Tragedy

I guess you can say the raid on the orc camp was a success. The witch of the woods did a well subduing the goblin infantry with her reanimated corpses. Sasanna and Val held their own against the juggernauts and bloodragers that slowly crept out of the camp. Me and Beauregard kept our distance to support where we could. Luckily the trees and surrounding shrubbery gave enough shade to protect me from the sun. Everything was fine until Bonebreaker, the chieftain left the camp to aid her troops, as well as the shadow assassin from yesterday made his way into the fray. I fumbled as I climbed down a tree I was using as cover forcing me to be near the base of the tree. The enemy took this as the ample opportunity to knock me down. This couldn't have been a worse time. My concentration on haste dropped on my allies (The paper at this point show signs of water droplets). Next moment I wake up to find myself at the mercy of Bonebreaker. I thought I could dimension door away to safety to bide enough time to heal and assist everyone else as Val was down. That was a mistake. I misplaced where to go and immediately was impaled by a javelin to pass out from the sheer pain of it. Giselle's voice brought me back to consciousness only for me to witness her and Beau fall on the battlefield. Even with Eilistraees light healing me it still wasn't enough to get me to my compatriots as I nearly black out from a whip to the back from the bloodletter that broke free of Beau's mind control. I nearly lose consciousness as I hit the floor to see Sasanna come to my aid. I couldn't let up. With nearly the last of my strength I mustered enough magic to haste both me and Sassana. With the weave of magic hastening my movement, I had to be tactical. I had so little time to think of what to do. Survival is the priority... But my friends were still knocked down. Do I hold my stance and attempt to revive them in the midst of the most powerful orcs still up can cleave me? Or do I retreat with Sasanna to live another day. It took everything in my power not to run back in. The moment I even considered stepping forward to go back, Axara whispered to run. Never would I have imagined a message in any form that wasn't a vision.
 
I'm currently back at the tavern with Sassana. I pray we made the right decision in retreating. We took down the last juggernaut on the way out, only leaving the clans chieftain as a survivor amungst the battle. I did the best I could to explain to the village the encounter. We succeeded in destroying the orcs, but not without the casualties. Sasanna filled in the gaps I wasn't aware of as I was blacked out for a portion of the battle.
 
Sassana had always kept me at an arms length, showing mistrust being a drow and all. Even with a cold shoulder I could tell she was thinking of Val'shann. I didn't press much to see how she was, using the last of my magic to heal her and keep some distance. It's was time to rest. I'll speak to her the following morning given she doesn't leave without me to plan our next move. Baron Saxton still needs the report on the mission. At least I have somewhat of a temporary end goal starting tomorrow.
 
I'm so sorry I couldn't save you Beauregard. Val'shann. Giselle. Even you Enna for the short time I knew you. You all must think the worst of me for running away. I had to survive for my mission. For Eilistraee's will. I hope you all find peace in the afterlife, and find it in your hearts to forgive me wherever you may be looking down from... (drops of tears on the journal) Especially you Beau. Without you I would still be lost in London, no understanding of the surface. I'll find some way to repay your family for the loss of you. (In undercommon) V'dre wun gre'as'anto. Xal dos ragar oirna gre'as'anto lueth ori'gato lil' phraktos mrimm dosst i'dol.
 
-Written hastily on the back of the final page-
 
Giselle just arrived alive in Greenstone. She was in just as bad shape as I am. Apparently as Sasanna and I escaped Giselle regained consciousness. According to Giselle, before making an escape she healed Val, but refused to retreat as a last stand against Bonebreaker as heroes never surrender. She doesn't believe Val survived afterwards. As bittersweet as this news is, this is terrific news. Beau and Enna may still be alive. Knowing the orcs they would be kept as slaves. No mercy my ass. If orcs are still anything like my kin back home spellcasters are always worth more alive than dead. Especially healers. The moment I recover my magic I intend on sneaking back to the camp. I hope to bring Sasanna and Giselle as well for assistance, but I would understand their hesitation. Dead or alive, I want to recover the fallen. Next time I write I hope it will be with good news.
-D.S