Loark stumbles into the Aremene room at nearly 2am, being woken and chastised by the innkeep. He stumbles forward, hitting his toe on the giant rock that's haphazardly laying in the center of the room. He wobbles over towards Lillianna's bed and gives it a single kick. "Lilli... Lilli... Lilli..."
"Whaaa??" She moans, turning around.
"You move.. my. Rock?" He gives the room a sweeping glance before finding his empty bed. "Don.. move my rock," he mumbles, stumbling into his bed.
"I didn't touch your rock, you lazy oaf," Lillianna groaned and flopped back down on her bed. She stared into the darkness for a moment, thinking about her earlier encounter with Maikune and Paws. While she enjoyed speaking with him greatly, she was confused by how suddenly he left. She'd gotten the impression that he liked her, but then... nothing happened. Oh well, she thought. Maybe someday I'll find true love. Closing her eyes, she drifted back to sleep, dreaming of wolves and puppy kisses.
Craberos walks into the baths, and sees Laila, "Oh, you're still here." They undress and slip into the bath. "I'd rather not talk."
“Silence suits me fine,” Laila shrugs. “If you are as meek as Bran, I can cover up a little.”
Craberos looks pointedly at Laila, "What are you talking about?"
Before Laila waves her hand, Craberos plainly sees a Celtic knot tattoo on her chest and the ornate pendant around her neck. The bard cast minor illusion and summoned the censorship bars once more. “I don’t think Bran has ever seen a naked person before.”
"Oh, no, he has not. There's no need for that."
Laila waves her hand again and they disappear. “Good.”
“What are you doing in town?” Laila asks after several minutes of competitive silence.
"We're helping Maikune, the wizard, find lost magics. Right now, we're just stopping to resupply." Craberos responds.
“So there’s no lost Magic’s here?”
Craberos shrugs, "I have no idea. Maikune promised us that the magics would help defeat the goblins."
“What do you want?” Laila asks. “I know Maikune is after arcane knowledge, and Bran hopes to become a powerful chieftain. And you?”
"A chieftain? Interesting; he never expressed that before." Craberos muses, "Well, I want to see that Bran makes it into adulthood and make sure he's safe and that the goblins finally stop attacking the Syl." Craberos shifts, "Are you sure Bran wasn't saying shaman?"
“He said leader I think, and then I made an educated guess,” Laila says. “You’ll forgive me, I have had very few interactions with the Syl Tribe.”
"You shouldn't have had any, we don't get a lot of outsiders. Bran probably meant shaman." Craberos touches an amulet around their neck, it is not the same symbol as Bran's necklace.
“Is that what you are, a shaman?”
"Yes, to the Immortal Iphyl." Craberos responds, still touching the amulet.
“I haven’t met many healers that can sprain my wrist the way you did,” Laila laughs. “I apologize for getting off on the wrong foot this afternoon.”
"I'm curious, why are you so terrified of surveillance? This can't just be part of being a bodyguard." Craberos asks.
“That was a lie,” Laila sighs. “As I’m sure you guessed. Truthfully, we’re on the run, and I have to assume almost everyone we meet is a bounty hunter. Call me paranoid all you like, but it’s kept me and my siblings alive.”
Craberos nods, "They're quite a handful."
“You have no- Actually, seeing your companions, you probably have a pretty good idea,” Laila laughs.
"Yes, but they are my charges." Craberos smiles, they then frown, "Your brother's an ass though."
“No, he’s really not. I’m the true *******,” Laila sighs. “He thinks with his muscles and his penis, but he’s a kind person.”
"He has become infatuated with me it appears. It is very upsetting." Craberos looks very uncomfortable being naked all of sudden.
“Please tell me you didn’t threaten him with violence,” Laila’s eyes widen.
Craberos remains quiet for a moment, "Maybe I should leave."
“No, no, please stay,” Laila objects. “You are the first intelligent and responsible person I’ve talked to in weeks. You know how it is, please.”
Craberos laughs slightly, "Yes, I understand." Craberos leans slightly in, "Is there any way to get him to stop? I used the 20 generation line, that usually scares them off; so does the line where I tell them that I'm not a girl."
“His attention span is short,” Laila assures Craberos. “It’s just... Violence is a turn on for him, and he cares little for gender. Lo just wants to have fun, regardless of who it’s with. If you treat him like normal person that is nothing special, he’ll lose interest.”
Craberos nods, "Thank you."
After a long stretch of comfortable silence, Craberos starts to get out of the bath, "Where are you headed next?"
“I don’t know,” Laila ducks her head underwater for a second. “I’ve been feeling so directionless lately. Before, I always knew what to do and what my missions were. But just staying alive? That’s not a real direction.”
Craberos nods, "Yes, I understand. From what others have said, it seems like you would be more than welcome to join us if you so choose."
“Hah, no,” Laila laughs. “Your bearling and the rest of your crew are hardly covert.”
"I don't know where the magic Maikune is looking for is, but I think we're going back into the woods, it's hard to have discrete spies in the woods."
“If you knew why we were on the run, you wouldn’t want us,” Laila shakes her head. “I don’t want to put random strangers at risk.”
Craberos tilts their head, "You underestimate the kindest of others. But I must be going, I'm pruning as we speak." Craberos walks away, nestled between the small of their back and their left shoulder blade is a tattoo of the symbol Bran wore around his neck. Craberos dries and clothes.
“It was a pleasure to talk to you, Craberos,” Laila smiles sadly.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
After an evening of everyone getting to know each other and smoothing over the misunderstandings and misdeeds of the previous day, everyone eventually makes their way to the rooms they’ve bought for the night. Safe inside the town’s sturdy stone walls, the night passes uneventfully, but it seems that is not the case out in the wilds beyond.When you finally wake and make your way down to the common room for breakfast, there is a buzz of conversation inside and out. Catching bits, you piece together that there has been another goblin attack. A lone man had made it to the gates - yesterday, during the night? That part is unclear - the only survivor of a caravan that had been on it’s way to Kelvin and should have arrived the day before. Unlike the earlier attacks that had been fended off, this one had been a larger, more organized attack.
By late morning when you venture outside, it’s obvious that there is an effort underway to deal with this escalation in attacks. You hear a crier in the streets. Baron Kelvin has called the populace to his manor at highsun - just another hour or so away. At that point, he’ll have more to tell his worried citizenry.
“Good morning,” Laila sang loudly to her siblings in order to wake them. “DID YOU SLEEP WELL, LOARK?” The bard said, with excessive volume, right in her most-likely-hungover brother’s ear.
Golos woke early, rising with the sun. He went back to the window and breathed in the air. He had learned that he should not wander off. So he waited for one of his compatriots to wake to get permission to go downstairs. “Being halfling hard.” he thought.
“Lilli, come on,” Laila shook her twin lightly. “I’m sure there will be lots of dogs to pet once you get out of bed.”
"Mmmmf," Lillianna mumbled, burying her face into her pillow.
“You know, those friends we made the other day looked like they were the kind of people who woke up early,” Laila whispered. “I bet if we woke up now, we might see them at breakfast.”
Loark pulls the blanket over his head, blocking out the sun and his annoying sister.
Lillianna slid out of bed, nearly onto the floor. She sat up, her head lolling to the side, eyes still closed. More grumbles from the girl, and she finally stood. "Nothing to do today... should sleep in..." she mumbled, leaning against her sister for support.
“You both have ten seconds before I get the bucket,” Laila crossed her arms.
"Tim'sit?" Loark mumbles into the blanket.
“Nine,” Laila replied. “Eight... seven...”
He turns, looking at his sister with bloodshot eyes. "Mornin was yesterday..." He sees Lilli standing next to his rock and his eyes narrow.
" 'M standin'," Lillianna responded, resting her head against Laila, eyes still closed.
"Lilli hurd my toe," he says, popping a bleeding, swollen toe out of the covers.
"Did not," Lillianna responded.
“Oh, you poor, fragile thing,” Laila smirked.
Loark rolls his lower body off the bed, sitting on the frame, and rubs his eyes. "Wha hap'nd las night?"
"I struck out," Lillianna mumbled, nearly falling over.
“Well clearly, Lillianna hurt your toe,” Laila said.
"Lilli... why did you hurd me?" He stands, stumbling a bit before regaining his balance.
"Did not!"
"I need some mead..." Loark pulls his tunic up from the covers and slips in to it.
“I feel like mead is the last thing you need,” the responsible one muttered.
"I need coffee," Lillianna said, taking a step toward the door and tripping over Loarks rock. "Move your rock, you lazy oaf!"
Loark stumbles his way after Lillianna, avoiding the rock. "Coffee and mead too."
Lillianna throws the door open, bumps into the door frame, eventually making it out into the hallway. She drags herself down the stairs, finds an empty table, sits, and promptly drops her head to the table, falling asleep again.
Loark makes it to the door before stopping and remembering his breeches. "I'll be dere," he comments, going back to his bed to dig through the covers.
“By the triad, if an assassin wanted to kill us, all they would have to do would be to strike before coffee,” Laila banged her head against the doorframe before following her siblings down to the table.
Maikune slowly stirs awake, his hair a mess as he sits up and throws his legs over the side of the bed. Quickly looking around, he sees Golos awake but Bran is asleep and Craberos is meditating. With a tired sigh, he climbs from his bed, throws on his robe - making sure his books and wand are in the right place - and heads down to search for a table.
“Three coffees, a large pile of meats and toast, and absolutely no alcohol, no matter what these two knuckleheads do to try and convince you,” Laila instructed the server.
Lillianna raises a hand, four fingers lifted.
“Lots of mead,” Loark says to the server, pulling a chair around and sitting, head rested on the chair-back.
As Maikune descends the stairs he sees the three siblings - two of which are practically dead - and makes his way over. "Good morning Lilliana. Laila. Loark. How are you all this morning?"
"Hey... kitty..." Loark mumbles, reaching his arm out and wiggling his fingers.
"I'm afraid the kitty is still sleeping in a pocket dimension. I can summon her back, but she might not be happy about it." He sits in an empty seat at the table.
"Sleeps like Lilli..." He responds, closing his eyes.
“Good morning,” Laila eyed the wizard, taken aback that he had just invited himself to their table. “I apologize for my siblings, they’re not human before eleven.”
"You're not... human," Loark mumbles.
"No need to apologize. In fact, that's why I came over; to apologize for my behaviour yesterday." He pulls his wand from his sleeve and gives it a quick flick. Suddenly, Paws is curled up in the centre of the table, asleep.
“One day, little brother, you will have a comeback for my quips,” Laila kissed the top of her brother’s head. “Today is not that day.”
"I'm a wolf," Lillianna mumbled, half asleep.
Loark nudges Lilli, "Kitty..."
"No.... wooooooooolf."
“Coffee,” Laila slammed a cups in front of each sibling.
Maikune seems to think for a moment; Paws suddenly wakes, stretches, and walks over to Lilli and paws at her hair.
"Just an updo for tonight, Mrs. Liverbottom," Lillianna mumbled as she felt tugging at her hair.
"Yes, coffee. And lots of meat..." Loark grabs the coffee and slurps it continuously.
*'Mrowr?'*
Lillianna peeked an eye open, looking directly into the tiny, adorable face of Paws. "Yer not Mrs. Liverbottom." The eye closed momentarily, then snapped open again. "Paws!" She sat upright, grabbing the kitten into a cuddle. "Coffee!" She grabbed the mug, also cuddling it. Then she looked around and noticed everyone around her. Her eyes drifted to Maikune. She slowly put the mug and the kitten back on the table, and began to try to tame her wild hair. "Oh, uh, good morning!"
Loark eyes Lilli's odd behavior while continuing his slurping.
"Good morning." Maikune's expression is one of joy, until he waves his wand and Paws 'poofs' away again, then he remains expressionless. "I simply came to apologize to your brother for my behaviour."
"For pointing a stick at me?" Loark asks between slurps.
Lillianna uses her fingers to rake through her tangled hair until she's satisfied she doesn't look like a fool. Then she begins to sip her coffee, periodically sending glances at Maikune.
Laila sipped her coffee. “Nice to see you wake up for some people,” she grumbled.
Lillianna shrugs and continues sipping her coffee.
Loark scruffs Lilli's hair, "Ya missed a spot."
Lillianna kicks him under the table and starts fixing the spot he messed up.
Loark simply grins, "Watch my toe..."
Lillianna narrows her eyes at him and gives him a sly grin. "Watch your rock."
"You moved it, didn't ya?" His eyes narrow.
Shaking her head, Lillianna said, "I never touched it."
"Then who left it there?" Loark responds, outsmarting his sister.
"You, you lazy oaf," she said for the millionth time in her life.
Loark turns back to Maikune, "She moved it."
“Maybe I moved it,” Laila winked. “Never considered that, did you?”
He smiles at the siblings. "You are quite the fun bunch." Paws 'poofs' onto Laila's head.
Loark starts laughing when he sees the cat atop his sister's head, even harder when she says she moved the rock.
Lillianna looks on, jealous that the kitten is with Laila now, but remains silent. She chugs the last of her coffee, still sending glances at Maikune, confused.
When the server brings a large platter of meat and toast, Loark moves it towards himself and tells Lilli, pointedly, "Mine."
Maikune frowns slightly and cocks his head to the side. "You may look alike, but Paws is less comfortable with you than Lilliana..." To emphasize, Paws poofs onto Lilli's head and curls up to sleep.
Laila snakes a hand and grabs a piece of toast and a sausage. “That’s good, because I’m not comfortable with Paws either.”
He holds his hands up. "She moved herself, that was not my doing."
Golos bounds down the stairs and joins them at the table. “Morning My-key. Golos can be here if you are.”
Lillianna squeals and holds very still, so as the sleeping kitten doesn't fall. "Morning, Golos!"
"Golos!" Loark exclaims. "We have meat and toast!"
“Morning Lilli!” He gives a wolf howl as part of his greeting.
"Wait, you'll share with Golos but not your own sister?" Lillianna looked disappointed for a moment. "That's okay. Maikune will share with me, right?" She gives the wizard a hopeful look.
“Mmmmm.” Golos grabs a hunk of cheese and eats it. “Golos sorry he call you stinky. Not know your name.”
"You'll lick it all," Loark retorts.
“I’d like to point out that I am the one who got the breakfast, so technically it is *mine*.”
Loark grabs a large slab of ham and starts to chew, then licks a piece of toast and a sausage.
“Morning Laila. Thank you for food. Golos can have?”
Maikune smiles and nods at Lilli before standing, Paws appearing on his shoulder as he goes to get food for them.
“Golos can have,” Laila replied, taking a bite of her sausage.
"Thank you, Maikune," Lillianna said before sticking her tongue out at Loark. "You're such a gentleman!"
Loark ruffles Lilli's hair when Maikune's back is turned.
“Gentleman....” Laila exchanges a look with Loark.
Lillianna kicks Loark under the table again, and begins to fix her hair... *yet again*.
Golos grabs some toast to go with his cheese. “Lilli, what wrong with My-key?”
Lillianna looked at Golos, confused. "What do you mean? Is there something wrong with him?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at Maikune.
“Lilli look at My-key funny.”
Lillianna laughs. "What? No." She laughs again, almost too loudly.
“Golos thought something wrong.”
“Uh huh,” Laila crossed her arms. “Lilli, would you mind helping me grab something from upstairs?”
"But... foooooooooood," Lillianna whined.
“Golos help! Lilli stay and eat.”
"Yeah, Golos help!"
“Golos good at lifting.”
"Yeah, Golos good at lifting!"
“It’s a lady thing,” Laila said pointedly.
“Laila want to grab lady thing?”
Lillianna growled at Laila and bared her teeth.
Golos looks confused
Maikune returns with a large platter of meats, cheeses, and toast, and sits beside Lilli. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I just- Is everything alright?" He asks, when he sees her growling.
"My sister wants her lady thing grabbed," Lillianna said, sitting up straight, and smiling. "This looks wonderful!" She began to shove cheese and meats into her mouth, hungrily.
Maikune stifles a giggle, trying to look mature, as he grabs a bit of meat and hands it up to Paws.
“Mrowr.” Golos says to Paws.
*'prrrr~'*
“Lilli, I need help putting on my armor,” Laila rose. “Please.”
"But you never..." Lillianna said, pausing looking at Loark. "Oh. Oh! Gotcha!" She began to grin wickedly. "Sure, I'll help you *get your armor on*."
She grabbed Laila by the arm and began to pull her toward the stairs. "We gonna move the rock? Let's hide it somewhere!"
Golos follows behind because nobody told him not to. He is excited to be included so he has gotten down on all fours to follow.
“Lilli, is there something going on with Maikune?” Laila whispered as they entered the room.
"What do you mean," Lillianna asked, feigning disinterest, pretending to find something interesting in one of the corners of the room.
“Oh, hello Golos,” Laila suddenly notices the bearling. “Would you mind moving that rock?” The bard turned back to her sister. “You know what I mean, Lillianna.”
Golos picks up the rock. “Where Laila want rock?”
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lillianna stated. "Under that bed, Golos," she said, pointing to Loarks bed.
“Lilli, I’m all for you having fun,” Laila grabbed her leathers and motioned for her sister to help her. “But the fact is, actual feelings and attachments are dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Golos stands holding the rock. He looks troubled.
Lillianna rolled her eyes and began to help Laila. "I'm fine. There's nothing going on. Cross my heart, hope to die in a spectacular fashion. We talked, that's all. While you were in your thousand hour bath and Loark was drinking his liver to a grave, I was actually getting to know someone. Besides... I don't even know... how he feels. Like... he seems to like me one moment, then... nothing." She shrugged, tightening a knot in the leathers. "Don't worry about it. I can handle myself."
Loark finally finishes his giant piece of meat, "Wait... did they say their moving my rock?" He looks at Maikune, then at the plate of food in front of the Wizard.
Maikune gives Loark a look. "You had your meal. Allow Lilli's to remain when she returns."
He grabs a sausage from the plate before turning and heading upstairs.
Golos finally decides what he was wrestling with and walks over to the window.
The door swings open, "My ROCK!" He glares at Lillianna. "Get your own."
Golos throws the rock out the window. “Bran say rocks outdoor toys.” Lillianna stares, mouth wide open.
Loark can't help it. When at first he was being territorial with his sister about his things, Golo's actions cause him to burst out in laughter. "He... he threw it out the window!" His laughter starts to turn to choking on the sausage still half-chewed in his mouth.
“Outside toy” Golos reiterates.
Lillianna bursts out laughing as well. "I swear I told him to put it under your bed. I didn't expect him to do that!"
Finally the sausage is coughed up in Loark's hand and he eats it again, making his way to look out the window. Loark waves at a gawking villager. "Rocks outside toys!" He calls out to the man. Golos pats Loark on the lower back in approval.
"This has been a great chat, but I really gotta go!" Lillianna darts for the door, doubled over in laughter, getting away from her sister in the chaos. She runs back downstairs, throws herself into her seat next to Maikune and wipes tears from her eyes, while she begins to nibble on some cheese. With a mouth full of cheese, Lillianna turns to Maikune and, still laughing, says, "Golos threw Loark's rock out the window!"
A realization suddenly hits Loark as he's looking down at his rock. "I need to get it before someone steals it," he says. He sits on the bed and starts putting on his boots, minding his hurt toe.
Maikune just stares, unsure if she's serious. When he's sure she is, he starts laughing himself. "The kid has always told him... I didn't think he would..." Paws also seems to let out a giggle of her own, strangely.
"Just chucked it right out the window. 'Outside toys' he said!" Lillianna leaned against Maikune, wiping more tears from her eyes. "I thought Loark was going to lose it! The look on his face! Then he just started laughing! You shoulda seen it!"
“What wrong?” Golos asks.
“Loark, we are leaving, now,” Laila said softly. Her voice had a dangerous edge despite the low volume. “Pack up the room. We’ll get your rock on the way out.”
"I wish I had!" Maikune's laughing really hard now.
“Why Laila mad?” Golos asked.
Loark nods to Laila, sensing the seriousness in her voice. He pulls his chainmail from under the bed and begins putting it on.
Lillianna rests her head on Maikunes shoulder and feeds Paws some meat. "It was great. I'll have to get Golos to keep moving his damned rock. This is such a great idea!"
“Golos! Golos! Where are you?” You suddenly hear Bran shouting throughout the Lodge.
"He's with Laila," Lillianna yells back at the same time Golos yells, “Golos here!"
Laila ran down the stairs to Lillianna, seeing her sister resting on Maikune’s shoulder. “Lillianna, it’s time to go,” she said. “Come up and help Lo and I pack up the room.”
"What? Why? We had no plans for today!" Lillianna lifts her head and looks at her sister. "Besides, I'm still eating." Still looking her sister in the eyes, she shoves a sausage in her mouth, slowly.
Bran walks into the Aremene’s room. “Good...good...good morning Loark.” Bran says upon seeing him with Golos in their room. “Golos what are you doing here with Loark?”
"Leaving so soon?" Maikune cocks his head, confused. "Perhaps my colleagues and I can accompany you?"
Golos lopes last Bran, chasing Laila. “Why Laila mad?!?” He asks more insistently.
“I don’t know go find her and ask.” Bran says with a smile. He then looks over and sees Loark in the middle of putting on his chain mail. “Do...do...do you want some help with that?” He asks as he sees Loark struggle to get the heavy armor on in a reasonable amount of time.
“Because I said so,” Laila replied, her voice even. “It’s time to leave this town. Let’s go.” Golos tugs on Laila’s tunic.
Lillianna's expression changed, mimicking her sister's. "I like it here."
"Yes, please," Loark responds to Bran. "I guess we're in a hurry." He pulls his tunic off and starts grabbing some of the padded armor.
Bran steps further into the room and begins to help Loark with his armor, having helped Craberos get there armor on before he knows what he is doing. “Why...why are you leaving so soon? What’s...whats...what’s the hurry about?”
"I think Laila might have seen something outside," he responds, pulling each padded arm up and buckling them to the chest piece.
“You’ve pet every dog in town,” Laila attempted diplomacy. “I think we will find some wolves in the woods in our travels.”
"Maybe I'm tired of dogs," Lillianna retorted, unwavering.
“Are you?” Laila asked, incredulously. Golos growls at Laila as the tugging becomes more insistent. “Yes, Bearling?” Laila looks down.
“Why Laila mad!” Golos asked.
“I...I...I don’t understand? Why...why are you guys always on the run?” Bran asks, you notice that his last question didn’t have a stutter; just a pause as he calms himself down.
"Laila- I am not mad, Golos," Laila softened slightly. "Just trying to get things moving."
"We've... killed a lot of people," Loark winks as he slides the chainmail over his padded armor. He hits his chest a few times to adjust it, then gives Bran a big grin, "Thanks for the help!"
“Moving where?” Golos asked.
"Don't," Lillianna said, softly, her hands balled into tight fists. "Not again."
“Oh...I understand.” Bran says, trying to remember his training from last night. “Point...point them out and me and Golos will distract them. Then...then they won’t notice you.” Bran says wanting to help them as much as he can.
"Lillianna, we are leaving as soon as that room gets packed," the bard said calmly. "It isn't a negotiation."
"Tha'd be a big help," Loark replies as he starts packing Lillianna's pack.
"What's going on? Maybe we can help." Maikune asked.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but we don't need any help," Laila said.
For some reason, Loark licks one of Lillianna's rations before stuffing it deep into her pack.
“Okay.” Bran then looks down not seeing the lick and takes another deep breath. “Will...will...will I see you again?”
Lillianna gritted her teeth together, and raised a hand to her head in a mock salute. "Sir, yes sir," she spat out. She spun on her heel and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and stormed into their shared bedroom, only to see Loark holding her things. She ripped her pack out of his hand without a word.
"Just helping," Loark responds, moving to his own pack.
"Listen, I don't know who you're afraid of, or why you're running, but keeping it all to yourself is going to ruin you. You can't hide from fate forever, and you're going to need help eventually." Maikune counters in a hushed whisper. "Let us take some of the burden from your shoulders."
"I hope so, Bran. You all are great fun." He starts shoving all of his stuff in his pack, not nearly as delicately as he did with Lillianna's.
Golos wraps himself around Laila’s leg.
As soon as she has her pack in hand, Lillianna storms out of the room, still not speaking. Down the stairs, past her sister, Golos and Maikune, and out the door of the tavern. Once outside, she takes a couple deep breaths, and plasters a smile on her face. Just accept it, she thought. Just move on.
After Lillianna leaves, Loark starts packing the rest of her things into his own pack, shaking his head.
"I am not hiding from fate, wizard," Laila never raised her voice. "I am running head-on to face it. My fate, and the fate of my family, merely doesn't involve relying on strangers. Bearling, let go."
He then clips her bow to his pack, along with the quiver of arrows. Loark turns to Laila's pack, sees it's already packed, and shoulders it.
"We would not be strangers if you were not so paranoid as to reject any aid offered to you." Maikune says
“I’d...I’d...I’d like to see you again.” Bran says and then not really knowing what to do after this, *how do people flirt*, just decides he’s going punch Loark in the arm.
"Paranoia is a gift," Laila winks. "Bearling, if you wouldn't mind removing yourself from my leg."
He growls.
"Aye. me too!" Loark responds, giving Bran a huge hug. "Gotta go!" Loark lifts his own pack, far too light without the rock in it, and heads downstairs.
"You may see it as a gift but your sister is clearly frustrated by it. I know you wish to keep your siblings safe and hidden, but you will be found eventually. The only thing that changes if you accept my help is how many meat-shields there are between your hunters and your family." Maikune offers
"Ay, Laila. Pack." Loark drops it on a chair, then heads outside to find his rock.
*He hugged me* Bran thinks at first. And then after a few seconds realizes he needs to go downstairs and help so he also heads downstairs.
"Thanks, Lo," Laila shoulders the backpack. "Golos, please let go."
“Golos. What are you doing?” Bran asks as he comes downstairs.
“Golos no let go. Laila talk Golos.”
"No no no no Lilli! It's my rock." He drops the pack next to the rock and opens it.
“Lilli sad. Laila mad.”
"Yup, your rock," Lillianna said, not moving.
"Fine, Golos, if I agree to talk will you let me go?"
“Laila. Just...just tells us what you’re running from. I...I...I told Loark we’d help.” Bran says
He lifts it and plops it in his pack with a soft, satisfying thud. He then restrings his pack and slings it on his shoulder. "You forgot your bow... and your arrows... and your girl-things."
“When all make sense. Then Golos let go.”
"I licked it," Lillianna replied, clearly distracted. "Wait, what? Oh right, my stuff. Thanks." She holds out her hand, waiting for him to hand it over.
His eyes narrow, "You did not? Nu uh... " He pulls the bow from his pack and eyes her. "Did you??"
"Yup," she replied, taking the bow from him and strapping it to her back.
"You don't even like the rock! Why would you claim it!?"
"Lilli is sad because she has a crush on your wizard friends, and like I told you before I'm an ******* who ruins her fun," Laila crossed her arms, ignoring Bran and Maikune. "And Laila isn't mad, she merely means business."
Lillianna's only response is a shrug.
"It's my rock," he replies.
"Yes it is."
“Laila. Just...just point out who you are trying to escape from. I’ll....I’ll...I’ll distract them for you. Please.” Bran says with a look of let me help in his eyes
"There isn't anyone in particular that we're running from at this moment in time, Bran."
“Then...then why are you in such a hurry to leave?” Bran asks, confused
"That's what I do," Laila shrugged. "I make irrational decisions and I leave."
“Golos also mean biz-niss. What biz-niss?”
“I...I thought you were the brains? Wouldn’t...wouldn’t the brain make a rational well planned decision?” Bran asks
"I never said I was good at being the brains," Laila winked.
Loark takes position next to Lilli and looks out at the town. "What're we running from this time?" He asks her.
"Feelings, apparently," Lillianna replied. "The captain is mad at me. But, it's okay. We'll move on. That's what we do, right?" She puts an arm around her brother, taking in every little detail she can.
Bran takes a deep breath and thinks *Be brave. Like the wolf* “Laila. Stay. Let us help. I. I see you putting all this weight on you. All this responsibility. Please. Let us help. I like you. And your sister. And your brother. I want to help. You don’t have to tell me what you’re running from. Or anything like that. Just. Don’t leave. I know our paths are connected. And. I fear that if I let you guys leave now. I’ll never see you again. And. And neither of our goals will ever come to fruition.”
"Psssh. She's never been mad at us. Only that one time she caught you kissing with..." He looks down at her.
"Yeah," Lillianna said, quietly.
"Was it the bear guy? I don't blame you if it was..."
"No," she laughed. "It's fine. We'll just move on, like we always do, and feelings will fade. She's right. I just hate that she's right."
“I like you too, Bran,” Laila smirked. “That’s why Craberos and I both agreed my family should leave last night. Because staying with us is a death sentence.”
"Wait... was it the little guy with the stick?" Loark laughs, but sees her expression and says, "It was... a mighty fine stick..."
Lillianna shrugged. "Don't worry about it, little brother."
"Yeah..." Loark responds. "This is taking a long time." He looks at the inn door.
“Golos no fear death.”
"Going anywhere is a death sentence. Didn't you hear. Goblins are attacking people now. Killing people. And I know it doesn't end there. Who knows what else is out there. Don't tell Craberos I said this but they are not always right. The elves like to live in isolation. Away from everyone else. But people. Animals. They live in packs. And it is large mighty packs that survive. Don't go. Let us help you." Bran says, determination in his eyes. A new fire, a new desire to protect evident in his eyes. You look inside and you can almost swear that his normal green eyes are now glowing with power.
"You'd better go check on her." Lillianna walks over to a nearby tree and leans against it, her back toward the door.
"Nope," Loark says. "We'll cover the entrance." He tosses Lillianna a gold piece. "For the puppy fund."
Lillianna catches it and sticks it down the front of her tunic. "I totally forgot to ask anyone else if they wanted to donate to the puppy fund." She smiles, almost sadly. "Next town, I guess."
"They're still in there... maybe they'll donate." Loark gestures to the inn door. "We can do the jingle Laila taught us."
"If I go back in there, I won't leave," Lillianna said, looking at her brother. "It'll only make her even more angry."
“You can take up your concerns with Craberos,” Laila held up her hands. “But you look to have a mighty fine pack already. And between you and me, there are far more dangerous things than a bunch of goblins.”
Bran, now knows what he must do. "Golos. Don't let her go. I'm grabbing our stuff and we're following her." He then books it upstairs to grab his and Golos stuff. He'll also leave a hastily written note for Craberos.
"Eh... if you do the jingle, I'll go with ya. Then she has no choice..." He winks.
"You'd back me up?" The smile on Lillianna's face widens. "Why would you defy her like that? You know, as well as I do, that she's right. We can't make friends, it's too dangerous."
"Maybe friends is why we're out here, right? That's how they did it before... make friends... contacts. Besides, we're disbanded, remember?" Loark responds.
Lillianna shrugs. "I don't keep track of things, I just try to keep up with Laila." She turns and looks at the inn door. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret this later."
Loark gestures to the door and picks up his pack.
Lillianna grins, and tightens the straps of her pack, before bursting through the door. "Captain... Laila, we've come to a decision."
Loark smiles, whispering, "Arf arf."
"I haven't collected enough for the puppy fund!" Suddenly, Lillianna burst out into song, quite loudly, and slightly off key, and dancing a goofy jig. "I wish I were a leader of a wolf pack! That is what I truly wish to be! Cause if I were a leader of a wolf pack, everyone would be in love... Oh everyone would be in love... Everyone would be in love with me!" At the climax of the song, she finishes, arms extended, and a huge grin on her face.
Loark lets out a loud howl every time Lillianna says wolf pack, startling the innkeep. He then pulls his greatsword, still bound to its sheath, and slams it into the floorboards, resting his arms on the pommel.
“Golos, let go,” Laila tried to shake her foot. Just then, her two boneheaded siblings burst in. “No, no, no.”
Craberos returns from an early morning walk; there isn't much to do at four o'clock in the morning. They did enough laps of the city, it became hard to count. They had breakfast and did several more laps. Now, seeing a large rock on the street, Craberos walks into the common room to find a chaotic display. "What is going on?" They shout.
"Would you mind instructing your attack bear to let go of me?" Laila snaps, gesturing to the halfling clinging on to her.
"Golos, why are you attached to Laila's leg?" Craberos demands.
Lillianna, still grinning like a fool, with arms extended wide, looks around the room. "So... does anyone want to donate to the puppy fund?"
Bran descends down the stairs all packed and ready to go with his and Golos stuff. “Golos you didn’t let her leg do...you” Bran stops talking once he sees Craberos has returned.
"Bran," Craberos eyes their apprentice suspiciously, "What is going on?"
“Ummm....ummmm.” Bran states at first not expecting Craberos to be there. He then starts speaking in rapid Elvish; not stopping to breath as he speaks “They’re trying to leave and I don’t know why and I don’t want them to leave and Golos or Maikune doesn’t want them to leave And Loark says it’s because bad people are after them But Laila says it’s because she makes irrational decisions And I need to help them Because Aladdin told me in my dreams last night That I need to be there to protect them and you And that aour fates are connected And I don’t want to see them leaves Because I feel like they’re my first real friends And if I let them go I’ll never meet anyone like them And how do people flirt because I tried it with Loark But he doesn’t even look at me and I don’t know why And I’m sorry I was going to run away But I feel like we need to be with them That the pack isn’t complete without them And I’m sorry for trying to leave Don’t be mad at me.” Finally at the end he is gasping in air and trying to remember how to breath correctly again.
Lillianna slowly lowers her arms, listening to what Bran said. "So... that's a no to the puppy fund?"
"Thank you, Craberos," Laila says sarcastically, not understanding what Bran has said.
"Everyone sit," Craberos commands, gesturing to the largest table in the establishment.
Bran sits on the stairs head between his legs trying to regain control of his breathing. Laila remains standing. Lillianna moves to sit next to Maikune, then pauses, looking toward Laila, and moves to sit away from everyone else.
"Please, sit. I understand that you want to leave, but I have some questions for Bran, and no one's leaving until they're answered." Craberos gestures to the table.
"I can listen to your questions standing up," Laila crosses her arms.
Craberos shrugs and pulls a chair out and looks pointedly at Bran, "Who told you our fates are intertwined? The Dream?" Craberos asks in Elvish.
Lillianna looks at Laila, but remains silent. Maikune gives a sad look towards Lilli, before poofing Paws into her lap. Lillianna smiles at the kitten in her lap and begins to give Paws belly rubs. She glances up and gives Maikune happy smile. Bran just nods his head, yes, at Craberos's question.
"Laila, you really don't want to come with us, or at least have us come with you?" Craberos turns to face her.
"No," Laila replies simply.
Craberos nods, "Golos, let go now."
Bran looks up at Craberos “But...but...but...but the dreams aren’t wrong. We were all there. Even Dorobo.”
Craberos nods, "Yes, I understand but this is not the time or place to have a fight." They say in Elvish, "We will talk about the fates later."
Lillianna looks at Laila, then to Craberos, and finally back down to Paws. She opens her mouth as if she were about to say something, then closes it once again.
“But...but...but what if they leave and then we never see them again. What then?” Bran asks, evidently already emotionally exhausted.
"Golos, let go." Craberos says.
“Why?!?” The bearling whines.
"Because the fates demand it." Craberos says, looking impatiently at the halfling. Bran sits silently.
Lillianna looks at Paws sadly again, then speaks up. "Golos, can I have a hug, please?"
Golos looks from Carberos to Bran to Lillianna. He is clearly conflicted. Finally, to Lilli he says, “Wolf friend stay?”
Lillianna stays silent, holding out her arms, waiting for a hug.
“Golos help puppies...” Golos offers.
Still silent, Lillianna wiggled her arms, trying to entice Golos to give her a hug. For a long time, there seems to be an internal battle going on, but it is clear that he is weakening. At last, he runs over and hugs her. Lillianna smiles as she embraces Golos, stroking his hair. She looks directly at Laila, but continues to say nothing. He buries his face in her shoulder and whimpers. All this internal strife is clearly too much for him.
Craberos walks over to Laila and shakes her hand. They then walk over to the stairs when Bran is. Bran avoids eye contact. "A prophecy is not a guess. It's what's going to happen. Knowing fates are intertwined is just a prophecy that says we will have a large impact on each others' lives." Craberos begins.
Bran doesn’t say anything. He’s visibly biting his lips. "This won't be it. We will see them again." Craberos assures him.
“How...how...how do you know?” Bran asks Craberos.
"The world is not subtle about these things. A fleeting moment, however important, is hard to notice. Knowing that we intertwine with them, that's a long time." Craberos says.
Bran finally looks up at Craberos “I’m sorry I was going to leave without you. I don’t want to leave you but humans, we move so fast. I think it’s because we die so quickly.”
"I think it's because you live so fast." Craberos says, "I'll be right back, don't leave without me." They head upstairs to get their stuff together.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
“I’m going to Point Alpha,” Laila said in giant. “You and Loark do not have to join me right now. Take all of the time you need.”
Lillianna looks at Loark, beginning to panic.
Loark stands, watching the display as it happens. A small smirk crosses his face. "We're not going to join you," Loark replies in Giant. "You are going to join us, this time."
"I want to try to have... friends... again," Lillianna said, in giant. "I want a... pack.... again..."
Loark cracks his neck and turn fully to Laila, "I'm supposed to protect you... it. But the words given were, 'Protect your sister at all costs, especially from herself." He continues in Giant, "We're strong as three... but stronger with others. We need help."
Lillianna hugs Golos tighter.
“What if I say no?” Laila asked in Giant. “Our current mission is to hide, and we’re doing a shitty job of that.”
"No... our current mission to to keep it out of their hands. Hiding helps, but only Lilli is good at that." Loark responds, still in Giant.
"We're doing a shitty job of that on our own!" Lillianna looks around the room. "We don't need help to be shitty" She quickly covers her mouth, realizing that was in common.
Golos is startled for a moment, and then sees how upset Lilliana is. He tries to mimic her soothing tone. “You okay.” He says while sniffling .
"Thank you, Golos," Lillianna said, giving him a scratch on the head. "I'm fine, I promise. I'm always fine!"
“It’s OK be sad sometimes," Golos says.
Lillianna smiled. "There's too much to do in life to be sad. I'd rather be happy, and spread happiness to others."
"Two votes to stay, Laila. But we will never abandon you..." He says in Giant.
"I will leave. If I have to." Lillianna continues in giant, while giving Laila a smile. "I will never, could never abandon my sister."
“Golos know about feeling. Feel now or feel more later.”
“I’m going to Point Alpha to think,” Laila said finally, still in Giant. “There’s a reason neither of you were ever chosen for command.” With that, the human turned on her heels and walked toward the door.
Lillianna sat, stunned. She was sure Laila didn't mean to hurt them, but her words cut deep to Lillianna's core. She held Golos tight, taking a few deep breaths, then plastering a fake smile on her lips.
Loark watches as she goes, then looks over to Lilli. "We wait," he says. "Innkeep, mead please!" He holds up two fingers.
Lillianna glanced at Maikune, who had remained quiet through all this. She hoped she wasn't making a huge mistake. She loosened her grip on Golos. "Look, Paws likes belly scratches. But I bet you already knew that, huh?"
Golos nods.
Maikune quickly looks away as Lilliana glances at him, blushing somewhat beneath his hood.
Loark sits at the table next to Lillianna with all four mugs. "They keep giving us more than we need..." he mutters, setting them down.
"I can't imagine why the would do that, but I won't turn down a free mead." Lillianna glanced at Maikune again. "There's an extra here if you'd like."
He smiles but waves his hand politely. "I appreciate the offer, but I've never had alcohol before. Clouds the mind, or so I've heard."
Lillianna shrugs. "More for me, I guess." She elbows Loark. "Wanna race," she asks, picking up one of the mugs.
Bran has no idea what happened between the siblings with them speaking some language he’s never heard before. But seeing the oldest leave he cannot help but feel guilty. Bran stands up and says “I’m...I’m...I’m sorry for causing this argument. Is...is...is Laila coming back?” He questions out loud as he slowly descends the stairs and towards the two remaining Aremene siblings.
"She'll either come back... or she won't!" Lillianna smiled, holding a mug of mead.
“Oh” is all Bran says before he takes a seat. And absentmindedly picks up some bread and cheese and starts nibbling on it and giving some to Aladdin.
Loark puts the mug up to his mouth and begins gulping.
Lillianna follows suit, chugging the mead as fast as possible, then slamming the mug on the table. "Ah!"
He moves his arm to try to block Lillianna, but she's already finished. He takes a few deep breaths and slams the mug down. "I don't know how she does it..." "Wanna come Bran, Golos?" Loark stands, still breathing hard from trying to finish the drink.
Lillianna flips him off and moves Golos away. "Okay, Loark and I have to go take care of this. I promise we will be back.." She stands, gives Paws a little snuggle, then hands her over to Maikune, with a smile.
Seeing the cat he says, "I guess he can come too..."
"I...I...I want to but...I don't know if my presence will help. And..and...and I think Craberos and I have more to talk about." Bran tells Loark
"If that is what you wish." He sets Paws up on his shoulder, and she eyes Lilli sadly. Maikune's face is also fairly sad, though he tries to hide it.
Loark nods. "If it's just the two of us, I think you may never see us again."
"No...no...no. I don't want that. Ummm...ummm...." Bran then looks upstairs "I'll...I'll... get Craberos"
Lillianna reaches down and gives Paws a scratch. "It'll be okay," she said softly to the both of them. "I promise."
"You all can... and I hope you will. If you need to get him, we can wait. Lillianna has the nose of a warg. Just as big too..."
"She is just afraid that you are leaving. If I come along, she'll perk up in no time." Maikune says
Lillianna smiled at Maikune, while simultaneously kicking Loark in the shin. "Come with me, then," she said, offering him her hand.
He takes her hand in his, smiling when he feels her warmth. The cat on his shoulder begins to purr loudly. 'Prr~'
“Golos come, too.” the halfling states.
"So... does anyone want to donate to the puppy fund?" Lillianna gave everyone a giant smile. Everyone, including Loark.
"I would if I could, but I've spent the last of my gold on the baby here." Scratches Paws' head
“How one donate?” Golos asks
"I just... I just gave you another gold." Loark scoffs, opening his pouch again. He pulls a gold from his pouch and hands it to Lillianna.
"Just one gold is all you need to help me adopt a sweet little puppy and make sure I have all the necessary supplies to keep it happy and healthy." Lillianna quickly snatched the gold from her brother and placed it between her breasts with the other one from earlier.
Golos sees this and considers. “Shiny circles?" Golos rummages in his pouch and pulls out a coin that is coated in berry juice. He hands it to Lilli
Lillianna took it, almost put it with the others, but saw the berry juice and stuck it into her pack. "Thank you! I'm getting closer to my goal!"
Bran comes back down "Craberos will..will be down shortly. They...they are just getting ready. What's this I...I hear about a puppy fund?" he asks
"I'm collecting money for a puppy fund," Lillianna said turning to Bran, with a huge smile. "I want to adopt a puppy, but I need to make sure I have enough money to feed it and keep it happy! Do you wanna donate?"
Loark nods to Bran and says, "Go!" He grabs one of the last two mugs and starts gulping!
"I'm...I'm...I'm always What?!" He says as he just quickly grabs the mug and start attempting to drink it.
Loark slams the mug down with a grin.
"Oh, Loark, you finally found someone you can beat!" Lillianna smirked.
Bran barely gets two gulps down before he puts it back down on the table "Why...why...why is it so sweet? I...I...I normally stick to water."
He pants for a few moments before saying, "Damn right I did. It was a good attempt though. You'll get it next time," he finishes Bran's mug.
Bran just laughs it off not sure if he will. "Any...anyways yeah I love puppies. Here...here...here is some gold." Bran then hands Lillianna 4 gold. "I..I...I would give you more but Lorak swindled some of my gold away last night on cards."
Loark raises an eyebrow. "Swindled?"
"Swindled," Bran says with a nod. "But...but I'll get it back next time."
Loark laughs, "Or go broke trying."
Craberos comes down, pack over over one shoulder, staff and shield in hand, "It appears you've made a decision."
Lillianna just stared at the four shiny gold pieces in her hand. She blinked a few times, but they didn't disappear. She suddenly grabbed Bran in a huge, wordless, hug.
"Good, where's Laila?" Craberos looks around.
"We'll be meeting with her soon," Loark says. "She needed some time to herself. This is time enough. Are we ready?"
Maikune nods, clasping his hands together inside his sleeves when Lilli lets go to hug Bran.
Loark pulls his greatsword from the inn's floorboards and tosses the innkeep a gold coin. "Sorry for the damages, friend."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lillianna releases Bran, gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, then puts the coins safely in her backpack. "I've almost met my goal!"
Craberos looks at Lillianna, "What goal?"
"To get a puppy!" She smiles brightly at Craberos. "I want to adopt a puppy but need to make sure I have enough coin to keep it happy and healthy." She slides closer to him. "Wanna donate to the puppy fund?"
"Lillianna, we need your nose." Loark nods outside.
"Golos...Golos is also great at tracking." Bran says
Craberos tilts their head, "You said you were close to your goal, how far are you?"
"Four gold closer than I was a moment ago!" She skips off and out the door to begin to track her little sister.
Loark picks up her bow from the table and follows her out.
Maikune gives a look to Craberos, then follows Loark out without waiting.
Craberos follows suit, "Well, Bran, Golos, we should be going."
Bran nods and holds out his hand to Golos and they follow the others out.
A silent shadow crosses the inn and follows them out.
Once outside, Lillianna took a few moments to stare at the sky. Taking a deep sniff, she cocked her head to the side, listening. Suddenly she dropped to her knees and dragged a finger through the dirt. She stuck the finger in her mouth, sucking the dirt off, thoughtfully. "This way," she said, darting off, down the street. Weaving through people, she made her way toward the marketplace, finally stopping in her tracks, causing Maikune to nearly run into her. She turned slowly, looking at the façade of a bakery. Crossing her arms over her chest, she studied it a moment. "This... is... Beta," she said slowly. As the group stood in confused silence, a town crier was heard yelling about goblins.
Craberos frowns, disgusted at the mention of goblins. "Goblins are the worst. They ride around on their wargs and kill unthinking elves and eat wildlife and burn trees. We've worked so hard to keep the forest beautiful, but they always run through with their broken swords and run them through the trees! They stomp on the eggs of the birds and refuse to die! When they do die or surrender, they're rude and they scream! And then when we ask them about their leader they give cryptic answers and then cackle at us until we kill them!"
Not for much longer, my friend. We will see the end of them soon enough." Maikune says.
"So you're saying that those that kill these goblins will curry favor with the elves?" Loark asks.
Lillianna continues to stare at the bakery.
Craberos looks at Loark, "I can not speak for other tribes, but on the whole, probably."
Loark's muscles flex slightly under his armor. "Sounds like fun," he says simply.
“They’ve...they’ve been a problem in our forest for years,” Bran says
Loark sniffs the air. "Is that... Cinnamon rolls, Lilli? I think this is C."
"Beta," Lillianna said, deep in thought. "Need Alpha." With that, she begins to make her way through the streets again.
Craberos turns to Bran, and in Elvish explains, "Loark is trying to flirt with me right now, but he's not really being... attractive."
Lillianna speaks up, in Elvish, "Because he's not attractive!" She snorts at her witty joke.
Loark nods. "That means she's getting close."
Bran responds back, in Elvish, “Why...why does he flirt with you?”
Dorobo emerges from the shadows behind the group.“Hey guys! I uh was following again but this time I won’t be suspicious. You guys seem cool, after all!” Dorobo says, walking toward the group with a friendly face.
Craberos frowns, they keep pace with Lillianna and continue in Elvish, "I think it's because he thinks that because I am strong and tough he-" Craberos stops as Dorobo walks out from the shadows.
"Hi, Bobo," Lillianna calls out, not paying attention to him, but focusing on tracking her sister.
“You guys are looking for Laila, I take it?” Dorobo asks the general group.
"Hello...hello Dorobo. I'm glad you found us. You're...you're...you're part of the pack too." He then turns back to Craberos and says in elvish "But, I'm strong and tough too." As he says this Bran looks at his bicep and flex it a little.
Loark nods to the sneak. "You seen her?" He asks.
Dorobo laughs, able to understand Elvish. “You’re not hiding anything with Elvish, but I like your spunk” Dorobo’s positive expression remains. “Unfortunately I haven’t, sorry.” He responds in common.
"Bran," Craberos looks sadly at the druid, still speaking in Elvish "He looks five years older than you
Lillianna leads them on a few twists and turns. You get the feeling the group has gone in a circle.
"Dorobo, please don't involve yourself in our conversation," Craberos says in common to the rogue.
"They just ignore me when I try," Lillianna offered to Dorobo.
Bran blushes at Dorobo's comment and then continues in elvish "That's nothing compared to some of the elven couples. And...Dorobo I'd appreciate is you kept this quiet from him. He doesn't understand elvish." Then Bran mutters something in a language nobody understands but Craberos would recognize it as Druidic.
“Alright, I’ll butt out. Just thought I’d let you know I know El..” His voice cuts out as he hears Lilli’s and Bran’s comments.
Another turn and Lillianna leads the strange group toward the city gates.
"An Elvish couple should be no example for you; we live ten times as long as you do." Craberos continues, "Besides, he doesn't seem great. They say I just need to get past the fact he thinks with his muscles and his penis, but those, so far, are integral parts of him."
Bran blushes at the word penis. "I...I think there is more to him than that." Bran says in Elvish.
Dorobo blinks due to the conversation and a lack of context but doesn’t acknowledge it.
Soon, the group finds themselves outside the city, standing in a field. "Shhhh," Lillianna hushes the group. She suddenly crouches down and gestures for everyone to crouch down as well. "Stay here," she whispers. Then she slowly begins to make her way toward a large rock. Once she's there, she disappears behind the rock. On the other side of the rock, Lillianna sneaks up on Laila, and silently wraps her arms around her twin, resting her chin on Laila's shoulder, giving her a hug.
Loark gestures for everyone to give them a moment.
"Dorobo... I thought you dead. You can hold your drink pretty well." Loark grins. He glances over to the others and says, "We were looking for an immortal."
"An Immortal? Or just someone who lives forever?" Craberos asks.
“Heh, don’t you worry about a thing!” Dorobo says toward Loark as his legs buckle slightly before his fixes himself.
"From the way he describes her... I'd say she's an immortal for sure." Loark assures Craberos.
"Who's she?" Craberos asks.
Loark gestures for Dorobo to explain, honestly forgetting all of the details.
“Well uh, it’s a woman I met in a dream. Named Vanessa. I generally don’t like to talk about it; it’s really touchy. Just know, if I saw her I’d know.” Dorobo says semi-awkwardly.
"I...I see things in my dreams too. Like...like all of us working together. And...and...and animals that teach me my powers." Bran says.
"What about the almond eyes and her touching your soul and all that, tell them about that," Loark says, nodding again to the others.
"He gets silent from time to time, don't worry about it. I think he has a condition... we had a chicken once that would just fall asleep and fall over." Loark waves his hand in front of Dorobo's eyes. "I bet she's talking to him right now."
“Well...well let’s keep him out of trouble for now then,” Bran says. “Is...is everything alright with your sisters there?”
"They're fine..." he replies. "I'm sure it'll be just a moment longer." Loark adjusts his chainmail.
Laila heard her sister sneak up, which was for the best because the bard was not a fan of surprises. “Hey,” she murmured in Giant.
Bran spur of the moment decides to get Laila a gift to entice her to join us. He picks some nearby flowers and then uses Druidcraft to shape them into a simple flower crown for her. He’ll make a second one for Lillianna as well.
After a few moments of silence, Lillianna said, "I want to apologize. I want to say I'm sorry. But I'm not. I'm really not sorry. I know you think I'm dumb, mom and dad thought so too. That's why they trained you. I know I'm not the smartest, and I don't care. I stayed because of you and Lo." She placed a hand above Laila's left breast, over her heart. "We're stronger together. I can't stand being separated from you. But... I'm lonely."
“I’m lonely too, Lil,” Laila grabbed her sister’s hand. “I’m just so afraid to fail and let them down.”
"Then," Lillianna said, full of rainbows and sunshine. "We don't fail!"
“I already have failed, Lilli,” Laila smiled sadly. “Positive thinking can’t get you everywhere.”
"You haven't failed." Lillianna held her tighter. "You're alive. I'm alive. Lo is... surprisingly still alive somehow. It's still safe. We have new friends who want to help. Who needs help. I kinda promised some of them we'd help."
“We don’t tell them what happened, what it is,” Laila said in Giant. “No matter what, they can’t know the truth.”
"I'm okay with that." Lillianna pauses, thinking. "I'll... I'll stay away from the wizard."
“I don’t honestly care about what happens between you and the wizard,” Laila bit her lip. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. Either because he doesn’t care, or because he dies in the crossfires. We don’t have the luxury of thinking long term, remember?”
"Everyone dies, Laila. Either they die fighting, or they die of old age. It doesn't matter, we're all headed to the grave eventually. Some sooner than others." Lillianna rested her cheek against Laila's back. "None of it matters. What matters is how we live our lives, how much we take in and experience and give to others. I don't want to wall myself off from others. I don't want that for you, either. But, if it makes it easier for you, I will."
“You were always the smart one, mom and dad just didn’t understand you well enough to see it,” Laila sighed. “Come on, let’s go back to our new traveling companions.”
"Naw, I slept with the dogs and rolled in mud." Lillianna stood and helped Laila up. "You're right where you need to be. Keeping Lo and myself in line. We're both idiots, and you know it."
As they come out, Loark walks over to them and gives them both a huge hug. Then he whispers, in giant, "So... can we keep them?"
Maikune is just using the sleeve of his robe to keep Paws occupied while they sit.
“Lil convinced me,” Laila whispered in Giant. “But they can’t know the truth about it, deal? They can know the story, but not what really happened.”
Loark makes a face, "Of course!" He replies in giant. He then starts to wonder what he told Dorobo about their current situation but shrugs it off.
"So...so...so are you staying?" Bran asks hopefully with two flower crowns in his hands.
"Yeah, Bran, we're staying," Lillianna said to him with a smile. She walked over to him and gave him a hug. She sneakily whispered in his ear, in Elvish, "If you want him to notice you, just say something." She then stood straight again, took one of the flower crowns, and plopped it on her head, lopsided.
“Staying is a strong word,” Laila rose to her feet. “Remaining in your company, yes. Staying in town, I’d rather not.”
"Good." Craberos says they look at the group, "Do you mind if we go find out what the goblins are up to? I despise goblins."
"Thank...thank...thank you." Bran says to Lilli and then offers the other crown to Laila "Here...here I made this for you."
"We've got goblins to kill!" Loark exclaims, punching his fists together.
“Cool, looks like the gangs all here now! Also killing goblins? Sounds like fun!” Dorobo says, ready to make friends. He knew they would help find Vanessa by just helping him travel around.
Loark eyes widen when Dorobo speaks up. "See!" He says, pointing.
“Thank you,” Laila replied to Bran, taking the flower crown. What was she supposed to do with that?
"Nothing's fun about killing goblins," Craberos spits.
Loark smirks at Craberos' comment, "How many goblins do you think I can take out in one swing?"
“If he kills stuff, he becomes less insufferable,” Laila whispered to Craberos. “Briefly, at least.”
"I...I think they said something about the Baron meeting about goblins." Bran says. Then hearing Loarks question says with a smirk "None because...because I'll get them all first."
"One. They're harder to hit than you would think." Craberos replies to Loark. Craberos's eye twitches, hearing Bran.
Loark laughs, leading the way. "I'll take at least two out in one swing. Mark my words!"
“I’d prefer not to go to any Baron meetings,” Laila said uncomfortably. “But I’m down for killing goblins.”
Loark replies in giant, "We're just going to for the location. I could care less about what the Baron is offering. We're saving Craberos's family!"
“And if the Baron recognizes us?” Laila replied in Giant. “I’m alright with the mission, I just don’t think the three of us should attend any Baron-led meetings.”
"It's just a public announcement. There will be hundreds of people. And if they ask for a 'strong group of adventurers' we'll just let the others attend," he says, switching back to common.
“What if just I stay back?” Laila matched his common.
"Alone? No." Loark replies.
"Whats...whats wrong? Does... does this have to do with the bad people after you?" Bran asks
Loark nods to Bran.
"One bodyguard?" questions Laila.
"If they demand a group of adventurers or hunters step forward, we will go up, you three may stay," Craberos says.
"How about Lilli goes and the wizard stays?" Loark offers. "And I stay, of course."
"I have a name," Maikune calls distractedly
"My-key," Loark recalls.
"Maikune, but you were close," Maikune says
Loark glances at Golos for confirmation.
"I...I..like the idea of me, Lilli, Craberos, and Loark going to see the baron. The...the others can be waiting at the Lodge." Bran offers.
“I don’t want to prevent anyone from going who wants to go,” Laila said.
As a cohesive group for the time being, at least, everyone decides to make their way back to town and it's not difficult to find the site of the meeting after that. You now stand among the crowd, packed into the square before the gates of the small fortified manor at the center of the town. Trying to stay as unobtrusive as possible, some of the group hang back, while others get closer to be able to better hear what is being said. Attention is focused on the crenellated wall over the gate, and the wait is not very long. Before long, the Baron appears.
“My good people,” he begins in a strong voice. “Rumors are swirling and I assure you, we are here to put some of them to rest. It is true that there was a caravan attack yesterday, but we are fortunate that one brave man survived and made it to us, bringing word of what had befallen him. I dispatched my guards at once, to hunt down the foul creatures responsible and report back what they had found. They found the site of the attack, and I can say with pride that the men of that caravan killed many goblins before they died. My men followed the trail left by the raiders, skirting the moor that lies to our north, to the mouth of their lair. They made a valiant effort to root out the beasts, but were forced back, and returned bearing the bodies of two of their fallen comrades. I now call upon you for your aid in this fight as well. My men do not have the skills to take the fight to the goblins in their underground lair, but I know that among you are brave adventurers who so possess those skills. Join us! I can offer a reward of 50 gold royals per brave soul, plus another 5 royals per goblin head you bring back as bounty. If you are up to the challenge, come forward and my men will share what additional information we have.” He pauses, then shouts “For Kelvin!” and disappears behind the wall once again.
The gate opens and a guardsman appears in the opening, waiting for anyone who might take the Baron up on his offer. Around you, conversations restart, but you don’t see anyone taking the Baron up on his offer.
Golos looks at Loark, not at all paying attention to the proclamation. “My-key.” He begins looking around and finds a good sized rock. He walks over and places it by Loark.
"See!" Loark says, "I knew I was right. It was My-key."
"It's Maikune, I can assure you. Golos just has trouble with big words." Craberos says.
As the Baron finishes, Loark grins, looking at his sisters. "You wanted to restock, right?" He asks his sisters in Giant. "What better way than using their own coin?" He then pulls a chain coif from his pack, slides it over his head, and pulls out the wolf mask that Lillianna made for him years ago and dons it. "Arf, arf," he says, walking towards the gate.
Craberos steps towards the gate, with Loark, to accept the contract, looking forward with utter determination. Bran looks at Craberos and then at Golos and says “Stay...stay and protect Laila okay. I’ll be back. Following Loark.” And then will also begin to step forward to get the information.
"I don't know," Loark says as he wades through the crowd, "The bearling seems pretty wise."
“Golos know things” the halfling says, following Bran.
Craberos turns to Golos, "Go back to the others, we don't want them thinking you ran off."
“That...that reminds me. Craberos once we get some gold can we get a book to help Golos with his reading and speaking and such?” Bran asks. Craberos nods.
“Golos go back.” Golos says, loping off.
“Craberos. If they found the goblin hold do you think they could also find the village?” Bran will ask them in Elvish.
“No, we are shrouded by magic of the fey. Shaman Maiathah makes sure of it.” Craberos responds in Elvish.
Lillianna turns to Craberos and Bran, placing a hand on each of their shoulders, and begins to speak in Elvish. "I can't speak for my siblings, but I swear to you, I will help you protect your village. From what you've told us about those goblins, it sounds like the wilderness is in danger, and I can't stand the idea of wild animals being driven from their home, or slaughtered needlessly. I'll do everything in my power to correct this."
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
As Loark gets closer to the guards and the gate, he unslings his greatsword, still bound to its sheath by the peace ribbon. Once they're standing in front of the gate, he stabs it into the soft earth and proclaims, "The Wolfpack will accept this deal. We are eight strong. Give us the details." His voice is deeper in the mask, like the vigilante man-bat from Laila's stories.
The guard looks Loark up and down, then at the other 3 arrayed behind him. "Eight? I count four in your pack wolfman. Or are they phantom wolves?" A second man behind him barks a short laugh and is elbowed by a third man standing next to him.
Lillianna smiles at the guards, hoping to calm them. "The others are already off buying supplies needed for the hunting of these goblins."
"We're volunteering ourselves to do something you and your men failed to do. Laugh if you want, little man, but we will be successful. We are EIGHT strong." Loarks eyes narrow in the mask.
He shrugs at Lilli and Loark's explanations, eyes narrowing at the not-so-subtle insult. "As you say. Well then, friend, as the Baron said, if you want the job, it's 50 royals a man. Or woman," adds, glancing at Lilli and Craberos. "20 each up front for supplies and the test when you return with proof you've done the job. 20 for each person here to claim it in person. The head bounty is paid to whoever brings them in, naturally." He looks at you expectantly. "Four, or eight?"
"We are eight strong, but only four present," Lillianna said, knowing her sister would stand firm against meeting with these guards.
"Eighty gold upfront. Three-hundred and twenty when we return, successful. And of course, a bonus for each head. We are.... eight... strong. I will not let you rid them of their pay. That, or the goblins are your problem." He turns, looking at the dispersing crowd. "I see no other 'volunteers' this day."
"The reward is 50 for the job complete, the Baron will pay fairly. If you all sign, you get your 80 now. Anyone else you sign for can claim the full 50 when you return. In person. So. Names?" He gestures with his own at a parchment on the table before him." At your no other volunteers comment, he points behind you at another pair of men waiting.
"Lion King," Loark says, gesturing to the mask as if he should have known.
"Hi, I'm Bob. Bob Barker," Lillianna said, holding out a slightly grubby hand.
"She was meant to be a boy..." Loark comments.
Bran doesn't know what to think about the fake names and just decides to give his real one, its not like there isn't a million boys with his name out there, "Bran...Bran Starleaf."
"Those not present are Golos the Ravaging Bear of Berenstain, Dorobo the Shadow of Vanessa, Sparrow, and My-key the kitten." Loark nods.
Loark scribbles the names down on the parchment after announcing them.
“So, Maikune,” Laila made herself comfortable. “My sister is quite smitten with you. What are your intentions?”
"I wish to get to know her. It has been quite some time since I've met someone I've resonated with, I do not wish to jeopardize that by moving too quickly."
“Lillianna is a sweet girl who can handle herself,” Laila crossed her arms. “But she also sees the best in people. I hope you are what she sees you as.”
"I have no reason to hide myself. Any questions she has - or any that you have yourself - I will answer without hesitation."
“Relax, Tiger,” Laila laughed. “I’m not here to barrage you with questions and deem your worthiness.”
"I only wish to show that I am trustworthy."
“Craberos, And it is Maikune not My-key” Craberos corrects
“Show me with your actions,” Laila eyed the wizard.
"What do you wish to see?"
“You’re a strange one,” the bard narrowed her eyes.
Once all the names are added, Loark holds his giant hand out for the coins. "I hope you've prepared the stakes," he says, "Because there's going to be a whole lot of heads."
Lillianna cracks her knuckles, a huge grin on her face. "*So* many heads."
"I apologize if I seem strange to you. I will prove to you that giving me this chance is not a mistake."
“It worries me that you felt the need to ask what actions would prove yourself to me,” Laila sighed. “But I trust my sister. She is giving you a chance, not me.”
"Naturally, I do not wish to be at conflict with you or Loark. You are her family, so I ask for your blessing before I attempt to win her heart."
“Heads are heavy,” Craberos remarks, “What about their tongues?”
"Or ears. Ears are less gross." Lilli adds
“I’m not Lilliana’s parent, she’s my big sister,” Laila laughed. “I’m so not in a position to give any sorts of blessings.”
"I do not wish to go against your wishes to fulfil my own."
“My wish is for my sister to be happy, you knucklehead.” Laila Says
"Then our wishes align. I will not disappoint." Paws rubs against Laila's leg.
"Heads have two ears and tongues," Loark says, "And they fit better on a pike. I'll just purchase a giant sack. We'll be fine..."
The man sighs, muttering something about adventurers under his breath, and then just looks resigned as Loark plucks the pen out of his hand. Snatching it back along with the paper once Loark has finished, he adds some notations of his own, then copies the names to another sheet to which he also adds a wax seal. "This notes what you've been paid, and what is due, should you return successful. Or at all, I suppose. Left ears, will suffice, if you prefer that. Though a great warrior like you would surely want yo show off your kills more blatantly, I imagine." He motions to one of the other soldiers who steps up and counts out the agreed gold and places it into a pouch which is then handed over. "Good luck friends."
Loark accepts the pouch before turning to the others that started lining up, and bellows. "List's full! Back to your homes!" He then walks back through the dispersed crowd, not looking back to see if they heed his call. They'd just get in the way... or worse... get themselves killed.
Watching Loark go, the guard looks to Lilli. "So, "Bob", were any of the rest of you interested in knowing where to go hunting? Or are you going to trust your Lion King there to find them on his own?"
"Uh... yeah, he doesn't care about details like that. Which is why I'm here!" Lillianna winked at the guard. "So, give me all the info, and I'll make sure to send the muscle in the right direction. Soon, you'll have so many heads you'll be begging us to stop."
"I truly hope that's the case. They have much to pay for." He waves up another man who steps up, with a grim look on his face. He directs the remaining three over to a map of the area spread out on a nearby table. "The caravan was hit here," he says, pointing out a spot along a trail following the river north. "They looted the wagons and burned what they didn't take. Butchered some of the mules for meat and left the dead lying where they fell. We were able to follow their tracks east into the moor-lands, and eventually right to where they are holed up. They've gotten brazen, no effort to hide their trail, and just one guard outside. It was easily slain, and we entered the filth hole in the hillside they've claimed. Stupid." He shakes his head. "We were over confident ourselves, and fell right into their trap. We were only a squad of 10 ourselves, there must have been two dozen of them. Hard to say in the dark. It was chaos. There was at least one wolf, maybe more. And they had a shaman of some kind too. Filthy magic." He points out the rough location on the map as well, and gives enough landmarks and other information that you're confident you can find it yourself.
Lillianna perks up at the mention of the wolf. "Interesting. Very interesting. I'm confident that our group can handle these magic users." She gives the men another smile., then walks away.
As Loark gets closer to Laila and the rest of the group he says, "Sparrow." In a deep voice, "I'm man-bat."
“You used Sparrow?” Laila raised an eyebrow. “Ok man-bat.”
"Lets get out of sight and divide this gold," Loark responds. "I think they got suspicious of Lilli. "
Bran will follow behind Lilli heading towards the others
“Next time she’ll hang back with me then,” Laila frowned. “What information do you have?”
"Ten gold each," he replies.
“That’s not information, that’s a bounty.”
"Eh... left Lilli to deal with the details. Ask her!" He starts dividing the gold for everyone once he's sure they're out of sight of the guards.
Lillianna saunters up, smirking. "Meat head," she said, slapping Loark on the back of the head. "I got details on what and where everything happened. Showed me a map, so I'm pretty confident I can get us there. They said it was a trap. The goblins have a wolf and a shaman. Said the spell caster was the biggest problem."
“If...if...if it’s anything like the elven shamans. Then...then...then we need to be careful.” Bran offers
Loark continues dispersing the gold, "Ok, BOB. Wasn't that the name of the old man that used to tell us stories about how to stop dogs from breeding? That was a weird name to pick..."
"Right, and man-bat is *so* much better," Lillianna retorted, rolling her eyes. She held out her hand, impatiently awaiting her share of the gold.
Loark licks the small pile of gold before handing it to her. “All yours.”
Lillianna grabs his hand with the gold, licks from finger to elbow, smirks, and takes the gold. "Thanks, little bro."
"Lets get supplies," Loark says, wiping his chainmail on his pack. "Get enough to leave this town for a long time. Plan like we're not coming back." He winks.
"The puppy fund grows," Lillianna mumbled happily, shoving the gold into the backpack.
“We...we...we don’t have to worry about food. I...I can handle that. But...but...but I would like a special kit.” Bran pipes in at the idea of getting supplies
"Great! Lets go Bran, you're with me. Meet back at Alpha in an hour!" Loark says
“Lilli, did he tell you how many goblins there were?” Laila asked. “Do you have a map?”
"No," Lillianna replies, tapping her head.
“No...no...no map but there are at least 2 dozen goblins.” Bran offers grabbing his backpack and nodding at Loark he’s ready to go.
"I remember as well, Laila, let's go buy a map, and I'll show you where we're going." Craberos suggests
“Here...here Craberos,” Bran says and hands them a map case he has. “Just...just don’t get rid of the map already in there please.”
“We can discuss a plan as we get the map,” Laila pulled up her hood and motioned for the elf to follow.
"Of course." Craberos nods, they pause, and add in Elvish, "Please don't be childish about him." They turn to Golos, "Come with me Golos." They begin to follow Laila.
Lillianna watches as everyone breaks off, leaving her standing with Maikune. "Let's go look for puppies!"
Maikune smiles, eyes lighting up. "I love puppies!" On Lilli's shoulder, Paws looks a little jealous.
Lillianna skipped off down the street, in search of puppies, giving Paws a scratch on the head, and making sure she didn't fall off. She was pleased that Maikune wanted to join her, since everyone else had run off to buy less important supplies. She slowed and turned toward him, walking backward. "So... where ya from?"
"I've lived in Specularum most of my life. After finishing school, this is my first expedition out into the world." He smiles at her. "What about you? I take it you've travelled quite a bit, where do you call 'home'?"
Lillianna shrugged. "We're from the mountains. Got a camp up there. I guess that's where home has always been, but... eh, I don't really know... I like moving around a little. I never really felt... wanted there." She gives Paws a quick snuggle and turns around, slowing her pace so she can walk beside the wizard.
Paws purrs as Maikune thinks over his words. "I'm sorry to hear that. That feeling can... take a toll on the mind, after long enough." He pauses for a moment, taking her hand in his before continuing. "I understand how that feels, and I want you to know that you don't have to feel that way anymore." His eyes look empty, distracted.
Lillianna blushes lightly at the touch of his hand. "I don't really mind, honestly. Not being attached to any one place means I can experience the world and everything in it."
"Yes, that is true. It is such a big world, with so much to experience, and we only have so much time here. It's easier when you don't any one place tying you down." Paws licks Lilli's ear. "Having your siblings by your side has surely made it easier to get along."
Lillianna giggled at the rough tongue on her ear. "Hey! That tickles!" She leaned her head away from the kitten. "Well, it's nice... but trying at times. I don't really get to do anything I want to do because we have to keep moving so much. As much as I love Laila, she's so serious all the time, so set in her ways. She thinks she's doing everything to keep us safe, and she does. She has good intentions. But..." She trails off, leaving the sentence hanging. Turning a smile to Maikune, she asked, "So, this is your first time traveling? What do you think of it?"
"I wasn't too fond of it at first, but meeting you has all but changed my mind." He gives Paws a stern look and she stops trying to lick Lilli, opting to sit patiently on her shoulder while they talked.
"So... uh..." Lillianna said, awkwardly, pulling her hand from his. "Laila might be willing to work with your group for now, but tomorrow could decide we're leaving. I think it might be a mistake for either of us to get too attached. Attachments are easily used against us," She bit her lip, disliking the words coming out of her mouth, but knew it needed to be said.
"I spoke with Laila, while you guys were off with the baron. She seemed willing to give me a chance, to make you happy. In the end, it is your decision to make." Paws' ears visibly droop, and her purring stops.
"She told me she doesn't care," Lillianna said, stroking Paws. "But... I know she does. It's funny. Loark chases everything that catches his interest, and usually gets what he wants. But she doesn't really stop him. Me on the other hand... the last time she caught me kissing someone, she wouldn't talk to me for a week. She was so mad." She plastered a smile on her lips again. "Let's just live in the moment."
"She wants you to be happy. I want you to be happy. You want to be happy." He pauses to brush a bit of hair from her face. "She gets upset because she doesn't want you to move too fast and get your heart broken if something happens, it's the way family is." He gives her a reassuring smile. "I agree that we should live in the moment, but is it really living if you're not happy?"
"I'm always happy," Lillianna said, forcing a wide smile.
"No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes. You put up a façade and pretend to be okay but inside you're hurting. Please, let me help."
"I'm fine, really." Lillianna turned away, and snuggled Paws again. "I don't have time for sadness."
"I may not be able to tell one-hundred percent, but that cat you're snuggling can. I won't push, just know that I'll always be here if you need to talk. About anything."
Lillianna looked Paws in the eyes, questioning. "So, she's a magical cat," she said, quickly changing the subject. "What's your connection to her?"
"She's the very first spell I ever learned to cast. I was angry, and bitter, but she helped. She's my lifeline, my emotional support, and my friend. She may not look it, but she is actually very intelligent - she can sense emotions, empathize to aid me where I struggle, and communicate to me when I need her to. Without her, I never would have gotten the courage to leave the school - I never would've come across Craberos, or Bran, or Golos. I never would've met your merry band. I never would've met you." He looks down at the ground, kicking away a rock at his feet.
"And you said she can be... other things?" Lillianna placed her nose against the kittens nose. "Why is she a kitten? Did she choose this form?"
"She can take on almost any form I choose. The kitten form is..." He takes a deep, ragged breath. "I had a regular kitten just like Paws when I was very young. She was my best friend- my only friend. One night my father came home, drunk of his arse, tripped over her." A tear slides down his cheek. "Beat her to death right in front my eyes. It wasn't quick, and she was in pain. He didn't even put her out of her misery just... watched as she died. He killed her for being in the way." His cheeks are covered in more tears, and Lilli can see Paws beginning to cry as well. "When Athrawon told me I could have her back, after five years, there was no other form I could possibly give her."
Lillianna's heart sank when she heard the tale. "I-I'm so sorry," she whispered. She turned suddenly, and pulled Maikune into a hug. "The dogs back at camp were important, not just to me, but to everyone. They protected us. One of the dogs got a sickness that made it mean and unpredictable. I was very young and didn't understand. My dad took it out, away from camp, and killed it. I understand now that it needed to be done, but at that point in my life, I hated him for it." She squeezed Maikune. "What you father did was horrible."
"I'm sorry, I promised myself I wouldn't break down like this." He weakly returns the hug.
"What can I do?" Lillianna asked quietly. "I want to do something to help."
"There is nothing we can do. He's already paid the grimmest price of them all." He looks up into her eyes. "Look at me; we're out here looking for puppies and here I am getting all emotional."
Lillianna smiled at him, pulling away. "Okay then, let's go look for some puppies!" She began to skip off. "Come on!"
He smiles again, walking quickly to stay beside her.
Lillianna gave Maikune another smile before turning to Paws, giving the kitten a sad look. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, giving the cat a scratch behind the ear.
The cat purrs at the scratch while relaying the message to the young Wizard, who raises his eyebrow slightly but says nothing.
Lillianna smiles suddenly. "We'll find a puppy and you'll have a friend to protect and love you, I promise. I also won't let my brother hurt you again."
"She's not a big fan of..." Maikune lets out quickly, before realizing that he probably wasn't supposed to hear that. Lillianna quickly looked at him, eyebrow raised. "I... should've told you this before it looked creepy. She can speak with me telepathically, and unless specifically told not to she will relay anything told to her directly into my head."
Lillianna looked between Paws and Maikune a few times. "Oh... oh!" Her eyes went wide with realization. "Ooooh,' she said again, blushing, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner. Now I just look an arse."
"No, no," Lillianna said quickly. "It's okay! I'm... just glad I didn't say anything really embarrassing."
"If it was anything super personal she would keep it secret. Like I said; she's more intelligent than just a normal housecat."
Lillianna smiled and scratched Paws on the throat. "I wish I could talk to you. I wish I could talk to any animal."
"She says you can talk to her any time you wish. And from Maikune, and not the cat, It's not entirely impossible that you would be able to speak with animals. Just ask Bran, I'm sure he could help you out."
"I mean, yeah I can talk to her. I can talk to anyone." Lillianna shrugged. "Doesn't mean we understand each other. Can't have in-depth conversations."
"I suppose it would get annoying having a translator, and you're probably more interested in speaking to the puppy when you get them. I wish I could help, I really do."
Lillianna grinned at Maikune. "Don't worry about it. I've made it this far without understanding animals, I'll be fine."
"You're right, I suppose. You're so passionate about animals, it's hard not to want to help."
"It's okay. Doesn't stop me from talking to animals." Lillianna grinned. "I talk to everything." Lillianna froze, eyes going wide once again. "Puppy," she screeched, running off in the direction of the first dog she spotted. Flopping into the dirt, she started baby talking. "Who's an adorable puppy? You are! Yes, you are!"
"I can see that." He laughs as she coos at the puppy. Paws uses her falling body as a launch pad to return to Maikune's arms, hissing at the dog all the way. "Enough, Paws. This puppy is our friend." At his command, the cat immediately becomes docile again. Maikune kneels beside Lilli, careful not to get his robes dirty. "Who's a good puppy?"
"C'mere, Paws!" Lillianna said holding out a hand. "He won't hurt you! I promise, I'll keep you safe!" She giggled as the dog gave her a big sloppy kiss across the face.
Maikune looks skeptical, but carefully hands Lilli the cat - wand in hand in case he needed to poof her away.
"It's okay," Lillianna said is a soft, soothing voice. She slowly brought Paws closer to the dog, who was watching curiously. She gave the dog a soft pat. "The kitty wants to be friends. Be nice to the kitty, and she'll be nice to you."
Paws reaches her paw closer, extremely nervous and clearly frightened.
To Paws, Lillianna said, "The puppy just wants to be friends." As she pulled the kitten closer, the dog leapt up, giving Paws a big lick. Lillianna froze, waiting to see the reaction of the tiny kitten.
Maikune begins to flick his wand, but when he sees the lick he calms slightly. Paws, however, is very frightened - and crying.
Lillianna pulled the kitten back, snuggling her against her chest. "It's okay, little one. Shhhh." She gave the kitten a few strokes to comfort her. "He's just being friendly."
Paws snuggles deep into Lilli's chest, meowing quietly. A single tear is also rolling down Maikune's cheek, though he doesn't notice.
"Come on," Lilliana cooed. "You're okay. I promised I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. You're okay."
She looks up, giving another sad meow before licking Lilli's chin, her tail waving meekly as she calms down
"Yeah, you're alright. See? Puppy was just saying hello."
"She'll warm up to them eventually. Her first experience with a puppy was... less than pleasant."
"Most puppies don't like kitties." Lillianna looked at Maikune. "Sh-should I not adopt a puppy? I don't want her to be scared all the time."
"You should adopt a puppy, if that's what you want. She's a little princess, but she'll get over it."
"I wish she wasn't so scared. I wish there was a way to boost her confidence." Lillianna pulled the kitten closer into her chest.
"I could always just tell her to stop being such a scaredy-cat. I don't like to influence her like that, but it is a possibility."
"No," Lillianna said, softly. "She needs to learn to be more confident on her own."
"Only way for her to learn is to be around them. Only way to guarantee that she's around them is for you to adopt one." His slips his wand back into his sleeve, clasping his wrists inside his sleeves and standing once more.
"Paws, it seems we are going to be spending some time together, so I think it's only right of me to ask you," Lillianna said, looking Paws in the eye. "I'd like to adopt a puppy, and give it a home where it can be happy and healthy, just like you. I'd like you to be friends. Is this okay with you?"
'Mrowr' She licks Lilli's nose. Maikune smiles. "She says yes, if it makes you happy."
"No," Lillianna said firmly. "Not if it makes you unhappy."
'Prr~' She flips over and exposes her belly. "She said she wants a new friend, one that isn't afraid of her."
Lillianna smiles and scratches Paws on the belly. "I'll find someone extra special, then."
She paws at Lilli's hand as she scratches, purring all the while.
Lillianna smiled at Maikune. "We'll boost her confidence. I promise."
"I have no doubt that your confidence will brush off on her. I trust you one-hundred percent."
Blushing, Lillianna stood. "Right. No puppy today, then." She also stood, giving Paws a quick kiss and handed her back to Maikune. Then confusion crossed her face. "Did anyone decide on where we were meeting? Or when, for that matter?"
"Your brother said to meet back at alpha in an hour, however long ago that was."
"Oh. He did?" Lillianna scrunched up her face, trying to remember. "When did he...? Oh well, I tend to ignore Loark." She shrugged. "We could go now. Be alone, in the wilderness." She smiled slyly.
"I'm not sure I follow..." He cocks his head to the side. "Leave?"
"You said we're supposed to meet them at Alpha in an hour. That's the place outside the city where we found Laila." She smiled. "That nice little rock, in that peaceful field."
"Oh..." His face blushes bright red. "Yeah, we should probably get going. I have no idea how long we've been out already."
With a smile, Lillianna held out her hand. "Shall we?"
He takes her hand in his. "After you, M'Lady." Paws curls up on Maikune's shoulder to nap as they make their way back to Alpha.
Loark leads you down one of the busy streets to an area at the edge of the marketplace. "I saw this General Store yesterday as we were making our way to the Inn. It'll have everything we need!"
“I’m...I’m glad you did. I...I didn’t have the chance to explore the city a lot yesterday.” Bran says before going quite for a minute before saying “So...so what were you and your siblings talking about earlier in that other language?” Bran asks
“All...all three of you were speaking it. First...first in the Lodge and then at Alpha.” Brans says
“All...all three of you were speaking it. First...first in the Lodge and then at Alpha.” Brans says
"There's a lot you don't know about us, Bran. And even after our warnings, you're all accepting of us. Though that's kind... we can't reveal our secrets yet." He stops and looks around, "Lets just say that everyone here... in this town... are servants. They're taxed, made to work for little wage, and stripped of the freedoms they once had. That's the price of the civilization that's come to Traldar... the occupation. So yes... I could care less if these Thyatian merchants were slaughtered by goblins. I also don't mind that they're preventing wares from reaching this city. But they've overstayed their welcome, and they need to be killed. I have no intention of returning to this city once we're in the forest. If I ever stand face to face with the Baron, I'd probably draw my sword."
“Oh...” Bran says looking down before speaking up “I...I don’t remember much of my time within the city. I’ve..I’ve been with the Syl tribe for the past seven years. Everything...everything is different with the elves. I...I do remember facing trial though. It...it was right before I was with the elves. I...I was caught stealing some food. I...I saw other urchins like me go to jail and get hanged for stealing. I...I ran. I...I wouldn’t have survived in jail. So...so I’m not a big fan of the empire but...but I don’t think they necessarily deserve to die.” Bran speaks up
"They came in and slaughtered us by force. They put up their forts, raised armies of our own people, and marched from one peaceful village to the next, slaughtering, stealing, and ****** until they took over. If they don't deserve to die, then tell me what they do deserve," Loark replies.
“I...I...I don’t know. I’m...I’m not a big fan of violence if it can be avoided. But...but it sounds like they already came in with violence.” Bran says kind of quietly
"The elves will be next," Loark says, continuing the walk to the store. "Roads are already being built, settlements are already expanding, and the wilderness that made Traldar so special will be gone."
“It...it is. I...I wonder if the shamans know. So...so you and your siblings were fighting it but...but why are you here now.” Bran asks...hesitantly
"We're not here to overthrow anyone, if that's what you're getting at," Loark replies. "But we can't reveal our reasons just yet." Loark opens the door to the store for Bran, then follows him in.
“I...I understand. Thank...thank you.” Bran says getting walking into the store and purchasing a Herbalism Kit and a Healers Kit.
Loark grabs a set of ten torches, plops it on the counter, takes another coil of rope, plops it on the counter, then starts rummaging through the store for various other survival supplies and plops them on the counter. At one point, he picks up a tinder box, inspects it, then puts it back. That's when his eyes catch something interesting... he grabs the grapple hook and places that on the counter as well. "What do you think, Bran? How do we get an army of goblins to come out of their hidey-holes?"
“Hmmm...Well...well if I was to get an animal to come out of their den I’d use bait. Normally...normally food works but maybe not for goblins. I...I think for goblins we’d need something juicer than just some food.” Bran says. “They...they’re attacking caravans maybe we can pretend to be a lost caravan in front of their den.” Bran offers and looks to Loark, hoping he likes the idea.
"If the roads led to their den, that might work..." Loark comments. "But I imagine they're not hiding on the roadside unless their scouts spot a caravan." "Besides, we can't afford a whole caravan of wagons and the beasts to pull them." He looks about, and sees a crate of oil jars, "We could smoke them out..."
“I...I...I can maybe stink them out. I...I imagine goblins don’t like skunk smell or bear noises in their cave. If...if we go with smoke I can kind of direct it inside the cave as well.” Bran offers
"Ooooh, that'd be nice. I'm sure there's foliage enough to get a massive fire going." He grabs four jars of oil and puts it on the counter. Then he looks about and pulls down four folded squares of leather. He digs though a pile of spikes and takes a small hammer. Finally, he puts everything on the counter.
“Let’s...let’s not burn down the forest. Remember...that’s...thats my home. Why...why don’t we just burn the oil of the cave floor. It’ll...it’ll burn it all up.” Bran reminds him.
"Oil burns faster than you can count to ten," Loark comments. "We won't kill any trees or anything, we'll just take 'what the forest offers'." It seems he's been chastised for hurting trees before.
“Just...promise...promise you’ll let me and Lilli gather what you can burn.” Bran is silent for a moment before saying. “You’re...you’re smarter than you sisters give you credit for. I...I wouldn’t think about smoking them out.” Bran says a blush on his face
"Yeah you two can gather the wood we'll need. And yeah, when it comes to planning to kill, I'm pretty good." He grins at the compliment. Loark pays the merchant for all the 'stuff' and open his pack. He winces slightly, but pulls his massive boulder out and takes it outside. "Have a good life, my man," he says before setting it beside the door. "Every... damn... time she licks something of mine, I lose it." He returns to his pack and begins loading it up with everything that he purchased. "You ready? We need to get there before sundown, or else we'll be the ones being ambushed."
“Let’s...let’s go.” Again Bran just enjoys a couple seconds of quiet and then asks Loark “So...so why do you keep flirting with Craberos?”
"I wanted to see if Craberos was down for a night. Since we only planned on staying for a day, I'm happy I was rejected. Who knew we would all be travelling together! That would have been awkward." He laughs, "I never stick around after I've bedded someone, can't."
“Oh...oh.” Bran goes silent. You see him have an inner debate with himself. You hear him at some point mutter something like ‘Be brave like the wolf’. He then speaks up “Why...why...why don’t you flirt with me?”
Loark stops and gives Bran a look. "I don't know..." he says. "You didn't seem interested. You avoid eye contact, your body never showed me you were interested. Craberos on the other hand, Craberos couldn't stop looking me in the eye." Loark shrugs. "Your my friend now, though. I prefer to forget the faces of those I've bedded... in case I ever have to kill them in the future." He adds the last part as an afterthought.
“I...I...I’ve never done anything like this before. I...I...I mean flirting. When I was with the elves I was kept separate from all the others that weren’t adults. They...they were scared I would seduce them and make half-breeds. I..I didn’t know how to flirt so I just did things to try and get your attention. Like...like when you smelled like a skunk. That...that was me.” Brans says choosing to ignore the afterthought for now.
Loark laughs again, “Well it sure got me to take my clothes off.”
“That’s...that’s good to know” Bran says with a chuckle. “In...in case it’s not obvious I like you. Like..like...more than is wise.” He goes back to silent before saying. “Craberos...they...they don’t like you and I suspect they think I should shouldn’t pursue this. But...but I’ve never had something like this before and I want to explore it. If...if you don’t want to though I won’t push it. I...I...I just couldn’t not tell you.” Bran says now looking at the ground. Realizing that we’re getting close to Alpha now.
Loark puts his arm around Bran. “If you were just another stranger like you were yesterday, I’d take you up on that offer. You’re a part of our pack now, and as my lovesick sister will soon show you it doesn’t work out well for us.” Loark gestures, hand outstretched, “How about we both go out next time we hit a town and we can grab the first skin that sheds its clothes for us?”
“I’d....I’d like to go out with you. I...I don’t know what the last part means but I’m sure it’ll be fun if you’re there.” Bran says blushing harder than before with this physical contact.
Loark walks with his arm around Bran as they make their way back to Alpha.
Bran says nothing more. Just enjoys the physical contact and sneaks glances at Loark when he believes he isn’t looking.
Craberos and Laila look for a map. Golos had come along. Golos wanted run in forest and climb trees or maybe run with new wolf friend. So many rules now that Golos not bear. Golos not understand why he not bear still, but new friends said no bear lots. Golos wanted please new friend Bran and new...what? What Craberos to Golos? Crab man father bear. But they not bears. But Bran Did what Crab man said. It all too not make sense. Golos do what Golos always do to survive, act.as den acts, though that less good lately. Lilli and stinky man licked things all the time. Why crab man angry when Golos licked maps?
As he looked through the window, Golos had two thoughts. "Maps no taste good," he thought first. This was quickly followed by, "Licking make Golos no shop. Golos no like shop. Licking get Golos what Golos want." He smiled to himself as he sat on the stoop. Maybe being halfling not hard.
As Loark approaches Point Alpha with his arm around Bran, he calls out to those there, "We got a plan! Bran here can smoke out the goblins with his magic, and we can slaughter them as they come out." He gives Bran a squeeze and sets his pack by the rock. "I got leathers to block some of the holes, rope and spikes to hammer them over the holes, oil to bathe the leathers in, and torches to put pitch on bolts and arrows. We'll just need to see what exits they use most often, cover them, and smoke em out."
Craberos frowns, "What if they find us first?"
"Then we fight like our lives depend on it," Loark responds, a grin on his face.
"Lills," Loark calls out.
"Yo!" She responds.
Loark peeks his head around the rock. "You hear the plan?"
"Smoke the rabbits out," Lillianna replied, stretching out.
"Damn right. We ready?" Loark asks, slinging the pack back on his shoulder.
Lillianna yawns. "But I'm so tiiiiiiiiiiiiired," she whined.
Craberos frowns, "Wait, what about the shaman? The shaman will be major thorn in our side."
Loark points to Maikune, "Fight magic with magic, right?"
“Rabbits? Thought we fight Goblins.” Golos says.
"Rabbits in their hole. Gotta smoke them out." Lillianna closed her eyes, hoping to get a short nap in before leaving.
"A what?" Loark asks. "She means they're hiding like rabbits, so we smoke them out like rabbits."
"I can try to focus on the shaman, I will need you to keep the others off of me," My-Key adds.
Loark snaps his fingers at Maikune, "Yes. That we will do."
“Chop head, goblin no bother.” Golos adds.
"Exactly!" Loark nods, satisfied. "Lets go chop some heads."
Lillianna begins to softly snore as she falls asleep.
Craberos steps next to Lillianna, "May I try to wake her?"
Loark chuckles, "Feel free." He leans against the rock to watch.
The ground trembles.
Lillianna snorts in her sleep, but doesn't wake up.
Thunder rolls just above Lilli's head.
She smiles in her sleep.
Craberos knells next to Lillianna's ear and shouts at three times higher than normal, "Wake!"
Lillianna screamed, jumping up. "Jerk," she yelled and leapt at what she thought was her brother. Landing on top of Craberos, her expression changed to one of confusion. "You... are not Loark." She quickly stood, pulling them to their feet. "I'm so sorry about that."
Craberos smiles, "We needed you up and I thought I could wake you."
"What?" Lillianna yelled. "I appear to be deaf!"
Craberos waves it away, "You should be fine. It usually takes only about one or two minutes for someone to regain their hearing."
Lillianna pats them on the shoulder and walks over to her brother, punching him in the arm. "This was your idea, I just know it."
By the time the group completes their various tasks and meet up at "Point Alpha" outside the town walls, the angle of the sun overhead indicates that it's about 2:00 in the afternoon. If the directions you've been given are accurate, it will take most of the rest of the day to reach the area where the goblins are believed to be holed up. Following Loark's lead, you gather your belongings and begin the trek from Kelvin along the road leading to the town of Penhaligon, nearly 3 days travel to the north.
Sure enough, about two hours travel from town you reach the site of the caravan attack itself. As you'd been told, it's a mess. The burned out wagons have been moved off the road and there are signs of freshly dug graves, as well as the remains of a large bonfire. Sifting through the ashes, you can find charred fragments of bone - it looks like a mix of humanoid and some larger animal bones.
“Before we get too much closer, I have a few words I’d like to say,” Laila stopped the group. “I know I was not kind to some of you yesterday and this morning, that I appeared hesitant in joining together in this mission. I want to assure each of you that my trepidation came not from your skills, but from my own fear. I see now how strong each of you are, and how much stronger we are together. Golos, the Mighty Bear, has strength beyond his size. Dorobo, the Shadowed Lover, you possess untold kindness and skill. Craberos, the Oncoming Storm, your unparalleled wisdom and power are vital to the team. Maikune, the Panther, you have magic I have only dreamt of and claws to accompany your fuzzy exterior. Bran, the Mouse, you are brave and quick, and without you we would not be traveling together now. Loark, the Lion, your skill and counsel have always been things I have relied on. And finally, Lillianna, the Wolf, you... are not paying attention,” Laila’s voice trailed off. She sighed before rallying again and finishing off the speech. “We are each an important part of this new team. I believe that our fates are intertwined, and we will all play our part and move as one unit. We will prevail! We will win!” (Inspiring Leader 4 Temp HP to everyone but Golos and Laila)
"Oh, what?" Lillianna stands up, looking at the group, using the toe of her boot to quickly erase the childish images she had been drawing into the dirt.
Bran moves up to the ash pile and bends down to pick up an animal bone, he hopes, “Lilli...can...can you help me identify this?”
Lillianna nods and moves next to Bran. She begins to dig through the ash pile with her fingers. "Hey, I wanted to ask you something, if I could?"
“Of...of course” Bran says staring intently at the bone
"Uh... you're good with magic, right?" Lillianna tasted a bit of the ash. "Yup, that's ash."
“I...I wouldn’t say I’m the best but...but I know some magic.” Bran responds
"Oh, look! A bone." Lillianna set it aside. "Do you, I dunno, know how to talk to animals?"
“Yeah...it was one of the first things I learned how to do.” Bran says happily now looking at Lilli wondering where this is going.
"Are you... are you able to talk to Paws?" Lillianna spared a glance at Maikune.
“No...Paws...Paws is a magic cat. My...my magic only effects natural animals. It’s...it’s different than Maikunes magic. Mine...mine comes from nature and my innate understanding of the natural world. Of... of course I had the animals to help show me how to wield it.” Bran explains
"Do you think, maybe... possibly... you could..." she stammers, almost embarrassed to ask. "Teach me?"
Bran smiles. “I...I thought you’d never ask. I...I sensed your ability to wield the same magic as me when we first met. I...I can of course teach you but understand I’m still learning myself. And...and I have a trade of. If...if I teach you magic can you teach me something in exchange?” Bran asks kind of hesitantly
"These are horses," Lillianna said, looking at another bone. "Well, I don't have any magics to teach, Bran. I don't really have anything to trade either. What are you wanting? I can try to get it for you."
“Can...can...can you teach me how to flirt?” Bran asks an embarrassing blush clear on his face.
Lillianna bursts out laughing, then freezes. "Oh, you're serious! I can *absolutely* teach you to flirt! You'll be a pro by the time I'm done! You'll be stealing girls and guys left and right!"
Bran let’s put a deep sigh he didn’t know he was holding. With a smile he stands up, dusts his hands off, and then holds his hand out “It’s...it’s a deal.”
“Golos want learn something too.” Golos pipes in from out of nowhere.
Lillianna jumps as Golos appears next to her unexpectedly. "Oh! What do you want to learn Golos?" She shook Bran's hand, giving him a wink.
“I’ll...I’ll teach you to speak to animals too Golos.” Bran says and then points at the bones pointing specific ones out and saying “By...by the way that’s a horse bone or mule they’re similar in bone structure, that’s goblin bones, that’s some arrow heads that have seen better days, and that...that’s just a rock.” (Nature: 18)
“Golos not care. Golos be good member of pack.” He responds to Lilli
"Golos, very good member of pack," Lillianna agreed. "Okay, Bran, first lesson in flirting. Be subtle. You don't want to come on too strong, or you'll scare them away. Maybe a light touch on the arm. And look them in the eye. Let your eyes tell them that your interested." As an example, she sauntered over toward the group. "Horse bones, arrow heads, ashes. Goblins definitely did this." She walked past Maikune, giving him a smile, and brushing against his arm lightly.
Bran is staring intently at the Lilli and what’s she’s doing. He doesn’t take his eyes off of her trying to absorb every detail he can so, he can put this to use later.
Lilliana doesn't brush up against the skin of Maikune's arm - instead, she brushes the thin layer of black mist that has begun to cover his body. Paws is absent from his shoulder.
Lillianna doesn't notice. Instead she gives Bran a nod.
He nods back and then looks at Loark.
Lilli can see the mixed trail that heads north as well. Goblin tracks here and there, but the pursuing soldiers have pretty much ruined the original tracks. You can't get sense of numbers anymore. Quite a few, so the couple dozen you were told *could* be accurate.
Lillianna points out the tracks to the others. "It would seem the numbers we were told might be accurate. We also know this is a trap laid for travelers. So," she asked, turning to the group. "How are we doing this?"
Loark stood far from the remains, watching the trees nearby as the others inspected the wreckage. He unclips his crossbow, kneels down, and starts to untie the ribboned mess that the guards made. Once that's done, he undoes the ribbon binding his sword to its sheath as well. "We follow," he says simply. "We can't wait for them or they'll have the upper hand. Keep your eyes peeled, though."
Lillianna unstrapped her bow with a nod, and prepared herself. "Let's kill some Goblins!"
Maikune quickly pulls the ribbon from his dagger before sliding it back inside his robe, a large smile on his face. "Yes. Let's."
Bran just nods and unwraps his weapons as well and looks down at Aladdin. “All right little buddy. Time to go somewhere safe.” And the white mouse just scurries and hides away in Brans pack.
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Loark stumbles into the Aremene room at nearly 2am, being woken and chastised by the innkeep. He stumbles forward, hitting his toe on the giant rock that's haphazardly laying in the center of the room. He wobbles over towards Lillianna's bed and gives it a single kick. "Lilli... Lilli... Lilli..."
"Whaaa??" She moans, turning around.
"You move.. my. Rock?" He gives the room a sweeping glance before finding his empty bed. "Don.. move my rock," he mumbles, stumbling into his bed.
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"I didn't touch your rock, you lazy oaf," Lillianna groaned and flopped back down on her bed. She stared into the darkness for a moment, thinking about her earlier encounter with Maikune and Paws. While she enjoyed speaking with him greatly, she was confused by how suddenly he left. She'd gotten the impression that he liked her, but then... nothing happened. Oh well, she thought. Maybe someday I'll find true love. Closing her eyes, she drifted back to sleep, dreaming of wolves and puppy kisses.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Craberos walks into the baths, and sees Laila, "Oh, you're still here." They undress and slip into the bath. "I'd rather not talk."
“Silence suits me fine,” Laila shrugs. “If you are as meek as Bran, I can cover up a little.”
Craberos looks pointedly at Laila, "What are you talking about?"
Before Laila waves her hand, Craberos plainly sees a Celtic knot tattoo on her chest and the ornate pendant around her neck. The bard cast minor illusion and summoned the censorship bars once more. “I don’t think Bran has ever seen a naked person before.”
"Oh, no, he has not. There's no need for that."
Laila waves her hand again and they disappear. “Good.”
“What are you doing in town?” Laila asks after several minutes of competitive silence.
"We're helping Maikune, the wizard, find lost magics. Right now, we're just stopping to resupply." Craberos responds.
“So there’s no lost Magic’s here?”
Craberos shrugs, "I have no idea. Maikune promised us that the magics would help defeat the goblins."
“What do you want?” Laila asks. “I know Maikune is after arcane knowledge, and Bran hopes to become a powerful chieftain. And you?”
"A chieftain? Interesting; he never expressed that before." Craberos muses, "Well, I want to see that Bran makes it into adulthood and make sure he's safe and that the goblins finally stop attacking the Syl." Craberos shifts, "Are you sure Bran wasn't saying shaman?"
“He said leader I think, and then I made an educated guess,” Laila says. “You’ll forgive me, I have had very few interactions with the Syl Tribe.”
"You shouldn't have had any, we don't get a lot of outsiders. Bran probably meant shaman." Craberos touches an amulet around their neck, it is not the same symbol as Bran's necklace.
“Is that what you are, a shaman?”
"Yes, to the Immortal Iphyl." Craberos responds, still touching the amulet.
“I haven’t met many healers that can sprain my wrist the way you did,” Laila laughs. “I apologize for getting off on the wrong foot this afternoon.”
"I'm curious, why are you so terrified of surveillance? This can't just be part of being a bodyguard." Craberos asks.
“That was a lie,” Laila sighs. “As I’m sure you guessed. Truthfully, we’re on the run, and I have to assume almost everyone we meet is a bounty hunter. Call me paranoid all you like, but it’s kept me and my siblings alive.”
Craberos nods, "They're quite a handful."
“You have no- Actually, seeing your companions, you probably have a pretty good idea,” Laila laughs.
"Yes, but they are my charges." Craberos smiles, they then frown, "Your brother's an ass though."
“No, he’s really not. I’m the true *******,” Laila sighs. “He thinks with his muscles and his penis, but he’s a kind person.”
"He has become infatuated with me it appears. It is very upsetting." Craberos looks very uncomfortable being naked all of sudden.
“Please tell me you didn’t threaten him with violence,” Laila’s eyes widen.
Craberos remains quiet for a moment, "Maybe I should leave."
“No, no, please stay,” Laila objects. “You are the first intelligent and responsible person I’ve talked to in weeks. You know how it is, please.”
Craberos laughs slightly, "Yes, I understand." Craberos leans slightly in, "Is there any way to get him to stop? I used the 20 generation line, that usually scares them off; so does the line where I tell them that I'm not a girl."
“His attention span is short,” Laila assures Craberos. “It’s just... Violence is a turn on for him, and he cares little for gender. Lo just wants to have fun, regardless of who it’s with. If you treat him like normal person that is nothing special, he’ll lose interest.”
Craberos nods, "Thank you."
After a long stretch of comfortable silence, Craberos starts to get out of the bath, "Where are you headed next?"
“I don’t know,” Laila ducks her head underwater for a second. “I’ve been feeling so directionless lately. Before, I always knew what to do and what my missions were. But just staying alive? That’s not a real direction.”
Craberos nods, "Yes, I understand. From what others have said, it seems like you would be more than welcome to join us if you so choose."
“Hah, no,” Laila laughs. “Your bearling and the rest of your crew are hardly covert.”
"I don't know where the magic Maikune is looking for is, but I think we're going back into the woods, it's hard to have discrete spies in the woods."
“If you knew why we were on the run, you wouldn’t want us,” Laila shakes her head. “I don’t want to put random strangers at risk.”
Craberos tilts their head, "You underestimate the kindest of others. But I must be going, I'm pruning as we speak." Craberos walks away, nestled between the small of their back and their left shoulder blade is a tattoo of the symbol Bran wore around his neck. Craberos dries and clothes.
“It was a pleasure to talk to you, Craberos,” Laila smiles sadly.
"Same to you." Craberos smiles, and leaves.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
After an evening of everyone getting to know each other and smoothing over the misunderstandings and misdeeds of the previous day, everyone eventually makes their way to the rooms they’ve bought for the night. Safe inside the town’s sturdy stone walls, the night passes uneventfully, but it seems that is not the case out in the wilds beyond.When you finally wake and make your way down to the common room for breakfast, there is a buzz of conversation inside and out. Catching bits, you piece together that there has been another goblin attack. A lone man had made it to the gates - yesterday, during the night? That part is unclear - the only survivor of a caravan that had been on it’s way to Kelvin and should have arrived the day before. Unlike the earlier attacks that had been fended off, this one had been a larger, more organized attack.
By late morning when you venture outside, it’s obvious that there is an effort underway to deal with this escalation in attacks. You hear a crier in the streets. Baron Kelvin has called the populace to his manor at highsun - just another hour or so away. At that point, he’ll have more to tell his worried citizenry.
“Good morning,” Laila sang loudly to her siblings in order to wake them. “DID YOU SLEEP WELL, LOARK?” The bard said, with excessive volume, right in her most-likely-hungover brother’s ear.
Golos woke early, rising with the sun. He went back to the window and breathed in the air. He had learned that he should not wander off. So he waited for one of his compatriots to wake to get permission to go downstairs. “Being halfling hard.” he thought.
“Lilli, come on,” Laila shook her twin lightly. “I’m sure there will be lots of dogs to pet once you get out of bed.”
"Mmmmf," Lillianna mumbled, burying her face into her pillow.
“You know, those friends we made the other day looked like they were the kind of people who woke up early,” Laila whispered. “I bet if we woke up now, we might see them at breakfast.”
Loark pulls the blanket over his head, blocking out the sun and his annoying sister.
Lillianna slid out of bed, nearly onto the floor. She sat up, her head lolling to the side, eyes still closed. More grumbles from the girl, and she finally stood. "Nothing to do today... should sleep in..." she mumbled, leaning against her sister for support.
“You both have ten seconds before I get the bucket,” Laila crossed her arms.
"Tim'sit?" Loark mumbles into the blanket.
“Nine,” Laila replied. “Eight... seven...”
He turns, looking at his sister with bloodshot eyes. "Mornin was yesterday..." He sees Lilli standing next to his rock and his eyes narrow.
" 'M standin'," Lillianna responded, resting her head against Laila, eyes still closed.
"Lilli hurd my toe," he says, popping a bleeding, swollen toe out of the covers.
"Did not," Lillianna responded.
“Oh, you poor, fragile thing,” Laila smirked.
Loark rolls his lower body off the bed, sitting on the frame, and rubs his eyes. "Wha hap'nd las night?"
"I struck out," Lillianna mumbled, nearly falling over.
“Well clearly, Lillianna hurt your toe,” Laila said.
"Lilli... why did you hurd me?" He stands, stumbling a bit before regaining his balance.
"Did not!"
"I need some mead..." Loark pulls his tunic up from the covers and slips in to it.
“I feel like mead is the last thing you need,” the responsible one muttered.
"I need coffee," Lillianna said, taking a step toward the door and tripping over Loarks rock. "Move your rock, you lazy oaf!"
Loark stumbles his way after Lillianna, avoiding the rock. "Coffee and mead too."
Lillianna throws the door open, bumps into the door frame, eventually making it out into the hallway. She drags herself down the stairs, finds an empty table, sits, and promptly drops her head to the table, falling asleep again.
Loark makes it to the door before stopping and remembering his breeches. "I'll be dere," he comments, going back to his bed to dig through the covers.
“By the triad, if an assassin wanted to kill us, all they would have to do would be to strike before coffee,” Laila banged her head against the doorframe before following her siblings down to the table.
Maikune slowly stirs awake, his hair a mess as he sits up and throws his legs over the side of the bed. Quickly looking around, he sees Golos awake but Bran is asleep and Craberos is meditating. With a tired sigh, he climbs from his bed, throws on his robe - making sure his books and wand are in the right place - and heads down to search for a table.
“Three coffees, a large pile of meats and toast, and absolutely no alcohol, no matter what these two knuckleheads do to try and convince you,” Laila instructed the server.
Lillianna raises a hand, four fingers lifted.
“Lots of mead,” Loark says to the server, pulling a chair around and sitting, head rested on the chair-back.
As Maikune descends the stairs he sees the three siblings - two of which are practically dead - and makes his way over. "Good morning Lilliana. Laila. Loark. How are you all this morning?"
"Hey... kitty..." Loark mumbles, reaching his arm out and wiggling his fingers.
"I'm afraid the kitty is still sleeping in a pocket dimension. I can summon her back, but she might not be happy about it." He sits in an empty seat at the table.
"Sleeps like Lilli..." He responds, closing his eyes.
“Good morning,” Laila eyed the wizard, taken aback that he had just invited himself to their table. “I apologize for my siblings, they’re not human before eleven.”
"You're not... human," Loark mumbles.
"No need to apologize. In fact, that's why I came over; to apologize for my behaviour yesterday." He pulls his wand from his sleeve and gives it a quick flick. Suddenly, Paws is curled up in the centre of the table, asleep.
“One day, little brother, you will have a comeback for my quips,” Laila kissed the top of her brother’s head. “Today is not that day.”
"I'm a wolf," Lillianna mumbled, half asleep.
Loark nudges Lilli, "Kitty..."
"No.... wooooooooolf."
“Coffee,” Laila slammed a cups in front of each sibling.
Maikune seems to think for a moment; Paws suddenly wakes, stretches, and walks over to Lilli and paws at her hair.
"Just an updo for tonight, Mrs. Liverbottom," Lillianna mumbled as she felt tugging at her hair.
"Yes, coffee. And lots of meat..." Loark grabs the coffee and slurps it continuously.
*'Mrowr?'*
Lillianna peeked an eye open, looking directly into the tiny, adorable face of Paws. "Yer not Mrs. Liverbottom." The eye closed momentarily, then snapped open again. "Paws!" She sat upright, grabbing the kitten into a cuddle. "Coffee!" She grabbed the mug, also cuddling it. Then she looked around and noticed everyone around her. Her eyes drifted to Maikune. She slowly put the mug and the kitten back on the table, and began to try to tame her wild hair. "Oh, uh, good morning!"
Loark eyes Lilli's odd behavior while continuing his slurping.
"Good morning." Maikune's expression is one of joy, until he waves his wand and Paws 'poofs' away again, then he remains expressionless. "I simply came to apologize to your brother for my behaviour."
"For pointing a stick at me?" Loark asks between slurps.
Lillianna uses her fingers to rake through her tangled hair until she's satisfied she doesn't look like a fool. Then she begins to sip her coffee, periodically sending glances at Maikune.
Laila sipped her coffee. “Nice to see you wake up for some people,” she grumbled.
Lillianna shrugs and continues sipping her coffee.
Loark scruffs Lilli's hair, "Ya missed a spot."
Lillianna kicks him under the table and starts fixing the spot he messed up.
Loark simply grins, "Watch my toe..."
Lillianna narrows her eyes at him and gives him a sly grin. "Watch your rock."
"You moved it, didn't ya?" His eyes narrow.
Shaking her head, Lillianna said, "I never touched it."
"Then who left it there?" Loark responds, outsmarting his sister.
"You, you lazy oaf," she said for the millionth time in her life.
Loark turns back to Maikune, "She moved it."
“Maybe I moved it,” Laila winked. “Never considered that, did you?”
He smiles at the siblings. "You are quite the fun bunch." Paws 'poofs' onto Laila's head.
Loark starts laughing when he sees the cat atop his sister's head, even harder when she says she moved the rock.
Lillianna looks on, jealous that the kitten is with Laila now, but remains silent. She chugs the last of her coffee, still sending glances at Maikune, confused.
When the server brings a large platter of meat and toast, Loark moves it towards himself and tells Lilli, pointedly, "Mine."
Maikune frowns slightly and cocks his head to the side. "You may look alike, but Paws is less comfortable with you than Lilliana..." To emphasize, Paws poofs onto Lilli's head and curls up to sleep.
Laila snakes a hand and grabs a piece of toast and a sausage. “That’s good, because I’m not comfortable with Paws either.”
He holds his hands up. "She moved herself, that was not my doing."
Golos bounds down the stairs and joins them at the table. “Morning My-key. Golos can be here if you are.”
Lillianna squeals and holds very still, so as the sleeping kitten doesn't fall. "Morning, Golos!"
"Golos!" Loark exclaims. "We have meat and toast!"
“Morning Lilli!” He gives a wolf howl as part of his greeting.
"Wait, you'll share with Golos but not your own sister?" Lillianna looked disappointed for a moment. "That's okay. Maikune will share with me, right?" She gives the wizard a hopeful look.
“Mmmmm.” Golos grabs a hunk of cheese and eats it. “Golos sorry he call you stinky. Not know your name.”
"You'll lick it all," Loark retorts.
“I’d like to point out that I am the one who got the breakfast, so technically it is *mine*.”
Loark grabs a large slab of ham and starts to chew, then licks a piece of toast and a sausage.
“Morning Laila. Thank you for food. Golos can have?”
Maikune smiles and nods at Lilli before standing, Paws appearing on his shoulder as he goes to get food for them.
“Golos can have,” Laila replied, taking a bite of her sausage.
"Thank you, Maikune," Lillianna said before sticking her tongue out at Loark. "You're such a gentleman!"
Loark ruffles Lilli's hair when Maikune's back is turned.
“Gentleman....” Laila exchanges a look with Loark.
Lillianna kicks Loark under the table again, and begins to fix her hair... *yet again*.
Golos grabs some toast to go with his cheese. “Lilli, what wrong with My-key?”
Lillianna looked at Golos, confused. "What do you mean? Is there something wrong with him?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at Maikune.
“Lilli look at My-key funny.”
Lillianna laughs. "What? No." She laughs again, almost too loudly.
“Golos thought something wrong.”
“Uh huh,” Laila crossed her arms. “Lilli, would you mind helping me grab something from upstairs?”
"But... foooooooooood," Lillianna whined.
“Golos help! Lilli stay and eat.”
"Yeah, Golos help!"
“Golos good at lifting.”
"Yeah, Golos good at lifting!"
“It’s a lady thing,” Laila said pointedly.
“Laila want to grab lady thing?”
Lillianna growled at Laila and bared her teeth.
Golos looks confused
Maikune returns with a large platter of meats, cheeses, and toast, and sits beside Lilli. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I just- Is everything alright?" He asks, when he sees her growling.
"My sister wants her lady thing grabbed," Lillianna said, sitting up straight, and smiling. "This looks wonderful!" She began to shove cheese and meats into her mouth, hungrily.
Maikune stifles a giggle, trying to look mature, as he grabs a bit of meat and hands it up to Paws.
“Mrowr.” Golos says to Paws.
*'prrrr~'*
“Lilli, I need help putting on my armor,” Laila rose. “Please.”
"But you never..." Lillianna said, pausing looking at Loark. "Oh. Oh! Gotcha!" She began to grin wickedly. "Sure, I'll help you *get your armor on*."
She grabbed Laila by the arm and began to pull her toward the stairs. "We gonna move the rock? Let's hide it somewhere!"
Golos follows behind because nobody told him not to. He is excited to be included so he has gotten down on all fours to follow.
“Lilli, is there something going on with Maikune?” Laila whispered as they entered the room.
"What do you mean," Lillianna asked, feigning disinterest, pretending to find something interesting in one of the corners of the room.
“Oh, hello Golos,” Laila suddenly notices the bearling. “Would you mind moving that rock?” The bard turned back to her sister. “You know what I mean, Lillianna.”
Golos picks up the rock. “Where Laila want rock?”
"I don't know what you're talking about," Lillianna stated. "Under that bed, Golos," she said, pointing to Loarks bed.
“Lilli, I’m all for you having fun,” Laila grabbed her leathers and motioned for her sister to help her. “But the fact is, actual feelings and attachments are dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Golos stands holding the rock. He looks troubled.
Lillianna rolled her eyes and began to help Laila. "I'm fine. There's nothing going on. Cross my heart, hope to die in a spectacular fashion. We talked, that's all. While you were in your thousand hour bath and Loark was drinking his liver to a grave, I was actually getting to know someone. Besides... I don't even know... how he feels. Like... he seems to like me one moment, then... nothing." She shrugged, tightening a knot in the leathers. "Don't worry about it. I can handle myself."
Loark finally finishes his giant piece of meat, "Wait... did they say their moving my rock?" He looks at Maikune, then at the plate of food in front of the Wizard.
Maikune gives Loark a look. "You had your meal. Allow Lilli's to remain when she returns."
He grabs a sausage from the plate before turning and heading upstairs.
Golos finally decides what he was wrestling with and walks over to the window.
The door swings open, "My ROCK!" He glares at Lillianna. "Get your own."
Golos throws the rock out the window. “Bran say rocks outdoor toys.” Lillianna stares, mouth wide open.
Loark can't help it. When at first he was being territorial with his sister about his things, Golo's actions cause him to burst out in laughter. "He... he threw it out the window!" His laughter starts to turn to choking on the sausage still half-chewed in his mouth.
“Outside toy” Golos reiterates.
Lillianna bursts out laughing as well. "I swear I told him to put it under your bed. I didn't expect him to do that!"
Finally the sausage is coughed up in Loark's hand and he eats it again, making his way to look out the window. Loark waves at a gawking villager. "Rocks outside toys!" He calls out to the man. Golos pats Loark on the lower back in approval.
"This has been a great chat, but I really gotta go!" Lillianna darts for the door, doubled over in laughter, getting away from her sister in the chaos. She runs back downstairs, throws herself into her seat next to Maikune and wipes tears from her eyes, while she begins to nibble on some cheese. With a mouth full of cheese, Lillianna turns to Maikune and, still laughing, says, "Golos threw Loark's rock out the window!"
A realization suddenly hits Loark as he's looking down at his rock. "I need to get it before someone steals it," he says. He sits on the bed and starts putting on his boots, minding his hurt toe.
Maikune just stares, unsure if she's serious. When he's sure she is, he starts laughing himself. "The kid has always told him... I didn't think he would..." Paws also seems to let out a giggle of her own, strangely.
"Just chucked it right out the window. 'Outside toys' he said!" Lillianna leaned against Maikune, wiping more tears from her eyes. "I thought Loark was going to lose it! The look on his face! Then he just started laughing! You shoulda seen it!"
“What wrong?” Golos asks.
“Loark, we are leaving, now,” Laila said softly. Her voice had a dangerous edge despite the low volume. “Pack up the room. We’ll get your rock on the way out.”
"I wish I had!" Maikune's laughing really hard now.
“Why Laila mad?” Golos asked.
Loark nods to Laila, sensing the seriousness in her voice. He pulls his chainmail from under the bed and begins putting it on.
Lillianna rests her head on Maikunes shoulder and feeds Paws some meat. "It was great. I'll have to get Golos to keep moving his damned rock. This is such a great idea!"
“Golos! Golos! Where are you?” You suddenly hear Bran shouting throughout the Lodge.
"He's with Laila," Lillianna yells back at the same time Golos yells, “Golos here!"
Laila ran down the stairs to Lillianna, seeing her sister resting on Maikune’s shoulder. “Lillianna, it’s time to go,” she said. “Come up and help Lo and I pack up the room.”
"What? Why? We had no plans for today!" Lillianna lifts her head and looks at her sister. "Besides, I'm still eating." Still looking her sister in the eyes, she shoves a sausage in her mouth, slowly.
Bran walks into the Aremene’s room. “Good...good...good morning Loark.” Bran says upon seeing him with Golos in their room. “Golos what are you doing here with Loark?”
"Leaving so soon?" Maikune cocks his head, confused. "Perhaps my colleagues and I can accompany you?"
Golos lopes last Bran, chasing Laila. “Why Laila mad?!?” He asks more insistently.
“I don’t know go find her and ask.” Bran says with a smile. He then looks over and sees Loark in the middle of putting on his chain mail. “Do...do...do you want some help with that?” He asks as he sees Loark struggle to get the heavy armor on in a reasonable amount of time.
“Because I said so,” Laila replied, her voice even. “It’s time to leave this town. Let’s go.” Golos tugs on Laila’s tunic.
Lillianna's expression changed, mimicking her sister's. "I like it here."
"Yes, please," Loark responds to Bran. "I guess we're in a hurry." He pulls his tunic off and starts grabbing some of the padded armor.
Bran steps further into the room and begins to help Loark with his armor, having helped Craberos get there armor on before he knows what he is doing. “Why...why are you leaving so soon? What’s...whats...what’s the hurry about?”
"I think Laila might have seen something outside," he responds, pulling each padded arm up and buckling them to the chest piece.
“You’ve pet every dog in town,” Laila attempted diplomacy. “I think we will find some wolves in the woods in our travels.”
"Maybe I'm tired of dogs," Lillianna retorted, unwavering.
“Are you?” Laila asked, incredulously. Golos growls at Laila as the tugging becomes more insistent. “Yes, Bearling?” Laila looks down.
“Why Laila mad!” Golos asked.
“I...I...I don’t understand? Why...why are you guys always on the run?” Bran asks, you notice that his last question didn’t have a stutter; just a pause as he calms himself down.
"Laila- I am not mad, Golos," Laila softened slightly. "Just trying to get things moving."
"We've... killed a lot of people," Loark winks as he slides the chainmail over his padded armor. He hits his chest a few times to adjust it, then gives Bran a big grin, "Thanks for the help!"
“Moving where?” Golos asked.
"Don't," Lillianna said, softly, her hands balled into tight fists. "Not again."
“Oh...I understand.” Bran says, trying to remember his training from last night. “Point...point them out and me and Golos will distract them. Then...then they won’t notice you.” Bran says wanting to help them as much as he can.
"Lillianna, we are leaving as soon as that room gets packed," the bard said calmly. "It isn't a negotiation."
"Tha'd be a big help," Loark replies as he starts packing Lillianna's pack.
"What's going on? Maybe we can help." Maikune asked.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but we don't need any help," Laila said.
For some reason, Loark licks one of Lillianna's rations before stuffing it deep into her pack.
“Okay.” Bran then looks down not seeing the lick and takes another deep breath. “Will...will...will I see you again?”
Lillianna gritted her teeth together, and raised a hand to her head in a mock salute. "Sir, yes sir," she spat out. She spun on her heel and ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and stormed into their shared bedroom, only to see Loark holding her things. She ripped her pack out of his hand without a word.
"Just helping," Loark responds, moving to his own pack.
"Listen, I don't know who you're afraid of, or why you're running, but keeping it all to yourself is going to ruin you. You can't hide from fate forever, and you're going to need help eventually." Maikune counters in a hushed whisper. "Let us take some of the burden from your shoulders."
"I hope so, Bran. You all are great fun." He starts shoving all of his stuff in his pack, not nearly as delicately as he did with Lillianna's.
Golos wraps himself around Laila’s leg.
As soon as she has her pack in hand, Lillianna storms out of the room, still not speaking. Down the stairs, past her sister, Golos and Maikune, and out the door of the tavern. Once outside, she takes a couple deep breaths, and plasters a smile on her face. Just accept it, she thought. Just move on.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
After Lillianna leaves, Loark starts packing the rest of her things into his own pack, shaking his head.
"I am not hiding from fate, wizard," Laila never raised her voice. "I am running head-on to face it. My fate, and the fate of my family, merely doesn't involve relying on strangers. Bearling, let go."
He then clips her bow to his pack, along with the quiver of arrows. Loark turns to Laila's pack, sees it's already packed, and shoulders it.
"We would not be strangers if you were not so paranoid as to reject any aid offered to you." Maikune says
“I’d...I’d...I’d like to see you again.” Bran says and then not really knowing what to do after this, *how do people flirt*, just decides he’s going punch Loark in the arm.
"Paranoia is a gift," Laila winks. "Bearling, if you wouldn't mind removing yourself from my leg."
He growls.
"Aye. me too!" Loark responds, giving Bran a huge hug. "Gotta go!" Loark lifts his own pack, far too light without the rock in it, and heads downstairs.
"You may see it as a gift but your sister is clearly frustrated by it. I know you wish to keep your siblings safe and hidden, but you will be found eventually. The only thing that changes if you accept my help is how many meat-shields there are between your hunters and your family." Maikune offers
"Ay, Laila. Pack." Loark drops it on a chair, then heads outside to find his rock.
*He hugged me* Bran thinks at first. And then after a few seconds realizes he needs to go downstairs and help so he also heads downstairs.
"Thanks, Lo," Laila shoulders the backpack. "Golos, please let go."
“Golos. What are you doing?” Bran asks as he comes downstairs.
“Golos no let go. Laila talk Golos.”
"No no no no Lilli! It's my rock." He drops the pack next to the rock and opens it.
“Lilli sad. Laila mad.”
"Yup, your rock," Lillianna said, not moving.
"Fine, Golos, if I agree to talk will you let me go?"
“Laila. Just...just tells us what you’re running from. I...I...I told Loark we’d help.” Bran says
He lifts it and plops it in his pack with a soft, satisfying thud. He then restrings his pack and slings it on his shoulder. "You forgot your bow... and your arrows... and your girl-things."
“When all make sense. Then Golos let go.”
"I licked it," Lillianna replied, clearly distracted. "Wait, what? Oh right, my stuff. Thanks." She holds out her hand, waiting for him to hand it over.
His eyes narrow, "You did not? Nu uh... " He pulls the bow from his pack and eyes her. "Did you??"
"Yup," she replied, taking the bow from him and strapping it to her back.
"You don't even like the rock! Why would you claim it!?"
"Lilli is sad because she has a crush on your wizard friends, and like I told you before I'm an ******* who ruins her fun," Laila crossed her arms, ignoring Bran and Maikune. "And Laila isn't mad, she merely means business."
Lillianna's only response is a shrug.
"It's my rock," he replies.
"Yes it is."
“Laila. Just...just point out who you are trying to escape from. I’ll....I’ll...I’ll distract them for you. Please.” Bran says with a look of let me help in his eyes
"There isn't anyone in particular that we're running from at this moment in time, Bran."
“Then...then why are you in such a hurry to leave?” Bran asks, confused
"That's what I do," Laila shrugged. "I make irrational decisions and I leave."
“Golos also mean biz-niss. What biz-niss?”
“I...I thought you were the brains? Wouldn’t...wouldn’t the brain make a rational well planned decision?” Bran asks
"I never said I was good at being the brains," Laila winked.
Loark takes position next to Lilli and looks out at the town. "What're we running from this time?" He asks her.
"Feelings, apparently," Lillianna replied. "The captain is mad at me. But, it's okay. We'll move on. That's what we do, right?" She puts an arm around her brother, taking in every little detail she can.
Bran takes a deep breath and thinks *Be brave. Like the wolf* “Laila. Stay. Let us help. I. I see you putting all this weight on you. All this responsibility. Please. Let us help. I like you. And your sister. And your brother. I want to help. You don’t have to tell me what you’re running from. Or anything like that. Just. Don’t leave. I know our paths are connected. And. I fear that if I let you guys leave now. I’ll never see you again. And. And neither of our goals will ever come to fruition.”
"Psssh. She's never been mad at us. Only that one time she caught you kissing with..." He looks down at her.
"Yeah," Lillianna said, quietly.
"Was it the bear guy? I don't blame you if it was..."
"No," she laughed. "It's fine. We'll just move on, like we always do, and feelings will fade. She's right. I just hate that she's right."
“I like you too, Bran,” Laila smirked. “That’s why Craberos and I both agreed my family should leave last night. Because staying with us is a death sentence.”
"Wait... was it the little guy with the stick?" Loark laughs, but sees her expression and says, "It was... a mighty fine stick..."
Lillianna shrugged. "Don't worry about it, little brother."
"Yeah..." Loark responds. "This is taking a long time." He looks at the inn door.
“Golos no fear death.”
"Going anywhere is a death sentence. Didn't you hear. Goblins are attacking people now. Killing people. And I know it doesn't end there. Who knows what else is out there. Don't tell Craberos I said this but they are not always right. The elves like to live in isolation. Away from everyone else. But people. Animals. They live in packs. And it is large mighty packs that survive. Don't go. Let us help you." Bran says, determination in his eyes. A new fire, a new desire to protect evident in his eyes. You look inside and you can almost swear that his normal green eyes are now glowing with power.
"You'd better go check on her." Lillianna walks over to a nearby tree and leans against it, her back toward the door.
"Nope," Loark says. "We'll cover the entrance." He tosses Lillianna a gold piece. "For the puppy fund."
Lillianna catches it and sticks it down the front of her tunic. "I totally forgot to ask anyone else if they wanted to donate to the puppy fund." She smiles, almost sadly. "Next town, I guess."
"They're still in there... maybe they'll donate." Loark gestures to the inn door. "We can do the jingle Laila taught us."
"If I go back in there, I won't leave," Lillianna said, looking at her brother. "It'll only make her even more angry."
“You can take up your concerns with Craberos,” Laila held up her hands. “But you look to have a mighty fine pack already. And between you and me, there are far more dangerous things than a bunch of goblins.”
Bran, now knows what he must do. "Golos. Don't let her go. I'm grabbing our stuff and we're following her." He then books it upstairs to grab his and Golos stuff. He'll also leave a hastily written note for Craberos.
"Eh... if you do the jingle, I'll go with ya. Then she has no choice..." He winks.
"You'd back me up?" The smile on Lillianna's face widens. "Why would you defy her like that? You know, as well as I do, that she's right. We can't make friends, it's too dangerous."
"Maybe friends is why we're out here, right? That's how they did it before... make friends... contacts. Besides, we're disbanded, remember?" Loark responds.
Lillianna shrugs. "I don't keep track of things, I just try to keep up with Laila." She turns and looks at the inn door. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret this later."
Loark gestures to the door and picks up his pack.
Lillianna grins, and tightens the straps of her pack, before bursting through the door. "Captain... Laila, we've come to a decision."
Loark smiles, whispering, "Arf arf."
"I haven't collected enough for the puppy fund!" Suddenly, Lillianna burst out into song, quite loudly, and slightly off key, and dancing a goofy jig. "I wish I were a leader of a wolf pack! That is what I truly wish to be! Cause if I were a leader of a wolf pack, everyone would be in love... Oh everyone would be in love... Everyone would be in love with me!" At the climax of the song, she finishes, arms extended, and a huge grin on her face.
Loark lets out a loud howl every time Lillianna says wolf pack, startling the innkeep. He then pulls his greatsword, still bound to its sheath, and slams it into the floorboards, resting his arms on the pommel.
“Golos, let go,” Laila tried to shake her foot. Just then, her two boneheaded siblings burst in. “No, no, no.”
Craberos returns from an early morning walk; there isn't much to do at four o'clock in the morning. They did enough laps of the city, it became hard to count. They had breakfast and did several more laps. Now, seeing a large rock on the street, Craberos walks into the common room to find a chaotic display. "What is going on?" They shout.
"Would you mind instructing your attack bear to let go of me?" Laila snaps, gesturing to the halfling clinging on to her.
"Golos, why are you attached to Laila's leg?" Craberos demands.
Lillianna, still grinning like a fool, with arms extended wide, looks around the room. "So... does anyone want to donate to the puppy fund?"
Bran descends down the stairs all packed and ready to go with his and Golos stuff. “Golos you didn’t let her leg do...you” Bran stops talking once he sees Craberos has returned.
"Bran," Craberos eyes their apprentice suspiciously, "What is going on?"
“Ummm....ummmm.” Bran states at first not expecting Craberos to be there. He then starts speaking in rapid Elvish; not stopping to breath as he speaks “They’re trying to leave and I don’t know why and I don’t want them to leave and Golos or Maikune doesn’t want them to leave And Loark says it’s because bad people are after them But Laila says it’s because she makes irrational decisions And I need to help them Because Aladdin told me in my dreams last night That I need to be there to protect them and you And that aour fates are connected And I don’t want to see them leaves Because I feel like they’re my first real friends And if I let them go I’ll never meet anyone like them And how do people flirt because I tried it with Loark But he doesn’t even look at me and I don’t know why And I’m sorry I was going to run away But I feel like we need to be with them That the pack isn’t complete without them And I’m sorry for trying to leave Don’t be mad at me.” Finally at the end he is gasping in air and trying to remember how to breath correctly again.
Lillianna slowly lowers her arms, listening to what Bran said. "So... that's a no to the puppy fund?"
Craberos sighs, "Golos, disconnect from Laila, please." Golos remains defiantly attached.
"Thank you, Craberos," Laila says sarcastically, not understanding what Bran has said.
"Everyone sit," Craberos commands, gesturing to the largest table in the establishment.
Bran sits on the stairs head between his legs trying to regain control of his breathing. Laila remains standing. Lillianna moves to sit next to Maikune, then pauses, looking toward Laila, and moves to sit away from everyone else.
"Please, sit. I understand that you want to leave, but I have some questions for Bran, and no one's leaving until they're answered." Craberos gestures to the table.
"I can listen to your questions standing up," Laila crosses her arms.
Craberos shrugs and pulls a chair out and looks pointedly at Bran, "Who told you our fates are intertwined? The Dream?" Craberos asks in Elvish.
Lillianna looks at Laila, but remains silent. Maikune gives a sad look towards Lilli, before poofing Paws into her lap. Lillianna smiles at the kitten in her lap and begins to give Paws belly rubs. She glances up and gives Maikune happy smile. Bran just nods his head, yes, at Craberos's question.
"Laila, you really don't want to come with us, or at least have us come with you?" Craberos turns to face her.
"No," Laila replies simply.
Craberos nods, "Golos, let go now."
Bran looks up at Craberos “But...but...but...but the dreams aren’t wrong. We were all there. Even Dorobo.”
Craberos nods, "Yes, I understand but this is not the time or place to have a fight." They say in Elvish, "We will talk about the fates later."
Lillianna looks at Laila, then to Craberos, and finally back down to Paws. She opens her mouth as if she were about to say something, then closes it once again.
“But...but...but what if they leave and then we never see them again. What then?” Bran asks, evidently already emotionally exhausted.
"Golos, let go." Craberos says.
“Why?!?” The bearling whines.
"Because the fates demand it." Craberos says, looking impatiently at the halfling. Bran sits silently.
Lillianna looks at Paws sadly again, then speaks up. "Golos, can I have a hug, please?"
Golos looks from Carberos to Bran to Lillianna. He is clearly conflicted. Finally, to Lilli he says, “Wolf friend stay?”
Lillianna stays silent, holding out her arms, waiting for a hug.
“Golos help puppies...” Golos offers.
Still silent, Lillianna wiggled her arms, trying to entice Golos to give her a hug. For a long time, there seems to be an internal battle going on, but it is clear that he is weakening. At last, he runs over and hugs her. Lillianna smiles as she embraces Golos, stroking his hair. She looks directly at Laila, but continues to say nothing. He buries his face in her shoulder and whimpers. All this internal strife is clearly too much for him.
"Shhh, you're okay," Lillianna coos, softly, still stroking Golos' hair. "You're okay."
Craberos walks over to Laila and shakes her hand. They then walk over to the stairs when Bran is. Bran avoids eye contact. "A prophecy is not a guess. It's what's going to happen. Knowing fates are intertwined is just a prophecy that says we will have a large impact on each others' lives." Craberos begins.
Bran doesn’t say anything. He’s visibly biting his lips. "This won't be it. We will see them again." Craberos assures him.
“How...how...how do you know?” Bran asks Craberos.
"The world is not subtle about these things. A fleeting moment, however important, is hard to notice. Knowing that we intertwine with them, that's a long time." Craberos says.
Bran finally looks up at Craberos “I’m sorry I was going to leave without you. I don’t want to leave you but humans, we move so fast. I think it’s because we die so quickly.”
"I think it's because you live so fast." Craberos says, "I'll be right back, don't leave without me." They head upstairs to get their stuff together.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
“I’m going to Point Alpha,” Laila said in giant. “You and Loark do not have to join me right now. Take all of the time you need.”
Lillianna looks at Loark, beginning to panic.
Loark stands, watching the display as it happens. A small smirk crosses his face. "We're not going to join you," Loark replies in Giant. "You are going to join us, this time."
"I want to try to have... friends... again," Lillianna said, in giant. "I want a... pack.... again..."
Loark cracks his neck and turn fully to Laila, "I'm supposed to protect you... it. But the words given were, 'Protect your sister at all costs, especially from herself." He continues in Giant, "We're strong as three... but stronger with others. We need help."
Lillianna hugs Golos tighter.
“What if I say no?” Laila asked in Giant. “Our current mission is to hide, and we’re doing a shitty job of that.”
"No... our current mission to to keep it out of their hands. Hiding helps, but only Lilli is good at that." Loark responds, still in Giant.
"We're doing a shitty job of that on our own!" Lillianna looks around the room. "We don't need help to be shitty" She quickly covers her mouth, realizing that was in common.
Golos is startled for a moment, and then sees how upset Lilliana is. He tries to mimic her soothing tone. “You okay.” He says while sniffling .
"Thank you, Golos," Lillianna said, giving him a scratch on the head. "I'm fine, I promise. I'm always fine!"
“It’s OK be sad sometimes," Golos says.
Lillianna smiled. "There's too much to do in life to be sad. I'd rather be happy, and spread happiness to others."
"Two votes to stay, Laila. But we will never abandon you..." He says in Giant.
"I will leave. If I have to." Lillianna continues in giant, while giving Laila a smile. "I will never, could never abandon my sister."
“Golos know about feeling. Feel now or feel more later.”
“I’m going to Point Alpha to think,” Laila said finally, still in Giant. “There’s a reason neither of you were ever chosen for command.” With that, the human turned on her heels and walked toward the door.
Lillianna sat, stunned. She was sure Laila didn't mean to hurt them, but her words cut deep to Lillianna's core. She held Golos tight, taking a few deep breaths, then plastering a fake smile on her lips.
Loark watches as she goes, then looks over to Lilli. "We wait," he says. "Innkeep, mead please!" He holds up two fingers.
Lillianna held up four fingers.
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Lillianna glanced at Maikune, who had remained quiet through all this. She hoped she wasn't making a huge mistake. She loosened her grip on Golos. "Look, Paws likes belly scratches. But I bet you already knew that, huh?"
Golos nods.
Maikune quickly looks away as Lilliana glances at him, blushing somewhat beneath his hood.
Loark sits at the table next to Lillianna with all four mugs. "They keep giving us more than we need..." he mutters, setting them down.
"I can't imagine why the would do that, but I won't turn down a free mead." Lillianna glanced at Maikune again. "There's an extra here if you'd like."
He smiles but waves his hand politely. "I appreciate the offer, but I've never had alcohol before. Clouds the mind, or so I've heard."
Lillianna shrugs. "More for me, I guess." She elbows Loark. "Wanna race," she asks, picking up one of the mugs.
Bran has no idea what happened between the siblings with them speaking some language he’s never heard before. But seeing the oldest leave he cannot help but feel guilty. Bran stands up and says “I’m...I’m...I’m sorry for causing this argument. Is...is...is Laila coming back?” He questions out loud as he slowly descends the stairs and towards the two remaining Aremene siblings.
"She'll either come back... or she won't!" Lillianna smiled, holding a mug of mead.
“Oh” is all Bran says before he takes a seat. And absentmindedly picks up some bread and cheese and starts nibbling on it and giving some to Aladdin.
Loark puts the mug up to his mouth and begins gulping.
Lillianna follows suit, chugging the mead as fast as possible, then slamming the mug on the table. "Ah!"
He moves his arm to try to block Lillianna, but she's already finished. He takes a few deep breaths and slams the mug down. "I don't know how she does it..." "Wanna come Bran, Golos?" Loark stands, still breathing hard from trying to finish the drink.
Lillianna flips him off and moves Golos away. "Okay, Loark and I have to go take care of this. I promise we will be back.." She stands, gives Paws a little snuggle, then hands her over to Maikune, with a smile.
Seeing the cat he says, "I guess he can come too..."
"I...I...I want to but...I don't know if my presence will help. And..and...and I think Craberos and I have more to talk about." Bran tells Loark
"If that is what you wish." He sets Paws up on his shoulder, and she eyes Lilli sadly. Maikune's face is also fairly sad, though he tries to hide it.
Loark nods. "If it's just the two of us, I think you may never see us again."
"No...no...no. I don't want that. Ummm...ummm...." Bran then looks upstairs "I'll...I'll... get Craberos"
Lillianna reaches down and gives Paws a scratch. "It'll be okay," she said softly to the both of them. "I promise."
"You all can... and I hope you will. If you need to get him, we can wait. Lillianna has the nose of a warg. Just as big too..."
"She is just afraid that you are leaving. If I come along, she'll perk up in no time." Maikune says
Lillianna smiled at Maikune, while simultaneously kicking Loark in the shin. "Come with me, then," she said, offering him her hand.
He takes her hand in his, smiling when he feels her warmth. The cat on his shoulder begins to purr loudly. 'Prr~'
“Golos come, too.” the halfling states.
"So... does anyone want to donate to the puppy fund?" Lillianna gave everyone a giant smile. Everyone, including Loark.
"I would if I could, but I've spent the last of my gold on the baby here." Scratches Paws' head
“How one donate?” Golos asks
"I just... I just gave you another gold." Loark scoffs, opening his pouch again. He pulls a gold from his pouch and hands it to Lillianna.
"Just one gold is all you need to help me adopt a sweet little puppy and make sure I have all the necessary supplies to keep it happy and healthy." Lillianna quickly snatched the gold from her brother and placed it between her breasts with the other one from earlier.
Golos sees this and considers. “Shiny circles?" Golos rummages in his pouch and pulls out a coin that is coated in berry juice. He hands it to Lilli
Lillianna took it, almost put it with the others, but saw the berry juice and stuck it into her pack. "Thank you! I'm getting closer to my goal!"
Bran comes back down "Craberos will..will be down shortly. They...they are just getting ready. What's this I...I hear about a puppy fund?" he asks
"I'm collecting money for a puppy fund," Lillianna said turning to Bran, with a huge smile. "I want to adopt a puppy, but I need to make sure I have enough money to feed it and keep it happy! Do you wanna donate?"
Loark nods to Bran and says, "Go!" He grabs one of the last two mugs and starts gulping!
"I'm...I'm...I'm always What?!" He says as he just quickly grabs the mug and start attempting to drink it.
Loark slams the mug down with a grin.
"Oh, Loark, you finally found someone you can beat!" Lillianna smirked.
Bran barely gets two gulps down before he puts it back down on the table "Why...why...why is it so sweet? I...I...I normally stick to water."
He pants for a few moments before saying, "Damn right I did. It was a good attempt though. You'll get it next time," he finishes Bran's mug.
Bran just laughs it off not sure if he will. "Any...anyways yeah I love puppies. Here...here...here is some gold." Bran then hands Lillianna 4 gold. "I..I...I would give you more but Lorak swindled some of my gold away last night on cards."
Loark raises an eyebrow. "Swindled?"
"Swindled," Bran says with a nod. "But...but I'll get it back next time."
Loark laughs, "Or go broke trying."
Craberos comes down, pack over over one shoulder, staff and shield in hand, "It appears you've made a decision."
Lillianna just stared at the four shiny gold pieces in her hand. She blinked a few times, but they didn't disappear. She suddenly grabbed Bran in a huge, wordless, hug.
"Good, where's Laila?" Craberos looks around.
"We'll be meeting with her soon," Loark says. "She needed some time to herself. This is time enough. Are we ready?"
Maikune nods, clasping his hands together inside his sleeves when Lilli lets go to hug Bran.
Loark pulls his greatsword from the inn's floorboards and tosses the innkeep a gold coin. "Sorry for the damages, friend."
"Can't...can't breathe Lilli. Let...let go. Please." Bran says
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lillianna releases Bran, gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, then puts the coins safely in her backpack. "I've almost met my goal!"
Craberos looks at Lillianna, "What goal?"
"To get a puppy!" She smiles brightly at Craberos. "I want to adopt a puppy but need to make sure I have enough coin to keep it happy and healthy." She slides closer to him. "Wanna donate to the puppy fund?"
"Lillianna, we need your nose." Loark nods outside.
"Golos...Golos is also great at tracking." Bran says
Craberos tilts their head, "You said you were close to your goal, how far are you?"
"Four gold closer than I was a moment ago!" She skips off and out the door to begin to track her little sister.
Loark picks up her bow from the table and follows her out.
Maikune gives a look to Craberos, then follows Loark out without waiting.
Craberos follows suit, "Well, Bran, Golos, we should be going."
Bran nods and holds out his hand to Golos and they follow the others out.
A silent shadow crosses the inn and follows them out.
Once outside, Lillianna took a few moments to stare at the sky. Taking a deep sniff, she cocked her head to the side, listening. Suddenly she dropped to her knees and dragged a finger through the dirt. She stuck the finger in her mouth, sucking the dirt off, thoughtfully. "This way," she said, darting off, down the street. Weaving through people, she made her way toward the marketplace, finally stopping in her tracks, causing Maikune to nearly run into her. She turned slowly, looking at the façade of a bakery. Crossing her arms over her chest, she studied it a moment. "This... is... Beta," she said slowly. As the group stood in confused silence, a town crier was heard yelling about goblins.
Craberos frowns, disgusted at the mention of goblins. "Goblins are the worst. They ride around on their wargs and kill unthinking elves and eat wildlife and burn trees. We've worked so hard to keep the forest beautiful, but they always run through with their broken swords and run them through the trees! They stomp on the eggs of the birds and refuse to die! When they do die or surrender, they're rude and they scream! And then when we ask them about their leader they give cryptic answers and then cackle at us until we kill them!"
Not for much longer, my friend. We will see the end of them soon enough." Maikune says.
"So you're saying that those that kill these goblins will curry favor with the elves?" Loark asks.
Lillianna continues to stare at the bakery.
Craberos looks at Loark, "I can not speak for other tribes, but on the whole, probably."
Loark's muscles flex slightly under his armor. "Sounds like fun," he says simply.
“They’ve...they’ve been a problem in our forest for years,” Bran says
Loark sniffs the air. "Is that... Cinnamon rolls, Lilli? I think this is C."
"Beta," Lillianna said, deep in thought. "Need Alpha." With that, she begins to make her way through the streets again.
Craberos turns to Bran, and in Elvish explains, "Loark is trying to flirt with me right now, but he's not really being... attractive."
Lillianna speaks up, in Elvish, "Because he's not attractive!" She snorts at her witty joke.
Loark nods. "That means she's getting close."
Bran responds back, in Elvish, “Why...why does he flirt with you?”
Dorobo emerges from the shadows behind the group.“Hey guys! I uh was following again but this time I won’t be suspicious. You guys seem cool, after all!” Dorobo says, walking toward the group with a friendly face.
Craberos frowns, they keep pace with Lillianna and continue in Elvish, "I think it's because he thinks that because I am strong and tough he-" Craberos stops as Dorobo walks out from the shadows.
"Hi, Bobo," Lillianna calls out, not paying attention to him, but focusing on tracking her sister.
“You guys are looking for Laila, I take it?” Dorobo asks the general group.
"Hello...hello Dorobo. I'm glad you found us. You're...you're...you're part of the pack too." He then turns back to Craberos and says in elvish "But, I'm strong and tough too." As he says this Bran looks at his bicep and flex it a little.
Loark nods to the sneak. "You seen her?" He asks.
Dorobo laughs, able to understand Elvish. “You’re not hiding anything with Elvish, but I like your spunk” Dorobo’s positive expression remains. “Unfortunately I haven’t, sorry.” He responds in common.
"Bran," Craberos looks sadly at the druid, still speaking in Elvish "He looks five years older than you
Lillianna leads them on a few twists and turns. You get the feeling the group has gone in a circle.
"Dorobo, please don't involve yourself in our conversation," Craberos says in common to the rogue.
"They just ignore me when I try," Lillianna offered to Dorobo.
Bran blushes at Dorobo's comment and then continues in elvish "That's nothing compared to some of the elven couples. And...Dorobo I'd appreciate is you kept this quiet from him. He doesn't understand elvish." Then Bran mutters something in a language nobody understands but Craberos would recognize it as Druidic.
“Alright, I’ll butt out. Just thought I’d let you know I know El..” His voice cuts out as he hears Lilli’s and Bran’s comments.
Another turn and Lillianna leads the strange group toward the city gates.
"An Elvish couple should be no example for you; we live ten times as long as you do." Craberos continues, "Besides, he doesn't seem great. They say I just need to get past the fact he thinks with his muscles and his penis, but those, so far, are integral parts of him."
Bran blushes at the word penis. "I...I think there is more to him than that." Bran says in Elvish.
Dorobo blinks due to the conversation and a lack of context but doesn’t acknowledge it.
Soon, the group finds themselves outside the city, standing in a field. "Shhhh," Lillianna hushes the group. She suddenly crouches down and gestures for everyone to crouch down as well. "Stay here," she whispers. Then she slowly begins to make her way toward a large rock. Once she's there, she disappears behind the rock. On the other side of the rock, Lillianna sneaks up on Laila, and silently wraps her arms around her twin, resting her chin on Laila's shoulder, giving her a hug.
Loark gestures for everyone to give them a moment.
"Dorobo... I thought you dead. You can hold your drink pretty well." Loark grins. He glances over to the others and says, "We were looking for an immortal."
"An Immortal? Or just someone who lives forever?" Craberos asks.
“Heh, don’t you worry about a thing!” Dorobo says toward Loark as his legs buckle slightly before his fixes himself.
"From the way he describes her... I'd say she's an immortal for sure." Loark assures Craberos.
"Who's she?" Craberos asks.
Loark gestures for Dorobo to explain, honestly forgetting all of the details.
“Well uh, it’s a woman I met in a dream. Named Vanessa. I generally don’t like to talk about it; it’s really touchy. Just know, if I saw her I’d know.” Dorobo says semi-awkwardly.
"I...I see things in my dreams too. Like...like all of us working together. And...and...and animals that teach me my powers." Bran says.
"What about the almond eyes and her touching your soul and all that, tell them about that," Loark says, nodding again to the others.
"He gets silent from time to time, don't worry about it. I think he has a condition... we had a chicken once that would just fall asleep and fall over." Loark waves his hand in front of Dorobo's eyes. "I bet she's talking to him right now."
“Well...well let’s keep him out of trouble for now then,” Bran says. “Is...is everything alright with your sisters there?”
"They're fine..." he replies. "I'm sure it'll be just a moment longer." Loark adjusts his chainmail.
Laila heard her sister sneak up, which was for the best because the bard was not a fan of surprises. “Hey,” she murmured in Giant.
Bran spur of the moment decides to get Laila a gift to entice her to join us. He picks some nearby flowers and then uses Druidcraft to shape them into a simple flower crown for her. He’ll make a second one for Lillianna as well.
After a few moments of silence, Lillianna said, "I want to apologize. I want to say I'm sorry. But I'm not. I'm really not sorry. I know you think I'm dumb, mom and dad thought so too. That's why they trained you. I know I'm not the smartest, and I don't care. I stayed because of you and Lo." She placed a hand above Laila's left breast, over her heart. "We're stronger together. I can't stand being separated from you. But... I'm lonely."
“I’m lonely too, Lil,” Laila grabbed her sister’s hand. “I’m just so afraid to fail and let them down.”
"Then," Lillianna said, full of rainbows and sunshine. "We don't fail!"
“I already have failed, Lilli,” Laila smiled sadly. “Positive thinking can’t get you everywhere.”
"You haven't failed." Lillianna held her tighter. "You're alive. I'm alive. Lo is... surprisingly still alive somehow. It's still safe. We have new friends who want to help. Who needs help. I kinda promised some of them we'd help."
“We don’t tell them what happened, what it is,” Laila said in Giant. “No matter what, they can’t know the truth.”
"I'm okay with that." Lillianna pauses, thinking. "I'll... I'll stay away from the wizard."
“I don’t honestly care about what happens between you and the wizard,” Laila bit her lip. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. Either because he doesn’t care, or because he dies in the crossfires. We don’t have the luxury of thinking long term, remember?”
"Everyone dies, Laila. Either they die fighting, or they die of old age. It doesn't matter, we're all headed to the grave eventually. Some sooner than others." Lillianna rested her cheek against Laila's back. "None of it matters. What matters is how we live our lives, how much we take in and experience and give to others. I don't want to wall myself off from others. I don't want that for you, either. But, if it makes it easier for you, I will."
“You were always the smart one, mom and dad just didn’t understand you well enough to see it,” Laila sighed. “Come on, let’s go back to our new traveling companions.”
"Naw, I slept with the dogs and rolled in mud." Lillianna stood and helped Laila up. "You're right where you need to be. Keeping Lo and myself in line. We're both idiots, and you know it."
As they come out, Loark walks over to them and gives them both a huge hug. Then he whispers, in giant, "So... can we keep them?"
Maikune is just using the sleeve of his robe to keep Paws occupied while they sit.
“Lil convinced me,” Laila whispered in Giant. “But they can’t know the truth about it, deal? They can know the story, but not what really happened.”
Loark makes a face, "Of course!" He replies in giant. He then starts to wonder what he told Dorobo about their current situation but shrugs it off.
"So...so...so are you staying?" Bran asks hopefully with two flower crowns in his hands.
"Yeah, Bran, we're staying," Lillianna said to him with a smile. She walked over to him and gave him a hug. She sneakily whispered in his ear, in Elvish, "If you want him to notice you, just say something." She then stood straight again, took one of the flower crowns, and plopped it on her head, lopsided.
“Staying is a strong word,” Laila rose to her feet. “Remaining in your company, yes. Staying in town, I’d rather not.”
"Good." Craberos says they look at the group, "Do you mind if we go find out what the goblins are up to? I despise goblins."
"Thank...thank...thank you." Bran says to Lilli and then offers the other crown to Laila "Here...here I made this for you."
"We've got goblins to kill!" Loark exclaims, punching his fists together.
“Cool, looks like the gangs all here now! Also killing goblins? Sounds like fun!” Dorobo says, ready to make friends. He knew they would help find Vanessa by just helping him travel around.
Loark eyes widen when Dorobo speaks up. "See!" He says, pointing.
“Thank you,” Laila replied to Bran, taking the flower crown. What was she supposed to do with that?
"Nothing's fun about killing goblins," Craberos spits.
Loark smirks at Craberos' comment, "How many goblins do you think I can take out in one swing?"
“If he kills stuff, he becomes less insufferable,” Laila whispered to Craberos. “Briefly, at least.”
"I...I think they said something about the Baron meeting about goblins." Bran says. Then hearing Loarks question says with a smirk "None because...because I'll get them all first."
"One. They're harder to hit than you would think." Craberos replies to Loark. Craberos's eye twitches, hearing Bran.
Loark laughs, leading the way. "I'll take at least two out in one swing. Mark my words!"
“I’d prefer not to go to any Baron meetings,” Laila said uncomfortably. “But I’m down for killing goblins.”
Loark replies in giant, "We're just going to for the location. I could care less about what the Baron is offering. We're saving Craberos's family!"
“And if the Baron recognizes us?” Laila replied in Giant. “I’m alright with the mission, I just don’t think the three of us should attend any Baron-led meetings.”
"It's just a public announcement. There will be hundreds of people. And if they ask for a 'strong group of adventurers' we'll just let the others attend," he says, switching back to common.
“What if just I stay back?” Laila matched his common.
"Alone? No." Loark replies.
"Whats...whats wrong? Does... does this have to do with the bad people after you?" Bran asks
Loark nods to Bran.
"One bodyguard?" questions Laila.
"If they demand a group of adventurers or hunters step forward, we will go up, you three may stay," Craberos says.
"How about Lilli goes and the wizard stays?" Loark offers. "And I stay, of course."
"I have a name," Maikune calls distractedly
"My-key," Loark recalls.
"Maikune, but you were close," Maikune says
Loark glances at Golos for confirmation.
"I...I..like the idea of me, Lilli, Craberos, and Loark going to see the baron. The...the others can be waiting at the Lodge." Bran offers.
“I don’t want to prevent anyone from going who wants to go,” Laila said.
As a cohesive group for the time being, at least, everyone decides to make their way back to town and it's not difficult to find the site of the meeting after that. You now stand among the crowd, packed into the square before the gates of the small fortified manor at the center of the town. Trying to stay as unobtrusive as possible, some of the group hang back, while others get closer to be able to better hear what is being said. Attention is focused on the crenellated wall over the gate, and the wait is not very long. Before long, the Baron appears.
“My good people,” he begins in a strong voice. “Rumors are swirling and I assure you, we are here to put some of them to rest. It is true that there was a caravan attack yesterday, but we are fortunate that one brave man survived and made it to us, bringing word of what had befallen him. I dispatched my guards at once, to hunt down the foul creatures responsible and report back what they had found. They found the site of the attack, and I can say with pride that the men of that caravan killed many goblins before they died. My men followed the trail left by the raiders, skirting the moor that lies to our north, to the mouth of their lair. They made a valiant effort to root out the beasts, but were forced back, and returned bearing the bodies of two of their fallen comrades. I now call upon you for your aid in this fight as well. My men do not have the skills to take the fight to the goblins in their underground lair, but I know that among you are brave adventurers who so possess those skills. Join us! I can offer a reward of 50 gold royals per brave soul, plus another 5 royals per goblin head you bring back as bounty. If you are up to the challenge, come forward and my men will share what additional information we have.” He pauses, then shouts “For Kelvin!” and disappears behind the wall once again.
The gate opens and a guardsman appears in the opening, waiting for anyone who might take the Baron up on his offer. Around you, conversations restart, but you don’t see anyone taking the Baron up on his offer.
Golos looks at Loark, not at all paying attention to the proclamation. “My-key.” He begins looking around and finds a good sized rock. He walks over and places it by Loark.
"See!" Loark says, "I knew I was right. It was My-key."
"It's Maikune, I can assure you. Golos just has trouble with big words." Craberos says.
As the Baron finishes, Loark grins, looking at his sisters. "You wanted to restock, right?" He asks his sisters in Giant. "What better way than using their own coin?" He then pulls a chain coif from his pack, slides it over his head, and pulls out the wolf mask that Lillianna made for him years ago and dons it. "Arf, arf," he says, walking towards the gate.
Craberos steps towards the gate, with Loark, to accept the contract, looking forward with utter determination. Bran looks at Craberos and then at Golos and says “Stay...stay and protect Laila okay. I’ll be back. Following Loark.” And then will also begin to step forward to get the information.
"I don't know," Loark says as he wades through the crowd, "The bearling seems pretty wise."
“Golos know things” the halfling says, following Bran.
Craberos turns to Golos, "Go back to the others, we don't want them thinking you ran off."
“That...that reminds me. Craberos once we get some gold can we get a book to help Golos with his reading and speaking and such?” Bran asks. Craberos nods.
“Golos go back.” Golos says, loping off.
“Craberos. If they found the goblin hold do you think they could also find the village?” Bran will ask them in Elvish.
“No, we are shrouded by magic of the fey. Shaman Maiathah makes sure of it.” Craberos responds in Elvish.
Lillianna turns to Craberos and Bran, placing a hand on each of their shoulders, and begins to speak in Elvish. "I can't speak for my siblings, but I swear to you, I will help you protect your village. From what you've told us about those goblins, it sounds like the wilderness is in danger, and I can't stand the idea of wild animals being driven from their home, or slaughtered needlessly. I'll do everything in my power to correct this."
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
As Loark gets closer to the guards and the gate, he unslings his greatsword, still bound to its sheath by the peace ribbon. Once they're standing in front of the gate, he stabs it into the soft earth and proclaims, "The Wolfpack will accept this deal. We are eight strong. Give us the details." His voice is deeper in the mask, like the vigilante man-bat from Laila's stories.
The guard looks Loark up and down, then at the other 3 arrayed behind him. "Eight? I count four in your pack wolfman. Or are they phantom wolves?" A second man behind him barks a short laugh and is elbowed by a third man standing next to him.
Lillianna smiles at the guards, hoping to calm them. "The others are already off buying supplies needed for the hunting of these goblins."
"We're volunteering ourselves to do something you and your men failed to do. Laugh if you want, little man, but we will be successful. We are EIGHT strong." Loarks eyes narrow in the mask.
He shrugs at Lilli and Loark's explanations, eyes narrowing at the not-so-subtle insult. "As you say. Well then, friend, as the Baron said, if you want the job, it's 50 royals a man. Or woman," adds, glancing at Lilli and Craberos. "20 each up front for supplies and the test when you return with proof you've done the job. 20 for each person here to claim it in person. The head bounty is paid to whoever brings them in, naturally." He looks at you expectantly. "Four, or eight?"
"We are eight strong, but only four present," Lillianna said, knowing her sister would stand firm against meeting with these guards.
"Eighty gold upfront. Three-hundred and twenty when we return, successful. And of course, a bonus for each head. We are.... eight... strong. I will not let you rid them of their pay. That, or the goblins are your problem." He turns, looking at the dispersing crowd. "I see no other 'volunteers' this day."
"The reward is 50 for the job complete, the Baron will pay fairly. If you all sign, you get your 80 now. Anyone else you sign for can claim the full 50 when you return. In person. So. Names?" He gestures with his own at a parchment on the table before him." At your no other volunteers comment, he points behind you at another pair of men waiting.
"Lion King," Loark says, gesturing to the mask as if he should have known.
"Hi, I'm Bob. Bob Barker," Lillianna said, holding out a slightly grubby hand.
"She was meant to be a boy..." Loark comments.
Bran doesn't know what to think about the fake names and just decides to give his real one, its not like there isn't a million boys with his name out there, "Bran...Bran Starleaf."
"Those not present are Golos the Ravaging Bear of Berenstain, Dorobo the Shadow of Vanessa, Sparrow, and My-key the kitten." Loark nods.
Loark scribbles the names down on the parchment after announcing them.
“So, Maikune,” Laila made herself comfortable. “My sister is quite smitten with you. What are your intentions?”
"I wish to get to know her. It has been quite some time since I've met someone I've resonated with, I do not wish to jeopardize that by moving too quickly."
“Lillianna is a sweet girl who can handle herself,” Laila crossed her arms. “But she also sees the best in people. I hope you are what she sees you as.”
"I have no reason to hide myself. Any questions she has - or any that you have yourself - I will answer without hesitation."
“Relax, Tiger,” Laila laughed. “I’m not here to barrage you with questions and deem your worthiness.”
"I only wish to show that I am trustworthy."
“Craberos, And it is Maikune not My-key” Craberos corrects
“Show me with your actions,” Laila eyed the wizard.
"What do you wish to see?"
“You’re a strange one,” the bard narrowed her eyes.
Once all the names are added, Loark holds his giant hand out for the coins. "I hope you've prepared the stakes," he says, "Because there's going to be a whole lot of heads."
Lillianna cracks her knuckles, a huge grin on her face. "*So* many heads."
"I apologize if I seem strange to you. I will prove to you that giving me this chance is not a mistake."
“It worries me that you felt the need to ask what actions would prove yourself to me,” Laila sighed. “But I trust my sister. She is giving you a chance, not me.”
"Naturally, I do not wish to be at conflict with you or Loark. You are her family, so I ask for your blessing before I attempt to win her heart."
“Heads are heavy,” Craberos remarks, “What about their tongues?”
"Or ears. Ears are less gross." Lilli adds
“I’m not Lilliana’s parent, she’s my big sister,” Laila laughed. “I’m so not in a position to give any sorts of blessings.”
"I do not wish to go against your wishes to fulfil my own."
“My wish is for my sister to be happy, you knucklehead.” Laila Says
"Then our wishes align. I will not disappoint."
Paws rubs against Laila's leg.
"Heads have two ears and tongues," Loark says, "And they fit better on a pike. I'll just purchase a giant sack. We'll be fine..."
The man sighs, muttering something about adventurers under his breath, and then just looks resigned as Loark plucks the pen out of his hand. Snatching it back along with the paper once Loark has finished, he adds some notations of his own, then copies the names to another sheet to which he also adds a wax seal. "This notes what you've been paid, and what is due, should you return successful. Or at all, I suppose. Left ears, will suffice, if you prefer that. Though a great warrior like you would surely want yo show off your kills more blatantly, I imagine." He motions to one of the other soldiers who steps up and counts out the agreed gold and places it into a pouch which is then handed over. "Good luck friends."
Loark accepts the pouch before turning to the others that started lining up, and bellows. "List's full! Back to your homes!" He then walks back through the dispersed crowd, not looking back to see if they heed his call. They'd just get in the way... or worse... get themselves killed.
Watching Loark go, the guard looks to Lilli. "So, "Bob", were any of the rest of you interested in knowing where to go hunting? Or are you going to trust your Lion King there to find them on his own?"
"Uh... yeah, he doesn't care about details like that. Which is why I'm here!" Lillianna winked at the guard. "So, give me all the info, and I'll make sure to send the muscle in the right direction. Soon, you'll have so many heads you'll be begging us to stop."
"I truly hope that's the case. They have much to pay for." He waves up another man who steps up, with a grim look on his face. He directs the remaining three over to a map of the area spread out on a nearby table. "The caravan was hit here," he says, pointing out a spot along a trail following the river north. "They looted the wagons and burned what they didn't take. Butchered some of the mules for meat and left the dead lying where they fell. We were able to follow their tracks east into the moor-lands, and eventually right to where they are holed up. They've gotten brazen, no effort to hide their trail, and just one guard outside. It was easily slain, and we entered the filth hole in the hillside they've claimed. Stupid." He shakes his head. "We were over confident ourselves, and fell right into their trap. We were only a squad of 10 ourselves, there must have been two dozen of them. Hard to say in the dark. It was chaos. There was at least one wolf, maybe more. And they had a shaman of some kind too. Filthy magic." He points out the rough location on the map as well, and gives enough landmarks and other information that you're confident you can find it yourself.
Lillianna perks up at the mention of the wolf. "Interesting. Very interesting. I'm confident that our group can handle these magic users." She gives the men another smile., then walks away.
As Loark gets closer to Laila and the rest of the group he says, "Sparrow." In a deep voice, "I'm man-bat."
“You used Sparrow?” Laila raised an eyebrow. “Ok man-bat.”
"Lets get out of sight and divide this gold," Loark responds. "I think they got suspicious of Lilli. "
Bran will follow behind Lilli heading towards the others
“Next time she’ll hang back with me then,” Laila frowned. “What information do you have?”
"Ten gold each," he replies.
“That’s not information, that’s a bounty.”
"Eh... left Lilli to deal with the details. Ask her!" He starts dividing the gold for everyone once he's sure they're out of sight of the guards.
Lillianna saunters up, smirking. "Meat head," she said, slapping Loark on the back of the head. "I got details on what and where everything happened. Showed me a map, so I'm pretty confident I can get us there. They said it was a trap. The goblins have a wolf and a shaman. Said the spell caster was the biggest problem."
“If...if...if it’s anything like the elven shamans. Then...then...then we need to be careful.” Bran offers
Loark continues dispersing the gold, "Ok, BOB. Wasn't that the name of the old man that used to tell us stories about how to stop dogs from breeding? That was a weird name to pick..."
"Right, and man-bat is *so* much better," Lillianna retorted, rolling her eyes. She held out her hand, impatiently awaiting her share of the gold.
Loark licks the small pile of gold before handing it to her. “All yours.”
Lillianna grabs his hand with the gold, licks from finger to elbow, smirks, and takes the gold. "Thanks, little bro."
"Lets get supplies," Loark says, wiping his chainmail on his pack. "Get enough to leave this town for a long time. Plan like we're not coming back." He winks.
"The puppy fund grows," Lillianna mumbled happily, shoving the gold into the backpack.
“We...we...we don’t have to worry about food. I...I can handle that. But...but...but I would like a special kit.” Bran pipes in at the idea of getting supplies
"Great! Lets go Bran, you're with me. Meet back at Alpha in an hour!" Loark says
“Lilli, did he tell you how many goblins there were?” Laila asked. “Do you have a map?”
"No," Lillianna replies, tapping her head.
“No...no...no map but there are at least 2 dozen goblins.” Bran offers grabbing his backpack and nodding at Loark he’s ready to go.
"I remember as well, Laila, let's go buy a map, and I'll show you where we're going." Craberos suggests
“Here...here Craberos,” Bran says and hands them a map case he has. “Just...just don’t get rid of the map already in there please.”
“We can discuss a plan as we get the map,” Laila pulled up her hood and motioned for the elf to follow.
"Of course." Craberos nods, they pause, and add in Elvish, "Please don't be childish about him." They turn to Golos, "Come with me Golos." They begin to follow Laila.
Lillianna watches as everyone breaks off, leaving her standing with Maikune. "Let's go look for puppies!"
Maikune smiles, eyes lighting up. "I love puppies!" On Lilli's shoulder, Paws looks a little jealous.
Lillianna skipped off down the street, in search of puppies, giving Paws a scratch on the head, and making sure she didn't fall off. She was pleased that Maikune wanted to join her, since everyone else had run off to buy less important supplies. She slowed and turned toward him, walking backward. "So... where ya from?"
"I've lived in Specularum most of my life. After finishing school, this is my first expedition out into the world." He smiles at her. "What about you? I take it you've travelled quite a bit, where do you call 'home'?"
Lillianna shrugged. "We're from the mountains. Got a camp up there. I guess that's where home has always been, but... eh, I don't really know... I like moving around a little. I never really felt... wanted there." She gives Paws a quick snuggle and turns around, slowing her pace so she can walk beside the wizard.
Paws purrs as Maikune thinks over his words. "I'm sorry to hear that. That feeling can... take a toll on the mind, after long enough." He pauses for a moment, taking her hand in his before continuing. "I understand how that feels, and I want you to know that you don't have to feel that way anymore." His eyes look empty, distracted.
Lillianna blushes lightly at the touch of his hand. "I don't really mind, honestly. Not being attached to any one place means I can experience the world and everything in it."
"Yes, that is true. It is such a big world, with so much to experience, and we only have so much time here. It's easier when you don't any one place tying you down." Paws licks Lilli's ear. "Having your siblings by your side has surely made it easier to get along."
Lillianna giggled at the rough tongue on her ear. "Hey! That tickles!" She leaned her head away from the kitten. "Well, it's nice... but trying at times. I don't really get to do anything I want to do because we have to keep moving so much. As much as I love Laila, she's so serious all the time, so set in her ways. She thinks she's doing everything to keep us safe, and she does. She has good intentions. But..." She trails off, leaving the sentence hanging. Turning a smile to Maikune, she asked, "So, this is your first time traveling? What do you think of it?"
"I wasn't too fond of it at first, but meeting you has all but changed my mind." He gives Paws a stern look and she stops trying to lick Lilli, opting to sit patiently on her shoulder while they talked.
"So... uh..." Lillianna said, awkwardly, pulling her hand from his. "Laila might be willing to work with your group for now, but tomorrow could decide we're leaving. I think it might be a mistake for either of us to get too attached. Attachments are easily used against us," She bit her lip, disliking the words coming out of her mouth, but knew it needed to be said.
"I spoke with Laila, while you guys were off with the baron. She seemed willing to give me a chance, to make you happy. In the end, it is your decision to make." Paws' ears visibly droop, and her purring stops.
"She told me she doesn't care," Lillianna said, stroking Paws. "But... I know she does. It's funny. Loark chases everything that catches his interest, and usually gets what he wants. But she doesn't really stop him. Me on the other hand... the last time she caught me kissing someone, she wouldn't talk to me for a week. She was so mad." She plastered a smile on her lips again. "Let's just live in the moment."
"She wants you to be happy. I want you to be happy. You want to be happy." He pauses to brush a bit of hair from her face. "She gets upset because she doesn't want you to move too fast and get your heart broken if something happens, it's the way family is." He gives her a reassuring smile. "I agree that we should live in the moment, but is it really living if you're not happy?"
"I'm always happy," Lillianna said, forcing a wide smile.
"No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes. You put up a façade and pretend to be okay but inside you're hurting. Please, let me help."
"I'm fine, really." Lillianna turned away, and snuggled Paws again. "I don't have time for sadness."
"I may not be able to tell one-hundred percent, but that cat you're snuggling can. I won't push, just know that I'll always be here if you need to talk. About anything."
Lillianna looked Paws in the eyes, questioning. "So, she's a magical cat," she said, quickly changing the subject. "What's your connection to her?"
"She's the very first spell I ever learned to cast. I was angry, and bitter, but she helped. She's my lifeline, my emotional support, and my friend. She may not look it, but she is actually very intelligent - she can sense emotions, empathize to aid me where I struggle, and communicate to me when I need her to. Without her, I never would have gotten the courage to leave the school - I never would've come across Craberos, or Bran, or Golos. I never would've met your merry band. I never would've met you." He looks down at the ground, kicking away a rock at his feet.
"And you said she can be... other things?" Lillianna placed her nose against the kittens nose. "Why is she a kitten? Did she choose this form?"
"She can take on almost any form I choose. The kitten form is..." He takes a deep, ragged breath. "I had a regular kitten just like Paws when I was very young. She was my best friend- my only friend. One night my father came home, drunk of his arse, tripped over her." A tear slides down his cheek. "Beat her to death right in front my eyes. It wasn't quick, and she was in pain. He didn't even put her out of her misery just... watched as she died. He killed her for being in the way." His cheeks are covered in more tears, and Lilli can see Paws beginning to cry as well. "When Athrawon told me I could have her back, after five years, there was no other form I could possibly give her."
Lillianna's heart sank when she heard the tale. "I-I'm so sorry," she whispered. She turned suddenly, and pulled Maikune into a hug. "The dogs back at camp were important, not just to me, but to everyone. They protected us. One of the dogs got a sickness that made it mean and unpredictable. I was very young and didn't understand. My dad took it out, away from camp, and killed it. I understand now that it needed to be done, but at that point in my life, I hated him for it." She squeezed Maikune. "What you father did was horrible."
"I'm sorry, I promised myself I wouldn't break down like this." He weakly returns the hug.
"What can I do?" Lillianna asked quietly. "I want to do something to help."
"There is nothing we can do. He's already paid the grimmest price of them all." He looks up into her eyes. "Look at me; we're out here looking for puppies and here I am getting all emotional."
Lillianna smiled at him, pulling away. "Okay then, let's go look for some puppies!" She began to skip off. "Come on!"
He smiles again, walking quickly to stay beside her.
Lillianna gave Maikune another smile before turning to Paws, giving the kitten a sad look. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, giving the cat a scratch behind the ear.
The cat purrs at the scratch while relaying the message to the young Wizard, who raises his eyebrow slightly but says nothing.
Lillianna smiles suddenly. "We'll find a puppy and you'll have a friend to protect and love you, I promise. I also won't let my brother hurt you again."
"She's not a big fan of..." Maikune lets out quickly, before realizing that he probably wasn't supposed to hear that. Lillianna quickly looked at him, eyebrow raised. "I... should've told you this before it looked creepy. She can speak with me telepathically, and unless specifically told not to she will relay anything told to her directly into my head."
Lillianna looked between Paws and Maikune a few times. "Oh... oh!" Her eyes went wide with realization. "Ooooh,' she said again, blushing, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner. Now I just look an arse."
"No, no," Lillianna said quickly. "It's okay! I'm... just glad I didn't say anything really embarrassing."
"If it was anything super personal she would keep it secret. Like I said; she's more intelligent than just a normal housecat."
Lillianna smiled and scratched Paws on the throat. "I wish I could talk to you. I wish I could talk to any animal."
"She says you can talk to her any time you wish. And from Maikune, and not the cat, It's not entirely impossible that you would be able to speak with animals. Just ask Bran, I'm sure he could help you out."
"I mean, yeah I can talk to her. I can talk to anyone." Lillianna shrugged. "Doesn't mean we understand each other. Can't have in-depth conversations."
"I suppose it would get annoying having a translator, and you're probably more interested in speaking to the puppy when you get them. I wish I could help, I really do."
Lillianna grinned at Maikune. "Don't worry about it. I've made it this far without understanding animals, I'll be fine."
"You're right, I suppose. You're so passionate about animals, it's hard not to want to help."
"It's okay. Doesn't stop me from talking to animals." Lillianna grinned. "I talk to everything." Lillianna froze, eyes going wide once again. "Puppy," she screeched, running off in the direction of the first dog she spotted. Flopping into the dirt, she started baby talking. "Who's an adorable puppy? You are! Yes, you are!"
"I can see that." He laughs as she coos at the puppy. Paws uses her falling body as a launch pad to return to Maikune's arms, hissing at the dog all the way. "Enough, Paws. This puppy is our friend." At his command, the cat immediately becomes docile again. Maikune kneels beside Lilli, careful not to get his robes dirty. "Who's a good puppy?"
"C'mere, Paws!" Lillianna said holding out a hand. "He won't hurt you! I promise, I'll keep you safe!" She giggled as the dog gave her a big sloppy kiss across the face.
Maikune looks skeptical, but carefully hands Lilli the cat - wand in hand in case he needed to poof her away.
"It's okay," Lillianna said is a soft, soothing voice. She slowly brought Paws closer to the dog, who was watching curiously. She gave the dog a soft pat. "The kitty wants to be friends. Be nice to the kitty, and she'll be nice to you."
Paws reaches her paw closer, extremely nervous and clearly frightened.
To Paws, Lillianna said, "The puppy just wants to be friends." As she pulled the kitten closer, the dog leapt up, giving Paws a big lick. Lillianna froze, waiting to see the reaction of the tiny kitten.
Maikune begins to flick his wand, but when he sees the lick he calms slightly. Paws, however, is very frightened - and crying.
Lillianna pulled the kitten back, snuggling her against her chest. "It's okay, little one. Shhhh." She gave the kitten a few strokes to comfort her. "He's just being friendly."
Paws snuggles deep into Lilli's chest, meowing quietly. A single tear is also rolling down Maikune's cheek, though he doesn't notice.
"Come on," Lilliana cooed. "You're okay. I promised I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. You're okay."
She looks up, giving another sad meow before licking Lilli's chin, her tail waving meekly as she calms down
"Yeah, you're alright. See? Puppy was just saying hello."
"She'll warm up to them eventually. Her first experience with a puppy was... less than pleasant."
"Most puppies don't like kitties." Lillianna looked at Maikune. "Sh-should I not adopt a puppy? I don't want her to be scared all the time."
"You should adopt a puppy, if that's what you want. She's a little princess, but she'll get over it."
"I wish she wasn't so scared. I wish there was a way to boost her confidence." Lillianna pulled the kitten closer into her chest.
"I could always just tell her to stop being such a scaredy-cat. I don't like to influence her like that, but it is a possibility."
"No," Lillianna said, softly. "She needs to learn to be more confident on her own."
"Only way for her to learn is to be around them. Only way to guarantee that she's around them is for you to adopt one." His slips his wand back into his sleeve, clasping his wrists inside his sleeves and standing once more.
"Paws, it seems we are going to be spending some time together, so I think it's only right of me to ask you," Lillianna said, looking Paws in the eye. "I'd like to adopt a puppy, and give it a home where it can be happy and healthy, just like you. I'd like you to be friends. Is this okay with you?"
'Mrowr' She licks Lilli's nose. Maikune smiles. "She says yes, if it makes you happy."
"No," Lillianna said firmly. "Not if it makes you unhappy."
'Prr~' She flips over and exposes her belly. "She said she wants a new friend, one that isn't afraid of her."
Lillianna smiles and scratches Paws on the belly. "I'll find someone extra special, then."
She paws at Lilli's hand as she scratches, purring all the while.
Lillianna smiled at Maikune. "We'll boost her confidence. I promise."
"I have no doubt that your confidence will brush off on her. I trust you one-hundred percent."
Blushing, Lillianna stood. "Right. No puppy today, then." She also stood, giving Paws a quick kiss and handed her back to Maikune. Then confusion crossed her face. "Did anyone decide on where we were meeting? Or when, for that matter?"
"Your brother said to meet back at alpha in an hour, however long ago that was."
"Oh. He did?" Lillianna scrunched up her face, trying to remember. "When did he...? Oh well, I tend to ignore Loark." She shrugged. "We could go now. Be alone, in the wilderness." She smiled slyly.
"I'm not sure I follow..." He cocks his head to the side. "Leave?"
"You said we're supposed to meet them at Alpha in an hour. That's the place outside the city where we found Laila." She smiled. "That nice little rock, in that peaceful field."
"Oh..." His face blushes bright red. "Yeah, we should probably get going. I have no idea how long we've been out already."
With a smile, Lillianna held out her hand. "Shall we?"
He takes her hand in his. "After you, M'Lady." Paws curls up on Maikune's shoulder to nap as they make their way back to Alpha.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
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Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Loark leads you down one of the busy streets to an area at the edge of the marketplace. "I saw this General Store yesterday as we were making our way to the Inn. It'll have everything we need!"
“I’m...I’m glad you did. I...I didn’t have the chance to explore the city a lot yesterday.” Bran says before going quite for a minute before saying “So...so what were you and your siblings talking about earlier in that other language?” Bran asks
“All...all three of you were speaking it. First...first in the Lodge and then at Alpha.” Brans says
“All...all three of you were speaking it. First...first in the Lodge and then at Alpha.” Brans says
"There's a lot you don't know about us, Bran. And even after our warnings, you're all accepting of us. Though that's kind... we can't reveal our secrets yet." He stops and looks around, "Lets just say that everyone here... in this town... are servants. They're taxed, made to work for little wage, and stripped of the freedoms they once had. That's the price of the civilization that's come to Traldar... the occupation. So yes... I could care less if these Thyatian merchants were slaughtered by goblins. I also don't mind that they're preventing wares from reaching this city. But they've overstayed their welcome, and they need to be killed. I have no intention of returning to this city once we're in the forest. If I ever stand face to face with the Baron, I'd probably draw my sword."
“Oh...” Bran says looking down before speaking up “I...I don’t remember much of my time within the city. I’ve..I’ve been with the Syl tribe for the past seven years. Everything...everything is different with the elves. I...I do remember facing trial though. It...it was right before I was with the elves. I...I was caught stealing some food. I...I saw other urchins like me go to jail and get hanged for stealing. I...I ran. I...I wouldn’t have survived in jail. So...so I’m not a big fan of the empire but...but I don’t think they necessarily deserve to die.” Bran speaks up
"They came in and slaughtered us by force. They put up their forts, raised armies of our own people, and marched from one peaceful village to the next, slaughtering, stealing, and ****** until they took over. If they don't deserve to die, then tell me what they do deserve," Loark replies.
“I...I...I don’t know. I’m...I’m not a big fan of violence if it can be avoided. But...but it sounds like they already came in with violence.” Bran says kind of quietly
"The elves will be next," Loark says, continuing the walk to the store. "Roads are already being built, settlements are already expanding, and the wilderness that made Traldar so special will be gone."
“It...it is. I...I wonder if the shamans know. So...so you and your siblings were fighting it but...but why are you here now.” Bran asks...hesitantly
"We're not here to overthrow anyone, if that's what you're getting at," Loark replies. "But we can't reveal our reasons just yet." Loark opens the door to the store for Bran, then follows him in.
“I...I understand. Thank...thank you.” Bran says getting walking into the store and purchasing a Herbalism Kit and a Healers Kit.
Loark grabs a set of ten torches, plops it on the counter, takes another coil of rope, plops it on the counter, then starts rummaging through the store for various other survival supplies and plops them on the counter. At one point, he picks up a tinder box, inspects it, then puts it back. That's when his eyes catch something interesting... he grabs the grapple hook and places that on the counter as well. "What do you think, Bran? How do we get an army of goblins to come out of their hidey-holes?"
“Hmmm...Well...well if I was to get an animal to come out of their den I’d use bait. Normally...normally food works but maybe not for goblins. I...I think for goblins we’d need something juicer than just some food.” Bran says. “They...they’re attacking caravans maybe we can pretend to be a lost caravan in front of their den.” Bran offers and looks to Loark, hoping he likes the idea.
"If the roads led to their den, that might work..." Loark comments. "But I imagine they're not hiding on the roadside unless their scouts spot a caravan." "Besides, we can't afford a whole caravan of wagons and the beasts to pull them." He looks about, and sees a crate of oil jars, "We could smoke them out..."
“I...I...I can maybe stink them out. I...I imagine goblins don’t like skunk smell or bear noises in their cave. If...if we go with smoke I can kind of direct it inside the cave as well.” Bran offers
"Ooooh, that'd be nice. I'm sure there's foliage enough to get a massive fire going." He grabs four jars of oil and puts it on the counter. Then he looks about and pulls down four folded squares of leather. He digs though a pile of spikes and takes a small hammer. Finally, he puts everything on the counter.
“Let’s...let’s not burn down the forest. Remember...that’s...thats my home. Why...why don’t we just burn the oil of the cave floor. It’ll...it’ll burn it all up.” Bran reminds him.
"Oil burns faster than you can count to ten," Loark comments. "We won't kill any trees or anything, we'll just take 'what the forest offers'." It seems he's been chastised for hurting trees before.
“Just...promise...promise you’ll let me and Lilli gather what you can burn.” Bran is silent for a moment before saying. “You’re...you’re smarter than you sisters give you credit for. I...I wouldn’t think about smoking them out.” Bran says a blush on his face
"Yeah you two can gather the wood we'll need. And yeah, when it comes to planning to kill, I'm pretty good." He grins at the compliment. Loark pays the merchant for all the 'stuff' and open his pack. He winces slightly, but pulls his massive boulder out and takes it outside. "Have a good life, my man," he says before setting it beside the door. "Every... damn... time she licks something of mine, I lose it." He returns to his pack and begins loading it up with everything that he purchased. "You ready? We need to get there before sundown, or else we'll be the ones being ambushed."
“Let’s...let’s go.” Again Bran just enjoys a couple seconds of quiet and then asks Loark “So...so why do you keep flirting with Craberos?”
"I wanted to see if Craberos was down for a night. Since we only planned on staying for a day, I'm happy I was rejected. Who knew we would all be travelling together! That would have been awkward." He laughs, "I never stick around after I've bedded someone, can't."
“Oh...oh.” Bran goes silent. You see him have an inner debate with himself. You hear him at some point mutter something like ‘Be brave like the wolf’. He then speaks up “Why...why...why don’t you flirt with me?”
Loark stops and gives Bran a look. "I don't know..." he says. "You didn't seem interested. You avoid eye contact, your body never showed me you were interested. Craberos on the other hand, Craberos couldn't stop looking me in the eye." Loark shrugs. "Your my friend now, though. I prefer to forget the faces of those I've bedded... in case I ever have to kill them in the future." He adds the last part as an afterthought.
“I...I...I’ve never done anything like this before. I...I...I mean flirting. When I was with the elves I was kept separate from all the others that weren’t adults. They...they were scared I would seduce them and make half-breeds. I..I didn’t know how to flirt so I just did things to try and get your attention. Like...like when you smelled like a skunk. That...that was me.” Brans says choosing to ignore the afterthought for now.
Loark laughs again, “Well it sure got me to take my clothes off.”
“That’s...that’s good to know” Bran says with a chuckle. “In...in case it’s not obvious I like you. Like..like...more than is wise.” He goes back to silent before saying. “Craberos...they...they don’t like you and I suspect they think I should shouldn’t pursue this. But...but I’ve never had something like this before and I want to explore it. If...if you don’t want to though I won’t push it. I...I...I just couldn’t not tell you.” Bran says now looking at the ground. Realizing that we’re getting close to Alpha now.
Loark puts his arm around Bran. “If you were just another stranger like you were yesterday, I’d take you up on that offer. You’re a part of our pack now, and as my lovesick sister will soon show you it doesn’t work out well for us.” Loark gestures, hand outstretched, “How about we both go out next time we hit a town and we can grab the first skin that sheds its clothes for us?”
“I’d....I’d like to go out with you. I...I don’t know what the last part means but I’m sure it’ll be fun if you’re there.” Bran says blushing harder than before with this physical contact.
Loark walks with his arm around Bran as they make their way back to Alpha.
Bran says nothing more. Just enjoys the physical contact and sneaks glances at Loark when he believes he isn’t looking.
Craberos and Laila look for a map. Golos had come along. Golos wanted run in forest and climb trees or maybe run with new wolf friend. So many rules now that Golos not bear. Golos not understand why he not bear still, but new friends said no bear lots. Golos wanted please new friend Bran and new...what? What Craberos to Golos? Crab man father bear. But they not bears. But Bran Did what Crab man said. It all too not make sense. Golos do what Golos always do to survive, act.as den acts, though that less good lately. Lilli and stinky man licked things all the time. Why crab man angry when Golos licked maps?
As he looked through the window, Golos had two thoughts. "Maps no taste good," he thought first. This was quickly followed by, "Licking make Golos no shop. Golos no like shop. Licking get Golos what Golos want." He smiled to himself as he sat on the stoop. Maybe being halfling not hard.
Zamar Zahuv - Level 4 Aasimar Bard in Whispers of Dissent
Golos - Level 1 Halfling Barbarian in Night's Dark Terror
Jerrok Flametongue - Level 6 Human Barbarian in Zendikar - Whispers of the Aeons
R'thr Ka'ri - Level 5 Paladin in The Adventures of Bubbles (every other Wednesday)
Johnathan Moonspeaker - Level 6 Druid in Web of Lies (every other Friday)
DM of Something Wicked This Way Comes - D&D Modernverse (every other Tuesday)
As Loark approaches Point Alpha with his arm around Bran, he calls out to those there, "We got a plan! Bran here can smoke out the goblins with his magic, and we can slaughter them as they come out." He gives Bran a squeeze and sets his pack by the rock. "I got leathers to block some of the holes, rope and spikes to hammer them over the holes, oil to bathe the leathers in, and torches to put pitch on bolts and arrows. We'll just need to see what exits they use most often, cover them, and smoke em out."
Craberos frowns, "What if they find us first?"
"Then we fight like our lives depend on it," Loark responds, a grin on his face.
"Lills," Loark calls out.
"Yo!" She responds.
Loark peeks his head around the rock. "You hear the plan?"
"Smoke the rabbits out," Lillianna replied, stretching out.
"Damn right. We ready?" Loark asks, slinging the pack back on his shoulder.
Lillianna yawns. "But I'm so tiiiiiiiiiiiiired," she whined.
Craberos frowns, "Wait, what about the shaman? The shaman will be major thorn in our side."
Loark points to Maikune, "Fight magic with magic, right?"
“Rabbits? Thought we fight Goblins.” Golos says.
"Rabbits in their hole. Gotta smoke them out." Lillianna closed her eyes, hoping to get a short nap in before leaving.
“Ah.” Golos said. “This a...what Bran say...megaphone.”
"Exactly Golos, a metaphor." Craberos says.
Golos nods.
"A what?" Loark asks. "She means they're hiding like rabbits, so we smoke them out like rabbits."
"I can try to focus on the shaman, I will need you to keep the others off of me," My-Key adds.
Loark snaps his fingers at Maikune, "Yes. That we will do."
“Chop head, goblin no bother.” Golos adds.
"Exactly!" Loark nods, satisfied. "Lets go chop some heads."
Lillianna begins to softly snore as she falls asleep.
Craberos steps next to Lillianna, "May I try to wake her?"
Loark chuckles, "Feel free." He leans against the rock to watch.
The ground trembles.
Lillianna snorts in her sleep, but doesn't wake up.
Thunder rolls just above Lilli's head.
She smiles in her sleep.
Craberos knells next to Lillianna's ear and shouts at three times higher than normal, "Wake!"
Lillianna screamed, jumping up. "Jerk," she yelled and leapt at what she thought was her brother. Landing on top of Craberos, her expression changed to one of confusion. "You... are not Loark." She quickly stood, pulling them to their feet. "I'm so sorry about that."
Craberos smiles, "We needed you up and I thought I could wake you."
"What?" Lillianna yelled. "I appear to be deaf!"
Craberos waves it away, "You should be fine. It usually takes only about one or two minutes for someone to regain their hearing."
Lillianna pats them on the shoulder and walks over to her brother, punching him in the arm. "This was your idea, I just know it."
Loark just laughs and calls out, "Let's go!"
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By the time the group completes their various tasks and meet up at "Point Alpha" outside the town walls, the angle of the sun overhead indicates that it's about 2:00 in the afternoon. If the directions you've been given are accurate, it will take most of the rest of the day to reach the area where the goblins are believed to be holed up. Following Loark's lead, you gather your belongings and begin the trek from Kelvin along the road leading to the town of Penhaligon, nearly 3 days travel to the north.
Sure enough, about two hours travel from town you reach the site of the caravan attack itself. As you'd been told, it's a mess. The burned out wagons have been moved off the road and there are signs of freshly dug graves, as well as the remains of a large bonfire. Sifting through the ashes, you can find charred fragments of bone - it looks like a mix of humanoid and some larger animal bones.
As we approach the caravans Laila stops everyone.
“Before we get too much closer, I have a few words I’d like to say,” Laila stopped the group. “I know I was not kind to some of you yesterday and this morning, that I appeared hesitant in joining together in this mission. I want to assure each of you that my trepidation came not from your skills, but from my own fear. I see now how strong each of you are, and how much stronger we are together. Golos, the Mighty Bear, has strength beyond his size. Dorobo, the Shadowed Lover, you possess untold kindness and skill. Craberos, the Oncoming Storm, your unparalleled wisdom and power are vital to the team. Maikune, the Panther, you have magic I have only dreamt of and claws to accompany your fuzzy exterior. Bran, the Mouse, you are brave and quick, and without you we would not be traveling together now. Loark, the Lion, your skill and counsel have always been things I have relied on. And finally, Lillianna, the Wolf, you... are not paying attention,” Laila’s voice trailed off. She sighed before rallying again and finishing off the speech. “We are each an important part of this new team. I believe that our fates are intertwined, and we will all play our part and move as one unit. We will prevail! We will win!” (Inspiring Leader 4 Temp HP to everyone but Golos and Laila)
"Oh, what?" Lillianna stands up, looking at the group, using the toe of her boot to quickly erase the childish images she had been drawing into the dirt.
Bran moves up to the ash pile and bends down to pick up an animal bone, he hopes, “Lilli...can...can you help me identify this?”
Lillianna nods and moves next to Bran. She begins to dig through the ash pile with her fingers. "Hey, I wanted to ask you something, if I could?"
“Of...of course” Bran says staring intently at the bone
"Uh... you're good with magic, right?" Lillianna tasted a bit of the ash. "Yup, that's ash."
“I...I wouldn’t say I’m the best but...but I know some magic.” Bran responds
"Oh, look! A bone." Lillianna set it aside. "Do you, I dunno, know how to talk to animals?"
“Yeah...it was one of the first things I learned how to do.” Bran says happily now looking at Lilli wondering where this is going.
"Are you... are you able to talk to Paws?" Lillianna spared a glance at Maikune.
“No...Paws...Paws is a magic cat. My...my magic only effects natural animals. It’s...it’s different than Maikunes magic. Mine...mine comes from nature and my innate understanding of the natural world. Of... of course I had the animals to help show me how to wield it.” Bran explains
"Do you think, maybe... possibly... you could..." she stammers, almost embarrassed to ask. "Teach me?"
Bran smiles. “I...I thought you’d never ask. I...I sensed your ability to wield the same magic as me when we first met. I...I can of course teach you but understand I’m still learning myself. And...and I have a trade of. If...if I teach you magic can you teach me something in exchange?” Bran asks kind of hesitantly
"These are horses," Lillianna said, looking at another bone. "Well, I don't have any magics to teach, Bran. I don't really have anything to trade either. What are you wanting? I can try to get it for you."
“Can...can...can you teach me how to flirt?” Bran asks an embarrassing blush clear on his face.
Lillianna bursts out laughing, then freezes. "Oh, you're serious! I can *absolutely* teach you to flirt! You'll be a pro by the time I'm done! You'll be stealing girls and guys left and right!"
Bran let’s put a deep sigh he didn’t know he was holding. With a smile he stands up, dusts his hands off, and then holds his hand out “It’s...it’s a deal.”
“Golos want learn something too.” Golos pipes in from out of nowhere.
Lillianna jumps as Golos appears next to her unexpectedly. "Oh! What do you want to learn Golos?" She shook Bran's hand, giving him a wink.
“I’ll...I’ll teach you to speak to animals too Golos.” Bran says and then points at the bones pointing specific ones out and saying “By...by the way that’s a horse bone or mule they’re similar in bone structure, that’s goblin bones, that’s some arrow heads that have seen better days, and that...that’s just a rock.” (Nature: 18)
“Golos not care. Golos be good member of pack.” He responds to Lilli
"Golos, very good member of pack," Lillianna agreed. "Okay, Bran, first lesson in flirting. Be subtle. You don't want to come on too strong, or you'll scare them away. Maybe a light touch on the arm. And look them in the eye. Let your eyes tell them that your interested." As an example, she sauntered over toward the group. "Horse bones, arrow heads, ashes. Goblins definitely did this." She walked past Maikune, giving him a smile, and brushing against his arm lightly.
Bran is staring intently at the Lilli and what’s she’s doing. He doesn’t take his eyes off of her trying to absorb every detail he can so, he can put this to use later.
Lilliana doesn't brush up against the skin of Maikune's arm - instead, she brushes the thin layer of black mist that has begun to cover his body. Paws is absent from his shoulder.
Lillianna doesn't notice. Instead she gives Bran a nod.
He nods back and then looks at Loark.
Lilli can see the mixed trail that heads north as well. Goblin tracks here and there, but the pursuing soldiers have pretty much ruined the original tracks. You can't get sense of numbers anymore. Quite a few, so the couple dozen you were told *could* be accurate.
Lillianna points out the tracks to the others. "It would seem the numbers we were told might be accurate. We also know this is a trap laid for travelers. So," she asked, turning to the group. "How are we doing this?"
Loark stood far from the remains, watching the trees nearby as the others inspected the wreckage. He unclips his crossbow, kneels down, and starts to untie the ribboned mess that the guards made. Once that's done, he undoes the ribbon binding his sword to its sheath as well. "We follow," he says simply. "We can't wait for them or they'll have the upper hand. Keep your eyes peeled, though."
Lillianna unstrapped her bow with a nod, and prepared herself. "Let's kill some Goblins!"
Maikune quickly pulls the ribbon from his dagger before sliding it back inside his robe, a large smile on his face. "Yes. Let's."
Bran just nods and unwraps his weapons as well and looks down at Aladdin. “All right little buddy. Time to go somewhere safe.” And the white mouse just scurries and hides away in Brans pack.