"Hally, is that really you?"

 "Hally, is that really you?"

The sweetest thing I've heard in years. 

Our reunion wasn't exactly how I imagined it would go but what did I really expect? I have no clue.  I'm overjoyed we're together again but also saddened at seeing that Ean is not his old self. He's been hurt more than I thought or imagined. He has an artificial arm, limp, and his left eye doesn't work, not to mention the scars. Why did I leave Bhaile? Why did I not try harder to find other survivors? I could have helped him recover. He's not mad at me for leaving, so he says, but still. 

He figured out what happened to Bhaile. The daughter of Thordak the Cinder King emerged to this plane and in the process burned down our village. He's determined to take care of her to prevent another Chroma Conclave disaster. He brought it up just moments after we finally got back together. He couldn't wait until later when we've celebrated our reunion? He's promised me that we'll celebrate properly after she's taken care of. I'll hold him to it. Now we're on our way to Mount Mentiri where signs of a red dragon's presence are manifesting. Ean used the Map of Desire and yup, it's the red dragon we "want" in that mountain. 

Ean and I have been able to catch up more while I drive and him sitting next to me. He's been studying at the Academy in Rexxentrum the last few years. I'm proud of him and what's he accomplished. I've brought him up to speed about what I've been up to and of our group's deeds, including how I found out I wasn't the only survivor (thanks Jakvar for that tid bit). Though to be honest I haven't told him about speaking with Father's corpse yet.  I don't know how he'd feel about it. I still don't know how I feel about it.  I know I'll have to tell him eventually. I hope we all make it through this upcoming confrontation with this dragon. I'm nervous Ean and I will be separated again and I don't know how I'll handle it.

How does a teenager heal a soul?

32 Syndar to 9 Fessuran 

 

It is good to be at sea again. I know we dwarves are not supposed to enjoy the sea, but if you can’t be at the forge focusing your thoughts upon your labors, then the sea offers a close second. There isn’t much out here that offers distractions and so you are able to spend time in quiet meditation and communion. Though it isn’t as easy as it once was.

It is odd knowing that there is something missing from you, stolen from you, and yet nothing seems all that different. Here are at sea making our way across the top of the world, yet there is always at the back of my mind that something is different. By now everyone has gotten used to the idea that I was dead. It almost seems like the thing that our party’s dwarves do. We die only to return to complete the tasks that we have been given.

Each day I run through all the blessings of the All Hammer calling upon him as I search out what it is that was taken. At times I feel as though I am close to discovering it, and then like a mirage of water in the desert it is gone. So, I keep searching and praying.

10 Fessuran

HE spoke to me. The voice of Moradin, the All Hammer, has spoken I am to “Seek the Silver Beard of Rexxentrum”.

I do not know who this Silver Beard is, but it matters not I have been set upon my task and I will not deviate from it. I know that whatever it may be this is HIS will and it shall be done.

15 Fessuran

These last 5 days have been so slow. We are finally off the Greasy Troll and I think that Frances couldn’t agree more. He barely tolerates being penned in the hull of the Troll but now that we are off again. He is ready to go. One day’s ride and we will be in Rexxentrum. I hope that the travels will be swift and incident-free.

16 Fessuran

Redtyn. Moradin sent me here to mentor a young dwarven female named Redtyn. What do I know about being a mentor to someone else let alone to someone so openly hostile and angry? She feels as though she has been discarded like an unwanted bit of trash. Though I can’t really blame her for feeling that way. The Silver beard did seem as though he was at the end of his rope with what to do with her. So now she is part of our ragtag group. I hope that she finds a home here with us that she feels like she has never had before. Though things did start off a bit rocky, she doesn’t like people giving even the smallest bit of perceived offense. She does have quite a swing and she will be able to handle herself well in the coming days. Though I fear that she lacks discipline and one day may put us at risk. Only time will tell.

In other news; Halaianna has desperately been trying to find a way to get in contact with her brother. We know that he is here and that he is somewhere within the confines of the Shimmer Ward. It is so heavily guarded that we had to do everything we could just to get a few of us passed the main gate to get a message to him. While have been offered less forthright means of the entrance we are hesitant to use them as the populous seems to think that there are spies lurking in every shadow. Now we wait until some sort of contact is made.