Haruman's head snapped back a bit when Caprice's eldritch blast slammed into him, but a quiet grunt was the only indication he gave of pain.

His fellow Hellrider, however, hit like a tarrasque. He parried her first swing with his flaming sword, a move that would have shattered an inferior weapon. The ancestral sword of the du'Crey's held strong, however, and ripped through his black armor with each subsequent sing. By the end of the barrage, Haruman was battered and breathless.

There was no opportunity to catch his breath, however, because the Pint Knight was thrusting his own sword into the dark knight's back. Meanwhile, Ren's nightmare charged the skeletons surrounding Darkwing and trampling one of them to dust beneath its hooves.

Darkwing's sword failed to find purchase on the other, which retaliated with a vicious swipe of its own sword (10 damage).

Worse yet, when Darkwing's weapon clattered against the stele, spectral hands reached out, grabbing at Willaby and the caped crusader.

"Enough!" Haruman bellowed. "You waste my time. I feel that fool Olanthius approaching. Begone!" Necrotic energy again swirled in his gauntleted palm, expanding out into a vortex that encompassed Ren and Elsbeth in its dark embrace.

Despite his bold words, the corrupted Hellrider looked to be on his last legs. Evidently he had underestimated these mortals and was suddenly desperate to be rid of them.

DC 18 Cha save from Ren and Elsbeth. On a fail, you are banished back to the material plan for 1 minute.

DC 18 Dex save from DW and Willaby, please. If you succeed, you take 5 necrotic damage. If you fail, you take 10 necrotic damage and cannot regain HP until the start of your next turn.

Not posting a new map as not much has changed. One skeleton down so DW is no longer surrounded. The hands will grab again at him and Willaby if they are still adjacent to the stele.

Whatever foul Magic’s he used were successful. Although is going home really a punishment?

Human Determination for Advantage and Lucky reroll
Save 11, 14, 17.  Foiled by my low Chr
Unless there’s a +1 somewhere I missed, Failed my save.  I hope I appear in an Ogre den or something to unload back home ;)

A moment ago two valiant allies held the ground between Lady Caprice and a ruthless and powerful undead general, but now both were swept away in a necrotic vortex.  Poof, gone!  This circumstance was most disagreeable.

Lady Caprice backed away toward Olanthius's study, and launched another pair of bright bolts of force at the death knight on the move.  Both arcane missiles deflected off his black armor.  She quipped with feigned confidence, "You are afraid of Olanthius, are you now, Haruman?  Perhaps you'd best flee while you've the chance."  Lady Caprice blocked the way into the study not out of any heroic desire to defend it, but simply because that way her foe would remain in front of her.

Telepathically, Caprice shrieked at Darkwing, ~We must break Haruman's focus on the banishment spell to bring back Sir Ren and Madame Elsbeth.  It would be quite lovely if you and your hound could join me in the study, darling!~

---

• Move to D2
• Eldritch Blast vs. Haru-maniac!  Two attacks:
  1. Miss with a natural 1
  2. Miss with a 15
• Rolled Deception for the heck of it to not act scared and got a 14, so we'll see if Haruman believes it ;P
• Standing ready with Misty Escape to turn invisible and teleport away the first time I take damage!

10:30, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  Deception.
10:02, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 9,15 using d20+8,d20+8 with rolls of 1,7.  Eldritch Blast attacks 1 & 2.

"B-" The beginnings of a rebuke formed on Ren's lips but before the halfling could give voice to it he vanished with an audible *pop* and a fleeting look of surprise.

Meanwhile Willaby turned from tromping the skeleton into so much bone dust and witnessed his master disappear into the ether. Snorting angrily the nightmare charged Haruman and clipped him with his fiery hooves, trying valiantly to knock the general to the floor where he could be suitably trampled!

Ren fails (despite halfling luck no less!)
Willaby succeeds and charges Haruman, hitting AC 19 for 12 bludgeoning damage (and forcing a knockdown save).
If the knockdown succeeds he tramples for a further 16 bludgeoning damage.
Also, I think Banishment is a concentration spell so at least one concentration check to make, thankfully.

Trampling Charge. If the horse moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a hooves attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the horse can make another attack with its hooves against it as a bonus action.

13:37, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 16 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 6,6.  Damage.
13:36, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Trample.
13:36, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 12 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 2,6.  Damage.
13:36, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Attack.
13:31, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 18 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 17.  Dex save.
13:30, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Halfling Luck.
13:30, Today: Sir Ren Hawthorne rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Charisma save.

* * * * *

Ren appeared suddenly on the banks of a broad river beneath a shining sun. The day was crisp and bright and birdsong filled the air. He blinked and cast his gaze about worriedly.

"Willaby? Lulu!?!"

"Where is everyone??"

The spectral hands grabbed at Darkwing and the pain shot through his bones. Then he saw Ren and Elsbeth vanish from sight. ~We must have really pissed him off!~ he replied telepathically to Caprice. Desperate, the masked man left his sword clatter to the floor and retrieved his bow. Ignoring the remaining, skeleton, DW dashed toward the study, pausing briefly to fire a shot toward the general. "ROBIN, attack!" he called out to his faithful companion. The construct nipped at the knight, but found nothing but air.


Action: Ranged Attack (15 To Hit, 14 Damage - but likely is a miss anyway)
Bonus Action: Command ROBIN to Attack use
Move: D5
Reaction: Shield vs Skeleton Opp. Attack (AC=21)

ROBIN (15 ac, 20/25 hp, 40' mv)
==================================
Action: Force-Empowered Rend vs General (9 To Hit - Miss)
Move: Hold ground
Reaction: Opp. Attack (if possible)

16:32, Today: Darkwing rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  DEX Save.
16:34, Today: Darkwing rolled 15 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 6.  Ranged Attack.
16:34, Today: Darkwing rolled 13 using 3d3+6 with rolls of 3,1,3.  Damage.
16:36, Today: Darkwing rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  ROBIN Attack.

"Impudent worms," Haruman muttered as Ren and Elsbeth disappeared into the void he'd summoned. He strode forward towards Olanthius's study, heedless of the arrows and eldritch energies flying towards him. His armor, though dented and torn in places, deflected them all.

Willaby, but Haruman idly battered the beast aside with his flaming sword, which did not burn the nightmare but did a fine job of interrupting its charge.

Then he raised a hand, raising up two more skeletal warriors from the crypt to fight on his behalf. The new skeletons fell on Willaby, skewering the nightmare from both sides. (They both crit on poor Willaby! Exactly 19 damage total.)

Skeletal soldier as his side, Haruman strode across the room, ignoring the steel hound snapping at his heels. He raised his sword as he came, bringing it crashing down on Darkwing. A surge of necrotic energy flowed through it into the rogue.

Hits AC 29 for 45 damage (17 of that is necrotic, 19 is psychic), using Staggering Smite:

The target must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 18). On a failed save, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, and can't take reactions, until the end of its next turn.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Haruman advanced inexorably toward the study in which Lady Caprice had taken refuge and ruthlessly struck down Darkwing as he went.  Was that canny masked avenger slain so easily as that?  Lady Caprice watched in horror and fury as the dead knight closed the distance, her black eyes glittering in the magical glow that was the only illumination in the sepulchral darkness.

She had never imagined that she might die alone in a forsaken tomb beneath the scorched plains of the Hells.  She had never imagined she would die at all, come to that.  She was young and had too many great things yet to accomplish!

A sneer crossed Lady Caprice's painted lips as she glared defiantly at the dead knight, and twin incandescent glows flared to life within each outstretched palm.  She might die, but she would never consent to be defeated.  She snarled, "Away with you, disloyal churl!"  With a cry of last-ditch fury, Caprice launched twin bolts of arcane force at the knight, one of which smashed straight through his armored greathelm!

---

• Eldritch Blast vs. Haruman!  Possibly the last two attacks of Lady C's life:
  1. Hit 25 AC for 11 force damage!
  2. Miss with a natural 1
• Standing ready with Misty Escape to turn invisible and teleport away the first time I take damage!

15:31, Today: Secret Roll: Caprice Nathaire rolled 11 using 1d10+5.  Eldritch damage.
15:31, Today: Secret Roll: Caprice Nathaire rolled 25,9 using d20+8,d20+8 with rolls of 17,1.  Eldritch Blast attacks 1 & 2.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Fri 20 Nov 2020.

Ren followed the bank of the stream backwards against the current. The sun rode high in the sky and told him nothing of East or West. Cresting a grassy rise the land before him seemed to fall away into a massive pit of broken stone and exposed earth. It took his mind several moments to come to terms with what lay before him and when it did so he fell upon his knees.

"Elturel..." The word, barely a whisper upon his tight lips. "Yondalla save me, I've been sent back!"

His eyes went wide.

"Oh no! No, no, no, Caprice! Darkwing! Elsbeth! I have to go back. Urogalan, take me back! I have to go back!"

As Haruman strode towards him, black-fire sword held high, Darkwing heard more distant footsteps approaching. Olanthius! If only he could hold out a moment longer.

Heedless of skeletal swords, R.O.B.I.N. rushed to his master's side. But he was too late. Haruman plunged the sword into Darkwing's belly, the blade crackled with necrotic energy, and the masked rogue collapsed at the threshold of Olanthius's study.

The death knight stepped over his body as if it were no more than a pile of rubble and entered the study, where only Caprice stood between him and Olanthius's journals.

She, too, heard the other general approaching, and she saw that Haruman did as well. "Out of my way, foolish child. I have no more time to waste on you pathetic interlopers."

He raised a black hand in which dark magic was already swirling. Caprice saw the words of a spell on his lips, saw his ever-growing skeletal army gathering behind him.

She struck first, however, her own magic exploding in his face before he could unleash his spell. "NOOOOOOO!" The crypt shook with his howl of frustration, for he waited many years for the opportunity to plunder his rival's study, and there was no telling how many more years it would be before he got this close again.

His broken and burned armor clattered to the stone floor, empty. The skeletons behind him collapsed into piles of bone.

"Begone, fiend!" a new voice commanded. "Defile my study no long- oh. Oh, my." An old man with hollow eyes and corroded armor but long hair and beard that remained strangely blond stepped into view, taking in the scene. He was at a loss for words as he took in the robot dog, the empty pile of armor, and the unconscious rogue in the bat suit. The scene grew no clearer for him when a living Hellrider and a halfling bearing a demonic shield suddenly appeared in the crypt behind him.

"You...," he said slowly, reluctant to believe what his vacant eyes told him. "You defeated Haruman?"

"Olanthius!" Lulu flew out from where she'd been cowering.

"Lulu!" the old knight cried with obvious joy. "I ought to have known you were behind this."

The foul magics brought against her were terrifying.  She did all she could to resist, but this was her weakness.  Nine times out of ten such an attack would kill her.  At least she died having hit him with everything she had first.  Her one moment of glory.

A moment later, everything was different.  She blinked.

The wind was fresh and cool.  The air smelled familiar.  She was on a hillock overlooking the void left when Elturel fell.  Was this some illusion?  She knelt and felt the grass.  It felt real.  She recognized the rocks nearby her and her brothers use to climb on.  Elsbeth Du'Crey was home.

He had sent her home with the knowledge that she had failed.  She didn't save a single soul.  She would live her life out with that regret.  Haruman truly <i>was</> a monster.


The tears had just started to fall at this realization when she was sucked back.  She was still kneeling when the foulness of Avernus draped her like a cloak and weighed heavily on her.  At first she didn't know whether to be relieved she hadn't failed in her oath or curse for being back in hell.

She started to turn away when she saw DW unmoving on the ground.  "No."  Her heart fell again.  It should have been her.  She should have been here.

"You defeated Haruman?"

Once again her vision moved and fell on the pile of Haruman's armor.  A bitter relief took hold.  They had stopped him, but at a dreadful cost.

The power she had held left her body.  It was more than she had ever experienced in her life.  It left her shaking and nauseous.  It was unlikely she would ever attain such a height again.  Hopefully the need would never arise again.  She closed her eyes tight and silently mourned for the fallen.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:31, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Ren knelt with his hand pressed over his eyes, tears streaming down his ruddy cheeks. He didn’t notice the shift in the ground beneath his knees or the sudden stillness in the air around him. He didn’t even feel the sun’s warmth slip away.

What he heard was a voice.

”Lulu?” he said cautiously, opening his eyes. Ren’s head swam once more as he adjusted to his new surroundings. ”Urogalen brought me back!”

Ren clambered to his feet and ran to Lulu’s side, throwing his arms around the Holyphant.

”Elsbeth! Caprice! And where is - oh! Oh no, Darkwing.”

The little halfling let go of his embrace and knelt down beside his stricken companion, laying his hands upon the dark knight’s shoulder.

Lay on hands for 20hp
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Sat 21 Nov 2020.

Lady Caprice tried not to look too shocked when the final magical attack of her life slew her would-be murderer.  She stared as the death knight toppled with a roar, and flinched at the echoing clatter of heavy armor hitting the floor.  Lady Caprice collected herself some moments later, straightened up and then declared with an impish grin of triumph, “Ha!  So it ends for all who oppose Lady Caprice Nathaire!”

A wizened warrior arrived moments later that could be none other than general Olanthius, followed shortly thereafter by Sir Ren and Elsbeth!  The Lady’s exultation was dampened somewhat when she recalled that Darkwing lay dying or dead at the entrance to the study.  The ever-compassionate Sir Ren was already at the fallen vigilante’s side, but Caprice gave an unnecessary post hoc command, “See to his wounds, if you would, Sir Ren.  He fought bravely.  Oh, and welcome back, darlings.”

Lady Caprice then turned to general Olanthius and raised her chin to announce, “Indeed I have defeated Haruman, the faithless blackguard.  We defeated him, I rather ought to say.  I could not have done it without these stalwart companions.”  She patted R.O.B.I.N. affectionately on its metallic head to assure that it was included in that number.  Lulu was joyfully reunited with Olanthius, which was interesting.  Lady Caprice said to Olanthius, “As it happens, we’ve come seeking you, General.  We seek Zariel’s sword so that we might return Elturel to its rightful place.  Perhaps you may be able to help.”

"Zariel's sword? My, you are ambitious, aren't you. I suppose once you've bested Haruman, only one act is big enough to follow that. Aye, I can help you.

The sword is protected by a cathedral formed out of positive energy. Avernus abhors the structure and has surrounded it in a bloody scab, earning it the name the Bleeding Citadel. The holy power of the citadel resists the scab's attempts to fully engulf it and make it one with Avernus, leaving the top of the citadel accessible.

Zariel monitors the Bleeding Citadel closely, however. If you intend to approach it without her noticing - and you should - you'll need a distraction. Conveniently, I know just the thing.

Years ago, Zariel stole a magical hammer from the demon lord Kostchtchie, who is imprisoned in Avernus. If freed, he will be sure to want his weapon back. When he goes to collect it from Zariel, which should create the diversion you need."

Ren lifted his head, only half listening to Olanthius's exposition. Instead he cast his gaze about the chamber, finding Willaby lying where he'd been struck by Haruman's footmen. Ren hastened towards the stricken nightmare and placed his hands upon its coal black flesh.

"Easy now, Willaby," he said, choking back tears as he ran his fingers through the steed's fiery mane. "I'm here now."

Lay on Hands for 15
This message was last edited by the player at 01:30, Mon 23 Nov 2020.

Darkwing gasped for air as consciousness returned to him. He opened his eyes and say Ren kneeling over him. At first, he thought perhaps Haruman had sent him to wherever Ren was, but then he heard the other speaking. He sat up and took in the scene before him.

"We won?" he asked windedly. "This truly is a grand victory, friends! A justice brought against corruption. And we all yet live to continue our pursuit." He was holding his side as he spoke, and saw the blood still soaking his glove. "But, maybe some rest first?"

He turned his attention toward Olanthius "Do you suppose we could safely recover here before we attempt to free this Demon Lord?" Telepathically he shared other thoughts with his party. ~This seems very risky, freeing a Demon Lord. Are we sure there is no other way?~

"You may certainly rest before you depart. Now that the master of the crypt is here, no harm shall come to you in this place."

Ren looked up from tending to Willaby. "What about Haruman's steed?" he asked, remembering the Nightmare the general had rode to confront them previously upon the hill. "He must be terribly frightened. Is he outside the crypt waiting for his master's return?"

Ren did it!  DW lived!  Elsbeth sighed in relief and squared her shoulders more as that weight left her.  They had accomplished the impossible.  Perhaps there was hope for Elturel.

She stood and saluted Olanthius.  “Sir, What of Haruman himself?  Is he truly gone or will he be back with a vengeance?  Hell wasn’t someplace she feigned to understand how things worked.  Although she took a bit of pride in the thought he would take a step back from her if they did ever meet again.

“Also, what of the knights on the hill.  Can they be given peace now?”

Lady Caprice listened to Olanthius’s description of the Bleeding Citadel, then arched a perfectly-manicured brow at the suggestion to free an imprisoned demon lord by way of distraction.  She said, “I can only imagine this Kostchtchie is imprisoned for very good reason, and amply-guarded.  What enemies must we make and with what risks must we contend to release this demon lord, pray tell?”  She cocked her head and then asked further, “What of the Bleeding Citadel?  General Yael must be quite the paragon to have established such a bastion of good in this realm of corruption.  He will oppose the sword’s removal, will he not?”

After the ordeal with Haruman a rest came most welcome, and Lady Caprice found a clean enough place to take respite with dignity.  During the rest she spoke to Olanthius, “General Olanthius, you should know that Elsbeth has fought with incomparable skill and honor in defense of Elturel and her fellow Hellriders.  It was she who truly slew Haruman herself with pure skill at arms.  I daresay she is the very embodiment of the order’s highest ideals.”  Lady Caprice turned to Elsbeth with chin high and a smile, then said, “If the word of a Lady Patriar of Baldur’s Gate holds any sway with the knights of Elturel, then allow me to formally recommend Elsbeth for promotion.”

---

Does Lady C know anything about Kostchtchie?  Result is 9 if it’s Religion, 12 if Arcana or History:

• 11:03, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Int roll.

Then spend 1 hit die during the short rest to heal 8 HP:

• 11:05, Today: Caprice Nathaire rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  HD 1.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Fri 27 Nov 2020.

Olanthius waved his hand dismissively. "Sure, frightened of my foot in his ass! I ran that fiend off the moment I arrived."



"Alas, it is not so simple a thing to be rid of a death knight. He'll be back, and yes, vengeance is a safe bet.

As for the knights upon his hill, a prayer on their behalf in this hallowed place might do the trick. But think well on whether they deserve a reprieve before you plead for one. They are deserters, after all. If you decide you do, then make your case in a prayer to Helm, and perhaps he will see fit to free them."

If you choose to do this, please make two religion checks. I'll choose which to use based on how Elsbeth makes her case ;-)



"You must know nothing of the Blood War to imagine such a foolish thing! The devils and demons have been warring since before time. They'll imprison each other for any reason or no reason at all. Zariel and her devils will begrudge you, sure, but then that's the point, is it not? And yes, safe to assume she'll have some guards there. But nothing you can't handle, I'm sure," the general said with a nod towards the death knight's empty armor.



"She will do no such thing, if your friend is half the noble warrior you say she is. The Citadel is there to guard against Zariel reclaiming her sword. If a noble Hellrider claims it to oppose Zariel, I imagine Yael would welcome that."

A mournful look crossed his face. "If you see the general, please... give her my love."



"You speak wisely. I believe you have earned this, Mademoiselle du'Crey. Wear it with pride." At his gesture, a compartment in the wall opened to reveal a suit of crimson and white plate armor bearing the symbol of the Hellriders: a blazing sun alongside its smaller Companion.

Elsbeth, this is plate mail that also grants advantage on Charisma checks and saves made against fiends or residents of Elturel.

You can long rest here, so need to spend hit dice. Caprice, you know just enough of the Blood War to know what Olanthius says is true. You don't know anything about this demon in particular.

"Oh well that's all well and good then," Ren said uncertainly, rubbing at the back of his neck.

"Where do we, er, find this demon lord then?" he asked.

Elsbeth looked to the old knight with mixed emotions.  She was overwhelmed to be given such a gift by one who had worked directly with Zariel.  She also didn’t feel worthy of it.  But to refuse would be an insult.  All of this scant minutes after the most terrifying fight she had ever been a part of.  She settled for a hesitant, “Th... thank you.”

While her body hadn’t suffered in the battle, the weeks spent in the abyss trying simply to survive weighed heavily on her mind and soul.  She also saw her fate tied to those Haruman tortured for they were the founders of the order she knew.  She found a quiet corner and shed her armor.  It had been a long time since she could stretch and not feel the threat of being attacked at any moment.  A brief thought of another life when she wore a dress and attended a dance crossed her mind.  She held no illusions that she would be able to do that again.  Her hope now was to save those left in the town and give them that chance.  After food and drink, she knelt and prayed.

“Helm, I beseech you in the name of the fallen.  Those that returned to Elturel after Zariel’s assault suffer.  I now know they are viewed as deserters and traitors.  The history I was taught does not mention that.  I know not what the outcome would have had they stayed to fight.  Seeing this place first hand, I don’t know that they would have changed the outcome.  What I do know is they sealed the portal and Elturel knew peace.  The Hellrider tradition continued and was passed down generation after generation.  If not for them, I would not be here now.”   She paused to wipe tears away.

“It pains me to see my forebears suffer for eternity.  They instilled in the Hellriders the heart and duty to defend Elturel.  Good men and women defend it still with their very lives.  As long as I draw breath, I will fight to save Elturel.  None of that would have been possible without them.  Good did come of it.  You are their judge.  I ask for their sake and every Hellrider for their suffering to come to an end.”

Lady Caprice pursed her lips and remarked breezily, "If Haruman wishes to be vanquished again, we will oblige him."


Annoyed at Olanthius calling her question foolish, Caprice answered with biting sarcasm, "I am sure some guards will hardly impede us from releasing a demon lord imprisoned for who-knows-why.  Thank you for the incisive tactical analysis, General."


Learning that General Yael was a she brought a smile back to Lady Caprice's face, and she said, "Oh, pardon my mistake.  I am glad to know that General Yael is likely to listen to reason in this matter.  We will convey your regards, to be certain."


Lady Caprice was quite pleased to have persuaded the General to bestow this well-deserved honor.  When Elsbeth returned adorned in the heroic Hellrider plate, she sunk into a curtseyed and looked upon the warrioress with genuine admiration.  "You are every inch the heroic ideal the Hellriders aspire to, Madame.  Your father would be proud to see you now, as am I."

Lady Caprice awaited the answer to Sir Ren's question of where this imprisoned demon lord might be found.  That answer would set their next course, once all were rested.

Despite Elsbeth's fervent, moving prayer, not so much as a gentle breeze blew through the crypt in answer.

"Helm is an unforgiving god," Olanthius explained. "This does not mean he is a cruel one. He is the god of protectors, and protectors who flee from danger are of no use to those they are charged with protecting. Your concern for those tortured souls is to your credit, and perhaps you will yet redeem them. But it will require more than prayer."

To Ren and the others, he said, "You have traveled long enough in Avernus to know distance and direction are unreliable guides. You will find what you are meant to find, or it will find you. Kostchtchie is imprisoned between active volcanos. Follow the plumes of smog, and you will find him."

Rest eventually came.  It was more due to complete exhaustion catching up to her and the feeling of a safe haven than any intention on her part.  When she woke, the weight of two worlds felt heavy on her shoulders.  Before Avernus, she would have gladly died in service of Elturel.  Now, when she did, she saw her fate upon that hill with the stirges feasting on her.  Her torture to be lorded over her by Haruman.  She doubted she would get off as easy as the others since her battle with him.

She stoically dressed in the new armor.  It’s weight felt appropriate to the burden on her soul.  At Lady Caprice’s praise, Elsbeth managed a weak smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

“Thank you Olanthius.  For Glory.”  The Hellrider saluted him.  It wasn’t the fervent cry of the young eager for battle.  It was of one resigned to her fate.  She wished there was something that could be done for the old Knight.  She had no idea what though.  It seemed an impossible task to save Elturel, let alone anyone from Zariel’s assault.

She then nodded to the others to indicate she was ready.