Today’s snippet, titled “Regret”, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.
      Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
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      “…and may the light of Iomedae guide you to the afterlife, Idril, for you were a stalwart force for Good in the face of such overwhelming evil. By the names of which ever Gods you revered most, we send you gently into their awaiting arms. Your valiant watch has ended, Idril Linwëlin, may you rest in peace.”
      Rhiallis closed her eyes, trying once again to get comfortable in her bedroll. The scattering of hay softened the ancient wooden floors of Defender’s Heart’s upper floors marginally, but her heart was so cold and heavy that she may as well have been sleeping on a glacier.
      I wasn’t able to do a damned thing to save you either, my love, she thought, curling her fingers around the silver ring he had given her. At least I got to pray over Idril, at least he was not left for the vultures and the scavengers, his bones won’t whiten beneath a cruel sun… Damn it. Damn it, Rhiallis, you knew there would be death and loss on your path. How can you let it affect you so much?
      She shook her head and turned to her side, her wounded cheek against the thick, soft wool of her cloak.
      Beside her, she heard Kumiko’s breathing slow to a gentle rhythm. The woman had fought like a demon herself – her skill with that feather-light blade was incredible! – but once the immediate threat was past, Rhiallis could see that some horribly heavy burden weighed upon her shoulders.
      There were a million things Rhiallis wanted to know, longed to ask her. Who was that white-haired man? Why did a demon throw you through a portal? Why were you covered in battle blood when you arrived? Why did the white-haired man scream as if his very heart was torn from his chest when you were flung out of his world? What reason is given for wearing the face of a demon in battle?
      She wanted to know where Kumiko came from, really. Perhaps it was Tian-Shu, as Seraphina thought, though it seemed that Kumiko called her homeland by another name – Kara-Tur. Rhiallis knew of Tian-Shu, vaguely, but the blank look her new friend had given her when she called the God Abadar by name puzzled her. Kumiko seemed completely unaware of Abadar’s existence and from all the things Rhiallis knew of Abadar and of Tian-Shu, the God’s worship there was strong.
      I think she must have lost someone too. Perhaps that man – certainly his cry was from the heart – but perhaps… perhaps not. I hope that we can find a way for her to return home, in time, but for now… I am glad she has joined our cause. Even Navara could have learned much about swordplay from Kumiko.
      Rhiallis twisted the silver ring between two of her fingers, somehow the motion soothing her wounded soul and calming her. Sleep would come, in time. She could still hear Idril’s heart beating in his chest. It had been a strong heart, a good one.
      Does it matter that it was not love, between us? I had love once, for all the pain it caused. I hope just the closeness of those few hours was enough. I hope you died knowing that I- we all – cared for you and will miss you. I hope you find peace with your ancestors. I hope- I hope that you were not a victim of my curse, Idril, and that this horrible day was just a coincidence. I know it is selfish, and I pray your wraith can forgive me.
      Rhiallis wiped away a silent tear and slipped the silver ring back onto her finger.
      I do not know that I will ever forgive myself.

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Note: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me