On Her Own

Left to her own devices, she took stock of the spells she was carrying, checked her weapon and shield against defects, and prepared herself for the unknown. She knew the area to be dangerous, and knew not what lay ahead. She dropped to her knees and begged Tyr for guidance and strength as she attempted to finish that which she had set out to do.

Her journey took her eastward, and then south through the maze and as she rounded a corner, she found herself confronted by several Purple Worms blocking her path. The map had indicated that it was there, in the southeast corner, just off the path, she would find a tunnel that would lead her ever closer to her goal. Felena surveyed her situation, a bit nervous at the fact that her opponents were four times her size, and began her fight in earnest. She cast fireballs and lightning bolts at the confused worms, and she soon had the upper hand. They attempted to surround her but her offensive stance was such that she kept them at a distance, and she took little damage, as she finished off the last of the huge monsters. She rested briefly, quenching her thirst from a skin of spring water, before entering the tunnel.

The tunnel was dark, and she lit the small torch she had packed along with her so that she could see her way through. The tunnel twisted and curved along, sometimes allowing her enough room to walk upright, sometimes requiring her to crawl through on her hands and knees. A light shining in the distance told her she was nearing the end of the tunnel, and she hurried along, looking forward to the promise of fresh air once again.

She exited the tunnel, finding herself in a wooded area near some buildings. As Felena stopped briefly to secure the torch she was carrying, a dark shadow passed over her, and she immediately sensed danger. She cast a quick spell, engulfing herself in a globe of invulnerability, and took up a protective stance. Movement caught her eye, and then she saw them. Two white dragons had landed near her, and it appeared they were being joined by several Yeti. They had not noticed her and she was able to land a fireball into the center of their midst, surprising them with her attack. The monsters screamed in outrage, as they turned toward the one who was so bold as to interrupt their meeting. Felena continued her onslaught with determination, and a courage she had not known she possessed, as she defeated the monsters, sending each of them to their god in turn.

She rested again, briefly, and then entered the building she had noticed in the distance. Her exploration led her through a short winding corridor, straight into a waiting guard of Remorhaz and Yeti. Felena was inexperienced in her knowledge of the Remorhaz, and she searched her mind for any information she could pull out as to what her best defense would be against them. She threw all her known spells at them, with little effect, having gotten only one hold to stick (thankfully on the leading Remorhaz). Felena knew she would need to retreat briefly, to analyze her situation and seek guidance, and she slipped back out the door as the remaining monsters struggled to get past the paralyzed Remorhaz.

As though on cue, she felt the gentle touch of Tuvor's voice in her mind. He greeted her, inquiring as to her well being, and she briefly filled him in on her current situation. They discussed the best approach at battling the Remorhaz, and Felena prepped herself against the upcoming battle. He then warned her of what lay beyond the first battle, and as Felena felt her courage begin to waver, he reminded her of the courage, and strength expected from one who was soon to be a knight. His words brought her strength, and she entered the battle wary, but unafraid. She followed his advice, having cast a haste spell in her preparation, and ran headlong into the waiting Remorhaz with all the strength she could muster. She wielded her enchanted flail (a gift from the lady Nalika) landing the spiked balls against her surprised opponents with a thud. They had been sure that she would be easy prey, since she had fallen back on their first encounter, but Felena would defeat them this time, or die in her attempt. The damage was substatial with each meeting of her flail against the monsters she faced. And as each of them fell, she pushed onward until she saw the last one on its way to its maker.

Felena slumped against the wall, having finished the battle, and sunk to a sitting position on the floor. She was near exhaustion, but she knew she must press on, lest she be forever more on the Isle of Utheraal.

<to be continued>