"Good, ma'am," Gregor answers. "The beds here are even better than the ones back home. Mother and Father are resting...Mother has had...some bad days..."
Johann nods. "The giants weren't kind to her. If I had known...I would have killed every last one of them..."
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He stands back and looks at the chapel. "It seems you are paying penance for what you have done to our family. You are my son again, Alethiro Milocathe. Go say hello to your mother and siblings. I must go find Elsa."
A brief look of anger crosses her features before she smiles back at the boys, "I am truly sorry to hear about what your family has been put through. I hate that you have to be left to the wilderness because you helped us Johann....so," As she speaks she reaches into the bag of holding and starts pulling out everything she had bought for the boys.
"I...I just wanted to be sure that you were adequately prepared for your time in the woods." Before handing the dagger and short sword to Gregor she says, "These are NOT toys, do not treat them as such. They are tools to be used properly. The sword is for self defense and the slaying of forest creatures for your nourishment only. Understood? If I hear of you using it for any other purpose, you will have to answer directly to me. Am I making myself clear? I want you to be safe while out in those woods, this is why I am giving you these things. With these supplies you should be able to support yourselves in the woods for at least a month, if need be. Take no unnecessary risks and look out for each other okay?" She finally hands over the dagger and short sword to Gregor after giving them everything else.
"Make sure you pack up tonight and have everything you need together. We will most likely be leaving tomorrow, once our business here is dealt with."
Ylrhea giggles at the motherly speech and at the widening eyes of Johann and Gregor.
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Gregor nods as he takes the weapons. "Yes, ma'am. Johann taught me to be respectful of weapons."
The goblin looks at Arista. "This is far too kind of you and I won't refuse. But..."
Johann shakes his head. "You are a rarity...In a world where people only care about themselves, you..."
The goblin breaks down into sobs. Gregor rubs his brother's back. "What he means to say is that you are an angel among mortals, ma'am."
Arista smiles as she kneels in front of Johann and wraps her arms around him in one of her usual hugs.
"You have a kind and caring heart Johann, never let others tell you otherwise or make you feel bad because of what you look like on the outside. The real essence of what makes a person lies within their hearts, not what race or parents they came from. These people love you Johann, you are their son....Gregor's brother...never forget that. We will try to make our business with the Tower as brief as possible so we can get you all back to Valwick safely. There you can all be together again." Finally releasing him, she steps back, but continues to smile at them.
"I need not worry about myself, my Goddess and my friends love me so well that I have no need of it. When I care for others, that is what truly makes me happy."
She pats Gregor on the back and gives him a light hug as well, "I may seem like an angel at times....but truly, I'm no angel. However, I reserve my judgement and righteous anger for those who truly deserve it."
She looks at Ylrhea, "Well...it's about that time isn't it? I suppose we should round up the others?"
"Yeah, we don't need to give the enemy too much of a headstart," the gnome says.
***
"An aasimar," Marla says with a smile. "Perhaps the divine sought to save you from yourself. But that my just be mere poesy on my part. Queten, Marcus, do you have anything to say to your brother?"
"Not really..." Queten huffs. "Welcome back to the family."
Marcus shrugs. "I'm still not liking the idea of leaving home for this place."
The Sorcerer looked at the Magus, "I'll try and keep that in mind. But for now, perhaps you could teach me how to focus it."
Arista heads off after waving goodbye to the boys with Ylrhea to find the others.
"If we only had a bard..." Sienna sighs. "Well, how about that walk?"
"It's a date." Cyna replies.
The Ranger wanders aimlessly simply enjoying the spender of the Dwarven city and Sienna's company.
Sienna walks hand in hand with ranger as she spots Arista and Ylrhea heading towards them. "I guess break time is over."
She leans in and presses her lips against Cyna's. "I love you. Let's go kick some ass."
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"Absolutely," the magus replies before running Drago through a series of combat drills focused on harnessing agression, forgoing defense for evasive movement and continuous attack.
Cyna can't help but grin at her love. "Anytime."
"How about you two. Ready to kick some ass?" Cyna asks.
"Ready and willing," the gnome says. "Let's go find the other two. Harakhty said he'd be at the mayor's office."
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Marcus sulks. "Don't try and make it sound better than it is. I know it's not your fault...entirely. Some of the blame lies with Elsa. I have no friends here and this place is a glorified dump."
Queten nods as Marla gives them both an icy glare. "Ignore them. They are still at the age where war is seen as...fun."
This elven girl is Alisbeth. She was found among the dead in Icathia. She survived but will not speak. She has lived in Talathel for the last month, but she is the daughter of none among us. She is a powerful sorceress and thus we entrust you with her care. You have helped us before Michael and it is sad we must ask of your assistance again with such a matter.
The girl returns to the lineup. Only her and three others manage to hit Elsa's indicated targets.
Shaking her head, she gave each one that missed a couple of gold pieces. "I'm afraid you are not quite what we're looking for. Thank you for your best effort, but I must ask you to leave."
After they leave, Elsa turns to the remaining recruits, "Now, let's see how well you defend yourselves. Throw up your best defense against ranged spells." To accent her point, the Half-Elf summoned a mass of floating ice crystals above her open palm. "Whenever you're ready."
As Drago trains, Sādhanā can feel a wave of emotion come from Clara through the ring, telling her that her wife was thinking about her. Knowing the battle ahead against Jarlrhem, the Anizari closes her eyes for a moment, focusing on the feeling in her heart that she would carry with her into battle.
To protect her friends and get home to her wife, she could face anything. She could beat anything.
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He smiles at the children with pure benevolence as he escorts them. Elsa turns to leave and faces her father. "I see that you are keeping busy, like your prodigal brother."
Cyna can't help but grin at her love. "Anytime."
"How about you two. Ready to kick some ass?" Cyna asks.
Arista nods and looks at Ylhrea as she answers, then back at Cyna and Sienna. She smiles as they head off to find Drago and Sadhana, before rejoining Harakhty back at the Mayors office.
She stops and waits for a few minutes until Drago has finished his set of exercises before approaching them.
"Not bad there Drago...it'll keep getting better and easier though as you get used to the feel of the sword in your hands." She closes her eyes and sighs, opening her eyes she smiles at them. "So...ready to go kill a crazy son of a b#*$&? I know I am...." The smile never leaves her face, but there is not a hint of humor in her voice. Turning she starts walking back to the mayor's office.
Sienna whistles. "Glad she's on our side."
Sheathing his blade and turning to Arista, "Well I know Sādhanā is, and I've been wanting to put that mad dog down for some time."
"Then lets go talk to the mayor."Sādhanā says cracking her neck.
Arista doesn't say anything else, she just continues walking to the mayors office.
Sienna whistles. "Glad she's on our side."
"Very much so." Cyna agrees.
***
"You keep saying that," Marcus tells Alethiro.
Hadrinn brings four plates of roasted chicken. "Family issues, eh, Alethiro? It's on the house."
The group reconvenes in Vargan Steelhammer's office, Harakhty already waiting on you. "Good t' see ye. Ah s'pose ye're ready so we'll get going."
Vargan leads you toward a wooden pulley system with platforms. Signaling a dwarf above, Vargan holds onto the rope as you're pulled upward. "Th' upper mines are clear, but when ye get about a hunnerd feet down, tha's when things get messy."
The pulley stops and you stand in front of a gaping entrance. Deposits of ore glint by the lantern light as you walk in. Vargan waves at you. "Good luck t' ye."
"So I'm thinking that we may want to hold off on using too much light until we're engaging. We don't want to tip him off that we're coming."Sādhanā says thoughtfully.
***
"Enough about that," Queten interjects. "Have you had any adventures here, brother?"
The mine shaft is well-lit and spacious enough for the group to move comfortably. Though Vargan gave you an estimated depth, he made no mention of length. The shaft seems to extend for five hundred feet before coming to a rough hewn stone staircase.