dthurza

So many have died.

It was likely to be a suicide mission to begin with... but we could not predict what happened to the world around us.

Twisted timelines, something to do with something Aquilla had done in Serke Kimi which affected all of us due to a timeline where he had not succeeded. The Yeeta that was following us became a Yeetas and ended up destroying Pathway, opening a hole in the Gwerian mountains to the Hopewastes and generally ripping its way through the Sententials and anyone else in its path.

The mission to rescue the Shadow Councillor failed, he was imprisoned in a trap and everything we did seemed to damage him. Then he died.

Perhaps a death mage can be found to ask him the information he was so desperate to give us.

If the world can last a week, then perhaps there is a way this can be undone. But Pathway is gone.

I sit by Este's memorial stone and pray briefly. That we last the week. Some of the other survivors have gone on to Pathway to see what remains there. I will follow in mere moments.

A man in a black kimono with golden dragons on it is carefully making his way in the direction of Ford Drake and Pathway.

Derwent was glad that he was able to avoid that last patrol. He'd begun to hear worrying rumors of increased Telefret activity and a couple of other points he wanted to check out.

He'd left a fully trained Neelaw in charge of the village and with the professor's help he felt confident they could manage anything that came their way. The heroes of Pathway, if they were still as undisciplined as he remembered, should have a few who were willing to accompany him - with enough rava in the bargain.

Whether anyone stood a chance at accomplishing anything or not would be a different matter.

It is the 8th day of Decus and after several weeks of dangerous travel through the wilds of Gweria I am approaching Pathway. The rain is beginning to pick up a little and ....

...okay. That was something very powerful and very wrong. The whole southern sky was lit up in fireball as white as the sun that left a dust cloud in the shape of a mushroom. I was knocked off my feet by an unnatural wind and nearly deafened by the noise it made...

Something is BADLY WRONG.

May the Celestial Dragon protect those he can and give solace and rest to those that cannot be saved.

Erathil has been defeated.

Apparently we have all been saved from a premature journey to the Hopewastes from the destruction of the Jewel of the World by a brave five. Amongst them stood the High Elf Vorian, actually also known as Sylor. He fell in the battle against his father. May the Celestial Dragon watch over him.

That honourable knight who treated me so fairly and the water elf healer were apparently amongst the five. There is even talk of one of the dragon lords gracing this world with it presence.

Why do I feel so useless.

Este was the only thing that gave me motivation and self worth, now it appears I came within hours of dying and that my true love may believe me dead.

With Erathil dead then the focus of the Heroes quests should focus more on stopping the Haran and his mental manipulation and casual disregard for the sanctity of life. I never expected my hopes and the hopes of the honourable clan of the Telerfret. The day I first reversed the colours on the shield I never expected it to come to this.

I will gather what strength I have and travel back to Pathway. Perhaps I can find my love and reapply myself to the task we took on together. The Haran must be brought to account, he has set himself up as the highest court, with no-one able to question his authority - mere suggestion of this is considered a fate worth the death penalty both for the accused and their supporters.

Celestial Dragon give us strength, send reassurance and calm to Este and renew our determination to work together to protect the innocent both under the Haran's rule and those he has targeted. Work to heal our system and this corruption of our fair council of tribal leaders. Blessings and healing to those in Gweria

I will carry this dairy with me from now on, for it is too dangerous to fall into the hands of the Haran's men.

I don't know why I came here.

Helping out against the zombie army was more a case of being in the wrong place at the right time. I've spent months now being nursed back to health, at this one surviving fort - despite the healing power granted to me by the Celestial Dragon everything I did was ineffectual. The healers here have more powerful magic and Este and I have been improving.

I've been up on the battlements a couple of times now, but the fresh graves(their custom)only remains me of the shame of burning the bodies. It was necessary, to stop them raising again, but the discovery that it went against their creed was difficult to say the least.

The incident with the baby was difficult to deal with morally as well. The Angel's sacrifice of his wings to save it's soul felt too noble. Este insisting we not leave Herfilligr behind even though he appeared dead was vindicated, but I worry that Quayle was forever changed. Either that or he was corrupted somehow. I fear I will never know.

That about brings the dairy up to date. I am missing Este terribly, those at the fort have no idea where she has gone, so I merely wait here as it was our last point of contact and I believe it is here that she would begin to look. I have lately begun to fear that she believes she has lost me, what with the events when the world cracked and was remade - and that she lost me then. Nearly dying at the final encounter and being carried off to the healers when she herself was also carried away - they would have no way of knowing we are life partners.

Soon I will leave on a quest to seek her out. But this writing has made me exhausted .... sleep...

*Este adjusted the weight of the pack on her back and nodded*

'He was over near the hall when I last saw him, he knows what he'll need to do, and how to contact us.'

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* Derwent and Este find Neelaw outside the hall. He greets them.*

" So, all ready to go? Don't worry we'll be fine here.

You two have a safe trip. Send word if you need to stay longer, otherwise I'll see you in a few weeks. " (Neelaw)

" Fine, we will. Look after the place my friend. " Derwent replys.

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*Este and Derwent struck east across the foothills of the mountain range, walking as much and as fast as possible. Once, they heard a patrol a short distance away and both froze, dropping to the ground and lying like corpses under bushes, all senses strained against the sound of the Telerfret soldiers stamping about and cursing.
When the patrol had moved on, they resumed their walking until nightfall when, aching and tierd, they made camp in a small clearing surrounded thickly by trees. A fire was swiftly got going and they sat close to it to discuss in low voices the happenings of the day.*
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" That was rather scary earlier. It seems they've upped the frequency of patrols in this region. I'm just glad they weren't headed anyware near the village. "

" I saw your hand stray to your dagger again. It gives you strength to endure doesn't it, dear. "

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'Its useful, for want of a better word, the dagger I mean. That patrol was heading too far north to touch on the village.'

*She threw a lump of moss into the blaze and watched it catch aflame.*

'Ho wfar would you say we've come today?'

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" Somewhere between fifteen and seventeen miles at a guess. "

" Athough I could be over estimating, the terrain this close to the mountains has too many steep valleys in it for my liking. "

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*Este leaned against him peacefully, gazing at the fire*

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*Derwent too leans back with lying with his head on his pack.*

" I'll take first watch if you like dear. You get some sleep. "

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'No you sleep, I will keep watch.'

*She sat upright next to him and sharpened her senses to detect anything untoward coming.*

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*Derwent sighs, then turns over and mumbles*

" Al-right dear, have it your way, I'll juzzzzzt..... "

*and falls asleep.*

*The next morning they set off again, moving just as quickley, wary of any more patrols. By mid morning the day had become pleasent and they slowed their pace a little so the walking became pleasent in itself. Este playfully flicked a few wet leaves up from the ground with a staff she had fashoned whilst on watch. Derwent spluttered as they flopped soggily up into his face, and she laughed gently, poking him lightly under the ribs.*

* Derwent didn't rise to the bait however, he was far more interested in the progress they were making, a few moments later he took out the map and studied it intently. *

"I think we met that patrol as we were crossing the main track to the pass through the Erda ridge. We should be able to get to Fikiawe tonight if we pick up the pace. "

" Not that I've ever stopped there before... I have no idea how we'd be treated there. Do you know anything about it dear? "

*She looked thoughtful and shook her head*

'it might be wiser to stop elsewhere, maybe close to it, maybe not. I've no idea who rules ther .'

* Derwent looks at the map *

" There are a couple of valleys on this side of the area, maybe we should stop in one of those. "

" I suppose we should just press on and see how far we get. "

'For the time being, but keep eyes peeled in case we meet anything untoward. We are a lot closer to Nadine now.'

* Later on they find a small overhang offering shelter from the wind. Derwent decides to stop here, because the path ahead seems to climb further into the mountains before dropping down to Fikiawe. He takes of his pack and looks around the area. *

*Este stalked around the immediate area looking for tracks or sign of danger but found none, only a small low celinged cave whose floor was a layer of dry earth. Calling softly to Derwent, she drew his attention to it.*

'Here, we could sleep under cover tonight, it looks as if there might be rain.'

" I agree. "

* Later, as they huddled together in the cave it did indeed rain. In fact it poured down, the rain lasted most of the morning and made travel over the slippery rock paths too dangerous to continue until it had dried out. Luckly they had enough food left. *

" I think we may need to buy food at Fikiawe, if we can, I allowed a couple of days extra supplies but if this weather keeps up.... "

* Derwent trailed off, it was no use worrying, and gently kissed Este. *

" Get some sleep dear. "

*She wrapped her cloak more tightly about her and shivered, moving closer to him. She produced a small flask from inside her robes which was filled with a honey-coloured liquid which emmitted an enticing smell*

'Here, I brought this for you for the journey. A little now would do you no harm and help you sleep.'

' Thanks, but it is my turn to keep watch, I'll have some when I wake you up for your watch. '

As Este curled up and fell asleep next to him, Derwent kept watch as the night progressed. It was calm and still though the wet rock gleamed eerily in the moonlight. Nothing stirred but a few small creatures, and once a deer crossed within view, a large beast with five years growth on its antlers. Soon, it was time for the watch to change.

* Derwent gently woke Este, and after insuring she was awake enough to keep watch, took a swig of mead from the flask and curled up to sleep on her lap. *

*When the sun rose again, Este shook Derwent until he woke up, protesting slightly. Very soon they wre on their way again.*

As they approached Fikiawe cries of grief could be heard echoing through the mountains. Flights of avians could be seen flying back and forth on patrol.

Derwent halted, as this was unusual, hadn't seen any Avains when he had passed this way previously.

'What on earth is happening, I thought they were a peaceful nation?'

" I don't know, the flights look ceremonial, as if they were ment to be seen. Normally their patrols fly so high up that they can't be seen. "

" Let us hope they will let us pass by unhindered - or should we try and find out what has happened? "

'It might be advisable to avoid them if possible, that is without looking suspicious.'

" Fine, lets continue along as we planned, doing nothing that could be miss-interpretted as suspicious. If they want to talk to us then they can but we won't seek them out for an explaination. Agreed dear? "

'Aye.'

*They continued along their route until nightfall, making camp to the east of Fiawke.*

**the two travellers are ignored, but the cries of grief and anguish continue through the night and through to the next day**

*The pair continued their journey the next morning, troubled by the anguished cries*

Derwent and Este make their way along the Sinya Palurin side of the ridge.

Just before Fikiawe vanishes over the horizon a massive cloud appears to form and darken the sky as an army of Avians fly out. Never have they been seen in such numbers before.

" Hold up, dear. What do you recon that is.. surely that whole cloud can't be made up of avians.. could it? "

'It could be, a worrying sign though. If I was thinking negatively I should say that something had started.'

Derwent and Este continue making their way along the ridge. They meet a small patrol of prey beastmen who, although skittery, appear more worried about the Rats and the Avains rather than interupting a couple of travellers.

After a short conversation with the prey beastmen, the couple make good progress along the ridge.

*Within a short time, they found themselves at the top of a cliff which dropped sharply down to woodlands below. As they followed the precipice towards Pathway, weary but with some new source of energy as they neared their journeys end.*

*Este and Derwent came through the woods below the cliff, and paused, looking for direction.
As they looked around and consulted their map, a grim faced halfling wearing a helmet which looked as if it had been fashioned from a discarded bucket, complete with scarlet and blue feathers sprouting in an impressive cockade, stumped towards them brandishing a club covered in spikes and carrying a basket of mushrooms in his other hand. Looking them over, the halfling grunted*

'What you doing here, this land belongs to the crew of the All But One. Get going wil you.'

*Slightly taken aback, the two looked at each other then Este said*

'Which way is Pathway from here, that's where we are going.'

*The Halfling looked them pityingly, pausing in his efforts to look menacing whilst he scratched his armpit*

'How the hell should I know? All the locals head off in that direction, try thataway.'

*He pointed first in one random direction, and then another completely different one. The pair thanked him and set off in the first direction, which soon began a well worn path.*

"Ah, I think I know where we are now."

Sure enough, they soon could see the three forts of Pathway, and were surprised to see the shanty town of tents and ramshakle structures around it. Derwent drew his kimono round to hide his tabbard, it looked just a little too like the standard Telerfret tabbard and he didn't want to provoke a fight over a miss-understanding.

They soon met a Larkant guard, without any of the doe eyed response that they had become all too used to.

"Good Morning Sir, We have important information concerning armies moving only a couple of days march from here. I believe your commanding officer should be informed immediately. "

The guard watches the pair as they approach him, but his attention peaks when Derwent speaks. "The Avians? What do you know?"

Derwent relaxes his posture.

" Ah, I see the news has overtaken us. "

" We personally saw a large cloud of flying avains leaving Fikiawe - after hearing keening throughout the night. A small patrol of prey beastmen we encountered on the road mentioned that the Rodera also make ready for war. "

The guard also relaxes a bit, having been expecting some more important news. "Yes, we know about their war. I just hope they'll let us stay out of it. We've got enough to deal with." He gestures as if to encompass the surrounding squalor.

" I would still like to talk to your leader though, or The Traveller if he is in the area. We have uncovered a puzzle which we require their assistance to solve. "

Derwent obliquely refers to the strange urgent licence dispach, unsure how much he should tell a guard.

*Este continued to observe their surroundings, and the guard, but made no comment at the conversation. Information, as ever, constituted both a commodity and a risk.*

The guard nods. "I'll see if someone can talk to you. Who are you, anyway?"

" My name is Derwent Thurza, I haven't often been this way athough I am known to Traveller, Kerigan and Sir Geran and I met Krishena and some of the others at the tavern in Narturlin."

"and this is my life-partner, Este. "

" Your name and rank, sir? "

*Este fixed the guard with a slightly penetrating look and remained standing next to Derwent. It had not failed to occur to her that any mention of the village would have to be handled with great care. For the time being, speech was unecessary.*

"Corporal Fallath, sir." he pauses a moment as he realises that he never actually got a rank from the man before him. "You don't get the brass standing around in the rain." He turns and calls over to another guard a little distance away. "Hey, Alek! Come here a moment!" Once the other has arrived, he continues. "These two say 'ey've got some important information for the higher-ups. I'm gonna go see who wants to talk to 'em. Just make sure no-one gets slotted while I'm gone, alright?"

" Thank you Corporal. Please lead the way. "

One of our captured documents has lead us to believe that the Haran is urgently issuing new licences to his licenced magic users. We have no idea why. However, we have obtained two of the new licences.

We have discovered the identity of the unidentified man, he calls himself James Hywall and claims to come from 'a small village nr. Nandine' and to be worried about the situation in Sanga. However he also seeems to have different views on magic which worry me, similar as they are to the Haran's. Este and I aren't sure we can trust him, but are treating his wounds and giving what support we can.

Whilst walking back home from the main hall for dinner we heard a loud crashing noise. Entering the house, Este discovered that someone had knocked over the terracotta couldron that she was using to cook soup - and that a large quantity of the soup had been eaten. I then saw a man running away in the shadows. Este dived out of the open window, rolled and caught up with me. I wish she wouldn't take risks like that - I know speed was crittical but still she could have very easily wounded herself. Unfortunately, although we both have training in recognising wounds neither of us are able to magically heal people - we have to rely on herbal remedies, bandages and bedrest. I think one of are Telerfret helpers is a healer but we haven't needed to use her power yet - thank goodness. The larkants we lost before the magic barrier was errected were unfortunately beyond help when we found them - even from healers.

Anyway, we chased this shadowy figure into the woods near the boundary - and lost sight of him for a brief moment. Then we heard a cry and rounding a tree we discovered a man (dressed in Larkant clothing) lying prone. Este covered me while I checked for wounds - to discover he was unwounded but unconcious; his soul also appeared to be unaffected. It is my personal opinion that this is one of the Quayle's men that he left behind to keep an eye on us. However, because it is also possible that he was the man we were chasing he is being monitored. In that case though who subdued him - or did he just bang his head on a tree branch whilst fleeing from us?

I'll write more when I know more. I'm going to speak to the guards now - one of them may have seen something (it is about time they changed guard for dinner as well.)

Neelaw spotted an unidentified man talking to some of our Larkants, Este, Neelaw and I searched for him but he was not found.

As it wasn't Quayle, one of his men nor one of the heros' party, Este and I remain concerned. A count and check at dinner will be taken to ensure no-one is missing. Best to be safe.

I am worried: If word of this place reaches the Haran, we will all be in danger.

The perimitar wall is now complete: Traveller and Kerigan can have set up a spell which prevents the Larkants from leaving the confines of the village. Thankfully we now no longer need to keep them under 24-7 observation. The monitoring wasn't helping their mental states to recover.
They can no get used to freedom of action before we give them freedom of movement. We've lost three to the Haran's mental orders so far - hopefully this will make sure we don't loose any more.

The spell should also dull or even mask his orders. I hope so - but I have no way of telling. The first day we lost a couple to the Haran's mental orders, they drew their swords and stabbed themselves - aweful.
The remaining twenty seem much happier and calmer now but we've taken away their weapons and stored them in a hut outside the perimeter of the spell on the edge of the village.

Este and I have settle well into our new accommodations. It was great to be able to sleep in our own bed again - in the army of course we'd been separated.

Since my unofficial defection from the Haran's army I have remained with the unit I was assigned to as a spy. Luckly my life-partner Este was with me on the same patrol that we first encounted the Traveller. I used what little influence I had to get our patrol ordered to the area the heros are expected to pass through.

I then took the opportunity to slip away to perform a little task for the Traveller: A member of the Celestial Dragon was in need of testing - as a undercover member myself I was more than willing to act out the part of 'an innocent' although I wasn't expecting my fellow brother to actually cut me. Luckily it was no more than a shallow cut to the hand which Kriska quickly healed. Thus she passed the test by coming to my aid.

I returned briefly to the unit - to ensure that Este and myself were sent off on a 'scouting' mission and thus were otherwise engaged when the rest of the unit attacked the heros and was destroyed.

Luckily for us the Traveller met up with us and vouched us to the party. We endured the goading and tried valiantly not to openly grieve or even blame them for the death of the soldiers - It is the Haran's evil orders that were to blame not the heros. I doubt 'our gracious leader' the Haran even cares about the lives he orders Telefret to spend so freely.

The party of heros: including Kriska, the sorcerer Kerigan and a knight called Sir Geren left us in charge of a group of Larkant prisoners that had been partially released from the haran's mind controling magic. It looks like this is to be our task for sometime.

I have started this journal to document my activities as a free Telerfret and in the hope that in the event of my demise this journal will allow my replacement to take my place with the minimum of problems. Of course this does not mean that I am expecting to die, merely perparing for it. It is known for those that oppose the Haran to disappear suddenly and without warning. Although I am a Telerfret and am proud to be, I wear the inverted shield to show my loyalty to the tribe not to the evil direction the Haran has lead my people in.

((Out of Character Comment = OCC: This journal is completely a work of Fiction. See Profile))