Road Trip to the Dragon Isles - A Side Quest within a Side Quest

15 Newkolt 349 AC

"Don't know what this great evil is by any chance?" Arthur looks the map over.

"I only know that it was once called the Blinded God," the librarian tells him.

"Thank you for what you have told us. We should research a bit more about this 'Blinded God' before we make our way." Arthur says.

The librarian shakes her head, "I am sorry. There is no further information. Many records were lost during the Great Floods caused by the Cataclysm."

"Thank you for all your help." Arthur lays the map down. "Alright, I guess we should ready ourselves."

"I will gather my things, it will only take a few minutes," Chimeg excuses herself, "I will meet you on the front steps of the abbey."

Arthur rolls the map up and walks to the front steps with Agnes, Davaa, and Altan. He begins to think of what might be sealed away.

Altan paces on the stairs, "Do you think we will have to fight this blinded god to free the White Lady?"

Agnes shakes her head, "I have never heard of a 'Blinded God'. It probably is some sort of guardian creature, but it won't be a deity."

Davaa asks Arthur for another look at the map.

Arthur opens up the map for him to look at. "The White Lady...she's one. The librarian 'the sisters' so I wonder how many in total there were."

"Sisters, likely like that girl, Chimeg, so however many priestesses served in the old temple. Sounds like only the one stayed behind so the original number probably doesn't matter," Davaa replies as he traces his finger along the map. He mutters to himself. "This is probably... yeah, that makes sense... but that would mean... ah.. yes, right through here." The Khurish guide looks up from the parchment. "It really isn't that far. If the map is still accurate, we should be to this temple by noon tomorrow."

Chimeg emerges from the abbey a minute later, a sack thrown over one shoulder. "I am ready. Shall we be on our way?"

"Let's not waste time and get right to it." Arthur follows Davaa's lead, "Hopefully whatever we do will help."

Agnes climbs onto her horse, "At the very least, we are unlikely to make things worse so there is that, my love."

The group is soon in motion and after being stopped at the city gate by soldiers "politely requesting" their names and destination, which Davaa tells them is Alek-Khan, they are allowed to leave. As they exit the gate, the librarian smiles and says, "My blessing travels with you," before her body evaporates into floating motes of light that vanish a moment later.

The ground is much hillier on the trail leading west. "By this afternoon, this should level out," Davaa informs them, "but tomorrow will be much like this as we get closer to the Khalkists."

Chimeg jogs along beside the horses, keeping pace with the group as they ride. Hours pass. The small party rounds the southern end of the Sierra Khur Mountains and the valley spreads out before them. Davaa points in a more-or-less northwesterly direction. "There lies Alek-Khan. Once we are done helping the girl, we will head there."

"I do have a name, Davaa. It's alright for you to use it when talking to or about me,' Chimeg says. "In fact, I would prefer it."

Davaa throws a glance her way, "I know," is all he says in response. "You run well but you could ride on the pack horse. Save your energy for dealing with this 'Blinded God' when we get to it."

This gives Chimeg pause, "You are correct but I do not wish to impose more than I already am."

Davaa shrugs, "We were going to go in this direction anyway. A few hour delay isn't going to hurt us and it would be a bigger imposition to have to bury you or one of us because you were too worn out to fight effectively."

"Chimeg, please use the horse it is no trouble. It will also be safer for you to be on horse back than running." He offers her a smile. The paladin looks around, scanning the valley floor and the horizon, ever alert for danger.

Off in the far distance, back toward the city, a flight of four dragons can be seen circling high above. Two separate caravans, both heading toward the city and a third one following the several miles behind move slowly across the snow-covered plain.

Hours pass and as the ground starts to become hilly once more, the sun drops to top of the mountains, casting long shadows across the earth.

Once the sun begins to set, Arthur helps set up the camp. "How are we doing on time, Davva? Also, how are you feeling, Chimeg?"

Davaa shrugs, "We are about where I figured we would be."

The acolyte bounces lightly on the balls of her feet. "I am well. You do not need to worry about me. I am used to such hardships."

"Yes, but we want to know how you are feeling, Chimeg. If we do not find this 'White Lady', then Mother Gerel may not recover," Agnes says softly.

"Oh... well, I am trying not to think about that. Right now, I just want to get to the old temple. I have to trust that Elir-Sana led me to you for a reason," the acolyte answers. "This will unfold as the goddess wills it."

Altan scratches his chin, "I do not understand how this faith the two of you have in the gods works. It has been a long time since they answered the prayers of humanity."

Agnes smiles, "Altan, seeing makes you believe. Believing lets you see. Whether you recognize it or not, the gods answer prayers every day."

The Khur frowns and dismounts from his horse. "I... am going to make dinner. It will be ready soon." He heads into the tent, opens the flap in the ceiling and gets a small fire started for cooking. Altan makes buuz again, although this time he adds some shredded carrots and onions to the mutton dumplings. He takes the leftover fat in his shallow cook pan and fries up balls of dough to make what he calls "boortsog". Once those are cooked, he tosses them in a bowl of sugar with small cups of airag.

Chimeg politely declines the alcohol, saying that it is forbidden for her to which Davaa replies, "These gods you believe in wouldn't have given us airag if they didn't want us to drink it, girl!"

The Acolyte raises a single eyebrow and Davaa raises one hand, "Apologies, Chimeg. I meant no offense."

Arthur eats. "Gods, goddess, they are all different. Some say no booze, some say drink everyday, some say fight, others say don't. But that's what makes the world such a beautiful and diverse place." He sips his drink. "Thank you for the food, Altan, it's delicious." He gives him a smile.

Davaa volunteers for the first watch of the evening and Altan offers to take the last one so he can prepare breakfast, which consists of eggs, thin slices of mutton, and dried byaslag - a cheese made from yak milk with watered-down wine to wash it down.

16 Newkolt 349 AC

Camp is broken and the group is soon in their way with Chimeg riding on the pack horse with the rest of the food and the tent. The ground rises beneath the party's feet and the trail wends its way back and forth between the hills. Davaa consults the map periodically, picking out landmarks and comparing them to what is on the parchment. The hills become steeper as the group climbs, eventually ending at a sheer cliff face that rises a good 200'.

A large marble overhang carved from the cliff in front of you announces the end of your search. A massive gate of marble, lined by two columns, seals the entrance. Four identical runes, depicting eyes, are carved into it. The gate is 20' wide and 40' tall. It is made of the same material as the overhang and columns.