Kartakass: Chapter Seven

[steveflam]

Jacob accepts the folded paper and retires to a corner to read it. He burns it's contents on the open flame of a candle. Seeing Deari now without her dog, he calls out to her. "Deari, join me, won't you?"

Once she does, they have a quiet conversation amongst themselves. If any party attempt to join them, he waves them away. He does examine her short sword and has a close look at her leather armor. HE also takes a look at her bow before returning it to her. They speak for nearly two hours before Jacob nods to the woman, and excuses himself, heading for his room.


Meanwhile.............

Hobert attempts to sneak over to Cornelius, wagging his tail. The dwarf
might think he is trying to play a game with him, and he is right! The
dog tries to grab a pouch from Cornelius' hip with his mouth.

[BigBadQDaddy]

A few moments after Jacob and Deari head off for their private council, William looks to the others.
"Well, I'd say things just got interesting. What do you suppose that was all about? Maybe the new girl don't trust no one?" The sailor's speech is low as he speaks. Once he has said his peace, he looks towards the direction the other two headed off in.

[ewancummins]

Cornelius quickly stuffs the pouch inside his backpack.

''You don't want to eat that stuff, dog. It'll give you worms, that's certain.''

The dwarf-mage produces a piece of smoked meat and tosses it to the big ,slobbering animal.

''Here, have a snack.''

To William-

''Maybe she doesn't. Maybe I don't trust her entirely,either. Her sudden appearance back in Port-a-Lucine was awfully convenient, wasn't it? I say we keep an eye on her. ''

[A G Thing]

After the two hours have passed... Deari heads off to find the others with a slight nervousness about her... As Hobert comes up and smells of dried meat it seems that his playmate had found the correct response to his game...

Smiling she motions for them to talk when she spies them...

"I was wondering if we could all talk... I have already spoken with Jacob but wish to speak with all of you If I may? I must ask something and I wanted to run it by him first but it involves all of you, and I would not wish to abuse the trust you have shown me!"

[Ail]

Lucius had spent most of the time silent up until now. He was content with studying his surroundings and getting used again to Kartakass. But as he was more relaxed now, he simply replied to Deari

"go ahead, dear girl. I'm all ears (but don't take this too literally).

[A G Thing]

Deari seems to take a second to compose herself... Then she simply begins with some nervous tone...

"Well... I have choosen to ask you all for futher trust and favor, because I plan to give the same, and I have finally worked up the courage to ask... First I must tell you so that you are aware, I have two items of an arcane nature, and I thought it prudent to bring that knowledge to the fore now... I have no idea how I came into their possession since I have had them since I stumbled from the mists into Holtscord... My shortsword, which beyond what I believe to be arcane markings has no symbols on it as they have been removed... The other is my rather quality leather armor I am wearing... I wanted you to be aware of these because should I become unable to use them or the worst should befall me I want you to know what could be of use to you..."
"I also have to beg of a request should the worst happen... I have little I care for past Hobert, my bow, and my journal... I would ask that Hobert be found a good home, if not kept by one of you... (Looks with slight amusement at Cornelius!)
"The bow if possible should be returned to Holtscord to an older woman named Aggie who made and gifted it to me, or at least put to use if that is not possible... Finally the journal should also go to Aggie, or perhaps buried with me if also not possible..."

She looks slightly up as if swallowing some sort of inner battle and then continues...

"I have given the Journal to Jacob for the moment, and I have given him, and now you leave to read it though it is only the details of my mind since leaving the mists the first time... It was blank and while it has minor discriptions of things it is mostly for me to straighten my thoughts... Once he has finished I am sure he will give you a chance to read it..."

She exhales and then recomposes herself... Once more she begins...

"I apologise for going to just Jacob with this first, but I have had few who I could trust, and many who have attempted to take advantage..."
She lowers her head slightly... Her eyes red a stern look crosses her face slightly... Not angry just serious but with a slight tremor to her voice...
"I am hoping this is not an unreasonable request, I just wished you all to know that I do trust you... Truly! And I do owe you for that trust, and your aid before I even had that trust... You probably saved those peoples lives from my under preparedness, with those brigands. That thought scares me... I wish to pay you all back in kind for both of these gifts and the comforts they have brought me... I may have debts I do not remember, but I will not add further to that list the kindness of friends and people who trust me..."

[ewancummins]

Cornelius takes a draught of whatever it is he's keeping in that tin flask of his, before making reply-


''Owe us? For what? Look here, I'm glad to have you around, Deari. I'll admit I had some questions about you- in fact, I still do have questions. Maybe I can help you with your questions and mine, after this mission is completed. ''

[A G Thing]

Deari looks at Cornelius a little suprised... She seems slightly taken aback but seems to wilt into a calm...

"I... Well... You saved those people from my incompitence... I was alone on that job and, I... I was ignorent of what was needed to be known of my targets... You, Van, Lucius, and Jacob saved me from that consequence... I was ready to spring before you had come to my aid before I asked... I... I would have gotten one of those people killed... Not only that but you have all shown me something I have not seen since I started wandering in these lands... True trust, and good reason to trust you..."

Deari lowers her gaze to Hobert who has walked up between her and the group happily expecting petting. She bends down to do such not looking up as the next words leave her lips breaking with varing emotions...

"You have questions, and that is fine, but for once I now have little doubt that I am trusting people who won't prove themselves false... I have had other... 'Companions', and... They... I did not know who... Who they truly were, but I had assumed they would be as kind as they seemed... I had... I was wrong about them... I have been wrong several times... Trusting people has seldom worked out in my good fortune... And with some of the reactions that... Well people, have to me, I just tried to... Go it alone... Just me and Hobert! But I was wrong again... But for once I don't believe I am wrong... I have... Hope, again!"

A small but grim smile crosses Deari's face for but a short second, then the look is the same her head never looking up from the ground!

"You have taken me in when I needed to find work, you have all offered to help me with my 'problems' as they are, and you have had all the oppertunity to lie or steal or decieve me about it for I know no better... I owe you all... To me it is that simple... If I owe you by proving your trust is well founded in me then that is what I must do... I hope to one day earn that trust in full..."

Deari just kneels there, not moving, as Hobert appears to be licking something wet from her face... She simply seems to be waiting for something to happen...

[steveflam]

Old Kartakan Inn, Room on 2nd floor

The man sat at the desk, feet up. Eyeing the two people he'd summoned carefully, he nodded.

"So the Inn is now in full repair. I feel that the perpetrators of the fire have foolishly returned to Kartakass. I want no mistakes. Bring them to me alive. Is that so hard to accomplish?"

"I don't fear them, but those elves are powerful. I don't think it'll be easy" the tall woman said.

The elf spoke "Let us bring a dozen, that should suffice"

The man smiled. "Bring as many as you deem necessary, but don't fail me. After what they've cost me, I wish to deal out their punishment in
person. You know how I take personal pleasure in these matters, Finrod and Katherina."

The woman grinned but said nothing. The elf on the other hand had more to add. "Sir, just I and your friends might not be enough. I'm telling you, these elves are powerful. I am positive we need more than your, how should I put it, well immediate family."

The man with the monocle and outrageous hat observed the elf. On the one hand, he could send more family to deal with this threat. Thinking about it, he did after all, take heed of Finrod's opinion.

"Very well, Finrod. Seven of my family, yourself and Katherina, and my two special problem solvers, Jianka and Malinka. Rest assured, these foreigners will pay with their lives."

The woman nodded to the man and the elf, Finrod was now satisfied. "Very well. Where are they?"

"They were in Cortton. Now on their way to Pel. Take this" he hands the elf a scroll. "Use it. It will send you and the rest to a point where these cretins are, on the way to Pel. Do not fail me, I warn you" the monocled man tells the elf. He rises from his chair, and without further adieu, exits the room.

[steveflam]

The next morning, you have a good breakfast. Once done it is time to go resupply and procure horses to travel throughout Kartakass. Thankfully, the credit note honors your needs, and thus you need not disburse any coinage once more. It is nearly the noon hour when you’re ready to depart Cortton.

The travel is easy enough. Mostly forest and more deep forest along the way to Pel. As the last time, animal sounds are strangely absent, but now you can imagine why. The supper hour arrives and you stop to eat what rations you have. Once done, Jacob suggests “We should travel until sundown then I’ll create our shelter for the night as well as one for our horses.”

Sure enough at sundown, there is no problem to finding an open space to create the said
shelters and you retire in the comfort of the magical buildings. Nothing transpires that night, or the next three days.

The fourth day of travel passes without incident, but you get the feeling you’re being watched. Hobert is antsy, and growls at the forest. When investigated, nothing is discovered. Sundown approaches and you are alert. Up ahead it appears that something is transpiring. Slowing down, you can see 8 huge shapes surrounding a wagon and it’s sole rider on a horse! At your approach, some turn and all eight howl in unison! Then 6 of them dash towards the party at full throttle. You quickly realise these are lycanthropes of a sort! The remaining two attack the wagon and rider.

[steveflam]

Round 1

The first wolfwere on the scene attacks the closest foe, being Lucius. They move extremely fast to get to you as a matter of fact. The beast snarls at Lucius even as it attempts to claw him once, missing. Lucius manages to move out of the way of the huge paw, but leaves an opening for the things massive maw. It swipes in and bites him on the arm, razor sharp teeth piercing his skin and tearing a piece off. Unfortunately for Lucius he can't keep his concentration for his Haste spell and loses it.

The next beast rages in and focuses on Cornelius. Apparently it thought dwarf might be really tasty! It's claw swipes in and strikes Cornelius, nearly making his miscast his spell. Luckily he keeps his concentratin even as the deadly claws pierce his lower abdomen, opening a small wound.

Van gets his spell off with no difficulty, immediately flying 30 feet above the party. He does hear familiar words of power from near the wagon and realises he is in trouble. His spell is now dispelled! He falls to the ground, badly twisting his ankle and knee.

William gets a shot off, hitting the beast near Lucius in the chest. The bullet pierces the lycan's chest, but shockingly is pushed back out the wound reclosing.

Cornelius' ball of fire targets the four remaining wolfies rushing the party.
They are consumed in a big blast of fire, burning and thrashing on the ground, until they are no more. The stench of burning flesh is almost too
much to bear.

Deari and Hobert make it to the forest and have a good vantage point of the scene. Hobert's hackles are raised buut he remains by Deari's side.
The woman can take a show with her bow next round.

Jacob speaks a word of power, and vanishes, only to reappear between the two beasts and the wagon. His blades are out and his back is to the wagon. The two beasts react quickly and trun to flank him. From behind the wagon two figures emerge and move towards Jacob, one man in the midst of casting the other man, an elf, unsheathing a nasty looking blade. It looks to be oozing with some blackish liquid.


Thus ends Round 1

Results of Round 1

Van casts fly but the spell is dispelled and he falls 30 feet to the ground
taking 10 pts of damage, twisting his ankle and knee.

Lucius is attacked by a beast, being bitten, taking 7 damage. His haste spell fails.

Cornelius is attacked by a beast, taking 8 pts of dmg on his abdomen. His fireball, however, gets off and he kills 4 wolfies!!!!!

William gets a shot off at the wolfie nearest Lucius. It does seem to hit it, but the silver bullet has absolutely no effect against the wolfie.

Daeri nd Hobrt make it with no difficulty to the side of the road and cover. Deari has a good view of the scene and with her bow in hand, she can shoot next turn.

Jacob casts Dimension Door to head off the two wolfies there. Unfortunately for him, they move to attack him. These two are much bigger than the other two. Even worst is a man and an elf emerge from the front of the wagon and move towards Jacob. One is armed and the other is in the midst of casting a spell.

Foes
#1,2,4,5 dead to a crisp by Fireball.
#3 & 6 weren't hit by the blast and are fully healthy.

#7 n 8 are healthy as well.
The two men are thus uninjured.

[BigBadQDaddy]

William looks at the beast, awestruck and bordering terrified. He scrambles to reload his pistol, this time with standard pistol shot.
"Blasted ole wives tales...Lets see how they like the taste of lead!"

[steveflam]

Round Two

The elf moves first, attacking Jacob from behind. Though he does appear ot hit, the blade glances off Jacob's back, as if he had some type of magical protection. The elf curses and moves back, thinking aobut his next move. The human man attempts to let loose his incantation, but Van's Dispel attempt works, and his spell fizzles!

Jacob registers the attack but has his hands full with the two largest lycans of the former. As again, they do actu ally hit him, but the attacks bouce off. Jacob grins as he moves in and attacks the first one. His first attack slices true, lopping the things arm off. His second is even more efficient as he lops the head off. He continues and going with the momentum of the head chopping manoeuver he cuts the beast deep across the chest, blood and guts pouring out. He uses his last attack to run the thing through the heart. It howls in pain then stops moving all together, lifeless on Jacob's blade. He drops it to the ground and turns to face his two foes. It looks like Jacob was moving very fast if anyone was paying attention.

One beast moves to attack Cornelius and on both accounts misses. The dwarf gets his spell off with no problem.

The other remaining beast can't seem to attain Lucius and the man gets his Prayer spell off.

Deari's entangle spell goes off in front of the party, but the beasts are too dextrous for it, and move slightly slower than usual,but that's it. Hobert stays near her.

William loads his pistol.

Thus ends Round 2


Results of Round 2

The mage and fighter attack Jacob but it is futile. Van has dispelled
the mages spell and the fighters blade bounced off Jacob.

The two Lycans attack Jacob but to no ado. Jacob kills both of them.

Lucius gets his Prayer off.

Deari's entangle spell slow down the two remaining beasts after they attack Lucius and Cornelius to no avail.

Cornelius casts Stoneskin.

William loads his pistol.

Foes
Two beasts left #3 & 6
Mage & Fighter

[steveflam]

Round 3

The elf says a word of power and disappears from site. Van realises it was a teleport, but wasn't fast enough to dispel it. The human man grins and saying a word, which anyone paying atteniton to him will realise it's an activation for an item, disappears from site as well.

Jacob frowns and turns, moving towards the party and the remaining two threats.

Seeing as the two men are gone, Van will turn his attention to his wounds and leave the others to the fight.

William gets a shot off at one of the beasties. Though the bullet does hit, it does no damage at all!

Cornelius brings into being a lightning bolt that hits one wolfie then the other! The beasts barely survive before Lucius gets off a sound lance which terminates the last remaining lycans!

Deari, seeing as the two remaining foes are gone, puts away her bow and joins the others.

"I am concerned about those two who are gone. And I suspect that we were somehow expected. We shouldn't tarry to Pietro's place. What do you make of this?"

[A G Thing]

"Well that could be... But what of the wagon? I don't hear any sound from it and I think that if it was part of the attack we will find perhaps some proof of it there?"

Deari perks up her ears as she also glances to see if she can tend to the others wounds... She however shakes her head several times and seems almost intoxicated as she slowly moves about...

Hobert still riled somewhat plods yet oddly and unaturally subdued into the road center as well...