Vote of Confidence
Subject: Re: So...?
Don't forget time of year as well. But Sa'id's smarter than we are, I'm sure he'd remember to factor that in.
Let's Just Go Already
Subject: Re: So...?
Wait, we know about a gap in the mountain other than the hidden passage that we used to get in the first time? I don't remember that.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: So...?
I think Scott is referring to the gap that let the light into the temple chamber. I could be wrong, though.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: So...?
Well, I suppose we could drop Fellus into the temple that way...
From: Karl
Subject: Re: So...?
Sure, just cast Feather Fall and drop away. ;)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: So...?
The problem is, I don't know how wide that opening was, or how feasible it would be to tramp around on top of Kessel until we find it...
I say we start heading for the mountain, and maybe a solution will present itself.
Yes, Let's
Subject: Re: So...?
Is the consensus that the group is just going to keep heading for the mountain and see what happens?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: So...?
Sounds good to me.
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: So...?
Yes. :)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: So...?
Sounds good to Farron. He's a leaf in the wind.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: So...?
Farron must be a vampire. I mean look what happened to Wash.
msquared
From: Mike
Subject: Re: So...?
Yeah, that's about what I'm thinking.
*cough*
Subject: Re: So...?
*cough*
Do Matt and Scott agree with this course of action too?
Are We Still Playing?
Subject: Re: So...?
I proposed the freaking course of action, Raja.
:)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: So...?
Oops, I meant to say Matt and Dan. :P
From: Matt
Subject: Re: So...?
Sure, though at this point I don't really remember what the course of action is.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: So...?
We're just going to head toward the mountain and see if we can come up with a brilliant plan once we get there. There may be a way in, but we can't be sure until we see for ourselves, which may entail climbing the mountain. :P
From: Ty
Subject: Re: So...?
Hmmm...
Does this mean people want me to write another turn?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: So...?
Honestly, I have very, very little invested in this game... I'll continue it if folks want to, but I'm not going to push it the way I do 2350.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: So...?
If it is just one turn then no. If is the start of many turns to come then yes. :)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: So...?
What Mark said. I'm definitely still into this game.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: So...?
Personally, I just really want to know how it all ends.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: So...?
I'm still interested in the game, mostly in a "I want to know how it ends" sort of way. That could turn into a "holy crap I'm actively loving playing this" if the game really started going again, though.
Epilogue
Subject: Overlook; Epilogue
"Sir Garyth, Lord Valhelm is looking for you. The ceremony is almost ready to commence." A small page bows low and waits for an answer. Garyth nods distractedly, "Tell the Duke that I am at his disposal, and will come at once. I need only check on my men first." The page bows low once more, and leaves at a dead run.
Garyth remains motionless for a moment, looking down on the valley east of Overlook from his small hilltop. Not that long ago, this valley had been filled with slaughtered soldiers. Garyth shudders as he remembers the demon Kor'Garesh taking the field, and driving the army of Nesalin into ruin. Now, the valley was filled with tents and pavilions and colorful waving pennants. Once again two armies faced each other across the field, but now they laughed and waved and nothing more deadly than a good natured taunt was fired at the other side. On one side, the remaining army of Nesalin stood, their metal armor polished and gleaming like mirrors. On the other, the armies of the five tribes, brown and green like the earth.
Garyth stretches out his neck to catch a cool breeze, and closes his eyes to put his face toward the sun. It was nice to have the sun again, even if it did heat up the ridiculous plate armor they were forcing him to wear. 'It's the badge of knighthood!' they'd said. It's the badge of discomfort and silly pomp, Garyth did not reply. But he wears it now, hoping only to make it through the day and shed the uncomfortable metal in time for the party that night. Too bad he can't strip himself of the knighthood and its weight of ritual and responsibility as easily. To the survivors go the spoils. The thought crushes him like no amount of armor could. To the survivors...
He spins around and walks quickly down the hill, clanking like a foundry the whole way.
At the bottom of the hill is the camp of the Nesalin army. Munch and Vincy move into flanking positions, spreading the crowd with only the looks on their faces. Somehow, they have mastered the art of looking like they are seconds from drawing their swords at all times. Garyth wants to tell them to stop, to scream at them 'The war is over!' But in his mind, he is standing over Robert as the young Falcon coughs blood all over himself and gushes his life away through a horrible axe wound in his chest. Vincy and Munch stand at either side of him, shedding their own blood helping him protect the dying man's last moments. No, he will never yell anything at these men ever again. They have paid for his respect a thousand times over with their blood. And he knows that they stand at his side, ready to kill at a moments notice, because they think he saved them. They think he is the reason they are still alive. Even the idea makes him feel ill.
A squat soldier in gleaming plate snaps to attention when Garyth approaches. "Sir Garyth, the Falcon's are gathered and ready to move out at your command!"
Garyth nods, "Thank you, Captain. Please have them move to the marshaling field and take up the honor guard positions there. The Duke will begin the meeting in just a short time."
Simon remains in a rigid salute. "Sir! Yes Sir! It is the honor of every Blood Falcon to stand by your side as you attend the Duke." Garyth gives the man his best smile, and a snappy salute, and moves off. He'd thought it would get better. After the incredible chaos of the final battle, he'd pictured a quiet life helping rebuild his home. Instead, it had been ceremonies, meetings, balls, reception lines, appearances at court, and now this. He had gotten to spend a total of two days with his family. He just wanted this all to be over.
But as he moves through the crowd, he spots someone that instantly puts a smile on this face. Pushing through the knots of people between them, he takes Sa'id by surprise and lifts him in a crushing bear hug. "Sa'id! Thank the Gods you made it! We had no idea if our message had gotten through to Amar. The merchant captains are not always reliable..."
Sa'id grins, and finally manages to free himself from his friends grip. "Marhab-tein, talata, Garyth. Thank Pelor that I see you again." As Sa'id says this, he looks once and the sun and touches his heart. He then kisses Garyth on each cheek. The guardsman is too happy to even blush. "You are wearing the Sun pendant! You haven't joined the order, have you?"
Sa'id laughs. "No! I lack the temperament for the priesthood. But I have studied some."
Garyth shakes his head, "None of that matters. It's just good to see you again."
Sa'id bows a bit, "And you, my friend. It was good to go home for a time, but I think it is also good to return. I admit, I missed this island." As he finishes speaking, he looks sadly at the huge monument being built in the valley. "Some of us will never leave this place."
Garyth nods again. "This will not be an easy day. As soon as all this is over, come find me at the feast. I think we need to drink together tonight." Sa'id laughs, "I would drink with no one else!"
Garyth grips his arm, then walks away, Munch and Vincy still trailing. Munch says, "It was nice to see the wizard again, Sir." High praise from the taciturn Falcon.
Eventually, they reach the marshalling grounds. The Falcons are moving into position around the field as an honor guard, their weapons drawn and gleaming. Garyth hears his name whispered by the Falcon's nearest him as he passes. Sir Garyth, the Blood Falcon legend. It made him want to spit.
At the meeting pavilion, the Duke stands talking to several advisors. When he sees Garyth, he stops and waves him over. "Sir Garyth, glad you could make it." There is impatience in his tone, but also a hint of teasing. The Duke knows how uncomfortable Garyth is with the Pomp of court. "I'm sorry for my slowness, my Lord. Sa'id is here." The Duke nods and smiles. "Then all is forgiven. Someone else is looking for you. We have a few moments before the ceremony starts. Go inside and say hello." Garyth bows, and then enters the pavilion.
Inside, the lawyers and advisors are going over the final details of the accord and the accompanying ceremony. A group of Halflings stand with them, looking bored and itchy in their recently cleaned leathers. One of them yells out, "Garyth!" and then shoves his way past a clump of dignitaries to clench arms with his friend. "Hello, Rennik. You look fit."
Rennik laughs. "I'm getting fat from standing around, and stupider by the minute from listening to this drivel. Let's get out of here!"
Garyth takes him back outside. Rennik stops outside the pavilion to sniff the breeze, and close his eyes to the sun. Garyth laughs. "I do that too." Rennik nods. "I don't think anyone on this island will ever look at the sun the same way again."
"So, Rennik, I think maybe this is the best thing we did," says Garyth, gesturing at the huge meeting of human and halfling.
"Aye. We're all good friends now, aren't we. I hope it lasts."
Garyth points at the huge monument being built, with the names of the men and Halflings who fell in the battles with Kor'Garesh. "They seem to be serious about reminding people."
Rennik nods, "In the great field between the Kalama and Chorrdath lands, they are growing a tree on which these names will be carved. The Kutana tree. It is said to live forever if cared for. It is a sacred place now."
They share a quiet moment before Garyth says, "I got your invitation. I will be honored to attend your wedding my friend, though I'm sure there are better men to stand with you from your own tribe."
Rennik shakes his head fiercely. "No. No better man has ever stood at my side. That will not change." Garyth has to turn away for a moment before he can speak again.
"So, marrying the sister of Nukaru, the War Chief of the Kalama. Is this the beginning of the unification?"
Rennik smiles, "At first, yes, it was that. But we've spent time together now. My Ranurra is... she is more than that."
"I can't tell you how happy I am then, my friend. And I would be honored to stand by you when you are joined." They stand silent again, then "Rennik! Sa'id is here. I saw him on my way over. When the ceremony ends, we must find a quiet place to drink together. Just the five of us."
Rennik growls, "Nothing will stop it. There are fallen friends who must be honored this day."
They face each other once more, gripping forearms. "After, then." Rennik stops to greet both Munch and Vincy before walking away.
"Vincy, I want to go look at that monument." His men nod and follow him over.
It is not completed yet. The black stone they are quarrying to build it comes out of the mountain slowly. But the important names, the largest names, are already on it. The Sunmaster's name would go on the very top, when it was finished. Garyth trails his fingers across one. Farron. In his mind, he sees the two wizards standing together as a wall of undead charge them, their magics throwing the wave back, again and again, before they are finally overwhelmed. Kasen had charged over to help them, but Sa'id was the only one he could pull free. Kasen. He had stood guard over Farron's body, swinging the gleaming greatsword, Truth, cutting through the undead like grass, finally falling when his armor was riddled with Murrkat darts. Robert. Cut down by the wereboar's axe, just moments before Rennik killed it. Bartok. He had stood before the kneeling Sunmaster and pushed the Murrkat back again and again, only to have his throat cut by the bitch Elise. But it is the last name that finally brings him to tears. Pensive. The elf boy. He'd known Pensive less time than Farron. Why this name? Perhaps it was because when they found his body, it was cut and mutilated over and over again. And of them all, Pensive was the most innocent. He had looked like a child in death. In his hand he had still clutched the small token given him by Elvira. He had been the last to fall, just seconds before the Sunmaster's prayer was finished. He had bought them the final few seconds they needed. His body had been hacked to pieces, but on his untouched face was most beatific smile.
Garyth stands at the monument and weeps in great wracking sobs, while Munch and Vincy face the crowd around, daring any comment with their eyes.
To Garyth's great surprise, the ceremony is perfect. The Duke discards pomp for simple gratitude, at one point bowing low before the Halfling chieftans, his voice cracking with real emotion as he thanks them for their aid during the time of the demon, and begging for their lasting friendship. The Halflings are not without emotion, and Nukaru weeps openly as he accepts the Duke's alliance and thanks the people of Nesalin for their aid following the war.
Behind the Halfling chiefs, Garyth spots Rennik standing in the position of honored war leader, a beautiful Halfling woman at his side. Ranurra, then. Garyth feels a pang of envy. Someday, he would have time to look. He hopes it is soon. He almost aches for the farm and family life of his brothers. Soon.
When it is over, the feast begins, and Garyth sheds the uncomfortable armor, putting on regular clothes instead. No need for armor this night. Not with all the armies of Nesalin and the Halflings here, and a hundred fanatically devoted Blood Falcon's at his beck and call. He straps on his sword, but that is to honor his father who also carried it once.
When he has dressed, he finds Sa'id and Rennik sitting alone at a small table. A large cask of wine occupies the top. Garyth and his two Falcon's take their seats while it's poured. He feels the four of them looking at him, waiting. Is he still the leader, even now? Maybe, for this one last thing. Maybe for this. He raises his glass.
"To sitting under the sun with brothers. To the demon in his prison again. But most of all, to companions who have fallen, and to those that remain, and to bonds that even a demon may not sever."
It is a very good party.