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

[Strifeter]

Tren thinks about the time when he had taken the soul of Faerun while he also had the soul of Lark Moonshadow with the Shard in his forearm. He concentrates on the feeling of the souls he had and trying to use that feeling to reach out into the ether.

"I wonder."

[Navarre]

You sense a subdued but powerful flux in the universe, like a tear between realities. It is approximately thirty miles west of your position but holding still.

As you imagine the world outside the castle beneath the now dark sky and silvery moon, you project that the pulse would be very close to where you last saw Lyric.

[Strifeter]

Tren smiles slightly.

"I've got something. Something very close."

[Navarre]

Inoke blinks.

"Me can't believe that worked."

Moira looks at Tren and replies thoughtfully.

"Well, Ximon created the Trust to hide the rings' energy from the powers he knew. He was never aware of the Necropolis Dreamstone, or the arcane master who created it."

[chrysalis]

"That is wonderful, Tren. And, you are welcome. I guess we are in the same boat now. Shall we proceed to your location?"

[Navarre]

Vinnrog thinks aloud.

"It late. People bashed up good. Two bad Angels in cage outside."

"Me think we should rest first."

[Strifeter]

Tren nods.

"I agree, it's been a very long day."

[Navarre]

Coby nods as well.

"Looks like Aldina has the castle working again. It can make rooms for each of us. Let us get some shut-eye so we can save the universe tomorrow."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor stretches and yawns

"Aye. E'erythin''ll be lookin' brighter wit' the sunshine."

And attempts to catch Moira's eyes as a he makes a door appear behind her. The dwarf discreetly, for nothing more than politeness sake, moves his gaze from the door to Moira a few times, before throwing the priestess a smile.

[Lutharian]

T'Ning finishes his drink.

"Aye, rest sounds good to me."

He walks towards the door, and heads off to find Rachel.

[Strifeter]

Tren heads outside into the moonlight.

Lost in his thoughts.

[Navarre]

Bedlor, you enter the bed chamber created at your whim. It is a fine dwarven chamber; round with a crackling fireplace and a large rug made from the skin of a cave bear. You find yourself grateful Aracil Starborn is not here to see it.

Spiced ale sits in a perspiring pitcher by the bed. There are two mugs.

Part of you wonders if you consciously wished for the extra mug or if somehow the castle knew your deeper desires. You then notice the domed stonework ceiling is sevent feet in height, not six.

There is a light knock at the door, one that sets your heart beating in unison. Moira slips quietly into the room, also seeming to perspire a little even though the fireplace is far across the large room.

"Di...Did you want to see me, Bedlor?" her dark blue eyes reflecting either the glow of the firelight or a light from within.

[Navarre]

T'Ning, you set off down a hallway you are sure leads outside. It turns soon to the left, then right, then maybe left again; it is difficult to say. Before you realize it, you are a bit lost in a maze of hallways you don't remember inside the relatively small castle.

Suddenly, you are grabbed from behind. Instinct sends your hands grasping at the fingers of your assailant, ready to break a digit to extricate yourself. But the hands are so small, so delicate, it gives you pause just long enough to breath in the sweet and familiar smell of peaches.

"Sneak Hug!" giggles Rachel.

Her lips, thin but moist, find yours quickly. She presses into you, her weight barely worth mentioning save for the joy of it against your body.

She pulls away and smiles. Her smile is affectionate and true but there is a sadness behind it that only you would see.

"I t'ought ye might be lookin' fir me. No one be findin' us 'ere."

"I t'ink we be needin' a place where we be safe fir a while, wot? Less o' course someone drop t'e whole kit an' caboodle o' castle onto t'e city wit' us in it."

"Wot be on yuir mind, luv?"

[Navarre]

Tren, you stand outside the floating castle. It feels cold out here as the wind whips through you.

You shiver and pull your shadowy cloak tighter around you. Only the additional trapped heat reminds you that is has been a blazing hot summer day and that the night is little cooler.

The chill you feel is emanating from within, eating into your bones. You have suffered much in your life but you have somehow always had precious little to lose. You have lost everything this day.

You do not know if it is the grief of that loss or the bitterness that you never had anything before Serena that devours your heart. It is probably both and you find absolutely no comfort in that realization.

"The moon looks more gray than silver tonight, doesn't it?" comes a slightly unsure voice behind you. Glancing, you find Aldina Gilkerson walking up to you.

Her long jet black hair frames a face more gorgeous than any you have ever seen. ... It pales to nothing next to the thought of Serena.

The young sorceress drifts across the cloud, her flight ring giving her far more levity than her expression provides. The hem of her long yellow gown flows in the breeze of the high wind as she looks past you into the night, staring at nothing.

"I want to believe we lost Jackson and Ms. Kane and the others today for a good reason. Am I a terrible, selfish person if I don't feel any reason could be good enough?"

[Strifeter]

Tren slowly looks at Aldina.

"I am not one to judge character. It would be hypocritical. There is never a good reason for death. Only the reality of the path we have chosen.

Responsibility is what matters I suppose. But then those responsible for their deaths are now gone."

Tren looks up to the moon again and sighs.