The day was nice and started off well enough. We packed up camp like we'd been working together for much longer than we have. After a second night of "good" sleep and knowing our destination was getting closer each day of travel, we chatted happily and shared some stories from our pasts.
Yukouth told us about his twin sister, Gamarra. The two of them are the oldest of five. She runs the family's brewery. He said they've always been "thick as thieves" and would do anything for the other one. Just like Envon and I. Yukouth's other siblings, two sisters, and a brother, also work at the family's brewery. The girls, Gerdelle and Gwinnip, are brewers and "create the most delicious hard ciders." And Yumdout is "brilliant with numbers", he's in charge of the books.
Adrala told us more about her Grammy, Mama, and Daddy. She's an only child and they all dote on her. Her Daddy cares for their home and cooks the most delicious meals. Adrala invited us all over to taste his cooking. Her Grammy used to be a part of the city guard, and her Mama still is. "Following in their footsteps is such an honor. And I hope I make my family proud."
Elisha and Israel talked about growing up learning stonemasonry from their father. I can tell from the way they talk that both men love working with stone, and it makes me wonder why Israel didn't finish his apprenticeship as well. They told us how it's customary to journey to Settlestone and finish learning your craft from a master clan crafter. I wonder what it would be like to grow up in a mixed dwarven and human society.
I told them about Envon, my parents, and learning how to dye silks. Envon and I would try and outdo the other with color choices, and even creating new shades. Adrala asked why I left the family business and chose to join the clergy. So I told them of the fire and how Kelemvor saved my life.
"Being chosen by a God is never easy. Your path will be as fulfilling as it is challenging. I will stand by your side for as long as I am able." And that's when Yukouth swore an oath to me and my cause. I think Adrala was about to swear a similar oath, but an arrow flew past Yukouth and all conversation stopped.
We looked up ahead and saw the campsite used by travelers who don't make it to Thornhold before the gates close. And three dwarf guards standing around a dead fire.
Yokouth held up his hands and said, "We're friendly. Thornhold guards too. Just escorting this group here…" Another arrow flew past him. And that's when we realized they weren't guards, but skeletons dressed as Thornhold guards. Israel and Elisha wasted no time in returning fire. An icy beam hit one of the attacking skeletons, while Elisha's arrow flew wide. I watched as Adrala moved up between Yukouth and Elisha, pulled out her handaxes throwing one immediately after the other. Both just missed. Yukouth wasted no time and charged the same skeleton the others had attacked. When he hit, bones went flying in all directions. Just a few steps behind him, I attempted to hit it with my staff. And of course, I missed.
The skeleton, determined to hurt its attacker just as much, dropped its bow and pulled out a dwarven handaxe. And it connected, hard, with Yukouth, almost dropping him. I've seen my fair share of injuries and death, but watching it happen right next to me was nearly petrifying. I cried out to Kelemvor and reached over to touch Yukouth. The skeleton across the fire took advantage of my distraction, stepped onto the dead fire, and swung a handaxe at me. Thankfully it missed.
It felt like everything was happening so fast and so slow all at the same time. An icy blast flew wide past my left side. Elisha moved up near me, rapier out, swearing loudly. This prompted the last skeleton to drop its bow, step up, and swing the handaxe at him. I didn't see Adrala throw the handaxe that flew past me on the left, but I saw it slam into the skeleton that had attacked me. And then she was there right next to me, smiling, before a look of alarm flashed across her face as she missed with her swing.
"I know that crest."
Yukouth attacked the one that hit him, doing little damage because of his injuries. And looked over to Adrala, in revulsion, "They're not alive girl. Don't let it divert you from your duty, no matter how abhorrent it may be."
I felt the healing light go through me when I made contact with Yukouth and watched as his wound sealed leaving behind what I knew would be a gruesome scar.
"Thank you Kelemvor," I whispered to myself.
And just as his wound finished sealing, Yukouth took another blow from a handaxe. His face went pale and his eyes were wide as he stared down at it.
I felt the air whoosh by as the blade of a handaxe just missed me.
Israel to our rescue again with his magical flying darts. Two of them to my right and one to my left blew the skeletons apart.
Holding his injury, Yukouth turned behind us and said, "Thank you, my boy!"
Elisha stabbed at the last skeleton, barely making contact. When it returned the attack its handaxe sank into Elisha's side, right through his leather armor.
"I've got you, Elisha!" Adrala said as she threw her handaxe sending bones flying. She reached down, grabbed the other handaxe from the pile of bones, and threw it a second later. It flew through the space bones were the moment before.
I don't know how he did, and that is probably why he missed, but Yukouth stepped onto the pile of bones in front of him to swing at the last skeleton.
"Enough!" I exclaimed.
I stepped up to the last skeleton, and held out my badge of Kelemvor "Cinnos!" radiant light struck it as the last of its bones crumbled to the ground.
I looked from Elisha to Yukouth, both of them looked to be in critical condition. Israel had come to his brother's side. And Adrala was kneeling next to Yukouth. And for a moment I didn't know what to do.
"Breathe Zira…" I told myself.
"Tend to the boy," Yukouth said at the same time as Elisha said, "Don't worry about me, take care of Yukouth."
I felt drained, but I prayed to Kelemvor once again. I made a snap decision, reached out, and put my hands over the gaping wound. I watched Yukouth's wounds seal up again. When I turned to Elisha, I knew Kelemvor would not intervene again today. Thankfully I also have healing skills and treated his wound enough for him to rest and recover.
Israel, Adrala, and I quickly set up camp after clearing away the bones while Yukouth sat with Elisha.
Israel insisted he switch watches with Elisha tonight, and nobody argued. Elisha was in no condition to do watch on his own. When Israel woke me for my watch neither of us had the heart to wake Elisha to join me. Just as well, it's given me the time to write and think.
I miss the quiet of the church's gardens. I wish I was sitting under my favorite willow tree, instead of on the side of the road. But when I finish writing I plan to meditate just like I learned under that willow. I will settle myself in, take several deep, relaxing, cleansing breaths, and reach out to Marat. I hope they may be willing to counsel me because I need help finding the strength I need for this life.
Z
