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L'Aurel's Journal (A Kingdom of Ashes) -updated 3/23
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<blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 1816007" data-attributes="member: 17067"><p><strong>Chapter Two: "Scions of a Dying Age"</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Day Ten- Thainesport</em></p><p> </p><p>I awake to find everyone else still sleeping peacefully, but Arfin. I look over at him seeing his great mouth hanging open and I smile at the image the walls starting to shake at his every exhale. I feel two small brown eyes just past his shoulder staring at me, and giving my eyes time to adjust realize they belong to the dark dwarf Xath. In the darkness her teeth flash white as she smiles a greeting, I weakly nod back all my muscles protesting the thought of movement, any movement. I try to move lightly and shift to a back corner quickly blocking out the problems of the physical body, and entering the calm world of another plane it seems.</p><p> </p><p>A nock sounds on the door at the approved time, but with all that has happened so recently little response greet sit. So a second more urgent nock sounds, as I open my eyes breathing deeply at how the last hour has revived me more then the whole night of rest. Justice grumbles rolling over and running long fingers through now very short blond hair. Shouting to the still closed doorway, ‘We are up!’ when a third knock sounds. Xath curiously smiling in good humor goes to open the door. </p><p> </p><p>Immediately awake and alert, I grab hold of my bow, relaxing only after the door closes behind the lanky inn keeper. He looks around at us, and nervously remarks, “Make sure you take nothing suspicious with you, as they are checking everything that leaves today as if searching for something.” His eyes plead, and voice shakes with terror, “Please leave soon, I have already put my family in grave danger, but I am a man of my word. Leave please!” </p><p> </p><p>He starts to rush out when Justice grabs his arm, “We thank you for the room, and we paid good for it, too. But to not bring down anything unpleasant on your tavern you still must help us a little more.” He looks shaken, but stands like a dog to scared for fear of the whip. She asks him about the supplies we had agreed on the night before. After giving his answers, each word carrying him a small step closer to the door her again pleads with us to leave and then runs out the door. </p><p> </p><p>We agreed on moving in two groups, less chance of discovery and if one gets caught it still leave the others with a chance. So first Jaine, Joshua, Filmore, Captain Rynn, and the four dwarves will head to the HMS Queens Escape. Xath who booked their passage will have to go along as well, and she assured us last night she had many ways of getting around unnoticed. The twinkle in her eye left much to be questioned, but so long as she made it to safety we didn’t ask. The rest of us will wait a little longer, a group of mercenaries taking their leave. We carry our dead companion Archonus, to be burned in his home town. We realized very quickly he was the most noticeable of us all, and so it was he that we elected over his stern glares to be held inside.</p><p> </p><p>As Team Royalty surrounds the door, her hand on the knob, Jaine turns solemnly back to look at us and declares proudly, “You are now all generals in my army… the Army of the Phoenix.” With they file out with only the rustle of their clothes giving away there may be two more amid the large group to some unseen eyes. Arfin and I go to the window to watch them leave the building, and I am surprised to hear him utter a blessing to Dumotheon to watch over the clan. Then as if noticing I am there he pats my arm, and walks back to the others. I push the curtain a little further over trying to keep them in sight as long as possible. Uh-Oh…. two guards stand below knocking on the tavern door, but they should only have to search the floors below. I quickly tell the others. Justice swears then glancing around starts to think of a way out,” but too soon we hear the footsteps of one of the guards. I hide in a dark corner, while Archonus and Arfin climb into the rafters. Justice and Farathier quickly strip down try to appear… as if just waking up. </p><p> </p><p>We hear the muffled voices outside then a knock sounds across the way, and a knock sound at our door. “Give us a moment,” shouts Justice as they race to complete the scene. The guard pushes the door open face lifting from dour to knowing as he sees the two bodies and tangled sheets. He asks all the questions we were expecting, and Justice and Farathier answered easily with the prepared answers. With relief we see him turn to leave. The guards gloved hands shoots up as he reaches the door and a strangled cry from Arfin is heard right before his body plummets to the wooded ground. “You said you were alone.” The guard glares at Justice and Farathier, “Tell the other to come down as well.” I stay motionless.. other, not others… he hasn’t seen me- yet. As Arhconus deftly jumps down, the guard moves quickly to avoid Arfin’s angry shove. Having missed his target, Arfin shuffles towards the other two pulling the blade from his shoulder.</p><p> </p><p>Justice tries to tell the guard we are good people and the evils of the King. With a swift move he lays his hand on the hilt of his sword, and a single glance passing between Arfin and Farathier they both lunge forward, since he does not appear to have taken nicely to Justice’s pleas. Archonus who had remained to the side of the guard quickly kicks his legs out and stands looming over the guard. He tells the others to put down their weapons and stand back. I remain watching from the corner, bow and a single arrow in my hand. Knowing that is all I would need should he attack Archonus. </p><p> </p><p>The masked man, Archonus, helps the guard to his feet showing him the black design on his left hand, telling the guard that he could not have broken his oath… he could not have become a traitor as the king says or his hand would be burned off. Slowly the guards fingers move from his sword hilt out only guide that he starts to see how we could be right. He can not help us out of the city, but as I step from the shadows ask him if he could at least find where the HMS Sea Monkey is docked. He swiftly turns at the sound of my voice, but eases quickly as he sees me flip the arrow shaft into my hip quiver. He agrees he could try, and will try, but it will take him time. He will try to return in half an hour, but he will not risk his life for us. I tell him with a slight smile we would never expect such payment. Moments after the guard leaves taking his partner with him, an clear is sounded from out the window for that tavern. Justice and Arfin slip out hopefully to find a cart and coffin.</p><p> </p><p>They return just before the appointed time, somehow managing to find a box that will suffice for a coffin. Not liking the idea that such a thing was so easily found, for people should join the light again after death and in order to do so must be cleansed by the fire of death. To do otherwise would not allow the steps- but dwarves seem to be okay with simple burial instead of the pyre. Just different ways… not for everyone, not for me.</p><p> </p><p>The guard rushes in, glancing around hurriedly, “The ship you seek is down on the west docks.” He tells us more exactly the size and shape of the ship as well. We thank him as he retreats quickly, leaving us to our own devises now. Only one group of guards stop us, but as Justice explains our situation it is apparent most of the guards are merely going through the motions having no real fear or knowledge of what is happening. The light seems to be on our side. </p><p> </p><p>My hand itches to grasp the unstrung bow at my back, too many guards all searching for us. Just one wrong move- one wrong word and they could discover us. Chastising myself for letting fear grip me, I focus on the words Michael taught me. Slowly refocusing.</p><p> </p><p>As we board the swinging gangplank the captain yells out to us, as with most good merchants payment is on the top of his list. As Justice hands him the portion we agreed to pay before the leaving, I see Farathier duck just in time to miss a flying man holding a rope in one hand. As the man reaches the top of his arc he lets go unfazed by the thirty foot drop. He seeming to stop in mid air then his body flies outward as with practiced experience he grabs the large wooden beam holding the large main sail. Kareth pushes my shoulder from behind urging me to follow the others, but looking over my shoulder I can see he is as curious and mesmerized as I am. The ship I took to Thainesport was small, with but one mast. I will have to wait till after we are safely out of port to see the rest of ship life as we are quickly crammed into two small rooms. Justice and I in one with Arfin, Farathier, and Kareth in the other. Archonus in his imprisoned tomb waits for us in the cargo hold down the hall.</p><p> </p><p>Justice throws her pack on the bunk to the right as I glance at the two stacked on the left. Smiling at the thought of Xath struggling into the top bunk I place my black bag up there. Justice starts to list the issues she already has with the captain. Though when she tells me that he charged extra for us having less passengers I can start to understand her frustration. Silently we settle in, Justice seemingly preoccupied with her own thoughts, and me content to keep mine to myself. I feel the slight movement of the ship beneath us and start to pace wanting to be above wind, sea spray and birds to fill my senses. Instead I stand in the middle of the room trying to orient myself, “We have stopped,” I say aloud. Justice looks up eyebrows raised, She slowly stands nodding her head, “Yes. They must be searching the ship even-”</p><p> </p><p>“He is the one we are looking for!” From the hallway shouts a strangers menacing voice. Not knowing who had been seen and what we are running into Justice and I look for another door, another way to get out there. </p><p> </p><p>The shadows blanket us in the blink of an eye, total and complete darkness surround us. I reach out my hand easily touching finger tips around Justice’s small forearm. Hearing the sounds of battle outside the doorway, Justice whispers she will rush the back wall, attempting to break it down. I move to the doorway trying to hear what is happening. </p><p> </p><p>I hear a small grunt and the very faint bending of wood as Justice slams her body in to the wood, as she retreats for a third attempt I grab her arm asking her let me have a try. Using my larger more muscled frame I fly at the wall. I feel gashes sting on my arms and side from the splintered wood, knowing I have made a good deal of progress, I heave myself at it one more time. I burst through into another room. Feeling the wet stickiness on any uncovered skin I wipe my hands on my shirt. Seep in my mind I know the sharp points of wood will so more damage coming out then they did going in. I hear Justice fumble through the opening I made, move along the wall, and finally the creak of the door opening. No light shines in just more of the oppressive darkness. Only the sounds of battle grow louder.</p><p> </p><p>Following her footsteps, I hear Justice’s blade slice through the air in front of us, while hitting a body on the floor with my booted toe I lean over to search it. Hoping with dread it is not one of my companions. Luckily there seems to be little damage done to the face, and it feels foreign. </p><p> </p><p>Mid-motion the darkness disappears and the torch light resumes, burning my eyes in the sudden intensity. As they focus I see Justice, sword poised for another slash dripping with blood, and Kareth, fists bruised and hopefully painted with little of his blood. Both stand over two felled guards each bleeding from numerous wounds. </p><p> </p><p>At the end of the hallway Arfin’s hands hold his axe and hammer inches from the white gauzed figure of our friend. As Archonus’s blades are held within inches of the shorter dwarfs head and neck. Both quickly drop their blades. Arfin kicking Archonus in the shin, “What ye be attackin’ me for?!” He yells. Archonus reaches out and slaps the dwarf, “You attacked me first!” He fumes in a rare display of emotion.</p><p> </p><p>“Farathier!” I glance around questioning, noting our blonde talon friend is missing. Kareth points into the back room Justice and I had come through. Rushing back there I see Farathier just sitting up rubbing his head and groaning fragments of the shattered wall dusting him and the bed around him. Justice quickly takes the ankles of the body at her feet and motions Kareth to take the other end. Together they toss the three bodies inside the room where Farathier was knocked out. Getting a closer look at the skin and bodies with dread we note they wear the uniform of the King’s Navy Talon. All appear to be True Alders, which means they are most likely of his highest ranks.</p><p> </p><p>Our captain, McShippy, barely contains his anger when he drops into the hold below seeing the destruction and a hale and hearty live sixth member of our group. He voice drops coldly even as his face heats with anger, “How do you expect to get out now? If they ask I will turn you over then risk my ship more!”</p><p> </p><p>Justice steps in front of his face her voice turning to ice, “Captain,-“ Luckily, I think, she gets no further, as Archonus offers to row over in their dingy with the dead bodies propped up. The other guards still searching the boat above will help to row them all over to the big Navy vessel. There he will cause a distraction; he just doesn’t know what yet. It seems again Archonus is okay with sacrificing himself without thinking of another way first.</p><p> </p><p>Farathier offers up another idea of just threatening to kill them with arrows from afar if they do not sound the okay, pointing to my bow with a smile. And thus keeping everyone on the ship, looking smugly at Archonus as he says the last. </p><p> </p><p>Easily drawing the rest of the officers down; Mr. Shippy hurries the crew to prepare for departure again. As the others set up the guards and boat, I glide into place watchful of my movements in case any the other naval vessels look our way. I crouch down beside the high rail keeping my bow hidden till the guards come above. I see Farathier below me set up much the same, no sense in giving them any ideas. As the guards appear from below Arfin on one side Archonus on the other they are lead to the side of the rail. I knock an arrow, watching Farathier do the same. Marking one target, the arrow barely moves staying with their slow pace across the ships wooden deck. As they reach the ladder I see one look up, shuddering as our eyes meet. I am unsure in that moment that he try to flee if I could let the arrow fly…. He drops his eyes first hurriedly descending the ladder behind the others.</p><p> </p><p>As the guards set an easy pace a scuffling and mutted shouts come from the other side of the ship. I keep my arrows trained on the guards, licking my dry lips, and trusting the others or the Light to tell me should I need the arrow to fly elsewhere. I hear Xath’s voice behind me say, “This was not part of the plan, but we can leave.” Turning I almost jump seeing on the deck below a true alder male- with the captain of the guards insignia on his uniform. He smiles round at us quickly setting off to help things get under way. I am unsure till a whistled melody reaches my ears, I have only heard that unique tune once and that from the short dwarf Xath. Smiling I glance back to the small boat weaving it’s way still to the larger one, feeling the shift and jolt under me as the sails are suddenly dropped and the wind pulls us forward. </p><p> </p><p>That night Captain McShippy informs us that we will have to set port on Pyrdin, the central island. A large port city called Oceanus will have the supplies and gear that will allow us to reach Atur within a fortnight.</p><p> </p><p>That night I sleep on the decks, letting the quiet of the sea rock me to sleep and letting my mind wonder at my fate that took so much far yet now is returning me to the same island I tried to leave behind. But the captain assured us it would but a day there- A day spent around a city of High Alder… maybe then I will know…</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Laurel, post: 1816007, member: 17067"] [b]Chapter Two: "Scions of a Dying Age"[/b] [i]Day Ten- Thainesport[/i] I awake to find everyone else still sleeping peacefully, but Arfin. I look over at him seeing his great mouth hanging open and I smile at the image the walls starting to shake at his every exhale. I feel two small brown eyes just past his shoulder staring at me, and giving my eyes time to adjust realize they belong to the dark dwarf Xath. In the darkness her teeth flash white as she smiles a greeting, I weakly nod back all my muscles protesting the thought of movement, any movement. I try to move lightly and shift to a back corner quickly blocking out the problems of the physical body, and entering the calm world of another plane it seems. A nock sounds on the door at the approved time, but with all that has happened so recently little response greet sit. So a second more urgent nock sounds, as I open my eyes breathing deeply at how the last hour has revived me more then the whole night of rest. Justice grumbles rolling over and running long fingers through now very short blond hair. Shouting to the still closed doorway, ‘We are up!’ when a third knock sounds. Xath curiously smiling in good humor goes to open the door. Immediately awake and alert, I grab hold of my bow, relaxing only after the door closes behind the lanky inn keeper. He looks around at us, and nervously remarks, “Make sure you take nothing suspicious with you, as they are checking everything that leaves today as if searching for something.” His eyes plead, and voice shakes with terror, “Please leave soon, I have already put my family in grave danger, but I am a man of my word. Leave please!” He starts to rush out when Justice grabs his arm, “We thank you for the room, and we paid good for it, too. But to not bring down anything unpleasant on your tavern you still must help us a little more.” He looks shaken, but stands like a dog to scared for fear of the whip. She asks him about the supplies we had agreed on the night before. After giving his answers, each word carrying him a small step closer to the door her again pleads with us to leave and then runs out the door. We agreed on moving in two groups, less chance of discovery and if one gets caught it still leave the others with a chance. So first Jaine, Joshua, Filmore, Captain Rynn, and the four dwarves will head to the HMS Queens Escape. Xath who booked their passage will have to go along as well, and she assured us last night she had many ways of getting around unnoticed. The twinkle in her eye left much to be questioned, but so long as she made it to safety we didn’t ask. The rest of us will wait a little longer, a group of mercenaries taking their leave. We carry our dead companion Archonus, to be burned in his home town. We realized very quickly he was the most noticeable of us all, and so it was he that we elected over his stern glares to be held inside. As Team Royalty surrounds the door, her hand on the knob, Jaine turns solemnly back to look at us and declares proudly, “You are now all generals in my army… the Army of the Phoenix.” With they file out with only the rustle of their clothes giving away there may be two more amid the large group to some unseen eyes. Arfin and I go to the window to watch them leave the building, and I am surprised to hear him utter a blessing to Dumotheon to watch over the clan. Then as if noticing I am there he pats my arm, and walks back to the others. I push the curtain a little further over trying to keep them in sight as long as possible. Uh-Oh…. two guards stand below knocking on the tavern door, but they should only have to search the floors below. I quickly tell the others. Justice swears then glancing around starts to think of a way out,” but too soon we hear the footsteps of one of the guards. I hide in a dark corner, while Archonus and Arfin climb into the rafters. Justice and Farathier quickly strip down try to appear… as if just waking up. We hear the muffled voices outside then a knock sounds across the way, and a knock sound at our door. “Give us a moment,” shouts Justice as they race to complete the scene. The guard pushes the door open face lifting from dour to knowing as he sees the two bodies and tangled sheets. He asks all the questions we were expecting, and Justice and Farathier answered easily with the prepared answers. With relief we see him turn to leave. The guards gloved hands shoots up as he reaches the door and a strangled cry from Arfin is heard right before his body plummets to the wooded ground. “You said you were alone.” The guard glares at Justice and Farathier, “Tell the other to come down as well.” I stay motionless.. other, not others… he hasn’t seen me- yet. As Arhconus deftly jumps down, the guard moves quickly to avoid Arfin’s angry shove. Having missed his target, Arfin shuffles towards the other two pulling the blade from his shoulder. Justice tries to tell the guard we are good people and the evils of the King. With a swift move he lays his hand on the hilt of his sword, and a single glance passing between Arfin and Farathier they both lunge forward, since he does not appear to have taken nicely to Justice’s pleas. Archonus who had remained to the side of the guard quickly kicks his legs out and stands looming over the guard. He tells the others to put down their weapons and stand back. I remain watching from the corner, bow and a single arrow in my hand. Knowing that is all I would need should he attack Archonus. The masked man, Archonus, helps the guard to his feet showing him the black design on his left hand, telling the guard that he could not have broken his oath… he could not have become a traitor as the king says or his hand would be burned off. Slowly the guards fingers move from his sword hilt out only guide that he starts to see how we could be right. He can not help us out of the city, but as I step from the shadows ask him if he could at least find where the HMS Sea Monkey is docked. He swiftly turns at the sound of my voice, but eases quickly as he sees me flip the arrow shaft into my hip quiver. He agrees he could try, and will try, but it will take him time. He will try to return in half an hour, but he will not risk his life for us. I tell him with a slight smile we would never expect such payment. Moments after the guard leaves taking his partner with him, an clear is sounded from out the window for that tavern. Justice and Arfin slip out hopefully to find a cart and coffin. They return just before the appointed time, somehow managing to find a box that will suffice for a coffin. Not liking the idea that such a thing was so easily found, for people should join the light again after death and in order to do so must be cleansed by the fire of death. To do otherwise would not allow the steps- but dwarves seem to be okay with simple burial instead of the pyre. Just different ways… not for everyone, not for me. The guard rushes in, glancing around hurriedly, “The ship you seek is down on the west docks.” He tells us more exactly the size and shape of the ship as well. We thank him as he retreats quickly, leaving us to our own devises now. Only one group of guards stop us, but as Justice explains our situation it is apparent most of the guards are merely going through the motions having no real fear or knowledge of what is happening. The light seems to be on our side. My hand itches to grasp the unstrung bow at my back, too many guards all searching for us. Just one wrong move- one wrong word and they could discover us. Chastising myself for letting fear grip me, I focus on the words Michael taught me. Slowly refocusing. As we board the swinging gangplank the captain yells out to us, as with most good merchants payment is on the top of his list. As Justice hands him the portion we agreed to pay before the leaving, I see Farathier duck just in time to miss a flying man holding a rope in one hand. As the man reaches the top of his arc he lets go unfazed by the thirty foot drop. He seeming to stop in mid air then his body flies outward as with practiced experience he grabs the large wooden beam holding the large main sail. Kareth pushes my shoulder from behind urging me to follow the others, but looking over my shoulder I can see he is as curious and mesmerized as I am. The ship I took to Thainesport was small, with but one mast. I will have to wait till after we are safely out of port to see the rest of ship life as we are quickly crammed into two small rooms. Justice and I in one with Arfin, Farathier, and Kareth in the other. Archonus in his imprisoned tomb waits for us in the cargo hold down the hall. Justice throws her pack on the bunk to the right as I glance at the two stacked on the left. Smiling at the thought of Xath struggling into the top bunk I place my black bag up there. Justice starts to list the issues she already has with the captain. Though when she tells me that he charged extra for us having less passengers I can start to understand her frustration. Silently we settle in, Justice seemingly preoccupied with her own thoughts, and me content to keep mine to myself. I feel the slight movement of the ship beneath us and start to pace wanting to be above wind, sea spray and birds to fill my senses. Instead I stand in the middle of the room trying to orient myself, “We have stopped,” I say aloud. Justice looks up eyebrows raised, She slowly stands nodding her head, “Yes. They must be searching the ship even-” “He is the one we are looking for!” From the hallway shouts a strangers menacing voice. Not knowing who had been seen and what we are running into Justice and I look for another door, another way to get out there. The shadows blanket us in the blink of an eye, total and complete darkness surround us. I reach out my hand easily touching finger tips around Justice’s small forearm. Hearing the sounds of battle outside the doorway, Justice whispers she will rush the back wall, attempting to break it down. I move to the doorway trying to hear what is happening. I hear a small grunt and the very faint bending of wood as Justice slams her body in to the wood, as she retreats for a third attempt I grab her arm asking her let me have a try. Using my larger more muscled frame I fly at the wall. I feel gashes sting on my arms and side from the splintered wood, knowing I have made a good deal of progress, I heave myself at it one more time. I burst through into another room. Feeling the wet stickiness on any uncovered skin I wipe my hands on my shirt. Seep in my mind I know the sharp points of wood will so more damage coming out then they did going in. I hear Justice fumble through the opening I made, move along the wall, and finally the creak of the door opening. No light shines in just more of the oppressive darkness. Only the sounds of battle grow louder. Following her footsteps, I hear Justice’s blade slice through the air in front of us, while hitting a body on the floor with my booted toe I lean over to search it. Hoping with dread it is not one of my companions. Luckily there seems to be little damage done to the face, and it feels foreign. Mid-motion the darkness disappears and the torch light resumes, burning my eyes in the sudden intensity. As they focus I see Justice, sword poised for another slash dripping with blood, and Kareth, fists bruised and hopefully painted with little of his blood. Both stand over two felled guards each bleeding from numerous wounds. At the end of the hallway Arfin’s hands hold his axe and hammer inches from the white gauzed figure of our friend. As Archonus’s blades are held within inches of the shorter dwarfs head and neck. Both quickly drop their blades. Arfin kicking Archonus in the shin, “What ye be attackin’ me for?!” He yells. Archonus reaches out and slaps the dwarf, “You attacked me first!” He fumes in a rare display of emotion. “Farathier!” I glance around questioning, noting our blonde talon friend is missing. Kareth points into the back room Justice and I had come through. Rushing back there I see Farathier just sitting up rubbing his head and groaning fragments of the shattered wall dusting him and the bed around him. Justice quickly takes the ankles of the body at her feet and motions Kareth to take the other end. Together they toss the three bodies inside the room where Farathier was knocked out. Getting a closer look at the skin and bodies with dread we note they wear the uniform of the King’s Navy Talon. All appear to be True Alders, which means they are most likely of his highest ranks. Our captain, McShippy, barely contains his anger when he drops into the hold below seeing the destruction and a hale and hearty live sixth member of our group. He voice drops coldly even as his face heats with anger, “How do you expect to get out now? If they ask I will turn you over then risk my ship more!” Justice steps in front of his face her voice turning to ice, “Captain,-“ Luckily, I think, she gets no further, as Archonus offers to row over in their dingy with the dead bodies propped up. The other guards still searching the boat above will help to row them all over to the big Navy vessel. There he will cause a distraction; he just doesn’t know what yet. It seems again Archonus is okay with sacrificing himself without thinking of another way first. Farathier offers up another idea of just threatening to kill them with arrows from afar if they do not sound the okay, pointing to my bow with a smile. And thus keeping everyone on the ship, looking smugly at Archonus as he says the last. Easily drawing the rest of the officers down; Mr. Shippy hurries the crew to prepare for departure again. As the others set up the guards and boat, I glide into place watchful of my movements in case any the other naval vessels look our way. I crouch down beside the high rail keeping my bow hidden till the guards come above. I see Farathier below me set up much the same, no sense in giving them any ideas. As the guards appear from below Arfin on one side Archonus on the other they are lead to the side of the rail. I knock an arrow, watching Farathier do the same. Marking one target, the arrow barely moves staying with their slow pace across the ships wooden deck. As they reach the ladder I see one look up, shuddering as our eyes meet. I am unsure in that moment that he try to flee if I could let the arrow fly…. He drops his eyes first hurriedly descending the ladder behind the others. As the guards set an easy pace a scuffling and mutted shouts come from the other side of the ship. I keep my arrows trained on the guards, licking my dry lips, and trusting the others or the Light to tell me should I need the arrow to fly elsewhere. I hear Xath’s voice behind me say, “This was not part of the plan, but we can leave.” Turning I almost jump seeing on the deck below a true alder male- with the captain of the guards insignia on his uniform. He smiles round at us quickly setting off to help things get under way. I am unsure till a whistled melody reaches my ears, I have only heard that unique tune once and that from the short dwarf Xath. Smiling I glance back to the small boat weaving it’s way still to the larger one, feeling the shift and jolt under me as the sails are suddenly dropped and the wind pulls us forward. That night Captain McShippy informs us that we will have to set port on Pyrdin, the central island. A large port city called Oceanus will have the supplies and gear that will allow us to reach Atur within a fortnight. That night I sleep on the decks, letting the quiet of the sea rock me to sleep and letting my mind wonder at my fate that took so much far yet now is returning me to the same island I tried to leave behind. But the captain assured us it would but a day there- A day spent around a city of High Alder… maybe then I will know… [/QUOTE]
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L'Aurel's Journal (A Kingdom of Ashes) -updated 3/23
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