3. Thoughts of a squishy scout - Thorns journal.

Thoughts of a squishy scout - Thorns journal.


  • Dusting off this old book and looking at the last lines I scribbled down. I can't help but laugh. Another bit of odd luck? Fate? I don't know anymore. All I know is she is back. Mostly.

    After a long night of fighting off a goblin kings army, and then killing said goblin king. Which wasn't all that easy. I plopped down on my hillside to rest. Or.. I thought I was going to rest and relax, but it started raining, as always. Thinking it better to just enjoy it, I closed my eyes and got soaked.. then I heard her voice. One thats been etched into my memory for as long as I can remember. At first I thought I was simply hearing things, hearing the voices of my past.. but when I opened my eyes to look down. There she was. My angel.. the one no one believed me about back then, save for Peppy … Oh I should probably keep her away from Peppy.

    It suprised me.. she had no idea who I was. Its almost as if, along with her wings, all her memory is gone. It hasn't been the first time I've dealt with memory loss.. though.. this will be tricky. How can you convince someone they were an angel, when they've no memory of it, and you've no proof?

    The two of us went for a walk in the woods. To talk.. and for me to show her around. Shes taken a fancy to using a greatsword. Which reminds me I should probably keep more bandeges on me for some time. We talked about the hillside, and special places.. the odd thing was she wouldn't speak about 'home' only a certain spot, by the water.. flowers blooming all around. Figured as much ... Or maybe she wouldn't talk about where she was from because I didn't talk about where I'm from ... no idea.

    As curious as I am to know what exactly happened to her.. I should focus on keeping her alive. Its a dangerous place.. and seems to get more dangerous with each day.

    Oh.. something else to note. Met two interesting people today.. I should probably keep details about them to myself. But they're most deffinately in trouble.. I'll need to speak with my elder purple later to see what else I can find out.

    Not to mention the trouble with the demons, things people keep seeing ... Sometimes I think I need a puppet or two just to keep up with everything thats going on.


  • I'm constantly reminded.. time and time again. Of how little I can actually help people.. how very little the things I do, say.. and try can alter someones thoughts. The last time nearly got my throat slit.. this time.. there really is no telling.

    Her eyes are completely closed.. and now shes completely blind. She'll never be who she once was.. who I knew her to be. Shes going to change completely.. and all I can do now is watch at what I failed to do. Shes going to do many horrible things.. live a life of pain and missery.. destroy herself, others.. innocent. Shes chosen this.. she gave up hope, gave up faith.. gave up believing that there was something better..

    She gave up on herself. And she died..

    She told me everything.. for what reason I don't know. She tried to get me to follow the path shes on.. the path that killed her.. the path that will lead to the destruction of the girl I know.

    She thought the gods had to show themself to her.. prove to her.. thats so very arrogant. Where is the faith in that? In her weakness.. one found her, one that used the weakness against her…

    So be it.

    Goodbye Reriana.

    Theres something better.. I can't say for sure what it is but I just know theres something better. I really need to speak with my angel again.


  • Lou.. poor girl. She annoys me sometimes, and I know shes going to get me into alot of trouble, but I wish she didn't have to go through that.

    I gave her and her sister potions, all I had as they planned on going into the hobgoblins woods. Told them to be carefull, and went back into norwick. I should have just followed them.. It was getting dark and they hadn't returned.. I got worried, so I went to go check.

    I wasn't fast enough, Lou was surrounded by hobgoblins, beaten, bloody.. it wasn't a pretty sight.. they damn near gutted her. However… her sister was still fighting, barely.. she was in bad shape, but she was breathing. I got her back up to her feet, called for Shadow.. he made quick work of the hobgoblins surrounding Lous corpse.

    It was a long walk back.. sometimes I wish I were stronger, just to get people back faster. Lous sister.. whos name I still don't know, she was very shaken up I'm not sure if shes felt loss before. Lou is back on her feet though, Yllyann used one of the diamonds I had.. Lou eventually got dressed.

    I have to stop getting kissed. They called me a hero, I didn't feel like one. But hero or not I have to stop getting kissed! Or ... wear a damn helmet.


  • Some things are beyond me.. some fights I can't win, some I can't survive. Then there are some that I barely survive.. the ones that push me to my limits, those are rare, and often end badly for those around me.

    Being harassed by drow.. running for our lives, cut off by magical floating pants.. Ael'Que and I have had better days in the caves. The worst part was.. it wasn't the drow that got him.. wasn't the pants, it was the fish. He drank an invisability potion and ran.. they swarmed him.

    I killed them.. turned and killed the drow that was sneaking up on us.. no doubt to throw even more poison knives into me. Was bad enough I could barely see straight, forget breathing that wasn't even important then. He's fine now.. thankfully.

    Not sure what pushed me to norwick, should have rested in oscura.. or the legion tower, somewhere. By time I got home I near colapsed.. poison has a funny way of making you do that. Fadia caught me.. next thing I remember I was in the healers. Eluriel used a scroll, and I could breath again.. I owe alot to my elders. I'd be in some pretty rough shape without them.

    A bit of good news though. The scrolls I gave Diadne saved her life, along with the lives of her friends. Glad they were put to good use, they weren't doing me any good.

    Bad news … Lou continues her fun. I gave her a perfect spell crystal, and in exchange she promised to not kiss me ... which she now says she promised not... to kiss me. Starting to lean towards always wearing a helmet.


  • Things seem to be getting worse between my friends. Ronan attacked Ducky because he was either afraid Ducky would attack Diadne.. or Ronan just hates Ducky. Troff defended Ducky, attacking Ronan.. Aelthas stepped in and attacked Troff.. Its a huge mess.

    Tindra is also leaving.. going to cormanthyr.. or something. Everyone seems to be going there. I almost feel like I should go and help as well.. but how exactly do you get there? Maybe I can open a portal or something, we'll see.

    On the bright side. I am now married to Troff. After he and Ducky told me all that happened, a fey showed up and taught us how to speak a few words in the fey tongue. Then decided Troff and I were to be married. Sprinkling dust on us.. we began to glow, a bright color green. Troff isn't leaving the glenn, but I had to have some fun with this.

    Made Clayton laugh, which was good for him. Made Ael'Que laugh as well, a bit much, he nearly passed out.

    Its an odd thought. But..

    I am in a happy relationship with Lea. Engaged to a demoness by her father, a balor. The wedding is roughly one hundred years from now.. I think. And now I'm married to Troff.

    I live a complicated life.


  • Its a strange thing how life prepares you for something, and in the same way throws challenges at you that you've never prepared for.

    Reriana. Shes an odd one, very troubled past… that she told all to me, even though she didn't know exactly why she was telling me. Deep down I believe she wants a friend, despite her faith, a devote of Fenmarel.. She wants to trust someone, I think.

    Talking to her, reminded me of all the years I spent with Amywen. I hope she doesn't try and slit my throat. Its very hard to call someone friend once they've tried to kill you.

    Though, she knows exactly what shes doing to herself.. is it so hard a thing to accept the fact that there are good people? Why can't others see what I see...? Can't see untill you open your eyes. No one can open your eyes but yourself. All I can do is place things in her sight, and hope she opens her eyes.. soon.

    We'll see how things turn out.

    Oh..Squeaks has a stalker, that.. Llin woman. I gave her something to help with that, though I regretted it later. The white hair girl, her name is Lou. She kissed me... why? I have no idea. If I tell Lea, she'll rip her hair out, if I don't that would be hiding something from her. I can't much talk to Lou about it, as she seems to find it fun to chase me through the ruins and about the lake. Ech.. a headache for tommorow.

    A bit of good news though, Benji is engaged. About time too! I know him and Talyna will be happy together. His devotion to her.. is amazing, the crossbow bolts, the trip to waterdeep.. everything. Well done Benji, well done.

    Last thing, I finally got to see what a Derro was.. bit of a letdown really, I expected something, weirder. Just crazed dwarves.

    Speaking of.. Dwin has stepped down as chancellor. Biswan, a dwarven woman I've not met has taken his place. Smart of Dwin.. placing himself as an advisor of the hold, so close to norwick, still being a powerfull influence of norwick. Biswan is sure to heed almost anything he says. Will this fix the militia though? I've my doubts.


  • I never thought I'd be back about Kaetlyns home so soon. Though its a hide away that I so desperately need right now. Why do people have to be so… its frusterating.

    I talked with Dietrick, he told me of the battle against Jay and the legion, and that Jaelle was alive.. do I have to kill her myself for her to stay dead? After all thats happened, all everyone went through.. shes alive. Deet said she had pure black eyes. Great.

    I also heard from Benji. I'm dissapointed in the actions of Albryanna and Aelthas. Standing there, while legion that we've faught beside, that helped us defend our home, our gates. That helped us defeat the dracolich, the hungry one, wendigo.. everything. They faught, bled and died by our side for years. And my superiors stood there while they were cut down, never drawing their swords.

    We may never have the legions help defending our home again... small ripples created by the higher ups. Its going to tear everything apart if something is not done. Dwins doing a good enough job at having the militia crumble.. and now Albryanna and Aelthas do this? Possibly cutting the ties to allies we've had for years.

    I was hoping for something to cheer me up, I needed any bit of good news. Thought I had some.. Eli came back. I was thrilled, ran up to give her a hug, and she flinched. Saying, shes not used to people getting close... I told her it was annoying after it happened a second time in the inn. I've always hugged her, we've always been close. Shes my sister and shes just returned after three years... and my options are, respect that she doesn't want me close, or leave..

    Fine. So be it.

    The winds picking up.. Kaetlyn must be coming home.

    The only thing I enjoyed much over the past two days was talking with my elder, Sy. He keeps saying I'm becoming wiser. He also asked me the story of my sword.. I told him, and the conversation went strange from there. He thought the sword was just a focus, for my own natural 'gift' I highly doubt I have a gift that powerfull, if any at all. And that topic turned to him asking my patron..

    Not my favorite subject. Nicahh knows.. Jerrick knows, but not many else do.


  • Kaetlyn, thats a friendly face I hadn't seen in a long time. I spent most of the day talking with her at the south gate and her home, deep within the woods to the north. Its nestled in a safe place, very peacefull.. I like it there. She told me I was welcome there, whenever I needed a moment of peace.

    Its odd, some of the things we talked of. I told her about 'Dad' the Balor, and his daughter that I was to marry. We also talked about the angel I once knew.. we talked of alot of things. She seems to think I'm special, important, that all these 'strange things' that happen to me are for a reason, and wouldn't happen to just anyone.

    Despite me trying to tell her otherwise. She insisted that I am more special and more important than I like to let others believe.

    I'm just an elf. I've a few magical things that are special, none of which I really know how to controll. But without them, I'm not much. She thinks otherwise.. time will tell I guess.

    One of the things we discussed was Jiyyd, the demons within and the barrier keeping them there. She was worried it was weakening, specially when she heard that 'Dad' had taken me there somehow. My knowledge on what happened to Jiyyd, durring the demon war is very little. Hopefully Ronan can tell her more.

    We talked about Jerrick as well. Its easy to see she still cares a great deal for him. Its still there.. even though she tries to hide it. She worries for him, and the burdens he always seems to shoulder. Have to remember to tell him she wants to talk… as soon as he gets back home.

    Norwicks militia is crumbling still. And yet, Aelthas has just recruited three more. One of which being... Yuki. Just... Peachy.


  • I really shouldn't be doing this. I keep finding myself going off alone, everywhere these days, I don't even bring Shadow with me.. or even look around for others to come with me. I just sort of.. go.

    Gem collecting.. a hobby, or so I call it. Its not really a hobby, I'm not obsessed with these shiney rocks. I don't try and buy them off people just to have them. If I find them, I pick them up and hold onto them.. its a distraction, I know. A way to put off what I know needs to be done. But still, its something right?

    Recently, I went on an adventure with a good many of my friends. I enjoyed that, it was dangerous, there were spiders, and driders. But I had fun. I guess after spending so much time off by myself any type of interaction with them would have been fun.

    Three drider.. maybe it is time.

    Before that though.. need a plan for a few of these gems I have collected.

    IceQueen Soulgem. Possibly the most powerfull thing I have on me, more so than the sword, I don't know. Ronan said he would enchant something with it, which is odd, cause he never enchants anything. Maybe it will be a challenge for him. Maybe he wants to see what happens when its attempted. Either way, its doing me no good as a creepy little gem.

    I've also my angels feather. Peppy seemed to really want it for enchanting. Must be good for some form of enchanting.

    My two Paladins Heart Gems. One is Danikas.. So I can't bring myself to use it.. though I've plans for my own, we'll see.


  • That was very… odd. The day started off like any other. I was bored and trying to find something to do, or someone to talk to at least. Only.. I couldn't find anyone. No one at the gates, no one about Jerrick and Tindras home. I did have a nice little talk with Tojan, shes a sweet pixie. Not wanting to take up all of her time though, I made my way back to the gates.

    There I bumped into Sol. And she was having another one of her 'days' where its always raining on her no matter where she goes and life couldn't -possibly- get any worse. Against my better judgement I agreed to talk with her ... turns out, more heartache. But this time about Yuki.. I've mentioned her before.

    Sol needs to learn to 'let go' I thought she had grown up but apparently not. She left my hillside and went across to the others, which had Ronan, Rith, and Fadia.

    I didn't even get to walk up the hillside before this odd mist started to surround me. Smelt horrible.. in so much that I could hardly breath. I choked a good bit.. took a little time before anybody noticed something was wrong, besides Tindra. But then the mist was so thick and black.. I couldn't see anything, I think I colapsed.

    Woke up to the nudge of a Balor. Not just any Balor.. but 'Dad' the father of the winged demon girl that used to torment us in norwick. The same one that turned me into a statue of a chicken. Turns out, I was to marry this girl, and our wedding was to be in one hour.

    Can't much argue with Dad when he has the flaming sword out. Before he got another word out, Ronan threw tons of spells at him, and Rith charged him.. after.. trapping me with a wall of incredibly sharp blades ... she meant well.

    Rith nearly died.. Ronan nearly died, but somehow they managed to bring Dad down, and.. suposedly banish him for one hundred years ... I find that ironic as my normal 'goodbye' for my kind is 'I'll see you in the next one hundred years'.

    It was an odd day... in Jiyyd. But we escaped.. and kind of went our ways. Tindra mentioned something about naming a lion cub. Rith, Fadia and Sol went with her.. I kind of stayed back, and then vanished without them noticing.

    I miss my friends, but Sol is to damn depressing to be around.


  • I spent a little time laying shirtless on gossip rock to start the morning.. I have yet to figure out why. But I got hungry, so decided breakfast in the grapevine would be good. On my way there I noticed Squeaks standing by herself. So I spooked her.. with a squeak, which made her.. well, squeak. She was bored.. I could tell, and I have to admit, I was too. Seems I'm not the only one restless from the peace.

    I told her I could try and open a portal, that it might lead somewhere interesting. So we both walked south.. no sooner did get to the gates, I practically got slapped in the face with tension. Something bad was going on atop the tower.. I saw Jerrick, Fadia, Rith, Tindra, and Brendel. I'm not really sure what was going on, something told me to avoid it.. best to stay out of it. Call it a sixth sense.. or common sense, who knows.

    Outside the gates, I tried to use the rusty old blade… which still has no name, really should name it. It wouldn't wake up, no matter how hard I focused. Its either lazy, or needing rest.. not sure which.

    The mess atop the tower was finished.. mostly. I'm sure I'll hear what its about sometime soon. The group was seperating.. and I didn't want to get drug into it.. but luckily I was still hungry. So I went south in search of a single apple.

    Thirty three goblins, and not a single apple. Should just follow a goblin one day and see where their secret apple trees are.

    The day ended well though, I managed seven bullseyes in a row.. I wonder if that counts since I was in the den and not the targets in norwick. I'll ask Benji on it tommorow.


  • This day proved to be interesting.

    Somehow, Lea has captured the heart of a goblin hero by the name of Fitzsquee. How this happened I've no idea.. but he sent a 'candygram' by a goblin assassin to us in the woods. Quite the charmer really.. gave her flowers, a ruby … and a chocolate covered mouse.

    I've heard rumors about this goblin, he's a trouble maker, and has escaped from norwick a few times. Which makes him a hero in the eyes of the goblins. If he keeps it up though, he's likely to get himself killed. If of course he isn't dead by now anyway.. I let the messenger live and sent back a return 'gift' a peice of 'candy' that is actually an explosive. I doubt he'll fall for such a simple trick, but even so.. he'll probably get the messege.

    Had a talk with Danika, she knows I'm restless.. not to used to this whole.. peacefull times thing. She told me gnolls attacked the north, so I guess some things are still going on. She also told me I need a hobby.. and with Myrrha gone, the gems I'm collecting just pile up. Danika gave me a Paladins Heart Gem.. I almost didn't want to accept it, as these gems are incredibly special.. but she said she hasn't seen him in a long time.. Something about Danika that I didn't know.

    Cara was upset, she left the south gates and I think I was suposed to follow ... as Lea told me that I should. I tried, that is.. untill a giant tiger jumped on me and slammed me into the grass. Then drug me over to the druids petting group.. by his teeth. I tried to escape.. and was slammed against the tree by one paw. A little annoying really.. as I was trying to go see if Cara was alright. Darkness helped, but then Rith put me in a hold spell... I'm not sure what was going on with that group that day.

    I managed to get away, find Cara.. and attempted to cheer her up. Only to find out shes never had chocolate before in her life. So I drug her north, got a box.. and ... nothing, she doesn't like them. Never thought I'd see the day where someone doesn't like this stuff.. ah well.


  • And it did rain, but not for long. I spent some time down by the south gates, around the fire, talking with others. Cara is back.. its good to see her back on her feet again. She was in scale, which didn't seem to suit her, then she put on some leathers … which suited her just fine. But she needs metal skin, so I gave her a suit of half plate. And much to Rasuils dissapointment she put it on, covering her dark leathers.

    I sat with Lea by the fire, talking, or.. we tried to talk, untill Clayton and Doni walked up. Clearly he was still in trouble for the kiss the pink hair girl planted on him a few days prior. He was doing nothing but digging himself deeper in trouble, but things seemed to have calmed, that is.. untill this girl with white hair walked by and gave him a wink.

    I'm not sure exactly how, but he seems to have a nack for getting in trouble, by doing nothing at all. Reminds me of me.. only, I can at least get out of trouble when I find myself in it.

    I'm worried for Clay and Doni, she overreacts to little things, like the passing wink of a girl none of us even knew. There needs to be some bit of trust there.. I'm glad that Lea isn't that way. Shes only snapped on.. two girls. And this recent one was completely called for. The white hair winker walked back in, with her sister and another man. She was hurt, and bleeding and close enough for me to do something about it. So I healed her ... after which she thought it a good idea to tickle my ear.

    Sometimes I wonder if I should wear a helmet more often.

    I'm not sure who this white hair girl is, but she seems to be doing nothing but causing trouble. Which is probably worse knews for Clay than it is for me.. One thing is known by all within screaming range. What Doni and Clay do for fun around norwick... not so much a secret anymore.

    The suns rising.. and the druids are probably getting tired of me sitting around here. Spent the night in the glen, less of a headache than the south gates.

    Really should get a place of my own...


  • Life has been somewhat peacefull most days, with everything defeated we don't have that much giving us trouble. There is the burning man, or the burning druid, whatever he is called. He'll be dealt with soon, we'll throw him in the lake or something.

    The strangest thing about not having to fight for your life at the south gates on a daily basis, is seeing just how little you have in common with everyone else around you. How people spend their time when its relativly peacefull, and who they spend their time with.

    I have to admit, even though invited along, I feel somewhat of an intruder. Jerrick, Tindra and Rith. Close friends, alpha, sisters.. They are what they are, but when I'm with them, I can't help but feel.. a little.. Maybe I'm just overthinking things.

    Though I felt the same around the elders, Eluriel and Sy. Its an odd feeling, being pulled into a conversation on my own hillside, and then hardly understanding half of what was said. I'm not sure what Eluriel was saying. Though I felt I should leave, so I tried.. only, Sy told me to sit. So I sat … then Yuki walked up.

    Yuki is a young girl, very shy, not many friends to actually speak of, she asked me of the blooming the other day ... apparently, she thought it best to ask me about it. Difficult to explain things to her when she continues to stare at me so.. anyway, she has controll over herself.

    Untill Eluriel thought it a good idea to start pouring everyone wine. Then my elders thought it would be a brilliant idea to up and leave me there with her. I've gotten out of worse situations.. still, that was annoying.

    Tommorow is another day though. Looks to be a rainy one, but thats normal.


  • Some things never change. It wasn't Elridith that returned next.. no, it was Nicahh. Shes still just as I remember her, she hasn't changed at all, and… how quickly she gets surrounded by others has not changed. Her first day back, I wasn't able to even speak with her for all the others swarming her. The second day, I was about to steal her away for a walk, when Dwin pulled me into the hall for a 'talk'. When I was finished there, I kidnapped her away from Locrian, and we walked north to sam.. giant hole in the ground. No sooner did we settle down by one of the large trees there, we were interupted by a member of the sisterhood.

    I shouldn't be suprised. It was always like this. Since the first day she started training me with kamas, untill I saw her last. Shes always been busy, and will possibly always be busy. Its not that I -need- to speak with her. I'm no longer a struggling student in need of her guidance. But I would like to eventually walk with her, if not just to catch up with how things have been.

    And how things have been...

    Rith will be leaving soon. I don't like that idea. She was in tears on the tower because of it, because she -has- to go. For her duty. The price she pays is to high.. no one should have to go through what shes been pushing herself through. I'd rather her stay.. she could- no she would be happy here, I'm sure. If only she stayed.

    Yngdir has fallen, and with each day that passes.. I'm beggining to lose hope that his soul will return. La'ali seems alright now, though I do worry for her. Though, I shouldn't worry so much everytime she goes outside the gates alone, shes a grown woman and can take care of herself.. despite that one time with the badger...

    Another thing that has not changed. I do -not- drink ... I shouldn't let Jerrick talk me into things like that. But Eluriel was there, Ducky, Rith and Tindra. I even took lengths to avoid the stronger stuff they had ... ah well.

    Really should do something with this day...


  • Peace.. very rarely do we ever get to experience it. And it often leaves us when we take it for granted.

    We have earned this peace, and though it is fleeting, I will enjoy it while I have it.

    A demi-god.. the daughter of Urdlen and Shar. We killed it.
    Scythonhalingfel.. a dracolich of incredible power. We killed it.
    The Hungry One.. a powerfull being that.. I don't know much about. Killed.
    Windego … well we killed it too. Why not we were there anyway..

    I'm not sure the details on everything. I'll ask someone later, or something. All I know, is I don't want to see another gate attack.. for at least two days. Lea needs her rest.. and to be honest I need my rest too.

    I'm still not sure what to think of Ridian.. or Aelfin as he calls himself thinks he can teach her. Specially with what she has just gone through with me.. its just.. its a thought after I've had some rest.

    A while back.. Calia came back into my life. Shortly following, Ridian, and my brother Briar did as well. The next day.. Lucidious bumped into me. I joked, and said.. if Eluriel shows up, I'll be speachless. And now Eluriel is here, along with Meril. Next on my list of people from my past would be Elridith.. we'll see.


  • I'm concerned. Its coming up.. the final battle against the dracolich. We'll need all the help we can get. Every sword, every bow, every single healer we can find and every caster with skill. And despite that, everyone seems to be arguing and fighting. It needs to stop.. Rith assures me that everything will be fine, that everyone will band together when the time comes. Can only hope shes right.

    People are also on edge. Wren, Havon, Cara, La'ali.. even Yngdir. They want me to take my old sword, and throw it in a chasm. They want me to destroy the helmet Emma gave me so I could speak with her when I need help. They shouldn't have said those things when I had the helm on.. Emma may be a spirit but shes a seven year old girl. And that scared her.

    I'm not getting rid of either. They're not some evil things trying to cause me harm. Emma helps anytime she can. The sword saves my life constantly, and allows me to help others when needed. They're scared of the sword because they don't understand it. To be honest I don't understand it either.. my controll over what it does might have improved somewhat, but it suprises me with something new each day. I swear the other night it felt like the blade itself had a heart beating within it.

    Why do I feel like its done that before..?

    Adriell is angry, and the other druids seem to be upset with Jerrick over the actions he's taken. I can calm Adri-Bear.. the others, well they can calm themself. Shes taking a long soak in the den as I write this, it will help to relax her. And she really needed some time to relax.

    Should make the most of the time I have left..


  • Things have calmed now, well as calm as they'll possibly ever get. No more shades, no more shadows… we actually seem to have gotten past that. About time.

    Sol has finally snapped out of her moping about, the crying, the curling up and twitching whenever I'm with Lea. It was enough to make me want to open up a portal to a pocket plane, and take Lea with me. Just so we could have some time away from Sol. She claims shes getting better, claims shes moving on. I'll believe it when I see it.

    Speaking of, something seemed to have pissed my sword off. Heat.. lots of heat, and then fire. Burnt through the leather and cloth, and nearly melted the skin of my hand onto the hilt when I held the blade. Fire was surrounding the rusted edge, with enough head to force me to hold it away. It eventually calmed, and went back to sleep.. not sure what made it angry, but now I know it can be angry.

    Had an interesting talk with Val just now.. about many things. She is by far my favorite bard, talking with her just comes easy. We spoke of the dracolich and the coming battle. Its close.. we don't have long. She told me there was a way for me to defeat it. There is a plane of possitive energy. She stated, this was where all the healers pull their healing from. And if I could but open a portal to this plane above the dracolich, it would kill him instantly.

    Getting above him is no problem. These boots I have allow me to jump incredibly high.. off walls.. they really are amazing. The problem is getting the blade to work, and then opening the right portal to the right plane.. its all complicated.


  • With Emma guiding me, I told the others to check behind the waterfall, and we stormed the hill, fighting off shade after shade that appeared from the earth. I hate shades.. they use your worst fear against you.

    Ronan, Jerrick and Ducky started to dig into the grounds.. digging deep, really deep. Into caverns I've not expored before.. these lands never cease to amaze me.

    Deep underground we were assaulted by more shades and shadows.. I lost track of how far we went.. how many we killed.. we pushed through so many rooms.. people yelling for help, rushing back to retreat to a healer, rushing forward to help the front lines. Arrows were flying overhead, hitting shadows on the walls..

    More often than not, I lost controll of myself.. and ran for my life … I remember being wrapped in Jerricks arms once when I came to. Considering the two of us snapped out of it at the same time ... we both laughed and moved on.

    The last of the caverns were nothing to laugh about.. it was a death trap. We were attacked from all sides, by shades, powerfull shadows.. Our group was split into many directions. Many fell.. I came close.. very close. All that could stand and fight pushed on to the necromancers cave.. a short distance away. My vision was blurry.. the blood lose had me dizzy.. the shadow bites made my left arm all but useless. I stumbled around... and then I saw her.

    Lea.. laying in the corner, propped up against the cavern wall, her arms out beside her.. bow in one hand.. blessed arrow, held in the other. She sat there.. gashes blood covering her... she didn't move. I forced myself to get to her.. ignoring the pain.. the trail of my own blood I was leaving.. I was getting to her.. even if it killed me. She was still alive.. but just barely, with just enough blood left for me to save her... it was close, but when she opened her eyes and took in a breath.. I knew she'd be alright. Lea.. you're stronger than you know.

    I was able to save Father Raldi as well.. but.. I couldn't save Sol, she was to far gone.. her body was cold. I couldn't get to her in time. The front line and the others returned.. having dealt with the necromancer. They took Sols body and started to leave.

    I colapsed.

    The rest is a blurr.. stumbling down the caverns.. back to the entrance. I can't remember much of it.. could hardly call me alive at that point. Untill.. Quelcoth. He healed me, completely. My body didn't ache from anything.. my strength returned. I was.. as I was before I entered these caverns.

    Sol is back with us now.. she'll be fine. Though she'll probably wonder where I vanished to for a few days.

    I needed a small break away from those south gates.. away from all the trouble. Two or three days in peltarch with Lea.. then we'll be back down south, ready for whatever else norwick throws at us.


  • Its amazing what a person can do when they have to.. When you've no one to defend you but yourself, no one to help you fight your battles but yourself..

    I've written about the little girl with glowing green eyes before.. I just recently solved any mystery behind her. A few nights ago outside the south gates, shortly after sunset.. before the creepy fog rolled in, before the shades and shadows attacked us yet again. Emma walked up.. and just about put everyone on edge again. She has glowing green eyes, and when we first met she put me on edge too.. so I couldn't blame them.

    She pulled me away from the group of gate defenders to talk, she was scared.. and she needed my help. She asked me to come with her.. and I was, but not alone.. my friends at the gate would never have let me. Emma said she could bring one other, but that was it. I turned and looked towards the gates, and damn near everyone raised their hand or said they would go. Even Quelcoth … my banite buddy? But it was Doni.. an old friend of mine just recently returned that came with me. Emma pulled us away from the crowd.. and our eyes began to glow green, just like hers.. I glanced over to the gates, and they were under attack by shadows.. again.

    I blinked. And I was no longer at the south gates. But in a desert, nothing but rocks and sand as far as I could see. It was just the three of us.. but what shocked me was, I heard Emma speak. I almost thought it was her speaking in my mind.. untill I saw that Doni heard her too. She never spoke before.. she couldn't, at least.. not back home.

    She told us to ask our questions, and we did.. Her name is Emma, the blue eye'd boys name is Tommy. She was not alive.. but then again, not dead. Its.. horrible, what she went through.. how she became what she is..

    She lived in norwick.. had a mother.. many friends, Tommy being one of them. Used to have many friends.. she said, but.. he took them all. A man.. no, a monster is what I'd call him. A monster living out in the rawlins.. took her friends.. took her mother.. and took her. The things he did to them.. I stopped her from saying.. Anything that could make a child of seven years old.. welcome death, she should never have to relive.

    All she could do was hold onto me.. crying, green tears streaming down her face. And for the longest moment.. all I could do was hold her there. I couldn't tell her everything was going to be alright.. I couldn't say anything.. but after a while, she calmed down.. and told us why she brought us here.

    The monster that killed her.. wouldn't in death let her go, he took his own life, following her in spirit. Keeping her from rest, from moving on. She said he'd get angry if she was gone long... and then there he was, a monster.. in the shape of a man, with glowing red eyes. He knew right away why Emma brought us here.. and he was angry. He was angry.. and I was pissed. His body started to change shape.. I thought.. if anything, my kamas could kill him.. untill I saw what he became. A Herzou.. fitting.

    My sword woke up, much like it did with the dragon.. holding the awakened sword out to the best.. he backed away, scared off the blade. I was still pissed.. he wasn't going to escape. I charged forward, taking a slash across its chest, the blade screeching as it cut through the demons hide, forcing it back against a rock. Despite the power of my blade.. it still only had a squishy elf weilding it. Doni was trying her best to help.. but her arrows seemed to just bounce off..

    It was just me.

    The Herzou faught back, slashing me, tossing me back into the sands.. I wasn't giving up. For what he did to Emma.. he deserved this. I pressed on the attack.. the sands about my feet were mixing with my blood and his.. I managed to knock the monster off his feet and stabbed into its chest with the blade. No sooner did the beast fall.. the mans spirit, the one with glowing red eyes rose from its corpse.. begging for his life.. backing up to the rock.. terrified.. begging for mercy.

    I almost feel bad.. I didn't mean to cut the rock behind him in half as well. The rock didn't deserve that.

    I was tired.. bloody.. the sands about me coated in much of my own.. my sword, was also tired. It went back to sleep.. turning into the rusted blade I know. I was ready to colapse.. and I would have, but Emma ran up and wouldn't let me go.. it was hard enough to breath, and her hug made it more difficult.. but I managed.

    She thanked us both.. and said she could finally rest. She also gave me a gift.. a helmet of sorts. She told me, that whenever I need her help, call on her.. and she can speak to me, let me see what she sees. She said our thoughts and eyes would become one, whenever I put the helmet on.

    It works.. I can talk to her, and hear her thoughts. She was a great help in locating the black onyx behind the grapevine atop the hill. If it wasn't for her.. we probably never would have found that cave..

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