the Long Hunt

[Eternalcod]

a Scent fills the air. Spicy, smoky, mouthwatering. Sun is reflecting brightly of the snow and children are running around the narrow streets and between low cottages, screaming at each other in their games. This feels so right, why? Because of the scent?
No?
Yes!
Quick quick. She is not here often enough. Door almost comes of its hinges as i rush into the cabin and stop on my track. Forever strong forever calm like a lake of ice her voice greets me.
"Hello son."
Smiling like an idiot or wolf cub that has seen its first snow. I spread my arms to welcome her.
"Mother!"

She is amused she always is. Quick embrace and already I'm herded to the table. Bowl of thick steaming stew is placed in front of me, scent of smoke and spices filling my head. There is no thing more delicious.
"Obviously you are not eating properly. You are more like ravenous wolf than a human being."
Ha! Apparently I'm never eating properly.
"You worry too much mother, I'm strong. Or haven't you heard?"
Pride is swelling inside me even though she looks more amused than ever.
"Tell me then son."
"I've been accepted into the Wolf lodge. Once i return from my dajemma that is." I feel like I'm on the top of the world.
"And I'm leaving for it soon. I will sacrifice at the falls of Erech once the moon is full."
She is laughing quietly. But with a glint of pride in her eyes.
"A wonder you've become a warrior with that sense of drama. But yes, i did hear of your exploits on the thayan border."
I shrug.
"Only a small raiding party mother, easy enough to track and most honor belongs to Rodin anyway."
I can't feel anything but awe.
"Even old lodge showed a little interest in him already. He might become an Iron Lord yet."
She seems to give some thought to the claim.
"He might. But i believe you wont be far behind Valer. But don't get cocky, all that is still decades away."

She sits down in front of me and looks at me seriously. Not far behind? I cant help but to feel cocky.
"Now this is a rare praise. Did it bring you here?"
"Don't flatter yourself son i came only to see you before your dajemma."
Confused. Why now? It's still weeks away. She reads me like a book.
"I am to leave for a very long journey and cannot be there when you depart."
"Won't you tell me?"
She gives me a slight enigmatic smile.
"Witch business son."

[Eternalcod]

*Written on a crude journal made of hides of various common animals and beasts.*

Why am i dreaming of happier times? It does me more harm than good. But still whenever i close my eyes i see the past. I was a bloody fool. How i craved for a great hunt that would prove my worth. Well by the spirits i have one now and there is no glory in sight.

But the hunt. Atleast a little progress has been made. Getting in touch with those who deal from shadows has been impossible for now but opportunities present themselves to the patient. My days of blind running have to be put behind.
But the progress. One name i've got, Daelthrien Silverleaf. Heard it from an old hunter who seemed to believe this person is high up among the druids of this region. And druids might know atleast a scent of the track.

[Eternalcod]

"So it is decided. Blood of the defiler is to be banished from our land for eternity, unless they return that which was stolen and punish the thief!"Unnaturally loud voice boomed on the small forest clearing.
Anger, frustration, confusion all welled inside under the gaze of the circle of masked women. Banished! For all time and for crime i didn't commit. What was the crime? Defiling of land, law and tradition. Bringing the wrath of spirits upon us. There had been neither wrath nor doom, they had to lie.
"My ladies won't you give this matter another moment of thought?" Charming voice of a man pleaded.
"Have i not proved my good nature a dozen times over. Besides I'm but a simple entertainer how could i have been part of a plot of such proportions?" Man next to me tried to reason with open arms.
Couldn't believe it, he was trying to worm his way out of THIS!
"Do you question the wisdom of Wychlaran Yaros?!"
"My ladies no. But the crime was grave and hatred it caused could cloud the eyes of even the best of us. And what use would a musician be to you in this? My son on the other hand is a capable hunter."
He was getting desperate trying to throw me to the dogs to save himself. Honorless bastard. The silence was louder than the voice before. No! They were CONSIDERING his words! He could not get away with this. I Will not let him.

"You bastard, you drew the minds of the guards elsewhere with your songs while she did the deed! How could you not have known?!"
"Now Valer, son i swear..."
"You swear nothing! I question your honor for you are equally guilty to the crime. Face me and have the honor in death you didn't have in life, dog!"
"The challenge is justified." Boomed the voice of the masked woman.
His face was a mask of anger and desperation. Droplets of sweat forming on his forehead as he drew his dagger.
"So be it, i take no joy in this son."
"Sing your songs in afterlife!"
And i leaped to his right trying to slash open his knife hand. He dodged and thrust for my throat. Step back parry and counter. For a few seconds our blades danced drawing figures of eight in the air. This had to end quickly in fair fight he was better than me. Sweat got into his eyes and he blinked. There! an Opening, feint to the left and he followed blindly. Now kick! With a sickening crack his knee crushed under my foot. Howl of anguish filled the glade as he fell to his good knee. Still he tried. Furious slash that went too far was his doom. Step in, small slash and blood gushed out of his cut throat.

I stood there panting in the trampled grass painted red by blood and witches stared at me in silence, waiting. Rage was gone, replaced by emptiness. Emptiness and decision.
"I will be your hound. I didn't know what she was up to but i will live with her actions. I will hunt her."

[Eternalcod]

Is it not enough to live with the past while awake do i have to dream of it too? I fear my hunt is consuming me but do i dare to stop, even for a while? Does Malar watch over it's hounds constantly. Does it care? Perhaps i should concentrate on the happenings of this coast instead of my hunt. Valuable contacts can be formed this way and favors earned. But first thing first and at the moment first thing is whereabouts of Druids.

Raymond promised information on them when we first met and he has delivered. No location or contact but important news nevertheless. Circles have gone into hiding because of a faction Raymond referred to as chaos druids. A violent faction and one everyone would benefit to be rid of im sure. To fight them would possibly earn me a gratitude from the circles which might make dealing with them so much easier. Assuming Raymond spoke the truth, i have very little reason for doubt but he doesn't seem to be in his right mind. Either he has natural affinity for spirit world or he is not stable, i hope for the former.

State of mind reminds me of Wolfsong... or Triad. I need to be very carefull with him. Even though he is a brother in blades he is still three men in one and that is not natural. Atleast i shouldn't be around when he is singing, as much i hate to admit it it makes me vulnerable. And vulnerability i can't afford.

[Eternalcod]

The Circle

I haven't bothered to write for a long while. Mostly because there has been nothing significant to write about. But now, after i had almost abandoned hope i stumble into a young druid of the circle. One of those i've been looking for so long. She was in a form of a gigantic bear when we met. It is a good thing my curiosity was greater than my common sense, which told me to run.

I offered her food and after hearing i had been looking for them she brought me into the grove of the circle, a holy place live with spirits of the land. There we talked. I told her of the master that holds my leash and to my surprise she didn't drive me out of the grove or kill me. Even more surprised and honored i was when she asked if i wanted to join the circle as a warder. I agreed, though i doubt her elders allow a hound of Malar in their grove. Atleast i've made a contact now all i can do is hope. Hope that they won't turn me away and that they know, atleast a scent of the track.

I tire of my dog collar, i would prefer to return to the worship of spirits over my black furred god. But the deal has been made and i wan't to live strongly enough to not abandon the hunt i promised to the beast.

[Eternalcod]

Celebration

I've never before witnessed celebration of summer solstice and experience was pleasant. We ate, laughed, danced, drank and swam from morn to midnight. A few interesting acquiantances were made... Mostly through exchange of drinks, have to remember to get some firewine for Gumli.

Eleanor performed ritual with grace even through the disturbance caused by one bitch priestess of the frost queen. Eleanor is a strong, beautifull woman and i hate to admit it... but im envious of Raymond for his luck. No... i'll think about this no more i have more important things to do than run after women... Especially someone elses.

And a more important thing would be the pristess who tried to ruin the ceremony. One day, when im ready, i will make her run and run and run and if i catch her i will rip out her heart, drink her blood and place her crushed carcass on the altar of the Beast for animals to feast upon. That would solve two problems at once. Kill two flies with a one strike.

[Eternalcod]

Never trust a thief to put you on a right track. That lowlife seemed to know something and like a fool i am i believed him and paid. Turned out to be a dead end, good thing was that thief wasn't that hard to find for a second time. We played a game, he lost and it pleased Malar. Need to be more carefull with information i get.

I've met some curious people, like this gnome Pibbles. Clearly a wizard of some power but still a barrel of laughs, fellow so queer i can't help but to be on a good mood around him. Calls me a Bearman, little bugger.
Note: remember firewine for Skazz. I probaply have to rob a caravan again for real thing.

Met with Raymond and Eleanor on the road. They're willing to help me to get into the circle and to find... mother. Good people those two but i doubt circle is my place, i'll still help them in anyway that i can.

[Eternalcod]

Been a strange couple of days. Interesting meetings in woods, some adventure and strange persons by the campfire.
In the Woods i met one Natalie, priestess of Lathander, and Dennis friend of Raymond and Eleanor. Dennis told me that he had had a meeting with that Aurilite bitch in the past and had, with a help of a friend, brought revenge upon her. That makes me smile but im not content until i do the same by myself.

We ventured deep into the woods looking for a spirit infested mansion. What i didn't get was the purpose. I can understand why priestess of morninglord would seek such a place but this Dennis seemed to have revenge in his mind. We found the mansion, went in and with the help of Natalies god prevailed against armored horrors that dwelled within. It pains me that only foul spirits seem to manifest in these southern lands. Whole mansion we scouted but found no trace of Dennis' nemesis.
After we left i learned that though great in power this Natalie is also childish in her wrath. This was through meeting with her brother. Their fighting was none of my business so i left them to it.

Got wine for Skazz, that needed a little intimidation. Didn't find Skazz but some other people. Weird woman in black to mention one. Interesting but frustrating case.

[Eternalcod]

((I have to update this bugger more often, lot of catching up to do.))

Joy of friends

Buns are out of the oven.
Raymond and Eleanor were half dead from exhaustion after the birth, but what is weakness of body when spirit dances upon clouds. Twins they said Arianna and Lyran, boy and girl. A fine reason for toast, or hundred and that is first thing i will do once i have the chance. Twins, can't think of greater test and happines for a parent. Though what do i know if i had a child i would not know what to do with it. Good thing it is Raymond that is father then.
I gave them the bottle of jhuild i took from a merchant as i didn't have anything of greater value, atleast they are people who can appreciate it. Unlike one corpulent merchant who would only douse it's fire and sell it to folk of no worth.

This welcome meeting also spawned a seed of adventure and thought of wetting blades beside Raymond brought great joy, i've hunted alone for far too long. Alas this didn't come to pass. We were party of four when we began our journey to south Raymond, Pledge, Kain and i dangerous boredom, lust for the rush of battle in heart or glimmer of gold in our eyes most likely driving us. Tower of Durlag is our destination place i've only heard tales of.

Raymond left us at the edge of desert. I don't blame him he has a family to look after now. Rest of us had lives only for ourselves. We ventured forth over barren land towards grey mountains that loomed ahead of us.
I can nearly make out the shape of the tower now that we've made our camp. Tomorrow we shall walk in its halls and whatever that tower throws at us will be a pleasant distraction.

[Eternalcod]

In the black tower ((Dun dun duuun))

Tower rose before us only a mile away, a dark dagger struck through the heart of earth. Monument of curse, madness and death as tales tell. Upon our cliff we surveyed the path before us and most importantly, the abominations that were in our way. For a moment i thought our journey to be in vain and frustration washed over me, until Kain revealed his plan. With the help of his sorcery we would avoid the beasts, but we would have to be quick. Me and Pledge prepared ourselves for the dash as Kain cast his spells. Once final word was muttered last mystic gesture drawn in the air we ran like a wind itself, carefully not setting even one stone loose lest we were to be heard.

Through a great arched gate that hang loose and up the black steps we ran and didn't stop until in the first hall of Durlags tower. We stood in the doorway weapons already drawn staring into the darkness that waited, darknes and death it concealed. Luckily none of us was coward and we pressed forward into the halls abandoned by all but abominations that lurk within. Our eyes soon became accustomed to darkness and Kain took the lead taking us down into great halls that were laden with gold, if stories were to be believed.

Gold we didn't find, only debris, rotting tapestries and beasts that lurked in the towers depths. We made our way from room to room down narrow stairs fighting for nearly every step and for what rewards, wand and wine as old as tower itself. But what do treasures matter, few can say that they have crossed blades with drow and lived.

We were looking for a place safe enough to rest a while as we heard quiet steps from the darkness. A creature we had not seen before in those halls stood before us, hesitating in it's step. One of the blood of lower planes. It called herself Nyx claimed to be an actor and said it was lost and in dire need of help. I thought this to be a trick to lure us into certain doom and said so. Kain comfortble in his role as a leader thought not. He saw only soft curves of woman not caring about possible dangers she might bring upon us. a Woman will be that mans undoing im sure of that. He welcomed her into our company and to rest with us before we would make our escape. I didn't sleep even for a second someone has to keep eyes open even if others don't believe it necessary.

Halls were now quiet when we made our way up towards the sun. We were watched that was sure, but even beasts can learn. We stepped out of the tower into the light of rising sun gazing across wasteland now dressed in colors of rust and fire by the morning. I had been wrong about the woman.




((I've been reading a lot of Robert Howard lately.