Gilean blasted down the old wooden door of Velentham's Heifong apartment with a blinding ray of white light, sending dry splinters flying in every direction. He charged through the rooms of the modest dwelling searching for Sanria. He knew it was foolish to expect for Velentham to have brought her here but Gilean had nothing else to go on. This was the only place he knew of that Velentham might have taken her but as the faint golden glow surrounding his body helped to illuminate one dingy corner after another he came to realize that his search was in vain.
Gilean exited onto Velentham's small balcony and sat heavily upon a small stone bench surrounded by crumpled cigarette butts. A wave of despair washed over him and the icy knot of dread in his gut tightened mercilessly. How could things have gone so wrong so quickly. A day just like any other. Helping those in need at the Temple of Lathander. A few moments of secluded meditation before leaving. Then arriving home to an empty house and a battered Thasmudyan in his front yard.
It was almost unbelievable. Gilean had taken every precaution to ensure Sanria would be safe from his delusional cousin. But somehow Velentham had used Thasmudyan to lure Sanria out and taken her. Damn Thasmudyan! How could he have been so naive? So stupid?
Gilean closed his eyes for a moment. No. It wasn't Thasmudyan's fault. Velentham was a celestial in full command of his abilities. He could influence people's thoughts and feelings... perhaps even someone as gifted as Thasmudyan. This wasn't time for placing blame. This was the time for finding and retrieving his wife.
He swallowed hard, trying to force down that icy ball in his gut. Gilean knew he couldn't do this alone. Yes, he was celestial, same as Velentham, but Gilean had been cast out by his people and stripped of most of his true nature, left with only limited command of the power within him. If he were to have any hope of finding Sanria and bringing her home safely, he would need all the help he could get.
The plain truth was, he was not the only one who cared for Sanria. For better or for worse, the were others who would not want to see her mistreated and as awkward as it may be, he was going to need their help. Gilean took a deep breath and stood from the bench, departing in a swirl of gold.
