The big man-thing gives Thorgar with a withering look that speaks volumes as to what he thinks about Thorgar's riddle, and his challenge.
"You stupid humans an' yer damn stories. Always thinking ye c'n find some sorta loophole in the rules. Ya think we made 'em up? Ya think I live unner a dammed bridge 'cause I wanna? Tell yer friggin' harpy t' git her feathered arse back on the other side o' th' river so we c'n do this right b'fore I lose my patience.
The big brute rolls his eyes and spits. "an, ya jus' ask either one what answer the other would give an' do th' opposite, ye bloomin t~%+."
"I'm not that stupid to cross over here."
With that, Raven moves further away to find a safe place to cross the way without getting in range of the big thing.
When she finds a safe spot she will flap over.
"I'll grant that you are surprisingly quick for a slobbering monster that lives under a bridge. Very well, my winged companion is returned, name your challenge." Thorgar growls, hands upon the hilt of his blade ready should things come to violence.
The big thing sighs and nods. "Let's git this over with."
With a sullen and flat tone he says "Halt ye there travelers, whoever ye be. To cross me bridge ye'll answer these questions three."
"Answer true an' ye cross. Be false an' be lost, the other side never to see."
Looking at all of them, he glowers and thinks for a moment, then points to the water he is standing in. "What's that?"
"Water," Thorgar growls, I'm going to kill this thing to put me out of my misery, but it can wait.
Pointing to Thorgar he says "What are you?"
Thorgar's eyes blaze and his jaw twitches as his breath becomes ragged,
"I am Thorgar, called the Childeater. I am man, I am monster, I am a killer, I am father to bloody ruin, husband to cold flesh, and bringer of fury and blood..."
Every muscle in the big barbarians body is taut with tension, visions of carving his interrogator into quivering chunks of meat cloud his mind, even as he hears her voice chastising him for his foolishness.
"Don't get testy now. Humans. Always so damn dramatic about everythin'. So ya ate some kids? Big f&@#ing deal. You folk sure crank 'em out fast 'nough. It ain't like ya can't afford t' lose a few."
Finally he looks around and points "Better go with somethin' easier 'n "who are you" fer th' last one. Don't want ya t' blow a vein."
"What are ya doin' here?
Knuckles white around the hilt of his greatsword Thorgar snarls,
"I'm helping the mouse find some magic harpoon to save the Lady he is sweet on. Now are you going to let us cross or not?"
The man-thing seems to ponder the answer, then shrugs. "Sure. Git outta here."
Turning around to sit down on the bank the brute scratched his beard and yawned.
"Take yer time though. Sun's nice."
Thorgar shakes his head slowly,
"You are a weird monster. Enjoy the sun - while you can."
Then he cautiously heads for the bridge, keeping an eye on the monster, using the rope to steady himself as much as possible as he crosses.
"Well that was interesting.", Haaken says, staring pointedly at Thorgar. He only thinks of himself as a butcher. Hardly knowing his true worth.
Haaken strides forward, walking with his quarterstaff.
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Thordan walks up to Big Blue and sniffs him.
That was a wise decision...I will spare you life today....maybe stop scaring people like us...here...
Thordan digs out a bell and hands over to Big Blue.
Next time ring the bell for passer by attention. Lady Fiona taught to be polite at all times
Thordan scamper to join Thorgar after passing him the bell.
"I'll be coming back for that one, once my rusted skills are honed again," Thorgar informs his companions, voice low and dangerous.
Haaken winces,"Use care Thorgar, my friend. Vengence is double edged. "You are never punished for your anger, instead you are punished by it.", said the Vaekha. Wisdom I have learned, but I suspect you know more of that than I.
Thorgar shrugs looking skywards,
"I'm not sure I'm cut out for wisdom Haaken, but anger comes easy to me. Besides most things are double edged, even the sweetest things can become barbs when they are taken away."
The bridge is half-rotten and held together mostly by the ice that coats every inch of it. It groans with every footstep. Ice cracks as the wood flexes. Part of the railing falls away.
The spray of the nearby falls gives the air a heavy feel and lets the cold in deeper anywhere it touches skin.
Even with Raven's rope, the bridge is treacherous.
The big-blue man thing stares intently as the group crosses.
As Thordan begins to fall Raven reaches out and grabs him.
"Gotcha! Watch your step Little One." she says as she gently puts him on his feet again.
Thorgar is busy scowling back at the big blue bridge guard, easily negotiating the slippery bridge. It takes him too long to notice Thorden falling as his eyes go straight for big blue as he hears it, but when he turns around Raven has the mouse in hand. Thorgar nods to the strange winged woman, and continues onwards.
Acrobatics
Sense Motive
Haaken begins to reach for Thordan just as Raven saves the noble mouse, throwing him slightly off balance, he uses the rope to steady himself.
On the other side, Haaken pauses, and stares at the giant in silent thought. He then shifts his gaze to the bridge.
Compassion move me
Haaken drives his staff into the snow and strides over to the bridge.
Haaken draws his sword and axe and begins to hew at the rickety structure, with swift precise blows.
Thorgar turns incredulous and bellows,
"What in the hells are you doing man? Are you addled? This thing just flat out told us eating children wasn't a big deal and you want to set it free from whatever geas binds it here? And I don't plan to swim back. Stop NOW."
The rotting supports begin to crack under Haaken's blows. Shards of ice beak free and rain down into the river.
Haaken stops and turns, emerald eyes burning with reflected sunlight.
"The giant has done us no harm, even when it could. It's disinterest in it's task, and the age of this bridge tell of how long this creature has been held in thrall here. No soul should live in chains, even invisible ones, warrior. If you hold that the only way off this mountain is back over that hazard, you certainly could use a taste of the wisdom you disdained moments ago."
The only eater of children I know of stands before me holding fear and guilt tight about him as a cloak.", Haaken replies, his voice strong and even. His sword points to the giant. "It's sadness should move you, not to violence, but to mercy! I will at least set the brute free and give it the gift of liberty today, even though it may harm me. Where is your courage? Muster it and aid me or let it fail and scurry to safety, your own hidden chains dragging behind you."
Thorgar tenses his hand twitching towards the hilt of his sword eyes burning, but with a deep breath he steadies himself, and looks to Raven and Thordan,
"Mercy? Mercy is well and good, but what do you think he will do when freed, he'll be another monster stalking my homeland, another cause for weeping mothers and sleepless nights. What do you two think of this madness? At least talk to the beast before unleashing it, extract a promise to do no harm - it seems to be honor bound, if it is truly tied here."
"Monsters stalking your homeland? You called yourself such, to the very being you would accuse! And weeping mothers? At least admit your hypocrisy. I also will not seek to cage the brute with words, trading bonds of one type for another."
"I will give it the gift of freedom! All actions are gifts. What it does with it, is it's own choice. If it seeks to give me the gift of pain and death, it is a gift I shall politely refuse, and return to him neatly packaged with care, if I am able."
Your own sleepless nights are a cage you crawl into of your own accord, Thorgar. A key to which lay before you. The answer to pain is not more pain, it is forgiveness and even love. I think you consider yourself lower and more horrible than this creature you would condemn!"
"No soul is beyond redemption, Thorgar! And each creature must redeem themselves.', Haaken strides over to one side of the bridge, motioning with his sword to the other
"If this leads to a battle, we'll stand together, brother. Begin your rise from the beast you claim to be. Do it now, with me! All souls watch us! "
Thorgar tenses his hand twitching towards the hilt of his sword eyes burning, but with a deep breath he steadies himself, and looks to Raven and Thordan,
"Mercy? Mercy is well and good, but what do you think he will do when freed, he'll be another monster stalking my homeland, another cause for weeping mothers and sleepless nights. What do you two think of this madness? At least talk to the beast before unleashing it, extract a promise to do no harm - it seems to be honor bound, if it is truly tied here."
Raven puts her hand on Thorgar's shoulder.
"If we are attacked I will stand with you. If by destroying the bridge it sets the beast free to lead a better life, should we not do this?"
Throgar shakes his head in disgust,
"Bah, do as you will, but I'll have no part in it. If that creature kills I hope you can live with your guilt, because I cannot see any other outcome. Just because our natures do not define us does not mean they should be ignored, nine times out of ten a beast is still a beast and I saw nothing to persuade me that creature is pure of heart."
Then he turns and stares at the creature engraving its features into his memory, and making himself a promise.
"Another's purity of heart is not my Wyrd." A heartbeat passes as Haaken stares Thorgar in the eyes, he then spins, and sets to work hewing at the rotten supports.
Temple Sword
Ice Axe (Kama)
The bridge creaks and jostles under the blows, finally, slowly, ponderously buckling under it's own weight to crash into the river. The big man-thing watches intently. When the bridge hits the water, it just stares. Then swallows. Then takes a deep breath.
Slowly a massive snuggle-toothed grin spreads across his face. He looks up at Haaken and nods to him.
"I, ah... thanks. Don' know why ya did it, but I ain't gonna complain 'bout good fortune."
He stands and looks around, as if he isn't sure what to do, then with a shrug starts to walk down river. A moment later he stops and turns.
"I owe ya. One favor and three questions."
As Haaken listens to the giant's words, he sheathes his blades. His eyes unfocus for a moment, fogging breath escaping his nostrils.
When they refocus, a small smile rests at the corners of his mouth, he says, "Very well. I gift each of my companions one of the questions. For the favor, I only ask that you always remember what I did for you, and to reflect upon it sometimes. I sought only to end your suffering. I did not seek your debt. Maybe someday you will be moved to do the same. I am called Haaken, and should we ever meet again, I would hope to call you friend, but I will not even ask for that.",
Haaken clasps his hands and bows his head to the brute. "Peace be with you." Haaken then gathers his staff and moves to stand behind his companions.
The big brute's eyebrows raise. For the first time since you have seen him, he seems surprised.
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Mr Big Blue Monster, since you allow us a question may I ask you one then? Yup see I am a small mouse but a brave one at that and I have a wonderful lady that I serve by the name Lady Fiona. She is the kindest soul on this world and if you do meet her you, you will like her too. But sickness took her and her father who is a nice gentlemen even though he snores and farts when he talks but really I truly believe he is a kind man and has this room with a lot of trinkets and stuff you can play with but though sometimes he scolds me I still try to sneak in during the midnight hours so ssshhhhh....but anyway furry paws...Lady Fiona is sick and he said that a certain Baby Gaya or Yaga holds the key to her cure...so my question is....For you know where she, if not can you guide us to someone who knows or assist us in getting this Harpoon?? Thordan rattled off in a breath obviously intimidated by the blue monster.
The big brute's eyes practically cross and he looks at Haaken in bewilderment. "He always talk like that? Sheesh."
Looking back to Thordan, he nods. "Y'know, normally I'd jus' Say 'no, I can't', an' that would be a good enough answer to satisfy the Wyrd, but Imma gon' do ya a favor since your friend here's a stand up guy. Baba Yaga. Yer lookin' fer Baba Yaga. An, yeah, I know who she is. Ain't never met her, and don't never want to, but I know who she is."
"You want t' find her? Go to the Darkening Wood and find the Chicken-Leg Hut, and ask it t' turn it's back t' the trees an' it's front to you."
"Some free advice though. Don't go lookin' for her. I ain't never hearda no one likin' what they find, or the price they pay for it."
Thorgar frowns, running his fingers through his beard and says,
"What do you think you will do with the next few years, now you are freed from the bridge?"
Maybe there is hope I'm wrong...
"Dont know. Someone'll rebuild it eventually, an' you folks are gonna want t' go back soon. Can't stay on th' otherside forever. Yer pal there already used up his favor, so I don't owe ya a return trip. I feel bad fer ya, stuck on this side, but if ya try to rebuild the damn thing, we're gonna fight. Maybe I'll just wander. Try t' find somethin' t' eat that ain't rocks an' fish an' pinecones. If I ain't 'ere when ya try t' git back, I might not hafts kill ya."
Sense Motive
The big brute's eyes practically cross and he looks at Haaken in bewilderment. "He always talk like that? Sheesh."
Looking back to Thordan, he nods. "Y'know, normally I'd jus' Say 'no, I can't', an' that would be a good enough answer to satisfy the Wyrd, but Imma gon' do ya a favor since your friend here's a stand up guy. Baba Yaga. Yer lookin' fer Baba Yaga. An, yeah, I know who she is. Ain't never met her, and don't never want to, but I know who she is."
"You want t' find her? Go to the Darkening Wood and find the Chicken-Leg Hut, and ask it t' turn it's back t' the trees an' it's front to you."
"Some free advice though. Don't go lookin' for her. I ain't never hearda no one likin' what they find, or the price they pay for it."
"Why were you charged to stay and guard this bridge?"
"I pissed off the queen. Asked a few of the wrong questions. So she sent me here to ask questions. I ain't much of a bridge troll though. Still don't ask the right questions. Lets all kinds a' undesirable characters just wander over." the big brute said with a snaggle-toothed smirk.
With his last question answered, the lanky man-thing simply turned and began to walk away down river.
"So which direction does your map tell us to go now, Thordan?", Haaken says as he watches the strange creature leave.
"Thought he was a troll, but he is not like the trolls I've met before, for a start he isn't bleeding," Thorgar says watching the big blue creature walk away, "but that doesn't mean we won't regret this."