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[h3]Duchy of Pelgaid, secluded pond[/h3]
“Not the worst case,” Gerald muttered under his breath when Jillian cited the events at Gariel Downs as such. “We survived, Hazzergash didn’t get the crystal and most of the crusaders with him were killed. Bad, certainly, and a loss on our part, but it could be even worse.”
“I meant worst case in regard to that single isolated thing,” Renold specified, his head drooping sadly at being reminded of the disastrous battle in the Anaxim Forest. “Believe me when I say that what happened today is one of the greatest regrets of my life, and I have lived a long time. Every time I lose myself in old memories and come back, it feels as though I lost my friends from there all over again...” He shook his head slowly from side to side, heaving a sigh so deep that it was accompanied by a small puff of flame. “But there will be time to mourn later, and for my part to keep mourning for the rest of my life. Facing Hazzergash with just the four of us is far from ideal, but it is our best and only chance to stop him before he returns to his lair with an army to aid him. There is nowhere else in Reniam that we can hide the crystal; as long as Hazzergash remains free, given time, he will find it.”

“Dedicating the remainder of today to recuperation seems fair,” Crone agreed, raising her right hand into the air almost as if to signal a show of hands. There was a splash from the pond within but a couple of seconds of her doing so, however, which marked the sigil stone emerging from the water and darting swiftly through the air, making a beeline straight into the palm of the old sorceress’ hand. She casually pocketed the artifact as she turned her back on the rest of them and started walking to the most isolated corner of the area. “It required much of my strength to escape and come here. I shall rest.” She still seemed completely unapologetic as to bringing the Grand Master to them and consequently getting them to make their deal with him.
“Rest does sound good,” Gerald sighed, tiredly rubbing his face with his spindly left hand. “This has been a very long day...”
“Then it’s decided,” the Green nodded his head, standing up and tryingly spreading his wings as if to see if there was enough room for them where he was. “I’m hungry, so I will find something to eat before getting some sleep. I suggest you do the same.” With that and several powerful beats of his great wings, Renold took off and disappeared over the surrounding rocks.
“Maybe some tea...” the necromancer murmured to himself. If Hazzergash did not kill them tomorrow, he would need all the strength he could muster to have a chance at achieving the first of his goals.