The Fall of the Light

Discussions in the Dark

 

 

 

 

The tunnel was dark. It was terrifying, despite having been through here before. There’s nothing above, there’s nothing above, there’s nothing above. As many times as Cadmael repeated it he couldn’t shake the thought from his mind that there was something lurking on the roof, invisible above him. He touched the seashell on his necklace, a reminder of Melora’s blessings. At least the snow underfoot told him he was heading in the right direction. Follow the snow, and nothing will drop on you.

 

 

Cadmael rounded the corner to come upon a relative blaze of light. Relief almost overcame him, as much from finding Kerin safe and sound as from the ability to see again. 

 

Kerin looked upset, though. ‘Stupid, that’s to be expected.’ Falaren though. ‘Of course she’s upset, you idiot. Oh Melora, what do I say? I’ve never been one for great council to the bereaved.’

 

 

“Wanna talk about it?” Kerin remained silent. ‘IDIOT, IDIOT,IDIOT, of course she doesn’t!’ He sat and patted her on the shoulder, “If you just wanna sit, that’s fine too.” ‘Great, now she probably thinks I’m making fun of her.’

Kerin finally spoke, voice unsteady. “I tried to do the right thing. I didnt want anyone to get hurt, but it’s all ruined. I have no idea what these gods or Aspects or Orders want me to do anymore. There’s too much going on and now I feel like I’ve lost everything.” Finishing, she broke into tears again.

 

 

“Sometimes there is no right thing, you just have to do the most right thing. You did what you could. You helped a lot of people.” He’d known the tragedy of thinking you made the wrong choice before.

“Sometimes picking the most right thing is difficult, and it’s only harder to see the path after we’ve done what we can. Especially when we took the better path, and it leads to dark paths.” He took off his necklace, playing with it as he spoke to Kerin. ‘Why am I talking about the dark? The dark is terrifying. I’m rambling, oh Melora, give me the words.’

 

 

His eyes glanced to the shadows dancing around the ends of the room as he continued speaking, “But that’s because it’s hard to see the paths we didn’t take. Often they’re darker than the ones we see, but we don’t know it. We just have to have faith.” He held up the shell, remembering how he came to follow the Goddess.

He looked over the shell again, and offered it to Kerin, :“In case you need to remember that sometimes dark paths aren’t the darkest.”

 

 

The halfing took the necklace, stating “Let’s just go get this merchant business done so I can go home I guess.” 
Cadmael climbed to his feet to follow her, ‘Melora, I don’t know if I’ve done anything useful, but we’re moving again. Guide us on your path, and light our way,’