As he looked at each of those with him, he could barely manage to get the words to come out without relapsing into tears.
“It’s over, I’ve failed. Max, the Thorn Callers, hell the forest itself, are all gone. The poison has all but laid waste to Agnar, and the Orcs control what little is left. Even if I somehow manage to get the heart, there is no way for me to fix this.
And with what I saw from the commune, I don’t even know if I want to. So many of my brothers and sister have already either died or left Agnar. I’m not even sure anymore if it’s worth saving.”
Rone was about to say something else when Trisha broke in. The anger in her voice and the disbelief on her face demanded that she be heard.
“How dare you, Rone. How dare you give up now. I’m sorry for the loss of your mentor, I genuinely am. I’m sorry for the loss of your home, but what about our homes?
Do you not realize what will happen if that poison reaches the crystal river? There is more at risk than just your forest. If that poison reaches the crystal river, it will spread for hundreds of miles, reaching Crag Moor, Dusk Haven, and possibly even Esterle within days.
Chimera poison has no antidote, and it does not dilute with time. It will continue to spread until it runs out of ways to do so. Whoever this dark elf is you told us about, is either a fool or more dangerous than anyone knows.
Don’t you see Rone,” Trisha’s tone now shifted to one of pleading instead of anger.
“If the Thorn Callers are gone, and you are all that’s left, there is no one else to stop this. Your quest is not lost, it is now more critical than ever.
If we stop now, and that poison does get into the crystal river. Thousands of deaths will be on our heads. Crops will fail, drinking wells will become unusable, whole regions could die from it. We must keep going. We have to stop this.
The shame Rone felt now flushed red hot on his face. Max’s words echoed through his mind as he stood there, looking into the pleading eyes of Trisha.
“You’re a Thorn Caller. You must protect the forests and those within it. They must come first, even if that means letting me die.” Looking back now, Rone could not help but wonder if Max never really expected to survive.
He was still thinking about that when Traijen interrupted his thoughts.
“Brother, you know I don’t put much stock in quests or a belief in the big picture of things. I follow my heart, and sometimes my coin purse to where ever it may lead. But I got to tell you, right now my heart says this is the right thing to do.
We need to stop those Orcs and that poison from destroying anything else. So, my vote goes with Trisha. Let's finish this.” As he said it, Traijen placed his hand on Rone’s shoulder and looked him in the eye.
Rone nodded, and the companions eager to change the subject began discussing if they should wait until morning before setting out again.
After Rone’s ordeal with the communion and the exertion of emotions it had caused, they unanimously agreed it best if they camped here for the night. Knowing if they awoke early and they pushed themselves, they should reach the Voidspine by the following evening.
Once camp was made, Traijen and Trisha went about collecting berries and nuts for their evening meal. They considered hunting for food but decided against having a fire. In the dim light of the cavern, a fire would almost certainly give them away should anyone happen nearby.
This was also in case someone entered the staircase from the surface. Without fire, there was a better chance of the companions spotting them before they were discovered.
After they had consumed their meal, Traijen and Trisha occupied themselves by getting in a little practice for Trisha with the use of a blade.
Rone couldn’t shake the feeling it was just an excuse. A way to give him some space and a little more time to absorb all he had learned.
After they had moved into a clearing several yards away, Katrina came over to Rone and sat down next to him.
“I didn’t get to say I’m sorry for your loss Rone,” Katrina said, looking down at the ground where she drew small shapes into the earth with a stick.
After a moment, she looked up, and Rone caught the glint of tears that lined the corners of her eyes. She looked so sad, he thought, and he wasn’t sure why but somewhat ashamed as well.
“What is it, Kat?” He asked as he wiped the tear away that had started down her cheek. She looked at him and smiled despite the pain she felt in her heart.
“You are just too damned nice HoloFae,” She said with another smile.
“I have to be careful with you. A man like you could make a woman forget she is no good.” She said, drawing another shape into the soft dirt beneath her feet.
“What makes you think you’re no good, Kat? From what I’ve seen, you’re not to bad for a dark elf.” He said jokingly, poking back for calling him a HoloFae.
Her voice suddenly changed to a more serious tone that was filled with both sadness and regret.
“That’s only because you don’t really know me, Rone. If you did, you would leave me behind in an instant, or worse.” She said, looking up at him, her tears now flowing in streams across her soft cheeks.
Rone reached up and wiped the streams away with his thumbs as he held her head gently to look into her eyes.
“Maybe I don’t know you that well, Kat, but I know I want to. As he stared into her eyes, he suddenly felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her.
Maybe it was his grief, or perhaps it was the fact that he had lost so much in such a short time. But whatever it was, right now being in this moment with her. It kept the pain at bay.
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, and she returned the embrace by wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him tightly.
As their embrace deepened, they found themselves melting towards the ground together, when a sudden sharp squealing sound forced them to stop and look towards the forest.
Fang, too, was on his feet. And the shackles of his fur now stood on end. As he watched the surrounding forest, He let loose a low guttural growl that left little doubt something wasn’t right.
Rone stood and watched the woods for any signs of movement, then whistled to get Traijens attention. Motioning toward the woods, Rone pulled LightVein from its sheath and called forth the magic inside the blade.
As the enchantment flared to life, flooding the surrounding edge of the forest in its brilliant light. Trisha gasped and backed away a few steps further from the trees.
For shinning back at them from the shadows of the forest were the bright reflections of more than two dozen pairs of eyes. Small yellow orbs stared cruelly at them as the companions gathered in the center of the clearing.
There was no way they could retrieve their supplies, and make it to the staircase before whatever was out there made it to them. So, they huddled together weapons drawn and waited for the attack.
Long moments came and went, but the small orbs never moved closer. Instead, they stayed just out of reach of the light of the sword, but close enough to show they had not left.
Rone decided since they hadn’t attacked yet. They should chance to retrieve their supplies and head for the stairs. With luck, maybe whoever or whatever was out there would see they are leaving and let them go.
Rone moved. First, he cautiously went about packing his bedroll and retrieving his bow. He couldn’t help but notice many of the eyes narrow, as he hoisted his bow onto his shoulder and continued to pack.
Rone then turned his back to the forest as he packed the last of his gear. Both to show whatever was watching them that he was no threat, and to have the others start to pack their things as well.
Rone pointed towards the ground in front of himself and whistled for Fang to come. He knew his friend well enough to know he wouldn’t attack without good reason. But Rone didn’t want Fang's fearsome appearance to possibly trigger a fight they didn’t have to have either.