A Trusty Companion

See Also: Bardic Knowledge

When the sun rises Lady Anne Mowbry has still not risen. The color to her skin has returned, but her breathing is shallow and ragged. Every hour Father Karl gives her small sips from the Cup Everflowing. He tells Hafwyn, who has stood vigil the night, that her life is in Techiuan's hands. Aegrin calls them to the Caves of Chaos.

A trusty companion halves the journey and doubles the courage.The Coming Race by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Quilate, Keribrar, Hafwyn, and Thorne all recognize each other. They have seen their reflection on this world change as their understanding of its story unfurl. Hafwyn appears changed the most looking like a very young elven woman wearing a cloak and hood fashioned from a great silver wolf. They know that Lady Anne has passed from this fellowship and there is no pain of loss. They remember that she was a part of it, but that part is in the past and best not remembered. Holding on to the past in this cave would drag them back into the fog.

Kukla a kobold just beginning his transition into the final moment of his life journeyed far from his house. He had hoped to return to his village once more before the change took him, but it was took late when he felt the signs. Now he has recovered from his “death” and find himself in lands he does not recognize. He quenches his thirst at a pool and when he looks up a shimmering woman stands before him, floating just above the water. Without moving she touches him and transports him elsewhere.

The others notice a new spirit has joined them. It appears to be a large monitor lizard with sharp claws and bone spikes along its back. Just as with the passing of Lady Anne, this new spirit has a sense of rightness about it. The new spirit barely mumbles out a name before turning an hissing at something. In the distance everyone can see a group of four spirits have bonded in the same manner. Thorne, who now looks like viscous liquid stuck in a bottle, suggests they go over and see them. They have never seen anything except individual spirits wandering around in this place.