The skeleton seems to ignore lies attack completely as the arrow bounces off its body.
"Oh dear take that bad creature down."
Tiel will attack the skeleton with another magic missile.
The skeleton seems to barely be able to hold itself together.
Grandma Mable stands back and hope the creature will quickly fall.
"On your feet,lass," Tobias growls, helping Tiel stand. As he wraps his heavily-gloved fingers around her arm, a soft green glow shines between them, racing up the girl's arm and across her body, sinking into her wounds. "Kaveri, fara!"
This time, his friend is more insistent. Kaveri turns away from the stranger, the strange-smelling one, and races over the snow to where the females were drawing away from the last bony one. He eagerly sinks his teeth into the cold bone, feeling it crack under his jaws, and worries at the leg, trying to yank the creature to the ground.
The skeleton is smashed to the ground, breaking most of its frost covered body. The skeleton shivers violently and then explodes into shrapnel.
Kaveri expertly dodges pieces of ice and only gets heavily frosted in snow.
Tiel gratefully accepts help from Tobias and surveys the woods. She doesn't say anything nor does she acknowledge anyone or anything before turning back to the cave and walking towards it. After she gets a respectful distance away from you, she waits expectantly for your first move (though she does it politley and with a friendly smile on her face).
From the cave you hear movement and a quietly echoed, "Did they kill it?"
Raseri staggers a bit before falling to her knees. She was so cold it hurt to move.
"Y-y-y-yea, i-i-it's d-d-d-d-dead," she manages to get out through chattering teeth.
She has to move, she knows. To stay still was to die, she begins to move, Mable's power having done wonders on her wounds, but the chill was still there. She looks to Storhrid and feels a pang of guilt at the wolf's injuries. She sheathes her sword before she pulls out a blanket and wraps it around her new companion. She picks up the wolf and holds her close as she makes her way to Tobias, her expression more akin to a little girl's worry over a beloved pet or friend than that of a swordswoman's concern for an injured comrade.
"T-t-tobais, c-c-c-can y-y-you h-help h-her?"
"All's clear!" Tobias calls back to the cave, wiping the icy dust from his sword. Kaveri stays close to Raseri's side, watching Storhrid.
"Dont talk much, do you?" the hunter mutters, shaking his head at Tiel. "Go on, it'll be safe there." He then meets Raseri, placing one hand on her shoulder and the other under Storhrid's chin. His gloves are warm, snow-dusted, and worn smooth at the fingertips.
"I can help her," he says quietly, stroking the wolf's head as Kaveri wipes the dust from his face against Raseri's leg. "But will you be alright? I have only one more blessing of the wild for today."
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"M-m-mable he-healed th-the worst of it," Raseri says, "I-i c-c-can sh-show you once we're out of the c-c-cold."
The young woman holds the wolf tight, almost as if letting go would mean her friend would disappear.
"P-please, I'll b-be fine once we've g-g-got a fire g-g-goin'."
"Shhhh, alright. She'll be fine." Sighing, Tobias pulls off his glove with his teeth, placing the hand on the side of Storhrid's neck. "Lækna, villtur einn," he murmurs, watching as a pale green light spreads from his fingertips into the wolf's fur.
"It's not much, but it's the best I can do," he sighs, scratching the wolf's ears. "As for you, let's get you warmed up." He pulls off his thick cloak, draping it over Raseri's shoulders. He's broader than her, and it's ill-fitting, but warm, with fur around the neck. "Back to the cave," he mutters, nodding in its direction before heading there himself.
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Grandma looks around the cave."I do believe we need to find a new place to rest. They know we are here!"
"Th-thank you," Raseri says through her shivers as Tobias wraps his cloak around her. She's almost a half-foot shorter than the hunter, and of a much slimmer build, and the cloak swallows her. She keeps pace with Tobias, stealing glances at the hunter when he wasn't looking and feeling a slight blush color her cheeks. She could smell his scent on the cloak, earthy and warm.
Not to mention he's more of a gentleman, and a man in general, than any of the noble snots I've dealt with.
Mable comes waddling out of the cave and looks back and forth, "You dearies alright? I heard explosions.... did the 'children' cause them?"
You also see a bandit stick his head out from the cave entrance, but he looks very reluctant to leave.
Tobias’ eyes are fixed on the treeline as he walks, keen eyes looking for any further sign of trouble. Kaveri trots between him and Raseri, alternating between sniffing at the girl’s legs and trying to wipe frosty dust from his face.
“Those weird skeletons? Yeah, was them. And right you are, Mable,” the hunter sighs, brushing snowflakes out of his beard. “Should be able to find something. Think there was a bear not too far from here, haven’t seen him for a couple months. Hope the weather hasn’t sent him into early hibernation – his cave should be empty otherwise.” Reaching into the group’s temporary hideout, he drags out the curious onlooker. “We take this lot with us, or do we let ‘em go?”
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"If they really wanna take their chances, I'd say let 'em go," Raseri answers quietly, the chill finally lessened enough for her to talk without having to deal with chattering teeth. "I just wanna get a fire goin' and curl up next to it."
"Right, lass." Glancing around at the others, Tobias asks, "Any objections to letting this sorry lot off?"
[spoiler=Assuming no objections]
Crouching in the snow, the hunter begins untying the captives. "Seems you get a second chance at life," he says as he works. "I'd suggest you use it wisely, get out of here and try to find some more honest work. Now, get."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Nope," Raseri says before setting Storhrid down and helping with the bonds, "They didn't seem to know anything worth knowing anyway."
"I don't believe those children will be causing us any more trouble. Let them go and pray they will cause no more trouble.
Tobias would you be so kind as to find us a better camp site? I would love to have a nice fire to warm Raseri up. Maybe I could make something to warm your insides as well. A warm meal is always welcome."
"Can you make something to warm Storhrid's belly too," Raseri asks a bit meekly after the bandits had run off and she'd picked the wolf up again, a rather comical sight given that the wolf was almost as big as she was.
Storhrid, meanwhile, seemed happy to be pampered by her new friend.
"A warm meal sounds pleasant. Lucine is looking a bit cold too." Lies adds, as her familiar peaks out of her shirt.
"Should be easy enough." Tobias swings off his pack and rummages through it, looking for something. Grinning in triumph, he tosses a couple of rabbit skins Lies' way. "Here, tuck these in your shirt. Should help Lucine keep warm, and they'll be soft enough to not be uncomfortable."
Shouldering the pack again and scratching Kaveri's ears, he straightens and looks around. "Should be able to find something, Grams. Just make sure there's enough food to go 'round; I've worked up a bit of an appetite today."
"Oh have you? As I remember, it wasn't you that was cuddling up with a poor girl freezing half to death," Raseri says with a nudge to Tobias' ribs. Her smile beaming as she chuckled.
"Happy to do the honours if it's needed again," Tobias says calmly, trying to remember where the safe campsites were. Everything is different in the snow, and it takes enough of his concentration that his words are out of his mouth before he can fully process them. Glancing quickly at Raseri, he adds, "If you wanted, of course. Kaveri's pretty warm, though. And he seems to like you," he chuckles, nodding to the wolf, currently sniffing at Raseri's heels.
Raseri just smiles at Tobias' slip.
"I think I'd like that," she says quietly before giving a chuckle of her own, "and Kaveri's probably hoping I'll carry him too, if we're being honest."
The bandits stand dumbfounded after you let them go without the promised info. They walk over to a tree and talk in hushed voices for a little while.
"That's just the problem... I don't think we did anything.... except get captured. I think we just got caught in the crossfire."
"Think the boss would take us back?.... No don't answer that.... we couldn't hope for that... an even if we could.... I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder to see something like this happen again..."
"What should we do then? It's not like we can just roam around here by ourselves! We're wanted men... and it's not like we can go back to our previous profession... there is only two of us. We'd get strung up before long, either by the boss or by law bringers."
".... what about we join them? They defeated some of the bosses creations and defeated some of our boys."
"You want us to serve them?"
"Well it's not like we have much better choices... and they seem to handle themselves well. Also it seems like they want to take down the boss. It would help us to help them get rid of one thing bothering us."
".... All right fine... but if they get me killed I'll haunt you for the rest of your life... and we both dye I'll torment your afterlife."
The last bandit said, saying it in an almost jesting way.
The bandits walk back over to the group and both say, "Can we come with you?"
One bandit steps forward and says, "We aren't expecting ye to trust us or nothin... but we don't know what else to do... Our life of crime can't continue... we'd be strung up if we tried ourselves and we can return to our bo... er group with what just happened and all... Specially with you fellows fixing to take.... 'care' of em."
The other bandit steps forward, "We can't promise we'll help you kill our own boys....though maybe in self defense... but They wouldn't have lifted a finger to help us and they wouldn't have let us go in your situation... So at the very least we can tell you about the cabin."
The other bandit pipes in, "And we can carry anything to much for you to handle."
The second bandit conks him on the head and looks slightly irritated, but looks back to you guys and says audible under his breath, "Don't volunteer me for anything... but if that's what it takes...."
Mabs flies up to Raseri's shoulder and says, "I don't know if you young 'uns can trust em.... but I'll leave it to your judgement.... Also, dearie you're still kinda cold."
Raseri listens to the two of them talking, almost feeling sorry for them despite her generally low opinion of bandits. She looks to Tobias, then the other.
"I think this is a call better left you guys, but," she says, turning to glare at the pair of bandits, "if I catch you placing hands where they do not belong, I'm going to punch your teeth out, got it? If you doubt me, you can ask the last person who got handsy with me what happened to his teeth."
"Hey, I'm the newcomer here. 'S you and Mable who should be making this call," Tobias shrugs. "I say let 'em tag along. Maybe they can make themselves useful. Keeps 'em out of trouble, just gotta make sure they don't turn on us once we reach their boys - one way or another," he finishes, letting the threat hang in the air.
"Oh dear lets see. We could let them go and most likely they will find their way into trouble again or we can take them with us and show them another way to live. I do believe I prefer to let them stay with us. I think it would be a good idea if they stayed outside the cabin until we have cleaned it up in there. After that I think they will be more helpful!Oh yes and any information about that cabin would be most helpful!" Grandma says with a gentle smile.
She then pulls out some cookies.
"Here boys enjoys some nice cookies. Anyone else?"
"Y'know," Raseri says thoughtfully, "I wonder if we could talk them into surrendering if we gave them some of Mable's cookies."
Lies chuckles slightly, but says nothing as she hears the bandits talk between themselves.
"It makes little difference if they come with us to me, as long as they stay where I can see them." Lies chimes in, she preferred to be the one sneaking up on others rather then the one being surprised after all.
"Right. Lads, you're comin' with us. Stick to the middle, and you may's well give us your names so we don't have to call you by some demeaning reference number or something." That done, Tobias shifts the weight of his pack. "I remember holing up this way. Should still be safe enough, wasn't too long ago. Follow me." With a chuckle, he adds, "Those cookies are certainly tempting enough. Maybe surrender would be an acceptable exchange - though then there's less for us."
"That's just a sacrifice we'll have to make,"Raseri says with a smirk as she follows Tobias.
Grandma smiles at the complement.
"I bet they have some nice fixings at the cabin. Maybe when everything is done we could borrow some and I can replenish my cookie supply/" Grandma says.
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Having heard the news of the unnatural cold moving in back home, Blaize put aside her studies to return home. though none at the Academy in Katheer knew about her past, there were those back home that might have known.
She hurried back to Heldren to find frost and and snow makinging its way through the area.
Blaize hurried through the streets of Haldren looking for his family. she just felt it in her bones that the Winter Witches had something to do with this. by why punish the whole town, and why now after all these years. surely Blaize would not be any threat to them.
Finding her family safe Blaize believed that her presence was the reason for this winter. she felt the witches were after her and her family.
Promising to her mother she would put a stop to this. Blaize gathered her things and started to head out. She soon learned that others had already begun the quest to find the source of the cold.
Blaize thanked those of Heldren and gathered any notes or letters they wished to have sent to the previous volunteers that headed out.
In her hurry, Blaize never did learn who the other were. so how she would recognize them is still a mystery. she guessed that they will probably be the ones that were not trying to kill her.
Blaize attempted to follow the trail the prior group took but fresh snow and bitter cold, she lost the trail pretty quick and was soon wandering in the cold lost in the snow covered woods.
Her journey was plagued by constant attacks from foul ice creatures. she recognized some of them. well not from experience but rather from the tomes she studied as well as from stories she heard before fleeing south.
She finally found a clearing that seemed suitable for a camp. she gathered what wood she could find a built a small fire it was simple enough to light when fire usually obeys your command.
Balize's inner fire kept her warm most of the time but still the fire light was nice and comforting. maybe the others would spot it.
The group, along with their recently collected companions, trudge after Tobias in search of their next camp site. It isn't long before Tobias has a better recognition of his surroundings and he is able to lead the group to an area of densely packed trees. Tobias knows that what lies before him is incredibly deceiving however and there is a small clearing beyond.
However, before anyone moves forward, the smell of smoke wafts through the air and a small plume of it can be seen above the tree tops through the snow fall.
From Raseri's shoulder, Mabs ruffles her feathers and let's out a sigh of irritation, "What Now? More of those hooligans?" she then flinches visibly and looks at the group's newly acquired companions, "Um.... no offense dearies... well no offense as long as they behave..." she says to herself as an after thought.
"I don't think so," Raseri says quietly as she puts Storhrid down. The wolf stalks off, with the young shieldmaiden in pursuit a few dozen feet behind. The two of them sneak through the trees and into the clearing.
"What in the..." Tobias mutters, frowning. "If they've managed to find this place, won't be a single safe spot in this whole damn forest." Seeing Raseri sneak ahead, he nudges Kaveri with one knee, points at Mable, and follows after the girl.
Glancing across at Raseri, Tobias motions for her to stay hidden while he moves ahead. Unfortunately, he's used to giving signals to a wolf, not another human.
Giving up on the signals, he makes his way into the clearing, approaching the small person from behind. He makes sure to crunch his boots in the snow, his sword drawn as he makes his way to the creature. "Friend or foe?" he asks in a gruff tone, ready to strike at any sign of hostility.
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Blaize lost in her little daydream, at first, is totally oblivious to Tobias' approach. but a second or third step crunching snow on the ground, shakes her out of it.
His words startling her, Blaze jumps up and seems to be stumbling about trying to get her footing, almost falling over. What?... Whi are...I mean Friend, well maybe, friend of who? she tries to respond a bit frazzled at his sudden appearance.
In the excitement she didn't even notice she stumbled into the fire.
But it seems as though the flames do not bother her at all.
She fumbles about for her dagger finally pulling it out as she holds it backwards (by the blade).
Grandma hearing Blaizes famliar voice moves into the clearing.
"Blaize dear what are you doing out here?"
"Careful, little one," Raseri says as she shows herself, Storhrid sauntering up behind her. "Holding a knife that way is a good way to lose a finger, or three. Given that you're standing in the middle of a fire without screaming in pain, you're either a very good actor, or not one of Baba Yaga's brood. I am Raseri, might I have your name?"
Before the gnome stands a young woman a couple inches shy of five and a half feet, very short given her obvious ulfen heritage. Her hair is a fiery red and her eyes a steely grey, currently twinkling with bemusement. At her side is a white wolf that looks as if she's had a rough evening.
"Lies," Tobias calls back over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off the gnome, "Bring the captives, would you? Doesn't look like we got trouble here."
He steps around and crouches opposite the gnome, across the fire. Though his stride is long and confident, he limps slightly on his left leg. He stands about a half-foot taller than Raseri, with a lean figure dressed in an assortment of hides and furs, with no cloak. His black hair is matted and greasy, and a scruffy beard and mustache add a rugged air to his pale skin, blue eyes and full lips. A large grey wolf leaves Mable's side and returns to his, sitting and watching the gnome intently.
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AS more people appear, Blaize stares in a shock, but only for a second or two.
then there is the comment about the knife, she glances at her dagger. oh crap she mumbles and she quickly switches her grip. then realizing she is in the fire she quickly jumps out Ouch, little hot.
looking over everyone there she sees a familiar face, Grandma? that you?
How did I get stuck playing baby sitter? Lies wonders to herself as she looks over the captives, leading them closer to the fire. Lucine, a small white fox, then jumps out of the girl's shirt, getting closer to the fire and checking out the Gnome.
"Lucine, don't get too close to that fire now, even if the gnome doesn't burn, you will." Lies warns her fox, yet the creature still seems curious of the gnome.
Grandma moves closer to the fire.
"Yes dear its Grandma. What are you doing out in the cold.
Oh dear, where are my manners everyone this is Blaize. She is a sweet thing that loves my brownies." she says with a smile
"I am afraid I don't have any brownies with me today would you like a cookies?" she asks holding out a delicious looking cookie.
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Blaize puts her dagger away feeling a little better seeing a familiar face.
looking at her hard tack she has been eating, you bet I would like cookies. way better than this stuff
She then tries to find seats for everyone. please, join me. I've been looking for you guys once I heard that people were sent from Heldren to find the source of this weather.