[IC] Dichotomy's Age of Worms: The Whispering Cairn

[Dichotomy]

Byron nods in response to Fintan's query. "I could make a red light, though I don't know if that will have the desired effect. Of course, we don't actually KNOW what effect is supposed to happen, if any. In any case, there will certainly need to be more investigation done."

Byron dumps whatever is left of the water the three used onto the ground and pulls up a fresh bucket to bring inside. "Probably long enough, I'd say." Almost as an afterthought, the mage says, "You know, I'm still worried a bit about our map. Someone might put two and two together. We have this map that was stolen from the garrison, and now the five of us just happen to not be doing whatever we normally do. Perhaps I am being overly cautious..."

 

[TiCaudata]

"Who's not doing what's normal? I wander off for a day or two regularly. But I suppose we are not really that far from town, we could put in appearences from time to time. I'd hate to overwork our cleric though."

 

[Amal Shukup]

Byron: "You know, I'm still worried a bit about our map. Someone might put two and two together. We have this map that was stolen from the garrison, and now the five of us just happen to not be doing whatever we normally do. Perhaps I am being overly cautious..."

"It looks like Vixtrin could take a while getting back to full health. Perhap some of us could use that time to pop into town and investigate whether there's anything untoward going on. Fore-warned being fore-armed and all that. Oh, and we could pick up a red lantern while we're at it."

 

[TiCaudata]

Fintan gives Sprout an appraising look. "How's the leg holding up? I'm all for a quick jaunt, but I would prefer not to give anyone any ideas that anything is wrong. Maybe our doting dwarven decon might have a decent determination about what our next direction should be."

 

[TiCaudata]

"Shall we then?"

Fintan walks back into the office whistling loudly as he approaches.

 

[Dichotomy]

As the trio of young men reenter the abandoned mine office, they see that Lartis has taken decent care of the situation. The unconscious Vixtrin is nested atop the cleric's bedroll, her armor has been removed, and her wounds ready to be cleaned.

"Thanks, lads," the dwarf curtly says. He takes the bucket and quickly cleans Vixtrin's wounds. He then applies bandages, though they only seem necessary to prevent the wounds from reopening, as his orison stopped the flow of blood.

Lartis stands up, turns to the trio, and clears his throat. "Listen, boys. Vixtrin is a dear girl, and I don't want to take any chances. I know a young man, name o' Nollan. He could patch her up right quick. I'm sure as you could trust him not to, ummm, tell anyone anything. He's former garrison." For a moment the dwarf remains silent, but it is plain to the three young men that he has more on his mind.

"I mean to go tell Nollan myself. I don't think this work is good for me." Lartis lowers his head and the tone of his voice drops. "You saw what I did to that thing. That's not who I am, and not who I'm wanting to be. And I'm too old for traipsing 'round like this. If I can be of help to you, please let me know. But I don't think I can stay with you." The dwarf seems resigned on his course of action, and the arguments the three men make fail to persuade him. "Blessings of the All-Father will be with you, as long as I breathe to speak them. I'll send Nollan straight away."

With that, Lartis takes his personal belongings (leaving behind the lantern, oil, and other such findings from earlier) and leaves the mine office.

Byron looks at the other two men. "That changes things a bit. What ought we do now?"

 

[TiCaudata]

"Well I suppose we ought to wait for this fresh fryer and make sure he is capable of meeting with our current needs for discretion. Then we can plan for getting a red light, but we ought to plan what our next step in the cairn will be. As well as we can without our dastardly dear damaging damsel that is.

"Personally I think we should either spin the sarcophagus to the other stops, or find out if the topless tunnel tends to turn out topside."

 

[michael_noah]

Following the clear noises of clanging shield and morningstar that have preceded him for some time, Nollan approaches the mine office.

"Hello? Vixtrin? Are you in here? Lartis sent me to help..."

After opening the door to the office, Nollan quickly peeks in. Seeing that Vixtrin is indeed present, but unconscious, Nollan strides quickly toward her. Speaking before he reaches her, he reaches for the wooden disc hanging from his neck.

"Don't worry fellows, we'll have her up, walking, and swinging her chain again in no time... Great Horizon Dweller, place this fine woman back on her feet where she belongs."

Crouching beside her, Nollan lays his hand on Vixtrin's shoulder briefly.

"That should have you up and around again. I'd have been here more quickly, but I had to check the door before coming in...", Nollan speaks smirkingly to Vixtrin as she stirs.

"I apologize also for the lack of introduction, fellow travelers. Lartis seemed rather flustered, so I thought I'd better get his bidding done as soon as I got here. I am Nollan Fisher, though I'm sure you already knew that. So, to whom do I owe the pleasure of this grand excuse for a walk?"

With a final glance at Vixtrin to ensure that she has indeed awoke, Nollan stands again and turns his smile on the others.

Cast CLW spontaneously expending Shield of Faith

 

[CanadienneBacon]

With a scowl at Nollan, Vixtrin abruptly bat his hand away from her shoulder and then sits bolt upright. Seeing that her hair is a dissheveled mess, her clothing is in disarray, and her armor is not on her person, Vixtrin throws her arms about her chest to cover herself and hastily gets to her feet. Finding her legs unsteady after so long laying down, however, Vixtrin lets go of her chest to steady herself against the wall of the mine office. Compromised between a desperate need for chastity and the inability to hold herself erect without being propped against the wall, Vixtrin at the last leans a shoulder against the mine office so that both arms can act as cover for her bosom. Casting narrowed eyes about the room, and in particular taking in the smiling Nollan along with the other three men, Vixtrin lets loose with a foul stream of cursing in a hoarse but loud voice. "You filthy boddynockers! Where are my overgarments?! Standing around, leering at my flesh like miners lusting after a common whore! Like mongrels to the rubbish heap!" Vixtrin's throat rises to a screech. "And YOU," Vixtrin rounds on Nollan. "What are YOU doing here, you bloody rotten philandering son of nothing good on this green earth?! Think to take advantage of a woman while she's asleep, do you? I'll flay you alive..." Vixtrin reaches a stray hand to her waist, clearing reaching for a weapon that isn't there. Surprised and caught off guard by the lack of her beloved chain, Vixtrin instead clenches her fist and points to the door with her other hand. "GET OUT! ALL OF YOU! OUT!"

 

[michael_noah]

"Like I said, no time at all... I think I'll take a look around outside."

Nollan backs away, still smiling, but quite obviously a bit afraid of the woman's ire.

If the others have the good sense to leave at the same time:

"I can't believe it, but I think I'd actually feel safer if she did have her chain", Nollan mutters as he leaves.