(Etny, you can roll again to see what else you can find, if this is a secure way out and if you can stave off his interest in you XD)
(16 Survival and 16 Persuasion)
"Shiza, Zabrenossk! I know you're famished when it comes to being nearby, but can you stave it off just a little bit longer? It will give me time to figure this place out."
She strains to look behind at the illithid, but can't quite see him. She is quite nervous of his...hunger.
"Besides...even if you did...absorb my psyche, how long would the euphoric effects that you spoke of last, and would it nourish you completely? When a being is starved for so long, I imagine one healthy...absorption wouldn't quite do it for you."
Etny feels she doesn't have a clue as to what she's saying, but she has to think of something, and quickly! She surveys the tunnel walls for something...anything!
"Hmmm..." You feel him in your mind as he backs away further. You know he sees your reasoning... Somewhat. Something continues to make him nervous, however, and his mind urges yours on.
The water coming from the rocks is fresh... Perhaps from up above? Not sure what part of the mountain you're under anymore, you're at least aware of the wind. It feels... Fresh. Frigid. Perhaps it's night outside. Or you're higher up now than you thought.
The dirt beneath your hands feels pliable from years of water flow. Silt and stone, shifting from up above. Perhaps it could be moved with a bit of strength.
"Here," she says, thinking out loud, "with just a bit of leverage, I could..."
Etny digs her shoulder into the top of the tunnel to right herself as best she can, trying to make a squeeze through a small hole she can see.
"It's a...bit of a...tight...fit..."
Her voice disappears as she wriggles her way through the silt and lose rocks.
(Total 20 Acrobatics to squeeze through)
(Niceeeeeeeee)
You find the space on the other side is a little larger, and feel your lungs suck in the fresh air with vigor. If it had been tighter... it might have been a death sentence. But your knowledge is extensive enough that you need not fear such things much.
"You've made it... and is there something there?"
You feel the illithid's voice in your mind again, and although you cannot mentally respond you know he can hear you. The tunnel does seem to take a steep turn up. It's a good sign at least, and you're sure he'll have an easier time of it than you with his levitating nature.
"The path curves and takes a step turn upward," Etny calls back over her shoulder to the illithid.
"Zabrenossk-kathulu," do you need any hel--"
(Hmmm a cut off... fun for me!)
You feel him press by you then, the clammy touch of his hand on your shoulder as he excitedly forges ahead. You can hear him smelling the air, tasting it with an open mouth. His squid-like, emaciated body probably found the tight fit in the tunnel easier than you, especially after you widened it going through first.
"Good work, child... let us hurry. Something is behind us now."
***
A little time passes as Atriox's wounds are tended to. Ismene pampers you with strange flowers and oils, conjured from who really knows where given her fey magic... Dahlia listens carefully to the details of your story, what Oxious is doing, and about the strange egg.
Both children are swaddled carefully on the bed next to you, sound asleep after their little feast on the single sacrificial rabbit. The boy, Darzal, grips a small hand on his sister's blanket.
"What should we do once this is done, Atriox?" Dahila hands you a cup of blood, something Oxious must have had a stock of on hand. It has his spicy aroma to it. "WIth this strange... temple, was it? To Io?"
Atriox shrugs in a not to concerned manner
“Study it for now I suppose. I don’t doubt it’s important but right now my mind wonders to more immediate issues like how to keep us all alive.”
Ismene's voice drifts around the room both innocent and teasing. "Alive in what way?" She bobs by Dahlia and coos over the babies like a dove. "I already feel more alive than I have in centuries! Between this and visiting the soldiers..."
Dahlia rolls her eyes at the forest nymph. "Well, we know you are focused as always on your kingdom and your people. For that we are grateful."
The half-dragonborn stands, gracing the crown of your head with an affectionate touch as she passes by. Picking up something from the nearby bookshelf, she returns and presents you with a folded up document. Opening it, you see sketches and designs for a building. Some kind of hot spring, or spa. Small notes are scrawled in the corners, both a mix of a beautiful cursive hand and a scratchy, more flamboyant script.
"To give your mind a small break from the stress... what do you think?" She stands beside you, trying to hide a smile on her face.
"Concepts for the new Fang."
Atriox smiles at her and her enthusiasm.
“Well well look who’s eager to get back to work eh ? Let me look over them and I will get back to you with any comments or alternative ideas I may have. How about you come by tonight ? After this is all done and sorted out.”
She nods happily. "You can take the notes with you until then. I appreciate your feedback, although Oxious..." Dahlia chuckles slightly. "He's rather set in his ways, of course."
Ismene seems completely immune to the conversation at hand, although she'd been spending more time with Dahlia to learn from her. The nymph's attention has been quite air-headed of late. Perhaps a side effect of being far from her native land... or not. It was hard to know with her.
"Once things are sorted out..." Dahlia sits down again, watching the egg, "I would find it fascinating to see more of this temple. I know we've spoken... on occasion, about the gods. You had many good thoughts to share on the topic."
(I see what your doing , b lining right to the religion -.-)
( 😛 Well then you set the topic, king
The little boy begins to stir, pulling on his sister's blanket. He makes a grunting noise, fussing and whining.
He looks up at all the adults talking, and Ismene coos even more.
Atriox grunts as he watches Ismene with his children
“Should I be worried? You keep that up and they’ll think your they’re parent.”
"Awww, it's just..." Her wide doe eyes sparkle. "Spouts and fresh life are beautiful! Everything is a new experience! Like a new sapling tasting spring water, or feeling the sun in its leaves."
The nymph giggles. "Do you remember that? Isn't that just pure joy?"
She picks up the baby and causes him to float into the air, like a bird or a wisp of a dandelion. He spins around, blinking, upside down. He drifts to you, grabbing for your horns and wishing to be grounded.
Atriox thinks on dahlias words as he grabs his son out of the air, not just hours ago did he have another vision of some entity claiming to be Io. It’s all so overwhelming really
Atriox just shrugs at her
“I know not how I feel about gods and religion anymore. So much is unknown. It’s nice for now to be able to focus on something I do know. Or at least have a foothold in. And not long ago I was a claimed non Believer for the most part.”
He sets his son down gently with a loving smile. Though he’s sure these two will bring him much frustration in the future, this two are one of his biggest joys. He looks to the ladies
“I’ll leave them in your care. I thank you both, you are not there caretakers but you do it anyway. It means a lot.”
Though his gratitude is real, he looks more to Dahlia. They’re history makes what she’s doing even more kind. After a moment Atriox clears his throat
“I have things I need to do. If you will please excuse me.”
***
His eyes focus on yours in the dark, though you know he cannot see you... can he? Perhaps the magic has worn away. They have a feverish burn to them. Excitement, you're sure.
Etny races forward, following after the illithid. What could possibly be behind them when the caves were so empty before? She can't put her finger on what such a thing could be, but imaginations and specters of thought play about her mind's eye. She quickens her pace, not wanting to find out.
"Zabrenossk-kathulu, we may not know what is before us either! Let us be mindful!"
You stumble over the silty rock, scrambling up behind Zabrenossk. He climbs quickly, a mix between hovering and crawling like an octopus might. It's off-putting, but you can somehow understand his fervor to escape this lonely, lost place. To find a better home, where.... well, it was hard to think about that. What would be the right thing to do?
Your mind elsewhere, you trip on a small boulder you didn't see. You scramble to get up, but realize when you look back... it is staring at you. The rock has opened a pair of dark, foreboding eyes and a wide mouth. Cracking apart, two appendages loosen as pebbly hands and two stubby feet appear from below it.
It emits a strange frequency, a noise or melody of sorts, and additional rocks begin to twitch and move around you and the illithid. More eyes begin to turn in your direction.
Shiza! Shiza-shiza-shiza," Etny cries out. "Pick up the pace, Zabrenossk-kathulu! These rocks are coming alive!" Etny strives herself to pick up her own pace, trying to step over rocks...or rock creatures...as quick as she can.
(22 Dexterity saving throw.)
You're able to hop over their heads, barely escaping their little rough hands. The humming is louder.
Zabrenossk hovers up ahead, and your fingers nimbly work to keep up with him, scrambling up the cave tunnel. You can definitely hear something further back.
Etny takes a quick look back, and casts a spell upon herself and Zabrenossk. (I cast Longstrider on Zabrenossk and myself. Also, looking behind, 11 Perception...meh).
Her strides grow longer, and her hands and fingers reach farther than before, pulling her faster through the cave.
You don't see anything behind you as of yet, and the sound of your own heart pounding in your ears overwhelms your senses. Able to move even faster than before, you keep pace with the illithid and after what feels like an eternity...
Cool air. Fresh air.
You see light ahead. Faint, fading light, but compared to the darkness of the cave you've been stuck in, it is a welcome, welcome sight. Zabrenossk sucks in a shuddering gasp as you both break through the last hundred yards of the cramped tunnel.
"Grusshhhhnak fellra garook nashle," he sputters loudly and coldly in a deep speech.
The area around you is covered in a thin layer of snow, some of the last of the season. Most of it has turned to melt water, except on the highest peaks far above you. Looking out across the landscape, it's surprising how far you've traveled through the mountain. You cannot immediately see the castle of Skyhold, nor your camp, but given the direction of the setting sun, you believe they are West of you.
Etny falls to her knees, her palms skyward, her eyes shut tight. She utters a prayer to the All-Mother in endless thanks for getting her--them--out of those dark caves. When she opens her eyes, she surveys her surroundings. (Total 20 Perception.)
"Now," she says tentatively to the illithid, "Zabrenossk-kathulu, I do not know how those I call allies will...react to your presence, so I advise caution and tact. The castle of Skyhold is westwardly of here," she gestures vaguely in that direction. "We must head there as quickly as possible."
"I am many things my child, but I am no fool, nor am I suicidal." His words touch your mind like before.
" I need to feed. But as I have promised you your safety, you shall be spared my Hunger." The illithid looks at you. It is a strange feeling, like looking into the eyes of a wild predator.
He steps forward, coming near to you again. He pulls out a bit of old, worn leather. It is hard to focus on what he's holding with his eyes boring into you.
He lifts the leather up, letting his tentacles run across it. A curious expression clouds his countenance. You feel a strange, psionic energy resonate through the air, and in a moment it is done.
"Be wise, child."
He hands the strange material to you, and across the front you see four parallel lines of intricate make, emitting both magic and power. You can't seem to read this... But realize, as you turn it over, it is printed on kobold hide. And it is white.
As you look up, you find that Zabrenossk has disappeared.
***
You descend back down the expansive stairs into the rooms below the tower. You knew it wouldn't take Oxious long to start repairing this place himself. Magic does take time and energy, but he likes finery after all. The whole place now shimmers with his magic; mended walls and floors, rugs and repaired tapestries, polished designs and trim along every surface. It's rather nostalgic of when you were a child.
You find a quiet place down below and take a comfortable seat. Relieved, you are able to take another look at your newly found egg. It's brilliant sheen glimmers in the light, and you continue to feel the pulse of life inside of it. Wanting to keep it safe, you glance around the enchanted, magic tower. This room seems full of areas with magic trinkets--things Oxious finally received from the boat--but there is more than enough room for expansion.
One spot looks safest; a cushioned area behind a case. Perhaps it would be good to study it further, both by Oxious and yourself. Safely tucking it away, you pull out the blueprints Dahlia gave you. Only able to go through a few before exhaustion overcomes you, you fall into a light asleep. Perhaps a small nap until someone fetches you to help with Etny would be fine.
***
(10 Investigation to discern what the writing is, or 15 Arcana to discern it's magical properties.)
You have no idea what the script is, other than strange lines. But the magical properties....
You run your hand over where he etched in his magic, and you feel a thrumming in your head. It's powerful. Starting to get a mild headache from it, you pull your hand back.
Etny carefully stuffs the hide into her satchel, wondering. This Zabrenossk knew an awful lot about the white Einycacht. A question for another time, she supposed.
Etny takes stock of what does she has left, and marks her journey back to Skyhold. She camps for the night, setting up a fire, and a small but functional tent. (18 Survival.)
You're able to stave off the cold, your fire warm when you sit close by. The tent rests next to it, siphoning in as much heat as possible. Your stomach grumbles, but the fresh smell of campfire and pine makes your soul feel at rest.
In the middle of the night, when your fire is low, you hear shuffling feet through the snow. They sound familiar...
"Etny?" Tak's hissy little voice carries through the trees. You hear others with him, as well as heavier footfalls of a larger humanoid. Peeking out of your tent, you see Dorokor and her little platoon of kobolds.
"Do-Dorokor-dera? Wul? Is that you?"
Etny sinks out of her makeshift tent, and faces the others.
"Have...have you all been following me?"
Tak grumbles, rubbing his head. There seems to be a lump on it, likely from one of the rock creatures down below.
"Glad you live... Wasn't sure, you fell, Tak not see..." He huffs, Wul running over to check you closer. Kora stands back, musing about something.
"We saw other footprints in the snow at the exit. You... were not alone when you left? Or were you followed?"
Etny exits her makeshift tent, and has a look around. She rests a hand on Tak's shoulder, reassuring him softly in draconic. From there, she stands up, surveying the footprints. A feeling strikes hard within her, and realization hits hard and fast: Zabrenossk could feast on anyone he wants to, now that he's out. She is going to have to be extra protective of her friends now.
"There was," she begins, uncertainly, "one other. He was a creature unlike any other I had ever faced. He was trapped down there in those caves, and I was the first person to be down there with him in a long while, iiiiiiit seemed."
Etny goes on to describe the sinister, cunning Zabrenossk, his appearance, and his abilities with psionics and magic. She is wholly unsure of how any of this will go down.
The kobolds look confused as you explain. Concepts such as psionic magic is quite beyond them. Wul and the other blues at least know what octopi are, and they can discern the ugency in your story.
Dorokor, on the other hand, grows grim. Her lips tighten and her hand grips her axe harder. She is acutely aware of the surroundings, her senses in overdrive.
"You're quite lucky, Hunteress." She grunts, her eyes flashing red. "For something like... that, to actually keep its word and spare your life and sanity."
She paces about, her boots crunching on the cold pine needles.
"I'm sure if he's as smart as you say, he would be long gone by now. But better to be safe. I'll speak with the tiefling. We will need magic wards and to seal up that tunnel. Don't need more of those worms infecting it later, or those cursed skaven..."
"Yes, you're right, Dorokor-dera," Etny chides herself coldly. "I should never have let a creature like that free. This is on me now, and I must take full responsibility for it. If this kathulu begins to absorb--," she stops herself, shaking her head slightly, "FEAST on the brains of others of our kin or allies, it will come back to haunt me. We must put magic wards not only at the entrance to this cave, but, if it hasn't already been done, seal the entrance to Skyhold castle with them. Oxious might know a way to guard our minds against such...psionic powers."
She turns to Wul and Tak, and gives both a reassuring look. "Do not be afraid of such a creature. He is shunned from his own kind, and alone. We, however, are many, and vigilant. We will prevail!"
Tak nods resolutely. Wul gives a cruel, toothy smile, one you've seen before. The other kobolds begin to jabber and tease one another, mostly about who doesn't have enough brains to need to worry.
Kora pats you roughly on the shoulder. "Good. Come. It is late and you are likely weary, but we must move."
"Eyeh, yes, it is time then."
Etny, with the willing help of Tak, Wul, and a couple of other kobolds, takes down her makeshift camp, and gathers her things up. "Lead the way, Chieftess," she replies when she is all done. "I am ready to go home."
Your little group begins to make the way down the mountain.
After about ten minutes of hiking, there is a low, rumbling noise from behind you.
(Make a perception check, and a dexterity save)
(Perception 15, Dexterity 21)
You look back but too late to see exactly what's coming. Thankfully your reflexes are fast enough and you leap to the side, just barely missing being bowled over by strangely shaped boulders. More and more come down the mountain, making rough tracks in the slushy snow melt. Some of them change course as they travel, which is strange... You then realize it. These are the rock-creatures that you'd passed by earlier, fleeing from the tunnel.
One tumbles into a tree nearby, a smaller one with a crack along the top. It sprawls out in the snow, dazed and confused, trying to regain its bearings.
"SHIZA! DAMMIT!"
Etny barely manages to duck and tumble out of the way, avoiding the rock creature that slammed into the nearby tree. She rolls up into a kneeling position, surveying her surroundings. (14 Perception with disadvantage.)
Etny's breathing is slightly labored as her body is exhausted and her muscles weary. She doesn't know how long she can hold up in a fight, especially a prolonged one.
Etny un-shoulders her cracked bow, and deeply lamenting what she must do, she carefully takes aim at the nearest rock creature at the tree, and very, very, very slowly draws the bow back.
She mentally kicks herself for not fitting at least a tie-down to the break. She could have at least done THAT much before...this. She could have done so many things different...
Completely out of Andrayan arrows, she has a stock of her own handmade arrows in her quiver. Drawing back the bowstring to its fullness, she releases her arrow...
(16 attack with disadvantage, 6 piercing damage, if it hits.)
(Roll a d20)
(Uuuuh....)
(...4)
As the arrow leaves the bow, the wood shatters at the fractured point. Flying straight, it hits the creature and buries in an inch, chipping off a large portion of rock. A earthly growl escapes it, and it seems to lie still.
The kobolds chase down some of the others, but they are rolling away too fast for it to be of any use.
Dorokor jogs over, glancing at your broken weapon. She shrugs. "We'll get you another. No matter... just good we found you when we did."
A strange piercing mental disturbance shrieks through the air, causing you both to cover your ears. You feel a headache coming on again, and Kora winces in anger. "Damn it. Let's keep moving."
Tears stream down Etny's face as her eyes run over. She sobs noisily, as the rumbling and grinding of stone on stone overpowers all. This was the last thing she ever had of her family's legacy--her father's bow--and now it lie broken and shattered in her hands.
"Mama....," she says through gritted teeth and the shrieking mental sonic anomaly. "Da...," she sobs, her weary, trembling legs protesting and burning as she pushes herself forward after Dorokor. "Gra-nala shikonda..." The broken pieces of her bow stuffed away in her satchel, she forces herself forward. "Forgive me...," her voice is almost lost in all the cacophony of noises and disturbances all around her.
She can only run.
Run, run, run.
And only in a dream.
(Damn. Inspiration point for you. ❤ )
Over the next several hours you hike back down the mountain, West toward Skyhold. It's amazing to see how far you'd actually traveled underground without seeing the light of day to track your time. The eerie screech earlier still echoed in the back of your mind, but was almost forgotten from the trauma you've just been through.
Finally you step foot back in your familiar camp. By this point some progress has been made on a small, temporary shelter for you--of your own design--as a larger lodge is being built beside it. It will be several months to go before it will be fully complete, but it is something you've determined to see through to the end.
Kora wanders off toward the castle to report, seemingly eager to get out of the growing sunlight pouring through the trees. Tak hovers nearby.
"Atriox, uh... want make sure you're alright. Tak not able to get out way we came in, so no one reported back yet. Atriox he would come help if we signaled... He hurt from slaying big monster that knocked you down there. He alright. Just..."
The little kobold fiddles with his sword handle, watching you closely. He doesn't seem to want to leave yet. Whether because he doesn't wish to hurry you back to the castle, because he sees your exhaustion and pain,, or something else entirely.
Etny's eyes are red and slightly swollen from the seemingly unending flow of tears that have pushed themselves unbidden it of her eyes the entire way down. What was she, some kind of mewling kit that she would show her tears in front of her allies? Her friends? She needed to be strong, and needed to find rest, but none would be had for the weary.
She turns to Tak, and nodding, her reddened, puffy eyes averted to the ground, signals with a gesture that she will go with him to the Prince. She sniffles loudly, and swiping at her nose impatiently with her forearm, makes to leave with Tak.
"Can Wul cone as well?"
Tak steps back to let you pass, not wanting to get in your way. His brow is furrowed but he nods. "Yes, Wul come. Tak will fetch. He speak very highly of Etny all time."
Within a few minutes you find yourself walking back up to the castle, Wul trundling alongside you and Tak lagging just a little behind as an escort.
The trip is tiring, each stair an additional hurdle to conquer. It at least gives you something to focus on, or try to, despite everything that's happened. Once you enter the foyer, you spot a familiar tiefling heading out from a side parlor. He's just a bit dirty, and you suspect he'd been down in the cavern too.
"Back from the dead, I see." He looks you three over, a nonchalant coolness to his voice. But when he sees your expression Etny, he softens just a little. "Well... welcome back to us. Appreciate you two finding her." Oxious nods to the kobolds and steps closer to Etny, his voice quiet as he conjures up a drink for you.
"Are you alright, miss? Dorokor spoke to us of a... creature you had a run in with."
"Oxious...good...good to see you as well. I just wanted to come and report everything to Atriox-dugairon."
Etny accepts the drink and takes it all down in one pull, her exhaustion manifesting. Anything will do at this point, though she didn't ask what he'd given her.
"In any case, yes, I had a run in with an...," she struggles slightly with the pronunciation in her accented common, "...illithid. I named it--him--kathulu, for I had no name for him in my own tongue."
"Also...," she trails off, her tired eyes stinging, "...I broke my family's legacy."
He arches an eyebrow, and notices your bow is no longer upon your back. "I see... It's alright, dear. Nothing is broken forever."
Oxious leads you, almost fatherly-like, through the hall. He no longer acknowledges the kobolds who follow behind. "Illithids are not normally trifled with... especially where one can walk away to live to tell about it. He must have been very desperate indeed."
The silence presses in around you both as you continue your way onward. The halls are indeed looking cleaner. More lived in. It will still take some time, you're sure, before it feels like a lively castle once more.
With a sigh he brings you into a room to sit. "Rest. You don't need to push yourself. I can make the little lizard king walk a little." He smirks, and you're not sure if he's being sarcastic or not. With a few words to Tak, the kobold travels to get Atriox.
"In the meantime..." Oxious looks back at you, "Will you show me your bow?"
Etny plops on the seat, her body literally trembling from overuse. Nevertheless, she summons enough strength to reach into her satchel, and produce the broken fragments of her bow. She turns her eyes away, her heart pounding within her chest.
"It is..."
She can't finish it. She can't say it. She can't even try anymore. She drops everything and passes out.
***
You're woken by a small noise at the door. Tak is standing there, tired and dirty and seemingly glad to have found you. With a glance at the light outside, you realize night has already passed and a new day has come. You're also covered with a blanket woven of some type of plant, criss-crossed with flowers. You're sure Ismene brought it down to you at some point.
"Found Etny, Atriox. She safe... Tak think, anyway. Strange things happened." He fiddles with the door handle. "You wish come speak? Oxious with her now.
Atriox grunts some steam out of he nostrils and stretches. unfolding his tail from sleeping he looks at Tak with regarding eyes
“Most have been interesting, you took your time. I hope everything went fine seeing as you never called for help with the flare. Let’s go see then I suppose.”
Tak gulps, a little embarrassed about not having used the flare. "Well we... handled it. Was fine. Everyone safe. Took longer way out is all." He steps to the side, allowing you to pass.
"Other things living in the mountain. Is a big mountain." You both walk to the area where the others are, and find Oxious sitting in a plush chair. He's contemplative and hardly responds when you come in.
After what seems like only a couple of hours, at least in her mind, Etny's groggy eyes open.
Atriox notices that Etny seems to have passed out, her family bow broken on the table. But she stirs slightly at the sound of the footfalls.
Kora steps in from another hall, looking as if she is surprised to find you all here. Perhaps she'd been looking for you, too. Her mouth sets a thin line, her tusks protruding slightly as she looks at Tak. "Glad you are here."
Atriox raises a ridged eyebrow I’m curiosity but stays quite about it Instead he simply says
“Report on what happened please”
The order isn’t directed at anyone. He knows somebody will share. That’s why they brought him here
Etny, sore and exhausted, but not nearly as bad as earlier, struggles a little, sitting up, and running her hands through her auburn hair, she swings her legs over the edge of the couch, and resting her elbows on her thighs, her hands folded, she begins to report.
"Halalu, Atriox-dugairon," she says, her voice a little hoarse from tiredness, "oleah, but it is good to see you." Pausing, she looks up at the Prince, observing him for a moment, and continues. "As for a report, all I can really say is that I took a little tumble down a dark pit, and ended up in the presence of..." she stops herself short, wondering if she should even mention the name. She shudders. "I ended up in the presence of an...," she struggles a little to pronounce the name through her accent, "...an Illithid."
Letting the word hang in the air like a baleful curse for a moment, she continues. "He was...accommadating, to say the least, if a bit creepy, but he did not..." she stops herself again, not wanting to say the word out loud, but forges ahead anyway. "...he did not 'feast' on me," she says gesturing with one hand to her intact head, " as you can see. I used my skills as a ranger, and got us to the exit we went through. As we were racing to get out, something...or somethings...rock creatures of some sort, came alive and began to pursue us. When the Illithid and I came out, we parted ways, and he disappeared. I camped, and was found by Tak and Dorokor not less than a day later."
Atriox tilts his head as he listens to the report. He’s not totally happy with what he’s heard but not mad either
He looks to Kora with a questioning look
“Did you find any trace of IT Bonebreaker?”
"Tsk. I'm sure I felt it out in the forest. But..." She turns her face away, sneering. Her next words come out more like a warrior's oath. "No. Not yet at least."
Oxious nods, almost to himself, a curious expression on his face. His mind is definitely not in the room right now, lost as he often is in his own plans.
Etny sighs, and runs her hands through her hair again. Looking down at the floor, she mutters in a subdued voice, "sorry I brought so much extra trouble on everyone."
Tak walks over to Etny and places a consoling claw on her arm. "You not trouble."
Atriox snorts in agreement
“Indeed huntress though I don’t like this new situation, I’d be even less happy if we had to bury you. We must keep a wary eye out for such a creature near our home. Speaking of ...”
Atriox turns to Oxious
“My lord Hand. In a few hours time I’d like to meet here with you, Ironfist, and Kora. A defense committee of sorts. As construction and rebuilding gets fully underway in the near future I’d like to draw up our defense plans. We have enemies out there and I will not run from this mountain again. Never.”
Oxious stirs out of his revere. "Yes, yes. Of course." Conjuring a parchment out of thin air, he waves his hand to construct a message and it disappears again with a soft pink pop of light. You assume he sent something to Ironfist.
Dorokor nods with a grunt, leaning against a repaired table. She's doesn't argue with it, and this alone seems to be her show of appreciation.
Atriox nods to everyone and heads for the door. Over his shoulder he says
“Get some rest Et. I want you there to. I have some ideas I want your input on.”
Etny chuckles wanly at Tak, letting her tiredness set in. Looking up at the prince, she nods a curt bow to him, and swinging her legs back onto the couch, she falls instantly asleep. It is a matter of moments before her deep breathing can be heard.
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