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Hailey writes her letter, then prudently writes a copy. She puts on in her right pocket, and the other in her left.
"I wish the Archbishop had been willing to provide me with a spell to allow brief long-distance communication. But it's not to be. So, I'll have to rely on more mundane methods."
She feels the gold in her pocket, then goes to the tavern.
She enters it, at first not noticing the men of her party.
"I have ten gold here for any man or woman, or fifteen for a pair, who is strong enough, brave enough, and willing, to go to the church of Nethys or to the nearest local of the Dark Archive and deliver a copy of this letter for me. It is of the utmost urgency."
She reveals the offered ten gold, and one of the two letters. It is then that she sees the men in the party.
"Oh good, there you are!" She approached the men quickly and sat down beside them. "Listen, I think we should break up. The mark isn't magical, it's personal. I don't know what it means. All I can do is guess. Therefore, the only way to be sure is to go and see the man who made it. And that'll take hours. I'm going to do it, but not by myself, hopefully, though I will if I must.
"The problem is, we can't leave this town undefended. This town is a vulnerable and helpless against the attack of the undead as a box of matches is to a rampaging fire, and I really shouldn't care. My job is to discover what, and who, is making this happen, not to prevent it from happening. These people don't deserve . . .
"Focus. My objectivity is failing. The longer I stay in this town . . . like a frog that doesn't realize it's being boiled to death because it's been in the pot since the water was cold. I need to step back and leave this place, and get back to my task at hand - tracking down the magic involved here.
"So I've put out the word that I wish to send my letter to the Archbishop, or failing that, the Dark Archive, as they are allies in this cause and will communicate with each other in this. Anyway, I suggest that we split up fifty-fifty. Half of the group follow me, and the other half remain in town. Calistria seems to agree, since my unwelcome concern involves the baby. He seems to be at the center of all of this. Do any of you concur with my opinion?"
She then offers the other copy of the letter to the men of her party.
"I can write another letter, especially if I find out anything important. But if I'm dead or disappear, or the courier I hope to hire fails, I want one of you to ensure this copy is presented to my church, or its great museum ally, in my stead. Can I trust any of you to do this?"
With that, she puts her attention toward hiring a trustworthy courier or group of them.
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Garekk steps forward as Hailey holds out her letter. "Little one, the care that you are beginning to feel and talk about is not an impediment.. it may only serve to draw you more into the service of your gods. Caring for your peers is one of the many ways to share the blessings of your gods, and bring others into the fold. To say nothing of making those less acquainted with your powers learn that magic is not a good or bad thing, but a tool to be judged in its use. I will take your letter and hold it safe for your return." Garekk takes the letter and hides it in his tunic pocket. He then turns to the rest of the group. "I am not comfortable with splitting the group, but if we must do so, I agree that we must leave each group as strong as possible. So... What shall we do going forward?"
One of the younger men stands and says "I will leave with the dawn to take your message where it needs to go."
Since everything was taken care of, Swift heads to meet the rest of the party.
"I do believe we have come to a consensus. We shall remain here for the night, and visit the carver in the morning."
Swift looks over each member of the party, searching for signs of weariness or distress.
"It has been a long day, and I recognize the stress we are all under. It falls to us to protect the village. We deserve a good night's sleep, but that is something I doubt we shall find on this night. I suggest we take turns patrolling the village, or keeping watch on the perimeters. We shall do what we must, for the sake of this village."
He observes each face again, ready for any response.
"I might not have the best solution, but I am sure we can decide on a good course of action together."
Voryn nods at Swift-Palm's suggestion.
"A good idea Mr. Swift. It looks like most of the tavern patrons tonight are traders who've been here for market day. It's a good chance to make some inquiries about what's going on outside of Silvam. I'll go and have a word with Antal. See if he's heard any news."
Voryn takes off his hood and approaches the bar, while he looks around for any unusual patrons.
He then engages Antal in conversation.
"Good evening Antal. An ale and a word please. You must have had a busy day with all the traders here. What news have they brought you? Anything unusual?"
Voryn nods at Swift-Palm's suggestion.
"A good idea Mr. Swift. It looks like most of the tavern patrons tonight are traders who've been here for market day. It's a good chance to make some inquiries about what's going on outside of Silvam. I'll go and have a word with Antal. See if he's heard any news."
Voryn takes off his hood and approaches the bar, while he looks around for any unusual patrons. 1d20+5
He then engages Antal in conversation.
"Good evening Antal. An ale and a word please. You must have had a busy day with all the traders here. What news have they brought you? Anything unusual?"
None of the patrons stand out to you.
"There were fewer vendors this year. Maybe that storm scared them off?"
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Garekk finds a table for the group to sit at and orders a round of drinks for everyone. "I never believed when I set out that I would encounter such a group as this... or the intrigue! I am weary, but I am content. I hope that we can solve the riddle of this necromancer soon." As the drinks arrive, Garekk hoists his mug to the group. "To good deeds, good companions, and a good night!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I see. Maybe the storm yeah. So no unusual news from neighboring towns or any such?" Voryn sounds a bit disappointed.
"I had hoped Antal would have known something useful. Hmm. Better let someone else speak with the patrons in here. My face will probably scare them."
"Me and my friends would like to rent what available rooms you have for the night. That is if you have any left?"
"I see. Maybe the storm yeah. So no unusual news from neighboring towns or any such?" Voryn sounds a bit disappointed.
"I had hoped Antal would have known something useful. Hmm. Better let someone else speak with the patrons in here. My face will probably scare them."
"Me and my friends would like to rent what available rooms you have for the night. That is if you have any left?"
"Things seem quiet in the neighbouring towns. Word is that the Baron's cousin will be here in a few days after many months of travels."
"I have one room left, but it only has one bed."
"We'll take it. Thank you Antal." Voryn pays for the ale and the room and then seats himself with the others at the table that Garekk found.
"I spoke with Antal. He couldn't tell me much. He says that things seems quiet in the neighboring towns and that there was a decrease in vendors showing up for market day, probably because of the storm. He also mentioned that the baron's cousin will be here in a few days after many months of travel. Maybe if one of you talked with some of the other patrons in here, we could learn more. I fear that my face will keep them from talking."
He looks down into the table for a moment, the sadness of the fact easy to see on his disfigured face, but then he looks up again as if he suddenly remembered something that replaced the sadness. Perhaps the company of his new friends.
"Oh he only had one room left. It'll have to do. I won't mind sleeping on the floor."
He looks at the others from one to another with a smile and lifts his mug of ale.
"Here's to friendship and the day's successful hunt."
"To friends!"
Swift tentatively sips the alcohol, not used to such debauchery.
"I could use the stress release. As long as this doesn't become a habit..."
"I don't mind sleeping on the floor, I have a bedroll I can use."
What do I know about the Baron's cousin?
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Hailey nods silently, though she knows Nethys to be very different in his relationship to mortals than any of the other gods.
She pays the fifteen gold to the man that volunteered.
"Bring a friend along to protect you as if they were armed escort. Two stand a better chance than one. And do not try to read the letter. I wrote it in gnomish. Not a problem for a church full of people who preach the supremacy of knowledge. Revealing the secret of other tongues for a short time is the simplest of spells for people like them. It was the Archbishop's suggestion, and one that shows his wisdom well. Should you instead find your way to the Dark Archive, simply ask for the letter to be sent to the Archbishop or his assistant from there. They will comply."
She then writes on some of the blank paper, the exact, precise directions to the nearest either temple of Nethys or the nearest locale for the Dark Archive. Either will do. This, she writes in Common.
She then offers the person in charge of the tavern one gold for the room, and looks at the others.
"Personally, I'd like to catch this carver before he gets any more of a head start, but I suppose that, out of spells as I am, a good rest is a fair compromise under the circumstances. I wonder if the storm itself didn't actually have something to do with everything we're facing of late. And I can use my bedroll too, if I can replace the blanket, since I tore mine to help with the baby. Then again, I'm short. A sweater to any of you would giants would probably be a warm quilt to me."
Many of the tavern's patrons drink long into the night, this likely being the last time many will see each other before spring.
-----
Morning comes quickly. It is a cool crip day. Those from outside of Silvam are up with the dawn and most are on their way after quickly breaking their fast.
During the evening, Calistria took a turn with the babe to give the new mother a chance to sleep. In the morning, she wishes the whole family well and takes the time to perform her morning devotions before she heads over to the tavern in order to meet with her fellows.
"Good morning!" Calistria says brightly, giving each of her companions a peck on the cheek.
"Kii shilta ti si vdri drongilt..."
Vorelloex is a bit strained from the late night of merry-making, and as he is kissed on the cheek, he is almost stunned! He just can't seem to process a lot lately. He scratches the crust off of his eyes, grabs some breakfast, and prepares for the day.
He calls out to whichever of his companions is present;
"So, now that we've cavorted and slept for ages, what are we going to do about the impending dead?"
Obviously oblivious to the superstition and fear of the townsfolk...
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Hailey allows the peck, but closes her eyes to cloak her dislike for it.
You are keeping dangerous company. Keep your mind on the job and close your mind to these distractions, Hailey reasons to herself.
She elects to keep Hide from Undead, but instead will prepare Comprehend Languages as her domain spell and prepare Summon Monster 1 again as her other spell.
"Why, good morning priestess..." Swift says as Calistria joins them.
Swift is clearly worse for wear after their night spent drinking in the tavern. The alcohol was clearly not agreeing with him. Swift downs his breakfast quickly, in a way unfit for one as wise as he. He lays down his plate and sighs.
"Much weight has been put upon our shoulders. Are you all ready to take on this responsibility?"
The monk cradles his head with his palm, as the hangover intensifies.
"Perhaps that was a bad idea... As long as it boosted the morale, it might not have been in vain"
"Good morning. During my time in the army, I have come to realize that there are far too few beds in this world", Rois chuckles to himself remembering the long nights spent outdoors as a soldier. For once, he is relaxed and well refreshed. As Swift Palm enters the room, he feels a quake in his belly and a soreness on his temple left by a rather large rock. I sure hope he doesn't ask me to do that guru-stretch technique again...the last time almost killed me. Avoiding any confrontation with Swift, he suggests a plan for the day...
"We should leave for the carver and return as soon as possible. I do not know what man the baron's cousin may be, but, considering the current state of events, his arrival may be more than pure coincidence. I would like to be back in Silvam to greet this cousin and get to know him better. If his visit is indeed benign, then he can become a powerful ally to our cause."
War is like a game Rois thinks, You have to know all the pieces to win. We do not yet have all of the pieces. But, hopefully, all of the cards are stacked in our favor. If not, this will be a very short war...
"Don't you all look like you've had a night of it." Calistria says with a chuckle. "We can't have you paying more attention to the pounding in your head than to potential problems, can we?"
With that, Calistria closes her eyes and whispers a brief prayer to Desna. A flash of pink energy, looking suspiciously like butterflies of light, spreads out from her and circles her comrades - revitalizing and restoring.
"What's this about a cousin? I do agree we should get going tell me during breakfast and then we'll head out on the road."
Channel Energy Uses Left: 6
Bit of Luck Uses Left: 7
Agile Feet Uses Left: 7
Spells
- 0 level: Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink
- 1st level: Bless, Summon Monster 1
- Domain spell: Longstrider.
"Voryn can tell you more, but, apparently the baron's cousin, who has been away for some length of time, is returning. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow. In either case, he may play into this somehow. I suggest we keep an eye on him, at the very least, and, perhaps try gain his trust."
What are the locals' opinions of the baron's cousin?
"The baron's cousin has been away for many months. Antal says he'll be here in Silvam in a few days," Voryn chimes in.
"Perhaps the letter you brought the baron was from him." Voryn speculates and takes a big slurp of his drink and wipes his scarred face with his sleeve.
"So, what is today's plan? Did you want to go after the carver and ask him about the charms he sells? Do you think he is somehow connected to the necromancer we caught in the Glittering Grotto?"
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Is it all right if I say that Hailey, based on the way she behaves, did not drink any liquor and instead drank tea?
"One must always be ready to face the tests of knowledge and power, for ultimately, that is what it's going to take to win. Not merely brute strength . . . although that definitely has its place.
"And the more allies to the cause, the better, for I am still certain an attack is coming. Though I am quite sure you will all forgive me for feeling something of an alarmist and a fool for predicting an attack that hasn't come y . . .
"And that I prey ha . . . halts before it does. What I mean is that I don't wish to, as the story goes, be the woman who cried wolf.
"Anyway, I am most inclined to agree that we should see the carver quite soon, provided too much time has not been lost to us already. At this point, all we have is supposition as far as any connections are concerned. I'm here to find proof. Now let's go find it. If that means we must see the carver, then so be it. Let us make haste then and go."
"I agree with sister Hailey." Calistria says as she tucks into her breakfast. "It might be a dead end but we have to investigate to see if this carver and his artwork is linked to the sigils and how. It is the only lead we have and moving is always better than standing still and waiting."
Once breakfast is finished you journey north about 2 hours to an isolated farmhouse. You see there is a cart, it contents covered, beside the main building. Several horses are in an enclosure to one side. A pair of men and 3 boys are busy cutting down a tree, it falls just as you arrive.
"See my sons, the knotch allows you to control the fall of the tree if done properly."
Calistria steps forward, moving ahead of the rest of the group. After two hours journey she's glad to stretch her legs. Sometimes people can travel so slowly!
"Hello, friends! My name is Calistria. I am a priestess of Desna. These are my friends and companions. We were in the village of Silvam yesterday and someone showed me this wonderful carving." Calistria draws out the amulet she received in trade last evening.
"I wonder, do you know who carved this? I would like to talk about buying more."
"You are lucky the storm damaged this tree and I stayed to help my cousin cut it down. Normally I would be many miles from here by this hour.
Why didn't you visit my stall yesterday? All my whares were for sale then, it would have saved you the trip."
Rois walks with the group, his mule in tow. He answers the woodsman, but stays behind Calistria, letting her take the lead in the conversation.
"We were unfortunately out of town and missed the fair due to the blasted storm. We have heard of your work though, and would like to speak with you about your wares. In the mean time, I am sure that some of us can help you with that tree."
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Yes, when the most you can move is a mere fifteen feet, and the world looks like it was dreadfully stretched out to be ten times bigger than you, moving quickly is something that happens only if you fall off a cliff, Hailey thinks to herself.
"You should turn that tree into a million wands, and you could. Then all you'd have to do is take them to the church of Nethys, to which I would gladly direct you. We've lots of people who know how to infuse magic into wands, and you would make a fortune. Well, just think, Sister Callie, what ten wands of i . . . I dare say, Cure Lt. Wounds, could do for the village! You'd be a local hero, sir, at least as far as the priest of Pharasma is concerned.""
She then turns away and begins to make her actions look like prayer, though what she is actually doing is casting Detect Magic again.
"You claim to be men and women of peace and yet you bring a wizard with you. We want none of your kind here, we are simple farmers and tradesmen. Nothing is simple if a wizard is involved."
Inwardly, Calistria winces. However, she keeps herself calm and composed.
"Actually, she's a priestess. Yes, of a god of magic, but she isn't a wizard. Nor are any of us."
Calistria steps forward, "Honestly, we would just like to know more about the carvings and the unusual symbol on it. Could you please help us?"
And Calistria gives the carver the big eyes.
"priestess of magic, wizard is there any real difference? Regardless it seems it will not be rid of you until I answer your questions. Many years ago I spent the night in an abandoned fortress many days north and west of here, still in Ustalav, but very far. I made my bed and fire in the great hall, as it was one of the most intact buildings. As I build my fire I noticed that the walls were covered in these intricate geometric patterns. Some had been destroyed but many were still intact. I ended up spending several days there copying what designs I could, and to this day they are among my most popular works."
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"At last we come to it! An abandoned fortress is the perfect place for this kind of del . . . destructive corruption to spring from, one way or another. I suggest, sir, that you discontinue making those carvings, or at the very least alter the pattern into something that belongs to you.
"Now, I take my leave of you, to which I am sure you will be delighted to hear and blessings to you for your honesty in the name of Netyhs. It seems I wrote my letter a day prematurely."
Whether or not the others follow, Hailey begins walking that direction with a determination the others may have never seen before.
"You'll have to excuse our little friend here, she gets pretty wrapped up when she has her mind set on things."
Swift gives her a sideways glance as she continues to walk away.
"You have our thanks for your honesty. We mean you no ill will. As a fellow Ustalavian, I can understand your skepticism towards wizards and their ilk. I share your fear of them, but I must assure you they are not all alike. Take Hailey as an example" He points his finger in the direction of the departing figure. "Yes, she might be a tad eccentric, but she is as docile as a newborn, err..., wolf cub."
"Play it smooth, Swift. I think now is the best time for us to leave."
Swift gives the carver his best smile and bows deeply in respect to him.
"Chisohk..."
Vorelloex curses under his breath.
This is going nowhere... What if they come while we are away? Relthas, I swear to you. I'll find her, and I'll make this whole damned country pay for your blood if I have to.
He turns to Swift and Rois.
"I don't think we're going to be gaining any information here. If we're going to protect the town, we should be there. He clearly isn't one of them."
Vorelloex sniffles.
Calistria lays a hand gently on Vorelloex's shoulder.
"Peace."
She's not going to explain everything in front of young children. Instead, she turns to the carver and offers him a bow.
"Thank you. Your help just may have helped us solve a mystery. We'll leave you in peace."
Calistria turns and gently slides her arm through Rois's. "Sir Grave, I think it is time we took our leave and let these men finish their work."[/b]
"Thank you sir. You have helped more than you know." And with that, Rois bows slightly to the carver. "I wish you and your sons well and safe travels on your way home."
Rois then leads his mule and follows the gnome towards the pointed path.
What ruin is this, I wonder? What ancient evils lurk in the shadows of an unblemished keep? The barron's cousin will have to wait, it seems... Rois' thoughts trail off as his steps take the rhythm of a forced march.
Swift's mind wanders as he follows his companions. The last time he had been near an old, magical ruin, death had haunted him. He was not eager to approach one again, even after all these years.
"What old magiks will assail me this time? We best be on our guard, this could turn bad, and fast."
His demeanor turns sour the longer he broods over it.
"Priestesses, if you excuse me for doubting your prowess, are either of you capable of dispelling whatever evil we might face? We have no idea what kind of evil lies in wait for us. I believe we should go in prepared."
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Hailey stops after a fair distance and looks back at the others.
"I'm sorry if my just walking off like that has offended any of the rest of you. In my judgment it was the best move for me personally because he did not want me there and I have a job to do. It's the closest thing I can think of to having a chance at finding an answer to this rather serious problem.
"You people see the problem as a town that's about to be overrun by the hungry dead. I see the problem instead as a rogue magician who is running about breaking the laws of magic by using dangerous spells in a highly superstitious area without permission from or supervision by the church.
"If any of you believe that I've been unfair or hasty and would rather go back to the town are more than free to do so. I won't stop you. I have to do this. The rest of you do not."
She looks at Swift-Palm.
"Wolf cub? I do not know how to interpret that comparison. As for dispelling any evils and magic that we see, to dispel it would require a measure of power thrice what mine is. But, both Sister Callie and I can prepare spells that shelter against political views after we have next slept. Did you know you could do that, Sister Callie? Yes, those spells do exist. They don't last long, but they're good at increasing the power of one's armor to ward off blows from political opponents, and can serve as a stoppage to mind control. The trouble is guessing which political system you seek to hedge out."
If anyone wishes to continue following her, she will happily spend the rest of the day explaining the differences between the spellcasting types, (sorcerers, wizards, druids, bards . . .) and explaining the difference between the spell schools wizards focus on, such as how four people can all be wizards, but one a caller (conjurer) and one a banisher (abjurer), one a speaker for the dead (necromancer) and one a prognosticator (diviner.) . . .
"The point of being a group, sister, is we help each other accomplish our goals. Even if they are not perfectly aligned." Calistria smiles and walks alongside Hailey, listening to her sermon on the nature of magic and magical practitioners. All the way back to town.
Because that's what you do for your sister.
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Catching up to the upset gnome, Garekk lays his hand on her shoulder. "You speak of two problems.. but I only see one problem with different angles. If we are looking at the same stone from opposite sides, we see different sights... but are we not simply looking at the same stone? We will come with you, sister Hailey.. and whatever comes, we will face it together. With sword and spell together we will stand the watch." Garekk finishes his speech and looks around expectantly. .
-Posted with Wayfinder
Swift offers Garekk a fist-bump for wisdom well done.
"Indeed."
For Relthas.
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As an aside to Hailey, Garekk says "My people would have taken the comaparison to a wolf cub as a compliment. A wolf is wild and free, smart and cunning. They are predators and survivors.. and a totem of strength as well as knowledge and wisdom. I think the name fits you quite well." Garekk smiles at her as he says this, revelling in the companionship that he never thought that he would find outside of his own clan.
Through out the day of travels, Garekk opens up to the group about his home, and the daily lives of his kin. Savage to outsiders who always seem intent upon harm, but kind to those they find wandering the wilds or in peril. "We seek nothing but our own place in the world. Much as the Wolf does. Misunderstood and often forced to severe actions, but in the private domain of our lives we are much like anyone else." You can tell that he misses his home and his people, but is adjusting well with the help of his new friends. He tries to include all of his companions: telling stories of his Clans Shaman and his ancestrial knowledge to Callistria and Hailey, of the Clan Elders to Swift and Sir Rois, and of his days training and patrolling with the warriors to Vorell.
Concerning the general speech and the talk of fighting and hunting tales of Garekk:
"I have shared much of the same joys, friend. The wild is in us, bred through us. These articulated could never appreciate it..."
He puts one hand on Garekk's shoulder, and with his other waves the rest of the civil in their pack .
"In the Tusks we would learn from the mastodon before we took them. It was often said to 'not waste the wisdom of the meat' you partook in. Otherwise, you'd be cursed to lose the future hunt, and the strength of the mastodon would not be with you when facing adversaries..."
Vorelloex finds great comfort in this conversation, and begins to consider Garekk as one much closer to kin than he did previously, however subconsciously.
He then turns to his beloved soldier-man.
"Rois, perhaps these ruins ahead of us will be our chance to make my brother rest in pride. If he is given this glory, maybe I'll even travel to your wall with you... Help out your cause."
Even though he may come off as somewhat over-pious, this is a big tell that Vorelloex is much more vulnerable, and perhaps even desperate for someone to fill the void his brother left. If anything, most certainly he is searching for something he can move forward to.
Rois looks at Vorel in the eyes, He WANTS to go to the wall, he realizes, He is begging to be invited. Those I recruit are usually nothing to me...just bodies that fill the gaps left by the dead. But, Vorel...he has almost become family. I've put my family in danger before and paid the price. How can I do that again? To myself? And, to the memory of my son?"
Fighting back tears, Rois turns to the pleading half-elf, "I believe the challenge before us will be great, Vorel. Your brother may be avenged very shortly. But, war is never as easy as it seems. Nor as glorious. The wall is protected by good, brave people. There, you do not have any lack for brothers, or sisters. The whole city is your family. We grieve together, and we grieve often."
And with that, Rois puts a fatherly hand on the half-elf's shoulder, hoping that his words are not taken too harshly.
Vorelloex understands the weight of what Rois says, and responds in turn.
"Sthyr... Perhaps... Perhaps this is not a flash of death, but the beginning of a river. Let us make it flow with their red waters, and not our own."
He doesn't necessarily like the sound of civil life, and all that that entails, or the idea of not returning to his frozen mountains, but a large part of Vorelloex knows that his life there that once was died with his brother and his pack.
Maybe we can rest there... Drink and rest in it... After so long. ...BROTHER!!! I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD! LOOK DOWN FROM YOUR STARS AND SEE WHAT WE WILL BECOME!
With a heaved sigh, and a grim yet hope-filled countenance the Kellid Elf-blood puts his hand on Rois to match.
"For Relthas... ...the Great. We will end them, whoever they might be. ...On the days coming and ever farther."