Melani Gets Off to a Good Start, The Group Decides: To Nesalin
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
OOC: How long will it take to get to Nesalin from where we are, moving as quickly as we can?
IC:
Mission asks, hoping that he's not breaking some halfling taboo, "Do your scouts know where the army from. . . Ice Dagger is now?"
Mission then turns to the others, "My intent is to go to Nesalin, and find a boat as quickly as I can." (OOC, I'm assuming that Farron and Sa'id have told Mission what the blue robe is by now. "I'll sell this robe for passage back to the mainland. Promise should be safe, then."
Safe. A word he never thought to speak again, after the mountain. . . Not there yet, but if they moved quickly, there was hope.
Mission will try to barter or beg if necessary for a sling for Promise, something like a papoose. He'll ask the halfling mother for advice about food, and see if she has anything that he can barter for that will keep for a couple days. He'll barter the pitons he got from Gully and his crossbow and bolts if it comes to that.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
OOC: Can I assume that Melani has resupplied arrows and sling bullets?
IC: Melani ignores Missions comment and turns back to Rennik. "I will lead you where you need to go. Decide quickly where it is."
She walks over to Cadfael and hands him her back pack. "You carry this. I will move faster without it and you seem to need something to do." She turns on the group and heads over to the Belneth.
"Belneth, you have taught me some of the ways of the woods. I would ask a blessing of the spirits of the woods before I go."
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Aww, man. Not only is she a barbarian, she's got PMS, too.
:-)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
No just a bunch of humans tromping through her forest after she just found out her family probably had their souls sucked from their bodies.
And just take a step back and think what this group looks like. 4 men with no armor, one with a baby only a day or two old, wandering through the forest.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Which should tell Melina that those of us who don't have any armor on are seriously bad@$$. We don't need no stinkin' metal shells.
;-)
Welcome to the game.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Sorry guys. I've only had sporadic email lately and I seem to have missed a couple of emails. (Specifically the report from the halfling scout (welcome Mark).
I'm confused about the army. Is it heading to Overlook?
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
OOC -- Mark's character is the best ever. If only I were still crazy ;)
Good lord, is it 10:30? I just rolled out of bed and I've already missed 2 classes. Starting the week off right.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
She might cause a relapse. . .
;-)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Garyth suppresses a flash of irritation with the halfling woman. There is precious little time, and none to spare arguing. He turns to Rennik.
"Mission's idea is a good one. If they expect us to go to Overlook, we may avoid some trouble by heading to Nesalin. The garrison at Nesalin is a much stronger force, as well; we'd be safer there in the end."
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
OOC: Been a while since I've written anything. So here are some random snippets of Cadfael's thoughts since hitting the village:
IC: It is a strange thing, that a simple forest could feel so spiritual. Almost unconsciously Cadfael feels himself reaching out to the forest Gods, trying to understand the connection. The forest would not exist without the power of the sun, how do these halflings fit Pelor's Grace into their picture of the heavens? What remnants of their old religion do they keep? Even after all these years it is unlikely that something so integral to a society could have been lost forever, even if twisted into a form that is now unrecognizable. He is almost tempted to ask, but thinks better of it and holds his peace. They, more like than not, would not know of what he spoke. With a smile he realizes that this must be what it is like inside Sa'id's head, an endless stream of questions and ever having to decide and when and which to ask.
But still, there is quaintness in the homes and freedom in the families that is strangely invigorating. In his craving for idealism the creases of worry slip unnoticed past Cadfael's eyes and he sees only families living the same life they did yesterday, and the day before that. Untouched by a world even more cruel and uncaring than Mother Nature herself. Untouched and unmanipulated toward her ends?
Though he understands not a word that passes between Rennik and the Chieftain Cadfael can well imagine the words that are being exchanged. Who are you? How have you come to be here? Which story, he wonders, is Rennik telling? The story of Rennik's abandoning the group, of his own madness and visions, of their all being no more than pawns for greater powers? No, his is more likely the story of warriors and heroes thumbing their noses at dark gods and emerging the victors. The story of man's heroics where the actions of men had so little to do with the outcome. Their path was set down by the Gods and they walked it using the feet the Gods had given them. It is small wonder the world is so confused, so long as it denies what it is.
This pause does, however, give him a moment's peace to look over the wounds of the group. Though he does not go to them he makes note of how they are carrying themselves. Any pains strong enough to show through their postures should be seen to before they leave. (OOC: Anyone still grievously wounded, Ty?)
His concentration being elsewhere it takes him a moment to realize that this plucky halfling intends to leave with them. It only fully settles in when she thrusts her pack up at him. Holding back his smile may be the hardest thing he has had to do since leaving Overlook a week ago. It is only the sobering realization that not even Promise is as innocent as this woman that keeps the smile off his face. The poor girl does not realize what she has walked into. None of the group does, in truth. The Drinker of Souls is no more than a few words and a sense of fear and loss. The urge to tweak the girl's nose is gone and Cadfael sinks into the familiar unconscious scratching of his left hand.
How far we have come, that none speak of the fates of these halflings nor the imminent overrunning of Overlook. Sacrifices are becoming second nature. Perhaps the others understand more than he cares to consider.
"It is past time to leave, Brothers. Nesalin or Overlook, both paths start in the same direction. The finer points may be worked out on the road."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; Out of the jungle and into the woods
Rennik smirks behind Melani's back at her gesture to Cadfael. He he appeared this way when the humans first met him? Brash and overconfident in his abilities, ordering them this way and that? They had seemed so soft and inexperienced, the worst he could have hoped for when they set out.
He had expected rangers and seasoned woodsmen, not this ragtag band of city dwellers. Yet, they had acquited themselves, for the most part. Certainly the monk and the guardsman, and even Farron, who had not revealed his knack as a Caller until days into the woods. The priest was still a mystery, and Rennik did not yet entirely trust him... and the spellweaver returned from the gates of death was another matter entirely. He tried to avoid Sa'id's gaze and block out the fact that the deathweaver knew so much of his own language and people.
Melani was right in her assessment, and Rennik had come far from his gut feelings to become... compromising. He had drawn more on his experiences with the elves lately, rather than his roots as a halfling warrior of the Chorrdath. Perhaps that is why the scout party caught them, because he didn't listen to his instincts to keep moving through the night.
His smirk at Melani turns to a scowl, and then a growl.
"You are no one to order these men about, Reth'tenn." The edge in his voice makes it known to all those present that Rennik has taken Melani's order as an open affront to his leadership. "For now, that is my place, and you would do well to remember that."
Let her establish her rank in the pack on her own time, not under the current alpha's nose. She should have better sense - and Rennik sees now why the Kal'tenn let her go without much argument.
"We make for the Nesalin port, Reth'tenn. I trust your skill can speed us through your territory and away from our enemies."