Dragon's Egg - Act V

[SeverinR]

Aliron:
"We are not thinking that far ahead. First we teach her the ways to be civilized and use her powers appropriately, then we'll figure out where she will live."

Bressel:
"She is learning well. She isn't showing the signs of evil yet. Maybe we can get her to lean away from evil. She will have to live apart from humankind though. So we'll have to teach her to hunt too."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Dalla, of course you are not useless. You genuinely love these children, and you have talent. A life of adventure is likely to be a short one. Even those who I encourage to fight in Brynhild's name fight for a reason.

"In fact, in Baldy's case, she had a heart problem. She was expected to die young, and she di—"

Did that slip out, or did I want it to slip out? I've been meaning to tell Dalla, but…



Baldhart

Having already dried off and covered my skin in blue streaks, I throw on my dress and open the door.

"Shit." I tell Callan, "I was doing a little thinking just now, and. Shit. Let's get the one person who knows what this asshole looks like."

I don't explain myself on the way to the common room. As soon as I see Cali, I ask her if we can speak in private. If there's a misunderstanding, I will let Callan, Liadan and Masama know they are more than welcome to join the conversation.

Aaaaand… I'll just let Nissa keep talking to Dalla, I guess.

 

[tbgg]

I give Ingeborg 1 gold piece as a down payment, promising her the balance I owe once she has a final total and my items are delivered.

I am about to turn and speak to Angrim again when Baldhart comes and asks to speak to me.

"Sure, Baldhart," I reply to the big barbarian's request. "What's up?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

Once Cali and I (and any interested members of our party) are out of earshot of total strangers, I say, "I need you with us when we see the prisoner, since you know what he looks like, and… am I correct in assuming you can disguise yourself so he doesn't recognize you?

"There's something strange going on. Conal was with the prisoner all night, so the story goes, and no one else is allowed in. I think we should get Cadell and head straight to the prison. It may be nothing, or he may have killed some guards, or there may be mind-controlling magic at play… and I suppose it would be rather brazen to dress as a guard, since that wouldn't fool anyone from Ballara. But since his target is not someone from Ballara, I wouldn't rule that out either."

I hope my words don't alarm anyone, especially Callan who may know Conal and others. It's not like I know anything awful happened. But I'd rather err on the side of caution… or would this be more like knowingly walking into a trap?

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I am quick to join the conversation with Baldhart and Cali, and nod at Baldhart's advice. "Shall I fetch Cadell now? If we're going to discuss a plan of action, or if not, he should be involved and informed."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Yeah, and maybe he can ask Biorn to run out and get Bressel and he others."

((SP's call of course, but inactive PC's Kitsuma and Marius could be the characters watching Branwen so Alin and Bressel don't miss out on any possible action. I would assume the paladin is helping with the building.))

 

[tbgg]

I tell Baldhart, "I agree with you that it's suspicious that no one else has been able to get in an see the stranger, and it's worth checking into."

"Rik, Dalla, Abbi, and Gunnar also saw the man and should be able to recognize him. Ranolf, too - he's the local man who raced to our rescue when I came running out of Dalla's room calling for help and who stayed night with a few of his men to make sure we were safe. Ranolf said at breakfast this morning that when the night shift ended, the men guarding the stranger should be dropping by here for a bit of breakfast before going home to get some sleep. Because I went up for a bath right after breakfast this morning, I never got to find out whether they dropped in or not and we should ask Rik if they did. I'd suggest that we enlist Ranolf's help - he's a brave man who would definitely be of some assistance in the event of a scuffle, and he'd be another set of eyes with the potential to recognize the stranger if, say, the stranger has abilities similar to my own. And if the stranger is trying to disguise himself as this Conal, he'd also stand a strong chance of recognizing that 'Conal' isn't really Conal."

"As for my disguise abilities, I just ordered several items from Ingeborg that would help with that, but in absence of those, here's what I can do: I can make someone else look like me, and I can also disguise myself or impersonate others via a combination of ordinary and magical methods, but if the stranger is suspicious, he'll have as good a chance of recognizing that I'm wearing a disguise as I do him. I can also cast a spell for detecting illusions, but if there is no magical component to his disguise, it won't help. However, if we enlist any of the locals, using my detection spell may give away that I can do magic, and we should decide if we want to take that risk - I know I don't especially fancy being stoned or burned as a witch. Dalla recognized what I did to free her and the kids as magic, and she was none too pleased about it, though that may just be because I had to knock out Abbi and Gunnar in order to knock the stranger out, in which case I can't really completely blame her."

I give my new companions some time to take in everything I just said. I ask them, "What do you think?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I reply, "I don't want you to use any talent that will upset the locals. Up to you whether you want to disguise or not, though if we get one of the local men to help, I suppose there's no point. Unless of course the men helped by dragging away an unconscious body."

 

[tbgg]

I tell Baldhart, "Let me ask you something. Are the members of your party here at the inn all of you?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"There are some who helped rescue the children. I'll have to introduce you to Aliron and Bressel. They're with Branwen. Respectively, a monk of an elven goddess, a man from my mountain--some would call us barbarians--and a child we keep out of town." I keep my voice low, adding, "because of her wings. And talons."

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I hurry to find Cadell in the stables. He's there with Biorn and Llucheden; I give the mare's face a few rubs as I speak.

"Baldhart is about ready to speak with the prisoner. Apparently he's acting suspicious, so Cali and a few others will be joining us in case something goes wrong. We were hoping Biorn could run and fetch Alin and Bressel from outside of town as well."

"Good ideas all around." Cadell nods and looks to Biorn. "You've seen them enough to recognize them, I hope?"

 

[Steerpike]

Badger's Place

The common room remains quiet for the time being, with the two dwarves, Angrim and Rukh, leaving to have a look about town once they've finished their breakfast. They explain to both Rik and Ingeborg that their companion, Brok, who is just outside of town, will settle up for anything they owe. Rik seems fine with this, probably because of their association with the party, and reassures Ingeborg as well.

"They're good for it," he says, and Ingeborg examines the gold piece given to her by Cali and nods. She says "Thank you, Miss--I'll be back soon as I make sure I've got everything I need." Then she exits.

If asked, Rik is also able to confirm that the two guards watching the prisoner with Conal never came in for breakfast that morning, though he's not sure what to make of it.

"Big Sam's been standing outside the door all night," Callan says. "He's a southerner, and a good enough sort. Not like Conal to leave him standing out there so long, but if I know Sam he'll stand there until he drops, unless Conal tells him he can go."

Dalla and the children, including Burnbright, remain at the table in the corner. Burnbright has finished her stories and is listening to the kids tell about what happened the night before.

"...and it was like colors came out of her hand and then I couldn't see and then Dalla was waking me up!" Abbi says, her voice rising in enthusiasm as she tries to match the excitement of Burnbright's story with her own. Dalla shushes Abbi quickly, then whispers something in her ear, and the girl falls silent, abashed.

"And you know what I told you, too," Dalla says to Gunnar, who nods.

But the room is mostly empty, with only Rik having overheard this exchange. He casts a glance at the front door, then back at the group at the table but says nothing.

With Abbi quieted, Dalla turns back to Nissa. "Something's wrong with her heart? Is that why she's so fearless about everything. 'Cause she thinks she's going to die anyway?"

Burnbright looks distressed at the news, and Dalla backpedals from the statement. "I'm sure she's just fine. You've seen how she is. Looks healthy as a horse."

Burnbright looks to Nissa for confirmation.

Callan, meanwhile, is ready to go to the guardhouse and demand to see Conal.

Stables

Biorn is a bit crestfallen at Cadell's reply about the orcs, mumbling about how nothing fun ever happens to him. But when Cadell is summoned by the others he promises to continue taking good care of the horse. When he finds out he's tasked with finding Aliron and Bressel he says "You bet I can!" and, taking some directions from Cadell and Liadan, sets off toward the town gates like a pack of orcs are hot on his heels.

Camp

Brok considers what Aliron and Bressel have to say. "I wish ye both luck with her," he says, still watching Branwen play in icy puddles of water. "We dwarves have long debated whether those such as her are inherently evil or products of their surroundings. Our word rutch--it applies to what we've historically look on as the low races. Not beasts, or nothing like that, but those smarter than beasts that go on two legs like us. Orcs, kobolds, harpies. I can't translate the word directly into your tongue. Closest thing I can say is it means tainted or corrupted, and also dirty. They were made by the lesser evils at the dawn of creation. At least, that's what our lore tells us. These days, Runecasters in particular debate whether that's true. Still, plenty o' my kin follow the old beliefs."

He looks at both Aliron and Bressel, a reassuring note entering his voice. "But a dwarf's oath is more important than any o' that, and the hospitality of our king is an oath from us all. She may not find many friendly faces in the Delve, but she'll be safe."

About the time Brok finishes with this, Aliron hears the distant sound of someone or something crashing through the undergrowth and growing nearer in a roundabout way. Whatever it is isn't overly large, and it's about as stealthy as a pack of gnolls barreling through a glassmaker's shop.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Liadan and I hurry back to where Baldhart is waiting, and let her and Cali know that Biorn is on his way to fetch Aliron and Bressel.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I tell Rik, "When she's done talking, let Nissa know I'm at the prison and may need her."



Nissa

Sighing, I tell Burnbright, "I don't want you to worry. I said Baldy had a heart problem. As in it already happened. Her heart stopped while she was…"

I turn to Dalla. "Sorry. Baldy didn't want me to say anything about this, but Baldy only took the blame for Tommen because it was easier for you to have a person to blame. Everything happened as she confessed to you, but she left out one detail:

"Her soul wasn't in her body when Tommen fell.

"Her heart stopped while she was holding him hostage. I don't know if Tommen shooting her heart made the problem worse, or if by shooting her heart the healers healed the area around her heart and so everything's normal now, which would mean Tommen technically killed her and technically saved her life." I say to Burnbright, "All I'm certain of is that her longevity is as uncertain as anyone's."

Facing Dalla again, I go on apologetically, "I truly am sorry if you would rather not have known. But you asked why she's brave, and her refusal to excuse herself of responsibility for Tommen is part of that. She isn't thinking about her own life when she goes into battle. She's thinking about other people's lives—people like you who kind and loving and see the beauty in children and don't ever set out to hurt anyone."

 

[tbgg]

I tell Baldhart, "The stranger was knocked out when Ranolf first arrived in the room, but he became conscious before Ranolf marched him off to the jail. It seems that your concern is that you do not want the stranger recognizing any of his captors."

"I will need about 20 minutes for creating the physical aspect of my disguise." (Illusionist Disguise Ability)


"Casting the magical aspect will take a few minutes more. The two together will make it more difficult to recognize who I am than either alone would be. I suggest I find someplace private away from the inn to change and that if we meet any Ballarans, you introduce me as Sigrid, a half-elven member of your party. So long as you vouch for me, I don't think the locals should be too suspicious. We'll just say that I am not much of a one for cities or for speaking, and I'll try to find a stick I can use to write in the dirt with." I pause for a moment, thinking about the disguise of Sigrid, then add, "Let's also say that Sigrid is prone to odd behaviors but is harmless and has a fondness for horses, ponies, and the like."

"I should warn you, I am of minimal help in a physical altercation if I can't cast my magic, and I get a bit light-headed at the sight of blood unless I have something to occupy my mind with."

"I am not opposed to leaving Ranolf out of this if you think that best; I am just concerned at the potential for me to be the single point of failure in identifying the stranger. And I think having someone with us who knows Conal well would help us to identify whether the stranger is attempting to hijack his identity or whether Conal is just under the influence of some kind of charm spell." I do not mention my fear that Conal or other guards may be dead.

"I am going to the inn's stables to see if there is an upstairs hayloft with a hidden corner in which I can change into my disguise. I have a mule stabled here, but if 'Sigrid' is a member of your party, she would have no valid reason for being in Uala's stall. Tell me, do any of you have any animal stabled here, and if so, what is its name and what does it look like? If Rik or his boy should catch me once I am in my disguise, my excuse will be that I was checking on it."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"I have a horse, a white mare named Llucheden. But I'm not sure how well that excuse would go over, given I only just finished checking on her myself. From another's perspective it might seem a bit redundant."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"I suppose one of our rooms is as good a place as any, Cali. And don't worry about how exactly you'll support us if there is a fight. You can probably guess what I'll be doing in that situation.

"We can bring Ranolf with us. I haven't spoken to Conal enough to know if he's acting normal or not, aside from that fact I could ask a test question."

 

[Steerpike]

Common Room

Burnbright accepts Nissa's explanation and looks a bit less troubled. Her enthusiasm for telling stories of danger seems to be dampened a bit, however.

Dalla, on the other hands, looks more confused than worried. "What do you mean her soul wasn't in her body? Are you saying she didn't know what she was doing? Or didn't have a conscience? Can you even live without your soul?

"I understand what you mean about Tommen, though." She doesn't seem angry to talk about it, just sad. "She isn't responsible for his choices. I can't help but feel there was some kind of mistake, though. The person you described isn't my Tommen. He wouldn't have worked with the...the kind of people who those things to the children. Once, when I wasn't well, he showed up at the house a dozen times in a single day, each with a new assortment of flowers that he'd been out picking for who knows how long. He brought me fresh bread and stew...and for my mother, too." She swipes quickly at an eye. "I know we've been through this, and there's no need to go down that path again, but it will just never make sense to me."

Dalla straightens a bit when Baldhart, Callan, Cali, and the elves leave the common room. "But listen to me talking about my problems when something important is going on." She motions over Nissa's shoulder, to where Dalla has been able to see what is going on but Nissa hasn't. "The rest of our group just left looking very serious."

 

[tbgg]

I look at Cadell and chuckle. "Not if Sigrid only just arrived from back at the camp and doesn't know you just checked on her. Besides, Sigrid likes horses at least as well as if not better than she likes people, and in a town, they would soothe her because she's uncomfortable in towns."

I ponder the name Llucheden for a moment. I know Elven, but don't use it that much. Finally I ask, "Her name means 'lightning'?"

I turn to Baldhart, my eyebrows arching in astonishment. "Just because you may not pay attention to details doesn't mean that others don't. If Sigrid wasn't with you when you checked in and she just came from your camp, it will look really weird if she just waltzes downstairs and you claim she's with you. Talk about suspicious - that would be extremely suspicious."

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[Ireth]

Cadell

"Yes, it does." I ponder Cali's idea some more. "I suppose that's true. Still, it's rather to be assumed I've been tending to her, given she's my horse. I've also had Biorn, my squire, looking after her while I'm out of town. I think you might be better off taking Baldhart's advice and using one of our rooms."