029.1 Alicia

[Corwin]

[18:44] <Kotono> -----
[18:44] <Kotono> Once agani Alicia heads to the quiet cells where Beth waits. Past waiting guards, salutes given. So she approaches, the final iron door ahead of her...
[18:46] <Alicia> As always attired in her armour (which, yes, she *does* quite often sleep in, thank you very much) with her sword in easy reach, Alicia waits for the guard to unlock Beth's cell before heading inside, not even sure what she'll accomplish by this. Still, she can't ignore her sister after going to all this trouble, tempting as it may be...
[18:47] * El-Cideon (~Melanchth@pool-71-191-16-113.washdc.east.verizon.net) has joined #dunes
[18:47] * ChanServ sets mode: +ao El-Cideon El-Cideon
[18:49] <Kotono> Inside, she finds the barren room once more. Here Beth waits with a yawn smothered, interest perking up. "Why hello there, pretty pretty princess! How's sucking the teat of the Baronies?"
[18:51] <Alicia> "I've nearly died at least three times, so far," Alicia replies dryly as the door clangs shut behind her, idly pacing the too small (well, not too small for Beth...) room. "You're being treated well?" she asks, almost mechanically.
[18:52] <Kotono> "Damn, Mystra must not needa nother bed warmer yet," Beth drawls with a wicked grin, before leaning back against the wall, sitting. "What the hell does it look like?" Tugging on a chain attached to leg on one end and the floor on the other.
[18:54] * Alicia leans closer to Beth for a moment, appraising her general health - any bruises or missing teeth? Scurvy? Pox? Hair falling out in clumps?
[18:55] <Kotono> A couple of missing teeth. No bruises that are visible, but she's lost a lot of weight. From the smell as Alicia gets closer, bathing her isn't high on the list o' priorities, either. Phew.
[18:59] <Alicia> "Head's still attached," Alicia comments uncaringly after completing her inspection. "When was the last time they deloused you, by the way?"
[19:00] <Kotono> "Hell if I remember,"Beth just shrugs at that. "Pro'bly the same time someone mistook you for a woman in that armor?"
[19:06] * Alicia looks down at her rather form fitting and flattering breastplate. "Must not take long for the filth to build back up again, then," she retorts. "If only for the sake of my sinuses, I suppose I'll do something about it." Taking off her right gauntlet, she wriggles her fingers and mutters a few arcane syllables before reaching towards Beth.
[19:06] <Alicia> roll 1d100 prestidigitation~
[19:06] * Hatbot --> "Alicia rolls 1d100 prestidigitation~ and gets 72."12 [1d100=72]
[19:12] <Kotono> "Why, that's almost as good as a bath," Beth drawls now that she's clean. "So tell me Sis, how's life out there? Sounds like you're getting your ass kicked."
[19:14] * Alicia replaces her gauntlet and sniffs, the haughty gesture thankfully no longer making her head swim. "I met your former employer. He had some sharks and sahugin try to sink the boat I was on when I went to Pallanth. You really do know how to pick them, sister."
[19:14] * Derrick (~strikerul@c-67-161-31-199.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
[19:16] * Derrick (~strikerul@c-67-161-31-199.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) has left #dunes
[19:19] <Kotono> "Damn shame there." Leaning back, "Smells like roses and batshit. Just your type." Closing her eyes absently, "So why'd you come? Need to have happy feel good hour?"
[19:23] <Alicia> "I felt a burning need to remind myself of what I'm fighting for..." Alicia slowly shakes her head. "Perhaps in the hope that maybe it's not as stupid as it seems whenever I stop and think about it. Sadly it seems I really am that stupid."
[19:28] <Kotono> "Pretty much." Beth agrees with a wickedly taunting smile, whistling. "You still expect me to go all doe eyed and thank my lovely sister for saving my life by making herself a slave?"
[19:33] <Alicia> "A little gratitude wouldn't kill you!" Alicia snaps back, almost growling for a moment before she calms herself. "But... that's almost concern, isn't it? Or as close as you can get to showing it," she asks after thinking things over for a moment. "Don't tell me you actually feel guilty, sister mine?"
[19:35] <Kotono> "BWAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAA!" Beth's face splits open in pure amusement, roaring with her humor. She convulses for nearly a good minute, able to pull herself together only with a surpreme effort of will. "Oh hell no. You're the fool who got herself mixed up in this. I'd made my peace with things sittin' in this cell a long time ago. Sucks, but I gave it my all
[19:35] <Kotono>  all and I almost made it."
[19:44] * Alicia rounds on Beth with an angry look. "Gave your all for what? Fifteen thousand gold, was it?" she violently pats her hip, channeling some of the rage that would otherwise be spent knocking a few more of Beth's teeth out. "That's less than I spent on my new belt with what the Baronies are paying *me*!" And not bothering to stick around after that, she marches over and knocks on the door for the guard to unlock it and let her out.
[19:45] <Kotono> "Hahahaha. That's right, run off again," Beth calls to Alicia's turned back, as the door is opened. "Never could last long - always just had to curl up and lose, or run off to mommy."
[19:46] <Kotono> After a moment, "No wonder yer gettin' killed, sis! You're just a scared little baby with a big stick still! Big Mommy's still fixing your problems for you?"
[19:55] <Alicia> "Says the sunken faced hag in a filthy cell, waiting on either death or having someone else fix it for her," Alicia replies coldly, not turning around as she clenches her fists and pushes back the urge to do something she might (possibly, maybe) regret. "You're pathetic, Beth." With that, she stalks out and slams the cell door shut before the guard can do so.

[Corwin]

[19:10] <Kotono> ---
[19:11] <Kotono> So guards are gathered up, about six of them found outside the garrison. They look on at Alicia, peering at her and waiting...
[19:17] <Alicia> "I have been asked," Alicia begins, slowly pacing in front of the gathered men and idly passing a stout quarterstaff from hand to hand, "To pass on what wisdom I have in the arts of battle to Balmuria's guard. Since you six had the bad luck of being nearby, that means you'll get my first lesson," she smiles in a faintly predatory manner.
[19:17] <Alicia> "First of all, though, I need to ascertain your level of skill. Which of you men has seen real battle? Not just breaking up a few drunks, I mean spilling blood and fighting for your life, battle."
[19:18] <Kotono> Of the six, two are older men. Both raise their hands. "In the war, Ma'am," one answers dutifully. Meanwhile, the other four look around and shuffle, blushing or muttering and looking away. (Or in one case, looking below Alicia's face with a bored expression.)
[19:22] <Alicia> "Good, you two shouldn't have trouble with this..." she abruptly stops right in front of the guard with the wandering eye, slamming her quarterstaff viciously into the ground. "Eyes forward, private!" she barks.
[19:27] <Kotono> "Gaaaawk!" He stumbles, wobbling around before falling flat on his back! He winces and makes a few pained sounds, as the older two try not to smile and mostly succeed.
[19:31] <Alicia> This is what I have to work with? Alicia silently despairs. "Laxity is death!" she abruptly snaps, looking around and meeting each of the guards' gazes with her own cold eyes. "You get comfortable, you relax... and you make yourself a target. Now - do twenty push ups," she tells the fallen man. "The rest of you, tell me what weapons you're experienced with."
[19:34] <Kotono> As the fallen man mutters something dark and gets on the pushing of ups, the men bark. Bows and arrows, short swords, longswords, spears, daggers, maces. The older men tend to be familiar with that and horseriding as well, the others somewhat less so.
[19:38] <Alicia> "We'll start with spears," Alicia nods, going to collect six longspears and distributing them amongst her motley crew. "Line up, then show me what you do with a spear when fighting someone?" she asks, standing back to observe their technique.
[19:41] <Kotono> "Yes Ma'am," One of the older ones quickly takes the spear first, showing them how to do it briefly before getting into position. Those two are quite good - polished enough to be considered skilled. The younger ones are a mix, from good to poor. As this goes on, a few people pass by and watch, townsfolk as well as a few guards - and Lord Khardon, passing by on the street and glancing in, looking towards Alicia.
[19:44] * Alicia is dutifully focused on her job, and although she notes her surroundings, she does not get distracted. "Alright, Victor, spread your feet evenly - makes it easier to balance," she helpfully suggests to one, before snapping at the next, "Put some muscle into it, Jacen - you're stabbing a rampaging troll, not poking an overly friendly housecat!"
[19:48] <Kotono> AS the soldiers work away, Khardon slowly approaches. He casually watches them with his own critical eye, but says little. Meanwhile, the set keeps working - the one who looked Alicia up just isn't that great at it and starts to put, while the others continue to practice.
[19:49] <Kotono> *pout
[19:54] <Alicia> "No, not like that," Alicia shakes her head, gesturing for her problem student to stop. "Here, let me show you," she takes his spear from him, dropping her own quarterstaff and demonstrating. "Stand with your feet apart, like this - lead with your left. Then *thrust*," she demonstrates, "Forward, just a little bit upwards, so you're aiming for the other guy's chest."
[19:54] <Alicia> "It's also easier to put power in that way. See?" she demonstrates slowly a few more times, hoping it'll sink in, before she speeds up to the rate any competent warrior should be moving at.
[20:04] <Kotono> As he is lead and eyes Alicia cautiously, "Shouldn't you take out their leg instead," he mutters, as the others practice.
[20:07] <Alicia> "The leg's a smaller target that's going to be in motion as they charge at you," Alicia points out.
[20:07] <Alicia> "Now, with a guisarme or halberd, it'll have hooks that make it great for tripping people, but look what you have to work with using a spear," she holds up the small but very long and sharp end of the spear. "Not good for hitting a small target, is it? That's why you aim for the centre of mass - thrust forward, and if they're charging you themselves, their own momentum will let the spearhead punch right through them." She hands the spear back and steps away. "Now try again."
[20:08] <Alicia> She hands the spear back and steps away. "Now try again."
[20:14] <Kotono> As Alicia leads him on, his thrusts starting to improve, a page runs up. He looks about, seeing Khardon and going to him. The two talk for a moment or two, before Khardon sighs. He says something then begins to approach Alicia.
[20:15] * Alicia steps away from her students and turns to face the colonel. "Something I can help you with, sir?" she asks politely.
[20:23] <Kotono> "Yes, there is," Khardon says, "Come with me a moment, Alicia?"
[20:25] <Alicia> "Keep practicing like that - I'll be back shortly," Alicia addresses the men, before turning back to Khardon. "I am at your disposal, sir."
[20:31] <Kotono> "Excellent to hear, as you bring the lessons down from heaven to teach," Khardon grins ever so slightly, "There's been a fight at the Dawn Pointe Inn. Just some louses arguing over money from the sounds of it, nothing supernatural. But all things considered, we're still obligated to take a look."
[20:33] * Alicia turns back to her students. "Might be a bit longer, so keep at it for ten more minutes then take a break till I get back," she tells the men. "Edwards, Canmore, you two help the others if they have any problems," she adds to the pair of veterans. Then, back to Khardon, "I presume the fight's already over, though?" she asks, starting to head off.
[20:40] <Kotono> "Yes, the normal guard took care of those two," Khardon falls in step with Alicia, "They'll spend a few days thinking that over and with lighter purses after, I imagine." As they walk down, "Tell me - you came too late to meet this Febras yourself, but have you ever met or dealt with undeath before?"
[20:44] <Alicia> "Once," Alicia nods. "A long time ago, when I was young and just starting on Mystra's path. A necromancer was performing foul experiments in his lair in the countryside, and the temple was alerted when his earlier creations were set loose, eventually finding their way to the outlying homesteads. Vile business."
[20:47] <Kotono> "As far as we can tell Febras has the same capacity," As you walk along, Khardon keeps his voice low. "Vile and horrible stuff."
[20:48] <Alicia> "A pity you never learned of his true nature until he had already left the city. But when he returns we can bring him to justice," Alicia resolves.
[20:55] <Kotono> Khardon nods to that, "Really a pity. Heh...I suspect between Seira's disdain and your and Demedais' paladinish loathing of undeath that it will be quite a good welcome for him."
[20:58] <Alicia> "Really, it would take an especially warped mind *not* to loathe the undead," Alicia replies with a distasteful expression. "Everything they represent is the very antithesis of life."
[21:01] <Kotono> "Life's too fun to get drawn to that." Khardon starts to grin, "When I get to spend my working hours walking with such lovely angels of order and protection, why would I ever consider anything but life?"
[21:05] <Alicia> "Some people would be broken by the constant nearness of the unattainable. Your attitude is, in some odd sense, admirable," Alicia deflects dryly. "Sir," she adds as an afterthought.
[21:09] <Kotono> "To strive for what is called to be unattainable is the hallmark of living." Khardon just keeps that grin on, "Like a wizard researching with Mystra's blessing, for that next impossible incantation?"
[21:13] <Alicia> "You'd have to ask Captain Seira about that sort of thing. I've never had to bury my head in musty old tomes in the pursuit of magic, myself," the spellsword replies. "Still, to compare research with romance is a rather cold way of thinking."
[21:17] <Kotono> "Is it? In both cases, magic happens throughout, and especially at the climax of both," Khardon keeps the pace as you approach theDawn Pointe Inn.
[21:18] * Alicia chuckles slightly, shaking her head. "Well argued," she relents.
[21:23] <Kotono> "Mmm. Speaking of magic..." Khardon begins to speak, but instead stops as you approach the inn. The door is ajar as usual, the warm late summer weather pleasant around you. Opening the door and holding it, "AFter you, m'lady," Khardon allows.
[21:24] * Alicia dutifully leads the way into a potentially hostile situation, letting her superior bravely take the rear!
[21:36] <Kotono> Inside the inkeeperess of the Dawn Pointe sits behind her desk, watching Alicia and then Khardon enter. Her face softens slightly when she sees the two. "Hail, guardsman. You're Alicia? of the Crimson Guard?"
[21:38] * Alicia nods. "We met briefly, when I was with Captain Seira," she affirms. "We heard there was a disturbance here, earlier?"
[21:43] <Kotono> "Oh yes, I remember..." Peering ahead at Alicia, "You're here about the fight?"
[21:45] <Alicia> "That's right," Alicia briefly glances at Khardon as she remembers how she put it. "I understand the matter's been dealt with, so we're really just checking up and making sure there's no further problems."

[Corwin]

[17:53] <Kotono> "It was just a few idiots," the innkeeperess shrugs her shoulders apathetically. "It's no problem besides scaring off a bit of business."
[17:54] <Alicia> "At least it seems to have been dealt with without any trouble..." Alicia observes, looking around just to make sure there's no signs of damage to the inn.
[17:57] <Kotono> No obvious signs - just a bit of scuffing on the floor, really. "Yes, how fortunate," Khardon agrees pleasantly. "If anything else happens, please notify the guard right away."
[18:00] <Alicia> "Of course, why wouldn't you?" Alicia smiles faintly, drifting ever so slightly to the door as she feels there's really nothing to do here, but not wanting to actually leave, since Khardon surely brought her here for a reason, unclear as it may seem to her.
[18:02] <Kotono> As the innkeeperess nods, Khardon heads to the door and holds it open. "After you, Ma'am," he smiles to Alicia.
[18:03] <Alicia> Again Alicia bravely takes the lead to confront whatever perils may await outside the safety of these walls!
[18:04] <Kotono> Once outside, "Lovely lady, isn't she?" he observes, "Just brimming over with patriotic respect and caring for our brave guard."
[18:06] <Alicia> "Is that sarcasm?" Alicia raises an eyebrow. "She seemed pleasant enough, to me."
[18:08] <Kotono> "I don't particulary trust her after reading about her adventures with the undead." Khardon picks up his pace, walking down the quiet street swiftly. "She may be pleasant, but I don't think she's worth trusting an inch; I'd like to keep her aware that we haven't forgotten."
[18:11] <Alicia> "Yes, I know all about her connection with Febras. Still, I think we have far more pressing dangers to worry about before we need to devote time to intimidating a harmless innkeeper," Alicia argues as she walks in step with Khardon. "She's been entirely forthcoming regarding her relationship with him, anyway, according to Seira."
[18:18] <Kotono> "I suppose," Khardon muses as he walks, "Like training the soldiers?"
[18:20] * Alicia nods. "And if there's anyone who should be aware that we're watching him, I'd suggest Mihail. One of these days he's going to do something, and it won't be pretty."
[18:22] * Alveria is now known as Carthrat-Sleep
[18:23] <Kotono> "You think so," Khardon glances to Alicia, raising an eyebrow. "He's been loyal if surly, recent report against him aside."
[18:25] <Alicia> "Disturbing rumours about his magical experiments aside, I know what evil lies in his soul," Alicia replies firmly. "He may be loyal, for now, but I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."
[18:30] <Kotono> "Well then, noble Paladin of the Great Lady," Khardon begins to smile, "I'm sure you're correct and that we should be looking into him.  Would you believe him an outright traitor to the nation, or merely interested in his own gains?"
[18:33] <Alicia> "If the first allows the second..." Alicia begins meaningfully. "I do not know his past with the Baronies, I only see what lies before me. He does not strike me as the type to give much concern towards human life and dignity, and when coupled with prodigious magical power, that's a very dangerous combination."
[18:35] <Kotono> "So I see," Alicia hears Khardon speak that, as he goes silent for a time. "Still, we can't dispose of a magical resource in this time easily at all."
[18:37] <Alicia> "If I may ask, what benefit has this 'resource' given you?" Alicia asks curiously. "As I understand it, he did nothing when Kondrux threatened this city, while the Crimson Guard and the town's other notable wizard all undertook various endeavours which culminated in providing a method to slay the dragon at your very gates, while Mihail put his puissant arcane might to... sitting in his house during the whole thing?"
[18:40] <Kotono> Khardon shrugs. "He does work for the city every so often. That's the problem though - what if he says no. What do we do - send our best and hope they win? If we win, we're out a resource that's uncommon. If we lose, we're out almost everything." With a long look to Alicia, "Do you have a better suggestion then?"
[18:43] <Alicia> "My suggestion was not to kill him for the crime of having bad thoughts," Alicia replies, affronted. "But when he does cause trouble - and he will, mark my words - you need to be ready to nip it in the bud before people get hurt."
[18:45] <Kotono> "Hmmm. I'll look into it," Khardon promises with a little smile, as you approach the garrison once more. "But if you excuse me for the moment, I have matters to attend to that really shouldn't be put off much longer."
[18:45] <Alicia> "And I need to ensure the men don't get too comfortable with their break. Good day, colonel," Alicia salutes, before heading off to resume putting her squad through their paces.