We parted our ways to atone for most of our chaos, and set out to undo the difficulties we had visited on our friends and allies.
Theo and Calliope made over to the Dragons Tooth, to repair damage he had caused whilst arguing with the proprietor. Alke and Braz headed to the markets to repair the damage caused to the pottery merchants holdings and Helikaon to clear out the damage of the riots.
I, with a heavy heart, set out to try and dissuade Vassos, the guard captain, from his determination to duel. I found him training with his troops in the small amphitheatre just outside the city gates.
I paused, to allow them time to see me and approached slowly, making it clear I did not wish to be a threat. Vassos was drilling his troops on forming a shieldwall- an important tactic for the troops of Estoria given the prevalence of centaur raiders. By combining their strengths they offset the difference in weights of a charging warrior.
As he caught sight, his face tightened. I took the initiative and walked over, taking from my pack the package I had spent the morning preparing.
I told him if his honour required our fight, I would be prepared to meet him in a duel of his terms, but that the cause of our fight was the madness brought on by our mutual enemy, Lutheria.
All our fighting brings is weakening of opposition to her. Whichever of us losers, she wins.
But that does not excuse the insult I gave. So, kneeling, I presented him with one of the adamantine swords we had liberated from the Mithril Forge. Truly, it is an impressive weapon and I am grateful it can be put to good use in his hands.
Thankfully he accepted my offer and we spent the afternoon fighting side by side in drilling his soldiers. As I left, I could see him surreptitiously giving the sword a few practice swings and looking very pleased with himself.
I joined the others as we tried to gather to fix the damage we had caused to the North Gate. Calliope, fortunately, knew of an old dwarven technique for a reinforced mortar that seemed perfect and we spent the afternoon and early evening dragging certain rocks from the river and powdering them to drag up to the gate. It was back breaking work, but solidly done.
Anora seemed pleased when she awoke at our efforts and spoke of her visions- birds flying over ocean. It seemed some sort of warning or countdown. Given the time until the end of the Oath of Peace, I can’t think that it brings anything of good omen.
Tomorrow we plan to head to our third labour. The Necropolis holds secrets and danger, but perhaps also some answers.