Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 76- Shadows in the Sun

[Navarre]

Aerik frowns but nods. He and Aphra move into the crowd, leaving you to act as you will.

[Strifeter]

Tren moves to the wall and tries to fly over it. He removes the pin from his pocket and places it forward.

He prays that they don't open fire on him.

[Navarre]

You fly over the upper edge of the wall and move directly toward the war party. You see them, moving quickly across the open fields.

They wear cloaks that cause their forms to fade and blend with their surroundings at each step. If you had not been looking for them you might have missed them entirely.

They see you though. The leader of the party stops and watches you approach. All bows are nocked and ready to fire on you as you land in front of him.

"Halt. You are the brother we have heard mentioned. Why are you in the human city on the cusp of our attack?"

[Strifeter]

Tren looks over the war party and then back to the leader.

"Yes I am the brother you have heard. I was tasked with finding the princess who at last believed had been moved here.

Please tell me, why is it you are an a direct path to war with this city?"

Tren raises his hands slowly with a look of curiosity.

[Navarre]

The Elf replies.

"Last night we saw a signal cast into the sky; Illumian's symbol. It was in the western woods, those lands in dispute by our people and those of Illumian."

"We followed the signal to find a small party of Illumian's priests within the forest near the road to this city. The arrows were black with green fletching; our colors."

"We did not make the attack but we know several of our Scouts have gone missing. We heard they had joined you, despite their oaths to Sashca."

"Then we saw the party now within your walls move into the forest to investigate. We believe the slain priests to have been with them, perhaps an advance party."

"The party is led by the high priest of Illumian and the lord of the Dwarves. Their men are soldiers, well-armed."

"Never has Pontiff Rashai been to this area. Something draws her here."

"We believe they know of our Princess Iridia's capture and that she is being held in the city, awaiting the Pontiff's arrival. We intend to see her returned and those responsible to pay."

[Gaumer]

As the Monks of the Lone Pine fade into the crowd entirely, Pontiff Moira Rashai places her hands together as if in prayer as she replies to you, Bedlor.

"I can send word to my and the Lord Commander's people to cease fighting, yes. But we must have some measure of assurance toward the safety of our people first."

"I will ask that those loyal to Illumian withdraw to our own holding's borders, making no encroachment upon other holdings, until we have resolved this. But how do you seek to get work to so many races so far away? And have you considered how the other Einshar may react to this sudden assault on their plans of world conquest?"

"We will seek out as many as we can be as soon as we can be, but sure'n I can be offerin' nothin' that I 'ave yet to be gainin'. The white flags o' peace from yer own 'oldin's should be 'nough.

The gods be nothin' I can be controllin', or any o' us 'ere, by my seein'. But any that would take to conquest o' this world, god or other, should be 'avin' their plans assaulted. Their aim already be on the all o' this world. I be seein' nothin' to be changin'."

[Navarre]

Pontiff Rashai smiles.

"All very well said and true."

"If you will forgive me then, I need to settle in. It has been a terribly long ride and I am not accustomed to that. I would have much rather swam but that would scare the fisherman, would it not?" she laughs delightfully.

"I have had lodging reserved for me and my party at the Light Haven Inn. Would you care to dine with us this evening where we may make plans for treaties and deepen our new bond of friendship?"

[Gaumer]

The dwarf gives the pontiff a slight smile before moving to mount Valiant and giving the nod for his group to move. Once in the saddle, Bedlor speaks

"Sure'n I not be 'avin' time or station to be writin' treaties an' such, yer pontiffship. Sure'n we'll be seein' one 'nother 'gain."

the last word said more as a threatening promise or challenge.

Bedlor then turns his attention to the crowds still looking on

"Forward! The steps taken 'ere today move the all o' this world FORWARD!! Remember ye all these moments ye witness wit' yer own sense, for it will be the tales o' bards an' the beginnin' o' a story that yer grandchildren an' their grandchildren will be slippin' off to sleep by for generation to come.

But do not be restin' on this victory, my friends. Stand stronger in the knowin' that we can be movin' forward 'gainst 'em who would push ye back. An' know that this path be 'ard one an' the journey be at its earliest o' steps. But we 'ave taken those steps together. An' I will be seein' to it that more o' this world walks wit' us on that path, toward unity."

Bedlor urges his mount and friend to rear up and spread his wings, before taking him to run and finally to flight toward the cloud castle.

[Navarre]

Valiant whinnies, rearing into inspiring stance, before taking flight toward the castle above. Your party flies with you, soaring upward.

It is only after you have cleared the city walls that you see Tren in the western field. He is surrounded by twenty-some Elves, all with bows trained on him.

[Gaumer]

Bedlor changes Valiant's direction, flying toward the imperiled Tren.

[Navarre]

Tren, you and the Elves see your approaching friends.

[Strifeter]

Tren looks up to the sky and then back to the war party.

"I see my friend has noticed you as well. You see I believe I have found the one responsible for the kidnapping of your princess. I was looking for her and found her here.

You see I killed the angel known as the tormentor yesterday. We were attacked on that castle by illuminated angels and we were forced to defend ourselves.

We lost many good friends. When I proceeded to where some of the angels had fallen I found her. And elf known as Lyric. She was the one who sent Illuminated signal.

There is a plot afoot centered around dark tomorrow and their desire to send this world into war. You have been tricked into thinking it was illuminated pontiffs doing when they have been led to believe that it was you who through the first volley.

I beg you here as I stand allow the chance to speak before your arrows fly. Too many innocents have died already. I can prove Dark Tomorrows involvement. And my friend who rides here now has convinced the Pontiffs and her dwarf to speak with you at first chance.

[Navarre]

The Elven war chief narrows his eyes and looks at the approaching party.

"It would seem to be Illumian's high priestess and the leader of the Dwarves you call friends. They are wise to bear no weapons to us."

"In the interest of Princess Iridia's life, I will pardon them to land and speak. But we have lost all patience for lies and we will kill all of you at the first wrong word."

[Strifeter]

Tren nods and waits for his allies to arrive. Better they explain who they are than himself.

[Gaumer]

Bedlor lands and nods toward the elves before addressing Tren

"Oi, ye always be findin' yerself at the wrong end o' an arrow, mate. Sure'n we be set to bring the all o' the world together...again, but ye be needin' to be workin' a bit on the whole makin' friends thing.

What be goin' on 'ere, mates?"