The Messenger

It was hard to calm down even in one’s own trance. Lady Eilistraee’s aid was unconventional, but beggars can’t be choosers, so I thankfully welcomed any help I got. I wasn’t so sure of how it would work, though. But perhaps, if the need would rise, I would get to know that. I could always ask, and that made me feel more at ease. I had someone to guide me if I would feel lost. To be honest, I wasn’t lost. I knew exactly where I was going.

Suddenly, there I sat by the campfire in a dark, sleeping forest. The smoke’s smell and crackling sound of embers were comforting. It brought back so many similar memories; nights that felt endless, yet somehow comforting. The horizon which would start to get lighter and lighter, announcing the beginning of sun’s ascension. I stared at the orangery flames, shaking my head, sitting cross-legged on the ground like I had used to do. Here I was again, in a place I had not visited in my trance in ages, even actively trying to avoid it… for such a long time. Every story has a beginning and an end, and somehow, without any further notice, my story had become a circle: I was, again, at the very same point where I had started my journey almost 300 years ago.

Why? I raised my hands when I felt them trembling. Blood had stained my pale skin red and the blood of the innocent would never wash off. So why was I fighting? More people would end up dead at this rate. More souls, damned for eternity, because of me. Wouldn’t it be much wiser to stop before it got out of hand? Before my family would get hurt. Nharaigh had already been wounded, even though it had not directly been my fault. My precious baby boy… So, before anything worse would happen... Eilstacia, Mion, Aod, my daughters… and even one younger paladin lady who had began to travel with me. I was not afraid of failing, no; I was afraid of my loved ones suffering because of me. What if I’d just run, move away from the Island, away from the whole Umeros, insolently showing no gratitude towards the dark Goddess who had bestowed her gifts on me and expected me to do my part. Why would I care? Why?

“You fight because you must. You must fight for your family, fight for your country, fight for the innocent lives that could be lost if you were not there to protect them.”

I raised my teary eyes from my palms. On the other side of the campfire sat a figure I had not expected to see.
“Taelras!”
I gasped, voice wavering, almost more of a sob than the name of my beloved mentor.
“Let's proceed quietly and try to estimate their strength, then return. I am positive they are too strong for us to take down alone, but we need to know if the others have heard the news already, and if not, we need to head back and inform them.”
I stared at him, his long hair neatly on a functional ponytail, his sword resting on his lap as he had been cleaning it with a rag. He looked just the same as the last time I had seen him; the years hadn’t made his eyes foggy and never would. He never got to see a peaceful end. His words, even if just a modified recollection from my memories, brought me strength. We had a plan now. There was nothing to be afraid of. We were soldiers, brothers-in-arms. I was not alone. I was still fulfilling my duty.

“If something happens to me, you are in charge. Do you understand?”
He asked and smiled to me, in that brotherly way I had missed for so long. His soft, compassionate, and encouraging smile. The smile which always had been able to drive away my doubt and uncertainty. He had always believed in me.
“Yes.”
I could only utter, something annoyingly stuck in my throat.
“Go, Kerymis, you softhearted fool. Go.”
I couldn’t help my tears. Even after all these years I still missed him. Part of me had died that day when he had sacrificed himself for us. And in my trance, I realized I would be doing the same.
“Warn the others, I will hold them off.”
He promised beyond the centuries separating us. I broke down crying, yet I answered his smile.
“Thank you, Taelras, I know you will. I know you will…”
I gasped, wiping my tears on my sleeve. Even beyond his death and another life a memory of him still lingered with me and gave me strength. I was in charge. I would warn the others. Of course, I knew I could do it; I had already done it once. I would not let him down.

I was the messenger.

Worried of his family, Kerymis Donaevel headed to the dreaded Underdark with Ilphinidia Pridescar to have a talk with  Great Matron Council of Mori'tarna about his recent findings. He just couldn't stand by and do nothing about the abhorrent information of his country's crimes during the latest war, so he committed a treason and became a whistleblower. He tries to make the information known to all parties of the war, risking his own life but also the life of his family, friends, and everyone living on the Island he calls home. As the time is ticking, his stress-levels are rising and recently he has been doubting himself and the choice he made: did he choose incorrectly? Will everything turn into yet another war?

In his trance, after meeting The Goddess Eilistraee, he has returned back to the campfire from his past when he was in bladesinger training and is suprised seeing a memory of Taelras there. His old mentor sacrifized himself on their first real mission and Kerymis still keeps blaming himself for it. During their short discussion, Kerymis finds some bits of courage and inner peace and realizes that this is all something he has already done before. The circle is finally full.