Day Three of the Odinsleep (The Coming of the Valkyrie - Part Two)

DAY ONE (Day Three of the Odinsleep), 9:40 am

 

Cedron stops tending Raven’s wounds when the woman unexpectedly walks in.  He catches the very end of what she was saying about fighting alongside Odin during Ragnarok but her words are the furthest thing from his mind.  Instead, he smiles as charmingly as years of bardic training have taught him to be and says, “Love and gods bless you, My Lady!  I would light my pipe by the fire in your eyes!”

One corner of the Valkyrie’s mouth turns upwards oh-so-slightly as to be almost imperceptible.  This was certainly not the reaction she was expecting!

Arthur, having noticed the effect his glowing aura is having on his drow companion flies a short distance away so as to not impede the dark elf’s vision and begins looking over the approaches to our location from the field.  The ground is mostly flat with occasional ridges and dips, large rocky outcroppings, many of which are surrounded by chunks of rubble broken, likely off by some giant’s hammer for use as ammunition to hurl at the wall.  There is no plant growth larger than small scattered shrubs.  Large craters, each marred by burned earth and scorched grasses are abundant and mar the ground all over the field for as far as Arthur can see.

Shadow slowly descends to within earshot but remains floating above the group and replies, “I can think of no better place for these heroes to spend the Afterlife than among such a great host of warriors as we have met here today.  Thank you, My Lady.  Perhaps when this is over you can grant us the pleasure of your company at what will surely be a feast to be written about.  I look forward to hearing your own tales of valor.”

Yes…certainly NOT the reaction she thought she would receive. The Valkyrie scowls at the mention of the word "feast" and replies coldly to the dark elf, "I am certain that I will see you in the halls of Valhalla tonight."

Kysek, still crouched beside Raven shakes his head, “We’re not dead yet and gods willing, we won’t be anytime soon either.  Your kindness is appreciated.  Thank you.”  Having barely turned his attention away from his wounded comrade, the elf begins bandaged the wounds the priests’ spells didn’t heal.  While he is working, he tells his owl familiar, Bubo, to go outside and scout the area for potential ambush spots for the next wave of attacks.  The owl hoots once, annoyed that it is being sent out during the day when it would much rather be sleeping.

Ra’ziir leaps into the conversation, leading with, “You must come here often.…”  The woman’s face remains impassive, unamused by the bladsinger thus far.  He continues undeterred, “Seriously though, I’m with my friend over there,” motioning toward Kysek with one hand, “I do appreciate the gesture but I’m not planning on joining the dearly departed just yet.”

Raven sits up, pushing aside Cedron’s restraining hand and frowns, “Seriously?  Nobody is going to say anything about how this woman was planning on collecting my Soul?”

Ra’ziir quips back instantly, “There are worse things that could have come to collect your soul…”  Grotto interjects, “You can collect my soul anytime!” 

The bladesinger turns and walks over to the winged horse.  The Valkyrie follows Ra’ziir over to her horse but as she turns to leave the sphere she looks directly at Raven and says, “I will have your soul soon enough.  You are far too self-destructive to remain alive for long in this realm.  You will continue to seek out the largest and most powerful enemies you can find and hurl yourself at them, thinking yourself noble for placing yourself in harm’s way and protecting your allies.”    Ra’ziir approaches cautiously, with his palms open and out and begins speaking in Elvish, “Easime tar... easime…”  He places one hand upon the majestic beast’s neck and slowly gives it a gentle pat.  He looks over his shoulder back to the woman and asks, “Did your vantage offer you a lay of the land as you approached?”

Drax keeps watching the field for enemies but glances over at the Valkyrie out of the side of his eye, thinking to himself that the soul collectors are his faith are far less…curvy.  Niklas thinks better of approaching the woman and the opaque sphere where the priests are tending to Raven and returns his attention to the field as well, ready to warn the others once the next wave of enemies are sighted.  Hansuke joins them a moment later, having left the sphere and Raven’s care in the hands of the healers.

Morn looks on at the sphere in stunned disbelief at Raven’s brush with death.  In his experience, the elven fighter has been nigh-invincible.  He shakes his head to clear it of these disturbing thoughts and then looks at Cedron, Shadow, and the others gathered around the Valkyrie, surprised that not a single of them has said the words “Where’s the White Women at?”  The bard chuckles softly, remembering all of the times that those were the first things said to almost every woman the band of veteran adventurers met on the road thus far.

Korbin soars over the field and calls out to his companions, “Hey!  Maybe we should go restock our supplies!  I don’t know about the rest of you by my only weapon is a dagger enchanted with frost and the weather here is probably colder than it is!”

= = = = = =
• Arthur: 94% health;
• Bubo: 100% health;
• Cedron: 93% health;
• Desmond: 100% health;
• Drax: 100% health;
• Grotto: 100% health;
• Hansuke: 94% health;
• Korbin: 100% health;
• Kysek: 100% health; Stoneskin (78 minutes, 9 rounds remaining)
• Morn: 100% health;
• Niklas: 100% health;
• Raven: 22% health;
• Ra’ziir: 100% health; Stoneskin (158 minutes, 9 rounds remaining)
• Shadow: 100% health; Overland Flight (14 hours, 38 minutes, 9 rounds remaining); Iron Body (DR15/adam, immune to blindness/critical hit/deafness/disease/drowning/electricity/poison/stunning and effects that affect physiology or respiration, Str 21 (+5)/Dex 16 (+3) attack bonus/penalty cancel out, gains +3 damage, ASF 50%, -8ACP, 13 minutes, 9 rounds remaining);
• Spewer: 100% health;