Love Beyond The Ward
By: Jacyn
Her armor was dented and bloody from the hundreds of blows it took. Some of that blood was hers, most was not. Her shield still shone brightly in the day's fading light; enchanted to be a symbol those around her could rally to. Though she had been at the front line most of the day, her voice was still loud and strong. Instilling courage and strength to the rest of us. We needed that strength, for the armies of Regulos had come to Sanctum.
With sword and axe, hammer and mace they fell around us. Fellow cleric and friend, Manluas, used his powers of healing to bolster her so she was able to shrug off the mightiest of blows. His newly married bride, Tashwen, was ever near husband. With daggers and bow, she kept all foes at bay who tried to disrupt his concentration.
My name is Jacyn, trained by the Shamans and Justicars of our order. My place is by my own beloved's side at the front. With nature's rage and holy might I strike at our foes. Each blow from my hammer helps to heal my ally's wounds. I will not tire, for she does not. Today will end in victory or death; there is no surrender.
They're gone! Manluas and Tashwen are gone! During the chaos an Ettin, a large muscular brute bred for war, came upon them. Tashwen could not hope to parry or dodge the massive spear aimed her way. Her husband did the one thing he could; he held her close and summoned a shield of flame around them. The spear slowed when it impacted but did not stop. They died together in each other's arms.
Leaving it's spear still in our dear friend's lifeless bodies; it then came for us. A peaceful, loving look was on their faces. Their fight was over, they could now spend eternity in peace. From it's belt it produced a massive club. A crude weapon, but with the Ettin's enormous strength behind it, it could crush most normal mortals. Humans and Elves alike were swatted away like flies with each vicious swing. She held her ground as it approached; it would not cross the bridge she had guarded this day.
With a prayer to charge my elven hammer and calling on the spirit of the Great Bear to grant me strength, I charged the monstrosity with a roar. I misjudged the speed of it's swing too late. I felt ribs break and armor shatter as my body was knocked through the air. It took almost all my energy to mend myself so I could at least stand and begin limping back to her. I was done, in my condition, I would not survive another blow. But, I would at least die by the woman I loved. I didn't care if she was an elf and I human. In a pouch around my neck I carried a ring blessed by Shyla herself. I planned on giving it to her this evening. Regulos' attack had changed my plans. I would at least lay it at her feet with my dying breath if I could so she would know that my love would last forever plus one more day. I didn't think it would end so soon.
As I neared her I could see the Ettin raining blows upon her shield. She never moved as though her legs were anchored like the mighty peaks of Iron Pine. I knew she could not hold out forever and channeled the last of my holy convictions into the most powerful healing spell I could muster. My hammer was too heavy in my battered hands; I could not generate any more and I prayed it would be enough. Suddenly a massive fireball exploded in the Ettin's back. It came from a mage friend standing on the hilltop in the distance. I was glad to see her, but surprised as she was ravaged by an illness for which there was no cure. She nodded in our direction just before she was cut down by the undead around her.
During her fight, she somehow was able to toss a healing potion to me. It was the one she saved for herself at the most dire of need. I hesitated for an instant for I knew what that meant. That was the opening it was waiting for and a heavy blow got past her defenses and crushed her to the ground. I quaffed it and felt the burning sensation as it healed my broken body. I sprinted to her side and let the rage of northern wind flow through me as I swung my hammer in a maelstrom of fury only one avenging a loved one could produce. With each conviction built, I sent it to her as life. Hoping, praying she still hung on to life. Eventually her own hits, Pyre's fireball, and my hammer brought the beast down. For whatever reason the fight paused around us. I knelt beside her and picked her up; holding her close. Kissing her lips for the last time, I resigned myself to death. She was avenged and I wanted to die so I could join her and the rest of our friends in the afterlife.
Suddenly she breathed shallowly and opened her eyes weakly. She was alive! I knew I could only help her through combat so I shouted a challenge to all around me. The call did not go unheard, for the dezigns of death came for us. I would not fail her again. Time seemed to stop and my hammer became weightless as I spun and flailed, pouring heal after heal into her. I turned and saw her standing by me, bloody and bruised, but standing. My heart almost leapt from my body, maybe, just maybe we could win the day. The bear inside me roared once again and my hammer flared to life renewed. Together we fought side by side, dancing a dance of death to our foes.
Our luck ran out when one of the greater drakes landed at our feet. We knew we could not survive his attacks alone. She turned toward me and kissed me. I tried to hand her the pouch which held the ring, but she stopped me. "Give it to me in the next life, this one is over." she told me. I nodded and said, "Alright, then let's end this, I'm getting tired and our friends are waiting. Our wedding can wait." Hand in hand we ran to our deaths, we did not feel the fire burn our bodies. I died next to the woman I loved with all my heart, I was a lucky man.
All of a sudden my eyes opened and standing over me was a winged servant of the Vigil. "Arise, you are needed once more," it said. "Is she here as well?" I asked it. "Yes, and your friends are waiting for you," it answered. As I tried to stand, I realized something terribly wrong. My body was not my own. "Your body was too far destroyed to bring your spirit back to it. It is now in the realm where the River of Souls flows," the avatar explained with me asking it. Where once stood a Mathosian male now stood an elf woman. But the pouch and ring inside were with me still. I took the name of Ainet.
Months and years have passed since then. With our friends, we've fought and conquered our enemies. But, my heart is heavy with sorrow, my hammer no longer sings like it used to. She has found love again with someone new and is planning a wedding.
I want to let the Bear roar in rage, but what good would it do. I love her now as I did those years ago when I walked as a man. But, she is happy again and would I be in the right to try to change back to the man I once was? I don't know. I know where my true body lies and I must try to get it back. If I succeed, then let her decide which man to give her heart to. I will honor her decision. If I fall trying, then my pain is over and she is still free to live her life in happiness. She wins either way. I'm heading to the portal tomorrow to get my old body back, or die trying. I'm leaving the ring in the chest in my room for her in case I don't come back. She at least deserves that much to remember me by.
I love you Kadiskas, forever plus one more day.