A Million Sparks of Song

The trees of Tor Wood are tall, such that in the evening gloom and the mist that pervades this land, I could little see even the tops of the trees, and the Sky not at all. And it is quiet, with no buzz of insect or trill of birdcall, nor any sound save the chuckling of the creeks and the footfalls of my companions on the moss and stone. The journey was uneasy, with much climbing up and down, and us troubled by our wounds, and the wood brooding. But at the end of this journey we came unto a place which was a fane of the Earthmother, wherein stood three Trees, not like the others, for those were straight and slender, but these, mighty and spreading, in the manner of an oak, and their roots tumbled together, and old, old. In the compass of the roots before them was a hollow, and in that hollow was a Pool, being about a rod across, and very deep, and unruffled by any breath of wind, and even I, who am more inclined to merriment than reverence, knew it to be a Holy thing, numinous and fearsome. Inae was troubled, for there should have been a Guardian but none appeared, but she saw no hurt to the Well. She knelt there and prayed, and drank of the Well, and then bade me do likewise, and I did.

And here is a wondrous thing, for behold, when I drank of the Well, I saw a mighty shower of sparks, as from some great smith's hammer, but each spark was a Song, and I could see them and hear them, all at once, the myriad colors and melodies, a thundercloud of butterflies, and the stars sang together, and all my wounds were healed.

That night, in the first watch as Inae slept, Owain and I spake, and he taught me songs of virtue, that could make bold a fighting man, or bring light to darkness, or diverse other things. He taught me also the Lay of the Elder King of Moonshaes, and another concerning Three Northlander Brothers and the Clever Ffolke, which I shall turn into a merry tale of Foxwit the Halfling and the Biggers. I in turn told him the news of Waterdeep, and the tale of a roguish halfling and the Admiral he bearded, the which Owain will make into a song, and I taught him also the halfling song Beer Comes in Pints, which amused him.

In the morning we arose, and with proper ceremony filled our Flask of the moonwell, and departed the Forest of Tor. And it came to pass, as we traveled, that we espied a light, as from a candle, but naught which might make it. I crept upon it, and coming close, perceived that it was a snare or trap, but before I could say aught to my companions, there sprang upon me a mighty Beast, which smote me with claw and fang. I could not overcome its Strength but, being nimble, slipt from its Grasp. The beast then rounded on Inae, who had burnt it with Spells. It charged her, and mauled her, wounding her grievously, but I stood over her, and smote the creature with sword and dagger, and slew it. Inae named it a Swamplight Lynx, and said that the beast makes a dancing light, as a will of the wisp, and thereby lures its prey, which, it would appear, includes halflings and humans. I took its claws as a trophy. Inae prayed and healed our hurts, although her dress was much rent, and I lent her my Cloak to cover her.

When we came to that dell wherein the Bandits had attacked us, we saw that the bodies had become mere bones, and the mail rust, as if many years had passed, although these were verily the bandits I had slain but yesterday. Inae said that this was the work of the Earthmother, to restore balance.

As we came to the cliffs we spied a man, and I thought it Laithoren, but could scarce credit it, and speculated that perhaps the elf ghost had returned, or Grayson had regained his strength, or I knew not what. But lo, it was indeed Laithoren, come to search us out, for Prosperity had found our cove and landed boats. Inae gave of the water of the Well to Grayson and the two sailors, and their vigor was restored, and they were able to go on the boats. Owain, seeing that we should depart, gave me a jewel of some virtue, saying that it would reveal danger on my path. And so it came to pass that we bid farewell to Owain Dylan, and took to the sea, and returned to Prosperity.