Chapter XXXVII
As the day broke, the rosy fingers of dawn crept slowly into the horizon, Drognan stood on the roof of his house studying the last of the stars before they disappeared. The threat had been vanquished, that much was plain but whether it was gone for good would take more time of contemplation.
He hastened to see Jerryn, the young Lord of Lut Gholein was roused and sat in the library with a robe around him as Drognan related the news.
"Are you sure about this?" Jerryn said.
"Nothing is sure until it has already happened," Drognan reminded him, "but I say that the threat in the desert has gone and the city is now safe."
"At long last," Jerryn said, getting to his feet and walking over to the window. The sun had risen now and people were up and about in their business, a normal sight but a welcome one as they were now safe. He turned to the aide standing by the door. "Inform Griez that the danger is passed, and when you have done that send for Meshif." He turned back to Drognan, his face glowing like the sky outside. "I have long hoped for this day."
Drognan didn't want to tell him that the relief might only be temporary. The sorcerer excused himself at the next available opportunity.
The marketplace was abuzz with the news, the danger was gone, and the heroes had been victorious. To some it seemed incredible, but Deckard Cain merely smiled and said nothing. He had known all along that it would be so.
"We'll have a celebration," Atma suggested through her tears.
She and Tallia started to move the trestle tables outside. Geglash, who was sober for once, helped them so Atma could escape inside the Jewel and see what spread they could have.
But at the moment it was more like an informal gathering, people stood in the square swapping rumours. Some even claimed to have heard from the heroes themselves, though this was discounted as particularly dubious.
Meshif was pleased, though more so for different reasons. He would be finally able to sail home to Kurast, Jerryn had finally given him leave to do so.
"May I assume that you will be coming with me?" he asked Deckard Cain.
"I imagine so," the Horadric Sage replied, "though it depends on what the real news is compared to what we have here."
A group of children sprinted through the square, laughing and smiling. One of them walked up to Cain, a dark-skinned girl with wide brown eyes.
"We're going to meet them," she said solemnly, "will they be coming in at the gate?"
"No," Cain said, he started to walk with the children, "I'll show you."
When Talina, Geldar and Barak emerged from the waypoint in the middle of the city, they found themselves in the centre of a large crowd. Someone called out for three cheers and they were escorted en masse to the city square. But something was wrong.
"Where is Norleche?" Cain asked in a low voice.
"He is dead," Talina replied quietly.
A hush fell through the crowd, there was something else she had to tell.
"Baal wasn't there," she said though the silence, "we fought this—thing—and the Archangel Tyrael told us we were too late."
There was another silence, then whispering amongst the people.
"But that is our problem," Geldar said in a loud voice so everyone could hear, "Baal and Diablo might have escaped, but they are no longer a threat to you."
It was at this inauspicious moment that Jerryn arrived, only with a light guard and he approached them.
"You have done very well," he said with a smile. "Few could have come this far, let alone discover the True Tomb of Tal Rasha. If you wish to travel east, I have authorised Meshif to give you passage by sea. I imagine he would be very anxious to leave by now. Good luck on your quest, and thank you all for saving my beloved city. You will always be welcome in Lut Gholein, my friends. And this," he gestured to a page carrying a rather heavy chest. "Is a small token of my esteem."
Talina felt as if she would faint when the page opened the chest to reveal the wealth within. She wanted to run it through her fingers, the gold, the jewels, the pearls. But Geldar held her back.
"With all do respect my lord, we have little use for such wealth," the Paladin said in an even voice.
"But what are you—" Talina protested.
"Talina, Geldar has a point," Barak said, "this could very well end up in the hands of pirates rather than put to any good use."
"But what you have done for my city deserves more reward than I can give," Jerryn replied.
"Then perhaps," Geldar suggested, "you could gift us with something we can use. That would be more beneficial and welcomed by us."
"Of course," Jerryn said, he gave instructions to the page and then excused himself to greet his people.
Atma escorted them to what she called the High Table, she left quickly then returned with drinks.
"This is all on the house tonight, the least I can do," she said with a rare smile, "You have proven to be the greatest of heroes, and I am honoured to call you my friends. Thank you for bringing peace to our lives again."
It was like holding court, everyone came up to them to say thanks or express condolences about Norleche's lost. When Atma and Tallia started handing around the first of the food, Deckard Cain drew them aside in a whisper.
"The only reason we are staying her longer is that Meshif needs time to ready the ship and he wants to go with the tides," he said. "The Archangel Tyrael was the one who gave the soulstones to the Horadrim two hundred and sixty years ago."
"He actually helped us?" Barak asked. "Is this normally done?"
"It is highly unusual for the forces of Heaven to so directly intervene with man's destiny," Cain but Tyrael was said to act of his own volition. We have never been able to discern why. Perhaps," Cain suggested, "he goes against the consensus of Heaven because he doubts our ability to defend ourselves, or perhaps, he sees more threat than his peers. Where the actions of Hell often seem straightforwardly bent on destruction," he said, "the motives of Heaven are unfathomable." He was silent for a moment, then added in a more serious tone. "Both Diablo and Baal must be stopped before they join with their brother, Mephisto. If the three Prime Evils unite again, the world as we know it will be no more."
"What about that creature we faced?" Talina asked between mouthfuls. "Can you tell us anything about that?"
"Describe it," Cain said, Geldar did the best he could and Cain thought for a long time afterwards. "It sounds like one of the Lesser Evils, the Prince of Pain whom mortals call Duriel. This does not bode well for us at all."
"A Lesser Evil like Andariel?" Geldar asked.
"Yes," Cain replied, "Diablo must have Hell untied behind him in order to have Duriel on his side."
When the meal was done and the square was being cleared for games and dancing, Geldar excused himself and took a walk to see Drognan. The old sorcerer was sitting outside his house examining a scroll, after they exchanged greetings Geldar related what Cain had said.
"This is a serious setback," he said when Geldar had finished. "It is most unfortunate that Tal Rasha has been consumed by Baal's destructive influence. There are many secrets known to the Horadrim which can be used by Baal against us."
"Perhaps if we had arrived there sooner…" Geldar said but Drognan cut him off with a gesture.
"It is not for us to discern the whys and wherefore of what has come to pass," he said dismissively. "But this much is clear. You must travel East by sea to Kurast and stop Diablo and Baal before they free their eldest brother, Mephisto. Hahh, " he smiled dryly at Geldar, "the lands of the eastern Empire are not the same as they used to be. There has been little word for some time."
"I have heard as much more than once," Geldar said, "but I am not sure what to believe."
"No matter, you will soon be there," Drognan said lightly. "Speed is of the essence. Go quickly, my friend. May the fates smile on you."
Geldar left the old sorcerer to his work and wandered aimlessly through the city, the sun was getting high and the day was growing hot. Somehow, he ran into Warriv who was readying his caravan.
"Well aren't you a stranger," the merchant said with a smile, "I was just getting ready to leave for the West tomorrow, but I have heard something interesting about all of you."
Geldar told him what had happened, including Norleche's death. Warriv rubbed his beard meditatively.
"It is a sad loss, but from what you say he died a hero," the merchant concluded.
"I don't think he even wanted to be thought of like that," Geldar said uncertainly.
"No matter, what's done is done," Warriv said, rubbing his hand together. "As for you, you did the best you could. I suspect Diablo and Baal are heading east, towards Kurast. You'll find them…I
know you will."
"I wish I could take your faith with me," Geldar said, he turned to see Talina walking towards him.
For a moment he didn't recognise her, she was wearing a loose, linen dress with elaborate embroidery and her fair hair flowed around her shoulders.
"Don't look at me like that," she rebuked.
"Why not?" Geldar asked, it was the first time he had seen her as such. Even for the rogues' feast back in Khanduras she had worn her armour.
"I've been sent to find you," Talina said, ignoring the question. "Meshif is getting ready, we're getting our belongings together."
"So soon?" Geldar asked.
"He wants to go with the tide," the Amazon replied, as if suck a thing was obvious,"and it's going out soon."
