Move 137:  Morning in the Woods

The Hardlow Wood--Morning, 30 Eleasias 1374 DR

The group moved further away from the accursed glade to find a place to rest for the night.  Between their injuries and low spirits, they did not travel far before making camp.  Those capable of keeping watch did so, and the dark
creepy night brought no further troubles.

Aloysius curled up on the ground close to the fire and went to sleep using his pack as a pillow.  He didn't
speak for the rest of the night.

After setting Renn down, Blacky collapsed beside him and tried to figure out why he hurt so bad.  "Damn that thing hits hard, I would have liked to see it at least."  Upon hearing that Rumer and Falgout didn't make it he stood up painfully  "Gods be damned, I told her to get back.  Some day soon I'm going to cover that glade in silver and teach those things a lesson." He said as he tried to ignore the pain and the fact that his cheeks were suddenly wet.

Etienne sat down next to Renn when they made camp and looked over his wounds. He layed his hands upon him and prayed quietly to heal the wounds.

"I'll take first watch so some of you can rest for a while."

"Happy my efforts were appreciated..." Daelen said almost reflexively as he inspected his wounds.

"Don't cry over the girl, from what I saw she was dead on the inside before we even reached the glade... You can't always save everyone, and I'm not sure she wanted to be saved. That being said, I'll go back and swing a silver sword if that's what you're all planning. 'Course silver weapons aren't free... and we don't have a pile of gold."

"Yeah," Jana shot back over her shoulder to Daelen, "charging in like that was really brilliant.  I appreciate the hells out of it.  I appreciate the hells out of you putting Falgout and Rumer in the position of feeling like they needed to go in and help your sorry ass," she growled.  "If you'd followed the damned plan, they might still be alive."

Jana turned her back on him rather pointedly.  The rage she'd presented in Daelen's direction melted off her face when she again faced Echo, replaced by relief and sorrow, with perhaps a little guilt mixed in.

"I know I don't have any right to ask anything," Echo said, "but could we maybe not start throwing blame around?  Because if we do that...I am the one who had to be rescued so it's my fault, no matter what anyone else did.  Falgout didn't even know me, and I don't think Rumer liked me, but they both died trying to get me back.  And Daelen and Renn don't know me either, but they came too....I owe everyone for saving me.  I thought I was going to have to kill myself to get away from them."  She started to cry again.

"I'm sorry," Jana said softly.  "You're right, no one's to blame.  No one here and not Rumer or Falgout, anyway. I'm sorry..."  Jaan hugged her, gently, as if she were afraid of hurting her further.

"That girl was young and full of spirit until that dark priest sucked it away from her.  Her name was Rumer by the way and she was not the first of us to fall by Ranchefus' hand.  He will pay for his crimes and I'll be happy to show him the error of his ways one cut at a time."  Blacky growled  "Maybe you shouldn't speak without knowing the full story. And as far as the gold goes, we should have kept the chests. I'm sure they were full of gold and it didn't appear that they were a condition for any of us surviving back at the glade."

"Don't misunderstand me, it's a terrible thing and the priest deserves whatever fate you're able to dole out.
But nobody here forced Rumer into that glade. You can't protect those who're willing to meet death face on..."  Daelen replied.

 "That's not it -- at least, that's not it only," Arachne said quietly.  "(I should probably just shut up and let this go but --)  We're all being pretty willing to meet death face on, aren't we?  I mean, I'm beginning to get awfully doubtful about myself after the run-in with those orcs in the tunnel and then that whatever-it-was, but --  We had plenty of warning that coming to this glade would be meeting death face on for all of us.  We had Jana's dream and we know that Ranchefus would like us all killed.  But we came anyway.  So you might as well credit -- debit, I suppose -- us all with the same quality of insanity as you attribute to Rumer.  Perhaps not in the same measure, but --  Well, I expect that nobody here is feeling like our business with Ranchefus is concluded.  Right?  So we're all going to go right back to 'meeting death face on', right?"

"There's a difference between meeting death face on and taking a risk. I have no intention of throwing myself on my enemy's sword but I know I might get run through in my next battle. I accept that risk and hope Tymora's on my side when I need her." Daelen answered somewhat defensively.

"Yes," Arachne agreed.  "There's risky and there's reckless.  And it's so very difficult to know one another's calculations as to which is which.  Especially in the middle of a fight.  The same goes for caution and cowardice.  Me, I'd rather risk being called a coward than recklessly ignore my inclination for caution.  Along with my readiness to run away," she added.  "But others' calculations may differ -- and still have to be respected.  You know, we're much saddened by the result for Rumer and Falgout, but we also have to allow the _possibility_  that this was not the lousiest outcome for them.  They died together; they died fighting unmistakable evil.  Something in that might have been important to them.  I don't know either of them well enough to know, but it's _possible_."

Daelen seemed to be put at ease a bit and smile. "I wouldn't worry too much about being called a coward if I were you, there's a reason you don't often see gnomish battle armor after all. I agree with your point, though I am bothered by a fear. I must admit that while I never believed the stories that those killed by the undead rise to join their ranks, the recent battle might have thrown some belief into me. There's something more to the attack of those spirits than claws. I can't explain it but it's like they scrape at something inside you more than at your skin. All things considered, I'd rather be pummeled to death by orcs than caught by one o' those things again."

"Dead is the absence of possibility," Jana said flatly.  "Dead is the worst possible outcome.  You can never try to fix what was wrong or change anything or... or anything.  Life means you have a chance; death is no chance at all."  She stopped, looking almost embarrassed.  "I don't want to make myself feel better about this," she explained softly.  "Every time someone I know, whether we even liked each orther or not dies, I want to feel it.  I don't ever want to become numb to the deaths of my companions or friends.  I've seen too many people who did."  Jana rubbed her eyes, as if they were tired.  "We need to find a priest of Tyr and make arrangements for him to pray for Falgout.  And Rumer, too.  I don't know what god she followed, but I'm sure her grandmother does.  When we tell her, we can find out, then take care of a priest for her, too.  Trust me," she added, "trying
to hunt down a priest to perform rituals for your dead relatives really and truly sucks."

"Are we intent on returning to the Glade together then?" asked Aloysius.  "Perhaps that would be the
honorable thing to do 'lest they become mere sustenance for some wandering forest denizen.
Howe'er, no one amongst us knows where Rumer's grandmother resides.  'Twas brave Kaileer and
Brightmantle that met her there, and both of them are elsewheres.  As for locating a Tyrian priest, mayhap
there be one at Parlfray's keep?  I am at a loss for solutions.  Time may or may not be of the essence in
locating the apprehended.  Shall we sacrifice speed to do as best we can for the departed, or shall we do our
with all things considered?"  He shook his head as if a mist had swamped his brain.

Aloysius then took Jana by the arm and whispered something in her ear.

Jana's expression was somewhere between amusement and annoyance.  "I mean," she said to Aloysius in her normal speaking voice, "it was something very unpleasant.  Not for polite company, just like that other word we discussed."

"Do you imply that objects capable of suction are, by their very nature, unpleasant?"  The mage rubbed his
chin and frowned.  "Thou hast many unusual philosophies, Janathell."

Jana grimaced, looking like she was getting a headache.  "Yeah, that's exactly it," she muttered.

"Ah!" exclaimed Aloysius, his face lightening.  "I shall endeavor to include some of these phrases in my
conversations from now on.  Being secluded in Moonspawn Keep for so long did little to aid me in the
use of colloquialisms.  My thanks, Janathell.  If e'er thou doth wish to hear about the various
constellations, or mayhap the breathing patterns of illuminary incantations, I'd be happy to return thy favor."

Jana rubbed her eyes, her expression pained.  "That's really not such a good idea."

Jyothki, quiet through the night, now spoke.  Her voice was soft and seemed small.  "No, Arachne, not all of us."  The dryad moved closer the Aloysious.  "I fear I can no longer accompany you on your journey.  This is not my place.  There is little which I can help you with, especially if your travels lead you underground, but more importantly I must return to my home."  The voice grew a little in confidence and strengthened.  "Part of me does wish to go with you," she gave a half-smile.  "I have truly enjoyed the adventures I have had with you for the most part.  I never thought I would ride a horse," she said looking at Jana.  "Although the boat ride did not end quite as I had expected, it was exhilirating for a time."

Jyothki motioned to Echo.  "I shall give you some ointments for her to ease the muscle ache she must have.  I have helped you as far as I can."  Turning to Aloysious she continued.  "I have confidence that you shall one day be a powerful mage.  Your inquisitive nature lends you to it.  Besides, should you ever need a safe tree to sleep under...."  She smiled at the group, removed a small cloth wrapped around something.  She handed it to Jana.  "Keep a small bit of this on Echo's aches and they shall soon disappear."

Jana took the cloth-wrapped thingie and nodded at the instructions.  She hugged Jyothki and said, in improved but still pretty awful Elvish, "I will miss you.  Have safe journeys."  She released the dryad and stepped back,
eyes suspiciously moist.

The bleak shadow that weighed upon Aloysius since the group left the Glade lifted a bit at Jyothki's words.
"Jyothki, thou said afore that the passing of the boatman was fated and that there was naught we could do to prevent it.  I agreed not with thee then, nor do I now.  There shall always be opportunities for good people of all ilks to make change in the world."

A slow tear trickled down his cheek.  "Good people like you.  Hopes have I that thine estimate of my future be true, and hopes e'en greater that our paths shall cross again one day.  This world is a better place with you in it.  Ne'er forget that."

Hesitantly, the mage embraced the dryad and then turned to wipe his tear-stained cheeks.

Jyothki smiled at Jana and Aloysious.  It was once again the impish smile to which they had becomed accustomed.  "You guys can't find a tree in the forest?" she asked with head cocked to one side.  "I doubt seriously that I am offered the opportunity to leave my home again for a long time.  All you have to do is
come see me."

"Besides, I do owe Arachne a trip through the trees," she says nodding at the gnome.

"'Owe' would be putting it too strongly," Arachne said.  "But I would very much love an opportunity to present itself for you to be able to offer me a trip through the trees and for me to be able to accept.  I'd be concerned about trying to find you in a forest, but if _any_ tree will do, I think I can manage that.  _Any_ tree is about all I'm good at identifying."

"Aye," said Aloysius, nodding his head.  "Simply advise us as to which forest thou speakest of and
hopefully we shall be able to visit one day.  Perhaps when we do, we shall bear glad tales of the dark
priest's defeat and the emancipation of his captives."

He paused in thought for a moment.  "And Stargazer would like the chance to travel the trees as well."

Renn regained consciousness the next morning as the others awoke.

Rennirolas groaned as he sat up, looked haggard and still much the worse for wear from the attack of the invisible foe.  Renn examined the camp slowly, with a certain tightness to his pale elven features as he realized Rumer and Falgout were absent.  A questioning glance provided his answer, and Renn sadly sighed.

"Rumer did seem like such a pleasant young human," Rennirolas said softly, "and she was finally seemed to be breaking free of Ranchefus' troubled sleep.  When she shouted Drow, I did not know what to do, I never expected my dark brethren to be involved.  Perhaps had I not frozen then, things may have turned out
differently.  I would have liked to have known."

Renn offered Echo a small smile.  "I am quite glad to see you were brought safely from the glade.  Of course, once Jana took you in her charge, I had very little doubt you would make it."

"If the gypsy saw what Stargazer saw, they were not drow," replied Aloysius.  "Suspect do I that they were
some form of shade as they were somewhat vaguely proportioned.  The Glade itself is an area sequestered
from Mystra's sweet touch.  'Tis what some call a zone of 'dead magic'."

He sighed deeply, glanced at the ground, and then resolutely looked about.  "'Twas naught different that
any of us could have done to change the bleak result.  Howe'er, the future must still belong to us, 'lest
Ranchefus succeed in whatev'er dark plot he has wrought."

Kuiper looked around at the beat-up group and shook his head, "I need to get back to the farm.  Is everyone well enough to spend a day walking out of these woods?"

"If we have the time, I should like to perform my morning prayers.  We should be able to travel more easily then," Rennirolas offered.  "I can pray for a number of healing blessings to aid the worst off among us, myself included," the moon elf frowned.

"Yeah, I'll make it.  I can probably help Renn along as well.  Let's leave this place." Blacky replied rather unenthusiasticly.

"Yes," Arachne said, "though I'm still no good at keeping to the pace of the rest of you...unless everyone else needs to take it awfully easy anyway.

    "But assuming that isn't the case, can you tell me where you're planning to go next, so I can meet up with you?  I want to go by that glade for another look-- in broad daylight, certes.  One thing that worries me about leaving fallen friends there is ... Ranchefus has employed zombies before.  I want to know if Rumer and Falgout are still there.  I'm not sure what to do by myself, if they are.  I might be able to bury them, at least.  I'm not sure..."

Aloysius woke up and thumbed through his spellbook a bit, although without any apparent enthusiasm.  After
that, he pulled another book out of his pack and began writing in it.

Jana walked over to Aloysius.  "It was a good plan, Aloysius," she said softly.  "It's not your fault if everyone didn't do what they were supposed to.  I think the plan saved a lot of lives, mine included."  She smiled somewhat helplessly then left him to his studies.

Aloysius looked up at Jana, his expression heavy with shame and remorse.  He said nothing, however, and
refocused on his book.

Echo listlessly fingered through her spellbook then, she addressed the group, "There's a group of orcs that live underground that Ranchefus is working with.  That's where I was.  There were a lot of other prisoners there, mostly spellcasters.  Most of them were sent away, everyone except me and a dwarf.  He'd been there for a while
and I guess he still is.  There's at least one more priest down there too, but not with the orcs.  I was there for a little while, right before they sent me out with the invisible thing through the mines."

"So," Jana said slowly, her voice neutral, "are you saying you want to go back there?"

Echo gave Jana a blank look, "Want to?  No.  I also don't want the priests and the orcs to keep taking people.  I think they may be sacrificing them in the caves.  That means I have to go back.  I'd also like to help Snagger...that's the dwarf still down there.  He was nice to me.  He said Jeleneth had been there too.  That means
they're the ones who took her.  I'd like to go to Milborne and let her family know."  She paused then said, "Did Rumer or Falgout have any family?  Is there someone who needs to know they're dead?"

"Any idea why Ranchefus wanted those chests?" Arachne asked idly.

"No idea," Echo answered.

Jana nodded.  "I want to free them too.  Or at least find out what happened to them, for their famlies' sake.  And I really wanna eviscerate that son of a bitch.  Slowly," she added.  "Reward or no, I don't care anymore.  This is personal," the mercenary added under her breath.  She scowled a moment before continuing.  "I don't know about Falgout," she admitted, "but yeah, Rumer had family.  A grandmother, I think.  Didn't some of you guys meet her?  Echo's right, you know, we have to go tell her."

Aloysius finally spoke up. "The caves.  Where are they?"  He placed the stopper back on his vial and
placed it back in his pack.

"Janathell?" he asked.  "May I have my other vial back?"

"Sure," Jana replied.  She dug through a pouch until she produced the vial.  "Here you go."

Aloysius took the vial and placed it in his pack.  He took the other vial, whcih by now was nearly empty,
and quickly drank the remaining liquid within.  After wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he returned that vial
to his pack as well.

"Only Kaileer and Brightmantle know where Rumer's grandmother doth reside," he said.  "At some point,
aye, agree do I that we should advise her of Rumer's demise.  Also have need do I of finding the family of
the boatman who perished in the river.  Howe'er, the black priest shall cause much greater sorrow than that
experienced by the families of the departed.  We should address him afore we do otherwise."

---

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