Some time later a quiet tap at the door disturbs you from your thoughts. You hear a small shuffle of feet outside.
"Atriox..? Are you starting feeling better?" You recognize Dahlia's voice, both sweet and concerned.
"I need to head into town for a few things for Oxious. Tak here needs something too... We were wondering if you would like to come along?"
Atriox stirs from his thinking at sounds from the door
He grunts and struggles to clear his throat
"Please come in."
The door opens and Dahlia pokes her head in. Tak hovers in the hall outside, arms crossed and dressed rather well in koboldan garb as he kicks around at the floor. It's different considering his normal attire.
Dahlia's eyes scan over you, and you see her smile sympathetically at the sight of your scratched chest, bruised arms and wounded shoulder.
"That elemental did a number on you, didn't it?" She walks forward, planting a kiss on the top of your head. Her nose scrunches at the smell of the dish in the room and she tugs the chair closer to you.
"If you're not feeling well enough yet, you don't have to go. Oxious was telling us about how elementals affect the body..."
You realize the tiefling has been silent even to them about the actual cause of...well, at least half your sounds. He is skilled in magic too, after all. It likely came in handy.
Atriox thinks it over. He could keep it a secret but.....it will get out eventually and it's better that they're prepared. Besides he trusts these to so much
Atriox coughs and waves at his brother
"Get in here Tak and shut the door."
Once thats done Atriox thinks for a moment before pushing forward
"I appreciate Oxious discretion when it comes to my privacy but you should know.....this wasn't the elemental."
Tak blanches a little. Dahlia stares at the marks on your shoulder, and realization hits her first. She gulps... Realizing better now why Oxious was so protective of her offering her blood.
"It looks... Painful. Will you be okay?"
Atriox nods knowing what they're thinking
"Its not her fault.....she's having trouble controlling her new cravings."
Atriox groans and rubs his eyes before continuing
" we've learned......that Kora somehow is pregnant......"
Tak's mouth drops open in absolute shock. Dahlia stiffens, a few different emotions crossing her face. She coughs and clears her throat, trying to keep her composure about that interesting development.
"I see... Um, congratulations, I suppose?" She rubs the side of her face, unsure of how to properly address that. You can tell there's some dissonance in the air considering the relationship you both had started to develop before things changed.
Tak finally shuts his mouth, aware that he looks like an idiot. He can't seem to find his words either and just nods emphatically in agreement with Dahlia.
"I can take a look at it, if you'll permit me to?" She gestures at the wound, which Oxious had rather roughly addressed earlier in the day. It is starting to sting again, and you recall her gentle healing abilities from the many adventures you'd been on together in Dragonshore.
You can tell there's no hiding it from her, she's well aware of your relationship with the orc by this point. Regardless of if she assumed Dorokor slept where she pleased, she knew the warrior also shared a room with you for the last few months.
Atriox grunts. He didn't know how he expected her to react but after everything he feels aggravated by her awkwardness or whatever that look was.
He turns his shoulder away from her and stands
"I'll be fine. It's nothing."
He goes over to finish getting dressed and while he does he ask
"Where are we going."
She flinches at the reaction but doesn't seem surprised by it, just... perhaps a little saddened. She knew it was probably better than she deserved given the circumstances. And ... it meant a lot that he felt comfortable telling them about it in the first place. She planned to keep that information in the fullest confidence.
"Oxious needs some fresh ingredients for his alchemy. And I need to replenish some of my materials, so I was going to go see if there was a local apothecary." Dahlia has returned to her confident attitude from before, pretending nothing new transpired here.
Tak mumbles under his breath with a shrug. "Tak just wants to pick up some snacks."
Atriox grunts and finishes dressing himself with a little struggle and some muttering to himself
He grabs his bag and gear and weapon and looks at them with a raised eyebrow
"What are you all waiting on ? I'm not getting any younger."
Dahlia smirks and rolls her eyes. "Of course..."
She leads the way outside the ship and your eyes wince painfully at the sunlight. It burns much more than before, and you realize you haven't properly fed in almost a week. The smell of the fish is rather disgusting but you push past it with the others.
Tak keeps adjusting the strange little garb he's wearing, completely unused to the vest and adornments. He patters about, glancing at the barrels and crates of food being unloaded and brought to the market nearby.
"The apothecary may have something that would help you," Dahlia offers without any guile. "But you don't have to come in if you don't wish to. I shouldn't be too long." She points ahead at a shop with a dilapidated sign hanging on rusted hinges. Painted on the front is a snake wrapped around a mortar and pestle.
Tak hesitates, looking up at the sign himself. "Maybe Tak go... Or Atriox want go somewhere else?"
You smell quite a bit of blood from up the block, the sensation distracting you. It's definitely human in nature. Tak just tilts his head at you curiously.
Atriox gives a faint hearted
"Go on ahead. I'll be back......"
Atriox heads torwards the blood sniffing all the while like a blood hound
He nods, slipping into the apothecary after Dahlia. It's funny to think that they're as friendly as they are now, considering he almost ripped her face off when they first met. Granted, he wanted to do the same to you, so perhaps it isn't all that surprising.
You head down the road, the smell getting stronger. You can sense areas where it was cleaned off the cobbles and swept up into the dirt. The smell hovers all around a roped off house, complete with a shattered wooden door and broken window. You can tell no one lives there now, even though you peer around for a little while. It smells faintly of a syrupy blood as well... something you can tell at this point is definitely Kora's.
".....so terrifying, it's a shame what happened."
You hear voices from around the corner talking in undertones. Focused on them, your sharpened hearing picks up more. It sounds like a handful of men.
"Damn monsters... First the bay and now this."
"Might just have to leave.. pack up and move to Freetown like Jack and his family."
"At least before it was just the harbor. Now those demons are coming on land... Did you hear what it did to Samuel's body?"
"No no, this must be different. Not a drop of blood left, what sea monster does that? Vampire spawn I tell you..."
"Samuel was a good fella, but poor ol' Georgina too... Why?"
"Neck snapped with their arms shattered... Wasn't the robbery gone bad was it?"
"No... I'm sure of that. I know I'm moving before I'm next."
Atriox growls at everything he's seeing and hearing. He's slightly disgusted but turns around and heads back to the apothecary. He knows if he looks at what Kora did he may not be able to reconcile with it......
You approach the building as Dahlia and Tak come out, the little kobold hopping down from the steps with a small pouch of his own.
"Tak gonna go get snacks. Be back, find you later!" He embarassedly scampers off toward the market.
The healer just smiles. "Hope we didn't keep you waiting long. It's nice getting some fresh air..." She walks beside you, glancing once in a while.
"I'm glad you were able to come. You seemed like you have a lot on your mind." Dahlia probes gently, not wanting to upset you.
Atriox nods slightly
"For once I feel the weight of everything bearing down on me. My return to my home that I fled so long ago, I must begin to rebirth the ancient Empire of my kind, and now I'm going to be a father. Not to mention Koras pregnancy issues......just...."
He makes a annoyed grunt
Her eyes drop in sympathy, contemplating your words. The air feels heavy with an incoming fog that seem to match the mood.
"That does seem like a lot to be placed on any individuals shoulders... I can see why it affects you so."
Dahlia looks over the bay where the three ships you've brought shine like jewels in the weak sunset.
"But," She gently puts her hand on your back, "You have a lot of people to help you carry that burden. Many friends. Allies. Your god."
"You aren't ever truly alone. We want to help." A small smile plays at her mouth, sincere and kind. "Let us."
Atriox grunts slightly amused at how she's looking at him
"And how......pray tell.....do I do that ?"
Her hand falls back to her side and she folds them behind her back. The smile still plays on her face.
"What you did today was a good start... Talking. Spending time with others." Dahlia leans forward, looking up at Atriox with a grin. "Not being a hermit."
She tilts her head a little. "When we get there, do what you used to. Give us jobs. Lead us. Guide us. You are not surrounded by idle hands." Dahlia snickers, nudging you.
Her expression softens. "You've mentioned Io before... You believe his spirit is still alive? Even with the tales they tell?"
She absentmindedly and rather affectionately strokes the necklace hanging from her neck, carrying both Willow's tree and another symbol you've seen her wear before, likely a token of her own god
Atriox thinks on it for awhile with a ponderous look
"I don't know. I do sometimes pray to him but mostly out of habbit for what I was taught as a child."
Atriox stops and folds his arms behind his back as he thinks on it more
"I suppose I don't believe he's dead per say. After all if you believe the stories my kind came from his blood. I suppose that means a little bit of him is in all of us. Then there's Bahamut amd Tiamat to consider. I don't think he's gone but I dont think he will ever return in a way thats concious. Does that make sense?"
She nods, considering your words. "Yes, that does make sense I think. I guess... a very watered down bit of him is in me too, then."
Dahlia gives a wan smile, thoughtful. "What are Bahamut and Tiamat to you? What were you taught as a child?"
Atriox looks at her with a raised eyebrow and a small grin
"Someone is feeling awfully curious today. No matter. Bahamut and Tiamat. I was taught the same as most people they are the two halves of Io after he died born inti something new. They represent he duality for good and evil. They are but children compared to there father Io."
Dahlia chuckles. "He sounds like a powerful deity indeed, to have birthed so many mighty beings merely in his bodily death. Including your family."
She bows her head with a chuckle, "Pardon the curiosity, it's been a long trip thus far. Far too much time to think it seems."
Tak bounds up, a better spring in his step. His bag looks far heavier than before.
"Hello again Tak," the healer laughs. "Find what you need?"
The kobold nods mischievously. His vest is askew but he doesn't notice. "Yessss, AND more! Tak happy."
Atriox laughs at Taks excitement
"And what would that be. I want to see what has you so happy Indeed."
He shrugs sheepishly. "Well, Tak uh... Tak..."
"Vele woke up. She moody... Thought Tak bring her and the others some treats to lighten mood."
Atriox gives him a stern look
"Now I'm ok with you taking care of your people but you and Vele know your to be giving each other space. I mean it Tak. I'll let it go this time because she was injured."
He grunts and looks less authoritative
"I suppose I should check up on her as well
Tak's mood quiets a bit. "Y-yes of course. Tak remember." He scratches behind his horn, both of which have grown a little since the start of the trip.
"Tak bought things for all kobolds. No special treatment for Vele. It cheap here... Bait to soft skins. Only coppers, really."
The bag on his back squirms a little and you realize there's something alive in it. He shows a small toothy smile.
Dahlia rolls her eyes with a smirk. "Men..." she mutters under her breath teasingly.
Patting Tak on the head in a motherly way she turns to Atriox. She speaks in a gentle undertone. "Once your visit with the little ones is over, may I speak with you again? About another matter?"
Her eyes look serious but sincere. "Alone, preferably, but I understand if it needs be otherwise."
Atriox looks at her with a questioning look
"I suppose so........come lets go back to the ships. Me and Tak will check in on the rest then I'll find you. Your room perhaps ?"
Dahlia considers that a moment. "Sure. Either is fine with me." With a kind smile she nods, continuing the walk.
Tak follows beside you, adjusting the wriggling sack. "So..." he trails off, your words from earlier still hanging in the air. He tries to give a proper account given his duties.
"Boat doing better. Orcs leave us alone since fight. Tak think kobolds doing well overall, they like this water. Biggest water they seen. Few new hatchlings too, Tak think more soon."
He's quiet for a moment, thinking. "Tak been thinking about what Atriox said. About choice. And family."
His yellow eye looks up at you. "Tak gave them that talk, too."
Atriox looks at his adoptive brother a bit surprised
"You did did you ? And how'd that go ? I'd imagine the idea wasn't a overly popular one."
"Eeeeh..." He shrugs, "You not wrong. Even so, it good for them to hear. To think about."
Tak licks his lips, perhaps a bit unsure. "Tak saw a few listening at least."
You can tell he's thinking about something but he stays quiet. Making it back to the ships, Dahlia waves as she boards the Annabel. You and Tak head to the Nightingale with its freshly patched hull.
Blue kobolds scamper along the dock, much to the grumbling of the fishermen working there. For those with coin you see them carrying back baskets of live eels and fish, crabs and muscles. One is wrangling an octopus with glee, wobbling on the plank heading back aboard.
The pirate sailors above laugh, some relaxing with cards and dice. Several walk the boardwalk, laughing with drink and colorful women.
"Tak think everyone happy to see land again." He pauses as Darr skips by, a white bandana on his neck. He gives Tak a nod and a salute as he carries up a bundle of hay.
"A few others got hurt, but not bad. Water monsters don't worry them much."
Atriox grunts and rolls his eyes
"I'm not. This is the wrong land ! This patch of nothing. Were only here because of that damned water elemental. Now wheres Vele?"
He shrugs his small shoulders, leading you up on deck and then down to the hold.
You spot Vele in the area she was resting before, Tak's bedding molded and twisted into more of a nest. She sits with a book, upside down, and several objects she's been tinkering with.
There is also an egg tucked in next to her and wrapped with Tak's cloak. You realize, strangely, not in the communal nest with the other eggs. From your height you can spot the big nest in the corner, quite a bit busier than before.
She spots both of you and shuts her book quickly, a sheepish greeting on her face. She's still bruised a bit but otherwise looks quite alright.
"Welcome," She fiddles with her tail which is also growing back. It's still small and a slightly different shade of blue, but healthy.
Atriox looks between her and her egg that has Taks coat wrapped around it
He walks closer to her a little stiffly but contains himself
"How are you doing little one ? I trust your fairing better then when I found you."
She nods quickly. "I'm sorry to have caused you trouble. Thank you for saving me."
Tak senses the tension in your body and quietly backs away. He turns on his heel and tries to patter off to the others with his bag of surprises.
Atriox listens to him go and then looks back to Vele
"Do not apologize......you would have done the same for me little one."
"In an instant." Her eyes stare up at you, wide and honest.
"Are we to leave soon?" Vele fiddles with her tail, wondering if you are needing to duscuss something else. Cheers and yips can be heard from nearby, excitement from the kobolds.
Atriox hears the excitement and looks up. He grunts in amusement as he watches them get excited over what Tak brought before looking back at Vele
"Good. Good. Well I'll let you rest I was just checking on you."
Atriox walls off with his arms folded behind his back heading back to his ship
Vele nods in gratitude. As you head toward the stairs, a loud scampering surrounds you.
Looking down, you see the floorboards swarming with centipedes, crawling with their many legs over the ropes, barrels, and your feet.
Kobolds scramble around, completely overjoyed. They pounce upon the insects, crunching the fangs and gulping them down like sugar.
You spot Tak looking smug, shrugging from his seat atop several crates.
Atriox looks from Tak to the floor and back with a horrific look
He looses his dignified manner briefly and hurries out of the hold
You hurry your way back aboard the Annabel, picking off bugs from your armor. Thankfully they can't pinch through your scales.
Sheila stopping you for a moment when she spots you. "Repairs are all made sir! Sweet Annabel good as new. We are set to sail at first light."
She tips her hat back with a smile. "Figure we can hug the coast an' avoid trouble til we get to Freetown. Take a single boat down to Komodori for this booty of yours."
With a smirk and a wink she claps you on the arm. "How's this sound?"
Atriox looks at the captain with a curious smile
"Why just the Annabel? We have three and need at least two for the treasure trick to work."
She raises an eyebrow. "I suppose so... either way, that works! I suppose if there's still trouble leaving here, we could make this our base... Don't wanna chance that monster nabbin' one of our other ships."
She strokes her chin. "I did hear from a merchant during our repairs. Benji Frogwater. Little halfling. Owns several shops in town, rather rich for the area... lost his ship the Jade Lion around the lighthouse yonder."
Glancing at the light in the distance, she continues. "Cost a bit to do the repairs, but he offered 500 gold if we could find out what happened... 'parently his son was on board. He'll double the reward if we can get the boy back." Her eyes light up. "You think the orcs would be able to fight that monster with the proper tools? We could meet up in Freetown after all's said and done."
****
((Side story time....... rofl, just happening in the background))
As the squealing kobolds scamper about on the Nightingale, Tak hops off his crates and lands on the floor with a thump. He picks up a few trampled centipedes, tossing them back into his mouth as others run by thanking him for the fun.
Vele laughs as the green kobold walks over. "That was fun to watch." She snickers, relaxing a little on the blankets.
"You look relieved..." He sits nearby, a toothy grin on his face.
She rolls her eyes, mumbling. "I just... worry. I don't want to upset the prince." Her eyes flick over to the egg beside her, then down at her tail again.
"Hey..." Tak tilts his head, watching her. "Tak don't want you look sad. Or shamed. You been very helpful. You kept to your work. And there no shame in eggs. Tak know why it happened, why the others do what they do. It culture."
"But it's not..." Vele glances at him, then quickly away.
"What? Not from Tak?" He snorts. Glancing around to see who's watching, he quietly puts a clawed hand on hers. "Tak not care. After what Atriox told me..." He eyes the egg, tilting his head. "All the eggs are Tak's responsibility. Hatchlings will know our history. Our culture. Our freedoms. They know their parents."
She glances shyly at him. He laughs. "Tak know you trying. That why you have your egg here, yes? Not in big nest? Tak not care what Darr do." He eyes the other kobold on the other end of the room, in a wrestling contest with three others now giddy on centipede venom. He looks back. "Just care what Vele do. Vele do what makes Vele happy. That what Tak wants."
He scoots closer and picks up the book on the ground, holding it upside down. His confusion makes her laugh and she turns it over in his hands. "Here... What makes me happy, huh? Reading. Teaching you... I was surprised you wanted to learn."
"Yes... Tak does. And what about tinkering?" Tak smirks. He slides his bag over to her and she gives him a look. She takes it and looks inside, her eyes lighting up. "Y-you picked up new things!" Pulling out the pieces eagerly, she drops rope, twine, caltrops, random gears, and all sorts of random scrap.
She looks like she wants to hug him but holds back, hugging her tail instead. "T-thank you. I don't want you getting in trouble though..."
He rolls his eyes. "Tak knows. Tak brought everyone something!" He grins, grabbing another stray centipede and handing it to her. "Vele may have doubts about it but Tak can be clever sometimes! Plus... Tak know they need it."
She snorts. "I know that! I just..." She hesitates, her voice dropping. "He warned me. He was so serious. I don't want to anger him, or disappoint him..."
"Atriox always serious." Tak shrugs. "He not hurt you. Not like Tyranus would do. And..." to her surprise and shock he nuzzles her cheek with his scaly nose. "Tak keep everyone safe. Tak keep *you* safe." She looks scared, but he just looks at her with renewed confidence, trying to hide his shyness.
"This Tak's choice. To Tak, space time is over. Never agreed it was forever. It done. No mater consequences."
****
Atriox thinks about it with some weight
"Very well. I'll tell you what. We'll go on ahead and fetch our objective but leave Ore, Etny, and Oxious here along with one ship and the orcs to deal with it. Ore will get glory and money, et will get to be with Ore, Oxious suffers a little bit, and I get my prize. What a wonderful plan."
He smiles for a moment and then looks a little seriously at the Captain
"See that the orders are given Captain I want to leave this place as soon as safely possible."
Atriox nods amd and carries on torwards Dahlias room
You arrive at her room and come in, Oxious no where to be found. She smiles up from a book she's reading. "Everything go well with the kobolds I take it?"
Atriox grunts and rolls his eyes
"Somewhat I suppose. Tak got them all nasty centipedes to eat and I suspect him and Vele are not following my orders."
She raises her eyebrow, both a little curious and a little mischievous. "Oh really? How so?"
Atriox grunts
"Never mind you. So what have I been summoned for this day my lady ?"
Atriox smiles and gives a mock bow
She rolls her eyes, a smirk on her face as she closes her book. "As you can tell Oxious is not here, although I can assure you I've already gotten permission from him to ask this. He's up in Sheila's cabin at the moment."
Standing and placing the book on the table, she walks toward you purposefully and seriously. "Atriox," Dahlia begins, "Oxious is a little... overdrawn, so to say, from the help he's been giving you and Dorokor. Not any fault of your own," she pauses, giving him a look, "But... he needs help."
She walks over to the desk, uncapping a small bowl that was sealed shut. The odd smelling substance from your room starts to fill hers. "Your mood, your sensitivity to light today, trying to heal from your wounds..." With a glance back at you, Dahlia shrugs. "You haven't been eating as much. I can tell."
"She turns back to face you, her hands behind her against the desk. "You need to feed. I want to help."
You feel the fogginess in your mind calm with the strong smelling poultice nearby. It relaxes you as much as it makes you feel queasy.
"Please, allow me to, Atriox. However it is most comfortable for you. Whether in a container like he brings Dorokor... Or..." She tilts her head and neck to the side somewhat suggestively. "I'm okay either way.
Atriox turns his head sideways and looks at her curiously
"Be careful what you say.......that won't feel to good at all. Sadly I'm not that kind of vampire."
She shrugs. "I'm tougher than I look. And I'm a healer. I can numb it." With a smirk she sits on the edge of the bed. "I've thought a lot about it. Your choice."
Atriox swivels his head to the other side in contemplation.
"Hmmmm.....my choice is it ?"
Atriox uses his supernatural speed to lift her back up and put her against a wall gently.....mostly gently
"What if how I want it is.....a little more...........complex and intimate than that ?"
Dahlia's eyes widen in surprise, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. You can tell this is the last thing she'd expected.
She pauses coyly. "You won't get in trouble for this with Kora, will you? She seems a little... rougher with her bites." With a gentle touch she brushes her fingers against the injury on your shoulder. "And I thought things between us were..." She glances up at Atriox, searching his face.
Atriox chuckles at her shock
" There are a few perks to my condition you know. And as for how Kora feels about this.........I cant speak yet for how......how a child will change her and I's relationship but we were never a exclusive thing as far as I know and your important to me. You will always be important to me. Nothing will ever change that."
He affectionately rubs his head against hers
"I'm sorry I ever made you think I'd stopped caring about you."
There's a tender, quiet moment that passes. "Truly?" A tear rolls down her cheek and she closes her eyes. Rather speechless she nuzzles against Atriox's neck lovingly, deeply breathing in his scent.
"I've missed you."
Dahlia softly caresses the dragonborn's face, tracing his scales and fins with her fingertips. She closes the distance in a deep kiss, passionately drinking him in.
(Fade to black)
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