Dragon's Egg - Side Treks

[Nihal]

"Gnolls!"

I allow the dazed elf a break to work the meaning of the word, offering the wine again. "Warmth." Whenever he drinks it or pushes away I put it inside my backpack while saying, "Gather your things, we don't have time. Independently of what we will do we must be there before them! Did you gather everything? Great!"

I take his hand and push again, determined to only explain when we are moving at a satisfying pace.

But what should I say? I don't know what I want yet. What can be told without ruining all the possibilities?

"Gnolls. Aslaug... My head hurts only of trying to remember what the gnolls said to you they would do. If they want lands above everything we shall discover now, because I know what she instructed them to do. We can avoid the entire conflict!"

We?

I take a breath and continue, "Burnbright's necklace, I need it. It's enchanted, a complex spell. I wasted a good part of my night musing this small secret out of it, night and effort, but I told no one. You happened first." Breath. "Aslaug 'lost contact', Burnbright herself might have alerted the others about the necklace and they used their brains for a change. If they didn't discarded it I can try to use the thing to throw Aslaug off the girl's trail, after the gnolls are gone. And they'll be gone if they don't find her, them."

I glance over my shoulder, winking at him. "Knowledge is power."

 

[Ankari]

Mauve shoves a skin of wine in my direction, the liquid sloshing about with enticing grace. "No thank you, little mage. I don't drink."

We stumble through the woods at a quick pace. Rather, I stumble and she pushes. The false dawn breaks the land of its colorless slumber, revealing grays and whites and two weary figures cutting a path through the stillness with the grace of tumbling boulders. "You intend to throw off Aslaug's gaze? That is well, but what of my meeting with the gnolls? The sun is nearly up, and Ghendra gave me his word. Do they move against the village?"

 

[Nihal]

"Yes. Possibly. Didn't you hear me?

"The gnolls believe Burnbright is going west. They aren't sure. Their camp was stirring, they will search west after Arendal so we must outrun them and make sure the children are safe before they arrive the town. They have a mission and no gain in wasting time with Arendal, they will search the town and leave if no one is found." I chuckle. "Isn't it ironic? All those pathetic villagers must do is hide. Problem solved.

"Ugh, I need a rest," I mutter and keep moving at the same pace.

"See—" I glance at Ankari, making sure he's following my thoughts. "—I am not eliminating the possibility that everything was staged by Ghendra and Aslaug, so a second plan must be made. Well. I will leave this for these idiots, and decision of hiding or fighting like the big simpletons they are as well. I do not care. But they must be alerted, for Burnbright and Branwen's sake, and the necklace must be taken care of."

 

[Ireth]

Into the woods again

Cadell

I make my way carefully across the trap-strewn areas, out toward the woods to the north and west. With luck I may not encounter Mauve and Ankari at all -- I dread what may happen if I do. Will they try to stop me? I must keep as quiet as possible to avoid that if I can.

 

[Steerpike]

((Unless the players are traveling the same path, there is really not a great chance of running into one another in the woods at night. I'll put it at 20%:

[1d100] = 76

With that roll, they don't meet each other, so Ankari and Mauve are unaware that Cadell has set out and are presumably returning to Arendal))

Cadell rides slowly, his mount picking its way through the thick woods. He eventually comes to the stream and turns north, toward where the gnoll encampment was. Before he reaches the location of the camp, the horse whickers nervously and a low growl emanates from the wood. The reflection of a pair of eyes preceded the emergence of a dark shape from the woods. It is a warg, the silhouette of a goblin atop its back. The goblin wields a crossbow, which is leveled at Cadell, but it does not fire as it edges the warg forward. The goblin calls out a challenge in its high, yet rough voice, and casts a quick glance back over its shoulder.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I halt when a growl sounds from the woods ahead, and eye the goblin rider who approaches with a loaded crossbow aimed at me. I raise the hand not holding Llucheden's reins, calling out, "Parley! I come in peace, to speak with Ghendra." I hope this goblin understands the human tongue; at the very least the name of its leader should tip it off.

 

[Ankari]

"Very well. A second plan never hurts. But I need to keep my word." After all, what is a man if his word is worthless? I hope I never have to ask that of Ghendra.

"Have you ever thought why Arendal never aided Srilikind? They have a militia, a professed follower of a suicidal pixie queen, and a priest. Well, they had a priest. Between Srilikind and the Arendal militia, the gnolls would have been crushed." The swelling anger warms my limbs. "What is the greater crime? Apathy, or cowardice?

"I hate the north, little mage. These people speak of strength gathered from years of harsh living in an unforgiving climate. They are as strong as mewling goats catching the scent of wolves.

"What is the deal with the rest of the group? Why did my slaying of a priest bent on slaying Branwen put them off? Is it because I didn't formalize the slaying? Should I have decreed my intent, held a meeting with my peers, march him through a grave procession to his death site, then kill him? Would our company have been content with that?

"Don't worry, little mage. It has been a long night, and I am grumpy by the slow pace of the moon and the lazy sun refusing to wake. I'll keep my sharpened words in their quiver, and the endless fires of my soul from rekindling."

Although I am aware of my gibberish, I let it dribble forth. This frozen night needs some marking to distinguish the passage of time. My words will suffice.

 

[Steerpike]

The goblin stares at Cadell a moment, its features barely visible in the dark. The name "Ghendra" seems to have an effect, and the creature lowers his weapon. He looks over his shoulder again and a second goblin, this one on foot, emerges a moment later. The two exchange words in their harsh tongue, and the second goblin turns and dashes into the trees.

Moments later, the loud sounds of movement approach through the forest. Ghendra emerges, shield in hand but his weapon sheathes. He is flanked by two gnolls and trailed by the second goblin. He says a few words to his allies, then says to Cadell, "We meet again. Well-met, I hope, elf. I have done as I said, and attempted to talk our Lady out of a blind attack on the village. We are to search it, looking for her daughter, but if we find no one, we will leave. I am well aware the child was moved, and I am doubtful that she has returned to Arendal. Is this what you've come to learn?"

 

[Ireth]

((Since it hasn't been said one way or the other, I'm going by the assumption that Ghendra has not received the message Baldy sent with Batos via Ankari.))

Cadell

I breathe deeply to steady my nerves as Ghendra comes to meet me. "You will not find Catli in Arendal. We know what you have been using to track her this far, and it will not aid you anymore. Since you cannot fulfill your objective in capturing her there, I would ask you once again to retreat from this place and harm no one." The rest of Baldhart's message can wait until Ghendra answers this.

 

[Steerpike]

Ghendra sighs and shakes his head. "I cannot retreat. As I said before, if we find the village empty, we will harm no one. I have no orders to destroy Arendal. But you must understand my point of view as well - the child could easily have been returned to the village. I have instructions to search for her there, and cannot simply ignore those instructions based on your word, even though I am inclined to believe you. We must search the village. If it is empty when we arrive, then this will end with that search, at least for now. Aslaug has lost her connection to the child, and she cannot send us to retrieve her if she has no idea where she is."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I narrow my eyes. "How would you define the village being 'empty'? Is it simply that Catli would not be there, or do you say we should evacuate the entire population to ease your search? I doubt the villagers would stand for that. Know this: if you attack Arendal, you run the risk of killing the only person who knows where Catli is at this moment."

 

[Steerpike]

Ghendra says: "Aslaug's orders were not specific, though if we find any villagers left in Arendal we are to find out what they know, by any means necessary. But she will not know whether we will find anyone, will she? But I do not expect the villagers will stand idly by while we search, either, and that is something we must do. If you cannot evacuate the village, can you convince them to allow the search? We will conduct it without attacking, if you guarantee the safety of my war band on your own oath."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I consider this, still breathing deeply. "I will speak to the people concerning this, and do my best to persuade them to allow the search. If you can promise me that you and your band will harm no one and damage no buildings even when and if you question them about Catli, I will see to it that the same courtesy is shown to you.

"But there are things I wish to know. When we last spoke, you said you would consult with Aslaug in the morning concerning the matter of Arendal. Yet you told the girl called Sinda that Aslaug is in Verstenn Hold, which I know to be two weeks' travel away or more. How is it that you intended to speak with Aslaug over that distance at such short notice?"

 

[Steerpike]

Ghendra bares his teeth in the manner you have seen previously, though you're still not quite sure whether it is a smile. "Aslaug has ways of communicating over distances. She has tremendous power. I should warn you of that, I suppose, since you seem bent on opposing her. Where my people will be aligned when that time comes remains to be seen. I have much to consider, but must continue with my tasks for now. I spoke with Aslaug just this morning, and I counseled her against an outright assault on the village, as I said I would do."

"I will instruct my war band to harm no one. If you can grant us safe passage during our search, I will leave the wargs outside of the village. The beasts cannot be trusted in a village of humans, and should they decide to attack the riders will not be able to prevent it. They are bred for war. I do not know if you have seen a warg in battle, but they are fearsome to behold, and if one of them loses control the others will soon follow."

He sighs. "I am weary of death, I admit. Though I will continue the fight for my people, whether through words or if necessary by the sword. Tell the village of this conversation. We will slow our advance. If the villagers agree to a search, we will enter the village under safe passage and leave our wargs and their riders in the woods."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod slowly. Perhaps Ghendra was being truthful after all. When he mentions the ferocity of wargs, my jaw tightens. "I know much of their savagery. One could say I learned it first-hand." I raise my gauntlet-clad stump and flash a tight smile. Who knows, maybe humor could help.

"I will say this, however, before any searching or discussion is done in the village. Have your gnolls leave their weapons behind outside of Arendal, if you truly come with no intent to harm the villagers. At least as much as you can... claws and teeth are hard to remove and replace again, I gather." I try a smile again. "But those should likewise be kept to yourselves, not used to harm."

 

[Steerpike]

Ghendra gives you an appraising look. "That is a wound courageously received, and you have fared better against wargs than most who run afoul of them. Most men would flee rather than face them, though perhaps elves are different."

"I cannot ask my band to lay aside their weapons. We have no intention of fighting unless forced to. I think you believe this. But I am responsible for those under my command. Already one trap has been planned for us, under the guise of parley. You brought word of it yourself. Can I ask my band to step into the village unarmed? I think not. Both sides will be armed, should there be any treachery."

"Srilkind was a mistake. I told Aslaug at the time that a brutal attack would merely harden the resolve of these men of the north. But she was adamant. She was much more easily convinced to leave Arendal alone, except for the search. My feeling is that she had reason to hate Srilkind, or at least some of those in it. Perhaps she had dealing with them in the past."

"But here it is different. There is nothing in my orders to mandate a slaughter, nothing that leads to inevitable battle. Let us come and search under the terms I have offered. Should any of my band break my oath to you, I will cut them down myself. I expect you will do the same should any on your side violate our safe passage. This can be done without bloodshed. You and I must see to it."

 

[Nihal]

Mauve and Ankari

"Oh, Ankari," I groan, coming to a halt as he talks of keeping his word, "Bear in mind that contacting the gnolls will reveal we are still here. We, the people who know where Burnbright is heading—or if she is still close. Choose carefully." I give him a moment.

"Lead the way. I have no qualms over any choice you make, Arendal holds no importance to me. Frankly, I do not care if a battle happens in this cursed town." I let go of his hand, yawning and following him in whatever direction he takes. "I do not mind the talking either."

"I can relate to your hatred. Not that every single part of the North is like this, and given what I have heard the mainland is not any better. I do not know if in the religious sense, but particularly for people like me." My lips curl in a tiny smile. "Why does religion bother you so much? It is only an excuse among many. They could condemn us over morals. Over honor. People are vicious beasts regardless of their religion, all they need is an excuse.

"So do our friends. You did not ask them first, indeed. If it was about endangering the group I would understand, but it is about doing something big without their consent and making them look bad in front of the population. That's how it works, Ankari. The majority is right, is good, the others are evil, no matter how absurd or unfair it is. You fought by their side, saved their lives, therefore you deserve a chance to explain? Hah, keep dreaming."

((Post written in tiny bits on phone. It might read a bit weird.))

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I am quiet for a while, considering this. Baldhart's message still burns in my heart, but I fear that to speak it aloud would only incite Ghendra to bring battle upon us. And yet... leading the gnolls to the village for a search would mean leading them right into the traps the village laid, and bringing cries of treachery down upon me. Me, who is supposed to be the honorable one. But then again, the gnolls already knew of the traps from when last we spoke. Have they so quickly forgotten? Should I be the one to remind them?

I let out my breath in a hiss. What can I say now?

"The villagers must have their say before your people come any closer to the village. I will return to them and discuss these things. But after Srilkind, I am not optimistic that they will allow the search. The lives of innocent men, women and children used as leverage to find one girl is the most savage thing I can conceive of. No doubt others will agree. But despite all this, the villagers believe that you and your folk should be treated with honor, and not be repaid butchery for butchery. If fighting does break out, then prove that you are honorable, and do not order a massacre. Leave the homes and shops intact, and do not root out those in hiding; face only those who are armed and ready to fight."

 

[Steerpike]

Ghendra nods, albeit slowly. "We will wait one additional hour. I hope you will also use the time to persuade as many as possible to leave Arendal for the time being. I will not order a massacre, but I will not have members of my band killed while hesitating, trying to determine friend from foe, combatant from non-combatant. War is a dangerous business. We will not attack children, nor will we attack men and women who are clearly unarmed and fleeing. Any who are hostile to us, in whatever way - well, you understand my band has to defend itself. Let us hope that cooler heads prevail this morning."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Ghendra offers me another hour to get the people ready. I nod. "Thank you for that. Though if I may say so, determining fighters from non-fighters should be easy. Fight only those who challenge you openly, not those who falter or flee."

I draw myself up in the saddle. Best not to waste my small, precious hour. "Goodnight, then... or good morning, perhaps."

I turn Llucheden back toward Arendal, remembering as I leave Ghendra behind that the pendant of Gefjon is still around my neck; I should not let it lead the gnolls back to the village in search of Burnbright. I pause to take it off when I come to the stream, well beyond sight of the gnolls, and I smile as I toss the necklace away. The necklace hits the water with a splash, presumably to sink to the bottom and stay. Sighing, I urge Llucheden onward again, as quickly as I dare in this dark night.