The fight with the Trolls was short lived. I tried to get a view of the contraption that had goblins on it, but the thing looked nothing more than a cliffside. Here I was hoping that I might have been able to quietly take down an aircraft while the other’s hopefully dealt with the trolls.
I stayed put, relying on the others to defend the ship. I had Ridik prepare himself to attack a troll, but before he could, fire broke out on the aircraft and soon we were descending toward the ground. Fear should have gripped me, I could feel it under my skin, but determination to survive outweighed it and I went to the edge of the aircraft to make a leap into the shadows once I was close enough.
People died in the crash. I barely made it without a scrape. Those I ate breakfast with survived. However I lost my slate and chalk in the midst of my jumping. After a few minutes of looking I came across my slate, chipped and scratched. The chalk is still missing.
Looking around, I could spot a building in the distance. I was confident enough if we got closer I’d be able to figure out where we were. Once everyone was accounted for, there was a small debate about if we should avoid towns nearby and head right to Boradein or if going to a town would be wise so we had shelter for the night. I try to explain that I had shelter under control. That was one of the best things I learned was how to create a house for me and Roes to live in. It lasted long enough for us to rest and maybe have a bite to eat. No one seemed to believe my ability.
So I summoned a house. Everyone seemed impressed.
However, we did take off for the town just in view. We were slightly apprehensive. An aircraft crashing isn’t exactly a good thing and there was some paranoia that staying with the wreckage would bring unwanted attention to us. Yet going to the town... what if they blamed us? I don’t know. I wasn’t too concerned. I hoped to get a replacement chalk and a map while there.
As we got closer I was able to figure we were west of the Red Fist Range. We were roughly 3 to 5 days away from Boradein.The town looked like Hallowfield, a town my parents took me and my siblings as a kid. In fact there was a playwright at the time I really admired. Antonal Telthim. He was brilliant in the stories he told via stage. How I’ve missed theater...
Giver had gone off to scout the town ahead since it looked as though smoke was rising up. He returned shortly and many building had been leveled by fire. There was lots of blood too. Was this possible the work of him? Giver’s description was too inconclusive for me to want to share my suspicions. He wanted to investigate further and suggest only a few go to hopefully not draw attention. I was all for not drawing attention. So Giver took the Gnome, Goban, to go scout. I told Ridik to go look as well so I could see what they saw and gain possibly a better idea if he was behind it.
Neep, Selina, and I sat around (Thessadin was knocked out during the attack and left behind at the aircraft... I’m sure we’ll go back for him). Neep came over to me and asked if she could write something in my journal. I said sure since that was the only thing she could write to me on in private.
I would reiterate what she had confided in me, but alas I already wonder if I’ve written too much. It is suffice to say we both come from lavish worlds, but she is daft to not find great joy in banquettes and balls. To have fine clothes and people waiting on you hand and foot, what is not to love about it? Ugh I feel she’s foolish, but I must say. She is everything I ought to be. Wealthy, but not caught up in it at the expense of others. Roes would love her. She would have gotten along better with her than me if mine and Neep’s roles were switched.
With what Neep disclosed to me, had me feeling confused as well. Not about the lifestyle choice she’s chosen, but rather why she felt she should confide in me,. Granted, she did say, and I quote, “I feel you aren’t one with loose lips.” Oh, if only she knew how much I love gossip. Plus, it’s not my choice I can’t go around easily blabbing to people.
However I’ll keep her secret safe. There was something endearing about how much confidence she held in me. We did just acquaint with each other this morning. How trusting she was to confide in me, someone who must look like nothing, like filth, let alone untrustworthy. Never had I found anyone I felt willing to confide in my secrets... not even Roes. Roes was always scolding me for being inconsiderate to those around me, for thinking of myself, especially since she and I were a team. But would she really have believed me if I told her? Or would she assume I was mad and making up an elaborate story to get her to pity me more? I don’t know. At the time she was the only one who was patient with me. She, though annoyed by my selfish tendencies and incapabilities to fend for myself, stuck with me. Though I harbor some hope that I might once more obtain my body, I figured I had best get settled in to my new way of life and bury deep my secrets, avoiding the thought of divulging them with Roes.
Roes is gone now, at least temporarily. With her absence, it was easy for me to sift through all the past things, the fears I’ve suppressed with her near. How the anger toward him surfaced and how my suspicions lead to it being him behind Roes’s kidnapping. And if it is him, my revenge shall be neigh.
Oh I don’t even want to think about that though. I crave revenge, but I haven’t a clue how to go about it other than to collect forces and to take out his points of control one by one. What will I do once I get to him? If I kill him I’m condemned to this wretched body forever! And what about the poison? Eventually I’m to be no better than him right? I can’t remember. I don’t think I’ve changed over the past decade. Rather I’m fairly sure I’ve become a better person with the life I’ve lived on the streets. There is more perspective, even though I’d go back to my old life in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.
Okay, now back to the purpose of why these thoughts came up. Neep confided in me her secret. For the first time ever, I felt I could trust someone with mine. Granted, mine must seem so elaborate and inconceivable, but it seemed fair that if she trusted me, I ought to show some trust in her.
So I wrote out my secrets. She knows my name. She know’s his name. Neep knows this isn’t my body. I failed to tell her my lack of speech is a curse to prevent me from being able to divulge his secrets. How surprised he would be to know I’ve learned to communicate with my hands. Then again, it’s not like I’ve told of his dark workings, yet.
Feeling particularly vulnerable, I put the light back on Neep. Coming from a wealthy upbringing, she was too noticeable still. Even I could see she was from class the way she dressed. And if she wanted to stay hidden, especially from him (for I’m sure if he’s heard of her story he’d have his goons and guards all aware and looking for her), she needed to disguise herself.
Part of me was very excited by the idea of cutting her hair and at some point scuffing her cloak. Part of me cringed at doing something so awful. Thankfully Neep was ever enthusiastic by the idea I suggested. She was very daring too. I pulled out a ribbon and she wrapped her fair hair that hung down to her waist, just below her hairline on her neck. Carefully I cut her hair. I cringed once her hair fell around her face. It was less even than I had hoped it to be. Ugh! Why am I unable to do anything as simple as cutting hair perfectly!?
I tried to apologize, writing once we get to a town, we’ll find someone to even it up. I pulled out my mirror so she could see what I was referring to. Instead, she marveled at the transformation. To my surprise Neep loved the cut. I gave one final touch to her hair; bangs. Once more, uneven, but not as crazy as the bob she was sporting.
The only thing that would probably give Neep away now was her periapt. I asked if she could ditch it, but she said it was what helped channel her magics. I frowned. Something as special as that wouldn’t go unnoticed despite the different hair. Perhaps we can figure out a way to disguise it later.
Suddenly Ridik tells me we had best come. Oh, Neep knows about him. Apparently she caught sight of him back on the aircraft. I tugged at Neep indicating we had best get going. When we get to town, it is a smoldering mess of embers and fire. Giver and Goban are off to one side, Giver looking terrible! Despite his condition the other thought that pressed into my mind was Neep’s cloak. I tugged on it, signalling I wanted it. She willingly passed it to me to which I took it over to one of the smoldering embers and flung the cloak on it as though trying to put out a fire.
Whatever looks were passed, I ignored. Perhaps more care should have been given to Giver. However he didn’t look like he was dying, though understandably not in great condition. Once I was satisfied with the condition of Neep’s cloak, I gave it back to her. It was burnt and would wear quickly now along our travels. Hopefully at a quick glance, people will see another urchin like me. Her periapt and armor will give her away as being someone not completely of the streets, but it was a good start.
Apparently the town had some kind of monster lurking about. Goban nuked the place with fireballs and that is why they survived. The only place unscathed is the manor that belonged to Antonal. I tell Ridik to go scout it incase other creatures lurked there. Once he leaves Giver takes me aside. He actually was looking better than he had a few minutes ago.
“You know, shadow is undead, right? He like ghost,” he said to me. I gave him a confused look. I never thought of Ridik as a ghost. He was dark, shadow like. I’ve figured ghosts were more translucent and white in appearance. Giver took in my look and continued, “I’m not saying he bad, but if he hurt someone, someone in party, I have to kill him,” he explained. That irked me. And scared me. I pull my journal out and write to Giver.
I was unaware of that. All I know is he said he’d protect me. He watches my back. I’ve already told him not to attack certain people, like you and Neep. I don’t think you need to worry.
“Alright. But I told you. If he hurt someone in party, someone innocent, I have to kill him,” Giver responds. I don’t like him threatening my shadow. He was the first to come to my aid when I lost Roes. Giver may have given me food to eat, but where in there has my shadow given him reason for alarm.
But, it has only been about a week with Ridik. Did I really know him? If Giver’s right, I have made friends with a type of ghost... ugh, curse you Giver for ‘enlightening’ me! I’m just gonna stop thinking about that and hope you never has to ‘deal’ with Ridik.
People wonder if we could acquire money from the place. I tell them if not this place, I knew of places that we could get money. I got a few looks, as though I was crazy, but they’ll thank me later when we’re able to obtain funding for our needs.
Ridik tells me of the contents of the home. It seems empty. We all head there. We explore around, I finding a desk full of papers with names. Roughly 4 dozen names that mean nothing to me. I pocket them incase they prove of importance. Actually I don’t know why that would be important to me. It’s not like I have many friends left that would believe I was the really Lady Melbrit. But I held onto the papers never the less.
As I continued to explore the house, it was clearly not Antonal’s things. It was different. As though someone else lived there. But, why did that stand out to me? I hadn’t been to here in 10 years. Things change. I suppose the things I saw didn’t seem like furnishings he’d have in his home.
A scream pierced the manor. We all rushed to the attic. In there we find a girl, about 12 years of age. Something terrible had happened. I had Neep be my mouthpiece as I asked about who the new playwright was and what happened to Antonal. Antonal died of old age, which I believed. The manor was now the home of a Sophia, apparently the new playwright in town. The girl was very excited to finally be able to perform for her, but at the play, people began to change into monster? Or monster attacked? Either way, people were dying, disappearing and monsters were involved.
Giver mentions a symbol. I ask to see it. He pulls it out to show all of us. When the girl sees it, she screams and freaks out. So much, Giver grabs her and holds her until she goes unconscious. Probably the best... I wonder what the symbol represents. It wasn’t recognizable to me.
We take the girl back to the aircraft where we meet back up with a few of the survivors. Our plan is to continue on toward Lamid, a town a little further on than Hollowfield.
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