Preparing to take the Rook
Log Info
- Title: Preparing to take the Rook
- Characters: Harkashan, Rune
- Location: Wayfarer's Inn
- Summary: Rune and Harkashan talk about their worries as they prepare to take on the Corpse-Eater.
Over the past weeks, Rune has had one focus on her mind. One that she doesn't speak of except to trusted friends and allies. Some are more than ready to face the threat, but there are moments where Rune sometimes feels the weakest of those within her circle.
That is why she is currently standing in the courtyard outside of the in, working through a number of combat stances and practice attacks, trying to center her mind and focus her fighting towards the task that will soon be at hand.
However, it's obvious that tension lingers in her, fear that she may very well falter at this step of the process. So much depends on the outcome of this upcoming fight. Many of those things are intimately important to the rogue. Rune does not want to fail.
It is odd, to speak of a threat without being able to truly speak of it. Knowing that even its name holds such power that it's a danger. Rune knows that Harkashan has been making multiple preparations. Buying potions in bulk, preparing new spells given to him by the Death Singing Dragon and testing them out. He's even been looking into getting his armor improved so he can better deal with any additional allies this foe might bring.
Harkashan is working with her as she tries her combat stances and practices attacks. Using his Khopesh and shield to guide her. He isn't martially as strong as her by any means. But he knows how to protect himself and keep his vulnerable spots protected! Which he hopes is giving her something good to test against.
When there is a moment of pause, Harkashan raises his hand for a moment and lets out a big breath. "We should make sure we rest as well. I know some of the worries lie in your mind right now, and going in there with a tense mind will cost us more greatly, I believe." He rumbles to Rune - making sure to keep his statements open so she can grab onto them.
The one thing that Rune has learned, is that despite having some remarkable skill in finding the weak-points in someone's defenses, Harkashan is a being with relatively few of them. That makes him a safe enough sparring partner, but also one that challenges her to think about things from other perspectives.
However, between the cold and the hours of training, Rune is starting so show signs of tiring. So, when Harkashan raises his hand, she lets her blades drop slightly, letting out a breath and giving a nod of her head. "A break... isn't a bad idea." She takes a few deep breaths, then sheaths her swords and lifts both arms over her head in a stretch.
"We all know I've got the weakest mental defenses, going up against an enemy that will certainly play on those things." Rune admits, dropping her arms back to her sides with a shake of her head. "I'm not sure my stress will make that much of a difference, there."
There's this long thoughtful hrrrm from Harkashan as those arms go up and there's a glance down for a moment. A little flick of his tongue. Mlem. Then he looks her properly in the eyes.
"I have spells granted upon me by the Death Singing Dragon that I believe will aid in shielding you from the worst of this." He admits to Rune. "Though if it starts throwing around Curses, I will have a rough time counter-acting those." He warns.
He then steps forward and steps around her, and lays his clawed hands on her shoulders and gives them a squeeze. Expecting them to be tense and full of knots. "Stress can affect the mind." He remarks. "Oh, that reminds me, I also have a few others spells that I want to try out on your blades when I get a chance." He notes. "Small additional enchantments that may be rather effective against a single foe. If anyone can deliver the true power of these enchantments, it's you."
"Sometimes I wish that I had that sort of connection to a diety like that. The kind that grants remarkable magical prowess and an ability defend yourself that even I can't break through on my best of days." Rune manages a small smirk, showing that there is still some amusement behind the stress. "Then again, the closest I am to any of the gods is one of fate and dreams. Two things I already have in spades."
As his hands come down onto her shoulders, Rune leans a little against the pressure, likely trying to ease some of the ache in those overworked muscles. "I'll take whatever enchantments you've got that might help. I've got one of them enchanted as far as I could afford. I may be stuck with a default cold-iron blade for the other." She explains.
"Still, if he manages to do anything that might get control of me... take me out of the fight before I can hurt my friends, alright?" She asks, raising her brows at him. She trusts that between her many spell-focused allies, someone would have a way of taking care of that little problem.
"You have the Blessings of the Shadows, from what I can tell. It may not be a Deity, but it would seem that all of the Shadows themselves have agreed you are their kin." Harkashan answers Rune as she speaks on not having a Deity to call her own in that kind of way. "And as someone bound to another entity, it can be troublesome at times. As you are well aware." He adds to this.
As the topic shifts to her mind once more; "That will not happen." Harkashan rumbles firmly. "I will be placing a Magic Circle against Evil upon you. So if he tries to turn you on us... good luck to him. The Death Singing Dragon will protect you." Harkashan answers Rune. "And anyone that is near you will benefit from this as well."
He kneeds into her shoulders, trying to ease those overworked muscles. He's got a fairly firm grip for someone who doesn't practice martial arts. "I am going to aid you and the group as well as I can. We'll be having a nice dinner before the battle as well. Fill your tummy and protect yourself against diseases and poisons and fear."
"True enough. I suppose every sort of strength and power, be it diety or god or force of nature, comes with some kind of price." Rune closes her eyes briefly, likely remembering a glimpse of some nightmare. The shadows, at least the ones that had granted her power, seem to come from that brush with death.
The reassurances that there will be defenses to stop her from becoming more of a threat than a help to her allies, does seem to ease some of that uncertainty in her. "That's... good to hear." Rune doesn't know how magic works, or how the defenses shield her mind, or that of others, but she has seen the strength of the Death Singing Dragon's magic and she believes in it.
Then, she leans forward a little, enough that her forehead touches against Harkashan's chest as he kneads into her shoulders. There is a soft sound of appreciation, followed by a small laugh. "Magical dinner now, too?" She asks. "Not that I'll complain. After years of trail rations, I'm glad to have good food, magical or no."
"Everything comes at a cost, one must suppose." Harkashan answers her, taking note of her turning around so she's facing him directly. "No matter how much I try, I will likely never be as perceptive, as stealthy, or as good with a blade as you. There are strengths you have, that I cannot conceive to reach. So I will be relying on you. As I have for years now." He bids to her.
He leans forward in turn, and leans his muzzle against her forehead. His kneeding motion turning into his arms going beneath her arms and pulling her into a hug instead.
"Hmm. Yes. A most magical Taco Party of sorts." He answers her. "Though it is not yet Tuesday. So perhaps a wrap party would be more appropiate." Before releasing his hug and touching his snout to her forehead to express a sweet kiss.
Despite the fact that Rune had agreed with that comment, there is something in Harkashan saying it that seems to spark concern that is written in Rune's features. "I wonder at what the cost will be for freeing the Golden Fate." Despite chances that this might also free her mother, somehow, in a way she doesn't understand, Rune has yet to accept that possibility. It seems too far fetched for a girl who watched her mother die.
Shaking off that feeling, she seems to force the small smile back onto her lips. "You know I'll fight with everything I have. That's the only way I know how to."
Then, pulled into that hug, she seems to relax into it slightly. Harkashan, in so many ways, is the steadying force in her life, allowing her a safety that has often not been there. "Just so long as you don't bring the meat in from your family in Am'shere. As much as breathing fire might be a fun power to have, I don't think it would be a good idea before a big fight."
"There's only one way to find out." Harkashan answers Rune as she mentions freeing the Golden Fate and the cost that will come. "Though I am certain some of the cost has already been paid already." He then adds, drawing back a bit and touching a claw over her chest. After all, all of this has already been rather emotional for her.
"And I know you will." Fight with everything she has. "And I will do my best to support you so you can go all out."
He then crosses his arms for a bit, looking down at her from closeby. Tilting his head a bit so he can better see her with one of his eyes. "And I will be sure to not summon the spiciest of spices. But know that it's not me who truly makes the choice."
"The path of fate can only be solved by walking bravely forward." Rune offers in reply. It's a phrase that Harkashan has heard more than a few times before. It is something her mother had told her long ago, when she was still a child. A mother's way of saying: You don't know the future, all you can do is walk forward to meet it.
The touch to her chest causes a hand to move up to touch over her heart. As he croses his arms, she steps back slightly, enough to give herself an easier time of looking up at the taller Makari. His comment about the spices, though, has her laugh, "Great. I guess we'll find out how much spice the Death Singing Dragon prefers."
Taking a couple of steps away, Rune grabs her cloak. Now that she is no longer working out, the chill is starting to set in. Wrapping it around herself. "I just wish I could do more to prepare. I don't make as much as a messenger as you do, but hopefully it's enough."
"Hrrrm." He nods in agreement. It is part of why he is favored by the one who lives within his heart. He walks bravely forward and stands with little fear at the center of it all.
He then turns his head back proper-like as she steps back and looks up at him. "I do believe one should avoid the Deathpepper Salsa." He teases her with a playful smirk on his face. "Or it'll have you Singing for Water." He adds.
He then motions at her. "I believe you have been preparing as well as you can. We do these spars for a reason. And I try to chip in here and there." He adds before putting his hand on her shoulder. "Shall we go inside? You look cold." With a sly little look.
"I'll keep that in mind, but the way your family loves to torture me, I don't know if I could avoid it if I wanted to." Rune replies, giving an indulgant roll of her eyes. Despite the differences in their culture, she did like his family. They were an interesting lot.
Pulling the fur lining of her cloak a bit up around her neck, Rune seems about to say something else when he recommends going inside. The prospect of a bit of rest before the battle pulls at her, warring with the practical part that believes more training is best. "Yeah. Let's head inside. If things go sideways, I want to have made sure I spent time with the people I love beforehand. No regrets."
She looks to him then, offering out hand and inclining her head.
He accepts her hand without even needing to look. Almost like he knew it was coming. Warmly wrapping her hand within his and keeping her warm, smiling at her. "Regardless of what happens, you will have been with people who love you." He answers her. "But I will not let such foul things happen to you, love." He adds.
He then leans in and kisses her cheek, as they head on inside as he siddles up a bit closer. Providing that warmth that the inside of the inn could be giving them whilst outside. "Let's save your mother."