She answers, "Lady Porphyria-Jeggare, Sergeant Gyles. I'm Chelaxian, sir, though my newlywed wife is Korvosan and I just graduated from The Academae. You can guess: plenty of book learning and now I just need some real experience." She nods to his experience, respectful -- though she clearly said 'sir' instead of 'Sir.' She takes his good hand in embrace, meets him eye-to-eye but is appropriately delicate in handshake. Without looking at his other wrist she pointedly asks, "Hydra? ...Bugbear, or Minotaur, maybe?"
Seeing Gov go down, Sven let out a curse. ”Time to go.” He said in a loud voice. Not knowing if his comrades was dead, and putting words into action he moved over to Gov, picked up the body.
Realizing his plight and the plight of his allies, Sven turns around and runs over towards Gov's body. He lifts the arrow-riddled half-orc onto his back, shield still at the ready, while a half-dozen sprites open fire on him with a flurry of thorn arrows. Sven's dwarven armor protects him well against the attacks, and the arrows clatter to the ground harmlessly around him.
Stayven is also targeted by a series of attacks by nearby sprites and by the grimstalker he's picked a fight with. The grimstalker especially manages to land a painful slice while Stayven is busy with backflips and dodges to get out of the way of the arrows coming his way.
While all of this is happening, Cyla is booking it out of the room as fast as she can go.
Cyla had already fled. Stayven was alive. Rei was dead. He couldn’t tell about Gov. And it was clear that he could only save one. It was a horrific situation to be in, but Sven didn’t have time to think it through. The air was thick with arrows and if he hesitated then he would be dead too. Feeling like Shyt he decided that he only had one choice. With Gov flung over one shoulder, Sven let his power flow into the runes on his armor and he fled....
Sven flees the battle. With the help of his transmutation magic, he is able to outpace the fey for long enough to make it to the surface, where he finds Cyla and Shadow. She reaches down for him from the back of her horse, and the pair gallop off into the forest.
Stayven is left behind. In recompense for their mercilessly slain king, the fey show no hesitation before ensuring that Stayven stays dead. He wakes momentarily to find himself being stabbed repeatedly by numerous fey before he succumbs to his wounds.
Now alone in a deadly forest with several of their companions dead (and the ability to confirm Gov's death) Sven and Cyla have little choice but to return to Fort Thorn. Instead of choosing to remain in the forest and rest, the pair march through the night again in order to make it in the morning.
The result of this is that, just as Portia is greeting Gyles the gate guard with a smile and a handshake, a bedraggled dwarf and elf shamble out of the nearby woods. The corpse of an orc is draped over the elf's black steed. The pair appear exhausted, as if they've gone without sleep, and the elf is badly wounded.
As Cyla rode, Sven healed her. His runic gauntlets glowed blue in the night as they went to work again and again. When the two arrived they were bloody but physically whole. Mentally? That was a different matter. Stayven’s death weighed heavily on his mind as they finally made it back to safety...
Gyles chuckles and holds up his hand. "I'd hate to hear the story of the guy who got his hand bit off by a bugbear! Was a drake, actually, years ago. Thing had me by the hand, took an arrow from my ally, and took my hand rather than a second arrow."
His train of thought, and his humor, is interrupted as he sees Sven and Cyla emerge from the trees. "Blimey, those are the mercenaries we sent out against the fey a day ago..."
He calls and waves to the pair. "Hey! What happened to you out there?"
With a *thud* Sven came off the horse. First one leg, then the other, and then the entire armored dwarf. With a weariness that felt like it grew heavier by the moment, he said "Need to speak with Gyrad Tolgrith. The fey king was in an undeclared war with us and is dead at our hands. Need to speak with him, now, for the safety of the Fort." He did what he could to portray both confidence and urgency in equal measures in his voice, as the last thing he wanted as for the guards to delay them with unnecessary questions.
Tanu paced in his room, restless. He had been here for hours now, but there was nothing for him to do but wait. Too dangerous to head out alone, they told him. He trusted Nisha to watch his back perfectly well, better than most anyone else, and he had already traveled so long alone; it wouldn't do to alienate Tolgrith, though, so wait he did. He had visited the Boar's Bones already, and had a disappointing cup of Chelish black tea (what I wouldn't give for a good cup of Vudrani green...) and a good conversation with Pily who brought it. You could only sit in the bar for so long, though, so he made his way back to the barracks.
Finally, though, he heard the gate start to open - luckily for him, you could hear that winch being cranked throughout the whole compound! He hustled out of his room to go see who had arrived.
As he approached the gate, he was disappointed right at first when he saw only a single woman coming in the gate. Not the crew he was meant to join, turns out. He continued to approach, though, curious to meet this new arrival, a lovely and much more formal looking woman than he was used to seeing out here. Before he had a chance to try to introduce himself, though, or even gotten anyone's attention, the gate guard started calling out. The mercenary group was back! His heart rate increased, excited to meet his new team, but his heart dropped when the armored dwarf gave his brief report.
Tanu turned to the gate guard and tried to help. "This sounds serious, and we need to get them to Sir Tolgrith as soon as possible. I can escort them to Sir Tolgrith immediately so you can keep watch for any potential fey counter-assaults."
Gyles blinks at all of the orders being barked his way. A bit overwhelmed by the urgency of Sven's tone, he backs up a step. "Alright, son. Are you okay? Do you need a cleric? You look awful bloody."
Sven nodded as he removed his helmet. "The two of us are. Luckily I have the ability to heal. Though not to revive. He'll need a funeral." He motioned to Gov's body. "But for right now I just need ye to take me to Tolgrith." He said, in a calm and measured tone. He recognized that this was not a situation that yelling would help with, and more than that he just didn't have it in him.
Gyles looks between Sven and Tanu, confused by their contradictory statements. Eventually he just points towards the fort. "He's in there, probably in the planning room or the armory. Just go right in yourselves."
Sven nodded and then turned to Tanu. "Right. Let's go then." Not wanting to spend too much time stomping around looking for the man, he was glad for the stranger to act as a guide.
Adjacent to Gyles and the shaved Vudrani warrior as the pair approach with their fallen comrade, bloodied and fatigued, Portia Porphyria-Jeggare readily imagines the challenge facing her out here in the wilderness. Inwardly nodding at the Vudrani’s commands, and seeing the import of the Dwarf and Drow’s report to Sir Tolgrith, Portia gives a good-day nod to Gyles and briskly walks with the group to the Keep dominating Fort Thorn.
The girl is young, late teen obviously, and her eve-green, leather explorer’s outfit looks as though it has not yet seen a battle, just a little dusty from the mountainous road, suffering a few minor scratches from a wild thorn here and there. It still has that new-leather smell. The girl carries herself gracefully, even regally: She was clearly taught from a young age how to walk and talk like one of noble birth. A violet cloak matches her violaceous eyes, coruscated with deep intelligence, and her gleaming ebony hair and pale-olive skin reveal an authentic Chelaxian ethnicity. A golden signet ring, enchanted bag, magical headband, and fancy golden choker complete her ensemble.
A bright coral snake is wrapped delicately around her wrist, looking exactly like a Wizard’s Familiar posing as additional jewelry.
Her accent is still thick Chelaxian as she introduces herself to the Vudrani warrior and the two returning soldiers of fortune. She is curt and perfunctory as she speaks, not slowing her quick pace, knowing a grand introduction is the last thing that is what is needed at a time like this. After making quick eye contact with the Vudrani, she turns to the Dwarf and Drow. “There shall be a better time later for a proper introduction, but I am a Wizard from The Academae who just arrived; I am to provide some arcane artillery and battlefield control to your endeavors.” Her gaze falls upon the Orc’s body, “Sympathies to you for your fallen comrade; hopefully someone in Sir Tolgrith’s retinue can Raise him.”
.
Sven shook his head. ”Sven. Shieldbearer. He was Gov, and was a good lad. We’ll see about bringing him back, but that assumes there is someone here powerful enough and rich enough. Could buy everything I own and then some for that cost. And a mercenary’s life is rarely as valuable.” He finished sadly. He saw her as a child, and the sooner she realized that this wasn’t a game and that death was a real possibility the better. He didn’t need a third life weighing on his conscience.
Tanu took off at a brisk pace toward the keep, a journey he had made not very long ago. The tall man smiled politely at the young woman and gave a friendly but serious nod at the dwarf without breaking stride. "I am Tanu, of Vudra" he says simply, touching a scarred hand to his armored chest. "I was a fighter and military leader back home, though here I am just a wandering warrior. Nisha and I are very much looking forward to assisting in whatever way we can."
Looking to Sven, he gives a look of sympathy. "I too have lost comrades in battle before" he says, with a brief grimace of remembered pain flashing across his smooth face. Some of them by my own hand... "It is never easy. I will do everything in my power to help."
Some soldiers help Sven and Cyla guide Gov's body to a resting position. While they put down Gov's body, Cyla also reveals a single finger. "This is from Stayven," she says. "It only takes the littlest piece of a body to reincarnate someone, after all."
Cyla, a dusky-skinned female elf with an onyx bow and long, white hair, pointedly does not introduce herself. Instead, she mutters half of an argument with her bow, which does not respond verbally. She scowls, and retreats to the bar instead of coming to the meeting with Tolgrith.
The inside of the fort is about ten rooms. On the upper floor, one room provides a window with a commanding view of the fort, a large oak table with maps of the Vale on it, and Gyrad Tolgrith, the commander. Tolgrith is leaning over the table like before, viewing the map. Several new pins have been placed in it.
Tolgrith looks up as you all entered. "Ah. New recruits, and the old recruits."
"Report, and I'll have it quickly. There's much to be done, and I have another task for you."
Sven looked at the commander wearily. He took a deep breath and then reported "We investigated as ordered and found evidence that yer men were killed by fey attackers. We made contact with the local fey and were taken to their lair to meet with their king. There, the king admitted to the murders and gleefully made threats towards our safety lest we provide tribute. A battle broke out. Gov and Reilarri died, and Stayven...he fell. I didn't know that Gov was dead when I carried him out, either that or he died before I could reach the surface. Only Cyla and I made it out. Ah, but the important part. Their king is dead, I killed him with me own hammer." He took a moment to compose himself, the sheer amount of thoughts swirling in his head was making it difficult to put together a proper narrative. "So their king is dead and it isn't clear what their next move would be. I would ask for some riders to come with me to go back to their den. Stayven may well yet live, and I fear that these dark fey will torture the lad. That, and they may well yet continue their war against ye. It would be good to get eyes on them to see if they are marshalling their forces for reprisal against us. While I hear that there are more tasks to be done, I think it wise to ensure that this war be done first." He finished, recognizing that there was more work to be done, but still not wanting to abandon him comrade to a tortuous death.
He thinks for a few moments upon receiving the news. "I see," is all he says at first. "Well, with their king dead, these enemies should be easier to get rid of. I agree to send scouts to check on their status."
He moves on. "While you were gone, new opportunities cropped up which I require your aid with. Our surveyors have uncovered valuable resources in the hills and nearby forest, and our workers on the road have started to be attacked by angry owlbears. Highest priority is taking care of the owlbear attacks, with securing the resources for extraction taking a second seat. Any questions?"
He indicates points on the map where the new points of interest can be found.
Sven kept a stoic face. He had just ridden through the night right after a harrowing battle. All he could think of was a bath and a warm bed. But at the end of the day he was a dwarf, and he would not shame his ancestors by showing weakness like a human child. "How many owlbears? Are they native to the region? Is there coordination behind their attacks? Are they eating the dead or leaving them there? What sort of druidic presence is here? Are there any fey sightings along with the owlbears?" He asked, listing off the questions with one finger added for each one. "In short, do we think that these are natural attacks, or are we looking at another hostile power. Also, I'll need a new team. If Stayton lives and the scouts can retrieve him, then he is of proven quality. With Rei and Gov both fallen, I would request...Tanu and Portia. Tanu is a Veteran and Portia is a graduate of the Acadamae. Both would be useful in dealing with the owlbears."
"Well, as far as we can tell, it's just a regular set of owlbear attacks. We can't tell if anything nefarious is going on, but the owlbears are interfering with the construction of the road."
"There is a druid reputed to be in the region, but he lives in the northeastern forest rather than the western hills. I doubt he's involved."
"I will send my scouts out today, and expect them to return by tomorrow. I have a barracks set aside for the freelancers, and you can get yourselves fed, rested, and prepared today while you wait. Sven, you look like you need it."
"When you're ready to leave, come back and we can debrief again."
Sven responded by banging his fist to his chest in a salute. "Give me two hours to rest and I'll go with the scouts. I left a man behind there, and with yer leave I'd see either him or his body returned." He hoped that he would be given permission to do so, but understood that if did not receive it then there was no point arguing. The man had command of the fort and he was honor-bound to follow lawful orders. Still, he hoped that he would be given permission to recover Stayven.
Tanu looks somewhat dubiously at Sven. "Will two hours be enough time, after all you have been through?"
Sven took off a gauntlet and held up his hand, showing a simple platinum band. "Magical. It'll rest me up right quick. Me armor will clean itself as well. I'll meet ye back here in two hours, which should be enough time for the scouts to get ready." The dwarf said, already starting to walk off towards the barracks.
-----------------
...the group was once more riding through the darkness. It wasn't something that Sven was quite familiar with, for he never thought that he would find himself riding a horse. And yet it was becoming a more and more common experience. While he was physically rested, in his mind all he could think about was how much time had been 'wasted' in riding back and forth. He even cursed himself for the two hours he had taken to recuperate.
The inner curses became a muttered one when he saw the tree that was before the fey kingdom's entrance. Two bodies hung from it. One was that of Rei and the other Stayven. The human hung from his arms anad the dwarf from her feet. There was blood on the ground beneath them. Kicking his horse to go faster, Sven charged forward without even thinking about the possibility of an ambush. In this, he was exceedingly fortunate, for no fey attackers came out of the darkness. Going straight for Stayven, the dwarf pulled the man down. The man's body was covered in wounds, many of them fresh. Without wasting any time he said the words to activate the runes in his gauntlet...
Stayven’s eyes snap open as he takes several shallow breaths, ”I...wh...you...you came back.”
He stares off into the distance for a moment as he mutters, ”See, they, they wouldn’t just leave you. Not like that.”
He looks back at Sven, eyes wide, ”You came back for me. I thought I was...gone for sure. Those fey...they...”
His voice trails off as he looks down at his hand, noticing the missing pinky finger, ”And this, too.”
Stayven clasps Sven’s hand, stumbling to his feet and steadying himself on his horse, he inquires about Gov, sighing heavily upon learning the news. ”Let’s leave this godsforsaken place,” he pauses for a moment, a scowl crossing his face, ”but when time permits, we should burn it to the ground for what those beasts have done.”
Sven stared at Stayven, pure relief coming over his face. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He turned to his new companions and yelled "He's alive! Torag's blessed hammer, he's alive!" Without thinking he put his hand on the man and allowed more arcane power to flow. The mixture of guilt and relief was a potent combination that robbed him of the ability to think straight.
"Aye. Aye lad, on yer feet. Let's get ye out of here. Wouldn't leave ye to their mercies..." He trailed off as he saw the others taking down Rei's body, at a loss for words. He resolved to make sure that her body and possessions were sent back to her Clan for a proper dwarven burial.
...One of Sir Tolgrith's men shakes Sven awake. "We're ready to go now, Master Dwarf."
Sven blinks away the sleep from his eyes. He had slept slightly longer than two hours, with all of the exhaustion, but he feels fine thanks to his ring. The others are ready to go already, and indeed Sir Tolgrith lends Sven a horse.
He had dreamt of riding through a dark forest, dropping to Stayven's side, and healing him quickly, perhaps due to guilt. The actual ride, with three of Tolgrith's young soldiers, Portia, and Tanu, was quite pleasant. However, when the group reaches the fey glade, what they find is not quite so nice.
The glade is empty of fey, and the place's stone hallways echo with silence as the scouts explore it. In just under a day, the fey had cleared the place out. However, they must have had a grand feast first, for their table is laid with plates and silverware, and the plates are covered in bones covered in gristle and leftover meat. The horrifiying revelation comes when the skulls are found on the large centerpiece plate, and the equipment is found in a ruined pile beside the meal. Reilarri and Stayven... had ended up as food!
Tanu lays a comforting hand on Sven's shoulders. "I'm sorry, Sven. Let's head back, report to Sir Tolgrith. Maybe he has the resources to bring them back..."
Sven shook his head and laughed bitterly. "If ye say so. Fook it. Ye can report it to him, ask him if ye like. I'll see to gettin' me kinswoman sent back home while yer at it."
Portia had purposely stayed quiet, keeping her thoughts to herself for now and just observing, not unlike the Drow archer. 'I believe she is only 'part' Drow, though I've only studied them and seen illusory representations. She has a fascinating Enchanted weapon, quite interesting.'
'Sir Tolgrith was not big on an introduction, or any kind of formality or display -- a world away from nobility and court life, even The Academae. And the Dwarf and the Vudrani were equally perfunctory. I guess that is how this game is played. No intrigue. No guile. ....Hmm, I believe that when betrayal, even mere manipulation, occurs in soldier-life, it is shocking. Imagine, a world where guile and intrigue are not infused in every ounce of life. It's almost like the HellKnights.'
'I like this Dwarf, Sven, he asked good questions about the Owlbears and urged Sir Tolgrith to return to the place his humiliating defeat. Fey are whimsical and capricious -- Chaotic -- they could just as easily ignore the loss of their king as they could just haphazardly attack. No way to predict without Divination magic. I am not surprised they left.'
Riding on a living horse, especially in the evening on the return trip, was awkward and challenging. It was apparent she was not used to this. 'When I study my grimoire I shall have to work on my Phantom Steed. Design the spell better. Maybe find a way to make it Fly, or at least get through mountainous terrain with more ease. The living horse is graceful and elegant from a distance, but up close it smells like a sweaty Dwarf, and it has its own mind. I do not imagine what Druids see in these creatures. Far better are they in a menagerie. Or stuffed.'
Back at Fort Thorn Portia Porphyria-Jeggare speaks for the first time in hours, other than words intended to command, eventually beg, her horse. It was clear she wasn't comfortable on the steed. At least it was daylight on the way to the Fey lair, giving her practice before having to ride it in lowlight conditions. And at the abandoned camp she had been silent, studying the area but not saying anything, allowing Sven and Cyla to reclaim the gnawed bones of their fallen allies.
But at Fort Thorn, with Sven tending to the duties of funerary rites, she approaches the Vudrani. There are still a few minutes to eat what they call evening meal before sleeping, and tired as she is, creating a rapport was important.
"We didn't really meet earlier; I am Lady Portia Porphyria-Jeggare. You are a Vudrani warrior called 'Tanu.' Tell me, what brought you from the Impossible Kingdoms to the West; I assume you have some connection to Lord Glorio Arkona?"
When Sven indicates that he's ready, the scouts finish their exploration of the abandoned fey den and climb back on their horses for the ride back to Fort Thorn. It is early evening by the time the group arrives back at base, and the Fort is beginning its late-day relaxation routine. The second shift of guards is coming off of their duties and heading to the the Boar's Bones for an ale and a few rounds of cards. The first shift of guards is headed to the barracks inside the fort for a sleep.
Sir Tolgrith had mentioned a barracks set aside for the mercenaries. It's a small, one-room building with four bunk beds inside. There is also a fireplace with cooking tools, a large oak table with six chairs around it, a map of the Vale pinned to a wall, and a small box with a few sets of gaming paraphernalia: dice, cards, and an Ulfen hneftafl game board.
He is on a low hill. To one side of the hill is a massive old-growth forest, with huge trees piercing the canopy and reaching into the sky periodically, and many white-feathered birds flying from one place to another in the treetops. To the other side of the hill is a wide and pleasant plains with several rivers running through it. A few miles away, situated in the middle of the plain, is a white city at the base of a mountain.
Stayven is alone, though he feels a presence watching over him as he awakens.
Stayven takes a deep breath. His death was painful and lonely, but this place...it is soothing. He studies his surroundings, a dim memory, no, an instinct to get his bearings and remember them.
More than anything, he is curious about what watches him.
Stayven sits on the hilltop and looks about himself. He can see that there are two directions to go down the hill -- towards the city and towards the forest. The forest looks thick and powerful and majestic and beautiful, while the city appears graceful and cultural and well-constructed and glowing.
He wonders about the presence watching him, and he feels touched... Heaven is replete with the presence of higher powers. He can feel the powers of Heaven watching him, wondering what Stayven will do with the gift of Heaven.
The forest calls him. It always has, and will as long as he remains. He takes to the skies, letting out a hearty laugh at the childlike delight of flying. He soars towards the forest, feeling the cool wind and the bright, warm sun on his face.
Suddenly, Stayven's vision of celestial beauty is interrupted. He is a skull, inside a dark and moist stone room. He is on a raised slab, and standing over him is an evil sorcerer. The marks of arcane power are fading from the sorcerer's hands as he finishes with casting a spell.
"Who are you?" he demands, "And what are you doing in the Bloodsworn Vale?"
Tanu's first task on gettig back to the fort was to take care of Nisha. He waved off any offers of help, and went through the process of getting her stabled and fed and settled in. "This isn't exactly the start to things we had hoped for, is it?" he mutters to her, and she seems to understand what he is saying, bobbing her head in what seemed to be agreement. "It has potential though..." He gave her muscular side a soft pat before heading off toward the Boar's Bones.
He got a meager serving of the chicken that was prepared for dinner from Pily, and quickly made his way out. The guards playing cards smiled and were friendly enough, but he wasn't one of them and he doubted he ever would be. He was a mercenary now. Best go see to his fellow mercenaries.
Sven and Cyla were both out of sight, the former seeing to his dead kinsman and the latter who knows where, but Portia was present. As he sat down to eat his food, she quietly approached him.
"We didn't really meet earlier; I am Lady Portia Porphyria-Jeggare. You are a Vudrani warrior called 'Tanu.' Tell me, what brought you from the Impossible Kingdoms to the West; I assume you have some connection to Lord Glorio Arkona?"
He courteously nods his head to her by way of introduction. "A pleasure, Lady Portia. I am indeed Tanu from Vudra, and most here do not even know the name Impossible Kingdoms, let alone the name of Lord Glorio, so I am impressed. I do not have any connection to him, though; he moved on to Korvosa some time past." He tears into the chicken, which is a little cold but plenty tender and tasty. He was rather famished, and hunger made for the best seasoning. "I set out from Vudra to see more of the world than I had seen for most of my life, to see more people and more cultures." ...and to not be executed... "My journies have been quite... successful in that."
"Enough of me, though. How is it you know so much of such a far away land? What brings you out to such a place as this, when you seem more akin to a finer setting than this? You didn't seem to care much for the ride today..." His tone makes it clear he is not judging her or looking down on her in any way for this, but is rather just curious to know more.
Portia delicately eats her cold chicken and share of leftover Varisian beets. She's not trying to put on airs or stand out; it's just that eating with manners is the default posture for her and, well truthfully, the food is disgusting -- eating slowly with small bites masks her distaste.
....Hopefully.
She lets the Vudrani gorge a few bites before answering her opening gambit of dialog. 'Is he this hungry, or does food in Vudra taste so horrible that he enjoys such fare as the peasant food here?'
"A pleasure, Lady Portia. I am indeed Tanu from Vudra, and most here do not even know the name Impossible Kingdoms, let alone the name of Lord Glorio, so I am impressed. I do not have any connection to him, though; he moved on to Korvosa some time past." ...I set out from Vudra to see more of the world than I had seen for most of my life, to see more people and more cultures." My journeys have been quite... successful in that."
"Enough of me, though. How is it you know so much of such a far away land?
.
"Ah, I was raised in the capital of Cheliax, to a powerful and ancient House loyal to Her Infernal Majestrix. Education was proper, and I was superior as a pupil." She is conversational, relaxing. It is a facade.
'But I think soldiers really are this honest and forthright. Earlier I felt this way when speaking to Gyles. No guile. No innuendo. Betrayal really would be shocking among soldiers. ....Hmm, I'm going to take a chance with this Vudrani. Let's see how it plays out.'
"With my acumen it was deemed that I should study wizardry, to further my House and our Infernal Empire. Grand-Mother, The ArchCountess Porphyria arranged a marriage between me and a teen girl from powerful House Jeggare in Korvosa. So I moved here and matriculated into The Academae after a Temple wedding. High Priest Ornher Reebs himself married us before a shining alter to Asmodeus. ....And well, now a graduate of The Academae I have to earn a name for myself in the field. You know, bring Honor to The House, Glory to Her Infernal Majistrix, and wealth and titles for myself and my wife."
She does not mention her life long ambition of joining The Darklight Sisterhood. No reason to be too open and forthright.
Portia takes a few more delicate bites, holding her breath as she swallows. She answers about the horse. "Yes, I am not used to horseback riding. I conjure quite a remarkable steed of eldritch clouds and ride him flawlessly. My conjured mount doesn't have a mind of its own, you see. ....And doesn't smell like a sweaty dwarf's beard.
"But you have quite a rapport with your own mount. I saw you talking to it almost as a friend." She holds aloft Tiamat, coiled on her right wrist, its forked tongue striking the air. "It looks as though your connection is not too dissimilar to my relationship to Tiamat. ...Yes?
She listens to Tanu's responses, continuing the evening conversation.
...."Anyway, I am of the opinion that we should use Divination magic to learn whether the remaining Fey are more an immediate threat than some wild owlbears. Fey are capricious. Wicked and chaotic. They may haphazardly attack or deliberately cause mischief and sabotage. Owlbears are just territorially guarding their birthing dens. If Divination magic indicates we should expect retaliation from the Fey, we can delay moving into the beasts' territory until the Fey are eradicated, or at least razed enough to hide in their flowers for a good long while. And, if the leaderless, Chaotic Fey are already hiding in their flowers, fine, we stay on schedule and deal with the Owlbear nuisance.
"Well, what do you think? Is that a good argument to bring to Sir Tolgrith?"
"Ah, I was raised in the capital of Cheliax, to a powerful and ancient House loyal to Her Infernal Majestrix. Education was proper, and I was superior as a pupil."
"With my acumen it was deemed that I should study wizardry, to further my House and our Infernal Empire. Grand-Mother, The ArchCountess Porphyria arranged a marriage between me and a teen girl from powerful House Jeggare in Korvosa. So I moved here and matriculated into The Academae after a Temple wedding. High Priest Ornher Reebs himself married us before a shining alter to Asmodeus. ....And well, now a graduate of The Academae I have to earn a name for myself in the field. You know, bring Honor to The House, Glory to Her Infernal Majistrix, and wealth and titles for myself and my wife."
Tanu's chewing slows slightly as he takes in all this information. Infernal Majestrix? Infernal Empire? Who have I gotten myself mixed up with? She certainly shares a lot. Proud of her accomplishments, too young to know how little they amount to... His chewing speeds back up, as he is careful not to show any distaste toward any of this. Married to a woman too. Odd place this Cheliax. Not that Vudra ended up being much better! He continues to eat in silence as she continues.
"Yes, I am not used to horseback riding. I conjure quite a remarkable steed of eldritch clouds and ride him flawlessly. My conjured mount doesn't have a mind of its own, you see. ....And doesn't smell like a sweaty dwarf's beard.
He couldn't help but snort at that, causing a chunk of meat to slide down the wrong way and quickly transform his budding laugher into a choke. A couple of violent coughs later, and he is breathing again just fine, waving off her concern and taking a deep drink of water.
"But you have quite a rapport with your own mount. I saw you talking to it almost as a friend." She holds aloft Tiamat, coiled on her right wrist, its forked tongue striking the air. "It looks as though your connection is not too dissimilar to my relationship to Tiamat. ...Yes?
At this he nods and smiles fondly. "Yes, Nisha has been with me for quite some time, and we are quite close. She has been my only friend for some time now. She looks out for me, and is actually quite protective. Smart, too. And at least most of the time," he says with a dry grin, "she smells nothing like a sweaty dwarf's beard!"
He looks at her snake with a small amount of trepidation and a healthy amount of respect. Seen similar creatures be all too deadly. Can't say I've ever been friends with one... "I can't say I'm too familiar with your relationship to Tiamat, there, but I would imagine that to be somewhat accurate" he says with an agreeable nod. "How did you come to bond with such a creature?"
"Anyway, I am of the opinion that we should use Divination magic to learn whether the remaining Fey are more an immediate threat than some wild owlbears. Fey are capricious. Wicked and chaotic. They may haphazardly attack or deliberately cause mischief and sabotage. Owlbears are just territorially guarding their birthing dens. If Divination magic indicates we should expect retaliation from the Fey, we can delay moving into the beasts' territory until the Fey are eradicated, or at least razed enough to hide in their flowers for a good long while. And, if the leaderless, Chaotic Fey are already hiding in their flowers, fine, we stay on schedule and deal with the Owlbear nuisance.
"Well, what do you think? Is that a good argument to bring to Sir Tolgrith?"
He nods along with this plan, agreeable. "Seems reasonable. Can't say I've ever danced with an owlbear, but I know how tricky fey can be. Seems to me we might be slightly understaffed, though. Our dwarf friend seemed to be in a sorry state last I saw, not exactly eager to hop back into the fray, and the lady archer ran off in a hurry when we got back. Not sure Tiamat and Nisha are enough backup to handle either group with just the two of us! Maybe some more mercenaries will be along, or Tolgrith will have some spare troops to send in with us?"
Portia and Tanu would certainly have found dinner inside of the Boar's Bones, a small tavern operated by a halfling named Orrend. Named for a hunted boar that provided sustenance for the crew here when they were at their most desperate at the beginning of the venture, the place functions as a relaxation point for all of the soldiers at the Fort. As such, it's filled with them in the evening. Cyla is there, sulking in the corner. Sven had been seen tending to the corpses of his companions. He had elected to help bury Gov and to prepare Reilarri's body for travel by asking the local cleric to prepare gentle repose.
Aside from the support staff, the Fort has about a dozen soldiers and a half-dozen scouts and surveyors. It's not likely that Tolgrith has extra men to assign to expeditionary forces except in cases of dire need. Most of the soldiers are assigned to guarding the Fort itself, or else the workers carving the road through the valley.
As you talk, Orrend approaches. He's a cheery-cheeked halfling with a gut and the first signs of balding, probably the human equivalent of 45, whatever that is for halflings. "Can I get you anything else?" he asks, indicating his notepad.
Portia looks again at the tiny Coral Snake around her wrist as Tanu responds to Tiamat. ”Certainly you are aware Wizards keep magical Familiars. ... Anyway, let’s finish our meal. I have a feeling it will be an interesting early-morning conversation and very long day tomorrow — either with or without extra help. ... Ah, but first—“ Portia looks around the ever-growing crowd of soldiers as they enter, coming off duty, stalking for someone.
”Gyles!” She waves over the one-handed veteran who was on guard earlier. ”Have you met Tanu yet — a great warrior from a land thousands of miles away. And where is young Hawk Eye?” She turns to Tanu, ”Introducing Gyles, Sergeant of Fort Thorn — See that scarred stump at the end of his wrist? It came from a Hydra. Right Gyles?” She’s speaking mischievously, clearly bending the truth with her smile.
It would be important for her to not only learn of as many of these people as she could considering how obviously she stood apart from them, but more importantly it would benefit her for as many of them to trust her as possible.
She answers Orrend as the portly Halfling arrives a moment later. ”Yes, Orrend, tell us what really happened to Gyles’ hand. Didn’t I hear you say it was a stunted Goblin mistaking Sergeant Gyles for someone’s pet dog?!” She nods to the Halfling as she speaks, a few silver coins to pay for a round for Gyles, Tanu, Hawk Eye and herself, with enough for a suitable tip.
”Indeed, I met ser Gyles on my way in, we swapped a war story or two. That hydra sounded fierce indeed! Unfortunately I already told him about myself, so he knows I’m no mighty warrior. Should have let you talk me up first!” he responds with a half laugh. When the round is ordered, he’ll quietly ask for his to just be a fresh hot tea instead. Last thing I need right now is a sodden head...
When the drinks arrive, he’ll quietly sip at the warm beverage, visibly relaxing as he does so, and generally lets the conversation flow around him. Portia certainly seems to enjoy the limelight, I’ll let her have the floor for a while.
Gyles and "Hawkeye" -- really called Wilfrid -- decide to sit and eat with Portia. Gyles gives Portia a disdainful look at her deception and shakes his head. "No, I said it was a drake," he mutters, ruining her joke.
He gives Tanu a friendly nod before ordering himself an ale. Meanwhile, the younger soldier Wilfrid shyly buries himself in his own drink. Gyles speaks up. "So, Masters. Word around here is that successful leaders in this venture are given a chance for land. What do you plan to use yours for?"
"Eh, my wife will handle all that; she's in charge of finances and the legacy of our House. I'm just suppose to gather the wealth and renown -- she will decide how it's used.
"What about you, Tanu, any plans to build a castle, or just upgrade to evermore and more powerful enchantments on your magical weapons?"
Portia keeps the conversation going in as friendly a manner as she can, but often studies the faces of those not only who speak, but who are more silent. Looking for something. It's as though she is playing poker, looking for tells and gathering information from the twitches and smirks and reactions from those around her. 'Why is young Wilfrid so quiet?'
"Oh, I haven't really thought that far ahead. I like to focus on things just one step at a time. Identify a problem, fix it. Identify another problem, fix it. Repeat as necessary." he replies with a smile, as though remembering an old joke. Looking at Portia, he asks in a puzzled voice "How does your wife decide on how to use your wealth and renown if she is not here? Will she be joining our adventure at some point in the future? Do you have arcane means of speedy communication with her? Or are you just going to refrain from any major purchases while here?"
"If I earn a portion of land here or a stipend from future profits (taxes to caravan merchants), she will manage it. She'll pay taxes to Korvosa and do the paperwork; she'll decide whether to keep or sell; she'll decide how to leverage it within the feudal bureaucracy for more wealth. I will meanwhile search for more ways to earn wealth and land for her to manage.
"What about you Gyles and Wilfrid, you sending money home or just keeping your wage to yourself?"
Wilfrid scratches the back of his head and looks away shyly. "Oh, I dunno," he says with a small chuckle. "Been from Korvosa all my life, joined the army just a few months ago, and got sent on this mission. Never really thought too much about what to do with my money. Probably just spend it all on stupid stuff, I guess."
Gyles lets out a big laugh before responding. "Debts, young girl!" he exclaims. "When you get to be my age, life in the city starts to take its toll, and you can't get by without taking on a few obligations. I've got some of those to fulfill before I can think about buying anything, and anyway, my boyfriend left me recently."