Wrath of the Dragonkin

[Orenji]

Not accustomed to such direct praise, Cefrey coughs a bit to break the ice and says, "Well, thank you for the kind words, but I really don't think you should worry too much about me. Look, I don't know how you think love works, but in my experience, no matter what race is involved, it's always messy and joyous and painful all at the same time. Love isn't about making your partner happy, it's about trusting one another and finding comfort and happiness in that trust..." Cefrey pauses a bit with a far off look in her eye before she continues, "...I'm not perfect, and I've made mistakes before just like you have, but I just have to pick myself back up and keep moving forward as best as I can. We all do. So don't be so hard on yourself, because you deserve to be happy too."

[Lady Jenn]

She found herself trying to fight the urge to lean across and kiss her, looking away from her. "I would...like to be with you, but I will not force you to. I need to sleep, I've ruined this for both of you." She got up, immediately feeling dizzy again. "Cefrey, my wound..." She looked down at her hand. "It's..." She lost her balance, collapsing onto the floor with a crash, which elicited a cry from Nathan.


Paeter followed him out, sighing. "Barty, right now I do not understand why, but Ariadne is loyal to you. She would not bring you here if she didn't trust you with her life." He sighed. "Rather than judging her for things you do not yet know, give her the chance to explain. If I was still capable of going on an adventure I can think of few people I would rather..." His sentence was cut short by Nathan's shout. "Nathan..." he said under his breath, heading back towards the door. "Are you coming or not?" he asked, now more calmly than before.

[Orenji]

pass

[Pdriggy]

"Go to her now, she is clearly not ready for the journey, I will return tomorrow and see where this all stands." With that he walks into the night time street, the darkness quickly enveloping him.

[Lady Jenn]

"Barty," he called after him before sighing. "Damnit," he said, running back into the inn, finding Nathan knelt by Ariadne's still form. "Let's me through," he said, placing hand on her forehead and wincing at the heat coming off it. "Nathan, find our other guest, tell her we need her now."

"She said she didn't want to be disturbed," Nathan said, hesitating.

"I don't care if she doesn't want to be disturbed," Paeter said fiercely. "Our guest is gravely ill, get her now." He took a look at the wound, as Nathan disappeared upstairs, letting out an appreciative noise. "Whoever bound this wound has great skill, but..." he smelt the blood from the wound. "Hell, she's been poisoned. My guess is it spread unnoticed by whoever applied these bandages." He stood up as a young tattooed man suddenly arrived, closely followed by Nathan, leading Cefrey off to one side as the man set to work. "We have a problem," said Paeter. "I...may have overreacted towards Barty, he's now out there in a town he barely knows. He says he'll return tomorrow..." He let out a laugh. "Next time I'll keep my mouth shut."

[Orenji]

Cefrey frowns, "...What exactly did you say to him?"

[Pdriggy]

PASS

*Consider Barty out of contact until the following day, I may have him do a scene by himself reflecting on things but off to bed now.*

[Lady Jenn]

"He accused Ariadne of being weak and being a liability," he said, sighing. "I am over protective of her, so I stupidly told her she would desert you two and...suffice to say I nearly made him run off. I actually thought me telling him an army of murderous monsters may be marching south would be the worst thing I could say." He took a seat at one of the tables. "Do you know what awaits you north of here? It is not just dragons, I suspect your city has been free of the stories of the creatures of the cold north until now."

[Orenji]

Cefrey sighs, "Before that, I have to put my foot down for Barty here, because if I were in his shoes, I would have done the exact same thing. An army of monsters may seem scary to you, but what's infinitely more dangerous is a companion who would abandon you. Following someone like that is sure to get you killed. Now, I don't know what Barty told you, but you seem to think I've just been cooped up in the city of Tarnegar, blind to the world outside like the rest of its imprisoned populace. I may not have the latest and most detailed intelligence you do up this far north, but I haven't skimped out on my own homework."

[Lady Jenn]

"Homework?" the young man said, raising an eyebrow at her. "You don't have the first idea what lies north of here."

"Teral," Paeter said, feeling tension between the two. "She meant no offence to you, I can explain this. How is Ariadne doing?"

"She will survive," Teral said, looking down at her prone form. "Whatever attacked her...it didn't give her a fatal dose of the poison, I suspect that may have been more luck than anything else though." He got up and headed towards the bar.

"Excuse Teral," Paeter said, turning back to her. "His kind are one of the few human-like species to live north of the Badlands, so he can be a little...prickly about this." He sighed, taking a look at the elf. "She would never desert you, she is loyal to a fault, but I know her history better than either of you. I should have...I should have said he should speak to her before he judged what she was thinking. As for the north..." He got up, disappearing behind the bar and returning with a large map which he opened on the table. "The last recognised piece of human civilization is the tower of Valen, just before the border of the Badlands," he said, pointing to one of the few structures on the map. "I would advise staying there tomorrow night, you would not be advised to cross the Badlands at night unless you have no other option. Then come the Badlands," he pointed to the area beyond the first border on the map. "Orcs, lots of orcs, ruled by the most dangerous warlord seen since the days of the Dragon Wars, if you believe the locals anyway. Then come the Troll Hills, not necessarily an area of danger. Trolls rarely attack without provocation. And then comes-"

"And then comes the slopes of the Blight," Teral said, returning with a strange, blue liquid in a glass. "It is said if the Lord of the Blight does not wish you to enter his city, you will not leave the slopes alive. The Thunder Lizards there are more than a match for any warrior you could possess." He saw Paeter's disapproving look and sighed. "You all need sleep," he said, picking up Ariadne's prone form and turning to them. "I will see you in the morning."

"I am too old for this," Paeter said, laughing and coughing, glad that Nathan was nowhere nearby to see how pale he suddenly looked. "There is something you must know, again I doubt she will appreciate me telling you this but...What Ariadne is unwilling to admit, at least to herself, is it is possible even the dragons will not be enough. If that is the case, you will have to visit the Elves...her homeland...Take it from one who has known her longer than you, if she does not wish to speak of what happened there, do not force it, she may tell you in time but...she has more pain in her past than either of you have begun to realize." He turned to her, trying to smile. "Do you want me to make up a room for you? I won't charge you, a friend of hers is a friend of mine."

[Orenji]

"...Thank you, but no." Cefrey heads for the door, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head. Stopping at the doorway, she turns back and says, "I have some business to attend to, so I'll be leaving Ariadne in your care tonight. I'll be back in the morning." before ducking out of the inn, not giving him time to protest. After casting Darkvision on herself, she swiftly makes her way down the street in front of the inn, carefully scanning the area.

[Pdriggy]

Outside the town in a field, Bartleby stands by a lone tree facing out and staring up at a overcast dark sky, "Brothers, Sisters, your path for me seems ... challenging. This Ariendne seems to have the right idea but her mental and physical strength is not there. Helm, take care of her and hopefully grand her some humility for what she can do, and to let others carry her load. Keep us safe on the road ahead."

He then return an icon to an inner pocket.

"I'd best find a barn for the night and get some rest myself. Provisions need to be procured for them soon."

[Lady Jenn]

The next morning Paeter came downstairs, finding Ariadne up, sat by he window and looking at the steadily waking town. He set to work cooking a breakfast, before bringing a drink over to her and sitting opposite her.

"You have to tell them the truth eventually old friend," he said, looking at her sadly. "Much as I feel they are being unfair to you I believe they have good intentions towards you. You cannot do this alone Ariadne." He sighed. "If she was here...if she could speak to you...what do you think her advice would be?"

"To keep them by my side," she said, smiling weakly.

"Exactly," Paeter said, smiling and resting a hand on her shoulder. "Rest, they will be here soon, and then you can discuss your arrangements while I make you all some food." With that he got up and walked toward the kitchen.

[Orenji]

Flipping through a new spellbook, Cefrey casually walks down the street towards the inn. She's already scanned the area throughout the night, but with no signs of any pursuers or suspicious people, she can now relax a bit. Once again under the guise of Jun Tanaka, the black haired, male, human merchant from the east, she makes her way inside the inn after a night of thorough investigation, visiting the underground under another alias, and finally selling her potions and stocking up in the market just as it opened.

[Pdriggy]

A loud but not violent kick to the front door breaks the morning mood at the inn, "Nathan Lad, get the door for me." comes a shout.

As Nathan opens the door, Bartleby walks in with this own bag on his back and 3 saddle bags weighing heavy in his arms. Nathan leads him to where all the others have congregated. He walks to where he can offload the bags to an empty seat.

"There, provisions as promised. I have my doubts about this task of yours" he says towards Ariadne. "Ignoring the sheer scale of the outcome we would hope to achieve, how do you propose getting there crossing lands of offensive and violent peoples? Your attitude seems foolish to me that you are clearly injured and you seem mentally at a disadvantage from some past personal loss. Your baggage is your own and I frankly don't care about it. Our mission is what is important and you don't have to explain yourself to me. You need to stow it and deal with it afterwards. I don't mean to insult here but we deal with the practicalities of what we would aim to do. I am sensing a lot of ego, I'm sure you were someone important once, maybe even still now, however to me you are a follow soldier working for the same cause. You too 'Jun'. I am neither your subject, servant or slave. I expect to be treated as such and I will do the same."

After a pause he says "I have said my piece and have yet to decide if this mission has even a hope in hell to succeed. Best you speak clear and true now, and we can see what we have the makings of?" With that he makes his way over to the the stove and pulling three eggs from a pocket, cracks them into a pan while letting the moment sink in.

[Lady Jenn]

"Enough," Teral said, appearing in the doorway and seeing Ariadne's rising anger, stepping between her and Barty. "You are caught between a tyrant with the power of a titan and a dragon who will bring hell down on everyone if you do not act speedily, and yet you sit here arguing." He turned to Ariadne. "You are in no state to travel, however I know enough of your family to realise there is no point trying to stop you, and at least you will not be travelling alone." He turned back to Barty. "There is no quick way north, however there are ways which may bypass the more dangerous elements of the Orcs. I can show you the way, and with that sword," he said, pointing at the Dawnhammer Blade, "the dragons are more likely to listen. Stormrider's father swore allegiance to that blade, if you have honourable reasons to travel there he will give you an airing."

"I can travel fine," Ariadne snapped. "I am done being protected. But if Teral is offering us aid, I believe we should take it, the danger that lies ahead doesn't scare me."

[Pdriggy]

Turning towards the newcomer to the room, Barty says "Firstly, who are you and what are you doing interrupting on a private conversation? I spoke to the woman and expect her to respond!"

Then turning towards Ariadne, "Secondly, what is this blade he speaks of? Did you think it unimportant not so share that with me when I asked you to be candid only yesterday? This is the lack of respect and trust I speak about. Honestly I don't see it worth joining this if that is the way people are treated, namely me in this case."

Without taking a breath he continues "Thirdly, the dangers that lie ahead should scare you! Have you no sense of self preservation? Is this a valiant death you seek to leave behind, a glorious tale to inspire others of your greatness? I can see the anger coming out, I suggest you drop the ego and think level headed for a change. As I said to Paeter last night, when he spoke of you being 'so well able for the task that I should be careful how I speak lest you desert me', that I am no-ones fool and that I am not to be cannon fodder for anyone!"

Barty places the now cooked eggs in a loaf of bread from the same pocket, walks over to his bag and starts putting it on again.

[Lady Jenn]

"You want to know?" Ariadne snapped, shooting a fierce look at Toral. "No, my honour is being questioned, ill or otherwise I was not brought up to allow a sleight against my character to go unanswered." She looked between Barty and Cefrey. "My name is Ariadne Dawnhammer, or to use the name my mother intended for me, Meria Dawnhammer. That sword," she said, pointing to the sword while trying to stay calm. "That is the Dawnhammer Blade, a sword thought lost centuries ago, forged for my grandfather before Elves departed beyond the South Seas. In this land's darkest hour, faced by an Orc with the strength to sweep every race aside like they were nothing, my grandfather formed a desperate alliance, but..." she looked away. "He died in the biggest battle of the war, saving a human city from near certain destruction. His sacrifice inspired every leader there, including the father of the now Lord of Dragons, to swear that if aid was ever needed that blade would act as an oath they were sworn to uphold. If there is any chance Stormrider will help us, upholding his father's promise to my family is going to persuade him." She faltered, Paeter helping her steady herself. "I fear nothing because...I know what happens if we fail, whether it is at Myraz's hands, or at the hands of a vengeful dragon, if we do not try nothing will be safe. If either of you have anything you truly care for you would be unwilling to risk the devastation that is coming. I have seen too many die because of that damned dragon artefact to stand by and let more fall to it." She turned to Toral. "Barty is right though, much as I appreciate your healing, you have not explained your presence here."

"I am a member of a race you would not know," he replied. "We call ourselves the Sidhe, I was originally here to look after a dying seer of ours but...she has passed on. We travel through the north regularly enough that I know paths you do not. The alternative is you risk the Orcs finding you. They are no allies of Myraz, but there are few who would help you."

[Orenji]

"...Alright, has everyone said their piece? Anyone have anything else they'd like to put out there? Because I have some things to say and I don't want any interruptions..." Cefrey suddenly says in a low, commanding voice that seems to fill the room, subtly empowered by her psychic focus on her Mantle of Awe. She scans across the room, looking Ariadne, Barty, Paeter, and Toral in the eye one by one, making sure she has their attention and giving them each a final chance to speak up before she speaks her mind.

[Pdriggy]

Polite Pass

[Lady Jenn]

"I'm listening," Ariadne said, sitting down as Teral leant against one of the tables, Paeter quietly shuffling Nathan out of the room to give them all space.

[Orenji]

"Good." Cefrey turns her attention entirely to Barty, "Lets start with you Bartleby."

"Firstly, if I ever made you feel like a subject, a servant, or gods forbid, a slave, I apologize, but just as you respect me with the honest truth and expect the same in return, I respect you with privacy and by giving you the benefit of the doubt when it comes to your fair share of secrets and I expect the same in return as well. I have no other quandaries with you, so if you can accept that, I think we can get along just fine."

Cefrey firmly looks Barty in the eye and extends her hand out to him, offering him a chance to shake on it.

[Pdriggy]

Barty extends a warm two handed handshake saying "Well spoken, you have treated me well, I have never asked you to give more than what is needed and your personal secrets are your own. Please continue."

He ends the handshake with a warm smile to Cefrey. The hint that Cefrey always treated him well leaves a loose suggestion in the air.

[Orenji]

Smiling back at him, Cefrey thanks him before turning towards Ariadne next and returning to the serious, commanding force she was just moments ago. "Now then, I have quite a few issues with you Ms. Dawnhammer..."

"For starters, from the moment I've met you, you've led me around by the nose, not giving me a chance to truly speak for myself or consulting me on what my own plans are. I have to borrow Barty's words here because honestly, I share his sentiment, 'I am neither your subject, servant or slave.' If you can't treat me as an equal, then I'm sorry, but we're going to have to part ways here."

Ending on that harsh note, the room falls silent as Cefrey firmly stands her ground and waits for Ariadne's response.

[Lady Jenn]

"That's not..." Ariadne said, trying to stay calm. "I didn't..." she felt the urge to vent building inside her so she breathed deeply. "That was never my intention, I was only trying..." She stopped, feeling her hand gripping the table so tightly it was hurting her. "I'm sorry, to both of you. I-I need some fresh air." She got up, exiting through the doorway before Toral could make any attempt to block her path.

"Let her go Toral," Paeter said, reappearing in the room. "I don't think now is the right moment to try and speak to her." He turned to Barty and Cefrey. "What are your plans then?"