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Chapter VII: Revelations

Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
Carn knew how unruly dwarves could be, but he didn't quite know how to deal with one this agitable. Carn did indeed know the reason for the distant dropoff. A glamorous entrance near the village would have easily tipped off any of Ilhirel’s forces. That was easy enough to understand, but putting the fact into words was difficult when the focus of a dwarf raving like an angry badger was on you.

Carn cleared his throat to gather himself before giving the explaination. “Portaling near the village would tip off Ilhirel’s forces. Besides, from how the path looks…” Carn trailed off as he looked at the general surroundings. “We only have around an hour of walking left.” Though Carn didn't show it, he hoped that was enough to divert the ire of the dwarf and to resume the party's silent walk.
 
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Auri Grashaal the Insatiable

- Drakkar Ambassador to Asgard -​


Adventure! Finally!!

And don't you dare take that as some OOC dig on the time it's taken to get this game rolling again. These things happen. You'll see what Auri means! =)

Auri was very happy! This was the sort of thing he was wanting from the universe at large when he turned 350 years old earlier this week. Adventure! Every crunching step through the white mountain-wilderness was a step of freedom! As much as he enjoyed Alicante and the historical position he had held in that grand town, he secretly held a fear that one day, he would just pass away from behind his desk, quill in hand, eyes looking forlornly to the window to where life really was! Oh, being an ambassador, especially a well-liked one, was a joy sometimes, but it could be so tedious! What Auri really was, or wanted to be, was a wizard! And an adventuring wizard at that! Even if he fell off the mountainside this very moment, at least he wasn't dead behind his desk!

The Insatiable One took in every fresh breath of freezing air as if it were a summertime picnic. Sure, it was horridly cold, seriously dangerous, and a hundred other inconvenient things... and here in the thick of it, it made him feel alive! So much that not even an ill-tempered dwarf could chill the fires now flaring in Auri's old heart!

"What's that? We have a complainer amongst us? Oh, I think I know what he needs; a change of view!" Auri reached down and with his slow, but mighty grasp, attempted to pluck Laurolf up off the snows and unless Laurolf blocked or dodged him, Auri placed Laurolf high on Auri's shoulder where he would have to trod no more. "How do you like the view from up here? Think, Laurolf! Would you rather be back in some stuffy old room where hardly nothing new ever happened or here? Not me! I am making the most of this while I still have time and life left in these old bones!"

"I know!" He raised his claw while he continued easily strolling along with his dragon-headed cane, "Let us snap jokes at one another! Listen, Laurolf! An elf, drakkar, and dwarf walk into a bar. Oh wait! The dwarf has to walk under the bar! Aaaha ha!! Your turn! Tell a drakkar joke on me! You have to know at least one!"

Carn may have seen it, he may not have, but Auri the Insatiable shot the younger drakkar a wink filled with good spirit. Auri felt the young drakker had endured enough misery already to have a rabid, troll-mouthed, friend-of-a-dwarf lobbing unhappy words Carn's way.
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
Carn tilted his head in puzzlement when his senior began playfully teasing the dwarf. Had the drakkar given a snide, snobby remark, Carn would have thought it typical of a drakkar, which was not the case. Rather, everything about Auri seemed warm and modest, an inviting aura that was paradoxically stronger now than it was during the gathering. The disarming atmosphere combined with the sudden dwarf joke was nearly enough to make Carn snigger, nearly. Carn’s calm facade held as hard as ever, but this time, his body and tail were slacker in comparison to other awkward situations he's been in.

When Auri gave Carn a wink, Carn had to pause for a moment before understanding what Auri had just done for Carn. When Carn made the realization, he responded with a thankful nod towards his senior, an ever-so-slight curve forming at the end of his jaws.
 



Asher was a city person, his life spent surrounded with thick walls and artificial heat sources. The cold air of the northern region chilled him to the bone, his leather clothes only good for protecting him against the wind.

When they came out of the portal, though the shock of the cold air was unpleasant, the protective garments served as a relief from that. It did not take long for the cold to seep in though.

Shivering, he heard the dwarf attempt to start some sort of squabble.

Great, as if the cold wasn't enough, let us just get to a fireplace quietly...
 



Maggie shivered, cold despite her warm clothing. Usually when she headed north, she had time to acclimate as she traveled, and anyway she hadn't yet made it quite this far north. She pulled her cloak tighter around her, but smiled, for the view was spectacular.

She was about to speak up in Carn's defense when Auri did so in his own, inimitable fashion, and the priestess couldn't help but giggle at how her large friend had turned the mood of the conversation in an entirely different direction. "Oh yes!" she exclaimed. "It's a lovely view just from down here, I'm sure it's even better up there! Do try to enjoy it, Laurolf, and don't let the shivers get you down. We'll be back in the warm soon enough, but not for long, you know, so it's better to just get used to it."
 
Auri Grashaal the Insatiable

- Drakkar Ambassador to Asgard -​


If Auri noticed Asher's discomfort (which, given the secretive nature of the fellow, may have been hidden from his aged eyes), Auri did what he could to put his voluminous round mass between Asher and the biting wind. After all, a man with so many shadows probably had more shadows in his past than friends in his present. So why not be a friend to a shadow? Life could be cold enough as it was. To try do good for someone else, even an often-silent stranger like Asher, was cause enough for Auri to act. For life could be warm in many ways too.
 
Laurolf did not seem to appreciate Auri's teasing in the slightest. "Oi! Let me down!" he protested, an expression of shock and disbelief plastered across his face.

"Oh, leave him be, Auri," Dina told him, though not without a smile. "He doesn't mean it. He's just being himself. Complaining for the sake of it, as usual. In his weird way, I believe he's actually trying to keep our spirits up." The young queen kept near the middle of the group, trailed by Violet at all times, who seemed to take her responsibilities very seriously. Even as most of the group was engaged in one way or another in what was going on with Auri and Laurolf, the elven commander maintained a cold, distant vigil. She was not being quite her usual self - perhaps she found it a luxury that she could not afford at the moment.

Once his feet found solid ground again, the dwarf seemed a little calmer, though he still shot Auri with a mean-looking stare (which, if Dina was to be believed, wasn't truly all that mean). He murmured a quick phrase in Dwarven, too quick and too local even for Auri to understand, though his duties and travels had equipped him with a decent understanding of the language. Still, he could grasp that what was being said wasn't nice at all. After that he grumbled: "Whaddaya waitin' for? Let's be gettin' there, hm?" and moved up to lead the way alongside Carn.

Violet seemed to support that idea, gesturing for Dina and the others to follow. Her eyes scanned the landscape ahead, but judging from her expression, she did not find in it the beauty that Maggie was speaking of. Though she'd watched over Dina before today, it seemed to weigh more on her now that it was her solemn duty; now that she knew that she was responsible not just for her friend, but her queen as well.

Dina did not look worried in the slightest. If anything, the girl looked better than any of them had seen her before. Wherever she looked, her reaction to the world around her was more akin to Maggie's, and when she wasn't looking at or admiring something in the distance, she paid attention to her companions and often smiled. Taking part in this mission made her feel more alive, apparently. She walked on in her white-furred coat, well bundled up and prepared for anything.

"Do you think your friend has recovered?" the girl unexpectedly addressed Carn. Even as she did, the wind greeted them once again. "As I remember, you left him with the local healer?"
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
Carn empathized with Asher. Although his group didn’t come through a portal, the biting cold was still as miserable as ever. Thankfully, Carn wouldn’t have to walk for long in the ice and cold. As he idly waited for the group to begin walking, the last person he wanted to talk to spoke to him.
Wolf Rawrrr said:
"Do you think your friend has recovered?" the girl unexpectedly addressed Carn.
Click to expand...
Carn diverted his attention to the woman, not having yet comprehended the question.
Wolf Rawrrr said:
Even as she did, the wind greeted them once again. "As I remember, you left him with the local healer?"
Click to expand...
When he understood the question, Carn’s gaze on Dina grew dull, the frigid gust picking up around them. However, as quickly as the gust picked up, it died down.

“He’s fine,” Carn spoke calmly as he turned away to the path. In his team, his old team, his friend was the toughest. No matter how hurt he got, he’d always spring back faster than anybody else. That and his friend's never ending jokes, Carn could never be worried, but after seeing his friend then…

“We should get going,” Carn said before walking at a hastened pace without taking a glance back.
 
Date: October 12th (Sunday), year 3321
Location: The Frostback Mountains
Weather: Cloudy, bright, and cold, with occasional gusts of colder wind.

Around 10:00 h
The outskirts of the village of Haven


Dina made no reply to what Carn said. Like Violet, she fell in closely behind and the Chosen's march continued on for almost another hour, just like Carn had promised. The trip was uneventful until the path that had been climbing steadily for a while finally evened out, leading them around an outcropping of rock and in sight of their destination.

The village of Haven lay before them; a smattering of winter cottages, mostly grouped together but with a handful scattered around on their own, their chimneys lazily blasting smoke up into the sky. The nearest of them was perhaps a third of a mile away. The Chosen could see people moving between the houses, going about their business. Most of the houses were simple single-floor structures, built out of stone and angled wooden roofs, but some were bigger. There was a small temple as well, near the center. It was all very familiar to Carn.

"So," Violet spoke up as she scrutinized the village from afar. "We've talked about the plan in general, but now that we're here, we better agree on the specifics. Carn," she turned to the drakkar. "I'm sure you'll want to check on your friend before anything else. He hasn't had a lot of time to recover; if we want to bring him along on this mission, we need to make sure he's fit to do so. Perhaps you should take Maggie with you," she suggested, with a nod aimed at the priestess. Then she frowned. "Where is the healer's place, anyway?"
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
“I know that look on your face. Aron will be fine,” a familiar echo suddenly assured Carn. “Besides, he’s our leader… even if he is a charlatan.” The friend gave a defeated sigh. In response, Carn gave his silent nod before the memory faded away, leaving a sense of worry and a smell of blood in its place. Throughout the walk, Carn’s mind constantly reminded him of his team and his leader, keeping him on edge. It was only natural that when he saw the bend around the corner that his pace slowly quickened until the village came into view.

When Carn had first arrived at this village, he found it familiar and inviting despite most of his mates saying otherwise. The large spacing between the buildings, the occasional person walking around, even the church placement was the same. Though, as the group walked into the village, Carn only thought it discomforting and alienating, a poor reminder of his own childhood.

When Violet had directed the question at Carn, he nodded, turning to point toward a remote location north of village. There, hardly visible but still very distinct, was a relatively small hut with smoke rising up from its tiny chimney. The path to the little hut was positively smothered with snow and footprints (or more like foot holes), the sight of which annoyed Carn.

“It’s that building way over there,” Carn directed, lowering his arm once he thought everyone knew the location of his friend. He didn’t look away, however, from the little hut. He remained fixated on it, gazing it with a mix of both fear and hope.
 
"Hmm," Violet narrowed her eyes towards the place that Carn pointed out. It was just beyond Haven's northern end; the last house in the village. From there, the village road led farther out, twisting and winding through the foothills of the Frostback Mountains, until it disappeared beyond what the Chosen could see from here. "The fastest way to get there seems to be through the village center. Just as well - I was going to suggest that it might not be a bad idea to gather some information before we venture out. I wonder if the dragon showed itself since it attacked Carn's team? We could split up; Carn and Maggie could go check on Aron, while the rest of us look around. What do you think?" she asked.
 
Auri Grashaal the Insatiable

- Drakkar Ambassador to Asgard -​


Auri searched himself. He realized the entire reason he was out here was not only to help the Chosen, but because his best friend Maggie was out here too. He realized then that he would feel horrible if something happened to her and he was not present.

Plus he had a growing interest in his fellow drakkar, Carn, who seemed receptive to Auri's presence. He had broken the social ice between them a little and he was curious as to see where that would go. Hopefully somewhere that would help the young fellow.

And besides, just who was this Aron person?

"I am with Maggie and Carn if they will have me?" the drakkar mage asked them.
 



"I'll check the tavern or whatever substitutes for one. Anything is better than staying in this cold."

Even though a warm place was his priority, Asher was used to spying and listening in to conversations in crowded places. He felt that his skills would be the most useful there.
 
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Maggie nodded. "Auri can talk to any of others that happen to be with the healer while Carn and I see to Aron," she said. "Not that I have any reason not to trust the healer's work, and I'm sure he's been well cared for, but places like these rarely have formal education or healer-priests passing through, and it's always good to offer." She smiled, remembering times her offer had hurt the locals' pride, but once everything had been properly explained, that was soon got over and their pride turned to gratitude.

She nodded again when Asher offered to check the tavern. He'd picked up enough from their group that way, back in Alicante, to decide their goals were similar and join forces in the first place. She didn't doubt he could do at least as well now.
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
While it made sense to Carn for the priestess to see Aron, he didn’t expect his senior to tag along. He didn’t like that, but did he dislike it either. At best, Carn was ambivalent towards the idea. It was that Auri both reminded him of so many things and yet reminded him of so few things. It was as if everything stood upside down but still moved normally. Those weird feelings were what kept Carn wondering as to how he should respon, but he couldn’t dwell too long on the matter. After letting out a rather confused sigh, Carn gave his response to Violet.

“I’m not against having both Maggie and Auri going with me to see Aron,” Carn replied in his calm, stony tone. At least we have a sorcerer to back us up if anything goes wrong, Carn thought as he took a glance at the larger drakkar.
 
Date: October 12th (Sunday), year 3321
Location: Village of Haven, the Frostback Mountains
Weather: Cloudy, bright, and cold, with occasional gusts of colder wind.


  • Around 10:00 h
    Haven village square

    As agreed, the Chosen split up upon reaching the village center. They'd already earned themselves quite a bit of attention, but such was the way in these small, remote places where everyone knew everyone. Even a lonely traveler wouldn't go unnoticed - to say nothing of a party of seven that included humans, drakkar, an elf, and a dwarf. Of all these, the two drakkar caught the most attention. Especially Carn, for he'd been here before just a few days ago. But especially Auri, for his size that made him unusual even among his own kind. But even if you discarded these factors, there would still remain the fact that very, very few drakkar made it this far north. And fewer still to Haven itself, out of the way as it was. Who knows? Carn and Auri might as well have been the first of their kind that some of these people had ever seen, judging by their reactions at least.

    Still, for all the attention they received, no one dared to actually walk up to their colorful company and make something of it. Until they parted ways, at least. Once Dina, Violet, and Laurolf were left standing by themselves in the middle of the village square, though they were still a colorful trio, they must have seemed more approachable on their own (or lacking their drakkar escort, perhaps), for some of the villagers that were standing about looked quite eager to speak to them.

    "Hello!" Dina called out to them, loud and friendly and waving her hand.

    Laurolf rolled his eyes behind her.
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
Carn nearly toppled backwards when a person nearly ran into him. Slightly flustered, he gathered himself before looking down at the person, only for him to lose more of his composure at the unfamiliar but beautiful woman.
Wolf Rawrrr said:
"Maker! B-By the Maker! What on earth's this? Who're you?" she blurted out.
Click to expand...

“I- I would ask the same,” Carn stuttered when he finally got his words out, his face warming up against the harsh cold. Carn usually wasn’t this enamored with women, but it was only at this specific moment with all its little coincidences (minus the purple hat) that Carn became particularly vurnerable to the fairer sex. Before his stare passed the three second mark, Carn’s mind eagerly reminded him why he was here, prompting him to recompose himself.

After clearing his throat, he politely asked, “We’re here to see Aron.” As he was speaking, Carn clasped his hands instinctively as like a priest before gently asking the woman, “Is he fine?”
 
Auri Grashaal the Insatiable

- Drakkar Ambassador to Asgard -​


Auri turned on the charm to these new people. They honestly had nothing to fear from him but keeping that inside was not enough for him. Besides, children of any species were a delight to him. So while he nodded, greeted, and smiled (keeping his fangs and teeth hidden inside his mouth lest he frighten them, of course!) to the onlookers, he played along a little when the children had received their signal to scoot. He acted as if the adults were talking to him and scattered as crazily as the children had, finally hiding behind little Maggie for "protection."

"Oh! Don't let them find me or they'll make me do more chores!"

From behind her, he peered this way and that mock-hoping that he wasn't going to get into trouble from any of the grown-ups, including the one he was hiding behind! Oh noes!!

Once beyond Haven, Auri straightened and felt good. That was fun! And fun was important! Sure this was a mission of secrecy, but none of this would any good if these people felt menaced in any way. Trust was important too for trust could break down barriers unfindable by a thief's eye or insurmountable by a warrior's weapons. He resumed his regular manner while keeping a grin on his face.

That was, until the door burst open and the half-manic human appeared! Zounds! Auri was relieved to see more in her mannerisms than the fear and ill-will of the ignorant. This was a human consumed more by the unknown than by hate, and that was something to be appreciated in these dire times!

"We are friends of friends," Auri smiled and backed Carn's words. He spoke slowly and clearly, allowing each of his words to sink in and calmly dissipate the woman's surprise. His voice was filled with straightforwardness and compassion; he was hoping the surprised human would reply with the same. "You may call me... Mister Roundabout. I have brought goodies for Aron, for I am a traveler and meal-maker as you can see!" He patted his rotund girth with a chuckle. "Your people have a fine town here, your people have good souls! But who might you be? And might we see Aron, if you please?"
 
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Maggie couldn't help smiling at Auri's antics. His sense of humor, and love of lightening the mood, was one of the things she liked about him. He could always be counted on to cheer things up.

As they neared the healer's house, the priestess was extremely pleased by what she saw. Haven obviously had better care by, and for, its healer than she'd seen in some. And no blame to those; they couldn't afford to provide a nice house, and poor villages rarely attracted the more qualified. The sudden exiting of what might be the healer herself (though Carn's reaction didn't seem to indicate that) interrupted her thought.

"I'm Maggie, Priestess of the Maker," she replied simply, not wanting to overwhelm the girl with too many explanations at once. Auri might think it necessary to conceal his identity, but if Maggie's robes and symbol didn't proclaim her calling, her Maker-given abilities as a healer (which, if needed, would naturally be provided!) certainly would, and her name was common enough.
 
The village girl seemed puzzled at first.

"Aron? Who's Aron...?"

She quickly snapped out of it, though, blinking rapidly. "Oh! Oh, I know! He must be one of Master Renhart's patients, huh? Is that why you're here? To see Master Renhart? Go right ahead then, he's in. My name's Violet. I help with the Master's errands sometimes. It's nice to meet you! You look like you're from someplace far, far off! We don't get very many people from far-off in Haven!"

The woman named Violet stood firm in place, bright and pleasant, and probably too excited to remember that she was still blocking the door. Her remark was clearly meant for Auri and Carn, but since Maggie introduced herself, she'd been paying her some attention as well. One might even say that Maggie's presence had a very positive effect on the woman.
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
When Violet had spoken of Renhart, the rest of her welcoming words didn’t reach Carn. He was confused. The elderly man that looked over Aron clearly introduced himself as Horn. While the healer didn’t have the opportunity to specify his position, it seemed obvious that Horn was the master of the house (and only healer of the village). However, the lady clearly called her master Renhart, not Horn. Carn was unable to settle the contradiction. There just wasn't enough information. As such, he shot the lady a question.

“Who’s Renhart?" Carn asked, his tone regaining some of its stoic composure. "The healer that I met was named Horn.”
 
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"Mhm!" the woman offered up a wide smile. "That's him. Master Horn Renhart, one and only! I think he's just settled into reading one of his books, but he always makes time for visitors. Go right ahead! I'd better get going now, I'm actually supposed to be getting something for him..." Violet seemed to suddenly remember. "A shame. Seeing the kind of visitors Master Renhart's getting lately makes me want to stay around for longer!" she laughed out, appearing genuinely intrigued as she gazed over the two drakkar once again.
 
Auri Grashaal the Insatiable

- Drakkar Ambassador to Asgard -​


Auri tried to conceal his true surprise in this moment of opportunity. "Oh? And what kind of visitors are those, Violet? Why, it could be someone we know!" He put up a positive face and appeared to be curious, which he most certainly was.

The old wizard was also happy to learn that Horn and Mister Renhart are one and the same people.
 
Carn Barley

- The Iron Wall -


​
At the full name of the healer, Carn nodded his head, giving a soft “mhmm” to show that he understood. As he did, his eyes wandered towards the door that still had the small, splintered dints his frenzied knocking had made. He immediately started fiddling with his right horn.

With Aron in his arms, Carn nearly sprinted the whole distance to the village, blowing the snow away with his magic. When Carn finally reached the healer’s house, he nearly knocked down the door with his hysteria induced knocks, and when the healer finally opened the door, Carn partically ran over the healer with his hasty march to a bed. A scramble ensued thereafter. It was only after the panic that the two exchanged conversation and names, though the healer had to expend some effort in getting Carn to squeak even a few words. Now that Carn was here in a much calmer state, he was embarrassed that he had acted in such a rude manner. His friend then came to mind, reminding him that he wasn't there to mope but to serve a duty and a friend.
Wolf Rawrrr said:
"A shame."
Click to expand...
At Violet's interjection, Carn refocused his attention and looked down at the girl who continued speaking. Upon seeing the woman’s interest in the group, Carn’s heart jumped slightly as his face began to warm up. It looked like he wanted to say something to the lady when Auri interrupted with a question.
Dannigan said:
"Oh? And what kind of visitors are those, Violet? Why, it could be someone we know!"
Click to expand...
At the unintentional cutoff, Carn blinked a little before taking a relieved breath. He then turned his gaze towards the mountains with a feeling of ambivalence, one that contained both annoyance and gratitude toward his senior. It was shortly after that he placed his hands behind his back as the edge of his vision began to focus in on the young, beautiful woman.
 



With the cold still fresh in his mind and body, the hearth felt too inviting for Asher so he chose to sit at the empty table close to it.

Asher focused on the hearth, trying to look like the warmth was his only reason for being there, in case the trio close to him were put off by his appearance. He turned his chair towards the fire and leaned in, letting the heat embrace him. He also strained his ears as to not miss any information that was passed around the tavern, though the crackling from the fire made any more distant conversations filled with gaps or completely unintelligible.

But he could hear the trio well enough.
 
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