{"id":977,"date":"2014-04-17T16:22:34","date_gmt":"2014-04-17T21:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/?p=977"},"modified":"2014-03-28T06:27:25","modified_gmt":"2014-03-28T11:27:25","slug":"rhiallis-sniping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/rhiallis-sniping\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhiallis: Sniping"},"content":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cSniping\u201d, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.
\n      Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
\n– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n      \tHer sword arm was as tired as it had ever been; worse, maybe, than even the most grueling practice session in memory. As the group settled into restful positions around the chamber, Rhiallis wondered if today\u2019s trials were anyone else\u2019s first real fight. Somehow, she doubted it.
\n      \tI imagine I was the only virgin deflowered on the battlefield this day<\/em>, she thought, pulling a rawhide packet from the depths of her bag. Rations would not last long, and she regretted having only packed a few day\u2019s worth in the bottom of her backpack. Back in her cell at the Temple, Rhiallis kept supplies that could sustain her for weeks and months (uncomfortably, but she would not starve). She considered herself well-prepared for survival; certainly more so since Navara had started taking her on little forays into the surrounding countryside. Tracking, hunting, finding edible wild foods – all of the skills that it took to flourish in the wilderness. Rhiallis was sorely lacking in these, despite having wandered alone for so long. Thus, fifty-pound bags of powdered dreck strapped upon Never\u2019s back. She might not eat well, but barring the tragic loss of her mule-companion, Rhiallis could hold out until reaching a town.
\n      \tThat was less certain today. They had walked and fought and carried Anevia and endured Aravashnial\u2019s snark and patiently ignored Horgus\u2019 grumbling and talked quietly to each other. Rhiallis felt that there was already an unspoken bond developing between all these survivors, though she admitted to herself that perhaps it was just situational and may not last once they reached the surface.
\n      \tIf we reach the surface, she sighed inwardly.
\n      \t\u201cHere,\u201d Rhiallis pressed half of the dried beef from the packet into Anevia\u2019s hand.
\n      \t\u201cThanks.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cIt isn\u2019t much, but-\u201d
\n      \t\u201cBut we could be down here awhile,\u201d Anevia said. She tore off a hunk with her teeth and began chewing slowly. With her mouth still working, she looked down. \u201cI keep praying that the city survived, that my wife is all right. After everything we have been through. To lose her and to be powerless to do anything\u2026\u201d
\n      \tRhiallis nodded, empathizing more than she could express aloud. She knew all too well what it felt like to be separated, to be helpless, to not know if a loved one lived or had perished. Physically shifting her body, Rhiallis made an attempt to shift the conversation.
\n      \t\u201cTell me about how you two met. Irabeth spoke at the temple not long after I joined. You two seem so different – in a good way.\u201d
\n      \tAs usual, her natural charm and the disarming way she had of engaging others wrapped around Anevia and though the young woman may not have generally been so talkative, she opened up to Rhiallis as if they were friends of decades, not mere hours.
\n      \t\u201cQuit your yapping ladies,\u201d Mickey interrupted, hefting his maul onto his shoulder. \u201cFood is done, we gotta get moving.\u201d
\n      \tRhiallis packed away the bite or two that remained and with Idril\u2019s aid, lifted Anevia once more.
\n      \t\u201cI really am sorry,\u201d she said, clutching her bow to her chest as the stretcher swayed with each step.
\n      \t\u201cStop that,\u201d Rhiallis smiled down at her. She was carrying the top end, walking behind Idril, so that Anevia could keep watch ahead as well. \u201cYou cannot believe that any of this was your fault, Anevia. I-\u201d
\n      \t\u201cShush! Do you hear that?\u201d
\n      \t\u201cHear what?\u201d Mickey tilted his head.
\n      \tNavara hushed him again, peering into the darkness. \u201cThere! That – do you hear that?\u201d
\n      \tFlies?<\/em> Rhiallis raised a brow, straining her ears. Lots of them.<\/em>
\n      \tBut she was mistaken. It was not a swarm of tiny bugs, there were only a handful – but they were enormous. As big as a dog – though not so big as her poor speckled canine back at the Temple, and she suddenly caught her breath, praying Song was still alive – and slick with ichor, they were almost as disgusting as the larvae that had burst from the corpse of that giant spider.
\n      \tAnother frenzied battle for their lives ensued; over quickly, but terrifying nonetheless. Rhiallis wiped her blade clean and sheathed it, moving back to pick up Anevia. The girl had managed to fire a shot – and hit! – from where she sat in the hallway.
\n      \t\u201cImpressive shot,\u201d she said, grunting a bit as she lifted the stretcher again.
\n      \t\u201cThank you, I am really just glad I didn\u2019t hit Mickey or um – that elven woman.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cNavara.\u201d
\n      \tAnevia nodded. \u201cYeah, that\u2019s it. Navara. She\u2019s a strong one – and with that sword, like moonlight on water.\u201d
\n      \tRhiallis smiled at the description and nodded. \u201cI think I learned as much from her as from my instructors. She\u2019s a good friend to have.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cShe is,\u201d Mira piped up, a step or two behind them. \u201cAnd so is Emma. And so is Rhiallis. And so am I!\u201d
\n      \tAnevia grinned, despite the pain of constant jostling. \u201cI am pleased to meet all of you.\u201d
\n      \tA grumbly voice came from behind her and she chuckled.
\n      \t\u201cWell, I most certainly am not.\u201d
\n      \t\u201cHah! Horgus,\u201d Aravashnial said. \u201cYou should count yourself lucky to have fallen with this lot. Rapier or no, if you were still on the surface now, you\u2019d be dead as the dog that broke your fall.\u201d
\n      \tEmma squeaked, despite her composure. Though Rhiallis was certain the elf had calculated his remark to wound both Emma and Horgus, she got the distinct impression that his surliness was a facade, a symptom of the bravado he wore to conceal his own fear. She wished she possessed some spark of the divine magic that could restore sight; Aravashnial would likely make a powerful ally, if only they could get him out of these tunnels alive.
\n      Trudging through the halls, quietly as a group of ten people – most in armor, several injured – could, Rhiallis was not surprised when they wakened another group of deep dwelling denizens. What she did not expect, however, was to stumble onto a temple here in the darkness.
\n      \u201cWhich God does it venerate?\u201d she whispered, still too far back in the line to get a good look. \u201cIs it evil?
\n      \u201cWatch out!\u201d Navara cried, yanking her blade from its sheath.
\n      Idril dropped Anevia\u2019s feet abruptly, rushing toward the enemy that spilled forth. Lucien, nocking an arrow, moved to the side as Mickey and Navara engaged some enemy. Rhiallis could hear Mira\u2019s blades scrape free as well, but the girl hesitated to run into the fray.
\n      \u201cGo,\u201d Rhiallis urged her, \u201cI\u2019ll stay with them.\u201d
\n      Mira took Aravashnial\u2019s hand and placed it on Rhiallis\u2019 shoulder, then took off toward the sounds of battle.
\n      \u201cWell.\u201d Horgus sighed. \u201cIsn\u2019t this special?\u201d
\n      \u201cShut up, Horgus.\u201d Disdain dripped from Aravashnial\u2019s voice. \u201cJust, do us all a favor and shut up.\u201d
\n– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n\"Signed,
\nNote: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cSniping\u201d, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.       Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below. – \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –       Her sword arm was as tired as… <\/p>\n

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