To Temper the Tempest.

[Cade]

The day started uneventful. The fire, their usual spot, gathered Lauan, Hano and several others. The fire always burns at the trade camp. Since his last adventure, Cade had not felt the same. Death was weighing heavily on his mind. Lauan had died, and so had he for that matter.

Cade walked down the path that leads to the campfire. He stood well back from the others, observing there motions, the eyes. He kept his clerical robes bunched in the front to hide the vengeful scar left by the hateful ranger. No one paid him much attention, save for his friend Hano.

Hano was the first to welcome Cade to this new land… well, not the actual first, but the first in his mind. No other was quicker to offer friendship and guidance. The battle had taken its toll on Cade though, and Hano noticed quite quickly. Not one to make a scene, nothing was said right away.

The now saved Lauan retold the story of her glorious adventure and resurrection to all in earshot. Cade thought all was going well until one word fell on his mind: Ranger. Just the sound of it threw him into fits of panic. Running, he drew himself further away from the crowd, so as not to cause more harm. His stomach turning, he emptied the contents on the ground, though no one noticed.

One passed by, then another… Each took their turn leaving the rain. Each took their turn eyeing Cades state. When Cade had regained a bit of feeling, he stood himself up. Starting up the path, he made that familiar journey towards the city proper.

Dusk settled in the sky as Cade made his way through the trade tier. Winding down that long road to the Military district, he spied his destination. Hano and another man he knew not, had been overheard stating their intentions to go to the house of Torn: the Triumvirate. Cade did not enter through the front. Rather, he entered the solemn temple of Ilmater, passed by the statue of the Justicar and in the back of the training room.

For some time, Cade stood silently; thinking about his actions the past few days. Slowly, he made his way around the interior, careful not to make a sound. Feeling a little braver, he approached as Hano finished his sentence:

“…the Vampires were evil. I was invited to those ruins, but did not acquiesce.”

Hano stopped abruptly at the sight of the other s face. “Welcome friend!” He called to Cade standing just outside the training ring. Hesitantly, Cade approached the ring and quickly made his way to the corner. Hano had been pacing back and forth for several minutes. Conversation ensued and a grave discovery was made.

“No, it has been worrying me for some time” Hano stated planly. “You have not been yourself, ever since you came back from your adventure.” Cade, feeling more trapped than ever let his guard down.

“Hano…. I” he stumbled over the words. “I died.” Cade said with a noticeable rasp in his throat. At those words, he let loose his tension on his robes and they fell still, hanging, as they should. The two men noticed a very large, gruesome scar crossing Cade’s neck. This was obviously the source of the change in Cades’ voice.

Cade looked broken. He hung his head down, but did not cry. Trying to recount the story as best he could Cade explained:
“…I failed them all. Lauan died, I died, and for no reason. It was as if a tempest welled up inside me. A great storm overtook me and I could not control it. That evil ranger shot the hin, killed Lauan, and then ran me through the heart. That’s not even the worst part.” Cade shifted a little in his stance. “He brought me back!” he shouted.

Hanos face changed from troubled to calm in an instant. Seeing that Cade was in need of grave guidance, he walked over to Cade and placed his hand firmly on his shoulder. “Do you wish to become more than you are? Do you want to confront your own demons?” Hano thought a moment. “I have an offer to make, Though this offer comes with a price.”

Cade remained silent, listening intently to Hanos’ speech. “Though you remain loyal to Helm, you may better yourself if you were trained here. We know something of courage, and justice. We may even be able to help you temper the tempest.” Hano spoke as if the three gods were standing, approving every word.

“You would do this for me?” Cade asked surprised. “Unworthy is far from the word I need to describe myself. I fee-“ but Cades words were cut off.

“You have been loyal and true to me. You have saved my life and showed courage in the face of a legion of demons.” Hano paused. Cade, now wide eyed with anticipation, spoke. “Hano, you have offered your friendship twice now, and I must accept. Though I know it will be difficult for us both, I truly believe we may better ourselves. I accept your training.”

Oslow entered sometime during the exchange, and to everyone’s surprise decided to leave, since he could be of no help.

“Let me see your weapon” Hano asked, and Cade produced a well-worn spear. “I thought you might recognize it.” Cade piped, noticing Hanos reaction. “I received it from you…. Well in a manner of speaking.”

A look of amusement came over Hano’s face, for well did he know the spear he stole from the goblins that day on the road. “You threw it down, right after you collected that mighty sword. I kept it, thinking it might come in handy” Cade replyed.

“And what of the blade the Helmites gave you?” Hano asked, puzzled. “I returned it.” Cade said quickly, “It was always far too heavy for me, and this spear; I feel somehow connected to it.”

Cade now had a look of puzzlement on his face as well. He yet did not understand the divine workings that were taking hold. Neither, of course, did Hano. “This will be your weapon.” Hano commanded proudly. “I shall repair it for you, though I cannot imbue it with magic.”

“Whatever you think best.” Cade said. Noticing the other man had gone to bed, Hano told Cade he was welcome to a bed in the barrics. Since he would he working at the smithy all night, and the other owners were out, no one would be using them.

As Hano walked slowly away, Cade opened the door to the barrics. He found five empty beds and chose the closest one, sleeping soundly.

[Lollercide]

In the Triumvirate's smithy Hano was hard at work repairing the spear. He began to recall the spear and his past with it as he sanded it's shaft to smoothen the jagged cuts and splinters. The spear was originally held against him and his allies. Yes, he recalls when the hobgoblins hurled a barrage of spears through the air and how he tried to avoid them with no armor or weapon. His gnome friend, Pom, managed to block one with his shield, burying it deep in the shield. It weighed the Gnome's shield down to where he could not lift it up to protect himself... The defenseless knight rushed to his side and tore the spear from his shield and wielded it as his own to defend his allies.

The last Hano could recall of the spear was dropping it at the Church of Torm on the outskirts of Trout's Head. It seems that Cade picked up the very spear he dropped to stand at his side.. Looking the spear over it's obvious that it's far too crude for it to be as useful as a normal spear, but Hano was determined to change that there in the Triumvirate's Smithy. Palming a small knife from behind him on a counter he begins to cut the leather ties securing the spearhead to the end of the shaft.

Cutting the leather straps from the spear and forcing the spearhead from it's notch he examines it over speaking to himself, "I've not worked on such a crude spear before, but... For Cade I will turn this into something worthy of any Helmite or Tomite." With that he nods to himself placing the shaft to the side and stepping toward an iron ingot smiling to himself. "It'll be a long night."

Grunts can be heard throughout the night shortly followed by the solid pounding of a hammer against steel. Each grunt expressing both the passion and effort put into each swing, recreating this spear in faith and friendship.

[Lollercide]

The spear was done... At least for the most part. The only thing left to do was engrave the spearhead with his faith and trust. Hano did not hesitate to do so, having a set design in his head from the beginning. Palming a small piece of silver which he had obtained from Vaen in one hand and a small tool for engraving in the other, he began his work.

Hano was not skilled with his hands, however, he was more than capable of remembering and etching the Right Palm of Torm on the spear. He did so with the utmost care, making sure that every detail was symmetrical and to scale. A picture-perfect replica, yes. Taking the spear in hand he flips it around to begin working on the other end of the spear.. This time etching the Back Hand of Helm on the exact location opposite of the Symbol of Torm.

With these two engravings now on the spear he smiled to himself. Not only was this weapon a symbol of trust he had in Cade, but a symbol to the Gods honoring the alliance between Torm and Helm. The engravings were not deep, for he did not want to ruin the sturdiness of the spear head however... He had planned to fill the small crevices of the engravings with what little silver he had. He did not need much, in fact, he used less than what would be required to make a simple ring or ornament.

Now.. Now he was finished. Holding the spear in front of him for one final examination he smiles. The spear was magnificent - Truly the most beautiful spear Hano had set his eyes on. He was not conceited, but the wishes and hopes Hano put into this spear lifted his heart seeing his completion. He turns away with the spear to whisper a prayer, "The True and The Vigilant.. Guide Cade through the path of righteousness. I will take him as far as you let me, however, the rest is in your hands now."