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Post by redcoat on Jul 10, 2022 14:05:08 GMT -5
Sae blinked, looking up to Taliesin before shrugging her shoulders. "I'm alright. Keeping this lot in line, hoping none of them try to make a break for it again. I... hate executions." She said, looking at the crowd before turning her attention to Taliesin.
"Good job with the owls, by the way- both times. Very clever. And saving my life."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 10, 2022 14:57:56 GMT -5
Taliesin cocked his head and gave Sae a familiar questioning look at her initial response. This was knocked away by her praise, genuinely taking him by surprise.
"Th-thanks. You were great in the battles as well. And-" He trailed off, avoiding drawing the conversation away from her. "I would be concerned if you had enjoyed the executions."
He was making eye contact as he spoke, but was trying his best to avoid any kind of pressure. "You know ... There are enough of us that you can stand down for a while. We can tend to the Duergar for a while, and if it comes to it, any attempts to escape can be handled as expected."
There was a little pause before he continued. "Out of our entire group the only ones possibly apprehensive for that might be Alastair or Felix. And we've seen what Telemon is willing and capable of doing."
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Post by redcoat on Jul 11, 2022 11:58:59 GMT -5
"Considering I've done five in the last week, I think it's up for debate." She more muttered than said, looking over her charges.
"The rod requires attunement. Someone else attuning to it would mean an hour of not having them under control. An hour is plenty of time for disaster. So, no."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 11, 2022 12:33:58 GMT -5
Taliesin wrinkled his nose slightly in response. He replied with as careful wording as he could manage in the moment. "You followed through on your word. And you have given them a chance to live rather than die."
He looked to her charge and then back. Still speaking in Elvish he tried to convince her in a gentle sincere tone. "If I remember what Alastair said, that rod only controls the ones with the special collars and keeps them from using their abilities in addition to them being controlled. The rest are normally manacled. We make sure that lantern is placed proper, you tell those under your control to remain still for a time and then we can take over watching the rest. Then you can do something to distract yourself for a short time."
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Post by redcoat on Jul 11, 2022 13:34:59 GMT -5
"Just like the last time I had a break? In which two people attempted to escape and I had to execute them?"
She snorted.
"I'm all set with that."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 11, 2022 14:00:46 GMT -5
"Any of us can just as readily execute on watch if required. And your command with the rod could force those in your control to be the executioners as well." He offered in quick response.
"Can you tell me how trancing is any different from letting your mind be distracted for a while?" He asked gently knowing that she tranced the night before and was likely to trance again tonight. He knew that being forceful wouldn't work with Sae. All he could do was make offers and attempt to reason with her. And if that all failed, well then that was that.
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Post by redcoat on Jul 11, 2022 14:08:23 GMT -5
"Trancing was my last break. When two people almost escaped. I came out of my trance specifically to deal with that emergency." She said, leaning back on her hands.
"And no, I'm not going to mind control my prisoners to make them execute their allies. I'm not that cruel yet."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 11, 2022 14:23:40 GMT -5
Taliesin sighed. "You have to rest, Sae. You pushing to exhaustion will slow our march. And you being a sole executioner is not helping either."
He held out the dragon scale towards her. "But if you wont take just distraction - perhaps you will take a job that gives us a dragon."
He twisted the dragon scale in his hand. "You engrave a dragon on this for me ... of any description ... and I will be able to summon a dragon to our aid instead of giant owls. And while you do that ... myself and one other can take up warden and executioner duties."
He watched Sae for any kind of reaction trying to get a read on her mindset and what if anything might get through. (Insight 21)
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Post by redcoat on Jul 11, 2022 15:25:35 GMT -5
((Deception: 14))
Taliesin had known Sae for a very, very long time, and as such could, especially in this moment, read her like a book.
She hated being a jailer. She hated being an executioner even more. And most of all, he could see the self loathing she was carrying. She didn't trust anyone else to do the job, and didn't want anyone else to carry the responsibility, so she chose to carry it by herself.
The thousand yard stare and general air of frustration would likely be familiar to Taliesin, who had seen it before in Erevan.
"If I do this for two hours will you let it be?"
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 11, 2022 18:57:10 GMT -5
Taliesin gave a short nod. He did know her quite well and that was why he had come over. They might not be under a mountain, but she was not going to let this go while she had the power.
"That's a start. Find a spot you can get moderately comfortable to work. And maybe try to catch the trimmings and scale dust. Dragon scale filings ... glitter, may be more interesting added into an ink for a tattoo."
He was spit-balling things since he had an impression that there might be some interesting uses for the scraps. If only for the story to tell. He finally offered her the scale. "If you go near Ali, he might try to talk to you a bit. Might be good for a further distraction. Of course, all of that is up to you."
There was a knowing look behind his eyes. He wanted to be the one to make this go away, to make her feel better. But this was all he could reasonably do ... haggle a couple hours of tinkering and whittling to be something she would do instead of continuing the job she hated.
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Post by redcoat on Jul 12, 2022 7:23:56 GMT -5
She took the scale and stood, brushing herself off. "Who's your second?"
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 12, 2022 10:04:57 GMT -5
Taliesin looked up and around. He scanned over all the gathered people. He knew Felix would likely not be keen to assist since any action they took would guarantee a death and they seemed not the happiest about that.
His eyes passed over Konane and Klinkle. Even if either showed more comfort at getting the dirty work done it was not something he was keen to try reinforcing. Jaeger ... well ... he had a Giant to talk to if he wanted. That and he was the most likely to go off on a hunt for food. Alastair was still too innocent and fragile. Similar to and yet distinct from Sae in that fashion.
He let his eyes slide over all those that were from The Refuge and then over the diminutive goblins. His eyes settled on Mirrai, remembering her patrolling and hunting appearance. "Telemon's charge, Mirrai? She has been patrolling almost as though she was hunting. And having been imprisoned by them she is likely to be a little more vigilant than our companions in keeping an eye on the prisoners."
He looked back to Sae. "Besides - I know that even though sometimes the innocence of our party is inconvenient you do not really want them to become damaged like us or our fathers."
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Post by redcoat on Jul 12, 2022 10:12:08 GMT -5
Sae watched Taliesin, and nodded as he brought up Mirrai. "She's a good choice. Sharp eyes, sharp blades." Sae agreed, motioning to her.
"Go ask her. I'll stand relieved when you're ready."
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Post by §~Samwise~§ on Jul 12, 2022 10:51:30 GMT -5
Taliesin nodded in agreement. They had both of course seen her in combat earlier in the day so they both had a chance to recognize that she could handle herself if needed. "See you in a moment."
He stepped away from Sae and took an intercept course path to Mirrai. As he approached he raised a hand both in greeting and to show he was not coming in hot with a knife. "Hey, Mirrai, right?" He said first in Elvish, having not forced himself out of it. Though he was quick to repeat in common in an almost apologetic tone.
"My name is Taliesin and I was wondering if you'd be willing to join me in guarding the Duergar in order to give Sae a rest." His voice was not projecting loudly as to avoid any hinting of anything to the Duergar much further away.
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Post by Ancelas on Jul 12, 2022 11:00:08 GMT -5
Mirrai had paused in her patrolling as Taliesin approached, but did not turn until he spoke to her. She looked over at him and blinked, cocking her head slightly as though trying to parse the language, before he switched to common.
"Of course," she replied in common, although her accent was difficult to place. "You and your companions have offered them more justice than they deserve... I am happy to assist."
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