A Small Chance, But A Chance

"A Small Chance, But A Chance" is a BOTGD 2 thread written on August 12, 2019. 
== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
=== Part 1 ===
Grey Bergman: The Chief and her second-in-command led the Warden, Milae, and Deoiridh through the village all the way back to the prison. Grey kept the vial safely tucked away in her pocket with her hand over it to make sure nothing happened to it. She was determined to keep it safe at all costs until they could give it to Farris. The plan was to have Nala be the one to give Farris this “cure” as she could not be affected, but first, they needed to talk to Malak as he was the boy’s father. 
“You really think it’s going to work?” Brandt asked as they walked into the prison. 
“It’s a small chance, but a chance,” Grey replied. “We have to try.”
Nalaagura E'pha: Nala slowed outside Haligan jail and stood aside, out of the way of the door. I will wait out here and listen until you need me. She wasn’t exactly nervous about questioning Malak and then force-feeding Farris his unlikely cure, but everyone’s treatment of the little vial had her on edge, and she wanted to make sure nothing would ruin their plans.
Grey Bergman: The Chief nodded smiling. If there was anyone she trusted the most, it was the former Warden herself, and not just because of her abilities, but because of how cautious and calculating she was.
“I won’t try anything until I have absolute certainty that this will work,” Grey said before walking inside.
Brandt was about to follow his wife inside before stopping to look at the demon, the girl, and the goat. “She might be on to something,” he said smiling.
Malak: Malak was wringing his hands anxiously when he heard them enter. He scrambled to his legs and stepped over to the bars. Upon seeing Grey, he had to bite back his urge to tell her about how Sven had snuck in to visit him. He briefly bit his lower lip. “Did you find it?”
Grey Bergman" “Sure did,” Grey said confidently as she gestured to her small bag. “It was just a misunderstanding of some sort, so we don’t need to worry. Now, you remember my theory about this might…in a sense reverse the effects?”
Malak: “Yes…” Malak breathed, and then held out a cautionary hand. “Now…we have to be careful, I’m sure you know. The best method of giving it to him safely will likely be putting a drop in his food or drink…while holding ones breath…and wearing a mask…and gloves…” He rubbed his chin. “That, or putting a drop of a cloth, under the same safety conditions, and swiping it on his skin.”
Grey Bergman: Grey furrowed her eyebrows. That was completely not what she was going to suggest, and given what happened the first time Grey tried to give it to Farris…there was a chance the same thing could happen if she or anyone else tried to give it to the boy.
“Actually, I know of a certain…demon,” Grey began, “who just would be able to give this to him without worrying about being infected,”
Malak: Malak opened his mouth, and then closed it. “I uh…huh…I don’t know if it affects demons or not…I doubt it though. Rhenco is a skilled alchemist and sorcerer sure, he found a way to protect himself against demons, but regular humans have done that as well. Yeah…yeah that will likely work a lot better.”
Grey Bergman: The Chief nodded. “Don’t worry,” she said gently. “She’s been a friend of mine for a very long time. I trust her with my own kids, she won’t hurt him.”
Malak: “For once I’m not worried about either party.” Malak sighed and leaned up against the wall. “Just…just bring him here for me would you? When you’re done…?”
Grey Bergman: “Of course,” Grey replied before smiling at Brandt and turning back to Malak. “I’ll bring Nala in here, and I’ll have food and water brought to him. Nala can put the Red Card into it and get him to take it.”
=== Part 2 ===
Nalaagura E'pha: The astral form of Nala materialized in the middle of the group, looking a little sheepish. You may have to give me a moment, she said apologetically. The door is…not suited for my body. There was a distant crack, something similar to porcelain on wood.
Milae looked a little more discomforted than normal–and normally, he looked completely level-headed. “Chief Grey, I…I don’t think this is a good idea.” His goat eyes were locked on the pouch at her belt, and then up at the ghostly form of the Warden, who rolled her eyes and looked away from him, already distracted with getting her body through the door. Milae looked at Malak. “You can’t tell me you trust her with that.” His hoof pointed accusingly at Grey’s side.
Grey Bergman" The Chief turned to Milae with a small smile. “I do trust her, Milae,” she said as she took the vial out of her pouch ready to hand it to Nala. “Nala is one of my closest friends and allies, and I’ve known her for 25 years. I trust her with my life and my family’s lives. I know she can do this.” She then turned to the demon trying to stop herself from laughing at her difficulty in getting through the door. “Take this, and if you need help, give a shout.”
Of course, the Warden probably didn’t need any help, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t offer at least.
Nalaagura E'pha: I merely don’t want to break anything. There was a bit of a disjointed, unnatural noise as she bent her leg up to her chest and managed to curl inwards, fitting through the door and managing to stand up in a very, very hunched position. If Milae could pale, he would have done so on the spot. Deoiridh, if you would fetch Kettil. Tell him it’s incredibly important. And goat, stay out of my way.
“We’ll see about that,” he muttered. “I’ve half a mind to loop back to make sure you will not kill us all. I would, if Red Card were not involved.”
Malak: Malak eyed Milae as he spoke and he bit his lip in thought.
Is this Milae? Rhenco was mentioning that name a little before his arrest…I didnt like the way he looked when he…
Malak swallowed, realizing that Milae was peobably in more danger than Sven was. “Hey…goat…” he said almost under his breath, and folded his arms uncomfortably when Milae glanced his way. “Listen uh…this may sound impossible…but after this. No matter what Rhenco does in response, I’d keep distant. And if you had plans to confront him, I’d change plans…”
Nalaagura E'pha: Nala felt Milae’s thoughts shift on a dime and she stopped in her tracks, shutting her eyes and cursing to herself.
“Should I?” Milae said, sharply and belligerently. “It’s very strange that you should bring that up, actually. I wonder why you would continue to place less confidence in me than in a demon of Helheim that is the very reason we no longer have custody of that walking pile of dung.”
Malak: Malak shook his head. “The fault lays with both of you. The moment you decided to try and trick him into a demon contract, it obliterated any chance of him authentically honoring his word. But it doesnt matter, he violated his own terms anyway when Lady Grey made the discovery of red cards loop hole.”
Malak wrung his hands together. “And besides, this isnt about trust. It isnt even about you and the demon. My statement was concerning your safety alone. You’re becoming Rhenco’s new point of fixation. He likes you…that’s dangerous…”
Deoiridh: “What’s dangerous?” Deo asked as she returned with Kettil in tow.
Malak: Malak shot the young girl a look and then relaxed. “Making Rhenco interested in you.” He answered. “It rapidly turns into an impossible situation. Indulging him will see you suffer, trying to show him you don’t care will cause him to lash out ten fold but ultimately its the only way to get him to willingly back off…sometimes…”
Yun Milae: Milae deflated slightly as he regarded Malak. He didn’t know him as well as the rebels. But he was familiar with the half-breed, and his role in everything that had happened so far. He recognized how fortunate they were to have him on Haligan, even as a strange ally and a prisoner.
“With as little offense as possible,” he said quietly, “that is what a prisoner of Rhenco would say.” He lifted his eyes to gaze at Malak. “If you only knew how many times he has torn me apart. You would know I do not take this lightly.”
With that, he turned aside, his cloak swirling around him, and pushed around the Warden as if her size didn’t matter to him. She turned her head to watch him pass, and then looked back at the rest of the humans standing in front of Malak’s cell. We can talk about this later. We need to confirm this cure works.
Deoiridh: “So what exactly is the plan. Ah’d like teh know before I send in me boy.” Deo said as she puts a hand on Kettil’s shoulder.
Grey Bergman: Both Grey and Brandt looked at each other before looking at their nephew waiting for Nala to answer Deoiridh’s question. The Chief even placed a hand on Kettil’s other shoulder gently to reassure the boy that he had nothing to worry about.
Nalaagura E'pha: Farris will take the Red Card by my hand, whether he wishes it or not. Kettil, the substance is extremely contagious to human bodies and I will need you to contain it with your powers so that we do not infect the entire island. And Deoiridh, in case things don’t happen as planned, your illusions may be of use, should the man grow aggressive.
Deoiridh: “Got'cha, what kind o’ illusions are we talkin’ aboot?” She asked. “And it will be easy enough to keep all the air in the building.” Kettil pipes up.
Nalaagura E'pha: Keep him from coming in contact with anyone, she instructed. Trick him. Blind him. Whatever it takes.
Farris: Down the hallway opposite of the group’s cell block, Farris waited quietly with his hands around the bars. His clouded eyes and limp black hair gave him a dull, less than human kind of look. His strong fingers gripped tighter. Malak may have had the extra legs, and Opie may have had the spines that allowed him to scale steep surfaces, and some smaller eyes hidden behind his hair line. But Farris…Farris may not have had anything that visibly attributed him to his spider half breed lineage. But he did have something that many spiders had despite the scale of their size.
Their strength…
Images of swinging limp bodies up and over low hanging rafters by a single ankle, using nothing but one arm flashed in Farris’s mind and his eyes flared. He jerked on the bars once, hard, and then became still again. Everything seemed fine. Everything seemed normal. But if someone were to look closely, they would have been able to see the strain that had formed at the base of the bars due to this repeated motion. 
Deoiridh: Deo nods. “Right. We should get goin’ then aye? Sooner is better than later for theses things.” She says.
=== Part 3 ===
Nalaagura E'pha: Nala took the Red Card in her large hand, carefully cradling it so that it would stay safe no matter what, and the group made their way down the passage behind her, to where Milae was already standing with his back to Farris’ cell. The prisoner himself stood tense and still as a statue. The time traveler looked up at the Warden underneath his hood. His face was grim.
If you endanger me, I will be leaving this timeline. The risk is too great.
Do what you will, she said flatly, but privately, to him. He dipped his head.
To everyone else, she said, This is extremely dangerous–everyone will stay clear, but within sight. Do not put yourselves in harm’s way if he escapes. Leave that to Deoiridh and myself.
Kettil Ericson: Kettil takes a deep breath and holds his hands out, the wind beginning to swirl around the prison, pushing all the air back towards the building rather than away from it.
Grey Bergman: The Chief and her husband watched from afar as their nephew worked to keep the Red Card from infecting the village. Grey tried her hardest to keep her composure watching Kettil and praying that this all worked out for everyone.
Nalaagura E'pha: Hello, Farris. Nala did not expect him to answer as she stood crouched in front of the door, staring at the man intently. My name is Nalaagura. I am here to help you, and I would ask that you do not struggle while I do so. The large demon put a hand on the cell door, and mentally concentrated on its lock, flicking it open while keeping a hold of the door.
Farris: Farris watched her with wide eyes, his gaze slowly shifting over to look at Kettil. He worked his jaw as he saw Nala opening the cell door, not paying any mind to the red card. He lowered his shoulders a little, as if he intended to slip pass the demon, and take a casual stroll down the hall.
Nalaagura E'pha: The Warden positioned herself in front of the door, partially taking up space in both the cell and the hall to keep him from escaping. No, I need you to do something for me, first. If it works, you may be able to take a short walk. I’m sure you’d like that.
Farris: Farris lifted his head to meet her gaze. His fingers curled at his sides. And then both of his arms shot forward to shove Nala once.
Of course it did little to move a demon of her power, but she felt his hidden strength. He didnt make any other move of aggression. If anything is actions were a challenge. For her to do her worst, or close the door.
Nalaagura E'pha: With a measured stare, she reached out and scooped his arms together and held him by the wrists with one hand, squeezing in return to show him that she would not be intimidated. There is a reason they call me the Warden, she intoned, and I would rather not demonstrate why. She lifted her other hand at her side to his eye level, letting the light from her essence glint off the small bottle. Will you cooperate, or are we doing this the hard way?
Farris: Farris squoze his eyes shut and barred his teeth at the feeling of the restraint she had put him in. Lurching forward he shoved himself up off the ground to smash his head painfully into the Warden’s chin.
Painfully as in the Warden was unhook while the top of the man’s head throbbed. He once again became still. His mute lips pressed tightly together.
He looked like an animal that knew it was about to be put down, but still intended to growl and snap throughout the process.
Nalaagura E'pha: Ilf nagl, you’re going to hurt yourself. The Warden stretched out her arm and pinned Farris against the back of the cell, and then considered the Red Card, thinking quickly about the best way to force Farris to consume it. I’m going to do a lot of things you’re not going to like, very quickly. You can fight me, but it will be pointless. This is for your own good. She dug her thumb into the lip of the vial between the glass and the cork, ready to open it, and at the same time, she started worming her way into his mind, at the very least to make sure he didn’t choke and spray the liquid, or try to knock it out of her hand. 
Here goes nothing.
She tensed her body, popped the lid, and in a flash, forced the mouth of the vial past Farris’ lips to ensure a messy splash on his tongue and quickly yanked it out again, covering the top with her thumb, which began to rapidly heat and make the glass glow yellow.
Farris: Farris’s head jerked once as the sickly sweet substance touched his tongue. He convulsed once, his head shaking.
He blinked several times, and then a clarity came to his eyes.
Farris sucked in his breath, speaking in a horse, scarcely used voice. “Gods above…” his hand reaches out to brace against Nala’s shoulder. “Inhand me demon of vile deeds! I-” his throat clenched. “I…”
A torrent of memories flooded in his mind. Only he felt very…very differently about them now. Bodies strung up like sections in a butchers shop. A kitchen caked in layers of dried blood. The smell of cooking flesh and charred bones burning in a furnace.
Farris gripped his hair fiercely with both hands and let out a howling scream. “Nooo! No! No-! I didnt! I didn’t! Say it isnt so! Or tell me I’m already in Hel for what I’ve done!”
Nalaagura E'pha: Stop, stop! The Warden tucked away the Red Card in her ribcage, which had sealed into an airtight globule of hot glass, and gripped both his arms, trying to calm him. You’re safe. It wasn’t you. It’s alright.
Farris: Farris grabbed her arms in turn. He knew her not, but he held her as if seeking support. “It was! It was!” He gasped. “My hands! My teeth! There is no disconnect! No surreal haze to separate me from what I did! I a- I at-”
He turned off to the side to wretch violently, his large shoulders heaving. He became limp, leaning heavily against the wall. “My gods…I…I cant do this. I deserve to have my stomach carved out and my body burned. Better yet feed me to any wild beast so I can know the horror I subjugated those poor people to…”
He sank lower so he was sitting on the hard floor, and let his hands come up to cover his face.
=== Part 4 ===
Nalaagura E'pha: Milae stepped backwards down the hall in fascinated horror, keeping his cloak up over his nose and mouth, while Nala tried to support Farris, reaching her mind out to the others. Malak, Grey, I…he seems to be back. But his mind…this is too much abomination for one person to handle. He will need help.
Grey Bergman: Grey perked as she heard Nala’s words in her head, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t think of this part. She remembered Malak’s words about how Farris was the strongest and how he saved people…how he was a knight. Clearly, he would retain his memories of when he was infected…of what he did.
“Let me come in and help,” Grey said aloud. “Maybe I can talk to him.”
Kettil Ericson: “I wouldn’t do that Aunt Grey, just in case.” Kettil said, keeping the barrier up.
“Nala, a word if ah may?” She said tapping her temple. ‘Can’t ye just.’ She whistles and swipes her hand across her forehead.
Nalaagura E'pha: She hesitated. It doesn’t feel…appropriate. Truly she felt that it would cross a boundary that she set for herself a long time ago, and she didn’t trust her ability to do so, even with the Archon’s lingering essence. 
Deoiridh: ‘Okay, so maybe we ask Malak, but honestly do ye think it’s appropriate teh leave ‘im with all them lingerin’ memeries. That’ll fuck ‘im up fer life if it hasn’t already.’ She argued.
Nalaagura E'pha: I cannot do it, she said in frustration. Alright? I have no experience with removing memories without him sustaining considerable damage. I would destroy him.
Deoiridh: ‘a'ight, a'ight ye don’t have teh shout at meh, feck.’ She shook her head. ‘Well… Is there anything we can do fer ‘im, or someone can do fer ‘im. Put ‘im in a dreamless sleep fer a bit or somethin’? Anthin’s better than this.’ She glances down at Faris.
Farris: Farris pressed his hands to the wall and eased himself up. Tears ran down his face freely and he momentarily pitched his brow. “No…” he said. “My death would solve nothing…redemption…I must…I must seek it. Go anywhere, take on anything…anything to make even a fraction of this right.”
He looked towards Nala. “My father…can you take me to him?”
Nalaagura: Nala held out a cautionary hand, and she said, I believe you are returned to normal, but I will still take measures to prevent you from harming anyone if this is a farce in any way. She backed up out of the cell door, allowing him to step outside of his holdings. Milae was nowhere to be seen; Nala assumed he had vanished in his own mysterious way.
Farris: “Its only reasonable…” Farris said, and rubbed his hands over his face again.
He walked beside Nala cautiously. His steps were unsteady and face contorted, but he pressed on. When they entered the cell Malak scrambled to his feet. “Farris…? Farris!”
“Father!” The large man exhaled and stumbled over to him, taking his hands through the bars.
Malak gave a choked exhale that could not be discerned between a laugh and a sob. He touched his face, brushing at his limp, unkempt hair. “Oh my boy…your eyes…you’ve come back to me.”
“Father…” Farris breathed again. “I’m so relieved to see you’re unharmed. I- well why are you still locked away father? Did they not heal you as well?”
Malak’s throat closed and his stomach churned at the words. He starred at Farris with wide eyes before deftly looking towards Grey and Nala. His gaze was begging. Pleading. “I uh…o-of course. M-my boy. They’re just cautious.” Farris opened his mouth to protest but Malak gripped his arms fiercely. “No, no. Its fine, really. Red card is unpredictable they’re just making sure its really gone.”
The half breed already appeared to be on the verge of tears.
Grey Bergman: As soon as Kettil gave her the all-clear, Grey raced into the prison and found Malak and Farris reuniting in the cell. Seeing the moment between father and son made her tear up as she thought about when she and Brandt reunited with Sven or when she first reunited with her parents after she came home from the first Rebellion. She overheard their conversation, and then Malak looked up at her silently pleading her to play along. 
“Uhhh…y-yes…Farris,” Grey said with a small smile. “It’s simply a precaution, but I think we might be able to let both of you out soon. It appears you’re both back to normal.”
Nalaagura E'pha: They will need to be guarded when we leave for Wutne. We will not take the chance of betrayal on Haligan while we cannot attend. I hope you two can understand that. This she said to the father and son, on either side of the cell door. It was likely one of their greater threats had been removed, but Nala had been lax before. She would not let it happen again.
Farris: “Of course.” Farris said.
Malak squeezed his hands. “Go get washed up boy.” He turned to Grey. “Can he stay in the cell across from mine? We have a lot to talk about.”
Deoiridh: “Roight, now if we’re all done ‘ere ah’ve got a raid to prepare fer. Unless ye needed somethin’ from me.” She said.
Grey Bergman: “I think we’re okay for now, Deoiridh,” Grey said. “We’ll join you shortly.” She then turned back to Malak. “And yes, of course. I can also send over Opie and Chelsea later so they can see Farris as well.”
Deoiridh: Deo heads out of the prison and back to her house. Once she’s sure she’s alone she opens her bag and pulls out a small vial filled with a small vial of Red Card. “Good thin’ ah made sure teh grab a wee bit.” She says, making sure it was still sealed before tucking it away.
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Events
Category:Act I
Category:Farris
Category:Deoiridh Tuathanach
Category:The Warden
Category:Grey Bergman
Category:Kettil Ericson
Category:Yun Milae