Friend or Foe pt 2: Friend

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As we walked back to the Inn, I remembered I hadn’t thanked Cloudbreaker for last night.

“Cloudbreaker, thanks again for last night. Not many people help me when I’m in distress. You’re a good friend,” I said.

“I look after my own Araja,” Cloudbreaker simply responded. I cocked my head. “I have more need of you at my side than a silver sword,” he added.

Warmth spread through me.

“By the way, still feeling alright?” Cloudbreaker asked.

“Yep. Still faring quite well.”

I then remembered I had thought about something I wanted to say to Cloudbreaker since the second day in this world, especially after watching him valiantly defend the town and validate my stand against Grendel’s cry for a massacre. However, I felt shy about saying it for I was unclear what Cloudbreaker even thought of me, but now I was certain.

“Hajarikn (hi-yar-reen), I want you to know I choose to follow you. I feel honored you'd consider me as one of your own. I respect your strength, your gentleness, and your same desires to do what’s right. Plus, this is your world and I seem to be an exile like you, so I really have no place to go."

Cloudbreaker let a chuckle escape, “Well I have no idea where I'm going, so we can blunder around together and try to find our way,” then more seriously continued, “It has been a long time since I was part of a tribe. It feels good to belong, even if, for now, it’s only with you."

We walked further on, I enjoying the peace I felt. I would always miss Raæin, Isaac, and Gemmel, but I had a new life and so far no one was out to kill me.

“So how long has it been since you've been out of your tribe?” I ventured to ask, curious about Cloudbreaker’s past.

“Over four years now...” he responded.

“How old are you?"

“21 or 22 winters, I think.”

I did the math. He was a new adult and had to fend for himself. He and I both had a rough intro into adulthood.

“What about you?” Cloudbreaker asked, implying what my age was.

“Would you really believe me if I told you?” I asked knowing the answer would seem farfetched.

“I don't see any reason why you would lie to me,” the Goliath replied. I scoffed a little before looking at Cloudbreaker appraisingly.

"I know I've given you plenty of reason to think I'm crazy or that I've exaggerate the truth, but I admire that you've been so civil with me despite whether or not you believe the things I've said.” I then looked away from him and thought real quick. “Let's see, a couple months back... or however long ago it was, I thought I was turning 292. I then regained lost memories and realize I'm well over 1400 years old. It’s hard to say if I’m aging again or not."

Cloudbreaker nearly choked when he heard that. I looked at him, his eyes wide in thought.

“"That... is a very, very long time. I’ve heard that some Elves can live that long. So I guess it's possible."

“Well, I'm not an elf,” I corrected, “I'm an Angelic. For what I know, while in the Kingdom, there was no more death. See I died a human and was Exalted an Angelic. Now I'm here and well... it's only been 7 months, that I know of. I'm unsure if any time passed between where I last was and when I found myself in that bowl.”

"What have you done with all that time?"

That depressing cloud suddenly weighed down on me. I felt my eyes hood as I thought about the past. Yes Araja, what have you done with all that time? the negative thoughts began to play. I shook my head and figured if Cloudbreaker really wanted to know, I’d paraphrase my chaotic life.

"It's a bit of a story if you're up for that,” I replied.

“Well, the Chalice is just over there, perhaps sharing it while we eat and drink would help?"

“Sure, but you’ll be the one enjoying the drinks."

“I noticed that last night. Why don’t you drink?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Um, I just never felt the need for it. Never had it.” There was something that seem foreboding about it too. The men I’ve seen slobbering drunk, like Elmo and John, seemed to use alcohol like a crutch. Let alone it did little to make them seem respectable. Then again, like last night at the bar in the Chalice, how merry people were. Still, I did not feel the need to drink.

We walked into Larland’s Chalice Inn and once more were greeted by Dale. He got us a few drinks and a plate of chicken and beans. As we ate, I retold my life story over a couple of minutes:

"This is what I’ve done with all that time, Cloudbreaker. From what I remember, I was part of a prophecy and destined, trained up from my childhood, to defeat Erythnul,” my voice caught as I thought about mentioning how I murdered my sister, but I felt that was unnecessary for one, we were in a public place where anyone could hear, and two, I didn’t want to have to explain myself.

"But I failed. That was when I died, at the age of 19. I found myself in Heironious Kingdom, an Exalted Angelic, to continue to fight against Erythnul. Wars raged for hundreds of years. During that time I caught Heironious in a lie. He said marked beings couldn’t be Exalted only to Exalt a woman named Malfeiya, who was marked. I was cast out of the Kingdom, to which I went to the other Gods and waged war against my ex God.

“Then I was struck down by Nerull," a small shudder ran through me as the thoughts of Hell came to mind. "I was tortured for 1400 years there. I try to not think about it and part of me wishes I hadn’t had my memories restored... Then I was back in the mortal realm on some other world than this, and stuff with the mark was still happening and, well, now I'm here, still dealing with the mark.

“I guess you could say a good portion of my life time wasn't spent doing much of anything useful.”

Now that I think about it, I sold myself short. I had invented a sanitation system! Though there’s no way for me to know if that had truly revolutionized the well being of the people in Dijon.

“I... am sorry,” Cloudbreaker said with a heavy voice. Surprisingly, though there were moments that still haunted me, I didn’t feel weighed down by my past.

In a light voice I responded, “No need to be. It wasn't like you sent me there.”

Cloudbreaker gave a small smile. “I suppose you’re right. Well, we’re here now and I will help you get rid of the mark once and for all,” he announced with vigor. It was endearing, but I had little hope for it. Still I didn’t want to put down Cloudbreaker’s optimism.

“How I hope we can. That would be very fulfilling.”

“We will, Araja. That I am most certain of."

I smiled brightly not because I believed him, but because it was refreshing to see someone equally revolted by the mark. Someone who would be equally satisfied to be freed from it.

“So, what's your story Cloudbreaker? Why were you exiled?” The Goliath took a deep breath.

"In short, I was injured, badly, and my tribe had to leave me behind... I was left to die, but by the grace of the Mountain Gods I survived."

“That’s right. You mentioned that in the truth circle Lash made-” I cut myself off. Cloudbreaker and I both eyed each other before looking away at the mention of our fallen comrade. I then furrowed my brow for it didn’t make sense why Cloudbreaker’s people would just leave him, "Why would your tribe exile you like that, while you were injured?”

Cloudbreaker took a bite of his chicken, furrowed his brow in thought, and took a swig of ale before answering. "The Goliaths are a nomadic people. We do not carry what we cannot afford to. If we have to move, we must leave behind what we cannot bear. My tribe was migrating when I was injured and they could not afford to carry my broken body with them. It took me months to heal. I would have been a burden with no assurance that I would survive, but rather slow them down instead.”

I gaped at Cloudbreaker. I doubt I could ever just abandon someone if they were still alive, especially someone I knew and if there was a chance I could save them.

"It was right that they left me,” Cloudbreaker continued, “I would have done the same. I bear my tribe no ill will. One day I intend to return, when I have the strength to make a difference in the struggle."

“So why save me back in the bowl? You didn’t know me?” I asked, skeptical of his ‘I would have done the same’ comment. Cloudbreaker gave a firm look at me.

“Because I could. When I was injured, my tribe could not."

I felt a little chastised, as though Cloudbreaker thought my comment was ingratitude.

“Thanks,” I got out, “I’m definitely in your debt.” I paused for another bite of food. “So what struggle are your people facing?”

Cloudbreaker looked at me quizzically, then his expression softened. “I forget you know little of our world,” he began. In essence, the Goliaths have a vendetta toward the Giants. During the God Wars, his Gods tried to remain neutral, for they, and the Goliaths, were peaceful and not warmongering.

The Giants were told they could side with the evil  if they destroyed the Goliath pantheon. Cloudbreaker put it as, “Even in our neutrality, the Gods feared our strength.”

He went on to explain how the Goliaths were caught off guard by the Giants to which they all fled to a place called Tella-lu. There they attempted to hold competitions, for that was how Goliaths settled disputes, to decide who’d be fit to be King. Such competitions didn’t happen since they bickered over how they’d decide who’d their champions would be. To this, the Giants struck, killing and enslaving his people. With their forces weakened, their Gods too became weak. He was sure if they really were dead or just enslaved. There was 6 Gods he had: Almighty, Brave Naki-Uthai, Wise, Bountiful, Scheming, and Dread (I can only recall the one God’s name).

I imagine the reason Cloudbreaker must believe his Gods might be enslaved and not dead was at his mentioning of their silence being broken. For half a century his Gods hadn’t done anything or spoken, that was until he received the mark of Naki-Uthai upon his chest.

Cloudbreaker’s tribe was one of the few that escaped the Giants. Before being exiled, his father had mentioned to him that were were possibly 8 other tribes out there. With the mark of Naki-Uthai upon him, he knows he’ll go back once he has the strength to free the Goliaths. His plan is to unite the free Goliaths, become their Chief (through competition), and with them destroy the Giants. He also plans to get the Dwarves in on his cause to eliminate the Drow, whom Bal Vyr confirmed had Goliath slaves. Those things are what Cloudbreaker is certain to be the will of Naki-Uthai.

I was mighty impressed with his resolve to destroy the Giants and Drow. I am curious as to what he’ll do about the children of each race... but needless to say, it was quite the vendetta he held. To be honest, I also felt uneasy by the thought of eliminating entire races, but I didn’t dare question it..

"Wow... that is quite unfortunate for your people. I suppose if you're willing to help me find an end to the mark then you can count on me to help end the Giants." A quick chuckle escaped me. "Now if only we can get Grendel to fight for your cause, perhaps his sense of Justice for once would be used correctly or at least there'd be a reason for his brashness."

Cloudbreaker rolled his eyes, "Grendel fights for no cause but his own. He will not help us unless he has something to gain from it. He calls himself a Crusader, but he is in truth more of a mercenary than I have ever been. I will not put my faith in that man to fight alongside me when it counts."

I gave a nod in agreement, with a sigh escaping me. "Grendel... I remember being like him once, so set in my ways of what I knew to be right and just and out to force everyone to abide by that code. Then, everything was black and white, but now... there's so many shades of gray. I’ve learned there are so many different types of good, like there are so many different types of evil. I still believe Grendel has good intentions. I just hope his eyes will open to the broader spectrum that Justice should hold before he does something that compromises us."

I took a long drink from my mug of water.

“About that mark Araja,” Cloudbreaker began, “it definitely does not bode well for us. We must find a way to rid us of it before it’s too late. I wonder if that book that priest of Pelor had last night might contain some answers."

"Well, let’s not get our hopes up about the book. This mark is so old now, I doubt there's any tangible history that could make us understand it or how to destroy it,” I began, but a thought came to mind of, what if? “Then again, why not? It's worth a shot, especially if it gets us somewhere.”

Cloudbreaker smiled.

As we finished our meal, I asked about his blue skin and the other markings to which he pointed out his skin was gray while the markings were blue. The markings were his connection to his Gods and spelled out his Fate. I stifled a chuckle thinking about the fates we had just received from Bakabba. But in all seriousness, I still envied Cloudbreaker’s devotion to his Gods. 
Finally we headed out and decided to focus on finding the others.

Friend or Foe pt. 1

Friend or Foe

There was something strangely different when I woke up this morning. Despite the horrible nightmare I had earlier that night, I felt at peace. I looked up at the ceiling before admiring the warm glow the room had. My body didn’t hurt either and I felt rested despite the lateness of the morning.

A soft snore broke my thoughts and I peered over the edge of the bed I was in and saw Cloudbreaker still asleep on the floor. He slept on his belly, his blanket somewhat tossed around his waist. I observed his bluish gray skin and the dark blue markings all over it. I thought about last night and how Cloudbreaker had helped me. He seemed genuinely concerned. As I thought about it, the shadowy figure I saw when I had nearly died back in the bowl resembled Cloudbreaker. He had saved me then, and saved me last night.

A warmth spread through my chest as I nuzzled my head into my arm while watching the Goliath sleep. I then went rigged once I recognized what I was doing. I knew what I was beginning to feel and I swore to never get attached again. I turned over onto my back to avoid looking at the half naked form of Cloudbreaker. Part of me felt embarrassed for having watched him sleep for a few minutes...

It was hard not to like Cloudbreaker. It was hard not to like the people who were kind to me; who’ve saved my life. At the same time, it scared me, for everything I’ve loved have been killed or taken from me.

Yet, I’m in a new land, a stranger, and far from  anyone I could call a friend. Of my companions, I revered Cloudbreaker the most. His strength... his honesty... Cloudbreaker was the one I looked to, the one I would follow and protect- though he was strong enough to take care of himself. So how was I not to care?

Pain is an unfortunate side effect to joy. The only way to fully appreciate joy is to know pain, I could almost hear Gemmel say. I let out an exasperated sigh of defeat, for it was true.

I got up and went to the washroom to clean up the best I could. When I returned to the room, Cloudbreaker sat up as I shut the door.

“How are you?” he asked, taking careful note of me. I felt something in me, like a lightness, as his blue, pupilless eyes made contact with mine. Stop it! I scolded myself.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, “In fact, I don’t recall feeling this well in such a long time,” I said with a smile. I didn’t expect Cloudbreaker to understand that statement. The burden of my supposed obligations, being marked, and the guilt I’ve acquired through mistakes and misfortune seemed like an afterthought.

“That’s good,” the Goliath said, a small smile creeping at the corner of his lips. “By the way, nice bed head.”

I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my hair. Once more I was reminded how much I needed to tame it.

“Well, I think I need to fix that as one of the things we do today. By the way,” I said, remembering Cloudbreaker wanting to know about the nightmare I had last night. At the time I wasn’t able to give clear details. “I wrote down the nightmare if you’d like to read it.” Cloudbreaker tilted his head slightly and gave a nod. So I pulled my journal out of it’s dimension, flipped to the page that I had written the dream on, pointed out where it started and ended, before sitting back and watching him read it.

He read in silence for a couple minutes before handing my journal back. I quickly put it away and looked at Cloudbreaker expectantly. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the Goliath pondered a moment before simply saying, “That was... quite the dream I suppose.” I gave a nod of my head. I felt kind of stupid, like was it really that important I had him read it?

“Anyways,” I said, changing the subject, “I know we need to obtain silver for our weapons, but I am also wanting to swing by a tailor to get a different outfit.” Cloudbreaker eyed me up and down, a thrill running through me, and nodded in agreement.

“I’d say you and me both. But first, let us go get some breakfast,” Cloudbreaker said, slapping his stomach. A small laugh escaped me as I beamed in agreement.

Breakfast was bland compared to last night’s meal, but one can’t complain too much when they’re able to have a full stomach. Dale was pleased to see that I was faring far better than last night. I apologized once more for the mess I made of his vest, to which Dale brushed it off. Cloudbreaker and I then gathered our gear, locked our room, and took off on the town.

Finding a tailor wasn’t too terribly hard. I drew a simple design out for the seamstress to work with and picked out the fabrics. She said it would take a few days. She then took a look at Cloudbreaker and asked if he cared for something. Cloudbreaker, to say the least, would only be content if he had a pelt of a bear with it’s skull intact still. He was quickly informed he’d have better luck hunting a bear himself or buying such a pelt from a hunter.

Our ‘hunt’ for silver was deterred by Cloudbreaker’s need to find a bear pelt. I almost went out into the woods with him when I reminded him that we had to worry about those Elves. I did not trust them and I was right to not trust them either. We went to the Ranger’s Retreat Inn, where I noticed a lot of hunters, trackers, and rangers gathered.

The Innkeeper, who had strikingly red hair like that girl, Myranda, pointed us to some young adult sitting at a table. He, too had very red hair (and found out they were related to Myranda) as well as a collection of bear pelts, but none with the skull intact. Cloudbreaker asked where he could find a bear to hunt, but neither the boy or the Innkeeper had a clue where a bear specifically was, nor did they want to advise Cloudbreaker to go through the Elven territory since that, according to them, would end in his death.

With that, Cloudbreaker began to tease the two hunters about their lack of skill for they couldn’t tell him a specific location for a bear. He even began to belittle the Elves, saying he was too big for them to be of an issue. Watching the hunters sputter in defense and seeing how uncomfortable Cloudbreaker was making them, I tried to encourage the Goliath to be kind and that we’d get him a full bear pelt once we’ve figured out how to get out of Lake Town. Of course Cloudbreaker continued his banter with the hunters and it wasn’t until I began to push him out the door, reminding him we still needed to find silver.

It then dawned on me that I hadn’t seen Bal Vyr, Grendel, or Trickfoot since our departure from Lanlard’s Chalice Inn.

“Hey, where’d the others sleep last night?” I asked, “And has anyone seen Trickfoot yet?”

“Oh, Grendel and Bal Vyr got lodging at St. Cuthbert or whatever temple there in the Temple district,” Cloudbreaker grumbled. He then chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, well I don’t know if it’s really funny, but I gave Grendel a hug last night.”

“Wait... you’re talking about heartless, ‘Justice’ everything Grendel?” Cloudbreaker grinned a crooked smile a me. I couldn’t help but grin back.

“Oh, he’s just a teddy bear really,” Cloudbreaker mused merrily.

“To you maybe.”.

“As to Trickfoot, I suppose we’ll keep an eye open for him. He did go off on his own yesterday. It might be easier for him to find us.” I knew what Cloudbreaker meant. A 7’ 10”, blue Goliath and a 6’ 2” Angelic with black wings and skin chalk white. Nah, we didn’t stand out at all.

“Well, let us find some silver. I believe I heard you mention something to Dale this morning about a blacksmith that could help us?”

“Yes,” he said, “but only after we obtain silver.”

“Well, perhaps they can point us in the direction where we can find some,” I stated optimistically. Cloudbreaker then lead us to the blacksmith. Inside was a Dwarf puffing on a pipe and some man in the back. Before I could speak, something on the wall caught my eye. There was a shirt made of mithril. I walked to it and reached out to feel the material, but was met with a glass frame.

“Interested in the mithril missy?” the man in back called out. His voice was dry and raspy, showing the years he had worked in the smoke or had smoked.

“Yes actually, but my friend and I came into inquire about finding the kind of silver you could coat our weapons with.”

“Ah, yes. Well, let me think,” the man said. He scratched underneath his soot covered jaw and pondered for many minutes. “Well, there is one whom you might be able to get the kind of silver we need. Her name’s Bakabba, or as she’s commonly referred to, the troll under the bridge.”

“Why is she called that?” I asked.

“Oh, you’ll see.” The Dwarf gave a chuckle.

I looked at Cloudbreaker and gave a shrug. It was our best option, though I wish it wasn’t.

We arrived under the bridge we first crossed when we came into Lake Town yesterday. There was a crude hut made of driftwood to which I poked my head into. As I entered, I heard the lady inside mutter something that made me feel like she was expecting us.

She was friendly enough, but it was clear right quick that she wasn’t all there, surely a side effect of old age. At first she asked why I brought the Devil with me to which I looked at Cloudbreaker and mentioned he was a Goliath. She looked at him and her eyes widened, as though she hadn’t noticed him with me.

I sat down at the table she had arranged, while Cloudbreaker looked from the doorway, he being a bit too big to fit comfortably. Bakabba had cards arranged in some pattern before her. Cloudbreaker was curious about them and asked what she was playing. The woman explained in her own unique way that they were Tarot cards and they told fates.

I smirked at Bakabba, finding such a notion ridiculous, but as she began to pick up the cards, one of them caught my attention. I slapped my hand down on it before she could pick it up.

“Ah, the devil, the devil,” Bakabba said distinctly at first, then muttered the echo. I looked at it and on the card was a red devil. At his feet were two angels; one with white wings, one with black wings. The black wings looked oddly familiar, as though it were an image of myself.

I handed the card back to her and with my interest peaked, I asked her to tell me my fate. Bakabba then asked for two coppers. I handed her a platinum piece, not really caring if I got my change back since she looked quite destitute. She then promptly shuffled the cards and let me cut the deck. Bakabba then placed the deck on the table and tapped it 3 times saying, “Take, take, take.” I took the top card. “Put, put, put!” she instructed excitedly, tapping the table 3 times.

The card I drew interestingly enough was the very card that caught my attention. The Devil.

“Take take take!” I took another card, “Put put put!” and placed it beneath the Devil. The card showed a man standing in field, holding some golden orb. “The Page of Coins,” Bakabba said, as though she knew something.

Take take take. Put put put.

The Three of Cups

Take take take. Put put put.

The Two of Coins

Bakabba then sat back and looked at me expectantly. I looked back, raising my eyebrows.

“I don’t get it,” I responded.

“Here, let me have a go at it,” Cloudbreaker said, seeing Bakabba hadn’t explained anything to me. I moved out of his way, unsure what he thought he’d get out of it since Bakabba hadn’t told me anything other than take take take and put put put.

Cloudbreaker was equally unsuccessful in his fate reading. I eventually cut right to the point of why we came. I asked Bakabba if she had silver we could buy. She pulled out a bowl that had a small amount of silver in it.

“300 gold,” she said. I looked at the silver again and looked back at the woman.

“I’ll pay half of that,” I stated. 300 was a clear rip off, but Bakabba wouldn’t budge. So Cloudbreaker and I left the clearly mental fortune teller to her devices.

“That woman is broken,” Cloudbreaker said.

“No kidding...”

“I’m hungry, lets go eat.”

Ah, good ol’ Cloudbreaker to remind me to eating.

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Through the Woods pt. 4: Answers and Nightmares

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After Cloudbreaker left, while I watched Dale clear our plates for us, I remembered that Dale hadn’t specifically said why he went in to the Innkeeping profession.

"Dale,” I said to him while he wiped the counter down, “you never really explained why you chose to open shop up as an Innkeeper. I'm curious why this profession? I would think a man of your skill would have taken up teaching or mentoring other adventurers, soldiers, or mercenaries. Or perhaps have gone into blacksmithing or open a shop of trade."

"Oh, I don't see how it's very strange, really,” the Innkeeper responded cheerfully, “Back in the day there was nothing like stopping off at an Inn after long months in the wilderness and sharing stories with other travelers over a good ale. Always told myself I'd open my own if I lived long enough. So here I am.”

Dale pulled out a few more mugs and while he filled them with ale, continued on, “Makin' things has never been much my strong suit. I've always been the breakin' type. As to mentoring, I do a fair bit since I'm not beyond giving advice to those lookin' for it. However I find myself learning still. You'd be amazed the stories that people tell these days, what with the shadows of that awful war still lingering across the land."

The innkeeper then mentioned someone named Merrin. He had taught her quite a few things. Dale’s confident that there isn’t a warrior in the Goldtide who could hold a candle to her skills with a blade.

I found myself feeling comfortable Dale. He was warm and open and seemingly carefree. Despite such a tough look, he was gentle and clearly took pride in his profession. I watched as he continued to converse with other patrons and work to make them comfortable. It may have been only four days in this new part of the world, but it seemed like a lifetime away when I was living in Dijon with Carl. Isaac, and Raæin. Sitting at the bar conversing with Dale made it seem almost like I was home.

I looked at my hands and was reminded how filthy I was. I dismissed myself from the bar to go wash my face and hands. Taking a look at myself in the mirror was depressing. My tunic was even worse for wear. More tears were in my leotard and blood was splattered everywhere. My hair continued to be a pain as it hung down in my eyes. If I had scissors at the moment, I would probably have cut my bangs. Instead I resolved to getting a new outfit in the morning and find someone who could braid my hair back.

My return to the bar was seamless. People continued to converse and didn’t seem to take notice of me. That was a good thing. I liked not being noticed- at least in the sense of not being noticed by those who had ill wishes for me.

As Dale continued to fill orders and converse with the folk at the bar, and with how comfortable I felt with him, I figured he’d hear out some of my questions. Once most of the folk left the bar, I waved Dale down.

“Hey, Dale, Have a few more question,” I began. Dale gave a grunt of consent, “So since you know I’m not exactly from around here, could you tell me where Athvala is?”

A smirk grew on Dale’s face.

“Why in Athvala of course.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. Was this some smart answer like the ones Barrok would give me, I wondered.

“So, Athvala is it’s own continent then... which Kingdom is it near? Dwarven, Gnomish, Elven, or Man Kingdom? Or is it closer to France or, heaven forbid, Threll?” I elaborated. Dale’s mouth hung open for a moment as he assessed my question. Something in his eyes suggested that he thought I was a mental case, but he seemed to take some compassion upon me.

“Missy, I think you think you’re somewhere you clearly aren’t,” Dale began, “Athvala is Athvala. Plain and simple as the stars above. There’s no France, Threll, or fancy Kingdoms here. Perhaps the seafarers in the Lower Kingdom would know something, but I assure you no one around here has heard of the places you just mentioned.”

Dale then took a long look at me, ”Perhaps when you were serving your God, you served in a different time and place. There are many worlds out there, so I’m told. Athvala is just a humble Kingdom that you probably haven’t ever seen.”

I nodded to his words, “I suppose you’re right, I forget there are other realms in this universe.” I then continued to ponder my situation. It was interesting to process. At the time I wanted to be angry that I was taken from my world. I doubt I’d ever be reunited with Raæin and Isaac- and Cortanna if she’s still alive... Yet, if Athvala was truly a new realm for me... hope swelled in my chest. This could be a new start for me! I felt a smile come to my lips.

Yet, what new start could I make knowing I was marked by Erythnul? He knew where I was and could very well be the cause of how I got to Athvala. Then I remembered the God wars. What had happened there? Dale so far had been patient with me, perhaps he’d explain more to me than the priest of Pelor.

“I pray you’ll bare my naivety once more, but who, or where might I find someone or something that could help me understand more about the God Wars. I know my God is dead, but for whatever reason I have no recollection of it. Last I remember, I was in some other world, dealing with the problems there. Now I’m in Athvala, suddenly my God’s dead, and I can’t tell you how or why I’m here. I’m sure you could understand how distressing that is for me to find my deity is dead,” I lied. Goodness, Heironious sure got what he had coming for him, “I just need someone willing to be patient and help me understand,” I concluded.

“Clearly you have been out of touch a mite bit,” Dale said, giving me an appraising look. He then went on an elaborate retell of the God Wars to the best of his knowledge considering he was born shortly after peace had been restored. Apparently the Wars were quite extensive. Angels, demons, and Gods at each other’s throats to the point that they came down to Athvala. Dale seemed surprised that the land even maintained itself considering many Gods were killed in this war. The Athvala I was in was the aftermath of such a great war. Dale mentioned it was unclear as to why the war started, but I smiled in my head. I knew why, or at least I was sure I knew until the Innkeeper continued on.

Dale went to elaborate on about Heironious. Apparently he had tried to help his brother, Hextor. Hextor was no better than Erythnul, but for whatever reason, Hextor didn’t scare me. Probably because he was out of the picture when I was growing up. Dale mentioned how Heironious was certain Hextor was being corrupted further by some God or demon. It’s not known who was behind it, but it was this dark entity that ultimately killed Heironious and nearly Hextor. Dale then mentioned how Hextor really lost it and took his followers, and perhaps those of Heironious since he didn’t have his nemesis to fight any more, and turned them against the other forces of evil. It had been said this was done so he could have ‘ultimate dominion of all evil.’

If that was the truth of the God Wars, or to some degree of them, why was Heironious trying to help his brother? Why hadn’t he joined him since we was so set on working with Erythnul? Perhaps he got cold feet once I killed Malfeiya and took his love away. No... he and Erythnul had united. But every thing Dale said felt true. I shrugged the complexity of the details off, assuming since they were Gods that they could figure out how to undo what they did. Oh how the Gods still frustrate me. I’m tired of Their problems falling upon us. Us who can’t do much of anything about it.

Dale finished up his retelling of history by mentioning how the followers of Heironious went and followed other Gods, like Balus, the Dawncaller, and Pelor, after He died. Dale also mentioned how his God, Larland, had a temple in Lake Town that fell, taking most of the clergy with it. He mentioned catacombs for the temple were still accessible. In fact, he was certain there was a lone survivor, though Dale was equally certain he was mad. Doesn’t know of his where abouts, for all he knows, the bloke could have walked off the bluffs long ago.

“Wow, that’s... quite interesting,” I said after the long story. Part of me was intrigued by the catacombs, but perhaps it was because Dale presented it in such a way that would suggest something of interest was there.

I sat in silence for a few minutes. I pondered once more over the possibility of this being a new world and my determination to forget about the Gods. With the thought of starting an new, I figured I’d give my name one last go. One final test and hope that this truly was a new place that knew nothing of Araja.

“Dale,” I called out, “one last question.” Dale walked back in front of me, “Thank you for explaining so much for me. I have one final question. Since you seem like a man who’s heard quite a few tales, have you heard of a woman by the name of Araja Eloirakn?”

The Innkeeper raised an eyebrow at me. For a moment I got nervous that he indeed knew that name.

“Araja? That’d be a name I haven’t heard of until you and your friend came in. He called you by that name didn’t he?”

A wave of embarrassment washed over me. Of course! Why didn’t I remember? I scolded myself.

Suddenly something began to happen.

“Miss?” Dale asked. I looked at him, straining my eyes. I heard him repeat himself, but the harder I tried to focus on him, the farther he became. It was as though Dale had called to me from down a hallway. Then before me images began to play. They swirled around in an unusual manner. There was the mark that I saw on my companions. It was seven snakes entwined. They slithered about each other without moving, like a mirage. Then Heironious formed and that of a scarred being. The scarred being was unrecognizable.

The crowd, that was in the bar, felt stifling, as though they were closing in on me. Despite the pressure I felt from them, I suddenly felt scared and alone. I barely remember falling to my hands and knees. Though the feel of the hardwood stinging my palms lingered, I realized I was looking at myself on the floor. Hovering about my form were the three images of the mark, Heironious, and the scarred being. I couldn’t figure out why they were there, but there had to be some significance.

A warm hand touched my shoulder, snapping me back to my body. I shook a little, blinking rapidly as I registered the floor under my hands. I looked up and found Dale staring at me with concern. He wrapped an arm around my body and in that moment I remembered feeling great relief wash over me before waking up on a table.

It was as though I was in a crowded room as the mark and other beings flashed before my face. They’d pause just long enough for me to register who or what I was seeing. There was Heironious once more. A moment of calm came over me as I looked upon him. He was then replaced by a more sinister feeling as the mark of Erythnul, wreathed in flames, appeared before me. I wanted to shrink away as I watched it become the seven, entwined snakes. They slithered about, coming toward me, but I was unable to move.

As they slithered past me, I saw my sister, Meryth, sitting in a bed of daisies. I barely caught sight of her stringing the flowers into a crown while humming her lullabye, when flames distorted her presence. Longing clutched at my heart and I felt it break as she disappeared.

Meryth was replaced by two men fighting. I was beginning to feel distraught as I watched the two bodies grip each other’s throats so violently. They kicked and clawed at each other incessantly. What made it more distressing was the faces continued to shift. There were people I knew and those I didn’t. Heironious, Hextor, Cloudbreaker, myself, my father, the Priest from Pelor, Rekka, Grendel, Isaac, Gemmel, the scarred man, a snake, Meryth, some man I saw at the dock, Erythnul, Lash, Trickfoot, the cook with the bloody apron, and so many more! They kept coming, repeating, and flashing faster. It was so chaotic things began to blur as I tried to process every image.

I felt so helpless watching the two beings fight. My limp body couldn’t be willed to move. I wanted to cry out for it to stop, my mind going mad as my eye relentlessly watched on.

Then an explosion of fear erupted in my mind. In my peripheral vision I caught sight of a face. I hadn’t noticed it there before. What made this realization so horrifying was it was aware of me. Whatever I had been witnessing was just that; me witnessing. This humanoid like being, however, was watching me very closely.

I can only recall a few other times in my life that I had felt such terror as I did there. I wasn’t able to get a good look at the creature since my eyes couldn’t unlock from the fighting beings. Yet I knew it was there, hovering over my shoulder.

Though my body was already immovable, I felt myself go rigged as the warm, silky tongue of that being slid down my cheek. I wanted to lash out at it, to make it stop. Then there was a sharp pressure on my neck, as though something was biting me.

I bolted right up, a scream escaping my throat. It echoed all about me as I swung my arms about, trying to hitting the creature that I thought was next to me. I felt large hands wrap around my frame, pinning my arms, and a familiar voice calling out to me.

“Araja! You’re alright! It’s okay! It’s me, Cloudbreaker!” the Goliath bellowed over my scream. I looked around in the darkness and after a moment my eyes focused on the blue form of Cloudbreaker. A wave of relief swept through me to see him. I wanted to collapse in his arms, to have him protect me, but at the same time, I wasn’t convinced it was him. I reached out and touched his arms and face and was relieved to feel the warm skin of some actual being. Quickly realization set in that what I had saw moments ago was a nightmare.

“I’m awake?” I panted, “I’m awake... it was just a dream... just a nightmare,” I rambled. I could feel myself shaking and my whole body hurt, especially my back where the mark was.

“You had a nightmare?” Cloudbreaker asked. He took his hands from me and I had to grip the surface I was sitting on to brace myself. I felt the cloth and looked to find myself sitting on some kind of alter.

“Where am I? What happened?” I breathlessly asked. I jerked my head back and forth trying to take in my surroundings. The most I could see was it was a spacious room.

“”You’re in a human temple Araja,” Cloudbreaker said.

“Why?” I said absent mindedly.

“You were in a cold sweat, muttering, and your back was on fire... I was worried,” the Goliath explained. I looked into Cloudbreaker’s eyes for a moment. Why would he be worried about me?

As I pondered on what Cloudbreaker had said, a Priest, I hadn’t noticed standing by, handed Cloudbreaker a piece of paper. It sounded like a receipt of sorts, the Goliath arguing a few items upon it. I listened as the Priest explained that what was happening to me, or rather to the mark on my back, had been stemmed for the time being.

“What has happened to me?” I interjected. The Priest barely looks my way, while lifting an eyebrow.

“I think you’re in a better position to explain that,” was all he said. Cloudbreaker then went off on the Priest, suggesting that he wasn’t telling us everything. The Priest stammered, saying what he had done was out of luck and a combination of old rituals to deal with what I was going through. I was beginning to assume what the Priest was talking about had everything to do with the Mark. I then heard Cloudbreaker mention how the mark was an illness to which the Priest agreed and now that I think about it, he did say that it was something that hadn’t been around for a very long time. And now that I really think about it, Athvala is a new land for me. How is it the mark is here too? I’ll have to remember to ask someone about that.

So the Priest then walked off leaving me and Cloudbreaker alone. I tried to ponder if there was anything about myself that would register as a clue to what was happening to me. All that I could feel was the lingering pain in my back- and my neck! I quickly placed a hand to neck and was relieved to feel nothing there but smooth skin.

“Araja, you said you had a nightmare,” Cloudbreaker said gently, “Do you remember what happened in it?”

I clenched my eyes together, The images played vividly behind my eyelids. I opened my eyes and stuttered out some of the details. There was something about the dream that felt overbearing and made me feel helpless. Listening to myself reiterate what had happened made it seem... silly. Why would it have scared me? Actually, I did know. I was helpless, unable to do anything about the situation...

As I mentioned the humanoid being biting me, Cloudbreaker tried asking about what it was, but all I could convey was it being humanoid.

“Perhaps it was a vampire. They said there are vampires here,” Cloudbreaker said.

“I wouldn’t know,” I responded.

“Are you feeling better at least?”

“My back is killing me,” I confessed, “It feels like it was on fire... Cloudbreaker, I heard you refer to the mark as an illness, why’s that?” I asked, my mind reminding me what I had heard earlier.

“The way I see it, this mark doesn’t belong on me and clearly it can make us sick. So it’s an illness,” Cloudbreaker simply stated. I shrugged my shoulders. “We will find a cure for it,” Cloudbreaker added. Right, I thought, but held my tongue.

The Goliath then placed a fist full of platinum pieces on the altar and handed me a handful as well.

“What’s this?”

“Your portion of the bounty. Now let's get out of here and go to bed.”

I carefully stood up, biting my lip and walking as casually as one could while stifling the ache in my back. We arrived back at the Larland’s Chalice Inn, Dale welcoming us back. He asked how I was and I replied I was faring better. He gave a warm smile despite the number I did to his shirt. Apparently I had vomited on him...

Anyways, I’m hoping I’ll be able to rest more peaceably all things considered. Cloudbreaker’s on the floor already asleep and I’m journaling to put off the inevitable sleep cycle my body craves, but my mind clearly isn’t ready to delve back into the potential dream world.