Mirri seems puzzled by Jamarcus surprise at the undead things, "Haven't you ever had to deal with the undead before? I don't know much about them myself, we rarely see them where I'm from, any bodies are either quickly devoured by hungry animals or frozen in the ice where they can't get loose even if they were undead."
The battle was done, it would usually be the time to make snide remarks, loot the corpses and search for any valuables that weren't noticed before, of course it would not be exactly in that order for Lars, but for now he was too occupied by fighting the urge to place his hand upon his face; he could not believe that he actually gave one of these silly rallying calls he used to hear so much of while on the ships. He even copied one of Clancy's favorite lines at the end! I am glad he's not here...and it isn't just about him leaving me for shark filled waters
"Lars, did you see any sign of where they may have gone?" she calls, making her way over to the odd statue and the bodies around it.
Lars turned towards Theora, his face changing in mid motion to his usual relaxed expression, but inside he was happy for a distraction from his latest embarrassment "The idiots left a clear path" He pointed to the trail he found prior to the battle "I doubt it belongs to anyone else but it won't hurt to check again" Blue eyes began examining the battlefield once more...only being distracted by the sight of Jamarcus searching the undead and the carriage At least someone's aware of their priorities, time to shape up Lars Once he was done with trail he turned his eyes towards the upturned wagon, but before he could walk towards it, his vision fell upon the grim reminder that they weren't just dealing with bandits.
Lars walked towards the frozen man, his steps slow and steady leaving lighter marks than the tracks he left on the snow during the battle. Once there he began checking the bodies that surrounded the statue of corpse and ice, checking for valuables and anything of interest.
Blue eyes turned towards the standing dead man, they scanned him for anything of interest or anything out of the ordinary "I could think of kinder ways of killing a man" A small frown materialized on his lips, further echoing the distaste in his tone.
As Lars brings everyone's attention to the "statue," they notice that it is actually a man in a taldan uniform who's been frozen solid. The separate ice chunks surrounding him apear to be pieces of him that were cut off.
"He won't be using that armor and sword now" Lars looked to the party before unhooking his battle axe from its place at his belt.
After removing his thrown axe from its new abode in the side of the carriage, he peered inside "Find anything worth while?" He asked Jamarcus before motioning towards the other upturned wooden vehicle near them with his free hand.
Gii frowns as Lars attempts to relieve the frozen man of his armor and weapon, but doesn't say anything. 'He'll have no need of them, after all..' the Nethian thinks to himself. He busies himself searching the carriages for clues.
Nothin' but rags n' rotting corpses
Jamarcus wipes his hands on the carriage seats and pushes himself to his feet. He looks towards the overturned wagon that Lars pointed at and makes his way over to investigate.
As he's combing through the wreckage, he turns back to the group:
Looks like the Lady ain't here unless she was one of dem' monsters. What's the plan?
"Oh. Oh, my," Theora murmurs, covering her mouth with one hand as she looks over the frozen man. "Poor soul... what an awful way to go." On her shoulder, Sootfeather caws once, as if in agreement. "Lars, if there is anything on his possessions that indicates his family, we should endeavour to find them. They... they deserve to know." Her tone is grim as she surveys the carnage around her. "The same goes for any of these unfortunates."
With a sigh, she reaches up to pet her crow, before nodding once, decisively. "If they left a trail, following seems the best course of action, mmm?"
Gii nods as he walks back towards the group. "There was little of value still remaining in the carriage. However, it is clear that whatever happened here, it was not just a robbery. The defenders fought tooth and nail, and bandits are not the type to stick around against such a situation."
Hot damn, check out these groovy threads!
Jamarcus holds a flamboyant velvet, fur-trimmed overgown in front of his body and tries to catch his own reflection in some broken carriage glass.
He puts the overgown on and turns to the group.
Hey watchu' guys think?
"Lars, if there is anything on his possessions that indicates his family, we should endeavour to find them. They... they deserve to know.
"The breastplate has some kind of heraldry emblazoned on it" He pointed at the frozen piece of armor with his axe, as a perplexed expression took over his face "The less they know the better off they are" He placed his empty hand in the pocket of his long coat "I am guessing 'he died protecting some lady you'll probably never meet, and we found him as a twisted warning sign with bits of him all around him' is something that won't do them any good knowing"
He puts the overgown on and turns to the group.
Hey watchu' guys think?
A large grin crawls its way onto Lars' facade "Looks fine, and I am no silk trader but looks like these finery's will fetch a fine price" Lars rubbed one of three sets of cloths with his left hand, as his eyes went from Jamarcus to it, while gleaming greedily.
Grimkell stares down at the zombies before wiping his blade on some fabric from the carriage's inside. Once done, he leaves the others to the search while he walks around the fallen who lay scattered across the place. As he walks, he starts signing a dirge in skald for the warriors who fell in battle.
Finally, he joins the others who seem to be gathered around the frozen warrior.
"Lars, Theora, no need to take note of whom these brave warriors are, I am certain that the ulfen we met in Heldren knew them and will be able to relay the message. As for their belongings, no need to encumber ourselves with them for now. We can take them on our way back to town once we save Lady Argentea. Whom, I am certain, would not appreciate seeing a man wearing her clothes." he says, with half a smile for Jamarcus.
"Anyway, for someone who saw a Draugr for the first time, you have done well. Others would have ran for their lives. As for you, Theora and Lars, I knew you had this in you. Lars, good to know you are not an actual coward!" continues Grimkell as he makes his way toward the tracks the bandits left. There, he turns toward the others and waits for them to follow him into the woods.
Theora can't help a smile at Jamarcus' excitement as he pulls on the overgown. "Well, I think it suits you," she chuckles. "Though I agree - Lady Argentea's reaction may not be so understanding." Glancing at Lars, she gently says, "'He died protecting others, as was his duty' may bring some solace, at least. We can't let it be in vain."
She closes her eyes as Grimkell sings his dirge, out of respect as well as habit, one hand absently going to the silver locket around her neck. When he heads for the tracks, she follows, Sootfeather taking wing and flying in lazy circles overhead.
"Anyway, for someone who saw a Draugr for the first time, you have done well. Others would have ran for their lives. As for you, Theora and Lars, I knew you had this in you. Lars, good to know you are not an actual coward!" continues Grimkell as he makes his way toward the tracks the bandits left. There, he turns toward the others and waits for them to follow him into the woods.
"We've still got a ways to go, you may change your mind yet" Replied Lars, his tone light and clearly intending his words to appear non-serious and comical.
The former pirate turned to the statue and delivered the last blows needed to free the sword and armor from their icy abode. He slung the sword into a free holster on his belt; slightly feeling annoyed because of the biting coldness of the sheath. Then he stuffed the armor into his backpack.
"'He died protecting others, as was his duty' may bring some solace, at least. We can't let it be in vain."
Lars shrugged, the vague line on his face and his contemplating eyes indicating neither apathy or empathy "Its kinder" The words left his mouth as he followed after Grimkell, preparing himself to continue tracking their would be kidnappers.
Jamarcus feigns indignation at the rest of the group and cracks a grin at Theora's comment as he follows them into the snow.
Big momma know's what she's talkin' bout', plus, it's gettin' cold out here
Gii chuckles softly at Jamarcus' new accoutrements. "Your fashion sense is something else, friend," the Nethian comments in a friendly tone. "Now, the matter of following the kidnappers. We would be best served to head after them."
The temperature drops significantly as you enter through the trees. It continues to snow despite a clear sky overhead. The trail is easy to follow through six inches of snow. But travel is difficult. After about an hour of travel in the chill air of the forest, Theora starts lagging behind a bit. She shivers and rub her arms but doesn't seem to be doing any better.
"'Big Momma'?" Theora echoes, unsure whether to take Jamarcus' strange words as a compliment or an insult. She says nothing more on the matter as the group treks through the snow.
As the group continues, she shivers, the cold going right through her. Perhaps it's because she's older, perhaps it's because she was so used to the sunnier city of Cassomir, but for whatever reason, she finds it hard to press on. She pulls her mantle closer, cups her hands and blows into them, and keeps her limbs in close to conserve heat, but nothing seems to work. After an hour of walking, she calls ahead, "I hate to be a bother, but can we wait a while? I fear I'm growing weary already."
The light bothers Mirri even through her veil causing her to add one more layer, she then looks at the others and takes out several more, "You might want to put one of these on, the light glaring from the snow could harm your ability to see, the material is thin enough to see through, but helps dampen the light enough that it isn't as harmful."
As they progress and Theora begins to show signs of slowing, Mirri falls back to keep pace with her, trying to break a trail and show her ways to move through the snow a bit easier. She seems concerned that the woman is slowing more and more and, when Theora suggests it, says, "She is right, she does need to rest, and the rest of us should too. For people not accustomed to it snow is very hard to walk through." Thinking a moment, Mirri starts looking around for materials as an idea has formed in her mind.
A bitter coldness stealthy seeped into the air around them, making the journey all the more annoying, their winter clothing now clearly worth every piece of gold that was spent to obtain them. Sapphire blue eyes trailed a piece of snow as it descended mere inches from his face, but instead landing on his shoulder. Lars vision shifted to the horizon ahead of them, witnessing as pure white and soft fragments descended upon the growing carpet that hampered their movement. Still he didn't feel that annoyed by this...no if anything it was the cold that didn't sit well with him, he never liked it, but like other things in life he had no taste for but couldn't stop he simply learned to live with it.
"She is right, she does need to rest, and the rest of us should too. For people not accustomed to it snow is very hard to walk through."
No sense in being a slave driver Lars stopped in his tracks and stretched his arms back, then turned his body partially towards the elf "You can make up your mind about how long you want to rest, if I know my outlaws, then I'd say our friends have probably found a shelter from the weather, especially if they plan to keep this lady alive...and why wouldn't they? She's worth more gold that way" With both fluidity and swiftness Lars had his newly acquired sword out "Grimkell, you mind a spar? I haven't handled a sword in a while."
Grimkell poslitely refuses the veil offered by Mirri, saying that he won't need it as long as the sky is overcast.
Grimkell stops in his tracks when he hears Theora complaining, and then turns toward her, seemingly annoyed.
"Already tired? I thought your had more than that in you... we will never catch up with the kidnappers if you stop every so often to catch your breath. Now, even if Lars is right, with the snow falling down, their tracks will disappear if we wait too long. So, whatever you are feeling overcome it, and let's continue. I know you can." he says all in one breath, with the last bit said encouragingly.
Focused on Theora's answer, he does not seem to hear Lars's demand.
Gii looks between the others, worried. The cold doesn't bother him nearly as much as it might normal folk, but he understands that other people might not be so lucky. "Now, Grimkell, if a short pause would have us lose the track, we would already be far too late." The Nethian looks over Theora, worried for her health.
Realizing he probably won't get anywhere with Grimkell, Lars let the sword rest on his right shoulder and walked to a small clear area "Empty air it is" He said to no one in particular, as he began testing the weight of his new weapon Seems well made at least He held the blade in front of him, and began a few practice strokes and stabs, happily leaving his companions to argue over whether they should stop or not.
Ey, looks like I won' be needin' this, dis weather don' bother no thug
The tall, dark man walks over to Theora as he shrugs off the overgown with some difficulty.
Without asking, he drapes the heavy garment on Theora and turns to the rest of the group.
We be walkin' all damn day, less find someplace wit' some shelta n' kick back fo' a while
"It appears to be the early stages of hypothermia," Gii explains. "We should try and warm lady Theora up. Your overcoat is a good first measure," the doctor says to Jamarcus with an approving look.
Theora offers Jamarcus a thin smile as he drapes the robe over her broad shoulders. "Thank you, dear. I believe it's helping already," she lies. "Perhaps if we keep moving, that will help."
Grimkell's attitude seems to change when he hears Gii mention hypothermia. His expression goes from harsh to one of realization.
"You should have mentioned that you were feeling chilly first. Cold is a silent killer, it can even take the strongest man by surprise. Here, have this, should help you." he says, understanding.
As he finishes speaking, he takes out a thick wool blanket and puts it on Theora's shoulders.
"If you want to get better, you should cuddle up with Mirri, Gii, and Matias while I practice with Lars." the uflen says, drawing his sword and heading toward where Lars is.
Once in front of the former pirate, he bangs his sword on his shield, and speaks a few words before engaging him.
"Good, you are taking this more and more seriously. Makes for great tale."
"It's cold out here, dear," Theora points out to Grimkell gently, a smile playing at her wrinkled eyes. "I didn't want to state the obvious - I assumed we were all feeling the chill in some capacity." She accepts the heavy blanket, though, taking a seat on an old tree stump and pulling it tightly around herself, trying to keep as much heat inside as possible
A content look emerged on the former pirate's face as he paused and stared at Grimkell "Seriousness isn't always as clear as a scar on a face" His free hand tracing the larger of the two scars, before he adopted a stance that appeared to be a bastardization of a formal combat stance and went for a downward swipe aimed at the shield.
After about an hour of concerted effort, Theora is able to get her blood moving again and the group sets off down the trail. The sun is on its downward arc as you come across a chest abandoned--half-buried in the snow. The tracks continue past it, but it seems as if it were discarded--perhaps for speed.
At first talkative, Grimkell quickly stops talking, too focused on the practice sparring with Lars to even speak. While he blocks Lars's blow, he starts humming to himself, louder and louder as the practice goes on.
Once they are done practising, Grimkell joins Theora under the blanket to warm her up. There, he starts singing an old saga in skald.
Grimkell approaches the chest, and stops a few feets away from it. H then takes a look around, suspicious that they might have walked into an ambush. Once done, he kneels next to the chest, and tilts his head to the right, then to the left, trying to look around it and see if there is anything suspicious about it.
"Anyone has an idea why they would leave the chest here?" he asks, still staring at the chest.
"Probably decided it was slowing them down?" Gii hypothesizes. "That said, it's still very suspicious. Be wary."
Waiting to jump us in this cold while we loot this chest? Why? They have a hostage they are better off moving...to warmer places Lars' right hand was at his chin, his thumb stroking his goatee, as he tried to ignore the cold to the best of his ability Being careful never hurt me before the blond man looked the container over, searching for something out of the ordinary; any signs that shouldn't be on a chest left behind in haste. His movements and the expression on his face betraying nothing but a mix of calmness and focus.
Unearthing a rolled up, thick sheet of leather from his pack. Lars placed it on the ground and spread it open. Revealing several tools that would be at home at a locksmith's shop, and several more that did not "Some distance and silence if you all don't mind...warm soup and bread would be wonderful as well" Snickered Lars as he began tinkering with the abandoned mystery; his ear close to it and the tool in his right hand gently prodding where he found the source of what piqued his interest.
Theora shifts to make room on her stump when Grimkell joins her under the blanket for warmth, closing her eyes to listen to the song. She lets the group know once she feels sufficiently warm, making sure to compliment the lad on his singing voice as they move out again.
At the sight of the chest, she moves in with Lars, standing roughly ten feet or so from him - and the chest - with her bow in hand and an arrow nocked. If it was an ambush, she was going to be ready for it. Sootfeathers perches backwards on her shoulder, cawing once, facing the opposite direction to her.
Jamarcus stands behind Lars and studies his toolkit with an amused smile on his face.
Next time me and you are in town, we gonna have a gooood time
"I agree" Replied Lars as he switched from one tool to another, a happy tone in his voice I knew I had a good feeling about him.
Lars and the others search, but find no trap. The chest just seems to have been discarded there.
As they were taking a stop for a rest, and realizing just how hard this was on Theora, Mirri began to work on something in the hopes it would help the woman move through all of the snow easier. She took materials she could find, branches, some sinew from her jewel crafting kit, and various tools that she felt could be used to help in her task despite not being designed for it, and set to work. She took small branches and worked on bending them around, then drove a pin in them and lashed them together. She then took sinew and twigs and leaves and wove them to make a lace for her to stand on top of the strange devices. When she finished she added more sinew to make thongs with which to tie them in place.
As they were readying to set out, Mirri took her creations to Theora and said, "Before we move on, let me tie these to your feet. What we call them at home translates roughly to 'snow shoes' in the common tongue. They are to be tied to your feet and they will let you walk along the top of the snow, making it easier for you to keep up, well, at least once you get used to them."
Seeing the chest and not liking the fact it was just left there, Mirri keeps a wary eye out for threats from outside the area around the trunk.
Eyes glowing with curiosity and anticipation, Grimkell leans over the chest when he realises that Lars hasn't found any trap. In his glee, he does even comment on Lars' and Jamarcus' larceny plan.
Now, leaning over the chest, the ulfen puts his hands on the the lid and slowly opens it, peering inside through the widening opening.
The lid opens just a crack, then the branches around you start to crackle. Snow falls from the branches above as a large log begins to swing from the branches above. Mirri, watching for danger, dives out of the way. Grimkell notices at the last moment and ducks, while Theora steps casually to the side.
Lars and Jamarcus were not ready. The log catches them, knocking them to the ground. Jamarcus is flung back a few feet. The log continues on its pendulum swing and despite the man's slow reactions, stops just before hitting him to swing back along its arc. It's not long before the log is swinging gently in the wind and the creak of ropes becomes a constant, but gentle sound filing the air.
The lid had flopped open from Grimkell's sudden dodge. The hollow sounds of the woods seem to perfectly complement the bare bottom of the chest looking up.
One moment he was amazed by the over eagerness of Grimkell to get the chest open, the next he was on the ground after wondering how a log could possibly fly at such speeds. Silence followed their fall, Lars broke his with a wince as a surge of pain ran through his side, he clenched his teeth, put his hand on the snowy carpet he laid on and began rising, for while the pain was certainly uncomfortable, lying on the cold ground wasn't doing him any favors.
Slowly he regained his footing, still shaken by his undesired trip through the air, his exhales came through clenched teeth as he looked around, glad to see that no one descended upon them...yet At least we'll be getting something out of all this He thought as he made his way to the now open chest. He put his empty hand on the side of the box, looked inside and was only greeted by emptiness...both physically and emotionally. Lars felt annoyance well up within him, and it was dangerously close to crossing the line which would transform it to a flood of anger, but like many times before in his life, the dam of composure blocked its path, resulting in a small frown drawn by his lips and a disappointed look in his blue eyes.
Lars' head turned slowly towards the other blond in their group, his downcast eyes looking somewhat morbid. In mere moments Lars was in front of him, with a speed that he himself did not think he was capable of, especially while injured. The frown on his face turned into a one sided grin as he looked at the crouching Grimkell, then without warning both of his empty hands were placed on his thinner shoulders, the manner being rougher than Lars had intended.
"Grimkell...dear, sweet, pure and helpful Grimkell" Began Lars, in his voice was a hollow happiness with only hints of pain "Please don't open any chests when I am standing next to you...please be sure I am hundreds of feet from you, unseen or transformed into a flock of ravens and flown away" Lars gave a simple, almost gentle shake "We clear?" his voice raising in volume slightly, another shake, less gentle "Are we me laddy?" Louder, yet another shake, gentleness none existent.
Without warning Lars unhanded his companion and walked back to the chest his battle axe already in his hand "If anything the wood should be better for burning than what we'll find here" And I want something for my pain He added to himself, as he began hacking at the empty chest, his countenance calm and neutral if one didn't count the occasional flinches caused by the pain in his side.
Gii gasps as the trap springs on his companions, rushing to Jamarcus' side as the log sends him sprawling. "Damned bandits," he bites out as he offers a hand to the fallen man.
Normally, if given the chance to brace for impact or roll with the blow, Jamarcus would have been able to shrug off large, blunt object.
This time, however, he was caught completely off guard as he observed the opening of the chest. The log caught him clean on the side and transferred hundreds of pounds of force into his rag-dolling body.
After a brief flight, he landed on a somewhat obtrusive rock with a thud.
He stares at the spinning sky for a few moments, gasping for breath as the log knocked the wind out of him.
I'm gonna murder the jive-ass m*#%*+$%@%&~ who set this motherf!#*in' trap he groans, as he struggles to sit up.
His hands move over his chest and abdomen carefully and briefly press on different areas.
Think I broke a few ribs Doc, y'all got any more o' that healin' demon magic left?
Gii shakes his head, frowning. "It is sadly not my forte. One of our companions might be more capable of patching you up, however?"
Heart racing, eyes wide open, Grimkell watched from underneath as the log hit both Lars and Jamarcus, and clearly heard the sound of cracking bones. Unable to roll away from under the log due to his shied being strapped to his arm, the ulfen has to move himself with his elbow. Once he clears the log, he starts scrambling up to his knees. And this is when Lars lashes at him.
Grimkell's expression barely changes, as stern as usual. However, his eyes gain in intensity. After being shaken twice, the ulfen pushes Lars on his right shoulder and starts yelling at him.
"No. I am not sweet, pure nor helpful!" he says walking up to within a inch of the man before continuing. "I made no mistake either! You, Jamarcus and I all checked the chest without finding anything strange about it. Worst, you're the one who spent the most time inspecting it, and did not say anything about a trap. Want someone to blame? Look in a mirror!"
After their exchange, Grimkell walks up to Jamarcus and kneels next to him. At first, his eyes still bear the intensity of anger, but they soften as he inspects the brawler's wound.
"No problem, I can take care of it. Its not demon magic, its power lent by the spirit of the forest...." he says before reaching for a pendant around his neck and reciting a prayer.
Wind rises around them as Grimkell reaches for Jamarcus's ribs which quickly mend themselves.
As the healing magic coursed through Jamarcus' veins, his broken bones fused back together with a sickening pop, and torn flesh knit back together right before his eyes.
Seconds later, it was all over.
He sits up a bit taller and pats down his chest incredulously, eyes like saucers.
He reaches his arms up tentatively, and when he notices that the pain isn't there anymore, he fully stretches, cracking his back and shoulders and jumps to his feet, a grin on his face.
Holy F!#~...
Jamarcus extends a large, weathered hand to Grimkell.
Forest juju eh? Know what, you ain't half bad, son
Taking no offense to the push or the close ranged tongue lashing, Lars simply stands there, with a clearly calmer expression and posture "Sarcasm, Grimkell, I don't know about where your from but the rest of the world? We have much of it" Lars gives a small smile "And blame you? No, your right it is my own fault for not finding the trap" Who knew that bandits could make decent traps?! Adds the locksmith mentally "What I am asking is for you not to open chests when I am around, I'd feel a lot safer that way, especially that you simply walked up and opened it without even a word...you aren't traveling alone oh helpful Grimkell" Lars smile grows wider, actually hoping that the little moniker he gave Grimkell would annoy him, if it didn't it meant that he understood sarcasm and both were victories for Lars, but he honestly did hope for the former.