~ Dire Struggle for Dillend: [Archive] [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~

Crayne nodds at Daran and says, "Come lad! Sit down by here!" Crayne moves over to a more secluded area within the cave and sits down crosslegged. Daran sits longside him, "Now! My friend!" Crayne smiles whilst thinking how ironic all this is, "You are of Caerloon! A great place I'd like to add! You mentioned you came through the Border near Dillend. Interesting! I know that Caerloon has taken Dillend recently!" Crayne squints a little looking closely at Daran and his reaction, "Did you stop off at Dillend? A nice place is Dillend!" Crayne adds, "Do you know what the Caerloon army plan to do next? I'd imagine they'd look at some of the other forts along the border! Fort Mitchend maybe for instance! I wonder when they plan to make their move? I don't suppose you'd have any idea my friend?" Crayne says, "Here take a sip of my water you must be thirsty!" Crayne offers his water in a friendly gesture.

Daran smiles at his friend Crayne, calmly taking a sip from his canteen while watching Crayne the whole time. "Yes, we did cross the border at Dillend, as you say," he offers Crayne as he returns the water. "But we didn't stop there. General Wade told us that we must move quickly, that we couldn't stop at the fort. But I don't know if they're planning on taking any of the other forts. I can tell you there were a lot of soldiers on their way to Dillend, though!"

After Daran has answered Crayne smiles to him again, "Now lad these people around me are all my friends! My very good friends! All right! And I'd be very hurt if anything was to happen to them!" Crayne looks at him, "Just like your my friend! So were all good friends together right!" Crayne nodds, "Right! I'm off to do a little reading for a while and then I'll be off to sleep. Rest easy my son!"

Crayne smiles and looks at Canter and says in a low voice, "Gag the archer! Make sure he can breath through his nose for I don't want him suffocating! I don't want him talking with Daran, you see!" Tapping Canter on the back he heads off to sit down quietly just towards the front of cave where the rain drips and splashes on the stone floor. Feeling relaxed he takes a spellbook from his pack and lights a dim candle. He spends ten minutes reading through the book and murmurs occasionally. After he has finished he settles down for sleep.

Cy takes the time in the caves to take off his armor, oil and repair it as best he can. He finds it dented in many places from their recent battle and others along the way. He oils his sword and then sets everything to the ready beside his bedroll. 'As dawn approaches,' Cy thinks to himself, 'I will switch watches with Storm. I'll will let the group sleep in a bit as then truly need the rest.'

Rubbing her back, Emma slowly stands and approaches Storm. "Thank you," she says to him, bending down to reach his eye level and looking closely at him. "For everything. If you're going to take the first watch, let's see if we can't do something about your wounds first." She moves her hand in a simple gesture and recites, "Anhur's servants value courage...Ease your fears and take heart that your actions were just." <OOC: Emma casts "Orison" to heal a single hit-point of damage. Nothing major. Just a small gesture of goodwill and appreciation.>

Storm inhales sharply as he suddenly feels slightly energized, if only a little. He blushes and smiles an ugly, toothy grin at Emma. "Thank ye, miss. I never be gettin' how that there magic works, but I ain't be complainin'! Haha!"

Emma smiles and shakes her head. "It's not magic," she says, patting the Dwarf's shoulder with a gentle touch, "The healing power of Anhur is a gift of faith. It's simpler than magic...and more complex at the same time. Anhur heard my prayer tonight to aid a great Dwarven warrior and friend, by the name of Storm. He is obviously pleased with your actions today, or he would have withheld his blessing from you." She gives him an even warmer smile and urges him to think about the importance of that. "Thank you for fighting as well as you did tonight," she finishes, "You did a lot for everyone, I believe. And it seemed like you were everywhere at once. Your ancestors would be proud..."

"Indeed!" Crayne says, listening intently to the priestess. Finished with his reading, he was on his way back to his bedroll, but stopped to address Emma. "And I am grateful for all of what you and Anhur have done for Canter. I know if I offered anything in return you would not accept for I believe it is your way. I must declare that it is a very proud path which you lead doing your Gods work. You have given all and it is through this devotion you are able to make a difference. I admire your dedication and goodness of soul. I am sure that it was not meant for such a good man as Canter to die this night and I am proven right. We as a unit have a lot more to do together before the enemy will get the better of us, I am sure.

"I grew a little worried, however, after the moment Guilliam left, but now I am reassured by the presence of you and Hannibal." Crayne looks over his shoulder at the thief. "We must, I believe, make haste and get some rest. We all need it."

Emma smiles at Crayne, saying nothing but placing a hand on his arm as he moves away from her. Moving toward her bedroll, she wonders to herself what Storm might think of the caste of Anhur. She knew the gruff attitudes that a lot of Dwarves showed outwardly often only went skin-deep. It was a defense mechanism...don't let anyone too close...or something like that. But inside, they often held the heart-of-gold and iron-clad honor that her god certainly favored his warriors and followers to have. Storm seemed to be much the same, she thought.

"Good night everyone," Emma offers, retiring early to her bed, intending to rise early as well in order to greet the sun with prayers of thankfulness to Anhur for the safekeeping of Rinder's Six.

The trip for Hannibal to the cave was anything but pleasant. Nothing, however, that Hannibal had not become accustomed too over the years. Moving from town to town, sometimes running from the law, with each stop providing less and less hope for salvaging what was once a proud career.

He took a moment to think back to the battle. How, despite not having fired a bow in months, the motions had come naturally to him. He didn't consider himself a warrior anymore but it was always good to know he could count on his blade if need be.

'Finding the caves was a blessing in disguise for the group,' he thought. They had sufficient cover for the evening now but the cold and hard floor left little in the way of comfort. Allowing the others to handle the details, Hannibal curled up in his blanket and was out in no time...hard floor or not.

As he drifts off to sleep, Hannibal rolls over restlessly, tossing and turning from a haunting dream that had not left him in years.

Storm assumes the first watch as the others all fall asleep, some more soundly than others. When it is time, Storm gives Cy's sleeping body a gentle nudge. The warrior awakens, rubbing his eyes. He nods to Storm, sitting up. Storm then steps over Cy and heads for his own bedroll, thankful for the chance to rest his tired bones.

Somewhere in the beginning of his watch, as Storm's breathing slowly turns to snores, Cy takes out his shield and gently leans it against a wall of the cave. Kneeling before it, he turns his ancient sword point down in front of him using the handle to rest his hands, he offers a softly spoken prayer to Anhur for his deliverance from death in this campaign and a tribute to the wisdom of ancestors for thier battle training. He also asks protection for the souls and faith of the paladin and priestess.

As Storm drifts off to sleep his snoring awakens Emma. She groggily rolls over to see that dawn is beginning to arrive. Throwing back her bedroll, she starts to sit up in order to begin her prayers to Anhur...and then she notices Cy, kneeling, his sword propped before him and his eyes closed as if already in prayer as well. Very quietly, she slips to her feet and watches him, deep in thought...waiting for him to finish.

Emma moves away from the other sleeping party members, approaching Cy quietly, but knowing he probably senses her presence by now. When he turns to look at her, she offers a shy smile...not wanting to intrude upon his privacy, but plainly she must have been watching him for at least a little while. She doesn't say anything at first, unwilling to break the peacefulness of the moment with her voice.

Moving closer to the entrance of the cave, she looks outside to see the horses and greet the first rays of the sun. Mentally, she says a prayer to Anhur...offering thanks for his guidance in last night's battle and his assistance in healing Canter and Edryd. Lastly, she prays for Cy...someone that she senses is troubled in some way...as if a dark shadow must have crossed his life long ago and it haunts him still.

Finishing the prayer, she looks back to the warrior again. "You're a strange one, Cyveiliog...," she finally says, whispering so as not to wake the others. "There aren't many that know the ancient salute of a Cavalier of Anhur. Your life must have as many coatings of paint as your shield..." She gestures toward the heavy piece of metal where it lays against the cave's wall.

She thinks for a moment, as if gauging how open he might be to speaking with her about his past, and then continues, "I'll bet there's a great many stories in your life so far. And some of them have changed you, no doubt. Maybe some of them have worn you down...and I'm sure many of them have made you stronger. But I get the sense that you're still not happy with your life yet. You're restless somehow. Something is unresolved for you, perhaps? I don't know. But the gods do. Of that, I'm certain. We all have secrets, little things that drive us. But, if there's ever anything you'd like to talk with someone about...something you'd just like to share so you can let go a little bit of the burden you've carried through life...I'd be happy to listen sometime."

She moves her hand in a small gesture, the same one she used with Storm the previous night. "Anhur's servants value peace...," she recites another mantra from her caste, "Ease your mind and free your troubled spirit." <OOC: Emma casts one more "Orison" before going to renew her spells, again healing a single hit-point of damage...this time to Cy.>

She smiles softly, and without another word, turns away and walks outside to check on the horses. After that's done, she moves further away from the cave and kneels once more in prayer...renewing her spells for the coming day. If Cy chose to speak with her, he would do so in his own time, she supposed.

As Emma returns to the cave, her morning prayers completed, Cy rises from his seat and moves toward her, meeting her at the cave's opening. Away from the others, all of whom are still asleep, Cy addresses the priestess.

"Stories? I have many stories. I also doubt even Anhur has spent the time to watch my every move... He wouldn't have wanted to, anyway. Thus, my stories are of little import... they could nay even lighten the mood. As for the salute, I thought that had been long forgotten, but you earned it none-the-less. Few servants of any god fight with the bravery you displayed upon the field of battle last night. Your skills as a healer show that the God is strongly with you."

Emma politely coughs and looks away, feeling quite humble this morning, and at this particular moment. She decides to wait before asking further about Cy's 'stories'. Maybe after they talk a bit. Finally, she turns the conversation to herself, hoping to draw him out. "Sometimes I wonder where the line divides between bravery and foolishness, you know?" she begins, sinking down on her hunches. Cy mirrors her, listening as she speaks. "Anhur teaches us to be quick-to-action but to also think-ahead, so that when you act you don't do so with a flawed plan in mind. I did what I thought was best at the time. An ambush is a hard thing to plan for..."

"Not true at all," Cy says, kindly disagreeing. "An ambush is easy to plan for, if you plan in advance. There are things called 'contingencies' in the old language of men. What that means is to have something ready in case something else happens. Like a magi's spell that triggers another when conditions are right. For an ambush, we need a plan. For example, when ambushed, we plan to put our archers and magi behind cover and press ahead with the main warriors to contact the enemy and minimize the advantage of surprise. This is called 'developing force' and works to counter ambush. There would also be a contingency to retreat if our leader determines the forces arrayed against us are too strong. A fighting retreat from an ambush is often more prudent than just standing there." He ends his statement with a wry grin.

"Your words to Crayne, though...about Edryd providing level-headed leadership on the field of battle...they were truly spoken, I think. I'm not sure how well the mage received them, but I certainly took them to heart. My actions were my own last night. And they could easily have led to my own death. And if I had fallen, Canter would have passed away as well. And maybe Edryd. And if the tide of battle had turned...who knows?"

She shakes her head and looks back at Cy, "Did I serve Anhur well last night? Someone needed to put down those archers. I simply decided it would be me. Was it too much of a risk to take? Canter almost died. That's something I prayed about this morning. And I pray for everyone else as well." Emma swallows hard, still looking at Cy.

"I'm new to Rinder's Six...and so is Hannibal. It might be well for us if we discuss from time to time how best we can blend our skills with everyone else's. That way, the next time we're set upon by Caerloon's minions unexpectedly in the dark of night, we'll be ready for them."

Cy nods his head, obviously in full agreement. "So far, it has been an accident for us to work as well as we do. Hopefully, two new members and a more powerful foe will force us to work together and think ahead." He picks up his heavy metal shield. The paint has been blasted away in places to reveal pieces of an embossed device... the paint obscures most of it, however. Emma catches a hint of the Green laurel wreath that is the symbol of the noble justice of Anhur.

He looks down at his own shield, continuing the discussion with Emma. "Grandfather would tell stories of battle-priests who could heal a man to picture health with just a touch and a few words. He also said that their day was passing. Not many can reach the God's ears in that way in this day."

Emma nods. "I've spent many years in the temple library reading about such things. They inspire me. A lot has changed from those years to now. My masters often think I dwell on the past too much, that I read too much, that I know too much about our caste's history. But I tell them it's the best way to deal with the future. The only way we can really understand Anhur." She sits on the cave floor across from Cy, watching him closely.

"To know the past is to learn from it. To forget the past is to repeat it," Cy says. He gives a similar sounding phrase in elvish and dwarven. "The races all speak of this, there can be little doubt of its truth."

"I'll be honest with you, Cy. There are times when I doubt my faith. Not my personal faith. I feel assured of where I stand in Anhur's eyes...confident enough to share his message with others, at least. But it's the direction that our caste is taking which I doubt. Have you noticed a disturbance in things lately? The various castes of Rinder used to get along well...cooperate...respect one another. But the caste of Anhur has begun to grow so large...so dominant...that the others fear us now. We serve the god of war, they think. So, what would prevent us from conquering everything and putting Anhur ahead of everyone and everything else? Maybe even abolish the worship of the other castes?"

She shakes her head again, and continues, "But Anhur is also a god of justice, you know? I think a lot of people forget that aspect of him. We're a martial priesthood, but preparing for war is NOT our only duty...nor do I believe it is our primary duty." She looks at Cy, sensing that she's doing a lot of the talking, and a lecture may not be what he wants to hear right now. "I'm sorry," she says, "All I'm really trying to say is that we all have our troubles...our concerns...our stories. I want you to know mine, so you can better understand why I do the things I do...or why I say the things I say."

"I gauge men and women of all races by their honor and deeds, rarely by their words. I do not mean this harshly, but history has proven this countless times. Can you bring to mind an evil dictator whose power was not prefaced by pretty words? The only people that can be trusted are those whose deeds back up their words. That is the only reason why Rinder's six has worked so well to now. Last night, Crayne's words did not match his deeds. This worried me; therefore, I spoke of it."

Cy straps on his shield, mending a torn leather strap in the process. "You think something troubles me, do you maiden? Your intuition serves you well. The plight of man troubles me. The woes of the dwarves as their world slips from them troubles me. Watching the elves die out one by one in war or from sadness troubles me. My own plight is insignificant."

He picks up his sword and inspects it for damage. It is obviously old and exceptionally made. On the hilt is a device, the tower in gold, the symbol of the Strength of Anhur. Although the sword is well-maintained, the device has not been well cared for over the years and only the sharp eyes of the priestess pick it out from the rest of the sword.

"Do you know that the few caviliers who remain in the service of Rinder fight in the King's army?" the warrior asks the priestess. "To become a war-leader there you must be well-minded, versed in tactics, strong of the arm, and free of deformity in the limb."

Cy sheaths his sword and holds his arms out at length. The left arm is a startling three (3) inches shorter than the right! The way Cy shifts his shoulders normally, it is almost impossible to notice, but as he holds his arms out, it becomes apparent.

He drops to his normal stance, always ready, always alert. He faces her fully, gives a strange gesture, and speaks a stream of words in Elven. From the look on her face, he can tell she does not understand, so he repeats it in her own language. "May your time of rest bring you reflection upon life, faith in your beliefs, and pleasant memories of places faded to time."

Emma smiles, listening to the sound of Elvish, though not understanding the words. Once Cy translates, she laughs and then responds with, "You know, you could have just told me to get lost or called me names and I would have never known the difference."

"True, but would I have said the other?" he responds, a smile crossing his lips.

She looks back into the cave and then out toward the coming dawn. "I think I've gotten enough sleep already," she tells him, "What I really need to do is continue my prayers to Anhur. After that, and once the others awaken, I'll take another look at Canter and Edryd...and the rest of us, too. We all took a beating last night."

She rises to her feet and steps closer to Cy for a moment. Her hand reaches out to trace the sheathed sword's hilt and the tower-in-gold design upon it. Her eyes raise to meet his and she says, "In Anhur's will, all things have their purpose, Cyveiliog. His brother, Nire, must have written something more for you in the stars than the life of a simple war-leader in the king's army. Take what gifts you have and do the most good with them. That's all Anhur asks any of us to do. We are not MEASURED against anyone else but ourselves and our own convictions."

"I wish that were true maiden. Often the simple is more rewarding than the fame." Cy sighs and resumes his watch... starting a fire with some of the twigs and branches just outside the cave to heat water for the morning.

Emma then turns away and walks out to check on the horses and eventually out of sight in order to pray in privacy...

Slowly over the next hour or so, the others begin to awaken. First to rise is Edryd, who inspects his wounds and then finds a corner of the cave to offer his own prayers to Anhur.

Canter, too, rises. He gathers his things, taking some pieces of leather out of his pack, along with a few tools. He begins to work the leather, bending it and softening it. Then he begins stitching two large patches together. It is slow work, but Canter takes his time, enjoying the quiet morning and remembering his life at home before heading down the long road he now travels.

Returning from her morning prayers, Emma walks quietly back into the cave and retrieves her broadsword. Passing by Cy on the way out, she mumbles something about needing to practice. It had been a long time since any of her instructors at the temple had bothered to spar with her using the sword. When her studies didn't take her away from the training grounds, she tended to user her spear and flail more often anyway. It was time to start learning a different weapon...and what would be better than Anhur's favorite choice?

Moving off a respectable distance, she proceeds to swing the blade through a couple of experimental movements. "How did that second-degree form go again, anyway?" she murmurs, trying to remember what little instruction she had been given at the temple on swords, "Was it overhand...backswing...low block...thrust...?" She shakes her head and spends the rest of the morning going through the motions.

Storm sees her as he ambles out of the cave. He smiles his toothy grin, but decides to let her be. He walks off toward some trees and sets some traps. He then continues to walk around the area, enjoying a mountainous, rocky landscape that reminds him of home. Soon he returns to his traps, happily finding a few animals which fell prey. He brings them back to the cave, and with Cy and Hannibal's help, begins to cook them for a midday meal.

After a little while, the smell of food cooking attracts her attention back to the camp, however and she shows up sweaty and hungry. She eats with the rest of the party and then sets about checking everyone's wounds once more...casting spells where appropriate and re-bandaging everything else.

After finishing the meal, it is decided that the group should continue their jouney toward Fort Lowfield. Cy suggests, and the others agree, that Daran and the archer should be turned over to the next party of Knights or other officials whom they come across. Camp is broken, and the horses are mounted, ready to continue the trek through the Raimead Mountain pass.

Emma looks around her in awe of the beautiful streams, tall trees, and towering mountains as the party enters the pass. "Hannibal, take a look at this!" she exclaims.

"Yeah," he replies, quickly glancing around him. "These passes are pretty nice. But don't go trying to cross the mountains anywhere else but these passes. People usually don't make it across, and they rarely return. But the road through here is usually clear."

"Yes," Crayne says, joining the conversation from his steed. "We passed through here on our way to a mine up one of these slopes.

A few hours pass as the party trots through the mountain pass. As they reach the other side, another group of horses can be seen, approaching, on the dirt road. Cy looks back from his horse, letting everyone know to be on their toes. Armor can be seen shining in the sun, which shines over a cloudless sky, the previous night's storm passed.

But as the other group gets closer, the insignia of the Knights of Rinder can be seen on the leader's shield. When they are within distance, Edryd pulls forward, calling out to the leader. "What ho! Are you of the Knights of Rinder?!"

The leader slows his steed, and the six other men behind him, clad in chain mail or studded leather armor, slow to a stop as well. "We are," the leader proclaims.

"Then I believe we have something you may be interested in," Edryd says, looking back over his shoulder to Daran and the archer, who is still gagged, but no longer struggling.

The lead Knight follows Edryd's gaze. "What is this? Why is this man gagged?! And tell me why this concerns the Knights of Rinder!"

1. HP Status:

Crayne: 9, Canter: 15, Cy: 18, Storm: 14, Emma: 14, Hannibal: 12, Edryd: 21

Crayne received one "Orison" (1 hp healed) from Emma. Canter received one "Cure Moderate Wounds" from Emma. Cy received two "Orisons" from Emma. Storm received one "Orison" and one "Cure Light Wounds" from Emma. Emma received one "Cure Light Wounds" from herself. Hannibal received one "Orison" from Emma. Edryd received one "Cure Moderate Wounds" from Emma.

All characters gained 2 hp for rest overnight and for rest the first half of the day, EXCEPT Cy and Storm, who only recieved 1 hp for rest (because they slept significantly less than the others).

2. Emma still has one "Cure Light Wounds" held in reserve and three "Orison's," as well as "Hold Person."

3. Crayne's "Armor" spell still has 9 hp left before it is dispelled.

4. What will you tell the Knight about Daran and the archer? Actions?

~ Dire Struggle for Dillend: [Archive] [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~