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After several moments of post-coital bliss, the Wolf fell asleep.
Where the Hells am I? She wondered.
"Wrong place," Said a chorus of voices from behind her.
Spinning about into a defensive stance, her shield in front of her. No, not her shield, a circular wall of......she didn't know what. But whatever it was, it was a beautiful collage of color that wove and clashed together.
In front of her was a mass of vibrantly colored serpents twisting this way and that in the air, "Who....what are you?"
"We, are Protean. Beings of Chaos that dwell in this place. Fear not Sister, you are in no danger here." They spoke at once, yet not.
"Where is....wait what? Sister?"
"In due time. Now.......AWAKE!" Without warning, they swarmed about Alaina, a dizzying array of color and movement.
“The river is a swift messenger,” Blaine remarks. He studies her for a moment. “You look like you’ve had a rough day. You’d better get some rest. They’ll still be here tomorrow.”
If Dara or Dulae look into the lower hallway in Southtown Headquarters during the afternoon they notice Southtown soldiers return from Mount Oranis, including Zahan. The last few groups carefully carry wrapped objects, some obviously corpses, into a guarded storage room across from the armory.
Dara and Dulae hear the quiet clamor of many more bodies coughing, shuffling, and whispering in the barracks that night. The Abbhen dwarves fill the room almost to capacity.
Night falls over Southtown quiet and peaceful. Clouds softly cover the sky and coat the town in a layer of fresh snow. The night passes without a sound from Mount Oranis.
An hour after the sun rises the party hears loud hunting horns sounding at least a mile away to the north.
You recognize the horns as announcing the arrival of Southtown military troops.
In fact, all his flesh seemed particularly antsy, as if his recent use had deepened his unnatural connection to magic. Staring at his arms even as he feels his back shift about, Xizoh bites his lip to keep from crying out in panic. I really need to see Oranis about this. I can't keep having this get worse and worse, not if I ever want to go home..
Probably gonna have trouble sleepin' for a while." She gives a small shrug and stretches her arms upward. "Wouldn't be the first time."
The tavern is quiet for breakfast time; only a few other patrons are eating here this morning. Anyone who pays them much attention sees some are giving Henri an odd look after she sits down to eat in bare feet and a tunic.
Laurett nods to those who come downstairs as she dries clean glasses with a towel laid over her right shoulder. Smitty walks over to their table with a little less of a spring in his step than he had yesterday. "Morning, he greets them. "Can I get you some breakfast?"
Henri quickly notices that although the floor is well swept, already some melted snow and dirt has been tracked across the floor.
Dulae reports in for duty, assisting around headquarters and way she can. She keeps an eye out among the new troops that have just arrived for any former comrades.
Dulae walks up the stairs toward the captain's office and feels a not-so-gentle prod in the side of her ribs. "There's my wee Acolyte," says Kieran's familiar voice. “Look at you, saving famous wizards and paladins and s!$@ like a big damn hero." He waves dismissively at her hurriedness. "Everything's all wrapped up on the mountain and the body you killed," he looks at her pointedly, "won't be ready for us for hours. Relax." He looks around to check for anyone nearby and lowers his voice. "You got anything for me the baby paladin doesn't know?”
Kieran has more lines on his face than Dulae remembers and a new scar over his left eye. He still wears a playful grin but he holds himself with a new tension Dulae doesn't remember.
Dara slept, albeit fitfully, through the night.
Awakening at the sound of the horn, she thought, Ah, there they are.
Getting up to do her morning routine, she was feeling a little more sore than yesterday, probably because of nearly getting killed by an overly dead hulking dead man.
After her routine, she headed to the Mess for breakfast.
Seeing him standing there in all his glory, Alaina couldn't help but start to feel hungry. Slowly, she beckoned him back to the bed with one finger, "How about you come back here and comfort me?"
The Wolf's thoughts are distracted by the sounding horn. "Let's just ignore that for now."
Stretching out seductively on the bed, "And this time, how about you lead."
Sighing melodramatically, the half elf cradles his head in his palm. "You have so many bad habits I don't know if it's worth fixing." As she continues Xizoh's mirth fades. "Ez?"
Nodding, Xizoh kindly asks, "Could you grab something for me and Henri please?" Pursing his lips, the half elf quietly asks, "Rik doing okay?"
Henri grins. "I'm doin' my best." As Xizoh asks the question, though, most of her gently happy expression fades. For a moment, she can still smell the blood of her friends, her allies in the air, before shaking her head. "Well, I mean, not the first time Ez beat me in a fight, that's for sure. But... I've had bad days before without him, too. Lost some people. You know how it is." She nods to Laurett, glancing pointedly at the towel on her shoulder. "I appreciate it," she adds onto Xizoh's request.
"It's basic mission protocol to put securing a key hostage ahead of disabling combatants for questioning," Dulae smiles sweetly. "Accursed necromancer, sir."
Kieran chuckles. "No news then?"
"Silo has the comb and the amulet," Dulae reports.
"So I've heard." Kieran frowns. "What do you make of the amulet?"
"It established a bond between the young mage and some kind of dark force, which I would guess was teaching him necromancy and was able to possess him. I'm not sure how the comb fits in. Silo thinks its an artifact of Norah but I'm not sure why," she says.
Kieran nods. "The Order will be working on finding out more about the comb." He nods toward the captain's office. "Shall we, then? There's someone I want you to introduce me to."
"Who?"
"Your new dwarf friend from Abbhen. We've much to discuss." Kieran smiles, but looks troubled.
The mess is much busier this morning, half full of dwarves and humans in City of Iron guard uniforms. There's a wait for food and the coffee is running low. Rilen looks stressed and doesn't exchange more than a nod of recognition and a brief hello with Dara as he fills her plate with the same hot oatmeal-textured mush that was served yesterday.
After she gets her food Dara recognizes another Anti-Cult Task Force member wearing a guard uniform and blending in with two human guard members at a table near the door. Dara also sees Blaine sitting near the back of the mess with the woman Dara saw speak with him yesterday and Captain Thorjak.
"Rik'll be sleeping up in my room," Smitty answers Xizoh. "At least for awhile. He doesn't like to spend the night outside by himself anymore." Smitty glances toward the bar, then says, "I'll have something right over for you."
Laurett puts two plates of eggs, bacon, and bread and two cups of water on the bar with a quick wink at Henri. Smitty deftly carries them over to their table in one trip.
After a quick bath, she dressed and strapped on her shield. "Ready?"
As the ACTF member’s group cleans up their table and prepares to leave the mess, Dara’s fellow agent drops a knife on the floor next to where Dara is sitting. As she rises from retrieving it she whispers to Dara, “Kieran is looking for you. Upstairs.”
His face lighting up at the prospect of food, Xizoh takes a deep wiff of the delicious aroma's before asking, "What do I owe you?"
Smitty glances over at Laurett, who holds up two fingers. "Two silvers each," he says.
Finishing her meal, the Dwarf cleaned up her dishes and headed upstairs.
When Dulae and Kieran reach the waiting room, Dulae sees that Private Zahan has resumed his post outside the door of the captain and Silo’s office. Zahan greets Dulae warmly.
A few minutes later, Dara enters.
That her? Kieran asks Dulae with a quick glance.
He walks over to shake Dara's hand.
Dara doesn't spot anyone who looks like they're looking for her until she reaches the waiting room. A tall human wearing nondescript traveling clothes is speaking with Dulae in hushed tones. Seeing Dara, he glances at Dulae and seems to get some kind of confirmation. He walks over and holds out his hand to Dara. "You must be Dara Shadeshard. I'm Kieran, an old friend of Dulae's." Kieran's eyes dart to Private Zahan standing within hearing range in front of the door to the captain and Silo's office and he gives Dara a wink.
Pulling out the required payment for both plates, Xizoh places the coins in Smitty's hand before digging into his food with gusto.
Henri gives Xizoh a look of thanks, before sighing and sitting up straighter. Food first. She dug in hungrily to the meal, realizing how long it had been since she had last eaten.
Dulae narrows her eyes in concern when Kieran cuts the banter and gets down to business far sooner than she’s come to expect.
Kieran motions them both closer and says in a whisper, “There is some serious s~$@ happening up north. I would love to tell you more about what’s going on, but the truth is we don’t know. We’ve had ten different cults suddenly get aggressive. Violent.”
Without shifting his head Kieran glances around the room and his eyes settle on Zahan. "We should find some time to speak freely."
He breaks away and laughs loudly, slapping Dulae on the back of her armor. "That sounds great, let's get together later," he says easily, like they're all old friends.
Dara had heard from her superiors there was trouble stirring and ACTF resources had been sent to Altiendel, but she didn’t realize things had grown so dire.
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Laurett and Smitty greet Alaina and Cel and see they get a hearty meal of eggs, bacon, and bread before the group leaves.
The morning is bright and sunny. A bitterly cold wind blows from the mountains to the south, making swirls of fresh snow in the road.
If they look down the road to the north they see a glitter of metal through trees and hear distant sounds of shouting and marching.
Around and inside the Southtown military building they notice dwarves and humans milling around wearing matching uniforms lined with grey fur in addition to the usual Southtown troops.
In the waiting room, Private Zahan has resumed his post outside the door of the captain and Silo’s office. The group sees Dara and Dulae waiting there with a human they don’t recognize, who quickly takes his leave.
You recognize the newcomers in the barracks are wearing City of Iron Guard uniforms.
Alaina, Cel, Henri, and Xizoh arrive from the tavern. Before Private Zahan can speak, Kieran nods to Dara and Dulae and quietly ducks out of the room.
“Good to see you all back again,” Zahan smiles before knocking on the office door and stepping inside. A few seconds later he steps back out and holds the door open. “Captain Vazquez will see you now.”
Inside the office, the party sees Kolda and Narwita back safely from the mountain filing paperwork alongside Blaine at one of the apprentices’ otherwise empty desks. Kolda grins at them sheepishly and Narwita makes as gesture of approval as they enter. Blaine looks up briefly, then continues with his work. Silo and Lieutenant Buhari carry six bundles covered loosely in practical burlap from Silo’s office, set the parcels on the front desk, and turn to face the party. Silo looks enthusiastically pleased and Buhari nods at them warmly.
Captain Vazquez places six small leather pouches on front desk and takes a few steps toward them with a stiff limp. “Thank you, Private Zahan,” she says, nodding her consent for him to remain inside the office.
The captain waits for the party to file into the room and stand somewhere they can see, and clears her throat. “We owe you all a great debt of thanks,” she says sincerely. “There’s no telling what could have happened to the town, to the country, without your actions yesterday. I wanted to give you each a token of thanks on behalf of all of us.”
Captain Vazquez pulls the covering off a well-crafted wooden shortbow. “For Corporal Shadeshard, to aid in her future missions.” The captain hands Dara the bow and a small leather pouch. “Quartermaster Balewa has also offered to supply you with some enchanted arrows. You can find him in the armory.”
Dara thinks this is a magical bow that would outperform the one she currently uses. The leather pouch contains 30 platinum pieces.
The captain next reveals the bulkiest item, a shining mithril breastplate and matching bastard sword. “For retired Sergeant Toema, faithful servant of Altiendel and Altien.” The captain also offers Dulae a small leather pouch.
Dulae thinks this is a magical weapon. The leather pouch contains 30 platinum pieces.
Captain Vazquez nods to Silo, who picks up one of the small leather pouches and hands it to Alaina. “My gift to you, Ms. Steele, will be to enchant that beautiful shield of yours, if you will allow me.”
The leather pouch contains 30 platinum pieces.
The captain picks up a smaller, dense-looking bundle, looks inside, then says, “For Ms. Marchand. A gift from our Abbhen emissaries.” The captain carefully hands Henri a revolver that looks just like the one Blaine carried that she had admired, then a small leather pouch.
If Henri looks at Blaine she sees he is watching her with interest.
The leather pouch contains 30 platinum pieces.
Captain Vazquez reaches down for a small burlap bundle and says, “For Mr. Shadelock, from Marna and Marion. It is called ‘the gift of life’, although you would have to ask them how to use it.” She hands him an amulet of obsidian etched with runes of shimmering gold and a small leather pouch.
Xizoh is not sure what the amulet is, but he immediately feels a connection to it. The thinks Marna or Marion would certainly know, and perhaps Oranis would. The leather pouch contains 30 platinum pieces.
Taking hold of the last, lightest, and smallest bundle, Captain Vazquez says, “For Mr. Runil, someone who found his courage and presence of mind even in the face of terrible danger, a headband of wisdom.” She hands Cel a fine-looking bronze headband decorated with an intricate pattern of fine green etchings and a small lather pouch.
“This headband is coveted by mages around the world,” says Buhari. “A great honor.”
With all the parcels handed out, Captain Vazquez says, “We can only hope to have the courage and strength you showed yesterday in facing the shadow that has fallen over the north. Our deepest thanks. Anything else you need, please name it.”
Blaine mutters, “The whole continent,” under his breath after Captain Vazquez mentions a shadow over the north of Altiendel.
Buhari, Silo, Narwita, Kolda, and the captain all come forward to shake hands with each of the party members, imparting their gratitude. Blaine smirks at this informal ceremony from his spot at the desk.
“Yours is a princely gift,” Silo tells Cel in a slightly lower but still audible voice. “But I figured you might want something more to your strengths.” He offers Cel a dark leather pouch. “This was made by a great wind mage with magic much like yours. I’m not sure what it does exactly, but it’s much better off with you than gathering dust with me.” He winks at Cel.
“I’d thank you not to try it indoors,” Captain Vazquez says curtly.
Inside the dark leather pouch Silo gave him is a light blue stone amulet with a pattern carved into it that reminds Cel of wind. He’s never seen anything like it before but he feels like it’s meant for him.
Inside the leather pouch the captain gave him is 30 platinum pieces.
“Ms. Steele,” Silo turns to Alaina. “I believe I owe you a location spell.”
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Cel files in to the building at the back of the group, nervous lines creasing his face. He looks around taking in faces, but not really reacting to them. When he's told that "Captain Vasquez will see you now" he reacts with a look of confusion. Upon entering with everyone else and seeing the Captain up and around he produces and audible sigh of relief, and the nervous lines fade away.
As she begins to speak to everyone with the authority she carries he instinctually slinks back down trying to hide inside his clothing. When she gets to him he shies away even more initially until she tries to hand him the gift. His eyes instantly pop open and his jaw begins to slacken. "I...I don't think I deserve this. I...well...I mean, um, thank you." While he takes in what Silo says to him, his face again takes on a curious look as Silo offers the pouch. His eyes quickly dart from the headband to the pouch, and in the adrenaline of everything that has just happened in the past few minutes his clothes begin to ripple slightly and his hair lightly waves. It wouldn't be called windy, it could barely even be called a breeze, but the swirl around Cel is clearly coming from him. He's far too oblivious to notice anything else going on around the room, .
Cel opens the pouch to find the amulet and curiosity deepens. When he touches it tingles fly from finger tip expanding out and covering his whole body. Others looking on would only be able to describe what he did as a pee shiver, hopefully without the pee. Captain Vasquez' words quickly snap him back to reality, and instead of a normal reply he inadvertantly shouts his respinse with just a little puberty squeek, "," his face flashing dark red immediately, "Um, I won't sir, uh ma'am...um sir?" Crap! What am I supposed to call her... His face twists in clear agony, and his words start to turn into more sounds than actual speech as he funbles over them. He eyes shoot down to the headband, and he haphazzardly puts it on mooshing his hair down on one side but pushing it up on the other, one eye almost covered. He smiles and speaks in a calm, collected voice, "I won't, and I thank you both deeply for the gifts. I hope I can continue to be of benefit."
Pulling his furs closer to his body to try avoid the wind's biting touch, Xizoh stares at the idle processions of soldiers. The advice to wear my disguise was wise indeed. I would not want to explain myself to all of these soldiers.
Returning Zahan's smile with a grin of his own, Xizoh finds his attention focusing on the pouches and bundles. At her words, Xizoh shrinks slightly at the praise. When he takes the pouch of coins and the amulet, Xizoh quickly bows. "Thank you for this generous gift. It's a bit much, but I promise I'll put it to good use!." Slowly, the half elf lowers the obsidian amulet over his head, before letting it rest on his breastbone. The familar sensation he feels with it is soothing, and he finds himself relaxing slightly.
Uh, that sounds foreboding.
Taking a deep breath, Xizoh pauses nervously, before asking, "May I replenish some of my healing stocks from your stores? I know I sound greedy, but I like to be able to help, and it's hard when you don't have the materials to aid somebody. Sorry."
"Sir," Lieutenant Buhari says helpfully to Cel. "It's really pretty straightforward once you get used to it." The captain trades amused glances with Lieutenant Narwita at this exchange.
"Of course! Replenish anything you need. I insist," Silo says to Xizoh before shooting a quick look at Captain Vazquez who nods her approval.