Once Nathan leaves the library, most of the other Storm-riders excuse themselves and follow.
Eric, Arthur, Edward, and Alec all follow a few steps behind. After a moment, Alec ventures, "Food would be good."
"Definitely. Been a little too long. And . . ." he turns to the other stormriders as they walk towards the mess hall, "Sorry about that. I wasn't entirely expecting to be sitting around for several hours, but I guess someone had to do it."
Eric sighs, looking more tired than you've seen him before. "I'm tired ... but I'm hungrier, still. My wife was ... she was lucky. Only wounded," he says after a moment. "And with the priestesses, she'll be alright. I should ... I should be with her," he finally says.
Nathan closes his eyes and sighs.
"I had no idea, Eric, I'm sorry. Go," he opens his eyes and looks at Edward and Arthur, "We're pretty much done, if you want to head back - we're just going to get some food, but feel free to come along."
He nods at you, managing an earnest, and hopeful smile, showing just the smallest bit of weariness. After that, he jogs to a side corridor, and vanishes.
"Aye, luck to him," Alec says quietly, so as to keep Eric from hearing. "But he's strong."
Edward nods, looking at Alec appraisingly, and Arthur hums thoughtfully. "It's strength like that," he says, "that we find heroes in," the younger one says. Glancing at Nathan, he seems to realize what he said, and winces. "Ah, not that an ancestor's will should go unrespected, Sir," he adds appologetically.
Rez nods, looking after Eric "It's very true, though . . . in that way, I think, he's definitely stronger than I."
Edward looks at you with new eyes, and nods respectfully. "Though, you are a hero of kinds yourself," he muses. "Aye. I'll drink to that."
"Ah," Alec adds. "The feasting hall!"
The room is as the last time it was when you saw Durant here, though the peasants have thinned out a bit. There's enough room for everyone to find a seat, and servants are passing out bowls of hearty stew and bread.
"Aha!"
Rez finds a table with plenty of room and sits down, calling a servant to fetch some food.
While he's at it, he looks around quickly to see if anyone he knows is in the hall.
There's a press of people ... and most of the people you know are either Storm-riders, minor celebrities, or made of stone. But you don't see Durant around. Maybe he's sleeping.
Who knows?
Sitting at a table, Rez and Crew gets some bread and stew and start eating.
Mmm. Stew.
It's pretty hearty; got some form of meat (probably the oxen things), something that looks and tastes like potato, and mixed vegetables. The other Storm-riders are pretty eager to dig in. Food, warmth, and folk music. Not too bad.
Stew! Wai!
Bread! Wai!
Folk Music! . . . why?
Rez digs in. Decent stuff, though.
When you finish off one bowl, servants clear it and offer you another. Alec doesn't hesitate, and just dives into his second bowl. Arthur and Edward decline, just finishing off the bread they were given.
Rez also gets another bowl.
It's been a while since he ate, and getting thrown around battlefields is hungry work.
"So," he asks between mouthfuls, looking around the table, "Alec and I need to drop by Master Ekim's forge . . . ahm . . . I'm not really sure what else needs doing. I might take the opportunity to get some sleep, after that."
"Would not go amiss," Edward seconds, around a mouthfull of bread. Arthur just nods, sipping from the flagon one of the servants gave him.
"That settles that, then. This whole mess is starting to get to me."
Rez finishes up stew and bread.
Alec hesitates, then bolts what's left of his meal to follow you. "I gotta pick up that axe," he explains.
Arthur and Edward snort, and Edward says, "Well, I'm going to get some rest. You can call upon me if you need anything else, Sir Shuker." With that he bows politely, and walks away, Arthur following a few steps behind.
"Thanks for coming, both of you," Rez returns their bow and grins at Alec, "Shall we go, then, so you can go retrieve your shiny new toy?"
"It's not a toy," Alec says, sniffing. "It's a gift, one I intend to return as often and swiftly as possible."
Rez snickers, and starts walking out towards the forge..
"I'm sure they'll be awed by your . . . courtesy. It's always polite to return favors, after all."
Alec just grins at that.
In due course, you reach Ekim's forge. There's no sound of metal-on-metal from within, though you can see Ekim sitting on a stone bench out front, staring skyward moodily and puffing on a large pipe.
"Ho, Friend Ekim," Rez bows respectfully, then pauses.
"Something bothering you?"
He raises an eyebrow at that, turning ponderously to face you before looking back up at the sky. "No," he answers after a moment. "But I thought to look at the stars, and remember a bit."
Dracos steps in, as humbly and quietly as a fellow like he can. "Ah, here you are, Nathan. Greetings, Lord Ekim. It is good to see that you are in good health."
Dracos
Ekim grunts. "I've never been in any other health," he says neutrally. "What brings you here, my fine lords and sirs?" He frowns then, and adds, "Ah, yes. The scabbard for your blade. I'll fetch it in a moment." He takes one last pull on the pipe, some thick, impossibly harsh-looking smoke escaping from his mouth before he exhales it out in a perfect ring.
Lumbering upright, he taps the pipe out, pockets it, and ducks into the forge. After a moment, he returns, bearing a heavy (but sturdy) looking scabbard. "Here," he says, proffering it to Nathan.
Rez blinks at the mention of 'Lord' Ekim, and realizes he's been perpetuating a fairly massive faux pas.
Whoops.
Taking the scabbard, he bows to Ekim. "Many thanks - I promise to take better care of it than my last one, too. Ah . . . Alec was also hoping to pick up the axe he left here, now that the loremasters have examined it."
Alec smiles helpfully, and Ekim grunts, reaching into the forge and producing the large axe again. "Here," he repeats, offering the weapon to Alec, who happily accepts it.
Rez holds back a snicker, then sobers.
"May I ask, friend Ekim - I mean no offense by this, I'm simply curious - why do you, yourself, come north to Stormwall to face the dreadmarch?"
Ekim's face scrunches up in concentration for a moment -- all hard planes of stone -- but relaxes into his normal expression. "I remember the original war," he says slowly. "I never cared for the Archonae, but I cared for the elder gods even less. Loremaster Radagast asked that I come, and said he wanted to build things that no human smith had the ability to forge.
"I do menial and uninspiring work, as well. Arrowheads, swords," he adds with a grimace. "But I got to work on tools and weapons this world has not seen in ages. I'll tell no lie; I've no desire for the elder gods or the Dreadmarch to win. But my people do not fight, for that is not our role. We have faith in humans, and the gods they created, to ensure that all is safe.
"But is it, perhaps, arrogant to assume we deserve this protection? It was curiosity that drew me here ... but seeing a fallen brother join the foe, that and your determination in fighting to protect yourselves, and my kind ... I would be a fool to leave. I do what I can, though my ability is limited. What services I can render, however, are yours." He shrugs at that.
Nathan is quiet for a moment after he hears this.
"Our determination is a funny thing, it is. I was told, by a friend, that I truly had no idea what I was getting into when I came to fight here . . . she was right, I think. But like you, I can't just up and leave. None of us here can. If we don't fight, or do whatever we can to help in our own ways . . ."
He nods.
"Don't diminish what you do here, Lord Ekim. Not just for your skills, but your presence here boosts the spirits of the people, to realize that we aren't alone. Your presence is more appreciated than you know."
Dracos, despite not saying anything, calmly stands, nodding slightly at Rez's words in support.
Dracos
Ekim nods. "But Dorian, he fights on the front-lines ... ah. That's nobility. Still, no noble would exist without support beneath him." He scratches his chin, eliciting more metalic twangs before he lowers his hand. "Aye. Is there anything else I can do for you, sirs and lords?"
Rez scratches his head.
"No, that was about it, really. Eheh. What're you doing here, Phil?"
"Was wandering around. Clearing my head and following my feet. Sort of was hoping to cross paths with you a bit, but mainly just wandering. Spotted you here, so came over."
Dracos
Bjorn sees Nathan and Phil speaking with Ekim, but hesitates. After a moment, he shrugs, and makes his way over towards them.
Wandering in from the keep slowly, you see Bjorn close the door from the kitchens behind him.
"Bjorn," Rez nods to the new arrival, "My, the gang's all here."
"Lords and sirs," Bjorn says, with a bow. "How goes it?"
"Alec has a new axe, I have a new scabbard, Drac has a new sense of direction, and . . . hm."
"Greetings, Bjorn," Dracos greets in a friendly tone. "And, a touch tiredly I would say. Would you two care to join me along the rest of my walk? Doing a glance over of the keep before turning in."
Dracos
Bjorn glances up at the sky, reflexively, having ignored Nathan's comment essentially entirely. "Perhaps a little ways, Lord Bloom," he says quietly. "I need to be in this area, I'm afraid, for the next little bit."
Dracos nodded, slowly leading the way off. "A good night to you, Lord Ekim. Coming as well, Nathan?"
Dracos
The door to the keep's kitchen swings open again, as a servant carrying an empty basket scurries out. The door is left open, but shuts itself after a moment.
Bjorn's head snaps around, as he frowns. Something about that.... Once again, he focuses all his attention, trying to see if he can detect the same sort of presence that he felt in Lindsey's room.
Nathan looks strangely at Bjorn.
"Something wrong?"
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Faceless ... : 3d6 --> {10}
Bjorn's senses all focus on the minutest of details, timing the closing of the door, and seeing the way that the second step from the ground flexes under someone's weight. After that, the first footstep -- barely visible underneath the maze of footsteps laid down before -- shows up on the mud and straw cover across the ground.
Dracos blinks, glancing at Bjorn.
Dracos
"Let's walk this way, shall we, Lord and Sir?" Bjorn says, lightly, but with just a note of iron in his voice. Without waiting for a response, he starts strolling off, never taking his eyes off the suddenly appearing footprints.
If someone's still standing there, they aren't moving anymore.
"Certainly." Dracos picks up on the tone, continuing to look around with his detect vision and bringing in his night vision as well as he tries to figure out what caught bjorn's attention.
Dracos
Bjorn walks towards the last location , trying not to further obscure the tracks. When he reaches their terminus, he deliberately, without changing his pace, steps through the exact location that the person would be standing, if they were still there.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : for delayed perception ;_; --> {10}
<Faceless> Okay. +4 to OCV, +2 to DC (I assume this is what I need to maintain a grab once I've established it)
<Faceless> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Faceless ... : {15}
Phil sees, just before Bjorn runs into it, a glowing, roughly humanoid figure that's wavering quite a bit. From the color of the threads, it's probably supposed to be invisible.
Bjorn then walks into it, attempts to grapple, and instead knocks someone to the ground, leaving a somewhat dazed looking Lindsey glaring up at him.
"Well...This is certainly...an interesting place to meet." Dracos eyes Lindsey, ready to move if she tries anything. "Who are you and what are you doing?"
Dracos
Bjorn stares down at Lindsey coldly for a second, and then shakes his head. Without saying a word, he offers a hand to help her up.
"So much for subtlety," she says, acepting your offer and climbing to her feet. In a whisper, she asks, "Can these people be trusted?"
"Mistress Lindsey," Bjorn says, formally, "this is Lord Bloom, King of the storm-riders, and Sir Shuker, one of his generals. Lord Bloom, Sir Shuker, this is Mistress Lindsey, Priestess of Aestock."
As he says this, he watches Lindsey's face carefully, looking for any particular sign of recognition -- to find out whether she knows, from Liandral or other sources, who they really are.
She blink a few times, and then nods. "Ah. Liandral told me of you." She bows. "Pleased to make your aquantinces, Lord Bloom, Sir Shuker."
"Ah...Similar pleasure, though...I'm a touch curious as to why a priestess of Aestock is sneaking around in the night."
Dracos
"Sometimes she likes to explore, free of constraints," she says. After she pauses, she eyes Phil out of the corner and says, "My guards are over-protective. It's a veritable ... workshop ... in there."
Dracos nods, eying Bjorn. "Well, I guess we could overlook this a bit. Care to...walk with us a second?"
Dracos
"Over this way, perhaps," Bjorn suggests, strolling in direction of the forge, away from the crowds and towards the sounds of Ekim's work.
There's not many crowds -- or indeed, hardly anyone -- in the courtyard behind the keep, but Lindsey nods. "I'd be delighted," she says, taking Bjorn's hand even though it was not offered.
"So, what draws you out for such an event?" Dracos softly questions as they walk.
Dracos
Bjorn does not pull his hand away, but lifts it slightly instead, making it seem as if he is helping her step through the mud of the courtyard. "And so I repeat my earlier question," he says quietly, as they walk, as partial elaboration to Phil's question. "Have you learned anything that you will share?"
"A little," she says back quietly, "some of which you may already know." She looks around to make sure no one is in immediate earshot. "Our other two members are apparently stuck with the Archonae to the south ... I'm not sure what good they can do there, but they seem to have ideas of their own.
"I've discovered, of course, that priestesses of Aestock -- and their vassals -- can turn invisible at will, which was ... disconcerting. And unfortunately, Liandral is not able to use his full strength here without destroying his host." She grimaces at this last. "Other than that, Serril says he's tracking down a traitor with your Parthipan."
Bjorn nods, expressionlessly. "I see," he says. "How much did you hear about this night's encounter with the Dreadmarch?"
"Liandral told me everything," she says, frowning. "I'm not sure what to do about that yet ... tradition suggests that there's a way to kill him, we just have to figure it out."
"Tradition is a poor guide," Bjorn says, grimly. "At the very least, forcing him from the field will do it, of course. That may prove easier said than done."
Dracos nods, following Bjorn up. "Betting on tradition is a bad bet, but I'm not one to bet against myself. Were you tracking someone earlier?"
Dracos
"Liandral said that he doesn't appear to have any specific vulnerabilities," Lindsey says slowly. "But I'm not sure, neccessarily, if that means he doesn't have one. Unfortunately, we don't have an easy way to keep an eye on him and study. Being where he is, and surrounded by the enemy aside ... I'm going to try and scout their camp. With the ability to turn invisible it should be simple enough; the hard part will be getting down the wall, and Liandral already has an idea for that."
Bjorn grunts, and studies her out of the corner of his eye. "You can only turn yourself invisible?"
"Be very careful. I'm absolutely certain they have wizards on their side they haven't revealed. And if that man doesn't have a trick up his sleeve for it, I'd be surprised."
Dracos
"I could turn a small number of people invisible -- you've noticed that the combat medics were never seen on the field? But, no, my specialty is working alone. I realize the increased risk ... but also understand that with one person, finding me is harder. And we only lose me should something go wrong. But I don't think it will," she says.
Bjorn nods at that. "All right," he says. "Do you have a way to get in touch with anyone within the keep, once you're outside the walls?"
"No ... there's nothing I would trust, honestly. I'll keep a mirror for signaling. I should be able to hide in the Earthenworks shadows and still get Liandral's attention," she says.
"I can offer you the same communications that I used to contact Bloom and Shuker," Bjorn offers, seriously. "You should use it as a last resort, as it can be overheard, but in an emergency, there may be nothing better."
"hmm...that would be pretty safe. I know wizards couldn't hear that. Though they could sense the responses from Bjorn, I believe."
Dracos
Bjorn turns and studies Phil. "Well, then," he says after a second, turning back to Lindsey. "There you go." He cocks an eyebrow. "Admittedly, you will have to trust me."
"What ... ah, that was you earlier, then?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Bjorn admits freely. "I didn't know about the invisibility trick of servants of Aestock, and so I wasn't quite sure what you were trying to warn me of." He shrugs. "I didn't have any way to warn you in advance, but I thought it was worth a try."
"Very well. How do I use that to contact you, though?" she asks.
Bjorn summons the mindboard, pushing at the Lindsey smudge. "You'll have to let me in," he says. "After that, any thought you want me to... hear, I will." He frowns. "Unless it's an emergency, I won't reply to you -- a tad dangerous. Shall we try?"
"It's better than nothing," she agrees. "If it comes to it ... well, at the worst, you'll remember what I knew, right?" She allows you to complete the connection, and now you have an eerie dual-perception of where you're holding her hand. It's odd to feel it from her and your point of view, actually makes you a bit uncomfortable.
Just as you're considering this, Mirallia -- followed by two other vassals -- rounds the corner of the keep.
Bjorn does not immediately let go of Lindsey's hand, even after spotting Mirallia, but he does make sure that he is still maintaing the high hand and the clear distance between the two of them. "Is there anything else?" he says to Lindsey, quietly. "Keeping up this link takes... a bit of concentration. Given the assassin that seems to be stalking me, I don't really like being out in the open when I'm this distracted."
"No," Lindsey says quietly, wobbling a little bit on her feet. "Thank you," she says more loudly, letting go of your hand. "The footing is uneaven on the mud." She sends a thought across the mind-link: As long as you can be aware of what's going on ... in the meantime, I'll take care of this.
"Ah," Mirallia says aloud, her face perfectly expressionless, as she glances between Bjorn and Lindsey. "I see you're busy?" she asks, looking at Bjorn speculatively.
"Not at all," Lindsey answers quickly. "He was guiding me to you, as I had asked. Madame Mirallia, I had wanted to ask you for your advice on how to treat the sick and the ill," she says earnestly. "I fear my touch at healing is less exact and not as gentle as your own."
This seems to distract Mirallia, and she turns to look at Lindsey appraisingly. "Well," she says slowly, "we could discuss that, if you'd like.... But the other vassals wanted to speak with Bjorn about the defense of the keep."
"Well, I think they can do that without our help," Lindsey opines. "And before you say anything about guards, Lord Bloom and Sir Shuker here have graciously offered to escort us, so you needn't fear being unprotected." Across the mindlink, she asks, Does she suspect that you are not from this world?
Bjorn hesitates for a second, partially weighing the risk of the means of answering, and partially to judge whether to be honest or not. But... Yes, he replies, the chalk a tight, concise script.
"Mistresses," he says out loud with a bow. "Lord Bloom, Sir Shuker. If you will pardon me, we will part ways here."
The vassals nod at you, and motion for you to follow them.
Bjorn now leaves this thread, and returns to Zero Hour (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=969&start=135).
Dracos frowns ever so slightly, his voice low. "That...could've gone smoother."
Dracos
"I'm sure," Lindsey says, smirking. "Madame Mirallia, I think we'd be more comfortable in my rooms. If you'd care to join me...?"
"I suppose," Mirallia says dubiously. "But you said that Lord Bloom and Sir Shuker agreed to provide an escort?"
Dracos smiles. "We'd be glad to escort you two on your walk."
Dracos
"Fair enough," Lindsey says, frowning thoughtfully at Alec. "Mirallia, Bjorn's told you about his ... past, hasn't he?" she asks.
Mirallia narrows her eyes, and glances at Phil momentarily before turning to face Lindsey again. "He has," she says cautiously. "I suppose he's told you, as well?"
"No, no," Lindsey says, shaking her head. "We're from ... nearby cities."
Mirallia stills at this, and her eyes widen a bit. "Oh," she says softly.
"It is somewhat odd to see you being so polite to us," notes Nathan bluntly, "since we were told that things would be rather . . . different if we were to run into those of your beliefs."
"We're hardly at crossed purposes," Lindsey says, frowning.
"Well, not here anyway. Nor...is this really the time. I think my friend is a touch...antsy over your dog you've had tailing us for a while. Anyhow, as I said, not the time nor the place." Dracos glanced a touch warningly at Rez eying the surroundings. "Anyhow, where were you headed, Miralla?"
Dracos
Rez shrugs. "It was more what the man who calls himself legion told us, really . . . but I'm sorry for interrupting."
Lindsey rolls her eyes. "We all know and love him," she says flatly. "Anyway, I'm sure we have much more interesting things to discuss at the moment."
Rez sighs and turns to face Lindsey..
"I'm tired, I'm stressed out, and I'm not reacting that well. I'm sorry for interrupting," he turns away again, "Please, continue."
"At any rate," Lindsey says, turning towards Mirallia, "we're from nearby cities, and so we have very closely aligned goals. I just want you to know that you can trust me."
Mirallia nods, her face expressionless.
Rez simply looks moodily off into the distance, waiting to see what else gets said.
Lindsey frowns at the silence she's being treated with. "Anyway," she says. "We are working together."
"Quite so." Dracos smiled slightly. "It's no time for childish bickering after all. Hmm..."
Dracos
"I'd hope so," Lindsey says. "I take it that it wasn't terribly pleasant away from the keep?"
"Survivable. If that's the worst of it, I'll thank my lucky stars."
Dracos
"Well, we've yet to see the worst of it," Lindsey says. "Or maybe we have. From here it's not likely to get worse."
"There's a cheering thought," Mirallia sighs. "When ... when you leave, what happens to your bodies?"
Lindsey blinks at this like she'd never considered the idea, and looks at Phil and Nathan questioningly. Alec just looks confused.
"I have no idea. The powers that be have not been very forthcoming. At the same time, there really wasn't any other choice. Just trusting a... friend to keep them safe at the moment." Dracos sighs. "Nor...is there particular subtlety. Alec, Nathan will explain later. Privately. Nothing heard here, is to go anywhere. Understood?"
Dracos
Rez turns around to regard Mirallia evenly, "I don't know, and yes, it bothers me some."
Alec nods doubtfully, looking quite confused.
"I see," Mirallia says quietly. Lindsey blinks slowly.
"Oh," she says quietly. "I ... didn't know."
Mirallia glares at Lindsey, who takes a step away. "Ah. It's ... about time for me to get to the wall to meet with Liandral," Linsey adds quickly.
Nathan nods.
"I need to speak to Liandral myself - would you mind if I came with you?"
"No," Lindsey says, shaking her head. "As long as you aren't planning on betraying us."
Mirallia furrows her brow at this, and looks between Lindsey and Nathan curiously. "Why would they do such a thing?" she asks, mystified.
"Because we're opponents, nominally . . . there can be only one, and all. But no, I'm not planning to. Apart from the fact that we need all the help we can get with this mess . . ." Nathan's face twists, "I'm disgusted enough with myself already - so I don't feel like stooping any lower. You've earned the benefit of the doubt, in any case, for now."
"Thanks," Lindsey says, somewhat doubtfully. "Well, I'm headed to the wall, then." With that, she starts walking towards the front of the keep. Mirallia follows her, curious.
Dracos carries up the rear, following the priestesses, a touch tiredly.
Dracos
It doesn't take long to get to the ramparts. They're not exactly abandoned, as even though Elric said that no one would be attacking, the keep-dwellers don't appear to completely trust the Dreadmarch.
Lindsey goes directly to the top of the wall, and then heads for the western edge, where it meets the cliff face. The wall appears to seamlessly merge with the cliff face, and Liandral is standing there, waiting.
There are a few archers nearby, but they're almost all focused on the Dreadmarch, all the way across the field, or the tiny figure pinned to a giant rock in the center of the battlefield.
Rez nods to the elf. "Liandral. How goes it with you?"
"The same as always, give or take," Liandral says with a shrug. He's got a bandage around his right hand, which he's testing with the fingers of his left hand, as though to gauge the severity of the wound. Turning to Lindsey he asks, "Ready?"
She merely nods, and glances back at the others. "Unless there are any objections?" she asks.
Mirallia shakes her head, and looks to Nathan, Phil, and Alec.
"I don't entirely know if what you're doing is that wise, since if they have someone who can do what Mattias does-" Rez starts, "Actually, that would probably have been Ellric . . . regardless, it may not be a bad idea to question the wardmaster as to just how undetectable that invisibility would be."
Rez shrugs helplessly.
"I'm guessing you know how it works better than I, though."
"I'll take my chances," Lindsey says. "This could be invalulable."
Liandral shrugs, and winces, as the bandages on his arm redden with blood. "Alright," he grunts, pulling a wire from beneath the bandages on his knuckle. "Here you go." The end of the wire appears to run beneath his bandages, presumably to something it's anchored on more securely.
Linsdey produces a stout-looking blade from one fold of her robes, wraps the wire around it, and vanishes from sight. The wire vanishes, too, but Liandral remains visible, grunting and bracing himself against the ramparts, his right hand resting atop one of the large flat stones as though he were just enjoying the view.
Rez walks over and leans on the battlements next to Liandral.
"What is that? I wanted to ask you when I saw you doing . . . something . . . in the battle, actually."
"Trade secret," Liandral grunts, as his hand slides to one side, and a cut appears, as though a heavy wire bit into his hand. The blood wells up very slowly through the bandages, and he sighs. "Messy trade secret. You can smuggle things inside your own body if you've got a high pain threshold and a lot of patience. Easiest way to bring them here."
Rez blinks.
"I'm . . . guessing by what Lindsey said that you were tougher before you came here. As a serious question, though, what kinds of tools do you have that could help us against the dreadmarch?""
"Weapons," Liandral replies, baring his teeth in a grin. "Lots of weapons."
Rez raises an eyebrow.
"Peace through superior firepower? I can go with that," he hums, "Any specifics?"
"Energy-weapons, mostly," he says, as his hand suddenly slides a few centimeters across the wall towards him. He leans out to look down, and frowns. "She's good," he grumbles. "What about yourself?" he asks. "What surprises can you bring to this fight?"
"Not many, unfortunately . . ." Rez looks out at the Dreadmarch consideringly, "If you got briefed on us, I'm the archer. Which means I can thread a needle, although I'm finding I'm merely 'alright' in comparison to some people here, and I can shoot arrows of flame. Apart from that, well, no particular surprises outside of what you've already seen."
He nods, leaving his hand on the rampart, and presumably, the wire, as well. It's visible now, but very fine. "I think we'll pull through this one," he says calculatingly.
Rez nods.
"We'll win. I don't intend to lose this," he taps his fingers on the rampart, then falls silent for a moment..
"What exactly can we take back with us?"
Liandral blinks at that. "Almost everything," he says after a moment. "As long as you've developed a strong enough bond between yourself and your host."
Rez yawns suddenly.
"Just one more question, if I may . . ." Nathan looks considering, "What exactly happened to Manos in the . . . workshop mess?"
Liandral shrugs. "No clue. Not my department," he replies.
"Lucky bastards who have departments . . . anyway, I'm sure there was something else but I'm too tired to think of it, so I may take my leave . . ."
He pauses.
"Madam Mirallia, do you need an escort back to your quarters?"
"Please," she says, nodding.
Rez nods, and starts to move - halting suddenly as he does so, and looking back at Mirallia with a sheepish expression.
"Er, you're going to have to tell me where your quarters are, now that I think of it. Eheh."
"This way," she says primly, glancing back at Liandral, and then leading the way back towards the keep.
Rez maintains pace with Mirallia - *assuming Alec is following*.
"Did you know about Liandral?"
Phil nods at you, and elects to stay behind to chat with Liandral.
Dracos now returns to A Walk in the Neighborhood (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=36813#36813).
"No," Mirallia says, shaking her head. "That was news to me."
"I didn't find out until soon before we got back here, myself. It happened just before we left to meet the stormriders, I'm told."
Rez continues walking towards Mirallia's quarters.
Mirallia stops in front of a room, and opens the door.
Nathan now moves to Zero Hour (http://www.pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=37081#37081).
Alec parts ways once you reach the Storm-rider camp, pausing only long enough to point out your tent to you. It's small, but cozy, and the blankets are warm.
Nathan walks into his tent and . . . crashes. Hard.
Too tired to think, and it's probably better that way.
You rest very deeply. You wake up some time later (the moon is in the sky) to Parthipan calling to you from outside your tent. "Wake up!" he says. "We need to meet up before the siege starts."
Rez, for once in his life, wakes up without complaint, and not having gotten -out- of his armour he rolls out of bed, grabs his sword and gear, and stalks outside.
"Me and Phil decided that all of us should meet at the library to check on what we've been doing lately."
"Fine. I'll see you there."
Rez promptly turns on his heel and walks in the direction of the library.
Ginrai heads off looking for either Bjorn or Durant.
Nathan now moves to A Walk in the Neighborhood (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=37352#37352).
Parthipan now moves to Zero Hour (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=37353#37353).