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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Blue squad, still in disguise as five identical blue ladies, takes to the sky on drakes to rescue more of their sisters from ice cube prisons and then lands to tame what may be the last matriarch war bears. Velrin fights bear-back and wins. Cressidha ensures the bears will be properly cared for. Iphindra cares for all the animals. Erixa reminisces about old worlds. Dane keeps people on task and… grunts. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Season 12
Dane nods. "Ladies. How's the day?"
Velrin nods to Erixa and Dane.
[Erixa]: Ah, hello Cressidha, too.
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon. Well, so far.
[Dane]: Brann Bronzebeard, alive. These are good tidings.
Cressidha traces water-conjuring sigils in the air. "Water, anyone?"
[Erixa]: Cold but good!
Erixa nods at Cressidha.
Dane grunts politely and shakes his head.
[Erixa]: Yes, it must be such good news for dwarves!
[Velrin]: Indeed.
Iphindra comes out of the inn, yawning, with plants slithering from the ground back to her arm, legs, and hair. "O- oh! You are already here! Hello!"
[Erixa]: Hello, healer!
[Cressidha]: Good afternoon, Iphindra. Water?
[Dane]: Hullo', then.
[Iphindra]: Yes, please, thank you!
Iphindra stands at attention and salutes.
Cressidha smiles faintly.
Iphindra contains a yawn. She isn't yawning. She's full of energy, ready for the mission, YOU'RE the one who's yawning.
[Dane]: How's that day for you then, Iphindra.
Dane growls with some subtle amusement.
Cressidha swirls some warmer air around the group.
[Erixa]: What are we up to today? More things for Hyldnir?
[Iphindra]: I… Great! I took just a little nap before. Northrend… um… makes me a little sleepy! Just a little.
Velrin relaxes from the relative warmth.
Dane grunts and nods. "Aye, we're to progress in the Hyldsmeet to get this Thorim back on track. We're flying there."
[Cressidha]: Very well.
Cressidha removes her carpet from her bag and lays it out.
Iphindra whistles to call her gryphon. "I am ready!"
Erixa calls down her gryphon.
[Dane]: Let's ride!
[Erixa]: Hello, sister, we are back!
Dane stays back to say, "Remember, we're here to get a bear."
[Cressidha]: How goes the fight?
Brijana says: Well enough. But have you come to assist further?
[Cressidha]: Yes.
[Iphindra]: We have, yes!
Brijana says: I have not yet approved you for a warbear of your own, but there is yet glory to be had.
Dane grunts.
Velrin stretches to show her eagerness to continue.
Brijana says: As you know, to be slain honorably on the field of battle brings us all glory. However, to be frozen in a block of ice and endlessly taunted does not….
Erixa nods seriously.
[Cressidha]: You speak as if this is happening elsewhere.
[Cressidha]: The… freezing.
Dane grunts inquisitively.
Brijana says: That is exactly what is happening to a number of our sisters, thanks to those unworthy frost giants.
[Cressidha]: Tch.
Cressidha cracks her knuckles.
Brijana says: I want you to fly to the frost giant city of Dun Niffelem, just east of the Valley of Ancient Winters, and liberate captive proto-drakes.
[Iphindra]: Yes! Happily!
Dane knits his brow and looks to the east.
Brijana says: With a drake, you will be able to free our sisters from their frozen bonds and carry three of them safely home.
Erixa nods, and murmurs, "Now drake riding."
Cressidha nods.
Dane grunts to underline Erixa's statement.
[Cressidha]: It shall be done.
[Iphindra]: We will do just that! *She sounds very excited.*
Brijana says: I appreciate your eagerness, but… beware the giants' clubs, sister, lest you find yourself numbered among the captives.
Dane grunts.
Iphindra nods at Brijana.
[Erixa]: We will rescue the frozen. *Erixa nods*
Dane nods and moves to leave.
[Dane]: Proto-drakes…
[Erixa]: It is like we are learning vrykul culture. They are not, but they are…similar?
[Velrin]: Indeed.
[Dane]: Any of you lot have riding experience with these proto-drakes?
[Velrin]: I cannot say I do.
[Cressidha]: I have ridden a dragon before.
Dane grunts.
[Cressidha]: Not a proto-drake, but I imagine the concept is similar.
[Dane]: These seem far more savage than dragons.
[Erixa]: Only gryphons, and other creatures you would not recognize.
[Iphindra]: I have not ridden dragons before!
[Cressidha]: We will need to fly to reach them, it seems.
[Erixa]: Maybe the trimphare were similar, but that was hundreds of years ago.
[Erixa]: And they are probably extinct.
[Dane]: The wot'?
[Velrin]: Trimphare?
Atley points at Captive Proto-Drake.
[Erixa]: Ah, other world. *Erixa laughs, dismissing it with a hand.*
Iphindra tilts her head curiously at Erixa.
[Dane]: This way.
[Dane]: Damn. Too steep. We'll go around.
[Cressidha]: I can fly us up one at a time, if we would rather not…
[Iphindra]: Poor them! *She says, looking at the proto-drakes.*
Dane nods to Cressidha. "Let's do it."
[Erixa]: Should we call gryphons?
Cressidha summons her carpet. "This way, we do not need to climb from a gryphon to a drake."
[Cressidha]: Who's first?
[Dane]: Erixa.
Cressidha gestures for Erixa to climb onto the carpet. Totally.
Erixa climbs onto the carpet, grabbing Cressidha around the waist for support.
The carpet hovers more slowly with two people, but it does move.
[Dane]: Iphindra.
Erixa leaps onto the back of a proto-drake.
Cressidha ferries Iphindra up next.
Iphindra climbs on the carpet. Plants kiiind of reach for Cress's shoulder as she gets close.
Cressidha pats a plant gently.
[Dane]: Velrin.
Dane nods.
Velrin nods and hops on.
Dane eyes the carpet warily before he, too, climbs aboard. "Right then."
Cressidha's carpet rises even more slowly with Dane on it. Heavy armor.
Iphindra gently pats her proto-drake, talking calmly to it.
[Dane]: Right then.
Cressidha returns shortly on her own.
[Dane]: These drakes ought to hold three prisoners, each.
[Dane]: Let's move.
[Erixa]: That was dangerous cave, full of frost giants.
Iphindra makes vines sprout under Velrin's feet and wrap gently around wounds, their leaves soothing the pain.
Velrin smiles, "Thank you Iphindra."
[Iphindra]: Yes! And… n- no problem for helping you!
[Erixa]: Or not cave… not sure what to call it.
Dane hops off of his last drake and lands with a grunt.
[Iphindra]: Camp?
[Cressidha]: Stronghold?
[Dane]: Wot's it, then. Forty-five prisoners, fifteen drakes.
[Erixa]: With big overhanging stone walls… camp stronghold.
[Dane]: Let's return and deliver the status report.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Erixa]: We are amazing rescuers.
[Cressidha]: Brijana will be pleased to hear of our success.
[Velrin]: That should prove our continued loyalty.
[Cressidha]: Perhaps you have seen us fly overhead, sister.
Brijana says: Yes, I have seen you soar by, carrying our sisters.
[Dane]: We saved a good deal of them.
[Iphindra]: The frozen sisters are just sisters again!
Cressidha nods.
Brijana says: I would say so.. I counted… thirty? Forty?
Dane remembers he should be quiet and just grunts.
Erixa glances at Dane and says, "Yes, forty-five."
Brijana says: Glorious! You have brought glory to the Brunnhildar!
[Velrin]: I trust this means you will uphold your end of the bargain now.
Brijana says: You have certainly won me over, my sister.
Brijana says: You all have succeeded where many have failed. Whether it be by strength and courage or mere luck remains to be seen.
Brijana says: Now, I must point out, I am not the only one you must impress.
Dane grunts?
Brijana says: Go back to the village and seek out Astrid Bjornrittar. Tell her of your accomplishments. But be warned. She is not easily impressed.
[Iphindra]: You were not, too!
[Iphindra]: We will manage.
Cressidha nods.
Dane scoffs with amusement.
Velrin grins wickedly, "I'll be the judge of that."
Brijana smiles. "That is true. And yet even Icefang took to your team. I look forward to seeing you fight atop a warbear of your own."
Dane grunts and nods once.
Cressidha raises a hand in a wave as she leaves.
[Dane]: Astrid…
[Dane]: Doesn't help that this lot all looks bloody identical.
[Erixa]: Someone important. Probably in a building?
Cressidha calls, "Sister! Where can we find Astrid?"
Dane grunts.
One of the waiting combatants looks over at the call. "Astrid? The next house over."
Dane grunts.
Cressidha nods and moves on.
[Iphindra]: It was a good guess, inside of a building! *She whispers to Erixa.*
Erixa smiles at Iphindra.
[Cressidha]: Astrid Bjornrittar?
[Cressidha]: Brijana has sent us.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Has she, now? I take it she believes you can be champions in the meet?
Astrid Bjornrittar says: And yes, I'm Astrid.
Dane raises his chin and grunts.
Dane's eyes fall to the human-sized skulls on Astrid's waist.
[Iphindra]: W- we are! Velrin here will win!
Astrid scoffs. "Sisters, sisters. You think completing a few simple chores makes you heroines? You will learn…"
[Cressidha]: If the return of forty-five frozen sisters from Dun Niffelem is not enough, tell us what will be.
[Cressidha]: And we shall see to it.
Astrid raises her eyebrows.
Dane nods once to underline Cressidha's statement.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: I'll let the meet itself judge your worthiness. But to compete, you'll need warbears. I take it that's why Brijana has sent you to me, and not simply to the fighting ring.
[Cressidha]: Indeed.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: That, I can help you with, if you're willing to do as I say.
Dane nods once again.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: The first step to your own bear is to make a harness. You cannot simply purchase one. It must be from your own prowess.
Dane raises his brows at that, listening intently.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: In the cliffs to the south, you'll find scattered groups of yeti. Their hides are tough and just the right thickness. Bring me some and we'll get you started on the path of the bear-rider.
[Velrin]: Fine then.
[Cressidha]: It shall be done.
[Dane]: Yeti hunting.
[Dane]: Mount up, you lot.
[Erixa]: Yeti-hide harnesses.
Erixa calls for Snowball.
[Dane]: Bigger than the ones in the Kingdoms.
[Cressidha]: Who here can skin a pelt?
[Cressidha]: I am still not familiar.
Atley eyes Velrin up and down.
[Dane]: Nor I.
[Dane]: Not well enough for a saddle. For bounties, aye.
Velrin takes out a long curved knife, "I can do it."
[Cressidha]: Thank you, Velrin.
[Iphindra]: I- I don't know how to do that either! But I can t- oh, good!
[Erixa]: I have, time to time. Many places, we hunted for food.
Cressidha nods to Erixa.
[Velrin]: It may not be the cleanest work, but I'll manage.
[Erixa]: And I can help.
[Cressidha]: Excellent.
[Velrin]: If you have more experience you should take the lead.
Erixa tucks away her own sword and pulls out a knife, moving to assist Velrin with the massive creature. "We can work together? I would not say I am expert, either."
[Velrin]: I have a good understanding of anatomy, but skinning is not a skill I am intimately familiar with.
[Dane]: I've skinned things.
Dane grunts out vaguely, peering at the corpse.
[Erixa]: Alright, then I will take lead.
Erixa helps the others skin the creatures.
Dane perks up faintly.
[Dane]: I know wot' these remind me of.
[Velrin]: What's that?
[Erixa]: Oh, what?
[Dane]: The raptors in the Barrens. They also had trinkets on them.
[Dane]: Self made.
[Cressidha]: Ah.
[Dane]: Mind the cliffs.
[Iphindra]: Yo… you've seen a lot of worlds, yes? *She looks at Erixa working on skinning the yetis.*
[Dane]: point
[Erixa]: Mm, yes, many.
[Dane]: That'd be … Voltarus.
[Dane]: Still 'stands.'
[Erixa]: Voltarus?
[Dane]: The necropolis, there.
[Dane]: It had been the home of a treacherous troll, Drakuru.
[Velrin]: Being to so many worlds… It sounds exciting, but also a bti sad.
Dane looks from Velrin to Erixa.
[Erixa]: Ah… *Erixa's expression darkens* Now maybe helped by the Valkyrion. *Erixa then turns back to Velrin and Iphindra.*
[Erixa]: Sad, in a way, yes. But I try to live in the moment?
[Iphindra]: I- I don't know! There was always something new to see, I think? Everyday, something new!
[Dane]: How many worlds, do you warrant?
Dane asks of Erixa.
[Erixa]: I do not forget, but I try not to dwell. And yes, every day is full of new things, even now.
Iphindra smiles at Erixa.
[Erixa]: Oh, probably a few dozen?
[Iphindra]: Do… These worlds, they must have been a lot different?
[Iphindra]: Even Northrend and the rest of Azeroth are very different…
[Erixa]: Oh yes, every one has exciting new life and minerals!
Erixa nods. "Azeroth is very rich. And so many intelligent species."
[Dane]: S'every world as diverse?
[Erixa]: No, not every one.
Cressidha seems to be listening, but she remains quiet during the discussion.
Dane grunts.
[Erixa]: Some were… not suitable for draenei. We did not see much. Some, maybe they were but we had to flee.
[Dane]: Were there many peoples on them?
[Iphindra]: May- maybe… even if you don't like dwelling on this, but would you care to te- tell us more one day? Outside of our missions! There must be much to learn, from all of these worlds?
[Erixa]: We tried not to cause problems for people there, when there were people. Like the orcs.
[Erixa]: They did not return favor.
Dane grunts lowly.
[Velrin]: Chased across the stars by the Burning Legion.
[Erixa]: Yes, for sure! I can tell you happy stories. Not stories of the Legion arriving.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Iphindra]: Thank you!
Dane grunts.
[Velrin]: One day we will defeat them for good.
Dane grunts again.
Erixa nods at Velrin. "That is what the Prophet says."
[Erixa]: Well, he did not say we win, but he said final battle, with Azerothians.
[Dane]: The Prophet, Velen?
[Erixa]: Yes, Prophet Velen.
Dane grunts.
[Iphindra]: Th- the final one?..
[Velrin]: I look forward to that final battle.
[Erixa]: To speak like Hyldnir, it will be glorious.
[Dane]: I wonder if I'll live to see it.
[Dane]: I'd rather fight it than my son.
[Velrin]: Agreed Sir Dane.
Cressidha nods.
[Erixa]: You still have cen… decades to fight, yes?
Dane growls with amusement.
[Dane]: Aye, if I'm fortunate. A soldier's body wears out fast.
[Erixa]: Who knows if Legion comes tomorrow or ten years or a thousand. Prophet Velen does not know this.
[Dane]: If it comes in our time. we'll be ready.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Erixa]: Maybe I should say, when something remind me of other world, like the trimphare?
[Dane]: Aye, wot' is that?
[Erixa]: It is… a riding creature. Rough skin, two heads.
[Cressidha]: And they fly?
Erixa chuckles a little. "Stubborn."
Erixa nods.
[Velrin]: It sounds like a chimera. *Vel giggles*
[Erixa]: Clumsy on the ground, but graceful in air.
Dane gestures to Velrin with his sword. "Aye."
[Erixa]: Ah, yes! I have seen these!
[Iphindra]: Y- yes, that's what I thought, too!
[Dane]: Chimeras seem like dragon relatives.
[Erixa]: Similar, except maybe more kind. We learned to ride them quickly.
Cressidha makes no attempt whatsoever to learn how to skin yeti. She thanks Velrin and Erixa politely whenever they give her a pelt, but she seems to think her own role is just to kill them.
[Dane]: Mm.
[Dane]: K3's but a collection of huts from here.
[Dane]: That's the primary Alliance foothold in these mountains.
[Iphindra]: I- it is a new village!
[Erixa]: And looks so small.
[Cressidha]: I do see the signal lights.
[Dane]: I warrant that's enough hide. Let's return.
[Velrin]: Indeed. These mountains are quite steep.
[Cressidha]: We return.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: And you come bearing the hides of yetis?
Cressidha finds somewhere clean-ish to lay out her yeti hides.
Dane holds up his collection without a word.
Erixa hefts her pile of the hides.
[Iphindra]: Yes, we have them! *She hands hers to Astrid.*
[Cressidha]: Will these suit?
Astrid Bjornrittar says: These will do nicely. I'll have the harness ready for you in no time. You are not required to stitch them yourself - the collection of the hides is sufficient.
[Velrin]: Good. I tire of these games I must play for Thorim's hand.
Astrid steps aside and starts making harnesses. She is really fast at this, she must have had a lot of practice.
As she works, she continues to talk.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Once I have these ready, it is finally time for you to collect your bears. Just a little more patience.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Naturally, we do not have a stable where you pick your bear - we tame them from the wild.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: For as long as I can remember, we've obtained our best bears from the Hibernal Cave to the east.
Dane lifts a brow.
Astrid sighs, handing a completed harness over to Cressidha.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Those times might finally be gone. The cave has been overrun by ravenous jormungar and the wild bears are all but extinct.
Cressidha takes hers and nods.
[Iphindra]: O- oh, no…
Astrid finishes another harness and hands it to Iphindra.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: These jormungar are despicable beings… children of Loken, Thorim's scumsucker of a brother. As Thorim's servants we owe it to ourselves to kill these scum where we find them.
[Iphindra]: Thank- thank you!
Astrid nods acceptance of Iphindra's thanks.
Velrin growls, "Well then we'll slay them! And if there are no bears to be found I shall find some other beast to carry me into battle."
Astrid hands the next harness to Velrin.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: I value your ferocity, sister, and that's exactly what I would ask of you, regarding the Jormungar.
[Cressidha]: It shall be done.
Dane nods in approval to Velrin's enthusiasm.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Still, if you were to find a surviving matriarch, I would guarantee you that she would fight better than any bear born in captivity, or truly any other creature.
Astrid hands the next harness to Dane.
Astrid finishes the last harness in silence, and hands it to Erixa.
Dane swipes it up and inspects it with mild curiosity.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Take these harnesses to the Hibernal Cave and rescue surviving matriarchs. Good luck finding even one.
Erixa takes her harness and looks it over, figuring out how to use it.
[Velrin]: Well then what are we waiting for? My blades thirst.
Dane turns and marches out
Iphindra actually began trying to put the harness on. "We- we will succeed!"
Cressidha nods.
[Dane]: Let's move.
Cressidha moves.
[Dane]: Smaller than those in Borean Tundra.
[Cressidha]: Perhaps these are simply young.
[Velrin]: Either that or we're bigger.
Dane … grunts.
[Iphindra]: The- these worms… killed all the bears?
[Dane]: Aye. Wretches.
Erixa smiles at Velrin and Dane, and says, "I hope these at least will not spit acid on us."
[Dane]: These look like somming' from Outland, no Azeroth.
[Erixa]: They are much smaller than the ones we saw in north Dragonblight, but I think same species?
[Dane]: Iphindra! Look alive.
[Iphindra]: Oh!
[Dane]: These bears are still alive.
Cressidha keeps a little bit of a distance from the bear and lets Iphindra handle it.
[Velrin]: Can you help her, Iphindra?
Iphindra approaches the bears. She kneels and gently pats one on the head. As she does, plants move from her arms onto the bear, and slowly heals its wounds.
Iphindra moves to another bear, and heals her in a similar way.
Iphindra kneels down.
[Dane]: Right then, you lot.
[Dane]: Get to saddling.
Velrin nods firmly.
Dane produces his yeti-hide saddle and starts to fasten it around a recovering bear.
[Iphindra]: They should be great. Maybe we give them a deworming plant, too!
Iphindra asks the bears if they're fine wearing the harnesses for just a moment.
Velrin strokes one of the bears gently and whispers to her in Darnassian while she puts the harness on.
Cressidha carefully approaches a bear with a saddle, waits until she's sure it'll accept the harness, and puts it on.
Dane firmly fastens his saddle onto a bear before he hoists himself up with a grunt.
Erixa quickly slips her harness on a bear before it has time to snap at her.
Once they make it back, Astrid looks over the assembled bears with wide eyes.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: I'm impressed. I never thought I would see an icemaw matriarch again. Especially not five at once, and so large!
Astrid Bjornrittar says: You've been very fortunate, sisters. These are matriarchs the likes of which haven't been seen in years. But still, a good bear won't do you much good without the skill to ride it.
Dane grunts with pride.
[Iphindra]: Large, maybe they shouldn't be like this! I- I will find the right plant for this.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Oh, no, large is good! The bigger and stronger the bear, the better!
Astrid Bjornrittar says: But now, for practice… I'm going to have you practice some moves on Kirgaraak. He's the largest yeti we've ever managed to capture so be careful.
[Cressidha]: The yeti chained up outside?
[Velrin]: That hardly seems sporting of us… But if we must.
[Iphindra]: I, um… there's… a few infections that might make them look bigger. I will inspect them! The bigger does not… always mean the stronger!
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Yes, he's tough as the mountain itself, don't worry about him. And I'm not asking you to injure or kill him, just some goodnatured sparring..
Astrid Bjornrittar says: And don't discount his strength, either, even chained. Don't be afraid to walk away if he gives you a beating… there's a reason why we keep him chained
Dane nods and grunts.
Cressidha nods.
Dane nods to the outside.
Dane climbs back atop his bear.
Erixa climbs onto her bear and pats it affectionately.
Cressidha climbs on her bear. "Hm… Iphindra, are they well enough to fight?"
[Dane]: Properly sized.
[Iphindra]: Fo- for now yes, I healed a little! But I will inspect more later.
[Iphindra]: Th- the poor thing… Even chained, they fight it…
[Cressidha]: Iphindra, can you heal him?
Cressidha nods at the yeti.
[Dane]: Let it die.
[Iphindra]: O- of cours- what?
[Erixa]: She… she said not to kill it.
[Dane]: Mm. Aye, carry on.
[Erixa]: I think if we can heal, we should?
Dane nods.
Iphindra lets out a sigh of relief.
Velrin eyes Dane.
[Cressidha]: I am uncertain if the bears understand 'friendly sparring'… mine used her claws.
[Cressidha]: Good training, perhaps, for the main event, but…
Iphindra descends from her mount, and carefully approaches the yeti, leaving her spear behind.
[Dane]: It would be a mercy to let this thing die, as they'd keep attacking it, but we need it to live to continue our work here.
Erixa dismounts her bear and steps behind Iphindra, ready to call the Light if the yeti attacks.
[Erixa]: I will put bubble if it tries to hurt you, Iph. Be confident.
[Iphindra]: I- I am, don't worry!
Iphindra kneels before the beast, placing a hand on the ground. Arctic flowers ground around her hands, making a path towards the yeti. They grow, covering its wounds, and reaching up to the chains, tightening around them.
Velrin smiles at Iphindra while she tends to the yeti's wounds.
[Erixa]: Is it feeling better now?
Iphindra hands Kingaraak a few berries from her hair as she walks away.
Erixa hesitates, and then a brief glow in her own hand moves to the yeti.
[Iphindra]: It is! I hope!
[Dane]: Let's return.
Cressidha attempts to communicate with her warbear as she tries to figure out basic commands. The warbear ignores most of them.
Cressidha sighs and dismounts.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: How did it go with the yeti?
Dane grunts.
[Erixa]: We yet live!
[Velrin]: I think I have a good enough handle on bear riding now.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Not bad. I was hoping Kirgaraak would snap your neck so I could keep your bears.
Cressidha looks at Velrin, impressed.
Erixa narrows her eyes at Astrid.
[Cressidha]: Nice try, sister.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Just joking, sisters. Well… half-joking. Those are really nice bears you've got.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: But now is time for the real test. Besting a tethered opponent is one thing. Fighting other bear riders on equal footing is another.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Head into the Pit of the Fang and use what you've learned to defeat your opponents. Good luck, sister. Glory awaits, should you succeed.
[Cressidha]: …Already?
[Erixa]: Should we not… practice more?
Astrid Bjornrittar says: No more practice. Now is the time to do.
Dane grunts.
Velrin seems to almost grow from her excitement, "Finally."
Cressidha turns and walks away.
[Erixa]: I would like to know my bear better before going into tournament with her.
[Iphindra]: It- it is not like a trained horse! *She advises the people who are worried.* You can't speak to it- unless you know the language of animals! He- here maybe, the best is to show strength. Not hurt, but show you're stronger!
Velrin giggles and quietly says, "I hope Celaven is watching." in Darnassian to herself.
[Dane]: Iphindra's right. Lead with confidence.
[Cressidha]: I believe if I venture into that arena with the bear, I will simply get myself or the bear killed.
[Iphindra]: I- I will speak to the bears. Ask them to have trust in you all!
[Erixa]: We all look similar. Do you want to watch on, and we will all say you were in the pit?
[Velrin]: I remember my training with riding sabers into battle. The bear seemed to respond well to my direction.
[Dane]: Velrin will go.
[Dane]: Oi.
[Dane]: Good luck.
[Dane]: Fight well.
[Erixa]: And the rest of us watch?
Dane grunts.
Erixa looks faintly disappointed, but doesn't argue.
Velrin smirks at Dane and nods, "I won't disappoint. I have a man to impress, don't I?"
[Iphindra]: Go- good luck!
Cressidha claps Velrin's shoulder and nods to her.
[Dane]: A man or … somming'.
[Cressidha]: Fight well, sister.
Cressidha cheers whenever Velrin or her bear take down another challenger.
Iphindra sits on the edge of the arena, her legs hanging in the air. She observes the fight, her brows furrowed.
Atley eyes Velrin up and down.
[Dane]: Well fought.
Velrin returns from the ring and hops off of her bear.
[Erixa]: Now we report back?
[Iphindra]: A- are you okay?! *She rushes to the bear.*
[Dane]: Your beast looks ragged.
Dane points at the bear.
Iphindra kneels down.
Iphindra pats the bear.
[Velrin]: I know… The poor thing. She fought well.
[Erixa]: Will it be okay?
[Iphindra]: I… I can soothe the pain and heal most wounds, but someone who is best at healing bears will do better than me!
[Dane]: Send it off to the stable masters, for now.
Iphindra nods at Atley.
[Erixa]: I think we should report back. Astrid will know who cares for the bears, yes?
[Dane]: Let's see wot' else Astrid wants.
Astrid looks them over.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: You really did it! You made it out with your health. Did your bears die? I don’t see them anywhere.
Cressidha gestures outside. "She needs to rest, after that battle."
[Velrin]: Aye. She needs time to recover. She did well. She bested more than six of the other warriors.
Erixa nods agreement with Cressidha.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: I suppose you don't need the bears anymore now, so I'll take charge of them while they recover.
Dane grunts and nods.
Erixa looks a little disappointed, but nods.
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Don't worry, there is more yet ahead. The great Drakkensryd will be your next challenge.
Erixa perks up a little. Drakkensryd?
[Iphindra]: Drakkensryd?..
Dane raises his brows.
[Velrin]: Is this a drake riding event?
Astrid Bjornrittar says: Indeed! So say goodbye to your friends and leave your affairs in order, for you will return victorious… or you won't return at all.
Cressidha nods.
Dane grunts.
Erixa nods.
Dane nods once.
[Velrin]: Then I suppose I'll see you soon.
[Iphindra]: Drakken…swyrd!
[Iphindra]: That is it, yes!
[Erixa]: Should we check in with our illusionist friend? Just in case Astrid is telling true.
[Cressidha]: I believe I would feel better if my bear were put in the care of Brijana.
[Velrin]: I'm not sure. My guess is we will be riding drakes next.
[Dane]: Let's lead them over.
[Erixa]: The bears?
[Dane]: Aye.
Cressidha collects her bear to lead.
Dane leads his as well.
Iphindra calls hers.
Erixa obediently collects her own bear.
Iphindra's bear follows her. She doesn't have to lead her with a leash.
Dane approaches Brijana with his bear in tow and a grunt.
Velrin slowly leads her own bear, letting her take her time due to her injuries.
[Cressidha]: I did not like that woman, and I do not believe she cares for the long-term condition of the bears, especially considering their original habitat has been overrun.
Iphindra nods at Cressidha.
Brijana says: Back so soon? And with bears? I should congratulate you.
Dane grunts.
[Cressidha]: They were the last five matriarchs in Hibernal Cave, which has been overrun.
Dane grunts and just leaves his bear before he starts marching off.
Brijana says: She sent you to Hibernal Cave? Last I heard, all the bears there had been killed by the invasive jormungar.
[Cressidha]: We killed all the jormungar we saw, but I believe they are burrowing creatures.
Brijana looks at the bears with new interest.
[Iphindra]: They hadn't killed those yet!
Brijana says: Yes, yes, that they are.
[Erixa]: And very dangerous, they can kill even giants with their corrosive spit.
Iphindra nods at Erixa.
[Cressidha]: Astrid wished to claim them, but… sister, I have little faith in her. I believe you will make certain their line continues.
Brijana says: You're… giving your bears to me?
[Iphindra]: Aha! Corrosive spit? That is how they killed all the bears! Not as parasites, then?
Dane stops to wait for the orchestration of the hand off.
[Velrin]: We would entrust their care to you for the time being.
Brijana looks truly touched. "I will care for them, until the time comes that you need them again."
Iphindra smiles at Brijana.
Erixa nods at Iphindra, and adds very quietly, "Velrin and Dane and I fought the larger ones before."
Velrin smiles, "You have our thanks, sister."
Cressidha nods. "Thank you, sister."
[Iphindra]: I see. That is how they had advantage over bears… *She whispers back.*
Cressidha gestures at Velrin's injured bear. "She is the most ferocious of them all, and will require the most rest."
Brijana says: I hope you win the Hyldsmeet, so that you are in a position to ride them again.
Iphindra nods at you.
Cressidha nods.
[Velrin]: Worry not, Brijana. We will be.
Brijana reaches over to gently touch the injured bear and nods. "She'll recover with rest and care. Icefang has seen such injuries before."
Dane grunts.
[Iphindra]: Th- thank you for the care you put in those bears!
Cressidha nods. "Excellent."
Brijana smiles at the team.
Cressidha raises a hand in farewell and heads back up the hill.
[Dane]: To Lok'lira.
[Dane]: We've been set for somming' called the Drakkenswyrd.
Lok'lira says: Truly? This is going better than I could've hoped. I'm so glad we're working together as allies.
Dane grunts.
[Dane]: Wot' now?
Lok'lira says: Take some time to prepare for the Drakkensryd, it's a dangerous step - warfare against your sisters while riding a drake.
Dane grunts.
Velrin exhales, "So I was correct."
[Dane]: Aye.
[Iphindra]: Fights in the sky?
Lok'lira says: You'll need skill, courage, and a little luck. On that last part, I'll have something prepared for you. Come by to speak with me before you head to your drakes?
Lok'lira nods. "Fights in the sky."
Iphindra lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
[Cressidha]: We shall.
[Velrin]: Very well. We shall meet you at the appointed time.
[Dane]: You lot, on me for a debrief.
[Dane]: Fine work today. We've maintained steady progress in our doings here.
[Dane]: P'raps in time this strange group of folk will join the Alliance. Once we've Thorim returned to his duty, we can focus on the Lich King in earnest.
[Iphindra]: We gain trusts, and Velrin wi- wins prestige, here!
[Erixa]: It sounds like we might be getting to the final fights of this tournament.
[Dane]: Any questions for me 'fore we depart?
[Cressidha]: Excellent work, everyone.
Erixa nods. "Yes, all did well."
Cressidha shakes her head to Dane.
[Velrin]: None come to mind. Today went over smoothly. I pray our work continues as such.
[Iphindra]: I don't have questions!
Iphindra nods at Velrin.
[Dane]: Right then. I'll be heading to the Hills. You are dismissed.
[Dane]: Travel well and prepare for wot'ever lays ahead of us, here.
[Iphindra]: Yo- you too!
[Velrin]: Elune adore.
[Iphindra]: Lok'lira, I- I'll tell you about the mushrooms of Ashenvale this time before I leave!
Iphindra runs to the illusionist, then turns around and salutes her team, then runs towards her again.
Dane nods with gruff amusement at Iphindra before he summons his gryphon.
Iphindra stands at attention and salutes.
Cressidha leaves normally, on the carpet, without offering a portal to Dalaran because that would be pretty out of character for one of the Hyldnir to do.