The War

Its late at night. Renaldine is walking the grounds in self contemplation. The worst part of being Reborn, is the no sleeping. I can deal with no eating, no breathing, but being up at night, alone, just magnifies how solitary I feel. The outer walls of the castle are complete. The presence of Agate the stone giant is the reason things went so fast and smooth. Climbing the steps to the east tower, Renaldine leans on the battlements. Looking out over the land, she winces at the thought of battle and people dying. She worries most for the peasants who have volunteered to take up arms. At first she said no, they are untrained and probably will be fighting trained forces. This is a recipe for slaughter. One peasant spoke up
 
Who are you to tell us what we can fight for, and if necessary, die for!?!?! This is our town, our land, who more then anyone else deserves to fight for it!
 
Renaldine conceded the rebuttal reluctantly.
 
Laying down on her back, gazing up at the night sky, she ponders the day tomorrow. Battles will rage, forces will clash, and yes, people will die. She didn't doubt this was the right thing to do, she just abhorred the cost. She had done all she could and could do no more with the time she had. Kemurials magic armor and the White Tusk Orcs were powerful tools. She had hoped the delayed arrival would be a strategic advantage. Surely, Peleton would not expect the Orcs he aligned with to fight against him
 
As the night waned, Renaldine decided to go down to the kitchen and start preparations to make a meal all could enjoy. It would be some of the peoples last meal.
 
As the sun rose, the colors basked the surrounding environment with brilliant colors of nature. Perhaps, today is a good day to die, again she thought.
 
Then, it began. Signal arrows announcing the arrival of the arm, and oh, what an army it is. 3 Catapults being drawn into position, archers and an infantry of hobgoblins escorted by knights on cavalry.
 
STEADY! STEADY She called out to the forces. We have our surprises as well.
 
Renaldine and the party decided to ascend the east tower for a birds eye view. If Peleton tried to enter the castle via the secret path, this was the quickest way to intercept.
 
But, another surprise. Peleton and 7 of his henchman just appeared on the roof from out of nowhere. A mage, holding a scroll that disintegrated.... Damn, Teleport!
 
The party hurried downstairs to intercept. Kemurial and Rory charge into battle right off. This would create a party separation that would be problematic. At first, Peletons forces seem to take control. Freya's Wall of Fire was crucial. Rory and Kemurial were absorbing attack after attack.
 
Word would arrive from the battle that the Hobgoblin forces had clashed with the peasants, and although we would lose some, they held steadfast. Kemurial activated his magic armor summoning a mounted flying cavalry attacking their archers from the left. In turn, I blew the White Tusk Horn, and their 3 squads attacked the archers and the catapults from the right. It was a rout. Their forces would be obliterated and the experienced forces would rout. The surprise was effective.
 
I was about to move in and support the fighters, their mage raised a Wall of Force. It not only separated me from healing duties, it boxed in Freya. For the first time in my adventures with this party, I felt fear that I could not save them. Rory would fall, but Kemurial would revive him and they would kill the mage. With the mage gone, the wall of force would fall. This was the turning point for us. I advancesd and Freya would pull of the magic trick of the era by pulling a Tryanasaurus Rex out of her hat. She polymorphed Rory, essentially saving his life. In one swoop, Rory would grab Pelton and fling his lifeless corpse out through the whole in the roof into the courtyard.
 
The rest of Peletons officers surrendered. As the dust settled, we started the process of cleaning up the battlefield. All the fallen would be buried in the Castle yard with a special memorial listing each name carved into the wall by Agate.
 
Final war administration complete, it is once again night time. Renaldine once again ascends the tower. Looking out over the battlefield, she ponders what has been. Looking over where the peasants fell, she falls to her knees and starts sobbing. Her body convulsing with each sob she feels every loss.
 
At that moment, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and a familiar, quieting voice.
 
It is okay young Doomguide.
 
Renaldine looked up with her eyes swollen, tears streaming down her face. The Doomguide that visisted at her Rebirth had returned.
 
"Did they have to die" exclaimed Renaldine
 
The Doomguide helped Renaldine to her feet. She hugged her firmly and whispered
 
"each life has its choices. They live their lives deciding what is important to them. I can tell you that each soul that perished from your troops were escorted to their Gods. They are in their place of reward."
 
Renaldine pulled back and looked at the Doomguide.
 
"Im not sure I can handle this. My hart aches, I dont feel good at all about what has transpired. So many dead."
 
The Doomguide cocked her head and said, "You are exactly what we need. We need people whose hearts are not hardened. People who live their lives with compassion, and morality. You save a town, a people. You brought together enemies, and teamed them up to defeat a greater enemy, creating a community of harmony. No Renaldine, you did not fail, you succeeded greater then we could have imagined."
 
Renaldine composed herself, took a deep breath, looked back into the eyes of the Doomguide, "Well, if Kelemvor still wants me, I will still follow"
 
The Doomguide embraced Renaldine once more, and then, was gone. The sun broke the horizon and again, painted the land with glorious colors.
 
Renaldine smiled "A break in the gloom".