Aphres - The night lasted longer than any in recent memory. Dulinar had contracted the flu as a result of our recent adversity. Now his laboring lungs struggled to clear the mounting illness that threatened to chase away his sweet breath. If I had the capacity for tears it would be now that I would summon them.
The Ogres has stormed into the camp so quickly and with such violence that I fear only a handful of the camp managed an escape. For the last few seasons I had grown too comfortable accepting the generosity of these hopeful souls. I had not realized our isolation until the quiet of the dawn arrived. We had supplies that would keep us for a couple weeks if we managed them properly. Dulinar has been my strength these past years. To see him in this state pulled on my resolve in negative ways. For all my powers, healing and curative measures were well outside my bailiwick. I was verging on greater despair when I heard voices outside the mill. I didn’t dare to believe that friendly travelers would be the first to come across us. The balance of fate’s hand usually dealt us another blow when we thought we could fall no further.
The company of men calling themselves Richter Holdings had made good on their promise of clearing the Hlofolk Tunnel. In doing so evicting us from our dungeon home. I bore them no I’ll will and it seems they had repaid me in kind. Their Dwarven healer eased Dulinar’s suffering to a degree. His illness would not be entirely chased away by healing magic. Time would be the final curative measure.
We discussed our fortunes of late. I was as candid as I dared without reveling our true desperation. They seems to sense our vulnerability and offered many ideas. It was well past sundown when they landed on an idea that seemed to be viable. It seems that a lighthouse in a town on the coast was in need of a caretaker. It was near to a town without being in the town. An ideal setup to be sure. It was many leagues from here through the Holfolk Tunnel, Dowry, and across an open moor. We might manage the journey on our own, but the likelihood of discovery would be great.
Our wine and spirits were flowing liberally as we conspired at a future of mutual benefit. My mistrust of men was being challenged at every quiet moment. These men had nothing to gain by helping us, yet they offered us protection on their return journey. We need but survive here for a few weeks and our future would be secure once more. As a form of payment I looked into their futures. Violence and conflict crossed their path too regularly for most folk to see it as a survivable portent.
I would put my trust in these men and their abilities. I cannot see my own future. Perhaps they have become the oracle of my future.