The promise of treasure and rewards was always enough to at least get her attention, paying a little more attention to what the couple was saying at least beyond what had already been stated.  Many people had told her things that she couldn't do and she had proved them all wrong before.  This time would be no different.

Skipping Brickelle this turn

Bridget says, "Tell us the mission." the expression wasn't lost on her. But Bridget won't say anything about it until later, after the mission is done. She's more interested in what she's supposed to do at the moment.

Liberty wiggles a little in Treona's grasp. She herself doesn't have much concept of treasure. Liberty doesn't have much to say or add about the mission, but she does notice Alirk's expression and asks, "Why are you sad?"

(OOC: I remember when I was a kid, a 25 cent toy as a reward was enough incentive to ace my homework. And yeah, my teacher had a full box of toys that, if you got 100% on your homework (or a test), you got to go to the prize box and pick one. It didn't matter to me how much the toy was worth because to me, its worth was happiness.)

Alkirk takes a deep breath and exhales slowly like he's about to begin some long, arduous task.  He glances at Liberty.

"I'm sad for my people's loss.  Any treasure you find will likely be what's left of their life's work, heirlooms, or mementos of lost loved ones.  Technically legal to take because of salvage laws.  But still sad that even if our home is restored, our treasure will be gone."

"Don't fret too much over that," Gale says, "I intend to use my share of the treasure to help folks in need.  And your people certainly qualify."

Alkirk smiles a little.

"Thank you so much, Gale.  It will mean a lot to the people."

He gives details on the mission:


Gale nods.  "Interesting.  Now it makes a little more sense why the town has not yet been re-taken.  No king would want to lose favor with his troops by deliberately sending them into a death trap.  But I have an idea on how to trick the enemy if they've gotten their hands on it."

In a puff of smoke, she conjures a mirror and smiles.

Treona, still hugging Liberty, looks surprised.

"So you think the king knew there were 9?"

Gale shrugs.  "It's a theory."

---

the map: https://docs.google.com/open?i...NmMtZjM0Y2E2ZDkxNDlm

1. JAGGED MOUTH (CITY GATE)
2. KOBOLD SLUM (SLUM DISTRICT)
3. KINDLING SUPPLY (LIBRARY)
4. HOUSES or REVEL (TEMPLES)
5. LOOTING GROUNDS (TRADE DISTRICT)
6. BURNED TAVERN (INN of THE TALLEST FIR)
7. MONSTER PENS (KIRIS STABLES)
8. HOT SPRINGS (BATHS)
9. GOBLIN MANSION (KIRIS ESTATE)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Fri 11 Nov 2011.

Hearing the sad tale of the destruction of their home was enough to almost bring tears to her eyes, looking over Alkirk and back to the rest of her teammates.  I don't think it would be right of us to not help these people.  I think we should help find the slaying stone and help them get their home back.

Skipping Shakkra this turn

Bridget looks the map over. "The place has low defense. We should be able to get there easily, depending on the size and depth of that river. We should start with the library and work our way north. For now, let's rest so we will be able to infiltrate at full strength."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Wed 30 Nov 2011.

Liberty continues to wiggle a little in the arms of Treona. Her fists clench as she hears the story. "I'm going to make sure the enemy will suffer loss comparable to your loss by the time I'm through with them." She briefly forgets that she has yet to show these hosts why she is capable of handling herself, but she's too angry to think about that.

Gale gives a compassionate smile to Brickelle's emotional hero speech.  She knew there was a good reason she asked her along, and not just for her combat skill.

"I agree," Gale says before looking at the others, "With all of what was just said.  I'm thinking we should cross near the hot spring to have the option of warming up after crossing the likely frigid river.  Tomorrow we head out in time to arrive by sundown then wait in the trees until cover of darkness, so we should sleep in late."

"To lose what we've lost they would have to love as we loved," Alkirk says grimly.

"There there, hon," Treona coos comfortingly as she huggles and pets Liberty, trying to calm the girl down.

Moving to stand right beside Gale and looking at the map, she found herself trying to find a better idea or something equally usable without having to cross the freezing cold river, though the idea of warming up at the hot springs made the idea seem better.  She couldn't really come up with any other more viable options, so she simply walked back over to the fire and sat down once again.  Well, at least we have a plan now.

Skipping Brickelle

Liberty leans lightly against Treona. In answer to Alkirk, she says nothing. But she does quietly think to herself, <Then I'll just have to make them love and then rip it from their hearts.> she looks at Gale, looks at the others, then nods. "Sleeping in sounds good. Especially after fighting."

Bridget says, "Agreed. Let's get some sleep."

(Ready for sleep fast-forward)

Sleep fast forward is haz!  Breakfast is served, and Treona promises to get to work on skinning and butchering the wolves as soon as the group sets out.  The rain has stopped, but the sky is still cloudy reflecting a crimson sunrise.  Gale thanks the hosts and leads the way onward toward the enemy encampment once the group is ready to go.

As the sun rose, so did she, surprised that Treona had been up cooking breakfast already and cooking breakfast.  The young archer had offered to help, but was declined by the hostess with the most pleasant of smiles, so the young woman slipped outside to just enjoy the fresh air of the morning and feel the rising sun on her skin.

This woman was by no means a morning person, growling in ever so slight agitation as she rolls out of bed and begins to gather her belongings.  Walking outside, she noticed the airhead simply enjoying the morning and wondered if somewhere along the line there might have been some elf blood in this woman, what with this love of the morning and the ridiculous shooting ability with a bow.

As if to make Shakkra wonder if it's just as much a human thing, Liberty is soon outside as well and pauses to stare at the outdoors, shielding her eyes with her hand, taking in a huge breath and exhaling as the breeze blows through her hair. But she quickly makes it obvious why she's enjoying the outdoors. "All those years... I never knew how eternal the sky is until I escaped. How bright the surface world is. How vibrant the colors can be. It's good to see you don't take it for granted." she says to Brickelle.

When everyone has eaten and is ready, Bridget heads off with her group to get going to the enemy location. She doesn't really take much note of the outdoors any more than the indoors. Although along the way, it could be noticed Bridget tends to glance at flowers...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Tue 20 Dec 2011.

Gale takes note of her allies' quirks and enjoys the brisk walk.

"It took quite a bit of convincing for Treona to relent to your coming with us, Liberty," Gale mentions in passing with an absent-minded smile, "She's such a darling she'd probably cry if you so much as stub your toe much less take on a goblin army.  If you should ever choose to spend some days in the warm embrace of someone who loves you, I'm certain she'll take you in as her own in a heartbeat.  Only drawback is that you'll not see much adventure till you leave her."

As Liberty comes outside and starts to act much as the airheaded woman had been, it wasn't until she started to speak that it would make sense.  However, she figured that Brickelle was just annoyingly perky.  As they walk towards the enemy encampment, she for the majority of the trip stays silent and doesn't really speak until spoken to.

Skipping Brickelle

Liberty glances at Gale. "Tempting. But you need my help now. For that matter, Treona needs my help to fight goblins with you. If a goblin army kills her because I didn't help you stop them, then what's the point of being in her care? No... I'll consider it when they aren't in danger anymore."

Skipping Bridget. Big Earl.

"Well aid, Liberty," Gale answers with a smile, "You show your love with courage.  I admire that.  You have a good heart.  Treona will be a lucky lady if you decide to stay with her."

After this, Gale doesn't initiate conversation either.  To avoid being spotted on the road, it's a long and difficult journey through rough untamed wilderness.  Gale frequently compares the landscape against the map she has and does a decent job at guiding the group around major obstacles, but she's no Elf.  There's still plenty of brambles to navigate through.  At about midday she stops for lunch and rubs her feet and picks briars out of her clothes.

As they moved through the bushes and brambles, she does get a few pricks and scratches, but she still seems in high spirits to be sure.  Nothing seems to get under her skin, even as one of the bramble branches swings back after being pushed aside by another of their group to scratch her cheek, not even stopping to wipe the blood away.

When the group stops at midday, she does as well, keeping an eye out in the direction ahead, absently picking thorns out of her armor, humming a tune.

Guess who I'm skipping this round...

Bridget watches her team mates, carefully studying how they act in a given situation. How much or how little their tolerances are for things during travel. Seeing Brickelle remain happy no matter what was a good sign since she had seen Brickelle get upset over what matters. Once they are resting, Bridget goes to give a gentle hand to Brickelle's scratches, apparently applying some sort of salve.

Liberty telepaths to the group, <<I can see things my eyes can't. I'll be keeping watch.>> As she sits and concentrates, looking around both with her eyes and with her powers.

---

[P] Sensing Eye (Minor; At-Will) * Personal
Effect: Choose one square you can see that is within 5 squares of you. Until the end of your next turn, you can determine your line of sight from that square.

Gale isn't one to complain either, but she's looking much more winded than the group's child.  She smiles at Brickelle's positive attitude and Bridget's concern for her.  To liberty she nods, still not quite used to the telepathy.

Liberty doesn't find any immediate dangers per se, however she can see that if the group continues on in the direction they've been going, they'll stumble upon a 30' mud puddle with a cloud of flying insects swarming over it.

She barely speaks a word over the course of the trip, often just keeping her nose in a book and reading as she would look up every couple of sentences to make sure they didn't veer off and she not follow them.  As they move through the bushes, she barely even flinches as the brambles rake against her skin, mostly just scraping against her armor harmlessly.

Even as the group stops to rest, she simply props herself up against a tree and wraps her tail around her waist, flipping another page in her book.

As Bridget applies the salve to Brickelle, the archer looks at her with a smile and a nod.  Thanks, Bridget.

Liberty says, <...I think that's mud up ahead. And I know those are swarms of insects.> she points in a direction. <Best head that way, *around* the mud puddle.>

Gale is smiling, happy for the company she finds herself in.  "Thank you, Liberty.  By all means, please do guide us around such obstacles."

She inspects Shakkra's book curiously, looking for a title.  "Must be quite the page turner.  I do love a good book.  Except when it's so good I lose track of where I'm going and fall down a set of stairs, heh."

She blushes and rubs behind her head.