CH 2: Two Heads are Better

[JadedDM]

"I'm no relation to her," Hollidan says, although that must should be clear, given how different the two look. "She just...reminds me of someone I used to know, I guess. That's all."

The two head back to the main chamber, where Gimog, Nuvain and the other surviving pilgrims are. Of the nine taken, only six were saved.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo looks towards the group with a small sigh. They didn't save all nine, but they did try. "How are we going to get all of them back?" Echo asks. "I'll walk, and a couple can ride my horse."

[JadedDM]

"She's right, even if we all double up, there's too many of us for our four horses," Gimog says.

"Some of us will just have to walk," Hollidan says. "It will take longer to get back to the camp, but at least we're all safe."

[HorizonsDream]

"Hollidan, do you still want to look over that sword?" Echo asks. "It might be useful down the road if it is magical."

[JadedDM]

The paladin nods. "Gimog, Nuvain, take this chest," he says, placing it on the ground before them, "and the pilgrims outside and ready our horses. Echo and I will be along shortly."

As the acolytes carry out his orders, he grabs his torch and follows Echo back to the small niche where the sword rested.

"Well, what do you think?" he asks. "Want to give it at try?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Sure, I'll give it a try," Echo says with a light laugh. She highly doubted that she would be able to pull the sword out of the ground, but there was no harm in trying. She walks up to the sword, grabs the handle with both hands, and pulls.

[JadedDM]

Try as she might, the blade simply won't budge at all. Hollidan chuckles. "Looks like that sword isn't going anywhere. Even Nuvain couldn't remove it."

[HorizonsDream]

"You are probably stronger than both of us," Echo points out. "And you are a paladin. That might make a difference," Echo explains as she steps away from the sword and motions Hollidan towards it.

[JadedDM]

Shrugging, Hollidan approaches and grabs the sword. The instant his hand touches it, it suddenly illuminates brightly. Surprised, Hollidan jerks his hand back, but does not open it. The sword slides out of the ground with the greatest of ease. "Gonto's Eyes..," he whispers.

Echo herself feels a slight aura of power pulsating from the two, as if sword and paladin had somehow completed each other, amplified each other's strength. "This is a holy sword...a Purifier. I know this now, as I knew how to breathe when I was first born. Like...the sword told me. This blade is blessed by Gonto. What in the world is it doing here?"

The light fades, but the sense of power remains.

[HorizonsDream]

"There could be any number of reasons as to why it is here," Echo says. "But it just adds to the weirdness of this forest," she admits. "First a talking owl and now a holy sword."

[JadedDM]

"Yeah..," Hollidan agrees as he admires the blade. Then, he blinks and looks at her. "Wait, what? Talking owl?"

[HorizonsDream]

"In your tent, there was a talking owl," Echo explains. "I didn't get the chance to tell anyone yet due to all the chaos, but it warned that the temple that we are going to is extremely dangerous," she says. "No one has ever came back from it."

[JadedDM]

Hollidan frowns as he considers this. "That is an omen. There's an old story that Gonto sent a talking owl to advise her followers in a time of need. We should tell the Pharise of this."

[HorizonsDream]

"That was my plan before all of this happened," Echo says. "Well, let's return to the others and get back to camp," she adds as she turns to walk out of the cave.

[JadedDM]

Once everything is accounted for, the party heads back to the camp. It takes an hour, and by then it is quite dark.

As soon as they are spotted, there is shouting in the camp. "They return, they return!"

Many people crowd around to see, some calling for loved ones. The six rescued pilgrims hurry out to meet their brethren, and there are hugs given and tears of joy shed. This include the young child's mother, who is practically hysterical over the return of her child.

The Pharise comes out quickly to meet them, Argis and Cadegund at his heels. "You have returned," the old aasimar says, and the relief in his voice is evident. "But...I only count six. Nine were taken."

Hollidan lowers his head, unable to look the Pharise in the eye. "We slew the three monsters, but we were too late. The other three were already dead."

"The bodies?" he asks.

"There was little remaining to bury," Hollidan says.

"I see. But you did manage to save most of them. Truly, Gonto was with you."