Escape from a dinner invitation

     "Is... it some sort of Sharsham disposition that is common knowledge to everone but me?" Van asked.

     "Na," She said, "Sharsahm are usually perfectly fine. No more or less likely to eat people then any other race."

 "...and Rollobal?"

     "He don't trust anyone. He already assumes everybody not a member of his tribe is up to no good. He wanted to kill you, too, but was talked out of it by the elder that cured us."

      "Huh... That actually makes me a little sad, yet makes a strange amount of good sense." After an awkward pause, Van continued, "Well, the attack is imminent. I scouted the corridor back out, most of the way. I suspect they caved it in somewhere but you know..." Van made an explosion emote with his mouth and hands. "So... how can we move rollobal?"

     Oolah pressed her lips together, thought for a moment, then said, "He's strong... probably not as strong as you seem to think. I think he could make it out with a crutch, but wouldn't be able to help us fight."

     Van stroked his chin, a throwback behavior to his last life. "Do we have a crutch?" he asked. 

     Van spent the rest of the day searching the houses that had been abandoned for material and tools, then commenced to making Rollobal a crutch. After spending a few minutes with him, he apologized for being busy that day, then presented him the crutch. Rollobal like it. He'd been sitting up and was feeling restless. "You like it now, but you're going to hate it, soon." joked Van.

     The plan was for Van to scout ahead, and take care of any possible resistance, first. It was night, and most of the Sharsham were asleep. He summoned a negative energy ball as he walked quietly through the hallways. There were patrolling guards, but with nary a thought a black dart struck their throat as the black energy engulfed them entirely, lowering them gently to the ground. By the time they'd hit the ground, they were lifeless. The patrols were there because doorways weren't. At most there were only curtains to protect the privacy of those who lived there. He walked slowly through the inhabited area, spreading silent death everywhere he went. He occasionally wondered, "was anyone here innocent? Did everyone here know what was going on, was in it, too?" He shoved those thoughts from his mind and tried to remember why he was doing this, tears streaming down his face. He couldn't forgive himself for doing this, and he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't do this. He tried hard not to enjoy the killing of the captors for fear he'd become more like them. He tried hard not to feel anything as he exercised the only mercy he could upon the captives. In his mind, 'releasing' the captives and destroying that altar was the most  important aspects of this plan. He did so with ruthless efficiency.

     Oolah had drifted off several times. She'd been sitting next to Rollobal waiting for Van to get back. Her dreams had taken a darker turn then usual, and she managed to rouse herself. Rollobal was sitting up, his face pale, and on the other side of him was Van, his head in his hands. Oolah stood up quickly, speechless, not knowing what to say. Finally she opened her mouth to say something and Rollobal shook his head in warning. She pulled her chair around the bed and sat down next to Van, placing a reassuring hand on his back. He laid his head down on the bed and slept. Rollobal said quietly to Oolah, "He didn't get all them. The remnants will probably attack at first light. He said to wake him and we can face them together."

      Before long, a hazy light began to shine above them, then finally, several hours later, the sun dawned for the little valley. They roused Van. Rollobal had gotten up several minutes earlier to acclimate to standing up, and to try out the crutch. He would carry his spear in his offhand to help support himself, and would try to stay protected by taking up a position in the middle, between the other two. 

     Looking up, van asked, "they haven't attacked yet?"

     "Maybe their scared to attack.... after last night." said Rollobal, grimly. Oolah approached the door, reaching for the handle.

     "Wait." said Van softly, "I have a better defense, let me check." Oolah stood aside and Van got up, stretching. He opened the door, and peaked out, first around the village for ambushers, then when he saw nothing, poked out a little farther to look toward the mountain entrance. There seemed to be a small retinue there. 

     Seeing him there, Shavasha shouted to him, angrily, accusingly, "You... Monster!!" She hesitated, as if she couldn't decide what to say next, if anything. "I liked you! I killed the elder to be with you! Why!? Why'd you do it?! Why'd you destroy the alter!?"

     "figures that's what she's really upset about." He mumbled. Then he shouted, "we're leaving! Stay out of our way, and live!" He stepped out, waiting for an attack that never came. The Mountain entrance was empty now. Oolah came next, an arrow nocked and charging, scanning all directions. Grimacing, Rollobal moved out between them. The trio cautiously moved out. Van had 'drawn' his sword, and was floating a small circular shield in front of him. They entered the mountain.