Taking the last swig from his flask, Belial savors the harsh drink. Swishing it back and forth over his tongue before finally swallowing with closed eyes. The Thrashroot's whispers become more and more distant to him as Cronn hacks at the growth's assumed neck. Too weak to get up, it does nothing more than speak and peer at Belial, with an acceptance of its own fate. Though, the whispers are far calmer than the entity's physical shell. Which gives out crippled whines with each hit it takes.
"Ersatz Special treating you well?"
"Not any longer." Tossing the flask aside, Belial runs his fingers through his hair, trying to tune out the voice.
"We'll see about getting more sometime."
"That won't be necessary." As Cronn's ax hits soil, the whispers become choked and Belial sighs with relief. "Finally."
"Seems the roots don't belong to just this one." Cronn speculates, noticing that the motions of surrounding trees slow with the motions of the Thrashroot.
"They never do." States Belial, who glares across the clearing at the decapitated hive-mind.
"Long as they don't lash out at us too, I've no concerns." Cronn limps over to the others as he speaks, whilst pulling a thin vial full of red liquid from beneath his coat and crushing it. As he does so, the glass turns to nothingness, and the liquid within vaporizes almost instantaneously. The fine mist left behind gravitates towards his body, running over the skin of his hand and spreading up his arm. Once it is no longer visible, Cronn's posture and physical state improve significantly. "Down to my last of these, now."
"We'll resupply once we find another group." Briar uncertainly pledges. "Hopefully."
"So, what happened back there?" Cronn asks, directing his words at Belial.
"It was speaking to me."
"I didn't hear anything." Briar voices in a confused manner. "Nothing more than the sounds of living wood."
"Not aloud." Belial clarifies, pulling himself up and shaking off ichor that has clung to his pant legs. "It spoke through thought."
"I'm not referring to such things. I mean with your... behavior?"
Belial blinks his foggy opals, blankly awaiting further explanation. Apparently unaware of what events Cronn's questioning derives from, he offers no more than a slight drop of his lower jaw. As if ready to say something in response, but unsure of what words to use.
"Do you not remember your own shrieking? The outbursts of something other?"
"I'm sorry. I do not."
"Perhaps the Thrashroot had him in a trance-like state." Briar suggests, noting Belial's prior comments.
"It's not an unlikely possibility." Cronn says in a weary, yet agreeing way. "Let us get you away from this place. If what Briar says is true, then your proximity to the source may become a much larger issue."
"Agreed. Let's get moving." Returning his crossbow to its original form, Briar takes the lead and begins searching for a trail once again.
Relieved that no other Nostrum seems to have fallen victim to the Thrashroot, Cronn continues to keep an eye on Belial's condition. Having been studying him since the death of Marne, a few things have sparked a sense of peculiarity. "Quick recoveries from injury, sudden spurts of poor health and weakness, an aggressive personality.... Could it be the effects of a still fresh grievance, or...?"
"Wait," Briar pauses and partially crouches as he looks about himself, "listen!"
Pulled from his thoughts, Cronn raises his torch and slowly turns on a pivot. Then, he hears it. The sound of approaching footsteps. The distance remains unclear, as an eerie silence that naturally comes on these nights allows such things to carry over large tracks of land. Remaining alert, but not yet ready to strike, they spot another torch making its way into view. Shortly after it appears, another follows. With a third making itself known, it becomes too clear to deny.
"Seems they found us first." Belial remarks, having made out the pale faces of four other Nostrum as they continue to close in on the trio. Giving them a polite wave, he starts making his way over, followed by Cronn and Briar. "Greetings gentlemen, and gentle-lady."
"Greetings." The tallest replies, tipping his hat as he does so.
"Glad to see you're all doing well." Briar gives a subtle bow and a wave of his hand.
"Likewise." Comes the high voice behind ruby red lips of another. A touch of humorous sarcasm in her tone. "What brings you lot on our path?"
"We're here for you, actually." Briar responds, looking over at a binding that covers the woman's eyes. "Convener Achlys has some concerns about the conditions surrounding our current objectives and offered that we may seek out and search the findings of others."
"Oh?" She says, with a hint of surprise in her voice. "What might this be about, then?"
"I'm not permitted to say. All I can do at this time is ask if your party has found anything suspicious on The Knellers' bodies."
"Well, ask us then." She demands, fashioning a smirk.
Briar looks to the others for confirmation. Only to find Cronn shrugging and Belial pretending to be oblivious.
"Have... have you found anything suspicious on The Knellers' bodies? Nostrum Hael?"
Appreciative of his use of her name, her smirk turns to a soft, pleased smile and she turns sharply on her heel to face the tallest of them.
"Fardel, why don't you show them?"
Nostrum Fardel looks down at her from the corner of his eye, seemingly not wanting to give up what it is he possesses. Then, begrudgingly unbuckles his overcoat and shifts a hand around in a hidden pocket. Collecting what it is they have scavenged, he shows the trio.
"As I feared." Briar's eyes are filled with dread as he looks over a pair of wrapped packages. With one having already been partially torn open. He assumes this to be the one in which Hael's party had opened to inspect. "Tell me, are they still intact?"
"Of course. Though, I couldn't tell you what they're for. It was simply strange to us that a Kneller would be carrying anything like this. Merely coincidental that two would be holding the same item. Or so we thought. Seeing your reaction tells me there is more to these than what meets the eye. No?" Hael takes the parcels in her own hand and turns them about, shifting her head from left to right as she examines each.
Briar doesn't respond. Trying to ensure he doesn't make their curiosities stronger, he simply stares back at her as he works out what to say next. Before he can though, Belial cuts in.
"It has been stated that the Convener does not want information being given on the matter at hand. Though this is an uncommon thing amongst Purebloods, it is a direct order from Achlys herself and must be respected as such."
The two men at the back and Nostrum Fardel shuffle uncomfortably behind Nostrum Hael, who remains proper and shows no signs of change in her expression.
"We would be very appreciative of you allowing us to take these off your hands. They must be disposed of properly so as to avoid any further issues they may cause."
"How professionally put." She remarks, ignoring Belial's input on the subject and responding solely to Briar. "Well, if it is an order of Achlys' that you cannot speak, and she offered only for you to search our findings, then I would say that our meeting here has come to its end. We will be on our way now. Fardel, Rooks, it's time we get moving."
"Actually," Briar begins, smirking himself, "Achlys did state that we're to destroy these particular items. So, unless you seek to have your name addressed during our return to Keep, I would strongly suggest you hand them over." Briar places an open palm out in front of himself, anticipating Hael's submission to his recollection.
"Hmph." Remaining stern in her place, but no longer possessing a smile, she rolls her jaw to its furthest points. Keeping her nose pointed in Briar's direction as she does so.
"Nostrum Hael, I think it would be best-"
"Silence, Rook! I make the calls when it comes to this coalition and I say what's best." Refusing to break what Briar can only assume to be eye contact, Hael speaks loudly to those behind her. "I expect to hear the reasoning behind all this when we make our return to the mountain." Thrusting the parcels out towards him, Hael scowls.
"I'm sure Achlys will release more on the subject when she has had the time to study it herself." Accepting the reagents, Briar passes them off to Cronn, who has remained silent during the entire confrontation. "If you come across any more of these, either leave them where they lay, or bury them. Do not burn them. You risk detection if you do so."
"Very well. We'll be on our way now." Hael pushes past Cronn to create a path for the others to follow, after pinning him as the weakest link due to his actions- or rather lack thereof- during the negotiation.
"Doesn't look like we'll be restocking this time around." Belial grumbles, watching their chances walk further into the bog.
"We'll have better luck with the next." Briar assures, even though he is well aware it is meaningless to his partners.
"Do you think they were all that far while we were fighting that Thrashroot?" Belial conspires.
"Ah, it's Hael. If she had known there was something like that lurking nearby, she'd have been ready to battle it in a heartbeat." Turning his head to see Cronn, Briar finds him to be watching Hael before she vanishes beyond tall grasses and fallen branches. "You still with us, Cronn?"
"That woman terrifies me in a way that shouldn't be possible." Passing his torch off to Briar, he pulls his overcoat forward in an effort to cover the front of his bottoms and starts venturing towards the next charted route.
Briar and Belial trade disgusted looks before Briar shivers and turns Cronn's way to follow.
With earnest intent, Briar and his fellow Nostrum travel beyond the bogs. Keeping within the jagged stone walls of a nearly dried-out gully, they follow a hum, which trails off from a not-so-far-away bell. Their warm breaths mix with chilly night air; A sign that their strides have quickened. Agitated clangs suggest to them that The Kneller has now been provoked, and time is of the essence. The aggressive ringing is a clear sign to them that whoever has provoked The Kneller, failed to successfully ambush it. Briar, ready to add another stripped bell to his collection of three, suddenly stops in his tracks. As do the others. The ringing is now no more than an echo, which passes through the gully and back into the marshes, never to be heard again. Looking to one another for confirmation and finding it, they march on once more, somehow, even faster than before. Completing a small uphill bound, they stand against the gully's bank, scanning the area ahead. Innumerable rough rocks- like tho
Royal blue skies line the eastern horizons, promising the rise of a late-summer sun. Cool, coarse stones whistle as winds rush against them; Fleeing towards the darkest corners of the night. In the gully below lies a robed corpse, stripped of its possessions, and holding out a crooked palm-full of knobby fingers. As if to still be gripping at something that has long ago escaped its clutches.Tightly sewn gloves work a rope, wrapping it around thin, worn metal and pulling harshly on either end. The peculiar mineral clanks against another, stopping only when it is pressed against the other and Briar's torso. Falling in line, it becomes the third in a row. Looking between a heap of dying embers and those who are tending to Yuler's recovering state, he discretely shakes his head and whips the sash of bells out of spite; Knocking them against his chest. Hearing the clinking vibrations from this, Cronn turns to face his partner.Recognizing the rare behavior from few but far between memorie
With only seven vials to split amongst the four Nostrum, Briar sighs and places two aside for Belial, two aside for Cronn, two aside for Yuler, and pockets one for himself. With the rest lain out and ready to be collected, he watches the others finish dressing for the trek to come. Buckling boots and adjusting collars, they wipe the sleep from their eyes and shake off what grogginess still lingers as best they can. Briar, having been up for several hours already, remains seated next to the vials he had lain parallel to one another on a flat stone, and keeps the setting sun just within his periphery."I'm starting to think you're holding out on us." Cronn jokingly remarks, collecting his vials as he does so. "With a hoard this small I'd say you've already taken your preference share."As Cronn makes way for the others to come forth, Belial slumps towards Briar, scraping fingernails against the stone and dragging the glass along it as well. Scratch marks along the bottoms of both make h
The Great Hall rumbles with hundreds of voices. All of which speak freely on topics that only those nearest can decipher from the rest. Servants work feverishly, taking orders and dishing them out to hungry Nostrum, as the kitchen's cooks inevitably fall behind. An expected result during such an event. Tired men and women sit irritably at each row of tables. Some, unsure of what to anticipate from this assembly, and others, knowing the outcome will surely be unpleasant. Though Pureblood leadership is strong, solutions do not often co-align with what any one Nostrum would think to be ideal. Yet, they argue not with what is final. Once the heavy entrance doors are pushed shut at the base, and their seal is announced with a loud knock, the room begins to stir even more; Recognizing that their speakers will be joining them soon."Any clue what it might be?" Cronn directs to Briar, through a mouthful of roasted, seasoned chicken breast."What what might be?""Their resolution." Swallowing
As dawn approaches, The Keep comes to an almost complete internal rest. Deep snores and somber whimpers come from those within the chambers as they sleep off fresh memories and a boozy meal. Branching away from the cozy nests and their nasally occupants, Yuler treads lightly down a corridor to the left, making her way towards the bathhouse. Being aware of the separation between The Keep and the bathhouse, she wraps herself in a large, fur blanket; Which covers her robes and drapes to the floor behind her. Alas, its length alone would not be enough to warm her bared feet as she sinks them into fresh white powder, just beyond the outer walls. Leaving a well-defined trail as she trudges on, and with a dreaded shiver, she pulls the blanket tighter, wearing it in such a way that the fur could be mistaken for a coat of her own. Slivers of sunlight beam up towards her from a far-off horizon, making her squint as it pierces her nocturnal eyes. Reaching the door, she bundles her blanket and lo
Briar awakens to the sound of sprung bells overhead; A routine occurrence at sundown. Rolling onto his back, he looks up at the loudest of them all. It continues to sound out for an estimated quarter of a minute before finally silencing itself and leaving nothing more than a hum in his ear. Taking a slow and groggy breath, he clears his throat, pulls himself up, and tosses his legs off the edge of the bed, where he sits for a short while. Soreness in his muscles tells him that he has yet to recover from their prior journey, but it is not, and never has been, a reason to linger behind."Rough night?"Peeling his eyes off the floor, Briar looks over his shoulder towards where Cronn's voice had come from and gives him a dazed grunt."Me too." Placing an arm beneath his head and pulling up his covers, Cronn stares blankly at the ceiling. "Not that I couldn't sleep or anything. Just... strange dreams.""Aren't they always?""Indeed." Cronn chuckles a bit, hops out of bed, and makes his way
Attaching another bell to his rope, Briar works to regain his breath. Alongside him, Cronn does the same, whilst cutting away at an entanglement of rope he had mistakenly got himself caught in. Across from the both of them, Belial stands atop a wagon loaded up with strapped-down barrels and studies the surrounding areas from his vantage point."Can't be many left at this rate." He states, listening intently and scouring the lands below with hawk-like vision. "We were lucky to reach this one as easily as we did.""Easily?" Cronn argues, motioning towards his snared feet."Well, we can't base our success solely on your inability to spot a thieves' trap.""How was I to know some merchant would leave something like this in the treeline? Hell, we weren't even sure what we might be walking into before we actually got up here. Oh, let's not forget, we can't base our professionalism on your inability to remember your full attire.""It matters not." Pointing down the dirt road as a breeze brus
The sound of rapid, panicked splashing causes lake water to rain down on the heads of Briar and Belial, who remain oblivious to the threat that haunts Cronn. With his frantic motions, they can no longer hear any other sounds around them and become more unnerved as their third member remains nonvocal about what has caused his distress. Unable to see even their own noses, they proceed forward, not wanting to linger in the water for any longer than they must, and not wanting to provoke whatever it is that may have startled Cronn. Within moments, Cronn surpasses them with deep, rapid breaths as his face breaks the surface and then submerges again. As the sound of his open palms slapping at the water dulls with the distance he has created between himself and the others, the hissing of his pursuer is exposed to Briar's ears. Then, Belial's. Still being unsure of what it could be, Briar holds himself in place for a moment. Then, swims slightly to his right and reaches out for the source. As
Thumping at the door causes Lee to stir from his sleep, followed by Hael. As the pair of them travel towards the sound, Lee opens the door and they are met with the face of Herald. Behind him rests Marne and Yuler, who remain stationed on the porch, but seem to be slightly disappointed. As Lee and Hael notice this, they look to Herald once more and await what is to come."It is with great displeasure that I must request that the Nostrum residing within this abode leave Crater's Crown at once. It is in the better interest of my people that I must make this request, as fear has begun to spread throughout the city.""Wait, what?" Lee asks, baffled."I am most apologetic, dear Nostrum, but it has been discussed greatly since the attack that took place last night and the people have agreed that this is a must.""We took care of that creature for your people. Why would they want us out now?" Marne wonders, no longer feeling the warm welcome they had once come to know."I'm sorry. Word from
The man-sized hare drops several books onto the floor as he notices the reach Lee has made for his blade, then cowers."P-please don't kill me!" He begs, trying to look as defenseless as possible. In doing so, the guards begin to approach."No, no! Wait, everyone stop!" Samuel demands, managing to cease even the guards in place."Lee, come down from there. Everyone, please, return to the front here.""Are... are you the Tsar?" Asks Marne, who has begun retreating to the red carpet and off the platform."I am. M-my name is Herald. Herald the Relic.""Herald the Relic?" Hael asks rhetorically."Indeed." The curious creature seems to smile at them as it speaks, wanting to maintain a peaceful conversation as it wiggles its nose. "I was once nothing more than an ordinary hare, until my creator gave me new life.""Your creator?" Yuler questions, intrigued by the strange beast."Yes, yes. My creator! What a fine man he was, or... or so I think.""You think?" She asks again."Yes, well, I nev
Stone walls line the outside of the city, forming a circular barrier that encapsulates everything within. At the face of the wall resides a great set of oak doors with a tower at either side of the entranceway. The group proceeds towards it with caution, unsure of how their presence will be taken. Yet, the twins do not carry the same weight on their shoulders. Instead, they approach the gates as if they own them and swiftly knock at the hardened surface."Hello? Anyone up there?" Samuel asks, looking up towards the towers overhead. "The Decwicks have arrived and we have brought some companions along with us.""Decwicks you say?" Comes a voice from one of the towers, but which tower does not become clear until a face appears over the edge of the one at the right. "What business have you got within the great walls of Crater's Crown?""Communion with a tradesman and the delivery of rare goods." Samuel responds, lacking any further interaction with the guard."And what goods might that be
A thin string of smoke lingers as the party awakens the next morning, offering little to no warmth for their frigid fingers as they pack up what small amount of belongings they still possess; Ready for yet another journey into unknown territory. As they ready themselves for the trip and grab one last bite to eat, they each silently acknowledge that it is the last meal they will have for some time, as all supplies have been diminished to nothingness. Regardless, they pull at their bootstraps, tighten their belts, and ensure their masks are firmly pressed to their faces. All except for Samuel and Samara, that is."Here." Hael's voice resonates in a peaceful tone as she offers one of the twins a spare of hers. "Lee will give another to whoever remains without."Lee grunts distastefully, but begins extracting a cloth from beneath his coat."How were you two so close to Dabria without masks all this time?" Yuler questions, realizing the risk that they must have been facing."Simple," begin
Hael places her index finger and thumb above her head, then looks at the stars surrounding them. Once she is seemingly satisfied, she begins moving toward an undisclosed location. Lee, Marne, and Yuler follow, sticking as close as they can without burning one another with the flames of their torches. As they go on, Lee can't help but to look over his shoulder, sensing something to be near, but not near enough to be a threat, yet."Are we sure that this Kirk will still be standing?" He asks, attempting not to come across negatively. "I mean, with all that is going on, even Maciofim is having a hard time staying standing.""We can't be sure of anything," Hael begins, "but we must attempt... something. Otherwise, all will fall without a fight.""Perhaps there are others also seeking answers." Marne offers, wanting to be part of the conversation."Perhaps so, but I find it unlikely that any have come as far as us." Hael states, stepping around a large boulder in their path. "What are the
Specks of white light sparkle across Samuel's eyes as Lee's fist meets his nose. Before a second blow can land, Hael puls Lee back and Samara does the same with Samuel. Lee struggles against Hael's grasp for a moment before shaking her off and spitting at Samuel's feet."How dense can you be, boy? Your father would have never allowed such things to transpire!""I could never speak on his behalf, as I never met my father." Samuel retorts, wiping away a bit of blood that had poured onto his upper lip. "Regardless of that fact, I thank you all for coming to our rescue. It has been a grim waiting period here in our... refuge." Samuel motions at the dirt walls that surround them, neglecting the many utensils and contraptions that also fill the space."Will you all hurry up!" Shouts Marne from outside the hideaway. "Not to rush, but I'd rather not be left to fend for myself should something else come for us.""Of course." Hael offers, turning to face the twins. "We have many questions for y
As the group arrives at the rear of the manor, they are met with a not-so-familiar sight. Outer walls covered in vines and spores present themselves to the party. Shattered windows whistle with gentle winds that pass through them, and a curious red glow still illuminates the area, but not from the heavens, as it did when the touchdown first occurred. Instead, the glow presents itself from within the manor walls. Somewhere deep within the carcass of a once luxurious home. The overall atmosphere is enough to make them shiver, but they press on. Knowing that if there is ever to come an end to this, the answers await them only here.Hael is the first to plant a foot onto the lower step. Then Lee, then Marne, and finally Yuler. With caution, Hael opens the back doors, allowing a large gust of wind to sweep over them as she does so. Once the interior is exposed, it becomes clear that the situation is far more dire than any of them could have expected. Tile floors and birch walls rest in rui
Flames burst from the nozzle of a thrower, scorching the land underfoot. With each pass it makes, sprouts of Dabria wither away with cries that almost go unheard beneath the sound of the fuel that burns them. As the stream of fire passes, another is ignited. Then another, and another. Footmen walk along Maciofim's outskirts as they incinerate all that they can, but the efforts remain futile. No matter the work they get done on this night, the next will be more of the same. Within the city, tired eyes and hushed whispers fill the streets as homes remain in disrepair and food becomes more scarce with every passing moment. However, faith serves as a guide and The Bethel's lower floors remain full of life. With the rebels and Craws all but forgotten, peace- though felt only in spurts- befalls the hallowed walls.Beyond the brick and mortar, cast aside by the city, a small fire burns bright. Its flames lick at poisonous air and whisk away what infection approaches, but it does nothing of t
Marne observes a growing crowd. Along with the growing crowd is a growing flame, where many books have already found themselves to be set alight. More join them as each member of Farrow's rebellion arrives, donating a piece of text as they come, before finding their place amongst the others. Marne begins to feel saddened by what he has come to witness thus far, acknowledging that with each page that turns to embers, rare knowledge is forever lost."Beautiful, is it not?" Comes the excited voice of Farrow, who rubs his palms together and peers off at a resting sun, which begins to set behind him. "The time has nearly come to bring Great things to an end."Marne looks about The Bethel's roof once more, then to Farrow."Nothing about this feels right."Farrow drops the smile he has been fashioning, then looks to his son."Have you had a change of heart?""No, I mean, nothing feels right without the others being present.""Ah, of course! Of course." Farrow chuckles with relief, allowing h