Jemini laughs, crystal clear well-intentioned laughter. "I really warm up to you two more and more - I'm glad that we get to travel together. Just imagine the boredom if it was a pair of stuffy old librarians or accountants of Abadar. I didn't know that you lot could actually be fun."
Riding on Wildflower is a little bumpy - but even so Jemini enjoys the fresh new experiences. She spends time chatting with everybody - and is particularly curious when speaking with Tandlara, about how Riddleskin travels and how he experiences the world - and how she knows all of that.
Smirking again Berrin seems to find his mirth again at Jemini's teasing and Taisper's naivety. Shaking his head he clicks his tounge to urge Bessie on. "Let's explore. We wanted to know the terrain after all and we wonðt get to know it by riding through it. Besides, the temple could be hidden in the next grove we pass. You never can tell, can you."
"A lot of the accountants I knew were kinda crazy, actually, or at least they were when they weren't in the temple. They were always the noisy fellas at the bar. Never did anything wrong, mind you, just made a racket. Dad always said it was 'cos they knew how much money the firearms factories brought in for the church and the city and other things."
Zander harumphs, "Firearms? I've heard of those, but don't understand what makes them so attractive. Seems like an overly complicated way to put a hole in a man that could just be achieved by an arrow," looking to Verik, he concedes, "or even a crossbow bolt."
"Master Reventon, an instructor from Brevoy actually, had only bad things to say about firearms. Not that he ever held any in his hand or anything - but his son had taken to alchemical crafting against his instructions. Apparently that makes them blasphemous."
She wonders, "Is it a bit like an alchemist's fire, but you hold it in your hands? That sounds like a terrible idea."
Taisper looks thoughtful. "They're...they're like...well, they look like the back of a crossbow with a blowgun strapped to the top, but they have some kind of...I don't know if it's alchemy exactly, but there's a powder, and it throws a ball of metal real fast. They're very dangerous, sometimes they just blow up and hurt the people using them, but if they work, I've seen them go through fine armor like a wire through butter." Taisper shakes his head. "I don't really know if I feel anything about them one way or another -- aside from liking how much money they bring to my hometown -- but I'm not sure I'd want to use them until they're more...reliable. I mean, Alkenstar firearms are as reliable as they come and they're still unstable. You'll probably see them soon enough. If you do, don't back down; someone's gotta be pretty skilled before they're particularly dangerous. Otherwise it's just a lot of light and noise but not real effectiveness."
|
Verik looks mildly insulted at first at being referred to as fun, but after thinking about it for a moment he ventures a small smile.
"Firearms are interesting, but at the moment they do seem a bit awkward and dirty. I am sure they will be refined. Of course I've only had a small amount of martial training and the conclusion was pretty much, if they are far away use a spell or move closer. I didn't mean to shoot Acolyte Farns in the foot, but I suppose they were probably right."
Tandlara listens to the talk about firearms with a quizzical expression. She had never heard of these weapons from the far south before, they sounded noisy and dangerous. Not for me. I rather prefer the bow. Even if I'm not much of a shot with it. Zander looks fine with is though! Far better than if he were aiming an explosion at people.
She smiles warmly at Zander without warning, before returning to her musings. As they ride she unties Riddleskin's bag and the rat peeks his head out, but stays in the pouch, obviously wary of the motion and elevation of the horse.
'We share a... bond. It is hard to put into words, in Elven it is aighnead. We can sense each others thoughts, and feelings. And through the bond I can access magics, and Riddleskin becomes more than just a rat. It is hard to explain, did that make sense?'
As Jemini considers Verik's question carefully, the group begins to notice that the sun is soon going to set. A chill touches the air, causing their breath to puff out in clouds. It will be a cool night, but nothing a heavy blanket can't handle. They ought to make camp soon.
"I've heard of something like that before - on rare occasions a paladin of great devotion and virtue is gifted a creature by his or her god. Usually the creature is much larger than Riddleskin here, of course, as it serves as a mount as well as a companion. But I imagine the bond between the two is akin to yours. Or what do you think?"
"Oooo - there is an explosive topic, Master Reventon had a lot of things to say about it; though forgive me if I tread on in practize what he laid down in theory. Would it not depend on what constitutes a lie? Just a moment ago I gave what turns out a false impression of a firearm; surely a lie? Now that Taisper has explained them a bit better, I would be more truthful when speaking about them; but still not truly knowledgable or authoritive - but I don't feel bereaved at having misrepresented the world to others with my shallow understanding. Or in combat, even though I haven't done so in your company, I could certainly lead an opponent on, feinting with my skill at arms and make use of subtle maneuvers. I could even tell a rather obvious lie convincingly, perhaps something like Svetlana, we're not planning a secret surprise birthday party for you, although this would be borderline: Yes Master Reventon, your lectures are an inspiration to me."
"I cannot misrepresent who I am to a foe. I could not pretend to be your friend, then skewer your back when you turn it. Nor could I hide a pickpocket that is chased by a mob - though I could stand up in his defense, soothe heightened nerves, if I felt that was appropriate. Nor could I significantly embellish or deny my own actions - other than giving them a touch more colour over an ale, or speak of them humbly."
"Now, let us for a moment pretend that we, as a group, collectively attempted a greater scheme of subterfuge. We acquire some bandit knowledge, get some passwords, get ourselves into the Stag Lord's fortress. I'd be able to fool the bandits quite convincingly; but I could only use lies to do so - I wouldn't be able to back it up by executing a prisoner or being creatively cruel. Nor, if it came to that, could I stand by idly when excessive cruelty is displayed before me. To a measure I could suppress the natural anger that threatens to overtake me in such situations - but once that threshold is crossed there would be no turning back. Even then I could still not pull my sword and slay the nearest bandit - I would have to declare my presence, intention to bring justice to them, and offer them the reprieve of surrender."
"Do you feel that this gives you a good idea of how I feel about lies?"
Dismounting his horse, Zander helps set up the tents. Listening to Jemini's lecture on lying, he begins to feel himself nodding off a bit, but recovers quickly. Once the camp preparations are complete, he begins his watch as the others drift off to sleep. Reflecting on his inaccuracy in the battle with the earth elementals, he decides some practice is in order and takes some shots at a tree trunk across the campground.
Tandlara looks up at the sky, the wrinkles her nose. 'I smell rain in the air,' she suddenly announces.
'Its going to rain tonight, or probably tomorrow. We should set up camp somewhere dry, or we'll start the day sogging wet. Of course we'll end it that way one way or another!' She looks up at the sky, watching shapes in the darkening clouds. She has the tingling she gets behind her ears before rain, it won't be too bad. No, I'd really a feel a big storm. She looks skyward again. Wouldn't I?
Berrin looks to the sky at Tandlaras warning, looking around he shrugs and decides to take her word for it. "Let's see if we can set up under a grove of thick trees or find a shalow cave then." he says and looks around for a suitable location to endure the rain.
|
|
Verik nods along thoughtfully as Jemini speaks, "So you can lie to save someone's feelings? In effect you can white lie? And obviously you can engage in verbal dissemblance to a degree.
I think few would deem being incorrect a lie as you appear to. To the Church of Abadar a lie requires intent, a paladin of Abadar who had been told an orange fruit shown to him for the first time was called a bingo fruit would not be lying when he informed others of the misrepresented name. He could snitch on the Acolytes who told it to him though the prig... But, ah, intent like I was saying.
What about "a lie of omission"? Personally I find the phrase inaccurate, one cannot lie by omission, unless you stretch the intent of the phrase to encompass something like omitting the not, in "I am not going to clean the vestry." But for what is meant I don't believe lie is a correct descriptor, omission can be as morally consequential as lying, in my opinion, but that does not make them the same, no more than the fact that they can both cut makes an axe a dagger.
I suppose a more intriguing question would be, whose definition of a lie is a paladin judged upon? Their own, their gods, their churches?"
The young cleric is obviously rather enjoying himself, and simply guides Virtue after those who know the wilderness better.
"Honestly, I think there is an interplay between the paladin's own conscience and that of her god. Imagine, for argument's sake that a vicious and overpowering predator, maybe a dragon, was unexpectedly on the prowl near Kressle's bandit camp before we attacked it - and then we caught Kressle but before she's chained she escapes. Would I shout a warning to Kressle? Or trust that the dragon represents Iomedae's judgment in the matter? Honestly I'm not sure. Am I getting the example right? Maybe my thoughts and my words don't match-up so well."
"Ultimately it would come down to a combination. Suppose my faith wavered based on some questionable statements. Even if Sarenrae, Iomedae and Irori are untroubled by what I do or say - I would question myself and this doubt would strip me of divine grace. On the other hand, no matter how righteous I feel about my own actions - if my gods disapprove I may still end up without the divine connection to support me."
The hilly terrain supplies a cave large enough for them to camp in after a while of searching. After quickly ensuring that it has no current inhabitants, the expedition sets forth in setting up camp inside the mouth of the cave. The rain begins soon after, dropping temperatures further. Being stuck outside in the cold and rain would be profoundly unpleasant, while inside the cave is not too bad.
Tandlara smiles when it starts to rain. You haven't led me astray yet ears. She helps to set up the camp, moving back and forth with queit practicality.
After the party are settled in she sits on her folded legs for awhile, letting Riddleskin wander around the camp. He patently avoids the men, but sniffs curiosly at Jemini's gear before returning to his mistress. Her ears still sharp and listening around her Tandlara closes her eyes and meditates on the Brightness, enjoying the sounds around her, they wash against her, reminding her that her calm is as a rock in the ocean.
When was the last time I saw the ocean? Not since the funeral. A long, long time ago. I wonder if the gravestone even still stands.
When Jemini sees Riddleskin scurry through their little camp she quietly sneaks out a small cut of ham from her rations and leaves it out of eyeshot of Tandlara. When Riddleskin finds it in Jemini's gear she surreptitiously puts a finger before her mouth in an unvoiced sshhhhh.
Berrin fences off the horses before starting up a fire near the mouth of the cave, selecting as much dry wood as he can so the smoke won't kill them along with providing heat. Settling his gear down near the fire he takes out a hunk of dried meat and some half-stale bread and settles down before the fire to eat. "Let's hope the rain passes sooner rather than later, if the storm is to heavy we might have to hole up in here to weather it out." he comments.
When his turn comes up for watch he settles down by the mouth of the cave, trying to keep his eye away from the fire so as not to ruin his night vision. Failing utterly as his eyes are drawn back into the cave by the mearest snort of his sleeping companions his eyeas are halfdazed even before he nods of to sleep nearing halfway through his shift.
Taisper listens as Jemini and Verik go back and forth. Most of it goes over his head, but he likes hearing his cousin get to talk knowledgeably about things, so he just kind of smiles to himself as he continues to watch the slowly passing woods on either side of him.
Liars get Judged.
When Tandlara warns of rain, Taisper assumes she'll be correct since it just seems like the kind of thing she would know, and is rewarded in his assumption when it begins to pour.
Before going to sleep, he takes out the dead elemental's eyes and considers them for a bit. Now that he's up the road a ways, he's not 100% sure why he even took them, and after just a few minutes of being contemplated they get returned to his pocket. Lying back in his bedroll, Taisper listens to the rain. He tries to imagine being a noble, or an elf; centuries old, or a skilled archer or swordsman, or...or a cleric.
Eventually he falls asleep to the sound of a thousand thousand tiny hammers hitting the rock and grass, each one no bigger than a raindrop.
The rain continues through the night, occasionally slowing to a drizzle without stopping completely. The temperature dropped considerably to just above freezing, combining into a rather unpleasant atmosphere to wake up into. The hills are slick and muddy, but hardly more treacherous than usual. The last embers of the fire are dying in the cave as the expedition awakens, the sun hidden by clouds and rain. It is barely brighter than nighttime thanks to the heavy cloud cover.
Quite the day to go out exploring.
|
|
Verik awakens just before dawn irritable and bleary eyed and stalks out of the cave muttering to himself, and giving Virtue - who looks rather contented - a dirty look. Getting out of view of the entrance he hauls his chain shirt off and kicks it several times while thinking uncharitable thoughts about Zander. It seems that while one can sleep in chain, it is not noted for its comfort.
After a few moments spent glowering at various offensive articles of flora and fauna - all of them - he begins chanting and gives himself a shower of created water. This leaves him covered in goosebumps and a vivid pink of hue and he races back into the cave still half naked to quickly pull on a set of the clean clothes he got from Svetlana. He stands over the fire while doing so and manages to burn his foot which does little to improve his temper.
Finally he pulls on his breastplate, the sound of his chattering teeth mixed with a string of mild, but vehement, muttered curses, and sits down upon his bedroll to pray.
Dear Abadar,
Gah, what did I do to deserve this? Forgive me my weakness, but good grief, the wilderness is rubbish! What do people see in it? Its cold wet, sticky, full of bugs, and mud puppies, and trees, and the whole place is just one big outhouse - and I never know what leaves to use.
We have a fire, but its dying down and any wood lying about is bound to be sodden beyond all hope. And to top it all off its just occurred to me that I am going to have to live with the new and no doubt appreciably worse aroma of wet horse as we ride. And I bet everything chaffs more when its wet.
I could be at home filing in a nice warm office...
Tandlara awakens and stares out at the overcast sky, the clouds roiling and tumbling through the atmosphere, shrouding the land below in weighty gloom.
'Still,' she whispers to herself. 'I always did like the rain!'
She goes out past a praying Verik sparing the young man a smile, she walks out a bit, finds a dry place under a tree and disrobes. Leaving her clothes somewhat covered she finds a small clearing and sits in the grass with her sickle in her lap, the only other item with her a pouch of components.
As the rain washes over her she smiles and looks skyward. Riddleskin soon arrives with a captured songbird, which still kicks feebly. Tandlara looks back at the cave, still sputtering smoke, then turns to the small animal and breaks its neck. She takes the pinions feathers and puts them in the pouch, she then dissects its chest, stares at its heart for a moment, and sprinkles some white powder on it. There is a small fizzing sound and she gazes at the shriveled mess again for a minute.
This done, Riddleskin eats the heart and while Tandlara meditates and feels the nameless force that sometimes whispers the secrets of magic to her turn a fraction of its attention towards her as she binds the stored knowledge from her familiar with her own mighty arcane power.
After her spells are prepared she cleans off spilled blood, returns to her clothes, dresses and returns to camp. Her distant smile firmly in place, Riddleskin asleep in his pouch.
Later that day a fox will find the body of the bird, sniff at it a few times, but decide the smell is wrong and ignore it in favor of a more wholesome meal.
Jemini wakes up a tad later than is normal for her. Stiffly she yawns and stretches. "Bit uncomfortable the cavern, ey?" She goes to the cavern entrance looking about the fresh morning before her. Frisky, but Sarenrae be praised - the sun is fighting a valiant battle against the cold. She stalks gingerly back to her bedroll, her feet shivering against the cold stone. Just a few moments later she slipped from her night shirt into gear.
The leg didn't look like a leg anymore more like something the butcher threw out all wrong colors mixed pink and red and sharp whites and mom kept grabbing at my head kept trying to cover my eyes but she didn't know I just wanted to look at his eyes and look and say it's okay you'll be okay you have family we have neighbors but his eyes were closed anyway and now there is a light but it didn't happen this way but there is a light and it is gold and warm and He is here and I can look in his eyes they are gold they are my eyes they are the color of money and sun and honey and now the leg is fine but oh he won't walk the same ever again but he's happy to walk and mom never knew I saw and I heard I heard NEVER AGAIN I heard Him say NEVER BACK these are the kinds of words UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY and things like verik says what is wrong verik there is a stone rat near your leg and it doesn't look like a leg anymore but it's okay if you learn to use a bow you'll walk again just not the same NEVER AGAIN let me look in your eyes oh here is the problem they are really rocks.
Taisper's eyes snap open. Not even bothering to shake the wetness out of his hair and eyelids and eyebrows Taisper practically vaults out of his bedroll and falls to the rocky ground for morning exercises. His slim shoulders burn and protest against push-ups but he ignores the feeling, his breath hissing between gritted teeth with every movement. Nose to rock. Back up. Nose to rock. Back up. The dream fades. Nose to rock. Back up. He hears people walking around him. Nose to rock. Back up. Verik praying. Does he know he sometimes talks out loud when in morning prayers? Nose to rock. Back up. Someone walking behind him, stepping lightly. Nose...to...rock...back up.
Taisper pauses after push-ups. The last few were tougher than usual. His shield arm is bruised. Nothing terrible, but it'll be sore awhile. He pulls the elemental's eyes from his pocket and sets them in a small shelf on the rock. With every sit-up, he comes face to face with those lightless, worthless gems. Ceiling. Dead eyes. Ceiling. Worthless eyes. Ceiling. Worthless gems. Ceiling. And so on.
After finishing the rest of his exercises he looks at his dominant shoulder. It's fine, just sore. That will have to change. He pockets the gems again, then takes his morningstar and steps out into the rain, letting it soak him. He rolls up his sleeve to expose the bruises to the water. The Light is inside you. You will endure this. Finding a small outcropping with some moss on it to hopefully reduce the noise a bit, Taisper loosens up as best he can, then begins hitting the rock with his morningstar, pleased as the soreness gradually fades, to be replaced by the good burn of physical activity.
Taisper could hear the voice of Master Hunter Corbett back in the School in Alkenstar City. "Adapt to the foe to be Judged. Build your catalogue of Adaptations in your head until it fills you with answers for every terrain. Every possibility. They must not escape you. They must know to fear you, know that they have no answers in your presence except the Truth of their own transgressions and that Truth must blind them as they are Judged." Taisper smiles as he falls into rhythm while striking the rock. The pain is gone, now, and he is warm from activity.
It will be a good day.
A loud banging noise echos in Zander's ears as he opens his eyes to the new day. Having chosen a spot at the back of the cave to lay out his bedroll, he is afforded a view of the majority of his party performing their morning rituals. He quickly identifies the banging noise as he spots Taisper swinging his morningstar repeatedly down at a large rock. 'What'd that rock ever do to him?' he muses with a smile, pulling his heavy blanket tightly around his shoulders.
With a deep breath Zander sits up cross-legged and wipes the sleep away from his eyes. Pulling his mask out from his belt, he looks at it for a long moment, thinking to himself, 'Maybe they're right. If it doesn't bother them, maybe I don't need to wear it...' Looking up at his companions, his eyes go from face to face and then settle on the rain falling beyond the cave entrance. 'Then again, in weather like this it's good to have any coverings one can find.' His decision made, Zander pulls the mask back over his face and stretches his arms wide, giving himself a bit of a start as he smells his own stench. 'Phew! Should have taken Svetlana up on one of those baths! Oh well, the rain will wash me clean.'
Pulling on his boots and packing away his bedroll and blanket, Zander throws on his pack, stands up and walks to the threshold of the cave. Looking up at the clouds, he speaks with confidence in his tone, "We'd best get an early start. Doesn't look like it's going to get any drier. We'll need to make good use of the day if we're to find shelter again before dark."
The rain does wonders for Berrins sleep, the soothing pounding of the steady stream bring a sence of calm reasurance to him in his sleep. Waking up he feels refreshed and rested, sitting up he stays halfway under his blanked hugging his knees while he blinks the grogyness away with a yawn. Sighing with a smile he strokes the fire to get the last embers going and sets to heating up last nights meal.
Watching the food heat up he looks around the cave, seeing everyone in their various activities he feels even calmer as he warms himself by the dying fire.
"Why don't we stay a day? Let the weather pass?"
No dice.
Turning back to Berrin, Zander cócks his head and replies, "I wouldn't have thought you the type to be driven back by a bit of rain, Berrin. We won't make much progress exploring this land if we duck into a hole everytime bad weather hits."
"Hah! Don't mistake comfort for compliancy leatherface." Berrin replies grinning in between mouthfulls at Zander's jab. "Seriously though. How much of a hurry are we in? Traveling in heavy rain can bring dangers of it's own, mudslides, pit-falls, over-flowing river..." Berrin trails off as he squints up at the sky, trying to gauge the weather for the day.
|
|
"Look we can be wet and cold and miserable out there, and get something done; or we can be cold and miserable in here, and get nothing done. The way I see it either way we are miserable, but only one way do we get anything done." Verik says glumly, staring out at the downpour.
"I say we get on with it."
Taisper comes in from smashing rock bits with his morningstar, passing by Zander and Berrin and Verik as he does so. "Mornin' guys! Great day, huh? There's just so much...variety in the weather around here, I love it!" he continues past them to his bedroll and begins suiting up and packing up for the day.
|
|
"I hate you Taisper. Sometimes I really hate you." Verik deadpans shaking his head, as he offers his cousin a wan weary smile. He moves over to Virtue, who nuzzles him, and gives the horse a quick brush down before tacking him up.
"I don't know what you are so cheerful about you horrible hairy harasser of hanging anatomy. You are going to get just as wet as me." He grumbles as he hauls the saddle into place.
Jemini gets her kicks seeing Taisper's nonchalant good mood challenge Verik's sour grapes attitude. "Have you two considered hiring a bard or poet to chronicle your lives and disputes? I would imagine it could act as a lodestone to carry more innocents into the folds of Abadar."
Tandlara smiles around at the banter. So much like a family they had become, it was quite endearing.
'I have no problem with the rain, I've always like storms. Something soothing about standing amidst the chaos.'
She saddles Avansatra and gets ready to head out.
Zander is taken aback momentarily by Berrin's words, but seeing the big man's grin, his nerves relax, 'He doesn't mean any harm, he's my friend. He's just joking around.' After Tandlara chimes in, he flashes a grin of his own and says to Berrin, "Well, it looks like you're outvoted big fellow. Come on, I'll help you get into your armor."
|
|
Verik snorts, "Disputes? We don't really dispute things... I just inform Taisper when he is wrong. Its like a public service. But come on both of you have to admit being cheerful all the time is a thoroughly obnoxious quality. One I wish I shared - Taisper you git."
As he mounts he looks to Tandlara, "Well you are a better outdoors, um, humanoid, than me - though that's hardly surprising - give me a roaring fire a comfy chair and a good book that's what I call soothing. I would rather watch the rain and know I'm not out in it. But as that's not an option..."
With a heavy sigh he rides forth into the rain, cloak bundled as tightly as he can manage.
"Verik's right." Taisper says as he finishes readying his bags and tack and climbs back into the saddle. "Except he forgot the other part. He tells me when I'm wrong, and I help him get perspective. I mean, think about it, cousin. There are things worse than pouring rain. Hailing hansoms, for example. Much worse. We'd never get out of the cave, then."
"It could be worse and better," Jemini interjects as she mounts Wildflower. "At least we're wearing some armor - it'll get heavy and uncomfortable but it keeps us safe. If we'd wore a shirt we'd get soaked and clingy and be near defenseless, but with a measure of comfort and freedom. It's a trade-off. Besides, I think you're just glad the weather gives you a reason to be grumpy."
"Alright, alright. Don't get your panties in a knot." Berrin quickly shovels the rest of his foor in his mouth and then, after cleaning his plate and spoon, sets to packing his things. "Verik. Can you douse the embers? I've seen you produce water on ocation and it's a bad idea to leave a glow behind."
His things packed Berrin accepts Zander's help with doning his armor, geared up he gives Bessie a quick stroke down with an apologetic look to his companions for taking so long, saddles her and mounts up. "Ready to go." he states when he finally gets the horse to let him on.
Making it out of the cave, the expedition is quickly soaked. The rain sticks their clothes to their bodies, a wet wrap of unpleasantness. The cold moisture clings to them, an icy reminder that they are far from civilization.
"I must admit, Berrin - you were right. The cave would've been a better option." Jemini shivers uncomfortably - the stiffness from the morning hasn't really abated and the horses' trot is not helping in the least.
"It would have been more comfortable maybe, but a little rain isn't going to kill us," calls out Zander over the pouring rain. Despite his confident words, he is chilled to the bone and begins to wonder if Jemini may be right.
|
|
Verik complies with Berrin's request dousing the fire and watching the embers snuff out with a wistful expression.
As they ride his teeth chatter and his breastplate turns into ice, he is soon sneezing and sniffling and generally looking miserable.
"Gah, keys and cogs!" He snaps snatching up his holy symbol and holding it aloft to send forth a pulsing wave of golden positive energy which washes over him and his companions. He begins coughing, curses, and raises the wooden key again.