{"id":20782,"date":"2019-11-15T06:45:46","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T11:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=20782"},"modified":"2020-01-15T16:08:03","modified_gmt":"2020-01-15T21:08:03","slug":"the-whispers-chapter-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-whispers-chapter-five\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whispers – Chapter Five"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello there!\u00a0 Thank you for joining me for another chapter of Tellest\u2019s newest feature, the \u201cinteractive\u201d story, The Whispers<\/em>\u2014a story which you and readers like you are helping me tell.\u00a0 For ease of navigation, I\u2019m going to have little mini tables of contents on these posts, so feel free to use them to jump around and discover how\u00a0The Whispers<\/em>\u00a0works, how you can help steer the direction of the main character\u2019s choices, and, of course, read the story.\u00a0 I hope you enjoy taking part in this interesting new Tellest adventure!<\/p>\n

The Whispers Concept<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Whispers \u2013 Chapter Five<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Voting Instructions<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>The Whispers<\/em>\u00a0Concept<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Whispers is a story that takes place within the Tellest universe.\u00a0 It\u2019s a story that is written by Michael DeAngelo, but it\u2019s told with help from the readers.\u00a0 The Whispers follows Declan, a young man who was recently evicted from the temple where he grew up.\u00a0 When he was younger, he used to hear voices, and the clergy interpreted those voices in ways that they thought brought them closer to divinity.\u00a0 But with the whispers growing quiet, Declan was no longer needed at the temple, and he was instead shipped off to a nearby adventurers\u2019 guild.\u00a0 The voices have recently returned in his time of need, and have offered him advice on what to do in order to survive.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already figured it out,\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0are one of those potential whispers!\u00a0 At the end of every chapter, Declan is given a choice.\u00a0 Every reader has the chance to vote and influence Declan\u2019s decision, as long as you\u2019re a member of the Tellest newsletter.\u00a0 Every time you vote, your voice holds more sway as well.\u00a0 Everyone who casts their vote in earlier chapters will now have a stronger voice, and Declan will hear them a little clearer.\u00a0 So for your voice to be heard best, you should get in on this story early.\u00a0 There is another way to gain additional voting power, but that will be described in the voting instructions at the end of this post.<\/p>\n

First thing is first: you\u2019ve got to read the story (starting with\u00a0chapter one<\/a>, if you prefer).\u00a0 Then if you\u2019re not already a member of the newsletter, go ahead and sign up!\u00a0 Tellest has awesome freebies that we give out right away at sign-up, and more that come along every few weeks.<\/p>\n

Without much further adieu, let\u2019s continue our tale, and find out the most recent choice Declan made with the help of our Council of Whispers\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Chapter Five:
\n<\/strong>The Art of Healing<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cKnow your limitations, Declan,<\/em>\u201d a whisper spoke to him.<\/p>\n

He nearly spun about, that whisper seeming so close that he half-expected the words having been spoken by one of his new guildmates.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk Gorik for help,<\/em>\u201d the whisper went on, and he was certain that it belonged to one of the disembodied voices that always scratched at the back of his mind.\u00a0 Other voices chimed in as well then, echoing its request. \u00a0Almost at once, they drowned out any suggestions to the contrary.<\/p>\n

Declan watched as a tear dropped from Emilie\u2019s eye.\u00a0 It was clear that she cared for Yaro, though he didn\u2019t understand how her feelings had developed.\u00a0 He knew that, in any case, the unconventional option he was about to suggest would not be easily accepted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there may be a way to save him,\u201d Declan said, shaking everyone from their worried conversation.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s obvious I don\u2019t know Yaro, or know how bad his injuries are, but there\u2019s something we can do to try and help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilayeth spun on her heel, turning away from Emilie for the first time since she had left Gorik\u2019s pen.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you talking about, Declan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Squaring his jaw, Declan took a step forward.\u00a0 \u201cI know that the guild\u2019s cleric is at the Grey Arches,\u201d he said, nodding toward Jace.\u00a0 \u201cBut what if there was another cleric nearby that the guild could rely on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Though she was intrigued by his words, Ilayeth folded her arms over her chest.\u00a0 \u201cYour staff can make you capable of many things, but I don\u2019t think it could lend us any healing magic to poor Yaro.\u201d\u00a0 She paused for a moment, letting Declan\u2019s words better reach her then.\u00a0 \u201cUnless you mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe already know that it was not their intention when they attacked for things to become as chaotic as they did.\u00a0 Now, it may be time to loosen the restrictions even further, in exchange for\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be serious,\u201d Emilie growled as she stepped closer to the guild\u2019s newest arrival.\u00a0 As she spoke, he watched her auburn hair flicker with deeper, vibrant red hues, and wondered if perhaps the clouds had shifted in the sky, letting sunlight cast down on her head.\u00a0 She was far enough within the stable at that point though.\u00a0 He knew that there was some other magic at work.\u00a0 \u201cThey tried to kill us\u2014all of us.\u00a0 They nearly had their wish with Yaro, and you want to let them finish the job?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilayeth raised her hands to placate her guildmate, but she knew the futility of her request.\u00a0 Gorik would have certainly heard Emilie\u2019s words by then, her heated statements not easy to disguise.<\/p>\n

Declan took a step closer to her as well.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re all worried here,\u201d he said, his voice cool and quiet.\u00a0 \u201cI know that.\u00a0 But I also know that we don\u2019t have many other options.\u00a0 Nobody else here has the capabilities that the goblin does.\u00a0 We can try to make Yaro\u2019s last moments comfortable, or we can take a risk and try to see if we can make an ally out of our prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pressing out a deep sigh and shaking her head, Ilayeth rubbed her head as she contemplated Declan\u2019s suggestion.\u00a0 \u201cIs this your idea, or did the whispers tell you this was what we should do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would think that I would have suggested this anyway,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cBut the whispers did suggest this course of action louder than any other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emilie grasped Ilayeth\u2019s arm, then.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is he talking about?\u00a0 What whispers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilayeth winced and tugged her arm away, pausing to look at the girl\u2019s red tresses.\u00a0 Sure enough, they were more vibrant then.\u00a0 As she rubbed her arm, Ilayeth sent a disappointed glare at the girl.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not the only person in the guild with strange gifts, it seems, Emilie.\u00a0 Declan has his own power, though he seems a bit more in control of his than you do yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan chuckled, if only to relieve some of the tension that was building there.\u00a0 \u201cI assure you, I have no control over what I hear\u2014only what I say.\u00a0 Right now, I believe that if we\u2019re trusting Gorik at his word, we can trust him to save a man who is doomed otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t,\u201d Emilie said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll hurt him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilayeth turned back to the girl and draped her hand on Emilie\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t.\u00a0 We won\u2019t let him.\u201d\u00a0 She paused then and pivoted back to Declan.\u00a0 \u201cGo on Declan.\u00a0 See if we can enlist his aid. \u00a0We\u2019ve no hope left for Yaro otherwise.\u201d\u00a0 She led Emilie away then, back toward the guild house.<\/p>\n

With a quiet sigh leaving his lips, Declan looked to Jace who stood visibly shaken after the exchange.\u00a0 The two men said nothing though, only offering solemn nods to each other as they digested the situation that they found themselves in.\u00a0 Jace extended his hand, revealing a small silver key, which he tossed to Declan.<\/p>\n

It seemed not all the things that kept the goblin restrained were magical.<\/p>\n

Declan returned to the pen, and when he looked at Gorik, he knew from the goblin\u2019s sympathetic gaze that the question he would ask had already been considered in the cleric\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Still, the man returned to the center of the impromptu holding cell, holding the key in his hand, and displaying it to the prisoner.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard all that?\u201d he asked, though he was certain of the answer.<\/p>\n

Gorik nodded but offered up no further revelations.<\/p>\n

Declan took another step forward and brought the key up to the one of the cuffs, working at freeing the goblin from his bindings.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t given you an answer yet,\u201d Gorik said.<\/p>\n

A weary grin was on Declan\u2019s face the next moment.\u00a0 \u201cOne of the things I\u2019ve learned over the years is that sometimes what hasn\u2019t been said is more important than what has.\u00a0 You haven\u2019t told me you refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even when the first cuff was opened, Gorik kept his other arm in place, letting it dangle in the air rather than pulling the length of chain from the wooden beam above.\u00a0 As Declan moved to the other bound arm, he looked at the man\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIf I do this, I\u2019ll be free to move about the guild hall?\u00a0 No longer a prisoner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you save Yaro, I\u2019ll do my best to see you free to move about or from<\/em> the guild hall if you choose,\u201d Declan replied.<\/p>\n

A moment later, the goblin\u2019s other arm was free as well.\u00a0 He grabbed the sorer of his wrists, rubbing it and wincing enough that Declan could see his sharp teeth.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know why, but I trust you,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone else seems to look at me like a monster, but you\u2019re different.\u00a0 Have you encountered my kind before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my first,\u201d Declan replied.\u00a0 \u201cDuring my time at the temple, the only folks I really saw were humans and the occasional dwarf.\u201d\u00a0 He saw a brief reaction to that revelation and wondered if Gorik was more aware than he was when Tornig rushed the gnoll.\u00a0 He shook his head then, knowing that there were more pressing matters at hand.<\/p>\n

A moment later he led the goblin from the stall, nodding to Jace as he went.\u00a0 \u201cHe and I will head into the guild hall now.\u00a0 Maybe you could wait with Tornig and the other prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want an escort?\u201d Jace asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d Declan replied.\u00a0 \u201cOrn is still out there mumbling to himself.\u00a0 I don\u2019t expect any issues, but he\u2019ll be there to look out for us if there are any.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace held out his hand, urging the pair onward.\u00a0 If what Emilie said was true, Yaro did not have much time.<\/p>\n

Together, Declan and Gorik returned to the guild hall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

When Declan arrived at the top of the stairs, he hesitated for a moment.\u00a0 He saw Emilie in the corridor, leaning against the wall of one of the rooms.\u00a0 She looked weary, but Declan knew that there was a great force still within her.\u00a0 His companion noted his hesitation, and stopped in the stairway, recalling that not all the members of the guild held him without contempt as Declan.<\/p>\n

Still, as Gorik leaned back, further out of sight, the step that he stood on creaked, ensuring that neither of them could make a quiet approach.<\/p>\n

Emilie looked down the hall, spotting Declan there.\u00a0 As soon as she recognized him, she wore a scowl.\u00a0 Though it wasn\u2019t as vibrant as before, he noticed the flickers of brighter red in her hair.<\/p>\n

She pressed away from the wall then, but before she could take her first step from there, the door to the room swung open as if by a gentle breeze.\u00a0 She halted, looking instead to her guildmate who emerged from there.<\/p>\n

Ilayeth, not expecting to be scrutinized the moment she exited there, displayed a dejected look for a second too long.<\/p>\n

That second was all Emilie needed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u00a0 Did something happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing we didn\u2019t expect,\u201d Ilayeth replied.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s still with us, but it\u2019s not looking good.\u00a0 Even if the goblin does decide to help us, he\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan cleared his throat then, venturing further into the hallway. \u00a0\u201cHe\u2019ll help,\u201d he assured.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ve assured him no harm will come to him after he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t make promises you don\u2019t know you can keep,\u201d Emilie grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmilie!\u201d Ilayeth chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Yaro doesn\u2019t live, neither should the goblin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite her growing anger, Declan took a step closer to her, confidence in his presence.\u00a0 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t his doing that left Yaro injured.\u00a0 None of the members of the guild were killed while he and the gnoll were here\u2014it was another member of their troupe that was responsible, and it was a surprise even to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what he told you?\u201d Emilie growled back louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d Ilayeth shouted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll not have the two of you carrying on like children.\u00a0 \u201cNo matter what happens, Declan\u2019s plan is the only one we have right now.\u00a0 We can sort through the rest when the healing magic is in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sensing a lull in the conversation, Gorik ascended the last few steps.\u00a0 He kept his head bowed, and held his sore wrist still, looking as though he were still in chains.<\/p>\n

Though Emilie had begun to step forward, Ilayeth pushed on her shoulder, the demure half-elf exercising a little more force with the heated young lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right in here,\u201d Ilayeth revealed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know if you\u2019ll be able to save him, but I thank you for trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik stood a bit taller at hearing her thankfulness.\u00a0 He nodded, and stepped forward, but once he passed where they stood, he breathed out an anxious sigh.\u00a0 A glance inside the room showed him all he needed to know: Yaro was in dire straits, and even an accomplished cleric would need a miracle in order to save his life.<\/p>\n

His disdain was even more apparent than Ilayeth\u2019s had been. \u00a0He stiffened at the sight of the wounded human and looked to Declan with tremendous concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I would ask that Declan and I could treat him in private,\u201d Gorik stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou what?\u201d Emilie seethed.<\/p>\n

Declan stepped between them then.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy must you do that?\u201d Ilayeth asked.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re already taking a huge risk with you even treating Yaro.\u00a0 But you want to remain alone in a room with a dying man and the one person willing to put their trust in you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is <\/em>dying,\u201d Gorik repeated.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it\u2019s farther along than I expected.\u00a0 I know what you ask of me, but it won\u2019t be easy\u2014the last thing I want is to allow myself to be distracted because of some unbridled rage drawn in my direction.\u00a0 I choose Declan to watch over me while I work my craft because I<\/em> also trust him.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

There was something earnest in his tone, and Ilayeth looked to their newest recruit to observe his reaction.<\/p>\n

Declan flashed a reassuring smile to her, and stepped past her, into the room.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be okay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Gorik hesitated a moment before he followed the man into Yaro\u2019s chamber, and neither Ilayeth or Emilie exhibited any further protest, though Gorik could see by the look in the girl\u2019s eye that she wanted to.<\/p>\n

It was Declan who slowly shut the door, offering up another nod of hopefulness as the way shut before his new guildmates.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis book is on the table by the bed.\u00a0 Be careful,\u201d Ilayeth whispered to him as the door latched shut.<\/p>\n

When the unlikely pair realized they were alone with the failing man, Declan watched as Gorik\u2019s shoulders slumped.\u00a0 The goblin knew how integral saving Yaro was to preserve himself.\u00a0 And yet, the odds of that happening seemed dire indeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do this,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cYou can<\/em> do this, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik swallowed away the tension building in his throat and turned to Declan.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u00a0 But I would ask something of you.\u201d\u00a0 He began unlacing his battered tunic, displaying the wound that he had incurred earlier that morning.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll need my full concentration if I am to bring this man back from the brink.\u00a0 Every burning itch I feel in my chest\u2014every twinge of lingering pain\u2026 I need to cleanse myself before I can focus on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan walked past him and picked up the old leather-bound tome that Ilayeth had left waiting on the table beside Yaro.\u00a0 He extended it toward the goblin a moment later.\u00a0 \u201cDo whatever you need to do to give Yaro a fighting chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik bowed his head and took the book from his captor. \u00a0He opened it then, shuffling through the pages until he landed on something with oddly scrawled lettering and a depiction of a strange deity drawn in dark, smudged lines.<\/p>\n

Realizing that the words were not written in common, Declan wavered in his stance.\u00a0 He leaned on his staff then, hoping with all his heart that he wouldn\u2019t need to use it again any time soon.<\/p>\n

Taking in a deep breath, Gorik pointed to the faded page of the tome, and began to recite his words of power.\u00a0 \u201cCla\u2019wennie, taradaray, gathrak,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cRenagas gad\u04d3n malak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan watched as Gorik closed his eyes, repeating the words again and again.\u00a0 The goblin pulled his finger from the pages then, pointing it toward his wound instead.\u00a0 A subtle green light filled the room, emanating from what seemed like thin air.\u00a0 Declan struggled against the growing brilliance, watching as Gorik\u2019s cauterized wound seemed to fade away.<\/p>\n

As the words and the light faded from the room, the goblin was left with a grin upon his face.\u00a0 He looked to Declan then, nodding with purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get to work,\u201d Gorik said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Perspiration marred the goblin\u2019s brow, and often, it dripped down his face.\u00a0 The fading glimmer of sunlight that shone through the window left the droplets of sweat glistening there on his olive skin.<\/p>\n

Declan fought with himself over whether to dab at Gorik\u2019s brow with a cloth.\u00a0 He thought better of it though and left his focus on Yaro when he was needed there.<\/p>\n

The guild\u2019s falconer still clung to life, though Gorik\u2019s magic seemed to cause him more pain.\u00a0 On several different occasions, heavy thumping came from the door to the hall, and Declan had to demand silence.\u00a0 He wondered how many times Gorik had to attune his focus again\u2014and how much time they had lost.<\/p>\n

He knew, though, that Gorik struggled to help Yaro.\u00a0 The injured man lay there in bed, only briefly opening his eyes from time to time.\u00a0 His bouts of unconsciousness were a mercy, Declan knew.\u00a0 And as Gorik pulled him from that necessary reverie with healing magic, Yaro felt the cruel sting of every injury he had sustained.\u00a0 With his tunic ripped open, Declan could see the wounds that were inflicted upon him.\u00a0 Whatever had blasted through the guild hall was now embedded in him, splinters of wood and shards of metal stabbing him perpetually.<\/p>\n

Gorik worked with his eyes shut, as though he was feeling through the man\u2019s battered flesh.\u00a0 Over the hours he was at work there, Declan watched the goblin\u2019s magic push the slivers of foreign material from Yaro\u2019s body, each one eliciting a new gasp of pain or groan of discomfort.\u00a0 And every time one of those left his body, a new wound needed to be sealed.<\/p>\n

Finally, Gorik teetered backward, and it was only Declan, quick to put a chair behind him, that kept him from toppling to the ground.<\/p>\n

For some time then, as Gorik collected himself, it was silent in the room, except for the heavy breaths of the healer and the wounded.\u00a0 After wiping his brow with his wrist, the goblin sent a weary grin toward Declan.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll live?\u201d Declan wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s no longer at risk of further injury,\u201d Gorik clarified.\u00a0 \u201cThe physical damage has been undone.\u00a0 But the pain is something he\u2019ll have to fight through.\u00a0 It is sure to linger for longer than he could imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that something you can help with as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can soothe him.\u00a0 I shall do my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the good news apparent then, Declan realized just how fatigued he felt as well.\u00a0 Though he didn\u2019t exert himself in the same way Gorik did, he felt sapped of energy, as though days had passed without him finding sleep.\u00a0 Perhaps using the staff earlier that day had taken more of his energy than he\u2019d realized.<\/p>\n

When fretful pounding landed upon the door then, he realized he was far wearier than he expected.\u00a0 He spoke softly, as though the person on the other side of the door could hear his whispers in their mind.\u00a0 It was too quiet, he knew, when the metal of the doorknob glowed red, and the door flung inward.<\/p>\n

Emilie was there, her bright red hair illuminating the darkened hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d Declan said, laboring to an upright position.\u00a0 \u201cYaro is going to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her red hair glimmered in the fading light of dusk, but only for a moment longer.\u00a0 Her features softened when she saw Yaro lying in bed.\u00a0 Though he still wore a grimace of pain, he no longer looked as though he was at risk of passing.<\/p>\n

Emilie charged into the room and flung herself at the floor by the unconscious man\u2019s side.\u00a0 She grabbed his hand, squeezing it and pressing her head against it.\u00a0 A shuddering sigh escaped her lips, and she closed her eyes as she felt life flowing through Yaro once more.<\/p>\n

When Emilie opened her eyes again, she looked to Declan and Gorik.\u00a0 \u201cThank you,\u201d she said, the kindest either of them had heard her speak.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019ll not leave him again.\u201d\u00a0 That follow-up was said with the same kind of assertiveness that they had grown used to.<\/p>\n

Declan looked to Gorik, who remained seated in the chair there.<\/p>\n

The goblin simply offered up a weary grin.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s alright Declan.\u00a0 The hardest part has passed.\u00a0 She can stay with him, and if she likes, I can remain behind as well to make sure any pain is quickly relieved.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Emilie said nothing to rebuke that offer, Declan knew that she would be appreciative of the arrangement.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Declan was satisfied with whatever reprieve he could get.\u00a0 As busy as his first day at the guild hall was, he had never felt fatigue grip at him so fiercely.<\/p>\n

He made his way out of the room, and into the darkened hallway, closing the door behind him as best he could, its malformed lock preventing it from latching into place.\u00a0 He chuckled at the damage, and how quickly Emilie had rebounded from her anger and disdain.<\/p>\n

As Declan made his way toward the far end of the corridor, he was joined by another guildmate once more.\u00a0 Ilayeth also wore her weariness like a veil\u2014one that was heavy and kept her head bowed.\u00a0 When she looked up and noticed Declan there, and not Emilie, she stood alert at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright,\u201d Declan said, growing used to the phrase.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s in with Yaro, and Gorik is watching over him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ilayeth arched an eyebrow as she considered that.\u00a0 \u201cIs he safe with her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stifling a laugh, Declan moved farther away from the room.\u00a0 \u201cI notice that you didn\u2019t ask if she\u2019d be okay with him.\u00a0 Emilie is just relieved that Yaro is going to be okay.\u00a0 And Gorik is going to need a long rest, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d Ilayeth said as they lingered by the stairwell, \u201cif it wasn\u2019t for you, I don\u2019t know that we would have been able to save him.\u00a0 You chose to show kindness to our foe, and that was what led him to heal someone he\u2019d never met.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan just shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIt was the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd another thing: how did you manage to excel so well at interrogating Gorik?\u00a0 You would have thought you\u2019d done that a hundred times before.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was already shaking his head then.\u00a0 \u201cNever an interrogation, no.\u00a0 But that\u2019s not exactly what this was.\u00a0 It was more like\u2026 Well, when I was at the temple, people would often come in not because they were looking for physical restoration, but healing for the pain they felt within.\u00a0 And it wasn\u2019t the priests who could settle their souls.\u00a0 All they could do was listen.\u00a0 So that\u2019s what I would do\u2014I would listen while other people came to the temple for confession.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s all I asked Gorik to do,\u201d Declan went on.\u00a0 \u201cIt helped that he never meant any lasting harm to anyone here in the first place.\u00a0 Giving him the opportunity to try and erase some of his own guilt was what I did.\u00a0 He was the one who wiped the slate clean though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re more interesting than you let on at first,\u201d Ilayeth said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a lucky thing that Erik brought you here today.\u00a0 If you weren\u2019t here, I shudder to think at what would be left of this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps I brought all the bad luck with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that, and neither should you.\u201d\u00a0 She waved him on then.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u00a0 We\u2019ve spent so long today rushing about that I think we should take a moment to breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they descended the stairs, and came up along the guild hall\u2019s kitchen, even Ilayeth couldn\u2019t hide her surprise at seeing the gnoll, Ignark sitting at the table, under no supervision.<\/p>\n

The half-elf said nothing, but looked about, as though she could find some answers in the darkened building.<\/p>\n

Ignark looked in their direction and tilted his head toward one of the nearby doorways.\u00a0 A few moments later, Jace walked into the room, sitting down across from the gnoll, with a mug of ale in his hand.\u00a0 Ignark looked down at the mug, trying his best not to show any signs of thirst.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then,\u201d they all heard then, as a door shut elsewhere in the building.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not much, but we can\u2019t have ye going hungry,\u201d Tornig\u2019s voice called out as he walked up the steps from the larder.\u00a0 When he noticed his other guildmates, he nodded but kept on walking, passing them by and heading toward the table.\u00a0 Lit by the lanterns in the room, they could see that he carried an armful of foodstuffs: crusty breads, some hard cheese and a few scraps of salted meats.\u00a0 \u201cNice of ye both ta join us.\u00a0 I\u2019ve prepared us a genuine feast,\u201d he said as he hopped up and let the food scatter about the table.<\/p>\n

After a few moments, he looked back at them, noticing their curious stares.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cYe aren\u2019t the only two good at makin\u2019 friends ye know.\u201d He looked at the mug on the table, still in Jace\u2019s hand, and he folded his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t be for ye, lad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace took in a deep breath then, and slid the ale across the table, and Ignark was quick to take it and bring it to his lips.\u00a0 After he took a few sizable gulps he slammed the mug down, letting out a satisfied sigh.\u00a0 He wiped his lips with his arm then, and the Declan and Ilayeth could see then that his arms were still bound by a chain.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t look like you\u2019ve had a swig of ale in your life, boy,\u201d the gnoll said.<\/p>\n

Tornig turned around, if for no other reason than to hide his growing smile.\u00a0 He grunted to himself then but looked to his companions.\u00a0 \u201cI figured what brings people together better than ale?\u00a0 And how\u2019d it go with your new pal?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before either Declan or Ilayeth could offer up their own interpretation of the events, they heard the creaking of the stairs behind them once more. \u00a0They were surprised to see Emilie there, with Gorik in tow behind her.<\/p>\n

Her auburn hair was dark again, and they could see that any anger that was once within her was faded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYaro?\u201d Ilayeth asked.<\/p>\n

Emilie let a weary smile separate her lips.\u00a0 \u201cHe wanted something to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though it was reserved, those who knew the falconer let a out a quiet cheer, beyond thankful that he was going to survive the harrowing injuries he\u2019d received.<\/p>\n

Sitting at the table though, the gnoll\u2019s face contorted into one of confusion and anger.\u00a0 \u201cYou helped them, Gorik?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, the goblin hesitated, and looked ashamed or guilty for his part in saving the human.\u00a0 But he stood taller a moment later, peering around the members of the guild to see his friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that we never meant to cause the sort of devastation that went on here.\u00a0 But given what happened, they showed us kindness.\u00a0 We were caught off guard too, you know.\u00a0 And when they left us here, they might have been leaving us to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMelara would never\u2014\u201d Ignark began before gnashing his teeth together.\u00a0 \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t have done that without a reason.\u00a0 Maybe Jarayas thought\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t Jarayas that swayed her, my friend,\u201d Gorik said, weaving through the people in the room.\u00a0 \u201cTanissa dug her hooks into her and left her changed ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignark huffed and leaned forward on the table, seeming more defeated than when they were captured by the guild.\u00a0 \u201cIf we would have been in the building just a few seconds earlier, that could have been one of us lying up there, needing to be put back together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soon it grew quiet in the room, and it seemed that none of the occupants within the guild hall could look at one another.\u00a0 Breaking the silence, Jace pushed his chair back, a loud squeal reporting before he rose from his seat.\u00a0 He left from the room then, heading away in the same direction from where Declan and Ilayeth had found him earlier.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t take long to return, holding a new stein filled to the brim with ale.\u00a0 Without prompting from Tornig or any of his other guildmates, he handed the mug to their other captive.<\/p>\n

Gorik took it in both hands, and turned around to Emilie, still lingering by the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat one is for you,\u201d she confirmed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get Yaro something that\u2019s a little less strong to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caught off guard again, Gorik looked to the Adventurers of Eladia, touched by their unexpected benevolence.\u00a0 \u201cNone of you are what I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not like Tanissa,\u201d Ignark agreed.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Gorik lowered into a seat by the table, happy to have a drink in his hand.\u00a0 One by one, the members of the guild joined him there, except for Jace, who fetched more ale, and Emilie, who went off to find water for her bedridden friend.<\/p>\n

For some time, the five that remained were quiet.\u00a0 They took time to drink their ale, reveling in the tranquility.\u00a0 They seemed more like peers who had skirmished for practice rather than bloodthirsty opponents who fought for their lives.<\/p>\n

When Jace returned the final time, sitting down with his own mug of ale, he plunked into place at the far end of the table with an audible sigh.\u00a0 When everyone looked to him with varied measures of friendly annoyance, he grinned back at them.\u00a0 A few seconds later, he lifted his mug into the air, spilling some of the frothy liquid onto the table.\u00a0 \u201cTo new faces!\u201d he cried out.<\/p>\n

Though nearly everyone rose their drinks to that sentiment, Ignark hesitated, realizing that they weren\u2019t toasting merely to he and Gorik, but also to Declan.<\/p>\n

When Gorik finished a gulp of his drink and set his mug down, he noticed his ally looking upon Declan with curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s his first day here,\u201d Gorik confirmed.<\/p>\n

Ignark scoffed then.\u00a0 \u201cIt was you and that staff that nearly put me through the wall earlier.\u00a0 Without you here, things would have been much different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who is to say if it would be for better or worse?\u201d Ilayeth considered.\u00a0 \u201cAny one of us might have been in worse shape if he wasn\u2019t here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us might have been in worse shape if the lad wasn\u2019t here,\u201d Tornig said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe temple\u2019s loss is our gain,\u201d Ilayeth went on.\u00a0 She lifted her mug of ale again, spurring the rest of the table to do the same.\u00a0 She took a smaller sip compared to the rest of her companions, but she noticed that Gorik refrained from drinking at all.<\/p>\n

When her gaze did not waver, he noticed and squared his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cDeclan,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not the first time today that the temple has been mentioned.\u00a0 They\u2019re not speaking of the one not far from here, are they?\u00a0 The one that\u2019s almost along this road?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGorik,\u201d Ignark warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Fespar Temple,\u201d Declan returned, shuffling in his seat a bit.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The goblin looked across the table to his ally.\u00a0 \u201cHe needs to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJarayas would have us skinned,\u201d Ignark replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Melara does there what she did here, Jarayas may never be safe again unless we tell Declan and his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us what,\u201d Tornig asked.\u00a0 \u201cSpit it out, ye blasted funce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik closed his eyes and bowed his head.\u00a0 \u201cYour guild hall was never our main target,\u201d he revealed.\u00a0 \u201cJarayas and Tanissa knew that if you were left to be, you would come to the aid of the temple.\u201d\u00a0 As the four members of the guild exchanged panicked glances, the goblin raised his hands as if to placate them.\u00a0 \u201cOur plan was for me to come here and put you all to sleep.\u00a0 Then together, we would go to the temple and do the same there.\u00a0 But when Melara nearly tore this place apart with her explosions\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to go there,\u201d Declan muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI have to go there to warn them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy lad,\u201d Tornig said.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re sure to have their own defenses, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got a few paladins who guard the doors, but Fespar Temple has never seen any violence,\u201d Declan assured.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll be caught completely off guard.\u00a0 They might have already been massacred.\u201d\u00a0 As he spoke, he rose from his seat and began toward the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cSettle yourself,\u201d Ilayeth pressed.\u00a0 \u201cWe need to talk about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI may not have time,\u201d Declan protested.<\/p>\n

Tornig hopped down from his chair then as well, and hurried to Declan\u2019s side, holding his hand up against his guildmate\u2019s chest.\u00a0 \u201cYe aren\u2019t alone here.\u00a0 Ye know that, right?\u00a0 We all want ta hurry there and prevent any tragedies, but ye don\u2019t do that by rushing without looking first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven with the staff, you won\u2019t be able to stop them by yourself,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll need allies, and yours are weary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not all of them,\u201d Jace said.\u00a0 All eyes turned to him then, and he nodded, convinced that he had answers that could help them.\u00a0 \u201cWe all dealt with the attack, certainly.\u00a0 But Mason, Ezra, Nico and the rest\u2026they\u2019re all at the Grey Arches.\u00a0 We could fetch them and travel together to the temple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d be too far to travel.\u00a0 The attack would have already happened,\u201d Tornig supposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we<\/em> don\u2019t need to travel there ourselves,\u201d Ilayeth offered.\u00a0 \u201cNow that our falconer is back among the land of the living, he can send a message there, and we can hurry along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d still be outnumbered,\u201d Jace said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we can\u2019t leave the guild hall unguarded.\u00a0 If we planned on going right there, we\u2019d be even more fractured than we are now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could bring us,\u201d Ignark said then.\u00a0 \u201cWe might be able to convince them to hold off their attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr they might be further inspired by our presence,\u201d Gorik said, catching the members of the guild by surprise.\u00a0 \u201cOr perhaps Jarayas will condemn us for helping those we were meant to attack.\u00a0 There\u2019s no telling what\u2019s going through his mind now.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the group considered all that had been discussed then, they realized that Declan had grown quiet some time before.\u00a0 One by one, they looked to him, and realized that he no longer heard their voices alone.<\/p>\n

The whispers were there with him, lending him their advice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continue with Chapter Six<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Voting Instructions<\/strong><\/del><\/p>\n

Voting has ended for this period<\/strong><\/p>\n

This month Declan has a desperate choice to make, which you can influence.\u00a0 Will the whispers recommend rushing to the temple to try and stop Gorik and Ignark’s companions?\u00a0 Or, will the whispers tell him to try to gather up help from the other Adventurers of Eladia who are at the Grey Arches, and possibly run out of precious time?\u00a0 As always, your voice, along with the other voices that make up the Council of Whispers will help determine the flow of this tale.<\/del><\/p>\n

You have until the 28th of this month to safely\u00a0join the Tellest Newsletter<\/a> in time to cast your vote.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be sending out newsletter emails to my readers, with the choice to go to the temple or to the ruins.\u00a0 Then, on December 1st, I\u2019ll tally up the votes and see how the whispers influenced Declan.\u00a0 December is going to be a special month as well, because while I’m writing the annual DeAngelo Christmas tale, you’ll be given another important task to help Declan find his way.<\/del><\/p>\n

Remember, there are two ways for you to accumulate voting power in The Whispers:<\/del><\/p>\n