Zantorax looks around, thinking, for a moment. "Tag, Fyn, Maeg, would you
be so kind as to accompany me? We should be ready for an attack, should the
orcs regroup. In that case, we should make use of the Dwarven stronghold
that is here. But first we should make sure that it is clear of dangers. The
rest should stay here and protect the villagers and help get them into the
entrance to the Dwarven home. So long as we find nothing threatening, we
can decide where the best spot to assemble the people will be. What do you
think?" Zantorax looks to Tag and Maeg to hear their views of his plan...
"Finally! Here is something I can do!" she smile brightly, though fear still
marrs her eyes, "Let's quickly check the dwarven hold and use it as a
defense until the calvalry arrives. We can tend to the ill and injured and
perhaps even my small talents will be of use again..."
Tag looks to Maeg, and Maeg is about to speak when Varn says, "From what I saw,
unless a few of those chickens went in the tunnels, it looked like a long
time since anyone went in there."
Maeg grins and says, "I would love to take a look in the caverns, though we
don't have time to go far in. It's a good plan, bald... I mean Zantorax."
He gives Zan a hearty slap on the back.
Tag remarks, "And if Zeptha made it to Waterdeep, it shouldn't be too long
until aid comes from Ross and the Waterdhavian authorities. Perhaps three
days depending on the size of their force and whether they bring wagons
or not. That figure is the long side... hopefully in two days time, they
will be here."
"Then what do you guys think of holing up here until they arrive? I don't
like having a back that can be attacked, and it will be if the orcs manage
to regroup. Oh, and Varn, Maeg, Baldy is fine. I don't mind it. Besides, I
think I'd like to see the dwarven tunnels, Dwarven construction is
well-renowned. Besides, it would probably be safest for the villagers inside
the tunnels and it'll give us some time to rest up after our hard march."
Zantorax appears to be looking at things from a purely scholarly point of
view, though his eyes glimmer with excitement and curiousity. "It should be
safe, I hear Dwarven construction lasts longer than Dwarves do, and from
what I hear that's a LONG time. But we should send an armed party ahead to
deal with anything that may have taken up residence or fled inside."
The big warrior proceeds to walk among the downed orcs, prodding with the
point of his sword while looking for the leaders, searching for answers. He
speaks a few moments to Dalin and Cathil before eventually coming onto the
discussion, nodding to what he is hearing.
"I do not know this land, but if we were to take the villagers back in the
morning after we all get some deserved rest, would we take the secret trail
to the river and straight to Yronry (or follow the trail back in case help
is coming), or is there a nearer town/village? And, what supplies do we
have?"
[Tag]
If the orcs are not leaving the area, then we will just have to put an end
to that threat if we are staying. I assume you can find them again.
Tag looks up at the tall warrior and says, "Already looking at the tracks,
they have scattered quite efficiently. For us to go after them, we would
have to split up into several groups. Let's check the Dwarven stronghold
first and then make plans from there." Tag looks at Shiro, Cathil, Dalin
and Jeremiah and says, "Would all of you make sure that the folk of
Yronry are fit to travel at least to the cavern. I will go with the dwarves,
Zantorax and Fynvola to check on the tunnels, but if nothing is waiting
in ambush, I will return quickly to give you all a hand. Darrin, start to
see what you can help Dunz find amongst the bodies... especially in regards
to edible food."
Tag turns to lead the others away, but then he stops and says to Dunz,
"I think we should head for what help we know is coming, if we are able
to travel. From the river though, we might consider heading all these
people towards Daggerford, if they so desire." That said, Tag begins
the trek towards the Quarry.
Seeing the carnage around him and hearing the cry for help, Jeremiah unslings
> his healing bag from his bag and opens it by the fallen prisoners. Scanning the
> hurts, he sees that the dark haired woman has been felled visciously by a blow
> to the side of her head. Sensing her need for aid, he drops to his knees beside
> her, cupping her head in his hands and with eyes reaching to the horizon, prays
> for power to comfort and heal this fallen one.
>
> "Lathander, Lord of the morning, bring me your power and grace and lay your
> hands on his woman through the hands of your servant," the slender cleric
> pleads.
>
> Then gliding his hands over the wound he watches as torn flesh is knit and
> bruised bone is gentled. The cleric then reaches into his bag for dressings and
> medicines and applies a salve and bandage to to the wounded lady. With a gentle
> movement, he slides a blanket under her head and another over her body and
> gestures to others to attend to her.
>
> "This healing power of mine is not a great one, but this should serve to
> stabilize her hurts till we can get her to safety", he mentions to the others
> and then taking his bag he moves through the prisoners tending to their wounds
> and fears as best he can.
>
> Darrin smiles in gratitude for the work Jeremiah is undertaking and in
> between trying to help Dunz, the youngster returns often to check on Bryll.
>
> The warrior ponders the drow's words as everyone else begins moving to
> their appointed tasks. He replies, "We should head out in the morning if
> possible. There is no guarantee that help is coming, or will even be here
> soon." As the others begin moving away, he calls after them, "After
> checking the Hold, bring the horses so some can ride to the Quarry."
>
> [Villagers]
> Those of you who are able, please arm yourselves. It is just a precaution,
> but any weapon not taken will be broken. Some spears can double as a
> walking stick. And these light crossbows would make a perfect deterrent
> used with the above. But at least take a dagger.
>
> Several of the young boys, begin to take up spears and daggers, and move
> to help the injured under Darrin's direction. Mostly you notice that
> of the villagers rescued, none of the males are older than children of
> about fourteen and the rest are women, Bryll looking to be the oldest in
> her mid-thirties.
>
> [Darrin]
> I will be happy to donate most of my share of the orc's treasure to the
> villagers, but, could you find out if any of it belongs to them already?
>
> Darrin looks up from the work he is doing and nods once, quite abruptly.
>
> [Jeremiah]
> Please make a list of what edible food, usable waterskins, quantity of
> water, etc. can be gotten from the orcs. Then add that to what we have on
> all of our horses so we can ration it properly. ... You know Create Water?
>
> Darrin assigns a couple of the least hurt children to helping Jeremiah
> find whatever will be of use. There is not much that looks edible for
> anything but an orc, but there are waterskins aplenty, though from
> the smell, they should be dumped and fresh water found if possible.
>
> [Shiro, Cathil, Dalin]
> We could use some real food. The dwarves could make a fine soup out of
> anything you could bring down with your bows. And it'll be easier to carry
> as well.
>
> "Surely Dunz, I will go and hunt in the woods near this quarry. Anyone wanting
> to come help in the hunting is always welcome." Dalin check the tauntness of
> his bow string and counts his arrows. "When I return I will help get the
> prisoners ready to travel." Dalin mounts his horse and awaits anyone that
> desires come.
>
> "I can't use a bow very well...but..." upon this notions he pulls
> out a dagger and launches it at a nearby tree. The dagger misses horribly,
> then ricochets off another tree, and is then lost to sight. Cathil turns
> looking rather upset, blushes, then winks and runs off to retrieve his
> lost dagger.
>
"While I'm out hunting I'll search for a fresh supply of water. I'm sure
we don't have enough to ration out to the prisoners." Dalin pauses for a
second, seeming like he forgot what he was going to say. "Ah yes,
Jeremiah, do you have any spells that could assist on the hunt? Any help
again would be of much help." Dalin then turns and looks at the
unfortunate Cathil, "Don't worry my friend you can help skin the animals.
You don't need to throw anything to do that." Dalin chuckles a bit and
prepares to leaves
Mostly you are in a scrublands area, and all that can be found are
praried dogs, lizards and snakes. They are hard to find, at all
costs, considering the Orcs and the battle that just occured would
have had most animals going to cover.
But even as the moon rises high over your heads, Tag, Cathil and
Dalin trudge tiredly towards the Dwarven Caverns, bearing several
snakes, lizards and two of the skittish prairie dogs. Tag leads
you into the Quarry and down into the smooth dwarven tunnel. With
a few muttered words, a ball of light appears to guide your steps.
After a few minutes, he calls out softly, 'Tag,' and without
waiting for a reply he leads you a few paces further and then stops
in the tunnel, where two openings lead to either side.
Shiro stares at the carnage all around and watches as the others gather the
ex-prisoners together. Hearing that they need food as well as us and rest
Shiro ambles off to find a river. Upon finding one he pulls free a small
fishing net and dives into the river to go fish netting.
How many fish do I catch, if any. Note I will be looking for lobster,
> clams, oysters, crab, etc. Afterall, I am a sea spirit I should be able to
> find something, enough to feed the villagers and the party. Do I need to
> make any rolls? How long will it take me? While at this task do I find
> anything interesting along the way?
You are able to find fish, but not many and none that need saltwater, such as clams
and oysters. But you do find plenty of perch, trout and such. You are able
to accomplish this in a few hours and I will post you bringing your much needed
food to the cavern soon.<>.
You find nothing interesting in the small streams nearby.
> 1) the condition of villagers for traveling (and to the hold)
>
> most just need to rest a day or two,
> only a few will need to be carried, or set on horseback maybe.
>
> >
> > 2) are there any orc supplies found - what did villagers eat
>
> there seems to be some kind of food rations in several of the
> Orc's pouches, but both you and Darrin can hardly stand the
> stench of the food, to consider eating any. Several have
> waterskins however that are almost not foul smelling.
>
> >
> > 3) a known water source nearby
>
> Maeg and Varn would know when they get back from the cavern.
>
> >
> > Dunz wants to know if he can find 12 good daggers and what is found by
> > searching the orcs? Yeah. I mean treasure!
>
> short swords 20
> flails 05
> spear 30
> axe 50
> polearm 30
> crossbow 10
> bow 10
> battleaxe 05
> daggers 40
> bolts 148
> arrows 187
>
> electrum pieces 736
>
> As this work continues, Tag returns on horseback, leading the horses that
> were stashed away in the Quarry, as well as Darrin's and Zantorax's horses.
>
> Tag says quickly, "Come, the Orcs did not choose to make use of the caverns
> to hide in. Dwarven made, perhaps they felt ill at ease to go in there."
Let's get everyone into the Hold. We can all use the rest. We will
determine our next move in the morning after we see how much food and water
is available.
"Tag, perhaps shortly before sunrise, you and the hunters can go out and
check the area and bring in some more food."
Tag says, "I'll hunt through the night with Cathil and Dalin if need be.
Come everyone, head for the Quarry and the Dwarven entrance to the right
hand side. Maeg will be waiting at the entrance for you."
[DM]
'Destroy' these weapons still left, but take 6 light crossbows and 24 bolts
(for guard duty, booby traps, last ditch defense).
[All]
67 electrum (33 gp) pieces per person unless noted otherwise.
It's a long march towards the sanctuary, the close to well, helping the
more injured. Shiro goes off to fish, while Tag goes after Cathil and
Dalin to find something edible for so many amongst the scrublands.
Maeg waits for all of you at the Dwarven entrance and says, "Tag's off and
about again, eh? He was supposed to signal as he came, but then from all
the noise you was making, I had no doubt who it was. You sounded quite
like a proper party of dwarves," he laughs aloud. "Good news, we've got
fresh water in the guardpost, and some old tattered blankets. But Varn
didn't mention food, and I wouldn't trust none in here. Been a long time
since civilized folk were in these caverns. Hope you got some light, you
humans will need it to see by."
He waits till you find some torches or other way to light the way and then
leads the way. "We could tell they were in here about a week ago, but we didn't
follow as far as they went inside to see what the heathens were after. Many
Dwarves have searched through this old home in years past, but I can't
remember any stories of anyone finding anything of value."
As he speaks, you note from the glow of the light how smooth the cavern's
walls appear and as your hand brushes the walls you notice that they are
slick, hardly as if they were dug out by ancient hands. Instead you guess
that the ancient dwarves were so skilled in thier tunnelling that there
work could last this long and in this great condition. The tunnel heads
downwards at a slight slope, but also runs straight ahead. You don't have
any warning of an opening in either side of the tunnel, until you are upon
the entrance of a small room to either side.
---------
As you walk into the Quarry, past several burnt and charred
> orcs, twisted in great agony, Varn says, "Now, I don't know how
> much you have heard about what I've said about these tunnels,
> but Tag, our young friends will need light to see by, and there
> is not much to see as we go in."
>
> You turn to the right at the bottom of the slope into the
> Quarry and Tag's hand brushes the rope that Fynvola climbed
> to the top with. As Maeg and Varn motion for you stay back
> a second, Tag says softly to Fynvola, "The Gods must surely
> have been looking out for you. Tis even a great miracle that
> Darrin dropped the rope over the side to begin with, or you
> might never have made it to the top." He motions for both of
> you to come closer and says haltingly, "This is made by my people.
> It is called SpyderRope, and the key is to relax as you climb.
> Make a mistake and the rope will cling to you, until you relax
> again and continue to climb it. It is a rope of magic." He says
> a few more words and the rope falls from above into his hands,
> perfectly coiled. "Even more miraculous though, is that Darrin
> did as I said," he adds with a grin. "I'm glad it helped, Fynvola."
>
> As he speaks, Maeg comes back out and hisses, "Nothing has entered,
> so far, we should set up at the first juncture, it is easily defended,
> though the missus seems to think that none of the orcs will dare
> enter the dwarven tunnels without their leaders to make them."
>
> "Good enough," Tag says. "I will return with the others shortly.
> I will call ahead once we are in the tunnels."
>
> "Nay, lad, I'll wait here at the entrance, once I take these two
> to the missus," Maeg says with a grin.
>
Zantorax seems to relax, despite, or perhaps because of, the fact that he
is about to enter an environment totally unfamiliar to him. He looks over at
Fynvola and smiles, his old curiousity shining almost brighter than the
stone in his hand.
Fynvola chuckles a little at the familiar look in the eyes of her dear
friend and her own demeanor transposes to her former cheery self. She
smiles up at Tag and replies albeit belatedly, nodding towards the rope, "Me
mother always told me that I was ever watched by Lady Luck herself, mayhaps
her light still guides me!"
She carefully listens for any sound that might be out of place as they
explore the old dwarven home.
> Quickly, Tag takes a small stone from the Quarry floor and speaking
> softly, the stone begins to glow with a soft, pleasant light. He
> hands the rock to Zantorax and then quickly is gone to the far side
> of the Quarry.
Maeg nods to him as he leaves and then as you enter behind him, he says,
"We could tell they were in here about a week ago, but we didn't follow
as far as they went inside to see what the heathens were after. Many
Dwarves have searched through this old home in years past, but I can't
remember any stories of anyone finding anything of value."
As he speaks, you note from the glow of the light how smooth the cavern's
walls appear and as your hand brushes the walls you notice that they are
slick, hardly as if they were dug out by ancient hands. Instead you guess
that the ancient dwarves were so skilled in thier tunnelling that there
work could last this long and in this great condition. The tunnel heads
downwards at a slight slope, but also runs straight ahead. You don't have
any warning of an opening in either side of the tunnel, until you are upon
the entrance of a small room to either side.
In the glow of the light, you can see Varn pulling some musty blankets from
chests at the far wall. She glances up at your entrance, saying, "Old and
like to fall apart before morning, but it's something for those that are
injured." She points to the corner and you see a crude handle and nozzle
in the wall. "The water supply below is still fresh. I've already filled
the one bucket," she nods to an old bucket in the corner, that leaks just a
bit at the base. "Take a sip, you two. It's brisk, just come up from deep
in the mountain."
A smile crosses Zantorax's face as the brisk liquid touches his parched
> throat. "So, what do you suggest we do from here?" His question, though
> directed mainly towards the dwarves, is directed at everyone present. "Once
> we get the villagers settled, personally, I'd like to explore the entire keep."
A gleam enters Maeg's eyes and he adds, "Aye, lad. I'd especially like
to know what them vile orcs wanted in our halls."
Varn says quickly, "Now you two, stop that. We don't have time to be
exploring. We have a duty to get them folk to safety first, and then
Darrin has a wedding to attend in Waterdeep. It would take days to
explore our ancestral home." She pauses and you can all see a look
of wanderlust in her eyes. "Of course, nothing's stopping us from a return
visit, once all other matters are taken care of."
As she speaks, you hear the sounds of a large mass of people heading
down the tunnel. Seconds later, Dunz is the first to come into view
of the opening.
----------
The warrior marvels at the sleekness of the walls. Upon reaching the
> openings, he turns around to see if the Hold entrance is visible. He looks
> to see if the villagers are inside these rooms?
>
> [Maeg]
> Several are also out hunting some food. I was thinking that perhaps you
> dwarves could make a soup out of whatever is caught and we could fill the
> extra skins before we leave. Is that possible? But first we eat the meat of
> course. In the meantime, everyone should get their fill of water slowly.
Maeg nods quickly even as she begins helping the injured to places where
they can lay down near the walls of the cavern.
> [All]
> Let's set up a guard rotation, eat as food comes in and sleep.
>
> Should the horses be put just outside the entrance or back along the secret
> trail. One way brings no attention to the Hold.
>
Darrin, still pale, but refusing any aid at all, helps Bryll to the
floor, and quickly brings her some fresh water. He gasps, "Tag can
take care of the horses when he returns."
Everyone begins to rest, and drink the cool refreshing water and
several hours later, you hear a whispered word, 'Tag', from up
the tunnel and then Tag appears in the opening with Cathil and
Dalin. They bear several snakes, lizards and even a couple of
prairie dogs. Varn rises from her rest, and quickly sets about
preparing the find, making something eatable out of it.
Soon after that, Shiro appears bearing a large net, holding several
fish, much to Varn's delight. Quickly she helps the warrior bring
the catch to where she has already set up pans for frying at the
fire pit area.
Tag looks at the warrior much surprised, and then says, "I'll return
shortly after hiding the horses. We must be ready to move in the
morning."
Soon the aroma of frying fish, matches the grumbles coming from several
bellies.
After bringing in the catch of fish I settle down with a few of them near
the fire. I flip my metal Jingasa ( hat ) over using it as a cook pot ( wok
) and begin to make fish powder ( dried fish ). After finishing up I depart
the cave to find a secluded spot to meditate on the Way and practice my
katas ( martial arts form ). After four hours of this I take watch.
Fynvola looks over the weary survivors and helps them to settle in, giving
> up her bedroll (and Zan's ) to those people who need it. She helps
> Varn and Maeg with serving the food to the villagers. When all are fed and
> as confy as can be, she whispers in Varn's ear,
>
> "Do you think it safe enough to use my talents to confort these people? I
> don't want to put us in any danger, of course, but it is said music is
> sollace to the soul..."
>
> dispite the confidence in the way she stands, her eyes betray her horror and
> sorrow at what they have witnessed and also a feeling a helplessness.
"Softly, my dear, and let me kick Maeg into the tunnel in case he should hear
something approach us." Maeg grins and needing no urging, he heads for the
corridor and up towards the entrance to the caverns.
After her words with Varn, Maeg grins at Varn's reply and heads towards the
tunnel and up to the entrance of the caverns.
Fynvola's face transforms to radiance as a smile spreads slowly accross it.
Her azure eyes are bright as she extracts her clarsach from her gear, moves
near Darrin and Bryll and sits. She begins to quietly strum the strings of
her clarsach and her voice fills the tunnel in soft but dulcette tones,
"In our troubled times we simply hide away
& dream of the one we'd love to see at end of day
Solitary winter chill me ne'er more
I dream an angel by the western shore
There is but one angel I would like to know
I sing and dream his head upon my pillow
I kissed him one morn in the cool of Brigid's Well
My heart beat crystal clear like a church bell
I can hear the winter coming to my door
I dream an angel by the western shore..."
and she allows silence to fall as the last notes drift away. She looks
about the room to guage the effect on those around her contemplating her
next tune.
The effects on Darrin are clear to everyone, especially to Bryll as the youth
gazes unblinking at the bard.
Fynvola notes Darrin's attention and blushes slightly, her eyes seeming to
darken to a cobalt blue.
The thud of heavy bootsteps echo as all eyes turn to see the big warrior
racing down the tunnel with his sword swinging wildly in the air.
"Look out! ... We're under attack! ... Stay low!"
As he reaches the others, he bends over gasping for air all the while
peering up toward the ceiling. He finally manages to name the threat and in
a raspy voice whispers, "Lurkers."
In stunned silence everyone looks at the warrior, then up, and then back to
the warrior. "They're everywhere I tell ya. You won't see 'em until it's
too late. They are very secretive and hide in dark corners, especially up
high. It's going to be a long night."
"Shut up, Dunz! We needn't startle these people with your paranoid
delusions. If it makes you feel any better, you can keep a close watch for
them tonight, and I'm sure all of those on watch will as well." Zantorax's
initial outburst becomes moderated and he genuinely tries to reasure the dwarf.
Zantorax, noting Darrin's ill-care of himself, then snags some food and
water for Bryll, Darrin, and himself, and heads over to where Bryll and
Darrin are seated.
"Here, you both better eat up." He sais this while handing the food and
water to Darrin. "Have you BOTH had your wounds looked after?" The emphasis
on "both" seems to direct the question more towards Darrin than Bryll,
though Zantorax's eyes make it clear he is concerned about both of them.
Bryll grins at the young man and says quickly, "Your Priest has seen to me,
but Darrin has yet to leave my side." Darrin does not even seem to notice
that he is even being talked about. Bryll's hand on his forearm startles
him, and he looks surprised to see Zantorax so close to them. "As for Darrin,
I think as long as the young lady is singing, he is not bothering to breath
anyway." She chuckles as Darrin's head ducks, and even in the dim light,
his cheeks are easily seen to be a bit more rosey than is usual. "Oh, lad,
when did your heart become so sticken?" Bryll asks him.
"We met in Daggerford, just a few days ago," replies Darrin, his eyes going
back to Fynvola. "She's wonderful, Bryll. I couldn't wait for you to meet
her."
Fynvola looks up only briefly at the exchange between Dunz and her
betrothed, stalwartly shifting her attention back to her clarsach and in
soft tones begins to sing again. She seems to lose herself in the song
though her eyes often stray to her employer...she will play until weariness
takes hold of her audience and most are sleeping. Then she will lay her
clarsach carefully down and move to Darrin and Bryll.
She will curtsey low to Bryll and greet her, "Lady Bryll, it is a pleasure
to finally meet you. Darrin speaks of you so well I feel I almost know you
!" her smile falters a bit as she looks around and a vaguely haunted
look appears in her eyes before she turns back to Bryll and continues, her
voice trailing away, "I only wish it were under different circumstances..."
"We must just make the best of things in the hardest of times. I am reminded
of this everytime I see a newborn take it's first breath," Bryll says softly.
"And everytime I see love blaze anew."
At her words, Fynvola's smile returns, her eyes dance and the barest
trace of a blush reaches her cheeks as she looks from Bryll to
Darrin.
At her words, Darrin blushes even brighter, to where his cheeks almost match
the color of Fynvola's hair. Bryll's light laughter jingles throughout the
dwarven room, just enough so that those sleeping do not awaken, yet smiles
now dance about their lips.
As Darrin gazes hopelessly at the flame haired bard, Tag draws several others
to him, including Dunz and says, "In the morning, we should make our way out
of here at as steady a pace as possible. I suggest heading right back up
the Orc trail, as that is the way that assistance will be coming towards us
from Waterdeep. It will only add a few more hours to our journey anyway,
but Lord Marquet would have no way of knowing of the secret path anyway."
I agree.<>
Oblivious to Tag and the others, Fynvola asks Darrin, "Has anyone
seen to your injuries? We need to get them cleaned and bound so we
can travel on the morrow..." Her eyes are locked into Darrin's and
her hands reach out to touch his arm.
Darrin trembles at the bard's touch, noticeable by any that are paying
any attention. "I didn't, but I don't really feel anything right now,"
he says a goofy smile on his lips as he sees only the redhead. "I
think... it's just bruised, maybe." He pats her hand gently with his
right hand as if to say he's perfectly fine.
Bryll snorts and says quickly, "Bruised... you're trying not to breath,
though I think this young girl has taken your breath away anyway. Or
maybe you are trying to play it tough for your young lady friend."
Darrin ducks his head, and unlaces his tunic with his offhand, still holding
onto Fynvola's hand on his forearm. Just under his breast, you can see
a deep purplish bruise, though the skin isn't broken through.
Varn notices even from where she stands, serving fish to some of the survivors.
Going completely red in the face, she stomps over to Darrin, her voice raised
to wake everyone, "You didn't tell me you got hurt. Shame on you. You should
be lying down."
To enforce these words, the dwarf woman picks him up in her arms as though Darrin
were nothing but a feather, and carries him over to where she is cooking. Maeg
hides a smirk, as his wife, lifts Darrin's tunic for a better look, and rummaging
around her own supplies, she draws forth a smelly ointment, one which overpowers
the fishy smell even, and some bandages. She smears the ointment over the
dark bruise, causing Darrin to gasp and then quickly wraps him up.
Even Tag is grinning as he makes plans for the morrow.
The effect of the wound on Fynvola is humourous to all perhaps save
herself. Her face drains of all colour and her breathe seems swept
away from her. Tears well to her eyes unbidden and unnoticed and she
stays within touching distance of Darrin as Varn hauls him to the
fire, only pausing briefly to flash Bryll with an apologetic look.
Once Varn has started treating her employer, Fynvola positions
herself behind him and encourages him to lean against her as his
wound is tended. Her eyes are wide with worry and still no colour
returns to her cheeks.
Darrin grins up at her and whispers, "Don't fret so. I wouldn't let
an Orc take me from you. If I was hurt so bad, Tag would have made
Jeremiah use a precious healing spell on me. Better it is for those
worse off than this small bruise." He leans back in her arms, his head
resting naturally on her shoulder, seeming completely at ease for the
first time in days.
After a brief lapse in thought, and some not-so-foreign feelings of his
forlorn lust for adventure, Cathil finally stands up and packs his stuff,
preparing to make his leave, and wish his goodbye's.
Noticing the situation between the recently coversing group, Cathil waits
for a lighter moment aftert the psychological density has dissipated and
silently paces over to Dunz.
"I see you and your friends are quite capable of finishing this story on
your own, and its high time I get back on the road and quit being such a
useless burden. I must say that I had a wonderful time with you and the
rest of your companions, but... the road calls to me even now, and I feel I
have no better time to make my disappearance." Cathil bows low.
"I'm not desirious of alarming anyone at this moment, so I'll wish you my
goodbye's and good luck. Dalin will be going with me, we're headed for
Berdusk, if you've any need of contacting us that would be the place to
look..."
Jeremiah's bandaging, looking, covering, calming and at times praying with the
injured and damaged has now worn the cleric to a tiredness that throbs. The
waves of fatigue and tiredness radiate throughout his body, and ebb and flow
like the waves in the sea. Rest that was gathered where he could find it has
left him some peace, but now he sees the need to gather and go on.
Seeing his friends pack up and leave, he wishes Cathil and Dalin a good journey
and wishes the Morninglord's peace to them on their journey.
"You have been with us in our hard times, and I will remember the help you have
given us, and these poor captives. Bless each of you on the road you travel."
Then turning to Dunz, he talks with the warrior.
"Let us know what next we can do. These poor souls have been driven hard, but
they know that now they march to a life of freedom. Given such a gift, I am
sure they will journey forward with as much strength as they can find."
"The battle here has been a hard and ardous one. I remain convinced that we
could not possibly have been the ones to prevail in this fight, and yet here we
stand. The skills of each have combined to let us bring hope to those in
chains. Surely Lathander looks down on us this morning and glows with the
warmth of his grace and power."
"So mighty warriors and fellow travelers, let us be off with the blessings and
the will which we have found in ourselves and this place."
Gathering his gear, and helping the injured to their feet, Jeremiah prepares for
the journey.
Cathil thanks Jeremiah for the blessing and wishes him good fortune as
well... "Perhaps we may journey together again one day..."
"Fare thee well warriors. Our path is to Waterdeep."
Tag calls out softly, "Take care, warriors. If you change your mind,
seek us in Waterdeep at a house of a man named Marquet."
(
geocities.com/timessquare)