Gate: Thus the Brotherhood of Steel Lyon's Pride Fought in Their Land
Chapter Interlude - Lelei
The old house smelled of ink, aging papers, and the random ozone smell left behind by her Master Cato. The old man moved with a swiftness that shouldn't have been possible for one of his age. She understood that part of it was magic. Something that he did all too often as a means of cheating the world and time itself. He rushed, gathering books, carrying them toward the wagon that set outside.
One of the strange ones, one dressed in armor that was painted blue like the sky with strange yellow symbols on it, had been helping in town when the town's chief had informed everyone of the fire dragon. She of course had informed Master Cato, and more to the point she had explained that they needed to gather all that they needed and leave the rest behind. Clothing was needed, provisions to see them to the next town were needed, basic materials for alchemistic spells was needed, but she wasn't sure about the stack of books that Master Cato was carrying.
"Books are not necessary," she said, her face a perfect mask of calm, "The wagon is getting too burdened as it is."
He looked at her, "Too burdened?!" he exclaimed, his voice taking a pitch she knew was connected to one of his famous lectures, "This is not too burdened!"
She noticed a soft glow that had been around his legs disappeared, and he stumbled. She watched as he fell, "Damn it!" he shouted, his voice far louder than it needed to be, "We need the books, they are my life's work!"
He breathed out, "Fine, they are needed," she replied, lifting her staff a soft blue glow covered them, and they stacked themselves on the wagon itself. She felt the way it set, and she could tell that it was going to be interesting to move. He moved toward her, getting onto the seat, and before she could say a word his hands reached over and touched her in a familiar way that she had grown less fond of and found more annoying than anything.
"Heh heh!" he exclaimed as he sat beside her, "You're behind in development here, but you've grown to surpass your sister's magic!"
She closed her eyes for a moment, leaned her staff toward him, "Wind blast."
For a moment there was nothing, and then he was suddenly swept out of the seat and deposited on the ground. He stood, the soft light that had covered his legs had returned, "That is not what I've taught you!" he exclaimed, his voice returning to the lecturing that she was expecting earlier, "Magic is a sacred thing, it is the very power of all we know, and one cannot simply use it as one sees fit!"
He climbed into the seat beside her, "Besides, you shouldn't be upset that someone has decided to touch you," he remarked as he took his seat, "It is an honest invitation."
She breathed out, "And it is declined."
He shook his head, "There is more to life than learning magic Lelei," he replied as he flicked the reigns attempting to get their horse mule to move. Instead it seemed to struggle, "No! Ugh, the wagon is too burdened!"
She looked toward him, a feeling of slapping her hand against her face in a weary manner filled her, but instead she lifted her staff. A soft blue light covered the wagon, and the mule began to pull it forward, "Good, good Lelei!" he exclaimed as they began to move, "That was good thinking!"
She looked toward him, "I thought that using magic for one's desires was improper."
He shook his head, "There is no winning an argument with you. I fear for one that claims you as their own."
The wagon began to move easily, almost as if their mule wasn't pulling anything at all. It seemed to glide effortlessly across the grass behind him. In a way the grass of the field was almost an ocean and the wagon a small vessel that was moving through its waves. Lelei didn't feel any strain as she kept the wagon weightless. Doing this was a simple matter. It meant that the wagon could move, and it barely registered against her mana as their mule leisurely strolled toward the village itself.
She looked to see the strange ones that were there helping. The other wagons were loaded, the families that looked up to Master Cota looked to be prepared. She watched the village as they began to pass it. She could see random items left behind. From what she could see none of the items left were things that would be greatly missed. Instead they were simply things that gave the impression that this village had been full of life.
"It's a shame," Cota said as they moved, "This village had potential."
She looked toward him as they fell behind the other wagons, "Will they not rebuild somewhere else?"
He shrugged as they began their move, "Maybe, but I would imagine that their real response is to travel to a larger village. One that has more resources. There they will attempt to fit in with the others," he replied and shook his head, "I'd much rather be part of a village that grew on its own. That way I can help to instruct it in its growth."
She looked at him for a moment, "You mean you want to make it in your own image?"
He looked at her and grinned, "You make it sound like a bad thing," he replied, "Having a village that depends on its sage is crucial. It ensures that the sage is well looked after. A fine house, food and supplies that are never questioned, and the sage simply contributes to the growth of the village. Encourage a little rain when needed, a little sun when needed, and give some basic protection," he replied, "Things that we do anyway, but are handsomely rewarded for by a community that has grown up around us!"
She shook her head, "Such an act should be shameful."
"Besides," she said, her voice calm and collected, "It is the duty of the sage to continue to improve their magic. Our place is to grow, and of course to help as we do."
The slight coughing laugh caught her attention, "True, true," he said as the wagon moved effortlessly, "But it never hurts to have the simpler things taken care of for you. Doing that allows you to focus on your magic, on improving, and gaining in strength!"
She shook her head. He had a point, but his reasoning was flawed. It meant to consider those unskilled in magic beneath them. She didn't think of any as beneath herself. They were fellow travelers on the same path. Their destination was the unknown, and it made no sense to step on others in order to get there.
"This is where we disagree."
A warm breeze became hot, the breeze picked up, and she looked toward the distant skies, "I fear we will have trouble."
Paladin Adam Jefferson
Cthulhu's Gambit resided in a holster that was rigged on his armor. Sarah had sent it with him, explaining that while there were several uncertainties about it he should have it on him. They had seen what it was capable of, and there didn't seem to be any stray radiation after its use. She did explain that she felt it would be best to be kept in reserve. He agreed with her. They weren't moving fast, not really, and at the moment he was actually on top of the APC he'd ridden in.
He had been surprised to find that the APC actually had a locking station for power armor on the top of it. It hadn't taken long to figure it out, and once he was certain that it would work he'd secured himself into place. Of course he'd relayed the information to both Star Paladin Vargas and Sentinel Reeder. That had gotten another volunteer to ride on the top of the other APC.
He was fairly certain that Knight Woodward intended him some kind of harm. He hadn't suggested her, but it had been Star Paladin Vargas. His reasoning was that Knight Woodward was exceptionally skilled when it came to heavy weapons, and he felt that she would be able to ensure the safety of all inside of the APC by standing up top. For her part she stood there with a missile launcher, and he could see that her helmet was looking toward the sky.
The hatch to his left opened, and he saw an unarmored Star Paladin Vargas look up at him, "Good, these work as well. How goes it?"
He shrugged, "So far nothing out of the ordinary," he replied, "Although my power armor is detecting a rise in temperature."
"It's getting hotter, almost like nearing some of the heavy radiated areas in the wasteland."
Adam checked the geiger counter in his HUD, "No trace of rads," he replied before he saw the shape, "What the hell is that?"
He pointed in the distance. No sooner had he done so then people around them began screaming and trying to run. The shape got closer, growing in size, and from its looks he could easily say that it would be able to swallow a Deathclaw whole. It let out a deafening roar, its voice carrying over a true sense of malice and anger that put even an Alpha Deathclaw to shame. It seemed to hover for a second, and he watched as it breathed out a fire that caught one of the last wagons.
The people screamed in anguish as they were reduced to cinders in moments. Following Sarah's suggestion he didn't go straight for Cthulhu's Gambit. Instead he reached down beside him and heft up the minigun that he'd brought with him. Holding it against his hip he squeezed the lever to activate it, and he felt it activate. A moment lead sprayed out. Glowing red streaks shot forward from the rotating barrel, and he aimed it toward the massive creature. It was bigger than a behemoth. Actually, it was easily the size of Liberty Prime. That was frightening.
The shells spilling out of the mini gun seemed to hit the hide of the creature, and he could hear, thanks to the enhanced senses provided by the HUD and speakers inside of the helmet, every single one of them bouncing off harmlessly. His HUD was tallying the number of shells he was spending. Originally it was just over fifteen hundred, and now it was down to nine hundred and twenty.
A moment later he heard the sound of a plasma rifle firing. He looked to see the creature let out an angry roar as the shots landed. Where the shells were completely ineffective it appeared that the plasma shots were melting and fusing some of its armored plates together. It moved toward them, "Jefferson, take cover!"
He saw the cover shut down, and it was too late to dislodge the locks. Instead he continued to fire, and the HUD began to track the heat as flames washed nearby. He could feel it inside of the power armor. It felt like a really bad sunburn, maybe even a bad radiation burn. He almost wished for some of Moria's radiation tonic. He continued to use the minigun, but prepared to drop it and use Cthulhu's Gambit.
"The back of the APC opened, and he looked to see Star Paladin Vargas jumping out. The plasma rifle in his hands, and the elf they had saved was shouting at him. He assumed it was her, and she kept saying the same thing, the eye.
"Shoot at the eyes!" Adam shouted as he changed the target and aimed for the eye. V.A.T.S. activated, and he selected the eye itself. The percentage was low, mostly because of the weapon, but he attempted it.
The dragon roared as a bullet grazed near the eye, and it moved up. Its features were the very things that nightmares were formed from. "Woodward, use the missile launcher!" Paladin Vargas shouted.
She lifted it, began to fire, and no sooner had she done so then it roared toward her APC. The effect actually rocked it, causing the missile to go astray. Worry filled him, until he saw a girl. She couldn't have been over thirteen, she was wearing black clothes, something that looked almost like one of the temple maids in Grognak from the same beast people issue. She laughed as she struck the ground and caused the dragon to lift up. The missile hit where its arm met, and he watched as it exploded.
The dragon let out a sound that less of a roar and more scream. It lifted into the air and flew off. For a moment Adamn wondered what had just happened.
Rory Mercury
The intense battle had left a mark on her. A fire dragon wasn't something that could just be fought off. In truth, it would be difficult battle, at best, for her. The fact that these had managed to wound and drive it off, even with her help, spoke well of them. Their armor was strange, but she certainly respected it for what it was. They were ambassadors of death. She licked her lips lightly as she walked toward them. A few children came spilling from one of the APCs, all of them running toward her and she knew that she was being watched.
"Greetings little ones," she said, her voice sweet and gentle for those that had a full life ahead of them, "Who are these that you now travel with?"
One of them smiled brightly, "They're called the Brotherhood of something, and they came to help us get away from the fire dragon's lands! Did you see what happened?!"
She grinned at his youthful enthusiasm, "I did," she remarked as she walked with them, "They are powerful, but they are not forcing you to leave your homes, are they?"
The one that talked to her shook his head, "No oracle," he said, his voice polite, "they just came to help!"
She smiled as she studied the ones watching. She neared them, her walk a mixture of provocative seduction and curiosity. These strangers were interesting, and there was little in her very long life that was truly interesting. Oh, there was the occasional individual that provided some means of entertainment. Her disciple for one. She wasn't sure how the girl was doing, but she had been intelligent. Not that intelligence by itself was enough to gain her attention. After all, if all it took was a little intelligence to gain the attention of a demigod then there had been thousands that would have gained her undivided attention for a while.
"What is this carriage they have?"
The one that answered her followed close by, "I don't know, but it doesn't need horses, it's really fast, and the inside is comfortable!"
She looked at the massive door that was down, and she could see two bench seats that ran down the side of it. In the center there was a nude elf. She looked confused, disoriented, but otherwise she seemed to be in good shape. The elf studied her for a moment before bowing her head. She smiled, gave a slight nod, and then she looked at the one that standing at the door.
"So, tell me about your carriage," she said as she moved near him, "I'm curious."
"Hello, Vargas, I am."
His speech was choppy, and she studied him, "He barely speaks?"
"Star Paladin Vargas has not learned your language yet," a female's voice said, "I am scribe Moore. It is a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled at the younger woman. She could see that there was a warrior behind those learned eyes. There was something powerful waiting there, and that intrigued her, "Ah, well, please tell me of your carriage, I would like to learn more."
She looked at her, "It is self moving, made of armor that can withstand much, and designed to travel long distances before being forced to stop."
The answer was cut and dry, and she shook her head, "Is it fueled by magic?"
"Not really," a voice from above them said, "It's fueled by something similar to alchemy."
She moved back and saw the one on the top, "And you can speak?"
He laughed from inside of his helmet, and it was a cheerful laugh. She found it enduring and she climbed above with him, "Yes, I can speak, but I've learned that not everyone is willing to speak. There's more than a few that want to see everything burn first."
She nodded, "That's very true," she looked at him, "State your name, I Rory Mercury the apostle of Emroy permit it."
He seemed to study her, "Emroy, goddess of death and war?"
She smiled brightly, "Yes!" she exclaimed as she studied him, "And you, you are one of her ambassadors! Look at the very machines you have, the armor you wear, the weapons you use, are they not fitting tributes to Emroy?!"
He studied her for a moment, and then he spoke a strange language. All but one word was strange to her. There was on, just one, that she knew. She rolled her eyes at the mentioning of a name, "Him," she said, her voice flat and cold, "He was worthless."
He seemed caught off guard for a moment, "Wait, you know Grognak?"
She shook her head, "Worthless," she said, her voice harder this time, "He had the ability to do great things, to go further than any had gone, but he squandered it. Too interested in chasing beast women, too interested in running down stray wyrms, and not enough intelligence to understand that he could have done more for the people by staying and giving them guidance. He was worthless."
He stood there for a moment, "Wait, he was real here?"
She studied him, "Yes, and his presence was nothing more than wasted time."
She saw him standing there, obviously he was curious, but at least he had the decency to not push the issue. The one he seemed to speak of with some reverence was perhaps one of the more regretful events in her long life. A lone wandering idiot that wanted to help the world, only to discover that he had more fun chasing imagined enemies. She'd followed that idiot for nearly four years. She'd seen him attempt again, and again, to rise up only to get distracted by some shiny thing and run off to face it.
Still, the ones here were smart enough to actually work together, strong enough to make a difference, and were actually staying around to help out the villagers. They obviously were not Grognak. They weren't following their interests and leaving those in the village so soon after scaring off the dragon. If for no other reason they deserved to have some attention spent on them. Although, she would watch them closely.
She didn't want a repeat of that idiot.
Tuka Luna Marceau
She had witnessed something both frightening and incredible. The fire dragon had left, and it had been gravely wounded. More to the point there were people here that had been able to withstand its fury and rage. She also saw the oracle, and that gave her pause. The great apostle of Emroy Rory the Reaper was here. For her to be present meant that there was death. She had felt herself, and she felt no wounds. She was alive, she was breathing, and more to the point she was whole.
Her frantic eyes looked around for a moment. He wasn't here. Her father had saved her, she knew that, but he had likely jumped into the well too. She had to believe that he did, and it was possible he was in the other carriage. Which she took a moment to study the carriage itself. It was spacious inside, two long benches sat along the walls, and the benches themselves seemed to be comfortable.
She reached over to touch one and felt her hand sink into the cover of it. It was softer than her own bedding made of goose feathers. Her father had helped her to make it, and she felt a shiver of worry move through her. Her bedding was gone, their home was gone, all she had left was her father. He had to be there. He had to be living there. She shook as she sat there. This was not a good day. For one the fire dragon was not supposed to awaken yet.
The village elders had stated that it would be another fifty collection of the seasons before it returned. They would begin the migration to Apollo's keep in thirty collections of the seasons. There they would set up their home in the protection of Apollo's keep until the fire dragon once again returned to its rest. That was what was supposed to happen, but now she was lost.
She shivered as she sat there, but it wasn't the cold. Inside of the carriage was comfortable, but it was the uncertainty of it all. There was no sign of her father, there was no sign of any of the others. Not even Seline was there, and she desperately looked for her. She had hoped to find her lovely friend among those, but she didn't. She didn't see her. She saw only the strangers in strange armor, others in strange clothes, humans from a village, and Rory Mercury before her. She pulled the sheet that had been covering her up around her shoulders. The perceived protection of it was enough to drive off the fear.
"Are you well?"
She looked at the one that spoken to her, and she gave a slight nod, "I am, but where is father?"
The woman studied her for a moment, "I am uncertain, we found you, rescued you, and brought you here."
She nodded, "Perhaps he is somewhere else," she said, her voice hopeful, "Where are we going?"
The woman studied her for a moment, "We are heading to Alnus Hill," she answered, "We have a settlement there, and we are going to help those with us find their own footing."
They were helping. If they were helping then they could be trusted. That was enough. She breathed out and looked around for a moment. It was all new to her, but at the same time she could see that the carriage itself appeared to be well used. From what she could see it was cared for, but it had been used multiple times. Strange words were formed below the seat, other strange words were printed above them.
Small arrows pointed to odd places among the walls of the carriage, and the entire thing had a slight white gleaming look to it. Yet, it wasn't pure white. It was dingy, as if it had been used over and over again for years. How could something that was completely new to her be so well used?
"The village chief said that you have no home," the girl said, which caught her attention, "We will allow you to live at our settlement. There is a place for you there."
She nodded, feeling thankful, "I am Tuka Luna Marceau," she said, trying to keep her voice somewhat calm, "My friends called me Tuka."
The girl smiled, "I am Scribe Amanda Moore," she replied, offering her hand, "Please, call me Amanda."
Tuka took her hand, "Thank you Amanda."
She looked at the girl, and she could see the power and beauty behind her eyes. She seemed to be well worth knowing. She worried for Seline, she worried for her father, but she wondered if it would be okay to try to learn about those with her. Would they accept getting to know her? She had been told before to be wary of humans. That they were brutal and warlike. Their elders had warned that they cared for only their own savage lusts and needs, but this was different. She saw them helping with no real reason to do so.
Slowly the others began to enter, she noticed that Rory Mercury did not enter. She had seen her climb on top of the carriage, and perhaps she was staying there. She wondered what it was going to be like where they were going, would she be safe, and would her father be waiting for her. She looked at the ground, "Father, I will find you," she whispered, "I will find you, and I will tell you that not all of them seem bad."
The movement startled her for a moment, but slowly she became used to it. She felt it sway back and forth as it moved, and then there was a short stopping again. Almost as soon as it stopped they moved. The minutes ticked by as she talked to Amanda. She asked questions, she got answers, and she learned that those that came to her protection were a collection of knights. They were called the Brotherhood of Steel, and they were the sworn protectors of the people.
Knights, knights had come to save them from the dragon. They weren't the knights from the empire, they weren't the soldiers that often were seen harassing the local villages, but instead they were mystical knights come to save all people. A small smile crossed her lips. She had been saved by knights.
