[Raeslyn's Story] 3.11: She's Lived Long Enough

      So here I sat, crouched in the bushes just out of sight of the occupants of Tearfall Run camp, watching through strange new eyes as the Waykeepers and Guardian soldiers went about their usual business. Why was I sitting out here in the woods spying on them, you ask? Well, I wasn't exactly sure what the reception would be to a large, shaggy, sharp clawed werewolf suddenly strolling in. I could easily conjure up images of what said reception would be though. Images of swords and arrows and magic missiles. I'd rather avoid being impaled by my so called allies. Brother Jebiah would have a field day with this. Accursed bloody witch. How dare she do this to me, an Ascended! I had been feeling kind of bad for the Hag after Laria's story, but now I couldn't wait to tell her all about how I feel now. Preferably with a few well placed daggers. I realized I'd clenched my powerful fists when I felt little pinpricks of pain in my palms. Curses, I'd stabbed myself with my own claws again. I took a few deep breaths to settle the simmering rage inside. All my emotions were now super heightened due to this cursed transformation, and I had to be careful I didn't let them out of control. That would be disasterous for everyone.

     After some effort, I was able to still use my ability to cloak myself in planar shadows and turn invisible to the naked eye. I quickly made my way to Laria's altar and placed my furry palm on the old wood, hoping it would still work with my new...transformation. I shuddered. I really didn't want to spend the rest of my days as a werewolf. Then I considered a moment. What if I died? Would the curse dissipate, or would it still cling to my spiritual form and follow my soul when I re entered my body? I shook the idea off. First I'll see if Laria can help me, since it's apparently her sister that cursed me. Darn Hag.

     Laria took one look at me and her expression became grave. "That is a terrible curse to bear." She spoke in her ethereal voice. I nodded. I already knew that. "I'm terribly sorry that my sister did this to you. I didn't know she'd grown so powerful. How is she getting such power? But fear not, young Ascended. After she cursed you, she has turned her attention elsewhere." I snorted. That wasn't exactly a good thing.
     "She has teamed up with the Endless Court and she plans to awaken a darkness in Shadefallen Keep that not only threatens our wood, but all of Telara. I'm afraid the curse she placed on you is beyond my magic, but slaying my sister, while regretful, will remove all the evil she has done, including this curse." She looked saddened at the idea of her sister dying, which of course I could understand because no matter what, they were still family. But her sister was out of control and clearly her mind has been twisted to darkness for so long that she's not able to be redeemed. Not that I'd even want to try. I really wanted this curse off me so I could go back to being me again, without all the urges to kill and maim and howl at the moon. Speaking of...I glanced upward uneasily, but as always, the canopy of the dark wood blocked out any light, even moonlight.

     "Okay, do you know where she is now? I will stop her." I stated, hating the growly sound of my new voice. Laria tilted her head to the side and stared off into the wood as if trying to pinpoint the Hag's position.
     "I can sense the power of nature beginning to twist under her spell, although I can't stop the dark tide of magic. It seems to be coming from the courtyard of the Shadefallen Keep. But be careful, Raeslyn. Her power is strong and in your altered shape, yours is diminished."
    I nodded at her and thanked her. You don't need to tell me that for me to know, sadly. I could feel how different I felt. Disconnected from reality, from my Ascended powers. Like a web was placed between me and my new power. For the first time since Ascension, I felt like a mortal being. And I did not like it. Add to that the fact that I had grown fur and felt itchy all over, and my temper was quite short. I hesitated a moment, glancing back at the Tearfall Run camp. I could see Fiona and Jebiah and a few of the others all talking amongst themselves and performing the daily tasks that kept the camp going. Oh how quickly the simple things like being able to walk into town unmolested were taken away. Hopefully Laria was correct and the curse would fade once I'd killed her horrid sister.

     Shadefallen Keep wasn't hard to find. After all it was the tallest and largest fixture in the forest, as well as one of the oldest castle in these parts. The Gloamwood had definitely taken it over, with trees and roots growing out of the walls, and vines pushing between stones to force their way up. Access to the keep, however, was another matter. The uneven, erratic path that led to its gates was so convoluted that I nearly got lost just trying to find the thing. Not to mention I had to cross the world's most ancient bridge, that gave me a splendid view of a very long drop if I missed a step. Did I mention how much I enjoyed heights? Thankfully, being some bestial creature lent me far better agility and balance and I easily crossed the rickety old bridge. To my horror, within the shallow alcove provided by the front gate, I found piles of bodies. They all wore the garb of the town, and the bodies looked freshly slain. The smell was horrid, although I was equally horrified to find that the lycanthrope virus was struggling in my mind to make me enjoy the sight of all those poor slain citizens. I wrenched my eyes away from the sight and uneasily ran past the gate, holding my breath from the smell. By the gods, the atrocities commited here alone was enough to gain the Hag a one way ticket to the Soulstream.

     To my disgust, the keep was crawling with abominable undead minions, no doubt summoned by the Hag in whatever mad scheme she was thinking up now. I let my new transformed reflexes take over and cut a violent trail through the masses. There was just way too many to try and sneakily make my way across the keep's grounds. I could only hope that when I killed her, the undead too would cease to exist and whatever dark magic animated them would die. From the center courtyard of the keep, I paused in massacring undead minions to glance around. Laria had told me to go to the courtyard, but I haven't seen any indication of that wretched witch yet. Just scads of undead. One such zombie shuffled into my view and I quickly pounced on it, ripping its head off with incredibly long claws. A part of me was thoroughly disgusted and horrified at the carnage I was doing, but that part was becoming quieter by the minute. I should probably be alarmed by that...

     Finally I spotted what looked like an ancient set of stone steps hidden by a low wall that led upward to the ramparts. Aha, I bet she's up there. If I was an evil conniving heartless hag, I'd definitely want a nice view of Gloamwood while I destroyed it. Not that I was going to do that, I hastily assured myself. Ugh, I was getting a headache. It's bad enough carrying the weight of all the knowledge of ancient heroes and power that the Vigil saw fit to bestow upon me, but now I have to deal with the effects of this blasted curse. I was not having a good day. 'Not much longer, Rae!' I comforted myself as I bounded up the steps.

     I froze so abruptly at the top step that I nearly tumbled back down when I saw the Hag, and who she was talking to. Raw fury coursed through me. Alsbeth! That traitorous rat who betrayed us all for power to Regulos. Our beloved Zareph, gone because of her. Pinpricks of pain in my palm made me realize I was clenching my fists so hard that my long claws were digging into my flesh. I hated her so much. I wanted to sink my teeth into her neck and crunch down until she stopped moving! I shook my head and tried to get a grip on the rising animalistic rage coursing through me. The two women were speaking and I wanted to hear. It took several moments to calm down enough that I could hear anything over my pounding heartbeat.

     "Regulos commends your faithfulness, Delilah. He has decided to bestow upon you one of his dark gifts." Alsbeth was saying, her high, cold voice causing another wave of anger to wash over me. I hated that woman. To my dismay, a dark mist seemed to waft upward from a brazier by their feet, bathing the Hag in its power. She rolled her head back and looked ecstatic. I felt uncomfortable watching her expression. Eww.
     "The might of Regulos flows through me!" The Hag cried out, lifting her arms. Her grotesque face and figure seemed to pulse, and she grew taller. Her skin sloughed off her arms like melting wax, leaving a disgusting grey sludge behind. I was revolted. What on Telara did she think was worth that kind of trade off? How could either of them have turned their back on the Vigil so thoroughly?

     "Be warned, Delilah." Alsbeth said sharply, pointing a finger at the newly remade woman. "All power has its price." To my horror, she turned her lithe body and pointed directly at my crouched form. "You seem to have an admirer. I see you, Ascended scum of the Vigil. Delilah, kill this being, and your position among Regulos's ranks will be complete." I scrambled to my back paws and jumped onto the ramparts as Alsbeth turned her back on me, as if dismissing a petty threat. I snarled, no longer held back, and charged at her. To my chagrin, I passed right through her figure, right as it disappeared, and barreled into the Hag instead. She hissed like escaping steam and shoved an arm at me. To my astonishment, I went flying, impacting against the low wall surrounding the roof. The Hag stood up and dusted off her tattered black robes.
     "Fool! Laria has sent you to your doom. You would have done better to cower in the forest with the rest of your ilk." She sneered at my new form, and I was acutely aware of my monstrous new looks. I roared.

     A burst of golden light to my right revealed the form of Laria and I flinched in surprise as she appeared. I had no idea she was powerful enough to will herself into existence without the altars. Laria gazed at me with proud eyes and I straightened up under her soft gaze. I was Ascended, and I should never have forgotten that! Laria then turned her gaze upon her sister, and her eyes glistened with disappointment and sorrow.

    "I'm so sorry, sister, that you've come to this. But you're wrong! Your reign of terror must come to an end." The Hag cackled loudly and shook her head, wisps of long dry hair falling to the stone around her feet. Disgusting.
     "You worms can't destroy me! The power of the death plane is within my grasp. I think my pets would like to feast on your bones." Uhh, that didn't sound good. I shifted slightly away and glanced at Laria, who seemed to be concentrating on something. She lifted her glowing arms up and a golden light grew around her, reaching outward toward the Hag's darkness.

    The Hag uttered the words to a spell and to my horror, the immediate area grew darker. It instantly became harder to breath and a quick glance off to the side proved that it was only right here where we were that was affected. The rest of the keep seemed to still look normal. Lucky me. From the unnatural darkness in the sky, large ropey tentacles thrust downward and dug into the stone of the parapets. I gasped. By the gods! Images of that horrifying day on Thedeor Field came back to me, where I confronted Aedraxis and helped to stop him from becoming the next Avatar of Regulos. Oh gods, is that what was going on here? But not....only a specific being could become the Avatar, and I doubt it was the Hag. But something incredibly wrong was happening.
     As if to accentuate my thoughts, Laria shouted above the sudden wind, "We have to close this death rift as quickly as possible! She is trying to harness it's power! I will aid you if I can, but this death energy weakens my grasp on the material plane." By this point, I could barely make out the golden glow that indicated Laria's position. The whole roof was so dark, all I could make out was the pulsing, glowing tentacles that connected the rift to our plane. But I couldn't let that prevent me from doing what I'd been created to do. That's what we Ascended were made for. We had the unique ability to see the rifts in a light that no one else could. We could see their root in Telara, and we could force that root out of our plane. Narrowing my eyes, I looked for that particular root that would allow me to unravel this rift. It was proving impossible with my altered state, and I snarled.

    The Hag shouted several more words, and I caught the word "vampirica". Just great. Sure enough, out of the rift stepped tall, slender, monstrous fiends with glowing red eyes and pale skin. Mindless undead husks were an easy task, but vampires were a bit harder to take down, since they retained some measure of intelligence and cunning, and were motivated by the smell of blood to fight as viciously as possible. Thankfully, I was pretty confident that being bitten by one wouldn't cause any lasting effects since I was already a cursed monster thanks to the witch. The vampires immediately spotted my large shaggy form standing out against the swirling darkness of the void and hissed, showing mouths full of teeth like jagged glass. My fur was thick and created a strong barrier against their nails and teeth, and my own fangs and claws made such great weapons that I didn't even need my daggers this time. I wasn't even sure if I'd even have the kind of co ordination to pull off the moves and abilities I'd been trained for anyway. I met the vampires halfway, and we became a blur of snarling fangs and claws. I felt a hank of fur being forcefully ripped out of my shoulder and the pain momentarily took over my rational mind. I reacted blindly, throwing my arm around in a wild swing that met air as the vampire quickly darted out of reach. I felt like a big lumbering beast and was growing so frustrated. I vowed after this that I was going to learn what I could about magic curses so I could avoid this problem. I may even, grudgingly, force myself to learn a few tricks myself if it could compliment my own arsenal of dagger moves.

    One unlucky vampire couldn't avoid my claws and I ripped into his chest, sending black blood flying. I pressed the advantage, leaping on the cold creature and continuing to claw at its flesh until the red eyes dimmed and grew dull. Satisfied, I turned to the other, which eyed my warily. Somewhere in the background, I heard Laria speaking to the Hag and I knew I was running out of time. I had to stop the witch before she unleashed more monstrosities on unsuspecting Gloamwood. I may not be impressed with the people who lived here, but I didn't wish this horrible fate on them either. The remaining vampire hissed challengingly at me, but it kept giving worried glances to its dead companion at my feet. I grinned, and I'm pretty sure it didn't look inviting on my furry snout. I was beginning to think that the raw power provided by this werewolf form was a fair advantage despite the side effects. The sheer raw power flowing through my veins made me feel invincible like nothing before. I wondered if this was how warriors felt, with their giant shields and their larger-than-life swords. I stepped around the discarded corpse of the vampire body and caught the other one in my long claws at it made to flee. Not so fast, bloodsucker.

     I think my mind blocked out what happened next, because after that, things became kind of a blur. I should probably be grateful for that, because when I saw the carnage after, I was pretty shocked. I remember that I finally found the hole in reality that the Rift was creating and had used my Ascended abilities to close the rift in the planes, cutting off access from the dark plane. The tentacles flopped to the roof like cut strings and I remember the Hag wailing in fury and agony. I guess she had been caught mid ritual when I performed the deed and with her mind so connected to the rift, when I closed it, she died as well. At least, that's the theory I'm going with. I'm pretty sure I didn't eat her. Like...reasonably sure.

     Suddenly I found myself standing in the middle of the roof that was mostly empty except for the scattered gruesome remains of what may have been some vampires. I didn't look too close. I was so overjoyed to look down and see my own delicate fingers that I spent several moments flexing my hands in disbelief. It felt so incredibly strange to be me again. I felt shorter, and lighter, and....I can't even explain it. It's like a great weight had been lifted off my mind. I actually could think again. Although some part of me missed the raw physical power and savage yet simple thoughts that the werewolf gave me. To the side, Laria's golden form lay sprawled. I quickly darted over to her, marveling again at my lightness and quickness. It was so good to be me again! I sent a quick thanks to the Vigil for looking out for me. I knelt by Laria and reached out a hand.

     "Laria? Are you alright? It's done now right, we stopped her?" Laria stirred under my hand. She looked confused for a moment, before her eyes widened and she beamed at me with love and pride. "Raeslyn! You are yourself again! Thank the Vigil you were able to stop her in time. Well done!" I grinned and gave her a wink as I helped her to her feet. The spirit glanced around, and her smile grew bittersweet.
     "I mourn for my sister, but now I can start lifting the dark curse that stains this forest. Every living thing in Gloamwood is in your debt, Ascended. You truly are chosen by the gods." She gave me another radiant smile and I felt a surge of pride and happiness at her praise. I didn't usually like compliments or excessive praises and all that, but after the trials I'd gone through, I'll take it. A great weariness descended on me as Laria minced over to inspect the vampire bodies. I felt so tired, in mind and body, that I just wanted to collapse right here and sleep for a year. It felt like ages ago that I'd come to Gloamwood, when in reality it can't have been more then a week.

     I couldn't even bring myself to show surprise when a Messenger of the Vigil appeared a moment later, hovering several feet off the ground as its great snowy wings beat the air. The sheer majesty and beauty of the creature brought tears to my eyes and my exhausted mind was so overcome with emotion at the sight. Ugh, I'll just blame my sentimental mushy moment on the day I just had.

     "Protecting Gloamwood need no longer be your burden, dear Laria." The Messenger said, with the strange double voice I'd come to expect from them. Laria froze in shock at the sight and fell to her knees, hands pressed together in supplication. I guess to others, seeing one of the holy messengers of the gods was a shock. I'd been seeing them every since my Ascension so I'd gotten better at my reaction. Or so I'd thought...I secretly wiped a tear out of my own eye. The radiant being smiled gently at Laria. "Your descendant, Gwyddon Duskenleaf, is ready to take on mantle of forest protector. The Vigil honors its debt to you. Rest now, Laria." I blinked, absorbing that. Wait, what? That annoying apothecary was Laria's descendant?! And she didn't tell me? If I'd had more energy, I'd have gotten offended. As it was, I grunted to show my annoyance at being left out of that loop. The Messsenger turned to me, as if reminded of my presence. "You have done well, Raeslyn of the Ascended. You honor us with your bravery and loyalty. A great victory was struck here. The Hag has ever been a dark spot on our wood, and you have ultimately thwarted the plans of Alsbeth as well. You have affirmed the Vigil's wisdom in calling you to the ranks of the Ascended." I shrugged, feeling uncomfortable with all this praise.

    "I'm honored myself, Messenger." I replied, and bowed low. "Thank you for the gifts I've been given."
     "None of us can stand alone against the might of Regulos. Remember that, Ascended. You must work together to save Telara." The Messenger continued. "As a gift for your deeds this day, I can teleport you out of this unclean place if you so desire?" I nodded eagerly, then turned and inclined my head to Laria.
     "I wish you well on wherever your journey takes you next, Laria." I called to her. She smiled warmly at me and waved. I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing her again, but I knew she would happier where she was going. I stepped up next to the angelic creature of the Vigil. The Messenger's form was so bright and holy that it almost hurt my eyes, even as a devout follower of the Vigil. The snowy wings beat down and seemed to cover my eyes, and before I knew it, I felt a strange weightless sensation. I felt like I was being whisked rapidly through time and space, and suddenly, before I could even process this feeling, I found myself on solid ground again. I blinked my eyes a few times and beheld the sight of everyone in middle of Gloamwood Pines town square gawking at me in shock. I grinned and waved, inwardly cringing. Way to make a scene.

     A woman detached herself from the shell-shocked crowd and ran toward me. I stiffened, and then recognized her. It was Fiona Leone. I was kind of shocked myself to see her, since last I'd known, she'd been holed up at Tearfall Run, trying to create some kind of device to repel death magic or something. Fiona was flushed and smiling, looking excited and proud. Without waiting to see what I'd say, she thrust something into my hands. I stared down at it a moment, then gave her a quizzical look.
     "Oh hi Fiona. Thanks for the present...but what is it?" Fiona laughed.

     "I fixed it! It works!" She exclaimed, and snatched the device back. She held it up, and beamed at it like a proud parent. "I was able to modify the calibration of the death array, and by adding and changing some of the runes, as well as balancing out the energy with water planar energy of all things, I was able to actually create a successful purification device! This spell will do much to protect the citizens of Gloamwood!" I glanced over the device. Color me impressed. I wasn't sure if she'd actually be able to create a working prototype of her invention.

    "That's amazing Fiona. Good job. You better get to work making a lot more of those things though, cause last I saw, it didn't cover much ground." I chuckled as her face fell and she frowned at the device. She waved at me and began wandering off, muttering calculations to herself. I stood there a moment, considering what I'd like to do now. With a tired sigh, I made my way to the Inn. I would really just like a bath and a nice long nap. That sounds heavenly. I smirked.

     I got maybe two feet when I accosted by someone else. This time to my surprise, it was the mayor himself. How honorable, he came down from his tree fort just to see little old me.

    "Hello Dragomir." I greeted in a neutral voice, remembering our last encounter. Hopefully I wasn't about to be arrested. That would end badly. For him. I just wanted some sleep, I felt like whining. To my surprise, he stuck out a hand to shake.

     "The reports are true then? You defeated the monster that has been terrorizing our poor town? I don't know how you did it, but it feels as if a great weight has been lifted off the wood. The people of Gloamwood are in your debt! The name of Raeslyn the Ascended shall not be forgotten in these parts!" He exclaimed this quite loudly, as if making sure everyone in the town square witnessed as he praised their savior. No doubt for his own benefit rather then mine or theirs. I yawned and waved a hand at him.

     "It was no trouble. Just doing my duty to the Vigil and to the Guardians. Maybe next time they send infantry to aid you, don't kick them out of town and hinder their every movement." I suggested mildly, thinking of Marshal Oakheart and his men, banished to the outskirts of town because the townsfolk didn't like outsiders messing in their business. The mayor had the good grace to look abashed. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, sticking up his short dark hair. "But hey, it all ended alright so no hard feelings I'm sure." I finished. "Just glad that your town is safe and I didn't have to kill you all for being deranged werewolves." Dragomir looked suitably horrified as I sauntered away toward the Inn, daggers clanging against my hips. I smirked. I was definitely glad I was me again, and that I was successful in my first official mission given by the Guardians. All in all, a job well done. I couldn't wait to get some sleep.

    "A room please, for two nights." I told the Innkeeper, who knew me by sight at this point. He nodded at me. "Sure thing, miss Raeslyn. Oh by the way, ye got some mail." I lifted one eyebrow. Mail? Me? Way out here? The Innkeep turned around, grabbed a scroll off the grimy counter, and plopped it down in front of me. It rolled to a rest by my hand, seal up, and the crest of the Guardians and Sanctum stared innocently up at me from the wax. I groaned out loud. Now what? Well, whatever disaster they need me to fix, I'm doing it tomorrow. I've earned some sleep, I should think! I snatched up the scroll in one hand, swiped a mug of wine from a table, and headed up the stairs for a good night's sleep, hopefully without any strange dreams. Gloamwood was safe, at least for now, and the threat of the Hag had been successfully neutralized. The werewolves had all either been cured or killed, and the people of the wood were now as safe as anyone else in this crazy new age. I'd even heard a few amusing whispers around town of the kids calling me "Raeslyn the Wolfbane". The Wolfbane. I kind of liked my new title.
     I fell asleep with a smirk on my face, the empty wineglass perched precariously on the edge of the nightstand.

[Raeslyn's Story] 3.8: Death's Defense

 Location: Gloamwood-Tearfall Run
Time: After Midnight
Date: Year 1509, 9th Moon
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     "Yes, I'm back. Again." I exclaimed in exasperation as the Waykeepers once again scrutinized me when I approached Tearfall Run. Honestly, they were acting like I was some strange intruder. Again. You'd think they'd remember I was here only this morning. I huffed as they finally, grudgingly, let me up the path that led to the main encampment. Not wanting to waste time, I strode right for Fiona Leone, who was seated placidly on a crate reading a leather-bound tome. She glanced up and blinked as I stood over her. She was a Mathosian, young and pretty with long dark hair. Her robes were dark colored and strange magical artifacts hung from her belt. She smelled faintly of dark magic, which didn't please me in the slightest. I did not like working with magic users. At all.

     "Fiona Leone, right?" I asked her up front. I'd rather not be in her company any longer than required to ensure she was fine and that her spellwork to help Gloamwood was progressing. Fiona's face seemed to crinkle in confusion, before awe slowly filled it and she scrambled hastily to her feet, patting and brushing at her robes as if trying to make them more presentable.

    "By the gods, you're the Ascended!" She blurted out, face shining with fervent excitement. I sighed and crossed my arms. "Yes I am. My name is Raeslyn and I was sent to secure Gloamwood and find out what darkness has befallen it. Specifically though, I'm here on Marshal Oakheart's orders to....check up on you." I said the last bit with a wrinkled nose, not really sure how else to phrase it without making it seem like I'd been dispatched to babysit her. But to my surprise, Fiona didn't seem mad or insulted. She laughed, a low dark chuckle.
     "Why thank you, Raeslyn. I'm glad Oakheart sent you. As you can see, I'm alive and well. I'm sure he was concerned because of the lack of updates but well..." She gestured around her helplessly and I raised an eyebrow. But well what? What was her excuse for not sending reports on her progress? I waited, resisting the urge to tap my wolf-hide boots and red spots appeared on her cheeks. She ducked her head, looking sheepish. "Well...I'm at a bit of an impasse. I've gotten to the point where I feel like I can make a practical demonstration of the defense shield I'm crafting to go around the town and keep out the dark magic, but I need some very specific samples from some very specific sources. Specifically, I need the flesh of the undead, and the anima of a spirit." She shrugged, looking frustrated, and I tried to keep my face blank as prickles of disgust wormed their way through me. Using death magic was so against everything I believed in that I wanted to get as far away from this mage as possible.

     "Okay, so what's the problem? How come you can't just go fetch these things?" I demanded finally when she just stood there staring at me expectantly. She then looked off to the side and I saw two Sanctuary Guards lounging on crates a bit behind her. They both appeared casual but had Fiona in their sights. I frowned. I still didn't see the problem here. I opened my mouth to voice this when Fiona spoke up again. "My ....uh, escorts, say that it is unsafe for me to be out in the wood alone. Especially after what happened last time. They don't think they are sufficient protection against the undead that swarm over the mill. But I need those samples! To create a defense against death magic, I need to be able to study its effect on creatures from the other planes. Certain creatures are resistant to death magic around here and I need samples of their flesh for my protective spells. I know I'm on the verge of a breakthrough here, but I can't go any further until I have those samples!" She wrung her hands, genuinely distraught over not being able to get her hands on the death magic samples she wanted. Sadly, I could see where this was leading, and my shoulders stooped.

     "Fine. I'll go get your bloody samples." I snapped out, feeling extremely aggravated. If it wasn't for the fact that Oakheart seemed to think she could be successful with this defensive shield, I'd have said forget it.

     Fiona looked over the moon at my offer, not even seeming to notice my sudden bad mood or irritation. She clapped her hands and whirled around, snatching up a tiny notebook and flipping open its cover. "Okay, this is what I need!" She gushed, and darted over to my side. I was taller than her by a good half foot, and glared down my nose as she barged into my personal space and shoved the journal at me. "Right here is the formula that requires the anima essence. My studies show that the death magic sample will react favorably with the siltreaver glands I've harvested from planar water creatures. They are the most resistant to death magic, you know. Quite fascinating actually. One wonders why they are so resistant. Perhaps it has to do with the rumored madness of...."she trailed off as she finally noticed my impatient scowl.

    "I don't need a lecture on magic, or your personal experiments, I just need to know what I'm looking for so you can finish your shield spell and I can bring the formula for it back to the Marshal. I can only hope that it is as powerful as you say it is." Fiona's face feel slightly at my brusque dismissal of her passion, but she nodded.
     "I've trekked across the realm studying the lasting effects of the rifts, you know. Gloamwood is so saturated in death magic that I've made extensive advances in my research in just the little time I've spent here. I'm confident I can create a powerful enough shield that it will keep out any creature touched by the plane of death." She set down her journal. "Okay, what I need is perhaps..." she glanced off into space, a small frown between her eyes as she considered. "several fingerbones from an undead creature. Preferably a humanoid one, as the magic is more potent in them. Thankfully, the nearby mill appears to be a magnet for the fiends and they have been congregating there for the past few nights. You should be able to easily gather up quite a few bones. I also require a spirit anima, but I have one of my guards fetching that." I nodded, then something occurred to me.

     "Wait, what? What do you mean, the undead are congregating to this mill? What mill?" I glanced around as if I could spot the pack of undead from here. Fiona shrugged, not seeming to be bothered by the fact that she was surrounded by undead.

     "I'm not sure why they are here. They just showed up. I'm not sure what scares me more, the hordes of undead just beyond our camp or the fact they are interested in something other then attacking us! Millrush Pond, where the mill is, has always been rumored to be filled with dark magic and curses, even back before it was abandoned. Now it's filled with angry souls and elusive spirits. The mill used to belong to the Mathosian nobles who lived at that old keep? The locals call it Shadefallen Keep now. I don't know if it had a different name. Scary, huh?" She grinned at me and I frowned. Well, that was worrisome news. On top of all the other things going wrong in Gloamwood, now we have a horde of undead who are just...milling around doing nothing? No pun intended...Well one thing at a time. Get Fiona her silly samples so she can finish creating this defense magic she says will protect Gloamwood Pines. If it works, I'm hoping it will cleanse the town and from there we can find the source of the dark cloud of evil that seems to choke the forest. I've never had any trouble dispatching the undead minions of the Endless Court so it shouldn't be a problem now. After a few more lectures from Fiona on what to look for and how to properly stow the samples, I left the camp carrying a small, spell crafted sac to place my gruesome samples in. I shuddered. Good thing I had decided against becoming a caster when I was younger. Well other then the fact that I had no affinity for magic.

     Seeing the mill for the first time, I could believe that there was something sinister at work here. It was huge, creepy and dark. A large, stonework building with only three walls and all manner of machinery strewn about, the whole area gave off a feeling of wrongness. I didn't like it one bit, and my Ascended sense was prickling at the back of my neck that bad things had happened here. Were happening still. And just like Fiona said, there were undead fiends everywhere! They just seemed to be wandering around, never straying far from the walls of the mill. Every once in a while, one would suddenly turn and viciously hack at some small woodland animal that was unfortunate enough to get too close, or even swing at each other. But for the most part, they just seemed like empty shells. Or...puppets. Waiting for their master to come and take up the strings. Now I felt even colder. I just knew that this tied in with all the other strange and dark tidings of Gloamwood, but I couldn't yet see how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together yet. Something was still missing.

     I gathered shadows to my form and bent reality until I'd disappeared from sight and crept silently and quickly through the undead throng. Fiona said she needed as powerful a sample as she could get, and I was looking with my Ascended sight, testing the auras around the undead minions. Many were only weakly attuned with the death plane, barely given enough to animate them, and I didn't think that would work. Then my senses lit upon a beacon of death magic, a glowing torch of evil black taint by the mill wall. This one looked different from the others, and wasn't wandering. It stood still, ramrod-straight, staring off into nothing with unseeing eyes and a rusted sword across its back. It wore fine clothing that didn't look too badly damaged by the passage of time. Alright, showtime. I tensed my muscles and pulled at the fabric of the universe using my attuned senses, and felt the painful sensation of my body being dragged through time and space to appear directly behind the undead man. It was something that I was sure I would never have been able to do without the special augmentation that Ascendancy had given me. In the blink of an eye, I could travel short distances. It was most beneficial when I needed to appear quickly to dispatch an enemy without being detected too soon, or at all. It made it excellent for finishing blows.
     With one swift and sudden thrust, I sank my longest dagger into the undead's back, piercing straight out his chest. The creature had enough awareness to make a small grunt and grapple at the blade feebly, as if trying to pull it out or somehow seal the wound, but what would merely anger an undead planar minion if I were a mere mortal soldier caused the creatures abrupt and final demise with an Ascended. There was just something about my Ascended status that made me particularly lethal to planar beings. I'm not sure what it is, or even if I want to know how it works, but it definitely makes my mission to protect Telara much easier.

     The undead minion sank to the ground with a strange moan, the unhallowed light dimming from its eye sockets. I stared down at the skeletal body and muttered a few choice curses. This is revolting. And totally beneath me. I nudged the pile of fleshy bones with the toe of one boot, then squatted down and used one of my least favored daggers to begin hacking away at one dried up wrist, turning my head in disgust. Ugh, yuck. This spell of hers better work, damn it. I wasn't exactly sure what Fiona's idea of a good sample was, so I just stuffed the entire skeletal hand into the sac. A tingle of dark magic seemed to shimmer along the bag's opening when I drew it shut, sealing the hand inside in a kind of stasis so that it wouldn't deteriorate before Fiona could use it. I will-grudgingly-admit that magic did have its uses, like stasis spells on food and drink so it wouldn't go stale or spoil. Or protective enchantments on armor to keep one safe. Not that I'd ever admit this.

     Suddenly I heard a very peculiar sound. It took me too long to remember where it was from. It was the kind of sound that always accompanied my return to the visible spectrum after cloaking myself in shadows. Since I was already visible and kneeling down by the body, it had to be someone else. I gasped in acute surprise and immediately let instinct take over, diving to the side and rolling, before expertly flipping to my feet, daggers drawn and held in front of me in a protective stance. I was shocked to see that some undead creature was now standing in front of me. It stared down at the mutilated undead I'd killed, then turned red eyes on me. This one was very different from the other undead around here. It seemed to possess self-awareness, and at least some semblance of skill. And how was it able to meld into the shadows like I do? I wasn't aware that was something that non-Ascended could do. I felt cold just thinking about it.

   The creature than smiled, displaying a full set of jagged, yellow teeth with rotten flecks of flesh in the creases. By the gods....what was this fiend? "I am Morticus the Unholy!" The creature spat out, as if answering my thoughts. The voice sounded strange, hollow and echoing. "When you get to the Plane of Death, tell them I sent you! You can get a group discount!" He seemed to laugh, a choking, guttural thing, and I felt my eyes widen in disbelief. It was mocking me? This thing was so dead. I hissed back at it, showing I wasn't impressed, and the creature roared, rushing at me with daggers of its own. It must have been trained in the arts of assassination as well, I mused as we clashed, daggers a blur. I spun and ducked, trying to get in a mortal strike on the fiend, while it seemed merely to be toying with me, as if it thought I wasn't even worth the effort. Ha, underestimating your opponent was the best way to get yourself killed. I'd learned that at an early age. Steel rang loudly off the stone walls of the mill as we fought and ducked and rolled and stabbed. Morticus slashed open the inside of my arm, a deep gash along my elbow, and I felt a cold burn in my arm as the death magic began fighting with my Ascended ability to regenerate, but I wasn't worried. I'd survived death, after all. So I gritted my teeth and ignored the pain, as well as the burn of exhaustion in my muscles and the blood that dripped in my eye from a cut on my brow, and continued trying to find an opening. The creature was a good fighter, I'll give him that much, but undeath had done him no favors and the fiend was slower to react and had no armor to protect himself. And my daggers had been with me so long now that they had become imbued with the same inherent power that my body had upon resurrection. All I needed was one good opportunity...there! Morticus lifted up his arm to stab down into my shoulder and I easily twisted in too close for his weapon to effectively get a good purchase. Instead, his dagger glanced off the hardened leather shoulder pads I wore to protect my collarbone. By doing so, he left his left side vulnerable. The fiend seemed to realize this too late, death-touched eyes widening in fury, before I was able to sink both daggers into his chest, right through his rotten unbeating heart. The creature wailed, ad a strange dark mist emptied out of his mouth. I quickly scrambled back to avoid being touched by it and he toppled headlong to the churned up ground. I leaned over and panted, hands on my knees, and felt my vision blur slightly. After a few seconds when I could breathe properly again, I rummaged in my bag for some fresh linen strips and bandaged my arm up. The cut was clearly healing, but it still looked angry and red and was slowly weeping blood. I didn't need any more trouble by attracting who knows what with the scent of blood. I felt so tired and my eyes kept wanting to shut. Using my Ascended abilities in a fight always seemed to exhaust me afterward. Thankfully sleep and a good meal always made me physically and mentally as good as new within a few hours. Because the undead rogue alarmed me, and I was feeling resentful, I hacked off his hand too and added it to the sac.

     As I turned to leave the mill, I heard the strangest high pitched sound. A hair-raising keen that seemed to originate from the large pond just beyond the mill. The sound came again, followed by splashing of what sounded like something rather large. The eerie keening shriek coupled with the undead-littered mill grounds made for a very harrowing experience and I'm not one to scare easy but even I was getting uncomfortable out here. I wouldn't ever admit it, but I made the trek back to Tearfall Run in half the time, eyes scanning the undergrowth along the road as I went. The samples I gathered will just have to do, because I just couldn't imagine myself going back there without an actual, serious reason.

     "Here, Fiona." I said gruffly, shoving the sac of undead bones at her. She grabbed it, eyes going wide with anticipating. She yanked open the drawstrings and peered inside, and exclaimed in delight, then sobered and looked back up at me. "Thank you, Raeslyn. The risk you took getting these samples will pay off, I promise. You have a knack for this sort of work. You wouldn't want to work with me on a more permanent basis, would you?" I stared at her, aghast, and she chuckled wryly. "Ah well, that's a shame." She said, and gave a lop-sided grin. I snorted, then settled on the ground cross-legged to clean my daggers and watch out of the corner of my eye as Fiona examined the undead bones I'd brought her. The death taint made me uneasy, even now.

    Several hours later, when I was becoming increasingly drowsy and debating whether I should just stay the remainder of the night here or head back to Gloamwood Pines, Fiona suddenly gave a cheer from somewhere off to my right. I jerked back upright and turned to glare at her. Several others around the camp all gave her varying looks of irritation, resentment, and resignation, as if this was a common occurrence they'd had to endure. Another good reason to not get involved with mages and clerics. They were always obsessing over some scholarly assignment and waking you up at gods-forsaken hours with their excitement. I sighed and climbed to my feet, approaching Fiona silently.

     "Well, what is it?" I asked. I admit, I was, well, mildly curious. Fiona turned to me, her eyes fever-bright. "This is it Raeslyn! I think I have finally figured out a way to repel magic from the Death Plane! This death shield is made from the materials you brought me in addition to some other reagents and a very complex net of magic spells..."she trailed off at my glare and cleared her throat. "Yes, well, I think I've finally got it! Now we just need to test it. No time like the present, right?" She jumped off her crate and made her way to the center of camp. Seemingly without being aware of it, everyone else, myself included, followed her, where she knelt and began clearing away a patch of earth. She drew strange symbols into the dirt, and they began pulsing with magic, brighter and brighter as she continued. She finished creating a small circle of glowing runes, then stood and took out a rather macabre looking object that seemed to be a mash of undead parts, some kind of black sludge, plant seeds, and a few other things I didn't recognize. Not that I wanted to. I took a hasty step back as she approached me with the mass outstretched.

    "Here Raeslyn, I think you should have the honor of testing it! It was only because of you that I was able to perfect my spell." She beamed at me, unaware of my disgust. I shook my head firmly and crossed my arms, taking another step back. "Nope, I don't mess with this magic business. This is all yours, Fiona. Besides, all I did was kill some undead. Not even a challenge. You did the real work." I tried to sound sincere, as if casting the spell was the honor Fiona deserved. And hey, it was. It was her creation. If it worked, this was a big breakthrough for Gloamwood. She deserved the honors. Fiona gazed at me for a moment, then nodded, looking proud. She turned back to her casting, and settled the mass of spell components in the center. She than murmured a few words and I tensed as the atmosphere seemed to change, becoming heavier, laced with magic. The runes on the ground began to pulse as if to a heartbeat, and lines radiated outward from it, forming a circle of glowing white all around the camp. Shimmering walls of light sprang into being, the brilliance bringing tears to my eyes. It was so bright, brighter than moonlight even. The shining bright white seemed to burn away the shadows and darkness that shrouded the camp, and everyone unconsciously stood a little straighter. Like a great weight they didn't know was there had been lifted. Peace, light, holy energy danced around the camp.

     Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an undead wander over from the across the field by the mill, as if drawn by the beacon of pure white light surrounding Tearfall Run. Everyone tensed as the undead shambled into camp. Or rather, tried to. The moment it touched the translucent barrier, the undead was instantly turned to ash. The holy light flared up even brighter, and the Waykeepers all cheered. Even I clapped slowly, impressed by the strength of Fiona's spell. She was a powerful spellcaster, that was for sure.

    I walked up to Fiona and held out my hand for her to shake. "Well done, Fiona. I shall inform Marshal Oakheart of your success." I said, and smiled at her. She beamed back at me and curtsied. "I can't believe this!" She gushed, whirling to glance at her handiwork. "The shield is working even better than I hoped!" I glanced around as well, nodding, impressed despite myself.

     "Ya, that's right ya filthy undead!" Shouted one of the Gloamwood locals, shaking his fist out at the forest. Than, as I watched, he clutched at his head and swayed on the spot. I frowned. What was wrong with the man? Maybe the light was making him dizzy? I sharpened my focus on him and made to walk over and ask when he groaned and bent forward. To my horror, the man began ripping at his face and back. The familiar dark aura of a death-touched minion shimmered into being around him. Fur sprouted where his nails gouged, and I realized that his fingernails were now becoming talons. This was all horrifyingly familiar. The same thing had happened to that man Michael in the goblin city! He'd turned into a ravening beast. Oh gods. I unsheathed my daggers. There'd been no reasoning with Michael once he'd shifted into the werewolf, and I knew the same would happen here. One of the Waykeepers approached the man, looking horrified and concerned. Before I could warn him to stay back, the Waykeeper dropped to the ground and moaned, clutching his own head. Behind me, a long, wavering howl broke the silence, and I spun, only to see several more Waykeepers collapsing and tearing at their bodies. Oh no...this was bad. I don't understand how this was happening. It was well past the night hours, coming on to dawn, and the moon was no where visible. How on earth.....of course, the spell! The blinding white light worked just like the moonlight. But how were these men all affected? I don't understand. Did the spell force this on them, or were they already infected beforehand?

     Fiona gave a horrified scream and I concentrated on protecting her and the remaining people who hadn't had the misfortune to succumb to lycanthropy. The non-shifted men rallied around me, and together we fought off the ravening beasts, who blindly threw themselves on our swords and daggers in a frenzy of bloodlust and hate. Their eyes were empty of anything that may have resembled sentience. Nothing but a maddened, rabid animal remained. I warned the others not to let the monsters scratch them, as I'd read that a werewolf's claws could transmit the disease to another. At my back, Brother Jebiah smote the beasts with powerful clerical magic, all the while muttering nonsense about righteousness and evil, and I rolled my eyes even as I stabbed and slashed at the beasts myself.

     Finally, there was stillness and all the creatures lay slain on the bloodied ground. Not long after that, Fiona's spell finally exhausted itself and blinked out. Fiona herself began weeping, kneeling by one of the fallen werewolves. They'd reverted back to their former selves in death. "Why didn't the shield work? What's going on?!" Fiona cried, wringing her hands. "I'm so sorry. Gods save us all..." She whispered over the fallen man's tortured body. I put a hand on her shoulder in an attempt at comfort. Brother Jebiah planted his staff in the ground and glowered at me, as if it was my fault. "Once again, the might of the Vigil has conquered the forces of evil!" He proclaimed in an arrogant voice, spitting on the ground. I gave him my darkest glare. Get over yourself already, I thought to myself in disgust as I helped Fiona up.

     "It wasn't your fault Fiona. Something else is going on here." I said to her as I drew her over to sit down on a crate that wasn't smashed. She gazed up at me, looking shaken and dazed. "But, what just happened then? Did death energy get through the shield and corrupt them? Obviously the ritual must have been flawed. I'll have to return to the beginning and see if I can figure out what went wrong..." She trailed off and reached for her notebook, eyes wide still. I frowned. I wasn't sure if more meddling in the magic of Gloamwood was actually a good idea right now. It seemed that the more we tried to cure the forest, the more the forest fought back.

     Jebiah came over and grabbed my arm, yanking me down to his much shorter height. The dwarf looked positively fanatical. "So, the beast is revealed!" He yelled in my ear, and I jerked myself out of his hold, giving him a look that dared him to try that again. He waved a hand in the air, and his eyes narrowed. "I knew this would happen! Oakheart's barghest alpha wasn't the culprit. I knew it! I don't believe that fool Drusk is part of this, but I know Doctor Oswell is in on it." He rubbed his hands together and I frowned.

     "What on Telara are you going on about?" I demanded. Doctor Oswell? In on what? The lycanthropy mystery? Did Jebiah know more than he'd let on? I was so sick of everyone keeping secrets. "Tell me what you know, dwarf. Now."
     "I only know this: Doctor Oswell in Gloamwood Pines, has been investigating some bodies that seem to have been bitten by large rabid beasts. The bite marks are unlike any beast found in Gloamwood, and yet he says it was nothing more than a rogue barghest attack. Obviously he knows more than he's letting on. I can't go against orders and leave Tearfall Run vulnerable, but you better go make yourself useful and investigate why Oswell's making fake reports on these "infected" victims." Brother Jebiah gave me a stern look, which I threw back at him. If I didn't want to find out what's going on, I would have definitely challenged him. As it was, I let a flare of my Ascended aura touch his clerical magic, overpowering it briefly. Brother Jebiah's eyes widened and he hastily stepped away from me, hands up and muttering about righteous fire and staying on the path of good. I scoffed and turned my back on the little menace. Yes I believe in the holiness of the Vigil but I wasn't a blind fool like Jebiah that saw the world only in black and white. Well, at least I had a direction for this werewolf problem. Who knows, maybe this will lead me finally to a solution on cleansing Glaomwood of its evil taint. Time to pay the good doctor a visit.

[Raeslyn's Story] 3.7: The Beast of Greybriar Hollow

      The crack of dawn saw me preparing to head out and do some hunting around Greybriar Hollow. I wasn't sure if I was hoping that the barghests there were this "Beast" I'd been told about or not. On the one hand, that meant that something powerful was twisting these creatures into unnatural predators and I had no idea how to stop it, but I could easily kill the creature and be done with it. If the barghest alpha isn't the one making off with Gloamwood citizens, than I was back to square one of this mystery with no real information on where to find it and what it even was. Oh joy.

     I wasn't an expert tracker by any sense of the word, but my mentor had made sure to teach me how to recognize track and spoor. So it was obvious before I'd even found the creature's den that there were quite a few of the animals roaming around in the hollow. Which was unusual. Barghests were rather solitary creatures, preferring to hunt their prey solo. I crouched at the base of a dark tree, peering through the foliage at the dark mouth of a cave and the barghest males that were prowling around in front of it. They weren't acting at all like normal wild predators. Idly, I plucked a moon blossom bud that was growing by the tree root and chewed on a petal. Moon blossoms were known for their potent healing properties as well as other, more amorous attributes. They didn't usually grow so abundantly in forest areas though. Funny, seeing them in Gloamwood.

     I chewed the blossom as I sat there silently. No doubt the alpha was down in the cave. I could wait here for it to come out, but that seemed rather tedious and I wasn't a very patient person to begin with. Who knows how long it would take for the alpha to stir itself from its lair, especially if the others had dragged food in for it. If I wanted to go in after it though, I'd have to get by those pups out front. They didn't look all that mature, listlessly roving in front of the cave, but they were still quite large and weighed quit a bit. I'd no wish to tangle with them if I could avoid it. I haven't tried my shadow melding trick on an animal yet, and wondered if it would work. Beasts had heightened senses. Well, time to find out! I didn't want to be waiting around here all day. Mentally I turned over the switch that would allow me to basically become invisible to the naked eye. Don't ask me how it really works, I've no idea. It's just like, I knew the ability was there and I just had to reach out mentally and access it. It required a lot of concentration though and I could only hold it for a certain amount of time before the strain became too much and the pain in my head forced me to drop the stealth, becoming visible again. Sometimes it happened at the most inconvenient time, although I'd noticed that I could hold it for longer lately. Maybe it was like exercising a muscle. After I confirmed that I was indeed camouflaged, I crept on silent toes from shadow to shadow, staying near the trees as I snuck up on the cave. A few of the barghest pups stopped and sniffed the air, growling in confusion and staring in my direction, and I stopped, holding my breath. I would rather not kill them if I could help it. The alpha was no doubt twisted and mutated and seemed to have some influence over this younger pack and my hopes were once I'd done away with it, the rest of the creatures would just naturally drift off back into their solitary existence and cease to be a threat to the town. That was my hope anyway. If it turned out otherwise, I'd have to slay them as well, and I hoped that Tavril forgave me for that.

     I stopped by the edge of the cave opening and peered inside, feeling the strain of holding myself invisible in the shadows start to wear at the edges of my mind. A strange mist seeped out of the cave and crawled over the ground like a living thing, and the smell of death and darkness was heavy on the air. Yep, something was definitely wrong here. Many pawprints were beaten into the soft earth of the cave's floor, and I searched for any larger ones. There was one set of prints that was twice the size or more of the pups that seemed a few days old, entering only. I couldn't find where the set had left the cave, so I had confirmation that the alpha barghest was still in the cave, unless there was another way out. Well, only one way to find out. I stepped into the darkness of the cave, dropping the invisibility as I left the immediate view of the pups outside. Immediately, it was as if a pressure lifted from my mind and I rubbed at my temple irritably. Being chosen by the gods shouldn't be so hard, I complained to myself. Unsheathing my two longest and sharpest daggers, I crept further into the cave, tense and wary for any sudden attacks.

     I wasn't exactly sure what I was expecting in the barghest alpha, but what I did see certainly surprised me. The creature was huge. Like half the size of my horse huge! It was gray, like all barghest, but this one's skin was a strange, sickly color, like curdled milk almost. It also had bright red eyes that seemed lit by some inner fire. All in all, it was very creepy. The monstrosity was sitting on its haunches lapping at a puddle of liquid. Unfortunately, the puddle was a result of a body laying to one side. After looking more closely in the gloom, I realized with relief that the body was actually that of a goblin, not some poor ravaged innocent townsperson like I feared. Despite that, the beast wasn't just some innocent animal. I was deeply saddened, but it would have to be destroyed so that it wouldn't ever be a threat to the town. I sighed, considered how best to kill it with the least amount of suffering. Heart or throat would be best, I just had to see how to go about that without getting myself mauled in the meantime. As I considered my options, the monstrous beast heaved itself to its feet and sniffed the air, turning its massive head as if trying to catch an elusive scent. Great, now it could smell me. Slowly, it began padding closer to my shelter, still sniffing the air with loud snuffling sounds. I shifted to the side as it drew nearer, readying myself for the attack. I had to time it just so. I bolted out of my spot in the shadows, lunging with all my strength. One dagger sank to the hilt into the beast's fur right behind the front leg, where I knew the heart was located. The barghest yelped in surprised pain and thrashed. It sank large canines into the arm I was using to try to keep it from biting my face off, but thankfully it wasn't deep and before it could get a better hold in which to rip my arm off, death reached it and faltered, sinking heavily to the cavern floor with a last hateful snarl. Its eyes seemed to glare at me accusingly and I gently pulled my dagger out, closing its dark eyes. Another creature of Tavril, mutated and twisted by the evil running rampant throughout Telara. Outside, an unearthly howl took up, and I spun, listening intently and praying that the pack wasn't seconds away from bursting in here and devouring me whole in revenge. After several tense moments, I gathered the shadows around myself as a cloak and vanished from sight, leaving behind the still cooling body of the barghest alpha.

     I cautiously backtracked out of the hollow and jogged back to the main highway that dissected Gloamwood. Glancing around to catch my bearings, I realized that I was actually conveniently close to that second altar that Duskenleaf wanted me to investigate. Since I was still feeling off about having to slay the alpha barghest, I marched in that direction, hoping to have some solid information on what was happening in the wood. I poured some clean water on my daggers to get the blood off as I walked.

     Quite suddenly I came across another Waykeeper's camp. They seemed to be everywhere here in the wood. An old wooden sign pointing toward the camp proclaimed that this was Tearfall Run. Interesting name, if a bit dark. A tall man with hard eyes carrying a torch stood guard by the path, peering suspiciously into the gloom. Whene he caught sight of me, he gave me a sharp appraisal before stepping forward, seemingly unafraid.

     "Afternoon, ma'am." He said politely, but in frosty tones. I nodded at him in return. "What brings you to Tearfall Run?" He asked, getting straight to the point. I could respect that.

     "I've been sent by Gwyddon Duskenleaf in Gloamwood Pines to investigate a dark matter. There is supposed to be a sacred forest altar here that I need to commune with." I held myself in a neutral stance, hands away from my daggers. No sense in provoking the local authority. The man continued to stare at me for a moment, as if trying to judge the truthfulness of my statement, before grunting and gesturing further up the path.

    "Well, I reckon there's an old forest altar up there aways, behind the camp I think. Always been there as far as I can recall. Might be what your lookin' for?" I followed his pointing finger with my eyes and nodded again.
     "Yes, that sounds like it. Thanks." I tacked on the last as an afterthought, trying to be polite. He grunted again, eyes still narrowed at me. "See you don't cause no trouble, you hear? Keep them daggers to yourself while in this camp." I gave him a jaunty salute as I headed up the path. Yep, same old trustworthy Waykeepers.
     "Hey wait!" The man suddenly called and I tensed, stopping but not turning around.
     "Yes?"
     "You haven't seen a young dwarf bumbling around out there on the road have you?" He asked, seemingly a random question. I turned around and arched an eyebrow. "I think his name was Scotty." The man continued, and I felt my mouth fall open. "He ran off with my spare torch, the darn idiot." The man scowled, looking back out at the road, and I tried to rein in my shock. Scotty, here? What on Telara was that foolish dwarf up to here in Gloamwood? I really hope he hadn't gotten into trouble again. To the man I said, "Nope, haven't seen any dwarves. Tough luck on your torch, though. I'll keep an eye out." I turned back around and continued on to the camp. Whereupon I stopped in renewed shock. Someone I hadn't seen since I'd defeated the Avatar of Regulos on Thedeor Field, Brother Jebiah, was sitting, cool as you please, in the center of the camp, deep in conversation with a young elf. He had that same fanatical look as back then, and I shook my head in amazement. How on earth did he end up here of all places? By no means was he my favorite dwarf and I skirted around him, hoping he wouldn't notice me. Alas, seeing as how I was a newcomer to the camp, and a stranger to boot, everyone seemed to focus on me. I sighed as Jebiah raised himself to his short height and approached me. Great.

     "Be wary, rogue." Jebiah said, voice full of righteous wrath and censor, saying the word rogue like I was a dirty cultist or something. I worked to keep my face neutral. He was a heroic fighter during that battle, after all, must remain respectful. "Sin can be found everywhere. If you hope to be saved from the cleansing fire, renounce evil in all its forms!" Jebiah continued, pointing a large finger at me. I gave the finger a scowl, but stayed silent and moved past him. Right, whatever you say, crazy dwarf.

    The altar was located at the base of an old tree, and looked like an exact replica of the other one, complete with old, overgrown surface. The Waykeepers all regarded me curiously as I approached and I tried to tune them out. It was distracting knowing I had an audience for this. I knelt down by the altar, whispering a prayer to Tavril. I stretched out my hand and laid it on the altar's surface, and immediately my hand grew warm, the wood vibrating with strong magic just like before. Behind me, I could collective gasps as the glowing form of Laria appeared, the bright golden light shining like a beacon in the gloom. I bowed to her formally and she smiled when she saw me.
     "Welcome Raeslyn! It's good to see you again." She said, her voice warm and soothing. "You have come for more information, I trust. Since you reawakened my memories, I began to explore this wood again, so changed by the rifts it is! In my wanderings, I found a momento of my past, a keepsake of my mother's. Someone hid it in the Millrush Pond for reasons I know not. Athana's crystal should not have just been left there for anyone to stumble across. It's power is not dimmed by time." She hummed to herself as she took something from around her neck and held it out to me. The item was a large, beautiful white crystal. It hummed with divine power, so strong that I itched to hold it. Laria looked sad as she stared at it. "Athana's crystal shard...so many times I watched my mother use this in rituals to commune with the forest. Holding this again fills me with a strength I feared was lost forever." I nodded. Laria drifted toward me and I held myself still as she gently placed the crystal around my neck. "I gift this to you, Raeslyn, to aid you in your quest to heal Gloamwood. I sense the power within you, and I believe you will do many great things for Telara. My mother would have wanted this." I felt like I should protest. After all, it was all she had left of her mother...but the soothing power of the crystal washed over me and I felt so light and peaceful. So instead, I nodded dreamily. Laria slowly drifted from view, and I shook my head.

     "Wait, Laria!" I cried. "What is going on with the wood? How do I put an end to the dark curse on the forest?" But she just shook her head, looking sad, and disappeared. I slammed my fist on the altar in frustration. Another useless lead. At least with the crystal, maybe I could find something else out, or feel the different energies. Who knows. I stood up wearily, ignoring the way the Waykeepers of Tearfall Run parted from me, staring with awe-filled looks as I walked back to the road and trudged down the highway toward Gloamwood Pines, once again with no real lead on what was going on in Gloamwood. I was nearly ready to believe that the wood would always just be this way, dark and oppressive and malevolent, but I'd seen something in Laria's eyes. A fear of something. She might not know what was happening, but she knew it was something that needed to be stopped.

     As I entered the town gates, the Waykeepers all stopped and waved at me respectfully, and I spared a moment to give them annoyed looks as I passed. Psh, so now they decide I'm something worth being respectful to. After I've done all the hard work of making them safe. Figures. After wandering around town and not finding that tracker Drusk, I gave up and just reported the death of the barghest alpha to Marshal Oakheart, who saluted me and gave me a hefty bag of coin in return for my "services". I felt a bit uncomfortable accepting it, but I was low on funds and new weapons and protective clothing wasn't going to buy itself. Oakheart clapped me on the shoulder and grinned. "I knew you'd come through, Raeslyn. It seems that we can always count on you to get a job done! With this threat ended, peace should return to Gloamwood Pines. The townsfolk will hopefully rest easy once again. The mayor may have been reluctant about having the Guardians in Gloamwood, but he can't argue with results!" I mumbled something along the lines of agreeing, and was about to walk off when he hailed me back.

    "Say, Raeslyn, would you do me a favor, while your here? It would be an awful big weight off my mind if you looked into this, seeing how successful you've been so far with the handling of things."

    "Sure, Marshal. What did you need me to do?" I asked, walking back up to the large armored man. I mean, why not. I've helped every other bloody person in this gods forsaken forest so far. Besides, he was a member of the Guardians and an officer. I wasn't exactly sure what my rank in the Guardians was, but it seemed beyond rude to refuse.

     "Thanks, Raeslyn. I knew I could count on you! A short time ago, I sent a platoon to guard a priestess of the undead in northern Gloamwood. She's working on a ritual against death magic-which as you know is a potent tool for our enemies. I haven't heard from them, or her, in a while and I fear the worst. Could you look into it?"
     I frowned. If he hasn't heard from them, they were likely dead or some other gruesome fate has befallen them, but I kept silent, seeing as Oakheart still held out hope. So instead, I shrugged. "Sure, Marshal, I can go check up on them if you need me to. It's easier for me, alone, to travel safely, without a whole entourage to alert the enemy in the forest. And I can handle any threat." I grinned cockily and the Marshal chuckled.
     "Be that as it may, you rash young rogue, be careful! Her name is Fiona Leore and you can find her out by Tearfall Run, I do believe. That is where the last communication came from, anyway. She's a young Mathosian woman wearing a dark robe, last we saw her." I rolled my eyes. Tearfall Run? Really? I literally just came from there. Running Oakheart's description through my mind, I actually was even pretty sure I'd seen her at the Waykeeper's camp, now that I think about it. Or at least, I think that was her. The woman at the camp didn't look too pleased, though. I guess I'd better go back there and make absolute sure it was actually this Fiona woman before I put Oakheart's mind at ease that she was alive and well. Funny though, I hadn't seen any Guardians at the camp.

     I stopped at the Inn to have some spiced wine and a hearty stew that tasted delicious. I even indulged myself with a slice of apple pie afterward. Feeling full and satisfied, I went outside to a cleared area to practice some moves with my daggers to keep myself sharp. My mentor always nagged me that I had to train every day or my mind would grow dull and stagnant and I would be easier to overcome. Being Ascended made me nearly invincible, but habits die hard, and besides, I still remembered my 'death' at Overwatch Keep.

     Even though it was getting on toward evening and the dark shadows of the forest were lengthening and darkening, I walked back out to Tearfall Run. My augmented eyes could see just as clearly at night as they could during daylight hours, so the darkness didn't bother me, and anything that felt brave enough to assault my deceptively waifish form would soon find that I was not some easy victim to go silently into the night.