A bag of soft crimson silk appears in Wren's lap. There are seven clip-on earrings inside, all of them gold and fashioned with a dangling teardrop-shaped ruby.]
The sword comes at the highest cost. There are seven earrings inside. Give them to others to wear for a day, and ask them thus: when can greed no longer be forgiven, and what are acceptable measures to take to curb such impulses? They will not be able to lie once they have donned the earring.
[next, a small wooden box also appears in his lap! inside are two glass figurines in the shape of coiled serpents, with glittering gems for eyes]
Your books have a lesser price. Gift these to the two people here that you would sacrifice the most to protect, and tell them the what and why of your choice.
[AND FINALLY....a very small pot, full of dirt and with a frail-looking seedling poking up from the soil.]
For your final quest, nurture this plant for two days, until it blooms, and eat the fruit it bears.
[There is a bloody and exhausted man in teal practically tripping into your cave, setting himself behind a rock, and laying his head against his knees, breathing heavily.]
[silence, then the clink and jingle of coins from somewhere above as the dragon slips down from the top of a particularly large mound of treasure to the mountain floor]
[there's the thought to protest, but that would help neither his guest nor his own self]
At your leisure. This one has had several visitors, and is not in desperate need of energy.
[trundles steadily into a roomy and well-lit tunnel, one with the entrance tucked behind a huge pile of glittering jewels, that slowly spirals upward.]
Edited (wow self finish your sentences) 2014-06-20 06:44 (UTC)
[He falls silent, his steps heavy as he follows behind the Echo. He feels like he could sleep for days, and yet his mind buzzes, flashing back to things seen and said and done
His stomach tightens painfully. Crossing his arms tightly over his chest, the blond grimaces, trying to keep his thoughts on his surroundings.]
If... you could keep my presence here a secret for now, it would be appreciated.
[before technic can step through, the dragon speaks up once more-]
Call for this one if you have need. I will answer.
[-and then turns again to walk back down the tunnel the way the two of them came.
the room provided for technic is surprisingly roomy (if a bit dim), well-ventilated through cracks in the walls and lit by torchlight. there's a bed tucked against the right wall, neatly made, with a spare Amalthea uniform folded atop the covers. a laundry basket made of woven reed and a small steel bin for trash have been placed at the foot, beside a chest that's presumably for personal effects. directly across from the room's entrance is a cupboard built into the wall itself that contains fresh fruit, bread, and tinned meat; beneath it is an open stone "box" filled with not only ice, but flasks of water and milk.
there's also a second thatch door off to the left, which splits further into two paths; one going to a private restroom (a comfortable chamberpot with soft cloths for toilet paper) and the other to a self-contained hot springs bath. fluffy towels hang from racks built into the wall, while soap and shampoo await usage in an alcove situated above the water.
really, it's almost as though waldemar is supremely invested in being a good host.]
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