”I do know something of the Winter Council, and that’s not been my experience, but perhaps you caught them at a bad time. Still, there must be some strong magics if they could turn an elf into a drow!” she exclaims in some degree of fear. ”That would be like turning you into a lich! It’s too horrible.”
”I cannot help you much now, but we have a shipment from Kyonin due day after tomorrow. You can teleport back with the wizard who brings the supplies. That will get you to the Queen who, I’m sure, can arrange for you to rejoin your group.” she thinks a while, ”It’s the best I can do. In the meantime, please join us. There are many who would enjoy your company for what you’ve done for us. You are most welcome!”
Throughout the evening and into the night, you are surrounded by elves, appreciative of what you’ve done in ridding their Celwynvian of drow. Most have no idea you descended into the drow homeland - that was a quite secretive mission. There is no feast per se, but there is a festival atmosphere here as the tide has turned, and victory seems inevitable. The elves will reclaim their ancient city, and the forest that surrounds it, from their long war. That is enough for these warriors - they have no idea the threat their homeland is under and are happier for it.
Iaon is also here (the druid who helped Kaylayne a while, and acted as your agents with the Queen). She recently returned from her politic-ing with the Queen on the parties behalf. She is collecting her things and is to return via the same wizard as you. She’s been selected to be an advisor to the Queen - quite an honor.
She tells you that the Queen’s research in your parties claims is going well, and may even be complete. She’s confident the Queen will agree to side with the party, if things in the Winter Council go well. She does not pry however, being respectful of your privacy and concern for your fellows.
In the morning you rise with the sun, warm and inviting through the high windows of the residence. Breakfast has been prepared, and you are left to your own devices while the camp readies more forays into the surrounding forest and city near Crying Leaf.
- - -
I assume you’re keeping it. It was offered to Arlindil, but he did not take it.
"Yes, for all the gemstones on Quilindra, we should have the means. I'd prefer a more direct route to Iadara, to be honest."
Yes, Lief is correct, you have all the stones necessary to return via the gates.
Morning rises on Oathday, 29 Lamashan, 4709. There’s a bit of a chill in the air, as winter is approaching and autumn is in full swing. But it warms quickly as the sun shines brightly through the many windows of Thorn’s End.
Should you poke your heads outside your rooms, you’ll see Ina, a respectful distance away, awaiting your needs. In a nearby room are a couple platters laden with food for your breakfast, when you are ready. You start to wonder if the woman ever sleeps…
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Heading out into the town he looks to procure a decent shield. Grabbing a few handfuls of his breakfast he eats as he walks through taking in all of the sights and sounds on the way to the elven enchanter who made his armor. Entering the leaf hut Allarnon greets the familiar elf. Seeing that he is busy he looks around the shop and hefts down a heavy wooden shield from the wall.
"Think you might be able to enchant this for me? Looking to be able to change with this as well if able."
***********************************************************
Leaving the shop Allarnon spots an elder elf in the distance. The elves hands cup around a small plant as he nourishes it, causing it to double in size. Allarnon watches as he approaches with Tarkir. "Sorry to intrude. You are quite good with the plants. You just remind me of one of the elders from back home. He knew of a way to travel among the roots across great distances, never could quite figure it out myself."
"Sure, I can do that for you sir, but it may take several days you understand. What you ask for is not complicated, but it is not easy either." he grins. The shield will take a week to complete. They can forward it to the capital when it is complete and you can pick it up there - if you're still around.
Later, the older elf looks evenly at you. "No, you're not intruding, I'm just trying to ensure we have a healthy crop, our numbers seem to be swelling." he grins.
"There are many ways to travel some distances, and a few involve nature and the energy that bind us all together. To travel across the world however, you must be very special indeed. It is a very subtle spell, as those of great power often are."
"I myself do not have that power, but I have seen it, and been transported by it. However there are more scholarly types than natural types among our people it seems. So teleportation, a cruder method by far, is more common."
"It is a lovely way to travel though. Filling your senses with..." he tries to find the right word, "Green."
- - -
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Allarnon smiles and bids the elf farewell. On the way back to his room his mind wanders back to home and when he was younger, watching the elder's movements and concentration.
"Fill my senses with Green huh?"
He smiles as he breaks into a jog back to his room to gather his items.
"I just might have an idea Tark. Let's go!"
Should you poke your heads outside your rooms, you’ll see Ina, a respectful distance away, awaiting your needs. In a nearby room are a couple platters laden with food for your breakfast, when you are ready. You start to wonder if the woman ever sleeps…
Kaylayne switches up the watch schedule to account for the missing bear and bearman. Though she believes they are safe, she still harbors some levels of mistrust.
Upon waking, Kaylayne will rest and meditate before dinner, speaking with the Other Kaylayne in new and different ways. Something had changed in both of them in the night.
When others are awake and ready, she will go visit with Ina and graze breakfast.
"Did you even sleep, Ina? How are you feeling?" Kaylayne asks, trying to make casual conversation with the elf whom she raised from the dead a while back. "I trust there are no lingering effects from what happened this week...outside the usual weakness that should pass?
"And how are your elf kin, the soldiers, holding up after yesterday's events? Is there anything you wish us to relate to the Queen? Did you wish to come with us and report back to her? I can arrange an introduction if you'd like."
"Thanks for your concern. There are spells that keep me up most nights, and while they work well enough, there's no substitute for natural sleep." she smiles.
"As for my health, I'm still a little off, but Perilir will correct that next week. Can't be done sooner I'm told - some things must heal naturally."
"There were no lasting fatalities luckily enough. The demon attack was vicious, but it was short and we are not novices." she says with some pride.
When you mention the Queen, she grows visibly uneasy, "Oh she'd not have anything to say to the likes of me, surely. I imagine she has better things to do. But thank you."
"Oh, before I forget, Perilir said I was to bring you to her when you were ready for the Sending. She is making plans to seek out Malindil, but has reserved that spell for your use to reach out to your friend."
"At least Perry is willin' to work with us!" Ederin says when he overhears what Ina says to Kaylayne.
He looks apologetically at the elf woman for a moment.
"You soldier types been plenty helpful, jus' this council o' yours 'as been gettin' under my skin. Glad Kay took the time to raise you back though, thanks for dealin' with us."
Ederin grabs some food from a plate and sits near whatever window he can find, admiring the autumn foliage and wondering once again how he ended up here.
"Hopefully Al and Tarkir ain't too far. Good friends an' all, and I wouldn't want to go into fight without 'em if it can be helped. Somehow I can't bring myself to believe the fightin's done."
He waits until everyone is done eating before pushing to meet with Perilir and speak to Allarnon.
Dimitrio, danger in the back of his mind, approaches Ina, a 'concerned' look on his face.
"Listen, I can help mend your wounds. Desna finds it fitting to answer my prayers. Here, let me see how bad it is..."
He looked at the others, "When are we leaving? Do we have time for Ina here to take a nap while I watch over her? Girl, if I would have known you were outside keeping watch, I would have told you to come in and take a load off your feet. We've all been through so much."
"So Ina, what do you do for fun in this place?"
She smiles at Ederin's comments, clearly also pleased that Kaylayne raised her.
She appreciates Dimitiro's concern, but tries to fend him off, "No, i'm fine, really. Thanks though."
"Fun? Oh, I enjoy working out, fencing with the others, an occasional game of chess. But really, not is not the time for such pursuits. When you're ready, I'll take you to Perilir."
Kaylayne smiles at Ina's demurred refusal.
"I think the Queen would be delighted to hear what has been happening here...and if you were to tell it, it would be good. Think about it. When we leave, we can take you or any of your comrades with us," Kaylayne offers. "I don't know that any of you ever get a chance like this."
Kaylayne is ready to meet Perilir.
"Fun? Oh, I enjoy working out, fencing with the others, an occasional game of chess. But really, not is not the time for such pursuits. When you're ready, I'll take you to Perilir."
Dimitrio nods, "Fencing is good. I like fencing too. What about dancing? Or singing?"
Seeing that he was getting no where with the elven warrior, he sighs, "I guess I'm ready to see Perilir. If anything he can hopefully put us in touch with bearman."
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Allarnon rushes up and grabs his pack, wrapping the satchel around his waist. He takes the stairs two at a time as he leaps onto Tarkir's back.
"Let's get outta here pal. I gotta try something."
Just on the outskirts of the city Allarnon finds a large outcropping of weeds and vines that overtake a tree and brush. He glides his hands along the leaves, they bounce in the air as his hand passes past like a dance on the wind.
Placing a hand on Tarkir's shoulder he relaxes. "I don't know if this is going to work or not Bud but we need to try."
Kneeling down on his knees in the soft dirt he places his other hand on the plant and closes his eyes. It takes him a moment to clear all of his thoughts as he pictures the entrance to Thorn's End, just past the Demon's reach. At first it is only a picture, but as he concentrates on it the picture begins to gain in smell and touch. It is almost as if he can hear the Demon's clawing at him. The thought scares him so much that his eyes jut open and he loses his concentration.
"Holy Shit Tark!" He gulps. "I think it might work.... you ready? We may have to run."
Placing his hand back on he begins the process once again as he is pulled into the massive bush along with Tarkir. Opening his eyes he realizes that the spell worked as he stares into the entrance to Thorn's End. he smiles down at Tarkir. "We're back!" He does a small jig as he dances in place and skips back into the tower to look for his friends.
Lief waits out the delay, little interested in socializing with residents of Thorn's End. He returns to his books, and remains in his quarters, expecting departure any day. He avails himself of none of the elves' food items, and keeps his own vigil, trusting none of the council, especially Arlindil, who has been the most vocal about his displeasure with their presence.
The party is escorted to Perilir's shrine, where she is preparing to leave and go find Malindil. She seems ready to go, but is waiting for you so she can cast sending first.
"Ahh, welcome back, I hope you slept well." She examines the group, "What would you like to say to Allarnon? Remember, it must be only 25 words or so, more than that won't be heard. As he's on another plane, it might not work as well, but that's pretty rare."
She readies to cast the spell, just waiting on a message.
Kaylayne smiles, finally finding true warmth for Perilir. She had fought well against Hialin and had helped them repeatedly.
"Say Perilir, might *you* grant us access to Hialin's room? There is research there that also might help us...and the Queen. Might you relent and allow us to look?"
Diplomacy
Upon mention of the sending, Kaylayne smiles and confers with her companions.
"Allarnon. We live. Can you meet us in the Kyonin Capital? If not, tell us where to find you," Kaylayne struggles with anything of more importance.
"What else would we add?"
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Allarnon makes his way through the tower. It takes him quite a while as he asks several elves where to find his friends. Hearing their voices he stands in the doorway.
"Add in I live as well. How about I just join you to the Capital?"
With that Tarkir rushes into the room and pounces on top of Lief, profusely licking the man as he gets drenched in drool.
Dimitrio's jaw dropped and he quickly quipped, "Now that's what I call a spell. You'll have to teach that to me."
He then opened his arms and profusely hugged 'bearman'. After a couple of seconds, he abruptly disengages. He straightens out his clothes while murmuring a very succinct, "Good to see you Allarnon." it was probably the first time that the bard addressed the man by his real name.
"Al!" Ed exclaims as the druid makes his entrance. "Well damn! Didn't think they'd just shunted you next door. Glad you made it back in one piece, yeah?" The archer pats Tarkir affectionately as the young bear mauls Lief and smiles at the druid.
"Gangs all here then, eh? Probably time to get movin'. Let the Queen know we got some more to figure out before this fight o' ours is done."
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"Wasn't just next door, the bastard sent me all the way back to my home. I have been running all night, or at least I think it was night. It was hard to tell. I barely made it back to the Crying Leaf." Allarnon begins to explain a small bit of his journey.
"I didn't realize that the drow had that kind of power."
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Lief's synapses are quick enough to process both Allarnon's speech and Tarkir's actions as their own, not under any influence, elven or otherwise. The part of his brain that parses the reunion is instinctively pushed aside, as he struggles uselessly to get out from under the large animal. He only makes grunting noises of annoyance, rather than voice disapproval and risk a gob of bear spit finding its way into his own mouth.
He ends up patting Tarkir tolerantly, which changes to a kind of awe, as he realizes that he's within a death strike of a fierce ursine, and he feels no fear of it. "Welcome back, you two." Eventually, he gains his feet, and claps Allarnon on the middle of his back, transferring no small spittle, before asking Dimitrio to bring his chambermaid magic to cleanse him of the worst of the drool.
Lief asks any elves currently present for some privacy, either in the present room, or another.
"Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any, to speak now as a group, with Allarnon's return. We're still the messengers here, the movers and the shakers. Arlindil can just as easily blame us for having pushed Hialin over the brink, causing his Transformation, and I want to make sure that we are resolved in what we think needs to happen here. What you all think needs to happen, more specifically." Lief takes a deep breath, before continuing.
"Our hand was forced here, Hialin leaving us no room to move other than to see him dead. Dimitrio was almost slain outright from the disintegration, and only by luck do we six still stand here. For Arlindil's, Perelir's, and Malindil's failure to act, I'm going to suggest the Queen see them judged, publicly. A secret order which seeks to make decisions outside of the nation's laws shouldn't exist, and may have already signed the death warrant for the nation of Kyonin." The young man pauses, expecting push-back.
"I want nothing of Hialin's, save his alchemist's laboratory, and will requisition it from the Queen, for my service here. I think we have done enough to shed light on this deep, dark problem, and with Perelir's confirmation, I should hope the Queen enlists the Shin'Rakorath in ending Allevrah. Having said that, and knowing you all, I expect that the Queen will try and enlist us instead, if she can't bring herself to trust the elven force."
"What that means, to me, is more killing. Something that you all seem less and less inclined to see done, unless done unto you. If you all intend to hunt Allevrah, that means a path of slaughter. Frankly, I think it should be elven hands that wet with blood. What do you all think?"
Kaylayne blinks and blinks again, ending her discussion of the communication with Allarnon that is clearly not needed.
"Huh. I had not thought to find you again so soon. Strange..." Kaylayne awes. She moves to scritch Tarkir on his head.
Amazing.
* * *
"What do you all think?"
Kaylayne frowns, then nods, then frowns again as she weighs Lief's words.
"While I suspect what you suggest is likely and true, I don't know how I feel about it. I'm going to finish this part of things and make the next decision when it comes to me. I have agreed to this part, so I'll finish it. Look, we've already done the hard part. The easier part is coming...up until she asks what you think she will ask, Lief. Then...then we'll see," Kaylayne replies. She knows she really didn't answer the meat of Lief's question, but it's how she feels at the moment.
Lief hears nothing profound from Kaylayne, so turns to the others. "Do you all share her 'wait and see' position? It would be better to chew it over now, rather than react without forethought. The decision is coming, and I see nothing different in the Queen's position, having sent us to Thorn's End. The Land of Black Blood is a simple substitution."
Lief hears nothing profound from Kaylayne, so turns to the others. "Do you all share her 'wait and see' position? It would be better to chew it over now, rather than react without forethought. The decision is coming, and I see nothing different in the Queen's position, having sent us to Thorn's End. The Land of Black Blood is a simple substitution."
Dimitrio brings everything back to what he knows best, "There's an old Varisian saying that says 'Once you're at the party, you may as well dance'."
He sighed, "I think the 'party' is being held at this Land of Black Blood and dancing means taking down Allevrah and whoever stands in our way. I agree with Lief that whoever has qualms about what we will be doing should just leave now. This Land of Black Blood does not sound like a place that you want to go in with doubts and trepidation."
He looked at his companions, "Besides, we're too committed already. It just wouldn't feel right to go back to the Goblin and wish that someone else take care of the problem that we know is there."
He nodded at the alchemist, "You can count on my blade."
"Why, Dimitrio? Why wouldn't it feel right? It insults the elves to think them incapable of dealing with this threat, given that they will be better informed than we, once Arlindil fulfills his obligation to his Queen."
"Why, Dimitrio? Why wouldn't it feel right? It insults the elves to think them incapable of dealing with this threat, given that they will be better informed than we, once Arlindil fulfills his obligation to his Queen."
"Why? Because we have obviously proven our worth time after time. I would not be comfortable just handing this off right now. Perhaps, we do not need to be the heroes of the elven race but our help should be offered. Hopefully, the Queen has someone else in mind and I can go back to dancing at the goblin."
Perilir is about to respond when Allarnon bursts in. She smiles, but shakes her head at Kaylayne, leaving any longer explanation for later. She bows and leaves the party to confer in her shrine.
Ina too, as usual, closes a door between you and moves off a little ways to wait.
"Why? Because we have obviously proven our worth, time after time. I would not be comfortable just handing this off right now. Perhaps, we do not need to be the heroes of the elven race, but our help should be offered. Hopefully, the Queen has someone else in mind and I can go back to dancing at the Goblin."
"Why, Dimitrio? When will you have proven yourself enough? When you have given your life? To whom are you trying to prove yourself?"
"Wouldn't feel right 'cause I know too much now. I ain't comfortable goin' home and waitin' for confirmation that everythin' has been dealt with." Ederin says in response to Lief.
"And unlike with Hialin, we got more 'an just Liefs intuition tellin' us she's involved. We know she's gettin' her hands dirty and I ain't got any problem huntin' her down and finishin' this business."
"Unless the Queen decides they don't want us involved, then I guess I won't have much choice but to wait."
"Why? Because we have obviously proven our worth, time after time. I would not be comfortable just handing this off right now. Perhaps, we do not need to be the heroes of the elven race, but our help should be offered. Hopefully, the Queen has someone else in mind and I can go back to dancing at the Goblin.""Why, Dimitrio? When will you have proven yourself enough? When you have given your life? To whom are you trying to prove yourself?"
Dimitrio spoke slowly, "I have said that I have already proven my worth. This is not about living up to anyone's expectation. The simple truth is that I now 'know' that this is a big problem that needs to be dealt with."
He sighed, "I never thought I say this but this is more important than dancing and worth risking my life to solve if that is what is needed. So until someone reassures me that 'everything will be OK', I want to make sure that it really will be OK."
He quipped, "Besides I need a conclusion to this epic, kick-ass poem I am writing. I'll probably write a play as well. Gonna be hard to find someone ugly enough to play some of you though."
Lief nods obligatorily to Dimitrio and Ederin, turning to hear what the bear-man has to say. "What about you, Allarnon? You were sent home, and you decided to return here, instead of staying. Is this your fight, still? Will you volunteer your service to the Queen? Do you trust the elves to remedy their own fate?"
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"Of course this is still my fight Lief. It is the whole reason I returned when I could have just relaxed back home. But for how long? Until the drow destroyed everything here? They would only move onto my home right after that. I pledged myself to this cause unknowingly months ago. Obviously the elves can't fix this themselves or they would have long ago. Allarnon explains his own justifications.
"So Eviana understood the Transformation as well? Or do you think that only the council understood the true nature of the drow? You're wrong. There wasn't this new threat long ago. Allevrah is the most recent threat, likely the worst threat, and you all claim the fight as your own. The elves must have the ability to attend to this threat, now that the threat is known." Lief looks at Allarnon, hoping to see understanding behind the bear-man's eyes.
"Kwava was kept in the dark regarding the very existence of drow, so the Shin'Rakorath dispenses information as it sees fit. So, it's likely the elves only concern themselves with demon and drow where they know the conflicts to arise. Arlindil claims the council was unable to confirm the nature of the Transformation until Hialin gave them a second instance, which means, to me, that only the council understands the true nature of the drow, and, more importantly, that one of their own, one in possession of council secrets and council power, Transformed and hied away. Whether they tracked her, sought to neutralize her, understood her true desires through any writings she left behind, much like Hialin must have left, we can only speculate. If they chose to ignore Allevrah as a threat, that's their mistake. We've given them everything. Everything, except our lives. Tarkir even gave his life." Lief shakes his head, despising his current situation, more and more.
"I'm willing to travel as far as Iadara, and hear what the Queen has to say, regarding these dire events. Beyond that..." Lief doesn't finish his thought.
Kaylayne has little to add to Lief's thoughts, and she does not desire to correct him. If the boy has another path to tread, she would let him. Kaylayne had decided to finish this task and see what would happen next.
Kaylayne is again ready to meet with Perelir or return or whatever.
"Well for the first time since we got Sauls job offer, it sounds like we all agree yeah? What are we waitin' around for? Don't seem like we've got anythin' else to do here in Thorn's End."
Kaylayne looks around at the party, hoping this little quiet discussion is over. Unless others want to argue about things that they cannot control and make decisions based on incomplete information, Kaylayne leaves the room to engage with Ina and Perelir.
"Sorry about that, Ina, Periler...we obviously did not expect Allarnon to find us so quickly. His return has caused Lief some relief-fueled delerium. It took us a moment to calm him down and for himself to get talked out...he's much better now," Kaylayne smiles, hoping Ina and Perilir will understand.
"Was there anything else you had for us, Perilir, before we return? Both you and Ina, and any of your soldiers are welcome to return with us, if you so choose. The Queen would love to hear from you."
Kaylayne smiles.
Perilir, returns to the chapel, "No, we have our tasks and you have yours. Leaving Thorn's End with fewer troops is not a good idea, don't you think?"
She continues, "If you will not be needing my spell, I must leave you now. There is yet much to do. If you'll excuse me." she adds politely. If there are no other questions she gathers up an already prepared pack and leaves you, heading up higher into the tower.
Ina remains back a bit, giving you further privacy with Perilir. When you, presumably, put the same question to her, she looks at you levelly, "I have my duty, please. If the Queen summons me, I shall of course respond. Until that day, where may I escort you?"
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Allarnon has little else to add as it seems everyone is on the same page, just telling a different story. he steps forward.
"Looks like we are headed back to the Queen. She needs to know what happened here. If you elves plan on holding this collapsing tower any longer we will try and talk her into sending reinforcements to add to your loyal pack of wolves if she has some to spare."
Lief concurs with Allarnon. "Perelir, before we depart, could you gather any of Allevrah's writings? I'd like to bring them to the Queen. Hopefully, they'll shed some light on her earlier machinations."
Lief is ready to leave as soon as possible.
Glad the bearman was back, Dimitrio was already making plans to get back, "So I guess we head back through the iadara."
Before Perelir left, he asked, "You wouldn't have a faster-safer way to get back to the Queen, do you?"
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"Thank you Allarnon, but we have things in hand for now. The siege is broken and I do not yet know our long term plans. We do not need further assistance. But I do appreciate the offer. She has more pressing matters I'm sure."
Perilir looks at Lief and laughs, "Are we parents to you children? You would ask me for permission when the head of our order has already said no? i'm beginning to think Arlindil is right about you. You are not to be trusted." she says, but with a wise smile.
"I cannot help you get back to the Queen today, perhaps in a few days when I return, but even then it would take a few more days to make happen for all. You killed our wizard which does somewhat limit us at the moment."
"Perelir, pay attention. Arlindil decided to decline offering Hialin's papers, not Allevrah's. You're assuming Arlindil would blanket it all, and I'm not. If you're as close-minded as your colleague, then I have my answer already. As for killing, Arlindil made sure Hialin couldn't be raised, as Ina was raised. Stop blaming us for your failures."
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Allarnon turns. "I might be able to get a few of us there a bit faster. Not sure exactly how many I can take but just me and Tarkir was hard enough. I can't possibly take more than four people, including myself as it puts a strain on me. Another day to return here and another day to return the rest to the Queen."
He begins to explain the vague process of being consumed by plants. "I learned a small bit about travel while I was back home and in the Crying Leaf. I can use the plants to travel across large distances."
"You ever think insulting people maybe ain't the right way to get what you want?" Ederin says wide eyed, looking at Lief.
Shaking his head Ederin turns to Perelir and shrugs. "If we gotta wait a few days an' more for a teleport we might as well get a move on our own, yeah? If Al can get us out faster, well we can give that a shot, if not we might as well go back the way we came."
The archer frowns and thinks for a moment.
"Unless maybe you know of a route that doesn't involve swimming through sewage, yeah? Ain't so sure my stomach could handle that a second time."
Perilir’s smile fades quickly and she says thoughtfully, ”I apologize. As Arlindil was clear with me, I assumed you had already spoken of it to him as well. I see he was merely predictive. You remind me of Hialin at the end, full of anger and your own superiority.” she turns to Ina, ”Please escort them out of the complex, I think they are finished here.”
”The siege is, for now, broken. You may make your way out through the front door. I thank the rest of you for your service to the Winter Council. You are all freed of any obligation we may have set upon you. Go and serve the Queen.”
She waits until Ina has escorted you out of her chambers.
Kaylayne mirrors Ederin's shock at Lief's dismissive and condescending tone. Perilir, of all targets, wasn't deserving of the scorn as much as the others.
Kaylayne shakes her head.
"Sorry, Perilir. He does not speak for all of us. He is young," Kaylayne apologizes to the elf. "I appreciate your aid to us when we needed it. I wish you well."
Kaylayne leaves, still embarassed by this companion. She leaves via the front door and intends to return to the gates. As she leaves, she thanks Ina again.
"Best of luck to you, Ina. Live well and live long," Kaylayne offers before going.
"You ever think insulting people maybe ain't the right way to get what you want?"
Lief turns to Ederin, his face stoic. "I'll not coddle. There's nothing I want here, anymore, anyways."
" You remind me of Hialin at the end, full of anger and your own superiority."
I almost sympathize with him. Fellow councilors, isolated like this, should have been the harbor in the storm. Nothing but self-defeat and self-pity here. Thorn's End is anything but a healthy place to be.
Lief waits for the others to decide in what manner they return to Iadara.
"You ever think insulting people maybe ain't the right way to get what you want?"Lief turns to Ederin, his face stoic. "I'll not coddle. There's nothing I want here, anymore, anyways."
Dimitrio spoke up trying to defuse the situation, "Guys, let's remember what side we are on and what we are fighting for. This trip hasn't been easy for any of us. And we still have to go back through that ice gate and those 'friendly' elves."
The bard said goodbye to Ina, "I hope you don't have to stay here too long. Remember what I said about having fun. There's too much soldier in you and I see you have... potential."
"Right, so maybe Lief better stop ruinin' our chances with potential allies because he can't get his head out of 'is ass." Ed says, appreciating what Dimitrio is trying to do, but finding himself completely fed up with the youngest of the party. "Just got us kicked out of Thorn's End an' we don't even know how we're travelin' yet."
"Al, do you need a day to try an' travel through plants again, cause evidently we ain't welcome here anymore and I ain't too keen on splittin' the party while we travel in demon infested woods."