Tales of Faerun

[Deleted6317247User]

"Thank you," Nawen said smiling when Amendale agreed to teach her healing, "I'm looking forward to-" she started saying but then stopped as she noticed one of the Centaurs looking at her and saying something in elvish.

 

"What did he say?" She asked out loud as she couldn't understand elvish.

 

'He's wondering if you'd like to buy some handmade junk." Shalena said as she peeked at the Centaurs baskets. She didn't feel like stealing anything from them because one swift kick with those horse legs would most likely send her flying across the camp.

 

"You have no idea what he really said, do you?" The drow asked with the slight frown on her face.

 

"Nope," The piratess grinned, "not a word."

[josh900]

Tannin hid his inner thoughts well, he wanted nothing more than to laugh at the Centaur's and mock their usual racism. So he bit his tongue and remained civil. "We'll keep that in mind then, than you for the warning." He smiled before turning to the others at the camp. "So they're willing to trade with us if any of you would like to."

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Lucas felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest When Rhaine kissed his forehead. His face lit up in a bright red color, forcing him to bow his head to try and keep it hidden. "T- t t thank you, Miss Alcinea, you won't regret this." When she asked about the culprit he raised his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't get a good look at him. He just..moved too fast and I was too far behind everyone to see. I remember his sword was just..black. Or at least the streaks it left in the air were. His voice was weird too, at first he sounded almost..regal but then it.. changed, sounded almost like he spoke with a drawl of sorts. But that's it.... I know it's not enough but... it's all I know." He said in a disappointing manner.

[Brutii]

Daud looked at the Centaurs with suspicion, but shrugged it off, deciding it was just paranoia from hearing someone speaking foreign languages. He sighed weakly at the idea of the word 'trade'. Not like I have anything left trading, he thought as he grimaced and glanced off into the distance. The horse he had mounted trotted a few steps away, and down viciously tugged the reins to stop it, glaring down at the old beast who stared back at him with defiant eyes. He bit his bottom lip and resisted the urge to put his fist through the old nags head. He wrapped the reins around his hand, tightening his grip on it and shortening the length the horse had, restricting it as he continued to regard the group, and the horse didn't try to move again but kept making displeased grunts from under him. Daud grimaced again, the horse could do with some food, he supposed, but then so could he... he really needed to get some money fast, he hadn't brought anywhere near enough and... Well, what did it matter. He'd find something to eat later.

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine's brow furrowed as she listened to Lucas's description of the attacker. A black sword that left streaks in the air? Changing accents? The Doomguide exchanged puzzled glances with Conall...

 

...and then it was as if both reached the realization at the same moment, for they both spoke simultaneously in tones of disbelief.

 

"Tannin."

 

After a breath or two of silence, she nodded to Lucas, "Thank you. I do believe that's enough for us to go on. And please...it's just Rhaine." Despite the fact that several in the group addressed her as "Lady Rhaine" or "my lady," the Doomguide did not think such a formal address necessary.

 

With that, she spun on her heel and began making her way out of the city with purpose in her steps. Her anger was returning, and her faith in what goodness Tannin possessed was diminishing with every step. Conall kept up with her, his strides lengthening, "Milady, you must beseech Tannin to get rid of that sword. It is a dark thing, and I just...feel that it must be partly to blame for this."

 

Rhaine did not answer, but in her head, she was agreeing with the werewolf paladin. There was an indescribable evil about that weapon, and it had been a horrid presence ever since the half-drow had recovered it from Kento. She knew that it had a great possibility of fueling Tannin's murderous impulses, and if he kept this up, she could not, in good conscience, keep his true nature from their companions any longer. Yet, something told her that she needed to hear his side of the story first, no matter how hard it might be to believe. It was difficult to trust one such as him, but if Lucas's companions had been hunting her with the purpose of doing her harm, then it was possible that Tannin had killed them in her defense.

 

Possible, but she doubted it.

 

Still, the manner in which they were slaughtered was entirely unnecessary. That infuriated her even more than their actual deaths, just as it had when he and the others had torn apart the Zhent camp in the Anauroch. Such bloodthirsty behavior was inexcusable.

 

She approached their encampment to see a group of centaurs conversing with the culprit himself. It appeared they were traders, with all the baskets and bags of goods they had with them. Zorica and Dagny were tentatively looking over their hand-crafted products when the latter glanced up and spotted Rhaine approaching, Conall close behind her.

 

"Oh dear," the dwarf woman said quietly, "she looks angry."

 

Zorica stepped back and straightened, "And something tells me that's a bad thing. A very bad thing."

 

Gesturing at the centaurs, Argyros addressed the traders, "Our leader is here. The one with the wings. We are to be moving as soon as possible, on her orders. Perhaps you should make your way to the city, now."

 

The centaurs nodded and began moving away, cautiously eyeing Rhaine as they passed her and continuing on towards Iljak without another word. As they departed, Rhaine closed the gap between her and her companions, stopping with her hands on her hips.

 

The Doomguide indicated the young squire, "This is Lucas. He is another member of my church, and he has expressed the desire to join us in our quest."

 

Zorica immediately saluted, curling her fist to her chest, "Welcome, Lucas. I am Zorica D'Aurelis of the Eternal Order. It is a pleasure and honor to make your acquaintance."

 

"Get ready to leave within half an hour," Rhaine continued, "We must move quickly if we are to cross the Shaar in a timely manner." As her eyes swept over the party, she let her eyes at last fall on Tannin, and her gaze bored holes into him.

 

"You and I need to talk. Now."

 

She jerked her head to indicate for him to move a bit away from the camp so they could speak in relative privacy.

 

=================================

 

Quarylene's fanged mouth opened in a sneer as she looked upon Ravenna, and she followed the trail of ash with her pupil-less eyes to see the fallen brazier at the bottom of the steps. So it seemed she wasn't the only one enraged by current events...

 

The drow shifted her weight onto one foot, crossing her arms, "So...now what, oh ingenious Devil Queen? Now that it seems even you have been manipulated by Lolth...? Hmm? What other plans do you have that will turn out in the spider goddess's favor?"

 

The vampiress's fury was almost palpable. Wriggling out from under the influence of Lolth was, apparently, going to take gargantuan efforts...efforts that had a chance of actually pleasing the very goddess whom she wanted to upset.

Edited April 4, 2014 by AurianaValoria1

[Deleted6317247User]

"Hello," Nawen greeted the half-elf that came back with those who were in town, "I'm Nawen. Pleased to meet you."

 

"Another Kelemvor worshiper?" Shalena groaned, "by the time we'll reach the last of those thingamajigs we're going to have a whole church of Kelemvorites following us."

 

"And this is Shalena," Nawen gestured to the pirate before glancing at her, "I wouldn't mind. They're better prepared fighting undead than some of us."

 

"Yeah, but my ship isn't large enough to ferry an army of gloomy priests around." The pirate said as she walked over to her crew and ordered them to hurry up with the packing, while Nawen shot a glance at Rhaine. She seemed really angry for some reason.

 

"Did anything bad happen in town?" She asked as she approached Conall.

[josh900]

When Rhaine returned with the young squire Tannin immediately knew what she wanted to talk about. he followed her out of the camp but spoke as they walked. "Yes we do, I ran into some interesting fellows while I was in town, they were very intent on meeting you." He said when they were far enough away out of earshot. "Weren't too happy when I didn't take them to you." He said, lifting up his shirt so that she could see his injury.

"The new guy there, Lucas was it? He was with em, actually tried to talk some sense into the group, didn't work of course but he tried at least. Apparently they're calling you "The False One" in certain circles, something about you not being the true Chosen or something, I stopped paying attention when one of em shot me with a crossbow, kinda put a damper on the attempt at diplomacy you see."

--------------

 

Lucas greeted everyone in the group in a nervous manner. With so many strange beings he felt rather uncomfortable. Though with Zorica being a member of Kelemvor's church yet still following Rhaine he felt more comfortable with her around. "Good to see that not all of the order have lost their minds."

 

"Most have." Azuris grunted from a few feet away.

 

Lucas was startled by Azuris's grunt, but immediately recognized him as the supposed traitor that was traveling with Rhaine. "You're uh... you're sir Azuris yes?" Lucas asked nervously.

 

"Not a sir anymore."

 

"Well.... Just know that not everyone thinks you did the wrong thing, I know of several members of the order that have done the same as you, you just.... umm.."

 

"Had worse luck than them, I know."

 

Lucas was about to say something else when his hand was suddenly grabbed by a much smaller one and was almost violently shook around as a small voice chattered on. "Hi I'm Hexol nice to meet you Lucas, so you're a knight too huh? I've met a few knights before but none that were young as you but then you look like you got pointy ears so I think you're part elf so then it makes sense that you look young how old are you anyways I'm a lot older than what most people think I am can you guess how old I am I bet you can't-"

"Hex!" Azuris called, getting the Kender's attention.

 

"Yes?" Hexol asked.

 

"Where are your things? We're leaving soon." Azuris informed him, hoping that he would let the new comer a chance to breath.

 

Hexol's eyebrow arched as he made a quizzical face while thinking. He let go of Lucas's hand and turned to the rest of the group. "I gotta go back to jail now! I'll be right back!" He said before running off back towards the city, leaving both Lucas and Azuris rather confused.

 

"Back to jail?" They both said at the same time. Both wondering what sort of trouble the tiny fellow had been in.

[Quintatas]

Xundus didn't pay too much attention to the centaurs, only occasionally listening to their conversation with Tannin since they were talking in Elven, a language he hadn't used in years. Like most mornings, he was quiet, not saying a word. The centaurs did catch his attention, however, when they mentioned a rogue half-breed, which apparently didn't take too fondly to drow. It made him think of first coming to the surface, of being struck down in a remote village. That was when he had started wearing a mask.

 

As he thought of it, he realized much of his gear was at least a little damaged; his chainmail, the enchantment long-gone, was weathered and ragged in places, and his leather jerkin was almost in shreds. Perhaps it would do me good to go shopping, he thought.

 

Spurred on by the thought, he got all the way to the town only to realize he had no coins left.

[AurianaValoria1]

Zorica glared at Shalena and muttered in response to Nawen's defense, "Certainly better than the likes of you..."

 

Sighing, the half-drow then looked around at the others as they packed up their gear, "So..anyone mind letting me share a mount? I have no horse of my own."

 

Meanwhile, Conall glanced at Nawen as he checked his gear and made sure all of his belongings were either in his pack or in his horse's saddlebags, "Unfortunately, yes. A group of Rhaine's clergymen were slaughtered...presumably some who thought she wasn't the real Chosen of Kelemvor and wanted to kill her. And it looks like he," the paladin jerked his thumb at Tannin, "Was the one who did the slaughtering with that awful blade of his."

 

Zorica's face hardened as her amber gaze followed Conall's gesture to behold Tannin talking with Rhaine. Biting her lip and deciding to leave it to their leader to handle, she then replied, "Ridiculous. Anyone with the sense Ao gave a kobold would know she's the real thing."

 

The werewolf sighed, "That's just it. One of the survivors...one that Rhaine healed herself...kept spouting off about how she was a fake. Lucas was the only thing standing between him and death. Wish he'd had the brains to realize that."

 

"Great," Zorica threw her hands in the air, "That's just what we needed."

 

"By the way," Conall added as he untethered his grey stallion, "You can ride with me if you like. You look light enough that you shouldn't give him any trouble." He then mounted up and offered his hand to her. Zorica gladly accepted, swinging up behind him and holding on to his belt. Aodh fluttered over and landed on Conall's shoulder, humming happily as he perched like a statue on the paladin's pauldron.

 

Looking up at the pair, Dagny put her hands on her hips, "Oy! And wha' about me? Me donkey died a long time ago, ye know, and I'm not exactly fit for walkin' all the way across the Shaar."

 

Argyros grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his silvery eyes, "Weakling. Do you want me to carry you?"

 

The dwarf woman laughed heartily, "Pah! You? Carry a dwarf? The seas would sooner fall into the sky."

 

The pale elf merely smiled mysteriously and went about checking on the other members of the party, making sure they were making good time.

 

Conall chuckled at Lucas and Azuris's incredulous inquiry about Hexol, "Seems the fellow's odd habit of attracting valuable objects finally got him into trouble with the local authorities. But for some reason, the guard wanted nothing to do with him and promptly released him back into our care. Seems he left behind his belongings, though."

 

Outside camp, Rhaine was staring daggers through Tannin, her arms crossed tightly atop her breastplate, "Yes. I know. I heard all about it. I saw the mess you made, too. I had a good mind to make you go back and clean it all up with your own hands, but then I realized we didn't have the time to waste. Self-defense I can understand, but you know from Azuris that I don't like it when my brothers and sisters are slain - misguided though they may be - and I especially don't like it when someone tears them apart like a bloodthirsty beast."

 

She took his collar into her fist and jerked him forward so that he was nose-to-nose with her, much like she had done with Sir Marko, "You and I both know that you have a lot to hide...and it's getting a little difficult to keep up the facade, especially now that I know exactly what you can do when you lose control. I thought better of you. I thought you could rein in the murderous impulses in your blood. Apparently, I was wrong. If you can't control yourself, then I can't, in good conscience, keep your secret from the others anymore...do I make myself clear?"

 

The Doomguide forcefully shoved him away, "That...thing you call a weapon...I want it gone. I want it disposed of, preferably someplace where it will harm no one ever again. Ideally, I want it obliterated, destroyed, winked out of existence...however you want to call it. It's obvious that it only fuels the thirst for blood in your veins. If you are to continue traveling with us, I want your oath that you will find a way to get rid of it. Permanently. Can I trust your oath? Can I put any more faith in you? My conscience tells me no. But I want to hear it from your lips, anyway."

 

She stepped back and didn't take her emerald gaze off of him, flexing her gauntleted fists and taking deep breaths to calm herself. She swallowed a hard lump in her throat; no one seemed to be able to anger her like he could. It further upset her that she could never seem to trust him. Ever since he had revealed his seemingly real nature with the arrival of Kento, his presence was...a double-edged sword to say the least. There was no denying that Tannin was an incredible fighter - heroic, and even reckless in their defense. But there was always the deceitful side of him that made her reluctant to keep him around. She recalled their conversation aboard the Sea Compass and her thoughts about him then - similar to her thoughts about him now. She remembered his words...remembered him warning her not to trust him...

 

The Doomguide began to question. Would she ever know the "real" Tannin? Had the actor become such an integral part of him that he had lost himself entirely?

 

Or was...this...the real Tannin? And the actor had been born to fight the Bhaalspawn within?

 

She felt her eyes grow hot, and she blinked, realizing that she actually pitied him...pitied a man who had to live like that. She met his own violet eyes and searched them - looking deeply into them as if she were trying to read a tome in an ancient tongue - and yet knowing that she would never find the truth.

[josh900]

Through all of Rhaine's tangent, Tannin kept a small smirk on his face. He knew it would only anger her further but part of him didn't care too much. There she was again throwing out accusations without knowing all of the details, it was all getting rather tiresome. He let out a sigh when she finished. "You've never.... watched.. me fight before have you? Think you would have brought this up earlier if you had." He said scratching his chin. "Have I ever.... Told you about my father? He never told me this himself but I read all of his journals and.... He was never taught how to fight, could never learn, couldn't memorize the maneuvers or the steps or anything. That man.... killed untold thousands. Brought down several armies with just a handful of people, and not a single victory was because of any sort of training. Those of us... descendants of Bhaal we're... We're a different breed of killers all together you see. We don't train for hundreds of hours till all the steps and whatnot are just muscle memory, everything is already muscle memory. I don't think about how I'm going to kill a man charging at me, I just do it, and in very brutal ways I know, but it's not premeditated, not usually anyways. It's not really something that I can explain but it's not a bloodlust or anything it's.... Like moving my arm, I don't know exactly how I do it I just.. do it." He said, knowing that she wouldn't exactly understand, but he felt like she needed at least some sort of explanation. He liked to fight sure, but he wasn't an animal that needed it.

 

"And I will say that part of it does come from the fact that my teen years were spent in the slums of Neverwinter." He admitted, not sure if he had spoken to anyone of the group about his early life. "You've been there before, you saw what it was like. When I was growing up it was much worse. I had to kill a lot of people to keep myself and the other kids alive and safe, and I had to kill in brutal fashions. Nothing scares away a group of thugs quite like watching their friend get torn to ribbons by some five foot nothing half-drow demon child." He said with a chuckle.

"I'm not going to apologize for how I fight, it doesn't come from any sort of need for blood or anything, it just come with being what I am, I can't fight against who I am when I'm killing and to be honest... it doesn't matter what I'm like then. A person's who they are after the fighting's done, not during. It's the quiet moments after that speak the loudest of a man's character.... think." He said with a cocked head and puzzled look on his face.

"Read that somewhere and might have messed the saying up, but the point still stands I'd say." He said with a genuine smile.

"And the sword's smart, listens to everything. So sorry, but I'm not swearing to anything while it's around."

-----------------------------

 

"You can ride with me Dagny." Azuris said as he finished storing his tent and supplies away. "Doubt the extra weight will bother Bob." He said, patting the uncaring horse's side.

Edited April 6, 2014 by josh900

[AurianaValoria1]

Rhaine sighed heavily, shaking her head and hissing in irritation, "No, you'll forgive me if I don't watch your every move on the battlefield while someone - or something - else is trying to kill me." She paced from side to side like a predatory cat, her arms crossed again, adding, "Purposeful or not, your method leaves the undead in its wake...which just makes my job that much harder and causes lasting damage far beyond a person's physical death. Perhaps you should think on that, in the quiet moments after battle."

 

Stopping, she took in a deep breath, "I thank you for your explanation, your frankness, and for not making a promise you cannot keep. But you'll pardon me if I respond with a bluntness of my own: my sentiments will not change. Should anything else happen that might reveal your heritage to our companions, I will not take any more pains to hide it. If they inquire, I shall answer with truth."

 

With that, the Doomguide turned away and began walking towards the others. After a few paces, however, she stopped and turned back.

 

"If I may speak my mind more..." she paused and glanced at the ground, "You sadden me, Tannin Virson, and I know not why. I think...there is so much more that you could be..."

 

She cut herself off as she realized it was a wasted effort, and she shook her head again, "Nevermind."

 

As Rhaine strode over to Azrael and mounted up, Dagny accepted Azuris's offer with a friendly grin, "Thank ye." The dwarf woman looked around and made sure she had everything with her before accepting his aid in getting onto Bob's back. The horse was so massive that her legs could not curl around his flanks, and they stuck out awkwardly on both sides.

 

"Oooooh, deary!" she remarked as she held on to the saddle and peered down at the ground, which seemed so far beneath her, "Me feet are starting to look better already!"

 

===================================================

 

It was well into the afternoon when they found themselves in the midst of the outer edge of the Chondalwood, following the Old Road towards Elbulder. They were making fairly good time; the weather remained pleasant, and the giant trees offered mercifully cool shade from the increasingly warm sun of the region.

 

Argyros had insisted on remaining on foot, despite offers to share horses with him. Thus, he acted as a bit of a scout, moving slightly ahead of everyone else. His elven endurance was a blessing , as he never seemed to tire even as they went mile after mile.

 

Suddenly, though, he held up his hand and halted their progress, a concerned look on his pale countenance, "Do you feel...something is watching us?"

 

As he glanced around, Rhaine put a hand to her weapon...

 

...and a peal of echoing laughter abruptly rang out - feminine and lilting.

 

"Ah, me. Look at you. Come to hunt me down, have you?"