Wynlynn’s Reflections 9

The news of Travis’s death was shocking. It seems so ridiculous that we could save him from below the elven ruins, from that strange ailment only for him to die in a silly competition. At first I didn’t want to believe it, what does it even mean for a Warforged to die? After seeing his lifeless body, his usually glowing crystal dim in his chest, it certainly seems like he is indeed dead. I don’t know what else you can call it.

As Teal gave me the news of Travis’s death, I could not help but think how glad I was that it wasn’t Val. I feel guilty for the thought, but for the last three years I have had only one goal in mind. Keep Val alive and safe. I care for our companions, truly I do, but I left everything I knew behind so that I could do this and the reality of how dangerous our lives have become of late has never been more clear than it is now. It seems like every few days we are in mortal danger and here in the arena, one of the safest fights we have been in, we have lost our dear friend. It makes me question the purpose of our eclectic group. 

The first time most of us fought side by side was to protect the Glade from a Zombie attack. This kind of work, taking care of undead and other monsters that endanger the town, it suits me and Val well. After all, I can’t imagine Val settling down as a shopkeeper or being a server at the bar. And it makes sense to fight alongside others, we can watch each others back and keep each other safer. After that fight, it made sense for me and Val to stay in the Glade. We made a living picking up bounties, usually with the added bonus of making the Glade a little bit safer. Over the last two years the Glade has become as close to a home as me and Val could have after everything that has happened and this group as close to family. Recently though, it feels like we are seeking out more and more trouble. I nearly lost Val at the necromancers’ lair and I never could have imagined anything quite like what we faced under the elven ruins.

I feel suddenly quite torn. I feel like this group may no longer be one that keeps us safer but perhaps one that will only put us in more and more danger. But we have become a sort of family in all we have been through together. Even if I really thought we would be safer on our own, I can’t imagine leaving them. I also don’t imagine Val being interested in the idea. She has only been more distant from me lately. The idea of it being just the two of us again feels very lonely. 

Maybe time will clear some of my doubts.