The Warning. Hoard of the Dragon Queen -Rest period after Cyanwrath's Encounter *Spoilers*

Raan watched and listened at the doorway of what was once a kobold barracks in the winding tunnels of the Cults hideout.
Less than an hour before the company had squared off against Landrigosa, the Blue Half-Dragon that had duelled and defeated Kilvarax, the company's own Dragonkin warrior.
Although Landrigosa had acted honourably by allowing the hostages to go free once the duel was completed, Raan had sworn that he wouldn't allow something as trivial as honour to encumber the delivery of true justice.

He heard the tell tale scratching of Kil's clawed feet and the swish that his tail made as he pivoted. Then the clack, clack, clack as he approached. He controlled the urge to cringe at the noise it created, considering anything left in here likely knew their position.

In the dim light Raan gave him a nod to acknowledge his presence as Kil took up a flanking position on the other side of the door.
It seemed an eternity passed, neither of them looking at one another, maintaining their vigil for the sake of the camp.
"What you did," came Kil's guttural draconic voice, "was no small feat."
Raan looked briefly in surprise but for a moment.
"But  rob me of my vengeance again." Kil left the threat open.
Raan had thought about this conversation since the aftermath of the battle, anticipating such a confrontation.
It was in this moment that something else occurred to him.
"You're right. I acted hastily, and in doing so, took your chance for vengeance."
This caused Kil to offer a small sideways glance.
"I granted justice to all of those that devil would have maimed and killed in Greenest." Raan looked at him squarely. " The truest course of justice was to allow you the kill. To bare witness to the justice you would have wrought." He looked back to the doorway. "I won't make that mistake again."

Raan and Kilvarax finished the rest of the watch in silence.
Each respecting the other a little more than they'd ever let on.

Reassurance and Reward. - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Raan closed the door to his room back at Nighthill's keep and immediately threw off his pack and cloak. He fumbled with the clasps on his breastplate as he suddenly felt as if it were a weight chrushing the air from his lungs.
With a final heave he flung it from him and as it clattered to the ground, so did he.
His undershirt was damp and it clung to him. Beads of sweat formed and ran down his face as he processed the events of the last few hours.

He took a deep, calming breath to steel his nerves and peeled the soaked garment off, feeling every muscle protest in doing so. Burns, cuts and bruises adorned his torso and arms. He and the band that had come together on the road to Greenest had endured so much in a short time.

Moving to his knees, Raan uncoupled his two swords and placed the longer blade out with in front of him to his right and the shorter to his left.
Finally he removed the pendant from around his neck. Placing it directly down in front of him.
He focused on it intently as he regulated his breathing. It's unblemished surface, the symbol of the hand holding a single coin, caught the  flickering light of the hearth. 
Soon the room fell away and there was only his swords, the coin and darkness as he slowly closed his eyes.
"My love." Came the ethereal whisper of his lost wife's voice. His eyes snapped open there standing before him in a field of grass stood his beloved. Adorned in a dress of royal blue, her favourite colour. It was decorated in the finest patterns and it clung to her slender frame. Her face was clear and full of colour. The Elven part of her heritage visable in the shape and clarity of her eyes, and the slight points of her ears peeking out from her flowing black hair that moved slightly in the breeze. A jeweled band of silver keeping it back from her face. In her hands, she held his sheathed sword against her breast.

He knew better to answer, as to risk breaking concentration was to risk losing this glorious vision.
"My love," she whispered again, "you are on a dangerous path. You honour your family with every life you save. The evil you extinguish makes the living world a better place."
The words washed over him like the suns rays breaking through a dark cloud.
He began to feel rejuvenated as the aches and pains of his last encounter ebbed away.
"But there is more danger ahead, Father."
Came the voice of his beloved daughter.
She appeared from behind her mother's skirts and moved to stand in front of Raan's smaller blade. "More people to help. More people that are in pain."
She was every bit her mother in appearance.  The same shaped eyes and face. She wore a simple dress, her hair in a plait. 

He watched her pick up the other sword that was bestowed upon him when Assuran had spared his life and gave him the choice.
"Let us both help you." Said his wife as she offered the hilt of the sword she carried.
"Father," came his little girls voice as she took a step forward, offering the other hilt. "Let me help too."
Raan reached out and grasped both hilts and in unison his family stepped backwards, keeping hold of the pair of swords and revealing their keen edges.
"Goodbye, Father."
"Go, my love."
They both spoke together as a blinding light struck Raan. He struggled to keep his eyes open not wanting to lose sight of his family.
He finally relented and looked away from the searing light to find himself back in his room within the keep, both blades now in his hands.
He stood up, completely renewed and healed. No marks of the battles upon him, no fatigue or aches, yet, something was different.
The two blades in his hands felt lighter than before. More of an extension in his hands than just two swords.
He made a small figure eight with the smaller of the swords that he had held in his left hand.
There was no clumsiness or feeling of being awkward or weaker. He put both the swords through a few simple drills and soon realised that he could use these weapons together, no weakness on one side or the other. He threw both blades up and caught them again in opposite hands without a hint of slowing down.
Faster and faster he spun the blades in unison until they were a humming blur of steel!
When he finally paused, he could not help but smile.
It was only then that he noticed the morning sun creep into the room from the open window. It was morning already? As his stomach growled the answer to his question.
He quickly strapped on his blades and donned a fresh shirt.
Before walking from the room he replaced any hint of happiness with his customary scowl. 

Appearances had to be maintained after all.

A Matter of Faith - Hoard of the Dragon Queen.

Raan shook the rain from his cloak as he passed through the stone archway to the temple of Torm. He felt a wave of warmth wash over him as he was greeted by the soothing glow of many torches that illuminated the walls.

Before him stood a modest hall. Perfectly carved and polished pews were arranged in a circle around a large hearth in the halls centre.

Raan eyed several robed attendants shuffling about, seemingly unaware of his entrance, save for one who approached him with hands out at his sides, palms visible. 
Young male, angled chin, eyes and nose covered by cowl. Elf, possibly half-breed. No weapons visible.

Although Raan had been instructed to attend this hall by Assuran himself, he still kept his guard up.
If it looks like a trap, it probably is, echoed the words of one of the chosen to train him.
The purpose of this event, seemed to be yet another training exercise.

"Your swords are not needed here," said a woman's voice. It sounded aged yet it resonated clearly across the hall, as if she were next to him.
Raan eyed a figure sitting opposite the large hearth in the centre of the room. Possibly the origin of the voice though he couldn't be sure.
"If it is all the same, I'll decide that, should the choice need to be made."

Raan saw the  figure across the hall shuffle. Her shoulders bobbed a few times. Possibly laughing?
A hand gestured for him to approach as the young robed male turned about and led him in further.

Eight lives visible. Secluded areas could house more. Circular room. No real defensive position.

As Raan walked closer he could now make out a woman's face. It was lined with many years of age. Long silver hair pulled back in a pony tail.
Her robes looked faded. Older and less ornate than the others in the room.
"Welcome, Raan. Chosen of Assuran. Sit, and be at ease."
Raan raised an eyebrow reflexively at this woman who seemed to know so much about him.
He sat down next to her in the same pew, moving his sword from his side to his lap with enough distance between them to seat another. 

"You have me at a disadvantage," he replied. "I do not know your name."
She turned her body towards him, sitting with hands resting in her lap.
"A name doesn't give me advantage for it is only a name, Raan." she mused. A quaint smile on her lips. Raan realised suddenly that her eyes were not dilated, that she wasn't actually looking at him, so much as though him.
"Oh yes," she nodded. "I am quite blind." Her lips and nose scrunched up a little and she raised her hand slightly, turning it from side to side. " In a physical sense, that is."
Her hand returned to her lap, as she leaned in closer to him.
"Some things I can see clearer than a blue spring sky," she whispered. as she patted him on the knee "Raan, Chosen of Assuran."
"I would appreciate some discretion towards my identity if its all the same to you." Raan whispered back quietly. 

" Oh you needn't be worried about, dear boy." She raised her hands and gestured here and there, motioning Raan to take a look about. "You're in a temple of Torm." She replied as if that was assurance enough.
After a moment of silence, she continued. "That means, Raan, Chosen of Assuran, that what we speak about here, remains here and for no one else but yourself, and myself."
She relaxed back into the pew, putting an arm on its back rest, tracing the intricate carvings with a finger. "It's as simple as that."
Raan huffed a small sigh, shaking his head dismissively.
She shifted her position back to her initial pose. Hands folded back in her lap.
"So," she began, " The hour is late. The temple is empty and peaceful, and Raan, Chosen of Assuran, enters this hall. What brings you here, Raan, Chosen of Assuran."
"It's just Raan, and-" He started to respond.
Her hand shot out open and hung there. "Good to meet you, Raan, I'm Milly."
Raan paused only for a moment, then shook her outstretched hand. She shook it vigorously, with quite a strong grip.
She moved back and motioned for him to continue. "Go on," she replied.

"I was sent here by Assuran. I received no other instructions other than that,"
Raan explained. "You seem to know more about this meeting than I."
A puzzled look crossed Milly's face, then suddenly, realisation. " Oh, the whole "I Know Everything About You," routine." Milly dismissed it with a gesture. One of His gifts to the devoted. I know the innermost truths of anyone who walks through that arch." She mused
"That's more Assuran's idea of fun isn't it? Irony, and poetic justice?"
Raan didn't know how to answer. This was the first time he'd actually spoken to anyone about his situation since the events of Greenest.

"Yes, it is a mandate of Assuran to administer true justice to those who would harm the innocent," he stated flatly. "The crime will imitate the punishment."

"That is exactly the same thing the last Paladin of Assuran said," she chuckled. "To the letter!"

Raan disagreed with the title of 'Paladin', but more pressing was the talk of another trained like him! "Another came here? How long ago did you see him?" 

"Her" Milly replied. 

"Her, then!" He snapped back. 

Milly shot him a Mother's glance of disapproval and Raan immediately knew his error. He stiffened his posture. 

"Please, tell me about her." He asked with a tone full of respect.

Milly nodded and smiled. "She was very much like you. A soul, drowning in grief, her life about to end far too soon." 
This sounds all too familiar, he thought.

"Assuran plucked her from certain doom and put a bit more of a spring in her mortal coil and set her on the path that you walk now." 

It couldn't be a coincidence that another like him had come here. Perhaps it was just more training? 

"What became of her?" He asked. She waved a finger from side to side in a mock disapproval.

"That is the end of the story, Raan, You're skipping ahead."

Raan sighed again. "Continue, please." He said and Milly seemed happy at his use of manners this time.
"When she came here, she too said that Assuran had told her to come. She didn't have swords though. She had a beautiful curved bow," She smiled fondly. " She sat right where you're sitting now and asked why she'd been sent also."

Raan waited now, the pause in sentences growing.
"Go on," Raan prompted.

Milly moved forward a little in the pew, closing the gap between her and Raan.
"Before we continue, Raan, who sent you here today?" 

"Assuran," he answered with a puzzled look on his face. "I told you that before."
"He sent you?" She pressed, "Assuran himself, spoke to you?"
"Yes, Milly." He answered again, trying not to become frustrated at this sudden line of obvious questioning.
"When did he ask you to come to this place?"
"Four nights ago," He continued. "Where is all this going, Milly?"
"Did you argue with him about reason or need to come this temple without a reason?"
Raan shrugged his shoulders, "Yes, He rarely sends me to any place with an explanation. It's always a trial to get any kind of straight answer from him!" Raan scoffed. "But that's gods I suppose."

"You suppose?" Milly asked, raising an eyebrow, nodding as if she had heard enough.
"She was here for two days before she got her truth." Milly said, "But she was a lot smarter than you are so I'm going to save you the time."
Milly looked over her shoulder towards an alcove at the back before Raan to answer her clear insult. "Kel," she called, "Kel, are you near?"
A middle aged man, older than Raan, but far younger looking than Milly shuffled from the alcove over to them.
He smiled nervously at Raan, his eyes darting from Raan's sword across his lap back to Milly.
"Yes, Milly. Can I help you?"
"Kel. Tell us how long you have been in the service of Torm, please."
Kel smiled funnily and Raan got the impression that Milly already knew the answer before it would be stated.
"I have been in devoted service to Torm for twenty two years of my life." He said humbly, head bowed at the mention of his deities name.
Milly looked back to Raan. "Kel here is one of our most devoted priests," she explained. "He is a gifted healer and provides an invaluable service to this province." Raan just eyed her, waiting for his chance to retort to the not forgotten insult.
Kel bowed at the kind words. "You honour me, Milly. Thank you."
Milly looked back at Kel. "Answer me one more question, please Kel." She asked. "When was the last time Torm spoke to you directly?"
The smile faded from his face. "You know that Torm has never spoken to me, Milly." He answered. Raan concealed his surprise as he saw Kel become saddened by this line of questioning. "I pray to him and through my faith, His will is carried out."
Millys face filled with compassion. "Of course, Kel." she replied, her voice full of empathy. "No one is denying your faith, or your gifted skills as a healer." These words placed a forced smile back on Kel's face.
"Thank you, Milly," he bowed and began to move away. "I'll take my leave now."

Milly smiled back at Kel and slowly looked back to Raan, her smile completely diminished by the time she faced him.
"You were sent here, Raan, as your predecessor was sent here, because you do not realise just how unique your situation is."
Raan said nothing back, still stunned by the revelation that Kel had provided.
"Gods don't speak to people every day." She started as Raan's usual cold scowl began to evaporate.
"These priests, devote their entire lives to Torm and his edicts." she motioned around the room at the others who were tending chores or in deep prayer. "Some go their entire lives in service to Torm without being endowed with the ability to cast a simple cantrip."  Raan could now see where this was headed and braced himself for what was to come.
"And you!" Milly stood up, finger poking Raan's shoulder repeatedly. Her voice suddenly raised "You cant even respect a god, who endows you with such incredible power! Who speaks directly to you!" She continued her assault. "How long have you been in his service, Raan? A year? Not even?"
Raan moved her finger from his shoulder and raised his hands in surrender.
"All right, Milly!" He shouted over her voice, "I hear you!" wanting this much deserved berating to cease.
She paused, her anger now changing to a visage of hurtful pent up grief and words left unsaid.
She paced away from him a few steps then turned, as if she was about to launch into another lecture. She bit her lip, once, twice then looked away once more, shoulders slumped.
After what seemed like an eternity of silence, save the crackling of the hearth, Milly turned back to face him.
"You need to stop fighting Him and start listening to him, Raan." She said, quietly. Raan only sat there and nodded.
"It is one thing to believe in a god," she began as she sat down next to him and put her hands in his. "But to have a god believe in you! That is quite the rarity."
Raan looked her in the eyes for a long moment, stood up and walked away from Milly.
"Before you go," She called after him. Raan stopped and cocked an ear over his shoulder. "Should you ever pass this way again, have the respect to leave your weapons at the door."
As Raan walked away and caught a glint of silver above the stone arch. There, flanked by two torches hung an ornate bow and quiver etched in all too familiar markings. He halted again.
"What was my predecessors name?" He asked, not taking his eyes from the bow.
"That is a question fit for the start of a story, Raan, Chosen of Assuran." She replied, "You should have asked it then."
Raan nodded and smiled as he pulled the cowl over his head and moved silently back into the night.