Pax- The Hunt - MT CH 27th

[Thrandil]

Thran looked at Star and back at Tal. "Push the arrow through? I don't think it's wise to retract it. Let's put him on his side so we get a clean shot at the back where it'll come through." he said, gently rolling the body on the side while keeping the part where the arrow stuck in the body fixed as possible so as not to move the arrow inside the body. He made sure he positioned himself at Stars back on his knees so he could keep it in position with his own body. "Tal, when the back end of the arrow dissappears into the body, do your work on that side. I'll tell you as soon as I cleared the complete arrow from his body." he told the paladin, looking him in the eyes.

He tapped Star's cheek twice, "Star, this is going to hurt. We have to push the arrow through if we want to have a chance at keeping you in the lands of the living. You understand? I'll do the best I can to make it less painful, but it's all I can do. At the count of three I'll start pushing it through." The adhiel put his hands around the shaft of the arrow, concentrating completely on the task at hand, forgetting everything around him. "One...", he tightened his grip, "Two...", he tensed the muscles in his arms, "Three", and he started pushing the arrow further into the body s-l-o-w-l-y so as not to move wildly.

When the tip had pierced the other side of the body Thran would push it just enough through so he could start pulling it, nodding to Talanwei. If he had the whole arrow out of the body, he uttered the words "All yours, Tal." and eased while keeping the body still for the healing hands of the paladin.

[Guido Cercatoro]

Star allowed himself to be rolled onto his side and nodded in agreement to Thrandil, clearly understanding the import of the adhiel’s words. Once the injured man was in the right position, Thrandil pushed the arrow slowly into the body. Star grimaced and shut his eyes but did not cry out in pain even when the tip of the arrow emerged and the adhiel began pulling.

Thrandil called on Talanwei to play his part and attempt to heal the wound….


Moon averted her face from the operation to save her brother and turned instead to answer Ulder’s question.

“The motives of the spirit are a mystery to me,” she began with a shrug. “It forbade myself and my brother from entering these mountains and warned that if we did we would regret it. It also forewarned of our meeting with your group.”

She paused for a flicker as if trying to decide whether to say more but then continued. “My brother is ill from more than the arrow wound. He has some wasting disease that even I cannot cure. An old healer told us of the emerald waters here and claimed that they were Star’s only hope. We travelled here with the Grey Robes, merely as a convenience, we do not share their idiotic beliefs.”

“When we paid our respects to the spirit it warned us that death and not life would result if we journeyed to the pool. Foolishly, we ignored the warning, for we thought that this was our only hope. Yet, all that has followed so far is death…the dwarves and your companions….we thought that the spirit had sent you to punish us for our transgression and so we attacked you….”

The girl’s eyes looked pained as she regarded Ulder. “Why have you sought us out?”

[Talanwei Fortisse]

Bright One, make my hands true and my mind clear as I try to save this boy. To light the path shouded in darkness, to show a clouded mind the divine truth, I do all in your name. Whatever the reason for their actions it is my desire to save the life of one so young and it can only be done with your power. Praise be to Illuminatus.

Talanwei prepared himself as Thrandil adjusted Star’s position. He made a quick and deft rip of a piece cloth from his tunic and he wrapped it once around his hand. He looked to Moon, trying to tell the young girl with his eyes that he would do his utmost to preserve the life of her brother. Turning his gaze back to the young sorcerer, he nodded as the Adhiel spoke his intention. The Achadhiel was ready and kept one palm to one side of the arrow. Knotting the energy that he was pulling into himself, Talanwei passed them into the abdomen of the injured youth. If he could, he would try to take the edge off of the pain that he was enduring as Thran worked the arrow through the boy. Depending on the effectiveness of this attempt, he would try to ease as much pain as he could. Talanwei would clap his hand over the hole where the arrow entered when it passed all the way through. The Achadhiel would tightly weave the energy in such a way as to make it impermeable and focused it to his hand.

Reaching deep, he would also try to locate the most life threatening wound and mend the flesh inside after the arrow passed. Feeling out the threads that made up the muscle and organs he would try to weave them back together, to stimulate and give them the incentive to adhere to one another. A body was resilient, the capacity for healing great and since there were no lingering magicks from Thrandil's bolt, Talanwei trusted in Star's strength. Clapping his hand wrapped in cloth over the hole, it would catch any blood that got past the weave. Talanwei would use this energy and his hands to pull together the skin of the puncture and stop the blood from spilling out. He touched a fingertip to the wound and tried to generate a searing heat to cauterize it. Talanwei gave all of himself to the overall effort. He did not hear Moon's words to Ulder nor those from the Captain that would likely follow. The young follower of Illuminatus moved one hand around to the other side of Star where the arrow was slowly exiting.

"I want to make sure I have this taken care of up here. Moon, if you could...help him close that wound back there? After Thran removes the arrow, hold the flesh together and possibly burn it to close the hole. I am going to see if I can heal the inside. Once I am sure I am successful, I will come around to relieve you, all right?" Talanwei said this, spared a quick glance to see if the girl understood, and focused on his task. The two of them could generate flame and illusion, Talanwei counted on her to understand how to proceed but was ready to explain further. Only time would tell how successful it would be.

[Ulder]

Ulder listened to her explanation, somewhat skeptical and more than a little unconvinced thus far with her explanation.

The spirit warned you not to enter these mountains, and yet you did. It warned you we were coming and you still went forward. It told you there would be death and you still disobeyed. I'd say you found what you were looking for...

"The Grey Robes accosted some people in the town not far from here. There were a few deaths and some property damage as a result of those idiotic beliefs. We volunteered to bring them to justice. When we discovered that you had split off from them, we followed you as our number against yours gave us an advantage."

Ulder gestured to one of his men. "There are some healing herbs down in my saddle bags. They may assist in helping these people. Will you get them for me please?"

As the man ran off, he returned his attention to the strange pair before them.

"I can understand feeling ambushed here, and I can understand seeking to aid a brother in need. But what I'm struggling with is why you would continue on in a disguise when it no longer suited you, and why when we approached, you didn't explain this to us then? Why would use innocent people as shields? You never gave any of us the chance to parley, to talk and explain who we are and what we are doing. You killed innocent people and used them to further your own goals, which makes you as bad any Grey Cloak in my estimation."

As the man returned with the healing herbs, he handed them over to Thrandil and Talanwei to assist in their healing of the pair.

"You are not guilty of their crimes, but some sort of atonement must be made for the destruction and death you are responsible for here. The dwarves, their families need some sort of compensation for their loss. How do you propose to repay them?"

[Guido Cercatoro]

Talanwei felt an almost instant reaction to the prayer, for his mind cleared of all thoughts other than focusing on Star’s wound. As Thrandil pushed the arrow out, the follower of Illuminatus placed his cloth-covered hand over the open wound. The attempt to dull the pain must have had some success for Star remained largely silent although his face remained taut and pale.

Reaching inside Star’s wounds, Talanwei sensed a tearing of the energies around the lower stomach area where the arrow had caught the edge of something vital to the life energy of the boy. Yet the ends of the damaged energies were clear and it was a relatively easy task to knit them together – not perfectly, but sufficiently to give hope that the damage was mended. The achadheil was also successful at closing the entry wound; the blood stopped flowing and an angry red fold of skin closed the wound.

Once again, Moon paused for a good while before she answered Ulder. “The greyrobe group we travelled with is more of a cult surrounding its leader, Seomar, than a group fully dedicated to the One. He claims to be some sort of prophet; I doubt whether this claim has any basis in truth but he clearly believes it. He is very charismatic when he wishes to be.”

“I should warn you that his beloved, the mage Catherine, was killed in the conflict in Pax. It has twisted his mind and he seeks revenge. He claims that there is some object concealed in a hermitage in the mountains which will give him great power. I sense that the spirit will not give this up easily.”

“As for our disguise, well it has proved useful. Many appear to fear priests of the One; and, we were both brought up in faith, although…” her voice trailed off and she looked thoughtful for a flicker. “I am sorry for the deaths of the dwarves. There was a misunderstanding. When we are recovered, I am sure that we can make some recompense.” She smiled a sweet smile directly at Ulder. He felt it stir a wave of sympathy inside his mind, reassuring him that she was telling the truth…he could not take his eyes away from her eyes…such beautiful eyes…

Moon started at Talanwei’s urgent request and swung around to face her brother. With one finger, she lightly touched the wound from which the arrow had been pushed. Almost immediately the wound sealed, looking much neater than the job Talanwei had done with the other wound. The girl looked pale, her head drooping on to her breast before she collapsed to the ground.

The breaking of his eye contact with Moon jarred Ulder; as if he had just woken on the edge of falling into some dream…

[Talanwei Fortisse]

The success of his prayer and use of magick overjoyed Talanwei. The Achadhiel watched closely as Moon closed the wound with a much more practiced hand than he. Looking over to his handiwork, the follower of Illuminatus frowned. It was not bad for a first attempt but in most things Talanwei strove for mastery or as close as he was able. Before he could ask the woman what her methods were, Moon collapsed and being the closest to her at that flicker the Achadhiel caught her as she crumpled. It was easy to see how young she was once she was in his arms.

He thought of trying to wake her, Ulder would likely have an opinion on what to do next and for those few flickers he simply held the girl. Just a light brush of the Aether, perhaps to see if the young girl’s unconscious mind was in any turmoil. Talanwei was just glad that the boy was saved, no more needed to die today.

"How are you feeling Star? Better I’d hope…" he said to the boy. Looking to Thrandil he nodded, grateful for the Adhiel's help. Ulder seemed occupied for a few flickers, but Talanwei could not immediately sense why. The follower of Illuminatus was tired...he had not used the power of his god this much before. At the same time, however, he had never had as much success. Talanwei had to remind himself that it was something that came with practice and continued faith; to not let such things go to his head. Still, Talanwei allowed himself a small measure of pride for his efforts.

[Ulder]

The former Captain snapped back from the beauty of Moon's eyes.

What it is she was saying? Paying back the dwarves... innocence... innocence...

Ulder rubbed at his eyes for a flickers. Trying to work away the sleepiness that suddenly overcame him. It took him a few heartbeats to get his senses back.

It was then he realized she was doing the same to him that she had done to the dwarves. He had nearly fallen under her spell.

He looked to Talanwei and the others.

"Blindfold her, and her brother. Bind their hands tightly. I don't want anyone talking to them unless absolutely necessary. The witch just tried to cast some spell on me."

He looked to his men.

"They're coming back with us. They can answer to the Provost. We'll go up deeper into the mountains for this Seomar at a later time. We've got what we came for, lets head home."

[Guido Cercatoro]

Talanwei caught Moon as she collapsed in his arms. At close quarters, she looked frail, innocent and young. And yet, she was clearly a mage of some power. Talanwei was too exhausted to probe the girl’s mind and in any event he was interrupted by Star’s hand which grasped his own.

“Thank you,” said the boy. He still looked pale and drawn but gave his healer a grateful smile. Talanwei could not help but feel a sense of sympathy for the boy and his sister. They were so young, so innocent…

Ulder’s words rang through the air.

"Blindfold her, and her brother. Bind their hands tightly. I don't want anyone talking to them unless absolutely necessary. The witch just tried to cast some spell on me."

“No, there is no need. We are already at your mercy, there is no need to hurt us further.” Star gasped out the words, his eyes turning beseechingly towards Talanwei and Thrandil in turn.

[Thrandil]

Thrandil nodded as Ulder had spoken. He tore two pieces of cloth from the sleeve of his shirt, long enough to blindfold them. He did the same with the bottom of his shirt to get pieces long enough to bind their hands.

The plead from Star was a strong one and Thran averted his eyes as the young man sought his. "I'm sorry, ninadhiel. I trust this man more than I trust either you or your sister. If he wants you tied and blindfolded, then that is where your mercy will be." Thrandil said, taking the hands of Star, starting to tie them as good as Star would let him.

He'd make sure to keep the hands of Star in front of the boy so he could at least break his fall if he should slip. When, and if, finished tieing the hands, Thran would test the knot.

[Guido Cercatoro]

Star made no further comment as Thrandil moved to bind and blindfold the robed youth. Indeed, he complied meekly allowing his captor to complete his task without hindrance. The knot appeared sound and sufficient to hold the youth. Moon remained unconscious, her breathing shallow but untroubled.

A few flickers later, the achadhiel guide arrived, explaining that Trajan had been tended to by a newly arrived healer and was being escorted back to Pax.

[Guido Cercatoro]

(OOC: given that events are now moving on well past the recess, my feeling is that we should wrap this up soon if all are in agreement. It can be assumed that the journey back goes without incident, Moon remains unconscious and Star docile. If you deliver them to the provost, I will then give some summary feedback on subsequent events. feel free to have one final post each if you wish.)

[Ulder]

OOC: A wrap up summary works for me. I think we were ready to head back to town.

[Thrandil]

OOC: agreed

[Talanwei Fortisse]

Talanwei did not know how to react to Ulder’s command. They were children younger than he surely. In his mind, the grotesque puppets made of the dead dwarves marched toward him in stilted motion. As much as appearances begged otherwise, these two were capable of atrocious things. No matter how Talanwei wanted to hear more of their story and try to understand what made them do these things it seemed there was no time for such. The Achadhiel gazed on Moon apologetically and allowed one of the other men to take Star from him. Ulder was a man he trusted, more than these two and the fact that the captain had stayed his blade meant much. If these two were to be given justice it should be at the hands of an official and not the edge of their swords.

Talanwei had made a decision by the campfire, one that he meant to act upon. There was no better time than the present as he stood and drew his sword. Putting himself in front of Ulder he set his jaw and his lips pursed as he looked to the swordsman. Since he was younger and until the day he had learned the Purple Guard was disbanded Talanwei had looked to Ulder and Sosa. In spending time with the man, the Achadhiel had learned that the myth he had built did not fit the actual man. Nonetheless, Talanwei had transitioned from idolatry to respect for the man. His heart pounded in his chest and he felt his insides twist in response to his anxiousness.

"Ulder, I heard your talk by the fireside and..." for a moment he lost his words. It was not a time to stumble, to stammer like a child. The hilt was in his left and Talanwei laid the flat of the blade on his upturned right palm he held the warden blade before him. The coolness of the steel brought his senses back and reminded the follower of Illuminatus of his aim.

"I give the Swordmark my sword and my life. To serve with honor and to die with valor is my promise. I swear it all before you and before the Gods themselves," said the Achadhiel with not a small measure of emotion. He had said it as Ulder had to his allies and Talanwei repeated it to show he had indeed been listening.

"Until its purpose is served or until I am unable, I will be here and my blade is pledged to the cause of the Swordmark," said Talanwei and took a deep breath. It was something that had weighed upon him since that eveningtide and truthfully, he was glad to have his intentions laid out plainly.

[hr]ooc: ok, now I'm done =D
[/hr]

[Ulder]

To have Talanwei suddenty swear his allegiance to the Swordmark was no small thing in Ulder's eyes. He trusted Talanwei, knew what he was capable of, and that he was a smart and honorable warrior. Although the former Captain did not subscribe to the same religious beliefs, he knew Talanwei's faith and devotion would not hinder his efforts, nor would he enslave others to his beliefs. In short, Ulder was surprised by the other man's earnestness as he swore an oath to him and the Swordmark.

Ulder drew his sword and laid it flat on top of Talanwei's warden blade.

"Its an honor to have you sir. Your oath is accepted and honored."

He sheathed his sword once again, and gave Talanwei a pat on the shoulder and a grin.

"Good to have you with us. Now let's head back to town and see what the Provost has to say about these two."

[Guido Cercatoro]

The journey back to Pax proved uneventful; Star rode silently, appearing morose and dejected, whilst his sister slept. The Provost and Tamerton were duly grateful and handed over the promised reward. A second expedition was mounted to hermitage but the remaining grey robes were nowhere to be found; the memory of the conflict at the stone cube slowly drifted from the memory of the citizens of the town, as other concerns dominated their thoughts.

A few days later, the Provost called the members of the hunt to a meeting; it was clear that he had either gained relatively little information from the two prisoners or preferred to reveal little. He intimated that he believed that the story that the two had told Ulder. They were not religious fanatics but had simply used the expedition as cover for their journey to the mountains. If they had other motives, the Provost was unable to discover them or the reason behind the intervention of the mountain spirit. As for the other group, the Provost was convinced that they were potentially dangerous. According to Star and Moon, the grey robes were essentially a personality cult centred around their leader, Seomar, who was a vengeful and troubled fellow, quite capable of exacting revenge on the town for the death of the mage, Catherine.

Strangely, Star and Moon received no trial; they remained locked in a cell within the barracks. The matter of the deaths of the dwarfs was investigated no further. And then, in the confusion surrounding the Day of the Dark, the two prisoners apparently escaped. The official story was that they had been released when the barracks had been under attack for their own safety and had used the opportunity to escape. However, first-hand accounts of what had transpired were elusive and the events at the barracks became the subject of wild rumour and conjecture. Deciphering fact from fiction was impossible. All that was clear was that the two were no longer prisoners and there were no signs that the authorities had attempted to pursue them…

(OOC Fin and well done all)