Myka
Grymlop Stonebottom continues to heal Kana with all he has left. Myka notices the quiver in his hand as he swipes at the sweat beading down his forehead. Alek paces, and Taki and the stray sit beside her, waiting expectantly. Kana fell unconscious ten minutes ago and still hasn't stirred. Myka walked over to the necromancer's body, hoping to find something to help Kana. Searching his pockets, she only saw an unsent sealed letter. Frustrated, she slammed her fists down over the bloated body.
Grym blows out a rough breath. "I think I managed to stabilize her."
Myka whipped around, stomping over to him. "You think?!"
"Myka!" Alek says sharply.
"I've done the best I can, champion," Grym says gruffly as he gently touches Kana's hand. "It's up to her now."
Myka sighs and puts her hand on his shoulder. "I know."
Alek wraps her arms around Kana to lift her. "We should get out of here before nightfall."
They release the prisoners, and they all travel to the tunnel entrance. The rain has all but stopped. The sun has finally come out, and the adventurers look at the village well. It would never be the same again. The villagers do the same with different expressions of despair and sadness. Myka and the others knew that look. They had saved people from destroyed towns before. It was the same feeling, the same expressions. But what gave them hope is what came after. They would lead them somewhere safe and warm, and they would slowly regain their hope back. At least for most of them, she thought grimly. Myka tried hard not to think of those she had befriended that let their despair get the better of them. She'd been in a dark place before too. She thought she could save them like she was saved. The only thing that gave her some grace was the thought that they had found peace somewhere, somehow.
Kana
Two days later…
Kana woke with a start. Sitting beside her asleep was Alek. In the corner, Myka and the master dwarf were bickering quietly over something she couldn't see.
Kana looks back at Alek, his burnt orange eyes boring into her.
You're awake! Myka exclaims with a clap of her hands.
The cats become startled and notice Kana rustling. They move up the bed to snuggle her.
The young oracle tears her eyes away from Alek, smiles warmly at Myka and Grym, and pets the felines.
Her head pounded, something she only began to notice. She still felt dizzy and nauseous. "What happened?" Kana massages her temples. Last I remember, we were fighting that necromancer with the scythe.
"Well, he's dead, and you're not. All the matters, Lady Hearten." Grym says, handing her a cup. "Sip slowly. Should help with the headache."
Agrit and a woman Kana recognized as one of the rescued villagers entered the room they were staying in.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Agrit said with excitement. "It's so good to see you finally awake."
"They were beside themselves wondering when you would wake up." She swept her hand out, indicating Myka, Alex, and Grymlop. "I'm Jacra, by the way."
Kana quirked a brow. "I'm sorry I caused you such trouble." A small smile plays on her lips as she looks at Alek. Myka laughs at his discomfort, and Grym shakes his head and moves to stand next to Agrit.
"I'm sorry we haven't been able to talk."
Agrit waves her hand. "Nonsense. You were worried for your friend."
Alek stands to excuse himself. Kana tries hard to keep her frustration at bay.
"We burnt down Fiorna's Faith. We want no one to roam that place should they come upon it."
Agrit and Jacra both nod.
"Also, I found this letter in the necromancer's pocket," Myka adds. The message is wrinkled with dirt and blood smeared over it:
"Horvath, Velfram, and Ilorin,
Thank you for the opportunity you and the Whispering Way have provided me. I have, and so beautifully, completed the task given to me to destroy Fiorna's Faith. I shall meet you soon.
I remain humbly your servant,
Harlo Krant"
Agrit flips over the paper. "No return address."
"Nay, but one of the names sounds familiar," the master dwarf says.
Jacra Looks out in the distance towards the Gravelands. "Is this how it starts?" Jacra shakes her head. "He isn't done, Agrit. The Whispering Tyrant comes."
"All we have is hope, my friend," Agrit says, locking her arm in Jacra's. "Hope."
Jacra bids the adventurers farewell and leaves to wait for Agrit outside.
Grym and Agrit move closer to the door, but Myka and Kana talk to themselves to provide them privacy, though they can still hear them. Kana had sensed something between the two dwarves.
"Agrit," Grymlop begins. He rubs the back of his neck. "Nevermind," he chuckles softly and waves his hand dismissively.
Agrit frowns, turning to walk away, then stops short and whips around angrily. "You should have said something, Grymlop Stonebottom! I would have stayed, damn you." With that, she stomps out, nearly crashing into Alek, who enters back into the room.
Alek has refreshed their packs for their respective journeys back home. "I shall accompany you back. They may have text illuminating us on those Krant mentions in the letter. Alek nods, and Myka helps Kana to her feet.
Grym moves to the door. "You know, master dwarf," Alek says as he opens the door. "Agrit is no longer with her husband. Has been that way for some time now."
The group moves about the town of Trunau towards its city gates as Grymlop whistles a jolly dwarven tune.
