| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Aravashinal looks askance at the inquiry of Yaniel. Truly you do not know of Yaniel and of Radience. I would never have believed it possible that a man who wishes to join the crusade, and a follower of Iomedae at that, would be so ignorant as to the histories of the crudsades. Very well, I shall enlighten all of you. In 4692, an renowned paladin of Iomedae by the name of Yaniel spoke out against the corruption that she saw among the leaders of the crusaders. Not wishing to hear her accusations the leaders of that time threatened to excommunicate her. Instead, Yaniel vowed to take the fight to he demons and enter the Worldwound with only her blade Radiance joining her. For 2 long years she was never seen and those that remembered her feared her lost to the ravages of demons and fell magics. One day, out of the blue a host of 200 people were seen marching towards Kenebras. AS the group got closer farseers could make out that the leader of the groups was none other than Yaniel herself. During those 2 long years Yaniel had fought demons and rescued crusaders trapped in pockets of resistance in the Worldwound. It was only after she had such a force following her that she decided to head back to Kenebras with the small army to fortify the city. The populace rejoiced at the accomplishments of Yaniel, but it did not last long. Not able to stand the government still Yaniel left a month later to reenter the Worldwound. No one know exactly what happened but 1 week later 5 crusaders were seen arriving back at Kenebras with Radiance and the story that Yaniel was assassinated by the demon claiming to be Minagho. Her body was never recovered but Radiance was brought to the Gray Garrison to honor Yaniel. Supposedly 4 months ago it was stolen but proof has never been found as to who accomplished the theft.
[dice=Know. Religion]1d20+9
[dice=Know. Planes]1d20+9
Ryu looks over at Oriana and watches her brow furrow as she tries to recall lore.
I wish my steel was as sharp as her wits... he thinks to himself, but says nothing to her at this time, not wanting to disturb her thoughts.
Maelchar considers the name Yaniel for its place in the world...
He nods to Garith. "You may be right, cousin, but we may find some vestige of organization still present, and should be ready to account for what we've learned if such still exists. Whether or not, it won't hurt to bring these things to the light of day."
He tucks the letter and prayerbook into his pack.
To Aravashinal's tale, he nods as he recognizes the story. "If it is true that Radiance is down here among these traitors, we should do what we can to recover it and return it to the world above."
Maelchar you are able to confirm the history lesson that Aravashinal relayed to you above.
Oriana, your religious teachings tell you that if indeed the letter is true and Radiance could be found it would be almost as if a relic of Iomedae was found in some lost catacombs.
Anevia speaks up slowly Indeed, if these three locations are safe houses then we must find them and investigate for ourselves what is going on there. Or at the least bring it to Irabeth and the Eagle Watch.
Hmmphh, shouldn't we let the authorities handle the matter of the safe houses. Horgus turns quiet and surly at the mention of the safe houses.
Clearly the news of the Nyserian Manor being a safe house had troubled him but why you are not sure.
When we do reach the surface if our path should take to the Tower of Estrod, I would like to find out what is going on there myself. There is a large library and resources there that should not be lost. If traitors are there they need to be rooted out before more damage can be done.
I would never have believed it possible that a man who wishes to join the crusade, and a follower of Iomedae at that, would be so ignorant as to the histories of the crudsades.
Ryu's hand tightens on his sword hilt.
He looks at Garith intently, his sword draws partially out of the sheathe at the insult to his lord...
Before he draws steel to slay the charge for the insult, his action is interrupted by Malechar.
"You may be right, cousin, but we may find some vestige of organization still present, and should be ready to account for what we've learned if such still exists. Whether or not, it won't hurt to bring these things to the light of day."
His eyes narrow at Malchar and he looks back to Garith for a cue of action - kill or let live...
At this time he sheathes his sword and waits for instruction from Garith.
Oriana looks pointedly at the nobleman, Gwerm, noting his troubled demeanour, but not speaking of it in his presence.
Maelchar makes note of Horgus' reaction and considers it a moment. Perhaps he has some personal ties to the Nyserian Manor or its denizens. He doesn't seem to be an evil man, though his manner is gruff and impatient. I hope I'm right.
In his best conciliatory tone, he tries to calm Horgus and assure him a little. "Perhaps we should, good sir, but we don't know the condition of the authorities topside anymore or how much they can do at this time. Hopefully, you are right, and said authorities will handle these matters swiftly and efficiently. We can only wait and see."
Ryu’s eyes flick between the three charges in front of him.
Sensing that Garith prefers to lead with the force of his will rather than long speeches, he moves before the three charges.
”You got some good ideas, I’ll grant you. But right now we got other things to do, savvy?” he says with a tight voice, his hand dropping back to his sword hilt.
”Meantime, when Garith-sama decides what we’re doing he’ll tell you. Until then; watch your tone... please."
"He’s a gods damned knight and his bloodline alone demands respect,” he adds with a voice as dry as tinder.
|
"Ryu, I am not suggesting that i should be the commander, but rather that we would do well to reach a consensus and discuss before taking action on our own in this dangerous situation. You mistake my intentions Ryu." Garith says trying to calm Ryu down.
"I did not mean to offend, and I am truly sorry for your upset. We are in a dangerous situation and all are rather heavily injured. This isn't a tavern or friendly campfire. we are in enemy territory and under constant threat." Garith adds, not scolding but rather explaining his own behavior.
To Aravashinal, garith smiles, his ignorance regrettable, he admits "Sadly my tutors were not the most able, so there are some holes in my knowledge of the crusade, but i seek to learn what I missed thanks to their negligence. I recall this information been studying, but names often escape me."
to not look like an idiot
vs Horgus
"Ryu, I am not suggesting that i should be the commander, but rather that we would do well to reach a consensus and discuss before taking action on our own in this dangerous situation. You mistake my intentions Ryu."
Ryu looks at Garith for a moment, and says nothing.
"I did not mean to offend, and I am truly sorry for your upset. We are in a dangerous situation and all are rather heavily injured. This isn't a tavern or friendly campfire. we are in enemy territory and under constant threat."
He bows to Garith and straightens, looking at him in the eye.
”You got brass balls, sire; and you got my allegiance,” he says to him quietly, a small smile in his eyes.
He turns and heads to his kit and sacks out for the remainder of the watch, as per orders…
He had noticed the impacient nature of Ryu, and acknowledged his will to explore further, so as silent as usual he had followed the man, keeping guard if he decided to open the door.
He could have spoken, but still did not feel it was his place to do so - the group seemed to have its own dynamics, and relations that needed to mature and be sorted out - his words would be spoken only when he felt them absolutely necessary, out of respect and his status of "newly arrived".
He watched and heard the exchange between the two men, without intervening - raising an eyebrow only when his name was mentioned, and deciding to address Ryu privately immediately before they returned to their rest.
"Do you have a few moments friend Ryu?" - he asks while approaching.
"I would like to offer this regarding the words you have soken regarding myself - The monastery life did a good job of training my senses and my reflexes, it did place me on the road to harmony, but it did nothing to develop my ability to share feelings with others" - he seems to ponder for a moment, then continues - "Actually, I think I was never very good at it since the start. I have learned to value introspection and silence above everything else. But I have also learned to value others more for their actions than their words - a thousand words can be spoken falsely, but your actions while you speak them will give you away - I have been taught to observe and conclude, and that is what I do most of the time, it is second nature to me"
Leaning a little closer, he adds - "In the end, I do not value words as much as you do - and even though I don't believe I need to explain myself as long as I don't endanger any of you, I would like you to understand that I am so, much in the same way that I accept what you are. Much like you, I will speak when I deem it necessary, and no necessary word will be left unspoken from my part"
Raising himself, and offering a short bow - "Thank you for listening" - he leaves to find his own resting place.
---------------------------------------------
As the information regarding the letter is shared, Zeriax does voice his opinion - "I stand in agreement with Maelchar - if there is a chance we can recover such artifact, I believe whe should do our best to accomplish it. And we simply cannot ignore the references to the "safe houses" - if they are so for the ones we have met down here and their alies, regardless of what has happened in the surface, these locations merit investigation"
”My kami’s from a place that they teach the axiom – Life’s a journey, not a destination – you know? That’s my culture; that’s my life and how I see things.”
"Then respect the journey AND your fellow travelers, and try not to rush through it impatiently, Claykin." Pakak says a bit bluntly before settling down.
Aravashinal looks askance at the inquiry of Yaniel. Truly you do not know of Yaniel and of Radience. I would never have believed it possible that a man who wishes to join the crusade, and a follower of Iomedae at that, would be so ignorant as to the histories of the crudsades. Very well, I shall enlighten all of you. In 4692, an renowned paladin of Iomedae by the name of Yaniel spoke out against the corruption that she saw among the leaders of the crusaders. Not wishing to hear her accusations the leaders of that time threatened to excommunicate her. Instead, Yaniel vowed to take the fight to he demons and enter the Worldwound with only her blade Radiance joining her. For 2 long years she was never seen and those that remembered her feared her lost to the ravages of demons and fell magics. One day, out of the blue a host of 200 people were seen marching towards Kenebras. AS the group got closer farseers could make out that the leader of the groups was none other than Yaniel herself. During those 2 long years Yaniel had fought demons and rescued crusaders trapped in pockets of resistance in the Worldwound. It was only after she had such a force following her that she decided to head back to Kenebras with the small army to fortify the city. The populace rejoiced at the accomplishments of Yaniel, but it did not last long. Not able to stand the government still Yaniel left a month later to reenter the Worldwound. No one know exactly what happened but 1 week later 5 crusaders were seen arriving back at Kenebras with Radiance and the story that Yaniel was assassinated by the demon claiming to be Minagho. Her body was never recovered but Radiance was brought to the Gray Garrison to honor Yaniel. Supposedly 4 months ago it was stolen but proof has never been found as to who accomplished the theft.
"Holy objects can be corrupted, twisted, and if that happens...it is one more arrow in the quiver of our enemies. So we should recover it. For now though. I am resting, leave me behind as folks go ahead or not. I am resting, healing, and studying spells as best I may." Pakak says this a bit testily and plops down to do just that. It is clear he's in worse mood than normal.
Having pondered the letter and discussion of Yaniel and Radiance, Oriana's low voice adds "If the contents of the letter are true and provide evidence of the theft of Radiance, if we can find the sword down here, I believe it would be like discovering an artefact of Iomedae herself. I am in agreement that we should attempt to recover it, once we are fully rested and healed." Let us hope it has not been corrupted by the evil of the transgressors, she muses silently.
TO RYU -
Ryu nods his head somewhat enthusiastically.
”Yeah, I get it. My dad had me spend a few years in temple as a boy; pain in the ass, if you ask me,” he says with a wide grin.
”No women, no sake; no rum, no fighting, no gambling – nothing but chanting and crap about inner peace,” he says with a shake of his head.
Despite the fact that Ryu’s words are somewhat contemptuous of the monastery and issues therein, he seems to speak in a fairly cavalier way in general with no real angst toward it, but actually an almost jesting tone. Although he didn’t enjoy his time there, it’s not that big a deal to him.
”But I get you; I knew the Zen way – I know the way of inner peace, it’s cool. I knew plenty of lads like that, you know?” he says with a nod.
”I’m different, I guess. I like action, I like chatting; that’s just me, though.”
He picks his teeth absently a bit, thinking a moment.
”The thing is – when I came over here I did a little knife-work with wakō. You know wakō, yeah? Anyhow – these folk over here call wakō “corsairs” I think – but anyhow… So I’m coming over here with a bunch of lads on a fast ship. We’re all looking for the lad who’s the chief of the ship, you know?”
”Anyhow, we’re not sure who’s it going to be; but in the end it got settled the old fashioned way – cold steel, savvy?” he says with a wolfish grin.
”It’s like this crew, you know?”
”We’re all trying to figure out who’s going to be the gods damned daimyo, you know? I mean, hell – how are we going to run this little show, a sodding committee? Come on, that’s bullocks and you know it! We ain’t a people to be ruled by a poxing committee, you know? We need a chief – a boss – a bloody-assed lord, you know?”
He rubs the ache in his pectoral muscle a little bit.
”I wondered who’d it be, you know? I’d have followed my Stoneskin ‘cause he’s good people. Or maybe I’d toss my lot in with Angel, ‘cause she’s battle-savvy and I fancy her a little, too. I might have tossed in with Mal because he’s good with a blade, too.”
His eyes narrow and his smile looks ruthless, as if he is imagining slipping bamboo up someone’s fingernails.
”But we already know who I picked – I picked Garith-sama because he’s got noble blood; he’s a good fighter and he’s got brass balls, too.”
”He’s the bloody daimyo now, you know? He’s the bloody ichi-ban boss of our gods damn crew now,” he says unflinchingly but with a happy smile.
”If any step to him, they step to all of us; or at least me. You know my people pretty good, neh? You know that a bargain with death is a bargain sanctified, neh? You also know poxing bushido, too, neh?” he says with a grin.
He sighs easily.
”If any would offend my liege lord by my hand his honor will be vindicated,” he says with a calm and clear voice.
Then he grins.
”Hell, lad, there's only one way to repay befouled honor with our people, and that’s death,” he adds with a nod.
He glances over at Garith.
”He’s my liege lord now; I chose him, so that’s the end of it.”
”His word is a command to me. If he wants me to wait – I wait. If he wants me to sleep – I sleep. If he orders me to kill – I kill. If he wants me to die… it’s bloody seppuku for me, I guess; but that’s my bloody karma.”
”Meantime, if any offend him; I’ll kill them – unless he orders me not to, I guess.”
He looks over at Zeriax with a casual smile.
”With nothing else happening we could be sitting here sharing haiku or philosophy or other fun stuff – you know, getting to know each other around the campfire.”
"But those aren't my orders anymore; so piss on that, I guess," he says with a shrug.
”Shikata ga nai. Karma, neh?”
Then he sighs and gets comfortable, resting until it’s time to rise.
Tempers fly and heated words are exchanged as the group tries to figure out what is the best course of action to take and how to come to terms with deciding how to make those decisions. Such decisions and resentment make it hard to go back to rest but eventually everyone but Pakak and the charges fall back asleep. The charges are fully awake not having taken a portion of the watch themselves. Anevia stands watch while Pakak studies his spell book. After a while the group slowly stirs back to consciousness and prepares for the coming day. Who knows what they are going to experience on this day the fourth or was it the fifth since they fell in to the dark below.
Horgus looks slightly mollified as he quesses some of you understand more than he is letting on. However he is too stubborn to say anything more unless pressed. Instaed he agrees with the group that investigation is a wise choice but only after he is returned to house safely.
When Maelchar wakes, he prays for the requisite amount of time, preparing to cast spells for the day.
Aravashinal takes on the demeanor of a college professor who is trying to educate a student that has suffered under poor teachers in the past. Since you are not from here originally I can see how such teachings may have not been passed on to you. I would strongly consider learning the histories. It seems that Pakak has learned of them and may be a sutiable teacher for you if I am not around to share my wealth of knowledge. Why from what I have heard both Pakak and Oriana have studies that lend themselves well to the religious. that may also be a path of enlightenment that you should look into. A well rounded person keeps both his mind and body sharp. IF it were not for the loss of my sight I would show you that even as a scholar and arcanist I can still handle myself with some athleticism.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In the morning Oriana wakes to find her throat dry and tongue swollen. Checking her waterskin she finds it almost empty and unable to relieve the parched feeling she has. Even her sight in the dark is a little fuzzy as she must have come down with something yesterday.
Come morning, Pakak rises from his rest and spell restoration. "Forgive my terseness the other night all."
"No problem. It was a difficult time for us and we were all a little on edge I think. You should be feeling a little better, but you look like you're still in need of some assistance."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Maelchar sees Oriana rise, looking a little peaked. "I'll be right back with you, my friend." He moves over to Oriana and tries to assess what's wrong with her.
When he is done examining Oriana, he goes back to Pakak. "I'm sorry about that... she IS my sister and looks ill this morning... something yesterday got the best of her, I'm afraid, but I've done what I can for her. Now let's see what we can do about your wounds."
"Never apologize for protecting kin and clan, Maelchar, certainly not to a dwarf," He gives a very brief smile under his beard. The wounds dissolve in the glow of Maelchar's gifts, and color returns to Pakak's flesh. "I feel completely restored. Many thanks to you for that."
"No need to thank me, my friend. I am merely a conduit. Your thanks should go to Iomedae, who is the source. But on her behalf, you are welcome, Pakak." He gives the dwarf a broad smile. "Perhaps today will see us done with these mongrelmen and further on our path to the surface, eh? I wouldn't mind seeing the sun again, that's for sure."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In the morning Oriana wakes to find her throat dry and tongue swollen. Checking her waterskin she finds it almost empty and unable to relieve the parched feeling she has. Even her sight in the dark is a little fuzzy as she must have come down with something yesterday.
Oriana awakes and instantly feels something amiss in her wellbeing. Her dry throat, swollen tongue and fuzzy eyesight draw her concern and she wonders what she has contracted. She rises, and attempts to drink some water but she still feels parched. Standing, she tries to focus on the other side of the cavern. When her brother, Mael, makes his way over to her and examines her silently, she is relieved by his expert attention.
"Thank you for the examination. What have I contracted, brother? And can it be healed?" Oriana's voice comes out huskier than usual.
"I require more water, please", to any who would listen.
"Have no fear, Ori, I can create water whenever you need it... Here, drink from my skin for now, and I will create more when that is gone."
He advises her as to what she has contracted...
"Brother, you are kind to offer your water. But what if this illness is contagious? I would not spread it to you or one of the others. I should keep my distance, for the welfare of the group." Her throat feels sore from the talking. Oriana's golden eyes are slightly glazed over as she looks at her brother and attempts to keep him in focus. She gives a cough (covering her mouth with a kerchief), attempting to clear her dry throat. She pulls a scarf from her pack and covers her lower face with it. Iomedae, heed your servant's call, and aid me in this affliction.
"I hear you, and you're right, I didn't think of that. Let me fill your waterskin then. He casts 'create water' which makes much more than needed for a single waterskin. The rest can go to waste, as it is a simple orison, and castable without limits.
Oriana watches through partially blurry vision as Maelchar casts the spell and fills her waterskin full.
When he hands it back to her, Oriana lifts the lower edge of her scarf high enough to put the waterskin to her lips and drinks. Yet, the water barely takes the edge off her thirst.
With still husky voice she attempts to allay any concerns regarding her abilities, "Thank you again, brother. I will do my best to keep up with the rest of the party as we move forward this day. I will not be a burden and slow us down." Oriana lowers the scarf back down over her mouth.
TO RYU -** spoiler omitted **...
"I understand" - Zeriax answers - "And I have nothing to add regarding your choices for daimyo. But I do believe you have some misconceptions regarding monastery life, at least where I come from, I never witnessed any crap about inner peace, but then again I am sure not all monasteries are the same"
Absently double checking the pull on his bow, he continues - "And again, I never faced such intense physical activity as during my training - I assume that is what you mean by action - so I will have to disagree that ponderation and movement cannot coexist. In fact, one cannot prevail without the other"
"I can acknowledge your need for an immediate and decided upon leadership, and I agree that structure is a route to success, but I do not lend it the same urgency as you seem to - whether you have noticed it or not, there is a placement for all who are here, now. I have watched it with appreciation, and how it has brought success upon success, even if you feel that "no one is running this show"
Standing up to leave, Zeriax adds - "It does seem that having a leader to follow is essential for you, and as you have put before, I have also met others like you. Some of the most honoured men I have met followed someone else, and I am not alien to the importance of that choice, and the fact that it belongs to you alone. I think you have made the right decision, and it will be an important part of the path you need to thread"
As the monk moves out to his bunk, he does pause momentarily, turning around - "Shikata ga nai... I have always found it too fatalistic and final, and that is why I left my monastery home" - his eyes wander off for just a split second - "Sleep well, friend Ryu" - and then he goes to rest.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As Ryu lays back he considers Zeriax’s words and grins a moment.
”There are many paths to the same destination, or so it is said,” he responds easily.
”You seek The Way; the perfect harmony that comes from being at one with things in such completion that there is no need for thought of action, but rather – action is the definition of being, and being is the achievement of complete harmony.”
”You know – Zen,” he says with a smile.
”But like – okay… when I was in temple for a bit, the monks there taught us ways to reach it, you know? For them it was all like meditate all day… you know; if purge your mind and achieve emptiness you’ll be at that place where nothing is but reality, and reality is all that we are.”
He snorts.
”That’s like – yeah, I got it. It’s pretty easy stuff – but the way they were doing it was all like – Namu Amida Butsu all day, and that’s dull as piss.”
”I met a kenjistu master who was hatamoto to a different lord in a neighboring province, but he was giving instruction on the poetry of movement. He came to temple and spent more time teaching about bushido; and that’s where I got the difference, you dig it?”
”I mean – okay, so I’m all like trying to achieve enlightenment and suddenly I find out you can get wa pretty damn easy – just by splitting your thoughts and your thinking from your being. You achieve enlightenment without trying; you achieve by achieving it, and that’s all.”
”So like, for me I touch emptiness when I’m in a place that my entire being is at one with everything. I don’t sit there and say to myself – Okay, I need to make sure that I reach out with my blade and hit that baka-basterd right in the jugular – ‘cause by the time I do that, I’m already dead, savvy?”
”Instead, I’m doing it as I’m doing it, you know? I’m already seeing the blood splatter even as I swing my sword; even before I connect I’m already watching the blade move to the next body. I’m moving like a gods damned ninja because I’m not wasting time thinking on crap; it’s already happening – from my kami to my body to my blade to their body and the corpse that it becomes.”
”You know – Zen,” he says nodding easily.
”You’re into Zen; you feel that point of being in your body, I can see it a few times when you use your bow, you know?”
”But the way I see it, you’re struggling with it too much. You need to feel the poetry of the bow; your bow’s got a kami, and so do you – but “The Archer”’s got a bloody kami, too, you know? And that archer’s kami is stretched to touch the completion of all parts of itself – including the bow, the arrow, the mind, the body, and the space between the archer and the target.”
”You know – like, be the space between the target,” he says with a grin.
Leaning back he sighs.
”Anyhow, that’s all I meant about crap. There’s a lot of bloody ways to reach inner peace; not just one. Hell, you know some monks touch nirvana when they reach the Clouds and Rain… you know; when they’re rutting with a partner until they climax? Some monks teach that as a way to hit enlightenment, you know? They made a whole book on 47 different forms to achieve the Clouds and Rain – why’d you think that they wrote that book, if not to reach perfect peace?”
He grins a bit wistfully.
”But you don’t see any of the monks teaching that form of being at temple – which sucks, because that’s a pretty cool way to reach it, as far as I can see… Still… shikata… Ohhhh, now I get it,” he says with a bit of a surprised look on his face.
He turns to face Zeriax a bit more directly.
”Yo – brother – you do get that shikata ga nai means pretty much “It cannot be helped”, right?”
He shakes his head.
”Man – of course it’s fatalistic, boss. That’s the whole point – life is fate. We don’t make our destiny, much as these folk seem to be thinking – our destiny just is… it exists whether we like it or not, you know?”
”We can’t change our destiny; we can’t change our fate… oh sure, we can pretend all of our choices lead us to unplanned endings, and we can lie to ourselves all day and say – I have free will and I decide my own bloody life – but, man… come on! That’s like – the exact opposite of everything that Zen is, you know?”
”Look – of all of us Angel is the only one who got the sickness, right? Who’s fault was that? Nobody! It’s just her karma; and whether she likes it or not, that’s the hand she got dealt, savvy?”
”Right – so the real Zen master, when they get dealt a hand… whether they like it or not, they got one main duty – and that’s to accept their fate; with dignity.”
”They got to say that what happens is meant to happen and there’s no good complaining or whining about it because not all the complaining in the world is going to change the fact that Angel got sick; and not all the complaining in the world will change the fact that Sori-san had to skip out. It’s just bloody karma, you know?”
”When you shoot at poxing whore down here your arrow never misses its target, you know? But the target is the place of being that destiny has composed – you just don’t know where that place of being is until you see the ending of the poem and your arrow hit the mark that karma made for it before we were born.”
He grins at the ceiling.
”Now don’t mistake me; I’m just as happy to try to cheat death and reach nirvana with every form that book has to offer… but the thing is, it ain’t happening here, you know?”
”I ain’t reaching that place and every time I try to motivate people to share tales with each other or talk – well, it seems that my poxing karma is just to piss them off. I don’t try to; I really don’t… but they don’t like how I sound and that’s the hand I was dealt.”
”So, I could get all bent out of shape about it – I could rail at them, or get bitter or angry – but that’s bullocks! What I got to do is accept my fate with some dignity and stop trying to force things to fit what I want.”
”I can’t always do it, but when I do accept the place of existence that all life is given – that’s when I shine. That’s when my blade isn’t a weapon I’m holding; that’s when my blade and my hand and my arm and my bloody kami are the same gods damned thing.”
”And that’s when you see me kick ass,” he says with a enthusiastic nod.
He looks over at Zeriax again.
”Look, I’m not saying what to do – I’m just saying that for me I reach Zen when all of my existence is at harmony with all of the existence of all places of being. When that happens it’s like I’m drop of water floating in the Sea of Life… the drop isn’t there to bend the Sea to what it wants or needs… the drop is there to be a part of the Sea; it is part of a big adventure – it may splash and splatter, because that’s its nature, but it’s the nature of water to be those things; so it lives out its destiny as water.”
”Man, you’re trying to be like a guy with a bow who is holding a bow and holding arrows and shooting them at targets. I’m just saying – don’t be that guy. Instead, be “The Archer”, you know? The rock in the deep mountain; a whisper of wind in a storm… don’t fight your fate, that’s all.”
”But hell; that’s just my opinions; and most folk disagree with my opinions, still... for what they're worth, I like them and I figured I'd share them with you is all… But hell, listen to the student try to teach the master, right? You're the gods damned monk; I'm just a guy with the sword... or maybe the sword's the reality and I'm just the thing that holds the sword up, right?" he says with a wink.
"Ah hell, I shouldn’t bother with long speeches, I guess… but then – I do like to chat,” he says with a grin.
Maelchar relates what he learned about Oriana's illness to her in blunt terms. She is a healer too and would know if he tried to sugar coat anything. "At least we know it's not catching through simple promity or contact. And I doubt you plan to bite any of us." He adds the last with a hint of mirth and a smile. "Come sister, say your prayers and prepare for the day, for we must press on."
|
|
Rising, Garith asks, "Cousins, I have need of your healing hands from yesterday's wounds thanks to that cursed demon-worshiper. Ryu also looks as though he needs healing." Garith considers their situation briefly, "It is early yet to be depleting our magics, but we can try to avoid injury and primarily sustain ourselves with potions until healing is needed mid battle."
"Shall we determine what is on the other side of this door or first explore the rest of the complex down below? the dor can be re-barred if it is a large area behind it. We mush fully search for the Radiance. Ria, are you well enough for this? We can avoid placing you in harms way, if you need it, but if some healing is all you require and you wish to remai at the front, then none shall stop you."
"I will cast one more this morning, perhaps ORiana can heal Ryu? This will leave me a couple more spells for the day, just in case they are needed." He reaches out and touches Garith briefly uttering a prayer to Iomedae as he casts.
|
|
"That is wise Maelchar. Once Ryu and Oriana are healed we can progress." Garith agrees.
"If we check the barred door now when we are at our best we will be most able to address imediate threats on the other side, and then we can make the best decison about exploring that area or returning to the dark cavern where Ryu was and climb down. The [i]Radience is likely hidden somewhere here" but this is more a quesion to the group, asking for input as we could go any number of directions.
Oriana removes the scarf from her face, stows it in her pack and answers her kinsman, Garith, her voice still husky.
"General magical healing will not work on this infliction. Filth Fever requires different, higher level magic. I will have to allow my body time to fight the illness. However, we have vials of Lesser Restoration and that could help improve my general wellbeing, at least to what it was before the dire rat bite, if I have all your permission to imbibe."
She pauses to drink some water. "If you would save those potions, then I admit that I should stay in the middle of the marching order, for my abilities are affected."
Oriana takes another long sip of water and finds a quiet corner in which to pray/meditate, her thirst still present.
Once she is done, she locates Ryu and laying her hand on his arm, casts healing upon him, hoping to knit most, if not all, of his wounds.
"I hope that provides you with some relief, Ryu Tadamasa."
The dwarf ponders but not for long, "Take the potion. While we do not know what awaits us, anything that relieves your condition is a kindness as well as practical for we are sore reliant upon each other."
"I hope that provides you with some relief, Ryu Tadamasa."
Ryu’s eyes flick from Oriana to Maelchar for a moment, than back to Oriana, as if he is thinking something.
It looks as if he will say something, but instead he changes his mind.
He bows before Oriana formally after the healing.
”Arigato,” he says with a courteous voice.
Standing straight he slings his sword on his side easily.
”I appreciate it, Angel-chan,” he says looking at her squarely.
”I’m glad you’re handy with healing. I won’t forget it,” he says with a nod and easy grin.
He picks up Restoration potion and tosses it to her.
Thinking a moment he pulls out his own healing potion that he was carrying and tosses that to her, too.
”Drink up, Angel-chan; you need to be hale if we’re going to get out of this thing alive, savvy?” he says with a wink.
Oriana bows her head in gratitude to the dwarf, and barely manages to catch the potion Ryu tosses in her direction (as the disease has affected her sight and dexterity). She unstops the vial and drinks.
.
To Ryu, she replies quietly, "You are welcome to any healing I can provide."
To Ryu, she replies quietly, "You are welcome to any healing I can provide."
"No sweat, Angel-chan! Don't forget, I coughed up my only healing potion for you, too."
"If there ain't a way for you to be healed up among us, than it's likely you'll need it sooner rather than later; so drink it if you need it," he says with a grin.
Maelchar pulls out the lesser restoration potion from his pack and hands it to Oriana. "Drink this for your lost agility , Ori. Hopefully it will be as strong as the last one."
Oriana looks to her brother, Maelchar, trying to focus on him. "Thank you for the second potion, brother. I will repay you all for this service."
She drinks the second Lesser Restoration Potion.
"No sweat, Angel-chan! Don't forget, I coughed up my only healing potion for you, too."
Looking at the healing potion given to her by Ryu, she looks up at him and replies in tight/sore voice, "I will hold onto this potion for you. If you require its administration, I shall undertake it myself. If I require it due my exhausted spells, I shall drink it to be of service to the group. Unless you would like it returned?"