The Awakening pt. 1

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The Awakening

Bright light pierced my eyes as they blinked rapidly. They were dry, as though I had been staring for a while at something. My vision then focuses on the city below- way below. I had to have been a couple hundred of feet up. Beings were moving about the unfamiliar place. There was another tower, possibly as tall as the one I was on, and a palace that paled in size.

The morning was warm and I could feel a light breeze on my face. Where I stood was a balcony of sorts made of stone. The coolness of the rock was pleasant to my bare feet.

Where am I? I wondered. It’s strange to think about, but I wasn’t frightened. I don’t think I was truly convinced by what I was experiencing. I thought about Harbinger and how he was possibly just waiting for me with the others... wait, who were the others?

A voice then interrupted my thoughts, “The city is lost,” a woman said, “Whatever they did, whatever power they found, it destroyed everyone who was outside the tower.” There was something strangely familiar about that voice... but I couldn’t figure out why. “The wizards insist we leave, fearing they’d be punished for aiding you. Either we go or continue on with the plan without the collapse of all three Kingdoms.”

I furrowed my brows. The thought came to mind to look toward the woman to see who she was and why she was familiar, but my head began to hurt. I reached up to massage my temple, but the pain wasn’t coming from there. No, it was higher up. My hand then came into contact with a ring. My heart quickened as I felt what the ring was attached too. A circlet! With the headache happening and Sven’s circlet upon me once more, I quickly assessed myself.

My name is Araja Blackwing Eloirakn. I’m hurt? Who was I traveling with? Harbinger, Grendel, Bal Vyr... Lash- oh my head! 
I then looked to my left hand. Meryth’s feather wasn’t there. I reached for the curse mark upon my back and couldn’t feel it.

“Master? Are you well this morning?” the woman called. I could feel her presence behind me, but when I turned slowly, there was a curtain dividing the room from the balcony I was on.

Master? This must be a dream for how is it I have Sven’s circlet upon me again. Gemmel saved me from the last one. And I was... I was... not here!  my thoughts raced. It had to be a nightmare and I wanted to wake up, but I couldn’t.

“I’m afraid not,” I finally answered. I was beginning to feel scared and hoped she could give me some answers. I walked to the curtain and as I pulled it aside to view into the room, I caught a glimpse of the woman ducking behind a door and shutting it behind her. A lock clicked and all was silent.

I looked about the room wondering if there would be any clues as to my where abouts found within. I examined the the magical auras about but could only detect the circlet upon my head. Infact another thought came to mind. Gemmel. I don’t quite understand why I thought of him, but reason said to check my hand. I looked at my right hand and was shocked to find only 4 fingers upon it! It was as though someone had removed the entire middle finger to extract the pebble Gemmel had given me. I shook my head. Sven clearly didn’t like what I had done last time he tried to possess me.

After assessing my hand and seeing that it didn’t hinder my magics, I continued to observe the details of the room. It was nicely furnished. Drapings decorated the wall, a comfortable bed, and a desk with ink pens and paper. Nothing written and no books to scour through.

Eventually I turned my attention back to the balcony. I walked through the curtains and over to the stone railing. I felt in a haze and trapped. Then I remembered my wings and for a moment felt liberated, but I quickly realized the weights tethered to my waist. They were locked in place and far beyond my strength to break.

The sky seemed to call me though. Something about wanting to get higher beckoned to my soul. So I climbed up on to the railing. The thought came to mind to jump, to try and fly away. I gave a flap of my wings and I felt the strength they had, but I was unsure if I would be able to safely glide to the ground with the load I was bound to.

I then contented myself to look over the kingdom. The people I saw milling about became clearer. They were Giants! I gaped at them because I remembered Harbinger’s hate for them. Why were they there!? Had they come to enslave the town? Why did it matter? Wherever I was, this wasn’t my problem. I definitely wasn’t going to take the hundreds of them on without my friends.

A feeling welled up in me. A longing.

“Isaac? Raæin?” I spoke as I scanned the horizon. The second name felt foreign, like I should know who he was. Nothing came of my call and so I waited hoping the woman would return soon to help me or that the dream would continue to unfold before me.

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The sun’s intensity only increased as it reached it’s zenith. I finally grew impatient and began my escape plan. I was tired of waiting around. I pulled down the drapes and curtains and began to forge a rope out of them. Funny enough, when I went to reach for my equipment and found them gone, it was as though I had expected that to be the case.

An hour later I had a fairly decent sized length of knotted cloth that I felt would get me close enough to the ground that I would make a safe escape. I then tied one end to the bedpost since the was the most secure place in the room. I then tied the other end around my waist in case I slipped. With both ends tied tights, I made my way over the edge of the balcony and began my descent.

The grass felt cool against my bare feet. I untied myself and began to make my way out of the courtyard I was in. As I walked I assessed myself once more with what I knew to be truth. I’m Araja. Destined to destroy Erythnul. Sven’s circlet is upon my head. I have four fingers on my right hand. Isaac and Raæin- that name again! I need to find them. Harbinger too. My heart longed especially for him. Where was the Goliath? Where was I?

I’m from France. Is this France? No... too many Giants. Giants! I snapped out of my thoughts and made haste to the closest folk that towered over me. The streets were void of people and I couldn’t help but wonder what the evil beings had done to the city.

“Hey!” I called out boldly to the first Giant I approached, “What’s going on here? Why have you attacked this town!” I demanded. The rock like Giant slowly turned my direction and with firm eyes replied, “We have not attacked this city. Our work has been that of defense, as you should well know.”

A few more Giants drew closer and I began to feel my courage fleet as I realized how small and insignificant I was. Even the Goliath would have felt small in their presence. Still I held my head high and kept my eyes firm.

“Why have you refused your aid in this fight?" another Giant asked. He was more agitated with me and before I could respond he went on saying, “The mages were a great boon in this conflict and you wizards are never ones to be out done by them! Yet you were content to sit and watch from your guarded towers letting us die!” he began to shout, advancing toward me.

“Be calm,” the stone Giant interjected, placing a hand on the younger Giant’s shoulder. He then looked back to me and added, “He speaks truth though. Why did you stay your hands this night and day when the city was in so great a need?”

I furrowed my brow. “I- my hand? Why did I not fight? Probably because I have a cursed circlet on my head and I just woke up!” I snapped pointing to my head. However my lips froze for it surprised me what I had said. I just woke up? I brushed it aside and continued on in my defense more respectfully, “I don’t even know where I am, not that that really matters... Heavens I should be content by now waking up in new and strange places,” I muttered to myself.

The Giants continued to eye me. Seeing that they knew who I was, I suspected they were followers of Sven. It would make sense. A bunch of mean Giants to defend his city.

“So do you all work for him then? Defending his city and enslaving your attackers?”

“Who?” a Giant asked.

“You’re in Pride,” answered another.

“And we fought night and day against creatures from the underdark,” said a third. The way they answered it became apparent they weren’t in cahoots with Sven.

“Could you tell us about the circlet. Perhaps we could help you,” the stone Giant offered. I looked wide eyes at him intrigued by the continued kindness they were displaying. Harbinger would be surprised to hear about nice Giants.

“Um, well that would be wonderful if you could rip it from my head, but that’ll likely kill me,” I touched the rings that were embedded in my skull, cringing at the mild pain that jilted through my body. “Let alone if you did remove it, I’m afraid it’s powers are strong and alluring and likely one of you will place it upon yourself.

“My friend and I had gotten rid of one a long time ago in the hopes to one day destroy it. I actually don’t even understand how I’m aware of any of this considering Sven’s power... but I’m willing to let you try anything you’d like to remove this cursed contraption,” I stated. The Giants all looked at each other with worried expressions as they pondered what to do with me.

I was then whisked away by my new found entourage. They knew not what to do with me and I figured they were taking me to someone who could better solve the puzzle the circlet and myself presented.

I’m lead into the palace I saw and inside there are many more Giants.

“My Lord,” the stone Giant called out, “We have brought you a wizard-” wizard? “who claims to have no memory of recent events and blames her condition on her circlet that bares a curse.”

A Giant far larger than the others steps forward. It’s hard to believe I didn’t notice him immediately. He stood in front of me, his skin cracked and sparkling with his magic energy. His eyes were deep and piercing as they scanned my frame.

“You have fallen far little one and broken beyond repair,” his thunderous voice softly spoke. My heart sank. It was confirmation of what I already knew. There was no hope for me. Yet he tried to be optimistic for my sake, but it was hypocritical to what he had just told me. How could I heal myself if I’m ‘broken beyond repair?’

I then heard something, a humming. It filled my ears and I looked around to find all was silent, except the large Giant before me. He was humming and from his mouth a song came out:

“Then you will be free of this device and it, nor any other like it, shall have sway over you,” the Giant told me. He then walked back into the sea of Giants standing about.

I, however, was left with one option. It was time to go home. I hated the idea of returning, the idea of forgiving Him. I knew what He had become! What He had done! Still... if it meant I could be free of Sven forever, then surely it would be worth making amends. Also... what if Heironious had been tricked from the start? What if He was in need of my help now?

I asked for the aid of the Giants remaining to break the weights that were tied to me. The chains gave way under the force of the large folk. I thanked them for their kindness and bid them farewell.

Once outside, the lightly clouded sky above, I took in a deep breathe. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t partially excited by the idea of going home, but I wasn’t sure if I could make it all the way there. Did I have the faith and strength to go the distance? Still, I had to try. Either I would remain a slave to Sven and commit whatever evils in his name or I would confront Heironious and be saved. Both had likely chances of death and I knew my best bet was with my ex God.

I took to the skies, flying harder and faster than I ever thought possible. Higher and higher I flew. The air about me became thin and cold. Soon it grew dark as I left the atmosphere of the mortal plain behind me. However the cold began to blister my skin and my resolve to keep flying vanished. I descended back down to warmer conditions.

My intention was to land and and pray, but something within prompted me to try again. For a moment I thought about shrugging it off, but I remembered Heironious would send those promptings when we needed to do something, whether or not we fully understood it at the moment. And so my resolved renewed and I flew with greater vigor toward the Kingdom.

As the cold set in again, I urged myself to keep going. I even sang the song the Giant had sung to motivate myself. The song poured from me as though I had known it all my life.

With the words spilling out of my mouth, I finally saw a shining light that split the horizon and opened up into the familiar Kingdom I had left so long ago. The ocean laid out before me as the land of Heironious’s Kingdom rested a few miles from me.

As I flew to the shore, nearly exhausted to my wits end, something caught my attention. It was silent. The kind of eerie silence that gives you goosebumps for no reason and makes you suspect someone’s watching. I could hear the ocean waves and the flapping of my wings, but the music that was always about the Kingdom was no where to be heard.

I landed on the shore and looked up to the Golden city perched high on the mountain. I was too tired to keep going despite the part of me that knew my time was limited. Still, I laid down on the ground and fell asleep.

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Grendel's Demon pt. 3: A Ballad and Planning

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As we walked, Tornar questioned us about our familiarity with the Elves. We explained our situation about how the Druidess wants us to assassinate some of the town folk. At first we were reluctant, but now, with all we’ve learned of the town, some of those listed we’re more inclined to dealing with, the Mayor being the first.

Bal Vyr eventually brought up the ballad again. It was titled ‘The Ballad of Urrok Gann.’ Trickfoot took a look at it and read it allowed:

The ballad was quite chilling. I’m not entirely sure, but it would seem whatever the great beast was is now contained inside the orb, like a prisoner to Pelor’s might. Yet if the darkness inside it was the monster that Urrok Gann was defeated by, are we that evil? The same darkness in the orb is marred on our skin. However, what evil is there to be had by me when I restored everything to it’s own perfection upon my death?

Soon the conversation changed to the fact we would have easy access to the lumber mill and therefore could investigate the situation of the Elves with them. The manager was on the hit list and part of me could only hope he wouldn’t be as disagreeable as the Mayor and Captain Skawsdin.

Harbinger suggested that we first try and scope out the town. He wanted to go in because he had been hurt in a manner that he needed the clerics at St. Cuthbert to help him. While doing so, he’d see how things are going, especially considering we were given a way out with no explanation. Bal Vyr told the Goliath that if he was the one to go in, he’d best use his ring to disguise to himself. Other than that, everyone, even my reluctant self, agreed that was a good idea.

I was getting quite weary by the time we settled for the night. We didn’t want to get too close to town, but it felt like a good distance from where we encountered the Elves to call it a night. I had offered to keep watch, but the men said they had it covered.

We all situated ourselves in a circle. There was something about all of us together. We’re each so very different, yet I felt safe with them. It was like... family almost. Why had I never felt this way when I was with Isaac and the others? No, I take that back. The others I never felt close to, but Isaac I miss. He was so... obnoxious, but he always had my back.

Part of me wishes we could have had a fire, but not wanting to attract the Elves, a cold night would bode better for us. I wrapped my cloak about myself and laid down next to Harbinger. I don’t know how he’d handle the night. With his armor off, he was only sporting pants.

“Bummer I don’t have my- er, our tent on me. It’ll be a bit cool tonight won’t it,” I whispered.

“It won’t be that terrible,” he responded. He was laying on his back and opened his arm up for me to join him, “I’ll keep you warm.”

I hesitated a moment. Part of me felt shy with everyone laying about, yet part of me figured why not? So I moved into his arm and rested my head on his shoulder. It was definitely warmer and part of me wonders if Goliath’s are naturally resistant to the weather. Would it be weak of me to not be able to tolerate the elements on my own the majority of the year? It then got me wondering if I had anything to offer in a Goliath’s tribe. I can’t heal, I’m no druid, I am not a great hunter and gatherer, let alone I’m so small and by comparison, frail.

Frail... no. I had my strength. If anything, my flight would help me keep up with Harbinger’s people. I know I’m getting stronger every day as I practice. Also, as to my usefulness in a tribe, I was a shepherd! Granted it was centuries ago, but surely I could do that as my way of contributing!

“Harbinger, what kind of animals did your tribe raise?” I asked.

“Hmm, not many. Last I saw, we had small eagles and hawks. Sometimes wolves,” he listed, “There was a time when we had Great Eagles. Oh, and my mother had a lioness. She’d have a litter of cubs in the summer in which we’d help raise them.”

“What about sheep and cattle?” I asked hoping he had forgotten to mention them.

“No,” the Goliath replied, “We’re nomadic and live in the mountains, so we’ve never had any livestock.”

My heart sank. There goes that, I thought. “Right, you get most of your game from hunting,” I mentioned glumly.

“Why do you ask?”

A small sigh escaped me. “Contemplating my usefulness in a tribe. I was a shepherd before I was Exalted. I was mildly hoping that sheep or goats were common among your people.”

“Really?” Harbinger asked. I gave a nod of my head. “Well that is mighty fortunate then. It’s not my intentions to always stay in the mountains, Blackwing. I actually want to bring my tribe out and develope a place where we can farm and have livestock. So it is useful that you have that skill. I would love to learn one day.”

I beamed. If Harbinger was serious, then I’d have a huge part to play. I lived in a farming community and have the experience to aid in his desire to have his people settle.

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Grendel's Demon pt. 2: He Who Bears Erythnul's Mark

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Harbinger enchanted one of his gauntlets with a light spell, illuminating the underground labyrinth. Tornar lead the way, juggling Bal Vyr and the map with ease. I could only imagine the reaction the Drow would have once he woke up in the arms of a Dwarf.

The Goliath looked upon me as I began to follow. “How are you holding up?” he asked. I assessed myself, taking a few deep breaths.

“I’m gonna be sore for awhile,” I replied as my chest burned from the bruising Grendel gave me. My cheek was scabbed over and some purple spots were along my exposed arms.

“Need some healing?”

I gave a small smile and shook my head. “No thank you,” I said, “best you save your magicks in case we run into trouble down here.”

Harbinger reached out and stroked my cheek. As he did, he whispered a few words to which warmth spread through my chest. I wanted to scold him for not honoring my refusal, but I smiled, thankful for the extra relief from my pain.

We made our way through the labyrinth for what felt like hours. Bal Vyr did wake up and that made for a small scene due to Tornar seeing though the Drow’s disguise. The Dwarf listened to our reasoning of him being marked like us and that, for a Drow, he was decent company. Miraculously, Bal Vyr didn’t do anything further to endanger our new comrade. Alas, that could just be due to all of us being present. May Tornar never be alone with the Drow.

The evil and darkness of the catacombs we were able to escape unscathed. It felt like a few hours had passed since our dealing with the Mayor. The exit opened up to the woods, the moon overhead giving a soft glow to the trees about us. Everyone felt certain we were north of the town, so I flew up and out of the tree lines to get a better view. Despite the glow of the moon, I couldn’t see the town at all. A moment of panic swept through me. It was like de’ja vu. I had seen these woods before! They were the very ones I got lost in when I left Raæin to find a cure for him... but I hadn’t been bitten this time.

I quickly descended and was grateful to see my companions still in the thickets below. I informed them of my inability to locate the town. Harbinger confidently pointed in a direction southwest of where we were, stating that we should travel toward the farmlands where it was out of Elven territory and therefore safer to sleep for the night.

There was some discussion about just going back into town, grabbing our stuff, and fleeing, but it came down to the fact that we were given the opportunity to get out of that dismal place. Chances are if we went back, something bad would happen to us.

Once everyone was in agreement to head toward the farmlands, I then corrected Harbinger that the farmlands were southeast of where we were (if we truly were north of town.

As we walked, Bal Vyr asked Tornar how he became so scarred. The Dwarf’s eyes hooded over and he let a long sigh out.

“It’s a mite bit of a story,” Tornar began.

“We have all night really,” the Drow answered. The Dwarf gave a nod of his head and dove right into his tale. It was a lot he disclosed with us as he talked about how he left his home so long ago to pursue after his God, Kord. It was there, when he was learning and part of his initiation, that he fell into the hands of Ravagers of Erythnul.

“I, and some other clerics, were protecting a local village from these Ravagers. During the raid the other clerics were all killed or fled out of fear,” he described. A shudder worked up my spine. I remember when Rehm was raided. No one but ourselves where there to protect us. Meryth and I had barely escape, though my fate was sealed by the vicious blade I was stabbed with.

“Being young, I believed that I could fight them all off. Instead I was captured,” he continued. He then described the years of torture as they strived to corrupt him. How he’d get cut until he was nearly dead, only to be healed and repeat. He’d also be thrown into the pits to fight other Ravagers at unbeatable odds. A wooden sword was his weapon while they attacked with steel and poison.

There was a heaviness in my mind. As he retold his story in great detail, I couldn’t help but relive my time in Hell. I looked at my skin. The porcelain white that was marred only by the wounds I’ve obtained since my return. Underneath it, in my mind, lingered all the scars from Hell. However, I remained and never conceded to the dark ways of Erythnul. Tornar did not. Then again... I was never marked.

“Everyday, for years, they would torture me. At the end of the day they’d ask, ‘Do you accept The Many as your only God to do his will? Are you willing to do his work? If you say yes we will put down our blade.’

“I refused 2 years, spitting at their feet and declaring, ‘Kord is my protector.’ In the end it was too much for me. I grew weak and became a Ravager!” he said with contempt. No one spoke for it was clear how much Tornar loathed his failure. I hadn’t expected him to disclose the detail of what he ended up doing, but he did.

“I spent many years torturing innocent people, killing women and children. The most grievous part was the day I didn't even consider them to be people... just slabs of meat. About 36 years of my life was corrupted.”

A lightness suddenly came about his voice, “Thank Kord for taking pity on my soul for one day I was in my tent looking for my whetstone when I found a tiny scrap of paper saying, 'He who would use his might to destroy is at heart weak.' I don’t know how it got there, but it was part of a book of Kord's teachings I used to carry. At that moment my faith in Kord returned as did my morality. So I escaped the camp and ran as far as I could.”

Tornar looked to us, his eyes lined with worry knowing he had told us secrets that would make any person hate him. “Please friends,” he stated solemnly, “try not to judge me for my past actions. I realize I have made many mistakes but I am not a cruel nor evil man.”

No one spoke right away, but it was I who broke the silence, “I for one cannot judge you. I can’t really speak for everyone here, but I would think it safe to say we all have our past we wish to bury.” Tornar gave a nod as he acknowledged my words. “When did they place the mark of Erythnul upon you?” I asked.

“The very moment they captured me. One of the many things that immersed me into the Ravager’s culture,” the Dwarf answered. I nodded. It made sense to what I remembered of the mark. It wasn’t immediate that the evil would take over. Perhaps that was why Rekka killed herself... the evil began to consume her and she had just enough will power to prevent herself from becoming Erythnul’s tool.

However, how was it Tornar overcame the mark’s influence? Was he playing us or did Kord give him the strength to overcome it?

“You are very fortunate to have freed yourself of the mark’s influence,” I said. The Dwarf gave a single nod. “Now how did you come about the curse mark on your leg?” I asked, “We all woke up in a metal basin without a clue of how we got there. Last I recall was living in Dijon, France,” and had just invented a toilet.

“Actually, that’s exactly where I found myself Blackwing. Woke up in some metal bowl and began to make my way home,” Tornar answered.

“So how’d you end up imprisoned in Lake Town?” Bal Vyr asked.

“Like I said, I was making my way home. I ventured into that town hoping to make some money, but with the mark of Erythnul upon me, they took me prisoner saying they didn’t want any trouble from my kind. They didn’t even give me the option to leave.”

We fell silent again. We walked until we came to a river. If we followed it south, it would take us right into the Mayorless town. Harbinger placed Gendel on the ground and carefully removed his helmet. The crusader’s face was black with his mark and he groaned as came too. The Goliath moved a few paces away as Grendel took in his surroundings. Tornar walked to him and tried giving a hand to our comrade, but Grendel refused it. The Goliath then held out the helmet he took to which the crusader snatched it quickly from him.

“How are you feeling?” Harbinger asked. Grendel looked about us without answering the question. His eyes settled on Tornar.

“Dwarf, how did you join us?” he asked.

Tornar gave him a questioning look. “I was in the same prison as you,” he began, “Then we fought you and a bunch of other people and now we’re here.”

“Where are we and where are we going?” Grendel asked.

“Somewhere north of Lake Town and headed toward the farmland to camp for the night,” I answered.

“Maybe we should just camp here instead?” Bal Vyr suggested.

“Yeah, it would be a pain to get all of us across with all our armor and equipment,” Harbinger noted. I would have offered to fly some of the heavier things across, but without my full strength, I figured my attempts wouldn’t be as easy as I would like.

“Why are we here then?” Grendel asked.

“A lot has happened since we lost you-” the Goliath began.

“More like LEFT me!” the crusader accused.

“Left you?” Bal Vyr and I echoed, “I went back and looked for you for a little while,” the Drow continued.

“And I should trust your word?”

“You did before.”

“Why should I now?”

“Because we just saved you!” Bal Vyr spat, “Maybe we should have left you instead.”

“Why didn’t you?” Grendel seethed at us. I didn’t understand his disposition with everyone. He was acting so... child like!  

“Because you’re one of the group!” the Drow snapped. Then with a mocked voice to mimic Grendel said, “‘Why should I trust you?’ Seriously? I don’t know how your kind goes about it Grendel, but we’re not leaving a member behind!”

There was some silence as the tension hung thick in the air. Harbinger was the first to dare break it.

“Grendel, where did you go back when we entered that crypt?”

“I don’t know!” the crusader lamented. The Goliath tried explaining how they all had been teleported, leaving me behind, but Grendel snapped at him saying he hadn’t asked him for an explanation.

“Perhaps we should focus on getting some rest instead,” I said dryly.

“Yes, let us do that Blackwing,” Harbinger agreed. I heard the crusader scoff under his breathe at my new name. “Grendel, you’re welcome to stay with us, but if you’d rather, Lake Town is just down the river,” the Goliath continued.

“Well I plan on staying,” Trickfoot piped in. I was certainly thrilled to have his company. One more pleasant person among the Drow and crusader in the party.

I sat down since it sounded like we were to camp where we were by the river. Harbinger removed his armor and followed suit. I wrapped my cloak about me. It was going to be a colder night without the protection of my tent and bedroll, but at least it wasn’t winter.

“Trickfoot,” Bal Vyr called out as he, and the other’s began to sit down in a circle, “What happened to you? How were you caught?”

“Oh,” the Gnome began, seeming bothered by the memory, “I had finished performing at an Inn and as I made my leave, some men took me. Then for whatever reason they’ve been holding me in a cell.”

“At least you were only there a week. How long were you there Tornar?” Harbinger asked.

“Can’t say. I’ve lost track of time,” the Dwarf replied. I nodded. So have I, I thought to myself. I haven’t bothered to learn the new calendar system here, if it is all that new. I can count the days in my journal if I really wanted.

“Well, on a positive note, we did destroy the Mayor. Can you believe he was a wrath?” The Goliath said, trying to lighten the mood.

“What about that blood snake the robed figure transformed into?” Bal Vyr added.

“He turned into that?” I replied.

“Yeah.” The Drow then rubbed his neck where he was bitten.

“Did anyone else notice that he too had the mark and channeled it?” Harbinger mentioned. I jerked my head to look at him.

“No, I was too busy getting strangled,” Bal Vyr said.

”I noticed that,” Tornar said.

“Don’t you think it strange that not only was the Mayor some dark spirit, but he was being advised by someone else who has the mark? Let alone taking prisoners who were marked.” Harbinger let that hang on the air. If anything, the Goblins were right. There was a darkness in town and it very well could be us who bare the curse.

“Well I know nothing of this mark,” Tornar responded, gesturing to his leg.

“Did that man ever some and visit you Tornar? The robed one?” the Goliath asked.

“Or did anyone interrogate you or Trickfoot?” Bal Vyr asked.

“No,” both the Gnome and Dwarf answered.

Things got quiet and soon the Drow was conversing with Grendel (who sat a good distance from the rest of us) about the orb. As he did that, my attention was once more brought back to Tornar. I began to scan the magical auras about him. Sure enough, Erythnul’s mark lit up.

My stomach turned as worry of the mark overcame me. What if he tried branding us with it? Then I remembered Billy... he was nothing more than a faint memory of the world I came from... all of them were who I left behind. But the point is when I touched the marks of Heinul, they didn’t transfer like I was told. Then again, I remember watching my sister get marked, so it is true in the sense that Erythnul's mark alone transfers through touch. Surely the Dwarf's mark will act exactly how I remember.

“Araja, what is you history with Erythnul?” the Drow suddenly asked.

“Araja?” Tornar interrupted.

“My full name is Araja ‘Blackwing’ Eloirakn. Harbinger gave me my honorific. However you may call me by either,” I answered the Dwarf, “As to Erythnul, I was trained up to destroy him... but clearly I failed at that,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Yeah, taking out a deity never works, unless they’re a wimp like Pelor,” Bal Vyr stated. I cracked a smile.

“Why do you say that? He’s one of the few God’s alive, isn’t he?” I inquired.

“Oh yeah!” the Drow said with much enthusiasm. He reached into his pack and pulled out a journal, “I found this ballad that talks about our mark! Trickfoot, by chance do you know anything about it?” Bal Vyr asked as he flipped through the pages.

“Shh!” Abu suddenly said, snuffing the light spell he had going, “I hear something.” We all listened for a moment and sure enough, some faint voices were heard. I was certain some Elves came upon us..

I hunkered down with my cloak pulled about me and my wings shielding my face. I felt Harbinger duck down next to me and all I could hope for was that nothing bad would happen.

“They saw your light spell Abu,” Bal Vyr whispered, “and they saw it disappear. They think it might have been a will-o-wisp so they’re heading back.”

“Well lets get a move on it then!” I suggested, “We can continue down river toward the town.”

We then heard footsteps approach and all went silent again. Harbinger placed a hand on my exposed back as he shifted closer. I would have thought I’d’ve felt safer having him guarding me, but my heart continued to thump loudly as the Elves drew nigh. I peaked through my wings to see where everyone else was. I then heard armor clanking and saw Grendel take a few paces. Surprisingly, he made a motion suggesting we keep down. My eyes remained glued to him as he continued to walk toward what I was sure were Elves.

“Hail!” He called out. Some sharp whispers were exchanged before someone responded, “What human dares to enter our realm by night?”

“One who has communed with the Druidess about the Sylphsbane Clade.” The Elves were silent a moment, a single word being cursed under their breathe.

“What do you speak of?” an Elf went on.

“I speak of trying to eradication the human opposition to the Elf domain,” Grendel responded.

“We know of no such deal with the human scum. Surrender now or -or,” an Elf stuttered.

“You can try to kill me Elf, but it did not fare well for the last person. I mean you no harm and am just making my way to my camp outside these woods,” the crusader interrupted, “Will you allow me to do that with my Dwarf friend here?” My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t see Tornar, but I worried that pointing him out wouldn’t bode well.

The Elves began to bicker with each other, but after a minute, one of them finally said, “We care not what devious ploy you’re trying to attempt Human, but be on your way before you face the wrath of the Elf lands,” he said unconvincingly. There were hurried footsteps trailing away from us.

“Can we go now?” Grendel asked after a moment, clearly weary from... well everything I guess. Bal Vyr tried patting the crusader on the back, but was met with a growl.

“You know your hostile attitude may be why we didn’t get to you sooner,” the Drow stated..

“Perhaps,” Grendel said without humor.

“By the way, I did catch them saying they’re going to go report what happened here,” Bal Vyr added.

“So let’s go,” Tornar suggested. Harbinger called Dawn over and gave her instructions of ‘warning.’ She then darted off into the woods while we then continue down stream toward Lake Town.

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