Responding to Anastasiya, "Growing up around ships and in the navy, cleaning up after chow has always been shared work. It's never been something regarded as 'women's work' or a 'servant's duty'. Everyone eats, everyone straightens away."
While investigating the amulet, as Anastasiya and Isham are focused on it, and looking closely, Isham will ask, "What are you doing with it that's making it... glow... oddly?" As Isham unintentionally uses detect magic.
Before moving to dinner, Isham will approach Rutilux quietly, "Now that you have the capability, can you send word to Bron that we've arrived and have been well received? When you do that, I would also recommend you inquire after the Lad Eustice, and specifically have Bron send your regards?"
"Hmm, no thats just a feather token. Useful, but it wouldn't make you to cast catnips."
Ana looks puzzled at Isham's question.
"What do you mean 'what am I doing'? You did that yourself. You just casted a spell to read its aura, at the same time I did."
After Rutilux takes his leave, Dagmar will take a nice hot bath and then get dressed for dinner. She will leave her room's window open enough for Alfdis to come and go as she pleases while Dagmar is eating dinner.
Dagmar is rather quiet over dinner, lost in thought as she ponders the origin of those ice elementals and Ana and Rutilux's interest in each other.
Later on, when Dagmar returns to her room after dinner, she takes off her boots and dress as she prepares for bed, leaving her shift on. She is quite happy to have a room warm enough to sleep in that she doesn't need to leave her boots on while she sleeps for fear of frostbite or midnight attacks.
Dagmar had just laid down and pulled the covers up over herself when she heard someone stumbling in the hallway near her door. Curious, she gets up and moves over to the door to open it. Before she does though, she hears a crinkle as she steps upon a piece of paper. Picking up the note, she moves over to the candle by her bedside to read it.
Wait, what? Even if I choose Rutilux? Does this have something to do with why he needs to apologize to someone? And what does Thorvald have to do with any of this?
With a great sigh, Dagmar throws her dress back on hastily, knowing that she isn't going to be able to sleep with getting any answers from at least one of the three people. Well, I've talked enough with Ana and Rutilux enough for the day and I really don't want to knocking on either of their doors this late. That could lead to the wrong impression, so I guess that leaves Thorvald to question.
Peeking out of her door and seeing no one, Dagmar makes her way to the room she remembers Thorvald taking and knocks softly upon the door as she wonders if he is asleep yet.
Before moving to dinner, Isham will approach Rutilux quietly, "Now that you have the capability, can you send word to Bron that we've arrived and have been well received? When you do that, I would also recommend you inquire after the Lad Eustice, and specifically have Bron send your regards?"
Rutilux definitely seems distracted tonight, "Ah, of course, certainly. I should have thought of that myself. I'll do so before I go to bed tonight."
"Um... Ana, I hate to break it to you, but I'm no wizard. No spell books, no wands. If you're not making those colors, I can't explain what's going on. Yes, I'm concentrating on it, and you're casting spells, and because I'm concentrating I can feel some of that weird 'magic stuff is happening' feeling. But really, I don't have the faintest idea about how to go about casting spells."
"And you also didn't notice the other spells you were casting while doing the dishes? Interesting. Ish, I hate to break it to you, but not all of us are wizards. We don't always get to choose magic - sometimes magic chooses us."
"If you say it, I must accept it as so. But this is a very strange thought for me. Do I pose a danger to others, myself, or to our mission here?"
"Perhaps. I'm not sure. Magic can be dangerous. But one thing I've learned is, it doesn't help to fight it, once magic has chosen you. But if you learn to accept it, and to control it, then it can become more of an asset and less of a liability to you.
It is late now. We should get some sleep. Tomorrow, if you want, I can teach you some tricks to better understand and control your magic."
"I think that would be best, thank you. If, as you say, I am doing these things, I want to ensure that I have some control. Magic is a dangerous tool, and not one I had pursued. I would like to keep this to ourselves until I know enough about what is going on, and can tell the others about it coherently."
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Good night, Ish."
Julian regales Z and Ana with a tale whereupon he turned a sparring match into a hide-and-go-seek game involving bokkens.
Zethyris responds with a story from when we volunteered at an orphanage as a teenager, and had to fend of a dozen small children who were trying to snatch the honey candy he was juggling. He pantomimes juggling one-handed, arm outstretched as he tries to push away youngsters with his other arm and legs, hopping backwards and dodging flying younglings. (Those children REALLY were motivated by candy, and they were terrifying in a swarm.)
"No more trouble than usual. Those who want try to take from those who have so we its constantly be on guard for thieves and brigands, plus different settlements are responsible for different crops or supplies so the heads meet ever year before winter to make sure all of our people get what they need to make it through the winter. Is there something else you were expecting?"
You all turn in for the night after ensuring that Dagmar can heal any remaining serious wounds so that by morning everyone is fully healed.
After a simple breakfast of porridge and honey Samuel invites you all to go about the town and enjoy yourselves but asking you to stay away from the southern exit. There's something special starting tomorrow there and he'd hate it for you to ruin the surprise.
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"Wait! Thorvald. I ... I'm sorry. You are right. I should not have involved you like this. . . You don't really believe I am responsible for the cold weather and the ice elementals, do you?" she asks, almost pleading.
Sighing Thorvald quietly shuts the door and turns around to face Ana. "I will be honest with you. My whole life I have been raised to hate you and your kind. We are taught that winter witches of Irrisen come in the night to steal children. That you freeze us to death in our homes and stave us to death with never ending winter. That someday you will march from the white wastes with armies of blue skinned trolls, winter wolves and the cold fey. You will enslave our women, pave your roads with the skulls of our men and feed children to your minions."
"When I first met you I wanted to hate you. I wanted you to be the ugly witch I was told my whole life you would be, but then I meet you. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen, a princess like all the stories of the lands of sun and you are wearing the pendant of the speaker of Savol. A man from the family my father pledged me at birth to honor and uphold. You have been given the power to speak for him as though you are his lips, your decisions are his, and he is bound to uphold anything that you might say or promise. His pendant on your neck means that he is trusting his life to you and perhaps the survival of the entire Ulfen people people in your hands! You! A princess, nay! The grand daughter of Babba Yagga!"
"Doubtless there are many Ulfen that would try to slay you on sight, but Savol's pendant protects you. I have been trying to see what he sees in you. I knew Dagmar was a Shieldmaiden, but I now know she is also a healer and a wise woman. She has given you her friendship. A wise woman of the Ulfen befriending an Irrisen princess! That is almost unbelievably ludicrous when I hear it on my own tongue!"
"Would you throw that away over competition over a man, when it is so painfully obvious that a woman like you could have any man she wants if her heart was truly set on it? Having been with you for only a short while I can tell you that you have more magic than just your spells, your presence is almost overpowering, your intelligence, your poise. Your, your . . . smell. I think I know why Savol has given you his pendant."
"Now look at me. Look at my face! You have everything that I wish I was. If I had what you had I would use it to save my people, build relationships, lead men---Like Savol! But, I am not you, I don't have what you have. No one wishes their face to look like mine, I spent my youth in the forests of the fey because that is where I found acceptance not pitty. I spent nights studying sagas and tomes to learn history. In my everyday life I try to live up to the standards of the heroes in the stories, I became a metal worker seeking some level of notoriety and respect, but besides my kin do you think anyone really took me seriously?!"
"I moved from Merroh to start a new life and it wasn't until my new community got attacked and I shed my blood protecting them, the men that whispered behind my back, the girls who giggled at me when they thought I was too far away to hear, the ones whom wouldn't even share a solstice festival dance with me. When the eaters of the dead came I defended them all and learned the most beautiful part about me to them is this! " Strength Check
Thorvald's muscles bulge as he bursts the bonds holding his sword peace tied as he tears the blade free of its scabbard and holds it before his face.
"Then I first became known as The Blackshield, but don't you think for a moment that the name was used just to describe the color of my shield. I was still a black sheep, although a useful and dangerous one to them. I am useful to everyone when they need something fixed or made, or when they need my protection, or they want something else from me."
Thorvald returns the masterpiece back to his scabbard.
"Now you try to pit me against Rutilux in a blood feud over honor, or even try to suggest that maybe I should purse Dagmar as though she might actually show me her favor? . . . And I thought I had been asked to come here to discuss your safety amongst these Ulfen lords and warriors, or, or . . . Whatever else."
Thorvald quiets himself then says, [b]"Your apology is accepted, the hurts were not from you alone. I just ask Ana that you see that you can be a pretty on the inside as you are on the outside. You left Irrisen and were accepted by Savol for a reason, because you are not the enemy, you don't have to be like them. My people and I need you. I am just another Berserk with a sword, you are so much more."
He is quiet for a while then changes course, "I hope you are not the cause of the storms, but I think you are the focus. I know from stories that hate can manifest itself thrice-fold, you have the blood of the fey, you know what they are capable of. . . "
"I should go, two nights three days of exhaustion have loosened my lips and softened me."
Thorvald goes to leave, "Princess, don't worry, I would defend you still as I did Dagmar. "
"No more trouble than usual. Those who want try to take from those who have so we its constantly be on guard for thieves and brigands, plus different settlements are responsible for different crops or supplies so the heads meet ever year before winter to make sure all of our people get what they need to make it through the winter. Is there something else you were expecting?"
"We have, particularly on the road, seen odd signs of winter intrusion of a magical nature. It confirms what Thorvald already said about an upcoming invasion, or at least appears to. Ice elementals attacked us the other night, most intense. I wondered if you had heard of any monstrous or oddly supernatural winter incursions, but it seems not."
You all turn in for the night after ensuring that Dagmar can heal any remaining serious wounds so that by morning everyone is fully healed.
As Isham requested, before he goes to bed, Rutilux writes a letter:
"To Captain Bron,
After an odd encounter with ice elementals, we have found our way safely to the Oakrun Clan where we have been welcome, albeit peacebonded. Hod Oakrun, current clan head, is, at this time, three days out. However, Captain Samuel, his kinsman, has been most gracious.
Diplomacy has only begun, but hopefully the warmth we've received thus far is a precursor to an even brighter dealing.
On a personal note, I wonder how Eustace, my cousin, is faring? If you would pass on my warm regards to both he and his older sister Noeva, I would be very grateful.
Should our Lord and Leader be present, please tell the Kodiakborne that we each endeavor to do him honor.
Your brother in service,
Rutilux Talonn"
He then ties the note to Herald, and sends the good bird on its way, knowing it will return with, at least the speed of an eagle.
After a simple breakfast of porridge and honey Samuel invites you all to go about the town and enjoy yourselves but asking you to stay away from the southern exit. There's something special starting tomorrow there and he'd hate it for you to ruin the surprise.
In the morning, he finds himself very curious about the southern exit, but as it has been requested not to pry, he can't see how he can without endangering diplomacy.
Another idea does occur to him, and he decides to mount up on Sunfire and enjoy the town, seeking out their shops most particularly. Perhaps somewhere among them is something that might be a worthy token of apology.
Seeing Dagmar in the doorway the big Ulfen warrior moves aside to allow her to move into the room if she wishes.
~~~~~~~
... but asking you to stay away from the southern exit. There's something special starting tomorrow there and he'd hate it for you to ruin the surprise.
What?! Something special and he doesn't want to ruin the surprise? That is fishy. Either he wants to let an enemy army in - or he wants to assassinate the chief on his return.
~~~~~~~
When Samuel is gone and they are alone, Ana tells the rest of the group about her suspicions concerning the "surprise" at the south gate. Preferably outside - the walls might have ears in here.
~~~~~~~
A bit later, Ana knocks on Isham's door, a bundle of clothes under her arm.
"Hi Ish. Do you have time now?"
~~~~~~~
Later that day, Ana asks Samuel to speak to him in private.
Julian walks out into the city and quickly tries to blend in and hide as he moves around.
"You don't want to be me, Thorvald. My heart is the heart of a hag. And it pumps evil blood through my veins. When you ask your heart, Thorvald, it always tells you to do the right and good and honorable thing. Believe me, you don't want to give that away - not for all the outside beauty in the world."
"I dont believe that you have the heart of a hag. If you were like them you would have stayed in Whitethrone. You had everything you could have wanted and more there if your heart was truly black. You were disturbed by your mother and family and what they had done. Despite your breeding, your sourroundings, your childhood, your heart told you that it was not right. You took great risk to escape all of that. You made it to the City of Absolon, but you chose to return here to help save us. That is strength! Can you not see that? You have the power of magic at your fingers, you could use what you learned at court to be a queen of our people or whatever else you would make yourself."
"I have thought on it and I know what kind of danger you are in . . . if your grandmother were to take you alive . . . yet you stay here with us. I . . . I am happy to be a part of this fellowship and I include you in that. Our party is destined for greatness if we can hold together. . . Thank you for saying something kind about me Ana, as a person I mean. I, I don't pretend to know matters of love or women well, but I would say you and dagmar are just fueding like well um . . . girls over a boy. Women just use words and emotions and muse about how petty men are when they fight theirs out with fists and swords. Whatever gods were involved in your creation blessed you with many gifts. . .." Thorvald looks as though he is about to go on, but stops himself.
"Forgive me princess if I have spoken to you too comfortably. I think I should return to my room."
Dagmar will enter the room and allow Thorvald to close the door.
"I hope I haven't disturbed your rest Thorvald and I hope you don't think it too improper of me to come calling so late, but I wanted to ask you a question before I have a talk with someone else."[b]
[b]"Why would Ana think that you would tell me bad things about her?"
She extends her hand a bit, as if to touch his face, but then suddenly pulls it back.
"Thank you. For everything you have said. But you are right. You better leave now."
A bit frustrated by how things are going, Dagmar fails to notice how flustered Thorvald seems and gives a great sigh before continuing. "Well, I'm glad I didn't interrupt your sleep at least. Ana's note is a bit confusing and I'm just not sure what exactly is going on. First Rutilux approaches me in private to ask about how to apologize to a woman and now Ana seems to think that I want Rutilux. I am sorely tempted to lure both of them into a room and lock it from the outside. Well, if you will excuse me now, I guess I'll head back to my own room. Ana is likely asleep by now, so I guess I'll just have to corner her sometime tomorrow for a talk."
Dagmar begins to leave, then appears to think of something else as she turns back to Thorvald. "She didn't mention anything about those elementals from the other night did she?"
"I think I left it sitting on my bed. At least, that's where I think I sat it down while I put my dress back on. I had been getting ready for bed when she put it under my door and I couldn't exactly just open my door to go after her without being appropriately attired."
"As for all the yelling the night of the elementals...Well, Ana and I kind of had a little fight about that. Apparently she thought I had something to do with them since they went straight for me as soon as I came out of my tent. I honestly have no idea why they did that and tried to tell her so. Of course I countered her accusal with one of my own, afterall, it would make sense for her family of ice witches to send such creatures after her and her allies. We've decided that neither of us had anything to do with it and I think we are still friends"
Thorvald is speaking the truth, but he is chosing his words and stumbling through it a bit.
Dagmar sighs yet again. "Well, hopefully she will still be willing to talk to me and believe me when I tell her that I don't plan to interfere with her pursuit of Rutilux. I mean, he is a nice enough fellow, but he is still just a Southerner and might yet return to his homeland some day. I would prefer to find myself someone native to our lands for I have no intention of ever leaving them. I'd be worried about never coming back."
Dagmar's cracks a little on that sentence and she is clearly thinking of something else as her eyes lose their focus. Shaking her head a bit, as if to clear if of troublesome thoughts. Dagmar focuses in on Thorvald again. "Anyway, thank you listening to me. I should be getting back to my bed and getting some sleep soon."
Dagmar looks a bit surprised by Thorvald's assumption. "What? No, sorry, I guess you wouldn't have known since you only recently joined up with us. My brother Val had gone South with Savol and he never returned. I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind."
Dagmar turns back to door as her eyes start to tear up and moves to open it to head back to her room.
Sniffling a bit, Dagmar accepts the offered handkerchief. "No need to be sorry, there wasn't any reason for you to have known about Val. What did she say about the elementals?."
Dagmar sighs again. "Thank you Thorvald, I have a better idea of what to cover in my next talk with Ana. It seems like this is mostly a misunderstanding that should be easily cleared up once we talk. I should go, I'm sure we both need our sleep for tomorrow"
After breakfast, Isham will inquire if Zethyris, Jediah, or Julian would like to walk out through town with him. "I think there are more complicated things going on between Dagmar, Rutilux, Ana, and Thorvald. I don't object, but I'd rather not be in the line of fire either."
And Isham will do just that - head out into the town, avoiding the South gate as requested, and seeing the people and sights around town.
After Dagmar left Thorvald felt relieved yet a little crestfallen. How could Ana have sought to use him to wedge between Dagmar and Rutilux if there were things developing between them? Dagmar was obviously not interested in him in anyway. Thorvald had not expected her to be, but it was nice to have her here talking to him. Shieldmaidens were not easily won over for any man he supposed. As he got into bed he kept playing the nights events over in his mind. "Was Ana about to actually touch my face?! She was, but then she snatched it back . . .Gods damn my male brain WTF was that supposed to mean, communicate or infer?! Women are so complicated, and soooo . . . scary! Did I do anything that I will regret? I hope Dagmar doesn't share what I told her in a way that Ana will feel I betrayed her confidence. . . Man, I am sure I looked like a fool boy in front of the princess, talking about my childhood and sharing feelings. What in the 9 hells did you think you were doing. Heh, no wonder she is interested Rutilux. At least he would keep that cool Cavailer additude about him that he just exudes. GORUM, maybe he is gay or something! IS that why he wouldn't return her affectons????!!! Hummm, better stay in my own tent til I figure that one out.
I would be glad to Isham, not good to stay cooped up all the time in the winter.
Julian, staying hidden or blended in, makes his way around the city, checking for tails. These people's food sits in your stomach like an angry stone and has half the taste. Maybe that's why they all whisper at each other so much. It could be polite when passing gas, though I would prefer a lit match. This tripe smells even worse the second time.
Dagmar will wake up early to ambush Ana in her room, walking quietly down the hallway in case anyone is still asleep, she'll knock on Ana's door. If Ana answer's, Dagmar asks: "May I please come in to talk to you for a few minutes?"
After making sure the door is shut behind her so that no one can listen in, Dagmar takes a deep breath as she thinks of how to start.
"I got your letter last night and first of all, I forgive you. Secondly, I don't know whether to be relieved or upset that none of the guys have expressed any interest in me. Instead I get Rutilux asking for advice on how to apologize to women and I feel like I'm being treated like a little sister by some of the guys. Not that I want to have any relationship with a Southerner since I have no desire to ever travel away from my homeland, but I'd like to be acknowledge as an attractive female, you know? And I really do hope that we can still stay friends because who else am I going to talk to about these kinds of things?"
Thorvald finally falls asleep after tossing and turning, he wakes up unsure of what if anything he should do next. These things have a tendency to snowball if they are not handled right. . . Maybe I should talk to Isham, he always seems to know what to do in these social situations. Thorvald dressed and armored himself. He put his Kodiak skull helm on his head and looked at himself in the mirror. He experimented taking it on and off and finally left it sitting on the bed. "I guess the plain one will do for the day, aw s&*&!" Thorvald realized he had sundered his peace ties last night and sets about fixing it.
Responding to Anastasiya,
"Can we pick up after lunch Anastasiya? I've made arrangements with Jediah to see the town, and I'd like his insights into local Ulfen culture and traditions."
After breakfast, Isham will inquire if Zethyris, Jediah, or Julian would like to walk out through town with him.
"Thank you for the invitation, Isham. I'll come along."
Zethyris keeps his Kodiak necklace hidden for now, and takes in the sights of the town.
Samuel invites you into his office where you can talk privately, offering some decent wine and a snack. You discuss a few minor things until an opportunity arises to discuss a coup. As soon as the suggestion leaves your lips he begins to turn purple and when you follow it up with your threat that it would be in his best interest to do so with your help no perception or sense motive rolls are necessary to tell he is furious. Calling for guards you are quickly grabbed and chained then unceremoniously shoved into a chair. "Is this how low the Kodiak have fallen? To come into our homes like vipers and whisper poisonous ideas. I will not be anyone's puppet, nor will I do against my own family." he reached out and rips your chain from about your neck leaving a small bruise. "This is the only reason you still live treacherous woman. Know this, if your leader were half the man his ancestors were we would have been proud to call him friend but he must have lost any honour he had travelling through the south if this is how his people and thus he would act. As soon as we round up you co-conspirators I'll deal with you." with that he throws the broken necklace down at your feet and storms out of the room.
As everyone spends some time travelling through the town, seeing the sights and relaxing for a little while you are just begin to enjoy yourselves when you are each stopped by a large group of armed guards demanding that you come with them and by their looks it is not a request.
It is just after mid day when Isham, Rutilux, Jediah, Zethyris, Dagmar and Thorvald are escorted by armed guard back to the manor of the Oakrun. The different groups see each other being led in similar fashion up to the front door where you see a much more startling sight. Samuel is standing there in his full armour from before with two dozen armed and mounted soldiers, you'd belonging are piled in a heap at his feet and Anastasiya is standing next to him shackled and under guard.
"We invite you into our home as honoured guests and this is how you repay us? How dare you come into our lands and taint our home with your treasonous ideas? For the sake of peace and the avoidance of direct conflict you will leave our lands and never return. My men will take you to the border."
You are able to blend in and lose yourself in the crowds of the city without much difficulty despite your different heritage. As you stroll through the streets watching and listening the whole town seems to be abuzz with excitement over something but your not sure what. Making your way to the southern gate you find it is wide open and dozens of people are moving in and out in quite the happy hurry so you continue out into the field beyond. Before you there are many small structures and tents being assembled in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as dozens of small booths being set up wherever there is room. It looks as if the town is preparing for some type of festival. Satisfied with what you found and your curiosity abated you wander back into the town again moving with the crowds. It's with sheer luck that you are standing in an alley avoiding a passing cart when you see a group of guards escorting Rutilux back towards the manor.
The hagspawn has shown her true colors. Jediah growls.
Quietly, but forcefully, "Rutilux, Zethyris, someone talk fast. We should be able to convince them to hold off until the chiefs can hear our case. There is something gone terribly awry here, some insult unintentionally given. Time will ease these inflamed passions."
"We invite you into our home as honoured guests and this is how you repay us? How dare you come into our lands and taint our home with your treasonous ideas? For the sake of peace and the avoidance of direct conflict you will leave our lands and never return. My men will take you to the border."
Rutilux had found a nice rose crafted of glass, and thought it suited his gift of apology well to give to Ana, but no sooner had he paid for it and put it away, he found himself nearly hauled before Samuel
"A moment, at least let us know what 'treasonous ideas' you speak of before you condemn us. I sense a misunderstanding of some sort," he frowns, "You are honorable people, surely you will let us plead our case?"
"We are strangers to your ways. We have given offense somehow, and would correct our error."
Julian will attempt to follow the guards without being noticed.
Ana looks sleepy, but happy to see Dagmar. She can't help but start laughing during Dagmar's short speech.
"Really? Thats what happened? Now I feel even more like a fool than I did before. Dagmar, you are an attractive woman. Attractive enough that I saw you stealing Rutilux from me. Its just, with these men that we have, I think they wouldn't know what to do with an attractive woman, even if you tied one to their chest. All they can think of is honorably killing monsters for Savol."
Ana looks at Samuel coldly, trying to gauge whether he is truly offended by the idea of staging a coup against his cousin, or just by her uncovering his plan.
She doesn't resist being arrested.
While the guards tie her up, her rat jumps out of a pocket in her cloak and scurries off into the shadows.