The Dead Rest

[tomcat]

Mother Leyna took the offered token and tucked it into a pouch on her belt. To Grimbeorn's surprise, she then quickly approached the man and reached up to grasp his face and beard with both hands. The Beorning flinched, not sure if the old woman truly was mad and meant to attack him, but then he saw her stare deep into his eyes. Her hands smelled of earth and herbs and there was a pungent smell of body odor, yet Grimbeorn allowed her to finish, though he knew not why.

The old woman let go, "Aye, it protected you...there is no shadow in your eyes."

She proceeded to do the same with each of the other companions, though only Rorin maintained her greatest attention. As she stared into the dwarf's eyes, she began to murmur, or cant. Rorin began to feel claustrophobic, as if he were once more immersed in the earth - not like in the underground dwarven halls, which he loved, but as if he were buried. He pulled back from the woman, even as she stopped her words, "You, too, are safe, though you were present before the dark magic. It was not turned on you."

Mother Leyna stepped back from the group and sighed. "What is it you fear, old woman?" asked Esgalwen. "The only harm that was received within the tombs was wounds of the flesh. Arbogast was cut by the undead creature's old blades, but he has since recovered." There were scars that remained, but the Dúnadan was mostly correct - the nightmares would remain.

The old woman nodded, "No, knife wounds were not the only dangers that were encountered. Dark magics were cast and now I fear that what was once a terror within the barrows, now walks among us. Did you not heed the words? Did you not present the talisman? The incantation I gave you was to provide a defense, but also to break the spells that might be cast."

The companions looked around at one another. They had said the words - Bandy had shouted them loudly throughout the crypt - but Idunn and Grimbeorn had not presented the token. The wraiths  made their incantation - Rorin had heard the terrible words.

Leyna spoke again, "I fear the shadow is released from the crypts, but not banished...instead resting within the fool that sought this adventure." She lifted the old shawl up so that it covered her head, "Safe journey...may Arnú bless your path."

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Hey respawn point -- XP bank!

"There's always one more thing, isn't there?" grumbled Grimbeorn.  "I have a feeling you know how to find us if we are needed again.  Til we meet again, old woman."  If there is no more talk, Grimbeorn silently spurs his steed forward towards the familiar side of the great wood.