"You've thought of everything, but where did you find it? Is it..." She doesn't finish the sentence, but makes some familiar motions, until she can see the magic in the room. She smiles, her eyes narrowing a little against the glare. "You're limned in blue, did you know? You're magic. Is she? and does she already have a name?"
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Barael frowns for a second, as he sorts out her thoughts, and arranges them as best helps him to understand. Blue? Blue was what... they said they noticed... magic. Ok. So. Limed in blue? Like it's rubbed over me like a zest. So she's seeing magic hues now. OH. Oooohhhhh.
Barael breaks out in a chuckle. "We're always looking out for things, I forget some times that we forget to look inwards for things. But you don't. And I love you all the more for it. Now, I didn't ask Corbinian for proper introductions, but he did tell me that the seven larger ones there, those jewels," Barael touches each one in turn, "Those are the ones that help you the most. Seems fitting that the one who wears the necklace should be the one to give it a name for familiarity. Don't you think?"
Fondo readily accompanies Briar to the temple of Abadar, veiled by Deyanira's magics. He doesn't speak much. "What did Kako and Dandilion find?"
. . . . .
Much later, Fondo seeks out Barael in the suite. He looks haggard and sheepish.
"Brov, have you a moment? Well, a while." He picks up a flagon of wine and two tankards. "Shall we watch the fire?"
He sits, looking melancholy. Alone. Gives Barael a faint shadow of his usual smile. "How fare things with... Your... You two...? I am happy for you both. I thought I saw the threads between you, those many months ago."
He turns and looks sadly into the fire. "You've both been true so oft. I was mayhap too quick to call you kin. To call you mine. It is a trait I loathed in many lad and lass, before this journey saw its start. Sudden love makes for jealous, brittle bonds." He chortles. "Well, truth be told more lads than lasses, as you've likely kenned. My loins may rise with both, but my heart only truly rest with men the like of sweet Ruan. Maybe I'll see him again someday soon. Maybe he'll want to see me..."
He takes off his family scarf and runs his hands across its embroidery. "This scarf traces the line of all Barondos. But it may as well be ash to me. My cousins will yet speak to me, but I'll never more share their path along the road. They cut me off. Mistook me for a fool, as I now fear you do as well. And thus do I my brittle family once again bring near to shattering."
Putting the scarf aside, he takes out Zellara's cards and folds them in his headscarf. "You know, Korvosa's not my home. Not really. I feel most free and sound upon the road. For a time, I thought I stayed because Zellara's spirit forced me there. A trick of fortune or of fate. Later, I thought it was for Dandi, Kako, and for you. And then Ruan, fleeting though our time together was. Now... I do not know why. Tell me, Brov. Why?"
Barael's forehead wrinkles as he watches Fondo take up the flagon, watches the melancholy ripple across the swordsman's face. A feeling of familiarity takes hold in Barael's heart.
Early afternoons, before Ma returned from her works. Bright sun, but the apartment was always dim, curtains drawn. Bottle half empty already, but not completely. The calm before the storm.
Barael does what comes naturally- he pours a drink, and hands a tankard to Fondo, both hands on it, a sign of deference. He remembers himself, and pours a second tankard full, but refrains from drinking deeply from the get go.
He listens without interrupting.
"Tell me, Brov. Why?"
Barael's impulse is to immediately stand, and fetch something from the kitchen which isn't there. Questions... I never answered them to his satisfaction, and he used the answers against me, most of the time.
This isn't your father, Barrie. This is Fondo, a man who called you Brov like no other did before then. Remember yourself, and remember him. Not this haggard man, but the spirit of unbridled justice that stood by your side lo these many battles.
The words finally come.
"You've the biggest heart of anyone I know, Fondo. But when hearts are that big, they bleed easily, ache more deeply, beat the loudest." Barael takes a sip, only then realizing his throat had drawn dry.
"You've got the ability to see yourself where others stand, and as a result, you can sense their suffering more than I ever could. In that position, you either run from the pain, or you try to end it. The suffering runs deep in Korvosa, and your heart keeps you here, until that suffering ends. That's why I think you stay." Barael drinks more deeply this time, letting the quiet settle until Brov decides.
For that is what he's doing here, right? Asking that question? He thinks on reasons like I think on reasons. We don't have to return to Korvosa. The troll said that the Queen would reduce our numbers. But that's likely to occur whether we return to Korvosa or not. Likely the odds would increase if she gets done what she intends to. This is why we return- to preserve what we cherish the most. Our lives, and the lives of those we love.
Nikolay concedes the match to Fondo before he passes out.
"The times are too difficult right now to risk real injury to satisfy egos. Well fought."
----
He plays sitter for Serithtial while the party attempts to rescue Ishani. Mostly he stares off into space and contemplates the future of Korvosa and his role, if any, in it.
"Halfblood, Nikolay, Fondo, would you like to join me in taking care of the body? We can drink to his good life while he lead it."
"Drink? Sure."
Fondo listens and doesn't drink much from the flagon. It's a prop, more than anything. He shakes his head as Barael speaks. "I wish I were as noble as you say. Mayhap I am, and know it not. Yes, I'm drawn to fight for that what's good, but at the heart I stay because I’ve nowhere else to go. A man must tie his heart and will to something. I find myself too desperate at times to do so."
He puts a piece of wood on the fire, taking comfort from the smoke. ”A man needs those who’ll catch him when he falls and see beyond his faults. I feel that need so much, but haven’t done the same for you as often as I’d like. Pushed rather than heard…” He looks at Barael, at his tunic. ”I see you’ve had your share of hurts. That scar… I’ve used it as a goad. It was unkind. How came you by it? What’s it mean to you?"
"That scar... How came you by it? What's it mean to you?"
Barael considers Fondo, and his questions. Aye, you saw it, and marked it. Do I share anything further? Barael decides to share.
"It was my Da's work. I never shut up about joining the Guard, and it annoyed him to no end. Finally, he decided to shut me up, once and for all, so he pinned me down, and carved the crest of korvosa into my chest." Barael pulls his shirt from his chest to look down on it. "Doesn't much resemble the crest as much as a spider's web snowflake to me. He was never keen on the arts." Barael falls silent, looking down, taking a drink every once and awhile.
"It reminds me to fight back, because I didn't then."
Fondo's eyes glisten, wet, as Barael speaks. He leans in. ”I’m… Sorry. I should not’ve…” He reaches out with his hand, thinking to touch the scar more gently this time, but lays it on Barael’s shoulder instead. ”A scar need not a goad to fight remain. It’s sign you have survived, with love to give. A prophecy of she who loves you back. A web which starts with Jell’enedra but shall in time reach far.”
He reflects for a moment. ”I said before… I cannot wield Serithtiel to wreak revenge. It must be for what I… We love. We’ve fought our demons”—and each other—”long enough. It’s time we fight for she who holds the glaive.”*
"What did Kako and Dandilion find?"
Briar looks at Fondo, then tries to place where he is in Kaer Maga relative to the religious district.
"I know naught/not of what Dandi seeks. She may be looking for a magic or two. We have yet to discuss," Briar answers. "Of Halfblood, he seeks the bottoms of his cups. I believes he finds them more often than naught."
Briar continues to walk while mulling.
"Tis strange how we found nothing but torture wounds on Ishani, yet no relevant magics to explain why he screamed and died so. There are many questions and few answers, Varisian. I am uncertain if there was a trap or not. That knowledge might be revealed to us when the Queen's head lies riddled with arrows while rolling betwixt her legs," Briar opines, his mind seeking answers.
"You were there, you know we did not see anyone. The body was adjoining a large statue. We did not have time to explore that. It was a large room too...I doubt each prisoner is offered such 'luxury'. Now that I think more about it, there was no need to keep the body there *UNLESS* they were hoping we could come to get the body. Why else leave a dead body in a room like that? Or was the body serving another purpose altogether?"
Briar shakes his head, hoping answers could be shook loose.
* * *
"Waif, Rat: we go to the Vault of Abadar to see about getting rid of Ishani's body. Meet us there if you wish to gain another reason for vengeance upon the Queen."
Fondo nods at Briar's questions, unable to answer them. This time, in public, he responds through the bond.
He listens to Briar's account of their brief sojourn and suspicions of a trap.
He pauses, trying to think constructively.
He pauses again. If I spoke boist'rouly, twas only to push back against that tone of siege. We have some room to move, though how much room we do not yet know. However much it is, we must not surrender it. Mayhap your magicks can help us better know. Or mayhap we learn through risk and trial, when it's required. A feint can reveal much about our foe's limits.
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Barael breaks out in a chuckle. "We're always looking out for things, I forget some times that we forget to look inwards for things. But you don't. And I love you all the more for it..."
"I'm sorry, I was just curio..." She stops, her gaze jerking from the necklace to the man in front of her.
Just like that..."I love you all the more.." like it's nothing.
"....Corbinian for proper introductions, but..."
"I love you all the more..."
"... the seven larger ones there, those jewels,"
like people say it every day...
"...the ones that help you the most. Seems fitting "
"love you all the more..."
"... Don't you think?"
The heat of his hand contrasts against the cool mithral and pearls against her skin like the beat of her heart and the utter stillness of the rest of her.
"Barrie, I...."
Briar's voice rings in head, ice water and damnation and guilt all in one blow. She scrunches her eyes and silently, save to all but Wraith perhaps, curses the elf's impeccably bad timing.
"I...I guess we should go." She checks the scarf to see that its skewed aright and meets his gaze with star stuck eyes.
"Barrie? I uh..love you more...."I love it. Thank you."
Barael beams as Dandi pronounces her love of the necklace. "I'm very glad you like it, Dandi. May it serve to protect you and provide you the strength in your magics." Especially when I can not.
Barael takes Dandi's hand, and presses a quick kiss to it, still ebullient about his success.
"Yes, let's be off. Won't do to keep Briar waiting."
"Vault of Abadar? Are you sure that's the place? Do they have deposit boxes that big? Anyways, we're coming, wait up."
Barael listens intently to Fondo's thoughts on what might be done beyond death's declarations.
"We still have the courier waiting in that creepy district, able to bear message back to Glorio, regarding any distractions we care to set up through him. If we think the Warrens are compromised, I think we can consider Glorio ally enough to make sure we gain Old Korvosa, at least. Long as that reefclaw doesn't hold grudges."
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"OK, let's bury the body and then have breakfast. I need to get the screaming cats out of my head."
You take Ishani's body to the church of Abadar which is much less impressive in Kaer Maga than it is in Korvosa. Here it is a small church, with just a few priests. In Korvosa, it's the largest church in town with many, many priests and lay persons.
Ishani might be the high priest here, if he lived. He was very political. None the less, they do accept his body for burial - and given his stature they will place him in the vault below the church for safe keeping.
They hold a small, but very serious ceremony for him as they prepare the body for burial. You're invited to watch - and even to help if you wish, though it will take a few hours to properly clean and wrap Ishani. They are clearly taking good care of him.
- - -
That, along with some crafting and whatnot, brings us to late evening of Fireday Rova 7, 4707. If there is anything else you'd like to do in the week you have left, speak now please. Once everyone has posted their plans, I'll forward us the last little bit to Fireday Rova 7, 4707 and the last day of crafting. Or sooner if the opposition does something else... :D
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Charlie goes to Saul and purchases 2 potions of fly and a Ring of the Sophisticate. When there are 2 days left he pulls Nik and Fondo aside and says, "I'm going on a bender. I have this new ring which will lead us to the party. Come join me and let's make a last days in this town memorable. Well, to others anyway."
Briar hangs out at the vaulting for as long as he can before paying his last respects and returning to his craftings.
His current project, the Rat's belt, is nearly complete and Briar wonders what project to begin.
Fondo receives Barael's thoughts about Glorio with a crackling irritability that quickly calms.
It's worth a try, Brov. He's not to be trusted in the end, but is more rival now than enemy. Ally as it suits his schemes. As you say, caution first. We must be watchful for the time when he shall turn.
He greets the priests of Abadar with respect and attends the funeral quietly. If there comes time for eulogies, he briefly says, "Ishani stood for law and balance in a time when evil did Korvosa's throne enshroud. He sought to end a plague that shook the city at its core. I know little of your just god, but this man made me see the Vault as something right and true.'
Leaving, he thinks at Briar.
Tis proper that we leave his corpse in peace. You made the proper choice in that. I pray, though, tell me what you think that Nethys could reveal? What visions could you call from, say, Zellara's cards or from the stars?
. . . . .
Later, Fondo lingers a while with Barael, listening and sipping absently at his wine.
. . . . .
In the morning, he draws Dandi aside during Charlie's feast. "Jell'enedra, may I speak with you? My heart is full of words that must be said."
He suggests some pillows by the window and sits. The look of sorrow from the previous night has diminished somewhat, replaced by a momentary loss for words. "I... Where do I begin..." He looks over at Barael, perhaps catching his eye as the Fang of Korvosa gazes at his love.
"His heart's begun to mend with love for you. I feel so glad at what I see, yet fearful too at what the future holds for you. Not 'gainst the Queen. Your power's greater than Serithtiel's could ever be. So too is his, I hope, though I worry for his heart." He looks Dandi in the eye. A bit of love and a bit of warning. "Your misadventures with the dream are not a journey he can take with you. I've seen what hues and shiver do to love. I'll not see the web upon his chest be proven twice to be a thing of pain. For now, it may become a sign of happiness to be sustained."
He pauses, a look of contrition on his face. "I am not one to talk. I've been a beast to you. I thought bravado and cajoling means to get you through this war. Failed to hear your counsel. Failed to see that even if you're caught in dreams, your dreams have import in my life. The drug, and my own failings too, have left me ill-equipped to see what truly awesome gifts you have to share." He pauses, looks upon her face for signs of wrath or hoped-for forgiveness.
"Jell'enedra, may I speak with you? My heart is full of words that must be said."
Lost in thought, Dandi startles as Fondo calls her attention, though his voice is neither loud nor abrasive. "Fondo." She swallows and gathers up some of her papers. Even here at breakfast, she works. Studies. "I... yes, of course." She tenses, braces herself, and then feels guilty for her assumption. It is the stress only.
"His heart's begun to mend with love for you. I feel so glad at what I see, yet fearful too at what the future holds for you. Not 'gainst the Queen. Your power's greater than Serithiel's could ever be. So too is his, I hope, though I worry for his heart."
"D-do you really th.." her words die off again as he continues speaking. So much speaking leaves little room to listen, but one of us must. Tucking her hair back behind her ear, she smiles in spite of pique, focusing on the silliest part of Fondo's speech. "Out of everything, that is your worry? His is the strongest heart I know. T'would be better to worry if the sun will rise tomorrow."
"Your misadventures with the dream are not a journey he can take with you. I've seen what hues and shiver do to love. I'll not see the web upon his chest be proven twice to be a thing of pain. For now, it may have become a sign of happiness to be is sustained."
Her smile, faint as it was, fades quickly. She finds her feet. If he would talk with her, then needs be he’ll follow. But she cannot stay here, with Barrie so close, not and have this conversation, if one person speaking can be called such. He must breathe at some point. Perhaps.
He pauses, a look of contrition on his face. "I am not one to talk. I've been a beast to you. I thought bravado and cajoling means to get you through this war. Failed to hear your counsel. Failed to see that even if you're caught in dreams, your dreams have import in my life. The drug, and my own failings too, have left me ill equipped to see what truly awesome gifts you have to share." He pauses, looks upon her face for signs of wrath or hoped-for forgiveness.
He pauses once, twice, and she thinks to speak, but the first no more than she could take a breath, before he begins again. Finally, with an apology on his mouth and yet another mention of her worst failing, he stops. And dare she hope, listens?
“Is it to be my turn now? Shall I speak? Will it matter?” Her eyes flash, even as the guilt of her anger in the face of his apology coils in her stomach. It is too much, on top of too much.
“Will you hear me now?”
Learning her lessons from him, she does not wait for him to answer, but begins to speak. But she is no Speaker, but will have to do her best with what she has.
“You’re right. You’ve been a beast and an arrogant Voice with no Ear. Sometimes, I swear I may as well talk to the wall as share my opinions with you. I am not a child in ringlets and bows, brothermine, have not been so, for too many years to count, yet you treat me as one.” She sighs, pausing to breathe then continues. “Though I’ve never been other than I am with you, have I?” She shakes her head, knowing that she has changed over the last several months. Grown, perhaps. If she is lucky.
“Perhaps that is unfair…but what is the use of talking of no one hears you?” She continues, her stride stuttering when emphasis would have her face him, but otherwise, she leads him elsewhere. There is no need to concern the others with what is between the two of them.
“I… I love him, Fondo. I cannot do more than that. Do you think I don’t know he deserves so much more? But… I think he feels the same, and I’ll not turn away from that. I can’t.” A fine flush creeps up her face, coloring her cheeks. “I… I know my fondness for the rainbow is a weakness we can ill afford, and… and it is nothing I am proud of.” she cannot hold still, her hands and her hair twist along with her stomach. “But of the fights ahead of us, this seemed the safest to put on hold until… after.” She looks at him again then, and the truth is in her eyes, if she is still around after...
“But… I promise you, after that, I will wean from even the threads, and sample them only as necessary before then to keep the shake from my hands, for spell casting.” Her smile, if one could call it that, ages her, knowledge beyond anything one her age should know floating in the deep sea blue of her eyes. “It is not a simple thing to ‘just say nay’, but I will do so. A little faith is all I ask.”
Fondo follows Dandi. He does not sweep her up in his arms and attempt to laugh the troubles away. He does not attempt to stop her anger by talking over it. He listens.
He waits a while when she's done before responding. "She was a child, you know, Esmira. Fierce, strong, but too little in the face of that monster.. I was too quick to try to make you her. I did not know you. I've let myself see only those vulnerabilities that remind me of her need, and my failure to protect her. I'm sorry." He stops and does not say more, the words would easily flow further from his mouth.
Fondo follows Dandi. He does not sweep up in his arms and attempt to laugh the troubles away. He does not attempt to stop her anger by talking over it. He listens.
He waits a while when she's done before responding. "She was a child, you know, Esmira. Fierce, strong, but too little in the face of that monster.. I was too quick to try to make you her. I did not know you. I've let myself see only those vulnerabilities that remind me of her need, and my failure to protect her. I'm sorry." He stops and does not say more, the words would easily flow further from his mouth.
"Oh Fondo!I..." She stops, her eyes prickling a little. It is too easy to forget that pain and horror is what brought us together. But it cannot be what keeps us, can it? At least, not the only thing.
Her tone softens. Gentles. "Would that I could give her back to you, she would already be in your arms." I will not tell him that she is likely better off not living with the memories. He does not need to hear that. "...and if I could bring him back, I'd kill him all over again." She lays a hand upon his shoulder, smiling gently "But I would be more careful, this time."
"We must all protect each other; or I am a mere weight upon the rest of you."
"I'm sorry too." Her smile flickers, sobers. Apologies are hard. "I know I have made some... odd choices at times."
He puts his hand on hers. "We're all aids and weights. We're mortal. Even the elf, but do not let him know I said so."
He turns to her. "You're wards've saved me a great deal of harm. You've Gorum's strength within your locks, and most of all can see that what should most surely see us through. Not once have you forgotten love. You've helped my brother true regain his heart. More power have I never seen."
Risking just a bit more verbiage, he says, "And if, when deed is done, you wish to leave the hue behind, I'll be what aid I can. We'll see it through."
Briar sidles up to Barael, a new belt in hand.
"Barael, it's done!" Briar holds up the exceptionally well crafted (if he does say so himself) magical belt he recently designed.
"This belt here will increase your speed and reflexs a great deal. With more time and money, I could make it even more superior, but we balance time with our mission."
Briar offers the belt to Barael to examine.
"However, I would point you to this belt here," Briar points to his own belt. "This belt adds to my quickness...and my physical fortitude. There is a balance to it. I was wondering if you might want this one instead of that one."
Briar looks at Barael to see if he has any questions.
Barael perks up as Briar calls him over. "Thank you, Long-lived. You've been at that for days, eh?" Barael takes the finely crafted belt in hand, examining it respectfully.
"This is your work, Briar. I wouldn't think to reject it after all that work. This should be just what I need." Barael claps the Elf on the back, and dons the new creation. He tucks and rolls, chuckling as he gains his feet again
"Perfect!"
Charlie goes to Saul and purchases 2 potions of fly and a Ring of the Sophisticate. When there are 2 days left he pulls Nik and Fondo aside and says, "I'm going on a bender. I have this new ring which will lead us to the party. Come join me and let's make a last days in this town memorable. Well, to others anyway."
"A bender? Why do I think for you that would look like some blacksmith's sailor's knot puzzle. I do not wish to find myself so twisted, but I will join you for some drinks and keep an eye on you if you wish to bend yourself like some circus contortionist."
"Perfect!"
"Of course it's perfect, Rat. I made it," Briar states the obvious. "What is less perfect is your hearing. Namely, did you want to even consider trying on this belt as well. It might save your life."
Briar offers his belt to Barael to test as well.
Barael admires the new belt, and chuckles when he finds a matching Maker's Mark on the belt, just beneath his navel. He studies it for a moment, failing to look up as Briar removes his own belt. "Would you look at that! I've got a matching set now!" Barael looks up as Briar offers the comparison.
"Won't this belt help me with my bow skills? It already feels like a kind of protection, helping me move more fluidly. That alone might save my life. It's like I've got wings, and your magic is the wind beneath 'em!"
Briar nods, agreeing.
"Okay, I thought I would check. Not that you need the extra life giving power of this belt. I'll be proud to see you fighting with that belt. May it protect you."
Briar walks away, happy and cheerful and thinking of his next project.
Briar begins crafting something new on Day 10, but he finds himself distracted by another's crafting. His mind, a bit of his mental energy, is affixed on his enhanced bow awaiting him.
When he finishes his initial work and cleans up the temporary craftorium, he runs quickly to pick up his bow, Thrumble.
Briar casts Detect Magic, reviewing the work with his arcane eye. He seems pleased, but a bit too eager.
Oh, the Varisians who stand in my way. I will warn them once. Once.
Fondo hears Deyanira's update on his belt. Three more days. Smiling, he takes in hand his new glove. "Serithtiel, I hope you find this comfortable." He ties the cord to the glove and takes the holy rapier in hand. With a snap of the fingers, she's gone.
Smiling, he proceeds to put on his upgraded armor before going to invite Nikolay to another bout.
"Briar? I have those potions for you that we discussed." Dandi interrupts quietly. She knows she may be disturbing Briar's work with his god, but hopes he will be happy to see her none the less. "How go your craftings? Our time for preparation dwindles, I think."
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Briar smiles as Dandi hands him his needed magics.
"Thank you, Waif. These might be just what I need at the right time. Though I prefer my own magics, yours elude me. Such power you have grown into. I should wonder what will become of you when we finish this," Briar turns to tuck his potions into his haversack...
Perception
...when his eyes catch something new on Dandi.
"Waif! You look...different...did you..." Briar's eyes fixate near Dandi's head. "...did you...change your hair?"
"Thank you, Waif. These might be just what I need at the right time. Though I prefer my own magics, yours elude me. Such power you have grown into. I should wonder what will become of you when we finish this," Briar turns to tuck his potions into his haversack...
"Do you really think so? Scarwall was...humbling. I don't know, honestly. I... grow fond of Kaer Maga, I'm sure I could find something productive to do here, but..." She smiles and shakes her head. "only time will tell."
"Waif! You look...different...did you..." Briar's eyes fixate near Dandi's head. "...did you...change your hair?"
Her smile broadens, sure she knows what he means, only to dim again."My hair? Uhh, no... it is the same as it ever is, too wayward with a mind of it's own." She brushes it back from her shoulders, deliberately baring Barael's gift. Her joy with it draws her taller, and she bounces a little on her toes as she preens a little, "But perhaps it looks different, in T'sara's gleam."
Briar's eyes affix on the object Dandi has around her neck.
"Oh. Oh my. Let me see that Waif!" Briar says, his attention immediately drawn to something so pretty (the necklace, not Dandi), and so powerful (probably both). He casts Detect Magic and begins to drink in the aromas (of the necklace, duh).
"Wow..where did you get this? T'sara? It has a name? It is rather stunning...both in look and function," Briar asks, all of the sudden feeling very less-magical.
Briar's eyes affix on the object Dandi has around her neck.
"Oh. Oh my. Let me see that Waif!" Briar says, his attention immediately drawn to something so pretty (the necklace, not Dandi), and so powerful (probably both). He casts Detect Magic and begins to drink in the aromas (of the necklace, duh).
"Wow..where did you get this? T'sara? It has a name? It is rather stunning...both in look and function," Briar asks, all of the sudden feeling very less-magical.
"Isn't she beautiful? Barrie gave her to me. Her name is T'sara, and she can do the most amazing things. Barrie says I must be careful out in public, else she may draw unwanted attention, but I thought you would find her as lovely as I do."
Briar looks around to see if Barael is around...for the Rat was right. Briar did find this as lovely as Dandi might. It is amazing.
"Barael...gave...you...this? How?" Briar's mind goes through several series of disconnects, each one trying to figure out how the mere human was able to discern, let alone acquire, such a perfect near-artifact to give to Dandi.
He robbed a gypsy?
Not a lot of gypsies around here.
He's secretly a prince!
Him? A prince?
His soul? It has been sold!!
No. He *might* be too smart for that.
This is a cunning purchase. He has the cunning...but...
"It is lovely, Waif. But it brings up a question. Several questions, actually," Briar's eyes narrow upon Dandi. "A gift like this...is more than mere friendship. More than mere comrades...it speaks of something else. How he was able to acquire this, outside our council and in secret speaks of either treachery or great love."
Briar waits to hear what Dandi thinks.
"I... he did not say." She frowns down at the necklace, trying to remember. Funny, memory isn't such a fleeting thing for me. But...there was so much more to hear then.
"uhm... He mentioned someone named Corbinian, though I know nothing beyond the name of him...but I do know Barrie, and there is no treachery in his heart. Of this I am certain." Her smile returns full force, bringing a blush that she would wish elsewhere, but cannot seem to control.
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Nikolay stops by Saul's for a weapon cord. He picks one up, but sees if Saul can procure something nicer than the leather.
"I don't mean for it to be flashy. It's just that the sword deserves something finer and more durable."
--"Mithral!"
What?
--"It should be mithral. Light, but strong."
"Would you happen to have one in mithral, Saul?"
Nikolay will not wear the weapon cord all the time, only prior to sparring Fondo or beginning an actual mission.
Briar, your bow is on time, and it is wonderful...
Nikolay, I'm fine with a half pound, so 250gp is a fine amount. I'll adjust the treasure sheet. Saul doesn't have one on hand, but he can have one custom made for you. It'll take a couple days, but no real problems.
Also, Nikolay, I don't have any notes of you buying anything during the downtime. Did I miss something, or have you not actually bought anything? Let me know, thanks.
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Barael clinks glasses with Fondo, wishing him a good night's rest. Sleep comes quickly. His last thought is of his breath, wine-touched. The familiar smell of alcohol on the breath of a sleeping man.
The shadow falls over him, eyes glowing crimson. It begins to swirl around him languidly. Barael feels the blackness like a residue as it passes over him, the texture of it a dry dog's tongue.
You've chosen, eh, boy? You love her more than you do me? Well, that's a shame. You don't see her with the eyes of an adult. You're a child, Barry, coddled by her. You're soft. You'd have no fight in you, 'cept for me. I've made you stronger, for the little time I've had with ya. Don't deny it. I've seen the number of fights you've gotten into. You like it. You're starting to know how to hurt others. How to hit them so hard, they lose their fight against you. That's me, Barry. That's all me.
The shadow reaches towards Barael, and for the fear, Barael watches helplessly as the shadow reaches into him with both claws, and pulls itself into him. He feels it grab hold tight. Barael looks down at his chest, and reaches into it with his own hands, seeking out the creature. His hands find it, as much as it tries to slither into a different corner. Once he has it, he pulls hard on it, ripping it from its grasp. The pain is white hot. The same pain he experienced when... he was ripped from his own body. He flinches, his hands letting go.
Don't even think about it, Barry. You're nothing without me. That love you think you have for her, it'll make you weak. Let her go. Trust me, she'll betray you eventually. They all do, Barry.
The shadow comes to life, from within. Barael doesn't bid it come, but come it does. The bones crack, the muscles tear, and for all of it, the pain of the Shift is now the pain... that She caused him. The Rat rises up, and with it, something new. Something dangerous.
Come, Barry. We hunt tonight. Let us seek out those who would do us harm, shall we? Who should we start with, first? Silly me, boy. Of course, you know. Start with Her. The one caused you all that pain. If she can do that, imagine the pain waiting for you after she's deceived you deep.
The bedroom door is open. She awakens, a beautiful, sleepy expression still caressing her face. She starts to speak, until her eyes enlarge, as her throat is ripped out. Redness, then nothingness.
See how easy that was? How easy you can stop the pain? Because there's nothing but pain in trying to love a woman, Barry.
Barael awakens, the night still in the dead hours. He leaves the bedroom door, and moves to another's. He knocks until the Elf arrives at his insistence.
"Sorry to wake you, Briar, but I would have your belt, in place of the one you crafted for me. No offense, but I think you were right. I need its fortitude, for what I need to do."
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Briar sits up from his meditations (sleeps) to answer the door. He picks up his bow and a pair of arrows from his quiver as he moves. He does not mind nighttime interruptions, and most people with ill intent do not knock. Also, he was just itching to try his new bow.
Briar opens the door to the insistent Barael.
"Sorry to wake you, Briar, but I would have your belt, in place of the one you crafted for me. No offense, but I think you were right. I need its fortitude, for what I need to do."
Briar listens and nods, already unbuckling his own belt to hand it over. He cares more of the safety of others than his own...or maybe it is simple trade offs. Briar returns to his cushions, sitting seiza, laying the bow and arrows on either side of himself.
"Come in, Rat. Try on the belt. Let us talk...and explore the options." Briar welcomes Barael in. "When this is completed, there are others things we must discuss...namely the treachery of the night's stars."
Barael rubs his eyes, more to clear them for a conversation he hadn't expected to join, rather than out of annoyance. He spots a table, and rests Briar's newly crafted belt upon it. Taking the sought after belt, Barael nods as he looks it over. Likely he didn't wear it while visiting with Laori in the dark of night, so it should be free of nicks and tears.
"Come in, Rat. Try on the belt. Let us talk...and explore the options." Briar welcomes Barael in. "When this is completed, there are others things we must discuss...namely the treachery of the night's stars."
"Much appreciated, Long-Lived." Barael looks up to address Briar, beads of sweat still catching the light off his forehead and upper lip. He looks for a comfortable cushion for himself, and sinks down into it, setting the belt in his lap.
"I didn't mean to keep you up at this time of night. Bad dream is all. Now, what were you saying about treachery and stars?"
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"Put on the belt, Rat. I assure you it is of similar power to your old one...but with a different balance. You will find yourself to be more sturdy, your physical defenses buttressed," Briar says, watching from his seika sitting. "Put on the belt and sit for a while."
Briar offers some cushions to Barael, looking at the Rat with deadly calm in his eyes, a smirk on his lips. Briar brushes off Barael's inquiry for a line of inquiry of his own.
"I ran into Dandi this morning. She was delighted with her new necklace. She flushed completely when I admired it. Truly, it was a gift full of meaning. It got me thinking about what that necklace meant and how neatly it seemed to capture the stars."
Briar pauses and continues.
"Tell me, Rat...when you look at the night's sky, do you see the star's light reflected back upon you...or do you see what stars really are: portals into other lands, other dimensions, other reflections of our reality? For that is what stars truly are."
Briar pauses, leading Barael along the path.
"I have recently found a star's light that I cannot turn from. It intrigues me...I am fascinated by it."
"In that starlight, a potential future starlight, our mission hinges upon the permanent death of a party member against the success of our mission. Do you see? In that starlight, you must choose between Dandi and the death of the Queen. Tell me, Barael...in that star's light, which would you choose?"
"In that starlight, a potential future starlight, our mission hinges upon the permanent death of a party member against the success of our mission. Do you see? In that starlight, you must choose between Dandi and the death of the Queen. Tell me, Barael...in that star's light, which would you choose?"
"You visited the Troll Augurs, too? He said as much, but I didn't ask my question too specifically. I asked if the Queen was going to succeed in reducing our numbers, you know. The HarrowCast? He just told me 'yes'. Didn't tell me how many of us we would be losing. You already found out, huh?" Barael slips into silence. "Why does it have to be Dandi, Briar?" He tries to say more, but finds himself unable.
Briar wry smile gets even bigger with Barael's response.
"So that is it, Rat? That's your answer...you would sacrifice Dandi for sake of our greater good?" Briar leans back in his seika, stretching.
"You know there are more stars and more possibilities than the ones you can see in the heavens? And even more that we can barely glimpse from this side of Golarion?" Briar eases forward into another stretch.
"Do you know why I do not worry for her death? Or for what your augurs have shown you, Barael?" Briar asks with an gleam in his eye.
Even he should be able to answer this one...it is obvious.
Barael's frown matches the magnitude of Briar's smile.
"You're mocking me. You're suggesting that I'm the one that has to decide whether she fights with us, or not. She makes her decision, as do we all." Barael listens to Briar muse on the intricacies of the universe, and waits for him to finish stretching.
"I do not know, Briar. Why should I not worry about death and augurs?" Barael appears to be straining to understand, in the wee hours.
"It won't be her that's lost to us?"
Briar's smirk turns with disappointment.
"Because magic, you silly Varisian. MAGIC. Both mine and what she possesses herself. No reality stands where magic can be brought to bear. How many new realities have we already created by bending it to suit our needs?" Briar seems angry.
"How many times must you see things undone before you believe in magic? Believe in the power in my hands? In the hands of Dandi herself? In the power of the necklace?" Briar shakes his head.
"Even after you have been brought back from death, why would you have any doubts at all?"
Fondo fumbles with the Harrow cards, beginning to wish he could use them for truly time-bending divination, not just as a tool of faith and inspiration. For in his heart of hearts, he knows that's the case. Not that faith in fortune lacks magic, but it doesn't answer questions the way more powerful magics could. Like the purpose of Ishani's demise. Or the likely outcome of these misadventures.
Trust to fortune if you haven't magic to foretell your fate. Twould seem the Lady Gray eludes me in all matters. Let it remain so.
He gazes at Nikolay's pretty mithral cord. Mayhap I ought request one of adamant. He pounces, ready for the magus to finally give him a good thrashing.
Barael winces as Briar lays into him. It wakes him up a little.
"What are you telling me? That the Trolls only dabble in their intestines to understand the reality as would exist without magic? Or do their readings take into account what the world will be based on all that influences it, including your magic?"
"Briar. I don't doubt in your ability to bring me back, under those circumstances. If you couldn't retrieve my body... if my soul flew beyond your reach... ififififif. So many of them, it makes my head hurt." Barael rubs his temple instead of his eyes this time.
"Why did you not raise Ishani? What they did to him, once they had their hands on him, put him beyond your reach. Tell me I'm wrong. Please. If they put their hands on... If she falls beyond my, our reach... this is why I doubt."
Briar's smile returns as the Rat floats ideas and possibilities.
"I would argue that the divinations of the Trolls are only as good as what you paid for. I would trust my magics over their intestines anyday...they cannot account for magics greater than themselves," Briar answers the first line of questions sharply.
"Raise Ishani? In addition to being expensive...it would be foolish. Incredibly foolish...like the errand to rescue him. I have been thinking more on the topic. It is interesting staring into that star's light," Briar muses.
"Assuming he wanted to come back *AND* his mind was not destroyed by the torture, raising Ishani would be more burden to our mission than aid. He would need constant protection from scrying...with every deed he worked with the resistance, they would learn more and more from scryed watchings," Briar extrapolates.
"Tis wiser to leave him dead or wait until we finish our tasks. However, even wiser is to put the choices in the followers of his common God: Abadar. If they felt he wanted to come back, they would have."
Briar finishes his musing, then gets to the last question.
"You worry for Dandi. As do I. I worry for us all. However, our magics are great. Our swords are strong. We can alter reality itself...it will be interesting. I will do my best to protect her and you, and the others, no doubt."
Barael stands, a little stronger with the words of the Elf. Securing the belt around his waist, he feels stronger still.
"I do not doubt that you will do your best, Long-Lived. As will I. As will all of us, I'm sure. I will try not to doubt that our best will be good enough. It has thus far, eh?" Barael extends his hand.
"I appreciate your patience with me and my fickleness. I look forward to finishing our preparations. If you need me to do any running for you tomorrow, just let me know."
Barael looks around the room to get his bearing, finds his place, and moves soundlessly back into his own room by passing through the adjoining wall.