Hello there, friends of Tellest! \u00a0We’re coming down to the last few stories that we’re aiming to tell for this year. \u00a0There may some surprises down the road toward Christmas, but for the most part, we’re trying to get a collection of tales ready for a big collection that’ll release this Fall\/Winter. \u00a0With that in mind, I’ve got another story for you, which begins today.<\/p>\n
The last time we saw Conrad the Blessed, he had done some remarkable things to the benefit of Randall Hart. \u00a0He brought the knight out of a terrible coma (much to his chagrin), and has since seen some celebration. \u00a0Still, life in Atalatha after the countless battles that have breached their walls has been… unstable. \u00a0Conrad is weary, and would rather not have to pick up the pieces of other people’s adventures. \u00a0He might soon find out that it’s better to keep your wishes to yourself.<\/p>\n
Today we’re unveiling the first part of the new story, Blessings and Curses on Tellest.com – I hope you enjoy it!<\/p>\n
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Blessings and Curses<\/strong> Even from the darkened corners of the tavern, he could see the crowd was growing rambunctious.\u00a0 While all of Atalatha\u2019s drinking holes were known for their fair shares of spontaneous violence, Conrad frequented the Bravado because he could sip ale in relative peace.\u00a0 That was not to be the case that night.<\/p>\n Weeks before, Blacklehn had attacked the city, and they had failed.\u00a0 The prisons were filled, and the duke had made his intentions clear:\u00a0 They were not executing soldiers who had surrendered.\u00a0 Rather, one of Atalatha\u2019s premier wizards had magically branded the Blacklehnians.\u00a0 Purple bands circled their wrists, leaving them to stand out in any crowd.<\/p>\n So it was that night at the Bravado.\u00a0 A violet strip circled the wrist of the man that sat at the bar.\u00a0 When he reached for his ale, he did little to disguise his markings.<\/p>\n Most people around him gave a wide berth.\u00a0 The soldier seemed bred for fighting, his muscles stacked upon each other in a way that made other tavern-goers gaze in awe.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a son of Nerot,\u201d Conrad heard whispered beside him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe god of war?\u201d another man returned.\u00a0 \u201cNerot would never allow his son to be captured.\u00a0 It\u2019s too shameful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnless it was intended.\u00a0 What if he was meant to end up with a purple band on his wrist just so he could get behind the walls of Atalatha and wreak havoc?\u201d<\/p>\n The second man scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cA likely story.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine then.\u00a0 What say you we put a friendly wager on it?\u00a0 He\u2019s been coming in here nigh on a fortnight.\u00a0 How\u2019s he making the money to earn his keep?\u00a0 My guess is he\u2019s waiting until some poor, miserable fool stumbles out of here at night, and then he pounces on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lad like that works the coliseum for sure,\u201d his friend argued.<\/p>\n \u201cThen put some coin on the table!\u00a0 When I\u2019m right, you\u2019ll be buying my mead for a month.\u201d<\/p>\n Conrad smirked as he listened to them prattle on.\u00a0 Stories like that would persist on until the end of time, and he was happy for the respite, however brief it was.\u00a0 Truly, it was a boon to be able to hear of some adventurous tales, for all he endured was the sight of the injured and dying.\u00a0 It was becoming all too common those days.\u00a0 With his healing touch, it seemed he was destined to patch up those who had fallen to battle.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t ever be a part of one \u2013 or an adventure.\u00a0 After a fretful sigh he raised his mug and downed the rest of his frothy drink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many patrons had come and gone, but Conrad still nursed one last drink.\u00a0 The Blacklehnian fellow remained at the bar as well, and if the cleric watching had to guess, he would have thought the prisoner was keeping the Bravado in business.<\/p>\n Finally, that large man stood, nearly tipping the cushioned stool to the floor.\u00a0 For the first time, Conrad was able to see the man more clearly.\u00a0 Long dark hair hung down past his shoulders, just catching the flicker of the tavern\u2019s lantern light.\u00a0 Distant eyes peered at the mug which sat empty on the counter, and as the bartender snatched that cup, the Blacklehnian looked at him almost pleadingly.\u00a0 The man behind the bar paid him no heed, so the captive spun away.\u00a0 Before he faced the door, he met the stare of the cleric in the dark corner.<\/p>\n Conrad felt the piercing strength of that glare.\u00a0 He remained focused on the imposing man, in awe at his size but sensing something else there as well.\u00a0 The Blacklehnian scoffed, a snarl framed by a thick beard and mustache.\u00a0 As he continued toward the door, Conrad noticed one more peculiar aspect of his appearance:\u00a0 A series of tattoos were strewn across his right arm, disappearing beneath a black vest.\u00a0 Intricately crafted faces stared at the cleric, though the Blacklehnian was focused on the door.\u00a0 Then, at once, they were gone, disappearing into the street, along with the large captive.<\/p>\n Slapping down the last of his drink and a silver coin beside it, Conrad rose and made his way to the exit.\u00a0 He was halfway across the room before the door shut.<\/p>\n Out on the main road, the cleric was surprised by how barren the city was.\u00a0 A glance toward the tower in the center of the city alerted him to the late hour of night.\u00a0 A half-filled fiery orb meant it was half past one.\u00a0 \u201cToo afraid to tell him it was last call, eh, Phinius?\u201d<\/p>\n There would be time to reflect later, he reasoned.\u00a0 Though only a moment had passed, the large fellow had vanished.\u00a0 The street was not altogether empty, however.\u00a0 The two patrons who had wagered against the Blacklehnian\u2019s position and whereabouts snuck from the darkness of an alley across the street.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t noticed Conrad, too concerned with something else.\u00a0 And the cleric was sure he knew what it was.<\/p>\n He pursued them, as quiet as their shadows, to the north.\u00a0 Though he had been in Atalatha for some time, he had been more familiar with the main roads than side alleys and dark corners.\u00a0 Before long, the men were out of sight, their footsteps leading the way in some arbitrary direction.<\/p>\n Conrad\u2019s shoulders slumped, and he braced himself against the stone wall of a derelict building.\u00a0 A disappointed yawn snuck to him, and he shook his head.\u00a0 As he was turning back toward familiar roads, though, he heard the sounds of a struggle.\u00a0 Incoherent protests transformed into shouts and screams.\u00a0 A loud thud and an even louder crash echoed out.\u00a0 Bowing his head, the cleric continued his pursuit.<\/p>\n After rounding a few corners, the sounds of violence ceased, and Conrad wondered if he would find the men at all.\u00a0 He nearly passed by the alley where the two patrons from the Bravado lay bruised and battered on the ground and raced down that lane, falling to his knees beside the men, who rasped for breath and moaned in agony.\u00a0 The alley, where only the faint starlight provided any illumination, disguised their injuries.\u00a0 Conrad diagnosed the men\u2019s wounds on instinct: a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder, and some battered ribs.\u00a0 The prisoner from Blacklehn was strong indeed.<\/p>\n Conrad scowled then, for he realized the captive was nowhere to be seen.\u00a0 He set to work, placing his hand above the nearest man\u2019s body.\u00a0 The cleric\u2019s palm radiated with healing light, brighter than any beacon that could be seen from that location.\u00a0 The groaning and the labored breathing ceased, but certain injuries would persist until they could find a medic.\u00a0 He noticed the one farther fellow still clung to a small dagger.\u00a0 The silver was stained crimson as well.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t just followed the Blacklehnian; they had attacked him.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is about what you fools deserve,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n As he finished speaking, he noticed the alley had grown even darker.\u00a0 When he cast a glance down the end of the lane, he saw the towering Blacklehnian there.\u00a0 Though he held a tremendous hunk of stone beneath one arm, it was his bright green eyes Conrad fixated on.<\/p>\n \u201cBe gone, you fool,\u201d he said, in spite of the trepidation he felt building inside of him.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t you see the damage has been done?\u201d<\/p>\n If the Blacklehnian was concerned with that request, it didn\u2019t show.\u00a0 He began forward, lifting the debris above his head.\u00a0 \u201cBlood must be bought with blood,\u201d his deep voice resonated.\u00a0 \u201cStand aside or stand in my way.\u00a0 It makes no difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Conrad reached down and plucked the dagger from the man\u2019s grasp, brandishing it in a trembling hand.\u00a0 \u201cStay back.\u00a0 I\u2019m warning you!\u201d<\/p>\n The Blacklehnian drew closer, and the healer saw the stone he held was a hunk of remnants from a nearby derelict building.\u00a0 A myriad of wounds also separated his flesh.\u00a0 Another dagger still remained in his waist.<\/p>\n \u201cLast chance,\u201d Conrad bade.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t wait, heaving the blade end over end as the lumbering warrior began his throw.\u00a0 Against all odds, and surprising even Conrad, the dagger plunged into the man\u2019s throat.\u00a0 He lurched backward, dropping the stone with an echoing thump.\u00a0 As he clutched the hilt of the dagger, Conrad reached out.\u00a0 It was all in vain, though, for the Blacklehnian ripped the blade from his neck, a vigorous burst of blood spilling from the injury.\u00a0 He growled as he cast his gaze upon his newest aggressor.<\/p>\n His eyes fluttered then, and he collapsed to the ground.<\/p>\n Before him, Conrad blew out a sigh of relief and leaned back upon a wobbly arm.\u00a0 He only allowed himself a moment of respite, however.\u00a0 The Blacklehnian\u2019s life force pooled beneath him, and hesitation would mean his death.<\/p>\n The cleric moved with haste, hovering above the hulking brute.\u00a0 Though he was a tremendous force to be reckoned with, he was also not the one who had initiated the fight, as best Conrad understood.\u00a0 The damage was much more extensive to him\u2014and not only due to the severity of that final attack.\u00a0 Cuts and slashes he endured beforehand were spread across his body.\u00a0 Steadying himself, Conrad set his hands above the large man, summoning that holy light once more.<\/p>\n Sweat poured from the healer\u2019s brow, his body shaking as he set to work on the task.\u00a0 One by one, the cuts closed, leaving little scars in their place.\u00a0 Finally, even that deadly puncture in his throat mended.\u00a0 Conrad\u2019s face had gone pale, and he tipped forward, leaning on the Blacklehnian with one hand.<\/p>\n Though the man was tended to, Conrad felt how fragile his life force was.\u00a0 He sat back and took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cWorry not, stranger,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI will pull the darkness from you and release it into the world.\u00a0 Tellest will cleanse it, and you\u2019ll be no worse for wear.\u201d\u00a0 He dragged his forearm across his brow, wiping the perspiration away.\u00a0 Exhaling sharply, he set to work again.<\/p>\n The light returned to Conrad\u2019s hand, and he closed his eyes while he rejuvenated the injured fellow.\u00a0 For a moment, the cleric fluttered near unconsciousness, his body swaying in the light breeze that travelled down the alleyway.\u00a0 A newfound strength came to him, though, when he felt the Blacklehnian\u2019s inner wounds mending.<\/p>\n Color returned to the man\u2019s skin, and his body relaxed.\u00a0 Something else changed, though \u2013 something lost to the cleric\u2019s closed eyes.\u00a0 The captured soldier\u2019s tattoos faded from his body, until they appeared as nothing but long forgotten scars.<\/p>\n Conrad felt a sudden sting in the palm of his hand.\u00a0 Before he realized it, that prodding agony circulated through his body.\u00a0 He gasped in shock and opened his eyes.\u00a0 To his surprise, his veins were visible even in that darkness.\u00a0 Pronounced and throbbing, those vessels were black as night and travelled all the way up his arm.<\/p>\n A firm grip caught his wrist, and he looked at the fallen Blacklehnian.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have you done?\u201d the hulking captive asked.\u00a0 \u201cIt was my curse to bear.\u201d<\/p>\n Weak and weary, the man succumbed to his fatigue again.\u00a0 His eyelids remained open, and an emerald tincture faded from those orbs.\u00a0 The cleric couldn\u2019t focus on that queer sight for long, as the pain thrummed through his body with every beat of his heart.<\/p>\n A groan to his side alerted him to another problem.\u00a0 The patrons from the Bravado were stirring, the closest sitting up.\u00a0 With a hand on his head, he uttered a profanity while he squeezed a tear through tightly shut eyes.\u00a0 When he blinked away that humming pain, though, he knew he wouldn\u2019t be permitted to focus on it for long.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what are you doing there?\u201d he spat.\u00a0 \u201cAre you helping that bastard from Blacklehn?\u201d<\/p>\n Conrad hesitated for only a moment.\u00a0 \u201cAye, and if I hadn\u2019t tended to you, you wouldn\u2019t be standing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat monster tried to kill us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich is no worse than what you tried to do to him.\u201d\u00a0 Even as he spoke, the drunk approached with his fingers clenched into fists.\u00a0 Conrad leaned back, reaching for the discarded dagger.\u00a0 With no such luck apprehending it as the man drew near, he made one more impassioned plea.\u00a0 \u201cStop!\u201d\u00a0 He thrust out his hand and was surprised when a dark energy seeped from his palm, shooting out from him like a bolt of fire stripped of flame and replaced with only smoke.\u00a0 Only a dark purple haze gave it any other context, and even that was only visible for a moment before it struck the drunk.\u00a0 He flew back several feet, unconscious once more before he even struck the ground.<\/p>\n Beleaguered, Conrad hung his head.\u00a0 Setting a rhythm to his breathing, he blinked away his fatigue and found himself staring at his hand once more.\u00a0 The clouded darkness that flowed through his veins diminished, and he felt the stinging in his body subsiding.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was looking for a change of pace,\u201d Conrad said.\u00a0 He reached down for the fallen Blacklehnian.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get you somewhere safer than here.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello there, friends of Tellest! \u00a0We’re coming down to the last few stories that we’re aiming to tell for this year. \u00a0There may some surprises down the road toward Christmas, but for the most part, we’re trying to get a collection of tales ready for a big collection that’ll release this Fall\/Winter. \u00a0With that in 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\n-Part One-<\/strong><\/p>\n