"Yep. Khaz Cloudbreaker. I was in the plaza with him. Can't blame you for thinking him dead. The ground opened up and swallowed us, but the Great Dragon took a second and saved our pitiful lives, even as it fell. We had to find our way back to the surface." Terry lightly lifts his hands from the beam and turns slowly, keeping them raised and away from his body.
Assuming the little he sees indicates dwarf, he'll continue. "Only a handful of us here, exploring, looking for survivors and supplies. There's a safehouse we're working out of with a community. Let Khaz and our companions in to talk, and I think he's going to work hard to convince you to join that community. Will the loading doors open any easier?"
"They may or they may not." The voice continues, the knife pulls back further till it is just the faintest of touches Terry can Feel between his armor and his pants. "Ye climb back out that winda, tell em to come to the loading doors and we will speak there."
Terry stumbles around for a moment finding the rope then climbing back out, he tells the party what he found out and where to go.[/ooc]
AND he recovers the rope and grapple, putting them back in his bag, etc.
"All things considered, their spokesperson seemed down-right friendly."
Almost unable to contain his excitement Khaz said ”Well done! Well done!” His face flushed from exhaustion due to his curse, he went as quickly as he could.
With Terry's news that there are more survivors well there are survivors inside of the Building, Khaz leads the party around. A few swift raps on the door as quiet as can be leads to the door being opened.
"Who are ye? How do we know ye be who ye say ye are?" The voice that talked to Terry says.
Khaz looked around for the voice, unable to see the speaker. Who was it? It was a dwarf, that much he could tell. His heart beat faster.
”I am Khaz Cloudbreaker, Son of Olden and Helga Cloudbreaker. Marked by Bolka, I have carried this ring since my birth. I carry this weapon now. Who are ye? Surely ye know my ma, pa and I? We have tended to the wounds of many a crusader and refugee...”
The door doesn't open any more than it was before, looking around you can see that they doors took a beating but held, there are a few spots where they are bent in. The whole of the building has weathered the assault well, not many holes and the ones look like they were covered from the inside.
The voice doesn't respond right away, taking a few moments that seem like an eternity as you stand out there in the open. The Would Wound is to your back, this warehouse is almost along the cliff face that leads to the elevator system that drops down the river below.
A female voice now talks out. "Tell me about the summer of your 15th year of life, what happened. Also have your companions call out who they are so we can know what we may face."
Khaz’s face flushed. Which wasn’t easy given how pale it was from the curse. ”When I was fifteen I took my ma’s healing kit and put a Tourniquet on my leg. Wanted to prove that I was ready to be a healer like her. Tied it too tight and panicked. Needed to be cut off. Apparently still haven’t lived that down.”
Firinn by now has scaled the building, where he waits with Rio. Partly to keep a look out, partly because he doesn't want to walk into a dark building full of someone without a backup plan.
Firinn doesn't stomp!
Lorena follows Khaz to the back. When the voice from the building asks for Khaz's companions to identify themselves, Lorena hesitates a bit but then calls out: "I'm Lorena, a tiefling. I fell into the caves with Khaz during the attack."
"Jocasta. Crusader. My husband was killed by cultists and I'm doing my part to retake the city," says Jocasta tersely.
"Aye that be what happened." The Female voice says, "Tie yer weapons off in peace-bond and we will let ye in. I thought we were told there were 5 o' you. I only be seein' 4"
Terry doesn't say a word, shrugging and deferring to the dwarf.
He does secure his weapons as directed.
”Last one is a scout. Can’t be too careful in these times. Demons and cultists about. Speaking of which I’ll come in alone first. Weapon tied and all. Once I know for certain that ye be my clan and ye know who I am, my friends will come in. Safest for all that way, aye?”
"Aye ye can come in, yer friends need ta come in quickly too. We can keep em here and quiet, don't want them cultists or demons ta know we are here." The Male voice says again ushering people inside.
Once inside Khaz is taken away from the rest of you, knowing that a Tiefling has dark vision like a dwarf they have the group face a wall. The group is given some water and food, you are not sure of the number of those guarding you but you get the feeling they will keep you there if you try to get away.
Khaz is taken to what might be a small office, once inside he notes there is a large hole in the ground. "They are down there" The woman points to the hole, "Only way we could think to stay safe."
Jocasta moves as directed, though she does seem a bit uncomfortable and more than once she glances in the sound of Khaz's voice.
As he waits, facing the wall. "So, I mentioned that we missed most of the assault because we were under the city. How did your group manage to survive?"
”And who is down there, who made it?” Khaz asked.
Lorena stays silent but tense facing the wall.
Above the Dwarves you can hear are milling about, sounds like they could be reinforcing the building but you're not to sure without being able to see.
"We fought our way here ta the docks, moving home by home."
"The last o' us, we moved below to get away from the crazy city." The female dwarf says "Yer Ma and Pa are down there." She points to a rope and some hand holds that have been cut into the stone.
Khaz took a deep breath. These were dwarves. How could they be traitor? And even if they were, given his curse how could he fight them off? Seeing no other choice he descended.
Khaz descends into the hole, as he goes down he can hear more voices from below, some are discussing logistics, other supplies and movements. Getting to the bottom of the ladder Khaz looks around, there is a large cavern that has been mined out, crates and tents have been set up.
The Female Dwarf leads Khaz over to an area that looks like a make shift hospital. Looking around Khaz can see wounded Dwarves, some only minor some with Broken bones or deep wounds. Leading Khaz further into his area to a tent at the rear, "Aleria, I have a guest for you." The female calls out for Khaz's mother.
Slowly Khaz moved along, his armor weighing him down. He forced himself to keep moving though. Seeing so many injured kinsmen he felt his heart ache. How could he have been so untrusting! These dwarves needed his help. And then...he heard his mother’s name. She had survived! A bit of color returned to his face. It was like an anvil had been lifted off his shoulders. ”Ma!” He called out, unable to stop himself. ”Ye alright?!”
Khaz's mother stands stoic looking at her son, not sure if it is really him or not. After a few moments that for Khaz seem like eternity she smiles, the smile is fraught with sadness though. [b]"Come with me son, yer father is in here."[\b] Khaz is lead into a tend slightly away from the others.
Inside is another priestess of Bolka, on a cot is Khaz's father, blood stained bandages lay in heaps on the floor. As Khaz approaches he can see that his fathers left arm, his shield arm is all but destroyed, a fevered look upon the mans face. A large part of a once proud beard is missing as well.
Joy. Shock. Anger. Relief. Sorrow. These emotions played out over Khaz’s face and in his heart. Joy to see his mother alive. Shock at his father’s horrific wounds. Relief that they were alive. Sorrow for all that was lost. Khaz didn’t say a word. He slowly went down to one knee and put a hand over his father’s. ”Bolka.” He whispered.
After a long moment he said ”Have friends up above. I’d be dead thrice over if not for them. Let ‘em in.” His eyes never left his father’s arm, or lack thereof.
"We won't be letting em down here. To much ta see and we need ta keep this place a secret." Khaz's mother says, "Follow me." She stands and leads Khaz down a series of tunnels for a bit. After what feels like 10 minutes Khaz is walked to a tunnel that has a breeze blowing down it, 3 guards in heavy armour and weapons stands guard, behind them Khaz can hear the tink of picks and the smash of hammers as they tunnel through rock. "We be tunneling out down ta the docks, hopin' there be some boats left ta take us down river to Nerosyn." Khaz's mother says
He was conflicted. There was duty now to crusade and clan. While clan would normally come first, he was a paladin. And paths bound him. At length he said
”This is good. Ancestors be praised that ye are safe and father lives. If only I could come with. I...am oathbound to the crusade. At Crusader’s Heart, the defenders of the city have gathered. The cultists responsible for this travesty are being rooted out and I am part of that. See?” He held up his golden mace, which was shaped to be the symbol of Bolka. ”This was a sword. The cultists tried to steal it, and when I picked it up it turned into this. It is also the will of the goddess.”
He looked down, feeling weaker than ever. ”If not for my oath I’d want nothing more than to go. If there are no ships though, I’ll bring ye all to the heart. It’s safe there with plenty of supplies.”
Khaz's mother looks away at the mention of his father living. "We have done all we can be doin' fer yer father, he is dying, he stopped a colossal demon from killin' a lot o' us, fought 'im off. He paid the price fer it though, I have prayed to Bolka and Torag, it be his time I guess." The tink and smash ring loud at this pronouncement. "We be knowin' where Defender's heart be, if we cannot be gettin' ta some boat we will send word."
Lorena yawns sleepily as they wait for Khaz to get back. Staring at a wall isn't exactly the most exciting thing to do, but she doesn't particularly feel like talking to these dwarves - they're tense enough as is.
Khaz wished that he could have hugged his mother at that moment. But he wasn’t going to shame either of them. They were adults. She was the one who had instilled in him the importance of duty and honor, afterall.
”He is too stubborn to...” His voice trailed off. ”I will go say my goodbyes to him before I leave.” He felt a knot in his throat. ”Gods willing he will hear it. Mother, take care of yourself. While I hope that the river carries ye to safety, I will shed nay tears if I get to see ye at the Heart.”
——
Khaz knelt by his father. He had used what last miracles that were within him and it wasn’t enough. His father was still dying. It was difficult to see such a man laid so low. His entire life Olden had been like a rock. Hard, unyielding, dependable. Everything a dwarf should have been. And now? He was dying. It was a good death, but it felt hollow to think that. It still hurt. At length Khaz leaned in and whispered something he had never said, but through actions all knew it to be true. ”I love you.” He didn’t cry. He wiped away a speck of dust that was caught in his eye and left.
Once back to the party Khaz looked at everyone with a face as hard as Stone. ”Thank ye all for you’re patience. Far...far too many good dwarves died. But some survive. They will be safe here, as ye can all see. And we must take whatever blessings we can get. Now, let’s go. Before it gets dark. My family concerns have kept us long enough enough.”
"So, what kinds of things did you have to fight? Most of what we've seen have been people, but they have left some pretty nasty traps about."
-------------
Khaz returns and bids the group return "home."
"So, without them? What about your family?"
Khaz took a deep breath. ”They persevere. I shall check on them later. But for now we must go.”
"Lead on," says Jocasta softly. "I hope we can help them once we've dealt with more of the local problems."
"We be fighting cultists o' all races, we even be seeing that Staunton Vhane flying away after the attack." The spokesman says, "We fought a big ol' demon, man o' us died in that fight, a few survived the fight but died o' their wounds."
Khaz says his good byes to his father, his mother follows him not saying a word, she wipes a speck of dust from her eyes as well. Watching her son climb the ladder and head back out is the hardest thing she has ever done.
The Dwarves show you out back into the street, a few stay outside moving into the surrounding buildings to make sure that no one else has taken up residence around here. The party gathers Firinn heaing back to Defender's heart as the sun begins to set on another day in the ruined city of Kenabres.
As they reached the defender’s heart Khaz broke his silence. ”Thank ye all. This was hard. Not easy to see yer father...ach.” He cleared his throat, unable to give words. It was as if not saying it made it not real. ”Thank ye. Now, I’m going to find a Cleric. See if I can get this curse removed. Ye all mind reporting?”
Jocasta stand with hands on her hips and faces Khaz, then extends one hand to him.
"It's the hardest thing you can do," she says gravely, "watching a loved one go into the Beyond before you do."
"We may have met only a day ago, but I share your pain, Khaz."
Khaz nodded, for the moment at a loss for words. At length he said ”It pains me to know that ye understand the pain, and comforts me to know that I am not alone. It may have only been a day, but it’s been one longer than most years. Thank ye.”
Firinn clasps Khaz's shoulder, his scarred face showing sympathy before he heads upstairs to give a bare and factual report.
"We investigated the tower. Met a tiefling there who wished to desert. We let him go, but couldn't persuade him to make common cause with us. He did confirm that the place had been a cultist hide-out but he was the last one. The threat seems to be dealt with. We also found a group of dwarves fortified in an old warehouse. They have sick and dying if a cleric could be spared."
Khaz spends his time looking around Defender's Heart for a Cleric of sufficient power, There is no one present that can remove the Curse he bears. "The town lost many in the initial surprise assault, people have been scattered, we don't even know who was lost." Irabeth says
Khaz sighed. ”Not good. Don’t know how much use I’m going to be out there. I can barely wear my armor like this.” Now out of his plate he felt much more comfortable. But there was an edge of worry in his voice. ”I worry that in this state I’ll end up dead out there sooner than later. Do ye have any advice?”
"You will help out as you can, we are planning our assault on the Grey Garrison. It is the last hold out and where we have intelligence that they are keeping a fragment of the Ward Stone. For what purpose we don't know yet." Irabeth says
Khaz nodded. ”As ye say. My oaths don’t end because it is inconvenient.”
"Nothing about the Crusade is easy. Some are raised to revel in it, but even they eventually find it tougher than they were ready for. Some came chasing it, thinking it their path to salvation or glory. The rest of us are just stuck in it. Were, I guess. Not much sign of a Crusade now, is there? Now it is about finding a way to survive." He kicks at the doorjamb near where he's seated. "The little ones here. They didn't ask for this and they don't deserve it. Not so worried about the adults who were here by choice, but we need to find a way to let these that had no choice live, to grow. To start making their own choices. Easy. Hard. Irrelevant. It is what we should be doing."
Then Terry falls back into his more normal (surly?) silence.
Lorena doesn't have much to say - not having a family or a place to call home, sucked into the Crusade by forces beyond her comprehension, she really doesn't have much in common with the others. All she can do is sit and nod solemnly. She tells Irabeth somewhat awkwardly, "I'm afraid I won't be of much help here in the planning. I'll just be wherever you need me to be, when you need me there." To Khaz, she has a bit more to offer, trying to keep up a lighter, encouraging tone despite her growing worry at his condition: "Don't worry too much, we'll do our best to keep you alive and up, as long as you don't go charging off into battle without us."
Once the meeting is done, she heads back up to her room to rest. It hadn't been the most stressful or exhausting day for her, but clearly the same couldn't be said for the others, especially the dwarf.
"Rio and I can help with scouting if need be." Firinn offers.
Irabeth nods at Firinn, "We have some scouts out right now but once they return if we send them out again Firinn I would like you to join them." Watching Lorena leave Irabeth calls an end to the meeting, everyone leaves for the night.
Sometime in the night a bell rings in Defender's Heart, boots can be heard stomping down the hall way. Irabeth's voice rings out.
"Attack, we are under attack we need everyone to arms, those who cannot get the children and others to the basement!"
Firinn, on his way to his usual position on the roof, redoubles his pace and arrives on the roof with his bow out, scanning the darkening sky for trouble. Rio flutters by his side, equally ready for action.