The Ballad of Darlie

As the sun set over Anger Bay, the companions pulled the wagon to the outskirts of Reefs Edge. Immediately villagers ran out to help. When Krin saw her husband, she called out for a healer. Melos, along with Stensune, was taken to the healer's home for treatment. Agamon, Humperdink and Heimdall headed to the Gill's Rest for a much needed drink.   As the group ate, Humperdink decided to commemorate their adventures in a song for the tavern patrons. As Heimdall and Agamon watched slack jawed, the minstrel sung a dirge-like ditty recounting their horrid experience in Crunan. To the amazement of his companions, Humperdink's performance won over the crowd and even put some coin in his pocket.   As the minstrel sung, Agamon noticed an assistant to the healer enter the tavern and join two other men in a whispered discussion. Upon hearing about the savage bites suffered by Melos and how the huge man seemed to be healing remarkably quickly, Agamon interjected himself into the conversation and revealed that some legends talked of how the infection of undeath could be spread through bites. Hearing that, one of the men hurriedly left the tavern.   Agamon followed the villager to Krin's house and eavesdropped on the argument between the man and the Reeve. Krin, at first not believing such a malady could have befallen her husband, rushed to the tavern for more information.   Stensune rested in a small cot in the healer's house, a funky smelling poultice covering his wound and a hot tea mixed with herbs to make him drowsy starting to work its magic. Across the narrow room, Melos appeared to be sleeping comfortably.   As the herbs started to take over, Stensune's head lolled to the right. In the shadows, he saw Melos sitting upright, arrow-straight in the dark. Stensune began to ask if the man was well when Melos stood up, looming over him. With his weapon and armor stashed in the wagon, Stensune felt naked and decided tactical retreat was his best option. Sliding over his cot, Stensune limped from the room and left the house, the sounds of the healer being torn apart behind him.   Outside, Stensune almost ran headlong into Krin with his friends not far behind the Reeve. Without hesitation, Krin entered the house and was immediately attacked by the creature that had been her husband. Drawing his weapon, Agamon bashed the monster from behind, knocking it from its feet. Armed with a shovel, Stensune battered the thing about the head. Realizing that Melos was a lost cause, Agamon finished the creature with a vicious slash of his sword.   As the abomination that had been Melos slid lifeless to the ground, Krin's face stretched into a silent, anguished wail.