Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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The Moundshroud Residence:

"Al'ocktalel, I believe was the her name," says Phoebe looking over to the large woman and tilting her head to the side and resting it on her hand formed into a fist. "I don't make a habit of talking about people who have come to visit me for ailments. She came here for her own reasons, and I helped her with a problem, that's about all I'm willing to tell you about that subject. I am sorry for you're friend but perhaps you should seek them out to ask how they are. I will not claim to know, how they are doing."

"You of course understand if I keep a more... neutral stance on this matter. I take a great risk already in allowing you to stay the night. The time you've spent among Blackburn's Crossing must have eroded some of the scent that she tracks.... maybe. I'm unsure of why you weren't picked off by now but if your companions fight her along side you they will be in danger," says Phoebe leaning back into her chair. "I can still sell you some of my potions if you would like though I am hesitant to sell anything to you that might be seen as an act of aggression to Al'ocktalel."
 
Kallisto bowed her head towards the woman again, "I believe I understand. A balance to be sought ... At the very least I hope you understand I wish to help her as well, but ... our methods no doubt vary."

She looked around the home attempting to catch sight of the others, "Hopefully we will be leaving soon and on our way again. I asked those with me to come of their own freewill, we all know the risk this journey holds." With a faint smile Kallisto shrugged, "At the very least, I am curious what sort of things you make." Picking at her beaded bracer she continued, "I am a crafter, though not of anything magical. I still enjoy seeing what others are able to create with their own methods and tools."
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"I've bought her healing potions out of stock last night, glad we are thinking along the same lines," says Violette finishing picking her nail with a dagger and leaning up. "I have one that I gave to Arissa, two for everyone else, and one for myself."

"Violette is correct she did buy my healing potions though if there are any particular effects you are looking for or any sort of ointments I can also check my stock," says Phoebe, who crosses her legs resting her hands on her knees. "If you survive you're particular predicament maybe you might visit me. As I have said when you first arrived I provide a few things that might increase one's strength, durability, dexterity, and some times even mental capacity. I'm not a purveyor of magical items if that is what you had in mind. My skills rely more on rituals and potion brewing."

"So what's up with the others? Still sleeping?" asked Violette looking at Kallisto but it is Phoebe that answers. "I helped one of them with a particular problem, and unfortunately the process took all night."

Violette's eyes raise an inch for a moment in surprise before smirking. "I bet, anyways we are wasting a good portion of the day. Did we want to try and scout while the other's get their beauty sleep?"
 
Bernard moved off the bed as Arissa fell into her rest. He took a seat on the window sill and kicked his feet up on his pack. He watched Arissa for signs of pain or distress, he worried she might not be entirely alright, she had smelled faintly of death this morning. He smiled as he settled in, thinking back to the time he spent watching out for Peri after she came back from the swamp. He remembered sitting in her room with his feet kicked up on the bed, telling her of all the other kids and the goings on in town while she ate her soup. He would talk and talk until she fell asleep, then keep an eye on her as he studied Ferrin's teachings.

When Leone came knocking, Bernard answered the door quietly encouraging her contact the Crossing for news of Jonathan. He kept his voice low and returned to the window sill.

He removed the Hathoway Key from his pocket, and turning it over in his hands, studying it. Why this key? And why me? No one else seemed to get something so personal... He scratched at the dirt, hoping to find answers but found nothing. Disappointed he placed it back in his pocket. Then he held out his hand, "Subcinctus" he whispered, the ring melted and formed into a simple dagger in his hand. He repeated the phrase quieter, it grew in length to a shortsword, again pushing the limits of audible, it grew to a longsword. He thought the word but nothing happened. He layed it across his lap and repeated quietly, no effect. Picking it up once more he repeated and it twisted around his finger into his signet ring. He repeated the transformation from ring to dagger and dagger to ring several more times until he was comfortable with it. With a smile he adjusted the ring and checked his bag making sure the Book of the Dead and Tarroka deck were still inside.

Finally Bernard heard noise and shuffling down the hall. He looked to Arissa who seemed peacefully asleep. He stood and moved to the bed, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Arissa, beautiful angel, time to rise. Our friends are waiting for us. Time to face the day." He wanted to let her sleep, to join her, but they had a job to do and he owed it to Kallisto to see this through.
 
"I'm not sure where the others are ... if it takes too long I might have to go knocking on doors to get them moving. Perhaps sleeping in warm beds after so many days in the swamp has become a little too desirable." Kallisto shrugged, "I could ask Aluc to look around for us before we head out properly, though I don't want to abuse Phoebe's hospitality. May I ask though ... the things you offer for strength or durability, are those ... potions? How long might they last?"
 
Arissa was woken by a hand being placed on her shoulder, and for a moment thought that she was back at home in Carmanth given the quality of the bedding. “Geef me nog vijf minuten meer. Lessen kunnen wachten...” Then, Bernard’s voice cut through her sleep addled mind, and her violet eyes flew open, immediately resting on him. “Ugh... how long did I sleep? I had only intended to take a brief nap, but it seems that I slept the day away.“

Arissa removed the fur she had wrapped tightly around herself, and wrinkled her nose in disgust for a moment. “Gods, and in my armor as well? I really must have been out of it.“ Arissa rolled out of bed and stood up, twirling a hand and running it along the length of her body to magically clean off the sweat and blood she felt clinging to her body. She quickly gathered her belongings before she looked to Bernard and smiled teasingly. “Well, I hope you did not intend on standing around all day. I believe we have a Naga to attend to.”
 
Bernard glanced out the window, "You passed out before you even answered my question. It's been about six hours, you looked like you needed the rest." Bernard folded his pelt and packed it away with the rest of his things. Careful not to forget anything. Then he began to put on his armor again as Arissa hurried him along with a smirk. "It would go faster if you could lend a hand please?" Bernard turned around reaching awkwardly for a strap on his side like a dog chasing it's tail.
 
Arissa giggled as she saw Bernard’s predicament and quickly moved to help him. She took hold of the strap and tightly secured it in place before smiling and laughing to herself. “I must admit... I do not believe that a year ago I would ever have guessed that I would be assisting a paladin in donning his armor to protect him from our inevitable battle with a giant human-headed magical serpent... Zo is het leven, ja?” Arissa helped Bernard complete his preparations before giving him another teasing grin. “And I thought that they say women take a long time getting ready. Do you need any help with the straps of your backpack as well? Perhaps a packed lunch for the road?”
 
Bernard grinned as Arissa helped, "Well with all your dresses and leathers you sure are a natrual at it. Thanks for the help." He adjusted his chest piece which had ridden up as they had secured his arms. "It takes a while to put on, but it stays put and does it's job. Hopefully we won't have much use for it, but you can never be too sure." He grabs his pack and puts it on without assistance, smirking, "I've got it, but thanks." Bernard's mind raced through several crude innuendos he'd used when he was out on his own. He decided it was not the time nor place nor woman to use them on and headed for the door.

Opening it he allowed Arissa out and followed her down the stairs into the living room. "Good afternoon Violette, Kallisto, Phoebe. Thank you for your hospitality and for helping Arissa." He smiled looking around, "Where are the rest of us? I thought there was more movement down here than this."
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"Well I have varying degrees of duration as well as side effects. If you were more interested in the permanent ones than I'd let you know that I generally charge about five hundred gold pieces for a dose," says Phoebe explaining to Kallisto.

"That's rather cheap for a permanent enhancement isn't it?" asks Violette perking up at the mention of this.

"Normally yes," Phoebe continues to explain. "But the effects have to come from somewhere don't they? My potion's work on the simple principle of relocating your natural talents elsewhere. The potion of strength often takes a bit of your vigor and natural dexterity putting them instead into strengthening your body. The same works in reverse, I'm afraid were you to try and become as strong as you could be your body would naturally not adjust very well to the transformation. Muscle memory, and the bodies ability to naturally repair itself are what I theorize to be the hindrance. Now on the other hand where you to try and become more intelligent those draw more from you're brains natural acuity or rather the ability to think things through as it comes to you. The brain becomes quicker with information and able to retain more and because of this many begin to wonder how your brain works causing a disconnect in conversations or the jumps you expect people to make."

"I think you're talking way above my head now, but it sounds like it isn't something I'd be interested in," says Violette before turning to Bernard. "Got us the last potions in stock. I figured you could use one. Sorry about leaving last night, the food didn't sit well with me after the first bite. Maybe next time." Violette hands over the second to last potion she has before walking over to Kallisto and offering the other one.

"I was wondering what the plan was? Now that we are close, do we scout out the nest? We could get more idea what we're up against though that does risk the chance of us being found out and triggering a battle before we might be ready, or we could ask the natives who have fought this thing before to see if they might know something. That Van Richten guy seemed to think it was important to gather knowledge on this thing," says Violette shrugging her arms slightly. She looked like she just wanted to be doing something rather than sitting around. At the end she turned to Arissa. "I hope you're late night visit went well as mine did."
 
Bernard took the potion from Violette, "Thanks, hopefully I won't need it but I appreciate it." He smiled and stored it away, "I wonder what more we can learn from the natives, and if that's worth the risk. Finding the nest seems the easiest way to encounter the snake but I worry about the children. I'm tempted to recommend that we track them from where we saw them last and determine if they are going to be a problem for us... Unfortunately, time is not on our side. Every day we spend learning little bits is another Merris is in danger, we don't even know that the tribe has any more knowledge than we do. I vote we go to the nest and end this. Kallisto's axe must fell the serpent, but we can exhaust it together while the more lethal among us protect from anything that the combat draws in - children of the snake or otherwise." Bernard grew slightly upset at the thought of spending more time learning nothing while Merris was trapped, they still had a several day journey back to town.
 
Léone comes into the room near the tail end of the conversation about the potions, not from upstairs where the rooms were but from the front entrance. As she approaches the group she stows away what appears to be a small half-eaten pack of rations and waves with a slightly smile. "Afternoon guys, I hope you all had a good rest." She glances over in Arissa and Bernard's direction, shrugging. "He hadn't checked up on Jonathan yet, I'll ask again tonight granted we don't run into anything too terrible," she states briefly, turning back to the rest of the group.

She listens to them intently as they make their plans for the day, though it still seems like she has something else on her mind. Hearing Bernard's suggestions she slowly nods in agreement. "I'm... going to have to agree with Bernard, while it would be nice to understand the snake as much as we can there are of course other concerns back in town, even just the general risk of something happening while we're not around to defend it. My vote is to finish it off," she says, with more conviction than previous days. "I think my role in this hunt will be to clear any other baddies that the fighting attracts, counter the serpent's magic and heal people if it comes down to it. I imagine Yelcan can join me on the broom and we can provide aerial support." She looks to Kallisto. "I know you're not one for armor, perhaps I could use a spell to bolster your defenses? Though you seem protected enough on your own..." She scratches her head, not really sure how to put it though she did see the large woman take a beating the other day. "Eh, every little bit counts I suppose."
 
Arissa smiled to Bernard and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for staying with me. Last night was an... interesting experience, but I am glad that I had you with me to keep me company as I recovered." Arissa then left the room and headed downstairs with Bernard, smiling sheepishly to the group assembled downstairs as she took a seat in a chair next to the couch Violette was reclined on. "My apologies, it appears that I have overslept. It has been quite some time since I have been able to enjoy a nap in an actual bed, and I fear my eagerness got the better of me."

Arissa listened to Phoebe explain her wares and raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "You have said that you have potions for physical might, finesse, and durability, as well as intellect and wits... how about for presence, or force of personality? My magic is derived from my natural charisma, and I am intrigued by the prospect of further enhancing it."

Arissa then looked over to Violette as she questioned the results of her visit and shrugged before turning back to Phoebe somewhat worriedly. "We did not have much of an opportunity to speak following our private session... did it work? On the other end of the arrangement, I mean. I am fairly certain that I am quite alright... do you know how he fared?"

As the group begins to discuss strategy, Arissa's mind snapped back to the task at hand. She smiled to Léone as she approached and nodded gratefully for the small update, taking note of Léone's sudden conviction before folding her arms, frowning and thinking to herself for a moment. "I am afraid that I will not be able to handle much punishment from our quarry, so I believe it may be for the best that my blade remains sheathed... We had learned that this Undying One is immune to the affects of charm spells, ja? Luckily for us, magic is rather odd. I have a simple spell that is capable of forcing a target into hysterics for several moments... While it does not sound like much, the applications of it are nearly endless due to the vast array of creatures it can affect, and it is not strong enough to qualify as an actual charm. The only problem is that I would have to be rather close in order to use the spell, and it is often broken the moment a blow is struck against the target... Still, I believe it may be enough to throw the beast off and stay it's wrath for a few seconds." Arissa pauses for a few moments before smiling to the assembled group. "And if it is not enough, I suppose I can go back to my usual role as leider van cheers, ja?"
 
Delicately taking the offered potion Kallisto bowed slightly towards Violette, watching the faint blue glow of the potion with interest, "Thank you, Violette. If things go well, this hopefully won't be used, but it's best to over-prepare than under." She placed a hand on Violette's shoulder for a moment, "If something bothered you, you could have told us -- we could have tried to make something different. As you say though, maybe next time."

Turning back to Phoebe, Kallisto shook her head, "I see ... I think? Sadly your creations are beyond what I can afford, at least on that level. What of anything for a shorter time?"

Listening to the discussion that continued, she picked at her beads in thought. "I agree with scouting, I can ask Aluc to help with that, and I can potentially borrow her sight while she does so, though I would need to be guided if we were to continue moving." She gestured to her eyes, "I'd be blind to whatever is around me, but I could still hear at least if someone asks me something. We could use that to see if any of the 'children' are near and instead find closer tracks rather than backtracking to find the other trail. I do not think the tribe will have much to tell us that we don't already know on some level, and if anything, I feel they're something to deal with on the trek back."

Kallisto scratched at her chest again, some of the scabs from her cuts itched, still slowly healing, "I don't know much about magic, but if we can manage to stun it somehow, there may be times it's needed so we can ... rearrange ourselves if that makes sense without risk of attack. Those who are ranged should likely stay ranged, the 'children' from what I saw only had spears, and I know from experience they don't tend to fly well, so it shouldn't take much to be out of their range. From what Phoebe has mentioned and explained," she nodded her head towards the woman, "Al... Al'ock-talel? Will likely focus on me since she views those of native blood to be traitors." Adjusting the weapons on her back she continued, "I would not turn away offers to make me more protected ... though I seem more resilient, I'd still rather not have the pain and injury... One way or another, for this all to work, I need to land the final blow. If I go down ... then the task is basically over, one way or another."

Moving towards her pouch she opened it slightly, the three potions clinking gently from the movement, "I know we have those with healing abilities, but I feel these will still be good to have on the field -- if needed I can hopefully bring someone back up, or if I'm out of reach I can try to heal myself." She closed the pouch again, "I would like this to be solved with words, but we should prepare for a fight. Al'ocktalel may not even allow me to speak before she strikes ..." Kallisto ran a clawed hand through her hair, silent for a moment. "I know it is ... likely silly, but I also hope to learn if the 'children' are still themselves at all. If they are gone, then so be it, but if not ... I'd at least like to try and ... I don't know, speak with Ialay again. Maybe we can undo what was done, but I will not hold my breath for such a thing."

With a low growl of a sigh Kallisto rubbed her face -- they were getting quite close to when everything would happen, for better or worse. Holding out a hand she started marking things off her fingers, "So ... we need to get Perian and Yelcan ready to leave, make our way back across the lake to the swamp, I'll need to speak with Aluc and ask her to fly ahead for us, which I can hopefully manage while walking but that means I can't help with keeping an eye out down here and will need to be guided, if we find a group of the children ... I suppose we follow their tracks backwards to see where they lead? Which might end up leading us towards the nest..." She glanced up towards the group, "Is there anything else? I know Aluc said we still have about a day's worth of travel, which means we likely won't get there by tonight given we're leaving so late."
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"It was nothing," says Violette when Kallisto puts an arm on her shoulder. "I think the rest did more good than the food would have." When the plans started to be talked about Violette just shrugged in response. "I'm with you guys either way, so if time is of the essence then we'll do what we must out there."

"I do have potions that do that yes, Arissa though again the consequences usually end up affecting other parts of the brain, and there comes a point in which my potions will not help surpass," says Phoebe as she watches the people get prepared to leave and fight the snake. "I do wish you good luck on your travels. I am always here should you need respite from the swamp, but please do not return before the serpent is dead. If you did wish to buy a smaller potion Kallisto, I've one that might push your strength up but it only lasts about the duration of an hour. It may not be within your price range either, at two hundred gold."

"As for what happened on the other side, I am afraid I am not sure. I just know that it went well on our end," says Phoebe turning to Arissa to reassure her.
 
Arissa frowns slightly, wishing that she knew more about Jonathan’s condition but knowing there was nothing that could be done. She smiled to Phoebe. “Well, thank you again. I am glad to hear that there are no lingering affects on our part at least. It sounds to me as if your stronger potions might be out of my price range as well... despite all appearances, I am afraid I have little of your world’s currency. Do you have anything that would be able to protect me from the Naga’s venom? I only have a little over one hundred gold to my name, but I would rather be alive and well when we are through with our task... it also would not do for me to meet my end before I can fulfill our arrangement, ja?”
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

"While that would be rather unforunate, you have such a large group that I do not forsee such a complication. If you were to die in the coming battle I'm sure your friends would feel obligated to help fullfil my request for my favor to your friend. I suspect he might be friends of your companions as well," says Phoebe shrewdly. "Just know that I do not often haggle."
 
Bernard gave a slight sigh, it seemed there would be no news of Jonathan yet. He moved, standing behind Arissa's chair and placing a hand on her shoulder. He looked down at her with a smile before turning to Phoebe, "Whatever you've asked of Arissa, I'm sure she'll make good on her end of the deal and for the potion of protection from poison, I'll cover whatever she cannot pay. It is the little assurances that seem to make the biggest difference in matters of life and death." He squeezed Arissa's shoulder gently. "Did you want anything Kallisto? You're at the most risk so, if there's anything that might help... just ask."
 
Arissa turns and looks up at Bernard embarrasedly. “I am sorry to ask, but I am afraid that I do not have the funds I am used to back at home... I’ll pay you back when I am able, I swear.” Arissa stood and removed the her coin pouch from her belt, offering it to Phoebe. “There should be one hundred and twelve gold pieces in there... Gods, I wish your people used notes for currency, it is so much lighter.”
 
Bernard pulled the balance of thirty eight gold coins from his coin pouch, careful of the cold iron needle he'd tucked away. He handed the coins to Arissa, and nodded to Phoebe, "Thanks again, for everything." He turned to everyone, "We should get a move on, the day's wasting." Bernard moved toward the door, pausing for a moment, "Thank you for your assistance Giles." He gave a slight bow, a gesture of appreciation before stepping out into the midday sun.

Out front of the house Bernard began to prepare a boat, "Peri! Yelcan! We're about ready to head out!"

Bernard stopped preparing the boat, thinking back on the conversations he'd had since losing his memory. There's no sense in waiting, Kallisto's right we'll always be risking our lives. We can always have a nice little thing for Merris once she's safe. Let Love prevail, don't give in to Fear. Death waits in every dark corner, that's no reason not to proceed. We'll always be stronger together. He opened his coin pouch removing 25 gold. His face set with determination, he returned into the house. The tunnel vision of his task was "Phoebe, please tell me you have silver dust. I need however much twenty five gold will get me." He looked over to Arissa with a smile before turning back to the witch. Bernard nervously played with the coins in his hand waiting for her response.
 
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Arissa smiled again to Bernard as he helped her with the cost of the potion and watched him leave before turning back to Phoebe and taking the potion from her. "Thank you, I am certain this will help keep me safe. It was very kind of you to permit us to stay in your residence for the night. I am certain I will be finding myself longing for another rest in one of your beds soon enough, given the usual quality of rest I have been receiving in the woods." Arissa stops and turns to the door as it was quickly opened once more by Bernard and raised an eyebrow as she listened to his odd request. Silver? What is it that Bernard could possibly want with that? She shrugged, deciding that it was his business and gave Phoebe a smile and a wave before heading outside. "I will be certain to uphold my end of the arrangement. If I ever need anything of the hekserij variety, I know who to come to."

Arissa paused for a moment after exiting the house as she remembered something, and ran around back to the odd pumpkin tree, scanning the faces of the jack-o-lanterns until her eyes found the one she had gazed at last night. Her heart raced and she was unable to stop a smile from crossing her face. If what Phoebe has said is true... I think I have finally saved Jonathan. Arissa came back around the house, the grin still present on her face as she did so, and waited for her companions to assemble.
 
The Moundshroud Residence:

Phoebe collects the money and disappears into a back room bringing the potions out to the ones that have bought them along with the silverdust to Bernard. Violette follows Bernard outside of the building waiting for everyone to gather so they can get under way. Phoebe stands up and heads to take the cup she has to the kitchen to clean it.
 
Bernard took the small bag of dust and thanked Phoebe. Then heading outside he joined Arissa by the boats and waited for the others to assemble. When they had come together Bernard smiled, looking around at his friends. "I'm sorry to slow us down, but this is understandably important to me." He took Arissa by the hand and looked her in her beautiful violet eyes. "Arissa, I realized on this journey that this can't wait. While independently we're both capable and together we're even stronger, we're still so fragile. One terrible mistake could steal either of us away from the other. I don't want to waste another minute not being absolutely honest with you and the world how I feel. I know, in my heart, that we were meant to find each other and we always will." Bernard looked back to the rest of those gathered, "Our journey was a series of small choices. Everything has been building to this, from the moment Arissa chose to stay one more night in Blackburn's Crossing to my quiet vigil over her this morning. There's so much love and caring and compassion and understanding. We are, neither of us, perfect, but I know, in my heart that we are perfect for each other.

Neither of us would be standing here in this moment if the rest of you had not helped us get here in some way.

Perian, you brought me home - first out of the mist, and then when father called back to the Crossing. We met because of you.

Kallisto, you've taken scars for me, wounds that for anyone less would have been fatal, I would not be alive today were it not for you.

Leone, Arissa's trusted friend and confidant, she calls you witch but you're truly a sage. You've seen her through terrible times and helped her overcome curses - you lost your mind for her, and you continue to stand by her side.

Yelcan, you've been a companion to Peri and kept her safe, you've given me the opportunity to set my life in order without fear for Peri's well being.

Violette, we've not known each other long but you saved from Jared, or whatever he was. You risked your life for me, a relative stranger, and I am happy to count you among my friends."

Bernard stopped for a moment, smiling at Arissa, "Anything you'd like to add?"
 
Arissa had turned and looked at Bernard as he took her hand and looked into his eyes perplexed as he began to speak, her expression slowly turning into one of stunned silence. Is he… Are we… Here? Now? Arissa looked down at herself, mortified at the fact that she was about to be wed in her armor. She turned back to Bernard to protest, but as her eyes met his once more, she felt a sense of calm fall over her as the unimportant details fell away. This may not be the royal ceremony that I had always pictured… but something about this feels right… no toeters en bellen, just two people in love professing it before the world.

Arissa realized that Bernard had callen upon her to speak, and she gave him an embarrassed smile. “My apologies, I was just… processing. This is rather unexpected, but it feels simply perfect to me.” Arissa looked around to her friends that were with her there today, while also thinking of those she had made back at town before smiling to them warmly. “When I had first arrived in this land, I was clueless in ways more than just area knowledge. I was lost and confused about my place in the world, but thanks to all of you I have risen beyond the identity of my former station. I know that I still have not figured out much about myself, but I know that I can count on your continued friendship and support throughout my efforts. Thank you all so much for all that you have done for me.”
 
After Arissa finished, Bernard reached into the small pouch and sprinkled the silver around them and over them. He began a traditional Ezran marriage prayer. The silver appeared to pick up in the wind but rather than blowing away, shifted and spun up around their feet slowly forming strands of silver cord which continued to snake through the air, wrapping it around the wrists of Bernard and Arissa's clasped hands. The cord settled for a moment, draping across their arms.

Bernard smiled and began, "Arissa, you are my Light." As he spoke one end of the cord sprung to life and began weaving and curling on itself. "I have wandered the domain. I have slain monster and man. I have saved and healed. However, in all of my life I have never known such joy as I have when I am with you. I love you Arissa di Encanta and I will continue to do so for as long as we both shall live." The cord finished twisting and floated in an odd, contorted shape above their hands. Bernard nodded, "Now you, my love."
 
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