We set out to Estoria to let the dwarves know their mines are ready to reclaim. Volkan in his haste to leave had not talked to them and my animal messengers would not be able to return with the promised gold. So a loop up to Estoria before catching the river way south is a short diversion, but one that allows us to ensure Anora is still in firm control of the city in her new role. As we set out, I was rejoined by the ever inquisitive squirrel digging through my pack for nuts.
The path through the mountains was less forgiving from this side, with the sharp descent we made translated into a steep climb and we decided to take the loop around, shortening the route by looping through some of the wild woodlands.
After the confines of the mines, the open sky and green trees were most welcome. A reminder that life continues despite the travails of our recent weeks. It’s the first time I’ve felt this comfortable in my surroundings since we travelled back from the Oldwoods.
It was whilst we hiked through some of the animal trails, whilst keeping an eastern tack that we stumbled across a clearing, opening up into the remains of an old temple.
We took the chance to look around and found a huge shambling plant, gently swaying to the music of a satyr minstrel. He told us of his worship of Helios, an almost forgotten sun god, but as we wished him well in his worship, his music changed and there seemed a heaviness to the air that made it hard to breathe. Kyrah snapped us out of it as she cried out in recognition. He was using his sorcery to charm us using an instrument stolen from Kyrah herself!
I called upon the plant spirits to hold him and entangle him as Theo gestured and hoisted the plant creature up into the air with his own magics. The satyr was having none of our attempts at diplomacy though and attacked us, smashing his lute against Helikaon and cracking the wooden finish open on his heavy armour.
With the plant creature levitated out of the way, we were more than his match and it didn’t take long to subdue him, but we spared his life, turning him loose without his stolen lute.
The temple held a golden statue of Helios, which we took with us to bring his memory back to the people of Estoria. I think he would appreciate that somehow.
Theo’s magic was beginning to fade, so I sent the others ahead and waited with him until the last moments before riding him back, rather than let the plant creature catch up with us.
So we left the sun temple behind us, forgotten by almost everyone, save the light of Helios himself, filtering through the leaves of the trees.