The young Bladesinger said not a word when she found that only the Khords remained to help deal with the dead. It seemed the Khords were easier with the idea of burying the dead, Thondrek and Loda teamed up to dig the mass grave, no mean feat in itself, leaving Geim, the Runemaster to aid her in collecting the dead.

Elessarae first looked for a wagon, which would make their job easier. Finding a wagon was easier than she thought, as there was one in the back of the inn, but there was not an animal alive in the village, so there was no draft animal to pull it. Help can from as unexpected source. As Elessarae lifted the harness and looked at it for a way to use it so that Geim and she could pull the wagon, Comrade came forward and nosed her and the harness. It took her a bit to understand what he was trying to tell her with his antics. When he finally slipped his head under a piece of harness she realized what it was. Elessarae was hesitant at first, horses had to be trained to wear a harness and to pull, and Comrade, until a few hours ago, was years from that. She had never harnessed a horse before, but had seen enough in harness to figure it out. She did not put the bit in his mouth but hastened the reins to his halter. For the most part she would walk with him and not sit in the drives seat and drive him, that way she could help pull on the shafts to make it easier for him.

“Geim, would you sort of push from behind to help him get started. I do not want him to get jerked by the weight of the wagon as he starts off.”

(Reply)

So it was that Geim and Elessarae moved about the village gathering the dead, including those animals that Elessarae though might be pets. They tried to keep families together, Pieces of colored yarn that she found in one house helped them keep track of those who would be buried side by side. When she found her first dead child, tears began to fall, She could not bear to put the children into the cold earth staring out with dead eyes, so she wrapped every child in a blanket or cloak and tried to find a toy to wrap up with them. Back and forth they went until the dark was deep and the night well in the way to morning. Elessarae sang as her lead Comrade with his sacred load through the night. Sometimes she sang the Sylvari Hymn of Passing, then children’s songs and songs of love and devotion.

With the cart rolling behind them, the Sylvari Bladesinger and the Khordaldrum Runemaster went on a grim tour through the village. Geim proved to be a sturdy worker, with strong hands and an endless stamina. Elessarae opened up to be a persistent spirit, handling the dead with an admirable compassion. They made a good team. Sometimes Elessarae took hold ot the shafts and help Comrade to pull.

Riding back and forth to the mass grave Thondrek and Loda were creating, they brought the deceased and gently lay them side by side into the earth. It was deep in the night when the last body was placed. They would have to wait with covering them up until the morning came, when Quilanday would return with a Sylvari priest.

Elessarae had wept her eyes dry. As the last body was placed she took the wagon back to the inn and unharnessed Comrade and rubbed him down, before grabbing small keg and 4 mugs and carrying it back to the grave site, along with her harp.

She played for the Khords and the dead. As the sky lightened Elessarae asked if one of the Khords would go with her to the tree. There she gathers a seedling, and hopes it is one of the white willow’s.
“Adaron, let this be a child of the tree.” She gathers a ball of earth with it and carries it back to the gravesite.

And so it happened. When dawn addressed itself with a cold fog and bleak sunlight, the sound of hooves was unmistakable. Lady Quilanday had returned. She had taken remarkably little time to come back to the village, crossing the forest in unnatural speed to return so soon. With her rode a Sylvari man, dressed in the authentic garment of the Eyes of the Blazing sun. An aura of positivity radiated from the cleric, but his face looked disturbed. When he slid from Quilanday’s horse he stumbled slightly and muttered softly: “Give me a minute.”

Quilanday smirked, and winked at the companions.
“It takes some time to get used to my horseback skills.”

Then she noted the big hole in the ground, and fell back into more serious tones, “I am glad to see all of you here, and I want to thank you for the work you’ve done while I was away. I have brought a priest of Solanis, so that we can grant these people their well deserved rest.”

The priest stepped closer, still a little shaky. “Good morning to all of you. I have heard great things about you, and it is an honour to be in your presence. I am Yugan of Solinari, the Radiant Father.”

Yugan wasted no time on words, and set off to the mass grave, to start preparations for the blessing and burial of the dead.. Soon, the fog covering the forest ground became scented; a spiced but fresh smell that cleared the heads of those who breathed it in.

Then the priest stood at the heads of the dead villagers and muttered a prayer to his god. He paced around the grave and repeated the prayer at each side. After uttering the peaceful words of his god on every angle, he fell into a soft humming. But his voice grew steadily, and with its rising strength, the fog departed, and the sun grew brighter. Its rays were reflected in the mirrors, he had set in the four side of the grave, intensified. Four beams of light came together in the midst of the grave, and bathed the dead in a soothing warmth.

It was then that Yugan motioned the companions to aid him in covering the bodies with sand. When the grave was fully covered, the priest sang his prayer to Solanis one last time, but this time he was not alone.

From the forest came a procession of Sylvarians, dressed in long robes. They were people from surrounding villages, carrying a candle each. They stepped slowly, voices in union, full of respect and sorrow. They had come to bury a town.

Elessarae moves to the edge of the grave and nods reverently to Yugan. She carried with her the seedling, and move up the mound to place it over the center of the grave. She knelt and dug a hole in the loose earth with her own hands and placed the seedling into it. Tears flowed again falling on the seedling and the ground it was planted in.

“This is for the Sylvari of Hith Elee and for Aluwego and Wulf,” she named the dead that she knew, then she adds another name, “and others, Aleetha,” She backs down off the mound and moves back to Comrade’s side, taking comfort from his presense as she leanied against his now massive shoulder and neck of a full grown stallion.

As others prepare to leave the gravesite Elesssarae goes to Yugan. “I am Lady Elessarae, a Bladesinger. There are a couple of things I would like to ask you before you go, when you have time.”

Later that day, Quilanday gathered the companions and took them into a private area. There she handed them a leather pouch, containing gems who’s combined value reached 6000 GP. For each of the heroes she had an individual Fire Opal, worth 1000 GP.

“I had told you Sylvaria would be generous. And here is something to show My gratitude,” she added, and handed the heroes a small leather chest, which contained six potions. “I know you will need these if you’re traveling into the Chakran Mountains. May you return safely.”

She took Elessarae aside for a minute and whispered: “You make sure to find out what those Goblins are up to. We must punish them for what they have already done to our empire!”

After that she said her goodbyes to each of them individually, knowing that it would be a very long time before she would see any of them again.

“Fair thee well, Lady,” Elessarae replies to her.

The night was spent in quiet toil as Thondrek and Loda teamed up to do what Khord's do best; dig. With heavy hearts and strong backs they made communal grave, while others slowly, carefully placed the fallen side by side. The night soon turned into day, and as the sun's golden rays spread out to caress the companions' cheeks Lady Quandilay reappared, a priest of Solanis at her side.

The recital was peaceful, elegant, and as the Sylvari of afar emerged from the woods to join in the harmony of sending their kinfolk onto the next life, Thondrek silently mouthed the words along, giving his respect, but daring not slaughter the enchanting tones of the forest-folk with his own deep rumbling of a voice.

As it ended, and Lady Quandilay presented them with a great reward, Thondrek could only accept it with a bow as he graciously thanked her and receded behind other members of the party.

As the Bladesinger left them for perhaps the final time, Thondrek turned to the others with the simple question ikely resting on all their minds. "So, where to next?"

Geim said nothing to the errant party members that returned sometime the following day. That did not mean he would let what happened pass without comment, but his ire had built up and he did not trust himself to speak reasonably to them when they did. Perhaps he thought he was just tired, after all he had not rested since the night before last. He was a tough old campaigner who had seen much death. Not ever quite to this magnitude of innocents in such a small place. but plenty over his lifetime.

Geim had watched Elessarae stoically joining in and helping to carry, load, and move the dead to the grave that Loda and Thondrek were digging, even her horse helped by pulling the wagon--a strange beast, it had grown considerably since just a day ago.

When Geim realized that no one else was coming to help at first he shrugged it off. Draven could never be counted on, but Malius up and disappeared as did Alyssia as well.

As the night past his ire grew especially when the young Bladesinger showed such emotion when collecting the bodies of the children. She took extra care with each searching the home for a toy or something personal to lay with them before wrapping them up in a blanket. Babies in the cradle, toddlers at their mothers’ aprons, youngsters at play, all cut down in a moment. It was enough to make this old Khord break down, but he couldn't in front of the Bladesinger. He needed to be strong for them both, though it did not mean he did not care.

And thus his ire grew. Silently he brooded. The others should have been here to help. This was as much a part of the job they had chosen to do; as the fighting was. Did they think they were better that the Khords? And what about the Sylvari lass, did the others have no feeling for the distress this caused her, by dealing with all the dead?

Thus when they showed up he just glared at them. The Lady Quinlanday appeared with a priest of Solaris, and Geim held onto his words and his anger.

It was a right fine ceremony, and old Knord stood with his head bowed throughout it all. He tried to put all aside and let the peace and solemnity of the simple ceremony quiet his ire, but it was not easy. The Lady Elessarae stood beside the mass grave. Her emotions in check for now hopefully the ceremony will help her look forward again after laying all these to rest properly. He made eye contact with her and smiled encouragingly. Her face was pale and drawn. She, like the Khords, had not slept or rested the entire night. The delinquent others gathered by the graveside got only Geim’s dark frown.

Then other Sylvari from surrounding villages appeared in solemn procession out of the forest. Each carried a candle and joined in the ceremony for the departed souls of the Sylvari of Hith Elee.

Geim wiped his eyes, something he had to do all the time to keep the goo from running down his cheeks. This time though tears were intermixed with them. Ach, he was just tired. When the ceremony was concluded he helped to fill in the grave site.


Later that day, Quilanday gathered the companions and took them into a private area. There she handed them a leather pouch, containing gems who’s combined value reached 6000 GP. For each of the heroes she had an individual Fire Opal, worth 1000 GP.

“I had told you Sylvaria would be generous. And here is something to show My gratitude,” she added, and handed the heroes a small leather chest, which contained six potions.

”This be beyond generous, Lady.” Geim spoke up by way of thanking her and the Sylvari for their generosity. “Especially.....” and then Geim stopped “Never mind Lady it is nothing worth mentioning.” Geim said

Lady Quilanday went on, “I know you will need these if you’re traveling into the Chakran Mountains. May you return safely.”

She took Elessarae aside for a minute Geim didn’t know what was said but he guessed there would be more to do in this same vein.

Geim walked with the Lady to her horse and offered up his locked hands to help her up, and then the Priest as well.

“Safe journey for you both as well, fair Lady. We will make the goblins pay.”

After that she said her goodbyes to each of them individually, knowing that it would be a very long time before she would see any of them again.

He squelched a burning desire to ask her what price she would put of the burying of these Sylvari so as to deduct it from those who took no part in it. But he squashed the thought before voicing it; a bit surprised by the thought as unworthy of even being pondered.

Ach I just be tired and hungry and in need of rest he, thought to himself. Done with the grisly task as well as the ceremony he went into the inn to clean up, eat and rest.

As he started in Thondrek spoke up with the simple question likely resting on all their minds. "So, where to next?"

“No where right now.” replies Geim shortly. “We, Khords and the lassie here have not eaten nor rested since yesterday early I am going to clean up, eat and rest in that order. I will follow the lassie wherever she needs to go but I think there are some here that no longer have the same goals. Perhaps they should think about leaving and we will find others to take their place since they can’t seem to share the good with that bad.

Geim hadn’t planned letting loose like this. Oh, he had something to say to them, but it came out now in a rush of words, that surged out of his mouth.

“Seems us Khords and this one young Sylvari lass were the only ones to take care of the dead. Did you hire us to do this job and somehow I missed knowing about it? His eyes went to Draven, Malius, and Alyssia."

“Draven, one can never count of you unless whatever it is pleases you. I expected no more. It seems common sense have deserted you as well."

Geim rounds on Malius next, his heated words unstopped. "But you Malius, I expected more from you. These were your people and you disappeared and left the whole burden on a young lass who cried her eyes out silently every time she had to pick up a child and carry them out to the wagon. She took time for find each one a toy and wrapped whatever it was up in blankets with them. You should have been there, they were your people.”

Geim was just winding up and the words flowed hot and hard, but he did not care. “And you Alyssia, where were you during all of this? "Alyssia. you use to be a sensible lass and a real trooper. What made you so special that you did not think you needed to help."

All three of you off on your own pursuits with never a thought for the rest of us left taking care of everything.”

“It fair shakes my faith in each of you and I’d just as soon continue on without ye than with ye.” Geim paused then. It needed saying and right now he did not care how it came out.

“Now I am going in and getting a drink perhaps several drinks then eat and rest, and those of you who did not help can get going to wherever you want.”

Loda, Throndrek, Lassy you need to rest and eat too. I fix us something up for us all." Geim did not look back at the other three who had absented themselves from the collection and burial of the bodies of all those in Hith Elee.

"Come inside all of ye,"he gestures to the Khords and the Bladesinger and turned his back on the others.

Geim put actions to his words stomping into the inn and going to the kitchen. Filling up a large kettle with water and building a fire under it. Then he went in search of food stuffs that would not have spoiled since they had left this place, hard cheese, honey or jam and perhaps some bread and butter. He was sure that there was slab of bacon or a ham as well. From wherever they were he brought them out and put the makings of a meal on the kitchen table. Then he begins to slice and cut the meat keeping himself busy with such trifling mundane matters and trying not to rehash what he had said.

They needed to hear it all.

Alyssia had followed Draven to the house and helped him rid it of the empty corpses. Pain shot through her body at all the death she had witnessed in the past couple days. Yet she didn't show the man she loved the pain she felt deep inside her.

Draven had bathed while she fixed themselves some supper and she spoke to the man. Her Goddess had spoken to her that night, and she was trying anew to convert Draven to follow her goddess. Yet he wasn't convinced.

Just before dawn, Alyssia left Draven without a word, in the solitude of the house they had together cleared. As the red sun began its ascent the woman walked down the empty roads lost in though, as she grieved for all who were lost. Prayer after prayer, she kept her gaze low as she stopped in front of each house and standing in the door way she would mourn for those who had once resided in such a place.

Geim hadn’t planned letting loose like this. Oh, he had something to say to them, but it came out now in a rush of words, that surged out of his mouth.

“Seems us Khords and this one young Sylvari lass were the only ones to take care of the dead. Did you hire us to do this job and somehow I missed knowing about it? His eyes went to Draven, Malius, and Alyssia."

“Draven, one can never count of you unless whatever it is pleases you. I expected no more. It seems common sense have deserted you as well."

Geim rounds on Malius next, her heated words unstopped. "But you Malius, I expected more from you. These were your people and you disappeared and left the whole burden on a young lass who cried her eyes out silently every time she had to pick up a child and carry them out to the wagon. She took time for find each one a toy and wrapped whatever it was up in blankets with them. You should have been there, they were your people.”

Geim was just winding up and the words flowed hot and hard, but he did not care. “And you Alyssia, where were you during all of this? "Alyssia. you use to be a sensible lass and a real trooper. What made you so special that you did not think you needed to help."

All three of you off on your own pursuits with never a thought for the rest of us left taking care of everything.”

“It fair shakes my faith in each of you and I’d just as soon continue on without ye than with ye.” Geim paused then. It needed saying and right now he did not care how it came out.

“Now I am going in and getting a drink perhaps several drinks then eat and rest, and those of you who did not help can get going to wherever you want.”

Loda, Throndrek, Lassy you need to rest and eat too. I fix us something up for us all." Geim did not look back at the other three who had absented themselves from the collection and burial of the bodies of all those in Hith Elee.

"Come inside all of ye. she gestures to the Khorda and the Bladesinger and turned his back on the others.
Geim had exploded on Draven, Marius and herself. She hated him for it, and after Geim had exploded on them, she didn't hesitate to explain why she had disappeared. Her eyes flashed towards the man and she spoke firmly towards the man who accused her of not playing her part.

"Geim, I would have helped, but my Goddess wished other things of me, once that was complete I wandered the streets mourning and praying for the loss of this city. In prayer I do not wish to be disturbed. My Goddess has other plans for me than what you think is right Geim."

Had he not just blown up against Draven she would have been in an even better mood, but testing both she herself, and Draven was a big mistake. Saying the words he had, without thought upon to whom he had spoken such words. She shook her head as they walked away wondering if Draven would spare his life for speaking those stinging words or not.

Alyssia had been occupied all night watching over Draven to ensure that he stayed out of trouble, and then once he would return to the others, she knew she could roam the streets mourning and praying for the lost souls of the ruined city.

What he had done in his own privacy, in a city filled with the dead, and away from the others…that was for him to know. He had spent many hours away from the others, however, and when he returned to them that night, his armor and hair were both black and glossy and clean. If they were foolish enough to think he had simply gone off to groom himself though, that was their own prerogative. He needn’t answer them.

The next morning, the sound of hooves drew his attention to the town center. Arriving, he was both surprised and impressed at the site of the mass grave that had been built. Somehow in one night, three khords and a Syl had buried the entire village. Studying the mound silently, Draven tried to comprehend why they had done so. After all, officials from Sylvaria, as well as workers from other villages should be here shortly. These were, after all, their people. Not to mention one would think family in nearby towns would want to make final farewells. Nonetheless, the village had been buried, and now he could see that a congregation had arrived; lead by Quilanday.

During the prayers and ceremony, he had stood off to the side, silently observing; and later that day he was present for Lady Quilanday’s farewell. As she handed him his share of the reward and thanked him, he only nodded silently.

To Draven, what this entire day meant, was that they were finally going to be back on their journey. He would have walked back through the door then, had the gruff voice of the Khord, Geim, caught his attention.

He paused with his back to Geim, as he had been headed to the door, and remained with his back to Geim during his entire rant. He expected no less of Draven, who only helped when it suited him? He had a mind to continue the quest without them? This humored the dark warrior, who until now, hadn’t even considered that it was their responsibility to bury the dead. He needn’t justify his position to the Khord however. He didn’t care to. Alyssia had already informed him of her own duties. She was not lying either. Draven knew that as fact.

Turning now to face Geim, Draven held up one finger as if to interrupt Alyssia’s self defense.

“Pardon. Please the two of you. I have only one question. Since when were we hired by Sylvaria? Since when do we dig the graves of other nations? If you choose to do their work for them, then I commend you for caring so damn much. But I assure you. I assure you very much that I’ve looked over the contract that I signed for a Mister Guland Granitefingers…Perhaps you recall him? Maybe not…well let me remind you. He’s the Khord that we do work for. Now I just can’t seem to find the part that says it’s my duty to help the kingdom of Sylvaria. Infact, I recall being told to travel with haste through this kingdom. I apologize, but as a hired sword, I just can’t seem to find that part in my job description.”

He paused and glanced over the party, then locked his unnatural eyes with Geims.

“You, sir, should perhaps read your contract once more, before setting out to help other’s and expecting that we should all do the same.”

Turning back to the door, and pushing it open, he glances back at the party again.

“Now that this whole business is settled, I for one would like to see to my obligations and do the job I was hired to do. I for one, don’t break a contract.”

Giving a half bow, he adds what must have been a mock “Pleasant evening to you all”, before heading out into the abandoned village.

Malius had kept himself out of the village for more reasons then scouting were he to be honest with himself. The murder of a full village of his race had hit the Sylvari Ranger hard, harder then anything, but one goodbye, then had before. The remembered pain from that time haunting him again he had remained in the woods till everything was done.

Only when the time for the funeral rites had come and passed, the Sylvari from the other surrounding towns had finally left, did Malius move to rejoin the rest of the party once more. Trying not to look at the others of the party, not willing to show his true feelings, he nonetheless caught the stern look from Geim. But nothing prepared him for the dwarf’s words a few moments later.

“Seems us Khords and this one young Sylvari lass were the only ones to take care of the dead. Did you hire us to do this job and somehow I missed knowing about it? His eyes went to Draven, Malius, and Alyssia. Draven, one can never count of you unless whatever it is pleases you. I expected no more. It seems common sense have deserted you as well."

Geim rounds on Malius next, his heated words unstopped. "But you Malius, I expected more from you. These were your people and you disappeared and left the whole burden on a young lass who cried her eyes out silently every time she had to pick up a child and carry them out to the wagon. She took time for find each one a toy and wrapped whatever it was up in blankets with them. You should have been there, they were your people.”

As the Ranger watched Geim and his fellow Khords walk away he caught the look of sadness in Elessarae eyes as she looked to him and then turned away to follow the rest. Malius could only assume it was due to his lack of help burying the dead and did not move after her to explain. That night sleep did not come easy in Malius mind his feelings raged between guilt and the horror of the way the town’s folk died, yet somewhere in the night he finally slept a decision made.

The next morning the Ranger was gone two notes and all money and items given to him by Granite left behind. The first note was addressed to all the second only to Elessarae.

The first read

My fellow party members it is with a tormented mind I must for a time leave you to seek guidance to ease the sickness in my soul and the pain in my heart after the carnage I have witnessed these past days. I plan to rejoin you again one day, but when I cannot say, so stay safe and watch over each other. Goodbye for now Malius Darkblade.
The second read

I know that I have let both you and the dead Sylvari of the town down by not being strong enough to bury them. I once watched as they buried she who I thought was the love of my heart and I could not do so again. For though these people were unknown to me yet they were of our race and the pain of their passing was yet great. Though I have only known you a short time I feel the weight of something inside me, feelings perhaps of something I have not felt in a long time. Whether this be true or more fantasy I have a need to know so I promise, if only to you, that I shall return to find out. Till then follow who you are and stay strong.
Malius

(OOC: Ok due to RL time constraints I have to take a temporary LOA. But look for Malius to return hopefully before next year. Till then happy gaming and know that I will be lurking..)

Geim turns back to Alyssia as she starts to explain what she had been doing for the night. After she finished Geim had something more to day.

"Most of us, I daresay, prayed for the dead this night, but that was not all that needed doing." He gives her a level stare. "It is strange that we never saw you wandering around the village all night long in prayer, as you said you did. Though for your sake I do hope your Goddess is pleased with the extent of you efforts on her behalf."

"Draven. I said I did not expect anything more from you and and since you said none of this was your business, perhaps you need to give up some of that reward."

Since Malius said nothing Geim just gave him a quick look and went on into the inn.

Quietly he ate the hastily made up meal and then took off to get clean himself up and sleep. Geim felt tired and more than that drained after his tirade. Part of him felt justified to say what he had said. Part of him wondered why he had gone off like that. He usually didn't let things affect him that way. The old Runemaster tried to figure it out but his brain wouldn't wrapped itself around the problem. Perhaps the problems would work themselves out tonight and things would look better in the morning. Geim hoped so.

Geim said his prayers and prayed for divine guidance and then forgiveness for any who he had wronged this day. In his mind he choose those spells that had been most needed by the group as they traveled unknown lands fraught with dangers.

Draven was right about one thing, they still had that job left to do that they had originally contracted to do. Geim just wondered how many would be left to do it.

"Since you said none of this business, perhaps you should give up some of your reward."

Draven hesitated once more, as he had been about to leave. He could feel his own temper beginning to burn at this audacity that was being brought before him. His eyes began to burn as the anger built up inside him, and as they fixed once more on the Runemaster, they glowed an unholy light. It wasn't something he could help, and often lead to more trouble then it was worth, nontheless. His voice was cold and firm.

"Do well to pay attention to the tasks you're hired for, dwarf. I wasn't hired to bury the dead, and neither were you. If you want the few silver that a gravedigger would be payed, then you can find out who took the two gold I placed on our dead Innkeeps eyes, and fight over it with them. Two gold for a mass grave. More then the average Gravedigger makes I promise you. I'll keep the reward for going off to find and cure the tree."

******* ******** ********

Malius was gone, and had left them a letter, along with his share of the reward. Glancing over the letter, Draven's first reaction was to draw his blade and roll Geim's head across the floor. But no. That would accomplish nothing...well little at least. If Malius had left simply because of the Runemaster's words, then he was weaker of spirit then Draven had originally thought. There was more to it. There must be. It didn't matter at this point, however.

The more they lingered in this foul town, the moodier Draven became. He had had his limit of Syl's, living and dead. He had had his limit of annoying distractions; reward or not. He needed to go into the Chakran Mountains for more important reasons then money. The more they stopped, the longer it would them to accomplish their mission. It was time's like these, that he was reminded of why he worked alone.

((Yes, hes just in a worse mood then usual. Most of the group would know him decently enough to know hes not normally this nasty. I say this because there are reasons for it.))

Before she left the gravesite, Elessarae went over to the Priest and waited until he had finished speaking to another.

“Holy Priest of Solinari, I would ask a couple of questions of you.” Elessarae quickly explains about Wulf and the merging into the tree. “Would you have any idea what transpired?”

Before she departs the presence of the priest she hands him the list of the dead and where they were found. Then she asks the Priest for a special prayer for her mother.

She showed no disappointment when the Priest could not explain what had happen with Wulf, nor when he said that it would take a mage to read the magics on the gear. Elessarae moves among those that came to mourn and asks if there is a druid among them. She needs a druid to do three things, speak to Comrade and to the willow if possible, and maybe to find out something of why the fairies attacked Comrade

Then the group headed back to the inn, Elessarae took comfort in the company of the Khords and Comrade. Even though she had cried her eyes dry, sadness still lingered, sadness that went beyond the dead in the village. In two days, and maybe even one, as Elessarae did not know how much time had passed after the party had gone unconscious, her mother funeral would take place.

As he started in Thondrek spoke up with the simple question likely resting on all their minds. "So, where to next?"

“No where right now.” replies Geim shortly. “We, Khords and the lassie here have not eaten nor rested since yesterday early I am going to clean up, eat and rest in that order. I will follow the lassie wherever she needs to go but I think there are some here that no longer have the same goals. Perhaps they should think about leaving and we will find others to take their place since they can’t seem to share the good with that bad.

Elessarae was surprised by the Geim’s words to his party members, she did not know them enough to say anything, and at his stated lack of expectations for Draven, Elessarae thought that that sort of fit what she had observed of the man when he came into the inn.

Geim told Malius the Elven Ranger, “...You should have been there, they were your people.”

“And you Alyssia, where were you during all of this? Alyssia, you use to be a sensible lass and a real trooper....”

All three of you off on your own pursuits with never a thought for the rest of us left taking care of everything.”

“It fair shakes my faith in each of you and I’d just as soon continue on without ye than with ye.” Geim paused then. It needed saying and right now he did not care how it came out.

“Now I am going in and getting a drink perhaps several drinks then eat and rest, and those of you who did not help can get going to wherever you want.”

Loda, Thondrek, Lassie, you need to rest and eat too. I’ll fix us something up for us all." Geim did not look back at the other three who had absented themselves from the collection and burial of the bodies of all those in Hith Elee.

"Come inside all of ye," he gestures to the Khords and the Bladesinger and turned his back on the others.

”I have to take care of Comrade, I will be right in.”

Then Alyssia piped up, “Geim, I would have helped, but my Goddess wished other things of me, once that was complete I wandered the streets mourning and praying for the loss of this city. In prayer I do not wish to be disturbed. My Goddess has other plans for me than what you think is right Geim."

Odd, thought Elessarae, of all the long hours they spent gathering the dead she never saw the young woman wandering the streets in prayer. Though they did find the house where the occupants had been set outside, as they where laid out and not just found crumpled in the streets like all the others found outside their homes. And when she and Geim went to check out the house the door was locked. (I would assume you did not want to be disturbed.)

It seemed Draven was finally roused to speak, “Pardon. Please the two of you. I have only one question. Since when were we hired by Sylvaria? Since when do we dig the graves of other nations? If you choose to do their work for them, then I commend you for caring so damn much. But I assure you. I assure you very much that I’ve looked over the contract that I signed for a Mister Guland Granitefingers…Perhaps you recall him? Maybe not…well let me remind you. He’s the Khord that we do work for. Now I just can’t seem to find the part that says it’s my duty to help the kingdom of Sylvaria. In fact, I recall being told to travel with haste through this kingdom. I apologize, but as a hired sword, I just can’t seem to find that part in my job description.”

He paused and glanced over the party, then locked his unnatural eyes with Geim’s.

“You, sir, should perhaps read your contract once more, before setting out to help other’s and expecting that we should all do the same.”

Turning back to the door, and pushing it open, he glances back at the party again.

“Now that this whole business is settled, I for one would like to see to my obligations and do the job I was hired to do. I for one, don’t break a contract.”

Giving a half bow, he adds what must have been a mock “Pleasant evening to you all”, before heading out into the abandoned village.

Decency and common respect are a unwritten contract, among most good people. From what the young Bladesinger had seen of Draven, Being Good was far from what he was. She wondered if the burning scar had anything to do with the way he came off to others, self-centered and laissez-faire.

As the Ranger watched Geim and his fellow Khords walk away he caught the look of sadness in Elessarae eyes as she looked to him and then turned away to follow the rest. Malius could only assume it was due to his lack of help burying the dead and did not move after her to explain.

How could he know that she not only mourned the dead here but the death of her mother who had died defending the helpless in Sillarion against the attack of Maous in the Elven Capital itself, and that she had made the decision to stay with the group and continue the quest she had been sent on instead of returning to the capital for her mother’s funeral.

At the stable Elessarae give Comrade a good rubdown with some liniment she found and then stuffed a hay net full of good meadow grass and scooped out some grain in a bucket and carried those back to the inn so Comrade could eat too. This time when Comrade entered the inn he had to duck his head and follow behind Elessarae as the two of them could not enter side by side. (Are all the horses in the stable dead, the adventures’ horses? I might have to add something to the post if they are dead or alive.)

Dinner was quiet, and simple, Elessarae had one mug of ale with her dinner, but no more.

“In the morning I would like to go out to the tree before we go. Also we need to go to the largest city her in the North, I need to have my CLW wand recharged and I think a good use of the group’s money would be to purchase a Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds. I have a feeling we will need such to keep us viable.”

“I also wish to start out with you by being honest in why I was sent to join you.” She looks about those who are there eating, Geim, Loda, Thondrek, Malius.

“I am not sure why you are going into the Chakran Mountains, but I was sent from Megilindar Nost, to find out what the Goblins are doing up there. The Goblins are responsible for bringing the poison into Sylvaria that has cause all the problems with the mutated animals the the sick trees, but I have come to feel that there is a darker menace behind this attack. The creation of such a devastating brew that was used to contaminate the trees seems to be well beyond what Goblin’s are capable, also the depth of planning for such a thing is more that what Goblins could normally formulate.”

(More to come later after this is replied to.)

Dinner was quiet as the party contemplated the rising temper's of thos who remained, and the silent departure of Malius. Ellissarae had explained her reasonings to hit the closest city of a size that could enable them to procure any final supplies required before heading into the north, and Thondrek agreed with her logic with a simple "Aye." It should be noted that despite was his custom, Thondrek did not drink but water with mea, forgoing the liquors of the dead town in respect for the loss.

Geim too. is quiet. He finished his meal quickly and cleaned up after himself. He did not forswear drink this night but kept it to beer or ale. About the only thing you can see is that he keeps a pile of napkins and/or towels, whatever he found without much searching. During dinner he can be seen wiping his eyes regularly.

"I am going to use some of that hot water I put on, but I will leave most for the rest of you to clean up with." Geim says as he heads back into the kitchen and cleaning up his dishes he takes the hot water and pours some in a bucket and tempers it with cool water,taking that upstairs with his stack of napkins and towels He removes his armor slowly piece by piece. An old hand at this he really doesn't need help to finally finish the job.

Geim strips down and washes with soap and water. Pulling out a clean outfit he dressed in that. He scrubs his eyes with some clean warm water hoping the the red goo can be clean out of his eye for once and for all. but when he goes to wipe them the red remains. He washes the cloth and sets it out to dry. before he lays down he goes on his knees to Kharox and prays. The simple man sincerely prays to ask Kharox for his divine grace for the coming day.

"I be blowing my mouth off today, I was pretty hard on those Malius, Alyssia, and Draven. They may not have deserved all that I said so I be asking ye to help me keep my temper in check. We have many things to do and so few of us to do them. Can't be alienating the others, even if they might have deserved the truth."

Geim stopped for a moment as various thoughts played through his mind. He had again thought they all deserved his words. He had prejudged them without letting them say much. That was just not him. Now here he is trying to justify his actions to Kharox, who knows all there is to know if he wants to.

"Forgive me Kharox just must be a bit on the tired side. A good night's sleep should put me to rights. I'll apologize in the morning and hopefully they will forgive my hasty words."

Geim lays down and put his ax comfortably close to where he could grab it quick and went to asleep.

In the morning he washes his face and eyes again still running with the red goo. They didn't hurt but it was irritating to say the least. With some wriggling and twisting he got into his armor.

He would talk to all three of them and apologize for being hasty. With these good intentions he went below to get breakfast and mend bridges.

Only Malius had gone he left letters, one for the group and one for the young Bladesinger. He could hardly think of her as one of those being so young and all, but Lady Quilanday had greeted her as one, so she must be.

Geim is disheartened to hear that Malius was gone. He had driven him away regardless of what the letter had said. He clammed up and spoke not at all. Moving about with a dour look on his face.

After they have eaten, Geim states simply, "Time to be moving on. My fault he left, I shouldn't have yelled at him shouldn't have yelled at Draven, nor Alyssia either. This is not good, not good at all," he mumbles as he heads out, ax in hand.

Alloryen Kingdom
East of Hith Elee
8th day of the 8th month: Temoth Ore
9:06 pm
That night the companions stayed at the Solanis Paean together, but they were not a group. The tests they had went through to save Sylvaria was weighing heavily on their shoulders. Of the Sylvari who had come to burry their kin, only a single one had remained; a druid by the name of Vocian’dall. He would stay with the village to make sure it was reclaimed by the forest, and to inspect the willow and its powers. He could not answer Elessarae’s questions about who or what Wolf had been, but he had his ideas. He would share his findings when she returned from the Chakran Mountains. He could speak with Comrade however, but found the moonhorse was reluctant to return the favour. Apparently Comrade was in no mood to talk, or was unable to answer the questions asked. All Vocian’dall was able to get was that he had set his mind on staying with Elessarae, as her steed. He had put it in his mind to take over Gharion’s place, and would accept no other horse or creature in his place.
The druid simply laughed when Elessarae mentioned the fairies attacking Comrade. He explained to her that there were two clans of fairies living in the River of the Fairy Footprints. One lived during the day and took care of the river and its surroundings. Those were the friendly fey. The other clan, however, were better avoided, as they preyed on innocent victims when the moon was up.

The next morning the companions were in a distorted mood. Geim was behaving rather odd and unlike they had come to know him. Thondrek had not tested the liquor that was to be found in the Inn’s cabinets. Draven and Alyssia had been awfully silent. Malius had left them with nothing but a note. Elessarae had proposed the group travelling north and away from their current course, but had not gotten many replies to her suggestion. Therefore, the destination of the day was undecided.

Still, the group was set on leaving, and got their horses from the stables. They were the only creatures who survived the attack of the lizards, being put away in the stables, which had been closed at the time.
On horseback they left the village of Hith Elee, devoid of life, to a destination that had yet to be discussed.

But an hour later, the question was pressing even more. The group had come to a fork in the road, and a choice needed to be made. One path lead to the Moonlit Castle, most likely the last place to spend money and find resources. The other path continued east, and would bring them into the hills that bordered the Sylvari Empire, and were the beginning of the Chakran Mountains. Their quest was calling them, but would they take an extra week before answering that call?

(OOC: Not much of an update, really, but a decision needs to be made, right? I cannot decide for you. I am very willing to skip the whole visiting the castle, and go one a week ahead, assuming that you have all the gear that you wanted to buy.)

Alyssia had been confused, for Draven had again walked away, and the rest of the party was inside eating and conversing while one of their members left. Shaking her head she bit her lip some for she was confused. Should she follow their comrade and just pack up and leave? No she couldn't what would become of Draven if she abandoned her task of trying to bring him to follow her goddess.

The woman decided to spend the night pacing the streets to free her clouded mind. Geim had spoken harsh words, and she was left in solitude as the other two had parted ways. She had no idea where Draven would go, but she had to clear her mind, she simply prayed that he would keep out of trouble. Alyssia's mind wandered from the time she stumbled upon this mission to where they now found themselves. There was still much to do before they could finish this quest and return to their employer.

Alyssia wandered the streets at a slow steady pace her gaze fixed ahead of her, yet she didn't see anything, just what her mind was reflecting upon. Having felt she was a burden in the beginning but then realizing how much she had changed Draven. It was almost as if he was slowly coming to the light. The discussions they had while they were alone, and just everything that happened, she knew she could trust him, and that he trusted her.

Loda and Gothard stayed the night in their own room alone, drinking the last of their ale. They needed a drink together and the feud of the party had upset them both. Alone they both sat on the bed they would eventually sleep on, drinking the memories of the past battle, the entire village being slaughtered, the fights and close calls of loved ones near death all away like many heart wrenched souls do when they feel like numbing themselves to the world. It was only Her, Gothard, and the earth; all in sync together, feelings mingling and pain dispersed amongst all three of them. The great weight lifted off of the forest had gladdened Loda and in return her nightmares that spawned within her mind were devoured by the great spirits of the woods, easing her pain just like she did for them. That night was peaceful and the next morning she woke with Gothard, both wild haired and ready to go eat their morning meal.

The question that had lingered in the back of their collective minds were about to be answered; where to go now. They needed to have a decision, and up till this point they did not talk. The tests that they have just endured still pressed them but now they needed to throw off those feelings and come to a consensus on what to do. Loda spoke out.

" I say we head straight for the mountains. We got the supplies we needed from the last city and I rather we just try to get to these damned mountains. Enough detours."

Perhaps it was their likeminded Khordaldrum attitudes, but as Thondrek listened to Loda he could only grunt an agreement as he chewed on an apple, one of just a few provisions he had taken from the stores of Hith Lee. "I agree, we've taken far longer than we ever planned, and it be time to see this story to a close so we can all finally rest like the good little son's and daughter's of Khorax we've been." Thondrek stroked his beard a moment before adding. "And as fer the rest of you, well, I'm sure y'all'd like to get back to some normalcy or pursue other --he paused looking towards Draven and Alyssia for but a moment-- interests.