The Unfated Wanderers Canto 35
Keeper of Lore suddenly strode into the hall. Tong dismissed Sunny and the three former Stormcraft cultists. Before any words of greeting could be uttered by the surprised king and the wanderers, Keeper said, “A new location has been found wherein the Learned Scholars might live. Far to the south, in Icebrunt, is Bramblefog Tower. Ownership of the tower is currently contested by our people and several wizards. They name themselves as the Quickstream Cult. I know that name. Does Fern have a new cult?”
Tong quickly relayed the new information to his friend. Keeper was horrified. She said, “I merely came for aid in this fight. It seems that we must worry about them seizing our minds, in addition to the tower. There is a stalemate outside of the tower. The enemy is greatly outnumbered but we are outmatched by their magic. You know that I cannot fight. Vilerend! Billet! Will you come with me to Bramblefog Tower so that we can claim it? We need your prowess in combat. I will fly there and deposit you behind the enemy.”
Never shy to fight, the Unfated Wanderers urgently readied themselves. Soon, they were astride Keeper’s dragon-back, her basket not present and so tied to horns and scales, clutching and dangling and fearing the plummet to the land below. Their fears were realized as she abruptly glided to the ground. But she landed gently and spoke to the terrified men.
“There is a campsite nearby that I spied from the sky. There are thirty people there, resting and preparing food. They do not know that they are imperiled! A band of Terrors approaches. They look to be human sized lizards, armed and armored. Will you go to their aid?”
Billet and Vilerend broke into a run to reach the people before the Terrors did. They burst into the campsite and quickly warned them of their peril. They had nought but ten warriors but they were soon ready to fight. Silence rippled across the space as eager ears listened for the enemy.
A rasping roar rent the air and the Terrors were upon them. Emboldened by the presence of the Unfated Wanderers, the humans earnestly slew their foes, cheering and laughing as they fought. The Terrors perished beneath the onslaught of weary warriors empowered by the desire for righteous revenge. The battle was concluded as nineteen lizard folk lost their lives. Not one human bore even a bruise.
The people identified themselves as Reform Weavers, traveling Icebrunt, seeking survivors, working to find some sort of peace, order and safety in the aftermath of the Apocalypse. They begged Vilerend and Billet to stay with them and join the new Weaverism. Heeding the warning received by Boxing, they declined and said that they were urgently needed elsewhere. The Unfated Wanderers had no desire to aid in the formation of a theocracy that would rule the land.