Freya sighed and began her explanation. "I doubt the two of you have had regimented training, so I want to go over a few things first. When working in a squad, proper communication is key to avoiding unintentional injuries. The darklings can't understand language as far as I know."
"So the basics, If you see something out of the ordinary, let everyone know. Call out your targets when shooting and try to avoid shooting into melee. Announce yourself when entering someone else's melee range, last thing you want is for them to whirl around with their weapon and stick you. I've seen it happen before and it's not pretty. In general, announcing your plans is a good idea, telepathy is beyond us right now." The ifrit chuckles a little at her own joke before holding her side and continuing.
"Lastly, we should try to stick together, not go much farther than about thirty feet. Stay behind us, and we'll keep you safe. I'm sure you've already guessed some of these, but it's important we're on the same page, as a team." Freya was uncertain if they were truly prepared for what was to come, but hoped it was enough.
Looking to the other two girls (not Freya, who clearly wanted nothing to do with her), she asks with deep concern in her voice, "Are your friends and family alright?"
"I don't know." Iryani answers with a sad voice, her heas tilting down. "My brother and my father are in a deep comatose sleep and my mom is, well, she's alive and awake, but... deeply troubled."
"Well, the swamps, I know...What is it, Freya?" She listened to the paladin and wasn't prepare for such a tactical announcement. Maybe she was in over her head after all?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I am so sorry. I myself would be devastated. You are very brave and strong," she responds to Iryani with a bit of sincere, vocal encouragement.
"To the swamps?"
Despite being drained and afraid in that manner, she doesn't reveal that to Freya or the others. What bothers her is walking through a swamp barefoot, and being already tired but more than that, not having any of her gear with her. No spare clothes, no cooking pot, no bedroll, no food--just city going equipment and a noble outfit. Hardly adventurer worthy things. Everything is back at her room in the inn. She hadn't planned on going into a swamp, however, she is willing to brave all that to have the girls by her side. She fears that if she voices at this moment--that she wants to meet in a few minute's time--they may leave her behind, so silent she is.
As for Freya approaching her and Iryani, she keeps silent and listens intently, but is ready for any disdain or mockery coming her way. In her mind, Freya couldn't help herself but to talk down to her. It began with doubting her. "I am Swem. I swim with a pod fighting the Dark. I was trained by the Maelstrom Mother of Rushing Falls herself. Oh River, give me patience..." Nempura changes her outlook and decides that perhaps it is her way of extending an olive branch. Whatever the reason behind Freya's speech, Nempura nods in an understanding of the status quo.
"It will be as you say."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Novalie responds in a frustrated at the situation tone, "I returned and my father was unconscious on the floor. Thankfully, my mother is fine. Although, she's angry at me for possibly bringing it with me..." she trails off.
"And I nearly forgot her. She's waiting at home. Keep going I'll catch right back up." she says as she starts to run.
She runs back to her home and quickly ducks in to update her mother, "Mother, I brought father to the healers, unfortunately, there are many more affected by whatever this is. He's stable right now. An inquisitor, Freya, myself, and a couple of others are heading out to find out what caused this. I'll be back when I can."
Falling back on very old habits, she gives her mother a quick hug and peck on the cheek and runs out the door calling, "I love you!" As if she were running off to play with her friends like she did so long ago.
About half-way back to the others, she'll realize what she did and chuckles.
"Oh...that's horrible. We know the truth and soon they will too when we set things right," she replies to Novalie. Putting herself in Novalie's shoes, she couldn't imagine if one of her family members did that to her.
With Novalie checking out for a moment, Nempura sees her opportunity.
"I too need to leave word and grab some gear. I will hurry back and meet you at the edge of the swamp."
She will duck out and will run to tell Bihn what is happening and what she is going to do to help, then will grab her things and make a quick change into her more adventuring friendly outfit. All told, she is quick and moves with haste as best she can.
"This reminds me of doing drills," she thinks to herself as she at one point had to grab her pack and be ready to swim at a moment's notice for her training.
While waiting on Novalie and Nempura, Inquisitor Ky La crooks an eyebrow and says, "Any last-minute prayers, Valiant?"
Freya shook her head. "No. I am prepared." The ifrit took the time to stretch her muscles and eat some of her rations, but stayed put. Freya looks at her food and is struck with a moment of inspiration.
"Hey Iryani, think you can shoot this?" the paladin sets down an apple on a rock some thirty feet away.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Definitely" Iryani answers. But instead of drawing an arrow, she walks past the returning Freya and picks up the apple. "But I'd rather save my arrows." She takes a bite.
The inquisitor leads you into the swamp, then slows down his pace. Calling over his shoulder to Iryani, "You, swamp girl. See anything out of place?"
Nempura followed along the path that she had left for the inn and found the Inquisitor and Freya in the same location, not at the edge of the swamp. That worked for her as she was gone for even less time.
As they make their way to the swamp, Nempura will braid her hair once more. She disliked the air of such places and how it contrasted with the flowing cool of River on her hair and back of neck.
She presses in never-the-less and keeps an eye out for any sign of the Dark or signs of something strange.
Freya chuckled at Iryani's remark. "Well, if you're that confident, maybe I should challenge you myself. I'm better with a bow than a blade." Some light-hearted banter put the ifrit at ease, the day's stress had been getting to her.
********
Vision was never Freya's strong suit, she squinted through the fetid bog with difficulty. The paladin put her trust in the sharp eyes of her compatriots.
The added weight of her armor sank the ifrit further into the mud than the others, the swamp muck threatening to swallow her boots with each stride. It was times like this Freya was glad she wasn't in full plate.
17
When the swamps neared, Iryani's steps quickened. She prefered the wide nature to the crowded streets. She took in a deep breath and surveyed the are. "Where to?"
The odor of rot becomes stronger the deeper you go into the swamp. Exposed roots resemble gnarled limbs, clawing out of shallow graves. Old, stagnant water hides eels and catfish beneath.
Ky La clutches at the holy symbol around his neck, the red triangle of Volcano. "Where to? We go exactly in the direction our hearts wish to avoid."
The inquisitor's comment makes more sense as the bogs and shallows start to take a sinister cast - branches move with wind; glimpses of faces in the murky water; splashing footfalls in empty space.
You pick out an elen form against the bark of a tree about forty feet off - it oddly resembles the hunched posture of Bian, the innkeep.
Barefoot in a swamp was no fun, but it was better than the struggle Freya seemed to have. Her struggle was oddly pleasing to Nempura who freely glided through the muck as fast as her feet can take her, still, if Freya gets stuck, Nempura will not hesitate to help her.
When looking out through the swamp ahead, she can tell which direction to head. How she could not see it before she didn't know. The branches seemed devious and otherworldly. The presence of the Dark was unsettling and she definitely did not feel alone with the girls and Ky La out here.
Her attentiveness pays off, as not far away, she picks out the odd shape of her hostess standing hunched against the side of a tree about 40 feet away.
At first, she signs to the others.
Realizing shortly after that they don't likely know Tendril, she just points ahead toward the innkeeper standing there oddly and stealthily moves closer to the others.
"Shhh...." she motions with a hand on her lips and draws closer to them to whisper, "That is my innkeeper, Bian, who fell into a coma earlier. What she is doing here I don't know. Last I saw her, she was on a bed with her husband next to her. She normally is not hunched like that. Evil is at work here, but if we can keep her alive, please, let us."
Freya focused her breathing, trying to calm her thoughts and keep her gait steady. It wasn't without effort she made her way through the swamp, but she'd stayed free of danger yet.
At Nempura's words, the paladin glances over the distant figure, just barely making her out. With a narrowing of her eyes, Freya tries to hone in on the essence of Dark.
You detect an aura of evil around the figure.
A dull ache formed in Freya's brow and she knew the state of things. "She's corrupted, I'm sorry. Feels like she's in worse shape than the seamstress was. Was she or her husband acting oddly before she fell unconscious?"
I don't want to put innocent ele to the blade, especially ones so old. Freya grit her teeth. "I'll take point, things might start getting dangerous." The paladin moves slowly, purposefully, towards the (sleeping?) ele.
"No, she was perfectly fine this morning. She made Pho for breakfast and when I returned, she was unconscious at the entryway."
The Dark seemed to be all about springing into action when threatened in their last fight, so this time, she will be ready. If any hostile action involving a ranged attack of magic or might will seek to harm her allies and her as she approaches, she will spring up a wall of hardened water to give them cover and to absorb the shot.
In a quavery voice somewhat like Bian's, the figure says, "I dreamed of you." A slight gurgling sound underscores the words.
Iryani stayed silent, walking next to the others, but readied her bow, when the others approached the strange person.
This was not the swamp she remembered from just yesterday. It felt foreign and unfriendly...
Your brother's voice, right next to your ear. "Dreamed a dream."
Inquisitor Ky La's voice is stern, no trace of his normal irony.
"Hold, Valiant. Do not attack without provocation."
Freya simply nods, but continues her approach. Her free hand on the pommel of her sheathed weapon, the paladin moves with her shield raised. Once again focusing herself, the ifrit looks for further signs of corruption nearby.
"Dream? What did you dream, chi?" Freya responded, uncertain if she'd like the answer.
Novalie lowers her crossbow so as to not point at the tragic figure. Listening to the grumbling of the others as they've went through the swamp, she's been internally amused, "Thankfully Volcano has given me the gift of not having to wear heavy armor or fine clothes."
"A melting candle. A drop of black water. My son."
At the exact moment the corrupt, hunched figure says her last words, you hear an elen suddenly next to you, speaking in the voice of your father. "Son? Is that you?"
At the words of the hunched figure, Ky La's eyes widen visibly. "Valiant, attack now! Do not allow it to speak further!"
Nempura is not sure what the being is saying. "Why would she dream of me, or us? This is so creepy, but I will not be afraid of you Darkness!"
At Ky La's instruction, Nempura can tell something is going on here beyond what she can understand. His fear clearly a reason for her to worry. When he orders them to attack, she doesn't hesitate to set her actions in order, as hopefully, this isn't even the real Bian.
As she is prepared, her voice rings out. Unlike before--being a beautiful inspiring tune--this one is shrill and powerful, even assaultive to her enemies ears; as that is who will hear the brunt of it. Her vocalcraft bends and echoes off fallen trees and debris, awakening a sleeping giant--the very water itself. With her hands she symbolizes her intent, as the water culminates into a large surge and rushes upon where Bian stands. In an instant, when she tries to speak, the figment of Bian will find herself in a cube of swirling water that follows her for the round, rendering her unable to speak--giving them the delay as Ky La asked for. In the center of the swirling mass, the waters part even as they swirl, presenting an open target, unobscured for any of her allies relying on ranged weaponry.
Brother? Is that you? But where...A TRICK "She's tricking us! Mind magic of sorts"
Not waiting for the others, she released her arrow on the inquisitor's command.
The paladin was not prepared to strike, spending precious moments drawing her weapon. Shield raised diligently, Freya yanks her sword free of its sheath. She swings the weapon loosely, catching it into a more standard grip.
Freya draws her sword while Nempura's haunting melody gathers strength.
Novalie is distracted for a moment, seeing a phantom the rest of you do not see.
Iryani lets loose an arrow that goes straight through Bian's head and out the other side, thunking into the adjacent tree. There is a wet hole marking the arrow's journey, but Bian gives no reaction.
Nempura's song becomes louder, summoning the water with expert control, surrounding the Bian-figure. Bubbles escape the mouth of the innkeep, but no words.
Inquisitor Ky La laughs harshly. "Well done, singer! Drown those foul words!"
Even as the inquisitor laughs, two more sleepers form from the very mud and filth of the swamp. Like Bian, their features are vague and their eyes are closed.
Iryani and Novalie suddenly see the family members that have been whispering in their ears. Iryani's brother and Novalie's father grasp with greasy, slippery fingers, trying to bite with stark white teeth,
Freya closed the distance with the strange creature before her, taking a staggered swipe at it.
They don't look right, are these just some kind of shade? More people were sick than this, I hope we're not about to be overwhelmed... Freya's doubt weighed her mind and her attack was sluggish.
Iryani lets loose an arrow that goes straight through Bian's head and out the other side, thunking into the adjacent tree. There is a wet hole marking the arrow's journey, but Bian gives no reaction.
Nempura sings a column of water to disrupt Bian-sleeper's words.
Iryani fires a shot that leaves a gaping hole in the figure.
Freya misses with her sword.
Novalie charges at the sleeper, covering for Freya's missed attack,
and punches the figure to mush with a splortch sound.
Ky La, who has yet to contribute to the fight, has been looking left, right, forward. Now, slowly turning around, the inquisitor sees two limbs of darkness reaching out of a nearby bog.
"Valiant, your sword! To me-!" His words are cut short as he is lifted up by one of the tentacles, the breath squeezed from him.
Another tentacle reaches for Nempura,
and grasps her as well.
Novalie turns to look at what's going on and she offers up a quick prayer, "Lord Volcano, in your wisdom, give me the resources I need to defeat your enemies."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Freya, weighed down in the swamp was struck with a decision. To be honest, she didn't like either of them. But the battlefield was no place for hesitation. Going with her gut, the Ifrit rushed to Nempura and sliced the tentacle holding her.
The watersinger attempts to escape all while pulling out her starknife in case this becomes more threatening to her. If, however, she is freed, she will attempt to move closer to Ky La.
Nempura is still held fast by the tentacle, but she manages to draw her starknife.
Freya rushes over and slices the tentacle, freeing Nempura and injuring whatever lurks in the water.
Novalie calls upon the blessings of Volcano.
The sleepers, both whispering their disappointments to Iryani, try to bite,
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Iryani let loose a loud cry of pain when the sleepers got to her. With two deep bites, they wounded her heavily. There was nothing left for then to withdraw from the flanking beasts. This was no easy task, as the intelligent creatures covered every direction.