Updated 1/16/24

26th of Ches

Today was the second time in my life I thought I was going to die, and the first time, I actually did. Honestly, if I hadn't experienced it myself, I don't think I would even believe my own story. Now that the camp is settled and Val is asleep by my side, I can take a moment to unravel it all enough to write it down.

Let me start with this morning. I slept peacefully after my dream from Marat and awoke feeling hopeful, confident, and rested. I fell right into the routine of camp life and hummed as I helped pack up. Raenlyn even commented on my behavior.

All I could do was smile and replied, "I must just be falling into the routine of the road."

We didn't have time to say much more because Wilavor runs a very tight ship. She doesn't allow for "idle dilly-dallying" like stopping to talk. Her caravan operates like clockwork and always gets us on the road in no time.

Once we were on the road, however, the miles seemed to drag on endlessly. There was a dry heat in the air, and the only relief was the occasional breeze coming across the grasslands. Watching the winds push and swirl the grass that stretched out all around us was almost hypnotic.

A sudden flash of lightning and the deep rumble of thunder in the distance pulled me out of my daze. I sat up, startled. I looked around and saw other heads snapping up all around me, all focused toward the sound of the crack.

I felt the heat just before I saw the horrific, unstoppable, massive blaze coming toward us.

I froze in panic as the massive wall of fire swept over the rise towards us, consuming the dried grass as it came.

And all I could do was pray to Kelemvor, Please… not again.

As I sat frozen, images from the day I died flashed through my mind. The blaze sizzled all around me, cracking and popping. A burning beam fell, and I was trapped in place by my right leg and hip. I could feel the heat against my skin when my clothes caught fire. And to this day, I still don't know if the burns on my hands came from trying to push the beam off myself or trying to protect my face from the flames. Either way, I came away from the event scarred for life, and not just physically.

Crack!

Another beam from the building falls nearby, barely missing me.

My mind was pulled from the nightmare of my past as I was knocked to the ground. HARD. I shook my head, trying to clear it, and looked around to get my bearings. Reytyn was trying, and failing, to control the panicked animals, which must be why I fell. The fire was still running rampant through the grass, burning bright and hot. And I knew I should move, but I couldn't make my body work. So I just sat there looking dumbfounded.

Val rode up, jumped off his horse, and grabbed the reins Reytyn had lost. I watched as he moved in close with his hand outstretched and calmed the terrified animals. He returned the lost reins and turned my way.

"Zira, come on we need to move! Now!"

But I couldn't move… or speak… or think... I was frozen, watching…

I felt Val pull me up, "Come on, Zira. We need to get to the water." His arm went around me, half supporting, half carrying me off the road to the west toward the coast. I stumbled along with him desperately willing my legs to work.

"That's it. One foot in front of the other… I've got you. Just keep moving… We're almost there. I've got you, Zira." I used Val's voice to bring me back and anchor me.

Somehow we made it off the road and onto the sand. Everyone just stood there and watched as the flames overwhelmed the rest of the grass and died off when it ran out of fuel to consume. I leaned into Val's protective embrace and took several deep breaths. For the first time since I felt the heat on my skin, I was able to breathe deeply. Although I didn't feel calm, I was at least beginning to relax.

We each had our own duties to attend to, but before he left me, Val first assured himself that I would be ok. And again he asked no questions, trusting I would eventually give him answers.

Most of the rest of the afternoon and evening were a blur. I helped retrieve the fallen items that littered the roadway. Wilavor had us set up camp on the west side of the road just off the beach. The animals needed to be looked over and the gear and cargo needed to be assessed. But mostly, people needed the routine to help them get through the shock.

Throughout it all, Val never moved out of my sight. Or I suppose it was, he made sure I never moved out of his.

Eventually, the work was done and we were both free of our responsibilities. We grabbed dinner and joined a group sitting around already eating. The night started off quiet. People sat in small groups here and there talking in hushed voices. But as the food helped comfort us and the mead and ale helped everyone relax, people began to talk more. Soon everyone was sharing stories of their other near-death experiences, gratitude that they were still alive, and memories of good times to help us forget.

I don't know how he knew I couldn't be alone tonight, but Val offered to stay the night with me. My tent, unsurprisingly, wasn't full, so I helped him fix up the space next to me. We sat and talked for a while before Val dozed off. I told him most of my story; the fire, Kelemvor, and the church. I felt like he would understand, but I wasn't ready to talk about Marat or my dreams.

Z