Episode 2: The Bronze Age

"That's a good question Kalis. After just being on the trip all day, I'm both a little tired, but also very intersted in doing something beyond just riding along. I might be up for going to check it out if it won't stress our transportation too much. Academic curiosity, you know?" Gyges says to Kalis.

"I confess I am curious, but suggest that we proceed cautiously."

"Let us go check it out, then," Kalis says, "Let's be cautious, though."

He knows it's not the journey, but Gyges feels his stomach lurch a bit at the sight. "Is this a common scene? I know I'm new to this, but I should probably try and get used to all this gore, shouldn't I?" Gyges asks the rest of the party. He seems a bit unsure of what to do next. "I feel like we should investigate, but its getting late now, and I'm not sure staying here is the best idea. What do you all think?"

"Please, wait here...I wonder if there is perhaps a survivor," Maenor requests as he alights from the wagon and heads to the one figure unmolested by the birds.

Kalis nods, "Be careful..." he says, eyes sweeping the field for danger.

...the battered and bloody form of a warrior on his back.

If the shaft of the broken arrow in his shoulder had retained its fletching, it would have no doubt matched those buried in the shield still clutched across his unconscious form. The maritime themed engravings adorning his scarred breastplate signaled to even the most casual observer that he was not from this part of the world, and the bubbles forming and pulsing at the corners of his lips told of his unwillingness to end his travels in the sand that soaked up his life's fluids.

His pointed ears, white hair, the styling of his facial tattoo made clear his eleven ancestry. His armour, clothes, and shield were those of an adventurer; clearly well used but just as well loved and maintained.

Maenor speaks softly, "Rest easy, brother. I am going to ask the Goddess to mend your wounds." He tentatively places a hand on the man's shoulder near the broken arrow and sends green energy flowing gently into the wound. As he does, he slowly pulls out the arrow.

Reizei's eyes flutter open and dilate, adjusting to the light levels of the early evening sky. It doesn't take long for his head to clear and his wits quickly return to him. His hand subconsciously drifts to where the arrow should be protruding from his shoulder as he scans the situation.

He takes in the carnage in an instant and begins putting the pieces together. His eyes then come to rest on Elven Cleric kneeling over him. A smile finds its way to his face. I owe you a great debt Master Healer. His attention flits past Maenor's shoulder to the only other living beings in the immediate area.

Reizei sits up, winces, and slides his hand from his shoulder to his temple. He takes in a deep breath then lets it out slowly, scrunching his nose slightly at the smell of death all around him. Facing Maenor in a slightly less vulnerable position and with a semblence of his senses about him he asks, "Forgive me if this comes across as too forward in the light of your kindness to me, but who are you and how is it you've come to be here?"

Gyges tenses as the figure stirs, but as Maenor appears to be in no apparent danger, he waits.

Maenor offers the elf a hand up as he replies, "No thanks needed. I am Maneor Holimon, cleric of Angharradh. My companions and I were traveling past and saw the glint of metal. We came to investigate, which was fortunate indeed. What happened here?"

Reizei accepts Maenor's hand and rises to his feet. Settling himself, he responds, "Uhhhh...we were ambushed. It all happened very quickly."

After a brief pause, during which Reizei casts an appraising eye over both the elf in front of him as well as his compatriots lurking in the background, he lets his shoulders drop a bit and sighs.

"I'll tell you what I can remember. I'd be dead without your assistance, so I owe you at least the truth." He glances around again at the field, remembering the explosions - the glaring light and the eruption of violence. "We had received word of a Caer Tan convoy due to come through this way. We lay in wait and when the timing was right, we sprung our trap. However, as it turns out, we were not the only ones preparing a surprise. As soon as we attacked, there were flashes of light and explosions all around. Seemingly from nowhere, a large contingent of dragonborn troops were upon us. Then it was chaos."

Reizei paused again, taking a breath and seemingly reliving a moment. Then he continued, "We were out of our league. It was all over before it truly got going. A large explosions went off near me...or maybe I was hit...it's all a blur. Regardless, I blacked out. When I came to, the Shattered Souls were checking the dead and rounding up survivors. I think they took around seven of my party with them in total including our team leader. I heard him as they dragged him off."

After a moment of staring at his own boots, his eyes shot up to lock with those of Maenor, "If I had been in any condition to do anything at all, even if it meant my life, ...." he trailed off.

His visage softened and he composed himself before continuing. "I feel naive and foolish for having shared these details with you. By telling you, I have placed my life in your hands again, Cleric of Angharradh. I can only trust that if you and I are not on the same side in all of this, that you will, at least, allow me to go my own way unhindered." The wounded young being recounting a harrowing event was suddenly replaced by a soldier standing ready to accept his fate.

"We have not met by chance, but by the will of the Goddess, brother," Maenor responds, his eyes crinkling as his smile deepens. "We are enemies of Caer Tan, and are on a mission of great importance. Perhaps you were spared because you are needed elsewhere."

He begins to lead the elf back to their wagon to introduce him to the others.