Alorin

Alorin shakes his head at Moz's nonsense, but admits, “Yes, yes, I do mean we. Just a slip of the tongue!"

He then turns to Angus and says, with an exaggerated sigh of exasperation, “Strange times, these are, Angus, when we don't get to choose the personalities we spend our time with, or the stuff they set fire to, apparently" as a not-so-subtle dig at Moz's ever-changing list of disguises and personae.

Last, but not least, he turns to Neris, and shifting the baby to a single arm, gives her a warm hug with the other arm. “I missed you, you know? And as for the child, her parents seem to have tried to sacrifice her tonight; to the fey, or to Kromac, I'm not entirely sure. Luckily, Moz and I both managed to hear about it, and tried to save her from the Hunt. We might not have made it though, and maybe even died, if not for this other conflict that ended up here and drove the Huntsman away. That said, I'm not entirely sure what to do with her now; poor thing is half-dead and probably hungry, and it's not like her parents will want her back, or have the right to, given what they have done." He then has a silly idea, and can't help but blurt it out; "Say, your father has done a great job raising you. Think he might be willing to watch over this little one for a while too?"

"As for what the knight is up to, he heard of delerium having been brought back to Skye by a raiding party led by a druid of Kormac. That's the captives over there. They chased them down here and I guess we all got pulled into each others' matters. What are you doing here, by the way?"

Moz the Magnificent

Noting the awkwardness between Neris and Alorin, he similes as he tucks that bit of knowledge in the back of his mind for later. He takes her hand and gives it a light kiss. "Charmed to meet such a lovely Autumn flower." Gently pulling her down slightly and nodding his head toward Sir Lorin, he slightly whispers, "I am still unsure, but one should always be on guard when dealing with these Flamers." Looking at Rivyre. "I see you picked one up yourself, we seem to have an infestation." Giving her a wink and releasing her hand as Angus steps up to loom over him. Moz straightens himself up and looks the massive barbarian in the eye. " And I thought Northfolk couldn't string two words together to form a sentence, I guess we both defy expectations."

Looking back at the burning hut and back to Alorin, shrugging he says "It's a diplomatic gesture, for our guests." Gesturing to Rivyre and Sir Lorin " They like fire."

Rivyre smirks & chuckles a bit, then replying to Mozzarella, "As rare as it is for elves to be practictionors of The Faith, I am used to much vulgarity toward me. So, if these jokes & insults are your attempt to get under my skin I suggest you quit while you're behind, or take a few pointers from Neris. She can insult me better than you can! Secondly, while I do abhore violence you seem to be digging your own grave at the moment & if Angus wants to beat you to a pulp, I won't interfere." Rivyre smiles as she looks up at Angus looming over Mozzarella. 

Turning to Neris, Rivyre replies: "I'll give you a little history lesson. Sir Lorn is a Knight of the Silver Order, the ordained militaristic arm of the Sacred Flame founded roughly 450 years ago by Divine Matriarch Justice VII to hunt down the mages of the Amethyst Academy. Remember though this was a time shortly after the defeat of Sorcerer-Kings & destruction of the Arcane Empire, so arcane magic was seen as much more evil than it is viewed today. Year 678 - 699 was 21 years of these knights persecuting & hunting any mage of the Amethyst Academy, then came Year 700 where the noble houses of the mainland chose sides between the Faith & the Academy resulting in 43 years of devastating war, death, & destruction across the continents. Year 743 is when Edicts of Lumen were signed seperating the nobility from the mages by the Faith & the peace we know today."
"The Silver Order still does much of the same work enforcing the Edicts, hunting down malfeasant mages, investigating any of the continental nobility that harbours a mageborn, & Elyrian state affairs. Most recently a contingent was sent to Westemar to destroy delerium caused by the meteor that struck Drakkenheim 15 years ago. Many of their actions are controversial throughout history & cause much debate whether their actions were justified. Some of their brutal history paints a stark contrast the to core tenets of our religion: The Hearth, The Lantern, The Torch, & The Candle, but are generally still looked on favorably. I myself have my own opinions, but that's unimportant."

Speaking to Alorin next, "I'm glad that you saved this child from such a horrible fate. Whether you decide the elves or the Faith to take the child in, I would find either acceptable. I would never impose the will of the Sacred Flame on those who are unsure of us."

Alorin

Alorin is briefly surprised at Rivyre's words to Neris. "Unorthodox, indeed, Flamekeeper Rivyre! It is rare that I come across a member of the Faith who thinks so differently than most do. That said, it is also rare I see a member of the Faith here on Skye who is quite so eloquent. Most of the ones that have crossed my path in the past have been the monks up in Enniskillen, and half of them don't so much as utter a single word," he smirks.

"Thank you, as well, for your concern for the child, and I do appreciate you allowing me to decide what to do with her. I am not sure the Faith is the best place for her either, not so much because I hold anything against them as much as that any rumors of being touched by the magics of the Old Gods or the Fey are liable to make her life amongst the Faith rather tricky indeed," he adds in a lower tone.

He then begins to look around the clearing, looking at the seething shadows with some amount of concern. Such a perversion of the natural order is rare, even in these Thin Places where the fey influence is strong. El seems to sense Alorin's concern, and stops accepting pets from Neris and turns to peer into the mists as well.

Valanthe blushes, partly from Alorin’s embrace and partly from her embarrassing mistake. “Ooh,” she says meekly, “I thought you meant you had started a family. With Sir Moz” as she gestures to the gnome. Turning again to the baby “Poor thing. I wonder why parents have children if only to treat them like this. I’m not sure my Dad’s ready for a newborn though - he’s still recovering from raising me.” Another big smile.

Clearing her throat and assuming, once again, her “on official business” stance, Valanthe explains what happened at the Elfgates and that she has been tasked with finding out if anything weird has been reported in Darryl. “Weirder than an elven flamekeeper, that is” she adds quietly, returning the wink to Moz. ”I found these two freezing their noses off just outside Eladria. She pauses. "I felt it again when we tree-hopped coming here” she says looking back over her shoulder at the big tree. “Something’s not right. And it’s not just The Vague.”

“I’ll give you a little history lesson…” Rivyre begins. “Sir Lorn…”

I mean, it’s not like he couldn’t have had a baby with someone. It’s been what - a year? That’s enough time. How long do human babies take? Was it more or less time than a cow…? Maybe Angus knows. But the baby should totally stay with her own kind, not the elves. I do like that cow... Maybe Rivyre would take her in? She seems caring and attentive, if a little stuffy. Oh, but she only dresses like a human… This delirium might be affecting the elfgates and should probably be investigated further. Maybe the flame-folk have an orphanage up at their church place in Enniskillen. Maybe RIvyre could take the babe there… 

“Did someone say Sascha?” Valanthe blurts out the second the thought enters her head.

“...I myself have my own opinions but that’s unimportant”. "Uk ok - unimportant - got it," Valanthe says as she looks across the clearing - is Sascha here?

As she looks for Sascha, she notices Alorin's alertness “What is it Alorin?” Valanthe pulls her thoughts back to the now as she picks up on Alorin’s concern. It wouldn’t be the first time that she had relied on Alorin’s senses, they were keener than hers.

Moz the Magnificent

Rolling his eyes at Rivyre "I am so glad WE have your approval to do what WE think is best for the child, that WE rescued." Nudging Alorin "I told you these Flamers think they get a say in everything and are the center of everything. Always so full of themselves." Looking up at Angus "As for you big man if you can't take a little ribbing then what good are all those muscles?"

Grinning at Neris, he chuckles "I think you and me are going to get along just fine my dear." gives her a mischievous grin as his eyes drift to Rivyre "Just fine indeed." Noticing Alorin's heightened alertness "What is it boy? Trouble? Did someone fall down a well."

"Yes, it is very bad," Sir Lorn agrees with Rivyre. "No one deserves to have that plague unleashed on their home, not even if they are ignorant. It is not those who are misled by demons that are to be condemned, for every soul seeks the Divine beyond itself in the ways that it knows. It is the demons themselves, swarming like flies from the Hells and other eldritch places, and the foul rites that they encourage that must be condemned. We must be the Lantern in the darkness, and stand as the Torch against the proliferation of evil."

The knight gestures to the swelling shadows around the clearing. "I know the destruction of delerium can have unpredictable effects, and it is also Vague, so I fear that it is not safe to stay here--and also for the reasons that you mentioned. I am not sorry that this altar of bloody rites was destroyed, but you are right, it will not go over well."

He nods in greeting to Angus and Neris as Rivyre introduces them. "Son of Lochlann," he says, "and Daughter of Rolen. My pleasure. Perhaps it is less strange that you appeared when you did, if you took the fairy roads. You are bold to travel on them. They have a way of… ending up in times and places of confluence."

"I've heard stories of men getting on those roads and reappearing 20 years later without having aged a day," William says. "And Rivyre, you just left us naught two hours ago, and you've gone across the whole Isle to Giant's Lean and back, in how many days, I wonder?"

As Alorin joins the group again, Sir Lorn nods to him, and then looks back at Angus as Alorin and Neris greet each other, seeming unsurprised that these Skye folk know each other.

"Surely your cow isn't in milk so early, in Thawing? But if she is, I think that getting this babe some nourishment is of the highest priority," Sir Lorn says. "She will not last much longer in this cold after what she's been through, without it. Has the fire warmed the hut? We can shelter there for a moment."

It is then that he raises his eyes and notices the flames licking through the windows of the stone hut, and Moz's approach. Alorin and Moz's comments quickly reveal what happened.

"Now you reveal your nature," he says to Moz. "To take so literally my request, and in such a destructive manner. We do not have anywhere else to take shelter. We will have to go back to Darryl. I would not trust this fey of poisoned words," he says to Alorin, nodding towards Moz, "for it is the servants of darkness that have only venom to spew at the Light, and only insults to levy at souls that they see as naught but fodder."

William and Eberhard are looking angrily at Moz. "Bad enough to talk to a lady that way," William says, "let alone a Flamekeeper. You better keep your hands off that child."

"Alorin, if you wish to take responsibility for the child, I am happy to entrust you to her. I will, however, contest your claim if you let this fey have any access to her." Sir Lorin glares at Moz. "No helpless child will be prey for the manipulation of such creatures while I stand."

Turning back to Alorin, he continues. "No follower of the Sacred Flame would turn down a child in need, and I know the monastery in Enniskillen would find her a home with a good family there. Saint Hugh himself is known to have taken in foundlings. But Enniskillen is weeks' journey away, and we must settle now. I fear for her if she is not soon fed and kept warmly. Our only shelter here is now on fire, and for her sake, to Darryl we must return."

"This man, too, is injured, and in danger," he says, nodding at the Druid, before turning to William and Eberhard.

The bound warrior glowers at the burning hut… and then, suddenly, he breaks away from Eberhard, and charges towards the small stone hut.

Eberhard and William both give chase, but the warrior reaches the hut and flings himself through the wooden door, hanging open in the flames. "For Kromac!" he shouts, as the smell of burning hair and flesh fills the smoke that pours from the windows.

The two men in furs stop short. "What an idiot," William says.

"Flame burn it!" Sir Lorn cries. "We can't save him now. We've got to go!"

The Druid, laying on the ground, opens his eyes. Bound and gagged, his eyes fix on Sir Lorn. The shadows that had seemed held back along the treeline around the clearing suddenly pour forth, roiling across the ground, and the snow begins to shake and stir, as the bones of countless sacrifices, animal and human, pull themselves up from the buried ground in the grip of the shadowy mist.

Alorin

‘Sigh,” says Alorin, ”you are acting distinctly unknightly, Sir Gnomingtonson,” adding additional emphasis to the fake name. “You’re not going to make any friends that way, only enemies. Not to mention, being so unsubtle is rather unlike what I’ve seen of you. Remember there is a line between being insulting and being funny.”

He turns to Sir Lorn, “Don’t worry, I’m not giving the child up to anyone until we find a caretaker for her.”

He looks around at the creeping shadows, and addresses both those who had noticed his concern earlier as well as Sir Lorn, “I don’t like the look of this one bit. We need to get out of here. Whatever is happening here is distinctly unnatural.”

“With the hut gone, we only really have two options, and neither is truly safe. Either we head down to Darryl and brave the anger of the folk living there, or we step onto the Fey roads to get away from here as soon as we can, but face the possibility that the Hunt may return. Did any of you have any particular business here in Darryl at the moment?”

He turns to the Druid, right as the shadows begin to pour in, and adds, “Necromancy from a Druid of Kromac? Have you been corrupted by some other influence? I truly was not looking to antagonize you, but if you have been corrupted and have been blaspheming, perhaps Kromac’s fury at that is another explanation for the broken altar that the people of Darryl might be willing to accept.”

Moz the Magnificent 

Listening to Alorin words he gives a resgined shurg " Yes, yes you are right Alorin. I have been most unkindly. The Vauge seems to be affecting my mood and behavior. My apologies if I have offended." Bowing to the others " The fight to rescue the child got by blood up. And I was quite rude. Prehaps we need to clean the slate as they say."

He still gives Sir Lorin the stink eye, as the knight berates and insults him, but choses to bite his tongue. He is equally surprised when the barbarian charges into the flame. "Zealots often do wild things." As the shadows charge in and skeletons rise from the snow he says. " I think this may actually be Kormac taking a more direct hand." From his pack he wipes out a wand with a bue crystal "Ding ding, round two"

Valanthe draws her scimitar: "How far are we from Darryl? And how fast is Beef, Angus? We can stay and fight but with this babe to protect I suggest we leave - and as quickly as possible!"

Looking over Alorin & Moz, "You 2 do not look ready for another bout of action. Flee in the safest direction of your choice, but don't cause mischief!" (saying that 2nd part specifically to Mozzarella as she glares at him). "Alorin, keep that child safe & find any nourishment for her you can!"

"Sir Lorin, I, & anyone not too injured can handle the rising undead & cover your retreat, we'll be right behind you!

Turning to Neris, "I vowed to your friend Vaelorn to keep you safe & unharmed, so follow Alorin to keep that infant & the others safe! This is not up for debate, go... (as Rivyre thrusts her arm & points to Alorin), NOW!"

Alorin

"What's happening here is certainly not of Kromac's doing, not unless some other form of corruption has seeped into the isles. Most of the Old Gods, even Kromac, brutal as he is, hold no truck with the realms of undeath. It is more likely that either that altar was suppressing the undead and its destruction released them, or that the destruction of that stone released forces we are unaware of that drew them like moths to a flame."

"Regardless, the distance to Darryl, and potential conflict when we get there, is likely to result in a drawn-out fight, and in cold weather at that. I wonder if it might not be easier to at least step onto the fairy roads, what with there being a gate right here in this clearing. At least we'll have better weather, then, even if we end up with a different fight on our hands. And if we make haste along the roads, we can actually bypass Darryl and get anywhere else we might wish to go. Or maybe even let us take a different, more pleasant route to Darryl, if we do indeed need to return there."

"On the other hand, if we do choose to go to Darryl, we need to consider what we will tell the villagers, and how we may need to plead our case to Clan Lochlann, if it comes to that. Choosing our words carefully might be crucial to getting out of this alive. And we also need to consider the fate of the Druid. If he is not behind these undead, leaving him here is liable to get him killed. If he is, keeping him alive is a death sentence to us. And if we take him into town, we will need to consider what he might tell the villagers."

"And if this does come to a fight, be wary of those shadowy forms. They are capable of slowing you down, and every hit from them can weaken you until you are incapable of fighting back. We saw that happen to a goblin that was after the child. Wouldn't wish that end on my worst enemy."

Angus quickly steps to Beef and commands her in Sylvan. "Téigh anois a leanbh, tá an chontúirt gar. Tá a fhios agat an bealach. Tóg mo chairde leat." Turning to Alorin, he takes off some of the carved totems hanging from his neck and places them over Alorin's, "Take these and my pouch of gold. Beef will take you to a specific longhouse. It is where I get my supplies. The owner is a good friend of mine and he will recognize you by my totems. And if you would be so kind, ask him for my usual batch of supplies. Hence the gold. He will house you for the time being but I'd still be wary of my people. If you are harassed, tell them to take it up with the Steward of Silver. Once Beef starts to relax and is fed, she can be milked." 

After signaling Beef forward, Angus turns to Sir Lorin, "Kromac's wrath will be fierce. I trust your Flame burns brighter."

"I'm well enough to fight. Take the druid with you. Let him see the light of the flame and tell the others we defended him rather than leave him for dead. I'll join the group trying to hold them back."  Sascha insisted. She was not going to let a child, or a helpless man fall prey to the hungry undead. She  drew her bow and ran for her horse, not to flee but to kite the undead, and to use Solis' help in riding them down.

The Noblewoman was confused too - the undead weren't something she'd ever come to associate with the old gods, but she was acutely aware that she was no expert in the field of the worship of the Old Gods. Indeed few were on the mainland. She'd also seen an unexpected familiar face, however. One who at the time of their meeting had both confused and inspired her. A woman with similar views to her own.

"Would that we were reuniting in better circumstances, Flamekeeper Rivyre. Should we live I'd love to discuss theology with you again." 

Alorin

"I am loath to leave anyone behind in the hands of the undead, but I am merely worried that once we get back, he will claim that this attack is the result of us drawing down the wrath of Kromac with our actions here. And nobody in town is likely to question a druid whether Kromac's wrath would manifest as undead creatures."

Alorin sighs, but makes room on the cart for the prisoner, in case that is the direction they are taking. He also has El stay on the cart and places the child in her embrace, so that she stays warm, and Alorin is able to fight if necessary.

Acknowledging Sascha, "I would've liked our reunion to be less dangerous, but i'm glad to see you arrived safely on Skye from your journey! Let us deal with these foul souls & we can catch up after this threat is dealt with."

Shouting to evryone, "Everyone hug Beef & the sled! We must not get surrounded! Make for the outside of the ring & once everyone is through, us warriors we turn & keep these foul monsters contained within Kromac's Clearing as we slowly retreat down the hill toward town. DO NOT LET THESE UNDEAD REACH DARRYL!"

Moz the Magnificent 

Moz jumps into the spot on the sled, that Alorin had just cleared for the prisoner. "Enough talk, let's move Alorin. Let the knights handle the Druid. If you want this child to live we need to get out here before we are encircled." From the sled he levels his wand at the advaning swarm preparing to blast their way out.

Valanthe, scimitar in hand, moves past Moz and the sled up to alongside Beef keeping pace with the beast ready to defend her from any of the undead that may attack from the front. Her other hand begins to glow and crackle with arcane energy.

Sir Lorn meets eyes with the Druid of Kromac for just a moment, before sheathing his sword and hauling the man up to situate him on the sled with Alorin, Moz, El, and infant. El growls softly as she curls protectively around the infant, but the injured Druid, his eyes falling on the totems around Alorin's neck, does not protest or struggle. "To me!" Sir Lorn shouts to William and Eberhard, and they rush over to take position near the sled.

As soon as the sled's passengers are secured, Beef turns to the southwest and kicks up her heels, heading for a gap in the fir trees, as the shadow mists curl inward from all sides.

The Great Escape - Allied Round 1

 "Are we seriously bringing him with us?" Moz says with disgust as Sir Lorn dumps the Druid in the sled. As Sir Lorn and his cronies circle around, Moz leans back and in a low voice, says to Alorin, "Fair warning, if this dirty dog worshipper causes trouble or these undead get to close to the sled he is going overboard." Looking back down at the Druid, "Frankly I think we signing our own death warrents if we show up in Darryl with him." Standing in the sled, one hand gripping the rail he levels his wand at the nearest creature in their path, a dark and misty shadow. He utters an arcane word and multi-colored beam of lances out at it.

Alorin takes aim and marks the same shadow, and takes a shot at it. He then asks El to stay on the sled and keep the child warm and safe for the moment rather than engaging directly in the fight just yet. The shadow seems to tear apart with Moz's beam of energy, and the arrow follows it through, questionable as it flies out the other side how much damage it did, but the shadow dissipates into the mist and disappears.

Rivyre moves in to stand to the south of the sled, joining the Silver Order knight and his two fur-clad companions. Then raises her shield above her head and begins chanting a divine prayer.

"In brightest day, in darkest night,
Let no evil escape my sight,
May those who worship evil's might
Behold my power, Sacred Flame's Light!"

The shivering bones, knitting together into macabre facimilies of once-walking bodies, stare with unholy eye sockets, and the shadows' black mist seems to expand. But then a moan of terror that is never heard from the dead shakes the massing circle before Rivyre, and nearly the whole wall of undead cowers and turns to flee from her prayer.

Rivyre reaches out to pat Beef's long fur, mumbling a prayer of protection in Sylvan. "Rith are nós na ngaoth & go dtabharfadh Danú, an Mháthair Dhomhan cosaint duit!"

Seeing Moz and Alorin takedown the first undead, Valanthe draws the crackling energy into a mote of light in her palm and launches it a shambling mass of bones. Satisfied she hit her target, she draws her shorts word and keeps pace with Beef.

Sascha nocks an arrow, firing it at the last undead standing in Beef's way that did not turn to flee, in hopes of clearing a path for the sled, and providing an opening for those who were fleeing. Unfortunately she shoots wide, the arrow passing between two of the monsters.

"Come on foul things! Step closer so I may put you back into the earth." Angus shouts towards the mockery of life that has formed around them. He readies his axe as he circles around the group, placing himself in between Valanthe and Sascha. His hound, Timber, follows his footsteps and draws close to Beef, eager to protect her. Angus readies his Greataxe, rage beginning to boil in his blood. Timber moves in between Valanthe and Sascha and gets ready to attack any undead that comes near. Angus moves right in front of Timber.

Eberhard takes aim at the skeleton that Sascha fired at but missed, and fires off two arrows. The arrows fly true and knock the bones apart, scattering them across the snow.

Beef lowers her head and continues her lumber across the snow towards the gap between the crowding undead, the sled lurching into motion as the fairy cow breaks through the circle and into the great fir trees beyond.

Eberhard runs after the sled as it keeps moving, but Sir Lorn and William fall back towards Sascha, drawing sword and mace and readying attacks for any undead that approach.