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<blockquote data-quote="Samnell" data-source="post: 1235" data-attributes="member: 130"><p><strong>XV-Rising Blood, Gold, and Gorge</strong></p><p></p><p>Wherein our even our hero is sickened.</p><p></p><p>Rhea's body hung in a cloud of buzzing flies. Her innards were covered with a pebbled, throbbing mass. Meepo felt his own innards twist and lurch about as the stench of dead human assaulted his nose. It reeked even worse than dead kobold, which he would have supposed was fitting were he feeling at all well. Anything a kobold did a human could do mind-bogglingly worse.</p><p></p><p>Yet Burble stood there, regarding the body calmly. He was saying something about how Rhea deserved it and he wasn't at all sorry it had happened and so on. He seemed mostly oblivious to Meepo's plight. He strode up to the corpse and boldly plunged his hands in among the gore and flies and blood. Methodically, the halfling drew out all of the gold he could find. Meepo nearly fainted when he saw Burble rooting around in Rhea's torso for yet more coin.</p><p></p><p>When the burned halfling was satisfied he pulled out his waterskin and doused all the coin thoroughly. It was heady with the stench of blood and death, but Meepo was getting some control of himself now. As long as he didn't look directly at Rhea's body, he could control his stomach and keep himself from enduring a review of his morning rations.</p><p></p><p>Burble offered Meepo a share of the gold then and there, asking as well if he'd like the halfling to hold on to it. Meepo didn't care. He said something he forgot a second later as he tried to keep his stomach under control once more against thoughts of the sticky, only barely cleaned coins that moments before were amid the gore and masses of flies in Rhea's torso.</p><p></p><p>Then, mercifully, Burble agreed that it was time to go back down into the ravine. Meepo thought he might have said something about his mule being gone without a trace and no tracks or anything to point to Rhea's killer, but at every mention of Rhea Meepo fought to keep his rations where they belonged.</p><p></p><p>The cool, sunless darkness was even more welcome than usual for Meepo. Each step was another away from Rhea's corpse and the grisly spectacle it presented. Now that its smell didn't assail him constantly, he could admit that were he inclined to terrify someone a display like that would do the trick. That thought didn't sit well with him. Had Thurston's sun god sent some kind of killer after them?</p><p></p><p>Rhea hadn't done any harm to Thurston, but this was a human god Meepo was considering. If it had the wit to send an assassin in revenge it wasn't all-too likely to send the assassin after the correct parties. Even if it did, how could the servant of a human god be expected to get a job done properly? Their whole perverse religion centered around stupidity.</p><p></p><p>Kobold and halfling found themselves back where the rest of the humans had taken refuge almost before Meepo had shaken himself from his thoughts of the skill with which Rhea must have been cut open and arranged. If he could find someone that skilled for Yusdrayl…and Lorn…and the Whelp…perhaps he could track down Worthless Dung Druid as well.</p><p></p><p>Burble knocked quietly on the door the humans hid behind and then stepped in. "Well it was not a wasted trip all. The mule and Thurston's horse, as well as the saddles, are gone. I could find no sign of who or what took them, but they are good and gone."</p><p></p><p>"Oh another thing," Burble added nonchalantly. "Rhea's dead. Tortured, mutilated and gouged. Tied up at the top of the well the oil is all destroyed, as was the rest of the gear. For some strange reason, they did not take her money, Just stuffed it in her body. " He drew a flask from his belt. "We found it. I already got my share and Meepo has his. Split it up as you will." Meepo didn't remember taking a share in his fits of nausea, but he did notice an extra bulk in his backpack. He wouldn't object to having the coin. It was just payment for all the indignities he had suffered with these humans. "So are we resting another day or do we press on?" Burble concluded.</p><p></p><p>Colvin blinked, "Oh my..."Colvin didn't know the half of it. He was a human though, so this was nothing new.</p><p></p><p>"Where? How far? How?" Rillith asked quietly. Meepo wondered why she took such an interest in a recently dead corpse. She and Rhea couldn't have known each other.</p><p></p><p>Meepo shook his head warily. "Meepo not like. This not make nice Meepo. Not not make nice like Worthless Druid not make nice Meepo. Not make nice Meepo like Kurtulmak's Blood Scream not make nice Meepo." The kobold shivered at the thought of the Blood Scream. "Meepo not want meet what not make nice Rhea." Unless of course it could be persuaded to demonstrate its talents on certain of the humans he was saddled with.</p><p></p><p>Burble laid a comforting hand on Meepo's shoulder and the kobold experienced that cloying feeling of warmth again, "Meepo, you're right, not even Rhea deserves that kind of death. I will try to see that nothing harms you in any way in that manner, and if we can, we will try to make sure we kill the vermin that did this." In the back of his mind, Meepo worried that he was so reassured by this. He was entirely too uncritical of Burble and he couldn't seem to stop.</p><p></p><p>Lorn shook his head and made a quick prayer to his god. Meepo didn't understand this human fascination with god- kissing. Proper gods ensured worship through fear and the visiting of unspeakable tortures on their foes. Talking to them when you didn't have something for them to devour, or at very least take and amuse themselves with for a time, amounted to begging to be the next victim of divine wrath. But Lorn's god was human. Meepo couldn't reasonably expect it to behave rationally.</p><p></p><p>Bryant sighed, "Doesn't sound like something the rats are capable of." Meepo hoped not. There were too many rats around with them just as they were. Having clever butchers and assassins amongst them wasn't a pleasant thought at all.</p><p></p><p>"This was no rat. Too deliberate and focused. Plus, it happened at the top of the well, so I doubt any rats could have gotten up there. Plus they would have killed the mounts as well." Meepo conceded that Burble was probably right about that. He didn't want to think too hard about what may have taken the horses and left without a trace.</p><p></p><p>"Burble not kill Rhea." Any chance for Meepo to establish himself in agreement with a human was a bit more of a shield against what passed for hostile thoughts in their minds.</p><p></p><p>Lorn gave Burble a long, hard look. "And how can we sure that the vermin is not you? You did swear you would kill her if you ever caught up with her again." The idiot warrior was right for once. No good could come of this.</p><p></p><p>The mad whelp chimed in, "He did the same to Thurston, and he's dead too. Murdered in our bedroom while I slept." Meepo could be grateful for the pleasant memories the boy stirred later. Right now he'd rather that Thurston's death be forgotten by the humans so Rhea's would look like more of an isolated incident. Colvin tensed.</p><p></p><p>"And your proof of this is so lacking it's silly to bring this up yet again." Bryant responded. That was a surprise to Meepo. The silent one could be a valuable ally.</p><p></p><p>"Oh he did threaten Thruston. and Thurston is dead. You can take that one to the gods." Jaryth shrugged. "But, I'm making no accusation, simply stating facts. Thurston's perfectly happy where he is at the moment, so I don't see any need to go out and find his killer. I'm sure that his murder is very pleased with his deed. Me, I have what I wanted, and so does Thurston. So, everyone is happy and there's really no point in going on about it." Meepo wondered why Jaryth did go on about it if there was nothing to go on about. Being human, the whelp probably didn't even recognize the contradiction.</p><p></p><p>"Certainly hope this is this last we have to hear about it then." Bryant said flatly. Meepo had to stifle a laugh.</p><p></p><p>"I wonder. How up to snuff I am? I mean I feel like crap. But maybe I can do something. That is if we decide to head for the outside." Jaryth summoned his ghostly spider and climbed a ways up the wall. He reached the ceiling and looked down. "Heehee. You all look really funny from up here."</p><p></p><p>Meepo decided to take a rish, all the while paying mind to Burble's defense of himself. He drew one of Thurston's potions out of his backpack. "Boy hurt. Meepo help boy. Meepo stole from Yusdrayl. Dragon water makes nice wounds. Boy drink, it make nice." Jaryth was stupid enough to believe that, and none could gainsay Meepo's word. They knew Yusdrayl had things of magic. He held the flask up where the whelp could reach.</p><p></p><p>Jaryth walked down and took the flask. "Thanks, Meepo. Heh, Meepo the Rat Killer. Naw that's too dumb. How does Meepo Goblin Slayer sound?" The Whelp was a human, all right. He was stupid enough to trust Meepo moments after accusing Meepo's friend of murder.</p><p></p><p>"Meepo like." The kobold smiled like an idiot as Jaryth's remaining burns melted away. Now the Whelp owed him.</p><p></p><p>"Thanks Meepo.. I feel much better now." He had damn well better. Meepo wasted a potion he stole with his own hands from the Whelp's sun-crazed god-kissing kobold-killing holy warrior and surrogate father figure on him.</p><p></p><p>Meepo moved in further as Jaryth looked into the flask. "Jaryth better now. Meepo make nice Jaryth...Jaryth make nice Meepo? Meepo and Jaryth not make nice before. Meepo want make nice now."</p><p></p><p>"I did not kill Rhea. I never have killed or tried to kill you, Jaryth. You made it clear you wish nothing from me, not healing, nor aid. Your decisions. " Burble looked to the others, trying to see where they stood. Jaryth lost interest in the conversation and pulled out his glowing sapphire to stare it. Maybe Meepo would grind it up and use it to flavor Rowland's blood.</p><p></p><p>Burble answered Lorn, "I may have killed her if I found her but I did not. I have nothing to hide in this manner. But if you doubt me, then piss off Lorn. Go look for yourself. You will see that her damned corpse has been dead at least for many hours and that my tracks just now seemed to be the only ones around. You want to consider me vermin, well then to the hells with you. Find your own healer and I will look for my own powers to heal myself. I have helped you quite a bit here and you have seemed ways to insult me. I do not ask you to like me, but treat me civilly if you wish me around. I gave what I found on here in full faith, and I have treated you as the same. Now what of your own words follower of Heironeous? Will you take up the sword against me then?" Burble took a careful step back. He stepped over and offered Sal healing, which the dwarf took.</p><p></p><p>"Have you no respect for the dead? I think you are more upset that you didn't get to do the dead yourself, then with what happened to Rhea. How dare you speak to her in such a manner...especially after such a great tragedy has befallen that poor, tormented soul." Lorn was aghast. He had this sort of lack wit shocked expression on his face Meepo found very fitting.</p><p></p><p>"Whoa!! Calm down now. No need for all of this! We're all in this together and it makes no sense for us to tear ourselves apart from within! Nobody is taking swords up against ANYONE!" Colvin bellowed. Meepo hoped the rats and goblins he drew killed him slowly.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, will everyone just shut up! Bickering will get us nowhere!" Jaryth yelled, exasperated. "Burlbe, no one thinks you're scum, we just don't trust you. You've given us very little cause to trust you. You heal us and then hold it over our heads like it's some grand trophy or charity that you've given us and demand us to repay you threefold for it." The boy leaned back obviously exhausted by all this talking, but still presses on. Meepo wished he'd just drop if this were so fatiguing to him. "Frankly, we know nothing of you, nor of anyone else, really. I've told you all about myself. What little there is to tell, after all, I'm only 10. But, you--and everyone else, for that matter-- have revealed nothing about their pasts. How can we trust each other if we don't know each other? No matter how awful your past is, it has to be brought out. Maybe then, we'll understand why Burble is callous and heartless, why Rowland is so chipper and happy, and even, why Embril was so cold and standoffish."</p><p></p><p>Meepo wanted to understand why the Whelp couldn't shut up. He wasted a potion for this?</p><p></p><p>"You ask for trust when you attack me fro what I do and believe in? You say that I hold my healing over your head Jaryth? Tell me, what have I ever asked you to do for the healing, except to end the insults and accusations. You were the one that have time and again basically called me scum and threatened me. I have saved your damn life twice, and put up quite a lot from you. Lorn I healed a lot as well, when Embrill fell on him.I was blessed with my powers of the Laughing one, but you have given me nothing to laugh about."</p><p></p><p>"As for my past, I was straight with the group. I am a thief and now a priest, and not ashamed of it. Look at my face and hair. That I learned from my duties. I am a city rat, and not ashamed of it. Damn, I even have my God for what he is. You told us all about who and what you are, but you have still had your tantrums when things did not go your way. "</p><p></p><p>"I come from Dyvers, far to the west, Had a tough childhood, but who has not, I learned to rely on myself first, and no others and you have panned out why that should be. I joined with this band in good faith, and have not hidden how I feel on a situation. What more do you want to know, eh? " " Now I have had enough. If you do not want to trust me, so be it Jaryth, I am tired of all that is happening. " Burble counterattacked, as though reasoning would work with the Idiot and the Whelp.</p><p></p><p>"Forget it. So, how are we going to get out of this place?" Jaryth asked, his mind once again losing its grip on a thought in midstream. Meepo wondered if he could time that and use it against the whelp.</p><p></p><p>Rowland saw a dire need to start in on his autobiography now. Meepo was thrilled. Why did dragonblooded humans have to talk? It was rude of a future drink to babble on so. "There isn't much to tell. I was a son to a woodsman and his faithful wife. One morning, about six years back, I befriended Dafydd here. The forest sorcerer learned of our unusual friendship and informed my parents that I was naturally attuned to the source of mystical power. I became Gwion's apprentice. I was a good learner and had a kind, knowledgeable master. And when I wasn't learning, I hunted, played, and visited with my friends. Llacheu was my best friend--I always had fun with him. When I learned all that Master Gwion could teach me, I said good-bye to my master, my family, and my friends and left to seek adventure and find my destiny."</p><p></p><p>"Llacheu was supposed to come with me, but he couldn't leave his ailing mother and his six younger sisters by themselves." Rowland paused, then added, "That's the biggest tragedy in my life, until I met all you guys. I miss Llacheu LOTS. But my mother and father, my brother and sister, and my master still live. My friends are healthy. I suppose I'm 'happy and chipper' because I've had a pretty good life, and I'm excited to be on an adventure. I guess. Don't know. That's just the way I've always been." He paused again, then added quietly, looking downcast, "Not that I don't mourn Rhea or Syl."</p><p></p><p>It was over? Praise Kurtulmak! The last thing Meepo wanted was to hear the finer points of Rowland's life.</p><p></p><p>Sal stepped in, in defense of Burble. "I'll tell you why we know it wasn't Burble that killed Rhea, because the oil and supplies were gone and he's offered to split up the cash. If Burble had killed her, he would have done it with much less... activity and eagerness. And no offense meant to my friend her, but I'm betting that Burble here would have a few marks on him as well. She was a very capable woman." Meepo thought Rhea exceptionally capable of running into the arms of her own killer, but he chose not to share that thought.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf turned then to Lorn, "While I've heard of your point of view, I can't agree with it. If the person can hold their own and contribute to the group, I'm willing to say that they belong. I don't care if they're male, female, Kobold or hidden in black robes. If they help more than they hinder the group, I say let's feed'em and move on." Did this mean Sal was in favor of killing Lorn and leaving him to the vultures? The Whelp too? Meepo could only dream.</p><p></p><p>Sal dug into one of his pockets and fished out some gold. He put a part of it back where he found it and tossed the rest to Bryant. "Either take some and pass it around or convince the others that you will carry theirs. With Rhea leaving, I've lost some confidence in having one person carry most of the gold. I'm going to attempt to carry a share on my body from here on out. I hope nobody has a problem with that?"</p><p></p><p>Excellent. The dwarf could build solidarity by uniting the group in its common greed. If Meepo participated, it would be one more way to worm himself into their minds as a member of the group and not an expendable hanger-on. Likewise, this could be a path to more unity of vision and general cohesiveness. Meepo could tolerate Lorn and Jaryth so long as they learned their places and obeyed orders. There would be orders to be given, of course. Meepo knew two candidates perfectly suited to command.</p><p></p><p>Sal was showing signs of irritation when he turned back to Burble. "As for leaving again, but perhaps you'd like to attend the people you'd put yourself in charge of getting back on their feet. I don't have a problem moving on, but some of those that are hurt may prefer to stay another day." Good. The dwarf subordinated his personal irritation at Burble for the interests of the group. Meepo could use this. If Burble did as asked, it would paint the halfling in a more positive light and would enhance the group's dependence on him.</p><p></p><p>Jaryth shrugged and then dropped to his haunches. "I'm for staying here another day. we can shovel the excrement out somewhere. Or bury it or something. I heard that in the desert people burn excrement instead of wood.... maybe we could do that here?" Jaryth's fascination with his leavings didn't surprise Meepo in the least.</p><p></p><p>Jaryth winced as he changed position. "Currently, I'm in no condition to do anything. I could fight, but I'd be dying not too long into the fight. I say that we've bitten far too much off than we can chew, and none of us are much good in these confined conditions. So, until the wounded are healed to at least fighting condition if not perfect health, and we have some idea of how we're going to deal with the marching and fighting order, I recommend that we sit tight." Nevermind that Meepo gave him one of his hard-earned potions to make him ready to fight.</p><p></p><p>That could be worrisome. The Whelp was speaking sensibly for once. But Meepo remembered that human whelps where still impressionable at his age. Maybe the lunatic saw something he wanted in Sal's speech. That could open him to being molded into a suitable servant. Meepo enjoyed the thought of Jaryth, years in the future, fawning over him and serving his every whim. There could be potential here.</p><p></p><p>"I am ready to fight," Lorn said lamely. Meepo hoped he would fight, and get only so far as to suffer an entertaining death. If it could be somehow arranged so he would fall on Embrill again, all the better.</p><p></p><p>"I'm sure you can. But, won't you be better able to serve Hieroneous and prove your devotion to him if you are fully rested?" Jaryth asked. Meepo was really regretting that potion. He wondered if he could cut open Jaryth's stomach and get it back. Having to wait through years of subtle influence campaigning with the Whelp was losing appeal very fast.</p><p></p><p>Burble ignored Jaryth, but kept his eye on Lorn as he replied to Sal. "I may have left, but you all were talking way too much and I was not about to listen to more of Jaryth and Lorn going at it on who did what with whom in the past. I also felt that Meepo and I could sneak a lot more then if we had a whole group of us. If you folks had come when I first asked, you would have seen all that I mentioned. If you doubt me, go above and look for yourself. I am tired of the insinuations and insults. Any that doubt me can damn well bugger off."</p><p></p><p>"Thanks Sal for that vote of confidence, guarded as it was and I am not insulted by your lack of faith in my skills. I will say that I think we should rest, just remember that we only have supplies in light for another day or maybe two if we ration the oil. Food we have for maybe 3 or 4 days."</p><p></p><p>"To take care of those hurt, well I said before I would. If Lorn wants to think so less of me though, well he can rest and heal himself or find some other priest if he wishes. Jaryth, if he can hold his tongue, I will help, as well as yourself Sal, myself, Meepo, Rowland and Bryant. Colvin and Rillith have yet to say for sure if they are staying with the group and want to throw their hat in the ring, and if so, I would ask what their skills and abilities are? We know nothing about them other then they were sent by Semmon. Rillith has hid herself through and through, and Colvin has smiled and used fancy words. You all know me, and what I am. And I have been faithful in helping the group when asked. if you do not care for that, then I will leave, with Meepo if he will come, alone if not."</p><p></p><p>"I agree with everyone keeping their own money, as I already took my share. I said I would not steal from the group and I have not. Rhea did."</p><p></p><p>"I'm sorry she didn't bother to throw down everything that belonged o you while she was fleeing for her life. For all you know, she might have been returning when she was killed." Lorn snapped back.</p><p></p><p>"Oh to hells with this! We're getting nowhere. fine. We all hold our own money. Fine. We'll all just say what we can do and leave it at that. Fine. We'll all just sit around not knowing who's going to stab whom in the back next." Jaryth barked out. Meepo thought that exactly that arrangement had worked out as well as might be expected of humans for quite some time now.</p><p></p><p>"Until I tell you otherwise, you only touch and enspell me when I ask it, not before and not later. If you do, friend Burble, I will be most upset. You don't want that. Ever. I don't trust you, and, until you give me reason to, I won't. I'll treat you as I would any other stranger." Meepo hoped Jaryth bled his life out on a cold dungeon floor with Burble standing right over him reminding him of that. He wasted a good potion on the Whelp.</p><p></p><p>The arguments petered out and Rhea's gold was divided. Thus the others met the acquaintance of the scent of blood and rotting gore. Jaryth took a single whiff and returned his gold to the unclaimed pile. Meepo hid a snicker.</p><p></p><p>Lorn's first encounter with the stench sent him careening out the door and to the keg from which the water beast had emerged. He noisily vomited into it for several moments. Maybe fishing the gold from Rhea's torso had a positive side after all.</p><p></p><p>Rowland gagged, but pocketed the money regardless. It must have been the dragonblood, granding him fortitude.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Samnell, post: 1235, member: 130"] [b]XV-Rising Blood, Gold, and Gorge[/b] Wherein our even our hero is sickened. Rhea's body hung in a cloud of buzzing flies. Her innards were covered with a pebbled, throbbing mass. Meepo felt his own innards twist and lurch about as the stench of dead human assaulted his nose. It reeked even worse than dead kobold, which he would have supposed was fitting were he feeling at all well. Anything a kobold did a human could do mind-bogglingly worse. Yet Burble stood there, regarding the body calmly. He was saying something about how Rhea deserved it and he wasn't at all sorry it had happened and so on. He seemed mostly oblivious to Meepo's plight. He strode up to the corpse and boldly plunged his hands in among the gore and flies and blood. Methodically, the halfling drew out all of the gold he could find. Meepo nearly fainted when he saw Burble rooting around in Rhea's torso for yet more coin. When the burned halfling was satisfied he pulled out his waterskin and doused all the coin thoroughly. It was heady with the stench of blood and death, but Meepo was getting some control of himself now. As long as he didn't look directly at Rhea's body, he could control his stomach and keep himself from enduring a review of his morning rations. Burble offered Meepo a share of the gold then and there, asking as well if he'd like the halfling to hold on to it. Meepo didn't care. He said something he forgot a second later as he tried to keep his stomach under control once more against thoughts of the sticky, only barely cleaned coins that moments before were amid the gore and masses of flies in Rhea's torso. Then, mercifully, Burble agreed that it was time to go back down into the ravine. Meepo thought he might have said something about his mule being gone without a trace and no tracks or anything to point to Rhea's killer, but at every mention of Rhea Meepo fought to keep his rations where they belonged. The cool, sunless darkness was even more welcome than usual for Meepo. Each step was another away from Rhea's corpse and the grisly spectacle it presented. Now that its smell didn't assail him constantly, he could admit that were he inclined to terrify someone a display like that would do the trick. That thought didn't sit well with him. Had Thurston's sun god sent some kind of killer after them? Rhea hadn't done any harm to Thurston, but this was a human god Meepo was considering. If it had the wit to send an assassin in revenge it wasn't all-too likely to send the assassin after the correct parties. Even if it did, how could the servant of a human god be expected to get a job done properly? Their whole perverse religion centered around stupidity. Kobold and halfling found themselves back where the rest of the humans had taken refuge almost before Meepo had shaken himself from his thoughts of the skill with which Rhea must have been cut open and arranged. If he could find someone that skilled for Yusdrayl…and Lorn…and the Whelp…perhaps he could track down Worthless Dung Druid as well. Burble knocked quietly on the door the humans hid behind and then stepped in. "Well it was not a wasted trip all. The mule and Thurston's horse, as well as the saddles, are gone. I could find no sign of who or what took them, but they are good and gone." "Oh another thing," Burble added nonchalantly. "Rhea's dead. Tortured, mutilated and gouged. Tied up at the top of the well the oil is all destroyed, as was the rest of the gear. For some strange reason, they did not take her money, Just stuffed it in her body. " He drew a flask from his belt. "We found it. I already got my share and Meepo has his. Split it up as you will." Meepo didn't remember taking a share in his fits of nausea, but he did notice an extra bulk in his backpack. He wouldn't object to having the coin. It was just payment for all the indignities he had suffered with these humans. "So are we resting another day or do we press on?" Burble concluded. Colvin blinked, "Oh my..."Colvin didn't know the half of it. He was a human though, so this was nothing new. "Where? How far? How?" Rillith asked quietly. Meepo wondered why she took such an interest in a recently dead corpse. She and Rhea couldn't have known each other. Meepo shook his head warily. "Meepo not like. This not make nice Meepo. Not not make nice like Worthless Druid not make nice Meepo. Not make nice Meepo like Kurtulmak's Blood Scream not make nice Meepo." The kobold shivered at the thought of the Blood Scream. "Meepo not want meet what not make nice Rhea." Unless of course it could be persuaded to demonstrate its talents on certain of the humans he was saddled with. Burble laid a comforting hand on Meepo's shoulder and the kobold experienced that cloying feeling of warmth again, "Meepo, you're right, not even Rhea deserves that kind of death. I will try to see that nothing harms you in any way in that manner, and if we can, we will try to make sure we kill the vermin that did this." In the back of his mind, Meepo worried that he was so reassured by this. He was entirely too uncritical of Burble and he couldn't seem to stop. Lorn shook his head and made a quick prayer to his god. Meepo didn't understand this human fascination with god- kissing. Proper gods ensured worship through fear and the visiting of unspeakable tortures on their foes. Talking to them when you didn't have something for them to devour, or at very least take and amuse themselves with for a time, amounted to begging to be the next victim of divine wrath. But Lorn's god was human. Meepo couldn't reasonably expect it to behave rationally. Bryant sighed, "Doesn't sound like something the rats are capable of." Meepo hoped not. There were too many rats around with them just as they were. Having clever butchers and assassins amongst them wasn't a pleasant thought at all. "This was no rat. Too deliberate and focused. Plus, it happened at the top of the well, so I doubt any rats could have gotten up there. Plus they would have killed the mounts as well." Meepo conceded that Burble was probably right about that. He didn't want to think too hard about what may have taken the horses and left without a trace. "Burble not kill Rhea." Any chance for Meepo to establish himself in agreement with a human was a bit more of a shield against what passed for hostile thoughts in their minds. Lorn gave Burble a long, hard look. "And how can we sure that the vermin is not you? You did swear you would kill her if you ever caught up with her again." The idiot warrior was right for once. No good could come of this. The mad whelp chimed in, "He did the same to Thurston, and he's dead too. Murdered in our bedroom while I slept." Meepo could be grateful for the pleasant memories the boy stirred later. Right now he'd rather that Thurston's death be forgotten by the humans so Rhea's would look like more of an isolated incident. Colvin tensed. "And your proof of this is so lacking it's silly to bring this up yet again." Bryant responded. That was a surprise to Meepo. The silent one could be a valuable ally. "Oh he did threaten Thruston. and Thurston is dead. You can take that one to the gods." Jaryth shrugged. "But, I'm making no accusation, simply stating facts. Thurston's perfectly happy where he is at the moment, so I don't see any need to go out and find his killer. I'm sure that his murder is very pleased with his deed. Me, I have what I wanted, and so does Thurston. So, everyone is happy and there's really no point in going on about it." Meepo wondered why Jaryth did go on about it if there was nothing to go on about. Being human, the whelp probably didn't even recognize the contradiction. "Certainly hope this is this last we have to hear about it then." Bryant said flatly. Meepo had to stifle a laugh. "I wonder. How up to snuff I am? I mean I feel like crap. But maybe I can do something. That is if we decide to head for the outside." Jaryth summoned his ghostly spider and climbed a ways up the wall. He reached the ceiling and looked down. "Heehee. You all look really funny from up here." Meepo decided to take a rish, all the while paying mind to Burble's defense of himself. He drew one of Thurston's potions out of his backpack. "Boy hurt. Meepo help boy. Meepo stole from Yusdrayl. Dragon water makes nice wounds. Boy drink, it make nice." Jaryth was stupid enough to believe that, and none could gainsay Meepo's word. They knew Yusdrayl had things of magic. He held the flask up where the whelp could reach. Jaryth walked down and took the flask. "Thanks, Meepo. Heh, Meepo the Rat Killer. Naw that's too dumb. How does Meepo Goblin Slayer sound?" The Whelp was a human, all right. He was stupid enough to trust Meepo moments after accusing Meepo's friend of murder. "Meepo like." The kobold smiled like an idiot as Jaryth's remaining burns melted away. Now the Whelp owed him. "Thanks Meepo.. I feel much better now." He had damn well better. Meepo wasted a potion he stole with his own hands from the Whelp's sun-crazed god-kissing kobold-killing holy warrior and surrogate father figure on him. Meepo moved in further as Jaryth looked into the flask. "Jaryth better now. Meepo make nice Jaryth...Jaryth make nice Meepo? Meepo and Jaryth not make nice before. Meepo want make nice now." "I did not kill Rhea. I never have killed or tried to kill you, Jaryth. You made it clear you wish nothing from me, not healing, nor aid. Your decisions. " Burble looked to the others, trying to see where they stood. Jaryth lost interest in the conversation and pulled out his glowing sapphire to stare it. Maybe Meepo would grind it up and use it to flavor Rowland's blood. Burble answered Lorn, "I may have killed her if I found her but I did not. I have nothing to hide in this manner. But if you doubt me, then piss off Lorn. Go look for yourself. You will see that her damned corpse has been dead at least for many hours and that my tracks just now seemed to be the only ones around. You want to consider me vermin, well then to the hells with you. Find your own healer and I will look for my own powers to heal myself. I have helped you quite a bit here and you have seemed ways to insult me. I do not ask you to like me, but treat me civilly if you wish me around. I gave what I found on here in full faith, and I have treated you as the same. Now what of your own words follower of Heironeous? Will you take up the sword against me then?" Burble took a careful step back. He stepped over and offered Sal healing, which the dwarf took. "Have you no respect for the dead? I think you are more upset that you didn't get to do the dead yourself, then with what happened to Rhea. How dare you speak to her in such a manner...especially after such a great tragedy has befallen that poor, tormented soul." Lorn was aghast. He had this sort of lack wit shocked expression on his face Meepo found very fitting. "Whoa!! Calm down now. No need for all of this! We're all in this together and it makes no sense for us to tear ourselves apart from within! Nobody is taking swords up against ANYONE!" Colvin bellowed. Meepo hoped the rats and goblins he drew killed him slowly. "Oh, will everyone just shut up! Bickering will get us nowhere!" Jaryth yelled, exasperated. "Burlbe, no one thinks you're scum, we just don't trust you. You've given us very little cause to trust you. You heal us and then hold it over our heads like it's some grand trophy or charity that you've given us and demand us to repay you threefold for it." The boy leaned back obviously exhausted by all this talking, but still presses on. Meepo wished he'd just drop if this were so fatiguing to him. "Frankly, we know nothing of you, nor of anyone else, really. I've told you all about myself. What little there is to tell, after all, I'm only 10. But, you--and everyone else, for that matter-- have revealed nothing about their pasts. How can we trust each other if we don't know each other? No matter how awful your past is, it has to be brought out. Maybe then, we'll understand why Burble is callous and heartless, why Rowland is so chipper and happy, and even, why Embril was so cold and standoffish." Meepo wanted to understand why the Whelp couldn't shut up. He wasted a potion for this? "You ask for trust when you attack me fro what I do and believe in? You say that I hold my healing over your head Jaryth? Tell me, what have I ever asked you to do for the healing, except to end the insults and accusations. You were the one that have time and again basically called me scum and threatened me. I have saved your damn life twice, and put up quite a lot from you. Lorn I healed a lot as well, when Embrill fell on him.I was blessed with my powers of the Laughing one, but you have given me nothing to laugh about." "As for my past, I was straight with the group. I am a thief and now a priest, and not ashamed of it. Look at my face and hair. That I learned from my duties. I am a city rat, and not ashamed of it. Damn, I even have my God for what he is. You told us all about who and what you are, but you have still had your tantrums when things did not go your way. " "I come from Dyvers, far to the west, Had a tough childhood, but who has not, I learned to rely on myself first, and no others and you have panned out why that should be. I joined with this band in good faith, and have not hidden how I feel on a situation. What more do you want to know, eh? " " Now I have had enough. If you do not want to trust me, so be it Jaryth, I am tired of all that is happening. " Burble counterattacked, as though reasoning would work with the Idiot and the Whelp. "Forget it. So, how are we going to get out of this place?" Jaryth asked, his mind once again losing its grip on a thought in midstream. Meepo wondered if he could time that and use it against the whelp. Rowland saw a dire need to start in on his autobiography now. Meepo was thrilled. Why did dragonblooded humans have to talk? It was rude of a future drink to babble on so. "There isn't much to tell. I was a son to a woodsman and his faithful wife. One morning, about six years back, I befriended Dafydd here. The forest sorcerer learned of our unusual friendship and informed my parents that I was naturally attuned to the source of mystical power. I became Gwion's apprentice. I was a good learner and had a kind, knowledgeable master. And when I wasn't learning, I hunted, played, and visited with my friends. Llacheu was my best friend--I always had fun with him. When I learned all that Master Gwion could teach me, I said good-bye to my master, my family, and my friends and left to seek adventure and find my destiny." "Llacheu was supposed to come with me, but he couldn't leave his ailing mother and his six younger sisters by themselves." Rowland paused, then added, "That's the biggest tragedy in my life, until I met all you guys. I miss Llacheu LOTS. But my mother and father, my brother and sister, and my master still live. My friends are healthy. I suppose I'm 'happy and chipper' because I've had a pretty good life, and I'm excited to be on an adventure. I guess. Don't know. That's just the way I've always been." He paused again, then added quietly, looking downcast, "Not that I don't mourn Rhea or Syl." It was over? Praise Kurtulmak! The last thing Meepo wanted was to hear the finer points of Rowland's life. Sal stepped in, in defense of Burble. "I'll tell you why we know it wasn't Burble that killed Rhea, because the oil and supplies were gone and he's offered to split up the cash. If Burble had killed her, he would have done it with much less... activity and eagerness. And no offense meant to my friend her, but I'm betting that Burble here would have a few marks on him as well. She was a very capable woman." Meepo thought Rhea exceptionally capable of running into the arms of her own killer, but he chose not to share that thought. The dwarf turned then to Lorn, "While I've heard of your point of view, I can't agree with it. If the person can hold their own and contribute to the group, I'm willing to say that they belong. I don't care if they're male, female, Kobold or hidden in black robes. If they help more than they hinder the group, I say let's feed'em and move on." Did this mean Sal was in favor of killing Lorn and leaving him to the vultures? The Whelp too? Meepo could only dream. Sal dug into one of his pockets and fished out some gold. He put a part of it back where he found it and tossed the rest to Bryant. "Either take some and pass it around or convince the others that you will carry theirs. With Rhea leaving, I've lost some confidence in having one person carry most of the gold. I'm going to attempt to carry a share on my body from here on out. I hope nobody has a problem with that?" Excellent. The dwarf could build solidarity by uniting the group in its common greed. If Meepo participated, it would be one more way to worm himself into their minds as a member of the group and not an expendable hanger-on. Likewise, this could be a path to more unity of vision and general cohesiveness. Meepo could tolerate Lorn and Jaryth so long as they learned their places and obeyed orders. There would be orders to be given, of course. Meepo knew two candidates perfectly suited to command. Sal was showing signs of irritation when he turned back to Burble. "As for leaving again, but perhaps you'd like to attend the people you'd put yourself in charge of getting back on their feet. I don't have a problem moving on, but some of those that are hurt may prefer to stay another day." Good. The dwarf subordinated his personal irritation at Burble for the interests of the group. Meepo could use this. If Burble did as asked, it would paint the halfling in a more positive light and would enhance the group's dependence on him. Jaryth shrugged and then dropped to his haunches. "I'm for staying here another day. we can shovel the excrement out somewhere. Or bury it or something. I heard that in the desert people burn excrement instead of wood.... maybe we could do that here?" Jaryth's fascination with his leavings didn't surprise Meepo in the least. Jaryth winced as he changed position. "Currently, I'm in no condition to do anything. I could fight, but I'd be dying not too long into the fight. I say that we've bitten far too much off than we can chew, and none of us are much good in these confined conditions. So, until the wounded are healed to at least fighting condition if not perfect health, and we have some idea of how we're going to deal with the marching and fighting order, I recommend that we sit tight." Nevermind that Meepo gave him one of his hard-earned potions to make him ready to fight. That could be worrisome. The Whelp was speaking sensibly for once. But Meepo remembered that human whelps where still impressionable at his age. Maybe the lunatic saw something he wanted in Sal's speech. That could open him to being molded into a suitable servant. Meepo enjoyed the thought of Jaryth, years in the future, fawning over him and serving his every whim. There could be potential here. "I am ready to fight," Lorn said lamely. Meepo hoped he would fight, and get only so far as to suffer an entertaining death. If it could be somehow arranged so he would fall on Embrill again, all the better. "I'm sure you can. But, won't you be better able to serve Hieroneous and prove your devotion to him if you are fully rested?" Jaryth asked. Meepo was really regretting that potion. He wondered if he could cut open Jaryth's stomach and get it back. Having to wait through years of subtle influence campaigning with the Whelp was losing appeal very fast. Burble ignored Jaryth, but kept his eye on Lorn as he replied to Sal. "I may have left, but you all were talking way too much and I was not about to listen to more of Jaryth and Lorn going at it on who did what with whom in the past. I also felt that Meepo and I could sneak a lot more then if we had a whole group of us. If you folks had come when I first asked, you would have seen all that I mentioned. If you doubt me, go above and look for yourself. I am tired of the insinuations and insults. Any that doubt me can damn well bugger off." "Thanks Sal for that vote of confidence, guarded as it was and I am not insulted by your lack of faith in my skills. I will say that I think we should rest, just remember that we only have supplies in light for another day or maybe two if we ration the oil. Food we have for maybe 3 or 4 days." "To take care of those hurt, well I said before I would. If Lorn wants to think so less of me though, well he can rest and heal himself or find some other priest if he wishes. Jaryth, if he can hold his tongue, I will help, as well as yourself Sal, myself, Meepo, Rowland and Bryant. Colvin and Rillith have yet to say for sure if they are staying with the group and want to throw their hat in the ring, and if so, I would ask what their skills and abilities are? We know nothing about them other then they were sent by Semmon. Rillith has hid herself through and through, and Colvin has smiled and used fancy words. You all know me, and what I am. And I have been faithful in helping the group when asked. if you do not care for that, then I will leave, with Meepo if he will come, alone if not." "I agree with everyone keeping their own money, as I already took my share. I said I would not steal from the group and I have not. Rhea did." "I'm sorry she didn't bother to throw down everything that belonged o you while she was fleeing for her life. For all you know, she might have been returning when she was killed." Lorn snapped back. "Oh to hells with this! We're getting nowhere. fine. We all hold our own money. Fine. We'll all just say what we can do and leave it at that. Fine. We'll all just sit around not knowing who's going to stab whom in the back next." Jaryth barked out. Meepo thought that exactly that arrangement had worked out as well as might be expected of humans for quite some time now. "Until I tell you otherwise, you only touch and enspell me when I ask it, not before and not later. If you do, friend Burble, I will be most upset. You don't want that. Ever. I don't trust you, and, until you give me reason to, I won't. I'll treat you as I would any other stranger." Meepo hoped Jaryth bled his life out on a cold dungeon floor with Burble standing right over him reminding him of that. He wasted a good potion on the Whelp. The arguments petered out and Rhea's gold was divided. Thus the others met the acquaintance of the scent of blood and rotting gore. Jaryth took a single whiff and returned his gold to the unclaimed pile. Meepo hid a snicker. Lorn's first encounter with the stench sent him careening out the door and to the keg from which the water beast had emerged. He noisily vomited into it for several moments. Maybe fishing the gold from Rhea's torso had a positive side after all. Rowland gagged, but pocketed the money regardless. It must have been the dragonblood, granding him fortitude. [/QUOTE]
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Meepo's Story Hour [NEWS! 6-19-02]
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