Ellena took a 5’ step straight ahead, closing distance on demon 6, hoping to interfere with its spellcasting. She kept up her focus on demon five, only swinging at the other vile outsider if the first were to fall. She kept her magical sword flying through the air.
Power Attack with Haste
Damage plus
If evil.
Power Attack with Haste
Damage plus
If evil.
———-
Adding to my first attack roll
Ellena's first attack cuts down the wounded and blind demon with one swing.
Ellena put the wounded demon down. Only two of the original six remained. They looked on the verge of trying to teleport out.
Tauni bowed her head, taking in the light blasting through the room that radiated from her and her friends. Abadar is with me, and these things must be destroyed! She mustered her resolve and raised her wand again.
Using immediate action to add 1d12 to SR check.
SR
Damage , , .
She will target babau #4 with the attack.
Raine took another step, continuing to close the distance between her and the spawn of the pit. "There is no escape," she said evenly. "There is no fleeing. Stand and be judged for your crimes against Kenabres."
Another trio of Nexavaran steel arrows streaked from her bow.
Karas was a whirlwind of holy wrath as his claws bore down on the demonflesh.
Karas AOO:
DC 17 Sacred Scourge
Babau 4:
Tauni's wand sent out magic missiles but again the were dashed against the resistance of the demons.
The Babau between Karas and Ellena desperately tried to teleport back to the Abyss. Ellena swung her sword at it but missed. Karas however drove his claws into the demon's leathery flesh and tore out large chunks . The demon was not killed, but his spell was disrupted.
Raine sent three more arrows into the room, but there were too many obstacles and intervening allies to get the clear shot she needed and all missed.
Avelina's barrage of magic missiles slammed into the demon who had just been injured, sending him closer to death .
Karas destroyed the demon to his left with two devastating claw attacks, and then dealt more damage to the hapless demon in the middle, who collapsed at this final insult.
And with that the battle for the wardstone ended.
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Irabeth recovered soon after the battle with the demons, her wounds being nonlethal. She stood and looked with awe as the glow that infused all six of the group gradually faded. She knelt and said a prayer of thanks to Iomedae. She then went to check on the mongrel folk rangers. Shortly thereafter, she returned to report.
"The light that the wardstone emitted as it was destroyed penetrated throughout the garrison, killing some demonic flies and a shir demon who were hiding in the rooms off the landing to the second level. A Peryton was in another room but the rangers have dispatched it. There are signs that not just the demons in the garrison were affected but all within the city. I've sent some rangers to discover the situation in the larger city but already we can hear human voices shouting in celebration."
Once the group is ready to move from the room, Irabeth says, "You will want to get back to The Defender's Heart to rest and recover and report to our leaders. I will stay with my rangers and we will see to the remains of those we have discovered and to the cleaning of the defiled shrines, the scrying pool, to see to the repair of the helmets the demons damaged."
Ellena had sat down in the corner. Never a deep thinker, she only now began to let the thought of exactly what she did by destroying the wardstone rush over her. It apparently had to be done, but now what exactly?
”How are your troops, Irabeth? I’d be happy to help with the cleanup of the shrines. Just because I swing a sword doesn’t mean that I can’t push a mop,” she says with a weary grin, as she pulled off her helmet to speak with the woman.
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In the aftermath of the battle, Tauni was exhausted, or so she thought. When the light faded, she was actually was energized, just not to the euphoric levels she had been during the battle with the demons. It was only by comparison that she felt fatigued.
"Irabeth, we can help here. We can give the leadership a detailed accounting of our encounters here, but this place is important to. There is more to reclaiming than just slaying their warriors."
Irabeth seemed pleased at the offer of help in cleansing the sacred areas of desecration and seeing to the last rights of the remains of crusaders inside the garrison and of the two bodies left outside the front doors that the Vermleks used. This task would take a few hours, but it would be possible to complete the tasks while it was still light, particularly if many help out.
Ellena and Tauni felt a little like they did when they were younger and they volunteered to do some bit of housekeeping without being told by a parent or guardian. They felt approval, as if from an unseen parent.
The sensation of righteous calm began to fade as soon as the last demon dropped. Raine stood, blinking, first in a bemused 'what the heck was that' reaction, and then, suddenly, blinking to fight back a wave of threatening tears.
She had heard them. Her brothers, her family...
Her bow nearly fell from her numb fingers. "Come back," she said in a cracked tiny whisper. "Please... come back..."
The words of planning and cleansing washed over Raine like distant waves. Slowly and stiffly, like a woman thrice her age, Raine mechanically picked through the demonic corpses and shattered wardstone fragments to collect those arrows of hers that had managed to survive the fray. The habit was too ingrained in her not to, but her mind was reeling.
She moved to the nearest window in the former museum, resting her cheek against the stone, trying to feel a sense of victory. They'd done it. They'd gotten to the stone. They'd killed all those demons.
But a sense of personal loss tore at her. They had BEEN there, her mother, her brothers, however many generations of a'Thiels-- and they were gone, again, like losing them anew. The feeling of righteous certainty was gone too. All she wanted to do was sleep for a week.
Outside the window, Kenabres still bore all the burns and scars of the demonic horde. Victory did not undo the deaths of the past.
Eventually, Raine pushed herself off the wall, saluting Irabeth. "I'm returning to the garrison, ma'am."
I need to see my father.
Awkwardly, she said to the others: "...good work." And then fled, so that if she were to cry on her way back to the safe zone of the city, none of her new companions might see it.
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Avelina relished every second of her triumph. She feastes upon the sight of herself full of holy energy. At that moment, she felt completely and wholy validated in all of her wildest fantasies. She was indeed the Chosen of Iomedae, singled out for glorious purpose and destiny. She lived in world in which everything that had happened to her had meaning and purpose. All of the pain and violence inflicted by the demonic hordes would be met with just retribution. She dropped to a kneel and clasped her hands over her longsword.
”I feel your love for me, Beloved Inheritor. Thank you.”
Avelina did not even realize she was crying. When she finally did, she wiped them away as quick as possible, hoping no one had noticed. Partly to hide such weakness for later, she threw herself into her joy, jumping and clapping.
”By the Goddess! We have triumphed. Good has defeated Evil, just as it should!” She ran to each of her companions and hugged them tight. She lingered a little longer with Ellena. ”I am truly blessed to know all of you, kind companions, warriors of light. I have known from the beginning we would all be marked for a great purpose, and none of us disappointed!
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As the holy light around her subsided, Anarya wept openly. Never had she truly believed the city could be won back, the infinite hordes of demons finally defeated. Her home... the only city she had ever known, broken and defiled but alive. They would rebuild. They would reinforce. And they would take back all of Mendev. Now they knew victory was possible. Now they knew there was hope.
Once she had gathered her thoughts, she turned first to Karas and threw her arms around him in a giant embrace. Terendelev's magic still lingered, lifting her feet from the floor just enough to clasp her arms around the mighty tiefling's neck. She laughed through her tears at the sheer joy of knowing they had done it, they had won a victory against the horde.
As things settled down, Anarya happily busied herself with the tasks of cleaning and reclaiming the garrison. She had spent most of her life as a shrine maiden, caring for the temple of Iomedae, so these tasks came naturally to her, even directing her friends in their cleaning tasks, teaching Avelina how to dust a shelf of toppled and damaged trophies and holy relics and helping Irabeth lay the fallen crusaders to rest.
"And so, the Battle of Kenabres finally concluded in victory for the crusaders. The Fifth Crusade had begun," the Storyteller concluded. He let the reaction of the crowd take its course, as both children and adults enjoyed the successful resolution of the tension that had been skillfully maintained by the Storyteller.
Then the Storyteller continued. "Now children, take note of what these heroes did next! They assisted with the cleaning of the fouled shrines and giving respectful last rites for the fallen. Next time your parents ask you to wash the dishes or weed the garden, remember that these are jobs for heroes! And Iomedae blessed them for their piety and devotion, rewarding them for letting no time pass between the defeat of the demon horde and the start of the healing of the city. As they placed the last of the dirt on the graves of the fallen, a faint glowing mist drifted up from the graves and made the air smell as sweet as dew on a spring morning."
They then returned across the city to the Defender's Heart. Some of their euphoria evaporated as they surveyed the devastation the city had still to deal with. And they knew that while the demons may have retreated, it was unlikely they would leave the Worldwound and never come back. But they held out hope that there would soon be news suggesting demons had also been destroyed near the other wardstones, giving the crusaders respite sufficient to regroup and plan their next move.
Indeed, when they made their report to the leaders at the Heart, they learned that message spells had confirmed similar reversals to the demon's attack in the other wardstone cities. They also learned that some were shocked that the wardstone had been destroyed, fearing now that the demons would have little to stop their next attack. Some crusaders scowled and turned their backs on the group. But most showed relief and respect.
As the group moved toward their bedrooms for much needed rest, people watched them go by with eyes brimming with emotion: admiration, awe even, gratitude, and reverence. During the sleep that followed each experienced a singular and memorable dream. The setting of the dream varied for the different people, but each found herself or himself in the aftermath of a hard fought battle. From the mists and smoke of the battlefield emerged a woman with scars on her face and hands but quite beautiful, dressed in plate armor. She spoke with a clear voice full of compassion. "I thank you for your kindness and service, your sacrifices and your piety have been noticed. I regret I cannot reward you more directly in the future. But perhaps this will serve as evidence of my gratitude."
Each person then received a gentle kiss on the brow.
In the morning each remembered the dream vividly and felt even more benefits in addition to those they began to enjoy after the defeat of the demons.
Karas swayed as the holy energy ebbed and the familiar fatigue washed over him, except this time he was caught by the arms of the euphoric angel at his side. He returned her embrace warmly and smiled as she practically skipped off to the task of cleaning the holy site.
He stood a moment looking into a distance only he could see and to the memory of Terendelev driving back the Storm King. The fire in his blood smouldered but he knew what he had promised. He couldn't turn his back on the events here and flee to a comfortable life in the hills. He made a promise to Her. The Storm King would meet judgement at his hands.
As he snapped out of this train of thought he noticed the scales on his hands and arm had become more prolific. feeling his face he noticed several more than there were previously.
He nodded to noone in particular and turned to follow his love in her chores.
As the heroes recover and assess their resources, some people come to them to alert them to the availability of some magic items that are available.
MARKETPLACE
Base Value 4,400 gp; Purchase Limit 10,000 gp; Spellcasting 4th
Minor Items +1 halberd,
ring of minor fire resistance,
ring of sustenance,
scroll of raise dead,
scroll of restoration;
Medium Items
lesser rod of maximize metamagic,
stone of good luck,
wand of cure serious wounds (48 charges)
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As Avelina woke from the dream, she let the feeling wash over her. She was not unused to dreaming of Iomedae—in scenarios ranging from heroic and romantic to scenes of a more private nature. She was certain this woman could only be her Beloved Inheritor making an appearance. Her body felt light and giddy to the point that it took time for Avelina to recognize the new strength she was left with. When she found the others had similar dreams, her face betrayed a hint of disappointment even as she congratulated and lauded her comrades. She buried that disappointment, decrying it as nothing but anxiety. She was riding high enough that she could not be bother with such trifles.
With her aspirations adequately sated, Avelina took to the tasks of assisting reclaiming and recovering the area with an unusual focus and humility.
One day after the wardstone was destroyed and the demon attack repulsed, word arrived via message magic that the queen, Queen Galifrey herself, was bringing a portion of her army to Kenabres to provide reinforcements and to inspect the damage to the city.
Raine woke from the dream of Iomedae with much less secure feelings than Avelina had. She sat, torn between bemusement and a numb shock. In the dream, she had felt worthy of the goddess's gift... just as she had felt righteous and calm in the heat of the last battle for the Wardstone.
In waking, the world seemed less sure, and her own private demons gnawed at her in ways that no cold iron arrows could fell.
Raine slipped from the pallet on the floor in her father's room, and pulled on boots to walk the halls of the safer part of the city, busy despite the night hour with the night shift of defenders. She made her way to the ramparts and stared out over Kenabres's ruins, mind wound tight with her own thoughts and her conviction that Iomedae might have chosen the wrong mortal to bless... at least in her case.
When the morning brought the news of the queen herself coming, Raine felt grateful for the distraction. That was something to focus on, at least. She hurried to don her armor-- and took the time to make sure it was as clean as she could make it, for the first time in months.
Karas woke from the dream with more confusion than reassurance. He was almost certain the being was divine and had touched him as he would find out she had touched others but processing the ramifications was giving him trouble.
Taking a walk through the corridors, the barefoot silver tiefling turned as many head in wonder as he did the usual scorn.
He found himself standing on the battlements beholding the city that Terendelev so loved.
Surprisingly he was not alone as Raine seemed to share his unsettled night. He gave the hardened woman space as they stared out to the ruined city.
When she awoke, Tauni went to her knees and prayed. With the blessings of Iomedae still warming her body and soul, she sends her prayers to Abadar.
Though I have been granted such bounty from Iomedae, I am still your loyal servant. I will use her gifts to continue to defend civilization, always. I implore you to recognize my continued devotion, and to allow me my place in your sacred vault when the time comes.
A long time passed before Tauni emerged, ready for another day. Though the previous day had been a tremendous success, she still seemed troubled.
Ellena has the same strange dream as the others did, it seemed. After gaining her wits, she wasn’t quite ready to rejoin the others just yet.
Upon rising, she said her devotions and gave her Armor, helm, and shield a good polishing. It’d been a while since she was able to get all the grit out, other than on just a cursory level. Radiance always seemed to be clean and sharp, no matter what ichor it had just cut through.
The Paladin felt slightly fuzzy headed after the dream and the morning after. It wasn’t at all unpleasant and eventually things settled into a normalcy, even though she felt changed some way. That dream of Iomedae had clearly had an effect on her. It’s take some time for her to figure out exactly what gifts she’d received.
As she met up with the others, they seemed to be adapting to whatever change they went through much the same as she.
Despite herself, Ellena was nervous at the prospect of meeting the Queen. Meeting with dignataries wasn’t what she did. She was a warrior, not a diplomat.
Raine's ears seemed even keener since the dream of Iomedae; still, it took her weary, gobsmacked mind a few seconds to catch up with the awareness that she had heard footsteps, and then they had stopped. With a blink she looked around, then started slightly to see Karas there, looking different than the whirlwind of destruction he had been in the battle.
"Erm. Hello," Raine said, awkwardly, then forced a smile. They were comrades, after all. Even if it was plain that the others had a bond forged through many battles together, and she was new to that.
"...trouble sleeping?" she asked, then winced. "Sorry. I've forgotten proper small talk, what with the bloody war."
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Karas looked up from his dazed night gazing at the words. He was honestly a bit surprised at the pleasantry.
"Uh ya, actually." he said returning a quick smile while absentmindedly picking at a new scale on his hands as he leaned on the rampart. "It's no worry. Not many people ever actually tried small talk with me before the chaos. Trouble yourself?"
Raine couldn't help a twisted smile. "What, do you mean most folk don't hurry to chat to an albino what's got a f*~@ing tail? Color me shocked."
Raine's sarcastic smirk faded. She leaned back against the fortification with her arms crossed, picking at a stray thread on the tunic she had worn to bed. "Let me guess. They skip right past 'how about this weather we're having' and go right to 'demon spy', huh."
She gave a small nod to the question. "...yeah. Damndest dreams. 'm used to bad dreams by this point but, there's the weirdness of it, it wasn't a... a... bad dream. But I feel it was meant for someone else, I don't know."
Karas gave Raine a snort and a smirk, "Demon Spy, Baby-Eater, Half-Spawn, the classic Foul Beast, ect. I've heard them all, I think." He stretched and turned to her while leaning a shoulder into the battlement. "If it wasn't for Terendelev, I'm sure I'd have been lynched years ago."
He loses the smirk after she speaks of the dream, "I know what you mean I think but I don't know why. Felt like some Divine being came down and thanked me for all I did. First of that kind of connection I ever felt."
"Well, I dunno exactly what you are, but I know you aren't a demon spy," Raine said, hands tucked under her armpits to keep them warm in the chill night. She added on in tones of blunt pragmatism, "They'd never use someone like you. They'd use someone who looked wholesome as anything."
Hey, the logic made sense to her, anyway.
"What's the thing with you and Terendelev, then?" she asked after a few seconds. "I mean, I get the gist of it. I saw you when we found the little silver wyrmling and all. So you had her... patronage then, keepin' you alive?"
Her gaze returned to the city after the dream. "Yeh... I mean, I know who it, uh, looked like, but... come on, are the gods gonna talk to me directly? From what I hear, you've all been together since the fall of the city and had a hell of a time, made enemies, made allies too. Seems likely enough the gods might have a message for you. Maybe I'm just included as spill-over."
Raine flashed her cynical smirk, but once again it faded. "But I can't say I don't feel.... different. Like I'll never be able to look at the world quite the same way. You?"
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Karas scoffed a bit, "Nah not a spy. Cultists tried to make me a weapon." he said as he pulled the neckline of his tunic down revealing a scar in the shape of a bulls head overt his heart, "They posed as crusaders and kidnapped me when I was about 6. Kept me in a dungeon under one of those godsforsaken ruined buildings out there."
He released the shirt and stretched a bit, not showing any sign of discomfort in the cold. "Their ritual went wrong. Woke up the wrong kind of blood in my veins. I broke free and killed most of them. broke into the street a bloody mess and collapsed in front of some guards."
He leaned against the battlement now with arms crossed, "Why they imprisoned me instead of killing me on the spot I'll never know but I get a visit from a beautiful elf who the crusaders defer to like some high ranking official. I was confused, barely knew language, and just so tired." he paused a second as he recalled the events, "She asked my name and I remembered what mom told me all that time ago. Turns out that I'm generations descended from Terendelev's family line. Whatever the cult tried to do to me woke up the Dragon's blood in my veins much to everyone's surprise. She took me in, told me it'd been over 60 years since I disappeared. Since I last saw daylight. She raised me with more love than I ever knew. Taught me about history, bravery, magic, control, and most importantly tolerance of what people didn't know. People are frightened animals at the end of the day. They only tolerated me cause they knew I was connected to her somehow."
He took in what Raine said about the dream before responding, "Seems we might've had the same dream." he rubbed at Terendelev's scale about his neck, "Terendelev's last act was to save us. We fell for what seemed like eternity but her magic kept us from death and it cost her her life. It wasn't the Inheritor that saved us that day but her and the Storm King killed her for it. You're right though. We've been changed somehow and I'm gonna make damned sure it gets put to good use taking down the Storm King."
During the talk of that day and the Storm King he could feel the old anger welling up again, but this time it was different. Images of Anarya and Arkandelev flashed in tempering it with reminders of what was at stake. He kept his focus and didn't let it change him. Everyone knew loss at this point.
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The next few days were filled with activity. The leaders sensed the respite from battle might not last long and so every available person was put to work hauling rubble, fixing what could be mended, trying to build make-shift bridges across the deep ruts made by the Ulkreths.
Moral improved noticeably when word spread that Queen Galfrey herself was leading an army north to provide reinforcements to Kenabres.
The group crossed paths with some old (new) friends, who offered their thanks and blessings. Anevia was joyfully reunited with Irabeth, her leg mostly healed. Aravashnial had not yet had his sight restored, but he was consulting, providing his knowledge to the crusaders dealing with various difficult magical issues. Horgus bustled about providing much needed currency and supplies from his mansion, which was miraculously (to his mind anyway) spared any damage or looting.
After a few days the city was only slightly less damaged, but roads were cleared, the dead laid to rest, and repairs to the most damaged portions of the city walls begun. But around noon, a number of trumpets blared out the alert that the Queen had arrived at the south gate. All work stopped and everyone who was not bed-ridden or tending to same went to line the path that had been cleared from the south gate to the center of the city.
Thousands upon thousands of battle weary troops filed toward the city, led by the queen on a splendid white horse, flanked by mounted paladins, fighters, and rangers. The inhabitants of Kenabres cheered as loudly as they could and the queen acknowledged them with dignified reserve. Her first order of business was to visit the crater that was once the Kite and the nearby ruins of the Cathedral of Saint Clydwell. She led a memorial to the fallen and then made her way to the Defender's Heart where the leaders of what was left of the crusader army awaited to learn the news from the south.
Word spread quickly that at the moment the wardstone had shattered, the other wardstones along the defensive line likewise erupted with the same holy energy that decimated the ranks of the demons in their vicinity. The armies of the Worldwound had all retreated in panic and for the moment, the battles were over. Everyone knew the war was not over, however.
Not long after the initial meetings, the queen sought out those who destroyed the wardstone.
Ellena would probably prefer to bunk in the same place in Defender’s Heart. She’d prefer to be with the remainder of the defenders, not away from the rank and file in the dragon’s home.
Tauni has no preference, as long as she has a place to write spells into her book. I think it depends most on Karas, and whether or not he's ready to take over residence of the manor.
Karas returned to what was left of home and began putting it in order. Bringing Arkalendev with him he sought the aid of Aravashnial to send magic missives to her father.
She would be better off in his care until she was older he comforted himself with the thought.
Putting the house back in order he spent some time reading more of the books left in the libraries and tending to the wyrmling
Raine had no intentions of leaving the quarters at the Defender's Heart-- wanting to stay close to her father, and unwilling to subject the old man to another change in location.
While Karas is attending to his draconic charge, a messenger arrived with a note asking that he meeting at the Defender's Heart. The queen wanted to meet with him and the others who had participated in the destruction of the wardstone. Irabeth was invited to attend as well.
When all were in the large suite of rooms that were reserved for the group, the Queen arrived and was announced by one of her attendants, after which she entered, greeted all, and encouraged everyone to sit comfortably. She dismissed the attendants and except for a few paladins who remained in the hall, and took a seat herself.
She appeared to be a woman in her prime, perhaps in her late twenties, but it was known that she was more than 100 years old, having preserved her youth by drinking draughts of sun orchid elixir. She had long, straight straw blonde hair that was worn in a braid. Her clothes were elegant but not ostentatious, with only a few pieces of jewelry depicting the holy symbol of Iomedae and her family crest. Her youthful appearance could not hide the weariness in her heart, however. She carried herself with dignity and calm, however, and thanked everyone for meeting with her, asking to hear in their own words the events that led them to this situation.
She listened with interest to each story told, only occasionally interrupting to ask a question. When the last of the story-telling concluded, she thanked everyone for her or his service and heroism.
Then she sighed and gathered her thoughts and spoke, "While there are some narrow-minded souls among the crusade who blame you for the destruction of the wardstone border, I do not begrudge you for what you did. Far from it. From the sound of it, you saved entire legions of crusaders from a most vile fate by preventing Vorlesh from transforming them, and the blast of energy gave us the time we needed to regroup and prepare for what will certainly come next. But you understand the implications of what you’ve done, I’m sure—the wardstones are gone, but Iomedae has seen fit that you will be their replacement. I can think of no other reason that would explain why their power would have settled in your bodies and souls and didn’t merely fade into the ether. In time, the demons will regroup and reorganize—we can trust their inherent chaos to make this period of regrouping longer than it otherwise would take, but we shouldn’t underestimate them. They’ll be back soon enough. Already I’ve had reports from along the front lines that small groups of demons are attacking fortifications and settlements along the southern border.
"But what intrigues me most is news from several reliable sources that as our fiendish enemies are starting to mass in the southern reaches along the Riftshadow within the Worldwound, they have left several of their northern lairs relatively unprotected. In particular, the fiend Aponavicius has taken the bulk of her army from Drezen, leaving it only moderately protected as she joins with the Storm King in Iz to, no doubt, plot greater attacks on larger targets like Nerosyan, Karcau, and beyond. The time is right to strike into their territory. Drezen was the first of our cities to fall after the First Crusade, and we lost more than our kin and our pride that day. We lost the Sword of Valor, a magical banner carried by the Inheritor herself during the Shining Crusade. If Drezen could be retaken—if the Sword of Valor could once again be held by the crusade... well, I trust I don’t need to explain how well that would affect morale. But with the imminent attacks along the border, I cannot spare many to lead an assault on Drezen. And even if I could, a large army attacking the city would only draw Aponavicius back to defend the place. The obvious tactic is to send in a group of capable heroes with a modest but well-trained army to strike now, while the proverbial iron is hot. And this is why I’ve sought you out. If you can retake Drezen and reclaim the Sword of Valor, not only will you silence the fools who would brand you traitors for destroying the wardstone, but more importantly, you would bolster the entire war effort with your heroism. And I fear we need all the bolstering we can get!"
"Bloody hell," she said after a short pause when Karas finished. "Well, I'll be. I'm standin' shoulder to shoulder with someone who has Terendelev's favor alright. Er... not that I'd know what a dragon thinks anymore than I know why cold ale tastes better'n warm, but... for what it's worth... I think she'd ah, be proud of you now. Tearin' into those demons with your bare hands like a crusade in your own right."
Raine smiled, awkward and rusty. "I dunno if I can stand in company like that, but, well, I'll do my best. I'm right there with you in wanting the Stormy bastard to get what's comin' to him, preferably with blood enough to repay what he rained down on my city."
There's a brooding silence, then Raine nods slightly. "Well. Best be turning in. Big days coming, I'll wager."
When asked to elaborate on her own tale, Raine kept it short and succinct. "Born to a family of crusaders, ma'am, most of 'em perished several years back. Here when the city fell. Did scouting and infiltration at first, ma'am, then fell in with this lot and now we're back on the offensive, ma'am. Not much else to tell."
Raine gawped a bit in the wake of the queen's speech, then shut her mouth with a little click as the stunned silence continued. After a second she cleared her throat, and raised her hand.
"--Beg pardon, Majesty. Am I right in hearing the plan is for the six of us to lead a force to take an entire city?"
Raine still had a minor expression of shock, but she shook herself and sprang into a sort of action. "--orders received, ma'am! Maps! I need maps!" she called in a slight panic over her shoulder to one of the attendants-- before remembering they'd been ordered out of the room.
Blushing, Raine added, "That is-- please can we have-- maps of the, uh-- the city, the terrain, any information we have on the fortifications, the numbers of enemy still there... erm, so please it your Majesty."
Tauni at first seemed reluctant to speak to the queen, but then found her courage. "Like so many here, I was an orphan. I was found by a patrol outside the rift, and brought to Kenebres. The patrol that found me, your majesty, were Abadarans. And they gave me to a family from Varisia to be raised."
"I was there the day the Storm King shattered the city. And with the aid of some of the good people here today, I survived and even managed to help some."
Then she met the queen's gaze firmly. "Those monsters have taken almost everything from me. What skill and strength I have is at your disposal. And by Abadar's will, we will see this ended for once and for all." Then, as though she suddenly remembered who she was talking to, she added quietly "Your majesty."
Ellena was uncomfortable speaking in public to Her Majesty. She stuttered out a few words, ”I was with the Everbright Crusaders. Iomedae put me with this group for some strange reason, and we survived,” she blushed.
”Any chance this is a trap set by the demons,” she wondered out loud, almost without realizing she had a question about the plan. ”Of course, I’ll be happy to volunteer my sword. That’s not in question...”
** spoiler omitted **
When asked to elaborate on her own tale, Raine kept it short and succinct. "Born to a family of crusaders, ma'am, most of 'em perished several years back. Here when the city fell. Did scouting and infiltration at first, ma'am, then fell in with this lot and now we're back on the offensive, ma'am. Not much else to tell."
...
The queen listened with interest. "Who were your parents? Might I have known them? I've lived long and I always try to honor the memories of those brave crusaders who have served the cause."
Ellena was uncomfortable speaking in public to Her Majesty. She stuttered out a few words, ”I was with the Everbright Crusaders. Iomedae put me with this group for some strange reason, and we survived,” she blushed.
”Any chance this is a trap set by the demons,” she wondered out loud, almost without realizing she had a question about the plan. ”Of course, I’ll be happy to volunteer my sword. That’s not in question...”
The queen ignores Ellena's dismissal of her question and says, "That question is always appropriate. You must be prepared for traps, of course, but we have reliable intelligence that the armies of Drezen have indeed been moved, so while the city will not be defenseless, we don't think they are anticipating an attack. Nor do we expect the forces left behind will call the demons back once the city is attacked, for they would fear admitting the need for help more than defeat by crusaders."
"I was born to crusaders ma'am but taken when I was young but cultists. Freed myself and learned I was family of Terendelev. She took me in, reacquainted me with the world, and saved us from death that day."
He listened to the queen's request quietly before responding. "I only have one request your highness. We found Terendelev's daughter, Arkalendev, please see to it that she is given to her father for safe keeping and rearing? Do that and I swear I'll march straight into the wound itself if you asked."
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Avelina did her best to sit still, not speaking over her allies. She wanted to let them enjoy her aunt’s attention. She had spoken much of her beloved aunt and saw this as an opportunity for her companions to see her Greatness firsthand. Besides, Avelina knew to respect the formality of the meetinf. She had learned enough of her aunt over the years to know how much she valued structure and order. In fact, much of Avelina’s own appreciation for such things arose out of admiration. Such an appreciation was hard fought by the queen, and Avelina had mis-stepped countless times. She was certain she could maintain her composure.
But as she sat, trying hard not to focus too intently upon her aunt, she felt something welling up inside her. There was no person remaining alive who she cared for as much as her aunt. Who she loved as much as her. She still remembered the quiet moments when they were alone, the Queen telling stories of Avelina’s mother. Relating battles and the history of their family.
Avelina jumped up from her chair and dashed over to the Queen, hugging her armored body as hard as she could, tears beginning to dribble down her cheeks as she buries her face in the Queen’s neck.
”Oh, Auntie! I missed you so much. I knew you would come! I fought the whole time knowing I would see you. I told them all you were okay. Nothing could ever happen to you. You are the bravest, toughest, most valorous person in the world.”
She pulled back and pulled her face into a smile even as tears still flowed.
”Are you angry with me?”
"I was born to crusaders ma'am but taken when I was young but cultists. Freed myself and learned I was family of Terendelev. She took me in, reacquainted me with the world, and saved us from death that day."
He listened to the queen's request quietly before responding. "I only have one request your highness. We found Terendelev's daughter, Arkalendev, please see to it that she is given to her father for safe keeping and rearing? Do that and I swear I'll march straight into the wound itself if you asked."
The queen's face rippled with emotion at Karas' story and the news of Terendelev's daughter.
"You have paid in pain and suffering well beyond what even Iomedae could expect, yet you continue. We are in your debt already, yet it pains me to ask for more. I only just learned of the existence of a wyrmling of our beloved Terendelev. Of course, we will provide her with everything to keep her safe and to have the love and care her mother tragically cannot provide. Alas, I am already asking you to march into the 'wound itself, for since the fortress of Dresen was built, the Worldwound has extended and surrounds it now. You may have to venture further, but that can wait."