Chapter 15: With Uncertain Ends

[Jeff]

Kurra walks over to Thul. "I'll take the stein back when you're finished...and your knife." She plants her hands on her hips. "We may have missed out on the food supplies that would have made this trip more enjoyable, but I've got what counts. Leave me the blade, and I'll see what I can do."

The artificer looks around as though taking mental inventory. She then walks over to Adamant and grabs one empty hand of his. She presses all the fingers of one of her hands together, speaks words of magic, then she traces a glowing into his metal palm. As the light fades again, he feels his body repairing itself swiftly. He's not felt the repairing magic of an artificer for a while now—not since the dwarf named Drüth repaired him in some workshop within the Bazaar of Stormreach. More than a week ago, that was. That dwarf, also an artificer, had been a friend of Spindrift's.

Kurra then slaps Adamant on the arm. "Use me while you've got me," she said. "Repairs are free so long as you're defending this ship. And if you want a touch-up, come to the curtain of my cabin, call out, but don't ever come in unless I say so."

---

Adamant has 21 hit points restored by Kurra's Repair Moderate Damage infusion.

[Dave W.]

Adamant's eye-gems brighten as Kurra works her art. "Thank you, this is relief more than I can express."

"I will come visit you, perhaps tomorrow if it is quiet."

[Darren]

Kal tries to stifle a yawn, then gives up and lets the one behind it fly free. "We should speak more in the morning," he says to Sem and Starg. "Kurra, let us know if you need any of us this night. Otherwise, we have had a day far longer than any expected. Thank you for your help and for the Captain's hospitality." Stopping at the hatch to below decks, Kal says, "Until the morning...."

_____________________
Ready to continue.

[Brian]

Melethos lifts his sword in a silent salute to the fallen Marshall. He is too familiar with the brutality of war, but to change a man so completely? No one should suffer such a fate.

His thoughts drift to Syrdan, left behind in Dolurrh. What trials did he face; does he face?

He forces his thoughts back to the present. If they didn't come together as a group, they may find out the elf's fate quicker than they would want.

The night is passing. Melethos heads below deck to inspect his armor and then get some rest.

____________________________________

Ready to move on.

[Ken]

Ready to move on. Belarin will see if they can figure out the other Orien items in the morning.

[Jeff]

So ends the night, in hushed tones, the creak of ropes, the wind sighing across the sails, and the churning of the paddle wheels at the stern. Sleep comes easy at first, but some are troubled by dreams.

Streko and Kal hear again the frightened voice of one of the two living halflings that had been bound to the vampire spawn and his undead allies. One had died then and there in that battle, another had been consigned to become a ghoul's meal, and the others had already been turned into abominations.

Belarin sees again, in his mind's eye if not in each dream, the fall of the dust that had been Larest ir'Zathyran. In the hammock beside him, Histra turns fitfully but never actually awakens.

Shorak, sleeping in closer proximity to his homeland than he has in years, dreams of fire and treachery. Of his mother, with her pure white and natural skin in true death, lying on the ground. But also of comfort, good food, and songs passed down through generations that are older than the Kingdom of Galifar itself.

Thul, meanwhile, recalls far older battles, some fought before any of his new companions were born. He remembers comrades, and training, and battle...and the faces of old friends whose faces he can barely recall.

But all except Adamant eventually find deep and restful sleep. The warforged paces the deck as before, a lone sentry. When Brack finally gives up the helm and goes below, and the warforged sings to fill the silence, he hears again that female voice join in harmony with his song. Always quieter. At one point he thinks he can pinpoint where it's coming from, and when he looks towards the sterncastle, he sees a woman's shape standing at the wheel. When he goes up the stairs to see more clearly, she is gone.

Next up: Chapter 16

[Jeff]

I think you meant to post this in this thread, Elvis? I'll let you catch up to Chapter 16.

Aug 5, 2018 8:35:46 GMT -4 Elvis said:

Thul finishes the ale.

He walks over to the dwarfwoman and hands her the stein. "It deserves it reputation."

He then unfastened the knife sheath from his belt and hands it to her as well.