Diviha seems to stare at the gates closing for an eternity, before sucking thru her teeth, and resolutly looking out towards the horizen.
"Well I suppose there is no turning back... " In response to the handsome elvin mages questions, the lovely young tiefling turns in her saddle"... not that we want to. Hmmmmm, which village is the closest, that should be our destination.Don't you agree?" This last she says with a deep pur.
Lost in stroking her horse the strange elf-maid seems to take no notice of the gates closing, although her ever present badger dances from one paw to the next in excitment. Almost as the rest give up on hearing her input she speaks, her voice like a whisper on the cold north wind. "Well, Taig and I are ready. So are we to follow our little doll?" she ask, refering to the tiny rogue."I agree we should start with the closest, would that not be the most recent as well?, Both Taig and I are skilled trackers, perhaps we can find something the kings scouts missed, since tracks hold longer on frozen ground." She seems even more alive and striking in the wind than she did in the smokey hall.
Prompted by Fiani's supposition, Vissakiel takes out the map and looks at the orientation of the villages affected by the curse. "Is it possible that there is a pattern to these calamities? At the very least, we need to know which one is closer."
After getting your bearing and travelling for a few hours, you approach the edge of a forest. As you head under the trees you hear a rather small voice from the trees. "Pardon me," the voice says, "Would it be too much trouble for you to help me down from here?"
Diviha tenses slightly at the voice, she starts to echo the mages question and seems to think better of it.She instead slowly dismounts while scanning the trees for the source of the plee, while her hand slowly reaches for the greatsword on her back.
Fiani draws her horse to a stop. She scans the forest looking for the location from which the voice calls from.
You look up, following the sound of the voice and see a well dressed gnomish gentleman hanging by one foot in a rope trap. Jusging by how flush his face is, he has been there for some time. "Thank goodness," he says, "I was afraid I would have to be up here all day."
Visskiel glances around before dismounting. "Let's not be too hasty, my bold friend. We've no idea who set this trap and they may still be laying about waiting to spring an ambush. I think you and our tracker should keep an eye out for danger."
Vissakiel looks at Diviha, making sure she knows he is addressing her, but taking care to avoid mentioning her name. "I think your particular skills would be of great use in making sure there are no other traps in the area."
The elf then climbs down from his horse and moves over to the gnome. "Once my companion has ensured there are no other dangers, she will cut you down. I will catch you to make sure you are not injured in the process of regaining your freedom."
As near as you can tell, there are no other traps or people lurking about. However, you do notice several sets of strange reptilian footprints around the base of the tree.
"What, pray tell, strung you up and why?"
As she studies the tracks she motions for Vissakiel and Khismia to go ahead and cut the man down.
"What, pray tell, strung you up and why?"
As she studies the tracks she motions for Vissakiel and Khismia to go ahead and cut the man down.
"I was ambushed by some kobolds," the gnome says. "They semed to think it would be great fun to play gnome pinata. It was the strangest thing though. They flew in, wearing what looked like a tent wall strapped to their backs. Then they stole an important message I was taking to the king. Will you help me get it back, after you cut me down?"
Vissakiel looks around the group, then nods to Khismia. "Let's get you down and then we'll discuss the problem of kobolds with flying tents." The elf chuckles good-naturedly as the gnome is brought down from the trap.
"What was this message you were carrying? Do you have any idea why kobolds would be interested in it? Or, for that matter, how they would even know about it?"
"I doubt that they actually knew about the message or what is was," the gnome says. "They just grab anything they see. Th message was research the king had asked foon something called "the valkyrie's curse."
Vissakiel searches his memory for any information about something called "the valkyrie's curse".
"I did not know that flying kobold bandits were such a problem in this land. I don't suppose this curse has anything to do with three villages in the king's lands, do they?"
Diviha slides near the gnome, putting on her best "big eyed" look, and speaks in a sultry voice."What is your name cutie,your not hurt are you? What ever could this message be about other than some silly curse?" as she speaks she runs her delicate hands over the gnomes torso, as if to assure herself he is uninjured. As she does this she cast a sidelong look towards her companions.
Diviha slides near the gnome, putting on her best "big eyed" look, and speaks in a sultry voice."What is your name cutie,your not hurt are you? What ever could this message be about other than some silly curse?" as she speaks she runs her delicate hands over the gnomes torso, as if to assure herself he is uninjured. As she does this she cast a sidelong look towards her companions.
"My name is Hazgrin Stumbleduck," he says. "Professor Hazgrin Stumbleduck. And no, the message was all about my findings on the valkyrie's curse. Facinating stuff that, the culture of this region is absolutely amazing."
Vissakiel searches his memory for any information about something called "the valkyrie's curse".
"I did not know that flying kobold bandits were such a problem in this land. I don't suppose this curse has anything to do with three villages in the king's lands, do they?"
"it might," the professor says. "Many ages ago, there was a queen who ruled this land. She siezed power using an army of orc mercenaries rather than gaining it in the traditional way. She called herself the Valkyrie Queen. When she finally died, after ten centuries of rule according to the legends, she was buried in an unknown tomb. The servents that intered her body killed every living thing they met along their path, and then were entombed with her. The only one allowed to return was blind, deaf, and mute stone mason who had sealed the tomb. He carried a message, written in the queen's blood. It said that anyone whyo disturbed her tomb would be taken and never seen again. Perhaps the villagers discovered the Valkyrie Queen's tomb and fell victim to the curse."
"That would perhaps explain the loss of one village, Professor, but how would it relate to the other two? I think you may have quite a lot of information that would be helpful for us."
Turning to his companions, he says, "If his research was taken by kobolds, it seems that locating them and recovering Professor Stumbleduck's possessions has become the next goal in our mission. What do you think?"
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"I agree with your assessment of the situation. The Professor however should return to the King and inform him of this development."
With one last look around, she finally sheathes her Sabre and moves along the road a short distance, waiting for the others to finish with the Professor before they continue their journey.
Shrugging her shoulders and smiling at the Proffesor, Diviha turns to face the others. "So I guess it's after the kobolds then, good thing we have us a good tracker." Looking back at the Gnome she ask, "Do you need an escort to somewhere safe? You seem to have been thru enough today, and I would hate to think of any futher ill to befall you...cutie.", she winks as she adds the last part, and smiles to show she jest. Almost as an after thought she ask" Oh! I almost forgot, which way did they fly off in? Do you have any idea where they might be going?"
Hazgrin frowns. "They did not fly off," he says, "They grabbe their contraptions and ran into the trees. What ever the contraption was, I would love to study it. To fly without magic or wings is true genius." He points to the west. "They traveled in that direction.
Her companions minds made up Fiani turns in the indicated direction of the Kobolds departure. Her badger by her side, sniffing at her trousers in search of treats.
"Well, are we headed this away or are we escorting the good professr back to the king?" She turns her question towards the handsome elf..also taking her cues from him. "Personally I would find it prudent to hurry after them. I too am curious to see these flying contaptions and they already have a head start. How long ago did they run off Professor?"
"I don't think it was very long ago," Hazgrin says. "Hanging up in that tree made it hard to mantain a sense of time."
Vissakiel looks back the way they came and frowns. "I agree. It would not be wise to let the kobolds get any more of a lead than they already have. Professor, do you think you can make it back to the city on your own? I do not wish to leave you helpless, but time seems to be of the essence."
"We did not have any troubles between here and the King's location. You should be fine good professor."
That said she takes the elf's hand. " We really should get a move on while the trail is still fresh for me to follow."
Diviha listens to the exchange with intrest, then nods her head in agreement when the conclusion to follow thw kobolds is reached. "Sorry sir, looks like you're on your own back to the King." she says trying to sound older than her 17 yrs. She gives him a reassuring smile as she turns to follow the elves. Upon seeing Fiani take the mages hand she stops momentarily,"Hmf."before taking the scared warrior by the arm. "Well, what are we waiting for?!"
Vissakiel shakes the Professor's little hand before he departs, then silently watches the gnome begin the trek to town. Once the professor is gone, he turns and heads in the other direction with the rest of the party.
True to his elven heritage, Vissakiel is completely nonplussed by the physical contact. He also gives no sign that he is concerned by Diviha's apparent frustrations.
With a deft motion, he wraps his horse's reins around his walking stick and uses it to lead the animal.
"I must confess a certain ignorance about kobolds," he says matter-of-factly. "I suppose there are things everyone knows about the little beasts, but only the rudest stereotypes. Does any of you have information about the creatures that might help us gain an advantage? Even as small as they are, a large enough group can prove dangerous to the unprepared."
The trail leads through the forest, until you come to a deep ravine, not deep enough to be called a canyon, but still plnty deep. The kobold's tracks end at the edge of the ravine. On the far side you can see a large cave opening with a wide ledge in front of the cave's mouth. Trails lead from the edge of the ravine and down an around to the ledge.
Diviha stands viewing the scene before her, one hip thrust to the side, chewing on her bottom lip, her lightless eyes narrow in thought."Do you think you three can stay out of sight long enough for me to do some quick scouting, My daddy told me a little about Kobolds, it should be safe to do it in the daytime.". With that she thrust her horses reigns to Fiani, "Make yourself useful, and take my horse over there" She indicates an area a short distance away out of the caves line of sight."Cover me Kis'."
Vissakiel smiles warmly at Diviha. "Good luck. I'd say 'be careful', but that would be contradictory." Moving off to the side, he does his best to hide in a location that still gives him a good view of the approach to the cave. He watches Diviha pick her way through the underbrush for as long as he can, then carefully watches the cave for any signs of danger.
Diviha stands viewing the scene before her, one hip thrust to the side, chewing on her bottom lip, her lightless eyes narrow in thought."Do you think you three can stay out of sight long enough for me to do some quick scouting, My daddy told me a little about Kobolds, it should be safe to do it in the daytime.". With that she thrust her horses reigns to Fiani, "Make yourself useful, and take my horse over there" She indicates an area a short distance away out of the caves line of sight."Cover me Kis'."
Diviha is very stealthy as she slips down the trail and slips near to the cave mouth. She notices kobold tracks along the way, but no signs of any guards or traps. From her vantge point she can see the cave goes back a ways, but does not see anyone in the immediate area.
Fiani takes the reins of the horse, looking slightly confused as to what upset the girl. As Diviha slinks down the ravine Fi sets about checking out the tracks in the area, trying to get an idea as to the amount of activity has occured recently.
She looks around at her companions and giggles at the elf trying to shove the leaves of the bush out of his face.
Fi notices that the koblod tracks are slightly obscured at the edge of the cliff, as if something was dragged over them. It also looks as if the kobolds jumped off the edge of thecliff, but no bodies are visible at the bottom.
Diviha has pretty much exhusted what she can learn from outside the cave. The path itself is too narrow to bring the horses down, so anyone approaching will have to do so on foot. At least the general area around the cave entrance seems to be safe.
As he watches from his hiding place, Vissakiel ponders the situation. He whispers aloud, mostly to himself. "If these kobolds had the ability to fly in and attack the professor, they might well have the ability to fly from this cliff down into the ravine and land at the mouth of the cave. That would explain the strange markings at the cliff edge. Of course, it doesn't explain why they wouldn't feel the need to post any kind of guard at the main entrance to their lair."
Having observed the entrance, the young teifling creeps back using the same route, trying to keep her excitment and fear from showing on her delicate features."It doesn't look gaurded, and the route I took is devoid of traps, but I'm afraid I couldn't see very far into the cave, and I didn't think you would want your 'doll' going in alone." she blurts out upon reaching the others,"So whats the plan? are we going in, or should we try and lure them out?" she adds panting, and leaning on her antique greatsword from her trip back up the cliff face.
Having observed the entrance, the young teifling creeps back using the same route, trying to keep her excitment and fear from showing on her delicate features."It doesn't look gaurded, and the route I took is devoid of traps, but I'm afraid I couldn't see very far into the cave, and I didn't think you would want your 'doll' going in alone." she blurts out upon reaching the others,"So whats the plan? are we going in, or should we try and lure them out?" she adds panting, and leaning on her antique greatsword from her trip back up the cliff face.
" Well doll do you have a plan for luring them out? If so we should hear it and then decide if that or trying to sneak in would be safest."
Vissakiel senses the sudden tension between Diviha and Fiani, but sets aside those concerns for a moment.
"I think it would be better to observe the cave for a bit longer before taking any action. We have no idea what kind of activity takes place, here. I would like to hear Diviha's ideas, but I want to be sure that we know what we might be luring out of that cave when the time comes."
Diviha seems elated by Vissakiels intrest in her ideas, practicly beeming she begins "How fast do you think we could get those tents up?, I have to wonder what those little lizard dog thingies would do to see tents set up right outside their front door, maybe Fiani could use some druid magic to cut off the entrance after they come out to investigate? Then, , we strike.", she looks from one face to the next, eyes searching for signs of acceptance, or mirth. "Well I don't see anyone else comming up with anything, and we are in trouble if I'M the brains."
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Khismia looks from one to the other of her companions before giving her opinion on the matter. "I am not worried about what kind of plan we use to bring these creatures to heel. They will feel the sting of my blade one way or the other and so whatever mean by which we come to that conclusion suits you all is fine with me."
Vissakiel smiles at Diviha and nods in approval of Khismia's desire to charge ahead, but he pauses before speaking. "I have a feeling time is of the essence, and I am as anxious to rid the region of these pests as you are, Khismia. However, we should remember that while a single snowflake melts instantly in your hand, enough of them put together can crush you to death."
The elf turns to look down at the cave. "Besides, I'd like to have some idea of what other wonders they may have hidden in that cave before we rush in there. Let us spend a night observing the kobolds' comings and goings. If we can get a sense of their patterns and how many there might be, we'll have an easier time of it once we get inside. Also, if we wait until after they've returned from their nightly raids--assuming they do raid nightly--we can use Diviha's ruse and create a disturbance when they have not had so much time to rest."
Vissakiel smiles at his three companions, hoping he has managed to merge the proposed ideas into a cohesive plan. Or the beginning of one, anyway.