The Second Age: Verse 19
It has been nearly 2 years since I last gazed upon this little tome of history, though I now find myself searching for clues that can aid me with the events that have transpired today, though I think it purdent to record the events leading up to this day that I speak of first.
As you may know, we were in quite a jam when last I made an entry here. There we were stranded upon that island, the elves of Evest miles away, with only about 2 weeks before they left us to our fates. Our boat was slashed and destroyed and the island would soon be wrought with Regilians bent on bloody revenge. Though we had a plan at least. We awaited in ambush by the Regilian dock for a ship to come in, and fortunately it came sooner than later, and its crew was short as it had appeared to have had a run in with somebody who could fight back, as it had taken heavy damage, apparently from a failed suicide run from whomever they attacked. We managed to take the ship, without loss, and returned to NorthHaven, to discover that the ship was filled with treasure. We took a good share and went ashore and frequented an inn for the night, only to discover that the ship had sank in the morning. It was there that we all seemed to go our separate ways.
Cahir had not returned from his journey with Dulgos, and I had stayed behind to try and unearth all that I could about the ancient stone that he carrying and whatever else I could learn by establishing a small tavern called the Sleeping Finch, within NorthHaven. Aalaysia or should I still say Rain, came in every so often with another elven lady named Dallaerial, but disappered about 2 months ago promising to return; Cerrannor has been around on and off, and I think he's established a small place just outside of town; I know not what happened to Binkley or Gregol as they both seemed to disappear after we returned; and finally Elendar remained here in NorthHaven with me, playing his guitar when it suited his tastes though I really don't know why he stayed.
Now I best get to the real reason why I wrote an entry here. My old associates, and I gathered here at my tavern about once a month or so and tonight was one such night, though only Elendar was present of my old party, yet I expected Cerrannor to show. Word has traveled though of our meetings and deeds I guess because it was a rather full night that night. Present at this meeting was my youngest sister Malin Je Nos; my new waitress Cassandra, who seems to be some sort of warrioress; Sonerak, an elven mercenary whom I hired to assist me in a journey I was planning to partake of before the next meeting; and finally there was Ariratram Helaw a human male and Silverleaf, a shady elf, both wandering adventurers who seemed attracted to our adventures of old.
In was part way into the night a light rain coming down outside, as I had just pulled my prized roast from the fire, and was preparing it to serve when a knock came from the tavern door. I emerged from the kitchen to quickly observe that my old eye for trouble hasn't failed me yet, as I observed daggers and knives being concealed under tables... so much for hospitality I guess, or else somebody must think this is a haven for thieves with low morals.
I opened the door, to a large elf with a small bundle in his arms. I would have known who it was, but my eyes instead went to the bundle where I saw a green glow eminating from within. The elf covered the glow and I then noticed who it was... Dulgos. I quickly allowed him in, his face thin and his eyes showing a look of concern and dispair. I offered him a chair by the fire, though I doubt that the elf with his hardy resistance to the cold, would need such a spot despite the fact that the rain had soaked him. He approached the fire, but did not take a seat, speaking with urgency as he spoke of how he has not seen Cahir for a while and that they did not seek to destroy his stone, but to do something else with it. He also mentioned with urgency as he spared glances over his shoulder towards the door, of how Cahir was misled in some way. His hand, I had noticed, had been burnt by something as scar tissue had formed over parts of his hand. He then spoke of an old church in Evest reforming itself (a church to the Moon Goddess Ceren), and seeking out to assemble all of the stones, which he then spoke of 5 being in the hands of the church, 3 in whomever he is factioned with hands, and the rest, however many there are, in the hands of others, one being in Cahir's. Thinking there was only 4 stones I asked him about it, and he said that 4 were the key to unlocking their powers, while the others were conduits to the stones, he handed me the bundle when the door to the tavern opened and in came Dallaerial dressed in her armor shirt decorated in small silver cresent moons.
Dulgos stood to leave, and as he did, he told me that if he did not return in a month's time to reclaim the stone, to bring it south to the capitol to a metalsmith by the name of Rold, with that he stepped out into the night, an echo of thunder following his last step as the door shut.
I was then called upon to give a history of events leading up to the happenings of today, which I will save the ink needed for writing it all out again.
After the history lesson, I hid the stone and again the door knocked by a heavier hand this time. Again hands went to weapons, Sonerak to his sword; Ariratram actually stood and readied his bow; Silverleaf drew a throwing knife from his cloak and quickly concealed it under his table. A Regilian entered the room, wearing the long baggy pants and silk shirts common to Regilians, he was tattooed in light blue intricate designs, much like the mage pirate Ajiir. He introduced himself as Kaduul, formerly of the Regilian navy, come to offer me of his services, in reference to Dulgos and the stone that he carried. Though the way he worded it, I tried to look confused, until he said "The elf and that which he bore.", I took that statement and twisted it just a little to make it sound like Dallerial bore a child, and attempted to go with that by acting the role, but Sonerak, did not seem to take the hint well enough and began questioning Kaduul about the stone. Unfortunately Kaduul knew too much of my past to make it too effective of a lie and Sonerak and Elendar did not help matters much more after that. Kaduul left after, promising to travel with us, despite my indirect protests to the matter.
The assembled group seemed to want to help in any way that they could though, and it made me ponder the old saying: "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" as I wondered whom I could truely trust, with the exception of my sister.