4 - 008: The Fourth Piece

[K Man]

Just an out-game note: King Grandil was standing behind king Sturmguard in the previous post, not in the war room. I'll drop out of this discussion now; this might've been brought up a bit late, so handle it however you wish. Just something I thought needed to be said.

{ ;D How very astute of you...pardon my incontinuity. Grandil was with Sturmguard and so he shall still be with him.}

{Anyone seen Galdren lately?}
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Garor - King Grandil notices you and meets you aside, speaking in lower tones so that you conversation is private. He smiles, aged yellowed teeth splitting the feiry red beard of the Battlehammer Clan. He nods approvingly.



"I knew a true son of Bazakrak couldn't be killed that easily. It does me heart good to see ye Garor..."

"What is ye need?"

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Girud, Galdren, Yuri, Krysta, Alton and Mordrock - King Sturmguard looks to the giant.



"If you want to speak with them Girud, I cannot stop you. I can just ill-advise against it and wish that you would not be so carefree with your life...the city just got you back, would be a shame to lose you now."

He focuses on everyone else, his gem about the neck glittering in the sunlight.

"I can send word immediately to Master Theld to re-start the machine. I imagine he could have it working as earlier as tomorrow. I will send word now."

King Sturmguard leans over, calls for a swift looking young man dressed in traveler's gear. He tells the command to the young man and sends him on his way. The man disappears moments later and you barely catch a glimpse of him on horseback heading to the rear city gate.

Sturmguard turns back to you all.



"Very well, attempts at negotiations one more time then. Tell me, how do you plan to speak the language of the sea-beasts?"

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Adelia - {To simplify} You can see things, many strange and wonderous things through the eyes of whatever target you have now. You see the seige crabs up close...monstrous things that look impenetrable with even the most sharp of spears. You see other sea-figures, green-skinned and bug eyed sitting around a muddy pit eating something that looks like it will make your stomach wretch.

You eventually do see someone dressed in flamboyant garb - bright sea-shells, brilliant paint and trinkets - speaking to those around the pit. Clearly he or she is a leader or a shaman. The language they speak is alien, sounding more like running water and drops of rain than a language on its own.

That is about all you can garner...

{Let me know if you need something more specific.}
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Romar - Moving to the dark figue in the castle hallway, it becomes clear that it is indeed Veya. Her frame, the hair...its unmistakable, but there's still something different. When you move forward and speak, it is some time before she responds, her words shaky and unsure as they come out.



"I have every reason to be afraid R-R-Romar..." She chokes on the name, like she's speaking of a ghost.

Veya then takes a step forward and comes into the full light. She is dressed in beautiful white robes adorned in gold trim and silver lace. If you didn't know any better, she looked as though she had just stepped from the gates of Celestia itself. Her hair is tied back, braided into a tight weave and held in place by gold leaf clips. She looks like royalty.

However, as your eyes struggle to take her all in, they rest solely on her belly and the clearly evident bulge there.

She's pregnant...

She wraps her hands around her stomach as though trying to hide it from you, like it was the greatest source of any shame she has. Her eyes drift down, unable to meet yours and she grips the stone archway to hold herself up. The shaking has taken her over and she can barely stand.



"....I'm sorry..."

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[VemuKhaham]

A shudder runs through Romar's body as he sees the undeniable. Had he just gathered all his courage to meet Veya, now his fears that held him back are proven truth. Romar steps backward, his chest hurting. He looks at Veya with a tear in his eye. Then, words stumble from his mouth unchecked:

"N-no, I am sorry, Veya. I have come too late. You have done as anyone would."

Romar takes back another step, but still looks at Veya with sorrow. Romar reaches with his hand for his head. He should've known better than to face Veya. Five years... to him nothing had changed, but Veya had been waiting here until finally she chose not to be alone any longer.

"I... I shouldn't be here. I'm... happy for you, Veya."

Romar turns around swiftly and descends the stairs that lead to the palacial entrance, but not to return to his companions - how could he even pretend like nothing happened - but to search for a place to be alone.

If it is within the city walls, and Romar can find it, he would go straight to the cemetary (possibly by asking someone for directions, or more like bumping in on someone, apologizing and trying to hide his many tears from vision, and speaking some gruff quick words like: "where's the cemetary?"), where he hopes to find the grave of his brother Ludhèr.

Romar is very desperate, plain for all to see as he leaves the square in front of the palace... the visions that he had for his future faded in a single moment, his past already reduced into rubble. He had fought so hard to achieve the former, protect the latter, but it wasn't the fighting itself that had kept him going. Was there anything left for him to stay?

[GeneralMHB]

(OOC: My question about Mordrid wasn't answered. I would really like to know... please?

EDIT: All I wanted to know...)

Yuri turns to the King and addresses him about speeking to these creatures.

My Lord, that will not be an issue....

He places two fingers on his forehead and closes his eyes for a moment. He then opens them again and speeks again, in another strange language, possibly that of those creatures the King has been discussing.

[glow=green,2,300]Peace will be achieved.[/glow]

His tone suddenly changes to that of Common again.

I have the inate ability to speak several languages in a moments notice.

We can use this device to transport the women and children to the safety of the Hidden City. Can it be done in mass or does this need to be done one at a time?

I do appoligize if Mordrid's mentioning has offended you my Lord. I knew not whether if you knew of his doings at Boon's Freehold.

But, his concerns are quickly adjusted to Romar, after he asks a question about a cemetary to a commoner. He walks quickly to his side, concerned about his friend's sanity.

Romar, are you alright? You look as if you have seen a ghost. Is Veya alright?

[K Man]

(OOC: My question about Mordrid wasn't answered. I would really like to know... please?)

King Sturmguard's face goes grim at the mention of his cowardly nephew.



"I imagine he is dead Yuri. I've not heard word of him since that fated day at Boon's Freehold."

It's clear a nerve was struck with King Sturmguard at the mention of his nephew...

[VemuKhaham]

Yuri speeds to meet up with Romar and walk by his side, though Romar walks with a quick step. At first, Romar ignores him, but then he turns his head quickly and simply says, through all his tears:

"Death isn't always evil, Yuri. You should know this."

Romar does nothing to slow down his pass, instead his haste seems to grow.

"It's better if you'd let me go."

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta would not lightly let Romar head off on his own. If she could see the ranger/cleric heading away from them, she would speak to him.

"Romar, so soon we arrive, and yet much to do. The fates of this whole kingdom and world seems to rest on our shoulders. Your aid is needed, as we are together as group again."

That is all she says, as it is his decision to walk away on his own or not....

[VemuKhaham]

"One man more or less in a war of millions is not going to bother anyone."

Romar simply remarks. He obviously is totally demoralized, and continues to walk on.

[Fangor the Fierce]

vemukhaham said:

"One man more or less in a war of millions is not going to bother anyone."

Romar simply remarks. He obviously is totally demoralized, and continues to walk on.

Krysta moves near Romar, so as not to be overheard by the crowd.


"Do you really believe that? In all that we have gone through, it is that single man or woman that can turn the tide. A simple weight can tip the scales in out favor. Look at the faces of those that surround us. They believe that yes, a few select can turn the tide of war. It only takes one person to recruit another, and in turn, it unfolds itself over and over again."

"But if that is your decision, then so be it. You have walked away from us before, and look where it got all of us? We were ready to kill each other, without regard for listening. That is what we... I am offering you. You had earlier had the face of a warrior and man that was happy, and now, returning to the place where it all began for us, you are beaten."

"With each step you take, away from that which is trying to end this war, the faces turn to see you. They see your defeat. They will then lose their resolve as well. If one gives up, then another will. It is the way of war. Unless there are those that can stand and fight. I fight not for myself anymore, for there is nothing I want for myself. I fight for those that believe in good. For those that still have that glimmer of hope to win this war. I fight for them. I gave a vow that I will not break." she says, turning her attention to the crowd, and then to the group standing beside the warriors readying to fight on.

She takes her leave, knowing there is more to his demeanor than she can imagine. It's a decision that he must live with.

As Yuri walks with Romar, she looks upon him differently. Knowing full well what the larger group had to endure, it must not have been that much different for the other pair. Something has changed. "You are a good friend Yuri. He is lucky to have you."

She then glances about the crowd, not seeing what she had hoped for. Turning to Sturmguard, she asks plainly.

"And what of the Knights that were to make their way here? Adolfo was their leader. Is he around?" She hopes to show that her pledge to follow in their ideals is not one she has taken lightly. Even now, she is more determined than ever.

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Adelia blinks a few times, regaining her command on her own time and place. She turns to Yuri, and the rest. "Their leader seems to be giving them orders. I know not what, but there are many. The crab-like ones have shells that seem unbreakable."

"Their leader is dressed in flamboyant garbs, with bright sea-shells, brilliant paint and trinkets. I don't know if he commands this army outside, or is but another general. If you want, I can describe him fully, in case you would like to know exactly what you are looking for, or even if we could infiltrate their ranks with this knowledge, considering we have enough clerics to aid in a magical disguise."

The plan simply unfolds without her knowing what she has said. She can describe the possible leader, exactly, and even have a drawing made, to better show the features and such. Once that is done, and if the vein-riding machine is brought back into play, they could possibly get into the enemies army easily, unbothered, and gain an audience easier.

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri stops dead in front of Romar, not letting him take another step forward. His gaze meets the rangers'.

Krysta is right. Just as you have done so much for me, you have also done just as much to help in this war. Without you, the Hidden City would not have been found, forever frozen in its state of time. Without you, the Dwarven King Grandil would not be standing here with his army of machines. Without you, Veya would not have survived.

Yuri places both of his hands on Romar's shoulders, urging and pleading for him to reconsider.

These people need you. The King needs you.... I need you. Please Romar, you have already done so much to help this land. Veya still loves you my friend.

Gazing into Romar's eyes, a tear welds up within his own.

Please....

[Japic]

Hardly noticing Romar's problems, as he's got some of his own, Gurid scratches his chin while thinking of a way to speak to the strange creatures.

He's about to admit defeat when Yuri begins babbling in some wet sounding brookish noises. Maybe just maybe that would work, but he would prefer to have Theld's machine functioning incase they had to get away quickly. If negotiations go poorly, they'll need a quick escape route.

Perhaps they should rest for now and use Theld's machine in the morning.

My idea is that Yuri (if he can speak with them) should call out to them in their language that we wish to speak to the leader, and set up a meeting. Then we as the group of heroes could climb down from the city walls on ropes (providing a mundane entrance). If they'll negotiate, we talk to them, hopefully clearing up the problem. If things go very badly then we can melt into the ground and leave them stunned about it.

Would anyone (king included) be opposed to this plan?

[BluSpecs]

"Tell me King Grandil were you able to lock down the mountain from the master entrance?"

The current plan sounds good to me.

[VemuKhaham]

Romar looks at both Krysta and Yuri, and stops as Yuri makes it impossible for him to move further. He looks down and sighs heavily. Still the flow of tears has not come to an end.

"You are right, you always are. But my mood to speak in negotiations, as well as my energy to wield my swords have been drained from me. I must somehow find a means to cope with certain matters. In the end, I may not be so noble and stalwart in my ways as you are, Krysta, fighting for something with no solace whatsoever for yourself. I now see as such.

Give me some time, my friends, some time to figure out what to do. I want to be with my brother now. It has been five years and some since last his grave was visited and properly cleaned. I might've failed him in life but he deserves a decent peace in death."

With that, you notice how Romar has calmed down a bit, though still he looks wrecked. He seems determined to rest for a while, though as of yet it doesn't look like he has decided for what amount of time. He would now take his leave of the party and head towards the graveyard, if nobody would stop him.

[Japic]

{I hate to break it to you Vemu, but there are no traditional graveyards in town. They're afraid of the Master animating corpses, so they burn all the bodies. It's the only way to be sure that he'll not take control of them.

If KMan so chose there might be a place where his ashes were, but no body.

Noting too important, I just though I'd point that out.}