Skallangbiorn walks the perimeter of the homestead - - searching for an appropriate location to lay the defenders’ bodies to rest. On the opposite side of the barn he finds a patch of flat ground that looks to put the house out of line of sight so he can collect the remains. That found, he gathers the three bodies and lays them alongside one another, in his mind already forming the framework of the pyre he would build.
Over the next few minutes, Skallangbiorn goes about the painstaking task of cleansing the bodies of the filth left behind by the trolls’ attacks. He builds a small fire and places a tin receptacle there to melt snow for the purpose. As he works, he sings a song of ancient days in the Ulfen north to keep the spirits of the dead quietly focused on their valiant last stand.
”Their stance like iron, not bent by years
with slow time they progressed o’er the moor
from head and chin fluttered white and gold hairs,
there beards flowed down, heroes of lore.
They followed no path, saw no tracks,
but Gorum set their eyes
in the clear sky above they firmed their backs
and cast their aspect on high.
‘Who, oh who wanders the morning hour?’
They challenge the unseen,
‘Stand firm and watch o’er people ours!’
their battle was joined, axes set to ring.
O’er my homeland their battlecry calls
axes biting, swords cleaving
no warriors remain in their halls
I see my kin, no miles between
In my heart and blade, they forever sing.”
He sings the refrain as he finishes with the bodies and moves on to gathering wood and stone. The first to form the pyre, the second to form a ring about them. The latter is a symbol of the older days when the Ulfen would send their dead out to sea to die in fire. Here, with the sea so far, the stones would represent the ship that carries them to the Halls of Valhalla.
Once his work is complete, the cleric gathers his gear and returns to the house. Along the way he sees Rutilux seeing to the horses.
"I believe it was you who healed Sunfire. You have my thanks."
Skallangbiorn nods. ”To Gorum be the glory, I am His instrument. Your animal pleases the Lord in Iron, and you fight together as one born to the eternal battle.” With that, he continues towards the house, following the cavalier. He greets Jediah with a gripped forearm and stands next to Rutilux until the scout finishes speaks. He then crosses the room to stand alongside Thorvald. Skallangbiorn meets eyes with him and speaks the phrase in formal Skald, ”De är redo för resan, broder. De Halls of Valhalla väntar.”
The cleric then steps back and takes a knee, fist to heart before the two children. Again in formal Skald, he speaks to close the ritual which would bind the cleric to the children until the funeral was complete. ”Jag vill, Skallangbiorn, dess Heiflmein. Det är min ära, jungfru och krigare. Jag tjänar på din vilja.”
That done, he steps back from the gathering to await the right time to speed the dead to their final rest.
Later than night after the funeral and the two have gone to sleep...
All of you have returned to the house after a circuit of the dram which revealed no signs of any nearby threats. Most of you have prepared to sleep when you hear rustling and other noises coming from the room you put Rolf and Rose in.
On the bed groggily trying to sit up and look at herself is Rose. Seeing the door open Rose turns, shielding her eyes from the light, "Hello? Who's there?"
Later than night after the funeral and the two have gone to sleep...
All of you have returned to the house after a circuit of the dram which revealed no signs of any nearby threats. Most of you have prepared to sleep when you hear rustling and other noises coming from the room you put Rolf and Rose in.
On the bed groggily trying to sit up and look at herself is Rose. Seeing the door open Rose turns, shielding her eyes from the light, "Hello? Who's there?"
Rutilux was looking forward to slumber, but when he hears rustling from Rose's room he's glad he's not yet removed his armor.
He spots Rose shielding her eyes, and says, "Rutilux Talonn. My apologies for keeping you so confined, but given as you were bespelled to stab me in the neck, and Rolf was controlled as well, I hope you understand our precautions." His tone is actually apologetic.
Zethyris snaps to alertness, his ears picking up the rustling from the other room almost immediately. He follows Rutilux, cautiously resting his hand on his dagger's hilt.
He quickly pulls his hand away as Rose greets them instead of trying to stab them. His eyes flit to Rolf to see if there is any visible change in his condition as well, then return to Rose.
"Rutilux Talonn. My apologies for keeping you so confined, but given as you were bespelled to stab me in the neck, and Rolf was controlled as well, I hope you understand our precautions."
Heh, he sure knows how to talk to the ladies, that one.
"I am Zethyris, in the perfectly justifiable case that you do not remember. Are you feeling all right? Do you need food, water? You've been unconscious for days, and we were taking you to find help. Do you remember anything since Margrave attacked us as we were escaping his fort?"
After Skallangbiorn returns to announce that everything is ready for the funeral, Ana whispers to Thorvald: "Hey, Thorvald. How do Ulfen funerals work? I mean: what do we do? I don't want to insult these children or their family."
Later that night, when she hears voices from Rose's room, Ana gets out of bed again, to see what is going on there. She is surprised to see Rose awake, not so much surprised to see that Rutilux is already by her bedside.
She says wearily: "I really don't care what you are doing here. But can you please keep the noise down. I need to get some sleep so I can prepare my spells for tomorrow."
She motions to leave, but then remains standing in the doorway, watching the scene, her arms crossed.
Then fashioned for them - the Ulfen folk
the timbers of their ship, for a funeral pyre,
and hung it with harness and helm and axe
and breastplates bright, as the boon asked;
and they laid amid it the mighty heroes
mourning their passing dearly.
High on the mountain, they lit the fires,
those still upon earth, their souls awakened
they roared to the flames,
they roared to the passing of their kin.
they raised their iron to the sky.
Chant the passing chant the glory
They gave their kin their lifetime’s due
Master and student, Lord and servant,
They saw the ship unfurl sails,
They set the fire in the hearts of their kin.
And the ship set forth,
harkening the Horns of Valhalla.
Once done, he hands the torch to the eldest - the girl I think - taking knee before her as he does so. Once she is ready, he lights the torch for her so she can set the funeral pyre alight.
At hearing the disturbance from the prisoners' room, Skallangbiorn gathers up the cudgel he'd collected from the jailor, hanging it by its loop on his belt and enters the hallway, standing to the side near Ana so as not to crowd the doorway.
"I really don't care what you are doing here. But can you please keep the noise down. I need to get some sleep so I can prepare my spells for tomorrow."
When she notices him, Skall will nod greeting and mention, "I am prepared to cast Gorum's net of truth seeking upon them, should you wish to ply your questions."
- He'll offer to cast it once requested.
Zzzzznore
In preparation for the funeral, Isham will ask the children briefly (and kindly) if there are holy books or papers that the family keeps. Isham will use whatever is avaiable as part of the funeral rites, deferring to Skallangbiorn as the expert on local practice.
Isham will, however, also investigate any papers or family holy texts to see if there is reference to other extended family - to try to identify clan affiliation, or other extended support for the kids.
-----
Zzzznore
Bunked in with Jediah, Isham can not hear the stir of activity over the aggressive sounds of snoring. Isham will be very cross with himself later for sleeping too soundly to respond.
Thorvald seems a bit slow to respond to Ana and takes a moment to think before responding.
"Our funeral customs vary by region, season and status. In this case Skallangbiorn built a fire with the wood that was available here. These people were farmers, they probably were close with Erastil. Had it been summer we might have buried them in the earth, but with no adult male here the cleric is giving them a proper send off as they died in the spirit of Gorum. Pharasma will see their spirits to their proper places in Valhalla."
"The Ulfen people of the sea would have given them to the deep waters. After a battle or if an Ulfen was a strong follower of Gorum, like my cousin, a pile of stones over the body might be appropriate."
"Those with money and influence might have a barrow erected for them. A favored captain might receive a pyre at sea of his own ship."
"The woman who died had brought children to this world, the men died in defense of their home, children and women."
"It was a good death."
"Ulfen have several gods who show them favor. Lately I have found myself drifting away from Gorum as I see his callous side, but I need and call on him often. Seeing these children I drift towards Desna and Erastil more. All Ulfen will find themselves in Pharasma's embrace at the end of their lives and there are those that dedicate themselves to her mission."
"But, there is another I have been lifting my prayers to."
Thorvald digs in his bag and hands Ana something in a tied suede pouch.
"I have been working on this for several weeks on the trail."
Waits for her to open it.
"It's the peacock of Shelyn. I made one of iron for myself, but I figured one of wire, beads and stone would be better suited for you."
"I find it hard to put it in words what it means to me. I hope that you will find meaning in it for yourself."
Thorvald hears the commotion and rises from the chair he had been resting uneasily in. He expected more trolls, the dead or Shade to come calling. He could hear Rutilux, Zethyris and Rose inside the room. His eyes flicked over Ana and Skallangbiorn standing in the doorway.
Despite how he speaks to them, they still love it.
"Ulfen have several gods who show them favor. Lately I have found myself drifting away from Gorum as I see his callous side, but I need and call on him often. Seeing these children I drift towards Desna and Erastil more. All Ulfen will find themselves in Pharasma's embrace at the end of their lives and there are those that dedicate themselves to her mission."
"But, there is another I have been lifting my prayers to."
Thorvald digs in his bag and hands Ana something in a tied suede pouch.
"I have been working on this for several weeks on the trail."
"For the funeral? How did you know we were going to a funeral?" Ana asks, puzzled.
But before Thorvald has a chance to answer, she interrupts him again and adds: "You are right. It was to be expected, considering the life we are living."She takes the pouch, opens it, and takes out the content to look at it.
"What is it? You made that? It's beautiful!"
"It's the peacock of Shelyn. I made one of iron for myself, but I figured one of wire, beads and stone would be better suited for you."
"I find it hard to put it in words what it means to me. I hope that you will find meaning in it for yourself."
Oh no! Has Thorvald become a peacock spirit cultist?
No, wait ... Shelyn. He mentioned Shelyn.Goddess of art. Of course! Now I get it: jewelry is art - he wants to be an a jewelry-artist who makes beautiful jewelry for me. How nice of him!
No, wait ... that doesn't make much sense either.
Why does he look at me like that?
Ana looks back and forth between the brooch and Thorvald for what seems like an eternity - first shocked, then confused, then happy, then confused again.
Does he want us both to become paladins of Shelyn?
I never thought he would be so comfortable talking about love ... he seems to be struggling for words in these matters ... just like now ...
oh
Oh.
OH!
Finally, she blushes a little.
Then she starts kissing Thorvald feverishly.
Then she realizes they are still in the common room and everyone is staring at them.
She blushes again.
She gets up and grabs Thorvald by his shirt.
"Come with me. Now." She says commandingly, as she leads him out of the room.
In reply to Skall's offer, Ana says to everyone:
"Can I speak all of you outside for a moment?"
(phrased as a question, but from her tone of voice it is more a command)
Outside and around the corner she whispers: "Lets question them first without the spell - I want to know how much they are willing to reveal when not under a spell. Afterwards we can ask them again under the net of truth. If they tell the same story both times, we know we can trust them. To an extend."
As they return to the room she says, just loud enough so that Rose can hear it:
"... so really we are all friends - no need to cast spells at each other. We need to learn to trust each other."
"Talon? Oh, the southerners that i wa...was with. Back at the." she pauses as she clutches her head for a minute before looking up through here fingers, "I. I stabbed you I think. We were escaping. We had just gotten outside." she pauses again as if trying to remember or make sense out of whatever memory she has, "He was waiting for us.. Margrave. He was talking but for some reason I couldn't hear his words. Then, then I. Then my body moved on its own and I remember watching my dagger. In my hand. Stab you and then I, no I didn't, my hand twisted the knife. Oh gods what did I do? Did I kill anyone? Why didn't you kill me?"
Rutilux's voice is gentle, "Because I, and I think I can say 'we', do not punish the victim. He was controlling you with some sort of amulet and magic laid on you. I'm sorry, we can't seem to remove whatever geas is upon you, but I know who guided you and it is he who bears the sin of the actions your hands carried out."
Some of us Rutilux, only some. There were those who wanted to kill Ana when it happened to her. Lets not forget that.
Skallangbiorn remains in the hallway outside, eyes closed listening. The cleric prays and listens and weighs the woman's words for truth. The others may want to leap at her story and her theatrics, but Skallangbiorn had been around some of the greatest deceivers Irrisen could muster. They sang their words of innocence, but eventually the liars made their nature known.
This Rose was his responsibility, his and Ana's. If she takes a life, his own is forfeit. More concerning for the cleric is the danger Rose and Rolf present to the two children now under the party's protection. Would Rutilux and the others feel their mercy so righteous if Rose were to take a dagger to one of the little ones?
Skall holds his counsel, and remains silent unless asked a question. He would allow things to unfold.
"Because I, and I think I can say 'we', do not punish the victim. He was controlling you with some sort of amulet and magic laid on you. I'm sorry, we can't seem to remove whatever geas is upon you, but I know who guided you and it is he who bears the sin of the actions your hands carried out."
"Besides," adds Zethyris, "we were in your debt for your help in our escape. We couldn't leave you to Margrave's tender mercies, and anyone who claims to own another person deserves to lose that person. It just so happened that he was making you a bit stabby at the time, but that was no reason not to teach him a lesson."
"We've got a bit to discuss, but before that I'm sure you would like to eat and drink something. It's been days since you were last conscious, and we need to be prepared for trouble."
Zethyris heads out of the room to get some food (rations if there is nothing fresher) and pour a mug of his Caydenbrew. As he leaves, he takes Skallangbiorn aside.
"Can you examine her to see if she still is affected by the curse? We might not want to reveal anything yet if she may still be compromised by the magic. Perhaps check Rolf as well, see if there is any new change," he requests, voice low so Rose doesn't hear.
While he fetches food, he makes sure to stop by where Isham is bunking, gently waking him.
"Isham, Rose just woke up. She seems to be free of the curse, but I'm getting Skallangbiorn to check just in case. The timing seems a mite coincidental, and we're not in the best of places if trouble starts. Rutilux, Thorvald, and Ana are also there, but I think we should have some extra eyes watching over the children, in case of trouble."
"Children - absolutely. Don't let anyone get skewered before I can weigh in. Let them know I'll be most wroth if folks act in haste."
Isham will gather himself together. As he dresses, he gently (cautiously) prods Jediah, saying quietly, "Prisoners are awake - folks are questioning them. You want to participate, or rest?" Isham then goes to check on the status of the children.
Seeing quietly snoozing children, Isham takes a turn around the house, then around the grounds, then back in to the children.
(kids)
(house)
(grounds)
(kids)
I'll stand watch, not really a people person.
"Thank you. I doubt many of my own people would be as trusting. What kind of trouble are you expecting? You killed Margrave so what do you have to worry about?"
When Zethyris leaves in search of good he's easily able to find several dried meats and some cold soup still hanging over the cooking fire.
You can tell that she is indeed suffering from a curse. The magic originating from her brand
She is actually under two curses. One which functions similar to a GEAS or greater GEAS while another seems to be a mark binding her soul. If she dies before this curse is lifted her soul will be sacrificed to some otherworldly being, probably a demon or a devil
When you check on the children the boy is safely in his bed sleeping with the shield beside him, nothing to worry about.
When you open the door to the young woman's room you are certain you spotted movement but when you had the door fully open you realize that the movement must have come from the curtains on the window blowing back and forth. She is sleeping soundly although she does stir a bit when you open the door allowing you to see that she isn't as young as everyone first believed.
The house is locked up tightly and the fire is still slowly burning.
Outside in the bitter cold you can see very little but you can't see signs of any danger. Making your circuit around the house you can see that everything is secure, all of the windows are shuttered tightly and almost no light can be seen coming from the house.
Zethyris returns with the food and drink and gives it to Rose.
"Thank you. I doubt many of my own people would be as trusting. What kind of trouble are you expecting? You killed Margrave so what do you have to worry about?"
"Well, about that. He sort of... vanished on us. He made Rolf there look like him, but once the illusion was dispelled we couldn't find him. We decided it was more important to get you and Rolf to get help and to keep Montulo safe than to try and hunt Margrave down, so he is probably still out there plotting his revenge or somesuch. He seemed a mite upset at us, I do recall."
Zethyris does not give any information about the ice trolls, waiting to see what Skallangbiorn's analysis is before revealing any potentially sensitive information.
He waits until Rose looks ready to talk before asking, "So, why exactly did you help us escape? And what do you plan to do now?"
The half-elf scout leaves the room where Rose is being held, pausing in the shadowed hallway to speak with the cleric.
"Can you examine her to see if she still is affected by the curse? We might not want to reveal anything yet if she may still be compromised by the magic. Perhaps check Rolf as well, see if there is any new change."
Skallangbiorn nods affirmative. "If it matters, I do not detect a lie in her words. She believes what she says is the truth."
Zethyris departs and Skall seeks the guidance of his god. His hand begins to glow and the cleric touches his temple. Cast Guidance +1 to Attacks/Saves/Skill With that, he steps into the doorway to the room.
...ugh...
Skall narrows his eyes, the permutations of magical auras like the morning haze not allowing the cleric to narrow down anything certain. He looks to Ana. ”Her words ring true, but the auras about her are too murky for my sight. What do you see?”
The princess shrugs.
"I don't have the slightest idea."
The cleric's brow furrows. "Vexing."
With that, Skallangbiorn steps back into the hallway and takes up his position outside the room once more. Perhaps when Rolf awakes he'll have another opportunity to investigate further.
"Indeed."
Where is Isham? Maybe he knows what kind of magic this is.
"Rose, we need to know what else Margrave has at his disposal. I know that he must have something that flies and can burn things from the inside out. Is that Shade?"
Julian walks into the room. "Yes. We need to know more about ...her?"
Rutilux mentally chastises himself for not getting Rose some food and drink himself.
"If he's not dead then we are all in danger. I don't think you understand the extent of his power. In less than five years he was able to take every bandit, highwayman, thug and vagabond for leagues around bend knee to him. I don't know all that much about him but I know that his seven lieutenants are terrified of him and their power terrifies me. I've never heard of him having anything that can fly, unless maybe Weller conjured something. I've heard he consorts with devils and has one as a pet. Your arrival caught Margrave off guard, I figured that I could use the chaos of that, plus his lieutenants were gone. I figured you could either deal with him before he realized what was happening or we could escape together and I needed your muscle to deal with anyone he sent after us. I, I don't know what I'll do now but I know that I'll never let anyone, any man, make me into his pet ever again. Maybe if I travel far enough south he won't be able to find me, I've heard some raiders talk about the shackles, maybe there." she stops and sips at the soupy broth for a bit before continuing. "Well aside from a few hundred thugs and bandits he controls a large band of raiders, the 'Mad Eyes', led by one of the seven. Gluorg, is crazy, he's almost as big as you," pointing to Skallagbiorn, "but him, and to a lesser extent his men, are berserkers. I'm talking about raving, howl at the moon kind of crazy who somehow are able to ignore fatal wounds for as long as their battle continues. Then there's 'Wulf', he's another one of the seven. He leads an army of mercenaries called the band of the wolf or something but he's been gone for a long time. He's an expert swordsman and rumours say he's a lycanthrope. Puylo keeps everyone in line. He's a former gladiator from the south with a strange sense of honour. Don't even try to fight him. I've watched him fight twenty to one and walk away without even being touched. I already told you about Margrave's Arcanist, Weller, he's an infernalist. He can turn people into mindless slaves and create flames that burn even water. I don't think anyone aside from. Margrave knows anything about Shade, he just shows up when he's finished his job and wants another. Heck I don't even know if he's a he or not, or if he's human. Wrask is an ice troll. I heard he was a hunter and a trapper before Margrave taught him the fun of hunting people. The last one is another horror. Margrave just calls him the doctor, but he he doesn't save lives he more interested in finding new and creative ways of killing people. I think he also dabble in necromancy but I've never found any proof."
Coming up partway through the disquisition, approaching quietly to avoid interrupting. "These are formidable adversaries. You were most brave and resourceful to resist them, to escape them, and to help us gain our freedom. You have our gratitude, and our promise to deliver you to safer arrangements. This information urges us to greater haste than we had anticipated. You should rest if you can, we will need to travel early."
Taking Thorvald aside for a moment, "Is there some traditional way that Ulfen families record births, deaths, and marriages? I have seen traditions where these events are recorded along with family holy texts, but I've found this family's items of worship, but no record of family ties. I fear I am once again failing to know enough of your people."
In an aside to Ana, "You may want to look in with the daughter here. There is something amiss... and she is older than we took her to be. I fear there may be a suitor, or perhaps she is restless in the night. I think she needs a sisterly word - a task for which I am not well suited."
"I owe you an apology." Skallangbiorn indicates Rose. "My first instinct was to treat you as an enemy. That and worse."
He turns to the rest in the room. "She is under a form of a curse...two curses. One stems from the brand on her arm, the other a Geas." He looks back to the woman and frowns. Regret is not an emotion with which the Ulfen cleric has much experience. "The one is a soul binding....a mark that will send your soul to who holds the binding should you die before the curse is lifted. One of Margrave's servants perhaps...this Shade Thorvald mentions...I know not."
"I am grateful to you all for staying my hand until the truth was found." Skallangbiorn thinks for a moment then gestures to Rose. "This devilry is beyond me, but given time, Gorum may give me insight into a solution. My prayers will be directed to the task."
His gaze goes to Ana. "What do you know of Gaes?" Skall hopes his initial thoughts are wrong. For if his estimation of a Geas is correct, they may not be able to return to the Kodiakborn until the curse is lifted.
"I wonder if we are in proximity to this ice troll of Margraves...considering our earlier adversaries."
To Skallangiorn, "There are many tales based around geases, both when operating as intended, and when gone awry. Let's talk at some greater length - perhaps some of the old stories bear on this situation."
In reply to Isham:
"What are you trying to tell me, older than we took her to be? Is she a thousand year old crone whose true face is only revealed in the moonlight? Or were you merely enjoying seeing her half naked, more than you expected?"
Rutilux says to Rose, "I am sorry we weren't able to free you, not yet anyway. As we said, we thought we had him, only to find ourselves fooled. These seven sound formidable, but no foe is invulnerable. They must have weaknesses, something that can be exploited."
"I am grateful to you all for staying my hand until the truth was found." Skallangbiorn thinks for a moment then gestures to Rose. "This devilry is beyond me, but given time, Gorum may give me insight into a solution. My prayers will be directed to the task."
"My own heart has been hardened of late, Skallingborn. I admit, part of me looked on the common bandits with disdain, but now I must wonder how many live in terror so great they dare not try to flee for honorable endeavors. I wish you fortune in your success, for I am merely a knight and matters arcane and divine are beyond my ken."
"There are many tales based around geases, both when operating as intended, and when gone awry. Let's talk at some greater length - perhaps some of the old stories bear on this situation."
Skallangbiorn nods agreement. For a change, he considers the impact of such a conversation on the audience. Rose in particular. He gestures subtly with this chin for the bard to follow him out so they can have their discussion away from Rose when they're ready. Perhaps this group is having a bigger impact on me than I recognize.
"I agree, there is a long history to the use of geases...none to my knowledge end well." He crosses his arms and considers the things he knows.
"While my perspective has been gratefully expanded, I still carry the concern over bringing Rose and Rolf into the Kodiakborne's midst." He stares forward, eyes distant. "This may be a curse to force them to a specific action. One that could include harm to Savol or others in his circle."
To Ana, "Far more the latter than the former. As I went to verify the children's safety, I discovered that she, at least, was not so much a child. It was not appropriate for me to be entering a young lady's bed chambers unannounced late at night." Isham gives a wearied, but slightly wicked grin, "I've been called a pirate, and a dirty old man - sometimes with cause. Enough at least to know I might frighten young girls." Somewhat more seriously, "She's been through enough fright. A woman's word will do what even the most avuncular blackamoor pirate can not."
To Isham: "I wish Dagmar was still here. Last time I tried to speak with an Ulfen person in private, we all ended up in jail. But I'll try my best. Should I wake her now - or do you think this has time until tomorrow morning?"
To Rose: "Does Margrave ever subdue regular people to force them to work for him? Or does he only recruit criminals? Maybe that's part of his deal with the devils - that he can only subjugate people who are already corrupted."
In reply to Skallangbiorn: "Yes, we should be wary. Though I doubt these curses are in any way specific to our King. Margrave might not even have heard of him before we showed up."
Ana touches Rose's curse mark and asks her: "How long ago did you get this?"
GEAS primarily are the purview of powerful priests or wizards as well as strong otherworldly beings and only equally powerful beings can remove them afterwards
Most ulfen births and deaths are kept record at the presiding churches. Most common families don't keep written records of relations, word of mouth is usually enough. Those related to more powerful or influential clans may keep documents or proof to protect them in the case of weregild. Lesser and affiliated families joined to or under the protection of a clan will usually wear their clans colouring or carve the clans heraldry visibly upon their property.
"Margrave forces everyone to bend knee, those with skills he can use get used, those without are left as fodder for the rest of live a life of slavery until they can't work anymore or die of exhaustion." she finishes the food that's left and then begs off any more questions for the morning.
As the group leaves Rose to some much-needed rest, Isham muses aloud, though out of earshot of the prisoners, "Perhaps we should head onward to the Keep. There were powerful seers and priests there - perhaps mightier than at Savol's field camp - they might better treat Rose and Rolf."
Before going back to bed, Ana casts Detect magic and quickly scans the girl's room for magic.
She tries to be stealthy about it, but accidentally knocks something over in the dark while performing the somatic component of the spell.
If the girl wakes up from the noise, if she is just pretending to be asleep ( ), or if Ana detects any unexpected magic in her room, she goes in to talk to the girl right away. Otherwise she waits with it till the next morning.
After food and drink are offered, Rutilux tends to their prisoners both to make sure they will be bound in the morning in case magic should claim their actions again, "I apologize, Rose. I'm not normally so ungallant. Beg pardon"
As he heads to rest himself, he nods to Isham's comment, "Aye. There are wise heads there who may know far more lore at the least."
"Anyone ever try cutting their arm off to escape his power?"
No doubt it would just shift to the other arm. Magic is like that.
"My own heart has been hardened of late, Skallingborn. I admit, part of me looked on the common bandits with disdain, but now I must wonder how many live in terror so great they dare not try to flee for honorable endeavors. I wish you fortune in your success, for I am merely a knight and matters arcane and divine are beyond my ken."
"A troubling thought, Rutilux Talonn. Fear is a way of life on the border, but something like this, where hope is ground out to the point you will serve just to survive, it is insidious." The cleric rests a hand on the knight's shoulder. "The path of the knight is a difficult one. Matters of morality are much harder to navigate than the powers of divinity or arcane. Look at me and what I was willing to do in the name of expedience." He grips the man's shoulder once and lets his hand fall. "You have my respect, Rutilux Talonn...all of you do for that matter."
-------
"Yes, we should be wary. Though I doubt these curses are in any way specific to our King. Margrave might not even have heard of him before we showed up."
"I journeyed from Trollheim and I knew of the Savol. In my journey there were enough rumors along the road that I was able to find my way here." Skall shook his head, too many possibilities in the air. "This Margrave seems to have resources at his disposal, enough that he'd have heard of man such as Savol. He almost seems to be forming as a counter to the Savol’s efforts.”
He nods back to the room where Rose and Rolf are held. ”They could be arrows in the quiver to be launched at the opportune time. This Rolf, you said he was a bandit leader, yes? Someone who attacked you and once defeated brought you before Margrave? A convenient situation to bring you to the villain’s lair...set the stage for our escape…” Again, the cleric looks to the room, then back to the group. ”...then knocks his arrows.”
”It is a thin speculation, but something that should be considered.”
"Perhaps we should head onward to the Keep. There were powerful seers and priests there - perhaps mightier than at Savol's field camp - they might better treat Rose and Rolf."
"Anyone ever try cutting their arm off to escape his power?"
"No doubt it would just shift to the other arm. Magic is like that."
Skallangbiorn shakes his head, a bit frustrated he doesn’t know more. ”If it is a combination of curses, if we attempt to remove one, it may trigger the other?” He looks to group. ”What is this ‘Keep’ you speak of?”
In reply to Skallangbiorn:
"Maybe you are right. It seems strange, though: the Kodiak's Claws arrive at his doorstep, and the best Margrave can think of is to extort ransom for them. That just didn't look like he was already plotting against Savol back then. But then of course, who knows. Maybe he had carefully planned everything to happen exactly the way we want it to happen. But if we have been deceived all along..."
Ana suddenly turns to Zethyris and says "This might sound strange now, but are we really sure that the thing that brought you back to life was your old friend and mentor? Maybe that was already part of a deception. The devils allied with Margrave are waiting for one of us to die - or maybe they even caused the earthquake and put the sea serpent there. Then, disguised as someone we would trust, they give you back your life, and send all of us on this mission."
She looks around uneasily, and after making sure Montulo isn't around, continues in a hushed voice: "Are we sure we can trust this old man Montulo? Maybe he is the mole, and not these two. Did anyone detect his alignment?"
Or maybe you are the mole, Skallangbiorn. What do we really know about you? Come to think of it - the two of you were the only ones who knew that Savol was king now. Maybe that is part of the deception as well.
Ana's gaze narrows on Skall, for a brief moment only.
"Think about it: we were busy preparing ourselves for a war with Irrisen. And all of a sudden we are on this 'more important' mission concerning an old man and an even older man in a mirror. It's a deception: my sister stole the dwarves' book of planes to contact hell. As soon as she had it she made a deal with a devil to help Irrisen. The devil kills one of us and brings him back to life with a 'mission'. Then it calls in a favor from this man Margrave who has a deal with hell to keep us occupied - so that we split our forces - so that we are distracted while Irrisen starts its attack!"
Gently to Ana, "We don't always know who we can trust, but we have to choose some things to believe in and trust - at least until we have other proof. The Ulfen are more forthright than the Irrisen. Let us trust in Zethyris's experiences for now."
'Ana is having a difficult patch. I need to help some of the others understand that she might need some support to keep her from spinning harmful/hurtful fantasies to herself.'
"We might well keep in mind that Margrave knew of Savol, but thought him slain. Now that he knows otherwise, and one of his lieutenants has cause to hunt Savol, this upstart Margrave may present himself as a problem."
..
The Ulfen cleric feels a twinge of concern as Ana begins giving free reign to other possibilities tied to the groups' shared past before Skall's arrival. Her descriptions and theories are a blur, but some of her words catch his mind like the barbed teeth of a saw in tree bark. It begins when she eyes him suspiciously. His immediate reaction is a defensive one, but he calms those emotions with the knowledge that he would do the same in her position. I will offer myself for detection should they choose, that should clear the air...
His thoughts are cut off and he's taken aback by something else Ana says. Sister? Deals with devils? Skall's brow furrows once more, blue eyes grow cold as he looks upon the diminutive female. What is this she speaks of? She mentions again that the half-elf had died and been resurrected...then the talk of a sister dealing with devils?
Isham steps in, words a soothing balm for the woman as he offers his perspective. In the midst of his response the cleric decides to hold his counsel before allowing his mind to run amuck with the implications of Ana's admissions. He had learned the lesson of jumping to conclusions from this group, the least he could do was honor their lesson and allow the full story to unfold.
For now, he offers; "If you have reason to doubt me, I am at your disposal for questioning and magical survey."
To Isham he says; "When we have time, I would ask you to tell me of this group's history. I am at a loss at times and would prevent incorrect conclusions from being drawn on my part." He offers further; "I would be at your disposal to provide you with what I know of Ulfen customs and of course all you would want to know of my history."
Following Isham's advice, Ana breathes deeply to calm herself.
"Yes, you are right. Thank you. Its just that ... I don't feel ready for this all. Being confronted with my past, confronting my evil hag family, the things that are happening to me. It's ... too close to my past. And I don't like turning my back to them to follow this wild goose chase - not when they are so close that I can feel their breath on my neck - now that my sister knows that I am here."
For a moment it seemed as if she was going to cry - but she manages to pull herself together.
She looks at Zethyris expectantly, still waiting for an answer, but otherwise remains quiet.
Finally, she replies to Skall: "Thank you for your offer. But you are the only one among us who has the means to magically question people. Lets go with Isham's way and trust each other for the time being. And lets go to bed. It has been a long day - for all of us."