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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3690684" data-attributes="member: 11760">Swaying with exhaustion and the ebb of adrenaline, Bufer glares at the fallen array of bone and metal. It takes him a moment to work up a properly contemptuous glob of saliva and mucus, and then he spits it squarely at Artos' skull.He wobbles over to Hazel and digs out his medical kit, dropping his sword into the yellow grass, and falls to his knees beside her, tending her wounds in silence.The club tumbles from Emus' hand and he drops to his knees by Emmerson. It takes a moment before the haze clears from his eyes and he realizes his friend is injured. Placing a hand on Emmerson's chest, Emus closes his eyes and prays quietly in Dwarvish and Emmerson's wounds no longer seep blood.Bufer flinches as he sees an unfamiliar pair of hands reach for the bandages he's wrapping around Hazel. He looks up in surprise as Flower sets about assisting him in earnest, his reptilian eyes filled with concern. The confidence with which his claws move demonstrate the kobold to be easily as capable a healer as Bufer has trained to be, if not more so.Despite his somber mood, the corner of Bufer's mouth twitches upward as he reflects that it may be the first time in recorded history that a gnome and a kobold have ever willingly cooperated in anything. The unselfconscious ease with which Flower initiates it amazes even him, and buoys his heart a little.As Flower looks up to pass the bandages back to him, Bufer holds his gaze a moment, then nods once in silent thanks and appreciation.As Emmerson returns to consciousness, the group examines the belongings of the skeletons for anything that might help.The skeletons all had armor, in tatters, and most of their weapons are in lousy shape, but in addition to the glowing long sword and dwarven war axe, the short sword Bufer was using has held up well, and was clearly made by a master kobold craftsman.The long sword glows with a yellow-white light when held. Although finely built, it is simple in design and decoration, other than the imperial seal being molded into its cross-piece.The dwarven war axe doesn't glow at all until Emus reads the weapon's name, written in runes along the haft: Urak, "the Skull-Cutter." Then it glows with a redly, like a forge.Artos, in life, had come well prepared to the abbey. His half-plate armor was likewise made by a master craftsman, as was his dagger. A loaded dragon pistol is still in a boot holster, although time and damp weather have made a mess of the gun's workings.Untouched by the flames of Emmerson's turning is a fine cloak that feels vaguely warm to the touch, keeping out the chill when Flower runs his hand along it. Flower also finds a flask marked with the ankh-crucifix of Lothian. When he uncorks it, though, it's not holy water or something meant to be drank, but an oil that smells like metal.Finally, Emmerson and Tucker examine Artos' greatsword. Its bluish glow has stopped for now. The blade of the fine sword is decorated like a church steeple and St. Yessid stands before the door. Emmerson has to turn the blade around to read it, but the sword's name is spelled out in Celestial on the blade, woven into the pattern of the church steeple."What does it say?" ask Tucker, vaguely irritated at being unable to translate the runes."Judgment.""'Judgment?'" Tucker echoes, and the blade begins to glow. Tucker eyes the sword, then turns it around and offers the hilt to Emmerson. "I think it likes you.""This sword has been tainted, it must be cleansed," Emmerson says. The full color has still not returned to his cheeks after Artos' attack. "I hope that I'm Lothian's worthy vessel and bring honor to this weapon once again.""Yeah, sure, fine, keep it," Tucker shrugs. "You might need it, because we still ain't alone in here. We need to get everyone to a safe place, 'though I dunno where in this hell hole that could be.""When Hazel and I was up there," Emus jerks his head toward the attic window, "I saw one of them damned nuns, or the ghost of her, anyway. She closed the trapdoor, and from the sounds of the pounding on it, I reckon she was keeping y'all out."We need rest, but I don't reckon we want to rest in here. Didn't this one hear voices when he tried to bed down for the night?" He aims a kick at Artos' remains."Artos ain't the worst thing we're gonna find in here, not by a long shot," Bufer says, the creases in his brow deepening as he looks on what was once Artos Nachtmann. "If anything, he was just the opening act.""I was thinking we should just leave the abbey for today, and come back tomorrow," Emus replies. "Of course, they seem to be good at locking us into places, so that may not be an option. We should also decide on the safest place inside of here to rest up.""If we're forced to stay here, I think the library's our best bet at a safe haven," Bufer says. "Aside from that book that possessing me, it seemed relatively safe."Finishing her prayers over them, Vonmora steps away from Oktav and Hazel, washing her face with water from a skin.Oktav looks at the brutal slash across his sweater and the bare flesh beneath in shock. Looking around, he sees his own blood all over the grass as well as pieces of flesh that were once parts of his internal organs. If he had anything left in his stomach, he would be losing it now, but as it is, he merely dry heaves a bit before weakly thanking Vonmora and heading into the middle of the group, huddling between the armored warriors."Brother, do not be afraid," Emmerson says with as much confidence as he can muster. "Yes, we are a bit worse for wear, but watching each other's backs and fighting when the other is unable to has kept us alive.""Where are the skeletons that attempted to undo Lothian's work?" Emmerson points at the ground. "We are currently divvying up their former possessions.""Where is the blackguard that threatened us? I currently hold his sword. They are deciding who will wear his armor." He tries a winning smile."Breathe deeply, trust in Lothian and relax. We shall see this through. But next time, stay between us."Hazel's recovery is gentler than Oktav's, and is a transition from dream to waking. The pale yellow grass and nearly white sky seem less real than her dreams, and it takes a long moment before she's fully back with the adventurers once again."Did we win?"</blockquote>

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