Goulden Moments

Posted 11:27 AM by Gobbler
Hello Bloggers

Hello bloggers, again.

Would you be-blooming-leive, I´ve been working quite hard. Florian, one of the frenchies, is one of the funniest blokes on the planet. He hasnt told a single joke, he's just damn funny by virtue of being french and being plastered most of the time. Plastered, languishing in his chair, "Oh ferrrrrk. What is this bull sheet?". Plastered, tottering about the street "Why are you going the wrong way you stupid? Come this way. Nooo, that way, ok." Plastere, cooking in the kitchen. "Chis. I need more chis. I like this chis. It is french chis. You want some chis? You can av some of my bocadillo id you lak. It is with chis." etc etc.

But anyhow, I have finally brought along my floppy (disc) and will put on a couple of stories. May not be to your taste at all, but you can't have all your own way can you? First of all we have a little sad story, and secondly we have, wait for it james and dan and jordi, the Epilogue to The Legacy of Petrass Nea'aren. Mayn't make a lot of sense to a lot of you, but there you have it. Thought I might as well blog it in case you're interested.

Anyhow, this place is closing so I'd better get on with it.

A Little Sad Story

Let me tell you a sad story. It is only a little story so you needn’t worry. It begins as a happy story but unfortunately at the end it is a sad one. But it is only a story, so you needn’t worry. Not all stories are happy ones, you know; remember your nursery rhymes. But, after all, they are all only stories so you really needn’t worry.

This is a story about a man. And a woman. Or, perhaps, it is a story about a boy and a girl. You see, it doesn’t really matter. It can be whichever you like. Anyway, this man was a clever man and sure of himself. He knew where he was going and he knew how to get there. At least, that is how he appeared to the people he met, and they greatly admired him for it. Some of them even told their friends about him. One day he met a girl and she greatly admired him for it too. "My," She said to herself, "this one’s a little different. He is his own person. How admirable. I find that I like him." Now, she wasn’t the only one to think like that, but of all the others we need hear no more, because after he met her and talked to her and learnt a little about her he forgot all the others and soon fell head over heels in love with her. How happy they were for a while, but only for a while. Because, you see, soon something wasn’t the same any more.

The man had been carefree before they met, when he had had just himself and his ideas, and he was content and confident that way. It was this carefree confidence that had made the girl fall in love with him to begin with, for she greatly admired that in people and always knew she might fall in love with such a man. Unfortunately for our story, the man had fallen so passionately in love with the girl he was no longer his own carefree self, for now he always thought about her as well. Of course, at first this affection suited them both bery well, but the poor man began to love her so much he thought more about her than he thought about his own ideas; he just couldn’t help himself. I suppose we shouldn’t blame him, for the girl was clever and sensible and beautifully beautiful; she was a true lady. She didn’t want to blame him either, but after a while she began to wonder where that man that she had fallen in love with had got to. Where were his independent ideas, where was his confidence, his carefree spirit that she so loved? They seemed to have gone; metamorphosed into someone that just loved her and had lost all his charm in the process. "He loves me, I know" She mused, "But what good is it if he doesn’t do the things that he once talked of, if he isn’t his own man any longer? I rather don’t think that I can love him any more." And she realised that she didn’t love this new man that he had become, and so she left him forever. The dream was over, but they both thought about it sometimes and wept, for they felt they would never find a love as strong again.

That is the end of the story. As I said, it had, unfortunately, a sad ending. I am sorry if it made you a little sad when you read it; it made me a little sad when I wrote it. But don’t worry, it is after all only a story. And when the story ends the two people in it are still young. We can’t say for sure what happens after the end of the story. Perhaps in the end they were happy, and the story finished before they got that far.

Now, I suppose, although it is just a story, in real life similar things have happened to real people. After all, there are many sad people in the world and something must have made them that way. It seems that just as love can make people the happiest in the world it can also make them the saddest. For example, there was once a man, and this is a true story, who at one stage in his life had a girlfriend and a job and a flat and friends and all the things that he wanted and he was happy and he wanted nothing more. Of all the things that were in his life, his girlfriend was the most important thing. He loved her more that life itself. One day, we don’t know why, she left him and he was alone. Although he still had his job and his flat and friends and all the other things that he wanted, he didn’t have her any longer. Without her nothing else seemed important. He didn’t go to work, he didn’t talk to his friends or even his family. Without her he was completely lost. He tried to get her back but she was gone. Because he didn’t go to work he lost his job and because he didn’t talk to his friends he lost them too, and his family could not help him because he would not talk to them and eventually they almost forgot about him too. Then, because he soon ran out of money to pay for things he had to sell all he had and eventually he couldn’t pay his rent and he had to leave his flat. And while all this was happening he just wanted his girl but she was not there. He found that if he had a lot to drink then for a little while it didn’t matter so much, but every day when he woke up he remembered his girl and so he drank more. When he had to leave the flat he found he had nowhere much to go, so he sat down in the street. He spent his last few pounds on cheap drink so that he could forget about his girl and his problems. Eventually he was drunk and he fell asleep in the street. He woke up in the street and stayed there all day and then all night. Eventually he called the street his home as there was nowhere else to call home. And everyday when he woke up he began to think about his girl and about the problems he had and he didn’t know what to do except try and forget about his problems and so he spent his days trying to forget them.

One day some time later a friend of mine saw him sitting in the street and began to talk to him. By now the man had found a friend, a dog, who looked as scruffy and dirty and unhappy as he did, but at least now they each had a friend. By now the man had had a long time to think about things even though he had not wanted to, and he thought he understood, more or less, what his problems were. "I think," He said, after they had been chatting for a little while and he had told my friend his little sad story, "I could pick myself up and find a way to get a job and a flat and get into normal life again. I know it would be difficult but I think it would be possible. But, you see, why bother? I have no incentive. The girl I loved went away and with her went my world. If I had an incentive, a new girlfriend, I think you would see me a knew man."

This conversation took place 5 years ago. Now, perhaps, the man is still there, still thinking about his girl whom he lost. But he could be anywhere by now and we don’t know if his little story is still a sad one.

The Legacy of Petrass Nea’aren

Epilogue

In her private study in Helm’s Peace, Sumantel the Steadfast sat behind her colossal, aged oak desk, busily tracing her finger across the ancient pages of the latest tome she had removed from her private library. "No, it cannot be, there must be something I have missed," she muttered frantically to herself, "there just has to be." The candles burned low and the pages turned.
Disturbed in her work by a knock at the door, she hastily concealed the tome in a drawer now almost full of them and sat back in her chair.

"Enter."

Duly the door to the chamber opened and in stepped a cloaked figure. "Ah, yes Meithelass, what news?"

"None, My Lady. The gate is silent."

"Keep me updated Meithelass."

"Yes, My Lady." Meithelass bowed and took his leave.

Sumantel retrieved the tome and continued her search. Fresh candles burned low. Pages turned. Dawn began to make its weary way across the horizon and still the pages turned. She reached the end of the tome, "And not for the first time." She mused. "There is nothing; I must be right." Setting down the tome she called out softly, "Meithelass?"

A voice came from within the room, though none but Sumantel were present. "My Lady?"

"News Meithelass, what news?"

"The gate is silent, My Lady."

"Very well Meithelass, call the Council of the Everwatch. We shall meet in thirty minutes in the Second Chamber."

"At once My Lady."

Thirty minutes. Time to pray. She secured the tome in her desk and drifted quietly into her private chapel.

***

At a little before the appointed hour, the council had already gathered; a stern group of troubled mutterings and strained faces.

"All stand for Sumantel the Steadfast, Palladin Superior, Patriarch of the Guard and Shield Protector of the Order of the Faith."

The Everwatch rose smartly to their feet as Sumantel strode to her seat at the head of the table in the small Second Chamber. Behind her the newly born daylight shone brightly through the window, silhouetting her figure. She turned, bade the six figures be seated and proceeded to address the Council of the Everwatch.

"I have called council this morning as I feel that the time has come to take action. Seven days have now passed since Alamar Evermist, Divine Seeker, was sent on his holy mission, and we have received no word. I doubt not his heart and the righteousness of my decision to appoint him his task and I doubt not that he is capable of finding the right path in Ashnaril. Yet we have not the luxury of time. It seems quite clear to me why the Cult of the Dragon were willing to launch such a powerful attack against Helm’s Peace. I am now prepared to accommodate the idea that Karsus trapped a number of dragons, this so called ‘77’ and that, using his great magic, somehow preserved his essence within the great wrym named Ashnarnethergoresh. Certainly, it seems clear, the Cult believe it. And Sammaster, the founder of the Cult, certainly wielded similar magics to those which Karsus would have needed for such a task. I believe we may assume therefore that Sammaster knew something of what Karsus had done and based his magics on Karsus’s; he may even have somehow learnt his secrets. Does anyone disagree with what I have so far said?"

Sumantel looked carefully at each of them and not one of them made a motion to speak. She went on.

"Very well then, let us accept that as the most likely explanation for what here occurred. This then puts us in grave danger. We have discovered and, regrettably in the process of capture, slain the two Shade agents within Helm’s Peace, yet they are not in themselves significant. What is significant, Everwatch, is that the Shade are interested in Helm’s Peace. They may not yet understand the significance of Ashnaril, but now that the Cult of the Dragon have taken such a bold and desperate move, we must assume that they will, and they pose a far greater potential threat than do the Cult of the Dragon, in part because we have such a limited idea of their strengths. Are we all agreed on that?"

Again the pause brought forth nothing from the Everwatch.

"Very well then, that too is agreed. There is another issue of concern, and although this still is not what concerns me the most in this whole affair, it is I consider, the most appropriate to discuss next. We know that it was neither the Cult nor the Shades who sacked Helm’s Peace, probably in the year 817 Dale Reckoning, but the forces of Bane. We do not know the strength of that force or of the strength of the forces of Helm’s Peace at that time, but the fortress was not inconsiderable and the least we can say is that Bane must have gathered significant forces for the attack. Bane must have had strong reasons for committing such a large force, and, in view of that, I do not think it is unlikely that he knew something of the land of Ashnaril and the potential power to be found there. Assist me, Everwatch, if you feel I have been diverted from the path of truth as you see it."

She paused. It was Thelor Arranme’ean the Silent Truth, Patriarch of the Divine Seekers of Helm, who broke the silence.

"What you say is well and true in our eyes, Palladin Superior, but you have brought nothing new to table this morn. Pray tell us of your other issue of concern."

"Very well," Sumantel acquiesced with a slow sigh. "Very well. It is this. My studies of what little information we have, and my prayers, have led me to one conclusion. Everwatch, you will recall for a moment one of our ancient prayers, In the Darkness, Light. A part of it reads:

"I pray I may remain the Everwatchful
And never fail to see your light.
I pray your light may guide me on
And show me the truth in all things.
I pray you keep me safe in the dark places of this world
And that without your light to guide me I may not lose the truth.

"It has long been a favourite of mine," she went on, "and yet it is peculiar to our prayers as there is a heavy air of vulnerability about it, as is exhibited in this passage. I have often felt that this prayer was the personal prayer of Petrass Nea’aren, The Everwatchful. I felt it again this morn at prayer.

"There is a question we have often asked ourselves and it is one we have never been able to find an answer to. It is this: why have neither we, nor, as far as we know, anyone else, been able to find concrete evidence of the existence of Ashnaril? Its location for example; where is it? We have the information provided by Evermist and his companions, yet that provides only clues. What I am driving at, Everwatch, is the feeling I have that Ashnaril is such a dark place as that mentioned in Nea’aren’s prayer, if we can call it his. I feel further that Nea’aren, or, and this is more likely, some of his companions, may have lost the path of truth and lost their way in Ashnaril, and that the perils that befell them there were somehow, in part at least, of their own making. Do you agree with my feeling, Everwatch?"

On this occasion it was Gustarn the Seer, the Righteous Vision, High Priest of the Everwatch, who contributed.

"I myself have encountered similar thoughts in my prayers, Palladin Superior, yet these are only thoughts and feelings. We have no evidence for what you say."

There were statements of general agreement with what Gustarn had said from the members of the Everwatch.

"Yet, Everwatch, though we cannot say this for certain, the fact that our thoughts are in general concord is to me in itself significant, and given our current dire state it is enough for me to suggest action. For, given what we have said about the intentions and actions of our enemies, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, such as they are. For not only do we potentially have enemies gathering at our gates for attack, we have to deal with a potential tradgedy in Ashnaril that, if exposed, could bring great shame upon the church of Helm, which would inevitably undermine all our great, hard work in Faerun. It would be highly irresponsible of us if we were to allow that to happen. Of these two problems, by which I mean the threat of outside attack and the potential damage to the Church if any tradgedy that took place in Ashnaril, we are capable at present of dealing with only one problem and, having neutralised the one, I perceive that the significance of the second will be greatly reduced. In short, Everwatch, I propose sealing the Ashnargate as soon as possible."

"Palladin Superior!" Interjected Tharandor the Protector, the Holy Strength, Captain of the Guard, "We do not yet know the fate of Evermist and his companions, nor of our men whom we sent to assist them. Surely it is wise to grant them more time."

"That, I grant you, Captain, is a great concern. Yet you yourself are the one most aware of our military vulnerabilities. Should an attack come in force from either the forces of the Shade or the forces of Bane, would we have the strength to resist?"

"Our numbers are reduced from the attack by the Cult of the Dragon, our defenses have been breached, we need time to regroup. Time is all that is needed!"

"And yet," Sumantel went on, "time, Captain, is precisely the one factor on which we can by no means depend."

"But to close the Ashnargate is to abandon our men in Ashnaril." Tharandor returned, "Why, with these men, good, stout men, added to our numbers, not to mention an unknown Helmian force in Ashnaril, are defenses would be greatly strengthened."

Heishiina Kaerraeus the Righteous Fury, Archmage the First of the Everwatch, made her first words of the meeting. "Your argument is erroneous, my friend and Captain, quite erroneous. The potential Helmian forces in Ashnaril, and, by extension, the fate of the forces we latterly dispatched there, are elements wholly unknown to us. They must therefore be discounted from our current discussion."

"Quite so. It may be of some comfort to you, Captain," continued Sumantel, "that it is not my intention to close the Ashnargate indefinitely. If we can neutralise for a time the magical emanations from the gate when it is in operation, and remove the possibility of any evil coming through the gate, we may hope to both reduce the interest in Helm’s Peace and neutralise any potential danger; and thereby consider reopening the gate and sending another scouting party at some point in the future. If the force we dispatched one week ago are safe, they will remain safe whether or no they are capable of returning to Helm’s Peace."

Farrius of Fruge, the Companion of Light, Chosen Cleric of the Everwatch, was the next to contribute. "I concur with the opinion that it is sensible to seal the Peacegate at this time. But I would not sit well with any decision to seal the gate without knowing exactly when we would re-open it. It is of great importance to us to find out what has occurred there, and without undue delay."

"My friend and Cleric," said Heishiina, "Your argument here too is regrettably erroneous. It is an error for us to concern ourselves with future posibilities when we have present concerns of a more pressing nature. If you are in agreement with the opinion that it is at present right for us to seal the Ashnargate, then that is all that needs to be said at this time."

"We must not lose sight of the bigger picture, Archmage the First." Returned Farrius.
Sumantel broke in, "And yet, while I agree that we must bear our broader aims in mind, we must not neglect our duties here in the present. To meet those duties I believe the best course is to seal the gate."

"Then I must agree with you." Conceded Farrius.

"Then we are in agreement as to our next course?" Asked Sumantel. There were no words of dissent. Her eyes moved about the room and rested upon the face of the small grey figure who sat, upright and neat, with closed eyes and calm expression. "And yet, Sister Bonifia, you have offered no words of council. I pray you, lend us your wisdom."

Sister Bonifia nodded slowly, saying calmly, "I, Sister Bonifia, The Witness, have nothing to add to our present discussion."

"Then we are agreed." Went on Sumantel. "Archmage the First, update us on our progress in recreating the lost Scarab."

"Truly," Said Heishiina, "We have lost much of the knowledge of our forefathers. We have yet to be able to recreate exactly the lost scarab or understand completely how it functions. Recent information discovered in our enterprises at Helm’s Rest will I believe provide us with the necessary answers. We expect to have produced magic of a similar potency in five days. The two remaining scarabs alone cannot nullify the power of the gate. At this moment I perceive two alternatives. One, we attempt immediately to create a spell using the knowledge we have, with uncertain results, which I am ready to do at your request. Two, we wait the five days until we are ready."

"Five days? We do not hope for a quicker resolution to our enquiries?" Returned Sumantel.

"Unless we entreat the help of the great minds of Faerun who may be sympathetic to our cause, we do not."

"I do not think it wise to attempt a spell without due preparation. Does anyone disagree? Then you have five days." Sumantel paused for a moment, distracted. "Yes, what is it Meithalass?"

A quiet yet clear voice sounded in the room. Meithalass spoke, "Palladin Superior, three have come through the Ashnargate."

Sumantel’s long training and study concealed perfectly the tingle of excitement and fear she felt upon hearing those words. She said calmly, "Who are they Meithalass?"

"Alamar Evermist and his two companions Sianodel Meliamne and Seren Shambling."

"What is their condition?"

"We are conducting enquiries at this moment."

"If their condition is acceptable, have them meet us in the First Chamber in fifteen minutes. Have food and drink provided."

"Very well Palladin Superior."

"Everwatch, I consider our discussion to have been eclipsed by this news, do you not?" Nobody said otherwise. "Then, the Council is adjurned. We will reconvene here in ten minutes, and learn what we may."

***

Alamar Evermist and his companions stepped through the Ashnargate into the large octagonal stone room deep in Helm’s Peace, and found themselves surrounded by a dozen heavily armed palladin knights. They discovered too that they were entirely unable to move. Seren was the first to discover that they were similarly unable to speak; he was the first that tried to. After a few seconds two gaps appeared in the line of palladins, and through each gap appeared a mage, each of whom began casting. We shall never know whether or not the three frozen companions were purturbed at what was happening as they could make no movement whatsoever. Seren, moreover, could see nothing of what was happening as he had been looking over his shoulder as he walked through the gate, presumably, judging by the position of his hands, waving at those he was leaving behind. Both Alamar and Sianodel, weapons drawn and eyes about them, could see what was happening but were quite powerless.

After two or three minutes, the mages stopped their casting. Whatever magic they had spun had had no discernable effect on the three companions. At a nod from the mages, three palladins entered the circle demarcated in the floor by a line of a soft pink stone, picked the three of them up, and carried them out of the circle. The moment they left the circle their strength returned and they were set down.

The moment his strength returned, Seren began struggling for his freedom. "Eh, eh, friend or foe, eh?" He enquired. Set down by the palladin, he was now able to look about him freely for the first time, and took in a quick visual reconnaisance of the room. "What’s this then, eh?"

"You are in Helm’s Peace." Returned the ironclad knight who had removed him from the stone circle that marked the arrival point of the Peacegate.

"That’s lucky! Say, fellows, She smiles again!" He referred to his apparently ever smiling and ever lucky deity. Seren’s fellows, Alamar and Sianodel, put away their weapons and steadied themselves, but said nothing.

A half-elf in a light blue cloak entered the room and addressed Alamar, "My Lord Alamar, I am Meithelass, Sergeant of the Guard. Welcome back."

"Our thanks, Meithelass."

"We know you are tired, but the Palladin Superior requests and requires your presence in the First Chamber in a little over ten minutes."

Alamar’s head dropped a little, when would they have leave to rest? He collected himself and raised his head. "Then lead on."

Seren realised that no-one else was going to speak his mind and it was up to him to do so. "Hey now wait a minute! How about some decent grub? I’m- I could do with a drink!" But Alamar and Sianodel were by now almost out of the room. He rushed to follow.

The dozen resumed their guard.

***

By the time Alamar and his companions reached the First Chamber, the Council of the Everwatch had reconvened and were waiting in silence. Unlike the Second Chamber, specifically designed for just seven people, the Council of the Everwatch, the First Chamber was significantly larger and could seat 30 around the sober beauty of its pale, wooden rectangular table.

As they entered the room all seven members of the Council stood to welcome them. Sumantel addressed them, "You are welcome indeed, Alamar Evermist, Divine Seeker, as are your companions, Sianodel Meliamne and Seren Shambling. You have returned to us at a most fortunate time. We know you are tired and were circumstances different you would now be resting in your beds rather than here, yet here we are. And so I must ask you to join us in council and, in your own words and your own time, to tell us of the events that have passed."

And so the three adventurers joined the council at the table and Alamar, after refreshing himself quickly from the sustenance provided on the table, began to recount the events of the last seven days.

The tale of the last seven days. Of the Ashnarith, the lizard folk indiginous to Ashnaril. Of the original humans there, descendants of the Netherese force sent there by Karsus, the greatest mage in the history of man. Of how these humans had lost their magic and had been overrun by the Ashnarith and enslaved. Of Petrass Nea’aren, the Everwatchful, and how he had, in the year 804 Dale Reckoning, carried out a successful campaign against the Ashnarith and liberated the human population. Of the crystal dragon, Ashnarnethergoresh, and the great power of Karsus that lay within. Of Nea’aren’s decision to attempt to unlock the power of Karsus and use it to carry out the will of Helm. Of the subsequent disagreement as to the wisdom of this move and the power struggle that led Nea’aren to attempt to steal the necessary implements to unlock the power of the crystal dragon. Of his capture, and of how his right arm was cut off and flung, with the great sword Arrius, that is now known as Netharius, through the Peacegate. Of how the forces loyal to Nea’aren had fled to the mountains and the newly constructed Fort Aren, built by Nea’aren to protect the Crystal Dragon from the Ashnarith. Of how those who had gone against Nea’aren, the greater number, knew that though they were right to stop Nea’aren from awakening the magic that held Karsus within the crystal dragon, they were wrong to go against their appointed leader, Petrass Nea’aren, and could thus never return to Helm’s Peace as they would all stand for treason against the church, and how they had therefore resolved to build a new society in Ashnaril, and how they had buried the Peacegate in order to protect it within their city of Ashnar, and how they had tried to track down the rebel Helmian’s who had remained loyal to Nea’aren. Of how the forces of Nea’aren had, because they were in possession of the Crystal Dragon, which the Ashnarith worshipped as a god, been able to ally with the Ashnarith and use them to wage war against the opposing faction of Helmians, those who had captured and killed their sworn leader, Nea’aren. Of how the bloody civil war had worn on more or less incessantly ever since. Of how those loyal to Nea’aren had gradually gained the upper hand and were, by the time of the arrival of Evermist and his companions, close to victory over those defending the Peacegate, and how all the Helmians that had come with them through the Ashnargate had been lost in battle. Of how no magic would work in Ashnaril due to the unknown power contained within the crystal dragon. And of how, finally, Alamar Evermist had wielded his sword, Netharius, the very same sword once wielded by Nea’aren, and how it had shone and sung, beating down the final great assault by Sul’coon, the leader of the faction loyal to Nea’aren, and of how Sul’coon was finally slain.

Alamar finally took a deep breath. He could think of nothing else. He took up his glass of water, saying "That, Palladin Superior, is the bulk of what we have to tell you."

"Your news is fantastic indeed, Seeker, truly. And what of you, Meliamne, can you add anything to what has been said?"

Sianodel removed his long pipe from his lips. "Only this," he returned, "I believe I am right in saying that up to this moment you have been careful to keep the knowledge of the Ashnargate and still moreso the land of Ashnaril limited to servants of Helm."

"That is correct. Yourself and Seren are the only two outside Helm who have been privy to any information on the subject."

"Then, Palladin Superior, I entreat you most forcefully to make friendly powers aware of the situation in Ashnaril. The Crystal Dragon is potentially a grave threat to the whole of Faerun and every step should be taken to neutralise it lest it falls into the hands of an evil power."

"We appreciate your concern on this matter and assure you that we are doing all we can."

"But without the assistance of certain important figures, in Waterdeep for example, your ability to deal with this situation is surely diminished."

"Certainly Meliamne there are many great minds in this world who could lend their knowledge and wisdom to this problem. And I assure you that when it becomes advisable to seek outside help we will immediately do so."

Heishiina Kaerraeus took her opportunity to speak and addressed Sianodel. "My dear young elf, you are thinking from too narrow a perspective and you must allow yourself to see the broader picture. The issue of the Crystal Dragon is not the only one that we must concern ourselves with here. Indeed, from what you have said, that situation is markedly more secure since your intervention."

"And indeed," Added Farrius of Fruge, "we must be allowed time to look to our brethren in Ashnaril and tend to their needs."

Sianodel sighed. He had said his piece. "I have voiced my concerns and you have heard them. You will keep your own council."

Sumantel smiled gently. "It is well that you have spoke your mind, Meliamne. And you, Seren, what are your thoughts?"

Seren looked up from his plate, and put down his glass of wine. Well, it was empty anyway. He let it hit the table with a clunk. "Lady, you’ll let me speak my mind? I know you’ve got your own way of doing things and saying things but those ways arent my ways, if you understand me."
Sianodel raised an eyebrow. Alamar let his gaze rest upon a tapestry on the wall that he had never found remotely interesting before, some scene from the chronicles of Helm. The Everwatch stared at Seren in something approaching astonishment. All except Sister Bonifia, who, eyes still closed and expression utterly unchanged, merely turned in his direction, and Sumantel, who looked upon him with gentler eyes than before. "Tell us, Seren, in your own time and your own words."

"Right. I’ll tell you, Lady, I’ll tell you all, there is one thing that’s not been told here yet. We were damned lucky. I don’t think anyone here realises just how lucky we were. Alamar, waving his shining sword about too and fro, well, I don’t think he realises just how close it was. Sianodel, well, I’m not sure he understands what luck is. Plain simple truth is, we should’ve lost. And if we had of, we’d all be in a big load of bother right now. Just you bear that in mind. See," He went on, "me, I’m a one for chancing. Here today, gone tomorrow, that’s how I live my life and I’m happy with it. But you lot, you Helmians, you’re not ones for taking chances, you like to be sure. And if you go and ignore the advice just given you here by Sianodel, just so’s you can save your airs and graces over the mess you’ve got yourselves into in Ashnaril, just you understand that you’re taking a great risk and if it doesn’t pay off you’ll all be for it. Well, that’s my tuppence worth for you."

"This man speaks with a good heart," Said Gustarn the Seer, "And his outlook on life gives him a point of view unique among us. I for one am glad to hear your words, Seren, and will remember them."

Seren was unsure how to react. "It’s just my point of view." He said, almost affronted.

"We are grateful for it, Seren, and we thank you." Replied Sumantel. "And now, gentlemen," addressing Sianodel and Seren, "we must ask you to take your leave. I am sure you are tired, and would appreciate the chance to rest. Your rooms are prepared and ready. I fear I must remind you of your oath gentlemen. I say this to you, Meliamne, but especially to you, Seren Shambling, as one who is by nature quick to take chances. You have sworn never to utter to anyone anything about Helm’s Peace as regards Ashnaril, the things you have heard and seen in Ashnaril, and the same therefore applies to what has been discussed in this room this morning. This is a Helmian matter, for the present, and we will brook no interference. Any breach of this oath, as you are aware, constitutes in the eyes of our Church the grossest treason. I am sorry to end this conference on that sour note, but these things must be said."

"We are aware of the shackles in which you have bound us, Palladin Superior." Said Sianodel, without mirth.

"What you have said Meliamne is regrettably quite accurate. We will attempt to ensure that you are satisfactorily rewarded for your invaluable services to Helm. And, of course, the same to you, Seren Shambling. I invite you to stay with us for as long as you wish, and at least until tomorrow. Tonight it is our wish that we should join for a little supper. And so, gentlemen, we must ask for a private moment with Lord Evermist, Divine Seeker."

"We take our leave, Palladin Superior." Said Sianodel.

"Aye, Lady, we do." Echoed Seren, and both left the room.

Sumantel began to speak once more. "Alamar Evermist, Divine Seeker, from what you have told us I perceive that we were right to put our faith in you."

"I am honoured to have been chosen for this task." He replied.

"Ah," she went on, "but it was not we who chose you, Evermist. You were the one who gained possession of Netharius, the only one who could wield the great sword, and you were therefore the only realistic choice."

"Palladin Superior, I must ask. What power does the sword contain, what are its origins? Never have I seen a weapon shine and sing as did Netharius, and never did I feel such strength as I did when I yielded it that day. I don’t think it was I who defeated Sul’coon, but Netharius."

"Truly, we are uncertain of the origins of the weapon. What happened in the battle against Sul’coon does not however come as a complete surprise. There is legend of a Holy Relic, a sword, that carried with it the will of Helm and which would, when the forces of Helm were in dire need, become imbued with the spirit of Helm himself and beat down his enemies. Of its sort, this relic is the most powerful the followers of Helm possess. This Holy Relic was long thought lost, and with good reason. For although we believed that Petrass Nea’aren the Everwatchful wielded the sword, which was said to sing and shine in times of great peril, we believed him lost. Indeed he was lost, in Ashnaril, yet the Helmians there had the foresight, or perhaps, after what Seren Shambling has said, the simple luck, to pass the sword, and the Everwatchful’s right arm, back through the Peacegate, whereafter it was interred in Helm’s Peace until you discovered it. Not only was the weapons former wielder lost, but the sword takes its name from the previous wielder which, since Nea’aren was lost, made it most difficult to find. We know that the sword was named Arrius when The Everwatchful wielded it, and that it was an ancient weapon even then, that it was thereafter called Nea’aren, then Netharius, and we believe it will soon be called Evermist."

Alamar was having some difficulty in coming to terms with what he had just heard, but on hearing the last few words had to speak. "Palladin Superior?"

"You are young, Lord Evermist, and you wish to explore the world with your companions. We know that your task in Ashnaril was put upon you, and you bore it as a duty, and bore it well, but we believe you would not have embraced the task of your own accord. Now that we have recovered this holy relic, which we believe it to be, we do not wish to chance losing it again. And so we must put a choice before you." She pointed out one of the men to her left. Thelor Arranme’ean sat in a light blue cloak, and had quick, iron features; most particularly, Alamar was soon to notice, his intense, narrow brown eyes that appeared to see all and nothing. "The Patriarch of the Divine Seekers of Helm, Thelor Arranme’ean, the Silent Truth, has agreed to tutor you in the way of the Divine Seeker. He believes you will make a most capable student and I am not in a position to disagree."

"I am ready to accept the task of optimising your skills." Agreed Thelor.

"How long will this tutorship last?" Asked Alamar.

"Fortunately," said Thelor, "You have already begun along the path and have a grasp of the rudimentaries. I anticipate that a period of two years would be sufficient to gain a basic understanding of all the key elements."

Alamar was taken aback. "But I already know a good deal. Can’t the tutorship be done more quickly? Two years is a long time."

"The tutorship involves not only the necessary physical training but also, and this is equally important, the mental and spiritual training. I would not attempt to undertake such training in anything less than two years. For your mind is eager, Evermist, and your spirit is willing, but neither are prepared fully for the demands of the Divine Seeker."

"How can you say that? Surely I have proved both my mental and spiritual mettle in Ashnaril?"
"From what you have told us, you allowed yourself to be guided by your feelings and in doing so made the right choice. That, in itself, shows great promise. But the Divine Seeker must know the right choices, even before he is confronted by them. There can be no room for doubt, or the Divine Seekers mission is in peril from the first. The ideal way to achieve that is through specialised, dedicated training."

Alamar struggled to find a satisfactory reply to what had been said to him. Before he succeeded, Sumantel spoke. "There is yet another element to this choice which may well sway your deliberations. During the course of this training you could have little contact with potentially damaging outside elements. This would include your current companions Sianodel Meliamne and Seren Shambling."

"Potentially damaging? What do you mean?"

Sumantel answered. "Potentially damaging, yes. For example, if they were to entreat you to assist them in some great task, you would be tempted to help them. Or if your old companion Barak Uruk Moriak were to come to you and entreat you to assist him in some desperate endeavour, you would struggle to resist. Therefore these outside elements are potentially damaging to the training. Once begun, it should not be interrupted."

"But that is a great deal to ask of me, Palladin Superior." Said Alamar.

"Lord Evermist, we do not ask it of you. We simply offer it to you." Replied Sumantel.

"You said you would offer me a choice. What is my other choice?"

"If you wish to leave Helm’s Peace and pursue your own endeavours, we must ask you to give up Netharius to us. Your path may take you into mortal danger, and we should not like to see the sword fall out of our hands once more."

"You will not force me to surrender Netharius?"

"At present the weapon is yours. But given its importance we would expect you to give it freely."

"I understand. Who would take up Netharius after me?"

"After you had given up Netharius it would be named Evermist, after you, as is the custom. We will pray on the subject and find a new wielder."

"And when do you want my decision?"

"We require it by tomorrow morning." Replied Sumantel.

"But that is only a day! It is a big decision."

Gustarn the Seer answered him. "In matters of faith, such as this, a day is sufficient time. For if there is any doubt in your heart, already you know what your answer must be."

"Then I will take what time I have. And if there is nothing more, Palladin Superior, I will now take my leave."

"There is one thing more, for the present." She replied, "You are no longer Lord Alamar Evermist, Divine Seeker."

"No, Paladin Superior?"

"No indeed!" Interjected Farrius of Fruge, excitedly.

All eyes rested upon Alamar. It was Sister Bonifia, The Witness, who had remained silent throughout and who now, still with closed eyes and calm expression, addressed him in soft, clear tones. "To those of us who walk the path of Helm, you are no longer simply Lord Alamar Evermist, Divine Seeker. To us you are The Bright Light, and your name will be remembered."

***

At the appointed hour the three companions rejoined the Everwatch for the celebration dinner in the private dining room of the Everwatch. One member of the Everwatch, Sister Bonifia, was strangely absent. It was a quiet affair; Sumantel had politely declined Seren’s request to bring along ‘some friends’ from ‘around about’; yet it was pleasant.

Alamar spent much of the meal in quiet discussion with Thelor Arranme’ean, and learnt how he had earned his appellation, The Silent Truth. Alamar asked many questions, and nodded in quiet concentration to the answers he was given. At the request of Farrius of Fruge, Chosen Cleric, whom both Alamar and Sianodel had met two years before; when Helm’s Peace was still a ruin, Fruge still a small and dieing village, and Farrius still a simple churchman in the Helmian Temple in Fruge, Alamar, helped in places by Sianodel, retold the story of how, after meeting Farrius, they had gone on to solve the mystery of Eleth-Eleth-Eloul and defeat the Baneite Pohtzuun and his lieutenant known to them only as the Dark Hand and how one of the protecting scarabs of the Ashnargate had been destroyed in the process, and of more recent tales that led up to the present moment.

Seren, who had, before the meal, felt that he would be outnumbered by dull people nine to one, happily discovered that it was possible to have, as he saw it, a reasonable enough conversation with Farrius of Fruge. Farrius was the most free spirited of the Everwatch, and the youngest. He enjoyed the tales that Alamar recounted, and enjoyed also the frequent interjections that Seren made once his story became a part of the whole. As did Gustarn the Seer who, though he accepted that Seren exagerrated a little too much, appreciated the raw honesty of his words.

Sianodel, who had not forgotten that Heishiina Kaerraeus, Archmage the First, had referred to him as ‘My dear young elf’, engaged in conversation with her and was quietly surprised that she was an elf like him, from far to the south east, and was considerably older than he was. Like everyone else, he found her conversation to be at times caustic and blunt, but he appreciated her considerable intellect and found her most agreeable. To him she was an enigma: an elf, a mage, a devout follower of Helm and from a land he knew little of. Yet Heishiina was not the sort who volunteered answers, and most of his questions went unasked.

At one point in the evening Sianodel addressed Sumantel, "Excuse me Palladin Superior, may I enquire as to where Sister Bonifia is this evening? Her absense is a little strange to me."

"Sister Bonifia has her own ways. She prefers to spend most of her time in prayer."

"Why, if I may ask, is she referred to as The Witness?"

"Many of us in the service of Helm carry an appellation of a similar nature. They are bestowed upon us in recognition of a particular service or trial endured in the service of Helm. I for example, am known as The Steadfast, owing to various trials I passed through in my youth. Sister Bonifia is special among us. In her youth she was blessed to receive a message from Helm himself. She is the only one among us who has seen Helm face to face, and has spoken with him. It is because of this that she carries the appellation ‘The Witness’."

"And she was blinded by this extraordinary meeting?"

"Oh no, Sianodel Meliamne, she is perfectly able to see, though I understand why you came to that conclusion. She says that after her experience she found all the sights in the world quite dull to her eyes, and prefers to keep them closed with the image of our god in her mind."

"I see. My thanks, I hope I did not appear too inquisitive."

"You are a considerate listener. It is well."

They came to the end of the meal. After due course Sumantel stood and beckoned the group to be silent. She addressed the three companions. "Gentlemen, we have almost come to the end of our evening. I do not know if we shall have the opportunity to meet again together like this as we must all attend to our duties on the morrow. I for one have had a most pleasant evening and have allowed myself to forget for a while the swirling troubles that surround us all at this time. It is now time for us, as the Everwatch, to thank you once again for what you have done. We would like to give you a parting gift as a token of our thanks.

"Firstly, you, Sianodel Meliamne. It is hard for us to provide you with something that you will find useful in your future travels. We know that you are guided by a good heart and a sound concience, and believe that you will have little difficulty in finding the right path. There may be times, however, when the darkness closes in and you cannot see the way; when even the ever watchful become lost. Archmage The First, Heishiina Kaerraeus, The Righteous Fury, has therefore suggested and we have all agreed, to offer you this tome of wisdom, ‘The Strength of Light’. It is an artefact from Archmage The First’s own collection, and its origins lie with her own people. It is written in her own dialect but I trust that after a little practice you will be able to read it quite easily."

"I thank you, it is a great gift indeed."

"Moreover, we are aware of the number of times your great skill with the bow has allowed you and your companions to fight your way out of danger. This was particularly true during the recent difficulties in Ashnaril. We would like to let it be known that from now on you shall be known among the followers of Helm as Sianodel Meliamne, the Clear Sight."

"Again, Palladin Superior, I am honoured."

"I am glad, Sianodel Meliamne, the Clear Sight. And with you, Seren Shambling, it has been harder still to find a way to thank you. One thought was to offer you a quantity of gold, yet that is how we thank mercenaries, and you are rather more. Unfortunately I doubt there is any Helmian artefact that you could find any use for. Happily, Farrius of Fruge, Chosen Cleric, with whom I am pleased to say you have spent much of the evening talking to, suggested the answer we have agreed on. It is an item or rather collection of items that had been sitting in the secret vaults of his temple in Fruge since before he was born, and it is the sort of item that a follower of Helm would find no use for. But I imagine they would suit your approach to life, and as such we have agreed to offer them to you." She produced a small, tatty, black wooden box and opened it to reveal, nestled neatly within the red felt, five stone dice of normal size. "These are not normal dice, needless to say. They will of course operate as normal dice, should you wish to use them as such. Yet each side of the dice is imbued with an extremely powerful spell. To enact the spell you must throw a die at an enemy and utter the necessary incantation. The spell related to the side that first strikes the opponent will take effect. However, half of the spells have a positive effect and the other half a negative effect, making the outcome purely down to chance. Certainly the idea of using it does not appeal to me, but we felt that you might feel rather differently."

Seren smiled broadly. "Too right I do, that is right up my street, I thank you heartily. Oh, but which side does what?"

"As far as I am aware, if the enemy is struck with a one, he will return to full health and he will be immune to all damage for one minute, physical or otherwise; a two, his strength and all his attributes (dex, con, etc) will be vastly increased for the duration of one hour (+4); a three, his speed will vastly increase so that he will be able to rain blows upon you twice as quickly; a four his speed will slow to half his normal speed; a five, his strength and all his attributes (dex, con, etc) will be vastly decreased for the duration of one hour (-4); and if the die strikes the enemy on the side with the number six, it will kill him instantly unless he is of collosal physical power or mental endurance. (Power Word Kill, DC30) Futhermore, the dice must be thrown, they cannot simply be activated, and the enemy must be about one and a half times your own hight away from you."

"Why is that?"

"I do not know, Seren Shambling," Answered Sumantel, "I did not make the things and frankly want nothing to do with them."

"Well, I do. What's the password?"

"’Smile upon me’, I believe. You must say the words as the die is in the air."

"Lady, this is great. I don’t know how to thank you!"

"Seren Shambling, we are thanking you."

"Oh yes, quite right. Well, you’re welcome."

"There is one more thing, Seren Shambling. For your faith in your deity and the fortune it has so far brought you, and your willingness to journey with Lord Alamar to Ashnaril even though an uncertain fate awaited you-"

Seren broke in, "Actually, ah Palladin Superior, I didn’t want to go."

Sumantel smiled. "No?"

"No. Didn’t think it was a very good idea, you see."

"Then why did you go?"

"I tossed a coin and took a chance. That’s the way it goes."

"Then in the end you were willing to go, against your better judgement. You trusted to luck. In the light of this, the Everwatch has decided that, from now on you shall be known to us as Seren Shambling, the Trusting."

"Hmm," thought Seren, "I guess that’s just about fair enough."

Sumantel went on, glad finally to be getting to the end of her speech. "Finally, Lord Alamar Evermist, the Bright Light, Divine Seeker, we must thank you. I do not have an item to give you to show our thanks. I believe, however, that Sister Bonifia is waiting for you in the side chapel of the church. If you would please join her there at the end of this gathering we would all be grateful."

"Palladin Superior, I will do so." He replied.

"In that case, if all our current needs are tended to, I must ask you to excuse me. Today has been a busy day." With the group bade their farewells and began to break up for the night.

***

Alamar made his way to the side chapel of the church. There, in the candlelight, he found Sister Bonifia kneeling at prayer. He took the opportunity to make a quick prayer of his own.
The moment he had finished, some minutes later, before he had even opened his eyes or began to stir, Sister Bonifia addressed him. "I will not keep you long, Bright Light. I know that you have much to do before giving your answer tomorrow, although I think we both already know what your decision will be. I am here to tell you that as long as you walk with Helm, Helm will walk with you. You are blessed, Bright Light, truly and from this day forward, you are blessed." (Alamar permanently blessed as per the spell) Alamar said nothing. He was in the right place for how he now felt, and he stayed there for some hours longer.

End of the fricking incredibly long ‘Epiliogue’

Any questions about stuff that I have missed dan etc, let me know. Dan, I know you gave me a massive list of questions but I cant remember what they were. Anyway, tld you Id write the bugger one day!