"How did this happen?"
"I don't like this, working for the Queen of Jadwiga." Aric says to the group. "Is that all we have to do?" He says looing to the former Black rider.
"Apologies for peppering you with questions friend. Why would this Baba Yaga's daughter betray her so? And why would she want to cover the world in Winter?" - Aldiran approaches the man with several questions - "I have some magical powers, would you allow me to heal you?" - she adds.
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Free the hut and find and free Baba Yaga if you want your world saved. And because she fears her mother. She wishes to url the world and has magic over ice and cold. Ask your friend here he knows of them from he speaking. No save your magic. With out the mantle of the rider to sustain me I am dead anyways. I have lived far beyond my time now it has caught up to me. Go save the queen of witches and your world. With that his eyes close and his breathing ceases.
"Alright. We have a job to do then."
"We had best get to it then, while this portal is still open.
Aldiran stares at the 'Black Rider of Baba Yaga' for a few moments, then back at the others with a stern look - "We set out to understand what was causing this unnatural winter, and now we are closer to understading than we were before - I agree that we should proceed" - she adds.
"All agree?" - the woman insists.
"Agreed."
Aric will walk into the portal, by himself if needed.
Not by himself, as Aldiran will follow.
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I will assume the rest of the group follows.
As you step into the portal. You experience a cold so deep its as if time itself has frozen. Your world goes dark. When you come too you are resting upon a vast sheet of ice inside of a twenty foot cricle of light. Beyond is darkness from with issues a hissing slither what you soon realize is the soft sound of cloth being dragged across the ice. Shortly a bell like voice issues forth from the darkness. Its is hard and cold yet clear. Well well well. What do we have here? Little mice and men all wonder seeking frozen plunder perhaps? Or perhaps just maybe fledgling heroes to be seeking a task from which their reputations may soar? Or just lost little lambs come to the slaughter? I know which each each you are do you?
"We are neither. We are people seeking to right a wrong. I am Aric. Show yourself, serpent. Who are you?"
Standing up, Aldiran shakes the cold away, gritting her teeth and waiting for an answer.
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How do you know what you are little one? Your barely old enough to realize your alive. As for your questions... Hmmmm a better question question where are you.... That is an answer you can afford. My name is not. Serpent been called alot of things but be that before. I will expect an apology for that. Unless of course you want me to give you a gift to match. The voice chuckles as it shifts postion around you. No matter how hard you look you can't penetrate the darkness surrounding you. Though I will give you this as a gift. You are cursed and not by me
"Fine, where are we? Who cursed us and why do you care?"
"I guess we don't have a choice. What do you want to know?"
"Well we don't know where it ends. So it could just lead to our doom."
"I'm getting pretty tired of the games and riddles" - Aldiran grumbles to Aric - "But I guess not much else could be expected when dealing with fey and the like" - she shakes her head.
"I am willing to go along with your terms" - she adds at the darkness creature, then turning to Aric, smiling and shrugging - "Lets take this all the way, shall we?"
Alex just smirks, pushing his sleeves up just a bit, to try and look to see if the mark on him is calm or glowing, realizing that it is a good indication of the real state of the situations they've been in.
"There's really no turning back now, Aric. Besides, would you really would something strange like this to have left a question hanging over your head?" Alex smiles, piping up for the first time in a long time.
The bard briefly closes his eyes to regain his center and regain his quick thinking.
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First why do each of you seek the defeat of the Daughter of Baba Yaga?
"To save my home so I can go back and live in peace."
"My adoptive father was from this land" - Aldiran grits her teeth - "Even in his deathbed, his eyes sparkled when he spoke of it, his inheritage and ascendants" - tears well in her eyes - "He died miserable and a wretch. I could not save him" - then run freely down her cheeks, as she lifts her eyes from staring at the ground - "But I will honor his legacy - this is his land, and I will not see it ravaged on a whim" - she finishes.
Alex takes a moment, remaining silent for several seconds, as it begins to sink in. Then he speaks, the thoughts coming out several seconds apart, making sure he speaks carefully, as though he were trying to tip toe through the den of a large, dangerous beast.
"I seek simple things, Winter Lady. To make my family proud. To regain my family's name and lands. To surpass my father's legacy. And to save this land, to set it right in the paths it should be following."
As the last words exit his lips, he pushes his sleeves back down quickly, trying to hide the mark on him, unsure that even the nature of this place would leave him...unexposed.
I'm assuming that if Alex looks at himself, then he would still see the human shape? Because otherwise...it'll be very...interesting.
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Interesting.... What if I were to offer my aid. Would you accept and seek that which I desire but may not reach for myself?
You each feel her regard rest upon you. As a heavy weight upon your chest. The very air about you freezing til her unseen eyes move elsewhere.
"What do you want?"
"I would agree. Obviously rules are what you're talking about maintaining, so you wouldn't seek to double cross, since it would hamstring your own gains?..." the realization seem to be hitting exceptionally strong, seeming much more confident than a moment or two ago.
Definitely why he seems a bit more confident. He understands his side of the bargain, but he also realizes now that She doesn't have power without limitations. By getting us involved, it removes a bit of fear. Kind of like knowing there's a cage between you and the lion; you know if you get too close, the lion will still kill you. But if you stay just far enough away, and get the lion food...then you might be ok.
"I don't like playing games." Aric growls. Fine yes, now tell us what you want in return. His frustration starting to build.
"I would agree" - Aldiran states flatly.
Alex tries to motion to Aric for him to keep his cool. This..well, this is definitely not the time for things to get out of control.
"Stay calm, Aric.." is all the bard says.
This voice is trying my patience."
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I am merely sticking to the bargin we have made. You asked two questions to begin with. Three if I wanted to quibble but I dont. So I must ask you a few more questions. Your friend there seems to understand the rules in play here. He knows its not a matter of want but must... Now what is it each of you desires most?
Aric's scowl is now mythic in proportion. "For you to shut the hell up."
"To prove my worth."
"I would risk my own life if that's what you're asking."
Aric scowls some more. "Yes."
I am merely sticking to the bargin we have made. You asked two questions to begin with. Three if I wanted to quibble but I dont. So I must ask you a few more questions. Your friend there seems to understand the rules in play here. He knows its not a matter of want but must... Now what is it each of you desires most?
"To reclaim my father's land, and returnt it to those that deserve to live within"
Hmmm. Two more after this one and you shall have some of your answers. To what limit would you go to see this task through?
"To whatever limits are necessary, until I have honored him"
What more than that. Your very essence your sublime nature say your very soul?
"I have no soul to risk - I have felt dead since I lost him"
"Yes. No man shall live in chains. Magical or otherwise."
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You can feel the darkness around you smile. Good good. Then here is my offer. I will lift the geas cast upon you by the Queen of Witches servant. And gift you both with power... in return after you finish your quests you will be my agents in the mortal realms. You will have plenty of free time as you will not age unless you cast aside my gifts by not honoring your end of our deal. I shall also grant a measure of power to any you recruit to your cause but at the end of it. It shall be rescinded. You will finish your quest of your own free will with out prompting from me and are not my agents in this matter.... I have merely empowered you for my future use... will you accept?