Musings of a Future Baron - 9. A Moment of Respite

Toilday 27 Gozran 4710

Made it back to Thorn Ford today. Will head up to Oleg’s for a rest before searching for Tartuccio’s tomb. Morale is high, despite a night of stormy weather.

Wealday 28 Gozran 4710

Pushed through the night to Oleg’s. More to come tomorrow. Too tired.

Oathday 29 Gozran 4710

Today marks fifteen days in the Stolen Lands. Most of that time has been spent walking. Well, riding. But still. It’s exhausting work, just getting from one point to another, and yet we have to reach the end ready to fight, especially in these lands. I’m surprised we haven’t been woken by wild beasts every night. Thank the gods for Linzi’s camouflage.

I went with Amiri to turn in Tuskgutter’s head, making sure to give her full credit for the kill. After all, all I did was stand back and watch. Oleg looked at her with eyes full of respect, and not a little fear. I think Amiri likes seeing fear in people’s eyes, but maybe that’s just me being wary. Either way, we received the bounty from the kill, four hundred gold and old Benzen’s longbow. He won’t be using it any more, not with only one leg.

I questioned Oleg about the Stag Lord and his henchmen, curious to see what he had to offer. He spoke of Akiros, not seeming too surprised that I had set seeds of doubt in his mind. Dovan and a man named Auchs gave him more concern though, two halves of a whole torturer. The more I heard about them, the more I realized there was no hope for either of them. It was good, I gained a new outlook on my foes.

After that, I searched for Jhod, finding him sitting with Tristian over a mug of ale. The two of them seemed to get along as old friends, sharing tales of their respective deities. I have to admit it is a welcome change from all the stories I’ve heard of holy armies fighting in the name of their gods.

Jhod was ecstatic about the cleansing of the temple, offering a few scrolls in payment. I accepted them gladly, as any adventurer would. Who knew when one might be struck with a magical curse and need a scroll?

I spent the day learning more about my companions. Valerie was in fact in training to become a paladin, of Shelyn of all deities. Shelyn is my patron, and I had to ask why Valerie felt the need to abandon her. After just a few minutes listening, I had the image of clerics who cared more about money and art than human dignity, who willingly let people emotionally wear down a woman until she snapped, then tried to punish her for breaking. It disgusted me to think that the god I held high in my prayers would allow her followers to do such things.

I do not fault Valerie for leaving. Who could hold to a code of art and beauty when such beauty was only used as a front for old men to preposition young children? When beauty became nothing but gilded trash… I can understand both sides. There are those who would create art if they wouldn’t be mocked for such attempts. But there are also those who would use such art as a bargaining chip. That is not what Shelyn stands for, and if it is, then I have backed the wrong god my entire life.

I came away with a newfound respect for Valerie, if not a sense of closeness. Here I had thought a fallen paladin made for a poor companion, but her fall was not of her own doing. And though she is now an atheist, I understand. I do not pity her, but I understand.