Relief washed over Kera as the enemy died. She had been about to turn to Muziel and ask for his healing mixture when the fog rolled over them.
Everything seemed to stop then as every inch of her skin felt like it was on fire. There was also a noise in the air. It was hard to place but Kera was sure someone was screaming. It took her a long moment to realize that that screaming was coming from her own mouth.
The shadows seemed to be twisting and turning over her skin. Kera worked hard to tear off her armor just wanting the pain to stop. She had her armor half off before she just laid on the sand wondering if she was dyeing.
It seemed it was not her time to die but it was time for change. As the others worked on healing her outer wounds Kera could feel an inner change going on. It felt like she was losing a part of herself to the shadows that now marked her body. While internally she was turning into a storm on the outside she was placid and resting.
In the morning Kera takes note of the larger group they have acquired. With a work to no one she dons her armor then a cloak. Her new visage is alien to her and already she hates it.
As they enter Martel Kers is sure to keep herself hidden in her cloak. Mutants are frowned upon here and she is unsure how they will react her change. As she looks around she notices the fact that the Inglis Guild seems to be in charge. Moving to Muziel she whispers to him.
”This isn’t right. Inglis Guild shouldn’t be in charge here. This is Reidford Guild territory.”
Kera liked the Inn because it was big and easy to get lost in the crowd. All she wanted to do was hide in her room but she had promised to watch Miikae’s back and the others were like family to her now so she endured the common area.
The sight of Karrick in new armor had Kera quirking an eyebrow. Well it seemed he had some good fortune on his trip. Sinking deeper into her cloak Kera closed her eyes as she listened to Karrick’s familiar ribbing comments to the group.
She listens a Pervince asks a question that is no doubt on all of their minds. There was no way Karrick purchased that armor on the up and up. He had to have scavenged it in the wastes. Listening to him speak she is silent and still. When Miikae speaks of Slief being a pawn Kera nods softly. It seemed he had been played like so many others in all of this.
Kera winces slightly when Karrick asks where Pip is. Part of her just wanted to run to her room and hide. Looking at the others from under her hood she wonders why none of them had changed as much as she had. She felt very different from the women whom she had been only twenty four short hours ago.
”Kar…”
She had been about to lower her hood and speak to Karrick when the commotion in the street drew their attention. Standing she moved to a window to see what was going on. Her mouth hangs open a bit as she watches the rather one sided fight unfold. No one lifts a finger to help the man and Kera finds herself rather indifferent on his death. It was an odd feeling which she knew was another part of her change.
Moving back over to the group she stands in front of Karrick. Pulling back her hood he can see her shadow marred face. After a few moments, so he can get a good look, she pulls the hood back up.
”Got caught in a Mana storm. It…changed me. Both physically and mentally…I feel very…different.”
If anyone in the group would understand how she felt it would be Karrick.
The brief gun battle outside draws Karrick's attention away from the reunion with the others. As he marches across the floor towards the window and passes by Kera, he ever so briefly rests a hand on her shoulder and -- were it not for the goggles merely reflecting her new visage back to her -- would have made eye contact. As he reaches the window, Karrick looks out into the street, first to observe the victor of the fight, then the loser. "My kinda' town," Karrick quips as he lingers on the scene for a moment, then turns away from the window.
Karrick gives a brief look to the others, then steps back over to Kera. He doesn't say anything, just settles that hand on her shoulder again for a good, long moment and gives it a squeeze of sympathy. He isn't one for words, or condolences, or anything that should be expected in this kind of situation. Instead, he's just good at being Karrick. "Now y'look as tough as you are," is the best thing he could come up with as he pats her shoulder again and walks away, looking to everyone now.
"So what's the plan?"
There is a plan, right?
______________
Looking to see if Karrick recognizes that Altkin member as anyone associated with his imprisonment.
Karrick’s momentary touch had been welcome but seeing herself, for the first time, in his goggles horrified her. She didn’t look or feel like herself anymore. So if she wasn’t herself who was she? As these questions and a million more swirled in her mind Kera suddenly felt the touch on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Karrick.
His sympathy suddenly made her sick. Oh yes…poor sweet Kera. Kera who is always their to protect the others. Always there to take the brunt of the battle. Who opened her home to them all only to have a dead mutant brought into her home. All she had done was give kindness and what had she gotten in return? Scared, disfigured and changed from the inside out.
Snarling Kera firmly pushes Karricks hand off her shoulder.
”Save your pity…and your pathetic words.”
Kera is aware this is out of character for her but it felt right. Maybe her new character was moody and mean? Taking a seat again she listens to Karrick rattle off something about a plan which makes her laugh out loud.
”Like this rag tag group of bumbling mercenaries has a plan…”
Looking down at the table she clamped her mouth shut. All she had to do was get through this get her money then maybe she could find a way to reverse what had happened to her. Closing her eyes she tried to focus on what the others might have to say.
Surprised, Miikae watches the rather 1 sided gun fight. When it is over and the woman leaves she rushes outside to the man. She can tell he is clearly dead from the numerous holes in his body. She wonders if she knows this man... Unfortunately the street kids have made finding anything about him more difficult.
She looks around for a guard, Inglis or otherwise to get rid of the body and speaks to them while attempting to aid the removal. "Does this sorta thing happen often here?" She wondered if he had any family, perhaps a wife and children judging by his age. "The woman who shot him called him Hank Niven, do you know who he is? Aparently he killed her father." Sad. All death was. Miikae had seen plenty of death and knew it was the natural cycle of things to die, sometimes the ways of the world disturbed her. There was nothing natural about this man's death. Remembering the name Klara had revealed, "I think her name is Gloria, I didn't see which way she went. The street filled rather fast, as if no one cared another life had been taken." Whoever the man or woman was, likely was unimportant to Miikae and would do nothing towards finding the Duchess. But no one deserved to lie naked in the street.
Muziel admires the gunfight in the street, but makes no effort to investigate the scene afterward. Such rivalries were likely common in these parts.
As Kera snaps at Karrick, Muziel realizes he's not dealing with the same Kera from before. "Patience, Kera. The plan is simple - to go to the Vault of Martel. That's why the Duchess came here, after all." Muziel would need more information before he had a better plan. In any event, he didn't want to be discussing ideas in front of Klara, even if she had aided them. Her fawning behavior made him suspicious.
"Pervince, it's time we get going. I'm afraid you two lovebirds will have to part again. And do you mind lending me one or two of those spare pistols we got during the ambush by the Nidalese? I've been practicing and want to be ready to use them in combat."
Finally, Muziel turns to Karrick. "I don't know how you do it, but nice job finding us. I like the armor - it looks good on you."
|
Miikae runs out of the Inn not long after the woman leaves her victim on the street. No Inglis guards are on the street at the moment, in fact the extreme show of force on the walls seems to belie the actual security inside the walls of the city. One of the children looks at Miikae and says Ya this happens a lot, 'specially now that no one knows where the Reidfords are. This creep had it coming though, he shot Gloria's father in the back after a game of cards. Everyone knows you don't give Gloria a reason to kill ya. I do not think many do care that this one died, and since the Reidfords are gone and Inglis is busy on the wall no ones going to take responsibility to clean this up. Though, I do what I can. He says the last part with a wink as he pockets a few gold coins and a pocket knife from the man.
"Thanks," Karrick notes to Muziel, offering a sidelong glance to Kera. He'll give her space for now, looks like she could use it. "We should scout out the vault before we just go there. If the Duchess actually made it this far, then we're going to need to figure out where she went -- retrace her steps."
Furrowing his brows, Karrick rests his hands on his hips, shifting his weight to one foot as he considers that problem. "I ain't much for gettin' word of mouth on the street. Someone else's probably more suited t'that. But if the Duchess was keepin' a low profile, probably not much we'd be able to find out anyway..."
Mostly talking aloud at this point, Karrick considers something and looks back to Muziel. "You know if she had any contacts in the city? Friends? That'd be where I'd start."
Watching Miikae go out into the street to try and help the already dead man made Kera’s chest hurt. Before she would have been right behind the women but now she lingered back having no real feeling on the murder one way or another. It felt like she was turning into a monster.
There wasn’t time to deal with her inner turmoil. She needed to get it together and get these jobs done. No more feeling sorry for herself and certainly no more blaming the others for this. None of them had done this to her if fact they had all stood vigil over her as she healed from her wounds. Karrick’s words had been meant to compliment her not pity her. This group was like family now and it was about time she treated them as such.
Moving to a place where she could listen to the others talk and still keep an eye on Miikae she listened to the plan. She notes that the others are walking on egg shells around her after the out burst. She hadn’t meant to do that it was just…all a little to much right now. Taking a deep breath she nods to Muziel’s plan to go to the vault. It seemed a good a plan as any right now.
Muziel’s words to Karrick make Kera smile. He did somehow manage to always land on his feet in situations. Taking her eyes from Miikae she gives Karrick another once over. The armor does suit him she also hopes it protects him.
It’s Karrick’s voice that stirs thoughts in Kera’s head. To focused on her change she had lost sight of the problems at hand. Now with her personal thoughts pushed to the side, for the moment, she can think more clearly.
”I agree. We should scout out the vault. Maybe also check out the Reidford guild house. It might give us a clue to where they vanished to.”
Kera didn’t know of any of the Duchess contacts here but the guild house was a good a place to start as any.
|
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You travel by the highly secured vault. The entire block before the building is heavily patrolled and outside the entrance two giant blue creatures with six arms stand guard holding Niven made blunderbuss the size of cannons typically mounted on the city gate.
As they near the vault, Muziel hangs back, allowing Karrick to do the scouting work, as he always does. Even from a distance, it was plain that the Vault of Martel was highly secure. "Somehow, I don't think we'll be getting into that place without permission. What the hell is inside?"
Muziel looks for any sign that people have recently gone in or out of the vault.
Is there a tavern nearby? He is interested in starting up a conversation about the vault and then asking if anyone (the Duchess, guildmembers, Grachius, or someone else) has gone in or out recently, or tried.
Muziel ponders whether he has heard of any locals who would have right of access to the vault.
Kera looked over the situation at the vault. Well it was very guarded but they needed a closer look. Usually this was Karrick’s job but she had a new found sense of stealth to her. Smiling to Muziel and Karrick from behind her hood Kera spoke.
”Let me go check.”
With that Kera moved away from the group and decided to see if she could sneak her way to a closer look or maybe over hear something.
Stealth Check:
Ill go too! a strange high pitch voice exclaims and comes from out of Karricks cloak. I love to sneak up on people too! Are you from Geb? You are pretty you remind me of my mother. Well we can't talk and sneak so I will have to ask you more later. The strange fey reveals himself for only a moment before returning to its natural invisible state.
Lead the way pretty lady The warped fey whispers in Kera's ear as she gets lost in the crowd trying to get a closer look. She notices the Calikang taking a bit of interest in her direction and she stops advancing.
The Vault doors are currently closed, you can not get close enough to really figure out how long ago they may have been open. You do notice that the patrols in this area are not of the same guild as the ones on the wall. These appear to be Niven guild members that guard this block. Across the street is a saloon called "The Thirsty Giant" the sign depicts a Giant drinking from a covered wagon and barrels of ale are going into its mouth. No one has seen the duchess since she arrived a couple of days ago. No on in the Saloon knows who Grachius is. The only people that they can confirm going in the Vault is the Calikang, though that is usually only during the change of the guard. Apparently there are more of the giant beasts inside.
Muziel is startled as the strange voice comes out from Karrick. That was quite the opposite of the voice he'd come to expect from Karrick . . Nevertheless, a brief glimpse of the creature makes it seem quite familiar. "He looks like a pixie, except mutated." explains Muziel as Kera and the creature sneak away. "Perhaps he's related to Arazni, the undead fairy that rules Geb. How did he end up in your cloak, Karrick?"
Miikae and Sands stop as they see the Calikang guards ahead. Images of her time captured by the wild cousins of these creatures filled her head. She blinks to clear her vision and continues forward after the group. She watches them almost the whole time they are in view.
Karrick, for once, sees no reason to scout ahead on his own. Following Muziel around, he crosses his arms over his chest and keeps pace with the Nidalese man. "Found 'em in the Wastes, or... I guess it found me. He distracted the guards so I could slip in, I think they just wanted a bribe, but..."
Glancing back at the direction of the Vault, Karrick shakes his head. "Don't know much about Geb or whatever rules it, just know enough to stay the hell out."
Then, shifting his weight to his other foot, he considers the giants outside of the Vault. "We ain't getting in there, and even if we did manage t'get past those things, the traps and security in there's gonna' be way too tough."
Then, distractedly, Karrick turns back to Muziel and assk quietly. "What the hell happened t'Pip?"
At the sound of the voice Kera faltered in her step. It sounded like it had come from Karrick’s general area. No…his cloak…his cloak? At sight of the dark twisted pixie she smiled. In it’s own odd little way it was cute. It helped that it called her pretty. Once the little pixie was gone Kera was on her way.
After getting a fairly good look at the vault Kera thought for a long moment about what she was seeing.
Knowledge Religion:
It all clicked in her mind then as she recognized certain symbols from different religions. With that done she hurried back to join the others. She arrived in time to see Karrick quietly speaking to Muziel. Deciding to let them talk she moved over to Miikae telling her all she has learned (just read the spoilers).
”What do you think? No way we are getting into that vault so there is no way to really find the Duchess. We should really check out the Reidford guild house.”
She had fought the urge to go do that by herself. Splitting the party was a bad idea.
Muziel listens to the report from Kera. "Curious, what do Torag, Sarenrae, Nethys and Zon_Kuthon have to do with each other? Do any of these gods or associated nations have a presence here?" Muziel reflects on whether he's run across diplomats from Nex or Qadira, or whether there are temples of Sarenrae or Nethys (or maybe Torag or Zon-Kuthon) in the area.
Muziel shrugs. "I agree we should check the Reidford guild house. Rumor has it the Duchess arrived a couple of days ago, but nobody seems to know where she's been since."
When Kera returns Miikae wonders if the symbols are part of the vault lock.
"Perhaps we can talk to someone in charge of the vault here?" There must be a dwarf in charge around here she thinks.
Pervince quietly accepts the testimony that Muziel gathers. He only comments once. "Hmm... guess the vault just hasn't been reached yet. Go ahead and keep looking here or at the Reidfords, I have something I want to check too. With any luck, it'll give some answers."
From there, Pervince heads to see Gazerich Greystone on his own. He meant to share that the Duchess had indeed arrived, since it seemed Gazerich thought she may not have at all.
The rest of you travel to the Reidford Guild house. The outside is lightly guarded by some Niven guildsmen, and the door is closed. What are you doing here? a sentry asks holding a Niven blunderbuss big enough to put down a dragon.
Muziel offers a slight bow to the sentry. "We are here by request from Samuel Reidford and have private business with the Reidford Guild." . Muziel grins slightly as he mentions Samuel's name. Samuel had sent the rest of party, but didn't really send Muziel. But it was a better alternative than mentioning the Duchess.
A voice from inside the guild house calls Let them in
The Reidford guild house is very utilitarian. A man with a modest looking Rifle with some Reidford style charms is sitting in the main hall with several deputies. Welcome. I am Flynn Niven. I had heard a large group has recently arrived from Alkentstar. I assume you are also looking for the Duchess and the missing Reidfords. Well I am sorry to say I probably know as much as you do.
He pauses and looks the party over with scrutiny You say Samuel sent you?
He keeps himself orderly, paying attention to Gazerich rather than the decor of the guildhouse. This sort of environment has become the ideal for him, and he felt the importance of his work strengthening his will. This is his apotheosis against the chaos of the wastes. Order and strength must prevail.
"Perhaps you've heard- some say they've seen Hana in Martel. My hunch is that she's once again taken extreme action and left everyone to pick up the pieces. Now we have our own affairs, I presume-?"
Niven inside the Reidford guild house -- that was not good. Muziel wonders if Flynn is lying. .
Muziel looks around for signs of trouble - evidence that there was a combat within these walls, or that they are being surrounded during this seemingly innocent conversation.
"Well met, Flynn. Indeed, Samuel sent us -- do you know him well? In any event, you must be the Sheriff of this town." It was a bit of a guess, but Muziel wants to know one way or the other.
I do know Samuel, though many can claim that he is the head Shield Marshal and brother to Duchess Hana, but I served with him right here in Martel when we had to defend against the last invasion from them monkeymen. I am not the Sheriff of Martel, ha! You must be an outsider. No, the official Sheriff here, and most places in the wastes that are habitable, is a Reidford. Her name is Jena Reidford and I ain't seen her nor the Duchess since she rolled in her the other night.
Sometimes the best way to gain trust is to act dumb. Except Muziel wasn't acting, the situation was bizarre. "Wait, so you're telling me that the Duchess, Jena Reidford, and the entire Reidford guild just vanished in one night? That's got to be dozens of people! Surely, somebody saw them. Did anyone see them leave the guild house? What about the gatekeepers and sentries on the walls? Have you checked this building for secret exits?"
Muziel realized he had lost his cool, definitely not his style when it came to negotiating. He didn't want his words to sound like an accusation. Taking a deep breath, he straightens himself. "Pardon me, I understand you're investigating. We would be glad to help, if you will allow us. We all fear for the safety of the Duchess."
Kera kept quiet and close to Karrick. Muziel seemed to have this well in hand. It was better, with her newly acquired look, for her just to listen.
Hanging back with Kera, Karrick watches Muziel do what Muziel does best, somehow save everybody's lives with a quick application of something as simple as words. Karrick supposes that everyone has to have some kind of strength, even if it's not one he fully grasps the ins and outs of.
Yes, they all vanished. I know it doesn't make much sense, but then again not much in the Mana Wastes does. There was a Mana Storm that night, but the scholars said it was just a typical one. We have looked for secrets, but that doesn't mean there isn't any to be found. We Niven guard the walls, but we keep things from getting in, not out. The Inglis were patrolling the outskirts, if the Alktin or Greystone know anything they aren't sharing, and I doubt the Watts are aware of anything but the gadget in front of them. Like I said you probably know as much as I do. You are odd company for Samuel to have sent I will be honest with you. If you want to search the area you may as long as one of my deputies accompanies you. Now I must get back to running things here. Flynn says and stands up to leave.
Muziel stands and offers another bow as Flynn rises to leave. "Thank you, Flynn. We'll report to your deputy if we find anything." Muziel was less than pleased about having their actions watched, but he wasn't sure how to avoid it.
Miikae takes a deep breath and continues with the others past the Calikang. The creatures gave her shivers, she couldn't deny that she was slightly scared of them despite knowing these were not 'wild'.
She listens as Flynn tells them about the 'disappearance'.
Just as Flynn is about to leave, a thought crosses Muziel's mind. "If I may, I have one more question before you go, Flynn. You may not know this, but I am a devotee of Zon_Kuthon, and I was surprised to find an ancient symbol representing him on the Vault, along with a few other gods. From the blunderbusses, it looks like the Niven guild is responsible for the defense of the vault. Do you know a bit more about its history?"
Flynn looks back at you sternly. The guards in the room ready their weapons A follower of Zon_Kuthon eh? You may not know this, but I am a follower of Erastil and I think you have over stayed your welcome. You may be able for flaunt your aberrant devotions in Alkenstar where your diplomatic status gives you some false sense of security, but I'll have none of it here. Next time we meet come with more men, this time I'll let you leave alive.
"Dwarves and many others like the deeps. Heard the tales about what else likes it down there. But if there is a path to Hana, you can be sure that's where my group will go. This all began about honor for me, but with so much more at stake, there is no room for failure. I mean to see this all the way through."
When he finds him, Pervince gives Muziel a dubious look. Was there any reason for him to go and admit that? He decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "So the Duchess did disappear overnight, and I'm banking on my first hunch. She took the other Riedfords with her. Here."
Pervince hands Kera a small parchment. It reads, 'Hana knows about a hidden entrance into the Vault. Its underground, through the Riedford bunkers. There are probably drow and more mutants down there. We have to keep this a secret from those not in Hana's employ.'
He reads Kera's expression as best he can, and makes sure the others see the note in turn. As the paper goes around, he continues talking. "It would make sense if she didn't mean to pay us. This is an incredible amount of chasing. At least we have Klara on our side now, right? I'll go get her before we go anywhere." His appreciation of her shines through a distant smiling gaze for a moment. "I wouldn't want to be left in the dark, after all."
Miikae frowns at Muziel. He could have just asked about the symbol. When the guards readied their weapons she instinctively went for hers. She stands there, right hand on her original scimitar's handle at her hip. "Yes, perhaps we shall leave you alone now Flynn and get back to our search for the Duchess.
When she is alone with the group she tells them of an idea she had been thinking about. "There is a druid outside the city that I would visit that I may be able to find some information from, Sands and I can go alone or perhaps Kera could come along." She turns to face Kera, "She seems to care about monstrous creatures." It was unfortunate what had happened to Kera, but Miikae saw no point in avoiding the fact. Perhaps she would be able to be healed again somehow. But first you must accept things as they are. "Though perhaps we should all go if we are going underground, but I am worried about Sands being able to come with us also.
"You'd best hope we don't need t'come back" Karrick adds as he turns away from the discussion. "Because you might wanna' bring more men." With that, he's had just about enough of the conversation and hopes that Muziel was able to get what he needed from him. The next thing Karrick feels like interjecting into a conversation is the business end of a knife.
Once you are outside the Guild house Ythl pops into view. Don't worry Muziel friend, they did the same thing to me just because I said I worship Urgathoa. They were so mean! Are we really going to see the Desert Witch? I like her, and she likes me. She lets me try out her new potions and eat all the rotten sweet meat I want! She might not like human visitors though, but I think you humans are ok and I will tell her. You can tell her all about Zon_Kuthon Muziel I think she likes him too!
The odd fey-kin is full of his own unique brand of enthusiasm at this turn of events.
Karrick hardly hears Ythl's voice over the sound of blood pumping in his veins. There's a sense of tension in him like a tightly wound cable ready to snap. Karrick's hands curl into tight fists, arms shake and it takes all of his restraint not to just break out into a fight right here in the guildhall. Killing an errand boy won't get things square, though. There's an entire pile of corpses that need to be stacked up like so much cord wood before Karrick will be satisfied.
One man isn't going to suffice, but he'll be a great place to start.
"Yeah" is Karrick's half-hearted response to Ythl. He's not even sure he knows what he's agreeing to at this point.
Kera flinched when Muziel made her first mistake in the conversation. Well that information well had run dry. At least they had gotten a bit out of him before he clamed up and basically threatened all of them. It made the corners of her mouth turn up to hear Karrick interject his usual quips into the conversation.
”You couldn’t have known Muziel.”
She says with a smile and a light hand on his shoulder. He had done so very well up until that moment. The reappearance of Pervince made Kera mentally chuckle. He always seemed to show up at just the right moment. Taking the note she looked it over twice committing the words to memory. She passes it to Miikae next then looks to Pervince. Her expression is slightly troubled but if this is the only way to find the Duchess then so be it. Though she was changed her strength had not left her so she was ready for battle.
”I don’t think Hana planned to skip out on her tab so to speak. I think things have just not gone as planned.”
Though Kera felt different she still believed in the Duchess. Looking to the other she nods to Pervinces words.
”A bigger group would be better and Klara does work for Samuel.”
Listen to Miikae speak Kera raises an eyebrow. Why would a druid care about someone twisted by a mana storm? Nodding to her Kera spoke.
”Yes I think we should all go. It would be good if she would watch Sands…which I am sorry about. It seems going underground is inevitable.”
Kera was about to address the pixie when Karrick seems to go into a state. He seems tightly wound and judging from his shaking fits he is holding himself back. Reaching down Kera taking one of his fits in both of her hands. This might not be the wisest thing but she hopes it will distract Karrick from whatever has him on edge.
It looked as if their visit to this Desert Witch was always in the cards. Smiling to Ythl she nods to his words.
”Well then I think that’s settled. On to this Desert Witch it is.”
Muziel is taken aback by Flynn's reaction. He had gotten much too comfortable displaying his faith in Nidal and then Alkenstar. He makes his way out of the guild hall. "These country bumpkins are a judgmental lot, aren't they?" he responds to Ythl. Aware of the tension in the room, Muziel hopes Karrick does not launch himself at the nearest Niven guard.
When Pervince finds them and informs the party of the secret passage, Muziel kicks himself even more. "We will have to see whether the way to the Reidford bunkers is guarded. Perhaps in a few hours, the Niven will have departed. In the meantime, I am quite curious to meet this Desert Witch."
"As for our friend Klara, we should keep a close eye on her." Muziel continued to have his doubts, but it seemed that he could not have Pervince without the woman.
I can take you there! Oh and if have any wolfsbane or silver on you I would'nt let her know, one time I brought her a big sack of silver coins I stole from some silly humans that tried to hurt me and she got made at me, but I made it up to her with some fresh gnoll meat I stole from a Giant. I like to play tricks on Giants, do you think we can go see them too? They are further to the west. I love to fly just out of reach of them because they keep swinging at me no matter how long I do it, one time I did it for an entire day and the Giant chased me all the way south into Geb, but then my sisters found him and ate him. Have you ever ate giant before? It is kind of tough, but the Desert Witch makes a good Giant stew... Ythl seems to have an endless supply of conversation on the road to the Desert Witch which he shares with you in abundance.