We should not let them get away with our treasure.
We should press on, I have had enough of this desert.
But Kelmerane has a nice stream, and Shirin.
Bartan rolls his eyes at Yazi's constant innuendo-ing at those who don't want to hear it, but agrees. "Yes, let's continue on. I also look forward to a nice bath, perhaps you will join me once we arrive, lady Yazi?"
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As the party continued on their journey, the terrain became more familiar. Their nights were uneventful, with dreams now blissfully normal and forgotten in an instant. The next four days flew by, and the Protectors of Kelmarane finally reached the Hinterlands of Kelmarane. Finally, thirty-four days since you left , you are complete on your mission to eradicate the Carrion King at the House of the Beast!
The city guards are all arrayed at the river bridge, and the town's children come running up to see the incoming heroes. Several townspeople stick their heads out of windows and doors to see what the commotion is all about. The children start shouting questions at the adventurers, and some of the guards join in, everyone wanting to hear about the gnoll tribes and the mysteries of the Brazen Peaks.
"Did you win?"
"Did you do a lot of magic? Show us!"
"Did you kill a lot of gnolls?"
"Did you get a lot of treasure?"
Yazi isn't left out of the greetings, either.
At the fork in the road going right you can already see Garavel waiting to take you to the Princess for your report.
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Yazi's back is ridden by a very amorous harpy who says "Missed you. You're late. It's been more than a #$&*ing month!"
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Aweee, how cute, Yazi has her own harpy... I want a harpy!
Ignoring the harpy, Khayal looks around for his wife. but gets distracted by the crowd around him.
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Reaching an arm around to grab hold of the happy harpy so that she doesn't topple over from the extra weight Yazi beams an extremely happy smile at seeing a familiar face. "Aw, I missed you too sweetie! Had to deal with silly Fluffies and Genies and bugs and Sunshine's ex. BUT!" she stops as she reaches into her coat with her free hand to produce the spent gem that once housed the rather angry air elemental that had given them a thrashing. "I did remember to bring you a present."
Hajar smiles magnanimously and pats several children's heads, he scowls at the ones he catches trying to pilfer coins.
The Carrion King is no more. His reign of terror is ended...the House of the Beast has been cleansed.
Bartan silently moves through the crowd, not looking to be greeted as a hero, but instead eager to get a hot bath and sit down to study.
Yazi's gem is snatched away. "It's cracked. Almost smashed - it'd be better as pieces in a necklace or dust in a potion." Undrella says. "Still - pretty." She released Yazi to the catcalls from the children, alighting on a nearby rooftop, still looking at the gemstone.
Garavel comes walking up, two Katapesh guards behind him. "That is good to hear, Abbot-Protector." he rumbles. "It is not yet dusk - did you need time to recover from the desert, or can you give the Princess your report now?"
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I will report to the Princess if the others wish to Hajar eyes Yazi and the amorous Harpy Engage in other activities.
Hajar will follow Garavel to Almah if no one objects
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"Not so bad then, hanging that whole rock around your neck would hurt after awhile." Yazi calls goodnaturedly after the harpy. Grinning she turns back to the children crowding around. "Alright, sorry but I've got no cand-wait, Eli is it? Your moms' single ain't she?.."
Her inquiring is cutoff as Hajar makes leave, the mention of Almah draining the smile from her lips. "Yeah, yeah, go report to the b+$&!."
Khayal will go with Hajar, on the way he will pick up some flowers from the market.
Down the road to the Battle Market you go, with the others stopping at The Lucky Cup. The common dirt road winds upward to the inner city, and goes past Khayal's house as well, before getting to the top of the hill with the Battle Market and palace.
Inside up the double stairs to the highest level, where Princess Almah waited. On the way, the Heroes of Kelmarene are subject to a Heroes' welcome, as people call out to them from windows, and the battle market is full of townspeople and merchants wanting to hear about the Carrion King and the House of the Beast. Almah greets you as you arrive in her audience chamber.
"Welcome back from your mission, Abbot-Protector nar Jundi, Bin Haleen, Nightsong." she says formally. Garavel takes his usual place behind Almah's cushioned wooden chair. The Princess looks past the adventurers in the room. "But not all of you are here? Did you have causalities to the gnolls?"
No Mistress we did not. We prevailed over the minions of the Rough Beast. The others were indisposed and sent us as emissaries of the Good News.
A cheer comes up from down below from the mule skinners and prospectors below. The Princess lifts an eyebrow at the commotion. "And was the House of the Beast as terrible as the legends say?" she asked.
Bartan has quietly made his way back to his gambling house, and checks up on the business as it's been running for the past month. He also collects his share of any profits.
It was terrible, but so was the swift justice that Sarenrae, through us her servants, dispensed among the heathen worshipers of Rovagug, may his name be scorned for a thousand years. We also found a curious scroll that seemed important to the Carrion King and set his purpose in that place. We have learned it is called the Scroll of Kakishon, and we wish your blessing, most generous Mistress, in investigating it more further.
There was much filth collected there. We cleansed it with fire, but now that the Carion King is gone the gnolls will go back to their ununited ways. I expect there to be sporadic raiding of caravans again.
"A magical item?" The Princess asks. "We can send word to Katapesh, certainly. Perhaps they have records of anything significant you might have found. And I see that you have also brought new swords and bows back with you." she adds, eyeing some of the apparel the Heroes have on them. "I am sure the armorers will be interested to see what the gnolls have in the quality of their steel. Garavel will get the details from you about the Brazen Peaks and the gnoll tribes." The majordomo nodded silently, watching his liege.
Almah stands, and makes her way to the balcony. "Everyone!" she shouts, and the commotion below goes silent. "Everyone, today is a day for rejoicing! The Heroes of Kelmarane have returned victorious! The Carrion King and his gnoll army is defeated! Trade has been strengthened, the area pacified! Tonight, we host a feast in the Heroes of Kelmarane's honor!"
Princess Almah turns while the ground floor of the Battle Market erupted in huzzahs and cheers. "Go and refresh yourself." she commanded. "We have a few hours before nightfall, and I am sure you wish to see your kith and kin. That will give the cooks time to prepare from my storeroom. But come back tonight, and regale us with how you defeated the Carrion King!"
================================END BOOK TWO========================
Congratulations!
Hajar bows to the Princess Almah and then turns crispy away and heads out for the monastery of St. Vardishal to see how the rebuilding efforts have fared since he was last in Kelmerane.
For the two weeks Hajar will be ministering to the spiritual needs of Kelmerane in his role as Abbott Protector, he will also be overseeing the continuing rebuilding and refurbishing of the Monastery of St. Vardishal.
Khayal heads back to his modest home to see his wife. On the way back he makes sure to pick up some desert flowers. He stops by the stream to clean himself off and then heads right back to Shirin. He knocks on the door and holds the flowers behind his back. When she answers the door he holds then out and then gives her a big kiss.
Paige tells everyone that she is headed back to the waterfall to refresh herself and get re-aquanited with nature after having been so long in the dungeons of evil. I intend to stay naked the entire sabbatical. But don't let that deter you from visiting me up there! We will feast on roast rabbit and wild berries and tell tales of our adventures. You are all welcome to visit me for as long as you like!
Khayal will spend the two weeks with his wife keeping a relatively low profile. He will cook a bit for her and help around the house. While he is helping with the chores he will share smiles with her and just be glad for their time together. One of the days he will take her to go see the Abbot Protector but will generally stay away from the dens of inequality that some of his companions seem to frequent/own. ;)
After a couple of days Shirin and Khayal will head down to the monastery. They will be bringing some decorative pottery for its use. They will arrive early in the morning and spend the day helping with the repairs. We will concentrate on plastering walls and such.
Bartan is spending his downtime studying the artifact that he had been given months ago...