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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7631569" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 317</p><p></p><p>A sharp wind blew over the ledge where Bredan sat, his back to the reassuring bulk of the stone wall that rose up high above him. The wind was bitingly cold, but he barely felt it.</p><p></p><p>His gaze traveled over the city that stretched out below him. Severon hadn’t changed in his absence; a sea of people still went about their daily lives, ignorant for the most part of the events that he and his companions had been drawn into. Smoke rose from thousands of chimneys, joining to form a pall over the city that seemed to be immune to the wind.</p><p></p><p>A figure emerged from the large open gates that stood fifty paces along the length of the wall to his right. She looked around for a moment before she spotted him and headed his way.</p><p></p><p>“The others were looking for you,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“I just needed a little time alone,” Bredan replied.</p><p></p><p>She nodded and sat down next to him. “Nice view,” she said.</p><p></p><p>“Are you worried about what we’re about to do?”</p><p></p><p>“No. Not really. I know that there was some concern that it might be a trap. A last game played upon us feeble mortals.”</p><p></p><p>“We wouldn’t be here at all without that last gift,” Glori said. “I mean, we’d still be in Weltarin, probably still futzing about in the jungle. Assuming some giant beast didn’t eat us.”</p><p></p><p>“We took on everything that continent threw at us,” Bredan said.</p><p></p><p>“Aye, we did. I do feel a little bad about leaving Sond and her crew behind, though.”</p><p></p><p>“From what Quellan said, they were already well along toward building a new ship,” Bredan said. “He’s staying in touch with her with that spell of his, right?”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. Still. We got back in the blink of an eye, and they’ll be lucky to be back sometime next year.”</p><p></p><p>“How are you feeling, otherwise?” he asked. “No… lasting effects?”</p><p></p><p>“Nothing. It’s weird. When I woke up… I told you this earlier, right? The pattern was just there, in my mind. When Konstantin first teleported us here—gods, that feels like an eternity ago—I never would have guessed that I would be doing it myself someday.”</p><p></p><p>“And here we are.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. What about you? Any lingering bits of ancient sentient book bouncing about in your psyche?”</p><p></p><p>“If it’s there, I can’t feel it,” Bredan said. “Ever since the magic disappeared, I haven’t felt anything.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you miss it?”</p><p></p><p>“No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll try to throw up a <em>shield</em> when some bastard tries to shove a sword in my face, but overall… I never wanted the power, never let it define who I am.”</p><p></p><p>“There’s nothing else?” she prodded. “Quellan says that you’ve been avoiding him.”</p><p></p><p>He looked over at her, but didn’t say anything.</p><p></p><p>“He doesn’t blame you, you know. None of us do.”</p><p></p><p>“I know. It’s just… I wonder what might have happened, if I’d made a different choice.”</p><p></p><p>“We can’t let ourselves think like that. Those kinds of thoughts are like quicksand; one you get caught it’s really hard to get out. Quellan said that the soul has a choice. He says that where Kosk is now, he’s at peace. If we’d been able to bring him back again… he’d have had to face judgment in Ironcrest for his past crimes. This way he died a hero. He’ll always live on in our memories that way.”</p><p></p><p>She coughed suddenly, and turned to clear her throat. “You okay?” he asked.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. Just the smoke. Wind’s blowing this way.” She rubbed at her throat.</p><p></p><p>“Still sore?”</p><p></p><p>“Not really. Just… sometimes I flash back to it, you know? It’s funny, almost. I’ve been hacked, blasted, wounded to within an inch of my life, but what traumatized me most was a bit of poison flung into my face.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s awful to feel yourself dying and be unable to stop it,” Bredan said.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well, that bastard got his.” She looked at his face. “What is it?”</p><p></p><p>Bredan shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just… it was a waste. He had to know that he couldn’t beat you alone, and none of it ultimately had any effect on what happened. It didn’t change my decision, Rodan coming in after me. Kurok threw his life away.”</p><p></p><p>“He almost killed two of us,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“I know. I told him, that if he hurt any of you I’d kill him myself.”</p><p></p><p>“Seems like he was doomed either way then,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“He attacked you, and he was complicit in multiple murders. He got what he deserved. But Kurok also seemed to honestly want what was best for his people. And he saved my life several times, including at the end with Kalasien—the doppelganger.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe… maybe he didn’t see any other way out,” Glori said. “I mean, his secret was out, and whatever you chose, there wasn’t going to be many alternatives for him. He not only betrayed us, but his former masters as well. I can’t imagine there was any scenario where he’d be able to go back.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah. I understand what you’re saying. I just keep thinking about him.”</p><p></p><p>She clapped him on the leg. “Empathy is not a weakness, Bredan. In fact, it’s one of the things I’ve always liked about you.” She looked back up the mass of the wall behind them. “Maybe we can do something to accomplish what he sought. Come on, they’re waiting.”</p><p></p><p>He got up, the heavy steel of his dwarf-forged armor clanking a bit as he picked up his sword and slung it across his back. The armor had been repaired and polished, and now almost seemed to glow in the early winter sunlight. The light also flashed on Glori’s hand, where a platinum band set with three large diamonds circled her fourth finger.</p><p></p><p>She noted his attention and grinned. “Let’s go.”</p><p></p><p>The interior of the Monastery of the Quiet Path lived up to its name; the open buildings were silent and empty as they made their way through the gates and into the central courtyard. The monks had all been temporarily moved down into the city, part of the secrecy that had accompanied the planning for this mission.</p><p></p><p>Glori glanced over at him as they made their way up the steps toward the main building. “You want to say a few words to the group? You’re as responsible for bringing them all together as anyone.”</p><p></p><p>Bredan shook his head. “When it comes to inspiring the troops, I’m going to leave it to you,” he said. “I’m just a warrior with a big sword.”</p><p></p><p>She snorted and hurried up the steps.</p><p></p><p>The diminutive figure of the abbot was waiting for them in the doorway that led into the great hall. “The others are in the Chamber of Reflection,” Anaeus said.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you, abbot,” Glori said.</p><p></p><p>“May the gods favor your path,” the abbot said. His eyes lingered on Bredan for a moment, then he stepped past them out into the open air.</p><p></p><p>They could hear voices and the sounds of activity before they made their way into the large room where everyone was gathered. For a moment the din continued when they came in, but as they noticed them it faded into a hush of anticipation.</p><p></p><p>Gregoros Konstantin came over to them. “We’re ready,” he said.</p><p></p><p>Glori and Bredan stepped forward together. Those gathered were clustered in groups around the edges of the room, staying well clear of the complex design that had been marked upon the floor in the center of the room. Tables had been brought in to hold the gear that had been prepared for their mission, but they were mostly empty now, as everyone had what they needed on their person. A few people double-checked the fit of a piece of armor or checked the slide of a sword in a scabbard before they turned to the new arrivals with looks of expectation on their faces.</p><p></p><p>Bredan looked around the room, taking it all in. Familiar faces, all of them. Konstantin rejoined his colleague, Arcanist Javerin from the Apernium. Both wizards were clad in practical robes with their pouches of spell components and other arcane accessories close at hand. Off to the left, Embrae Kelandras and Majerion stood together. The monk met Bredan’s eyes and nodded in sympathy, while the bard’s fingers caressed a new silver lyre, idly strumming a few notes. The two elves stood opposite Darik Broadshield and Goran Thunderhammer of the Ironcrest dwarves. Both dwarves were clad in suits of heavy armor similar to the suit Bredan wore. The younger warrior carried a battle axe with a broad crescent blade, but the priest of Sorevas, recently arrived from the dwarven city, looked no less fierce with his heavy mace and shield emblazoned with the burning brand of his patron.</p><p></p><p>Finally, Bredan’s gaze turned to his friends. They all looked recovered from their ordeal in Weltarin, with new clothes and gear, their physical wounds healed. But he knew it would take longer for all of the scars of that journey to fade. But Xeeta, Rodan, and Quellan all looked to him, and Bredan saw only trust and faith in their eyes.</p><p></p><p>Everyone was waiting, presumably for him to speak, but he only turned and gestured Glori forward.</p><p></p><p>The bard walked up to the edge of the <em>teleportation circle</em> that she had scribed. She was confident, assured, up to the challenge of talking to men and women older and more experienced than she. They had all changed, Bredan thought. Forged in the fire of shared danger and deadly ordeals. They’d each gained in power, but it was only when they were together that they were able to reach their true potential.</p><p></p><p>“Centuries ago, our peoples joined against a common enemy,” Glori said. “An alliance against a foe that represented an existential threat to the three kingdoms.”</p><p></p><p>“Now, a new threat has arisen. We stand on the cusp of a moment that has come to this world before. The Mai’i failed to deal with this danger, and it ultimately destroyed them.”</p><p></p><p>“The Elderlore Libram was created to serve its masters, to aid them in their pursuit of knowledge and power. But what it recognized was that power also has a cost. There are entities out there in the worlds beyond, ancient things that want what we have. They crave power too, and see our world as just another prize to be won, its peoples merely as potential slaves… or fodder.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ve all faced these things. They were responsible for the attack on Ironcrest, for the attempt to seize control of the Reserve of Tal Nadesh. They were behind the violent ambition of Kavel Murgoth, and the deaths that followed his useless war. Those attempts were all defeated, but they weren’t the end of it. We now know that these entities, these outsiders, have agents in all of our kingdoms. They have infiltrated us with tendrils of influence and intrigue. They seek to undermine us, to sunder our unity and use our own weaknesses against us.”</p><p></p><p>“The Elderlore Libram thought that the best way to protect us was to sever ourselves from the worlds beyond ours. But the price for that choice was too high to pay.” She glanced aside at Bredan, met his eyes for a moment. “But the book gave us a last gift.” She extended a hand toward the complex pattern at her feet. “I cannot tell you exactly what we will find when we step through this doorway. It would be naiveté in its most extreme form to assume that this fight will be won with one bold stroke. But we have learned what we can, prepared as best we can. We aren’t just going to sit back and let this foe weaken our defenses until it is ready to strike again. Old allies have come together, and together we will put an end to this danger that threatens all of us.”</p><p></p><p>“Today, friends, we strike back.”</p><p></p><p>She gestured and they all came forward, forming a ring at the edge of the circle. Her eyes traveled around to each of them, confirming that they were all ready. Finally, her gaze returned to Bredan. “Ready?” she asked.</p><p></p><p>He met her eyes and smiled. “Let’s do this.”</p><p></p><p>She strummed her lyre, filling the air with a soft melody. The markings upon the floor began to glow, and a shimmer materialized within the circle.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s kick some ass,” Glori said. She stepped forward, followed immediately by all of the others. As they entered the shimmering field they glowed for a moment and then disappeared. As the last of them vanished the light coming from the portal briefly intensified until it dissolved into nothing, leaving the chamber empty.</p><p></p><p></p><p>THE END</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7631569, member: 143"] Chapter 317 A sharp wind blew over the ledge where Bredan sat, his back to the reassuring bulk of the stone wall that rose up high above him. The wind was bitingly cold, but he barely felt it. His gaze traveled over the city that stretched out below him. Severon hadn’t changed in his absence; a sea of people still went about their daily lives, ignorant for the most part of the events that he and his companions had been drawn into. Smoke rose from thousands of chimneys, joining to form a pall over the city that seemed to be immune to the wind. A figure emerged from the large open gates that stood fifty paces along the length of the wall to his right. She looked around for a moment before she spotted him and headed his way. “The others were looking for you,” Glori said. “I just needed a little time alone,” Bredan replied. She nodded and sat down next to him. “Nice view,” she said. “Are you worried about what we’re about to do?” “No. Not really. I know that there was some concern that it might be a trap. A last game played upon us feeble mortals.” “We wouldn’t be here at all without that last gift,” Glori said. “I mean, we’d still be in Weltarin, probably still futzing about in the jungle. Assuming some giant beast didn’t eat us.” “We took on everything that continent threw at us,” Bredan said. “Aye, we did. I do feel a little bad about leaving Sond and her crew behind, though.” “From what Quellan said, they were already well along toward building a new ship,” Bredan said. “He’s staying in touch with her with that spell of his, right?” “Yeah. Still. We got back in the blink of an eye, and they’ll be lucky to be back sometime next year.” “How are you feeling, otherwise?” he asked. “No… lasting effects?” “Nothing. It’s weird. When I woke up… I told you this earlier, right? The pattern was just there, in my mind. When Konstantin first teleported us here—gods, that feels like an eternity ago—I never would have guessed that I would be doing it myself someday.” “And here we are.” “Yeah. What about you? Any lingering bits of ancient sentient book bouncing about in your psyche?” “If it’s there, I can’t feel it,” Bredan said. “Ever since the magic disappeared, I haven’t felt anything.” “Do you miss it?” “No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll try to throw up a [i]shield[/i] when some bastard tries to shove a sword in my face, but overall… I never wanted the power, never let it define who I am.” “There’s nothing else?” she prodded. “Quellan says that you’ve been avoiding him.” He looked over at her, but didn’t say anything. “He doesn’t blame you, you know. None of us do.” “I know. It’s just… I wonder what might have happened, if I’d made a different choice.” “We can’t let ourselves think like that. Those kinds of thoughts are like quicksand; one you get caught it’s really hard to get out. Quellan said that the soul has a choice. He says that where Kosk is now, he’s at peace. If we’d been able to bring him back again… he’d have had to face judgment in Ironcrest for his past crimes. This way he died a hero. He’ll always live on in our memories that way.” She coughed suddenly, and turned to clear her throat. “You okay?” he asked. “Yeah. Just the smoke. Wind’s blowing this way.” She rubbed at her throat. “Still sore?” “Not really. Just… sometimes I flash back to it, you know? It’s funny, almost. I’ve been hacked, blasted, wounded to within an inch of my life, but what traumatized me most was a bit of poison flung into my face.” “It’s awful to feel yourself dying and be unable to stop it,” Bredan said. “Yeah, well, that bastard got his.” She looked at his face. “What is it?” Bredan shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just… it was a waste. He had to know that he couldn’t beat you alone, and none of it ultimately had any effect on what happened. It didn’t change my decision, Rodan coming in after me. Kurok threw his life away.” “He almost killed two of us,” Glori said. “I know. I told him, that if he hurt any of you I’d kill him myself.” “Seems like he was doomed either way then,” Glori said. “He attacked you, and he was complicit in multiple murders. He got what he deserved. But Kurok also seemed to honestly want what was best for his people. And he saved my life several times, including at the end with Kalasien—the doppelganger.” “Maybe… maybe he didn’t see any other way out,” Glori said. “I mean, his secret was out, and whatever you chose, there wasn’t going to be many alternatives for him. He not only betrayed us, but his former masters as well. I can’t imagine there was any scenario where he’d be able to go back.” “Yeah. I understand what you’re saying. I just keep thinking about him.” She clapped him on the leg. “Empathy is not a weakness, Bredan. In fact, it’s one of the things I’ve always liked about you.” She looked back up the mass of the wall behind them. “Maybe we can do something to accomplish what he sought. Come on, they’re waiting.” He got up, the heavy steel of his dwarf-forged armor clanking a bit as he picked up his sword and slung it across his back. The armor had been repaired and polished, and now almost seemed to glow in the early winter sunlight. The light also flashed on Glori’s hand, where a platinum band set with three large diamonds circled her fourth finger. She noted his attention and grinned. “Let’s go.” The interior of the Monastery of the Quiet Path lived up to its name; the open buildings were silent and empty as they made their way through the gates and into the central courtyard. The monks had all been temporarily moved down into the city, part of the secrecy that had accompanied the planning for this mission. Glori glanced over at him as they made their way up the steps toward the main building. “You want to say a few words to the group? You’re as responsible for bringing them all together as anyone.” Bredan shook his head. “When it comes to inspiring the troops, I’m going to leave it to you,” he said. “I’m just a warrior with a big sword.” She snorted and hurried up the steps. The diminutive figure of the abbot was waiting for them in the doorway that led into the great hall. “The others are in the Chamber of Reflection,” Anaeus said. “Thank you, abbot,” Glori said. “May the gods favor your path,” the abbot said. His eyes lingered on Bredan for a moment, then he stepped past them out into the open air. They could hear voices and the sounds of activity before they made their way into the large room where everyone was gathered. For a moment the din continued when they came in, but as they noticed them it faded into a hush of anticipation. Gregoros Konstantin came over to them. “We’re ready,” he said. Glori and Bredan stepped forward together. Those gathered were clustered in groups around the edges of the room, staying well clear of the complex design that had been marked upon the floor in the center of the room. Tables had been brought in to hold the gear that had been prepared for their mission, but they were mostly empty now, as everyone had what they needed on their person. A few people double-checked the fit of a piece of armor or checked the slide of a sword in a scabbard before they turned to the new arrivals with looks of expectation on their faces. Bredan looked around the room, taking it all in. Familiar faces, all of them. Konstantin rejoined his colleague, Arcanist Javerin from the Apernium. Both wizards were clad in practical robes with their pouches of spell components and other arcane accessories close at hand. Off to the left, Embrae Kelandras and Majerion stood together. The monk met Bredan’s eyes and nodded in sympathy, while the bard’s fingers caressed a new silver lyre, idly strumming a few notes. The two elves stood opposite Darik Broadshield and Goran Thunderhammer of the Ironcrest dwarves. Both dwarves were clad in suits of heavy armor similar to the suit Bredan wore. The younger warrior carried a battle axe with a broad crescent blade, but the priest of Sorevas, recently arrived from the dwarven city, looked no less fierce with his heavy mace and shield emblazoned with the burning brand of his patron. Finally, Bredan’s gaze turned to his friends. They all looked recovered from their ordeal in Weltarin, with new clothes and gear, their physical wounds healed. But he knew it would take longer for all of the scars of that journey to fade. But Xeeta, Rodan, and Quellan all looked to him, and Bredan saw only trust and faith in their eyes. Everyone was waiting, presumably for him to speak, but he only turned and gestured Glori forward. The bard walked up to the edge of the [i]teleportation circle[/i] that she had scribed. She was confident, assured, up to the challenge of talking to men and women older and more experienced than she. They had all changed, Bredan thought. Forged in the fire of shared danger and deadly ordeals. They’d each gained in power, but it was only when they were together that they were able to reach their true potential. “Centuries ago, our peoples joined against a common enemy,” Glori said. “An alliance against a foe that represented an existential threat to the three kingdoms.” “Now, a new threat has arisen. We stand on the cusp of a moment that has come to this world before. The Mai’i failed to deal with this danger, and it ultimately destroyed them.” “The Elderlore Libram was created to serve its masters, to aid them in their pursuit of knowledge and power. But what it recognized was that power also has a cost. There are entities out there in the worlds beyond, ancient things that want what we have. They crave power too, and see our world as just another prize to be won, its peoples merely as potential slaves… or fodder.” “We’ve all faced these things. They were responsible for the attack on Ironcrest, for the attempt to seize control of the Reserve of Tal Nadesh. They were behind the violent ambition of Kavel Murgoth, and the deaths that followed his useless war. Those attempts were all defeated, but they weren’t the end of it. We now know that these entities, these outsiders, have agents in all of our kingdoms. They have infiltrated us with tendrils of influence and intrigue. They seek to undermine us, to sunder our unity and use our own weaknesses against us.” “The Elderlore Libram thought that the best way to protect us was to sever ourselves from the worlds beyond ours. But the price for that choice was too high to pay.” She glanced aside at Bredan, met his eyes for a moment. “But the book gave us a last gift.” She extended a hand toward the complex pattern at her feet. “I cannot tell you exactly what we will find when we step through this doorway. It would be naiveté in its most extreme form to assume that this fight will be won with one bold stroke. But we have learned what we can, prepared as best we can. We aren’t just going to sit back and let this foe weaken our defenses until it is ready to strike again. Old allies have come together, and together we will put an end to this danger that threatens all of us.” “Today, friends, we strike back.” She gestured and they all came forward, forming a ring at the edge of the circle. Her eyes traveled around to each of them, confirming that they were all ready. Finally, her gaze returned to Bredan. “Ready?” she asked. He met her eyes and smiled. “Let’s do this.” She strummed her lyre, filling the air with a soft melody. The markings upon the floor began to glow, and a shimmer materialized within the circle. “Let’s kick some ass,” Glori said. She stepped forward, followed immediately by all of the others. As they entered the shimmering field they glowed for a moment and then disappeared. As the last of them vanished the light coming from the portal briefly intensified until it dissolved into nothing, leaving the chamber empty. THE END [/QUOTE]
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