Act III: Court of the Queen of Thorns - Part 1

 Act Three - Court of the Queen of Thorns Part 1

The Shrine of Eachthighern, Pendaelen 11th 1014 YE

Damien was not sure what to think as the giant golden eagles flew him through the morning sky. One minute he was tied to a post being burned alive and the next minute there were angels singing, mighty gusts of wind and then poof he was flying through the air in the clutches of two giant eagles. This was turning out to be one of the strangest mornings of his life and that did not even taken into consideration that Garrick had declared his love for him and kissed him on his march to the execution pyre.

The camps outside the tower fell behind him as the eagles flew towards the forested hills northeast of the Watch Tower of Eammon Tor. They flew into the tree canopy at an alarming speed and Damien could feel the tree branches slapping at him. He was then suddenly dropped into a clearing and tumbled into a meadow of wildflower. Lying on his back, he looked up as the eagles flew away and wondered if Ammonar had taken pity on him or maybe it was the Saint of Swords coming to his aid.

Sitting up, he looked around and recognized he was just outside of the recently rebuilt shrine to Eachthighern. As he stood up and dusked himself off, Ivanova, Oberron, Garrick, Lozen and Avery walked out of the shrine towards him. They were all grinning madly and at that moment Damien knew they were the ones responsible for his rescuing.

Ivanova was the first to speak. “You didn’t really think we were just going to sit idly by while that fanatic burned you alive did you?”

“If they find out that you helped me escape, they will come after us all”

“Ha, Let them, I would very much like to put that Inquisitor to the question” Lozen exclaimed.

The two elven brothers stepped forward and Avery placed his hands on Damien’s shoulders “The Light Bringers don’t abandon their comrades and stand fast with their friends.”

“Hey, Can I have my ring back?” Garrick pointed at the ruby and gold ring on Damien’s finger.

Damien looked down and was surprised to see it, how in the twelve hells did that get there? Looking up at Garrick to ask how, Garrick just winked at him and blew him a kiss.

***

An hour later, Damien was wearing proper clothing and armor again. The Light Bringers were getting ready to start the journey to the Kingdom of Canolbarth. The Conclave of Clans has been dismissed with two-thirds of the clans supporting Ivanova’s claim to leadership of Selenica and the mountain elves. The other third ranged from neutral to hostile. Lord Morning Star had taken over the duty of Lord Marshall from Avery and would be remaining behind to tend to the burgeoning fortress and village taking shape around Eammon Tor.

The only thing Damien lacked was a proper weapon; the Inquisitor had confiscated all of his arms and armor. The swords had been priceless and irreplaceable. How was he supposed to be the Mortal Champion of the Saint of Swords without a fucking sword? As he brushed down his horse Maximus, he began to hear the sounds of a silver bell coming from the shrine. Dropping his brush he went to investigate the sound emitting from the shrine.

***

 “Let’s get going, we are burning daylight” Ivanova was ready to go and mounted her horse.

The Light Bringer took to their mounts and began the journey north. The heroes were in good spirits and Damien’s hand rested on the hilt of the new sword he now carried, a gift from his patron saint.

Damien shook his head as he thought “Ladies in mystic pools handing out swords, what a strange day it has truly been.”

The Southern Slopes of the Black Peak Mountains, Pendaelen 12^th-15^th 1014 YE

 

The Lightbringers huddled around their fires and did the best to dry out their gear. The journey had started out well and they had enjoyed good weather and travel. The only danger they had faced had been a hungry cave bear. Garrick had keenly observed the scratch marks on the trees before and they were alert for the approach of any bears. When one did show up, the party made short work of it and helped filled their stew pot with fresh meat.

Then the rains came and things took a turn for the worse. The party had attempted to find shelter from the powerful storm which boomed with thunder and crackled with lighting. There first attempt to find shelter turned into a disaster as they got caught in a flash flood that swept away Avery’s horse Onyx. Only the combined actions of the entire party managed to save Avery from drowning.