The “Prisimatic Fey link up with Swift… only natural considering that one of them has been inhabiting Swift’s armor.  They are a little sad that they were utterly unable to help- they did not realize that Swift, being a shape changer, spent so much of her time out of her armor.

The two of them not currently melded into Swift’s armor, Ziool and Galazia, debate what to do about it.  The third, Phyri, is within the armor, and apparently, getting in and out is not an easy process for them.  “Seven days, or the light of a Rainbow,” Ziool says.  It will probably be the seven days.  Rainbows are not frequent at the end of November.  But Ziool and Galazia decide, they must try again.  Their aura of light and color can help protect her, but only if they are there, melded into something she has.  Perhaps a necklace of some kind?  Something that maybe, with a little kick from their magic, can stay on Swift when she changes into Fox form?

”You should do it,” Galazia says to Ziool.  “You are the cleverest of us and it will take a trick or two. Me.. I will still be needed to gather up Swift’s things when she changes form.  She does that a lot.”

*** *** *** ***


Parked in the main square of the town is the group of wagons that forms Theoderic’s  “baggage trains”, currently augmented by the supply wagons from Hiricio.  Men are busily moving things, divvying up portions of rations and replacement arrows, and some fresh boots, which seem to be in shorter supply than anticipated.  Theoderic has absorbed into his force some of the fighters that survived of the Duchess of Ganda’s front line, and many of them are under equipped.

But one wagon isn’t involved in the busy work of resupply.  Inside a well guarded canvas covered “box” type wagon, Melissa frets and waits, occasionally trying to peak out to see what’s happening.

She gets one of the men nearby to take a message – to Scolo.  It simply reads, “I’ve been good.  When can I come out?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Mon 06 Aug 2012.

The wizard approaches the wagon, a little flattered that she would pick him to send the note to, but of course she knows he has no authority, but maybe there is a chance ... He chooses not to read her mind this time as a chance to build trust.

Um hello Melissa.
Scolo creates another pillow out of magic pulling it out of his hat and passing it through the bars.

Have they been feeding you and all?
I uh ... Found a couple of your associates ... he describes the two blackguards.

Is there anything special you do when burying fellows?

Melissa reacts to Scolo with a sullen, flat voice.   On the one hand, his visit is the high point of her day.  On the other… that isn’t saying much.  The rest of her day is pretty dull.

“Feeding me, yes they have.  Would you like some cheese?  It’s not that good, so I know we’re not in the Halfling lands yet.”

She pauses and thinks when he asks about burial customs.

“You know… funny thing.. no one ever really cares about that.  When you’re gone, you’re gone.  When you’re a Blackguard, no one’s going to miss you.  What’s anyone going to say?  The thing is, you enjoy living, and try not to think about what comes next.  The priests say we’ll suffer in the next world… but then again a lot of priests say a lot of things.  The Hun shamans says the fierce and mighty will be selected for choice positions by the Infernal Powers when they overthrow the gods.  So maybe they’re right.  Either way.. they’re gone now, and they don’t mean anything anymore, so what you do with the bodies is not my problem.”

She adds, almost as an afterthought: "They were... you used the right word.  Associates. Nothing more."

His questions having gone unanswered by those he considers wiser in such things than he, Eadoin eventually finds himself with enough time to seek out Melissa.  He arrives as Scolo is conjuring magical cushions from his hat.  The young Centaur finds himself again amused by this strange man.

When he sees Melissa's circumstances, he frowns quite deeply.  A cage, a mobile one with pillows, food, and curtains, but a cage nonetheless.  His big heart sinks and he finds himself saddened that any creature would suffer from a lack of companionship and freedom.  Better she'd fallen with her sword in her hand to be released to her next life, he finds himself thinking.  He stands a respectful distance to one side until the conversation between Scolo and Melissa seems at a natural pause or end before approaching.

"Sir, he says, acknowledging Scolo.  He's here for Melissa, however.  He deeply dislikes the woman for the actions she's taken, for the nihilistic view she takes, so opposite his own optimistic stance.  She seems to have taken the stance that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, so you might as well contribute to the inferno, carve some piece out of the world and out of other people while you can, rather than struggle to make the world a brighter place.

Looking to Melissa, it's plain her captivity bothers him.  "Ma'am," he begins.  "I'm sorry to see you in such conditions.  It's not right for any soul to be bound against its will."  He blows out deeply, nostrils flaring.  "Many are scared of what you might do or say if you were free.  I guess, mostly because they expect you'd help the Huns and hurt yourself or others in the doing."

He'd asked Seti and Rita about redemption and hadn't gotten an answer.  He'd asked the priest in the Nethershires about the effects of purging evil or removing all the magic from a demon and hadn't gotten an answer there, either.  Mentally, he shrugs.  Here's the person, herself, of whom he could ask the questions to which he really wanted to know the answers.

He continues easily, "I reckon you've seen some pretty awful things, ma'am.  Maybe even done some, too, I guess.  I don't know how you feel about those, good or bad, or whether you've got no feelings about it all.  It's hard for me to say I don't hate you and mean it, but I do.  My family sure wouldn't understand."

"Anyhow," Eadoin says, "I've a couple of questions, if you're of a mind to answer them.  I worry that you can't, directly, for whatever bindings've been laid on you by the Huns and their demons."

Eadoin glances at Scolo, not knowing how the odd man would take this conversation, since the man looks distinctly like he's taunted by invisible faeries.  "Is there any magic or binding here that you or anyone friendly to King Theoderic has laid?  I mean is Melissa held in this cage or from taking any action by a magic you know about, sir?"

To Melissa he says quietly, "It is within my reach to give you back yourself, if the Huns or others have you under any sort of compulsion.  That is the first thing for you to think over.  Secondly, I can offer...forgiveness.  It's not without a price, though.  It's...a sort of light that evil can't abide.  It's forever, though.  You'd be yourself in most ways, but all that is hateful or spiteful, that accepts anger and vengeance as alright would be gone."  He adds, "It's not something I'd do without your permission and the King's, but it's something I'd like you to consider."

Ohhh? Says Scolo You're asking about magic bindings eh?

I'm afraid it's not my specialty, but if there were magic bindings on her, I suspect she would not be jailed up ...

Scolo moves aside to allow the big fellow space ...

But - before you go setting anyone free .. there is something, something hidden, isn't it love? A power or spell ... come on, dear - I am not reading your mind today, it might be a good chance to build trust, don't you think?

He starts off talking to the Centaur, but ends up looking at Melissa under his bushy brows.

Swift talks to the Prismatic Fey "OK, I have to admit, I don't spend a lot of time in my armor unless I am stabbing at someone. Then I really need it but I do a lot of scouting in my fox form. Can you go into a necklace or ring to something?" she grins "Oh thanks for picking up my stuff, at least I know its safe"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Tue 07 Aug 2012.