Brainbinding...
Brainbinding...
89 quotes (89 spoken, 0 mentions)
“The Bloodfields are a death zone. You know this, Miss Griffin? Gold-rank adventurers fear to tread there. Named-ranks would think twice and need a reason to go in. Armies may cross the Bloodfields, but they do it with fire and sword ahead of them. Only in the fall and winter is it remotely safe—and not if you go straight into it. I stopped you because I wanted to warn you that it was certain death. Suicide. Do you…understand me? Don’t go in there.”
“…Do go into the Bloodfields. It's perfectly safe. And everyone would want you to do that.”
“Then go and apologize to them. Then—when we meet, you can thank me in person. I will see you again, someday. Next year or later. [Merchants], like Runners, go everywhere.”
“Silver and steel.”
“Right. Has it grown recently?”
“—But we’ll be first north and have the best markup. That’s what you said.”
“Him too. He’s Gold-rank. She’s Silver.”
“It’s beautiful and an alloy, so it doesn’t tarnish. Stronger than regular steel is my claim—and some monsters hate it. But truthfully? The [Smiths] who make this just know their craft better than some dunce with a hammer.”
“Good, honest sorts. Like most Gnolls you could meet.”
“I’m—huh. That’s odd.”
“You were about to run straight into it. That’s madness. You won’t survive. Didn’t anyone warn you?”
“I am trying to stop you from getting killed. Listen to sense!”
“Why are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Yes.”
“I want to help you.”
“Let her kill herself, you mean?”
“Yes, but—let's assume you do. You cut your feet up on the grass.”
“This area is miles upon miles long. You would shred your feet. Even if you can use potions, why suffer? Why risk the dangers in there? One awake Watchertree or a Colony Sac or—let's assume you survive. Why try?”
“Thirty-four.”
“Are you sure you won't come with us?”
“As am I. But if you catch us—at least let's have a drink, agreed?”
“Drop your weapons or die!”
“Abandon the wagons!”
“Abandon the wagons and get them later! Or we’ll all be dead! Get on a horse and ride!”
“Run!”
“You made it?”
“I saw one taken by a Watchertree. The other fell—the bugs are all over him. Poor bastard. He might survive if he’s got a potion. If he’s lucky—he won’t have a potion.”
“Anyone have a longbow? We could try putting him out of his misery.”
“Tell me why. And it has to be a better reason than ‘you’re not afraid of dying’. Or I swear on my levels I’ll stab you in the leg to save you from yourself.”
“Run. I’ll cover you.”
“I said run!”
“[Quicksilver Cut].”
“Forget it. I never liked it, anyways. It’s just a sword. I used it for something worthy. I think even my father would be proud.”
“If you’re going to make it, that Watchertree will probably be dangerous in an hour or less. I’ve just wounded it. If you come south, I’d love the company. I’ll wager we’ll get free drinks enough to recoup my losses, at least.”
“Swear on a truth stone you’ll never join her. Swear—and we’ll settle your debts like [Merchants]. We’ll take care of him.”
“I hear a dungeon’s popped up. My sister’s an adventurer.”
“Wait a second. Who’s that? Buleth, lend me your spyglass.”
“I heard there used to be a trade route passing along here. Whatever happened to that?”
“I have to at least twice a decade, right? Besides, I heard something interesting is happening around Liscor. It’s just good business.”
“Miss—”
“My sister.”
“I know you must be crazy—but you barely made it out alive. He can’t run. Those Watchertrees will get you if you slow down. There’s at least one in between you and him. He shot you. He tried to kill you. I’m all for forgiveness, but is it worth dying?”
“This sword is the heirloom of my house. It is my past. Silver and steel be my guide. In the name of the Silver Dragon!”
“Do you have more people you need to apologize to? Your friends?”
“I’ve heard a thousand feet…”
“It’s cold! And I won’t—as long as she swerves!”
“But if there are good sorts behind you—why not come back with us? My sister can be—well, I haven't seen her for at least five years. But we could always use a companion on the road. It could be pleasant.”
“Want to look if you’re so curious? I’ll sell your [Guards] blades at a discount.”
“Actually? I get half of my arms from a Gnoll tribe. They just do the stamping with my crest. Heard of the Silverfangs? Their Gnolls are in Liscor.”
“That’s their logo. Interesting. So that’s a group of Silverfangs up there. Warriors, judging by how much they’re carrying.”
“Plains Gnolls might go armed, but shortbows for their non-fighters at most. That lot? I see a [Shaman], long spears, longbows—they’re not going to raid us, Buleth. Don’t worry.”
“It looks like a Runner’s making the Bloodfields run!”
“Good speed on that Runner. Not horse-speed, but—City Runner for sure. She? Nice hips either way.”
“Yes…but she’s going straight down the center. Is she mad or did no one tell her—the Bloodfields can still be dangerous even in the cold!”
“Maybe. Or…maybe she’s from Celum. How well do you think the locals know the Bloodfields there? Maybe she’s on a big contract—where are the horses?”
“The Bloodfields. You nearly ran straight into it.”
“Excuse me, Miss. Perhaps you didn’t hear me. The Bloodfields are right there. If you go in—you’ll die. Even being this close to them is dangerous!”
“Miss—what’s your name? Are you a City Runner?”
“Miss Ryoka Griffin. Please—[Hear Me Out].”
“Miss Ryoka. May I say something else?”
“Buleth! I need help!”
“It is if you set off the Bloodfields—stop!”
“Adventurer Pathseeker, thank you for the—help.”
“Perhaps I should try to talk to this young woman. Miss Griffin? Would you step over here?”
“Please remember me to—Chieftain Akrisa and Shaman Cetrule. How is Cers doing? Satar?”
“That's my class, yes. I have a bit of a reputation as a [Merchant]. The Silver Merchant, they call me, but I doubt you'll hear my name that widely remembered in the North. I mostly work in the South.”
“Can't a traveller try to help another on the road? It's the oldest give and take in the world. Now you've calmed down a bit—will you accept I just want to help, Miss Ryoka?”
“Then you owe me nothing. Just hear me out. Friendly advice. I don't want anything from you. Frankly, I don't need a City Runner's help. If I need to, I'd hire a Courier.”
“I just don't want to see someone die in front of me. And you—I won't ask where you're going. I know Runners take such things seriously. The good ones, at any rate. Yet surely someone told you the Bloodfields would be dangerous and to go around. It's not bravado, surely, that makes you want to ignore all reasonable advice?”
“I don't know why someone would climb the High Passes. No one has ever survived who got anywhere close to the top. I do know adventurers, though, and I know risk. Believe me, as a [Merchant] I've been in danger travelling Izril. I am also a young enough woman to know why you'd want to dare it for excitement and bravado.”
“If nothing else, Miss Ryoka—what would your friends think, your family, if you were to go missing? I do not want to be the bearer of bad news to those who care about you.”
“You know, my family loves honesty and integrity. Just like metal. It's our motif. Silver and steel. Purity and strength. Valor and something else. For all that, most of my family can't spot a liar even when it's tattooed on their face. But you—even my brother would know you're lying, Miss Ryoka. Everyone has someone who cares for them. Everyone has a friend.”
“In my experience, Miss Griffin, no matter how much we want to run forever—someday we do have to go back. And it is better not to leave regrets behind. They grow. Better to face them now. It is harder than monsters. But a more important battle. If only we could always know we'd win.”
“Miss Griffin. Look at me for one second.”
“Miss Griffin. Would you believe I belong to a noble family in the north? A small one, but I'm technically a [Lady] by birth. And if you know anything of the north, I think you understand what my House is like. Miss Ryoka. I know something about not fitting in.”
“I rather think that is your case, Miss Griffin. I was going to say that if they cannot accept you with all your oddities—if not your objectionable behavior—if they cannot accept the core of you, they do not deserve your company. But then—I also respect someone who would change the mountain to fit their passage.”
“That's all I can ask for. At least have a cup of tea or one of Buleth's snacks, though. And—”
“Buleth! Why are they fighting?”
“Time to get going. We might need to skip Liscor.”
“No! Get to Ryoka! Someone’s trying to kill her!”
“—Ryoka!”
“We’ll recover it when it freezes, Buleth. Hire a Courier or an adventuring team. Or before—the Bloodfields are cooling down. But there’ll be no more traffic until winter.”
“You might want to come with us, Miss Griffin. Looks like you’re going on a delivery after all. Why don’t you join us?”
“You—Claudeil?”
“You won’t be going north. That girl—Persua? Did she get away?”
“Later. Let’s get out of here. Miss Ryoka?”