Elandria, The Web of Destiny

Chapter 4 (Survivor)- Crossroads of Destiny

"Dammit!" I shout out after Peyt falls lifeless to the ground. I jump into the fray behind her, dropping my shield and sword to trade for the greatsword on my back to take a large sweeping swing at the scythe, it's cut in half before falling to the floor in pieces. I prepare myself between the unconscious lizardfolk and the animated rake staring down the edge of my sword at it. It responds by smacking against the side of my face and scraping down my neck, I'm nearly spent and extremely beat. But looking down at my new 'friend' fills me with renewed energy and I hack into it. It doubles over, still attached to itself but hardly holding on. I sidestep its swing and return a cut right down the center.

And just as swiftly as the danger rises, it falls quiet once again in this small general store. I jump into action, trying to save my friend from death. I look around frantically and on a nearby knocked over shelf lies a pack of healing kits. I grab one and rip it open to begin using its various pieces on Peyt to hold back the dark cavern of death. In the calm, the shopkeep comes out from hiding, he watches me take the healing kit off the counter and remarks slyly "I hope ye' intend on payin' fer that." How dare you!! After saving your life you expect me to pay to save my companion's? I stand and face him staring a deep hole in his face. My looming stature almost makes him piss himself. Nodding over towards his hasty coward shack he retracts his statement. "Or.... consider it paid." he takes a step back out of her way as I pass through with Peyt, now stabilized but still passed out in my arms, kneeling down to grab my dropped weapons as I pass through the back door which we came from.

I make my way back onto the street towards the tavern. I'm absolutely exhausted, we need a good night's sleep. Heading towards the tavern with Peyt in my arms, one man catches my eye as we pass, a hobbling man with a ripped shirt and 3 terrible marks across his back. Poor man, I wish I could help... We enter the tavern and the noise dies down immediately, and understandably so. We stand both out and above everyone else so it's hard to miss us. A half-orc woman at the bar greets us "Let me guess... you just came into town after helping some poor noble fellow who was kidnapped by a suit of armor and are looking for a place to stay?" She sounds totally unconvinced.

I respond: "Actually that's exactly what happened." Don't read my memories!!

"Ha ha ha I'm totally pulling your leg honey, Valden told me what you did, and you're the only goliath/lizardfolk pair I've ever seen or heard of so it's not hard to recognize you." She gives a look at the reptile in her arms. "She don't look too well. your room was already paid for, go get some rest sweety, we'll have some warm food sent your way."

"Thank you" I smile at her as she comes around the counter handing me the key, she grabs my arm and leads us around the corner.

The room is fine, a little warm, not super homey, but a good place to sleep after a short meal. I place Peyt on the bed to rest off her wounds, and get some sleep myself on my bedroll on the floor. The bright light of the morning breaking through the window severs my rest. My eyes open to an empty room, but it feels much more homey. A number of flowers decorate a circle around me, small vines crawl along the walls that were not there before. Peyt got up early apparently, how kind of her. I get up, careful not to disturb her creation around me, other than a bowl of berries I stuff in my pocket, I'm sure they'll come in handy. Her bed is empty. She shouldn't be left alone for long, and if I'm honest with myself, her company is amusing, best go find her. I head for the main room of the Rosewater Inn, searching for my friend. With a quick scan of the denizens I don't see her. Did she leave me? Before heading outside to look for her I give my thanks to the innkeep "Thank you for the room ma'am"

"Not me, thank Valdon."

I nod and head out the main door, as my eyes adjust to the morning sun I do manage to spot Peyt across the street waving at me with a smile. She holds about 6 small skewers from the same cart we got our meal from before. There's a clear division in the street forming, and just now crossing the bridge comes a small caravan, about 12 guards mounted on their horses guarding a single, ornate carriage that approaches slowly. A crowd gathers, not to see what's going on but rather going about their daily business and waiting for the roads to be cleared again. The caravan smells absolutely horrid, a stench that just wafts off them and makes most of the crowd reel back in disgust. It's so bad some of the crowd even dissipates, but I am fine, I have smelled worse in the Valu-Nelo.