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You followed your guide and escort dutifully as you arrived once more at the gates of the tempest city. It wasn't raining this time, but the gates had the same sinister air you'd felt the last time you passed beneath their gaze. At least you now knew that it wasn't your imagination, but there was scant comfort in that.
If your escort sensed anything of concern, they didn't show it, but rather followed the main thoroughfares of the city, heading towards the High Justice's manor with nary a deviation or delay. You passed many familiar sites as you pressed on--Stormpoint Castle, the edge of the forest, the Dragon's Den Tavern, Merchants' Row and the lane leading down to the docks, and were nearing the Library and the Cathedral when your company came to a sudden halt in the Town Square.
A small group of people stood here, chief among whom was the High Justice. Wearing a stern look and flanked by rangers, Stormpoint's chief law officer approached your company in slow, even steps.
"We're not accustomed to having guests in our custody depart so precipitously. In fact," he continued, taking another step forward and glaring down at you, "our guests generally tend to stay put until invited to leave." He paused for moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "Further, in our experience, guests who choose to leave in such a manner are generally found to be guilty of the charges levied against them. In your case, given the history of your accomplice whose arrest you prevented, those charges are considerable."
"However," he added, giving you a gasp of hope, "the citizens and authorities of this city are more enlightened that rumor would suggest. Following your . . . 'hasty departure' we continued our investigation and have verified your explanation of events. Hence, all charges against you are lifted." He made a small gesture with his right and, and one of the rangers returned your belongings to you. "You're free to come and go as you please," the High Justice continued, "just make sure you know who's who before you try to be a hero again."
Slightly stung by his words, you mumbled a brief apology and assured all assembled that you wouldn't make the same mistake again. The Justice nodded his acceptance as your escort loosened your shackles.
"See that you don't. One of our men is still recovering from the blow you dealt him, and in a city such as this, we can't afford to be shorthanded."
There was something about his tone that suggested he was making a possible offer, but as you couldn't be sure, you simply thanked the Justice for your freedom and watched quietly as your cadre from Ogrekvania saluted their Stormpoint counterparts and departed the square. After giving a final word of parting, the High Justice and rangers left as well, leaving you alone to reflect upon the series of adventures and misadventures that had befallen you since you first arrived at the city.
It had been a long visit--far longer than expected given that you had come only by chance, and yet it seemed somehow incomplete. Puzzling this over, your eye fell upon a stone monument that graced the center of the square. Carved upon it, in several languages, were the words:
Courage, Fortitude, Wisdom
Elusive, these traits surely be,
for only few possess all three.
Yet when in one these three combine,
that one in worthy light doth shine.
Those named below are such as these,
our city's blessed honorees.
Our thanks that know no end have they,
these few who stood in evil's way.
- Raven -
- Shane -
- Silver -
- Jaysa -
- Tradan Arakis -
- Justine Jahnna -
- Blade -
- Leslie -
- Rich Ferris -
- Kar Chi -
- Pam -
- Donna Fair -
- Suzanne Schaeffer -
- Lester -
- Francois Doutriaux -
- Sylvin Bordeaux -
- David T. Williams -
- Darious StrongArm -
- D. Lang -
- Barry Long -
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It wasn't an especially impressive memorial, but it nonetheless captured your imagination, causing to you wonder whether, if you had chosen different paths, followed different roads, your name might not have been added to the monument as well. But it was too late for such ruminations. What had passed had passed and could not be revisited, could it, save perchance in tales of fae and imaginary realms where the laws of nature might not be absolute? You considered the matter as you continued to read over the names inscribed before you, and grew so lost in your contemplation that you were taken by surprise when you felt something breathing warmly against the back of your neck.
Alarm gave way to relief, however, as you spun round and discovered that your new companion was neither man nor monster, but rather a dark brown horse fitted with saddle and bridle. A note and a small pouch hung from the former of these and you cautiously examined each in turn. Upon the note, the words, "With thanks and apologies," were penned in a firm, yet slightly flourished hand; and within the pouch were a goodly number of gold coins--more than enough to see you home. Nodding in silent appreciation to your unseen and unknown benefactor, you mounted the horse and gave it full reign, allowing it, for the moment, to take you where it would--for your thoughts were heavily clouded with possibility and conjecture, and you were now undecided as to where your journey home would end.
Thank you for visiting our city. Please leave us record of you visit in our guestbook, peruse a few of our writings, or perhaps consider joining our group and becoming a permanent resident of Stormpoint.
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