Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Arissa looked over to Léone as she spoke, and nodded wordlessly, still thinking on their failure and trembling slightly as she recalled their opponents. Gods... I thought that Isaiah was a force to be reckoned with... but those things? We would have been killed where we stood...

Arissa looked around the glowing space she had created, unsure whether or not even this spell would make a difference against the beasts they faced, and her eyes fell on Kallisto huddled off to the side. She recalled the Naga demanding to place a spell on Kallisto, and then had an idea. Arissa walked over to her and put a comforting hand on the large woman’s arm and crouched down to meet her eyes. “Kallisto... I am so sorry about the way things have been going as of late. We will figure something out, I promise. In the mean time, I would suggest trying not to waste time moping about. How about a song to cheer you up? I promise, you’ll feel good as new.” Without waiting for a response, Arissa pulled out her flute and began to play a slow tune that evoked images of clouds floating in the sky, focusing her magic into clearing the magical clouds floating over Kallisto’s mind.
 
As they leave Bernard watches carefully, curious if they would be followed. When they had left the tribe's area, Bernard removed Surlac from his belt handing back to Kallisto. "Geas or no, you're not wandering his swamp unarmed." He sighed and remained quiet into the night. When they finally stopped to camp and Leone spoke up, Bernard spread his pelt and took a seat. "So even if it's a 'friend' now, it could be a problem in the future? Isn't that just the way everything is? Though I'm not very fond of it compelling its own 'children' to do anything. Ialay did not seem like one who might want this fate." Bernard glanced over at Kallisto and Arissa as the latter broke into song. He rubbed the sides of his head and looked around to the group. "We can obviously just go home but if it is truly paranoid, how long until this 'Guardian' has converted the Children of Blood and sets its sights on the Crossing?" With a heavy sigh, Bernard pulls his backpack closer, removing a small bag containing a small box and then an urn bearing symbols of Ezra with a lid locked on top. "These are dangerous, but perhaps, they are enough for someone to appeal for the aid of the Shadowman. The deck contains Legba's effigy, a price he considered worth curing lycanthropy. The book... is powerful and I cannot seem to destroy it." As Arissa finished her song for Kallisto, Bernard looked to her, "I am lost, I don't know what to do. I am not ready to die, nor to lose you."
 
Numbly Kallisto felt herself place her weapons on the ground, before turning and leaving the camp. Travel was silent until the group made camp once more, though she still felt a desire to continue onwards, a mental push to leave the area... She placed herself off to the side of Arissa's spelled dome, knees up to her chest as she sat with her arms crossed and her head down ... things had gone so badly. About an hour into their travel she'd felt like a line was cut ... the greataxe. The weapon she'd bargained for and was forced to leave ... she'd hoped it would reappear as it had before, it wouldn't truly be gone -- it couldn't, right? It was a bond till death? And yet ... the growling in her mind was gone.

Tears lined her eyes as she sat with her head down, her mind was almost too quiet now -- she wanted the white noise of its rumble. It had become somewhat reassuring while she'd had it ... but like so many things it seemed lately, it was out of her hands.

She listened as Leon spoke, feeling a strange disconnect once more as any thoughts she tried to piece together shifted and reformed themselves into counter-arguements to what Leon was saying -- the Naga was right to be paranoid for what had been done to it, right to be selfish after what had been taken from her... Kallisto shuddered as she wept silently, frustration and mental exhaustion both dealing their respective blows, but unable to act on either.

When Arissa approached, Kallisto at first shrugged her touch away as Arissa began to play a tune on her flute. The final note played as Kallisto felt the mental push fade and her thoughts slowly return to whatever she considered normal at this point. After everything she was slowly moving from the depression of what had happened to perhaps being the most angry she'd ever truly been. Silently she stood, exiting the dome, stepping towards a small tree that was nearby and began swinging -- claws digging into the bark, cutting away the wood, she swung blindly after awhile, tears blocking out her vision, even with her improved sight.

Eventually she sunk to her knees in front of the tree, claws leaving trail marks down the destroyed bark ... she heard Bernard speak as she returned to the dome, sitting on the ground, hunched with her slightly bloody hands draped in her lap, she stared numbly towards the ground. "... the axe is gone. As we walked ... I felt it disconnect. This has been such ... a -- a fuck up. So many things we should have done ... could have done differently." She rubbed an arm across her face, trying to remove the tears, "I bargained my soul away and yet it ... I thought maybe at least the axe would be bound to me until death ... but it seems not. I thought we knew all we could ... but it seems not."

Kallisto gave a long growl of a sigh, still not looking up, "If anyone should attempt a deal, it should be me. Arissa and Bernard have each other ... and Bernard should not make deals with a Fiend as the Father of an Ezran church. Do not be the next Jeremiah ... Perian and Yelcan have each other, Leon has James waiting for her. Even Violette has those awaiting her return elsewhere ... You all came out here for me, and we have ended up here." She placed her elbows on her legs and held her head in her hands, "... we should speak to the tribe one way or another. They may be able to offer support if we decide to try again ... either in dealing with the hydra, or attacking the Children ... if they truly are being spell-bound, we could potentially cure them as it seems was done to me. At the very least ... I want to tell them what has happened... we might as well with how close we are ..."

She was silent a few moments more until she sniffled again, "...I ... have never been so angry in my life, and felt so incapable of acting on it..."
 
Arissa felt a small moment of satisfaction as she saw the glaze leave Kallisto’s eyes, and then turned to Bernard as he spoke in celestial, and approached him, hugging him tightly. “Please... do not think this way. Legba cannot be seen as an answer... not for us. He brings nothing but death and suffering to those who deal with him, as well as those close to them. I could not stand to see you make the same mistakes I have.”

Arissa turned as she heard the sound of splintering wood and spotted Kallisto demolishing a tree in anger. She watched as Kallisto returned to the domes and sank to the ground, listening and flinching as she had never heard Kallisto swear before. After a moment, Arissa approached Kallisto and sat down in the dirt next to her. She was silent for a moment before turning to her. “It is true... things are bad as they stand. Perhaps if we had gone to speak to the villagers first it might have made a difference. But perhaps not. That was a decision we all made, Kallisto, not on you.” Arissa hesitated a moment before tentatively putting an arm around Kallisto. “You are not alone, Kallisto. We all chose to come here to stand by your side, and given the opportunity, I would do it again for my friend, because I know you would chose to do the same for any of us. No one of us is more important than the rest. Not for station, not for our birth, not for who we love, because we all share the same potential to make a difference in the dark world we live in. I do not know about you, Kallisto, but I am not yet ready to give up on this opportunity.”

Arissa smiled to Kallisto, hoping that something she had said had made sense to her, before turning to address the group at large. “I do not yet believe that it is time to consider making deals with Legba, not until we have spoken with the Children of Blood. Also...” Arissa stood to think for a moment before turning to Léone. “You said that the naga’s children did not seem to be under her control, ja? The spell that was placed on Kallisto was not so great of a challenge to break... perhaps it could be performed on Ialay as well. It sounded as if she was to possess the soul-consuming axe... I believe she would stand with us if given the choice.” Arissa pauses again as she had another thought, putting a hand on her chin as she thought. “This may sound irrational, but I believe I have an idea. It stands to reason that the five headed beast would be under the influence of the same spell as the naga’s children... What would happen if it were to be set free of it’s spell?”
 
Léone winces a bit as she sees Kallisto begin to rip into the wood, clearly frustrated and angry, before returning to the group in a despairing state. Biting her lip, she feels a pang of guilt as she talks about how incapable and disposable she was. Taking a deep breath, she glances in Kallisto's direction nods ever so slightly before beginning to speak. "... What Arissa said. Titles and relationships don't place anyone above another - you are just as important as the rest of us, and we all want to see this through because you're our friend. You deserve that much at least." She sighs, not really sure how else to reassure her.

Glancing over at Arissa, she considers her questions about the naga's control. "I... think so? From what I overheard the other children seemed to revere her as a demigod of sorts, but Ialay didn't share their stance exactly. It is possible that given the chance, she would continue to fight back." At her suggestion about the hydra, she raises an eyebrow and puts a hand to her own chin, deep in thought. "Hrm... it's definitely an interesting idea. Normally I believe spells such as that Geas require the target to understand the caster's words - she said it was the person who had last opposed her, so perhaps it is more than a mindless beast? Or at least, was... maybe it's gone mad such as she has." She tilts her head slightly, considering the idea. "Still... it seemed to obey her summons as well as her commands not to attack, so perhaps there is still some sort of mental ability in those heads. If nothing else, I suppose a rampaging multi-headed monstrosity is preferred to a multi-headed monstrosity under the Naga's control."

She scratches her head, then turns back to Bernard as she suddenly remembers him mentioning Legba. "As for dealing with Legba... I would prefer that to be a last resort as well, but if it comes down to it I'm willing to explain the more... gritty details of the book to anyone willing to make the trade. Or do it myself, even." Her mind flashes to what she read in the Blackburn family journal, mentioning a deal struck, but she pushes aside her curiosity for now. "Pardon me for backtracking, my mind is all over the place. But it is still something to consider - after we exhaust our other options, such as seeking assistance from the tribe."
 
Swamplands:

Violette watched from a distance frowning and considering. A few times she opened her mouth to speak but then did not end up saying anything and closing her mouth again. Only once Leone mentioned exhausting every last option did she speak up. "Do we suspect that Al'ocktalel will know if Kallisto does not continue on her path home? If not any sort of deviation could tip her off to what we are discussing. That posses the question do we maybe split to get more information? Or do we head home and let the swamps figure their own stuff out. The snake lady did keep her word when she could have easily cast that on Kallisto and then attacked. Do we really want it to think of us.... from the crossing as traitors as well? If we fail to kill it with the axe...."

Violette briefly looks in Kallisto's direction knowing that subject itself probably stung. "What's to stop it from attacking the town sooner rather than later? If I was the creature I'd want to punish someone going back on their word. Those snakes didn't seem to have as much trouble moving through the murk as we did and could probably make it back to town before us... I don't like this situation any more than you do but that creature had an intelligence that we need to be careful about," says Violette who visibly shivers for a moment. "I'm with you regardless of what we decide. Let us not make any rash decisions however, or our over zealousness might be our undoing."
 
While the others spoke Kallisto dropped her hands into her lap again, looking at the pads on her fingers and palm, slightly raw from her strikes at the tree, her claws worn and chipped. She reached for Sulrac, placing her palms on the chilled metal ... her lips formed into a sad smile ... if she had not given her weapon to Bernard before they left, Sulrac too would have been taken from her.

Holding the blade in front of her Kallisto looked at her reflection in the blade before spinning it in her hand and forcing it blade down into the ground before her. Taking a deep breath, her eyes red from her weeping, she released it in a long low growl before looking at those gathered around her.

"We go to the Children of Blood. We should have gone before, but others were hesitant, and I did not push for it." She looked towards Perian with her staff, "The Naga did not know I was near before, thanks to Perian's casting, I doubt it can track me now. If they are watching, we need to notice them first. If the Serpent is paranoid, but believes herself to be some sort of god, I doubt she'd expect her casting to be removed so easily, or at least so quickly." Kallisto nodded towards Arissa, but her expression was cold, this was not the usual hesitant calmness or faint cheerfulness she usually wore. As she spoke her teeth were more visible, the faint ring of gold in her vibrant green eyes more apparent.

"Our visit to the tribe will be our deciding factor: we learn if there even was a prior 'chosen one' -- that will help inform us on the hydra. If the only ones left are elderly and children, then the Tribe is done. Maybe we bring the children, let them at least have a life as I did, raised in the Crossing, and let the Tribe fade -- let the Serpent play god in the swamps. If there is a fighting force, those willing to strike, then we come back with a plan." Kallisto wrapped a hand around Sulrac's blade, her claws clinking against the metal as she gave a low growl. "We have seen their numbers, we have a better idea what to expect. Let the Naga be confident in our retreat, now we can hunt properly. We know her casting can be broken, if we can catch the Children, we can potentially break their own spells, if not ... we weaken her numbers." She dragged her claws down the metal slightly, "I did not sell my soul only to lose the weapon I fucking paid for."
 
Swamplands:

"Then as you say, Kallisto. You have my blade at your side for as long as I am able to bear it," says Violette allowing Kallisto's confidence to surge into her own. She had held a wry grin during Kallisto's small speech and turns to the others observing their reactions for a moment. "I guess now the only question is do we press on through the night in haste and rest once we get to the village? It's protected from the Al'ocktalel anyways right? Peri's spell will hide any physical trackers she might send our away and we just hope that Al'ocktalel doesn't have any magical way of tracking Kallisto."
 
Bernard closed his eyes and lied back on the pelt. "We do this and there's no turning back. It dies or we do. I'm here until the end." He spoke up into the bubble rather than at anyone. Aluc cawed from a branch above and Bernard grabbed his pendant taking a breath and accepting Ezra's gift of beast speech again. "Aluc, the Children of Blood, where are they? How far and which way?" The reply was simple, "This way." Aluc flitted off the branch and off to the South West. "For you, from sun up to midday." Bernard thought on the map and the area they'd traveled. So, about six hours south west. That takes us back by the Serpent's territory and past the Witches' hut. We could make it in eight with less risk of running into the Serpent, the cost of time for the safety of us and the Crossing? Seems reasonable but it's her hunt so it's her choice.

Bernard sat up opening his eyes and looking around. "Aluc says it's a six hour trek, it'll take us near the Serpent's territory and past the witches hut. I think I can get us there safer, but it'll take extra time, about eight hours. That puts us a day out from the Children of Blood. I propose we take the night, have dinner, rest up. We should make sure we aren't being watched, then head out under Peri's spell. I tried to watch for tails, but it's difficult to navigate the swamps and watch for predators. If none of them followed us, we can head back toward the Maw. If we leave tonight the collective exhaustion could be more lethal than the predators."

Bernard gave a sigh, "If we can get into the Maw's area of protection, we might buy ourselves from time. However, if we see any Children of the Serpent, we can't let them return to the Great Serpent. Once we're found out, there's little hope for the Crossing."

Bernard stood again, "Gather 'round. I'll do what I can to stave off exhaustion."
 
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Swamplands:

Everyone follows the plan, and eventually beds down after setting up watches. The first two hours go fine, and Leone trades out with Violette who keeps watch. The same as last time she paces to stay awake and She occasionally glances over to Yelcan to make sure he is awake. At one point during her watch she notices movement heading this way. Two huge shapes move up to the orb seemingly curious about it. They come up to Yelcan's side of the bubble as Violette remains still. He sees they are two giant crocodiles one walks around the orb while the other seems to be smelling. Leone stirs her her sleep one eye opening for a second and then lazily closing once more.

Yelcan remains still, slowly turning his head towards Violette, shaking it slightly as he mimes to her to remain silent. For a small while they investigating before one crawls on top of the orb while the other one curls around the orbs outside, as they bed down to sleep. Violette points up at the roof and then mimes a flat hand coming down onto her other hand. Yelcan slowly walks over towards Violette and leans in very close, his voice barely above a whisper. "They can't get in here, were safe for now. We can see if they wander away in the night? What do you think?" Violette shrugs for a moment looking at them. "I'm not sure but we can try..."

Violette and Yelcan wait the rest of the watch but the Crocodiles to not stir. Violette gently nudges Kallisto awake with a finger over her mouth before pointing up above them. There you see a Huge Crocodile sleeping on top of the bubble, and looking around there is another one curled up around the bubble. Kallisto slowly sits up, looking at the two crocs and sighs internally as she rubs her eyes. She gestures to her mouth then the crocs, making a talking motion with her hands, then showing ten fingers. Intending to explain she can speak with them, but needs time.

Kallisto slowly sits up, looking at the two crocs and sighs internally as she rubs her eyes. She gestures to her mouth then the crocs, making a talking motion with her hands, then showing ten fingers. Intending to explain she can speak with them, but needs time. Kallisto stands carefully to be closer towards the one on the top and begins a low rumble to try and wake it. "You sleep on my nest."

The Crocodile on top of the dome looks up for a moment seeing nothing puts it's head back down. "You sleep on my nest, leave." Kallisto ends the sentence with a slightly louder growl. "I sleep on a rock, it is mine. Go away small insect," says the Crocodile seemingly not moving from it's position. The other Crocodile's eyes flares open looking at the wall of the rock.

Kallisto clenches a fist for a moment as she glances back towards Violette and Yelcan. With her right hand she reaches for Sulrac and pushes the tip of the blade just outside the top of the dome, pressing against the belly of the crocodile. "I am not small insect. This rock is my nest -- leave or I slit your belly. Sleep elsewhere and live."

The Crocodile rises looking at the point of the sword for a moment. "You cannot hide in your nest forever," says the crocodile getting off the top of the bubble. The other one moves away wary of the weird rock with random pointy objects. They seem to wait for a few minutes before wandering off. "I will remember this and your smell...."

Kallisto sits back down with a small thud, rubbing her eyes before whispering, "Well... I got them to leave but they intend to try and come after us at some point. Just add them to the list at this rate." Violette nods waiting a few minutes to be sure, before finally bedding down. Finally when it comes time for Kallisto to wake the next to she says "There were two large crocodiles earlier ... figured your dome made a good sleeping spot. We'll need to keep that in mind for the future, and they attempted to threaten us." Kallisto shrugs tiredly, "Think on that as you will. I intend to finally sleep..."

Nothing seems to go wrong with their watch, and they start rousing the others awake. Violette stretches for a moment before looking around and smiles. She stands up. "Guess it's morning time already huh?" she says walking towards the outside of the orb. "I'll go ahead and check on--"

Three large formations she thought had been rocks that had been missed in the night lunged forward from different directions. Giant Crocodiles larger than the hydra one rushing forward and biting landing a bite but Violette managed to slip out of that one right into the bite of the other one. She hit it with a fist stumbling to the side to get away. Two tails hit her at once, one kicking the feet out from under her and the other slamming her in the chest making it impossible to catch herself. Violette growls as she tries to get up as the third one's tails slams straight onto Violette's face with a crunching sound. Still moving and moaning the last bite comes for her and grabs onto her leg and ripping back and forth. The attack happens so suddenly that most of you barely have time to process it.The attack happening a mere fifteen feet outside the bubble and coming from three directions almost completely surrounding Violette.
 
Bernard watched as the crocodiles came for Violette, before either of them could react she was lying in pool of blood surrounded. As Leone ran to Violette's aid and then dissipated into a misty, Bernard sighed, At least she's alive. Then Arissa's words filled him with strength and Yelcan stopped the crocodiles in their tracks. Kallisto rushed forward to attack and Bernard followed closely behind. Worried for their safety, Bernard brought his maul down with an infusion of Ezra's might. Violette struggled free and Peri came in to finish the beast with a flaming blade through the spin as the crocodile fell limp.

The second and third beasts were quickly dispatched by the party. After things had calmed down, Bernard turned to Violette with a chuckle, "So, Violette, you got all your memories back? Like the one where we said don't go out of the bubble... What were you thinking?" He brushes it off lightheartedly and continues addressing the rest of them. "Seems like crocodile will make a good breakfast, I still need to pray, then we should get out of here. Need to reach town before anything happens." There was an odd emphasis to the way he stated town.

He moved back over to his gear and knelt down to pray before realizing his spear was missing, "Kallisto, if you need that... you're welcome to it." He gave a soft smile before closing his eyes and bowing his head.
 
Swampland:

"Thank you all for you're help," said Violette as she begins to check her wounds after the fight and begins to wrap them up. When Bernard comments she scowls but says nothing. She had originally seemed contemplative but now it grows into a frustrated look. During the short rest she spends most of the time securing her bandages and cleaning her sword. After eating the crocodile meat, scavenging some for the road the group sets off under the cover of Peri's staff, keeping an eye out for anyone following.
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Eventually the group comes across a large stone circle made of two circles of an alternating pattern. Outside pillar, inside pillar, outside pillar, and so on. These stone pillars seem to circle around a fifteen by fifteen foot stone slab, that is raised about three and a half feet off the ground. The pillars and slab from a distance seem to be made of some sort of darker stone. After examining the pillars finding out they have draconic symbols on them and the power radiating from within the pillars the group takes a small bit to examine and then decides to leave them alone pushing onward.
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Children of Blood Village:

Around the time when the sun is well on it's way towards the horizon you come across the village of the Children of Blood. Arissa remembers the sight well as it is almost perfectly seered into her brain. The large massive hole towards the southern part of the village, and the large wood thatch huts. A group of armed natives spot you on the way to the village which seems to have been cleared out of trees for about one hundred feet around. The ground is surprisingly solid, and welcome after slogging through a lot of the thick mud.

The natives pull up short observing you carefully, their spears pointed into the sky for now, as a group of five had come out to greet you. The lead one a woman with a missing eye, and arm. Her spear shorter than the rest is planted into the ground before her as she draws back long blonde hair and peers at you with her one blue eye. "Lost One you have returned to us, it is as the bones have said...." she seems to look for someone else for a moment before frowning. "Ialay did not make it then. We will honor her tonight."

Her attention rests on Bernard and Peri for a moment before she speaks again. "It seems you're companions are well chosen. I am Ahretakan and the Forest Father's children are a welcome sight to my eye. Please be welcome to our village you three and your companions, and know that we honor your father's memory still. He did a great service for us. Come come."

With that the woman turns and her people guide you into the village which seems to be comprised of what must be about thirty people. A couple of children play through the streets with make shift spears while another seems to be pretending to be an animal, some of the adults look you're way as you pass whispering seeming to take note of Kallisto mostly. Out of everyone that seems to be in the village they seem to be missing something, with the older people generally having sacrificed more. Eventually the woman leads you into a large room with a fire going in the middle that seems to exit out of the center of the hut. A man sits upon a makeshift chair having neither arms nor legs. He smiles as you enter nodding his head, a gesture you would guess is one of the last few that remain to him.

Ahretakan take a few steps towards the side of this man before gesturing. "This is Kamoktalin the Elder One of our village. It is he who sent Ialay to find you Lost One," says Ahretakan. The old man smiles for a moment before speaking. "Be welcome, the Children of Blood do not have much to offer our Saviors or the Lost One but we are thankful you have answered the call. May I inquire as to what happened to Little Sparrow?"
 
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Tiredly Kallisto walked through the tribe, noting with some small amusement that she had arrived with a spear in her hands, not too unlike the natives wandering around and guarding the village. She felt as if she should be more excited, or interested in what she saw, but the journey so far and the last two days especially had taken their toll on her.

As the group was led into a larger room, Kallisto hesitated slightly as she realized how much of the man was missing, wondering if she'd never left if she might have been similar. She bowed her head slightly towards the man, "... thank you for allowing us into the village. Please, I'd rather be called Kallisto." When he asked about Ialay, a mixture of emotions worked their way across her face -- frustration and sadness before finally landing on the same tired expression she had as they had entered. "Ialay ... is complicated. She did find me, but she did not survive the journey back before being taken by the Serpent. We thought she was dead, only to have learned she was taken by the Serpent in another way -- converted and controlled by it. Controlled we think in the same way it attempted to control me ..." Kallisto clenched her fist for a moment as she thought back to the confrontation with the Naga and how things had gone.

"We did not come straight here ... we attempted to confront the Serpent first, I had even bargained with ... the 'Shadowman' for a weapon to defeat it, only to have lost the weapon in retreat." She bowed her head slightly, "We have come hoping for help ... knowledge we did not have before ... and aid in our hunting. The Naga claims the tribe are traitors for killing her mate, and takes Children for her own -- aided by one she says was sent to kill her before, but is now a hydra under her control. We ... have a rough idea of how to move forward, but ... it is difficult on our own."

She raised her head and met the older man's eyes, "...I'd also like to know ... and understand more of what I've never known of myself."
 
Village:

Kamoktalin nods his head in response to the Lost One's request. "Very well Kallisto. We shall use your Chosen Name, now that we know it," he said bowing his head for a full second. He looks pained for a second when it comes to Ialay but shakes his head. "That is unfortunate, she however succeeded in her mission leading you to eventually come here to the Village of the Children of Blood. It has been some time since we have gotten anyone to the Cold Lands. Some of us are not old enough to remember when coming and going was as easy as loosing an arrow. There was a temporary break many years ago, when Ahretakan lost you, and instead found her."

Kamoktalin looks from Kallisto to Perian smiling. "You've grown up much, and you carry the Stick that was a Tree. I approve of our Gift being passed along, to another of the land. The Cold Lands have forgotten what it is to live with the land, instead scarring it but that is not while you are here forgive me."

The old man closes his eyes for a moment as if to rest or reorder his thoughts. "It is well that you sought out aid of others. The Shadowman's gift though lost may still be important. Al'ocktalel will most likely guard it or give it to her most prized fighter."

After a moment of silence Kamoktalin opens his eyes to look at you all. "There are those that would have followed you with such a weapon, eagerly believing but I am afraid some will need convincing to follow you. You are welcome to stay in the village as long as you like though again we do not have much to offer you. It will not be long before we must hold a feast once more to hold us over."

At this Ahretakan speaks. "We will hopefully be rid of the Great Serpent soon that it may not be necessary," she seems a bit weary as she looks to Kamoktalin. He smiles gently at this. "I will do what I must, the other's strength will be required for the days to come, but it is not time for that." Ahretakan nods solemnly for a moment turning her eye back to the group.

"As for our Clan's history with the Undying one. I can only tell you what has been passed down to me, but you are correct that there was One who came before. My older brother Neealin. He was confident in his destiny, and it was this confidence that the Great Serpent turned to her favor. He was born under the sign of the Snake Eater. Those stars shown brightest that night. It was a sure sign that he would kill the Great Serpent and devour her body so that she may never return. It was not so. Neealin's confidence believed that he had defeated the Undying One and so he demanded that she gift him with her Immortality, believing that he was undefeatable. I was there the night he returned the heads of his companions attached to either side of his head and arms. It was this deed that transformed him into the Hydra. He got what he wanted.... Immortality." said Kamoktalel as he takes a moment to swallow his eyes starting to glisten. "He has not been seen in years however... I had thought maybe, no... I guess that was too much to hope for."

"Please forgive an Elder One for his weakness. Come back near dusk and I will tell you the story that has been told to me, and every Elder since. Then I will be ready to tell the tale..." says Kamoktalin turning his face away, unable to hide his shame with the lack of limbs. Ahretakan looks over to the group and proceeds over to them. "Let the Elder One rest for now. I can show you to a hut that you may use during your visit. It has become... empty. Or I could show you around the Village of Blood."
 
Ludwig slowly and casually struts into the swamps, a sickle glistening freshly as the light shines upon it. He crouches down and examines a wide selection of herbs, making sure that it's exactly like the one's depicted in Perian's book. A swift slice of the blade and a handful of herb goes into his pouch, firmly tapping it after he stores it away.

"I've seen enough of these now.. I'll need a varying palette of herbs if I want to call myself a master." Scratching his chin for a moment, he peers deeper into the swamps. "Perian told me not to stray too far into the swamps, but surely a few steps couldn't be a terrible idea. A man who never takes a risk will always stick to the same rhythm of life." With his mind psyched and his body following suit, he steps off course for a bit only to be met with strange hallucinations.

Ludwig gets a sudden whiff of nostalgia as he feels the familiar cold pass by his body as a gentle but constant breeze. Just when he realises the breeze, his environment had suddenly changed from swamp to indoors. More smells come to play as he smells the sterilizing alcohol, the burning but pleasant sensation filling up his nasal cavity. With a smile that only god himself could wipe off his face, Ludwig keeps on walking as he looks around.

"Wait. Hold on. Is that a Minotaur? There is no possible way that could be one.. unless someone succeeded in connecting multiple arteries in succession without excessive bleeding or bodily resistance between different kinds of tissue!" He runs up towards the beast and inspects it up close, his entire face lit up with amazement and interest. Spotting the scrawlings on the wall, Ludwig whips out his notebook with lightning speed as he starts to copy what it says with one hand as he pokes the beast's body with the other.

"How marvelous.. How sublime... How interesting! Your heart is still beating! The feeling of it throbbing in my palm is almost intoxicating!" Ludwig exclaims as he softly squeezes in sync with the bull's heartbeat. His attention is diverted though, as he turns his head around to look at the voices calling out to him. When the figure working the other creature takes off her mask and reveals to be the lady he talked with at the ball, Ludwig lets go of the heart and walks up to her with his now bloody hand raised to shake her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine, dear. Though you might have cheated a little bit to know my name in advance, I thought we would reveal it later on, didn't we?" He gives her a small wink as he is notified of yet another presence in this room. "Yet another individual who knows my name without revealing his own, I wonder what I did to deserve all this attention." He laughs as he shifts his hand between both the man and woman, uncertain of who would come up to shake it first.
 
Bernard stepped forward, placing a hand on Kallisto's shoulder. "We should see the Village before we retire to a hut. I'm sure you'll convince them that you're a leader worth following." He stepped past her toward the Elder, he reached for his maul, aware of the danger he likely seemed to be as the tension in the room grew. He whispered as he grabbed his maul which shifted and shrunk into a small dagger in his hand. "There is no shame in great age or great wisdom. Would my blood suffice for your sustenance?" He bared his arm placing the blade against it. "You have welcomed us into your home, my father taught me it is polite to feed your host." His stomach rumbled slightly at the thought of food, turning to the other, he asked, "Speaking of food, is there game to hunt in the woods? Are we permitted to do that?"
 
Kallisto listened as the man spoke, her hand moving towards her beads and began picking at them. "She spoke highly of Ialay ... if anyone were to have it, it will likely be her. It seems we're tied together one way or another. If I need to prove myself for someone to follow me ... I will stand to the challenge, but I would rather someone follow me for their own sake, in helping to defeat the Serpent instead of mere intimidation. While you seem to recognize Perian and Bernard, I also have in my party one who is marked by the 'Shadowman'," Kallisto glanced over her shoulder towards Arissa, "if they seek more confidence in my allies."

"I do not think we intend to stay long, but ... as I said, we -- or at least I -- have a plan for how to continue. The tribe's knowledge of the area and resources though may be what tips the hunt in our favor, even if not all are so eager to follow. If I may ask ... the greataxe I once had ... is far away in the Crossing -- the 'Cold Lands'. A spear or a sword ... is not nearly the comforting weight I seek."

She bowed her head slightly as he spoke of his brother, "...I see. If you wish him put to rest, we can attempt. I do not know if what happened to him can be undone."

She glanced towards Bernard as he approached, watching him move up towards the elderly man. Looking down for a moment she turned to the rest, "...We've been offered a place to rest while we stay here. We may find others willing to help us here, but in losing the axe ... they may be harder to convince. The elder's brother was once the hydra, supposedly he was sent against the Naga before, but grew overconfident and it was turned against him. We've been offered a tour as well, if we don't want to move to the hut right away. I intend to take the offer, I'd like to see the place I might have lived ... and see how many here are even potentially able to help us. The Serpent has crippled their hunting..." She looked towards Perian, "It sounds like your staff once belonged to this tribe -- it was a gift. They're glad to see who wields it now."

Turning back to the elders, "I would like to see the village, and I look forward to the tale."
 
Swamplands 5 Days Prior...:

“Oh I never cheat Dr. Ludwig. Though there are those who have claimed as such,” said the woman in her singsong voice. Papa Legba’s gaze moves from Ludwig to the woman and back to Ludwig before speaking.

“I make a habit of knowing all who come to these lands, especially the crossing as it is a place where many roads intersect.”

“Indeed that is correct Mr. Legba,” says the woman reaching out and taking Ludwig’s bloody hand and shaking it with no sign of displeasure from her white smile. “As for my name there are not many mortals who both know my name and have had the pleasure of meeting me.”

“Then allow me to introduce you, both Madam. You have the pleasure to be in the presence Queen Maeve of the Seelie Court, Daughter of Arak the Erlking. Queen Maeve this is Dr. Ludwig Humboldt of Garmonn.”

Papa Legba punctuates her title with a slight bow of his own.

“It is a pleasure to be formally introduced, I’m afraid I was a bit in a rush at the Ball,” says Queen Maeve letting go of Ludwig’s hand.

“I noticed you taking some notes over in the corner, I’m afraid it won’t get you very far on the processes without further knowledge. I am aware you are a man of science, things like the Fey’s Magic that you carry with you, and I, myself who have abilities that seem almost mystical in nature. I like to think ‘magic’ as it were called is simply a process that science has yet to be able to quantify. Maybe one day it will be.”

“Speaking of,” says Queen Maeve cutting in. “Let me conclude my own business arrangement before you go on Mr. Legba. Dr. Humboldt, I trust you held onto the item I had you hold onto? It has been long enough that I may take it back, and grant you a small boon of my favor. Please take this invitation to the Midnight Market.”

Maeve then reaches out handing Ludwig a card holding both an invitation and an address within the town of Blackburn's Crossing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You are cordially invited to participate in Our Market Night upon October 13th, 755, by grace of God the two hundred and fifteenth anniversary of the Market. Hours of admission are from 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. A donation of one (1) drop of blood per visitor is greatly appreciated. Invitation tendered by courtesy of Queen Maeve. ​
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
As Kallisto looked over to her and mentioned her marking by Legba, a thought crossed Arissa's mind. She steps forward next to Kallisto, and strikes what she hoped to be a fairly imposing pose, resting one hand easily on her large sword as she looked down at the man. "I am afraid that your Lost One does not understand the full extent of my connection with the Shadowman. I am Arissa, the Angel of Shadow, who has been sent to aid the Chosen One in His stead. He has not been blind to the struggles of your people, and His bargain is this. The Shadowman has foreseen victory over the Undying One, so long as you are willing to fight for it by our side. Though your days have been grim, His power is strongest in our darkest hours. I would ask an audience before your people so that I might prove his presence."
 
Village:

Kamoktalin laughs for a moment at Bernards display, showing a bit of his missing teeth. “We do not ask for this Gift but appreciate the offer. If you wish to give up some of your Life Blood then we will not turn it away. Ahretakan please bring forth the Heart.”

Ahretakan disappears for a while into a back room before bringing back a large pot with runes scrawled over in a combination of what seemed to be Sylvan and arcane runes. On top of the container was a bowl that held a hold with which it appeared would drain liquid down to the middle. Kamoktalin speaks explaining the thing.

“The Heart will preserve you’re Life Blood so that it does not spoil, I do not know how much you intend to give but even a little is a Gift given freely,” says Kamoktalin. He turns to Arissa who makes a small speech to which the old man smiles softly.

“It is not I that you need convince, Angel of Shadow. I have read the Bones of Fate and know that the Lost One will be victorious. I just do not know how or the when. I accept this bargain on behalf of my people,” says Kamoktalin, and as this is mentioned the fire suddenly and violently flutters. Violette looks concerned at the fire for a moment unsure of whether the man had done that.

“I don’t think fires are supposed to do that…. Did he just… cast a spell?” asked Violette inching away from the fire in the center of the room.

“It would seem that he has heard,” says Kamoktalin as he looks briefly to Ahretakan nodding in her direction. “We will gather tonight for a Bonfire where you may present yourself, as well as Kallisto. Perhaps seeing with their eyes will allow some the courage needed.”

“Tal’lel can provide you with a greataxe if that is your need. It is only fitting a Great Warrior would need a Great Weapon,” says Ahretakan smiling for a moment.
 
Standing with his arm stretched over the urn Bernard sliced a deal diagonal cut. The blood flowed quickly from the wound into the cup. Standing there, he turned to Kamoktalin, "A Gift freely given. I hope it helps." He turns to Ahretakan, "On the tour, if you could show us the Maw and take me to see any ill you might have here." He gave a weak smile as his constitution faded. As Kallisto explained to the others then offered some of her own blood, Bernard gave a slight moan and reached over to seal his wound, his hand glowing as the warmth pulled at the cut leaving only a faint mark. He cut Kallisto's arm more carefully than his own, his blood had flowed quickly and he worried he might have passed out. Then he clutched his amulet and prayed for Ezra's strength, feeling some of his endurance return to him.

As Kallisto finished her offering, Bernard healed her wound and said a prayer for her as well. For Arissa and Violette he had no strength to restore them but healed their wounds. His hand blackened and charred from the rapid expenditure of Ezra's favor, Bernard began to rub it as the charred skin flaked off, revealing no injury underneath. He continued to rub it as he smiled at Violette, "They appreciate your gift. I'm sorry I didn't heal you earlier, we had a long trek ahead of us and I prefer to have it for combat when life and death are more in the balance."
 
Village:

Ahretakan shows the group around the village. During which she tries her best to describe, what everything is for. The Maw is for protection of the village, every season one person must be given to the Maw to appease it or forfeit their protection. There are area’s set aside to the village where people spar, and practice with spears. Even children are seemingly taught how to use them.

There is the Shaman’s hut, as well as a younger man who you meet on the way past who is apprenticing or was chosen to eventually take the Shaman’s place. He mentions that the Shaman is currently ‘flying’ and not to be disturbed.

There is a crafting area where spare wood and supplies for making their armor and weapons are off to the side. Upon approach a larger woman looks to Ahretakan questioningly and she moves up to whisper to her. The woman looks surprised at you all of a sudden and brings back a spear setting it on one of the high wooden benches. The spear seems to be coated in blood, as if it has been used to freshly kill someone. “A gift freely given, to one who might need it.”

Ahretakan explains as much as she can about their ways, and things they believe in but it is far from complete for the small tour she gives you. Often times things are the way they are because… that’s just the way they are. Until you finally end up at the hut which has been assigned to the party. Letting you know only about an hour left until the bonfire. People were already starting to build it up.
 
As they traveled through the town, Bernard looked into the Maw, taking a breath and focusing on his senses. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Bernard took the spear with a nod of thanks. His hand moved to the dagger in his belt, without drawing it he whispered a word and the metal curled around his finger again, the Hathoway signet.

Arriving at the tent, Bernard thanked Ahretakan for the tour and entered. Taking a seat and offering the spear to Leone, he asked. "Leon, could you tell us what this is?" When Arissa entered, Bernard frowned at her, "You drew his gaze... I hope you know what you're doing."
 
Arissa walked through the strangely familiar tribe, giving a wide berth to the pit that the Maw had emerged from. She absentmindedly ran a hand over the small finely crafted dagger with which she had used to draw blood, allowing her magic to wash over it and wipe the blade clean. She slipped it back into it’s small sheath, and entered the tent after the rest of the party.

Arissa looked over to Bernard as he questioned her decision to pass herself off as a warrior of Legba, glancing briefly over to Kallisto before her gaze returned to him. “I pray that I do as well. You saw what we are up against, Bernard. The naga, the Children, now this... five headed beast? We will need all of the help we could possibly obtain, and it did not sound as if Kallisto’s presence alone would secure it. I both look and know how to act the part as the fiend’s champion, as much as it pains me to do so, and I believe I can provide the extra push. Legba is the one who set us on this path, and I doubt he will pay much mind to the manner in which we accomplish it.” Her expression then softens as she looks to Bernard. “I am sorry if I have caused you concern... that was never my intent. I just... I wish to do whatever I can to improve our odds of returning home safely. Kamoktalin said that Kallisto is destined to slay this creature, ja? Perhaps destiny needs a little push.”
 
Bernard smiled and patted the ground next to him. "Come, take a seat... I know what you are doing and you're probably not wrong. I just thought you should know that he is watching, whatever choices we make should be made cautiously. We've only been married a day, I am not ready to lose you." He seemed tired as he spoke. "I never did get the opportunity to tell you how happy you have made me... nor how sorry I am that it was all so quick. That was, not what I intended, probably not what you wanted either, I know I wish Merris had seen it. Are you happy being Mrs.Hathoway?"
 
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