Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 3, Baden's Bluff

[maddmic]

Herger nods. "I cannot speak of the things in Caft. I can however speak to the happenings since I joined this group. We had travelled with some of my Dornish bretheren for a few days when we happened upon Caer Beris. This is where we met Lodric, and thankfully so. While resting there, we were set upon by an odd sight. A host of ghostly orcs and Dorn began a battle that had been fought many years earlier. It seemed as though it was just a phantom battle that played out in front of us, mimicking the actual battle of Caer Berisfrom many years earlier. However, the orcs took notice of the girl. It is then that the spectres changed their tactics and began trying to grab the girl and do those who would stop them harm. We were able to protect her and in doing so, changed the tide of battle as the Dorns were able to over turn the orc offensive."

Herger clears his throat. "I know that may not seem as an important 'sign', but I saw it as one. Furthermore, as I told the ones from the Blue Sky Trader, the Shadow fears this girl. For some reason they are very intent on her capture or end. For that reason alone, I believe that there is something about her. More often than not, anybody that the Shadow was hunting would be 'forgotten' about had they proved as insubstantial and ellusive as this girl. From what I understand of her past, she has done nothing openly against the shadow, save be alive. Why would they take such great notice of her? She is in much of the same situation as your kind m'lady. She is being hunted because she lives. Surely you can symapthize with that."

Herger then looks to the others. "I shall let them tell you of what they know of her origins. I just felt that you should hear my reasonings for wanting to help Aislinn."

 

[Hrothgar]

Elaural listens intently to Herger, her almond shaped eyes wide, taking in and judging all of Herger's words. You make a strong argument, Northman. Why indeed should the Shadow seek her unless she was a threat? Turning to look up at the sky, Elaural talks to no one in particular. Caer Beris. I heard of its fall. No survivors. To turn the tide on play that has been enacted for decades is truly remarkable. Turning back to the Heroes, she watches the Erenlander healer Jessup inspect Aislin.

Kneeling next to Aislinn, he looks at the Heroes sadly, then turns to Elaural with a grave face. She is dying. I’ve seen this with cattle, even with some dogs, when the young die within the mother. The mother slowly rots from within. I cannot tell if the girl is or was pregnant, but there is a cancer at her core, its rot and corruption spreading out and slowly consuming her. My skills are not enough to help her…I can heal wounds, cure diseases and poisons, but not remove a cancer. Elven healers in Erethor might be able to do more for her. Whether or not she lasts.., Jessup shrugs and adds, I’m sorry.

Aislinn stirs slightly, her voice mumbled and incoherent, her mind lost in a dream. The goddess calls me...to the great wood...the groves...such dark groves...

Elaural looks sharply at the Heroes. Goddess? Has the girl had such dreams before? A great wood? Does she speak of Erethor? I know of dark groves, where even elves fear to tread... Elaural mind races. What can you tell me of Caft? Was it there she encountered this "goddess"? Is there any physical evidence of this "goddess" or your trials in the North?

 

[Krug]

Starhl continues to wait for the others to speak. Being a loner, he is not the best in communication. "Aid us. Save her." the barbarian says.

 

[Bobitron]

Kaela steps forward to speak for the Heroes, reaching into her pocket to pull out something which she holds tight in her hand.

"Aislinn is like a sister to me. One day I found her in the woods, blind and feverish. She had been missing over the night and we all feared the worse. Even though our small town wasn't overrun by the forces of the Shadow every day like this place, the lands outside Caft were not the safest. Her father had sent her to look for a lost animal. She had wandered in the woods and passed the ancestor ring, a place of power and reverence among her people. She told me days later what happened there."

"She was drawn to the ring by a strange glowing light, green and clear. She said she met the godess there, a woman cloaked in the light. She was blinded by the sight. But the godess told her that she had awaken in anger and was ready to fight back. That the land was angry and would reject the Shadow. That Aislinn would be the hope in the hearts of all who would fight the oppressors. Now Aislinn can heal. She can take away pain and sickness without even a touch. She says she can feel the land, talk to it in a sense. She is the Chosen one. "

She raises her hand, the glowing green stone lying in her open palm, tinted light filling the area. "Since we have traveled with her, fleeing the Shadow, strange things have happened. I came upon this stone, which I feel has only begun to hint at its powers. Stahrl has a sword that can cut metal as easily as orc flesh. The land has directed us to you, Elaural. And I do not think that our faith in you is misplaced. Help us. And know that Aislinn is indeed the Hope. Even if she is not the Hope of the world, she is the Hope that burns in our hearts", she says with passion, tears brimming in her eyes.

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Valurel looks on wide-eyed at the rapidly unfolding events. He had barely had time to take in the sight of the elven woman before his companions began speaking and she asking questions. He felt his stomach knot as memories of his homeland and family washed over him, unlocked by his kinsman standing before him.

Upon hearing Jessup say that Aislinn is dying, Valurel's expression turns to one of deep sorrow. In a world without hope, the young girl had provided some. With her gone, Valurel wasn't sure he was willing to carry on the fight. He was tired and this latest news was sapping his remaining resolve.

 

[Hrothgar]

Elaural hangs on Kaela's words, her hand on the young woman's shoulder, lending strength. Elaural gasps audibly when she sees the stone. She reaches forth, her hand hovering above the granite shard with its stylized oak on a hill, but not touching it. These are etheldar runes! Elaural's eyes widen. I have seen this rune before, on ruined, ancient shrines scattered throughout Eredane. My guess is that Caft built its ancestor ring on the ruins of a etheldar temple. I know that the stylized symbol represents a deity once worshipped by the etheldar, but beyond that I do not know how to interpret it. The scholars of the Order of Truth in Caradul may very well know its meaning. Is there any marks also on the girl? With your permission... Elaural kneels next to Aislinn, gently pulling back her frayed clothes to reveal her white skin. Elaural smiles widely; on Aislinn's left breast is a small, red mark identical to the mark on Kaela's stone. Elaural stands excitedly.

I sense great power in that stone. It is alive, pulsing. It has formed a connection with you, young Keala. Through the long ages that separate the fey from their etheldar ancestors, we have lost much of the wisdome of our forbears. They are the ones that could speak with the Lost Gods, those now veiled from us by Shadow. Has that veil been pierced, or indeed, has an ancient goddess awoken to help us fight the Shadow? She gazes at Starhl and Valurel. Rest assured, the elves of Erethor will offer everything we can to save this young girl.

Those insurgents watching the proceedings whisper excitedly amongst themselves. A large male warrior stands. If this girl does represent a link to the Lost Gods, what do we do with her? Hide her? If she is a weapon, who may wield her against the Shadow? A female Dorn stands, her blonde hair knotted down her back, scarred hands resting on the haft of a heavy club. The young girl is from the north, that is where she should return. Take the fight to the very seat of the Shadow. She was given to the North to defend itself. The male Erenlander sneers. She is here now! The Northern resistance is in shambles! The Dorns of the North are lost! Immediately half of the assemblege rises, all obviously Dorns, or at least Erenlanders with mainly Dornish blood. Hands immediately drop to weapons, as the other Erenlanders rise as well. The Dorn woman speaks. You Erenlander weakling! It is the Dorns that bear the brunt of the Shadow like breakers on the shore - you and your ilk have no understanding of its full power! I say she travels north! Surrounding Dorns raise their voices in support.

Eluaral raises her hands. Stop! We must not quarrel! We all fight the Shadow, not each other! The young girl must travel to Erethor, to those elves who might be skilled enough to heal her and interpret her power. We have no time to lose!

The male Erenlander slams his fist into his open palm. NO! When have we had such a chance to rid Baden's Bluff of the Shadow's grip! Let our channelers divine her use as a weapon!

Murdoch steps forward, his face grim. Throwing back his hood, he reveals his face. As Murdoch Baden, brother of Tomas Baden heir of Baden's Bluff, I decree this girl travels to Erethor! Use your heads! She will die before you can use her as a weapon!

The Dorn woman scowls. I have seen my people live like dogs, trampeled under the heal of the Shadow. This is our chance, however slim. How will the elves help us after they have her? Hidden and safe in their great forest? No. She stays.

The eight insurgents place their hands on weapons, four Dorns and four Erenlanders stepping forward to separate Aislinn from the Heroes...

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Valurel flashes his claws at the insurgents, a low guttural growl coming from deep in his throat. "Stand away from the girl or many of you will die here today," he hisses, spittle flying from his mouth. He drops into a crouch, ready to launch himself into combat with the people standing between himself and his young charge.

 

[maddmic]

Herger stands and brandishes his axe. In a voice none of the group has heard, he booms. "ENOUGH!" He turns to the insurgents, in particular the dorn woman. "We are your people. I am Dorn, like you. I know what our people have been through. I have travelled many miles and can tell you that the treatment of humans throughout the lands does not differ because of our liniage. We are their labor, regardless of our ancestors. The elves and dwarves risk much by just being alive. Do not discuss sacrifice, nor on how we as Dorns are treated. I am well aware of our situation. He then focuses his attention back to the rest of the insurgents.

"We are fools if we believe that we can control this power. If it is indeed divine, we must seek out those who best understand such things. The elves are old enough to remember things that we cannot hope to. Surely you can see that even if she is the most powerful weapon we have to use against the shadow, she is still dying. In order to save ourselves, we must save her. If we are to save her, then we must take her to the elves. Only they can help her now. What good is a lantern if the oil is almost spent? We must ensure her safety and health to learn more about how she will help our cause."

"One more day under the shadows control will not dim our spirits more than they are now. One more day without treatment brings our Hope closer to death. We must act fast and must have your support. This is for the good of all; Dorn, Erenlander, Sarcosan, Elf, and Dwarf. If we do not unite in this cause, the shadow has won yet one more battle in it's war to control all of Aryth."

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Lodric speaks quietly. While Herger speaks truly, I must say that I do not like this talk of using her as a weapon. She is not a tool, she is a person like each of us. Why do we hate the Shadow so much? They force us to do things we do not want to do, be it through fear, anger, desperation or just a need to survive. Will you do the same to this young girl? Once she can recover from this malady, perhaps we can begin to understand who Aislinn really is, and what she can offer for the land and the people of Aryth.

I have seen and felt her powers of healing. Perhaps her destiny is not to be used as a weapon at all. I believe that only she can know for certain and she must be the one to decide. Others may provide wisdom and guidance, but to just use her as we see fit I believe would be to destroy her. I will not stand for that.

 

[Hrothgar]

The four Erenlanders and four Dorns eye each other warily as they rush to secure Aislinn. Taken aback by Valurel's feral nature, the first few halt, unsure what to expect from the Snow Elf. One male Erenlander cries out, By Aryth! Are all Snow Elves as wild animals?

Herger's bellow halts the rest, all shaken by Herger's massive size. The Dorn woman raises her head proudly. One more day under the Shadow is the one I may die! Never to see my people free...to know I have failed in destroying the scourge that now blankets our land. She spits forcefully at the ground. I do not like losing such an advantage this girl might give us against our oppressors!

Lodric's calm words, full of wisdom as Herger's, only reinforce the big man's logic. The male Erenlander steps forth for his people. Grinding his teeth in anger and humiliation, his low voice rumbles forth. You are...right. To use her, as the Shadow uses us, makes us no better than the Shadow. However, we will not relinquish her wholly. He pauses. If her destination is Erethor, let us help. We do not want her secreted away by the Elves, her power used for their advantage. Representatives of our two groups will be sent with those that travel with her to Erethor. We are to be part of this process. Or she does not leave Baden's Bluff. The Dorn woman next to the Erenlander nods solemnly.

Murdoch and Elaural look questioningly at the Heroes. Murdoch speaks. While these insurgents are technically under my command, their cells do operate with a great deal of indepence in Baden's Bluff. This independence has lead to some noticable insubordination. Murdoch scowls at the other insurgents. Still, what they have proposed seems fair and offers strength of arms for a long arduous journey. You, Heroes of Caft, have taken Aislinn this far. Aryth herself seems to have chosen you to guard this girl. You choose your own company. What say you to these demands?