Camiella yells at Kara from the door, “Hey, lazy. Are you going to sleep all day?” Her eyes snap open, and through the haze, she swears she sees Camiella standing at the door, leaning against the frame. She comes out of bed saying, “Thank the Dawn Bringer, I thought,” Then, she fades as Kara wakes.
She sits up, but it still hurts. She gets to her feet and slowly walks toward the temple’s entrance on wobbling legs, wiping away tears from thinking Camiella had survived. Seeing the look of determination on her face, the guards at her door offer to help her. She graciously accepts. She steps out through the main entrance with an acolyte guard to either side as her companions pull up in the wagon.
No one says anything as she makes her way around the wagon. Aran and Ava climb down to help her into it. She crawls next to Camiella, uncovers her face, leans over her with their foreheads touching, then lays her head on her best friend’s shoulder, “Goodbye for now, Cam.” She begins to sob as she hugs her friend. Deep down, she knows Camiella is happy now. After a few minutes, she sits up, takes Camiella’s hand, places it on her stomach, and says, “You’re going to be a guardian angel to your namesake. I wish you were here. You made my arrival at Nexus so much easier. When I did something stupid, and everyone else was mad at me, you always offered me a shoulder to lean on. You listened to all my stupid stories and carried me back to bed when I had too much to drink.” She wipes away the tears.
She looks at Aran, Ava, and Persi and says, “Thank you for finding her.” Persi says, “Maybe we can perform a Raise Dead on her and bring her back.” Looking at Camiella, she says, “She made me promise her a long time ago that if she died in the service of a Cinderblade, I wouldn’t try. I think she’s finally, truly happy with her fiancé now.”
She asks the acolytes to bring Camiella inside so she can be prepared for the funeral. Then she tells her three companions, “Let’s go back in so you can tell me about your adventure.” Ava reaches into the wagon, pulls Misery out, and lays it across her shoulder just like she’s seen Kara do many times. Then, she picks up her maul in the other hand. Kara comments, “That’s a big hammer for a dainty little girl.” Ava says, “Hey!” with a smile. Ava can see the pain in her eyes and knows she is just trying to use some levity to distract herself.
Kara looks at Ava and remembers a little girl on a death world. She had the same look on her face that she saw every time she looked in a mirror when she came to Nexus. When she found Ava, she was surrounded by an undead horde, dirty, with a look that said, “It’s finally over.” In a way, it didn’t matter to her whether she died or was rescued. Now, she seems lively, like the world has opened up before her. She looks at Aran. She remembers seeing him around Nexus, working odd jobs and occasionally on the practice ground. He has a look of determination on his face. She’s only ever spoken to him as a martial student during her instructions on heavy weapons. Finally, she takes a good look at Persi. She regrets not talking to him more over the last few years, but he just withdrew into his lab for some reason. She knows he will do anything she orders him to. She hopes he will choose to be a friend and not a follower.
Noric meets them at the entrance and escorts them to the dining hall. Persi helps Kara along; she’s still moving slowly. They take seats around a small table. Noric excuses himself so they can have some privacy, as acolytes bring in various foods, water, and mead. She tells her companions, “It’s been a long, trying few days for all of us. We’ve lost our home, at least for now. We’ve lost a close friend who sacrificed her life to save all of us. All of you look a little worse for the wear from this morning. I think more happened out there than you went and came back.” She looks around the table and settles on Aran. He says, “We ran into one of those monsters that attacked Nexus. It nearly killed us.” She says, “But, it didn’t, and you grew from the experience. One of three types of people comes out of experiences like that. The dead ones, the ones that say that’s enough and walk away for an attempt at a quiet life, and the ones that find a calling and go back for more. Which ones are all of you?” All three almost simultaneously say “More.”
She looks at Ava, and Ava seems to light up. She says, “I’ve never felt so alive, and something strange happened. The creature bit me, and I felt poison surging through me. My eyes were getting heavy. Then, it was like a warm light touched me; my hand started glowing, and when I touched the bite, the poison was pulled out. Oh, and I’ve been watching you train for a few years now, and well, I’ve been trying to train myself, but with a maul.” Persi interrupts her, “She is a sight to behold. I’ve never witnessed such expert moves with something like a maul. She makes it look like dagger work.”
Ava blushes, and then she asks Persi for the bag, and he hands it to her. She pulls out Kara’s journal, “I’m sorry, I found it when we were making our way to the city with you because the Crownsguard we ran into told us there was a Temple of The Dawn Bringer in Everwind. Since they knew who The Dawn Bringer was when we mentioned you were a follower of Elirae, I figured this might be your home. Then I couldn’t stop reading. I’ve only read the first few or ten entries. I’m so sorry. I know I shouldn’t have.” She slides the journal to Kara.
Kara slides it back to her, “I’m an open book, Ava. All followers of Elirae should be open books, especially to their friends and family. When you’ve finished it, give it back to me.” Ava picks up the journal, holds it close, and then realizes what Kara said. But before she can say anything, Kara says, “We need to get you a holy symbol, and there are some tenants you need to know. I follow Elirae first and then Veleris. I think you will make a fine follower of Elirae, but I feel the calling of another god in your heart, too.” Ava smiles, “I know the tenants. I’ve heard you say them many times.” Kara smiles, “I’ve seen you watch Camiella and me in the pit. I’ve also watched you practice with the maul behind Felicity’s smithy. You’re good.” Ava turns a bright shade of red with embarrassment, “You watched me?” she laughs nervously. Kara grins at her, “Don’t think you’re the only sneaky one. I’ve watched you since you came to Nexus. I’ve followed your progress in class. I didn’t want to pressure you, so I gave you space and ensured you had everything you needed. Maybe that was a mistake. I should have kept you closer. That was a mistake. I should know from experience that wanting to be alone and being alone are two different things. I’m sorry.” Ava moves so fast Kara can’t react when Ava grabs her in a hug.
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She turns her attention to Aran, “Aranark.” He says, “We decided on Aran, D, Dame, I mean Kara. How did you know my name?” She smiles at him, “You’ve been the topic of many discussions between Camiella, Ugly, and me. We pay attention when someone stands out.” He stammers, “I, I didn’t,,,” She says, “It’s good. When others would shirk training, you always asked more questions and wanted to know more about this technique or that technique. We were planning on asking whether you wanted to join the more advanced classes. Maybe even enter a tract to become an instructor or join an adventuring company. Aran, you garnered Camiella's respect. Gunthar asked if he could take you as a squire.” Aran smiles in amazement as Kara continues, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell him no.” Aran’s smile diminishes some as Kara’s smile gets wider, “By the time we get home, you will be far to advanced as a fighter to be considered a squire.” Ava punches him in the shoulder. He blushes.
She looks at Persi, “You are the most experienced. You’ve been through a few things over the years. What do you think? Can we make it home? The temple thinks Nexus came down across the sea. It’s going to be a long journey. We will need all the help we can get. Your calm, clear thinking saved me, and” She looks down, placing her hands on her stomach, “Camiella. Yes, I will name her after one of my closest friends, the woman who saved us all. I need your help, Persi.” Persi says, “That is the best possible name you could choose; it makes me wonder; did Camiella know? By the way, these two were magnificent. Both charged in, Aran keeping the creature’s attention and Ava standing over Camiella’s body. They protected each other and me in the fight, and both fought with clear heads, not letting emotions take over. If it weren’t for them, I would be in the belly of that beast. We can do it; we’ll find our way home. I know I’ve always hidden in my lab, working on this or that. But in secret, I’ve wished I was out there, going from world to world with The Guardians, surrounded by companions I can trust my life with.” Kara says, “When we return to Nexus, I think I’ll have to introduce them to three new Knights of Nexus. Now, let’s eat. We’ll attend Camiella tonight, and then we can rest. I want to go out and see Everwind tomorrow.” They start eating when it dawns that Kara just said she would make them knights. She was watching and waiting for their reaction. She chuckles.
After dinner, they return to the main chapel. All Camiella’s possessions have been cleaned and arranged on the altar’s steps. Priests and acolytes are assembled. Her wounds have been bandaged, and she has been cleaned and draped in the colors of Galathor. Kara says, “It’s tradition for champions of Galathor, in death, to leave their possessions to those they considered worthy in life. In this case, I hope Camiella will trust me to make those decisions.”
“Persi, I know you don’t put much faith in the gods, preferring science, but I think she would like you to have her Cloak of Protection. Kara holds it up and lets it unfold. It’s adorned with the Symbol of Galathor. May it help protect you during the journey ahead. Outside, thunder rumbles. Kara smiles at the sound of the rumble.
“Aran, a good fighter, needs a good shield to protect himself and his companions. This one is special. It can knock your enemies back or pull them to you and keep them away from your companions. Protecting those she cared about was the most important thing to her. Kara pauses, trying to maintain her composure. I can’t show you much about using shields beyond how I watched Camiella use them, but I’ll show you what I can. May it keep you and your family safe.” Kara picks up the shield and hands it to Aran. He takes the shield. It’s bigger and heavier than the wooden practice shields he used. He can feel energy running through it, and that energy is reaching out to him, wanting to form a connection. Outside, thunder rumbles again, a bit louder. Kara looks out at the sky with a mischievous grin.
“Ava, I do hope this works. I think it will. I’m sure Galathor saw great honor in you, standing over Camiella, protecting her body from that horror. You have endured trials that no mortal should have to.” She picks up Camiella’s Girdle of Trials and feels the power surge through her. Outside lighting strikes on a clear night, flashing in the temple, and thunder rumbles through the temple, echoing off the walls. Kara smiles, and some of the acolytes exchange worried looks.
She holds the girdle out to Ava. “You, young lady, have been judged worthy by Galathor himself. This is power incarnate. Always be honorable; this will loan you the power to redeem the fallen and strike down the irredeemable. As a warrior, show honor and mercy; the Girdle of Trials will grow in power, but betray that, and you may find yourself on the wrong side of a lightning bolt. Hold up your arms.” She does so. Kara helps her put it on for the first time, and even though she hasn’t attuned to it, she feels energy surge through her. Another bolt of lightning strikes outside, and thunder cracks through the temple. Ava jumps. That “Alive” feeling comes rushing back. With that also comes her Holy Symbol of Galathor. I think you serve two gods, Ava. It was her most cherished possession. She said Jorrith gave it to her. May it bring you faith in the darkest of times.” Kara places the Holy Symbol of Galathor around Ava’s neck.
Kara picks up Camiella’s sword. A lightning bolt arcs from the ceiling to the tip of the blade. The other end dances from the ceiling and moves until it finally ends at the altar, then vanishes. “Her armor and sword, I will hold on to for now.” Kara places a hand over her stomach. Camiella’s body begins to glow, and a column of light appears over her. She floats off the altar, turns upright, opens her eyes, and spreads her arms and wings fan out from her back. She looks at Kara, “Goodbye, Blue, until we meet in the afterlife.” Kara says, “Show off.” Camiella vanishes in a lightning bolt, and a loud crack of thunder echoes through the temple. Kara chokes back tears.
Kara looks around, remembering the last time she stood in this spot. “I had met and went on a quest with The Chain Breakers; at the time, they called themselves The Guardians of Nexus. There were no other Guardians, and they didn’t choose the name Chain Breakers until they returned. They helped me track down one of my former jailers and torturers, Patience. They freed the slaves Patience had held, and those slaves had become the first settlers of Nexus. I was so happy they were getting a new start in life. Many of them became my friends after I came to Nexus.” She walks over to the place where the portal to Nexus opened. “It was terrifying. I couldn’t understand why, but it felt like it was calling me as it knew me and scared me more than anything.”
Aran asks, “What’s on your mind?” Kara smiles, “Just memories. I met Bor, Bird Brain, Ithalad, Longwei, Rolt, Rowan and Set here. Alhindri was there, too, but Azura had destroyed her mind. Sanagree was here, but she was an owl then. Yeah, long story.” Kara steps and stumbles, but Aran has an arm around her instantly. She looks slightly embarrassed. “Thank you.” He says, “I’ll help you get to your room. Maybe you can tell me about that time on the way.” As Aran helps Kara to her room, she tells him about her adventure with The Guardians. Ava walks behind them, listening to Kara tell the story. Hearing her speak the words is much more powerful than just reading them.
She’s asleep before she hits the pillow. Aran says, “I’m whooped, too. I’ll see the two of you in the morning.” Persi says, “I’m going to the library; I need to look up a few things and work on some of my elixirs. Ava sits in the chair next to Kara, opens the journal, looks up, and says, “Night.”