The Unfated Wanderers Canto 34
Tong turned his attention to the Stormcraft wizard cultists. He said, “What do the three of you have to say? Where is Fern?”
One of the wizards stepped forward and said, “My name is Sleet Oakotter. I shall tell our tale.”
“Fern has been the leader of the Stormcraft Cult for a number of years. We have followed her since before the Demon Plague. She independently researched and enacted the plan to end death. The cult was not complicit. We became involved once the giants arrived on Linomnount. We sought a way to end their chaos and destruction.”
“We wizards of the Stormcraft cult were unsuccessful in finding a remedy or weapon that would destroy the giants. Fern presented the breakthrough, using power from the Realm of Terror. As you have witnessed, the magic was very effective. But once again, Fern had gone about this all wrong. We thought that the discovery was her own. We had no idea that it came from the Lord of Terror.”
“As we travelled the land, slaying giants, we thought that we were doing good work. We felt like heroes, even when lives were lost in the collateral damage of a dead giant. Fern told us that these deaths were an unavoidable result. She had us blame the giants instead of seeking a way to kill them without harm coming to others.“
Sleet’s gaze grew distant as memories were relived. Fear and pain cascaded across their paling face. They said, “We faced the invading army. We used our magic against them and they crumbled beneath our might. Then the horror arrived. Fear fell from the ruined sky. Both armies were suddenly fleeing in every direction. The unlucky people were cut and torn and scattered. It reminded me of the Bloody Winds from the Moonskull Verses.”
“Fern managed to gather the remnants of her cult together. We met you Unfated Wanderers at that time. You saw what happened. We learned of Fern’s betrayal and the Lord of Terror’s victory. We left that place with her but the Stormcraft cult was dead. All of us survivors departed from Fern’s service and went our separate ways.”
“The three of us have been fleeing the Bloody Winds and other rampant Terrors in Icebrunt. We have been moving from place to place, seeking safety and finding none. We have not seen any giants. It is a small consolation that they have vanished.”
“Unfortunately, we must report that Fern Quickstream has become a threat once more. Like I said before, she no longer has any followers. She went mad when the Lord of Terror stole her soul. She is a Villain Lich and she is hunting her old cultists. She is using strange magic to usurp the minds of those that she captures. These enslaved people are scouring the land, seeking wizards and witches to capture and control. We have been attacked by our former brethren twice now. Luckily, our Fates have had us be the victors. Fern is building another army through magic and domination.”
“We are exhausted. We want no more fleeing and fighting. Can we stay with you in Shatterbone? We offer our services as combat veteran wizards. Though we are tired, we will defend this village and its inhabitants should the need arise.”
Tong said, “I believe your story. Yes, you may live here in my service.”