[pnpgm] Update #18 – Varo - anger & fear

[Bessie Hadley]

Varo is startled (& angry) to find the boy had not left the area as he had said he would. She crouches down, looking toward him & in a stage whisper calls to him. “What on Ernalda’s great green earth are you doing here? You need to leave – now!” She thinks fast - she has to convince him to get out of the danger area. “Don’t you know that YOU are endangering your sister by being here? We all need to focus on saving her life & your being here makes us worry about YOU! We – you – risk your sister’s life because now we have to keep YOU safe too! Now get OUT of here & let US do what you asked us to - & for Ernalda’s sake – or whichever god you pray to - stay LOW & pray that you being here hasn’t meant that we die trying to get you away, instead of trying to save your sister!” 

Varo is glaring at the boy, & while secretly admiring his courage, she mentally curses his foolishness, remembering a time when she might have done the same thing this boy has. “If you must stay” she hisses, “ for the good gods’ sake stay down! Lie down & don’t move! Otherwise get back to the horses – you’re more useful there than here.”

She turns away & moves north quickly, crouching, not waiting to see if he stays or leaves, & she sees from the party's positions that she’s lost valuable time in her anger. She stops for just a quick moment, takes a deep, cleansing breath & carefully looks at the locations of the trolls. If she can clearly see the trolls’ shields are wooden, she will cast ‘Ignite’ on the closest troll’s shield (troll #6 on the far right of the group of 3 trolls). If the shields are metal, she will prepare to fire one shot with her selfbow, aiming a bit low to try to hit any troll legs exposed, unless she’s lucky to be north enough to see troll #6’s body behind the shield.

After that one shot at the shielded trolls, she will try to move fast & far enough straight north to be able fire at the troll guarding the door (#3). She hopes a bit desperately that she will have enough time to make the two shots before any trolls get close enough to attack her before she can switch to her rapier & shield. If it seems they are getting too close she will send a quick arrow at whoever’s closest in coming after her & immediately retreat eastward until she can draw her rapier & ready her shield. Her heart begins to pound & she feels more scared than she’s been in a long time. But she is even more afraid for the little girl trapped in that cabin.

“Merciful & loving Ernalda, be with me now. Be with us ALL,” she prays as she moves north - feeling the heat of the proverbial frying pan within her guts & throat.

Bess L. Hadley