Grint, I notice the new one uses the plural when he should be using the singular. Are we sure he is not one of these disease minded cultists? Elsa says, studying the new person
Grint finds a small key in the dead cultist's pocket.
Upon being set free, the three wholeheartedly thank you a couple of times.
Granny: "You young ones are able, aren't you?
Like my late husband in his early military days."
Woman: "I don't know who you are, but how did you come to this place?
Strangers don't just randomly enter a place full of bandits."
"Test me then? My magic, insight in battle and curses were all given me the day I became an instrument of battle."
Burdock is glad the combat is over, but worried about the man's words, in that his death was not the end of his usefulness to whatever dark powers are in place. He is also worried that the punching villain is yet to be found.
The dwarf moves to shake the strange man's hand. "Well met. Brothers in battle are brothers in blood.", replies the dwarf, being trusting of the enemy of their enemy. "Glad for your assistance there, but what were you doing here?"
In response to the woman's questions, he replies, "A little boy came across our wagon and told us that his parents were held captive. I don't suppose you are missing a son?"
Sivar grasps the priests hand gratefully.
"I was captured, while camping, I didn't wake up in time to stop their numbers overpowering me and then I was brought here and I was able to escape in the confusion caused by your incursion"
Grint nods at Burdock's words and actions. "Seems we've got our answer there Elsa. After all, the enemy of our enemy is our friend right?"
Grint says before he slings his bow unto his back and approaches Sivar with an open hand.
"The name's Grint, thank you for the assistance."
You briefly get rapid flashes of images from your earlier dream.
The difference here, is that visage of the former faceless four match the quartet you have met here.
The woman gets a couple of tears of relief, in response to Father Burdock's question;
"Yes, yes we were separated when a group of bandits came at our camp out of nowhere. Where is my boy?"
When Sivar returns with his belongings, the other four notice a young woman in commoner clothing and a boy come along.
Alice: "So you people are the cause of the ruckus huh, it's very much appreciated. I'm Alice, i'm from a small hamlet nearby."
Thorn had watched the aftermath returning to his less-than-stalwart self. He was overjoyed that they had somehow saved the people and that similarly his God seemed to have blessed him. His fear of Knuckles still hung upon him.
As people converge, Thorn figures it was time to do much the same. He gave a small bow and stuttered out the words, " I'm T-Thorn. I'm glad I w-was of use t-this time. I-I might not b-be everytime. "
The darkerskinned man looked at the captives " W-We hid y-your son.. M-Ma'am. R-Right outside the v-village. "
The woman sighs in relief.
"Thank goodness. I'm looking forward to leaving this place."
Grint. I'm not convinced, but if you trust him, and the Good Father trusts him...well I'll not frost him over just yet.
With the barn entirely cleared of bandits, you escort the freed captives back to the hamlet.
Back at the hamlet, the people rejoice, as Alice is in the arms of her husband the tavern keeper and the boy is reunited with his parents.
There is no sign of Tessa.
Tavern keeper: "The lass thought she saw that arrogant fist fighting guy again and went out to investigate, but she hasn't returned yet.
It will be night soon, i offer you beds and a meal on the house."
"I am always ready to fight, but I am tired and fatigued, I will be of much more use helping to rescue the lady after some sleep, never the less if you wish it my aid is yours."
"A dwarf never turns down an earned bit of rest. As long as you can accommodate our friends who watched over your little boy during our battles here."
Looking at Sivar, Burdock tries to be polite. "So you say you were 'cursed' into battle? Or something along those lines?"
"More like made into an instrument of battle by powers beyond my knowledge, I have an instinct for fighting and I have divine powers of healing and spells."
"Aye, I could see where 'cursed' would come into play. Torag empowers me to do his will, but because I asked for his divine influence. To have it thrust upon you without guidance is mysterious to say the least.", Burdock taking a gulp of mead.
"Where are your travels taking you?"
"I have been wandering from place to place seeking information on my afflictions and abilities and dodging or fighting those who decided it was time for me to leave because of my appearance. Kharum is my next step as it has many temples and my condition seems divine in nature."
The mead tastes just fine, the corn with butter and meatloaf does too.
Elsa is always ready to deal frosty death.
"Intersting, that is where we are from. It seems the Dwarffather has made it so we were to meet. Perhaps you would like to join us, then, on our journey to my home in Janderhoff to get some information?"
Grint approaches Thorn after the captives are handled with care. "You've done good back there Thorn. Not many would have the stomach to fight such a monstrosity up close and personal. You shouldn't doubt yourself, there's no reason for it."
Thorn shook his head, " T-That was only due to the w-will of my G-god. I j-just as easily failed. " Thorn's eyes wander as he notes Grint's attempt to cheer him up.
Alarm begins to set in however, as he asks the villager," H-How long has L-Lady Tessa been gone? W-Where did she say she saw the man with the fists. R-Remember he had a-another accomplice? "
The barkeep thinks for a moment.
"Erm...a little bit while you were away.
She went to the west fields, towards the pumpkin fields.
As far as accomplices go, dunno about th.....oh wait, the violin player!
But that sneak escaped invisible..."
Thorn shakes a bit... " S-Since I have known L-Lady Tessa, she was b-bad with direction and s-sight. B-But I have sworn t-to assist her, w-weak as I am. I-It will be night soon and unsafe. I-If something were to have h-happened during t-that time, I would f-forever regret it. A-And Im sure Brother Verim w-would Denounce me as a m-man. "
"Very well then. Gurin, will you mind waiting here a bit longer while we look for Tessa? And would you care to join us for the search for our other comrade?", asks Burdock, turning to Sivar.
"I would like that, your insight into my condition would be most welcome and I would be helping those who helped me when I was in need."
The night is uneventful, you sleep well.
The girl, mother and granny are already eating as you come down and the tavern keeper offers a small breakfast before you are heading out to find what happened to Tessa.
After 10 minutes or so, you start to properly see fences, barring the fields, in the distance.
A cart stands loaden with pumpkins, a horse tied in front of it, no rider yet.
You also notice another stand similar to that of a scarecrow's, with yet another figure on it.
The figure hanging with ropes at the stand...is Tessa.
My word Grint! Someone get her down! Elsa commands
Make haste!
"By Torag's short and curlies!", laments Burdock, joining Elsa's shock. He rushes over, helping Thorn to cut Tessa free from her state.
Taking Tessa down, you easily see her having been hit good.
A few firm fist impacts show on her face alone, as her jaw and an eye are bruised.
Upon inspection, you notice she's not breathing either, and she feels cold to the touch.
Rigor Mortis has set in.
She's been dead since likely yesterday afternoon.
Nearby are footprints and signs of a short fight, indicated by marks a heavy bladed weapon like her greatsword would have left, along with a probably quick footed individual, given the small circle those footprints were in.
"On it. I'll get her down."
Grint will move to Lady tessa and cut her down from the scaffold and rope using his sword.
"I'm sorry for your friend"
Thorn immediately cast Cure light wounds upon Tessa forgoing checking her condition. He had dreaded his weakness, his decision and the fact they themselves seemed complacent on not checking IMMEDIATELY after she had gone missing. He was quiet and solemn... and his magic took quite a bit of time to summon up.
The healing magics have no effect on Tessa.
The ground underneath your feet is violently starting to ripple.
Thorn is stricken.. with grief but more than that depression and anger unlike what he felt before. He should have NEVER left her alone or gone with the others, they likely would have completed the Job without him. Instead laid the knowing corpse of someone he traveled with for some time.
He could never be the ideal he set forth, memories of his first failure long ago crept up like an agonizing poison. And his world shattered.
Grint! What is happening! Make it stop this instant! Elsa says
"I'd like to, but I'm not a mage or wizard Elsa. You're barking up the wrong tree here!"
From near each a thick vine erupts from the ground.
They lash out, striking Elsa (5) and Thorn (6).
As they rapidly retract, a large mound of soil and pumpkins rise up.
A large creature, made of pumpkin, soil and roots emerges, carrying a scythe. A rune carved on its chest glows, a faint image appears on its chest, the head of a hooded figure, clearly wearing a symbol of Yog-Sothoth.
He smiles wickedly and the image fades.
Thorn
Grint & Sivar
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Guardian Golem
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Elsa & Father Burdock
The vine lashes across Thorn's face but he still somewhat stares at the corpse of Tessa. While his training and conditioning prepared his body, his mind was elsewhere, the pain somewhat whitenoise.
' You did this... It is all the work of your ineptitude. It is the same reason you lost your parents, it is the same reason you fell to that bandit, it is the same reason you will not measure up to any of the other Mercenaries. You even rested knowing she was gone because of your OWN COWARDICE AND WEAKNESS. What can you do? '
He started to shake violently in place, muttering to himself
" The training... the code.. I tried... "
' Trying isnt hard enough .... Where would you have been without those people? On the ground, facedown and they have to hold you up otherwise '