Song of the Immortal Sky - Part 5
Know that the agents of Raggok, mad and bitter, grew ever bolder in their efforts. Know that against them stood Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger, as well as his old friend, the Windling Zivilyn, and a new friend, Karl son of Tom, a Human Archer.
It began with news of attacks on travelers and caravans. Taken with the winning demeanor of Karl son of Tom, the agent who began this mission spoke of a common thread. Know that it was not silks or spices, gold or gems, that the bandits sought. Know that it was the wisdom of scholars and the ancient and arcane things that they might carry.
Know that Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger did make of himself a target in the fashion of his ancestors. He strode from ale house to tavern and in each he declared that it had fallen to him to protect the wise scholar, Zivilyn. He bragged and he boasted and drank his fill. And then he went home. Drunk.
Know that the next day, the three did set out, along with Pepper, whose friendship Zivilyn had one on Temur's courtship quest, and also a goat. Know that in these stories, there is always a goat.
The seeds planted in the taprooms and public houses of Throal bore fruit. For only a few days into their journey to nowhere, the three found their path blocked by bandits.
Know that these bandits were fools, for they identified themselves as inspectors of Throal in search of contraband. Know that the world is young and there are no such things.
The heroes did laugh in the face of these bandits, which angered the fools as fools are wont to anger easily. Battle was on! Temur was wounded, but the conflict was otherwise swiftly resolved. In questioning the surviving bandit, the Adepts did learn that there was another ambush set, further to the north.
Know that the Adepts did not spare more than a moment for their own wounds. They did not rest the night nor did they sit for a proper meal. Instead, they took to the path with haste, with urgency, and with the desperate desire to save those who might otherwise fall.
In two hours, they came upon a caravan beset. Many dwarfs lay fallen. Some few still fought bravely, axes and shields raised against the ghouls that beset them. A brave ork battled two sly elves. And behind them, a ponderous Obisidiman and a fierce Troll.
Know that while the previous battle, though lesser, was full of chaos. Know that these heroes had learned their lesson. They tricked their foes by sending the smallest of them into the front lines. Zivilyn charged forward along with Pepper and though the brave horse was wounded, Zivilyn was unscathed.
From one flank, Karl son of Tom did lay upon the enemies with his swarm of arrows. And from the other, Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger did circle and shoot from Ayanga's mighty back. The ork did brave battle with the elves. Karl son of Tom picked off the ghouls, one by one. Wise Zivilyn called the spirits of hunting cats who harried and knocked down the enemies.
And then did Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger give voice to his battle cry. And Ayanga's hooves did thunder upon the ground like a summer storm. And together they killed the stone man, rendering him to gravel and dust. And then again to one of the Elf brothers. Karl son of Tom and little wise Zivilyn did murder to the rest.
Weary and wounded but light of spirit, those who survived gathered together to share a meal after giving Agkaran, the Ork, time to bury his family's ancient friend, Grinakar, who had once been an Obsidiman and had been turned into a slow and shambling thing. Agkaran told his tragic tale, of his home Kaer of Rissen. Of his family's commitment to Rashomon, before his fall into Madness, and his father's Quest for the Passion.
Know that these cultists of Raggok, who wear the Mad Passion's ram's head mark, rage against those who have memories of Rashomon. They seem to seek artifacts of the same.
Know that this story has ended. Know that this story continues.Statistics:Posted by bronzemountain — Wed May 13, 2020 2:45 am
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