And the fight ends far quicker then Kaede has expected. She acts rather surprised by this sudden turn of events.
When Aldern asks about assist with butchering the boar, however, Kaede looks a little lost. "I don't know much about cutting up a carcass, so I'm of little help there. But, we have supplies for a overnight camp, right?" she says, after a moment's thought. "How hard would it be to jury rig a sledge of some sort with the pieces from that? At least something that one of the horses could drag though the brush?"
"A servant of Old Deadeye who doesn't know how to field dress game?!?" Aldern asks half teasing and half surprised. "Come over here Salomae and I'll teach you what those priests have neglected. Anyone else care to learn how to harvest food that doesn't come from a kitchen?"
As he waits for anyone else who wants to gather around, the nobleman addresses Kaede's suggestion, "Retracing our path to get a horse and then tracking ourselves back to here would take a while and an inexperienced tracker could get lost... We can make a sled out of longspears and the rope I have in my pack; two people can carry the front end of the spears and two people can pull on the ropes. That will be faster and less risky than going for a horse, I think... I was hoping maybe one of you had a magical solution." He drops his pack and adds, "anyone who doesn't care to learn can start lashing together the sled."
Once Sal and anyone else who cares to have gathered around, Aldern begins his work... "First of all, we don't butcher the animal out here: some animals get roasted whole, ones like this that are too large for that we'll take to a butcher, though you could just cut the meat off in hunks if you need it to survive in the wild. For now, we'll carefully remove all the entrails: the heart and kidneys we can bring back separately but most of it we'll leave here for the scavengers because otherwise they might spoil the meat." He starts in on the hard work of opening up the boar through its thick hide and talks his audience through each step of the process.
Tera blinks as the boar falls.
"I-I thought they were tougher than that," she says, not quite believing the boar is dead.
"Brother, are you alright?"
Roakkad slowly walks with Kaelaah and approaches the group, keeping his eyes to the ground and away from the body. There is so much blood. "I am sorry. I...I do not feel it was my place to kill the animal. I made a mistake coming on the hunt. I hope you will forgive me."
"What are you talking about?!?" Lord Foxglove asks with shock. He pauses his lesson and stands to talk with the young Shoanti. "You're worthless with a spear, I'll grant you that, but your cleverness and your magic allowed us to take down the beast without a single injury... I'd wager there are scant few Shoanti hunting parties that could say the same after taking down a creature of this size. Right up until you abandoned your companions mid-fight you were an honor to your people's traditions."
Roakkad's jaw mimics Salomae's--he is also surprised by Foxglove's encouragement, for he expected much worse. "Ah, um, thank you Lord Foxglove. I am glad no one was hurt. Still, I regret that I may have endangered the others in a moment of uncertainty." Roakkad feels a surge of gratitude toward the man for his support, though continues to silently suffer the sting of guilt at the results of his actions. He gives Kaelaah a gentle squeeze on the shoulder in recognition of his solidarity.
"I fear I do not have an easy magical solution for transporting the boar," he says, rummaging through his scroll cases. "I would be happy to help create the sled, though."
As Roaakad and Kaelaah walk slowly back to the group gatherijgnaroundnthe felled boar, Kaelaah talks quietly into his friend's ear, "Brother, I know little of Gozreh's domain... nor am I versed in our people's traditions so I cannot tell you if this was the right thing, or indeed the wrong thing, to have done... but Sarenrae tells us that redemption may be ours - and remember Brother, it was not you that slew our prey. Come with me to see Sister Amet'Ra when we return to Sandpoint... she may tell you more about how to redeem yourself in Gozreh's eyes"
At Lord Foxglove's veiled accusations, Kaelaah says nothing - he agrees to help build a sled but offers nothing more in terms of solutions for bringing the Tickwood Boar back...
After hearing Aldern's insult to the two Shoanti, Tera's mind echoes the words she'd said when the boar had fallen and realized that they could have been interpreted to be an insult against Roakkad and Kaelaah. She stands there, unsure of what to do. Should she try to comfort her fellow marked? Should she confront Aldern on his insulting two people he barely knows?
In the end, her own doubts and fears make the decision for the arcanist. She begins to help with the sled, only to make a mess out of it.
"I have no idea what I'm doing," she says softly, but loud enough that those helping with the sled can hear her.
Kaelaah, working closely with Roakkad as the sled starts to take form smiles at Salomae, "Sister, you... all of you... are my family... were it to come to it, I would do whatever it took... whatever it took...", as Kaelaah's eyes meet with Salomae's a flame seems to burn within his irises.
Kaede stays characteristically silent during this exchange. While she was annoyed by the two Shoanti backing out mid-fight, she could understand a crisis of conscience. After all, they argued about that in reference to the goblins. However, Aldern's insults regarding Roakkad's honor were less forgivable in her eyes. Politely finishing her dealings with the nobleman, and hopefully never having to deal with him ever again was rapidly becoming a priority for her.
"We can talk about this later, Roakkad," she finally responses in a calm, measured fashion. "Let's focus on getting the boar back to Sandpoint." She then returns to trying to jury-rig the means to get the boar back to the camp.
Tera's angst, however, catches her attention. "Then treat it as something to learn. We all have things we can't do, that's not a failing, Tera," She softly says, trying to ease Tera's worries.
"Nobody begins life knowing everything," Zache says cheerfully, helping with the sled and whacking his own thumb with a nail. Wincing and clenching it inside his fist, he continues, "Kaede's right. It's something new to learn, and a life-enriching experience." He winces, shakes his hand, and pops his wounded thumb in his mouth.
Weaving the last of his branches into the sled, Kaelaah looks up at Zache... his eyebrows slightly arched...
...life-enriching? you don't really mean that do you?
...but he says nothing.
Dropping a pile of intestines into the mud and wiping some sweat from his brow Aldern looks around at the marked and shakes his head. "Why does everyone seem so tense?" he asks with genuine confusion. "Your gods have blessed us with beautiful weather, especially for this time of year, and with a hunt more successful than we could have hoped to pray for... We should be celebrating!"
He looks around for some agreement among his new companions. Getting very little enthusiasm in return he focuses on Roakkad and Kaelaah and says, "Some of you balked, yes, but that is not entirely uncommon among people whose food has always been killed by others... and I meant no insult by my comment- your actions while you fought were an honor to your people, and I suspect you know enough of Shoanti culture to know that leaving a fight while your allies continue is not something they would condone... But that is past. You can learn from it and move on. And, in the meantime, let's all relax and be joyful, huh? All of Sandpoint will feast tonight and we have not a scratch to show for our efforts! Praise to the gods of Sandpoint who blessed us so outrageously!" As he calls out the last line he reflexively raises his hand as if toasting before realizing he has no cup and quickly lowering it.
Tera nods at Zache and Kaede's advice. She doesn't mention that she wasn't talking about the sled, though what she had said was true enough even there. Not even her doldrums can keep her from letting out a snicker at Aldern's antics, however, and she's surprised by how much his display of bravado cheered her up. She knows, though, that there's something wrong with Roakkad and Kaelaah, and hopes that she can do something about it.
"I think it may just be we're all a little amazed at how well we have been blessed," Tera tells the nobleman, hoping to give the others a chance to gather their wits and at least hide their pain for the moment.
"I did not take offense, Lord Foxglove," says Roakkad as he winces at Zache's attempt to hammer his thumb. "I mean to say, if I am offended, it is not at you, but at my own behavior." He places a stick between his teeth to hole while he secures a knot, then removes it. " But you are correct. There shall be a big feast tonight. Time to celebrate our blessings and reflect on our goals." He stands, admiring their work, still trying to focus on anything but the boar's body.
…Roakkad needs to be back in Sandpoint; he needs time to reflect on today… the longer we have to endure Lord Foxglove’s teachings on Shoanti culture, the worse it gets…
Kaelaah musters the thinnest of smiles at Lord Foxglove’s antics and, with little conviction in his voice, enquires as to when the hunting party will move out, ”Let us return our feast to the good people of Sandpoint then… that everyone may celebrate today’s success”.
Aldern seems to accept what enthusiasm he gets and squats down to finish his work. It doesn't take long for him to finish field dressing the creature. The sled strains and flexes as they wrestle the massive corpse onto it, but it holds together surprisingly well. The march back to the road is not incredibly long but is incredibly arduous. With Aldern and Salomae under the front two spear shafts, and Kaede and Zache tugging at the ropes they manage to struggle the boar through the damp leaves and brush to the wagons.
Lord Foxglove's men seem quite pleased with the kill, even though it means completely emptying one of the wagons and figuring out how to get the creature up into it. With great effort everyone does manage to get the boar loaded and ready to get. The ride back is quite a bit more crowded for those who aren't able to ride separately.
Despite all Aldern's talk of celebrating, nobody in Sandpoint yet knows of their success and they easily ride into town noticed by only the guard at the gate. Bringing the horses to a stop at the Cathedral, he tells the marked, "Go and share news of our blessings with your priests. I"ll talk to Ameiko about what time we can have dinner and send word for you!"
"Yes," says Roakkad. "I must speak to Brother Edrus immediately." But first, I must shed these robes. They are tainted with boar's blood. Smiling a false smile, he gives a short bow to Foxglove and the other Marked, then hurries into the cathedral with Tsharat.
Roakkad all but runs to his quarters, throwing his gear to the side and pulling his robes from his body. He is grateful to see a fresh carafe of water and a bowl near his bed. He splashes the cool water on his face, his neck, his chest, trying to rinse away the smell of the boar. I need ocean water, but there's no time. He dries himself quickly, dons a fresh robe, then sets off toward the hatchery in search of his spiritual mentor, Brother Edrus.
"Have I shamed our Goddess?" He asks Brother Edrus once they are alone and he has explained what transpired. "I feel as though I let the others down, but it just felt so wrong to kill the animal."
Glad to be back in Sandpoint, and even more glad to be away from Lord Foxglove and his proclamations, Kaelaah makes his way back to the cathedral... It is clear to Kaelaah, from the manner in which Roakkad hastily walked back to his lodgings that, right now at least, he needed to be alone...
...and so, deciding to take counsel for himself, he sought Sister Amet-Ra...
Kaede watches Aldern and his entourage dissappear toward the lower part of town before she nods to Salomae, and follows her in.
"Yes, we should find Father Zantus." Then, after a moment longer, seemingly to get further into the cathedral, she looks about a bit, and adds quietly, "I don't trust Lord Foxglove. Something about him feels very... Calistrian to me, and I'm not sure I want to be a part of whatever comes from him acting on that..."
Almost before Aldern had turned to leave, Tera finds everyone going their own ways. Everyone, but Zache.
It seemed that finding herself in awkward situations was fast becoming the norm for her. Still, she needed to talk to someone, and it wasn't as if Brother Faustwick would understand her frustrations. She could hear his nasally voice now, "Of course you don't get it! You don't work hard enough at it, you lazy girl."
She took a deep breath in and slowly let it out before turning to face the Desnan, though her eyes never even looked at him. Instead, they were aimed at a spot a few feet behind him and a few inches to the right of his foot.
"Um, Z-Zache? C-can I talk to you... in––" a deep breath to steady her nerves–– "CanItalktoyouinprivate? Pleasedon'tthinkI'mweirdforaskingthat!"
A bare instant later, Tera seems to realize what had slipped out in her mad scramble to get what she wanted to ask out before she lost her nerve. Her face begins to turn beet-red and her hands clap over her mouth, far too late to do any good as her eyes snap up of their own will to Zache's face.
Well, I've done it now.
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He watches Roakkad's face for signs of understanding, but seems to decide that perhaps his comment was too opaque for the student's current state. "Gozreh's domain is nature... that includes growth and fruitfulness, as well death and destruction. The sharks are hers and they eat her fish by the school; the hawks are his and they eat his sparrows. Torturing animals, or injuring them for sport, would not please The Wind and The Wave but there is no shame in killing a creature you will eat. Where do you suppose the meat on our table comes from?"
Placing a soft, well manicured hand on his student's shoulder he concludes, "Only Gozreh knows if you have dishonored him, so we will let her judge... go down to the ocean and wade in up to your waist. If the waves come up and knock you from your feet we will know you have erred and find a service for you to make amends. If the waters are calm we'll know that your hunt was good."
When he notices you, Father Zantus stands with a look of surprise and asks, "Back so soon? And without a scratch... how did it go?"
Zache swings himself out of the saddle as the party returns to Sandpoint, wincing and pressing both hands into his lower back. "The horse may be a blessed and noble creature, but my thighs beg to differ," he mutters to no-one in particular.
Tera's request snaps him out of his pained stretching. He freezes, slowly turning to face her fully as though on a revolving podium. "Are you quite alright?" he asks, raising one eyebrow as she turns red and claps her hands over her mouth. Glancing at the others as they depart, going their separate ways, he nods. "Alright. Let's find a place."
Roakkad's stressed mind has a hard time following along with Brother Edrus's philosophical pronouncements, though he understands the jist. Of course, he has eaten meat all his life, but this was the first time he had taken part in the actual slaughter of a wild animal. And while the the boar was certainly not known for its grace and beauty, he found that the creature possessed an unparalleled majesty. That is, until they killed it. "Yes Brother, right away."
He bows his head and walks as quickly as he can until he's just out of view of Brother Edrus, then breaks into a run, Tsharat gliding gently above him. Down the grassy hill, toward the sand dunes, and then to the crystal blue waters of the Gulf. Without bothering to shed his robe this time, he crashes into the water, eager to learn Gozreh's judgment. The wind today is gentle, and only mild waves lap at his waist. He does not fall.
Tsharat, unperturbed, skims the coastline for vagrant crab. He watches as she deftly dives, claws extended, and snatches one from the water. She hunts every day, he thinks, ruminating on Brother Edrus's statements.
He suddenly feels much better. He drops below the surface, baptizing himself in saltwater. He jumps up to his feet, laughing as the warm, mid-day son warms his skin and his heart.
After a while, he makes his way back to the Cathedral to thank Brother Edrus and prepare for the festivities.
She thinks for a moment and then adds, "No forgiveness they could offer can compare to the redemption found in the Healing Flame, but if he feels he must offer some recompense for offending his ancestors during a hunt, perhaps an offering of the gathered meat would suffice?"
Tera's request snaps him out of his pained stretching. He freezes, slowly turning to face her fully as though on a revolving podium. "Are you quite alright?" he asks, raising one eyebrow as she turns red and claps her hands over her mouth.
"Yes," she says while shaking her head. Her actions probably closer to the truth than her words.
Glancing at the others as they depart, going their separate ways, he nods. "Alright. Let's find a place."
Tera slowly lowers her hands and her eyes fall to Zache's boots.
"D-do you know of a place," she asks in a tiny voice.
Once Zache has lead her to whatever place he has in mind, Tera finds a place to sit, trying, and failing to work up the nerve to talk several times. After the fifth attempt, she sits there silently. Sits there long enough for Zache to begin speaking or walking off himself.
"How do you do it," she asks as she stares at her knees.
"How do you live with that brand on your face?"
"I suppose you're correct,"Kaede responds slowly, like she's actively parsing out the words in her head. "I just grew up with too many stories that flittered though the rumor mill about nobles doing horrid things. I suppose I need to keep reminding myself that this isn't Minkai, and the nobility is less imperious here."
She'll tilt her head at the card game the Desnans are playing. "I'm not sure I'm familiar with that game....'
Father Zantus can't contain himself and burst into an uproar of laughter at her reply. "Among many other things," the high priest explains once he's regained his composure, "the Starsong is the goddess of luck, and patron of gamblers... so, it's important for us to remain connected to that portion of the flock... But it isn't wise to play Tyzicha with a Desnan..."
Sister Callinova giggles at his explanation and adds, "or with Varisians in general!"
The high priest lets out another short laugh and then clears his throat and gathers himself together. "Indeed, but we've been sidetracked from the important conversation. Praise the gods for your safe return! And you took down the Tickwood boar without a scratch? All of you? Nobody was harmed at all? That sounds to me like a minor miracle! I was concerned after what happened in the crypt, but it sounds as though the gods truly have brought you together to fight, and fight with you..."
"Yes, of course," the priestess echoes, also trying to be more serious for a moment, "I look forward to celebrating with you all. Do you have any idea at all who will be invited to the feast?"
Zache hesitates. The first thing that comes to mind is the roof of the cathedral, with the expansive sky above and the docks visible from the considerable height... but something tells him Tera wouldn't appreciate the climb.
Ten minutes later, helping her onto the roof of the Rusty Dragon, he sits in silence, dangling his feet over the edge and waiting. He stares at the sky, patiently waiting for her to speak, drumming his fingers on his knee.
The question that comes isn't what he was expecting. He remains silent for several long moments, the pause stretching on as he brushes the birthmark with his fingers. "Easily," he says finally. "It's always been a part of me, so I've never seen my own face without it." He takes a deep breath, laying on his back and continuing to stare at the sky. "I don't like to hide things. I was raised to be honest and open, to wear my heart on my sleeve and take everything that life offers. I might be able to cover this if I want - with some difficulty, perhaps - but why bother? Sure, I have to put up with the occasional person wanting a touch of the hand, or a lock of hair, but... if it gives them hope, that can't be a bad thing."
Rolling onto his side, he glances to where Tera sits slightly higher on the roof. "I don't know if it's the right way to handle it," he admits, "but it's my way. And your way of coping with your mark will be different." Pulling himself into a sitting position again, he hugs one knees to his chest, still allowing the other to dangle. "Bit bothered by that fuss earlier, huh?"
"No, I just––" Tera cuts herself off, her fingers burying themselves in her hair as she curls up into a ball.
"I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know how to be one of the Marked. I'm not even sure if Abadar decided to curse me instead of blessing me," she says, finally admitting out loud what had been eating at her. Not even Salomae or Elizabeth knew how truly frustrated she'd become since arriving in Sandpoint, and the revelation of another marked of Abadar had been found had been a bitter pill to swallow.
"You're right, in a way. My way of coping with this damned brand on my back is different. I don't have a way," she tells him in a small, bitter voice. "I try and try and try, but I never seem able to do anything even the lowliest acolyte has mastered in mere weeks. What's the point of exposing myself to more ridicule, more frustration, more disappointment, and more doubt if I haven't been able to do anything in five years! Even acolytes that joined earlier this year are far more skilled than I," the young woman adds as a single tear rolls down her face. Silence falls briefly before Tera gives a snort of bitter laughter
"W-who knows? Maybe I'm supposed to be an example of what not to do! That'd be fitting, wouldn't it," she says chuckling bitterly as she looks off towards the sea.
When the Desnan clergy returns the topic back to the successful hunt, Kaede will get slightly more serious. "With a well-timed spell, Roakkad made defeating the beast much easier. So, not so much a miracle, as good tactics. As for who is invited, It took 5 of us to drag the boar back to the wagons, so I wouldn't be surprised if it could feed half the town. I think the young lord is finalizing arrangements with Amieko as we speak. I think he said that he'll send someone to tell us what time the feast would occur."
The high priest smiles and answers, "it would be an insult for us not to. And, yes, you may go around and tell the others." The boy gives something resembling half of a quick bow as he literally runs off to tell others.
Roakkad quickens his pace, his feelings of elation now replaced by a burning concern for the safety of the village. "Not again!" he exclaims as he runs toward the east.
"Hey," Zache says quietly, standing and walking the few steps to where Tera sits higher on the roof. "Do you thinkany of us understand why we have these marks, or what we're supposed to do with them?" He sits again, knees pulled to his chest, looking out over the ocean. "As for your studies..." He takes a deep breath through his nose, letting it out in a huff. "Maybe it's not the right path for you? It may hurt to think about it, but if something doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't. At least, that's what I was raised to believe. I hear Abadarians have a tendency to be sticks-in-the-mud," he teases, nudging her ribs with one elbow.
He stiffens as he spies the smoke plume, quickly standing and staring. "And speaking of right, I'm fairly certain that isn't. Come on; we've got to get over there!" He starts making his way down the side of the building with haste.
…it is not redemption for which he needs to look – merely atonement…
Thanking the priestess for her advice, he is interrupted by the arrival of the Shelynite acolyte – his eyebrows are raised in incredulity as the young boy gushes about the roasting of the boar on the morrow… yet, before he can respond, Micah is away down the corridor. Kaelaah turns to Sister Amet’Ra, ”It seems that there will be a feast for all of Sandpoint… maybe some good shall come of the Foxglove hunt…”
"Hey," Zache says quietly, standing and walking the few steps to where Tera sits higher on the roof. "Do you thinkany of us understand why we have these marks, or what we're supposed to do with them?" He sits again, knees pulled to his chest, looking out over the ocean. "As for your studies..." He takes a deep breath through his nose, letting it out in a huff. "Maybe it's not the right path for you? It may hurt to think about it, but if something doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't. At least, that's what I was raised to believe. I hear Abadarians have a tendency to be sticks-in-the-mud," he teases, nudging her ribs with one elbow.
"Don't forget about wizards. They have more than a touch of stick-up-the-bum syndrome themselves," Tera shoots back, feeling a little better than she had been.
He stiffens as he spies the smoke plume, quickly standing and staring. "And speaking of right, I'm fairly certain that isn't. Come on; we've got to get over there!" He starts making his way down the side of the building with haste.
Zache is off before Tera can say a word, and the young woman clambers down after Zache, trying not to fall. By the time she's down and running after him, Zache is already a few blocks away.
There is a hint of sadness in her voice and in her eyes as she alludes to the type of purpose for which she thinks you and you friends have been marked. Then she smiles again and says, "but we have a celebration to prepare for. You are free for the afternoon, just be back in time for dinner and evening prayer."
When Sal asks about having the rest of the afternoon off, he laughs once more and answers, "well I suppose you've earned that! Be back in time for dinner and evening prayers though."
As you break into the market square the panic welling up in your gut evaporates in a wave of relief. One of Aldern's men is standing with two members of the watch; the three of them seem to be supervising a handful of local laborers- half a dozen men are digging a huge pit in the center of the square while nearby three men from the lumber mill are tending a giant bonfire of large branches. The sounds were shovels in dirt and axes in wood; there is no sign of intruders or attackers and the fire has clearly been lit on purpose and remains under control.
"Fear not! Everything is under control." he says seriously. "No more goblin fires. Only feasting fires. In Kaer Maga, such ceremonies are frequent. Although, ours are much larger. Maybe one day you will visit the Great City?" Roakkad glances around, hoping to see signs of ginoktuk-style drums, but is so far disappointed.
...maybe it will become clear soon - what my purpose is... where Sarenrae would have me do her work...
Excusing himself, he searches for Roakkad... Not finding him within the Cathedral, Kaelaah decides to take a quick walk around the town - even if he doesn't find his Shoanti brother, there may be things of interest... and how often does he get spare time anyway?
Tera catches up to Zache as he reaches the square, for the second time that day, the young woman is bracing hands against her knees as she tries to catch her breath.
"I need to get better at running," she says between gasps for air.
When Roakkad asks about visiting Kaer Maga, Tera realizes she doesn't know much about the City of Strangers other than its name.
"What's it like," she asks as her heart slowly begins to stop racing.