DDW: The Seax

[Jim Roberts]

[Feb 5 – The Waterworks]

> “So to the point, Fin,” Tramma continued briskly, “I really, REALLY
> think you should hold onto those hiltwraps, the Abbot should take
> those armor enhancements, Laurelin the Star Necklace, Lomi the quiver,
> and so on. Maybe people can discuss a more permanent arrangement
> afterwards, but for right NOW, doesn’t that seem like the sensible
> thing to do?”
>
> “It does,” Finfin concurred.

Just then, Laquendi made an announcement over by the chest. “If there
are any traps here, they are beyond my ability to detect.” A moment
later, there was a virulent curse. “And it seems,” the silver haired elf
continued dryly, “that I shall need to repair my lockpick before I can
try again. It is locked, and I seem completely defeated in opening it.”

Laurelin stepped forward, and chanted a very short Arcane spell. There
was a red and yellow flash around the lock, and the chest sprang open.
“That is certainly ONE way to spring a lock,” Laquendi allowed.

“It beats the way I’d do it,” the Abbot observed dryly. “Grab the lid
and try to pull it open by main strength.”

“Ooo, shiny,” Tramma noted, peering eagerly in to inspect the contents.
What had caught the bard’s eye in particular was a fine silver chain
with alternating tiny stars and crescents on it, all supporting a
central medallion that Tramma readily recognized. “That’s a Seax!” she
exclaimed excitedly. “A symbol used by the leaders and Paladins of the
Bitani. I’ve seen one like this really recently! And you have, too, Fin!”

Finfin began to cast through his recent memories, but he did not have
far to look. It had been a gift he and Tramma both had recently been
tasked to deliver…

She flipped the medallion over, and examined the back side. “It looks
blank in THIS light, but I am betting that under moonlight you would see
the Hidden Paw of Kaltas. I bet this is another amulet of health, just
like the one Songbird sent for Hilat! What are the odds? I am getting
goosebumps.”

“Something that I believe Songbird suggested was intended for Bitani,”
Finfin queried?

“Or Kaltans,” Tramma nodded. “Or those particularly blessed by Bitan or
Kaltas, yes. Anybody else, well, the enchantment makes them DESPERATE to
take it to the nearest Grove and turn it over to the presiding Druid or
Moon Priestess. The legends say the local wildlife will helpfully herd
them the right direction, though so far I have not found any actual
accounts of that happening. But, then, what adventurer is going to admit
that wolves and bunnies gave him directions to give away a nice item
like this?”

Finfin nodded. “Well, I do feel, shall we say, blessed by more than one
Bitani, and I am more than happy to conduct it straight away to a Moon
Priestess should you be correct. And, given my taste for the occasional
Bear’s Endurance, I will hopefully be able to note whether the effect is
similar, or not.”

“This should be an interesting test,” Tramma nodded eagerly. “And I get
to witness it first hand!”

“I think I’ll stand further away,” Lomi said hastily as she backed away.

“Good idea,” Tramma agreed. “Try to distract the wolves or whatever that
come in to herd Fin off to the nearest Grove. Go for it, Fin!”

The elven officer nodded, and secured the amulet around his neck.
Instantly, he felt several sensations, all competing for his attention.
He did indeed feel… healthy, fit, and vigorous, exactly as if he had
just cast a Bear’s Endurance upon himself. Only… not exactly like… this
effect, if anything, was even STRONGER than his Bear’s Endurance.

Competing from this healthy glow, however, was an overwhelming sensation
of disapproval. Almost as if he HAD been standing in full moonlight,
only to have the moon vanish behind the thickest of all stormclouds. And
he could sense, more than hear, a dull growl coming from all around him.

Hastily, he removed the amulet. “It is exactly as you say,” he gasped,
and offered it towards the bard. “As our sole Bitani present, perhaps
YOU would be willing to take charge of it and see it hand delivered to
Alaelia?” Only when he’d made the declaration did the feeling of doom
abate… slightly.

Tramma, however, did not accept the offer. “Fin?” she asked in a small
voice. “There is another lady present who has recently been blessed by
Bitan herself.” The elf followed the direction of Tramma’s gaze, towards
Laquendi who was reshaping a bent lockpick. At his raised eyebrow,
Tramma added quietly, “Alaelia did not tell me any details. Just… that
SOMETHING happened during that lovely Moondance when I was formally
accepted among the Bitani.”

Finfin nodded, and invited Laquendi to join them.

“Something tells me it is not a coincidence I know that,” Tramma
observed somberly as the dusky elf approached. “Laquendi needs this more
than I, and we silver haired beauties need to stick together. Let us see
if it will accept her.”

Laquendi quite reasonably raised one eyebrow at this apparent
non-sequitur, and Tramma briefly recapped their suspicions about the
health benefits the amulet could provide.

“I should like for you to try it on,” Finfin added.

“Fin did not melt or anything when he tried it on,” Tramma supplied.
“Though he had the most remarkable surprised expression I am gonna
wheedle about until he explains every little sensation. Let us see what
it does for you.”

The single eyebrow remained raised, but a moment later, Laquendi
accepted the offer, and secured the amulet about her neck. Only then did
the feeling of disapproval still loitering over the elven officer
finally abate.

Laquendi felt strangely.... healthy. “That… is an odd feeling,” the
dusky elf mused aloud, even as she realized she felt above all,
welcomed. She could just about hear birds singing, and the pleased
whuffing sound of a wolf who liked her.

Tramma’s expression mingled awe, delight, and curiosity all in one. “Well?”

“I can confirm the remarkable benefits of this device,” Laquendi mused.
“It makes me feel… kind of invincible.”

"So... Gnarkill would have needed to swing TWICE to deck you, in other
words?" Finfin asked, his voice holding a cautionary tone.

"Or once, if he got lucky,” Lomi asked darkly?

"I did not fight my way through my entire House to die from a TROLL,"
Laquendi assured them a touch acerbically.

"Well, yeah,” Lomi smirked, “but nobody told the troll that.”

Laquendi nodded. Lomi had not been directly under her command in the Ice
Station Zero expedition, but the tall scout had been a team member
during that long campaign. So Laquendi knew full well that part of
Lomi’s job, before she had emigrated, had been protecting the forests
from various menaces. Perhaps like trolls, and perhaps others.

“So this amazing device should go to someone more qualified,” Laquendi
observed dispassionately, reaching up to begin removing the device.

“I believe it was meant for you,” Tramma smiled. “So much so, I renounce
any claim, and will not even try it. I have a very strong suspicion
bordering on an intuition that none of the rest of us can use it for now
in any case, though Alaelia MIGHT be able to fix that. Or she might tell
us ‘hige ella ṭaim ella pradesagaḷalli irabeku’, which she tells me
translates as ‘thus it must be in all times and lands’.”

Laquendi stared blankly at both Tramma and Finfin. “Surely there is
SOMEONE more deserving here for this device,” she stated bluntly.

“Do you feel any sense of foreboding or regret from having put it on?”
Finfin asked mildly.

“I… do not,” Laquendi replied. “Ought I to? In fact… it feels, quite the
opposite.”

Both bard’s and elven officer’s eyes met, and together they nodded.
“Then you should retain and use the device for at least until we can
consult with Moon Priestess Alaelia tonight,” Finfin suggested. “And
quite probably, forever afterwards.”

Once again, a silent raised eyebrow was Finfin’s reply from the silver
haired elf.

“You… rather impressed me just now,” Finfin admitted. “Your bravery
scouting ahead, combined with your good judgement. I should like you to
be able to continue those efforts, with the extra safety this device may
provide.”

Laquendi considered the matter for a long moment, and simply nodded.

“But that does not provide an excuse to take unwarranted risks,” Finfin
cautioned.

The silver haired elf stared intently at him for a long moment, and then
allowed the corner of one lip to quirk up into a smile. “Yes… Nin’mah,”
she said at last.

Finfin looked blankly at this form of address, but Tramma burst out into
giggles. “If I could additionally ask,” the elf added, “as a favour to
me, that you let the Moon Priestess see this device as soon as
practical. Until you do, I have this worry that I shall be having
Huntress Pilinde gnawing at MY ankles.” Now, both Lomi and Tramma were
helplessly giggling at the thought.

“Let me give you another perspective to consider,” Tramma finally
suggested with a fond smile toward Laquendi. “You and I are silver-hair
sisters, and that says I want you in one piece. You tantalize with
amazing stories; other than the hair we are a gorgeous study in
contrasts. I would much rather get to know you than compose a requiem in
your honor. I am no good at those.”

“No, you are VERY good,” Lomi insisted fiercely. “Inspired, even.” Her
expression was unreadable.

“They break my heart; every time,” Tramma sighed, ignoring a tear
rolling down her cheek to reach out a hand to Lomi. The others had the
impression there was a lot more to that moment than the two friends
cared to explain, especially when the silver-haired chanteuse quickly
shifted the mood.

“We need to get moving, though,” Tramma continued briskly, before anyone
could ask questions. “We are after all on the clock with all those buffs.”