Albus is horrified by Aelerie's statement as to the purpose of the room but covers with a bit of humor. "Well, don't tell the Lumber Consortium about this, they'd want to figure a way to do that to the town."
Albus take a look around the room for anything else of interest and then will lead the party to the other interesting spot.
Check out room. Listen for anything at all out of the room.
Off the next target with a wary eye out.
The group moves out of the secret passages and traces their steps back to the large room from which they discovered them. Then they move north to the room with the well where they had first run across the elite guards of the former Kobold King and then onto the rough hewn passage trailing off to the east.
No dwarf in their right mind would have left this passage in such rough shape Gorat observers as the unfinshed rocky path curves north into the slightly wider cavern full of natural stone pillars which had once been full of smoke and home to a hell hound.
Gorat's mutterings cease though when the passage opens up into the forge room where they had fought the Droskaran damned monster that had sought to trap their souls in its binding chains. The forge is now dim and no longer spewing smoke but the anvil where Albus had broken its chains glows. It's faint but very noticeable in the otherwise dark tunnels.
Torag bless us. Gorat finally says. Seems like the Father's touch is here as well!
Albus is awed and humbled by the sight of the glowing anvil. "It does- that is the anvil where the chain broke. And the forge - once hellish is not so, that happened at once. I'll leave it to you Master Gorat to read the meaning of this."
Albus quietly prays to Erastil and Iomedae.
Standing in the presence of the divine, no matter how faint it may be, is inspiring nonetheless and brings an involuntary smile to Aelerie's face. "I hope someday we can see this place restored to its former glory," the mage comments, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb the sanctity of the room. With Gorat seemingly captivated by the anvil, Aelerie walks over to her companions. Once Albus has finished his prayers she whispers, "So, is this the end of the tour then?" She remembers, of course, that there is an entire other level beneath their feet, but feels that they would risk agitating the surviving kobolds if they ventured down there.
Albus looks at Aelerie as she whispers to him, catching on Albus thinks for a moment then replies just as quietly, "Perhaps, but we owe him the option, we made a commitment after all, so we should tell him, I think. Do you agree with that point or are the risks too great?" Albus is thoughtful but made a promise.
Gorat snorts. Me? I'm an Abadaran merchant, master of fair trading and coin counting! Sure I've got an interest in the history of our peoples but this has been cleric business from the start!
Gorat reverently touches the anvil I think I'll be paying tribute to the Father more after seeing these miracles though that's for certain.
When told about the Kobold tunnels underneath the dwarf snorts. Why would I be interested in a warren of kobold filth? Of course if you want to go down and eliminate it for certain then I'll not object. But I have no interest in exploring it. No, I think I've seen everything I could have wished for. I just expected to see some ruins, not see the touch of Torag manifest amidst ancient Droskaran heresies! Even those terrible pig-statues are inspired!
Relief shows clear as day on Aelerie's face when Gorat shows no interest in going further. The risk of delving further into the warrens hadn't concerned her so much. Although overwhelming in numbers, most of the kobolds put up little fight the last time the group had faced them. The arcanist felt more troubled about the rightness of possibly inciting violence in the surviving kobolds for the sake of one merchant's curiosity. It was a different matter when they were forced to confront them to find the kidnapped children. "I don't think that's necessary..." Aelerie says in response to Gorat's unsurprising suggestion to eliminate the remaining kobolds. She looks to the rest of the group, silently soliciting their thoughts on the matter.
Albus says, "I agree with Aelerie, I don't want to provoke more conflict now." Albus gestures to below, "I understand your desire Master Gorat, to cleanse all the evil from this area. Were that all of it I would agree, but this is but one tribe of many. If all the tribes were to gain the impression we were starting a war against them, they could unite to destroy the town, drowning it with numbers. The LC care only for gold, the blood spilled would not matter; they would just hire more workers and sell-swords until the venture became unprofitable then they would abandon all to their fate without a second thought. The town guard are good men but not heroes of legend, strangling a dragon in one hand, a giant in another, while trampling demons underfoot." Albus concludes, "If your people send an army to clear this land of evil, then may blessings of many gods be upon them. But today, I think this tour is concluded and we can turn towards home."
"Let's head back to town and deliver Gorat safely." Laro says after the floor has been explored.
Leaving the kobold tunnels behind the group backtracks through the dour Droskarn passageways and the comparitively far more cheerful sunlit dappled ruin above and travels back towards Falcon's Hallow. The almost invisible trails that Javell and Albus follow are becoming almost familiar to Laro and Aelerie as well and soon enough they pass through the tall darkwood trees and the clearcut fields beyond and can see the town on the horizon in less than two days. The small single story huts and occasional larger buildings looks the same as before. The entire trip has taken a little less than a week.
Certain that Javell can safely escort the rest of the group to the town without incident Albus, and Whisper, split off from the group. Whisper licks Aeleire on the face and nearly bowls over Laro with a pounce as he likes to do before heading off.
In town Aelerie finds her father still hasn't come back from his shift of work at the Lumber camp. It's been a while now and Aelerie's mother is getting a little worried though the lumbermen heading to and fro from town and camp don't report anything to worry about regarding him when she asks.
Laro finds out pretty quickly that he's been fired from his job as a Consortium clerk. They don't really bother to give reasons for their decisions but Laro's exploits with the Heroes of the Hollow seem to have made him an object of suspicion.
Gorat is in excellent spirits, especially with the obsidian tablet that very neatly summarizes everything about the ruined monastery and the dark basement beneath that he'd discovered with the help of the Heroes. He gladly pays out the 400 gold that he had promised them and even through in a further 40 gold 'tip' for a job well done though of course he's not certain how heroic the gorup is for leaving orcs and giants and kobolds alive to threaten the town in the future. Still he wishes for Abadar will grant them and the town prosperity and Torag will watch out for them for their obvious service to him in clearing evil out from a temple of his.
He inquires where he can go to find the Hollow Tribunal when the group drops him off at Jak'a'napes for a well earned rest.
The merchant caravan has left by the time the group gets back though Gorat doesn't seem too worried about it. He'll just buy a fast mule and hire some guards to get him back to them. He might be underestimating how dangerous the roads can be.
Aelerie giggles at Whisper's affectionate farewell, scratching the adorable fennec fox behind the ear before he rejoins his human's side. She waves goodbye to Albus, curious about where he's venturing to on his own but not willing to pry. Woodsmen and their secrets.
Once in town, Aelerie accepts Gorat's gracious payment with a smile before directing the dwarf to the log building that houses the Hollow Tribunal. His plan to hire guards to escort him from the Hollow draws a slight look of concern from the arcanist. "Okay. But however many guards you think might be enough, you might want to consider doubling that number."
After bidding Javell and Laro goodbye, Aelerie all but skips home, eager to see her parents and sleep in a proper bed. Her own feelings of worry start to settle like stones in her stomach when her mother tells her that her father hasn't been back yet. "I'm sure he's fine. The other men would have said something if there'd been an accident or anything," she tries assuring Vimea, but the smile she gives her mom doesn't quite touch her eyes. "All the same, maybe I should go check on him? And anyway—" Aelerie rushes over to a little used cabinet and comes back with jar filled with gold coins. The smile she gives her mom this time is part sheepish and part eager. "I think it's time we sit down and talk about Papa finally retiring."
Vimea's mouth drops open at the jar stuffed with gold coins. More money in the same place than Aelerie's mother had seen in her whole life... or at least for a very long time.
She covers her gaping jaw reflexively before sitting down on the closest surface. Aelerie... where did you get all that money?
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Albus takes leave of the party. Making sure that he is not followed, then he looks for the markings few know, and makes the his own, and starts for the old trails, the secret trails, the ones that can lead to only one place for one reason, The Place of Meeting. He swiftly moves, time without time passes, minutes or days, hours or months, time ceases to have meaning.
He draws near, now that which holds him must go. He stops and reverently takes it from his neck and hangs the Sword and Sun from a tree. "I love and honor you Lady of Valor, but this is of the old and not a place for the new gods." He goes forth as he must, passing into a valley like many others, like few others. Open and hidden, far and near, the sacred road leads deeper into a wood that knows not civilization, ancient and younger, everlasting. He strips, weapons, armor, he all equipment, and his clothes. Last he takes off the The Antlered Bow and the arrow.
Speaking the old words, he memorized in a language long dead, spoken only here. "I leave the bow behind, to go before the bow, before the herds, to the first hunt."
Naked, a weak shivering creature, hungry and afraid creeps forward. A moment of enlightenment and the miserable being picks a rock and throws it. It hits nothing but the creature is not deterred and take a rock and strike it against another. With the sharp edge created a quick strike and a straight branch falls. A few strikes and a crude spear forms. The creature looks for prey and quietly comes upon a herd, one is lame. A spear is thrown, hits, and the prey is dead. The herd flees, and the hunter takes his due, marking his face and body in the blood of the kill. After making offerings to the Lord of the Hunt, he wraps the meat in the skin of the beast, bringing it forth.
The Place is close now, the hunter calls out - is it even language? "A hunter comes bringing food for the tribe!" He strides forward the clearing in sight. He stops, the rhythm of the hunt falters. He thrusts the spear deep into the ground and snaps it in twain, and abandons it. "A hunter is lost, I do not know the path I must take." Now there seems no path to the clearing but a firefly buzzes by and the hunter follows.
An ordinary clearing like many others, like no other. The Place that is not here or there. The Place of Meeting. The hunter moves forward, the future behind him, toward the center beyond which is the silence before a word was first spoken. To his left, always left, are the fires that burn with hellish hate, to his right, always right, is the light that glows with heavenly love. He prostrates himself before a shrine so old and crude as to have no form. In the quiet, he pushes forth the skin and meat before the shrine. In the first words, the only words, he says, "A hunter brings meat for the tribe. But a hunter is lost, my path unknown to me. I beseech thee-please guide me." Now there are others here, some seem familiar, is that the village fey? Is that a relative? Such questions seem small, now. A voice says gruffly but with love, "Why is the hunter lost?'
The young hunter says "I killed a child, a child of blood not unlike my own. A child poisoned by the bad wolf, the wolf that steals the hearts of men, woman, and children. A child stolen, tortured, betrayed, changed, brought to evil, and I killed her to save another. I could not find the path to save her. I should have found a way, I did not. I need to believe I can find a path again. Without a path I'll be forever lost."
The hunter waits for the those of wisdom, those of age, those of agelessness to offer or spurn guidance.
Aelerie's smile wavers when her surprise doesn't elicit quite the response she was hoping for from her mother. "It's okay, Mama. I came by it honestly," she assures her, hefting the heavy jar onto the kitchen table. "That Dwarven monastery is just a trove of old, valuable artefacts. Every time we've been there we found something new, and they've been things that the folks from the travelling caravan have been interested in buying off of us."
Turning back to her mother, it's clear by the look on Aelerie's face that she is mulling over something. Seeming to reach a decision, Aelerie goes over and takes her mother's hands in her own. "I know how little Papa makes working for the Consortium, and I figure this should be enough that he'll never have to chop down another tree for as long as he lives. But, more than that,... I think it should be enough for the two of you to finally find the life you were looking for outside of Falcon's Hollow."
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**Albus**
The bad wolf is unnatural and destroys the balance. The path of a hunter is satisfaction at its destruction. Perhaps you have the skills of a hunter but not the heart of one. One voice responds, high pitched.
All our choices are our own. Breathes another, sounding more like the whisper of leaves in autumn than a human voice. This is as true for you as for the child you killed. You can only show someone the path. To force them to decide as you would wish is dark magic. You can only show them the way. Such is the path of wisdom.
If paths cross in violence then the worthy survive. Your pack proved worthy. Hers did not. There should be no shame in following the path of survival. To get off it is to embrace death and not struggle for life. It is not moot that one blessed with youth and health should suffer such thoughts. A gravelly female voice growls from another direction.
Your have suffered a trial and faced a choice. The gruff voice from before says. You chose to protect. The path of the protector, the preserver, the defender is a hard one. For it comes with truth that you cannot save everyone. You must accept this truth. Otherwise it will break you. Instead bend to the sorrow you feel, as the bow does, and accept it as you accept the turnings of the seasons, for it is just as natural
**Aelerie**
Vimea reaches out and touches the jar, a bit hesitantly, but then a laugh comes from her. You earned this adventuring?. Like in the stories I used to tell you at bedtime? No wonder Kintai Eavewalker swans about like she owns the town. It seems like it's your turn to tell us tales. Oh I don't know how your father will react to this Aelerie's mother's expression, which had changed from hesitant to joyful, changes again to one of worry. I wish he was here.
**Aelerie**
The young Arcanist heads out of town on the road that leads to the main Lumber Camp. The one she had followed so long ago to try and find someone who could help guide them on their desperate quest.
She's in a hurry so It's only a half hour out that she overtakes two lumberjacks making their way to the camp. Getting close she's relieved to recognize them as Lory, the young laborer who had fetched her father for her when they had first visited the Lumbercamp, and Milon Rhoddam, the ranger who had guided them on their first quest. Two people that she thinks she can get along with well enough.
Like mother and daughter are mirror images, Vimea's emotions are reflected on Aelerie's face. Her smile returns when her mother's hesitence gives way to surprise and understanding. And that smile turns somber when Vimea voices her concerns. "Don't worry, Mama. We'll find out how he feels about all of this soon," she promises, hugging her mother goodbye before grabbing her satchel and spellbook and leaving once more.
Aelerie races out of town, the conjured chestnut stallion's hooves pounding the dirt road at a furious pace and leaving a thick cloud of dust in its wake. She spots the two men heading along the same road and is planning to simply ride past them until she realizes who they are. Pulling hard on the reins, she slows the horse to a trot as she rides up alongside the pair. "Lory! Mister Milon! It's good to see you," Aelerie greets, breathless as if she had been the one galloping from town instead of her steed. "Especially you, sir," she tells Milon. "Are you coming to relieve my father of his shift?"
Lory goggles at Aelerie on her fine horse while Milon looks at it warily before tearing his eyes away from it to meet Aelerie's.
He snorts Nah. He was supposed to come tell me it was my turn at camp but he didn't turn up. Instead another jack told me to go up and get back to my shift. Milon shrugs Got an extra long break anyhow so no skin off my nose.
Lory speaks Y-your father Aelerie? I saw him in camp three days ago. They've got him doing all the easy stuff in the camp. He doesn't even haff to go out fellin' trees. I wish I could get those jobs. the young man's face screws up in concentration. I guess he's been there a while huh?
Javell nods as Aelrie asks if he wants to join, and follows along wordlessly, mounting his horse and keeping a keen eye out for any trouble as they venture out.
Hearing the news that her father was supposed to visit Milon but never showed up has Aelerie clutching the reins in a white-knuckled grip. It's all the arcanist can do not to snap them and ride the stallion at full gallop all the way to the lumber camp. Though she tries to keep her face neutral, her worry shows in the shine of tears in her eyes. Swallowing around the sudden tightness in her throat, Aelerie looks to Lory and nods mutely when the young man addresses her. She listens, blinking back tears as she feels the cold grip fear has on her heart slowly relaxing the more Lory tells her.
"Really? He was well the last time you saw him?" she asks, almost afraid to believe the good news. She nods again in response to his last question, smiling a little sadly. "Yes, it's been nearly a month since he's been home. My mother's been sick with worry, as have I, so I decided to come check on him. Have to make sure Boss Teedum wasn't working him to an early grave, you know?" She turns around in her saddle and gives her companion(s) a quick nod before gently prodding her horse with her heels to get him trotting again. "Thank you both!" she calls out before spurring the stallion on to a gallop.
Oi! Don't go upsetting the wood pile now! Milon calls out to her as she speeds away with her friend(s) not looking back at the two men staring at her.
The well trodden path across the clear-cut fields is easy ground for the galloping horses and it's only mid day by the time she arrives at the ugly fortified compound that is the main lumber camp of the Consortium as it cuts ever deeper into the remnats of Darkmoon Forest. In the distance Aelerie can see guards that are looking towards the sound of the horse approaching them.
Laro rides sloppily along at the end of the line.
"I don't like these things!"
Aelerie slows her horse's gait as she spots the guards in the distance, not wanting to put them on edge by riding up too fast. She takes a deep breath as they come up on the camp, and reminding herself that not everyone on the Lumber Consortium's payroll is a bad person, Aelerie gives the two a kindly smile as she brings her horse to a stop a few paces away. "Good day," she greets, not yet dismounting. "I'm here to see my father, Jerask Mirisen."
The young one, not a hunter, a child that lost a child and in so doing sought another. Now understanding that he could not save his sister and he could not save another in her place either, it was not meant to be. He sobs out his sorrow bending to the torrent of emotion that was overwhelming him. Then the man was done, accepting what he could not change.
He addresses the high-pitched voice, "I hunt if I must, I enjoy the stalking and the chase. I take no joy in the killing, I have no heart for causing pain and death. I am not a hunter but a man that hunts."
Then to the voice like autumn leaves, "A child needs to be lead, she had a bad leader shown the wrong path, tortured into taking it. I was too late to show a better path. I see little justice here, perhaps a fate I could not break."
To the voice that sounds like gravel yet still feminine, "No shame in survival but survival is not enough, there must be more to strive for. Dark thoughts come to me; I do not choose to dwell on them, they dwell within me."
He talks to the last voice, the gruff one, "I have bent and survived - I cannot change what fate brought but I can accept the path of protector and burden that I must carry with it."
To all and most to the forth voice the protector asks, "I am the protector of the people, that is my place. May I present myself before the horned one, that I may call his spirit into the second dream of the world?"
**Aelerie**
The men at the gate, who Aelerie does not recognize, visibly blanch when they realize who Aelerie is.
One of them dashes inside while the other stutters We're not that is no family....
**Albus**
Albus doesn't hear a response but instead feels it. There is a general sense of approval and then he feels a sudden rush of, not power exactly, but awareness. It's like he has gained an extra sense that he never had before and he can sense the deep strength of nature in a way that he never had before. It's like all his life he had been looking at the surface of a thing and now he can see into it.
He blinks and the clearing is far emptier than before but his Druid Uncle is there offering him his hand.
Albus, nephew. Welcome
**Aelerie**
The stammering man is silenced as the one who dashed in returns with a companion. A large man, who seems to loom even taller than Albus or Javell. He has a scarred face and very very large fists that he cracks as he looks at Aelerie, Laro, and Javell.
Aelerie and Laro recognize the human immediately. It's Payden 'Pay Day' Teedum. Thuldrin Kreed's right hand man. A vicious bruiser who, almost single handedly keeps the rough lumber men in check.
Well well he says in a voice that's higher pitched than anyone expects. There's plenty of stories in town of Teedum crippling men and women for making jokes about it so everyone knows to not even mention it. Jerask's witch b%%%& kid comes to pay her old man a visit does she? We don't allow family visits girlie, but tell you what. I'll let you off easy this one time. Don't ever say Payden didn't do anything for ya.
The other men with him are so cowed that they don't even look up until Teedun cuffs one of them on the back of the head... hard. I didn't rip your ears off yet did I boy? Go get Jerask. Right quick now.
****
About five minutes later Aelerie sees her father hurrying out of the gate. He looks physically fine, to her relief, but his face holds an expression both strained and terrified. She's seen it before, whenever he's been worried about her, she hasn't seen it as etched into his hard wrinkles as now though. Not even when she used to get deathly sick as a child.
Aelerie, what are you doing here? he says before looking back at Teedum, who merely grins, showing off yellowing teeth. Look. I'm alright. I'm not even doing diffiicult jobs now. Just helping out inside the camp. No trouble at all Aelerie? Right? No trouble!
He seems to be almost pleading.
Aelerie turns to share a confused and slightly worried look with Laro and Javell at the odd reaction her greeting gets from the Consortium guards. "Pardon?" she asks the one who had stammered out some reply as she watches the other one run inside and considers following him. Thankfully she isn't kept worriedly waiting for long, although she is less than happy to see the massive form of Kreed's right-hand man coming to meet them rather than her father. She gives the Overboss a tight smile, not caring to make things any more difficult than they need to be by being unfriendly. But clearly 'Pay Day' is not of the same mind. Her face goes slack with shock at his words. Even in the time she proved herself a 'hero of the Hollow' and folks had been suspicious about her rumored magical abilities, the comments had never risen to the level of vitriol she witnesses now. The leather reins creak in her hands as Aelerie prepares herself for a fight, expecting Boss Teedum to try and turn her away without letting her see her father. If she were capable of honest introspection at the moment, she might realize that she is spoiling for a row just a bit, eager to show the man just how much of a witch she is. As it is, Aelerie's surprised when he relents and orders one of his underlings to go get her father. Her sympathy is stirred for the underling by how Teedum goes about asking him to do it, but she knows she has to pick her battles wisely at the moment, and resolves to pointedly ignore the brute until her father arrives.
Relief floods through her at seeing Jerask walk over to her, no limping, no bleeding and no missing or broken limbs. "Papa!" Aelerie cries, swinging down from her saddle and rushing to embrace him. It's her first clue that something is amiss when he all but holds her at arm's length after nearly a month of not having seen each other. "Mama's worried sick about you. You haven't been home in nearly a month. I came to check on you." Aelerie follows the look he gives to Boss Teedum and sends Kreed's henchman an unimpressed scowl of her own. How she would like to wipe the smirk off that man's face and hand it right back to him. Her expression is troubled when she looks back to Jerask, the man's assurances doing nothing at all to assuage her concerns. "That's... good," Aelerie weakly says, trying to steer her father away from Teedum and closer to her companions. A smile softens her features when she tells him the good news. "But you don't have to do that anymore. We have enough money now that you never have to come back here again. Won't that be great?"
Sensing how bad things seem here, Laro tries to disappear into the shadows while the attention is one Payday and Aelerie.
Jerask hugs Aelerie back for a moment before pulling away with a complicated expression on his face that seems to be warring between pride and concern. Oh my little pearl. You've become a power to be reckoned with and the Consortium doesn't like that....
Oi Jerask, enough of that crap. Teedum interrupts him. You'll make the rest of the boys jealous. Back to work now.
Jerask jumps back like a whip's been cracked at him They're scared of you. I'll be fine. Don't do anything crazy. He mutters at Aelerie and starts backing away.
After the protector made his petition he feels a pull, his name returns to him and he is in the clearing alone with his Druid Great Uncle, but with nothing around it but a holy peaceful glow, no longer in the mythic past, now in a place where time has no meaning.
Though Albus is not cold he still shivers from his nakedness. But he stands tall and says, "Greetings Uncle, may all be well with you and your family with the blessings of Erastil, the Elk Hunter. I am ready to undertake the trials for the shaman of the path of warden of the woods according to the rites of days long past. Please guide me, as kin, as elder, as holder of the mysteries of the Old Hunter." Albus waits his Great Uncle's response with the respectful patience of the young for the elder wise man.
Aelerie isn't surprised to learn that the Consortium feels threatened by her and her allies, but she's gobsmacked when her father pulls away to head back into the camp despite the news she's given him. "Papa, wait!" she says, redoubling her grip on her father's arms. Seeming to ignore Teedum looming nearby, Aelerie makes no effort to lower the volume of her voice as she asks, "What did they threaten you with?" But her mind easily supplies the answer. Either they threatened violence against her mother or against herself. More than likely, it was both. Shaking her head, Aelerie continues, "It doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of them. And you don't have to be either, Papa. ...We'll go somewhere far outside the Consortium's reach. Somewhere we can all finally be happy."
Aelerie.. you can't be everywhere at once in Falcon's Hollow. They can. If I go against 'em they'll see it as war and they won't play fair. Go home... take care of your mother. I'll be fine. Trust me! Jerask says trying to gently shake Aelerie's grip free.
Clock's a ticking Jerask. I don't like bein' ignored. You know that. Teedum calls out before whistling. The men with him take out clubs and cudgels while from the gates appear about a dozen more, similarly armed, but wielding crossbows as well. He shifts his gaze to Aelerie and Javell. Kreed's been wanting me to play nice with you damn troublemakers but I'm thinking he won't mind if I kill you all right now. You think you can fight a whole fort with your two friends girlie? You think you can do that and run home to your mama before I can get a message out to town about what's happening? We own the Vale. No matter how much of a witch ye are. Let your father go. NOW!
Albus, with his great-uncle's guidance begins the rites to receive Erastil's blessings in the mundane worlds ...
... completing the rites Albus returns to the Place of Meeting at the foot of the beginning and between Heaven and Hell.
The Protector, now a man runs forward to the future, the first words slowing splitting into many words, most he cannot keep, he is still too small. The words that are echos of creation, magic, only a few are kept equal to his small grasp of the shaman's path, the language turns to that of giants and slips away, turns to those of the first worlds the fey language slips away, but the language of the large beasts, the great wyrms, stays and grows. The protector looks down at the scales the cover his skin as he soars through the air, wings beating on the air. Soon he lands and runs again a man and not a beast.
The protector greets his friend, that had played happily with the various woodland creatures, but now joins him, once again to be the protector's guide. They run together to a future drawing near, with choices looming and dangers present.
The protector comes upon those new things leather to put on one's body and new weapons besides a spear now seeming very crude, to be left in the past. His name returns, Albus, and he puts on the Sigil of Erastil high on his chest pointed to his heart. The Sigil of Iomedae is now arraigned a bit lower, still quite honored as she embodies the way of the protector. He straps on his clothing but a new small bag is included. A simple small leather pouch, decorated with small dots burned with a sharp point into it. A pattern that shows eyes and spears in a semi circle point outward from a collection of stick figures around a simple fire. Above that are simple figures of sun, moon, and stars with plants and animals underneath, invoking the aid of the spirits, Great and small to the aid of the bearer.
Albus now runs swiftly to the future foreboding upon him, he know he need to deliver the bones to the church for burial but feel there may be somewhere else he needs to be. The path splits and he must choose the way, the way of the protector. But the old roads, the old ways can be fickle with a will of their own, not as fixed as the new ways, the new workings are. So Albus goes forth to arrive at a time and place ...
It's heartwrenching for Aelerie to see her father so clearly afraid of the shady organization he works for that he's willing to sell himself into what, in her mind, is tantamount to slavery to keep her and her mother safe. Her eyes shine with tears as Jerask tries to assure her that everything will be fine, Aelerie softly shaking her head in denial. She hadn't thought it possible, but Teedum's show of force only lowers her opinion of the man and the Consortium he is a part of. For a long moment she considers the Overboss's challenge. Aelerie is fairly sure she wouldn't have to take down an entire fort; just him. But Aelerie could never selfishly wager her father and mother's safety—not to mention the safety of the two men standing silently behind her—and the mage is sure the Overboss knows that. Hot, angry tears spill down Aelerie's cheeks as she realizes her powerlessness in the situation. Her fingers go slack on her father's sleeves, finally allowing him to pull away.
**Aelerie**
Jerask mouths I believe in you to Aelerie before turning away and hurrying back into the fort/camp. Boss Teedum merely grins as Jerask passes and his stooges hurriedly step out of the way Guess your pa wasn't wrong about you bein' smart, girlie. Don't worry. I'll keep him real safe. Now get. I don't need no other disruption to my crew. You hear me? He turns and shoves the closest of his lackeys Get back inside, get back to work.
**Albus**
Albus finds himself walking on the road between Falcon's Hallow and the main lumber camp. His fledgling shamanic connection to the land strikes a new sorrow in him that had not been there before as he walks on a land that has been clear cut in such an unnatural fashion.
Up ahead, far in the distance, he can see a few figures milling about in the entrance. He can't quite make them out from where he is but he can discern some of them going back in the fort.
Once Payday leaves Laro appears out of the shadows and approaches Aelerie and pats her on the shoulder. He says in a slightly louder than normal voice "Let's get back to town. He's ok."
When they head down the road and run into Albus he tells him "Good to see you. We need to keep walking back toward town until we are out of sight."
When they get out of sight he turns to Aelerie "We're not leaving your dad there. Either we go back tonight and sneak him out or we go back to town and pack your mother up and hide her and then go back for him. Either way he doesn't stay. Oh and I need a back of good stinky sh!t."
'This isn't over.' The words are on the tip of Aelerie's tongue, the mage ready to spit them at Boss Teedum like a parting shot as she moves to remount her horse. But she doesn't, too afraid of what such a threat might mean for her father after they left. She is sure the sentiment shows through the hateful glare she levels Teedum with, however. Nodding stoically to Laro's suggestion, Aelerie swings up into the saddle, wheels her horse around and spurs it into a gallop, leaving the lumber camp behind in a cloud of dust.
Between her own tears and the stinging wind, Aelerie doesn't recognize the blurry figure as Albus until Laro hails him. The halfling's resolve is heartening, especially after her own has been eroded after leaving her father in the hands of the Consortium. "I... I don't know, Laro. If Teedum was telling the truth then there's nowhere safe in the Vale to hide her, and I can't... I can't risk her safety trying to save my father. Papa would never forgive me if something happened to her because I didn't listen to him."
Laro looks at Aelerie with a sad look on his face. "Aelerie, my friend, it is time for things to change for your family. Your father is being held hostage that's why he hasn't been home and stays in the camp doing light work. I won't let that continue. If your mother is your first concern then we need to get her out of town. Olfden would be a good place to take her. If you don't have the money to buy her a house there then I will give you what I have. It would be best for her not to be seen leaving town but her absence will be noticed. If you are not ready to move immediately then we prepare to move her in secret and gather what information we can. I know things about Kreed and how he works and have a few friends still working for him. I'll see what I can find out about his plans for your family. Once your mother is gone we have to move quickly to get your father. What do you think?"
Albus walks forward slightly puzzled as to why he is approaching the lumber camp but soon realizes that his friends are here. His greeting simile dies when he see Aelerie's tear-streaked face and Laro's furious expression. Albus closes and says quietly, "What's wrong?" When informed of the terrible events, Albus grows most grave. "This is what I feared most, that these cowards would move against those we care about. We can't do this alone, we need to go to town and see to Aelerie's mother, my cousin Laurel, even Master Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks. We also need to inform the Sheriff and Lady Cirthana we cannot stand alone in this. We cannot be sure what other moves they will make."
At Master Laro's words Albus says, "I do agree that Olfden is the best place, the problem is that the ferry is controlled by the LC's. If we do get Aelerie's family there I have a few friends at the Diamond Legion, some would likely look after them. It still would depend a lot on what orders the Legion receives, the Corsortium has too much influence in the government. Still we must start somewhere, but it's your choice Aelerie as to what and how much you are wiling to risk, there is no clear path here."
It may go unnoticed by any or all but Albus has a new pouch, decorated with ancient symbols of protecting and invoking the aid of nature. It would be a clue as to what Albus was up too, if anyone cared.
Aelerie hadn't realized how close she had been to giving up, to just going home and refusing to even think about pushing back against the Consortium until her friends rally around her, their generosity and their determination to see her family get out safely from under the shadowy syndicate's thumb nearly bringing on a new wave of tears. "I don't know what to say but... thank you. Thank you all so much," Aelerie tells each of them with a watery smile.
Aelerie takes a few moments to visibly collect herself. Realizing that the decision on what their next move should be now rests sequel squarely on her, the mage knows she'll need her wits about her if she's going to help outthink the Consortium. "As much as it kills me to let them continue to hold my father, I need to make sure Mama is safe before I... before we move against the LC. I don't know a lot about Olfden, but if you two say that she'll be safe there then I believe you. I should have enough to find her a modest house, or at least rent one until this mess is settled. I agree that we'll have to move her quietly. Once Teedum finds out she's gone, it'll be that much less hold he'll have over me and Papa and he'll know we're coming. Until we're ready to move her, any information you can share or find out would be very welcome, Laro. Thank you."
Aelerie nods in agreement to Albus's suggestions as well. The people she cared about, those who could potentially fall victim to the Consortium's schemes, extended beyond just her parents. It included the men gathered around her now, Hildrensocks, her former employer, Laurel who had saved her mother's life just weeks ago, her old friend Virdel and so many other of the townsfolk. They all needed to be made aware of the potential danger they were in because of her association with them. When the woodsman suggests the possibility that members of the elite Diamond Regiment might be willing to watch over her mother, Aelerie is taken aback with surprise. "Really? Oh, I can't tell you how much it would put my mind at ease, leaving my mother alone in a strange, new town, to know that the capable men and women of the Legion would be checking in on her."
Reaching into her pouch of spell components, Aelerie withdraws a few strands of coarse hair, whispers some fey words of arcane power over them before scattering them to the wind. A small dust devil kicks up a cloud of dirt a few feet away. It dissipates as quickly as it came into being, and when the dust settles, a fawn-colored mare stands saddled and ready for a rider. "We should head back to town. Before we get too far into the planning, I need to tell Mama what's happened and find out what she thinks about all of this."
The group gets back to town on their magical mounts getting a few more glances. They're getting used to the attention even if they are travelling by mundane means now though. Their group splits into two to check on Aelerie's and Albus's family.
**Aelerie and Javell at Aelerie's home**
Aelerie enters her home to find her mother, Vimea, sitting and having a cup of tea with Jalene Artem, the barmaid that had spoken to her at the burning of the werewolves.
Ah Aelerie Vimea says with a smile as Aelerie comes back Jalene came to visit you! I didn't even know you were friends.
Oh yes, thick as thieves, we are. Jalene says smiling sweetly. I've been keeping your mother company while waiting for you.
And she brought this wonderful tea as a gift too! Vimea says taking a sip. Tastes just a bit bitter though.
**Albus and Laro at Laurel's**
Laurel is shutting up for the day when Albus and Laro come into her shopt. She looks up and smiles. Ah my big damn hero cousin comes to visit. Nice to see you haven't forgotten your poor old cousin in the midst of your dragon slaying and the like!
Albus sighs wearily, "No, I haven't forgotten Laurel, I just wish this was a social call. The LC is making its move against our little group. Aelerie's father is being, hmmm, 'strongly encouraged' to remain at the lumber camp indefinitely. It's clear he's being held hostage though proving that would be hard. But sadly, you're now in danger; we've become just too popular for the gavel to ignore us now. Aelerie is checking on her mother now. I have to say, I'm not sure what to do." Albus explains what happened at the lumber camp in more detail, with Laro's help.
The short walk back to her parent's house is a quiet one for Aelerie and Javell with the arcanist using the time to think about how she's going to break the news to her mother. Aelerie pauses at her door, taking a deep breath to steel herself for the difficult conversation she's about to have. She gives Javell a weak smile, grateful for his company but also sorry in advance for the emotionally fraught scene he may bear witness to. Nodding, she turns the handle and swings open the door, announcing herself as she does. "Mama, I'm ba—" Aelerie trails off seeing the unexpected visitor sitting at the table, her mind unsure what to make of Jalene's presence. Much like her mother, Aelerie made it a point while growing up in the Hollow to be on friendly terms with as many of the townsfolk as she could. But she could count on two hands the number of people she actually considers a friend, and the woman sitting at the table is not one of them. Perhaps Teedum's threat of having agents throughout the Vale has made the normally amiable arcanist a little paranoid. But hearing that Jalene had come into her home under, essentially, false pretenses was a red flag for Aelerie. And although she may have ordinarily gone about dealing with the situation more subtly in case she was mistaken, her mother's odd complaint about the tea has her thinking the worst was happening right before her eyes.
Aelerie rushes forward to knock the teacup from her mother's hands, sending it to shatter against the floor. "Get out," she tells Jalene without preamble.
**Albus and Laro**
Whisper sneezes as he usually does when he's in Laruel's store because of the heavily spiced air. Still the cozy warmth of the place agrees with the little fox and he curls up in a corner to go to sleep.
Ah Laurel says her grin falling off as Albus tells her of his troubles. Kreed does want to control everything and you four aren't under his thumb anymore are ya?
She sighs as she continues to work. The town's real split on this ya know? Most of the Hollow is over the moon at what you've done. Saving those kids, curing the plague and all that but the closer people are to the Consortium the more they hate you instead. I've heard 'em whisperin' about how convenient it is that there's always problems popping up for you four to ride in and save the day. They call you tree huggers and fae witches causing the problems in the first place and all manner of other nonsense. Not to me of course, they know I'm your cousin, but, it ain't subtle.
As to what to do. Laurel shrugs I dunno. I've always been one to put my head down and just work and hope things blow over. I guess I might ask Sheriff Baelson to post a Guard around my shop or something. Honestly though I think they're more scared of Aelrie and that Javell wildman than the two of you. Those two got magic after all Her eye falls to the new pouch at Albus' side and she raises her eyebrows. Though maybe there's something you're not telling me about that too.
**Aelerie and Javell**
Well I never Jalene says in a huff as the splinters of the teacup fly in a crazed pattern around the small sitting area. I knew we had a bit of a tiff but this is just rude she gathers her skirts and flounces out, pushing past the looming Javell. From the doorway she locks eyes with Aelerie and says If you want to apologize then I'll be at the Sitting Duck, otherwise our friendship is over. Then she's gone.
Aelerie! Vimea says shocked at what just happened. What has gotten into you!
Laro laughs when he hears they are not as afraid of him. "I like it that way. Overlook the little guy and he'll cut you off at the knees! I think it is time to see exactly what Kreed is up to. I've a few contacts at my old work still and the sister of one of the kids we rescued works at the house of negotiable companionship and she may have heard something. I might even be able to get something out of Kreed's kid since we rescued him. Sheriff first Albus?"
What friendship?! Aelerie thinks in exasperation as she watches Jalene leave, thankfully, without incident. As soon as the barmaid has cleared the door, Aelerie turns around and drops her tome on the table with a weighty thud. "I'll explain everything in a moment, Mama. I just have to make sure first..." she assures her mother as she furiously rifles through the pages of her spellbook. Seeming to find the spell she's looking for, Aelerie settles her hands on either side of the book, her head hanging down as she quietly recites the incantation. When she looks up, the blue in her eyes seems more intense as she directs her gaze first to the spilled tea on the floor, and then, more hesitantly, to her mother.
Aelerie's magically enhanced senses don't detect any unexpected magic or any poison at all in either the tea or in her mother.
Well I don't know what's getting into you. Vimea says as she begins to clean up the shattered tea cup with a sigh. We could use all the friends we can get in this place you know.
There's a jar of tea leaves on the little table that they were drinking tea from.