Submitted: 2 May 1999

Heroes for the Dead

by Zadeira Caerlsin

"I have heard that you are a collector of tales, good sir. I am sure that several of your patrons must have already told you of the bloody happenings this eve. A young friend told me there were bodies strewn all up and down the northern trade route. I could not verify that, unfortunately."

The maiden sighs and shakes her head. "No, I was unable to do so." She smiles again and tilts her head. "Forgive me, I have not introduced myself. I am Zadeira, Zad to my friends. And I have a tale to tell you, a tale of heroes. You see, I was resting by the river on the marsh road, where the remains to the old bridge are. I had just awokened from a nap, when this creature walked into the area. A darvenger, I believe twas called. One spell, and with the shout of `Zeng!' I was closer to Urrem'tier than I like."

She shudders delicately, and takes another sip. "Fortunately, my young friend was worried about me, and chose to come find me. She found my body and dragged it out onto the northern trade route, where she was told by a shadowy voice that there were clerics nearby who were bringing the dead to life. So, following the voice's instructions, she brought me to them."

"What a sight. I hovered over my body, unable to do anything. But I could still see the world around me. So many dead. It was terrible. But among the dead were many empaths and clerics. They restlessly worked on the dead, breathing new life into them. As they did to me. They worked together as I have never seen before. The empaths would heal the corpses, and then someone would take the healed husk to the clerics who were waiting nearby. Within seconds the dead would be alive. Soon, the clerics and empaths moved on to find more that they could help."

She smiles sweetly to Baresh. "I came here, because I hoped to tell you of this. So that you may remember their names, and pass them on so that all may know of their deeds. Here, I have written out their names, as many as I could remember." She passes a tablet over to Baresh. It has two columns, the first reads: