Bree meets the gaze of several of them men who watch her group, in her eyes is not a challenge, but a defiance. A refusal to be intimidated.
Caterine strides up to the Ulfen, chuckling as she looks at his attempts to make arrows "Having some difficulties are you Sven? I thought you'd just need a big branch to snap over their head?" before adding in a more serious tone "Croat about? and if he is what's the colour of his mood?"
Good to see you back lass, where have you been? then he nods to bree and Kabal
Bree, Kabal.
Croat? Aron told everyone that he's suffering from severe headache. Haven't seen him since you left, he's just lying in his tent. Aron is in charge now.
Kabal returned the man's nod with a similar greeting.
Sven. Who's Aron?
Caterine gives a mysterious and slightly coquettish smile "Oh, here and there Sven... care to join us? - we're to see Aron then if Croat's feeling poorly."
Bree returns to nod in kind, and begins twirling the end of her braid back and forth. Before long though, she's lost interest in the man and her eyes resume roaming about the camp, taking in who is watching and who might be trying to hard to appear as if they aren't watching.
To Kabal, "Aron was the gentlemen whom the assassins claimed sent them after Winter. We met him at the cages, remember?"
Oh yah, now that you mention it. He was tricked much like Croat right?
Kabal was struggling to remember everything that had happened just a couple of days ago. Especially things that he didnt fully understand in the first place. He would never know how a man could let his mind be taken over by another.
Sven nods and throws the broken twig away
This is no job for a warrior anyway!
@ Bree:
Nearly everyone in the camp watches you, but none of the watchers appears very hostile or tries to hide what he is doing - maybe the men are just perplexed that your small group survived in Akata Land.
"That's what they say. The sooner we talk to Aron, the sooner we can get some iron tools to use for weapons and get back to that cave, so lets get on with this. Where's he at?"
Caterine falls in at Sven's shoulder, but keeps a coiled whip in hand just in case.
Right in front of Croat's tent you meet Aron. The massive man has his arms crossed in front of his chest and reminds you rather of a bouncer. As you draw closer he grins his typical pirate grin and greets you
Back from the cave? Haven't thought I would see you once more on this side of the Great River. So, where are the others?
He sounds a bit concerned now that he realizes that Winter, Sebastian and Sable aren't with you.
"Aye, back a moment afore we return to the others... I've heard Croat's not for visitors at the moment?"
Not for visitors, heh. Yeah well, he doesn't feel very good, which is hardly surprising if you think about how long he was controlled by the feckin wizard - but don't worry, I'll put him right on his feet if you want to speak to him?!
"Don't necessarily have to if you can help us instead... we're after some cold forged iron for killing demons... you know if Croat's got any of that ferreted away?"
Sense Motive -
Kabal couldnt help but be suspicious of Aron. he was gaining a grudging respect for the man but anyone that loyal to Croat was to be...taken with a grain of salt...whatever in the hells that means... Still, he was more relaxed than he'd thought he'd be in the camp.
As if the big man was able to read Kabal's thoughts, he says
One of the few things one can like about my boss is that he normally is prepared for the unexpected - we have one crate with two cold iron swords, three daggers and a mace....but still, a demon? That does not sound like a foe I would want to mess with?!
"Yes, well sometimes we must do some rather unpleasant things, but it is necessary, I assure you. May we use the weapons?"
Winter ensures theres enough food for everyone and the 'camp' is set up for his friends return.
Caterine nods soberly "Aye, if we had a choice we'd avoid the fecking thing... but not all roads are well paved... If you'll let us take the weapons we'll hopefully return them in good order and with a few more nicks on them."
I doubt Croat would have anything to object, wait here...
With heavy steps Aron circles around the tent and returns only moments later with a cigar between his teeth and a crate in his arms
Here you are, finest cold iron weapons!
Kabal takes the crate from the man and hoists it up over his shoulder.
Thanks Aron. Now we can kill us a shadow spawned demon.
Caterine gives a slight curtsy "Much obliged" turning to the others to see if they had any other questions or comments before they moved on...
I guess we shouldnt keep the others waiting. You ready Bree?
Kabal wasnt as anxious to get back to the group's camp as he was just to get out of Croat's. Even if it did seem to be in better hand's with Aron.
Quickened by the prospect of slaying the thrice-damned demon you leave Croat's camp and soon you are back at the bluff which houses the seaside cave.
Though able, Caterine is more than happy to allow Kabal the honor of bearing the weight of the crate. When they arrive back to the others she pipes up "Question asked and answered with iron - two swords, three daggers and a mace..."
Bree pulls her eyes away from Aron, a disturbing look on her face and nods to Kabal's inquiry. She gladly follows them back out of the camp, watching them men along the way.
Bree quietly picks up each of the three daggers in turn, getting a feel for the weight of them, testing the blades, trying to find the one that feels the best to her.
Samaritha smiles as she hears what presents Cat has brought
My ankle feels much better already, I think this time I should accompany you. The drow will be warned and so it will be a bit harder than before...
Mercus grins and puts a too large horned helmet on - you guess Sven does not know that he lost it - and says
Also ready!
Kabal inwardly smiled like a proud parent at the sight of the helmed Mercus but couldnt resist getting all drill sergeant on him.
Bah! That damn thing will fall down over your blasted eyes and leaving you blinder than a fecking bat! Then them dark hearted drow will cut you into little pieces and you wont even get to see it. Here's what you got to do man.
Despite Mercus's lack of age anyone willing to go into battle against demons and drow was a man in the mercenary's eyes and would be treated as such. He takes the time to show the lad how to pad it out with swaths of cut bedroll so it stays snug. He'll then check over the cold iron weapons they got from Aron.
Sebastian will take a dagger that Bree decides against, leaving the bigger weapons for those with a bit more brawn to swing them. Its crude and not exactly sharp, but better than a stage prop.
He tucks the blade into his belt, thinking that if it comes down to him and this dagger, the group is in big trouble.
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Sable will let those with better skill take weapons first, but he'll claim a dagger if there is one left to be had. Otherwise, he'll ensure the warriors are equipped to slice through shadow while he goes over in his mind how to burn the creature with magic.
Mercus straightens at once and greedy for knowledge tries to memorize everything that Kabal tells him about how to wear a helmet
Sir, yes Sir - ok - yes sure - no never - like a man - like you would!
By now, Winter has prepared the evening meal for the returning party members.
Damn! Not a proper chopping blade in the lot. I reckon they'll be better than nothing if this cold iron works like you say against demons. What do you favor Winter? Sword or mace?
Kabal hefts one of the swords with an experienced hand and swings it through a few elementary maneuvers.
At least its sharp. I gotta have something with an edge so I'll take this one.
Looking around he spotted the pot on the fire.
There's food? Can't remember the last time I ate.
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Caterine awaits Winter making his choice of weapon before moving to take whatever is left.
"My blade will cut clean into the beast, as Erastil will bless it when I call to him. I am hoping the creature is not wise to this an will be filled with misplaced confidence when I face off against him with a seemingly harmless weapon."
"Yes I felt we should be fed and rested, for we have much work to do here. I suspect that right now that creature and his friends the drow are planning for a second attack from us, and will be sitting up there cold and uncomfortable whilst trying to stay alert for our advance. This is why we need to go exploring elsewhere for a while instead. If we go now then they will be ready, and their magic strong and fresh. If they have to wait a while fruitlessly they will eventually come to believe that our withdrawal was a rout and we wont be coming back"
"Our best course of action is to hit them least prepared, and perhaps once we have checked there is no clues left here by the people who placed the stones."
Mercus gnaws on a chicken leg as he tries to follow winter's words
So we do nothin'? Cool, we could hunt akatas then an' check out the rest of the island? Oh an' can I have the mace, sir?
he asks Kabal
Kabal nodded as he ate. As usual the priest's wisdom was sound and a good counter to his own brashness. He wouldv'e probably been all for charging right back in and having at the demon and that couldve easily lead to failure as the drow were wily and wouldv'e had preperations in place like Winter said.
A sound plan indeed. Then, where to next? The meteor crash site? Sure to be lots of akatas there huh?
At Mercus's queery Kabal was at first disaapointed that the lad hadn't chosen an edged weapon but then figured that he'd have less of a chance of seriously hurting himself with the mace.
Of course you can have it Mercus. After we eat I'll show a few drills to practice so you don't go bashing in your own damn skull. Helmet or no helmet.
But a helmet surely helps
the boy replies and spits some chicken bone out
These akata things, do you think they were brought here by the drow?
"We should at least see what is happening at the crash site, and determine what it could mean to us. No doubt those creatures will be about, but we are now a bit more familiar with them and we know they fall to determined blades. Any other structures would also be worth investigating in case we have more people here also seeking fortune and fame, seems a few thought it a good idea like the Mages in that other tower."
"So the crash site, then a quick check over the island to secure buildings, or at least determine the occupants. Kick each rock, check for snakes"
Aye a helmet sure helps at that. It sounded more like everyone thinks the meteor brought those damn things here. But who knows? You'll have to ask Sebastian. He's much learned about such things.
Kabal finished off his chicken and waited to make sure everyone else got a share before going for thirds.
We gonna take in every blasted treasure hunter thats in over their flaming heads out here? I reckon we could send them all towards Croat camp. Its seems to be the most secure spot on this island.
"Well not so much concerned with taking them in, but making sure they are aware of the danger and have amenity to find their way off the island if they choose to. I would also be keen to know who they are, lest they turn out to be of ill intent, would hate to find that we have unknown enemies who came looking for us at a bad time."
Caterine moves to take one of the longswords, securing it upon her waist beside the drow's rapier. She listens along to the talk as she eats, though has no real opinion to voice for or against what has been said thus far.
Hearing his name, Sebastian steps up. "The akata rode here on the meteor, if books are to be trusted. They are not natural creatures of this place."
He looks to Winter and the others in agreement. "Further investigation is good. This island was abandoned previously. The villagers thought the mayor was cavorting with a devil or some sort of spirit. They thought they killed it, but still felt the need to abandon the place. If this spirit was our shadow demon would be good to know, and how a bunch of peasant and farmers managed to kill it would also be good to know."
Bree sits, quietly, picking at her food. She has nothing to add to the conversation. She watches with mild interest as Kabal runs Mercus through his drills. After a short while, Bree stands and mumbles something to the others about scouting before heading off from the small camp. She doesn't go far, definitely staying within shouting range, but she scopes out the area mostly for want of something to keep her busy.
Mercus nearly chokes on his chicken leg as he listens to Sebastian
Whoa, they rode on a meteor?!
The boy asks incrdulously and before someone has a chance to answer, he adds
Then why are we still sitting here?! We have to see the impact site, c'mon!
"Because, my enthusiastic young man, we have rest to attend to before we make proper preparations to move there in a sensible fashion. One plants the seeds, and then waits until one is ready to harvest the crop, but between those two events is a space of time in which much rest, recovery, and preparation takes place."
Winter doesn't look the slightest bit rushed.
"So in the morning, when we are all of alert mind and settled spirit, we can move over and have a look"