Knightfall's World of Kulan: Tales of the Companions Story Hour (Final Update: Sep 20, 2014)
- Thread starter Knightfall
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Taboo said:Great update as usual, Knightfall!
The whole thing was set up perfectly. I was going to say that I liked the interaction between the characters the most. But rereading it, the whole thing flows together so well that it's impossible to single anything out!
Thak you, thank you. <bows> I try to please. Hopefully I'll have another update for ya tomorrow but don't quote me on that. Read why in my Realmsian Dragonstar thread.
Cheers!
KF72
p.s. I'll probably have another story hour started here in a few months. I want to get Book Two of Realmsian Dragonstar finished first. The end of this one is no where in sight, although I might start a second thread - don't know yet.
Anyway, the 'other' story hour will be set in my alternate Spelljammer Gone Wild cosmplogy/universe. A spelljammer story hour with a little steam-punk thrown in. Heh, I'm such a tease.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
The Alliance (cont)
From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus
Kellin One-Eye:
We had been riding for hours when Garth had noticed the signs of the orcs. He and Dabuk had raced ahead to deal with them, while the rest of us tried to keep up.
I wish I had decided to stay at home. The orcs had surrounded an ogre. Not just any ogre. The ogre of Harqual. Kellin One-Eye. Famed hero of the Second Ogre War and Garth Tigerstorm's best friend. This would be a problem.
Of course, Garth had immediately charged in to help his friend and even Hougwarth lent a hand, if you want to call it that. But Dabuk had refused and the look in his eye told me I'd better not help the ogre either. By the time Mesik and Thessa had caught up to us he was boiling over...
Bactra looked up from his writing watching as Garth and Bactra argued in the distance. They were really going at it. The elven wizard looked at the large ogre out of the corner of his eye. Hougwarth was keeping him company asking the big warrior about his life. Bactra was glad someone else was distracting the brute.
Bactra began writing again.
Garth, Kellin and Hougwarth dispatched the orcs and then Garth said something that has caused our current situation. He had insisted that Kellin come with us, as he knew this part of the continent better then we did. That brought a comment from Dabuk that turned his father's face red as his great roan.
They've been arguing ever since.
From what I've overheard, Kellin was tracking some of his own kind. These other ogres were causing grief up and down the tree line of the Great Forest. Kellin, being the good-natured soul that he says he is, volunteered to hunt down these marauding brutes and lay them low, so-to-speak.
Dabuk had accused Kellin of being the marauder and his father had boxed his ears for insulting his friend. Garth kept spouting things like ‘Kellin isn't like other ogres’ and ‘he’s a good person if you’d just give him a chance’ and ‘put down that sword or I'll make you really learn how to use it, boy’. And so on, and so on, and so on…
"Oh by Hade's Underrealm," Mesik had been sitting next to Bactra as he wrote. "I've had enough of this!"
The little halfling was irate stomping over to where father and son were arguing. He put himself between them and proceeded to smack Dabuk in the family jewels. "Enough boy! Enough! We might be friends but I'm your elder in the guild and I say enough is enough. You've spoken your mind but this is your grandfather's expedition and he put your father in charge. If he says the ogre comes with us then the ogre comes with us. You don't have to like it but you are going to accept it. Understood?"
Bactra had followed Mesik over towards his half-cousin until the point when the halfling bagged him. He had thought Dabuk would retaliate for sure but he didn't. His training told him not to question an elder member of the Tiger Guild.
"Understood." Dabuk growled under his breath while trying to sit up.
"Well, I'm glad that's settled."
"Shut up, Bactra." Mesik was beyond his boiling point. "You're just making a bad situation worse. Now, everyone go cool off for a bit. Then we'll mount up and take care of the ogre marauders.
Garth held his tongue as the irate halfling stomped off into the forest to find his happy place. Dabuk rolled on the ground cursing under his breath. Bactra looked at his journal then thought it better to put the book away and tend to his horse. Thessa said nothing while Hougwarth and Kellin One-Eye looked on.
The day was not going well.
* * *
[Next up... where did those pesky ogres get to?]
From the Journal of Bactra Redwind, son of Minonus
Kellin One-Eye:
We had been riding for hours when Garth had noticed the signs of the orcs. He and Dabuk had raced ahead to deal with them, while the rest of us tried to keep up.
I wish I had decided to stay at home. The orcs had surrounded an ogre. Not just any ogre. The ogre of Harqual. Kellin One-Eye. Famed hero of the Second Ogre War and Garth Tigerstorm's best friend. This would be a problem.
Of course, Garth had immediately charged in to help his friend and even Hougwarth lent a hand, if you want to call it that. But Dabuk had refused and the look in his eye told me I'd better not help the ogre either. By the time Mesik and Thessa had caught up to us he was boiling over...
Bactra looked up from his writing watching as Garth and Bactra argued in the distance. They were really going at it. The elven wizard looked at the large ogre out of the corner of his eye. Hougwarth was keeping him company asking the big warrior about his life. Bactra was glad someone else was distracting the brute.
Bactra began writing again.
Garth, Kellin and Hougwarth dispatched the orcs and then Garth said something that has caused our current situation. He had insisted that Kellin come with us, as he knew this part of the continent better then we did. That brought a comment from Dabuk that turned his father's face red as his great roan.
They've been arguing ever since.
From what I've overheard, Kellin was tracking some of his own kind. These other ogres were causing grief up and down the tree line of the Great Forest. Kellin, being the good-natured soul that he says he is, volunteered to hunt down these marauding brutes and lay them low, so-to-speak.
Dabuk had accused Kellin of being the marauder and his father had boxed his ears for insulting his friend. Garth kept spouting things like ‘Kellin isn't like other ogres’ and ‘he’s a good person if you’d just give him a chance’ and ‘put down that sword or I'll make you really learn how to use it, boy’. And so on, and so on, and so on…
"Oh by Hade's Underrealm," Mesik had been sitting next to Bactra as he wrote. "I've had enough of this!"
The little halfling was irate stomping over to where father and son were arguing. He put himself between them and proceeded to smack Dabuk in the family jewels. "Enough boy! Enough! We might be friends but I'm your elder in the guild and I say enough is enough. You've spoken your mind but this is your grandfather's expedition and he put your father in charge. If he says the ogre comes with us then the ogre comes with us. You don't have to like it but you are going to accept it. Understood?"
Bactra had followed Mesik over towards his half-cousin until the point when the halfling bagged him. He had thought Dabuk would retaliate for sure but he didn't. His training told him not to question an elder member of the Tiger Guild.
"Understood." Dabuk growled under his breath while trying to sit up.
"Well, I'm glad that's settled."
"Shut up, Bactra." Mesik was beyond his boiling point. "You're just making a bad situation worse. Now, everyone go cool off for a bit. Then we'll mount up and take care of the ogre marauders.
Garth held his tongue as the irate halfling stomped off into the forest to find his happy place. Dabuk rolled on the ground cursing under his breath. Bactra looked at his journal then thought it better to put the book away and tend to his horse. Thessa said nothing while Hougwarth and Kellin One-Eye looked on.
The day was not going well.
* * *
[Next up... where did those pesky ogres get to?]
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
The Alliance (cont.)
The Wild Plains East, a ruined town:
Garth Tigerstorm looked through the tall grass of the Wild Plains upon the scene in front of him with disgust. A small town lied in ruins without any signs of survivors. He had seen is dozens of times in Thallin, Minar and even Stonn. He looked at the footprints in the mud in front of him. The print were huge and bestial, yet were definitely from something that stood upright. Kellin had been right, ogres were on the rampage in the Wild Plains.
Garth looked his son out of the corner of his eye. Dabuk had stayed as far away from Kellin as he could. Not that his father blamed his son’s anger. Ogres were foul things that didn’t deserve pity. They had killed his wife, killed his stepsister. Those beasts had even taken his brother’s life. Garth remained crouched turning his head back while balancing on his left hand, to look at his friend Kellin One-Eye. Garth signaled Kellin with his right and the large ogre moved towards Garth’s right, away from Dabuk. He knew Kellin would be able to stop anything from flanking the rest of them.
Garth heard Dabuk growl beside him. He wished he could tell his son about Kellin’s past. He wished he could tell his son the truth. Kellin wasn’t like other ogres, he had never lied amongst them or gained any of their violent evil tendencies. He knew Kellin was good, knew it for a fact. It couldn’t be any other way. They had known each other since they were barely old enough to swing a sword. Kellin had stood with him on the Field of Alat during the final battle of the Second Ogre War. He’d fought better then a dozen Thallin knights. He’d proven himself a hero.
Of course, Dabuk didn’t care about any of that. He didn’t know Kellin. He had begged his old friend to let him tell his son the truth. Kellin had refused saying it would only make matters worse. ‘The boy is not ready to know the truth’ he had said. ‘I don’t know if he’ll ever be ready. Let it be Garth, let it be.’
Garth turned to his son trying desperately to hide the pain from Dabuk. He motioned for Dabuk to take the left flank away from the big ogre. Dabuk didn’t like taking orders from anyone, especially Garth. But the justicar was relieved when Dabuk took his position without any gesture or look of annoyance. He understood what needed to be done in the moment.
Mesik had made sure of that.
It had been a somber journey from the spot where they had first encountered Kellin to the ruined town. Dabuk had rode out in front doing the tracking. Garth had thought it better to let the boy take the lead, while he and Kellin stayed in the back of the group to watch the rear.
Mesik had stayed beside Dabuk keeping him from saying something to ignite another argument and hold his temper. Bactra and Thessa had been next with the wood giant next. It amazed Garth how his son could accept Hougwarth, a giant and kin to ogres and, yet, not accept Kellin. Of course, wood giants were very distant kin to ogres. Garth was still having trouble accepting that the vonakyndra still existed on Harqual. Even the elves of Woodknot had thought they were either extinct or a myth.
Mesik tapped Garth’s knee bringing him back into the present. Dabuk and Kellin were almost to the edge of the village. Garth nodded to Mesik and he, the halfling and Hougwarth stood up and walked towards the ruined town cautiously looking for any signs of an ambush. The buildings were still smoking and the smell of burnt wood and flesh made Garth nauseous. Of course, he was used to it so he continued on into the remains of the town without pause. Mesik and Hougwarth weren’t as use to such things covering their mouths to keep from retching.
Garth looked back to make sure Thessa and Bactra had stayed where he had insisted they remain. Garth didn’t care for magic much but knew it was better to have them stay hidden in the tall grass of the plain than wandering around the ruins unprotected. They would remain relatively safe, as long as they didn’t draw attention to themselves. Garth saw Thessa standing next to Bactra who was simply sitting in the dirt writing in his journal. Garth was glad that at least Thessa was paying attention to what was going on, watching the young wizard’s back.
Mesik pulled on Garth’s breeches while holding his nose. He pointed towards a building that looked relatively unscathed. Garth was immediately alert again. It wasn’t like ogres to leave a building standing.
“Stay here,” Garth whispered to the small halfling. “Dabuk and I will check it out.”
Garth signaled his son towards the one remaining structure in the town. It looked like a hall of some kind. Garth walked towards the hall drawing his blade. He put out his hand towards Kellin who was motioning to Garth that he’d back him up if he needed it. Garth didn’t want Kellin next to Dabuk if a fight broke out.
Dabuk was already on one side of the hall’s main entryway. Garth walked right up to the door. He looked at his son and counted to three without making a sound. The two rangers kicked in the double doors with a war cry.
Then it hit them. The smell of charred, dead flesh wafted through the doors burning their eyes and throat. Both men fell back from the stench unable to go into the hall. Garth rubbed the tears from his eyes so that he could see. He held his sword up in case anything tried to rush him from inside the hall.
He needn’t have worried.
“By the North Gods,” Garth stared in horror at the grisly scene inside the hall.
The others gathered round the open hall doors staring in shock. Dozens of burnt corpses hung from the rafters of the hall, while other mutilated corpses were arranged throughout the hall positioned to appear dancing singing and sitting at wooded tables, as if during a feast.
“That is sick,” Mesik turned away. “Ogres did this?”
Bactra and Thessa approached the hall and the gnome priestess screamed when she saw inside the building.
“No,” Garth looked at the macabre scene disgusted. “Ogres don’t do this sort of thing. There too savage.”
“Father,” Dabuk pointed his sword back towards the way they came. “The tracks are ogre tracks. Even old One-Eye over there says it was ogres.”
“Dabuk…”
“Well, how else do explain this?”
“I agree that ogres were involved somehow, but I’m telling you ogres didn’t do this.”
“How?”
“Look at the back of the hall, on the wall.”
Dabuk stepped forward next to his father looking at the strange script written in blood on the wall.
“By Rillifane,” Dabuk even looked shocked. “That’s… just… wrong.”
“Oh man,” Mesik couldn’t keep himself from being sick, throwing up next to Hougwarth’s feet.
The blood script writing formed the shape of Vaprak’s dark symbol beside another symbol that Garth had not seen since the end of the Second Ogre War.
“What is that?” Hougwarth ducked down in order to see the whole grisly image.
“It is the symbol of the Foulsoul. An evil witch that my father killed during the war. Either someone has adopted it as there own or the Foulsoul has returned from the dead.”
“I don’t like the sound of either of those options.” Kellin stood back the group watching the surrounding countryside with concern.
No one, not even Dabuk, could argue with the ogre man’s words.
* * *
The Wild Plains East, a ruined town:
Garth Tigerstorm looked through the tall grass of the Wild Plains upon the scene in front of him with disgust. A small town lied in ruins without any signs of survivors. He had seen is dozens of times in Thallin, Minar and even Stonn. He looked at the footprints in the mud in front of him. The print were huge and bestial, yet were definitely from something that stood upright. Kellin had been right, ogres were on the rampage in the Wild Plains.
Garth looked his son out of the corner of his eye. Dabuk had stayed as far away from Kellin as he could. Not that his father blamed his son’s anger. Ogres were foul things that didn’t deserve pity. They had killed his wife, killed his stepsister. Those beasts had even taken his brother’s life. Garth remained crouched turning his head back while balancing on his left hand, to look at his friend Kellin One-Eye. Garth signaled Kellin with his right and the large ogre moved towards Garth’s right, away from Dabuk. He knew Kellin would be able to stop anything from flanking the rest of them.
Garth heard Dabuk growl beside him. He wished he could tell his son about Kellin’s past. He wished he could tell his son the truth. Kellin wasn’t like other ogres, he had never lied amongst them or gained any of their violent evil tendencies. He knew Kellin was good, knew it for a fact. It couldn’t be any other way. They had known each other since they were barely old enough to swing a sword. Kellin had stood with him on the Field of Alat during the final battle of the Second Ogre War. He’d fought better then a dozen Thallin knights. He’d proven himself a hero.
Of course, Dabuk didn’t care about any of that. He didn’t know Kellin. He had begged his old friend to let him tell his son the truth. Kellin had refused saying it would only make matters worse. ‘The boy is not ready to know the truth’ he had said. ‘I don’t know if he’ll ever be ready. Let it be Garth, let it be.’
Garth turned to his son trying desperately to hide the pain from Dabuk. He motioned for Dabuk to take the left flank away from the big ogre. Dabuk didn’t like taking orders from anyone, especially Garth. But the justicar was relieved when Dabuk took his position without any gesture or look of annoyance. He understood what needed to be done in the moment.
Mesik had made sure of that.
It had been a somber journey from the spot where they had first encountered Kellin to the ruined town. Dabuk had rode out in front doing the tracking. Garth had thought it better to let the boy take the lead, while he and Kellin stayed in the back of the group to watch the rear.
Mesik had stayed beside Dabuk keeping him from saying something to ignite another argument and hold his temper. Bactra and Thessa had been next with the wood giant next. It amazed Garth how his son could accept Hougwarth, a giant and kin to ogres and, yet, not accept Kellin. Of course, wood giants were very distant kin to ogres. Garth was still having trouble accepting that the vonakyndra still existed on Harqual. Even the elves of Woodknot had thought they were either extinct or a myth.
Mesik tapped Garth’s knee bringing him back into the present. Dabuk and Kellin were almost to the edge of the village. Garth nodded to Mesik and he, the halfling and Hougwarth stood up and walked towards the ruined town cautiously looking for any signs of an ambush. The buildings were still smoking and the smell of burnt wood and flesh made Garth nauseous. Of course, he was used to it so he continued on into the remains of the town without pause. Mesik and Hougwarth weren’t as use to such things covering their mouths to keep from retching.
Garth looked back to make sure Thessa and Bactra had stayed where he had insisted they remain. Garth didn’t care for magic much but knew it was better to have them stay hidden in the tall grass of the plain than wandering around the ruins unprotected. They would remain relatively safe, as long as they didn’t draw attention to themselves. Garth saw Thessa standing next to Bactra who was simply sitting in the dirt writing in his journal. Garth was glad that at least Thessa was paying attention to what was going on, watching the young wizard’s back.
Mesik pulled on Garth’s breeches while holding his nose. He pointed towards a building that looked relatively unscathed. Garth was immediately alert again. It wasn’t like ogres to leave a building standing.
“Stay here,” Garth whispered to the small halfling. “Dabuk and I will check it out.”
Garth signaled his son towards the one remaining structure in the town. It looked like a hall of some kind. Garth walked towards the hall drawing his blade. He put out his hand towards Kellin who was motioning to Garth that he’d back him up if he needed it. Garth didn’t want Kellin next to Dabuk if a fight broke out.
Dabuk was already on one side of the hall’s main entryway. Garth walked right up to the door. He looked at his son and counted to three without making a sound. The two rangers kicked in the double doors with a war cry.
Then it hit them. The smell of charred, dead flesh wafted through the doors burning their eyes and throat. Both men fell back from the stench unable to go into the hall. Garth rubbed the tears from his eyes so that he could see. He held his sword up in case anything tried to rush him from inside the hall.
He needn’t have worried.
“By the North Gods,” Garth stared in horror at the grisly scene inside the hall.
The others gathered round the open hall doors staring in shock. Dozens of burnt corpses hung from the rafters of the hall, while other mutilated corpses were arranged throughout the hall positioned to appear dancing singing and sitting at wooded tables, as if during a feast.
“That is sick,” Mesik turned away. “Ogres did this?”
Bactra and Thessa approached the hall and the gnome priestess screamed when she saw inside the building.
“No,” Garth looked at the macabre scene disgusted. “Ogres don’t do this sort of thing. There too savage.”
“Father,” Dabuk pointed his sword back towards the way they came. “The tracks are ogre tracks. Even old One-Eye over there says it was ogres.”
“Dabuk…”
“Well, how else do explain this?”
“I agree that ogres were involved somehow, but I’m telling you ogres didn’t do this.”
“How?”
“Look at the back of the hall, on the wall.”
Dabuk stepped forward next to his father looking at the strange script written in blood on the wall.
“By Rillifane,” Dabuk even looked shocked. “That’s… just… wrong.”
“Oh man,” Mesik couldn’t keep himself from being sick, throwing up next to Hougwarth’s feet.
The blood script writing formed the shape of Vaprak’s dark symbol beside another symbol that Garth had not seen since the end of the Second Ogre War.
“What is that?” Hougwarth ducked down in order to see the whole grisly image.
“It is the symbol of the Foulsoul. An evil witch that my father killed during the war. Either someone has adopted it as there own or the Foulsoul has returned from the dead.”
“I don’t like the sound of either of those options.” Kellin stood back the group watching the surrounding countryside with concern.
No one, not even Dabuk, could argue with the ogre man’s words.
* * *
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
The Alliance (cont.)
The Wild Plains East, banks of the Silver River:
It had been two nights and a day since they buried the burned and desecrated bodies of the town, which Dabuk named Burnholm since none could find any clues to what the town had been called. Both Dabuk and Garth had taken the lead, while Kellin took up the rear. They all were becoming obsessed with finding the vermin responsible for destroying Burnholm.
Bactra rode beside Hougwarth with Thessa and Mesik behind them. No one had spoken a word since they left the ruined town. Dabuk tracked the large bestial giants without difficulty. The ogres weren’t even trying to hide their tracks. However, there had been no sign of anyone else traveling with them. No horse tracks or footfalls in the earth, the ogres were alone.
Dabuk knelt near the banks of a river, which Kellin called the Silver River. Bactra and Dabuk knew of the Silver River but were surprised that it stretched so far south. The Silver River sprung forth from Lake Silverleaf through the great city of the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, which was named Silverleaf as well. Only the silver elves of that Kingdom would know if the lake was named after the city, or vice versa.
Of course, none of that mattered to the half-elven ranger, as he studied the ogres’ tracks near the bank. He scowled looking across the deep water of the river towards the other bank.
“They crossed here,” Dabuk searched the horizon beyond the rivers banks. “I’m sure of it.”
“I believe you’re right, my son.” Garth was examining several other tracks made by the brutes only a few feet away. “Do you think they might have spotted us following them?”
Dabuk shook his head, not taking his eyes off the other side of the riverbank. “Not a chance. They’re clueless.”
“All right then,” Garth gathered in Hindle’s reins mounting the great red roan with one swift, smooth motion. “We cross here.”
Bactra didn’t like the idea. “Uh, uncle, don’t you think it would be wise to find someplace less deep to cross?”
“We haven’t any time for that, Bactra. Do not worry. Your horse will be able to manage the swim, just let her guide you.”
“I-If you say so,” Bactra looked at the deep flowing water with dread.
“Do not worry, friend.” Hougwarth lifted Thessa onto her pony. “Both Kellin and I should be able to manage the waters just fine. If you get into trouble just yell out.”
“Thanks Hougwarth,” Bactra sighed, relieved that someone would be looking out for him.
“Just don’t trip, Hugh.” Mesik elbowed the large giant man in the knee. I wouldn’t want you to fall on me in the water.”
“Fear not, little man. I am as fine a swimmer as I am a swordsman.”
“Great,” Dabuk shook his head then mounted his horse.
Hougwarth didn’t realize that he was a klutz. The vonakyndra warrior thought a lot of his skill with a sword. His friends knew better. They had met the large giant man on their journey to the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves after returning to the north. He had appeared on the trail and introduced himself with a graceful bow and flourish of his great sword. It was impressive, until Hougwarth had proceeded to drop his sword in the dirt while attempting a final flourish to sheath his sword. Of course, he was clueless insisting that he had meant to do it.
The group began to cross the flowing water of the Silver River. It wasn’t as deep as Bactra had feared and his nimble mare easily kept her head and him afloat. Thessa and Mesik were not as lucky. Thessa’s pony bucked her off sending her into the water. Mesik found himself underwater hanging from his ponies left stirrup.
“Thessa!” Bactra tried to reach out and grab the gnome priestess’ hand.
The water carried her under flowing past Dabuk who’d stayed near his cousin just in case. Neither of them could reach her. Kellin dove into the water after Thessa with Hougwarth right behind him.
Mesik struggled to free himself from the stirrup without luck. The halfling man knew he’d drown without help. Then he remembered Salisan’s gift. The rogue pulled out the giant knife, which Salisan had called his Sheao, and cut at the stirrup entangling his foot. The blade cut through the leather with ease and Mesik rose out of the water gasping just as Garth came to his rescue.
Garth pulled Mesik out of the water onto Hindle scanning the water for any signs of Thessa or the two giants. Bactra had made it to the other side of the river with Dabuk next him. Kellin rose out of the water but didn’t have Thessa with him.
“I can’t find her!”
“Where’s Hougwarth?” Garth brought his roan up on to the bank next to his son’s. Kellin waded down river looking for any signs of the missing gnome and giant.
None had seen the vonakyndra dive in after Thessa. Moments felt like hours as they scanned the river.
Then the vonakyndra burst out of the water, holding Thessa up with both hands, near the bank downstream. He waded in keeping the gnome priestess close to him. Kellin helped Hougwarth up the bank, while the others looked on.
“Is she alright?” Mesik stood next to Garth’s steed shaking the water from his hair.
“She swallowed a lot of water. If it got into her lungs.”
They stood over Thessa while Dabuk and Bactra attended to her.
“She’s cold and turning blue. She definitely has water in her lungs.” Dabuk shook his head looking at the others.
“Roll her over and hit her on the back!” Kellin’s idea sounded ludicrous to Dabuk.
“I will do no such thing, you ugly brute!”
“Shut up and get the hell out of the way, son!”
Garth knew what Kellin had in mind. He rolled Thessa over slapping her hard on the back. She chugged up some water but still wasn’t breathing.
“Damn it!” Garth was about to slap her harder when Kellin stopped him.
“That won’t do any good now. Turn her back over. Push down on her chest where the lungs are, not too hard. Mesik, blow in her mouth.”
“W-what?” Mesik turned red.
“Don’t be stupid, Mesik! She needs air! And hold her nose while you blow.”
Mesik did as Kellin said while Garth pumped Thessa’s chest. Two minutes past then five then, as they were about to lose hope, Thessa coughed up gouts of water. Garth rolled her back over which seemed to help.
They all looked at Kellin, amazed.
“How’d you know how to do that?” Dabuk looked at the ogre suspiciously.
Kellin looked the ranger dead in the eye. “Druids are good teachers.”
Thessa tried to speak.
“Hush little one, don’t talk.” Kellin knelt beside the gnome priestess holding her head gently in his huge right hand. “You just rest easy for a moment. Garth, get me a blanket. We have to keep her warm.”
“Coming right up.”
Garth dug out his winter blanket, which had been sealed in his saddlebags. The blanket was still dry.
“You saved my life?” Thessa looked up at Kellin.
“No little one,” we all saved you. “But you should be thanking Hougwarth most of all. He is indeed a fine swimmer.”
“Thank you Hugh,” Thessa smiled at the vonakyndra.
“It was my duty and my honor, little miss. But you should be thanking Mesik and Garth. They performed Kellin’s life saving magic ritual. It was quite amazing.”
“What they did wasn’t magic, Hougwarth. Just skill and nature working together.”
“Regardless,” Thessa looked first at Garth then at Mesik. “Thank you both.”
“It was my pleasure!” Mesik was grinning from ear to ear.
Everyone laughed gathering around Thessa near the bank of the Silver River.
The Wild Plains East, banks of the Silver River:
It had been two nights and a day since they buried the burned and desecrated bodies of the town, which Dabuk named Burnholm since none could find any clues to what the town had been called. Both Dabuk and Garth had taken the lead, while Kellin took up the rear. They all were becoming obsessed with finding the vermin responsible for destroying Burnholm.
Bactra rode beside Hougwarth with Thessa and Mesik behind them. No one had spoken a word since they left the ruined town. Dabuk tracked the large bestial giants without difficulty. The ogres weren’t even trying to hide their tracks. However, there had been no sign of anyone else traveling with them. No horse tracks or footfalls in the earth, the ogres were alone.
Dabuk knelt near the banks of a river, which Kellin called the Silver River. Bactra and Dabuk knew of the Silver River but were surprised that it stretched so far south. The Silver River sprung forth from Lake Silverleaf through the great city of the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, which was named Silverleaf as well. Only the silver elves of that Kingdom would know if the lake was named after the city, or vice versa.
Of course, none of that mattered to the half-elven ranger, as he studied the ogres’ tracks near the bank. He scowled looking across the deep water of the river towards the other bank.
“They crossed here,” Dabuk searched the horizon beyond the rivers banks. “I’m sure of it.”
“I believe you’re right, my son.” Garth was examining several other tracks made by the brutes only a few feet away. “Do you think they might have spotted us following them?”
Dabuk shook his head, not taking his eyes off the other side of the riverbank. “Not a chance. They’re clueless.”
“All right then,” Garth gathered in Hindle’s reins mounting the great red roan with one swift, smooth motion. “We cross here.”
Bactra didn’t like the idea. “Uh, uncle, don’t you think it would be wise to find someplace less deep to cross?”
“We haven’t any time for that, Bactra. Do not worry. Your horse will be able to manage the swim, just let her guide you.”
“I-If you say so,” Bactra looked at the deep flowing water with dread.
“Do not worry, friend.” Hougwarth lifted Thessa onto her pony. “Both Kellin and I should be able to manage the waters just fine. If you get into trouble just yell out.”
“Thanks Hougwarth,” Bactra sighed, relieved that someone would be looking out for him.
“Just don’t trip, Hugh.” Mesik elbowed the large giant man in the knee. I wouldn’t want you to fall on me in the water.”
“Fear not, little man. I am as fine a swimmer as I am a swordsman.”
“Great,” Dabuk shook his head then mounted his horse.
Hougwarth didn’t realize that he was a klutz. The vonakyndra warrior thought a lot of his skill with a sword. His friends knew better. They had met the large giant man on their journey to the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves after returning to the north. He had appeared on the trail and introduced himself with a graceful bow and flourish of his great sword. It was impressive, until Hougwarth had proceeded to drop his sword in the dirt while attempting a final flourish to sheath his sword. Of course, he was clueless insisting that he had meant to do it.
The group began to cross the flowing water of the Silver River. It wasn’t as deep as Bactra had feared and his nimble mare easily kept her head and him afloat. Thessa and Mesik were not as lucky. Thessa’s pony bucked her off sending her into the water. Mesik found himself underwater hanging from his ponies left stirrup.
“Thessa!” Bactra tried to reach out and grab the gnome priestess’ hand.
The water carried her under flowing past Dabuk who’d stayed near his cousin just in case. Neither of them could reach her. Kellin dove into the water after Thessa with Hougwarth right behind him.
Mesik struggled to free himself from the stirrup without luck. The halfling man knew he’d drown without help. Then he remembered Salisan’s gift. The rogue pulled out the giant knife, which Salisan had called his Sheao, and cut at the stirrup entangling his foot. The blade cut through the leather with ease and Mesik rose out of the water gasping just as Garth came to his rescue.
Garth pulled Mesik out of the water onto Hindle scanning the water for any signs of Thessa or the two giants. Bactra had made it to the other side of the river with Dabuk next him. Kellin rose out of the water but didn’t have Thessa with him.
“I can’t find her!”
“Where’s Hougwarth?” Garth brought his roan up on to the bank next to his son’s. Kellin waded down river looking for any signs of the missing gnome and giant.
None had seen the vonakyndra dive in after Thessa. Moments felt like hours as they scanned the river.
Then the vonakyndra burst out of the water, holding Thessa up with both hands, near the bank downstream. He waded in keeping the gnome priestess close to him. Kellin helped Hougwarth up the bank, while the others looked on.
“Is she alright?” Mesik stood next to Garth’s steed shaking the water from his hair.
“She swallowed a lot of water. If it got into her lungs.”
They stood over Thessa while Dabuk and Bactra attended to her.
“She’s cold and turning blue. She definitely has water in her lungs.” Dabuk shook his head looking at the others.
“Roll her over and hit her on the back!” Kellin’s idea sounded ludicrous to Dabuk.
“I will do no such thing, you ugly brute!”
“Shut up and get the hell out of the way, son!”
Garth knew what Kellin had in mind. He rolled Thessa over slapping her hard on the back. She chugged up some water but still wasn’t breathing.
“Damn it!” Garth was about to slap her harder when Kellin stopped him.
“That won’t do any good now. Turn her back over. Push down on her chest where the lungs are, not too hard. Mesik, blow in her mouth.”
“W-what?” Mesik turned red.
“Don’t be stupid, Mesik! She needs air! And hold her nose while you blow.”
Mesik did as Kellin said while Garth pumped Thessa’s chest. Two minutes past then five then, as they were about to lose hope, Thessa coughed up gouts of water. Garth rolled her back over which seemed to help.
They all looked at Kellin, amazed.
“How’d you know how to do that?” Dabuk looked at the ogre suspiciously.
Kellin looked the ranger dead in the eye. “Druids are good teachers.”
Thessa tried to speak.
“Hush little one, don’t talk.” Kellin knelt beside the gnome priestess holding her head gently in his huge right hand. “You just rest easy for a moment. Garth, get me a blanket. We have to keep her warm.”
“Coming right up.”
Garth dug out his winter blanket, which had been sealed in his saddlebags. The blanket was still dry.
“You saved my life?” Thessa looked up at Kellin.
“No little one,” we all saved you. “But you should be thanking Hougwarth most of all. He is indeed a fine swimmer.”
“Thank you Hugh,” Thessa smiled at the vonakyndra.
“It was my duty and my honor, little miss. But you should be thanking Mesik and Garth. They performed Kellin’s life saving magic ritual. It was quite amazing.”
“What they did wasn’t magic, Hougwarth. Just skill and nature working together.”
“Regardless,” Thessa looked first at Garth then at Mesik. “Thank you both.”
“It was my pleasure!” Mesik was grinning from ear to ear.
Everyone laughed gathering around Thessa near the bank of the Silver River.
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Interlude #6
Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, the City of Treestead:
High into the hills surrounding the Greystone Mountains stood the edge of the Great Forest. There, as well, was the invisible border between the Kingdom of the Greystones and the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves. It is there where the City of Stonedale guards the west, while the City of Treestead guards the east, not from the dwarves of the Greystones but from the other denizens of the mountain range.
Ogres, mountain orcs, gnolls and much, much worse. And they have become restless.
The sky flashed white lightning through dark thunderheads. The sound of rolling thunder washed down from the peaks of the Greystones to interrupt the cascade of rain pouring from the sky. The foliage and denizens of the mountain range and rising forest were soaked with moisture from countless rainstorms. The ground was tangled mud, which clung to the boots and clothing of the silver elves assigned to protect the lowlands from the ogre hordes still ravaging the countryside.
The weather and conditions matched Jeddar’s mood. He’d insisted to be part of the brigade assigned to protect Treestead, not realizing what the conditions would be like until he got there. It was a horrible place to fight a war against larger opponents.
“This mess is magical, I tell you. It just does not pour rain here like this for this long.” Anuvaiir watched the latest set of rolling thunderheads with irate concern. “Those damn ogres are the cause of these storms.”
“It’s possible,” Jeddar wasn’t one to contradict his superior. “However, it would take more than a simple ogre shaman to create this kind of weather.”
“Bah, ogres are too stupid to conjure up storms.” Jeldrean was one of the silver wilds that lived more like the forest elves of the south.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss all ogres as being stupid, Jeldrean. Don’t forget the reports that the ogres might have an ogre scion leading them. After all, we have already battled several ogre brutes, which are just beneath a scion in power.”
Jeddar didn’t doubt his commander’s words but prayed he was wrong. Ogre scions, once again, appearing out of the dark places of the continent. Such a thought was troubling to say the least. Jeddar pulled his spare blanket out to cover himself, trying in vain to stay dry. He scanned the forest canopy in search of signs of more ogres, but he could see nothing through the heavy rain.
The three of them were huddled together in an old treestead set high in one of the tallest trees in the region surrounding the City of Treestead, which was more like a forest elf community than a silver elf city. In truth, Treestead was home to not only elves, but dwarves, halflings, and a few trusted human rangers and barbarians. Dozens of similar treesteads were scattered throughout the forest in this region.
It had been the makeshift, hanging fortifications that had inspired the name of the small elven-dominated city that had sprung to life in the region after the end of the Second Ogre War. The city had been the brainchild of an old elven warrior who had fought ogres in the region during the war. The treesteads were built strategically in different locales at different heights, but were perfectly meshed into the natural order of region.
Those without the proper knowledge to find the treesteads rarely discovered them, and they had worked quite well for what they had been designed for, for years. Now, however, the treesteads were being systematically destroyed by the ogre hordes, which had perplexed the local commanders until the first ogre brute had been spotted.
“Wherever the brutes had appeared in the past, the ogre scions were always the cause.” Jeddar spoke the words that all of Harqual feared. “And the First and Second Ogre Wars had begun soon afterwards.”
“A Third Ogre War seems to be on the horizon, my friends.” Anuvaiir stood up scanning the canopy in the distance. “And it seems like we’ll get to fight tonight to hopefully turn the tide in our favor.”
The elven commander pointed towards the towering mountains. Trees in the region swayed and buckled as the latest horde of ogres poured out of the mountain range towards Treestead. An elven horn sounded in the distance followed by another and another. Jeddar answered there calls with his own military horn, as well as pitching the music higher towards the city proper.
“So many,” Jeldrean’s voice spoke of his concern. “Will this never end, Corellon?”
“Prepare yourselves for battle, my friends.” Anuvaiir grabbed a nearby rope and swung down through the canopy to lead the forces of Treestead against the attacking horde.
Jeddar and Jeldrean prepared their bows and cache of arrows for the long night ahead. Jeddar checked to make sure his twin scimitars were close at hand and silently prayed to Tethrin for strength. He thought of Dabuk, wishing that his dark friend was with him now, to help steel his resolve against a foe that Jeddar feared more than he’d ever admit. He thought of Dvalin, Mesik, and Bactra, friends for life. He thought of Rikin, Salisan, Thessa, and even the vonakyndra, Hougwarth, who he’d already come to know as friend. All of these names and many more from childhood rushed through his mind as he strung his bow and took aim in darkness.
“I pray I see you again, my friends,” the thought was his last before his mind became embroiled in the madness of battle and the twang of hundreds of bows firing. The ogres came and the citizens of Treestead hung on for dear life.
Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, the City of Treestead:
High into the hills surrounding the Greystone Mountains stood the edge of the Great Forest. There, as well, was the invisible border between the Kingdom of the Greystones and the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves. It is there where the City of Stonedale guards the west, while the City of Treestead guards the east, not from the dwarves of the Greystones but from the other denizens of the mountain range.
Ogres, mountain orcs, gnolls and much, much worse. And they have become restless.
The sky flashed white lightning through dark thunderheads. The sound of rolling thunder washed down from the peaks of the Greystones to interrupt the cascade of rain pouring from the sky. The foliage and denizens of the mountain range and rising forest were soaked with moisture from countless rainstorms. The ground was tangled mud, which clung to the boots and clothing of the silver elves assigned to protect the lowlands from the ogre hordes still ravaging the countryside.
The weather and conditions matched Jeddar’s mood. He’d insisted to be part of the brigade assigned to protect Treestead, not realizing what the conditions would be like until he got there. It was a horrible place to fight a war against larger opponents.
“This mess is magical, I tell you. It just does not pour rain here like this for this long.” Anuvaiir watched the latest set of rolling thunderheads with irate concern. “Those damn ogres are the cause of these storms.”
“It’s possible,” Jeddar wasn’t one to contradict his superior. “However, it would take more than a simple ogre shaman to create this kind of weather.”
“Bah, ogres are too stupid to conjure up storms.” Jeldrean was one of the silver wilds that lived more like the forest elves of the south.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss all ogres as being stupid, Jeldrean. Don’t forget the reports that the ogres might have an ogre scion leading them. After all, we have already battled several ogre brutes, which are just beneath a scion in power.”
Jeddar didn’t doubt his commander’s words but prayed he was wrong. Ogre scions, once again, appearing out of the dark places of the continent. Such a thought was troubling to say the least. Jeddar pulled his spare blanket out to cover himself, trying in vain to stay dry. He scanned the forest canopy in search of signs of more ogres, but he could see nothing through the heavy rain.
The three of them were huddled together in an old treestead set high in one of the tallest trees in the region surrounding the City of Treestead, which was more like a forest elf community than a silver elf city. In truth, Treestead was home to not only elves, but dwarves, halflings, and a few trusted human rangers and barbarians. Dozens of similar treesteads were scattered throughout the forest in this region.
It had been the makeshift, hanging fortifications that had inspired the name of the small elven-dominated city that had sprung to life in the region after the end of the Second Ogre War. The city had been the brainchild of an old elven warrior who had fought ogres in the region during the war. The treesteads were built strategically in different locales at different heights, but were perfectly meshed into the natural order of region.
Those without the proper knowledge to find the treesteads rarely discovered them, and they had worked quite well for what they had been designed for, for years. Now, however, the treesteads were being systematically destroyed by the ogre hordes, which had perplexed the local commanders until the first ogre brute had been spotted.
“Wherever the brutes had appeared in the past, the ogre scions were always the cause.” Jeddar spoke the words that all of Harqual feared. “And the First and Second Ogre Wars had begun soon afterwards.”
“A Third Ogre War seems to be on the horizon, my friends.” Anuvaiir stood up scanning the canopy in the distance. “And it seems like we’ll get to fight tonight to hopefully turn the tide in our favor.”
The elven commander pointed towards the towering mountains. Trees in the region swayed and buckled as the latest horde of ogres poured out of the mountain range towards Treestead. An elven horn sounded in the distance followed by another and another. Jeddar answered there calls with his own military horn, as well as pitching the music higher towards the city proper.
“So many,” Jeldrean’s voice spoke of his concern. “Will this never end, Corellon?”
“Prepare yourselves for battle, my friends.” Anuvaiir grabbed a nearby rope and swung down through the canopy to lead the forces of Treestead against the attacking horde.
Jeddar and Jeldrean prepared their bows and cache of arrows for the long night ahead. Jeddar checked to make sure his twin scimitars were close at hand and silently prayed to Tethrin for strength. He thought of Dabuk, wishing that his dark friend was with him now, to help steel his resolve against a foe that Jeddar feared more than he’d ever admit. He thought of Dvalin, Mesik, and Bactra, friends for life. He thought of Rikin, Salisan, Thessa, and even the vonakyndra, Hougwarth, who he’d already come to know as friend. All of these names and many more from childhood rushed through his mind as he strung his bow and took aim in darkness.
“I pray I see you again, my friends,” the thought was his last before his mind became embroiled in the madness of battle and the twang of hundreds of bows firing. The ogres came and the citizens of Treestead hung on for dear life.
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
THE ALLIANCE (cont.)
The Wild Plains East, banks of the Silver River:
Thessa stood on the western bank of the Silver River staring at the deep flowing water. At least, it felt deep to her. Thessa shivered. She’d never felt fear like this before. The water seemed alive, calling to her. Too feel its embrace again.
“Thessa,” the little gnome priestess startled at the sound of Bactra’s voice. “Are you all right?”
“Y-yes… no,” Thessa closed her eyes saying a silent prayer to Baervan. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ok again.”
“It’s just water, Thessa.” It was as if Bactra could sense her fears. “It’s not alive. Not the way you’re thinking.”
“I know.”
“It’s time to go.” Bactra knelt down next to his small friend. “Dabuk has picked up the trail already and has set off after them. His father’s with him but they’ll need our help.”
Thessa wasn’t surprised. Dabuk had insisted on only waiting long enough for everyone to dry out and get a good night’s sleep. Thessa had slept soundly enough but she now felt unsure of herself. Her faith taught her to approach each new day with the joy of the unexpected of the journey for that day. Today, she dreaded traveling anywhere where there might be more water.
“I’m coming,” Thessa said one last prayer to her God, hefted her pack any walked with Bactra towards Mesik, Hougwarth and Kellin who had been waiting patiently for her.
Bactra mounted his gray mare taking up the lead position while Kellin took the rear.
Hougwarth helped her up onto her pony, which was as afraid of the water as his mistress was. Hougwarth would walk next to Thessa’s steed, now feeling responsible for the little gnome’s safety. They had become good friends overnight, they all had. Except Kellin and Dabuk, of course.
Mesik’s mount had faired better and it calmly trotted next to Thessa’s, as the group rode off after Dabuk and Garth. None spoke of the fear troubling the gnome priestess’s mind.
Moments past as they rode away from the waters of the Silver River. A toad was startled by the sudden appearance of a little gnome dressed in traveling garb holding a fine walking stick. He wore a troubled expression on his face, as he stood where Thessa had been standing a moment before.
“Do not let the fear take you, traveler’s daughter.” He dug out a finely carved weed pipe filling it with tobacco. “I am with you child, don’t ever forget that.”
Then with a puff of tobacco smoke the little gnome vanished with a wink of an eye. The toad went back to its croaking.
* * *
The Wild Plains East, banks of the Silver River:
Thessa stood on the western bank of the Silver River staring at the deep flowing water. At least, it felt deep to her. Thessa shivered. She’d never felt fear like this before. The water seemed alive, calling to her. Too feel its embrace again.
“Thessa,” the little gnome priestess startled at the sound of Bactra’s voice. “Are you all right?”
“Y-yes… no,” Thessa closed her eyes saying a silent prayer to Baervan. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ok again.”
“It’s just water, Thessa.” It was as if Bactra could sense her fears. “It’s not alive. Not the way you’re thinking.”
“I know.”
“It’s time to go.” Bactra knelt down next to his small friend. “Dabuk has picked up the trail already and has set off after them. His father’s with him but they’ll need our help.”
Thessa wasn’t surprised. Dabuk had insisted on only waiting long enough for everyone to dry out and get a good night’s sleep. Thessa had slept soundly enough but she now felt unsure of herself. Her faith taught her to approach each new day with the joy of the unexpected of the journey for that day. Today, she dreaded traveling anywhere where there might be more water.
“I’m coming,” Thessa said one last prayer to her God, hefted her pack any walked with Bactra towards Mesik, Hougwarth and Kellin who had been waiting patiently for her.
Bactra mounted his gray mare taking up the lead position while Kellin took the rear.
Hougwarth helped her up onto her pony, which was as afraid of the water as his mistress was. Hougwarth would walk next to Thessa’s steed, now feeling responsible for the little gnome’s safety. They had become good friends overnight, they all had. Except Kellin and Dabuk, of course.
Mesik’s mount had faired better and it calmly trotted next to Thessa’s, as the group rode off after Dabuk and Garth. None spoke of the fear troubling the gnome priestess’s mind.
Moments past as they rode away from the waters of the Silver River. A toad was startled by the sudden appearance of a little gnome dressed in traveling garb holding a fine walking stick. He wore a troubled expression on his face, as he stood where Thessa had been standing a moment before.
“Do not let the fear take you, traveler’s daughter.” He dug out a finely carved weed pipe filling it with tobacco. “I am with you child, don’t ever forget that.”
Then with a puff of tobacco smoke the little gnome vanished with a wink of an eye. The toad went back to its croaking.
* * *
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
The Alliance (cont)
The edge of the Wild Plains East:
Dabuk had insisted on tracking ahead on foot. His father had insisted on going with him. They had argued but Garth had won out in the end.
“You need me to watch your back, son. You know how you get when tracking ogres.”
Dabuk looked at the tracks in front of him as he crouched with his elbows on his knees. It had been sound advice. Bactra had used that same logic on him while in the Merewood. Dabuk turned his head towards his father standing several feet away tending to the horses. Garth had rode while Dabuk tracked, keeping Dabuk’s horse’s reins attached to his saddle’s pommel.
Dabuk had relented unwillingly.
Dabuk stared back at the tracks. They were nearly a day old. But he knew he’d track them down eventually. Then he’d kill them, plain and simple. He’d kill Kellin too eventually. His father wouldn’t be able to protect the big brute forever. Eventually the beast would show its true colors.
“They went northwest,” Dabuk stood up looking into the distance hoping to catch a glimpse of his prey. “Convenient, wouldn’t you say father?”
“Too convenient,” Garth surveyed the terrain surrounding them, looking back to see if the others were any closer to catching up with them. “Ogres are stupid, but not as dumb as you think.”
“So you keep telling me about what’s-his-eye back there.” Dabuk’s father didn’t want to talk about it but Dabuk felt like forcing the issue. “You know you’re crazy to trust him.”
“I don’t expect you to understand, son. But watch your tongue. Kellin is different than ogres.”
“So you keep telling me but I’ve yet to see any real proof.” Dabuk stared at him, as he started forward following the tracks.
Garth sighed. He motioned Hindle to trot just behind his son letting him lead the way. He tried to think of a way to tell his son the truth without telling him. There wasn’t any real way to say it without more questions needing answers.
“Well,” Dabuk noticed his father’s silence. “Are you going to tell or aren’t you?”
“I can’t,” Garth looked skyward thinking of his father and mother. There hadn’t been anyway to tell them either. “It’s not my place to tell you why Kellin is my friend and where he comes from. He has told me that I have to wait until the time is right and then he’ll tell you himself.”
“Hades to hell,” Dabuk shook his head in disbelief. “You always find a way to say nothing, don’t you. I don’t care who he is or where he came from. You can’t trust an ogre.”
“You’re right,” Garth stared at his son’s back reining in Hindle. “You can’t trust an ogre and that’s all I’m going to say.”
Dabuk stopped. He turned and looked at his father, not believing his ears. He had this perplexed look on his face that would have made even Bactra think his father was nuts.
“Are you telling me that you really don’t trust him?”
“Boy, you are so clueless.”
“What in the Nine Hells does that mean?”
Garth groaned in frustration. Just tell him, he thought. Just tell him. But no, he’d made a promise on his oath as the Justicar.
“Never mind, I’ve already said too much.” Garth waived his hand towards the horizon. “Go on, find the buggers already.”
“Don’t order me around,” Dabuk didn’t move an inch. “I’m not one of your lackeys. I’m your son, by Rillifane! Now tell me what that meant.”
“Don’t push me, son.” Garth bent down staring Dabuk in the eyes. “Don’t forget who leads this expedition. I have the authority to send you home if I like or even string you up by your toes if you get out of line. Now do your job or I’ll do it for you.”
Dabuk returned his father’s stare refusing to move.
“You also promised my mother once that you’d never lay a hand on me, as part of any punishment. Do you remember that?”
Garth sat up laughing. “Oh come on, son. I made that promise when you were two. I can’t believe you even remember that.”
“So your promise to a despicable creature like Kellin means more to you than a promise you made to your own wife. A promise you made on your oath, if I remember correctly.”
Garth looked at his son and knew the boy had won this round.
“Have it your way but don’t use your mother’s memory again me or anyone else ever again or I’ll make a new promise to her that you won’t like.”
“Agreed,” Dabuk turned picking the trail up again with ease. “We won’t talk about this ever again.”
Dabuk started to sprint, looking down at the ogre tracks ever once in a while to make sure he was still on the right course.
“Damn,” Garth wrapped the reins of Dabuk’s horse around Hindle’s saddle horn and spurred the warhorse. He had to make sure his son didn’t face the ogres alone.
He looked back to see the other coming over a rise several miles behind them. Kellin was waving trying to get his attention. All Garth could do was wave back and hope they would increase their speed and catch up to them before his son’s anger drove the young man into a frenzy.
The edge of the Wild Plains East:
Dabuk had insisted on tracking ahead on foot. His father had insisted on going with him. They had argued but Garth had won out in the end.
“You need me to watch your back, son. You know how you get when tracking ogres.”
Dabuk looked at the tracks in front of him as he crouched with his elbows on his knees. It had been sound advice. Bactra had used that same logic on him while in the Merewood. Dabuk turned his head towards his father standing several feet away tending to the horses. Garth had rode while Dabuk tracked, keeping Dabuk’s horse’s reins attached to his saddle’s pommel.
Dabuk had relented unwillingly.
Dabuk stared back at the tracks. They were nearly a day old. But he knew he’d track them down eventually. Then he’d kill them, plain and simple. He’d kill Kellin too eventually. His father wouldn’t be able to protect the big brute forever. Eventually the beast would show its true colors.
“They went northwest,” Dabuk stood up looking into the distance hoping to catch a glimpse of his prey. “Convenient, wouldn’t you say father?”
“Too convenient,” Garth surveyed the terrain surrounding them, looking back to see if the others were any closer to catching up with them. “Ogres are stupid, but not as dumb as you think.”
“So you keep telling me about what’s-his-eye back there.” Dabuk’s father didn’t want to talk about it but Dabuk felt like forcing the issue. “You know you’re crazy to trust him.”
“I don’t expect you to understand, son. But watch your tongue. Kellin is different than ogres.”
“So you keep telling me but I’ve yet to see any real proof.” Dabuk stared at him, as he started forward following the tracks.
Garth sighed. He motioned Hindle to trot just behind his son letting him lead the way. He tried to think of a way to tell his son the truth without telling him. There wasn’t any real way to say it without more questions needing answers.
“Well,” Dabuk noticed his father’s silence. “Are you going to tell or aren’t you?”
“I can’t,” Garth looked skyward thinking of his father and mother. There hadn’t been anyway to tell them either. “It’s not my place to tell you why Kellin is my friend and where he comes from. He has told me that I have to wait until the time is right and then he’ll tell you himself.”
“Hades to hell,” Dabuk shook his head in disbelief. “You always find a way to say nothing, don’t you. I don’t care who he is or where he came from. You can’t trust an ogre.”
“You’re right,” Garth stared at his son’s back reining in Hindle. “You can’t trust an ogre and that’s all I’m going to say.”
Dabuk stopped. He turned and looked at his father, not believing his ears. He had this perplexed look on his face that would have made even Bactra think his father was nuts.
“Are you telling me that you really don’t trust him?”
“Boy, you are so clueless.”
“What in the Nine Hells does that mean?”
Garth groaned in frustration. Just tell him, he thought. Just tell him. But no, he’d made a promise on his oath as the Justicar.
“Never mind, I’ve already said too much.” Garth waived his hand towards the horizon. “Go on, find the buggers already.”
“Don’t order me around,” Dabuk didn’t move an inch. “I’m not one of your lackeys. I’m your son, by Rillifane! Now tell me what that meant.”
“Don’t push me, son.” Garth bent down staring Dabuk in the eyes. “Don’t forget who leads this expedition. I have the authority to send you home if I like or even string you up by your toes if you get out of line. Now do your job or I’ll do it for you.”
Dabuk returned his father’s stare refusing to move.
“You also promised my mother once that you’d never lay a hand on me, as part of any punishment. Do you remember that?”
Garth sat up laughing. “Oh come on, son. I made that promise when you were two. I can’t believe you even remember that.”
“So your promise to a despicable creature like Kellin means more to you than a promise you made to your own wife. A promise you made on your oath, if I remember correctly.”
Garth looked at his son and knew the boy had won this round.
“Have it your way but don’t use your mother’s memory again me or anyone else ever again or I’ll make a new promise to her that you won’t like.”
“Agreed,” Dabuk turned picking the trail up again with ease. “We won’t talk about this ever again.”
Dabuk started to sprint, looking down at the ogre tracks ever once in a while to make sure he was still on the right course.
“Damn,” Garth wrapped the reins of Dabuk’s horse around Hindle’s saddle horn and spurred the warhorse. He had to make sure his son didn’t face the ogres alone.
He looked back to see the other coming over a rise several miles behind them. Kellin was waving trying to get his attention. All Garth could do was wave back and hope they would increase their speed and catch up to them before his son’s anger drove the young man into a frenzy.
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Sorry about not updating
Just to let you all know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. I'm just dealing with a lot of crap right now. My work's Insurance Company still hasn't come around, wanting more information about my current disabilities. It's been frustrating the last couple of weeks.
Plus, I've now been to see a neurologist who thinks I might have either severe carpal tunnel in the left hand/arm or a pinched nerve in my left arm or in my neck. Going for something known as nerve conduction studies this Wednesday. Hopefully, they'll be able to tell me what's wrong with my left arm and nack after that.
Thus, no updates for a while, including Realmsian Dragonstar. It just hurts too much to type for long periods of time, right now. I'll get back to it when I can.
Regard,
Robert Blezard
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
rblezard@telusplanet.net
Just to let you all know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. I'm just dealing with a lot of crap right now. My work's Insurance Company still hasn't come around, wanting more information about my current disabilities. It's been frustrating the last couple of weeks.
Plus, I've now been to see a neurologist who thinks I might have either severe carpal tunnel in the left hand/arm or a pinched nerve in my left arm or in my neck. Going for something known as nerve conduction studies this Wednesday. Hopefully, they'll be able to tell me what's wrong with my left arm and nack after that.
Thus, no updates for a while, including Realmsian Dragonstar. It just hurts too much to type for long periods of time, right now. I'll get back to it when I can.
Regard,
Robert Blezard
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
rblezard@telusplanet.net
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Taboo
First Post
I'm sorry, now I know how miserable you are! Unfortunately, I've been there, for exactly the same reason and exactly the same tests. Neck, shoulder, and wrist. It's no fun, but what you're living with now is worse.
I hope everything comes out ok, I'll be thinking of you.
Tab (Linette)
I hope everything comes out ok, I'll be thinking of you.
Tab (Linette)
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