Today’s snippet, titled “Hope & Duty”, 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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      Those bloody days felt as if they would never end.
      A moment of brightness, after the darkness of Lucien’s death, had seen them return to Defender’s Heart to find that Horgus had resupplied the improvised fortress and a tempered celebration was underway. A contingent of mongrel men had arrived, as promised, and the ranks of defenders was – for once – swelling, rather than dwindling.
      “Hope,” rang in the ears of every soul in Defender’s Heart that day and Rhiallis was gladdened by the lifted mood they found waiting for them. Certainly, their own hearts were not as bright.
      Irabeth was every ounce the consummate professional, listening with a fierce, brooding focus on their every detail. The chieftain from Neatholm, Sull, was present as well. So too was the wizened old scholar, Quednys, of the library. Rhiallis wished for Anevia’s kind smile to dissipate some of the tension that filled the room, but the rogue was elsewhere, fulfilling other duties for her wife.
      “This was only the opening salvo of what looks to be an enormous gambit,” Irabeth said softly. “The enemy has armies in almost unbelievable numbers and they will assail us mercilessly. Areelu Vorlesch is coming, but not alone. Using all her wiles to destroy the wardstones for good, she will be here imminently.
      “Fortune favors us, even in these dark days, for there is a glimmer of hope. Vorlesh needs the Naharian Crystal, and we can prevent her from reaching it. And though we cannot hope to evacuate the borders, for there are those amongst us so fervent in their dedications that they will never be dissuaded, no matter the odds. And Iomedae’s Grace upon them, for they will need it to survive the coming tide.
      “Still,” she continued, “Our path is clear – we must prevent Areelu from using the last chunk of the wardstone to destroy the rest. We will enter the Grey Garrison and we will either pull the last wisps of power from the crystal, or we will destroy it.”
      Quednys cleared his throat. “More to the point…”
      “You will,” Irabeth said, finishing his thought.
      Rhiallis gasped audibly. The others hid their reactions better, whether they were surprised or glad for the proffered duty.
      “We will go, of course,” Ema said, speaking up for the group. “Of course.”
      “And I shall send an equal number of my warriors.”
      The chieftain had said little, thus far, but his chest swelled with pride as he offered the service of his finest men and women to the group. She and her friends exchanged a few meaningful expressions and at last Mickey stepped forward, patting the Chief on the shoulder.
      “That’s a real damn generous offer, Chief, but we can’t accept it.”
      “It would be selfish of us – to take them from the Heart, when this place is so important.” Mira pushed a lock of hair behind one ear. “And they’re so ferocious, your warriors, there’s no better use for them than keeping the Heart safe!”
      The Chief’s broad grin did little to improve his looks, but he seemed pleased by the praise. Rhiallis was proud of her comrades, having so diplomatically preserved the Mongrelman’s dignity. I couldn’t have done it better myself, she smiled as further plans were discussed.
      “When you have rested, we will go out in force and we will harry their defenses to create a distraction for you. We’ll try to pull their men out, scatter and cull the numbers.”
      “Even still,” Quednys frowned, “They are great in number, fueled with insanity and hate, and they will not stop until they are dead.”
      “Sometimes, not even then.”
      “Just so, Chief Sull,” the old wizard nodded. “This foray into the Grey Garrison, it will not be easy. You will bleed for the city and her people.”
      “It may require more than one attempt – several, even,” Irabeth, reached behind her. “But Aravashnial has graciously donated several powerful devices to provide some assistance. These chimes, this rod – which, if you can touch the wardstone with it, should neutralize the power. And of course, we will do our best with patrols, to keep the way back to Defender’s Heart clear for any retreat you may-”
      “We will not fail,” Red said. “We can do this.”
      Rhiallis exchanged a look with Kumiko and both women nodded, bolstering Red’s remark with their support.
      “Take a hot meal, sleep if you can, prepare yourselves,” Irabeth pushed a hand through her hair. “…when you’re ready, so too will we be.”

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