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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2001 - 2007 All Rights Reserved
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302
After the dismal cold of the storm a fire will be most welcome. Although there is not much in the way of dry wood on the plains, you find enough material jammed between the boulders of the outcrop to get a small fire going. You find also that some of the small shrubs in the area burn very well, their sap is particularly flammable and you spend some time collecting enough of these bushes to last the night. In the welcome warmth of the fire you dry your clothing and prepare yourself a hot meal. (Withdraw one ration from your pack. Record this on your character sheet.) Pallenten stands side on to the flames and you can see that the warmth of the fire is doing her a lot of good.
When your meal is done you settle down for the night. With the fire near, you unfurl your blanket and lay back. The journey of the day has been very tiring but you cannot sleep. Lying amongst the rocks, with Pallenten near and the wind howling its dire song, you cannot help but think about the events of the past few days. In the main your thoughts lie with the Kalboreans.
You have no love for your captors, they have proven many times over the course of your life that they cannot be trusted, and that they use a fog of half-truth as a means to coerce and control those they subjugate. This quest is one which you must not fail to complete, but it will be completed for reasons the Kalboreans cannot begin to guess at.
It is true that the Kalborean LoreMages know a considerable amount about the history of the Dwarvendim, and the circumstances that led to the loss of the Tellandra. It is also true that they do not fully understand how EarthMagic works, nor the place the pillar of stonewood has in being able to control it. The Kalboreans have sent you on this journey and in doing so have made a huge miscalculation. They have ensured you reach your goal by the use of the white metal collar that rubs uncomfortably at your neck, but you know the act of fixing the Tellandra will forever take it out of their hands.
Over the years you have heard more than one learned voice echo the suspicion that the magic the Kalboreans wield with the Tellandra is only a pale reflection of its true power. Locked away from all human contact in its deep, dark vault it has not been seen since the fall of Morgen Orncryst. And as such, has not been used by any of the Dwarvendim since that time. For the Kalboreans the power of the Tellandra is only what they have experienced, a power diminished by its fracture and by their own misuse. Because of this you believe they will be wholly unprepared for its restoration, and with the pillar's return to fullness the Kalboreans hold on the Tellandra will fail as its true power rises like a wave before them. Then the Dwarvendim will regain the EarthMagic and have the tool they need to shrug off the repression of the Kalborean Union. It is true that the Kalboreans sent you on this quest, but you resolve to do it because you know what it will mean to your people.
There is also the, not insignificant, matter of what will happen to you once the pillar is restored and the Kalboreans realise what has happened. In your own mind you know they will not be pleased, you are also sure that you've never been one of their favourite thieves, and no matter what happens you will be little appreciated anyway. It will be safe to assume that from the conclusion of this quest you will be a marked man.
Lying there considering the bright stars and the flowing wisps of low cloud your mind begins to wander, and soon the fatigue of the day takes hold. With Pallenten standing by your side you fall into an uninterrupted sleep.
When the morning comes it is clear and cool. Getting up from your blanket you cannot see Pallenten at first, she has wandered off to graze but you can hear her chomping away at the thick grasses somewhere behind the boulders. After eating and putting away your equipment you walk out onto the grass and call her to your side. One call is not enough but a second gets her moving. Within a moment she is by your side, looking out in the direction of the Devkraager Tor and waiting for you to remount. Today you will reach the mountain. Climbing up onto the great horse you flick her reins and begin this next leg of your journey. In the quiet of the early morning, the muffled beat of Pallenten's hooves on the plain is the only sound you hear as you set her on her way to the south-west.
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The warm fire and good night's sleep will return six endurance points if needed. Record this on your character sheet and then turn to section 292.
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This book, and its associated books and other documents in the Chronicles of Arborell series are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Windhammer is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au
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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2001 - 2007 All Rights Reserved
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