A Dark Flight

[Dagesh 0]

He was in his burrow occupied with his work. Outside a storm was brewing. Qaton went to his window from the safety of his home. Movement in the daytime storm caught his eye. Lightning flashed and to his amazement, he saw the Vale covered in greyish orcs. His heart dropped into his stomach and fear gripped him. His first instinct was to fly out the door and not look back. Luckily he did not follow his instinct. Something took over and much of what followed was a blur. His pick was in his hand as fast as the flashing lightning outside. He slid down his ladder, fled to his home workshop, and he plucked the stone slabs up with all his might. He squeezed down into the hole below and scraped the slabs back over his head, trying to cover his exit.

Sweat poured like a Cloud-Temple-fountain from his brow. As he continued to scrape his way down, every scratch screamed his presence. The next moments of his life were dark and confusing. Next he knew he was gasping for air. He was in water. The day was still young and his fear still palpable. He knew he must get help…but where? Again, the blur of fear took over and his feet moved like he never knew. Flying over desert to road to desert to road again, crossing bridges and forests, Qaton was drawn to the Cloud Temple. He did not know where else to go. Stopping only to catch his breath he was driven forward by sheer terror. He saw others on the road but he was too afraid to attempt a conversation. “Who can I trust?” he thought to himself.

He reached the Temple of Cloud and collapsed. All his strength was drawn from him and he could barely speak. He squeaked out, “H-Help. Or…Orrcs…Vale..” Strength found him in passing and he crawled to the nearest rich blue pool. Drinking from the it, he felt the exhaustion in his bones. He afforded himself a safe place and soon sleep took him.

[Petyr 485]

Petyr hears of the account, thinking to himself:

"I wonder if these are the same orcs that I just spent three entire days with... Aye, those were gray-skinned, too. They were bloody scared of me squid, if I can remember... ah yes, and I beat one of them in a drinking contest as well!"

He smiles, remembering the fun, and goes back to his reading.

[Rom 59]

Aye, them orcs are gettin' brave. Good job it ain't near us Dwarves, we'd 'ave 'em running fer the 'ills.