A Dark Path - End

Ursa Blacksong - 103rd of Autumn YSTR 112

“Somehow your enemies always seem to find a way to make your days just that much better.”

…

“You can’t stay…” The widow Sarah offered with a sigh as she stared out through the gap in the curtains at the events transpiring in the streets of the township below. “ I just don’t think it's safe for you here any longer my dear.”

Ursa for her part nodded, understanding as her gaze followed Sarah’s to a collection of soldiers gathering at the end of the road.

She had only just returned to Highmarch that morning to discover, much to her dismay, that a great deal had transpired in those few short days she had been away. A count of some 100 or more knights and soldiers belonging to the High Church were camped out in front of the town gates and every street within Highmarch was being patrolled by armed soldiers wearing Sarnia colors.

“Do you think they saw you entering the city?” Sarah inquired with some concern.

“Doubtful.”Ursa offered, frowning her annoyance.” I made a point of entering the township via the secret stairway above and saw no one coming or going. How long have they been here?” She thought finally to ask.

“Not too long…” Sarah offered in a hushed voice as they watched the soldiers. “They arrived just a few days after you had left. Marched right into the township like they owned the place and straight up to the doors of the Lord’s Manor. From what I’ve heard they all but threatened to burn the township to the ground if the Lord didn’t cooperate.”

Ursa nodded again. “Did they say why they were here or what it is they were looking for?”

Sarah could only shake her head. “No, they only said that they were summoned here by the High Priest of the temple some weeks ago just before he disappeared along with the sheriff. From what I’ve heard they’re not really looking for you specifically but yours was a name recorded in the High Priests journals. Yours however was not the only name in those journals however and those individuals were rounding up and dragging off to the temple for questioning on that first day.”

“So they came here as well?” Ursa inquired..

Sarah nodded. “ Indeed they did, searched the whole house top to bottom but didn’t find anything that merited more than a few nasty looks and a harsh word or two about my eternal soul and all that hell and damnation. The shop doesn’t officially deal in magic so they didn’t have much to complain about beyond a few trinkets and the odd magical item.”

“And what story did you make up to explain away my absence?” Ursa thought to ask.

“After you had left I’d already told everyone who’d listen that I’d sent you to my sister's household down in the Ford’s. I made a big deal about you not being happy with your marriage prospects here in Highmarch and that there was a young lad in the Ford’s who had shown some interest and had proposed a meeting and that my sister had thought it’d be a good match.”

“So if I didn’t return it wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows and if I did….” Ursa noted aloud.

“And if you did, it could be easily explained away that it just wasn't a good match after all.” Sarah finished for her.

“Sounds reasonable.”Ursa agreed.” Still given what's happening around here I’d wager that the Head Knight will have sent someone to the Fords to confirm your story.”

“A pair of riders left for the Ford’s yesterday.” Sarah offered plainly.”Not that I'm too worried, It takes a week to get from here to the Fords and I’ve already sent word to my sister about the matter.”

Ursa nodded her understanding.

“I just wish I could be more help my dear.” Sarah sighed softly.

“No, you have done a great deal more than most these last few years.” Ursa smiled warmly.”And to be truthful I have have been putting off my obligations longer than I should have.”

“ So you’ll be heading south into Sarnia or Karavoss …” Sarah inquired.

Ursa shook her head. “ No, a vision has warned me away from heading south. Rather I’ve been hearing a voice that is telling me to head to the Northern coast to the forgotten realms that once were a part of the kingdoms of the eldar.”

…