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"Understandable and perhaps in the future things will change." The youth paused and made a slight grimace before continuing. " Any of my aunties would be proud to see one of their brood get a proper gig that kept them off of the streets." Cairn talked as he quickly unbuckled the many straps to Loric's armor. You want to carry this stuff inside or leave it here?
Cairn appreciated the time and care the Varisian gave to his horse but his stomach was growling. If your looking for a squire Loric, I have any number of cousins that would jump at the chance. But if you're just looking to shed that steel turtle shell then I can give you a quick hand. Then we can rejoin my uncles and Krisaga inside for some food.
Cairn tucked his unruly auburn hair behind his ears and nodded at the man's compliment. The Varisian was being kind in regards to the common conception of his people though. Thank you Loric. It don't take long to look around and see the broken spirits in the people of Karcau. And fair enough as they've been dealt a poor hand in the last several months with what looks like a long game left to be played. A serial killer running amok, their beloved Countess and countless others dead at the hands of a plague and now an enemy army of brutes at their gates. Tis dark times indeed. But we Sczarni don't tend to dwell on the negative. It don't solve any problems. And believe me, its a good sign having new friends like your self and Krisaga. Not seeing his cousins about, Cairn found an empty stable for Loric's horse and laid fresh hay as well as filling the water trough. This spot will do her just fine. When you're ready we can go get some hot vittles.
Cairn shook his head at his uncles' conversation. They'd had the same one many times and would have it many more. The sight and sound of the Shark Pool let the youth know he was home and the smile splitting his face was genuine and he gestured with wide open arms. Here we are. Krisaga you can follow my uncles inside while I show Loric to the stables. Cairn led the way around to the side where there was a gate leading to the courtyard housing the stables and hoped his cousins were about their tasks instead of loafing... that would be a bad impression...
A decent livery? The Sczarni know well how to care for horses Loric. You will both be welcome at the Shark's Den. I hope you bring a strong appetite as my Aunties will have quit the repast prepared. The youth bid his farewell's to the Chosen that were going their separate ways with promises to meet on the morrow and bid the two newcomers to follow him and his Uncle Gorian.
Cairn chuckled at his Uncle's description of their family and had to agree with the elder's assessment on the capabilities of an army of Sczarni. He piped in when Solaric mentioned his home away from home. I can show you the way to the Shark's Den Miss Krisaga. You and your kitty will be welcome there as long as she doesn't try to sit my Aunties lap. Sounds like we will all be meeting there on the morrow at some point anyways.
Cairn had nothing to add to the current conversation and at Vicky's hintings he knew it was time to move. So he gave the signal to his family to wrap things up and begin moving the carriages and kin folk back into the city while he would wait on the Countess.
It seemed to Cairn that there were three different conversations taking place with Victoria at the center of all of them... figures...she's as wily as a siren... and twice as deadly in her own way... He kept his attention on the biggoted newcomer and his hand on his pistol.
The half orc calling herself Krisaga was surprisingly lifting quite a bit of usefull information from the gobo but a part of Cairn still doubted some of the dirty creature's words.
...that man's hiding something as sure as Auntie Jenelva makes the best blackberry pies...
The young Sczarni eyed the man on horseback warily and he turned to his uncle while slyly tugging on his left eye's lower lid before moving through the crowd to get closer to the conversation. Sense Motive DC 24:
Stay sharp ...strangers are becoming as thick as fleas and our city is one mangy mutt right now...war is truly upon us... Typically Cairn would've let one of the elders speak first but time was quickly becoming a commodity the group didn't have. Well met Sir Bentha. Did you get a look at any of the army at our threshold on your journey to Karcau's gates? In particular did you see nay giants?
Cairn had been staying silent besides answering the murmurings of his kin folk. He'd had a hand on his pistol when the half orc made her appearance but relaxed when she proved to as helpful as she intended... three giants to fell will be no easy feat...
Cairn chuckled. Slow down Solaric or that runt's head will spin from too many words. Try one question at a time and keep it simple. The gunslinger tucked his thick hair behind his ears and watched the goblin intently.
Very cool that we're getting 2 new players! Ok, Cairn is going with Gunslinger... Level 9 - Gunslinger 3 / Ranger 6
+1 BAB, +1 Will Deeds- Gunslinger Initiative, Pistol Whip, Utility Shot Skills - 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7 +2 Bluff, +1 Perception, +1 Survival, +1 Local, +2 Stealth Feat - Undecided but leaning towards... No Name = +2 Bluff, 1 grit = +10 Diguise for 10 minutes/Gunslinger level
Cairn's honesty was getting him a good natured ribbing from his cousins and he took it well... I'll have to learn to be more discreet... even around friends evidently... He tried to follow the talk of candles and lights but it was beyond his scope. He was more interested in the horde at their gates. That little cur is going to lie through his teeth.
Thumbs up for a HoL level up... now to decide whether or not Cairn goes Ranger or Gunslinger?... some of those deed feats are looking too cool.
Truth be told it was all Lady Victoria's doing....well, that and having a group of such outstanding kin folk nearby willing to lend a hand. How goes the battle?
Cairn looked up squinting from the sun in his eyes. Well met Solaric and Johenric. What we have here is the remnant of a vampire purge. We were just trying to decide what do with these ashes.
Better we had not alligned with Lucretia Lady Vicky. As you said, the undead have no heart and should all be burned to ash. And better yet that we lost not one of our family to their ultimate destruction. Deep down, Cairn wondered if theyd been played for fools. Lucretia was smart... maybe even as smart as Victoria... and the undead were sometimes known to be extra crafty. It wouldnt be too far a stretch that he vampire had contigencies in place.
Aye M'Lady. With the slow, mournful harmony being played by one of his cousins giving a soul full ambiance to the task at hand; Cairn nodded and then pointed before giving the signal that his family and friends had been waiting for... finally...
"What a beautiful morning, the sun is so warming, one might even forget that there was so much Evil in the world" Victoria comments to Cairn with a wistful sentimentality. Cairn had been lost in thought and didnt react to Victoria's comment at first. The young man was too focused on their surroundings... need to find a place with no immediate cover...keep these undead out in the light where their weakest... Huh?...oh, yes, a beautiful day it is. My apologies M'lady. But yes, one might just forget... but one musnt ever forget... He shot the witch a conspiratorial wink and made ready to give the signal. Its ceratinly a fine day for a ride. We should make good time.
The Sczarni had gone over the plan well and the men fell into the work as if theyd done it a thousand times. Their typically jovial laughter and mirth while working was gone however and several of the men could be making the warding signs with their hands when they no one was looking. Once all of their passengers were loaded did the men fnally start to mutter about mundane things like the weather. Cairn gave Victoria a nod and let her know We're ready M'lady.
Caairn realized he was holding his breath as they entered the vampire's lair and quickly waved to his brethren to let go of their steel that everyone seemed to be gripping... and who can blame them?... He relaxed and let Victoria do the talking as he kept his eyes peeled for the same said betrayal he expected from the undead.
Cairn had missed the entirety of the planning as he had found himself amongst a bevy of cousins, uncles and friends. They were eager to hear his tales of the last few weeks and many of them jested that he was told even taller tales than old man Clentius...id never heard that he'd ridden a dragon before...bet he didn't fall off though... the youth laughed along with them and clapped many a shoulder and shook many a hand in return. With the pleasantries out of the way Cairn returned to Lady Victoria. These are good men M'lady and they're ready to go to work. Are our plans set?
Hearing that they'd be visiting the vampire, Cairn took several long gulps of the wine he had found. He corked the bottle and tucked into his bag before smoothing his unruly hair back and tucking it behind his ears. Are we set then? Where and when shall we meet up after our chores are done?
Rubbing the graininess from his eyes; Cairn's head swam with all the political machinations that ran somewhat behind the scenes of Karcau and wondered how Lady Victoria kept up with it all. He looked around for wine and food while they waited for this Boris to answer her slew of questions.
Cairn rose from his short nap and stretched cramped muscles...really need to run more often... as he caught the tail end of the conversation about what to do next. Im not one for bargaining with the undead...especially one that seems to have betrayed Solric and slain his love. We can not hope to win a battle at the gates if we are constantly looking over our shoulders for hidden blades or fangs at our backs. The Sczarni spoke as he began cleaning his musket's barrel with a long rod topped with a cotton swab and soaked in oil. We must cleanse this city from such abominations.
Cairn nods to Gregori and drops his kit by one of the many plush couches. He hails Victoria before lying down on the couch and getting comfortable. Good luck, I'll be getting some rest right here.
Cairn was horrified at the thought of trying to bring the Countess back from the dead...some things just shouldnt be undone... His own hatred of the undead might have had something to do with his thoughts which also had him hoping they would decide to track down and slay the vampire in their midst first.
Cairn dunked his head in a nearby water barrel and massaged the cramp in his side as he grimaced. Not so much from the discomfort but mostly to the embarrassment...a year ago I could've ran twice that far without even running out of breath...getting soft...going to have to toughen up with whats coming and all...war... A war at the gates of Karcau and the two people best able to deal with the bureaucracy of it all were bickering over the fine points. It was a conversation he had no plan on getting into. he couldn't match wits with either one of them and was really at a loss as to what they should do next. He slicked back his thick hair and hoped Johenric would step in with his intellect.
Cairn's questions were carried away on the wind as he floated down to the ground. He knew he had a long way to go to get home and would have to run most of it if he stood a chance of staying ahead of enenmy scouts. He situated his gear and laced up his boots and was somewhat surprised by the viper's sudden appearance and smiled ruefully at Victoria's thoughtfullness. You are a welcome sight Naga. We've a bit of a hike to go. The young Sczarni set off in hopes that he'd be in time to be of use.
Eyes wide in amazement at the thrill of flying, almost dying from a dreadfull plunge and the sheer size of the enemies army, Cairn was feeling overwhelmed. Solaric will need to know the extent of the threat. I can return to Karcua to let him know. Anything I should add Lady Victoria? Johenric? After getting any advice Cairn will make the run home.
Cairn's heart started thundering in his chest and tried to climb up and out of his throat as he slid towards the great wyrm's wing. He spun and reached out to latch onto...something...anything!... to no avail and slid right off the dragon with a scream. Which died almost immediately as he started floating like...a leaf on the wind...
Cairn was lost in the unnatural feeling of flying on the back of an actual dragon and his stomach leaped when the great lizard dove and he lost all idea of what he should do.
Cairn's heart was still thudding in his chest like a smith's hammer at the anvil...i just rode a bloody dragon!..Aunti Gremalda is never going to believe this...she'll probably box my ears like she did when i was a lad... It looks that bad? Where would we go? ...now why did i go and say anything...now it will be looking at me with those cat like eyes...and even those little buggers want to eat you...dumb lad...real dumb...you deserve your ears being boxed...
The unruly haired youth nodded in sudden understanding. As a Sczarni he should see the deep currents and double dealings of politics from every angle... and find a way to profit from them...but Victoria's grasp of the ins and outs was impressive. I'll leave giving the Countess a 'firm reminder' to you M'lady. Sounds like we'll be busy, underappreciated and most likely underpaid as well.
Cairn shrugged. Who is he, Vicky? Do you mean Solaric?
I know M'lady. Its the hot Sczarni blood in me I guess and the fact that we seem to be needed in a dozen different places at the same time or all of Karcau will fall.
Cairn was restless while they waited for the dragon to make his appearance. Knowing that undead roamed the countryside had him beside himself. But he trusted Victoria so he bided his time making timely circuits of the cloister along with Kirk to make sure there wouldn't be anymore surprises.
How are we going to destroy the fountains? Dont we need to bring of the healing waters back to Karcau?
Cairn smiled in spite of himself and helped with the distribution of the loot for carrying it back to Karcau. A wise decision M'lady. Staying here and scouring the cloister for valuables. Now we can truly return to the city as heroes and be richer. A Sczarni always prefers to get compensated for work well done.
Cairn watched the Solaric and Flofer leave and wondered at the group's wisdom in letting the Count travel with such a small escort...well, he was... or is rather, the Black Knight... Shrugging his shoulders he got to searching the cloister with the others keeping the presence of mind to watch their surroundings as he did.
Flofer should accompany you my Lord. We cant have our Count wandering the country side all on his own.
Begging your pardon my Lord? But you will be able to carry so much of the healings waters back with just our few numbers. Now that we have found the source of the plague's end in Karcau; should we not keep it secure? I volunteer to stay here with the Lady Victoria until you are able to send knights and guardsmen to protect the fountain.
Relief flooded through the young Sczarni. Not because of the healed wounds but because he believed himself healed of any plague that might have infected him...careful or Sir Solaric will make a believer out of you...
My lungs still burn from the poisonous vapors. I will try the waters. Cairn dumps what was remaining in his own waterskin and looked at the the fountain with a small measure of apprehension... surely Sir Solaric has purified this fountain... before filling the skin and taking a long swig of the cleansing waters.
Maybe the demon changed the face of the fountain...and we have to find a way to change it back. Cairn was in the same spot as Kirk in not understanding the way of religious folk but he had a deep respect for them... Auntie Akeena saw to that now didn't she?..
Maybe slaying the demon was all we needed to do. Cairn was at a loss as to their next step.
Cairns hops up from where he had been leaning against the wall...finally sometihng more along my line of work... Upstairs and find two more fountains? Sounds easy enough. The Sczarni will lead the way up and begin the search.
Cairn's eyebrows shoot to the top of his forehead when the Lady Victoria suggested Solaric and the Countess consecrate the fountain with a reproductive display ...Uncle Hrusk will get a good laugh at this one... Cairn wasn't the brightest of the lot but he did have one idea. The fountain is just a vessel. Perhaps the water source is the root of the evil?
Cairn relaxed as the demon fell and the zombies became motionless... that went very fast... The Inheritor is truly with you Sir Solaric. Never have I seen such blade work.
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