Encouraged by Deregar, Tyr bashes away at the bridge supports.
for
for
for
Tandri provides herself a little guidance, then has her whip crack into the wyvern's underbelly.
With her group now engaging with the enemy, Floare enhances her queen with magical speed.
The wyvern lashes out with its barbed tail as Sariana moves in, but the monk dodges the attack. She unleashes a flurry of blows, scoring one hit.
Tyr attacks the bridge support, and with his last hit, the broken pillar collapses. The bridge itself groans and shakes, then it crumbles into the river below! Both of the ogres are completely buried in the debris, dying upon impact. Gragglebeard cries out in pain as the bits of broken bridge wound him and knock him prone!
"Finish him off! No mercy!" Ekundayo shouts. He marks Gragglebeard as his prey and opens fire, scoring one hit. Ntavi gets to her feet and delivers a critical blow to the wyvern! It is her turn to knock the dragon prone!
Tandri's spiritual whip scores a critical hit against the fallen wyvern. Floare grants haste to Sariana.
Gragglebeard picks himself off the ground and bellows with rage! He quickly hauls himself out of the gorge and onto the ridge nearby. He hefts his greatclub and makes a mighty swing against Sariana and Ntavi.
The wyvern stands up from prone, provoking an attack of opportunity from Ntavi.
Terribly injured, the wyvern still manages to tear at Ntai with its fangs. The warrior woman groans in pain, as she is now seriously wounded.
Tyr glides down from the remains of the bridge to land behind the wyvern. Deregar pours magic power into the dragon as it attacks.
for
for
With only the ogre champion still standing, Floare grins and tips her head back, a nimbus of energy surrounding her as she calls down elemental magic. With a loud crack a flash of lightning temporarily brightens the day.
Tandri bares no animosity toward Ntavi, and her positive healing is not nearly precious since Floare and Deregar stay a sensible distance out of melee.
With those two conditions met, and the woman's obvious lust toward their ranger, Tandri heals her.
Her spiritual whip also seeks to help end the last ogre champion, not nearly as spectacularly as Floare's beautiful elemental strike.
Tyr clashes with the wyvern, quickly proving to be the superior dragon as he rips open the wyvern's throat! As the wyvern falls, the rest of you focus on Gragglebeard. Sariana lands two powerful blows, while Ekundayo lodges an arrow in the hill giant's side. Ntavi and Tandri's whip miss, but Floare's lightning bolt catches the giant square in the chest! He is blasted backwards and falls to the ground, smoke rising from the hole burned into his chest.
Ekundayo quickly rushes over and hops onto the giant's smoking body. "This is for my family," he growls as he fires one last arrow right between the giant's eyes, ensuring that he is dead.
Ntavi gives Tandri a thankful nod, then moves over and puts a comforting hand on Ekundayo's shoulder. "It is done. Vengeance is finally yours," she says.
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Sariana tests the shield out and then offers it to her Sweetling with a raised eyebrow and a crooked smile. Floare is offered the staff and she tosses the large bladed sword to Ekundayo (leaving the gems and shiny coins for Tyr and his human, as is right) and follows up with a glare.
"So? What are you going to now Hunter?" She looks pointedly at Ntavi and then back.
Tandri feels the glow of her goddess's approval as well as the joy of her mistress's gift. So she is brimming in pinkish joy.
Still she is a priestess, so the little woman moves with swinging tail to the ranger "Ekundayo, while you might not worship my goddess, Calista, you now feel the satisfaction she brings to those seeking justice. She does not seek to heal your pain like the other goddess's will. She simply seeks for those that tore your life apart to suffer an even worse fate. This monster will not hurt ANYONE else because you followed your heart." she smiles up at the man, then steps back, her duties fulfilled.
Ekundayo returns Tandri's smile with a grim one of his own. "My thanks to the Savored Sting, and to her servant," he says. "Gragglebeard is dead, but alas, his death will not bring back the family that he took from me."
The ranger turns to Sariana, following the vampire's gaze to Ntavi. Ntavi puffs out her chest. "After all this time, we still make a good team, Ekun. I intend to travel south. Will you come with me? We can put the past beihnd us and make a new life for ourselves. Together."
Ekundayo lets out a long sigh, then reaches to take Ntavi's hand. "Together," he says, his smile now, for the first time, tinged with hope. He turns back to you. "Thank you for supporting me these past several months. The time has come for me to move on. I hope you understand."
"Perfectly understandable. Glad we could help you get revenge." Deregar answers. "Please, spread word of the kingdom as you go. We could always use more loyal subjects."
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Sariana nods and turns away. Ekundayo has served well, so she'll forgive the breaking of his oath, but that's all. So she turns away. It's the best way all round.
"We need to get back." She says simply. "There's nothing else for us here."
---------------------------------------------
Fortunately Amiri has plenty going on so when Sariana returns it is business as usual.
Tandri is turning away when something suddenly occurs to her "Your dog... will he be going with you?" her tail weaves in worry.
"Yes," Ekundayo says.
"Don't worry. We will take good care of him," Ntavi says with a smile.
The dog woofs and gives Tandri a parting nuzzle before moving off with the ranger and the warrior woman, wagging his tail happily...
***
Chapter 5: Cult of the Bloom
It has been a quiet and prosperous time for the kingdom. Several months have passed since you defeated Hargulka and his troll army. You have been enjoying the work of governance as Nightsong's influence grows.
Today, an invitation arrived via courier from a hunter's guild known as the Embeth Travelers:
Esteemed Defenders of the People and new regents of the Stolen Lands!
As civilization comes to these wilds, you have distinguished yourselves in seeing to the safety of your people, yet much danger remains. I invite you to attend to a hunting trip to a particularly monster-infested reach on the banks of the Gudrin River, along with several other hunters and explorers of note. Three days hence, on the eve of the hunt, we shall all meet for a night of friendship and revelry at an old hunting lodge we have recently rebuilt, some 24 miles upriver from Tuskwater Lake on the Gudrin.
As your kingdom grows, integrating with neighbors on peaceful terms is important, and this event will not only give us all a chance to become friends, but to make the Stolen Lands a little bit safer for us all.
Yours in good trust,
Grand Ranger Jamel Visser
As the Grand Diplomat for Nightsong, Floare feels that she would be lax in her duties if she didn't investigate who this guild is. And after a day of discovery, she feels that she knows enough about them to present to the others.
"They're a mercenary group that focuses on guiding and teaching about the natural world. They also contract out to remove threats - highwaymen, monsters, that sort of thing. They're known for their woodland skills," she explains.
"We should probably meet with them."
"I've heard the same. It sounds like it would be an interesting diversion, if nothing else. It might also help clear some lands for settlement." Deregar confirms.
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"Very well." Sariana says with a nod. "We'll go. From the description it seems like their meeting is in the area our most recent settlers have passed through. I'd like to see what they're doing in Nightsong's borders." It is no secret among the council that Sariana considers the entire plains, all the way to the mountains that separates Nightsong from Varnhold, as part of her kingdom. Her reach doesn't extend that far, yet. But it will.
Tandri has head nothing about these hunters, which is not odd in the least. "It could be a trap as well." given her suspicious nature. "Invite the lady of the lands to a remote hunting cabin with only a letter, with nothing in it to speak to who really sent it."
"Ha! A good an cautious thought, Tandri. I think anyone who hopes to trick Lady Nightsong will soon find that they are trapped with her, and not vice versa." Deregar is confident that they could take any mere group of hunters.
Over the next few days, you ride through your kingdom's lands, reaching the hunting lodge as evening approaches. What was once an abandoned lodge has been transformed into something more like a tavern, with a small staff of cooks, servers, and cleaners bustling about. A few people lounge about in an outdoor seating area overlooking the surrounding hills.
As you arrive, a grinning, affable man approaches. "Ah! My lord and ladies, thank you for accepting my invitation! I am Jamel Visser. I trust your journey was a pleasant one." He gestures for a servant to come forward and tend to your mounts.
Floare conceals a grin and an eyeroll at Sariana's blunt approach.
"To expound and expand upon my Lady's question," she says in a friendly voice, stepping forward and giving a respectful bow, "While this lodge may not currently fall within Nightsong's official borders, it is in ungoverned territory that will soon bow to Her Highness' rule. So we would like to ascertain your intentions in regards to citizenship; Will you be leaving her borders or will you be taking the Oath of Citizenship that all that reside therein take?"
She smiles disarmingly.
"Rest assured that we don't expect a response this hour, or even today, for that matter. But a response will eventually be required."
She turns back to her Queen to gauge the woman's reaction to her attempt to convey Sariana's question in more 'diplomatic' terms. She seems more concerned with how the vampire feels versus the men she may have just put on edge.
Turning back to Jamel, she continues.
"Regarding the more immediate invitation for revelry, we accept."
Tandri who was hovering beside the others, as unassuming as a tiefling dwarf could, opens the ledger she carries with her always. "The oath is simple, as can be seen here" she pulls out a loose piece of parchment from the front strap, holding it out if the hunters wish to read... if they could read... "The following paperwork can be completed today if needed as well. I brought as necessary forms." she smiled primly, pushing the reading glasses she had perched on her pink nose back up, framing her glowing ember eyes.
Jamel smiles. "Ah. No, I don't think we'll be staying very long once the hunt is concluded. The Embeth Travelers are travelers, after all. We try not to behold ourselves to any one nation. However, at the very least, I would like to assure our ability to continue hunting within your kingdom's borders, with your permission, of course.
"But come, come! I have invited others on this trip as well. Allow me to introduce you to them." Jamel guides you to the outdoor seating area where he performs introductions. There are Edina and Jolia Aldori, sisters from Restov who are part of Maeger Varn's kingdom of Varnhold to the east, as well as Annamede Belvarrah of Pitax, accompanied by two gruff bodyguards. There is some time to mingle and chat while the lodge's staff prepares the evening's meal.
Annamede Belvarrah: Annamede is a beautiful Tian woman who dresses in elegant clothing that includes masterfully crafted leather armor. A striking blonde streak adorns the side of her black hair, and she’s rarely found without her lute nearby.
Discovery Skills: Perception, Pitax Lore, Society
Influence Skills: Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Performance (to catch Annamede’s attention with your artistic talent), Society (to impress Annamede with your social graces)
Edina and Jolari Aldori: Each has short dark hair, a rugged physique with plenty of scars, and a stern expression, yet both warm quickly to fellow adventurers and diplomats—provided they take their roles seriously. Neither sister has much of a sense of humor, and both are quick to assume punchlines they don’t get are being made at their expense.
Discovery Skills: Brevoy Lore, Perception, Society
Influence Skills: Athletics (to impress the Aldori sisters with your physique), Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Society (to impress them with your comportment and upbringing)
Jamel Visser: Jamel is a rugged man with a friendly demeanor provided the topic doesn’t get too bogged down in politics. He’s never far from his longbow, and his studded leather armor looks well-worn.
Discovery Skills: Hunting Lore, Perception, Survival
Influence Skills: Hunting Lore (to "talk shop" with Jamel), Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Survival (to impress Jamel with your wilderness skills and knowledge)
Deregar begins chatting with the musician, "A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Belvarrah. Have you heard much of our kingdom of Nightsong? We have quite a few interesting folksongs and stories, if you would like me to share some with you."
Floare's eyes are immediately drawn to the Tian woman, Annamede, and Sariana is perceptive enough to notice the girl's cheeks blushing slightly. "She's so pretty," she whispers to her mistress. Before the Official Diplomat can overcome her initial nerves, however, Deregar approaches the bard and brings up the subject of music - something Floare is noticeably lacking any talent in. She shakes herself out of her nerves and turns to the sisters as Dante shoves his large girth against her thigh.
'Mom, you can't mate with her - Lady Sari's already claimed you and she'll eat her.'
Floare's eyes widen and she looks down at her familiar with surprise. "I wasn't ... I'm not ..." She takes a deep breath. "You shush," she finally says, reaching out to placing a commanding finger on the wolf's nose. She turns back to Edina and Jolari, hoping that the pink on her cheeks isn't too apparent.
"On behalf of my mistress, the Lady Nightsong, we thank you for your hospitality," she says with a tip of her head. "You two look as if you've seen your share of adventures, as have we." She smiles.
In most conversational situations, Floare and Tandri has an understanding. One of them stays with their mistress in case their otherwise flawless queen decides to step out of 'the norms'.
Since Floare went to talk to the siblings, that means Tandri stays by Sari's side. Tandri does stay quiet, letting her tail sway and her scent linger, just listening to see if she can provide Lady Nightsong any points to pounce on.
Tandri is unable to get a good read on Jamel. The ranger makes small talk with Sariana, telling her that he cares little for regional politics but is concerned about the effect huge monsters have on trade and travel, with an emphasis on the safety of those helpless against a barrage of claws and teeth. He comes across as a rugged man with a friendly demeanor—provided the topic doesn’t get too bogged down in politics. Sariana doesn't make much progress on influencing him.
***
Meanwhile, Annamede favors Deregar with a wide smile. "That would be lovely." She listens and nods along with the songs and stories Deregar tells. "Those are some interesting pieces. I'm sure you're aware that the nation I hail from, Pitax, is a haven for artists of all sorts. Perhaps you would be kind enough to pay us a visit sometime. I'm sure our citizens would love to hear all of these stories as well."
***
The Aldori sisters respond well to Floare's friendly overtures. "Indeed. Things were quite dangerous in the first few months while we were helping Lord Varn establish Varnhold. Many monsters and ruffians had to be dealt with, but we showed them the superiority of the Aldori dueling style," Edina says.
"We've come here seeking an increased reputation as hunters and warriors. Securing the heads of several monsters on this hunt ought to do the trick," Jolia says.
***
After an hour or so of talk, the servants call everyone to dinner, and the conversation moves indoors to the lodge's dining hall. The food is robust and tasty but not that fancy; Annamede is amused, commenting that the “rustic presentation adds an unusual texture to the flavor of the feast.”
Tandri continues to linger around Jamel, continuing to be awkwardly quiet. She struggles to keep the judgement from her face as he talks about 'monsters' only as threats. The judgement isn't in her face, but it already deep in her heart. 'He's a hunter that just likes to kill, veiled thinly behind Helping others.' she thinks.
Her feelings on the matter seems to be keeping all her attention, making her near useless in helping.
"I'm afraid that I'm not very familiar with Pitax," Deregar continues to chat with Annamede. "Could you tell me some of the best taverns to enjoy local food? And which venues have the best entertainment? I'm sure it would be difficult to obtain a ticket for one of your performances."
Floare attempts to corral her infatuation with the bard and keeps her focus on the sisters that have become her diplomatic responsibility. She seeks to draw them out by asking probing questions regarding their vaunted combat techniques.
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"There are monsters, and there are monsters." Sariana says with a smirk, returning to the earlier topic of conversation with Jamel. "Some are certainly dangerous and must be dealt with - ogres for example. Others can be made useful, my Sweetling here has done wonders with an owlbear cub we found. It is becoming quite the hunter now and is devoted to her. There are rumors of other monsters of course, ones with reasoning and wits to match against man himself. Various forms of undead, the fey, that sort of thing. What are your thoughts on those?"
She does her best to appear to be making casual conversation but Sariana picked those examples for rather specific reasons. She just doesn't want Jamal to know that yet.
As he talks and she does her best to listen a familiar and much appreciated scent catches the vampire's attention. Her Little One is feeling lustful but, as Sariana's gaze flickers over to her Grand Diplomat, she finds that the blonde's attention is focused elsewhere. And it isn't Deregar... interesting.
A predatory smile curves the vampire's lips and one hand sidles out absentmindedly to dig into Tandri's soft, pleasing flesh. Out of sight of the other guests of course...
Tandri is unable to glean more about Jamel or his intentions. Meanwhile, Annamede drones on about the best hotspots in Pitax, not giving Deregar much room to make headway in making an impression on her.
The Aldori sisters are proud of their legacy and traditions, and they happily brag about their fighting styles. Edina often chides her sister impatiently and encourages her to greater valor. To Jolia, though, discretion is the better part of valor; she maintains she is still dangerous with her swordplay but respects the high stakes of tangling with monsters who are often the size of her family's summer home.
Meanwhile, Jamel seems impressed by Sariana's boasting about the owlbear. He tells her that intelligent creatures like some undead and fey can be dangerous, but some can at least be reasoned with. His primary concern is the effect huge monsters have on trade and travel, with an emphasis on the safety of those helpless against a barrage of claws and teeth.
***
As dinner winds down, mugs of cider, coffee, and tea are offered alongside cheese and fruit. Jamel requests everyone’s attention and explains why he arranged this hunt. The Embeth Travelers found a grievously wounded local named Vath Locher washed up on the shore of the Gudrin River; the man perished from his wounds soon after imparting a warning about the wyvern that attacked his family in their cabin upriver. The Travelers investigated but broke off their hunt after discovering evidence of two additional monsters in the area: a hydra and a krooth. Faced with a greater concentration of threats than he was comfortable handling with his own group, Jamel initiated this gathering to make a friendly competition out of it.
At this point, he produces a small coffer and explains that the group that makes the most monster kills tomorrow shall win a prize: 80 gp, a returning weapon runestone, and a wand of heal (3rd level).
Annamede and the Aldori sisters are intrigued by the competition. You have a bit more time to chat before it is time to retire for the night.
Deregar makes a last-ditch effort to impress the bard, spinning some tales about the defeat of the troll king.
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Sariana, keeping half an eye on Floare, swoops in to 'rescue' Annamede from Deregar.
"So, you're from Pitax?" She says, leaning in close to the bard and letting one hand trail gently down her arm. "Are all the women there as beautiful as you? If so I might have to come and visit at some point soon!"
She encourages the bard to talk about art and music, apparently seeking advice for how her own kingdom could foster culture and 'closer inter-personal relations with surrounding nations'.
For all that the vampire queen lacks social graces, she does have a certain allure and it seems to be on full show as the evening darkens into night...
Tandri's ability to notice almost anything disappeared under the not so tender touch of her mistress. But then she abandoned and Lady Nightsong is leaning into another woman that is not Floare.
Jealousy blossoms, stemming from a host of insecurities, but she battles it valiantly. Or at least tries to. Leaving the hunter, she debates finding a corner away so she didn't have to see that, or maybe just leaving all together. But also not advisable, so she stands listing to this man suggest her Beaky was just like Undead.
With Floare's attention partially on the Aldori sisters and partially on Annamede, she notices instantly when her queen directs attention towards the attractive woman of a sort hardly considered drawing-room proper.
She half rises from her seat, but a quick thought burst from her familiar causes her to pause.
Are you going to bite her, Mom? If you are, it should just be a dominance bite - not a kill bite.
"What?" she questions in confusion, looking down at Dante.
They probably wouldn't be very happy if you killed her.
"I wasn't ... I'm not ..." she begins, but then notices the nails of one hand digging into her palm and the other grasping one of the dinner knives in a fashion not normally used at the dinner table. Her eyes narrow at the woman, her feelings of attraction having been so quickly transformed into ... something else.
Forcing herself to set the knife down, she takes a deep breath and forces her outward appearance to resemble something calm and diplomatic. She then moves around the table towards the chatting duo, taking takes pride in her outward calm.
"My Lady," she says, reaching the side of Sariana's seat, "I believe that joining the contest would be something that all parties would benefit from." She turns and smiles at Annamede - a cold and challenging smile. Looking back at her queen, she continues. "But I think that Tandri and I shall retire to our bed - we'll keep it warm for you. You shouldn't tarry, though. Morning comes early and you know how you need your rest."
Before Sariana can respond, Floare leans down and grasps both sides of the woman's face, pressing her lips to the vampires in a kiss that could be called many things, but 'chaste' would not be one of them. Releasing her love's cold lips, Floare turns her eyes again to the bard. She says nothing, but her expression shouts, 'Mine!'
"Tandri!" she snaps out before heading out of the room.
You should have just bitten her, Dante comments as he trots along behind.
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Sariana is smiling quite broadly as she watches Floare march off, thoroughly pleased by the fire that she seems to have unleashed. The way Floare takes charge, summoning Tandri to her side... the vampire queen turns to her current target and stands on tip toes to reach to woman's ear.
"You're welcome to join us." She purrs. "I think my Grand Diplomat would rather enjoy putting you in your place tonight, and I certainly would."
With that she lets one cool hand trail down the woman's bare arm and then turns away, flashing a cocky smirk over her shoulder. Regardless of whether Annamede joins her this is shaping up to be a delicious night.
With all of Sariana's and Floare's attentions focused on Annamede, the bard can't help but be swept up in the lustful haze that seems to have settled upon the party. It would seem that flattery is precisely the way to the Tian woman's heart.
"I believe... that I will take you up on your generous offer," Annamede says with a husky whisper. She gestures for her bodyguards to depart as she follows Sariana into the bedroom...
Tandri jumped at the snap from Floare, her amber eyes turning from surprise to a blazing glare pointed at the bard STILL being chatted up by their mistress.
Quickly, she hurries after her friend. "poison?" she suggests quietly when she is close enough, which is hard with much shorter legs, her tail swaying quickly at the prospect. "Or infection? A tainted knife, a sliver of a cut, and something somewhere would just rot right off." a pink hand reaches down to scratch perfect Dante behind his ears.
"All good options," Floare replies, shutting the door behind them just a little harder than is really necessary.
I still think you should just bite her until she submits.
"I am not biting her," she growls, sounding decidedly wolf-like in spite of her protestations. She takes a moment to take a deep breath to try to calm herself.
"It's just ... seeing her with Sariana just ..." She growls again and clinches her fists. Noticing the excitement that Tandri is displaying in anticipation of whatever punishment is to be meted out against the pretty bard, she again tries to calm herself.
"We won't need to do anything," she finally says. "We don't have to deal with her until the hunt tomorrow and once that's finished, we never have to see her again."
She starts slightly when the door latch trips and she turns, fully intending to apologize to their mistress.
~~~~~
Floare stares wordlessly as Sariana, along with her latest conquest, enters the private chamber. The witch's shock is visible to all. There's a low growl and it's not clear whether it's from Floare's familiar or the young woman, herself.
Her eyes are locked on the attractive bard even as Sariana approaches her and whispers into her ear. Floare turns to her queen in disbelief. "You can't expect me to ... " The vampire whispers back in words too soft for anyone but Dante to overhear.
Floare frowns and glances at Tandri before looking back at Annamede. A silent debate wages itself within the young witch's thoughts pitching her own desires against the commands of her mistress before resolving itself in the only path forward. Her face hardens.
"Well don't just stand there gawking like you've never done anything like this before," she snaps at the other woman. "Our queen has placed upon me the responsibility of her pleasure this even and she has chosen for you to be the tool I use." Her hand juts out pointing at a small side bench. "You can put your clothes there and once you've disrobed, kneel at the foot of the bed."
She continues to stare at Annamede with a stern gaze.
"Sometime tonight would be preferred!" she snaps.
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"I can smell your passion." The vampire whispers, her face buried in Tandri's neck. "It feels good doesn't it?" Her fingers run up and down Tandri's sides, scratching just hard enough to not break the skin. "That passion, that fire. You hate her and that makes this so hot doesn't it?"
Without waiting for a response she bites down into Tandri's neck, drinking deeply amidst Tandri's delighted groans as they both watch Floare dominating the bard. Sari drinks until Tandri collapses, the sensations of feeding and pleasure now inextricably linked for the gorgeous dwarf and Sari holds her Sweetling, hands roaming idly as she watches.
--------------------------------
She only intervenes between Floare and Annamede once, when a playful spanking with her borrowed belt turns into something rather darker.
"Stop. Now." She whispers, catching Floare's raised hand in her own iron grip. Annamede is openly weeping as Floare covers her with welts and bruises. "Don't make her bleed." There is a warning in Sariana's tone, one that Floare can easily understand. "Stop this, take her into the bed and hold her. Talk to her, reassure her and remind her of why she is wrong. By the time she's recovered she'll be begging to serve you, to make up for her mistakes. Then you take your pleasure and she'll thank you for it."
---------------------------------
Putting Annamede to bed much later is a simple matter of carrying the exhausted woman from door to door until she finds one without the tell-tale sounds of sleeping humans inside. Once Annamede is soundly asleep in her own bed Sariana sends Floare to clean herself up, and by the time the witch returns her Queen is waiting for her in bed, with a sleepy Tandri curled up on one side of her.
"You were perfect, Little One." Sariana says warmly, drawing Floare close to her currently warm embrace - flushed as she is with Tandri's blood. "Sleep now. I'm going to reward you tomorrow."
Tandri rises first, stretching out the evenings activities, almost purring at the aches and pains across her body. Sporting marks as officials was ill advised, so she let her magic wash over both her and Floare, repairing any minor abrasions to face the day.
Then she remembers Her.
Her tail stills. Her eyes flare.
She senses her mistress in the room, feels her eyes on her, but she does not look. Her lady does not sleep, hears all, and knows without a doubt what is in Tandri's heart. The only question is whether she will attempt to stop her. If the opportunity presents itself today, of course.
Tandri rises to pray for her spells, silently she thinks, 'My goddess please hear my plea, provide me the means to make someone suffer, preferably something really painful' she does not offer up the why, since her goddess does not care about that. Vengeance is happily blind.
The next morning, you wake up early to prepare for the hunt. An hour before sunrise, the hunting party boards the Embeth Travelers’ barge and heads upriver to the western edge of the hunting grounds. During the trip, Jamel lays out the rules for the competition: The Travelers know of three specific monsters in the region—a wyvern, a hydra, and a krooth—though they suspect there are other dangers. The groups have until noon the next day to return to the barge with proof of their kills—the three monsters the Travelers have targeted or others they haven’t yet discovered—at which point the group that has secured the greatest success is declared the winner.
The journey is uneventful, and at midday, the barge anchors at a small island in the river. From this starting point at the south end of the hunting grounds, the group can see a ruined shack to the west, cliffsides to the northwest, a rise to the north that dips down into what may be an obscured hollow, and an escarpment on the river’s eastern shore. Jamel tells the hunting party that the shack belonged to the family of Vath Locher—the local who was recently killed—and that the Travelers have not yet given it a good look over.
The Aldori sisters head directly north. The three rangers Jamel brought to represent the Embeth Travelers in the contest head upriver along the northern bank in search of the krooth. Jamel himself stays at the barge to provide a safe place for any hunter to rest or recover.
Annamede points to the east. "I'm headed toward that lovely escarpment upriver. It's not my intent to hunt, to be clear. I simply intend to relax and enjoy this holiday. You may accompany me, if you desire, unless you're keen on participating in all of that filthy bushcraft."
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"I think Tyr here would be most put out if we didn't hunt something." Sariana replies lightly. "Thank you for the invitation Annamede, perhaps some of us will take advantage of you later." That must have been a slip of the tongue... surely?
With that she offers the Pitaxian a short bow and gestures to the shack. "We'll head that way first."
Once they hit the ground, all trace of levity disappears from Sariana and she looks seriously at the rest of the group.
"I want no-one getting hurt for this game. We hunt what we can but none of you are to take any risks. Is that understood?" She waits for acknowledgement and then leads the way quietly.