Taklinn can be seen carrying Training dummies from the Tower towards the Warrior's Hall. He sets them down on the porch in front of the door and pushes open the door. All day he can be seen moving things about in the Warrior's hall and sweeping and cleaning the inside of the building. "Tower won't be falling in on this guild" he mumbles to himself as he continues his work with only one arm. He sets up the training dummies in the training hall and cleans out Dreygor's forge and smithing implements. He then works on into the night setting up the office and barracks, cleaning out lockers and remaking the beds with fresh linens. He can then be seen carrying a massive Anvil over his head with one arm (Strength 1) from his cabin to the Warriors hall and placing it on its own bench in the smithing room. He then unpacks his pack, pulling out several smithing implements and tools and laying them reverently on his workbench. He rests until sundown and prepares himself a small meal, eating it as he lights the fires in the forge that have not been lit in many months. Unwrapping a bundle from his pouch, he pulls out several large ingots of Mithril and places them on his new workbench, tapping them softly with an ancient mithril and adamantine smithing hammer and listening to the pure notes reverb in the hall. "Tis been too long since I have heard that sweet music" he says quietly to himself, as a mist clouds his vision. "Can't be putting the cart before the ore" he says wistfully after touching the pure ore one last time. He goes on throughout the day creating a form to smelt his ore into, and finally after restarting several times in frustration he finally seems satisfied with his handiwork and settles down for a well deserved rest after cleaning up the workshop and placing the mithril in a sack to serve as a pillow.
Taklinn walks from the practice room of the Warrior's Hall to the fiery inferno of his forge, calmer after he has vented his anger and more ready to concentrate on the task at hand. He grabs the large smelting pot from its new stand, and places it on the grate above the fire. Then he grabs two pieces of his Mithril ore and places them in the pot. He grabs a large stirring stick and waits for the ore to begin melting down. Once it has begun to get the right consistency he skims the top slag off and continues to monitor the liquid. He reaches into his pouch and produces two small bags of gem dust, one diamond and one ruby, and dumps half of each in the pot with his mithril. He quietly whispers to himself "one fer the Mason of the Mountain, and one fer the Artificer". Smiling as he completes the small ceremony, he stirs in the gem dust and continues to check the progress. Long hours pass as Taklinn labors over the pot, checking every few minutes the temperatures and consistency of his mithril, picking up coal from a nearby pile he has seperated and adding it when he is not quite satisfied. Finally satisfied that the smelting is nearing its end, he grabs his axe and cuts his maimed arm, holding it over the pot and letting his blood drip into the pot. "Give yer blood at its makin' and it will protect ye better, fer it will know the taste and not be curious. Imphalios the Artificer, make me hands steady, me heart pure, and bless this creation to watch over any who wear it." he says softly as the blood drips into the pot. He pulls a small rod out of the fire and cauterizes the wound in his arm to stem the flow of blood, the sickly sweet smell of his burnt flesh mixing with the smoke of the forge. He then picks up the pot and hefts it up onto his new stand (Strength 1) and checks the alignment of his mould one more time. He reaches up and attaches the pot to the hinges and lifts the lever on his contraption to begin pouring the mithril into the mold slowly. Once completed, he says "Thank ye Immortals, fer the gifts of the stones, and the knowledge of the great Art". He bows low to his piece and begins cleaning up the shop before heading out to get a meal and a well deserved rest.
As the nuts bounce off the dwarf's head and clang off of his armor, he turns around quickly, unsheathing an axe from his belt and looking about suspiciously. "Ye sneakster, ye'd better not be showin' yer mug around if'n ye know whats good fer ye!" After he sees nobody around, he backs slowly away from the Warrior's Hall turning circles to make sure that nothing has snuck up behind him.
Akon stops short infront of the Warrior's Hall, seeing the dwarf get pegged and draw his axe. She snorts into a burst of snickers, watching him twirl in cirlces. "Ye best watch out for those acorns doorf, I hear they are right dangerous...." She says, still lost in a fit of snickers.
"Well ye never can tell around here, with all the sneaking, lyin, thievin' types as we have about these days." Taklinn says smugly to the Uordeq. "I'll admit that ye had me fooled well, but it ain't too likely to happen again urdek." Taklinn sees a group of soldiers coming up the road and into the Tavern, looks down at his injured arm, and turns heel quickly and goes into the Warrior's Hall mumbling "Ain't enough time!". Banging and clanging can be heard as smoke begins to rise from the chimney.
Taklinn continues his work and listens to Akon as he goes about his tasks. Once she falls asleep, he begins to retrace his steps and do all of the previous steps again the "correct" way. once he has completed this, he begins smelting his ore and stays up late into the night working his craft, hardly noticing that the sleeping Uordeq was still in the room. After the piece is cast, he picks up the moulds and castings and goes into his room, placing them under his bed to cool and set. He then retrieves his tools and puts them under his mattress and lays down on his back. Unsatisfied, he gets up and puts his greataxe in the bunk with him, along with his everwood axe, and lays his new axe across his chest in his hand, determined not to be caught off his guard. Still not quite satisfied, he gets down and pulls a bag out of his pack, and sets to placing the bell therein on the jamb of the door, so that if the door should open, the bell will sound. He then places chairs, empty trunks, and other obstacles in between the door and his bunk, to hinder anyone entering while he rests. Finally exhausted, he collapses in the bed and drifts off to sleep.
A few hours later he snaps out of his sleep suddenly swinging his axe into the wall, another nightmare to disturb his sleep. He reorients himself to where he is, and grabs an axe to go to the practice rooms and vent some of his rage.
Akon follows Taklinn's gaze to spot the soldiers and frowns. Then sees the dwarf skuttle into the forge, following him in stride. "I am not sure vhat you are refering to dwarf. I admit taking the skull from Stiers required me to be a bit under handed. It is my art afterall. But I sure as hell didn't see anyone else step up to the plate, except for maybe the prince. But he couldn't handle one of such power as Stiers alone. And I'm sure you just as vell as anyone else in theese town didn't vant Stiers subject to dark arts again....I interviewed him myself to determine his motivation, and he was full of lies and deception. The power had already twisted his mind..."
Shuffling in behind the dwarf, she lowers her hood once they get under the shelter of the warm, smouldering forge. "Regardless...it seems now we have other matters at hand." She glances out the door a moment more. "I see theese army has taken up residence durring my absence....that seems to be rather a problem, no? Do you know anything about theese people? I hear rumor of a plauge?"
She sits on one of the lower bunks as she pulls out her flask and tankard. The Uordeq then poors her tankard full of milk from her flask, looking at it with a bit of disgust, but raising it to her lips to sip at the liquid. She flicks her tongue in distaste, but continues making herself drink it, her stomach growling loudly. "Ugh..."
"Well as fer all of the "dark arts" business, Stiers ain't never lifted a hand or looked sideways at me. He may have had some lapses in Judgement that weren't the best decisions, but he is harmless enough. I aint too concerned with other people's business as a rule...." he says as he looks up from the forge. "Work them bellows over there lass, if'n yer gonna be pokin yer nose around, ye may as well be of some use. No not like that, just get out of me way an' let me do it proper!" he snaps at her as she starts to work the bellows.
"As fer these piles of orc dung in our town, I can give ye a bit of information on em I s'pose. They showed up about a half year ago, spoutin off that this was now there land an all; they even sent in some spies to try to bend us to their will. They made fine mortar fer me wall out there.." he says as he levels his eyes to the Uordeq. "They hate ever thing that ain't human, and magic users as much. But as fer the plague, I ain't too sure about it. It did seem they were a might bit peekish this last fight compared to the first time they came inta town, but it is true that they are sickly right now. Glimmer may be able ta tell ye more about that, as she is more a healer than I." he says.
"I'll not let them think that they hurt me until me arm is better, but I slew enough of em to see em in battle. They are fair fighters, but I still ain't sure why they won that first sortie. I was flung into their midst and hacked on them bastards fer a good long spell, but numbers don't lie. It ain't fer happenin' again if I can help it." he says with clenched teeth as he puts more coal in the fire and puts his hands to the flames to check the temperature.
Akon remains seated, finally finishing off her milk with effort, looking a touch disgusted. "Ack....bleh..." She shakes out her head to dismiss the taste. "Vell..." She says, lying on her back with a long soft sigh as the aches and pains settle with her joints. She continues softly, closing her eyes. "According to others, Steirs vas a right terror vhen he had power in his hands. He lied to me, saying no one should have it, and yet, he harbored it for himself. And he himself said he vould submit himself to the dark arts, even if it drove him to utter insanity. He vould rather have the power than to live a life with right mind. Now, I vish not to paint ill of the man. He vas thirsty for a dark power, power vhich had already begun its corruption. He vas blind with its influence vhen he said vhat he did. "
She waits a moment, resting, her form now no longer hiding how utterly exhausted she was, barely moving as she lies on her back. Sword and shield laid across her chest, clutched in her hands. "It seems now that theese army is of our greatest concern. And if they are indeed sick, and they are surrounding us, it then is only a matter of time until we contract it ourselves. Theese is a problem. A problem indeed....." She mutters, her voice trailing off as sleep starts to take her..."I do vish to speak...vith you...vhen...I vake...sir Talkinn... if it pleases you....mmn..."
And with a loud, exhausted sigh Akon slips into sleep, a sleep like one who hasn't slept in far too long. Her mouth hung open, every muscle save for those still holding to her sword and shield falling lax.
Taklinn continues his work and listens to Akon as he goes about his tasks. Once she falls asleep, he begins to retrace his steps and do all of the previous steps again the "correct" way. once he has completed this, he begins smelting his ore and stays up late into the night working his craft, hardly noticing that the sleeping Uordeq was still in the room. After the piece is cast, he picks up the moulds and castings and goes into his room, placing them under his bed to cool and set. He then retrieves his tools and puts them under his mattress and lays down on his back. Unsatisfied, he gets up and puts his greataxe in the bunk with him, along with his everwood axe, and lays his new axe across his chest in his hand, determined not to be caught off his guard. Still not quite satisfied, he gets down and pulls a bag out of his pack, and sets to placing the bell therein on the jamb of the door, so that if the door should open, the bell will sound. He then places chairs, empty trunks, and other obstacles in between the door and his bunk, to hinder anyone entering while he rests. Finally exhausted, he collapses in the bed and drifts off to sleep.
A few hours later he snaps out of his sleep suddenly swinging his axe into the wall, another nightmare to disturb his sleep. He reorients himself to where he is, and grabs an axe to go to the practice rooms and vent some of his rage.
Akon quietly slips in behind the dwarf like a shadow, standing statueque just a step or two in from the doorway. She watches the dwarf with dull red eyes, her garmets and being blending well with the low light of the hall in the night.
"You sleep very uneasily, Sir Taklinn. Is there something troubling you?" She raises a brow, looking over her shoulder. "I see also you've done some re-arranging of the furniture. Not exactly my style...but..." She smirks a little, her tone soft to indicate a slight jest.
Taklinn starts at the sound of Akon's voice and whirls about to face her. "I'll tell ye something lady, The only thing troubling me sleep is havin' so many murderin urdek about, skulkin' in the shadows and jumping out to spook you when yer mindin' yer own business. And as far as me room goes, the only one in Jastrey who should be seein the inside of me bedchambers is Glimmer!" he finishes his rant; his face red with anger over his inability to cope with his memories as much as at the intrusion on his privacy. Finally, dejectedly he says with a sigh "It seems that the stench of yer trials in the pit may have finally forced memories long forgotten to come to the surface. They visit me in me dreams, and seem to be as real and vivid as they were a century ago."
Akon stays just as still and silent as ever as the dwarf spouts out his rant, waiting for him to boil over like a pot of unstirred noodles. She slowly pulls down her hood, keeping her tone even and calm. "You're lucky they are only dreams and memories...." She drops her gaze, something about her tone resentful, slightly mumbling to herself. "Some of us don't get that luxury..." She lets the quiet hang in the air for a bit before raising her gaze again to look back to the dwarf, no ill will or anger at all across her features. "Perhaps you merely need to speak about them to someone who can understand? I know better than nearly all mortals the horrors of The Pit. I am sure what ever memories stemmed from my ruined body when I returned cannot be pleasant. Regardless, if you wish to speak them out, my ears are offered."
"And as to you being startled by 'murdering Urdek'. If I recall, you were even spooked by acorns the other day...I can't say I feel particularly horrible for being placed in the same category as such ghastly things as tree nuts... And regarding your bed chamber, if you think I am deaf, then perhaps it would be expected that I didn't hear you moving immortals know what around there for near an hour last night...you act extremely paranoid. And I didn't go into your bed chambers...you left your door open. It was only natural that I looked towards that direction after that extremely loud thud issued from your chambers. I went to check on you, and when I saw you were not there, I came here to find you."
"As to your accusations, I grow rather tired of your judgmental attitude. You claim I have deceived you, yet you do not put proof to your accusation. I have indeed not tried to put wool of any type over your eyes. I would appreciate it if your words had some ground on which to stand other than the obvious racial slurs and prods which are so easily thrown from your lips. Enlighten me perhaps on why you think so ill of me so that at least rumors behind my back can be addressed to my face. Unless it is with pride that dwarfs mock other races without grounds. If you despise me because of the way fate chose my birth, my skin, my flesh, then so be it. Though I dare say at first I thought more highly of you...."
"A millennium of yer kind murdering, raiding, and pillaging mine can't just be cast aside on yer word that ye ain't like yer kin. How many times have people trusted that the Uordeq stood behind them, only to catch a knife in their back fer their troubles. Ye would think that ye would understand that yer kind, by all accounts, have a deceitful edge to 'em. As far as citing things that ye have done to wrong me, I canno'. " he answers resignedley. "If I thought ye'd wronged me, ye would have known it by now, as ye would have been dodging me axe!"
"I did watch as you and yer kin and the prince slayed a member of good standin' of the town. Now mayhaps yer right and the Paladin was entranced by some evil object, but mayhaps ye were entranced to learn the power yerself to use fer your ends. I don't know, and honestly I don't care what ye are about. What I recall seein' was two newcomers, both Uordeq mind ye, assault a member of town because he was in possession of somethin' they had a mind to take. Then ye dissapear and come back stinkin' pure evil, and gashed up real pretty like, and expect people to take a shine to ye! Why not inform others in town of yer dispute with Stiers, and then face him honorably, rather than sneak about and use treachery?"
"Ye must remember lass, and this is a lesson that has taken me a century on the surface to learn, is that people may get the wrong perceptions about ye. This ain't the Shadelands, where this type of activity is common lass. Ye should be more wary of what ye are doin', as people will always think yer up to no good, based on yer races reputation."
Akon offers a slight smile. "On the contrary, my good sir, I did approach him honorably before I did what I did. He lied. And it wasn't I that did not wish for him to have the skull. I was going to let him have at it, until he lied to me about it. You say why not address the issue with the towns people?" Her voice raises, just to make her point clear. "Indeed, Taklinn, it was the -towns people- that came to me...." She frowns at him, her eyes set deeply and sternly.
"Ask Ripper. She was the one the told me of her desire that Stiers not have the skull. Her words were that she wished that history not repeat itself. Obviously this supposed town's person in 'good standing' has a bit of a reputation. It was another town's person that gave me another power to stand the battle - the ability to drain Stiers. He gave that power to me instead of Stiers. Why did he choose me over a Paladin? The question begs to be asked. It was yet -another- towns person that gave me the death gas. They gave it to -me- to kill Stiers with. Don't you see, Taklinn? It was the town that did it. I was only the catalyst, because the people felt I was the only one strong enough to stand against the most powerful man in town, in order to save him from dark corruption. And save him I did, at a sacrifice, a DEEP sacrifice. You think I wanted this?" She scoffs. "I have had the option to take this power since birth, had it in my finger tips, and I refused it. Refused it! And you say I reeked of evil when I returned? You DAMN well bet I did. I'd like to see another survive a week in hell and torment, all to save an entire town from having to deal with their most powerful member falling to dark insanity." She lets her words ring through the hall, staring the dwarf down hard.
"And if you have any further doubt in my intentions, why don't you damn well ask the Prince? If there is any more honorable man in this town than he, then I'll be damned. Do you not find it odd that the Prince himself got involved to stop Stiers? Open your eyes, and see." She keeps her stern gaze solidly set into the dwarf, everything about her stance rigid and powerful.
Her voice quiets slightly, but still bares a commanding ring. "Yes, I used back handed methods to do what I did. It is my way, it was the only way. But I did it for the town...because no one else could. Few even dared stand up to him, and those that had heart were either selfish in their desire, or too weak to handle him. If you need proof, ask them. Ask all of them. It was the town that wanted it. They all had a hand in it. You need not take my word for it."
She finally quiets, but she doesn't not step down, does not show any weakness, only strength in all she said, letting the silence carry her message home. At pause she then steps forward, her hood still down as the morning sunlight starts to filter through the hall. As she approaches the dwarf, she extends her hand to him, saying quietly and evenly.
"My name is Akon of clan Nivarian. I do not wish for you to forgive my ancestors, nor no longer doubt my race. Your suspicion is deserved. But it was no lie when I told you I left my shard because it contained too many Uordeq. They are back handed, dark, and slick as snakes. I do not seek you to forget what my race has done to yours. I only ask that you do not throw upon my shoulders the burdens of my kin. I ask you let me prove myself to you, letting my own personal actions speak for me, not as yet another Uordeq, but as an individual." She keeps her hand extended to him, waiting to see if he will accept the hand in a shake.
The dwarf listens to the tirade with stoicism. After the rant, he smiles and answers Akon "Fer someone who left their shard to be away from their kin, ye sure got in thick with those others in town of yer race. It isnt a matter of whether I believe what ye say or not, as I don't take the word of any of yer kind fer spit, for ACTIONS are what matter to me lassie. As far as the Stiers situation went down, I have not seen him strike any down in my whole time here. He has not let his killing blow fall on one person. Now I have heard all the same things as ye have, but I've not SEEN them lass. Thats why I ain't gone after other shady types in this town, is I havent witnessed all these bad things they like to boast about. I've found in my days that he who talks loudest about the deeds he has done and the kills he has accumulated either didn't do it, or had help that he forgets to acknowledge. I could tell ye I am a Troll, but it won't make it so. I doubt not the words of Thorne, but once again it is yer word that she said these things. I know of no other members of town remaining that were not involved in the conspiracy or are not Uordeq themselves, and ye already know of me thoughts on that subject." he laughs as he continues. "Other than Mig and the aforementioned Thorne, who by all rights is the only one who has reason to begrudge Stiers, and me Glimmer; who I am sure would have told me her feelings if she was to turn on Stiers. It ain't my business to worry with the politics of town anymore since the council has disbanded and lawlessness has fallen over Jastrey. But keep the fact that Stiers is evil in mind next time he standin over ye when ye are bleeding and he takes yer wounds upon himself. Make no mistake, crazy or not, he has done more to protect this town than any other that remains. I have seen him down many a foe and pick many more up that weren't to live long without him. So when it comes to actions, I look at his and weigh the rumours, and judge accordingly. Am I to take the word of those who I have known for weeks over the ones from someone who has shed blood protecting me? I think not. I will ware well yer words though, and know that yer ACTIONS are what will dictate me opinions, not yer words." he says as he shakes her hand.
Akon bows her head humbly with the shake. "And my actions shall indeed speak. Though of all those I mentioned, none of them were Uordeq. And I did just say you need not take my word for it. Ask them...but enough prattling. We are both stuborn enough to go all day at this rate. We have more important things to worry about. This army for one. And I need your help with the matter of Atasatch. I'm going to go see what all that mess was about the tavern and see what I can learn." She bows slightly as her steps back, hefting her sword and shield, but then stops short when she hears Rasiri, passing a glance to Taklinn. With haste she then rushes to the door of the Hall to meet him. Upon seeing him, she would reach to bring him into the hall's confines. "Rasiri! Calm yourself. What trouble is this? You're drawing too much attention...clam down and tell us the matter. And for shadows's sake, quiet yourself..." She says, looking out the door to see the Fae being put in the stocks, and having water dashed in her face, frowning at the sight.
Taklinn releases his grip on Akon's hand and hurries into his room. He grabs some strips of cloth and lashes his shield to his maimed arm, to give the impression that he is not maimed at all. He straps his axes on his belt and comes back out to Akon. "Time to put yer money where yer mouth is lass. If ye truly be a friend of Jastrey, ye can do much help to aid one of us if she truly be in trouble and Rasiri is not bein' a fool. Make yer choice quick lass, and meet me outside if yer up to it." He heads out the building and walks to Rasiri, "What're ye about sneakster? Tell me quick what has befallen, but don't embellish yer story, fer I ain't got the patience if ye catch me meaning."
Akon stands beside the dwarf and rogue, quietly listening to the story, but licking her lips as her hard eyes keep staring harshly out at the scene unfolding at the stockade. "We need to be smart about this. Of course you have my blade at your side, Taklinn, and my tongue. Both of which hold their own power, which you will understand in time. You may look down upon the arts of the sly of hand, but in times when odds are against you, you need more than blade and steel when it is few against an army. The mind is a far more dangerous and horrifying battle field than that of grass. And subtlety has it's place. I advise we play this carefully if we are to not end up like those two." She nods towards the cook and Glimmer who are now locked into their own stocks.
Rasiri slows his breathing and looks at Taklinn and Akon in turn then tilts his head, wondering what these two could possibly be discussing and why Taklinn is in such a bad mood. "Gleemeer they took her to the stocks! She vas arguing vith a cook frrom the arrmy and it turned bad. They knocked heer out and put her in the stocks... ve haf to heelp her."
"The stocks?!" When did Jastrey get stocks? I've had about enough of these dogs! An' that cook is gonna get what is comin' to him, don't ye doubt. So if'n yer gonna be sneaky, let me know what ye plan on, but make it quick. If ye two can work on freein' her, I can cause a distraction for ye. If'n I'm locked up in the process, ye two can bist me out if need be." he says to the two, eyeing Akon warily as he puts his trust in this duo. If ye need other muscle, call on the Silver Wings. Captain Mig and Sergeant Zenphere are the only ones still about since Erdan has runned off, but those two and ye may be able to enlist other aid if I get put away. Whatever ye do, make sure that ye win, as I don't be needin' any company in the jail!" he blurts out as he looks grimly in the direction of the stocks and his beloved. "The bastards are gonna pay fer this."
Akon inclines her head to Taklinn gently. "Very vell, go to your mate, sooth her. However, I vould advise not exacting on your revenge just yet. Smacking one, three, or five with your axe will only anger the hornets nest, which boads well for none of us. While the stocks are uncomfortable and humiliating, they are not life threatening. She may need to remain in there for a time while we sort this through." She looks between both Taklinn and Rasiri, taking a moment before contining. "Freeing her of the stocks will only last but a moment....what we need is to free the town...the whole town....And that...that will take planning..."
She frowns, bowing her head in silent thought before looking back up to them, speaking with a bit more power behind her tone. "But it can be done." She looks to the dwarf. "Taklinn, see vat you can find out from your mate about theese sickness, and try to stay your revenge for now. We need you out of the stocks, not in them." To Rasiri, "Gather knowledge on who you can that knows how to craft poision and use it subtley. We may need it, and a lot of it. But do not breath a word of this. This must be done with absolute secrecy." She pulls up her hood. "I'll vill begin my study of theese people, thier weaknesses, their fears, and how to undo them....I do enjoy a good challenge." She chuckles darkly, and grins a bit to herself, her lips turning upward wickedly as her eyes burn, then swiftly exits the hall, skirting around it to walk in the shade of the trees.
Smoke rises from the chimney of the Warriors Hall as Taklinn wakes early to get back to work. He places the smelting pot in the forge and places his form carefully on a nearby table. He then reaches in a bag and grabs a piece of the pure mithril ore, depositing it in the pot, but quickly pulling the whole lot out with his one arm. "Blast an' bebother it! He reaches in and gets the piece of ore out, replacing it with a two pieces of Iron ore. After placing the pot back to the flame, he makes a simple round rod form quickly and repeats the process. He then skims any impurities off of the top of the melted ore and carefully ladles it into his new forms. Taklinn moves off to his pack and pulls out an old heavy leather apron and puts it on as he waits for the metal to cool in its form. He then puts on gloves and takes out the warm rods from the forms and places them back into the fire. He spends the day heating and pounding the metal and dipping it into a bucket of water and finishes late in the day with his small project. He grabs the large smelting pot and places it on the stand he has just built. With a nod, he places a small amount of water in the pot and affixes a lever to his stand to tip the pot over and pour out the water, making sure that it pours straight and true. Finally satisfied with the project, he cleans the workspace and goes out for supper at the tavern, hiding his ore once again along with his smithing hammers. "A lot of durned work to be able to work with one hand!" he grumbles as he looks to his injured arm with a bit of distaste. "I've lost a day just to be able to work with one gimp arm!"