Tarithnesti - Cedron’s Gift

07 Deepkolt 349 AC

AT THE OTHER FARMHOUSE

Kysek brings Dusk the treats he found. He then walks her to the barn. “Stay here girl; I’m going to make certain this will be a safe stable for you."

He slips silently inside, checking every corner, every nook for an enemy who ducked inside to escape the slaughter outside.

Once he knows it's safe, he leads her inside. He gives her the dried meat and some pats on her neck. "I'll be back soon."

Dusk chirps once and settles down, loaf-style, on the barn floor.


Kysek steps out, closing the door behind him. He finds Romulus overseeing the last of the cleanup from the battle. He tell the Mage, "I'm going to scout the area. I'll send a message if I find anything. There's more where these came from. I'm just not sure how far. Keep an eye on Dusk?"

"I will. Don't go too far." Romulus replies.

Kysek nods and sends Bubo ahead, knowing the owl can cover more ground.Acid.

THE PROTECTOR'S TOWER

There is a knock at Commander Parnitha's door - Lieutenant Fenar enters with a report. A small boat, not much larger than one of the canoes the scouts used, has drifted in on the current and gotten stuck against the docks. There was nobody aboard - just some mining tools, splatters of blood, and a smear of acid.

AT THE FIRST FARMSTEAD

“Master Dwarf, these people have survived for centuries without the magic of a cleric… don’t be so foolish as to think you might be their savior. Whatever power is being bestowed upon you will come at a cost higher than any of us will want to pay…” Ra’ziir says rather tersely, clearly becoming annoyed with Grotto’s reluctance to listen to reason.

“I too was tempted by the Dragon Queen when first we arrived in this world. Indeed, I made use of the gifts I was given too. Once.” The Black-Robed Elf pauses, “But when it was clear to me that I was being duped, I refused to be a pawn. I pray you too will see what folly our ego can be, and how those that can, will turn it against us. Let not hubris be another Dwarf’s ruin…”

Grotto assures his friends he is well. "I will be careful, but we need all the help we can get!"

Ra’ziir takes his leave, making for the barn where Redclaw rests to check in on the griffon and study his grimoire. The griffon squawks a greeting and sniffs the air before settling back in to wait.

Ra'ziir concentrates on Raven via their mindlink, “I hope Grotto does not become a liability… but if he does, it will need to be dealt with.”

Raven climbs to the second floor of the farmhouse and slips out of a second floor window onto the roof.

"I will watch him," is Raven's mental response.


AT THE CRYSTAL QUARRY

Shadow slips away. The echoes of Cassidy's "orchestra" fade. The dark elf rests, taking Reverie in a quiet niche of a tunnel. When he rises, he prepares his spells - loading up on teleportation magics in preparation of taking as many refugees as possible to safety in Silvanost.

A mental count runs continuously through Shadow’s mind  - how many of the 400 sheltering elves can he carry to safety before the hammer of the Dragonarmies fall upon this fragile hiding place? Will it be enough time? Has Alara managed to expand their haven beneath the elven capital going to be enough to house so many of those fleeing before the enemy?

Cedron shakes off his mental funk. “Actions mean more than words.” He reminds himself. He sees the value of lifting morale, and encourages others to join Cassidy and his crystal music circle.

He draws the kender to one side, a slow smile spreading across his face. With a deliberate flourish of showmanship, he draws forth a small, unassuming tan sack of unadorned canvas and reaches inside.

From it he produces... a fuzzy brown ball.

Cassidy crinkles his nose. "That's suspicious."

The priest smiles and rolls it gently across the ground. The moment it stops it unfolds and begins to expand, transforming into a massive brown bear.


A collective gasp emerges from the children. Cassidy's face splits into a grin nearly wide enough to swallow his ears.

The beat sniffs the air. Cedron instructs the animal. "Be friendly."

It huffs once and settles to the ground.

Children swarm forward, hands reaching out to touch a heavy coat of fur.

Cassidy's wide eyes lock onto the beast.

Laughter fills the chamber. Some of the boldest children climb onto the massive bear's back and shoulders. The creature looks at Cedron with pleading eyes as fingers and feet dig in. The priest nods and the bear opens its mouth wide, its long, pink tongue lolling out between absolutely huge teeth.

Cedron places the sack in Cassidy's hand.

Cassidy looks down at the plain canvas as if he has been given the greatest gift in the world.

Cedron smiles, “It’s not always a bear, my friend. But once a day you can summon an animal."

"Any animal?" Cassidy manages to ask.

"Sometimes it’s a horse. One time... a rhinoceros appeared. It’s helped me out more than a few times. May it bring you good luck too.”

Cassidy's jaw drops. "I love this bag." He bows his head, "I will take good care of it."

Cedron smiles and tucks the small crystal Cassidy gave him into his cloak.

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