When Akari rises Lys lets out an audible sigh of relief.
"See, it was just a bit more intense than I expected. I guess commune was the wrong word, visit might have been better."
|
As Akari starts convulsing, Gabriel starts channeling his inner light towards him.
Both men glow as healing energy flows from Gabe to the curved swird wielding warrior.
When he goes limp, Gabriel lets a sad sigh out and prays.
He prays until he feels no further word can reach whoever may be listening, and exhausted, he falls asleep by him.
"So what did you see?"
His heart raced and his eyes frantically scanned his surroundings. He struggled to take back his usual calm when he realizes he was around friends and allies.
Long moments pass as he fights his roiling emotions and his breathing and heart slow to a normal rate, though his eyes remained a bit wider than usual.
He remains mostly still throughout this, but does raise an arm to slowly wipe away the blood from his mouth with a grimace and looks to Lysanthir.
"Perhaps that should wait until our friend Raff here lowers his weapon." His gaze shifts to his own weapon and a mixture of longing and curiosity lift the grimace from his lips.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I assure you he is truly alive. Now that i realize it was more of travel to meet a deity. It doesn't seem unrealistic that he had to die to do so." Lys will put her hand into her satchel in preparation of possible attack and narrows her eyes at Raafe.
Raaf's eyes narrow as if in contemplation. He then lowers his crossbow and steps away. Grabbing some more chew from his canister, he leans against the molding of the door to the church and crosses his arms. Eyes still narrowed in thought.
Akari let's his shoulders relax and he stretches, letting his feet fall to the floor as he turned in his seat and stood. He was a bit more stiff than he expected.
"At first, I wasn't sure if it had worked. But then I noticed everything was frozen in place. I'd gone outside, and the raindrops hovered still in place too. Then I heard a voice, that came to me as a whisper from all around me." He then does his best to emulate the voice as he repeats the phrase, "Ti Zitas." Looking to each of the others for any kind of recognition before going on... Then.. I.. I was home."
"Everything was as it was when I had lived there. I ran to my masters home in the hope that I could see him as everyone else seemed alive and well. But I was too late."
"Then I was somewhere else again. Some kind of temple where I met three women dressed in dark robes. She, or they, referred to Her as the Lady of Fates. I sunk down into a pool of blood, and it turned to darkness."
"I then found myself standing upon her palm. She knew why I was there, but barely gave me an answer." His grimace returned in full force that, as his hand reaches out to grasp his sword, resting still where he had left it, smoothed again and was slightly more relaxed as his fingers coiled around the holy and brought it to rest against his chest as if hugging it.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Sounds like a trip." Raaf states nonchalantly. Spitting out the front doors of the church.
"Nothing rings any bells with me... all I know of is Aroden... but he's dead..."
|
|
"I am glad that you are back to us, Akari. I feared whatever demonic entity guided the foul beings back at the tower would entrap you." says Gabe when his friend wakes. Listening intently to Akari's words, Gabriel fondles his own beard lost in thought. "Lady... or Ladies of Fate. I'd need some time to see if I remember anything, but the symbolic you saw don't augury anything good... that's sure."
"I'm not going to pretend to think I could guess at what any of it means. I wouldn't be fooling anyone."
He starts to fiddle with the hilt of his sword, deep in thought.
"Did anything happen while I was.. gone?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Not really. Might have been a dead woman if you didn't wake up, but everything is good now. Sorry you didn't get any answers. Lady of Fates though. Something for us to research in a bigger town perhaps. "
Raaf makes a "CLICK" sound and points a finger at Lysander, smirking.
"If he turned undead... then we certainly would have some issues. But thankfully that didn't happen."
Raaf will spit out the remaining substance in his mouth and then he would set himself up on one of the pews with his bedroll.
"Might as well get some sleep, unless you folks wanna travel in the rain. I can do that too."
"I can't see anything in this rain. Rest sounds like the better option. "
'Though I don't know if I could possibly sleep after that.' He stood up, stretching out as best he could and walked over to settle down on the floor by the wall. His pack beside him he pulled out a blanket and draped it over his shoulders. His sword was still in his hands, resting across his knees. His eyes were locked on the hilt and seemed to have a few things on his mind. But mostly, he looked lost.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Alright then..." Raaf removes his armor and buckler. Setting them at his feet. His crossbow and other weapons remained at his side next to the pew. Leaving a dagger on his person, Raaf rolls over and tries to fall asleep.
Relieved that Akari is fine, but also exhausted from the emotional stress of the event, Lys just nods and also find a spot to sleep in.
The group bunkers down to their best attempt at a peaceful nights rest. The rain hammers down on the rooftop of the church and everything from low too high-pitched cracks rumbles litter the ambience the remainder of the night. Eventually after what seems to be an endless night you each will lose consciousness one by one, drifting off into a deep sleep. This night you are not visited by any visions, in fact, if anything at all you dream of nothing. When you come to in the morning you notice the rain is gone. Sun shines in through stained glass windows cascading rainbows among the many pews. Unfamiliar blankets are draped over your body's in tucked in that your shoulders. An old man sits with his back to you in the front pew silently waiting and awake. The doors to the church are closed but the sounds of life outside create an overwhelmingly warming ambience. Each of you come to one by one and as you begin to stir the man turns with likewise warming smile. You recognized him as the mayor and though you are all conscious he waits a moment before standing and approaching.
" good morning Heroes, you certainly have given this town the ability live and hope once more." as he stands he does so in a way that really shows his age. He is not in pain but moves slowly patiently. In his hand is a wooden cylinder you could recognize as a scroll case. As he approaches he looks at it and then raising his hand more or less delivers it to you. " it's not much but hope this can be of help." The case is a semi-weathered pine and indeed holds a vaguely sketched map of the area. Much of which is forested areas but none the less is something to go off of for now. "I'm sure this isn't up to date,... but as I do not travel this is a close copy of the towns' personal map. We generally stay self sustaining and don't travel outside of our lands much. There were and should still be the places marked on here though" he points out. It is at this point you note he has large dark bags under his eyes, most likely he made this map overnight. None the less he smiles just as brightly and thanks you once more.
Not having got the most restful sleep, he could only begin to symathize with him, but Akari's appreciation was true as he accepted the map and briefly looked it over.
"Thank you, we will use it well. How fare the people? They've been through a lot."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"as I'm sure you've all experienced before, many feel as if they finally woke from a nightmare. Some are still shaken and many will take time to recover from the trauma,..." he pauses a moment only to take a breath and clear his throat. "... for now the best we can do is continue moving forward." Winsten clearly looked pleased with his work as Akari looked over the map.
I have yet to wake from my nightmare. He thought silently to himself, but he stowed away the map in his pack for later inspection and held out his hand for the mayor to shake if he pleased.
"I'm glad for those families that are together and whole again, and all have my sympathy. If I am ever in the area again, I will be sure to visit."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Lys nods at Akari's statement and goes to study the map as well. Anything interesting?
|
|
After the day before this, Gabriel seems tired and slow to react, but the moment he understands the effort the Mayor put in the map he grabs the man by the shoulder "I will pray for your town, Mayor, your kin has treated us with kindness and I wish you all a long and peaceful life. May the light guide your steps."
Raaf stays quiet during the exchange. Understanding the situation. Instead, Raaf dons his armor and checks his equipment over. Making sure nothing got warped from the sudden downpour.
After the exchange. "I ain't one to invite myself, but I dislike traveling alone. Prefer the extra sets of eyes watching my back. Call it paranoia if you want, but after what I witnessed last night... Safety in numbers I suppose... I can also help anywhere the map might be lacking... not to say the map isn't accurate, I just like to be thorough."
"You are welcome to join us as long for as long as you wish to." She smiles at the new companion.
Raaf bows his head at Lysander, almost seeming like a practiced motion. He, for the first time since you've met him, smiles. He then looks to the others for approval.
Akari simply shrugs. "So long as you're not a sadistic bastard, I don't see a problem with it."
"What were we going to do, anyway? We have options."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Raaf accepts the hand offered by Gabe and chuckles at Akari's comment.
"Depends on your definition of sadistic..." Raaf says jokingly.
Releasing his grip on Gabe's hand, Raaf turns to face the group. "I've been heading northwards for a while. Back to my... well, what was once a place I called home. But I'm in no rush. Why were you guys traveling together?"
Partially hung over the horizon, the sun spreads it's warmth of a new day over the wet terrains. Cheers reached your ears even at a distance as you made your way back to the road into he forest. Soon after fading and allowing you to take note of the silence that had become the forest. following the map there should be a town about a mile or so ahead to the north west from where you are now.
Akari would pause, stopping after a few steps to look around. He looks to each of his companions inquisitvely.
"Did any of you hear that?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Raaf will pause. "What did you hear?"
Raaf listens intensely.
"I heard nothing as well. What did it sound like?" Lys stops and observes and looks around.
Akari's brows furrow, eyes narrow to near slits and he bites his bottom lip. His tone is contemplative, and confused.
"A woman's voice, it was.. unfamiliar but gentle. Soothing."
He would then pause as if he had more to say but has lost the words, looking around for himself to check his surroundings, as if he'd missed something.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"A side effect from the potion perhaps? If none of us heard it and you can describe it so clearly, then there's not many other alternatives."
Raaf steps up to Akari and inspects him for anything odd or out of place with the condition of his body.
|
|
Gabriel stops walking and turns towards his companions when they stop to discuss the sound Akari heard.
Based on their previous experience travelling, he keeps his sword sheathed but at hand while his shield is held with his left arm.
The warrior studies Akari's face "Raaf is probably right, Akari, it may be some kind of alchemical aftereffect." he says before looking to the sky "We should be close to the town already, not more than a couple miles away. Let's resume the march, but if you listen a voicee again... inform us."
Before resuming the march, the warrior focus in his inner light, and tries to discern if any kind of magic is at work here.
Nothing other than the nature around you is perceivable at this time. As for Akari he seems very healthy... you think...
Dew collects on your shoes as your truck through the forest, among ferns, grass and an assortment of flowers. Footprints fall behind you all the while as you each make you're way through the soft soil due north. The canopy which blotted out the sunlight for miles begins to separate while the roadway grows wider. In these breaks in the leaves, sun rays stream down onto the path before you. They vary in strength and sizesee yet make quite the hypnotizing view. Within a few hours travel the path widens even more until eventually, stepping out of the forest, you're standing in plains. A large deforested area, seemingly to be farmland lays in front of you. In the distance beyond that, almost centered among the hills and fields, is a town. On the map it's marked 'Hillcrest' as it sits on the bigger of the hills which still isn't very steep.
"Well, lets not stare at it all day..." Raaf says after a short pause. "Let's find a place with some mead and a bed... been a while... for me anyway..."
Akari will press on, listening carefully for any more signs of the voice he had heard before.
"None of you have said anything about what happened with Avdol."
-Posted with Wayfinder
You make your way towards the town without much trouble, occasionally seeing a farming tending to one of the many fields to either side and at a distance just off the road. Greeted by two guards wearing chainshirts, "Hello! How fare ye' t'day?" the shorter and dwarven guard says in the stereotypical bombastic manner. The other, a human, chimes in; "greetings friends, welcome to Hillcrest!"
Wooden tree-posts line the outside of the village serving as an outer wall. Many houses and various buildings seen within are decorated with banners by which you cannot read at this angle. The guards give you no hassle on entering, simply just greet you as you make your way in the front gates. It is very clear which of the town's buildings the inn/tavern is. Many of the residents are out and about trading and selling goods such as various vegetables. Carts filled with similar goods pass you by, pulled by dark brown mares.
Looking up the sign on the Tavern reads, [[WELCOME TO HILLCREST'S OWN, SLEEPING SIREN]]
Raaf looks about the town as they enter eyes narrowing, searching. Staring at any dark windows or alleyways tucked away.
Lingering for a few moments outside the tavern. Raaf readjusts a few of his belts before opening the tavern door.
Alright then. If they don't want to talk about it..
At the guards greeting, Akari dips into a light bow. "Thank you. My name is Akari. Are there any laws or anything else we should be aware of before we patron your shops and drink your ale?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Don't be a burden, while enjoying in festivities such as drinking just being mindful and respectful is all we ask." the human says with both a strong sense of justice and politeness heard in his voice. The Dwarven fellow nods in unison adding in "AYE!" only after his compatriot had finished. With that they continue standing there at their post willing to answer any further questions but otherwise remain at their posts.
The inside of the traveler is equivalent to a hunters lodge where racks from long since trophies, old and new, worthy of mounting rest as decoration on the walls. Stained walls of a rich brown over rough cut wooden planks make up the walls on the inside with semi symmetrically placed windows along the way. The smell of ale and heartily stewed meats reach your nostrils with a greetingfrom the man standing beyond a counter he was cleaning. Tables of two through community sized tables littered the halls with enough room to navigated throufh easily if ever a fulm house. The lighting were minimal torches lit in their holders clasped to the walls in darker areas in the hall, while most of which was made up of sunlight streaming in. Skylights bestowed much light down from the cathedral-like ceilings revealing a second floor openned up revealing rooms. On the far end a staircase could be seen, going up a mere ten steps before a landing and returning what is imagined to be a like numbered amount of steps before reaching a balcony-esk catwalk of sorts which led around the entirety of the establishment. The second floor was held aloft by pillars placed every so often and your guess is there were rooms for lodging above, and the catwalks led to them but also gave them the benefit of a view into these lower festivities.
"don' recon I've seen you 'round these parts, looking for rooms to rest your weary legs?" says the bright eyed man whom remains behind the counter of a bar.
|
|
Gabriel admired the simple beauty of the inn as they entered.
Smiling at the innkeeper, the aasimar stops to decide. "Indeed, good sir, we are weary from the roads and would appreciate a comfy bed and warm room. Specially in such a lovely inn, if I may say so." he says as he grasps his coin puch "Sadly, my finances have seen better times. I only count four golden coins and would like a hot meal and a mead. Perhaps I could help you in exchange."
Gabe showed his holy symbol and did an improvised bow. "My name is Gabriel, from Havenshaw. I am an adventurer travelling north. Any news from the roads?"
Waving his hands he smiles sincerely, " Dear boy, we're not a rich community when it comes ta monitary wealth. We help one another where the other lacks. We are a farming community and in such I can assure you we ask little in return. I unfortunately have little need of help. A silver a night comes with one warm meal. Five copper per meal otherwise and each meal comes with a pint of ale. If you've anything of worth for tradin' I might want of roughly equal value, I'd be more than willing ta make a trade."
Should the rest of you enter as well he will equally greet each of you heartily. "Please understand, while I do appreciate your generous offer, I've a business ta be runnin'" You can easily tell there is an internal struggle as he genuinely is attempting to meet you halfway, "should anything arise while you're here I'd gladly let you all know firs' thing... actually... if luck be on yer side, you could attend the festival for a chance at winning the main prize..."
"Festival? Of what sort? Harvest?" Raaf walks to the bar and hands the barkeep 5 sliver pieces.
"That should take care of all of our stay for the night. The remaining silver is for a warm bath with clean water for me and my company."
He'll nod to the guard in response and walk right by as if that wouldn't be a problem.
Inside the Sleeping Siren, Akari admires the furnishings and the general atmosphere here and took a second to scent the air.
The way the guy was talking seemed a bit odd, but there's obviously nothing wrong. I mean, he's an innkeep. What could possibly be wrong?
"What's this main prize? And what are the events like?"
"why thank ya kind sir! Tis' a pleasure!" he tells Raaf. Baths are out back, water might be cold, but it's fed via a natural spring!"[/b] the man says proudly. With a courteous nod he now introduces himself, "names Cedric, I'll be your gracious host so please enjoy your time here at the Sleeping Siren, holler if ya need anythin'.
Looking to each of you a quick nod is given, but to Lysanthir he politely adds in a "ma'am" with his nod.
Continuing his cleaning of various empty mugs, thus removing any watermarks left behind from their washing, he visually scours his mind as his eyes concentrate on the ceiling for a moment before returning to Raaf's. "Every year on the night of the harvest moon we villagers get together and have a festival of sorts. Each pitches in and brings his own trade goods, some corn, others skins etc. Together we praise the God's Njord and Aleria for their blessin's of a great harvest and host the festival in their honor." setting down the well polished mug he grabs a stool and sits on his side of the bar before continuing, this time looking to Akari, "the prize depends on how much is put in. Many people in the village wager a bet for various competitions. Who can get the biggest buck? Who can bake the best pie? Who can do this or that... drinking contests are among them..." he adds nodding to the back of the bar beyond himself proudly with a gigantic smirk. "we don't get out much and when we do its strictly business. So this is our once a year 'let loose' night. It's a gold to get in and winner takes 90% of the overall earnings. The remainder go into village needs for repairs and such."
Akari, everything appears in order to you!
"Nothing a few hot rocks from the hearth can't fix. I'll probably get settled in my room, head out to hunt in a bit and then come back for the bath and festival."
Raaf's face is that of confidence. Given the fact that he seems to be getting a bit excited at the prospect of hunting. He nods to the barkeep as he grabs a key and turns to the group.
"Enjoy your baths... I'll be back later."
Raaf heads upstairs, grasping the railing lightly and feeling the grains of the wood and any knots along the way. He looks along the walls of the upstairs and picks a door. Knocks gently. Waiting for a response. If none comes he enters the room.
He places his pack, armor and buckler under his sheets so they appear as if someone is sleeping facing away from the door.
Then he stands up his longsword against the door as he closes it to leave so that it would make a loud clang if the door would open just a few inches. Normally Raaf wouldn't be this cautious, but the feeling of eyes on him entering town gives him all the incentive he needs to be cautious.
Lys nods back at Cedric.
As the group breaks up Lys goes to Cedric and asks "Is there an apothecary, herbalist, or alchemist in town? Any of them will do, but the last is preferable."
Later she pays for a meal and bathes