2.1 Chapter 1: Into the Stolen Lands

The Leshy bolts off to the fallen cutthroats and begins rummaging through their bags.

The black tear leader scoffs at Octavius’ surprise attack. "You’ll needed to do better than that, scrub"

Ralf moves unwisely close to the frost giant and offers him the gift of Prometheus.

Flames scatter off the veteran frost giant's back, with little effect except to draw a icy glare. "Hyvä on, minä tulen toimeen kärpästen kanssa"

Aldori uses this opportunity to free herself from the tangles of the mangled weapon rack. Moving with lighting speed behind the giant, ready for the next attack.

But the next attack is directed at the wizard hiding in the pit. The giant's might axe take a chunk of the pits edge before landing solidly on Ralf, flinging his limp body across the room.

The giant then leaps across the room with lumbering strides. Taking a deep breath he spews cold icing frost over Dalia, Seline, Octavius, and Volodmyra.

Volodmyra turns surprised to the giant "Not me you idio..." before succumbing to the ice.

Tassle fades into the shadows. Laughter is heard getting at ever increasing distances.

The room fades to black….

As the heros slowly regained consciousness, the world around them appeared hazy and indistinct. They awake in the main hall which has been converted into a makeshift hospital for the many wounded. Sounds of bustling activity echoes around them like pounding drums. Healers & Clerics move from bed to bed. Inquisitors shout orders to guards who thunder back and forth. Engineers from Restov have arrived and are busy surveying the fire-damaged parts of the manor to plan repairs. All pieced by the sound of familiar tiny voices arguing;

Filbert
".... then I kicked the frost giant and he died" The leshy chimed triumphantly, chewing some stolen rations

Sparky
"Wait, what!? You DID not take down that giant." The raven scoffs

Filbert
"Of course I did, kicked in the head good" hums Filbert

Sparky
"Right … the head. It was a flying kick?." Sparky mocks

Filbert
Immune to any mockery "No no, the giant was lying down at the time"

Sparky
Adding extra sarcasm "That sounds like he was already dead? Perhaps because of Lady Aldori? Hmmm"

Filbert
"The flaming sword lady helped. Made him lay down" Filbert says as he crunches on old bread "I accidentally healed the giant when I healed my lady. Had to put him back down"

Sparky
"Now I know you’re lying. You're not a healer. How in the Nethys did you heal everyone?" The raven says inquisitively.

Filbert
"I don’t know, I just did. Had to do something, better than fleeing like you" Filbert shrugs "Oh, wait. I remember one. I watered your master with a red bottle. That stopped him leaking sap."

Sparky
"I was getting help! Being actually useful" the raven squawks. "What do you mean watered? You gave him a healing potion? Those are supposed consumed ... to be taken internally."

Filbert
"He can drink with his feet right? No mater, much of his insides were on the outside. So it worked out." The Leshy squeals "Look! they are awake!"

Good job Filbert. I will find you some very nice snacks once I get a chance, plus those can be better snacks. And I cast prestidigitation on his old bread to make it tasty cookies.

Filbert hugs Seline, squealing "...imissyousomuchohbythewaybigimportantpeoplewerelookingforyou..."

Sparky lands on Ralf's cot "Yes, best get up. Lady Aldori is holding a command meeting now"

I'm not sure I want to get out of bed and face that meeting. We didn't do that great near the end.

With a reluctant groan, Dalia rises from the sick bed and gets dressed. She quietly thanks the healers for their work and offers up a series of prayers to the Gods and then makes her way to the command meeting.