1.29

Before they had gone too far, Bodwyn quickly doubled back and looted the bodies of Tavros and the woman that Sharampf had fought. He found forty gold pieces between them; he figured their main stash must’ve been hidden away somewhere. He also found two more potions on Tavros, as well as four other empty bottles.

“This guy had an addiction.” Bodwyn had caught up to the others and showed them the potions he had found, but refused to tell them about the money.

“Can you tell what kind of potions they are?” Sharampf asked Fenrick. The gnome shook his head and for the first time to the others, they could see Fenrick was well and truly tired.

“Are you alright?” Bodwyn asked.

“Yeah, why?” Fenrick turned to walk away.

“That fight took a lot out of us. I know I’ve got a broken rib or two. I think we should take a rest,” said Sharampf.

“We haven’t made good time today. We need to keep going, we aren’t that far.” Fenrick stumbled a little in his step and quick as a flash, Tad was there walking next to him. “It’s alright, I haven’t been hurt. That minotaur fellow was too slow.”

“Cobbleson will still be there tomorrow. Let’s just leave it until morning.” Sharampf and Bodwyn were already making their way off the footpath to start making camp. It was early afternoon, but a few restful hours before sleeping tonight couldn’t hurt.

“I’m not old.” Fenrick muttered under his breath. He turned and joined the other two.

They set up their bedrolls and Sharampf got a fire started. Fenrick quickly came out of his grumpy mood when he saw how hurt Sharampf truly was.

After everything was set up for the evening, they all sat around the fire. It truly felt like they had done so little and yet so much at the same time.

“How are you feeling after the fight, Fenrick?” Sharampf asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. A little sore but all good.” The gnome stretched his arms high above his head and looked away from Sharampf. She knew he was trying to avoid the question.

“You know what I meant.” Sharampf shifted the tone of her voice slightly, not in with any aggression, but with a push of concern.

“It’s the first time I’ve killed someone in ten years. It…hurts. But I know that, unfortunately, it was necessary. The world is a violent place, not just in war. If there could be less killing, it would be a good thing.” Fenrick still didn’t turn to look at Sharampf or Bodwyn.

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“Is that why you left the army? The killing?” Bodwyn asked.

“Mainly. But,” he hesitated for a moment but figured it was time to tell them. “I’m trying to find my daughter.

“You have a kid? But you’re so old.” Bodwyn immediately slapped his hand over his mouth and Sharampf shot him a look that would’ve made anyone snap to attention. Fenrick chuckled.

“I wasn’t always this old you know. She’s forty-five.”

“When was the last time you saw her?” Sharampf asked.

“I haven’t seen her since the war.” Fenrick looked down to see Tad had raised her head and was looking back up at him. Fenrick gave her neck a scratch.

“Have you even tried?” Bodwyn asked. Sharampf shot him a disapproving look yet again. “No, wait, hear me out. There’s plenty of ways out there to track someone down. Magical or otherwise. I’m sure a powerful magic user could easily do it.”

“You’re absolutely right. I could’ve easily paid someone to help. Magic, or detective. But I didn’t, I was too scared to do so.”

“How did you get separated from her? I know it was the war, but how?” Sharampf asked.

“We didn’t feel anywhere on Gamerrah or even Merrin was safe. So Myrack and I decided that she and Felana should go back to Sylvanus. Myrack was royalty back home, and so we reasoned they would be safe as war broke out on Gamerrah.”

“But Sylvanus wasn’t safe, was it?” prompted Sharampf. She had heard some of the horrors that befell Sylvanus from the many books she had read growing up.

“No. As the war waged on Gamerrah, a mad tyrant known as the Crimson King escaped from his pocket plane of imprisonment and invaded Sylvanus with an army of Chaos. To top it off, he had gotten quite a few from Gamerrah onto his side, including a few titans.” A painful discomfort broke in his voice, and it had taken him a few moments to gather himself and finish speaking.

“What happened next?” Bodwyn asked.

“The Empyreans go involved then. Came through portals from their plane to help Sylvanus. It was a war just as violent and blood-soaked as the one here on Gamerrah. Many died on both sides, and unfortunately, my wife’s family were massacred.” A tear now rolled down Fenrick’s face.

“Fenrick, you don’t have to-” Sharampf had started to say.

“No, its okay. You wanna know something that mind sound a little crazy? I actually have no confirmation that Felana is still alive. I just feel it, deep down inside, that she is. I can’t explain it. And maybe I will find some magical way to do it, but when I’m ready. And I can’t explain why I’m not, even after thirty-four years.”

“Hey, we’ll help you, okay?” said Sharampf. She looked to Bodwyn and the leporid nodded enthusiastically.

“You don’t have to.” A little choked snort escaped from Fenrick, and he wiped his eyes and stood rigid and proud.

“Fenrick, you’ve already done so much for us. And you’ll continue to help us, so we’ll help you too.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it. Does anyone know how to cook? All I’ve got are these rations, and I’d love for something hearty and filling.”

“Nope, sorry,” said Sharampf.

“Pretty sure I’ve never cooked anything in my life,” said Bodwyn.

“We’re gonna have to find someone who can cook. See if they’ll want to join our little group.” Fenrick handed out his rations and took the first watch as the other two went to sleep.

The group reached Cobbleson during late morning and they could all feel something was off. They headed straight for the Cracked Cauldron and were greeted by Glayda and Bob. Bob’s eyes were ringed with purple.

“What’s wrong?” Fenrick asked.

“Its Hank. Some ruffians from Deer’s Point came and took him. They took him. I always knew this day would come.” Bob filled them in on Hank’s past and the trio immediately set out for Deer’s Point.

“What are you going to do?” Bob asked.

“Bring back your son and put an end to this glyph,” said Fenrick.