RRPG: Chapter 6 - Dryads

-Let’s run away, miss… Anthenea!- Renate smiles at her reassuringly. -No, miss!- the red-haired girl looks around and shakes her head vigorously. -We must find my… Oh! No! We must stop them!- she points at the Dryads. On the glade before them, a few treekin smash their branches at two men who strike back at them with their weapons while struggling with vines grappling them. -Listen, it’s all wrong… -Please, wake up!- Renate raises her voice, clenching their fists. -Those Dryads do horrible things, they make people’s worst fears come back to them… I’ve seen what Georg went through…- her eyes sparkle with tears. She knows fear more than most people and recovers quickly from it, but seeing the boy brought to his knees by horrific visions was a devastating sight. -Terrible- Anthenea bites her lip. -I’ll find a way to make up to you for it, please, believe me! But… They’re my only friends and they won’t ever do it on their own! They’ve gone mad with grief and their hearts are blind. A spell, or insanity, I don’t know! Also! Miss, you did wake me up, yes? -Yes, but…- Renate looks back at the huge treeman looming over them. She don’t know where to run. Suddenly, Anthenea smiles at the treeman brightly and raises a hand, and it moves its branches, as if in greeting. -Welcome…- it hums slowly. -Rose-haired… Dark-haired… Girls… Save Dryads… -But how, Elder?- Anthenea clasps her hands. -Just… Hug… Sosenka… Both… -It will help, right?- Anthenea looks at Renate with a hopeful smile. Renate does not know what to do now. The girl’s vigour is commendable and baffling at the same time, somewhat reminding Renate of the Shieldmaiden. -Miss, please, if it can help… -They are killing Gerg and sir Rudy!- Renate’s voice shivers. She can see two men on the glade, Rudy closer to her, Georg behind him, both of them striking st the vines and treemen with ferocity, but also taking hits, one by one, Georg trying to block with his shield, Rudy making use of his armor. -Then we will make them stop- Anthenea smiles at Renate and winks. The dark-haired girl blinks, and makes a split-second decision. Renate takes a deep breath, then nods. -It’s her- Anthenea points at the smallest of the Dryads. -Sosenka. A sweet child. And my best friend, almost a sister to me- she smiles lightly at Renate, who looks at the little Dryad. She’s even smaller than the Oracle, long-haired… -Your friends?- Renate realizes what the girl said, and then realizes that she already said it before. Fear suddenly flashes through her mind. Was the whole endeavour doomed from the very beginning, or was it a trap? -Yes- the girl looks at her. -They taught me to dance and sing, you know? I’ll have to show it to you- she gives Renate another look and looks to the glade. She sees Rudy taking a hit to the face and, right after, countering with a devastating axe blow that splits the treekin in half. He lunges forward towards the Dryad who roots him in place with a thorny vine. Yet, the very visage of an angry knight makes Sosenka waver and make a few steps back. This is enough for Anthenea, who runs towards the young Dryad and hugs her tightly. Sosenka barely has the chance to turn back when the redhead’s arms wrap around her. She lets out a short scream and struggles to free herself -Let me go! -Never, Sosenka- Anthenea’s hug is as tight as it is warm and gentle. -Come back to your senses. Please!- she whispers into her ear. Renate can’t leave the redhead alone. Against her fear, she kneels by a minute Dryad and hugs her too. She feels something wrong, a tang of dark magic, swirling just by her, pulsating and whispering… and then, it is gone. Renate sees a little Dryad looking frantically around her, as if awakened from a nightmare, and then starting to cry. Sosenka sobs uncontrollably into Anthenea’s sleeve. -I’m sorry… It was so horrible, big sis… I was so scared… Big sis, there was that thing made of fire, and that frightening old hag who cursed us, and then I was doing all the bad things I did not want… Big sis… I’m sorry… -What are you doing? Die!- a voice like thunderstorm makes Renate, Anthenea and Sosenka bow to the ground. The tallest of Dryads look at them with eyes glowing red and points her finger at them, making vines sprout from the ground everywhere around the trio. Suddenly, she looks back. A man in armor, his body covered in torn vines, is lunging at her with an axe ready to strike. -Leave Renate, you witch!- he swings his weapon at the Dryad, who screams in fear and, with visible and excruciating effort, spits out a spell that makes a twine of thick roots spring up from the soil to block the blow. Rudy’s axe crushes into it and breaks it, then strikes the outstretched arm of the Dryad, drawing blood. The forest maiden squeals and falls to the ground. -That was for hurting Georg, you devil- Rudy spits out blood running from his split lip. -And this- he raises his axe again, his angry frown turning into a grim smile – is for Renate. The blow does not fall. Rudy stops, with shock, looking at the girl holding his hand with her own arms. -Please, don’t!- Anthenea shouts in his face with tears in her eyes. The knight can only nod in shock and admiration. He cannot say no to her sadness and determination. -Okay…- he mutters, then looks at the Dryad lying on the ground. Sosenka kneels by her, hugging her tightly. Damn… Was this Dryad ever that small? Rudy feels his grip on the axe’s shaft weaken. He cannot strike a child, be it a witch or not! Both Dryads look at him trembling, with fear in their eyes. The knight makes a step back. -What… Oh, no- the tall Dryad stretches out her wounded hand towards Rudy. -Please, don’t kill us… The man makes another step back. He looks at Georg, who is just finishes off the last moving tree. The glade is a disaster site now, not unlike a plundered and ravaged lumber mill. No young trees survived; they lie on the ground, cut into pieces, intertwined with vines and malformed bushes rising up from the ground at weird angles. The last Dryad looks at the pitiful sight and falls to her knees, crying. Georg looks around, baffled and unsure, and his eyes meet Rudy’s, then Renate’s. He makes sure the girl is safe, and not alone – with Rudy and someone who looks like the girl they seek. He quickly retrieves his gun and joins Rudy. The Dryads huddle together on the ground, sobbing. Anthenea tries to console them. Renate and Rudy just stand by, not really knowing what to do now. The whole fight erupted so suddenly and ended just as quickly that they barely had time to process it. A huge tree standing on the glade’s edge starts to murmur something. It is definitely not in human language. Renate shivers. A tree… With eyes. The same one as before. -Renate- Rudy looks at her and tries to make a smile, though his split lip and chest aching after a particularly string bash make it harder – it was you, am I right? The girl tries not to look directly at him. The knight looks genuinely scary now, with a trail of blood on his face. And… is he angry? -Well… Yes. I am small and weak, and of no use in a fight…- she tries to explain and hunches. Is he going to berate her, or slap her for cowardice? Suddenly, she sees Rudy dropping to one knee, now close to her and on the level of her face. -Please, never let anyone, not even yourself, tell such lies- he knight smiles once again, this time covering the bloodied part of his face with one hand. -You are the bravest girl around, Renate. You saved Anthenea, didn’t you? I just hoped you’ll stay somewhere safe. I’m such a fool, huh? To think old Rudy would underestimate you so much. Do you even know what would happen if you didn’t brave this forest with all its monstrosities?- he takes off his glove and, not thinking much, gently pats Renate’s head. The girl’s face flushes red with a bright blush. She stirs, but accepts the headpat, willing herself not to shiver, and soon a shy, light smile appears on her face. Rudy’s hand is warm, though trembling with exhaustion. She’s been praised by the party’s leader. Someone appreciates what she did! -You are a very good girl, Renate. I’m so happy and honored to be in the same party as you. -Thank… Thank you, sir Rudy. It’s… Too much- Renate covers her face with her hands. There is no flattery nor false in the man’s voice. What he says is genuine, and it embarrasses her the most. -Renate… You were amazing!- Georg seconds Rudy’s words. -Please, stop!- Renate’s cheeks are bright red, burning with shy nervousness. She steps away, her fingers fidgeting. The Shieldmaiden also praised her when she did something right, but those two are going way overboard! She looks at the Dryads and sees Anthenea walking up to them together with Sosenka. -Renate, please get behind me- Rudy makes a few steps to stand between Renate and the minute Dryad, who looks at the knight with fear and tugs at Anthenea’s sleeve. -Sir Knight, please, have no fear. First thing first: thank you from the bottom of my heart!- Anthenea smiles brightly at Rudy and Renate and bows gracefully. -And then: this little one wants to tell something to miss… Renate, if I’ve heard well?- she smiles. Rudy nods and his posture loosens. He makes a step aside. Sosenka looks at him with unease, then coughs and looks at Renate. -Dear miss, I’m… I’m very sorry- she looks down again. -It… It was me who enchanted you with those horrible visions. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to… I’m a bad girl…- suddenly, she starts sobbing uncontrollably, tears flowing on her face, her voice breaking into intangible babbling. Renate feels all the reservation and distrust leaving her. Sosenka is just a child, smaller than the diminutive Oracle, and Anthenea’s next words make Renate shiver. Dark-haired girl can’t help but walk closer and gently hug the little Dryad as the redhead continues. -She was cursed, along with her sisters- Anthenea explains to Renate while hugging Sosenka. -A week ago, a group of shady people appeared in the village. An old sorcerer, a wrinkled hag and a few soldiers, not dissimilar to you, young mister- she looks at Georg. -They walked into the forest, and… I think they were those who released that Fire Fiend into Brightwood. -A Fire Fiend?- Rudy clenches his fists. -Vile sorcery! This abomination can burn down the entire forest if unchecked! -It can, and it is doing so even now- the third Dryad, dark-skinned and covered with a long, princess-like dress of vines and leaves, slowly stands up and joins Sosenka and Anthenea, though Renate steps back warily and gets behind the boys when she sees her. -We are powerless against it. It can’t be frightened nor charmed, and our magic can only feed its flames. If not for the rains, the whole Brightwood would be burning. Rudy and Georg listen intently. Renate does so too, though still prefers to stand behind them. -Then, there came the witch. In our despair, we were unable to guard our own hearts and minds. She cursed us… Enslaved our very thoughts. Made us do… Horrible things- the Dryad starts shaking. To you, for what we are deeply sorry… To our poor sister, I mean, Anthenea… To the people living nearby. I don’t know how, or if, we can make it up to all of you- she shakes her head. -Mind Shackle spell. The cruelest kind of Majick- Renate whispers. Rudy looks at her dumbfounded. -Sorry… I remember Arch-Crone Lurein cackling by her cauldron as she was preparing it. I pitied the poor soul who would become its victim- Renate looks down. -This was a witch’s doing, not yours- she looks at the Dryads with unease, but tries to smile. -I’m… sorry- Sosenka walks up to Renate and stands just before her, tugging her hair and wiggling her toes, too embarrassed to look her in the eye. -Miss… Can you give me your hand?- she delicately takes Renate’s palm, the one aching from a dozen small barbs left in her skin, and kisses it tenderly. Renate lets out a squeak of surprise as her hand pulses with sublime, fresh energy of Nature Majick of the tiny Dryad. It is whole again, not a single bruise or cut remaining, and her skin is softer and fairer than ever before, as if she was a princess. Then, Sosenka clenches her teeth and picks a large, bright flower from her hair, and hands it to Renate. -Please, don’t hate me- she whispers. -It may help you one day, miss Renate. -Thank you, Sosenka!- she pats the Dryad’s head. She will not hate her. The fear, the anxiety, the distrust – it all vanished with the tender touch of the child Dryad. Not what Georg did, though. How he raised her up. Renate is not going to forget it. She looks at Rudy. The man is looking at Dryads with a tired frown. -So I hurt someone who didn’t deserve it once again, huh?- he states more than asks, aloud. -You’ve seen our Majick harming you and your children- the tallest Dryad, one bleeding sap from her side and hand, slowly walks up to him. -What you did hurts, but the memory of what I did hurts me more. My wounds will fade under new bark. I hope yours will too. -My… children- Rudy nods. -Yes. I could not bear it. To them, you showed their greatest fears. To me, just a lie none of us believed in the end. I should not have struck you. The Dryad tilts her head. Rudy looks at her sternly. Then she, nods, with an understanding smile. -Of course. You fear nothing, knight, but a lie can bring you down- she says it loud enough for Georg and Renate to hear. Rudy bites his split lip. -You’ve spoken about a Fire Fiend, right?- he says slowly. The Dryad nods. -Yes. He burned acres of Brightwood already. Hurt Jabłonka. I can feel her roots being still alive, but she’s where the monster roams. I fear that even if we faced it now, we might not be able to save her. -No!- Anthenea falls to her knees. -Jabłonka?- her voice fails her. She hides her face in her hands and starts to sob. -And this is what you wanted to tell us too, Venerable One, is this Rudbert right?- the knight can’t bear to watch her cry. Instead, he looks at the Ent standing on the glade’s edge. -Yes… Human. He is… Close. Very… Close… Now… Burning… Destroying… Rain… Stops… Soon… Fire… Will… Spread…- the Ent hums slowly. Rudy nods. Rudy gains 3 EXP. [LEVEL UP! Current Rudy level: 2. 4 more EXP needed for Level 3. Georg gains 2 EXP. 1 more EXP needed for Level 2. Raising the character’s abilities can be done after the combat ends] CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE! 1) -It concerns me not- the knight’s face goes dark. I’ve seen witchcraft at work here, and to believe you is a folly. You- he looks at the Dryads- will be purged by flame and axe. And then I will think about what should I do next. -Let me help you, sir Rudy- Renate takes a gun from Georg’s hands. -You have suffered enough, and so did Georg. And so did I. [RENATE’S RESOLVE: -5] {Renate’s ruthlessness check, level: lethal; Rudy’s ruthlessness check, level: normal; if passed, then Rudy’s melee fighting check, level: very easy; Rudy’s magic resistance check, level: very easy; Renae’s marksmanship check, level: easy} 2) -Then we will bring an army here- Rudy says with a determined face. -Fire Fiend in a forest like this is the end for all life. But we won’t be able to face it alone. We’ll be here tomorrow with dozens of able, armed and prepared men- he turns back. -Georg, Renate, come with me. We must bring the news back. 3) The knight takes a deep breath. So, it came to this? -Well then. Let me raise my sword against something that deserves it for once- he smiles. -Lead me to it. There is something more than misery and destruction my hand can bring. Renate, Georg, lady Anthenea. You will go back and get help. IF OPTION 3 WAS CHOSEN, CHOOSE ALSO: A) -Let’s go, Renate, miss- Georg looks at the girls. -Old man knows what he’s doing, and we’ll not be of much use here. Let’s go back as fast as possible. We’ll bring some good fighters, holy water and what else we can! Rudy waves back at them with a smile. He will do it alone, or die trying. {Rudy’s melee fighting check, level: very hard; Rudy’s magic resistance check, level: normal; Rudy’s resilience check, level: normal} B) -Not on my watch, old man- Georg shakes his head. -Miss Renate can bring Lady Anthenea back. I can count on you, Renate?- he smiles gently at the girl, who nods. -And I’ll make sure to look out for traps and try to shoot it before it hurts you. I have three anti-magical bullets left!- he smiles. Rudy comes to him and they both put their hands at each other’s shoulders. -Let’s do it, young one. {Georg’s perceptiveness check, level: easy; Georg’s marksmanship check, level: normal; Rudy’s melee fighting, magic resistance and resilience checks, level: depending on previous checks } C) Renate and Anthenea look at each other. Men will stand and fight, and they will run? Renate feels it’s wrong to leave them in such a fight, and Anthenea seems to want to say something. -Dear sirs… I always had a dream. One of becoming an adventurer and help people- the red-haired girl speaks. -And I know that it’s a strange request, but do you have anything against resting for a moment to see me, who happens to have a Conduit of a Dancer… dance? -And let me go with you, please!- Renate asks. The men cannot refuse them. [RENATE’S RESOLVE: +1] /Anthenea temporarily joins the party/ {Anthenea’s deftness check, level: very easy; Georg’s perceptiveness and marksmanship checks, level: depending on previous checks; Rudy’s melee fighting, magic resistance and resilience checks, level: depending on previous checks }