Into The Remnants

Your alliance of three humans and fellow elf ride outside the city, and even departing the Bronzebark Forests itself. Galloping hard, Rohrim leads you into The Remnants, an area that was once lush elven forests, but had been entirely leveled by greedy and industrious hands of humans, hands that created the city of Krakorum, the wood from the dead trees put into their wharf and their floating war machines. You can see clear to the distant ocean horizon as the last light of day fades. So complete was their work that hardly anything here anymore; short wild grass, weeds, and the small creatures that feed on them. . All of the Bronzebark elves knew of the Remnants, though few ever dared to venture to it, so harrowing the sights were. It turns out, it was an emotional experience for your companions as well.

"Gods" Kraig said, breaking the deathly quiet "What happened here?"

"You did" You respond coldly "This is what happens when your people are given free reign of our forests." Kraig reacted as poorly as would be expected.

"Hey now! Don't blame me for this! I had nothing to do with this. James and weren't even born in this part of the world, neither was Bruce. Don't go putting all humans in one basket!"

"Had you not accompanied me this far you wouldn't have cared!" You respond in an unusually angry outburst "You were brought into the same violent, noncaring world as any other human! We had to risk our very lives in war to put a stop to this, and not one human came to our aid!"

"Enough!" Rohrim interjected "Both of you! All of you!" As he constrained his horse, who was feeding off the anxious energy among the five of you "All trees are shaped by the forests where they grow. You cannot blame these humans for the world in which they were raised. They are here with us, seeing the destruction their comrades have wrought, and are working with us to destroy a greater threat. Humans are not our enemies. You know this better than most Fiana."

"You're right" You reply with a deep breath "I'm sorry you guys. Just...this hurts to see up close."

"We know" Bruce responded "I'm sure if you took me to an old battlefield I would be choked up too."

James, normally the most vocal of the lot, was unusually quiet and observant "Is there anything that can be done?"

"No" Rohrim replied grimly "Not for several lifetimes. The trees only release their seeds every five hundred years. It will take some work for us to regrow this land."

"Fuck" James replied "We really did a number here. So, why would a Banshee flee here?"

"The undead will always gravitate to where their physical remains lay, or to a point that was important to them in life. In her case, both lead her here."

"Wait, you mean you know who this?" You ask

"I have a reasonable hunch, yes." Rohrim replied "Be alert, she won't be able to hide herself at night" No sooner had he said this that the Banshee had struck, using her last opportunity of hiding to prepare an attack against him. Reeling from the blow, he falls from his horse.

"Why!? Why can't you just go away!"

"You were trying to kill the King. Your King!" You reply sternly, sword drawn while on horseback.

"It has to be this way!" She cried back "We were supposed to have forever together! This was our home! He has to pay!"

"Vengeance isn't the answer" Bruce bellowed "You have to find some room in what's left of your heart to forgive your king for what happened. Even he was powerless to stop all of this."

"Stay out of this, peon! You're a century too young to know anything! You've all interfered for the last time!" The Banshee charged in her ethereal form, causing Bruce's horse to route in fear. You and the Dowton boys followed after them in pursuit. Getting close, you take a few swiping glances at her with your magical swords, but fail to connect anything severe. It isn't until the horse approaches a cliff face that it turns about. Getting control, Bruce turns about quickly and makes a large diagonal arc with his weapon, striking through the ghostly form of the Banshee. The figure fades away slowly. The area is deathly still; hairs on the back of your neck stand up in nervous anticipation of what is to come.

"Look!" James calls out, pointing towards the distance. A glowing figure stands solitary among the remains of a copse of trees. The four you approach slowly on your horses. As you come closer, you see it's another ghost. This one appears peaceful, remorseful even, as she holds her hands together over her chest. Tears stain her young elven face. The ghost lingers over a slightly raised area that had been recently disturbed, revealing a collection of bones.

"It's her" You explain morbidly "She's the Banshee, or was."

"Is that really how it works?" Kraig asks "Kill a Banshee and a kindler, gentler, less hauntish ghost takes it place?"

"Shut it" Bruce commanded "Have some respect, for once."

"Sorry." Kraig said, hiding his face in his chest in embarrassment. "So, are we done?"

"Maybe." You reply, unsure "I think there's still something we need to do..." You hop off your horse and walk to the disturbed grave. The ghost stares at you with teary eyes but says and does nothing. You push the dirt and stones to recover the bones, before speaking to the ghost.

"I promise, we'll come make this right, and make sure the King gives you a proper burial." The ghost is still quiet. She touches her lips with her fingers, before extending one hand out to you. In her hand, she holds a medallion, this one physical, seemingly offering it to you.

"Thank you" You reply state kindly, in a quiet, gentle voice as you take it. As your fingers touch it, the world around you fades away in a sea of blinding white light. The light fades away, bringing you to a very different place than where you were...