NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4180406" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 25DEPARTUREBy the time that Dar, Maricela, and Jaduran exited the cathedral through the back door into the rectory courtyard, the glow on the eastern horizon had brightened enough to see those gathered there, waiting.  Even so, the guards set around the perimeter of the courtyard remained vague shadows, and the buildings of the city beyond were even more indistinct, angular black shapes rising out of the lingering morning fog.  There were a few muted greetings that died quickly.  Those gathered knew their roles, and they had a fairly good idea of what lie ahead for them.  They were professionals, all of them, diverse in backgrounds and experience, but united by common cause. Setarcos was not going with them, but the old monk was speaking quietly to his disciple, the iron Selaht.  The younger monk accepted something from his elder, and bowed respectfully before coming over to join the rest of those gathered in front of the cathedral. Kiron Tonneth was resplendent in full plate armor, polished to a brilliant shine even in the muted light.  His greatsword, a weapon of holy power, was slung across his back along with an unstrung longbow, and he wore the sigil of the Dragon Knights of Camar boldly on both his surcoat and his cloak, the dragon seeming almost alive as it rippled with his movements.  He was flanked by a pair of knights who were both older than he was, but were more conservatively clad in breastplates of blacksteel and plain gray cloaks.  Aldos carried a wickedly curving glaive as his primary weapon, while Petronia’s expression was as cold as the blade of the heavy waraxe she carried.  Octavius was speaking to the veteran guardsmen who would make up the balance of their squad.  Primus, Secundus, and Tertius looked almost identical in their heavy kit, with suits of chainmail topped by halfhelms with protruding noseguards.  They bore the classic Camarian features, with strong jaws, pale skin, and eyes colored like mountain pools.  They looked calm, joking quietly among themselves, but someone as experienced as Dar could see that the behavior was forced.  Their leader was a centurion named Qatarn, who looked as though he might have been sculpted as the archetype of the warrior ideal; he overtopped Dar by a good six inches, and his biceps bulged with corded muscle as he checked the buckles and straps of his soldiers’ kit.  For all his physical presence he had a reputation as a cool, decisive leader, and his only replies were curt nods as he absorbed his commander’s instructions. The last member of their company was a scout loaned to them from the First Legion.  Zethas was an olive-skinned Eremite who seemed ill-at-ease on his feet; like many of the men of Camar’s westernmost province he seemed built to ride.  There was a nervous energy to the man, but his eyes missed nothing as they shifted back and forth around the courtyard.  A temple guard ran up, bearing an assortment of leather scabbards hastily gathered from the armory.  Dar picked out one that fit his new sword, and slid it into the sheath, testing the draw a few times to ensure that it would not stick.  Allera came up to him as he finished.  “Everyone is ready,” she said.  Jaduran was speaking with the others that would accompany them on this mission, but Dar did not need to listen; he had heard it all before. He looked over their company one more time.  “We could really use a wizard.”Allera followed his gaze over them.  “The Guild doesn’t have anyone left even remotely as strong as Zosimos or Letellia, let alone Honoratius.  Jalla has talent, but she...”“She doesn’t have the gut for this kind of thing,” Dar finished for her. “She gave us a few names, but Jaduran agreed that having someone who’s barely more than an apprentice join the team would be more of a hindrance than a benefit to the mission.  Octavius’s men, at least, have all seen action, and they are are all volunteers to boot.”“Yeah, the people we had at Alderford were all veterans as well.  And Southwatch.  And Janaris, and Trajaran, and Highbluff.”She did not flinch from his gaze.  “What can we do?  If we fail, a lot of people are going to die.”He did not respond immediately.  Finally, he said, “Jaduran wanted you to have this, it boosts your stamina.”  He offered her the belt, and she accepted it, adjusting it to fit around her waist.  When she was done, she began, “Corath, I...”But when she looked up, she saw that he’d already gone to join the others. The twelve who would travel south to Rappan Athuk gathered closer together around the Patriarch.  The old cleric leaned on a young priest; Maricela had already joined the company.  She and Kiron shared a glance that said much, but no one spoke, until Jaduran addressed them one last time.  “Follow Dar and Allera; they know the way.  Captain Nonius will be expecting you; I sent him another sending earlier this morning.  Trust in your training, and in each other, and in the Light.  Camar and its people rely upon you, as it relied upon its heroes in the past.”“Stay close, and stay alert,” Dar said to the others.  “This means of travel can be disorienting, so stay focused, watch your assigned sector, and remember the signals.  It will be a good six hours to Rappan Athuk, so if you have to take a piss, better do it now.”They waited as Jaduran summoned his magic, casting three wind walk spells.  As the magic took hold of them, clusters of the men and women gathered in the courtyard dissolved into insubstantial forms of pale mist, almost invisible in the morning fog.  Dar and Allera were among the last group, along with Selaht and Zethas.  As Jaduran finished his final spell.  Dar reached out and took Allera’s hand.  She clung to his as the magic took hold, and their bodies became indistinct.  Dar did not linger, launching himself into the sky like a catapult stone.  The others rose after him, forming a ragged line that quickly extended out toward the south. Toward Rappan Athuk, where the Dungeon of Graves waited for them.</blockquote>

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