DORULL SAGA - SWAMP OF DEATH
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Eilonna was seething with rage, as she paced about her chambers. Although she wasn’t saying a word, scattered and
broken belongings were a good enough indicator of her anger. Councilor’s room
looked like a battlefield, as she wrecked anything that came under her hand.
Bagtur insulted her once again, when she visited captain Lutir,
trying to find out more about the venture on the goblin’s town. Half-orc cussed
her out of the sorcerer’s house, perhaps justified. But once again, in front of the
soldiers. And she had remained silent, just like before. She should’ve hit
back, but she missed her chance. And now, everyone will laugh at her.
Suddenly, the guard tower sounded
the horn, alarming the fort. Eilonna was on the window in a second. From her
high tower, she could see the returning army. Far to the back, she spotted the
heavy ore cart. That somewhat lifted her mood. But her joy was shortened once
another cart, covered in hides and linen, went through the gates. She
immediately knew what was transported in it.
“How many dead?” she yelled from
the top of her tower, but then decided to rush down the steep, stone, spiral
stairs.
“Thirty five.” Yelamir said, after
he saluted “We defeated the goblins, and took our cargo back.”
“And Vallsynk?” Eilonna asked.
“They had much more losses, but
with combined forces we…”
“Good.” councilor interrupted
paladin, deciding hastily to return back to the tower “Head to sorcerer’s house
Yelamir, he’s expecting you there. And once in there, would you please send that half-orc to me.”
“Bagtur is fine then?” paladin
asked, regretting it immediately, seeing how furiously Eilonna looked at him.
He couldn’t even begin to imagine
what half-orc must have done now to anger the councilor this much. But, if it was
similar to that stunt he did back in the Thirel fort, it was a miracle he was
still alive. Then again, Eilonna’s forgiveness could reach its end, after this
meeting with Bagtur.
There was a dead silence in
Palgrin’s house, but once paladin walked in, mood drastically improved. Yelamir was
Issurk’s most revered healer. Hundreds of injured soldiers owed their lives to
him. His knowledge in magical, healing ways greatly alleviated work of the
sorcerer and other medicine men and women. Paladin was very humble in his
calling. He found satisfaction in helping those in need. A rare trait, in these
darkened times.
“Wonderful to see you back, and just
in time.” from the adjacent room, paladin heard the old sorcerer “I need help,
with this rather stubborn patient.”
Yelamir was genuinely surprised,
seeing Thorin in bed. Next to him sat Bagtur, still wearing light, linen
clothing. It was obvious, he was itching to leave this somewhat dismal place.
“What happened to Captain?” paladin
asked.
“He fell off his horse.” Palgrin
spit in the jug beside his chair “But then denied treatment for far too long,
worrying over this young lad. Because of that, I fear the worst. His leg is
messed up beyond my healing sleight. Only you can help him now.”
“I’ll try my best. But, if it’s as
serious as you say, I might be forced to wait till morning.” Yelamir said
quietly, “I hardly meditated last night.”
“Come with me laddie.” sorcerer
called Bagtur “Let’s give the good paladin some room to do his bidding, we are
nothing but a distraction.”
“Councilor Falkner has summoned you to
her chambers, Bagtur.” paladin suddenly remembered.
“What does she want now?” half-orc
snorted.
“Perhaps she wants to continue with
those pleasantries you exchanged earlier.” Palgrin grinned “I swear, sometimes
I can’t understand the young folks these days, and their strange obsession, to
always be the ones knowing everything best.”
“You had a fight?” Yelamir asked.
“She asked for it.” Bagtur retorted
“Pretending to care for Thorin. All she wanted was to ask about the damn battle
with goblins.”
“Councilor is in a difficult
situation because of that. I’m sure she didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”
Yelamir said “Sure, sometimes she seems that way because of her position,
issuing orders, and whatnot.”
“She sure isn’t ordering me.”
Bagtur stood up, grabbing his garments “I am a soldier. I only follow the
officer's commands. And councilors conveniently keep forgetting that.”
“I understand that, but you need to
be a bit considerate.” Yelamir advised the young half-orc.
“What for? Her whining almost cost
me my life. And now the captain is hurt too…”
“Calm down laddie.'' The sorcerer
whispered “Explain that to Eilonna, stay on her good side. You don’t need any
more troubles.”
Bagtur nodded, old man was right.
He had to remain calm. Reasonable. If not for himself, then because of the
captain, whom he wouldn’t want to disappoint, or put in a difficult position.
Councilor Falkner was surely still offended by his rude words, by his actions,
when she was denying his escort services. But by now, Eilonna surely realized she owes him, after that encounter with the robbers. Whatever the reason, for
this invite was, Bagtur hoped he’ll soon put the matter behind him.
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