Once again Galen woke up in a sweat. Once again, he gratefully let reality wash away the bloodied faces that haunted his dreams. Once again, he turned to find Dana's bed empty.
He did not need to look to know that the third bed, the one that would have housed the barbarian, was empty as well. He was alone. He rose and put on his gambeson and boots, then grabbed one of the furs off his bed and wrapped himself in it.
Exiting the room, he quietly wandered the halls of the barracks, not wishing to disturb the well-earned sleep of the rogues in their quarters. He walked the path Paige had led them through in reverse, memories of the brave young rogue flashing in his mind. They had all said their goodbyes, burying those who fell in battle once they had made Eastgate safe, before collapsing in their beds from exhaustion; still, his dreams were haunted by the vision of her death.
He was soon out of the barracks and making his way to the outer cloister. The still moonlight that had once bathed this courtyard had been replaced with the dull grey light of early dawn as he stepped onto the grass, lost in thought. His gaze flitted upwards, looking up to the fading stars; he could still make out the Hunter's belt, but his eyes caught a familiar figure on the walls of the monastery.
He set off at a stride towards the stairs that led to the ramparts and made his way up to find the amazon, wrapped in her fur-lined cloak, staring upwards at the Hunter, just as he had been. He approached discreetly, a part of him feeling like an intruder.
- "I was wondering when you'd wake up," Dana greeted him.
- "Someday, you're going to have to tell me how you do that," Galen replied as he walked up and stood by her side.
- "I can hear a leaf fall in the forest and smell a young buck from a mile away", she boasted.
- "Am I the young buck in this metaphor?" he asked with a smirk.
- "Don't worry, I'm hunting bigger game at the moment. Though perhaps once the lord of terror is dealt with…I must admit, you'd make a fine prize," she suggested as she turned to look at him. Her eyes were playful.
- "I... don't know whether to be flattered or scared," he whispered bashfully and was rewarded with a grin.
- "You're much too easy to tease. Takes all the fun out of it," she complained with feigned disapproval.
- "I'm sorry I don't have your dazzling wit," he retorted. "Are all amazons trained in the art of flustering men?"
- "On Skovos, we learn to spar with our words first, our weapons second. Any Askari warrior worth her salt keeps her tongue as sharp as her spear."
- "No wonder your tongue is so honed, then; it has to compete with the spear that slew Andariel."
- "You should've seen Lydia," she replied wistfully. "She could dance around everyone else with her words."
- "You did her proud, you know," he affirmed in a gentle tone.
- "And your grandfather must be smiling down on you from your Heavens," she responded in kind.
An image of Paige's face as she lay dying in his arms flashed in his mind, and his mood soured despite Dana's words.
- "I'm so sorry you had to lose another battle sister. That's the second time I haven't managed to save someone dear to you."
Without warning she turned to him and embraced him, making him drop his fur to the ground in surprise.
- "You're someone dear to me," she whispered against his ear. "Thank Athulua I still have you."
He suddenly felt very warm, despite the morning chill that now freely blew against his back. He gave in to the embrace and wrapped his arms around her as she wrapped her cloak around him. Neither of them moved until the first light of the sun touched their faces.
When they separated, her smiling face was illuminated by the dawn, and something inside him knew this image would stay with him all his life. He tried to take in as much of that moment as he could while it lasted.
Then it was gone, dispelled by the sound of her stomach complaining loudly. Her eyes widened with embarrassment and the early silence echoed with his laughter. She punched him good-humoredly, her attempt at a stern face utterly unconvincing.
- "Mayhap milady would like me to escort her to the dining hall?" he offered.
- "Just move it, you honey-tongued pretty boy," she replied.
The dining hall was already somewhat crowded when they arrived. Rogues shared breakfast or traveled to and from the kitchen with full and empty plates. A familiar voice hailed them as they made their way in.
- "Galen! Dana! Over here!" the exuberant northman called out as he waved to them. Before him was a breakfast worthy of a king. Seated next to him was Charsi, whose face was beaming even more so than usual. The paladin and the amazon joined them.
- "I knew you'd beat us here," Galen remarked. "I'm glad to see Andariel's venom has not dulled your appetite."
- "It's all thanks to you, friend Galen. I thought I'd be in Bul-Kathos's mead hall by now, recounting my exploits to the ancestors."
- "I'm sure you have more interesting exploits to share now," Dana said with a knowing look towards Charsi, who blushed.
- "And how did you two enjoy your first night alone?" the northman rejoined with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm sure you were glad for the privacy when I moved in with Charsi." It was their turn to blush now. "How about it, shieldmaiden? Did you make a man of our young lad?"
- "I tried, but his chastity belt is too well made, I'm afraid," the amazon replied playfully.
- "It's just as well. We wouldn't want me to lose my powers," the paladin commented snidely.
- "That's a shame," the barbarian replied. "You won't get another chance for some time. Warriv's caravan should be arriving within the day, and once we set out for the east, we'll all be sharing a wagon."
- "This soon?" Galen deftly changed the subject as he and Dana dug into their meals.
- "Well you all did sleep for an entire day" Charsi chimed in. "Warriv has been on the Rakkisroad since the morning after you liberated the monastery. Akara insisted he leave for Lut Gholein as early as possible. She said time was against you in your hunt for the Lord of Terror. Which reminds me, I took the liberty of repairing your weapons and armor. This one's axe was so badly corroded by Andariel's blood I had to forge him a new one," she said, pointing at the northman, who beamed with delight. "And since you managed to find the Horadric Malus for me," she continued excitedly, "I was even able to add some enchantments. That magnificent blade you found in Tristram deserved the same treatment, Galen, I hope you don't mind."
- "Not at all," he replied. "Thank you, Charsi. You've been too kind to us. What did you enchant it with, if I may ask?"
- "That," she said with a wink, "is for me to know and you to find out."
Before he could press her for more information a bleary-eyed sorceress plopped herself down next to him, her sleepy gaze surveying the world around her accusingly for being too bright and loud.
- "Good morning, Talia," he said with a chuckle.
She mumbled something unintelligible in return and eyed the food before her contemplatively before snatching a plate.
- "Is Cyrus still sleeping?" the amazon wondered aloud.
- "No," replied the northman. "I woke hours before you and he was already up and deep in conversation with Akara. Some people take better to being poisoned, I guess," he laughed, throwing a glance at the sorceress.
- "You're one to talk," Talia grumbled. "You're much too cheerful for someone who came so close to death."
- "What can I say, my body adapts quickly," he responded. "Besides, coming face to face with your own mortality gives you a better appreciation for life."
- "Something tells me we'll be doing a lot of appreciating in the days to come," Dana quipped.
- "All the more reason to follow Aan's example," added Galen. "Or, is it Ko'kal now? I trust we've earned the right to refer to you by your true name?"
- "They're both my name," the barbarian replied with a sudden fire in his eyes. "I am Ko'kal Aan, Ko'kal Son of No One, Ko'kal the Fatherless. That is what my tribe have called me since I was a child, and I will wear it with honor. I do not need glorious forefathers to take pride in my name. I will win enough glory for myself."
- "You don't have a father?" Talia asked. Any trace of her morning surliness was gone.
- "You have earned the right to my name. Not my story," Ko'kal replied mysteriously.
- "Fine," she huffed. "Keep your secrets."
- "There'll be plenty of time to pry it from him," the paladin interjected. "We have a long road ahead of us. It may be weeks before we reach Lut Gholein."
- "I'll be sad to see you all go," Charsi piped up. "I almost wish Warriv would delay one more day."
- "You just want one more night with me," Ko'kal boasted and she turned beet red. "Why wait? We probably have a couple of hours before they arrive."
With that, he grabbed her hand and excused himself, dragging her along as she did her best to avoid the others' stares.
It was late afternoon when the caravans arrived at Eastgate.
Cyrus could see the long trail of wagons stretching across the Tamoe highlands like some giant serpent. Many would not be continuing east immediately. Warriv's convoy alone would start its journey within the hour, stopping only to deliver supplies to the monastery. The necromancer was glad the caravaneer had been amenable to Akara's demands for haste. They needed as much of a head start as possible if they were going to catch up to Diablo. It was all he could think about ever since the priestess had told him of the Prime Evil's return.
Cyrus was not looking forward to being in such close quarters with others for what would probably be weeks, but they had proven to be dependable allies, and he would need allies against the Lord of Terror. He sighed, enjoying the last moment of privacy he would have for some time, before making his way down from the tower he had spent the day in. The others would be about ready to go by now.
The courtyard was bustling with activity when he got there, teamsters unloading crates and barrels while others readied the wagons for the coming voyage. The rogue leadership was also present, overseeing the departure of the heroes who had come to their aid in their darkest hour.
- "Ah, Cyrus," Akara called out when she saw him. "We were waiting for you."
- "Have you gathered your things?" Warriv asked.
- "All I have to my name I carry with me now," the priest of Rathma replied.
- "Then we're ready to move," the caravaneer announced.
- "Thank you again for everything you have done, outlanders," Kashya declared. "We owe you a debt that can never be repaid. You will always have a place among the Sisters of the Sightless Eye."
- "You carry with you the hopes of all mankind," the Priestess added. "I know your shoulders are strong enough for the load. I will pray for your triumph every day."
Dana seized Kashya's forearm, Ko'kal gave Charsi one last passionate kiss, and Akara offered Talia words of encouragement. The rogues that had gathered to see them off gave a cheer.
- "Well come on, are we moving or not?" a voice called out from one of the nearby wagons, and Deckard Cain's bald head peaked out from behind the canvas. "I'm not getting any younger, you know."
- "Deckard!" the sorceress exclaimed. "What do you think you're doing?"
- "I told you I would help you wherever your journeys took you, and I intend to keep that promise," He answered.
- "Our road will be fraught with peril, elder," Galen objected.
- "I will brook no argument. I am the last of the Horadrim.; this is my burden to bear too. Steel and spell will only carry you so far…you will need my wisdom to face this ancient evil. Don't worry, I will stay where it's safe and leave the fighting to you."
The paladin knew a lost battle when he saw one. He signaled for the others to climb aboard while the last of the drivers were finding their seats. He took one last look at the monastery as the gates were opened, wondering if he would ever pass through this place again on his way home to Westmarch. Then, he joined his companions.
By the time the caravan left the monastery behind, the east was dark and the Rakkisroad ahead was bloodred with the light of the setting sun, as the fulcrum of the Eternal Conflict spun in the endless void.
