Ameiko lowers her head and directs her gaze towards Corrin, and then slowly shifting it to Zeldana. Her cheeks sparkle with wetness; her eyes glint as new tears form in each eye, forcing her to blink. The tears fall, heavy, trailing from eyelid down over the sharp cheekbones upon her face. Catching moonlight, starlight, even the towns ambien torchlight, they glitter like diamonds found within a deep mine. Down it trails, leaving behind its small essence as it finally descends to her jawline, holding briefly, and dropping away, the glitter fading to darkness.
Regret? she asks quietly, standing to her feet. You mean like slipping a dagger up under Tsuto's rubs, up into his heart, and twisting the blade while looking him in the eye and watching his life leave his body? Ameiko strides closer to Corrin, getting well within the elf's personal space. Close enough that Corrin can feel her breath upon his face as she continues to speak in a tone colder than death, just above a fierce whisper. Did Tsuto show any regret for encasing my father in a coffin of molten glass?! Did he hold any regret for smuggling in those goblins who sought to burn down Sandpoint?! My Home! Did he show any regret for kidnapping me and making me listen to my father's screams?!
"No he didn't." Zeldana said as she stepped in. "But that doesn't mean you should fall to his level. You are better than that Ameiko." She explained as she gently place her hand on her shoulder. "I won't let you become a kinslayer... Friends don't let others fall into that."
She couldn't hear what they were saying from where she lingered within the back door. Loxley could only watch from a distance as Corrin and Zeldana approached Ameiko. She thought that more than the two of them and Ameiko may have felt 'cornered'.
Corrin just seemed to be able to make people feel at ease and Zeldana was a fellow townsperson. Who was she but an outsider, her opinion didn't really matter.
Silently she watched and prayed to the gods that Ameiko would heed their pleas and agree to stay behind.
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Yeda notices that the table in her booth is suddenly emptying, and yet plates are still sitting there... all lonely.
She shouts out a token, vaguely honest Hey, are you guys going to finish this?, only pausing before rotating their plates in front of her.
Warriors need energy!
She takes a long draw from her mug and eyes the others.
No... THAT is too far...
Oh this was hard. He knew he would have felt exactly the same way. Still, sometimes families were consumed by the revenge and Miss Ameiko had been very nice to Dewdrop and himself.Their was another way perhaps.He could become the hunter for her. With no hesitation he pulled the leather mask he wore to protect his face in battle sometimes and slid it on before pulling out his dagger very slightly cutting his palm.
He proffered the cut hand to Ameiko.
"By blood, let us consider me your kin in this hunt for your brother Miss Ameiko. The is nowhere in the lands that he will hide from our justice, our fury."
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Tamm works his way through another beer and then sends Bandit to fetch him a new one.
"No use saving the town if you can't get a few beers on the house.." he tells the raccoon behind a cupped hand.
The raccoon takes the cup in both his forepaws and walks on his hind legs across the barroom to the bar.
He waits patiently for the bartender to refill the cup, chittering cheerfully all the while.
Bandit, ignoring everyone except for the halfling woman at the end of the bar, waddles down, his black paws setting down easily upon the hardwood surface. Bethana, hearing everyone's laughter and comments, stops what she's doing and sees Bandit approach her. She purses her lips and shakes her head. This mistress may approve of having familiars in the tavern, but that is as far as she takes it. Tell your master that if he wants an ale, he's to get up and fetch it himself. But, since you made the journey here... she reaches under the bar and pulls out a small bowl and sets it on the countertop. She fills a cup part way of ale and dumps a little into the bowl, and then adds a splash of water to it. she slides it to Bandit A special treat for the Stalwart defender! she finishes by lifting the cup with ale up as a form of salute to Bandit, nods, and empty's the contents down her throat.
Ameiko looks from Zeldana and tilts her head while Corrin makes his proclamation. Her eyebrows rise in surprise recognizing the ceremony. A Familial Pact ? Corrin...I... She trails off, seeing the look in Corrin's eye. Nodding, she reaches up, and unbuttons the top 5 buttons of her blouse. She pushes the opening wide, exposing her left breast to Zeldana and Corrin. Her right hand extends out, gently taking the dagger from corrin's own hand. Looking Corrin in the eye, she brings the dagger to her chest, just above the heart. She makes a narrow cut upon her skin, allowing blood to flow free over her pale bossom. Holding the dagger in her right hand, she reaches out, clasps her left hand onto Corrin's extended wrist, and brings his hand to her chest, allowing both cuts to rest against the other. Speaking in elven, she says Although of two separate lines, we are now of one, joined by blood, entwined for eternity to be of one family. Letting go of his hand, Ameiko gently cuts a shallow line upon her own hand and holding it up while flipping the dagger around to allow corrin to repeat the final step in the ceremony.
Bandit drinks down the cup of ale with a satisfied little smile on his face.
Tamm, disappointed that his hero status seems to be wearing off, gets up and walks over to the bar to fetch himself a drink.
"A pint of the ole bitter, if you please milady" he requests formally.
When he gets his drink, he scoops up Bandit and asks the bartender: "Could I trouble you for three empty cups?"
He then returns to the table. He sets down the raccoon, his drink, and the cups before taking a seat.
He then pulls out a copper coin and proceeds to teach the raccoon a variant of 3-card monte with the cups and the coin.
The raccoon claps his little forepaws excitedly each time he finds the coin under the cups and chitters angrily if Tamm fools him with tricky handling of the cups as he slides them back and forth.
"Bound by blood sister. I will not fail you."
He intoned slipping up the mask just enough to draw a line under each eye in their blood before sliding the mask back down. He had never fully unleashed the hunter before now. He was slightly nervous. Not very often but on occasion those who had been in his clan lost themselves to it. He had good folk here though, he was sure that they would keep him grounded if things got too... dark.
Warriors need energy!
Loxley heard Yeda calling but didn't hear what she said. Her attention was on what was unfolding behind the building. She watched with curiosity, not realizing she had taken a few steps out the door to watch the impromptu ceremony as she unconsciously strained to listen.
Bandit, chittering like mad at one of Sazzat's sleight of hand, takes a small paw and racks it atop Sazzat's knuckles that hold one of the cups two times in quick succession. Bandit then shifts, sitting back on his hind legs in the common hunched position raccoon's take, and grows still. Eerily still, like a statue, watching. Sazzat lifts the cup...and finds instead of the one single copper piece three gold coins stacked neatly.
Yeda looks over at Sazzat and his pet while she stuffs her face.
Hmm, he learns fasht.
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"Nice work little buddy!" Tamm says in surprise as the raccoon performs his trick.
"Now take this over to the nice bartender and tip her for giving you that ale earlier." he says as he picks up a coin and hands it to the raccoon.
Loxley suddenly felt guilty when she witnessed Ameiko's emotional release. Looking away quickly, she turned and hurried back into the Rusty Dragon. Leaning back against the wall she stared up at the ceiling a moment.
Taking a moment to center herself she pushes away from the wall she crosses the kitchen and re-enters the main room. Looking around for Bethana, trying to catch the halfling's attention, she gives her a forced smile and a positive nod.
Loxley approaches the table, gathering the book and her belongings she retreats towards the rooms.
Yeda spends the evening lovingly grazing the blade of of her greatsword, Mar'du, with a whetstone. She sits by the fire in the common area and does this with the intensity of a wizard in a spellbook.
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The light from the candles flickered as Loxley sat up in bed. Her back rested against the wall with the book propped up on her knees. She had been slowly working through the last bit of it since she fled the dining hall. Finishing the last page she carefully closed it and rested her hand on the cover.
What she had read was fascinating from an academic standpoint, but what it represented bordered on terrifying. Deep down she knew that anyone who actually followed these passages could not be left to their own devices. She leaned her head back against the wall, rolling it a little she glances out the small window at the night sky.
Sliding off the bed, Loxley set the book aside and rummaged through he pack. Pulling her spare clothes out she ventured out into the hall. Heading into the common room she took a moment to look around. She spotted Yeda near the fire but didn’t see Ameiko at the moment. Breathing a small sigh of relief she located Bethana and ask to use one of the bathing tubs. Insisting that she could draw it herself so the halfling wouldn’t have to worry about it.
A short time later Loxley laid in the warm water staring up at the ceiling. Her mind drifting over the last few days. This hadn’t been what she expected when she decided to stop in the small town. Goblins. Demons. The undead. A monstrous cult.
She envied the others, they all seemed to have an easier time speaking to others. She was concerned about Ameiko, but had been too cowardly to approach her about it. She could have joined the others but had stood back as Corrin and Zeldana stepped up.
”I am a coward”
She said softly into the empty room before closing her eyes and ducking her head to wet her hair. Loxley started to wash up. It was going to be a while before she would have this luxury again once they were out chasing the evils of the land.
Tamm spends the other coins buying drinks for the other patrons.
"Best live it up tonight, 'cause tomorrow we're off for adventure and fortune!"
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Once Ameiko was ready he returned quietly to the common room, only pausing to ask Bethana for a small bowl that was empty. Before he slept that evening he would collect a small amount of ash from the hearth, a small bit of earth from outside and a few berries, and some water.
He awoke that morning at the first hint of dawn physically refreshed but spiritually in a dark place. It was fitting. He took his ingrediants and mixed them all together along with a few reddish berries crushing them into the mixture in the bowl. He then began to 'paint' markings along his face and forearms before doing the same to Dewdrop. They were going to war soon.
Lastly he took a few more of the berries and prepared them with natures bounty just in case someone took hurt.
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Zeldana didn't stay up long after they returned to the group. After all they where going to have an early morning.
The coming morning she sat close to the door working on a reading, she drew one single card from her deck after a flourish of shuffles.
The Lost greeted Zeldana the morning, to which she closed her eyes and sighed. "Mayhaps they may still be save."
Morning came early. Early for everyone.
A dull knock at the door aroused you from your slumber, as the hint of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and other common breakfast foods begins to filter into the rooms that you slumber within.
Gathering your gear, you carry it with you down to the common room; the smell of breakfast assailing your noses with each step down the stairs. Finally, you make landing upon the bottom platform and step through the short corridor into the common room, where you see, tucked into a back corner, a small table laden down with breakfast foods. Ameiko stands before it, a large smile upon her face.
Good morning! When i was travelling, and going out looking for trouble, i always felt it was prudent to ensure that my first meal of the adventure was as filling and rib-sticking as possible. It provided me with that "at home" feeling when i was many miles away from the warmth of the hearth, the security of walls and roofs, and easy companionship amongst friends. Please, take a moment and eat your fill. And then leave, knowing that wherever your next step takes you, youre always welcomed here.
Food is served, and chat is light hearted, but soon enough, as the morning light pierces the windows upon the eastern wall, it is time to leave.
Shouldering your packs, (Sazzat checks to ensure his wubby is slung underneath while Bandit chatters like a mad hen into his ear), you march out from the Rusty Dragon Inn, and head to the northern gate.
The guardsmen at the gate nod to each of you in greeting; although you may not know them, they understand that you are sallying forth to ensure justice for the community of Sandpoint.
Fair travels one says
Safe ways. the other speaks as if in reply.
The large door is opened wide enough to allow everyone an easy means of traversing the gateway, and in short order, everyone stands beyond the walls, beyond the security that signifies civilization.
Out there, in the shadows of the forest, in the hills beyond, the ocean, the skys above and the earth below, danger lurks. It haunts you, cloying like oil upon a waters surface. To enter the beyond is dangerous to body, mind, and soul.
The slam of the door behind you sounds like a coffin nail driven into your soul, making sure to remind you that, out here, you are on your own.
Zeldana welcomed the extra presence before their time to leave came, and food with friends was a welcomed thing as well.
When the left, Zeldana gave a wave to the guards as a form of thanks before the door was closed to them. Pausing for a moment Zeldana had to remind herself that this wasn't forever.
Letting out a long breath she looked to the others and gave a resolute smile.
Yeda lights up at the prospect of a big, "last" breakfast.
Can't say no to that Ameiko!
The warrior sits down and gets to work on an overloaded plate like it's her job.
I think that could carry me through the trip... she remarks, patting the front of her armor that hides her belly. Despite her eating habits, she's remarkably slim, and while toned her strength isn't immediately obvious to her foes.
----------------
On the way out of the gate she gives a light salute to the two guards.
Hold the place down while we're gone!
Smiling, she glances around at their open surroundings.
This is going to be fun! We could use some time outdoors, after those dank, evil passages.
"I'm more of a city boy myself...." Tamm says, looking back over his shoulder at the town gates.
"How far is it to the goblins?" he asks.
Just because it comes to mind when some asks a geography question.
He was silent as they passed the guards and left the town, after all, he was on a mission. He tilted his head and frowned at the question. It was a good one after all. He had no idea where they were going. His travels had been south of the city, no goblins there to be sure. Frustrating.
"Couldn't rightly say." Zeldana answered with a shrug. "In Sandpoint I could tell you whatever you'd like to know... outside of it... sadly I'm not much help there." She shrugged.
"Well, I think it's about 6 miles up that way." Tamm says, pointing out toward the coast.
"We can get there pretty quick, depends on how fast we walk."
Yeda nods and follows Sazzat. She absent-mindedly swings her sword at some of the grass as they walk along (not near any of her companions, mind you).
Loxley closed her spellbook and tucked it into her pack. She had only been up a short time. Just long enough to study her spells. Shouldering her pack she closes the door to the room behind her and makes her way down to the common room.
At the welcoming breakfast spread and Ameiko's encouragement she can only stumble through a... "Thank you." She can't bring herself to meet the innkeeper's eyes, not sure why she feels a little guilty as she joins the others in eating.
As they leave the town proper, she smiles and nods to the guardsmen as they pass.
"Well, I think it's about 6 miles up that way." Tamm says, pointing out toward the coast.
"We can get there pretty quick, depends on how fast we walk."
Loxley nodded. "Tamm's right, we should be able to reach it just a couple hours depending on terrain."
The sun continues it's undending journey across the sky, moving higher and higher as you travel easily upon the hard packed coastal road. The sound of the ocean lapping it's water gently upon the shoreline fills your ears as you move north. The smell of salt, subtle within the confines of Sandpoint's otherwise heavy human smells, overrides all other smells. It provides a slight tang upon your tongue with each breath, and you cannot help but admire the cotton white crests as the water crashes down upon itself or the shoreline, ever so slowly eroding the coast.
Rounding a slight bend and heading east, you spot just on the horizon, rising just about 100 feet into the air, three large stacks of rock and hanging trees upon it's surface. you easily recognize the well known landmark The three Cormorants. Thrusting up from the waters below, their sides hold eucalyptus and cypress trees, providing a green shade to the otherwise white and sandy colored stone protrusion from the blue ocean.
Staying to the path, the road leads you between two equally dense forests on the north and south sides of the road. Heavy, foreboding, the darkness within these woods. Hands draw near weapons, spells are recalled to the forefront of memory as you stay on your guard, watching for any attempts at violence to come from the concealment. Yet you manage to pass beyond this woodlines without incident.
The further you go from sandpoint, you feel your pulse quicken, every step leading you further from a source of security. For most of you, having come from beyond Sandpoint, the travel isnt new, yet you have always been with others who have been able to help provide for, or actively contribute to, your security. For one of you, this is truly a first. A journey beyond. The thrill and chill of having to fend for yourself, of having to ensure the security of others along with yourself.
It is with these thoughts in mind you pass to the south of a large outcrop of stone mounds.
Paupers' Graves. the last resting place for the desperate labor brought from the city of Magnimar to help build Sandpoint. Zeldana informs the group as you pass the stone mounds.
From amongst the numerous rocky rises, the sounds of shrieking echoes off of the hard sides, distorting the source of the shriek. It sounds a second time, and then a third; it sounds as if it's coming from all around you.
What the gods is that wretched shrieking?!
Yeda exclaims as she tries to train her ear and determine the source. She holds out her hand behind her, signaling for the others to halt and remain quiet. All the while she's point her sword towards where she thinks its coming from until it slow rests, pointing forward on the trail.
It's from up ahead, the direction we were going. Obviously we need to proceed quietly, and with caution.
She leads the group forward, her sword still leading the way.
His nose wrinkled up and slowly withdrew a spear while trying to discern what the noise was from.
He had no clue what the noise was from, He took a glance back to Dewdrop before he purposely moved torwards the exposed rocks and began to climb up them to get a better viewpoint.
"That sounds like trouble." Tamm agrees.
He follows Yeda.
Zeldana nodded and followed after the others however she was not as silent as the others where.
Loxley stopped and looked around at the sound of the first shriek. Readying her bow, she notched an arrow as the shriek came again and again.
At Yeda's word she nodded and followed the group as quietly as she could.
Which, as it happened to be, was about as quietly as Yeda herself. She glanced over at Corrin as the elf attempted to get a better view of the area. "Be careful." She stage whispered.
Tamm climbs up on a rock for a view.
Yeda creeps forward until... she thinks she seeds a loan individual distressed by some threat just out of view.
Yeda creeps forward until... she thinks she seeds a loan individual distressed by some threat just out of view.
from the perspective of yeda
You hug the large stone outcropping, keeping flat to the surface, your eyes staring ahead, attempting to pierce the branches and needles that obstruct your vision beyond the treeline. And yet, something large, brown, and somewhat hairy shuffles around upon the ground. Another piercing shriek emits from a hidden maw, large leathery wings unfurl. The wings flap, once, twice, three times and the strange narrow feet push itself up off the ground, leaving behind the body of someone; bright red stain's it's clothing while a hand moves slightly.
from sazzat's perspective
Climbing up the hard rocky surface is fairly easy, as the stone is weathered, allowing for easy access hand and foot holds. You climb high, five, ten feet up, and support yourself upon the narrow peak. You stretch your neck out, and see, for a moment, slight tips of something brown and leathery peek high enough above the other rocky upthrusts. A shriek sounds loudly from beyond the rocks, and the heavy impact of large sheets slaping the air comes from out of sight. Yet before you have a chance to wonder what it is youre hearing, you see a large, strange face lift up into sight. Ugly, hairy, browns and blacks, red streaks flowing from it's lips, fangs tainted red, it shrieks as it rises up, wings lifting it up into the blue sky.
the creature, lifting from the ground, flies towards the party, yet passing overhead, shrieking a high pitched ring that rises in pitch til it suddenly grows silent. It soars overhead before stopping and twisting in the air, its mouth still silently screeching.
Tamm flattens himself against the rocks to avoid attracting its attention.
Yeda creeps forward until... she thinks she seeds a loan individual distressed by some threat just out of view.
Great, a flyer...
Yeda sheaths her trusty greatsword and grabs a javelin from off her back.
"Some form of bat, they see best in the dark by echolation..."
He frowned realizing that well his noise might attack the giant bat.
He bellowed his bellowed as loudly as he could crouching low but setting his foot on his spear... Let the things come for him, he was ready.
Loxley followed not far behind Yeda in the lead. She tightened her grip on the bow as something unseen released another piercing shriek, followed by the sound of giant wings. Before she could do anything else a giant bat-like creature appeared over the rocky formations and flew over the group with yet another cry.
Loxley winced at the sound but quickly swung her bow around to target the creature as she drew back. The blood around it’s maw was too fresh looking and she felt a pang if regret for the unseen victim. With the creature in sight, only 30... no 40 feet or so in the air Loxley didn’t hesitate further. She let her arrow fly.
Cursing as it flies wide she quickly draws and notches another arrow.
Zeldana moved up next to Yeda and grabbed onto her arm. "Lets try to even the odds." She said.