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Post by Game Master on Jun 2, 2007 0:57:15 GMT -5
Aiko woke to Androsia's beautiful face peering down at him. "The hero wakes. I'll get you some water and if your up to it maybe some tea later."
The Earth Master croaked a response but it came out as "thaiiahnkeeuu" His mouth was paper dry and the room had a slight spin to it as Androsia walked to parts unknown.
"He's up? Where is he? Still in bed? Let me at him." Aiko found the gruff voice familiar but couldn't put a face to it until it was looming over him. The horribly loud sounding voice belonged to Briggs. His bandages were gone and he punched Aiko in the arm in way of greeting. "There's my boy!" The unusually jolly Mercenary barked. "How you feelin' Stone?" The punch to Aiko's injured arm brought a well of tears to his eyes. "I'm happy to see you to Stone." The gruff merc gushed.
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 2, 2007 10:08:09 GMT -5
Aiko smiled. He was very happy to see Briggs was alright and that he has seen another day of life. Suddenly he bolted up. Nilla! He quickly grabbed the cup of water in Androsia's hand and like a crazed man drank it in one gulp." Nilla!" Stone yelled as loud as he could," We have to make sure she's alright!"
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Post by Game Master on Jun 2, 2007 12:38:55 GMT -5
"Settle down Stone. Doctors orders." Androsia firmly pressed Aiko back down. His head swam so bad it wasn't difficult. "You've been out for two days. Nilla is safe and sound. You saved her according to that Firebug fellow. He called you a hero and payed for your medical treatment. Your stuck here till tomorrow but Briggs here can make inquiries if you like." Androsia recommended helpfully.
"Sure partner. The doctor here just gave me my walking papers. I'll check on the little tike if you wish. Hey I'll even drum up some work for us. You want to work together again Stone? I owe you a debt for saving my life after all." Briggs seemed like a new man. Stone had heard that near death experiences could sometimes change people.
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 2, 2007 21:43:18 GMT -5
Aiko smiled. " Briggs," he calmly replied," You owe me nothing. You don't ask a brother for payment for services rendered, you just take care of them. Of course, I would be honored to work with you again. Please, find our brothers, Mason, Tull and Sull and bring them here and together we can come up with what to do next. For now, I feel tired. I must sleep." With that said Aiko closes his eyes and drifts to sleep.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 7, 2007 17:23:27 GMT -5
When Aiko next awoke his Friends were there waiting and the dizziness was gone. His wrist and leg ached fiercely but it was tolerable.
"Take it easy for awhile. Your stitched up but too much exertion could reopen the wounds. Try not to use your hand for anything other then eating for at least a few days. The bill has been payed by Firebug. Your free to leave at any time." With that Androsia left the side room to leave the hero with his friends. Tull stood right next to Aiko's bed with a huge smile on his face. "You saved the girl Stone. I'm proud of you."
Mason leaned against the wall closest to the door looking like a caged animal. Aiko knew his friend was borderline claustrophobic and took heart that he was willing to stay indoors just for him. They made eye contact and Mason nodded his head. That was all Aiko needed.
Sull stood in front of Mason with arms crossed, shoulders squared and back straight. He had an air of superiority about him that just made Aiko smile. The dim witted thief seemed to be enjoying the fact that his hunch was correct and wasn't ready to forget about it just yet.
The last person in the room was Briggs. The man still wore that silly grin that Aiko found so un...Briggs. He was so used to the grumpy, no nonsense merc who 'wasn't here to make friends', to quote his very words. "I tracked us down a couple leads for work Boss if your ready to hear about them and get some food and fresh air. Doctors orders."
Now that he mentioned it...Aiko was famished.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 9, 2007 2:24:44 GMT -5
Before Aiko could respond however there was a knock at the door and yet another visitor came into the small recovery room. Lord Kursaville the Constable entered respectively holding a scroll and ink quill. "I hope I'm not intruding. Androsia said Stone was up and well, I need to send in my final report to Constable Ritage. Could I trouble Stone for a report? I really can't send it in without his statement."
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 10, 2007 14:37:35 GMT -5
Everyone filed out per Lord Kursaville order and Aiko raises up to give his report. Aiko raises carefully and cleared his throat to be better understood. " First of all, I am glad to hear Nilla is safe. That has been my only concern since this began. It was my brother Tull who had first heard of her of disappearance. He told me of the trouble with the missing girl and suggested we assist the family. We immediately arrived at the D'encre house to help, but only caused you confusion. Again, I apologize. We were all blessed to have your direction, because you controlled the house as soon as you arrived. I followed my brother Sull to interview the neighbors per your commands. Moonhaven was at work, so we went to Fox. Fox was busy, but concerned. Unfortunately at this time I could not see his guilt. Amazingly, my brother Sull knew right away. You know, Sull's insight is very keen. He would make a rather impressive constable. We retreated to Moonhaven next. We were next approached by the rest of the team and they showed me the limestone that was seen in abundance in the mines. Mason mentioned the mines then and after a brief interview with Moonhaven my Brotherhood went to find the mines. It was after your officer Firebug's explanation of his sight that we knew we needed to go underground. Mason took us out to the general area of the mines, but it was the Dim Ka Kata which lead us to Halfhelm's Mines. The Dim Ka Kata is an Earthmaster's art to locate key minerals and void space within the earth. I could therefore focus upon the energy of the mine and lead us there directly. It was then that we encountered Porthen and his men exiting the mine for the evening, sealing it with a stone slab. I am embarrassed that I was dishonest. I created an illusion to attain access and after I realized I was wrong I came forward with the truth. I informed Porthen of Nilla's situation and demanded access to the mine. I unfortunately had come to conclusions of my own and was afraid that the dwarfs were the kidnappers of the girl. Porthen was unimpressed by my deceit and challenged me to gain access to the mine. I was too determined to find Nilla, who I now knew was inside, to play games, so I took the challenge. I enacted the Duo Ling Kata, where I can make stone weep and slither to mud. Porthen quickly unsealed the mine. We entered and separating in two groups we began our search. I was searching mine 3 while the other group searched mine 4. We came up empty. I asked Porthen if I could stay in the mine and meditate. I sent Tull to inform you of our progress and meditated where I could greet the mine 4 group. That is when I sensed the gold. I was deep within my meditation listening for the sounds that are easily carried within tunnels when I felt the distinctive energy of gold. I became a man of power and focused went to mine 1. My brother Mason emerged from mine 4 and I informed him of my discovery. Everyone came inside at that time and we all began our mine search. At this time, I am embarrassed to admit that I was too focused to discuss the important business and was very dishonorable to brother Firebug, but I really couldn't help myself. I apologize to you all and my first line of duty is to honor Halfhelm with the repair of his stone. It was Firebug, Halfhelm, the lovely Siff, peace to her spirit, and I exploring mine 1. I was determined to find the gold, because I knew Nilla was there. While we searched, though, I sensed the earth shift and I grabbed Firebug and proceeded forward. It was Firebug's vision which brought us there and I could only save one..." Aiko's eyes well up and he becomes too choked up to continue. He begins crying, but fights the tears to continue," Sorry. I am very sad to remember, that it was here that Siff perished. I would have saved her if I could, but there was so much at stake. Halfhelm was also injured too much to follow here, so It was Firebug and I to proceed. We came to a newer mine supported by wood. It was in this mine we found the gold, Nilla and Fox. Fox was mad. His greed created this problem and the gold was Halfhelm's all along. It is Halfhelm property after all, right? Fox became threatened by our presence and put Nilla's life in danger with a strange stone trap, which would crush Nilla once he cut a rope with his ax. Firebug quickly distracted Fox and I quickly disarmed him. Fox and I battled while Firebug removed Nilla from the trap. Fox fought me with a knife and bested me. I am glad to be alive, because the mad halfling wanted me dead. In fact, I would love to help you with any information gathering. I am sure that these hands can retrieve anything you need. In fact I know he tried to frame Moonhaven, who is innocent. I also want to say, Lord Kursaville, I am honored to have worked with you and if you ever need I disagreeistance again I am here for you." Aiko wiped the tears from his face and smiles.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 11, 2007 1:21:16 GMT -5
"disa....disagreeistance? I think you mean assistance. Thank you for your report." Lord Kursaville stands to leave. "It was thorough and...full of emotion. Thank you." He begins walking out the door but turns at the last moment. "Just so you know, it is currently undecided if the gold belongs to Ruddgar Halfhelm. The dwarfs are claiming it but so are some other village folk. The matter is going in front of the Baron. I hope he can solve that problem. Oh, and Priestess Siff is alive and well. She made it back through the main tunnel to safety. Good day Master Stone. I am greatful for your help."
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 11, 2007 1:29:47 GMT -5
Aiko's face grows the largest smile as more tears well up," Thank the Mother," Aiko cries more and laughs at the same time," That makes me very happy Lord Kursaville. I will be there for you whenever you need me."
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Post by Game Master on Jun 11, 2007 1:36:35 GMT -5
Lord Kursaville only nodded in reply and left. With the Consable gone Aiko's friends soon filed back in. "Everything all right?" Tull asked with concern at seeing Aiko's tears.
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 11, 2007 1:38:50 GMT -5
" Yes," Aiko laughs," I am happy to hear the Lady Siff survived. Now, brothers, please tell me everything." Aiko tries to get himself ready to depart as he listens to any updates.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 11, 2007 2:13:37 GMT -5
"We are out of the loop as far as the investigation is concerned. It is up to the officials now. Nilla is safe, Fox has been punished. That is all that matters to me." Tull states matter of factually. "Foxes Cabin is going to be auctioned off later today but so far not to many people are interested. We have had time to talk while you were recovering..."
"Thats right Boss." Briggs butted in. "we scrounged up some work if your interested.
The group left Androsia's after thanking her for all her help and headed for the Drunkin Griffin Tavern. "We have a few choices, all require some travel. The first would benefit the town. It seems the Baron is concerned about the safety of the weapon shipments to the Capital. The last couple have been attacked so he's offering a good sum of crowns to experienced folk to help guard the caravan. It's dangerous and they won't tell us exactly when we'd be shipping out. The next job is from a chap in the hiring hall named Groomor. He's a pleasant enough dwarf, calls himself an Architect. Says he know the location of some ruins and old cities and needs an escort to go investigate one of them. The last may be a little out of our league. There is this Paladin type in town. Goes by the Name Alex. Any way he has some kind of crusade against an Ogre king off in the hills. Says he needs champions of good to follow him. What do you think Boss?"
Tull pipes back up once Briggs halts for a breather. "You should also know that Mason set up an appointment with that Wizard fellow at the Nexus point after lunch so you can get a reading on that Medallion of yours." Mason just shrugs when Aiko looks his way.
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 12, 2007 14:34:14 GMT -5
" We are going to need a place to operate," Stone begins," Briggs, please put in a bid for Fox's house for me. We can set up shop there if we get it. Mason, for what time specifically did you make my appointment?" Stone asks.
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Post by Game Master on Jun 13, 2007 12:30:01 GMT -5
"Three hours hence. Enough time to get a bite at the Griffin, decide what we want to do and head over." Tull's stomach picked that moment to growl in agreement.
It was common knowledge that halflings preferred a long sit down meal so they could savor every bite. It was also their favorite time to talk, gossip or reminisce about the past. Halflings are very social beings.
Briggs took that moment to ask, "How high you willin to go Boss?"
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Post by homeskillet on Jun 14, 2007 21:50:09 GMT -5
" Briggs," Aiko began," We are brothers here. There are no bosses. I can go no higher than 300 Gold Crowns. As for my visitation at the Nexus Point I am afraid I am at a loss. I had plans of enjoying a cup of tea with the owner, but now I am afraid I won't be able to do that and my first order should be with Halfhelm. Maybe we could get Halfhelm over for food on me so I can arrange correction of the damage I cause. What do you guys think?
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