Terry heads off south as the group mentions and Aravashnial tell him, slinking from building to ruin to well something Terry makes his way to the market square that the group made their way to. The small square is all ruined shops and what may have once been peoples homes. Looking around Terry continues to be near silent as he pads around. Eventually coming along the clothing shop the group encountered earlier, a small cart is at the side of the shop but there is no labour beast around.
”Well. Looks like I’ve got a cart to pull.”
Watching for other movement, Terry works his way over to the cart. Once there, he gives it a quick inspection, looking to see if it is in reasonable working order before he tries to move it.
If it appears to be in good shape, the next problem is making sure a path exists through the lesser rubble to roll it out.
Once a path to a more open space is clear, Terry will go back and see if it is easier to push, or to pull. Probably pull. That's why draft animals do it that way, right?
Terry finds the cart is easier to pull along since that is the way it was intended to be used. Terry makes his way back to Blackwing much less quiet than he did before, everyone comes out and loads up some of the books that weren't sent off with Rio.
The remaining Librarian's take up an almost honor guard like stance around the cart. Aravashnial despite his protests sits in the cart while everyone takes turns pulling it along. The journey is slow and you have to stop at times because you are not sure if there is enemies around and pulling a laden cart is much heavier than people anticipated. Eventually the group makes its way back to Defender's Heart, the far guard see you coming, they don't offer to help as they cannot leave their posts at this time. The Sun is starting to sink into the World Wound as the cart is finally pulled into way remains of the stables.
"Angradd's fiery beard! We made it. Ah, but I can't wait to get out of this armor and to have a drink."
Sweating from what amounts to honest work, Terry sighs as they pull the wagon inside. "If you forget that whole basement thing, it was a pretty quiet day."
Night settles on Defender's heart, Aravashnial is reunited with Quendys and the Library that you brought back is put into a safe spot for now. Firinn finds Rio on the roof waiting for him, a few of the guards just look amazed that the Giant butterfly carried sacks of books back.
After everyone retires for the evening, Lorena settles down with her prize from the alchemical shop, applying it to her trusty spear and letting it sit overnight. In the morning, the weapon has noticeably improved in quality.
Jocasta helps Terry to maneuver the wagon into the building.
"I agree, Terry - comparatively still, for all that we're in the midst of a demon apocalypse."
The swordswoman loiters about to help with unloading the books, finding places for the librarians, and perhaps to hear a bit of Aravashnial's story.
Irabeth and Aniva call the group into the war room to hear about what happened today.
Firinn goes to the war room as requested, but waits for one of the others to actually make the report.
Khaz comes into the war room, minus his armor. The dwarf was glad to have it off.
”Reporting. We went to the alchemist shop. Found some survivors looting the place. There was a secret door though. Turns out it was a cultist hideout. And it was trapped. A demon was summoned, but we put it down. The place was wells d truly emptied, except for a number of medallions to Iomodae. The bastards left it as a taunt. Following that we found that the second area, in the noble quarters, was burnt down. So went to what was left of the Blackwing Library. We escorted the surviving scholars and runewarden here, along with the most important of the books. It’s been quite a day.”
"Quendys told me that you brought his people back here, that is good we can use everyone here to help out. So we have cleared out 2 of the 3 locations that you found out about. Tomorrow will you finish up the last location?" Irabeth asks
”Naturally. We will clear our city out house by house if needed. The oath of the crusade does not end just because of a lost battle.”
"Agreed," says Jocasta. "Though hopefully we'll find some way to deal with the wards and force all the abyssal spawn back in one fell swoop."
"Is there anything else that needs doing around here before tomorrow?"
"It won't come to that but it is good to hear that you are motivated to help clear out this city. Tonight rest and tomorrow we will continue to clear out around us." Irabeth shows you some of the locations that have been cleared today, the entire ring of house and shops that are around Defender's heart have been cleared and marked as empty.
This is only a small portion of the city, Khaz knows that his parents are still around the city somewhere.....
"They didn't just leave it as a taunt. They covered them with a contact poison. Nothing in that room was safe. Everything there supported finding a way to kill crusaders without having to meet them. Caution is more warranted than you might have thought."
'They just left them there poisoned?" Aniva asks
"Worse, I guess. You had to get past some pretty nasty traps that I missed in order to get to the box with them sitting poisoned inside of it. Like I said, the entire room was designed to kill any crusaders who came by."
”Well that. And further demoralize survivors.”
"The enemy knows us well, the have been living in this city for a long time apparently. We have to be ready for anything." Irabeth says
"Then we should strike as soon as possible." Firinn offers. "Perhaps be up early and make for the tower at dawn? Any guards will be tired then."
"That is a good plan, we don't have the numbers to sustain a prolong battle in the city and resources are scare. We have heard of a relief army coming but we cannot just sit around and wait." Irabeth says.
”Right then. I’m getting something to eat and some rest. We’ve got an early day tomorrow getting this city ready for the relief force.”
"If you need me, I'll be on the roof." Firinn says, although he begins by heading downstairs and securing some hard tack to eat before he takes up his previous nights post, nestled with Rionnag amongst the peaked roofs of the inn.
"Right. Up before the butt-crack of dawn." "Not even one night of solid rest and relaxation. He takes this 'save the world' thing awfully seriously . . .."
Night settles in on the city, noises can be heard here and there. Firinn and Rio and some of the guards get the best view of a besieged city at night.
You see some smoke from what looks like maybe a small fire to the west in the city.
Day breaks, Defender's heart is a bit of a buzz each morning with the children running around and most of the adults just being thankful they woke up again.
Irabeth and Aniva are in the War room taking the meal with Aravashnial and Quendys.
Khaz got up, stretched, ate a quick meal, and began the process of putting on his armor. He prayed as he did so, asking his gods for protection during the coming day. When done he went to the exit to wait for his companions. They had a task to do.
Both Firinn and Rio are woken during the night by the smell of smoke, and pick out the fire to the west.
On his way down Firinn stops in the war room. "Fires to the west during the night." He reports, unemotionally.
Lorena sleeps well, for once. Toting her newly improved weapon in the morning, she finds the others as they begin to plan out the day's travels. Not usually being able to add much to the discussion on account of not knowing the city at all, she simply says, "I'm ready to go, whenever we need to", and tries to avoid the glares of the more suspicious survivors.
Lorena finds that people are a bit more accustomed to her appearance and the fact that she is putting her own life on the line to help defend the city is making people not feel so afraid of her being a Tiefling. The Children on the other hand are more in love with her, she is now not only a Tiefling but somewhat of a super hero to them. One little girl when they play carries around a broom like the big one that Lorena has.
"What is this about a fire? Could be in a warehouse along the cliff face." Irabeth says
"How big were they, how numerous? A campfire? Campfires for a troop of some size? Building fire?" He hesitates before continuing. "Sorry, just, there are so many things a fire could represent. It could be people we need to help, people coming to help us, further destruction of the town, and other things I . . . can't think of right now. Do you think we should redirect to investigate? Or finish yesterday's task and then look into it? Or ignore it? You're the only one who saw it, so we're going to need to trust your judgement about how significant it appeared."
He looks a little agitated, but, at least, it matches how he sounds. Not angry agitated, but, nervous agitated.
"There are probably survivors all over the city who just haven't been able to get out, or it could be as Terry seems to be getting at a trap set to lure people in and either kill or capture them." Irabeth says.
”Aye. We can’t be everywhere at once. Let’s get moving to yon tower.”
"The tower is our first priority. We're ready." Firinn agrees.
On the way Firinn takes the lead as usual, with Rionnag flying aerial cover.
"Aye. Let's see what we find this time."
Jocasta finishes oiling her blade and sheathes it, adjusts her heavy pack, and signals her readiness to proceed.
Terry gives himself a last equipment check as the group finishes their preparations to leave the safety of the building. Don't do what you did yesterday. Don't miss the trap left to kill you. Take your time. Go slow. Khaz, at least, will wait.
Firinn and Terry are scouting a head when Firinn hears some noise from a building up a head.
Khaz had been far too caught up in his prayers and thoughts to have talked to anyone.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lord Hulrun was killed during the attack and the
demons have his body on display!
I swear the sun’s been rising later and setting earlier
each day—soon it’ll be forever night!F
"Get the others." Firinn says quietly to Terry. "I'll scout forward and see what's happening."
Some of the crusaders have gone mad—they’re
causing as much mayhem as the demons!
"With nothing but a light shuffle to report? Khaz will expect more for a report than that."
Apparently, getting his bow ready, just in case, distract's Terry from the environs a bit.
There seem to be multiple types of demon cultists at
large in the city—they’re not all worshipers of Deskari
Demon cultists have been hiding in the city all along.
They have safe houses scattered across Kenabres
Terry creeps forwared building to building, trying to keep on the western sides as the sun slowly creeps up on the eastern portion of the city.
Terry scuffs his scabbard against the wall as he is sneaking in.
"Who goes there?" Two voices call out
Standing back, Khaz watched and waited. He had complete faith in Terry’s abilities. But still, he worried. Carson’s death weighed heavily on him. He felt responsible for the man’s death. He had failed to protect him. But this was their duty. And he wouldn’t let worry stop their group from doing what needed to be done.
As they wait for a response, Terry can hear them shuffling around and metal scraping on stone.