[Nexus] HT's plots

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"Right after we were freed from the slavers, someone offered to do the same thing. I didn't do it because I'd always been told that was a terrible thing to do." She looks away from her uncle and down at her swollen stomach. "Now I won't do it because I know it's wrong. A little while ago I heard her heartbeat... She's a baby, Uncle. Not some reminder of my pain that should be killed before she has a chance to live." She looks up to meet Gamaliel's eyes again.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

"A half-breed though. It will... she will... have a hard life," Gamaliel says, his tone softening a bit. "You know it's a girl?"

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta nods. "Yeah." She sighs and slumps a little. "You might be right, but I hope it's not true. This place we're living, there's all kinds of different people there. Maybe it means that her life will be better. Better than it ever could be here."

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Gamaliel doesn't know what to say. As much as he has come to see humans as people, especially Paul, he doesn't think he could extend that toleration to a half-breed bastard of a rapist. Who knows what moral deficiencies it will inherit, along with the physical deficiencies that every half-human carries?

He turns away, unable to meet her eyes any longer.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

It's probably best that she hasn't mentioned that the child is half orc. Renetta looks down again. "I suppose that's another reason why I can't stay." She says, her voice full of sadness.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

The sadness in her voice stabs him. It would be Rettie's child too, he told himself.

"Rettie, when I think of... the child... all I can think about is that you were held captive and abused and violated, and I just want to undo that and make it all better for you."

He's only had a day to begin to come to terms with it. It won't be easy for him.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"I just need time. Even now things are better than they were a few months ago." Renetta gives him a small smile. "Maybe you'll have to see the baby after she's born. That'll give you something else to thin about then."

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Gamaliel turns back to her, smiling. Even chuckling a little. "Your father said almost those exact words to me, when I told him he and Lydia were too young to marry and raise a child. Of course I fell in love with you at first sight."

Oops. Renetta probably didn't know that she was conceived before her parents married. Of course one of the advantages of the low elven fertility rate is that young people can fool around without having to worry about pregnancy. But on the rare occasions that it happens, the custom is to give the child to an older couple to raise. Ardrim and Lydia chose to marry young instead.

Of course, as they'll insist, their situation is completely different than Renetta's. Completely! Renetta is still a child!

((godmodded history - subject to Ghar's approval))

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

And approved.

Renetta certainly looks surprised to hear that. It makes her feel better, though. if only a little. "Thanks, Uncle." Her smile widens, beginning to look more happy.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Gamaliel decides not to raise the issue of Waterstrider's lifespan yet - or the lifespan of her child - and lightens the mood by telling stories from her infancy as they finish lunch.

Eventually, however, he does have to bring up something serious. "Your parents will want to see you again. When do you think you'll be ready for that?" Hopefully having learned that they chose her, and hearing stories of happier times, will make her more receptive.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta looks down. Facing them was going to be hard. "I don't know. I should probably see them again before I leave."

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

"Yes, you should." Gamaliel says. His voice softens. "I can't put into words what they went through. Every day you were gone, every day that hope slipped further away, I could see the light dimming in their eyes."

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta nods. "You're right. I'll talk to them before we leave." They talk for a while longer before Renetta leaves Gamaliel to his rest. She spends the rest of the day, and then the night, with Waterstrider.

The next morning she bathes and gets dressed before going out to find Waterstrider, who is no doubt nearby. He'd already know that Renetta's parents are coming here to say goodbye. "Ready?" She asks.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

The man finishes his music and finally turns around to look at the three slayers. He has a large unkempt beard and a wide smile, with fangs.

"Oh! Am I now? And what makes you think I'm going to do that?"

He gets up and stands up straight. Dang, he's tall. He crosses his arms across his chest and gives them a lopsided grin.

"So, did you manage to get that vampire, then?"


The Rot in Durin's head stays silent, again withholding information unless the drowpire actively seeks it.

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana didn't know that much Rot, well except that he was evil of course. This man probably were too. "We just want to leave so if you would be so kind to let us out...?" She asks while staring at the man.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider had bathed and that night, smelled of soap and was remarkably soft. He makes a mental note to pick up some whenever they head back to GLoG. The next morning, he gives her a gentle smile. "I'll be by your side the entire time." He tells her.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Uncle Gamaliel is in better shape today, as Paul helps him to the breakfast table. The two men study Renetta's map to find out where GLoG is. "I don't think I can travel that far, but I'll hire messengers to make the trip so that we can exchange letters." he says.

---

1

Coffin Hunting

Vino has nothing to add.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta smiles up at him and reaches to take his hand. Then they end up at the breakfast table. "I'd love that, Uncle."

Ardrim and Lydia are shown in right away. Her father's jaw tightens when he sees her seated so close to Waterstrider, but he doesn't comment.

Lydia suddenly rushes forward to hug Renetta. "I don't want to lose you again, Renetta."

Renetta hugs her mother after only a moment of hesitation. "I'll visit, Mother. Not for a while, though. After the baby's born for sure. Uncle thinks we should be able to exchange letters, though, so I'll be sure to write to all of you." Lydia rleases her a moment later and wipes away a few tears.

[Coffin Hunting]

"What does it mean to you if we did?" Dunin ask. He's getting agitated, no small part due to Rot being in his head.

Speaking of Rot, Durin is going to press for info on this man.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

"Oh, well if you did do him in, I'd have to go to his funeral. And without a coffin! Pretending to be mournful is bad enough."

The man waves his large, slightly clawed hands around, mocking the vampire. He's... a bit strange.

"And no, lady, I'm not going to let you leave."

Rot informs Durin that this guy is a less-than-sane werewolf, pretty much as bloodthirsty as the vampire himself but without the class he also has. Numerous bad words are also mentioned.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

"I'll make certain of it," Gamaliel says. The messenger will be well paid, and have guards to make sure the mail gets through. He gives Ardrim an apologetic look. He wasn't able to get anywhere with talking sense into Renetta! Just like he couldn't with Renetta's father 33 years ago!

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider stays silent for now, letting the others decide what's going to happen for now and will step in if he sees he has to.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta stands and moves to stand before her father. "Father?" She says hesitantly.

After a moment he goes to give her a gentle hug, which she returns. He gives his brother a hard to read look over her shoulder. "I'm sorry to see you go, Daughter."

They separate a moment later and Renetta goes to sit by Waterstrider again.

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Parting montage!

Hugs and kisses and tears follow. Gamaliel gives the young couple a bag of money for their journey, and gives Renetta a necklace that belonged to her grandmother, who died before she was born.

And once they are gone, he looks to Ardrim. "She's so much your daughter," he says with a sad smile.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider will thank the family for their hospitality, meaning every word of it, before leading the carriage and Renetta out of the town a different way than they came, towards the north. He'll lead them for a couple hours before finally stopping for lunch and preparing a camp fire to heat up the food. Once it's ready, he'll head into the back of the wagon to sit next to Renetta as he waits. "We'll have to get our bearings tonight, but we should be able to continue on for a few more hours." He tells her before hesitating. "If....If I told you something I thought was a secret, would you keep it a secret?"

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

The goodbye is very teary. She's so happy she got to leave on a good note after their arrival. She's very grateful for the money and the necklace. Her parents give them some money as well.

Now, Renetta leans against Waterstrider, resting her head on his shoulder. that doesn't last long, however, as she looks up curiously. "Of course. I promise."

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider wraps an arm around her shoulders as they lay there and gives a sigh. "I couldn't help but smell that your Uncle had a lover. Someone I don't think anyone would approve of if they knew." he tells her before looking at her eyes to gauge her reaction. "His servant."

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"Paul?" Renetta hadn't suspected a thing. She only really looks surprised though. It's not like she could judge him if she wanted to. "That's definitely a secret. I wonder how long they've been hiding it. I can't even imagine."

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider shrugs. He couldn't tell how long by scent. "If I had to guess, likely a while. They're the only two there, and they probably don't get many visitors."

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"Yeah, I guess so." Renetta lies her head on his shoulder again. "It's nice to think that he knows a bit what we're going through."

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

It's the better part of a week of traveling before Waterstrider tells her that they're nearing the place. He'd have walked the carriage quite a way after dark, using the stars to constantly guide them. It's about noon when they'll see smoke over the hills a little distance away. There's a gentle breeze moving towards the smoke as Waterstrider stops and looks into the back of the Carriage with a smile. "We're he-" he begins before there's a series of growls and he's suddenly tackled from the side by several smaller forms and knocked out of sight of the carriage entrance.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"Waterstrider!" Renetta moves as quickly as she can manage to look out at him. She's completely helpless if it's actually something dangerous.