Dara stayed silent as well, but for a completely different reason. A particular cult verse came to mind: And the followers of the messengers shall bring a darkness upon the land, and be rewarded by the True Gods.
This couldn't be the Ravens. Could it? She wondered.
"Oh, okay." I guess what Blaine said is true, that makes sense.
Looking at Xizoh, "Yeah, they were really different! Maybe we can use that to our advantage? I wonder if the two armies, old and new, would fight each other?"
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Dara looked at Cel, then Alaina, and silently shifted her eyes to Cel again.
Noting the look, Alaina said, "I don't think that's how it works Cel. If both were raised by the same source, then both would probably follow the same orders."
"Our fear, Mr. Shadelock, is that the army of dead marching on Kinghaven in the vision is composed of dead raised here on Mount Oranis by this sorcerer," says Captain Vazquez. "The initial seed of such an army, at least."
Blaine looks startled at Xizoh's statement that the undead the party encountered had different strengths. "Unless you're wrong about there only being one necromancer," he says to Lieutenants Narwita and Buhari, "It seems the spirit isn't inert after all."
Captain Vazquez asks Buhari, "Is it possible?"
"I'm not sure how... we had thought the amulet was necessary." Buhari responds.
"Maybe it is," says Narwita. "We haven't seen an army of the dead march down the mountain yet. If the sorcerer has somehow been raised, something is restraining it."
"Or it is waiting." Blaine says overly casually.
"Would the sorcerer be a match for a spirit like Oranis? I would hazard the spirit got into a fight after it left us, and not a quick one. Oranis could be raising the mist to contain the undead..." Dulae pauses and thinks back. "The wight we encountered, the old one, it was originally outside of the mist and heading towards it. Could the undead be drawn to the mist, rather than the mist creating them?"
Cel thinks for a moment on what Alaina just said, "Oh...yeah...hehe...right," he blushes a little, mildly embarrassed. Well that was dumb, you're supposed to be thinking before you speak!
Looking at Dulae, "Yeah, the mist wasn't harmful, and it looked like the spirit was, I don't know, a part of it or something?" His blush deepens a little remembering his previous behavior regarding the mist.
At Dulae's first question, Captain Vazquez looks down, as though she is debating whether or not to speak. After a moment, she looks up and says, "From what we could discern of the plans to harm Altien and those who follow her, the diary seemed to indicate that the sorcerer was as powerful as Halkion, if not Halkion herself."
At Dulae's second question and Cel's comment, Narwita says, "I do not know. Perhaps we should consult Marna."
Jerking in response to Halkion's name, Xizoh finds he has lost his voice. Halkion? The Abbhen general was a necromancer?!
"Halkion herself, as in 300 years ago Halkion? How is that possible? I guess I don't know much about necromancy, but I thought that was just about bringing others back not also keeping yourself alive." That is a frightening amount of power if it is Halkion. We have to be careful!
Blaine snorts. "Nobody said she's alive, kid."
"Oh, that's true..." Okay, I'm out of my league here, time to just listen.
Alaina just took hold of Cel's hand, letting him know she was there for him.
Dara listened carefully to what was being said. If the Necromancer is as strong as Halkion, then we are in serious trouble.
Dulae stares flatly at Vasquez. This just keeps getting better and better...
Captain Vazquez surveys the room for further questions. When she finds none, she picks up three wax-sealed envelopes and turns to Narwita. “Lieutenant Narwita, please have the stables prepare two teams of riders to depart immediately. One is to ride north to the Kinghaven forces without delay to deliver this message to their commander.” She gives Narwita the first envelope. “One will ride north stopping at each town in search of a scroll of sending or a mage who can cast it. They are to deliver these messages to the intended recipients listed inside, and are not to show the contents to anyone else." She hands Narwita the other two envelopes. "Understood?”
Lieutenant Narwita gives the captain a sharp nod and leaves to fulfill her orders.
After Narwita departs, Captain Vazquez asks, “Mr. Guillen, are you prepared to fulfill your agreement tomorrow?”
Blaine shrugs nonchalantly and says, “Of course.”
“And the message?” asks the captain.
“It is done,” Blaine says with a more sober expression.
Captain Vazquez looks satisfied at this. She says to the room, “Dismissed. Rest.” She looks to the party and a few others. “We meet here an hour before dawn.”
As people file out of the office, Captain Vazquez says, “Corporal Shadeshard, Sergeant Toema. A moment, please.” She motions for Zahan to shut the door so that the three of them are alone.
As Dara and Dulae hang back in the office, everyone else slowly files past Zahan and through the waiting room with an air of grim determination. Blaine shoots Xizoh an uneasy look as he passes. Zahan notices this and says loudly to Xizoh, “Don’t let him get to you. He’s an ass.”
If Alaina, Cel, and Xizoh wait near the door, Zahan asks, “So you’re going to to Mount Oranis again tomorrow, yeah?”
Silence washes over the office again for a moment after the door shuts.
Captain Vazquez gestures from Dulae to Dara and says, “Let me introduce Coporal Shadeshard of the Abbhen Anti-Cult Task Force.” She gestures from Dara to Dulae and says, “This is Lieutenant Toema, of the Order of Reclamation.”
She waits for them to greet each other by their true title and affiliation if they choose, then says, “Corporal, I’d like you to join Lieutenant Toema and the rest of her party on the mountain tomorrow as part of the rescue team. We’re operating with little information and your expertise may be critical.”
"It would seem that way," Alaina replied.
Putting a hand on Cel's shoulder, "Well, we should get back and rest up. We've got an early day tomorrow and we'll need sleep."
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Xizoh smiles at Zahan's comment. "I don't plan to let him. Thanks." Staring up at the mountain, the half elf adds, "Yeah, someone's going to end up needing a doctor sooner or later."
Dara notices Lieutenant Toema is the scowling half-elf who is bunking next to her.
Dulae remembers seeing Corporal Shadeshard enter with Alaina and Cel.
Cel takes in the information and sees the determination among all attendees at this meeting. There are a couple questions floating around his head, but he decides none of them really need an answer. Not the time, Cel, not the time. Speak when it's important.
Cel has a small smile of satisfaction in what is perceivable as a response to Alaina's comforting, but there's a small part of his smile that he was finally able to control himself just a little. Buoyed by Alaina, he takes a deep breath. It's a sad night for a lot of reasons, but I think we'll get through this. "Yes, I think rest will be much needed, and probably something we'll be grateful for tomorrow if we sleep tonight."
"The same." Dulae replies, shaking Dara's hand. "I'm glad you'll be with us; cults have never been my specialty."
Captain Vazquez thumbs through a small stack of papers before picking out an aged paper and showing it to Dara and Dulae in the lamplight. “This is what we think the amulet looks like,” she says. The paper shows a sketch of an amulet in the shape of an eight-pointed star with a large stone in the center. “The diary refers to the stone as the ‘blackstone’. If you encounter the amulet, please recover it and deliver it to me, or Lieutenant Buhari in my absence. No one else. Choose wisely who you trust to identify the amulet.”
The captain waits for Dulae or Dara to ask any questions, then slips the paper back into the pile. “My thanks to you both for your assistance. Please see that you get some rest tonight.” She gestures in polite dismissal toward the door.
Dara doesn't recognize the amulet as being associated with any cult she's more intimately familiar with, but she thinks she's heard that 'blackstone' is used by those devoted to Norah.
Dulae has never heard of 'blackstone' before, but she thinks she may have seen the eight-pointed star used by necromancers who wished to use the dead to take more life.
Zahan gives Cel, Xizoh, and Alaina a look of admiration.
A couple minutes later, the office doors open and Dara and Dulae emerge.
The captain calls behind Dulae and Dara, “Private Zahan, in here please. The rest of you, goodnight.”
Zahan raises his eyebrows at the group as if to say that’s my cue. “Night,” he says as he pulls the doors closed behind him.
The party is left alone in the waiting room.
Bowing her head respectfully, the Dwarf said, "Good night then Captain, see you in the morning."
She then turned and left the room.
Looking at the others, "Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had a day. I'm off for some well deserved sleep. I suggest you all do the same."
She gave her cousin a look that could have said, "And I mean sleep."
Alaina looked back as if she was saying, "What?" Her eyes flitted to Cel, then back, "Can't a girl have a little fun?"
Agent Shadeshard rolled her eyes and headed off to the Visitor Barracks.
The Wolf couldn't help but smirk a little. Slapping Cel on the shoulder, "Come on Rabbit, let's get some shut eye."
Shrugging his shoulder at the exchange, Xizoh waves as he walks away, towards The Wolf and The Bear.
Cel reflexively yawns at the statement of "shut eye," "Yeah, big day today. I could lose some sleep." He heads off with the others to the Wolf and Bear.
Alaina, Cel, and Xizoh see Lieutenant Buhari wave goodnight from the other end of the hall as they make their way to the door. Outside, a gust of freezing air quickly steals any feelings of warmth.
The snow has let up and the clouds have broken. Aside from the blazing torches surrounding the military building, most windows and streetlights in town are now dark. In the moonlight, they can see mist roiling down the mountain and creeping ever closer to town, coils reaching through the treeline. If they watch closely, they can see faint flashes of blue light where the mist swirls high above the trees.
Inside The Wolf and Bear, the lights are dim, the fire is smaller, and they don’t spot any patrons still in the tavern. A teenage boy Cel recognizes as Rik is sitting at the bar, both hands wrapped around a steaming mug, looking troubled. Smitty is next to him speaking in low, soothing tones.
Laurett is behind the bar with her eyes on Rik when she notices them enter. She waves, looking concerned. She opens her mouth to speak, probably to ask for news, then seems to decide against it. Inside she puts a hand to her mouth to clear her throat and calls, “Let us know if you’ll be needing water for a bath, dears.”
Dara and Dulae see Buhari wave goodnight from the other end of the hall before they descend the stairs. From just below the landing, they spot a well-hidden sentry crouching stone-still on a small platform in the rafters above the door, silently observing in the torchlight shadows.
When Alaina, Cel, and Xizoh open the door to leave, Dulae and Dara feel the frigid outside air seep into the building as they make their way down to the warm barracks. Walking down the basement hallway, they see soldiers still on duty preparing for the next day; packing supplies and readying weapons and armor.
In the barracks, the lights are dim. Soldiers are resting fitfully, many with their uniforms still on. No one speaks above a whisper. The room feels tense with anticipation of a fight.
Dulae nods at Alaina, Xizoh, and Cel before following Dara to the barracks. She takes off her armor again and begins the process of cleaning it and her weapons.
Cel perks up at the mention of a bath, "I am quite tired, but I would definitely love to get cleaned up!" He then notices Rik, Finally! Someone I can relate to!. He moves over to Rik, "Hey, are you okay, what's going on?"
"A bath would be wonderful, if you could." Relaxing, Xizoh sits at the counter, watching Cel talk to the kid next to him.
Laurett gives Cel and Xizoh a nod after their request for baths. She looks to Smitty, who usually carries the hot water up the stairs, but seeing his hand on Rik’s shoulder she wipes her hands on her apron and moves to collect the hot water herself.
As Rik turns to give Cel a weak smile, a nasty-looking welted bruise on the side of his head comes into view. Rik takes a shaky breath and opens his mouth to speak, but instead of words a choked sob emerges. He covers his mouth with his hand and looks away.
“The bastard that nabbed Silo attacked Rik in the stables,” Smitty speaks for Rik. His eyes take on a hard glint most unlike his usual amiable grin. "I found him on the ground after we heard the horses were riled up." His expression softens and he gives Rik a comforting pat on the shoulder. "We're waiting for Marna to come have a look at him."
"Would it be okay if I try to help? I got medical training back in Freeport." Xizoh lowers himself so he can look Rik in the eyes. As he gets down the half elf does his best to inspect the boy's injuries.
Cel keeps his focus on Rik while hearing the story, "Oh no! That looks awful! Are you doing okay?
Alaina just watched Cel. She couldn't put her finger on it, but somehow this young man stirred up feelings in her. Both in her heart.........and a bit lower.
Smitty looks to Rik, who meets his eyes and gives him a tiny nod. Smitty gives Rik's shoulder a small comforting squeeze and says to Xizoh, "Yes, thank you."
Rik turns his head so that his injury faces the doctor. As Xizoh inspects his head, tears well up in Rik's eyes and he whispers, "I thought he was going to kill me."
Xizoh thinks Rik was lucky. It looks like a blunt object hit him with great force, but glanced off his skull. At a different angle, it may well have cracked his skull open and killed him.
If Xizoh looks at Rik's eyes he can see signs of a concussion, but he doesn't think Rik's skull is fractured. If the broken skin where blood is oozing out of the welt on his head is properly bandaged, Rik should recover from his head injury.
Xizoh also notices a small sporadic grimace of pain and a hitch in Rik's breathing that indicates he is injured elsewhere - probably bruising and one or more fractured ribs from the fall after the blow. If he is right, there is potential for it to heal badly if unaided.
"The gods were smiling upon you. He most certainly tried, but you're tougher than anyone thought!" Xizoh smiles at Rik as he says this, pulling a small wooden box with a serpent on the lid. Opening it to reveal a plethora of medical supplies, Xizoh begins to pull bandages from the box.
Wrapping up Rik's head, Xizoh adds, "I think you might be hurt elsewhere, probably your chest. Mind if I feel your chest to see?" If given permission, he then begins to palpate Rik's chest, asking where the pain is.
Rik gives Xizoh a small smile at his comment and Smitty grins and squeezes him on the shoulder.
Rik sits patiently as Xizoh bandages his head. He nods at Xizoh's request, lifts up his right arm and points to a spot on his side, toward his back. He hisses in pain as Xizoh carefully examines him.
Smitty watches Xizoh attend Rik with a concerned expression. Laurett also watches them carefully on her way to and from delivering hot water.
Xizoh is quite satisfied with his bandaging and thinks the wound will heal up well if properly cared for.
Under Rik's skin, Xizoh can feel that Rik's ribs feel intact. Given the swelling and tenderness, they are probably bruised and there could be a hairline fracture, but this should also heal cleanly. If Rik rests and keeps from impacting or straining it he should be as good as new in a few weeks.
Walking up to Cel, the Wolf whispered into his ear, "I'll be in my room taking a bath, if you care to join me."
She then headed upstairs, making sure to put a little extra sway in her hips, just in case Rabbit was looking.
Laurett passes Alaina on the stairs and bids her goodnight. She walks back over to the bar, claps her hands together and announces, "Baths are ready dears. Let us know if you need anything else. Sleep well."
To Xizoh she says, "Thank you doctor. What do we owe you for your troubles?"
Cel watches what Xizoh does with curiosity, and gives Rik a small pat on the shoulder at the hiss of pain. Listening to Aliana's whisper he nods and smiles. He turns back to Rik, and says, "Feel better, Rik!" Then hurries to catch up to Alaina.
Xizoh smiles. "No thanks are necessary. I'm just happy to help."
Before heading up to his room for a bath, Xizoh informs Rik, "You take in easy for a few weeks, and it'll be good as new!"
Hearing the Rabbit coming up behind her, a smirk crossed her face. Getting to her door, she turned and seductively beckoned him closer with her finger.
When he was close enough, Alaina grabbed the front of his tunic, pulled him closer, and whispered, "Ready for round two?"
Finally finished cleaning her gear, Dulae beds down for the night.
Rik nods appreciatively at Cel. He gingerly touches his newly bandaged head, then gives Xizoh a grateful smile.
Laurett looks surprised when Xizoh turns down payment. “That is mighty kind of you.” She looks at Rik affectionately. “We’re pretty fond of this one.”
Rik says earnestly, “I will,” and the three of them bid Xizoh and Cel goodnight. As Cel and Xizoh head upstairs, they overhear Smitty’s attempts to convince Rik to sleep in a “proper bed” for the next couple weeks.
The lights in the barracks grow dimmer and the rustling sounds of many bodies in a room become more hushed. Dulae and Dara notice the Southtown soldiers seem undisturbed by any loud sounds from the Mount Oranis.
An hour later, a chilling howl splits the air, echoing down from the mountain and throughout the valley. It is clearly heard by anyone awake, it wakes anyone lightly sleeping, and enters the dreams of anyone deeply asleep.
After a full night’s rest, the party members patronizing the inn wake to the sound of growing bustle downstairs. The cold permeates through their bedding after their woodstoves burned through the night’s fuel.
Through the thick glass of their windows, they can see it is still full dark outside. From the yell of a girl lighting streetlamps for the morning, they estimate they have a bit more than an hour before they need to be at the military building, and they expect the shops should be opening up now.
After a full night’s rest, Dara and Dulae wake quickly when the lights become bright in the barracks. A couple dozen other soldiers are also rising and readying themselves for the day. The smell of coffee wafts into the warm room from the corridor.
Dulae and Dara would expect the lights to come on roughly an hour and a half before dawn at this time of year, which gives them about an hour before they need to be at the captain’s office. They both expect the armory should be open to requests by now if they think of any equipment they might need to borrow for the mission. It occurs to them the shops should probably be opening about now as well.