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Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 3, Baden's Bluff
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<blockquote data-quote="Hrothgar" data-source="post: 3045372" data-attributes="member: 22226"><p><span style="color: SlateGray">OOC: OK.</span></p><p></p><p>Kaela's slim form breathes deep before exhaling slowly. Her concern for Aislinn conflicts with her desire to help the others. The others are hurt, and any weakness in the Heroes could mean the loss of Aislinn. It will be a long wait. Looking into her supplies, she scans the faces of the insurgents. Bowen, Bran, and Murdoch are still astounded at the outburst, their eyes wide with wonder and questions. Sitting on the table, Fallax continues to scowl. It is odd the comradship he has formed with Ibor so quickly. Both possess acidic personalities; maybe that is the reason for their companionship. Administering to the wounded, Kaela also keeps an sharp eye on Aislinn.</p><p><span style="color: SlateGray">OOC: Everyone receives 6 hit points. Sorry, Ibor returns before a full 8 hours.</span></p><p></p><p>Nearby, Lodric can only wonder at Aislinn's outburst. Why should his healing hurt the young girl? Is it the power that manifests through her? Or is it something else? Lodric's vision becomes blurry. It has been hours since he last slept. Slowly sleep washes over him, carrying him on dark waves of night. <em>Seemingly awake, Aislinn stands before him, her back to him. Calling out uncertainly, Aislinn takes no notice. Around Lodric, the darkness lifts and the light almost unbearable, making him shield his eyes. The heat is stifling and the ground itself burns Lodric's feet, the soil charred coals and blowing embers. Crying out for Aislinn to stop, he follows her into a forest. An ancient forest. A forest dark...and angry. Angry at the burning fire and the pain it causes. Chasing Aislinn down dark groves, large oaks leering down his diminutive form, he falls, his legs entangled in creeping roots. Screaming at Aislinn to stop, the girl walks into a grove. A grove of darkness, the tree branches closing around her...hiding her...claiming her. Above, clutching branches rip and scrape at Lodric, his flesh tearing...</em> Quickly Lodric sits up, his breathing harsh. Even in sleep, Lodric cannot find peace.</p><p></p><p>As the others rest, Murdoch sits next to Herger, his legs outstretched his chin on his chest in rest. Turning slightly to Herger, Murdoch speaks slowly. <span style="color: DarkOrange">Jodya was once a warrior that fought the Shadow many years ago. She was a seductress, a whore for those that could afford her. She used her status to get close to legates, the Shadow's army captains, whomever. She was an efficient assassin. Unfortunately, she died...Her loyalty to our cause has never been questioned. Still, none of us is willing to meet her alone. </span> Murdoch grunts a small laugh. <span style="color: DarkOrange">As for you Northman, with your size, I believe you could carry us all. I'm glad you are on our side. Now rest, Ibor shall return in a few hours.</span></p><p></p><p>The time drags by slowly. Outside, the city comes to life as sunrise approaches. The sounds of the dock, although muted, drift into the small stone building. Fishermen begin another tedious day on the Pelluria as Shadow mercenaries walk the docks, shouting orders. It is hard to estimate time without the sun, but in what seems a few hours, Ibor returns. <span style="color: DarkOrange">The Elf expects us. We must be cautious. Word reached my informant that Orcs and human mercenaries are searching the northern Worm Docks and Thune was with them. While they have not been seen on the Stone Docks and East steeps, I urge stealth.</span> Murdoch acknowledges Ibor's concerns. <span style="color: DarkOrange">Ibor, Bowen, Ensin. You travel with us. The rest, head north and see what the Shadow is up to on the Worm Docks. Travelers, </span> Murdoch hands each a cloak, in Herger's case two, <span style="color: DarkOrange">don these. Beggars rags. We will travel in groups of two and three. Wildman, keep your wolf at a distance and everyone will think it a wild dog of the streets. Let's move.</span></p><p></p><p>Passing down the steps and into the sewer drains, Murdoch leads the small group, a torch in his hand. Passing through a maze of stone drains, the Heroes emerge through a street grate into a narrow, refuse choked alley. Summer's heat greets the Heroes, but without the wind from last night. The air is suprisingly still, as if Aryth herself held her breath. Above, gray clouds cover the sky. Murdoch and Lodric lead down the alley, the insurgent leader poking in the refuse, seemingly seeking small tidbits any beggar would be interested in. Lodric quickly follows Murdoch's lead as the two slowly pass down the alley. Next to follow forty yards apart are Bowen and Kaela, Kaela's heart beating so loudly she worries an orc patrol might hear it. Ibor, Herger, Fallax, and Aislinn follow, the unconscious young girl draped over Herger's arms. Guarding the rear, Ensin, Valurel and Starhl keep their eyes open for peril.</p><p></p><p>Through refuse packed alleys and past disinterested residents of Baden's Bluff, the Heroes slowly make their way through the Stone Docks, the stone channels and quays so different than the Worm Docks. As the Heroes pass down more populated streets, people keep a wide distance from the orc patrols who occasionally pick on an individual. In one case, a man is beaten in the street while the orcs laugh, his young son trying to shield his father’s body, the boy kicked by an orc. At one point, a lone orc passes near Herger his gaze narrowed. Herger's heart leaps into his throat. Quickly the orc raises his arm in front of his face in alarm at the sight of Aislinn. <span style="color: Red">Diseased maggots! Move, get out of my face!</span>, the orc waving his arms wildly and quickly striding away.</p><p></p><p>After an hour of travel, the ground quickly rises. The East Steeps are aptly named. Above the Heroes, roads and trails stretch along the side of Baden's Bluff to reach the city proper above. Slowly trudging up the tree lined, cobblestone paths, the Heroes find significantly fewer residents here. Notoriously difficult to navigate, the Steeps seem occupied only by the poor. Passing down a alley bordered by a stone building and heavy bushes, Murdoch passes through a break in the foliage into the back of another building. Knocking twice, the door swings open for the Heroes, revealing a dark, wooden chamber and several men with drawn swords. Throwing back his hood Murdoch nods at the men without saying a word. As the door closes behind the Heroes, Murdoch leads the the group through another door and out into another alley, its entrance closed off from the main road of the steeps by wooden gate. Moving quickly down the alley away from the main road, Murdoch leads the Heroes into a ruined stone building, its back up against a stone cliff that rises above the Heroes. Within the building, several men stand armed with bows and swords. Moving through an archway, the Heroes find themselves in a large room, its stone roof collapsed and open to the sky. The floor of the room is now covered in grasses and several mid-size trees spring upward to sway against the side of the stone bluff overhead. The stone rubble from the roof on the floor of the room serves as stools for several insurgents dressed in long, dark cloaks in argument with a slender female in a ragged cloak. Under the female's cloak are ragged leathers, breeches, and shirt; her large hazel eyes, golden hair, pointed ears, and inhuman grace mark her as an elf. Seated next to the elf is an old, bearded Erenlander.</p><p></p><p>Quickly the heated debate ends as all stand at the Heroes approach. The human men and women frown at the Heroes approach, but the Elf smiles kindly and sympathetically. The old man smiles and nods. The Elf speaks, her voice melodic. <span style="color: DarkOrange">Murdoch. I am glad you made it safely.</span> Looking at the Heroes, the Elf nods. <span style="color: DarkOrange">I am Elaural of Erethor. Ibor has told me your story. Rarely do I risk meeting strangers, but at Murdoch's behest, I have made an exception. A strange group, I can see. And an Erunsil! In Baden's Bluff! Well, there is a great story in the telling here! Please, sit. Who of you will speak? Tell me your story and let me decide if we here can help you.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hrothgar, post: 3045372, member: 22226"] [COLOR=SlateGray]OOC: OK.[/COLOR] Kaela's slim form breathes deep before exhaling slowly. Her concern for Aislinn conflicts with her desire to help the others. The others are hurt, and any weakness in the Heroes could mean the loss of Aislinn. It will be a long wait. Looking into her supplies, she scans the faces of the insurgents. Bowen, Bran, and Murdoch are still astounded at the outburst, their eyes wide with wonder and questions. Sitting on the table, Fallax continues to scowl. It is odd the comradship he has formed with Ibor so quickly. Both possess acidic personalities; maybe that is the reason for their companionship. Administering to the wounded, Kaela also keeps an sharp eye on Aislinn. [COLOR=SlateGray]OOC: Everyone receives 6 hit points. Sorry, Ibor returns before a full 8 hours.[/COLOR] Nearby, Lodric can only wonder at Aislinn's outburst. Why should his healing hurt the young girl? Is it the power that manifests through her? Or is it something else? Lodric's vision becomes blurry. It has been hours since he last slept. Slowly sleep washes over him, carrying him on dark waves of night. [I]Seemingly awake, Aislinn stands before him, her back to him. Calling out uncertainly, Aislinn takes no notice. Around Lodric, the darkness lifts and the light almost unbearable, making him shield his eyes. The heat is stifling and the ground itself burns Lodric's feet, the soil charred coals and blowing embers. Crying out for Aislinn to stop, he follows her into a forest. An ancient forest. A forest dark...and angry. Angry at the burning fire and the pain it causes. Chasing Aislinn down dark groves, large oaks leering down his diminutive form, he falls, his legs entangled in creeping roots. Screaming at Aislinn to stop, the girl walks into a grove. A grove of darkness, the tree branches closing around her...hiding her...claiming her. Above, clutching branches rip and scrape at Lodric, his flesh tearing...[/I] Quickly Lodric sits up, his breathing harsh. Even in sleep, Lodric cannot find peace. As the others rest, Murdoch sits next to Herger, his legs outstretched his chin on his chest in rest. Turning slightly to Herger, Murdoch speaks slowly. [COLOR=DarkOrange]Jodya was once a warrior that fought the Shadow many years ago. She was a seductress, a whore for those that could afford her. She used her status to get close to legates, the Shadow's army captains, whomever. She was an efficient assassin. Unfortunately, she died...Her loyalty to our cause has never been questioned. Still, none of us is willing to meet her alone. [/color] Murdoch grunts a small laugh. [COLOR=DarkOrange]As for you Northman, with your size, I believe you could carry us all. I'm glad you are on our side. Now rest, Ibor shall return in a few hours.[/COLOR] The time drags by slowly. Outside, the city comes to life as sunrise approaches. The sounds of the dock, although muted, drift into the small stone building. Fishermen begin another tedious day on the Pelluria as Shadow mercenaries walk the docks, shouting orders. It is hard to estimate time without the sun, but in what seems a few hours, Ibor returns. [COLOR=DarkOrange]The Elf expects us. We must be cautious. Word reached my informant that Orcs and human mercenaries are searching the northern Worm Docks and Thune was with them. While they have not been seen on the Stone Docks and East steeps, I urge stealth.[/COLOR] Murdoch acknowledges Ibor's concerns. [COLOR=DarkOrange]Ibor, Bowen, Ensin. You travel with us. The rest, head north and see what the Shadow is up to on the Worm Docks. Travelers, [/COLOR] Murdoch hands each a cloak, in Herger's case two, [COLOR=DarkOrange]don these. Beggars rags. We will travel in groups of two and three. Wildman, keep your wolf at a distance and everyone will think it a wild dog of the streets. Let's move.[/COLOR] Passing down the steps and into the sewer drains, Murdoch leads the small group, a torch in his hand. Passing through a maze of stone drains, the Heroes emerge through a street grate into a narrow, refuse choked alley. Summer's heat greets the Heroes, but without the wind from last night. The air is suprisingly still, as if Aryth herself held her breath. Above, gray clouds cover the sky. Murdoch and Lodric lead down the alley, the insurgent leader poking in the refuse, seemingly seeking small tidbits any beggar would be interested in. Lodric quickly follows Murdoch's lead as the two slowly pass down the alley. Next to follow forty yards apart are Bowen and Kaela, Kaela's heart beating so loudly she worries an orc patrol might hear it. Ibor, Herger, Fallax, and Aislinn follow, the unconscious young girl draped over Herger's arms. Guarding the rear, Ensin, Valurel and Starhl keep their eyes open for peril. Through refuse packed alleys and past disinterested residents of Baden's Bluff, the Heroes slowly make their way through the Stone Docks, the stone channels and quays so different than the Worm Docks. As the Heroes pass down more populated streets, people keep a wide distance from the orc patrols who occasionally pick on an individual. In one case, a man is beaten in the street while the orcs laugh, his young son trying to shield his father’s body, the boy kicked by an orc. At one point, a lone orc passes near Herger his gaze narrowed. Herger's heart leaps into his throat. Quickly the orc raises his arm in front of his face in alarm at the sight of Aislinn. [COLOR=Red]Diseased maggots! Move, get out of my face![/COLOR], the orc waving his arms wildly and quickly striding away. After an hour of travel, the ground quickly rises. The East Steeps are aptly named. Above the Heroes, roads and trails stretch along the side of Baden's Bluff to reach the city proper above. Slowly trudging up the tree lined, cobblestone paths, the Heroes find significantly fewer residents here. Notoriously difficult to navigate, the Steeps seem occupied only by the poor. Passing down a alley bordered by a stone building and heavy bushes, Murdoch passes through a break in the foliage into the back of another building. Knocking twice, the door swings open for the Heroes, revealing a dark, wooden chamber and several men with drawn swords. Throwing back his hood Murdoch nods at the men without saying a word. As the door closes behind the Heroes, Murdoch leads the the group through another door and out into another alley, its entrance closed off from the main road of the steeps by wooden gate. Moving quickly down the alley away from the main road, Murdoch leads the Heroes into a ruined stone building, its back up against a stone cliff that rises above the Heroes. Within the building, several men stand armed with bows and swords. Moving through an archway, the Heroes find themselves in a large room, its stone roof collapsed and open to the sky. The floor of the room is now covered in grasses and several mid-size trees spring upward to sway against the side of the stone bluff overhead. The stone rubble from the roof on the floor of the room serves as stools for several insurgents dressed in long, dark cloaks in argument with a slender female in a ragged cloak. Under the female's cloak are ragged leathers, breeches, and shirt; her large hazel eyes, golden hair, pointed ears, and inhuman grace mark her as an elf. Seated next to the elf is an old, bearded Erenlander. Quickly the heated debate ends as all stand at the Heroes approach. The human men and women frown at the Heroes approach, but the Elf smiles kindly and sympathetically. The old man smiles and nods. The Elf speaks, her voice melodic. [COLOR=DarkOrange]Murdoch. I am glad you made it safely.[/COLOR] Looking at the Heroes, the Elf nods. [COLOR=DarkOrange]I am Elaural of Erethor. Ibor has told me your story. Rarely do I risk meeting strangers, but at Murdoch's behest, I have made an exception. A strange group, I can see. And an Erunsil! In Baden's Bluff! Well, there is a great story in the telling here! Please, sit. Who of you will speak? Tell me your story and let me decide if we here can help you.[/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 3, Baden's Bluff
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