Freeform Archive · Legacy archive
The Rod of Lordly Might
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The Rod of Lordly Might
#41She certainly was a fiesty one Kivval thought as the girl left. That must have had something to do with whatever protected her, but what? It certainly wasn't all of it, and something was indeed protecting her from Kivval. There had to be something more. Only time might tell, and maybe in the course of what this girl thought an adventure, her secret would be revealed. Maybe...
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Meanwhile, Tethon did not follow her. Girl stuff huh? He did not want to know. He knew something about girls of age becoming sick every month or so. Maybe that was what she was tallking about. He could certainly understand if that was it. The daughter to the throne would certainly never want to be seen with a sickness if it could be avoided.
Ten minutes passed, until it was finally decided that they dawdled for too long. What would keep her for ten minutes like this? Espescially when haste was needed. Tethon had already been down to his skivvies drying his clothes, and three minutes ago they had finally dried. He hesitantly followed her trail, but when a poisoned arrow came in sight, hesitation was no longer an issue.
Tethon had decent enough skills as a tracker, but as as gaurd, they were rarely in practice, however the snake could pick up smells with its forked tounge that had long since passed. Tethon ran to keep up, a poison arrow now in his bag of things and the scent of whoever he would have to kill if things were serious. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#42Ajax neared a brook and set the young elf down, propped up a willow tree. He had his horse run around the trees, re-directing his footprints. Covering up his scent was easy enough as he spread an herbal scented cream on his body. He didn’t know what the elf was doing out nor did he want her to die. Taking a cheesecloth from his bag, after his horse got back, he walked over to the brook and soaked it in fresh water. Once the cheesecloth couldn’t hold any more water, Ajax cleaned the wound and held the damaged arm out. “Pretty.� He thought, gazing somewhat to the girl. After tying the wound up, he realized if any animals were out there they could scenes the girl’s blood. It would be a matter of moments before the water would soak in, she would be conscious, and the blood would leak.
Hearing rustling noises from afar, he scanned what he could and found himself being followed. Combing his hand through his head he sighed, “Someone’s looking for you.� He looked over at the girl who frowned from being uncomfortable. It was unusual how she could have white hair and a symmetrical face. He blinked before realizing the girl was going to be an issue. Jumping on his horse, he clicked his tongue and sped off, leaving the girl. “I’ll be watching you from afar.� He thought, looking for a hideaway. Like many times he jumped a taller tree, letting his horse run around to cover their tracts. For now, he sat ten thousand feet in a canopy, still watching the unconscious girl. He made sure he could not be seen nor his horses make a noise, but his eyes were still drawn to the hauntingly beautiful maiden. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#43Tethon appeared on the scene soon enough. There was the girl, wound cleaned and dressed. The snake was not with him. It was tracking the kidnapper. It moved silently, letting the smell of a horse, and something not quite right to help. The snake also had a sort of heat sense, but it was used more for sensing a mouse burrowed in a hole. Something still present, not so good for tracking. Usually the heat faded to fast to track, but in hot pursuit, the snake could use body heat to find its prey. There was the man. Watching them. Not an assasin, because he would have killed her by now. Maybe just a normal guy caught at the right place at the wrong time. But then why did he watch. The snake was well camoflaged, and almost impossible to spot. It made not actions. It went around again, back to the camp, but this time remaining out of sight. It would not be associated with the camp. If this man was hostile, every advantage would prove useful, but for now, a needless conflict could be avoided.
Tethon started a fire now. He used clean dry wood to eliminate smoke, and set some rabbit traps in the woods, never fully leaving Alexia out of his site. Fool girl. He would make sure that she never did any female matters again. This incedent was not to be repeated.
He waited for her to wake... -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#44The running water seemed soothing enough as the smell of a fire to her side gave her a heating vibration. She inhaled, not feeling the sharp pains on her side. She opened her eyes to see Tethon standing there, arms crossed and a face of anger. She bit her lip and turned her head back to the brook. “It was nicer to see you back at camp, but I guess camp struck here.� She mumbled low enough he could hear. She knew she was in for it and in a lot more trouble than usual.
Ajax looked carefully, not missing a chance at anything. He could see the girl talking to the man but didn’t quite catch the end of it. He waited patiently for a few more minutes. If it checked out where she was alright, he would leave; if not, he would find some way to reach her in time. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#45Tethons tone was calm and blazingly quiet when he spoke "I must say that I do partly blame myself for not seeing the arrow sticking from your shoulder, but you needed to say something as well. We may be worse off I think. The army is gone, but you are poisoned now, we are farther from help, and there is a man watching us somewhere around here."
He left out where, lest that man see the Alexia looking at him. The man would expect Alexia to be looking around randomly for an individual, but if he knew that he had been found, who knew his response.
His voice was even quieter and lower in tone now
"This could have been avoided if you had simply spoken up. Pulling an arrow from your shoulder is not Lady stuff, and if you refuse to act responsibly with your privalages as a lady, then I will take them away. From now on you will go nowhere without somebody to accompany you. Not so much as to the bathroom. and if you refuse, at any time refuse, you will be dragged back to your father, who would be more than worried about you after a gaurd has been killed, and you shot and poisoned.
His tone raised itself a bit. "Now I have an antidote here for this type of poison as it was not entirely unexpected trouble, andwe have to do something about that wound unless it has already healed" He left out the pain of cauterization. "But you will respect everything that I have said, do I make myself clear?" -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#46She folded her arms feeling a slight sting; the sting she was waiting to feel. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m 117 years of age!� Her forehead wrinkled in disgust. She hated how ‘daddy,’ was too cautious. “If I want to do what I please, than I will and there is nothing you can do from your orders!� Correction, it was her father who ordered the babysitters. She could feel drops of sweat fall down her cheek as the poison was soaking in. She grunted slightly and looked around for any ‘spies.’
Minutes had passed by when he realized the girl was okay. It would be a waist of his time to worry about someone who is taken care of. Jumping quietly down the trees, he landed perfectly on his horse, slightly uncomfortable and walked away, watching for the moving army. Kicking his horse, he knew it would be hours before he finally reached the next town but his mind wondered about the elf. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#47Tethon seemed to react oddly to what Alexia had said, having to take a moment to process the words, understand them. It was only the blink of an eyelash, but that blink was there. It stood as some marker of what change was taking Tethon. Although his change was subtle, it remained. Ever since that coin. Ever since that snake. Something about the way he moved betrayed it. Nothing exact, perhaps nothing at alll, but something different.
Even now was a stark reminder. No gaurd of Alexia had ever spoken so bluntly and defiantly to Alexia. It was unheard of, and yet Tethon seemed to not know the arrogance that he presumed. As if Alexia were anybody he had been sent to gaurd. Something was different though.
Despite the delay of an eyeblink, the gaurd's retort came just as fiercly as before. "Nothing I can do is there?" the response sounded. "Do you not think that I will take you back? I will return you to your father this very instant, with true tales of serious danger to you. You will never leave the palace till you have grey hairs on your head like a human! Do remember that my orders were not only to gaurd you in the face of danger, but to return you unharmed, against your will if need be."
There it was. The open challenge. Returning prematurely would mean trouble for both. It may not have been a bluff, but it was a last resort. She would surely be as confined as he said, but she would no doubt use all of her influence to make sure that Tethon never saw anything but the slop on the underside of a hog.
She knew it too, but how serious did she believe he was in protecting her. Any gaurd could go from merely loyal to fanatical in serving their duty, and Alexia did not know what side of this line Tethon was on. If there were some kind of compromise they could come to though. Surely she seemed to get herself in more trouble that a sheep in a wolf-camp when she left to do something private. The last time she caused her trouble on purpose.
It was a balance. on one side was the cliff's edge, threatening a fall that could not be recovered, and on the other side, well, best not to mentoin the other side..... -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#48She didn’t dare say a word; she knew better. She didn’t like the thought of being ‘broken-in.’ Finding a couple smooth stones around the base of her tree, she sat upright and slightly tossed in the stones; occasionally hearing a ‘Cluh-thunk.’ She didn’t care for the poison nor the arrow. She only cared for what freedom she could redeem. She crossed her leg and bounced it slightly with irritation. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#49He was glad for the agreement. To say the truth, he was somewhat surprised that she had not put up more of a fuss, even with his open threat. But this was for the best anyway. She needed to be alive and if harsh words were needed to make it so, than so be it.
He was already heating up the rod that would be used to cauterize the wound. There was some sympathy in his eyes now. He knew how much this would hurt.
"Hold still my Lady, you might want to bite down on something. Many say that it helps" He said as he pushed the red hot rod into the wound... -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#50It took only a moment before she realized how much it burned. Screaming was her first instinct as it carried away through the forest floor. Birds of all colors and sized flew away from the pitch she gave. She wiggled her shoulder trying to get the rod out but found it not helpful. Large drops of tears fell from her face. -
Please allow me to introduce myself...
#51Suddenly the elves fell silent. There was a loud thumping, crashing sound coming toward them from quite a distance away through the woods. Tethon quickly stamped out the fire. Both he and Alexia found cover behind trees and drew their weapons.
But before the crashing reached them, a small hooded figure in a robe jumped quickly but silently into the clearing, looking around wildly. The elves could see somewhat in the dark and could tell he was only 3 or 4 feet high and stocky. He cried out in a husky voice, "Who is there? Are you hurt?!" Strangely, he paid no attention to the crashing sound as it came closer.
The two elves stepped out, warily. "She was wounded!" said Tethon. "I was tending her wound". They were somewhat surprised at the small… man? … for he was not quite human. He wore a thick brown robe with a high collar and had a staff that now emitted a sputtering light from the top. By its light they could see his head and face were covered with a soft gray fur. But his eyes were covered with a pair of thick spectacles held tightly in place with a leather strap. He said, "I heard a scream. I hope you are all right, all right!" The light on the staff flared up brilliantly and illuminated the clearing in a steady manner.
Now, however, the crashing -- obviously heavy footsteps -- was near. The elves were greatly surprised when a huge figure, easily 7 feet tall, burst into the clearing. It was covered from its shoulders to ankles with chain mail, had a full helm on its head that obscured its face, and carried of all things, a colossal steel shovel with a long iron handle in place of a weapon. If anything, the shovel was taller than the giant. There were remnants of a suit of plate armor on its massive chest and shoulders as well, and a dirty tunic with a barely recognizable rampant lion displayed on the front, all held in place with a wide leather belt.
If the shovel wasn't unusual enough, the feet would be. Its muddy boots were huge, enormous; far out of proportion to the rest of this imposing figure. Alexia could not suppress a ludicrous mental image of a large watermelon-half cut lengthwise at the end of each leg, flat side down. The giant looked at the little gnomish man talking to the elves, lowered the shovel, and stood still.
Still, the most surprising thing of all may have been the words that next came out of the mouth of the gnomish creature. "I am oolooGonio Klaatu and oolooGonia Endera. This here, (he said as he gestured proudly toward the giant), is my son, oolooGonito Braandu. Elves, is it, is it? Who are you and why are you here in times like these, like these?" -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#52OOC:
Dream. We will talk in PMs. There are a few rules to consider before making a post. I have PM'ed you with the ones pertaining to this post.
My character would probably not have reacted quite as you have posted, but I have made such an affrontery once myself in this very post...so I will say no more if you will only take an exclaimation mark off of my line, but Alexia may yet complain so we will see.
Check your mailbox. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#53She sprinted through the forest full speed, her lungs and her legs felt like they were on fire from running so long. The trees wizzed past her as she dodged through them, jumping over rotten logs, slowing slightly in the thick underbrush. Her brow curly hair bounced around her head, and she was obviously packed light. her dark brown leathers, nearly black, were obviously not ment for protection from the elements. mostly just to cover herself. She had black tatoos circling each arm just above her biceps, clearly visible with her sleeveless ensamble. The only other things she carried, besides the many concealed daggers, were a leather pack strapped to her back, Two rapiers sheathed cross-way underneath it, a light blanket rolled up and tied up underneath the pack, and a small sidepack.
"Damnit!" she cursed as she ran though a smile spread accross her face. It's bad enough that I was caught in the middle of cleaning out a welthy home, but running into an army while being chased by city guards wasn't on my list of grand entrances
Her soft boots kept her feet well protected and her steps light, but she was scraped all over from tumbling down the hill near a waterfall. Her exposed legs and arms were beginning to bruise and her skin was turning red in little lines all over her exposed skin. She could no longer hear all the men behind her, she had lost them before taking a tumble down the hill, but she continued to run, there was no reason to stop.
Still running full tilt she glanced over her shoulder, some movement caught her eye. She turned her attention back to her path but it was too late, she tripped over a soft green log. Her body twisted under her as she curled, landing hard on her right shoulder and rolling up onto her feet, barely missing a step.
"S***!" she cursed clutching her shoulder as she ran, though her anger and pain passed quickly. Exhaused she decided to rest at a clearing she saw up ahead.
She burst out of the forest an immeadiatly collapsed face down into the ground letting out a big sigh between gasping breaths. She pushed herself up onto her elbows laughing, still grinning.
"What a rush!" she panted and then caught the sent of campfire and looked over to see a man jab a hot iron into a white-haired girl's arm. Her eyes widened at this obvious torture as the girl shrieked in pain.
she quickly tucked a piece of hair behind her pointed ear as she drew a rapier and sprinted up to the man from behind she held her sword towards his thoat at arm's length, though it made her shoulder pulse with pain. Very coldly and calmly, though still catching her breath she spoke.
"Alright you sick bastard, leave her alone." -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#54OOC: Andimia: Awesome!!!
OOC: Dream: Yes I’m throwing a fit… just try to watch the secondary character as a ‘toy’ to your expense.
IC: She didn’t want to look up until she noted a pair of oddly boots. The rod had burned as her arm fell limp to the side.
“Alright you sick bastard, leave her alone.�
The voice came from a female as she looked up trying to sheer the sun away. Only the outline was shown. At this point she didn’t mind smiling at the careless and idiotic sentence given to a high guard; but the pain was too much. On the other hand she had an idea of how Tethon would react: not to pleasant. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#55OOC: I love dramatic irony! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: -
I'll catch on! Really!
#56OCC: :oops: To Alexia and Nobody: Thanks and sorry. I am obviously brand new to this and so feel free to let me know how to improve. I'll post again later on. In general, I'll try to post each evening. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#57OOC: It's alright!!! No fret that's what being NEW is all about; to learn. :) No hard feelings, honestly. Yes, I do have one fetish: I speed post like crazy so it's easily understood to become lost! :) I'll look forward to your character joining in. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#58Braandu stood still. Klaatu stepped back just a bit from this surprising scene and casually slipped one hand into his robe, trying not to appear threatening.
Two things were clear... first, if this newcomer wanted the male elf dead, she would have done more than just put the sword to his throat.
Second, it was his move. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#59Tethon slowly let the sword fall from his hands that was already drawn and readied by the time he had turned around. The rod had been dropped before having even turned around.
"I really have to stop making camp-fires. Every time I make one, something bad happens. !@#$% I am beginning to sound like a sailor with all this supertition" Came a mutter from under his breath in the elven tounge. Of course, not many besides the elves could understand elven, however, more so than most around this area.
"Hello." came a pleasant sounding voice in common. "as you can clearly see, she had been wounded by an arrow, and I was cauterizing the wound. Unless you happen to have a potion of healing, either of you(?), then this really was the best we could do." he took a moment to look at the newest arivals and then continued. "By the way, where have you come from, you are bruised all over. I see you have two rapiers. I once considered myself skilled with a rapier myself, we shall have to duel sometime, however I am afraid that there is an army that may be sending reserves this way, and it really would be best that we leave now."
His words did not tremble, and it was clearly uncertain as to if he was afraid or not. If Tethon was afraid, then he was certainly being good about hiding it.... -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#60OOC: Let me cover a few pre-emptory things here just in case somebody does not already know.
One: you never know when somebody will have a hidden power that you don't know about, so don't assume that you know the outcome of a situation. For example, while Andimia did not assume much, My character could have had the ability to sense her from far off, and she would have never found him unprepared with a sword at his throat.
Two: I would be grateful if we could try to keep posting speed at about one post per day. Sometimes I miss a day, and if I do, then you can feel free to post anyway, but when three peaople all post within three hours of eachother, and one person does not, then it is easy to lose that person.
Three: I assume that everybody is aware that making your character too powerful is not fun at all. Freeform roleplaying is not about winning, it is about the story. I do not expect anybody to do so, but just in case.
Four: If you are having a problem with another player or even if you need to ask them a question, PM them instead of posting it out here. That way its private, and everybody else doesn't have to be dragged down with non-relavent reading. However, it is best to put a message in the thread that you are PMing that person. It can be easy to forget to check your mailbox and a reminder is always useful.
Five: Make sure that it is relatively clear who you are talking about and who you are talking to. You will notice that my post started by naming myself. Even though Tethon was the only person I could have been talking about, it never hurts to take extra precautions. Other players won't always know who you mean, so feel free to use names as often as you want.
Last: have fun and enjoy yourself.
-Nobody -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#61She pushed away the hot rod, burning her hand but it wasn’t as much painful as the rod being shoved in her wound. She didn’t mind his cursing but wondered why he was mumbling when a woman sat clearly thinking he was harming her. She wanted to laugh aloud and call her daft; but it wasn’t the moment.
She sat upright against the tree feeling somewhat relieved from the rod but still felt the sheering pain. Sweat beaded down her face as her white hair seemed to stick to her skin from the sweat. She listened as much as she could before sleep was going to take over for healing purposes. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#62Klaatu stepped forward, keeping one eye on the second female elf (was it a Dark Elf? he wondered). Being a bit of a peacemaker, he offered to the young elf who had slumped against a tree, "May I take a look at that wound, young lady? Perhaps I can help."
He glanced again at the one holding the rapier, noticed her bruised condition and feral nature, and thought, "Dangerous, that one. Let's see if she lowers that sword." He waited.
With a thud, Braandu took a step forward as well and stood with shovel at ready, staying close behind his much smaller father. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#63ooc: sorry, I figured because he was focused on cauterizing and Alexia was screaming that Andimia would be able to sneak up behind him (one of her talents)
I don't usually use names at first, I like to describe the characters as my character would see them.
and just to clarify, Andi is a half-elven rogue.
IC: Still pointing her sword at the elven man she didn't yet speak as she glanced around at the others, her left hand ready to free one of her hip daggers from it's sheath. Her gaze fell upon the girl sitting against the tree. It was now obvious that she was not a prisoner as she made no atempt to flee or do much of anything but sit there. The half-human sheathed her sword and folded her arms accross her chest.
"I am sorry, sir, I did not see any arrow or wound caused by an arrow, though the blood on her clothing gives some clue to an injury before you starting burning her with a dirty piece of metal." She voiced.
"so I wouldn't say it was that clear, and who carries a metal rod around with them?" she asked Rhetorically.
"And I don't duel, dueling is for bored rich brats. ::smirks:: If you want to meet my blades you'll have to get in line."
looking over towards the girl and gnome she speaks, not offering her hand.
"My name is Andimia." the woman says to Teathon as she absently tries to rub the pain out of her shoulder. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#64"I carry a metal rod with me" Tethon said. He was not saying it sarcastically. He seemed genuinly confused by the obviousness of the answer, and replied in earnest."Now if you would not mind lowering that sword, maybe me and the girl could be on our way. After this individual has checked her wounds of course." -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#65Klaatu wasn't much taller than the girl sitting down. He looked carefully at the cauterized wound. "I prefer using other techniques for battle wounds that leave fewer scars, but I must say, this has been neatly done, neatly done. I dare say you have served in the field." he said, looking at Tethon. "Are there others in your party, and are there enemies nearby?" -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#66OOC: Grr I feel like a baby! :)
IC:
Alexia felt a cold breeze across her shoulder when the rod was taken out. She wanted to jump around in enthusiasm but she didn’t have the energy for it. Instead she glared at Tethon for a moment when he said:
“...After this individual checks her wounds...�
Alexia was going to fight something this day. She had been shot, poisoned, a hot rod shoved in her wound, and now something else. Pulling her legs to her chest she laid her head down on them, letting her hair fall naturally. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#67ooc: I sent you a PM nobody, but usually when you sign in you get a popup saying you have a new message.
IC: "some doctor you are..." Andimia scoffs as she brushes past the gnome and crouches in front of the girl, slinging her pack off her shoulders and on to the ground. She quickly dumps out a bunch of jewlry and fancy silverware and pulls out a battered wooden box from the bottom of her pack. Undoing the leather straps she opens it letting the hinge hold the top up. She smiled for a moment remembering how long ago she stole this small aid kit, and how many times it's helped her after a job had gone sour. The box contains a few herbs in small glass jars with cork tops that are held to the lid by loops of black fabric sewn into the lining, some rough bandages torn from rags lay in the bottom along with a few small tins. She rushes to the stream with a slightly tarnished silver cup and scoops up some water, opening a tin she pours a small amount on the tan powder, mixing it with her finger to make a paste she holds the cup out to Alexia.
"Drink some water." she said hurridly "And let me see that wound. I can't stay here long, your fire will probably attract that army." -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#68"Um yes that is true. We need to leave now. Howabout we deal with this at a later time. At a town perhaps. If memory serves me correctly, there should be one not to far off that way." he finished.
The rest was spoken in the elven tounge. "Alexia, I will leave this to your choice, we are not in critical danger at the moment, but we could be soon, and if you are able to walk we really should be off. Or if you would rather, I will carry you, but time really is of the essence. This one is clearly a thief, and one who I should not suggest that you trust, and I am not entirely sure that I trust these other two either. The gnome seems fine enough, but who knows the motivations of the man in armor. He may be a Fade dressed in armor for all we know. I suggest that we try to leave these individuals as soon as possible, but again, I leave the choice to you."
For the first time since leaving, Alexia could actually decide to leave without Tethon. Before he could have easily tracked her down, but now that she had potential friends, espescially that gnome, she might be able to really head out on her own. These three new arrivals made her much more likely to try and leave without him, and he did not intend to try harsh words and actions to fix the situation. However It might help that everybody but Tethon was looking at her wounds and treating her like a newly born babe, and that Tethon alone was treating her like she had some kind of choice in the matter. It might just keep things in his favor. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#69Andimia glares at Teathon over her shoulder.
"Al o mae sar ai't o cyrn byrol eirdyr ti, cyrn tbyr serysia." [[Elven: you know nothing about me, how can you say that i'm not trustworthy]] she turns back to the girl becoming a bit impatient,
"just let me put this salve on it, it will reduce the blistering and scarring." she sits there with the tin in one hand, and a thick paste on her finger for the girl to uncurl herself -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#70Alexia bit down on her lip and shoved the salve away. She didn’t need to be healed any more. She didn’t want anymore pain. That’s all everybody gave was too much attention! She inhaled sharply. “I will walk to the next village.� She spoke in Ancient Elven where Tethon would be the only one to know what she said. “This person I know nothing of and yet could poison me more so than I am!� Her blue eyes looked over to the walking stranger as the figure seemed to blur into three figures. In the back of her mind she was screaming out in pain to stand up but physically she wasn’t able to move as little pink pricks vibrated throughout her shoulder making her lose focus as well as consciousness. The last words Alexia said were ‘North East’ before blacking out. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#71Klaatu had learned basic Elven, but that was years ago, many years. "Too long with the humans" he thought to himself. "and what did it get me? My family killed, and worse!" Enough of that. He shook his head.
He didn't need an interpreter to know that they shouldn't stay where they were. What were these two elves doing here? Then there was the third one. Curious.
The young one still needed help, it appeared. Klaatu was not a healer per se but certainly had saved his share of injured souls over the years. They could perhaps rest and tell him what was going on around here before he left the area again on his mission. It would be of great benefit if he could find out what the armies in conflict were up to lately. Not much to lose by asking these elves to stop over for a meal. After all, he didn't have to tell them everything.
He had moved around a bit downwind while he thought, and while the elves talked. He didn't see particularly well, but could smell them and some of where they had been, the blood of minor wounds, the adrenaline/sweat/electrolyte mix. He clearly sensed the various metals they wore or carried.
All dead metal, of course.
"The dark lady... what is she? not quite elf... tastes of more weapons-steel than she has on public display" he thought to himself. "Such a collection of dishes, too. Likely not hers. If she's a thief, I'll have to talk to her before I allow her too close."
Klaatu lifted up his face with its gray fur and long pink nose; rather like a soft snout with a few whiskers.
He said in Common, "The young lady appears to need help, need help, and I would like news of the land if you would be willing to tell it. My home is close nearby. If you care to, you are welcome to stop there. You can eat a meal and rest in safety, in safety. Do not fear Braandu. He appears large, but is only a boy, and wouldn't hurt a worm, a worm, unless it tried to attack me. What say you?" -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#72Andimia raised a brow at the girl, not only did she not want the cooling salve, but she didn't seem to trust Andi at all. the girl spoke jibberish as Andi scraped the salve off on the edge of the small tin and packed up the aid kit, and wiped her hand off on the grass. She piled the loot in the bag haphazardly on top of the box, mumbling about where to dump it all. She placed a scroll from among the things in her sidepouch. When she looked up Alexia had passed out. The half-elf furrowed her brow a bit.
"I guess I'll be on my way, make sure that her burn stays dry." Andimia says to nobody in particular as she slings the pack up onto her back. "I'm sorry there isn't more that I can do to help." She begins to walk off in the direction opposite of the army's advance. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#73Omaru came running towards the group that Andimia was trying to leave from, and came up panting, though he tried to look as dignified as he could, holding his chest high as he caught his breath.
Then he cleared his throat and addressed them.
"Uh...we're surrounded, I tried to warn you but a group of 'them' cut me off. We better think of something quick...or else we'll all likely hang before the sun's set."
Not forgetting common curtesy, Omaru bowed low to the three strangers and addressed them specifically, "I am Omaru, a Highway men," he took off his oversized fluffy brown hat and swept it sideways, "It is a pleasure to meet you." Having shadowed Alexia's movements for a while, he knew the three strangers meant no harm to them.
He then turned and took a few steps towards the elves. "My apologies for leaving you ealier...but uh...I had to...check something, I shall explain that later." Looking down at Alexia, he could tell she was in no shape to be moved around, so he looked at Tethon, "We will most likely have to fight to protect her, I don't think she will be able to move like that. Any ideas?"
Eyeing the big fellow in armor he said, "Maybe we can use him..." -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#74!@#$%^&*~! Small wonder though. Three of them had crossed blades with the troops, maybe four by the looks of Omaru, and that jugernaught had probably been heard for miles around. How had all of them come togerther here anyway.
No time for this. Alexia was in no shape to fight. He must hide her here or she would die. If this was indeed the army he thought, the only he knew of that used poison, then they would not hesitate before killing her unarmed and unconscious, and do worse things if she were captured besides. She would fetch quite a price, being of such high lineage, and who knows what would be done to her to ...entice her father.
"If you wish for her to live" he nodded to Alexia,"then you will forget my ever being here."
Tethon quickly removed the rope from his things and tied it to his pack which he quickly threw over a low branch in the tree. Then, tying the rope to his sturdy belt, and throwing Alexia over his shoulder in a careful balance, he used the other side of the rope to pull himself, and the girl, up into the tree. It was a considerable effort to be sure, and even in as good a shape as he was, his arms were burning at the end of his careful balance. He had almost dropped her twice.. Even still, he continued to make his way up the tree even after reaching that lower branch, untill he was satisfied, and he carefully propped Alexia in the tree for safe keeping. Then he waited to see what would unfold... -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#75Andimia turned around to see the new visitor and watched Teathon climb into the tree with Alexia.
"Bloody coward expects us to fend off an entire army while he sits like a scared kitten in the tree." She shook her head slowly and then looks to the others.
"I don't know about you guys but I really don't want to sit around here just to go with the fall of the leaf by morning." -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#76"Elves and their Trees!!" thought Klaatu. "Braandu could easily have carried her to safety. But they don't trust us. Now what?" For some reason he wanted the elf maid to live, and she and her guard wouldn't last long if the soldiers found them up there.
"Braandu! Let us lead the soldiers away from here! If we are separated, hide in the river and meet me at the forge tonight, the forge at midnight. You know, walk slowly on the rocks!"
Braandu scooped up his father who scrambled up on his back, and he started clumping down the trail to the water. It was too late. A group of three soldiers ran up from the river. They made a triangle formation; one stood blocking the trail with sword and shield and two behind him on either side drew arrows to short bows. "HALT!" cried the swordsman.
Klaatu thought, "Not my fight!" and slid quickly down off the armored figure and onto the ground behind some trees. He fell to all fours and quickly started burrowing, of all things, using his huge hands to scoop and pull the dirt under him to his feet, which shoved it behind his disappearing body. His digging speed was breathtaking. He vanished into the soft ground between the tree roots in seconds without leaving a hole.
The soldiers didn't notice the mole-man. They were watching the huge man in armor with the shovel. Braandu took note of his father's safe disappearance, then started toward them down the trail. The archers fired off the first volley over the head of the soldier in front, then each nocked a second arrow. One narrowly missed Braandu's head, and the second hit his chest plate and fell off.
He continued. Both rounds from the second volley at close range hit him and one stuck into a gap of his ill-fitting armor at the shoulder, through the chain mail. He didn't seem to notice and now was upon the front-line man, who braced behind his shield and stabbed upwards with a sturdy short sword.
The sword struck not Braandu, but his shovel as it swung before him, which scooped the smaller man in a wide swing and knocked him clear off the path, landing hard, sword and shield flying. Then the backswing of the enormous tool struck one of the archers taking aim and knocked him off the path the other way, against a tree. He was stunned and dropped to the ground. The second archer thought better of nocking a third arrow -- or anything else aggressive for that matter -- and ran off in the woods in the opposite direction from the "juggernaut".
Braandu strode down the path and into the water. No one was there. The mud slowed him somewhat. He pressed through and splashed out deeper into the water until it was over his head. It was cold, but not enough to stop him. His chest still radiated life-giving warmth, and he could wait. His great weight held him firmly against the bottom like an iron statue, and he just stood there, waiting for nightfall and to rejoin his father when the bad men went away. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#77Andimia reaches her hands back, crossing them behind her head, and draws her rapiers simultaneously and then looks at Omaru, giving her swords a quick wrist twirl to show off.
"What do you suggest we do now that everybody has departed to save their selfish hides? I was hoping for a bit of a fight." Though her shoulder still ached from her fall before, she wasn't going to let it keep her out of a good fight, though she sevearly doubted that the two of them alone could take a swarm of soldiers.
She began to regret leaving her longbow at the inn and hoped if she didn't make it back in a few days that they'd hold on to it and not pawn it right away. She still had her throwing knives, but they wern't nearly as good as a nice powerful bow. She began going through options in her head but figured she'd wait to see what this man would do, as it's never good to face an army alone. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#78It was time for Kivval to step in more directly. These people could not be allowed to hurt the girl. There were still uses for her. Kivval quickly found the officer in charge of the regime. He was issuing orders. It seemed that they were creating a rose formation to take the party. Kivval quickly disposed of a person on the outside, and donned the mans armor and cloak. In a new fresh disguise, Kivval walked up to the officer, and waiting for his men not to notice, stabbed him quickly through the ribs. The man tried to scream, but to no avail, all of his breath now went through the hole in his lungs.
The suit Kivall wore was that of the second in command, and that made him first in command. "Retreat!!! Retreat!! All Back Now!"He cried. The horn was blown, and confused officers ran back to reform and decide what to do. He went up to the third in charge and said “It was a diversion. The main regiment is caught in an ambush. They need all men now. Spread the word. Go!� -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#79As he lay still underground, Klaatu heard/felt the sounds of his son as he plowed through the soldiers who had opposed them. As expected. Next, he could taste/smell/feel his son enter the water and felt his fear subside.
"Good boy, Braandu" he thought. "So big, so strong, and still a little boy. Still afraid of the men. But that is as well, since men can be so destructive when they put their minds to it".
Then, he sensed something unusual. The far-away footsteps of the soldiers who had been advancing on them were leaving. Not just the ones that Braandu had plowed through. All of them! Why? Disappearing from the range of his strange underground senses. But they had been advancing...
He buried his pink snout and whiskers firmly into the soil to pick up the faint electrical sensations made by living creatures and all things metallic. He even stuck his tongue into the dirt to pick up every trace. A long minute passed with his body in absolute stillness, even his heartbeat slowed to a crawl.
Something... the fire's embers, the oxidized carbon, emitting their last traces of life and warmth. The elf woman on the ground at the clearing... no, she had not yet left. That other man was nearby... that too was expected... But... wait, something else?
Too far away to tell, but it was big. Very big. Didn't taste/feel right. A creepy feeling... too faint. He'd have to sense for that one again. But first, he'd check on the elf girl in the trees, and her guard. "Can't taste/feel them while they're up there" he thought. "I'll go back".
To be on the safe side he tunneled back through the topsoil, checking from time to time with his sensitive nose in the dirt for anyone's presence, until he was back to the clearing. He cautiously popped only his head out of the ground. The moist, friendly earth slid silently off his smooth fur and collar of his robe like raindrops off a duck's back.
He took a big sniff and a bigger listen. The mole-man thought, "The only way I'll locate elves in a tree, if I can't see them."
Which was likely since he had lost his real eyes years ago. -
The Rod of Lordly Might
#80Braandu stood silently at the bottom of the river as the current swirled around him like a living creature; like untold millions of living creatures. An endless torrent of life, always moving, always regenerated.
Father had told him to stay there until midnight. He was afraid. Afraid of the bad men. Afraid for his father and mother. Afraid that he would fail them, and they would die and he would be doomed. Afraid for himself. Afraid of all the changes. Afraid for his ancestors that his father had promised he would carry and be close to some day. Afraid OF his ancestors.
The voices came at times like these.
"Where is my sister?" [Oh. She is gone now and you didn't save her. It's all your fault.]
"Where is momma?" [She's gone too. Father says she's in him but you let her die. You died, too. Didn't you know?]
"Where am I?" [You? You are dead, lifeless, useless. Accept your fate. Never move again.]
Only the extremes of warmth in his chest contrasted with the cold water on his limbs made him feel like something other than dead. Or something worse.
He did not understand eternity, but he could feel it waiting to take him. If he could cry, he would do so now.
But father had told him what to do so he clung to that.