The Cleansing Wave

Tales of the Cleansing Wave

First Light

One day a young lady ran into the slave market of Vor'Hei. She looked at all the slaves on offer assessing them very quickly. Eventually she saw one she liked and said "Do you have strong arms?" "I do" he said. "Can you fight?" she said. "I can", he replied. She gave the slaveseller all the coin she had and he had barely been unshackled from the line when three men surrounded the girl and made to pummel her and take her away. The slave simply stepped forward and beat them, using the chains he still had as weapons. Eventually the three men were driven off. The girl, who was Bella, took the slave with her and they escaped Vor'Hei. Once they made it to the forest she said "I am sorry for buying you." "Why?" he said, "Have I not served you well enough?" "You have served me better than I could have asked. But I do not want to own a slave and I think none should." "But, I would serve you well." he said, not understanding, as being a slave is all he could remember. "I expect you would, but I refuse to own another. I free you. You may go where you please and do what you please."

He sat for a time then said "Then I will stay with you. For I have known none so kind as would free a slave. And I suspect your need for some help and protection is not over. If you would have a friend rather than a slave there is no place I would rather go and none I would rather be with."

With a prayer of thanks, she said, "I am Bella. And I am glad to have a friend. I mean to free more slaves if I can, but I know not how. What may I call you?"

"I know not if I have ever had a name", he said, then looked at his chains. "I have been called lock at times as I used to lock other slaves to their shackles. But a lock can be opened or closed. So, call me Lok. And perhaps we can open some together."

And that is how Lok and Bella met.

Bella and the Stone

One day Bella and Lok found, through some means, a small contingent of slaves being moved from one estate to another by their master near the Pass of Gofthren. Their guards were few as they were on a small back road and expected no trouble. Bella and Lok set upon the group and drove off the guards. Some of the slaves had got free during the fracas and fled into the woods. One, however, stood still as a stone in the middle of the road, though his chains had come loose. As Lok came near him he swung his fist, wrapped in chain, and knocked Lok to the ground. No small feat. "I am not as fast as some others, you would surely catch me if I fled. But I will not trade one master for another. Especially not for a new master that takes slaves by ambush on the byways." the Dwarf said, brandishing his fists ready for another exchange.

Bella threw back her hood and her silvery eyes shone. "Peace, friend. We would take no slaves. We wish only to free you so you may go your own way."

"Brak, I am called" said the dwarf and extended his hand to Lok.

"And steelfist you are, too." said Lok as he climbed to his feet rubbing his chin.

Brak looked at Bella and at Lok, and saw Lok still had some chains about him. "If you mean to free more slaves you will need one who knows how to remove chains for good. I will come with you if you will have another companion." "Of course, " Bella said, "you are why we are here. Please come with us and we will share all we have."

And that is how Bella found Brak Steelfist.

Bella and the Slavebreaker

In the provinces of Hrelgaffir Bella and Lok and Brak had freed enough slaves in small raids and skirmishes that they were noticed by the local Magistrate. As such, he dispatched a group of Slavebreakers lead by an arcanist Slavebreaker to ensure short work was made of the upstarts hiding in the woods. The arcanist lead the investigation through the small villages and towns of the region, gathering rumours and interrogating any who might know more where these outlaws could be found. For songs and stories of their deeds had started to be whispered in the taverns and the slave quarters alike.

One night Bella declared that they should camp under the stars and celebrate a recent victory with a drink and a song with some of the slaves they had just freed. As they had too far to travel back to one of their hideouts they would make the most of their night in the woods. Lok, always cautious of their safety, was reluctant but soon persuaded by Bella to whom he could refuse nothing. Though he kept a watchful eye as always.

As it happened this was not so far from where the Slavebreakers were camped that evening. The arcanist had good senses and noticed a trace of noise or flicker of light way off late in the night. As it was late the arcanist slavebreaker went to investigate alone suspecting there might just be animals in the woods, or a trick of the moonlight. On approaching the Glade in which Bella and her group were camped, singing, feasting on the meagre supplies they had, and trading stories, the arcanist stopped and watched for a time.

After a time he walked into the camp. Seeing the slavebreaker robes he wore Brak and Lok were on their feet and armed in a heartbeat. "Wait." said Bella "What can we do for you, friend?"

The Slavebreaker took off his robe of office and threw it on the fire. "I have been lied to" he said "they say the slaves are happiest in servitude. That they cannot fend for themselves. That keeping you shackled is best for everyone." He knelt on the ground. And Bella went and sat by him.

"What do you think now that you have watched us from the bushes for a time?"

The Elf Slavebreaker answered "I know now those lies imprisoned me as chains have imprisoned you. I see you are happy and are able to care for each other. I have never heard such laughter and song from those in chains. I cannot return to my former life."

"Good" said Bella, "then you will join us, and you will help us lead others to freedom." With that, Lok handed the Elf a drink and he was part of their band thereafter, eventually taking the name Glade.

Despite being so close the other Slavebreakers in that wood never found the group, who always seemed to know what they would do next and were always a step ahead

The Sound of Fury

Often when Bella and her growing group would arrive near a town they would not be welcomed well. The Patricians and Magistrates consistently spread word of them being killers and wastrels. Made them out to be agents of chaos who only wanted to burn down everything good honest people built - but one day they approached a town called Scarenbrae. At first the locals paid them no mind. Then a farmer who spotted them pointed and called out "Ho, there is Bella and her fearless band of liberators!" Soon many had come out of the town to greet them and bring them small bundles of food and supplies they might need. Once the townspeople welcomed them into the town they began to notice some were familiar. They were some of the slaves they had helped free. On questioning many of them told similar stories of having encountered a small bard with a tremendous voice and quick smile who had encouraged them to find their way to this town.

Some in the town also said the Bard had come that way previously and sung often of the plight of the freed and how they sought nothing but a way to make a life of themselves. So, the people of the town had slowly freed their own slaves over time and started to welcome others who ended up there. Many of which brought skills or knowledge of great use to the town that had suffered great losses in a Dragon attack not so many years before.

"Who is this bard who makes such a fine noise?" wondered Brak.

"We must find her and give her our thanks." said Lok.

And so they did travel for a time, listening for clues of a bard who had been through town that fitted such a description. Eventually, in a small town outside Vor'Hei they heard of a small Bard who had just been that way and had been asked to go and perform at the local Magistrates house. Glade seemed worried about this being a trap and the group decided they should go and confirm all was well. As they snuck up on the Magistrates estate they could soon hear a great clamor. With a glance they all decided to rush in and take part in the chaos. Amidst it all they found a Gnome Bard running and yelling and singing. Guards and Slavebreakers both trying to catch her and being thrown off by magical effects she produced.

By the time the estate was in flames and the group had escaped into the woods, they had a new companion. The ever fiery and feisty Melody a gnomish Bard who had been spreading word of their deeds

Stemming the Tide

After Bella and her group had grown in power and confidence for some time, Lok and Glade together concocted a plan to raid the slave markets at a smaller town called Vor'Tennath. It was a tough fight, but many slaves were freed and the markets were sundered. Better yet, without causing great destruction throughout the rest of the town. Bella was always firm that those who had not been central to the slave trade they should try not to harm in their efforts.

As the fight wound down Lok turned to see Brak staring at the nearby docks. "They keep coming." he said, and pointed at a vast slave ship that had arrived from across the sea and disgorged it's cargo into the markets there.

Lok turned to Bella, and said "What can we do about these ships?"

Before anyone could say any more, Melody charged past, singing a sailing song. She stopped only briefly to call back to the others, "Then we go to where they come from, and stop them coming!" With that, she leapt onto the ship beckoning the others to come along. After a short skirmish with the crew and the Giant captain, the group took over the ship called The Cresting Wave.

By the time they got back to the port of the ships origin they renamed it The Cleansing Wave, a name they themselves would come to be known by. The land they found, following the ships charts backward, was wild and vicious. Peopled with Orcs and Gnolls and Giants all of whom farmed and captured other, more vulnerable races to use as slaves and to sell them across the sea. There they set about freeing the peoples and bringing some civilisation and equity to the land. And forged many new legends.

The Cleansing Wave Crashes Ashore

Once the Cleansing Wave got to the region now known as Khurabil, they fought a long campaign against entrenched Orc and Gnoll tribes. Moving down the Kaelen Peninsula they struck against small outposts, rescued humans and halflings, gnomes and elves and taking them by ship back toward the outstretched extent of the peninsula. Here the destructive forces had already been turned back somewhat and the area was safer.

After a time those they had liberated also captured a couple of small ships and helped both in the attacks on the Orc and Gnoll settlements as well as gathering more civilised peoples who were in captivity or under attack and ferrying them to safer areas.

Eventually they were strong enough and well enough supplied to attack a giant stronghold called Zaer'haem. The fighting was long and bloody, but the giant settlement fell. The walls they had used to keep their captured people in could now be turned to keeping Orcs and Giants out. And the place would eventually be called Port Zaram.

The Cleansing Wave, however, kept moving. They swept across the land driving the enemy out everywhere they could. Further south they ran into hordes of hobgoblins in an ancient forest, and struggling Elven settlements amongst them. With the help of the Elves they pushed out the cruel and aberrant invaders that had so long dominated the area.

They also swept west and Drove the majority of the giants back to the very peaks of the mountains. And supported some small number of Dwarven and Gnomish strongholds in the Earthspine to better hold their own and control their territories.

During the mountain borne fighting they found some unexpected allies among some Dragons that had been at a simmering war with the Giants for decades.

As the fighting waged on, The Cleansing Wave found they needed to take some time and regroup and plan from time to time. They came to an agreement with the Elves they had worked with and took custody of a section of forest a little distinct from the vast forest of the south and established there a small safe place. A small place by a lake where they could gather and where, as it was central to the whole region, freed people could congregate or use it as a waypoint to another life somewhere. They named it for the deep green of the forest there.

The fighting continued and the vast majority of Orcs and Gnolls, goblins and hobgoblins, giants and creatures of evil intent were driven from the land or into hiding in small places where they posed little threat.

Eventually, many were driven to the east across a land bridge to a vast savannah that was relatively untouched. Lok and Brak conceived of a strong fortress standing at the end of the land bridge. A bastion against forces of evil and chaos. Those seeking refuge and freedom would be welcomed there, but it would be strong enough to hold off armies. With the help of the Dwarves of the Earthspine they built the bastion and called it Stone Bulwark in the old tongue. This bastion has grown into the city called Steinwark today.

End of Night

As Bella and her band started to become a sizable force and head south from the end of the Kaelen Peninsula into the wider plains, they continued to gather folk. Folk freed by their efforts, who were willing to take up arms against the oppressors still ruling the lands. It seemed everywhere they turned there was another Orcish Warlord, Bugbear Feifdom, or Giant's minor kingdom, often in conflict with their neighbours. But, all turned their attention to Bella and her fellows as soon as they drew near, and would expend every effort in holding on to all the power they held. This is the way of tyrants everywhere.

Though they had gathered many helpers, it was the Cleansing Wave themselves that always lead the charge into any battles. And it was often Bella, herself, at the very front, leading and inspiring all who saw her. Invariably, too, Lok would be steadfastly right by her side.

But as they began to sweep over the plains of the larger region that would eventually be called Khurabil, they did not know the extent that word of their victories had spread. Deep in the Brinebrae swamp Nullatrix, the dragon known as Night Terror, slept and listened to word of the world outside his dank domain. Nullatrix ruled a dynasty of Black dragonborn called The House of Night. His power spread across the swamp in the form of Kobolds fanatical in worship of Nullatrix. And this dragon disliked what he heard of this upstart band freeing people and bringing tyrants to their knees across the land.

So it was that Nullatrix took to the air. And using the forces at his command fell upon The Cleansing Wave as they camped one night while travelling past Brinebrae's southernmost reaches. In the night he attacked, bringing acid and hate, fear and claw with him. Lok and Glade, awake late into the night, were first to respond to the attack. Managing to protect many around them. Even so, the losses in the initial strike were many. The fearsome wyrm tore into the camp of the rebels, seeking the light of this Bella he had heard talk of. With acid and teeth and claws he struck again and again, killing and injuring. Bella was sorely injured by this brutal and sudden onslaught, his full wrath galvanised into attack after attack upon her.

Melody and Glade tried to protect and guide most of the camp's forces away from the dragon that had appeared out of the dark night sky. The fear Nullatrix caused just from being caused many to run. Even as the House of Night and their Kobolds fell upon the camp from either side.

It was Lok then who stood between the great dark dragon and fallen, injured Bella who he had followed so far and so long, her light dimming in this new darkness. And meeting the dragon eye to eye, Lok showed Nullatrix his sword and what it could do in his hands.

With a moment's respite the small army travelling with The Cleansing Wave rallied. Buoyed by Melody's battle song, lead into the fight by Brak's unstoppable axe swings, and assisted at each turn by flashes of Glades potent arcana.

Again and again Lok took the full wrath of the Dragon upon himself. Holding firm and striking back each time the beast slashed or bit at him, but letting the foul tyrant do no further harm to Bella. It is said Lok talked quietly to the wyrm of what Bella meant to him and to so many people, and what he would do to protect her. The great darkness scoffed at him and showered him in it's acidic breath again. But Lok did not lie, there would be no quarter given while he could raise his sword to protect the great light of his life.

Then there was a great warm light shining all across the battlefield. Like a dawn come from among them. A gentle touch on his shoulder told Lok all he needed to know. The light was Bella and she stood beside him, gossamer pearlescent wings spread behind her. Now Lok knew that this mere Dragon, many times his size, could not prevail. Bella, the very picture of healing beauty, stood with Lok as he removed the great Wyrm's head.

With the fall of their sacred Dragon, the remaining Kobolds despaired and fled. Even the highly disciplined House of Night, already being tested by the forces that had rallied against them, broke and fled. They left most of their number fallen upon that hillside surrounding the camp they thought would be so quick to destroy.

It was a hard fought battle that left many scars as well as lost companions and friends. But, it was together that the Cleansing Wave, and those who had chosen to follow them into battle, had won the terrible fight.

Now, too, word could spread that they had bested one of the great powers of the land. The House of Night was fallen, never to rise again. Bringing down a huge dragon who had sought to ambush them brought even greater renown to the small army. And it brought hope to those who still had need of their help.

Freeing the Forest

Although their victories were common, dealing with diverse enemies while trying to rescue as many people as they could, had proved to be a more and more difficult task for The Cleansing Wave. Made harder at times when the petty lords they sought to dethrone would send armies of the very people they sought to free against them as troops forced into service. Many fearing for their lives or for the lives of what loved ones they were allowed by their dread masters. Thus, the Cleansing Wave needed to consider their moves and strike where they were unexpected from time to time. This drew out the conflict, turning days into weeks or even months.

In these times when they needed to regroup or plan, The Cleansing Wave would retreat to a thick forest that they had managed to clear of its worst dangers. Though Brak would sometimes grumble it was too full of trees and moss and such to be a worthy place to stay for too long, his friends knew that though he might prefer a mine or deep cave, he would not begrudge them the safety and bounty of the forest they had begun to consider a little like a refuge. Glade even found a small cave beneath a hill they could adapt to a sort of camp. Brak seemed more at home there, though then it was Glade's turn to complain about the lack of fresh air and sunlight. But he did so with a smile. Melody simply laughed at them both.

it was near here that one day they came across a small group of elves. They were tired and hungry and clad in rags. They also had a story to tell. Bella insisted they make camp right there and soon food was cooking on the fire and the elves were made comfortable and welcome. Although the group was small, this was the largest group of just elves they had encountered on this land. Glade had many questions about where they came from, and of course Melody could barely restrain herself from asking for songs or stories they knew. But, Bella bid them tell their tale they had come to share.

"We come from a great forest further south," said they, "and there is great trouble there." Bella took the hand of the small Elven woman who lead them, bidding her to go on when she could. Tears stood in her eyes as she continued. After a moment she spoke again. "We were property", she said, "of the great dragon Mervygrus. It lives in a great old fortress in the sylvan forest where our home is supposed to be. Or so the old stories say."

Talk of a new dragon made the companions look to each other. They remembered the terrible night the great black beast Nullatrix, Terror of the Night, had brought death to their camp, and almost ended their crusade.

The Elves explain they had heard Bella and her troupe had defeated a great dragon in the north. But, so too had Mervygrus heard this. And Mervygrus liked the sound of it not at all. "The Dragon goes to war. Against his rivals and neighbours. Now a great patch of the forest he rules." The elves took a breath and took turns explaining each part. "He does this to take the captives of those he conquers. Thus to build an army, bigger than he ever had." This sounded concerning to them all. Such a beast would surely be fearsome by itself, but it sounded as if its forces grew ever stronger. "Worse yet, these conquerings the wyrm plays at come with great losses. Each time we are marched into battle more die. The conquered troops swell our ranks again, but the cost is very high."

Bella could hear Lok stand and pace back and forth as the story was told. Glade turned to his books, as always, looking for a solution he knew was not between their bindings.

Bella told the Elves they were brave to have escaped and come so far. They told how a few of them got away in the depth of a cloudy dark night, spreading out into small groups as they headed north hoping to find some sort of help.

"And help you have found", declared Melody, jumping to her feet.

"Aye, you have", confirmed Brak, his eyes like steel.

The groups exchanged more knowledge and directions over some food, and a song or two from Melody, which always brought cheer.

The next day Bella and her band were heading south to the great green forest the Elves had spoken of, gathering up some of their allies who had also made camp in the forest nearby. Soon a small force breached the northern edge of the vast forest they had been told of.

It was only a little later they came across another group heading in a similar direction, but coming from further west. For a moment there was some tension as the dappled light beneath the trees made silhouettes of the other travellers. But, they did not seem like orcs or giants or suchlike. then one cried out "Why, it is Bella and her famous companions!", he cried. The companions themselves were a little surprised by this unlooked-for greeting. Then the man who gave it dashed forward, bounding over the uneven ground. "I am Bruno", he said, "and this is my Vanguard! There are more troops who have gathered behind us, but we few lead the way into danger, just as we hear you do." he declared to Bella.

A little taken aback, but happy to have met seeming allies, Bella had to admit the man was charming and seemed confident with the sword he carried. Perhaps just the sort of fellow to attract a few worthy fighters to his leadership. "This is my friend, Jack," said Bruno, indicating the halfling by his side. "Also by my side are El'utrin, Garv, Dusk and Zula." He indicated in turn a swarthy Elf, a fearsome Half-Orc, a dark Dragonborn, and a Tiefling the colour of the forest itself. "We are an unusual group, I admit, but we fight for freedom for our fellows just as you do. In fact, it was stories of you all that convinced me and Jack there", he gestured toward his friend with a flourish, "to break our bonds and take up arms for freedom. Since then we have been lucky to be joined by such good help along the way."

Bella smiled at the enthusiastic man and said "If you all fight for freedom then you are a very fine group indeed. And we are honoured to have met you." As she said this Melody hurriedly went from one to the next shaking their hands and saying something kind or funny or playful, as was often her way. "But," said Bella, "I fear we must soon part ways as we come to this forest to hunt a dread Dragon. Mervygrus is its name, and we hope to end it, though it may well be enough to best us for it sounds rather fearsome, and a sizeable army it has by all report."

"Dear lady," said Bruno, "then you will certainly not be rid of us. For this is the self-same beast that we hunt. And I can think of no better hunting partners than thee. What say we improve our chances with combined forces and enough clever folk among us to concoct a sound strategy!"

A couple more days’ travel and the newly combined group and their small contingent of followers came to the border of the lands of Mervygrus. There they enacted the plan they had devised along the way. Striking here and there at different targets. Supplies and patrols and such. Freeing all the captive folk they could and dealing with the many Bugbears and Hobgoblins who served as commanders in the dragon's army. Soon they had drawn out more and more troops, again freeing who they could, but now letting a hobgoblin or two escape to bring descriptions back to Mervygrus of the raiders in its territory. This way they hoped to draw the wyrm out.

And so they did.

As the great dragon finally alighted from its ancient citadel to hunt for the troublemakers in the forest alongside its gathered army, it found itself under attack by Bruno and his Vanguard from one side, and by Bella and her fellows on the other. Their troops, meanwhile, caused distractions in the forest delaying and waylaying the dragon's army well away from where they could be of assistance. This time The Cleansing Wave had ambushed the dragon. And though it's talons snapped trees and its wings caused a gale, they had stalwart allies, too. Mervygrus, who some called the Sylvan Plague, soon tried to flee. But the magic of Zula, Glade, Melody and Bella kept the beast from moving far. Well within striking distance of their companions. Now it seemed this Dragon, who knew nothing of mercy, would also refuse it when offered. And so it met its demise.

And then the battle was all but over. The tide having turned against the Dragon's commanders and sergeants, their unwilling troops turned against their oppressors to great effect. The luckiest of the Bugbears and Hobgoblins fled deeper into the forest. The forest which had been reclaimed that day, by the Elves whose elders remembered that their elders before them knew it as their homeland.

That night, as they celebrated as best one can after a brutal fight, Bella and Lok looked at those gathered around. Marvelling at the people who had come together to help them in their quest, and at those who had raised their own banner to help and inspire others. With help like this, they would surely be able to help this ailing land.

And that was how Bella and The Cleansing Wave met Bruno and the Vanguard and together they brought down the mighty drake, Mervygrus.

A Treaty and a Home

The fall of great Mervygrus freed many people from servitude. The majority of them being Elves and Halflings. The small folk had tried to find refuge in the deep places in the woods, just as the elves had. Though the halflings preferred to live in hollows or camouflaged tunnels under the forest hillsides, while the Elves looked to the trees and the hillsides. Neither had protected them from the predations of the Bugbears and their conniving Dragon overlord.

As The Cleansing Wave and the Vanguard and their followers took a few days rest in the deep forest, taking advantage of the ancient stronghold ruins that had been the home of the foul beast, they were confronted one day by a very formal seeming delegation of Elves.

"You are very welcome here, and we thank you for what you have done for us," said the Elves, "but we must speak of the Forest, for it is sacred to us."

"it is a very fine forest, wider and deeper than any I have seen," said Glade. "And now that the beast is gone, the smell of the flowers and mosses returns."

At that, Brak looked at the forest floor and nudged a mossy rock with his boot. Then shrugged. Melody giggled and nudged Brak, with a grin.

Ignoring the reactions, the Elves went on. "Not all the forest is free, but without the Sylvan Plague, much is now freed. So, it is time for us to claim this ancient forest as our home, our Taurë mardi."

This had not occurred to Glade and he looked to his friends, particularly Lok, who had a mind for such things. But, it was Bella who stepped forward. "We thank you, in turn for your thanks. Though we do not look for it, we appreciate it. As to your forest, it is, as my friend has said, as fine and vast as we have seen. As beautiful as it is we make no claim and seek no part of it for ourselves."

The elves merely looked at each other, unsure what to make of these words.

"We must return to the north soon." said Bella. "If you wish to put your name or your claim on this forest, I suppose you may. For myself, I dislike borders. It seems they are too oft something for those who draw and redraw them to disagree about. And it is rarely them that shed the blood to settle the argument." Then she sighed. "Still, it is your home, and you have a right to protect it from darkness. But, please forget not those who share it and also love it as their home." Here she looked especially at the Halflings sitting in groups nearby, as well as some of the other folk of various stripes who had lived under the green Dragon's vile rule. With that she bowed to the Elves, wished them luck and went to dip her tired feet in the nearby stream. Lok, of course, followed her. Glade, Brak and Melody soon falling in behind.

It was then that Bruno came to the Elves. "I can see you are earnest in protecting what you have so hard won back. Perhaps we should speak, and with as little influence or power as I have we could come to some arrangement that suits yourselves and those of us the Giants call Khu-Ra-Byl. Or the chained who are now free, as we would put it."

A few short weeks later that back in the north, where Bella and her boon companions had made camp again, where each, as they sat, expressed the weariness they felt after months and months of battle and travel. Still, Bella looked out from atop the hill that they camped upon, and sighed at the beautiful view over the dusk-lit lake nearby. She smiled as it always brought her some calm, as water often does to those with trouble in their hearts or minds or weariness in their bones.

Lok sat next to her and looked out, too, at the view. "I know you love it here. The view is certainly lovely. And I hope you don't mind that I pushed to make it here by nightfall so we could camp in what I think might be your favourite place."

"I don't mind at all," smiled Bella, "as it is my favourite place of all I have seen. You know me so very well, Lok. And I appreciate what you do to bring me some comfort."

"Then I hope you will allow me another suggestion," offered Lok, "that I hope you will like. If I am wrong, I hope you will forgive what I suggest as I suggest it only in an effort to bring you happiness."

"I am not so fragile a thing that I would baulk at just a suggestion, dear Lok." said Bella. "Please, tell me what you would."

With that, Lok looked out at the darkening golden view. "I would not draw borders nor deny anyone anything." he said. "But we are weary of raids and roads, trials and terror. I know our work is not done. But, might it not be worth giving ourselves a place, a home, to which we can return for rest and respite? For solace, rest and a good meal. Dear Bella, I want to build us a place here, upon the hill where your favourite view is, a place we can all share. Let me build a home for us, for our weary band. That we can leave it when we need, restored and ready for our work."

Bella had not expected this suggestion, but she was soon won over by the sense of it, and the thought of something like a home. They had fought so long for so many to have the opportunity to make a home for themselves, it seemed to even her, who always saw the next need to address and the next person to help, that a home for themselves would only strengthen their resources and resolve.

It was early the next morning Lok was pacing out space for foundations, and judging sizes for rooms and supports. Brak stood nearby showing his enthusiasm in gruff corrections and suggestions about the best way to lay and prepare the stone. Glade, too, set aside a page of one of his ever-present books on which to note down Loks pacing measurements and perform calculations near as arcane as the magics at his fingertips. Melody spent her time switching between mocking her friends, and excitedly suggesting ideas for the planned structure. Bella simply looked on with love at this little family she had managed to find so unexpectedly. And now they would have a home. Together. Though Lok insisted it would be best called "Bella's home."

The building took months, as it was often interrupted by returning to their adventures time and again. But with them all working together, and employing some of the freed folk to assist with the construction, a small tower started to appear on the forest hilltop by the lake. All were welcome and it was soon that those working on the tower had caused crops and livestock and artisans to gather and build nearby. All those folks sensing how safe they would be living alongside The Cleansing Wave themselves. Before long a simple desire for a small home with a nice view was becoming a happy and prosperous community.

And that is how Bella and Lok and Brak and Glade and Melody, far from the lands of their birth, made for themselves, finally, a home they would call their own.

The Coldest Winter

There are many stories of The Cleansing Wave. The more well travelled one is, the more one will hear them exchanged over an ale by old friends. Sometimes sung by bards in wayside inns or in their patrons' courts. Or told by old soldiers who say they were there. And perhaps some of them were.

If you listen closely some speak more of Melody, usually this comes from the bard's tongue. Favouring their own, in a way, as we all do. Just as the Dwarves will speak in more reverence and detail of Brak's part. Though even they know not to neglect Glade's piece, as it is well known they became fast friends. Sometimes in the spring young suitors will speak of the beauty of Bella or Lok, praising the target of their affection with comparison. For it is well known they were both of surpassing beauty (rivalled only by Melody it is known). And it is whispered their love could never be. Though few agree why. And how could we, for it is a love long passed now. And yearnings of the heart are harder to record for generations hence than where a battle was joined, or what legendary man or beast won or fled.

It is often thought that Brak and Glade become such close friends out of necessity. For as much as all The Cleansing Wave loved each other, there was something closer between Bella and Lok. "Not the smallest bee could fly twixt their hearts" some say. Perhaps because they were the first two to know each other, as the stories have it. Perhaps because they were destined to be together, others say. Perhaps, still others would have it, because they could not be together but yearned for each other regardless.

"But wait", I hear you say dear reader, "this is but a square you have drawn before me. I know the Cleansing Wave as a pentacle!" And so I beg your forgiveness, for I do not intend to deceive. Nor do I ignore this part or that when it suits not my story. A sparkling shape of five sides they were, it is true.

But this brings me to the stories that are not told. We know of their coming together. Each in their own piece and their own time. Their meetings far north in The Dryft. We know of their coming here, this place now called Khurabil, even though some of us remember when it had no such name. And it was them, as much as anyone, including Bruno who dubbed it himself, so the bards say, who caused this place to be worthy of a name. We know the many fights of Kaelen. We know, too, of them bringing down The House of Night. We know of them going into the east and slaying Helk the Horsecrusher. We know of them meeting Bruno and the Vanguard (some of us have heard this meeting in two or three different stories no less) and defeating The Sylvan Plague. We know of the siege of Zaer'haem, and the Western Irregulars. We know stories of the battles of the river lands. And many more besides. But the stories come to a close, do they not? Perhaps, correctly put, not a close at all. But an end. And an abrupt one. For the next story is not told.

This small price we owe them, and so very much more.

If I were to tell it, the last story would be about Giants and Snow. About mountain peaks and dwarves and gnomes, refugees, lost from their mountain hearths. About the group known as Moradin's Hammer, fierce warriors all, clad in red, the legacy of dragons who have fallen under their axes and hammers. And about Bella, and Lok, and Brak, and Glade. And Melody.

It is less known now than it was when I was young enough to remember them clearly. But, still, the back of one's hand could present more consternation than the question as to whether or not Bella and her friends would help someone in need. There is little that is more certain.

And, pray, I do not mean to single out Bella as having more responsibility for what they did. It is conjecture I have heard told as truth many times that whatever god is most favoured by the storyteller put Bella among us to help the world. A notion I would dismiss if it didn't seem so likely.

Still, in all the tales it is as often Glade, or Lok or any of them who drives the group forward on some errand or deed or other. None are to blame. Or all are. Though blame is a silly word to use when speaking of them deciding to help others. And so they did. Of course they did.

And this is how they found themselves in a big group, halfway up a snowy mountain pass. With Moradin's Hammer and dozens (some say hundreds, I hesitate to deny it) of Dwarves and Gnomes and various and sundry other folk seeking to return to the mountains. We know there was a fight. And we must imagine there was a dreadful chill in the air. How could there not have been? Some think it was giants. Great icy monoliths of blue flesh, who bring ice and violence, and cold cold death. I can tell you now, Giants there may have been, but Dragon there surely was. White as the snow itself, cruel as one hundred winters, cold as the blackest ice, and the size of a dozen giants.

That is all I can remember dear reader. Though it is hard to remember the Dragon itself, as all was masked in the most overwhelming fear. The sort of fear that makes one stand so very still while one's mind screams "Run!"

Melody died that day. Whether under the dragon's claws or breath or teeth, well it simply doesn't matter. Lok's words matter. "There is no story in this. No brave tale. Shape no parable. I would never hear of this day again. Please."

I relay his words, not for narrative convention. Not for narrative of any kind. But because you, dear reader, should know why the stories stop. They stop that moment, in Lok's words. In Brak's bloody hands. In Glade's dismay. In Bella's wailing tears.

They help. Even in the most dire times. Almost all got where they were going. And none spoke of it at any length. Just "long journey" or "cold in the pass" was offered to any query. There are times you must respect a man's words.

Bikkoreth it was said to be called. The Goliaths of the peaks called it Winter's Hunger. Or so I have heard tell.

They came back. The great white wyrm did not see another winter. And neither is that a story. It just is.

Every one of them did great things thereafter. Or tiny things that helped someone. Both, I am sure. But they were not together quite so often, so far as I know. Love yields the sharpest grief, I warrant.

Dear reader, I will tell you of a man I met once. We met early in the morning one day, each of us about our business. But, we had occasion to talk amidst us seeing to our differing affairs. This man had lost a hand. His left, as it happened. I never found out if that had been his favoured or otherwise, it seemed impertinent to ask. And whatever the answer would not alter what his situation now was. Now he did tell me that it was a Xorn that had taken his hand. Though, again, this detail hardly matters. Remarkable enough that the Xorn didn't take the rest of him.

"There is a sorrow in losing it," said he, "I mourned its loss." And here he looked where his hand would be as if it were still present. "Not like losing even a very favourite hat. Or the best hammer you own." This he explained. "No. Once those are gone they are gone. They might be replaced, or not. But, this", here he raised the hand that was not there and made a motion as if he was waving it. "The lack of it is always right there. The very fact of your arm, your other hand, that sometimes it even feels as if it is there." And here he shrugged "Just reminds you that it isn't"

If you know one corner of a pentacle, it doesn't become a square. It just becomes a broken pentacle. Even with all that love.