City of Fire

Epilogue

… Regdar, Krusk, and Alhandra stood at the base of the canyon as the sun set over the edge. Alhandra's lantern provided some light, but after their travels through Secrustia Nar it seemed feeble indeed.

While waiting for Regdar to regain consciousness, Alhandra and Krusk had searched the canyon for their horses. As Alhandra feared, the gnolls had found them, but while Stalker died a bloody death, Windlass had fled to safety. The beast returned at Alhandra's calls, and Krusk marveled aloud at the horse's training.

"Some day," Alhandra said in answer to the half-orc's questions, "if I am true to my calling and serve Heironeous faithfully, he may give me a mount to use in his service. Until then," she said, tossing Windlass's mane and smiling slightly, "my pretty lass will have to do."

Regdar hung his head as Alhandra watered and tended her horse. He'd woken badly, at the cave mouth above the canyon, and nearly fallen off. When the initial shock and anger wore off, he forgave Krusk for choking him unconscious. He hadn't spoken to Alhandra.

When the paladin finished with her mount, Krusk was off trying to find something for them to eat. Their packs were left behind in the City of Fire and they had only one waterskin between them.

"I'm sorry," Alhandra said finally.

Regdar didn't respond immediately. When Krusk found his way back to them, clutching a pair of dead lizards in his fist, the fighter spoke.

"It's all right, Alhandra," he said heavily. "It's all right."

The paladin put her hand out to reassure him, but Regdar leaned away. She let her hand fall as if the slight meant nothing.

"What are you going to do now?" Regdar asked. He sounded almost casual, but Alhandra heard the tightness in his voice.

"I talked it over with Krusk while you were recovering," Alhandra said. "We're going to Kalpesh. If-" Alhandra paused for a moment, then continued in an even voice- "her army is still there, maybe we can do something about it. If Kalpesh is destroyed…" She shrugged. "Krusk needs to know, and maybe we can help the survivors. Who knows?" she added hopefully, "maybe the army disintegrated when the blackguard left."

"Maybe," Regdar said, looking back up at the cave.

"I don't know that we could have done anything differently, Regdar," Alhandra said.

She wished there had been something else to do, but she'd been overmatched. The blackguard of Hextor threw her around like a rag doll. Only Naull's sacrifice allowed the rest of them to escape.

"We could have been better," Regdar answered bitterly. "We could have planned better, or fought better, or damn-well killed her instead of letting Naull-" The fighter broke off.

"Sacrifice herself," Krusk said. The other two looked at the half-orc with a little surprise. He met each of their stares with his own mismatched gaze in turn. "She knew she had to do something important. She died doing it, so we could live," he said, staring at Regdar. He turned his gaze back to Alhandra. "So we could continue fighting."

"At least Naull took the blackguard with her," Alhandra added to Krusk's unusual insight.

"At least," Regdar said hollowly, but he agreed with Krusk. "And we will get better."

Straightening his gear and checking his bandage, Regdar looked ready to go.

"What about food?" Krusk asked. He held up the dead lizards.

A ghost of a smile came over the fighter's face and he said, "You two enjoy. Two lizards isn't much to share across three plates." He stepped out northward. "I might be able to reach Durandell before my stomach thinks those little beasties look edible."

Krusk put on a slightly injured look, then laughed. He held out a meaty hand and Regdar accepted it in his mailed grip. The barbarian patted Regdar's armored shoulder.

"You're welcome to come with us," Alhandra said, and Krusk nodded almost eagerly.

"You fight good," he added.

Regdar thought for a moment but shook his head. "No. I'm going back to Durandell. I want to see how they made out, and check on Ian. Maybe he can help me find out where the gnolls and the blackguard came from." His voice seemed light, but his eyes were hard.

"It's a long walk back," Alhandra said, "and we're going the other way."

"I'll make it," Regdar answered. He clutched his side as he started off. "Eventually. At least I won't have to eat Krusk's cooking."

"Here," Alhandra said, tossing him a big, rolled bundle. Regdar caught it with an expression of surprise. It was the flying carpet. "Windlass won't fit on it."

He looked up at the half-orc, who shrugged.

"Don't like heights," he said, sounding a little embarrassed.

The three laughed as the last rays of the sun lost themselves over the cliff face.