Sophiel Medvyed |
Sophie ignores Isabella, and moves into the inn, heading toward to a room to be alone, but Isabella is easily able to catch up. She pulls at Sophiel, who wheels around to face her.
Isabella is met with a vicious glare, full of animus. Sophie seems to know that she cannot match Bella’s physical fighting ability, but clearly on edge and willing to scrap if necessary. She readies her shield, and says simply, ”what do you want.” The words drop like lead weights, each heavier than the last, and it is less of a question and more of a resigned statement. A formality, even.
Sophiel does not break her gaze from Isabella, and Bella notices that the ambient air around has dropped noticeably in temperature within the inn, and there is a sight breeze. Sophiel’s fist appears to start crackling with elemental energy. She steps away from Isabella.
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella grumbles about having to continue to chase after Sophie. When she finally stops and looks ready to fight, Isabella moves her hand to her blade. "Look. I could cut you in half in a fight, and I'm sure you could make me slip around and magic my brain to death. Neither of us are incompetent or we wouldn't be where we are today, right?"
She doesn't loosen her hand on her hilt, still eye the skald warily "What do I want? What the f+&& is wrong with you, exploding back there? Annalla is mine, I found her and saved her and you don't get to tell me what to do with her. I'm the one that decided to bring her and I'm the one who's been feeding, clothing and supplying her."
She holds up a hand to stop herself "Sorry. That's not going to help. Let me try a different approach. I'm going to kill all these trolls tomorrow. You're going to be there and help me do it. I would appreciate if we didn't need to worry about killing each other in the process."
She motions to the spit on her pants "And this s!!+? Oh, this is going to stop right the f~*+ now. You want to have an attitude with me? Fine. You can do that. Right time, right place. Not wherever you feel like blowing your top. Don't you dare disrespect me in front of my family. Ever. Again."
Sophiel Medvyed |
Sophiel doesn’t respond. Her face has relaxed, and she seems calm somehow. She merely watches Isabella, as a nobleman might watch an animal in a cage at a zoo. Or a child might watch an ant. She cocks her head, and Sophiel’s face looks like a mask again, like it was when they first met. Except this time, it is hiding something alien to this very world.
The elemental energy has not dissipated.
Sophiel seems to be tensely waiting for something to happen. She steps away, and Isabella again gets the impression of something wild from Sophiel.
Bjorn steps from the shadows of the inn and draws his sword, standing next to Sophiel.
It is extremely unsettling when Sophiel then smiles, saying nothing.
Annalla |
She points an annoyed finger at her own chest.
"I am a woman and an android. I have a soul. I choose for myself. I'm as much a person as you or Isabella. I can be hurt. I can die. I can ... love." At the last word, her annoyance gives in to tears and she has to steady herself before continuing.
"Something's wrong with Isabella. Something has changed. The ... timeline ... has been altered. Something has changed in the past and whatever it was has changed her. We need to find out what changed and find a way to change it back. This isn't how she's supposed to be. She's not the woman that I ... She's not the woman she's supposed to be." The tears are running freely now in spite of her efforts to wipe them away.
Orri Lebeda |
He rubs the back of his neck as he pauses to consider the next part ”As to my sister, your right she is different, but she is better now. She was broken, her spirit shattered, her body defiled, her dreams turned against her. I used some power I was granted as a blessing to fix her. I made it so the horrible things that happened to her when we fought the stag lord never happened. She asked me to help her so I did. Apparently it changed things, and I’m the only one who remembers how it really happened.” He shakes his head and shrugs ”I don’t know what’s up with her now exactly, but at least she’s not broken anymore, and that’s what she wanted...”
After a moment he gives Annalla a questioning look ”If no one else remembers the other events, how do you know something is different?”
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella watches Sophiel, growing irritated the woman doesn't respond.
She is difficult to read and she isn't even responding to her. She keeps her magic growing which means they are likely going to escalate this. She tightens her hand around the hilt of her blade, ready to draw it if need be. Her fingers are ready to draw it when the shadows move and Bjorn steps in.
Bella has Quick Draw and Sophie knows that her hand on her blade sheathed is no different than considering it drawn and readied.
When Sophiel smiles, Bella draws her blade in the blink of an eye, the flames burning up and down her blade. She eyes Sophiel warily, looking uneasily upon the duo. She tilts her head and her right foot steps back into a defensive fighting stance. Sophie? What do you think you are doing? Think very carefully before you make a very stupid mistake here. I came to talk to you, not to kill you and your slave. Send your boy away, turn off your magic or I'll turn it off for you."
Annalla |
"You didn't 'Fix' her, you erased who she was!" she finally says, her voice rising as she steps towards him. "You had no right to do that! You replaced her with some 'What If' version. That is magic that is beyond anything you understand! That is magic of the gods and you have not the wisdom of the gods. Like a child playing with poison. You have no comprehension of what you might damage ... or kill."
"She is not better like this! Can't you see it? Can't you feel it? She is wrong like this. This is so, so wrong. You would have been better off just killing her." She closes her eyes and tries to calm herself down. "How did you get this magic?" she finally asks.
Sophiel Medvyed |
The temperature drops in the room. Bjorn grimaces and tightens his grip on his sword, waiting for Isabella to attack. Sophie takes no aggressive actions.
Then Isabella hears a whisper, as if the wind itself is speaking, though in Sophiel’s voice. ”let’s hope you kill us both - if you don’t, your brother will know you tried to murder me in cold blood. Over your precious ‘hurt feelings’ - she has done nothing to you. Walk away, human, before you come to regret it.” Sophiel’s lips don’t move, but as Isabella listens, the voice seems to take in an otherworldly rasping echo, and it is no longer Sophiel but a chorus: a maiden, a mother, and a crone.
Sophiel continues to smile.
intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Then she sees the darkwood ring on Bella’s hand, and her composure falters. ”what??” She closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath, opening them. She says quietly, ”Just leave me alone Isabella, I don’t have to do what you say, and you don’t have to attack me.” She relaxes a hair but still appears to be readying to defend herself. Bjorn is watching Isabella very carefully.
And Bella knows that Bjorn can and will defend Sophie, very effectively, even when they are both surprised. Bodyguard + combat reflexes + the helpful trait!
Chrysa Surtova |
Chrysa is suddenly there between them, hands down in a placating manner, "Stop. Please." she says softly but firmly "Nothing in our charter says we have to like each other, not one line. Nothing says we have to respect each other or Obey each other. But if we kill each other the trolls won't get stopped. They'll keep killing. Neither of you wants that. Do you?"
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella eye's physically looks around when the words start speaking as she tries to identify its source, but she doesn't move her head. "It's a trick. You are trying to distract me with your magic!" she responds, raising her blade preparing to strike.
Then there is that unnerving smile that causes Bella to hesitate and pause just long enough for Sophie to falter herself and speak in a hushed tone. Her words cut through the tension and Bella lowers her blade from its striking position, to a readied position as Chrysa enters.
Bella does turn her head to face her, considering her words. She doesn't answer he questions, but does lower her blade. She responds "Alright. I will relent. However, she spit on me and embarrassed me in front of my family without provocation. I came in here to talk and she ambushed me to kill me. I deserve compensation of sorts."
Chrysa Surtova |
"If Sophie was ambushing you this entire room would be on fire." Chrysa points out, but sighes and asks "What do you want, Bella? Please understand what you are likely to get before you ask."
Sophiel Medvyed |
The magic dissipates as soon as Chrysa enters.
Sophiel is taken aback at Bella’s obvious lie, but regains her composure, she then scoffs, ”she’s obviously delusional. There’s no ‘spit’ anywhere on her. It’s on the ground, outside. And everyone knows I wouldn’t attack anyone in cold blood. Just more lies from an obvious liar. I guess I wasn’t clear enough before, Isabella. Leave me alone, you psychopath.” She almost screams this last part, before tromping up the stairs into her own room, Bjorn in tow. The door locks behind her.
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella thinks about Chrysa's words, what does she want. "There is not spit because I obviously wiped it off. She just acknowledged she did this disrespectful deed."
Bella thinks about what bug Sophie the most. Gold? Gear? No, no, no.
"I demand a sincere apology." she asks for just as the half-elf leave. Isabella smirks and waves goodbye to her back. "Don't be a stranger! I'll be waiting!" she calls after her.
She shrugs at the insult. "Such a b~#$%, that one."
Turning to Chrysa she forgets about the encounter and changes the subject asks "So. Tell me about when you helped test Orri's powers. What was it like?
Chrysa Surtova |
Chrysa looks at the fleeing Sophie, they haven't seen eye to eye that much since... well ever... but she has a hard time thinking that woman would do what Isabella suggests. Turning to the taller woman she looks up at her "You are not getting an apology, you do know that. You will either have to look past the insult or go back and fight her to the death." she says plainly.
"You were there for most of it, were you not?" Chyrsa moves to a table and sits on it "I admit to thinking he couldn't handle half of the pain he had to endure. I Am Impressed. Cutting off his toe... and not one scream." she shakes her head and whistled low and long.
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella laughs and then smirks gleefully ”Oh, yes I know that. I just enjoy watching that pious c#%# squirm. I don’t f++&ing care about the spit at all. I’ll just cut her smiling fey-loving head off then. Then we can just split whatever land she would get between the rest of us. Win-Win.”
Turning to Chrysa she asks ”Would you get mad at me if I killed her? I figure that her connection to the get and all, hell, likely she orchestrated that whole b~*~!~$@ prank camp thing a few weeks ago just to f+&* with us.”
When Chrysa talks about her role in torturing Orri, she waves her hands for her to stop. ”No, no. I know that part. Tell me how it made you feel inside?”. She leans in closer until she’s touching Chrysa’s ear. She lowers her voice to a throaty whisper and touches her ear with her mouth when she talks ”Did you get that tingly sensation? Start to feel a little chill go up your spine? Or maybe it made your loins cry for more. Tell me. I want details. Tell me again about when he finally screamed in pain and it wouldn’t heal on it’s on.”
Chrysa Surtova |
Chrysa pulls her legs up to a crossing, and considers, not sure if the other woman is serious or just sounding out. Either way as a mental exercise she answers "Not mad, but it wouldn't be a good idea. She's smart, skilled, has ties to a noble house that would be bad to have as an enemy, has a strange connection to the land neither of us have... plus your brother likes her." and she secretly adds she is pretty sure it would be very hard to do so.
Isabella gets too close for Chrysa's comfort, but she hides it and doesn't pull away. Doing so would show weakness and Chrysa has been around Isabella's type most of her life so knows that showing weakness is not a good idea around a predator.
"You should know me better than that by now." she tilts her head and slides back slowly to her elbows until her face is even with hers, the other woman leaning over her "I don't feel that much anymore. No chills or yearnings over something like that. He impressed me, nothing more. Did you enjoy it?"
Isabella Lebeda |
There are lots of accidents that happen on the battlefield, Chrysa. It's why you need to know that your true friends have your back." she smiles gleefully and pats Chrysa's back. "Besides. The reasons you just outlined are why she needs to die. She's too smart. Eventually, she will be a problem for us. Best we take her out before she has the opportunity. Think on it, hmmm?"
Isabella sighs and pulls away from Chrysa "I know, I know. I do. I feel like that and so I was hoping you did too so you could tell me about it." She lets her eyes flutter several times and shivers as if a chill had run through her body. "Gods, did I. I was trying to get him to let me do it again earlier but his wussed out. So disappointing. That's clearly the bastard side of his blood, Lebeda's never back down from anything."
Smiling again she says "ANYWAY! Let me tell you, when you hit him with the acid and his flesh was burning off. Did you smell. The look on his face in anticipation that perhaps it would not heal? Oh man, that was priceless. I'd pay anything to see that again."
Isabella bites her lower lip as an idea comes to her "Chrysa. Why don't we exchange favors? I do something for you, you do something for me? Hmmm? "
Chrysa Surtova |
Interest flares in the dark eyes of the other woman. Favors are the best form of currency to have. And Chrysa is nothing if not greedy. "Depends on what it is" she asks rising to sit once again, to better draw her swords if need be. Very careful to not move her hands to her hilts of course. "What would you have me do, Isabella Lebeda?"
Orri Lebeda |
Orri listens as Annalla berates him. He clenches his fist tighter and tighter as she continues. When she is finally done he just shakes his head letting the tension in his fist go. ”Look, you knew Bella for what a couple days? I’ve known her, her whole life. Something is strange but... but she isn’t broken anymore. She told me what they did to her, the different things they did to all of us... No, more, this time it didn’t happen. No one was tortured, defiled, humiliated or broken. It’s only been a few hours since things changed... maybe it takes a little time for the dust to settle... either way, she couldn’t deal with it, she asked me for help and I helped. Maybe you can’t understand what it means to have some one you love need your help like that and actually have the power to fix it, but I’m not going to apologize for helping my sister when she needed it!”
He intentionally doesn’t address her final question and just glared at her defiantly. Finally he says, ”If you really care about her as much as you make out you’ll help me with her now. We can work with this, and turn it around, but I’m not going to make her go back and go through what she did again...”
Sophiel Medvyed |
On Day 2
Sophiel only Orri and Annalla are permitted to call her Sophie arrives at the fort with her wagons, pulled by her two bison, driving the wagon with Bjorn mounted on her horse next to her. She nods at Akiros and Topper as she approaches.
”Akiros, Topper, our faithful friends, you look exhausted. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble. We came back as quickly as we could.” She hops down and approaches them, her hand out for a hearty handshake. Bjorn follows closely as a result of yesterday’s altercation, never more than five feet from Lady Sophiel, always keeping an eye out for Isabella, now that they know Isabella wants Sophie dead.
Sophiel listens as Akiros explains what they did, nodding solemnly, ”ingenious of you. And as a reward for your service and courage, we present you with these.” She pulls out the writs that she somehow had the entire time, and hands them to each of the former bandits. ”It’s the least we could do - you helped us spring the trap when there was nothing in it for you. We brought soldiers too, to help keep the fort. Hopefully this keeps the trolls at bay, until we can find out where they’re coming from. Come all, let us commiserate. Akiros, Topper... get some rest.” She smiles kindly at each of them, patting them on the hand. After asking a few of the soldiers to load up the cart with the stores to take to Oleg’s she leads the party toward the common area.
She spreads out a map onto the Stag Lord’s old table, and makes a few marks with a piece of charcoal. ”Akiros and Topper said they saw packs of trolls here and here. First option is: we track them. Bjorn and I know our way around the woods and can do a passable job. Another idea: wait for one to come and ambush them, then interrogate any survivors. Lastly: ask any locals if they know where they come from. Maybe Tyg or Pervilash knows someone or something ... if we haven’t driven them off. Thoughts?” She looks up, ”other ideas are welcome.” If there is any residual anger in her from yesterday, it is gone. She regards everyone politely, including Isabella.
”King Sootscale, you have lost the most, and are the cleverest among us. I would hear your ideas first.” She gestures at him, and sits, folding her arms and listening attentively.
Isabella Lebeda |
Chrysa Surtova |
Briefly and only briefly, Chrysa considers teleporting behind the other woman and trying to kill her as quick as possible. She is too dangerous, way too dangerous and Chrysa doubts she'd get a good enough hit before having to fight normally. So she desperately tries to hide that from her eyes, smashing it down as she does all her emotions.
bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
"I do not mind" she manages in a dead tone. "But if you don't want the others to know, it will have to wait until we are in town again. Unless you have even more endurance than your brother."
She hops down from the table and starts to leave "Now we have trolls to hunt and kill before we can claim any land. Are we done?" she looks and waits.
DM Thron |
Evening, Day 2 (Formerly Known as 8), Stag Lord’s Fort:
Akiros and Topper read the writs and, despite their exhaustion, comprehend what this means and relax a bit. Akiros offers a salute to Sophiel and your group. ”Thank you. You’ve been too kind.”
Topper walks towards his bedroll and slumps into it, falling asleep almost immediately. Akiros takes his armor off slowly and overhears the groups planning. ”If I may, My Lord and Ladies. The trolls are out and about. It would be risky to load the wagons and begin shipping these supplies until they are dealt with. Perhaps they would be best be kept safe here? Or even used to repair the defenses here?”
Chrysa Surtova |
On the road, Chrysa makes it a point to ride next to Orri. She's never talked much about her life as a bandit, but for some reason decides to tell him, of all people, all about the Harpy. A woman that butchered and ate the people she robbed. That broke men and women for sport, twisting them into mini versions of herself and set them loose on the world. Who got off on pain and suffering like a lawyer on gold.
She told him how she managed to fake being her faithful servant for nearly a year, smothering her fear and loathing just for the single chance she had to kill the evil b%$**.
At the fort, when Isabella is distracted by something, Chrysa grabs Orri's arm, stopping him for a moment. She lets all the fear she has been feeling just being around his sister enter her voice. "Isabella will be much worse than the Harpy ever was. You have to do something!" then she disengages as quick as possible to hopefully not be noticed.
Chrysa explores the fort again, checking to see if there has been any attempts to break in at places the two men couldn't manage to see. Two sets of tired eyes being what they are. "Any signs of the fae?"
Sophiel Medvyed |
With Bjorn following her closely, Sophiel approaches Orri after she finishes making his belt. She smiles at him, and bows slightly, ”it was a pleasure making this for you Orri. I hope it serves you well.” She exhales slightly and says, ”okay, so, instead of any other payment just... please hear me out.” She holds her hands in front of her as a gesture of supplication. ”Ever since the Stag Lord... Isabella has become more and more unbalanced. She ‘picked up that poor girl’ and... I think she has been... using her. Ar night... for her own pleasure.” She shudders, ”which ... well, I tried to call her out on it earlier. I realized something was up. I tried to confront her, and she insulted me! You heard it. And then I tried to leave. Orri she threatened to kill me, right there. In Oleg’s. If Bjorn hadn’t been there... I’d be dead! And if Chrysa hadn’t come in... gods forgive me, she would have been at least hurt. She was inches from me. I would have had no choice - she had her weapon out - she was about to attack...”
She looks distraught, and like she’s about to cry, ”what am I supposed to do? You’ve known her longer. She was so nice to everyone until whatever happened with the Stag Lord. She was nice to everyone. She protected us - and now she’s threatening to kill us. Who knows where it’ll end. Chrysa? Annalla? You, if she thinks you’re in her way?” She rubs her arms and looks sullenly are Orri.
”What should I do?”
Chrysa Surtova |
"Using the supplies to shore up some of the battlements is a good idea, Akiros" Chrysa tells the man "We should ask around the solders to see if any of them have any woodworking or engineering skills."
Sophiel Medvyed |
Sophiel nods at Chrysa and Akiros, ”A prudent move - can we use it for that? If the soldiers will have me, I do know about military engineering - Lord Gurev was a comprehensive teacher.” She gestures at King Sootscale, ”and perhaps King Sootscale knows how to fortify such a position. If I am not mistaken, he is well versed in all manner of traps, if reputation is anything to be believed.” She declines her head towards King Sootscale in a gesture of respect.
Isabella Lebeda |
She pops up as if they were talking about butterflies or flowers and smiles gleefully again. "Well then. I suppose I need to go spend some time with Orri to see if he'll let me whip him tonight."
She lays down and slides into Annalla's area, pulling her sheet over her body. She puts her arm around the android and leans in to whisper in her ear "Good evening. Sorry to wake you up. I was getting cold all alone over there." She slides her hand over Annalla's waist and pulls her in tight to her body. As Annalla is pulled back, she can feel that Isabella is missing a few articles of clothing.
Isabella stands with her arms folded as the others begin to discuss tactics. Eventually they finish and she chips in "Good breakdown Sophie, thanks. I am going to vote for the ambush. It's always better to fight on your own terms."
Annalla |
She steps away and Orri can see that she's looking inward.
"This version of Isabella has been robbed of that journey. You either refuse to see it or you're incapable of seeing it. She will not get better. This version of her is incapable of that transformation. She's incapable of getting better. You don't see that there are only two eventual outcomes. Inevitable as the tug of two hearts calling out to each other."
One hand reaches up to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"She will either destroy everyone around her that she was intended to love. Or they will destroy her. There are no middle paths. No other paths. However, if you are refusing to see it rather than just incapable, then my words will not sway you. Just know that I have not the will to destroy her. She is wrong, but I will not raise a hand against her. I will fall as the grain before the unfeeling scythe." Her hand holds tight to the pendant around her neck.
"I ask you again," she says, turning back to the warrior. "Where did you come by this magic?"
Isabella Lebeda |
"Thank you. Did you miss me, An? I missed you today, I feel like I didn't get to spend any time with you today. What did you do all day?"
Clearly it would seem that Isabella has woken up completely. She continues to trace her fingers around the woman's midsection and begins to draw her fingers across her body down towards her hips. She stops three quarters of the way down where her belly button should be, confused. She moves her fingers all around the area and asks "An, where is your belly button?"
Annalla |
"I spent some of the day talking to Orri," Annalla answers honestly. "I don't have a belly button because I'm not human and I wasn't birthed the way humans are. My umbilical was attached at the back of my neck near the core of my central nervous system. Shall we sleep now?"
Isabella Lebeda |
Oh. That makes complete sense. she thinks, remembering Annalla isn't human and isn't the same.
"MMmmmm. I'm afraid your warmth has woken me up and I'm not very tired any more. If you want we can do things other than talk though." She walks her fingers up to the woman's hips and feels that her bottom garments are on. She coos in Annalla's ear and says "Look at you. You are such a good girl, aren't you.
She traces her finger around the garment as she leans in to bite on Anna's neck.
Orri Lebeda |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Eventually, Anna calls his name as he still hasn’t answered her question and he looks at her as she repeats it still half in his own head. ”Huh, what? Oh, we found some cards, they gave us all gifts when we drew from them. It was one of the gifts I received.”
He holds his head for a moment, feeling another headache coming on and finally looks to Anna, ”I’m sorry this is all... it’s all just a lot. I’ll consider your words and see what I can figure out. For now though I.. I need to go lay down...”
Without another word he heads back toward the trading post to his room to rest.
Orri hadn’t been laying down long when Sophiel came to find him. When she presents the belt Orri smiles and bows his head to Sophiel as he exclaims ”Thank you, such amazing work!” Even with his head pounding he is happy to listen to Sophiels request until she starts talking about Bella. As she explains what has happened Orri starts to feel sick to his stomach and all he can do is stare at Sophie in disbelief. When she finishes he asks ”Do you think, maybe with how things went down with the Stag Lord, maybe she got cursed or something? Maybe there is something we can do to fix this? I mean, like you said something happened in there, and for it to be such a drastic change... let me talk to her. Maybe I can figure out a way to fix it. Please just try and avoid here I guess. Otherwise, I’m not sure what else we can do...”
He flops back on the bed holding his hands over his eyes. He was so excited this morning that he made it better for everyone and fixed his sister but something apparently wasn’t right. There must have been something he missed. Maybe if he could just figure it out, he could fix it again...
Day 2 -Wilderness
Orri is quiet on the trip from the trading post to the fort. He didn’t sleep very well, and kept waking up with severe nose bleeds. He wasn’t sure what exactly the deal was but hoped whatever it was would pass.
When they start talking strategy Orri is the last to arrive and only catches the tail end as Sophie is laying out her suggestions. He eventually chimes in and says ”I think we should track them. More likely to catch them by surprise if we aren’t just waiting for them to come to us. We track them kill them, but keep one alive so we can get more information.”
Annalla |
I ... I would rather just sleep," Annalla responds in a small voice, as she stays perfectly still.
Isabella Lebeda |
Fade to black...
Day2
Isabella shakes her head "Brother. You should let those of pure blood make the tactical decisions." Turning her back to him, she looks to Sophie and says "What is your vote, Sophie?"
Chrysa Surtova |
Chrysa gets back from her inspection, watching the interplay between Isabella and the others with interest but without comment. Folding her arms around her chest, she leans against the wall and waits, knowing if Orri doesn't have Pure blood, then she was not going to be called on for ideas either. Unless they knew things they shouldn't.
Annalla |
Orri Lebeda |
Orri scoffs when Bella calls him out and mentions him not being pure blood. He looks to Chrysa and Sophiel a moment but doesn't say anything not wanting to cause a scene. He listened to the others but as soon as they were done he grabbed a hold of Bella and said "We need to talk!" He moves off to somewhere private where the two of them can have a little chat.
He glares at his sister "You need to tell me what happened to you when you were alone with the Stag Lord. You've changed and not for the better... you're going to end up getting yourself killed if you keep acting like this. We need to figure out what happened to you and try and fix it before it is too late... I want my sister back not this... whatever this is..."
Orri lets out a deep sigh "I've been considering it. I think your right, but I'm not sure the best way to fix it. I can't break her again... maybe I can change things again and make it better some other way..." He looks to Annalla, his eyes tired, with concern hoping she might have some suggestion.
Isabella Lebeda |
She pulls out her blade and holds it in her hand to make sure he understands. She closes the distance so that she's only inches away from him "I make the rules. It's time you start showing me the respect I deserve. In front of the others you are to refer to me as Lady Lebeda. Is that clear?" she looks up at him, a look void of expression holding her face.
Orri Lebeda |
He rolls his eyes and takes a step back "Look, you have changed ever since the Stag Lord. Yeah, you were full of yourself before then and that was fine, but you weren't cruel and threatening to torture and kill people, so you have changed and not for the better. I'm trying to look out for you and if you can't see that then you are more lost then I thought... others have come to me with their concerns about you and if you're not careful your going to turn everyone against you. Maybe we need to go to the priest at that temple of Erastil? Maybe the Stag Lord put a curse on you or something? Maybe there is something he can do to fix this?"
Annalla |
Orri Lebeda |
He pauses as he thinks back "The first one I asked that 'Isabella Lebeda, myself nor any of my friends were ever assaulted, defiled, shamed or made to feel broken but still battled and survived the fight, being victorious against the Stag Lord and his henchmen.'. Apparently though Bella changed and she enjoyed torturing and killing the Stag Lord too much. My concern though is maybe that darkness has always been there and it was just waiting to break out..."
He gives Annalla a pleading look, obviously a bit in over his head on this as he states "I can't just undo it because then she will be broken again and she pleaded for me to help her... but this isn't good either because I fear she is going to turn everyone against her and end up getting herself killed."
Isabella Lebeda |
"I do what must be done. The Stag Lord showed me this. Kill or be killed. Torture or be tortured. Survival brother, is the issue at hand. Are you to be the dead, disgraced unicorn on the side of the path, or will you hold the horn high in your hand and proclaim loudly for all to see that you are superior!"
She steps forward to close the distance after Orri steps away from her. She backhands him across the cheek with her left hand and raises her voice. "Do not assume to be so comfortable as to make decisions for me! The only thing that needs to be fixed is your ineptness! I do not know what's gotten into you lately, but your subservience is severely lacking. I expect you to adjust your behavior forthwith or we're going to have serious problems!"
She turns her back on him and walks away, returning her blade to its sheath.
Annalla |
"No, you most certainly did not tell me that you still had more magic like that!" she says finally. She holds up a hand. "Let me think. Your motives are good, Orri, but continuing on the path we're on will only lead to catastrophe. We have to undo the original wish. That is the only chance Isabella has. It will be painful for her, but it is the only way forward."
She considers the situation for a bit.
"Speak it this;" she says. "'I wish to undo in its entirety the effects of my previous wish - save for the knowledge of those effects for myself.'"
She then waits for him to follow through.
Orri Lebeda |
Chieftain Sootscale |
Sophiel nods at Chrysa and Akiros, ”A prudent move - can we use it for that? If the soldiers will have me, I do know about military engineering - Lord Gurev was a comprehensive teacher.” She gestures at King Sootscale, ”and perhaps King Sootscale knows how to fortify such a position. If I am not mistaken, he is well versed in all manner of traps, if reputation is anything to be believed.” She declines her head towards King Sootscale in a gesture of respect.
King Sootscale is certainly appreciative of Sophiel's flattery. "Traps! Yes, must build lots of fire traps to protect fort from trolls."
K. Engineering: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19.
"Sootscale has lots of experience with traps. Traps with fire, traps with ice, big giant pit traps, spiky traps to stab . . . " He goes on and on in this fashion. ". . . traps by doors, traps by windows, traps by outside walls, traps by inside walls, traps on path . . ." It becomes obvious that simply walking around in the trap paradise King Sootscale imagines would be quite dangerous, especially if you were larger than a kobold.
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella states "My vote is for ambush, however," she turns to face Sophiel and Sootscale "I see validity in utilizing the expertise of King Sootscale. There is not reason we should not prepare for the worst outcome and defend ourselves should our assault fail."
She nods her head to Sootscale. "If I can offer assistance in preparation or deployment, please let me know what needs to be done and it shall be done."
Chieftain Sootscale |
As Bella interrupts, the kobold king seems to wake up from his reverie. "Bah, Bella right. King Ipmeek love traps, but take too long to build!"
Not to mention the traps didn't stop the trolls from attacking the Sootscale tribe, he thinks to himself. Though he was loathe to admit that to the gathering of warmbloods.
"If you were kobolds, you build traps yourself, not waste my time. King Ipmeek go find trolls now to kill them. Which way trolls come from?"
As soon as Akiros and Topper offer some guidance, the kobold gets up. "You all build defenses. I go kill trolls." Sootscale leaves the war strategy meeting and attempts to find a trail to follow.
Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Isabella Lebeda |
Isabella goes to follow Sootscale, "I'm coming with you, King Ipmeek. My brother can help organize the defenses. See to it, brother." she commands before turning to the android. "An! You serve at my side, come with me. Let us go, we do not want to keep the kobold king waiting." she says, ordering the android to her side before setting out to follow the kobold away.
Sophiel Medvyed |
Sophiel was waiting for Sootscale to respond, and nodded when he stood up and began to leave. ”Lady Isabella, perhaps it would be prudent for your brother to accompany us. I am certain Akiros, Topper, and the other of Kesten’s soldiers can see to the defenses. It may be a mistake to split up.” She nods at them, and smiles. ”I would recommend you put pots of pitch in each tower which archers may use to create impromptu flaming arrows. It may not repel a determined attack, but it could buy you some time. Hopefully we will return soon. Lead the way, King.”
She busies herself, lifting her pack, and seems immediately ready to go. Bjorn follows along, never leaving her side.