Lynn goes together with Irabeth to Aniva's room. "Hello. I'm glad to see you're back to full health. I asked Irabeth if she'd help leading the army we're going to lead to Dezren. But I understand that you're making your decisions as a couple. Therefore I extend that invitation to you too. To be true - I don't have an idea yet what you specialize in, but even if it would be only cheering on Irabeth, it would be a valueable addition to the team."
Aniva stands and flexes her leg, looking at Irabeth then Lynn to answer her question.
"I wanted to be a scout in the army, Horgus wasn't totally wrong that I have some skills with thieving, but you need to when you group up in Riddle Port. I would be able to help with scouting for the party, making sure we aren't snuck up upon."
Tink leaves as Lynn and Irabeth arrive back at Defender's Heart
"That's great." Lynn replies with a smile.
"I just received summons to the gate. Are you coming back from there?"
"Not sure, what gate? I can come along though." Lynn replies
"The Eastern Gate." SteelGate replies, "It said our companions were there."
As everyone finally gets back together at the Eastern gate , Horgus approaches you all.
"We have enough supplies gathered for a 10 day march, you could push it to 11 days if you ration smaller portions but you will be hard pressed to make it last that much longer." Horgus has some papers in his hand and one of his aides is holding an ink well and a quill.
Aron pipes up "We won't be able to scavenge or hunt for food, the land is barren, the plants will kill you, the animals will kill you, The whole area will kill you."
"There are a few ways around that with some specialized magic. Lynn may be able to assist, as may some others among our host." Tink says after thinking the problem over for a moment. "What animal carcasses do we have?" the conversation becomes slightly macabre but Tink's bearing is intellectual in nature.
"Demonic Tainted animals, you wouldn't want to eat their meat, but if you some some sort of solution we could try it." Aron responds.
"We have about 2 days before we have to leave so if you have a solution Master Tink we would like to hear it. Also later this evening could we talk crafting?" Sosiel says
"Indeed we can talk crafting later. In terms of the carcass though, I mean a carcass we have here. It is possible to use magic to put flesh on old bones."
Aron and Sosiel look at each other then shrug at Tink, a solider comes walking over.
"excuse me, I over heard you asking about a carcass. There are a bunch of dead horse and an Ox in the stables by the gate. What do you plan to do with em?"
"Clean the bones from one of them, and I will see if Lynn can do what I am hoping she can." Tink replies. "We can use magic to provide food for us relatively easily if this works as well as I hope."
"Which one do you want a horse or the Ox? You want them left there or where should we have em brought too?" The guard asks then heads off to do that which was asked of him, flagging down some younger pages and civilians to help with the task
"The smallest horse you have. A pony would work well." Tink replies thinking, "How long will it take? I think it might be best to bring it to Defenders Heart."
"Couple hours, we ain't no skinners or butchers but we can clean em up nice for you. We will get it there when it is done." The group heads off to help Tink out.
"It doesn't need to be perfect, just relatively clean." Tink shouts after them
Got a trick up your sleeve?
"Not a trick, a test." Tink replies
The bones are dropped off at Defender's heart a bit more discreetly than Tink being called out into open to get them.
Lynn asks for an audience with the Queen to settle the question about the loyalty of the men and women in the army.
Lynn is told that she will have to wait till later in the day as the queen is meeting with her war counsel on how best to deal with the defense of the southern cities.
Tink hunts for Lynn once the bones have arrived, "Lynn I need a favor." Tink says once he finds her
"What is it?" Lynn asks, checking that Tink isn't already grabbing for some of her magical gear.
"I need you to cast a few spells for us to test something." Tink replies
The Alchemist listens to Azrael with more than feigned interest, he is tough and knows that following Azrael around would be just as dangerous as following the Cultists.
"Could you be a bit more specific?" Lynn requests from Tink.
"I believe you should be able to put flesh on these bones, and make it fit for eating." Tink replies
"What?" Lynn asks with a puzzled expression on her face as this talk makes no sense at all.
"Can purify food yes? That means you can make the flesh safe to eat." Tink replies as if that perfectly explains the situation
"Of course I can cast purify food. But what flesh. There are only bones." Lynn replies, still not getting it.
"I know, you are going to put flesh on them." Tink replies matter of factly
"How is that going to work?" Lynn asks.
"There is no flesh no, but there will be once you put it there. I don't know where it comes from."
"So you want me to join you? To help the Crusaders? They persecute my people for being born as we are. You were born with a halo I was born with horns. They accept you and hunt me." The Ortho hisses at Azrael
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It is true that there are people on both sides of this fight that will make judgements based on how someone looks. I would change that if I could, but that is the way of the world. You will find it here and you will find it well away from this conflict. But just as I stand in contrast with your statement that crusaders persecute your people for being born as they are, so too can you contradict some crusader's belief that tieflings are all demon worshiping creatures of evil. Think of how your example might change the minds of many and help to win kinder and more just treatment of all tieflings. We all have a choice in how we live and who we follow. If you pray to Iomedae and ask for guidance and understanding she will listen to you. I believe this, I already pray for you and will pray with you if you ask it.
Also, while I would welcome your help, I care more about your redemption. First you must be redeemed and then we can discuss if and how you might help in the fight. That is secondary.
"You know nothing I feel but I will allow you to pray for me, ask your goddess for my forgiveness, see what she says. I do not pray, I know of the gods but Alchemy is my calling, not the gods." Ortho retorts. "You talk of redemption, I was trying to poison those holy symbols of your goddess, see what she has to say to that."
Don helps patrol the ruined city and aid any one in need, he is somewhat disappointed there is little to rend and tear here but is certain opportunities will arrive.
One of the guards looks at Don as they patrol.
"So ye saw the killin? Ye saw the Storm King kill Terendelev? We were on the Northern gate at the time of the attack. Held back some cultists and a demon too, mind you the Paladin, Sir something or Lord whatever died charging it but he killed the stupid thing too. We save a bunch of people too, took them into a store house and hid them there. "
Azrael finds Irabeth and Aniva in their room, knocking on the door, Irabeth answers.
"What can I do for you? We are just going through our things to make sure that we have everything to take with us on this attack."
I saw her fall, yes. It was a tragic day and even more important we rebuild. I along with my allies managed to root out a demon cult beneath the city and help get refugees to the Defender's Heart.
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I seek you guidance Irabeth. We captured a tiefling alchemist in our last mission. He surrendered to me and is now my responsibility. I have been trying to lead him towards the path of redemption but while I have great desire to do this I have little experience. He goes on to explain what he has said to the tiefling so far.
"We had a few Tieflings in the Eagle knights, I don't know what happened to them, they were a good few. I wish we had some more soldiers like them. So you want me to come speak with him?" Irabeth looks back at Aniva who motions for hear to go.
Irabeth dismisses the guards and comes goes into the room holding the Alchemist.
"Azrael here told me that you are being cooperative with being held here. He also says that he wishes to help you see the wrong that is happening and wants to help you come around." Irabeth sits down, loosening the manacles holding Ortho's hands confined. "I can tell you that I have been a soldier with Tieflings like yourself, men and women who served to fight back the hordes of Demons spilling out to wipe the good folk of this continent."
Ortho is a bit taken a back at Irabeth freeing his hands, and at her comments about his race.
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Before going back down to the cell Azrael ask Irabeth to wait for a moment. I would pray to the Lady of Valor before we go and talk to the alchemist. Azrael prays for both guidance and for the alchemist to open his mind to the possibility or redemption.
Leaning forward in his sincerity Azrael adds to Irabeth's words. So now you hear a first hand account of people of your race fighting for the crusade. That roadblock has been removed for you. Now you must ask your self "Do I want to be redeemed?" Each man and woman should ask themselves what path they will take in this world. Some never ask and so wander without meaning. Others are misguided and believe themselves not worthy of being a good person. But I tell you that you can be redeemed. The first step is to desire it. You are a skilled alchemist and your skills could spare much suffering in the world. You are not defeated in your surrender to me. Instead you are offered a new life of meaning and good work. Will you not take the first steps to taste what we offer?
"I will try as you ask, my skills at poisoning weren't enough to do as I thought I could, maybe with your help I can help more do different. The cultists were a grumpy bunch, bickering and demanding, never allowing me to study and practice."
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"I will try as you ask, my skills at poisoning weren't enough to do as I thought I could, maybe with your help I can help more do different. The cultists were a grumpy bunch, bickering and demanding, never allowing me to study and practice."
Very well. Then I shall see about getting you released into my care. I'll be back quickly and then we shall see about acquiring the supplies you will need to be of help. Azrael leaves to see about what paperwork or whose permission he will need to have the man released to him. I thank you for your help sister he says to Irabeth.