The night went calmly. Morning greeted us with higher snow drifts and sunlight beaming in the cave. After the other awoke, breakfast eaten, fire was put out, and gear repacked, we gingerly left the cave. Wandering back through the forest and new snow, we quietly discussed where we should go next. Lim wanted to look at the attack site again, Alloriah wanted to go back to Master Ron Dangledongledot to see if he knew anything about the weather. I, wanted to go back to the Countess', to see if we could find any more information from her. She knows more, a lot more. Though Lim did agree about checking back at the Monastery. To make sure they were both still alive, after the attack on us last night, they may have found trouble as well.
We trekked our way back through the noticeably higher now drifts, as we walked the day quickly became overcast and gloomy. Halfway there I noticed that it was quiet, eerily quiet. Telling the others I would look ahead, I slipped off into the shadows of the trees, circling around the hill that the Monastery sat atop. Many marks in the snow belied the footfalls of many peoples. I quickly circled back to Lim and Alloriah, telling them something was amiss, and to stay back as far as they could with out being seen. I would circle back toward the Monastery and get as close as I could to see exactly what was happening.
Throwing my hood back on my head I once again began making my way around the hill of the Monastery, working my way carefully up it. Shortly, very shortly I heard voices, men whispering. Creeping slowly I made my way directly behind seven men dressed in very shabby armour. One was speaking, something about circling around and taking them from the side. I drew my dagger. Suddenly a loud *crackle* from the Monastery caught my attention. It was as if lightning lit it in the gloom of the day. I could see figures, large figures outside of it. Where was Master Ron Dangledongledot and Vernin?
The men I was behind were talking again, then an eighth ran up, a shallow wound upon his arm. He was a scout it appeared and whomever had taken over the Monastery had scouts in the woods as well, circling around trying to get a better look at these men. The ones in front of me were still talking softly then one of them mentioned the Crow. I swear, I could feel my ears perk up. If these were them men the Crow sent, then we are a bit worse off than I thought. Their armour was shabby, weapons rusty, and the men themselves looked unkempt. A few moments later Master Ron Dangledongledot, himself, came sneaking up to the group. He stopped and began speaking to them, from what I could gather whomever had taken over the Monastery, came during the night, Vernin was still inside, and these men were trying to take it back. I decided it was time to step into the conversation.
Literally.
"What, precisely, do you propose to do?"
I stepped out of the shadows directly behind one of them, thinking myself humorous. I was immediately greeted with a short sword through my ribs. Elven humor is not human humor, I must try to remember that. Groaning I fell to my knees, the other men had their weapons drawn on me. Lovely. Master Ron Dangledongledot called them off, telling them who I was, and scolded me for my entrance. I was given a healing potion, and helped to my feet. Quickly we exchanged information, and I was told to make use of my talent to keep alert for the other scouting party.
Master Ron Dangledongledot, and one of the soldiers, went off in the direction to gather Lim and Alloriah, while I prowled the immediate woods. It was fortunate for them I did. I came upon two of the invaders, making short work of one of them, it amazes me how delicate creatures are in their backsides. The other though, was a archer, and a talented one as well. Shooting, running, and then shooting again, impressed me quite a bit. I had quite a time of it, but eventually the human made a fatal mistake, and was silenced. It is not wise to creep around a forest while I hunt.
Soon Alloriah and Lim rejoined us and we learned that another faction has interest in the same amulet that we were sent for, they moved in and are now guarding the Monastery. They are being led by a dark Cleric, and forces are double our numbers. Vernin is still inside, unfound as of yet. We discussed plans for recapture and relief over a sparse cold meal. Finally we had the ground plan for a tactical assault. I would use my shooting skill circling around the front of the Monastery to its right side, still ahead of the building. Demeterious would be sent to guard my back. The men in their armour, shabby as it is said that they would hold the line ahead of Lim and Alloriah. Lim and Alloriah planned on casting spells, entangling, and more harmful ones. Mater Ron Dangledongledot said he would do what he was best at. I looked at him and received a wink as a reply. We were to take out the dark Cleric, but act as we see fit.
As we moved into place something about one of the men's armour seemed wrong. I squinted looking closer at it, and instantly the illusion the was cast upon it was gone from my eyes. What he does best indeed. I pulled the hood of my cloak up and began stealthily picking my way around, noting that Demeterious was absent. Hoping that she would send him after me shortly I continued. Soon we were all in place. Lim called out to the dark Cleric, and the battle begun.
I remember it as a mass of vines growing out of the ground grasping men who were charging our line, shouts and screams, my bow singing while the arrows whistled along. Soon though, too soon, some of the men realized where I was and what I was doing. The table turned on me. I remember screaming for help from Alloriah, wishing for Demeterious, praying for him even to come to my side, but no help arrived. I could feel the wounds taking their toll, but eventually the men that turned their attention on me fell. It took all of my concentration to get back up and continue my bow's song, this time singing to the dark Cleric, himself.
I climbed atop one of the shambled out rooms and let my bow sing, glancing quickly at the battlefield I saw men downed, on our side and theirs, Lim his lips moving in a spell, Demeterious standing beside Alloriah, who was just standing behind one of our men. Just standing there! Eventually the battle was hard won for us, the dark Cleric stumbled behind another shamble out room. sank to my knees exhausted, viewing the outcome. All of their men dead. One of ours downed, dead as well. The rest were wounded. Lim followed the dark Cleric behind the shambled out house. I hoisted myself up and down the side of the building I was on, following Lim. When I reached him, he was pulling his half spear out of the Cleric's body, it was red with blood. Lim, himself looked as green as new spring grass and he quickly stumbled away from the body, a dumbfounded look on his face. I do not think he heard me speaking to him.
Shrugging off Lim's odd actions as a first kill, I took note of the Cleric's robes and took a few scrolls and potions off his person as well. The men began dragging the bodies of the slain into a pile, keeping our own fallen man away from it. We gathered in front of the Monastery, eventually with a little searching, and a lot of calling Vernin crawled out of a hiding space clutching his staff. We reconvened and began relating tales. Master Ron Dangledongledot identified one of the one of the scrolls, as a scroll of raise. As in able to bring back one from the dead. He, though could not use it, and between Lim, Alloriah, and myself dare not use it, for fear of botching it. Lim entrusted the scroll to the Captain of our group of soldiers, who's armour gleamed, now released from the illusion.
Our next course of action was for the men to hold the Monastery and continue searching for the amulet, while we go back to the Countess' manor. Lim surprised us all by insisting the bodies be properly put to rest before we leave. The night was bright with a fire and the crackling that accompanied it.
I thought deeply on the archer's skills I was shown today. I need practice.
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