Chapter 15: She lives and he dies
Nalia may yet live!
Nalia may yet live!
Nalia may yet live!
Anomen repeated the words over and over in his mind as he raced back towards the chamber where he watched Nalia fall. Oblivious to everything else, Anomen sprinted down hallways carried faster than any man alive by his enchanted boots of speed. He rounded the final corner and skidded to a stop.
Not twenty paces away Viconia sat on the floor with Nalia lying on the ground. Nalia's head was on the drow's lap and Viconia was gently brushing her hair with an ebony comb and speaking quietly to her. Nalia lay there unmoving; Anomen could not see any signs of life. Dropping his shield, flail, and helm, he walked over to stand next to Viconia. The rod of resurrection lay on the ground next to Viconia, forgotten as it lay next to Anomen's pack.
He could not make himself ask the question he desperately wanted to ask for he feared the answer. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he stared down at Nalia'a lifeless form. Finally he mustered the courage to speak.
"Is she….?" Anomen's voice cracked and trailed off.
Viconia looked up and Anomen and her eyes widened as she took in the look of utter despair on the young squire's face.
"She lives Anomen. Lady Nalia lives."
Anomen dropped to his knees and started sobbing heavily into his hands. His entire body shook as heavy tears fell to the floor.
"O thank Helm! Well done Viconia. Very well done." Anomen beamed at the cleric through red rimmed, tear streaked eyes.
"She is very weak but she lives. She needs a little time to rest but will recover fully. She is young and strong and she wanted to live, she was not yet ready to cross over. That made it much easier to recall her from the other side. This one is a strong female Anomen, you have chosen well."
"Viconia, I owe you an apology."
Anomen wiped the tears from his eyes as he stared at the drow. Viconia looked at Anomen blankly so the Helmite pressed on.
"Through everything I have had doubts about you. I doubted your motives. I doubted your character. I even doubted your worship of Shar, even though I saw the evidence of her favor with mine own eyes. You have given me no cause to ever doubt you, but my prejudice for your kind was strong and slow to change, and for that I apologize my lady."
Viconia shrugged her shoulders as she returned Anomen's gaze coolly. "I have always told you that our needs align Helmite, at least for now, and that should be enough."
Anomen shook his head doggedly. "It is more than that my lady. You have been nothing but honorable in your dealing with me and have saved the lives of innocents. You are a good person and I hope in time we can become friends."
Viconia snorted, "I suspect friendship it beyond us Helmite. Still, I would settle for us not being enemies."
Anomen nodded gravely and smiled at the drow.
"Very well, we shall start there. But know that I am in your debt. Would you permit me to sit with Nalia my lady?"
Viconia nodded and Anomen sat down next to her. Wordlessly Viconia handed Anomen the hairbrush and gently shifted Nalia so her head was resting on the squire's lap. Once Nalia was settled Anomen started tenderly brushing her hair while Viconia slowly stood up. She started to walk towards the other side of the room where Jeral, Yoshimo and Minsc stood quietly taking in the scene before them.
"My lady."
Viconia turned and looked back at Anomen. He held the rod out towards her.
"You should hold onto this, I am sure it is in good hands in your care. It is clear to me that you are better able to keep your head in times of danger than I am."
Wordlessly she nodded, took the proffered rod, and secured it in the pouch at her side.
Anomen looked down and gently, ever so gently, started to brush Nalia's hair. As he brushed her hair he looked down on the young mage and realized that Viconia was absolutely correct.
He was in love and wanted to be by her side for the rest of his life. Of course he would have to court Nalia properly and pray to Helm and hope she would love him too. Anomen wondered if he should also say a prayer to the Goddess Sune but he quickly banished that thought from his head.
Smiling, he just enjoyed the closeness with Nalia as she slept, recovering her strength. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to Helm, along with a vow that he would do everything in his power to protect her life.
Nervously Jeral looked at the two entrances to the chamber and dispatched Minsc and Yoshimo to stand watch at each end of the room. As the pair walked off he turned to speak with the drow.
"Viconia, how long until she can at least walk? This is no place for us to linger."
"Patience Jeral, the girl was dead not moments ago. I would give her a little time to regain her strength. She is young and strong and should recover quickly. She will be weak but she should be able to walk and accompany us."
"Perhaps this will aid her. I took the liberty of searching through the carnage caused by our noble squire while watching the corridor and found a few interesting items."
Yoshimo twirled an ornately carved white staff around in his hands before he held it out to Viconia. The staff was made of an incredibly hard pale wood, polished smooth and engraved with illegible ancient runes and carvings of clouds and birds in flight.
"I am told that every mage needs a staff, and this one looks exceptional."
Viconia took the staff from Yoshimo and held it out in front of Jeral and looked at him questioningly. Jeral ran his hands over the staff for a few moments before speaking in a low voice.
"I detect no evil in this staff although it is heavily enchanted. As to the nature of the enchantment I fear that is beyond me at this time. I am sure Nalia can determine more when she has the time to examine it properly."
Satisfied Viconia slowly walked over to Anomen and Nalia. After a whispered conversation with the Helmite she lay the staff down next to Nalia's body and then returned to stand next to Jeral.
Yoshimo handed Jeral a thin dark blue wand.
"I also found this wand next to the mage who almost killed Nalia."
The front of the wand held a large clear crystal and inside of the crystal yellow flashes of electricity bounced around as if looking for a way to escape. Grinning widely Jeral recognized the wand instantly, for he carried an identical wand shortly after departing Candlekeep. Nodding his thanks Jeral tucked the wand into his pouch, confident that he would put it to good use.
Smiling Yoshimo pulled out a massive blood red gen stone from his pouch and showed it to the others.
"I have one last item of note. This has to be the gem that Tagget mentioned."
The beautiful gem took Jeral's breath away as he stared at it. It was the most spectacular gem that Jeral had ever seen and it overflowed Yoshimo's palm.
"I agree Yoshimo. According to Tagget we need to destroy that stone to free the thralls from their enchanted collars."
"Far be it from me to disagree with a gnome Jeral, but this stone is more valuable than any stone I have ever seen. You must understand I have seen many valuable gems in the course of my travels, but believe me when I say that I have never seen a stone such as this. Its value is almost beyond comprehension. We could purchase a large portion of Baldur's Gate with this stone. You could raise an army; you could likely bribe the Cowled wizards to free your sister. You could hire so many guards that no one would ever bother you again. This stone could change your entire life for the better."
Jeral shook his head and forced himself to look away from the radiant stone.
"Yoshimo, we need to get home. To do so we need to kill the Warden and free the thralls."
"Not correct Jeral. We need to kill this Warden and then find the Raelis and the others to operate the portal and return home. The thralls are not critical."
"Jeral would not allow slaves to remain behind. Jeral is a hero for goodness."
Jeral patted Minsc on the shoulder as he looked sternly at Yoshimo.
"Yoshimo, Imoen would never forgive me if I sacrificed so many innocents to free her. So let me make it clear; we are destroying the gem, freeing the thralls, killing the Warden and rescuing the actors. Then and only then we will return home."
"Jeral is right Yoshimo. If nothing else freeing the thralls will provide allies in the fight to come. With Nalia weakened we may need all the help we can get. It has been long enough, I will get Nalia up and about."
Viconia strolled over to stand next to Anomen and Nalia. The young mage was looking better, her breath had returned to normal and she looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Viconia pulled a small vial from her belt and handed it to Anomen.
"Make her drink this; it will get her up and about."
Anomen unstoppered the small vial and gently tipped it up to her lips. Nalia sat bolt upright as if dunked in an ice cold stream. Her eyes open wide and she looked around wildly before locking eyes with Anomen.
"Where am I?"
Anomen gripped her tightly as she shuddered with fear and realization of what she had just gone through.
"How can I be here? I, I, I died. I was struck by the lightning and I died. I felt pain sear through my body and then it started to shut down, after that everything went black."
"Shhhhhhhh, worry not Nalia. You are very much alive."
Her eyes opened wide. "The rod! You brought me back to life with that rod we found didn't you?"
Before Anomen could reply Nalia grabbed his head with both hands and pulled him in close for a deep, long, passionate kiss. The Helmite hesitated for an instant before responding in kind as the pair engaged in a deep embrace.
The other four stared open mouth at the young couple groping one another on the floor.
"Does this mean little Nalia likes her new staff?"
Yoshimo laughed out loud as the large ranger looked questioningly at Jeral.
"Yes Minsc, I am sure she likes the staff very much."
Viconia strolled over to Nalia and Anomen and cleared her throat loudly. Getting no response she leaned down and forcefully pulled the pair apart.
They both looked up at her, panting heavily, faces flushed with excitement.
"This is neither the time nor the place for such a display of affection. We are in a dangerous prison on another plane and have much to do. So please stop pawing at one another and get up."
Blushing, the pair quickly got to their feet. Nalia leaned heavily on Anomen for support. Viconia bent down and picked the staff up off the floor. She handed it to Nalia.
"Use this for support until you fully regain your strength Nalia. Jeral has assured us that it is enchanted and not dangerous for the user."
Nalia gratefully took the staff and took a few tentative steps. Leaning heavily on the staff, she made her way around the room and then nodded grimly.
"I am ready to continue."
Anomen quickly placed his helm back on his head and then picked up his shield and the Flail of Ages. He moved to stand next to Nalia.
"My lady, I shall protect you with my life. And when we return to the city of coin I plan to court you officially."
Smiling broadly she looked up at the tall plate clad Helmite, "And I look forward to our courtship. First you save my life and now you offer to court me, this is quite the day."
Anomen nodded in disagreement.
"Lady Nalia, your life was saved by Viconia not me. When you fell, it shames me to say that I lost myself in rage and attacked every enemy I could find. Jeral managed to take the rod from me and get it to Viconia. She brought you back from the other side. I am not sure I could have done the same."
Nalia gazed at Viconia in wonder.
"I had no idea. It seems I owe you my life Viconia."
Viconia shrugged and twirled her war hammer.
"Think nothing of it young one; I cannot manage with this lot as the only female. Your presence here is required."
"Never the less Viconia I must thank you for saving my life."
Chuckling Viconia walked past Nalia and patted her gently on the shoulder.
"If you wish to thank me then thank me, but please save your kisses for Anomen. While I am not opposed to spending time with women, you are far too pure for a woman with my skills and experience."
Nalia blushed furiously and mumbled her thanks as she leaned heavily on her staff and looked over at Jeral.
"So what is the plan now Jeral?"
"Well now that you are up and about Nalia I think we destroy the gem, kill the Warden, find those we came to find and go home."
"Ahhhhhhh a simple plan from a simple mind."
"Do you have a better plan Viconia?"
Viconia sighed heavily.
"Unfortunately no. Lead on Jeral and let us see what awaits."
"Very well, Anomen would you mind trotting back the way we came and destroy the gem?"
Anomen nodded gravely and reverently took the gem out of Yoshimo's extended arm. Smiling once at Nalia, Anomen raced off back down the corridor.
After a few moments the entire prison rocked violently from side to side. Nalia fell to the floor while the others struggled to keep their feet. The rocking abruptly ceased and was soon replaced by cries echoing across the prison. Voices of men and women calling out in glee carried down the halls. Their cries were quickly overtaken by the sounds of battle. The clash of weapons soon echoed down the halls. It was loudest down the hallway before them.
"The prisoners are fighting for their freedom! We must aid them in their quest! Come Boo we shall make this Warden taste the blade of justice!"
Minsc drew his massive war blade and sprinted off down the hall bellowing a Rashemite war cry. Bizarrely, his sword parroted back the same chant in a high pitched nasally voice. Shaking his head in resignation, Jeral drew his blades and started trotting off down the hall after the large ranger.
"So much for anything resembling a plan," he mumbled as they moved along.
As they moved down a long hallway they passed a number of the pulsing traps on the floor. With each step the sounds of combat grew louder and louder. The party soon rounded a corner and paused at the opening to a massive circular chamber. It was clearly a throne room and home of the Warden. A massive black chair sat atop a mound of bones; thousands of bones from different creatures, some familiar, some so bizarre as to defy description. Before they could take in any more of the room their eyes were drawn to the swirling melee in front of the throne. Dozens of freed slaves were fighting the Warden and his guards. The Warden was a massive winged demon almost twice the size of Minsc. Flanking him were a quartet of minotaurs, two yuan ti, and a trio of umber hulks.
Minsc charged into the melee, roaring gleefully as his massive two handed sword tore into one of the umber hulks. Jeral drew his blades and charged into the scrum. Anomen kissed Nalia on the check and then followed Jeral into the melee. Yoshimo started shooting arrows at the taller creatures while Nalia cast spell after spell at the Warden's bodyguards. Viconia hung back standing guard over Nalia as she observed the raging battle going on in front of her.
The Warden stood at the very center of the battle. He wielded a long sword in his right hand and a wicked looking scythe in the left. He waded through the freed slaves cutting them down in waves with each massive swing of his blades. The beast tore into one of the closest slaves and ripped the poor man's head clean off his torso. Blood poured over the creature as the Warden paused and devoured his victim in the middle of the fight.
Anomen and Minsc defeated the umber hulks while Jeral and a few of the thralls brought down the yuan ti. The remaining thralls attacked the minotaurs while Minsc, Anomen and Jeral faced off against the Warden. The creature spread its wings wide and grinned at the trio standing in front of him. The massive jaws dripped blood and bits of flesh as he mocked the trio.
"Pathetic humans! You think you can defeat me here? In my own home! The bravery of human fools knows no bounds.
Anomen bellowed at the creature with each swing of his flail.
"We have defeated your servants, your guards are dead or dying, and you will soon join them! By Helm I swear it."
"You have done nothing; all your feeble efforts will make no difference. My servants matter not. They are easily replaced. I can just as easily find more slaves. Perhaps I will visit your plane and enslave everyone in that pathetic city of yours."
Anomen roared in anger and charged in swinging the Flail of Ages. The Warden contemptuously parried his attacks and counterattacked with mighty strikes of his own. Anomen backpedaled steadily as he blocked each strike with his shield. The Warden lashed out with his scythe, aiming at Anomen's head. Anomen frantically raised his shield to block the strike and the scythe blade punched right through the heavy oaken shield and tore into Anomen's forearm. Anomen stifled a cry of pain as he staggered back, away from the massive Warden and his blades.
Before the Warden could follow up his attack on the injured Helmite, Minsc launched forward and rained blow after blow on the Warden. The pair traded blows and roared at one another. Jeral stepped forward and added his blades to the attack on the Warden. Despite the numerical disadvantage the Warden easily managed to parry their attacks while still managing to get in a few strikes of his own. The Warden attacked with an overhand blow and Jeral crossed his blades over his head to parry the attack. The force of the blow sent shock waves up his arms as he struggled to keep the blade away from his unprotected head. The Warden leaned forward and slowly bent Jeral's arms back. The Warden's blade traced a thin line across Jeral's forehead and Jeral shivered as the blade seemed to feed on Jeral's blood. The Warden's eyes widened in delight as he stared at Jeral with new found wonder and respect in his eyes.
"Something in your blood is just delightful manling. You are going to live a long and unpleasant life as my servant and personal food source."
The Warden lurched forward to snap at Jeral's neck. Jeral flung himself backwards and the Warden's jaws missed by inches. Minsc redoubled his attack and was joined by Anomen who had taken the time to heal his injured arm. The pair of large plate clad warriors systematically struck at the Warden. Nalia launched a brace of magic missiles that tore holes into the Warden's left wing. The winged demon roared in anger more than pain and redoubled his attacks against the men in front of him.
Anomen, Jeral, and Minsc all charged in and attacked the Warden. Despite his massive size and strength the Warden started to bleed from a number of small wounds as the trio managed to get inside his guard and land the occasional blow. Jeral, Minsc and Anomen all bled from numerous wounds as the Warden's blades repeatedly found their mark. Out of arrows, Yoshimo tossed down his short bow, drew his katana and ran forward to assist the others. Viconia hefted her war hammer and followed after him. The five of them started to attack the Warden from all sides. The creature attacked with blades, wings and teeth while the party struck back with blades, flail, and war hammer.
Furious the Warden struck out with its scythe in a low sweeping blow. Viconia and Yoshimo nimbly leapt over the blade, but Jeral was not as quick and the scythe sliced deeply into Jeral's right lower leg. The scythe tore through his boot and trousers and cut deep, shattering the bone. Jeral cried out in pain, dropped his blades, and fell to the floor. The Warden attempted to wrench his scythe out of Jeral's leg and finish him off, but the blade was embedded too deeply into the bone to move. Taking advantage of the pause Viconia stepped forward and struck at the Warden's shoulder. Her war hammer slammed into its shoulder and the creature roared in pain. Yoshimo struck out and slashed through the creature's wing with his katana.
Wildly the creature lashed out with the long sword clenched in its right arm. Minsc parried the blow, quickly reversed his grip, and hacked down viciously. The Warden's right arm fell to the ground, still clutching the blood drenched long sword. The Warden attempted to rise in the air but could not fly due to its damaged wings. Anomen stepped forward and smashed downwards with his flail. The three enchanted flail heads smashed into the Warden's head and crushed it like an overripe piece of fruit. The Warden staggered about for a second and fell to the floor.
As the massive creature fell a silence descended over the throne room; the only sound was the panting of the party members and the remaining thralls as they struggled to catch their breath. Jeral lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood. As he forced the Warden's blade out of his leg Jeral called upon his own powers to staunch the worst of the bleeding. Viconia sauntered over and kicked Jeral's leg with the tip of her boot. Jeral writhed in agony and glared up at Viconia.
"Not very stoic are we Jeral? That is but a flesh wound. It is a pity that your shiny new armor does not extend below your knees. You may want to consider boots with metal reinforcement. That works well for me male."
Smirking, Viconia knelt down and called upon her powers and Jeral felt a familiar cool sensation wash over his body as the bone and flesh repaired themselves in an instant. Jeral mumbled his thanks and struggled to his feet. His throat felt painfully dry and his lips were cracked and painful, the heat in the prison was wearing on him. After recovering his blades he stared around the room and took in the carnage all around him.
The Warden and his bodyguards lay in piles on the floor. Their many different colors of blood pooled into an unholy mass of brown ooze that coated a large portion of the floor. Dozens of bodies, and parts of bodies, lay strewn across the throne room. The red blood of the men and women mixed with the foul ooze from the beasts. The Warden and his bodyguards had torn through the recently freed thralls leaving only a handful of badly wounded man and women who somehow managed to survive. Anomen and Viconia moved through the wounded thralls and worked to keep them alive. The pair quickly exhausted their spells and soon started working with rags to bandage the others as best they could.
Seemingly unaffected by the carnage all around him, Yoshimo wandered around the room rifling through the corpses and recovering those few spent arrows that were undamaged. After partially refilling his quiver he paid extra attention to the Warden's corpse and the area around his massive throne. After completing his search he walked up to Jeral holding a small coin purse that bulged at the seams, a large sack of coins, and the Warden's long sword; now safely held in an ornate scabbard. Smiling, he tossed the coin purse to Jeral and handed the heavy sack of coins to Minsc. After Jeral tucked away the coin purse Yoshimo bowed formally and handed over the blade hilt first.
"This blade is definitely worth a look Jeral. You or Nalia need to examine it very carefully."
Jeral extended his hand and wrapped it around the pommel. As his fingers closed on the pommel grip a wave of energy raced through his entire body. Jeral's eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body spasmed violently as visions of battle formed in his mind. In each of the visions Jeral was a mighty warrior at the center of a massive battle. Jeral strode across the battlefield wielding his new sword and cutting down all who opposed him. He watched as the scene changed and he hewed through men, women and children. The scene had changed from one of a battle to one of a slaughter of innocents. Jeral recoiled in horror at the visions before him and he opened his hand, dropping the sword to the floor and backing away from it.
"What is wrong Jeral? That sword should work well for you."
Shaking his head Jeral kicked at the blade with the toe of his boot. "I don't want it. Don't touch it though, it is far too dangerous for anyone to handle."
"Very well Jeral." Shrugging his shoulders Yoshimo pulled out a strange key and held it out on display, "I also found this."
"That must be the key for the prison at the end of that hall."
Yoshimo and Jeral turned to look at Anomen who was pointing down the hallway at the far side of the room.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"Easy Jeral, this fine fellow just told me."
Anomen patted the blood drenched shoulder of the man sitting next to him. The badly injured man had lost an arm above the elbow fighting the Warden. Anomen was unable to reattach it but did keep the man alive by taking some rags off a corpse and making a crude tourniquet.
Yoshimo twirled the key around deftly in his fingers and then tossed it to Nalia with a flourish.
"Our patron of the arts should see to the actors."
Nalia smiled and limped down the hall, leaning heavily in her staff. Minsc followed silently behind her, ready to protect Nalia from any possible threat. Using the cell key Haer'Dalis and the others were quickly freed. Raelis Shai and her companions were overjoyed at the turn of events and profusely thanked the party for their rescue. After a short pause they opened the portal and allowed everyone the opportunity to depart and return to their home place. Most of the freed slaves agreed to follow Jeral and the others through, but a few brave souls asked to follow Raelis and the others to their home and embrace what lay in the unknown.
While everyone was getting organized Jeral walked over to stand beside the Warden's long sword and stared at it on the ground. Something about the weapon gnawed at him. Carefully he bent down and picked up the blade by the scabbard. As he examined the blade he felt energy run through his body. Something within the sword was calling to him, even though the blade was safely sheathed in its scabbard. Jeral tore of a scrap of his battered tunic and wrapped it around his hand. He then slowly drew the blade out a few inches from the scabbard and examined it closely.
Hello Godchild.
Jeral looked around wildly, searching for the voice he just heard.
You lack your father's wisdom and understanding, that is to be expected for you are only a shadow of the true power.
Jeral's eyes widened as he realized that the voice was in his head and was coming from the blade he held in his hands.
Perhaps you are not as dim as I initially thought Godchild. As you have now surmised I am no ordinary sword, I contain part of your father's soul. Anyone who wields me in battle becomes incredibly powerful. They are blessed with the power to resist any form of mind control. Additionally, I draw life force from any I strike and I transfer it to the user. Should one with his divine blood wield me then I will become even more powerful than I was before. No one could stand before us.
Jeral started walking as he eyed the sword. He noticed that there were small grinning skulls surrounded by tear drops etched into the blade in a repeating pattern. Bhaal's holy symbol was omnipresent on the blade. It was an incredibly powerful weapon. But Jeral realized it was also an incredibly dark and bloodthirsty weapon as well. Could Jeral control the blade? Could he control his blood if the darkness of the blade added to his powers?
Jeral was still asking himself those questions as he dropped the blade, pommel first, into the pit of flames. The flames leapt up and eagerly embraced the blade. Jeral took a small step back as the heat flared up and threatened to consume him. He watched the blade start to melt and heard the terrible screams of rage and pain echo through his head as the blade - and some small part of Bhaal - was destroyed. He remained staring at the flames for a long time after the blade went silent and disappeared from sight. Wearily, Jeral turned around and headed back to the throne room to rejoin Raelis and the others. Even though he was sure he did the right thing the decision still weighed heavily upon his mind as he retraced his steps through the prison.
After another journey through the portal they arrived back in the theatre under the Five Flagons Inn. Over three score freed thralls came through the portal after them, many barely clinging to life. Raelis and Haer'Dalis had gone through the prison offering all the thralls an opportunity to depart the prison. Sadly, hundreds had died in their uprising against the Warden and the guards, so there were far fewer embracing freedom than they had hoped.
Anomen sprinted upstairs and soon the theatre was filled with halflings providing food and strong ale to the emaciated people who survived the Warden's prison. Many were little more than flesh and bones but they gratefully sipped at the warm broth and the ale provided by the attentive halflings. Bentley sent runners to the local temple and soon half a dozen acolytes of Illmater tended to the injured, allowing Viconia and Anomen to get some well deserved rest.
Bentley strode up to Jeral and patted him affectionately on the back.
"Well done lad. You and your friends freed all these poor people from a fate worse than death."
Jeral nodded tiredly in response. Bentley clasped his hands nervously and eyed Jeral with shame in his eyes.
"Uh, not to be indelicate Jeral but what are we going to do with all of them? I am happy to provide food and shelter for a day or so but I cannot do more beyond that."
Jeral looked down at the halfling and thought hard for a second.
"Bentley, please send a runner to Hendak in the Copper Coronet. He can help provide for all these people. As a man who was recently freed from slavery himself I am sure he will aid us."
"Aye that seems like as wise an approach as any."
Bentley whistled shrilly and sent a young pair of halflings running off to the Copper Coronet with a message for the owner.
Jeral felt incredibly drained from his experiences with the Warden, the prison, and the enchanted blade he destroyed. Looking around he realized that everyone was in good hands and his presence was no longer needed. Quietly he trudged upstairs to the common room of the Five Flagons and sat down heavily in an unoccupied booth. He quickly ordered and consumed a large mug of dark ale and a large mug of cool water. Leaving a large pile of gold coins on the table he reserved six rooms upstairs and trudged off to bed. Jeral did not even have the energy to take off his armor or boots and just collapsed into bed.
Jeral dreamt of blood that night, but eventually the dreams faded and he drifted into a deep slumber. He knew that whatever darkness lay before him, he would not have to face it alone.