The sunlight routed the mist as the party rode out of the valley of Varnhold. They felt as though they had not seen the sun in weeks although they had been in the shrouded town for less than a day.
A sword day it had been. Not all the riders that had entered the mists now returned. Young Marson, possessed by Meritus, and Chase the Stagslayer were gone. Balian had promised Meritus that no harm would come to him from Balian's people. Chase, in another show of bold defiance of Balian's authority, attacked the fey creature and both disappeared in a swirl of shadow. Just as well Balian thought. He did not relish doing what needed to be done if he ever saw Chase again.
Balian cradled Svetlana in his arms as the party rode back to the camp. She dug her fingers underneath his armor and held tight. He told her of the messenger in the night, the fate of Baron Raam, and the desperate ride to Varnhold. He spoke of how his heart sank as the found Varnhold empty of inhabitants but rancid with the smell of death. Finally his heart sang at the news from an unexpected stranger that there where survivors in a small house at the edge of town.
That unexpected stranger was a tiefling that wore Cheliaxian markings and his lady, an unholy vixen that carried the scent of blood and brimstone. Balian would have been more suspicious of the new arrivals if they all had not been under attack at the time. In the fight that followed they proved more than capable combatants. Balian remembered something he once said about Chase, "Better to have the devil fighting at your side than in your path." Later he learned that Tzim was there to answer a summons Balian sent out over a year ago. Word was spreading that lucrative work could be found hunting renegade fey in the Greenbelt.
Balian drew a breath through Svetlana's hair and looked about. Up ahead rode the elf Telen. Balian had known that he was in Stagfell but he had not found a moment to catch up with his old friend and teacher. This dark trip to Varnhold had not been the opportunity Balian expected, but he was glad to have the elf along nonetheless. His skill with the blade and bow were as sure as ever. Since Chase was lost to some unknown fate, Balian considered promoting Telen to acting Marshall and commander of the outriders.
Also riding with Telen was Wini of Carseld, her mailed arms hanging onto his back. Svetlana's bodyguard was bloodied but alive. She was no doubt greatly responsible for Lady Shrike and Arianna surviving their ordeal.
Balian had doubted his own survival for a moment during the battle. Kalladar sprayed magic missiles through the chief spriggin a split moment before it brought a greatclub down on Balian's head. The caster elf had saved Balian a lot of pain and possibly his life. His opinion of Kalladar was changing. Balian remembered thinking the elf was aloof and absentminded, not unlike when Fizzel locked himself away in the casting tower. Now Kalladar was proving to be a valuable member of the party as his magic was as formidable as Balian's steel.
Finally there was Irigok. Balian knew little of the half-orc other than seeing him around Stagfell and knowing he was a fist of Irori. The cleric provided aid after the attack on Redemptio Keep. Since Jhod was needed in Stagfell, Balian conscripted Irigok to ride with him to Varnhold. Although Balian knew little of the god Irori, Irigok's ways of keeping a pure body and spirit intrigued him. There was much to learn.
The party reached the top of the pass and Balian looked back at the dark cloud below that concealed Varnhold. Tyana, Chase's wife if she was indeed that, would have to be told of his fate. He would have thought breaking news to widows would have become easier the more he did it.
Svetlana's lips brushed his and all troubles receded away. No matter what lay ahead, no matter what tasks needed to be done, all that mattered was that Balian had his wife in his arms at that moment, riding towards a tent and a soft sleeping mat.
