Entry 21: Cultists twarted

by Hayley Thomas

Dear diary,

A week has passed since I last wrote here, and a whirlwind of events has swept through our lives. The city has been abuzz with activity for the past five days, all in preparation for the grand welcoming of Norgar Laar and Rachnar Ergoll. On the 10th, they will be officially received by the king, and the anticipation has everyone in a frenzy. Merchants and bards have flocked to Keralon, turning the city into a vibrant tapestry of color and sound.

Alistan and I, ever mindful of our new duties, decided to lend our hands to the city guards, helping guide the chaos into something manageable. While we were busy maintaining order, the others indulged in the festivities. My brother, Luke, seemed intent on diving headfirst into another romance, with Gael as his wingman. However, our elven companion proved more interested in forging useful connections than flirting with barmaids.

The most intriguing development during this time was the arrival of Robert Talespiner, our old friend and former travel companion. Robert, who had journeyed past Ravensfield to reach the city, brought with him a letter from Zem and Sapphira. Their message was alarming: Ravensfield has been plagued by thefts and mysterious animal attacks.

After sharing the troubling news with the group, I made my intentions clear. Once the festivities are over, I plan to head to Ravensfield to investigate. The city may be caught up in celebration, but some things cannot be ignored. The safety of our friends and the tranquility of their village are paramount, and we must act to protect them.

The procession to the palace would pass right by Erna’s Wish, which was perfect for us. We decided to watch from the tavern's roof, promising Feyris we wouldn't damage it. Early in the morning, we gathered there, savoring our dragon-themed breakfast and steering clear of the already drunk crowd that had spilled out of the inns and onto the streets.

When the procession moved below us, we tried to catch the attention of Rachnar and Norgar. Liliana, ever the subtle one, started waving her flaming sword around. It worked—both Rachnar and Norgar noticed us, waving and bowing in return. Then, without warning, Norgar collapsed from his drake.

It says something about us that we immediately suspected foul play. Without hesitation, I sent Fiachna swooping down to deliver a healing spell to Norgar, all the while scanning for signs of trouble. Just then, I spotted three cloaked figures on a neighboring roof, and Liliana pointed them out to the rest of us.

With practiced ease, our group sprang into action.

Gael and I acted in sync, weaving our respective magics to trap the assassins. Vines and thorns erupted from the rooftop, forming a dense barrier around them. Meanwhile, Alistan executed a near-impossible dash across a washing line, aiming for the opposite roof where a spectral figure had appeared to attack us. It was astonishing—seeing someone in such heavy armor pull off a feat like that.

The most dangerous threat, however, descended from the sky. A huge manticore crashed down onto the roof right next to Gael, ready to strike. With the assassins contained and the specter dealt with, we focused our combined might on the flying beast. It attempted to flee, but a well-placed arrow from Dadroz ended its flight, sending it crashing back onto the roof, lifeless.

With the battle on the roof over, we turned our attention to the chaos unfolding on the streets below. Cultists clad in the same red robes as those we had faced in the palace were attacking the draconian guards in what seemed like a suicidal mission. They stood no chance against the skilled fighters, but it was all a diversion. Amidst the chaos, another cultist managed to steal something from Norgar’s pack and fled down the streets.

Alistan, Dadroz, and Gael gave chase, while Luke and Liliana dealt with the surviving assassins. I perched on the roof and shifted my vision to Fiachna, my trusted companion, to give chase from the sky. Luckily, I did. Unhampered by the crowd, it was much easier to keep track of the fleeing cultist and guide the others in the right direction.

The chase finally ended in a square a good distance away from Erna’s Wish. Two other cultists were waiting for us there, and another fight broke out. It quickly became clear they were no match for Gael, Dadroz, and Alistan. With nowhere else to go, the leader of the cultists yelled, “Release the beast!” in a language my companions didn’t understand. Luckily, I did, so I managed to give them a warning right before a door burst apart and a massive flesh golem lumbered into view.

The grotesque creature towered over us, its patchwork body stitched together from various sources, emanating an aura of sheer terror. Its soulless eyes locked onto us, and with a guttural roar, it charged. Alistan, Dadroz, and Gael immediately switched their focus, recognizing the threat.

With no magic weapons or offensive spells available, fighting the monster would be impossible. Alistan, quick on his feet and even quicker in thought, grabbed the stolen gem and they bolted. His stroke of brilliance wasn’t just in the escape, but in luring the rampaging beast toward a group of knights. These knights, armed with magical swords, made quick work of the golem, dispatching it with practiced ease.

By the time Liliana, Luke, and I arrived at the scene, it was all over. The once-threatening golem lay in pieces, and the square was slowly calming down. Shortly after, Sir Donovan arrived with some of the royal guards. Already informed of our intervention in the assassination attempt, he was mightily impressed with our actions, especially in recovering the stolen gem.

In a show of gratitude and respect, Sir Donovan casually gifted a magical sword to Alistan, declaring it improper for a knight to be without one. He then offered two of his own gemmed rings as a reward to the rest of us. Bless Luke for being sensible and taking them, especially since Gael and Liliana wanted to refuse out of modesty.

With the excitement over, we headed back to Erna’s Wish for some well-deserved food and drinks. And, of course, to repair the roof—we did promise Feyris, after all. Luckily, I know exactly the right spell for that! As I cast the spell to mend the roof, we couldn’t help but laugh at the day’s wild events. The roof, much like our spirits, was soon restored, ready to face whatever adventure awaited next.

10th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

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Entry one: The trials

Entry two: The bramble

Entry 3: Rosebloom

Entry 4: Hearts and Dreams

Entry 5: of ghosts and wolves

Entry 6: Hillfield and Deals with Fae

Entry 7: mysteries and pastries

Entry 8: The scarecrow ruse
6th of Lug, 121 Year of the Tree

Entry 9: A betrayal of satyrs
7th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 10: The fate of twins
8th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 11: Cursed twins
10th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 12: Loss and despair
11th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Hayley's rules to being a Witch

Entry 13: the price of safety
12th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 14: A golden cage and fiery tower
13th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 15: A trial by fire
14th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Entry 16: Keralon
15th of Lug, 121 year of the Tree

Letter to Luke 1

Letter to Luke 2

Letter to Luke 3

Letter to Luke 4

Letter to Luke 5

Letter to Luke 6

Entry 17: I shall wear midnight
1st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 18: peace in our time
2nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 19: Caern Fussil falls
3rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 20: I see fire
4th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 21: Cultists twarted
10th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 22: Ravensfield
14th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 23: The Hollow Hill Horror
15th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 24: Burn your village
16th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 25: Ravensfield burns
17th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 26: There will be blood!
21st of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 27: A happy reunion
22nd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 28: The embassy ball
23rd of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 29: The fate of Robert Talespinner
24th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 30: A royal summons
28th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 31: of Dogville and Geese
29th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 32: A boggle named Pim
30th of Nuan, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 33: A deal broken
1st of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 34: The cost of doing what is right
2nd of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 35: A dish best served cold
9th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

entry 36: Cornu returns?
10th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 37: A letter from Amarra
11th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 38: The case of the (not) missing villagers
14th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 39: A curse broken
15th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 40: Into the Lorewood
18th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 41: Cabin in the Woods
19th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 42: Myrdin and Anaya
20th of Aran, 126 Era of the Tree

Entry 43: Into the Immerglade
21st of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 44: A tale as old as time
22nd of Aran, 127 Era of the Tree

Entry 45: The truth
23rd of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 46: Luke's Ordeal
24th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 47: The festival
26th of Aran, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 48: Trouble at the Cathedral
2nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 49: Quinn's court
4th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 50: onwards to Latebra Velora
5th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 51: Where is my cow?
6th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 52: Here be dragons
7th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 53: Dragon hoard with a side of scarabs
8th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 54: Leave the basilisks alone
9th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 55: Return to Ravensfield
10th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 56: The needs of the many...
11th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 57: Dreams of Sister Willow
12th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 58: wetlands be wet
13th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 59: Baron Perenolde
14th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 60: Talebra Velora and the lady Morenthene
15th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 61: Cypria
16th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 62: Dragon takes Knight
17th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 63: Return to Talebra Velora
18th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 64: Your presence is “requested”
19th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 65: I stand alone
20th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 66: A day of normalcy
21th of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 67: Into the Neverhold
22nd of Brigan, 128 Era of the Tree

Entry 68: The Warg King

Entry 69: Chased by birds

Entry 21: Cultists twarted

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