The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]
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?Excluding myself, I?m afraid you?re in the company of our freshest recruits, none of whom had seen Darkspawn a month ago.? Begrudgingly, Thaedrin added one more sentence, ?Except for Komnenos, whom you?ve met.?
?What he means by his missing of clothing is that he was beaten in a death-duel against one of those honor barbarians.? Ghil grinned, slapping Diocles on the back fondly, ?He did very well for such a thin man. I am called Ghil. The other is Alrik.? She jerked a thumb in the other barbarian?s general direction.
The Constable frowned; the extent of the damage proved to be worse than he?d anticipated from the gates. ?Are there no Grey Wardens in Antiva? I had thought, certainly a?? He trailed off, abandoning the question. How would this man know? ?I will be eager to send a message back to Weisshaupt.?
?What he means by his missing of clothing is that he was beaten in a death-duel against one of those honor barbarians.? Ghil grinned, slapping Diocles on the back fondly, ?He did very well for such a thin man. I am called Ghil. The other is Alrik.? She jerked a thumb in the other barbarian?s general direction.
The Constable frowned; the extent of the damage proved to be worse than he?d anticipated from the gates. ?Are there no Grey Wardens in Antiva? I had thought, certainly a?? He trailed off, abandoning the question. How would this man know? ?I will be eager to send a message back to Weisshaupt.?
Jarrik raised a pierced eyebrow at the two bickering elves. 'Siblings, maybe?' He thought to himself, but the rapid succession of introductions, banter and questions left him little time to mull it over.
He rubbed the back of his neck with a gauntleted hand, "If there are other wardens in the city I could not be saying, never seen no griffins at least."
The fires and destruction seemed to give way to just general dishevelment as the group advanced into the heart of the city. Doors were left ajar and possessions lain strew about in the streets where they had been abandoned, along with the occasionally oddly calm scenes like laundry still flapping in the breeze or a plate of breakfast long grown cold. Folks had simply up and fled.
The docks were an even more peculiar sight and in further disarray. Hundreds, if not thousands, were crammed unto the wooden wharfs, but not so much as a row boat was to be seen. Pointing down the way, "You'll find warehouses all up and down the docks. If any merchant lords have stuck around, it was likely to guard their wares from looters."
He rubbed the back of his neck with a gauntleted hand, "If there are other wardens in the city I could not be saying, never seen no griffins at least."
The fires and destruction seemed to give way to just general dishevelment as the group advanced into the heart of the city. Doors were left ajar and possessions lain strew about in the streets where they had been abandoned, along with the occasionally oddly calm scenes like laundry still flapping in the breeze or a plate of breakfast long grown cold. Folks had simply up and fled.
The docks were an even more peculiar sight and in further disarray. Hundreds, if not thousands, were crammed unto the wooden wharfs, but not so much as a row boat was to be seen. Pointing down the way, "You'll find warehouses all up and down the docks. If any merchant lords have stuck around, it was likely to guard their wares from looters."
Diocles rolled his eyes when the elves started talking about him like he wasn't present, but remained silent for the rest of their trek. In a few moments, after they had glanced the serene scene of laundry flowing in the wind, he truly wasn't present. He rejoined the group minutes later as stealthily as he had stolen away, wearing a shirt he had apparently stolen. He seemed pleased-It wasn't the highest of fashion, but he fancied it matched his eyes quite well.
Sulahn'nehn had not noticed at all when the archer slipped away, in fact, she was going on at length about something possibly unimportant. She had been walking along with the others, assuming Diocles had been right behind her listening. She turned her head to him, near the end of her spiel "-would like that. What do you thi-" the elf blinked, fluttering her eyes as if a bit of grit got into it. "Where- When did you get that?" she looked him over, it wasn't all that bad. "Dressing up, hm?"
Ulrin looked out over the scene of the docks. What a mess it was here. What a mess the Darkspawn made for these people. What would they all have done if they had gotten through? Absently he glanced at Theadrin thinking of the argument they had the night before. He wasn't grateful to the man for forcing him to live, but he was grateful for the chance to let others live. That's what Twynne would have wanted right?
"Well we had better get going and get what we can, before those looters start in on the warehouses."
"Well we had better get going and get what we can, before those looters start in on the warehouses."
Diocles raised an eyebrow at Sul as if he didn't understand her confusion. Still, he couldn't keep the corners of his lips from curling up into a faint smile.
"I'm Tevinter, remember? Fashion comes naturally, it's inevitable."
"I'm Tevinter, remember? Fashion comes naturally, it's inevitable."
"Oh, no. I completely understand. I just remember someone mentioning how handsome he looked in finely tailored clothes." She leaned a little closer, dropping to a whisper. "I only thought you wanted to show me."
She felt fairly awful. There was destruction all around, and here she was flirting. Sulahn'nehn pressed her fingers to her temple. "Oh that's not entirely appropriate at the moment, is it?"
She felt fairly awful. There was destruction all around, and here she was flirting. Sulahn'nehn pressed her fingers to her temple. "Oh that's not entirely appropriate at the moment, is it?"
?Keep away from the warehouses until I?ve spoken with the lords remaining. Else, I cannot promise some hired guard won?t put a sword in your throat.? ?Or that I would seal the wound,? was the unspoken threat.
Thaedrin held up a bloody hand to instruct his Wardens to wait behind while he went forward to the ships that had not fled the bay. The largest was the one he chose first, and it took only moments speaking with the men standing watch before he was permitted on deck. The crew and a mess of slaves were hard at work unloading all of the cargo from the ship that they had just hurriedly thrown onboard an hour ago.
Left behind with the others, Ghil gave a glance to Jarrik de Avalos, then to Alrik and Diocles, then to her elves.
?I am not seeing why we do not just take.?
Thaedrin held up a bloody hand to instruct his Wardens to wait behind while he went forward to the ships that had not fled the bay. The largest was the one he chose first, and it took only moments speaking with the men standing watch before he was permitted on deck. The crew and a mess of slaves were hard at work unloading all of the cargo from the ship that they had just hurriedly thrown onboard an hour ago.
Left behind with the others, Ghil gave a glance to Jarrik de Avalos, then to Alrik and Diocles, then to her elves.
?I am not seeing why we do not just take.?
"Ghil, we can't steal from these poor folks! It would be unconscionable."
Adjusting his stolen shirt, he gave the barbarian a wink before wrapping an arm around Sul and whispering back to her. His affection was less restrained out of Thaedrin's view.
"Completely inappropriate, I must be rubbing off on you. And I did want to show you-But you must admit, I look even better with none at all."
Adjusting his stolen shirt, he gave the barbarian a wink before wrapping an arm around Sul and whispering back to her. His affection was less restrained out of Thaedrin's view.
"Completely inappropriate, I must be rubbing off on you. And I did want to show you-But you must admit, I look even better with none at all."
In all honestly, Jarrik should have left the wardens to do whatever it is wardens do when there is no darkspawn to kill - fraternize from the looks of it, but the wound in his calf had finally stopped feeling cold and numb, replaced with a remarkably throbbing pain.
He thudded to a seat on a nearby crate with a clang of metal, and began the painstaking process of removing plates and pulling back chainmail and leather to proper bind the wounds.
"Don't 'ppose you lot would be up for a drink after you're sorted? Always did wonder about the famed wardens, I bet even green recruits have stories to tell." He inquired pulling a the red sash from around his head and tying it around the wound.
He thudded to a seat on a nearby crate with a clang of metal, and began the painstaking process of removing plates and pulling back chainmail and leather to proper bind the wounds.
"Don't 'ppose you lot would be up for a drink after you're sorted? Always did wonder about the famed wardens, I bet even green recruits have stories to tell." He inquired pulling a the red sash from around his head and tying it around the wound.
Diocles was an absolutely terrible influence on her, but he was certainly a lot of fun. She'd heard of fun before. Who knew it was such an addicting thing. Or that elves and humans could share it. She hesitated for a moment before deeming it safe to return the affection by hooking her arm around him as well. How many elves could say they'd done so with a human in public. If she could write and had friends at all that could read back in Tevinter, she'd have some stories for them. Stories that may need some light censorship.
Keeping to a whisper she added, "It was rather dark. I cannot be certain it is fact or not. "
Sulahn'nehn eventually remembered others were present and cleared her throat. Terrible influence. She would love a relaxing atmosphere if allowed, but first Thaedrin world need to remove a number of sticks from his backside to give the go ahead. Could the not have a day of rest?
Keeping to a whisper she added, "It was rather dark. I cannot be certain it is fact or not. "
Sulahn'nehn eventually remembered others were present and cleared her throat. Terrible influence. She would love a relaxing atmosphere if allowed, but first Thaedrin world need to remove a number of sticks from his backside to give the go ahead. Could the not have a day of rest?
"Outrageous. Well, you'll need another look then. Maybe later on today."
His smile not fading, Diocles turned his attention back to Jarrik, though he kept a firm hold on the elf.
"I don't know about these 'green recruits' but I have stories you'll never believe. We'd love to join you, soldier-Assuming, of course, that you're buying."
His smile not fading, Diocles turned his attention back to Jarrik, though he kept a firm hold on the elf.
"I don't know about these 'green recruits' but I have stories you'll never believe. We'd love to join you, soldier-Assuming, of course, that you're buying."
"Yes," Alrik said to Ghil, "Do not understand. Should take everything. Make all survivors drink blood, become Wardens. Seem obvious. But Vorenus always say I do not understand politics."
He glanced at Jarrik. "Will ask Thaedrin to heal you when he returns, metal man."
He glanced at Jarrik. "Will ask Thaedrin to heal you when he returns, metal man."
"I'm buying?!?... Well I guess I must, no' unless you found some silvers in that fancy new shirt of yours."
Jarrik responded with a toothy grin. The wardens, well most of them, were the best sort of soldiers in his none to humble opinion. Folks who knew how to turn it off, those that stayed wound up tighter than drums only wore themselves out for when the fighting came.
"I 'ppose I do owe you one as well. Though there be none of that Alamarri's blood drinking or whatnot. Antivian wine is the best there is, only reason worth sticking around this crime ridden hellhole."
Jarrik responded with a toothy grin. The wardens, well most of them, were the best sort of soldiers in his none to humble opinion. Folks who knew how to turn it off, those that stayed wound up tighter than drums only wore themselves out for when the fighting came.
"I 'ppose I do owe you one as well. Though there be none of that Alamarri's blood drinking or whatnot. Antivian wine is the best there is, only reason worth sticking around this crime ridden hellhole."
Ghil turned, surveying the battle-torn city cradling the docks, ?Where are we going that is not burned down??
?The advantage of owning an estate as large as lord Rorqual?s is that a thrown wagon can only damage so much.? Thaedrin returned from the docks with a guest, a portly man dressed in heavy velvets and weighed down by jewelry that gave the impression he?d thrown as many of his worldly possessions onto his frame as he could carry just before fleeing to his ship. His distress, however, seemed to stem less from physical discomfort as it did his talk with the magister?s son. He was ashen, mopping at his sweaty head with a handkerchief. ?He has very generously offered to accommodate us for the evening, perhaps the week if it comes to that.?
?Of course, the Grey Wardens are honored guests. All that is mine is yours as well, for?? the man hesitated before continuing, ?for as long as is needed.?
?The healers are occupied assisting the Imperial soldiers. You may report to me for healing at Lord Rorqual?s, or,? Thaedrin gave Ulrin a rather pointed glance, ?you may wait until the others are available. The choice is yours.?
Lord Rorqual gave a clumsy sort of bow before giving a slave the order to lead the Wardens to the manor. Ghil straightened off the wall of the warehouse and grabbed her sword, taking a step after them before glancing back toward the Antivan knight.
?You coming??
?The advantage of owning an estate as large as lord Rorqual?s is that a thrown wagon can only damage so much.? Thaedrin returned from the docks with a guest, a portly man dressed in heavy velvets and weighed down by jewelry that gave the impression he?d thrown as many of his worldly possessions onto his frame as he could carry just before fleeing to his ship. His distress, however, seemed to stem less from physical discomfort as it did his talk with the magister?s son. He was ashen, mopping at his sweaty head with a handkerchief. ?He has very generously offered to accommodate us for the evening, perhaps the week if it comes to that.?
?Of course, the Grey Wardens are honored guests. All that is mine is yours as well, for?? the man hesitated before continuing, ?for as long as is needed.?
?The healers are occupied assisting the Imperial soldiers. You may report to me for healing at Lord Rorqual?s, or,? Thaedrin gave Ulrin a rather pointed glance, ?you may wait until the others are available. The choice is yours.?
Lord Rorqual gave a clumsy sort of bow before giving a slave the order to lead the Wardens to the manor. Ghil straightened off the wall of the warehouse and grabbed her sword, taking a step after them before glancing back toward the Antivan knight.
?You coming??
Ulrin grumbled to himself. Could he afford to wait for the healers? No he couldn't, he'd have to go with theothers to see Theadrin for healing. The rogue cursed under his breath and started walking with Ghil. He too looked back at the armored warrior. "If you do come, don't drink anything the mage gives you."
Jarrik sat there frankly a little dumbstuck and practically aghast. Antivian merchant lords weren't exactly well known for their philanthropy. 'Blighters damn near make it hard enough to earn enough proper drinkin' money. Or maybe I drink too much... heh too much.'
"You coming?" The query roused him from stupor, and he shook the thoughts away with a few blinks.
"Might as well, your friend there mentioned healing?" He stood with a slight wince, carefully shifting weight until the bandaged leg. "I'd rather no' this hole in my leg should the 'spawn return." As he tried his best to keep pace.
"First blood, now strange witches brews? What don't wardens drink like normal folk?" Was his puzzled response to the elf's statement. 'I guess when you're saving the realm you're afforded a bit of eccentricities.' That thought he kept to himself, oblivious of the irony.
"You coming?" The query roused him from stupor, and he shook the thoughts away with a few blinks.
"Might as well, your friend there mentioned healing?" He stood with a slight wince, carefully shifting weight until the bandaged leg. "I'd rather no' this hole in my leg should the 'spawn return." As he tried his best to keep pace.
"First blood, now strange witches brews? What don't wardens drink like normal folk?" Was his puzzled response to the elf's statement. 'I guess when you're saving the realm you're afforded a bit of eccentricities.' That thought he kept to himself, oblivious of the irony.
Thaedrin hadn?t lied; Rorqual?s manor was indeed crushed into rubble in places, charred gardens and broken gates here and there, but the entire east wing was almost untouched. Entering, the foyer boasted elaborated carved beams supporting the vaulted ceiling, and the rugs covering the marble floors were lush and rich in color (though some were singed in places). Their lodging would prove to be just as luxurious, he was sure. With the merchant lord left behind to manage the unloading of his wares, the elven slave bowed to her master?s guests and invited them to make themselves at home. She reiterated the gesture that what was Rorqual?s would be cheerfully granted to the Grey Wardens for their bravery and diligence in defeating the Darkspawn.
?All of the rooms on the second floor are prepared for guests, a dozen of them, and my Lord has instructed clothing sent up for your perusal. The baths are at the end of the same hall, awaiting your pleasure. Wine and food will be served in the dining hall, at the end of this corridor here on the first floor. I beg you, please excuse the mess.?
Thaedrin nodded his acknowledgement, and dismissed the elf with a gesture. He eyed the stairs almost wistfully before turning back to his injured comrades.
?Come forward, I will handle those wounds,? his knife was in his hand, the blade pressed to the already-gaping gashes in his palms. The blood mage paused, brows furrowing at Jarrik, ?What are you doing here??
?He fights Darkspawn, so do we. Good enough.?
Thaedrin said nothing in response to Ghil. The blade sliced through his palm and down into his wrist, the blood sacrifice giving him the needed energy to heal the woman?s cracked ribs and bruised flesh.
?All of the rooms on the second floor are prepared for guests, a dozen of them, and my Lord has instructed clothing sent up for your perusal. The baths are at the end of the same hall, awaiting your pleasure. Wine and food will be served in the dining hall, at the end of this corridor here on the first floor. I beg you, please excuse the mess.?
Thaedrin nodded his acknowledgement, and dismissed the elf with a gesture. He eyed the stairs almost wistfully before turning back to his injured comrades.
?Come forward, I will handle those wounds,? his knife was in his hand, the blade pressed to the already-gaping gashes in his palms. The blood mage paused, brows furrowing at Jarrik, ?What are you doing here??
?He fights Darkspawn, so do we. Good enough.?
Thaedrin said nothing in response to Ghil. The blade sliced through his palm and down into his wrist, the blood sacrifice giving him the needed energy to heal the woman?s cracked ribs and bruised flesh.
"My goodness, thank you." The parts of the home that were untouched her marvelous, though she felt uncomfortable being helped by a slave. She'd almost began telling the girl that it wasn't necessary and that she would tend to herself, but the sound of a bath was simply amazing.
"I remain unharmed. Although, if you will excuse me, I think I will take advantage of the baths."
Sulahn'nehn pulled lightly at Diocles' wrist before heading down the hall. "I trust I will see you all in the dining hall later."
"I remain unharmed. Although, if you will excuse me, I think I will take advantage of the baths."
Sulahn'nehn pulled lightly at Diocles' wrist before heading down the hall. "I trust I will see you all in the dining hall later."