The Stronghood Resolve and Arrogance
The [Reptilian Mark] was an insidious thing. Whenever the Stronghoods thought it was over, they were struck with the racking, dense sense of pain anew. It was a pain deep in their bones, flowing through their marrow to spread throughout their bodies. They never knew when the hellish torment would hit, and they had no clue as to what triggered it. The terrifying side effect of Varric's last spell—the sound vacuum—meant that they could not even hear their own muffled screams, forcing the agony to remain internalized and echoing only in their minds.
They lived in torment, but all five were scared to place blame – scared that blaming would bring about more suffering.
Michael Stronghood sat with his eyes closed, trying not to think about his life and the disastrous decisions made.
"Michael, we must do something! We cannot live like this!"
Michael's head shifted slightly, so he could see his wife, Anabel, in her increasing hysteria.
"And what exactly do you suggest we do? We have already been tortured by two powerful beast-kin and essentially told they are saving our deaths as gifts to Ardyn."
He scoffed. "Do you want us to kidnap the girl and dare them to defy us?"
Anabel's dead eyes brightened with life, but Michael frowned. "Are you insane woman?!"
He stood, with much effort, and moved to leave.
"Think about it. They have not killed us yet because the little fool has asked them not to." Her eyes gleamed as a desperate plan began to form in her mind. "We can seek out the hag that lives in the Blackcrest Mountains."
"And why would she help us, Anabel? She is no fool."
Anabel pouted, deflated, her plans shattered before they fully formed.
"I think Mom is right. Old Esmeralda is easy to please. Sweet melon is enough to buy her – she never leaves her caves so it is like a delicacy to her."
Tomas shrugged as he entered the room. Anabel's eyes lit up again – hope rekindling within her. Michael sat in silence as he contemplated the possibilities - and the terrifying possible consequences.
He sighed. "Our only other option is death. Tell me of this Esmeralda. I am sure she will not complete such a task for only one melon."
Tomas shrugged. "All we can do is take her offerings and hear what she has to say. We definitely can't go there empty handed."
Michael nodded and then looked to the hall that led to the downstairs bedrooms. "And we need to make sure the entire family stays calm and out of the way if this is to work."
"Out of the way? You mean Sonia needs to behave."
"Not just her – ALL OF YOU!"
Anabel gave her son a sharp look as she moved to soothe her husband. "Don't worry, dear. I will make sure we are all in line."
All five of the Stronghoods did their parts – between bouts of the effects from the [Tortoise Mark] – and they prepared for a treacherous trek into Blackcrest Mountain.
The entire family walked through the ancient mountain pass. Sonia carried a basket of pouches of different spices, Angelica had rare herbs, Anabel carried rich skin salves, and both Michael and Tomas carried heavy bags filled with fresh fruits and vegetables unknown to the area.
They reached the mouth of the wide cave and almost froze in their steps. Each of them strengthened their resolve and entered without any real hesitation.
The inside of the cave was dark and foreboding. It was massive, dark, dank, and seemed to want to suffocate them all. Slime creatures moved across all surfaces as stagnant water stood in dark corners.
Tomas led the way, having been the only one of them that had been there before, and he led them all through unerringly.
The old woman sat in a small cave filled with filth. It seemed to take her a lot of effort just to look up. Her face scarred and full of black and green warts, she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she looked from the people to the things they had brought her. Her instincts told her to send them all away, but her greedy hunger for items unseen in her mountain prison drove her forward.
"How can I help you?" With a whoosh, a wide space cleared before them, revealing a crude, unsettling table. The Stronghoods' second great transgression had begun.