Rex continues to look around the area making sure it is secure while Deia and Tina look to helping their patient.
Kel took off his armor exposing the extremely bloodstained padded tunic underneath. He had taken a lot of damage in the last day. If not for the magical healing he'd received he would probably be dead. As it was he was still injured enough to fell most people.
He peeled off the padding and his ruined undershirt. They were soaked through and partially stuck to he's skin. A dozen wounds were still partially open. He looked like a mess, the most recent wounds from the demons claws still bled.
On his back, across his shoulder blades and trapezius muscles were what looked like a deformity. There were extra muscles there. They bulged quite a bit giving the impression of a smaller set of shoulders just below his normal ones. Raised reddish lines arced out from them looking like veins or scars. They ran across his entire back, even disappearing below his belt.
He held his shirt away from him in two fingers and made a face. "Ah, about that bath?"
Squee! bare chested macho man!
Klarah turns away from watching Tina and Deia tend to her parents once Kel inquires about the bath. Her eyes grow wide when she sees his wounds.
"Oh, yes, the bath. You'll have to give me some time to heat some water, and it won't be much of a real bath, but it will be better than nothing." she says just before heading back up the stairs. You can hear the sound of metal clanging around at the top of the steps as she sets to work getting the stove burning and putting water on.
The main floor of the house is relatively intact, with the walls still standing for the most part. The ceiling has started to sag under the weight of the destroyed second floor, but it would appear that it's able to hold itself up for now. There are windows facing out into the street in front of the house, as well as a window in the kitchen that faces to the rear of the home.
You see Klarah come back upstairs and she starts digging around in the kitchen, pulling out a few large pots and opening the stove to fill it with wood. In just a few minutes she has a roaring fire burning inside the cast iron appliance.
Anevia sits down on the floor of the cellar as Klarah goes upstairs, making sure to take the weight off of her injured leg.
"I'm amazed that anyone who wasn't a soldier stayed in the city overnight. From how empty the streets are, I'd say that those who survived the attack probably fled into the countryside. While I knew the day could come that saw the city reduced to rubble, I never thought I'd see it first hand, let alone live through it. I think I know now what the men and women at Drezen felt as they watched the hordes tear through their city and were forced to retreat..."
"Thank you."
"Max, Deia, can either of you do that water making trick? I'd really like to sluice off before I ruin her tub."
Aravashnial nods and lowers his head.
"There are so many similarities that it's indeed frightening. At Drezen, they had the Sword of Valor to protect them and keep the demons at bay. Here, we had the wardstone. In both we took them for granted and became complacent in their power. And now we pay the price for our hubris."
"I heard about what happened in Drezen from my parents, but they never really gave me many details. Just that it was bad, and really kicked off the crusade against Teiflings in the area. They were nearly burned here in Kanabres just for being around at the time."
"But it's weird. At Drezen, the demons moved in to stay. Here they've just vanished. So many came into the city yesterday, and today they're gone. I would have expected that we'd have to fight our way here, but instead we ran into nothing but a bunch of misguided fools and a scared young woman trying to scavenge through the ruins."
Aravashnial continues off of Kel's statement.
"Yes, the pogroms after the fall of Drezen were intense, there's no denying that. The loss of Drezen struck a hard blow to morale, and bred a lost of distrust. Those who were different, or possibly carried the taint of demon blood made, for easy targets in an attempt to satisfy the lust for revenge."
Lann nods along with Aravashnial.
"My kind know persecution all too well..."
"Kanabres would be a lot harder to hold than Drezen."
"Drezen was the vanguard. It was the Crusade's furthest fortress inside the worldwound. Like the point of the spear. Once it fell, getting it back was logistically impossible."
"Kanabres though, it's fully supported. Reinforcements will be coming from all over the place. If the demons had wanted to stay here, they'd have had to really commit to it."
"That tells me they got what they came for already and left before it could be taken back."
"The big question is what they wanted in the first place. Based on the outcome and trying to figure out what it could help accomplish, I'd say this was either a snatch and grab for something the demons really needed, or it was a diversionary tactic to get the queen to allocate resources here, leaving other areas vulnerable.
"Worst case scenario, it's both."
I'm starting to think like you. A month ago I was just a soldier. Everything was small scale. Now I can't help but see the big picture. Its... really big.
Yes it is. Too big. That is why good will never win. All the might of heaven isn't enough to stand against the vastness of the forces arrayed against it. Heaven can't even influence the hearts of you silly monkeys enough to make a real difference. What hope do we have when hell punches a hole straight into the world and starts sucking at it like a teat? Heaven can't do that. Heaven has rules. Heaven is smaller, farther away, wears chains of it's own making, and every last one of you is going to die for it.
Don't be so melodramatic. For us this is just life. Most of us don't get to see the big picture so we don't know the difference. This is all we get so we're going to fight for it.
You just don't understand...
"I have a hard time believing that this was just a smash and grab or a diversionary operation. What would they want other than the destruction of the wardstone? They almost pulled that off once before, and with that show of destroying the Kite they should have definitely pulled it off already. We may have better supply lines than Drezen had, but they mean nothing if their primary defenses are breached."
"We've always been outnumbered. We've known that, and that's why the wardstones were built in the first place. They're the only things that have kept the demons contained up here. And because of that, the supply caravans are practically undefended until they get here. Why do you need defenses when the enemy can't reach you? If the wardstone is gone, then those supply lines are easy targets. And their loss would be absolutely crippling."
"So I wonder, with the city as destroyed and empty as we've seen, why haven't they destroyed the wardstone yet? It's certainly within the Storm King's power, since he's cracked it with a single blow before. And if the wardstone has been destroyed, why isn't a massive legion of demons swarming through our shattered defenses? It just doesn't make sense to me."
"Either way you look at it, the city is far too empty and quiet, and I really don't like it..."
"It isn't destroyed? You sure? I guess the lack of demons flooding through here is a pretty good indicator of that."
"Ok then, why would they leave it up?"
To corrupt it. The only thing demons love more than slaying goodness is breaking it... and letting it live... so they can...
Kel, I'm sorry.
Kel sits down hard, looking tired for the first time since anyone in the room had met him. It was like he'd been deflated.
"Aravashniel, you know things about the ward stone, right? Would it be possible for demons to corrupt it somehow?"
He didn't know why he was voicing the question. He shouldn't have done it. He knew in his heart that it was true. The angel was right. It was what they did.
Its alright. I understand. I'm in your head. I can't not understand. We're going to be alright. You are going to be alright.
"It'll take a few minutes, but I can indeed summon some minor magics to clean us up. I do wonder if you have a point about corrupting the wardstone."
Max memorizes prestidigitation and then uses it to tidy up the party.
Tina finishes tending to the parents for the momment and tidies up. We should try to find a better place for both of them to rest. Perhaps the library Aravashnial spoke of.
|
Deia shakes her head when Kel asks about making water, "I can't do anything like that, Kel. At best, I could help keep you from getting sick if any of that grime gets in your wounds, " she says, trying to help make light of the situation.
Listening to the conversation about Demons and the city, Deia adds a little to think about. "I agree, Anevia, Demons abandoning the city right after a major attack doesn't sound right. Let's not forget, though, about the letters we found under the city. According to them, the attack was pre-planned and the goal of at least one group was to get people or things out of the city. It does seem like a lot to do for a diversion, but it is possible that the demons think this is a very important task."
After a brief pause Deia adds, "And I hope it goes without saying that if demons think something is important, it is probably a bad thing for us, Kenabres, Mendev, and all people."
"Klarah, right? Once you are done with the stove do you mind if I use it? Also do you have an ample supply of wood for it?"
After pondering it some more, Max shakes his head at the notion of corrupting the Wardstone. "The Wardstones are divine objects gifted to us by Iomedae herself. I would think only another divine being would be able to corrupt it, and it would be no simple task."
We should take the parents with us if we are heading to the library right away.
"Perhaps we should just stay here, then. It seems best not to move them while they are still unwell."
"Yes, that's a sensible plan as well. It's not very far," agrees Max.
[b]It's a plan
Meanwhile, in the basement, Horgus finally speaks up amidst the conversation.
"I'm not going anywhere until tomorrow. Even if I do have to sit in this dirty cellar all night. It's got to be getting close to sundown, and just because we didn't see any demons on the way here doesn't mean they aren't still around. I'm tired, my feet hurt, I can't see in the dark, and there's nothing that advertises 'kill me' better than a moving light in an empty city. So I'm staying here."
"Horgus, don't be silly. All you've done is complain, refuse to fight, and then almost shoot one of us when we forced you to take a weapon. Of course we'd leave you here. Not just because you're annoying, but because I want to see how you react to being stuck in a cramped cellar with a few normal people all night. It should make for a good show come the morning."
"Knowing you, you'll have stormed out to your death because the girl looked at you funny, or she'll have strangled you to just get you to shut up. It's a win for us either way!" Anevia says with a laugh.
Children! Tina snaps. None of you are in good condition to go scouting so we can go out and take a look to make sure we have a clear path to the library. Then we will come back and we will decide wether or not to move everyone.
"I would really like to get a good night's sleep. You might have noticed all the blood I was covered in until quite recently? Most of that was mine. It's been a long day."
"I you want to scout around, fine, but I really doubt there's anything out there that can't wait until morning."
After having been upstairs for about 20 minutes, Klarah comes back down the steps. She hands Kel a few rags and says, "I heated some water and filled a basin in the kitchen. There's a bar of soap beside it as well. I know it isn't quite a bath, but you'll be able to at least clean yourselves up a bit. Your quiet friend had asked if he could use the stove, so you all can feel free as well."
She then walks over to her parents, kneels down, and brushes a hand across her father's face. "Later I'll make a pot of potato and onion soup. It won't be anything special, but it's something I can make with what's down here and shouldn't have a strong smell that would draw anyone to us."
Okay, let us get some sleep.
Max nods in agreement.
After everyone gets washed up, Klarah begins preparing the potatoes and onions to make her soup. After a while she comes down to the cellar carrying a pot filled with what looks like very, very runny mashed potatoes. She sets it down, heads back to the kitchen, and then returns with a stack of bowls and some spoons.
"It isn't much, and it's pretty bland, but it's still a hot meal. Please, eat as much as you'd like."
The rest of the night goes by uneventfully.
Kel eats heartily. "Thank you. Bland or not, I'm just happy to be eating some hot food."
Indeed, thank you very much. Tina eats her fill and sleeps soundly after such a hectic day.
"Many thanks for the hot meal, it has been a while."
"Feels nice to be a able to sleep in a house again too, comforts like that you take for granted."
"Yes indeed, we are most grateful for the hospitality." After studying some new magics that might be needed in these dire times, Max goes to sleep.
In the morning, Max will look in on the ill parents, to see if their condition has improved.
The next morning brings with it a heavy rain. Clouds blot out the sky, which is made worse by the still hanging haze of smoke from the burning city. Though there is no doubt that the rain will slow the flames, it's doubtful that it will be enough to quench them completely.
Klarah makes sure that the takes the opportunity to set out pots, pans, and even the basin used for your baths last night in order to collect the fresh rainwater. As everyone stirs awake, she offers some of the food she collected yesterday - fresh, but bruised, apples - as breakfast. She also makes sure to give her parents water by moistening one of the cleaner rags and slowly wringing it out into their mouths.
"You know, it's funny. When I went upstairs this morning, there was a bird flitting around in the kitchen. I shooed it away, but it keeps coming back and whistling at me. Such a funny little thing. I guess it just doesn't want to be out in the rain, but I don't know why it doesn't roost in one of the other houses."
Tina double-checks the parents and changes some bandages.
Thank you for the apples, we should start for the library and make sure we have a clear way to it so we can takeK Klarah and her folks there.
Max raises an eyebrow. "Oh, that's no ordinary bird. She can talk, actually, though she probably didn't want to startle you. It seems my dear Meadow has finally decided she wants to come back." Max heads for the kitchen and looks out the window. "Where've you been all this time? Got tired of being underground? Well, it's not always bad to be indoors, now is it?"
Meadow flies back in, sets herself on Max's shoulder, and looks at him quizzically before ruffling her feathers and shaking water all over him.
"It broke," she chirps.
"It broke? What broke? The library?" Max is quite puzzled. "That's where we're headed now, actually."
Meadow flits over to the windowsill when Max mentions the library. When he says that the party is getting ready to leave for there, she chirps. "The building. It broke."