In search of knowledge

[scotcar]

Pendar stood observing the kobolds, watching as they talked in high-pitched yappy voices.  Glancing to the left he saw that the cave entrance was clear, but burdened as he was, there was no chance that he could dash to the exit.  Besides, hours of mining had taken its toll, blistering his hands and leaving him bone weary, although the sacks of ore were a welcome reward.
Carefully, Pendar placed his pack down, cautious in case the kobolds became aware of his presence.  Slinging his shield across his back and loosing his flail Pendar was ready.

Stepping out into the light, Pendar started to chant a spell just as two kobolds chose that moment to walk towards the cavern entrance.  A cry went up as Pendar finished his spell, sending a ball of flame streaking towards the kobolds and erupting in the centre of the group.  Charred bodies flew through the air, flames singeing the two kobolds standing near the entrance that shrieked in pain.  Pendar used that time to ready his shield and flail, smashing the first kobold in the head, dropping it like a stone.  The second kobold, wild eyed and charms jingling, pulled out a knife thrusting straight at Pendars throat.  Using the flail shaft, the blow was easily parried, with the momentum of the kobolds thrust added to the circular overhead swing that ended with the flailhead smashing into the base of the neck.  Spinning like a top, the kobold smashed headlong into a wall to collapse in a heap.  Silence, except for the crackle of flames, producing pungent smoke from flesh and clothes. Pendar surveyed the room.  Nothing moved.  Nodding his head in satisfaction, Pendar picked up his pack, tied his shield to the back of it and started the long walk to the smithy.  

[scotcar]

Pendar stood observing the kobolds, watching as they talked in high-pitched yappy voices.  Glancing to the left he saw that the cave entrance was clear, but burdened as he was, there was no chance that he could dash to the exit.  Besides, hours of mining had taken its toll, blistering his hands and leaving him bone weary, although the sacks of ore were a welcome reward.
Carefully, Pendar placed his pack down, cautious in case the kobolds became aware of his presence.  Slinging his shield across his back and loosing his flail Pendar was ready.

Stepping out into the light, Pendar started to chant a spell just as two kobolds chose that moment to walk towards the cavern entrance.  A cry went up as Pendar finished his spell, sending a ball of flame streaking towards the kobolds and erupting in the centre of the group.  Charred bodies flew through the air, flames singeing the two kobolds standing near the entrance that shrieked in pain.  Pendar used that time to ready his shield and flail, smashing the first kobold in the head, dropping it like a stone.  The second kobold, wild eyed and charms jingling, pulled out a knife thrusting straight at Pendars throat.  Using the flail shaft, the blow was easily parried, with the momentum of the kobolds thrust added to the circular overhead swing that ended with the flailhead smashing into the base of the neck.  Spinning like a top, the kobold smashed headlong into a wall to collapse in a heap.  Silence, except for the crackle of flames, producing pungent smoke from flesh and clothes. Pendar surveyed the room.  Nothing moved.  Nodding his head in satisfaction, Pendar picked up his pack, tied his shield to the back of it and started the long walk to the smithy.  

[scotcar]

Chickens milled around as Pendar threw out handfuls of grain, greedily gobbling up everything that landed near them.

“That” he said to himself “should provide me some eggs for later”.

Walking back to his pack, Pendar thought about recent events.

His tailoring skills had increased significantly, to the point where he can make lion bags.  Still all attempts to make an exceptional belt had failed.  Rodlin subtly suggested that Pendar should not waste any animal products, and that the pursuit of the belt may not be worth the cost.  However, the beasts Pendar hunted were relatively common and showed no signs of decreasing in numbers.  Besides, the nearby mercenaries probably took more than he ever would and Rodlin would say such a thing being a ranger.

Likewise, Pendars ability to tinker had improved, although it had nearly cost him his life an a few occasions.  Those snakes were poisonous, mind you collecting hides was not always safe either.

Practice at casting spells in armour was paying off, well sort of.  He felt like he was heading towards a breakthough, then again that could just be an illusion.  He still needed to work further on reducing his hand movements further to aid the casting.  There were a few armoured mages he had talked to about this technique.  As always, practice makes perfect.

Friends continued to fall, Shelu has been the most recent.  Barion was devastated, although through the process he has become a good friend.

Assassins are apparently hunting Lan.  The hunt for the source had lead them to new places, well new at least to Pendar.  Unfortunately, due to his planned trip, the search would continue without him.  Although Pendar hoped that the issue would be resolved soon, he was also looking forward to investigating the entire situation further.  

Hefting his pack, Pendar thought about his up coming journey home.  It had been a while, and there had been no word of his parents.  Still, a trip home and to the temple for two weeks where he first learnt about Aragen would be a pleasant break.

Pendar set-off with a determined gait, he had produce to sell and needed to find some buyers.  

Some time later, Pendar stood at the Pawnbroker selling a large number of belts.  Still, he had yet to achieve his prize.  Looking at the rising sun, Pendar headed back out the gates to start collecting the items needed to start crafting again.

[scotcar]

A woman’s voice bellowed out, quickly followed by peals of laughter and rapid steps, halfling size, obviously headed for the front door.  Moments later, long thumping strides followed after the Halfling and with it went the booming woman’s voice, screaming curses.

“Barbarian” Pendar mutters to himself.  The next moment a fist smashes into Pendars door followed by “I heards that, Karana not likes being called that names” in a very thick accent. “Youes lucky youes Jin’s friend else Karana would makes youes sorrys”. The ranting continues for a few minuets, before Karana becomes bored and moves away.  Sighing, Pendar berates himself to remember that she has almost mystical hearing.

Rubbing sore eyes, he looks around the room.  Stacks of parchment covered the desk, the book shelves were over flowing with lesser spell scrolls and various pieces of equipment appeared to be escaping from his chests.

Sighing again, Pendar flicked through a pile of notes recording his most recent learning’s.  Descriptions on tailoring and making magic rings dominated, other notes recounted journeys to various lands.  After a few moments, he found what he was after, a single sheet of oak parchment with barely a paragraph of words recorded on them:

“Hidden paths walked for so long, why do you not step from them I do not know….you cannot stay hidden forever, the time is coming…..”

After staring at the note for an hour, pondering the meaning and the consequences, Pendar put it one side and focused on the task at hand.  Picking up another piece of parchment, he read the short recount of a battle involving followers of the Longstrider and a demon.  Sighing in frustration, he added the few small pieces of information to a list kept as his elbow and looked over it.  “Nothing” he muttered.  

Sitting back in his chair, Pendar stretched and thought about his options.  Time was running out, he had to find more information.  Maybe Ozy or Brisbane would know.  Or even Triba, the Halfling appeared to have a few tales to tell.

Standing up, Pendar picked up his pack and walking cane and headed off to try to learn more.  The only question was, where.

[scotcar]

Warm air brought slight relief as the sun beat down on the sands of the desert.  A single figure was visible, doing the same task he had for days; shoveling sand.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Pendar straightened up, a slight groan escaping his lips.  Wondering why he had let this task take him from the scribing tables, he tied another bag of sand up and added it to a growing pile.  Returning to the dreary work, his mind drifted back to recent occurrences.  One scene kept appearing in his mind, that of a battle between worgs and other foul creatures attacking a small party of adventurers accompanied by wolves.

A combination of events, forgotten lore and a demon trapped in a tree had taken them, the Far Striders and Pendar, to that place.  Perhaps Pendar had pushed Jin too hard to reveal information, especially to others, still there appeared no other way then being forward.  One could suppose that the ends justified the means, and maybe Pendars death in that clearing had been a worth while sacrifice.  Still, it was nothing to what Jin gave up, his faith.

Pausing for a moment Pendar mutters "Sacrificed myself to aid a nature god, who would have thought". Somehow, he knew that his mother would have approved, that his service to nature would have made her happy.  Would make her happy, when he told her about it next.  How long had it been now...best not to think about it.  Best to forget himself in his work.

Tying up another bag, Pender carefully filled his pack.  Another memory surfaced, one of Ireth berating a group of young adventurers after a battle where three of their number were slain, including Ireth.  It was a joy to travel with her again, although Pendar would never mention it.

Picking up his pack, Pendar headed back to Hlint.  A strong gust of wind erased his footsteps while revealing the back of a hastily buried ogre.  Gathering sand can be dangerous after all.

[scotcar]

There had been a few other changes in his life recently.  He was now a member of the Farstriders, not that Pendar had traveled much with them, still it was a pleasant feeling having some people to rely on.  Not that it had been a clear cut decision, Karana had not voted and neither of them was very civil to each other.  Maybe that would change in time.

Reaching over to a pile of books, Pender flicked through one, allowing the owner to cast a few enchantments.  He was getting quite a collection.  Although not rare, they would look good in his library.  Scattered about the desk beside the books were all manner of enchanted gems, another hobby that Pendar had been pursuing lately.

The comments made by the seer haunted him.  Now, Pendar often wandered without a hood, many people seeing his face for the first time.  The sun on his face felt good, it was a refreshing change.   Maybe this change was what the seer had spoken about, but in his heart, Pendar knew it wasn’t the case.  Maybe now was not the time….maybe.

[scotcar]

Carefully folding his new clothes away, Pendar couldn’t help but smile at the reactions of his friends.  The new robe had clearly impressed them and it was a refreshing change from his old robes, a style that he had worn for many years.

When possible, Pendar would talk to Elhara and other dwarves, in an attempt to learn the language.  It was difficult, the gruff sounds somewhat new to him.  Although elven, Elhara spoke dwarven fluently, even if he had to be aware of what she was saying.  Elhara could be a little blunt some times.  

Alleina confused him.  A pretty elf, apparently wise but not always attentive to what was happening around her.  A little vague in fact.  Still, they got on well together.  Pendar wasn't sure if she was interested in him as more than just a friend.  It didn't matter, it was too soon.  It always would be too soon.