Knightly Letters: Ileas 24

by Alistan De la Roost

Dear Ileas,

Yesterday I paid the price for vengeance, and it's a price I will have to pay for the rest of my life if we can't fix things. And the worst is that I'm not even the one suffering the most for it.

But perhaps it's best to talk about what happened, yesterday we set out for the Black Knight's camp and after some last minute goading the fighting broke out. We took out their magic user rather quickly but were overwhelmed by skeletal knights and ghasts, I lost consciousness after a few strong hits from the knights, only to wake up to see the Black Knight entering the fray. Clad in plate and accompanied by a skeletal dragon, one that looked a lot like the skeleton we found near the cultist's hideout that was moved after our stand near Ravensfield.

Things were looking quite dire until Cypria flew in from above and struck at the skeletal dragon, but at this the Black Knight revealed the wooden lance that was stolen from the Cathedral. Though even with this he was forced to mount his skeletal dragon and leave, saying we lacked honor for not doing the challenge but we can find him at his keep. Part of me was happy to see him vanquished from these lands as we promised Morenthene, but the promise I made to Cypria, the one I made to Galiene rang hard in my ears, and how could I face them when I told them the lance slipped away once more. So I asked Cypria to take me to the sky and pursue the knight. And with the help of magic of Hayley and Lil the knight was forced to face us again. Even when a hit from the Black Knight made cursed vines sprout from my shoulder I egged Cypria on to get me close, since I was sure a good hit could separate the Black Knight from that lance. And indeed, a clean hit on his hand made him drop the lance, but Cypria, maybe afraid I was going for the kill, struck first. The world slowed down as the knight fell from the sky, the skeletal dragon collapsing with some last hits from our allies. But things got bad as the knight's armor faded away and black tendrils grabbed at Cypria, forcing their way into her and as her scales lost all color. We were powerless and I watched the pain in her eyes as the curse took hold and she lost consciousness, and she then transformed into a human form, that of a woman I cared more for than there were stars in the sky, Galiene. And if that wasn't enough, the armor on the Black Knight ebbed away to reveal Gideon, our dear brother, underneath, although with his head and body separated. It seems the Hag's prophecy had found its two lives...

Galiene being a copper dragon, Our brother being the Black Knight, the curse,... In truth, I would need a lifetime to make sense of what just passed, but that would have to wait as I rushed to Galiene's side, her skin cold to the touch. Though Hayley assured me there was still some breathing and a faint pulse, and with one of her brews she managed to reduce the black in her veins, but she was still left unresponsive. As Hayley looked over Galiene some more I took that moment to look over Gideon's body with my sister, since I was sure his remains were sent to Hillfield five years ago it warranted a closer look. But it was unmistakably him.

When Galiene was deemed stable we moved her and our brother's corpse to the Black Knight's camp, since at least they had some fire and warmth while we pondered on our next move. It also gave Luke the time to perform a ritual on our brother's body to prevent his body's decay, making that part of our upcoming journey a little bit less uncomfortable. In as much as travelling with the decapitated corpse of your brother and a comatose loved one can be considered comfortable.

It was also the best time to take a moment to rummage the belongings of Gideon's, or better said: the Black Knight's. We found some gold, but also journals and books he had with him. They also had multiple carts spread around the camp, probably for the significant amount of furniture and supplies they had with them. So when we decided to try our luck at Latebra Velora, we could at least give Galiene and Gideon some comfort in the cart. And even though we knew Galiene was not welcome, we hoped her taking the curse and us having just helped them out would smoothen things out, and even if they couldn't do anything about the curse we had reason to believe they have magic to bring us closer to Keralon. But the city was still a day away and the sun was already high in the sky, so when Galiene was deemed stable and we loaded all we wanted we set out, stopping along the road for the night. After drinking one of Hayley's brews to be rid of the cursed vines the black knight gave me I decided to set up next to Galiene to be there if she woke up at any point. But the day's exhaustion grabbed me almost immediately as I sat down and was greeted by nightmares. Nightmares of Galiene in pain, saying I failed her and Gideon accusing me of having no honor. Things I fear will haunt me in many nightmares to come.

The next day we arrived at Latebra Velora by noon, and luckily they were welcoming even to Galiene, When Lady Surina came back to us she even announced Velora Morenthene wanted to try curing Galiene with 'draconic spells', and since she's an all powerful greatwyrm with more experience on matters of dragons we had to at least have her try. And even though we weren't allowed to enter with Galiene, we set up in the tavern across of Morenthene's lair. The others were kind enough to stay with me for the hours it took, especially Lil who kept giving me food. But close to midnight we saw a dragonborn exit the lair and when we approached he said Morenthene expected us inside her lair, and when we got there it was visible on the Greatwyrm's face that things did not go to plan. Whatever magic she tried couldn't pierce through the curse on Galiene which seems like a complicated mix of fiendish and necromancy that was not intended to work on dragons, which is why the curse put Galiene in this state instead of waiting a year to strike like the Black Knight's curse usually does. But Hayley's brew stabilized the curse so we have a year or so until the curse takes her, giving a deadline of 18th of Brigan next year. And until that time she would sleep, unaware of the world around her.

Morenthene also offered to teleport us closer to Keralon, not straight into the city but a few days removed, which should massively cut down on the ten days or so it took to get here. But it had to wait until tomorrow morning, so we picked up Galiene and went back to our lodgings for some sleep.

But unlike last night, something resembling hope formed in me. Galiene was stable, we had time. And the next steps, while being desparate guesses, were clear enough: Investigate the Knight Nemeses, the Challenge of the Final Tournament and have a look at the Black Knight's journals and books. And if all that fails visit one of the other Knight Nemeses for more clues, or even the cult since the Black Knight clearly had dealings with them. With some luck and a good dose of help there might be a way to undo my mistakes, regardless of what a hag may have said.

One thing's for sure: where my last quest was set out with feelings of vengeance, this one will be set out with a stronger passion, love. And if the bards are to be believed, that might make all the difference.

Write you again soon,
Alistan

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Letter to Gideon 1
30th of Daga, 121 year of the tree

Letter to Gideon 2
1st of Lug, 121, Era of the Tree

Letter to Gideon 3
2-5 Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

Unsent letter to Gideon 4
6th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Letter to Gideon 5
6th of Lug, 121 EOT

Letter to Gideon 6
7th and 8th of Lug, Y121, Era of the tree

Letter to Gideon 7
8-10th of Lug, Year 121 Era of the Tree

Letter to Gideon 8
11-12th of Lug, Year 121, Era of the Tree

Letter to Gideon 9
13th of Lug, Year 121 Era of the Tree

Letter to Gideon 10
14th of Lug, 121 Era of the Tree

Last Letter to Gideon
15th of Lug, Y121 Era of the Tree

Letter to Mom and Dad
29th of Lug, Y121 Era of the Tree

Letter to Ileas 1
2nd of Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

A Tale of Three Chapter 1: Carnwen and the Captive
Y122, Era of the Tree

A Tale of Three Chapter 2: Petra and the Priest
Y124, Era of the Tree

A Tale of Three Chapter Three: Krysander and the Knight
Y125, Era of the Tree

Knightly Letter: Ileas 2
2nd of Nuan, Year 126, Era of the Tree

Knightly Letter: Galiene
4th of Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

Knightly Letter: Ileas 3
10th Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

Letter to Carnwen et al
14th of Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

Letter to Carnwen et. al 2
15th of Nuan, Y126, E.O.T.

Letter to Carnwen et. al 3
16th of Nuan, Y126 Era of the Tree

Letter to Carnwen et. al 4
17th of Nuan, Y126 EOT

Letter to Ileas 4
21st of Nuan, Y126 EOT

Letter to dad 1 pt 1
23rd of Nuan, 126 EOT

Letter to dad 1 part 2
23rd of Nuan, Y126 E.O.T.

Letter to Ileas 5
28th of Nuan, Y126, Era of the Tree

Letter to Ileas 6
29th of Nuan, Y126 EOT

Letter to Ileas 7
1st of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Letter to Ileas 8
3rd of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 9
9th of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 10
15th of Aran, Y126 Era of the Tree

Knightly Letter: Ileas 11
17th of Aran, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letter: Ileas 12
20th of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 13
21st of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 14
2st of Aran, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letter: Ileas 15
24th of Aran, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letters: Ileas 16
24th of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letters: Ileas 17
26th of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 17 pt 2
26th of Aran, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 18
2nd of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 19 part 1
6th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

The Journal Entry’s title

The Journal Entry’s title

Knightly Letter: Ileas 19 pt2
8th of Brigan, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letter: Ileas 19 Part 3
9th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Report to Keralon
9th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 20
11th of Brigan, Y126, E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 21

Knightly Letter: Ileas 22
16th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letters: Ileas 23
17th of Brigan, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letters: Ileas 24
18th of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letters: Ileas 25
21st of Brigan, Y126, EOT

Knightly Letter: Ileas 26
22nd of Brigan, Y126 E.O.T.

Knightly Letter: Ileas 26 pt2
23rd of Brigan?? Y126 EOT

Knightly Letters: Ileas 26 part 3
23rd of Brigan, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letter: Ileas 26 pt 4
23rd of Brigan, Y126 EOT

Knightly Letters: Ileas 24

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