"Nice wooorrr...awh..." Ami's voice trials off as Aldebert runs away before his brother can thank him for his efforts and protection.
He hates me. He can't even stand to be near me.
Downcast, Amiamble barely enjoys Yeen's ragtime playing/eating of the geier as the cat begins to tear into his meal.
Ami does not whoop or cheer for his cat friend as his brother is not around to celebrate with.
Mahdi brushes off his hands of soot and cinders, nodding to himself in satisfaction.
"Hadrah! Hadrod!" he calls to the animal-tenders. "The bird is slain, all is well. Are either of you wounded?"
After that, he turns to go get dressed for the day in a more respectable fashion, as opposed to the light garment he'd been sleeping in, only to arch his brows at Amiamble's slumped shoulders.
"What is this? Smile, your cat seems pleased enough with the meal!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Pent listens to Mahdi tending to the tenders, and lingers, waiting for any impression that a squeeze is required to unmaul the animal folk.
He bounds off to reprimand his crossbow, reconsider harsh words, apologize, and spend some quality time with it, dabbing a little olive oil into its wood. He coos at it a little, giggling occasionally. He finishes his morning ablution, lets Sarah dry him off after he brings forth water that she permits him to create. When he's good and ready, he seeks out the others, preferring the charms of Mahdi to the prickles of the others.
He listens intently to Mahdi's addressing of the masked moper.
Ami lifts his head to look at Mahdi and smiles (which he can't see behind the scarf), but his eyes betray a sadness. Ami looks to where Aldebert fled, hopeful that he might come back, then downcast again.
Ami's eyes return to the happy Yeen and he nods.
He takes a moment to hug Mahdi's leg before walking back alone to the Chapel, leaving Yeen to spread blood, feather, and bone about the courtyard as the cat dines.
As Ami walks away, he nods thanks to Pent for his healing, appreciating Sarenrae's gift.
Pent smiles and nods at Ami as he departs. He waits a bit before talking with Mahdi. "Have you figured them out yet? Maybe they just call themselves brothers because they're halflings with the same last name. Piddlespot is probably a pretty common sir name. Not like Al-Jabira, right? Or am I wrong?" Pent continues looking off, then turns back.
"You fire up pretty good there. The bird was no match for that. Glad to have you about when the burnables pop up around us."
Kul rises from the first good night's sleep he's had in days. He cleans himself as best he is able, dresses, and goes in search of breakfast.
Mahdi looks bemused at the halfling-glomp to his leg, and uncertainly gives Ami a pat on the shoulder in turn, with an expression that asks the universe [i]What has my life become?[/b]
He shrugs and lets Ami go on his way, folding his hands behind his back to walk back into the keep with Pent.
"I know little of the social structures of halflings. It has not been of terrible interest to me in my studies," he drawls. "But I would see no reason to believe they are not true blood-brothers. They seem to be having some sort of spat. Have you siblings, Messire Pent? It's rather common, for brothers to squabble."
He smiles a little, thinking of his numerous scraps with Hazim over the years. Now that Hazim seems to be on nigh-permanent guard duty here at the monastery, he is torn: he misses his brother, when he is in the field, but he cannot deny that not having to answer to his brother, or listen to his brother's concerned warnings while they go into danger, is very... freeing.
He flashes a white grin at Pent's praise of his fire. "Yes, it was rather magnificent, wasn't it? Being out here in the desert is good for my magic, I think. The very land breathes with fire."
They pass Kul; Mahdi offers him a nod good-morning as if he weren't dressed in just his sleeping-clothes. "Good morning. You missed the fun."
"Well, I'm thinking Sarah's wanting me to consider everyone brothers, but that's much easier said than done. Brothers don't typically want to kill each other..." Pent considers a bit regarding the looks passed between the halflings... "so if you're asking literally, then no. I be brotherless at present. And since my parents are currently dead, I see no likelihood that I'll have one in the future." Pent shakes his head, then nods it, smiles at Mahdi, and departs.
Pent heads to Almah's quarters. If he gains an audience, he speaks with her. He'll roam until he finds her. "Bird's dead. Not sure if it has a mate, so you might want to do something to discourage aerial invaders at present. I think the group is readying for a return to Kelmarane. Before we leave, do you need anything done presently?"
Later in the morning, Pent takes to circling the perimeter of the monastery, walking slowly, observing how his shadow shifts with each turn in direction.
As I walk towards you, Sarah, I can feel the warmth on my face, and it feels good, good. I see no shadow, and it strengthens me.
As I walk away from You, I see the shadow laid out before me, but I fear it not, because You are behind me, encouraging me, supporting me.
Every person has a shadow. Every person can change direction. We all walk under Your light.
Pent returns to the others, makes sure each is well. Tend to your flock, Pent. It's what She wants you to do. He wanders the monastery, looking for Ami, Aldi, Maddie, and Kul. That won't do. We're going to have to work on something more appropriate, to bring him into the fold. Maybe go with his last name. Ami, Aldi, Maddie, Tiryaki. No, no, no. Ami, Aldi, Maddie... Yaki. Yeeeeessss. Yaki.
Pent takes his thoughts, and strolls to the kitchen, and chews on a raw potato, while musing on each companion in turn.
Ami- Why does he hide his face away from You, Sarah? That's an awfully rude thing to do, don't You think? Can't read his lips, either, so that's rude, too. He only uses his eyes to take You in. Is that enough, I wonder? He strikes down enemies without words. Does he give them enough time to consider Your redemption? I hope so.
Aldi- He seems to be a noble little one. He chooses Abby to worship, but that's alright. He worships his brother, so, in turn, he worships You, though he doesn't see it as obviously as I do.
Maddie- Why, he's Your might, incarnate, isn't he? He can draw forth Your will, made flame, and it has been nothing but good for Your worshippers. Only a matter of time, and he'll respect You for having given him his power. It's so obvious!
Yaki- Well, You've given me a long game with him, now, haven't You? His blade is strong, and he'll bring justice swift, that's for certain. Given time, he'll come to worship You with more... profundity. Yeh, profundity, that's it. We got to deepen his understanding of Your wisdom. He needs to talk more.
Ami looks again at the the direction his brother left, wondering where he gone to.
@Aldebert: As you head down the stairs to Zastoran's laboratory, you can hear him grumbling about having to wake up early to gather reagents and how civilized folk would wait until normal business hours to make requests. Rounding the corner, the halfling priest seems startled to see Aldebert and quickly smiles and gathers up the requested vials.
"Ah, here you go! Always happy to help," he says excitedly. "While you're here, give these to Mahdi, too. He hasn't come down here yet, but I know he requested some of these." He takes your gold and goes back to brewing his potions.
------------------------
@Pent: Almah nods at Pent. "I feel redundant giving you all my thanks over and over. I have nothing in particular for you, you all seem to have the situation with Kelmarane under control at the moment. Keep it up."
Pent starts his rounds, gathering the others, ready to depart for Kelmarane, hopefully on the same day.
"Almah is encouraging, so shall we depart? There is much to do in Kelmarane. More run to hit, hit and run? I've only really drained a single strong request from Sarah, so I'm ready to stand behind you all, and bring down some more infestators." Pent waves his crossbow, not waiving it. He pats it proudly, with its new gloss of oiled wood.
A breathless Aldebert grabs up the potions for his brother and is nearly out the door when the second request falls on his ears. He doubles back quickly, scoops up the other arm-full and runs to the chapel where he expects his brother to be.
He slows just at the door and tries a few deep gulps of air to calm himself before entering humbly.
"Brother? Brother? See? Here are the same alchemy fires we could have gotten from the harpy - but better! We know they're going to work when we need them to." He stands triumphant arms held out with a flask in each hand toward his brother.
He waits, again breathlessly, for his brothers acceptance and approval.
Ami looks up from his work (polishing a rebuilt pew), a few long tears dripping from his eyes to his cheeks and falling down to stain darkly the wood. A look of surprise and non-recognition comes to his face as if he doesn't recognize the voice and speaker.
Ami takes a few seconds of blurred blinking finally clears his vision enough to focus on Aldebert, on the alchemist's flasks, on his brother.
*sniff*
*snuffle*
Ami snuffles.
*sniff*
*snuffle*
Ami wipes his nose, a long line of booger tracing up his arm.
*sniff*
*snuffle*
Ami's eyes flicker from flasks to his brother's face, then from face back to flasks. Moments pass as words and deeds register, bonds of brotherhood remembered.
Ami's eyes slowly bend happily to match the growing smiles under his scarf.
Ami rises to his feet and goes to hug his brother, never minding the flasks. Ami does not let go until his he is done sobbing and his brother has forgiven him for whatever Ami done to cause Aldebert to hate him so.
Mahdi collects his alchemists' fire from Aldebert when they meet in the courtyard, ready to depart. He's properly dressed for the day, now, and murmurs an incantation over several of the group.
"There, I believe we are as prepared for the day as we can be. Let us not waste time, my friends. The sun rises higher."
He offers an indulgent smile to see that the halflings seem to have made up. How cute.
Ami rises to his feet and goes to hug his brother, never minding the flasks. Ami does not let go until his he is done sobbing and his brother has forgiven him for whatever Ami done to cause Aldebert to hate him so.
"Brother!" Aldebert hugs back just as tightly and gives his brother a light kiss on the cheek. He lingers over the embrace before finally backing away.
Aldebert retains the feelings of guilt as he pulls from the embrace and continues to be haunted by his failure, but less severely.
Aldebert has that flush of recent-failure-behind-him and he sort of blinks in the sunlight. Already getting warm he sweats a little in his armor as he waits to see what's supposed to happen next. It doesn't even occur to him to act. He just stands mute, his mind embroiled in the wash of a cataclysm narrowly avoided...
Ami pats his brother on his back while his tears abate.
"...and I'm sorry I replaced your armor polish with beast lure that one time...and I'm sorry I drizzled honey down you dagger-scabbard last Palmfest...and I'm sorry so saying that you only worship Abadar because you think he's going to change you poo to gold...and..."
After a few minutes, Ami has finished apologizing for everything he has ever done to his brother that he can remember right now.
Finally, Ami releases the embrace, smiles and gets ready for the new day, whatever it might be, he trusts his brother to lead him.
Pent leans over to Mahdi. "Brothers and hugs, eh? You already got yours in with Hazim?" Pent hugs his crossbow in pantomime, but using words at the same time.
"Oh! Before we go..." Pent runs off to ask something of Father Zastoran.
Pent thanks Mahdi for the protections, and moves to the monastery's exit, seeking to wander through fields of pesh before the sun is at its apex.
"You like pesh, eh? No need to be nervous about it. Alas, I don't carry any myself. I prefer to keep my mind free, especially when dealing with volatile potions. I'm afraid I can't help you."
The sun is sweltering as usual, though thankfully Mahdi provides magical comfort form the heat. From the high hilltop where the monastery rests, the desert sands and pesh field below seem calm, showing no visible patrols from Kelmarane outside the village.
Passing through the vast field of cacti, you all hear a familiar, obnoxious buzzing sound as you nearly arrive at the scene of the dead gnolls and slain dust digger from the day before.
Kul and Mahdi are able to spot the source of the buzzing; several stirges are feeding off of the corpses of the gnolls, while a few more buzz around the clearing looking for other sources of food. You feel confident that if you avoid the large clearing, the stirges will likely not be aware of your presence.
Pent sighs with relief as the tall ones locate the sounds' source. "This is good. We should keep our heads down low. Yaki, Maddie, make like a halfling trying to stand tall." Pent chuckles at the picture his words paint.
"I think we return to our fine feathered female, eh? Let her know that we've procured her amnesty, and we can learn of her antics while we've been gone? Sound good? Yaki, well, Kul, I'm calling you Yaki because it sounds better, more part of the group I've put you in with the others, so if you'd be kind enough to respond to me when I'm calling you it, then I'd be much obliged. Anyways, you should totally get lower. Watch Maddie. He's doing it proper."
Ami, mounted on his loyal steed, happily trots behind his awesome brother, Aldebert.
"Where do you want to go, brother? You lead us, remember? You go and I shall follow. I don't think we need to slay those blood birds, but I will if you want."
Aldebert straightens up and gets a hold of himself, at least a little, and faces the new day.
"We still don't know their numbers, and I think a direct assault will still be deadly. I suggest we follow the same track as yesterday - through the pesh fields - but this time we circle around from the, uh," he turns their crudely drawn hand map around a few times and looks to the sun, "...west in case they're waiting for us."
He shrugs in his armor, face already beading with sweat. "There looked to be a large structure there, maybe an old church. Might be worth investigating - and they might have a few guards we can take out thus thinning their numbers."
"As yesterday though, we should be ready to run if the alarm is raised. A full assault at this stage is just too dangerous, much as it's what I want to do. I hate all this running around. Hard on the knees." he grins.
"Oh, and yes, let us avoid the carrion birds. That might just announce our presence with no real gain." he turns to Amiamble, "Good idea brother."
And keys, right? We have keys. Or was it just one key, and the heat made me see two?"
Mahdi nods to Aldebert's words-- it seems well enough to him. "A sound enough plan as I understand things. Let us go before the sun rises higher."
Kul walks with a spring in his step. A full night's sleep, a hearty meal, being able to clean himself, and the Endure Elements spell seem to have put him in a good mood.
He nods at Aldebert's words and says, "This plan sounds good. Let us work to ensure that, as we maneuver, we leave a retreat path open. We need to be wary for ambushes and traps. These gnolls are organized and very cunning."
"Cunning doesn't make them fireproof," Mahdi says with a flex of his fingers. He's still riding a smug high from scorching the geier in the courtyard.
"But your point is well-taken. So we'll slink through the wild pesh again, hit the old church, and take out as many gnoll patrols as we can in the doing."
Pent chuckles as they head out. "Fireproof, hehehehe." Pent tries to keep stride with Mahdi, and does rather well. "Unless by fire, you simply mean comfortable under Sarah's gaze, then if they have a magic maker like you, kind enough to cloak them comfortable with that spell of yours, then they have a lighter version of proof against fire."
Pent continues to move swiftly enough, looking back at Aldebert, the slowest of them all. "Fireproof, hehehehe. You good, Aldi? Keep up, as you can. Don't let pride hold your tongue. If you need us to slow down, just say so."
Ami scritches Yeen on his head, anxious and ready to get going.
Aldebert scratches himself in his armor and prepares to walk the pesh fields in search of more gnolls to kill.
We haven't seen any other prisoners. I wonder if Haleen is at the summit? I hope she's alright.
With all their gear in order, Mahdi calls a teasing "I'll return with a gnoll corpse for you, brother!" to Hazim, who watches from the monastery walls, as they set out into the morning desert.
"How do we intend to treat with the harpy, if we see her again? And do we all have earplugs?"
Ami scritches Yeen on his head, watching his brother with pride as he leads.
"How do we intend to treat with the harpy, if we see her again? And do we all have earplugs?"
"We didn't have earplugs when we talked with her before, so I don't hear a need for using 'em this time 'round. Wouldn't that make us look rude, popping them in around her? We bring her glad tidings, we do. Almah, bless her kind soul, agreed to leave her to her roost, so we should too." Pent makes motions with his hands as he walks, envisioning the pesh plants he's soon to walk amongst.
"Ah, but do I miss a point, I wonder? She was awfully sweet on you, Maddie. You're looking forward to seeing her again, then? Did you remember to bring her something, maybe? Something to woo her? Seemed to me that she'd spread more than her wings for you, if you played your cards right." Pent winks at Mahdi, and taps his nose while he kips for a step or two as they proceed to take to the desert.
Mahdi casually flips the gnome off, with a little shudder for the thought of the harpy's 'embrace'.
"I'd sooner bed every scabrous whore back in Katapesh, Messire Pent. Anyway, I think she was already moving on in her 'affections', and thank the gods for that."
He shrugs away the rudeness of wearing earplugs. He doesn't intend to place his in his ears while she can see him, but no matter.
Pent watches Mahdi raise a middle finger, and the gnome's eyes brighten. Sarah, look! He's starting to imitate me! He'll be calling out to you in no time at all now!! Just gotta show him how to be more enthusiastic with it...
Pent moves over to Mahdi, and winks knowingly at him, while he points at Kul. "See, if Yaki were a blighted gnoll, and I aimed to bring Sarah's attention on him, I'd bring my arm up like so, and..." Pent raises his middle finger at Kul, while exposing his scar/sigil. His whole arm shakes with fervor.
"You just gotta invest more emotion in it, I think. Sarah pays attention to whether you're really invested, really emotional! Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it, you just need the motivation and the practice. I'm here to help, ready to talk about Sarah and her shine any time you require."
Ami straightens up in his saddle, looking off into the distance.
"Say, brother, will we kill more gnolls today? Will they know Sarenrae's justice?"
Ami twirls his slingstaff in practice, readying himself for what will assuredly be a good hunt.
Aldebert leans onto his toes and tries to see above the Pesh fields.
I hope we don't stumble into a big gang of them wandering around out here. Can't see a damn thing!
His brothers question catches him by surprise and it takes him a moment to answer.
"Uh, yes, I think so. If we're lucky we'll encounter another small group of them and we can thin their numbers further before taking on their leaders. So keep a good eye out - we should avoid large groups if we can."
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Pent takes in the Sarahshine of the day, as they stride into the fields of Pesh. He mutters words, disconnected at first, then more interlocked as they proceed. He chuckles every so often, then clears his throat.
"Hey, I think I've composed a little homage, spur our spirits, take our minds off the march, make us forget the footfalls." Without delay, Pent proceeds to poetrifize.
Poem to Pesh
False Pesh, True Pesh, Grind Pesh, Chew Pesh
Vegetable Silk to Weave the Cheese, Mother's Milk to Bring the Ease
Raw Pesh, Solid Pesh, Straw Pesh, Liquid Pesh
Liquid Whey for the Pocket Poor, Brings 'em Pillow for the Cold Hard Floor
Pricy Pesh, Steep Pesh, Ricy Pesh, Cheap Pesh
Strained Sticky Sap for the Poshbegosh, Spins their Souls with refined Panache
Prickle Pesh, Green Pesh, Sickle Pesh, Keen Pesh
Snort the Pesh Powder, that's the Best, Especially when it's off a Harpy's Breast!
Pent clasps his hand over his mouth, stifling the belly laughs bubbling up. The sounds come forth, racing the snot coming through his nose.
He continues the march, repeating the stanzas in different order, with heavy frequency of the final phrase.
After easily avoiding the feeding stirges, the remainder of the morning's sunny and poem-filled trek through the pesh fields passes with no unforeseen events. Initially taking a wide berth around the village, the group eventually approaches Kelmarane from the west.
From this side of the hill, it's immediately obvious why the main road up the hill has been placed along its southern, gradual slope. Here, while the lower parts of the hill appear fairly easy to traverse (although some climbing would be necessary), it becomes steep and forbidding closer to the summit.
***
It quickly becomes apparent that there are three obvious paths to ascend the hill from this side:
One option requires only moderate climbing skill . However, the last half of the route would be exposed to the risk of patrols or lookouts along the main road.
The second option requires the most climbing skill, as it goes directly up the steepest parts of the hill .
The third option is to take advantage of a pair of rope bridges running up the northern incline. This option requires the least amount of climbing , but if these bridges are in the same state of disrepair as most of the village itself, going across them could be a risky proposition. If one of the bridges should break beneath a person's weight, the fall would be deadly .
***
Aldebert looks up the hill to the temple they seek.
Hrm. Didn't look this steep from a distance.
He turns to the others, "I can't climb. Well, I climb poorly. I'm not sure I can make any of these ascents without some difficulty - especially this one!" he gestures to the middle path (A).
"I also don't like the idea of hanging off the hill while gnolls take pot shots at us from the road." he gestures to the right hand path (B).
"That more or less leaves the bridges and they don't look all that solid do they? I suggest we at least climb up to them and take a closer look. Maybe they're in better shape than it looks from here." Aldebert seems hopeful, but you can hear the doubt in his voice as he tries to convince himself.
He hesitates, and continues, "Of course there's also the chance that we're up there and the gnolls come out in force. It's going to be hard to run away from them down this hill in a hurry." Aldebert frowns. "Maybe my idea of coming this way was, er, over reaching. Perhaps there is something on the road we can investigate without so much exposure."
He frowns even more deeply not wanting to waste another day in this heat investigating empty buildings.
Ami looks seriously at this brother, his eyes full of admiration and trust. He leans into speak to his brother in a soft tone.
"I'll do whatever you say, brother. However, if it would work better, I'll climb over on my own and you can ride Yeenoghu. Yeenoghu is a mighty climber. He might be able to carry you if you wish it. I can climb okay, I'm sure of it. I'll just take my time," Ami suggests to his brother.
"If it were me, I'd march up the front road we can give them the whatfor!" Ami smashes his tiny fist into his hand to act out what the 'whatfor' means.
"I follow whatever you decide, brother. You're clearly in charge here."
Pent looks back and forth between both halves of the whole, and waits patiently enough. He turns his face to the sun, and its full presence for the afternoon.
"Are we taking to town in the full bright of Sarah's Light? Shall we try to be less lit, wait for the sun to turn away, then sneak our way back in?" Pent draws his hand down his backside, and scratches, quickly at first, then more leisurely.
"If we're headed in now, I'd rather do what we can do, rather than what we can't. You know, because we can't. Can't be too hard deciding on the route you want to take, because it's the only route you can take. So take it." Pent continues looking back and forth, and waits patiently enough.
Kul, who has been sulking since Pent started his Pesh song, squints at the options the group has facing them.
"I'm also a mediocre climber, particularly in armor. However, I can possibly ascend any of these routes and then let down a rope."
Mahdi looks at the climb ahead with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.
"I did not learn the fine art of scaling rocks like a goat in my apprenticeship," he says drily. "Must we try this route? I have no fear of the curs that inhabit the city, but I would rather not meet an inglorious fate at the hands of gravity.
"I will climb if everyone else wishes it, but I would prefer to return to the old church. A site sacred to Nethys is worth exploring."
Aldebert thinks slowly, "OK. Let's do this. Let's take a look at those bridges and see what we think. If they look stable, we'll take them - one at a time - with care. If they look dodgy, I'll try to ride Yeenoghu and we'll take the lesser slope." (A)
Ami nods as his brother makes his decision.
Ami outrides as the party moves towards the bridges, ranging from side to side scouting.
He wishes he could take off his scarf and let the sun bake his face, but he fears to do so with others around.
When they reach the bridges, Ami will investigate them.
Perception
Pent tries to keep up with Yeen, but eventually catches up as the group approaches the bridge. He also takes a look at, over, and under the bridges.
Pent leans in quietly to Ami. "It may not occur to you right away, since you're never off Yeen for very long, most days, but taking the bridge, while you're riding him, won't do, so you know. Your weights have to be weighed separately, otherwise the bridge will weigh you together. If you don't know any better, better know that the bridge won't know any better either." Pent looks over the edge.
"So, you understand, right? Dismount first before you try the bridge, alright?" Pent looks at Ami, hoping the halfling understands.
"I know something of structural soundness," Mahdi says with a haughty wave of one hand. "I shall inspect the condition of the ropes."
He crouches by the bridge to scan the solidity of the anchor points, the mettle of the ropes. As he considers the bridges, he says conversationally:
"Let us say we achieve the upper heights. All well and good. As Aldebert has said, however... if we run into trouble up there, there will be no quick retreating. Not this way. We'd need to run through the entire cursed town."
You notice some weather-frayed pieces of rope, others that have been twisted together by wind, and a few foothold-ropes appear to have snapped.
Despite this, the bridge seems to be far more solid than it would at first appear. The relative lack of downpour in the desert climate, along with the apparent lack of use, have left the bridge still in decent shape. The anchor points are sturdy, and the main ropes feel strong.
As long as care is taken while crossing it, and only one person crosses at a time, the bridge should hold Amiamble and Pent. With some minor mending, it should also hold the larger humans, the more heavily armored Aldebert, and Yeenoghu.
Mahdi's eyes narrow at the bridge's condition, and then a smile steals over his features.
"You are lucky I am with you," he informs the others ever-so-modestly. "The bridge has a few structural weak points, but I am capable of fixing these through my command of the arcane mysteries."
Buff-buff of nails on his robes. It's a pity the lady Almah isn't here to see his usefulness and resourcefulness, he thinks.
"Amiable and Pent, it would hold you even as it is-- but only one at a time, and do not rush! However, give me the space of a thin candle's burning, and I shall repair the structure enough that we should all be able to pass in safety."
He begins to mutter the ever-useful spell that he used to fix the tears in his robes, the night before, focusing on the particular weak points he's noticed.