A few days after Alexis mentions the refugees in Thater and Barrick of Gahnil, Rask speaks up over the evening meal.
“Thater was my childhood. It is gone. The Worn Stone Tavern is burned down, there is no place for the songs of Kark Bergthison to ring out and capture the heart and mind. No tap of the barrel for Heward Jordand to pull from to give to his thirsty customers. The Cobalt Forge is cold and empty.”
“Even if somehow things have changed, because of our journey and the Tear, and Thater is not destroyed, that is not my path. If it is safe to look in on the refugees in the crystal ball, that would be nice, but I am too far gone from Thater, too many battles,”
He pauses.
“Too many strange travels. Thater is not my home. The path forward is clear. I too am no Barrick of Gahnil, it is not my task to gather the refugees of Thater and comfort them. Nor is rebuilding Thater my path. My work is far more grim. I am resolute. Raiden will guide us. You are my brothers. Whatever comes, I will not waver. “
Rask is determined, focused, perhaps a bit more hopeful than he has been since meeting the Crimson Calling. He is sharing where he stands. Not convincing himself, nor trying to convince anyone else. Stating facts.
“Praise Raiden. We will stop these enemies of humanity together. Sasherak, Bandesing, whoever it may be.”
Rask takes a bite the remainder of his food, and looks to his companions to see if they have any questions or comments.
Ca’armine, just finishing up his dinner, sets aside his bowl and spreads his hands toward Rask. “Raiden has placed us on an elevated path toward a meeting with destiny. We are in the midst of an undertaking so monumentous, that even holy and needful tasks like saving refugees, are distractions.”
He stands and stretches out his arms. “We have traveled through time, inside and outside of worlds, and through harrowing danger, guided by Raiden. We do his work, even–” and here he gestures at the cook fire– “when all we are doing, is making dinner.”
“I thank Raiden every day, for finding you my friends, and for placing us on this path. Righteousness is its own reward, and our quest is worthy of every sacrifice demanded of us.”