Fate - First Reply Out In The Cold

[Elise Virak]

On The Road to Vel Anir

Elise's chest rose and fell in quickened pace, her fingers tight around the hilt in her hand, blood splattered across her features and across the torn dress that adorned her.

All around the High Matriarch of House Virak lay corpses. A dozen men in heavy plate armor, forged in the way of her House and made to a perfection even the dwarves would have found themselves jealous of. The metal that had protected them shorn and ripped open as though it had been peeled with a knife. Their bodies stained with brutal claw-like rents.

Off to the side, in a mass of broken and torn trees sat her carriage. It's wheels somewhere in the ether, the top and side of it caved fully in as to even render it useless as a shelter.

Just a few paces before Elise, lay a massive corpse. The beast was the size of two horses put together, rippling with muscle and adorned with feline features. Alive, it had been wreathed in flames of shadow, burning out half the forest around them, and turning half of her bodyguard to dust. The monster had fought viciously, and throughout it all had done its level best to carve directly towards Elise.

The Baroness knew this for what it was; an assassination attempt.

Someone had sent this creature after her, and had likely known it might not be enough.

Elise let her breaths steadily grow longer as she calmed herself, drawing upright and finally loosening her grip on the blade. Lips thinned for a moment, eyes darting around the clearing as she surveyed the carnage. No sound could be heard, save for the occasional cracking of a branch in those trees still falling. None of her men called to her, the beast did not breath.

She was alone. "Fuck."

The Baroness swore, head shaking as she realized what that meant. There was no telling how far away she was from Vel Anir, or how long she would have to walk before reaching any sort of civilization. She was alone out here, and there was a chance...more than a chance, that whoever had sent the first beast would send a second.

Letting out a string of curses ill-befitting of a woman of her station, Elise began to set to work. She stripped what she could from the corpses of her men, using her magics to give each of them a proper burial and saying the names of her House over their graves. She then quickly dug into what remained of the carriage, putting on more suitable clothing and shoes before slinging a pack and a watersling over her shoulder.

There was little doubt she would need it. Having gathered what she could, Elise set out into the forest. Knowing it would be a fool gambit to stay upon the road.

 

[Skull-hammer]

As the cold night set in the woods grew dark.
Skull-hammer, Dragon Carver and Kin Seeker had fallen asleep early before it began to snow again and had become quite like a large snow covered rock as he lay under the bent tree he was using to shelter his fire. The smell of smoke and deer made its way out towards Elise and in the dark the light of the fire called her with its promise of warmth.

Skull-hammer had been warned of the Small-folk who dwelt here and as such kept to the woods much as he could. Thankfully migrating deer were plentiful so he had little trouble finding food and material for extra layers.
But for now, his small camp appeared empty as he dreamed. His large hammer planted in the ground like a totem and a large pile of shattered wood broken by his own great hands.
The tree was bent by thick rope staked to the hard earth and around the fire which roared proudly the snow had melted revealing what greenery it hid from the icy temperatures.

 

[Elise Virak]

It was the middle of the night when Elise happened upon the small camp. The cold had set in, and despite her heavy coat and the well crafted boots she wore, there was no denying the chill that had set up on her.

She had thought about making her own hours ago, but had ultimately decided against it. There was still a chance that the assassin, whoever they were, would send another beast. It was best to avoid staying in one place for now, at least until she could find a village or town. There, things would change, at least she hoped.

Yet the surprise she found herself confronted with now threw a wrench into her plans.

She hid within the underbrush just outside the clearing, displaying an amount of skill that seemed odd for a normal woman. For a moment she mused, and then decided to creep closer. There was no telling who had made this little encampment, but it didn't matter much, she needed directions, and her magics would keep her safe.

Slowly Elise moved up towards the ramshackle hut, her footsteps soft and silent. She did her best to keep quiet, and then ruined it when she finally saw what had actually created the little alcove. A gasp, though quiet still, flew from her mouth before she could stop herself, bright golden eyes falling on an ogre. Wretched, moronic, imbecilic monsters who should have long since been driven to extinction but survived through the sheer thickness of their skulls and skin.

Such beasts were supposed to be hunted in Anirian lands.

Clearly she would have to have a word with the guard.

Her fingers drew slowly towards the hilt of her blade, slowly beginning to draw it as she stepped forward to put an end to the disgusting creature…when suddenly she stopped herself. Lips thinned, and a realization flickered over her mind. A brief memory of sitting in biology class, her teacher discussing the intelligence of lesser races.

He had said Ogres were capable of thought and speech, but in the same way that a three year old might be.

Would the creature be able to give her directions?

Elise frowned for a moment. Her skin crawling at the thought of having to even talk to the wretched beast, but ultimately deciding that it was the correct choice. She could always end the things life after, helping herself and ridding this world of a horror it would be better off without. With a gentle grace, Elise scooped up a rock.

She stayed a good three or four dozen paces away from the ogre, and then threw the rock at its stomach.

Deciding that perhaps, starting off by braining it might set the wrong down for the unpleasant conversation to come.

 

[Skull-hammer]

The rock Elise threw bounced off the rotund form of Skull-hammer's belly with a satisfying *bonp*.
It took him a moment but the great form eventually roused itself, opened its eyes, sat up and in a voice like grinding rocks spoke.
"HMMM? DURR HOOVA NA?" He asked looking about with bleary eyes. the snow cracked and split, sliding off his great roundness as he moved.
Then he remembered that he was not in the Falwood anymore and tried again.
"WHO THERE?"
Groggily he stood up to his full height of ten feet, which looked even more impressive with his added layers. He gave the impression of a hill come to life. Green skin and all.
With a shake the snow fell from him like an avalanche and pilled about his mighty legs.
At last he saw her, a lone member of the Small-folk, one of their little weapons in hand and with a look that could curdle milk on her face.
"HELLO!" he said, with a wave of his large open hand. His face cracked a half smile that turned into a yawn.

 

[Elise Virak]

By the cadence of its speech and the warmth of its greeting, Elise guessed the creature was a simpleton.

She had been told once that the Ogres of Tyr were intelligent, educated, and cultured, but she supposed it was too much to ask to meet one of their kind out here in the wild.

Besides she often found that the stupid were rather pleasant company. More often than not they put up less resistance than those who thought themselves intelligent, and it made the whole process really much more simple. "Greetings."

Elise said with a surprising amount of warmth for a creature she so reviled.

A part of her was tempted to play the lost little girl, but she doubted that would work on the creature. Best to be direct with her intent. "My name is Elise!"

She said, greeting the simple monster with a wave. Hoping the mimicry might endure her to it.

"It is not oft we see folk of your sort in the woods of Aniria." Mostly because aberrants such as he were meant to be put down like the beasts they were, though the Republic did not share such notions. Probably why this thing had been allowed to stay here at all. "How have you come to be here?"

There was no accusation or anger in her tone, she kept her disgust completely veiled. Elise's diplomatic tongue doing it's task. Asking a simple question as if only curious, but assessing whether the ogre knew these woods…or if she could simply bring a merciful end to its wretched existence.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Skull-hammer visibly strained to listen to her words. The Anirian accent was unusual to him so it took him a moment but he understood enough.
This one seemed friendly.
He patted his chest and said.
"I AM CALLED SKULL-HAMMER." It was one of the longer full sentences Prowler had taught him. He owed her more than he could ever pay.
He sat and the earth quaked under his bulk as he waved away her questions.
"TALK HERE."
With his great hand he gestured at the fire and the other lazily rubbed the sleep from his eyes. There was no reason for this one to be so far away. Small-folk were not very tough and he liked to help them when he could.
He lifted the uneaten half of the deer he had trapped and tore off a near frozen foreleg. Carefully he placed it over the fire and it began to cook.
It was good to eat when you talked.

Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise had to keep herself from vomiting as the thing asked her to come closer. Most of it's grotesque features thankfully hidden beneath some coats.

For a few moments she mused.

There was always a caution when dealing with something like this. A choice had to be made. Did she trust the thing? It was unlikely to eat her, already having food, and it at least gave a name. If such a title could even really be called a name.

After a moment more of contemplation Elise ultimately decided on what had drive her to reveal herself in the first place; she still needed directions. The dagger in her hand was flipped over, and in one liquid smooth motion slipped into the sheath on her thigh.

She moved closer to the Ogre, though placed herself on the opposite side of the fire from it.

Just in case. "So."

Elise prompted again.

"How do you find yourself here, Mr. Hammer?" The Baronness addressed formally, thinking that perhaps she could teach the beast some manners while she was here.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Skull-hammer looked at her quizzically and after a moment he said.
"I WALKED!"
It was true. He had walked all the way from the Falwood. He understood that Small-folk didn't walk so much but that puzzled him. They had legs and for all their speed horses were better to eat.
He turned over the deer leg and stripped the blackened skin from it with his fingers. When it was done he reached into his spice bag and gave the meat a healthy coating of gingerbulb and spiderbasil mix then it went back over the fire.
"YOU ARE LOST?"
He asked while he worked the meal. It wasn't hard to figure out even for him. Alone with no food this deep in the woods. This was no hunter.

Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

Ah. It was clear that she had overestimated the creatures intelligent. A terrible thing, really, considering her already low opinion. Lips pressed to a thin line for a brief moment, and then she slowly took a deep breath to steel herself. "Yes."

She answered simply.

Her eyes slowly followed Skull-Hammer's hands. Elise did not move, but her eyes moved in slow tandem. It was a strange sight to witness, and she found herself almost fascinated.

"I was hoping you would be capable of giving me directions." The Baroness phrased it as nicely as she could. Though she had a suspicion she would already know the creatures answer.

The best it could likely do was shout about how she needed to walk that way while pointing in some random direction.

Typical. Just her luck that the only sapient being within ten miles was as intelligent as a tin of biscuits.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Directions.
He knew that word. He had been following the stars for miles but he was too close to the fire to see them now.
Getting up again he walked with great thumping steps away from the small camp until he could see past the treetops to the constellations.
He looked quite the sight, staring upward and spinning while he loped about leaving footprints big as a mans chest in his wake.
At last he pointed up and spoke
"FRAGGLE, YOU CALL, WASPWOLF. POINTS WEST."
A simple matter of deduction then, he faced the constellation and raised his right arm.
"NORTH!"
Skull-hammer looked incredibly pleased with himself. He knew the stars but Prowler had helped him with the Small-folk names. With some urgency he thumped back to the fire and the deer leg. Picked it up and wafted the steam from it over to his great head, smelling it.
"CLOSE. SIT!"
His smile was ever there, wide and honest as he was tall.

Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise watched the creature carefully, her lips thinning as it made a demonstration of the stars.

A long breath drew into her lips, and she tried to contend with the fact that she was dealing with an utter moron. Of course she knew the stars. Aisling had taught her to navigate by them when they had been young girls, running off on her families esta-

Her head shook, that memory didn't matter right now. "Of course."

She said sweetly.

"But I more meant, do you know whats in any direction?" Elise did not move from where she was sitting as he invited her to come closer. Her voice was a bit more terse as she continued. Pressing her issue. "Have you seen any villages? People like me?"

That was what mattered. It didn't matter if she started heading north if there was nothing north for twenty days of walking.

She needed something close before another one of those things came after her.

 

[Skull-hammer]

He had not.
Quite deliberately too.
"NO."
The word held the warnings given to him.
"SMALL-FOLK ARE, BAD TO ME! I STAY AWAY."
It was not strictly true, he had become fond of most of the Small-folk but notably not all. He had been warned about the Small-folk of this land especially.
He did not want to think about it so instead he stood and walked quietly to where Elise sat and held out the leg of deer for her to take.
"EAT!"
He said encouraging her with a generous hand gesture.
He did not know how hungry she was but eating meat in the cold always helped.

 

[Elise Virak]

Fuck. This entire interaction had been utterly for naught.

Elise put her head in her hands, stifling a small scream that wanted to croak from her throat. The rage pushed down as the ground quaked from the ogres steps. She did not open her eyes, instead only taking in a long breath.

"No." She said, finally pulling her head out of her hands. "I do not want to eat."

The Baroness hissed. "I want to go home!"

A crackle of the arcane seemed to lance over Elise's fingertips as she spoke. A spark of red lightning as the raw emotion shown through and her frustration drew upon the innate connection she had with the well. Black specks floating over her eyes as the magic was called upon.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Skull-hammer knew the word home. He thought of his often, of returning one day.
This one wanted to go home and it was looking down at her, so small before him, even with the power crackling from her fingertips and the aggressive tone she took he did not feel fear but empathy.
For what might have felt like a long while he stood there, trying to think of the words to communicate his deceptively acute thoughts.
At last he set the leg of deer into the snow standing and slowly sat next to Elise.
He didn't have the words to make it better. He could only be there for this Small-folk.
"I HELP, GET YOU TO HOME."
Again his voice was soft and thumbed with deep kindness.
It was hard not to think of the Small-folk as children. They were so frail and afraid of much.

 

[Elise Virak]

A long breath dragged into Elise's chest, and she bit back the bitter tears which threatened to fall down her cheeks.

Fingers pulled into tight fists.

For a moment it appeared as though she were about to lash out at the creature. Perhaps burn it's body so it were little more than ash, rip out it's spine, or simply berate the massive ogre for the next twenty minutes until it decided to end itself.

All the options would have been good, maybe even expected when it came to someone as cruel as Elise was at heart. Yet instead of rejection, death, or any sort of rebuke; Skull-Hammer got only a simple, almost given up response. "Okay."

Elise said, half-defeated by the simpleton before her.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Skull-hammer was quiet then and sat next to Elise and let her feel what she was feeling.
He thought about getting her a blanket, his clothes and thick hide were enough for him. So he picked it up out of his bag and draped it over Elise' shoulders. It was woven from sheep wool and was more than enough fabric to cover her with. So much so that even folded over itself it still had her body well covered.
Skull-hammer didn't know if she would be more upset by this gesture but there was little else he could do.

Then a sound was heard and it was not any animal Skull-hammer had ever heard.
A long and chilling cry of some unseen monster.


Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

The Baroness didn't move as the monster draped a blanket over her, feeling small, defeated, and ragged.

A long sigh escaped her throat, head hanging as she resigned herself to this nonsense. Trapped, in the middle of the wilds with a beast that would not have been fit to serve her meals. Briefly, Elise wondered if it wouldn't have been better simply being alone.

The question being answered almost immediately after as a shrill scream echoed through the distant forest.

Almost instinctively, Elise grabbed the wool blanket, drawing it just a bit tighter around herself.

"What was that?" The lie slipped from her lips without so much as a thought. The simpleton didn't need to know her business, nor did she wish to risk it running it's mouth later if they were to meet...others.

Though she wasn't sure how she'd navigate that particular encounter. "A monster?"

She asked, playing the innocent as she looked towards the beast that had decided to be her friend.

 

[Skull-hammer]

Skull-hammer listened and knew not the creature that made the sound.
The Falwood had singing spiders and howling tree jappers but this thing was unlike any of them. It almost sounded like it was in pain.

He grunted for her to be quiet and reached out to pluck his hammer from the earth. In his hands it was transformed and the size of him made it a thing of immense physical power.

"DO, NOT, FEAR, ME!"
He told her carefully.

Barely had he given her time to reason out his words when he bellowed into the darkness.
A cry of threat so loud Elise would feel it through her body.
He kept shouting and taking up his hammer he swung it high above his head in great slow circles.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH AAAAAGH!"

This primal display was obviously an attempt to frighten the monster off.

When he was done he had only his hope that it worked.

Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise buried her head in her hands. Shaking, though whether with tears or laughter it was hard to tell.

What had she gotten herself into?

 

[Skull-hammer]

For a while there was no response and sure of his intimidating Skull-hammer took this as a clear victory and striking a pose that might be familiar to a lack be of ancient warrior hero he threw his head back and laughed at ever being worried at whatever feeble thing mad such a chilling sound.
If it was so easily frightened then what need had they to be concerned?
"MWAHAHA!"
He gripped his massive belly as his laughter turned into relief. Cold tears came to his eyes that he wiped away before they could freeze.
The whole scene was pretty hilarious.

Elise Virak

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise knew there would be no sleep tonight.

The monster had been calling out to her, she knew that. It's twin had done the same before striking. A measure to strike fear, and the Ogre had...well, had challenged it like the beast he was. Impressive in some way, she supposed, but foolish in others.

Perhaps though this could be useful.

If the monster now came, following Skull-Hammer's call, then it would at least give her an opportunity to kill it. The Ogre would no doubt rise to meet the beasts challenge, and as before with her men she would use him as a distraction.

At least her chances of survival had gone up, that was a positive.

"Mr. Hammer." Elise said, formally addressing the Ogre as she drew herself up once more.

 

[Skull-hammer]

The giant figure smiled and looked down at the small and thin figure of Elise.
"HMM?"
He responded to her formal address. Without knowing too much of the speech of the small-folk he did understand that she was addressing him.
"WHAT?"
His great voice was friendly and mirthful. Without a trace of the monstrous savagery he bellowed into the night.