Part 1: "The Calm Before the Storm"
She wasn’t sure if the clerics were still following her and she wasn’t going to stop and find out. There was no going back to Canorate. Not now, perhaps not ever. With the city behind her, with her life behind her, she had kept running, trying to stay one step ahead of her fears. Her eyes filled with tears and rage when she thought of Icobar. She knew that she had failed him. But she also hoped that, in time, she could make up for it.
The first few days were not so bad. She had stolen some supplies on the way out. But now, with the sun going down on the fourth day, she wondered what she had done, and how long she could hope to survive. Despite it being summer, the nights were cold, and she was so very far from home.
Tonight was the first night in weeks that she did not dream of Icobar. What she dreamed was worse. She saw the entire Elsir Vale under siege. A dark and horrifying battle, filled with the sounds of screams, death, and the roar of flames. The entire vale was burning. The last thing she saw before she jolted awake was a banner, yellow, with a clawed, red hand on it.
The most he’d even been able to find out about Restenford Keep was that it had long since been swallowed up by the Southern Fangwood, and that it was dangerous and he should steer clear. After weeks without being able to find anything out, Evril had a breakthrough. In the town of Canorate he found a trader who possessed a map of how to get to the Restenford Keep. The man claimed to have bought it from a Tengu who lived in the Southern Fangwood and spoke of treasure, but the man himself had lost the desire to risk his life for what was most likely a wild goose chase.
Remembering the rumours from his youth about how dangerous the Fangwood was, Evril decided to call in a favour. He immediately sent a letter to Arbiter Deimos, asking for him to come with haste, and meet him in the town of Skelt.
While waiting, he stayed in the temples of Canorate, praying to Sarenrae for the answers to his history. She had not answered him directly, though Evril had faith that the Keep was provide him with some closure.
Knowing that Deimos is on the way, Evril has decided to head to Skelt to meet him, as there is not a moment to lose.
The letter suggested that they meet in Skelt. Deimos had not been back there in years. He had not wanted to be. He would have liked to see Canorate and the temple, but he suspected that everyone he had known was long gone. Besides, Evril said it was urgent. There would be time afterwards to see the temple.
Deimos had already left Korvosa behind him, and was traveling along the Dwarfroad, only a few hours outside of Skelt. Whatever Evril needed, Deimos would soon find out.
But in Brindol, there was only farmland and sparse trees here and there. The city was miles away from the forest he knew and loved. Still, Krazzix could not complain much. He would be starting the journey home today, and he had succeeded in his task.
While the act of being a courier for a letter from the Town Speaker in Skelt to a cleric in Brindol was not at all glamorous, he had done it well, and could hope for more important tasks in the future. In the meantime, Krazzix was anxious to get back home. Not only did Brindol not have trees, but he had been specifically forbidden to steal anything from the people there, even temporarily. The Speaker specifically mentioned the battle against the Lizardfolk that Krazzix had been involved in, trying to explain that to the people of Skelt he was a hero, but to the people of Brindol he was just another dangerous and scaled creature.
No one had treated him poorly or anything, but their glances certainly left him with a feeling of discomfort. Krazzix resolved not to stay for a minute longer than he had to.
He stood on a ledge, with his arms spread wide, enjoying the rain and flashes of lightning. He sometimes fired his own in response to the storm’s, as though trying to communicate with it. Something to the west caught his eye, and he moved closer to investigate.
Over the hills he heard a different sound than thunder, something that he had not heard in many years. It was the sound of war drums. As Maldrek watched, he saw in the distance a group of goblins were making their way across the mountains. The tribes had steered clear of him for years, tending to refer to him as Drut’n T’su (“Thunder Demon”). What brought them so close now, he had no idea.
But from up above in the mountains, he could see the path they were forging through, and he had no doubt that the raiding party was on its way to Skelt. Maldrek scoffed. He had not set foot in that city for decades, surely a small band of goblins would not change that.
And yet.
Something about this felt different. There was a change in the air, in the wind. These goblins were marching with purpose and they were bringing someone along with them. Death.
The Arbiter rode, contemplating the meaning of the summons. It would be good to see his companion again.
Surely there's something in good need of a smiting. He thought with a smirk.
More importantly, He said to his horse, I can take another jab at him about my cheek.
The dark, scaly reptile sulked about his path, unused to being treated with disdain and trepidation, but mostly bored out of his skull.
"Nobody wants to play, everybody scared, everybody thinks I eat their babies, everybody thinks I steal their things, and nobody believes I'm a hero! And where are all the trees! How humans live in town with no trees!?"
Though his intelligence rivaled, and even outstripped some humanoids, his broken speech patterns began to emerge, obviating his frustration.
Ugh, now I'm so aggravated I'm talking koboldish again. Time to go home. Hmmm...
Spying a rooftop, Krazzix grinned a bit. Though there were hardly any trees about, at least he could get some fresh air and exercise bounding across the rooftops through the city instead of dragging his feet.
They're no trees, but they'll do. Might as well have some fun before the open road. It's so dull to just walk everywhere...
Townsfolk looking up from time to time might spy a small, black winged figure leaping across their roofs, and housewives with exceptional hearing might just hear the tiny footsteps dashing over their heads.
Breathing heavy Moxxie wiped the cold sweat from her face. Wy Icobar? You weren't supposed to leave me alone, at least nopt yet, why? The fire from her dream flashed before her eyes again. Then the fire at the temple just days ago, the one that she started on accident. Then the fire where she saw Sarenrae in the flames, where she saved Icobar several years ago. Finally the fire where Icobar saved her, though she couldn't remember anything about it except the heat and blinding light. Every single fire changes my life drastically, what will this one bring.
She got up and packed all of her things. She peered through the bush she was sleeping under out onto the trade route leading to Skelt. She had traveled next to the roads for days not wanting to be seen by any travelers. She knew many of them would attack her on sight merely because she was a goblin. Moxxie sighed at the thought. Well it was still dark out the sun not even peeking over the horizon yet, meaning there likely wouldn't be any travelers on the road yet. Traveling through the forest was easy enough, but the road was just much easier, so Moxxie picked up her pack and started out on the road.
She had heard that Skelt was a place of tolerance and figured she could stay there for a while until she had some way of getting to Kaer Maga. There she would easily be able to find a home and perhaps bring Sarenrae's teachings to the terrible place.
Maldrek breathed in deeply, taking in the heavy storm air. I suppose I should warn the town, he thought. He tended to avoid speaking, preferring to save his words until necessary, and even when he saw the need to speak, he would generally whisper, for he believed it strengthened his power in the ancient language of magic.] Do they really deserve it though? They never appreciated what I did before... But I can't just leave them to die at the hands of foul goblins.[/I] Maldrek then spoke in the ancient language that gave him power, "Ata lo kabed."
TL;DR: In 5 rounds I can fall 100ft and glide 400ft, 7 1st level word spells left today.
Maldrek jumped from his perch on the cliff towards the town of Skelt, descending towards the ground and gliding closer towards his destination. When he landed, he did his best to avoid the goblins, but also make faster progress than them. Hope the path they're making takes a while.
It's midafternoon when Krazzix returns to the city of Skelt. He brings word of his success in delivering the letter. While most would consider it a minor task, it's the first "official" thing that Krazzix has done, and he's feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. He's also overjoyed to be back in a city that has trees.
As he's swinging around, he notices someone quickly approaching the town gate, unlike anyone he had seen before. He stood at a normal height, for a human at least, but his skin was a deep red and horns protruded from his forehead. Krazzix swung closer to investigate.
On reaching the town gate, Maldrek stopped, out of breath. He stood panting, trying to get the words out but unable to get enough air into his lungs. One of the guards quickly approached him holding a canteen of water. "What ails you, sir? Need you a healer?"
Deimos strides out of the woodline, returning to Phobos. I'm about ready to move on. Hopefully you're rested enough to continue. He adjusts his tabard and belt before mounting the horse and getting on his way.
What do you think awaits us in Skelt? Surely nothing as exciting as the last adventure... He gives the horse a gentle nudge in the ribs and sets a good pace towards Skelt and his future.
Krazzix Peers at the newcomer with wonder. Horns? red skin? Maybe he's part dragon too?? Wonder what he was running from?
Whilst walking through the forest Moxxie was entertained by thoughts of Kaer Maga and what she would do once she finally got there. Finally breaking the edge of the forest gave Moxxie a trill of excitement, until she realized she was too far north. Blast it, walked too far. Moxxie you need to stay out of your mind so often. It'll save you a lot of trouble." She then went back into the edge of the forest a few yards and began walking back towards Skelt.