Lost City of Gaxmoor - The Borderlands Campaign
- Thread starter S'mon
- Start date
Goodbye
It fell to Tarquin to inform Madam Stella of the deaths of AOS & Titania. He wasn’t looking forward to it. However when it came to it she had taken the news quite well although some of the girls had been visibly upset.
Later that day as Tarquin relaxed in his study and thought of what the ill fated expedition had cost the group there was a knock at the door. Tarquin opened it and in came Madam Stella accompanied by a man Tarquin didn’t recognise carrying some bags. “AOS and Titania’s personal effects for you to dispose of” said Madam Stella as the man put the bags down. “Thank you” said a slightly surprised Tarquin as the couple left.
Tarquin peered into the bags; they seemed to contain lots of clothes. “What am I going to do with these?” thought Tarquin. “I could give them to the poor but they need warm clothes, not flamboyant silks”.
Tarquin decided he would sort the clothes into two piles. AOS’s he would give to the Margrave to do with what he saw fit and Titania’s he would give to give to girls in the Siren to fight over.
As he was sorting through the bags he came across some books, two were large rather untidy with random sheets of parchment inserted between the pages. He opened one of them and realised they were books of songs and music, some written in Titania’s hand, some not. He looked thoughtfully at the books before deciding that they may be useful and putting them on a spare shelf. He picked up the remaining book; it was smaller than the others and tied shut with a leather thong. He carefully untied the thong and opened it. He recognised instantly AOS’s rather flamboyant hand. It was the duellist’s diary. Tarquin smiled as he read AOS’s rather self centred accounts of the group’s adventures. “A shame to throw this away” he thought, retying the thong and placing the diary on top of the music books.
Buried right at the bottom of one of the bags was a rolled up parchment. “Titania must have had a scroll” he thought but unrolling the parchment revealed not the expected sigils but a picture of Avanthe-Dlamelish in her Isis form. Tarquin re rolled the parchment and was about to put it on the shelf when he stopped; reaching down he picked up the ribbons which the couple had used to tie back their hair, red for AOS and green for Titania. Tarquin carefully twisted the ribbons together before tying them round the parchment. He smiled at his handiwork before placing the parchment carefully on top of the books and closing his eyes. He could picture the couple strolling together through the realm of Isis, they were arguing…
It fell to Tarquin to inform Madam Stella of the deaths of AOS & Titania. He wasn’t looking forward to it. However when it came to it she had taken the news quite well although some of the girls had been visibly upset.
Later that day as Tarquin relaxed in his study and thought of what the ill fated expedition had cost the group there was a knock at the door. Tarquin opened it and in came Madam Stella accompanied by a man Tarquin didn’t recognise carrying some bags. “AOS and Titania’s personal effects for you to dispose of” said Madam Stella as the man put the bags down. “Thank you” said a slightly surprised Tarquin as the couple left.
Tarquin peered into the bags; they seemed to contain lots of clothes. “What am I going to do with these?” thought Tarquin. “I could give them to the poor but they need warm clothes, not flamboyant silks”.
Tarquin decided he would sort the clothes into two piles. AOS’s he would give to the Margrave to do with what he saw fit and Titania’s he would give to give to girls in the Siren to fight over.
As he was sorting through the bags he came across some books, two were large rather untidy with random sheets of parchment inserted between the pages. He opened one of them and realised they were books of songs and music, some written in Titania’s hand, some not. He looked thoughtfully at the books before deciding that they may be useful and putting them on a spare shelf. He picked up the remaining book; it was smaller than the others and tied shut with a leather thong. He carefully untied the thong and opened it. He recognised instantly AOS’s rather flamboyant hand. It was the duellist’s diary. Tarquin smiled as he read AOS’s rather self centred accounts of the group’s adventures. “A shame to throw this away” he thought, retying the thong and placing the diary on top of the music books.
Buried right at the bottom of one of the bags was a rolled up parchment. “Titania must have had a scroll” he thought but unrolling the parchment revealed not the expected sigils but a picture of Avanthe-Dlamelish in her Isis form. Tarquin re rolled the parchment and was about to put it on the shelf when he stopped; reaching down he picked up the ribbons which the couple had used to tie back their hair, red for AOS and green for Titania. Tarquin carefully twisted the ribbons together before tying them round the parchment. He smiled at his handiwork before placing the parchment carefully on top of the books and closing his eyes. He could picture the couple strolling together through the realm of Isis, they were arguing…
Last edited:
StalkingBlue
First Post
S'mon said:I guess Kerstin could give the 250 XP for Cho's account to her next character.
Hey, I almost overlooked that! Thank you.
Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
I feel like a union representative, getting xp for my poor union workers. 
StalkingBlue
First Post
Tallarn said:I feel like a union representative, getting xp for my poor union workers.
Poor, exactly. Very. Not to mention cute and harmless ...
Thanks to you, too.
Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
After the mixed success/failure of the previous mission, the group took some time off. With a new sense of purpose, Leo returned to his lab in the Tower of the White Way, creating two new powerful items for himself. When he finally emerged, some seventy odd days later he was wearing a new circlet that he explained boosted his intelligence, and some metallic bracers that he said would raise his constitution. The rest of the group had not been idle either. Xiang had spent the intervening time checking on the progress of the many forts that the Margravine had started to build along the borders of his lands, and simply enjoying having time to ride.
In the meantime, there had been two new arrivals and a departure from the group. Cho, following her death and resurrection had opted to leave, striking out on her own. She had left a message for Xiang - "I go to follow another path." Xiang still didn't know exactly how he felt about her, but he knew he would miss her in combat. The two new arrivals were of great interest to him, though. One said she was a Druid, and claimed power over the enviroment and great destructive power with her spells. Xiang had little time to speak with her, as she had spent much of her time in the wildnerness around Gaxmoor.
The other new arrival was a Dwarf. Apparently, and Xiang enjoyed replaying this moment in his head, he had been a teacher of Leo's several years ago, and had journeyed here to check on his pupil's progress. Barak had been quite surprised at the level of magical skill the human wizard had shown - and was even more surprised when he realised Leo now was more powerful than him!
Word had come that the Mongali were massing a great horde that would sweep through the Scornic League. Xiang had mixed feelings on this...on the one hand it would mean war, a chance to prove himself again in combat, to protect these people with the power of the Spear. Sometimes he found himself missing the cavalry charges, the joy of massed combat. Then he would remember the aftermath. The friends, buried. Comrades, brothers-in-arms. Always the stench of death after an engagement.
He reined the horse in, staring across the fields at his adopted home, the City of Gaxmoor. Since he had first arrived, the warriors of Mount Fire hard on his heels, it had changed somewhat for him. Once it was simply a promise of hope, now he found it welcoming. Xiang smiled to himself, a rare smile, and rode for home.
* * *
More news had arrived.
"Heracules?" exclaimed pretty much everyone around the table. The Margravine spoke again, confirming the story. Not only had word arrived that Heracules had joined up with the Frost Giants of the Doskan Peaks, not only was he allegedly planning a winter offensive...not only these two things but Ghyssk of all people had informed the Margravine that he knew the location of the Frost Giant's lair. A pre-emptive strike was entirely possible.
With a short teleport, Xiang, Leo and Aos transported themselves to Ghyssk's location. With a minimum of fuss, money was handed over and a map purchased. Ghyssk explained how he would rather not join the expedition himself, and under the authority of the Margravine he was promised more gold if the mission was a success.
Rhianne the Druid and Barak agreed to join the other survivors from the Aryptian mission, bringing the group back up to full strength. In a surprising moment, Sigurd also made his return, claiming to be King of Trafalgis. Xiang was a little unclear on the politics of other kingdoms, but was frankly surprised to see that Sigurd could apparently leave his kingdom and take the time to hopefully finish Heracules off once and for all.
In short order, the plan was laid. Using a spell that Leo knew called Phantasmal Steed, the group could ride through the hills to their destination with amazing speed. Once there, they would rest up overnight and make their attack.
Aside from a brief encounter with a trio of dire boar, who ended up making a nice dinner, the journey there was swift and easy. A decision was made to send a scout in, to see if any advance intelligence could be gathered. Barak volunteered, and was made invisible and able to fly.
A short time later he teleported back to the group, claiming to have been spotted. Xiang rolled his eyes. What the hell had the scout been playing at? He should have found out what information he could and got the hell out of there. Once the Giants were alerted all sorts of problems started. During a brief and intense discussion it was decided to see if the group could stay in the area and avoid detection until Leo had a chance to relearn his spells. Rhianne was sent to keep a watch on the cave in which the Giants were located.
She never returned.
Instead 12 orcs made the acquaintance of the party. A combination of a chain lightning from Barak and Xiang's own destructive power, mixed with Aos, Sigurd and the rest meant that they were quickly despatched, but the game was up. A retreat was sounded and the phantasmal steeds pressed into service again.
A day later we returned, again seeking to rest in the magical rope tricks. Xiang had settled down to sleep, dressed in the lighter armour he wore at night in case of attack. The next thing he knew he was awoken by a terrible scream, looked up to see a hideous orc face above him, was grabbed around the ankle and teleported out.
"What the hell just happened?"
Once everyone who made it out had recovered, the story was put together. It seemed that Orc guards had spotted the rope tricks and sent word to the inhabitants of the lair. Aos and Leo, the two people on guard in respective rope tricks, had been attacked by giants, trolls, orcs...and Heracules himself. Leo had somehow survived a battering and teleported out, with Tarquin managing to grab Saphie and Xiang before doing the same.
However, in the other trick, things had not gone so well. Heracules himself had entered the tent and killed Aos in single combat, his giant friends eliminating Titania as well. Barak had managed to keep himself together, huddle under Sigurds defiant defense, and teleport the two of them out. Much of the groups gear had been lost, including the contents of more than one bag of holding.
This meant war, as far as Xiang was concerned. It meant one thing, and one thing only. They prepared, they attacked, and they did not stop until Heracules was dead. This time there was to be no respite, no escape. Xiang was willing to die if it meant Heracules died with him.
Time would tell if this was necessary.
---------
Final note to Simon - please, please, please may I have enough xp to level off the back of this?
In the meantime, there had been two new arrivals and a departure from the group. Cho, following her death and resurrection had opted to leave, striking out on her own. She had left a message for Xiang - "I go to follow another path." Xiang still didn't know exactly how he felt about her, but he knew he would miss her in combat. The two new arrivals were of great interest to him, though. One said she was a Druid, and claimed power over the enviroment and great destructive power with her spells. Xiang had little time to speak with her, as she had spent much of her time in the wildnerness around Gaxmoor.
The other new arrival was a Dwarf. Apparently, and Xiang enjoyed replaying this moment in his head, he had been a teacher of Leo's several years ago, and had journeyed here to check on his pupil's progress. Barak had been quite surprised at the level of magical skill the human wizard had shown - and was even more surprised when he realised Leo now was more powerful than him!
Word had come that the Mongali were massing a great horde that would sweep through the Scornic League. Xiang had mixed feelings on this...on the one hand it would mean war, a chance to prove himself again in combat, to protect these people with the power of the Spear. Sometimes he found himself missing the cavalry charges, the joy of massed combat. Then he would remember the aftermath. The friends, buried. Comrades, brothers-in-arms. Always the stench of death after an engagement.
He reined the horse in, staring across the fields at his adopted home, the City of Gaxmoor. Since he had first arrived, the warriors of Mount Fire hard on his heels, it had changed somewhat for him. Once it was simply a promise of hope, now he found it welcoming. Xiang smiled to himself, a rare smile, and rode for home.
* * *
More news had arrived.
"Heracules?" exclaimed pretty much everyone around the table. The Margravine spoke again, confirming the story. Not only had word arrived that Heracules had joined up with the Frost Giants of the Doskan Peaks, not only was he allegedly planning a winter offensive...not only these two things but Ghyssk of all people had informed the Margravine that he knew the location of the Frost Giant's lair. A pre-emptive strike was entirely possible.
With a short teleport, Xiang, Leo and Aos transported themselves to Ghyssk's location. With a minimum of fuss, money was handed over and a map purchased. Ghyssk explained how he would rather not join the expedition himself, and under the authority of the Margravine he was promised more gold if the mission was a success.
Rhianne the Druid and Barak agreed to join the other survivors from the Aryptian mission, bringing the group back up to full strength. In a surprising moment, Sigurd also made his return, claiming to be King of Trafalgis. Xiang was a little unclear on the politics of other kingdoms, but was frankly surprised to see that Sigurd could apparently leave his kingdom and take the time to hopefully finish Heracules off once and for all.
In short order, the plan was laid. Using a spell that Leo knew called Phantasmal Steed, the group could ride through the hills to their destination with amazing speed. Once there, they would rest up overnight and make their attack.
Aside from a brief encounter with a trio of dire boar, who ended up making a nice dinner, the journey there was swift and easy. A decision was made to send a scout in, to see if any advance intelligence could be gathered. Barak volunteered, and was made invisible and able to fly.
A short time later he teleported back to the group, claiming to have been spotted. Xiang rolled his eyes. What the hell had the scout been playing at? He should have found out what information he could and got the hell out of there. Once the Giants were alerted all sorts of problems started. During a brief and intense discussion it was decided to see if the group could stay in the area and avoid detection until Leo had a chance to relearn his spells. Rhianne was sent to keep a watch on the cave in which the Giants were located.
She never returned.
Instead 12 orcs made the acquaintance of the party. A combination of a chain lightning from Barak and Xiang's own destructive power, mixed with Aos, Sigurd and the rest meant that they were quickly despatched, but the game was up. A retreat was sounded and the phantasmal steeds pressed into service again.
A day later we returned, again seeking to rest in the magical rope tricks. Xiang had settled down to sleep, dressed in the lighter armour he wore at night in case of attack. The next thing he knew he was awoken by a terrible scream, looked up to see a hideous orc face above him, was grabbed around the ankle and teleported out.
"What the hell just happened?"
Once everyone who made it out had recovered, the story was put together. It seemed that Orc guards had spotted the rope tricks and sent word to the inhabitants of the lair. Aos and Leo, the two people on guard in respective rope tricks, had been attacked by giants, trolls, orcs...and Heracules himself. Leo had somehow survived a battering and teleported out, with Tarquin managing to grab Saphie and Xiang before doing the same.
However, in the other trick, things had not gone so well. Heracules himself had entered the tent and killed Aos in single combat, his giant friends eliminating Titania as well. Barak had managed to keep himself together, huddle under Sigurds defiant defense, and teleport the two of them out. Much of the groups gear had been lost, including the contents of more than one bag of holding.
This meant war, as far as Xiang was concerned. It meant one thing, and one thing only. They prepared, they attacked, and they did not stop until Heracules was dead. This time there was to be no respite, no escape. Xiang was willing to die if it meant Heracules died with him.
Time would tell if this was necessary.
---------
Final note to Simon - please, please, please may I have enough xp to level off the back of this?
Mathew_Freeman
Adventurer
That sounds like a fair and equitable solution to me.
StalkingBlue
First Post
Tallarn and I figured we shouldn't leave our mutual sub-plot dangling as Cho leaves, so here is our common ...
Flashback - In The Orchard
(It's early summer, a few days after the party's return from the desert and Cho's return from the dead. Cho has asked Xiang to meet her alone outside the city.)
Cho is sitting on her heels between the rows of cherry trees. She has got a set of peasant clothes from somewhere to replace the temple robes, and looks almost her former self.
As she notices Xiang approaching, she bows formally, her eyes as always flicking briefly to the Spear before they acknowledge him. "Xiang Chang-san. You honour my request."
Xiang is dressed, as always, in the Black Fullplate. The Spear is held casually in one hand. "I am glad to meet with you. Are you recovered from your...ordeal?"
He's a little unsure about how to approach the subject. He's never really had to speak with someone who was dead only a few days before. Apart from Aos, and Aos doesn't really count in this case...
Cho smiles. “I have no particular wish to die again soon. I believe I understand now why in some instances a quick death is considered mercy.
“Will you sit with me?” She gestures with a hand strangely soft and unfamiliar, with the Talons gone.
Water steams from a pot sitting in a tiny fire at her side. She pours into two bowls and sets them out. An acrid, perfumed scent rises: Mountains tea. A wooden training spear, roughly cut, leans against a tree behind her.
Xiang sits down, quietly, sensing that this is going to be a somewhat unnusual meeting. He can't help but glance at the wooden spear behind Cho.
"You seem...troubled. What is the matter?"
The meeting is already unusual in that the two of them are alone - which they haven't been in a long while; not in fact since they first arrived in Gaxmoor.
"It is almost a year since we first came here together," Cho says. "If you had not slowed your horse on the plain outside the city gates, I would have died that day. I have never forgotten that.
"You know what that thing really is, don't you? What it stands for?" She's staring at the Black Spear more openly than she ever has before.
"It is a weapon forged of evil, that uses evil to fight evil. I have companion to it for, as you say, a year now. It has become a solid friend to me. But I do not understand what it means to you, what it stands for. To me, it is a tool that has helped me make a break from the evil of Mount Fire to this place where I have done good."
"I have never forgotten that day outside the city gates. The way you kept up with me on foot though I was on horseback, your courage in the face of death, your bravery against overwhelming odds. I gained a friend that day, though I have not had the courage to say it."
"Please, speak to me of what troubles you. Tell me what it is that has brought me to this place on this day."
Light flits across Cho’s face at the mention of friendship, but her eyes don’t leave the Spear.
“It is an ancient artifact from a faraway part of this world; and of deep religious importance. This weapon you have wielded for a year now rightly belongs to the Lady of Hawk’s Palace.
“Understand that any Guardian who saw you carry it would likely do everything in her power to take it from you. You have seen me fight, Xiang. You must know what I am – or could have been. If Kung had delayed his assault on Hawk’s Palace for but one day longer, I would have been Guardian. In fact, I would have claimed that in everything but form, I was.
“When we first met in the foothills of the Heavenly Mountains, it was only the Black Spear I saw. All I waited for was a day of peace from our pursuers, and then an opportunity to kill you in your sleep.” She smiles strangely. “I had killed others of your sort, so why not you?
“Then came Gaxmoor, and our first expedition to the graveyard. Still I was waiting, thinking I’d let an enemy do my work and simply pick up the Spear ... until that demon appeared in the doorway to the crypt and threatened to tear both you and Aos to shreds. It was at that instant that to my dismay I realized you had become a friend.
“I fought it. I hated myself for, I thought, being indecisive. I hated myself for what I was, for what you were, for what I might have to do to you when the time came.
“I had to die first to understand. Hate is no way to achieve balance. Hate is no way to follow any path. I see now that I cannot betray a friend. I cannot, will not betray you, Xiang. Not even for the sake of the Black Spear.”
Xiang's hand tightens slightly on the Spear as he listens.
"The Lady of the Hawks Palace lays claim to this Spear? You told me she is sleeping, locked in a magical stasis. Do you then propose to awaken her? What would she use the Spear for?"
"I have always said that I only weild the Spear because I trust no other to hold it. I understand it, what it is capable of, what it might be in the hands of one such as Warmaster Kung."
"I am glad that we have become friends through our deeds, not through words. This is as it should be, to judge each other purely on their actions, their decisions and the way they follow through those ideas that they hold. Any number of politicians and merchants can promise the world, but it is those that act that hold my respect."
"You hold my respect. You have since I met you."
A great weight lifts off Cho and floats away on the late summer breeze. “And you hold mine, Xiang Chang-san. You are not only by far the most skilled warrior I have ever seen wield this weapon. You also stand among the most honourable of them. And that is saying much, from someone raised among Guardians.”
Is that irony in her little smile? She is changed after all.
“The Lady of Hawk’s Palace is dead. Kung’s minions hunted her down and took the Spear from her. But there may be – there must be a successor. Earlier this year I was given a message speaking of a ‘Queen held prisoner in Mount Fire’, and of a future time when the Spear must be returned to its rightful wielder. I must find a way to free this prisoner if I can. I cannot be sure when I will be able to return here … My path changes and I cannot see where it leads me.
“If – when I find a way to free Kung’s prisoner, I may call upon you as a friend. There is no one I would prefer to you to stand beside me in such a battle; you, and our other friends. If, one other hand, you chose not to follow that call ... I will understand.”
Xiang sits down next to Cho, lost in thought for a moment. Finally, he turns to her and speaks again.
"If that call comes from you, then I will follow it and lend my Spear against the forces of Mount Fire. At such a time, it is all any man of any worth can do - to answer the call of those he calls friends."
"But I cannot say how I will feel afterwards. To give the Spear to another, it is a difficult thing to think of. It would require much thought and the new weilder would have to be worthy of it in my eyes. And of course, I would have to find a replacement weapon." He smiles faintly, and then takes your hand lightly in his own.
"This I say to you now. Cho the Guardian, Cho the warrior woman, Cho the friend - there will come a time when we two shall meet again, and it shall be at a time when enemies are all around, when friendships are tested and when the way is unclear. We two shall meet, and we shall overcome these enemies, pass the test and see the way forward. And Warmaster Kung shall feel the point of the Spear his men stole."
Xiang graps Cho's hand in the warriors grip - wrist to wrist - and rises.
"Fare you well and good journey to you, Cho."
“And to you, my friend. Stay safe! – Shield him, Lady,” she murmurs under her breath as Xiang moves away.
Flashback - In The Orchard
(It's early summer, a few days after the party's return from the desert and Cho's return from the dead. Cho has asked Xiang to meet her alone outside the city.)
Cho is sitting on her heels between the rows of cherry trees. She has got a set of peasant clothes from somewhere to replace the temple robes, and looks almost her former self.
As she notices Xiang approaching, she bows formally, her eyes as always flicking briefly to the Spear before they acknowledge him. "Xiang Chang-san. You honour my request."
Xiang is dressed, as always, in the Black Fullplate. The Spear is held casually in one hand. "I am glad to meet with you. Are you recovered from your...ordeal?"
He's a little unsure about how to approach the subject. He's never really had to speak with someone who was dead only a few days before. Apart from Aos, and Aos doesn't really count in this case...
Cho smiles. “I have no particular wish to die again soon. I believe I understand now why in some instances a quick death is considered mercy.
“Will you sit with me?” She gestures with a hand strangely soft and unfamiliar, with the Talons gone.
Water steams from a pot sitting in a tiny fire at her side. She pours into two bowls and sets them out. An acrid, perfumed scent rises: Mountains tea. A wooden training spear, roughly cut, leans against a tree behind her.
Xiang sits down, quietly, sensing that this is going to be a somewhat unnusual meeting. He can't help but glance at the wooden spear behind Cho.
"You seem...troubled. What is the matter?"
The meeting is already unusual in that the two of them are alone - which they haven't been in a long while; not in fact since they first arrived in Gaxmoor.
"It is almost a year since we first came here together," Cho says. "If you had not slowed your horse on the plain outside the city gates, I would have died that day. I have never forgotten that.
"You know what that thing really is, don't you? What it stands for?" She's staring at the Black Spear more openly than she ever has before.
"It is a weapon forged of evil, that uses evil to fight evil. I have companion to it for, as you say, a year now. It has become a solid friend to me. But I do not understand what it means to you, what it stands for. To me, it is a tool that has helped me make a break from the evil of Mount Fire to this place where I have done good."
"I have never forgotten that day outside the city gates. The way you kept up with me on foot though I was on horseback, your courage in the face of death, your bravery against overwhelming odds. I gained a friend that day, though I have not had the courage to say it."
"Please, speak to me of what troubles you. Tell me what it is that has brought me to this place on this day."
Light flits across Cho’s face at the mention of friendship, but her eyes don’t leave the Spear.
“It is an ancient artifact from a faraway part of this world; and of deep religious importance. This weapon you have wielded for a year now rightly belongs to the Lady of Hawk’s Palace.
“Understand that any Guardian who saw you carry it would likely do everything in her power to take it from you. You have seen me fight, Xiang. You must know what I am – or could have been. If Kung had delayed his assault on Hawk’s Palace for but one day longer, I would have been Guardian. In fact, I would have claimed that in everything but form, I was.
“When we first met in the foothills of the Heavenly Mountains, it was only the Black Spear I saw. All I waited for was a day of peace from our pursuers, and then an opportunity to kill you in your sleep.” She smiles strangely. “I had killed others of your sort, so why not you?
“Then came Gaxmoor, and our first expedition to the graveyard. Still I was waiting, thinking I’d let an enemy do my work and simply pick up the Spear ... until that demon appeared in the doorway to the crypt and threatened to tear both you and Aos to shreds. It was at that instant that to my dismay I realized you had become a friend.
“I fought it. I hated myself for, I thought, being indecisive. I hated myself for what I was, for what you were, for what I might have to do to you when the time came.
“I had to die first to understand. Hate is no way to achieve balance. Hate is no way to follow any path. I see now that I cannot betray a friend. I cannot, will not betray you, Xiang. Not even for the sake of the Black Spear.”
Xiang's hand tightens slightly on the Spear as he listens.
"The Lady of the Hawks Palace lays claim to this Spear? You told me she is sleeping, locked in a magical stasis. Do you then propose to awaken her? What would she use the Spear for?"
"I have always said that I only weild the Spear because I trust no other to hold it. I understand it, what it is capable of, what it might be in the hands of one such as Warmaster Kung."
"I am glad that we have become friends through our deeds, not through words. This is as it should be, to judge each other purely on their actions, their decisions and the way they follow through those ideas that they hold. Any number of politicians and merchants can promise the world, but it is those that act that hold my respect."
"You hold my respect. You have since I met you."
A great weight lifts off Cho and floats away on the late summer breeze. “And you hold mine, Xiang Chang-san. You are not only by far the most skilled warrior I have ever seen wield this weapon. You also stand among the most honourable of them. And that is saying much, from someone raised among Guardians.”
Is that irony in her little smile? She is changed after all.
“The Lady of Hawk’s Palace is dead. Kung’s minions hunted her down and took the Spear from her. But there may be – there must be a successor. Earlier this year I was given a message speaking of a ‘Queen held prisoner in Mount Fire’, and of a future time when the Spear must be returned to its rightful wielder. I must find a way to free this prisoner if I can. I cannot be sure when I will be able to return here … My path changes and I cannot see where it leads me.
“If – when I find a way to free Kung’s prisoner, I may call upon you as a friend. There is no one I would prefer to you to stand beside me in such a battle; you, and our other friends. If, one other hand, you chose not to follow that call ... I will understand.”
Xiang sits down next to Cho, lost in thought for a moment. Finally, he turns to her and speaks again.
"If that call comes from you, then I will follow it and lend my Spear against the forces of Mount Fire. At such a time, it is all any man of any worth can do - to answer the call of those he calls friends."
"But I cannot say how I will feel afterwards. To give the Spear to another, it is a difficult thing to think of. It would require much thought and the new weilder would have to be worthy of it in my eyes. And of course, I would have to find a replacement weapon." He smiles faintly, and then takes your hand lightly in his own.
"This I say to you now. Cho the Guardian, Cho the warrior woman, Cho the friend - there will come a time when we two shall meet again, and it shall be at a time when enemies are all around, when friendships are tested and when the way is unclear. We two shall meet, and we shall overcome these enemies, pass the test and see the way forward. And Warmaster Kung shall feel the point of the Spear his men stole."
Xiang graps Cho's hand in the warriors grip - wrist to wrist - and rises.
"Fare you well and good journey to you, Cho."
“And to you, my friend. Stay safe! – Shield him, Lady,” she murmurs under her breath as Xiang moves away.
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