Chapter 3-17 - Leaving the Kanaalden
The party awakened the next day feeling refreshed. The night had been uneventful; the rest peaceful and even Ryoko looked more relaxed. After breakfast, the group broke camp. As Aurora checked her gear she turned to the group,
"We're going to need to take the Kanaalden the rest of the way. By my reckoning, it should be early evening, so we shouldn't run into any other travellers this close to the outside. The tunnels will only take us as far as the final pitch site, and I don't fancy our chances of sneaking through that. We're far enough from the fortress that guards shouldn't be a concern. If we spot any other groups, Aetilius and Ryoko, keep your heads down, Clootie and Arina, stick to the middle of the group. If we all avoid looking suspicious, we might just escape notice. Everyone keep your wits about you..."
The Tabaxi led the party through the winding passageways, and within the hour they emerged back on to the Kanaalden proper. The underground highway was straight and wide, the tall vaulted ceiling lessened the oppressive sense of the mountains overhead and Ryoko felt a weight lift from her. As she turned to look down the Kanaalden, she could just make out the exit of the tunnel, and the familiar crescent of Eleach hanging against the glittering backdrop of the sky. Her breath caught in her throat, and it took all her restraint not to start to run towards the open sky. Ryoko took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and with a shock she felt a tiny hand grasp hers. She looked down to see Clootie holding her hand and looking up at her reassuringly.
The party began to walk towards the exit of the Kanaalden. After a few hours, the sky didn’t seem any closer. The scale of the tunnel was like an optical illusion, and Ryoko realised with dismay that the exit was still hours away. More concerning, she noticed a small group of other travellers heading towards them from the tunnel exit.
As the other group drew closer, the party could make out the familiar coloured headscarves of Verani soldiers. Aurora whispered reassurances,
“This is exactly what we spoke about. Ryoko, Aetilius and Oghar, stay near the back and stay small. Clootie and Arina, keep to the middle and circle the Kenku. Raymond, Juliana, Ramas, Miaug, Letho - you can all pass. Game faces on everyone”
As the other group passed on the opposite side of the Kanaalden, the moment seemed to last forever. Arina looked up at the wrong instant and briefly locked eyes with one of the guardsmen, in a blue headscarf. A moment later, his head turned back and Arina let out a sigh of relief. Then the guard at the back of the group, draped in a dusty orange headscarf, stopped walking. He swept his gaze across the party. Arina felt a chill race up her spine.
This was it - they were caught. She felt a tingling on her skin and she heard the faintest whispering breath in her ear. A sudden crack and a shower of sparks. The light orb suspended from the vaulted ceiling overhead broke off its support and crashed into the highway below, plunging this small section of the tunnel into darkness. The suspicious guardsman jumped visibly with fright. He quickly gave himself a shake, and scurried along to catch up with the rest of his contingent; half-walking, half-running in an attempt to seem casual.
Drawn in by an indistinct sense of importance, Arina slipped over to the chunk of dull crimson gemstone smouldering on the ground. Her dwarven eyes quickly adjusted to the sudden gloom. She reached out to touch it, momentarily recoiling from the residual warmth. Inside she watched the last vestiges of energy swirling in the core of the gem like a dying flame. Bracing, she placed her hand on the surface of the stone. Something sizzled, but she felt no pain. Instead she heard a subtle crack, and a palm sized chunk broke off in her hand. She thought back to her dream the previous night, and Silvanus’s message. She was sure this was somehow important. She quickly stood up, and pocketed the chunk of gemstone.
The party finally made it outside. A welcome warm breeze ruffled hair and scales, as the stale air of the tunnel was replaced by a heady mixture of natural aromas. They stood on a wide road in the foothills of the mountains. The ground was dry and hard. Deep red dust swirled around as tiny zephyrs danced across the terrain. Squat bushes dotted the landscape, clinging stubbornly to the inhospitable clay surface, roots burrowing deep into the soil to claim whatever moisture they could from the unforgiving mountains. Ahead the road wound its way through the jagged hills towards the coast, a lustrous black band just below the horizon, glittering like onyx under the light of Eleach,
"Come on. We can’t loiter here. We can hide in a minute or so and figure out our plans" Aurora urged.
The ragtag group made their way along the winding road, and after a few minutes Aurora ushered them off the path and along a narrow valley between some hills. Looking back, the meander of the valley completely obscured any view on the road,
“That should do it.” Aurora sighed and seemed to relax,
“Now we're officially safely out of the Kanaalden. I cannot fully express our gratitude. Juliana and I would have certainly died under the mountains if it were for you all. What we all accomplished there is unheard of. Nobody ever escapes from the Kanaalden Mort. This proves that the Verani Council are fallible. This proves that there is hope for the Resistance.
I know we’ve already asked much of you, but Juliana and I could still use an escort back to the city. And if you would consider joining our fight, you might be able to help us turn the tides on the Council. But I understand if you don’t want to get involved. This isn’t your fight, and I can’t ask you to risk your lives for us.”
After a moment of quiet, Oghar piped up,
"Raymond's not a fighter, and neither are the birds. We'll head back to the Empire, if you can point us in the right direction. I started a job, and I'd like to see it through."
Aurora nodded solemnly,
“I understand. If you head north for around two days, stay off the road, stick to the foothills. You'll come across a hunting trail leading up into the mountains. Don't worry, it looks more treacherous than it is. Follow that, and in a couple of days it'll bring you out at the corner of the Icespire Mountains, not far from the ruins of Conyberry."
The Tabaxi turned and looked at Aetilius,
“What about the rest of you?”
The party exchanged glances. Then Ryoko shrugged,
“Why not. We’ll help”
The group decided to make camp for the night in the valley. In the morning, Oghar, Raymond and the Kenku would leave the party and head back towards the Empire. Clootie and Miaug used some of Raymond’s supplies to write an official letter to Duke Blackwater, asking him to help set the group up in Thundertree. Miaug entrusted Oghar with her Neverwinter Signet Ring as proof of the authenticity of the message.
Meanwhile, Arina quietly gathered Ryoko and Aetilius to help her with a ritual. Inspired by her dream of Silvanus, which she was now sure was a message from her goddess, she led them off to an isolated spot further along the valley. Once there, she placed the chunk of ruby from the Kanaalden, now bound in a leather strap which Clootie had fashioned for her, onto a flat rock she had laid on the ground as an altar. ‘An offering of life’, Silvanus had told her. She grasped both of her companions' hands firmly in hers. As she focused on the ruby, she felt her head start to spin slightly, as though she was about to pass out. Warmth began to flow up her arms, channeled from Ryoko and Aetilius. A single word sprang unbidden to her lips, and as she uttered it she felt divine power erupt from within her. A burst of bright golden light, followed by a second burst of crimson energy in response from the ruby.
The rock beneath it split in half, but the ruby remained hovering in the air for a moment before dropping to the ground. Ryoko slumped to her knees exhausted, and Aetilius doubled over as pain radiated outward from the mark on his forehead. Arina released their hands, and picked up the ruby amulet.
Deep within the swirling core of the gem she could see wisps of golden light swirling. She raised the amulet and focused her divine energy through it. Golden light swirled around the gem, and wreathed her companions. Aetilius felt the pain in his mark dissipate immediately; and Ryoko felt the fatigue pushed out of her limbs by a soothing wave of peaceful energy. Arina nodded contentedly, and fastened the amulet around her neck.
The next day, around midday, the party reached a crossroads. One branch led east towards the ocean; the other north, along the edge of the mountains. The party bid farewell to Oghar, Raymond and the Kenku. The odd group promised to seek out Duke Blackwater and Neverwinter. As they headed north, Oghar shouldered his heavy club, and placed a protective hand around Snakey, the youngest Kenku. The rest of the group continued east towards the city of Verani.
Next: Chapter 3-18 - The Resistance
Previous: Chapter 3-16 - Aquiliath
"We're going to need to take the Kanaalden the rest of the way. By my reckoning, it should be early evening, so we shouldn't run into any other travellers this close to the outside. The tunnels will only take us as far as the final pitch site, and I don't fancy our chances of sneaking through that. We're far enough from the fortress that guards shouldn't be a concern. If we spot any other groups, Aetilius and Ryoko, keep your heads down, Clootie and Arina, stick to the middle of the group. If we all avoid looking suspicious, we might just escape notice. Everyone keep your wits about you..."
The Tabaxi led the party through the winding passageways, and within the hour they emerged back on to the Kanaalden proper. The underground highway was straight and wide, the tall vaulted ceiling lessened the oppressive sense of the mountains overhead and Ryoko felt a weight lift from her. As she turned to look down the Kanaalden, she could just make out the exit of the tunnel, and the familiar crescent of Eleach hanging against the glittering backdrop of the sky. Her breath caught in her throat, and it took all her restraint not to start to run towards the open sky. Ryoko took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and with a shock she felt a tiny hand grasp hers. She looked down to see Clootie holding her hand and looking up at her reassuringly.
The party began to walk towards the exit of the Kanaalden. After a few hours, the sky didn’t seem any closer. The scale of the tunnel was like an optical illusion, and Ryoko realised with dismay that the exit was still hours away. More concerning, she noticed a small group of other travellers heading towards them from the tunnel exit.
As the other group drew closer, the party could make out the familiar coloured headscarves of Verani soldiers. Aurora whispered reassurances,
“This is exactly what we spoke about. Ryoko, Aetilius and Oghar, stay near the back and stay small. Clootie and Arina, keep to the middle and circle the Kenku. Raymond, Juliana, Ramas, Miaug, Letho - you can all pass. Game faces on everyone”
As the other group passed on the opposite side of the Kanaalden, the moment seemed to last forever. Arina looked up at the wrong instant and briefly locked eyes with one of the guardsmen, in a blue headscarf. A moment later, his head turned back and Arina let out a sigh of relief. Then the guard at the back of the group, draped in a dusty orange headscarf, stopped walking. He swept his gaze across the party. Arina felt a chill race up her spine.
This was it - they were caught. She felt a tingling on her skin and she heard the faintest whispering breath in her ear. A sudden crack and a shower of sparks. The light orb suspended from the vaulted ceiling overhead broke off its support and crashed into the highway below, plunging this small section of the tunnel into darkness. The suspicious guardsman jumped visibly with fright. He quickly gave himself a shake, and scurried along to catch up with the rest of his contingent; half-walking, half-running in an attempt to seem casual.
Drawn in by an indistinct sense of importance, Arina slipped over to the chunk of dull crimson gemstone smouldering on the ground. Her dwarven eyes quickly adjusted to the sudden gloom. She reached out to touch it, momentarily recoiling from the residual warmth. Inside she watched the last vestiges of energy swirling in the core of the gem like a dying flame. Bracing, she placed her hand on the surface of the stone. Something sizzled, but she felt no pain. Instead she heard a subtle crack, and a palm sized chunk broke off in her hand. She thought back to her dream the previous night, and Silvanus’s message. She was sure this was somehow important. She quickly stood up, and pocketed the chunk of gemstone.
The party finally made it outside. A welcome warm breeze ruffled hair and scales, as the stale air of the tunnel was replaced by a heady mixture of natural aromas. They stood on a wide road in the foothills of the mountains. The ground was dry and hard. Deep red dust swirled around as tiny zephyrs danced across the terrain. Squat bushes dotted the landscape, clinging stubbornly to the inhospitable clay surface, roots burrowing deep into the soil to claim whatever moisture they could from the unforgiving mountains. Ahead the road wound its way through the jagged hills towards the coast, a lustrous black band just below the horizon, glittering like onyx under the light of Eleach,
"Come on. We can’t loiter here. We can hide in a minute or so and figure out our plans" Aurora urged.
The ragtag group made their way along the winding road, and after a few minutes Aurora ushered them off the path and along a narrow valley between some hills. Looking back, the meander of the valley completely obscured any view on the road,
“That should do it.” Aurora sighed and seemed to relax,
“Now we're officially safely out of the Kanaalden. I cannot fully express our gratitude. Juliana and I would have certainly died under the mountains if it were for you all. What we all accomplished there is unheard of. Nobody ever escapes from the Kanaalden Mort. This proves that the Verani Council are fallible. This proves that there is hope for the Resistance.
I know we’ve already asked much of you, but Juliana and I could still use an escort back to the city. And if you would consider joining our fight, you might be able to help us turn the tides on the Council. But I understand if you don’t want to get involved. This isn’t your fight, and I can’t ask you to risk your lives for us.”
After a moment of quiet, Oghar piped up,
"Raymond's not a fighter, and neither are the birds. We'll head back to the Empire, if you can point us in the right direction. I started a job, and I'd like to see it through."
Aurora nodded solemnly,
“I understand. If you head north for around two days, stay off the road, stick to the foothills. You'll come across a hunting trail leading up into the mountains. Don't worry, it looks more treacherous than it is. Follow that, and in a couple of days it'll bring you out at the corner of the Icespire Mountains, not far from the ruins of Conyberry."
The Tabaxi turned and looked at Aetilius,
“What about the rest of you?”
The party exchanged glances. Then Ryoko shrugged,
“Why not. We’ll help”
The group decided to make camp for the night in the valley. In the morning, Oghar, Raymond and the Kenku would leave the party and head back towards the Empire. Clootie and Miaug used some of Raymond’s supplies to write an official letter to Duke Blackwater, asking him to help set the group up in Thundertree. Miaug entrusted Oghar with her Neverwinter Signet Ring as proof of the authenticity of the message.
Meanwhile, Arina quietly gathered Ryoko and Aetilius to help her with a ritual. Inspired by her dream of Silvanus, which she was now sure was a message from her goddess, she led them off to an isolated spot further along the valley. Once there, she placed the chunk of ruby from the Kanaalden, now bound in a leather strap which Clootie had fashioned for her, onto a flat rock she had laid on the ground as an altar. ‘An offering of life’, Silvanus had told her. She grasped both of her companions' hands firmly in hers. As she focused on the ruby, she felt her head start to spin slightly, as though she was about to pass out. Warmth began to flow up her arms, channeled from Ryoko and Aetilius. A single word sprang unbidden to her lips, and as she uttered it she felt divine power erupt from within her. A burst of bright golden light, followed by a second burst of crimson energy in response from the ruby.
The rock beneath it split in half, but the ruby remained hovering in the air for a moment before dropping to the ground. Ryoko slumped to her knees exhausted, and Aetilius doubled over as pain radiated outward from the mark on his forehead. Arina released their hands, and picked up the ruby amulet.
Deep within the swirling core of the gem she could see wisps of golden light swirling. She raised the amulet and focused her divine energy through it. Golden light swirled around the gem, and wreathed her companions. Aetilius felt the pain in his mark dissipate immediately; and Ryoko felt the fatigue pushed out of her limbs by a soothing wave of peaceful energy. Arina nodded contentedly, and fastened the amulet around her neck.
The next day, around midday, the party reached a crossroads. One branch led east towards the ocean; the other north, along the edge of the mountains. The party bid farewell to Oghar, Raymond and the Kenku. The odd group promised to seek out Duke Blackwater and Neverwinter. As they headed north, Oghar shouldered his heavy club, and placed a protective hand around Snakey, the youngest Kenku. The rest of the group continued east towards the city of Verani.
Next: Chapter 3-18 - The Resistance
Previous: Chapter 3-16 - Aquiliath
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