Air and Darkness (Part 2)

There is dead silence in the wake of Mikilos' sacrifice, blood dripping down his arm from the open wound that remains there as a pointed reminder of what you have all come here to sacrifice. Particularly given the discomfort in your bellies from having ingested the hot sauce, it's an unsettling reminder. Captain Doyle says nothing, and the Queen herself pulls away from Mikilos slowly, her eyes lingering over the cut on his arm before they roam over the group of you. You have the unsettling feeling of being weighed by her gaze and found wanting. "Who else here has a gift for Us?" She speaks Tradespeak.

Darius steps forwards then and says, "I'll give you the same... although, not an arm..." He removes a knife and then slashes his face from his left eye down to the bottom of his right cheek, deep enough to scar badly, did he nick his left eye? Hard to tell with all the blood pouring down his face

The pain in Kira's stomach is mostly NOT from the hot sauce. Even if Mikilos endured it willingly, the suffering of others still grates painfully on her. She'll definitely be sure to tend the open wound at her first opportunity.

GAME: Darius rolls will: (7)+1: 8

Mikilos frowns mildly as the Queen asks for more gifts, but tries to keep his features still as he considers... little hard to do with blood still streaming down…

Seldan, who has been a quiet observer to this point, is about to step forward when Darius beats him to it. The Queen's gaze does not seem to discomfit him, particularly, and he maintains his impassivity, although much hides behind that wall. "Even now does my own mother lie in the grasp of the Endless Winter, Your Majesty. The Captain holds a notecard that may be of some interest, and yet is there more to the tale. Would it please you to hear more?"

Malik doesn't hesitate. Stepping forward, confidence in his stride, he moves up beside Mikilos -- pushing the man to the side some, pointedly. "An offering," he says, a bit too quickly given his general calm demeanor. There's excitement in his voice, here, and a fire in his eyes that is nearly never there -- only when he's defending the paladin does he look quite like this. He holds up sheets of well-worn papers, things that have been leafed through again and again. "A secret account of suffering," he tells the queen. "Starting with an act of rebellion from desperation, and fueled by the pain of watching someone loved waste away to nothing, horrifically. The discoveries that suffering brings. The revelations from agony." And more, though he doesn't speak of it quite openly, just yet.

Garak takes a deep breath as Darius...maims himself. The priest still has his holy symbol in one hand, held unobtrusively behind his back. Again his instincts tell him to act, to heal Darius and Mikilos or to put an end to the bargaining. But Garak stills the urge. Have they passed the point where departing empty handed, would be worse than the suffering the others have endured?

Kira straightens up with a gasp as Darius ... does that. She looks to him wde-eyed, blurting out "Why would you-" in a loud whisper before she cuts herself off. Seldan's pain is no less than the others, far more really, but she can't immediately assuage that, no matter how much she wishes.

Darius sways a bit, as with every beat of his heart, the pulse in his temple spurts out more blood and he just tries to stare down the Queen of Air and Darkness. He responds with a pain-filled voice to Kira, "I am doing... what must be done..."

The Queen laughs. It's a joyous sound and some of you find yourselves laughing before you can realize that you've done it. The sound fades and she makes a small motion with her hand toward Doyle. The guardman moves forward, collecting Malik's notes from his hands and retreating back to her side. His voice is quiet as he murmurs something impossible to hear into her ear and she nods. "Memories for memories. We accept this exchange." She tilts her hand and a small fruit appears in it. It looks very much like a plum, dark and round. She hands it to Doyle who looks around, seeming to try and decide something before he moves forward and gives the fruit to Seldan. Their eyes meet briefly and there's something like... not quite pity, but perhaps a trace of empathy before the fae man returns to his Queen's side.

"Now, is there anything else?" She looks around, very amused with you all it seems. Or she's just in a good mood.

Mikilos tries to ignore the slightly gooey feeling growing on his fingertips. "Do keep the books. I certainly don't care to see them again, and you might actually enjoy them. I've yet to puzzle out what sort fo people do and do not."

Kira purses her lips. "And so am I..." Its just happening sooner rather than later, as she reaches a hand for Darius. She may not be able to regrow a ruptured eye, but she can halt the bleeding and ease the pain. And Mikilos is next, judging by her other hand reaching his way.

Early stages of plague. Belly full of something that claims to be hot sauce, but is more likely a component of rocket propellant. And now.. people being maimed. Or maiming themselves. Yes, even Halani, at this point, is going a bit pale, having to focus inwards to find the mental fortitude to stomach everything that is going on. At least the bow she was holding prevented her from seeing most of it, though it did nothing for the /sounds/. But even she can't hold that pose forever so is eventually forced to straighten, or fall over. She chooses the former. "I told your captain you could take the knowledge of what family I have left, yeah?" The monk is apparently assuming this fae can do what the others have said the other one did. "Though.. I'm beginning to think that's not what you want."

Lanier will intercept Kira, making it to Mikilos as he unshoulders his back with his healing kit. He begins pulling a few things out suitable for bandaging a deep cut. Needle, thread, rye whiskey (for himself), a lesser form of alcohol (for the cut), some hair of the dog (for the next morning), and finally some bandages. The rye whiskey is dumped down his throat quick, the bottle discarded back in the pack. The Ranger then looks meaningfully towards Mikilos, "I should thread the needle before I did that, shouldn't I?" It's dry, and delivered with a certain deadpan quality, but who ever gets a ranger with bedside manner? Surely getting your money's worth.

Seldan's eyes go to Malik as he speaks, warm affection, puzzlement, and something else that says that he knows what is in those notes, those drawings. He takes the fruit, holding it carefully and gently, locking eyes with Doyle for that moment. More puzzlement, then, as he looks down at the fruit, but he does not eat it. Indeed, something in him seems to relax, ease somehow.

Mikilos hmmms absently, glancing over to Lanier. "What? Oh. Sure sure, sorry, was paying attention to.... -her-." He smiles absently, small strands of congealed blood forming on his fingertips as his arm dangles.

GAME: Lanier rolls Heal: (13)+11: 24

Malik beams as Doyle collects his offering, then gives the fruit to Seldan. He steps back to the paladin, looking at him with bright, happy eyes. Someone is clearly feeling pretty proud of himself right about now.

When she is greeted by near silence the Queen looks around and gives lingering look at each of you. Again you feel weighed. "Very well, if there is nothing else We will go."

Halani grimaces faintly, putting two fingers to the side of her head.. the grimace turns into a frown as she tries to concentrate, but ultimately shakes her head in defeat. "Was it enough?" It's not quite a demand. The presence of the fae queen is really too awesome to allow for something like that. "I don't know what else I could give." In truth, she no longer knows what she already gave. "What else would you take?"

Mikilos takes a step to follow the Queen... likely not the smartest moved when someone is trying to sew his skin back together... "I... I have little else to offer. Is such weapon crafting even something that -could- be learned?"

Seldan looks up, the fruit in one hand, and nods. While he is still quietly reserved, his tone has changed. Some edge beneath it has vanished, and he sounds more like the Seldan of a month ago than the Seldan now, calm, meditative, focused. "You have my thanks," he murmurs quietly. His eyes go to Malik, though, and he smiles. "This is indeed a first," he tells the man, warm and real affection in his tone. "Never have I seen you behave like a puppy for a woman." He quite plainly is not in the least angry.

Malik, however, isn't behaving like a puppy. He's behaving as someone rather desperate. He takes a step after the queen as well, glancing down at his hand briefly as he seems to steel himself, moving to pursue.

Kira feels much better once Darius' wounds are closed, even if nothing regrows. It's also a relief that Mikilos is being tended. They did receive what they came here for, she thinks... though she looks questioningly at the others in case she overlooked something.

Lanier doesn't quite utilize the needle and thread for this type of wound, preferring at least for the moment to simply wrap the bandages tightly around the arm to stop bleeding. When Mikilos starts to moving, Lanier reaches out to clamp and a hand on his shoulder. While he doesn't quite try to stop the wizard, studying him as he goes so as to settle the bandage much better. As Lanier ties off the knot, he nods his head and then releases Mikilos, "Alright, who's next?"

"Enough to draw Us here yes." The queen says quietly, looking at Halani with her dark eyes. She seems to realize that Malik and Mikilos are following her and her lips tilt slightly in amusement. "Oh? Is there something you want after all?" Then a low dangerous chuckle echoes out of her mouth and she gently touches Mikilos on the nose. "Dear, of course it can be /learned/ but why would We teach /you/? Teach mortals the secret of killing us? We think not."

Mikilos blinks and grins stupidly for a moment before blinking hard, trying to focus. Past the pain. Yes, that. "Knowledge learned is not knowledge shared. But if it not going to happen, then so be it. A weapon to be borrowed, used to fell Endless Winter, and returned."

Halani frowns again, but she doesn't meet the queen's eyes. Gazes connect only for a moment before Halani is looking away. Nope, no desire to offend or challenge here. But she does notice the fae's attention shift to Mikilos. And how close she still is to Mikilos. So while the two talk, Halani starts inching her way towards the wizard.

Seldan's smile fades as Malik moves to pursue the fae queen, and he unclasps his cloak from his neck, moving towards Malik from behind. Well, he knows how vulnerable Malik is to wiles of the mind, and this is no exception.

Kira understands Mikilos seeking more knowledge... though the odd expression on his face is... well, odd. Could it be more than that? When she sees Malik following, too... now that's much more suspicious. With Seldan stepping up behind Malik, she turns her attention to Mikilos.

Kira says, "I think we need to go."

Malik looks down at his hand again, considering, then looks back up at the queen. But Mikilos starts to speak again, and something rather cold moves across his features. He makes a fist, listening as the other wizard manages to try to speak to her first, pushing down what appears to be fury with an effort of will.

The Queen's eyes light and she steps closer to Mikilos. "What will you give Us for such a weapon? Even borrowed for a short time such a weapon is dangers in the hands of mortals like you." She's peering into his eyes, weighing him down to his core. Briefly her eyes flicker back to where Seldan has grabbed Malik and she smiles. An empty, emotionless smile. "We will want assurances that it is not used against Us or Our people."

"Agreed." Garak nods at Kira. He begins to step forward to where Mikilos and some of the others are. Then he hesitates. Maybe she /is/ willing to give up the secret of the weapon?

Kira can't fault The Queen for that; Kira still isn't so keen on such a weapon existing, much less being borrowed nor lent. She steps up beside Mikilos to share, "I don't think this is a good idea..." Definitely not on the weapon, and the Queen now staring into Mikilos' already somewhat stupified expression is just as worrisome. Something must be wrong with him.

Mikilos stands for a long moment moment before he remembers to breathe again. Taking a slight step back, the elf touches a hand over his heart... leaving a smear of clotted blood on the spot. "Hear me, Those Who Listen, I Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, do Vow to initiate no hostile action against The Queen of Air and Darkness, nor against those who serve her." He frowns. "Endless Winter has already sent her servants to attack me, and is granted no reprieve, whatever service she may do."

Lanier narrows his eyes at the latest exchange from the Queen to Mikilos, "You're misunderstanding us. We don't have a reason to use a weapon like that against you. The Endless Winter has been problematic for us." He then asks, "What's really the problem? We were up front with Doyle about what we wanted to talk about." He then adds to Mikilos, "Don't move your arm too much. You'll loosen your bandage."

Seldan leans down behind Malik and murmurs very quietly in his ear. "I pray that one day I shall be able to shield your mind as I shield your body." With that, fruit in one hand, he uses the other to pull his cloak off, and in one motion, pull it over Malik's head, wrapping that same arm around Malik's neck. If this works as Seldan plans. Malik will have an arm wrapped around his neck and his face covered.

Malik watches Mikilos, one hand moving to the other as he tries to do -- something. But then Seldan is pulling at his cloak, holding him back, causing the wizard to blink. "Seldan? What are you doing? She's --!" And then, she's speaking to Mikilos again. And Mikilos doesn't waste a breath between her statement and his oath. Before Malik can respond, murderous anger flashing on his face, that cloak is pulled up over his head, the wizard's words muffled and indistinct as he's taken back off his feet, the move coming as a complete surprise.

"The problem." The Queen's eyes fall on Lanier. "Is what do We get out of it? What do We receive for the risk of giving such a weapon to mortals?" She smiles softly though, clearly approving of Mikilos' vow. "If you swear by the Darkness that Devours all things that the weapon We give you will not be used to harm Us or Our people so long as it is in your possession, then We will hear what you will offer to Us in exchange." Her hand makes a small motion and Doyle moves.

It's hard to follow the motion of the fae man, but he is standing one second behind his Queen and the next he is standing in front of Seldan and Malik. "You will unhand your companion. Such actions are not befitting those who stand before the Queen of Air and Darkness."

Seldan looks up, then at Malik. "She favors you, Tsuran." He releases Malik and pulls the cloak back, then takes a step back. "Apologies," is all he says. He puts the cloak back over one shoulder, then re-fastens it around his neck, saying nothing further.

Kira still thinks its a bad idea, but can earnestly, truly say, "I cannot speak for the darkness, but I do swear that I won't allow such a weapon to harm you, your people, or mine." She still isn't sure what she could offer, as most others have offered or suffered too much already, in her mind. "What would you ask for it?"

Mikilos frowns mildly, and blinks hard, glancing sidelong at Lanier. But the elf's attention swiftly shifts back to the Queen, and he smiles again. "By the Darkness that devours All Things, I vow any weapon received shall be used only against the one called Endless Winter, and her servants, so long as it is in my possession." He considers a moment. "I shall not willingly let the weapon be used by any who do not follow a similar vow."

It takes a moment to regain his senses once the cloak comes off, staring at Seldan, hurt and confusion written on his face as he glances between the man and the fae queen -- anger flashing on his face once more as he sees that he's too late. He already looks like a fool in front of the queen, having to be rescued by Doyle, of all people. Red rushes into that copper skin as he looks to the ground, face a mixture of shame and rage. Very uncharacteristic of the wizard.

Garak looks with his eyes between the various adventurers - he doesn't move his head so can't take them all in. He senses they are at yet another critical stage of this undertaking. It's one where oaths and vows and offerings of suffering are called for, and yet he feels outside his element with all of those. And so instead he does his best to avoid drawing attention.

"Be careful with your vows, wizard Mikilos," Halani says, though it seems too late, "I'm guessing they have far, far more power here than back home, yeah?"

Mikilos spares a glance to Halani. "Oath-breakers are Prey for the Wild Hunt."

Captain Doyle looks between Malik and Seldan then steps close to the paladin. Briefly he touches the man on the forehead then shakes his head and calmly walks back to his Queen's side. The Queen meanwhile seems satisfied, settling where she stands and smiling softly. "Very good. Acceptable. What then, will be Our exchange for the weapon?"

Darius reaches into a pouch and grabs a bandage and covers his maimed eye with it, he maimed himself for nothing it seems... what earthly good did it do anyways, now he'll need to find an artificer to get him a replacement eye.

Seldan blinks, pauses, watching Doyle as he walks away, then looks back at Malik, lowering his eyes at the shame and rage in Malik's face. He takes the step forward again, closing the distance between them, and murmurs, "I had not meant to shame you. Forgive me?" With a gentle hand, he reaches for Malik's jaw, and seeks to place a kiss on his lips.

Darius mutters a little and then says to Kira, "I'm going to remove my eye, it is useless and I will need the socket to put in a new one, can you seal the socket until I can get an artificer to replace it? It seems my maiming was in vain and that, more than anything, pisses me off."

Malik turns to Seldan, eyes widening in surprise at the move. It looks like he might say something, but then he's being kissed, blinking in surprise for a moment as the raw emotions that were on his face just a moment ago melt away. The wizard pulls back, looking stunned for a moment, trying to process what just happened as he looks between the queen and Seldan. There's confusion for a moment, but he eventually gives the paladin a nod and a small smile. Looking over his shoulder to Mikilos, he says, "Offer her something real. Deep. Personal. Something that would hurt to give up. Something you fear giving up. Make it an equal exchange." He turns back to Seldan, mouthing a silent 'thank you'.

"Do you want for it to not have been in vain?" The Queen asks, as it seems she is very keen of hearing, and her gaze turns toward Darius and she beckons him closer. "Let Us take half your sight and We will agree to give the weapon." There's something dangerous there. Something dangerous indeed.

Mikilos considers a long, moment, and glances to Garak and to Malik before nodding to the Queen. "I am a craftsman of no little skill, and a wizard of no little power. I don't know-" and then she's talking to someone else. The wizard frowns, but doesn't interrupt.

Darius pauses and then says, "You want my sight... fine... you may have my eye, if it will get us what we need." Darius isn't known for thinking things through very well.

Kira blinks as The Queen turns her attention to Darius; whom she only just healed and has but one eye left as it is. "No! Don't!" Though she isn't sure how one takes half of a half. She's a Sentinel, afterall, and math isn't her strong suit.

Seldan's smile broadens at the effect, ice-blue eyes sparkling at Malik with nothing of anger in it. He turns his gaze then on Doyle, silent gratitude there for just a moment before he turns to the others. "Her price is too high. There are other ways to defeat the Endless Winter, the gods have spoken to those who have asked. We need not threaten the people of Air and Darkness to achieve our aims, and we need not pay prices that will tear apart our souls."

GAME: Darius rolls fort: (10)+10: 20

Halani adds, though her words tend to ring a little less strongly than Seldan's. "These bargains... they are never worth it."

Things seem to have gone from mildly acceptable to 'I don't like this' to 'Oh no!' way too quickly. Kira agrees with Seldan, even if she doesn't consciously catch onto the wording that Darius agrees to. Whose already inflicted far too much on himself. She can't stop his agreement, but maybe she alter the exchange.

GAME: Kira casts Paladin's Sacrifice. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Kira rolls fort: (16)+20: 36

The Queen moves into Darius' space, grasping his jaw and /plunging/ her fingers into his eye. It's not him that bleeds though. It's Kira. Kira's blood spilling down her face as her eye... And you're pretty sure that /that/ is the most disgusting thing you have ever seen. It hovers in the air and falls wetly into the Queens hand and she offers it to Doyle who takes it wordlessly from her fingers. "Hummmm." She hums, voice interested as she tilts her head. She looks at Doyle and he bows to her, disappearing without a trace or a word. Gone for an instant before he returns holding a sword in hand. The sheathed weapon is handed to Mikilos with care before he steps back.

"We gift you with Mortal Dread. A weapon that can kill the immortal fae. Use it wisely." With that she drops Darius, moving away from him and seeming to intend to leave.

Nope. That's the limit. Halani's already pallid complexion pales further and she drops to her knees. She at least maintains the presence of mind to turn around so she's not puking on anyone's shoes. Particularly the queen's. But those chicken nuggets have got to go.

Darius drops, the pain overcoming him as he collapses, at least he got them what they needed, an eye is a fair bargain in his mind. He passes out from the agony, and probably excites the Queen even more.

Garak stares for a moment. Then he shifts and moves forward, ready to grab Kira if she needs help standing. "Can you see? Can you /walk/?" He flicks a glance about to see if anyone else seems like they need help moving. Then he says in a lowered voice to Kira, "That was masterful."

Malik looks over his shoulder, wincing at the eye-horrors happening. "We... should go," he says, swallowing hard, the wizard's normal cool demeanor having finally returned. Save for the little quiver in his voice that says whatever just happened is -not ok-. "We have what we came for." And it seems that he's taking his own advice, Seldan's hand in his as he seems to tug at the paladin, urging him along.

Mikilos blinks. Blinks again, accepting the sword mechanically. "What the what? Wait, where..." he looks around, glancing to Darius and Kira, but his interest on the now empty darkness. "...where... where did she go?" he asks quietly.

Even Lanier looks horrified at this one, and he lives Felwood-adjacent, which is like saying you live down at the base of the mountain where a several families of "hill folk" live, all with the same last name. The Ranger is reaching into his healing pack again, moving towards Kira as he says, "Don't move."

Seldan squeezes Malik's hand, but nods. "Away, and that is as it should be," he tells Mikilos. "We have what we came for, at great cost." He simply -stares- at Darius and Kira. "Malik, just a moment." If Malik will let him, he gently pulls away, removing his gauntlets. "No, let me." He nods at Lanier. "I cannot restore your sight, but I can at the least stop the bleeding."

Kira knew what she was doing. Or she at least had an idea? Maybe? If the others thought witnessing that was bad, she had a very strange viewpoint of it all. If briefly. Which might be why she does scream before dropping to her knees.

Mikilos is smart. Like, scary freaky level smart. He -knows- he's not being rational about this. He sort of understand why, despite all the distractions. But knowing, and able, or willing, to do anything about it, are two very different things. And so the wizard simple holds the Mortal Dread against his chest and sighs sadly. "...she's -gone-." He considers. It's dumb. He -knows- it's dumb... "I don't really -need- two eyes..."

Garak eyes Mikilos. Then he glances around quickly, eyes resting on each party member and lips moving ever so slightly. Counting? "Gather together," he says when he's done. Seeing that Kira has plenty of help already he moves over to Darius, hefting him and bringing him back closer to the others. "We have what we came here for. If you're ready to return to our world, join hands."

Darius spasms in pain, manages slowly to get onto his hand and knees and rasps, "Let's... get... out... got... what... we... came for..." He covers his ruined side of his face with a cloth and tries to get up despite how weak and in agony he is in.

Malik releases Seldan's hand, giving him an easy nod.

Seldan drops to one knee next to Kira, setting his gauntlets aside, and covers her ruined face with one hand, murmuring a prayer to stop the bleeding.

Halani's shoulders slowly stop heaving as much and she swallows. A grimace follows, then she pulls herself back to her feet. She avoids looking at anyone and makes her way to Garak, ready to return.

Mikilos has been tended, but... he hasn't exactly kept the injury still. Blood's kinda getting every where. The elf continues to peer off into the darkness. "Well, I mean, yes, we did get everything, but... but... there's so much more still here..." SHE's still here.

"We," Kira manages after several long breaths following Seldan's prayer, "should go." She reaches up for his arm, since she can feel him on that side, using him for aid to stand. "Thank. You." Her remaining eye is squinted, but she tries to make things out. Not that there is much to see anyhow, besides darkness. This makes one eye not much better than the other side.

Seldan's hands are covered in blood, but he assists Kira to her feet, guiding her to take Garak's hand. "Wait for me, I have others to see to." He scoops up his gauntlets, hands them swiftly to Malik, and turns to Darius. The process is the same, his prayers meditative paeans to Eluna's grace that focus him for the silver light that forms under his hand, bringing healing. Again does he guide Darius over to the others, then turns to Mikilos and kneels down in front of him.

"Master Mithralla," he asks, reaching to take the injured arm in his. "There are those who love you. She does not, and will not. Find your peace in those who love you best, for will an act of those who love you break her spell." If Mikilos lets him, he heals the wizard's injury as well, and only then does he lead Mikilos back to the others, to join the growing circle.

Mikilos blinks sadly, making no objection to being healed or led. But he's not very happy about it. "I know... I know... but... but... maybe she could learn. I'm a good teacher. I'm pretty sure that's in one of the books." He gestures absently to the Crimson Pen collection. "....wait.... wait. ....did I -really- just lament I'm -not- following a Crimson Pen plotline? ....we need to get the hell out of here."

Kira shuffles over to take Garak's hand as Seldan bids her. Her other is kept for others joining the group that could use a hand. Because she can still help.

With his good eye, he looks at Kira, and a huge spasm of guilt makes blood leak from under the bandage of his ruined eye. But he says nothing, what do you say to someone that lost their eye for you that you already were going to give up because it was useless?

Garak looks quickly around at the adventurers. Making sure no one is not holding hands with another. And repeating the count from earlier. Count twice and cast once, an elder in the Temple of Serriel told him long ago. When everyone is ready he raises his holy symbol, and holds it as far ahead of him as he can, until it's in the center of the party. "Serriel, our work here is done. Please carry these worthy adventurers home."

GAME: Garak casts Plane Shift. Caster Level: 14 DC: 20

-END