Shaking, you stand. You need to get somewhere safe. To clear your head. To think of a plan.
Atriox walks into the general area of the temple. His bleeding has stopped but he is injured still and very tired from the blood loss. He has come from a different direction than normal because of where he was at but as soon as he walks into the area he stops dead. His draconian nose twitches. He takes a moment to thoroughly sniff the air and comes to a solid conclusion. Some of his old companions are near and so is the dishonorable tribal human Etny........
He is overcome with rage. Enraged that he was injured so badly. Enraged that he lost his freind Oxious. Enraged that now a traitor is at his temple.....
He lifts his head and opens his maw of sharp teeth and roars as loudly as he can attempting to find his inner dragon
After finishing with his call he stalks torwards the entrance of the temple very grumpily and very determined......
Vele hears the roar. She turns toward the temple shaking from fear. Gulping the lump in her throat, she shrugs off her gear near the entrance and patters inside.
She stands up as tall as she can as she walks toward the fountain... looking for Atriox.
Atriox is kneeling naked in the fountain letting its healing waters wash over him and his wounds. He swishes his tail around in the waters. Feeling a little tingling sensation as it closes the cut on his tail. Finally after a minute he addresses Vele
"Why do you shake so ? Why would I unleash my anger upon you little one ? I trust you have kept things in order here at the temple."
"Yes, sir. I've done my best." She fiddles with her tail, a nervous habit of hers. "The others are making progress in the excavation. We... Have visitors. The others who helped slay Tyranus. They wished to speak with you, but I did not know if... You wished them here?"
She picks at her scales. "I took them to the clearing to the west to wait for your return. They said there was something of vital import to your kingdom? That they wished you no harm... There is also a strange old, healing dwarf with them, as well as some elven youngling. What would you like me to do with them?"
Atriox thinks on it for a moment.
"You did good Vele. I feel only that you have proven what I saw in you. A great leader amongst hundreds of soldiers. I assume they weren't the nicest to you ?"
"They insisted that I moved aside to let them through. That they had a... Right to be here unimpeded." She looks confused.
"I am sorry, Atriox. We are not used to... Having a group take on a previous leader. It makes knowing who to listen to difficult. But we know YOU are dragon kind. We trust you most."
You notice she didn't really answer your question, trying to avoid getting in trouble.
Atriox is pleased by her words of praise but notices she still seems to be hiding something
"I understand. For clarifications sake they dont have that right. Not at this moment. I notice that you hold back Vele. Unburden yourself. Answer my question."
"The huntress and the child were silent. The healer was kind. But I was told by both the green eyed dwarf and the scar faced one to move aside or my life was forfeit."
She cringes, bowing a knee to you. She keeps her eyes and head down. "I fear I should have stood my ground. I tarnished my honor to you. To fight for my tribe, even if I should perish... is better than to let those not allowed into your domain pass unheeded."
She shivers involuntarily. She knew many of her own who died by Tyranus over matters such as these... She was sure it was finally her turn.
Atriox growls deep in his throat sounding much like a beast preparing to strike. He stands slowly water dripping down his body back into the fountain.
"They.......threatened your life ?! And they said that they came peacefully? To tell me something urgently? How dare they! Threatening one of my most trusted
Commanders......the nerve. You did well Vele. Rise rise please, you did nothing wrong. I would rather you do what you did than have to bury you. Now come. Prepare a good host of our troops. Surround our freinds in the clearing. Tell them that I am willing to talk with them if they disarm on the spot and come into the temple. If they fail to do this then there will be no talks. Fight them if you must. Also Vele summon Tak would you ? The three of us need to discuss some future plans."
Atriox gets out of the fountain and looks around. He spots a makeshift throne that the kobolds must have built for him he walks over to it confidentially still wet and very much naked and sits down.......waiting for his visitors.....or news of there death.
She looks up with a good deal of surprise. "Y-yes sir. It shall be done." She dares not push her luck further. Vele leaves the master temple room, and you hear her sound a whistling call outside. Many clawed feet resound on the rocks outside as they scramble to her call, a good deal of yipping and shouting.
---
As a sprinter is sent to seek out Tak at the other camp, Vele leads a charge of a few hundred kobolds back to the grove where the others wait. At her signal, they surround the entire group, weapons drawn.
Talking in the best common she can, she announces with a strong voice,
"Atriox has returned. He speak with you under condition of disarming. You will come to temple unarmed. If you refuse, he will not talk. We will kill you. If you attack us, we will kill you. You may leave or accept conditions. Choice is yours."
Etny raises a hand to her companions. "Let us comply, my friends. It is...it is the only way." (Persuasion 11...bleh....)
Etny begins to sing. The song is soft, subdued, but filled with a deeper calm. She sings in her native Andraya tongue, her voice low and soft, a prayer to the All-Mother. Ignoring the myriads and myriads of kobolds surrounding them, she continues to sing her prayer.
"Ata-Mori
Ata-Mori
Anushka balat miraga
Elohwell silan dumar
Ashayla karaka gagan..."
The kobolds stand, watching. Waiting. They grow antsy at the singing. Vele watches them intently, walking over to Etny as she sings. She stands in front of her, waiting.
When she's finished Vele plants her weapon in the ground. "What your choice, huntress?"
"Einhycacht," she says in a quiet, yet strong voice, un-shouldering her bow, and removing the quiver of arrows, laying them on the ground, and then removing her poleaxe from her back, she lays it down next to the bow and arrows, "when the talks are done, return our weapons to us, and allow us to leave in peace." She turns to Oredion and Alrik, and the others. "Ora, please, my friends, do as they say. No harm shall come to us, so long as none shall come to them."
(7 persuasion......bleh...)
(Awwww poor Andrew xD Your dice... lol)
Petvin holds up his hands as the kobolds approach him, having brought no weapons. He shows them his bag of ingredients as well as his empty pockets so they will trust him. Tucker takes out his handmade knife, nervously setting it down with Etny's bow. He looks a little sick having to leave it behind.
Only because it was Etny asking them to do so, and because he trusts her judgment, Oredion carefully sets down his weapons beside hers. His eyes flare green and he glares at the kobolds nearby, daring them to try anything funny. (Taking Ore for right now since he's afk)
Alrik laughs, throwing his head back. "A futile endeavor... but I'll humor the Dragonborn..." he tosses his staff and dagger into the pile of weapons, followed by opening his coat to show he has no more. "Lead the way, little dragonling..."
Vele flinches seeing Alrik's confident laughter. She glances at his staff on the ground and back at him, slowly walking away. "A-alright. No fast movements, no spells. Or we take you down." She leads the way to the temple, heading down the well worn path.
You all enter into the room with Atriox. Kobolds file in behind you, crowding near the door to watch what happens. They keep their weapons drawn, watching. Waiting.
Etny continues to sing low and soft, a song to the All-Mother. She approaches the make-shift throne with a nude Atriox sitting on it. Her violet eyes scan the room, finally resting on the dragonborn. Within a few yards of him, she ends her quiet song.
She does not bow. She does not speak. She merely watches.
Atriox grunts in response to his song. He thinks about what to say carefully. He feels no need to rush....after all the ball is in his court.
Finally he flicks one finger from the arm of his throne
"Grab a chair.....human. we could be here for a while after all. Last time we met you seemed incapable of reason. I doubt this time will be any different but as a good host I'll give you the benefit of pretences."
All of this said with a mocking rude tone. Hes not glaring......yet......at Etny but his eyes are definitely ablaze
Her eyes are equally ablaze. There is no room for weakness. She is strong. She is Andraya: last of her people, the one remaining of her tribe. She grabs a nearby chair, seats herself, and facing the dragonborn unflinching, folding her hands in front of her, leaning forward, she eyes him, continuing to watch.
Atriox leans back in his throne. He looks away from the human to Petvin
"Come forward my healing freind. I suppose they brought you along as a middle man as it were for these talks ? I hope you'll forgive me. You are a proven freind and I am deeply sorry for the danger you have been brought into. Please grab a chair as well. Sit between us my freind."
Petvin nods, pulling up a makeshift chair. "Pleasure is all mine. You've all done a lot for this town. It's the least I could do..." He sits himself down in it with a small groan, his joints hurting a little from the long march. He cups his hands together, sitting straight. He looks between you both.
"We are here to... peacefully discuss certain events that have happened in Dragonshore recently, I believe?" He eyes Etny with a curious look. "From what I'm aware... she and the dwarf faced something deadly in the forest. They dispatched it, likely saving many lives in the process. Alrik has informed me of more people who have gone missing, namely..." He nods at Tucker. "Some of the children outside of town. Are there more things that need to be discussed this day?"
Atriox nods at Petvin
"The orcs are on the move. They are blatantly attacking people and taking them as well. I have followed up on rumors of the Taker stealing people.....namely children as well. I found out little in the way of information but the search isn't over. Not by far."
He nods. "We all definitely have a stake in this... and the safety of this town. I think we can all agree that this is a common, noble thread among all present here today..."
"We all, myself included, need to put aside our pride and self desires for the time being... there's people missing, abominations being sighted, and children being murdered..." Alrik rubs his temple as he talks, frustrated at the entire ridiculousness of the situation.
"I'm not going to say what Etny did was wrong. Her people, albeit gone from this world, are a proud people... much akin to the Dragonborn. Her kneeling to you, under duress, was a sully to that honor... as the last of her tribe, it is her duty to uphold her family... no, her people's heritage and customs. Surely you can see the reasoning behind her actions..."
(16 persuasion)
Etny continues to watch Atriox--a hunter to her prey. Watching his movements, his facial expression, his body language. Looking behind her, she raises an eyebrow at Alrik. Turning back to the task at hand, she eyes the dragonborn once more.
"Angakresh-arach," she says quietly, with a calm to her voice, "for so I still name you. The Storm Bringer, though premature, has spoken my thought. I regret nothing."
"That aside, I come to you unarmed, and peacably. I wish to make a truce between us."
(12 persuasion...eeeeeehhhhh.....)
Atriox growls in warning looking at Alrik and not the huntress
"You were not there mage. I don't rightly care what you think is fair. I remind you that she had just attacked your freind, my brother ! I was angry and knew nothing about her for she was my enemy.....beaten enemy.Still my enemy. I was well within my rights to make her bow. I point out YET AGAIN that this is not her home ! I invite you all to take a good look around ! This is my home ! My land ! I wont care about her traditions until she proves they are worth respect or I am standing upon the ashen remains of her village. Only then will her.......traditions.....be worth anything to me. Personally I'm pretty sure that the nine layers of hell have better codes of honor and tradition. She has by far not earned that respect. She pledged herself to me and then turned her back on that pledge and attacked me. Aye I attacked first. Aye it's my bad that I didn't set rules before the duel started. I should have foresaw that a human would fight so dirty and shoot me far from where I could fight back. So that was my bad. Trust me it won't happen again."
He now looks at Etny Growling
"You them proceeded.......after all the insults already given......while I was talking to you.......you choose to shoot me in my knee. Do not sit there and tell me it was out of honor human. Its was anger and vengeance in your heart !"
Atriox slams his fist down onto the arm of his throne
(Persuasion 16....matching)
The Storm Mage sighs heavily, again rubbing his temple. "All due respect, Atriox... this isn't your home. This is a temple that you're ransacked and taken over... we've not come here to fight, either with words or weapons. We're here to try and make peace... put all this nonsense behind us... you claim she fought dishonorably, but she played to her strengths of range and distance, but that isn't the point I'm here to make." He waves his hand dismissively.
"Everyone here, with the exception of Petvin, has been a little hot headed... quick to jump to conclusions, make accusations, and draw arms. If there's any hope of saving Dragonshore, and the people it's found to be missing, this squabble ends now..."
He looks Atriox dead in the eye, no illusions of subtlety on his face. It's clear that Alrik is containing his rising anger quite well. His eyes spark, the appearance of a far off stom being reflected appearing quite familiar.
"Bury the hatchet. You're alive..." he points to the Dragonborn, "you feel as if your honor has been restored and the insult repaid..." he gestures to Etny, "and we just want to find his friends..." he rests his hand on the miserable looking Tucker. "As for our dwarven friend here, I'm not sure his stake in all this, but I know I'd rather have him on my side than against me..."
(Since its PC against PC, I'm not making rolls... my score does nothing against how you want to play your character... unless the DM asks for a roll)
"Your land?"
"Your home?"
She raises an eyebrow at Atriox, her voice calm, and steady.
"For all your words on 'pretence,' you are the greatest of them all. You sit here on a makeshift throne, with a makeshift army, and NO claim, except to a dead kingdom."
She eyes the dragonborn intensely. Her voice is still chillingly calm. "You made me bow, because I attacked your friend. I understand this now. But you still had no right. None. No leader should DEMAND respect, of friend or foe. And you do not have mine. That, my dear Angakresh, is why I shot you in the knee."
"And as for this duel....I came, issuing a formal challenge with propriety and dignity, regardless of what said challenge was, and what did you do, as you so aptly stated? You attacked. Immediately. You sought to disarm me. You were given an opportunity to name your terms, the conditions, and bounds of that duel. For," she says, raising another eyebrow, "'it was your right.' But, as is apparent, you did not take that opportunity. Alas, all went as it went. As Alrik has stated, I was simply playing to my strengths at that point."
At Atriox's quip about her fighting dirty from a distance, her expression suddenly changes. With dead flat tone to her voice, and a deadpan look in her violet eyes, she states, "I am a hunter, Angakresh. I hunt. From a distance. And as for pledging myself as your huntress," she sits up now, her eyes very intense, "what was I supposed to do? I bartered my bow for my life to claimless prince. What do you expect?"
She sighs aloud. "You've done honorable things, I will admit that, Angakresh. You've protected this town. You've set up mighty defenses. You've rallied many to your cause. Let us put this behind us."
(Actually... in terms of rolls, I agree. You guys don't necessarily have to roll. This is simply roleplay. However, I've been considering the whole PC vs PC rolls thing...What I would like to suggest, going forward, is that if you make a roll (whether persuasion or intimidation) the opposing PC has to roll as well. If it matches, it continues as rp as normal. If it fails and the roll is lower, whatever the PC has said to you has..... some impact. Has to be some. If it beats it by 1, yes. It still makes a little bit of a suggestion in your mind, a question. Something to ponder. Please feel free to roleplay a little inner monologue as well. Your opponent gets a nat 20? That does NOT mean an auto-success and you bend to their will. Just that it has perhaps, a major affect on your choice. Like "Hey... wow.. I guess that does make sense. I see their point." You still have your agency and can allow your character to do what they will.
As for succeeding against an opponent, same thing... their words hold little or no sway. You can still choose to rp as you see fit, if you feel your character might be moved by them nonetheless. That is your choice.)
(If a roll is presented, please counter roll. If no roll is presented, I may sometimes ask for one. It will depend on the situation. But if a roll is made and is ignored, or does not meet those requirements, I will ask for a revised post to be made addressing those persuasions/intimidations properly.)
Petvin looks between Alrik, Etny and Atriox. "I'm sure we can all see both sides have... valid points... Both for and against the decisions that were made that day." He tries to keep his tone steady, calm and even, although you can see he's pondering all of the information being presented. He laces his fingers together in very concerted thought.
"I sense that despite the end of that duel, you both have come together to find common ground now. You wish to... make peace, I believe? Move past it, and on to better things. More honorable things. No bowing to anyone, or trying to discern truths from lies. I may be a man of faith, but facts can drive the hearts of most men. We have facts... facts of evil on our doorstep. Facts of innocent souls who may only have hours to live. Whom we must find, at all costs. We can most definitely agree to these things, and can address them first and foremost as allies, can we not?"
Atriox listens to Petvin. The dwarfs words settling him a bit.
"They chose well bringing you along Petvin. You have a calming way about you."
Atriox looks down breathing deeply. After a minute he looks up
"What do you suggest ? For the sake of the town I'm willing to here you out at least."
Alrik clasps his hands behind his back, rocking back and forth on his heels, trying to think of how to properly phrase his thoughts into a way that conveys the message without offense.
"Is there any way this whole situation could be put behind us? The hatchet buried, the misdeeds and wrongdoings forgiven, forgotten, and moved past? I will admit, I was wrong about Oxious. I've talked with him and made my recompense. While I don't think we will ever be friends, at least we aren't enemies... I cannot speak for Etny, but I truly believe that what happened between you two was necessary if there is ever to be any level of trust here..." he gestures to the two of you.
"She felt dishonored and lied to, betrayed and forced into submission... so she repaid those thoughts and emotions in your duel. No matter your feelings, you cannot tell someone their beliefs are wrong. You can disagree with them, but you can't take someone's belief system... even the gods can't..."
He throws his hands in the air, a defeated and exasperated look on his face as he exhales a loud sigh. "Basically I'm here to try and tell you... you were right. I was wrong. I made a mistake... and here, now, surrounded by your army in a place you claim to be your home, we have little to no choice but to do what you tell us... it's either that or death, so there... I've said my piece."
Atriox thinks about Alriks words while stroking his chin.
"If you and Oxious have made peace then that is enough for me Alrik. But I must be plain with you I have mo respect for your order. That trial was a shame upon all things of order,rules and laws. Your order blatantly disregarded a witness, two if you include me, they tortured a man before even actually knowing what his crimes were. That is beyond wrong. Punishment comes only after prosicution. Not before. Not when every other option has been exhausted. As your freind I must tell you plainly as your order stands today.....once my borders are set they will have no place in my lands. I dont think I need to add a or else. That being said I name you freind Alrik."
He looks to Etny
"You are a whole different situation. As it sits now there can be no true lasting peace. I find nothing honorable about you and refuse to accept what you claim. I will work with you for the good of the town but past that......you walk that road at your own peril. Here is my offer and it is non negotiable. I will work and help you all to the ends of Protecting this town and even the lands beyond BUT you Etny when traveling with me will not speak or look at me. You will do your thing and I will do mine. Secondly you will stay out of my camps and lands on pain of death without my express permission. I give that permission only for Dragonshore at this time. Past that this deal is off and I will hunt you with everything at my disposal. We may duel again in the future we may not but this is the only way forward as I see it. Do you agree?"
"I accept."
Atriox points his finger to the door
"I trust you know your own way out then. Alrik you may stay I suppose if you wish it. You said something about having important news for me and my domain yes ? Let's here it then.Dwarf I suggest you go with your human huntress. Dont let my makeshift army bite you on the way out. I hope my makeshift temple doesn't crumble on you !"
Atriox shouts as a taunt
Atriox gets up and walks over to his gear. Retrieving one of the platinum coins he found earlier he walks over to Petvin and gives him the coin and holding his other hand out for a shake
"This is my donation to the temple. I hope it helps my freind. And I sincerely apologize that you got dragged into all of this."
Petvin stutters, looking from the coin back up to you. He nods, pocketing it nervously. "Y-yes. Thank you. It's fine, I was happy to help, for whatever help that was considered... we... are all really grateful for you all. Everyone in town I mean. Things have really turned around in the last month." He looks at everyone in the room, and back at the floor. "I'm sorry things are difficult now, but please know we wish you all the best. May Pelor shine his light on all of your paths, wherever they may lead."
He lets go of your hand, shaking Alrik's, then tentatively steps outside. He walks with Etny, eyeing the hungry looking kobolds with their pointed swords. They head back to the first camp area where the gear was so she could retrieve her things.
"You did well... you stood behind your beliefs. It is hard for people to do that in this world. You have a strong heart, huntress. I could tell that the first time I met you, dragging that poor bastard to our door half to death." He can't help but chuckle slightly.
Alrik shakes his head. "Nothing that hasn't already been stated. Children missing and turning up dead. A strange creature nearly killing those two..." he points at Oredion and Etny as they hurry out.
He touches Tucker on the shoulder and gestures for him to begin walking to the exit as well, following a couple feet behind. When he gets to the door, he pauses, looking at the ground and chewing his cheek trying to decide if it's worth saying... finally, he looks over his shoulder, a sad look in his eyes. "As well as Zinnia is still missing... and the blacksmith's son. Perhaps they'll matter to you as much your throne and ruling..."
He walks out without waiting for a response
Tucker walks beside Alrik as they leave, skirting around the kobolds leering up at him. He swallows, trying not to show any fear. He feels naked without his knife in his pocket. It's incredibly difficult, neigh impossible for him to summon magic without it. At least, that's all the experience he's had up until this point.
Once out of the main threat of the wide, staring eyes of the small reptilian army, he mumbles to Alrik, "Damn you adults are so complicated."
"You're telling me, Lad... if I could choose between this crap and being young, I'd go run off and live in the orphanage in Winterhold all over again..." he tousles Tucker's hair and points at the pile of weapons. "Go get your knife..."
He jogs over and scoops it up, stuffing it hurriedly back into his pocket. "Yeah... the more I see of the world the less I want to deal with all the crap in it. Why can't the world be black and white... it's stupid. Kill the bad guys, save the good guys." He kicks a rock down the path. "To be honest I wanted to burn half of those fetching kobolds. Not that I can control magic well enough to do it. I just..." He grips his hands tighter. "I dunno. It's stupid. All of this feels so stupid. I just... I want my friends back. They're the only family I have."
"I know, Tuck... I know... I dunno about you, but this has been a stressful morning already... let's go get some lunch down at the docks and go lose some money gambling..." he bends down grabbing his staff and own dagger, sliding it into the sheathe on his belt.
Tucker nods quietly, heading off after you. There's definitely a lot to think about, and a lot more to do on the horizon.
Alrik...
Tucker follows you back in silence. The two of you make your way to the docks by late afternoon, the setting sun bathing the bay in molten gold. You each have a sandwich and some bottles of juice with you now. Swinging his legs over the side of the warf the teenager chews his food thoughtfully.
"You get into some crazy shit, Alrik." He stares hard at the horizon. "All this crap about wars... monsters... honor... It's too complicated." He tosses a bit of bread to some hovering seagulls, watching the dive and fight over the trivial morsel.
"But despite all of this, I... I appreciate your help. I haven't been able to really trust someone else since Trundle took me in. Someone that has my back. Even the others, I... they're like family to me and I feel responsible for them. But trust is different. Ya know? I probably sound stupid, sorry." Tuck shakes his head, tossing another piece for the birds to battle with.
Alrik nods, chewing some of his sandwich. "I know, lad. Trust is a hard thing to come by. It has to be earned, and it's lost easier than a speck of dust on the wind."
He throws a small bit of bread into the water as well, smirking as the birds fight over it. "Just like those birds fighting over the bread, adults fight over things they want or need..."
The birds squawk, one almost losing its momentum and falling into the water down below. It swerves away from the surface at the last moment, a very large, hungry fish barely missing dragging it down into the depths.
"Sounds like kids that never grow up." Tucker grumbles. He glances sidelong at the mage. "Earlier you were either really good at bluffing or you were damn ready to pop that little lizard brain's head off. That was sick. I liked it." He takes another bite of sandwich. "But then you pussyfooted around with the big naked one. Like I get it but, I dunno. It's hard to read you." He scratches one of his ears, letting out a sigh. "If adults fight over stuff so much, what do YOU want or need old man?"
He chuckles. "Old man, huh? I guess that's what all apprentices call their instructors..."
He shrugs, watching the birds. "If I'm being honest, I'm not sure what it is that I want... I just got out of active duty and wanted to do what I wanted..." he laughs again. "Problem is... I'm not sure of what I want. I... I've followed orders and fought for so long, it's just second nature to me at this point. I'm still learning to do my own bidding..."
He sets down the sandwich and takes a drink of his juice, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "As for the kobold and Dragonborn dealings... the kobold was in my way... and I was losing patience with her. Atriox was my goal... I was trying to make peace with him, but it didn't go exactly how I was hoping... he's too blinded by his own wants and desires to see anybody's opinion or side but his own. I hope that somehow, something, can make him see he isn't the only person that matters in life... that his kind isn't better or worse than anyone else... that everyone should be treated equal... that just because someone disagrees with him, doesn't mean they're wrong..."
He looks at Tucker and smiles, tousling his hair. "Basically I think he has some growing up to do... like you said, kids that never grow up..."
Tucker shrugs, blushing a bit in embarrassment at the friendly contact. "Yeah, well..." He snatches another bite of his sandwich, talking while he chews. "I don't think I've ever seen an adult act grown up. Except Trundle, but... he's like, way, way old. Like ancient." He swallows, continuing. "Personally I think the kobolds are creepy. I don't know why they're suddenly helping the city now. It feels weird. Twitch, his dad was killed out in the forest by them earlier this year. They were coming down from Aren and--" he draws his finger across his throat. "Little bastards almost got Twitch too but some other guy grabbed him and ran. Dropped him off with us. Wouldn't talk for a while, so we called him Twitch."
He loses his appetite talking about one of his friends and grows silent. Tucker tosses the last of his sandwich over into the water. Diving for it, one of the birds is swallowed up by the large fish... a great deal of cawing and squabbling ensues as the rest fly away to safety.
"Well, you're not wrong... it takes people different time periods to grow up. Hell, even I still struggle with things. My temper, snap judgements... trust..."
He too tosses the remnants of his sandwich into the water, watching it bob up and down before disappearing into a creature's mouth. "All I'm saying is that there's probably a good bit of learning for everyone to do... myself included."
"I guess." Tucker leans back, resting his back on the dock with his arms behind his head. He watches the lazy clouds drift by.
"Once we... find the others," Tucker swallows, as if not wanting to consider the alternative, "Will I be going back to the orphanage?"
"That's up to you, really... you haven't signed the transcript yet, so you aren't obligated to continue your lessons with me." He rolls his neck, popping it a few times and taking a deep breath that he exhales as a sigh.
"It comes down to what do you want out of life... do you want to grow up at the orphanage and try to make a life for yourself here in Dragonshore..." he looks at Tucker, a small flicker in his eyes. "Or do you want to make yourself into a mage, capable of controlling magic? Able to find work nearly anywhere? To travel and see parts of the world you never even dreamed of?"
He's quiet. You can see the conflict in his eyes. For such a young kid, the years of trial have definitely have taken their toll... Forced him to grow up too soon.
"I want to take care of others. I guess if I learn more, I can do that better. Right? I can be stronger?" Tucker looks torn. "But...I'd have to leave. Let me train for now, I guess. Let me think."
Alrik nods, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Well then keep practicing!" He points at the remainder of Tucker's juice, a small bolt of electricity jumping from his fingers and changing it to a bright green color.
Tucker looks at it and laughs. "What's that taste like now? Better not be meat juice."
"No, it's not. It actually will taste like my favorite fruit from the desert. Give it a taste and tell me what you think!" He smiles at the genuine laughter from Tucker
The kid smirks and gives it a sniff. It smells safe enough, and he squeezes his eyes shut as he drinks.
His eyes open. "W-woah." He looks at the bottle in his hand. "That's... That's delicious! I've never tasted those flavors before..." Tucker looks genuinely confused but delighted. The notes of kiwi, pineapple, mango, and tropical berries are sweet and tart, and nothing like what he's ever had at the orphanage.
Alrik smirks. "You like that, eh? They call it Vojilla. They do all kinds of things with it. Juices, pies, puddings... even drying it and making tea. I once found a trader who had cigarettes infused with them..."
Tucker drains the rest, savoring every drop. "That sounds delicious. I would like to try that someday... Like for real if I could." He stares at the bottle. "It'd be nice to show the others, too.
You and Tucker head back to your cabin, hoping to get some rest for the night. Exhausted, he falls asleep almost instantly in a bedroll on the floor.
You lay in your own bed thinking for a while. A lot has transpired in the last month... Even just the last few days. The contract from Jandree for you and Tucker sits on a table nearby, and you can't help but glance at it as you fall asleep.
You dream.
A powerful storm rages around you. You are lost in the buffeting wind and swirling rain. You can't seem to tame this one. Like a wild bull it thrashes and spins you around, untouchable by the weave.
Your scar burns bright blue. It cuts through the storm. In the intense light you can spot a figure in the gloom. A woman. She is in shadow but her smile flashes your way. You would know that smile anywhere.
In an instant you're laying on a cold, hard floor. The roar of the sea feels distant. A chair sits nearby. The room is oppressive. It smells strange. You turn and see Trak'skulan above you, his death mask of a face split into a terrifying grin. He holds a bone spear over your head.
"Tell me your secrets...."
His voice hisses out like dust from a grave. You try to block the spear with your hand but it skewers right through your draconic scales and into your heart. A roar escapes you.
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