Caught entirely by surprise at the impact, Ark is too shocked by the last few seconds to even question landing on his feet so lightly.
He shakes his head in anguish for a moment, hands over his ears, as the screams of the injured horses echo in his head , before curling his lip in anger and rushing towards Le'Rose, sword in hand.
"Monster!"
Belor's chakram slices across LeRose's chest, digging deep, pouring blood across the webs. The bounty hunter's legs buckle. a gurgling groan coming from the mask, who voice distorting magic seems to be fading.
The shredded arm's trickle of blood has begun to get worse.
His actions in these stories also seems to vary greatly. In some he is a thoughtless tyrant who cares little if innocent people get hurt while in other stories he specifically goes out of his way to limit damage.
The only consistencies seem to be the descriptions of the armor itself, the mask that is his signature and the reputation to be tanatious about hunting his target.
Though Doon, arranging all the accounts chronologically in his head, makes some sense of this. The variations seem to come in phases with periods describing the brutal martial artist (20 year spread), then giving way to the benevolent mage (50 year spread) and then indifferent juggernaut of strength (30 year spread). Though this LeRose doesn't seem to exactly match any of the other descriptions.
LeRose seems to be having trouble breathing, having to pull up the mask just enough to allow the blood to drain out through the mouth, then deftly pulling a vile to drink back down.
After swallowing LeRose is able to inhale a gasp of air. Dropping the bottle and bringing the mask back down, with one good arm ready in a defensive posture.
Izorshi looked down upon her attacker. I am curious...Gerald is smart, perhaps he is right.
With a dagger still held in her hand, Izorshi concentrated on healing everyone nearby, including the bounty hunter.
"Now," she spoke to Le'Rose, "explain yourself. Pharasma has granted you your life. What cause have you to attack a group of innocents?"
She did not let go of the dagger, and braced in case Le'Rose tried to get away, or attack again.
"Uffff!!"
"Stay down fool!!"
LeRose is tense, muscles twitching as she attempts to hold still.
"Your guilt has already been decided, I can not give up. It is... impossible." LeRose says with a hint of sadness, stating it more like a fact then a battle cry.
Lanik approaches, sheepishly speaking up "We should get rid of him... LeRose will never stop. We got lucky this time. Next time we wont have scrolls or such an advantage."
"Ignorance is not a defense, it has been divined that you collaborated with the cultists... I am not the jury, I am not the judge, I am the warden. Where those found guilty run, LeRose follows. This must happen. There is no escape for any of us.
"Doon, something, or someone, is attempting to compel her to attack! I suspect some powerful dark magic is in play, it isn't hers. "
"I mean everyone, you, the cult, my prot-" Under the mast you hear a groan, and LeRose convulses, legs wobbling and her body now hangs by the webbing encasing her.
Lanik picks up a piece of metal, which was broken off in the crash. One end bent and the other scrapped off, creating a serrated edge. "I'm sorry, but we can't let you keep coming for us." He moves closer to LeRose.
Izorshi sees a complex and intricate pattern of magic running throughout Le'Roses system. It runs through her spinal column and down into her heart. It's too complex to make out the exact spell, but what Izorshi is sure of is that not only is it compelling Le'Rose but to a large degree it is the source of her magical potency.
"Whatever it is that has possessed you and given you so much power, shake it off."
She tried to dispel the magic from Le'Rose.
"Then explain what it was. This is your final chance."
Izorshi shifted between Lanik and Le'Rose, waiting to see if her spell worked.
Belor moves to block Lanik. "Nieghbor," he says to Lanik. "We've just met, and I realize that you don't know me but with the good will and blessings of my lady Sarenrae we all may live to see the dawn." He pauses and then grins "You're odds of living through the next couple of minutes dramaticly increase by putting down the metal and backing away from Le'Rose. After all milady always gives evil doers a chance for repetance and the opoortunity for redemption."
Ark checks his rage in the face of Le'Rose's compulsion, but remains on guard for any hostile action on her part--or any unforeseen third party.
This cult--I've ne'er even heard of it. What is it we been judged guilty of--and what's pulling your strings?
LeRose screams shattering the mask apart. Revealing a worn but proud face with brilliant red hair and deep green piercing eyes.
"I am no ones puppet! When the LeRose make a contract we agree with our very souls. This is how we insure justice is upheld. One can not 'shake off' a Geas that they have agreed to. There are only two ways this ends, I take you in or the warrant is rescinded."
Lanik sheepishly speaks up "Or we kill her..."
LeRose only raises an eyebrow "...Do your really think that will end it?"
"Take us. Where. On whose. Warrant. For what. Charges." Ark asks, through gritted teeth. "If 'justice' is what drives you truly, then justice demands you name our accuser and allow us to respond. Else a renegade we'll have to consider you--and do you the ignominy of telling everyone both of your freelance rampage and how it was ended by that wretch," gesturing towards Lanik.
The most frustrating part is I genuinely have no recollection of this cult, or where I might have crossed paths with them. At very least, there must be quite a story here--and I can't go without knowing.
Izorshi raised her dagger again. Saliva slowly poured out as she growled through her fangs:
"You chose this? Then perhaps you ought to...choose to answer our inquiries. It might save you from death."
At least I know of one person connected to this cult...perhaps they are only a little off the mark.
Gerald remained quiet and at a small distance, though close enough to not miss a word.
He was relieved that, in the end, the rest of the group chose the high road and didn't kill a defenseless person, no matter how much trouble she'd put them in.
That relief was short lived though.
He was a person raised believing in 'good', but also believing in justice and the necessity of law, even when it seems inconvenient.
If this person was really sent after them by persons of justice -and they themselves knew nothing of what had happened- subjecting to the law seemed the only right thing to do. Murder wasn't a light accusation, and from what little he knew of this 'LeRose' phenomenon, the figure did seem interested in arresting the convicted and bringing them to justice instead of hunting down bounties and killing them for money.
She adresses Ark first."You did have a trial, but instead of facing your charges you ran."
LeRose gives a sideways glance to Izorshi, ignoring the threat as if she already assumed she would die anyway.
Then finally facing Doon, whom she treats with respect. "Warrants can only be rescinded by the Lepidstadt Judge Daramid who issued the warrant. You have already been convicted. It would take extraordinary means in order for him to reconsider." LeRose pauses. "If you bring him something, he wants more he may grant you a retrial, forgiving your absence. Though the only thing that man cares about is justice, you would have to bring in someone pretty high profile."
Lanik gulps "Oh no... There is only one thing more despised in Lepidstadt then cultists, it's... eh... 'The Beast'" His face is white, and he is wiping the sweat off of one of his palms against his trousers.
"Beast? What is this...?"
She was quickly becoming frustrated. Izorshi was not used to being so completely confused.
Trial? How long were we unconscious for? Maybe this cult was involved in setting us up?
"And, perhaps more important," Gerald quickly cut in, jumping at a chance for this to end without either cold blooded murder or being on the run from the law, "would you give us this chance to prove our innocence?"
Gerald raised an eyebrow.
"If it is justice she serves, allowing us a chance for an actual trial would not break that vow.", Gerald rebutted. "She can not let us escape, I fully understand. But she might be able to accompany us. That way she can see our purpose is just... If we attempt to escape, she does what she needs to."
"'The Beast'?" asked Ark skeptically of Lanik. "So far 'm unimpressed with the capacity of this Judge to manage justice--I can't imagine this 'beast' being that much of a challenge t' capable hands."
And, madam, it doesn't seem you have a choice in the matter of our departing--tho you are quite welcome to join us, should your charge allow 't!" ...After all, if I'm going to lose another block of memory, somebody will have to tell the bards of my deeds!
She simply repeats "I am not the jury, I am not the judge, I am the warden. Where those found guilty run, LeRose follows..."
She sighs "If your intent is to simply make your way back to face justice then I will accompany you, though I cannot guarantee that you will receive anything close to a trial or even see the judge before you are taken to the gallows."
Breathing heavily, Izorshi did not lower her guard. Still holding the knife, she spoke
"Then let us be on our way."
"It doesn't seem we have much of a choice.", Gerald said.
"But now we have all this fighting behind us, can you please tell us what it is we're supposed to have done? I have no idea what's going on here!"
The group gathers up. Cutting LeRose down, letting her get back on her feet. She shoots Izorshi an steely glance but after that moment of tension she relaxes and starts to gather her things.
Just a ways down the path you find the giant raven, stuck in webbing, the corpse of the giant spider laying on top of it slowly dissipating like all summoned creatures do. The raven makes a noise, like a soft whimpering sob "Get... this thing... off of me... I have already vomited twice."
The ravens regurgitation is pooled up on the ground, a smaller black raven, Muni, floating on top. That raven snidely responds back to the giant one caught in the webbing. "Oh, you're still alive? Damn, I was hoping I had been cut out!
"Muni! You're still alive!", Gerald shouted to the familiar. He rushed over and cast some cantrips to clean up the bird's feathers.
"What happened? Can you remember things? Not just this encounter, but earlier today and yesterday and... well... I don't know how much time I've forgotten."
"Oh, you...from when we were attacked..."
Izorshi was quite apparently not particularly happy to see the raven again.
At least it might understand what is going on a little better...
The group moves on, salvaging what they can from the wreckage. The giant raven is badly damaged and is reduced to walking along side its master.
Le'Rose retrieves her sword but does not contest Doon taking the immovable rod. It takes Doon but a few quick seconds of observing the device to figure it out. Pressing the button he dislodges it from its floating position, then after a quick mathematic calculation in his head given rough estimations and his understanding of the device figures out its maximum tolerance.
"...Round bout 8,000 pounds..."
LeRose raises an eyebrow, impressed.
She gathers everyone, and all the supplies together on a rise just beyond the pass. The group gets a good look at their surroundings. Mostly craggy mountains winding their way through forest land.
With a flick of her wrist LeRose produces a map. "We are a week away from Lepidstadt on foot, even if my familiar recovered he would not be able to transport all of us." Le'Rose sighs "Personally I believe you all, but my duty is unbreakable... Though some bending may be in order. I have a degree of flexibility that I am choosing to exercise. It's not against my compact to take on another contract at the same time I am pursuing my current contract, unless it interferes, in which case I suffer considerably."
Le'Rose pulls thin chains and manacles out from he pouch. "These chains are created for those willing to turn themselves in. Only someone who is willing to give themselves in can wear them. It places a spell on the user requiring them to turn themselves in within the time limit or face consequences. Other then that the chain disappears and will not hinder you physically."
"I will agree to help you track and capture the Beast, and also act as advocate in court if you will agree to take on these chains so that I may avoid suffering from helping you."
She pulls out additional links of chain and begins to add them to the parts that already hang from the manacles. "Twelve days should be more then enough. What do you say?"
"That...that should be acceptable."
"If that's want needs to be done so be it."
"It's better than any of the alternatives...", Gerald mumbled. "But just to be clear, what are these 'consequences'?"
"The same I will suffer if I break my contract. If you actively act against your agreement then you suffer from headaches that quickly turn into migraines until you resume your agreement." She says with a twinge of pain. Now getting the chains ready, laying them across the ground.
"As the days count down these can become more pronounced. Finally once your time is up you start to suffer a shutdown of your physical faculties, resulting in paralysis and presumably death since you can no longer function even to eat or drink." She uncoils one chain in front of each person. A single length of chain. 12 links and one open manacle each.
"Once you enter this state you will only be able to act in order to directly fulfill your agreement, your mind will only be able to think thoughts of it and your legs will only move in the direction of your destination. Food, sustenance, and safety will mean nothing to you. Even once you reach it and fulfill your agreement, too long spent in such a condition can have long-lasting effects.
She gets to the last set of chain and manacle. Laying it down in front of Izorshi. LeRose adds the additional links like she has with all the rest but pauses at 10 links apparently having run out.
"I should have a couple extra in here somewhere" LeRose say a bit lightheartedly, with a kind smile not seen as of yet. She reaches into her sleeve.
Under Here sleeve is a tatooed black band around her wrist with 12 links running back around her arm. She runs her fingers over the last two and they dissolve from the tattoo forming into physical links.
"There we are!" She produces 2 additional links. Attaching them to Izorshi's chain.
Well, let's get to it, then! offers Ark cheerfully, snapping on a manacle. The sooner we find this Beast, the sooner we can be toasting our triumph in some tavern.
Watching Le'Rose procure the links, Now, that's a neat trick! Don't suppose you have a new cart and team up the other sleeve...? Or, on the topic of animals, a certain willful wolf?