The Journal of Phegrain kai`Vallenti pg. 1 next >>
How does one start off a new journal with style? Well, you could start with something exciting or something deep... or perhaps an exclamation to intrigue your reader into delving deeper. I, for one, have chosen a query and an expression of my inner monologue. If you have read this far then I believe it has worked.
This day began as many others have of late. I woke from my slumber at an inn with high quality sheets and feather pillows and a vague recollection of why I was there. Oh yes, the dispatches. Mistress V'Retta had sent me to Luclin to deliver some correspondence to our agents in the area. Far be it from me to question the will of my beloved Lady of the Tower but delivering dispatches? You would think that with my talents I would have been given a more weighty mission... infiltrating a secret keep or ferretting out traitors.
Regardless, I was enjoying my stay in the prosperous Bazaar (perhaps a bit too much based on my headache) but was yearning for a little excitement. To that end, I travelled down to the common room for a little something to eat and to catch up on the gossip. I found the room to be mostly empty and asked the dwarven barkeeper where his regular crowd was. "Gone to the Dreadlands, inkie. Mayhap ye should join 'em" he growled, squinting. I smiled at him politely and thanked him for his eloquently phrased suggestion.
According to the rumors which I heard while waiting patiently on the Kunark Scion's teleport pad, a bunch of nasty beasts were assaulting the sheltered valley which housed the only remaining Combine Spires on Kunark. Handling masses of unruly monsters trying to kill people is one of my specialties (which is why I still wonder why my dear Ms. V'Retta wants me to play courier...) so I fortified myself for a perilous journey into danger.
It didn't take long for the spires to activate. I shut my eyes to better enjoy the thrill of teleportation and when the euphoria faded I was standing in the center of the Kunark Spires. I smiled inwardly and savored the feel of (cold) wind and the scent of green, growing things. The moon, Luclin, is pleasant but lacking in these Norrathian comforts... you never appreciate it until you've gone without.
The Scion, an Iksar in a well-made white robe, directed us to the west where some warlords were organizing the defense. Before long we came to a well-ordered camp and the distant sounds of battle. I passed by the medic's tent where I saw none other than old Daggerclaw! He looked a sight, being bandaged and nursed by a very female Iksar attendant, but he welcomed me warmly and shrugged off his injuries (which looked grievous to me).
He explained that much had happened since our forays into the Crystal Caverns oh so long ago. Many things had changed and a great many of our old companions were gone. Of his other exploits I will not write here but suffice it to say, he had been far busier than I over the last few months. Despite the rather grim times, he seemed upbeat and well-kept and when he explained his current mission I leapt for joy!
To say it is a small world would be too cliche. Daggerclaw, my long-time companion from bygone days, was escorting my devout brother Tyrian through Kunark in the employ of the Temple of Innoruuk's chapel in the Overthere. It seemed too amazing to be true. It then occurred to me that Tyrian was not around (else Daggerclaw would not need to be bandaged by the affectionate and pheremone-heavy Iksar medic I mentioned earlier).
He explained that he had left him in a safe place near the northern reaches of the Dreadlands under layers of enchantment woven by an enchantress friend of his so he could escort her to the battle here. They had reached the guarded pass safely enough but had fallen afoul of some Drachnids and giants who were on alert for invisible sneaks. They battled valiantly but were nearly overwhelmed before a party of adventurers sallied forth from the pass to rescue them. His friend (I believe he said her name is Hepzibah) remained with the forward defenders but Daggerclaw was hurried to the medics for aid.
After telling his tale, Daggerclaw rose from his sickbed and suggested that it was time for him to go back. Being an honorable fellow, I was sure he felt terribly about leaving my brother undefended for so long a time (it had been at least an entire day). I happily volunteered to accompany him and, after he sternly hissed his demands to the medics, we were off.
It was mostly clear past the front lines of the battle (which had moved deep into enemy lands after a miserably failed attack or three) and we travelled the snowy ridge while concealed by my best cloaks of enchantment. When I could sense no nearby enemies I would ask Daggerclaw more details about the fates of our old companions (along with other news I would compile into a report for my darling Lady - courier indeed!) as well as share my own garnered news to keep his insights coming.
It was nearly midnight when we approached a sheltered fold in the ridge. Daggerclaw described the illusion which Hepzibah had used to conceal my brother and I saw it up ahead. My heart was filled with joy at seeing my brother out and about (he was usually concealed in the deepest cells of the Temple in Neriak tormenting damned souls and studying scriptures) and I hugged him as well as I was able considering I couldn't see past his being a pile of rocks with a bright red fern for a head.
His replies were as enthusiastic as usual (which means not very) but I was thrilled to have a chance to catch up and even gave him some items which I had picked up on my journeys but never had an opportunity to deliver to him. Daggerclaw kept watch for us while we chatted (well, I did most of the chatting but Tyrian is a man of few words).
Before long I realized that the tunnel we were next to led to the Frontier Mountains. When queried, Daggerclaw explained that it was, indeed, the fastest way to the Overthere. I had no quarrel with the locals (especially having come late to the battle) and I had a mind to visit a few friends who were agents at the Outpost so I grinned broadly, wishing them well, before insisting that I really had to go.
Daggerclaw nodded knowingly (did I mention that I had adventured with him before?) and Tyrian (bless him) didn't even feign an interest in my staying so I bid them farewell and renewed my spells of concealment for the arduous journey through the Frontier Mountains.
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