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The Things We Lost -- Update 6/13 - Eberron fiction.
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<blockquote data-quote="ragboy" data-source="post: 3048420" data-attributes="member: 4151"><p>Kath lay under a canvas lean-to on the barge’s deck trying to block out the gods-awful heat. The constant chatter, chitter, and scream of the jungle gave her comfort somehow and she thought of the long trail that had brought her here. Ages it seemed, but Uri’s face still burned in her, his wolfish grin and loping gait alongside gave her comfort as their troop descended into Breland scouting defenses and causing mayhem for their masters in Karrnath. He never had a loyalty that couldn’t be changed with enough gold and she was the same, back then. Not any more. She was beginning to understand why Tharashk didn’t send a marked member of the house. If Thiel sought Daergoth, her masters knew before they sent her. The brand on her shoulder seemed to sizzle as sweat pooled under her shoulderblades. </p><p></p><p>Verloot’s scent preceded him, even before she heard his heavy tread across the deck. At least he’d bathed during their three days of waiting in Whitecliff. </p><p></p><p>“These half-spear ruffians seem unhappy about going into the lizards’ territory,” he said gruffly as he plopped down next to her makeshift tent. “The one that passes as their captain claims that their in some religious frenzy. Eating everything that smells like food, it seems. </p><p></p><p>“That’s to be expected, I guess,” she said. “This is still the frontier. It’s cheap to escort a party up the river. You separate the chaff when they actually have to trudge into this.” She gestured blindly at the surrounding jungle.</p><p></p><p>“Oh they’ll go,” he said. “And at the price agreed. But, they’re just not happy about it.”</p><p></p><p>“Have you ever known a soldier to be happy unless he’s drunk and in garrison?”</p><p></p><p>“Good point,” the gnome said. “So, are you sleeping?”</p><p></p><p>“Not anymore,” she answered, stretching lazily and dragging herself out onto the deck. </p><p></p><p>The sun beat down like a super-heated hammer. She pulled a soft straw hat from her bag and slid it on, but still had to shade her eyes to see the far bank through the bright haze. They had seen a few of the tiny Poison Dusk lizardkin shadowing their progress earlier in the morning, but at this high hour, nothing moved.</p><p></p><p>“Ma’am, I must speak with you.” </p><p></p><p>Kath turned to face the whip-thin man that led her troop of mercenaries. His thick moustaches dripped with sweat. She could smell fear leaking from his stained leather armor. </p><p></p><p>“Talk to my majordomo, Captain Teech,” she said, brusquely.</p><p></p><p>“A ‘forged?” he said without trying to hide his disdain. “Ma’am, surely…”</p><p></p><p>“Book!” Kath called, still eyeing the banks sliding slowly by. “Captain Teech wishes to speak with you.” </p><p></p><p>The dark-plated warforged rose from the back of the deck, placing a set of tools and a half-finished project into his bag.</p><p></p><p>“Captain Teech,” he said. “What can I do for you?” </p><p></p><p>The man eyed Book up and down, a slight sneer on his face. He looked to Kath and then back to the warforged, finally saying, “The men refuse to go into the jungle, and I agree with them. The Blackscales are in an uproar, as I’m sure you’ve heard. We’d like half our pay for taking you to the drop-off point, but we’ll not venture into that…”</p><p></p><p>Across the water, something dropped from an overhanging branch with a splash and sped across the river undulating like a great snake. It swung wide and ahead of their boat making for the other bank. Kath moved to the barge rail watching the odd patterns on it skin, alternating dark and light. </p><p></p><p>“Captain,” Book began. “As I’m sure you know, we agreed before leaving port as to the duties of you and your men. We certainly can’t pay you unless you fulfill the terms of this agreement.” </p><p></p><p>Another splash. This one closer and on the other side of the craft. </p><p></p><p>“Verloot,” she said quietly and pointed. </p><p></p><p>The gnome glanced over the side, spat, and then shrugged looking back at her. </p><p></p><p>“Snake,” he mouthed. </p><p></p><p>“Well, I tell ya, bucket-head,” Teech began, hand going to the heavy sword at his waist. “We aren’t going to go into that jungle. It’s certain death in this season. I don’t expect you to understand, being as your…not from around here. And we will have what’s due us.” </p><p></p><p>Behind him, the knot of armored men rose as one, hands clutching a collection of pole-axes and spears. Kath’s growl froze the lot of them. </p><p></p><p>“You will stand back from my companion, Teech. And take your hand away from your weapon.” she said savagely. “Our agreement is null and void, as of right now. If you persist…”</p><p></p><p>“Kath?” the gnome said. </p><p></p><p>“Not now, Verloot!” she shot over her shoulder. “If you continue with this shakedown…”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, now!” Verloot yelled, as he thundered back from the edge of the barge, jerking his sword from it sheath. “Look alive you rabble!” </p><p></p><p>Over his head, Kath saw twin banded tentacles shoot from the water, one wrapping itself around the barge rail and the second grasping blindly for the fleeing gnome.</p><p></p><p>The barge tilted crazily from the other side, and Kath rounded to see a horror pulling itself out of the water, its serpentine appendages bunched like eyeless snakes. A feral crocodilian head rose out of the water, eyes slightly askew, grasped the rail with one massive hand and vaulted onto the deck. Water streamed off of its bulky humanoid body covered in dark iridescent scales. It moved languidly across the deck, uncoiling tentacles preparing to strike. The barge shifted back toward the other side and Kath could see a second creature rising from the water. </p><p></p><p>Ripping her thin rapier from its sheath and deaf to the yells of those around her, she charged. The creature’s eyes registered surprise as the blade took it in the neck, a fountain of dark blood spraying across the shifter and the wood planks beneath her. One of the ridged tentacles seemed to relax only to lash at her, knocking Kath onto her back. She rolled to see grasping tentacles latching onto the barge at every quarter.</p><p></p><p>Verloot, his longsword swinging, yelled for Book, who stood in the shadow of the barge captain's cabin. </p><p></p><p>"Give us some support, you rust pile!" he bellowed, slicing away one grasping tentacle. </p><p></p><p>The gnome rushed another of the creatures as it vaulted onto the boards, jamming his sword into its tough scaly chest. The croc-man collapsed back, smashing the rail. The dark water sucked it down with a splash, the unnatural appendages spasming. </p><p></p><p>The men-at-arms shouted fearfully, crouching in a circle and brandishing their weapons at the grasping creatures. Verloot stomped toward them. </p><p></p><p>"On your feet you gibbering fishwives!" the gnome shouted. He kicked the nearest in the gut, threw down a bag of coin, and hauled him to his feet. "You took our gold, now do your jobs!" </p><p></p><p>The shifter rolled away from another attack, nearly losing her footing on the wet boards. Already tiring, Kath attempted to duck a second strike from the creature. Cruel barbs along the tentacle's edge sliced across the thick leather cuirass on her back. She rolled with the pain, feeling the animal rise into her throat, and sliced the tentacle in two. The creature roared, advancing like a thundering bull on her prone form. Its remaining serpentine appendage raked her across the chest, then wrapped around her sword arm like a feeding python, dragging her into the air. Her rapier fell away, and she dangled helplessly before its toothy maw. The crocodilian's fetid swamp breath washed over her and she fought the urge to vomit. </p><p></p><p>Twin yellow fires suddenly burned from her eye sockets and the Beast changed her. Her free claw sliced across the croc-man’s eyes and it roared then back-handed her out of its own grasp. Landing lightly, she rolled to retrieve her fallen weapon, tearing her sight back over her shoulder. The creature came anew, thundering blindly across the deck. Brushing the whipping tentacle away, she kicked out at the last instant, one leg entangling the croc-man’s legs and the other catching him in the chest as he lurched forward. She thrust the rapier deep into his guts even as she braced, rolled back and kicked him over her body and over the barge rail. The thin sword snapped in her hands as he passed, bloody froth gurgling in his throat. </p><p></p><p>The men-at-arms, their numbers more than halved, managed to take down the last creature with their pole-arms. Teech drew back his heavy spear for the killing stroke. </p><p></p><p>"Wait!" Kath called, standing slowly. The wounds across her back and chest burned and blood flowing freely to pool at her feet. She felt shaky, but pushed this down. </p><p></p><p>The captain shrank from her as she approached but she ignored his fear. Relaxing her breathing, she willed away the beast, only to have it seize her more tightly. Not wanting to show the struggle to her companions and hirelings, she flung away the broken rapier hilt and called in a throaty growl. </p><p></p><p>"Verloot, Book. Have the prisoner bound." She backed away toward the prow of the vessel until she could calm her nerves. </p><p></p><p>"Careful of the railing, Lady," Book said, following her. "Perhaps you should stay near the center..."</p><p></p><p>"Don't." She tried to say this softly, but her snarl stopped Book and the men-at-arms cold. "Just give me a moment." </p><p></p><p>An unnatural shudder moved through her, and she struggled to remain standing. Her wounds burning anew, Kath placed both arms on the railing and pushed at the Beast. It finally yielded, melting away. She felt her features soften and the claws on her hands retracted into her skin again leaving her shaking and cold. </p><p></p><p>"You must let me treat your wounds, Kath," Book said, his voice close by her ear startled her. </p><p></p><p>She nodded, looking up at the racing moons. Tiny Olarune had passed Barrakas, brighter points arcing across the bright bright sky.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ragboy, post: 3048420, member: 4151"] Kath lay under a canvas lean-to on the barge’s deck trying to block out the gods-awful heat. The constant chatter, chitter, and scream of the jungle gave her comfort somehow and she thought of the long trail that had brought her here. Ages it seemed, but Uri’s face still burned in her, his wolfish grin and loping gait alongside gave her comfort as their troop descended into Breland scouting defenses and causing mayhem for their masters in Karrnath. He never had a loyalty that couldn’t be changed with enough gold and she was the same, back then. Not any more. She was beginning to understand why Tharashk didn’t send a marked member of the house. If Thiel sought Daergoth, her masters knew before they sent her. The brand on her shoulder seemed to sizzle as sweat pooled under her shoulderblades. Verloot’s scent preceded him, even before she heard his heavy tread across the deck. At least he’d bathed during their three days of waiting in Whitecliff. “These half-spear ruffians seem unhappy about going into the lizards’ territory,” he said gruffly as he plopped down next to her makeshift tent. “The one that passes as their captain claims that their in some religious frenzy. Eating everything that smells like food, it seems. “That’s to be expected, I guess,” she said. “This is still the frontier. It’s cheap to escort a party up the river. You separate the chaff when they actually have to trudge into this.” She gestured blindly at the surrounding jungle. “Oh they’ll go,” he said. “And at the price agreed. But, they’re just not happy about it.” “Have you ever known a soldier to be happy unless he’s drunk and in garrison?” “Good point,” the gnome said. “So, are you sleeping?” “Not anymore,” she answered, stretching lazily and dragging herself out onto the deck. The sun beat down like a super-heated hammer. She pulled a soft straw hat from her bag and slid it on, but still had to shade her eyes to see the far bank through the bright haze. They had seen a few of the tiny Poison Dusk lizardkin shadowing their progress earlier in the morning, but at this high hour, nothing moved. “Ma’am, I must speak with you.” Kath turned to face the whip-thin man that led her troop of mercenaries. His thick moustaches dripped with sweat. She could smell fear leaking from his stained leather armor. “Talk to my majordomo, Captain Teech,” she said, brusquely. “A ‘forged?” he said without trying to hide his disdain. “Ma’am, surely…” “Book!” Kath called, still eyeing the banks sliding slowly by. “Captain Teech wishes to speak with you.” The dark-plated warforged rose from the back of the deck, placing a set of tools and a half-finished project into his bag. “Captain Teech,” he said. “What can I do for you?” The man eyed Book up and down, a slight sneer on his face. He looked to Kath and then back to the warforged, finally saying, “The men refuse to go into the jungle, and I agree with them. The Blackscales are in an uproar, as I’m sure you’ve heard. We’d like half our pay for taking you to the drop-off point, but we’ll not venture into that…” Across the water, something dropped from an overhanging branch with a splash and sped across the river undulating like a great snake. It swung wide and ahead of their boat making for the other bank. Kath moved to the barge rail watching the odd patterns on it skin, alternating dark and light. “Captain,” Book began. “As I’m sure you know, we agreed before leaving port as to the duties of you and your men. We certainly can’t pay you unless you fulfill the terms of this agreement.” Another splash. This one closer and on the other side of the craft. “Verloot,” she said quietly and pointed. The gnome glanced over the side, spat, and then shrugged looking back at her. “Snake,” he mouthed. “Well, I tell ya, bucket-head,” Teech began, hand going to the heavy sword at his waist. “We aren’t going to go into that jungle. It’s certain death in this season. I don’t expect you to understand, being as your…not from around here. And we will have what’s due us.” Behind him, the knot of armored men rose as one, hands clutching a collection of pole-axes and spears. Kath’s growl froze the lot of them. “You will stand back from my companion, Teech. And take your hand away from your weapon.” she said savagely. “Our agreement is null and void, as of right now. If you persist…” “Kath?” the gnome said. “Not now, Verloot!” she shot over her shoulder. “If you continue with this shakedown…” “Yes, now!” Verloot yelled, as he thundered back from the edge of the barge, jerking his sword from it sheath. “Look alive you rabble!” Over his head, Kath saw twin banded tentacles shoot from the water, one wrapping itself around the barge rail and the second grasping blindly for the fleeing gnome. The barge tilted crazily from the other side, and Kath rounded to see a horror pulling itself out of the water, its serpentine appendages bunched like eyeless snakes. A feral crocodilian head rose out of the water, eyes slightly askew, grasped the rail with one massive hand and vaulted onto the deck. Water streamed off of its bulky humanoid body covered in dark iridescent scales. It moved languidly across the deck, uncoiling tentacles preparing to strike. The barge shifted back toward the other side and Kath could see a second creature rising from the water. Ripping her thin rapier from its sheath and deaf to the yells of those around her, she charged. The creature’s eyes registered surprise as the blade took it in the neck, a fountain of dark blood spraying across the shifter and the wood planks beneath her. One of the ridged tentacles seemed to relax only to lash at her, knocking Kath onto her back. She rolled to see grasping tentacles latching onto the barge at every quarter. Verloot, his longsword swinging, yelled for Book, who stood in the shadow of the barge captain's cabin. "Give us some support, you rust pile!" he bellowed, slicing away one grasping tentacle. The gnome rushed another of the creatures as it vaulted onto the boards, jamming his sword into its tough scaly chest. The croc-man collapsed back, smashing the rail. The dark water sucked it down with a splash, the unnatural appendages spasming. The men-at-arms shouted fearfully, crouching in a circle and brandishing their weapons at the grasping creatures. Verloot stomped toward them. "On your feet you gibbering fishwives!" the gnome shouted. He kicked the nearest in the gut, threw down a bag of coin, and hauled him to his feet. "You took our gold, now do your jobs!" The shifter rolled away from another attack, nearly losing her footing on the wet boards. Already tiring, Kath attempted to duck a second strike from the creature. Cruel barbs along the tentacle's edge sliced across the thick leather cuirass on her back. She rolled with the pain, feeling the animal rise into her throat, and sliced the tentacle in two. The creature roared, advancing like a thundering bull on her prone form. Its remaining serpentine appendage raked her across the chest, then wrapped around her sword arm like a feeding python, dragging her into the air. Her rapier fell away, and she dangled helplessly before its toothy maw. The crocodilian's fetid swamp breath washed over her and she fought the urge to vomit. Twin yellow fires suddenly burned from her eye sockets and the Beast changed her. Her free claw sliced across the croc-man’s eyes and it roared then back-handed her out of its own grasp. Landing lightly, she rolled to retrieve her fallen weapon, tearing her sight back over her shoulder. The creature came anew, thundering blindly across the deck. Brushing the whipping tentacle away, she kicked out at the last instant, one leg entangling the croc-man’s legs and the other catching him in the chest as he lurched forward. She thrust the rapier deep into his guts even as she braced, rolled back and kicked him over her body and over the barge rail. The thin sword snapped in her hands as he passed, bloody froth gurgling in his throat. The men-at-arms, their numbers more than halved, managed to take down the last creature with their pole-arms. Teech drew back his heavy spear for the killing stroke. "Wait!" Kath called, standing slowly. The wounds across her back and chest burned and blood flowing freely to pool at her feet. She felt shaky, but pushed this down. The captain shrank from her as she approached but she ignored his fear. Relaxing her breathing, she willed away the beast, only to have it seize her more tightly. Not wanting to show the struggle to her companions and hirelings, she flung away the broken rapier hilt and called in a throaty growl. "Verloot, Book. Have the prisoner bound." She backed away toward the prow of the vessel until she could calm her nerves. "Careful of the railing, Lady," Book said, following her. "Perhaps you should stay near the center..." "Don't." She tried to say this softly, but her snarl stopped Book and the men-at-arms cold. "Just give me a moment." An unnatural shudder moved through her, and she struggled to remain standing. Her wounds burning anew, Kath placed both arms on the railing and pushed at the Beast. It finally yielded, melting away. She felt her features soften and the claws on her hands retracted into her skin again leaving her shaking and cold. "You must let me treat your wounds, Kath," Book said, his voice close by her ear startled her. She nodded, looking up at the racing moons. Tiny Olarune had passed Barrakas, brighter points arcing across the bright bright sky. [/QUOTE]
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