"Enough of this talk of pressing the bracelet elsewhere. Tell me, what is it you seek this night? No more games. Tell me earnestly or I shall simply thank you for the gift and ask you to leave." Her breath was affected by his nearness and the long, blue look he fixed upon her. The candlelight continued to flicker in time with her breath and another two candles extinguished and the breeze blew faster yet around the warrior.
Connor cocks his head as he watches her for a moment; his eyes gleaming over the crooked smile.
”I came here this night because on this day I did battle and slew my enemies and I myself felt their weapons slice through my flesh and nearly died – yet I triumphed on the field and feel more alive because of it.”
”I came to you because I find you fair of face and body. Further, you have a fierce heart and your spirit makes my blood hot.”
”Therefore I wish to take you now – and I wish to make continue to do so until our screams of lust wake the gods, until we are both spent.”
He watches her for a moment.
”That is what I want and why I came here tonight.”
”What do you say to this, Calladastina Honas?” he says, his eyes intent on hers.
”Therefore I wish to take you now – and I wish to make continue to do so until our screams of lust wake the gods, until we are both spent.”
”What do you say to this, Calladastina Honas?” he says, his eyes intent on hers.
Calladastina gasped. His praise of her face and form, as well as her heart and spirit, made the fire inside of her leap and grow, and her eyes shone a deeper grey. The melted wax in the candles began to sizzle/splutter loudly and she stared at him. She was no young maid swooning at a man's attention, yet she was a woman who had long gone without a man's touch and here was a younger, strapping warrior wanting to claim her body and pleasure her. Even the present distractions created by the spirits did not sway him from his goal. She trembled, but not from fear.
"I say let's at it, warrior. I would feel your heat inside me."
"I say let's at it, warrior. I would feel your heat inside me."
Connor lets out a bark of fierce laughter and stares at her with a wolfish smile; his gaze becoming somehow more primal and more animal-like.
His hands reach for his armor and he begins to tear it off his chest piece by piece, throwing it on the floor even as his eyes bore into her.
When his armor is undone he pulls his long tunic over his heavy frame and flings it to the ground; the numerous scars on his naked chest looking ugly and brutal as his ice blue eyes gleam under the tangle of blonde locks falling over his face.
He pulls his boots from his feat and then drops his trousers on the floor and steps out of them; unabashed in his nakedness before her, his heavily muscled frame looking pale like snow, tinged with flame as the candlelight glistens on it.
The length of him is now hard and erect, but he does not say anything but merely stands before her for a moment so that she is able to see him fully.
Once her eyes have taken their fill of his body he moves forward to her hard and his hands fall on her with a fierce brutality, his mouth bending to press hotly against hers as he growls low in his throat.
Calladastina watched him as he undressed with a fierceness to shed his armoury and clothing. She was pleased with his naked form and wondered why a healer had not magically tended to his numerous wounds where scars now plainly stood. Still, the man was vibrant and vital and ready to enter her. She smiled and began to undo the buttons of her dark gown. She stepped out of the dress and picked it up and placed it on one of the chairs. Calladastina then removed her undergarments and placed them atop the gown. She stood with only his pretty, silver token about her arm, her fair skin illuminated and dappled in shadow by the numerous candles in the chamber (those still aflame since some were extinguished by the spirits).
She stepped forward and then Connor moved to her and she felt his mouth pressing hotly onto hers and she lost herself in the possession. He held her hard and she wondered if she'd bruise, yet she did not care. As they kissed, the breeze surged in uproar and pulling her mouth was the warrior's, she commanded, "Enough! Be gone," and the candle flames grew larger and then all burned out in the sitting room and the two were left in the now quiet dark. Calladastina drew closer to him and whispered against the warrior's mouth, "Come, let us move to my bedchamber. You will remain with me this night," and she grasped his hand in hers and guided him to the staircase where two large candles remained illuminating the wooden treads. They began their short climb up to the top-floor chamber.
Pulling her mouth was the warrior's, she commanded, "Enough! Be gone!"
Connor slid his mouth hotly against her jawline then pressed his lips against her neck and ear, his kisses hard a fierce as he heard her cry out.
"Come, let us move to my bedchamber. You will remain with me this night," and she grasped his hand in hers.
His mouth had roved down from her neck to press against the space between her breasts as her words vaguely penetrated his subconscious.
He did not articulate an answer but growled harshly as he felt her hand pull on his arm.
Instead he spins her back to face him and slid his hands down her naked back to grab at her buttocks and lift her up in the air, his palms sliding down her legs to spread her thighs around his belly and feel her legs wrap behind him.
His mouth moves back to hers and instead of following her up, he instead holds her with ease as he feels her arms circling his heavy shoulders, the bracelet scraping against his back and the pain of it makes his lips curve in a smile as he continues to kiss her roughly.
Then he slowly, but deliberately, carries her up the stairs to her chambers above, his mouth never leaving her shivering flesh but merely moving over her body as he seems to taste every part of her.
When he has arrived in her chambers he moves her quickly to the bed and presses her hard down into it beneath him as he breaks his mouth from hers, his breath coming in eager rasps inspired by his wanton lust.
"I want to see your face and your eyes when I take you the first time tonight," he says with a guttural voice.
He leans back from her for a moment so he is not too heavy, his left hand supporting his weight while his right hand moves to guide his manhood into her.
Then, as he feels her heat, his gaze grows more intense as he presses inside her only a few inches.
Then he pauses, poised inside her to watch her face and eyes - then he leans down hard on his forearms which rest on either side of her and steadies himself.
Suddenly he thrusts deeply into her and when he is full inside her body he pauses for a moment to let her accept his size.
Then he begins to take her.
The evening passed peacefully and the group wakes as the sun begins to filter through the wooden shutters. Delfi is singing somewhere down below, preparing for the day ahead.
After ablutions and such, the party make their way down to the dining hall and find the food and hot and cold drink placed on the table by the hearth and sit down to break their fast.
There is coffee and chamomile tea, milk and a jug of ale for those more inclined. Once again, there is an array of food: smoked salmon, fresh plain wheat and fruit loaves of bread, berry compote, cheese, a large bowl of yogurt with fresh elderberries and a good lashing of honey.
The music went a long ways towards soothing Rhialtyra's consternation with her party member and she was content to simply listen, occasionally humming along quietly if there came a tune that she recognized. It was almost too soon that she decided it was time to retire, but she knew she would greatly regret it if she didn't allot enough time for sleep. If nothing else, she could be something of a bear when sleep-deprived.
--
The morning came and she felt greatly refreshed. She completed her morning ablutions and slipped into the pink dress that she'd picked out the day prior. She made sure to move her items into her new pack and neatly rolled up her former bag at the side, towards the mithril daggers she hoped to sell.
The shortspear was not overly long so she cleared a space and gave a few practice swings, trying to mimic what she'd seen in her visits to the guardhouses. Admittedly, their spears were rather a lot longer and perhaps a bit sturdier looking, but she only had so much experience to draw from.
Having determined that she at least wouldn't stab herself or her companions from sheer lack of dexterity, she set the spear aside, next to the shield and the leather suit of armor. The shield, however, gave her pause. She frowned at it. She'd accepted it from Connor in good faith, and though he'd done a rather dizzying about face the night previous, she was not sure that it was quite appropriate for her to use it.
Just for now, she decided. It could be seen as insulting if she obtained a different shield immediately, but she thought it couldn't be taken amiss if she obtained one later on.
That decided, the aasimar oracle took a few minutes to run her fingers through her hair before swiftly managing it into a braided updo that she felt was both decorative and efficient. Having assembled herself, she took one last look in the mirror and took a deep breath, trying on a smile.
"It's a new day," she told herself. "And new days are full of opportunities!"
Miniature pep talk done, she headed down to break her fast with the others. "Good morning!" she greeted the staff as she stepped down the stairs. Her smile there was genuine - she liked the people that had been so kind to them and Delfi's cheerful singing had made her usual groggy morning much easier.
She helped herself to some chamomile tea, adding some milk and honey, and arranged herself a fare of a thin slice of fruit bread with some small pieces of salmon and a small bowl of yogurt mixed with the berry compote.
It seemed she was the first of her group to start the day, but she paid it no mind, simply greeting her companions with an easy, "Good morning," as they approached.
After a time, she also offered, "I intend to go to Baccus Smithy today to try and sell the daggers we found. Would anyone like to come with me?" She briefly recalled having asked the night prior, but wasn't entirely sure that anyone had answered her then. "It is not far, so I thought to go and return before we ventured out to find the Blood Vow."
Anila woke the next morning. She was well rested and ready to head down to breakfast and see what her companions had planned for the day prior to getting started on their next task from the baroness. She dressed and headed down stairs.
As she entered the room set greeted everyone there. Sitting at the table along with Rhia, she grabbed some chamomile tea with some honey, wheat bread and cheese. Just before she began eating,she turned to Rhia and said, "Good morning." After a pause she heard Rhia ask about joining her to sell the daggers. "Now that you mention it, you did ask last night. I was quite distracted. My apologies for the lack of response. I would be glad to keep you company while you go. I have no need of any purchases at the moment but it would be nice to get out and walk around."
Waiting to see what everyone else would be up to this morning she began eating the delicious food and warming herself with the fragrant tea.
The door to the tavern swings open with a bang and Connor enters with a bright gleam in his eye over his usual crooked smile.
His gear is slung over his shoulder, but his bare arms were scarred with cuts that were not there in the evening before. Further, his neck and throat seem heavily bruised and there is a sharp gash on the left side of his neck near his ear. Despite these marks, or perhaps because of them, he seems to be in high spirits.
Further, it seems that he did not sleep at the tavern but spent his evening somewhere else.
He moves in with a casual ease and waves his arm at the party as he strides over to the company and swings out his chair and flings himself into it.
Picking up the nearest mug he lifts it to his Shield Brothers –
”Skál,” he says with a lusty enthusiasm, then drinks whatever is in the cup with a ravenous eagerness and then thumps the now empty cup down on the table.
He glances at the bar -
"Begging your pardon; might we have another?" he says, lifting the now empty cup, then turns a grin at his comrades.
”So then, my friends; what shall we do today?” he asks them with a cheerful voice.
""My day was good, productive. It was quieter with Delfi out with your party, showing you around town. The luncheon patrons missed her bright presence. And you may call me Talia; I have noted that you and Master Connor call me by my full name. I am content for you to call me by my first name. How was your day?"
Riley guides Talia to the bench and offers for her to sit before he takes a seat next to her. "She is pretty special isn't she." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wrapped perfume. "It's not much, but I wanted to give you a small thank you gift for your hospitality." He hands it to her and waits for her to open it.
It pleased Talia that Riley understood Delfi's merits and she smiled at his comment.
"It's not much, but I wanted to give you a small thank you gift for your hospitality." He hands it to her and waits for her to open it.
Talia was surprised by the gift yet happy that Riley would think to show his gratitude. She held the small, wrapped parcel in her hands and recognised the pretty cloth Xemne used to wrap her stock of potions and alike.
With one, small glance at Riley, Talia unwrapped the ribbon and cloth and saw the vial of blueish-purple liquid. Unstoppering the vial, she drew it to her nose and she could immediately smell the lavender and rosemary. It was a soothing, welcoming fragrance. She placed some of the perfume on the tip of her finger and dabbed it upon her wrist and just behind her right ear before closing the vial and holding it gently in her left hand.
"You do not have to thank me for my service to my guests, Riley. However, I gladly accept the gift and the spirit in which it is given. Thank you." Her warm brown eyes watched him for a moment or two. Extending her right wrist to him, she asked softly yet boldly, "Would you care to determine how the fragrance sits on my skin? Err, that is, how you like the scent upon my person?" A faint blush bloomed on Talia's cheeks after she had asked the question. She lifted her eyes to his and waited to see what he would do.
Connor’s eyes roam around the table.
He notes the ladies eating and observes that Riley is distracted by Talia and this brings a grin to his face as he gives Riley a friendly nod of his head.
Then he turns to Felix and notes the Man-Cat seems to be distracted by some private musings and his eyes narrow in confusion at Felix's stoic silence and then his expression relaxes and he shrugs.
He turns to the feasting women and his hand scratches his beard absently.
”I think I heard you were going to sell the daggers before deciding to venture on our new mission,” he says to them with a agreeable nod of his head.
”I am eager to see how that unfolds and desire to come with you,” he adds.
He turns to Rhia.
”Your gear suits you well, Rhialtyra Sunaki; you shall make a Shield Maiden yet,” he says to her with a friendly voice, then turns to Anila.
”I am glad you have decided to come, too. Your dweomer craft has been very helpful on our journey so far and I thank you for your aid,” he says to her with a respectful nod.
He turns to Riley –
”Your eyes and words linger on a Talia Orem, my friend. Do you desire to dally with her this day, or shall you come with us before we go on the next quest for the Jarl of this place?” he asks him.
Then he turns to look at the last member of the party and stares at him for a long while as if thinking something.
Then he smiles.
”And you, Felix? What will you do this day?” he finally asks him with a friendly voice.
After the group have broken their fast, Rhia, Anila and Connor head for Baccus Smithy for the purpose of selling the Mithral daggers they had discovered in the Witch Tower.
It takes them little time as the smithy is nearby, and, as they approach they see the Half-Orc blacksmith talking to his other Half-Orc workers.
As "Big Bull" sees you, he lifts his hand in greeting, "Good morning, ladies and sir", with a "toothy" smile on his face. Looking to Connor, he asks, "Have you decided which shield would suit you best?" and to the ladies he asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, today?"
Rhialtyra smiled in acknowledgment and resumed her meal. It was not long before Connor appeared, apparently renewed from his night and in much improved mood. She nodded at his effort to address her, but saw no reason to speak as she was mid-mouthful.
It wasn't long before those who intended to go had finished their food. She retrieved the cask with the daggers and they headed towards the smithy. It was an easy, quick walk, and there was not all too much to discuss. She was happy to simply enjoy the weather and the day.
When they approached and drew their intended merchant's attention, she felt a bit cheered. His straightforward behavior from the day prior was comforting and she felt that he had been fair to them.
"Good morning!" she greeted him. She showed him the case, opening it so he could see the daggers. "I didn't have them with me yesterday, but I was hoping to sell these. What do you think? Would you purchase them?"
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"Would you care to determine how the fragrance sits on my skin? Err, that is, how you like the scent upon my person?" A faint blush bloomed on Talia's cheeks after she had asked the question. She lifted her eyes to his and waited to see what he would do.
Riley's eyes smile at Talia's blushed cheeks. He reaches up with his hand across her chin and lightly touches her cheek, turning her face toward his. He leans in and brushes her neck gently right behind her ear with his nose. He takes in her scent. She can feel the warmth of his breath as he exhales.
He leans his head back up while still holding her cheek. Their eyes meet just inches apart. His gaze slowly lowers to her full lips. He leans in to kiss her.
"Good morning!" she greeted him. She showed him the case, opening it so he could see the daggers. "I didn't have them with me yesterday, but I was hoping to sell these. What do you think? Would you purchase them?"
"Big Bull" took the iron case holding the daggers and studied the daggers, marvelling at the material and workmanship. He did not generally purchase such weapons for it was Chance's domain, yet the Half-Orc had overheard the burly human speak disgracefully of the pretty newcomer women at Grayhand Tavern last eve and he did not want the two women to go anywhere near Marcus Chance. The man was mean and dangerous. "Big Bull" wanted to deal fairly with the friendly woman, but he still needed to make some coin on the weapons when he tried to sell them onto Chance or another buyer.
"Aye, they are fine daggers. I am willing to pay 800 gold pieces for the pair. Is this acceptable, Mistress?"
He leans his head back up while still holding her cheek. Their eyes meet just inches apart. His gaze slowly lowers to her full lips. He leans in to kiss her.
His proximity and the familiarity in which Riley touched her made Talia's breath catch and her heart beat faster in her chest. She had given him her wrist to take in the scent, but instead he had chosen her neck.
She had closed her eyes a moment when she first felt Riley's breath behind her ear; biting down on her full lower lip from the sensation it stirred. Having a man so close, so affectionate with her was something she had not experienced in years. Talia was both thrilled and anxious and her body began to tremble.
When Riley leaned in and placed his lips upon hers, her mind warred with her heart, yet she did not want to pull away, could not for she wanted to know what his kiss felt like. So closing her eyes, and savouring the feeling of his hand upon her cheek, Talia leaned in, too, and kissed him back.
She was taken aback by the generous offer. She knew that most objects immediately lost their value after their initial sale, but that he was willing to pay so much impressed her.
The daggers, she knew, were worth approximately one thousand gold pieces new. She'd really only expected to obtain five hundred gold, maybe six hundred if she were lucky.
"Your offer is most generous, sir," she said, her expression openly warm. She didn't even bother asking for money regarding the case, well aware that the three hundred gold that he'd offered in excess of her expectation more than covered its cost. "That is more than acceptable to me."
"Your offer is most generous, sir," she said, her expression openly warm. She didn't even bother asking for money regarding the case, well aware that the three hundred gold that he'd offered in excess of her expectation more than covered its cost. "That is more than acceptable to me."
The Half-Orc smithy nodded as the bargain was struck and closing the iron case took the Mithral daggers to the back of his workshop and a short time later returned with a pouch of eight hundred gold pieces. Handing the full pouch across to the beautiful woman, "There is the coin I promised. It was good doing business with you, Mistress. A good day to you," and he inclined his head toward the ladies of the party.
With the group's business with "Big Bull" Baccus complete, Rhia, Anila and Connor bid the Half-Orc Smithy farewell and return to The Wise Piper to regroup and finalise preparations and plans for the kobold undertaking.
Riley's heart raced as his lips touched Talia's. He kissed her softly for a moment before being overcome by passion. He slid his hand from Talia's cheek to the back of her neck and pulled her closer while at the same time reaching for the small of her back with his other hand. As she drew closer, the intensity of the kiss rose.
She respectfully bid the smith good fortune and farewell.
Upon returning to the inn, she discreetly announced the sale to her companions and distributed the funds evenly.
Riley's heart raced as his lips touched Talia's. He kissed her softly for a moment before being overcome by passion. He slid his hand from Talia's cheek to the back of her neck and pulled her closer while at the same time reaching for the small of her back with his other hand. As she drew closer, the intensity of the kiss rose.
Talia felt his hand move to the back of her neck and the kiss grew from a soft touch to a deeper demand/longing. There was a momentary/brief inclination to pull away from the burgeoning ardour, but she would not permit the past to dictate the present. The trembling would not abate, making Talia move nearer to Riley as she opened her lips under the expert, eager pressure of his. Talia lifted her arms and wrapped them around the back of his neck to draw him closer still. She had forgotten how vital passion could make her feel and any shadow of fear from the past would not stop her from enjoying this kiss with Riley. Then all thought was gone as she gave into emotion and instinct.
Connor will spend time greeting and thanking Calladastina Honas again for the events shortly after nightfall and then during midnight, the Witching Hour and then at dawn.
He lets her know he is eager to return to her again as soon as his next mission is completed.
He returns to the tavern and heads out again with the others to go shopping.
Looking to Connor, he asks, "Have you decided which shield would suit you best?"
Connor will buy the Darkwood Shield.
He will leave the shop with the others and thanks the shopkeeper for his excellent service.
Upon returning to the inn, she discreetly announced the sale to her companions and distributed the funds evenly.
Connor thanks Rhia for her generous offering and accepts the coin.
Connor waits with his companions and is eager to get started on the next part of their journey.
After re-reading my information it seems that Connor will not be able to purchase the Darkwood Shield after all.
He currently only has 187 gold and 9 Silver pieces left before buying the shield and is not able to afford it for the challenges ahead.
I will adjust my sheet accordingly.
He pulls back a bit and looks Talia in her eyes. "I promised myself I would take it slow." He moves both hands to her cheeks and kisses her lightly on her lips again. "I plan to be here for a while. I want to get to know you. There is no hurry." He smiles and then kisses her softly again before leaning back a bit and looking into her eyes, judging her reaction to his words.
Talia was a little out of breath from the passion of their kisses and the dormant feelings they had evoked so quickly/unexpectedly.
Riley's words registered inside her mind and she began to slow down her inflamed senses and started to nod in time with his words. Riley gently held her face and kissed her softly between his words, so he wasn't rejecting her as far as she could tell.
Her deep brown eyes searched Riley's face and eyes, and her cheeks, the very same he held now, were further flushed by her reaction to his kisses. He isn't Calen, her heart seemed to be attempting to still her mind from any doubt.
She did not want to pull away as his hands still rested on her face, so she drew away just enough so she could look at him properly. "Aye, let us learn more about the other," she managed a warm smile even as her senses still quaked from the desire in her blood. Not certain whether she should or not, Talia leaned in and softly kissed Riley's lips to show him she understood and then drew away from his touch so she could restore some balance to her emotions. Her left hand still clutched at the vial of perfume Riley had given her. "It is a pretty scent and I shall wear it. Thank you, again, Riley." Talia was unsure if he wanted to remain out here, on the bench by the river, so she watched him to see if he would stand or remain seated.
Felix limbers up a bit in the morning, beginning a few stretching exercises and working a bit on his sword and footwork. Looking to the others when they return, he says So...shall we go put our foots into the vipers den? Smiling he sips at a flask of fruit infused water.
Looking to the others when they return, he says So...shall we go put our foots into the vipers den? Smiling he sips at a flask of fruit infused water.
Connor nods at Felix amicably at his comment.
”I have no problem with that, providing that we crush the head of the viper, rather than have it bite our heel,” he says with a dry grin.
”When shall we leave, then?” he adds, asking Felix, but also the rest of the group.
As it was still early, Rhialtyra thought it was as good a time as any other to understand the lay of the land, so to speak. "I need only retrieve my pack and I will be ready to go," she offered. "We should try to learn whether or not these kobolds intended harm. If it is but a few of them, I would rather we allow for an appropriate punishment instead."
As Talia lightly kissed him one more time, he gently bit her bottom lip. When she pulled back, he attempted to catch his breath.
"You are welcome, Talia. May I hold you hand again? I'd like for you to show me the river and tell me how you and Delfi ended up here. Tell me about your parents."
If she offers her hand, he interlaces his fingers and stands to continue their walk.
Riley comes down in the morning scratching his bed head. He has one eye open and is trying to open the other. He moves to the table and pulls out his flask. He takes a drink which appears to wake him a bit. "After breakfast?" He responds to Connor's question with a crooked and tired smile. He nods at Rhia's comments.
"So do we head back through the tower or through the quarry? I'd prefer the quarry, but we need to find out what we can about the terrain."
When he first sees Talia, he gets a big smile on his face and looks at her lips longingly. If she smiles back warmly, he walks over and kisses her lightly.
Anila joins the group to discuss their plans for the kobolds. In response to Riley's comment she replies, "I agree the quarry would be a preferable route once we learn a bit more of the terrain we will face. What does everyone else think?"
As it was still early, Rhialtyra thought it was as good a time as any other to understand the lay of the land, so to speak. "I need only retrieve my pack and I will be ready to go," she offered.
Connor nods his head, his own kit is slung over his shoulder and he seems eager to go as well.
"After breakfast?" He responds to Connor's question with a crooked and tired smile. He nods at Rhia's comments.
Connor turns his eyes from Rhia to look at Riley.
While he himself had feasted very well in the House of Calladistina Honas, both Rhia, Anila and himself had already broken fast and then been shopping.
"Daylight is wasting, my friend," he says to Riley.
"Yet if your evening was like mine, then maybe you will need more than drink to refresh your limbs," he adds with a friendly smile.
He then glances at the window and gauges the time by the length of the shadows on the ground which he can see.
It is not that late, but Connor's spirit is restless and he is eager for action.
"Still, I should think that you can take what you will from the table and simply eat on the march."
"But the choice is yours," he says with a shrug.
He turns his gaze to stare at the windows and hears Rhia offer her thoughts.
"We should try to learn whether or not these kobolds intended harm. If it is but a few of them, I would rather we allow for an appropriate punishment instead."
He glances at her thoughtfully.
"I do not know the ways of these southern kobolds, for much of my experience was with a different breed," he says slowly.
"But I do know tribal folk - and if they are of a tribe, then I think that if you wish to know their purpose then I do not think that it will serve much good to talk much with what scouts or guards we find on the trail."
"I think it would be best to find their Jarl - their "Chief" - and ask that one directly what their tribe intends to do, for that is what we would do when we meet another tribe in the north - find first their leader, if you would know the intentions of the tribe."
"Between then and now, if we meet any, then it may be better to ask them to take you to their Chief directly, rather than spend long words with folk who will not wish to reveal much to outsiders."
His eyes flick over the tavern for a moment, then he turns back to Rhia.
"It may be that the Chief is here for blood and plunder and should therefore be slaughtered outright," he says as his hand absently adjusts the hilt of his new sword on his hip.
"Yet - maybe - if that is the intention of their tribe, then - should you meet their Chief - you might be able to persuade them that there are other means to survive rather than bloodshed," he adds with an absent shrug, as if he does not care much either way if the kobolds are killed or simply convinced to leave the village in peace with diplomacy.
Instead, it seems he is offering a plan other than bloodshed for some reason beyond simple tactics or basic morality.
He cocks his head and looks at her.
"If you wish to persuade this Chief that the tribe should not fight but merely leave then I think you must be very cunning when you seek to meet their Chief, for - no doubt - they will likely watch us and try to guess our motive from the start."
Then he brightens somewhat as he favors her with his crooked smile.
"But for what it is worth, I have great faith in your cunning," he says to her with a friendly voice.
As Connor rocks forward on the balls of his feet, he hears Riley offer some thoughts on their path.
"So do we head back through the tower or through the quarry? I'd prefer the quarry, but we need to find out what we can about the terrain."
He looks at the Half-Elf.
"When I first saw the name of the road I deemed that it would be the passport to our enemy; for kobolds live in the deep places of the world, and quarries are an easy gate to those lairs."
"It is true that we may have some hard walking over the paths, but surely the trail is better than the darksome tunnels we earlier tried?" he says, glancing around at everyone.
Anila joins the group to discuss their plans for the kobolds. "I agree the quarry would be a preferable route once we learn a bit more of the terrain we will face. What does everyone else think?"
Connor's gaze flicks to Anila and he nods his head eagerly.
"Aye," he says with an emphatic agreement.
"After all, if we go in the tunnels then only one of us may fight the enemy at a time. Perhaps it shall be me who takes the van in our march, yet I deem that would foolish for I am not as small as others and my eyes cannot see in the darkness as you folk can; yet if not I, then who else would be eager to push the lead to face danger alone?" he says as he glances around.
"Further, if we are above ground then it is true that the enemy may try to attack us from multiple places, yet we can at least put our backs together and make an end worthy of a song," he says with a grim smile, then shakes his head and glances sidelong at Rhia, then clears his throat somewhat awkwardly, recalling that his eagerness for battle bothered her, and tried another tact.
"Yet - of course - we may meet no enemy on the trail at all; only other travelers," he adds with a nod at her.
"Still, for myself, I would rather a place like the Highlands, or some bramble-laden forest under the naked sky and free air than crawling like a worm through some foul smelling dungeon," he says, agreeing with the others about moving on the path instead of the tunnel.
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"You are welcome, Talia. May I hold your hand again? I'd like for you to show me the river and tell me how you and Delfi ended up here. Tell me about your parents."
If she offers her hand, he interlaces his fingers and stands to continue their walk.
Talia looked at his outstretched hand and wondered how seemly it would be to walk, grasping hands so, in town with gossiping neighbours, but she pushed aside the concern and reached out for his hand and felt as his fingers interlaced with hers. Any concern melted away.
His question caught her a little off guard but she answered readily, "I was born in town and Delfi just beyond. We've lived here all our lives; great-grandfather, Selwyn Orem, built the inn, and he and great-grandmother, Edeva, ran the inn and raised their family there. Four generations of my family have lived in Belhaim. My father, Allard, and mother, Eolande, were decent, hardworking and affable people. They treated people with respect and cordiality and they loved Delfi and I very much. I could not have asked for better parents. I was not always the best of daughters, I was a little wild at times, but they loved me deeper and tried to guide me as best as they could." She grew a little quieter, remembering the day she heard of their deaths. "As I have said, I was seventeen when they died, and, my world was turned upside down. Thank the fates I had Delfi, Jax, Jorje and Xemne or else I would have been completely lost." Talia pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear at her nervous admission.
"What was your home like, Riley?" she asked politely, still aware of his warm hand holding hers, as they walked a little ways along the river.
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When he first sees Talia, he gets a big smile on his face and looks at her lips longingly. If she smiles back warmly, he walks over and kisses her lightly.
As Talia bustled around the dining hall, ensuring all had food and drink, she glanced at Riley and saw that his eyes were on her and she was met by his large smile. She could not help but return the smile, albeit a little more shyly than his.
He strode over to her with sure steps and then lightly kissed her before his friends and her family. She grew shyer, yet she returned his soft kiss and then moved back just a little, knowing that Jax would certainly not approve of a man acting so freely with her. Talia could hear a small giggle coming from the kitchen door and could see that Delfi had witnessed the kiss and Talia's cheeks were now aflame. To cover her awkwardness, she asked Riley, "Is there anything more I can get for you, Riley? Will you be leaving for the old quarry soon, then?"
"Is there anything more I can get for you, Riley? Will you be leaving for the old quarry soon, then?"
Connor turns from his companions at the approach of Talia and watches her dally a moment with Riley.
It was true that he and the other women in his party had already eaten, attempted to talk to him, then left the tavern and shopped and returned and where ready to leave - and now it seemed that all they had to do was wait for Riley to finish his meal.
His eyes flick from Riley to Talia.
"We shall be leaving for the quarry at once to follow the new quest assigned to us by Fate as well as your own Baroness," he says with a bright smile "or at least, we shall leave as soon as master Riley has finished his business here," he adds with a cheerful voice, his eyes flicking to Riley.
"What was your home like, Riley?" she asked politely, still aware of his warm hand holding hers, as they walked a little ways along the river.
Riley actually flushes red a bit at Talia's question. "I never knew a family or a home. My earliest memories involve working in a circus." He pauses for a bit, staring at the river. He shrugs. "I am fine with it. It made me who I am." He continues looking off in the distance. "I met some cool people and I was a pretty big shot acrobat..." He bumps Talia with his hip playfully. "You didn't know you were kissing a star a few minutes ago did you?" He turns with a look of pain on his face and makes eye contact with Talia. "It sucks to be someone else's property. That is what I was for most of my life." He starts unbuttoning his shirt. He pulls his shoulders out of the shirt and turns to reveal his upper back. It is covered in a mass of scars left over from what appears to be lashes from a whip or leather strap. He turns back to Talia and pulls his shirt back up. He gives her a crooked smile. "Well that just blew the mood...didn't it?" He faces Talia again and takes both of her hands in his. "I don't want to hide anything from you. I am probably not the type of man you deserve or want. I am trying though." He trembles inside at the thought of her rejecting him after hearing the truth.
Riley winks at Defli when he hears her giggle, but steps back when he realizes he embarrassed Talia. Way to go Riley...you dumbass.
"Is there anything more I can get for you, Riley? Will you be leaving for the old quarry soon, then?"
He tries to recover quickly. "No. Thank you. Everything is delicious." At her second question, he nods and then sits down to finish his breakfast.
"Is there anything more I can get for you, Riley? Will you be leaving for the old quarry soon, then?"
Connor watches the interplay between Riley and Talia for another moment.
It was true that Rhia was ready to leave as soon as she grabbed her gear, as was he.
It was also true that Anila had offered her opinions and he himself had spoken at length about what may come, agreeing with her completely.
With all of this conversation he waited to hear what theories Riley may postulate regarding the journey to the quarry, the quest in general, or his fellow companions.
While it was true that Riley had mentioned his desire to journey overland, rather than the tunnels, it seemed that his discussion with his companions ended somewhat abruptly and Connor was extremely curious to know what Riley may say next to the company.
He tries to recover quickly. "No. Thank you. Everything is delicious." At her second question, he nods and then sits down to finish his breakfast.
His eyes widen in surprise at this and then narrow.
He puts his heavy hands on the table and clasps them together, the knuckles whitening as the smile on his face seemed almost fixed somehow.
He turns to Riley -
"Your night must have been good indeed to distract you so much," he says with a pleasant, though somehow tight voice, his eyes flicking to Talia curiously, then back to Riley.
Is she a witch, then, who has cast a spell on my Shield Brother that he should offer us, his battle-tested companions, barely a few grudging words this morning, while - by all the signs - it seems that he offers deep verses to her after merely a night?
He is not sure if Talia has literally used some magic to cast a spell on Riley or not, but until he knows more he thinks for now it would be better to keep his eyes open.
He scratches his beard absently and then looks at Riley.
"You said you desired to go overland rather than the tunnels and in this I deem we all agree."
"Beyond that we have laid our plans for the next leg of our journey; if you approve I am glad and if the plan vexes you then we should amend it readily."
"In either case your silence is curious, and I would be glad if my heart knew your true answer instead of falling to mere guesswork," he says to him with a friendly smile.
”But – more than likely – we can discuss that on the road. Or, failing that, once we arrive at our destination; but surely with better will when we are on the move rather than while sitting closeted in naught but this fair tavern, perhaps,” he adds, then pulls himself to his feet.
He looks at his companions.
”So – shall we away?” he asks them.
Riley listens intently to Connor. He cuts his eyes back to Talia as she works. "Yes. It was good, shield brother. I am sorry for the distraction. I haven't been this interested in a woman for quite some time."
He finishes a bite of bread. "Your plan is a good one and I agree with it completely. On the way, I would like for you to show me how you put so much power behind your attacks ."
Changing the subject, he gives the warrior a grin. "And your night? Was it as good as mine?"
Riley listens intently to Connor. He cuts his eyes back to Talia as she works. "Yes. It was good, shield brother. I am sorry for the distraction. I haven't been this interested in a woman for quite some time."
Connor nods his head pleasantly in response, understanding completely.
Before he had been with Calladistina he had not been with a woman since the start of their caravan journey together; after such a long time without a lover's touch it was good to find someone again.
He finishes a bite of bread. "Your plan is a good one and I agree with it completely. On the way, I would like for you to show me how you put so much power behind your attacks ."
He glances at Riley as he moves to the door.
"With good will! I do not fully know how much time we can speak while on the march, but I deem we may at least some have opportunity to talk easily - depending on the length of our journey."
He waits for the others to get up and follow, and he looks at Riley, then glances at Felix for a moment.
"For myself I have been spending time practicing a new style; though it is far from ready."
"Yet my heart tells me that once it is ready then you shall see the value of it, and - I hope - be impressed by how it may aid you in battle," he adds with a nod.
Changing the subject, he gives the warrior a grin. "And your night? Was it as good as mine?"
Connor turns and gives Riley an almost sly look.
"Who can answer that question until they know what the other's night held?" he says, somewhat cryptically.
Then he laughs.
"I was well pleased with the night. Aye, indeed; many times over did I feel its heat," he says with a wide smile.
"In truth I have been asked to return again for another visit when next I seek a bed; surely I cannot refuse such a courteous offer?" he adds with a wink.
"When this thing with the kobolds is concluded I shall indeed accept that second invitation - for I deem my blood shall be hot and for such fire there is only one remedy," he adds with a sigh of pleasant lassitude which seemed to belie his hunger for physical activity.
Then he shakes his head, as if to clear it of some thought and turns a smile to his friends as he waits for them at the door to leave.
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"I met some cool people and I was a pretty big shot acrobat..." He bumps Talia with his hip playfully. "You didn't know you were kissing a star a few minutes ago did you?"
At his playfulness, Talia smiled. Being that her family performed in some capacity, hearing that Riley was once part of a travelling carnival, made her suddenly feel more connected to the Half-Elf.
He turns with a look of pain on his face and makes eye contact with Talia. "It sucks to be someone else's property. That is what I was for most of my life." He starts unbuttoning his shirt. He pulls his shoulders out of the shirt and turns to reveal his upper back. It is covered in a mass of scars left over from what appears to be lashes from a whip or leather strap. He turns back to Talia and pulls his shirt back up. He gives her a crooked smile. "Well that just blew the mood...didn't it?" He faces Talia again and takes both of her hands in his. "I don't want to hide anything from you. I am probably not the type of man you deserve or want. I am trying though." He trembles inside at the thought of her rejecting him after hearing the truth.
His pain was something she wished she could take away but the past had a way of dictating bad memories and their hold on a person. Talia understood his meaning of not wanting to be chattel at the whim and mercy of a tyrant master/mistress. Talia looked upon each and every scar that laced his upper back and inwardly winced at what he had endured in the carnival. She wanted to touch them gently, wishing there had been a healer in the employ of the carnival to tend to such injury, but his loathsome master may not have wanted to spend more coin than he had to. Riley thought he ruined their recent pleasure but he had not. "Nay, nothing is ruined, here." Her soft, gentle words met his ears. When he turned to face her and held both her hands in his, she looked up at him, listening as he said he did not want there to be secrets between them. She lifted their interlaced hands to her lips and kissed the knuckles of his hands. Talia felt the guilt swell inside her for she had not told him her own story, yet, for they had only recently grown close/familiar.
"If a man seeks honesty and loves openly then that is a man I wish to know and deserve. I have something to tell you and once you hear it, I would know if you still wish to be with me."
Talia begins her story.
He tries to recover quickly. "No. Thank you. Everything is delicious." At her second question, he nods and then sits down to finish his breakfast.
Had she said or done something wrong? His demeanour had changed abruptly and upon his nod and sitting down, she nodded, too, ignoring Connor's remark regarding distractions, and moved to the bar to refill the jugs and allow Riley some time to himself and his companions.
Seeing that they had decided to try the quarry road, Rhialtyra sighed, recalling her previous experience. "I hope this doesn't end badly for me," she muttered, thinking of her clumsiness. She nodded to the others before quickly stepping up the stairs to gather her things.
She took the time to put on the studded leather armor. Though there were a few mishaps with the laces, she eventually got it sorted out. Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt strange, dressed for battle instead of in her usual dress and apron. Rhialtyra shivered, turning away.
She shouldered her knapsack and strapped the shield to her arm. It was heavy and she grimaced. There was more weight to be carried now than she particularly liked, but she could at least say that she was better protected than before. Taking up her spear, she closed the door behind her and moved back down the stairs.
"Are we ready to go?"
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The group finishes breakfast and their preparation and leave The Wise Piper at 8.40am (Talia wishes them well and sucess in their mission, her eyes lingering longer on Riley) and head toward the General Store to pick up some last minute provisions. You are only there for a handful of minutes and then begin making your way up Canteclure Road and then across the bridge and onto the Old Quarry Road. You arrive at 9.00am at the top of the hill; the wizard’s house and the Witch Tower ruins on your left up the hillside. The group gather and survey the damaged road leading to the old limestone quarry. From reports back in town, you were led to believe that the road could be traversed cautiously, but you discover that the road is far more broken and dangerously overgrown than the townsfolk realised (just as the Baroness had informed them in earlier discussions) and further access is impeded by water. The only route available to you now is the kobold passage/tunnel inside the Witch Tower, and so the group turn and make their way up to the ruins and over the rocky ramp and retrace their steps from the previous day back inside and down to the basement of the Tower.
Felix conjures his dancing lights once more and they begin to traverse the long corridors. They do not enter the central part of the basement with its prison cells, instead taking the corridor leading around and through the narrow ledge of the sludge trough and beyond. The party encounters the Clockwork Servant who halts their progress until Rhialtyra shows it her rendering of the Canteclure family crest and it allows them to pass safely.
The party arrive, without incident, to the section of the northern tunnel where they discovered the hole in the floor leading down to a narrow, 4-foot-wide tunnel winding to the east. The group move down into the hole, one at a time, for it is a tight squeeze and crouching (the ceiling is lower here), they move single file, pushing past the slick tunnel walls pressing in one them on both sides. Connor leads, followed by Riley, Rhialtyra, Anila and Felix takes the rear. They move slower here, along the 1,200 feet of tunnel, taking them a good fifteen minutes to traverse, but they manage to without much incident (Connor got stuck once but managed to wriggle free/through).
The group emerges onto a ledge overlooking the lake/flooded quarry at 9.35am. The ledge winds counterclockwise down to the far shore and the group make their way down, carefully and covertly as possible, in single file. It takes them five minutes.
The group can see that a fifty-foot-wide strip of shore stretches between the lake’s edge and the forty-foot-high quarry wall. It’s strewn with stony debris – the result of centuries of rock slides. Several larger boulders stand against the middle of the quarry wall.
Your scouts note, from their vantage point, that there are four kobolds standing watch at the northern entrance of the lair and a further two kobold guards manning the second, southern entrance. They are armed with spears and slings from what you can see and the kobolds appear truly agitated and looking about.
Rhialtyra peered carefully at the kobolds, curious to understand their behavior. Things were obviously not at peace among them and she wanted to know why.