"Ipmeek not a king without a kingdom," mentions the kobold, as Chrysa continues to introduce him as a king. "But Ipmeek want to find other alchemist. Learn human potions. Maybe dwarven. Maybe you can help?"
Ipmeek goes wandering in search of the skilled alchemists and arcanists of the city, in the hopes that one might have some powerful new discovery that he could use for his own concoctions.
Orri has a somewhat concerned look on his face as his sister approaches and extends her arm. He forces a smile and then looks directly in her eyes "Before we go anywhere we need to talk."
Without waiting for her to reply he takes her arm and leads her back to the privacy of his room. Motioning for her to take a seat on the bed Orri paces a moment before turning back to Bella. He purses his lips in anxiety not sure where to start and then finally says "I took some of those cards, the ones everyone else took. There were some strange things, two of them not so bad but one I am kind of concerned about."
He pauses still unsure where to start then takes a deep breath "So first, I think I might have a way to fix whatever happened to you." He holds out his arm for Bella to see there is a tattoo of the number 3 on his forearm now just below his elbow.
"Apparently, I have three wishes. I'm not sure how it works or to what extent the wishes can do things, but if it is anything like the magic I have heard of these things can essentially alter reality. I was going to save them for an emergency, but I know something horrible happened to you at the fort and what kind of brother would I be if I didn't try and fix it?"
He looks down at the number three on his arm then back to his sister. "I think maybe I could use one of these to make it so what happened didn't happen or maybe at least so you don't remember it like it never did. However, I would want to be very precise in my wish so you would need to tell me what happened so I don't end up making things worse. Do you want me to try?"
Whether she answers yes or no, eventually he will tell her about the other things. "So the other thing that happened... this beautiful woman appeared and gave me a blessing of some sorts. There is something different now. I nicked my hand yesterday while going through some of the loot and organizing it so we could sell it and all of a sudden it just healed back together on its own. I think, somehow, now when I get hurt no matter how bad it is, given time I will heal from it. I think it is kind of like a troll how they can regenerate unless hurt by fire or acid, even if they are injured to the point that a normal creature would be dead."
He pauses and scratches his head and then gives Bella a sheepish smile "If that is true though, I need to figure out the extent of it. I need you to help hurt me because I just can't bring myself to do it. We need to test it out and see what does and does not work so I will know how to best utilize this gift to our advantage. I have some ideas on the best way we can test things out but I can't do it alone. Will you help me?"
After any discussions on her helping to intentionally hurt Orri he finishes his news with the last thing to tell his sister. "Ok, so now for the last one. This is the one I am the most concerned about. The next monster we meet, I have to defeat it in single combat. If I don't... I'm not sure what will happen but I have this feeling that I have to do it and win there will be a great boon. So... when the time comes I need you to help me keep the others at bay so I can do this. Also, if you have any suggestions on how I go about winning a fight with a monster all by myself... well I am open to hearing them..."
Chrysa takes a moment to respond to Impeek, thinking, "I have the documents we drafted together, claiming your lands as your own. Tomorrow I'll submit them to the swordlords. It will be a kingdom in all the ways this place recognizes. And together we'll secure it." strolling through the market, watching people do this and that, quietly cataloging as is her way.
Then turning and looking back at the kobold "If not king, is it to be Chief again or just Impeek?"
She'll ask around about the alchemist, finding a rather bulbous and obnoxious member of the alchemist community. A dwarf, she thinks, but one that seems to love his craft, so once the chief/king demonstrates his skill (only part of it she follows, being more of a hobbyist in alchemy), they are two peas in a pod.
She'll leave him for a while, with his list of other things to buy and her own of course.
She listens intently as he walks through the very long list of concerns and issues at hand. She doesn't interrupt him once even though her mind is racing with wild thoughts. When he finally finishes all she says is "Phew. Wow. Okay. That's a lot of things Orri, why didn't you come find me sooner?"[/b] Realizing he did try, she shakes her head "Stupid question, sorry. I can't believe you were struggling with this while I was out trying to have a good time last night." She hangs her head with shame. "I'm so sorry Orri. I have been neglectful of you."
A moment later she raises her head and says "Alright, let's work through them in order of importance."
"The greatest concern for me is your past point. Are there rules around what needs to happen other than what you said? There is no way you can take on a troll alone. Gods. I can't even take on a troll alone and I'm the most equipped to take a beating of all of us. No, I think we need to approach this differently. My suggestion would be to seek out a scenario where you know you will be victorious. Can you defeat a squirrel perhaps? Or squash an ant? Must it be a fearsome monster? I can keep the others off of you, but I do not know if I could sit back and watch you get slaughtered without intervening. It may be best to get someone smart like Sophie involved in this, I do not think this has to be one that you handle in secrecy."
"As to the healing, this is amazing. What a blessed gift has been bestowed upon you! Why must you know the extents of it up front? Cannot you not find out in time? I understand what you are trying to do, but you are asking me to hurt you repeatedly? I... I do not know if I can do this? You want me to burn you and put acid on you and cut you. Oh Orri, this makes my stomach turn in knots just even thinking about it." She stares at the floor silently, thinking about how she could bring herself to do this.
"And the wishes? Again, what a blessed gift you have been given. I cannot imagine having such a power at my fingertips, I do not even know what I would wish for in such a situation. You have your whole life ahead of you to use them, right? You should not use them now unless you are wanting for something? I do not think I can allow you to use your wish on me, Orri. One of my cards healed my scars and wounds and snapped me back into this place again. I have been given a great gift that has restored my body, we cannot use two cards on me, that would be too much."
She shifts uncomfortably "I can tell you what happened if you are asking me to tell you. I haven't. I mean. I am defiled." she shifts her gaze back to the floor. "To what extent do you want to know? Is it enough to say that he knew I would not put up with him and used my defiance against me to inflict pain upon our family? He threatened to kill and injure each of you and when I called his bluff he cut your toe off. I was forced to give up fighting, something I couldn't do. Something broke inside of me when that happened, I don't know how to describe it."
"Or do you want to hear about how he used my body for his own desires and then passed me to man after vile man to do the same? He burned me with acid. He shamed and broke. Me." When she finishes, tears are streaming down her cheeks and holds her chin tight against her chest, unable to look at her brother. "I wasn't fast enough to stop Dunstan from dying. I wasn't strong enough to kill the undead and force us to surrender. I wasn't smart enough to do what you told me to do inside his lair. I wasn't brave enough to stand up to him and kill him alone in his bedroom when I had the chance."
"No. I'm a failure at everything and should have died there. You must use your wishes for great fortune and family, doing great things for this world. Bring honor to ourname. I forbid you from using your wish on me."
Isabella moves her hands to her eyes and sobs, her body shaking.
As usual, Isabella listens to everything Sophie has to say and does not cut her off or try to interrupt. She rises from her feet and lets her hug her, but she just stands there stiffly, body tight with tension and doesn't make any effort to return the embrace.
When she starts talking about Annalla, it doesn't make sense to Sophie and she shakes her head no. "No. She told me she was made of magic? You are saying she's like a dead piece of flesh without a soul? She has a soul, she said so. Why do you not want to like her, I do not understand? Why cannot we not trust others who are nice to us? She told me she would never hurt me and that she is drawn to me. She's nice to me Sophie. She tries to be gentle and she is sweet. And innocent. You'll come to like her, I just know it."
When she starts talking about the Stag Lord, she looks away at the floor and lowers her voice and asks "How could you know what he did? I have only told Orri. Did he? Did he tell you? He would not."
When the subject turns to being injured Orri notes. "Well, don't think of it as hurting me, think of it as helping me. If I don't know how it works then I won't know what kind of risks I can take and then this gift may not be used to its full advantage. I would hate to waste it when it could make the difference between life and death for someone else. I figure we start with you injuring me with different types of weapons to ensure it heals different types of damage, then we do the same with acid, fire, cold, and electricity. Next..." he pauses and scrunches his nose knowing that Bella isn't going to like this part "next we cut off my other toe and then re-attach it and see if it reconnects itself. From what I understand about trolls they can re-attach their body parts if done quickly enough. Being able to do that could be very valuable and I would rather know if it worked or not before I tried it with something more important like a hand..."
He sighs and takes in a deep breath. He gently places his hands on his sister shoulders and looks into her eyes "I know it is a lot and if you have suggestions on getting around it without you having to do it I am all ears, but I would rather it be someone I trust to help me figure this out."
Finally, as his sister details what happened to her at the fort, Orri's lips curl in a snarl at the thought of what she endured. As his sister starts to cry he takes her into his harms and squeezes her tightly "I'm sorry, I'm sorry that happened to you but don't for one second blame yourself or think it is your fault. Those vile men did this not you. I'm glad we ended them..." He sits down next to her and lifts her chin then wipes away her tears. "These wishes, you say I should use them for fortune and family, well you are my family. Please let me try and fix this for you. Maybe I can take it all back, make it like it never happened? I need you out there with me Bella and I can't stand that you feel broken. Please let me try and help you."
Her stomach growls loudly, but she doesn't acknowledge it. She leans her head back on Orri and just sits there letting him hold her.
"I would absolutely love to come with you," Annalla says in response to Isabella's offer. She looks away as her happiness turns to a frown. "There is something I should tell you before I join you, though. And then you may decide that you'd rather not have me come. I would understand."
"I'm not innocent, Isabella," she says, turning back to the swordswoman. "I've taken a life."
"It was right after my 'awakening'," she begins and her eyes lose focus as she recounts the event. "I found myself near the road north of here. I had nothing and I wore nothing. I was confused as everything seemed new yet familiar at the same time. In a moment I realized where I was and for some reason I knew I needed to come here."
"I made my way to the road and the first person I met was a man that introduced himself as Brandon Bereson. I thought that he would offer me food and clothing. I was wrong."
"He wanted me to join him off in the bushes for some 'private time' as he called it," she laces the words with disgust. "When I refused, he slapped me and grabbed me by my hair and called me ... horrible things. He began dragging me away from the road." One of her hands moves up to finger some of the silvery-white strands.
"I screamed at him until he died," she continues with little emotion. "I took his clothes and his pouch which had a few coins and some jewelry in it, but I left his naked body near his wagon with his other goods and starting walking here. When I reached the city, I bought some shoes that fit. The last coin I had wasn't enough to get a meal, but it bought me an ale at the inn where we met."
She actually offers a chuckle at this point.
"From what I know, I would imagine that very few people can tell you their entire life story in a matter of ... a hundred and fifty words or so."
She steps closer to Isabella and again reaches out as if to touch the woman's face, but holds back.
"I can smell about you the pain and anger and helplessness that I felt in that moment, but magnified a thousand times. I know something horrible has happened to you and I want so much to ease your pain, but I know something like that cannot be simply wished away - it must be endured. I would like to help you endure it."
Her hand returns to her side. "But if you decide that you would rather not have a killer travelling with you, I will understand."
Eventually standing up he grins "We should probably get some diner, but before we go. I need a definite answer from you on this wish thing. Bella this wasn't your fault and you don't deserve to feel broken. I have the power to potentially fix it and make it all go away. Wouldn't it be better if it just never happened? If you really want to just live with this, I won't force it on you, but as a big brother to his little sister, please let me try and fix this for you."
After getting answers to his questions Orri nods. When everyone is done discussing things and they leave he excuses himself from the others telling them he will meet up with them later that evening as they definitely need to celebrate before heading back to the Stolen Lands but he has something to take care of first.
Orri goes to find Isla and tell her the amazing news that one day, not too long from now, he will potentially have a land of his own to rule and asks if maybe she would be interested in joining him when he does. Before she can answer he pulls out a small pouch of and hands it to her "I was also thinking, maybe instead of you continuing to work for Miss Kitty you could go and follow your dreams, learn to heal like you want to."
When Isla opens the pouch she finds it contains 1500 gold coins, which should be more than enough, with what she has saved, to pay for the training she seeks.
"I have pain and anger and helplessness and many other feelings I do not know how to deal with. I struggle with these feelings and wonder how I could have been so blind to the real world?"
She sighs and looks into Annalla's eyes, "His blood is on your hands and you cannot undo that. However, you were just in my eyes and I would never look down upon you for defending yourself from aggression. In fact, it would appear you are successful where I have failed. It would appear Annalla that you are braver than I and you should be applauded for your efforts instead of punished."
She does not specifically address her own pain and suffering, working hard to weave her words around them. She adds "You are not a murderer, you are a brave woman who defended her honor and rid this world of one more scum who would abuse those who struggle to do so on their own. I would be honored to have you join me."
You return to Oleg’s Trading Post, a small entourage of troops courtesy of Kesten Garess’ new recruits. With his original three, the 22 men he brought with him brings his armed guard force up to 25. Oleg is thrilled at the extra protection! He also informs you of several new Bounties posted on his “Wanted” board you may be interested in as you continue your work here in the wilds.
You then head on south towards the Stag Lord’s fort, wagon in tow and a contingent of fifteen men of Kesten’s number accompanying you to fortify the position. Upon your arrival, at a distance you see several men standing watch on the walls and turrets, which causes some concern. But as you draw closer, you soon see they are actually just cleverly disguised dummies posted to look like guards. The gate opens for you and once inside, you see Akiros Ismort and Topper Red, both of whom are utterly exhausted.
”We were starting to worry,” Akiros says as he stands and salutes. ”Two days after you left, we spotted a warband of trolls moving to the north of the fort, studying it. That night we built these dummies and one of us has been on watch at all times ever since. We’ve been rotating the dummies to make them look like they moved and everything, trying to keep the dullards confused. But if you didn’t show up soon, we would have had no other choice but to abandon the position,” he looks at the added reinforcements, relief evident on his face, ”You have no idea how glad I am to see you brought more men with you.”
He gives her arm a gentle squeeze and smiles "I guess just let me know. Until then let's go get some food!" He will walk with Bella to a restaurant of her choosing.
Sophie says, ”how do I know?” She pauses, and holds her breath a moment, then exhales, ”okay, okay. So.” She looks around to make sure nobody else can hear. ”I know because I fear I have been marked by something. Something that wants me to know. I know other things... too.”
She makes a nervous smile ”This is all I’ve wanted, all my life. To know how the world works. To see the connections. And I’m learning so much, I’m getting what I wanted! So... I ... think something is helping me. Or has been, for some time. To what end I don’t know.” She seems flushed, and the words spill out quickly.
”You can’t tell anyone. Especially not Chrysa. She’d never trust me. I know it’s connected to the first world.” She looks crestfallen, ”and she has every right to hate them. But you won’t say anything right?” She says this last part quickly.
”Isabella, I have to ... to know things. It’s my shield against the world. It’s all I have - what’s up here.” and she points at her head and face, ”and this. But this goes away. So I have to work my ass off to learn everything.” She looks tired, and you realize that in the time you’ve known Sophie, you’ve rarely seen her rest in any substantial way, except to sleep. She suddenly seems very tired.
”Annalla is - she’s probably fine. She probably has a soul. Hah, don’t worry about me! I’m just being paranoid. Seeing phantoms and shadows where there are none! It’s making me crazy.” She chuckles awkwardly, ”it goes against my beliefs to judge a person based on how they were born. So I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. But just, can she cover herself up in public? This world we’re apparently entering, with this ‘controlling land thing’ requires decorum. We’re going to be dealing with nobles, for better or worse.” She pats Isabella on the shoulder.
Isabella listens carefully as Sophie tries to explain things she doesn't really understand, but she nods along anyway. "I'm glad you brought that up. On the topic of shields," she says, taking her buckler off and handing it over to Sophie. "This is the shield my father gave me before I lost him. It has the Lebeda crest on it and while I went shopping for new shields yesterday, I just couldn't find one that I liked. I am hard pressed to get rid of it, can you, maybe you know, make it better for me? I know you can make stuff?"
She lets go of the shield and reaches into her pocket with her left hand. "I'm not very good with all of this newfound wealth and I didn't want to just leave it sitting around somewhere, so I thought I'd put it to use. I went shopping yesterday and I bought you a present."
She places her right hand on Sophie's shoulder and says "You always work so hard and I never see you rest. When I went shopping yesterday, the though occurred to me that if there was something that I could do to help you find rest that I should do it. I'm not very good with magical stuff, but the proprietor said this should help."
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a gold ring designed in a style evocative of renaissance fashion. It is accented with a small irridescent lemon-yellow pear-cut gem surrounded by transparent pale green, pale purple, vivid red, and black gems. "He said that when you wear this you will only need to sleep for one quarter the time a person normally does. I hope you like it?"
After the ring is exchanged, she moves on to topic number two. "Since we're sharing secrets, I will share one with you that you promise you will not repeat. Orri told me that one of his cards has granted him wishes. He has offered to use one to, uhm, fix me. Make it like it never happened. You just spoke all about healing naturally, what is your thought on this matter? What should I do?"
Sophie nods at the questions, composing herself and straightening up. ”No, I can’t enchant weapons or armor. I had been encouraging your brother to pick up the trade - he’s an adept magic user in his own right. In the meantime, just seek out this magical smith, Arnolf Jerdplindt, I used him to enchant my shield.” She shows off her fancy, tough looking darkwood shield on her back, which looks a bit nicer than Isabella remembers. She writes down the address, and slips it to Isabella.
When Bella offers the beautiful ring, Sophie exclaims, ”oh, it’s lovely! What a nice gift! How perfect of you. I’ll have to get you something. We’re so lucky that Chief shared his boon... we must make as best use of it as we can.” She hugs Bella again tightly and smooches her on the cheek,
The topic of wishes comes up, and Sophie peers at Isabella, curiously. ”These wishes seem fickle. Be careful meddling with things like this, you never know what the unintended consequences will be. Especially with regards to a gift from someone we don’t know, and we don’t really understand. If I were you, I wouldn’t do it... but then again, I didn’t go through what you did. Maybe I don’t understand. I will say that the long trip to recovery is harder, but at least you’ll know you did it yourself.”
She steps up close and it's clear that she wants to reach out and touch Isabella's face, but she settles for gently taking her hand. "People do horrible things in this world, Isabella. Don't take it as a failure that you can't stop them all. We can be sad and grieve for the loss, but we shouldn't take the guilt upon ourselves that someone else chose to do evil." She steps closer, but stops before her body touches Isabella's. Annalla closes her eyes and seems to draw the swordswoman's scent in through her nose before opening her eyes. "Your eyes are very pretty and you smell lovely."
Isabella nods at the street address and takes the slip and pockets it. "I will check with Arnolf, thank you for the suggestion and for the advice on the wishes. I'll keep thinking about it."
"You don't need to get me something, that's not why I bought it for you. I am not expecting a gift in return, Sophie."
Speaking of gifts, "Did you receive my surprise gift from the other night? You are the only one who has not commented on it?"
She hesitates but returns to the original conversation topic "So, you are okay with bringing Annalla along, right? I mean I already told her she could come and I'd hate to have to tell her now that she can't.
I don't believe she'll hurt anyone."
She turns to leave but holds onto the doorframe, turning back. "I meant what I said earlier, Sophie. I'm not sure I'm cut out to lead anything other than a charge into battle. I will likely be declining to take a knee for someone. If you decline, then perhaps it will be for Orri. Or another."
Isabella still hasn't gotten used to being touched by strangers. She's just recently became comfortable letting Orri, Chrysa and Sophie hug her but hasn't quite reached that threshold with Annalla yet. When she draws closer, Bella instinctively pulls back at the same pace away from her, her heart rate acceelerating. When the woman draws in her scent, she's suddenly very glad she decided to bathe this morning. And use soap. She likely smells the lavender soap she bought and used. Much better than tree bark.
Pretty? she thinks to herself, her eyes blinking silently in response.
Isabella tries to remember if anyone has ever called her pretty before other than her brother in a teasing way and she can't come up with a single one. Everyone said she was brave, strong, fearless, commanding and other values typically associated with soldiers. But pretty? Lovely? She aunt always told her she was too plain to be beautiful and that's why she is allowing her to train with the sword like the other men. She would never marry nor have her own children and would live alone and serve others for the remainder of her life.
"Thank you?" she answers, unsure how to respond. She looks up into Annalla's eyes and then refocuses on her forehead. "The gemstone on your head. It reminds me of something that I can't put my finger on. It's very decorative. And Nice. And pretty. Like you in your dress. It is very understandable why all of the men around you want to attract your attention so badly. I am sure you will find a very handsome one someday."
Smooth, Isabella. Smooth. You're a natural at compliments.
After the conversation with the group, Isabella reaches into her other pocket where she has a gift she purchased for Annalla. She purchased gifts for Orri, Chrysa and Sootscale as well, but those would need to wait.
Heading up to Annalla's room she knocks on her door and hopes she will answer. When she does and tells her to come in, she steps inside and closes the door. While staring at the floor she announces "Annalla, it's Isabella. Please tell me you are dressed? I can leave and come back later if not."
"Thank you?" she answers, unsure how to respond. She looks up into Annalla's eyes and then refocuses on her forehead. "The gemstone on your head. It reminds me of something that I can't put my finger on. It's very decorative. And Nice. And pretty. Like you in your dress. It is very understandable why all of the men around you want to attract your attention so badly. I am sure you will find a very handsome one someday."
Annalla's hand moves up to touch the stone on her forehead. "Thank you. I know that neither humans nor androids normally have something like this and I don't understand why I do. I know that it's important ... and special. But I don't know why. I have feelings and hints, or rather, the flavor of memories associated with it, but no knowledge."
She then turns away and shrugs her shoulders. "I think I've had my fill of rude, smelly men. I'm sure that with many of us, myself included, our destinies lie elsewhere. With someone else."
She turns back. "If I'm to travel with you then I will need supplies, won't I? I have the coins you gave me before so I will see if that will be enough for what I need. Would you assist me finding supplies?"
~~~~~
"There are people that look at me clothed and I feel uncomfortable. But with you, Isabella, I'm completely comfortable in nothing at all. I understand if you're not comfortable with that, though. So, yes, I'm dressed."
When Isabella looks, she sees that the android is wearing the simple peasant dress that they purchased yesterday.
"I'm thankful for the sleeves," she says. "But I wanted something to wear under them other than those things." She points at the rough-cut farmer's clothing that she was wearing when they met. "So, are we leaving?"
She nods along with the comment about smelly men. "The only man that I trust in this world is my brother Orri. All of the others have let me down in some way. I'm sure there are good men out there, but I do not know many of them."
"Destiny? My aunt told me that my destiny was to serve my cousin when she was wed to someone of importance. My time away from home has led me to believe I will be serving someone else. I don't know who it is yet, but I believe it won't be her."
"Yes. You most certainly will need supplies. I will pay for all of your supplies. Consider it an investment into my own health. Keeping you prepared means you will be better equipped to help me stay alive when dangers arise, yes? Besides, I've recently come into more coin than I know what to do with. I'm spending it left and right and I have no desire to carry any with me when we leave town."
"Come, tell me of what you think you need and I'll help fill in the gaps with what I think you need. I've spent several weeks out in the frontier lands, I feel pretty confident I can tell you what you're missing."
Isabella then accompanies Annalla to the shops and covers the costs for any gear she needs .
Isabella blinks "You speak so bluntly Annalla, I am not accustomed to such language. Growing up and learning to be a Lady, I was taught to speak around the truth and to avoid direct confrontation. It is quite striking to hear you speak in such a different fashion. I'm used to other Lords and Ladies addressing me, friends and family, servants and common folk, and my enemies and those that I would turn my blade to. None of them speak to me the way you do. Forgive me if I am constantly at a lost for words."
"The concept of wearing no clothing is not something humanity has accepted. We dress up in clothing, fancier and frillier the more coin and the higher your station. But to wear no clothing, well, that is meant to be seen only by those for whom you share feelings or affection. The naked skin of a body is a gift for your lover and not to be given away freely to strangers. Remember that, Annalla. Your body is yours to give to those as you please and thus it should not be given to all." The thought strikes a nerve and she breaks eye contact to look away Or to be taken forcefully from you.
As is quickly becoming a habit of hers, she clears her throat when she wants to change the subject. "Ehem. So, no. We're not leaving yet. I came by to tell you that I spoke to the others and they have agreed to let you accompany us when we do depart. Tomorrow we will be arranging transportation and finalizing details, setting out once again the following morning. I've paid the cost of your room through that time and if there are any more supplies you need, just let me know and we can pick them before we go."
She sticks her hand into her pocket and touches the item she brought for the woman. "I told you I had all of this money and well, I'm spending it on all of my friends and enjoying do so. I know I bought you this room, and some clothes, and that dinner, and those supplies, but, I wanted to get something different."
"While I was in the jewelry store looking for something for Sophe, I came across something that touched me. That gem you have in your head that you were telling me about? Do you know how it sticks out a little bit? Well, it reminded me of a magical creature we found in the woods a few weeks back. A unicorn. It had blue hair."
She pulls out a silver pendant and holds it the palm of her hand. "It's a unicorn that has a blue stone for its horn, just like you have a blue stone on your head? Anyway, so I bought the pendant and then I went to see Sophie to ask if she still had any of the hairs from the unicorn's tail left. She did and I asked her for one and tied it around the charm like this." she motions to the hair that spirals around the pendant. "Then I went to a place that offered spell services and had it fused to the pendant so that it wouldn't fall off or break off."
She extends the pendant out to Anna, the jewelry dangling from her fingertips. "Do you like it?"
Sophiel looks sheepish, ”Oh, yes, that young elf. He was very nice, just my type. We um, well... I tipped him and sent him on his way.” She says, looking down, mumbling ”I’ve been very busy...”
”and Um, like I said with Annalla, it’s probably fine. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. It’s no less than we all deserve. As for whether I’ll manage one of these little towns... I don’t know yet. Maybe if I can prove to myself that I’m better than the alternative. It’s a lot of responsibility, and many people’s lives will depend on me. Something to think about...” She nods at Bella, ”and I know you don’t expect a gift, but... I want you to survive what comes ahead. We’re all going to need everything we can muster for it, if I am right.” She says this distractedly, staring into the middle distance, her eyes lost in in something intangible, before again snapping back to Isabella’s attention. She pats Bella’s hand, ”we can only try our best. Right.” She nods and takes her leave, pulling her scarf that she produced from somewhere up to her face, and disappearing into the larger crowd outside Jamandi and Kesten’s gathering hall, Bjorn emerging from an alcove nearby at her gesture, and following her.
Sophie returns from her room to the common area, having been working most of the day, sweating a bit, to find everyone assembled for the first time in a few days.
”Good, good, we’re all here. I have a plan for how to turn those trinkets you’ve bought into powerful items - this ring Bella got me will help in that regard.” She distractedly searches her pocket and finds a slender pouch, ”Ahh, this is it. One kind turn deserves another Isabella. Please accept this.”
She produces a fine looking band of darkwood, with three stones set in a lattice in it, in a triangular pattern. A fire opal, a jade, and tourmaline, seemingly chasing each other on the filagree. ”A minor charm of divine protection, this should keep all but the most vicious of blows from penetrating your already formidable defense.”
She turns to the others, ”as for me, I have been working on this amulet. Once completed, along with the ring Isabella got me, I will be able to make you all what you need very quickly. It will require that I am given time and space every night to work, though, and I should be interrupted only in the most dire circumstances.” She already seems tired, but happy to have made progress. ”Only the dead need truly sleep.” She adds distractedly.
She turns to Annalla and says, ”welcome to this collection of misfits, miss Annalla. We are glad to have you with us.” She approaches Anna and extends her hand in a friendly way. ”Our future will be perilous, but may we turn that peril into fortune for all of us, and for the people of the stolen lands.”
She eventually sits down, ”has anyone else been up to anything interesting?” She listens attentively to any of her friends who may have a tale of their time in Restov.
Orri comes downstairs followed by a lovely red head carrying a large bag and wearing a heavy cloak. The two embrace and Orri gives the woman a kiss before she leaves. His hair and clothing are all disheveled, but he has a persistent grin on his face. He looks around to see if any of the others are about so they can get a few drinks to celebrate and talk about their meeting earlier in the day.
Seeing Sophiel handing Bella a gift Orri comes over to sit with the others. When Sophiel finishes he grins and notes simply notes "Not much... but we probably should all talk about our thoughts on where things are headed after our meeting today.
Bella is awestruck at the present. "You got me something? Really?" she asks, surprised. "Wow. It's beautiful, thank you Sophie." She takes the ring and slides it onto her finger, feeling a small surge of something inside of her. She tries to study the feeling, but Sophie keeps talking.
When Sophie welcomes Annalla, Isabella's smile beams broadly on her face. She resists the urge to clap her hands happily, but she can't hide the fact that she's happy.
When Orri comes down with ... who is that now? She doesn't interrupt their embrace or kiss, but as soon, and literally the moment she steps away, Bella is on her feet in front of Orri pointing at the door. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Talk, talk talk. I think there is something else we need to talk about first, hmmm? Annnnnndd just who was that Orri? I see you are making friends too! Hmmmmm?"
Orri's face reddens a bit when Bella calls him out about his new female friend "Oh that is Isla, she uhm... she wants to be a healer." He shakes his head and smiles "I'll tell you more about it later."
He looks over to the strange woman Bella had been with earlier "So Annalla is it, you'll be joining us? Maybe you can also tell us a bit more about yourself and your capabilities?"
Annalla's entire shopping list consists of a bedroll and a waterskin. She has no idea what type of environment you'll be in and seemingly no experience with this kind of preparations.
~~~~~
When Isabella shows her the pendant and explains its origins, Annalla's eyes widen and her mouth forms a tiny 'o'.
"It ... It's beautiful, Isabella. Thank you. I don't know how to say that enough," she says in a quiet voice. One hand reaches out to touch the precious thing. She quickly turns her back on the woman and pulls her white hair out of the way baring the pale skin of her neck. "Would you put it on me?" she asks. She reaches up and pats at her neck.
When Sophiel greets her with an outstretched hand, Annalla responds with her own and a smile. "Tha mi cho toilichte a bhith a ’siubhal còmhla riut," she says perfectly with no trace of an accent.
At Orri's question, Annalla looks at Isabella in confusion. She had expected that the woman would have told everyone about her.
"Umm... There's not a lot to tell," she says, her eyes seeking out Isabella's. "Literally. I awoke ... " she tries to remember to use less-specific terms, "less than a week ago near the northern road. I ... acquired some clothes and made my way here to Restov. I know ... some magic and I can heal. I don't eat meat and ..." she smirks at the swordswoman, "and I've been instructed to keep my clothes on at all times."
When eyes fall on Bella with regards to the clothes comment, she cuts in and looks at her companions very defensively. ”What? No! It’s not like that.“
Her expression changes to seriousness as she sits up and shoots a stern look to you all ”Don’t ask.” she says, stopping any questions before they would arrive.
She adds ”She also is amazingly accurate with time and a bit, uh, unaware of our social customs and traditions. Please do not judge her if she makes a mistake or accidentally does something you perceive to be rude or unacceptable. Like nudity.”
She adds ”She also is amazingly accurate with time and a bit, uh, unaware of our social customs and traditions. Please do not judge her if she makes a mistake or accidentally does something you perceive to be rude or unacceptable. Like nudity.”
"I only did that once," Annalla mutters in a soft voice.
Sitting on the floor with her legs crisscrossed over each other, the horned woman is playing a card game by herself and watching the comings and goings of the inn. So far she's just been listening and nodding on occasion, but then that language erupts and she pales. Bad enough Sophie insists on using it more times than sense allows, and now there is another one.
Sighing she joins the conversation "Social niceties won't matter much with the trolls. Do we have enough fire or acid to help stop their healing?"
Bella looks over and softens her expression towards Annalla. ”Right, it’s okay. I am just letting them know it might happen is all. And it’s okay if it happens again, I just wanted to let them know you don’t remember things is all. No one here will judge you.”
Sighing at being ignored, Chrysa will disentangle her legs and get up. "You." she says pointing at Bella's nose from a short distance away "Did you prepare to fight trolls?" then turns to the new person "And you... " her pointing finger flattens to extending her hand "Welcome. A friend of Bella's is as good as family to most of us." she'll shake her hand, having pushed the fey language slip from her mind as best as possible, trying not to put off the newest member of their band "You said healer?"
After Annalla gives her brief, and somewhat confusing introduction Orri looks to his sister giving her a look she knows all to well of What have you gotten yourself into this time... He looks back to Annalla and smiles ”Well, I can definitely say having some extra help keeping Bella alive would be a good thing. My magic isn’t always up to the task with as much trouble as she finds!” He let’s out a laugh at the good humored joke at his sisters expense.
When Chyrsa mentions the trolls Orri pulls out his nice whip that the others have seen him use time and again however this time it looks different. It has a green, translucent sheen to it. He masterfully unfurls it says a word and acid begins to drip off of it. With a grin he notes ”I’m ready! I had wanted to get it enchanted with fire as I thought that would be a bit more intimidating but the dwarven craftsman was out of the necessary materials, luckily he could weave the magical acid properties into it though, with what he had on hand.”
He motions to the upstairs as he continues ”Still have several flasks of alchemist fire and acid too that I bought originally in case of and swarms of insects.”
Annalla's head pulls back slightly as Chrysa turns on her. When the woman extends her hand, Anna takes it, pointedly not looking at the horns on the woman's head.
"I know healing magic, yes," she answers guardedly. She seems to consider the idea for a moment. "Oh, now I understand your skepticism. Healing is normally the hallmark of magic from a divine source," she says as if reading from a book. "Someone that studies magic of an arcane source very seldom gains the knowledge to cast magic that heals." She nods as if understanding something now. "I follow no gods, but, yes, I can heal with magic."
She turns to Orri. "I will definitely try my best to keep Isabella alive." Her blue eyes turn to look at Bella fondly. "She's my friend." Looking back at the group, she continues, "And all of you as well, of course. Although I have no acid nor fire magic to assist with trolls."
Isabella nods to Chrysa "I bought new armor and a blade. Was I supposed to prepare in some other special way? I don't know anything about trolls and no one told me much about them?" she says defensively.
When Orri mentions his whip does acid and fire, she shoots him a wide-eyed stare as she fears what's coming next.
When Bella mentions the acid and fire are for the trolls, she breathes out a sigh of relief and relaxes.
At the dripping of acid on the floor, Chrysa's smile goes wide and she waves the proprietor of the establish away with a flick of a few coins. "Good choice."
"Healing alone is good, Annalla. We have needed more than we have too many times." then turning to Orri "I have something new as well." sliding her new short sword out of its sheath. A silver blade almost painful to watch it is so shinny. The horned woman presses it to the side of the chair, leaving a slight charred mark. "One of 'gifts' I was given as a child was resistance to heat and this material burns so hot all the time it should sear a troll's flesh. No one else should try to hold it." sliding it back in the sheath she looks to Sophie "Sophie helped me with its purchase." she smiles at the half elf in gratitude.
Isabella clears her throat when Chrysa ignores her. "Ehem."
Once she turns to look at her she asks "How exactly was I supposed to prepare?"
Chyrsa looked back to Bella "Fire and acid, like Orri said. We talked about this... didn't we?" she shook her copper head, not dislodging her memory "Or we didn't." she sighed and smiled "It should be okay. The regeneration will be halted with fire and acid, to keep it down for good. Hacking and stabbing with normal weapons will get it to that point."
Isabella frowns, remembering Orri did mention it earlier today. "Can anyone make my sword a fire-sword? Is that a thing? Or can I just keep hitting it and you guys hit it with fire? Does only fire hurt it?"
Isabella looks to Orri and asks "Did you talk to Chrysa about that other thing yet, Orri?"
Isabella points out "Make sure to get multiple sets of undergarments. You never know when a stray fey will appear and play pranks on you and steal your unmentionables so that you have none! It is extremely embarrassing!" It sounds like she's speaking from personal experience.
"And soap. Lots of soap. We don't have hot baths, but we have rivers and streams and soap keeps us clean."
"Would you put it on me?" she asks. She reaches up and pats at her neck.
Bella smiles that Annalla seemingly likes her gift. She was doing well with gifts. Everyone liked their companion, Sophie liked her ring and now Annalla liked her pendant.
Once she turns around she unclasps the chain and moves behind Annalla, reaching around her neck as she lays it on her chest and fidgets with the clasp to close it. "All done." she says. Turning around and let me see it, she states.
Orri gives Chyrsa an approving nod and simply states ”Nice! When his sister says no one told her about the trolls Orri furled his brow ”What? I told you when we were talking about... He stops suddenly and just shrugs ”No matter, from what i understand as long as some one is hitting them with fire or acid they can’t regenerate, so we should be ok unless there are just a bunch of them in which case we just need to focus our attacks.”
After a moment he slides over to Chyrsa and whispers to here ”I need to talk to you later.”
Before she replies he adds ”I’ve discovered I have this new ability to regenerate. However, I’m not sure exactly how it works. I think it is wise to figure it out in relative safety so I know how best to use it to our advantage. I asked Bella to help me test it out, but she didn’t really seem up to it and she has been through enough, she suggested you might be able to help. I need you to help hurt me, I mean hurt me, but to help me...”
Annalla continues to watch and try to absorb the dynamics in the group. She just put two and two together to realize that Orri is Isabella's brother and for some reason that makes her feel much better.
"Oh... okay" Chrysa answers Orri with no small amount of worry.
Chrysa looks nervous in a way the horned woman has rarely been seen when alone with Orri. As he talks, she relaxes significantly "I thought... not that... oh nevermind." she smiles at her own foolishness and at the trust he is presenting her. "Bella thinks I'll be good at hurting you, does she?" she smirks but agrees "Yes, I'll help. That gift is amazing and beyond useful, but only if you understand it. You shouldn't cut off your thumb to get out of manacles if it won't reattach. Do you think fire and acid..." the flood of suggestions fall short, as a look of concern flashes "We should get a sleeping draught, one that would knock you out to spare you from the pain. You can make a list of things you want to try. And I can stop at any point something doesn't work. Then wait until you are awake to decide if we continue."
"Undergarments? What are ...?" she begins, but then pauses in a way that Isabella is getting used to as knowledge that wasn't known previously is brought to the surface. "Ah, yes, undergarments. I should get some of those if they're needed in the wilderness."
Once Isabella closes the clasp on the necklace. Annalla turns around. She doesn't step back, though, so is standing close enough that the swordswoman is looking right at the pendant resting in the center of Anna's cleavage - eight inches from her face.
Annalla's eyes move from the pendant to Isabella. "It's beautiful. Thank you again." Her eyes then drift down to Isabella's lips and then back up. "Is there something that I can give you to show you how much all your generosity has touched me?"
Sophie chimes in finally, ”Sorry, I’ve been a bit distracted.” After she gave away her present and introduced herself formally to Annalla, she seemed to be thinking about things while the others chatted.
When Annalla speaks sylvan, Sophie is broken from her reverie, and she tilts her head, she responds in slightly accented sylvan herself, "Tapadh leibh airson labhairt sylvan..."
Thanks for speaking sylvan...
"I think it's a lovely language, but... well, it makes Chrysa uncomfortable. She doesn't much like folks native to the first world, or their language." Sophie chuckles, "if I started chanting in Aklo, it'd be really bad." She pats Chrysa on the shoulder. "I think I might be the only weird fey thing she likes, for that matter. Right Chrysa? Or does Tyg get a pass now?" She grins at Chrysa.
"Truth be told, a lot of fey folk are just a pill to deal with, and the ones that aren't tend to be well-hidden. I understand her feelings."
As Chrysa suggested some means of knocking him out so he didn’t feel the pain he shook his head. ”No, I want to know all the effects and that won’t work if I’m passed out. Anyway, I can heal myself so we can get through this as quickly as possible but, again, I can’t do that if I’m unconscious.”
He shifts his shoulders a bit as he can feel them stiffening up from anxiety. ”So, I figure first we start with different types of weapons make sure they all heal up, then maybe different elements. It seems we have the fire and acid covered but not sure the best way to test cold and electricity. Then, probably the worst part, I need you to cut off my toe so we can see if it will reattach.”
"Don't worry about trolls, Ipmeek make fire bomb for you. Not as good as Ipmeek bomb, but safer, hehehe. Sootscale pulls out a set of 4 Alchemist's Fire for anyone to take.
"Truth be told, a lot of fey folk are just a pill to deal with, and the ones that aren't tend to be well-hidden. I understand her feelings."
"I'm so sorry," Annalla says with a frown, turning towards Chrysa. "I didn't mean to offer offense. I just ..." she trails off with a shrug. "I won't do it again."
Chrysa is hesitant about not being knocked out but it is his body and mind, so who is she to say if he is a fool or not. "Hmmm... the entire toe... how about the ear lobe instead? It feels less pain and would still show us if reattaching works." she thinks "I've been studying the spellbook we found in the fort, and can cast a frost spell, a really minor one... and think I've heard of the same for an electricity one. But I'll need to buy a scroll of it on the way out of town tomorrow. When do you want to do this... now?"
Sighing, something she prone to lately, she'll agree with Sophie about the acceptable fae, including the dragon as well, then turn to Annalla "You didn't offend... that language is just one that I know too well. Use it if you wish, I won't bother you about it... now Orri... asked me... well, I need to say good night. Last night in a bed for some time, sleep well all."
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"Ah, yes, undergarments. I should get some of those if they're needed in the wilderness."
Isabella frowns. "Not just the wilderness, Annalla. You should always wear undergarments all of the time. I'm wearing them now as you should be."
...the swordswoman is looking right at the pendant resting in the center of Anna's cleavage - eight inches from her face. Annalla's eyes move from the pendant to Isabella. "It's beautiful. Thank you again." Her eyes then drift down to Isabella's lips and then back up. "Is there something that I can give you to show you how much all your generosity has touched me?"
Isabella stares at Annalla's face when she turns and is less than a foot away from her. After she speaks she remembers she isn't supposed to stare at her face so she turns her head down, away from her face ... and ends up staring at her cleavage instead. She stares for just long enough for her mind to drift before she lifts her head back up and closes her eyes. Gods. Where am I allowed to look at this woman without feeling guilty?
"Uhhh..."
Isabella Lebeda. Slayer of the Stag Lord, Champion of sword and yet she can't answer a simple question.
"Uhm..."
With her eyes still closed she tries to find words. "I'm glad that you like it, Annalla. I tried to search for something personalized for you. I know I don't know you that well yet, but this reached out and touched me as special."
* * *
The next few days pass quickly. Isabella spends a fair amount of her around Annalla as she tries to explain what the groups charter covers and what they are trying to accomplish out here. She doesn't sleep well the next few nights, waking everyone up with her nightmares but there are no repeats of her crazed run again. She knows everyone knows she is having nightmares, but she doesn't want to talk about them.
By the time they arrive back at Oleg's, signs of her lack of sleep are beginning to show as dark circles are forming under her eyes and she's yawning all of the time, showing signs of fatigue. She's thought a lot about Orri's offer to help rid her of this pain she carrying around as the nightmares are keeping her up at night and she begins dreading going to sleep. On the seventh day she decides she isn't going to sleep and she's going to say up all night so she doesn't have to have nightmares.
She tries dunking her head in cold water, slapping herself and trying to talk to herself, but eventually she passes out from exhaustion.
Bella stands defiantly, arms crossed for several seconds. She repeats "Give me your word you will no longer injure any of them first. I want to hear it. You can have me, but none of them. I want you to take them that food I saw on the table out there and feed them. You do that, I will do as you ask."
The Stag Lord’s head turns toward Bella and he glowers. "That sounds like you are resisting to me..."
Isabella uncrosses her arms, but doesn’t take anything off. "All I’m asking is for you to do is feed them. Then I will listen."
"Dovan," the Stag Lord calls out.
Yes, Sir? Dovan asks eagerly.
Go pick one from the line up and slit their throat," the Stag Lord says as he stands in the doorway, hand on the hilt of his sword as he stares into her eyes from behind that skull mask of his. "Not the pet lizard either. One of her real friends."
With pleasure, sir," Dovan says as he stands.
Bella screams, eyes going wide and falling to her knees. "I’ll do it! I’ll do it!" She immediately starts to tear off her armor as quickly as she can, then starts pulling her shirt off. "See?! There!"
The Stag Lord raises a hand to halt Dovan, who sits down somewhat disappointed, but resumes his front row seat for the show. Isabella relaxes and her shoulders slump forward when he halts the execution.
"Get your ass up and continue..." he says, growing perturbed.
She slowly takes her feet again, staring at him defiantly as she does so. Hatred seethes from her face as she begins to step out of her trousers. Once she's undressed, he steps over to her and circles her body, appraising her with his eyes. After a couple of passes, he lets his hands slide across her skin, wandering along its surface lightly. "Too soft and unblemished to be a commoner. You’re noble-blood aren’t you? Probably never been with a man. Doesn’t matter, before the day is out you will have been with several. But first, to let them know to whom you belong. Lay down on the bed, on your back."
He then steps over to the chest and moves the things from the surface before lifting the lid. Isabella’s heart rate begins to increase, her breathing coming faster now as she grows nervous. Her eyes twitch at the comment of having been with a man, but she doesn’t respond. She stares at him defiantly and tries not to show she’s scared, but she is afraid of what will happen to the others if she doesn’t relent. She lowers her head and looks at the floor, turning from him and moving to the bed as instructed. She closes her eyes and asks "Please, go feed my friends."
He doesn’t seem to acknowledge her request. He retrieves a dark green vial from the chest and a long, thin metal rod with a pointed tip. He then drags a chair over to the far side of the bed and says "Don’t move. Don’t scream. If you do it will mess me up and we will have to start again...understood?"
She eyes the rod and and vial warily, her right hand starting tremble. When she notices it, she clenches her fist to stop it before drawing in a long breath. She meet his eyes again and says flatly "You cannot break me or my soul. All of your horrible machinations mean nothing to me. I will look down upon your bleeding, lifeless corpse and say to you that no one will ever remember the scourge of Golarion that you have become. You are pathetic! F%*!ing PATHETIC!. Enjoy your petty, frivolous, deviant activities knowing I will end you someday soon."
Orri’s words ring out in her head and she closes her eyes, letting her head fall back on the bed. That’s enough, Bella. You're pushing too hard.
With her boast, he dips the tip of the metal rod into the vial and pulls it back out. A thick, green liquid drips off the end of it and he rakes the excess off the tip before setting the vial down and reaching across to just above Isabella’s stomach, and bringing the tip down to her skin about six inches above her navel. Her flesh immediately begins to burn painfully as he begins moving the rod along her midsection.
He continues to drag the tip along her skin, pausing to dip the rod into the vial again and then resuming his work. Isabella fights through the pain, somehow able to hold still and not squirm as he instructed her to do. He dips the horrible “quill” into the vial one more time, and resumes his handiwork. Isabella's vision starts to go white as she borders on unconsciousness, her arms and hands tremble as she strains all of her muscles to keep still. Her breathing is coming in rapid bursts and she's nearly hyperventilating. Her eyes water as tears start to stream from her body. teeth clenched, she refrains from moving as instructed, though it’s more due to the fact that she won’t give him the pleasure of seeing her in pain than anything else.
Her eyes flash open and she sees Orri kneeling, watching her naked body being melted before his eyes. She squeezes her eyes closed and when she opens them next Chief is kneeling next to Annalla, crying. Blades are held at their throats and he says "Go ahead, scream. I dare you. Their blood will spill all over you. Scream. Do it Isabella."
"Where's your fire now, girl Who's pathetic?!?"
After another dip and another section of flesh melted away, Isabella's will finally breaks. The pain she has resisted up until now finally breaks her will and she throws her head back and screams out loudly in agony, her pain echoing out into the dining hall adjacent. She clenched her fists as all of her limbs begin to shake uncontrollably, her body spasming.
He sighs and looks down at her with disdain. You were warned! he says as he takes her by the hair and lifts her head up to look. "See...you are mine now..." he says as he shows her his handiwork. The skin of her stomach between her ribs and navel is now marred with acid burns. Acid burns that are an almost exact copy of the Stag Lord pendant his lieutenants wear. He forces her to look at it a few moments before picking her up and dragging her to her feet, holding her by her hair.
Holding her still he shouts "Cut all of their throats!"
The men all oblige and one after the other they slice open all of their throats, saving Orri for last. Bellla cries and screams as she tries to fight back helplessly.
He says "You're mine forever, girl. Even if you manage to kill me, you will forever belong to me." He takes a swig from a bottle and laughs before pouring leaning over and slicing open her belly. He taunts "I'm going to put something inside of you tomorrow, girl. That will be with you forever." Her blood spills all over her body. Warmth wetness surrounds her as she tries to scream, but no sound comes out.
Isabella's lays in bed, breathing so rapidly she can't catch her breath. Her her heart races so quickly that it feels like it's going to burst. She opens her mouth to scream, but all that comes out is a gasp for air. She feels the warmth of her blood spreading between her legs all around her. She is frozen by panic, her body trembling. She tries to scream for help again, but only a whimper of a breath escapes. She reaches down to touch her bloody lower half but when she raises her hand to her eyes she sees it is dripping with urine, not blood. She gasps for air loudly as her bladder releases completely on the bed. She starts to gasp and choke from air, her body sweating profusely at this point. She strains to scream as loud as she can, tensing all of her muscles and with a desperate she whimpers "H-h-help."
Isabella snaps awake, apparently her last awakening from the dream was a dream itself. She is still breathing rapidly and her body is still wet with urine, but it is cold and not warm. Her heart races as she bolts upright, finally able to move on her. She gasps loudly as she looks about to see her friends all alive and laying nearby, asleep.
Not the type to sleep soundly, Annalla's eyes open in the dark when she hears Bella's ragged breathing.
She rises quietly and steps over to the woman's bed. Only then does the smell touch her nostrils and she wrinkles her nose. Having realized that most of her companions can't see in the dark like she can, she announces her presence with a whisper.
"Isabella, it's me, Annalla," she says in a soothing voice as she kneels next to the woman's bed. "Here give me your hand." She reaches down and takes the swordswoman's calloused hand in her soft one. "It's ok. I'm right here. I'm not going to hurt you." She brings the woman's hand to her own cheek and, after turning her face a bit, she begins to hum against the woman's toughened palm. It's a gentle tune - a lullaby - and Anna's breath is warm on Bella's skin.
Isabella is not fully awake yet, confusion still lingering on her mind as reality and dream worlds collide. She sees Annalla before her and ignores her hand as she moves forward, placing both damp hands on the woman's neck as she searches for the wound where she saw the android's head was just cut off. Eyes wide, she probes all around the woman's neck as her heart races as if she was flat out running as fast she can.
Annalla can feel the cold sweat on her hands as Bella whimpers "No! You're dead! You're dead! I saw you die!"
"No, little one, it was just a bad dream. I'm right here. I'm fine," Annalla whispers back, placing her hands over Isabella's. "Shhhh... I've got you."
Drawing her hands up, Anna leads Bella out of her soiled bed and around the room to her own. She casts a quick spell in the dark to clean her skin of urine and directs her to lie down there. She climbs into the bed behind her and continues to whisper quiet assurances to her until Bella falls asleep.