such_a_bad_man
You know... That guy.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2004
- Posts
- 2,774
Pavel listened as Alaun plead for him to consider himself before others, to let himself feel his loss. What she couldn't know, what no one could know, was how hard he felt every loss, every betrayal. He couldn't let anyone see it though. If he showed them how he was feeling, he was worried that they might be defeated before they took the field to face their enemy. He had to keep their spirits up and their eyes on their objective or the whole expedition could collapse. He was about to explain that to Alaun before she swept out of his tent, ending the discussion. Looking back at his map, he remembered he'd forgotten to ask about their destination. Checking it once again, he saw an area marked on it that matched the name of the House she'd mentioned: Darkmere. The guide that made this map marked the areas of control for various houses but hadn't marked where the bases might be. Ultimately, he saw their sphere of influence stretched to the northeast. This was good as at least they would be vaguely headed in the correct direction still.
The camp came to life over the next few hours. Breakfast was a slightly somber affair as the cooks hadn't been informed that there would be fewer mouths to feed today. Everyone picked at their porridge and fruit quietly before the business of striking camp took place. It took longer than usual as there were fewer hands to see to it. They got underway about an hour late and Pavel told the caravan master the rough direction they would be heading. If it was truly two days to arrive at the House, it didn't seem wise to push the horse to make up for the lost time. They would just skip their lunch stop.
As the day pushed on, Pavel went up and down the wagon train, curious to see if Nick had come back. He still held out hope that he had slipped away to avoid the brunt of the attack and had to make his way back carefully. His hopes, however, went unrewarded as there was no sign of him. Hannah wasn't taking things well as could be expected. She leaned again Sandrellys who was everyone's big brother in the party. She seemed utterly crest-fallen between losing Glenda and her lover, Nick. Pavel rode up beside her, speaking to her even if she didn't respond. He spoke of Glenda and that she joined with them because of the danger. She wanted to be as strong as Hannah and Pavel told her of how she faced the Drow head on, wielding magics just as Hannah had shown her. "She had a great teacher," he stated, hoping his words had reached her. They had already lost one group member; he couldn't bear losing another.
As the caravan moved, Pavel continued to give Alaun her space. He hoped she'd recognize where they were going, but he knew that if she wanted to talk with him, she would seek him out. He did not need or want to force the issue. To help keep everyone's mood up, he kept the Daylight spells hovering above the group. Perhaps being bathed even in enchanted sunlight might keep their moods up.
The day wound down and the caravan found a sheltered spot, away from the main pathways of the Underdark. The camp was set up faster than it was taken down as there wouldn't be the need for a good portion of the beds tonight. The cooks made a hearty supper, trying to do their part to raise everyone's spirits. It worked to a certain extent as there was a bit more conversation and a few stories shared of the recently departed. Some people cope in their own way and Agnoz preferred to tell the most depraved story he could remember of each of their fallen travelling companions. For the most part, it did work as there were more than a few laughs at the stories he told. Sandrellys quieted the meal by speaking for the first time since they entered the Underdark. "To the victorious fallen." he said simply, raising his cup. Those around the table did the same, toasting the dead. In the face of what happened last night, Sandrellys was correct in his point. The rest of them were still alive. They still had a job to do and those that fell would want them to continue.
Pavel smiled from his spot near the foot of the table. He never liked to sit completely on the end. He knew the camp looked to him for leadership, but he was never to arrogant to sit at the head of the table like some king expecting those beneath him to recognize his place. Eventually he finished eating and rose from the table, to a chorus of people saying his name in salute. More than a few stood from their seats as he rose. Pavel hated that; he welcomed their respect but such indications felt like too much to him. His eyes found Alaun's as he left the table heading for his tent. He started peeling off his traveling suit of armor to get comfortable, not knowing when Alaun might come and seek him out.
The camp came to life over the next few hours. Breakfast was a slightly somber affair as the cooks hadn't been informed that there would be fewer mouths to feed today. Everyone picked at their porridge and fruit quietly before the business of striking camp took place. It took longer than usual as there were fewer hands to see to it. They got underway about an hour late and Pavel told the caravan master the rough direction they would be heading. If it was truly two days to arrive at the House, it didn't seem wise to push the horse to make up for the lost time. They would just skip their lunch stop.
As the day pushed on, Pavel went up and down the wagon train, curious to see if Nick had come back. He still held out hope that he had slipped away to avoid the brunt of the attack and had to make his way back carefully. His hopes, however, went unrewarded as there was no sign of him. Hannah wasn't taking things well as could be expected. She leaned again Sandrellys who was everyone's big brother in the party. She seemed utterly crest-fallen between losing Glenda and her lover, Nick. Pavel rode up beside her, speaking to her even if she didn't respond. He spoke of Glenda and that she joined with them because of the danger. She wanted to be as strong as Hannah and Pavel told her of how she faced the Drow head on, wielding magics just as Hannah had shown her. "She had a great teacher," he stated, hoping his words had reached her. They had already lost one group member; he couldn't bear losing another.
As the caravan moved, Pavel continued to give Alaun her space. He hoped she'd recognize where they were going, but he knew that if she wanted to talk with him, she would seek him out. He did not need or want to force the issue. To help keep everyone's mood up, he kept the Daylight spells hovering above the group. Perhaps being bathed even in enchanted sunlight might keep their moods up.
The day wound down and the caravan found a sheltered spot, away from the main pathways of the Underdark. The camp was set up faster than it was taken down as there wouldn't be the need for a good portion of the beds tonight. The cooks made a hearty supper, trying to do their part to raise everyone's spirits. It worked to a certain extent as there was a bit more conversation and a few stories shared of the recently departed. Some people cope in their own way and Agnoz preferred to tell the most depraved story he could remember of each of their fallen travelling companions. For the most part, it did work as there were more than a few laughs at the stories he told. Sandrellys quieted the meal by speaking for the first time since they entered the Underdark. "To the victorious fallen." he said simply, raising his cup. Those around the table did the same, toasting the dead. In the face of what happened last night, Sandrellys was correct in his point. The rest of them were still alive. They still had a job to do and those that fell would want them to continue.
Pavel smiled from his spot near the foot of the table. He never liked to sit completely on the end. He knew the camp looked to him for leadership, but he was never to arrogant to sit at the head of the table like some king expecting those beneath him to recognize his place. Eventually he finished eating and rose from the table, to a chorus of people saying his name in salute. More than a few stood from their seats as he rose. Pavel hated that; he welcomed their respect but such indications felt like too much to him. His eyes found Alaun's as he left the table heading for his tent. He started peeling off his traveling suit of armor to get comfortable, not knowing when Alaun might come and seek him out.