Regarding the Chimera Incident
An Account of Tragedy and the fate of the Faceless Terror
One Elk Standing Rain, Head of the Council of Muirthemne,
I know now what I must do. It is a hard path I have chosen, but I must walk it alone. The Heron Guard is needed here, with the Emperor. I am needed elsewhere.
I know that you cannot understand why I journeyed into the Untamed Lands to seek the wisdom of the ancient texts, rather than return to the ways of war after we were absolved of our dishonor at Muirthemne. Though you do not understand it, there is power in a life of meditation and study, too.
When I first began to have visions I shared them with you, for the evil in them was familiar to me, but you dismissed them because peace has lain easily on our land. At first I also sought to dismiss them. Now, however, I see too clearly the gardens hung with bones, the silent march of skeletal armies and behind them all, a woman wielding a token of great power. You may believe that I have been scarred by too many battles and that I hear their echoes even in my dreams, but I know these visions are real and not the shadows of memory. I must act.
The irony of the situation does not escape me. One lone scholar leaving a camp of warriors behind to fight alone. Perhaps it is for the best. A scholar may use weapons that a warrior may not.
Fear not for my safety, old friends, for if I oppose an illusion I will be safe. I intend to seek out Fenris, a warrior of unequaled valor but heavy conscience, to ask him to aid me. I will be in good hands if I can find him. Still, as I turn toward the east, old memories return and they are enough to make me wish I had chosen the way of the sword...
Though I leave you, I remain your faithful friend,
Four Bear Silent Oak
Wild Ones of Ruewood, (hear, understand, believe) the one who is (calling, summoning, dreaming) you!
Who is (summoning, dreaming, hailing) the wild ones of Ruewood?
The Dream Runner is (dreaming, hailing, warning) you.
Dream Runner, the Wild Ones are (listening, hailing, greeting) you.
I am (bringing, showing, telling) you of danger that (approaches, devours, destroys)!
The Hive is (coming, attacking, killing) the gentle ones of Ruewood.
Why would the Hive Mother be (ordering, driving, commanding)?
Why does she send the Hive (attacking, killing, betraying) the gentle ones of Ruewood?
Who is (calling, leading, singing) the hunt for the wild ones of Ruewood?
I am (seeking, finding, hunting) the Hive Mother's will. I am (running, travelling, scouting) north to the heart of the Hive.
The wounded one of Ruewood is (singing, calling, leading) you.
Will you go (guarding, defending, rescuing) the gentle ones of Ruewood?
We will, Dream Runner. Wild ones of Ruewood come (hunting, fighting, howling) for the Dream Runner and the gentle ones of Ruewood.
The Militia of Swan's Crossing Minutes
The monthly meeting of the Swan's Crossing Militia was called to order just after sunset in Khay's Tavern.
The minutes from the last month's meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer's Report was given by Khay and approved.
Old Business:
The fifteen swords we ordered from Brighton arrived last week and the blacksmith was paid in full. Unfortunately, this did not leave enough gold in the treasury to purchase scabbards. Malory proposed a special dues collection to pay for the scabbards, seconded by Martin the Bard, but the motion was defeated.
Tyson's wife finished dying the militia's tunics. They are all now the same color and will be distributed after the meeting. The militia will meet next Monday morning to finish raising their new barn in payment. Peter's suggestion that the tunics be dyed sky blue was again tabled after a brief debate.
New Business:
Khay proposed that we move our training facilities from in front of the tavern out to the field where the old well used to be and further suggested that a second keg of ale be brought to next week's training session, seconded by Joseph. The motion passed unanimously.
James read a letter he received from General Fenris yesterday. He requested a small contingent be sent to escort him to the tomb of Kyrand the Mage. Martin once again told the story of Kyrand's final tragic battle. Barrett proposed that the militia accept the mission but also send a letter to the dwarven irregulars of Brighton and ask them to meet us on the way, seconded by Lee. The motion passed.
How ne'Ric went for to fight with the Banded Wasps, and how he saved his old companions from their foe.
So ne'Ric strode forth and when he beheld the evils the Banded Wasps had done upon the land he became wonderously wroth. Then ne'Ric did throw his quiver to the ground and his fellows did likewise.
With this arrow, he said, ends the treason of the Hive Mother. Then the swarm brake out from the trees before, and the Queen with the Hundred Banded Stings from behind, and set on ne'Ric fiercely.
With that ne'Ric turned with his archers, and smote behind and before, and ever ne'Ric was in the foremost press till his final arrow was spent.
Then ne'Ric did command his fellows to the front, and they slew many Wasps, and put the remnant to flight. And ye'Boah came unto ne'Ric, and counseled him to follow them no further. But ne'Ric pursued them and drove them from Ruewood.
We will leave ne'Ric for a time and speak of Fenris and Kyrand's Tomb. So Four Bear Silent Oak and Fenris and their fellows descended down into the tomb of Kyrand the Mage.
Then Fenris said thus: Ah, fie for shame, Kyrand, why are you here slain? Would that I lay here instead. And then he turned away his visage and wept and it were hard any tongue to tell the doleful complaints that he made for his fellow.
Then Fenris removed Kyrand's amulet from his grave and gave it to Four Bear Silent Oak. He then said to him: Ye shall see his death revenged lightly; for there liest the truest friend that ere drew breath.
So Fenris went deeply into the tomb and led his fellows through a hidden passage through the mountain to the valley beyond...
Fenris of Ruewood,
First, tell ne'Ric that I am sorry for his loss. The entire Dukedom appreciates the sacrifices his people have made in their fight against the Banded Wasps and the mysterious and powerful sorceress that commands them. Their suffering will not go unremembered, nor will it be in vain.
I know that there has been much mistrust between us. As a boy, I remember my father speaking of your bravery and valor; you were his most trusted general. But after he was killed in that final battle against the Fiend, I could not forgive you. I hated you then. When Kyrand, the most powerful sorcerer in a generation, fell in battle and you resigned from the army, I even suspected that you had betrayed and killed him.
However, I have seen your valiant efforts against the Banded Wasps and I have heard of the sacrifices you have made in defense of us all. I know now that I misjudged you, Fenris. You are not the vile betrayer I took you for.
This realization comes at a time when I have a great need for allies. I believe that there is a plot to assassinate me, incited by that devil Kyrilla. I fear that some of my chief advisors are involved, and I do not know who to trust. Since you have not been at court for years, I can trust you to help me repel this latest attack.
The messenger I sent will bring you to the beachhead at Cavanaugh, where I will meet you in secret. Please come and help me in my hour of need.
By my hand,
Baron Geoffrey Volsung
Baron Volsung,
Beware, for not everything is as it seems. Those that you trust have fallen under the power of your enemies, and even now they plot in secret to kill you. You are not safe from them, even when you sleep.
I know that you have never considered me a friend, and at times we have even been enemies. However, I have always been forthright and honorable in all of our dealings. I must rely on my reputation to convince you that I speak truthfully now. We share a common enemy, and I would protect you from her schemes.
I cannot trust more to paper, as it will speak to anyone that listens, but meet me on the beachhead at Cavanaugh three evenings hence, and I will reveal the nature of the plot. Until then, guard yourself with great care.
Your servant,
Fenris of Ruewood
Child of darkness, I summon you!
Lord of night, I summon you!
Creature of the sixth abyss, I summon and invoke you!
By the blood of my father, by the flames of the pit, I call you to me!
I need your help, lord. My father's killers are attacking. They have joined forces with the Baron I sought to use against them. They will soon storm this very stronghold you helped me build.
No, lord, I know. I do not doubt. But they are coming closer. Fenris and that foolish priest, all the jackals that gnawed my father's bones. I will have them dead!
Great one, I need power! These illusions will ensnare the unwary, but Fenris will not be fooled for long. Give me power to take my vengeance!
Thank you, lord. Soon I will lay Kyrand's shade to rest at last...
No! How could ne'Ric miss? We won't have a second shot at this! What do we do now... I can't even try to renew the spell because... oh damn, Cartucke is breaking free already. Perhaps I can contain him, buy us some time... I...
He is too strong, he will break free and ravage the world, I cannot allow it! I cannot...
I must wound him, weaken him, find some way to hurt him so he will be unable to reach the outside world. Yes, there is a way, and I am willing to sacrifice myself for this cause.
The pain, it is more than I expected... Kyrilla, beloved daughter, I do this for you, so that you might grow in a world free of darkness... One final step, I am beyond returning now. Cartucke, you demon, someone else will have to destroy you, but I give you this final gift!
The pain is fading, as am I. I wonder if I was successful, I must have been, Cartucke has retreated and Four Bear Silent Oak is leaning over me... asking me... I am fading...
No, heal the warrior, heal Fenris. I am past saving... even by your arts, old one. I will not rob my truest friend of your healing gifts.
I am comfortable, it seems to matter little now that I could not kill the Fiend... nothing seems to matter, save that I will never see Kyrilla come into her own power... perhaps she will finish the task I could not?
May it be so... farewell constant friends, farewell cherished daughter...
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