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Al-Qarin: Into the Desert (3-1-24)
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<blockquote data-quote="EternalNewbie" data-source="post: 5572316" data-attributes="member: 6489"><p>“Who's Rasha'guar?” Shayla asked.</p><p></p><p>“The Orc-Father. The patron of the entire race,” Geoff replied. Turning to Gorak he added, “You see now why we were reluctant to allow you into our village. Even telling you this much is in violation of my oath and may condemn me to the same fate as Gavin. But after what I witnessed today, I think maybe you're the only chance we've got of coming through this.”</p><p></p><p>“Lucky for you, I'm the one Orc that ain't got no use fer gods.” Gorak growled, regaining control of his emotions. Barely.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, what power does the idol hold?” Khalid asked.</p><p></p><p>“Our holy writings tell of a ritual which will raise an avatar upon the earth. An embodiment of the god himself.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, I knew I didn't want the answer to that question,” Khalid muttered.</p><p></p><p>“Why all this messing around with a piece of rock. Why not just show up down here and cause some havoc?” Shayla asked.</p><p></p><p>Khalid, sifting through his knowledge of planar beings, hit upon several possible conclusions, finally abandoning all but the most likely. “Contained within mortal flesh, he would be vulnerable. The ability of the other deities to interfere, indirectly through their followers, would present a grave risk. I suspect its possible that whatever power Rasha'guar imbued in a mortal artifact could be completely destroyed upon this plane.”</p><p></p><p>“But without the other gods to keep him in check...” Shayla trailed off, looking at Geoff.</p><p></p><p>“He'll grow in power until nothing on this earth can stand against him,” Geoff replied. “I still cannot fathom why he would do it. Rasha'guar values power above all else. To willingly sacrifice some of his divine essence, to diminish himself upon the heavenly plane to store his power upon the mortal realm is almost unfathomable. Perhaps he alone of all the gods had the wisdom to foresee this day.”</p><p></p><p>“Or maybe he jus figured it was a matter of time before the rest of them gods blasted him into divine dust and wanted a second chance tucked away someplace safe.” Gorak rumbled.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, it doesn't really matter does it. The possibility alone is worth ensuring this thing does not, yes, not fall into their hands.” Khalid declared. Azarek glared at him.</p><p></p><p>“Do I have to remind you what happened the last time we tried to be heroes?” Shayla retorted. She pointed at her jet black hair. “I got a permanent makeover.”</p><p></p><p>“I'm with Khalid on this one darling,” Gorak growled. “Ain't nothing good gonna come of them Orcs getting their hands on that statue.”</p><p></p><p>“You sure about that?” Azarek rasped. “Can't see it being a problem for you.”</p><p></p><p>Gorak shrugged. “Oh I'd do better than you lot, a'right. But I'm only half-orc and that's gonna put me at the bottom of the heap. Can't say I care much for the thought.”</p><p></p><p>“We can't allow this to come to pass,” Khalid pleaded with Shayla.</p><p></p><p>She turned away, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder. “I know that,” she admitted. “But this is gonna get messy. Mark my words.”</p><p></p><p>“Always seems too, with you lot,” Azarek rasped. Can't say it's good fer the lifespan, but it'll keep you sharp, a'right. But haven't made the important decision yet.” He pointed back in the direction of the ranger. “What to do wit that fool. Let's hear your vote.”</p><p></p><p>Gorak glanced at Khalid. “You want him alive. Then you deal with him.” He turned to Azarek. “And what makes you think your vote counts? You follow or you leave.”</p><p></p><p>They returned to the bound ranger. Pulling the gag from Gavin's mouth, Gorak knelt down beside him. “How much time do we have?” he growled.</p><p></p><p>“It's a matter of hours now, I'd guess,” Gavin replied, trying to edge away from Gorak.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, we can perhaps make a few more miles yet today, but I must admit, I am quite, yes, quite exhausted,” Khalid pointed out, pragmatically. “I will make little difference until we have had time to rest and I do not relish the prospect of trying to out manoeuvre Orcs in the dark.” </p><p></p><p>“Yer right. I'll warn the village. You do what you can. Khalid, worst case, can you get everybody into the village like you got us into Caer Morag?” Gorak asked.</p><p></p><p>“Tomorrow, yes, although that will require a great, yes great deal of my strength in advance of any battle.”</p><p></p><p>“I know that,” Gorak growled. “Jez be prepared.” He closed his eyes, concentrating.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Before he could shift, Geoff spoke. “Wait. Erik's not going to believe you. Tell him 'The sun never sets upon the Green'. He'll know then that I trusted you.” Nodding, Gorak shimmered in the form of a hawk and flew away through the trees.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, quite. We are in agreement then, yes?” Khalid addressed Geoff. “I will of course, defer to you in this judgement, but I do not care for the thought of executing this man.” Geoff, with a long glance at Gavin, nodded, then turned his back and walked away.</p><p></p><p>“I still can't believe we're just going to cut that piece of shyte loose.” Shayla muttered, shaking her head.</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes, I just said that I didn't want him killed. I never said I was going to let him go unpunished,” Khalid replied. Gesturing at Azarek he added, “Relieve him of his weapons and cut him free.” Grumbling under his breath, Azarek grudgingly complied. The ranger rolled away from Azarek and crab crawled back against a tree, watching them warily. He clearly didn't believe that they were going to release him.</p><p></p><p>“Geoff has asked that we spare your life and I am inclined to agree with him,” Khalid said. “He still has faith that you can redeem yourself.” Folding his arms into the sleeves of his robes, Khalid leaned forward and spoke down to him. “Ah, I, on the other hand, am not a religious man. You are being given what too few people get. A second chance. And I intend to ensure that you use it. Remember that we found you, in your own lands, with ease and can do so again. There is no mountain high enough, nor cave deep enough, to hide you from us, so I suggest that you consider this a parole, not a pardon. Leave this place and spend your life atoning for your betrayal. Fail to do so, and I will see that you suffer the judgement you deserve.” Khalid stared straight into the mans eyes, holding his gaze.</p><p></p><p><em>We will be watching you</em></p><p></p><p>Gavin jerked upright, glancing around nervously as thoughts that were not his own echoed in his mind. Satisfied, Khalid turned his back as the man scrambled off into the bush, vanishing between the trees.</p><p></p><p>“Clever,” Shayla admitted, watching him run off. “But do you really think you accomplished anything?”</p><p></p><p>Khalid shrugged. “Ah, consider it a social experiment. I do fully intend to check up on him, at some point. Perhaps fear will lead him to do good, until it once again becomes its own reward. If not...” Khalid shrugged, “it would seem to me that we may yet have use for desperate men like him, yes?”</p><p></p><p>Azarek chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder. “Jez when I think I can't stand you no more, you go ahead and surprise me. The look on his face was almost worth not stringing him up for the buzzards. Almost.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, yes quite,” Khalid muttered. “Perhaps it is time we were on our way,” he suggested in a louder tone, glancing up at the fading light filtering through the trees. </p><p></p><p>They wasted no time falling into line behind Geoff, but it was less than an hour later when he called an abrupt halt. Motioning them close, he pointed out Orc tracks heading at an angle toward the village. More and more, their place slowed as the shadows lengthened. Soon, they found more tracks heading in the same direction, not even trying to conceal their passage. One group looked to be about two dozen strong, although they didn't spare the time to count. Taking care to make as little noise as possible, Geoff crept forward, only ten feet ahead of Khalid. </p><p></p><p>A half dozen steps further, he knelt to the ground and waved them back. They dropped low and pushed into a small thicket, waiting for the Orcs to pass. Voices, no more than a dozen yards away, split through the gloom. Khalid practically held his breath, trying to remain as quiet as possible. Geoff curled up around the base of a tree, pulling his mottled green-brown cloak up around him. A sharp laugh reached them, followed by an unintelligible stream of Orcish as the voices receded. With a sigh of relief, Geoff removed his hand from the hilt of his longsword, and crept back to the rest of them. “I think there is a serious encampment nearby. A staging point, or at least a large war band. Those two were sentries. There's still plenty of forest between us and the village, so I'm confident I can get us around them. But I'm not confident I can do it in the dark with you three.”</p><p></p><p>“Agreed,” Khalid replied. Waiting a few more minutes, he cast a spell, the arcane words distressingly loud in the still forest. Clambering up the rope, they entered the bland grey sanctuary of Khalid's pocket dimension. For the first time all day, they were able to relax as Azarek sealed the gate behind them. Sitting down to a bland, cheerless meal, Khalid couldn't help but wonder how Gorak was faring.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="EternalNewbie, post: 5572316, member: 6489"] “Who's Rasha'guar?” Shayla asked. “The Orc-Father. The patron of the entire race,” Geoff replied. Turning to Gorak he added, “You see now why we were reluctant to allow you into our village. Even telling you this much is in violation of my oath and may condemn me to the same fate as Gavin. But after what I witnessed today, I think maybe you're the only chance we've got of coming through this.” “Lucky for you, I'm the one Orc that ain't got no use fer gods.” Gorak growled, regaining control of his emotions. Barely. “Ah, what power does the idol hold?” Khalid asked. “Our holy writings tell of a ritual which will raise an avatar upon the earth. An embodiment of the god himself.” “Ah, I knew I didn't want the answer to that question,” Khalid muttered. “Why all this messing around with a piece of rock. Why not just show up down here and cause some havoc?” Shayla asked. Khalid, sifting through his knowledge of planar beings, hit upon several possible conclusions, finally abandoning all but the most likely. “Contained within mortal flesh, he would be vulnerable. The ability of the other deities to interfere, indirectly through their followers, would present a grave risk. I suspect its possible that whatever power Rasha'guar imbued in a mortal artifact could be completely destroyed upon this plane.” “But without the other gods to keep him in check...” Shayla trailed off, looking at Geoff. “He'll grow in power until nothing on this earth can stand against him,” Geoff replied. “I still cannot fathom why he would do it. Rasha'guar values power above all else. To willingly sacrifice some of his divine essence, to diminish himself upon the heavenly plane to store his power upon the mortal realm is almost unfathomable. Perhaps he alone of all the gods had the wisdom to foresee this day.” “Or maybe he jus figured it was a matter of time before the rest of them gods blasted him into divine dust and wanted a second chance tucked away someplace safe.” Gorak rumbled. “Ah, it doesn't really matter does it. The possibility alone is worth ensuring this thing does not, yes, not fall into their hands.” Khalid declared. Azarek glared at him. “Do I have to remind you what happened the last time we tried to be heroes?” Shayla retorted. She pointed at her jet black hair. “I got a permanent makeover.” “I'm with Khalid on this one darling,” Gorak growled. “Ain't nothing good gonna come of them Orcs getting their hands on that statue.” “You sure about that?” Azarek rasped. “Can't see it being a problem for you.” Gorak shrugged. “Oh I'd do better than you lot, a'right. But I'm only half-orc and that's gonna put me at the bottom of the heap. Can't say I care much for the thought.” “We can't allow this to come to pass,” Khalid pleaded with Shayla. She turned away, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder. “I know that,” she admitted. “But this is gonna get messy. Mark my words.” “Always seems too, with you lot,” Azarek rasped. Can't say it's good fer the lifespan, but it'll keep you sharp, a'right. But haven't made the important decision yet.” He pointed back in the direction of the ranger. “What to do wit that fool. Let's hear your vote.” Gorak glanced at Khalid. “You want him alive. Then you deal with him.” He turned to Azarek. “And what makes you think your vote counts? You follow or you leave.” They returned to the bound ranger. Pulling the gag from Gavin's mouth, Gorak knelt down beside him. “How much time do we have?” he growled. “It's a matter of hours now, I'd guess,” Gavin replied, trying to edge away from Gorak. “Ah, we can perhaps make a few more miles yet today, but I must admit, I am quite, yes, quite exhausted,” Khalid pointed out, pragmatically. “I will make little difference until we have had time to rest and I do not relish the prospect of trying to out manoeuvre Orcs in the dark.” “Yer right. I'll warn the village. You do what you can. Khalid, worst case, can you get everybody into the village like you got us into Caer Morag?” Gorak asked. “Tomorrow, yes, although that will require a great, yes great deal of my strength in advance of any battle.” “I know that,” Gorak growled. “Jez be prepared.” He closed his eyes, concentrating. Before he could shift, Geoff spoke. “Wait. Erik's not going to believe you. Tell him 'The sun never sets upon the Green'. He'll know then that I trusted you.” Nodding, Gorak shimmered in the form of a hawk and flew away through the trees. “Yes, quite. We are in agreement then, yes?” Khalid addressed Geoff. “I will of course, defer to you in this judgement, but I do not care for the thought of executing this man.” Geoff, with a long glance at Gavin, nodded, then turned his back and walked away. “I still can't believe we're just going to cut that piece of shyte loose.” Shayla muttered, shaking her head. “Ah, yes, I just said that I didn't want him killed. I never said I was going to let him go unpunished,” Khalid replied. Gesturing at Azarek he added, “Relieve him of his weapons and cut him free.” Grumbling under his breath, Azarek grudgingly complied. The ranger rolled away from Azarek and crab crawled back against a tree, watching them warily. He clearly didn't believe that they were going to release him. “Geoff has asked that we spare your life and I am inclined to agree with him,” Khalid said. “He still has faith that you can redeem yourself.” Folding his arms into the sleeves of his robes, Khalid leaned forward and spoke down to him. “Ah, I, on the other hand, am not a religious man. You are being given what too few people get. A second chance. And I intend to ensure that you use it. Remember that we found you, in your own lands, with ease and can do so again. There is no mountain high enough, nor cave deep enough, to hide you from us, so I suggest that you consider this a parole, not a pardon. Leave this place and spend your life atoning for your betrayal. Fail to do so, and I will see that you suffer the judgement you deserve.” Khalid stared straight into the mans eyes, holding his gaze. [I]We will be watching you[/I] Gavin jerked upright, glancing around nervously as thoughts that were not his own echoed in his mind. Satisfied, Khalid turned his back as the man scrambled off into the bush, vanishing between the trees. “Clever,” Shayla admitted, watching him run off. “But do you really think you accomplished anything?” Khalid shrugged. “Ah, consider it a social experiment. I do fully intend to check up on him, at some point. Perhaps fear will lead him to do good, until it once again becomes its own reward. If not...” Khalid shrugged, “it would seem to me that we may yet have use for desperate men like him, yes?” Azarek chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder. “Jez when I think I can't stand you no more, you go ahead and surprise me. The look on his face was almost worth not stringing him up for the buzzards. Almost.” “Ah, yes quite,” Khalid muttered. “Perhaps it is time we were on our way,” he suggested in a louder tone, glancing up at the fading light filtering through the trees. They wasted no time falling into line behind Geoff, but it was less than an hour later when he called an abrupt halt. Motioning them close, he pointed out Orc tracks heading at an angle toward the village. More and more, their place slowed as the shadows lengthened. Soon, they found more tracks heading in the same direction, not even trying to conceal their passage. One group looked to be about two dozen strong, although they didn't spare the time to count. Taking care to make as little noise as possible, Geoff crept forward, only ten feet ahead of Khalid. A half dozen steps further, he knelt to the ground and waved them back. They dropped low and pushed into a small thicket, waiting for the Orcs to pass. Voices, no more than a dozen yards away, split through the gloom. Khalid practically held his breath, trying to remain as quiet as possible. Geoff curled up around the base of a tree, pulling his mottled green-brown cloak up around him. A sharp laugh reached them, followed by an unintelligible stream of Orcish as the voices receded. With a sigh of relief, Geoff removed his hand from the hilt of his longsword, and crept back to the rest of them. “I think there is a serious encampment nearby. A staging point, or at least a large war band. Those two were sentries. There's still plenty of forest between us and the village, so I'm confident I can get us around them. But I'm not confident I can do it in the dark with you three.” “Agreed,” Khalid replied. Waiting a few more minutes, he cast a spell, the arcane words distressingly loud in the still forest. Clambering up the rope, they entered the bland grey sanctuary of Khalid's pocket dimension. For the first time all day, they were able to relax as Azarek sealed the gate behind them. Sitting down to a bland, cheerless meal, Khalid couldn't help but wonder how Gorak was faring. [/QUOTE]
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