Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 74- Where It All Began

[Navarre]

Warsong hums with magical power, lying directly positioned on the table between you and Coby Wayne. Coby stares at it then looks to you.

"Yer dang right. We been fightin' everyone fer years 'cause all they do is fight among themselves. We called ourselves 'Defenders' but all we ever seemed to do was stop one fight already happening b'fore runnin' off to the next."

"We're a sun late and a Courtly short. And now we finally paid the price for that."

"We both lost some really good people out there, Bedlor. And dammit all, we don't even have time to grieve before someone stokes the fires all the higher."

"I don't know what Tren's playin' at but I ain't in no mood fer games. Every minute we run around like chickens pluckin' at whatever corn's thrown in front of us, gives the real powers around here to see their goals done."

"We gotta get to the source o' things, and now. The only ones I know that can put right to all this are the Primordial but they need the Trust to do it."

"We ain't got the rings. Liv said she knows where the Primordial can be found but we ain't got them either 'less they're in someone's pack."

"I don't know why yer hammer chose me or why I started dreamin' of y'all last night. But if there's some kinda prophesy or something with us then let's see it done."

"Sure, I'll work with ya to see how we might use Warsong together. I'm quick and nimble and I can fly. That's gotta work well with a strong, steady guy with yer...um, physique."

"I say we get Aldina and anyone good with magic to make sure this castle don't get shut down again while the rest of us focus on the best (and by best I mean 'fastest') way to get the Trust and the Primordial here with us."

"Tren might be stirring trouble, meaning to or not, but chasing him around is wasting time we don't have. We need to stop reacting to the immediate paint splatters and take care of the big picture."

[Gaumer]

"I be glad we be seein' eye to eye, mate. We can'ta be bringin' down our chances o' savin' the world from what be threaten it now by our desires to save the world from what ails it. Aye, a venom'll kill a dwarf but sure'n a dagger to 'is neck be the direct need. We'll be needin' to persuade 'im to that thinkin'. Sure'n 'e'll be seein' things that way or I'll be tellin' 'im more direct what we think.

Right now our aims should be where they be 'fore the battle. Since the castle fallin' be givin' us up an' Tren be makin' such worse, I not be knowin' if'n we can e'en be enterin' that town. But Tren may 'ave 'ad the one we be lookin' for, the limpin' man, change 'is own plans on comin' to the West city. Either way, we need to keep searchin' 'ere. I not be knowin' any other thing for us to be doin'.

Warsong be a powerful weapon. Can be flung as far as the one flingin' 'im can be seein', an' comin' back just the same. Dubya be tellin' that 'e comes back to the one o' us that be closer. We be needin' to work that to 'elp us when next we fight. But, um...sure'n ye be 'avin' no trouble wit' me carryin' the weapon? I be talkin' a bit a slight 'gainst this weapon, but it be the title an' the weight it carries that be the 'eaviest o' weights. But sharin' that burden be yerself. It be makin' my day, if'n I be tellin' true. Just be knowin' that it be the shared weight o' e'ery 'uman man, women an' child in this world. A great number o' which be walkin' the streets o' that town under our feet that, by my 'earin', be threatened by a elf wit' bigger britches than 'e should be carryin'. I say it only so ye can be known' my thinkin's on both the title we now share an' the 'appenin's o' this very day. We must be united as the shared Protector in this front, mate.

Sure'n we need to be 'avin' a third in this meetin'."

[Strifeter]

Tren smiles.

"I with all your boasting you have now told me yours. Not quite sure if you realize or not. But as it seems my time with all of this is now over."

Tren turns around and walks into the forest.

"I was always better off alone anyway...."

[Navarre]

Coby nods.

"I'm with ya on all counts, mate. What third ya be thinkin' of?"

[Gaumer]

"Well, Tren, mate.

'E be 'avin' the ways 'bout 'im to be a great leader; e'erything but patience.

Two edges o' that sword, by my seein', an' that be the trouble. Tren actin' by 'is wits be 'is sharpest dagger; keepin' it in the scabbard when it needs to be be the trouble. 'Arder still wit' our losses. *sigh*

But if'n any be doubtin' us at war they be swayed now. Sure'n we be 'avin' an army to muster, mate.

Let's go speak to Tren."

Bedlor walks outside.

[Navarre]

Lyric calmly watches you leave without saying a word.

[Navarre]

Bedlor, you and Coby exit the tea room to find your allies and friends all looking westward. Following their gaze, you see a magically glowing symbol of Illumian fading over the western edge of Gallia forest. The position of it tells of an origin within the contested lands of Illumian's holding patrolled by the Elves of the Forest of Ages.

[Gaumer]

Bedlor thinks fast and heads toward Valiant

"I need a contingent with me to check on this. Who be wit' me?"

and mounts his winged steed.

[Navarre]

Aldina looks to Coby and replies.

"I need to stay here and examine the castle further to assure there's no lasting damage or threat of another fall."

She removes her flight ring.

"Who wants to borrow this?"

[Gaumer]

"We still need a group lookin' for the Trust. This could be nothin' but way to be splittin' us up further. Wit'out the Trust e'erything we do an' lost be for nothin'."

[Navarre]

Aphra looks to you.

"You're the Alpha. You pick your packs and I'll follow."

Vinnrog nods.

[Gaumer]

"Thank ye both for volunteerin'." Bedlor smiles

"An' stop callin' me the alpha.

Coby, take the lead 'ere. Keep the castle safe 'bove all, but be settin' out to search for the Trust. We three'll check on that light. Not to worry, we just be givin' a look. If'n things be too much for us we'll be gettin' word back one way or another. Be keepin' a lookout eyed in that direction.

Ye two ready?"

[Navarre]

Vinnrog gives Inokes arm a light squeeze, assuring her of his speedy and safe return, and nods.

"We ready."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor turns and looks at Coby

"That works both ways, mate. If'n trouble comes as soon as we leave be sendin' word. Sure'n the bird'll be 'andy."

And back to Vin and Aphra.

"Stay close until we know what we be up 'gainst. Easier to keep eyes in all direction.

Be off, Valiant! Hiya!"

And sets off toward the light.

[Strifeter]

Tren continues to move through the forest lost in his own thoughts.

*Thoughts in head* "You're better off alone. I gives the team a chance. If Lyric plans to use me to further her mission then I may be playing into her hand now. Think about it for a second. Her goal is to cause a war. A war between two already offset sides.

What do I care. Now matter what the environment i'll survive. I have before and I will again. Yet I still couldn't save Serena. Blast it to hell there has to be a way to reverse this. I am going in circles.

Enghart with his never split the party mentality. We are too big. To many different things could point us out in and blame us. Defenders. They are more like targets.

Already I know who must be behind this. 'other universe to rule she said' means a nexus is a target. I only know one right now. I suppose I could try to take his soul again. Then I would be the target even more so.

Better me than them. They stick together they are easy to find.

Ah dammit to hell I won't even let myself believe shes dead."