Warning RP Content-In the Hands of Fate

[Aedon Durreah]

The demon is still busy. Hard at work, she spreads her filth from town to town. Always she seeks the low end of humanity. Those prone to living on the fringe of the law, and ever seeking ways to make profit at the expense of others.

Unhindered, she has moved among the streets of Luna and New Haven. It is this last place that is of greatest concern to me. Might those newly arriving by ship be more easily seduced by her promises of wealth and power. How many weary from a long voyage will see some comforts to be found in service to Ix Tab? And will those she now whips into a frenzy truly attack and lay to ruin the village of Aegis.

My knights gone, the guard in total disarray, I find myself placed at the mercy and good will of those around me. Will Silverwood stand with Aegis? Beleg has not been well, could I really ask that he get up out of his sick bed to defend a glade that I should have allowed to die long ago. He and Ahmaya have young children to protect. And to stay to defend Aegis could place them in harms way.

Duchess Selora also has her matters which are most pressing. With the nature of the fae that occupy Dragon's Icefall, I doubt I can look to them for aid. They seem nomadic in lifestyle. Ever moving from place to place seeking what adventure may be had in a world slowly turning its face from creatures of fancy.

Winter's Rose is much the same. Her people scattered, searching for dreams and times long gone the hope of bringing a sense of peace to a people who have been through so much turmoil. No, I cannot place the defense of Aegis at their doorsteps. Sage is still recovering from the violent abduction and imprisonment at the hands of the dauntain. More strife laid on her gently shoulders might bring her to ruin.

There have been those who have vowed to come if I sent out the call. Members of the Alliance led by Pitr. I wonder that should the need arise, if they will truly be there.

I have stood now, staring at the flaming skull which now hovers over the tranquil pool in front of the Rest. The voices speak to me their warning. The days of doom may truly be upon this glade, and perhaps at the end of this all, Aegis shall lie in ruin. I am not sure what I can do to prevent this, but I do know one thing full well. I will stand as I always have for Aegis and her people, and if it is my fate to fall in battle before Kyriel's Garden, then so be it.

I have had the women and children sent to a place of safety. Those men who are fathers, I have sent as well, along with the elderly and ill. They go with no expectations of ever returning to the homes they leave behind, but carry forever the memories of the Glade of Aegis. So, should the worse come to pass, a part of Aegis will live on.

In these hours my thoughts turn ever to Janissan and Kylee. Through eyes closed in dreaming I see their faces, hear their voices and breathing in the scent of their being. It is my hope that they will remember me should I fall in battle. And that Jan will understand why I had to remain here rather then travel with them to a place where life is good, far from this cursed land.

For now, I will make what preparations I can. I will send word to those who have offered aid. And I will face what is to come with a ready and knowing heart. I have done all I can here. The rest is in the hands of fate.

 

[Aedon Durreah]

There is little time to waste. It is clear now that Ix Tab believes she is in possession of the crystal from Aegis. Poor fool. I suppose she underestimated the degree of the warding placed upon the item. Layers deep, cast upon it by more then one source. Warding of light and dark that would take a lifetime to remove, if a body were even able to decipher them. But her belief has granted me the time I need to put to rest, once and for all any chance of the crystal falling into the wrong hands.

I have carefully gathered the minerals I need for months now. Carefully secreted in the lower reaches of Connemara, the chest of blackrock awaits its use. Just a few more details to work out, the last of the people of Aegis to remove from the area.

It is not easy for me to do what I must do. This will bring about the end of all I have long held dear. The glade will be in ruin. Unable to support life for some time to come. But the crystal will be obliterated. And with it the curse that has plagued the people of Aegis for years.

In time, peace will return to the woods. Small creatures will creep back in, and make their homes amongst the shelter of the new grown foliage. The footpaths that I have trod for these many years will be buried beneath soot and ash, and grass to cover over any evidence that may ever trod these woods.

My one remaining concern is for Silverwood and the Freehold. Will the devastation which I bring to Aegis touch their borders? And will they ever, in their lifetimes understand why I did this, and forgive the method I have chosen?

In the reflection of the pool, the crystal shines brightly. The red aura which engulfed it following the last attack on Aegis is a grim reminder of those who fell in defense of the glade. It pulsates oddly. I cannot help but wonder if in some small way, it understands what is to come.