Finding Edea (1 of 2)

On the second day of their trip, Psions and Eleni camped just outside the city limits of Meznoberranzan, Edea's home and her suspected whereabouts. It was too risky to enter the drow city at night, so they rested as best they could one at a time, the other on watch while one slept. The night was uneventful, and at daybreak, Psions woke his small companion. In the morning's dull light, they quietly packed up camp and set off, hoping to find Psions' love today, praying she was not too badly hurt. They kept slightly south of the path as they neared the city's large western gates. They stopped near a large tree and Psions cast two spells in near silence: the first would allow Eleni a decent understanding of the drow tongue for some time; and the second made Psions completely invisible. Eleni climbed a tree with a good view of the main road and the gates and waited for her friend to return with word. They'd agreed that if he made no contact with her before sundown, Eleni'd head back home to Westbridge and form a larger search party. For six hours, Eleni maintained vigilant watch of the road and city gates to Meznoberranzan, listening for mention of Edea's name or an escaped girl being turned over to her matron. A few times, there was enough still and quiet to let her mind wander to her own life. It seemed she'd learned so much in the past year, but was the application of new-found knowledge worth the risk of lost possibilities? Had her fickle heart already done too much damage anyway? Could someone like her ever serve any god or greater purpose well? Eleni sighed quietly, her train of thought broken by the sound of soft footsteps in the distance to the west. She looked to the gate guards who seemed not to notice. She looked out over the road, and in the distance saw three figures moving towards her, only one of which was drow... Edea. Quickly, she climbed from her roost and walked through the trees toward the group. Softly, she whispered, "Edea?" Edea jumped slightly, looking around. "Yes?" Eleni stepped from the shadows and touched Edea's shoulder. A soft sigh of relief passed from Edea's lips. "Where is Psions? I must find him." "In the city." "We have to go get him!" Edea almost ran toward the gates, her companions holding her gently back. "I'll go, Edea." Eleni looked to the two human men who had joined Edea. "You two make sure she gets back to safety." Adaire and Ramiel nodded, and the halfling turned to go. "Eleni! Wait! Tell him... tell him I love him. And that I'm with child." (continued...)