[Demon's Hand]Chapter 2:The Next Morning
*****The night passes*******
[Sala]
The next morning Sala slipped back into the sleepy inn with a amall dog
at her heels as the sun's first rays hit the horizon. She looked around
nervously from underneath her hood and walked over to the table the
party had been at last night. She hoped that someone would show up.
Sala pushes back her hood and looks around. She hated to let other
people look at her and her birthmark, but she wanted to make sure that
they would recognize her.
[Talonn and Kaa]
Dawn found Talonn and Kaa packing their belongings in their room. Kaa
whistled a chipper little tune as he cinched the leather straps on his
pack. One final check of his axe harness and he was ready to go.
Talonn was not in as good a spirits as the dwarf. Sala had left the
table so quickly when the group broke up, that he hadn't had a chance to
offer her their room. It was probably as well, since he had spent a long
time releasing the 'Rage.' He looked not to have slept very well either.
Talonn wondered why the 'Rage' had been so relentless of late. He had to
maintain his guard more so than he was used to. *I must be nervous about
being in a town.* he though with a shrug.
[A Walking Statue]
The statue had apparently moved during the night to one corner of the room,
and now stood there silently. As Sala walked towards the table, it also
approached and resumed standing silently.
[Sala]
Sala looked apprehensively at the thing. It was so strange. Perhaps if
she had a name she could call it or even if she knew what it was...
"Um...Is there anything that we can call you? Um, and if it doesn't
insult you would you mind telling me what exactly you are? um, please,
sir[?]"
[A Walking Statue]
The statue's head turned to face Sala. "I do not have a name that can be
spoken. You may call me whatever you want to. It does not matter to me. I
am a mineral life. As you are an organic life. I am using this shape to
better interact with you. Organics seem to find things similar to
themselves easier to understand."
[Sala]
Sala wondered if she could morph this creature into something "easier to
understand", but decided it probably wouldn't take too well to the
notion. She couldn't decide if it was being condescending or if it
really didn't realize how it sounded to her. She contemplated it for a
moment, at least she didn't feel shy around it. "Would it be ok if I
called you Granite? Having a name I can call you makes it easier to
talk to you. And if you want to learn about us I would suggest you
phrase your comments to leave out things making us "organics" seem a
little less close minded, even if we are. It makes some get very
defensive. It would have been better if you had said that we would feel
more comfortable with this form. It sounds picky, I know, but I've had
to learn things like that myself since I lived alone for so long." Sala
hoped she hadn't sounded to annoyed because she meant to help it
understand them since that's what it seemed out to try to do. it had a
hard task ahead of it.
[A Walking Statue]
"My identifier among you will be Granite. Why does saying what I said a
different way change your reaction to the statement? It means the same
thing. Or have I analyzed your language incorrectly? That is possible. I
have only been studying it for a small amount of time. What does the term
close minded refer to? I am of the understanding that your minds must be
closed. Opening them causes the subject to die. This has been my
observation of others who have done that. I have not been alone for an
extended amount of time. What effect does this have on organics?"
Throughout this, the statue had remained motionless and expressionless.
[Talabrina]
A great panther walks in shortly after Sala does followed by a short figure
covered in a long deep velvet cloak with gold runes on the hem. Both the
panther and the figure stop a few feet from the table and look at Sala.
"Greetings noble elf. I am Talabrina Zolond, I happend to overhear thy
conversation and that thou were in need of aid," says Talabrina in a darkly
muscial voice. Hesitantly, Talabrina witdraws the hood to reveal the
features of a drow elf. Talabrina looks Sala over in apparent
appreiciation. "I am here to offer thee my help milady." The panther
utters a very brief rumbling sound and Talabrina adds "As well my
companion, Muffy, wishes to aid thy ladyship as well."
[Sala]
Sala smiles nervously at Talabrina and Muffy. She scoops Pine off of
the ground and pets him. Suddenly instead of a small dog there is a
small cat in her lap. "You are more than welcome to join us.
Especially if you have any ideas how I can remove this curse." She
starts and blushes, then puts up her hand in greeting, "I am called
Sala."
[Talabrina]
Talabrina raises her own hand in greeting. "Well met Lady Sala. Is thy
pet a shape-shifter milady?" Talabrina says whle eyeing the cat curiously.
As for thy curse, what methods of removal hath thou try thus far milady?"
[Sala]
Sala laughed musically and smiled, losing her shyness as soon as talk
turned from her to Pine. "Oh no, Pine has no powers of his own that I
know of other than that he has been with me since I can remember and
does not seem frightened of the demons. I cannot even remember what he
was originally. I guess you could call him a pet, but he has been my
only companion for years and we are very close. As to his changing, it
is the one gift I have been given by the gods in compensation for my
curse. I have great power over nature and the forms of things.
Watch..." Sala ran her hand over Pine and he became a hummingbird.
Then she ran her hand over the surface of the table and before thier
eyes a plant grew from the wood, budded and flowered. She waved her
hand over it again and its growing slowed back to normal. Pine zipped
over and sat on the edge of the flower and ate a breakfast of nectar.
Sala looked a bit abashed as she realized what she was doing and hastily
responded to Talabrina's other question, "Well, I've asked them to go
away and I've tried to suppress them, But I haven't done anything else.
I wasn't really aware that it could be cured..." She pauses and looks
sadly down at the table, "And no one has ever let me talk to them for
too long before this. Normally the demons manifest themselves as soon
as I meet new people and scare them away. I am surprised they haven't
done so by now."
[Ifreet]
Ifreet dropped to the table from the rafters, where he had been sleeping
after listening to Sala's table last night. He raises his right hand to
his chest, palm out, and bows to Sala, Talabrina, and Muffy. "I am
Ifreet. I will help you.", he says in a low, quiet voice. He then
walks outside, and vaults onto his horse, waiting for them.
[Sala]
Sala half jumped out of her seat startled by the sudden appearance of
Ifreet and his way of talking. She felt her birthmark pulse ominously,
cringed and tensed, but nothing happened. Slowly she relaxed, her
breathing a bit erratic.
[Talonn and Kaa]
Talonn and Kaa came down the stairs to find Sala sitting at the same
table they had occupied last night. Talonn was a bit startled to see
another drow and a great cat sitting with her. Kaa, however, took it in
stride until the fellow dropped from the ceiling.
"By the forge! That fellow could have hurt someone or worse, spilled
good ale." he growled as he watched the fellow speak to Sala and then
leave the inn. When He and Talonn reached the table, he nodded to the
drow and toward the door. "Top of the day to you. I see we have new
friends. I am Kaa."
[Sala]
Sala smiles shyly at Talonn. "Good morning, Talonn, Kaa." She motions
to Talabrina and Muffy, "This is Talabrina and Muffy. The man that just
came and left is Ifreet, I think. They all want to help me." She says
in wonderment.
[Talonn]
Talonn was busy putting on his cloak and adjusting the harness for his
sword when an elbow in the ribs got his attention. "I am sorry, my
ladies. I was distracted. Fair morning to you Sala. Well met, drow maid.
I am Talonn. Good day to you, Mother Panther." Talonn said bowing to
them and uttering a soft purr to the panther.
[Talabrina]
Talabrina's eyes light up as she sees Kaa and Talonn enter. After the pair
has introduced themselves Talabrina replies in reasonably fluent, though
accented dwarvish, [Hail to thee Kaa, son of Moradin - father of dwarves.]
Then Talabrina coughs and speaks again in the common tongue. "I doth hope
I said that right, it hath been a very long time since I last had the
opprotunity to speak thy language milord. I doth hope that I did not mess
it up too badly." smiles Talabrina
Meanwhile Muffy proceeded to look amused by Talonn's purring and responded
with a deep rumbling purr of her own. " `Twould appear that thee hath made
afriend for life Lord Talonn, well met!" says Talabrina smiling.
[Hammer]
Old habits are hard to break, so Hammer was awake long before the sunrise. He
had just completed a long run through woods, and was taking a long hot bath
when Hugh entered. [*Does this man ever sleep?*, Hammer wondered]
"One of your group has arrived at the table, sir"
"Thank you, bar keep. Thank you. I will have eggs and sausage and bread
to break my fast, sir." Hugh left and Hammer got out of the tub, toweled off,
and got dressed. Then he entered common room, and headed for the table from
last night.
[Raye]
The dark elf padded into the door to the inn as Ifreet walked out.
Picking bits of leaves and brambles from his long white hair, he made
his way to the table, arriving at nearly the same moment as Hammer.
Bowing with a liqid grace to Sala, then to the new dark elf he greeted
them warmly. "Merry met m'ladys." To Hammer he he noded...and asked "I
see we are gathering. Will we be eating and gathering supplys before we
depart?"
[Talabrina]
Talabrina smiled warmly at Raye, " `Tis been long indeed since I last met a
fellow drow that did live in The Land of the Great Light, or in thy case
amongst the forest I wouldst gather. Oh worry naught as a priestess of
Eilistraee, I can call upon Her to provide us with food when we art in
need. `Twill not be equal to the fine food offered here at the in, but
`twill be sufficient to sustain us upon our way."
[Raye]
Raye looked a bit surprised when his sky bright gaze settled on
Talabrina and got a good look at her coloring. "Indeed m'lady...it is a
rare thing to see one who look like." He paused to bow deeply, his white
hair brushing the ground. "I fear i am only half a drow however. My
father was something else entirely"
[Sala]
Sala looked bashfully up at Raye through her bangs, "I guess that would
be best. I still am not sure exactly what we are going to do." She
looked at Hammer, "I appreciated your suggestion about your tribe's
priest, but I remember that you said that you have traveled a long way.
Perhaps there is someone nearer who might be able to help."
[Ifreet]
He thinks quietly for a moment, then speaks, "I am unfamiliar with this
area. If we come across a barren desert, I will see if the landmarks
make it my home. If so, there may be a hermit still alive who could help
us. Far to many ifs to do us any good." He concludes his speech,
watching the others, and smiles faintly at Kaa's reaction to his
entrance. "I am ready to leave when the rest of you are." he adds as he
pats his horse's neck.
[Kaa]
Kaa produced a mug of ale from behind his back and drank. The froth
waggled in his beard as he asked, "Have the others arrived? I have given
thought to our dilemma but would like to wait until everyone arrives so
I don't have to say it more than once." After another drink he added,
"Thirsty work, talking is."
[Hammer]
Hammer noticed the arrival of Raye, and nodded back at him in greeting.
Then sat in an empty chair. "Greetings all. I hope all slept well." Sera
came and gave Hammer his breakfast. "Thank you m'lady." When Sera
had left, Hammer turned to Kaa. "It would seem that we eagerly await
your suggestion, friend Kaa." Looking at him Hammer began shoveling
his breakfast.
[Airel & Dragon]
~A young boy, obviously no older than 12 or 13, loped into the tavern
looking nervously behind him. In his inattentiveness to anything in front
of him, he stumbled clumsily over a large panther stationed in the floor
near one of the tables. 'EECK' he shrieked, scuttling quickly away from the
great cat and into the sturdy leg of a patron dwarf. Tilting his haed
back quickly and deciding the dwarf was of no threat, his attention fell
back to the panther, eyes very wide.
~'Is it tame?' he exclaimed, glancing briefly at the party gathered here.
~Just then, another figure burst through the door, this one tall, young,
brandishing bright red hair and correponding blood red cloak and travel
leathers. He looked angrily about the room, and his eyes came to be
fixed on the boy. 'There you are, you little weasel!'
[Talabrina]
Muffy had only been sightly annoyed when the boy had bumped into her, this
was inturn made worse when the boy shrieked at the top of his lungs.
Still, Muffy was fairly used to people [in particular small people] being
afraid of her size and power. However when the red-haired man showed up
chasing the boy, that was a perfect excuse to show the man how annoyed she
really was. After all, he if he had not been chasing the boy, the boy
wouldn't have been as alarmed. Muffy stands up and snarls at the
red-haired man.
[Raye]
The dark one brushed his hair back from his eyes again and watched all
the running, tripping, yelping and snarling with an expression of
bemused amusement. "I have missed all this activity....its good to be
back with people again"
[Kaa]
Kaa wandered over to the bar and began speaking to Hugh.
[Talonn]
Talonn stepped toward the man in red with his hand on his sabre. "Here
now. What do you want with the lad?"
[Sala]
Sala stood up and moved over to the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Fighting is not allowed in the inn, sir. What could the have done for
you to be so angry with him. He is only a child." She knew full well
that many elves might still say the same thing about her, but she was a
very protective person especially over young things.
[Airel & Dragon]
~The redheaded fellow looked up at Talonn at first with some degree of
frustration, then deciding that the man meant no ill, softened his
expression. 'Good sir, I have been assigned the taxing job o' keeping a
'legal' eye ahn the li'l mongoose. I am responsible for every li'l
token 'e pinches. And I'd mind ya wallet, bein' so near t'im.'
~He turned again to the boy, who was torn between fear of the panther
and fear of the man, not sure which was more menacing. '..and you, ya
ruffian, ya'll 'ave all the law in this 'ere town on yar 'ide before ya
can blink tweece. And where is Dragon? It were in me mind that 'e was ta
keep you outta tr...'
~The man stopped suddenly and his gaze shifted cautiously to young Sala.
'M'lady, ya... well, if ya've had a run o' bad luck, I could direct ya
to an arder that might suit ya better, if ya know wha' I mean.'
[Ifreet]
Watches the two people enter the inn, but decides his getting involved
would probably make matters worse, as it is with most domestic diputes.
He simply makes sure that no one touches his horse.
[Granite]
Granite's head turned to face the confrontation. "It was a similar
situation to this that I last saw an organic's mind opened," he observed to
no one in particular.
[Talabrina]
"Let us hope that this situation doth not turn out that way." Talabrina
remarks to Granite.
[Talonn]
Talonn relaxed and looked to the lad. "I don't envy your task of
watching over that one, friend" he said with a grin.
[Kaa]
Kaa finished his talk with Hugh and returned to the table. "Careful
laddie. The cat hasn't eaten today." he chuckled.
[Fellow in Red]
~'Sir Dwarf,' the one in red began, grinning. 'I wouldna recommend this
'un as a fittin' meal, even for
a cat. He's quite lean, sour, an' full o' grissle.'
[Talabrina]
The panther for her part looks somewhat disgusted at the thought of her
eating the boy.
[Raye]
Raye noticed Muffy's look of disgust and gave a whispery laugh. "I
agree with you m'lady panther, people are not the most appealing of food
sources."
[Kaa]
"Since it appears all of us are here to assist Sala here with her
'problem', I have followed up on my thoughts." He cast a doubtful eye to
the boy and the man in red before continuing. "I got to thinking who was
the best person to ask about demons and such. Well, I decided that it
weren't no person at all, since most folk would only know wives tales
and the like. The best person to ask would be a demon himself."
[Talabrina]
"The panther that thee hath had a collision with is named Muffy" Talabrina
said kindly to the boy. "Just don't shriek like that again in her ears and
methink the two of the shall get along just fine."
Then Talabrina caught the end of Kaa's comments. "That is only good if the
demon doth not eat thee first milord." Talabrina snorted.
[Two more?]
~The boy's expression regarding the catr relaxed, and he sat up. He turned his
head up to the man in red and stated, 'At least I haven't blown up any
buildings.'
~The stranger took no heed of the boy, however. The conversation he was
overhearing was far more interesting and, possibly, profitable.
[Talonn]
Talonn jerked his head around and looked at the dwarf. "Have you finally
gone mad, you old goat?"
[Kaa]
"Nay, but hear me out. I am told that a demon summoned by a wizard is
compelled by the spells to answer questions true as well as perform
services. I propose we seek out a mage and have him summon us a demon.
Then we can ask directly how to make things right. Hugh even told me
where to find such a wizard." Kaa smiled through his beard at his
brilliant idea. "Sala, what say you on this?"
[Hammer]
Hammer finished his breakfast during the commotion, then looked up to see
Sala's reaction. Personnally he liked the idea. Having never seen a demon,
here was a nice, safe way to see one. Ah, if Klar could see him now. Going
on a quest of great adventure, such a diverse group of people. And the statue
thing. How amazing. Almost like a golem, but not...finished. Was he a
golem?
He would have to ask him. Or was it an IT? Ah the glories they will sing of
my
adventures. Shurly The Thunderer was smiling down on him.
[Talabrina]
Talabrina simply cannot believe what she is hearing. "Thou art truly mad
as Talonn hath said master dwarf! Doth thee have even the smallest
appeciation of the dangers involved? If thy wizard make even the tiniest
mistake the demon will break free and eat the wizard. Then thou wouldst
have a being from the lower hells walking free amongst the world!" Talabrina
takes a moment to calm down a little and then continues quietly.
"Back home, demons art sommoned occasionally and sometimes, the break
free. I hath witnessed the destruction that they can wreak."
[Raye]
Raye turns a serious gaze to Tababrina, "This is true, demons do have a
great power....but i did not begin to think that aiding lady Sala would
be without risk. If this mage Hugh told Kaa of is indeed praticed at
raising demons, then this will be only a small risk.
[Fellow in Red]
~'Ahhh! Wait, I believe it's comin' tagether,' he mused, turning again
to Sala. 'M'lady, your.. um.. well, your other person is not a voluntary
associate.'
[Sala]
"My other person? I do not understand, sir. I am cursed by many demons
but they take me over as they wish as far as I know they are not with me
at all times."
[Hammer]
"Bah, that is what the mage is payed for. If the demon escapes, we'll just
have to put him back. No big deal. Besides, I for one would like to see a
demon. Unless you want to go on a 2 week journey back to my villiage to
speak to a Priest who may or may not be able to help. I say to do it. Who
else?"
[Ifreet]
Seeing that they aren't going anywhere, returns to the inn, to add his
two cents worth. "It is a possibility, and all of us together should be
able to defeat even a slightly more powerful daemon." He looks about,
waiting for the others to make the decision.
[Kaa]
"Precisely my thinking, Hammer. There appears to be enough steel and
muscle around here to start a small war. Hugh assures me that this
Nagard is capable of handling a demon. Besides, we don't need to ask the
demon king our questions. A lesser demon should do the job and if Nagard
is not up to the task, once we deal with the demon we can let Granite
here give him an open mind." Kaa barked a laugh and slapped his knee.
[Talonn]
Looking around the table, Talonn had to agree that the group that was
gathering was formidable. "I still think you are mad, Kaa, but I agree.
If we are to free you, Sala, we will have to face a demon sooner or
later. Fate would demand it. Where do we find this Nagard?"
[Sala]
Sala smiled at him. All this excitement was getting to her. She said,
boldly for her, "I face them everyday and I am very grateful that you
all wish to help me."
[Kaa]
"Hugh says the spellflinger is living in an old mill about a days walk
west of here. Nigh on ten miles or so. The only flaw in my plan that I
see is how are we to pay for such a service. I don't doubt you,
Talabrina, when you say it is a dangerous thing. Dangerous things tend
to carry a price to match. Oh, by the by dear Talabrina. Your dwarvish
was near perfect. I am the son of a toad." Kaa chuckled before admitting
his joke.
[Talabrina]
"A toad milord?" Inquires Talabrina with an amused grin. "I should
have guessed, thou doth have the most wonderous pair of legs that I hath
seen in some time," says Talabrina laughing at Kaa's joke.
[Raye]
The dark elf looked at Kaa's short, thick dwarvish legs...blinked
several times, then looked to Talabrina in compleat puzzlement.
"Females make no sence" he muttered under his breath.
[Talabrina]
Talabrina becomes serious again. "Whilst I doth not doubt the fighting
prowess of this group, especially not thee Lord Hammer," says Talabrina
eyeing the big barbarian, "but rather I wonder at our ability to hurt
such a beast. Many demons require weapons of magik to hurt them. I can
temporaily bless some of our weapons but `twill be an enchantment of
short duration. If worst comes to worst I can attempt to banish the
demon. I doth be a priestess after all."
[Hammer]
"My lady Talabrina, your kind are known even in the winter wastes of my
homeland. I respect your knowledge on this subject. However, if magic
is a concern, my War Hammer is of magic, and some say a gift from The
Thunderer himself. However, a blessing from you shall surly spell
victory for this mighty band."
[Sala]
Sala looked around nervously and noticed the flower still growing form
the table. She ran her hand over it and it disappeared. Then she
called Pine over and petted the tiny humming bird and once more she had
a ferret an her lap. She draped him around her neck and he promptly
fell asleep. She nibbled her lip nervously, "I suppose my magic could
aid if such a thing happens. If the demons allow me."
[Talabrina]
Talabrina puts her hand over top of Sala's hand. "Fear not milady,
during our journey I will teach thee how to resist the demons inside
thee when they try to take over. `Twill be hard and difficult I warn
thee now, but I am sure thee can do it." Talabrina smiles encouragingly
at Sala.
[Sala]
Sala nearly jumped out of her skin when Talabrina touched her, she was
so unused to person to person contact. Everyone else she had ever met
had thought she was contagious or too dangerous to touch. She looked at
Talabrina and saw her smile. Sala said, "I have tried to resist them,
but it doesn't seem to work. They come out whether I want them to or
not. Normally when there is danger or soon after I meet new people,
although they seem to be leaving me alone for now. other times they
manifest just to bother me it seems." She sighed sadly and looked down
and away.
[Ifreet]
Seeing that they are at a loss for money, he removes a couple of rare
gems from a pouch on his horse. As most people here like such sparkly
things, he hands them to Kaa to be sold to raise funds, and returns to
his horse since they seem to be on the verge of leaving.
[Sala]
Sala looked curiously at the gems. She hadn't seen very many of them in
her life. They were very pretty.
[Raye]
Sky blue eye followed Ifreet out, in and out again, widening a bit at
the beauty of the jems. "He is not much for words....is he?" he asked
dryly.
[Fellow in Red & Airel]
~All this time, the one in red was inching catiously toward Sala,
studying her intently. He was still circulating what she had said in his
head.
~'Ooo.. dear, they are with ya', he returned, solemnly.
~The boy chimed in once again, saying to Sala, 'Ignore him. He thinks he
knows everything just cuz he's a seer. I wouldn't talk much of demons
around him, or you'll get him all started up, and then he'll never
stop.' Eyeing the gems in Kaa's hand, he added, with a hungry grin,
'Those are some awfully pretty sparklies you got there.'
[Kaa]
"Yea laddie, they do have a bit of a gleam." He places them into his
tunic and whispers to the boy, "A piece the size of your fingernail is
worth more than your smelly hide. Now be a good lad and keep your sticky
fingers to yourself or I will ask Muffy there to nibble on them." He
gave the boy a wide smile before he returned his attention to the group.
The dwarf hopped onto a chair and points to where Ifreet sits on his
horse. "Methinks that fellow has the right of it. We could sit here all
day and gather 'what ifs' and 'maybes' but that don't get the job done.
We have a bit of the road before us. We can hammer out the rest as we
travel. There is a good bit of forage available in this area, so I don't
think we need to provision ourselves much. I'm for the road." Kaa jumped
off the chair and walked out of the door.
[Talonn]
With a chuckle, Talonn says, "He gets grumpy if he stands still too
long. Sala, if you are ready, I think we should go. If this Nagard
cannot do what we will ask, then he should be able to offer other
possible solutions. Kaa and I prefer to walk but if you would rather
ride, I could buy you a horse and tack. That is unless Pine can make
him[her]self a bit bigger for you to ride. I must talk to Kaa, I will
see you outside."
[Sala]
Sala smiled at Talonn as he turned to walk outside, "Thank you very
much, but one of the few things I do have is transportation. I will be
out in a moment."
She looked boy and smiled and them looked up at the man nervously. She
could feel her birthmark pulsing, but it died down. She reached up and
stoked Pine. He changed from a ferret into a beautiful falcon perched
on her shoulder. Pine eyed the man approaching her with a glint in his
eye. Sala backed closer to Talonn and Kaa, this man made her nervous.
She tried to distract him because he seemed much too interested in her
and her demons, "Um, do you have a name, sir, and who or what is this
dragon you mentioned?
Sala took Pine off of her shoulder and looked in his eyes a moment.
Then he flew out of the inn.
[Talabrina]
Talabrina interposes herself between Sala and the Red-fellow. "I doth
suggest that thee either explains thyself and thy intrest here, or take
thyself elsewhere. If the boy chooses to stay with us he can - under my
protection. Lady Sala," says Talabrina without taking her eyes away
from the Red-fellow, "If thee doth wish to accomany Muffy and I that
would be most welcome. Boy, thee may either come along or stay, `tis
thy choice."
[Sala]
Sala hesitantly touches talabrina's shoulder, "Thank you. I must go out
and meet my ride of she will be very uncomfortable. I will see you
outside." Sala paused as the boy spoke.