Emalia walked out of the eastern gates without the faintest clue where she was headed. There was no way she was going back to Melancholy's Maps after what had happened with Melchior, and due to him, she doubted she'd be going back into Westbridge anytime soon.
The road to the east was sparsely populated, which suited her fine, but her packs had already begun to weigh her down. Knowing it would take a bit of her energy, she cast a easy spell, and a disk materialized from thin air beside her. She hefted her pack onto it and sighed lightly, having her load dispersed.
The eastern road stretched as far as she could see and so, she gathered, she would simply follow it. Emalia glanced behind her and suspiciously around her. No followers.
Good. Even if there were any, the chance that she would have known would have been disastrously low - having not even the minimal of ideas of what to look for. It didn't matter - looking around helped her to calm herself.
The sun passed the midday point before Emalia had any idea where she was going. She would travel farther than she had before. She would visit the Temple of Lathander, the God she had read about from Grobnak's tomes. Renewal, Rebirth, and the Morning Lord might calm her mind and point to her the next steps she should be taking toward the Temple of Light.
Emalia passed the crossroad that lead to the Torregiano gates. Elbryan might very well be there now, reading. Again she looked around, the idea of spies rising in her head, but there was no one that particularly looked as though they cared who she was or what she was doing there or where she was going. What would he say of this journey? Going to a temple based on the name sounded idiotic at best, but she wouldn't be stopping in to ask his opinion.
She was traveling alone now, off to commune with Lathander in the hopes that there would be answers. The last thought she had as she approached the gates of New Thalos were the hope that her messengers had done what she paid them to do.
Current Events
'More coffee?'
Throm looked up from the parchment he had been reading, smiled and shook his head. 'No thank you dear. Mystra knows I need it, however this day I prefer to keep my thoughts well contained.' The Guardian coffee shop waitress merely smiled and nodded. Having arrived earlier from his trip to the eastern continent, Throm had stopped into Guardian Hall to see to checking in on the family. Looking back at the letter he had been going over, he re-read aloud a portion of Hellstrom's leave of absence. 'Should I live...' His eyes flashed as he scrolled up to yet another bit of the letter. 'My presence may have lost this family the presence of one who is far more deserving of the title of Guardian than I...' His brow furrowing in thought, the wild haired man began to regret taking his own leave of absence after the Therru incident. Looking back upwards from his reading he asked the Guardian waitress, 'What in the Nine Hells is going on around here?' The Swiss Miss shrugged.
'There are many things which pass by my within these halls...some true...some not. But if you are looking for answers, you may do well to ask Elbryan, Emalia or even perhaps Jayden.' Confirming his thanks by patting the young woman on the shoulder, he stepped into the Guardian Sanctuary where among other people, Jayden sat relaxing within steaming pool which took up the greater part of the room. Smiling faintly, Throm approached from the front of the pool so as not to startle anyone. Handing Hellstrom's letter to Jayden, the smile upon his face faded but a little. Sitting next to the pool, he asked in a low tone. 'So...perhaps you might be able to enlighten me on the events transpiring as of late...'
Throm looked up from the parchment he had been reading, smiled and shook his head. 'No thank you dear. Mystra knows I need it, however this day I prefer to keep my thoughts well contained.' The Guardian coffee shop waitress merely smiled and nodded. Having arrived earlier from his trip to the eastern continent, Throm had stopped into Guardian Hall to see to checking in on the family. Looking back at the letter he had been going over, he re-read aloud a portion of Hellstrom's leave of absence. 'Should I live...' His eyes flashed as he scrolled up to yet another bit of the letter. 'My presence may have lost this family the presence of one who is far more deserving of the title of Guardian than I...' His brow furrowing in thought, the wild haired man began to regret taking his own leave of absence after the Therru incident. Looking back upwards from his reading he asked the Guardian waitress, 'What in the Nine Hells is going on around here?' The Swiss Miss shrugged.
'There are many things which pass by my within these halls...some true...some not. But if you are looking for answers, you may do well to ask Elbryan, Emalia or even perhaps Jayden.' Confirming his thanks by patting the young woman on the shoulder, he stepped into the Guardian Sanctuary where among other people, Jayden sat relaxing within steaming pool which took up the greater part of the room. Smiling faintly, Throm approached from the front of the pool so as not to startle anyone. Handing Hellstrom's letter to Jayden, the smile upon his face faded but a little. Sitting next to the pool, he asked in a low tone. 'So...perhaps you might be able to enlighten me on the events transpiring as of late...'
The Final Errand
A Letter left sealed with Hellstrom's family ring laying on the Crimson Guardians sanctuary coffee shop.
To The Guardians It has come to my attention that I have caused more pain and discourse in my dealings with people than I had ever realized I could. My presence may have lost this family the presence of one who is far more deserving of the title of guardian than I. Therefore I have decided to self impose exile on myself for a time. I do not know where I am going, but I will be unreachable. Should I live, I will be back. Should i never return, my belongings few though they may be should go to whomever should need them. Thank you my friends, and may we all meet again in a brighter time.
Signed Hellstrom Oldostin
The letter delivered, Hellstrom knew it would be some time before it would be read by any of the Guardians. With a last look at his home for the past few years, Hellstrom turned away and with his bear disappeared into the wilderness. With no idea of which direction to take he headed to the northwest into the chill and snows of the mountains. Thankful that he thought to bring some heavier clothes he climbed to get a better view of the surrounding area and decided to keep with his northwesterly direction. He saw no cities in that path from his mountain perch and that was exactly what he wanted.
As night fell Hellstrom found himself in the valley between two mountains.
He found an old evergreen tree and made camp under its ancient branches for the night. He careful took out The insignia he had removed from his good traveling cloak. The feel of it still gave him comfort though he dare not handle it for long lest someone find out where he was through the magical link it held with the others of its kind. Hellstrom looked out through the breaks in the branches back in the direction he had come and whispered to himself, "I will be back," and with that placed the insignia careful back in one of the pockets of his traveling backpack, and lay down to get whatever rest his frayed mind would let him have.
To The Guardians It has come to my attention that I have caused more pain and discourse in my dealings with people than I had ever realized I could. My presence may have lost this family the presence of one who is far more deserving of the title of guardian than I. Therefore I have decided to self impose exile on myself for a time. I do not know where I am going, but I will be unreachable. Should I live, I will be back. Should i never return, my belongings few though they may be should go to whomever should need them. Thank you my friends, and may we all meet again in a brighter time.
Signed Hellstrom Oldostin
The letter delivered, Hellstrom knew it would be some time before it would be read by any of the Guardians. With a last look at his home for the past few years, Hellstrom turned away and with his bear disappeared into the wilderness. With no idea of which direction to take he headed to the northwest into the chill and snows of the mountains. Thankful that he thought to bring some heavier clothes he climbed to get a better view of the surrounding area and decided to keep with his northwesterly direction. He saw no cities in that path from his mountain perch and that was exactly what he wanted.
As night fell Hellstrom found himself in the valley between two mountains.
He found an old evergreen tree and made camp under its ancient branches for the night. He careful took out The insignia he had removed from his good traveling cloak. The feel of it still gave him comfort though he dare not handle it for long lest someone find out where he was through the magical link it held with the others of its kind. Hellstrom looked out through the breaks in the branches back in the direction he had come and whispered to himself, "I will be back," and with that placed the insignia careful back in one of the pockets of his traveling backpack, and lay down to get whatever rest his frayed mind would let him have.
Self Exile
As usual the exertion of practice had a calming and collecting affect on Hellstrom's thoughts and mind. With sweat pouring down his body he sat against a tree at the edge of the clearing analyzing what had happened. He knew now how badly he had botched what he and Emalia might have had. So much time in the wood had addled Hellstrom’s mind in the handling of human affairs. He was not fit for the company of others and he knew it now. He thought about the look of pain on Emalia's face when they had last parted ways. Hellstrom knew his hatred for the Jenovese was not going to allow him to be near her anymore, constantly being watched.
Hellstrom sat upright for a moment as a thought came to him. Could both sides be watching Emalia and him? As Duty bound as Elbryan was Hellstrom knew it was a possibility. Was that why Elbryan had encouraged him to not leave her alone in this? To accept what she was doing? He had to get away. Hellstrom refused to be the centerpiece for both groups attempts at subterfuge.
Hellstrom pulled out his clothes after he had dried off and dressed hastily, thinking better of putting on his cloak with the Guardian symbol. He did not want to be seen or be able to be contacted. Instead he pulled his spare cloak out of his pack and wrapped it about himself and stalked into town careful not to let anyone know who he was. Hellstrom collected enough supplies to last for a few months and stowed them carefully in his bag.
Hellstrom made one last trip to the lookout where he and Emalia had truly talked for the first time. He looked over the edge for a bit and then turned to his ever constant companion his bear. "I’ve one last thing to do before I depart." Hellstrom said to his non responsive friend, and pulls from his pack a few pieces of parchment some wax, ink and a quill.
Hellstrom sat upright for a moment as a thought came to him. Could both sides be watching Emalia and him? As Duty bound as Elbryan was Hellstrom knew it was a possibility. Was that why Elbryan had encouraged him to not leave her alone in this? To accept what she was doing? He had to get away. Hellstrom refused to be the centerpiece for both groups attempts at subterfuge.
Hellstrom pulled out his clothes after he had dried off and dressed hastily, thinking better of putting on his cloak with the Guardian symbol. He did not want to be seen or be able to be contacted. Instead he pulled his spare cloak out of his pack and wrapped it about himself and stalked into town careful not to let anyone know who he was. Hellstrom collected enough supplies to last for a few months and stowed them carefully in his bag.
Hellstrom made one last trip to the lookout where he and Emalia had truly talked for the first time. He looked over the edge for a bit and then turned to his ever constant companion his bear. "I’ve one last thing to do before I depart." Hellstrom said to his non responsive friend, and pulls from his pack a few pieces of parchment some wax, ink and a quill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)