Sanria walked into the cavern and closed the door behind her. The familiar smell of home surrounded her, the sound of the fountain, the shafts of sunlight that magically shown down from the ceiling. She looked down to the fountain as though to steady herself and called loudly, "Colin!" From the corner of her eye she saw him appear from the dining room and rush to her, clutching her to him in a hug. She returned it with a mere tenth of the enthusiasm. Any other person would have been delighted to have gotten home, but for Sanria it was all the more of a test- ament to the fact that she was once again back in her cage. That, and any other normal person would have been returning to love - the one thing in the relation- ship that seemed to elude Sanria.
They walked in the kitchen and sitting in a wooden high chair was a baby that wasn't quite as small as he had been when she'd left. Orn already looked the part of a one-year-old, his blonde hair sticking up even more since it had grown. He kicked his legs and bounced in his chair at the sight of his mother, warming San- ria's heart. The picked the boy up and held him to her and the tears came. Tears for missing him, not wanting to come home, for losing yet another child. That - she still had to tell Colin, and with no other way, she stared down at Orn's rosy cheeks as she said, "The other child is no more."
Sanria could hear Colin expel a rush of air. "I'm sorry. This had to happen again..." he whispered.
"Well, it is done," she said quietly. "It cannot be changed." It would just have to be a pain she learned to deal with like all the rest. A task to be managed.
"How were things here?"
"Difficult. With you gone I found it hard to control my emotions at times. Orn helped me though." Of course Sanria knew that Colin had trouble any time she wasn't around. But it did not end there. "There's something else. Arlenia stayed around. She came to visit me, and, well... We were intimate." The revelation tripped Sanria up for a moment, but then another, "The first time I did not intend... she wouldn't stop... and I lost control of myself..."
"There was more than once..." she said in an exhale.
"Sanria, she... she's pregnant. From that first time."
If Sanria could have been smothered under the weight of emotion, it would have happened then. She had not at all expected how bitter the news would make her feel. She had wanted Colin and Arlenia to get together at one time, but she hadn't expected that the girl from the Dark Continent would come to her home while she was absent and end up bedding Colin. "Well..." she began quietly, "I suppose that settles that... I can't blame you, I've not really been a wife to you."
"I never meant for it to happen. I swear Sanria."
"You will have your family, Colin... but it won't be with me. I'm certain she will be very good to you."
"All I wanted was to have your family... for us all to be happy," Colin said through tears. "But you weren't... were you? I couldn't make you happy."
"No... you couldn't..."
"I wish I could.... I so wish I could."
She watched Colin, her own self struggling with how dejected she felt. She hadn't wanted to be with Colin, but she hadn't wanted to feel as worthless as she felt now, staring across the table at him crying. "This isn't what it was supposed to be," Colin said angrily. "It was supposed to be us, our family! Not her, not this!"
"Did you ever think it wasn't?" Sanria asked quietly.
"How long could you have dealt with my unhappiness? Would you have even done this if I were happy? I think you knew, deep inside, you knew."
"I don't know. No. It would have never happened. It should have never happened. It's supposed to be us. US!"
Colin slammed his fist down onto the table and immediately Sanria's thoughts went to Orn. "Colin... don't frighten Orn." Colin rose from the table, sending the chair clattering to the floor. Sanria immediately lifted the startled boy into her arms and watched as Colin knocked into the table as he charged from the room.
A Shady encounter (1/3)
The lip of the crater where Maya suddenly materialised, dropped sharply into a steep incline, the whole surround littered with rubble, making the return journey back up seem more of a hassle then descending seemed worth. The air around her was thick wi An ethereal voice filled her ears and she turned, hiding her surprise as a somewhat transparent figure hovered before her. You are new it said. Maya tried to seem confident and offered a small smile up to the incorporeal form and said quietly You, I've seen. The entity bobbed about her, the only real visible aspect to the creature, were the twin orbs of red, dimly in the light. That same ethereal voice again rasping What is your name and who are you? Maya's heart rate quickened, her breath started to quicken, in a willed attempt to calm herself she placed her feet together, in the attempt to appear almost regal, the only hint betraying her unease is the expression in her eyes. I'm just a woman, a speaker of the gods. She shivered uncomfortably left with the feeling eyes were roaming over her, she presumed they were when she heard the low and faint chuckle. Gods?... How silly. it said. The others I know, Why are you here? Silly as they may be, they exist... But we dont really want to discuss them, do we shade? she asked, trying to sound confident. How about a question for a question? I believe its my turn. The incorporeal form floated so close to her she felt her very blood chill, her organs and veins turning to ice, the pain was excruciating, she had no choice through her total immobilisation to listen to its next words Oh? Your turn? it was even closer now, Maya pondered if this was where she was going to die, and couldn't determine if she was disapointed or not.
Faprak Versus the Double Date
Sitting idly within the stronghold Vrakk bounced the action figure sized Vaprak up and down on the arm of the couch. Emitting action sounds as he mocked punches with the pint sized fists of the still bloody doll. Stretching his arms with a yawn he begins to glance around. Noticing a small tattered notice hanging from a near by bulletin board. Jumping to his feet he snatches the notice attempting to sound out the contents of the notice "fuuuu--rrr goo--deee tii-mmee ccseeee Ooohhh-grrrrrr tWww---innnns." Vrakk blinks suddenly, looking to the figure with shock "You hear dat Faprak? Twins!"
Bouncing up and down gleefully Vrakk storms out of the room, running hastily out of the stronghold and into the streets with an eager forward lean. High in hand is his trusty Vaprak doll, flying above. Reaching the door of the address listed upon the page Vrakk spits into his free hand, pushing his matted hair backwards making absolutely no difference in his appearance. He holds the Faprak doll out in front of him, "Vrakk look good rite?" he forces the doll to rock back and forth as if nodding in agreement. Seeming pleased Vrakk begins to pound wildly on the door "Laddddiiiess.... weee heeeereee.." he cackles lowly as he continues to pound. On the oversized door.
As the door swings open his jaw drops, standing behind two half ogre women nearly identical in size and appearance. Eyes offset, both looking in different directions. The curves of an oversized lumpy potato filling cheaply woven dresses in the worst of ways. The first girl smiles, what remaining teeth she has snaggled and crooked, yellowed from years of abuse. Vrakk gasps, "Yowzaa! Hotties like described Faprak!" The doll forced again to rock back and forth, simulating an agreeing nod. The two ogres stomp ungracefully out the door. Vrakk leans over, whispering to his doll "Vrakk gets hot one, faprak takes one for team." Followed by a giggle he joins hands with the two much taller females and begins to walk down the street.
Dinner was mostly devoured, the one of the women forcing what remains of a near raw full roast into her mouth as the other picks her teeth with what appears to be the a rib bone. Vrakk smiles attentively, leaning forward on his elbows, hands on his cheeks as he watches the woman devour the disgusting meal. The doll placed in a sitting position beside him mimicking Vrakks own stance. "So ladieees.. we go back to you place.. Faprak shows you wrestling moves?" Vrakk says grinning. The first of the two ogres standing up, pushing the table and Vrakk back a few inches before picking the smaller half orc up and throwing him over her shoulder. "Wait! Not forget Faprak!" The second grabbing the doll as they trek back down the road.
-----------------------------The Following Day---------------------------------------
Vrakk begins putting on the tattered remains of what appears to be the trousers obviously torn from his body the previous night. Franticly searching the ground about for his trusted friend. From the corner of his eye, wedged between two snoring hideous ogre women he sees the leg of the Vaprak doll silently screaming for assistance. Vrakk tries to withdraw the doll gently from its captivity. Having no luck with this he places his foot onto the bare hairy stomach of one of the women, providing just enough leverage for him to un-wedge the doll from its imprisonment. In doing so Vrakk stumbles back a few steps, then falls to his backside, holding the doll up to eye level he speaks, "Faprak have to much fun!" Stuffing the doll into his pocket he bounces towards the door, headed on to his next adventure.
Bouncing up and down gleefully Vrakk storms out of the room, running hastily out of the stronghold and into the streets with an eager forward lean. High in hand is his trusty Vaprak doll, flying above. Reaching the door of the address listed upon the page Vrakk spits into his free hand, pushing his matted hair backwards making absolutely no difference in his appearance. He holds the Faprak doll out in front of him, "Vrakk look good rite?" he forces the doll to rock back and forth as if nodding in agreement. Seeming pleased Vrakk begins to pound wildly on the door "Laddddiiiess.... weee heeeereee.." he cackles lowly as he continues to pound. On the oversized door.
As the door swings open his jaw drops, standing behind two half ogre women nearly identical in size and appearance. Eyes offset, both looking in different directions. The curves of an oversized lumpy potato filling cheaply woven dresses in the worst of ways. The first girl smiles, what remaining teeth she has snaggled and crooked, yellowed from years of abuse. Vrakk gasps, "Yowzaa! Hotties like described Faprak!" The doll forced again to rock back and forth, simulating an agreeing nod. The two ogres stomp ungracefully out the door. Vrakk leans over, whispering to his doll "Vrakk gets hot one, faprak takes one for team." Followed by a giggle he joins hands with the two much taller females and begins to walk down the street.
Dinner was mostly devoured, the one of the women forcing what remains of a near raw full roast into her mouth as the other picks her teeth with what appears to be the a rib bone. Vrakk smiles attentively, leaning forward on his elbows, hands on his cheeks as he watches the woman devour the disgusting meal. The doll placed in a sitting position beside him mimicking Vrakks own stance. "So ladieees.. we go back to you place.. Faprak shows you wrestling moves?" Vrakk says grinning. The first of the two ogres standing up, pushing the table and Vrakk back a few inches before picking the smaller half orc up and throwing him over her shoulder. "Wait! Not forget Faprak!" The second grabbing the doll as they trek back down the road.
-----------------------------The Following Day---------------------------------------
Vrakk begins putting on the tattered remains of what appears to be the trousers obviously torn from his body the previous night. Franticly searching the ground about for his trusted friend. From the corner of his eye, wedged between two snoring hideous ogre women he sees the leg of the Vaprak doll silently screaming for assistance. Vrakk tries to withdraw the doll gently from its captivity. Having no luck with this he places his foot onto the bare hairy stomach of one of the women, providing just enough leverage for him to un-wedge the doll from its imprisonment. In doing so Vrakk stumbles back a few steps, then falls to his backside, holding the doll up to eye level he speaks, "Faprak have to much fun!" Stuffing the doll into his pocket he bounces towards the door, headed on to his next adventure.
Fresh Cargo (2/2)
After the freighter settled, a hatch opened and a small detachment of Vectorian soldiers had poured out. They were looking up at the hovering Ravenwing, shouting things Quintus couldn't (and frankly didn't want to) hear. He turned on the ship's loudspeaker and made his standard announcement:
"This vessel's cargo will be peacefully surrendered. Once your cargo has been safely disembarked, your vessel will be fixed for a nominal fee."
Quintus' statment resulted in even more angered shouting, followed by the captain using several rude gestures in the direction of the Ravenwing. Quintus smirked, knowing the futility of the Vectorian protestations. The first of several small Hoard fleet ships had began to arrive, unloading guards to ensure the transfer of cargo. Quintus monitored the process, laughing as one of the Vectorians began to fight with a couple guards. A dwarven wizard slowly levitated out of the Hoard ship, raised his hand and rained meteors down on the difficult soldier. He fell to the ground, mortally wounded and would die soon, if not aided. The other Vectorians took the opportunity to scatter away from the approaching detachment.The wizard returned to his ship with a wave toward the Ravenwing.
Quintus stepped away from the helm and inspected the configuration of the engines. "What happened here?" he asked, not expecting much of an answer. He opened the door to the aft drive engine bay and saw that his engine was nearly destroyed. Bolts were everywhere, twisted metal banding was strewn about and fuel was trickling down to the deck below. In his final push to catch the Vectorian freighter, the Thri'kreens had removed the safety throttler and in the process the engine had suffered a fate similar to that of the Vectorian lift engines. He sighed deeply and turned back to the helm. "At least we got them. As much cargo as they have, I can easily pay for a new engine. I'll have to tow back to Zozo, though." He noticed the Thri'kreens were apprehensive to approach him. "I am not upset with either of you. You did what you had to do. The objective was simple and we survived. You will be rewarded for your work here today." Quintus approached the helm and opened a small compartment where he kept small sacks of coin for bribing various blockades and trade representatives. He tossed two sacks to each Thri'kreen, each sack valuing around 100 platinum. They opened the sacks and immediately took to the air, swaying back and forth with joy.
"Remember what you saw here today. Work for me again and there will be ten times that amount if we can keep doing this. We've received an extremely large contract that demands large amounts of weapons, armor, food, water and more. Even better if we can take it from the Vectorians while doing so."
"This vessel's cargo will be peacefully surrendered. Once your cargo has been safely disembarked, your vessel will be fixed for a nominal fee."
Quintus' statment resulted in even more angered shouting, followed by the captain using several rude gestures in the direction of the Ravenwing. Quintus smirked, knowing the futility of the Vectorian protestations. The first of several small Hoard fleet ships had began to arrive, unloading guards to ensure the transfer of cargo. Quintus monitored the process, laughing as one of the Vectorians began to fight with a couple guards. A dwarven wizard slowly levitated out of the Hoard ship, raised his hand and rained meteors down on the difficult soldier. He fell to the ground, mortally wounded and would die soon, if not aided. The other Vectorians took the opportunity to scatter away from the approaching detachment.The wizard returned to his ship with a wave toward the Ravenwing.
Quintus stepped away from the helm and inspected the configuration of the engines. "What happened here?" he asked, not expecting much of an answer. He opened the door to the aft drive engine bay and saw that his engine was nearly destroyed. Bolts were everywhere, twisted metal banding was strewn about and fuel was trickling down to the deck below. In his final push to catch the Vectorian freighter, the Thri'kreens had removed the safety throttler and in the process the engine had suffered a fate similar to that of the Vectorian lift engines. He sighed deeply and turned back to the helm. "At least we got them. As much cargo as they have, I can easily pay for a new engine. I'll have to tow back to Zozo, though." He noticed the Thri'kreens were apprehensive to approach him. "I am not upset with either of you. You did what you had to do. The objective was simple and we survived. You will be rewarded for your work here today." Quintus approached the helm and opened a small compartment where he kept small sacks of coin for bribing various blockades and trade representatives. He tossed two sacks to each Thri'kreen, each sack valuing around 100 platinum. They opened the sacks and immediately took to the air, swaying back and forth with joy.
"Remember what you saw here today. Work for me again and there will be ten times that amount if we can keep doing this. We've received an extremely large contract that demands large amounts of weapons, armor, food, water and more. Even better if we can take it from the Vectorians while doing so."
Fresh Cargo (1/2)
"FASTER!"
Quintus knew he could overtake the cargo ship he was pursuing. The Ravenwing was smaller and faster. It wasn't behaving correctly; someone wasn't keeping up with their duties, he thought. "I said FASTER!" he bellowed at his navigator, a young female Thri'kreen. Her bug eyes widened and she leapt from her seat, flying to the rear of the ship. She began working with her brother (whom had already received his verbal lashing) tweaking the engines. "Can't get more than 79%, sir! We just can't!" came a shout, which infuriated Quintus further. He lurched the ship hard to port and then back on course. The Thri'kreen were thrown toward the side of the ship but took to the air to stabilize. Quintus needn't yell again.
The Vectorian airship was beginning to fade in the distance. He wasn't sure where it was headed just yet; it had been hopping the trade routes without stopping for some time. He couldn't engage the Munchausen engine to try and head them off. The only chance of taking the ship was to disable a lift engine, forcing it to land in unfamiliar territory. Just as he was about to cut off the chase
VVVVOOOOOMMMMMMMM
the engines had roared to life! The Thri'kreen siblings began cheering at the back of the ship. Quintus tightened his grip on the helm and trained his attention on the small dot of a ship on the horizon. It began to grow in size quite rapidly; the airship was readying a course correction and slowing down. It had descended slightly, moving just above the canopy of a forest. This would make disabling the lift engine a bit trickier. Poorly aimed shots into the forest would not only endanger inhabitants but create a blowback of dirt, plants and who-knows-what that Quintus would fly right through. Still he pressed on, coming up hard on the Vectorian freighter. They had noticed him now and had thrown their engines on full in an attempt to evade him. Quintus howeled in delight "The fools! Do you see this? Do you see what they're doing?!" he shouted to no one in particular, even though the Thri'keen had once again taken his side at the front of the ship.
The freighter ascended higher and Quintus throttled back, shifting to line up with the starboard set of lift engines. The bigger, slower ship's hull groaned as the Vectorian captain furiously tried to keep his ship centered in front of the Ravenwing. Quintus easily matched the maneuver and shouted at the male Thri'kreen "LET LOOSE ON MY COMMAND!" as he began to gain confidence in his victory. The Thri'kreen clicked a few times in response. Quintus made a final maneuver and whispered "Drop 'em to their knees." The cannons on the Ravenwing roared, two of the three blasts hitting their intended target. The third sailed wide, causing minor damage to the freighter's hull. Smoke began billowing out of the impacted lift engine and Quintus backed off the Ravenwing slowly, waiting for his prey to fall to the ground. He keyed his ship's radio twice and pinged once, letting the fleet know he required assistance at his current location. The second starboard lift engine suddenly sparked and caught fire, unable to keep up with the demand. The ship listed starboard and began to descent quickly as the captain throttled back his port lift engines to compensate. Quintus held his breath and eventually let slip a sigh of relief as the freighter cleared the canopy of the forest and began a rough landing in an open field.
Quintus knew he could overtake the cargo ship he was pursuing. The Ravenwing was smaller and faster. It wasn't behaving correctly; someone wasn't keeping up with their duties, he thought. "I said FASTER!" he bellowed at his navigator, a young female Thri'kreen. Her bug eyes widened and she leapt from her seat, flying to the rear of the ship. She began working with her brother (whom had already received his verbal lashing) tweaking the engines. "Can't get more than 79%, sir! We just can't!" came a shout, which infuriated Quintus further. He lurched the ship hard to port and then back on course. The Thri'kreen were thrown toward the side of the ship but took to the air to stabilize. Quintus needn't yell again.
The Vectorian airship was beginning to fade in the distance. He wasn't sure where it was headed just yet; it had been hopping the trade routes without stopping for some time. He couldn't engage the Munchausen engine to try and head them off. The only chance of taking the ship was to disable a lift engine, forcing it to land in unfamiliar territory. Just as he was about to cut off the chase
VVVVOOOOOMMMMMMMM
the engines had roared to life! The Thri'kreen siblings began cheering at the back of the ship. Quintus tightened his grip on the helm and trained his attention on the small dot of a ship on the horizon. It began to grow in size quite rapidly; the airship was readying a course correction and slowing down. It had descended slightly, moving just above the canopy of a forest. This would make disabling the lift engine a bit trickier. Poorly aimed shots into the forest would not only endanger inhabitants but create a blowback of dirt, plants and who-knows-what that Quintus would fly right through. Still he pressed on, coming up hard on the Vectorian freighter. They had noticed him now and had thrown their engines on full in an attempt to evade him. Quintus howeled in delight "The fools! Do you see this? Do you see what they're doing?!" he shouted to no one in particular, even though the Thri'keen had once again taken his side at the front of the ship.
The freighter ascended higher and Quintus throttled back, shifting to line up with the starboard set of lift engines. The bigger, slower ship's hull groaned as the Vectorian captain furiously tried to keep his ship centered in front of the Ravenwing. Quintus easily matched the maneuver and shouted at the male Thri'kreen "LET LOOSE ON MY COMMAND!" as he began to gain confidence in his victory. The Thri'kreen clicked a few times in response. Quintus made a final maneuver and whispered "Drop 'em to their knees." The cannons on the Ravenwing roared, two of the three blasts hitting their intended target. The third sailed wide, causing minor damage to the freighter's hull. Smoke began billowing out of the impacted lift engine and Quintus backed off the Ravenwing slowly, waiting for his prey to fall to the ground. He keyed his ship's radio twice and pinged once, letting the fleet know he required assistance at his current location. The second starboard lift engine suddenly sparked and caught fire, unable to keep up with the demand. The ship listed starboard and began to descent quickly as the captain throttled back his port lift engines to compensate. Quintus held his breath and eventually let slip a sigh of relief as the freighter cleared the canopy of the forest and began a rough landing in an open field.
Winds of Change
His incorporeal form standing unseen at the Eastern Gate of Kefkaburg, Throm watched on as the last of The Tripower Eastern Blockade marched eastward back towards the capitol city of Torregiano. This had never been The Tripower's fight nor would it ever be. Vector wasn't worth even keeping an eye on any more. And so the eye of the Kingdom was turning elsewhere for the moment. At a whim Throm willed his mind into a coexisting yet equally unseen form that stood at the base of the fountain within the city's Market Square. It was busy today and the citizens of the city bustled around and quite literally through him as they went on about their business. At first glance one might judge the scene to be just another day in the life of a major trade hub. But Throm could smell the odor of the malcontents, he could feel the white hot rays of anger in the air itself. Not a week ago, a high ranking officer of Vector was found murdered in his room. Rumors of espers defying Vector by providing aid to those in need ran rampant among the people, bolstering courage. A bombing of some sort had taken out Festival Square not a week ago. More rumors that someone was amassing a vast quantity of arms and supplies trickled through even the even deeper channels of the city's underground networks. Even this morning, bodies belonging to a Vectorian patrol had been found nailed to the walls of Shar's Church. 'Yes,' Throm thought, 'the winds of change are more than beginning to blow. Westbridge will do fine for itself if they band together and stay the course.' Once again Throm's surroundings changed as he phased out of reality his two ethereal duplicates, returning to a third. As the familiar walls of his office within the Tripower Tower returned, Throm couldn't help but privately wonder what was to become of the small city in the end. 'Time will tell.' he thought as he dismissed the subject from his mind for the last time.
A Final Journal Entry
Reality. The whole thing really blows if you ask me. But when it hits, it hits hard and usually hurts like hell. And it sucker punched me this week harder than the one I received the week prior, but I won't get into that here. It seems as though the general vote is that I'm not much good in the field. Worst thing is I can't say that I can even argue my case. Though Gilean the Lathander groupie, and Claire the spider esper tried to build a case for me. In the end though they brought up a solid point. If it is that the only place I can be properly trained in the only thing I am destined to be good at, there's only one place to go.
I'm not sure what kind of welcome I'll be getting in the western wonderland. Everything I've heard about my people indicates that they are a reserved, inclusive sort. Great, just great. But in the end I won't know until I give it a go. Plus, if I have to sit out another outing I might end up going nuttier than that most give me credit for. I think this'll be the last entry in this for a while. I'm leaving the journal along with most of my possessions. Figure it'll be better to travel light, and gods know how long I'll be away.
In the end though Claire and Gilean mentioned they would be doing their best to help with the Kaliadra issue. I still feel like my timing couldn't be worse on this one. But Sanria brought up a good point, in my abilities to defend myself. Stings to hear it, and I find myself crying into my pillow late at night (okay kiddin about the last part), but she's right all the same. Unless I want to move out to Shadowdale and become an apprentice basket weaver or a towel boy over at The House of Fetish, I'll need to man up and do something about it. Well until next I dust this thing off.
I'm not sure what kind of welcome I'll be getting in the western wonderland. Everything I've heard about my people indicates that they are a reserved, inclusive sort. Great, just great. But in the end I won't know until I give it a go. Plus, if I have to sit out another outing I might end up going nuttier than that most give me credit for. I think this'll be the last entry in this for a while. I'm leaving the journal along with most of my possessions. Figure it'll be better to travel light, and gods know how long I'll be away.
In the end though Claire and Gilean mentioned they would be doing their best to help with the Kaliadra issue. I still feel like my timing couldn't be worse on this one. But Sanria brought up a good point, in my abilities to defend myself. Stings to hear it, and I find myself crying into my pillow late at night (okay kiddin about the last part), but she's right all the same. Unless I want to move out to Shadowdale and become an apprentice basket weaver or a towel boy over at The House of Fetish, I'll need to man up and do something about it. Well until next I dust this thing off.
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