RP:To Impersonate a Dragon

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc

Summary: Pilar is left paralyzed after Hildegarde runs off to rescue Josleen. Lisbeth, Hilde's right-hand giant, tends to her and they talk about what is to be done with HIldegarde gone. They come up with a plan for Pilar, using her illusions, to impersonate Hildegarde, just enough to allay suspicions.

Frozen Pathway

Pilar laid on Hildegarde's cot, still recovering from the paralysis. Her attempts to warn Lisbeth of what was happening had failed, and by now Hilde was long gone. She just stared at the ceiling, minutes ticking by slowly. She wondered how long it would take for them to figure out Hildegarde had run off. What would the men think? Who was going to run the show now? What if... what if she didn't come back? What if she did, but her people were less than happy about her risking it all for a single woman? Oh, Hilde, you damned fool.

Lisbeth had done her best to make Pilar comfortable enough in the cot, but she had soon departed in order to fetch some supplies for Pilar. Some blood, a little bowl of water and a washcloth. The giantess sat on the edge of the large cot, waiting for Pilar to come round from the paralysis. It should have worn off enough by now that the girl could talk. “We need to keep this quiet, you and I,” Lisbeth began in a whisper. “I have no doubt Hildegarde will be victorious. But she’s damn stupid. For all that armour she wears, she leaves her heart unprotected. I can’t protect her from matters of the heart, you see.”

Pilar would have nodded if she could have. "What do we tell the men? They're going to notice that the Queen is gone. And if she... if she fails..." It wasn't that Pilar didn't think Hildegarde capable, but the dragon was emotional and running into danger. Besides, it was in Pilar's nature to worry. "And poor Miss Josleen, what will become of her? This is just..." Pilar looked down and muttered something in her native tongue.

Lisbeth dipped the washcloth into the bowl, wringing it out slightly before dabbing it upon Pilar’s face. “I’ve found, with experience, that when blasted with that nasty paralytic breath… it can help to wipe the skin clean. Makes it pass quicker, I feel,” she said to quickly reason her actions away. “If she fails, she’ll die doing what she thinks is right. The woman is called dragon-mule for a reason,” she said with a little smirk. “We tell them Hildegarde is not to be disturbed. She’s in this tent and that she’s strategizing. You are an illusionist, right?”

Pilar, with the effects of the gas wearing off, could now nod. She felt a little like a child, having her face cleaned for her, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It was nice to be cared for. "Yes... I'm not very good, but... yes." She pondered what Lisbeth could be getting at. "You want me to... maybe make an illusion of her, so anyone who looks in might see her? I... I could do that... I think..."

Lisbeth nodded her head as she continued to dab at Pilar’s face and neck, “Yes. Or even mimic her voice. We want it to appear as though she is either sitting at the table; sleeping or poring over the map. Can you do that?” she asked, not wishing to put pressure on Pilar but knowing that they must successfully pull off the lie to ensure nobody recklessly followed Hildegarde and launched an attack that Hilde was not yet ready for.

Pilar said, "Yes... I... I'll do it." It would take much of her energy and time, but for Hilde, she was willing to try. She would have to mill about the tent at all hours, ready to spring at a moment's notice. She hoped she would have the strength to keep it up. "I don't know how long I can hold the illusion for, so... I can't have her talk to people for very long, but... Her voice and her appearance, I can do."

Lisbeth grinned at that, “Just politely tell people that you are busy and you shall attend to them when you have the time, I’ll be here to usher them out,” she promised the illusionist. “I think your face is as clean as I can get it to be. Ready for some dinner?”

Pilar's eyes went to the bottle of blood Lisbeth had brought in. She was very ready. "Yes, that would be... that would be great, thank you." Pilar attempted to sit up, but could only prop herself up on her elbows, and even that took some doing.

Lisbeth set aside the washcloth and bowl, picking up the bottle of blood instead. Her massive hand reached around to touch Pilar’s back and support her into an upright position, so she could drink. Unstopping the bottle, the giant brought it up to Pilar’s lips so she could drink. “You know,” she began quietly, “Hilde would not have done that to you if she did not care for you. It seems cruel, but… she did what she thought right.”

Pilar gulped down the fluids, grateful to Lisbeth for her careful attention. Pilar had been due to feed anyway when she was paralyzed, so she was quite thirsty. Only when the bottle was emptied, did Pilar reply. "I... I know. She always does what she thinks is right. I just wish..." She wondered if Lisbeth knew about the undead knight who had taken the restless dead, and his offer to rescue Josleen himself. "... I just wish there was something I could have done to help."

Lisbeth had been kept busy with other duties and had missed that incident. “Hildegarde cares for Josleen very much. Josleen is important to her and one of the few that is within that… that inner circle of trust and friendship,” she said. “There are few who reach that with Hilde and Josleen is one of them. Hildegarde would do much, if not anything, for Josleen.”

Pilar nodded. "I figured that out around the time she said she was going to run deep into enemy territory for her. Miss Josleen is lucky to have such a good friend. I just hope all goes well. I can't create an illusion of Hildegarde forever." She imagined briefly having to simulate Hilde giving a rousing speech, charging into battle, lopping off Balgruuf's head and running Frostmaw. Yeah, no, not happening.

Lisbeth had faith in Hildegarde’s abilities. “Only the strongest may rule Frostmaw. If we believe she can rule Frostmaw, then I am sure she can rescue Josleen and survive.”

Pilar was heartened by Lisbeth's faith, though again, worrying was what she did. "She can't come back fast enough... We'd better make sure the medical tents are ready. Who knows what they're doing to poor Miss Josleen?" She didn't even want to think about it.

Lisbeth nodded at the suggestion, “See? Natural leader. I’ll see to it that the medical tents are prepared and I’ll bring more blood for you soon.”

Pilar smiled. "Thank you... And thanks for... for before. For giving me your blood."

Lisbeth gently removed her hand so Pilar could sink back into the furs, rising to her feet and only shrugging her shoulder. “What’s a bit of blood between friends?” she replied, before departing from the tent and seeing to the medical tent’s preparation.

Pilar snuggled into the nice warm furs and sighed. Despite all her worries, and the paralysis, she actually felt okay. The magic of friendship and all that.