to hide her true self. Certainly not due to other people's fears. Where we're heading, your magic will not be feared. And if we succeed, there's a chance magic will even be safe... or so I heard.

"Honestly, the part I understand best is that if we fail, we die. But the fight we're preparing for isn't the sort you can run from. My family has land in the south, and if I thought it would be safe there... well, I'm a nun of Brynhild."

"Her only Nun," Nissa adds.

I go on, "But the point is, if the north falls, even my mountain will not be safe.

"Anyway, I suppose you have questions for us too..."

Nissa says, "You did ask one. Yes, I am a real Valkyrie. I was supposed to just advise my cousin, but... Baldy has a little magic in her. It's untrained, but I was able to... use it."

I tell Cali, "She would suddenly appear in a flash. In her birthday suit. And after a few minutes, she'd start molting... then just feathers would fall and fade away.

"Until Arendal. The town was attacked, and Nissa just swooped in and protected the children, used her body to shield Gisla--a follower of Brynhild who almost died in that battle. I made my nun's vow during that battle.

"Anyway, Nissa faded as usual after conversing with the children. But the next time she appeared, her body didn't fade. I don't know how long she'll last."

 

[tbgg]

I tell Baldhart and Nissa, "I heard about some of that. I guess after all of that happened in Arendal, some of the folks from there went over to Srilkind to lend the town a hand with the rebuilding. I was still in Srilkind when they arrived and they told us both about the attacks and the spells cast by that indiscreet wizard. Once I heard that, I made my excuses and left. I knew the longer I waited, the greater the chances were I'd lose your trail."

"For the record, I'm an illusionist and not a true wizard. True wizards can cast offensive spells; illusionists can't. What we do instead are the 4 Ds: Defend, Disguise, Distract, and Debilitate. And I cast a debilitating spell to free Dalla, Abbi, and Gunnar, though I unfortunately knocked the children out as well as that man. Still, it did the trick, and as far as I can tell, the children don't seem to be any worse for the wear. The man was asking about a girl, and he didn't seem that interested in Abbi, so I assume she must not be the one he was interested in. For the record, Rik says the man had been trying to get information about you guys from him earlier. When I asked Rik about you, Rik described him and asked me if I was traveling with him. Of course I said no."

"I do have a number of questions. Maybe you could start by telling me what this girl you're protecting has to do with possibly making magic safe again?"


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Well... we did just meet. But then, we've put our trust in some allies that have proven to be dangerous. What you did for the children..."

Nissa interrupts, "She's chosen a side, Baldy. Plus the enemy already knows Burnbright's here. There's really no point in keeping a secret that isn't."

"Right," I tell Nissa.

"Cali, these children were orphans under the care of a woman named Miss Liv. We found her and two older boys... bodies I mean, in the ruins of their home..."

I tell how we followed the trail. We found the kobolds. One talked, and soon we learned of the kobold chief. "We rescued him, then rescued Abbi and Gunnar. Then we met the drow. One surrendered to me. I responded by squeezing the air out of his throats and jamming my thumbs into his eye sockets.

"I don't take any pleasure in ending lives, but as I was choking this man to death, I asked him if he intended mercy toward the children who yielded to him. It was a rhetorical question. There was no time to dick around with a prisoner. Prisoners are a pain in the ass, and we were in a hurry.

"Unfortunately, there was a girl about Burnbright's age with her heart cut out. A sorceress was eating the heart. She wasn't easy to kill, and had Masama kept his vow not to use his axe, we may have suffered more losses."

So Cali knows of the drow. I go on to say that most of our other encounters were against Aslaug. I invite Cadell and others to help explain who she is, and sum up all that information by saying, "So the north has two major threats. Aslaug is opposing the drow's demon, but she's no saint. She's putting together armies and massacring entire villages. I believe that even gnolls and orcs who work for her do so out of fear for their children. The kobolds we met more or less confirmed that."

As much as I'd like to get into our recent meeting with the orcs, I think Cali needs a moment to let this all sink in. That, and I haven't answered her direct question, which I'll do now:

"I don't fully understand Aslaug's connection to the Taint. But Burnbright, who I refer to as my sister, is my sister in faith... and more than that. I asked my parents to adopt her, should she arrive on my mountain. With or without me, I mean. Just trying to plan for multiple possibilities."

Nissa nudges me. I get to the point.

"Biologically speaking, Burnbright is Aslaug's daughter. And Aslaug knows we're here, so I expect her minions are heading in our general direction.

"So... we need all the help we can get. If you plan on joining us, it's fulfilling work but the pay sucks."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

While Baldhart and Nissa speak with Cali, I go to check on Llucheden and Biorn, and tell Liadan to let me know when Baldy is ready to interrogate the prisoner. We should discuss whether the "good inquisitor" or the "bad inquisitor" should talk to the man first.

When I enter the stables, Llucheden perks her ears and whickers in greeting. I smile and cross to her stall, rubbing her nose and neck with my good hand. <Hello, my girl. I hope you haven't been too bored in here without me. We'll be able to go for a ride soon.> Hopefully dealing with the prisoner won't take too long, and Korgak will remain patient.

I look around the stables in case Biorn is there; if not, I ask any present stablehand where he might be.

 

[Steerpike]

((Looks like everyone is assuming Rukh and Angrim are in town, so lets just go with that)).

Burnbright walks Abbi back over to the table and sits with her and Gunnar. She looks happy to be with the younger children, and they both look pleased to have her back. Dalla hurries from the table to meet the party, but the first few moments of the reunion are chaotic, with Rik trying to apologize, the appearance of the two dwarves who the orcs took captive, and the reunion of the kids.

Rik takes stock of the dwarves' condition as soon as Baldhart mentions it and looks around the common room. "Biorn! Where is that lad? I'll have him fetch Ingeborg. She'll fix ye both up fer clothes...er..uh...master dwarves, is it?"

Angrim and Rukh don't object to the title, but are taking in the common room with glowering expressions (or, for them, normal expressions).

When the talk turns to the prisoner, Ruk purses his lips and pull at his chin. "Conal's got him locked up in the barracks, and looks to have been in there with him all night. Haven't let no one else in to talk to him. You want, I can have Biorn run a message over." He glances at the dwarves. "After he's run one over to Ingeborg, that is."

Before any party members disappear upstairs to talk to Cali, Dall fixes Baldhart with a serious look. "It's not safe here," she says. "For them." She motions to the children sitting at the far table listening with rapt attention to Burnbright's description of the orc encampment.

Having made her point, Dalla turns around and moves back to the children's table. "They don't need to hear about that," she tells Burnbright. "You're scaring them."

"No she ain't," Abbi and Gunnar say, in unison, and Dalla frowns a moment longer, then just shakes her head. "If they don't sleep tonight..."

The dwarves find a table in the common room to await Ingeborg, leaving those who wish to go upstairs with Cali to do so. Masama remains in the common room as well, taking a standing position near the front door and looking immovable as a tree stump.

Outside, Cadell finds Biorn sweeping up. He waves and says "I took extra good care o' her. I promise I did!" His grin fades to a crooked smile as Rik bellows his name from inside the inn. "Gotta go, I guess. Sounds like Rik's about to have me runnin' all over town doing this or that. But if you need anything, I can wait a minute. Sometimes I pretend like I don't hear him, when I'm out here."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I spy Biorn sweeping up the stables, and return the grin he gives me. "Good lad."

Rik's bellow reaches both of us, and I nod. "I wanted to make sure you were well and let you know that I am, that's all. If Rik wants you, best you don't keep him waiting. Llu and I will be fine in here. If I'm not here when you come back, I'll be in the guards' barracks." I can wait to tell Biorn about the planned meeting with Korgak until after he's done with Rik. No doubt that will raise a lot of questions, and they'll take valuable time to answer. "Seems we all have a busy day ahead of us."

 

[tbgg]

My head reels as I try to take in everything Baldhart is saying.

A Drow sorceress who eats the hearts of children? The party protects Aslaug's daughter and she pursues them? A big war is coming? Aslaug forcing traditional enemies of humans to serve her by threatening her children? No wonder Matthew was hesitant to speak of these things. Such news would cause many to panic.

I feel myself quiver on the inside. What good can my low-level magic hope to accomplish against all of this? But three things come back to me and steady me: Baldhart's words that if the side of good fails, all is lost, my desire to grow in my magic, and the fact that I know my grandparents would have found a way to fight in this battle, were they still alive. I don't wish to be all-powerful, but I do wish to learn as many spells as I can that will help me learn what happened to my parents. For the time being, though, it seems that I will have to put that quest aside. Mathera has to be saved from the evil that threatens it so that there will be people who can aid me in my quest. So much for trying this party out on a trial basis - it seems the need is far more urgent than I ever dreamed.

Finally, I manage, "Well, being itinerant doesn't exactly pay well either, so that part should be nothing new. You have yourselves a party member. It seems that there is much to take in about what is going on, but Rik recommended Ingeborg to me last night, and if she is coming here to see to those Dwarves who accompanied you, then I should go down and see her as well. It seems I shall need to add to the order I originally had in mind."

Dwarves, I marvel. And Elves, too, though I saw Elves when I was in the South.

"Do you need anything else from me for the time being?"

If Baldhart and Nissa say no, I head back downstairs to look for the Dwarves and Ingeborg.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I throw in my two cents, adding the detail about Aeron... "which I found hard to believe at first. But then, Brynhild could very easily stop me from walking the world as a mortal. That she didn't means the world is in serious trouble... or I'm with the warriors who have a chance of preventing something apocalyptic."

I then give Cali's hand a gentle squeeze and tell her, "I need to see Dalla. You, Liadan and Baldy should feel free to chat a bit."

...

I sit with Dalla and tell her, "You're not wrong. About the children, I mean. But I'm not comfortable leaving them in a temple.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm a religious woman. The wings give it away." ((The backpack is on when Nissa goes downstairs.)) "But these children need someone who genuinely cares for them. Love them, if that's not too strong a word."

I await Dalla's reply, in case she doesn't quite get my meaning.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I reply to Cali, "I guess we can head down. I'll catch up in a bit. I think I'd like to clean up before I head out in public."

I go to the bath house if it's available. Otherwise, my waterskin and a rag will have to do. What I really want is a fresh coat of woad. That and the wool dress Ryhd bought me. No matter how things ended, I hope he's alive and well, fighting for his God as I fight for mine...

 

[tbgg]

"Aeron?" I reply to Nissa before I go, my jaw dropping. "But surely..." No, remember your histories, Cali. Aeron's body was never found. And you have read of magic that enables the dead to be brought back to life again, either a resurrection, performed by a cleric of great skill, or a darker magic, that allows one to be both living and dead at the same time.

I shudder. "Then we'd better do all we can to make sure these forces do not ally with each other. Better for all of us if they manage to kill each other."

I tell Baldhart, "I would like to speak with you more later, but for the moment, it can wait."

Alright. Dwarves and Ingeborg.

If Burnbright is still downstairs with Abbi and Gunnar, I study her closely, trying to get a sense of her size.

When I make it downstairs, I look around for the Dwarves. If they seem to be interacting with someone I do not know, I sit back and wait for them to finish.

If the Dwarves are mostly by themselves and are not talking to anyone else, I approach them. "Greetings, good Dwarves, I am Cali Norling, and I have never met a Dwarf before. I need to speak with the seamstress Ingeborg as well." As I look over the state of their dress and indeed their physical state, I change what I had intended to say to them. "I am wondering if I might make a trade of sorts with you. If you would allow me to speak with Ingeborg before you do, I will instruct her to complete your orders before she completes mine. Your need is clearly greater than mine, but I have a number of things I need to see to today, and the less time I must spend with the seamstress, the better. Would this be acceptable to you, good Dwarves?"

If Burnbright is still downstairs with Abbi and Gunnar, I study her closely, trying to get a sense of her size.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron and Bressel remain outside of town with Branwen.
Aliron is getting use to fighting without his armor. With and without weapons.
Bressel will be sparring partner and will also be on watch when Aliron is practicing on his own.

As always, Aliron started in private and told no one about his change in occupation. Bressel and Branwen(but she didn't tell anyone) were the first to know, outside Baldhart and Masama, since they helped him learn the ways.)

During the last full moon, Aliron pledged to Agapanthus to dedicate his life more to the Goddess.

Finally, he made the announcement, Bressel introduced him to the group:
Aliron, Monk of Agapanthus.

tentatitively based on Baldhart's answer. (Since he doesn't trust to many people with Branwen's care.)

Aliron secretly asked Baldhart to sell his leather armor and see if the Seamstress could make a gray tunic for him with a black rose on the back.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart (earlier)

I congratulate Aliron on his decision. "I suppose our current situation forces us to commit to a side, even though I know you were already as devoted to your goddess as I have always been to mine. Anyway, I hope this change brings you the peace it brings me. Even in battle, it's... it's different now."

I agree to sell the armor, though I warn him I'm not much of a negotiator.




Nissa (now-er)

I'm not quite sure Dalla knows what I'm getting at. I encourage Burnbright to feel free to tell the children of how well she handled herself in the orc camp, but to respectfully omit details of the dwarves' part of the story, which is theirs to tell or not.

With Dalla to myself, I tell her, "I was nineteen once. Seven hundred seventy years ago, in fact. I remember being nineteen. Not twenty, not twenty-five, but I have a vivid memory of my nineteenth year and of my next memory, which happened when I was twenty-six.

"I was no longer in my body at that point, but in the company of valkyries. I think I already told you how an orc struck me down at nineteen, but he didn't exactly kill me. Healers kept me alive for seven years. I don't recall a second of it, aside from what Brynhild revealed to me. Seeing myself as an invalid didn't bother me so much, but seeing how my fate affected my father... that was rough.

"I don't regret standing up to that orc. I don't regret devoting my life to Brynhild. I chose this life. I was never interested in having a husband or raising children."

I take Dalla's hand, if she allows, and look her in the eye.

"I can't tell you what to do with your life. I can boss Baldy around if I want to, but I don't want to. Brynhild favored me because I didn't make important decisions 'as a woman' or 'because So-And-So said so.' My goddess favors free-thinking women, and that's what you are, Dalla.

"You chose to come out here, though you didn't find what you were looking for. You'll never find it, and why should you? You found them.

"And now you need to make a decision. One that doesn't just affect you, but them as well. Just ask yourself: what would you rather do? Fight to the death alongside bearded old men, or be with those four children? And what would they rather do? Have you as the most important adult in their lives, or a priest?"

 

[Steerpike]

The Common Room

Cali-

Burnbright is downstairs when Cali gets back to the common room. Cali marks her at twelve or thirteen, perhaps slightly tall for her age and a bit gangly. At the moment, she seems more childlike than anything, telling her story to the other children who listen, rapt (which is a good thing, because as Burnbright warms to her tale there isn't space in the monologue for the other kids to fit a word in sideways. She does leave out the bits about the dwarves, following Nissa's admonition).

The two dwarves are sitting along, speaking quietly, one of them wearing a makeshift outfit of torn cloth. When Cali approaches and introduces herself, the better dressed of the two turns his body slightly, putting a shoulder more squarely between himself and Cali. The dwarf in the improvised wardrobe frowns and shakes his head, then rises. "Names' Angrim. Er..." he tentatively offers a thick hand to shake. "Haven't spent much time in human villages. Don't mind my friend here. Been a rough few days, and his minds' full o' orcs."

The rude dwarf grunts at this, but says nothing.

"You can speak to her first, Miss," says Angrim. "We're in no great hurry this morning.

The rude dwarf grunts again.

Rik goes to help Baldhart prepare a bath, taking a last look (at the common room, not Baldhart) before he does so. A few minutes later, an older woman comes into Badger's, a basket swung over her arm containing folded cloth, a small leather case, and a spool of thin twine. She looks toward the counter where Rik is usually found, then glances around the room, her eyes widening when they fall on the dwarves.

Nissa-

Dalla's lips are set as Nissa talks to her, but when the little valkyrie takes her hand it is trembling and Dalla has to bite her lip in a clear effort to stop a frown. Her eyes glisten and she turns away from Nissa's gaze and stares at the children for a long moment, then turns back.

"I don't know what I want anymore," she says. "Tommen was going to take me south. We were going to live a life of adventure, just the two of us against whatever creation threw at us." She sighs. "Now I half think I've had enough adventure to laugh me a lifetime. And I love these kids..." she lowers her voice "...especially little Abbi. Some of the things she says, she reminds me of me when I was that age. I don't know how she can still laugh, with what she's been through. But where could I take 'em? Where's safe? Orcs here. Srilkind burned down. Demons come up out of the ocean in Arendal. Maybe to Alfoss, then get on a ship south? Is it better down there? I've never known anything but the north."

She sniffles, and Abbi is distracted a moment from Burnbright's story, slipping a hand into Dalla's so that now Nissa holds one and Abbi the other. The child's touch causes Dalla's eyes to well up once more and a tear breaks free. Dalla reddens and Abbi looks concerned.

A Bath

Not only is a bath available, there is peace and quiet about as far as Baldhart would like, since there is no one else cleaning up this time of day. It doesn't take long to get hot water into a tub--something Rik helps with, because while his common room is occupied there isn't a lot of eating or ordering going on.

The Stables

Biorn nods to Cadell and says "I'll be back quick!" Then he's off like a bolt, running down one of Ballara's dusty streets. It is only a few minutes before he comes running back, red-faced. "She's on her way," he says, out of breath. "I told her we needed her right away."

Sure enough, a few minutes later an older woman carrying a basket appears, moving much more slowly than Biorn did. "They're in there," Biorn calls, pointing to the door of the inn.

"I know where the door is, lad," the woman says, then goes inside.

The boy ignores her, turning back to Cadell. "What happened in the woods? Get to see any orcs?"

Camp

At camp, Branwen occupies herself with a stick and a puddle of water under a sheet of cracked ice. Brok, stares at the harpy child, leaning thoughtfully on his staff.

"Have ye thought what yer going to do when she's grown?" he asks Bressel and Aliron. "Even if you can turn her against her nature, where will she live? Human villages won't thank you fer bringing her around, I think."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Before Baldhart leaves to have her bath, I ask her to let me know when she's ready to talk to the man in the barracks, so I can know when to fetch Cadell.

Cadell

I look over as Biorn comes back, and chuckle at his question. "I did, in fact. We had some interesting conversation, and I helped free two dwarves from them. You might have heard a little about them already. They're having breakfast in the inn. We're going to speak to the orcs again today, likely after we learn more about that prisoner in the barracks. If all goes well, we'll convince the orcs to part with at least one of the dwarves' hammers. More importantly, we seek to secure peace between Ballara and the orcs. This tribe, at least."

 

[tbgg]

I greet Ingeborg. "Greetings, Ingeborg. my name is Cali, and I need your assistance as well. These two Dwarves here will also need your assistance, and while I will be giving you my order first, I want you to be making their orders before you make mine."

Assuming that Ingeborg agrees to this, I start listing my order.

* 2 sashes, 8" by 4', in any color suitable for blending in outdoors (brown, grey, green, etc.) in any soft material, with finished edges. i gesture to the amethyst one I have tied around my head for reference and say, "The purple isn't exactly the best choice when I need to be blending in outside. As much as I love the color, it's too noticeable by far."
* 2 lengths of fabric, 3' by 6', any everyday color, in either linen or cotton, with finished edges.
* 1 length of fabric, 5' by 5', any every day color, in either linen or cotton, with finished edges.
* 2 smaller lengths of fabric, 10" by 28", any everyday color different from the two larger lengths, in the stretchiest material available, with finished edges.
* a cloak suitable for a young boy about the size and build of Burnbright (and I gesture to her for reference), only with space to grow in the shoulders and extra length that can be let out as he grows. The cloak should have an extra deep hood. The color and material doesn't really matter as long as it doesn't stand out too much and is warm.
* 3 pair of baggy trousers with 4 buttons along the inside to adjust for different waist sizes. One should be suitable for someone 6'6" tall, the second suitable for someone 5'6", the third suitable for someone 4'6".
* 3 tunics, one suitable for a large man, one suitable for an average sized woman, and one suitable for a child of about 8 years, any everyday color, any suitable material
* 3 belts, one suitable for a man, one suitable for a woman, one suitable for an 8-year-old child

Finally I ask her what kind of small fasteners she has aside from buttons. ((OOC, Specifically, I'm wondering if Ingeborg has hook and eyes, but I'm not sure if those would exist in this world - it may require too much technical sophistication to make them.)) If she has what I'm looking for, I ask for all she has.

I tell Ingeborg a bit sheepishly, "I know that's quite a lot, and if you want me to write all of that down, I'll ask Rik for a parchment, some ink, and a quill. I really need to see about getting my own, with as often as I need to write things down. Is there anyone in Ballara who sells writing supplies?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart (before bath)

I reply to Liadan, "I'll come out to the stables as soon as I'm cleaned up."

Straight to a building full of horse shit first thing after a bath. Brilliant.



Nissa

I tell the little girl, "If you're not sure what to say, just give Dalla a hug."

I tell Dalla, "Kitsumah was affected by the cruelty we all witnessed. And I have a feeling she's not the only one who won't follow us to the Delve. You might have an escort to see you safely to Alfoss. And we can always arrange that through the temple. Brecht was interested in helping us with the children. He knows who and what I am, so… I'm inclined to trust him."

I give Dalla's hand a gentle pat with my free hand before letting hers go.

"If you want to go further south, ask Baldy to write a letter of introduction. You'll be safe on the Iron Mountain."

I watch Dalla's face for any tell-tale contortions at the sound of Baldhart's name. I kinda want to tell her, but…

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

Baldhart says she'll go out to the stables to meet with Cadell, but I can see by the look on her face that she'd rather stay away from such a dirty place. "I'm sure Cadell wouldn't mind if you met him here, or outside the barracks. Just tell me where you'd prefer. I'll be in the common room until you're freshened up."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I take a moment to think on how I'll spend the day…

…talk to the jerk that went after the kids. And try not to kill him.
…tell the captain what the orcs say they'll agree to.
…and if that works out, talk to the orcs.

I suppose other stuff will come up. For now, I just need to be clean in case the important people in town will care. Mother said important men care if a woman stinks. Orcs don't care. And I care if the paint on my body and face is sufficiently blue, so I get out of the tub and apply a fresh coat of woad…

 

[Steerpike]

Cali

An air of stupefaction settles on Ingeborg like a cloak when Cali run through her list of requests. Rik, once he makes sure Baldhart has what she needs, is able to provide the requested quill and parchment. With the list in writing, Ingeborg makes a more sober assessment of the situation.

"I reckon I've got what I need for this. Got some of what I need from Alfoss not far back, when the caravan came." She hums to herself, looking at the list. Linen, wool, and animal skins or furs don't seem to be a problem, and she even has a small quantity of silk. The request for cotton seems to have thrown her--she's familiar with the fabric but doesn't believe she has any.

On the subject of fasteners: "I use buttons, for the most part, or just lace up what ye need fastened. Got plenty o' pins too. I've seen the, whatcha call 'em, the "hook in eyes," mostly on clothes what was made down in the southlands. Might be there's some mixed in with what I got from Alfoss."

She takes the list and says she will check her supplies and report back. Then she speaks briefly to the dwarves, who seem entirely uninterested in the details of any clothing she makes for them, so long as it serves the function of covering what it's meant to cover and doesn't fall off of them. She also makes surreptitious glances at Liadan, her elven features, and the garments she is wearing, but holds her tongue.

As it happens, there's no merchant of parchment and ink in the village. The temple is supplied with such things by caravan from Alfoss and hands them out to the few citizens, like Rik, who have use of them, with no compensation requested (though donations to the temple are accepted and routinely made).

Masama stays by the door. He may as well be carved from stone.

Nissa

Burnbright continues her stories, stumbling only briefly when she notices Dalla is upset. Abbi gives Dalla a hug and is pulled up into the woman's lap and embraced in return.

When Baldhart is mentioned, her eyes narrow and a slight frown forms for only a second. There isn't as much energy behind it as there once was.

"I'll think about what you said," she tells Nissa. "Not sure what use I am heading into the Delve or anywhere else, to be honest. And what's to become of the children if no one will take 'em in?"

She hugs Abbi tighter and presses her face onto the top of the child's head, thinking.

Baldhart

Once Rik stops pestering Baldy, she has hot water, soap, and privacy. Sounds of building the pallisade can be heard through the wall. Apart from the activity around that construction, one would scarcely believe Ballara is plagued by orcs, or worse.

There is nothing whatsoever to intrude on her peace and privacy...or so it would have been, but for the knock on the door about ten minutes into the bath, followed by Callan's voice saying "You in there Baldhart? Can you believe the guard won't let me in to talk to the prisoner? The nerve of that man!"

Cadell

The idea of going back to the orcs seems to Biorn like the grandest adventure that has come through Ballara in his short life. "You think I could go see 'em too? I mean, if Da'll let me go half a day without runnin' around this place. Standin' in an orc camp. That'd be something to tell the other kids! I can just see their faces!" He breaks into a grin at the thought.

Camp

Brok continues his examination of Branwen. "Might not've been a mercy, saving the child," he muses. "Not that I blame ye for it, and she'll come to no harm at the hands of me kin. But what kind o' life's she got waiting for her?"

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I shake my head at Biorn. "Only Baldhart and Liadan are going into the orcs' camp this time; Baldhart has the most rapport, and Liadan is the only one who understands their tongue enough to translate. Everyone else will stay behind, whether on the near or far side of the river."