"Likewise, master knight, and my thanks to you, for pinning that shadow to the spot as tidy as anyone could ask for." Alphail replies warmly, with a glance at the sack full of skull now tied to his belt.

"Nothing left but bone now..." he says softly in reassurance to the archer in armour as he looks over to Caith fondly "...And she'll know what's to be done about that, no doubt."



"Aye, and well put, Hengist. To three who fought and died for Glissom in her time of need." the hunter says gratefully, glad he is not the only one in no little confusion of the rapid turn of events in the arena of ice.

Leaf watched the wyrm lift it's massive claw. Knowing she could not run, she took in her breath and held it, reaching out to grab her companion's arms - or anything - to keep her stable.

When it stopped and moved away, she released her breath and looked around confused, unable to believe her... 'luck'?


Leaf doesn't think twice before she hugs Turren back. A sense of relief washes over her, as she realised it must really be over if Sir. Turren is in the headspace to embrace others. That, or she was closer to death than she thought!

As he pulls away, she grins back at him, "I'm beginning to feel quite fond of the Saviour, myself!" She laughs, and then adds "Thank you for having my back, Turren. Saviour or no, I would not be here if it wasn't for you." She smiles and then moves away, eager to check her other companions made it

Doron bows his head as Brannon speaks and says a whispered prayer to the Hearth Mother.

He caught Caiths eye as she spoke to him after her witchery and nodded somberly.

In reply to Prince Doron (msg # 778):

The ice cavern was utterly silent except for the creaking of ice and the low heavy breath of the great wyrm.  Remains were gathered where they could be and the companions drew themselves together as they turned to ascend back into the ruined temple.

Looking back as they reached the drop off the titannic dark form of the Fomorian God-King was utterly still once more as the ice reformed over it, the enormous wyrm was motionless as it coiled around the tree. The tree itself continued to grow and branch, its leaves dappled with sunlight despite its depth beneath the ice.

As they retraced their steps through the ruins.....

The companions moved past the huge bronze cube chamber, now sundered and broken by the wyrms passage and came to the entrance of the frozen chamber.

Remembering the dangerous liquid they discussed various ways of bypassing it with the flame, as Brannon ventured his option Doron reminded him that beyond the frozen wall was likely the waters of the lake....and if that ice was damaged during the explosion..none of them would be escaping.

Aphail noted that they could try and force or otherwise open the locked bronze doors in the south wall of the bronze cube chamber and avoid the laboratory completely if they wished.

"I am reluctant to venture an unknown route." Brannon muses at Aphail's suggestion. "But if carrying the Hearthflame through the gases risks certain death, then perhaps merely possible death seems a better option."

Caith accepts a small sip of cider, fighting back tears she dare not yet let flow, then quietly attends to the wounded in whispers along with gentle hands and then turns to the needs of the dead. A bag changes hands, from hunter to hedgewitch.

Her only reply to Brannon's words on the matter of the city is a nod of wordless agreement, and another nod in silent understanding to Prince Doron.

The priest's words for the dead dear to her own heart provoke the flood of saltwater far from the seas she held back in duty, but again, she is wordless even in her weeping for the Laird'o'Cernach, the knight of the Beehive and the small yet fierce for his size library mouse.

Later...

It is not until duty moves her to speak again that Caith begins to ask Alphail "Ye..." then stops, searches for the right words and continues her hectoring with "You ken this place most likely still has teeth?" as she considers the path yet untrod.

The hedgewitch sighs and mutters "Nay...No rest for the wicked. Ha! Precious little rest for the good as well if you ask me." as she pats the hunter on the shoulder, knowing that as one of the party's scouts, her husband is yet again about to walk into likely danger, along with her bondsman by his own hand, Hengist.

"If knowing more will help you both evade possible death, let me look first." she asks the scouts, then calls eyes that see the sorcery that may be about to herself.

OOC: Caith casts SENSE ENCHANTMENT (2MP) and takes a second careful look around. She also checks for any sign of beeswax on the doors, just in case.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:35, Sat 20 Nov 2021.

Alphail's incredulous expression turns to joy, then concern as he replies in honesty "I am glad you chose to tell me that, lady. Not the walk I fear, but the path to be walked." then hugs her, gentle as a bear.

The hunter asks one question of the hedgewitch in regard to the wyrm bound tree, a quietly whispered "Where's sunlight coming in from, this far under a mountain?"

"Lady Artia oft borrows light from her Sister, so best ask Her, not me." is all he gets in reply from his wife, a smile on her face as gentle as it is fleeting.

Later...



"We've a land to save, Hearthwarden, and a Hearthflame to take back to it. I'll take those odds." Alphail states pragmatically as she eyes up the door.



"Make it quick." he replies curtly, then shrugs as he looks to Hengist and offers the opinion "Worth the wait. Eyes before hands."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:03, Sun 21 Nov 2021.

In reply to Aphail MacRoach (msg # 783):

Hengist looks up at the lovers, simply nodding at the gentle instruction.
“Lets get going.”

Osric will check his weapons and ready himself to assist as needed.

"Well enough." Brannon offers a gallows grin, checks his bow, then sets to readying his sword and shield, and waits for Caith to examine the door.

Turren forms up rearguard.

Caith stares intently at the door for a long moment, then offers the opinion of "Nothing I can find to speak of." and steps back to allow access for other eyes and hands.

Casting a quizzical eye at the hedge witch Osric asks “We good to proceed? Or is there a couple of dragons or mad wizards a waiting us?”

On receiving an all clear from Caith Osric will push open the door with a giant boot and proceed inside gazing about with Ghosteye at the ready

Before heading out with the group, Leaf sticks the end of her staff into a soft bit of earth, and grows as many pieces of fruit as she can for the journey back out.

More than half of the fruit seem to be peaches..


Leaf casts ABUNDANCE 1MP

Caith considers this question in utter seriousness as she looks about the floor, ceiling and walls near the door as well.

She replies with a worried look and "I do not know what lies behind it, Osric, only that it is not enchanted as far as I can see from here."

The hedgewitch humbly offers the suggestion of "I could look a little way beyond the door from here before opening it, if that will help, but I can only see so far."

Osric pushes open the door and proceeds through after saying

“Save yer strength Caith - or should I be callin yer Laird now? An Leaf I’ll take a peach or three but how’s about yer try for a haunch o venison next time?!

In reply to Caith Cernach (msg # 791):

“Well, are we going or not. I’ll stay in this place no longer than I have to. Which way am I searchin’?”

"I try to..." Caith mutters, then gently corrects him with "That would be Lady, not Laird." but shrugs as she adds "Caith will do for now." and resumes her careful look about.

The hedgewitch does pause in her examination to offer an approving nod to Leaf at the foresight shown in an abundance of peaches.



Caith looks to see just what the open door has revealed behind it as best she can around Osric's large frame and dryly replies "That way." with a tilt of her head towards it.

'Let me help you with those!' Turren quickly begins collecting, storing a couple in his mouth as he goes.

'Mhimmthmk mhm mhram tamste vemry gmmd mnk.' He nods gravely.

In reply to Caith Cernach (msg # 794):

As the doors swing open they reveal the room beyond. One glimpsed only through a tiny peephole made by Leofwyn on the way in.

Beyond the double doors is a circular room swimming in a slight mauve aura, although there is no identifiable light source.

There is a pit in the centre of the room full of dark liquid. Ramp ways lead up to the
northwest and northeast, and there is another set of familiar looking double bronze doors directly to the south ( these likely lead into the benighted room passed through upon entering).

A faint scent of seaweed and brine hangs in the room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:49, Wed 29 Dec 2021.

Alphail glances at the otherworldly glow of the central feature and sniffs the air for scents other than sea water before entering.

He gestures to Hengist to stick close to him while they scout about for trouble that might be lurking further up the rising passages, ready to follow after the unwary.

OOC: Taking a look around the room, and up the passages quick and quiet, while using Osric's noise as distraction to any other noise made by the rest of the party.

Brannon readies an arrow in his bow, and covers Aphail and Hengist from the doorway.

In reply to Brannon Darrow (msg # 798):

Hengist stocks to Aphails left shoulder. Daggers in both hands.
As they move cautiously forward he tries to clear the noise from his mind amd concentrate on any threts that may lurk.
INNER SENSE

Aphail and Hengist ascend the sloping passage  for some time, there is a strange fetid breeze coming down the passageway towards them as they ascend.  It smells rank but Hengist doesn't sense any immediate danger.

The passageway continues up at a steep slope and the breeze increases, then lulls, then another gust of fetid air comes down the passageway.

Hengist senses danger and the two men hold their breath as the tainted air continues rythmically gusting down the pssageway.....ehich curves upward and onward....