Jarvyk Entry 18
6 Flocktime, 592 CY (continued)
With the formerly ensorcelled temple guards in tow we arrived at Hetagg’s village. The situation was explained and, reluctantly, accepted. We returned the odd, but holy, statue of the serpent creature and retired to the Village Tap for a well-earned rest. Tales of the day’s events bounded between us as we quietly hid from the darkening visage of Cauldron. I thought of this destination more than once during the evening, but kept my apprehensive thoughts well guarded. With new recruits in our midst, and an uncertain path before us, it did not seem the time to broach the subject. I wondered quietly, however, about what lay in wait. Surely some evil readied its servants for our arrival, plotting and scheming within the walls amongst the unaware. The thought hung over me like a dark cloud. Eventually, we all retired and rested.
7 Flocktime, 592 CY
On this day we set out for Cauldron, Kan’ti and Greyjek filling our ranks. The journey seemed safer and yet more dangerous with these two around. I had come to think of Greyjek as flighty and somewhat scatterbrained. His tactics left much to be desired while his effectiveness could not be questioned. Kan’ti, on the other hand, seemed to employ questionable tactics with due diligence and unerring attention to detail. It was as though the two completed each other and yet failed to join forces. Only time would tell if their behavior would even out and become more useful.
In general, we did naught but travel towards the uncertainty of Cauldron.
8 Flocktime, 592 CY
On the road this day we set upon a trio of giants, the kind told of in children’s tales and prepared for by the elders. It is rare that I have come across such beasts, and rarer still that a group of them seemed to be randomly roaming the wilds for prey. On this day the creatures had a human woman within their torturous midst.
I waited to see what would happen, thinking that perhaps the giants would approach us and find the slashing of blades to their disliking. Instead, they parlayed at distance with boulders and lived up, rather well, to their cowardly nature. Kan’ti and Greyjek stepped up to impose their will upon the group while Ashton sought to flambé them in guano.
In the end, they were chased into the forest where they made haste and so escaped the justice they appeared to deserve. While I decided to stay with Karamus and the injured human others pursued the giants. Kort, Ashton, and Greyjek all sought to exact retribution on behalf of the fallen lass. Their deeds did not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated.
Bransen seemed to have some familiarity with the victim, who I believe mentioned both Sasserine and Cauldron. I was not privy to the details of their conversation, but Bransen seemed to be okay with the woman continuing towards Sasserine, and so we likewise continued towards Cauldron.
10 Flocktime, 592 CY
We arrived at the Lucky Monkey today. It was an uneventful trip that followed the giant encounter. A restful evening and quick pace to follow made sure that we arrived in good spirits.
11 Flocktime, 592 CY
We left the Lucky Monkey today without incident and completed the rest of our journey, arriving unharmed at the gates of Cauldron. There was some conflict with the half-orc denizens tasked with guarding the gates, but the issue was easily cleared up when a friend of the company, Sergeant Skylar Krewis, set the beasts in their place. It was good to be back in the bowl. Of all the places I have been outside Magak and all the journeys I’ve survived, Cauldron seems more like home than any. I’ve a home here and companions to watch my back. In some ways, this place is better than home.
The SP house was found to be in good order, thanks in large part to Kort’s foresight. We welcomed the good news and indulged in the safe harbor. It wasn’t long before each of us tended to our own affairs.
Kort and I made sure to discuss recent events with the Striders of Fharlanghn, Fario and Fellian. We met at the Drunken Morkoth and discovered that news of Alek Tercival’s death was akin to a state secret. His appearance and subsequent retraction of claim to Terseon Skellerang enabled a peace that, according to our friends, would surely fall apart if his death were discovered. Eventually, I learned that our distant message to the Chisel had been received and put to great effect.
The Chisel impersonated Alek directly in order to establish the aforementioned peace. It was their deception that had us in this place, between lies and civility. I was both pleased and angered, but mostly grateful that further bloodshed would not mar our other goals. If the humans of this realm can be made to interact without constant war then there may yet be a hope for progress. I know that such hopes are intensely premature, but nevertheless they come to mind.
This business with Alek will come to a head soon, I fear, but for now we should focus on finishing tasks that are attainable. I, for one, need to return home, to Belmek, and speak with my kin. Jarl Tedryk, alive such as he is, must have words with my father. The fate of our line depends on his introduction and the conversation to follow. I cannot simply arrive and demand audience with those in power to demand they listen to an ensorcelled blade regarding the integrity and validity of our family. Humiliation from such an announcement would destroy our family name before Tedryk’s Grace could even attempt explanation. No, there must be planning in this introduction, in this reintroduction. Jarl Tedryk will clear our name and reestablish the Tedryk line, with the help of my father. His influence is key to this arrangement. Others will not trust me, having been gone from the homeland for so long now. Their distrust of the Tedryk desire to travel, their distrust of all things from the surface, is far too great to ignore. This will be my finest hour or my final undoing, of that I am sure.