On the Edge of the Breathing Swamp

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii heard his movement. not surprised by the restlessness. She whispered softly, "just me, and you're still are breathing," she said jokingly.
when he settled back down she finally went back to the bunk and laid down to enter reverie. She needed to 'replenish' her spells for today's battle.
-
a little while Inrii 'awoke' to early birds chattering outside the window. She quietly sat up so as to not disturb Lothir, tho the birds likely already had, and stretch and noticed Zarstra gone.
'out and about already? I must have been more tired than i thought for Zarstra to be up before me.'

Zarstra had risen early and was out near the lake. She was careful not to disturb anything living there. nearby a small plant of berries grew beneath the leaning tree. Crawling to it she checked it out and sampled them. they were rather delicious. having her fill of them she slunk back twords camp and the cabin.

[Bhaern Quel]

Eilae wakes from her sleep and rises to greet the day, her sisters she knows prefer to rest as much as possible as the sun rises even as they get their eyes more adjusted to sunlight. Slipping into a light gown, taking up her sword she walks out into the morning air and the warmth of the dawning day. There was much to think on, Derek always a distraction but mostly only served to keep Perth fed. Wonders breifly what would happen with Perth if Derek stopped sending food.So few of them could be rescued and so many of them died. Now though Lothir's sister is added to the mix perhaps doubling the attack force as to power, wll it be tomorrow Perth will feed on her instead of an orc. More must be learned as too their plans. Comuning sometimes provides answers, but more often answered in riddles. Hard to get spies within the kobold or orc tribes and besides often it appeared they rarely knew in advance when Derek would order an attack. What will today bring?

Approaches the fire and adds some wood, sets a kettle near it to heat water for tea.

[Aylstra Illianniis]

He wakes to the sound of birds outside the window, a sound that he still has not gotten used to, though it is a pleasant one. He sits up wearily, having slept little. After putting his boots back on, he looks around and notices that Inrii has already risen. He had heard her comment during the night when he was awakened by his dreams.

"You dream too much," his classmate Taztran had said once, during his Academy days. He lets out a resigned sigh, wishing for once that it was not true. He had always been a dreamer, an oddity who preferred the joyous thrill of the dance to the darker pleasure of the kill that most others enjoyed.

He goes out to join Eilae at the fire, bowing politely and giving her a friendly greeting. <So, what to do next?> he ponders. Clearly, Morganna must be dealt with permanently, but how? He knows that he is no match for her in battle without his battledance, and perhaps not even with it. The only solution he can think of might be to capture her and somehow prevent her from casting spells, since death might no even be a permanent end to the problem of his sister.

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She rises before dawn, and swiftly runs through her spells to find those she feels will be most useful. The prospect of allying with Derek- she snorts derisively at his self-given title of "Lord of the Swamp"- is certainly not without merit, but Morganna has never had any intention of sharing her power with him. Only Helstrom himself has earned her respect and loyalty. All others are mere fodder for their plans. She grins to herself as she contemplates how sweet it will be to betray the drow male, as she has with others so many times before. Then she casts a spell of invisibility on herself, and slips off silently to spy on the camp, the better to plan her attack. If needs be, she can always return to Derek and ask to lead his forces. But they will be a diversion only. The true attack will be hers alone....

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii met up with Zarstra and she climbed on her shoulder. She was Lothir and Eilae by the fire. Walking twords the fire she sat down and opened her pack. Zarstra looked excited as Inrii rifled thru it.
"ah, here we go," as she pulled out a wrapped bundle of venison jerky and tossed the lizard a piece and then munched on her own chunk while watching the fire and listening to the world awakening before her.

[Bhaern Quel]

Lothir Eilae smiles to you as you join her at the fire. "Would you like some tea? Most of the others are resting, but be assured you are protected here as best we can." Frowns slightly, then turns face into a smile. You might get the sense of leadership is taking a toll on the female human. "My sisters have told me of some of your concerns, even Club has spoken to me about the matter. The choice however is yours, and know she is watching us right now?

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Derek regaining his spells after resting does wonder what that mage is doing. It clearly makes no sense to order an attack without a plan for success. Should she come again he will be ready for all she has to offer, until then killing Eilae is the main goal. The Island with its portals must be captured.

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Morg as you observe the camp you see your brother, the human that Derek complained about next to the fire, you also would see Inrii walking to the fire. Besides those you see a few a half-orc and a human among them on the edges of the camp, clearly guarding. Most of the Drow of the camp appear to be sheltered from the sun and seeing a few in the open clearly does not tell you how many are in the camp..

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Inrii as you join the fire with Lothir and her, Eilae smiles to you. "I hope you rested well and your companion is indeed interesting. I am sure a good friend to you. Alas my lizard died last season and there ha not been time to find another yet. Will you have some tea?"

[Aylstra Illianniis]

He nods assent. "Thank you, tea sounds fine." he says, and seeing Inrii come over and pull out the venison jerky reminds him that he is hungry again. "She's watching? You're sure of this?" Somehow he knew she might be, but to have his worries confirmed....

"Well, if she can see us, I would not be surprised if she can hears us as well. I know your people are only trying to help, but you should be careful. Too many have underestimated my sister and paid for it with their lives. I'd wager she's simply trying to judge the strength of your magic, and how many of us are here before she makes a move. I know how she thinks. She likes to stalk her prey like a hunting cat, and catch them at their weakest or most vulnerable. I still don't understand why she would come this far to find me, though. It just doesn't make sense."

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Morganna senses the female's awareness of her, and curses silently. <She has strong magic,> she thinks with a mental curse, and wonders how many of the others do, as well. The female is the biggest threat, of course, but only for the divine might she might bring to bear.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Sitting there chewing the jerky, she senses someone and the human's mention of it confirmed her suspicions. Zarstra was also on alert. She asked Inrii to cast invisibility, who agreed. having sensed someone, she slunk away to see what she could see; Zarstra was a spy and very good at it.
looking to Eilae, "thanks. I raised her from an egg. She's stuck around since then. and picking up on her magic well."
She imagined Zarstra grinning at that.
"tea, um sure."
She then offers some jerky to Lothir then Eilae.
Inrii then signs to Lothir that [i:oml70s40]Zarstra is scouting[/i:oml70s40], hoping that might bring him some comfort and out of sight of the drowess out their.
"So when do we get on the move?" asking Eilae

[Bhaern Quel]

Eilae takes the teapot from away from the fire and pours some tea into cups. "Listening as well, Derek rarely waste that extra effort these days. We live in dangerous times, however there are two options hide from it or confront it. I believe your sister's name is Morganna? It might be useful for all if she agreed to meet under truce to maybe explain why she hunts you so long and hard. This at least an idea to offer, the wards should be good enough that she will not be able to step on the Island without having some discomfort." The island is protected with Hallow and other effects that would tend to make it uncomfortable for one Evil aligned desiring to enter or stay long. "Yes she will likely make tests, there is a reason Derek is glad I might die in some 40 years, though of course does try to end my life sooner. If the matter however can be resolved with out loss of life, the idea is at least exploring." With a bright smile to you. "What do you think of this idea?

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Morg, you might be getting a better sense of why Derek so hates the puny female if you hear the discussion.
Your observation of the camp gives you no clear idea of the numbers within the camp. You clearly know there are 10, though that fog of your last effort could have obscured far more - maybe 30, maybe just shadows?. Currently you see fewer then the 10 you know to be there.

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Inrii passes you one of the cups of tea. "I do hope you like this blend, we got it from Waterdeep, one of the sea traders." Takes the jerky with a kind smile, breaks off a piece to to eat and taste it. "I thank you for your gift of food, it tastes well indeed. If it would not insult you I would prefer to save the rest of your gift for when I am on a Run. This clearly suits well as trail rations and when on a Run, there clearly is a trail to travel." Notes the signing and might even understand some of it, however has learned often each House often puts in special signs or intend a different meaning then what another of a House would understand, often it is called "battle sign". urns to answer your question of her. "My friend we have already started, as has your little companion. There is no need right now to mount a gull attack against someone that teleports often. A foe of some high level. This Island right now though, I believe, is the safest place for you right now."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii let them grab what they wanted and bundled up the rest. She took her cup and sniffed it, and slyly inspected it. Tea wasnt something she often drank. She siped it, tho it was still rather hot. It wasnt what she though and guessed why she didnt drink it.
'Gift?' she thought, 'eh, i supose.'
"ok then. I love venison. I try to keep a good stash of it. Zastra likes it too.
She didnt say it, but she wondered what she meant by 'Run'. She didnt remember Erelurra ever mentioning a 'run'.
Inrii was anxious to get moving, ready to 'run'. She didnt do well with inactivity. it worked out for her back home, and she got many scouting opportunities.

[Aylstra Illianniis]

The bard stares at Eilae in complete disbelief. "Truce? Ah, somehow I doubt she'd be that accomodating. She'd be more likely to pretend a truce and just slaughter everyone for the fun of it when she got close enough. Then again, maybe if I went out to meet her alone, she might-" He stops, sighs, and shakes his head. "And alicorns might come winging down from the sky to take us all to Arvandor.... What the Hells am I thinking, she would just kill me like my mother ordered or drag me back home to my father- depending on who is paying more."

He drinks the tea, not wanting her to think he does not appreciate the offer. "I'm starting to think your idea of a High Hunt is a good one. The only problem I see is that it would require us all to go out there into the swamp, where she could simply start picking us off one by one. And then there's that Derek you seem to be having trouble with. Perhaps he might be willing to deal?"

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Morganna smiles to herself at the young idiot's inane prattle, thinking that he is no more a threat now than he was the last time they fought. <Pathetic, little brother. I see you have learned little in your time on the surface. If anything, it has made you too trusting and weaker than ever.> Suddenly, she gets an idea. <Oh, now this will be fun,> she thinks with a wicked grin. <Fun indeed...>

Several minutes pass, and a short distance away in the swamp, a small dagger- the same one she had held to Derek's throat the night before- thunks into the chest of an orcish guard, with a note attatched. When it is pulled from the body of the dead guard and unrolled, it reads simply- "I am interested in your offer. I will need four of your best minions, for a little side trip into the swamp. Are there any black or green wyrms living nearby? PS- You need better guards."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii looked at Lothir. She planned to get this Derek back. Torture wasnt her thing, but throwing a few lighting bolts at her wasnt something she was just gunna get over. she would be fine just back stabbing him and getting it over with.
"I must ask, why are yall wanting to run and hunt when battle is coming?" she asked with a confused look.

[Aylstra Illianniis]

"A High Hunt is when we go out and hunt down some dangerous beast," he replies, remembering that Inrii is technically Vearhaunian. "In this case, that would be my sister."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

"oh. I wonder why Erelurra never mentioned the more fun aspects of that faith," she laughed, "maybe we could hunt my sister, if we're hunting [i:3tdgxilg]beast[/i:3tdgxilg]."
Inrii took another sip.
"now back to things at hand...tho I would offer Raya should you need something to hunt."

[Bhaern Quel]

Eilae attending to the tea pot for a time, now arises carrying her teapot to refill the cups. Walking softly to Lothir first, while must Drow would not consider her graceful she comes close. "Strangers are our friends until proven otherwise, even some of them can be saved. Yes a truce clearly is an idea." Leans close to you well pouring tea into your cup and whispers close in your ear "trap" then steps back after pouring the tea. "That at least should be offered. It though is a concern that you mistrust your sister so much that she would work for the highest pay. There again we can pay as well. We do not just hug trees." Winks

As to the discussion of a High Hunt was discussed, walking now to Irnii to fill her cup with tea. "A High Hunt is rare and often happens twice a year. We got that swamp troll a few eves back and these lands are much better for that. In the High Hunt we trust only our blades and nothing else. Also it as an evening event." Pours tea for Irnii, though glances back to Lothir. "It is hard to catch one in a few hours that teleports, nor would that be in keeping with offer of truce." Looks back to Irnii "It often is not fun, running though thorns and though a swamp where one might trip and fall in are just some of the downsides. The purpose is to prove dedication to some of the teachings of the Dark Maiden. We strive to remove evil and danger with this ritual, however can die if we catch, fail if we do not catch and even if we catch and win often have wounds to tend to. There are other things much more fun then the High Hunt, that also pleases Her."

[Bhaern Quel]

[quote="Aylstra Illianniis":1ztz8q5o]

Morganna <snip>

Several minutes pass, and a short distance away in the swamp, a small dagger- the same one she had held to Derek's throat the night before- thunks into the chest of an orcish guard, with a note attatched. When it is pulled from the body of the dead guard and unrolled, it reads simply- "I am interested in your offer. I will need four of your best minions, for a little side trip into the swamp. Are there any black or green wyrms living nearby? PS- You need better guards."[/quote:1ztz8q5o]

The dead orc does not appear to like being called dead, though was clearly almost killed by the blade. His relief arriving in time to take the dagger and blood soaked note from his tribesman and even find time to stop the fatal blood lost. It also will be hours, if not days before the orc chief will report the attack so close. His life was already in danger for the last failed attack.

The tactics used however do get noted quicker then the Chieftain would hope for. Derek watches not just his target Island with his magic, he also spends time watching this outpost. The dagger easy to spot and idea, reading the note before soaked with blood a much harder task. Thus instead he tries locate person first.