Nadya looks around hiding her nervousness.
"Sure, maybe stick to the music. We'll need our legs tomorrow."
Mierul pulls out an ornate flute and begins to play.
Fade to black.
Morning comes, showcasing just how much snow fell. The shelter is more of a pocket at this point. Nadya's hirelings have the sleds all ready to go and some leftover clothing is set out for the newcomers.
Mierul is nowhere to be found.
After the mornings rituals are complete, Axel hefts his backpack onto his shoulders. "Thank you for the heavy coat Nadya. Seems the weather here is much colder than in my home to the east." A quick glance around shows his friends readying their equipment for travel. "Wait...where is the distracting one? That music last night kept interrupting my studies. I hardly got any work done. She made me a little uncomfortable and now moreso due to her absence." Axel lowers his voice to a whisper. "Do you think she could have been a spy? If this witch in her tower knows we are coming, we might not fare as well as we did against that bug"
I have my harpoon and Stephen, that's all that matters, eh?
"She was almost certainly fishing for information. I only hope our story was convincing enough. We'll want to move soon if we are to make it to Waldsby.
"It's a decent place, Waldsby. Unlike most settlements in the country it isn't near a lake or river. It manages to draw enough from the Hoarwood forest. We're a suspicious lot, typically. For good reason you can imagine."
She looks over her shoulder, leveling a gaze at Sarlene as she walks.
"The pale tower has become an annoyance and burden recently. When I learned they had taken my daughter while I was away, I went and pleaded for her return...Thora... I was promised that if I brought back my largest supply run ever that my daughter would be returned to me. I'm sure their hoarding supplies is related to this portal business."
Axel nods. "Yes. Perhaps they plan on using your supplies to help them invade Kalhar's hometown. Depending on their power, they could have many more of these portals open across Avistan and possibly beyond. Hopefully, this pale tower will have clues as to the scope of the situation."
Axel smiles at Nadya, trying his best to seem friendly. "As for your daughter, we will do what we can to save her. However, I can't make any promises. We are almost blind going into this. We do not know what to expect, let alone if we can defeat it" Axel's smile fades as he pulls out his journal and flips through some pages. "Perhaps it would be best if we had some semblance of a plan of action. Nadya, what can you tell us about this pale tower? How big is it? Are there any defenses, mundane or otherwise? Anything at all would be helpful"
"The Pale Tower is the governing base of Nazhena Vasilliovna of the jadwiga Elvanna. Her apprentice Radosek Pavril is also known to take a heavy hand in the tower's dealings. It is an odd place, a great spire of frozen ice crowned with icicles that spear the sky. It is surrounded by large wall of ice. High above, a large gash opens in the tower's bowl-like crown, ringed in icy spikes and split in such a way that it resembles an inverted crescent moon."
"That is where they hold Thora. It's full of soldiers and whatever else it is that the white witches get after."
Perception
Axel
Deadeye
Jezzera
Kalhar
Sarlene
Nadya
A swarm of black birds (nature: Ravens) is flying high above. (Think Fellowship of the Ring style)
Daegan, who has been trudging along largely in silence, absorbing his companion's words, looks to the sky. He squints and shields his eyes against the glare, grimacing at what he sees.
We are being watched.
"DAEGAN, KALHAR! GRAB THE TARPS"
She dives into the sleds, hirelings helping her dig out large white tarps.
Kalhar springs into action, taking quick note of the hirelings and emulating them as best possible, scrambling with direction to do what was asked of him. The urgency in her voice needed no explanation, not yet, and he worked quickly and quietly.
Sarlene scrambles to the ready.
Damn snow-f#+*ers... icicles and shit... ravens...
Axel
Deadeye
Jezzera
Kalhar
Sarlene
Nadya
As everyone ducks under the large white tarps. A cacophony of "caw" rises up, the air carries the sound over the harsh and quick flapping of the swarms of ravens descending over the snowy landscape.
As quick as they are to appear, they turn and fly. Heading north of Waldsby.
Axel joins in with Sarlenes bout of swearing. "What the f$@# is going on?! The damned witches bend the very world against us. Does this mean they know we are here and can now prepare for us? I thought surprise would be on our side but now it seems its on theirs"
|
"I share your unrest," Jezzera mutters. He pulls several clumps of red dust from his bag and tosses them in the air around himself and his companions under the tarp. "We must all remain sharp-eyed if we are to keep from being ambushed. This medicine is not strong but it will help nonetheless."
"In my clan a murder of crows is considered a unique omen," he growls deeply. "Their appearance can mean great disaster or great fortune." He hikes his coat up around his neck, eyes fixed on the horizon. "Let us hope that we may turn the tide against any inauspicious development."
The statement rings with a level of portent not usually achieved by the shy witch-doctor.
"F+~!ing dammit, I hope your omens are true.
"We live in an Age of Lost Omens. Don't think too much of it."
Descending down, the village of Waldsby comes into view,on the northeastern fringes of the Hoarwood Forest. Once in the village, the everyone draws plenty of attention from the locals. Nadya greets those residents concerned for her safety, but many of the villagers stare and point at the oddly dressed group before whispering concernedly and leading their children away. Others are intrigued, hoping that the newcomers have
brought new wares from the south to trade, and not yet realizing you aren’t merchants. Nadya does her best to lead everyone past the throng, taking them to her home—a stout, unassuming cabin on the edge of town.
Axel seems at ease for the first time since he left Heldren. He is quick to get indoors where he drops his pack in a corner. Rod jumps out from hiding in the wizard's coat and curls up next tot he bag. Axel wordlessly pulls out his sketchbook and journal and begins to scribble some more. Copying images and taking notes in an effort to organize his mass of new information.
Daegan enters the cabin wearily, setting his pack against the wall and sighing. Well, friends, we've made it. It will be a relief to rest easy tonight. He looks to Nadya and nods reverently. I thank you for your hospitality. We are all grateful for your aid. I can only hope we are up to the task before us, that we might save your child.
Kalhar's face betrays a growing confusion mixed with a strange comfort. "This is strange. Look," he points subtly, trying not to draw attention "The layout is almost exactly the same as Heldren. This architecture is obviously more northern, but it's almost like I know where I'm going, or I've seen these people before."
Kalhar looks around for an apothecary.
"What are you looking for Kalhar? We need to get all this gear put away so you don't look so out of place. You'll be free to explore the town in a few. "
"And thank you Daegan, it was the least I could do for the help with the creature. Here we are."
Nadya walks up the steps to her house, where two small boys burst forth from the door to swallow her with hugs.
"Everyone, these are my sons Orm and Mjoli. My friend Kashka Looks over the place while I'm gone. I'll go have her setup places in the house for all of you."
She disappears into the house for just a few seconds, reemerging with both boys still attached to her legs.
"Feel free to make yourself at home, I'll try to score you some local clothing while I drop these supplies off. Stay close, but if you wander off; speaking in skald will help you blend in. "
She sets of for the warehouse on the other side of the village with the supplies.
"Many thanks" Axel replies in near fluent Skald.
He turns to Kalhar "You said you've been here before? I thought you were a southerner."
"I am a southerner." he replied, his tone quieting slightly, and his eyes drifted to the window as his hand waved an idle hello towards the kids. What's going on here? Where am I?
Sarlene is decidedly at home. She is ignoring almost everything of import, speaking excitedly in Skald to anyone she can. Her odd smile returns and her energy is contagious.
Once in the house, Stephen rushes about the house, toying with Nadya's children and searching for crumbs.
Rod lifts his head off the ground and watches the little bird. After a few moments, he decides to get up and follow Stephen around. He keeps his distance at first but soon finds himself should to wing with the little penguin, searching high and low for morsels of food.
"So," he says, looking back to his group. "Do you all speak skald, except for me? It would seem as if I am suddenly out of my element."
"Perhaps Sarlene and I should look around the town. Is there anything in particular anybody thinks we should look for?"
Daegan finds a chair and takes a seat next to his pack, stretching his long arms above his head before settling into place. This seems to be a wise course of action. I am a stranger to the Skald tongue as well, so I think I'll stay here. He begins to rummage through the bag, quickly finding the broken trap and removing it, examining it for a moment before placing it in his lap. I think I should like to tinker with this as well, in the meantime.
"I will accompany you, Axel. I want to know why this village looks exactly like mine."
He crosses his arms, leaning up against a wall and raising an eyebrow.
"Sounds good to me. We should bring what goods we have as well. Perhaps we can sell them here."
He looks to the whaler woman "Sarlene, would you mind taking what weaponry we won't use and seeing what you can get for it at the blacksmith? Kalhar and I will bring the rest to the general store and do the same" Without really waiting for a response, Axel begins sorting things out and makes ready to head out
Aye, a fair plan. Pray your pursestrings are resilient, friends. Northerners strike a hard bargain. Sarlene wraps her scarf about her neck, pulls her mangy cloak over her shoulders, and begins to pile arms in her arms.
--The General Store--Verana's Sundries
The door chime rings as the door swings revealing a stuffy single room store that is loaded to the ceiling with various sundries. The store owner is currently polishing the studs on a nice set of leather armor, her long blonde hair is quite in the way. She meets the eyes of Axel as the pair enter the store.
"You have come to Verana's sundries, what do you need?
--Nadya Petska's place--
The young boy Orm approaches Sarlene.
"Are you from the Pale Tower?"
-----
Axel smiles at the owner politely and gestures to the bags he and Kalhar are loaded down with.
"We were hoping to do some selling, buying, and/or trading. We have quite a few odds and ends that are no longer useful. I have a short list of items I need personally but I'm not sure if my friend is equally prepared. Regardless" he opens his satchel to reveal the assortment of gems, alchemical gear, and art items "how much would you be able to trade for these, whether in coin or equal similar means of purchase?"
She studies the men in front of her, scratching silently at her chin. "I carry a few bits, pinches, links, shields, crowns, and sails for direct requisition but I prefer a straight trade."
She studies the items for what must be 2 hours, pouring over what must be every detail. "I'm not impressed, you probably stole this off someone."
Axel frowns at the suggestion. "I'm afraid I don't have the skill to steal anything from anyone. We won these items in fair combat. Surely you can appreciate the worth of such a claim." Axel gestures to the large bruise still visible through the holes in his clothes and the large gash in Kalhar's chainmail. "These are injuries sustained from our adversaries. We beat them and so we earned the right to the spoils of war. Besides, they weren't doing them any good anymore."
"Maybe you did that, you're just sounding odd. It is also a strange thing to see this type of wealth, but hey, it trades well enough. A few of them will match some broad's eye color. So what do you need?
---Nadya Peska's Place ---
Sarlene looks at the boy, stunned by his question. W-w-why no, of course not! I'm from Kalsgard, on the Western shore. I lived by the ocean, and I used to be a whaler.
She looks at the boy for a moment, unsure how to proceed. Her story is true, but she has been called a white witch or a snowcaster before. It made her childhood uncomfortable. She hid in her adoptive father's shop and read tales and scrolls of adventures and legends to escape the torments of others.
Earlier she thought it was her elven ancestry that had worried Nadya. Now she realizes that she looks like Nadya's hated enemy. Sarlene chuckles at her own stupidity. I should've known better.
She smiles, and squats down before the boy. I'll prove I'm not from the Pale Tower, how about that? She winks at the boy, and sets about removing her hood and wool cap.
She pulls her hair back, revealing her pointed ears. Have you ever seen anyone from the Pale Tower with ears like these?
Sarlene walks with Axel and Kalhar down the snow-covered central street, but leaves their company at the door of the general store, again warning them that Northerners are not easily bargained with (her tone lies somewhere between a joke and a dire warning).
She continues to the blacksmith, the unmistakable sounds of metal being shaped on an anvil giving her direction. With a panoply of armaments cradled in her arms, she uses her back to open the door of the shop, and turns to give a warm greeting to anyone that will listen.
Aye, you master of metal, I've come for your wares, eh? Give me steel and I'll give you lesser metals. The joke about 'lesser metals,' gold and silver, is a traditional saying in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. In a land constantly under attack, a sword is worth more than its weight in gold.
The kid stares at Sarlene in a strange puzzled manner. "I guess ye ain't after all, aye come look at dis. He speaks loudly to the house understanding that his brother will come quickly.
There is no bell on the door, the smith sits sharpening arrowheads with his back to the door. He hums a rhythmic tune.
Axel hands over a list of materials. "We aren't as prepared we would should be. Here's a list of items my companions and I need."
He turns to Kalhar "Do you need anything?