The storm grows worse as the expedition huddles in the outcropping, its cavelike entrance offering ample protection from the wind and rain. The cold wind buffets the entrance, demonstrating the wisdom of taking shelter in the temple, while heavy peals of thunder crash and echo through the cave. Their conversation is very subdued, largely just wanting the unfortunate weather to pass. Their fire is small, barely capable of keeping any of them warm.
In all this chaos, it is a wonder that any of them would be able to sleep. Human (and elf) nature proves otherwise, with each of them nodding off eventually from the fatigue of their exploration and combat. With the storm taking care of setting up a watch, they sleep huddled together for warmth.
The six members of the expedition awaken to a clear day. The storm has passed, leaving behind a bright and warm morning. A faint breeze wafts through the cave as birds happily sing to greet the sun. The blue cloudless sky gives no indication of the terrible storm only a few hours past.
Tandlara rises first this morning, and with her vague smile reinstituted. See even whistles a jaunty tune, and Riddleskin infected by empathy for his mistress' joy happily snuffles around in the temple. She rekindles the fire as quietly as she can and rather than preparing spells first thing, she instead begins to make breakfast from their supplies.
As she either cooks or in most case simply lays out food with steel travelling utensils on bit sof cloth she folds into neat triangles she is suffused with a sense of peace with the world. She lays out everyones breakfasts and leaves them fresh made and nicely arranged on a safe dry part of the temple, then shooing away Riddleskin she smiles at her sleeping companions and goes to sit on the platform the bear was on last night to commune for her spells.
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Verik awakens reeling, and slips away in his chainshirt as swiftly as he can to be alone with his thoughts. The majesty of the First Vault looms large in his mind and with it he feels awe, and the pain of his own inadequacies. His hands are clumsy with crafts and his every attempt at craft has produced crude rubbish.
Of course civilization favors specialization and Abadar bestows talents upon everyone. But are my talents really suited to this task? Am I not a better bureaucrat than warrior? And did I not just prove that against the bear? No, Abadar has given me this task, I will not fail, I cannot fail.
He wanders out of sight and strips himself bare sighing as he looks upon his well muscled, but undeniably solid form. Everyone else is grand and imposing, Jemini an avenging angel, Berrin and Zander imposing warriors scarred by their past battles, Tandlara possessed of a mournful elven allure, and even Taisper handsome with that easy go lucky charm. And then there is me the little fat priest running along behind healing... But I suppose someone needs to handle the paperwork...
After a few minutes of silently contemplating he shakes his head vigorously and begins to call down water as if it can wash away his worries. He settles down nude against a tree pulling his legs beneath him and feeling the rough bark upon his back. After a few breezy moments he stands up again and pulls on his wet britches before sitting back down and shutting his eyes.
Dear Abadar,
I am humbled that you would show such faith in me, after... I do not know if I am worthy, but I swear I will do my best. I am honored beyond my ability to express by having been shown the First Vault, I know of far better men in your service who have not been so privileged.
I want to be able to fight for you, but I am a coward. My rashness nearly cost Berrin dearly yesterday, and yet I could not promise I would do things differently. Seeing a creature like that, capable of rending me limb from limb, all I wanted to do was flee...
Finally after an hour of prayer he heads back to the shrine in wet clothing and nodding to his comrades changes into a fresh set of clothes and straps on his breastplate. He looks to Taisper, but cannot find the words and decides to allow his cousin to initiate any conversation about what he knows was a real experience.
Jemini wakes up with a starled yelp. She looks over to Tandlara and Verik, staring as if she's seeing ghosts. ...which isn't that far from the truth. A little frightened, a worried tone in her voice, she asks the two, "Is it just me? Do you see the spirits as well? Can you hear it?" It's almost like there are many Veriks and Tandlaras. And other things. Like they're overlapping. Or changing. Jemini looks to her own hands and is startled to find that she does not see many versions of herself - though even on and around her she spots the half-spoken truths of spirits and tufts of memories.
Tandlara returns from communing as Jemini ask her questions. A worried frown creases her features at the tone in Jemini's voice. She fetches a waterskin and the folded breakfast for Jemini and puts them beside her, she then sits cross-legged beside the human woman.
'I had a portentous dream last night myself. But your back in the waking world now. At least as far as I can tell.' She smiles gently.
'Have something to eat perhaps. You can tell me about your dream if you'd like, I have good ears.' She smiles again and touches her long pointed ears.
'Or simply enjoy the morning and you can tell me if and when you feel ready.'
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"I dreampt to, but it was real. We are being given a great responsibility here, I only hope I, that is, we, are up to it." Verik says in a quiet grave voice.
"This place does seem to be conducive to spirituality, maybe it is that it was a temple, or maybe that is why it was a temple. I doubt we will ever know. But it is certainly a sacred place and worthy of protection and respect."
He rises and looks about at the others, "Right we should lay this poor fellow to rest and then be on our way I think. Anyone care to help me dig a grave?"
"Your kind", Jemini smiles thankfully. "I don't think I'm still dreaming. That was very distinct - similar to when Erastil touched our dreams. This time it was a tiger, a big white tiger. It conveyed a message from Irori - I think the gods may have plans for us." She looks to her hands again, and then closely at - and through - Tandlara.
"I think my eyes aren't working the same anymore. It's similar to what I saw when I tried to determine if the bear was surrounded by an evil aura; and before that when we were riding, just before the stag came out - the one that led us to the statue of Erastil." She frowns. "It is hard to explain - on the one hand I see traces of things I know aren't there in the traditional sense. Half-transparent, indistinct. It's almost like I'm not seeing it, but have a memory of seeing it. And on the other hand you, and Verik," and as she looks a bit more, "and the others too, from what I can tell from here: it looks like there are many of you. As if there is a slight echo to what I'm seeing. The many yous don't all do the same thing; though most seem to follow your actions, and some look like they predict what you'll do next." Jemini lifts her left hand to her left cheek just a moment before Tandlara finds herself doing the same thing. "Like that!" Jemini looks slightly perplexed. "I've never heard of anything like this before. Do you have an idea?"
Berrin opens his eyes with a start. Lying tensly still he takes in his surroundings before daring to take a breath. Hearing his companions voices as they discuss visions and dreams he remains still so as not to disturb them. 'That was a vision?' he wonders. 'If so, then I'm in trouble.'
Raising himself up without a word he glares at Jemini suspiciosly before slowly reaching for the hot food prepared for him. 'Does she know? Or suspect even?' he wonders as he sneaks glances her way.
"Here. I'll help." Berrin is quick to say when Verik talks about burrying the old druid. "It was a shock when that big bear turned into this old goat with me still trapped underneath him." he jokes with Verik as they burry the corpse.
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Verik chuckles and then slaps a hand to his mouth guiltily, "Yes I suppose that must have been interesting. Honestly though I am just relieved things ended the way they did, I thought that beast was going to tear us apart. Wonder why exactly he turned into the bear. I mean the vision showed us him doing some sort of ritual it was him wasn't it? But I would have liked to know why he did it."
Berrin shrugs, "Men do stupid things when theyr angry. Some stupid enough to anger the gods I suppose." he says staring wistfully at the grave. "He seemed to regrett his actions. Do you think he'll be forgiven?" Berrin asks after a moments pause.
Sence Motive DC
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Verik gives Berrin a searching look and looks up for a moment before speaking. "I think Erastil forgave him, there is a sense of peace here now. I believe forgiveness can be earned, but it requires genuine regret, and a willingness to take responsibility for your actions. A man can atone, for all but the most egregious of acts... But anger nor fear, is an excuse for our actions, we cannot hold it up as one.
A big part of the reason I am here is because my cowardice, and lack of martial training got a man I admired and respected killed. I am trying to change and be a better man. In the end that is all we can do.
I don't want to know about your past Berrin, I believe law needs to be absolute. But to an extent that is because we do not have the power to objectively judge each case upon its merits. If a man were to truly seek absolution through good deeds, and was cut by his guilt, I think the gods would forgive him. They can see the hearts of men.
I know it goes against the popularly glib phrase, but for me the important thing is to not forgive yourself. If it hurts to have done wrong that is good, pain can help us learn and grow."
The young cleric sighs, "And if nobody else can, or will, punish us, we must punish ourselves."
A look of shock crosses Tandlara's face. She decides to further test Jemini on little things, making small movements, seemingly at random as she speaks. She mentally notes when Jemini guesses them first.
'I do not know exactly what is occuring to you. It is a strange and rare thing I feel, a gift. You say that Irori visited you in a dream? Well it is said that there are rare, exceptional people who are chosen by the gods, and even forces greater than gods. They are called by many names, chosen, god-touched, witch,' She smiles slightly at that, 'The the people of Taldor called them oracles I beleive.'
She shrugs her shoulders after this, looking aside for a moment before returning her gaze to Jemini.
'I know little more than a name, and that the power is often not entirely of the gods, it comes with... a price.' She becomes worried again and mutters to herself 'There is always a price.'
Zander wakes peacefully from his dream in the early morning before the sun has touched the sky. Staring at the ceiling of the cave, he is lost in his thoughts. 'Old man Lorek... I've missed that old codger... A pretender he said... He must mean the Stag Lord. It's good to know the Gods are on our side in this.'
'"Don't forget where you came from", the old man had told him. I haven't forgotten. But I haven't forgiven either...' As Zander closes his eyes, he thinks back to his first memories after the fire. Much of it was blank and blurred before he reached the monastary, but there was a moment that he recalled, though he often tried to forget it. He was in his bed and he was alone. He couldn't move... his body was so weak... He saw the door open and saw his father's face. His mother was there too, but he couldn't see her. Then she looked up and he could see her. Her expression was horrified, she couldn't even look at him. She burst into tears and ran out of the room... He was left alone with his father. His father's face was a mask as their eyes locked. He was never an overly emotional man, but Zander couldn't detect a hint of any feeling on his father's face that day. After staring into those blank eyes for what seemed an eternity, his father turned away and shut the door behind him. 'I'll never forget.'
His reverie is broken by Jemini's yelp and the sounds of the others rising from their bedrolls. He listens to their conversation, feigning sleep for some time, but after Verik and Berrin leave, as the girls are discussing Jemini's strange new abilities, Zander rolls over in his bedroll, resting his scarred chin on his forearms, and speaks up, "I know a man like that, an oracle. My old mentor in Brevoy, Lorek. His eyes are white and sightless, but he can see the world clearer than anyone I've ever met. He too receives messages from the Gods."
Taisper awakes in exultation, adrenaline thrilling through his body. For the first time in his short life, he was completely speechless. The vision from Erastil had been one thing; a clear sign the gods were paying attention to his new community, his new family, and that they mattered, he mattered, his actions were justified, sanctified, approved and sacrosanct.
But...this. This. THIS! This was...this was just too...
He springs to his feet. "YouguysheyyouguysIhadthisdreambutyouallprobablydidtooI'mgoingforarunberigh tbackIpromiseokaybye!" Not waiting for a reply, the inquisitor dashes out the cave in bare feet. Spying Verik and Berrin he makes a beeline for his cousin, crashing into him with a giant bear hug, knocking him to the ground. Taisper is laughing loudly, clearly overcome with some immense joy. Standing up, he looks down at his cousin the cleric. Meeting his eyes, he looks about to burst. "...Verik!..." Taisper then slugs Berrin in the arm, "HI BERRIN!" and dashes off into the woods.
Tearing through the woods, Taisper is still laughing. it's all true you guys mom dad it was not for nothing everything they said everything you did the things i heard i know you worried mom UNIQUE OPPORUTNITY but it was all true he knows he knows he knows master hunter was right and the priests were right and the factory workers were right and the kids in the neighborhood and you you never needed worry it's all proved it's all right it's all right it's alright it's alright Completely overcome, Taisper trips over a branch and tumbles to the ground in a small clearing. He is still laughing, but the laughter has taken a strange edge, and he starts to cry it's alright it's alright NEVER BACK i just wish i could tell you i just wish NEVER AGAIN his slim frame is wracked with giant sobs, but his eyes are bright and he is still smiling and laughing, then sobbing. He holds his fists to his temples and shuts his eyes. i heard you yelling guys you didn't play the quiet game quiet like mice i know you didn't believe mom i know but dad did he believed and it's okay mom it's okay they were right i was right you didn't have to doubt it's okay i just wish i could tell you but rules are rules NEVER AGAIN and i always knew i just knew i didn't have to even...
The vision of Cobblehoof returns to him, then, and his sobs begin to slow. His face is slick with tears and spit and snot as the inquisitor shakes his head and stands slowly and looks around the woods, as if having no idea how he got where he is.
He takes three deep breaths, then, and drops to the ground for Exercises. His adrenaline is still going and he nearly does double sets of everything, practically by accident. control. precision. they will all be Judged. as You command it. none shall stand. Blades of grass. Back up. Blades of grass. Back up. Couple of ants. Back up. Blades of grass. Back up.
Taisper stands when finished, feeling new divine knowledge insinuating itself into his mind; new magics, new abilities. the cogs turn. a door unlocks. what is revealed is a facet. more shall come. i am patient. i will be relentless. i am the joyous relief of death for transgressors. for Him. for Us. for What Is To Come.
Flush from activity, well-rested and utterly alive, Taisper heads back to camp. "Ugh." He says as he notices his filthy state. "Hah. Time to find some water I guess."
About to replie to Verik Berrin is interrupted as Taispar bowls the cleric over. Staring on in stunned disbelief he hardly registers as Taispar punches him and runs off into the woods. Tearing his eyes from the spot Taispar disapeared into he looks at Verik arching an eyebrow as if wondering if that realy happened. "Is your cousin ok? Is he prone to do that?"
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Verik to stares after Taisper, "I am not sure, but yes he has always been like that. If he's broken he's been broken for a long time. But i think a man can be allowed a little eccentricity after a religious revelation... Me and Taisper, we were in The First Vault... It was... Magnificent."
Verik turns and begins smashing into the ground with his morningstar again and kicking away the dirt. Glad of the chance to hide his flush, why am I shy about the dream, something like that should be shared not hoarded.
"The what..?" "Well alright then." he says gruffly, turning away and going into the cavern. Walking away he can't help but ponder the priests words.
Did he feel guilt? No, not realy. Maybee for not getting to Alda sooner, a pang of regrett for letting the bastard toy with her for as long as he did. But for killing him? No. Not realy. All in all Berrin felt the bastard deserved what he got.
What worried Berrin was the fact that he didn't have a clue as to who he had been. He had no idea who, or even if anyone, would be looking for retribution for the kids death. Berrin had trouble thinking of it as murder. Was that a warning sign? He wasn't sure. Maybee he should be feeling guilty. Maybee he was feeling guilty but couldn't put his finger on it. After all, what were all those dreams about?
'Best not dwell on it.' he decides as he enteres the cavern where the rest of the party are still in conversation. "Should we be heading back to Oleg's?" he asks as he goes to his bed and starts gearing up, doning his armor and putting away his gear.
Looking up as Berrin re-enters the cave, Zander sits up in his bedroll and says, "Heading back? We've still got more exploring to do!" Pulling out his map, he makes some new markings to indicate the temple grounds, talking as he works, "We've gone a day off course, but we've been making good time and should be able to still get new ground covered before we have to go back to Oleg's and resupply. We should cut North, through these hills and up the mountain, then travel East into this area here and then we can loop back around to the North and go back to Olegs. We might have to forage a bit at the tail end of the journey, but I think we'll be okay." Turning the map around and showing it to the party, he indicates the course that he is proposing.
Leaning over Zanders map Berrin ponders his suggestions. "But aren't we near the border of our designated land? Should we maybee head weat to the border and zig-zag our way north and follow the northern boarder to Oleg's? That would be a nine days journey but would have let us explore the entire north-western part of our lands."
"Oracle? I have heard of them before - but not like this. Flames, heralds of battle, embodiment of life or the weather. I don't know what this is." Jemini looks up at the mention of a cost, "Irori's message was to seek perfection in myself - that tests would come our way, more and harder, again and again. We will all have to face them together. Is this the price you talk about?"
Zander looks back at the map and nods, "Yes, that could work. To be honest we are making much better time than I thought we would. Something like this maybe?" He holds the map back up to Berrin and traces his finger along a zig-zagging path back to Oleg's.
"Yeah. Somthing like that." Berrin says, nodding in approval. "Could you help?" Berrin says hopefully, indicating the straps on his armor.
Nodding as he moves to the familiar task of helping Berrin into his armor, Zander finishes the task and moves to packing up his own gear, preparing for the journey.
After cleaning up as best he can with whatever fresh water he can find, Taisper returns to camp to change and pack up. "Everybody! Good morning! By His infinite keys it is so beautiful out here today, I think it's even better 'cos of all the rain yesterday. Don't you think? Hey Tandlara I saw another En-car-than bee-eater today!" Taisper does his best to pronounce the word correctly. "There's lots of neat creatures out there. No more bears though, thankfully." Kneeling at his bedroll, Taisper starts rolling it up tightly and stowing it in his pack. Suddenly he stops, a thought seeming to have occurred to him. "Hey Jemini? Something you said earlier has been buggin' me, kind of sitting in my head but I can't figure it out. What exactly is 'pillow talk'? You said it was something you didn't think I would like. Something like that."
Jemini discusses the route they intend to take with Zander and Berrin. She agrees that the resources are still aplenty and there would be little need to hurry back to Oleg at the earliest sign of inconvenience. "But," she adds, "I would appreciate if we can take a day off whenever we have returned to Oleg's. A bit of a breather, shake the travel stiffness from our bones. Recline in a hot bath." And it will also give chance to communicate with Father and Mother thoroughly. I doubt that the letter could have already reached them, but maybe a merchant has already passed through Oleg's.
Seeing Taisper return and walk into the cave with what can only be described as a spring-in-his-step, she begins to laugh at his innocent naivety. "Is Verik around? He probably would also benefit from these lessons. Pillow talk is the meaningless banter between lovers; usually after a bout of love making. Topics can cover pretty much anything, but the most recent and near-future sexual endeavors are usually popular."
Taisper looks at Jemini, pie-eyed. His eyebrows appear to be trying to crawl off the top of his head.
"..."
*blink*
"...oh." He turns away and goes back to stowing his gear, then starts putting his raiments on, clearly deep in thought, mumbling to himself; "...'most recent or near future'...?"
Swallowing uncomfortably, Zander decides that this would be a good time to make his exit. His gear packed, he heads outside to saddle his horse and spots Verik near the newly dug grave. "Ready for some more exploring Verik? Berrin and I have been planning a new course for our expedition." Walking over to the cleric he pulls out the map and shows him the course planned. "It's a little all over the place, but it will cover the most ground and get us back to Oleg's within a few weeks' time, weather permitting. What do you think?"
"Sure. Rest will do us good. It's not like we're in a hurry is it?" Berrin nodds to Jemini.
"..hur hur hur.." Berrin chuckles at Taispars predictable responce. "Seriously Taispar. You and your cousin need to get out more."
Taisper looks at Berrin, a slightly stunned look still on his face. He laughs weakly. "Heh! Heh. hhh...Yeah! Yeah, I uh...I guess!" Slinging on his pack, he goes out to prepare his horse.
Quieter to Berrin, "You don't suppose that he took that weirdly? Do you think Verik or Taisper is the stranger of the two?"
"I honestly do not know." Berrin replies shaking his head. "They both seem to be alright sorts but both have their quirks it seems. Verik may have been cloistered all of his life but Taispar seems so eerily detached. That or hyper active... I duno.." Berrin stares after Taispar for a bit before shrugging. "Ah, well. Let's get the horses ready. Do you need help donning your armor?" Berrin says with an almost hopefull gleem in his eye.
"Thanks, it's nothing really. Barely more effort than pulling over a shirt," as she pulls over her armor. And gets her arm stuck in a loop. "Okay, this isn't usually necessary, but please hold this bit for a moment... - there, thank you."
As the expedition sets out to the west from the temple, the terrain is similar: a hilly forested area. Crossing over the base of the Thorn River where it is shallow, the elevation rises and falls with the rolling hills. They make frequent changes in their pattern to accommodate the many trees. The wooded foothills would likely cause quite a fight between an elf and a dwarf as to who had more of an ancestral claim to them.
The expedition is mostly happy and smiles from their dreams, though Berrin is a bit uncharacteristically quiet. Amidst their conversation, the group travels through a bit of heavy underbrush, thick with the fallen leaves from a long winter.
With a sudden metallic clap, a hidden bear trap snaps shut on Zander's horse. Its back left leg caught in the trap, it rears up in shock and pain. Blood spurts out from its wounded leg as it cries a horrible squeal of pain.
Berrin was geting used to riding with this party. Having only spent a week with them he already felt he knew them better than he knew most, they were getting close to him. Looking at ech in turn he quetly enjoyes the ride through the clean forest air.
Tandlara, with her small smile and a look on her face like she wasn't fully present. 'Maybee all elves are like that?' Berrin wondered.
Zander, riding unmasked for the first time in Berrins recolection. 'I wonder if the scars can be healed?'
Taisper, looking about and asking naive question. What was it about him? Somthing didn't seem quite right about the young inquisitor, Berrin felt somthing was off with him.
Jemini and Verik arguing as always. Was it by purpose? Was their arguing some sort of religeus mating ritual? 'Why don't they just get it over with?'
'Lots of holy going around here. I wonder how they would judge me?' Berrin inadvertedly thinks back to his 'dream' last night. It was quite different than usual. Firtly, he never strangeled Alda. Then it was Melissas calm. The girl had been frantic, not calm. Was this a portent? A warning? He hoped not, he would rather his past didn't chase him here. He had a good thing going here. 'Ah well.' Berrin knew he could not control the fates. 'Come what may. I will deal with it when it comes.'
The clang of the trap brings Berrin snapping back to the present. "Zander!" he reaches out for the archer as his horse rears, nowhere near enough to help him.
"Whoaa!" Zander yells out as his horse rears up into the air. He is barely able to stay saddled and as the animal brings its forelegs to the ground, he dismounts as quickly as possible and moves to dislodge the trap from around the beast's leg.
He strains to pull the metal teeth apart, but is unable to make it budge in the slightest. "Berrin, help me out with this thing!"
Cursing under his breath as he scrabbles of the saddle Berrin hurries over to Zander. "Try geting a wedge between the teeth! Here use this!" pulling his handaxe out he tries to use the shaft for leverage to pry open the trap.
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After saying a few quiet words over the grave, and wishing the accursed fellow well in the afterlife Verik returns to the shrine.
Verik, ears burning, scowls suspiciously at Berrin, Taisper, and Jemini, as Zander approaches him. But he looks over the map with a peculiar intensity as he desperately tries to keep his treacherous eyes from sneaking peaks at Zander's burnt face. Maybe if it were injured again and I healed it, or regeneration? Hmmm, I wonder if it still hurts, probably a lot of stiffness. Ah, don't make him self conscious, ah, ah, no, no, stop looking!
"The route looks fine to me Zander. Uh, ah, Zander, your, um, what have you tried for your, um, burns? I just wonder for healing purposes and all you see, and I know I probably cannot help, but I used to work in the hospice sometimes and some of the more powerful priests... Well I mean, great things are possible is all." The young clerics feels the flush starting and tries to force it down, but fails as heat flares in his cheeks.
Wincing in horror at the damage to Zander's poor horse's leg, Verik slumps from Virtue's saddle and hurries over to help. Swallowing his own bile he helps Berrin and Zander pull realizing that healing the horse will do it little good while it remains trapped.
"Easy their, easy, we are going to fix it, stay calm, stay calm." He whispers to the horse.
Not having realized that he was still unmasked, Zander feels a bit embarrassed and looks away, running a finger along his scarred forehead as he speaks slowly, "I, uh, I think there was some magical healing attempted when I was younger, but I uh, really don't remember much from back then. I suppose, if you'd like, you could try to um, see what you can do?" Looking up at the red-faced priest, he feels a bit comforted that he isn't the only one who feels awkward at this conversation.
Glad for the help, but still unable to free the trapped horse, Zander heaves some more, "Argh I can't budge it. Keep trying guys, on the count of three..."
"One."
"Two."
"Threeeeee!"
Tandlara gives Taispar a strange look as he arrvies back in the camp. She shrugs and goes about packing while keeping an eye on Jemini should she get another bout of strangeness. After they set off she keeps her eyes ont heir surroundings, watching around them for trouble from the trees and sky. She never thinks to watcht he ground until Zander's poor horse collides with the bear trap.
Tandlara tries her best to keep the horse calm as the men go to pull the trap from its leg. She is largely unsuccessful, its eyes rolling in terror and nostrils flaring in agony. She tries to hold its reins hard so it won't kick or jump when the trap is opened and her companions susceptile to a hoof in the face.
'Easy now... That's right... Easy... Hush... Hush...'
With Tandlara quieting the animal, the others pry the bear trap away from its leg. The horse pulls its leg out long enough for them to shut it safely, its sharp edges still dripping with blood. Its whimpers softly, obviously in terrible pain, as it tries to keep its injured leg from touching the ground.
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Verik swiftly reaches for his holy symbol and calls upon the healing power of Abadar sending golden light lapping at the brutal wound and slowly diminishing it until it vanishes altogether.
"There you are, all better and ready to bruise, stink, and widdle again at full capacity." He says as he stands and heads back over to mount Virtue. "I suppose we ought to take the trap - I wonder who set it? Some trapper I suppose."
"I'm not good at nature and hunting - but I understand that actions have purpose. Can somebody figure out what the intention of the trap was? Are we on an animal trail? If so what animal?" Jemini studies the trap itself as she speaks, looking to see if it is well maintained, or rusty.
It appears to be clean and rust-free, likely placed this season to trap bears. The fur trade is fairly lucrative with Brevoy exporting mass quantities to Taldor and Cheliax. Close inspection shows that the words "B. Orlivanch" are carved onto the side.
'Terrible thing,' Tandlara says as she glares at the now sprung bear trap. She walks around it at a safe distance before walking up to a tree and grabbing some twigs and branches. She begins to bind them together, putting feathers into the construction of a strange fetishes. She then gets a longer branch and places the fetish atop it, before berying it in the ground next to the trap. When she's done she takes a step back to admire the creepy twig figure, bits of feather and unidentifiable hair blowing in the slight breeze.
'I hope this trapper is a suspicious man,' she grins viciously, more a showing of teeth than a smile.
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"Hmmm, there is probably no law as such about this - if there is I don't know it. But a trap like that could have killed someone, I say we take it back to Oleg's and figure the matter out once there." Verik says looking torn. "This is a wilderness, but how would another trapper have avoided the thing? Surely there needs to be some kind of regulation... Maybe a sign? Bears would not be put off by a sign I imagine?"
"Prety thoughtless, placing that thing out here." Berrin looks around, seeing if he can find some tracks to determine if this is a game trail.
