"So if we attempt to talk past you, you'll be compelled to attack? We got the blue scale we just want to get in and get it over with, you need to work with us here." He says frustration showing now.
"Be it this threshold or the hut you bound to defend?"
Del, not wanting to trigger the ancient guardian's vow, remains outside the door of the hut, though he does lean one shoulder against the exterior wall as he glances inward to Ratibor. "I've every scrap of faith in our old sage here, Ratibor. If anyone can break your chains, it's him."
Corum steps forward. "You don't want to kill us and we don't want to kill you. How about you throw the axe and shield down then when you are forced to attack us I'll take you down without anyone having to die."
Corum steps forward. "You don't want to kill us and we don't want to kill you. How about you throw the axe and shield down then when you are forced to attack us I'll take you down without anyone having to die."
I can't. he sighs. It must be part of the curse.
Whilst the others try to reason with Ratibor Elleross knows it is useless. He could do nothing other that act upon his curse just as they were forced to comply with theirs.
Unslinging his backpack he rummages inside , looking for Nostafas book.
He had hoped to be inside the hut so he could utilise the cauldron and the items inside the hut before they encountered Ratibor again but that is not meant to be.
necessecity was ever the father of invention he thinks to himself as he draws out the book.
step back from the doorway Corum, there may be another way.
Nostafas book contains a lot of information, some of it written in what I can only assume is some kind of code. I have been able to decifer some of it....let us hope it is enough.
he says as he motions everyone away from the door way.
Greyston I will need your help with this, we will need something to mix the necessary ingredients
Whilst I attempt to break the curse upon Ratibor I will need you to mix the Ingedoents in the proper order and we will use the cauldron and the book as a focus for the spell.
As the young alchemist moves to assist him he calls out to Ratibor
I said we would free you if we could Ratibor and with a bit of luck we will. I believe I can break the curse upon you but I will require a lock of your hair and a few drops of your blood.
If you could place them into the cauldron we can begin. he says as he opens up his spell components pouch and turns to Greyston explaining quickly what must be done.
once the casting is complete my friend , it is over to you . You will need to use your skills, mix the contents of the cauldron into a bomb and hurl it at Ratibor.
We can do this. Together
When Elleros calls his name Grayston moves into action, finally putting his skills to use other than killing. He steps past Corum and pulls his satchel over his shoulder pulling out a small cauldron. Emptying out a vial normally used for bomb he is quick to clean it out and prepares it for whatever is needed. "I'll be ready, just let me know what needs to go in here."
Sapphire watches the collaboration between alchemy and magic with interest.
Well Ratibor, if anyone can free you it's these two fine folk here she tries to encourage him.
these are the ingredients that the book suggests should be used, if you can combine these as if you were creating one of your bombs I will infuse it with power before you complete the mixture.
All you need do then is decant it and throw it.
the Old elf says as he takes a loose sheet of parchment from the book and hands it to Greyston, it contains the list of ingredients needed to combine the spells into a potion.
Reaching out as the young elf studies the list he grasps his shoulder reassuringly
ready? Then let us begin
Elleross begins to draw upon his knowledge and power, utilising the spells he has already prepared that day he begins to disassemble their arcane matrix and re combine them into a new form.
With the book he can now draw upon even more power, something he thought would be an impossibility but for this task the book and his own abilities he could combine to hopefully undo the foul curse of Baba Yaga.
As the power begins to build the air around them starts to shimmer and crackle with sparks of pure arcane energy.
Elleross weaves the complex spell calling out the words of power and the book begins to pulse with a bright white light as the energy builds and builds.
Sweat pours from the old Judges brow as he struggles against the power he fought to contain and he could feel his hands begin to tremble from the sheer intensity of the casting
...auferat execratione maledicta congessit,
intermissum incantationem!
After what seemed an age the spell was finally complete and with every ounce of his mental control he poured the energy into the book and pointing it at the cauldron he released it like a bolt of energy from a wand.
The beam of power almost shook the book from his hands but he held on tightly and almost instantly it was done, the cauldron filled with energy that pulsed with an urgent light.
quickly ..Greyston, before the power fades he gasps as he steadied himself as a momentary light headedness grips him.
Errrr.... What's going on? asks Ratibor.
Grayston is quick to fill his vial with the potent arcane energy. It glows crystal blue, sealing it up tight he is careful not to shake it too much.
Moving to the front door he takes his time aiming at Ratibor and throwing the vial at him. "This will free you, trust Elleross."
The vial bursts at Ratibor's feet and a blue mist rises, swirling up and enveloping him. A sweet smell is carried with it and though he looks apprehensive, to his credit, the warrior takes a deep breath of the fumes.
After a moment, the glittering, swirling mist dissipates.
Ratibor looks confused. He looks around him, down at his feet and then to the door.
I... I don't feel any different....
Del smiles at Ratibor, pumping his hands placatingly toward the hut's burly guardian. "You know how it is with witches, my good man - nothing's worth doing or undoing unless there's some messy sort of ritual involved. Nothing to worry about, except perhaps to prepare yourself for a true breath of freedom."
---
Del grins then waves Ratibor forward. "Come on then, don't be shy. Come on out already."
Lucrezzia watches with trepidation as the warior steels himself for that first fateful step.
Ratibor first puts away his axe and his shield, looking in wonderment at his own hands as he does so.
He then takes his first tentative steps out of this room that was as much his prison as it was his ward for two centuries. At first his steps are faltering, almost reluctant, and you have to remind yourselves that this is the only existence that he has known for generations.
But then he stands in the doorway, the cool, crisp air of the frozen forest hitting his face, the scent of pine strong upon it.
And he steps across the threshold.
Nothing happens. He isn't sure what he expected to happen. Perhaps to turn to dust or burst into flames, but suddenly he is standing in the snow, feeling cold but exhilarated.
he roars, loud enough to startle birds from the trees. He races through the snow and seizes Greyston, lifting the slight elf up in a bear hug only to drop him a moment later and do the same to Elleros, swining the old elf around by his narrow waist like he were a ragdoll. You beautiful bastards you went and broke that witches' curse!
Elleross tries to back away from the exuberant warrior but it is no use and he finds himself thrown around like a small child.
ah...that is not necessary ...ooof! he explains as he is whisked off his feet, mercifully Ratibor sets him down gently enough and the aging elf straightens his clothing
you are welcome Ratibor, it pleases me no end to prize you from the grip of Baba Yaga. You are free he says with a genuine smile.
A golden smile spreads across Del's face as Ratibor's lungs bellow in joyous freedom. He doesn't hide his eyes misting over as he brings his hand over the spot on his chest where he bears a tattoo of Desna's holy symbol. "Nothing sweeter than an open road beneath your feet."
He shoots a wink to Erdija and Marislova before turning his attention back to the cavorting Ratibor. In Del's mind, his grandfather's grandfather hadn't even yet been born when Ratibor fell into Baba Yaga's service. It both staggered his imagination and at the same time gave him hope for his friends.
Ratibor takes off his leather and steel gauntlets and thrusts his hands into the snow.
It's cold. he says delightedly. Bloody freezing actually! and then he laughs long and hard, like a loon.
I'll never forget this, but neither can I ever repay it. he thinks a moment before suddenly unbuckling his chainmail armour. Look, this old suit is the most valuable thing I have. It's seen me through more than a few scrapes and should serve you well, wherever you go next. Wear it, sell it, do what you like with it, I know I won't miss it after 200 years - though you may want to give it a wash first hahahaha!
He unbuckles the heavy chain and lays it at the steps of the Hut.
I'll not step another foot in that bloody place.... he mutters staring back through the doorway into the cosy interior.
You guys just do good deeds wherever you go, huh? Erdija says, only half joking. You can see a look on her face that almost seems envious. I've always thought there was more to life than ranging these woods, despite Kaag's orders, and you lot keep showing me that's true.
Marislova looks up and, after obviously mulling something over for a moment, says;
Listen, I'm going to be looking for work pretty soon. And you know these lands better than anyone by the sounds of things. If you're serious about not going back to that camp of yours, maybe you might want to team up?
Erdija looks shocked but equally delighted at the idea.
That... that sounds like a fine idea! she says, before casting a look at the gathered group. Elleros, if you broke the curse on Ratibor here, can't you do the same with yours? Maybe you guys can join us too?
"I'm glad to finally help someone with my work. We weren't just going to attack you." He says dusting off the snow from his long coat.
Scratching the back of his neck he looks out as the two groups stand facing each other. Marislova and Erdija free to follow their own path and the others cursed to find Baba Yaga. "That cook book is powerful, but I bet it only holds a small fraction of the power Baba Yaga must posses."
Sapphire nods approvingly as Ratibor exults his freedom, and takes her hand off the hilt of her blade as his bearhug with Elleross comes to an end. She smiles at the man's sheer exuberance. Free after all those years, she could only imagine how that felt.
That's a fine idea for you two to team up, I'm pleased you've made that decision!
She smiles.
As to Baba Yaga's curse, there's more to this than a simple geas.
Even were we able to break the curse, knowing that eternal winter waits to blanket the land should we fail to find the hut's mistress is motivation enough to be following her trail of breadcrumbs. The invisible hooks pulling us along are simply reminders not to dawdle!
Del scratches the back of his head idly as Erdija and Marislova strike a deal, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Glad to hear it, Erdija."
I wish that were the case Erdja, but I am not powerful enough to counter the curse upon us. At least not yet. he says turning to the young centaur it was the book that allowed myself and Greyston to break the curse, it had specific information regarding Ratibor curse. There is nothing in there relating to the curse Black midnight lay upon us, and Sapphire is correct, we have to save our homeland and stop the Winter from covering the land.
Once we see an end to our quest maybe we will meet again.
Ratibor, what will you do now? Will you go with Erdja and Marisolva?
He shrugs and says;
Turn down the chance to travel with two beautiful ladies after having only my own company for all those years? he grins. But then his face grows more solemn and he says;
Seriously ladies, my family is gone. Everyone I ever knew in this world has long since passed. Hell, even town and cities I once knew may have come and gone for all I know.
I am a man out of time. But I have not forgotten how to stand behind a shield and raise an axe, if you will have me.
He looks somewhat abashed but surprisingly it is Erdija who trots forward and says;
A lot may have changed since you were stuck in there, friend, and there is a world of wonder us three outcasts can discover together. she lays a hand on his stout shoulder.
Del clears his throat at this and raises one hand briefly, "Yes, about that. It's not just the three of you, you'll be a company of four as it turns out. Marislova and I had already made such plans, actually, though I'm happy to see our numbers swell in such a manner."
He turns then to his friends with a sad smile upon his now wrinkled face, "I'm afraid my road departs from yours at this point, my friends. I remember the last time I traveled in the hut with you without the Old Crone's mark which you all bear and I'm quite certain a repeat occurrence would be the end of me."
"I be thinking your skivvies would make poor armor. As you gave up yours, you could take mine. As a trade. The Everbloom would not be happy if you were set free to die on a bandit's blade." Before any one can say no, she drops her pack, then bends at the waist and shakes like dog, her own light mail sliding off and onto the wooden porch with a thump and rattle. Lucrezzia stands straight and says, "Enchanted it is, so fit should no be a problem."
Still in her armor's padding, Lucrezzia frowns. Breaking a company is bad, and worse! With a flash she catches what else was said.
"What about a mark, what happened?"
"We touched on it briefly during our chat with Nostafa, Lucrezzia. When one of Baba Yaga's riders, Black Midnight, was killed, he passed a portion of his power onto our companions here. Part of that power is what binds them to the Old Crone's purpose of finding her." Del sighs and shakes his head.
"Back when we first prepared to leave Irrisen, Elleross offered to share a portion of the mark with me, but I refused. I still see it as a form of chain, an unseen yet still powerfully felt leash. Shackles, no matter their form, are restraints I find myself unable to bear, regardless of how noble and just the cause may prove to be."
Elleross turns to Lucrezzia and tries to explain.
it is a chain Dell, one that sits heavy upon us all. we did not wish to shackle Dell with the curse, I would not wish this yoke on anyone.
We offered the curse because the hut is warded against intruders, there are many traps within that we will not set off but Dell and now yourself will.
There is also another side to the curse, as there are two sides to every coin. The other part of the curse is a boon, it has enhanced us.
My own mental capacity increased almost instantly , Corum I believe became stronger.
Without the riders mark the hut is a dangerous place.
Graystons shoulders sink as Del reveals his plans to travel with the others, leave them behind. "As Del and Elleross said its not something we chose, but it's why we're on this quest. It pushes us to never stop we must keep moving or I can only guess we'll die."
He takes a step next to Del and places a hand on the old man's shoulders. "It hurts to think you're leaving us Del, it's been so long. But this isnt your quest and it's taken so much from you.." He pauses for a moment looking at the others leaving them, envious for a moment. But the pull to keep moving to find Baba Yaga snaps away any thought of leaving. "I envy you my friend, I hope the very best for you and maybe after all this. If we make it we can meet up again and talk of old times and you can tell us the tales of your adventure."
Elleross looks at the now middle aged bowman, his body may have been ravaged by the Eon pit but his spirit remained as young and carefree as always.
He would miss the cocky bowman, his easy demeanour and skill with words had saved them more than once.
we will miss you Dell, despite all your bravado and bluster you are a true friend and a good man. If you are set on this course then I wish you all good fortune, we've come a long way since we freed you from the tower, been through a lot. he says with a smile as he remembers their journey together.
Reaching into his pack he draws out his spare pipe and with a gesture and a brief word of power he inscribed his arcane symbol upon the side.
Handing the pipe and a pack of his newly acquired leaf to the bowman he smiles
something to remember me by, take good care of it. Maybe we'll share a pipe together again
Corum listens to the conversation and a sadness descends on him. Another companion leaving. At least Del isn't dead though. He moves to take the half orc's hand in a warrior's grip. "You're going to be missed Del. I wish you a good road."
Eyes bright with unshed tears, Sapphire's voice sounds strained
Can't say I blame you Del, and I think you'll be in good company here
She turns away a moment, managing a small smile
You did say you'd grow old with me, but I think you've held up your side there well enough. I'm going to hold you to your other promise too, I'm expecting volume one of our adventures to be a bestseller when we get back to fill you in on the other books in the series you'll be writing!
She hugs Del then, cinch strong with all her emotion, and it's all he can do to keep breathing.
Del accepts Elleross' proffered gift with a smile and a nod, then raises one hand. "Ah! Thank you for the reminder, young man." He winks at Elleross then slings his pack free from his shoulder and jovially declares, "I got something for each of you."
He hands a different package, wrapped in brown, unassuming parchment to each of his companions. "Been holding on to some of these since Whitethrone," he chuckles. "You never know when Desna will your feet onto new roads, after all."
He offers his goodbyes to each in turn as he delivers his parting gifts, then waves them on into the hut. "Go on, now. You've got a world to save, after all."
"Even with these platitudes it feels wrong to say goodbye. Mayhap this'll be how we find now you're the one to save the world for? But I can be sure Milani smiles an' you be making you own choice." Lucrezzia accepts the package from the ever-young orc with a mix of guilt and pride. "Thank you..."
"Good bye Del, Don't forget about us you wont be so easy to forget." He flashes a smile and then turns, waving the others off he spets into the hut looking down at the wrapped package.
Del laughs warmly, "As if anyone could forget a skull as exquisite as yours, Greyston."
It is with a mixture of sadness and, though you wouldn't admit it out loud, that the group watches Del take a few steps back from the Hut with his new-found comrades. Ratibor shakes your hands in the warrior's grip and thanks Lucrezzia for the traded armour.
Erdija and Marislova say their own goodbyes.
The remaining group mount the steps of the Hut, the smell of wood burning within actually quite welcoming.
As the second company leaves Lucrezzia quietly steals away from the party. I know you don' nee ta answer but I think you mean me ta take the Rider's burden. Strike me if I'm wrong! I will what I can to set this all right.
Back with the group, the dusky woman says to Elleross, "What can you tell of this Mark? How do I seal myself to this quest? For sure as a river cuts the land I be here for the hard work."
Elleross watches Dell depart with a heavy heart and as they stand upon the porch of the hut his thoughts are interrupted by Lucrezzia and he turns his gaze upon the Mwangi native and considers her words.
we know little about the curse itself, it is far beyond my comprehension of such things but when we took the hand of Baba Yagas herald we absorbed some of his power and his purpose.
We have been cursed with his duty. We must seek out Baba Yaga, we are all bound to this course and cannot stray from it he says I can feel the curse within me, whenever we are at rest or when we are detained by something it begins to manifest itself. It is like an itch that cannot be scratched, it is maddening. An undeniable lure. I have only felt the smallest effect of it so far, should we break from this quest I suspect it's true power will manifest and given the things we have seen of Baba Yaga it would be far from pleasant and altogether deadly.
Lucrezzia, if you are sure you want to accept this curse then I believe it can be passed to you...through our blood.
We would need to seal a blood pact between us and that would be that. You would be bound to this quest to the bitter end
Even as Del ushers everyone inside the hut, Sapphire has already divested the gift from its wrapping. The slim wooden case flips open to reveal an ornately decorated black leather scabbard, complex silver filigree work chasing the length and showing images of winter and camaraderie.
Her eyes stream, and she glances up to meet his gaze.
It's beautiful, you've always had an eye for such wonders...
She clasps him in a final hug
I intend this to be my first stop after all of this is done, so I can dictate the rest of the tale to you whilst drinking your wine and eating the contents of your pantry!
She steps backwards and turns away, whilst she still has the power to do so gracefully.
Knowing that at least this configuration of the Hut and the path to the cauldron room is safe for Lucrezzia as she decides whether to accept the Rider's Boon, the remaining group make their way there, feeling somewhat morose after Del's departure.
A sturdy black cauldron sits in the middle of a rustic room with timber floors, log walls and a high ceiling framed by long beams cut from whole trunks.
Grayston moves into the hut slumping down next to the cauldron it feeling at least a little like home after everything they had been through. The sadness of it all hitting him as they lose another friend on this quest, although not as sharp a sting as Nasrin he still feels a knot in his stomach and a burden on his heart.
Slowly he unwraps the present and reads the note smiling to himself as he read it in Del's voice. He splits his hands over the fine work and each slot for a vial, he puts it to work straight away placing a few vials of powder and liquid in it. Guilt hit him hard at the contents but if it gets him through it all he doesnt care anymore.
"This curse is a powerful thing. If you take it you will be with us for a long time. It's been a brutal journey so far."
Corum dumps his gear and breaks out some trail relations. He sits on the floor, leaning against the wall and chews thoughtfully. "Nasrin and Del lost. We paid a heavy price for that dragon scale."
He nods respectfully in Lucrezzia's direction. "Though we have gained an new ally in our fight we are still under manned. It would be good to have more swords with us when we get to wherever the hell we are going."
He looks up at Grey then. "Well no need to wait. Chuck that scale in there and see where we end up."
Elleros drops the blue dragon scale into the cauldron.
Almost instantaneously the liquid within - which you swear wasn't there a moment ago - begins to bubble and smoke like one of Greyston's alchemical concoctions.
Then there is a terrible feeling of falling, as if you had just toppled over a waterfall that drops into eternity. The walls of the Hut begin to stretch and warp before your very eyes, through the windows you spy flashes of light and streaks that whizz past at a thousand times the speed of thought.
For a moment you feel as though you are there and then everywhere, a feeling that almost snaps your mind in two but whether it is your previous trips in the Hut or the influence of the Rider's Boon you manage to keep a center on yourself but certianly this trip is far more violent than your last.
Just when you feel you cannot take any more, that the feeling of falling up, down and into infinity is too much for any mortal to bare, the Hut comes to a halt.
Heaving with the exhaustion of complete disorientation, the group is scatterd and thrown around the Hut's layout.
Which you note has changed significantly.
The wooden walls of the hut disappear, replaced by large windows set in delicate iron traceries that look out in all directions over a wide, gloomy garden. Thick clouds hang unnaturally low over overgrown stands of trees, barren flower beds, and white pebble
paths.
The sky and distant landscape seem peculiarly artificial, almost as if they were part of a faded and blurry watercolor painting. A large iron cauldron sits atop a round, marble-topped table surrounded by four white wooden chairs in the center of this
circular room. A set of framed stained-glass doors to the south provide the only exit.
"Here we go..." He stays himself ready for a rough ride.
--
Grayston rushes to a corner of the room and throws up. His head still spinning as he attempts to regain his balance. "That.. That is not natural." He stands taking out a flask and takes a long sip washing out his mouth.
Finally taking a proper look around the room he takes a seat in one of the four white wooden chairs. "So where are we now." He squints looking out at the large window, attempting to bring it into focus. Taking one more sip from his flask and putting it back in his jacket.