ROGUE REQUIEM
Teflar advanced on the pair with a strange light in his eyes " Now is not the time for this discussion. You will have more time to explain your actions later, Nerendil, and we shall decide if blame lies anywhere. For now though, our path is to honor the fallen and take care of Morray's body. One thing we must all remember, is that we would have checked the fire anyway, Nere's 'distraction' or no. What happened to Morray could have happened to any and we need to remember that."
The bard said flatly " Why didn't she just run away like she was told to? Why did she want to fight them? She thought she could take them all on?!"
The cleric spoke again from the far eastern circlelight Splendor was tensely rigid and moved to the southern end of the bonfire
Leah sauntered slowly out of the western shadows
Immediately venting his anger, Aramil bashed the end of his quarterstaff into the skulls of the dead orcs.
Gulius, obviously the most emotionally-hurt of the fellowship, staggered over to the slain rogue. Dropping to one knee in front of Morray, he spoke in disbelief at the news
" Oktavianus, did I hear you right? She's dead?!"
The cleric moved away silently and was replaced by the paladin who revered a touching requiem before the others.
Gulius lowered his head for a few moments as the rites were spoken, but then stood stark with rage
" NERENDIL, This...this is all your fault!! Chasing fires in the night! Why and for what?" The dwarf ripped a thin strip from the bottom of Morrays' cloak and tied it around his bleeding forehead. "Why Nerendil, why?" he breathed hard.
The paladin fixed a sorrowful gaze on the dwarf then stared away into the fire.
" It was my little sister, Thal. She was here. She was in danger and I must protect her. But she is gone now." He turned his face to look at the dwarf again " I am sorry about all this, Gulius. I never wanted this fate for Morray, but I just don't know how all this happened." The paladin's right arm started to tremble.
The ranger solemnly shrugged, his face somehow darker without the grin, and kicked a nearby stone in frustration.
The mage watched as Hebron untied the canvas tarps revealing a stinking core of animal entrails. The smell was so overpowering that all who stood nearby were forced to cover their face to avoid the nasty assailment.
" Surely her death came at a price for the group, but there is noone to blame. She fought with skill and courage, but was simply overpowered by those beasts. Let us not fight amongst ourselves and stop blaming each other. Now does anyone have a better tool than my amulet for digging?"
The cleric pitched a few dirt clumps into the air as he delved his holy symbol across the ground.
" Yes, we do. Let this fire be our tool for that is the proper funeral for a member of our circle. She shall be given back to the heavens in ash and not left to rot in the earth." He looked to the others briefly for agreement, then walked over to stand near the chest with Gailwind " From where have these beasts come, sir elf? Is there a hiding place north of here?"
The Lorist gazed with forlorn at the slain humanoids before slowly opening a map folio. After a brief glimpse he replied " The eastern portion of the fens lie due north. Through this, the ordered artery of the caravan road runs right through from the city of Venya."
" Friend sage, you say we have another path at our convenience? A choice to avoid the bog?"
The lorist crooked his neck " I wouldn't say 'convenience'. The northeast march means another added day of travel to the highway. But if you mean avoiding the unknown marshes, then surely it can be done."