Dr Midnight
Explorer
Posting the conclusion, the very end, in a few minutes.
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
The Adventures of the Knights of Spellforge Keep are now COMPLETED
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Dr Midnight
Explorer
EPILOGUE
All over the world, titans were fighting and dying.
In the Lendore Isles, near the breaking waters of Spindrift Sound, the Order of Valor were fighting the Sodded Lord- an enormous mountain made of mouths released from its prison. The Order had taken one death so far, but otherwise morale remained strong and in the end the intervention of Merdinach the black dragon helped to win the day. The Unearthed One died screaming as it sank back into the dark waters of Spindrift. Raelin and Kyler, Blaze and Nova all raised their weapons and screamed victory to Pelor.
Far beyond the boundaries of the vast Sultanate of Zeif, Onkgrgm the Sky-Eater was destroyed. The silver dragon Halaezes had arrived in time to rescue The Piercing Eye, the adventurers fighting the titan. The great stone creature collapsed into dust and a vast pile of rock that shook the earth. Chin Pak Meadowsong, the party’s half-elf leader, thanked Halaezes with deep bows and many thanks. It was in this way that the two began their lifelong friendship.
In to the north of the continent, in the Forlorn Forest, Perysion the Ululating Horror fought and died against the White Sword. Figfim the Enchanter lay dead on the ground, and Mallick Hucrele had thought all was lost when Aisszh the Green swooped down into his home of old and turned the tide. Runhilde the dwarf had regained her spirits at the new ally’s coming and bellowed a cry to Moradin as she attacked with renewed vigor. When Perysion was destroyed, Mallick attempted to thank him. The green dragon glared at him and flew up into the sky.
Everywhere on Oerth, the sky was red with fire and combat. Hell and Heaven were at war on the plane of man. Titan fought man, man was joined by dragon, and man and dragon beat back the titan in almost every battle. The sound rumbled in the air, carried by the clouds.
Nowhere on Oerth was the din of war not heard. When the war was done, just before morning, nowhere on Oerth were the cries and shouts of celebration unfelt.
21st of Suns’ebb
“Are you sure you have to go?”
“Yes. We’ve been too long here in the world of the living. It’s time for us to return to the Shining One’s side.”
Spellforge Keep was a very happy place. The Knights had been feasted and toasted every night since the Eve of Ruin, as it came to be known. They’d relaxed and healed their wounds. Never had any of them felt as at ease… even Dartan was seen more often smiling than not, with a twinkling eye that suggested a taste for merriment and mirth he’d seldom known.
Kizzlorn had dreaded this day. She’d known that as soon as one of the party announced they were departing, the others would soon follow. Indeed, the Maximus brothers’ intentions to leave had triggered a round of sighing and agreement, followed by somber packing. Kizz didn’t want her friends to leave. She would have Nanny, Grumbar, Meepo and Horacio, of course, but without the castle filled and buzzing with activity, she didn’t know what she’d do with herself.
“I wish you’d stay a bit longer.” She folded her arms sadly.
Menerous smiled. “I know. We would, if we could. Rest assured we shall feast endless days in Heaven, when you arrive.”
“Provided you begin worshiping the right god,” Myramus added. Menerous shushed him and punched him in the arm.
The Knights all walked outside in the sunshine, and around to the back, near the large willow tree and the graves of the other Knights. The Maximus brothers’ wings unfolded from their backs and let the sun warm them.
“It was nice meeting you,” Broldek said with a kind grin.
“Likewise,” Myramus said. They shook hands. “I must say, you really are a great representative of your people. You don’t hold up to the stereotypes at all.”
“Well… I do hold up to a few. For example, I’m going to use my wish to create an enormous bridge to live under. It’ll really be more of a castle than a bridge, but still, it’ll be very bridg-ey.”
“Ahh. Well, enjoy it- you’ve earned it. You all have.”
On winning the battle of the Eve of Ruin, Myramus’s eyes had gone white and he spoke with the voice of Pelor. In a deep and booming tenor he’d thanked them for saving his world, and in turn granted Kizzlorn, Edge, Dartan and Broldek one wish each- to be used in the interest of good, of course. These wishes were not the small things that could be done with spells… these were true wishes. With a true wish, you could bring almost anything imaginable to the world. With a true wish, you had a miracle at your command. The Knights had discussed over many a late-night tabletop just what they would use their wishes for. No one had really decided… save for Broldek, who loved the idea of his bridge.
Dartan approached Menerous. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course, Dartan.”
Dartan led the angel beneath the willow tree, away from the ears of the others. The Godless looked slightly nervous. “I wanted to ask you something,” he said. “Before you go.”
“Yes?”
“Bree said… I mean, Erasmus speaking as Bree… said many things that rang true with me. About Pelor. About Pelor using his followers as pawns and abandoning them when they died. About my wife being a shell in the ground and no more. I just want to hear from you- is this true?”
Menerous wrinkled his brow. “You sound like you’ll believe it, whether or not I tell you what you want to hear.” Dartan was silent at this. Menerous sensed in him a black confusion. “Dartan, faith isn’t something you can be told about. You can’t believe in a god’s love because you were told it exists. Faith is a blind thing. You have to know it in your heart. You have to let Pelor in, sight unseen.”
“I did that,” Dartan replied coldly. “In the Gauntlet. I despaired and asked Pelor to save me in a moment of desperation. You know what happened?”
“Nothing.”
Dartan blinked. “That’s right. How… why would you say I should let Pelor in, when you know that I felt nothing at all on asking for his salvation?”
Menerous said “Because you didn’t truly believe. That wasn’t faith. That was as you said it was- despair in a moment of desperation. To find the blinding glory, you have to believe, and that’s more than just reciting some words as a means to be certain of a kind afterlife. Faith is a leap. You can’t leave one foot on the ledge.”
Dartan looked to the horizon, thinking. “So. My wife…”
“Is awaiting your return to her, in due time, in the infinite goodness of Heaven.” He paused. “This is just what I tell you, however… you won’t know for yourself. Not in this lifetime. You have to either wholly believe, or continue disbelieving. The choice is yours and nothing I say can help you.”
“Brother,” Myramus called. “The time has come, let us fly!”
Menerous saw Dartan’s pensive expression, and smiled at him. He clapped a hand on Dartan’s armored shoulder. “Well, I must leave you now. Please take my words to heart, and weigh them carefully.”
Dartan looked up at him and nodded. “I will. Thank you.”
Myramus and Menerous Maximus began to fly back up into the sky towards the heavens. “Take care, mortals,” Myramus shouted happily. “If your way should go darkly, or the dread forces of the Abyss rise once again, just call to the sky above and you once again may survive thanks to…”
“Menerous,” Menerous yelled.
“And Myramus,” Myramus added.
“MAXIMUS!!!” The two celestial brothers bashed their fists together, and were lost in a ray of sunlight, then gone from sight. The sound of their cry echoed off of the Kron hills, some miles away, rolling through the green land of Verbobonc.
Broldek shielded his eyes as he stared upward, shaking his head. “They certainly do love their dramatics.”
“That they do,” Kizzlorn agreed.
The troll hugged her and lifted her up, where she laughed and kicked and begged to be put down. “Gotta go. Things to do, bridges to wish into existence, you know?” He winked and lowered her gently.
“Thanks for everything, Broldek. You know you’re always welcome here.”
“I’ll visit often. I promise. Dartan, Edge… I’ll miss you too of course. Don’t be strangers.”
The troll shook hands with the halfling. Edge smiled up at him. “I won’t miss feeling this short.”
“Ha ha… Well, you could use your wish and get yourself a pair of stilts or something.” The two chuckled. Broldek turned and shook hands with Dartan. “It’s been great fighting with you. You swing one mean longsword.”
Dartan smirked. “Thanks. It’s been a pleasure swinging swords at your side.”
“We’ll do it again someday,” Broldek said. He turned. “Well, I’m going to say goodbye to the boys in the kitchen, and I’m off. Fare thee well.”
“Good travels,” Kizzlorn said as she waved. Broldek walked away, leaving Dartan, Edge and Kizzlorn on the lawn of Spellforge Keep.
Edge sighed. “Well. I guess I’m next.” He looked up at Kizzlorn, and she saw the trembling in his eyes. She didn’t like what it might mean. The halfling had strong feelings for her- this had always been apparent. What he might say now could only lead to an awkward parting. Kizzlorn had decided long ago that she did not and could not love Edge as anything more than a brother. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was the significance of the sword?”
“The sword?”
“The sword you killed Crow with. You picked it up out of the rubble, when there could have been any number of ways to do him in. Just something I’ve been wondering.” He’d had a suspicion, but he wanted to hear her say it.
“That. That sword belonged to someone… Someone I loved. He died just before you came to us. It was very hard on me, and taking his sword back from our enemies was almost like having him there.”
“I see.” The halfling shuffled his feet, and Dartan said nothing. “Why… uh… if he’s dead, why don’t you bring him back? You have the power, certainly. I mean. If you’d want to.”
“I wanted to, of course. He turned it down from beyond. He’d died many times, and the effort of returning had weakened him horribly. That last time, he would have been so weak… he didn’t want to return as half a man.”
Edge looked down. He mumbled into his chest. “No, who would want to be half a man.”
Kizzlorn stammered and turned red. “I… Oh, Edge, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” He shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. “Uh, look, I’d better go. Unless you can give me a reason to stay.” He looked up, and in his eyes was a question. Kizzlorn looked back, and as gently as possible, she let her eyes tell him no. He nodded and took a deep breath. “Dartan,”
“Edge.” The two shook hands, and the halfling turned and walked away, towards the main road out of town.
Kizzlorn watched him go. She felt so cruel, so small. She couldn’t bring herself to make him happy, though she knew he’d pledge his life to her. Her heart wasn’t in any of it. Often, she dreamed of Shade, and the brilliant eyes that had seemed to smile at her so many times in the midst of the darkest troubles.
Dartan said “It’s a shame that you can’t give him what he wants. Poor little fighter…”
Kizzlorn’s eyes widened. “Of course,” she said. “Why can’t I?” She closed her eyes and mouthed her wish to Pelor.
Dartan stared at her, confused. “What did you do?”
She sighed. It was done. “I’ve made another me. A twin, almost. A me. For him. One that will love him. One that does already. He can be happy, Dartan.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Dartan was visibly touched with the act of generosity on Kizzlorn’s part… and touched isn’t an emotion that Dartan the Godless ever really displayed unless the circumstances were truly incredible. “A twin of you… to love and be loved by him. Amazing.”
“Well… ALMOST a twin, I said.” She smiled and winked. “She’s a halfling.”
Dartan laughed then, and she joined him. The two laughed long and hard. When Dartan straightened, he hugged her. “It’s been good, Kizz.”
“Really good. Please come anytime.”
“I will. For now, though, I want to see my sons, and more of the world. I’ve stayed in one place for too long.”
“Give my brothers my love.”
“Count on it. Goodbye, little Kizz.”
“Goodbye, Uncle Dartan.” She waved and watched as Dartan walked towards the road, then up it, towards his next adventures. Kizz sighed and walked into the castle, feeling the waning sunlight on her shoulders as she walked across her lawn.
She crossed the drawbridge and shut the portcullis behind her, and the door after it. She stopped in her dining hall and looked around. Silence. The castle was empty and free of bustle and conversation, clanking mugs of mead, laughter, tales of adventure, footsteps, friends. It made her very, very sad. She rubbed her arms and walked to the fireplace. Above it was mounted Shade’s vorpal sword. It had been passed through many hands after his death, but now it was hers, and hers it would remain. She touched it, sighed and walked away.
The doorbell rang. One of her friends had forgotten something, most like, and she rushed to the door. The loneliness she felt made her eager at the thought of one more moment in the company of any of the Knights.
Kizzlorn’s gift to Edge had been something wonderful and selfless. A wish for his happiness. Two miles away, he was walking hand in hand with his halfling Kizzlorn and just feeling as if the entire world was filled with the goodness of life and light. “I’ve never been this happy.”
“I know.” Halfling Kizzlorn kissed him on the cheek and hugged his arm with both of hers as they walked. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Kizzlorn. Have for a long time.”
“We have forever. Don’t waste a minute of it not telling me that.” The two walked happily on the road for a moment in silence. “What will you wish for?” she wondered aloud.
“I’ve made my wish already,” he grinned. “It’s a good one.”
Kizzlorn opened the door of Spellforge Keep. “Did you forget something, Dar-” Her heart stopped.
“’Ello, luv,” Shade said with that familar, gentle smile.
The day was wearing into evening. Dartan walked up the North Road, out of Verbobonc. He stopped and watched the last bit of sun disappear behind a mountaintop. Frowning, he thought back on his life, and the choices he’d made. He’d failed as a paladin of Heironeous. He’d been led that way by his parents. Had he succeeded as Dartan the Godless, which was his own choice? He wasn’t sure. His life was two parts despair and cold hate to one part contentment. Even in the best of times, he felt like a walking corpse, waiting for that lucky sword or arrow to pierce him and end it all. A dead man waiting to die. No afterlife, just coldness in the grave.
He decided on his wish then and there, because he knew that the worst thing in his life was the doubt. It tainted everything he was, like a black sack of poison at the bottom of a well. His wish would tell him if that poison were real or not… once and for all. He closed his eyes.
“I wish to know.”
In the flash of an instant, he was filled with the truth. He breathed in deeply, and opened his eyes again. Everything was different. He knew.
“It’s real,” he gasped. “Oh, it’s all true.” His legs wobbled, and he steadied himself against a tree. “Pelor, I believe in you and let you into my soul.”
Dartan’s heart was filled with light. All doubt was washed away. All the mistrust disappeared in an instant. True faith bloomed in him like the most gorgeous thing he’d ever known, and Dartan the Godless was godless no more.
He would fight evil until he died, as before… but now he knew that he’d be with his wife when he went, and that made all the difference. He took a shaky step. Then another. Soon, he was walking.
In Poddleton, the sun had set. The sky was still a bright rosy hue at the western half, and filled with the stars that winked into sight like candles in the gloaming. Here, a the small village of farmers and commoners were putting away their field tools and heading out for a drink at the foamy head, or perhaps just staying home and enjoying the company of loved ones.
Gorgoldand stood on the stoop of his new home, watching the people walk by and the night settling onto the landscape.
From behind him came an echo in his mind. How do you feel?
“Good, Snooky. I feel good.”
Tomorrow we open?
“Yes. First day of business. I can’t wait.” The old man stood there for a while longer, then heard the kettle whistling on the little stove. He straightened, took one last glance at the sky, and closed the door.
The sign above, reading THE SILVER QUILL, waved in the breeze.
--------------------------
Here on Oerth, among the graves, among the men and women still,
Among the dragons, beasts, and servants grim who now are safe from spell and ill
The blackened wizard is no more, his Oerthly body here was killed
His soul lives yet, but not in Hell, for Pelor’s vengeance was fulfilled
The killer’s soul was cursed- The blade that cut his neck was duly steeped
By Pelor’s blessing, Crow’s above, and damned in death to scream and weep
Forevermore, in heaven’s cell, where goodness, light and truth flow deep
For Crow, this is his private hell, he’s sown, this is the prize he reaped.
Here on Oerth, where all things fell and foul are once more doomed to sleep
Here on Oerth, we toll the bells to bless the Knights of Spellforge Keep
Here on Oerth, where all is well, we thank the Knights of Spellforge Keep.
THE END
------------------------------------------------------------
THE KNIGHTS:
Joshua
Melissa
Doug U.
Doug H.
Lou
Steve
John
Jill
Matt
Christian
THANKS TO
Alan Moore
Joss Whedon
George R. R. Martin
The players
The readers
Eric Noah
Kevin Kulp
Russell Morris
Barak Blackburn
Thanks for reading, everyone.
-Dr Midnight (For Justice!)
All over the world, titans were fighting and dying.
In the Lendore Isles, near the breaking waters of Spindrift Sound, the Order of Valor were fighting the Sodded Lord- an enormous mountain made of mouths released from its prison. The Order had taken one death so far, but otherwise morale remained strong and in the end the intervention of Merdinach the black dragon helped to win the day. The Unearthed One died screaming as it sank back into the dark waters of Spindrift. Raelin and Kyler, Blaze and Nova all raised their weapons and screamed victory to Pelor.
Far beyond the boundaries of the vast Sultanate of Zeif, Onkgrgm the Sky-Eater was destroyed. The silver dragon Halaezes had arrived in time to rescue The Piercing Eye, the adventurers fighting the titan. The great stone creature collapsed into dust and a vast pile of rock that shook the earth. Chin Pak Meadowsong, the party’s half-elf leader, thanked Halaezes with deep bows and many thanks. It was in this way that the two began their lifelong friendship.
In to the north of the continent, in the Forlorn Forest, Perysion the Ululating Horror fought and died against the White Sword. Figfim the Enchanter lay dead on the ground, and Mallick Hucrele had thought all was lost when Aisszh the Green swooped down into his home of old and turned the tide. Runhilde the dwarf had regained her spirits at the new ally’s coming and bellowed a cry to Moradin as she attacked with renewed vigor. When Perysion was destroyed, Mallick attempted to thank him. The green dragon glared at him and flew up into the sky.
Everywhere on Oerth, the sky was red with fire and combat. Hell and Heaven were at war on the plane of man. Titan fought man, man was joined by dragon, and man and dragon beat back the titan in almost every battle. The sound rumbled in the air, carried by the clouds.
Nowhere on Oerth was the din of war not heard. When the war was done, just before morning, nowhere on Oerth were the cries and shouts of celebration unfelt.
21st of Suns’ebb
“Are you sure you have to go?”
“Yes. We’ve been too long here in the world of the living. It’s time for us to return to the Shining One’s side.”
Spellforge Keep was a very happy place. The Knights had been feasted and toasted every night since the Eve of Ruin, as it came to be known. They’d relaxed and healed their wounds. Never had any of them felt as at ease… even Dartan was seen more often smiling than not, with a twinkling eye that suggested a taste for merriment and mirth he’d seldom known.
Kizzlorn had dreaded this day. She’d known that as soon as one of the party announced they were departing, the others would soon follow. Indeed, the Maximus brothers’ intentions to leave had triggered a round of sighing and agreement, followed by somber packing. Kizz didn’t want her friends to leave. She would have Nanny, Grumbar, Meepo and Horacio, of course, but without the castle filled and buzzing with activity, she didn’t know what she’d do with herself.
“I wish you’d stay a bit longer.” She folded her arms sadly.
Menerous smiled. “I know. We would, if we could. Rest assured we shall feast endless days in Heaven, when you arrive.”
“Provided you begin worshiping the right god,” Myramus added. Menerous shushed him and punched him in the arm.
The Knights all walked outside in the sunshine, and around to the back, near the large willow tree and the graves of the other Knights. The Maximus brothers’ wings unfolded from their backs and let the sun warm them.
“It was nice meeting you,” Broldek said with a kind grin.
“Likewise,” Myramus said. They shook hands. “I must say, you really are a great representative of your people. You don’t hold up to the stereotypes at all.”
“Well… I do hold up to a few. For example, I’m going to use my wish to create an enormous bridge to live under. It’ll really be more of a castle than a bridge, but still, it’ll be very bridg-ey.”
“Ahh. Well, enjoy it- you’ve earned it. You all have.”
On winning the battle of the Eve of Ruin, Myramus’s eyes had gone white and he spoke with the voice of Pelor. In a deep and booming tenor he’d thanked them for saving his world, and in turn granted Kizzlorn, Edge, Dartan and Broldek one wish each- to be used in the interest of good, of course. These wishes were not the small things that could be done with spells… these were true wishes. With a true wish, you could bring almost anything imaginable to the world. With a true wish, you had a miracle at your command. The Knights had discussed over many a late-night tabletop just what they would use their wishes for. No one had really decided… save for Broldek, who loved the idea of his bridge.
Dartan approached Menerous. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course, Dartan.”
Dartan led the angel beneath the willow tree, away from the ears of the others. The Godless looked slightly nervous. “I wanted to ask you something,” he said. “Before you go.”
“Yes?”
“Bree said… I mean, Erasmus speaking as Bree… said many things that rang true with me. About Pelor. About Pelor using his followers as pawns and abandoning them when they died. About my wife being a shell in the ground and no more. I just want to hear from you- is this true?”
Menerous wrinkled his brow. “You sound like you’ll believe it, whether or not I tell you what you want to hear.” Dartan was silent at this. Menerous sensed in him a black confusion. “Dartan, faith isn’t something you can be told about. You can’t believe in a god’s love because you were told it exists. Faith is a blind thing. You have to know it in your heart. You have to let Pelor in, sight unseen.”
“I did that,” Dartan replied coldly. “In the Gauntlet. I despaired and asked Pelor to save me in a moment of desperation. You know what happened?”
“Nothing.”
Dartan blinked. “That’s right. How… why would you say I should let Pelor in, when you know that I felt nothing at all on asking for his salvation?”
Menerous said “Because you didn’t truly believe. That wasn’t faith. That was as you said it was- despair in a moment of desperation. To find the blinding glory, you have to believe, and that’s more than just reciting some words as a means to be certain of a kind afterlife. Faith is a leap. You can’t leave one foot on the ledge.”
Dartan looked to the horizon, thinking. “So. My wife…”
“Is awaiting your return to her, in due time, in the infinite goodness of Heaven.” He paused. “This is just what I tell you, however… you won’t know for yourself. Not in this lifetime. You have to either wholly believe, or continue disbelieving. The choice is yours and nothing I say can help you.”
“Brother,” Myramus called. “The time has come, let us fly!”
Menerous saw Dartan’s pensive expression, and smiled at him. He clapped a hand on Dartan’s armored shoulder. “Well, I must leave you now. Please take my words to heart, and weigh them carefully.”
Dartan looked up at him and nodded. “I will. Thank you.”
Myramus and Menerous Maximus began to fly back up into the sky towards the heavens. “Take care, mortals,” Myramus shouted happily. “If your way should go darkly, or the dread forces of the Abyss rise once again, just call to the sky above and you once again may survive thanks to…”
“Menerous,” Menerous yelled.
“And Myramus,” Myramus added.
“MAXIMUS!!!” The two celestial brothers bashed their fists together, and were lost in a ray of sunlight, then gone from sight. The sound of their cry echoed off of the Kron hills, some miles away, rolling through the green land of Verbobonc.
Broldek shielded his eyes as he stared upward, shaking his head. “They certainly do love their dramatics.”
“That they do,” Kizzlorn agreed.
The troll hugged her and lifted her up, where she laughed and kicked and begged to be put down. “Gotta go. Things to do, bridges to wish into existence, you know?” He winked and lowered her gently.
“Thanks for everything, Broldek. You know you’re always welcome here.”
“I’ll visit often. I promise. Dartan, Edge… I’ll miss you too of course. Don’t be strangers.”
The troll shook hands with the halfling. Edge smiled up at him. “I won’t miss feeling this short.”
“Ha ha… Well, you could use your wish and get yourself a pair of stilts or something.” The two chuckled. Broldek turned and shook hands with Dartan. “It’s been great fighting with you. You swing one mean longsword.”
Dartan smirked. “Thanks. It’s been a pleasure swinging swords at your side.”
“We’ll do it again someday,” Broldek said. He turned. “Well, I’m going to say goodbye to the boys in the kitchen, and I’m off. Fare thee well.”
“Good travels,” Kizzlorn said as she waved. Broldek walked away, leaving Dartan, Edge and Kizzlorn on the lawn of Spellforge Keep.
Edge sighed. “Well. I guess I’m next.” He looked up at Kizzlorn, and she saw the trembling in his eyes. She didn’t like what it might mean. The halfling had strong feelings for her- this had always been apparent. What he might say now could only lead to an awkward parting. Kizzlorn had decided long ago that she did not and could not love Edge as anything more than a brother. He cleared his throat. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. What was the significance of the sword?”
“The sword?”
“The sword you killed Crow with. You picked it up out of the rubble, when there could have been any number of ways to do him in. Just something I’ve been wondering.” He’d had a suspicion, but he wanted to hear her say it.
“That. That sword belonged to someone… Someone I loved. He died just before you came to us. It was very hard on me, and taking his sword back from our enemies was almost like having him there.”
“I see.” The halfling shuffled his feet, and Dartan said nothing. “Why… uh… if he’s dead, why don’t you bring him back? You have the power, certainly. I mean. If you’d want to.”
“I wanted to, of course. He turned it down from beyond. He’d died many times, and the effort of returning had weakened him horribly. That last time, he would have been so weak… he didn’t want to return as half a man.”
Edge looked down. He mumbled into his chest. “No, who would want to be half a man.”
Kizzlorn stammered and turned red. “I… Oh, Edge, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” He shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. “Uh, look, I’d better go. Unless you can give me a reason to stay.” He looked up, and in his eyes was a question. Kizzlorn looked back, and as gently as possible, she let her eyes tell him no. He nodded and took a deep breath. “Dartan,”
“Edge.” The two shook hands, and the halfling turned and walked away, towards the main road out of town.
Kizzlorn watched him go. She felt so cruel, so small. She couldn’t bring herself to make him happy, though she knew he’d pledge his life to her. Her heart wasn’t in any of it. Often, she dreamed of Shade, and the brilliant eyes that had seemed to smile at her so many times in the midst of the darkest troubles.
Dartan said “It’s a shame that you can’t give him what he wants. Poor little fighter…”
Kizzlorn’s eyes widened. “Of course,” she said. “Why can’t I?” She closed her eyes and mouthed her wish to Pelor.
Dartan stared at her, confused. “What did you do?”
She sighed. It was done. “I’ve made another me. A twin, almost. A me. For him. One that will love him. One that does already. He can be happy, Dartan.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Dartan was visibly touched with the act of generosity on Kizzlorn’s part… and touched isn’t an emotion that Dartan the Godless ever really displayed unless the circumstances were truly incredible. “A twin of you… to love and be loved by him. Amazing.”
“Well… ALMOST a twin, I said.” She smiled and winked. “She’s a halfling.”
Dartan laughed then, and she joined him. The two laughed long and hard. When Dartan straightened, he hugged her. “It’s been good, Kizz.”
“Really good. Please come anytime.”
“I will. For now, though, I want to see my sons, and more of the world. I’ve stayed in one place for too long.”
“Give my brothers my love.”
“Count on it. Goodbye, little Kizz.”
“Goodbye, Uncle Dartan.” She waved and watched as Dartan walked towards the road, then up it, towards his next adventures. Kizz sighed and walked into the castle, feeling the waning sunlight on her shoulders as she walked across her lawn.
She crossed the drawbridge and shut the portcullis behind her, and the door after it. She stopped in her dining hall and looked around. Silence. The castle was empty and free of bustle and conversation, clanking mugs of mead, laughter, tales of adventure, footsteps, friends. It made her very, very sad. She rubbed her arms and walked to the fireplace. Above it was mounted Shade’s vorpal sword. It had been passed through many hands after his death, but now it was hers, and hers it would remain. She touched it, sighed and walked away.
The doorbell rang. One of her friends had forgotten something, most like, and she rushed to the door. The loneliness she felt made her eager at the thought of one more moment in the company of any of the Knights.
Kizzlorn’s gift to Edge had been something wonderful and selfless. A wish for his happiness. Two miles away, he was walking hand in hand with his halfling Kizzlorn and just feeling as if the entire world was filled with the goodness of life and light. “I’ve never been this happy.”
“I know.” Halfling Kizzlorn kissed him on the cheek and hugged his arm with both of hers as they walked. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Kizzlorn. Have for a long time.”
“We have forever. Don’t waste a minute of it not telling me that.” The two walked happily on the road for a moment in silence. “What will you wish for?” she wondered aloud.
“I’ve made my wish already,” he grinned. “It’s a good one.”
Kizzlorn opened the door of Spellforge Keep. “Did you forget something, Dar-” Her heart stopped.
“’Ello, luv,” Shade said with that familar, gentle smile.
The day was wearing into evening. Dartan walked up the North Road, out of Verbobonc. He stopped and watched the last bit of sun disappear behind a mountaintop. Frowning, he thought back on his life, and the choices he’d made. He’d failed as a paladin of Heironeous. He’d been led that way by his parents. Had he succeeded as Dartan the Godless, which was his own choice? He wasn’t sure. His life was two parts despair and cold hate to one part contentment. Even in the best of times, he felt like a walking corpse, waiting for that lucky sword or arrow to pierce him and end it all. A dead man waiting to die. No afterlife, just coldness in the grave.
He decided on his wish then and there, because he knew that the worst thing in his life was the doubt. It tainted everything he was, like a black sack of poison at the bottom of a well. His wish would tell him if that poison were real or not… once and for all. He closed his eyes.
“I wish to know.”
In the flash of an instant, he was filled with the truth. He breathed in deeply, and opened his eyes again. Everything was different. He knew.
“It’s real,” he gasped. “Oh, it’s all true.” His legs wobbled, and he steadied himself against a tree. “Pelor, I believe in you and let you into my soul.”
Dartan’s heart was filled with light. All doubt was washed away. All the mistrust disappeared in an instant. True faith bloomed in him like the most gorgeous thing he’d ever known, and Dartan the Godless was godless no more.
He would fight evil until he died, as before… but now he knew that he’d be with his wife when he went, and that made all the difference. He took a shaky step. Then another. Soon, he was walking.
In Poddleton, the sun had set. The sky was still a bright rosy hue at the western half, and filled with the stars that winked into sight like candles in the gloaming. Here, a the small village of farmers and commoners were putting away their field tools and heading out for a drink at the foamy head, or perhaps just staying home and enjoying the company of loved ones.
Gorgoldand stood on the stoop of his new home, watching the people walk by and the night settling onto the landscape.
From behind him came an echo in his mind. How do you feel?
“Good, Snooky. I feel good.”
Tomorrow we open?
“Yes. First day of business. I can’t wait.” The old man stood there for a while longer, then heard the kettle whistling on the little stove. He straightened, took one last glance at the sky, and closed the door.
The sign above, reading THE SILVER QUILL, waved in the breeze.
--------------------------
Here on Oerth, among the graves, among the men and women still,
Among the dragons, beasts, and servants grim who now are safe from spell and ill
The blackened wizard is no more, his Oerthly body here was killed
His soul lives yet, but not in Hell, for Pelor’s vengeance was fulfilled
The killer’s soul was cursed- The blade that cut his neck was duly steeped
By Pelor’s blessing, Crow’s above, and damned in death to scream and weep
Forevermore, in heaven’s cell, where goodness, light and truth flow deep
For Crow, this is his private hell, he’s sown, this is the prize he reaped.
Here on Oerth, where all things fell and foul are once more doomed to sleep
Here on Oerth, we toll the bells to bless the Knights of Spellforge Keep
Here on Oerth, where all is well, we thank the Knights of Spellforge Keep.
THE END
------------------------------------------------------------
THE KNIGHTS:
Joshua
Melissa
Doug U.
Doug H.
Lou
Steve
John
Jill
Matt
Christian
THANKS TO
Alan Moore
Joss Whedon
George R. R. Martin
The players
The readers
Eric Noah
Kevin Kulp
Russell Morris
Barak Blackburn
Thanks for reading, everyone.
-Dr Midnight (For Justice!)
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