The two head out with Madam Yen in tow, and Nempura covers their exit, making sure nothing was following them. She is last out as the home collapses and her immediate concern is Madam Yen. When the bulbous monster takes form, she moves to the back of the group as it searches for its next prey. Was it different than the others?
"I cannot believe this is happening here of all places," she comments in response to Freya. In her mind, she prays to Great Forest, Fallen Sky, River, and to Volcano that they recall them in this moment and bless their fight.
Her voice once again issues forth, granting an arcane benefit to each of her allies, and yet her magical vocals do not seem to affect the beast; as if she directed her own song to not reach its "ears". Such a beautiful song perhaps had never been heard in the village, and perhaps gains some attention, as she is now not silent at all. As she does so, she is cautiously on the defensive, guarding herself against any acid attack or sludgy worm-like slam that would come from the beast once it aligned itself to the battle. Surely Freya's slash, among others' attacks would catch its attention.
Iryani hesitates slightly, but when she hears the beautiful song, she turns around and starts another barrage.
Novalie stays back for a moment to utter a prayer to Volcano, "Please defend me my lord in my time of need."
Iryani's arrow finds the large, slimy target with ease.
Freya cuts into the spawn, though her blade sticks before it can do much damage.
Novalie casts a spell that surrounds her in protecting light.
Nempura resumes her song.
The spawn gloms forward, seeking out Freya with sharp mouth and thick tail.
The massive beast appeared to be trying to grapple the much smaller Freya, and that put to mind Nempura's spell grease. If it does manage to get ahold of her, or someone else, who knows what disastrous effects will happen. While her song continues, she readies herself to act should the beast grapple someone. A small bag of butter she produces from the sack at her hip as a material component, and the words are ready at her lips.
Freya barely manages to deflect the creature's attacks with her shield, muttering a thankful prayer to Volcano as his power protects her. The ifrit stands firm and returns the favor with a heavy strike from her blade.
"I didn't sign up for this!"
The huge-sized worm towers over the now injured Freya. Its massive tail, though slow-moving, somehow managed to find its mark.
"Me neither," she says in response to Iryani, "but I will fight all the same."
Nempura amps herself up for moving into combat--melee range of that large beast--about to put her life on the line for Freya, who was more than rude to her earlier.
She casts her spell, a curing spell, and holds it in her hand as she rushes forth, starknife in her other hand, trying her best to not gain the attention of the large beast.
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Novalie advances toward the creature her hands beginning to cover in frost and says with a grim smile, "Unfortunately, I did sign up for this." She tries to distract the creature from targeting Nempura.
Iryani deals out both cold and steel, both wounding the beast.
Freya's blade once again strikes true, leaving smoldering gashes in its hide.
Novalie freezes and shatters and sizeable piece of the thing's tail.
Nempura cautiously comes forward, healing the paladin as she continues to hack away with her sword.
The large wormspawn goes mad with pain, focusing on the fiery blade it senses before it.
As the darkspawn rears up, holy warrior in its sharp, dripping mandibles, you all feel it. Your Sight begins to dim, as if a sphere of darkness is contracting upon you. As your surroundings fade from your view and the quarters become...close, the clammy hand of fear once again clutches your heart:
Frey flinches as she feels hands on her back. "What are you doing!? Stay ba-" is all the time she has to say before her upper body is engulfed in the creature's maw. Muffled screaming and flailing limbs indicate that the paladin is still alive, but unable to escape the creature's grasp.
It's scary being so close to something so large. Nempura did not anticipate the distraction she potentially caused with Freya, causing her to be carried away. In her practice, the Swem were used to helping one another and it wasn't so distracting to feel a blessed hand of healing among the watersingers in combat. Perhaps it is some other reason she failed in the mind of Freya. The trained Paladin, if she makes it out of this, will certainly tell her--she is sure.
"Hold tight! Fight back!" she encourages as she steps forward to slash at the large beast; though her own heart trembles with fear. With its appendages occupied with Freya, she hopes that it cannot attack her, as she won't last nearly as long in melee, but in order to save the paladin, she doesn't have a choice.
With a flurry, she unleashes a unique attack on the beast. Her motions are graceful and calm, still and patient, yet should her slashes hit, the outcome rends flesh and what seems like the smallest thin cuts, can burst forth deadly results. While she seems reserved, and not a drop of blood will touch her nor remain on her weapon, she is going all out.
Iryani's mind was like an impenetrable stone wall.
She was about to continue her barrage of shooting arrows and frostbolts at the whatever-it-was being. But this thing suddenly grappled the paladin. That's not good...
Just as Nempura was about to do before, Iryani now puts one hand off her bow and into her pouch to pick out a small packed piece of butter. The butter magically grows and flies over to Freya, covering her all over.
Iryani casts a timely spell that frees Freya from the grasp of the darkworm.
Freya, you slip from the creature's grasp.
Novalie attacks, fists flying scoring one solid hit:
Nempura gracefully steps toward the creature, slicing it neatly with her starknife.
The wormspawn is sagging now, a dying thing, but it lashes out with jagged tarry teeth once more:
but misses widely, the spawn slow now with injuries.
Freya lands with surprising grace for someone in such heavy armor, coughing and sputtering. Shaking her head, the paladin swipes at her would-be devourer.
"It's almost down! Just pour on a little more punishment!" Freya yells as she watches the dark creature struggle under the wounds already inflicted.
Despite her best attempts to overcome the fear bubbling up within her heart, she looks to the walls surrounding her and cannot flee. With trembling desperation to not show the fear within her among such brave company, she mutters to herself, "Trapped...""...in the dark, no escape." Her lip quivers, but all she can do is hope to end this fight.
She cannot do so if she cannot bring herself to attack though. The best she can do is hope to instill courage in others to fight harder and resist the fear that takes the heart of her.
Freya's attack, a vicious downward arc, opens the worm like a ripe banana. Cold ichor spills onto ground and boots.
The swirling wall of darkness and fear dissipates. A light blue undine wearing robes of black and red flames, smug smile framed by trimmed silver beard, walks casually over to Nempura. A cultured voice. "Oh my dear, that won't do at all." A friendly pat on the back.
The inquisitor looks at each of you with eyes magnified by thick glasses. "And who are all of you? Rescuers of old eles? Spawn slayers?"
Without waiting for an answer, he speaks a single barking word in High Ifrit. His robes blaze incandescently for a moment. When your vision clears, the remains of the darkspawn are gone, vaporized by Volcanic magic.
Freya makes a face as the creature bursts, coating her sword with its tarry ichor. With a quick motion, the ifrit shakes her weapon off, clearing most of the filth off of it before sheathing her weapon.
Surprised by the the sudden appearance of another, the paladin spins around to face the newcomer, her hand quickly leaving her weapon once she recognizes the inquisitor's dress. Holding her holy symbol in one hand, the paladin introduces herself. "I am Freya Argento-Máu, Valiant of the Order of Swords. I was here on visiting family when I sensed the presence of the Dark."
With a bow to her obvious superior, Freya continues. "I hope we have not overstepped our bounds in taking action, though such responsibility would fall on me. The others here volunteered their strengths to my cause." One blue eye looks over the seamstress, trying to gauge the woman's state of health.
Novalie looks surprised to see the very person they were supposedly looking for and thinks, "Well, I guess we found him."
She introduces herself as well, "I am Novalie. Like Freya, I also serve the Lord Volcano. We came here to investigate how the seamstress' silk worms died. The next thing we know, the walls erupted with spawn."
"Thank you for your help." she says sounding grateful.
"We were looking for you, the seamstress said she saw someone with your description and we hoped to find out more and see if we could help. I would hate to think there is some infestation brewing here."
Iryani was not as forthcoming as her peers and instead eyes the man in his strange appearance. "Now that you know, who some of us are, who are you?" Still unsure of the situation, she draws her bow at the inquisitor.
The fear that consumed her heart faded as the inquisitor patted her back. A final shiver leaves her with the shake of her shoulders as she once again stands tall. She wants to check Freya, for wounds, but the newcomer has her attention.
"Thank you," she says in a kind tone to the undine. As she recovers, she hears the names of her two companions given and then their various comments.
"Madam Hồ Hải Yen is an old family friend of mine, to whom I was coming to visit and purchase a garment. I am Nempura Marinus Babblebrook, Watersinger, daughter of the Swem--servant of the Whirl Mother.
She will bow respectfully, as a member of the court would to a respected member of the community, but she kept her eyes upon him. Her hand returns the starknife to her strap and she looks to gauge Freya's wounds and to see how Madam Yen is doing also. She will listen to Iryani's question to find out who this Inquisitor is.
Smiling as though mildly amused by the introductions, the inquisitor nods toward all of you, returning no bows or other obeisances. "I am Inquisitor Ky La of the Grand Temple." He pronounces it Kee La.
He takes a single step toward Iryani, focusing his attention like a bird hunting worms. "Distrustful, hmm? Surely we do not wish to get off on the wrong foot, do we?"
The inquisitor does not give time for Iryani to reply. "Crab got your tongue, young huntress?" He recites the common phrase mechanically, like reading from a book rather than talking to a person.
"No large matter anyway, hmm? I think we all agree the seamstress is our concern, eh?" He puts an arm around the old ele.
Addressing Freya now, "Darkspawn seems to me to be a matter for agents of the Temple to handle, wouldn't you say? And not rude rabble smelling of the swamp?" His gesture includes Novalie, but subtly excludes Nempura and--not so subtly--Iryani.
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There was anger in Iryani's eyes, but she knew better and kept her composure. With a loud pff she turned her back on the rude man and towards the seamstress. "Are you ok, Yen?"
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Nempura will partially slide inconspicuously between Iryani and the somewhat rude Inquisitor as he turns more to face Freya, all to ease diplomacy between what seem to be rising passions.
"Inquisitor Ky La of the Grand Temple, it is a pleasure to meet you. Darkspawn are a matter for all of us to handle, lest we be swallowed up in the darkness. I thank you for your valiance and your kind affections toward a family friend..." She will flash a smile toward Yen, hoping her mind was clearer now as she notices him sling an arm across her. "...but I am wondering how you came to be here? Were you trapped inside that large beast? Afflicted by it? Did you see it manifest?"
She will patiently wait for an answer. Her methods in stepping in front of Iryani being that, by association, a kind face like hers would be melded in his mind to Iryani's, as she was still visible behind her. If he so directed his wrath to Iryani, it would have to come at Nempura--harming a kind, patient person--who has answered all his questions and of high standing.
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Freya sighs and shoots Nempura a look before replying. "Yes, I tried to dissuade them, but the others had a personal stake with Madam Yen." The ifrit shivers as magical grease begins to soak through her armor.
"I am grateful for their assistance though. The spawn was more powerful than either of us anticipated and without their help, I fear we may have lost Novalie or myself. Please take that into consideration." The paladin, like Nempura, places herself in-between the others so as to dissuade physical conflict. She didn't like the impudence the "swamp dwellers" had towards the inquisitor, but kept that part to herself.
"But in any case, this muddy field is not the place for talking, let's retire to an inn or somewhere more comfortable.."
Nempura, the flame-robed undine smiles at your questions. "One might say we are all trapped inside a darkspawn, eh? Haha!" The laughter is affected, false. A pause, as if he has answered your question. "I've been following rumors 'here and there'. Always another problem to solve, always another heretic to enlighten, that kind of thing. I believe it would be accurate to say we find ourselves meeting by pure happenstance."
Inquisitor Ky La is already shaking his head before Freya is done talking. "No and no. No inns for me, you follow? The less that is known of my whereabouts and sleeping conditions, the better, I assure you. Haha."
Madam Yen's eyes clear, and she looks up at the inquisitor. A look of unmistakable fear crosses her features, then hides behind submission. She swallows, and says, bowing, "Th-thank you, holy one, for saving me from those things. I...I should go to my daughter's house, nearer to the docks."
She looks all of you in the eyes, recognition returned to her face. "And thank you, all of you. Truly."
Novalie watches the exchange back and forth and wonders if anything the flame-robed man is saying is true. Or how much he is merely omitting.
She'll speak up to backup Freya's point, "Their aid was instrumental in this battle, I believe they, like us, do not want the Dark to win."
Freya's look is met without emotion from Nempura, and Novalie's with a warm and thankful grin. The Inquisitor's conversation is met with kind smiles and engagement of even her bodily frame, respectable gesturing, and soft eyes. She nods a bit with his postulating, a wider smile playing at the corners of her mouth and a slight snicker coming from her. After all, who knew?
"That is a shame," she comments concerning their random happenstance of meeting. "I would have loved to sit down and know more of your travels and knowledge." Which was not particularly common among a Swem, who generally only cared about their pod. It seems he is not willing to go to an inn, so Nempura stays put.
As Madam Yen's eyes clear, Nempura bows deeply to her and brushes Madam Yen on the shoulder caringly as she passes between them.
"Tell me, Inquisitor, have you met much in the way of opposition down here?"
People were typically not very friendly to outsiders in such parts, even if he was an undine.
"Opposition? You mean the sort of sideways glances your companions have been giving you? The subtle enmity of noble and humble?" His gaze roams to Freya and Novalie. "Or perhaps the 'cold' shoulder that most will give anyone annointed by Volcano. Interesting rumors circulating the town already about two such warriors, recently returned here from Hearth. Not all of them good."
"Thankfully I have found the citizens of Vi Thanh to be nothing but helpful..." He stops, looking at Iryani. "Or... perhaps you meant the opposition of the naturally intransigent? I'm afraid that's a malady that will not soon leave us. Written upon our very hearts, curable only by devotion to the divine."
He lives for a heartbeat in the silence his words have created, then continues, "Many elens believe the Inquisition to be inflexible, intolerant. I try to be the exception to that rule. Your words," it is unclear who he is addressing, "have convinced me that you four are excellent...allies to have in this town. For the time being, you can consider yourselves under the Temple's...protection. I must meditate upon all I have seen and heard, but rest assured you are not alone in this matter now. I will see you back here tonight at this, the site of your victory. Say, nineteenth candle. Darkspawn come out at dim, as they say."
He smiles with his lips, clearly expecting agreement.
Freya smiles despite herself at Madam Yen's words. It was moments like these that reinforced the years she'd spent training. The journey of Vivace started with these small accomplishments, each leading into an ever brighter path. Though she was covered in blood, ichor and grease, her deeds shone more brightly. And that was what mattered.
Tired, injured and dirty, Freya does little more than nod at the inquisitor's demand. "I am at the Temple's disposal." Internally, the paladin was troubled with the prospect of further fighting that day, she needed time to recover and reflect on that day's performance. Of course, such things are best left behind closed lips.
So many wasted movements... Had I been more careful against that large spawn, I might not have needed outside help. It's clear they don't have anything resembling Army or Temple training, that's not something I could practice with the other recruits. Real combat is going to have these outliers, even if they're allies. It's just going to get messier from here on out.
The Inquisitor hits the nail on the head, but one wouldn't know that by looking at Nempura. Nor would he provoke reaction as he chides Iryani, despite Nempura blocking her in part. He is a rude el in her sight, showing signs of a lack of culture, but such she will have to endure if she wants to be an ambassador. However, he did (in a way) answer her question, and as such, she bows slightly in response as a "thanks".
"I will gladly make arrangements to be here at that time."
The Paladin exuded discomfort, and why should Freya not feel grimy and gross? She endured the brunt of things along with Novalie. As the Inquisitor would leave, Nempura, in an act of grace, despite Freya's behavior, would go to her side and would ask with concern in her voice, "Are you still hurt?" Her look pans as well to Novalie, to see if she too was still injured. "My room in the Inn has a bath. You both are more than welcome to use it if you wish." Her eyes rove over the grease, grime, and blood briefly.
She's quick to offer the hospitality of others, though I doubt she intends to clean the mess herself. Freya sets her jaw and says, "No thanks. I have family in the area and it's about time I reunited with them." I'm still looking forward to seeing Illiya again, especially after that scene.
The paladin's eyes look over Nempura, vaguely remembering that she too was injured. Spotting the acid burn on her clothes, the ifrit remarks, "Be more careful with those, it shames the craftsmen to see finery mistreated that way." Freya was relieved to see that Nempura was in good health, despite her distaste for the noble.
Freya doesn't answer her question about still being injured. It's hard to tell under all the blood and goop, and she isn't a medic anyway. Still, Freya opted to go home, so she couldn't be bleeding out. Simply she will nod in response.
"I will be mending it this morning...," she returns about the concern over her outfit. From the way she states as much, it can be assumed she will do it herself. There is no pomp in her tone that would suggest someone else will handle the task. "...and if you so wish, when you all return home, you can have someone come by and leave these garments with me at the Lucky Coral Inn and I'll make sure they are clean, mended, and I will return them to you before lunch. "I doubt very much Freya will take me up on that offer, perhaps Novalie, but let us see."
The inquisitor nods, as if some important decision has been made. "Splendid! See you all very soon." Swishing robes say his farewells for him.
Novalie looks back and forth between the two, shrugs and replies to the offer for a bath, "Thank you for the kind offer. I should be returning to my parent's home, I have spent enough time apart from them these past years, I will see you later this evening."
Novalie does as she says. First she rests from the battle before again going about making amends to her parents.
Iryani, you make the uneventful trip home. Frostfrogs and winter crickets sing a croak chirrup tune to guide you down the familiar paths.
...but you see your brothers, all lying down in front of your house. And your father. They are still.
Nempura, you have a few minutes to think before you reach the Lucky Coral. When you open the front door—emblazoned with cheery green and pink painted starfish—you are greeted by Bian's feet pointing at you. The old ele is lying on her back on the welcoming rug. It would be absurd, but she is not moving.
Freya, you see your sister is again slumped over the table. You cannot believe she has been drinking again...
...but something is wrong. You don't smell alcohol, and the way she is resting is unnatural.