Very well. Thank you for joining us on our quest. Perhaps some day we shall live together to see the end of it. There is much to do but much joy to be found as well.
Once finished with Akiros Gorguk will retire after seeing to Durok. In the morning he will see about going to the bushes to remove the swarms and collect berries for bokken if the others are willing.
Barnabus enjoys a four course meal and inquires about the results of any patrols or rumors that have come into the fort.
After that he checks in with the guards on the wall, letting them know not to shoot him when he comes back from flying around......
Lothar made his way through the tent city, inquiring after Rhasadilara, who he had heard was here. However, he discovered that she had returned to the fort.
Will you go to her now and beg her forgiveness?
The magician looked to his left, a scowl affixed to his face. Aye. I must. I have wronged her.
Soft you have become, Narda. The mettle you once possessed is truly no more if you would seek succor from the likes of her.
I crave forgiveness from her. A beast such as yourself would not understand.
Oh, I understand. Do not forget that I am the Beast within you, Narda. I am the darkness that you run from in the light of day. I am that which you embrace when reason fails and the call to arms is heard. I am the means by which you have survived in this world. Resist me at your peril.
Lothar cast his gaze down to the ground. What could he say to refute the Beast's claims?
You've made yourself impotent with fear. You reek of it. It clings to your very being, cloyingly so. I shall savor your failure, for you shall receive no absolution from her.
Perhaps. There may be truth in what you say, Beast. But unless I take that risk, how will I ever know? The Vudrani raised his head, a determined look had replaced his despair.
Courage, Lothar. Courage.
The magician strode with purpose back to the gates. The guards gave him entry and he inquired after the elven ranger. Upon learning that she was on the walkways, Lothar thanked them and made his way up.
At last, he had found her.
Rhasadilara Goldenbough. I...
The mask of determination began to crack as fear crept into his heart now that he was before her. Did he have to do this? Did he really need to push the issue? No, better to accept that he had done her wrong and be done with it. There was no going back. Not now. Not ever.
You falter even as you near your goal. Truly you are a pitiful wretch, Lothar Mahasi Narda. You will find no absolution from the elf wench, for you lack the resolve to ask it of her. The Beast looked from within Lothar and proclaimed, He is a Son of the Mask through and through, a true creature of deception.
Lothar trembled as he sought to find the strength of his conviction within him. But try as he might, no words would come. Despair had rooted itself too deeply within his heart and soul. He could feel the Stabbing Beast's presence looming over him.
Rhasadilara turns at the sound of her name, a smile beginning to form, but it freezes, uncomfortable and incomplete, when she sees who it is and he stops before he has started. After a moment, she beckons. "Come, look out on the birth of a nation. I should be excited about the opportunity we offer these people." She looks sideways at him, "But what I keep thinking about is those that follow. Those that put garbage in the streams, that kill animals to have a decoration rather than a meal, those that harvest the lumber for a gold piece rather than for their home. I think about unintended consequences, Lothar."
She turns and looks directly at him and it's unclear whether she is still speaking of her part in the new nation. "I know that sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do. Sometimes they have the desired effect that justifies the act. Sometimes they don't work out and we regret the act. Life is about finding which are which, isn't it?"
She turns back to the nation-being-born. "I hope not to regret my part in settling the Lands. What about you?"
Calinder also wanders for awhile through the growing tent city, helping where needed, setting up tents preparing a meal, entertaining children with stories.
He then returns to the fort, looking for a meal for himself.
Calinder then wanders the fort for a time. He sees Lothar and Rhasa on the walkway, talking it appears, and he hopes they are putting aside whatever has come between them on this last trip.
He also notices Gorguk and Akiros talking, and their conversation ends with Akiros smiling.
He then sees that his horse is cared for and comfortable in the stable.
Afterwards, he returns to his small area reviews a catches up with his journal entries.
He then seeks out Gorguk to speak of their plans for the next stages of developing this new city. They discuss what the needs of the near future are, and resources needed.
After their discussion of plans for the city, or future city as the case may be, he then asks, "Gorguk, what is next for the Wardens? I mean, what is next for us excluding the building of our city, what are we going to do next?"
Gorguk ponders Cal's inquiry and tries to come up with a decent answer. One tht is both correct and satisfying at the same time. To be honest Cal I do not know for sure. We have been tasked by the swordlords to create a kingdom to their south in the hopes that we will be an ally to them in the future. What type of ally they are looking for I do not know as it could be as complex as military alliances or as simple as a trading partner. Only time will tell in that regards. As for us now I see us performing two tasks. The firstis already answered by you in that we are the rulers and protectors of these people. We must do what we can to ensure their survival, and even more than that, their growth. These people here are just the start of those that will follow. I imagine that once word gets out of a new nation with a fresh start away from the oppression of some rulers people will begin to flock to us. Imagine what it could be like in a few short months. Why, we could have a group of 3000 individuals as part of our fledgling nation in 6 months time. They will be coming for freedom and prosperity. We must do our best to help them. Beyond those duties, I see us continuing to explore the surrounding area. Not only will we need to tame certain areas for growth, but I am curious as to see what is going on around us. This area is a wide realm that can be explored to find wonderful and hidden things. Think of what we have found so far. A temple to Erastil is but one. Surely there are more such intriguing places waiting for us. Between these two endeavors I am sure we will be kept quite busy and content. I hope I angered your question well enough for you. I suppose on a more immediate schedule is leaving tomorrow to clear up those berries so we can harvest them for bokken. Do you have any magics that could help in removing those swarms? I am woefully inept when it comes to battling such foes. I am afraid that I will be not much help other than to heal those that can combat e swarms with magics.
Lothar kept his head down, not daring to look Rhasadilara in the eyes. He rubbed his scalp nervously before speaking: I have many regrets, Golden Arm. Helping to make this place a safer one is not one of them. Certain actions taken along the way... well, that's another story altogether.
The magician moved to look out over the burgeoning collection of tents below. Still not able to cast his eyes on the elf, the Vudran continued speaking. At no other time in my life have my deeds been so important. I see so much happening around me, not the least of which is the coming of people to these lands. Desperate people filled with hopes and dreams, with goals that they feel will make their lives better. Or at least better than the ones they previously had. And they seek to accomplish this with little more than their own hands and determination.
I understand that feeling all too well. I came here looking to do the same. But these hands, my hands, are stained with blood. More blood than you can imagine, Golden Arm. I am a spy, and, when necessary, a killer. I came to these lands with the hope of being more than that. And I thought I was well on my way to fulfilling this lofty dream of mine. And I would do it by participating in something greater than myself.
Lothar raised his hands to his chest and clenched them tight, his anger and frustration evident.
I took a life. I rationalized it at the time that the deed was done to keep the hands of my companions clean. But that act, that one deed, awakened something deep within me. Something dark... primal. It talks to me, tells me that I am a murderer. As he spoke, Lothar found himself staring into the face of the bandit from the tunnel, reliving the moment he took the man's life using his knowledge of pressure points and ki flow. I did not wish to have my inner darkness affect you, so I tried to drive you away. But I have since come to see that the act, while well-meaning, spawned, as you put it, 'unintentional consequences'. Because for it to truly be successful, I would have drive away more than just you.
The magician chuckled bitterly to himself. Pretty dumb for someone who prides himself on his intellect, yes?
Rhasadilara is quiet for a long time after Lothar speaks, brow furrowed slightly as she stares out at the tents, but it's clear she's not really seeing them.
She eventually starts talking, still looking into the middle distance over the wall. "It troubles me to see you in such pain, my friend. It explains a lot, though. I have seen it before, you know, this striking out at those close. It is an instinctive action. You may have justified with your human intelligence, but it was conceived much deeper. When I am in the wild, relying on myself, I find myself doing the same thing. Doing something and later explaining to myself why I did this thing, but the reality is that I did it by instinct. It sounds like you were - are - hurting and because you could not strike the source of the pain, you struck out at me. I understand that now."
She turns to look at him, "I do not understand what deed troubles you so. What deed caused the voice to speak to you? Because while you may be a killer - as am I - you are no murderer, Lothar Narda. This man you killed, what would have happened if you had let him live? Would harm have some to someone else? To you? What were the consequences of the action you took? What were the consequences you avoided through your action?"
Barnabus flies high into the air soaring above it all making his perspective change as he realizes how truly small he and his companions are in the overall depth of everything.
He remembers his conversation with Gorguk and Calindar. Both would say families begat communities and communities begat towns and towns beget a kingdom.
Barnabus considers all the strengths his friends have, but also the weakness. If a kingdom required executions then perhaps only he might be able to fulfill the need.
His flight expires with him high in the air, once the flight fades he falls enjoying the speed for a second before falling as a feather.......
It was true, he had through hexes saved lives, and he could also take.
"Yes, my friend Gorguk, it is enough of an answer for now. Do you really see that many people being here in such a short time? How will we feed them all? How will we shelter them all? I'm not afraid to admit, that prospect frightens me a bit, I as thinking it would take more time."
"But we will do as we must, and our best effort will have to suffice."
"As far as something to combat those swarms in the berries, I will ask Erastil in my meditations and see if he can grant unto me a power that will be of assistance in this endeavor."
Her words shook him to the core of his being.
This man you killed, what would have happened if you had let him live? Would harm have come to someone else? To you? What were the consequences of the action you took? What were the consequences you avoided through your action?
His mind raced along the path of possibility that Rhasadilara suggested, rewinding back to the moment Lothar had finished conversing with the ranger and paladin about dealing with the two captured bandits.
Lothar nodded, then looked down at the unconscious bandits.
To Barnabus and Calinder: Gorguk says give them the chance to decide whether they'll repent their wrongdoing. If they don't, then I'll be the one to handle what to do after. We'll do this one at a time. He pointed to the one that fainted. We'll start with him, but first...
The magician went through his gear and refreshed his appearance before using his active spell to clean up the soiled bandit. Once that was done, he looked to Calinder.
Wake him. You can make the pitch.
Then it flashed forward.
Lothar knelt down beside the bandit and draped an arm around the hesitant bandit. So, your decision is to wait and see if we defeat him and then join us? The sudden drop in temperature matched the magician's cold tone as he drew the scared man tightly into him and continued speaking, his breath visible due to the chill: I find your lack of faith disturbing.
The bandit looks confused, then begins to shiver as Lothar lowers the ambient temperature.
"B...but what else would I do but wait to see which band comes out on top?"
He begins to slump, but clings on to consciousness, barely.
Not us. Just me. I have my instructions. I will be the one to carry it out. The magician paused for a moment before looking back at the back at the bandit and continuing. ...'tis a far greater kindness I give you.
Lothar reached out to run his hand over the man's face.
But rather than succumbing to the magician's manipulation of his ki, the bandit started to full wakefulness and lunged forward. The move caught Lothar completely off guard as he stared in confusion at the now smiling man. His body began to slump as the bandit pulled away from him. Lothar struggled to maintain consciousness, but the cold made the task an impossible one. Before the Vudran's vision lapsed into darkness, it tilted just enough to see the other bandit assist his partner as he attacked first Calinder then Barnabus. Lothar was powerless to stop them, and though his fellow Wardens gave a good accounting of themselves, in the end they were no match for the two men...
Lothar let loose a sigh as the conclusion of that possibility played itself out in his mind. It was only one of many that could have occurred. And the magician ran through as many scenarios as he could. Not all of them ended so grimly as the first, but each variation brought with it a wrinkle that affected the overall outcome of the Wardens battle with the Stag Lord.
He turned to regard the ranger, his expression born of helplessness.
I have wronged you. I... Lothar struggled to find the words, but was unable to.
You don't need her forgiveness, Narda. All you need is me. The Beast's voice was full of anger, but something else was present there as well.
Was it fear?
She turns to face him in turn, her expression hard to read as she waits to hear him out. When she sees the look on his face and his words falter, she reaches out to raise his right arm with her left and then takes hold with her right, so they are joined in a warrior's clasp - right hand to forearm, right hand to forearm. "Lothar. Listen to me. Where does this doubt come from? You who are so sure, so confident when the situation is the most chaotic. Whether you wronged me or not, it matters not. That is past. What is this in the present? Have you come here to make it right? To explain? To ask forgiveness?"
She waits, watching the lost look in his eyes as he battles his inner demons. "Lothar Narda, you are a warrior and a man unlike any I have met before. It is my honor to call you friend and to fight alongside you. I think you would put your life on the line for me. I would put mine on the line for you or any of the Wardens. I see what has happened and in my understanding, I have lost my cause to take offense for what you said. There was a kernel of truth in it and if I cannot live with the truth, mine will be a sad existence indeed. You no longer have need to apologize; I can say that I hold no hard feelings against you. When you come to peace with that voice of doubt and you can speak of what bothers you so, I would like to hear you tell me of it. Until then and forever after, we remain warriors and friends. If it never comes to pass that you can share it with me, I can accept that."
Barnabus enjoys a short distance of literal free fall, but the feather fall hex has him floating from out of the sky at a slow pace, from this height the fort appears small and he can not tell one guard from another.
When she took his hand and formed a warrior's clasp with her own, it had a profound effect upon Lothar. The magician shuddered, then dropped to one knee.
He heard her words. Forgiveness. Was he truly so deserving?
Only you can answer that question, Narda.
Lothar looked to his right, confusion evident in his expression. The voice he heard was not the Beast, but rather...
Old Man?
A bald elderly man with long white eyebrows and an even longer white beard, dressed in a blue and white embroidered robe, leaned on a staff adorned with metal rings.
The choice has ever been yours. Before one can receive forgiveness from others, they must first find it within themselves. Oftentimes that means facing the vast darkness that all men carry. It is a struggle all face on the Path, thus I could not assist you. Just remember that when your journey takes you into the darkness, the light of your friends will ever carry you through.
The Old Man smiled, then, using his staff, knocked the back of the Vudran's head.
You've given the lass an awful fright. You should say something to her. Don't worry about him. I've got him pinned down so that he can't bother you. It's temporary, so don't waste the time you've been given. The Anaphexis sure did a number on you.
Anaphexis? Lothar wanted to ask what that word was, but he felt Rhasa's grip tighten on his arm. He turned his attention back to her.
I would like very much to tell you what happened. The magician rose to his feet, feeling as though an enormous weight had been lifted from him. A smile touched his lips, softening his features. But before I begin, allow me to say thank you. Without your light, I would have truly been lost. Thank you.
A moment of awkward silence passed between them before Lothar finally spoke.
It was during the raid on this keep, when Barnabus, Calinder, and myself were in the secret tunnel interrogating the two bandits we had captured.
Lothar continued with his story, telling Rhasadilara what he had done, including the manner he took the bandit's life. Also, he impressed upon her how his inability to reconcile the act brought him low, unleashing his inner darkness and how it had manifested in the form of the Beast to prey upon his conscience.
The rest you know.
Rhasadilara listens intently, her inhumanly large irises fixed on his face.
She dare not speak, almost does not breathe, as he describes what he has gone through. Alone.
When he is done, she lets the silence stretch while she studies his face looking for deception. Does he feel this in his heart? Is this Beast of his truly quieted, or does he only pretend for my sake. After all we have gone through, he thought he must fight his battles alone...
"Alone. After all we have been through - Gorguk, Calinder, Barnabus, you, and I - you felt you had to fight this most difficult of battles alone?" She draws her hand out of the clasp and puts a fist on each hip. "I believe you fare well in your battle, but I don't know if you have won the war. But that you felt you must fight alone. To protect me? Lothar Narda, I don't know whether I should thank you or hit you." Finally, a grin breaks through. "It's good to have you back. But," she pokes him lightly in the chest, "don't shut me - us - don't shut us out next time. Or I may have to hit you."
She looks over where Lothar had seen the Old Man and looks back at Lothar, adding, "You have many allies, Lothar. Always remember that."
Calinder retires to his sleeping area and sits quietly for awhile contemplating what he could to help clear out the spider swarm. As he meditates and asks for help from Erastil, Calinder realizes that he doesn't have much of an ability at the moment to be able to attack the swarm of spiders, but he does realize that there is much he can do to assist his comrades, both before and after they deal with the spiders.
Calinder smiles as he completes his meditation and thanks Erastil for granting him with the inspiration to know how to prepare for this coming task.
Calinder then speaking to himself, says, "Thank you Erastil, I will do my best to aid my companions."
Barnabus lights atop the highest point of the fort, still looking at the fort and the encampment.
He looks for any of his friends that might be in the fort.
His familiar joins him the scorpion easily climbing up sheer walls. He then prepares spells and communes with the fickle diety Gozreh.
Lothar allowed Rhasadilara to poke him in the chest. He looked up at her and seeing that smile elicited one from him as well, though it was born of nervousness.
I'll do my best to remember that from here on out. For now though, is it possible for two friends to share this space together? I don't think I can handle being on my own just yet.
The magician rubbed his head, again a habit born from unease, as he turned to gaze once again over the tents.
"Absolutely. That is what friends do."
She turns to face the tent city. Sensing a change of subject would be welcome, she begins pointing out certain settlers and where she thinks they would best served to place their homes, asking Lothar about his thoughts for others.
Coming weightlessly down from the rooftops Barnabus walks once around the fort and then retires for the evening. He gueses Calindar is the one sleeping in the other room.
Calinder awakes early the next morning after a peaceful nights rest, ready greet the new day. He goes to the walk way around the top of the fort's walls intending to watch the sun rise on this new day and recount his preparations of the previous evening.
He gives a quiet "Good morning" to anyone he encounters on his journey to watch the sun rise.
He then quietly watches to the east as the sun rises over the distant horizon, thinking as the light of morning grows brighter. He then looks over the camp of settlers that have now spent their first night in this place that is to become their home, and wonders at how they slept and their feelings on this firs morning in their new home.
Barnabus returns Calendar's greeting,
"Good morn."
Though they are up early to greet the new day, Barnabus is certain Rhasha if far afield and Lothar is engaged in some type of strange exercise, possibly walking up and down the stairs using only his arms as Barnabus has seen him do in the past.
Gorgukk's usual plan was the simplest waiting to savor the flavor of the food that was cooking.
Joining the others after a restful nights sleep, Gorguk partakes of the morning meal from Dyfrig. Once done, Gorguk makes the rounds to see how everyone fared on their first night. Not hearing any problems, Gorguk asks the rest of the Wardens if they are ready to clear the berry bushes they found a while back and if so what to do about the spiders that are believed to reside there.
Rhasadilara rises early, as usual, and greets the sunrise from the upper walkway after greeting the guard lest she startle him. She closes her eyes and feels the warmth on her face and inhales deeply, enjoying being so close to nature once again. A brief shadow crosses her face as she wonders if Lothar's Beast has returned in the night or if the magician has truly won this crucial battle.
Taking the stairs two at a time, she returns to her bunk, retrieves her sword, and asks the guard to let her through the gate. Once outside, she engages in drills with her sword, practicing swiftly drawing it from its sheath, then alternating between graceful parries and powerful strokes. Nodding to herself, she returns the sword to its sheathe and asks the man to let her back in.
When she pauses for a breath, she notices the boys. Waving them over, she asks if they would like to look at the unusual blade. If so, she will present it so they can get an idea of how amazingly long it is and how the blade actually is slightly flexible rather than rigid like many common blades.
Sheathing it, she walks them through some of the footwork she does, glad to have someone to demonstrate against, posing one boy and then the other as the opponent.
"Learning to fight to defend your family and your people is honorable and worthwhile; learning to fight so that you may impose your will on others is not. If I am in the area, you are welcome to join me in my exercises, but only if you promise to remember that."
Barnabus surveys the rag-tag band, after last nights meal and the early morning meal Barnabus feels fuller than he had for some time. He reminded himself to not go from the diet on the road to stuffing himself when he gets back.......
"I have eaten too much o tha good foods! let us return to tha road afore I become fattened!"
Cackles madly after his declaration......
So any idea how to remove the spiders and free the berries? I am sure some of the children would appreciate the fruit. Even better would be if we could harvest some of the plants and bring them back to grow a plot here.
She tousles the hair of the speaker, a genuine smile on her face. "That, young man, is the best road of all. People that walk that road make the world a better place. I include warriors in that group, also, but the farmers and leaders that simply want to make a better world by being better people - they are what strong nations are built on. You are wise beyond your years."
Without much in the way of being able to deal with swarms, Gorguk heads out and purchases some oil, a shovel, and two torches. If nothing else, he figures he can stand in the middle and burn the spiders with the torches to get rid of them. Between that and his ability to heal himself he should be safe enough. In addition the others will be doing what they can as well to get rid of the pests. Purchases done, Gorguk sees how the others fare and if they will soon be ready to head out. If there is time then they can continue on to fill in the pit as well to make the area safe for future colonists.
Still speaking to the lads, Rhasadilara has another thought. "Your parents must be proud that you seek to find your passion and become the very best you can with it. I would suggest one thing, though - there are things everyone should be able to do, even if they don't do them often or don't like them. Hunt for food. Identify edible plants. Clean and prepare wild game, which means cooking. Defend yourself and your family. I hope you never have to fight for your lives or the lives of those you love. But if it comes to it, I would want you to be able to do what must be done, even if you were the most talented carpenter the world has ever seen."
Barnabus approachs Cal....
"Farm life has much work for children, yet someone should ensure their lettering."
In other words our citizens should be literate......
"I see..." says the same boy, "So specialisation is for insects, even if you choose one area to work at most..." He's clearly working things out as he speaks. His companion seems content just to learn how to defend himself and anyone else, and is getting a bit restless with a more philosophical discussion. He's beheading dandelions with a branch.
"I think that's a fair assessment of my point of view. I can fight well, but there are times when even I must leave my sword and bow at the door. There are those that can make fantastic weapons, but the time may come when they need to take them up in their own defense."
"None of which matters if your body is not in good shape. Your friend grows bored. Let me show you some games that I played as a child - they were fun, but they also helped build the body that became the warrior I am."
Barnabus approachs Cal....
"Farm life has much work for children, yet someone should ensure their lettering."In other words our citizens should be literate......
In answer to Gorguk's question about the spiders, Calinder says, "I thought long and hard about it last night and although I have not any power that can effect creatures, I do have many options for assisting those I work with. Therefore I have prepared several thing that I feel can be of assistance."
"Barnabus, until a more formal school can be organized, I think that those willing to take on apprentices could do much in training and teaching the youth our new settlement. I am certainly willing to teach what I know when I am available."
Before they leave to head out Gorguk stops by the blacksmith and has a quick word with him. Master smith, I have a favor to ask of you. I have some skill for working with metal and have the urge to make spry self some better armor. Would you order or procure for me enough metal for me to make a suit of full plate armor for myself. Make sure it is of excellent quality so that I may do my best work on it along with the best tools as well. Thank you so much for ordering it and letting me use the forge here.
Gorguk will then provide the 600 for materials and MW tools.
"I've been thinking about the berries. The spiders are an annoyance. The thorns from the berry bushes will make it slow going. I think a creature with a thick enough skin would be able to get some berries without worrying about the thorns. It might render the spiders' bites a minor irritation."
"Calindar, Barnabus, are you able to grant someone thicker skin - like a bear's protective pelt?"
"I don't think there is any poison in the spiders' bites, but in case there is, can you protect us from any poison they might have?"
Yes on we go