The continued adventures of not Vikings

[Thistle]

"Let's try to not jump in blindly this time, at least." Thistle says.


"Well Nibbs, go check it out. Carefully." Like before, she adds a bit of psychic suggestion. The cat grumbles, but slinks down into the dark. Thistle follows after, a little behind.

[Dekaru]

Nibbs takes the lead and begins trotting down the stairs with Thistle following behind. Coming to the bottom of the stairs Nibbs superior senses aren't required to hear the conversation between Gisgo and an unfamiliar man echo down the hall "I'm burning the poison and that's the end of it! Like hell I'm letting you use it here!"

The unfamiliar male responds in a calm and sinister tone "Oh my good Frajanian when was the last time you saw the sands of your home? Help me acquire a finer army than any I've ever had and I'll give you enough gold to live like a king among the desert sands. You have worked for me before, how is this any different?"

Gisgo, obviously warry, responds with practically a growl "You take another step closer this sword is going straight through your heart, serpent! I have a promise to keep and I've escaped your poisonous tongue. I will not return willingly."

The sounds of boots on hard stone increases in pace as the sinister voice continues "You can't hide her from me. You think yourself redeemed by keeping her in secret but all you do is deny her a better life."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"I can't listen to this anymore." Gwain whispers with venom on his tongue. "Thistle, get the door and try to stay out of harm's way. Treachery and I will shoot first and ask questions later." He draws his bow, smoothly knocking two arrows as the tempered wood swings into place with sights set on whatever vile creature awaits them beyond the threshold before them.

[Thistle]

"Don't shoot Gisgo," Thistle whispers sharply. "He sounds like he knows about what's going on."

[Dekaru]

Thistle moves up to the door as quietly as she can all the while the conversation continues “Any life with you isn’t a life worth living. Of all the thieves, muderers, and prostitutes I’ve worked for nothing compares to your ilk.”

A snicker meets Gisgo’s words and a mad cackle still echoes as the mystery man speaks “If I am the worst this world has to offer than life is truly merciful. Perhaps...” The conversation is cut off by the sudden crash of wood on stone as the door is flung open. Immediately three arrows fly straight into a man wearing a Griswald uniform turning him into a pincushion. Dropping to the floor with a heavy thud Gisgo remains the only one standing in the storage room still with sword drawn and mouth agape in dibelief.

[Thistle]

"Hi Gisgo," Thistle says, stepping out from behind the door, but not getting in Gwain's line of fire just in case things go poorly, "could you please explain who that person is and why they just murdered two people?"

She takes a quick peek at the body on the ground.

[Dekaru]

The body doesn't move and blood begins to pool on the ground from the three protruding arrows. Gisgo, breathing a sigh of relief, sheathes his sword and says "That... that was the Lich known as the Serpent." Walking over to the body and giving it a few kicks to make sure it doesn't start moving again Gisgo continues "Was being the critical word in this case and he's murdered many. Lord Griswald, you very likely just saved my life. I cannot convey how grateful I am for your timing."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"That's a lich you say? Gwain draws several more arrows and sends a vengeful volley streaming into the body on the ground. "You can never be overly careful. I've heard too many stories about these wretched creatures."

"You can thank me later though. First, who do the sounds of those boots belong to?"

[Dekaru]

Gisgo leans against a nearby crate obviously shaken by his experience. Still he responds in a collected manner “That was me trying to keep him at an arms reach. Not easy in a small room like this.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain breathes a sigh of relief. "So it's over then? We caught him? What exactly were you two talking about?"

[Dekaru]

“He didn’t want me to burn the supplies of scotus. Tried to buy my cooperation but you can never trust the likes of him. Something I’ve unfortunately learned firsthand before.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain nods in understanding. "What does it take to kill this thing anyway? The story I got was that Robillard sliced him up pretty well as price for that eye he took."

[Dekaru]

Gisgo shrugs and says “I haven’t any idea. That’s the domain of people more devote than me”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"I don't feel like taking any more chances today. Would you care to do the honors of tying it up before we bring it back to camp? I'm sure Lord Griswald will be very interested. I have to say Gisgo, I've had my doubts about you, but the way you stood up to that thing to protect Thistle... you're a man of morals at your heart."

[Thistle]

"Well obviously," Thistle says, "Or I wouldn't be working for him."

"But on that note, why is a lich after me?"

[Dekaru]

“I don’t know why his kind seek those with your abilities, Thistle. They’ve always spoken as though they’re doing your like a favor by taking you though in my years here I’ve never seen any of them return once in their clutches.”

Pulling out some rope from over by a stack of crates Gisgo looks at Gwain “I’ll tie up the body and hide it in my tent. Yenin be sad he missed a chance at tearing his old master to pieces himself.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Best to let Lord Griswald make the call on where to stash the corpse. What was it planning to do with the scotus anyway?"

[Dekaru]

“Your call, sir. From what he was saying it sounded like he wanted to poison the army. Good thing I was coming here to burn this vile fungus. I’ve seen firsthand it bring good people to kneel.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Perhaps it could be of use to us? If ol' Snakey here wakes up again, the scotus might get us some valuable information. Here, let me help you with that." As Gisgo finishes tying up the body, Gwain lends his shoulder to support some of the the limp figure's weight. "I'd like to make it back to camp before Lord Griswald's patience expires.Treachery, keep your eyes on Snakey and let us know if you see any funny business."

[Dekaru]

Gwain and Gisgo hoist up the tied up and dead Lich and exit the alls of the crumbling fort leaving the stock of scotus behind. Entering back out into the courtyard with Gisgo still carrying the Lich the desert born merc speaks up "Shall I return to my tent until further orders or am I to burn the poison in these walls? I must insist on its destruction though I've had enough confrontation for one day. I wouldn't mind some rest and torturing Yenin with the thought of missing a chance at speaking with Snake."

[Thistle]

"Honestly, I think we should just burn the scotus, like Gisgo is saying," Thistle says, "leaving it lying around it just begging for it to get misplaced or something. We already have security issues, it seems."

[Dekaru]

Gisgo chimes in by adding "Leaving the stores intact will only invite disaster."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"I'm inclined to agree, but I'd rather let Lord Griswald make that call."

[Dekaru]

Body in tow, the group make their way to Leewan (who is somewhere of his own volition). The body being carried doesn’t draw any attention with the many dead from the earlier battle though Gwain doing the carrying comes off as a little strange. On arrival the body is dumped on the ground and undoubtedly an explanation is expected.

[Thistle]

"So," Thistle begins, poking at the body with her foot. "We found our murderer. We have more liches on the loose, it seems, and this one was called The Snake. He was trying to get access to a scotus cache."

"What do you want to do with him? I doubt he's going to stay dead."

[Dekaru]

Behold a Map!!!

[Interovegas]

The dynamic duo find Leewan alone atop the least ruined of the sentry posts on the fortress walls. He had sent the designated sentry away a quarter hour before so that he might find some solitude in this ruined place. Certainly the low vantage point of toiling soldiers did not compare to the great vista of suffering provided by the topmost perch of heretic's end but it was a compromise Leewan would have to live with. He is nearly focused in a sadistic trance, relishing the war despite the sheer idiocy that brought him to it, when Thistle's interjection pulls him out from his ounce of pleasure. He listens to the small thing's words and looks down at the corpse, disappointed both with the interruption and with the intense mortality of this highly touted liches.

"I had a thing similar to hope. A wish that these liches could be all the challenge and glory they were rumored as. Obliterate the corpse and any arcane lich weaponry you found with it. Are there any other pertinent details I must be aware of before I continue negotiations?"

[Thistle]

Thistle exchanges a glance with Gwain and shrugs. "I think that's everything. We'll handle this from here."

[Interovegas]

Leewan beckons to the small animal whisperer, to speak separately from Gwain.

"If negotiations with the elder Frey fail you must ally us with a toxic creature from the locale. Sneak it through his keep room window this night and poison him, whether to kill or cripple is not my concern. With Frey unable to lead his men I will have full control over the movement of our forces."