Maorii immediately stands over Thurk's broken form and begins a prayer.
"Almighty Ao. Heal my Brother that he may continue to serve the cause. I beseech you in mighty Kaihosha's name!"
The vicious puncture wound caused by the Great Elk seals and closes. Thurk coughs a couple of times, and opens his eyes, still hurt, but no longer dying.
Maorii, leaving Thurk to the rest of you to tend to, wastes no time and walks over to the sleeping Great Elk. He stands over it knowing that to not hit it right will start the fight over again, and cause more unnecessary suffering. He stands over the Great Elk and sends it's soul to Lord Ao!
The Great Elk dies instantly from Maorii's merciful blow.
Maorii walks over to Thurk and says, "How do you feel little Brother?"
"Clearly, too rattled by the beast to respond." Kaivar jests, as he searches the area around the fallen Elk for his two arrows that missed their mark.
Kaivar searches the area and recovers both of his arrows.
Maorii chuckles knowing that Thurk will be fine, but keeps his protective demeanor over his wounded Brother.
He looks up at Kaihosha, and you all follow his gaze. You each see your father staring at you in pride.
This image of your father staring at you all with the utmost belief in you, stays with each of you until the day that you die.
Your father pulls out his horn and blows two long, soul filled breaths into it. You know that the tanners come to secure the food.
The sound of the horn stirs Thurk, he opens his eyes and looks around stunned and in pain. He speaks to Maaorii, Did I kill it?
"Yes you did Brother," says Maorii. "We eat good tonight!"
That night, after being fully healed, and with the celebration of the days successful hunt in full swing, Thurk enjoys some much needed therapy, before joining the festivities.
The sounds of ecstasy emanating from the medic's tent draws a smile and a snicker from Maorii.
"Thurk is obviously feeling better. How in blazes did he land that nurse?" He says with no small amount of amazement in his voice. "At my best, I'm never that lucky!" He tears into another piece of Great Elk rib savoring the rich flavors of a recent kill.
The sounds of celebration are heard from all over camp. 27 Hurc Warriors felling 8 Great Elk, and no deaths is indeed cause for celebration. The town of Hurc will eat well for weeks. You all walk out of the tent, content that Thurk is more then good. Ale and fellowship flow throughout the camp.
"I think we did well Brothers. What do you all think?" Maorii says to all of you as he washes down the savory meat with a generous sip from his mug of ale.
"Our aim could do with some improving..." The youngest son of Kaihosha mildly jabs, as he rips off a hunk of fatty Elk skin, grease dripping down his chin.
"Our quarry was felled, we suffered no permanent damage, Thurk collected some souvenirs, and we all are dining well. It was a good day, brothers!" Khaayne replies with pride. "If father does not address us with ways to improve, I will ask him after our feast has finished. But for now, little brothers, enjoy!". Khaayne lifts his mug and chugs its contents, clearly pleased with the outcome.
"I hope to join you one day."
Kaihosha's youngest son comes into the area with Lady Xiomara in tow. Both are clearly happy for your achievement.
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Xiomara takes in the scene, amused at the half-orcs' celebrations, and thirsty for a mug of ale of her own.
"To me, my Ale!" she says, gesturing at a free mug a few feet away from her. The mug flies through the air and into her hand. She smiles, a little drunk with pride.
As the festivities pick up around the camp, all of you are summoned to the Patriarch and Matriarchs tent to eat! You all obey knowing that you are expected, and that Maorii wouldn't forgive any slight to your parents.
"A toast to my eldest sons," says the mighty Kaihosha. "You have done well in these latest trials!"
He turns to D'uma and Xiomara and says, "And to both of you who also fought bravely against the Orks of the Blacktooth Tribe!"
All of you raise your mugs with pride!
You all sit down and begin enjoying the savory flavors of Great Elk, bread, vegetables, and ale!
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"It was an honor to spill the blood of those filthy Orks in your name father." D'Uma looks over to the Great Elk, rips off the leg and proceeds to eat it whole in a matter of 30 seconds. Everyone looks over, shocked but amused by the young barbarians ferociously dangerous appetite.
Maorii smacks Duma on the back of the head and says, "Manners little Brother. Princess Gwyneth is here."
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"Yes...manners." Kohr echoes, laughing to himself as he remembers Maorii eating the exact same way just a few days earlier.
Maorii looks over at Kohr knowing his twin too well.
"Shut it Tomax." Maorii jokes with his twin using the Orc word for 'unwanted.'
He reaches over, grabs his utensils, and attempts to use his perfect manners to show his Brother his skill at etiquette.
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"Etiquette is overrated," Xiomara says, stealing a hunk of bread off of Kaivar's plate. She gobbles it up and eyes him mischievously.
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Khaayne calls out to D'uma, "Better count your fingers after such a merciless attack on that leg, little brother...could have mistook one of your digits for yet another tasty morsel!" Khaayne smiles at the fellowship, pleased that all can come and gather as a family.
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Kaivar shakes off the shock of seeing D'uma devour the massive elk leg in time to arch an eyebrow at Xiomara's bread thievery.
"You're lucky the little monster distracted me," he smirks. "I'd watch those sticky fingers ... I'm a biter!"
A commanding voice booms from the other end of the table.
"As a matter of fact young lady, etiquette IS important."
All at the table stop their banter hearing the tone of anger and frustration in Princess Gwyneth's voice.
Her glare towards Xiomara sends a chill down all of your spines.
She stares at you, Xiomara, awaiting your response.
"Yes, Mother," Xiomara replies by rote, with a tiny deferential bow to the queen.
Then, when Gwyneth looks away, Xiomara whispers, "To me, my Bread," and gestures at another piece of bread on Kaivar's plate. It gently lands in her palm, and with a smirk, she takes a delicate princess bite.
Princess Gwyneth stands pushing her seat out from under her, a deep anger and frustration set in her soul!
"Do you see Kaihosha?! Look at what this way of life does to my own daughter! Children raised as animals become animals! The beginning of the Hurc Nation should be done with poise and grace, not living in the wild being terrorized by the evil races! Only through alliance with Galadan and Nelethas will the Hurc prosper! Otherwise, you will end up another Hadorak! Hurc will become a nesting ground for evil! You will not be able to stop it! Alliance is your only option!"
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Kaivar squirms uncomfortably in his seat, as all eyes turn from the perturbed Princess of Galadan to him and Xiomara, and back as she addresses his father.
He turns to the Princess with a grimace and whispers, "Is Her Royal Highness always so ... observant?"
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"Why do you think I spend most of my time in the woods?" Xiomara whispers wryly. She puts down the chunk of bread and sits back, arms crossed, having lost her appetite thanks to her mother's grandstanding.
Mariya rises quickly and says, "Gwyneth! Control yourself sister! My husband has decided. Hurc and it's peoples will remain independent. We may not be sworn allies, but that doesn't make us the enemies of the south!"
Lady Mariya stops to consider her sister. "We have fought back the darkness many times Gwyneth. We can take care of ourselves, as well as sheperd the North."
Princess Gwyneth stares coldly at Mariya and says, "Like you took care of Dane during the quest?"
Rarely have you seen your father moved to anger so quickly. The image will forever be seared in your minds.
"It is not my fault that your husband was killed Gwyneth! When Havoc turned on us..."
"Never mention his name in my presence again Half Orc," says Gwyneth, venom dripping from her voice. "I can see that coming here was a waste of time Mariya. I knew father erred when he adopted you and your evil twin. It would have been better if he had left that scum to die where he found you!"
"Xiomara, we return home come daybreak."
With tears in her eyes, Princess Gwyneth rises and leaves the feast hall.
All of you sit in stunned silence.
Mariya begins to cry and Kaihosha places a loving arm around his wife.
You look at one another wondering who will break the silence.
Xiomara sits in stunned silence, quietly attempting to calculate a way to stay with the Hurcs.
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Khaayne, feeling the mantle of eldest born weighing heavily upon his shoulders at the moment, speaks calmly and deliberately to Kaiosha. "Father, it seems as if part of our family history has been kept from us. If you deem us worthy, will you let your sons know about this ill fated quest and the bad blood between Aunt Gwyneth and our clan?"
Xiomara, taken aback, whispers to Kaivar, "You and your brothers don't know?"
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It appears we will have a show with our dinner tonight, brothers. Either we will hear this epic tale of woe that has been kept from us, or father will kill Khaayne right here on the spot for being foolish enough to ask him to tell it." Kohr smirks and drains his goblet.
Kaihosha rises from his seat at the head of the table. His head is low as he begins a story he knew you would all have to learn one day.
"30 years ago, Evrin Bloodstone, Xiomara's Grandfather and King of Galadan, sent seven companions on a quest to find the ancient sword of Galadan's Kings known as 'Justice.' Your mother and I, along with five others, were chosen. We didn't know it would happen when we began, but our quest ultimately led us into the lair of the Ancient Red Dragon known as Ru'shawn."
"Your father Xiomara, Dane Brightblade, was the leader placed in charge of the quest. He was the one who gathered the seven of us together. He was one of the greatest Paladins to ever walk the lands of Tharin, and he was also my best friend."
"Dane recruited me as one of the Fellowship's fighters and as the group's only Priest, to heal us when we were injured."
Lady Mariya wipes her eyes and assists her husband in the storytelling.
"I was recruited because of my skill with my swords, and because the King wanted his family involved with the quest directly."
Her head goes back down, as she begins to relive those final few days of the quest.
Xiomara leans in, intrigued to hear this story she has heard all her life, but from a very different point of view than that of her mother.
Kaihosha eyes his wife lovingly and then continues.
"Dane also recruited Elendinin the Stormcaller. The then Elven prince didn't think too highly of me did he my love?" Lady Mariya manages a smile and a quiet laugh at the memory. "He didn't like Hurc to begin with. He liked me even less when I won your mother's heart. Elendinin though was a powerful Mage, even back then. He was integral with defeating the Dragon."