Greetings again,
T’is I, Limbreth of Grendon, sharing more of my Adventure Guide. Today is my last contribution, but do not be sad, you’ll see more of me when the time comes and there are more pieces of wisdom from my other companions in the months ahead. I end this series today with a point near to my heart.
Always stay ready to face battle when it is demanded, even in the face of overwhelming odds – for dire circumstances often emerge. You might feel a surge of anxiety or dread, but you must conquer those emotions just as fiercely as you would a formidable enemy. Being outnumbered and outmatched should never be an excuse, for shying away from a confrontation could ultimately lead to your demise. These encounters are fraught with peril, therefore, cultivating the correct mindset is paramount.
The Rokan fell with a scream but pulled the spear back under Tordug’s legs. Tordug caught his balance and stepped over the spear-haft and then chopped at his attacker’s belly. He turned from the bowel-stench of the dying man at the flash of something dark. Dwarven war-song faded on his lips.
The Bane was dragging Limbreth away. At a glance, he took in his pupil’s feeble resistance. His hopes of honor regained slid away with the fell creature. Limbreth’s head lolled like that of a child’s ragdoll.
“No!” Tordug charged the Bane. He chopped at the grasping arm, and his ax bounced away. But the Bane released Limbreth. Tordug lunged and pushed the Bane. His shoulders struck the black-clad figure. Tordug grasped at it and found the robe more shadow than cloth. But it did have substance. He yelled and forced the Bane away. It slid over loose stone as Tordug shouted wordlessly. The Bane struck the retaining wall. Tordug howled his effort. How heavy it was! Then over the creature flopped into the open air.
The Bane fell with a hiss instead of a scream, its robe fluttering in the wind. Tordug glimpsed the shade billowing like a cloud darker than crow’s feathers. Then he slid back along the wall, his knees suddenly weak. He flopped and gasped. His vision narrowed as a Rokan stepped close and drew back for a killing strike. Tordug fumbled with his ax with weak hands. The Bane’s cursed touch had killed him. Tordug squinted at the expected blow and stared his death in the eye.
As you’ve read from this incident, it wasn’t one of my best moments. But then, the touch of the Bane freezes the soul. My thanks to Tordug for this brave act. He risked his own life as he might have fallen to his death. It’s one of the bravest deeds I’ve witnessed and makes my point well that adventurers must face situations with as steady a head as a hand.
Thus ends my adventure guide series. I hope you take the lessons I’ve learned to heart while on your own quests. May your hand and heart remain true in all your quests.
Limbreth of Grendon, Axe-Maid of the Death Grip and the Silver Lady who protects the wayfarer.
