Etny, unsure of whether to close the distance to her friend or not, hesitates. She does not know what has happened to the dwarf, nor does she care to. She witnesses him wretch, and tremble.
*Shiza! I must go to him, now!*
Etny rushes forward, going to the ailing dwarf. She is blood soaked, wounded gravely, and exhausted. She doesn't care at this point though...she approaches Oredion, and cradles the dwarf in her arms.
"I am here, elenn. I will not leave you. The battle..it is over...," she whispers in his ear.
Oredion trembling violently and exhausted turns to Etny to see her covered in blood and hurt. His eyes widen and he talks in a ragged breath.
"Et.. I don't know what's going on. Did... did I do that? I remember killing... everything."
Oredion looks down at his trembling blood soaked hands. He does not remember everything, just vague glimpses of what happened. In these glimpses he sees himself slashing threw everything whether it be allie or enemy. He sees himself chase Etny with intent to kill. He raises his head and looks around at the bodies surrounding him and sees that many have been failed by axes... his axe. He starts to try and wipe the blood off of himself feverishly. He becomes lost in daze trembling and scrubbing the blood off, but it won't come off quick enough. He starts to scream unintelligible words in dwarven and his eyes start to fade into the back of his head. He slumps over unconscious and... scared.
Alrik sees Oredion collapse, and he breaks into a run, gasping and heaving as he's exhausted already, but seeing his friend fall, he casts aside his own wellbeing and moves as fast as he can.
Dropping to his knees and sliding the last few feet, he grabs a dirty rag from the battlefield and cleans it, the blue energy flowing across the fabric and removing all traces of dirt, blood, and other various things. He begins wiping the blood off the dwarf, checking him over for severe injuries. (10 medicine...)
Etny watches as the Storm Caller races up to her and Oredion. With tears streaming down her face, Etny looks pleadingly to Alrik.
"I-Is he going to be alright, Alrik? Is he going to die?"
She also attempts to scrub and wipe the blood off of her friend, helping Alrik.
(Bleh...9 medicine)
@Collin J. L. Robinson
Oreidion...
You drift into an uneasy dream. One of rage, blood, and the screams of your family from far, far away.
You turn around, and see yourself facing Gruumsh again.
He stares down with his one good eye, glaring. Imposing. Then a smile grows. It cracks his face with malevolent exuberance.
"You surprised me, dwarf. Different method... But still, a bloodbath in my name. True rage...Well done. You've earned my favor back."
He flickers out of existence... A bear now in his place. The animal looks just like the one you slew in White Birch. It stares, breathing heavily on you through its open maw. There is an axe wound, a scar, right across the shoulder of the beast. It's also missing claws on its left paw.
It growls before it roars like a massive waterfall. Then contorts into a werebear, staring down at you in green flames. But....
It can't seem to move. It can't touch you.
A magical smell surrounds you in armor. It smells of rain in winter time. Exotic fruits and crisp mint. You meet the beast's gaze.
Alrik shakes his head, sweat pouring down his face as he draws in ragged breaths. "I... I don't know, Etny. There is so much blood. I don't know where it came from..."
Again cleaning the cloth with magic, the blue energy squeezing all the blood and gore off the rags he continues wiping it across the dwarf in a fevered panic.
(@Aubrey Burmaster )
Atriox looks around some more, seeing all the bodies he cant help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness.......so much death....for what ?
Atriox walks torwards where all the healers are to check on his people. Scared to find out the condition of everyone he cares about
Etny rests a hand on Alrik's shoulder. "Stay with him, please, Alrik. Do what you can for him. I am going to find the prince, and see if there's anything he can do."
She rises, gripping her injured shoulder. She makes her way over to where all the hearts and injured are. She spots the prince standing, brooding, and sorrowful.
Respectfully approaching him from the side, she says, "Atriox, may I heal you?"
Atriox gruffly nods just to appease the Huntress. He does not feel like he deserves the healing
Etny reaches out and gently rests a hand on Atriox's shoulder, her fingertips lighting up. Soft, invigorating energy passes from her hand to Atriox, filling him with vitality and life.
She senses that despite her healing touch, the prince is still filled with an aching sorrow, and a gripping worry for those he cares about.
Etny relinquishes her healing touch, and speaks gently in the draconic tongue to Atriox.
"You have fought bravely and mightily this day, Prince. You have lead your troops admirably, and have taken shrewd action against your enemies. I laud you, Prince. Do not despair: all those who have given their lives have done so with great honor. Above all, though, you have such honor, Prince." She looks down, gripping her wounded shoulder. "I was mistaken beyond word to not see it."
She averts her eyes, looking into the distance. "Wilt thou forgive a lowly huntress?"
Atriox grunts in his usual manner but a half smile forms on his lips...albeit still a sad one.
"There is nothing to forgive huntress. We both shared mistakes and we got distracted. This town has suffered because of it. Our men....payed the price for out infighting. I cant help but feel that in some way I failed.......but that's my burden to bear. Excuse me Etny.....I must go check on a few freinds."
He nods in her direction and begins to head torwards the healing area again
After Atriox gets a few steps away he turns back to the huntress
"Etny.....? Thank you for the healing and kind words. You fought bravely. I am honored that you were here."
He turns back around and leaves her
"I shall help with the healing, as best I can, Prince."
Etny, feeling a new little lightness to her steps, makes off to help where she can with healing the wounded.
@Aubrey Burmaster You walk forward toward the town, the injured far outnumbering the healers scrambling to accommodate. The humans and orcs are tending to their own soldiers first, the kobolds mostly helping one another--not used to human assistance like that anyway. A few koboldian shamans walk around, assisting their own. The smell of blood and death is overpowering, and although you've feasted on Kora's blood to heal yourself... part of you still feels the draw and craving from the scent. It makes you feel rather sickened to experience.
Cere is sitting with Petvin, helping the priest with the injured. They are overseeing Commander Ironfist, a grim look on their faces. He looks mortally wounded. Civilians start coming from town aiding with stretchers and supplies from their own homes. You spot Tank nearby sitting with his head in his hands. He looks up at your approach, eyes red and puffy. It looks like he'd taken several spears and arrows to the chest and stomach when he charged, but his armor took the brunt of most of them.
"H-hi Atry." He clears his throat, trying to not look so morose. You see he's beside Zeed and Nathaniel, each laying on the ground un-moving. The earth is soaked red.
Atriox approaches slowly torwards Tank looking at Zeed and Nathaniel
"Tt-ank........how are they.....please tell me they're not gone...."
"Uh.... They..." His eyes threaten tears but he clears his throat again. "Nate... didn't make it, boss." He got knocked from the cart when the crossbow broke. He..." The minotaur shakes his head, unable to say more. You can see his body is broken, likely crushed under the wheel of the cart. He has wounds that show he fought for some time after, til his dying breath.
Tank looks at the aarakocra. "Zeed, he, uh... he alive. He almost wasn't." Wringing his hands he continues. "He took a hit for me. Someone was coming up behind Nate and me, and uh... he turned and blocked with his wings... One of them dragony healers came by to help but... he's not good." You suddenly realize that, Zeed on his back, doesn't have his wings tucked behind him anymore. They're gone. He's resting on some sort of poultice, trying to stopper the blood and prevent any infection.
"She said she be back to check, but they so busy. She went that way to help little guy. I... just watching them. Been helping bring people over but... So tired now."
****
Oredions fingers start to twitch as he slowly wakes up. Its been a good fifteen minutes since the dwarf fell unconscious. Most of the blood has been wiped off of him to reveal the many wounds he sustained while in his beast form. His eyes slowly start to open to see the sky and Alrik with a glowing cloth. He stops Alrik by pushing his hand slowly away. He sits up, a little to quickly, and wretches. He moves his back against what appears to be a broken cart and covers his face. He let's out a small shaky muffled voice.
"I...thank you. I'm... I'm fine now." He drops his hands covering his face and looks at the blood left on his hands and shudders slightly. He glances at Alrik who seems to be sweating buckets and worriedly asks. "What of you storm mage, are you alright?
Alrik wipes his face with his sleeve, still breathing heavily. He reaches into his satchel and pulls out a bottle, taking a deep drink of the juice before passing it to Oredion. "I'm... okay. I believe... I'm not sure, to be honest. I've never done anything that powerful..."
Oredion refuses the drink thankfully. He looks around to see that Etny has left. Despair rests heavy on his heart, but he does not let it show to Alrik. He forces himself to stand to his feet painfully and look once more at the carnage around him. He looks back at Alrik and forces a smile.
"I wish I could of witnessed your power for myself, but I can see the impact it had here. I again thank you for helping me storm mage... no Alrik. You are a fine fellow. I... I must go."
With that said Oredion stumbles off over the bodies in a daze. He walks and keeps on walking threw countless souls lost. He leaves his shield and axe behind him, not wanting to see the weapons that helped him murder so many. He walks by lifeless kobolds, orcs, humans, elf's, dwarves, and hideous monsters stringed together with body parts of them all. He finally makes it past all of the bodies and into the woods, yet he still finds himself walking further to where he does not know. His hands tremble and his breathing becomes ragged. He sees the town further ahead and continues towards it wanting to wash the vile filth completely off of himself before he loses it once more.
@Collin J. L. Robinson Although you're heading toward the distant sounds of Dragonshore and the sea beyond, your progress is halted by a river. Looking left and right, you see you came quite a bit away from where the bridge is upstream. The water flows by gently. It's starkly contrasting the utter destruction and horror you just experienced, but it calls to you like an embrace.
Oredion stops looking at the river tiredly. He dosent stop to take his armor off he just walks into the cool water slowly. He gets to the middle and dunks his head under water and screams into it. When he brings his head out of the water he can see the river filling with red as all if the blood slowly washes off of him. Joey climbs out of his beard and jumps into the river. The little salamander swims around him steadily until he's behind Oredion then climbs the dwarfs back to perch on his shoulder. Oredion picks Joey up in his hands gently looking him over for any injuries then slowly starts to pet his friend. Tears roll down the dwarves rugged features. He looks down to see his friend turning a deep blue and flicking his face with his tongue. He also notices his arms have grown hairy somehow and more grouped together like fur then arm hair. He fills the wounds over his body ache and he can taste blood in his mouth, just not his blood. He thinks back to Gruumsh and his words, then the bear and its transformation. He starts to realize exactly what happened. His mind starts to spin and he gets out of the water to rest against a tree. He thinks back to trying to kill Etny and the tears stream down even faster. He tried to kill the only symbolince of family he had left, how is he supposed to live with that. Why is this happening to him? Is it not enough to take all of his people, his home, and now... to try a. take the person he cares for most? How is he supposed to face her again? He slams his head against the tree to stop his thoughts. He looks down at Joey and speaks brokenly.
"Atleast I'll always have you bud."
Joey looks alarmed, nuzzling against your hand to help calm you down. His eyes turn a soft blue, almost as if the little guy is wanting to cry. The river flows pure and clean again as it lazily continues on its way to the sea. Despite the horrors that have happened, both in the past, the present, and most certainly will in the future... it seems the world keeps on turning all the same. Things are washed clean. Things heal and things pass.
You hear a small explosion from the mountain and the ground rumbles.
There is definitely more evil there prompting destruction. Joey flickers blue and black, unsure of what to do. But the longer you look at him, you notice flecks of gold sparkle on his scaly skin.
****
Alrik stands, leaning on his staff and turns away from town, back the way he came. He takes a deep breath. "This isn't over... this is far from over." He mutters to himself as he scans the treeline for movement. (Blah... 7 perception. Lol)
He turns back again and makes his way over to where all the medical tents are, slowly weaving his way through and offering whatever small aid he can, mostly just cleaning cloths or ridding washbasins of bloody water.
Eventually he finds Atriox and Tank... and seeing the bloodied and near dead Zeed, as well as Nathaniel's broken body, he reaches into his satchel and pulls out the strange, unstable potion from The Scourge.
"Atriox... this could help." He gestures to the lifeless body. "Nathbryn sent them to me. She said they transfer life force from one to another..."
Atriox takes the potion from Alrik
"Whst is this Alrik ? How could a potion help in such dire times ?"
"I have no idea, but I trust Nathbryn on this. She wouldn't lead us astray on matters like this" he shrugs, scratching his chin
@Chantry Williams @Aubrey Burmaster Tank looks between you both, eyeing the potion bottles and then looking at Zeed. "What I need do? Please, let me help. I want to help Zeed, he always been there for me. I want do something for him too." His brow furrows, trying to be polite and avoiding snatching the potions away out of desperation.
"I... I honestly don't know, Tank. I would think pour some of the potion into his mouth and then drink some from the other bottle yourself... but, I'll warn you... The Scourge said it's unstable magic... I don't know what it could do to you."
@Chantry Williams Tank takes the potions firmly but carefully. Despite his size and strength, and no small amount of eagerness, he uncorks both in one go. "That okay, don't care. Long as it helps him." He pries open Zeed's mouth and pours down the glittering liquid. He then drains his own.
There's a moment of silence, the minotaur looking at you both and at his friend. It doesn't seem like anything is taking affect yet. And then it hits. Tank gasps and clutches his chest, bellowing out a strained cry. He snorts harshly through his nose, struggling against the pain to breathe. Zeed likewise shivers, gasping for breath. His heart seems to pump twice as fast as before, a strange magic coursing through them both at the same time.
The aarakocra spasms and his eyes snap open in surprise, He flips over and tries to wretch but nothing comes out--the potion already in his system. You see bend feathers and broken bones protrude from his back, growing and twisting at strange angles as they fill out in minutes what took years to grow to full size as a fledgling.
At the end of it they both seem completely shaken. Tank tries to stand, seeing his friend is awake, but he stumbles as soon as he takes a step. He lands on the ground, breathing with his eyes closed. Zeed pants, his forearms on the ground and his new wings shivering. He's completely healed but still overcome with shock.
Atriox is completely taken aback by what happened after Tank drank the potion. He puts a hand on Zeeds shoulder
"Zeed how do you feel ? You're wings........I can't believe they came back ! Are you ok Tank ?"
Atriox feels a few tears drip down his cheeck at how happy he is. His boys are going to be ok he thinks.......except for Nathaniel who he didn't really care for anyway. But he wont let the others know that and Nathaniel did die fighting valiantly. Atriox will make sure he's not forgotten....
Zeed jumps a little at the touch, his eyes wide as he looks at you. "I-I--Were they gone?! I...." he takes several deep breaths. You hadn't really noticed before but despite their attitudes, they are relatively young fellows.... and have definitely never been in a true battle before. Zeed was likely close to your age, and Tank--perhaps a year younger.
Zeed glances at Nathaniel's body near him and looks sickened. "Oh gods...." He turns away and tries to just keep eye contact with you, struggling to sit up. "I feel like I was six feet under, that's what..." Shaking his head he holds it in his hands just trying to breathe.
Tank, still on the ground and eyes closed, manages a shaky thumbs up.
Alrik nods, thankful that the potion worked and walks away, still leaning on his staff. Once again making his way through the healing areas, he again stops and helps where he can, but with his broken hand it makes things difficult.
****
Oredion jumps up and starts to run back to the battlefield cursing himself for leaving his weapons. He wipes his tears as he runs not wanting to look weak if he comes upon anyone. Joey barely manages to jump back into his beard as Oredion runs. His eyes flicker green as he runs, hatred starting to grow in his mind. He knows he is partially to blame for his allies deaths, but that is a small number compared to the casualties of this vile war. He will kill this necromancer be it hell or high water.
You make it across the field, ignoring the dead as best you can. You have a mission to kill, and stop any further loss of life here. Your heart burns with the power of your god.
Scooping up your bloodied axe and shield, you turn and look around. You see your comrades near the edge of the field along the line of healers, soldiers moving about to help where they can. Injured continue to make their way toward the line, and your eyes land on a green-scaled kobold perhaps a hundred feet from you. He seems to be struggling.
As you approach you see it's Tak. His armor is battered and his helmet is gone, the burn across his face stark in the moonlight. He's struggling to move another kobold that's slipping from his back. It's the female named Vele that you'd threatened the other day. She looks unconscious, more red than blue at this point. He stumbles to the ground and falls flat on his face, Vele tumbling from him like a ragdoll. You realize her tail is gone, cleaved off by some weapon. She's covered in a sticky ooze, the remains of some acid splash that backfired on her. Tak has a deep gash across his chest where he took a hit for her. He looks mortified and half dead, finally realizing you're standing there. "D-Dwarf..." He mutters, his voice hoarse. "Tak need help. She need help. P-please?"
Oredion scopes Vele up on his arms quickly and looks to Tak with a serious yet sympathetic face.
"Tell me where to bring her friend."
He stumbles up, shaking. His back is covered with the same sticky acid, the burns making his scales peel. "Uh, I--I dunno. I was going to go that way with her, it's just so far." He gestures toward the healers, both the humans and kobold shamans. Now that he's been around both so much, he doesn't much care one way or the other who heals her as long as someone can.
"Tak catch up. Please take her for me." He looks pleading.
Oredion nods at Tak and starts to rush Vele towards the healers quickly, but carefully. As he gets closer he yells.
"Please help her healers. She is of great importance to my friend!"
Tak hears your voice even from the distance. His ears ring and he looks rather ashamed, clutching a wound and plodding forward across the field. He remembers the last time you both really interacted before all this happened, and he had said quite a few rude things. The little kobold feels awash with mixed feelings at it being called a friend again.
@Collin J. L. Robinson A gentle looking half elf woman with a golden braid down her back runs over to help, her eyes tear stained and emotional. She reaches out to help you with Vele, a look of surprise realizing you're helping a kobold. "I can help with her, sir." Taking the kobold she leads you back to the edge of the field, finding an area to place the small soldier and start working on cleaning her up. Vele mumbles in her daze, unable to sense much of anything going on. |
Eventually Tak makes it over with you, hovering by Vele and staring around at the others nearby them. His eyes land on Donovan and he stiffens. There's a long moment while they stare at each other. Tak finally looks away with a shudder, biting his tongue. Donovan lets out a heavy sigh and sinks down next to the still bodies of Georgette and a half-orc, Gothyarthic, allies of Alrik's from the desert war. Fredrick sits nearby Donovan, patting him on the back. @Chantry Williams
Alrik eventually finds himself seeing Donovan's telltale armor. He makes his way over and grits his teeth in anger at the sight of his comrades, their eyes closed and skin pale. "Sorry I couldn't save them, Donno..."
Donovan shakes his head. "Nah, it's alright Alrik. It's alright. We're soldiers, aren't we? We're familiar with laying down our lives for the free folk." He gives a half smile, it fading from his face. "It was a hard loss though. And--"
*BOOM*
You hear the same sound Oredion heard. Another explosion from the mountain. There is definitely more at hand despite the destruction so far. Donovan looks shaken. "It'll take a little time to rally again, and our forces are..." He looks around. "Less than half of what they were." A snake slithers by him on the ground and he flips out a knife, stabbing it in the head.
Etny assists the healers as best as she can, and gives aide to the best of her abilities.
There is so much death. So much. It is too much of a grim reminder of the destruction of her tribe.
*BOOM*
She literally feels like she jumps out of her skin when that explosion goes off in the mountain.
@Chantry Williams Alrik, you feel a hand on your shoulder. Turning you see Fenris. He gives you a nod. "I took the children back to the orphanage. Trundleberry sends his regards." Looking at the mountain he stares for a long moment. "I also got the woman to the temple. She's..." He furrows his brow. "...I don't know how to explain it."
"Thank you, Fenris. You've been an invaluable help. We've got to get up that mountain, but I agree with Donno... we need to recuperate a bit... what do you think, head out at first light?" He gestures to the direction of the explosion with his hand, growling and wincing as he moves it before pulling it in close to his chest. "Damn..." he mutters under his breath
Fenris crosses his arms and drums his fingers. "It might be suicide going now... But I also fear what may come if we wait. It's definitely a hard choice." His dark eyes watch you carefully, wondering what you're thinking. "Do you have a place you can recuperate properly? Anywhere to go?"
(You created a poll: Poll time! Each decision will have different outcomes. What do you want to do?)
****
@Aubrey Burmaster Atriox, you watch Alrik walk to Donovan and your eyes catch sight of Tak, Vele and Oredion some distance away. Vele is being helped by a familiar half elf, Flora--the one from the keep that you'd spoken with your first day in Dragonshore.
@Andrew Woodhouse Etny, you continue working among the injured, healing as many as you can. Every cast of magic brings relief to those you touch.
You feel the final strands of the weave flow through you, exhausted at the strain it puts on your body. Unable to heal any more allies, you stand with a wince of pain in your shoulder. It'll be difficult to use a bow right now, just like the day you fought the dragon...
You watch people carry injured back to town, and your eyes catch movement on the field. You see Oredion running with a einhycacht in his arms. Tak, the green one, stumbles after him. Ore meets with an elven healer and follows her a little ways away.
Etny races in the direction of Ore, determined to be with her friend before things get bad. She has a sinking feeling that things will only get worse from here on out. She can feel, on the edges of her heart, the black mood seeping into her mind.
Shaking her head against it all, she continues running, finally catching up to Ore, Tak, and the other Einhycacht.
"Oredion! Oredion! By the All-Mother, you're alright!"
There is a quaver to her voice as she calls out to him, and when she arrives in front of them, nearly out of breath, she sees that the Einhycacht in Oredion's arms is badly wounded. "Oredion-elenn, Tak! How can I assist you?"
Tak looks at Vele, then at Etny. "She like you. Very clever. Just hope she..." he trails off, eyes dropping a bit.
"Going clean up. Be back. Maybe you can..." Tak hesitates. "Maybe... pray Vele better. Perhaps helps." He looks confused at why he asked that, but shakes his head and starts walking toward the nearest river.
Tak pulls his arm from his chest to look at his wound. He grimaces and covers it again, muttering curses under his breath.
"Tak, wait! Your chest!" She rushes forward, gently taking Tak's arm in her hands, and looks at the gash in his chest. She carefully examines the wound, and, digging into her satchel, applies a light poultice to the wound.
"This should at least show any infection. You must do ask you can to keep the wound clean. Remember," she says gently, "your name in my tongue means 'brave'."
With that, Etny races back to Oredion, helping him bear a delirious Vele to the healers.
Oredion had kept his eyes averted from hers and could only look at the ground between them the entire time. He did not reply to anything she had spoken to him. He had only nodded and went about moving Vele. After carefully placing Vele where the healer instructed he tries to slip away unnoticed, not wanting to face Etny.
****
Tak blinks, a little shocked at what just happened. He looks down at the poultice. She, Ore and Alrik helped him when he needed them. When Atriox needed them...
"Brave, huh...?" He mutters softly. With a heavy sigh he retreats to the river.
Tak sits in the water for some time, careful of the poultice but thorough in all of his other cuts, sores and bruises. He discards most of his damaged armor, chucking the cracked goblin skull into the tall grass. He glares after it, then stares at the water again. The moonlight reflects off of it like a ghost, reminding him of many memories.
He hadn't slept since the evening with Vele and Atriox, though he was embarrassed to admit it. In a way it did feel like family again. It was beautiful and painful at the same time. Exhausted from the miles and miles ran today, he nods off in the water once or twice; rousing only after dipping his cold snout in the flow. Wishing he could just float away and be done with everything, it takes a monumental effort for him to climb out of the water. His muscles and bones ache fierce. Nonetheless... he manages to get back to shore. Shaking off a bit like a dog, he slowly stalks back to check on Vele.
It's hard to see her the way she is. He glances around at all the other blues that are scarred and injured. In a bitter way he smiles, hating himself for it. Perhaps they'll stop picking on him now that they have scars of their own. Maybe they'll learn to be proud of them. But for Vele... He looks at her tail and wonders how long it will take to heal.
The orc that attacked them almost took out the felldrake they were riding, slicing at the beast's back. It had severed Vele's tail and dug deep into the mount's haunches. They were bucked off after that and it caused her to drop her last vial of acid. She was meaning to throw it at the orc... It was hard for Tak to forget her cries. A rage took over after that and he lunged at their attacker. The rest was a blur. He can't even recall how he got the slash across his chest, but he's pretty sure it was a blow meant for her. The last thing he remembered was biting the orc's throat out.
****
Atriox sees his other freinds and looks back at his boys
"Your in good hands. I'll catch up to you later I promise. Just rest. You boys earned it and I'm so proud of you. I promise we will make sure Nathaniel is remembered."
He gives Zeed a comforting squeeze on the shoulder and runs torwards Tak and Vele
Tak looks up at your approach. He looks a little surprised at your appearance but waves weakly. "Hello Atriox. You okay?"
Atriox sees the state he's in and the state of Vele. He looks utterly glum. He kneels down by her but keeps talking to Tak
"No. How could I be ? I led my men into a slaughter. I'd say just buy eyeballing it we lost over half our forces. Nathaniel is dead. Zeed, you , Vele, Ore, Alrik, Et, Tank. I led my family into a fight that almost cost us everything......"
Tak nods slowly. "But we... Would have lost more if we not prepared like we was. Many many more. We were led well. You good leader." He stares at his hands, thinking.
Atriox doesn't reply right away but eventually he speaks up
"How is she ? Will she be ok ?"
Tak looks at Flora as she washes the grime and acid from Vele. Her tail is coated in a salve and wrapped in bandages. "I--I think so." He sounds unsure.
Atriox nods but still seems worried
"You have done more than enough my brother. You stay here, while we finish this. It's time for this necromancer to stay dead."
Tak looks up in surprise. He seems like he wants to get up--wants to go--but his limbs shake with the effort. He resigns himself to staying here, watching over the remaining troops.
Atriox yells to Alrik and Ore
"I have business at the temple that will hopefully help our fight against the Necromancer."
****
Alrik moves off to the side, finding a tree that doesn't have blood or any gore underneath it and sits down, wincing as his hand makes contact with the hard dirt. "Damn... this needs set..."
He sighs, condemning himself to wait until those more hurt than himself. He finds himself drifting in and out of a doze, leaning against the tree and listening to the breeze through the leaves, the occasional rumble heard in the distance... whether it's thunder or more explosions, he doesn't know... and is too tired to care.
Alrik startles awake at the shout and throws his hands out, ready for a fight. As he does, he recoils and screams in pain and rolls to his side, clutching his wrist and hand. (I've done this in real life... I know how to play it. Lol)
Flora, having just finished all she can with Vele, looks over at Alrik in alarm. "S-Soldier, come on now. Over here so we can look at you, no use hiding your injuries. Please." She gives him a funny look, their last meeting somewhat strained. She'd heard about him from Georgette, but well... her heart pangs as she thinks about her friend lying cold on the ground by Donovan.
She walks over and kneels down carefully by Alrik. "Hey... you'll be alright, w-well take care of you." She seems a little shaken but genuine. Pulling out a vial from her satchel full of materials, Flora offers it near his lips to drink. "For the pain, it's alright. This takes the edge off so I can set it. I have a splint. Gives the magic time to heal it proper in a few days."
Alrik nods, sweating profusely and gritting his teeth in pain. He takes the vial and tips it back into his mouth, hoping it doesn't put him too far gone as he has to fight still.
Flora can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for you seeing you like this. She puts a hand to your forehead and mutters a quiet prayer to Naralis Analor. You feel a soft teal glow drift through your mind like a quiet stream, the pain lessening with each second. It feels like water and smells... like the forests of your home in the north.
You open your eyes from the peaceful experience and see she is already finishing up tying a splint. It's almost like you were out for a few minutes there, in a place of contentment. The pain is slow and dull now, but you're sure it would be worse if you worked with your hand more than what the splint allows for.
With a wrap of sticks and twine around a soft cloth, it holds your hand and fingers in place well. She holds it, gently putting pressure through the brace where the broken bones are. Elven words flow from her and strum the magic in the air and in your body. It stings, but you can feel the weave of magic tugging and pulling at your nerves and your muscles, inching through you like a needle and thread. It's slow and will take some time, but it is mending at a much faster pace than what it could without magic.
Alrik carefully flexes his hand, looking at Flora. "Thank you." He simply reaches out and hugs her, but ends up pulling her into him, stifling back tears. "I'm sorry... sorry I couldn't... couldn't save them..."
@Chantry Williams She hesitates a little in surprise, then allows herself to lean against him and share the sorrowful embrace. "I-It's okay, Alrik... It's okay. You did your best, you saved so many. G-Georgette used to tell me all the time about how you'd risk your neck." Flora tries to chuckle a little but it comes out with a small sob. She pets his hair to calm him. "It's okay. You're a brave man. A noble soldier. We all know it, it's okay."
****
@Aubrey Burmaster You make your way to the temple, your head clearing somewhat now that you're away from the heavy scent of blood. The town has an eerie feel to it with the sounds of injured being shuttled to the temple and makeshift tents. Passing by several you head inside, searching row by row for any familiar faces.
You pass by the main worship hall to the back rooms, off where you visited his office once before. Peeking in the doors that are all slightly ajar, you come across one with a familiar body. It's Zinnia from the Fang, as pale as a sheet and riddled with cuts and bruises. She's not moving, but staring up at the ceiling, bound to the table she's been set atop. It's almost as if they fear she'd try to leave or hurt someone if she was left alone. Down the hall you spot a guard standing by a closed door, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
Atriox walks torwards the guard and indicates for the guard to let him and to leave till Atriox is done inside
He looks at you with a startled expression, nods quickly and moves aside. Your eyes still swirl with red flecks, and your scales look cracked. Pushing the door open and closing it behind you, you see a room lit with a candle and a figure on a bed. Her leg is bandaged and she is tied up quite well. A circle has been hastily drawn around her with chalk, some kind of magical rune. She's conscious but ignoring you. @Aubrey Burmaster
Atriox growls at her in frustration and pain from his arm but he also can't keep a slight look of sadness off his face.
"Come now cheiftes.......don't be like that. It was nothing personal. I told you repeatedly that we shouldn't fight each other but instead fight the world together. I would not have us be enemies..........I did the only thing I knew that would assuredly get you off that battlefield alive."
(Persuasion 22)
@Aubrey Burmaster You see her red eyes flash in your direction. She rolls them. "I'm a sellsword, Mr. Unbreakable. I'm honor bound to serve my contractor. You could have offered me a kingdom but I'd still decline to keep my pride in my profession."
She looks away, thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe I wanted a chance to fight you again, too... Get a little revenge for you leaving me that note. My employer was not happy." She tilts her head to look at you with a cool stare. "I'm sure you have something to ask now? Not sure why else you would be here. Got me pretty well set up...." She tugs at the ropes with a sigh. "Anti-magic circle and everything. Those priests sure know how to be thorough."
Atriox rolls his own red flaked eyes back at her
"Your contractor will soon be dead as it is. As for the giving you a kingdom.......all you have to do is ask......Kora"
He gives her a wink knowing it'll probably annoy her....hopefully in a good way
@Aubrey Burmaster "Ughhhhh..." She sighs. "Tell me when he's dead. Granted then I don't get paid then, but whatever. I can loot his corpse. If I don't get killed by these heathens..." She leans her head back on the bed.
Atriox looks thoughtful but drops the subject for awhile. He motions to her neck
"How are you feeling?"
@Aubrey Burmaster She narrows her eyes. "Peachy." She stretches her neck a little, popping it left and right.
Atriox casually stands and turns his back.
"Is that so........I took a lot from you earlier."
Atriox uses a talon on his finger to put a cut in his arm and turns around facing her. He begins to walk torward her with a smile as he drips blood from his arm.
"I'm sure I could return the favor. In fact I'd be more than happy to. Join me, fight with me not for me. I understand wanting to stay loyal to your contract. That's very admirable indeed as any Merc. Should strive to do. That being said is your contract not fulfilled? You led your people into battle. You lost that battle. Most of your people are dead or have fled into the night. This necromancer cares nothing for you ....or your people Kora. He even desecrated there bodys to use them as mindless walking flesh abominations. Just mounds of bodys walking around. We may drink the essence of life but dont tell me that what I just told you doesn't bother you. Your own men disrespected and disregarded without thought. This Necromancer is going in the ground and I'd like you to help. We can discuss terms. I'm also willing to give you command of your surviving men if you fight with me. I'd love nothing more than to see you carve a bloody path through my enemies with this axe."
(Persuasion 18 and insight 17+2)
Atriox unclips her axe from his back with the arm that's not bleeding and holds it up to show her
She glances from her axe to your bleeding arm. She seems to weigh your offer, a sneer coming to her lips. "You tricked me once on the battlefield. You're a very convincing liar. You really want me to fight for you? After I turned you?"
Atriox is not surprised he knew she'd bring this up. He truly felt no pleasure in doing that to her on the battlefield
"I will not apologize. As I said.....I saw it as the best way to get you off that battlefield alive Kora. And my words may have acted as a distraction but that doesn't make them any less true. As for the turning me business.......I dont know a whole lot do I. Just what you've told,and taught me. But I did tell you the day we met.........I do not particularly care what life state I'm in. As long as I can still accomplish my goals. That hasn't changed. I'm not mad at you Kora. Also I told you I'd prefer you to fight with me.......side by side......equals."
He moves his arm so his blood drips on her chest
"Theres so much I want to achieve........so much I need to achieve. I cant stop Kora. But I've thoroughly enjoyed our little banter so far and I'd like to keep it going. Why stop the fun ? Plus I can think of more than a few.......benefits to having such a talented woman around."
"Tch." She turns her head, but you can tell she's still rather weak despite her rest. She doesn't have the same drive that she did earlier, and the words about her clan kind of struck a cord with her. Kora also tries to ignore the blood, though...
"So you wish to hire me as a sword for your cause? What can you pay? What can you provide my men?"
She gives you a sidelong glance. "And how many still live?"
Atriox looks a little sad at this just because he knows she won't probably like his answer
"From what I could see that didnt die or flee......your people number a little under a hundred strong. They fought bravely though. And most of them fought to the end. And if I must hire you to get you than so be it..........."
He moves the bloodflow slowly up to her neck letting it tease her more than ever
"I'll give you 400 gold AFTER the Necromancer is dead and Dragonshore is safe. If you agree I'll also give you 100 gold every season for upkeep,expenses,etc. Do we have a deal Kora ?"
She flinches at the blood, having a hard time ignoring it. You can also see the disappointment in her countenance regarding her remaining men. But at the talk of pay... her eyes widen.
Kora takes a moment to determine if you're being sincere. Weighing her options and the situation at hand...
"We have a deal."
Atriox smiles
"Very good. Just so we are clear Kora. Betray me and I'll show no mercy as I think you'd expect. If you find fault with me....please talk to me about it. I value my people's ideas and opinions. Now let's get you untied shall we.......although I must admit. This is rather a pleasure to see after what you did to me. At least your on a bed. You just had me hanging there like a pig for dinner. As appealing as it might look and sound I assure you it's not all that comfortable."
Atriox laughs for a few seconds and then uses Koras own axe to cut her ropes. Before she can get up or move he throws the axe down and kneels by the bed. Putting the blood flow from his arm in her mouth. His arm only inches from her teeth
(Make a CON save for me)
(13+4)
Almost out of eagerness--or perhaps thinking you might change your mind--she quickly opens her jaws wide and bites down on your forearm. It definitely holds you firmly to her. She stares you down as both her tusks and her fangs sink deep into your flesh. It hurts like hell, the breaks in your arm from earlier feeling much more tender again. You wonder if non-orc vampires would hurt just a little less...
You feel the blood rapidly draining from you and it makes you a bit light headed. But... she slows her feeding, watching you hold your own against her willingly.
Unhooking herself from your arm she licks off the last of the blood, clamping her hand roughly over the wounds to stem the bleeding. "You are an interesting employer, Unbroken." She sneers a little. Her eyes are vibrantly red, almost glowing from the feeding. "I expect you to flay those men for what they did to my soldiers."
Atriox grunts in amusement but takes her words seriously. He takes a healing potion out from his bag and drinks it. He then helps her up but doesn't let go of her as he speaks
"I'm only your employer because that's how you wanted it. But no matter. Now that your more or less restored your going to help flay said men. I look forward to fighting with you rather than against you........Kora"
He picks her axe up and hands it to her
She grips her axe, the blade glowing with energy as soon as she touches it. You can sense her hatred for her old employers now that she knows what they've done. She tilts her head to look you in the eye. "You keep calling me that... Kora. Don't like my real name, do you? Bonebreaker too strong for your liking?" There's a cocky smugness in her orcish voice, knowing she was true to her title with you earlier. It's aggressive, but with a dangerous playfulness.
Atriox stares at her for a moment. His eyes appearing hard and unforgiving but finally he breaks into a grin chucking
"I wouldn't say that. Bonebreaker is certainly a true epitaph for you. I don't know why Kora..........it just came to mind. Its strong at the core but yet still has a beautiful flare to it. Reminds me of you I guess. I think you like it though miss Bonebreaker."
She snorts, looking away. She doesn't respond but you are very aware that she does not deny it.
Twirling her axe a little she says, "When are we leaving to fetch that bastard's head?"
Atriox nods to the door
"Right now. We need to regroup with the others. The more time we waste the more time that monster has to regroup. Stay by me. Tensions are a little high right now as I'm sure you can guess........Bonebreaker"
@Aubrey Burmaster She snorts again. "Yes, I'm sure I'll be a sight for sore eyes on the battlefield. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
She tests her knee a bit, the blood helping seal up much of the wound. It still aches and she has a slight limp but she hides it well. Her orcish pride urges her forward.
"Let's go then."
On the way out she smiles evily at the man guarding the door. He lets out a strangled yelp and drops his spear, and she just chuckles. "Mortals..."
You pass by the other rooms and she spots Zinnia. On your way back through town she's rather quiet... Contemplative.
Atriox notices her mood and wonders if he should interject upon her thoughts. Finally he decides he doesn't stay out of things very well and looks at her
"What are thinking about ? Whatever it is must be serious indeed."
(Persuasion 21)
@Aubrey Burmaster She talks slowly and deliberately. "You braved my entire army to save that wizard. One man against a thousand... Even turning a tenth of my men against me to do it. Why?"
Kora tilts her head back, looking at the dark, cloudy sky. The moon has sunk below the far peaks of the crags now.
"I saw that blonde girl in the temple... She was another prisoner in White Birch. But somehow you still got her out, too..."
The way she says it makes it sound like she's surprised you were able to. "She'd been moved from my care several days ago, but I still received--" She picks her words carefully. "--Nourishment from her."
She keeps pace next to you. "My prior employer would leave me a supply. I told you she was a pretty one...... Tasted good, didn't she?"
Her eyes flash. You immediately remember the taste of the sweet blood on your lips--Zinnia's blood--shared when Kora kissed you.
The orc sighs, her tusks protruding a little more as if pensive. "But I'm sure you knew her already if she was rescued after we left... You're a sneaky bastard." She chuckles a little, "And you're either a suicidal fool, or a determined fool. Perhaps both."
Atriox ponders the orcs words while they walk. Her admission is slightly disturbing to him. Finally after a good while he responds
" I am what ever I feel the situation calls for me to be whether it be suicidal or determined and yes sometimes both. I can tell you that I did not rescue that woman. I suppose that was my.........colleague Alriks doing. He wasn't present for a good portion of the battle."
He pauses for abit as he considers what to say about Oxious
"When it came to saving the wizard........well there was several reasons really. His name is Oxious by the way. Firstly he's my business partner, we own the Velvet Fang together. The local pleasure house that is. Secondly I knew he could be useful to the our side in the battle as he proved to be. The third reason being is I respect the old goat. I dont respect people very easily. Like or hate maybe but that's a whole different thing entirely."
"I suppose I can understand that sentiment..." She softly replies. It seems to make her thoughtful, despite the stern face that she puts on. It's very expressionless otherwise.
****
Etny reaches out a hand, and grasps a hold of Oredion's wrist. Her shoulder pangs with a searing pain at the rapid movement.
Tears flowing down her cheeks, and voice quavering, she pleads with the dwarf, "Ore-elenn...p-please...stay with me. D-don't leave me..."
"But I tried to kill you Et. I can't just stay if I'm a danger to everyone I love."
Oredion stops trying to leave, but keeps his eyes downcast with shame.
"It...it doesn't matter, elenn. For me, it never has. As long as I have you, it doesn't matter. You must understand, elenn...I can take care of myself. I won't die."
She grips the dwarf's hand tightly, not wanting to let go.
Oredion feels Etny's tight grip upon his hand and he looks up and locks eyes with her tear stained face. He does not understand why she would still want him around after he has tried to kill her yet again. He thinks back to all they been threw in such a short amount of time. The first time they met he threw his axe at her almost cleaving her shoulder in two. Then they went on to slay a dragon together of all things. Since then they have spent little time apart. She has had his back threw his sorrows, his drink antics, and saving him from death after facing the snake monstrosity in the woods. He has felt a strong connection to her and has decided to defend her. Be it from enemy or friend alike. He even tried to leave and yet... he could not do so without her... The only reason he is still here and not off chasing revenge is... for her. Oredion takes her other hand in his own and squeezes its gently.
"Et... I... I won't leave you. I..."
Oredion stumbles over his words and his face starts to turn red.
"I need you in my life Et. Not just there, but... by my side. I cannot picture a path that I take without you."
Oredion stumbles over his words. In his own dwarven way he practically told Etny he loves her. For as many battles and pain he has suffered and faced in life, he has never had to deal with such emotions and is having a hard time saying how he feels.
Etny quickly kneels down, getting on the dwarf's eye level. The tears have ceased their flow, and her eyes, though puffy and red around the whites, look steadily into his.
"Oredion-elenn-Antrahtu, you have brought such joy and purpose to my life, I cannot rightly count the ways it has blessed me. Ava nala de, elenn. Ava nala de..."
Suddenly, and without warning, she leans in and kisses him on the lips for a brief moment.
"I think you can already guess what that means, elenn."
There is a slightly playful twinkle in her violet eye. Though she does not smile, her soul is soaring.
Oredion blushes red and stumbles back a bit. He was not quite ready to be that taken off guard. He looks into her eyes a bit embarrassed, but overly happy.
"Well arhem... I definitely know what that means now. No use in asking any more."
Oredion let's out a small embarrased chuckle and seems to relax. Briefly forgetting his pain from earlier.
Etny smiles back at his embarrassment, but mostly just happy to be with the dwarf. He has shown her what it means to have a real friend and beloved one in this cruel world, and she couldn't be happier.
She begins to round on the meaning of the phrase "ava nala de" anyway.
"It means, literally, 'you have my love,' and I have previously, unbeknownst to you, pledged that to you, Ore-elenn. When we dashed out of the forest on Gaare," she blushes a deep red that matches her auburn hair, "I kind of pledged to you, and when you were unconscious in the healing temple."
Oredion smiles brightly, for as much as they have both gone threw today and are still gearing to go threw, he feels overpowered with happiness.
"Et your a strange one, you know? Declaring your love to an unconscious dwarf and all."
Oredion let's out a playful laugh. He dosen't have much room to tease though, when his cheeks are still as red as cherry's.
@Collin J. L. Robinson For the first time in her life, she feels, Etny laughs. It is not an empty, cold laugh, nor is it a hilarious laugh, but it is a laugh filled with pure joy.
"Oredion-Antrahtu, you're making me laugh! Stop it. And you're embarrassing me!" She teases.
She looks on him with admiration and adoration. Her eyes are brimming with the purest of joys.
Oredion turns to face away from Etny and dig in his travel bag. He pulls out a carved wooden box that the Smith gave him and pushes it gently into Etnys hands.
"I had this made awhile ago, but I couldn't think of when to give it to you. Nows a better time then any I suppose."
"What is this, Antrahtu," she asks, a smile still on her face.
She opens it up and gasps audibly.
You see a large, extremely well polished bear claw, taken from the grizzly near your camp--the very one Oredion protected you from while you slept. It's intricately wrapped in copper and threaded on a beautiful chain.
You look up at Oredion and see a matching claw hanging around his neck. Both of the dwarven style necklaces radiate a gentle energy that reminds you of him--his strength, power and protection.
Etny is speechless. She can't help the tears threatening to seek out of her eyes. Nevertheless, she is beyond joyful. "Oredion-elenn...I do not know how to thank you...it...It is beautiful! I love it!"
She hugs the dwarf tightly, burrowing her face into his strong shoulder.
"No your all wrong Et. It's to repay you for saving my life. I'm glad you like it."
Oredion smiles happily hugging her back. He let's go and tryst to put on a serious face to cover his happiness. He motions towards the town.
"I guess it's about time to regroup. Shall we go join the others?"
Etny clears her throat and parts reluctantly from Oredion. "Yes, let us go back to town. I think we need to meet up with our Angakresh princeling! Also, my shoulder could use a little healing, if we are to face our next foe soon."
With that, she stands up and falls in step with Oredion.
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