Highland Mercenary Corps pt 4: Incident at Zerok Hold

10 Abadius 4718
I have been given command of the mission to Zerok Hold. In order to give the most accurate report possible, I will be recording events daily, so nothing is lost in memory. From the briefing we were given, I suspected the machinations of the Fae. However, that may have been my own bias, so I asked Uncle his opinion. Without my saying a word of my own thoughts, he too thought it was the Fae. Just in case, I have outfitted my team with weapons of cold iron. We move out at dawn.

11 Abadius 4718
Performed light field exercises, Pvt Al-rauh performed below average. According to his file, he was a privateer sailor before joining the Corps. It certainly shows with his attitude. I will endeavor to bring more discipline to him. No incidents on the road. Two days remaining to Zerok Hold.

12 Abadius 4718
Pvts Al-rauh and von Richard seem to have developed a tight camaraderie. Their fighting styles are complimentary, and I will see to it that they have more opportunities to train together. It should smooth out Pvt Al-rauh's rough edges. No incidents on the road. One day remaining to Zerok Hold.

13 Abadius 4718
We arrived in Zerok Hold. After meeting with the chieftain to get a clearer view of our objectives, I decided that we should wait until the next day to begin training the guards, so we used our time investigating the disappearance. We went to the home of the Johnsons, the family whose child, Abigail, had gone missing. The father, John Johnson, was unable to give us much information, but did direct us to the schoolhouse, where the local schoolmarm had more insight. It seems Abigail was somewhat of a loner, a quiet child with pale eyes. My suspicions are deepening. The trail from the schoolhouse has unfortunately gone cold, Pvt Mirza was unable to find any trace, magical or mundane.

We then spoke with some huntsmen. I had Pvt Mirza lead the conversation, as the wilderness is her area of expertise. They gave us a more detailed map of the surrounding area, and informed us of an area where orcish shamans practice their craft. It seems these shamans are somewhat neutral, and may be able to inform us of magical threats in the area. We will be speaking to them tomorrow afternoon, once drills with the local guards have been completed.

Toured a guard tower. One guard, a man name Smiff, gave a very sketchy story of a blackout session. I suspect he is malingering. Gave instructions to Uncle to clean up his act tomorrow. His companion, a man named Johan, gave an account with more truth to it. Pvt Mirza volunteered to watch the guard tower tonight to see what truth there was to these stories of blackouts. I allowed this, we shall see what she brings up tomorrow.

The moon wanes this night.
The hunter watched the night ere hence. Tales she brought, of walking sleep and acts strange. Sleep she did, as mortals do. Men there were, many of them. Ran, they did. Climbed and jumped and shouted as men do. Shouted did I as well, a secret kept between peers. To the house of wares we ventured, at the heels of the hunter. Glamorie we saw, tricks of the bane-sidhe to keep out prying mortal eyes. Clever they were, but more clever still were we.

A darkling struck, an ambush! But no match for us was he. A bargain struck, a promise. The girl for their safety. Time enough for them to leave, yet come for us they did. The foolish darklings fell in droves, till stopped we were by the Hound. To the Huntsman's Lodge we were taken, His word law, His law binding. No more of fighting, no more of Iron.

Of Him we asked, what of the child? To stay, she would. To change, she would. My life I offered, in place of hers. A bargain struck, a promise. A blade struck, a fading. A breath inhaled, an awakening. A mission, I was given. Return to those with cloth of black, to give the Huntsman's word. His word law, His law binding. No more of fighting, no more of Iron.

A girl I knew, with eyes of blue.
Gone now, she is, like morning dew.
A huntress now walks in her stead.
Looks back at where the path had led.
As Grainne now is born anew.