"You're right love, better we get it over with now." Sādhanā says gently brushing hair our of Clara's face.
Everyone gathers at Hadrinn's as the last of the day gives way to night. Esmerelda and Divitia sit in quiet conversation, along with Godrick, Barclay and Elder Sister. Gerard sits in the corner, his face an expressionless mask.
Sitting next to her wife, Sādhanā looks at those assembled, taking in the somber and somewhat strained expressions on some faces. "So there's a couple things we definitely need to discuss, I guess the most obvious would be our little visitation last night."
"Indeed," Godrick says. "It is shameful that we've become so complacent."
"No, better it happened the way it did," Divitia says coldly. "That woman...Laenid...there is something wrong with her. She could have killed everyone if she wanted to."
"I honestly shudder to think what might have happened if we weren't on the beach last night. I think the beach is a vulnerable point, and we'd benefit from a watchtower of some sort." Sādhanā says quietly.
"She's right though. If she was focused, I wouldn't have stood a chance before the rest of you got there. I don't think we'd have stood a chance at all last night, honestly."
"More patrols would be helpful. I don't mind lending a hand in that regard," Gerard says. "The thing is...we barely have enough supplies to keep this place going. We've got no trade, no help. We're gonna have to reach out to someone."
"Yes, we should definitely work on securing the beach," Barclay says with a nod to Sādhanā. "Goddy, don't you..."
Godrick shakes his head. "I've burned those bridges long ago, Barclay. We have to be careful who we ally with. Some people are just looking for a second chance and want some peace in their lives."
"Peace is nice, but often difficult to hold onto," notes Esmerelda.
"Yes it usually requires fighting to keep it. Everything we do is an act of defiance against the necromancers who've ruled here. We have their attention, and the attention and eyes of everyone who dares to attempt to have any semblance of a life." Sādhanā says passionately.
"So what are our options?"
"Securing the Tower of Order would be our best bet," Elder Sister says. "By activating the defense system, that would keep Valwick safe from greater evils."
"How so?" Divitia asks. "I'm honestly curious."
"The ley lines would serve as a barrier keeping unnatural evil away," Elder Sister explains. "The two things to keep in mind are "unnatural" and "evil". As long as you have not committed your lives to death, destruction and depravity; then it should have no effect on you, Esmerelda or Gerard. Yet, that still leaves us open to bandits, goblins and the like."
"In other words, easily manageable threats."
"So, we'd still need a watchtower...maybe a wall."
"I shall send a message to Ermea in Avalonia once the next ship arrives. The resources of the Bardi's will go a long way. Of course, I won't give this freely," Divitia says.
"So you want us to rescue Niccolo, right?" Clara asks.
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Divitia pinches the bridge of her nose. "Eventually. He's smart enough to keep this ruse with Laenid up for a while and I'm sure her...eidolon or whatever it is will work against her. There's no point in rescuing Niccolo if someone like Chalandra or any of her other associates decide to come to Valwick. We need the defense first before you go gallivanting around, righting wrongs and punishing evil-doers."
"So...if it isn't Niccolo, then what is it you want?" Clara asks, a little confused.
"We can work out terms later. There are other important things to deal with, I think."
"Fair enough," Sādhanā responds with a level look at the young dhampir. "So we focus on building up our defenses here at home, and taking the tower. Those would be the two courses of action that will do the most good for the most people at once. If the ley line defense will have the effect we're hoping for it will only increase how many people come flooding here with every new ship"
"That is the hope, at least," Godrick says grimly. "To provide a place for those weary of war and corruption. Only the gods know how we'll fare."
Arista awoken slowly with the feeling of Alethiro's arms around her. Noticing the diminishing light of day, she gently woke him with a kiss. "We better get going if we want to make it to that meeting my love." She gets up and slowly sits on the side of the bed getting her bearings. How long was I asleep for? Was I really that tired? Getting up she takes his arm as they head over to Hadrinn's together.
Arista and Alethiro sit at the table and listen quietly to the others. She nods at the appropriate intervals while holding Alehiro's hand in hers. After listening to what the others had to say she finally speaks up, "Sooo....when do we want to head off to the tower? There are many lives at stake, and the longer we put it off, the greater the risk to those lives." She looks lovingly at Alethiro, and then looks around the room at all of their friends. People that have already been through so much....but, Life keeps moving forward whether we want it to or not. this was something that had to be done.
"I...I think we should leave tomorrow morning after breakfast. Will that give everyone enough time to get their things together, and business in order?"
"That would work." Sādhanā says giving Clara's hand a reassuring squeeze."Anyone else have any thoughts?"
Although the festivities and her newfound companion were a welcome distraction the reality of their situation, the Tower and it's unspeakable horrors, loom ever closer.
"Who is going to be in charge of all of this? Allocating the supplies and labor of building our defenses and the same for organizing patrols?" Cyna asks.
"Well Gerard just volunteered to help with the patrols. I think his experience would be really useful there. Godrick's done an amazing job supervising the building to this point, and I'm sure Divita's resources will include personnel." Sādhanā suggests.
"I think we will all contribute our part," Elder Sister says. "Hopefully, it will alleviate the burden on your minds."
Pleased to see the focus at Hadrinn's, Harakhty listened with intent until the more militant-minded had spoken. Formations and tactics were not his strong suit, but information and motive were.
Talk of walls? He cast a glance at Gerard. That would be beyond difficult on the coast. There was the problem also with acquiring enough stone. Much manpower would be needed. And time...
No, the philosophy there is wrong on its head.
"A watchtower is an excellent idea," Harakhty sounded, his silence broken with a compliment. A genuine one, at that. "Before, we were taken by surprise with Niccolo's abduction; we cannot let this happen again." Such a tower would take less time an resources than a wall, and the omission of the latter allowed Harakhty to obviate an argument.
Deep down, he wasn't sold on Gerard's motivations in this matter. It was clear Elder Sister - and Cyna through her for now - had their aim on the Tower of Order. Sadhana wanted to destroy the mask and conquer the tower as an extension of her own pact. Arista seemed to have bonded socially with them, so Harakhty put her in the same category; besides she seemed the most earnest of them all, part honesty, part innocence with her transported nature. Yet he is ... elusive to me. A hint of repentance he sensed, but there was something unresolved within the man; in a way, he had walked the other way from the path Reinhardt had chosen.
Yet Hassy would have me give him the benefit of the doubt. I will. His tail twitched. "Gerard, I would be willing to help you with the patrols - after dealing with the Tower of Order and returning Niccolo. I have a duty not just to the land, but also its people." Though a bit of a stretch, Harakhty didn't feel the time was right for going into all the reasons rescuing Niccolo should be done; it was, however, the correct choice. Given that, Bardi rubbed him the wrong way. Wealth, but no heart.
Happy to hear Arista's eagerness for a quick start, Harakhty concurred. "Early would be best. Each day we delay is a colder trail we get on Niccolo - and more opportunity for defenses to be bolstered at the Tower of Order."
"I wouldn't expect a day trip, vanara," Gerard says to Harakhty, an eyebrow cocked.
"As much as I hate to say it, going after Niccolo now would make his sacrifice pointless. He gave us time to do what is needed to better protect the innocent people who depend on our protection. His actions were every bit as brave as anything we've done, and following him now instead of doing what he's buying us time to do would be outright stupid, a tactical error and frankly, suicide. A suicide that would doom everyone depending on us to be defenseless." Sādhanā says, her own words clearly weighing heavily on her heart.
"Precisely," Divitia says with a hard glance at Harakhty. "It's best to do something that will bring about a positive result."
The Anizari understood, perhaps that's enough. My brother...always longed to be something more. I hope he doesn't have to regret that decision.
"It wasn't my meaning to say we should prioritize Niccolo. If he dies, it is by his choice, and his purpose is served." It was almost as if they'd picked the points he'd wished unsaid. "Discovering his bluff would only hurt our diplomacy in a parley; I doubt we will have much in the way of that, so I doubt he's needed." He sighed. "But just because he's not needed doesn't mean we should forget about him. His sacrifice is noble - yet hopefully unnecessary if we can rescue him in time."
He was putting too much of himself out there. "But it would be pointless - as Sadhana says - to get him before the more urgent matters are dealt with. Reducing the presence of the enemy can allow our foothold to deepen inland - much needed area to cover and protect those not capable of fighting." And I wouldn't have you be doing that, Hassy.
Sādhanā turns her head to look at Harakhty for a few moments, her face studying the vanara.
"He really has very little concept of tactics or strategy does he?"
Divitia shakes her head and stands. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go see Sir Andimus."
She ponders a few things as she walks out into the pouring rain.
Sienna leans on Cyna. "So...we better get some sleep, huh?"
"Agreed.
Ylrhea yawns. "Are you going to want me to go with you, Captain?"
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"Depends, which is more comfortable? Your bed or that bush we found you in?"
Ylrhea turns up her nose. "I meant the Tower of Order."
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"Oh right. Of course I do." Cyna says.
"Bushes are good for the back, Ylrhea, so I'm told," Sienna says with a grin. "Besides, I don't mind the privacy."
Shaking her head with a grin Sādhanā slips her arm around Clara as she chuckles at the tiefling couple's humor, the somber mood lightening slightly.
Clara smiles and leans her head on the magus' shoulder. "You should get some sleep too."
"Hmm...very true, love. If we're leaving after breakfast we should turn in early." she says. Her feelings and intention emanating through the ring bond.
Clara tries to refrain from blushing, but Sādhanā can feel the warmth and desire coming from her. "Oh, the wedding gift..."
Alethiro listened along with Arista. Unsure of what he could add to the conversation, the Elf remained silent.
Drago listened as well, although it was difficult for him to concentrate. The Dhampir just couldn't shake the feeling that the storm seemed to be calling him. At the mention of Niccolo dying, the Sorcerer shot the Vanara a glare, but managed enough self-control to not scream at him. Despite the fact he had just met his siblings, Drago felt this overwhelming need to protect them, especially from Chalandra and her minions. Focusing on the storm, he could swear he heard a series of indistinct whispers coming from it.
As the others are debating tactics, and then the conversation drifts off once the initial plans are made she leans close to Alethiro and whispers in his ear, "I'm proud of you for staying here and helping the others. Have faith, and know that I will return to you once this is over." She squeezes his hand and kisses him on the cheek before looking over at Clara and Sadhana. We'll all come back to those we love....we just have to.
Smiling, Sādhanā looks over at Arista and Alethiro, leaning closer to the other newlyweds. "So we didn't give you your wedding present yesterday because it required some preparation,but we'll take you to it when we're done here." the Anizari says quietly, the excitement clear in her voice.