That was a crazy escape. After the barrier exploded, I wandered around the area for a while in total confusion.
Lester
Then I spent days fighting my way through these woods until I finally found this valley here.
Lester
Diego, Milten and Gorn are still in the Valley of Mines. At least, I think so.
Me
Am I supposed to know you?
Lester
Hello? Anyone home? I risked my neck so you could get that weird stone.
Lester
You owe me something ... This time you should remember THAT.
Lester
You still remember Diego, Milten and Gorn?
Me
Sure. What about them?
Lester
As far as I know, they should have survived the destruction of the barrier.
Lester
I have no idea where they are now - those three are probably still hanging around in the Valley of Mines.
Lester
If you run into them, let me know.
Me
Diego, Milten and WHO?
Lester
Don't tell me you can't remember any of that. The focus stones - the troll - the water mages' enormous pile of ore?
Me
I'm not so sure ...
Lester
That'll come back. It took me a while to get my head straight, too.
Me
What happened?
Lester
After the Sleeper was defeated, the entire Brotherhood lost their minds.
Lester
Without their master, they were all just empty husks.
Me
And you? What about you?
Lester
It was the same for me. I had nightmares and even hallucinations. But once my head was more or less clear again, I ran for it.
Lester
Once I thought I saw a huge black shadow pounce on a group of fugitives and burn them all up in a giant cloud of fire.
Lester
At that moment, I really thought a dragon had come to kill me.
Me
Did you see anything else?
Lester
No - I took to my heels and ran!
Me
How long have you been hiding out in this valley?
Lester
I don't know exactly. A week, maybe. But there's one more thing:
Lester
When I came here in the evening, I took a look up on the mountain - there were only a few trees there.
Lester
And when I looked the next morning, that tower was there. I could have sworn it wasn't there before. Since then I haven't left the valley.
Me
You mean Xardas' tower? I knew he was powerful, but creating a tower just like that ...
Lester
Xardas the necromancer? He lives in that tower? I don't know if I like that ...
Me
Don't worry, he's the one who rescued me from the Sleeper's temple. He's on our side.
Me
You need to tell Xardas about the shadow, it could be important.
Lester
You don't think it was my imagination? You mean there was really a ...
Me
... dragon. Yes.
Lester
You're getting into the thick of it again, am I right?
Me
I shouldn't say in the thick of it ... not yet.
Lester
(sighs) Well good, if it's so important, then I'll go see him - but not now.
Lester
For the moment, I'm going to rest. I'm still exhausted after the escape from the penal colony.
Lester
I think you've got big plans. I'll see you later at Xardas'.
Me
I'm on my way to Khorinis! What do you know about the town?
Lester
Khorinis? Well, it's a seaport, nothing special.
Lester
Why do you ask?
Me
I must go and see the paladins who are said to be in town.
Lester
(laughs) Really? Hah. They won't even let you into the town, and certainly not to where the paladins are.
Me
Do you have any suggestions how I could get into town?
Lester
I certainly do. I worked for an old alchemist named Constantino some time ago.
Lester
He has great influence in the city, and he's instructed the guards at the gate to let anyone through who can sell him rare herbs.
Lester
So it's quite easy, really. You collect a large bunch of the plants that grow here all over the place, and then you pretend you're working for Constantino, and in you go.
Lester
But don't collect just a mix of this and that. The guards aren't all that bright, and they know nothing about alchemy.
Lester
The bundle needs to look good to them if you want to get through.
Lester
I think that 10 specimens of the same kind of plant should do the trick.
Me
Thanks for the hint.
Me
The thing with the plants for Constantino worked like a charm. It got me past the city guards.
Lester
Just like I said. You should listen to me once in a while, my friend.
Me
What do you know about the area?
Lester
If you keep going down that way, you'll come to a farm. The city starts a little way beyond that.
Lester
But be careful, there's not just wolves and rats hanging around here, there's goblins and bandits too!
Me
Are you still exhausted?
Lester
And how. (yawns) I told Xardas everything. Now I'm going to sleep for a while. Like, a day or ...
Lester
... two ... or longer.
Lester
Hey, you're finally back! You have to go see Xardas right away, there's a problem.
Me
That I certainly believe.
Lester
All hell's broken loose since you left.
Lester
Talk to Xardas, he's waiting for you!
Lester
Xardas gave me this rune for you. It'll help you get to him faster. We'll meet again there.
Me
You don't look all that hot.
Lester
I don't feel all that hot either, man. I'm totally wiped out, and I've got a constant headache.
Lester
Every time one of those black hoods shows up it gets worse.
Me
And I can tell you exactly why.
Lester
Yeah? I don't think I want to know.
Me
These black hoods - or the Seekers, as we magicians call them - used to be the followers of a powerful archdemon. Does that ring a bell?
Lester
Mmh. No. Unless you're trying to tell me that ...
Me
Yes, exactly. The Seekers used to be followers of the Sleeper. The renegade sect crackpots from the Swamp Camp.
Me
They're your people, Lester. The former Brotherhood of the Sleeper. Now they are nothing but soulless minions of evil.
Lester
I had a notion, but I hoped it wasn't true. Do you mean he came back? Is the Sleeper here again?
Me
Good question. All I know for sure is that I need to stop the Seekers before they become too powerful.
Lester
I don't like it, but I suppose you're right. I'm sorry, but all this crap is getting to my head.
Lester
The headaches are still there, but hopefully the problem will have been dealt with soon.
Lester
One way or another.
Lester
My headaches are getting almost unbearable. And now these lizard people are constantly attacking me, too. I've got to ask myself where they all come from.
Lester
These headaches just won't stop. There's something brewing.
Lester
(sighs) I think I'll have a rest first.
Me
Where's Xardas?
Lester
He's gone, and he left these demonic beings behind in his tower.
Lester
I think he doesn't want anyone sniffing around his tower in his absence.
Me
Where did he go?
Lester
He didn't say that. He only asked me to give you this letter from him.
Lester
I read it. Sorry. I was curious.
Me
And?
Lester
No idea, I didn't understand a word, man. But one thing's clear to me: we won't see him again any time soon.
Lester
I think things just got too hot for him and he headed for the hills.
Me
I found out where the enemy is hiding.
Lester
Don't ask me why, but I feel like I should go with you.
Me
What do you mean by that?
Lester
I can't explain it, but I know that I'll only learn the answer if I come along with you.
Me
I'm sorry, but the ship's already full.
Lester
Maybe it is, maybe my fate is meaningless compared to the events that are ahead of us.
Lester
You know what you have to do. Stand up against evil - don't worry about me.
Lester
I'm not important.
Me
Then come with me and get your answers!
Me
I'll meet you at the harbor. I'll go down there once I'm ready.
Lester
Hurry up, our time is short.
Me
I can't take you along.
Lester
I understand. I probably won't be any great help to you.
Lester
No matter who you take along - make sure you can trust them.
Lester
And take care of yourself.
Me
I've got no more room for you after all.
Lester
I understand you. I'd probably do the same in your situation.
Lester
If you need me, I'll help you. You know where to find me.
Me
I need a friend to help me.
Lester
I knew it! We'll see this thing through together, just like before.
Lester
Evil had better watch out. We're breathing down its neck.
Lester
I think it's better if I stay here after all. Good luck.