>>5202824>>5202839"Kossuth?" he replies. "Ah, your medallion."
He kneels, pointing sword to the ground in a reverent salute. "Servant of light, forgive my hostility. We share a common enemy. Most in this land are my foe." After a moment, he rises, his guard now lowered.
"We are heading to Vallaki," Ireena says. I am Ireena Koylana. Daughter of Koylan Indorovich. And-"
"And I am Aranuel Caniella," you say. "Cleric of Kossuth."
He looks at Ireena. "Ah... you're the girl."
Ireena looks puzzled. "Forgive me," she says, "but I don't believe we've-"
"Do not worry. You two need not say more. Together, we will keep Strahd's forces at bay, and stem the tide of darkness!"
"I think you misunderstand," you say.
He raises his sword at you skeptically.
"No!" you raise your arms. "Listen, I do serve the light, through Kossuth. But I am not here to defeat Strahd's forces. I do not have the strength for a feat like that."
He cocks his head inquisitively. "Why are you here then, outsider?"
"She is accompanying me to Vallaki!" Ireena says, "by order of my brother Ismark, who is now the burgomaster of Barovia Village."
"I am looking for my sister. My search has lead me to this valley," you add.
The knight sheathes his sword, shaking his head as though trying to snap out of a dream. "I see," he says. He steps closer to you, making it clear that he poses no threat. "Forgive me. I fear I am quick jump to conclusions. My judgement lately has been... suffering."
"It's fine," you say. "May we pass?"
"Yes. But listen, outsiders. I don't believe you will be able to complete your mission easily."
He looks at you, and the red glow in his eyes seems to warm your soul. He seems to be asking you something.
You nod - as you said, you are a servant of light.
His hand (which is pale, and sickly-looking) reaches toward your face. You jump, but you allow it.
The instant the tip of his finger touches your forehead, a vision assaults your mind's eye.
You see a great fortified hold sitting under a blue sky, adorned with silver reliefs and banners bearing the insignia of a dragon. Then the vision changes - gray skies, ruins, and an abandoned hold, crumbled statues and corpses underneath the rubble.
He pulls his withered hand away. The vision ends.
He turns a glance to Ireena as he says, "If the time comes when you two find yourself facing evil, you may want to seek Argynvostholt. The home of my order, who once protected Barovia from darkness. We need help. And, in turn, we would help you."
You have many questions. But one of them continuously bothers you. "Are you... alive?"
"No," he says, matter-of-factly.
Your stomach turns - how can a creature of the undead be a servant of light?
"When we were destroyed by the conqueror Strahd, centuries ago," he says, "we left unfulfilled promises. Those promises tether us to the material world. And until vengeance is delivered, we walk in undeath."
(cont.)
