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16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 24: Burn your village

by Hayley Thomas

Dear diary,
 
The trip back from the temple went smoothly, and we decided to drop the two prisoners off with Zem and Saphira. They could keep guard over them while we dealt with Reynis for the night. Tying him up and blindfolding him hadn’t worked, so we brought some chains, hoping they'd be stronger.
 
Unsurprisingly, they weren’t. In his drake form, Reynis snapped the chains like they were paper. But we were prepared this time, and the fight was over before he could unleash his full strength. Alistan landed the final blow, knocking him out and forcing him back into his true form.
 
We headed back to my cabin at the edge of Ravensfield. By the time we arrived, the two prisoners had woken up. Liliana immediately began her interrogation, but they kept their lips sealed. Unfortunately for them, I have more tricks up my sleeve than just curses. As Liliana bombarded them with questions they refused to answer, I subtly started scanning the leader’s mind, searching for the things he wasn’t saying.
 
As I relayed the information that Vezzir’s goal was to create dragons, the leader realized I was reading his mind. He decided talking might be the better option after all. Like so many fanatics, his cult was deluded, convinced that their twisted mission to turn all people into dragons justified their heinous acts. They even wondered why we opposed them, believing that sacrificing innocent people was a small price to pay. In the end, they were just like any other oppressor, out to rule the world by force.
 
We pressed for more details about the cult’s headquarters in Keralon and Vezzir’s location, but got nowhere. However, when Luke asked about the champion from Arcarost, the leader panicked and bit off his own tongue to stop himself from speaking. The other cultist, clearly in shock from what had happened, caught our attention. Desperate and terrified, he offered to give us the information we needed in exchange for his freedom.
"Nice try," Gael muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon. "But we’re not letting you go."
 
Exhausted and knowing my magic was depleted for the day, we decided to leave it for now. In the morning, I could probe his mind again and get the information we needed. As the night deepened, we made our preparations for another watchful vigil.
 
Before heading off to bed for some well-deserved rest, Luke went to find Dan, hoping his trade consortium had a scroll of polymorph. Unfortunately, they didn't have one, but Dan did offer another possibility. Close to the village, in the Lorewood, there is a magic circle where you can perform a ritual to summon a hag. Dealing with her could provide the aid we need, but at a steep price. Needless to say, I gave a stern no to any plan involving a hag, though I did agree with Luke to check out the place and see if it was connected to Neverhold.
 
The next morning, I returned to the cultist and probed his mind for information about the champion. To our shock, the vision pointed to none other than our travel companion, Robert Talespinner! Could he be their champion? He certainly loves telling stories about dragons. We didn’t have much time to contemplate this revelation, as sounds of panic erupted from the streets outside. Rushing out, we saw people fleeing from the center of Ravensfield, crying out about monsters attacking!
 
Leaving the two cultists in the care of Zem and Saphira, we sprinted to the village center. A wave of undead kobolds and towering dragonflesh golems swarmed between the buildings, attacking anyone in sight. The chaos was overwhelming, but we fought with everything we had.
 
Despite their numbers and resilience, we cut down the attackers one by one. The air was filled with the clash of steel, the crackle of magic, and the cries of the wounded. But we held our ground, determined to protect Ravensfield. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last of the monsters fell. The village center was a battlefield, but we had prevailed.
 
Breathing heavily, we took a moment to assess the damage and check on the villagers. Many were injured, and some buildings had been damaged, but the immediate threat was gone. I looked at my companions, their faces smeared with sweat and dirt but their eyes burning with resolve. We had faced another attack and come out victorious, but the fight against the cult was far from over.
 
As the rest of our group rushed to the western edge of the village to see where the monsters had come from, I moved around the square to aid those who had been wounded. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and blood, and the cries of the injured filled the air. I worked quickly, using what healing magic I had left and bandaging wounds as best I could. The villagers’ gratitude was a small comfort amidst the chaos.
 
Meanwhile, at the western edge, four minor dragons and their riders swooped down from the sky, ambushing my companions. This fight proved to be much more of a challenge. The dragons were agile, swooping in and out, their riders launching attacks with deadly precision.
 
Bit by bit, we managed to take down the riders, forcing the dragons to engage us on the ground. Their roars filled the air, but we stood our ground, fighting with everything we had.
 
When only two dragons remained, a call came from the sky. A massive wyvern hovered a little distance away, its rider a dragonborn in heavy armor. For a moment, the battlefield fell silent as everyone turned to face this new threat. The wyvern’s wings beat slowly, its eyes watching us with a predatory gaze. The dragonborn rider, his armor glinting in the dim light, surveyed us with a calm, calculating expression.
 
We expected him to swoop down and finish what his lackeys had started, but he didn’t attack. Instead, he approached, and spoke in a voice that was both resonant and cold. "Are you the knights from Keralon who destroyed our temple at Hollow Hill?" he asked.
 
We exchanged glances, wary but resolute. "Yes," Gael replied, stepping forward. "We are."
 
The dragonborn nodded, as if he had expected this answer. "You have disrupted our plans and slain many of my kin. For that, I offer you a choice." His eyes gleamed with a twisted sense of honor.
 
The dragonborn gave us an ultimatum that twisted my stomach with rage. “Evacuate the village and face me and my army alone,” he declared, his voice booming across the trembling village. “In that case, I will spare the villagers. But if you flee with them, I will hunt everyone down and kill them all.” His cold eyes scanned our faces, making sure his threat hit home. “In 24 hours, I will return with my army and burn Ravensfield to the ground.”
 
How dare he call himself honorable! My blood boiled as I thought of the carnage his monsters had already caused. They had stormed the village, killing innocent people even before knowing we were here! His intention to destroy Ravensfield—my home, my steading—had nothing to do with honor, only petty vengeance.
 
With his ultimatum given, the dragonborn ascended into the sky on his wyvern, his two remaining dragons trailing behind. Their shadows cast a grim pall over the village, a promise of the destruction to come.
 
With no choice but to evacuate and face the dragonborn’s wrath tomorrow, I gathered Dan and the village mayor. I laid out the grim reality before them, convincing them that while Ravensfield could be rebuilt, lives lost were irreplaceable. They agreed, and soon, the villagers began packing up, making their way towards Keralon. The exodus was bittersweet, but necessary.
 
Reynis, our cursed ally, vowed to stay with us. “You’ve helped me so much,” he said, determination burning in his eyes. “It’s time I return the favor and get some payback on the cult that did this to me.” We gratefully accepted his offer. His strength would be crucial in the fight ahead.
 
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of preparation. If the dragonborn wanted to burn Ravensfield, he’d do it on my terms. We turned the village into a deathtrap, rigging it with flammable materials and hidden snares. Every street, every alley became a potential ambush point. If Ravensfield was going to burn, it would burn to our benefit.
 
16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Continue reading...

  1. Entry one: The trials
  2. Entry two: The bramble
  3. Entry 3: Rosebloom
  4. Entry 4: Hearts and Dreams
  5. Entry 5: of ghosts and wolves
  6. Entry 6: Hillfield and Deals with Fae
  7. Entry 7: mysteries and pastries
  8. Entry 8: The scarecrow ruse
    6th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree
  9. Entry 9: A betrayal of satyrs
    7th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  10. Entry 10: The fate of twins
    8th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  11. Entry 11: Cursed twins
    10th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  12. Entry 12: Loss and despair
    11th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  13. Hayley's rules to being a Witch
  14. Entry 13: the price of safety
    12th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  15. Entry 14: A golden cage and fiery tower
    13th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  16. Entry 15: A trial by fire
    14th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  17. Entry 16: Keralon
    15th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree
  18. Letter to Luke 1
  19. Letter to Luke 2
  20. Letter to Luke 3
  21. Letter to Luke 4
  22. Letter to Luke 5
  23. Letter to Luke 6
  24. Entry 17: I shall wear midnight
    1st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  25. Entry 18: peace in our time
    2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  26. Entry 19: Caern Fussil falls
    3rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  27. Entry 20: I see fire
    4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  28. Entry 21: Cultists twarted
    10th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  29. Entry 22: Ravensfield
    14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  30. Entry 23: The Hollow Hill Horror
    15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  31. Entry 24: Burn your village
    16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  32. Entry 25: Ravensfield burns
    17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  33. Entry 26: There will be blood!
    21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  34. Entry 27: A happy reunion
    22nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  35. Entry 28: The embassy ball
    23rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  36. Entry 29: The fate of Robert Talespinner
    24th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  37. Entry 30: A royal summons
    28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  38. Entry 31: of Dogville and Geese
    29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  39. Entry 32: A boggle named Pim
    30th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree
  40. Entry 33: A deal broken
    1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  41. Entry 34: The cost of doing what is right
    2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  42. Entry 35: A dish best served cold
    9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  43. entry 36: Cornu returns?
    10th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  44. Entry 37: A letter from Amarra
    11th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  45. Entry 38: The case of the (not) missing villagers
    14th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  46. Entry 39: A curse broken
    15th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  47. Entry 40: Into the Lorewood
    18th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  48. Entry 41: Cabin in the Woods
    19th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  49. Entry 42: Myrdin and Anaya
    20th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree
  50. Entry 43: Into the Immerglade
    21st of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree
  51. Entry 44: A tale as old as time
    22nd of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree
  52. Entry 45: The truth
    23rd of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree
  53. Entry 46: Luke's Ordeal
    24th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree
  54. Entry 47: The festival
    26th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree
  55. Entry 48: Trouble at the Cathedral
    2nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  56. Entry 49: Quinn's court
    4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  57. Entry 50: onwards to Latebra Velora
    5th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  58. Entry 51: Where is my cow?
    6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  59. Entry 52: Here be dragons
    7th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  60. Entry 53: Dragon hoard with a side of scarabs
    8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  61. Entry 54: Leave the basilisks alone
    9th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  62. Entry 55: Return to Ravensfield
    10th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  63. Entry 56: The needs of the many...
    11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  64. Entry 57: Dreams of Sister Willow
    12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  65. Entry 58: wetlands be wet
    13th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  66. Entry 59: Baron Perenolde
    14th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  67. Entry 60: Talebra Velora and the lady Morenthene
    15th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  68. Entry 61: Cypria
    16th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  69. Entry 62: Dragon takes Knight
    17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  70. Entry 63: Return to Talebra Velora
    18th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  71. Entry 64: Your presence is “requested”
    19th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  72. Entry 65: I stand alone
    20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  73. Entry 66: A day of normalcy
    21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  74. Entry 67: Into the Neverhold
    22nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree
  75. Entry 68: The Warg King
  76. Entry 69: Chased by birds