"Anneke, I'd like you to meet Nadya." Then to Nadya, "Grasp her forearm, use your strength."
"Good Gods, Anneke! Not even Torag's Hammer strikes so loud!"
The Valkyrie gives a single short HA! at Priyya's reaction and then raises her drinking horn as if for a toast, "Good health!"
"Let's give him a little more time, then I'll poke him with my scimitar."
Hefting her halberd, and grinning like a wolf, she says, "Sure, but I use this."
Hefting her halberd, and grinning like a wolf, she says, "Sure, but I use this."
Priyya laughs heartily. "A DEAD Dwarf doesn't help you any. But it will definitely wake him up!"
Nadya grasped Anneke's forearm and did her best to display her strength while greeting her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you formally, Anneke."
"I'd like you to meet Nadya. ... Grasp her forearm, use your strength."
Puzzled by this turn of events, Anneke sets her halberd down and stands up to give the greeting in a proper fashion. Not wanting to injure the smaller woman, she doesn't grip as hard as she would Priyya or Paehz. "Anneke. Do I say name right, Na-dya?"
Priyya looks expectantly at the tall Ulfen ShieldMaiden trying to gauge her reaction and what Priyya must say next...
She places her hand over their interlocked forearms, keeping them together.
"Yes, Anneke, Na-dya is perfect!"
"Anneke. Can you feel her strength? She is not greeting you as some soft flatland farmer. She is trying to greet you as another ShieldMaiden. She is as strong as many of their men... Not as strong as you or me, but strong nonetheless."
"It is a pleasure to meet you formally, Anneke."
Anneke is pleasantly surprised by Nadya's grip and nods in agreement.
"Anneke. Can you feel her strength? She is not greeting you as some soft flatland farmer. She is trying to greet you as another ShieldMaiden. She is as strong as many of their men... Not as strong as you or me, but strong nonetheless."
Wondering if that was jab and not wanting to disappoint, Anneke smiles appreciatively and tightens her grip for a brief moment before giving Nadya a pat on her right shoulder with her horn.
"If greet that one like warrior, she motions to Paehz with the hand holding her drinking horn, "arm hurt."
Retaking her seat and motioning for Nadya to be at ease, Anneke says, "You know sing and song? Ulfen would hear songs-of-praise, Ulfen would hear songs-of-glory."
I walk away for one day and you people start prankin' on the dwarf... seriously, though. if we don't hear from him by tomorrow, we're starting without him... yall can carry him all the way to Sandpoint.
Sorry yall are having to wait, but i appreciate your patience.
Priyya tries to keep the delight off her face. She sits and motions Nadya to do the same. Priyya sits casually, leaning back in a chair legs stretched out, much like a man might. She passes a look and wink to Nadya saying play along.
Nadya drops a curtsy to Priyya, "Thank you for your help, m'lady!" To Anneke, "Is there any particular battle or God you would hear praise for?" She casually dropped into a chair & leaned back, mimicking Priyya.
Hoping the curtsey and 'milady' escaped Anneke notice - Good Gods girl! This woman hates that stuff - she quickly launches into what she thinks will get things going the right way. "Before songs, let's talk - all warriors in our own ways..."
"Anneke, you grew up in the Linnorm lands... stone and ice and dragons. It is a hard land and women must be hard. Judging by how much I hurt my hand hitting your arm, Ulfen women are born of granite and carved from Dragon skulls."
"I grew up in Thuvia - a hard desert with little food, giant scorpions, storms of sand that last for days, and the sun beats on everything like Torag's Hammer. I am tough like that - but not as tough as you."
"Nadya grew up here - in forests and fields and towns. This is a softer land than our lands. But still she has strength when it is not so necessary."
"Is there any particular battle or God you would hear praise for?"
Scratching her head at the curtsy, Anneke thinks for a moment before replying, "Mmm... Rothgar King — my king — now in VallenHall. Home called Land of Linnorm Kings cause to be king warrior must kill Linnorm dragon. Rothgar brave king of brave warriors..."
Anneke's voice trails off wistfully and she runs her thumb over a series of runes in the haft of her halberd that appear to have been carved only recently.
Kord settles back with his wine, enjoying the conversation - and the fact that it's not about him...
"Is there any particular battle or God you would hear praise for?"Scratching her head at the curtsy, Anneke thinks for a moment before replying, "Mmm... Rothgar King — my king — now in VallenHall. Home called Land of Linnorm Kings cause to be king warrior must kill Linnorm dragon. Rothgar brave king of brave warriors..."
Anneke's voice trails off wistfully and she runs her thumb over a series of runes in the haft of her halberd that appear to have been carved only recently.
Priyya gives her a wrap on the arm. "Listen, Valkyrie! We have different skills. You are better with a blade then me. I have spells and abilities you don't. Nadya, she can fight AND she has skills that can help us. You see how all the men watch her? You see how quickly men want to talk with her, how they loosen up and make mistakes, saying too much?" She casts a long look at Kord and raises a single questioning eyebrow and cheshire cat grin.
"Do you see the uses of her skills outside of love-play? She can put men at their ease, make them talk, get information that you and I can't. She can help you with what is important to you." She taps Anneke's backpack meaningfully with her scabbard.
"AND she is almost prettier than Paehz!"
** spoiler omitted **
Priyya catches Nadya checking her muscles, smiles, and mouths "Sorry."
** spoiler omitted **
"Pfft... you're all prettier than Paehz...maybe even the dwarf!"
She laughs,"But I don't know if any of us are as pretty when we sleep as the dwarf. I know, I'm not."
"Listen, Valkyrie! We have different skills. You are better with a blade then me. I have spells and abilities you don't. Nadya, she can fight AND she has skills that can help us. You see how all the men watch her? You see how quickly men want to talk with her, how they loosen up and make mistakes, saying too much?"
"Huh?" Anneke's brow wrinkles. "Nadya say before she sing many language. You would not like for Anneke to sing, not talent for me. So I ask Nadya. Why, Priyya want to sing in stead?"
"I do want her to sing BUT I want to make an important point to you first, before she sings. I understand how you see flirty farm girls and pretty pleasure girls. I want you to understand that Nadya is NOT those girls. If she flirts, it is for a purpose. Your weapons are halberd, blade, and strength. My weapons are blade and spells. HER weapons are brains, voice, and body. Understand?"
"I will always help with what's important to my friends! You are right, men do seem to talk to me. It has always been thus.
Sometimes my skills are not only weapons, they can be used to honor as well...."
Nadya rose gracefully from the chair, standing tall before the front legs hit the floor. With no movement at all (unusual for such an entertainer), she sang simply, with dignity and sincerity.
"Hail Rothgar, Linnorm King
Slew the dragon, a noble thing
Our anthems rise to honor thee
Our mighty king brought unity.
Majesty is thine, Rothgar
We sing of thy acts both near and afar
King of the mighty, holy and right
Strong in arm, ready to fight
Hail Rothgar, Linnorm King
In your honor this athem we sing."
"Hmm... so Surya-ka-Vahaak say... strength is not only strength?" She contemplates this for a while looking up at the ceiling and tilting her head from side to side as she mulls them over. Finally getting what Priyya means, Anneke gives a loud laugh and slaps the table with her palm, "Ah! If Nadya keep men not on guard with talk and smile then more vigor we have for when time for swords ya?"
"Sometimes my skills are not only weapons, they can be used to honor as well...."
Anneke nods her head stridently in agreement, "Yes, good! Heart of skald Nadya has, knows songs, sings of honor. Honor, heart, these things give warrior great strength, bigger than berserker Anneke says! BARKEEP!" she shouts, "Food and drink for she-skald!"
Turning to Priyya she thumps the warrior-priestess on the shoulder and says, "See! I told you Nadya sing good!"
"Hmm... so Surya-ka-Vahaak say... strength is not only strength?" She contemplates this for a while looking up at the ceiling and tilting her head from side to side as she mulls them over. Finally getting what Priyya means, Anneke gives a loud laugh and slaps the table with her palm, "Ah! If Nadya keep men not on guard with talk and smile then more vigor we have for when time for swords ya?"
Priyya sighs in relief and claps the larger woman on the shoulder. Praise be to Torag or Sarenrae or whomever! It could have meant trouble if these women didn't get along. "Exactly! So she is our sword sister now, ya? Even when she does 'girly' stuff, right? You and me - we protect her."
Turning to Priyya she thumps the warrior-priestess on the shoulder and says, "See! I told you Nadya sing good!"
Priyya takes the hit without wincing - Ye Gods, her hands are like damn mallets! - and smiles. "You were right, Anneke, she sings very good!"
Listening to Nadya's soothing singing voice, Priyya finally has some quiet time to think and consider. She realises that she has forgotten to handle some minor issues, "Ho, Kord! Exactly where is Sandpoint and how long will it take our merry band to get there?"
Kord points out in a vaguely east-ish direction...
"Sandpoint's a couple days up the coast from here, give 'r take. There's a couple o' different ways t' get there - we'll see which way Paezh wants t' go. Takes about the same time, whichever way we go - it'll just depend on what kinda stuff Paezh wants t' avoid this time o' year."
Priyya absorbs that information, "What kinds of hazards are we talking about - storms, flooding, and such?" She gets a slight smile on her face and indicates the space next to her with her eyes, "Why don't you sit your ass down, Kord, so we can discuss some of what you aren't saying?"
Priyya eyes the sleeping dwarf mischievously and debates using him as a foot-stool... His magical studies must be incredibly taxing for him to sleep so long!
"Well, now, I ain't the woodsman ol' Paehz is, but I know some of it. If we try that inland route, there's some critters out in the woods that'd be good t' avoid. An' I know it might sound a bit cliche, but there's still the occasional highwayman out there."
Kord takes the last of his wine in a long gulp, and contemplates ordering another bottle.
"And if we head out along the coast, well there might be some floodin', or a bit o' quicksand along some of the beaches, dependin' on the tides. And there's always risk o' pirates. Them pirates love this here gulf. I wouldn't worry none. Paehz knows his stuff - that's why I got him t' help us. And I think you ladies have demonstrated that we ain't gonna be unprotected either way.."
"Pirates!! I had no idea!" Nadya gave a delighted shiver. "I'm VERY glad my sword-sisters just vowed to defend me! Somehow I doubt pirates would be dissuaded by a dance!"
"Pirates!! I had no idea!" Nadya gave a delighted shiver. "I'm VERY glad my sword-sisters just vowed to defend me! Somehow I doubt pirates would be dissuaded by a dance!"
Priyya looks to her new sword-sister and says, with clear appreciation of Nadya's beauty and skill, "Oh, I think you under-rate your appeal."
Giggling merrily at Priyya's comment, Nadya turned to Kord, "So how are we traveling, anyway? On foot? By horse? Will we be stopping at any inns along the way? Or sleeping under the stars?" Nadya attempts to look unconcerned by the reply, though inns are her lifeblood.
"Well, now, I ain't the woodsman ol' Paehz is, but I know some of it. If we try that inland route, there's some critters out in the woods that'd be good t' avoid. An' I know it might sound a bit cliche, but there's still the occasional highwayman out there."
Kord takes the last of his wine in a long gulp, and contemplates ordering another bottle.
"And if we head out along the coast, well there might be some floodin', or a bit o' quicksand along some of the beaches, dependin' on the tides. And there's always risk o' pirates. Them pirates love this here gulf. I wouldn't worry none. Paehz knows his stuff - that's why I got him t' help us. And I think you ladies have demonstrated that we ain't gonna be unprotected either way.."
Priyya gives him an amused look, "I see Paehz isn't the only one who knows how to extricate himself from a 'thorny thicket'... Alright, I'll not press you for more. Let me say this, though," She leans close to him and says earnestly, "I may be able to help, and if your cause is righteous and just, I would like to do so." She resumes her casual poster, "Think on that, my good woodsman."
Kord wisely decides that another bottle of this fine wine is definitely in order, and gestures his wishes toward the barkeep.
"I am sorry, but there ain't any settlements between here an' Sandpoint, so there'll surely be at least one night out under the stars. There'll be room for a couple o' ye in the wagon, and the rest'll be sleepin' on the ground, I expect."
Then Kord turns and looks directly into Priyya's eyes. He spends a moment gazing, and then speaks.
"With an offer like that, I find myself wishing that I indeed had a cause so that I could enlist your kind assistance. But alas, I'm just a man moving through life, enjoying the journey - and all that the journey presents to me..."
With that, Kord raises his glass to Priyya, and then to Nadya, and then to Anneke, and then takes a nice long sip.
"So Nadya, as I understand it, Sandpoint is a small town. What takes such a talented entertainer out that way?"
Kord wisely decides that another bottle of this fine wine is definitely in order, and gestures his wishes toward the barkeep.
"I am sorry, but there ain't any settlements between here an' Sandpoint, so there'll surely be at least one night out under the stars. There'll be room for a couple o' ye in the wagon, and the rest'll be sleepin' on the ground, I expect."
Then Kord turns and looks directly into Priyya's eyes. He spends a moment gazing, and then speaks.
"With an offer like that, I find myself wishing that I indeed had a cause so that I could enlist your kind assistance. But alas, I'm just a man moving through life, enjoying the journey - and all that the journey presents to me..."
With that, Kord raises his glass to Priyya, and then to Nadya, and then to Anneke, and then takes a nice long sip.
Priyya acknowledges the toast with a small inclination of her own drink as well. "Still," she adds, "the offer remains."
Nadya flashes her dimples at Kord with a blinding smile, acknowledging his toast. She lifts her cup in his direction before answering Priyya.
She seems sincere, an open book. "Oh, no real purpose. I have a package to deliver for my Family. And there's a theater in Sandpoint, so I might drum up a little business while we're there. After that I'm not sure. Do you have plans after Sandpoint?"
Nadya flashes her dimples at Kord with a blinding smile, acknowledging his toast. She lifts her cup in his direction before answering Priyya.
She seems sincere, an open book. "Oh, no real purpose. I have a package to deliver for my Family. And there's a theater in Sandpoint, so I might drum up a little business while we're there. After that I'm not sure. Do you have plans after Sandpoint?"
Priyya doesn't doubt for a second Nadya's honesty, but gathers a bit of a feral smile as she turns to Kord, "What an excellent question! What ARE our plans after Sandpoint? Are you going anywhere of interest?"
It takes Priyya a second to realise that the 'plans after Sandpoint' question may have been directed at her. She looks startled for a second and then says seriously with a strange focus to her voice. "Nadya, I have no idea. I've been called here. From here, I don't know. Kord is my guide."
"Heh! A good question indeed... at the moment, I ain't got any real plans after we get t' Sandpoint. I s'pose I'll just see what happens when we get there."
"Tell me, Kord, have you ventured to Riddleport yet? How long ago?"
Priyya seems somewhat deflated but the reason isn't clear. She slumps back in her chair, stretching her legs and crossing them in a decidedly unladylike fashion, carelessly adjusts her robes, and says, "Well, then Sandpoint it is. After that, we'll just have to see what Sarenrae provides."
Sense Motive DC:15:
"Oh my, Priyya! I didn't realize you knew Kord before this! And you say you've been called? Who is doing the calling? My family guides me, who is guiding you?"
Priyya gives the pretty girl a wan smile, "In point of fact, I don't know Kord. My guidance comes from Sarenrae herself... in the form of feelings or, sometimes, whispers in my sleep. She has brought me here to find Kord and now I follow him until she tells me otherwise."
She continues, "I am new to this region. I don't know how Varisian families work. How do they 'guide' you?"
Kord looks a bit uncomfortable for the briefest of moments, but quickly regains his composure.
"Well, I guess we'll all be waitin' t' see what happens once we get there. Um, Nadya, as it turns out, yes'm, I have been t' Riddleport a couple o' times. It's a fun town, to be sure!"
Picking up on Kord's ill-ease, Priyya pats his legs sympathetically and says, "Don't worry. It takes some getting used to... believe me. I am Surya-ka-Vahaak and it often disturbs me still."