As everyone lands from using the ladder, Solinas races from around the other side of the tree, her chest heaving from the exertion.
putting his fingers to his lips, Bruhma makes a shrill noise, similar to a bird in flight. An answering neigh responds a moment later.
Do any of you own a horse? We must move quickly to Xak Tsaroth, and walking will not do. He asks everyone.
seeing everyone shake their head, he groans. so be it. i know a spot where we can get some.
A large horse, the largest you have ever seen and then some, comes walking up on the group. Blacker than night, the only way you can tell that this is a horse is from its neigh and its fire red mane that is braided into 4 equal lengths. A saddle, large, imposing, is strapped to its back. Bruhma reaches up and grasps the reins that have trailed upon the ground.
Alright. we are going to down the street, and then take a right to the last building on the left. They have a stable and we can purchase the horses there.
All Right everyone, lets Bolt from here, as they are surly following us
Talinthal will go towards the armory.
Perhaps it would be best of Torald and I negotiate with the Knights of Solamania.
Seeing that the lurker doesn't seem to be doing anything aside from watching, Asterius leaves him alone but tries to inform Bruhma just in case.
[dice=Bluff (simple secret messages)]1d20+7[/dice]
"Alright. And Bruhma, I hope there aren't any birds there like there is here."
Bruhma, i currently have not enough gold to purchase anything. Enough to buy food and bord but not for a horse. And my backpack is in my room with all my thing but that doesn't really matter.
then you may be riding with me bruhma says simply.
as she is runing along side everyone: "That would work bruhma".
Rise, let us be on our way.
Rumal nods, and moves with the others toward the stables, as best he can keep up at least. He doesn't have a horse, or the money for one. He does have a nice sturdy mule, with a back built for hauling kegs. One thing does strike him as odd, "Why are we goin to Xa sroth? I thaw we was headin fer Kennermore?"
Trapdodger finishes with the backpack and peeks around at the scene looking for a door out....
Really so does that mean that Xa Sroth isn't in kendermore? So where is it then? says Solinas to the gnome while they are on the run.
Are you all ok?
After Bruhma mentions the garrison:
I have a horse at the garrison. It would be no problem, if one of you besides Asterius want's to ride with me.
Looking to Asterius
I hope, that I didn't offended you, but I doubt, that my horse could carry us two.
Well i am still wounded but i can manage for now.
I will channel again.
Friend asterius, keep an eye out for those rare birds. I am sure we may see them again Bruhma says gently to the minotaur.
Peaking out from under the table, you see the cleric of Chemosh shaking his head, while his partner glances about the room.
I am fine, friend. That pointy eared wench just caught me off guard. Pity i cannot sacrifice her to our lord. He would enjoy her tender soul. Chuckling, the cleric begins to look about.
But no matter, we have plenty of bodies at the verge of death to sacrifice. their blood will defile this inn and this tree, warping them to a mockery of life.
The cleric and the guard begin to walk around, inspecting the bodies. Those still alive are marked by tearing open their shirts. Those that are beyond are left alone.
Go call the others. I will need their help performing the ceremony. I will be fine alone. the cleric instructs his guard, who hesitates a moment before stepping out the front door. A moment later a strange whistle is heard.
we are going to kendermore, gnome. But, we must stop off at xak tsaroth first. There is item there that i must retrieve. Once we get away from this area, I will tell you more. It is bad enough that i revealed xak tsaroth and kendermore.
An odd noise, similar to the noise that Bruhma made when calling his horse echoes through the town. As you glance about, you notice that you are approaching the garrison for the Solamnic knights.
A squat structure, low, made of quarry stone draws your attention. On top of the building flies a pennant for the Solominic knights, with a large shield and Solimnic knight crest upon its surface. Narrow windows, no more than large arrow slits, permeate the structure at regular intervals. A lone torch burns at the large iron bound wooden doors, doors large enough for a horse to walk through.
My friends, I dare not enter this building. I am still upon my quest, and revealing my presence here will draw undue attention upon this place, especially the civilians. Here is some coin, please go in and make arrangements to purchase the horses. Friend Asterius and Rumal, please, stand out here with me. Extra eyes and ears are always helpful.
Bruhma hands a bag of coins to Torald.
Trapdodger heads for the back exit using his stealth....
Soon enough he catches up with the others who had taken a similar route...
"Ya'll left me tah face tha bad cleric and guard all by myself, but they didn't see me so I left. The cleric is alone now."
Starts to check his newly acquired items for anything good....
I will approach the garrison.
i go inside the structure but wait at the door.
Talinthal knocks on the door.
the door swings open slightly.
I peak in and announce myself.
Rumal nods at the request, but he realizes he could really use a drink. He licks his lips, eyes the area briefly, before pulling out his hip flask and taking a heavy swig.
Asterius waits with Bruhma outside, making sure to put up the hood of his cloak. He keeps an eye out.
Torald takes the bag.
I will do so.
Torald follows Talinthal
pushing the door open, you see a scene out of a horror play. Knights of Solomnia lay scattered about the entry area, swords drawn, wearing full armor. Some of the bodies have gaping holes in their breast plates and chests, as if something strong punched through steel and bone and pulled something out. Other bodies are withered husks, skin shrunken upon their bony frames, eyes bulging out in a hideous display of terror.
Father Paladine, have mercy! I will look around and call out for any survivors.
Good knights, the Light of Paladine has come to strengthen you. .
Solinas upon hearing the commotion coming from Talinthal, will go trough the door. upon seeing the massacre will pass her head trough he door and will address all those that stayed on the other side, her voice trembling:
dead .... they are all dead it was a massacre. Lets grab what we need and get out before the party looking for you comes here.
and with that she goes back in.
Thal, torald, we have less than 2 minutes to grab the horses and bolt from here. Get as many as you can. If they are not saddle just grab the reins. I'll go inside the structure and look for survivors. We meet in the court yard. Yell when you are done
And with that she dashes inside.
These honorable men must at least be blessed on their journey to the Heart of Paladine.
Return this man to Huma's breast:
Let him be lost in sunlight,
In the chorus of air where breath is translated;
At the sky's border receive him.
Beyond the wild, impartial skies
Have you set your lodgings,
In cantonments of stars, where the sword aspires
In an arc of yearning, where we join in singing.
Grant to him a warrior's rest.
Above our singing, above song itself,
May the ages of peace converge in a day,
May he dwell in the heart of Paladine.
And set the last spark of his eyes
In a fixed and holy place
Above words and the borrowed land too loved
As we recount the ages.
Free from the smothering clouds of war
As he once rose in infancy,
The long world possible and bright before him,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Upon the torches of stars
Was mapped the immaculate glory of childhood;
From that wronged and nestling country,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Let the last surge of his breath
Perpetuate wine, attar of flowers;
From the vanguard of love, the last to surrender,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Take refuge in the cradling air
From the heart of the sword descending,
From the weight of battle on battle;
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Above the dreams of ravens where
His dreams first tried a rest beyond changing,
From the yearning for war and the war's ending,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Only the hawk remembers death
In a late country; from the dusk,
From the fade of the senses, we are thankful that you,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Then let his shade to Huma rise
Out of the body of death, of the husk unraveling;
From the lodging of the mind upon nothing, we are thankful to you,
Lord Huma, deliver him.
Beyond the wild, impartial skies
Have you set your lodgings,
In cantonments of stars, where the sword aspires
In an arc of yearning, where we join in singing.
Return this man to Huma's breast
Beyond the wild, impartial skies;
Grant to him a warrior's rest
And set the last spark of his eyes
Free from the smothering clouds of wars,
Upon the torches of stars.
Let the last surge of his breath
Take refuge in the cradling air
Above the dreams of ravens, where
Only the hawk remembers death.
Then let his shade to Huma rise,
Beyond the wild, impartial skies.
Sifat! Paladine hear our prayer! Sifat!
Signing the triangle of Paladine over the bodies.
Ok, Talinthal, take care for their souls, I will look for the horses.
Torald runs to the stable to look for horses. If he finds some, he will first, throw the saddle over his horse without lashing it firmly and then make 4 other horses ready for the rest.
As you finish up with your prayers, and gathering of neccessary supplies, a woman comes walking in.
Panathin, are you in here? I missed you earlier...A young woman calls out as she walks into the entry.
upon seeing the bodies, and Talinthal kneeling next to a body, she screams and runs out.
you can hear her scream Murderers! at the Garrison! MURDERERS!
Seeing the bodies Trapdodger looks to see if he can grab a couple of shortswords.....
"That woman must have been here, I think she is not nice...."
After entrusting their souls to the god Paladine, and asking Kiri Jolith and Habbakuk to accompany them on the River of Souls, Talin will go to where he saw Torald head.
I hope that we can gather everything we need before that cleric and his men come over here. Should that happen this place looks defensible anyway.I wonder what i will find in the structure.
The woman runs down the road, screaming like a banshee. People begin to filter out of their houses, curious at the sudden commotion.
A minute later, everyone emerges from the garrison, having secured some gear and horses for the long trip ahead.
Torald walks out with 6 horses, saddles resting upon the horses backs.
I will mount the horse and get ready to depart.
Asterius looks up. "Any survivors? We'll be blamed if none would explain and I do not think we have the time to do so."
Asterius, I could not find any survivors. None responded when I called out.
Cursed be the gods, that is not good. Bruhma says as he smacks his fist into his hand.
tell me about the bodies, what condition were they in?
Emerging from the courtyard a little bit behind Talinthal and Torald with a backpack in her hand she immediately looks at the different horses.
Bruhma it was a massacre i told you. but since you wish to know, Some of the bodies have gaping holes in their breast plates and chests, as if something strong punched through steel and bone and pulled something out. Other bodies are withered husks, skin shrunken upon their bony frames, eyes bulging out in a hideous display of terror. she replies as she fix the brittle and the saddle.
"We should leave. If the ones who took out a whole garrison are still here, I don't want to meet them."
Finishing to secure her steed, as well as a new longbow and a new quiver Solinas mounts her horse. Turning her head toward the Minotaur:You have meet the people responsible. How do you thinks all those knights died with out any alarm raised. That cleric used the same power on them as he did in the inn. Then i think he sacrificed their hearts to his evil master. They were unprepared and not ready. Just like we were when he activated his power. They all died. and he pointing to talinthal will be blamed. But if we don't ride out now he will find us along with the men he brought and more citizens will die, and most of the people who will fight him.