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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zora" data-source="post: 2685267" data-attributes="member: 30156">Rock's Journal entry 10/14/05Dear Grandfather,It saddens me to recount the following events.  Were it not for my anger and the smallest glimmer of hope I hold in my heart right now, I would probably fall to the sweet embrace of the earth and never get up.But let me start at the beginning.I finally managed to slip away during the festivities to plant the acorn by the Puffleweiss burial grounds.  Serrah's mother was pleased at my suggestion and hurried me on my way.After my return, I was enjoying the company of friends when Serrah approached me.(the following is the email text for this encounter)You have been back for a short time and are enjoying the company of friends once again. You turn around, and she is there. Serrah Puffleweis, dressed in black with but one splash of color -- a ribbon pinned to the left sleeve of her shirt.You are surrounded by people, but no one seems to be paying you two the least bit of attention. You can hear her voice clearly when she speaks; it's as if all of the background noise just fades away.She brushes lint that is not there off of her black skirt, as if to remind you of how she is dressed. "I asked Stone about thi... the ring you gave me." Her hand has reached up towards her chest, as if reaching for a necklace or the top button of her black blouse, but she touches nothing. Her voice, almost wistful, continues. "He told me what it means. Among his people." She puts her hand down again, but doesn't really relax. "I can't say whether it means the same to you -- where you're from -- but I can say this: there is a time and a place for everything."Serrah leans her head forward a bit and her tone turns serious. "That wasn't the time."She leans back, arching an eyebrow at you slightly and cocking her head the smallest amount to one side. She gives you a brief moment to respond. You can sense, though, that she is about to turn and walk into the crowd.----------------------------------------------------"Stone has the right of it.  Our people have strong traditions and our customs change little from clan to clan, hearth to hearth."He looks slightly downward so as to not meet her gaze."Mayhap he did not understand the FULL meaning behind my gift.  That pair of matching rings were made for you and Re, as per my note.  They were a way for me to work out my...feelings."He pauses and hesitates before continuing, looking her directly in the eyes."They were my way of recognizing your bond.  My way of showing the two of you that I honor your marriage, and would do nothing to come between such a sacred vow.""Re made me promise to protect you.  It seems I have not done that, for which I will be eternally ashamed."  "You say there is a time and place for everything.  I thought so once, too."----------------------------------------------------A sudden eruption of laughter over to one side causes Serrah to look away, interrupted. Or the sudden noise was simply an excuse to break contact.She turns back. "I've had my share of failures, too. Maybe some day the time will come... when the hearts and walls of Camber are at peace again." Smiling ruefully, she says, "I hear you and your friends are leaving tomorrow. I hope you find what it is you are looking for. May your journey have purpose, and may you find fulfillment in your days."Serrah hesitates for a brief second, looking down. She smiles weakly at Rock again, turning slowly before moving away.----------------------------------------------------"Aye, may you find laughter and cheer in the coming days.  My Pepa always told me 'tis harder to move through the days with a heavy heart.'  It's a time of celebration for those starting new lives together. Though my journey be a solemn one, I have promised myself I would do these fine young couples the service of having fun, laughing, and enjoying the company of people I care about."Turning slightly to the side, so as to give her a chance to escape with dignity, he raises a mug to his lips and says lightly: "They do look happy, don't they?"(end interlude)My heart was glad for that discussion with Serrah.  Now there would be no confusion as to where I stand or how I feel.The next morning, I performed a small ceremony to Billie and Andrea for the planting of the last acorn.  After much debate amongst the rest of the family, we found the perfect spot for it.  Upon growth, there was a perfect branch upon which to eventually put a swing for the children.  It was perfect.  Of course it would have to end…I digress.  After the short ceremony, we made our way out of Camber.  I tossed another flask of dwarven ale to Stone with a note attached.  The note said: "Protect them." I even signed it with my given name and title.  Another omen, or is my mind playing tricks?We'd only been out of the city for 2 hours travel time, if that.  Nekaya and Erim heard a strange noise.  Getting a better look, I could see an orange-red light in the sky back in the direction of Camber.  Making all haste, we rode back towards the city and friends we had just left.  We saw a couple of townsfolk on the way back, babbling things about fire, demons, and something blocking the gate.As we came within sight of the walls of Camber, we could see walls of ice.  Two walls were set an at angle and connected to the sides of the gate, acting as a funnel for anything that might approach.  A third sat yards in front of the gate,blocking site into the city itself.  This was planned out.  Actually remembering something of the drivel my father taught me, I recognized the creatures standing in front: Barbazu.  Devils from one of the planes of Hell.Why would creatures like this be in Camber?  All I can think at that moment is finding Serrah, helping as many people as possible.  I would've ridden straight through the creatures, had Erim not suggested holding a moment for him to cast his spell of Haste upon us.  Knowing these were Barbazu, I figured we would need everything we could get.  I drank my newly acquired drought of Bull's Strength, dismounted, and waited for that feeling that comes with being quickened.That moment unfortunately gave them time to charge towards us, just after Phaele destroyed the ice wall in front of the gate.  All that was left was a mist of steam from the meeting of fire and ice…I quickly got myself into position, let the burning fire inside me take over as I stood to face 2 of them after destroying one with a single mighty blow to its rib cage.At some point, a dome of ice appeared, surrounding myself and my two opponents.  The devils howled with glee, thinking me at their mercy.  I had to smile a little, for I believed that they were now trapped with ME.I dispatched those two and struck a blow full-force onto the wall, destroying much of one side.  At the same moment, I could sense something else in there with me.  I was struck by something that appeared right beside me…a bone devil.  He thought that was the end of me, but he was sadly mistaken.  Phaele fired a bolt of lighting that struck the creature inhis upper torso and sheared off the upper half of the dome of ice.  Unfortunately, this created more mist that made it difficult to see the creature.So difficult, in fact, that I swung a few mighty blows at it that I swore would've connected, but most missed by just the smallest amount due to the mist.  It was enough to cause the creature to summon some pestering allies and teleport away, however.  I smashed a few of the creatures mindlessly, wanting to get them away from me to get into the city proper tolook for my Serrah.  Liadan came up behind me a few times and blessed me with Lathander's healing.  Normally, that would be enough for me to calm myself, but my rage was burning white-hot.  It had to, otherwise I don't know what I would've done.Nekaya exclaimed that there are a lot of bodies between the front gate and where the ice wall used to be…townsfolk just trying to escape…There is a strange greenish mist rising above the town of Camber, yet I must go in.  I will not rest until I've discovered the fates of these people I care about.  And if anything has happened to Serrah…Hell won't even be safe from me.</blockquote>

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