The three of the kobolds yip with excited growls, their eyes practically glowing. You'd never have thought you'd have an experience like this, working alongside such creatures. It's a strange feeling to be sure.
Out in the forests surrounding the mountain, they track after you--weaving in and out of the bushes with ease. You can see why Tak had a greater advantage with his coloring for places such as these; the blue scales and white tipped horns stand out a bit more amongst the bushes and tall grass.
(19 stealth for the three of them)
They are soft-footed enough to keep quiet, and sharp-witted enough to keep downwind with you as you go. You aren't quite sure how these paths fair with game, given the ravenous Skaven that lived in the mountain for who knows how long. As well, you're not sure how many may have escaped... that still wander these woods. It's best to be on your guard.
(21 Perception against Skaven threats, and 18 Stealth.)
(Also, since I leveled up to 6th level, that means I get to speak one extra language, and choose one more favored enemy. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....)
(Looooooool......... Wow good rolls... yes what is your new favored enemy, miss huntress? XD)
(I've learned to speak Undercommon, as we've been working around kobolds and other creatures who may know that language. My second favored enemy? FREAKIN SKAVEN!!! BOOOOO-YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!)
Etny slinks quietly through the underbrush of the forest. She smells the air, gauging what she can of any game coming her way. Also, she is seeking to find any Skaven in area, and ambush them from afar.
She avoids all twigs and sounding brush that she sees, moving quietly through the bushes with her small party in tow.
You are as quiet and stealthy as a mouse through the foliage. It's almost second nature to you, and somehow the air here, the trees... it reminds you a little of your own home. Though not as cold, there is a spark of the ancient ways here. You feel the All-Mother with you. Guiding you.
(13 perception of my own)
From one of the kobolds you hear a thin whistle, like a bird. You come across tiny blood droplets upon the leaves of the nearest bush. Up ahead you spot movement. Matted gray fur passing through a clearing. One. Two. Two forms moving together, slinking along and away from the mountain. Skaven.
Etny comes to a halt behind a tree, and looks around at the retreating Skaven, watching them for a moment. She quickly gestures for the other three kobolds to take cover as well, and silently indicates for them to nock arrows, and that on the signal of her firing an arrow of her own, to unleash their fury on the poor beasts with two arrows each.
Etny slowly but surely draws back her bowstring with a nocked Andrayan arrow--one of the originals she has had with her since she first began traveling this world.
She lets it fly! It sings quietly through the air, swift as a fox! (22 to hit, 10 damage to the one on the right.)
(That's a hit!)
The arrow finds its mark, burrowing deep into the back of the Skaven. It squeals loudly, the other turning in surprise trying to figure out what happened.
The other three kobolds take the command with deadly intent. Letting go of their own bowstrings, six more arrows--more crude and noisy than yours, but no less effective--fly toward your enemies.
(Damn I rolled bad for them... LOL 1, 5, 6, 1, 14, 12 raw)
Now aware someone is chasing them, the Skaven duck beneath the hailstorm of stone and steel coming toward their heads. One strikes the second rat in the side, another hitting the first in the arm. They draw their swords, but continue to try to run away--perhaps to rally more like them deeper in the forest.
Etny quickly draws back a second arrow--not Andrayan--and aims at the second Skaven, letting the arrow fly. (31 attack, 13 damage.) She makes a piercing bird-like cry, signaling the others to follow her, chase down, and slay these filthy beasts.
She races forward, rapidly shouldering her bow and drawing her poleaxe with a practiced ease. "RADACH," she shouts in her mind as she races toward the kill.
The arrow sticks in one of their shoulders, close to the neck. They bleed profusely on the ground as they run, turning only at the last second like cornered rats forced into a fight.
You land in front of one as it attempts to slice at you with its sword (18 to hit, 5 damage, second didn't hit), backing away as quickly as it can. It breathes wheezily, your arrow having done it's work.
The other, more injured, growls loudly and gnashes its teeth, about to claw you in the face when three kobolds jump it. (18, 7, 15) You don't have to look to know what kobolds to when they catch their prey. The vicious yipping, squealing and tearing tells you enough to know you don't have to worry about that one any longer.
Etny's leg is cut deeply by the Skaven blade, her blood also running down in large rivulets. She ignores the sharp sting, and rapidly tossing her poleaxe to her left hand, lashes out with her right hand to grapple the pin-cushioned rat-beast. (19 Athletics to grapple this sob!)
(opposed grapple.... 17 XD you got it)
Etny flails the rat-beast around for a moment, seeking to make the thing lose its grip on its sword. (17 Athletics to make it drop its sword, sooooo make an opposed Acrobatics beating the 17 as a DC.)
(..........ughhhh... 10)
The Skaven's sword falls useless to the ground, and holding it by the scruff of its neck turns around so it is now facing the vicious kobolds and their...handiwork with its companion. Etny, in a grunting, bellowing manner, commands the beast in Undercommon.
"Death want? Dead make? Yes? They eat! They feast! No mercy," she barks at the creature. (NAT 20, sooooooo 23 total Intimidation!!!!)
(Pfttttttttt...................)
The Skaven squeals stops flailing, absolutely horrified.
It screeches in a very scratchy, unpleasant voice, "N-no! No! No eat! No eat!"
The kobolds just look up from their prey like vicious dogs, blood on their claws and faces like war paint. They grin at you with satisfaction, a cold, excited look that almost makes you shudder from memory. You know they are proud, and seek to make you proud by their actions. No doubt Vele explained who you were and your sincere importance.
Etny takes the creature, and turns it so it is facing her. She first speaks in draconic to the three kobolds. "Rul, Wek, Bone, when you have sated your hunger on this one's unfortunate companion, come to me and this live one. Show him your teeth, your claws, and your weapons; jeer at him; move about, circling us, and frighten him with your presence."
She then turns the Skaven to face her, and adopts a cold, wrathful expression in her violet eyes. Barking in Undercommon at the creature, she continues.
"Questions. You answer! Answer! Live! No answer, die!"
Rul, Wek and Bone grin evily, the smell of stinking blood thick in the air. Obviously enjoying the feast on the fallen Skaven more for fun than for sustenance, they gladly leave its corpse to rot.
Drawing out their daggers they claw at the wretched creature, circling the two of you. They're obviously having a fantastic time with your orders, and think quite highly of your methods.
The Skaven however does not feel this way. His beady black eyes, darting between you and the evil little beasts, writhes in distress. He knows escape is futile, unless...
"Questions?? Questions? What questions? Tell!" His teeth gnash together, grinding painfully out of fear.
"Leader! Queen! King! Chieftain! Where?" Etny barks forcefully at the poor creature. "Main colony! Where? How many? Answer," she shakes him slightly in front if the ravenous kobolds, "or die!"
"Chief--chief--" He stammers, trying to keep his legs away from the nipping kobolds. "Dead! Die battlefield! Surely!"
(I'm dying... rofl... you can roll an insight check if you'd like)
(20 total insight.)
(Well that definitely beats my nat 1 😀 xD)
You can tell he's trying to save his skin, saying anything that comes to mind.
(Pppfffffffffffttttt.......weyelp...)
Etny holds him closer to the kobolds, ravenous, gnashing their teeth, clawing at him, hunger in their eyes. "Eat then? Tell lies, they feast. Flesh tear."
(Nat 19 intimidation.)
He squeals loudly, Bone biting his tail and practically severing the thing off. "No!! No!!" His claws flail in front of him, trying to keep the kobolds away. "Chief live! Where not know! Was check forest camps! Yes, yes many holes, many! Deep forest!"
Etny, satisfied with the Skaven's answer, turns it toward her, her violet eyes blazing. "Send message: land, not Skaven's; castle, not Skaven's; forest, not Skaven's. Leave now. Or kobolds feast in great numbers! Rip! Tear! Claw! Tooth! Blades!" She shakes the wretched creature one more time, and tosses it roughly to the ground. When she does this, with lightning speed, she drops her poleaxe to the ground, draws her bow and an arrow, and fires rapidly at the Skaven's feet. Etny barks at the Skaven.
"Run! Chief! Message! NOW!"
The Skaven squeals one last time, scrambling in the dirt and muck as it rushes away into the underbrush on all fours. It is gone within seconds, eyes spinning in terror. The kobolds watch you, an impressed look among them.
She turns to Wul, Rek, and Bone. "You have done well, friends. This land belongs to Atriox-Wanotreyx," she says in draconic to them. "Now," she continues, "we must find two does, large and supple, drain their blood, and four large rabbits, caged or bagged. Shall we hunt, friends?"
The three kobolds cackle in delight, replying in draconic back to you. "Yessssss, yes let us make for the hunt!"
(You can choose what you'd like to hunt first. Skill challenge! This will be a series of survival checks to successfully find all these things. It is also dusk, which may make it more difficult to find diurnal game, but it's not impossible)
Etny and the the hunter kobolds make their way through the bushes and underbrush of the mountain forest, alert and aware of all sounds around them. Etny sniffs the air again, and inspects the ground every so often as she makes her through the flora and fauna. (NAT 20!!! Soooooooo 23 total Survival to search for game in the area.)
(WHY DO YOUR DICE LIKE YOU SO MUCH TODAY)
(Where were these rolls for poor Darr?? 😂 )
After a half hour of tracking, you and your team come across a fresh game trail crossing your path. It's large enough that you think you have what you're looking for.
You follow the tracks, finding scat and fresh markings of a small group of deer. Cresting over a hill, you see movement down in the meadow below. A large six point buck and three to four does, grazing gently on the grass and settling down for the evening. He watches half-heartedly for danger. (Rolled a 6)
Etny (20 total Stealth), signaling her fellow hunters to quietly fan out and surround the unsuspecting deer, carefully nocks an arrow to her bowstring. She indicates with hand gestures to fire at the deer on her signal. The arrows are pure Andrayan in make, built to fly straighter and more accurate than any other arrow she's ever utilized.
With just the barest hint of a breathless prayer to the All-Mother, Etny makes a soft bird call to get the attention of the deer.
(23 and 18 to hit against two of the does, with 14 damage to one, and 14 damage to the other.)
(Crap... lol.. rolled a nat 1 for the kobolds to be stealthy.)
With a yelp, you hear a tumbling and snapping sound from behind you. Bone is the only one you see rush up beside you, struggling to keep up with your hunting skills. Your arrows definitely find their marks, but the noise spooks the rest--they bolt, fleeing with the speed of a winter wind. His arrow follows after, catching one you hit in the neck.
The injured does make to run but they stumble, falling to the earth and breathing no more. Behind you there is a yelping, scrambling sound--a hole of some sort, likely dug by Skavens as a trap. Wul looks to have skewered himself on some of the sharp sticks at the bottom, cursing in draconic as Rek tries to help him out. He fell in too, but managed to scramble up out of harms way. (9 and 13 dex saves for them).
"Shiza," Etny yelps out of desperation. She rushes over to where Wul and Rek are struggling to free themselves from the trap.
She immediately gets to work, inspecting the trap and its depth. (NAT 20!!! 23 total Survival to determine the dimensions, nature, and layout of the trap.) Without waiting, she hefts Rek the rest of the way out, and calls down to Wul in draconic, "I will get you out of this! Lie still!"
(Wthhhhhhhh your rolls.......... XD)
"Damn it all...." You hear Wul curse under his breath, trying not to move. You instantly recognize this type of trap. Although it is a little unique to how the Skaven have made it, it is a five by five foot hole, dug down perhaps eight feet to catch medium to large prey. Two kobolds were enough to set it off, breaking the thin layer of branches and dirt covering the surface.
Along the sides and bottom are broken sticks, jammed into the walls in hopes of puncturing a deer's lung, or skewering any other animal that was unlucky enough to set it off.
"Shiza," Etny curses again. "Filthy bastards," she reaches into her satchelsatchel, and produces a length of hempen rope. Finding a sturdy rock, she ties one end of the rope around it, and lets the remainder drop down into the pit. Utilizing several of the jutting wooden spikes as footholds, and holding onto the rope with one hand, she carefully, slowly lowers herself down to the bottom of the pit.
She stands over Wul, one foot on one side of him, another on the other side, and crouching down, works her hands and arms around his back. She looks into his eyes, and speaks in even tones in draconic. "Wul, this will hurt. It will sting. I need you to show me that you are dragon-kind! Strength!"
You see the fire in his eyes. He grits his teeth, ready for what's to come.
Etny yanks on the kobold, slowly but surely pulling him off of the spikes. She says a silent prayer to the All-Mother, and finally pulls Wul off of the wooden spikes.
She takes him in one arm, and hoists him and herself up the rope, finding purchase on the wooden spikes going up the pit.
You make it to the top, his wounds now bleeding freely.
Wul is a bit dizzy from the pain but your inspiring words keep him from making any further noise. They aspire to be nothing less than dragon-like, after all.
Etny hefts we'll as gently as she can, making sure to be mindful of his wounds. She lays him down on a bed of leaves, and digs into her satchel, seeking for medicinal herbs. Finding what she needs, she pulls out a pessel and grindstone, and crushes the leaves. "You have been wounded, Wul, but I shall heal you as best as I can," she says in draconic. Never in her life would she have ever dreamed of a time where she would heal TWO kobolds in one day! What was this world coming to?
She mixes the ground plants with water and an oil, making a paste or poultice, and she takes out bandages and large leaves, doing both in the healing mixture. Thus will slow the bleeding, and clean your wounds. You have been brave this day, Wul, and are deserving of high honors for it." She smiles, "I shall tell the Prince of your strength this day."
(17 Medicine.)
(Niceeeeee)
He grits his teeth and takes the care as best he can. The other two slink away, careful of any more traps, and fetch the fallen does. By the time you have fully bandaged Wul, they've dragged your catch back to your position.
Rek goes to fetch help for the does as Bone explains several places where they saw traps set. It seems the forest is littered with them, and there might be more Skaven hiding than you first anticipated.
He grits his teeth and takes the care as best he can. The other two slink away, careful of any more traps, and fetch the fallen does. By the time you have fully bandaged Wul, they've dragged your catch back to your position.
Rek goes to fetch help for the does as Bone explains several places where they saw traps set. It seems the forest is littered with them, and there might be more Skaven hiding than you first anticipated.
"Shiza," Etny curses under her breath at the news. She quickly shoulders her bow, retrieves what arrows she can from the dead Skaven, and reattaches her poleaxe to her back. Picking up each doe separately, she swings them over each of her shoulders, and makes ready to move back through the forest.
"Bone, Rek," she says in an urgent voice in draconic, "take up Wul, and carry him as best as you can. We must get out of here. Now."
She begins scanning the trees in the waning light as best as she can, to look for any signs of traps. With that, she sings a soft melody to the All-Mother for protection, and she and her fellow kobold hunters go completely invisible.
(I first cast Pass Without a Trace on us, make a 19 Perception to keep an eye out for traps, and make a 21 Athletics to carry the two does.)
The night is turning dark. Your steps are guarded by your goddess and your magical power, which is good for you. The does are heavy and the going is slow, and your eyes cannot see as well as the kobolds near you. The two of them carry their friend, stopping and listening every now and then with twitching tails and nervous looks.
Once or twice you come across a trap, almost too suddenly. You always manage to catch yourself at the last moment, stopping the others from stumbling into them. Movement in the distance and glints of red follow you, never coming quite near enough for you to tell if it is your imagination.
After a tense amount of time, and as your muscles begin to weaken from carrying your prey, you see movement among the brush in front of you. Several more kobold pop out, weapons drawn. Seeing you they rejoice, and help carry your meat back to the main camp. Wul is placed on a tarp and dragged back with the others. Bone and Rek chatter excitedly in draconic undertones with the others, explaining what's happened.
Etny finally drops the two does to the ground, their dead husks thumping against the ground. Immediately, she gets to work draining the blood of the beasts into water skins. Both skins are disdended heavily, filled with the metallic scent of blood. Etny's hands are covered in the stuff, and she wipes the sweat from her brow with the back of her forearm. She then goes to the arduous task of dressing out the beasts, and making sure that their meat is unsalted and ready for consumption.
(16 Survival to dress out the does.)
(That matches my DC ❤ good job hun)
You're able to expertly work with the carcasses despite your exhaustion from the long day. At one point the two other kobolds join you, helping section out the meat as you direct. Finally done with all of the fresh material, it is ready to be delivered up to Oxious at the castle.
Gaare sniffs around for scraps, wondering what you're up to. She's always been rather fond of the entrails, heads and the like.
The last thing you need, the rabbits, could probably be found in the morning--or by some of the kobolds this evening, if you send out a party to set snares. It seems the tiefling wanted those alive.
Etny, slick and grimy with blood soaked arms and hands, looks about for a river. She speaks nonchalantly in her native tongue to the axebeak, urging it to feast away at what remains of the dear carcasses.
Etny calls for Rek and Bone in draconic, telling them to take a party of kobolds out into the outer portions of the forest where the small game will likely be, and set up snares. She explains that she needs four live rabbits by the morning, if possible.
Rek and Bone are more than eager to assist, somehow still full of energy. You see them munching on something from their packs as they pull together materials for snares.
"Yes, huntress," they smile toothily, "we shall have your rabbits by morning."
You remember seeing a small stream not too far from camp, having crossed it earlier that afternoon. Leaving Gaare to clean up the mess you are able to leave to wash up after a very extremely grueling day.
Etny strips down and wades into the water, letting the cold liquid wash over her. She scrubs and washes herself thoroughly, the smell of the blood slowly waning away. She makes her way back to shore, and dries herself off with a spare blanket she has never used, and dresses herself again.
As you finish dressing you hear a whistling through the air. (Make a dexterity save)
(22 Dex)
You duck, just in time to avoid a strange object aimed right for your head. It crashes against the tree next to you with a sickening thud, and you hear a swarm of squeaking, squawking voices cackle from around you. Glancing at what it was, you see it's the severed head of the rat you let go--the same terrified expression you remember frozen to his face.
***
Atriox enters. It's a simple room, adorned with--at one point--a nice bed, some belongings, and a mirror. You can tell in the years since it's been raided through once or twice, the damp, dusty smell strong from the old blankets and moth eaten clothes.
Now the room also smells of blood, grime and dirt. It looks as if Dorokor was tied down at one point to keep her and others safe, but she's torn away most of her restraints. Only one arm remains now, knotted uncomfortably against a bed post. She turns to look at you. You remember the night she came into your room on the Annabel in a full frenzy. It's probably a look you'll never forget.
But her face now looks only half as lost, her mind half buried under the teeth of the beast. Her fangs have almost grown back entirely, with a second set beside the first, and they glisten red in the light from outside the room. Wracked with a cough, she kneels by the side of the bed, throwing up the rancid Skaven blood.
Atriox looks over Kora calmly leaning his back up against the now closed door
“I heard what happened.....and I see from your eyes your still having trouble”
The frenzied vampire growls under her breath, panting and putting her head back on the bed. It's a struggle, but she manages to focus on you just enough that her eyes clear a bit.
"Yes, what of it?" Kora coughs again, fighting the beast. "I'm f-fine. Just that damn tiefling blood not sitting well with the... the rats..."
You notice she's gripping her stomach roughly with her other hand, practically clawing into it. You can see the hunger come back to her; she's never been this ravenous before.
Atriox grunts and takes a few tentative steps closer to her and squats down
“Kora......it’s almost time. You must fight these dark feelings and bring out your true self. For you baby. For our baby. If nothing else.........you are so much better than this ! The chieftess I met months and months ago was cool and calm in her resolve. Someone everyone under her respected. Now your hurting everyone. If I got close enough I suspect you’d try and drain me dead.......again.”
(Persuasion 16 meh 😕 )
(Mmmmmm close.... good roll overall. Damn that hit some heartstrings.)
She stops clawing at the binding still tied to her, shaking. You can see that they've rubbed against her old wounds, scars still there from Tanarukk, which makes her seem to hate them all the more.
Forcing her words out she spits, "Calm?! Respect?? There's nothing the beast cares about other than--" Kora coughs again, trying to keep from retching. "Shit, YOU tried to kill ME when you frenzied! How was that? Where was your cool?!"
The frenzy hits again and she growls loudly, tugging frantically at the cord with no avail.
(bluh, 10 strength to bust the bindings)
Atriox looks at her for a moment before responding
“I held you up by your neck. If you recall you tore into me and all but killed me. Glad to see you think they’re the same thing. “
Atrioxs tone turns dry at the end and he turns his back on her
Dorokor's voice dips into a dangerous growl blended with a groan. "You dare..."
(20 strength check, 16 to see if she can stay in control or not)
You hear the bed creak and a vicious snapping sound as the final cord frays and breaks. Now freed and with your back to her, you don't know what to expect...
No attack comes. Kora stands, fighting it, breathing heavily as blood drips freely from her wrist. She struggles against the monster again, her voice cold. "...You think I don't regret that? I remember waking in the aftermath. It's a constant, sickening reminder of what I am. What you are."
A sharp ache almost sends her to the ground again. Something clawing at her. She sucks at the blood on her own arm to quell it. "I thought you were going to kill me that night you fell to it. I've fought you before. But I've never seen you so strong as you were in that frenzy. Nor could my words reach you. But apparently there's more in you than just... this." She angerly gestures to her face, her fangs and eyes.
Atriox slightly turns his head. He’s got a fire in his eyes. He’s exhausted, injured himself; worried about Kora and Dahlia now as well as the baby, and a thousand other things that come with this damned mountain. He’s quickly getting to the angry stage of things
“Oh now you hate it ? The great and powerful Bonebreaker? Hmphh and I’m well aware there’s more in me. I’m a thrice cursed prince of this hellish mountain. But I didn’t hurt you and that’s what matters. Now you need to stop before you kill someone else or cause irreparable damage. The person who could helped you the most right now is now incapacitated and drained nearly dry. What In the seven hells am I supposed to do ? Birth our baby with you ? I’m no midwife !”
"I don't hate it!" She hisses, eyes red and venomous. She ignores your latter comments, the thought likely absurd to her as well. "I hate what I did! You think I don't want to be in control?! I don't even remember..."
Kora trails off, confused and embarrassed. It takes her a moment to find her words. "Who'd I almost kill this time?"
Atriox lets the question hang for a few moments as he folds his hands behind his back
Finally he utters her name
“...............Dahlia “
He turns and looks at her critically.
“Oxious is hurt as well and now I’m sure Kybirus has doubts on our whole alliance.”
Atriox walks slowly towards a wall with a dusty old painting on it. After examining it for a second he suddenly punches it going straight through and breaking stone behind it. He curses out loud but almost to himself
“One shit show after another. That’s what this day has been.”
His hand hurts and might even be broken in a small spot or two but he ignores it
Dorokor winces, looking away from Atriox with a grunt. She's not sure what to make of this information or how to address it. The red in her eyes fades just a little as she fights it again, and she sits back down in exhaustion and pain.
"Fine, I'm--" She growls. "I'm sorry! Is that what you want to hear? Sorry I ruined your day, that I hurt your hell-friend and your--" Kora stops herself, likely about to say something rude. She's not fully unaware of what goes on or how you feel about Dahlia.
"Your... healer." Her clawed hands dig into the sheets as she bites her tongue. "May the gods forgive me and smite me, whatever it may help..."
It's one of the rare times you've ever heard her apologize for something, and it is a little off-putting. She honestly hasn't been much herself since the trip started, and you're sure you can guess why.
Atriox waves her off and paces slowly
“No I’m not interested in forced apologies and even less so if you don’t mean it and just think I want to hear it.”
He stops and looks at her.
“This is almost over. The end has begun and soon we’ll be parents or at least shadows of ones. All I ask is that you pull yourself together. I don’t know if you used to much energy or what during the battle but I told you to be careful ! You above all others.”
He shakes his head with a slight growl before heading towards the door
“Your free obviously. I’m going to try and find you someone who can actually help you as I’m clearly of no use here.”
As he walks his mid rift pangs with a sharp pain all of the sudden and it’s all he can do to not miss a step. He takes a couple of breaths and straitens up as he looks for Oxious room
Kora is silent as you leave, the tension hanging in the air like a guillotine. The two orcs outside step away as you exit, watching the door warily. Once you're past, they close it gently, not wanting to bother either of you or get in the middle of the intense heat they no doubt heard.
You make your way down the hall and pause at the door Oxious went into. It is slightly ajar, and with your sharpened senses you can hear him speaking quietly inside. He seems to be mumbling to himself as if reading something.
Atriox gently knocks on the door
The mumbling stops. The sound of a chair moving and cloven hoofs on the floor precede the presence of the tiefling at the door, looking up at you with a rather exhausted expression.
"Well you look like crap."
Wiping his nose with the back of his hand, he glances back into the room and back at you. "You're free to come in. It's your house after all." He turns for you to follow, gesturing to a couple chairs in the room. You see some familiar books laying around, paperwork about vampires and healing charms. "I was going to come back for you... eventually. Looks like you survived and saved me the trip."
Atriox just grunts and sits down in a free chair, holding one hand to his side
“How is it going in here then ?”
Oxious looks you over, gauging your wounds as he replies in his usual snark, "Just cheery. Absolutely fantastic."
His eyes glance to the bed in the corner, a little more reserved. You see Dahlia sleeping quietly, covered in a thin sheet. Only her horns poke out from the shadows, and the tip of her tail.
"I've set her arm the best I could. I'm waiting for my supplies to arrive from the ship... not sure how long it will take. She'll need rest and lots of it."
Atriox nods,looking over at Dahlia with a sad smile
“Is there anything I can do ?”
Oxious prods your ribs, seeing they've been broken again. "You handling what you just did helped." He looks thoughtful though, as if considering what else there might be.
"You can speak with Dahlia if you'd like. Encourage her. Rest a little yourself. I need to deliver a message... I will return shortly."
He stands again, taking up a scroll he must have been working on. Looking one last time at Dahlia, he quietly leaves the room.
Atriox sighs a little and gets up. He slowly walks over to Dahlia to check on her
She's lightly sleeping on the bed, her face pale but peaceful. She has several cuts and scrapes, her arms badly bruised and one in a splint. You can see the bite marks on her shoulder and neck, with some bruising there too.
Sensing someone nearby she stirs slightly. One eye opens a bit, focusing on you. "A-Atriox? Hi..." She smiles a little, hoping to put you at ease.
Atriox grunts at her
“Don’t even act like you or any of this is ok. It’s not.”
Her smile softens. "I know. It's just nice to see you."
Dahlia closes her eyes again. "My prayers to my god help stave off most of the discomfort. Once I can sit up, I'll be able to heal myself more quickly."
Atriox nods and gently reaches his hand out to show her affection. It only lasts a second tho before he pulls back. With Kora In her current state he is all to aware of how she feels on Dahlia
He clears his throat and speaks up
“Good because I think we will need you. Sooner than later. I know Kora hurt you......but it wasn’t intentional, she can’t even remember you see....... it’s because of her condition you see. Well both her conditions”
Atriox gets a small silly smile on his face as he realizes what he said
Dahlia opens her eyes again, comforted by your kindness and your silly smile. "I assumed as much... it's alright, Atriox." She shifts slightly, trying not to overly strain herself. "You did it. You made it here. You took it all back. I'm so proud of you. Now just one day at a time... right?"
There's a sincere look on her face. "Don't blame Kora too much for what happened... It was unfortunate. But not unexpected. I've heard Oxious mumbling away over his books..." Dahlia closes her eyes again as a small laugh escapes her. Talking seems rather tiring. Despite this, she still manages to tease, "It sounds like Kora is on the mellow end of how these things usually go with vampires."
Despite the state she's in, she is as perceptive and direct as ever. The books lay scattered about on the table, a small collection the tiefling must have brought with him.
Atriox grunts and his smile persists as he looks down at her
“As always your a light in the darkness. You’ve always been kind to her and I and our affliction. I’m hoping in the coming days you two find common ground. “
Atriox grabs her hand gently and gives it a affectionate squeeze.
“You need rest. I’ll take my leave now princess. Get well.”
There's a slight stir of emotion at hearing the old pet name... But Dahlia doesn't argue at all, and you can feel her slip back into a peaceful sleep almost instantly.
The fatigue hits you again like a ton of bricks. Making your way to a nearby room, it's hard not to collapse before reaching the old dusty bed.
Sleep overtakes you. You find yourself drifting in a void of shadows, blood and magic, broken only by impossible to reach flashes of a prismatic light.
Always just out of your grasp, their incessant, musical call makes your heart swell and your soul ache in a way you've never known.
***
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