Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Ken]

Belarin raises a eyebrow at the woman's knowledge of Goran, but -- for once -- he says nothing. He feels this woman's authority in his very being, and so he waits for her to respond to Kal.

[Josh]

Grafth holds his position, maintaining his sense of alertness.

I assume that any information pertaining to what Grafth hears/sees will be described, if there is any. Unless he is presented with anything, he is maintaining his position indefinitely.

[Marcy]

Charis maintains her position next to Worm, scanning the treeline for signs of movement.

[Jeff]

Neither Goran nor Charis hear or see anything more.

For his focused attention, Grafth—and only Grafth—at last spots half of a face staring back at him from behind a tree about twenty paces away. The face is lower to the ground, somewhere between gnome and dwarf height. It's aged, weathered, craggy, and almost leering. A strange, beret-like hat the brownish color of dried blood covers his head. The tip of a heavy blade pokes from around the tree as well, but you can't see the rest of the weapon.

Once Grafth spots the figure, one eye winks back at him. But it doesn't move, or hide, or emerge any further. We know about each other, is all the grinning face seems to impart. What of it?

"Then, lady, if the residents of the place be not your friends, tell us how to find it and what we can do to stop them."

"You said we can help one another," says Torhak. "How do you propose to help us ... and what sort of help do you require?"

The masked woman rises to her feet, only her bare feet showing from beneath her blanket. She turns her head slowly to look from one of you to the next and the clouds noticeably darkens as she does as if a torrent of rain is imminent. If you didn't know it was the middle of the day, it might have been mistaken for twilight.

"The events that have taken place here, just outside of the Whisper Woods are not ours to contend with. When a predator grows mad with starvation, pain, or sickness and attacks the den of another, we do not interfere unless it is decided that we must. When a 'landowner' from your nations preys upon his countrymen, we do not interfere. It is not our concern or our fight. I offer you no aid or secrets to victory. I offer only incentive. That is how I propose we mutually 'help' one another."

She turns her masked visage to the east—the direction you were going. "You will see to three tasks at Shadowcrest Manor," she says as if it were issuing a royal mandate. Her command is a strange contrast to her otherwise gentle voice. She sounds like someone more accustomed to singing than parlance. "First, you will avenge the humans of Halvern's Glen." She points one delicately-fingered hand west toward the abandoned hamlet you left behind, then she looks down at the boy, Worm. "This the boy asked before his mind was taken from him. You will do this for him, not for us."

"Second, you will find and release the prisoner, Eftith—one of ours, so that she may fly again within, without, and among the Whispering boughs."

"Third, you will bring us, alive, the lord of the manor himself, Alvek ir'Turian....he will answer to us for his overreaching ambition."

"If you do this, you will be rewarded." Her head tilts slightly, eyes glittering through the mask. She does not offer specifics of the reward. In both Belarin's and Goran's experience, the fey do not tell one in advance what one may receive, and when it is offered, it is not to be refused.

"And if you do not," the woman adds, "Your dark-skinned companion will never again leave this forest." She looks pointedly at Amal, who licks his lips nervously and glances at Kal in puzzlement. "For his protection, it would be wise for you to leave him with us."

It's difficult to be sure, but the more Belarin looks through the holes in her mask, the more he feels this woman may be the one he saw by the "pillar of Shadow."

____________________________________

I'm going to wait a while, until everyone posts, before continuing on. Just want to make sure everyone's caught up.

And just to be clear on the above post: yes, this is an opening for a very clear series of quests. (1) Deal vengeance, (2) Release a captive, and (3) Bring back a captive of your own." And with quests like this, Quest XP will go with it upon completion. If you decide to accept, of course.

[Jeremy]

Goran stands, rooted to the spot by the lady's words. His face betrays a struggle of emotions, her last couple of sentences in particular seem to have struck him most deeply.

"You...know more than...too much. Of what importance is my vengeance to you, anyway?" he finishes in a growl.

The half-elf turns from her, but does not yet leave the clearing.

[Ken]

Belarin nods slowly as the woman speaks. He tries to catch Kal's eye, trying to express a plea for patience with his gaze. "Milady," he says after she finishes, "your words are like nectar, and talk of vengeance against those of Shadowcrest is just as sweet. And I believe I have you to thank for saving my life last night. And so, thank you for that," he bows, "and for the courtesy of the mask.

"As you know, though, mortals have never faced any decision that we didn't try to needlessly complicate. May we have a moment to discuss this among ourselves? And please -- what dire threat faces our friend Amal if we were to proceed alone? Has he committed an offense?"

[Darren]

Kalarian seems about to ask a question when he hears the lady mention Amal's captivity. His face contorts into anger. "You are suggesting taking one of my people hostage? This is your 'bargain'? This sounds more like threat, lady. No, I will not be leaving one of my people behind. If that is your offer, then we do not accept."

_____________
It seems that Ken and I posted at the same time, so I guess Kal's outburst has happened despite Belarin's best intentions. Well, that's Kal for you.

[Marcy]

Charis looks from Belarin to Kal, then to Amal.

"Maybe we should let Amal speak for himself?"

[mike]

"Indeed," Torhak says. "What say you, Amal?"

The dwarf looks over at Worm, trying to see if the woman's words have had any affect upon the boy.

[Josh]

Once Grafth spots the figure, one eye winks back at him. But it doesn't move, or hide, or emerge any further. We know about each other, is all the grinning face seems to impart. What of it?

The shifter's eye's narrow at what he imagines is a rather sardonic smile. "We are at a disadvantage," he says under his breath. "Let's hope the others keep things—"

His thoughts (but not his gaze) are interrupted by Kal's bluster.

"Calm," sighs Grafth.

[Joe]

Streko steps forward. He approaches the lady, lowers his eyes and bows deeply to her.

"Milady, even though this takes me even further away from saving my sister...even though my friends and I once again must blindly step forward under threat of pain or death, I cannot in good conscience allow the creatures who have damaged this boy to continue with whatever they have planned. Olladra's hand will guide me and provide what is necessary to fulfill the boy's last, sane request. It is, indeed, my honor to do so, Milady. You have no need to keep our man here...he is an able fighter and a friend. Allow him to accompany us and you have my word that we shall do everything within our power to complete the tasks you have given us and return to you the mastermind behind this evil. Vengeance shall be had. The innocent shall be freed. And Alvek ir'Turien shall see the same mercy he showed to the citizens of Halvern's Glen firshand, in your eyes."

Not once does Streko look up and he remains bowed at the lady's feet, awaiting her word.

[Jeff]

The dwarf looks over at Worm, trying to see if the woman's words have had any affect upon the boy.

The boy has no reaction; he seems as oblivious to the discussion as children often are when adults conversate with one another.

Amal looks back to Charis at her words, then down to the ground. The Blademark looks indecisive.

But the masked woman levels her gaze solely at Kal, though her next words seem to address Streko. "Your wise and powerful dragonmarked leader disagrees, healer," she says, controlled anger in her voice. Her body dissolves into a small cyclone of wind which stirs the cloaks and hair of those nearest to the boulder.

Within the tree line, Goran, Grafth, and Torhak hear the rustle of wet leaves as other figures, unseen, slip away. The face staring back at Grafth frowns, then ducks back behind the tree and out of sight.

The small clearing is left without a trace of the strange woman or her company.

Only now does Worm look around, perplexed and obviously unsettled by the sudden tension.

[Darren]

"Foolish," Kalarian mumbles, though it's unclear whether he's referring to the woman or himself. He turns to everyone else and says, "I didn't say we wouldn't do it. I just said I wasn't going to trade Amal's life for some unknown reward." Kal retrieves his sharrash. "I guess we're on our own, again. At least now we know we're in the right place." Then another thought occurs to him. "Who is ALVEK ir'Turian?"

[Josh]

Grafth looks around as it dawns on him what has occurred. He moves swiftly back to the group as Kal speaks, the frustration evident in his face.

"How many times are we going to ruin opportunities with petty displays of bravado and ridiculous insecurity?

"Who is Alvek? Really? Belarin, care to remind Kalarian of the conversation you had with our captive captain? You know, the one he nearly ruined as well?"

Looking at Kalarian, the shifter says coldly, "Your pride makes every opportunity for us a danger. Every opportunity for alliance turns to apathy."

[mike]

"Do not presume to speak for us all again, Kalarian," says Torhak. "In far too few days, I have seen your words cause more harm than good, far too many times."

He picks up his axe. "Myself, I intend to slay what I find at Shadowcrest Manor, and avenge the humans of Halvern's Glen. If this is what the boy wishes, that is good enough to me."

Torhak starts to head east, in the direction that the masked lady faced. "Those who care to join me, do so."

He walks at a brisk pace, singing a low and melancholy song as he heads to where he thinks the Manor might be.

"But now the rains weep o`er his hall,
with no one there to hear,
Yes now the rains weep o`er his hall,
And not a soul to hear ..."

[Ken]

As the woman vanishes, Belarin shouts, "NO! NO! Wait!" But it's too late.

While Graft and Torhak speak, Belarin just stares at the rock, his arms hanging limply at his sides. He seems stunned.

Then he rounds on Kal with a fury never before seen in Belarin. "Lepers take your tongue, Kalarian! Do you know what you've done? They were ready to deal with us! Even that mask was an act of good faith -- she could have struck us all blind with her beauty if she so chose, though I'm sure YOU would have been immune. You recognize no beauty except your own preening ego!"

He reaches down to collect his dagger, then adds, "Yes, Grafth, we do indeed know that Alvek is head of the ir'Turian family ... though I forgive our lordship for forgetting that. With a mind so full of arrogance, a few precious facts are bound to lose their lodging."

He follows Torhak's lead. "The woman's goals are the same as mine: vengeance and freedom. Bargain or no, I'll pursue that course."

[Jeff]

Matheu glides down from above and lights softly upon the flattened stone, where the masked woman had stood only moments before.

The fey are unguessable to most creatures of this world, he says to Kal. Acceptance of her offer might have been a boon to your quest, or a terrible curse. There is no way to know...after the fact.

He swivels his head toward Belarin. Yes, I believe that was a nymph, who strangely chose to hide her power from you. The pseudodragon looks back to Kal. You especially, human, would have fallen prey to her aspect.

Amal shakes his head. "I am....sorry...if I am the cause of this conflict. That lady...there was something else in her words..."

Worm climbs up onto the rock to sit down, then looks around. "The Wood Missery went away?"

Matheu inches away from Worm, then fixes his draconic eyes upon Belarin. Actions mean more to the fey than mere words. Her offer will not be refused unless you leave this clearing with the Deneith mercenary in your company. His eyes swivel to Amal.

[Marcy]

"Are you all bewitched?" Charis asks, looking around in consternation at all the angry faces. "Kal was more blunt than the situation called for -- no doubt -- but how can you fault his reasons? Or are you all so ready to abandon a companion based solely on the word of the fey? Truly? Then she didn't need to unmask her beauty, for she has you enthralled already."

She shakes her head, then focuses her ire on Amal. "That being said, Blademark, you are not a slave. You can -- and should -- speak for yourself in this matter."

[Jeremy]

Goran steps into the middle of the company, his thoughts half-elsewhere. His voice is low and and full of other thoughts.

"Please...everyone please." He glances angrily at Kal and especially Charis.

"This is pointless all of you...and we need no more posturing from the blue-bloods. For my part I'm sick of it."

And he calls out to Torhak.

"Stop, my friend. Do not leave just yet. I will go with you, if that be your wish, but hear me first."

And with that he turns to the others, his voice a bit more 'present'.

"You are all fools. As am I. However, I know of these people, and their worth. I did not want to accept who she was at first for...reasons of my own."

Goran flashes a fierce look at the others.

"But we will find no more truthful or noble aid, nor alliance...anywhere in the miserable world. I've already seen more of it than I ever wished to. Amal, of course the choice is yours. I would not compel even one of these Emerald Claw slime to forfeit his body at the command at another. But know that she will do you no harm, nor will her people."

The half-elf adds,

"You will no doubt be safer than any of us, considering where we're going."

[Ken]

Belarin had stopped at Matheu's words, and he bizarrely breaks into a deep, full-throated laugh after Charis' comment. Yet he abruptly stops as Goran speaks. listening intently. He takes a deep calming breath and waits for this to play out.

[mike]

Torhak stops at Gorhan's words. He listens, then nods grimly when the half-elf is finished.

He pauses for a moment, waiting to see if anyone chooses to head to Shadowcrest Manor ... and then resumes his slow walk eastward.

"And who are you,
The proud lord said,
That I must bow so low,
Only a cat
Of a different coat,
That`s all the truth I know ..."

[Darren]

On Kalarian's face is a display of rage as Torhak and Grafth spew their anger towards him. His grip on his weapon is white knuckled, yet he does not speak. His mind turns to the meeting he arranged with Lady Korvine, a person who offered assistance without attachments, and how his companions undermined that offer. He resists throwing Grafth to the ground as he angrily reminds him how many times Amal has put his life on the line for this group. He stands in silence, allowing the others their say.

[Joe]

Streko stands tall once more.

"I made a personal agreement with the lady and I shall honor it to the best of my meager abilities. I see Kalarian's point of view and I share it, to some extent. However..." and he looks directly into Kal's eyes..."your words came out confrontational and defensive. While you are considered by most, if not all of us, the de facto leader of our party, I would consider it a personal favor if you would consult us before speaking to those who could literally destroy all of us with a wave of her finger and a smile. Your heart, as always, was with your friends and that MUST be respected...by all of us."

He now turns to the rest of the group and smiles warmly. "I am quite sure there is not a single one of you...one of US...who would give up Kalarian's courage and his loyalty to his friends and comrades."

He turns back to Kalraian. "Having said that, I believe we are all in agreement that we take on the Lady's cause as it agrees with our own. She has offered us all an opporutnity here for noble justice. Amal is not her prisoner...and we may now choose to agree to her...course of action or walk away. That decision is the burden of each and every one of us. As I mentioned, I have made a personal oath to fulfill her request and I shall carry it out, as I know others here is also quite eager to do.

"So, arguing is pointless unless you simply wish to hear yourselves yell. We are agreed upon a course of action, I believe, and Kalarian is the most strategically minded of us that I am aware of. What say we assist this young man with his request and bloody the bastards who have destroyed an entire village, kindapped and hold hostage one of the fey, and taken from this young man the thing that makes us living beings."

He turns to the boy and caresses his face. "His chance to be a complete and whole human being."

Streko moves to the front of the group now, facing them all, and reaches into his haversack, whipping out his sickle and aiming it to the sky.

"ARE YOU WITH ME, MY FRIENDS? Shall the blood of our ENEMIES fall this day? Or shall we bicker until our hearts feed the soul of Khyber himself? What shall it be?"

[Jeremy]

Goran wears a weary expression.

"My dear Streko...I admire your manners and spirit here, but the time for pep talks is past. We only await the decision of Amal. Nothing more."

[Jeff]

The Blademark looks haunted, as if he's seen something no one else had in the encounter. "So...my choice is to stay and you carry out the wishes of...the lady. Or, I go with you to join the fight but without the blessing or...reward?...of her."

Amal shakes his head. He looks to Goran, then to Belarin. "What do you know of the words of such creatures? Are they to be trusted? Do they see...the future? Do they know my fate?"

[Ken]

Belarin smiles broadly, the anger of a minute before seemingly gone, or at least concealed. "Amal, good man, I do know if they meant to do you harm, your well-armed body would be cooling on the grass as we speak. Now, can they be trusted? Ehhh...." He shrugs his shoulders. "That's debatable. But the lady gave her word that you would not be harmed while in their company, and that is something you can rely on. You may even learn something. Perhaps the secret language of butterflies, the inner glee of a sword as it pierces flesh, or a terrifying glimpse of your future. When it comes to the senses, or to time, I put nothing past them.

"But yes, I believe you will not be harmed. And Goran ... don't be so dismissive of Streko! That was a rousing speech! Well done, Streko! I, too, have chosen to follow the path laid before us." And as before, he turns toward Torhak.

[Darren]

"My intention was never to disagree with the lady's request," Kalarian says, the anger still evident in his voice. "But you are wrong, Belarin. She did not give her word that Amal would not be harmed. She said only that he WOULD be harmed if we did not leave him here, and that is a threat, not an offer of help. Now, I intend to see that the boy's torturers see justice and I am happy to see all of the ir'Turians taken either dead or alive, but I will not willingly sacrifice a warrior who has almost given his life for us so many times simply on the say-so of one of the fairie-folk, who are flighty at best and vindictive at worst. So call me imptetuous if you like, but in this case, I WILL speak for all of us and say that we will not comply with the lady's wishes. If you disagree with me, then you can look this man in the eyes," he says, pointing to Amal, "and tell him that his life means so little to you that you are willing to sacrifice it without thought." Kalarian looks at Goran, and at Grafth, and at Streko, daring them to speak. "Now," he continues, his voice low and growling, "if you are all finished, I believe Torhak has the right idea."

[Jeff]

My intention was never to disagree with the lady's request

'If that is your offer, then we do not accept,' was what you said, Matheu replies to Kal.

Amal looks to Kal, his voice flat, nonconfrontational. "Are you giving me an order, my lord? If so, then I would need you to be clear on what it is."

[Marcy]

Charis walks over to Kal and places a gentling hand on his arm. "Please, Kal," she says imploringly, "I know you are loathe to abandon someone you have fought beside, someone you care about and feel responsible for, and I don't fault you for that, but you can't order Amal to go with us, or to stay behind. This has to be his decision."

To Goran, she says, a hint of anger creeping into her voice, "No one is 'posturing,' half-elf. The tales told in Thrane of the fey paint them as vile tricksters trusted only by the foolish and the mad. Just because your experience with others of their kind may have been more favorable doesn't mean our suspicion of this particular fey is in any way unwarranted, or worthy of your -- or Belarin's -- disdain.

"Neither of you can guarantee that Amal will come out of this unchanged, so it is not for you to accept this quest any more than it is for Kal to refuse it. Only Amal can do that."

With that, she turns and looks at the Blademark expectantly.

[Darren]

"Precisely, Matheu," Kalarian says, as if lecturing a child. "Their offer was some unknown reward in exchange for leaving one of our own behind. That was not a deal I was willing to make. That doesn't mean I wouldn't have accepted a different one, or that I thought the quest to be unjust."

Kalarian turns to face Amal, standing square shouldered and facing the man, looking him in the eye. "I will not order you to stay, soldier. But I will not order you to come with us, either. Your will in this is your own. I can only give you my opinion. He leans in, placing a hand on the Blademark's shoulder and putting his face close to the other man's. "I would have you do what you feel is right, not for us, but for yourself. You have my loyalty, whatever your decision, but you do not owe it to us to remain here for....we don't know what. You have continuously brought honor to yourself and to House Deneith in the few days you've served with me, and you will continue to do so, no matter what path you choose." Kal releases Amal, again standing square-shouldered. "But I will not give you an order on this one."