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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sniffles" data-source="post: 2643067" data-attributes="member: 30035">A Troubling DayMaster Whitetree arrived before dawn to meet us for our ride, but prior to that we discussed whether we ought to reveal our knowledge of his 'condition'. We came to the conclusion that we would defer to Roland's judgement, but most of us - especially Hedrin - felt it would be unwise to broach that subject. Master Whitetree might see such a revelation as an insult or even a threat. He'd brought his nephew Josef with him again, although the cobbler didn't look at all pleased to be there. I wonder why the merchant persists in bringing his nephew along. I'm beginning to suspect it's simply because Josef is his only living relative. I have reason to believe the merchant is quite a lot older than he looks, at least for a human.It turned out that Master Whitetree had a specific destination in mind for our ride together: he wanted to visit a family plot at a cemetery outside of the town. Latan had to ride alongside Hedrin to aid him with his horse, as he isn't an experienced rider, and animals always seem to react poorly to his presence. Percy was torn over whether to remain at Silver Cottage, but decided that his place was with the rest of the Silver Claws on our mission. I tried again to engage Josef in conversation, with no more success than the previous evening. Roland chatted with Master Whitetree about his travels, learning that the merchant has been all over Toril, even to far-off Maztica!When we arrived at the cemetery we tethered our horses outside the gates, next to two huge statues of gargoyle-like creatures. Latan and Percy remained with our mounts for the moment. Master Whitetree led us toward a larger monument displaying a statue of a woman. Before I could read the insciption, I realized we weren't the only visitors in the burial ground. Several fierce-looking men resembling Tuigan barbarians rushed out of hiding from behind other monuments and mausoleums, brandishing weapons.Hedrin raced over to aid Master Whitetree, as the barbarians seemed to be focusing their attention on him. I began to recite the most inspiring poem I could think of, from one of the sagas of the fall of Myth Drannor. We were obviously outnumbered. Latan came running through the gate and hurled a ball of flame at one of the attackers, but her flames flew wide. I wrapped my new duelling cloak around my arm and prepared to draw my blade. Poor Josef, being a shoemaker not a warrior, made for the horses as fast as his legs would carry him.I was concentrating on my recitation, and on the two barbarians who were running toward me, so I didn't see all of what happened to Hedrin, but he evidently fell to a grievous wound. Latan rushed over to administer a healing spell, but she said later that at the time she wasn't certain it would be enough to save him. Then suddenly he sprang back to his feet and began stabbing and slashing at his opponents with amazing precision. At the same time, Master Whitetree seemed to stop moving and merely stood there as if unconcerned with the battle.Percy came running in and stood beside me with his ever-present stool in hand; that is what made some of the other militia members in Dragonsreach fail to take him seriously as a fighter, but Percy is very clever with it. Unfortunately one of the barbarians struck him a heavy blow and he fell to the ground. I drew my wand of curing and gave him what aid I could. I had tried to cast a spell upon myself to make myself harder to hit, but one of the barbarians was too threatening and I lost my concentration. I took a fairly serious wound, but in the heat of the moment I hardly noticed. I suddenly felt that I could move with greater alacrity than usual, a blessing of the Lady. I decided to change my position on the field of battle and one of the barbarians struck me again, leaving me in very poor condition. The Lady's blessing gave me the swiftness to heal myself and then strike my opponent.Roland began giving an inspiring oratory of his own. Latan hurled bolts of cold energy at the barbarians. Hedrin was still slashing and stabbing, augmenting his rapier with the mysterious energy he wields - Latan told me it was silver this time, the Lady's color, rather than its usual black! I kept slashing the barbarians with my thinblade, surprising myself with both my ability to attack succesfully and to injure them. Thanks to the Lady for all her mercy!Roland shouted, "Press the attack whle they're still going for Whitetree's illusion!" I don't believe Master Whitetree had any illusion in effect; Roland was merely trying to mislead the barbarians. I made my way toward the monument where the merchant and Hedrin stood surrounded and disabled one foe, then used my greater speed to rush to the other side of the monument and attack once again - though sadly I failed to strike my target. Master Whitetree began moving again as abruptly as he had ceased, spinning and attacking my foe. I realized then that only one barbarian remained on his feet. We all attacked him as one, having seen that many of these barbarians were very hardy, and were further strengthened by their fury. Percy ran up behind me and administered a wand of curing, and Hedrin sent the last enemy to the afterlife with another blast of his silvery energy.I sagged wearily against the monument, which turned out to be dedicated to Master Whitetree's wife. She had passed on some 60 years earlier - hence my claim that he is far older than he appears, as he looks like a man in early mid-life. He was covered with slashes, but there was no blood visible. Roland lent him his cloak to cover all the damage, as there was nothing we could do to help him other than a few mending orisons. Hedrin was even more exhausted than I, barely able to sit up. He thanked Master Whitetree very earnestly for helping him, though I didn't find out why until later. Latan searched the bodies of the fallen barbarians for any clue to their reason for setting upon Master Whitetree, but found little beyond a few gold pieces. Once we had recovered our strength a bit we gathered up the bodies in one place. It's amusing to me to realize that even then, when I was so weary, I was still stronger than any of my friends. Ada has always said I'm far stronger than I look.The battle had happened so quickly that Josef hadn't even been unable to untie the horses properly, and was trying to ride off with the whole string of mounts in tow. Hedrin could barely get back in the saddle without assistance. We rode back to town and Master Whitetree took his leave of us after expressing gratitude for our aid. Then we returned to Silver Cottage to refresh ourselves. We'd all realized that though it was scarcely mid-morning, we had various competitions to participate in later in the day. Hedrin reluctantly drank a potion to restore some of his lost strength. He explained that when he'd fallen, he had seen a silvery plain that he could recall little of now. But somehow Master Whitetree had aided him. It was rather disturbing, but does not seem evil.Hedrin managed to reach 23rd place out of 158 contestants in the swordsmanship contests, despite his diminished condition. Roland performed admirably in his recitation of "The Mirror of Her Eyes". And I was very pleased with my own performance of the "Lay of Release From Bondage", although I owe a great deal to Latan for her magical accompaniment. Tomorrow is the limerick contest, which should be entertaining though I have no illusions of my own success against gnomes and dragons. Hedrin will also be competing in a marathon run around the town. We can only hope that with the Lady's blessing, Master Whitetree will be grateful enough to come to Dragonsreach.</blockquote>

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