We stepped out of the portal. We had not rode far when a wisp appeared."Always stop and acknowledge the presence of the wisps. It is very polite and correct to do so," Oni's advice rang in my ears. So I stopped. To my surprise the wisp 'spoke'. Er, it sorta flashed some weird lettering about. View attachment 4890 "Huh," I stammered quite taken aback by the wisp wishing to speak to an ol' ranger.The wisp flashed as if it were laughing or gigglin' or some such. "Your Lady our friend. We miss her being out and about this Realm. I have come to help you free her. Four days hence, meet me at the crossroads near the bridge that crosses Beggars Gorge."The wisp was gone as soon as it finished speaking. "What was that strange flash?" asked Rose. "It was a wisp communicating with me." "With you," she replied. "Aye , Lass," I chuckled. "Strange is it not." "Very...," she drawled. "Alesha," I called out.The High paladin came to a halt. Turning in her saddle, she responded. "What is is Sarreffe?" "A wisp just gave me some information." I quickly filled Alesha and Rose in on the 'conversation'. "Can the wisps be trusted ?" asked Rose. "Aye," replied Alesha. "Oni holds them in very high esteem." "And they,her," I broke in. Four days, huh?" Alesha spoke as a troubled look come on her face. "What is the matter?" I questioned. "Rose and I must help Hans collect the taxes from those infernal Arctic ogre lords." "Hmmm, Then I shall meet with the wisp. Also, I will seek the aid of our friends and allies. I am sure someone will be willing to help the Lady Oni." "For a surety," replied Alesha. "Then it's settled. We will head back for the Eternal Realm. Perhaps I can find more clues and information, also." "That you may, Alesha commented. Besides, I am weary of this running about," Rose spoke up. "My pots are getting all dinged up."We all laughed. I spent the next few days sending out summons and preparing for my incursion into the Vale of Rephaim. Then as the last day quickly turned to night, I remembered the book Hans had found. I quickly ran up the stairs to the alchemy chamber. It still lay on the small table. I opened it and began to read. The candle grew very short when I came to the passage I sought. My eyes were heavy and burning. I rubbed them and began to read again. The book was extremely insightful and descriptive. 'Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself. Into the Vale they rode... The giants came. They could not stand. Their strength availed them not against the heroes. The winged were grounded. The fire came. The heroes stood....'Alas, the page was torn away. "Guess I will just have to stand against the fire and see what happens," I mumbled to myself. I quickly wrote the passage into my journal and fell asleep at the little table. "Today is the day," I thought to myself rising up and rubbing me stiff neck. No one had come to aid me yet. I went to see Oni to show her what I had found. "Nothing new under the sun," she replied. "No, M'Lady. Seems someone 'fore us has faced this evil and overcame. It gives me added strength to see others before have triumphed." Hurried footsteps resounded on the great stairs. I turned to see Shadbak and Vlar closing quickly to where Oni and I stood. "'Ear o' Oni illness and come quick. Lookee who else come" "Vlar!" Oni said elatedly.I saw a twinkle of a gleam come to her eye as she said his name. "'ello, Lady of the Eternal Realm, Vlar replied with a flourishing bow. "I have come to lend my aid." "Thank you both for coming, This means so much to me. To have friends such as you." I heard a low, deep rumble outside. I walked the window and looked outside. Two of Vlar's 'pets' had made the long journey with him. View attachment 4892 "Ah! Yes! Meet two of my scantily clad archers, Kate and Zero." We all laughed. "How are you feeling, M'Lady?" asked Vlar, turning our attention back to Oni. "Very hopeful. Sarreffe has found more information about my malady. Now just to find the cure or the taking of it from the 'changers'. Wish I could go with you all."I saw Oni wince in pain. "Oooh!!" she gasped as she put her hand to her head. I quickly grabbed and held her close. "Perhaps we should go now, replied Vlar. "Aye, ummie," quipped Shadbak. "Not just yet," Oni spoke, recovering from the sudden pain. Not before I give you all a big hug for helping me." "Um, Er...You are not contagious are you?" Vlar asked dubiously, taking a step back. "Of course not you big chicken," Oni responded. "It is a malady of the mind and not body." "OH! Very good then, I think. No , I mean not good you have been struck with such a..." "Say no more," Oni replied as she hugged us all, Vlar first. "Safe travels and good hunting my friends." I helped Oni to her chair. She was really clinging to my arm now. Rest easy, Lass," I whispered in her ear and turned away. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. We turned and walked out. I could feel the anger rising again within me "Someones is going to pay dearly," I said in a low rough voice. "Aye, Ummie," retorted Shad. "To the Vale and execution of sentence on these that have touched the Lady," resounded Vlar. Once outside, I stated, "we make for the passage to Delucia and the Vale." I was beginning to see how Oni felt at times. I said the words, the portal appeared, we stepped into the gate and walked out the cavern to Delucia. "One more jump," I stated. "Vas Rel Por." I called out.A shimmering, blue portal broke forth. The peaceful, harbor town of Papau sprawled out before us. 'Make for the crossroads near the bridge over Beggars Gorge," I stated. "Lead on, ummie," replied Shad. True to word, the wisp was there. " Seek the fire which does not consume itself. Be vigilant, be patient. The last of the winged shall be worse than the first. Then the fire shall come" "Hmm, Seems we are looking for winged entities," I stated. "And then some unquenchable fire shall appear. "What are winged in the Vale?" asked Vlar. "Ston wingres, ummies, rreplied Shad. "That's it, Shad. The winged gargoyles of stone are what we seek. The will be easy to track. "LET'S GO!" I shouted. "Aye," Vlar stated. "Into the Vale. "Yah," Shad retorted.. We rode the short distance to the bridge and crossed the gorge. The giants came, but could not stand. Shadbak brought the Titan down squealing like a stuck pig, and the "Archers" took out the nasty little wyvern. We continued along the Vale road. The giants fought hard to protect the winged 'changers', but to no avail.. Shad's mace wreaked havoc on the monstrous guardians and changers. Their stone armor was no match for the mace nor the sharp teeth of Zero and Kate. The Vale was full of those bent on stopping us from finding our goal. On we pushed. One-by-one the winged ones fell. Finally, we came upon a horseshoe-shaped region. A massive winged changer stood in defiance. "Keep them from the fire!" it shouted, as it charged at us with others in support. He fought as if demon-possessed, but once again to no avail. The 'Pets', Dauntless, Shad and I saw to that. "Look! A fire that does not quench, " Shouted Vlar.The last of the 'changers' had fallen. I turned and saw a fiery creature coming straight at me. I stood still and waited. It came on. "Give me what I seek!" I shouted out hoping to avoid a fight.Alas, it was not to be. The fiery mass struck at me as did its guardian. I threw some 'snake ale' in its face. It wreathed in pain. A couple of well-placed blows from Shad put the fire out. The 'Archers' finished the guardian in short order. "Lookee, ummie," cried out Shad. She pull a massive harp from the ashes. "A harp?" "We fought through all of this for a harp!" Vlar resounded. "Not just any harp," I stated. "Tis what we need to cure Oni. A balron is behind this," I concluded. "A balron!?" said Vlar. "Aye. This harp will rid the balron's curse." "Let's be headin' home," I said as I secured the 'Cure' for Oni. "Aye," Vlar replied, as he offered everyone a little refreshment. "Ummie, alright," stated Shad as she lifted the drink to her lips. "That he be," I replied. We wisped away from the Vale of Rephaim and into the Eternal Realm... EPILOGUE: (written by Oni) Sarreffe brought the Harp to me. "Athelwyn, I believe will know what to do with this," He said. "I wish to set out in search of this balron, forthwith." I knew I would not be able to deter him from going. "Be careful," I said as he turned to leave. He cocked his head back and laughed. "Aye, Lass," he quipped as he walked out the door. Athelwyn came, and as Sarreffe had said, knew what to do. It had been a long road back...
Thanks to all for your participation and support. I truly am blessed by your kindness and friendship. HAPPY THANKSGIVING UO-R AND FRIENDS Oni Neaufire, High Mage True Knights of Brittania
