August 29, in the year 670 by Kingdom reckoning. Approximately 6:00 PM
The shadows are growing long as the party gathers on the back lawn of Euri's home. You take a quick moment to catch each other up on the afternoon's activities, to scratch Mathor behind the ears and to introduce yourselves to the young cleric.
The maid answers the back door and clucks when you tramp through the dining room in your muddy boots. She says that Euri is slipping and you have come just in time. She looks at you with concern and says "I hope you've come to put his soul to rest. Please be kind, Master Euri is weak and has many regrets about his brother."
You are concerned to find that there is no family gathered around the old dwarf's bed. Normally when a dwarf elder is dying, the whole extended family gathers to remind him what his legacy is. Euri has no one to usher him to the grave.
His rheumy eyes follow you lazily as you file into the room and gather around his bed. He tries to speak but it only comes out as a fit of coughing. He finally recovers enough to whisper, "come friends, what have you to show me?"
Caris steps forward, places Mathor on the bed so he might snuggle with the invalid and takes the old dwarf's hand, smiling as she introduces herself. "I am called Caris, this rascal here is Mathor, and we bring you tidings and news of your kin. I will let one of the others share their news while you and I listen to the tale together". With this she looks at the others and nods her head for one of them to start.
ReplyDeleteTom clears his throat as he steps to Euri's side, "I have some news Euri. We found your brother, after a tough fight that almost killed me, we were able to avenge your brother's death and we killed the mold monster. The full group of us, plus one we stumbled into in the dungeon, were barely able to defeat it. You were able to escape and send us to avenge him, be at peace, my friend, your brother's soul has returned to the stone. We were able to retrieve this necklace and wish to present it to you. As you can see we are missing Ghalen, who decided that brewing was more for him and Kheldru was killed inside by the largest spider I've seen. In addition, we found Dwos," Tom points to Dwos, "whom was trapped in the dungeon by the mysterious time issue. We have also added this young cleric of Torag to our group we gather here to provide whatever service you require. Be at peace Euri." Tom bows his head respectfully.
ReplyDeleteEuri listens to your account and tears fill his eyes when he hears of his brother. He holds his hand out to take the necklace and spends a few moments looking at it and touching the crest worked into it.
ReplyDeleteHe speaks, quietly at first and then with growing strength, and his voice is as old and gravelly as the hills, "I am saddened to hear that Brother Kheldru gave his life in this quest but your actions honor his memory and that of my brother. I regret what I did, leaving him to die, as only a very old man can regret." He coughs and then continues, "You have given me a peace that I never thought I could have and now I will do what I can to thank you for that."
He points to a box sitting on the mantle and motions for you to bring it to him. The nurse helps him sit up in bed and he slowly opens the box. He pulls out a piece of paper and a map and hands it to Tom. "This is the title granting me a mine in the Tyrant hills. It was given to me by Garen Bouldershoulder, the lord of the Skrit clan of dwarves for heroism in battle many, many years ago. It is all I have. I want you," he looks at Tom and Draymun "to have it."
He then sighs and lays back down, clutching the necklace, and shuts his eyes as if to go back to sleep.
As Euri completes his description of the map and the meaning behind it, Draymun places his hand on the fading dwarf.
ReplyDelete"You honor us, brother. Rest now, knowing that you and your kin will be joined once more in stone." Closing his eyes, he says a silent prayer for their friend before leaving him to his thoughts, perhaps for the last time.
((Time passes as the others wrap up any final thoughts for Euri.))
--Outside of Euri's Home--
"Well, this Dwarf thinks that's quite enough of saying farewell to friends for one day. What say you all to a quick visit to friends still standing with some ale at Ghalen's? Perhaps the old drunkard can show us a good time while we plan our next adventure?" He motions to the map in Tom's possession with a wink.
Tom stows the map and title in his backpack, taking care not to wrinkle it or the title.
ReplyDelete"I'll get a map case for this once we get into town before we go to Ghalen's. Draymun, yours is a good idea. Let us gather with friends old and new and partake of a bit of ale before we go check out this mine."
Tom swings the pack to his back in a practiced manner and motions to the others to follow.
The maid whispers, "If you're to be off, say any last words you might need to say to Euri. He's not long for this world."
ReplyDeleteI will stay for Euri's last moments... There are tasks to be performed and prayers to be read. I shall meet you at the inn in the morning, I have the feeling he will not last out the night.
ReplyDeleteThe night goes on quietly. Euri's breathing becomes shallower and shallower, until you find yourself holding your breath and leaning forward to hear him breathe. The coughing fits are growing weaker and his skin is turning greyer by the hour.
ReplyDeleteThe maid scurries about. She picks up a vase and sets it on the table, then a few minutes later she picks up the same vase and puts it on the mantle. She worries over Euri, wiping his brow and giving him sips of the ale you called for.
He doesn't seem to be in pain, but he says nothing; most of the time he sleeps or stares into the dark corners of the room.
You sense his time is drawing near.
Khazad sits quietly by the old dwarf, occasionally offering up a prayer or devotion to the Gods, not knowing which patron Euri worships and trying not to pry, the prayers are often very general. Sipping on his flagon and smoking from his pipe by the hearth, Khazad is lost in his thoughts more often than not. What kind of life would be lead? Who might be present at his passing? The companions had spoken of their Alchemist losing his life to a giant spider in some forsaken hole, would that be how Khazad the Cleric would die? As darkness falls around the room with the dimming of the hearth Khazad's thoughts turn ever darker.
ReplyDelete"Tell me good dwarf, if you can hear me... What might you have done differently... Who might you have spared and who might you have slain. What paths we take in this world are but our best guesses, even with faith on our side. Can we really live in regret or must we always remember that our choices are but mere guesses and often driven by passions, fancies and wants. If given the choice I would choose to return to the stone but I shan't fear the flame should I? My brothers have oft spoken of the dangers outside the church and the adventures of mighty heroes in the same breaths but can there really be both? Aren't we all just scared little lads doing the best we can in a world that is unforgiving and cold? My daily devotions touch a place, if only for a moment, a place of warmth, peace and serenity. A place free from doubt, regret, pain or fear. This place... This place I know awaits us dwarves... Us fine stout folk... Whose hearts appear as stone but have the beauty of a thousand faceted gemstone." Rising from his mutterings to the ashes of the fire Khazad grabs another log and rekindles the flame, chasing the darkness away. "Yes, Euri, we may know these thoughts and feelings as those with the curse of flesh must, but you will also know the joys of what I see in my devotions. This I know for sure... Of this I am certain... So rest easy my friend, when you have the strength of limb I will be your guide to the Earth, that you may return whence we all came." Khazad pulls forth a small basin and casts a spell to create water and then blesses it, stoppering up two vials of the enchanted liquid and walking over to Euri. "Euri, please accept this blessing of the waters which sustain us and which mold us as the stone..."
Euri nods and then, with a voice like rolling gravel, says "yes,I will accept your boon. Then help me stand."
ReplyDeleteYou give him your blessing and then help him to his feet. He gestures to a closet and the maid brings forth a tabard, a shield and a mattock. You help him on with the tabard while the maid supports Euri under his arms.
He takes his shield and hoists the mattock over his shoulder. He stumbles for a moment and then stands up straight. He speaks in Dwarfish "mother, you have granted me many decades in this form. I thank you for that. Let me now leave this body and return to my ancestors."
He takes a deep breath and looks into your eyes. "Go, child, and meet the world." He exhales and the once full eyes turn dull and lifeless. You sense, at the edge of your divine sight, Euri's spirit drifting away. It is a heroic sight, Euri's statue. Full of bravery and honor.
The maid absently dusts off the shoulder of Euri's form and says "it is good that you were here. He seemed at peace. It's nearly 6 bells (3 am), you should go and be with friends. The magistrate will see that he is taken care of."