Tide of Shadows

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:18 pm

Smiling at the clerk, Fehl nonetheless heard Eight's response in the background. "My thanks to you - I'm sure my golem's share will be used wisely, as he needs regular care."

"So," he said addressing the others, with a very slight smirk in Eight's direction, "shall we go?"

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:28 pm

"I think first we should introduce one another," Ceridwen said, looking from Golem to Man. "I am the Lady Ceridwen SilverStar, a Paladin of the 4th rank in service to Bahumet the Platnium. My squire is Volemack SilverStar."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:36 pm

"Ah, my apologies for my lack of manners," said Fehl, looking chastened not at all. "I am Fehl Inzeti, a Duskblade who enjoys the traveling life for now. The metal mishap with me is my golem, whom I call Eight for no reason other than it fits."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:01 am

"Bartel Conaghan, billet cleric of Saint Cuthbert," Bartel said with a nod. "Inzeti here and I have already met."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:09 pm

Volemack reappeared, having found a mule that wasn't as skittish as it could be. Honestly, he needed a human. Horse-shapes were easy. He saluted. "Got the horse and.. Uh.." A cough. "A mule, ready to go." He said anxiously, looking between the rest. His eyes laid to rest on Eight.

"...Oh, cool! The golem is coming?! I bet he's cool! And strong! Does he talk?" There went the six year old instincts again.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:12 pm

"Yes, no, yes, and sometimes too much," Fehl replied with a smirking glance at Eight. "This golem and I tend to get along, so he tags along with me. Sometimes vise-versa."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:45 pm

The construct turned and looked at the boy, then over at Fehl. "We will require a manner of transportation better than walking."

The construct did not seem to have any reaction to Fehl's comments on if he was cool.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:14 am

Volemack's eyebrows furrowed together. "...You're right, you're gonna be heavy. Hey! Do you mind carts? I bet we could find a cart! With lots of straw-.. Wait, do golems like relaxing straw to lie on?"

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:31 am

"Let's walk outside and make our plans," Ceridwen suggested. "Volemack and I have yet to take breakfast .. we can discuss travel arrangements then." She could also get a look at the mule Volemack 'found'. She would be most annoyed if he'd forgotten to pay for it.

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:36 pm

Eight looked at the boy. "A cart would be sufficient, straw is unnecessary."

The construct remained motionless, waiting for prompting from it's master to leave.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:31 pm

Bartel looked mildly amused for a moment before his face lapsed into a stern look. "A mule? Might I ask where you got it, young master?" It was quite obvious from the squire's tone that they hadn't come in with it.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:09 pm

"It was just around, no sign of who owned it." Volemack lifted a gauntleted finger. "Now I know you'll be mad, Auntie, but I was smart this time. I left gems to pay for it. And a note in case the gems weren't enough for a new mule."

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:19 pm

From the looks of it, Fehl had had long experience in keeping a straight face, though he was having some difficulties now. "Sounds perfectly above-board to me. Let's go, Eight," he said, as he re-affixed the second strap around his greatsword.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:26 pm

Ceridwen was now a little worried the child had paid enough gems for a full warhorse. She did notice the Cuthbertian was a bit worried about where the mule came from. "Before we leave, Father, we shall have to make sure the owner finds the gems."

A hard look is given Volemack as she takes his arm and starts steering him outside, following Fehl and his golem outside. "We were not leaving immediately, Volemack," she childed her young ward. "You had time to go to the stable and pay for one properly."

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:28 am

The construct followed it's master silently, giving no hint of either amusement or disdain at the fleshy creature's utter lack of propriety. "The purchasing of a cart can be added to the list of work expenses."

The golem glanced back at the others, and seemed almost thankful for a moment that they would soon be leaving the confines of the town.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:42 am

"I have a cart. And a mule, as chance would have it," Bartel observed dryly. "So yes, where did you find the mule?"

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:22 am

"Over by the inn." Volemack had That Sinking Feeling again. It meant there was going to be Trouble, and it would be His Fault. He had specifically told not to cause trouble with the Cuthbertians, and now he might've tried to buy one of their mules without permission!

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:22 pm

Several hours, and several discussions of ethics, later, the tiny hamlet of Blackdell came into view. Situated in a small depression in the generally flat landscape, it was the nexus of a number of large fields out in the plains, a tiny stream running next to it, providing water for the community and the crops.

As the sun started to set, brilliant orange-red with strange tints of green among the usual purples and blues of the twilight clouds travelling from the west out towards the ocean far, far in the east, the only sounds not generated by the party was the rustle of waist high summer crops blowing in the ever present wind. Not a voice could be heard, not a plume of smoke from a hearth could be seen.

It was quiet.

Very quiet.

Charon · Post by **Charon** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:41 pm

The construct had almost seemed to grow more and more visibly irritated with every discussion on morality and ethics. But that was probably just a trick of the eyes and the light.

As the town came into view, the construct seemed unfazed by the unnatural quiet. "The town is dead, the wildlife either spooked or gone. Definately smells of magic."

Speaking like that was rather odd of a golem, but Eight was tired of hiding himself.

rhoenix · Post by **rhoenix** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:43 pm

Nodding slightly with a grim look on his face as he looked the town over, and showing no sign that what Eight just did was in any way unusual, Fehl nodded. "Aye. Think they left presents for uninvited guests, or was this a one-time party, I wonder?"

With that, Fehl began to look around carefully, walking slowly as he did.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:47 am

"It's too quiet indeed, my metal friend," Bartel said with a somewhat suspicious look on his face. Whether he was suspicious of the quiet or the construct was difficult to discern. He jumped down from the driver's bench of his cart and seized his cudgel. "Grab what you need. We're going in on foot." His well-oiled, blackened armor scraped softly as he reached into the back and grabbed his equipment bandoleer, checking the various potions, scrolls, and gear in turn.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:38 am

Ceridwen gave the golem a hard look. She had heard him speak in the tavern, and now she was starting to wonder just how much control Fehl truly had over the steel monster.

"I agree," she said, sliding off her horse and tethering him to the back of the wagon with enough room for the animal to graze. "On foot, then. I will take the lead. Volemack, stay near Father Bartel. If there is anything down there, remember your sword practice."

It was a hint for the dragonet to stay human. She hoped the youngster would remember that, and not get excited and go to his dragon form. While even a small dragon was dangerous, Ceridwen wanted to keep the child's true self hidden.

But so far, Hlar the Trickster was having a -lot- of fun at her expense.

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:14 am

The streets were empty but for the lengthening shadows as the sun set in the distance, but there was evidence that they were not always so. The dirt paths that served as streets between the silent buildings had marks in them that might suggest that large objects had been dragged across their surface recently. There was also the noticeable sickly sweet stench of rot and decay hanging in the air.

The source of the decay seemed to get stronger towards the little wooden church at the centre of the tiny community.

The animals also seemed restless, unwilling to approach the thorp but anxious at being left alone as well. Their anxiety seemed to permeate the air, charging it as the last rays of the sun started to die away as the sky faded to purple and blue.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:54 am

Bartel unslung his shield and strapped it to his arm as they advanced. "Stay together," he told the group in a grim tone. "The stench is coming from the church. We should check there first." He didn't add that he wanted to consecrate the building, if it's original blessing had lapsed or, worse, been replaced with some foul deity's curse.

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:25 am

Bartel was just starting to move towards the church when a sudden force picked him up and hurled him a full bowshot out of the village, to come to skidding stop as the loamy soil deformed under the weight of his passage and his armour.

Deathly silence was all that accompanied this attack.

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Tide of Shadows

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