As the heroes rush up the stairs, they hear the sounds of a large number of feet from the south. Fortunately, they make their way up onto the second floor before there's any further sign of new enemies.
The room they enter into is in total disarray, with couches, drawing tables, and empty bookshelves knocked down and ruined. The sole exception is a writing desk and chair that sit in the center of the room. It surface is stacked high with loose papers that teeter precariously as the party's arrival disturbs the air.
To the west there is a doorway, back lit by the sun and presumably an exit onto the battlements. On the southern end of the room there is another door, and a set of stairs snaking upwards yet further. It appears that they have found themselves in the tallest tower of Castle Brinewall.
Yuto is indeed careful. He goes to the battlements doorway and checks there is no danger coming from there. Then moves swiftly to the stairs up and looks the way is clear too.
Only then, and if no one else has done it, he takes note of the fallen documents and checks what is that about "Do-do you think we might find a secret a-about what might be happening with Ameiko?"
Though the door to the battlements has no sign of any foes - just the ruined catapult that they had seen earlier, there is someone on the stairs. A winged woman with a bow slung over her back stands calmly at the top of the stairs, her expression mildly curious. A harpy, most likely.
Infamous for their unwillingness to bathe, harpies' secretions are so foul that they can be made into a concoction that drives goblins to greater fear than they normally experience - though no rational person would care to do so. Oddly, this harpy is positively well-groomed, even for a civilized person - her limbs are clean and her feathers neat, and it may just be relative to the foul lizards, but she does not smell at all.
The harpy looks at Yuto silently, her wings folded behind her, before waving him gently to return back down the stairs. It does not seem so much a demand as a request, strangely.
Yuto startles when she spots the winged woman. He quickly holds up the shield to protect himself but slowly lowers it as she does not openly attack. Instead he points to himself, then shyly backs down the stairs as requested but a bit confused and not losing eyesight "Pe-people, w-we have some woman here, wi-winged woman... Ma-maybe someone we can talk with at last?"
Slowly he rises the hand at the way of a greeting, trying to not show himself aggressive "H-hi, do-do you live here?"
The harpy inclines her head at Yuto's question before descending the stairs herself. She surveys the heroes, her expression thoughtful, and her eyes dart between Elvina and Riftun, in particular. After a heartbeat, she extends one hand, palm facing up, towards the young bard. An invitation, perhaps?
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"I can't say for sure but... best we be going just in case... I don't know if I could stomach that foulness again." Riftun replies to Yuto as they make ready to ascend the stairs. He takes notice of Teruko's pause and makes a mental note to ask her about it when they aren't in immediate danger.
------
The red headed bard has to take a moment to suppress a sneeze as they enter the next room clenching his eyes for a moment and holding his hand over his nose, though he ultimately manages to hold the sneeze in despite all the dust. When he does open his eyes and beholds the stack of papers before them a bit of excitement pick's up the young man's step. Finally, something of his forte!
"They just might tell us something useful Yuto! This could be the break we've been looking for!" He makes his way towards the papers excitedly and begins muttering the words of his cantrip which allows him to behold magic in case these papers bore some kind of arcane protection when the samurai interrupts him by calling their attention to a woman he had just encountered.
Riftun instantly clocks this woman as being a harpy from the many tales of them captivating wayward folk and leading them to their inevitable doom but this one...
"Sh-She's a harpy. But please hold your weapons... There is something different about this one." Riftun manages to whisper his azure blue eyes wide and locked with her own as the woman briefly considers both he and Elvina before reaching out a hand towards him.
Being singled out as such had Riftun's heart caught in his throat. She was an imposing sight to the young bard, looking stoic and battle-hardened. Truth be told- she reminded him in some ways of old tales of clans of warrior women from the far forest and jungles. And as she stood before him beckoning to the young man he couldn't help but wonder what her intentions were.
Did she wish to eat him? To rend and devour him right then and there in front of his companions?
Surely she could if she wanted to with those razor sharp talons of hers.
Part of him wanted to run, a big part in fact, but another part told him that there was something peculiar about this woman... and that she may be their chance to find out more of what had happened to Kelda and Ameiko.
He had to take a chance.
Struggling to swallow the lump in his throat Riftun reaches out a trembling hand towards her own. His fingers are nearly in her palm when he withdraws them just slightly back a slight crimson flush of embarrassment as the bard realizes he doesn't know exactly what the harpy wants from him. "I-I'm sorry! I don't mean to be presumptuous... Did-Did you wish for me to take your hand?" He stammers.
The winged woman rolls her eyes, exasperation clear on her face, and grabs ahold of Riftun's hand.
She casts her gaze around the group again, measuring each.
"Something different about this one?" Yuto echoes Riftun while looking up and down the harpy "I-I do not know... be careful... we do not want you end transformed into mud or a pig"
Then observing the hesitation between both of them, Yuto attempts to talk in Tien instead of Common "Do you understand us? Who are you? Wh-what are you doing he-here?"
Riftun sharply gasps as the harpy takes his hand, his muscles tighten and his hair is practically standing on end like a startled cat as he is shocked at the sudden new experience of having a voice literally inside his head.
He holds out his other hand to make sure the other don't take this a a cue to attack while his shoulders slightly relax.
"Y-Yes! Well I mean, 'intruders' is kind of a harsh word I think... We didn't know this place was occupied when we were first beset upon and one among us claims ancestral heritage of this place." The bard manages to say after only a moment or two to compose himself after the sudden shock.
"Anyways it is a pleasure to meet a friendly face here Zaiobe. M-My name is Riftun and these are my..." He takes a moment to look over all of them trying to find the words to describe these folks who have risked their lives together but only been around each other a short time, himself especially having only been with the the past day.
"...traveling companions?" he squeaks unsure of himself before nodding at each of them in turn. "Yuto, Teruko, Torra, and Elvina."
"I'm sorry for the gasp by the way! I-I just wasn't expecting to hear your voice in my head." He chuckles apologetically rubbing the back of his own head with his free hand in embarrassment, the slight blush of crimson returning to his face. "It is a very lovely voice though, have you thought of using it in song?" He asks in an attempt to be complimentary to their new potential ally, completely unaware of how foolish the implication is, that a harpy would never have sung... Though to be fair this harpy has only communicated psychically so far so maybe his question is foolish in the opposite regard, that she would be able to sing at all.
Yuto rises an eyebrow surprised by what is going on between the harpy and Riftun, but lowers his katana "A-are you hearing her Riftun?"
The Tian remains silent for the rest of the exchange, only intervening by the end "Does Zaiobe know what is going on with the ruins? Why is she here?"
Riftun turns his attention to Yuto. "I don't believe we have to worry about Zaiobe transforming me into..." He pauses to stiffle a chuckle. "... a pig or some mud. She seems amenable to me. A-And yes I am hearing her in my head... which is a rather curious quality for a harpy to have now that I think about it." He ponders aloud and returns his attent to Zaiobe.
"R-Right, sorry for nattering on I-I'm fairly easily flustered. My companion asks some pertinent questions though, i-if you don't mind of course! Do you know what's going on in this keep? A-And, not to pry but, what are you doing here? We're here searching for the cause of a curse on my dear friend Ameiko a-and looking for my other friend Kelda Oxgutter. Would you happen to know anything?
The bard flashes a genuine and earnest smile at the harpy woman. "Perhaps we can help each other?"
Torra tenses as the winged woman descends from above, and then further when she seems to take an interest in Riftun. For now, the dwarf is watching her closely, ready to blast her with flesh-shredding, bone-crushing rock and earth should she try to hurt the newest member of their little traveling band, but also cannot help but be a little fascinated by this character.
Teruko nearly intervenes when Riftun steps forward to offer Zaiobe his hand. She doesn't remember much about harpies, but the possibility of a trap remains clear in her mind. Ameiko would trust her, she thinks, and is unsure whether following that example would be a good thing or not.
Ultimately she stands still. The woman hasn't been openly hostile, no need to cause trouble where there might be none. When Riftun seemingly starts translating she nods, understanding suddenly blossoming. "Are you deaf or mute?" Teruko doesn't know sign language, (she hasn't been able to hammer the gestures into her head), but it would be good to know if the woman could understand them or not.
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Zaiobe nods in the direction of the desk, before her expression darkens.
She heaves a breath, calming herself.
The harpy looks thoughtful, chewing her lip in an oddly human gesture.
Her expression grows speculative, a half smile lurking on her lips.
Turning to Teruko, the harpy nods vigorously, a frown twisting her lips as she rubs at her throat.
"O-Ohhh..." Riftun replies to the woman shakily, an evident tremble of fear in his throat as he can't help but imagine the mad-man's request played out. "We'll, I'm certainly very glad you've elected not to follow those instructions for the time being... I think I like my skull, guts, and limbs where they are."
The young bard makes to awkwardly laugh to try and cut the tension when his breath turns into a sharp gasp and his eye go wide once again as the woman's talons dig into his wrist drawing forth a trickle of fresh blood.
"I-I am SO sorry Zaiobe that was i-incredibly insenitive of me." Riftun's voice warbles as tears begin to well up in his eyes. There is fear there but more so than that he is genuinely upset by his poor choice of words and how that must have felt to Zaiobe. "I often speak before I think things through fully... I... hope you can find it in your heart to give me a second chance." He inclines his head apologetically and glances in Yuto's direction.
"She says she has only been here a short while now so she doesn't know what is going on in the ruins. Also, she can understand us all and would vastly prefer it if you asked her questions directly rather than through me." he translates before returning his attention to the harpy though he now seems far less willing to meet her gaze, his chin tilted towards the floor as he casts his eyes down in shame.
"We've encountered the wingless ones you spoke of but the creatures in the stables and the fey creature... we have no idea what those could be. Any information you could give us would be very helpful Zaiobe." He requests as respectfully as possible.
"I'm certain my companions and I would be happy to have the help of one as strong and capable as yourself in the battle against Kikonu, he... seemed quite formidable before so we'll take whatever advantage we can get but... just for my own curiousity what do you have against Kikonu? From the way you speak of him, it sounds as though he imagines you to be allies?" Riftun questions, unable to help himself. "Anything we can do to see that matters are handled to everyone's mutual satisfaction." The bard manages a weak smile but is still unable to meet the harpy's gaze.
Yuto tenses, grasping strongly the hilt of his katana when he sees Riftun crying. He only relaxes when he explains what the harpy is saying.
The Tian nods when Riftun tells to speak directly to the harpy and yet again when he asks more information about the other creatures.
Yuto is not completely sure what the harpy is trying to do with them, and being a bit sensible himself, does measure good the creature's demeanor to see if there is anything fishy.
"Za-zaiobe *cough* *cough* is... is there any place here obviously cursed or that you have not been able to visit? The-the person we are trying to protect fainted and it m-must be some curse or... or magic" he bites his lower lip looking worried at Teruko.
Zaiobe nods thoughtfully.
She runs her free hand through her hair, sighing - the first sound that's come out of her mouth.
Her gaze turns to Yuto, and she cocks her head - a reminder of her birdlike heritage. She points to the eastern wall, before shrugging slightly.
The winged woman's eyebrows furrow.
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Riftun does his best to process the information though every time Zaiobe references eating some possibly sapient creature it turns his stomach somewhat. Still he does his best not to let it show and instead ponders on the nature of the creatures the harpy has brought up.
He turn to his compatriots and explains, "Zaiobe would like for you all to touch her hands or arms should you wish to speak with her."
Returning his attention to Zaiobe he suddenly becomes absolutely beet-red at the harpy's words which echo inside his mind. "L-LOVERS QUARRELS?!" The thought of the strange pairing sending Riftun into a state of shock. "S-So he's your lover then? A-A-And you wish to kill him?!" the young bard seems oddly flustered by this comment. Too many romance novels in his past had coloured his view of relationships in a, perhaps, somewhat unrealistic way. "That's not how lovers a-are supposed to treat one another. Y-You're supposed to hold and protect one another... comfort each other and make one another smile, laugh, a-and feel safe." He rants with unusual passion before he finally manages to catch himself.
"A-Anyways I'm certain there must be a reason... is he the one who stole your voice? Is there a way we can get it back for you?" He continues on curiousity before suddenly realizing he's left the others out of the loop and and turns his attention back towards them.
"Oh! Zaiobe says she has a way to lure Kikonu into the open and wants us all to ambush him together... I-I'm not one for violence but given his attacks on us earlier this seems reasonable enough to me. I would perfer not to kill him if we can avoid it... Zaiobe probably wants him outright... dead though correct?" he glances back at Zaiobe still unable to maintain eye contact with the woman.
"In which case I say we respect her wishes since she's been kind enough to grant us this boon. She also says there are two supposedly cursed locations she knows of. One right behind this wall she has just indicated towards and the other on the northern stairways... could be of interest... possibly."
Torra makes no move to touch the harpy, but glances at her briefly before asking, "What of the ogrekin? They attacked us earlier, almost killed one of us. Were they working with Kikonu as well?"
The idea of ambushing someone who did not outright attack them doesn't sit right with Torra; yes, Kikonu was very likely a vile creature and needed to be dealt with if they wanted to explore this place in peace - but who could say if this Zaiobe was any better? Couldn't possibly be if she was the lover of Kikonu, after all, what was saying? 'Birds of a feather' and all that? If Kikonu was an evil creature, anyone who was by his side must be evil as well, it was only logical.
There's not really enough to go on with regards to the spider-like companion. It could be any number of things, some of them very unpleasant. Ettercaps are trap-laying creatures with a strong kinship for spiders, while werespiders are an incredibly uncommon form of entothropes. Swarms-that-walk are dread spellcasters that are made from swarms of vermin, like spiders... the list goes on.
A smile blooms on Zaiobe's lips at Riftun's words, though there's an edge of bitterness to it.
At the mention of her voice, though, the smile wilts, replaced with an expression of fury.
She looks at the other heroes in the room, jaw clenched.
The harpy turns to look at Torra, a faintly amused smirk ghosting over her lips.
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Riftun is taken aback a bit at first by Zaiobe's sudden smile but then he relaxes. It was better to see a smile rather than the looks of annoyance and anger she had been giving him prior. Besides, it wasn't a bad smile... even if it was tinted with bitterness.
He soon finds himself flustered at the harpy calling him out for his innocence. The blood rushes to his cheeks. Was his inexperience THAT obvious?
Regardless, Riftun sets his mind to trying to parce out what Zaiobe was trying to explain to him though he was clearly confused by the concept of 'lovers but not in love.' Surely, if one was lovers with another that would mean they were in love right? I mean, love is right there in the word and yet...
Riftun thinks back to his childhood, all the books he had read were fanciful tales or serious texts and yet... he recalls having snuck into his elder sister's room at one point and finding a book stashed away underneath her bed. One he had never read before. Within were concepts that he had never read about before and he seemed to recall that that included the concept of lovers without love... What did the book call it again? Something friends... or, no, buddies was definitely the word.
Shaking the thought from his head, Riftun replies earnestly, "Well... that's too bad. I have no doubt in my mind that you are worthy of love and someday you'll find someone who can truly appreciate you." He smiles but adds in with a little pout looking off to the side. "A-And I'm not that innocent you know. I-I read a book once!"
Concern once again grows on Riftun's face as the look of fury returns to Zaiobe's. The bard begins mentally kicking himself for bringing up such a sore subject again after it had gone so poorly the first time when she mentions her lover having bitten her and he tenses and flushes again, truly unable to meet eyes with the woman now.
He bit her?! Okay, now they are just copying the book directly...
It doesn't help when she comments on Riftun's concern being 'adorable.' He had been called many things before, 'wuss,' 'weakling,' 'annoying,' 'useless,' a 'waste of space and air,' but seldom ever 'adorable.' It oddly felt both complimentary and demeaning at the same time and Riftun didn't know know to react.
The bard stammers, "W-Well you're doing us this big f-f-favor after all a-and I just wanted to try to h-help you out. B-Besides I know we've j-just met but you seem like a good person a-and I can tell that it's bothering you so I-I just thought it would be n-nice." He adds quietly to the side. "I-I'm really not adorable at all.."
Composing himself he nods and turns to Torra. "Zaiobe says that Kikonu wants to kill us. He sent her and the lizard creatures out to do the job... I'm not a fan of violence but... in Big Mac's 'The Princess' he said that 'cutting the head off the snake will leave the rest of it to die.' I-If we take him out we'll have much better odds of survival and saving our friends."
He listens to Zaiobe's melodic voice inside his head some more and continues. "Right... she also says that the ogrekin were actually brought here by the corbies but they were punished for it... and that the phantom hates Kikoni as well... Oh! Also I could be wrong... but that fey she discussed before could be a quickling... they are small and fast and nearly invisible when standing still. They are also unimaginably cruel so we need to be on our guard for more sneak attacks."
He turns back to Zaiobe. "If the Phantom hates him too do you think we could, perhaps, get her on our side as well? And, if you don't mind, who is this priestess you speak of? And what is the Phantom's hatred towards her stoked by?"
"S-Sorry, for all the questions by the way. I've just never spoken to someone like this before a-and I'm rather curious." he concludes.
Many harpy flocks worship Pazuzu as their patron deity, and it seems likely that the dire corbies would do so as well, given what Zaiobe said earlier.
However, it sounds like Zaiobe isn't a priestess of Pazuzu - at least, not in the sense that Koya is a priestess of Desna. Afflictions in exchange for magical power do happen, however, and it seems likely that this is what has happened in Zaiobe's case.
Yuto looks at the harpy's hands, then back up at her eyes, understanding.
The Tian thinks on the Code of the Warrior and looks at the others hesitant about the proposal, then he looks back at Zaiobe "I-It is clear Kikonu has wronged you. I am prone to help. Te-tell him we will be there, th-that he is challenged to solve things by the sword. I-if done upfront like this. I will help"
Yuto blinks then when Riftun starts to talk about a phantom "W-what phantom?" he gulps "I-is the ghost real then? Wh-where is it?" he looks at the harpy for answers but does not try to touch her.
Teruko studies Zaiobe's face as she 'speaks' to Riftun. Her anger at Kikonu appears genuine, and the fear underneath it is also understandable. Their group is probably her best and only chance to be free of him. As such Teruko is inclined to trust her offer of an alliance.
"I too am willing to help you. However, as Yuto mentioned, my...Ameiko...collapsed upon getting near this place. There's a chance Kikonu might know why and how to fix it. Or have some information at least." She looks the harpy straight in the eyes. "That means I don't want to kill him until we've asked him some questions. Afterwards..."
She grimaces and resists the urge to rub her forehead. "I don't like the idea of killing anyone, even an oni, after they've surrendered. However we're far away from any court of law. Our odds of keeping him successfully contained until we've reached someone with both the authority and ability to deal with him properly are low at best. Plus Zaiobe wants him dead, and I'd imagine your continued cooperation with us is contingent on that outcome?" She pauses on the off chance Zaiobe will tell Riftun she's wrong. "So while I don't like it, I am willing to help you kill him. After we've asked him about Ameiko's condition."
They're planning an execution, not a murder. At least that's what Teruko tries to tell herself as her stomach twists into knots.
Zaiobe looks at Yuto, nodding briefly, before turning her gaze to Teruko.
She smirks faintly.
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Riftun bobs his head in understanding of Zaiobe before turning his attention to the others to act as her mouthpiece. He addresses Yuto first. "Right, Yuto um... Zaiobe is explaining that the 'Phantom' is that albino corbie that attacked Teruko earlier n-not an actual ghost just... stealthy like one. So you need not worry... If we can find her again we can possibly offer an alliance as she also has a distaste for Kikonu but finding her will be a challenge..."
He then turns to Teruko with a small frown on his lips as he thinks on the fate of Ameiko. "Zaiobe says... she doesn't know of the curse personally and that that Kikonu will be impossible to catch as he will likely just teleport or fly away... Furthermore sh-she says that he can only be killed by acid or fire which she does have access to... our best hope may be to attempt to interogate him during the fight." He reasons.
The young bard's attention is turned back to Zaiobe. There is a slight look of worry on his face as she mentions having recieved her abilities from Pazuzu, a famously unpleasant near-god-like entity, but he holds out hope that her powers were merely inherited by the demon lord of the sky and winged creatures and not dictated by him.
"I-I believe we find your deal to be more than fair Zaiobe. A-And we'll help you to take down Kikonu. After that... as you said we can discuss further b-but we'd like to find my friend and remove the curse from Ameiko then I'd like to look into helping you with your voice i-if you don't mind. I know you said Pazuzu took it but I can't believe there is nothing that can be done to help... Magic is so amazing there must be something that can be done, if not by the hand of a mortal than perhaps something more powerful than Pazuzu like a god. We... we would have to discuss it further after all this though... Um... in the meantime what is the plan for this ambush on Kikonu? What would you have us do?"
"I-I see... well that phantom will find us the-then when he wants to" Yuto keeps staring at the harpy then back at the others to make sure they are ok "A-acid and fi-fire?" he checks his bandolier then adds "O-ok, I still have some of that..."
"Whe-where and when shall w-we meet with Kikonu?" and while the conversation wraps up, the Tian moves towards the eastern wall the harpy has indicated to be cursed, and puts his ear there trying to hear something.
Zaiobe's lips bloom into a genuine smile, and she pats Riftun's hand with her own, and her mouth opens in silent laughter when Riftun offers her help with healing her voice.
Her expression grows grave, then.
"Th-there are people talking to the east..." explains Yuto, still with his ear against the wall.
"A-are we dealing with Kikonu now or Zaiobe is calling us later?" he asks "If we are waiting, I su-suggest we investigate those talking" he indicates the door to the south.
Riftun can't help but smile at Zaiobe's complement even if he does have to turn his head aside in embarrassment. Still, even distracted Riftun notes her genuine smile, and her laughter, though silent, fills his heart with warmth. Now there... that was a perfect smile untainted by bitterness.
His own smile only falters somewhat when she mentions her fights with Kikonu which he gets the distinct impression were actual physical fights. Who could hurt someone they were so close to?
Still, he makes to cover his faltering expression quickly so as not to sully the moment.
He gently squeezes her hand with excitement, "We're gonna make a great team Zaiobe!"
He turns to the others beaming with the results of the conversation, "Zaiobe says that she can summon Kikonu wherever we choose when we are ready thoigh she recommends somewhere safe without reinforcements... S-So likely an area we've already cleared... Perhaps the courtyard where the ogrekin were? O-Or where we first encountered the Phantom?" He looks around at the others hoping for input before he happily chirps.
"Oh! And she says she may know something about my friend too! We can do this! We can really do this!" He smiles brightly.
Turning to Yuto he responds, "I... I can still go a bit further but most of us look pretty exhausted at this point... I-I don't mean any offense of course but berhaps it would be best t-to take out Kikonu first a-and then find a way to rest up? B-Besides the longer we wait the more likely Kikonu is to realize something is amiss I believe..."
Yuto quickly goes over the knowledge acquired during the reading of many war treaties and tries to imagine what is the best terrain to engage with Kikonu "Th-the courtyard is well known to us a-and clear. But perhaps i-it is to our advantage to chose a smaller pla-place, without open space and less openings for su-surprises..." he puts a finger on his forehead in a sign of thinking and then proposes "Wh-what about the circular hall, th-the ball room with marks of a great fight, Kikonu might appreciate being invited t-to a ball, a-and some of us might stand up in the balcony whi-while Zaiobe talks with him be-below."
When Riftun proposes resting, Yuto looks at Elvina and frowns worried "Th-that attack from the ogrekin wa-was brutal. Left so-some of us affected... per-perhaps we should go back to the caravan and see if Hana, Seishin, Shalelu, Koya or Sandru can join with us tomorrow..."
Zaiobe looks more amused than reassured by Riftun's confidence, but she nods.
She looks to Yuto, chewing her lip thoughtfully.
Torra relaxes gradually as Riftun continues to relay his dialogue with Zaiobe - perhaps they really had an ally in this dreadful place. The dwarf nods at Yuto's suggestion of the ballroom as a place to engage Kikonu, glancing at Elvina as well as he mentions returning to the caravan.
"Might be a good idea, yes. Elvina doesn't look too well, she can definitely use the rest."
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Riftun nods in understanding at Zaiobe though he is a bit perplexed by the mention of this 'bond' she and Kikonu apparently share. "A-A bond you say? Like magic? Certainly nothing that would hurt you were harm to befall him r-right?" He askes with a look of concern to the harpy before returning his attention to the others.
"Right! Ummm well, Zaiobe says she has a bond with Kikonu. Wh-Which means she doesn't have to touch him or even see him to speak to him. She can just do so at will." He glances back at Zaiobe making sure he has relayed that information appropriately before continuing.
"It might be a good idea if Elvina, Teruko, and I stayed on the second floor and fire down on him while Zaiobe draws him in on the first floor... then Yuto can spring out and pin Kikonu down, n-not literally of course, while Torra supports from the ground floor and Zaiobe can retreat to a safe distance through her flight." The bard strategizes aloud to himself while toying with his braid with his free hand completely oblivious to the world around him as he thinks back on all the old books of war he's read.
He suddenly pops out of it once he notices he's been talking for a while and slaps his hand over his mouth in shame turning deep red in shame. "Oh my, there was terribly presumptuous of me... I-I'm probably just speaking nonsense. I've n-never done this before. Please, F-feel free to ignore me!"
Zaiobe looks from one face to the next.
She shakes her head.
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"The ballroom sounds like a good idea. Large enough for us to spread out and catch him in a crossfire, small enough that he won't be able to fly out of our reach." It wouldn't prevent him from disappearing entirely, but hopefully his pride and desire to see them all dead would accomplish that.
Teruko's eyebrows rise slightly at Riftun's suggested tactics, but she nods. "Don't apologize Riftun, those all sound like good ideas." She then inclines her head respectfully towards Zaiobe. "Thank you for your assistance."
"I'd prefer to deal with Kikonu now, before we leave. If he has answers about Ameiko's condition, and Zaiobe tells us where Kelda is, perhaps there would be no..." She winces suddenly. "Never mind. We'd still need to return to answer the questions that led us here in the first place. But it would be less urgent, and we might have more help."
"Oh, what a useful ability!" Riftun replies to Zaiobe. "With something like that I suppose you could make it so you would never truly feel alone that... must be nice." he says with just a hint of sadness at the end as he thinks of how he wished he had something like that for all these long periods of time he's spent alone on the roads.
The young man notes Zaiobe's concern and nods his head. "P-Perhaps it would be best for you to join us on the second floor then while Torra and Yuto handle Kikonu on the first floor. We... well, we wouldn't want to put you into a position on which you felt uncomfortable."
Turning back to Teruko Riftun's eyes widen at her words. Was that... a compliment on my plan? Riftun had always gotten the impression before that Teruko didn't approve of him and today, she was showing a whole new side to herself that the bard had never seen before. Nevertheless he appreciated this side of her much more!
Still he does take note of Teruko's sudden wince and pipes up in concern. "A-Are you alright Teruko? You took some hard hits earlier... I... I don't mean to pry but you seem... distracted?"
His nose wrinkles as he smells the lizards below and his azure blue eyes begin to dart about. "Okay right! Um! W-We need to get going now I think... umm... let's head to the ballroom a-and get this done with shall we?"
Their course of action decided, Torra begins to head back towards the ballroom. As they walk, the dwarf looks up at Zaiobe, the fingers of one hand absently flexing and unflexing in one the dexterity exercises that Sabyl Sorn had taught her. "What else can you do?"
If the harpy looks like she is inclined to answer, Torra extends her hand to establish the physical contact necessary for communication.
Yuto hesitates a moment but when Teruko states her mind, he nods reassuring "Tha-that is a good plan Riftun"
Taking the confidence for the first time, Yuto approaches Zaiobe and slowly touches her "Do not fear. No one should ever harm their partner like Kikonu has done with you. W-we will make sure this does not happen again. I promise to pro-protect you" as he says this, he produces the wakizashi of his father, and without drawing it from its sheath, he slightly touches the harpy with the hilt "I will give my blood to protect you" triggering the shield other effect of the blade "Just remain close to me"
After this pledge, Yuto will trace back to the ballroom after Torra, and wait in the lower level.
Zaiobe nods briefly at Riftun, releasing his hand and stepping back, allowing the party to move forwards in their journey to the ballroom. She offers a dry smile to Yuto as he protects her with the magic of his wakizashi, though she eyes it carefully as he pulls it away.
As they go, she touches Torra's extended hand, gesturing at her bow.
She smiles faintly.
Unfortunately, as Yuto and Teruko go into the throne room, they are struck by the terrible stench, all too familiar now. Behind them, Zaiobe retches in silence, while Riftun and Torra are struck heavily by the assault on their noses, their stomachs churning.
In the throne room, there are far, far too many of the pale-scaled lizards, each one holding a primitive looking club... save one. Standing in the center, it holds a morningstar of fine craftsmanship, which glows faintly even in the light of the throne room. After a moment, it roars something in its native language.
Elvina, now resistant to the horrible smell of these creatures, dashes into the throne room, unleashing a hex on one of them with an effort of will. It shivers slightly, unsure of what the witch has done to it.
Despite her success, the lizards leap into action. The target of Elvina's hex charges at Yuto, its club held high. Unfortunately for it, it slips on some of the blood from the heroes' engagement with the lizards prior, and its swing goes wide.
The leader roars again.
Two of the lizards break off, heading towards the hidden door that hung open from the party's earlier travels. They swiftly arrive in the room of the ruined table, with the rest of the heroes, their clubs ready.
Another pulls a long, sharpened stone javelin from a holster on its hip, before rushing forwards and flinging it at Elvina. The elf witch easily dodges out of the way as the projectile whizzes through the air past her head.
The remaining two lizards rush forwards, hoping to engage the heroes with their clubs.
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"A-Are you alright Teruko? You took some hard hits earlier... I... I don't mean to pry but you seem... distracted?"
"I'm fine," Teruko responds quickly. She'd almost forgotten that Riftun hadn't been there when she'd explained her situation. She's not opposed to telling him, (if nothing else it would explain some of their previous interactions), but...not now. Not in front of Zaiobe. "Perhaps I am a little distracted, but it's nothing you need to concern yourself over."
Teruko resists the urge to voice some very unladylike curses as she sees the number of enemies ahead. And behind. And all around them. Taking a step away from the door so Riftun, Torra, and Zaiobe can get out of the small room, she quickly checks that her crossbow is loaded. Then she recasts the spell to help guide everyone's arms.
At least her nose appears to have gone on strike. That is the only good thing to come of this whole mess of a situation.
Riftun is glad to see everyone getting along as Yuto and Torra take turns addressing Zaiobe in the manner most comfortable to her. His joy is short-lived, however, as the pungent stench of the lizards once again overpowers his constitution.
Reeling from the stench Riftun barely has time to notice as the radiant powers of Teruko suffuse his body once again, slightly emboldening him. Still, this is hollow comfort when the lizard beasts burt through their defences by coming around through the secret door leaving them vulnerable on two fronts.
He stumbles backwards as the foul scent assaults his senses with the lizard person directly in his face now. "Torra! Would you mind hitting this one and Zaiobe if you could please take out the other? W-We are at a disadvantage surrounded like this."
Teruko steps back from the door, before drawing upon her connection to divine knowledge and unleashing a pulse of empowering magic. The heroes' minds are fortified, and confidence surges in them.
Riftun, still feeling the effects of the horrendous smell, staggers back from the lizard, trying to calm them. It hisses a reply.
Even as the lizard replies, Riftun urges his two companions to attack them. Perhaps it's a good thing the lizards don't seem to understand Taldane.
In the throne room, the leader draws a javelin from its back as it scuttles forwards along the wall, before launching it at Teruko. Fortunately, she's able to duck behind its fellows (and Elvina) and the projectile only catches her hair, yanking a small chunk free as it passes.
Zaiobe's lips twist in a feral snarl, and she staggers away from the party, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow in a single fluid motion. She looses the arrow at the target that Riftun indicates. Almost instantly, it slams into the creature's chest, loosing foul-smelling blood as it cries out in pain.
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Torra's sense of smell had always been quite sensitive, so it's not surprising that the stench of the reptilian creatures overpowers her again. She motions to Riftun to get behind her, too nauseated to risk opening her mouth to speak. Raising an eyebrow in appreciation of Zaiobe's archery skills, she attempts to blast the target that Riftun had chosen for her, quietly grateful that the boy seemed to be keeping his composure even in this terrifying situation.
Yuto smiles as the strong olfactory sense of Torra finds the vital point producing the foul stench.
He is more worried about the javelins being thrown over the field "Teruko Sama, get into the door, it's safer!" while swinging at the black lizard.
His worries bring him to a bad swing, but he uses the column in front to get as much cover as he can from the other lizards.
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Torra's blast rips forth from her hands, smashing into the lizard's torso and obliterating it in an explosion of vile gore. Its legs collapse with a wet smack, and its upper third scatters across the wall, a vicious painting of violence.
Yuto tries to attack the foe closest to him, but it blocks his blows deftly, even as he ducks behind the column .
Elvina steps away, back into the door to the room from which they'd just exited, firing her crossbow at their reptilian foe, but the creature's scales deflect the projectile, and it hisses something that might be laughter. She echoes the laughter with a disquieting giggle, maintaining her hex of ill luck against her foe.
Inside the meeting room, the sole remaining lizard steps closer to Riftun and Torra, a growl emerging from its chest, and lashes out at the bard, its club, claw, and fangs a whirl of danger. While he manages to avoid its natural weapons, Riftun cannot avoid its club, which cracks against his shoulder. The pain surges down his arm, but he's pretty sure nothing is broken.
In the throne room, the lizard-person from whom Yuto has taken cover steps around the pillar to attack him in a flurry of claws, teeth, and club. Though his armor blocks its claws and teeth, the club cracks him across the jaw, dazing him and very nearly dislocating it. Blood fills his mouth from his teeth cutting his cheeks, and pain burns all the way into his neck.
Its cursed comrade follows suit, but is much less successful, as the young man parries and deflects its attacks with remarkable ease.
Another lizard-man rushes Teruko, lashing out with its club at the Kaijitsu heiress, who deftly evades its attacks despite having little in the way of melee defenses.
Its comrade shouts a hissing battlecry, and follows, attacking the oracle with a ferocity unlike its kin. This one manages to strike her square in the stomach, knocking the wind from her and sending her gasping back a few steps.
The ease and precision with which Zaiobe strikes the first lizard creature leaves Riftun with little room for doubt that she is more than capable enough on her own and shouldn't require his assistance targeting anything.
He can't help bit marvel at the peculiar grace with which Torra controls her element and hurls it at the designated foe. The elegant simplicity of it is almost enough to distract him from the explosion of gore and mess that had been alive just momnets before overcome his senses. As he attempts to look away he doesn't even see the reptilian creature's savage attack before he hears the crack of its club against his shoulder and the intense, throbbing pain that accompanies it.
The boy cries out in pain and clutches his injured shoulder as his eyes well up with tears in a combination of pain, fear, and frustration as he realizes these creatures will not see reason and are only here to cause pain for the sheer joy of it.
With that he stumbles backwards and cries out to the others as he notices his companions taking some debilitating hits, his concern is particularly for Elvina who seems to have found herself in a very vulnerable spot despite having no real armor of any sort.
"I trust Zaiobe is more than capable of handling this last lizard. Torra, excellent work, I know it's a trick shot but if you can hit the one through the door that would help take some of the pressure off. Yuto! Try to cut down the one next to it, get the heat off Elvina!
Teruko Sama, get into the door, it's safer!"
"Elvina first!" Even if Teruko were willing to withdraw into the doorway and leave Elvina completely unprotected, she can't. There is nowhere to go.
Unfortunately there is also very little else she can do with two lizards practically on top of her. She can't shoot them. She can't cast any spells. All she can do is clutch her crossbow tighter and use it as a makeshift shield.
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The leader follows its compatriots to engage with Teruko. It lifts its glowing morningstar and lashes out at the oracle, but her defensive stance lets her intercept the haft of the weapon with her crossbow. Though the impact knocks her back on her heels, she is able to keep herself relatively uninjured.
Zaiobe draws back her bow once again, stepping to the side and firing an arrow at the lizard-creature, hitting it square in the eye and dropping it to the ground. Almost instantly, another arrow is nocked and she fires again, this time past Yuto at lizard threatening him. Though the arrow whizzes past both Elvina and the samurai, striking home in its target, the lizard's armored scales keep it from penetrating too deeply.
Yuto smirks and spits the blood from his mouth. Alarmed to see the lizards piling on Teruko, he tries to open the space by slashing at the green injured one.
If it happens to fall, he steps over the body approaching Teruko "Hold up there!"