Mela en’ coiamin,

I have not had time to write more than the briefest notes in the last fortnight as I and my companions assisted, and in many cases, drove preparations for the planned orcish attacks that we had discovered in the remains of the scouting party’s camp.  There were certainly many complications, not least the lack of any substantial standing or militia forces within Hall on the Hill.  I will say this about my new found friends and companions; they do not lack for courage or the willingness to work hard, or even to take action regardless of the opinions of others.  We have survived the brutal and destructive attack, but the orcish onslaught has caused severe damage, mass death in this small community that has accepted me and the others, or at least more of an acceptance than most of Axana.  A couple of my new friends nearly perished in the tide of evil, but we have been successful in its repulse.

I will admit, exhaustion has set upon us, and there is little place to even rest, as the community has been harvested of life and support by the brutes of this orcish tribe.  My companions have collapsed into exhausted slumber, and I shall join them in rest and hopefully much needed peaceful reverie of home in moments, but I feel as if compelled to at least provide some minimal updates since the battle is complete, at least for the near future.  We have not yet heard word of the much larger attack of the orcs headed towards the spiraled city of Spiros to the south, but they have had warning and I have recently learned that they have a substantial army to call upon for their defense as well.  The mage Istram has also apparently been rapidly traveling back and forth through magical means to assist Spiros as well, and I will note that he is apparently much more powerful and experienced than I had originally perceived.  Perhaps, if I am here much longer, he will deign to grant access to his library with payment of some form other than that which is an embarrassment to me or Adelaide.

Ah…, my thoughts continue to ramble from fatigue, but I cannot seem to put the pen down and leave it unfinished until tomorrow.  It will be extensive work to rebuild this community and the surrounding farms, I know not if it will be even possible for these people.   I also know that while I have strived extensively to defend them, rebuilding would be an unnecessary diversion from my purpose, at least so my fatigued body tells me.  Hopefully Adelaide and the others will feel the same, but I am unsure, since this has been their home, and to quest for some relic they have only recently heard of on behalf of someone so different from them may be asking too much.

This Gran Jessup who rules Hall on the Hill obviously favors Adelaide and turns to her in time of need.  While I have come to trust Adelaide, and she is an talented if untrained caster of raw magic, it does make me wonder about her background, and her sister’s, who plays the town strumpet, but has been very kind to me and others.  Although she recently disappeared, and I fear Adelaide is troubled as to her whereabouts.   Again, I digress, the Gran Jessup in many ways gave Adelaide, and through her, the rest of us free rain in trying to strengthen the defenses, to slow or distract the orcs, although outside advisers sent from Spiro’s to assist, have definitely clashed with Adelaide and her bluntness.  I have come to expect such derision and insecurities from must humans, and this Pathiel Valdemar, while talented, displays the same embarrassing crudeness as many of those upon this accursed continent.  

Adelaide’s knowledge of the surrounding country side proved invaluable.  She knew of an orc who had married a human woman, how that came to be, or how it was hidden in this community is surprising.  Through such contacts, she was able to come up with a plan; this family apparently maintained a worm farm, for what reason I still not know.  Adelaide convinced them to use these massive worms to soften the paths in front of the invading orcs, which did slow and delay their advance.  The dwarves worked diligently on manufacturing weapons, and assisted me in training many of the men in the most basic of defensive weaponry moves to provide some hope to the village.  I also helped to plug as many of the weaknesses of the walls of this so-called keep.  The barely civilized forest walker helped organize many of the farmers and older children into an archery corps of sorts.  At least given the relatively rural nature of this community, most do have a familiarity with bows and hunting.  I think our hopes in all those categories may have been higher than reality warranted, but desperate situations called for innovative reactions.

As the gruesome host approached, or at least shortly before, we were reinforced with militia and soldiers from both Hornsdean and Sakor’s Keep, in large part as a plea from the Gran Jossup, but I also believe significantly impacted by our actions against the goblins and Snake Queen.  We remained outnumbered, but in the end, those numbers, although for the most part decimated in the battle, probably saved the day and allowed us to achieve such a hollow victory.  Hollow because of the massive losses suffered by the defenders and to a much lesser degree, the families and small folk.  

The final stages ended with our “orders” to be a floating reserve, and we were sorely needed when the east walking gate fell quickly to monstrous forces.  Support forces summoned by orcish casters threatened to break through, giant spiders and more.  Our tactics worked better, again initially, although Xyrius appears to have resolutely set herself against personal use of the bow any longer, preferring to now charge ahead into combat and dangerous situations wielding her new scimitar.  Adelaide also ventured too far ahead of the group, climbing the outer wall making her an obvious target to the casters in the darkness.  Fortunately, all of these inexperienced mistakes did not cost me any of my new found friends.

After we had beaten back the first waves, a reinforcing company arrived, and we moved back to assist against the primary attack at the main gate.  We discovered the gate had been destroyed, most of our defensive forces were in disarray and some powerful shamans and bodyguards were making their way through the wreckage of the gates, and many of the unarmed citizens were in serious danger.   The battle became a blur, and I will admit, to you my wife, that in all my training, and all my experience as a soldier, this is the first time that I have truly used the hyandalina to the utmost of my ability.  To funnel that power, trained for through the grace of the Velar and magical balance of our lives, into the loathsome creatures who have always been our enemies, my words fail me in describing the sweet song of life and magic and music and dance in a worthy endeavor.  

With last of spell, and failing strength, we proved victorious in destroying the heart of the magical attacks supporting the marauding company.  I know not what would have happened if the remaining few did not break at that time, and flee in terror.  Perhaps I would not be writing these words now.  I was unaware of the forest walker’s rage against orcs.  Admittedly, I am not faint of will when destroying orcs, but madness appeared to consume her and she took risks that previously even she would not have considered.  

Eldan and Null and Xyerius helped to heal as many of our fallen as possible, and even I attempted to triage and provide what minimal support I could with the basics I had learned initially from Serinel all those years ago.  You know, my dear, how limited my herbalism and healing skills are, but they were in dire need this night.   I hope I helped, but we suffered so many losses, that it may have been a story similar to the minnow and the whale.  

A minimum watch has been set by the remaining soldiers, and my exhausted companions now sleep, literally within reach of my scribbling hand. It is time for me to join them in a well-deserved rest, and I hope to see you soon, even if only reverie reminds me of the beauty of your eyes, the soft touch of your caress, the allure of your song.  One day I shall return to you, quest successful, to restore the OioKalina to its rightful place, protected by the might of our arms and the song of our magic and the holy defenses of the Valar.  I ache for your touch and the embrace of your arms.  May the journey be quick and my return to you even quicker.

Vanimle sila tiri ar lissenen ar’ maska’lalaith tenna’ lye omentuva —–Elyrienne