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| Details |
| Author: | Luridel |
| Summary: | In the conclusion of Briellen's trial, Briellen, Elohad, Erixa, and Vond take to Scholomance to redeem the spirit of a fallen charger. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Holy Trials
Outside Stormwind Cathedral…
Erixa trots up and waves at the familiar group.
Briellen smiles and nods. "Vindicator Erixa. Brother Vond."
Edwin: Afternoon!
A kid passes by.
Erixa looks down at Jimmy and grins.
Erixa: Hello Briellen, Edwin, Vond.
Vond pinches the brim of his hat as if that passed for polite. "'Lo. Back in the sunshine."
Erixa: The last place we went was quite lovely, in a way. Do you know where we go next for this mysterious horse?
Vond: Lovely it was. Sparing the irate foliage.
Briellen: Lord Shadowbreaker requested I return to him with some particularly expensive diamonds this time, so I suspect he's soon to send us somewhere.
Edwin: Ugh, don't remind me.
Erixa: Somewhere that requires diamonds… *Erixa ponders*
Vond: After all that, diamonds? Either the horse or the lord has expensive tastes.
Elohad dismounts and rakes a hand back through his sparse, slightly sweaty hair. Summer is not his best look.
Edwin waves. "Hey, Elo! Hey, Valiant."
Erixa glances over to see Elohad arrive. "Hello!"
Briellen: Sir Elohad, good afternoon.
Elohad's horse snorts softly and ambiguously.
Vond gives a short nod at the arriving splash of color. It's daring, really.
Briellen: If you'd care to accompany me, perhaps Lord Shadowbreaker will tell us where he means to send us today.
Elohad remains blissfully unaware of most of the colors he is wearing.
Elohad: Right behind you.
Edwin: I'll be here.
Vond: Expecting more tasks?
Erixa: Whatever deadly place, I will help protect.
They enter the cathedral. Edwin waits outside.
Briellen: Oh, yes. We do have a … ghost horse to rescue at some point. And exorcise.
Vond: Ah, right, different ghost horse.
Elohad: That last one was more of a… horse spirit? You know, like a nature thing or something. I think.
Briellen bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.
Elohad salutes Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker with respect.
Erixa nods and salutes Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker with respect.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Ah, you return. You've come far, my friends. Your barding is now suitably prepared for the last task at hand. You will be using this barding to harness your charger once the task of redemption is complete. Before that, however, you will have a monumental struggle to overcome. Your time draws near - huzzah!
Briellen tries to look enthusiastic.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: There is one last item that needs to be made before we begin this, Dame Briellen. Hopefully your resourcefulness has not departed you since you had your barding made…
Briellen tries to look resourceful.
Elohad suppresses a sigh.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: We now must assemble a Divination Scryer - this will begin the trial that will allow you to redeem the fallen charger. Your scryer, actually, is almost done.
Erixa listens to Lord Shadowbreaker intently, darting an approving glance at Resourceful and Clever Briellen.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: The exorcism censer used in Terrordale is the catalyst for it, and I will fashion a suitable housing for the device.
Vond looks on a little warily but politely.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: The last components needed, though, are two diamonds. As I told you when you were last here, they must be as juxtaposed in brilliance as they are in purpose - an Azerothian and a Pristine Black. These two will be the beacon by which the scryer will pierce the shadows! Did you bring them?
Elohad blinks and looks at Briellen in concern.
Erixa starts checking in her bag, in case she can offer diamonds. She cannot.
Briellen produces a jewelry box and hands it over. "I did," she says, her expression serious.
Elohad's brow quirks in an 'unexpected twist!' sort of way.
Vond tilts his head and struggles to not stare at the diamonds changing hands.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker opens the box, which contains a pair of diamond rings. They look rather old.
Erixa gives a relieved exhale, all is well after all.
Briellen: They can be removed from the settings, but I would… like the rings back, if possible?
Elohad frowns. His displeasure seems to be directed at Shadowbreaker rather than at Dame Clay.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: These are fine specimens, Dame Briellen, and your sacrifice will not be without reward. Allow me a few moments to attach them to your divination scryer.
Vond adjusts his glasses as if this might obfuscate the furrowing brow of someone who has unvoiced questions.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker fetches some tools and gets to work. The process takes a little while, but he returns the jewelry box and hands over the modified exorcism censer, now a Divination Scryer.
Briellen shifts from foot to foot.
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: The final pieces are now in place. At long last, your time has come!
Erixa whispers, "So now it is time to save her horse?"
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: In the depths of the Great Ossuary of Scholomance are the skeletal remains of many beings. Amongst them is a once-noble charger. The hollowed soul of this charger now serves as the steed for Death Knight Darkreaver. It is he whom you will face, and it is this steed that you will pass judgment upon. Only you, Dame Briellen, can redeem its soul and save it from the torment of its servitude.
Elohad mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like "Oh NOW he admits they have souls."
Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker: Use the divination scryer in the heart of the Great Ossuary's basement to bring forth accursed spirits that must be judged. Use your judgments wisely during this trial - they will prove more potent than you realize. After the spirits, the death knight will appear; defeat him and reclaim the lost soul of the charger. Only then, Dame Briellen, will you be able to redeem it and place your barding upon your new steed! Good luck!
Briellen bows before Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker.
Briellen: I will do my best, Lord Shadowbreaker.
Erixa follows suit and bows, exactly as low as Briellen.
Briellen turns to the others and gestures towards the exit.
Elohad: Go ahead. I'd like a brief word with Shadowbreaker alone. I'll be right with you.
Briellen: Of course.
Vond holds himself quietly as the matters are detailed, before giving his own short bow and leaving Elohad to his words.
Elohad has a low-voiced conversation with the man. He does not sound pleased.
Erixa: I think this Scholomance place was mentioned in Cobalt.
Briellen: Ed, here.
Briellen holds out the jewelry box.
Erixa: I do not think it sounded very pleasant.
Elohad: I think my son's been down there.
Vond takes a long, deep breath. "Guess this is how I come to learn the ossuary is still in service. Or at least never cleaned out."
Edwin takes it and checks inside.
Edwin: They were the right kind?
Briellen: Yes. Thank you.
Elohad scratches thoughtfully at his stubble.
Edwin: Aw, it's fine. They'd be happy to see 'em go to good use.
Erixa: Maybe you can take them out after?
Briellen examines the Divination Scryer. "Perhaps," she says doubtfully.
Vond frowns mildly as the box is passed hands again. He glances among the others, most finally settling on Clay. "Any of you been out to Caer Darrow as late?"
Erixa shakes her head. "I have only been far to the east."
Briellen: I've passed by in patrols, but I haven't gone to the island.
Edwin: That where you're going?
Briellen: It is.
Elohad: I honestly can't remember when I was there last. Sometime last year, I think.
Vond: Well if the stories are true by fractions, it's a spot as any to find a ghost.
Elohad nods, squaring his shoulders.
Edwin: Okay. Let me make transportation arrangements for the horses, and I'll meet you all in Chillwind Camp?
Briellen: Yes. Thank you, Edwin.
Erixa waves at Edwin.
Edwin: See you soon!
At Chillwind Camp, one gryphon flight later…
Vond murmurs, "Was that… a family item?" while Edwin is still out of earshot. He looks somewhat melancholy.
Briellen nods quietly to Vond.
Edwin Lanford approaches, leading an extra horse for Briellen.
Erixa stretches after getting off the long gryphon ride. She watches the exchange between Briellen and Vond, but doesn't comment.
Edwin: You be careful in there, all right?
Briellen takes the reins and mounts up. "We shall."
Elohad: No one falls on my watch.
Vond does not look surprised. He is quiet again.
Erixa: We will be as safe as we can. *Erixa nods*
Edwin Lanford says: I asked the Quartermaster, and we do got a key made. Here. They want you to bring it back later.
Edwin Lanford passes Briellen a key as well.
Briellen: Thank you. Shall we?
Elohad nods at Briellen.
Briellen grits her teeth as they ride past the cemetery.
Elohad's horse is his usual stoic, almost listless self, as though zombies and the like were just extraordinarily dull.
Vond keeps alert on the path, but not quite as nervy as in the Plaguewood.
Briellen slows her horse as they approach.
Erixa's horse seems a little nervous, but determined to see his rider through.
They arrive on the island of Caer Darrow. Caer Darrow is full of ghosts - living out a facsimile of their daily lives, visible only to some.
Elohad looks around silently.
Erixa frowns at the fountain. "So many candles."
Vond seems to slow his breathing, eyes darting here and there—expectant of something.
Valiant might as well be walking down a pleasant Stormwind street.
Elohad does not look so calm, however; he keeps gazing around as though seeing… things.
Erixa notes Vond's attitude and puts a hand on the hilt of her sword.
Vond: It's a-churning here, alright.
Briellen checks on the Divination Scryer.
Erixa: A-churning?
Vond: Ah. Y'know. Busy.
Erixa looks around the empty courtyard, and looks back at Vond.
Briellen says dryly, "What a charming school." She dismounts.
Elohad is distracted, watching… nothing in particular, it seems.
Erixa: I do not have the skill to easily sense ghosts. Is it ghosts?
Briellen inhales and her aura briefly flares up, providing a little extra protection against Shadow.
Elohad dismounts. Valiant lowers his head as though to graze, and looks gently disappointed to find no grass.
Briellen: It feels… heavy, here.
Elohad: I don't think a single spirit from this area has moved on as it ought.
Erixa: It is an uneasy quiet, yes.
Vond glances aside to Erixa. "There is a lot of bitterness in this place. You've the right of it. They linger."
Erixa: They are not bitter to us, though? But to…
Elohad: Most of them don't even seem to notice us. Which is probably for the best. There are a lot just… playing out the memories of their lives.
Briellen produces her key and opens the door. She seems a little surprised when it does actually open.
Briellen: Bones in the hall already?
Erixa: Hopefully some of the good parts.
Briellen sighs.
Erixa: There are guards. Skeletons. So… we go to an ossuary, yes?
Briellen: Yes. I'm afraid I don't know where that is.
Elohad hangs back, keeping everyone else in his eyeline.
Vond: Yeah. Where they threw the spent projects.
Erixa: Probably somewhere down.
Vond: Only one way to find out.
A ghostly voice whispers to Elohad, "Darkmaster Gandling's in a mood. Stay out of his way today."
Elohad shivers.
Elohad: I've been advised to stay out of Darkmaster Gandling's way.
Briellen: Who?
Erixa: Dark Master?
Elohad: I think he's the master of this place. I don't know if the voice I heard was a memory or… someone warning me today.
Vond hesitates slightly. "He's still here? We'd best be quick."
Elohad: I don't know if he's actually here or if what I heard was just… an echo.
Erixa: Maybe he was, when the spirit's mind is now.
Elohad: Right. But if we know where he used to hang out, might be a good idea to avoid. If possible. In case there was a reason I heard that warning.
Erixa: Do you know, Brother Vond?
Vond betrays only a mild concern. "Perhaps, but if anything starts talking to you overmuch, remember you only came in here with three others."
Vond shakes his head to Erixa.
Erixa: This room does not look ossuary.
Vond: I dunno, plenty bones. They're not… following—
ghostly voice whispers to Elohad, "I've got Reanimation 101 with Professor Rattlegore…"
Elohad: Yeah, I think I'm hearing echoes.
Briellen: Get the summoners!
Erixa: Bones in here. Do you sense a horse?
Elohad: Who're you asking?
Briellen: I do not, but this looks more like a classroom than an ossuary.
Erixa: LOT of bones for a classroom…
Vond scans the seemingly bottomless stacks of bones with a light sigh.
Briellen: A necromancy classroom.
Briellen grimaces.
Elohad: Some of those were former students.
A ghostly voice whispers to Elohad, "Pupils who dissatisfy the headmaster will be removed from class to perform lab work… or become lab work."
Erixa's expression darkens.
Elohad: This is not a class you want to fail.
Erixa: I do not think this is a class you want to be in.
Briellen: Nor do I.
A ghostly voice whispers to Elohad, "I had to clean the subject's cage today. She asked me for something to read. Can you imagine?"
Elohad winces, seemingly at random.
Erixa peers through the door. "More bones, books and candles. Next classroom?"
Briellen: I believe so.
Elohad: This place is the absolute worst.
Vond: This is where my usual scout would usually make us chant a blessing ward against returning dead. Not that it works as often as a hammer.
Briellen puts away her Libram of Light and readies her Libram of Wracking.
Erixa: I wonder what they learn here… but then, probably I do not want to know.
Elohad: I unfortunately am hearing all about it.
Erixa: Maybe I count it lucky that I cannot.
Elohad: I do not know why ghosts are so talkative around me. Sometimes it's helpful. Sometimes it's… this.
Vond: Not surprised the ones around here have plenty to say.
Elohad: Yeah. Academics, you know how it is.
Vond: I was thinking more… Hm.
Erixa: The lives ones do like to run.
Elohad shudders again.
Briellen: Be wary of the, ah, the blue ones' magical silence.
Vond searches for his breath after the string of wandering undead help themselves to the party. "More that the cult that set up here—most never saw it coming. Friends, neightbors." He shrugs.
Briellen: Ah…
Elohad: I'm not lucky enough to be hearing anything from the good guys. Just the invaders who've managed to die here.
Vond: You don't have to wonder long why some started losing their marbles and charging at shadows.
Erixa looks with concern at Elohad.
Elohad: The absolute lack of compassion…
Erixa: At least it may make our work here easier. We do not need to be conflicted.
Elohad: I've seen orcs with softer hearts than the people who took this place.
Erixa raises an eyebrow at the idea of an orc with a soft heart.
Elohad was clearly using it as an extreme example!
Elohad: I know Ben had a rough time down here. Wonder if he can sense any of the… *he gestures vaguely.*
Vond: I'm told this is where the plague was developed? Or at least some of the research. I'd not dwell on the details long.
Briellen: Ah.
A ghostly voice that only Elohad can hear calls, "Wear your gloves, you moldy loaf of bread! Don't TOUCH the samples!"
Elohad: I mean just looking around with your own two eyes is bad enough.
Erixa: I would not be surprised to find orcs here now. Seems their kind of evil.
Elohad: Well, the demons had hold of them, too.
Erixa: Cannot blame demons for ones own actions.
Elohad: Yeah, I mean, I hung around with some of the same demons.
Erixa: You? With demons?
Elohad: And no part of me was like, "This sounds fine, sign me up." I fought in the third war, Erixa.
Erixa: Hung around with means fought, then?
Elohad: I mean, I had the same exposure, is what I'm saying.
Vond gestures broadly at some scattered bones being picked at by sickly hatchlings.
Elohad: Never even considered joining forces, no matter how bad it got.
Erixa nods slowly. "I think if I ever had that thought, I would not be me anymore. I think same of you all."
Vond: If what I'm thinking is they use the refuse as food for these—
Elohad: Ugh.
Vond: Might be on the right track.
Elohad peers at Plagued Hatchling searchingly.
Elohad: They're tainted. Can't tell what kind they were before. Green? Black?
Erixa: Hard to tell color in the candlelight. The bones are less tidy in there.
Elohad: From feeding time, I guess.
Erixa shudders.
Vond: Anyhow, I dunno how much the cult compares to orcs. But it just goes to show, if ever you're reluctant to believe it… there really are those, that when they choose death, it won't only be for themselves.
Elohad: You know the weirdest thing about the instruction here…
Briellen frowns, quiet.
Erixa: Then we must be the inverse. To choose life for others, at whatever cost.
Vond nods to Erixa. "That's why we're here."
Erixa turns to Elohad. "What about the instruction here?"
Elohad: *distracted* the thing that gets me…is how oddly normal it all is. Harsh instructors yelling at their students in kind of the same way teachers do when they're teaching… archery, or baking, or… anything. It's … unsettling.
Briellen: Ah.
Vond: It has to become normal to them, or they wouldn't do it.
Erixa furrows her brow.
Elohad nods grimly.
Erixa: It is kind of monstrous, simply not to see it as monstrous.
Elohad: It's only the details that are different…
Elohad: …don't give the caged subject something to read. Don't touch the… samples.
Vond: Some lot of details.
Briellen winces.
Briellen: This place is truly disturbing.
Elohad: Sounds just like every teacher I ever had… except for the… details.
Erixa's face tightens with anger.
Elohad: It's so weird, how every person just… lives life thinking their way is the right way, perfectly normal, the right choice.
Vond bows his head slightly, hesitating when passing another set of bones.
Erixa: And yet, they are wrong. Utterly wrong.
Elohad: I never know how to wrap my head around it.
The group descends a flight of stairs and reaches the ossuary.
Briellen: Oh. I believe this may be it. What a mess.
Erixa looks over the strewn bones. "Ossuary."
Vond falls deathly quiet while sizing up the constructs.
Elohad blurts out a foul word at the sight of the scythe hands.
Erixa: School projects?
Briellen looks at the pile of bones, but is quickly forced to focus on the skeletons that are actually moving and trying to kill them.
Elohad: You know, there are things on Outland that have hands like that for real?
Elohad: Noooot my favorite.
Erixa: Surely they did not somehow get rockflayers here.
Elohad: Yeah, you know 'em.
Elohad shudders.
Vond: Must be wild, seeing Outland.
Elohad: It's… sometimes you feel like you're dreaming. With a high fever.
Vond seems fine with discussing something completely unrelated.
Erixa: Rockflayers are not very fun.
Elohad: I love that they're called rockflayers. Perfect.
Briellen: What is a rockflayer?
Elohad: Picture a living creature that would have a skeleton like these constructs.
Briellen: Hm.
Erixa: Many just call them flayers.
Elohad: I am pretty sure they could flay rocks.
Erixa: They are very aggressive, best to steer clear.
Elohad: If only I'd had the option. *He sighs*
Vond: Yeah, you'd be angry too.
A ghostly voice: "I'm gonna give my skeleton six arms. It'll be hilarious."
Elohad lets out sudden weird, wild laugh. Clearly not at anything anyone alive was saying.
Erixa shoots him a concerned look. "What was that?"
Elohad: Sorry. One of the deceased students took me by surprise.
Briellen: All… right?
Elohad: Their idea of a prank was giving their school project six arms?
Briellen: There's… certainly arms to spare…
Erixa grimaces.
Elohad: I don't know why I laughed. Surprise, really. The absolute wrongness of their tone.
Vond: How's Snowtusk's ward go—there's a verse for blood, one for bones, 'n one for voices. That covers the echoes.
Erixa: That is part of humor. Discomfort, things not matching. Yes?
Elohad: Oh yeah? I've never been told a way to stop it before. I guess no one ever saw it as a problem.
Vond: If I had a keener sense of humor about discomfort I'd be laughing already.
Briellen: Does it work?
Elohad: Paladins are supposed to suffer, ha ha. That's why absolutely none of us go stark raving bonkers.
Vond: I mean, there's still undead coming, so I doubt it works. But maybe the idea is it works sometimes.
Elohad: I'm fine, though. It's the stoic ones you need to worry about. As long as I'm complaining, you know I'm still me.
Briellen: Ah. Should I… complain?
Erixa manages to soften her expression to grin at him. "And I am not stoic. Angry sometimes, but not stoic."
Vond: This might get a little messy.
Elohad: Just be you, Clay. *He smiles gently.*
Erixa: Let's kill this thing, clear the room?
Briellen: We should clear the room.
Briellen nods.
Elohad: Well, clear it of anything moving, ha ha. Would take an army to, you know, clear it.
Briellen: Supposedly, the charger's actual skeleton is down here, somewhere.
Elohad: Well. All the bones left are staying still.
Vond peers among the piled bones dubiously.
Elohad: So that's good?
Erixa: Do we… look for it? *Erixa looks around the piles*
Elohad suddenly goes very quiet at the prospect of searching for horse bones.
Briellen takes out the Divination Scryer and examines it. "Lord Shadowbreaker said to activate this here, and to use our judgements wisely?"
Erixa: Wise judgment… *Erixa says thoughtfully*
Elohad: I'm assuming he was speaking… paladinly. Or am I not supposed to give you hints? He seems determined to put you through the wringer for some reason. You turn him down for a date or something?
Erixa chuckles.
Briellen: I have had little to no interaction with Lord Shadowbreaker before this.
Elohad: Huh. I tried to find out why he was giving you such a hard time, but he just said that your training was not my concern.
Vond looks restless. "I don't suppose anyone would be spared to give this place proper rites… gather up all the remains. It looks like it'd take weeks even with a lot of hands going unbothered, no…"
Erixa looks around at the bones. "There are some things that are too big… to fix. Or even make better. Maybe once your Plaguelands are mended? The bones will wait."
Erixa: I agree with your thought, but the living have more need.
Briellen looks sympathetic, but she nods.
Briellen: Perhaps one day, I hope.
Briellen sets up the Divination Scryer.
Immediately, waves of ghosts begin to attack. The paladins find that judging them with a particular seal per wave is especially active. There are periodic pauses during the waves of incoming ghosts…
Elohad: It's quiet. Too quiet.
Briellen drinks water the moment she gets a chance.
Briellen: More are coming.
Vond looks on edge at this point, staring off at unstirring shadows for something else to materialize.
Briellen takes a deep breath.
Vond: Ugh, the— the way they just /wait/ for you to put your guard down. Get on with it!
Erixa is looking around hopefully for a horse spirit.
Elohad gently pats Vond.
Briellen: Darkreaver! Show yourself!
//He does. Darkreaver is mounted on a ghostly paladin charger and he doesn't seem happy about being disturbed.
Death Knight Darkreaver yells: ENOUGH - this ends now! You fools will be added to my bone collection!
The Death Knight mind controls Elohad.
Elohad: YOU SON OF A BITCH. Fear the Light!
Briellen grits her teeth.
Elohad is mind controlled a couple times during this fight. Briellen keeps Vond healed while Elohad is indisposed, and eventually the Death Knight dies for good.
As the knight falls, the charger calms slightly. It looks… sad, almost hollow.
Erixa looks happily at the horse. "Can you help it, Briellen?"
Elohad just stares at it. He stands very still, and his eyes fill with tears.
Vond eyes the charger warily.
Briellen reaches up to it. "You're not lost."
Briellen: You fell to be with your paladin, didn't you?
Elohad's eyes spill over, but he makes not a sound or even the slightest movement, just standing there with tears streaming down his careworn face.
Erixa watches the horse with a gentler expression, not moving so as not to startle it while Briellen assists the horse.
Briellen gently touches the horse's muzzle, her fingertips glowing with Light. "It's not too late."
Vond blinks a bit across toward Elohad before glancing to his right and left, perhaps searching for another bothersome echo.
Elohad just continues to stare at Briellen and the horse.
A glimmer of life - long vacant from the poor beast - shines in its eyes as Briellen redeems its judged soul. A holy rush of power surge around her as she places the barding on its back. The charger nuzzles her hand.
Erixa smiles, letting out a held breath.
Briellen: What's your name? Do you need a new one, now?
Elohad lowers his head, covering his eyes with a hand.
Vond steps back slightly, his face smoothing over in the face of the pulse of Light.
The charger glows, slowly becoming more tangible. Off to the group's left, there's a flare of light as one particular horse skeleton in a skeleton pile dissolves.
Briellen glances at Elohad, and her expression goes soft. "Endurance? Can I call you Endurance?"
Elohad looks up at Briellen with wide, tearful eyes, lowering his hand.
Briellen glances around at the others for horse name approval or disapproval.
Elohad nods slightly, swallowing hard.
Endurance seems fine with whatever name he is given. He seems to be getting used to being solid again.
Erixa just smiles, not wanting to speak to break the spell.
Vond mostly just looks a little awestruck.
Briellen: Come, let's get you back into daylight, hm?
Briellen takes the horse's reins and looks at the others. "Shall we?"
Elohad nods, still unable to speak.
Briellen does gather up the Divination Scryer, because that thing was so expensive.
Vond stirs from his thoughts with a blink, only taking a moment to reluctantly scan the stacked remains before following.
The ghosts are quieter on the walk back.
Elohad says, rough-voiced, to no one, "Oh now you have nothing to say."
Erixa: The horse will be alright now? *Erixa whispers*
Endurance looks around with faint horse curiosity as he follows Briellen.
Briellen: I believe so.
Briellen slows down to offer Elohad a handkerchief.
Elohad takes it and mops at his eyes.
Erixa: Endurance… is that Endy, for short?
Briellen: Endy? That's rather cute.
Endurance stomps on the necrofiend with his hooves. Gosh.
Briellen gets the door open. Once outside, she looks for her borrowed brown horse, who is waiting patiently.
Erixa sighs, as they finally get out of the awful school. Even if they still are on the awful island.
Elohad looks thoughtful, distant, staring off into nowhere.
Vond raps knuckles sideways to Elohad's shoulderplate. "Still with us? No hangers-on?"
Elohad smiles faintly, crookedly, at Vond. He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders.
Vond: Don't want you to wind up with any unexpected guests following you home.
Briellen transfers the saddlebags from one horse to another and makes sure her rental horse will follow her new charger.
Elohad: Oh, they know better than to try to hitch a ride on this fella.
Briellen: Good.
Elohad's horse is still totally the same horse.
Briellen: Come, let's return to Chillwind Camp. I need to return this key.
Vond lets out a low whistle. "I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but that's a peculiarly impressive animal after all."
Vond has a just-a-horse.
Briellen pats Endurance's flank. "It seems so."
Elohad looks down at his own black-maned white warhorse, and that distant expression steals over his face again.
Erixa: I hope you are both happy together!
On the ride back to Chillwind Camp…
Elohad: …I've got to find him. I've got to at least try.
Erixa: Find?
Briellen: Where?
Elohad: It'd be… somewhere in Felwood. I have to at least know I tried everything.
Briellen: That's… not somewhere I've traveled before, but I'd be happy to accompany you, sir Elohad.
The paladins arrive at Chillwind Camp.
Edwin: You're back! That's - whoa.
Vond: I miss something? Where ya headed?
Erixa: If it is dangerous, I can come defend.
Edwin hurries over to take the reins of the rental horse and gives Endurance an admiring look.
Elohad: To the place I lost my first horse.
Vond: Ah.
Elohad: Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out.
Briellen: Are you certain?
Elohad's current horse heaves a huge sigh.
Elohad nods.
Briellen passes the key to Scholomance to Edwin, who goes to return it to the quartermaster.
Briellen: Thank you all. So much. I… know I could not have done that alone.
Elohad: It was… amazing to witness. You're something special, Dame Clay.
Erixa nods. "I could never have done something like that. It was awesome."
Briellen looks down, smiling.
Vond smiles slightly, though it is a bit strained. "I really am glad you gave me this opportunity, Dame Clay. It was fantastic to travel and to see, well, all that."
Vond: I can't claim to go unworried by the remaining ossuary, admittedly.
Briellen sounds almost shy when she says, "If you'd care to call me Bree… I'd be honored to consider you all friends."
Elohad: If you like, Bree.
Elohad smiles warmly, and a bit sadly.
Erixa: Yes, Bree. I would be happy to be your friend.
Briellen: Elohad, I wish you good fortune in your search, and if not that, at least the closure that comes with knowing you did all you could.
Elohad turns to Vond. "One day we'll get this place sorted out. We'll drive evil from this place one day. I'll live to see it."
Elohad inclines his head to Briellen.
Vond: As you like, sister—ah? *glances to Elohad.*
Vond: Not feeling the undertow of the sinking ship today?
Elohad shakes his head at Vond. "No. I'll help see it done. However long it takes."
Vond bows his head slightly with a smile, thin but genuine, palms pressed.
Erixa smiles at everyone.
Elohad: Go with the Light, friends. I have to go figure out how to work a side trip into my squad schedule.
Briellen bows her head and dismounts. "Light be with you all. I'm going to get this one something to eat," she says, and leads her horse off.
Erixa: I will head back to Outland. Let me know if I can help with anything more.
Vond: Right, I'll be headed back east. Keep safe everyone.