I arrived in town only to sense two Warriors of Light, Merkohl and
Quisp. I approached and gave greetings, they respond in kind. After a
while Merkohl asks, "Where you are hunting this eve?".

"I have not found a group to accompany, yet", I replied.

"Come and join us", he said.

I eagerly replied that I would welcome that. Our small
fellowship was quickly created, with Merkohl accepting the leadership
role. Thus our adventure began.

As we started running to the dungeon that housed the minions
of evil, I began to worry that I would be a burden to these two strong
warriors. Many times they would have to stop to wait for me to catch
up. Merkohl would tap the shaft of his weapon, longing to smite evil,
Quisp eyes would dart this way and that ever on the lookout for danger.
Standing before the mouth of the dungeon, my companions gave me five
minutes to catch my breath from the long run. I used this time to bless
my companions with the few meager protections the One granted me with.

As one we descended underground. Traveling a short distance,
we were swarmed by desert and red rats. Quisp and Merkohl sprang into
action. I could that these two have travel long together, each
protecting the others back. With the song of magik and weapon these two
made short work of the vermin. While observing the battle, I was able
to discern one thing: Merkohl gets consumed by a battle lust such that
he tends to ignore his well being while ridding the evils in the land.
It was then that I realized what purpose I had in our small company: To
keep my companions alive.

As we descended deeper into the dungeon, the smell of evil
hung heavy in the stagnant air. Warrior remains became animated and
attacked. My companions shattered many of these skeletons, but there
were too many for them to protect me. After the dizziness passed and I
was able to stand again, Merkohl voice rings in my head, "Are you ok?
These warriors seemed to ignore us and come straight for you."

"Aye, because I wear the vestments of a cleric of the One,
undead are drawn to me. It is just another obstacle the Darkone puts on
my path", I answered.

I ran many times from the lifestone back to the dungeon, each
time my companions assisted me on getting back my few dropped items.
One time, as the corridor was blocked by some rats, and I did not have
the means to get through them, I cast the spell that allowed me to
monitor my companions condition. I could only watch in anguish as the
strength and health of Merkohl slowly diminished. Try as I might, he
was too far away to receive any aid from the blessing of the One.
"NOOOOO!!!", I screamed. I had failed in my goal of keeping my
companions alive.

Quisp and I waited for Merkohl by the entrance. When he got
there, he could sense my despair and that I was on the verge of
self-pity. "I was waiting to give you this, once our adventure ended,
but I think it will do more good now", he told me. With that he reached
in his pocket, and gave me the small ring it contained. I quickly
examined he gift, I noticed on the inside were kind words engraved by
his dragger. Reading them, quickly raised my spirits.

Once again our small band, entered the dungeon. They battled,
I followed to near the place his corpse lay. I again need to run back
to the dungeon from the lifestone. But this time, when I fell the ring
dropped with me. My body was very weak from the taint of evil, but I
need to get the gift back. My companions helped my retrieve my corpse,
and it was decided that now was a good time to head back to town.

During one of my many stoppages to catch my breath, Merkohl asks, "Is the anything do need Bennoc, to aid you in your travels."

"The only thing I desire is companions to adventure with for I
am too weak to fight evil alone, everything else the One provides for",
I said.

Merkohl grins, "Now you have some....."

May the One give you strength

Bennoc, Apprentice cleric