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With a wave of her hand, Animir directed Akara back down the tunnel to free the four cheering dwarf miners from their chains, while she herself hurried back down the other way to where she'd left the mortally injured Thorkil. Delicately, she tipped the contents of a healing potion into his mouth, then stroked his throat to make him swallow. There was a worrying pause, and then the horrific injury to his head faded and vanished, leaving him with just a gash in his chest and a cracked rib. His eyes opened and he blinked, then grinned. "We won, then," he said.
Dwarf Mine, 21st April 1601
The clearing up and setting right of the mine of Clan Kelper took over a week, during which time Animir and Thorkil worked tirelessly alongside the eighteen survivors of the clan's original population of nearly fifty. At the end of that time, the dwarves threw a surprisingly lush banquet to celebrate their deliverance.
Dain Rumblegut, the newly-elected clan leader, acted as master of ceremonies, and led magnificent toasts of gratitude to the clan's three heroes; Akara, Animir and Thorkil. All three were made full clan members, and Animir and Thorkil presented with a generous gift of the copper ingots the mine produced. Additionally, Dain announced, each was to be regarded as owed a debt of honour by any dwarf of the clan. Finally, each of them was to be crafted a magical item of their choice by the surviving smiths, as long as it was made from the leather or metals the dwarves had available. Animir reciprocated with a speech of thanks, and the three were cheered to the echo.
No-one left the table hungry or thirsty, and several - Thorkil included - didn't manage to make it away at all.
Vision Peaks, Northern Stryre, 22nd April 1601
Stepping out through the newly-cleared main doors of the mine complex, Animir and Thorkil blinked as they emerged into the sunshine for the first time in ten days. Their horses, and the unfortunate Hossein's, waited patiently where they'd been tethered, the grass within their reach nibbled a bit short, and glad of some oats from Animir's saddlebags.
Over the last few days, Animir's childhood initiation into the cult of Nodonn had developed into a firmer regard. Now she felt a desire to follow his martial path a little more deeply. Her thoughts turned north; perhaps it was time for her to follow the majority of the elves of the Return back into the Land that Was No More, and visit the new elven city of Belamir.
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This marks the end of the adventure Ever-changing Fortunes. Animir's exploits will carry right along, as she has plans a'plenty to head north, make some money selling the spare horse, and then cross the Desolation to Belamir to visit her kin and try to find out more about the ancient sword Anvarna. This chronicle will describe what happens when she does.... |