The Line of the
Oathbreaker -
Part IV
From
the correspondance of Baltuun Chagi
To: Master Jun Je Quon Chigi, Wah Tzu Do Monastery, Division
Six
My Master,
Again I find myself writing to you in the
strangest of locations. I will get to that in a moment.
We have been travelling for several days below
ground en route to a dwarven city which may contain clues to a cure for
a plague on an eleven forest.
We have navigated through a labyrinthine underground
for days and have engaged in combat with creatures varying from giant
bats to carnivorous worms and highly aggressive flora. The elves that
we have accompanied us have not been in the best of moods down here.
One of the elves, Lanaya, has fared better than the other two, but has
still shown signs of impatience in our trip to witness sunshine. I have
attempted conversation with her, but she remains somewhat skittish. I
must surmise that the underground does not suit her. However, she has
proven herself an able companion, aiding us when we find ourselves in
deep discomfort. She is a most unique individual, and I must admit that
I have taken a keen social and cultural interest in her. She appears to
be perfection personified, my master. Her every word commands
attention, and she is well trained in martial combat. She is also a
most exotic looking female for her species, and I regret to inform you
that I have been less than focused on my training whenever she is near.
Yet I have managed to ascertain first hand
experience of that which you have discussed. At one point, as Roderick,
Lily, Thia, Lanaya and I were making our way to the possible exit from
the underground, we encountered dark skinned creatures hanging from the
ceiling with long tentacles. As I recall, you had informed me of these
creatures some time ago in my first years of study, but I must regret
to inform you that they were far more aggressive than you had
described, and in fact, did not purr, nor did they lay gently on the
ground for us to scratch behind their ears. Instead, they attacked us,
exhibiting a highly enhanced sense of self entitlement by grappling us.
At one point, a creature had Lanaya in a vice like grip and began
crushing her. We managed to deal with the creatures, and we vacated the
premises to find the entry into the dwarven city.
This is in fact where I am writing from now. I am
tending to research on the location of a cure for the forest plague, as
we met up with a descendant of the dwarf who caused the plague in the
first place. Since then we have settled our strategy for the next phase
of our trek. My comrades have declined the generous hospitality of the
dwarves, and are now above ground for the evening. I am staying below
to research texts for clues now that I have a rudimentary understanding
of the dwarven language. It is also my understanding that our elven
escorts will be taking leave of us, however Lanaya will be remaining.
In my mind now, I hear her soft and gentle voice,
gaze into the image of her piercing eyes… I am so sorry, my master, I
appear to have one again lost focus for a moment.
Humbly yours,
Baltuun Chagi, Seventh of First Dan