Kitahria rose suddenly and to her surprise found that she was in a wooden bed. It was small and spartan, but it was grudgingly comfortable . She half expected to awaken in some Githyanki cell or perhaps as a prisoner of the goblins again, but she found herself in what looked like a secluded brick room. Her sharp ears detected moans in the distance and her nose smelled the scents of blood and the wounded.
"Sir Jose…." She gasped, as she felt pain shooting throughout her body.
"Settle down squire Kitahria," ordered a curt and commanding voice. "Your wounds are far from healed."
Kit's keen eyes took a second to focus but saw she was being attended by Lady Ogela the Snow Lion Commander herself. The elf was attired in full armor while sitting on a stool, and seemed to be in the middle of sharpening her sword.
"What happened?" asked Kit as the elf set her whet stone and blade down.
"I was hoping you could answer that for me," replied Ogela. "That is if you have your strength back."
Kit nodded. Ogela was technically not her superior, but she did know enough sense to show respect to the senior elven knight. " We assaulted the sky fortress while Jose distracted them. The plan…"she began.
"I know of this, I want to know what happened to Sir Jose ,the fortress and the silver blade," interrupted Ogela.
Kit nodded again. "Madeline ...errr the dragon Magda died fighting Zazoz, the Githyanki Champion. He had a vorpal sword. Fortunately she was able to ignite the coke that eventually lead to the destruction of the fortress. Jose fought him and was victorious….but was felled by Zazoz's final spell. The fortress was shifting back in time and falling apart at the same time, so I hopped on Greenpaw to escape. The sky turned ..strange… colors as we flew off, and I think we were hit by lightning. After that , I'm not sure. " reported Kit to the best of her ability. Just stating that her lord had died sent a numb feeling through her.
"And the sword? " pressed Ogela.
Kit closed her eyes and recalled Grinder placing the obsidian sword, and both silver blades in Greenpaw's packs. "It's safely on my mount. I haven't attempted to call him forth yet, but it should be safely stored there.
Ogela paused and considered Kit's statement. "My remaining griffon riders and I rode off after Jose when he rushed to the fortress. We didn't have the aid of an ancient red dragon so we lagged behind and were pinned by the lesser dragons and Githyanki. We spotted you fleeing when the fortress began falling apart and the sky tore asunder, but saw no signs of Sir Jose. I was hoping Jose survived since Greenpaw brought you out, but from your report I now assume the worse. I guess you have forged a pact with Jose's Celestial hound, " she sighed.
Kit nodded as she still tried to wrap her mind around the events that had transpired. Sasserine razed, Jose, Madeline, and Maid killed. Everything was in ruins. "What …what now?" was all she could ask.
Ogela stood up and ran a light finger down her sword's edge. She peered down the length of the blade and when satisfied she sheathed the weapon. "Despite losing their base of operation, many Githyanki and dragons escaped. I guess the fortress falling apart and shifting wasn't in their battle plan, and they reacted by fleeing in all directions. I suspect some retreated to their bases in the mountains, while others simply fled. Such actions do not surprise me since they are creatures of chaos. My riders harried them as they ran, and I intend to join them after the wounded are cared for and the city is secured. "
" Your master swore he would keep the blade from enemy hands and I expect the Order of the Husky to honor that vow. We could destroy it , but I suspect it might play some role in the future. I care not if you guard it or hide it, just that it remain out of Githyanki hands till we need it. After you have recovered from your wounds, I command you to return to that hamlet of yours Fairhaven or Essuria as the locals call it. There you will assume the duties of Sir Jose as the new lady of Erland Keep. I'm not a member of your order, but I can safely say you've earned your title after today's events, " smiled Ogela in a rare show of emotion. "Lady Kit has a nice ring to it don't you think?"
"Lady Kitahria von Custeinson, " corrected Kit inadvertently. "Jose asked me to take his title before he died. I think it's the same family name as his own lord," she explained sheepishly.
Ogela faltered at the unusual comment. For a second, Kit thought she saw wetness in the elf's eyes, but she quickly recovered from the shock of her statement. "I was once asked to be Lady Custeinson, but that was a lifetime ago," she remarked silently under her breath. The comment would have gone unnoticed, but Kit's sharp hearing managed to pick up the odd statement.
"Very well Lady Custeinson it is then, " remarked Ogela in her usual no nonsense voice. " I will leave you to make the proper arrangements. "
Ogela gave her a crisp salute before turning on her heel and marching out the door. As she exited the elf saluted the guard outside the door before marching away on her errands. Almost as soon as she left, a handsome youth hobbled into the room , supporting himself with a battered spear. He wore a light chain shirt and a lion tabard, and was covered in bloodied bandages.
"Rasmus ," acknowledged Kit with a weak smile. She was still in shock from the death of her friends and companions, and her newly appointed responsibilities, but she was still happy to see his kind face.
Rasmus nodded," Don't feel intimidated by Ogela. She was actually quite concerned for you. "
Kit laughed lightly. "She certainly knows how to show it. I was almost smothered by her motherly concern," she joked.
Rasmus grinned then lowered his eyes. "Sorry about your lord, he died a hero."
Kit nodded and the pair of them observed a moment of silence.
"What happened to my friends?" asked Kit finally.
Rasmus smiled and occupied Ogela's stool.
"The druid lady stayed around and healed the injured, you included, as best she could. She left when she felt she couldn't do anything more. Not that I blame her, she put on a brave face, but I could see a deep sadness in her eyes. Ogela sent a scout to ask her to stay around for a bit longer, but he reported she simply vanished into the mountains," stated Rasmus with a shrug.
Kit nodded. She felt an obligation to talk to the kind druid, about Jose and her child, but knew that she would be hard to find even with her heightened senses. Kit accepted the fact that Kaeda was in mourning right now and probably needed her space. She knew that everyone dealt with loss differently. It might have been for the best though, since Kit wasn't sure what to say to her anyways.
"Sergeant Trent was badly beaten, even worse than you, but the tough little Halfling is recovering nicely. He's actually in a room down the hall, and in good spirits I might add. If you want to see him later it can be arranged," continued Rasmus.
Kit's heart lightened at the news. Partially because she was glad that Trent survived, but also because she knew she needed him. While she had been briefly in charge of the daily affairs of Erland's Keep, she knew she would need his counsel to run it properly.
"Grinder was banished, but no one's seen a sign of him," shrugged the Lion squire.
"Banished?" inquired Kit. She still wasn't sure how the old merc found his way into the fortress before it was destroyed, but he was a staunch warrior and a friend of Jose's. "What did he do that was so bad that got him banished?"
Rasmus shrugged. "I'm not completely sure. It was Ogela's decree. Something about him being a creature of pure chaos or something. "
Kit wasn't sure what that meant, but assumed that the old mercenary probably looted something that he wasn't supposed to. While she had nothing against soldiers of fortune, they were ultimately motivated by greed and she could totally see him taking something he shouldn't have.
"Oh, Chief Grinkletooth and his tribe were given a pardon by Lady Ogela," declared Rasmus in a chuckle. Kit looked at him blankly for a second then recalled the goblins that she had coerced into battle. "They were given a one day head start before she sic'd her Lion knights on them, but I think a lot of them just moved into the sewers or the dungeons of Harbor Keep. I didn't realize that the basement was like a maze down there."
"When Ogela wasn't waiting for you to wake, your short friend kept vigil over you. Fed and bathed you while you were unconscious," added Rasmus.
Kit gave the squire a dubious look. " PigIron? " she asked in a cracking voice. She was both relieved to hear the suicidal dwarf was still alive but also a bit repulsed that the hairy smelly dwarf was caring for her and especially creeped out when Rasmus mentioned he was bathing her.
"No,no..not the cat dwarf," explained Rasmus. He paused as if collecting his thoughts to explain and then noticed someone at the door. "Ah here she is now…."
As Kit puzzled over his statement, she saw a slim young woman with curly brown hair wearing a grey tight fitting black dress standing by the giant door way.
"Maid! ", exclaimed Kit. She attempted to get up to greet her friend but the pain of her injuries quickly brought her back to the bed. As she struggled, her friend bounded to her side to hug her.
"I'll leave you two to catch up, "smiled Rasmus. "I'm on guard duty you know, m'lday," he added with a smirk.
Kit nodded at the squire as she returned Maid's hug. "I can't believe you're alive! " Kit declared barely choking back her tears. She wasn't sure how her friend survived. She witnessed her being decapitated by Zazoz and knew that only the highest level of clerical magic would be able to bring her back from the dead after that blow. As she puzzled over this, her senses told her that while it was her friend before her, but something wasn't right. As she tried to sort out her senses she suddenly realized that her friend was changed. Her face was rounder but still comely, but more importantly she was roughly half the height that she was before.
"Err…you've shrunk?"
"You can thank Kaeda for my return," beamed the Innkeeper. "She was able to reincarnate me, and I was lucky enough to return back as a Halfling."
"Errr….is that a good thing?" Kit asked cautiously. She wasn't that familiar with reincarnation magic, but the thought of living her life as anything but a werefox seemed very unappealing to her.
"Well, besides the sudden urges to eat everything in sight, and the fact I can't wear heels any more, of course it is! In fact, I couldn't be happier ! First off , I'm just happy to be alive. Secondly I'm lucky I came back as a demi human, and not some badger or orc beasty. Kaeda did mention, people with strong wills would get reincarnated into what they wanted, but I didn't believe it till now. Which leads me to the third and most important point, it makes things between Trent and myself. Much easier," she said while extending her hand obtrusively in Kit's face. Kit took a second, and then saw an impressive diamond ring adorning her friend's hand.
"Congratulations! "smiled Kit as she was taken aback by her friend's happiness. It was probably convenient for them to be together now that they were both the same race. More importantly she knew that there was a special bond between the Halfling and the Innkeeper, and it would only be a matter of time before they would have gotten engaged anyways.
"I spied on him in Essuria you know," smiled Maid slyly. " I knew he bought this ring the last time we were there, and I guessed he wanted to give it to me after this mess blew over. It worked out well."
Kit nodded and glad someone came out ahead in this whole mess. While she was happy for the Innkeeper, the fact remained that Sir Jose was dead, and she had somehow inherited all his responsibilities and more. Erland's keep, running patrols around Essuria, and even the care of Madeline's draconic children. She didn't even have a proper chance to mourn yet, and she already felt the oppressive weight of her burdens. As she thought of this the former squire despaired at her fate.
Maid stroked Kit's hair and gave her a motherly smile. "I know your troubles, I partially caught Ogela's speech before she left. Oh don't give me that look, it's not considered spying if you're a Halfling, its more an outlet for our endless curiosity. Anyways, I've talked to Trent already and we will accompany you back to Essuria to help you run things. It'll be good to actually run my Inn instead of being dragged around shooting critters. Trent can go back being Sherriff Trent instead of Sergeant Trent, and PigIron can go chase mice or something. I'll even help you hatch those dragon eggs, and make sure they don't devour each other. I know losing Jose and Madeline is a great loss, but you can let grief cripple you. People depend on you , people need you now. You're the Lady of Erland's Keep now, Lady Kitahria von Custeinson if I recalled correctly."
Kit took in Maid's words and agreed. A year ago if she was given these responsibilities she would have considered them shackles, but now she considered them her duty. The only way possible to honor the memory and legacy of Sir Jose.
"Did Kaeda say anything before she left?" Kit asked.
"She said that she needs to help her remaining people rebuild, but she would be in touch," shrugged Maid. Kit knew of Jose's child, but wasn't sure how to deal with it now. She would offer Kaeda whatever help she needed, but knew there would be little chance she required any. Kit felt responsible for the unborn child, but would respect the druid's wishes in how to raise him or her.
"It's a big task. Taking care of the town and all," noted Kit.
"Aye but at least no one will try to chop your head off," agreed Maid as she stuck out her tongue and bent her neck in an exaggerated fashion.
The two shared a short laugh and then sighed simultaneously at the task ahead of them. Kit knew that Maid had come to the Western Freehold seeking a domestic life from the beginning. The Innkeeper seemed to have gotten her wish, but Kit knew that a part of her friend will always long for adventure. For herself, Kit knew this wasn't the end of her travels but a chance at a new beginning. The Western Freeholds was a vast mostly unexplored region of untamed wilderness. Even if you discount the mountains of Kaeda's people there were plenty of humanoids, giants and who knows what else that would besiege her lands. Sir Jose's original mission was to bring order into this chaotic land and she was willing to continue his work. She didn't see herself as some minor satrap or robber baron of some complacent mining town, but as a crusader bringing light to this chaotic landscape. She didn't consider this a job, but as a duty that was her privilege to honor. Kit felt her heart bursting with pride at the thought, and could almost hear her lord's approval.
"Is something wrong Kit?" asked Maid as she looked curiously at her friend. "Your ears suddenly grew out for now reason."
Kit patted her ears down, and could almost hear her lord's admonishment. "Nothing is wrong, nothing at all," she smiled.
