Barael pads over to Briar, pulling his shortbow off his shoulder. He pulls an arrow from the quiver, and nocks it.
"Long-Lived! You remember our hunts, just outside of Korvosa? We might not have bagged an anklebuckles, but your instruction served me well this fight." Barael pulls back on the bowstring, letting the arrow rest across his finger.
"Point at it, let the arrow loose while keeping the arrow rested. Oohh! And the breath! Steadying it with the pull, that's righteous powerful. I only regret that I hadn't put more training into it. There are some foes that can't be stalked up close and personal." Barael chunks an arrow into the dirt, then pulls it out. He examines it for damage, and, content, returns it to the quiver.
"Perhaps there's an investment waiting to be made in a new bow."
He turns back to the remaining introductions.
It feels... safe.
Charlie offers to take the blade from Dandilion in turn.
When he has it, he turns it back into a great sword and swings it over his head clumsily - but with more grace than you'd have expected. Pausing, he gives it a long look with a bloodshot eye.
Chunking it into the sand at his feet, he turns to the others.
"OK then, let's get out of here. We can decide who wields it outside. This place is giving me the creeps." he takes another pull from his 'skin, and begins to walk toward the Tower.
Barael nods briskly as Charlie suggests exiting this place, on each and every level of it.
"Fondo, sheathe our new ally, and let's be done with this Tower's intestines." Barael beckons to everyone to head back towards the tunnel's entrance.
He blocks the way, keeping the others back until he can inspect the tunnels.
If he finds the tunnels unoccupied by gugs, he returns, and welcomes everyone through.
Dandi lingers over the butterfly knife in her hands, watching its wings "flutter" open and closed, open and closed. "It is good to feel you again, Seri..."
With a deep breath, she pats her gently, then hands her off to Charlie, "This is Charlie, a good man. A healer. Like you, in your way."
Ready to follow the others, she too would love to see the last of Scarwall's depths.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Once finished, he presents Serethiel's pommel to Nikolay.
Briar asks for the blade, the Artifact Serithial, after the party is finished with it, asking all to gather around.
"Before we continue, Fondo, I want to know why you chose to dig instead of fight with the team. You never drew your blade. You sought Serithtial beneath the earth when we had a dangerous foe to fell."
Fondo nods solemnly as Briar asks his question. He smiles wryly. "To dig is not a choice I'd make,. I chose to find Serethiel, that she might aid us 'gainst our foe, or failing that bring quest to end. When finding proved a longer task, I gauged my chances and dug on." He looks to the others. "In truth, I had no doubt you'd end its life, or failing that preserve your own. Brave Nik here can through space quick step, and Charlie's prayers do flesh well mend. I thank Pharasma I was right."
Barael slowly lolls his head to the side as he watches Dandi take the sword in hand, and watches as the blade becomes butterfly knife. How fitting. His gaze lingers a little as he hears Briar call to the group.
"Before we continue..."
Barael looks from Fondo, back to Briar. "You could... see us in battle, then? Through the Vanish, huh? That's pretty damn impressive, Long-Lived." The description arrives between the Rat's ears shortly thereafter.
"To dig is not a choice I'd make..."
Barael's head tilts to the side again. "Moments before, Nik and I were caught dead-to-rights, Fondo. Only by your actions, did we escape. Sure, the gugs were out of the way, but Kleestad..." Barael pauses as he looks at the battle in his head.
"For a moment on the pier, I could have sworn that Kleestad could see me. I would have been in sad shape if Nik's Grand Vanish wasn't enough. I'm glad it was." Barael nods at Nik in appreciation.
"When you found Black Tooth, you called out to me about a consumable to hit the waters with ease. Nik was pretty bloody by that time, but so was Klee. That would have been a grand time to leave Seri sleeping, until we had the mass dead and gone. I know I always feel more comfortable clearing a room, before searching its nooks and crannies." Barael looks to Fondo, questioningly.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"What? No, of course he did, Briar! You just were too busy, with the elfing and the archery! Brala would not... *not* help us, not against such a thing! He wouldn'..t..." She stops, corrected by Fondo's own words.
Her head tips to one side as she listens to his explanation, Her mouth narrows and her brows curl in upon one another, her features darkening like an oncoming storm.
"And they call me foolish!!! Niko could have died! And if he did, the rest of us would follow quickly thereafter! *I* was useless, FONDO!!! My every spell and hex worthless to help finish it before that giant worm had us for lunch! But you...You are Desna's Blade and the People's best Hope! There is NEVER a time when you are not necessary to the fight!"
Fondo raises his hands as shield against Dandi's rebuke and Barael's questioning look. "I'll grant, mayhap twas foolish. I was indeed a fool to forget the draught first bought to fight a hag."
He pauses, contrite and searching his heart. "Alas, I've grown too trusting of Pharasma's love and sweet Desna's fortune. Too certain that none of us shall travel long unto the Boneyards. I heard Nik say he might step through space to 'scape dread Kleestad's killing blows. And too tied to earth, no wings to let me fly."
He pauses, and musters his usual overconfident airs about him. "If Desna's Blade I truly am, then fortune follows me and those I love. She guides my blade, and actions too. By sword, by trowel, by rakish wit and guile, as inspiration calls. They've served thus far, and shall be true until the end."
He gives everyone a soulful look. "I ask your faith, and trust that in the end sweet fortune shall my sword hand guide unto Ileosa's viper heart." Turning to Nik, he ends, "What say you, Nik?"
Dandi shakes her head with a smile, then reaches to straighten his scarf. "Perhaps, Brala, but do remember that the Moonlight Lady may very well find you thrilling, yet have little care for the rest of us. Be her champion, not her fool, Brothermine, and take care for those of us that may fall beneath her notice."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I had expected you at my side or on the other side of the kleestad." Nikolay says plainly, but without accusation.
"Our exact discussions escape me--washed away by the exuberance of victory. I thought our plan had been to vanquish the creature first, but I know I speak through the lenses of a hard fought victory."
Keeping his tone even, Nikolay continues. "I know many times that it has been the killing of a single creature or acquisition of a single item that has resolved the situation. I trust that this is what your heart, your faith, told you this time, too. I might not trust your faith, but I trust you like a brother. You might not make the right decision, but I know it will not be out of spite or malice."
"Everyone is alive and our goal has been achieved! There are lessons to be learned as always. Obviously, we need to communicate better. However, we have grown stronger together again today as a group. We must continue to do this if we are to bring the queen's reign to an end."
More worn out from dealing with friends then from the battle, Nikolay reaches into his haversack for a fresh flask.
Fondo nods at Nikolay. "Aye, mine was a gamble with late payment, and not spoken clearly afore. I understand some of you feel I wagered your lives. For that I'm sorry. For my part, the odds seemed fully in my favor, my hand comprised of the very finest cards." He looks at each of his friends in turn. "Trumps, all of you."
He shakes his head, knowing that his words this time are weak. "I'll ever a gambler be. But where we go, what we hope to do and undo... I ought seek your counsel, as you ought seek mine. If we're to succeed, we shall all need to be more transparent in our wiles and stratagems. Thank you, all, for helping me see that."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Charlie finds a place to sit and watch the proceedings while he bestows prayers on himself. When he is ready, he stands and says,
"Alright. You've gotten that out of your system. Let's take this out into the light of day and decide who should carry it into battle. This place is worming its way into our brains. We have saved each other's lives enough times to look past this onto the task before us. This won't be easy either."
With that, Charlie starts walking out. With the sword, I might add.
With Charlie leaving, and with the sword, I imagine the party follows for a variety of reasons all their own. You reach the base of the Star Tower without incident - Barael finds nothing in his search of the hallway but perhaps Briar's own Magic Mouth which startles him as he sets it off.
In the Star Tower, it's tricky. The rope is 10' off the ground dangling in mid-air, the broiling blue mist hovering along the ceiling 30' above your heads. Those of you who can still fly/airwalk help the others onto the rope. But there's still the mist.
To avoid a long string of rolls, and longer climbs/flies, you make it out of the mist without too much difficulty, though some of you have an easier time than others. You all reach the heart of the tower above. It feels different somehow - more alive, more focused. More powerful. Like it's a living thing that just got a meal and a good nap after a loooong time without. There's fresh blood.
As the party leaves the Star Tower and enters the church, they encounter, and have to make their way past, Laori at the high altar! The room still smells of combat, and a few lingering spells drift through the air like smoke over a battlefield.
Laori, has changed. She seems taller now and more ‘filled out’ somehow. Her eyes are white on white - no pupil. Her gear remains the same, and she holds a small curved and hooked dagger that Briar remembers so well...
Her foe, none other than Shadowcount Sial, lies prostate on the altar and Laori is removing organs from his chest and abdomen as life leaves his body. With each cut, his body shudders and writhes, but eventually the damage is just too great and he grows still.
Laori finishes her bloody ritual quickly and turns to the party - ”You have returned. Did you find the sword?” she looks carefully at each of you, ”Good. Now go and kill the Queen with it. God speed!”
She casts Wind Walk and touches all the members of the party - lingering slightly over Briar. ”Make haste!”
She turns and begins to walk into the Star Tower. Her gait is off somehow, as if she’s still learning how to manipulate her body. It’s not nearly so graceful as she had been in the past.
It wasn't long after their confrontation when they found him. Barael was with Barkley, slightly in a daze from the Shiver. The doorstep was quiet enough, well off the beaten market paths, but that made little difference. He barely had time to acknowledge the dark forms slipping from the shadows, before they were on him.
He remembers little else but the beating. "Teach you to disrespect us like that... the last thing you'll ever do..." His vision grows fuzzy, but he sees Barkley well enough, climbing the fence. He looks back once, his face a mixture of shame and fear. Then blackness...
"If Desna's Blade I truly am, then fortune follows me and those I love. She guides my blade, and actions too. By sword, by trowel, by rakish wit and guile, as inspiration calls. They've served thus far, and shall be true until the end."
"Aye, mine was a gamble with late payment, and not spoken clearly afore. I understand some of you feel I wagered your lives. For that I'm sorry. For my part, the odds seemed fully in my favor, my hand comprised of the very finest cards." He looks at each of his friends in turn. "Trumps, all of you."
"I'll ever a gambler be. But where we go, what we hope to do and undo... I ought seek your counsel, as you ought seek mine. If we're to succeed, we shall all need to be more transparent in our wiles and stratagems. Thank you, all, for helping me see that."
"Won't be the first time a Woman led you to do something stupid." Barael punches Fondo in the shoulder. "When we're in our Vanish, we only have our voices, so if yours had gone quiet, it would have been difficult locating your body. Trust me on that. It's my one regret when I use it." Barael pads along with the others as they make their way out. "And if we're to be trump cards, then I guess you get to be the Joker for once."
...
""Everyone is alive and our goal has been achieved! There are lessons to be learned as always. Obviously, we need to communicate better. However, we have grown stronger together again today as a group. We must continue to do this if we are to bring the queen's reign to an end."
Barael nods in agreement. "Wise words, Nik. That's why I think you're the one to choose who wields Seri at the final fight. You're the only one without a horse in the race, and you are an expert on swords. Between you and Death's Shadow, I'd trust that decision."
Fatigued, Barael can't muster the strength to revert back to his human form.
...
Upon witnessing the sacrifice, Barael moves between Laori and Dandi, holding himself back from drawing Black Tooth. He is relieved when they finally watch her walk away.
"Seri feels like a sister to me, like family. I would hold her if i could. Yet siblings grow up to new bonds make, and I would not deny her that, if she would so choose. So, let Nikolay counsel, but Seri choose and I am of agreement. "
...
As Barael shield steps in front of her, Dandi groans. Leaning down to whisper in his ear, she admonishes...
Briar walks out, wondering how Halfblood got Serithtial from his grasp without him realizing it.
It appears the sword has chosen him.
Briar does not seem displeased by this.
* * *Retro * * *
Briar listens to Fondo's explanations, only cringing for most of it. Briar's eyes narrow as he thinks things through.
Does he deny he sought the glory alone?
Or is he blaming his god for his actions?
Is he apologizing for listening to his god? Briar doesn't know how to respond to even his own thought.
Briar says nothing about Fondo's words, uncertain what it means.
* * *Later* * *
Briar approaches Barael, looking thoughtful.
"What did you make of the Varisian's words?"
Fondo nods at Barael's words to Nik, and looks to Charlie. "Aye, and Kako's words are equal fair."
He speaks his own peace. "I've trained with blades throughout my life, and warrant my hand would rival Nik's, had I a blade to match his own (if match there be in all these lands). I've danced through foes and stood still strong, deflecting blows twould fell most men."
He looks kindly at Dandi. "I mean no boast, but rather to our true ends meet. We two did share an early gaze into Ileosa's evil ways. Your strength is great, and grows each day. You'll guide the blow that brings her down. But mine's the skill to strike her true, and find her in the battle dance."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Dandi looks at Fondo, her confusion on her face. "What does any of that to do with anything? Seri is not merely steel and tool, not only a means to an end. She is in there, and cognizant. To use her without her heed and choosing would be no more than to expect any of us to be naught but a tool to be waged to your whim, no matter how noble the cause. I would not place you in another's hand without your say so, for that is slavery, at the very root of it. That is not who we are. Seri should choose her companion, just as any of us should choose our own."
Tears sparkle in her eyes; so adamant is she in her plea for the rights of the sword to choose her own destiny.
Fondo shakes his head at Dandi. "You put words in my mouth, and ill intent in my heart, as though you've known me to be a tyrant. I do not deserve that, Jel'endra. I would simply you hear my case. If you wish her to make the choice, then it shall be so. I shoudl say, she seemed most pleased when I did speak of ending Kazavon's enthrallment of Ileosa."
"I cannot put words in your mouth, I speak only of her rights. I am not the orator that you are, and if my words are clumsy, then let me prop them up. I did not mean you, as in Fondo, the singular man of the people, champion of freedom. I meant only any that would not take to heart that Seri is her own being, and should be treated accordingly. *I* do not need to hear your case, that is my point. Seri does. Make it to her, treat her as a being in her own right, and not property to be decided by the likes of us. What we speak of is more a marriage than a distribution of wealth. "
Please do role play it out - and if it is decided the sword must decide, or get a simple vote, or whatever, that's fine, and I'm prepared for it. The sword has made her decision though communicating it may prove troublesome. :)
"I can not say I know the ways of swords with souls. I know that when I held her in my grasp, she thrilled at talk of ending Ileosa's reign. You and I and she are married true in that regard. The question for Serethiel and you: Whose hand shall guide her truest to her prey?"
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Your words are wise Dandi, but I have the impression that Seri's 'personality' is not as fully developed as Shadow's Death is. Perhaps, that makes the decision even more important. Whoever wields Seri will greatly influence her development, and likely she will influence there's. Honestly, I don't know if I would have chosen Shadow's Death if I had known ahead of time. I like my privacy and he's there all the time. It's like being married and running a business together. There are no vacations, no nights out with the guys, having to explain that other voice when a lady is around..."
--"Oh really, it's that bad is it. Maybe, I need to find a new home also."
"Sorry."
--"I'm just yanking your hilt. We're good. In fact, we're great! Did you see how I cut through that thing like butter at the end. His guts were spilling out like a dam had broken..."
*sigh*
Fondo grins. "I always say, the more voices in the bed, the better."
"Half his words hurt my head, the other half sound understandable." Barael smiles in amusement at Briar, but the smile quickly disappears, as he realizes that Briar is intent on a genuine answer. He furrows his brow again.
"Aroden has never told me to do anything. I understand that now, a little better. If I thought Aroden wanted me to do something, it's because I wanted to do it. I don't understand his faith anywhere near well enough to know if Desna gave him orders to dodge battle, but he seemed to say that." Barael continues to frown.
"As for gambling, I want nothing to do with it. There's too much at stake to take unnecessary risks. If we need to poke him for counsel, then we need to poke, but he's given it freely enough til now." Barael's face smoothes a little.
"You want my opinion? He saw the end of the tunnel, saw its light, and ran for it, like a man in the desert too long thirsts for water, damn the camels. Scarwall has done a number on each and every one of us."
"Why do you ask?"
...
Barael walks along, changing his orbit around Dandi, trying to avoid getting so close as to hover, but not much farther. He listens to Fondo and Dandi discuss Seri with light interest at first, then deeper intent to pay attention as the conversation continues.
"I... didn't think to ask Her. Well, of course that makes sense, right? Death's Shadow consented to be Nik's partner, so Seri should be given her rightful place amongst us, for however long she remains in our trust." Barael nods to himself, content for the time being.
"Charlie, what do you think? This feels good to discuss, it does. Helps us work on communication. Seri didn't speak to me, so other than Her beautiful ability to make Herself useful to whomever bears Her, I don't see how She wouldn't make any of us stronger. Well, except for you, Charlie. Your pecs are pretty shallow."
Briar whistles at Dandi's words, realizing the truth of it.
"Tis true, Varisian. The blade has its own life and should choose the instrument of its use. It is surprisingly wise that the Waif would remember what we did not," Briar nods appreciatively at Waif.
* * *
"You are right, Barael. I saw the same thing. He planned his actions in advance....chose to run for glory the moment he decided to lend you the holy longsword. I see now, in retrospect, that his designs were on that," Briar agrees.
"However, he has admitted that mistake...he has admitted it without humility, casting blame to Desna. He gambled with a life that was not his own...and has little sorrow to show for it."
Briar shakes his head, still dumbfounded by Fondo's actions.
"He, for all his Varisian faults, has been a loyal member of this party. I had found him inspirational in the past, but now I have lost confidence in him. I do not know what to say. We need his blade and inspiration for the upcoming tasks, but don't know what to expect. Whether his god's whims will have him gambling with my life...or lives of innocents." Briar's eyes dart to Dandi.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Dandi's tone softens as she turns her focus to Barael, "She doesn't speak, not as such. And yet, to hold her is to begin to know her soul. You felt that, didn't you? That is a special thing to share with someone and may require more commitment than is immediately apparent, I suspect." A certain sadness touches her features as she reaches for Barael's hand and her voice grows whisper soft. A single step brings her within the warmth of him, but she can't quite meet his eyes.
Stepping back, she uncurls her hand from his paw with a heavy reluctance and sigh. She steps and turns back to the group as a whole.
"Normally, I would counsel a slow courtship, for someone so special. But we stand on the cusp of the Future of all Korvosa, and time crumbles from beneath our feet. There are few hours left for many niceties when Death's whisper calls our names ever louder. Seri cannot be oblivious to that, I think, or we would not have woken her from her slumber. Perhaps it would be best if each prospective partner state their case, and we let Charlie be voice, unless he too wishes to be considered?" And why not? They have so much in common. "But one should stand apart, and hear her clearly without need or motive or desire."
As Charlie is about to walk out, he turns briefly to see the party still bickering. He lets out a sigh and moves over to the wall and slides down. Pensively he says a prayer, scratches his chin and prays some more.
Reaching into his haversack , he pulls out a piece of copper wire and rolls it in his fingers for about 10 minutes. He has plenty of time. Wrapping the wire around the hilts he mumbles into the sword.
That said, you get no response from the sword. As you are, technically, in possession of it, you do get some warm feelings - like the burn of a good bourbon on its way down - the sword seems to like you, at least a little.
Charlie tries again.
Charlie starts with Barael. "Here, meboy. Hold this and give it right back unless it turns into a greatsword."
Charlie takes a moment and hands the sword (now a longsword for convenience) to each of you.
Presuming you, collectively, do nothing to change the blade, she remains a longsword throughout the experiment, eventually making it back to Charlie.
Charlie takes the sword back and says, "Ah Ha!!...No, that won't work." He pauses as if to say something else and then squints as he prays and scratches his perma-five o'clock shadow.
If that is the case, you'd imagine a good tool would want to be wielded by a good and skilled worker.
"I have communicated as much as is possible with our new friend. From what I gather, she would choose Fondo. So if there is a vote I would also choose Fondo to have the sword, even though it will go right to his head.
I'd like to tell Eries we are on our way back. When will we arrive? I'd like to rest before we get there."
"You are right, Barael. I saw the same thing. He planned his actions in advance....chose to run for glory the moment he decided to lend you the holy longsword. I see now, in retrospect, that his designs were on that."
Barael considers Briar's concerns. "He said he forgot the potion... forgot about it... So that means that he... didn't have the means of fighting Kleestad if it stayed away from shore like it did. Doesn't that mean that he had to make himself useful another way? I guess it means that he had no intention but to rescue Seri, but in no way bring her to bear in the fight itself. Right? We should absolutely get him a bow then, and make sure that he has the means of engaging the enemy from a distance. What about a wand then, like Dandi?" A slightly off tone colors Barael's speech. Mild confusion? Doubt? Worry?
...
"She doesn't speak, not as such. And yet, to hold her is to begin to know her soul. You felt that, didn't you? That is a special thing to share with someone and may require more commitment than is immediately apparent, I suspect."
"I felt... something. Yeah. Perhaps with more time, something might grow, right?" Barael thinks back on his previous attempts to revert to human, and is grateful for the fur at present, as he feels his skin flush.
Barael shakes his head. "You see Her, really see Her, don't you? And as Nik spoke on Shadow's Death, you would have Seri's wielder speak on Seri. I understand that now." Barael partially draws his wakizashi.
"Black Tooth is a wonderful blade, cast in cold iron, strengthened against the sunder, treated to strike through bodiless creatures and steeled against the undead. It's been with me, almost from the start." He taps the blade back down.
"Its purpose is my purpose. I direct it as I see fit, and it serves me well. Seri is different, isn't She? The bearer of the blade must understand that to wield Her, is to become Her companion in Her primary purpose. To be dedicated, first and foremost, to Her. That would make the bearer worthy of Her." Barael presses his second paw to Dandi's hand.
Barael turns from Dandi, to the group. "If I'm asked to wield Seri against the Queen, know that I will bring all that I've learned, from my Vanish, to the Ghost Stalk, to run her down, and bring her my Ache." Barael grows quiet, smiles at Dandi, and waits to hear what the others speak on the artifact.
He nods as he listens to Charlie make his thoughts known.
Spellcraft - Charlie Stuff
Spellcraft - Charlie Stuff
Sensing Charlie's magical plan, Briar stays silent and helpful while the Halfblood probes and asks. When Charlie is finished, he requests the blade from Charlie so that he might try his own divinations.
"Not see, feel."
Dandi shakes her head, a shadow darkening her gaze as she remembers times not that far away and a lifetime ago, "...and I know what it's like to be treated like a thing, like a commodity to be passed around to others when the mood suits."
"yes, I would have her honored as Shadow's Death is by Nikolay. She is different, and deserves as much."
She leans in to Barael's whisper, listening to his heartfelt words. Relief and regret war on her features. Her hand turns beneath his; she is content to hold his surprisingly soft paw while waiting to see how Briar fares with Seri.
Fondo listens and aches for the story Dandi reveals of herself. He knows all too well how she must have been passed around. He smiles grimly at past deeds. Those were simpler deaths, well deserved.
He thinks about Serethiel and her time beneath the Star Tower, separated from hands that might fulfill her true purpose. My purpose, for now. But... "You're right. Great honor is her right, this sword who brought down Kazavon, forged to slay a dark god's minion. Her foe is come, returned to our lands. Her war's renewed, and we her allies in it."
A solemn set fixes in his brow. And I, a son disowned. Who knows not how to give a family care. Who knows much of pleasure and aches for love. I wish to be her hand in death and misery? What simpler, softer times would that return?
He feigns his old, carefree self for a moment, bright smile projecting that to which he would return. "It is not true that bonds with blades are meant to last a lifetime. This war we fight, it too must end. For peace is what the soldier seeks, if good is truly his or her end."
He turns to Dandi. "I wish my sister to find a life beyond the grasp of men most vile. I see my brother offers such a world. I would help him make it so."
He turns to Nik. "And though brave Nik may ever be a warrior, I fancy he would also wish to one day honor Shadow's Death one last time, and set him in his sheath."
"For even swords with souls are swords, and not the lives they're forged to save. Serethiel must know this, just as she knows that one of us shall be her hand in this war, to forge this next peace."
He stops and a long moment passes.
A look of shame takes hold. "You're right. I was reckless in my rush to claim her. I imagined myself drawing her light into the dark of the cave, saving you all and proving I'm worthy of this... Family. Of love. Of something other than the scoundrel Brother Rose here sees when he turns his nose up at me."
"In truth, I did have faith in Nik's grit and our bowmen's aim. I did not and do not believe you would have fallen. But that does not heal the rift of trust that some of you must feel."
Will they cast me onto the roads, like my blood kin?
"Choose what you will. If you wish me to be Serethiel's hand for this war, I shall be. I'll promise her my life up until our common ends are met, and then deliver her to her next, true hand. Or if you wish me to leave now, I will."
"So, you're saying that either you are given Seri, or you'll abandon us?" Barael's wide eyes stare at Fondo.
"I am saying I would understand if you wished me to leave, and I would go." You're as like as the elf to find the worst in my words, Brov.
Dandi's frown is becoming ever more the expression that mars her features. " 'Either/or amongst friends never leads to good ends.' None have asked to you leave, Fondo, nor do I think that was Barrie's intent. We are a group, a family, and as such will make mistakes, say things poorly, and in general get on each other's nerves when stressed. But we are a family chosen, not born, and forgiveness must mold our actions, or anything will be able to break our bonds. I would choose otherwise. Now, Fondo and Barael have proclaimed their intent, and Charlie has already stated his intent to stand as Fondo's man. Nikolay, Briar, would that the two of you will follow, ere I say my piece to Seri."
Fondo sighs, relieved, and smiles tentatively. You make to much of it, Fondo.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Nikolay thanks the stars he has no desire for Seri unless I studied for two weapons. Seri's malleable form would allow her to be a short sword. I read many of Vencarlo's books on the subject. The forms are similar. Of course, then I would not be able to cast spells during combat. But, I rarely do that...
Nikolay shakes his head as if returning from a dream and comes back to the conversation. He takes another drink before entering the fray.
"Let's attempt to look at this logically. No, nevermind. Perhaps there is a compromise to be made. We share the same goal in the killing of the queen. For that, I believe we are agreed that we need to be the strongest we can be as a group. In that case..."
"Oh, nevermind. Briar, I understand why you want Seri, but you have always favored magic over all else. Why the martial now? Or, have you been admiring my work and wish to combine the two?" Nikolay can't resist a smirk.
"How about Fondo wields the blade until the queen's head rolls along the ground and then you can wield Seri for the rest of your long life while Fondo enjoys the peace that follows? Even if Fondo were to wield Seri until the end of his life and then you took her, you would still possess her for much longer than he does."
Nikolay sighs and goes back to his flask.
Briar returns Nikolay's smirk.
"I'll get to the sword when Halfblood releases his death's grip upon it. I would do my own divination upon it. And with it. There are two issues here, Sward. The first was understanding Fondo's actions in the last fight and figuring out whether we will do them again. It is a matter of trust. The second has to do with the sword, do not conflate the two."
* * *
Briar looks at Fondo, up and down, considering and remembering the fullness of Fondo's past actions...both good and bad.
"I hear more honesty in your words now, Varisian. And it is good that Nikolay has forgiven you. That he is willing to forgive you leads me to do the same. Let us move forward."
Fondo keeps his attention focused on Dandi, Nik, Baraek, and Charlie, and is visibly relieved that admitting some small measure of fault to his adopted family has not proved his undoing. His eyes get back a touch of laughter at Briar's words. He leaves his response unsaid.
My words are ever true with those who claim my heart. But truth is not a static thing. It is a tale one weaves. Like an onion, it has layers. Like the sky, its shade changes through the day. For my part, I share the truth with our friends as I discover it.
But one truth holds firm, for now. These companions of ours have my love, and I begin to trust that I have theirs.
[b]"I forgive you, too. It is already forgotten. There will be many opportunities to make dicey judgements in the very near future. Let us move beyond this and get out of this pit. This pit of desp<coughcoughhackhack>. This pit of despair.
Barael walks over to Charlie, pulls out a little cloth to wipe away some dried saliva from the corner of the old man's mouth, and tucks it back into his belt.
"Do you mind, Charlie?" Barael takes Seri from the old man's clutches and revery, and passes it to the outstretched hands of the Elf.