The Unfated Wanderers Canto 2
Vilerend Skymarch and Billet Stormstone departed Shatterbone village in northern Icebrunt. The mission was plain: raid a village. Harm none. Loot lore.
The pair of raiders rambled on, boots consuming scant miles before the ground sloped into frozen water.
The Halfdead River bore no bridge. Its still, white waters were frozen for much of the year. The wanderers walked warily across the river, when the reason of its name was revealed. The water was not entirely frozen. Billet plummeted into the river. Icy hands of water grasped at his legs and arms, sapping strength, holding him down to claim his corpse.
Lo! Life and loyalty prevailed! Vilerend saved his friend, drawing him from the clutching river. Billet’s beard bore fists of ice that Vilerend broke loose. A fire was kindled and Billet was restored, frosty yet alive.
They tread the tundra; a sparse, stark stretch of frozen land. Brittle plants breached the soil. Gnarled trees curled upon themselves, huddled against the cold. Nary an animal was found wandering the wild. Grim, gray clouds rippled, dappling the ground with meager spots of sunlight.
The next day dawned dreary; dim, dull light filtered through thick cloud cover. The monotony of the land was only disrupted by the slowly shifting view of the Barleyburr hills to their left. They retired at dusk.
Walking on the third day brought them to Sprybull, a well wrought village of orderly streets, buildings stood in formation, joined by cobblestone streets.
Billet’s unfortunate swim in the Halfdead River cost him his health. He was quite ill. Vilerend deposited him at an inn and had the innkeeper send for a witch to heal him. Sunny Cloudgrass was the witch and as she treated Billet, her house was now unwatched.
Vilerend villainously victimized his prey, though none but he knew that the raid was successful. The tablet was examined. The rubbing was obtained.
He returned to Billet, whose health was magically restored. They dined at the inn and rested well.