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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7306289" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 103</p><p></p><p>Bredan dug in the ground with his dagger, still in its scabbard to protect the blade from rocks. They’d had to retreat all the way to the base of the rise, almost to the edge of the forest, to find enough soil to dig proper graves, but even there it seemed that the ground consisted of rocks more than dirt.</p><p></p><p>His back hurt and his head still spun a little bit with every motion, but he didn’t complain. When he thought of the punishment his body had suffered he had only to glance over at the three corpses covered in what was left of their own cloaks. The cloaks weren’t enough to hide the charred remains underneath, even if he couldn’t smell the sharp stink of roasted flesh.</p><p></p><p>Quellan had already treated the survivors of the fight with his <em>prayer of healing</em>, and Glori had bolstered that with <em>cure wounds</em> spells, but they were still not one hundred percent restored. They’d all agreed however, to keep their limited supply of healing potions in reserve. There were still dangers in this part of the valley, and they were not going to be able to make it back to Wildrush before nightfall.</p><p></p><p>As if summoned by his thoughts, Glori came over to him. She had offered to dig the graves while he kept watch, but he’d said he was all right. “I’m okay,” he said before she could ask again. She nodded, taking a seat on an exposed rock close enough that she could talk to him without the others overhearing. Quellan’s hole was already twice as big as Bredan’s, and Kosk was hard at work on the third and final grave.</p><p></p><p>“In the fight against the chimera,” she said, not taking her eyes off the forest as she spoke. “That last part especially, when it came at you. Did you try… you know?”</p><p></p><p>Bredan considered. “To be honest, it didn’t even occur to me. Maybe it was just a one-time thing.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, your sword certainly worked well enough,” she said. She turned at the scraping sounds of someone coming down the slope.</p><p></p><p>It was Rodan, returning from his scouting of the chimera’s lair. While it was unlikely that the creature had a mate or offspring, they weren’t going to take any chances. The ranger was dragging something behind him, and as he got closer they could see that it was the severed dragon head of the chimera.</p><p></p><p>“You took a trophy?” Glori asked.</p><p></p><p>“It’s proof,” Kosk said as he stepped from his hole. The dwarf had suggested that they build cairns for their fallen, but he hadn’t objected strenuously when Quellan had insisted on proper graves. “The locals will be reassured if they can see hard evidence that the monster is dead.”</p><p></p><p>Rodan nodded in acknowledgement of the dwarf’s comment. “Night approaches swiftly,” he said. “I know a place where we can find shelter. It’s not far from here.”</p><p></p><p>“This won’t take much longer,” Quellan said.</p><p></p><p>Rodan put down his burden and went over to help Bredan. But before they could resume work on the graves Kosk said, “You fought well against that creature. You seemed to know what you were doing.”</p><p></p><p>Rodan turned to look at him. “I have some experience fighting monstrosities,” he said.</p><p></p><p>“You sound like you were surprised,” Bredan said to the dwarf. “Governor Brownwell told us that he knew his business.”</p><p></p><p>Kosk rubbed his hands together to remove some of the dirt caking them. “You know, when that thing breathed on you, I thought you were as dead as these brave fools here. I certainly didn’t expect you to come back to the fight.”</p><p></p><p>Rodan didn’t move. The others had all stopped working, and were looking at the ranger intently. Finally he sighed and opened the collar of his coat. The garment was heavily singed, and his skin was still dirty with char, but the fading light of the day flashed on a chain of silver links that supported a pendant studded with pale blue stones. “I have a magic amulet,” he said reluctantly. “I have some resistance to fire.”</p><p></p><p>Kosk spat on his hands then hopped back down into his half-finished hole. “It might have been nice to share that little detail with us <em>before</em> the fight,” he said.</p><p></p><p>“I can understand your reticence,” Glori said. “We only just met a day ago, after all. But we can trust each other now, right?”</p><p></p><p>“That’s right,” Quellan said. “We proved we could rely on each other when it counted. We defeated a terrible adversary, though at great cost.”</p><p></p><p>“Have you any more questions for me, master dwarf?” the ranger asked.</p><p></p><p>“If I do, I’ll let you know.”</p><p></p><p>They finished the graves in silence. By the time they were done, with the three dead soldiers covered with earth and rocks, the last bit of sun was just dipping below the edge of the valley. The evening breeze picked up as if taking its place, forewarning the night’s chill.</p><p></p><p>“We’d better get moving,” Glori said. “I suspect we don’t want to be wandering around out here after full dark.”</p><p></p><p>“Shelter the souls of these brave men, who died protecting others,” Quellan said. With that he bent to pick up the extra pack full of the gear they’d been able to salvage from the bodies, the little that hadn’t been destroyed by the chimera’s fiery breath. “What is this shelter you spoke of?” he asked Rodan.</p><p></p><p>“It’s an old mining camp,” the ranger said. “There are dozens of them scattered throughout the north valley, remnants of the last silver boom. Most are in pretty sorry shape, but this one has four walls and a roof.”</p><p></p><p>“At this point, I would settle for trailbread and a rock for a pillow,” Glori said. “This hero business can be quite tiring.”</p><p></p><p>“Don’t forget your proof,” Kosk said, nodding toward the dragon head.</p><p></p><p>Rodan picked it up and started toward the edge of the forest. “This way,” he said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7306289, member: 143"] Chapter 103 Bredan dug in the ground with his dagger, still in its scabbard to protect the blade from rocks. They’d had to retreat all the way to the base of the rise, almost to the edge of the forest, to find enough soil to dig proper graves, but even there it seemed that the ground consisted of rocks more than dirt. His back hurt and his head still spun a little bit with every motion, but he didn’t complain. When he thought of the punishment his body had suffered he had only to glance over at the three corpses covered in what was left of their own cloaks. The cloaks weren’t enough to hide the charred remains underneath, even if he couldn’t smell the sharp stink of roasted flesh. Quellan had already treated the survivors of the fight with his [i]prayer of healing[/i], and Glori had bolstered that with [i]cure wounds[/i] spells, but they were still not one hundred percent restored. They’d all agreed however, to keep their limited supply of healing potions in reserve. There were still dangers in this part of the valley, and they were not going to be able to make it back to Wildrush before nightfall. As if summoned by his thoughts, Glori came over to him. She had offered to dig the graves while he kept watch, but he’d said he was all right. “I’m okay,” he said before she could ask again. She nodded, taking a seat on an exposed rock close enough that she could talk to him without the others overhearing. Quellan’s hole was already twice as big as Bredan’s, and Kosk was hard at work on the third and final grave. “In the fight against the chimera,” she said, not taking her eyes off the forest as she spoke. “That last part especially, when it came at you. Did you try… you know?” Bredan considered. “To be honest, it didn’t even occur to me. Maybe it was just a one-time thing.” “Well, your sword certainly worked well enough,” she said. She turned at the scraping sounds of someone coming down the slope. It was Rodan, returning from his scouting of the chimera’s lair. While it was unlikely that the creature had a mate or offspring, they weren’t going to take any chances. The ranger was dragging something behind him, and as he got closer they could see that it was the severed dragon head of the chimera. “You took a trophy?” Glori asked. “It’s proof,” Kosk said as he stepped from his hole. The dwarf had suggested that they build cairns for their fallen, but he hadn’t objected strenuously when Quellan had insisted on proper graves. “The locals will be reassured if they can see hard evidence that the monster is dead.” Rodan nodded in acknowledgement of the dwarf’s comment. “Night approaches swiftly,” he said. “I know a place where we can find shelter. It’s not far from here.” “This won’t take much longer,” Quellan said. Rodan put down his burden and went over to help Bredan. But before they could resume work on the graves Kosk said, “You fought well against that creature. You seemed to know what you were doing.” Rodan turned to look at him. “I have some experience fighting monstrosities,” he said. “You sound like you were surprised,” Bredan said to the dwarf. “Governor Brownwell told us that he knew his business.” Kosk rubbed his hands together to remove some of the dirt caking them. “You know, when that thing breathed on you, I thought you were as dead as these brave fools here. I certainly didn’t expect you to come back to the fight.” Rodan didn’t move. The others had all stopped working, and were looking at the ranger intently. Finally he sighed and opened the collar of his coat. The garment was heavily singed, and his skin was still dirty with char, but the fading light of the day flashed on a chain of silver links that supported a pendant studded with pale blue stones. “I have a magic amulet,” he said reluctantly. “I have some resistance to fire.” Kosk spat on his hands then hopped back down into his half-finished hole. “It might have been nice to share that little detail with us [i]before[/i] the fight,” he said. “I can understand your reticence,” Glori said. “We only just met a day ago, after all. But we can trust each other now, right?” “That’s right,” Quellan said. “We proved we could rely on each other when it counted. We defeated a terrible adversary, though at great cost.” “Have you any more questions for me, master dwarf?” the ranger asked. “If I do, I’ll let you know.” They finished the graves in silence. By the time they were done, with the three dead soldiers covered with earth and rocks, the last bit of sun was just dipping below the edge of the valley. The evening breeze picked up as if taking its place, forewarning the night’s chill. “We’d better get moving,” Glori said. “I suspect we don’t want to be wandering around out here after full dark.” “Shelter the souls of these brave men, who died protecting others,” Quellan said. With that he bent to pick up the extra pack full of the gear they’d been able to salvage from the bodies, the little that hadn’t been destroyed by the chimera’s fiery breath. “What is this shelter you spoke of?” he asked Rodan. “It’s an old mining camp,” the ranger said. “There are dozens of them scattered throughout the north valley, remnants of the last silver boom. Most are in pretty sorry shape, but this one has four walls and a roof.” “At this point, I would settle for trailbread and a rock for a pillow,” Glori said. “This hero business can be quite tiring.” “Don’t forget your proof,” Kosk said, nodding toward the dragon head. Rodan picked it up and started toward the edge of the forest. “This way,” he said. [/QUOTE]
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