"Hmm? Oh, right," I say, "my skills. Close combat, with a blend of psionics and divine magic. I'm pretty sneaky, too. More so since the whole 'ghost' thing. Also, the walking through walls. I couldn't do that before."
"Also maybe losing the last of whatever grip on reality she still got and trying to kill everyone around her," I put in. Helpfully. "That's a ghost skill too."
I regard the ghost woman thoughtfully. "How sneaky? Can you be completely invisible, as we have seen, and also undetectable by other common means? If so, I'd ask if you could accompany Pepper back to the outpost." I add, "I hope you intend to see this mission through with us, Madam Mari. Your abilities are great, though it would appear they came at some cost."
Quote from: borealis on May 03, 2016, 11:11:44 AMI regard the ghost woman thoughtfully. "How sneaky? Can you be completely invisible, as we have seen, and also undetectable by other common means? If so, I'd ask if you could accompany Pepper back to the outpost." I add, "I hope you intend to see this mission through with us, Madam Mari. Your abilities are great, though it would appear they came at some cost.""Invisible? Nah," I reply. "Though 'inside a wall' is a pretty close approximation. And yes, I'll stick with you. Not like lurking around old Dull-inch was doing me any favours. Besides, it's...sort of my job, I guess."
"Like I said, ma'am," I say flatly after a moment. "That's just what ghosts do. Don't matter how nice they seem - though yeah, she could be lying too - how much they seem like they get what's going on around 'em. Can sneak up on 'em, even. In time, they either pass on or they lose it, think everyone around 'em is their enemy. Stronger they are, worse it is when that happens. Rule is, you don't mess with old ghosts and you don't mess with thinking ghosts. I'd never even -" I cut myself off, pausing a moment before continuing. "Was up to me, ma'am, you'd throw that thing the general gave you far away and we'd ride fast the other direction."
"Are you handling our pay, then, sir?" I ask, very politely.
Quote from: jussr on May 04, 2016, 05:12:11 AM"Are you handling our pay, then, sir?" I ask, very politely."I have not been contacted by our paymaster yet. I assume they are taking a... cost-effective approach, given the nature of our mission, and will distribute our wages to us at the end. Of course, should our company capture resources from the enemy, be assured I am sworn to the gods to give a fair account and divide the portions between us equally."
They ride undisturbed, and when they begin to change direction to encircle the other lookout from the west, they spot a figure in the distance atop a horse, riding the dirt trail that links the lookout points, ambling slowly toward the outpost where they left the colonel earlier today.