The Change Within

After the job in Dissengnikktok, we got back on the road to home. We decided to follow the creek again. We slept in Pardikkin for the night. Nothin' excitin' happened, which isn't necessarily a bad thing after what we been through the last few days. We passed right by Ebbitikken without even stopping, which was fine with me cuz I'm lookin' forward to seeing home again.
 
Around nightfall we came upon a tiny village called Gnik. There we were told to find a gentleman by the name of Niville and ask about a place to stay. While Niville got a room ready for us, we went to the tavern. Boy howdy was that place a hoot and a holler! Abby and I got in on a game of dice with some locals. I lost, but Abby won. He ended up givin' me back my money. I told 'im he didn't hafta, but he insisted. He's a good Halfling. Since I expected to be out the dough anyway, I put it in the party fund. After that, we went back to our group and taught them the game. This time I won! I'm a decent Halfling too, so insteada keepin' the winnings, I put them in the party fund too. Mostly to keep my monies company. After the fun and some food, we went back to Niville's to see how our room was coming along. Well, since Abby was with us, and he's important, ol' Niville and his wife felt they needed to give us their whole house while they slept in the barn. I woulda been happy to stay in the barn, but they insisted. Wouldn't ya know it, it rained like a gully-whopper. I felt powerful guilty about the whole thing, so I left the couple an extra gold piece for their trouble. That town sure was a fun place. I hope I can make it back someday.
 
The next morning we set out again. Around mid-afternoon, we see smoke. Rankle flew up to see what was going on and informed us there was a small settlement that had burned clear away. We looked for survivors, but found none. I did find some tracks though. They looked to be tracks of bugbears with gnomish captives. There was some debate about if we should follow the tracks to help the folks. I told the others in no uncertain terms I was goin'. No way I was gonna just leave without tryin'a help. Abby whole heartedly agreed with me, (naturally,) and soon the others agreed too. (Praise the gods, I don' think just two Halflings coulda taken on bugbears on our own. I woulda tried my best though.) As the sun was settin', We came across twin hills. Perfect place for an ambush, I thought. Well, I was right. Four of them bugbears were waiting there for us. I saw the feckers straight away. Sometime during the fight, Bob and Arc both got knocked out. I was mighty scared we'd lose 'em, but they both proved to be strong of spirit an' hung on. Well one of the bastards ran clear away. Barg got the killin' blow on one of em', and wouldn't you know it, I downed two of 'em! Fari woulda been so proud.
 
We were mighty tired by then so decided to make camp. I took first watch. I saw someone approaching, but 'fore I could get too twitchy, I saw it was Blaghin, a Knight Captain of the Crescent Moon! She woke everyone up with her commanding voice. Said she needed me to go with her for a spell. Soma the others seemed a little concerned, but I assured them she was a friendly. That's all Abby needed to hear to know she was on the up an up. After all, if an Engraben can't trust another Engraben, who can he trust? Rankle still looked a little apprehensive of her, which was actually pretty sweet of the lil guy. It's nice that I'm traveling with folk who care about my well being. Anyway, Blaghin leads me to a camp, and sure as I spit, Fari was there, along with two others. They all looked mighty solemn, which led me to believe I knew what was about to happen. And what was about to happen was the proudest damn moment of my life. Sure as sugar, they began my induction ceremony. After twenty years as a selectee, I was about to become an actual Novice Knight and get my insignia! Fari was first to speak an said, "Will you serve the people even before yourself?" I said I would. Then a female human in chainmail said, "Will you serve the people, even if doing so puts you in conflict with the ruling authorities?" I said I would. A gnomish man in robes and holdin' a staff was next to speak. "Will you defend the people against all darkness, whether it be common venality, tyranny from civil or religious authority, or even from powers and monsters beyond your ability to defeat?" Again, I agreed. Blaghin asked, "Will you give your life, endure any hardship, take on any task, on behalf of the weak, the helpless, the meek, the tired, the poor, the sick, and the powerless?" I said I'd do alla that with my dying breath. An just like that I was in. After that, everyone loosened up an we had a little celebration. They tol' me the bugbears were all dead and the captives were freed. I hope someday I can do somethin' to help those poor folk more. There gonna halfta rebuild everything. Sure brings back bad memories seein' folks home been wiped out like that. Blaghin tells me to watch out for strange acting intelligent monsters. She gives me a sendin' stone an tells me to report back to her with anything I think is off. Fari tells me there's been a black dragon with a scar on it's neck spotted in the area. Well. fuck.
 
Fari led me back to my camp, and decided to stay with me an my group for the night. That night I had the dream again. Nightmare, I guess is a better word. I see my siblings playing in a clearing. Stone Chimney is within sight. I hear that familiar roar. The sound of my siblings screaming in agony is too much to bear. It drowns out even that terrifying roar. I see the mighty black dragon. I try to fight, but I'm so young and inexperienced. Not a single blow lands. My one job is to look out for my little brothers and sisters, and I fail. Their bodies lie motionless. Cottar, Hob, Aiko, Anson, Mazzy... "Get up," I scream. They don't. I try again to shoot with my little bow, but nothing. Someone else's arrow flies over my head and strikes the dragon in the neck. Suddenly I am bathed in its blood. The blood seeps into every pore as if I absorb it. Thats usually where the dream ends but this night it went on. I feel a second presence within me. Somehow I just know I can control it. I tell it to show itself. A drake appears. I think of purple and silver, and the drake becomes purple and silver. I'm not afraid. It's there to help. I wake up.
 
I wake feeling stronger, more powerful and more confident. Fari gives Arc a map, which makes him mighty happy. I tell Fari about my nightmare and how it was different this time. I don't know quite what's in store for us, but whatever it is it sure as shade, will make a great story.