It took them much longer than expected to reach the
temporary home of the harpy princess considering how quickly she was able to
reach them. There was no fancy effigies or displays leading into the abode of
the princess that would normally be expected, just a very tight passageway up
the cliff face of a small plateau that overlooked the barren land. Right past
the plateau was the small mountain patch that held both the jade mines and
quarries, but also the harpies’ original home. The party sat down on the orange
and brown stone once they finally reached the top, “See what we have been
degraded to?” The princess asked him, “I live in poorer conditions than most of
your commoners…imagine how the rest of my brood must be living.” She glared at
Rede and Callie.
Rede took a deep breath, “I knew the old king very well, the
one who left you alone.” He told her, “We often discussed about driving you out
of your lands, but you and your clutch almost never caused problems for our
miners and so he felt it safe to leave you alone. I doubted his choice, but
seeing how civil you can be…I am glad he did not listen to my advice.” He
paused for a second, “You’re just another kind trying to survive.”
She scoffed at him, “We grow up hearing the same horror
stories, but instead of harpies being the monsters it’s you humans. The only
difference is that most of the time our fear of your kind is well earned,
whereas harpies hardly ever will engage with a human.”
Rede swallowed heavily and said nothing. Callie shook her
head at him, “Excuse him for his…awkwardness.” She told the princess, “He’s not
used to being put in a position like that…it’s good for him though.”
The princess turned to face Callie, “I care not for his
awkwardness. I care about the future of my brood.”
“Until too much harpy blood had been split, yes.” She said.
“What are the chances that the humans are completely set up
and settled in your home?” Shade asked.
“Completely.” She told him, “They would have a forward camp
set up merely hours after we lost the position. We’ve been out for weeks.
They’re set up, and well.” She paused for a second, “I’m honestly surprised
they haven’t marched out here to eradicate us.”
“They only wanted the mines.” Rede told her, “No reason to,
but I suppose knowing how cruel King Lance is I wouldn’t have been too
surprised.”
“My brood suffers, they starve, they are dehydrated, they
are broken from losing their homes, friends, and family. If his goal is
cruelty, than he has surpassed it.” She took a deep breath and for the first
time since they had met, her body slouched down tired. She was concerned,
saddened…defeated.
Rede looked at her in surprise before speaking up, “Spilling
more blood will not solve your problem,” He told her, “In fact it would
probably only make it worse.”
“They spilled endless amount of my broods’ blood, why not
spill theirs?”
“For every soldier that falls, Lance will send in five
more.” Rede told her, “I can’t say for certain, but I would be surprised if he
had not increased the size of the human armies. The only two things he cared
about were gold and conquest.”
“Then how are we supposed to claim our home?” She spat at
him, “What plans do you have?” Rede stared at her in silence, “Did you expect
me to have some other options for you?” She hissed.
“We simply need time to think about what to do.” Shade
quickly spoke up, “I have a feeling that diplomacy wouldn’t work very well.”
“Ha!” Rede coughed, “No. No it would not.”
The princess sighed heavily and looked over the party, “The
orc. She is very quiet now. Did she not first communicate for you?”
“She did.” Shade quickly told her, “We asked her to because
she is very basic in her speech like most harpies. Normally she likes to remain
quiet to avoid getting picked on.”
“Ah…” She nodded at him, “I suppose that makes sense. What
about your short gnome friend? He the same way?”
“Normally we can’t get him to shut up!” Rede laughed, “He
just has a weird problem with harpies.”
The princess leaned down closer to Walker, “Is that so…?”
She asked him, “Do you hate us as well?”
“No.” Walker said quietly, “It’s just the shrill in a
harpies voice reminds me of-“
“Mimics laughing.” The princess cut him off. “So I’ve been
told before.”
Walker smirked, “I was going to say bad memories…but yes.”
“And what sort of business did a gnome have with a mimic?”
She questioned him.
“Nothing I wish to talk about.”
She glared at him for a few long seconds before leaning back
away from him, “So be it, as long as my home is restored. I do not care who you
are.” She took a deep breath, “I will leave you here until you can concoct a
plan. In the meantime I need to get back to trying to keep my brood together.”
“Wait!” Walker shouted at her as she was about to fly away.
“What?” She turned around furious.
“Harpies constantly have millions upon millions of tiny passageways
all throughout their home, correct?” He asked her.
“Yes…” She answered him confused.
“Did the locals fear you?” He quickly asked her again.
“Greatly.” She told him, “They were terrified of the
prospect of harpies. Never even came close to our borders.”
Walker smiled at her and then quickly turned over to Rede,
“Back when you were in the Kings entourage, did the general populace have fears
of the supernatural?”
Rede looked at him in utter confusion for a few seconds
before answering, “Um, yes. In fact it was a lot more than just the general
populace. Most of us do.”
Walker smiled widely and started to chuckle, “Princess, I
think I might have a plan, but we’ll need you and your broods’ help.”
Everyone looked at him in bewilderment. Finally she responded
to him, “What is it?”
“We…’curse’ your home.”
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