Chapter 24 – Are we there yet? – Day 68
"Two weeks! I can't believe it's been two weeks! Are we ever going to get there? We are moving so slooooooooooow. Why do they all have to be so slooooooooooow?" Imoen stamped her feet in frustration and dragged her short bow along the ground as she pouted her way through the woods. "And why do we have to be behind everyone? It is so not fair!"
Jeral could only shake his head tiredly and smile. Imoen was never patient in the best of times, and the past two weeks were anything but the best of times. Jeral could have comfortably made the trek back to the Friendly Arm Inn within seven or eight days. However leading a large group of refugees from the Claokwood Mines, many of them malnourished women and children caused the group to move only as fast as the slowest member. A dozen of the weakest were carried on stretchers and makeshift litters, slowing the group even further.
Each morning Ajantis and Rill would lead a party of two dozen of the strongest men out first. Their role was to scout ahead and ensure the safety of the main column following behind. They were looking for the easiest way through the woods as well as ensuring that there were no threats to the main body. Other than the occasional small group of gibberlings, or the odd giant spider, they did not encounter any serious opposition. As the scouts moved through the woods they ensured that they left a clear path for the main party to follow. Each day in the early afternoon they would stop at the first suitable location for the campsite and start to prepare it for the arrival of everyone else.
The majority of the freed miners and their families traveled in a large loosely organized group following slowly along a few hours behind the scouts. Yeslick and Dynaheir traveled in the middle of the largest cluster of women and children. The dwarven cleric tended to the wounded and Dynaheir served as his able assistant. Her skills in alchemy lended themselves well to the brewing of medicinal teas and the making of healing salves under Yeslick's expert tutelage. The pair worked tirelessly to ensure that no one else would die. While on the march during the day they tended to the sick and injured as best they could. At night Yeslick prayed to Moradin for every healing gift he could get, for he needed every one of them to keep the weakest alive.
Jeral and Imoen were responsible for the rear guard of the column. Accompanied by a dozen of the able bodied men and women from the mines they slowly trailed well behind the main column. They were there to ensure that no one fell out from the column and that no one threatened the column from behind. Their place at the tail on the column ensured them of a frustratingly slow trek following a muddy worn track beaten down by the hundreds who preceeded them through the forest. Their place at the end of the line was a source of constant irritation to Imoen, who wanted to be in the front with Ajantis or deep in the woods with Minsc patrolling the flanks of the column.
Every day looked very much like the preceding one. Ajantis and the scouts would depart at first light. The main column would take a few hours to wake up, eat a meager breakfast and grudgingly resume the march. The read guard would ensure nothing and no one of value was left behind at the camp site and then slowly follow behind the main column. While the odds of pursuit were slim, Jeral and Imoen still took no chances and kept a wary eye on the surrounding woods to ensure that they would not be caught unawares.
Lunch was a normally a hunk of stale bread, or moldy cheese, eaten on the march. In early afternoon the caravan would stop for the evening, many of the weaker men, women, and children exhausted from the short day and slow walk. Evening was the bright spot in the day for everyone. For the weak and tired it promised a respite from walking. For the children it promised an evening of games and storytelling from select elders and adults. Ajantis had taken it upon itself to provide martial training to any who expressed an interest. Each evening Ajantis led two score men and women in weapons drills and provided rudimentary training in hand to hand combat. All feared an encounter with their former masters so they took to the lessons eagerly, working hard to develop skills that would allow them to survive in combat and to protect their families.
The highlight of the evening was dinner. Food was the primary concern for everyone. After a week on the march the substantial food stores taken from the larder in the mines ran out. Water was plentiful from the numerous creeks and streams that criss crossed the forest so they would not die of thirst. For a time mass starvation seemed a likely outcome. Too many lacked the strength to miss meals for more than a day or two without falling down dead. In their weakened state food simply equaled one more day of life for many as they struggled to carry on. The morning the food ran out Rill, Yeslick, Jeral and the other members of the party gathered around the cook fire to discuss the issue.
Rill looked grim as he quietly addressed the others. "I have most dire news. The food stores are all but exhausted. We lack food enough for all for the noon meal. If we cannot feed the people many will quickly die. They lack the strength to carry on."
Everyone quietly digested the news. Jeral clenched and unclenched his hands in frustration. Despite all of Jeral's considerable knowledge, despite everything Gorion had ensured he learned, he was at a loss for what to do. The injustice of it all ate at him. They had worked so hard to free everyone from the mines, they could not fail now. They would not fail!
Clapping his hands together Minsc broke the tense silence.
"Things are not as dire as you all fear. Good Rill please fill the cook pot with water and make a fire. I can feed this group, however we will need to remain here for another day. Jeral, may I borrow your bow? I promise to return it."
Minsc laid his massive sword gently on the ground, lay his horned helm down next to it, and started removing his suit of full plate mail.
"Rill I also require eight strong men to assist me."
"And you shall have them. What do you plan to do large one?"
Minsc smiled as he removed the last piece of his armor. Free from its tremendous weight he stretched out his arms and rolled his neck from side to side. He motioned to the woods as he slowly turned in a circle and inhaled slowly.
"These woods are teeming with life all around us. I am going to find us food. Nature can easily feed us, all of us, until we reach our destination. We will only take enough to survive and the forest will not take issue with that in the least."
Minsc took Jeral's bow with a nod and waited patiently for Rill to return with the requested men. Once then men arrived Minsc said "follow me" and silently ran into the woods. Free of his heavy armor and weapon he moved as lightly as a woodland elf. Jeral laughed at the image of Minsc in elven finery with pointy ears. He was taller than any elf and near as broad as any three combined.
Before the sun peaked in the mid day sky Minsc returned. Smiling from ear to ear he entered the clearing. After a minute the eight men accompanying Minsc staggered into view. Each was covered in blood and burdened under the weight of the dead animals they carried. By Jeral's initial count the men carried seven large deer, a like number of large birds and one gigantic snake.
Minsc walked up to Rill and smiled as he clapped the man on the shoulders.
"We now have meat for a few days. Start cooking the deer and the birds. Leave the snake for the stew pot."
"My good ranger, I am speechless, you may have just saved us all yet again. But how can we make a stew with just a snake and water from the stream?"
"Ahhhhhh there is yet more that the forest can provide beyond meat. Please send me a few dozen of the older children for they can ably assist me in finding everything else we need."
Yet again Minsc happily jogged into the woods, this time with a gaggle of children training in his considerable wake. After less than an hour the children returned with dirty hands and smiling faces. They walked up to the makeshift field kitchen and dropped their discoveries into piles on the ground.
Minsc pointed from one pile to the next as he spoke. "Nature will feed all the hungry children. Here we have wild carrots, murin root, wild blackberries, sweet potatoes, and sweet onions. These children know how to find these food stuffs now so they can forage from the march in the future."
A handful of women descended on the food and quickly sliced and added the vegetables to the stew pot while they instructed the children to walk around handing out the berries. The cooking meats and the bubbling stew filled the camp with mouth watering aromas as everyone readied for the noon meal. Each subsequent day Minsc led out the hunting party and always returned with more than enough food for all. The children he trained as foragers learned their work well and kept the large group fortified with adequate vegetables and wild berries for the duration of the trek.
Finally after more than two weeks in the woods, and a few epic meltdowns from Imoen, the raggedy column emerged onto the great Coastal Way. After two weeks in the woods people wept upon reaching the rough cobblestone road. Freed from years in slavery and weeks in the woods the road symbolized hope for the future and safety. The few travelers on the road looked askance at the raggedy column as it slowly headed south to the Friendly Arm Inn. Energized by the prospects of safety the column made good time on the road and reached the Inn just as the daylight was starting to yield to the night time sky.
As Ajantis lead the way up to the gates of the Inn he was surprised to see Bentley standing at the gates accompanied by his wife Gellana and a dozen of the Inn's guards. Bentley embraced the paladin warmly, a broad smile covering his cherubic face.
"By the Gods, the stories are true. You did free the slaves in the mines and lead them to safety."
"What stories are those Lord Mirrorshade?"
Bentley snorted in amusement.
"You folks in the order are always so polite Ajantis. But calling me a Lord is like seeing a Halfling with a beard. It just does not fit. Call me Bentley or innkeeper if you wish to be formal."
"Very well Lord, I mean Innkeeper Mirrorshade. What stories have you heard?"
Smiling Bentley gazed up at the Paladin. "For weeks we have heard rumors that a party was deep in the Cloakwood, and about a fortnight ago a few guests left the Inn far earlier than planned. I overheard them saying they had to get to Baldur's Gate and inform their masters of your attack on the mines."
"How could they possibly have known about that?"
"Well that is easy lad, magic. One of them was clearly a mage, although he made a feeble attempt to hide that fact from me and the missus, like someone can hide the arts from us in our home. Since he departed we heard nothing until today. All day today I have had travelers ride through from the North telling tales of the column of refugees coming this way. Seemed natural enough to me what the truth was so we readied ourselves for your arrival."
Jeral and Imoen pushed their way through the mass of people and greeted Bentley and his wife warmly.
"As I was saying, we have made the Inn ready for an influx of guests. We should be able to accommodate all of you. I have taken the liberty of reserving you my finest three rooms. The injured will be very comfortable and well cared for in the temple tended by Gellana and her acolytes. The families, women and children may stay in the Inn while the single men may bed down in the stables. We cleaned space in the hay loft so they will be very comfortable there."
"Bentley, we are overwhelmed by your generosity."
"Ahhhh Jeral, this is the slow season, so we are happy to help."
Then he winked and slapped Jeral's thigh.
"Besides, since you took down the mines I suspect you made a fair piece o coin, so if you want to toss any of it my way I would not refuse."
Gellana cleared her throat and clapped her hands loudly.
"That is enough Bentley stop prattling away like a fisherman's wife. Look at all these poor people, they must be cold, hungry and tired. You need to stop talking so we can care for these poor people. Squire Ajantis, please direct everyone into the courtyard. We have food for all, and then we can get everyone organized for the night. Quickly now, it is getting dark."
Jeral and Imoen watched as the small Gnome cleric started ordering around Ajantis and everyone else in sight in a manner that brooked no argument.
Bentley sighed and started walking into the Inn next to Imoen and Jeral.
"Well Gellana has things well in hand out here. Come inside you two. I will get you a bite to eat and you can tell me all about your journey before she puts us to work."
Imoen and Jeral tore into their meals with enthusiasm. Bentley sat quietly until they were finished and then poured them glasses of wine.
"This is one of my best bottles, a lovely Calamshite red, seems appropriate for the occasion. After all this is call for celebration."
Imoen gulped her glass down greedily while Jeral took a small sip and sighed in satisfaction.
"My dear Bentley, you have outdone yourself once again. This is exceptional."
Before Bentley could reply Minsc, Dynaheir, and Ajantis strode across the room and joined their companions at the table. Bentley excused himself to get food and drink for the new arrivals.
"Heya Ajantis, where is Yeslick?"
"He is tending to the wounded in the temple with Lady Gellana. Imoen, are you drunk?"
"Not yet, but give me some time. I just started." Imoen flashed Ajantis her widest grin as she drained a second glass of Bentley's fine red wine.
Day 69
The following morning Jeral sat down for an early breakfast in the common room. He felt like a new man. He was amazed how much better he felt after a good meal, a long hot bath, and a night in a soft bed. Topping off the luxury he was in his only pair of clean clothes so he felt on top of the world. He scratched at his newly shaved chin as he waited for his meal to arrive.
"So what is next for you and you friends laddie? Rest up, get some new equipment and head North to Baldur's Gate."
"That sums it up pretty well Bentley. Is everyone settled in ok?"
"Yup, nice quiet night. Course the fact that I doubled the watch and had men patrolling inside the Inn and others posted in the stables may have helped."
"You doubled the watch? Why?"
"Lad, you just brought hundreds of desperate strangers inside my walls. A little precaution is just wise. Besides the potential threats are outside the walls as well. There is always the chance that the Iron Throne would attempt to come here and destroy the evidence of the mines by killing everyone here."
"I had not even thought of that. I am sorry that we put you and your wife in danger but we had nowhere else to take these poor people."
"Thing nothing of it Jeral. Gellana has not been this happy in years! She has a temple full of people to aid and plenty of new people to order about. It is like we are back in our younger adventuring days."
Bentley sipped his coffee as Jeral tucked into the plate of eggs and bacon that was just placed before him.
"Bentley, any idea where these poor people can go? They need a new home. Many are from distant villages that were razed to the ground when they were captured."
I have been thinking about that. Give me a few days and I can probably come up with some solutions. I do plan to hire a couple dozen of the strongest men to serve in my guard force. And if there are any young pretty women they can work in the Inn proper if they wish."
"You said business is slow, so why would you hire that many additional people?"
Bentley signed heavily and took a deep drink of coffee.
"These are dangerous times Jeral as you very well know. This iron crisis and the talk of war between Baldur's Gate and Amn could make things very threatening. I need to ensure I can protect this place from any and all dangers. The threat of war should put more traffic on this road so I may get busy again very soon, thus the need for more women to assist in running the Inn."
Imoen lurched into a chair and lowered her head onto the table.
"Someone please kill me. I am soooooooooooo hung over."
"Actually my dear, I suspect you are still drunk."
Chuckling to himself Bentley popped up from his chair and headed to the kitchen.
"Wow, sis. You look horrible and you smell like a dwarven tavern. What did you do last night?"
"Ugnh. A lot of it is hazy, I only remember fragments."
Jeral rubbed his hands together and leaned forward to listen to his sister's tale.
"This is getting good. So tell me about the fragments."
"At some point during the night, after you went off to bed I apparently challenged Minsc to a drinking contest."
"Wonderful, brilliant idea there. What can go wrong with that? Minsc was raised by a culture that can drink more than anyone and he is nearly three times your weight."
Imoen shakily lifted her head from the table and grinned proudly at Jeral through a mass of tangled hair.
"I won."
"WHAT?"
"Yup, I out drank Minsc. In fact I think even Boo was drunk. It was quite the evening. He fell out of his chair and collapsed on the floor."
"I am officially impressed and a bit horrified if I am completely honest. So what happened next?"
"Well the next thing I remember I was heading upstairs looking for Ajantis."
"Oh really? Looking to get a little paladin luvvin were we?"
"Apparently all the drinking put me in the mood."
"This gets better and better. So what happened next?"
"Well I made it up to his room and knocked on the door."
"Wow, this is sounding just like one of your trashy novels."
"Just wait, it gets better."
Jeral rubbed his hands together expectantly and leaned forward on his elbows, cupping his chin with his hands as Imoen continued her tale.
"So there I was banging away on his door. After a few moments he opens the door. He is standing there shirtless, clad only in a pair of loose cotton breeches and gripping that long sword of his. Once he saw it was me he laid the sword against the wall and just looked at me with a frown on his face."
"Well I am sure he disapproves of excessive drinking and of forward young women."
Imoen shook her head and smiled. "I know he is a bit of a pill but by the Gods Jeral. He looked so good without his shirt on. I was all ready to throw myself at him…"
"And?"
Imoen blushed and shook her head weakly.
"Come on Imoen, finish the story."
"I threw up in front of Ajantis."
"Actually, my good Imoen, you threw up on Ajantis."
Ajantis pulled out a chair and smoothly slid into his seat next to Imoen.
"And quite a lot actually."
Imoen leaned forward and slowly banged her head on the table muttering "someone kill me now."
Jeral smiled from ear to ear as he reveled in his sister's embarrassment and greeted the Helmite.
"Good morning to you Squire Ajantis. I trust you slept well."
Ajantis smiled and chuckled to himself.
"Well after taking a long bath and paying to have my room thoroughly cleaned in the middle of the night I did sleep very well. Bentley has some fine beds in this establishment."
Speaking from under a tangled mass of hair Imoen addressed the paladin. "Ajantis, I am so sorry that I threw up on you."
Ajantis patted the top of her head gently. "Do not concern yourself with it lady Imoen. I view it as just another trial in my service to the Order."
Imoen swatted the paladin's hand away angrily and unsteadily rose to her feet.
"So nice to know that I am nothing but a trial! How difficult it must be for you to bear so heavy a burden."
With an angry toss of her head she headed back upstairs.
"Jeral, what did I do to upset the lady so?"
"Ajantis, you clearly do not know women my friend."
"Of course not Jeral. My training with the order leaves me little time and I am not a suitable marital match for any woman of breeding until I become a knight with the Order."
Jeral chucked at the Paladin's obvious discomfort.
"Ajantis rest easy, I am quite sure that Imoen does not want to marry you. In fact I suspect she is not entirely sure what she wants to do with you. But I know she likes you and she was embarrassed that she threw up in front of you…"
"On me."
"Right she threw up on you. She probably had this vision of going upstairs last night for a breathtaking kiss like in one of her books and instead it turned into a mess."
"Well I must apologize to the lady for any affront I have caused."
"Good plan, just wait until she cleans up and gets some rest. She will appreciate it more when she is not a boozy hung over mess. Maybe apologize at dinner."
Day 70
"Very well Jeral. We will meet back here within a fortnight and then head onwards to Baldur's Gate. Are you sure you do not wish to join us?"
"No Dynaheir. I will stay here and try and learn what I can of Baldur's Gate from Bentley and any travelers who come through the Inn. Sell what we cannot use. And ensure everyone is well equipped for I fear the greatest dangers still lie ahead. Yeslick can get armor in Beregost while Imoen can train with you while away."
With a curt smile the mage turned on her heel and marched out of the tavern. Jeral watched from the door as the remaining party members saddled up and rode out of the gates heading south towards Beregost.
"Right, well that as they say is that." Bentley moved beside Jeral and reached up to pat him on the back.
"So lad, what do you plan to do for a fortnight?"
"Same as last time I suppose. Work on my archery, see if I can beat Bredak sparring, try and learn a few spells and learn whatever I can about Baldur's Gate and the Iron Throne."
"I will arrange for Bredak and a few of our other best swordsmen to meet you in the stables each day after the noon meal."
"Thank you Bentley, you are too kind."
"And if you wish I can likely aid in your spell casting studies after the evening meal. We should have adequate space in the wine cellar."
"Thank you again my good Bentley I am in your debt for I can use all the assistance I can get."
"That is true Jeral; Dynaheir says that you are rubbish with even the most basic spells."
"Dynaheir, ever the one to soften the truth. Sadly she is right; I struggle to cast even the most basic of spells."
"Do not worry about it lad, give me a few weeks and we will make a mage of you after all. Besides your enchanted chain armor will not allow you to cast spells anyway so little is lost."
Day 74
"One more time lad, flex your hands outwards and say duplicatum."
Jeral shook his head in frustration, "This is my fourth night in a row and I cannot even get this basic spell."
Bentley smiled contentedly as he looked up at Jeral. "Do you remember the first time you held a sword?"
"Of course I do."
"Were you a master swordsman from the beginning?"
"Of course not, I had to train and study and spar all the time. As you well know I spar every day I can to continue to develop my skills."
"So why is this any different?"
Realizing he was led to the revelation on his own Jeral could only chuckle as he eyed the grinning gnomish illusionist. "Viconia was right; you gnomes are a sneaky folk."
"And you humans are slow of wit and long of limb."
"Ok one more try and then we drink some more of your good red wine."
"Very well Jeral, proceed."
Day 77
"Excellent Jeral, that is three images you called into being this time. Very well done."
Jeral beamed at the innkeeper as he looked at three mirror images of himself.
"So remember Jeral, if you ever are threatened while out of your armor this can aid in your defense. Many of the attacks will have to go against the images, sparing you from the damage. All but the most disciplined of minds will be taken in by this spell."
"Too bad I cannot cast spells while wearing armor."
"Ahhhh I understand your frustration Jeral. Perhaps someday you will find some elven or melodic chain mail for both types of armor allow you to cast spells while armored. In such a case you have a real chance to be quite a powerful fellow."
"I fear I shall never be powerful, at least not powerful enough. I will never be a great warrior, or a great mage, a master thief or a cleric channeling a God's power."
"I apologize for my question in advance but your father was a great mage was he not?"
"One of the greatest."
"And yet he was cut down by your great armored warrior foe while you still live."
"Is there a point to making me relive a painful memory?"
"My point young one is that you have more advantages that you realize. You are stonger than all but the strongest men. You fight better than all but the very best, you are quicker than most, smarter than most and a natural leader. So use your head. Out think those you cannot out fight, out quick those stronger than you, and very few will have any chance against you. And never forget that powerful friends and allies may make all the difference."
"So what happens when I meet someone stronger, faster and smarter than me and with no friends or allies in sight?"
"Well my boy, then you will likely die." Bentley's matter of fact words shook Jeral to the core and his three mirror images winked from existence.
Bentley smiled and clapped his hands. Well let's go and get that drink."
Without looking back Bentley pulled a wine bottle from one of the racks and headed upstairs into the common room of the Inn.
Day 79
Jeral watched as the column slowly started moving out the gate of the Inn. The column of former freed slaves from the mines bore little resemblance to the pathetic mass of humanity that emerged from the woods less than two weeks earlier. A week and a half of good food, warm beds and new clothes had done wonders for everyone. Most of the adults were still thin but no longer looked malnourished. They were well groomed and dressed in clean serviceable clothes. They now resembled prosperous farmers more than freed slaves.
The group now had a few dozen horses and small carts that carried the children and those unable to walk due to injuries or advanced age. Other carts were heavily laden with seeds, farm implements and other tools needed for a new life. Rill walked up to where Bentley and Jeral stood watching the group depart.
"I do not know where to begin my friends. My people and I owe you more than you can ever possibly know. Jeral, you and your friends rescued us from a certain death and brought us to safety. Good Bentley, you and your wife have opened your Inn to us treated our wounds, fed us, clothed us, and helped us find a new home."
"The Mayor of Nashkel has a large plot of land awaiting your arrival. It is prime farming land with adequate water. With hard work you should be able to get a few crops in before the winter frost."
"I thank you Bentley. How did you manage to arrange that?"
"Nashkiel lost many men in the community from the attacks on their mines. He is eager to replenish the town's population. And thanks to Jeral and his companions he was paid handsomely for the land. So it now belongs to you and your people."
Rill fought back tears as embraced Jeral and then Bentley in fierce hugs.
"My people and I are eternally in your debt. If we can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to ask." Turning on his heel Rill quickly rejoined the tale of the column, mounted his horse, and rejoined his people as they started a new life.
After watching the remainder of the column depart Jeral looked down at Bentley. "Uh Bentley, what gold paid for the land, the horses and all their equipment?"
Smiling Bentley chuckled and looked up at the bard. "Well thank Imoen and Dynaheir for that."
Jeral's confused look prompted the gnome to keep talking.
"Well Imoen and Dynaheir were going through your loot from the mines and decided to give me a couple of items that more than covered all the expenses.
"Keep going."
"Well the first was the robe worn by the master of the mines. It is a robe of the darkest power."
"Why would you possibly want that?"
"By studying evil magic I can better learn how to defeat it. Besides if you had sold it some other evil mage would put it to use, this way its powers will not be used for evil purposes."
"Fair enough. You mentioned a second item."
"Next time you see my wife ask to see the present I got her."
Day 81
"Bredak, I gotta tell you, I think this is my day."
The captain of the guard at the Friendly Arm Inn grinned and nodded his head in Jeral's direction.
"Boy, you have gotten much better over the past two weeks; and you are much better than you were when first we met but you are not there yet."
Jeral appraised his opponent just as he had every day before they started to fight. Breadak was slightly taller than Jeral and heavily muscled. His middle aged face was lined with scars of previous battles and his neatly trimmed beard showed hints of grey throughout. Clad in a set of old, but clearly well made, splint mail he carried a circular shield strapped to his left forearm and held a heavily padded bastard sword loosely in his right hand. An open faced helm sat a top a mane of long hair that hung down to his shoulders.
Smiling Jeral twirled his equally padded short sword at his side as he smiled at the older man.
"I just have a hunch that this is my day."
"Yes yes, you have said that. Care to make a wager?"
"I do not want to take your money old man."
A few of the guards watching the men chuckled and whisted at Jeral's cheek. They knew that if they mouthed off to Bredak like that they would lose a few teeth.
"Humor me. Say 50 gold to the winner?"
Jeral sucked in his teeth at Bredak's comment. 50 gold was more than the captain of the guard would earn in a year and it was more than most of the guards would earn in five years. Bredak was playing for high stakes.
"Are you sure Bredak? That is a lot of coin."
"It will be fine Jeral, I am sure you can afford it."
A couple of Bredak's men hooted and clapped in amusement, delighted to see their captain mocking someone other than one of them.
Bredak rolled his shoulders, adjusted his shield and assumed the ready position facing Jeral.
Jeral raised his sword in salute and made ready to face his opponent.
Smiling Bredak moved forward swinging his sword lazily from side to side.
Jeral watched and waited until he saw a gap and lunged forward. Bredak chopped across with his shield and pushed Jeral's blade to his left. Quicker than Jeral thought possible Bredak slashed downwards with a diagonal slash. Jeral dove to the ground at Bredak's feet and tucked into a forward roll. As he completed the roll and returned to his feet he had an instant to raise his buckler to block a follow on attack from Bredak. Jeral backpedaled rapidly as he fended off strike after strike from the larger man.
Regaining his composure Jeral planted his right heel and quickly thrust his entire body forward. Catching Bredak unawares Jeral stabbed Bredak in the chest with his padded sword. The force of the blow forced Bredak back as Jeral regained his balance and assumed the ready position. Bredak nodded grimly and resumed his advance.
"That was unexpected Jeral. Well done. It still will not be enough but well done."
Jeral slashed out towards Bredak's sword arm. The older man twisted to the side and pushed the weapon away with his shield. Quickly reversing himself he struck out with his shield catching Jeral full in the face. Jeral's nose broke with a loud crack as blood gushed from his face. Seeing stars Jeral staggered backwards as the blood flowed from his face.
"Sorry to mark up that pretty face of your boy. If you ask nicely I am sure the Lady Gellana can fix you up good as new."
Spitting blood Jeral charged into Bredak. Ducking under Bredak's defensive slash Jeral punched Bredak in his face with the hilt of his sword.
Bredak's face gushed blood as he spit out pieces of teeth.
Smiling through bloody lips Jeral taunted Bredak, "Hopefully Gellana can sort us both out."
Roaring in anger Bredak launched strike after strike at Jeral. Laughing as the blood poured down his face Jeral easily parried each strike and managed to slowly force the larger man backwards. Jeral struck out again and again striking Bredak in his torso and on his sword arm.
Jeral realized that he was winning, that he could finally beat Bredak, that he could kill the man who dared to touch him. A heat ran through his body, fueling his anger. Jeral snarled as he stabbed out again at Bredak. Breathing heavily Bredak staggered from the blow and lowered the point of his sword into the dirt.
Jeral imagined taking the padding off his sword and making the fight more interesting. Terrified at the realization that he was losing control Jeral shook his head and forced himself to breathe deeply and halt his advance. Regaining some semblance of calm Jeral smiled at the older warrior.
"Do you yield good Bredak?"
"To the likes of you? NEVER!"
Bredak lashed upwards with his sword and flung a clump of dirt into Jeral's eyes. Distracted by the maneuver Jeral never saw the blow that connected with the side of his head.
Day 83
Slowly, painfully Jeral opened his eyes and squinted into the sunlight streaming into his bedroom window. As Jeral adjusted to the glare he slowly looked around his room. His armor and weapons were stacked neatly against the wall and his clothes were sitting, neatly folded, on the table next to his bed. The door to his room opened and Jeral saw Bentley walk in, closely followed by Gellana. The gnomes both looked as tired as he felt.
When the pair saw Jeral sitting up they smiled and raced to his side.
Gellana roughly grabbed Jeral's face and twisted it side by side. She ran her wizened hands over his nose, face and head, muttering to herself as she did. "Nose straightened out properly. And such a pretty nose as well. Face healed, teeth all intact, skull returned to shape."
She patted Jeral lightly on the face as she stepped back to stand next to her husband. Bentley beamed as he eyed the bard. "You gave us quite a scare."
"All I remember was fighting Bredak. I think I took a blow to the head."
"You can say that. He nearly crushed your skull. By the time you were carried to the temple you were near death. It took two days for Gellana to repair all the damage done to you and keep you alive."
"My lady, I am in your debt." Jeral caught a glimpse of gold from around the cleric's neck.
Remembering Bentley's words from earlier in the week Jeral had to ask, "my lady, is that a new necklace?"
Beaming proudly Gellana pulled a necklace from under her shirt. It was a heavy necklace comprised of perfectly round spheres of silver, gold, and platinum. At the very bottom of the necklace was a large white gem stone shaped like a tear drop.
"My lady, that is breathtaking."
"I know, it was a gift from Bentley. Who knew that after all these years of marriage that old gnome could do something this romantic?"
Bentley chuckled and quipped. "Well you thanked me well enough, I could not walk for two days I was so exhausted."
The cleric blushed and quickly left the room.
Bentley smiled and climbed up onto the end of Jeral's bed.
"So now you know what paid for all the aid I provided to Rill and his people. That necklace is incredibly valuable. You gave us quite a scare my boy."
"I, I don't know what happened."
"What do you mean? You have lost every time you sparred with Bredak, this time he just happened to almost kill you. Although he did say you are becoming a fine swordman despite the defeat."
"It was strange Bentley. It started like any other sparring match. In fact I felt confident; sure I would win this time. At some point while we sparred I got angry, really angry. For a moment I was trying to kill Bredak."
"Well I am glad you did not kill him for he has served me well for some years and it is hard to get a reliable and trustworthy captain of the guard."
"It is not funny Bentley. I was so angry. I felt myself losing control."
"We all get angry on occasion Jeral. It is part of all of us, the mix of the light and the dark make us who we are."
"That may be true Bentley, but when I get angry I tend to get really angry and bad things happen to people."
"Well Jeral, you are a good man. Do what you must to keep your anger in check and it will all sort itself out. I am sure everything will work out in the end."