Role

Chapter 10

The day began and progressed as any other. A small shower and soaking rain
covered the lands in the morning but passed through quite swiftly. Orenby had
taken shelter in a small Inn just a league south of the Redhorn Mountains to
wait for the worst of the rain to come to an end. Although he often found
himself wet in his adventures, sometimes it was better to avoid the chafing
associated with wet armor and soggy robes. As he sat at one of the small
tables, listening to a man brag about dragon hunting, he began to think of his
family. It's been several years now since he's dared to visit and now that
he's achieved recognition as an Acolyte, he thinks it's time that he make the
journey to his childhood home and see his family once more.

The trip doesn't take too terribly long, and before he even realizes the sun
moving from morn to afternoon, he's arrived. In the distance he can see his
mother churning something on their small porch and his father leading a bull
in a new patch of garden. Slowly, he walks up to the home and to his
surprise, neither his father nor mother has notice he and his otherworldly
companions approach. However, once she notices the glare, his mother jumps up
and rushes to give him a long hugging embrace. It feels good, like home.

Several minutes later, his father comes back in from the field but when their
eyes meet, the look on his face turns from exhaustion to disgust and anger.
Knowing that look all too well, he attempts to reach out for his father with
a pleading and humble look but he's shut down immediately with a jumble of
words, essentially meaning "Why is this worthless man on my property?"
Although he gives his best effort, he's unable to sway the weather-worn
farmer and he decides it's best to bid his mother a proper goodbye and depart,
his archon, elemental, and owl fluttering overhead.

Once he's departed the homestead, his goal is heading back to the Fortress and
with the soggy ground and a rockier path on the return trip, it seems to be
taking him even longer to arrive. Just as he thinks he can make out the
ravine's outline in the distance, words from some the Maran ring out in his
head. "We're under attack! and It's the Lich!" instantly draw his attention
to the needs of the Light and his companions within the Fortress.