The Spires Of Morning rose from the ground as would giant mountainous peaks to greet the dawn. Emalia and Colin stood on the stairs, Tamilyn having gone to quickly seek some sort of sale for some sort of item that Emalia nor Colin had some-sort-of seen. Emalia's heart grew so full at the mere sight of the temple, tears welled in her eyes as she stared upward. She was truly at a loss for what to do next. Even though going in (which Colin suggested) was the obvious choice, to whom would she go? She had set of on a journey with no idea of a destination other than the name of some far off temple.
Emalia had come to the realization that this would lead to the discovery of her own path and the directions to the Temple of Light, when a halfling boy bowed before her. Delighted at the little one, she bowed to him. Rose colored robes that were pleasant to the eye adorned him, though with his near 2-foot-tall stature, they seemed a little large. "Do you live here?" Emalia asked. She easily could have ascertained the information based on the myriad of beings clothed in similar garb, but for the sake of formalities, she obliged herself.
The halfling boy nodded and gestured to the temple, then to his obelisk. The answer was undeniable. "I'm looking for a place and need directions from someone. I thought I might find them here."
The boy wasted no time, drawing forth a pad of parchment and a quill. With practiced hand, he shot out a note, holding it to Emalia. It read, "What do you seek, Child?"
'Child?' Emalia thought. There were only two beings in the whole of the realms that referred to her as such. Jayden and Grobnak. It was a little disconcerting, but she pressed on, chalking the verbiage up to the fact that he was surrounded constantly with priests. "The Temple of Light. I am trying to find it, or even where to begin."
The quizzical gaze from the boy assured Emalia that she had mentioned a name unknown. The note shot up again, "There are many temples where you might seek Lathander's divine wisdom. Which one do you seek?" "I'm not really sure. I just know I need to get there."
At the sound of Colin's frustrated sigh, Emalia looked to him. Her attention went back to the small follower as another note was thrust into her line of sight. "The greatest temple of all lies within. Only by listening to The Voice within can one make such a journey." "What is 'The Voice?'"
Emalia was suddenly confused and rather embarrassed. She found herself biting her lip, as always, when she was on the verge of making some choice. In this instance, she was on the cusp of making for Westbridge to rethink her whole purpose, when another note was shown to her. "Do you seek renewal? Rebirth?" "Well, it is what The Apprentice would wish of me, isn't it?"
The boy, obviously knowing of whom she spoke, hastily penned another note: "I am here to guide you, but you must take the journey." "It is why I am here." "You," the next note read, "are not prepared."
From behind Emalia's shoulder, Colin's baritone voice offered up an objection. "Wait a minute... how is it you are here to guide her? How did you even know she would be here?"
A gaze clouded the young halfling's face as he pointed to a spot several feet from Emalia - clearly intimating that Colin was reading notes that were not meant for his eyes.
"I'm sure it was the doing of The Apprentice, Colin. He saved me in the ocean, too."
"Well, it was my thought that Tamilyn saved you. But at least she had a valid reason for knowing you would be there."
The boy pointed to the scars that ran over his face like a web and thrust a note toward Colin while Emalia stared to the ground. The two seemed to banter with one another, one using a voice, the other using a quill, both using swords. "A halfling that doesn't talk... that is your guide? Oh, no offense."
The halfling child held up another note, "He stands before you and blocks the way." Emalia glanced at Colin, obviously contemplating the same conclusion. She chewed at her lip nervously, and when the boy reached into his robe, Colin moved in front of her, putting his arm out protectively.
Emalia couldn't fathom what might have gotten into Colin. Here this hulking frame of a man had lept in front of her to protect her from a boy that seemed no more capable of harming a cat, let alone either of them. "He's a boy, Colin. He's obviously not going to hurt us."
As Colin lowered his arm, a note was thrust upward that both he and Emalia could see. "You have no Faith." "He doesn't need to believe as I do. I respect that." "See," Colin interjected, "and I respect her beliefs."
Without further baiting, the boy held up a note to only Emalia's eyes. As he held it up, he pointed to himself. "Nephesh." "I am Emalia, and this is Colin..." "This is ridiculous." Emalia watched as Colin threw his hands up and walked away. She lowered her eyes and looked back at the small boy.
"I'm sorry, perhaps the trip has him cranky. We did come a long way here, most of it he spent in the cargo hold. It's a long story." "He seeks to lead by following," Nephesh's note read. "No, that's not possible. He is only here by happenstance, nothing more." "It is your journey to make."
Emalia looked back at Colin, seeing him standing with his arms crossed, but much more composed. Was it possible that Colin had been sent as a test by The Apprentice to determine her Faith? Should she send him home? "What should I do?" "It is the path of a guide only to aid," the note detailed. "The journey is your own to make. Seek the wisdom of the Dawn." Nephesh looked at Colin for a moment and held up another note. "He needs to listen." Nodding, Emalia walked over to Colin and placed a hand on his arm. "Colin, do you think you could try, for me, to just... listen?" "I'm just wary of this person, that's all." "I'm not. You shouldn't be either." "I'm listening.. or reading, whatever."
Conceding that it was all she would be able to get, Emalia returned to Nephesh. The boy seemed to be somewhere else but before Emalia could question it, a sound like a thousand voices whispering in unison echoed in her mind. "YYOURRR FFAITHTHH ISS SSSTRONNNG, MMMORRTALL..." Emalia dropped to her knees, her hands reflexively going to her ears. She stared upward with reverent wonder on her face. Colin gripped her shoulders in worry, kneeling at her side, asking her what had happened - but Emalia only spoke, eyes welling with tears, that He had spoken to her. "Him."
Emalia rose to her feet, suddenly resolved to her course. She knew that she was meant to be here and knew there was a reason all these things were coming to pass. She knew most of all, what she was doing was right. Without any consultation with Colin, or any input from Tamilyn, Emalia agreed that they should stay in the Temple for the night.
Nephesh then offered a note to Colin which Emalia could see. "I can speak with the captains at port if you desire another cargo hold." At that moment, Emalia could see Colin's jaw tense. He looked in that instant that he was going to grab the tiny figure and dash the life from him. She could not explain it, and the fact was, Emalia had never seen the sort of anger that flashed over Colin like an arc of lightning.
Emalia watched contemplatively as Colin turned himself from the child. She looked back to see a note before her, "Your friend has no Faith. Those you once called kin know only Sin. Such is our path."
"Yes," Emalia began quietly, "I'm beginning to see that. I just wish he were different from all the rest. I would truly like to find a companion... but it looks ever more as though it is not to be."
With a reminder in the form of a note of her purpose for coming, Emalia took in her breath and buried her sorrows. It was time to let go of thoughts of companionship and love. For those things, she was fast deciding, never panned out. Faith, however, was going to find her a way on the path of life, and with or without anyone at her side - she was going to start walking.
The Master's Words
Nephesh awoke to the sound of scuffling feet. He'd overslept... again. Hadn't these humans ever heard of morning naps? They always wanted to wake at dawn and gather to worship. He understood the symbolic importance, but his body rebelled. It hadn't gotten any better during the past two winters, either. Why did they subject him to this torment?
Dragging himself from his bunk, the halfling boy lethargically donned the oversized pink robes the other priests had bequeathed him and joined the shuffle of feet to witness the rising sun. The sight filled him with awe, as it always did. The dramatic shapes of the clouds contrasting sharply with the colors of the dawn brought him - and all true Lathanderites - to his knees in worship. There were times he thought he could hear music when the day was still new.
He'd learned many things since Grobnak had sent him here. Once, he'd thought the orc a traitor to Jenova, but time had taught him differently. He missed the intelligence behind those eyes. Few could understand what drove that creature: Fear, Self-hatred, and a desire to become more than what he was. Nephesh was uncertain whether he should pity the beast or destroy it. The beast, however, had become his adoptive father... and liberator.
Time passed in meditation as Nephesh tended to the various chores he'd been assigned in the temple. It never ceased to amaze him how limited humans were: As a halfling, he could reach into smaller crevices than they. He got some of the more intriguing jobs as a result.
It was further into the day when he was called into the new Rector's personal study. He was expecting another reprimand from the old man for stealing something he hadn't - did everyone believe that that was the only thing halflings were good for? – but instead the old man had a message to deliver, in the form of an old scroll.
Nephesh stood by and silently listened to the aged priest prattle on about the destruction of the Realms and how the Jenovese were evil, and that it was against everything Lathander stood for, for nearly three hours before he was finally given the scroll containing his master's message. Gods, how he missed the kindly old woman who'd run the temple before; at least she had been one of the Faithful.
Unrolling the gilded vellum, Nephesh's brown eyes raced over Grobnak's hastily jotted script. It seemed a simple enough task: keep her on the path and beware the strangers she traveled with. Walking over to a censer, Nephesh threw the scroll into it, observing the cloud which suddenly billowed forth - in the likeness of the girl he sought: Emalia.
Dragging himself from his bunk, the halfling boy lethargically donned the oversized pink robes the other priests had bequeathed him and joined the shuffle of feet to witness the rising sun. The sight filled him with awe, as it always did. The dramatic shapes of the clouds contrasting sharply with the colors of the dawn brought him - and all true Lathanderites - to his knees in worship. There were times he thought he could hear music when the day was still new.
He'd learned many things since Grobnak had sent him here. Once, he'd thought the orc a traitor to Jenova, but time had taught him differently. He missed the intelligence behind those eyes. Few could understand what drove that creature: Fear, Self-hatred, and a desire to become more than what he was. Nephesh was uncertain whether he should pity the beast or destroy it. The beast, however, had become his adoptive father... and liberator.
Time passed in meditation as Nephesh tended to the various chores he'd been assigned in the temple. It never ceased to amaze him how limited humans were: As a halfling, he could reach into smaller crevices than they. He got some of the more intriguing jobs as a result.
It was further into the day when he was called into the new Rector's personal study. He was expecting another reprimand from the old man for stealing something he hadn't - did everyone believe that that was the only thing halflings were good for? – but instead the old man had a message to deliver, in the form of an old scroll.
Nephesh stood by and silently listened to the aged priest prattle on about the destruction of the Realms and how the Jenovese were evil, and that it was against everything Lathander stood for, for nearly three hours before he was finally given the scroll containing his master's message. Gods, how he missed the kindly old woman who'd run the temple before; at least she had been one of the Faithful.
Unrolling the gilded vellum, Nephesh's brown eyes raced over Grobnak's hastily jotted script. It seemed a simple enough task: keep her on the path and beware the strangers she traveled with. Walking over to a censer, Nephesh threw the scroll into it, observing the cloud which suddenly billowed forth - in the likeness of the girl he sought: Emalia.
The Spires of Morning
Emalia was happy to finally be back in the small cabin of the ship. Even though it had seemed like a long trip, it was soon enough to come to an end.
The next day and a half passed quickly and Emalia soon found herself staring at the gigantic walls that made the city of Waterdeep. She couldn't believe the myriad of people that bustled within and without the walls, carts, horses, guards, beggars, vendors, food, goods... colors and sounds were everywhere. She suddenly realized she was more than grateful to have people with her on this trip: she barely had the courage to step off of the docks.
Tamilyn finally finished her goodbyes, and lead both Emalia and Colin into the city. Emalia looked all around her, astounded at the magnitude of everything around her.
She wasn't disappointed when they stopped at last, in front of the temple devoted to Lathander.
The place was all that Tamilyn had said and more. Huge spires rose up from the ground and the multitude of buildings and priests left Emalia with her mouth, once again, agape. Never had she expected to find something so big. As she stood before it, she realized that she had no clue where to begin.
The next day and a half passed quickly and Emalia soon found herself staring at the gigantic walls that made the city of Waterdeep. She couldn't believe the myriad of people that bustled within and without the walls, carts, horses, guards, beggars, vendors, food, goods... colors and sounds were everywhere. She suddenly realized she was more than grateful to have people with her on this trip: she barely had the courage to step off of the docks.
Tamilyn finally finished her goodbyes, and lead both Emalia and Colin into the city. Emalia looked all around her, astounded at the magnitude of everything around her.
She wasn't disappointed when they stopped at last, in front of the temple devoted to Lathander.
The place was all that Tamilyn had said and more. Huge spires rose up from the ground and the multitude of buildings and priests left Emalia with her mouth, once again, agape. Never had she expected to find something so big. As she stood before it, she realized that she had no clue where to begin.
Port Llast
The day was at its end when the ship finally arrived at the docks in Port Llast. Emalia gathered her things and walked out onto the docks. She had no idea that it took so many people - men (very burly, suntanned, and grinning men), to sail a ship. With her pack on her back, she ducked her head and walked down the boarding plank and onto the dock. "Don't forget we leave in the morrow, lovely. 'For the sun comes up."
"Oh... I, appreciate that. I'll be back well before then."
The tanned sailor grinned down at her from the bow of the ship, showing a distinct lack of teeth. She turned away quickly and walked into the city, biting her lip. Here was the place where she bought lemonade for Hellstrom. Her brow furrowed as she shook her head. No time to think of that. She was here to get provisions, then get back on the boat (hopefully avoiding any more leering) to get herself provisions.
Emalia walked into The Alliance Arms, the very place she had gotten the gift for Hellstrom. No one recognized her as she picked up a glass of water and downed it. "Do you sell food?" "Oh hon," said the wench, "we don't sell food here. We got farmers for that. Besides, sailors don't come in here for the food." "I see." "You know... you could get a job here if you're looking for one. I'm sure you'd make a lot of money for this place." "No... thank you."
"Oh... I, appreciate that. I'll be back well before then."
The tanned sailor grinned down at her from the bow of the ship, showing a distinct lack of teeth. She turned away quickly and walked into the city, biting her lip. Here was the place where she bought lemonade for Hellstrom. Her brow furrowed as she shook her head. No time to think of that. She was here to get provisions, then get back on the boat (hopefully avoiding any more leering) to get herself provisions.
Emalia walked into The Alliance Arms, the very place she had gotten the gift for Hellstrom. No one recognized her as she picked up a glass of water and downed it. "Do you sell food?" "Oh hon," said the wench, "we don't sell food here. We got farmers for that. Besides, sailors don't come in here for the food." "I see." "You know... you could get a job here if you're looking for one. I'm sure you'd make a lot of money for this place." "No... thank you."
Treacherous Divination [WARNING: Graphic Content]
Some time had passed since Grobnak's encounter with Auril, and he'd felt remiss in his duties to The Apprentice as he'd ordered everyone to gather their things and put the search for the missing Sunite on hold. They'd had some intriguing findings, but no real leads as to Keldon's whereabouts. The encounter with the frigid goddess still plagued his thoughts, the words of her warning still echoing in his mind: You shall be betrayed. By who, and when? It seemed so long ago that it had happened.
He had performed the strongest divination spells that he knew, yet they yielded nothing of what was to come, save that the traitors would be from the church of Talos. That made no sense to him. Destroyers fighting against the Church? They were the strongest supporters of the Jenovese: they of all people sought the fall of the RoK the most. Still, it rang in his thoughts, and the Voice had remained strangely silent until tonight.
"Sseek yyourr counssell, Apposstlle. Thhe watterss of Rrebirthh, aand thhe bllood of tthe pplannet hholld thhe aansswerss youu sseek." The sinuous message from a thousand souls speaking at once rang from within his mind; images flashing in quick succession before his eyes. The divination ritual had been lain bare before him, yet another work of great magick given to him as a reward for his Faith. Quickly, Grobnak fell to his knees to offer praise to The Apprentice for this vision, and to ask for the Elder God's favor on the ritual to come. He would lay there, kneeling in prayer for hours to come, seeking the wisdom of the gods, and the power to do what needed to be done.
As Grobnak prayed, other Chosen of The Apprentice gathered together in the Haon'Dor forest, outside of a hamlet in the Elven Village. For hours they waited, listening to the soft gurgles of an elven infant, and occasionally the high-pitched whine as the child cried. There was no doubt as they waited: the child's life would be sacrificed for the greater good. There was no room for traitors in the Church. They, too, had heard The Voice. They knew what was needed. The child would not be forgotten by The Apprentice. When The Rebirth came, the child would once again be granted a chance at life. When that chance came, the child would be grateful for the fact that his doom didn't lie hanging over his head. Consoling themselves with this knowledge, the Chosen waited, patiently studying the residents of the village.
Others still gathered within the Jihad Compound, hearing the instructions of The Voice, preparing the ceremony for their Talosian leader. Silently at first, they lit the incense within the Chamber of Vows, then began chanting the arcane words called for in the ceremony. Three men left the room in three directions, still chanting the quiet dirge, only to return moments later. One bore an empty tub of silver; the other two plain chalices filled with fluid.
Night fell quickly on the infant's hamlet, and the Chosen acted quickly. Garbed in clothing enchanted to keep their movements silent and invisible, they crept upon the small home, their cracked and scarred faces shining dully in the moonlight. In one deft motion, the leader of the troupe dispelled the protective enchantments protecting the entrance, and snuck within. Another man, straggling behind the others, made silent gestures in the air, manipulating the Weave to prevent any noise from escaping the small home. The struggle was brief, and within only moments the elfin child had been procured. Again, the Chosen consoled themselves with the necessity of the task before them. After the Rebirth, this child would learn to be grateful.
After rising to his feet once more, Grobnak donned his priestly vestments and ventured out into the Chamber of Vows. All was prepared, as it always was when The Voice spoke these days. In some ways Grobnak missed the days when he had only The Voice for company, and others thought him mad. Still, solitude and prayer were privileges he had grown accustomed to, and he had no desire to give either of them up. Stepping heavily into the Chamber, Grobnak inhaled the Vapors, clearing his mind of all thought but that of his Faith, and his desire to see The Rebirth. Stepping before the small silver tub, he uttered the words that would begin the ceremony, "Vitalus donae, judas divinus torael!"
Their voices now threadbare whispers, the Chosen who had begun the chant hours ago stepped forward, the litany still fresh upon their lips. Another Chosen entered the Chamber from the south, the elfin child wailing as he cradled it in his arms before lowering it into the tub laying at the center of the room. Two others also stepped forward, dabbing viscous brown and black fluids on the child's limbs and forehead in the shape of arcanic runes before dumping the contents of their chalices entirely into the tub. The changes in the child were visible as his limbs blackened and the skin cracked in red welts wherever the fluid touched.
The chalice bearers left the room as the other Chosen continued their husky chant. Grobnak began the invocation as they came and went, several times over to empty their cups into the tub. Soon, the infant's screams were silenced as it was submerged and began to die. At the culmination of the ritual, as the child's heart beat its last, Grobnak looked down upon the pool, tears of self-loathing in his demonic eyes, to view those who would betray the nation of Jenova. There, flickering in the brown and black waves above the child's face, were the images of Violent and Wermidon bowing before Talos himself. Grobnak reeled in shock despite his mental preparations for the worst. A fellow Council member and leader of Talos' church! He could never have been prepared for such a devastating blow.
As if sensing Grobnak's presence through the passage of time, his deity seemed to smile at him through the images. Indeed, Grobnak almost felt as though, at the back of his mind, he heard a voice whispering of purging the weak among the Destroyers, though he wasn't certain. The images held before him, as each of the Chosen stepped forward to get their own look at the traitors. Then the images moved forward in time, granting their audience a vision of Wermidon taking a journey, another of Violent seeking him out, and still others of those who had Fallen from Salvation.
Sensing the fading power of the ritual, Grobnak turned a fleeting thought to Emalia and her whereabouts - and whether or not she, a Guardian, could really believe The Truth without betraying the Jenovese to the pressures of her old life. The images flickered and swirled, showing a hazy outline of the young girl on a ship headed toward what appeared to be the sun, accompanied by two others.
A final image appeared before the scene ended; an image of a rose-colored building surrounded by clergy garbed in similarly colored clothing. A Temple of Lathander. Was this the journey she had intended to make? Her image had been unclear. From this, Grobnak knew that any betrayal in Emalia's heart was not yet certain.
Yet she was being attended to by strangers. Grobnak frowned in thought. Action had to be taken.
The Chosen who had spent the past few hours performing and preparing the ritual were already dissembling. They also knew that steps had to be taken against this new threat, and were preparing to do so. Turning to one of his attendants, Grobnak whispered an order to her in a fervent hiss, "A contingent is to be sent to the Forest of Destruction at once! Send only those who follow both the Storm Lord and the RoK. More eyes are needed there."
Passing a small, rectangular ornament to the blistered woman, he continued, "See to it using my seal, Child. You must also return to my chambers within the hour for a message, to be delivered to Nephesh Vishara. His aid is needed in another matter." Grobnak thought of the small halfling slave he'd bought at the Westbridge Pawnshop a two years ago, and what had become of the mute Lathanderite. To think that Emalia was headed toward the very temple he'd sent the boy to only a year ago... . To give him such a boon, surely even Tymora was smiling upon him today.
He had performed the strongest divination spells that he knew, yet they yielded nothing of what was to come, save that the traitors would be from the church of Talos. That made no sense to him. Destroyers fighting against the Church? They were the strongest supporters of the Jenovese: they of all people sought the fall of the RoK the most. Still, it rang in his thoughts, and the Voice had remained strangely silent until tonight.
"Sseek yyourr counssell, Apposstlle. Thhe watterss of Rrebirthh, aand thhe bllood of tthe pplannet hholld thhe aansswerss youu sseek." The sinuous message from a thousand souls speaking at once rang from within his mind; images flashing in quick succession before his eyes. The divination ritual had been lain bare before him, yet another work of great magick given to him as a reward for his Faith. Quickly, Grobnak fell to his knees to offer praise to The Apprentice for this vision, and to ask for the Elder God's favor on the ritual to come. He would lay there, kneeling in prayer for hours to come, seeking the wisdom of the gods, and the power to do what needed to be done.
As Grobnak prayed, other Chosen of The Apprentice gathered together in the Haon'Dor forest, outside of a hamlet in the Elven Village. For hours they waited, listening to the soft gurgles of an elven infant, and occasionally the high-pitched whine as the child cried. There was no doubt as they waited: the child's life would be sacrificed for the greater good. There was no room for traitors in the Church. They, too, had heard The Voice. They knew what was needed. The child would not be forgotten by The Apprentice. When The Rebirth came, the child would once again be granted a chance at life. When that chance came, the child would be grateful for the fact that his doom didn't lie hanging over his head. Consoling themselves with this knowledge, the Chosen waited, patiently studying the residents of the village.
Others still gathered within the Jihad Compound, hearing the instructions of The Voice, preparing the ceremony for their Talosian leader. Silently at first, they lit the incense within the Chamber of Vows, then began chanting the arcane words called for in the ceremony. Three men left the room in three directions, still chanting the quiet dirge, only to return moments later. One bore an empty tub of silver; the other two plain chalices filled with fluid.
Night fell quickly on the infant's hamlet, and the Chosen acted quickly. Garbed in clothing enchanted to keep their movements silent and invisible, they crept upon the small home, their cracked and scarred faces shining dully in the moonlight. In one deft motion, the leader of the troupe dispelled the protective enchantments protecting the entrance, and snuck within. Another man, straggling behind the others, made silent gestures in the air, manipulating the Weave to prevent any noise from escaping the small home. The struggle was brief, and within only moments the elfin child had been procured. Again, the Chosen consoled themselves with the necessity of the task before them. After the Rebirth, this child would learn to be grateful.
After rising to his feet once more, Grobnak donned his priestly vestments and ventured out into the Chamber of Vows. All was prepared, as it always was when The Voice spoke these days. In some ways Grobnak missed the days when he had only The Voice for company, and others thought him mad. Still, solitude and prayer were privileges he had grown accustomed to, and he had no desire to give either of them up. Stepping heavily into the Chamber, Grobnak inhaled the Vapors, clearing his mind of all thought but that of his Faith, and his desire to see The Rebirth. Stepping before the small silver tub, he uttered the words that would begin the ceremony, "Vitalus donae, judas divinus torael!"
Their voices now threadbare whispers, the Chosen who had begun the chant hours ago stepped forward, the litany still fresh upon their lips. Another Chosen entered the Chamber from the south, the elfin child wailing as he cradled it in his arms before lowering it into the tub laying at the center of the room. Two others also stepped forward, dabbing viscous brown and black fluids on the child's limbs and forehead in the shape of arcanic runes before dumping the contents of their chalices entirely into the tub. The changes in the child were visible as his limbs blackened and the skin cracked in red welts wherever the fluid touched.
The chalice bearers left the room as the other Chosen continued their husky chant. Grobnak began the invocation as they came and went, several times over to empty their cups into the tub. Soon, the infant's screams were silenced as it was submerged and began to die. At the culmination of the ritual, as the child's heart beat its last, Grobnak looked down upon the pool, tears of self-loathing in his demonic eyes, to view those who would betray the nation of Jenova. There, flickering in the brown and black waves above the child's face, were the images of Violent and Wermidon bowing before Talos himself. Grobnak reeled in shock despite his mental preparations for the worst. A fellow Council member and leader of Talos' church! He could never have been prepared for such a devastating blow.
As if sensing Grobnak's presence through the passage of time, his deity seemed to smile at him through the images. Indeed, Grobnak almost felt as though, at the back of his mind, he heard a voice whispering of purging the weak among the Destroyers, though he wasn't certain. The images held before him, as each of the Chosen stepped forward to get their own look at the traitors. Then the images moved forward in time, granting their audience a vision of Wermidon taking a journey, another of Violent seeking him out, and still others of those who had Fallen from Salvation.
Sensing the fading power of the ritual, Grobnak turned a fleeting thought to Emalia and her whereabouts - and whether or not she, a Guardian, could really believe The Truth without betraying the Jenovese to the pressures of her old life. The images flickered and swirled, showing a hazy outline of the young girl on a ship headed toward what appeared to be the sun, accompanied by two others.
A final image appeared before the scene ended; an image of a rose-colored building surrounded by clergy garbed in similarly colored clothing. A Temple of Lathander. Was this the journey she had intended to make? Her image had been unclear. From this, Grobnak knew that any betrayal in Emalia's heart was not yet certain.
Yet she was being attended to by strangers. Grobnak frowned in thought. Action had to be taken.
The Chosen who had spent the past few hours performing and preparing the ritual were already dissembling. They also knew that steps had to be taken against this new threat, and were preparing to do so. Turning to one of his attendants, Grobnak whispered an order to her in a fervent hiss, "A contingent is to be sent to the Forest of Destruction at once! Send only those who follow both the Storm Lord and the RoK. More eyes are needed there."
Passing a small, rectangular ornament to the blistered woman, he continued, "See to it using my seal, Child. You must also return to my chambers within the hour for a message, to be delivered to Nephesh Vishara. His aid is needed in another matter." Grobnak thought of the small halfling slave he'd bought at the Westbridge Pawnshop a two years ago, and what had become of the mute Lathanderite. To think that Emalia was headed toward the very temple he'd sent the boy to only a year ago... . To give him such a boon, surely even Tymora was smiling upon him today.
Divide and Conquer
Throm rubbed the day old growth of stubble upon his chin thoughtfully. Taking the letter back from Jayden, he stood back from the pool glancing upwards in contemplation. 'On one hand, I can understand and respect a person's request for solitude. On the other hand however, this "if I live" part within the note does not sit well with me.' Flicking the letter with his index finger he put it carefully within his inner pocket. 'Usually I could count on my magic to locate those I wish to find, however if Hellstrom does not wish to be found I have no doubt he has taken measures to ensure that divination will not allow him to be followed.' Looking down to the resting man in the pool, he nodded as if in agreement. 'I agree with you Jayden, it would be most unwise of us to attempt to change the path which Emalia has chosen. Forcing our beliefs on her would only serve to drive her away from the Guardians, we have not the right to do so. However she too must be found, especially in light of events of more recent nature. Just because we won't be trying to change her mind, doesn't mean we can't keep an eye out for her whilst she holds the company of Jihad. Meanwhile, perhaps I can persuade you to join me in search of our Hellstrom?'
Murmuring a thanks to Jayden, he drew Taryn eastward into the library. After uttering a small incantation, a small lamp illuminated the darkened room giving both of them, light by which to see. In attempts to lighten the air, Throm allowed a small smile to escape his lips. 'That's it...once we get everyone back together no one is allowed to leave the clan hall.' Shrugging slightly he scratched the back of his head, turning to face his friend. 'Hellstrom has most likely retreated into the forests where he is most comfortable. Though the woods are not necessarily my most comfortable of areas, we shall begin our search for him there. Any words of wisdom as to where would be the best place to start?' Drawing a deep breath, Throm leaned upon the chair next to him.
'And then there is Emalia. Though there are no signs that she is in danger I fear it would be foolish of us not to keep tabs on her for the present time. I care not which deity she should choose to follow, however her safety is of course paramount. Can you find her trail and ensure her safety?'
Murmuring a thanks to Jayden, he drew Taryn eastward into the library. After uttering a small incantation, a small lamp illuminated the darkened room giving both of them, light by which to see. In attempts to lighten the air, Throm allowed a small smile to escape his lips. 'That's it...once we get everyone back together no one is allowed to leave the clan hall.' Shrugging slightly he scratched the back of his head, turning to face his friend. 'Hellstrom has most likely retreated into the forests where he is most comfortable. Though the woods are not necessarily my most comfortable of areas, we shall begin our search for him there. Any words of wisdom as to where would be the best place to start?' Drawing a deep breath, Throm leaned upon the chair next to him.
'And then there is Emalia. Though there are no signs that she is in danger I fear it would be foolish of us not to keep tabs on her for the present time. I care not which deity she should choose to follow, however her safety is of course paramount. Can you find her trail and ensure her safety?'
Night Thoughts
Emalia heard the door close as Colin left. She let out a small huff and pulled the covers up to her chin. She stared upward into the darkness, coming to several conclusions and wondering many things.
Colin had been by her side this whole time – even when she didn't want him there - he was. Part of her was quite irritated at his lack of trust in her - the way he followed her anyway even when she asked him not to - but still, he had come to save her.
The boat rocked in slow motion, lurching upward to rise over a swell, then dipping downward ever so slightly as it slipped to the other side. Soon they would be in Port Llast, the journey to begin, and both Colin and Tamilyn would be with her.
Perhaps it was time to realize who her true friends were - those that didn't hate her, or her choices... but those that stood by her even when they didn't agree (and didn't tell her not to talk about it), and those that continued standing by her while she followed foolish impulses in manners of love.
Already, the trip had proved to be enlightening. She had found a friend that respected her even with her choice, and discovered someone that had been right in front of her all along. Hopefully, the trip to Lathander would start her along to the Temple of Light.
With that thought, Emalia wondered about Grobnak and how he was doing. She sighed and closed her eyes, her thoughts melding into her dreams as she fell asleep.
Colin had been by her side this whole time – even when she didn't want him there - he was. Part of her was quite irritated at his lack of trust in her - the way he followed her anyway even when she asked him not to - but still, he had come to save her.
The boat rocked in slow motion, lurching upward to rise over a swell, then dipping downward ever so slightly as it slipped to the other side. Soon they would be in Port Llast, the journey to begin, and both Colin and Tamilyn would be with her.
Perhaps it was time to realize who her true friends were - those that didn't hate her, or her choices... but those that stood by her even when they didn't agree (and didn't tell her not to talk about it), and those that continued standing by her while she followed foolish impulses in manners of love.
Already, the trip had proved to be enlightening. She had found a friend that respected her even with her choice, and discovered someone that had been right in front of her all along. Hopefully, the trip to Lathander would start her along to the Temple of Light.
With that thought, Emalia wondered about Grobnak and how he was doing. She sighed and closed her eyes, her thoughts melding into her dreams as she fell asleep.
The "Rescue"
Colin paced the small isle in the cargo hold of a sailing vessel who's name he didn't even know. It was pitch dark, yet Colin could still see the barrels and crates stacked all around him as if merely shaded by mist. It was a smallish vessel and the hold was cramped yet Colin walked to occupy his mind, not to stretch his legs. It's strange, Colin thought to himself, "here I am trying to protect Emalia from this woman, yet I'm reliant on her tracking abilities to catch up to Emalia." Colin shook his head at the absurdity and, reaching the end of the aisle, turned around for another lap. It was then he heard the squeaking grind of metal against metal that told him someone was opening the cargo door latch. He quickly slipped himself between two of the crates and into a small space behind them he had created for hiding.
The door swung open and light flooded the hold. Colin heard a gruff voice call out, muffled by the crates, "Yah better get yah backside over heah ta help me, Sorgi. I'm not gonnah carry them pickles up by myself."
Sorgi's reply was even more muffled, "Hold yer horses, Jaco. I'm comin'."
Colin heard shuffling boot steps as the two men descended the wooden steps into the cargo hold. "I don't know why the cap'n needs the whole barrel of em anyway. Why can't we jus bring him up a bucket full like usual?" Sorgi complained.
"Oh, stop yah complainin'. I bet he just wants tah impress our ladah guests with his cucumbah riches." Jaco replied with a snorting laugh.
Sorgi joined in the laughter and Colin heard a muffled smack that sounded like a slap on the back. "I could see why. Did ya see one they fished outta the water? Young, thin, dark hair, pale skin... I could break that little girl in half. I tell yah Jaco, I'd love to give her MY pickle if ya know what I mean."
As the two men joined in a fresh round of laughter Colin's eyes narrowed in fury and a red glow faintly illuminated the crates before his face. Emalia!, he thought, "I'll kill every one of them and..." His train of thought stopped there, redirected just as quickly as throwing an actual rail switch. "I will save her. I just have to get her off this ship."
Colin waited with extreme patience as the men wrestled the barrel out of the hold and up into the daylight. Just as the door was closing Colin slid out from his hiding place. Judging from the angle of those last rays of light before the hatch slammed shut he figured he had about two hours before nightfall. Another hour for complete darkness. It would be three of the longest hours Colin had ever known.
Colin crouched at the top of the stairs leading out of the cargo hold, his ear pressed to the hatch door. The past three hours had been filled with Colin pacing the aisle even faster than before, yet that still didn't stop his mind from filling with all of the terrible things that could happen to Emalia... or might have already happened. Now, had heard nothing for at least 20 minutes and decided it was time to finally make his move. He slid open the latch as silently as possible and lifted the door. It was a dark night with clouds blotting out the waning moon and most of the stars. Colin gave a silent thanks to any god who might care and slipped his large frame out of the hold, easing the hatch closed once more.
Colin was no trained assassin yet he was not entirely unfamiliar with the art of moving undetected. Besides, the sounds of music and slightly off key singing that he heard coming from what he assumed to be the captain's quarters toward the stern indicated the location of at least most of the crew. He scanned his surroundings easily in the darkness, taking note of dingy hoisted by the rail. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
Colin thought, pulling his cloak tight about his broad shoulders and headed quickly towards the crew's quarters. He found himself in a very narrow hallway with evenly spaced doors on either side. Colin found the lack of any guard only slightly disturbing. After all, where could she really go? Colin thought, not wanting to even consider other explanations.
He silently opened door after door, one hand on the knob, one on his sword hilt. Each time filled with anticipation and dread, only to lead to disappointment. Behind the fourth door, however, he found exactly what he was looking for. There, in a small lamp lit room with only a bed and a writing desk, lay Emalia. Colin quickly closed the door and crept over to the bedside. She was breathing slowly, which eased a great deal of his worries, and there were no visible wounds. He breathed a quick sigh of relief and proceeded to wake her. "What are you DOING here?"
It wasn't quite the reception he had expected. Colin figured she must just be in shock. He knew time was essential so he quickly determined she was unhurt and tried to get her to come with him. "I will get you free."
"What do you mean free? I am free." Emalia insisted. Colin's confusion was total. She was talking nonsense.
"They captured you, right?"
Emalia shook her head, clearly irritated. "Colin... they rescued me."
Soon it was all made clear to Colin. Emalia explained to him how Tamilyn was actually a friend, one who knew her mother and father. She had rescued Emalia when she would have otherwise drowned and was now helping her continue her journey.
Colin was left feeling like an idiot. Here he was, trying to save Emalia from a danger that didn't even exist. But the worst part was when Emalia told him that Tamilyn would now be accompanying her on her trip. He couldn't believe it, after how adamantly she had rejected him accompanying her. Her excuse was that she couldn't decline the person who had saved her life but it made no difference to Colin. All he saw was yet again, Emalia was rejecting him in favor of someone else. As far as Colin was concerned it would be the last time. No matter the consequences, he would be her fool no more.
Emalia must have seen the decision on his face when she asked him, "What is it?"
Although he tried to dismiss her question she persisted. Clearly she wasn't going to let it go. Finally he relented. "I just need to stop lying to myself. Obviously you don't care about me like I do about you. I mean... I think you're someone very special, and you're very special to me. But... I don't know... It's just obvious you don't feel the same about me."
Emalia then explained to him how she had never seen him in that way. Her heart had belonged to others, yet they had proceeded to hurt her. Only Colin had stayed by her side. However, Colin barely even heard her words, so wrapped up in his own disappointment and rejection. Only her apology for how she had treated him began to truly gain his attention. He gave his own apology in response. After all, she had been through so much recently, and here he was babbling on about his feelings.
Emalia then motioned for him to come closer to her and he did, leaning himself over the bed. It was then that it happened. It barely registered at the time, with Colin still coming down off his emotional outpour, yet he would not soon forget it. Emalia wrapped her arms around him and placed the gentlest of kisses on his cheek. Everything after would be a blur. They spoke of laughing, value of having friends, and how it would probably be best for Colin to remain hidden until they knew how the crew would react to a stowaway. Finally it was time for Emalia to rest.
Colin took his leave and crept back into the cargo hold as easily as he had left. Now he had no need for pacing. He had but one thought which occupied his mind and it was one he wanted to savor.
The door swung open and light flooded the hold. Colin heard a gruff voice call out, muffled by the crates, "Yah better get yah backside over heah ta help me, Sorgi. I'm not gonnah carry them pickles up by myself."
Sorgi's reply was even more muffled, "Hold yer horses, Jaco. I'm comin'."
Colin heard shuffling boot steps as the two men descended the wooden steps into the cargo hold. "I don't know why the cap'n needs the whole barrel of em anyway. Why can't we jus bring him up a bucket full like usual?" Sorgi complained.
"Oh, stop yah complainin'. I bet he just wants tah impress our ladah guests with his cucumbah riches." Jaco replied with a snorting laugh.
Sorgi joined in the laughter and Colin heard a muffled smack that sounded like a slap on the back. "I could see why. Did ya see one they fished outta the water? Young, thin, dark hair, pale skin... I could break that little girl in half. I tell yah Jaco, I'd love to give her MY pickle if ya know what I mean."
As the two men joined in a fresh round of laughter Colin's eyes narrowed in fury and a red glow faintly illuminated the crates before his face. Emalia!, he thought, "I'll kill every one of them and..." His train of thought stopped there, redirected just as quickly as throwing an actual rail switch. "I will save her. I just have to get her off this ship."
Colin waited with extreme patience as the men wrestled the barrel out of the hold and up into the daylight. Just as the door was closing Colin slid out from his hiding place. Judging from the angle of those last rays of light before the hatch slammed shut he figured he had about two hours before nightfall. Another hour for complete darkness. It would be three of the longest hours Colin had ever known.
Colin crouched at the top of the stairs leading out of the cargo hold, his ear pressed to the hatch door. The past three hours had been filled with Colin pacing the aisle even faster than before, yet that still didn't stop his mind from filling with all of the terrible things that could happen to Emalia... or might have already happened. Now, had heard nothing for at least 20 minutes and decided it was time to finally make his move. He slid open the latch as silently as possible and lifted the door. It was a dark night with clouds blotting out the waning moon and most of the stars. Colin gave a silent thanks to any god who might care and slipped his large frame out of the hold, easing the hatch closed once more.
Colin was no trained assassin yet he was not entirely unfamiliar with the art of moving undetected. Besides, the sounds of music and slightly off key singing that he heard coming from what he assumed to be the captain's quarters toward the stern indicated the location of at least most of the crew. He scanned his surroundings easily in the darkness, taking note of dingy hoisted by the rail. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
Colin thought, pulling his cloak tight about his broad shoulders and headed quickly towards the crew's quarters. He found himself in a very narrow hallway with evenly spaced doors on either side. Colin found the lack of any guard only slightly disturbing. After all, where could she really go? Colin thought, not wanting to even consider other explanations.
He silently opened door after door, one hand on the knob, one on his sword hilt. Each time filled with anticipation and dread, only to lead to disappointment. Behind the fourth door, however, he found exactly what he was looking for. There, in a small lamp lit room with only a bed and a writing desk, lay Emalia. Colin quickly closed the door and crept over to the bedside. She was breathing slowly, which eased a great deal of his worries, and there were no visible wounds. He breathed a quick sigh of relief and proceeded to wake her. "What are you DOING here?"
It wasn't quite the reception he had expected. Colin figured she must just be in shock. He knew time was essential so he quickly determined she was unhurt and tried to get her to come with him. "I will get you free."
"What do you mean free? I am free." Emalia insisted. Colin's confusion was total. She was talking nonsense.
"They captured you, right?"
Emalia shook her head, clearly irritated. "Colin... they rescued me."
Soon it was all made clear to Colin. Emalia explained to him how Tamilyn was actually a friend, one who knew her mother and father. She had rescued Emalia when she would have otherwise drowned and was now helping her continue her journey.
Colin was left feeling like an idiot. Here he was, trying to save Emalia from a danger that didn't even exist. But the worst part was when Emalia told him that Tamilyn would now be accompanying her on her trip. He couldn't believe it, after how adamantly she had rejected him accompanying her. Her excuse was that she couldn't decline the person who had saved her life but it made no difference to Colin. All he saw was yet again, Emalia was rejecting him in favor of someone else. As far as Colin was concerned it would be the last time. No matter the consequences, he would be her fool no more.
Emalia must have seen the decision on his face when she asked him, "What is it?"
Although he tried to dismiss her question she persisted. Clearly she wasn't going to let it go. Finally he relented. "I just need to stop lying to myself. Obviously you don't care about me like I do about you. I mean... I think you're someone very special, and you're very special to me. But... I don't know... It's just obvious you don't feel the same about me."
Emalia then explained to him how she had never seen him in that way. Her heart had belonged to others, yet they had proceeded to hurt her. Only Colin had stayed by her side. However, Colin barely even heard her words, so wrapped up in his own disappointment and rejection. Only her apology for how she had treated him began to truly gain his attention. He gave his own apology in response. After all, she had been through so much recently, and here he was babbling on about his feelings.
Emalia then motioned for him to come closer to her and he did, leaning himself over the bed. It was then that it happened. It barely registered at the time, with Colin still coming down off his emotional outpour, yet he would not soon forget it. Emalia wrapped her arms around him and placed the gentlest of kisses on his cheek. Everything after would be a blur. They spoke of laughing, value of having friends, and how it would probably be best for Colin to remain hidden until they knew how the crew would react to a stowaway. Finally it was time for Emalia to rest.
Colin took his leave and crept back into the cargo hold as easily as he had left. Now he had no need for pacing. He had but one thought which occupied his mind and it was one he wanted to savor.
Nearing Port...
Moonlight danced off the water, casting shadows that danced behind her. Tamilyn, lute in hand, perched on the rail of the ship, legs dangling down and kicking gently back and forth. Her hair was piled atop her head, a mass of waves, curls, and beads, each indistinguishable from the other in the darkness. She wore nothing but a slip, and the wind tugged at it, but she did not seem cold.
Her fingers plucked idly at the strings of her instrument, each note sounding clearly through the air. She struck one and paused, reaching up to tighten the string and plucking it again; this time, she seemed satisfied with the note that rung out. Staring wistfully out over the sea, she heaved a sigh, the random notes beginning to form a song. For a time, she merely played, the mournful music a whisper on the wind that was carried out to sea and toward the other continent. The romantic in her believed the tune would make it all the way across, perhaps to New Thalos, perhaps even to Torregiano. She coddled the thought as she began to sing, voice hushed and melodic.
"A hundred days have made me older since the last time I saw your smilin' face. A thousand lies have made me colder and I don't think I can look disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face..."
She took a breath and let it out with shuddering slowness, allowing the music of her instrument to rise and fall with the waves. She began a chorus, paused when she choked on the words, and began again when the music came around.
"I'm here without you, baby, but you're still on my lonely mind. I think about you, brother, and I dream about you all the time. I'm here without you, my dears, but you're still with me in my dreams – tonight it's only you and me."
The song continued, the night silent, the stars listening to the melody carried up to them. Tomorrow, they would be away from the sea's calm, comforting presence. Even now, in the moonlight, she could make out the silhouette of Port Llast, and they had set down anchor to wait for sunrise to approach. Emalia was doing better, her energy restored and no lasting harm done from her flight. It had been nice, a part of Tamilyn reflected, for the men's attention to be on someone other than herself.
Tomorrow. A trip to Waterdeep, a journey with a new companion. Tonight... Tonight she sang.
Her fingers plucked idly at the strings of her instrument, each note sounding clearly through the air. She struck one and paused, reaching up to tighten the string and plucking it again; this time, she seemed satisfied with the note that rung out. Staring wistfully out over the sea, she heaved a sigh, the random notes beginning to form a song. For a time, she merely played, the mournful music a whisper on the wind that was carried out to sea and toward the other continent. The romantic in her believed the tune would make it all the way across, perhaps to New Thalos, perhaps even to Torregiano. She coddled the thought as she began to sing, voice hushed and melodic.
"A hundred days have made me older since the last time I saw your smilin' face. A thousand lies have made me colder and I don't think I can look disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face..."
She took a breath and let it out with shuddering slowness, allowing the music of her instrument to rise and fall with the waves. She began a chorus, paused when she choked on the words, and began again when the music came around.
"I'm here without you, baby, but you're still on my lonely mind. I think about you, brother, and I dream about you all the time. I'm here without you, my dears, but you're still with me in my dreams – tonight it's only you and me."
The song continued, the night silent, the stars listening to the melody carried up to them. Tomorrow, they would be away from the sea's calm, comforting presence. Even now, in the moonlight, she could make out the silhouette of Port Llast, and they had set down anchor to wait for sunrise to approach. Emalia was doing better, her energy restored and no lasting harm done from her flight. It had been nice, a part of Tamilyn reflected, for the men's attention to be on someone other than herself.
Tomorrow. A trip to Waterdeep, a journey with a new companion. Tonight... Tonight she sang.
Savior
Emalia stared toward the ceiling, listening to the creaking of the ship surrounding her. She didn't notice the shaft of light from the opening of her door, too busy was she in the confines of her mind being grateful to The Apprentice for saving her.
"Well, hello there," a soft voice said. It was the very woman that saved her. In a fashion almost like her mother, the short woman had a cup of tea from nowhere – something to give her energy. She drank and they talked – Tamilyn making a passing remark on her resemblance to her father, and the thought that Sanria might have done a little better in teaching her daughter not to take off over the waves. 'She knows them,' Emalia thought. 'She's one of the few that do.'
Emalia eventually informed the woman before her that she was on her way to visit the temple of Lathander. When Tamilyn told her that she didn't need to cross the sea, Emalia let out a tiny sigh. "I just knew of the one far far away... and I don't mind being far away." "Oh? Trouble, dear?" "Well, I suppose you could call it that. But... visiting the temple should solve that." "Faith is a marvelous thing when found. Odd how many people view it as lost..."
The two talked as the boat rocked, and on the occasional lull in conversation, Emalia found herself wondering how the desk was able to stay in the same place. She watched the woman before her, grateful that she didn't turn on her once she found out about her faith. Over a tin of Tamilyn's home baked cookies, they went over many things. "I am doing what I can to save the realms. Bring about balance."
"You have a kind heart. One day, we may debate such issues... but I think you need something else right now. Including... cookie?" The tin slid to Emalia and she gratefully split the last circular disk of heaven in two. "So how long do you think until we reach the other side of this sea?" "We should arrive in Port Llast in two days, as long as the weather holds. From there, I would venture you have about a day's journey to Waterdeep, where one of the largest of the Dawnbringer's churches stands."
In the back of her mind, Emalia remembered her time in Port Llast. Ending up there due to her own magical mishap, she had wandered the port city, and bought a glass of their famous lemonade for Hellstrom. Though she smiled outwardly, inside she continued seeing the face of Hellstrom and their time in the woods, that seemed to be ages ago.
Returning to the present, it was agreed that Tamilyn would accompany Emalia on her journey. Certainly, it was supposed to be a lonely road, but how could she deny the very woman that saved her life to make the journey possible? With a quick run down of where everything was - Emalia slipped back into the bed as Tamilyn left. She would need as much rest as possible to walk her path.
"Well, hello there," a soft voice said. It was the very woman that saved her. In a fashion almost like her mother, the short woman had a cup of tea from nowhere – something to give her energy. She drank and they talked – Tamilyn making a passing remark on her resemblance to her father, and the thought that Sanria might have done a little better in teaching her daughter not to take off over the waves. 'She knows them,' Emalia thought. 'She's one of the few that do.'
Emalia eventually informed the woman before her that she was on her way to visit the temple of Lathander. When Tamilyn told her that she didn't need to cross the sea, Emalia let out a tiny sigh. "I just knew of the one far far away... and I don't mind being far away." "Oh? Trouble, dear?" "Well, I suppose you could call it that. But... visiting the temple should solve that." "Faith is a marvelous thing when found. Odd how many people view it as lost..."
The two talked as the boat rocked, and on the occasional lull in conversation, Emalia found herself wondering how the desk was able to stay in the same place. She watched the woman before her, grateful that she didn't turn on her once she found out about her faith. Over a tin of Tamilyn's home baked cookies, they went over many things. "I am doing what I can to save the realms. Bring about balance."
"You have a kind heart. One day, we may debate such issues... but I think you need something else right now. Including... cookie?" The tin slid to Emalia and she gratefully split the last circular disk of heaven in two. "So how long do you think until we reach the other side of this sea?" "We should arrive in Port Llast in two days, as long as the weather holds. From there, I would venture you have about a day's journey to Waterdeep, where one of the largest of the Dawnbringer's churches stands."
In the back of her mind, Emalia remembered her time in Port Llast. Ending up there due to her own magical mishap, she had wandered the port city, and bought a glass of their famous lemonade for Hellstrom. Though she smiled outwardly, inside she continued seeing the face of Hellstrom and their time in the woods, that seemed to be ages ago.
Returning to the present, it was agreed that Tamilyn would accompany Emalia on her journey. Certainly, it was supposed to be a lonely road, but how could she deny the very woman that saved her life to make the journey possible? With a quick run down of where everything was - Emalia slipped back into the bed as Tamilyn left. She would need as much rest as possible to walk her path.
The Letter
As both Taryn and Throm stood there in the hall Jayden looked back and fourth at both of them, unaware of where to start. He started to speak toward both of them announcing the situation at hand, that Emalia had started off her path toward Jihad, and that our attempts to pull her back have seemed futile. "Do no, go to her and confront her, this will only draw her further away from us." He wanted to make it clear that the only option we had at this time was wait. Jayden then looked over the note once again and spoke "Hellstrom feels that this is all his fault, that he could have stopped this from happening." Jayden knew this was all wrong, he knew that Hellstrom could not have stopped this terrible thing from happening, and only if he could get Hellstrom to figure this out. Jayden peered over at Throm and spoke lightly "We must find Hellstrom...We need him, to continue the push toward Jihad. We cannot let him leave, because he is a great asset to getting Emalia back, she trusts him as much as she trusts me, but I am old and cannot fight for her like he can." Jayden turned his back from Taryn and Throm and thought for a minute 'Maybe...maybe this Insignia will work.' Jayden began to run a finger over the Insignia hoping Hellstrom would hear even if it meant Hellstrom thinking distress. Jayden turned back to both of them and spoke once again "Taryn, you must find Emalia, we seem to have....lost her. That is all..." Jayden then took his cane and slapped it on the ground, gimping back to his quarters to sit on his floor and think....
A Quiet Night
Taryn sat in the library as she often did with the books and the silent solitude of her thoughts.
She thought about Hellstrom leaving and wondered what really pushed him to go.
Was there something she missed?
She knew that sometimes she wasn't privy to some of the goings on in the clan hall due to her being deaf. Being not as in the know as she once was it was difficult to keep up with the lip reading to understand everything.
This situation was different though. Now was not the time to just sit by and let things go unsaid or noticed. Hellstrom is her friend and if he is in some sort of trouble, she wanted to be there to help.
Outside of the library, in the sanctuary, she felt the presence of her old friend, Throm. Taryn wandered out into the sanctuary to see if he could maybe answer some of the questions that she had about Hellstrom. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Throm handing Hellstrom's letter to Jayden, reading his lips she saw that he was saying: 'So... perhaps you might be able to enlighten me on the events transpiring as of late...'
Wondering what Jayden may know about this matter, she chimed in, 'What do you know, Jayden... If there is something wrong you have to tell us.'
With that, she leaned on her staff alongside Throm and awaited the answer.
She thought about Hellstrom leaving and wondered what really pushed him to go.
Was there something she missed?
She knew that sometimes she wasn't privy to some of the goings on in the clan hall due to her being deaf. Being not as in the know as she once was it was difficult to keep up with the lip reading to understand everything.
This situation was different though. Now was not the time to just sit by and let things go unsaid or noticed. Hellstrom is her friend and if he is in some sort of trouble, she wanted to be there to help.
Outside of the library, in the sanctuary, she felt the presence of her old friend, Throm. Taryn wandered out into the sanctuary to see if he could maybe answer some of the questions that she had about Hellstrom. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Throm handing Hellstrom's letter to Jayden, reading his lips she saw that he was saying: 'So... perhaps you might be able to enlighten me on the events transpiring as of late...'
Wondering what Jayden may know about this matter, she chimed in, 'What do you know, Jayden... If there is something wrong you have to tell us.'
With that, she leaned on her staff alongside Throm and awaited the answer.
Back to the Maps
"Back again?"
Melchior ignored the jibe and instead took his time shaking the rain from his cloak. Undoing the silver clasp from his neck, he hung the cloak next to the store's front door. Melancholy glanced up momentarily from the map she was studying.
"You know, you really ought to have your arm looked at."
Melchior flinched involuntarily at the mention of his scars but stayed silent. Slowly he unbuckled his sheath and set it next to a stool. A quick rummage through his pack revealed a polishing cloth and oil. Slowly, methodically, he pulled his sword from the sheath and set to polishing it. Closing his eyes he let his hands slide smoothly over the blade. This was his routine for clearing his often confused thoughts. But today, thoughts were not fading so quickly. Concentration seemed out of his grasp and before he knew it the blade slipped out of his hands, ringing clearly as the metal struck the stone floor.
"A bit agitated, are we?"
Melancholy had taken off her glasses and was looking intently at Melchior. Sullenly, he picked up the sword and sheathed it again. He leaned the sheathed sword against a stack of parchment as he walked to the store's small window, . With crossed arms, Melchior stood looking as the people of Westbridge moved through Common Square. "You're going to have to say something eventually." "How do these people not care? You'd think it wasn't sitting up there, waiting for its moment." "Plenty of them care, my boy. You've just not given yourself a chance to find those that do." "Oh, I've found some that care. Indeed." Melchior turned to Melancholy, clearly angry. "Jihad. Seriously? And now they have Emalia believing their insanity. They won't stop until this world is ashes, and she believes that somehow this is a GOOD thing?" "I'm sorry to hear it. She seemed like a good one. Someone you would have..." A dark look from Melchior cut her short. Nodding, Melancholy said, "I am sorry." "Perhaps it's time to just give up. We've heard nothing, we've found nothing. Let these Jenovese have their way." "You can't let a setback like this throw you. Have faith that we'll find it yet. You can't let the progress we have made slide to the wayside." Putting her glasses back on, Melancholy tapped a point on the map she'd been studying. "Now come over here. Give me hand with this map."
Melchior sighed and pulled his stool over to Melancholy's desk. There was little use in arguing. She was right after all. Everything he'd done over the last months had been to one end; Melchior knew he wasn't about to throw it all away.
They would find the sword. They would use the sword if they could. Or they would find someone to use it in their stead. It was to be another long night of study.
Melchior ignored the jibe and instead took his time shaking the rain from his cloak. Undoing the silver clasp from his neck, he hung the cloak next to the store's front door. Melancholy glanced up momentarily from the map she was studying.
"You know, you really ought to have your arm looked at."
Melchior flinched involuntarily at the mention of his scars but stayed silent. Slowly he unbuckled his sheath and set it next to a stool. A quick rummage through his pack revealed a polishing cloth and oil. Slowly, methodically, he pulled his sword from the sheath and set to polishing it. Closing his eyes he let his hands slide smoothly over the blade. This was his routine for clearing his often confused thoughts. But today, thoughts were not fading so quickly. Concentration seemed out of his grasp and before he knew it the blade slipped out of his hands, ringing clearly as the metal struck the stone floor.
"A bit agitated, are we?"
Melancholy had taken off her glasses and was looking intently at Melchior. Sullenly, he picked up the sword and sheathed it again. He leaned the sheathed sword against a stack of parchment as he walked to the store's small window, . With crossed arms, Melchior stood looking as the people of Westbridge moved through Common Square. "You're going to have to say something eventually." "How do these people not care? You'd think it wasn't sitting up there, waiting for its moment." "Plenty of them care, my boy. You've just not given yourself a chance to find those that do." "Oh, I've found some that care. Indeed." Melchior turned to Melancholy, clearly angry. "Jihad. Seriously? And now they have Emalia believing their insanity. They won't stop until this world is ashes, and she believes that somehow this is a GOOD thing?" "I'm sorry to hear it. She seemed like a good one. Someone you would have..." A dark look from Melchior cut her short. Nodding, Melancholy said, "I am sorry." "Perhaps it's time to just give up. We've heard nothing, we've found nothing. Let these Jenovese have their way." "You can't let a setback like this throw you. Have faith that we'll find it yet. You can't let the progress we have made slide to the wayside." Putting her glasses back on, Melancholy tapped a point on the map she'd been studying. "Now come over here. Give me hand with this map."
Melchior sighed and pulled his stool over to Melancholy's desk. There was little use in arguing. She was right after all. Everything he'd done over the last months had been to one end; Melchior knew he wasn't about to throw it all away.
They would find the sword. They would use the sword if they could. Or they would find someone to use it in their stead. It was to be another long night of study.
In New Thalos
Colin found the New Thalosian market square to be exactly what he had hoped for. Countless vendors and stalls seemingly offered anything money could buy. A myriad of scents assailed him: perfumes, incense, smoked meats, and the occasional unwashed body. The crowd of people doing business in the square made it quite easy to keep one eye on Emalia as the other surveyed the offerings all round him. As Colin watched Emalia she entered a shop that dealt in pets. "What a strange choice," Colin thought to himself, but he welcomed the chance to purchase some proper supplies. After all, it was much easier to watch a stationary doorway than a moving target.
"You there!," called a olive-skinned vendor who sat turning an unknown animal on a large roasting spit. "A big man like yourself needs lots of meat to feed those muscles. One copper a slice, two for a sandwich. My wife baked the bread fresh!"
"Sorry friend," Colin replied with a slight grin, "you're barking up the wrong tree. But I'll give you that copper if you can help me out. Where can I get some clothes, and maybe a couple of blankets? Somewhere close."
"Halan's right over there. It's not the fanciest stuff but he should have what you need."
Colin tossed a copper coin to the man and made his way over to Halan's stand, all the while keeping watch over the door to the pet shop. Indeed, the selection of clothing and fabrics laid out on Halan's tables was surprisingly vast. Colin quickly picked out a nondescript shirt and cloak which were not so much necessary for their warmth or protection, but for their ability to conceal him. After a moment's consideration, he picked out a medium weight blanket. "Not that I need it," Colin thought to himself, "but it's good to keep up appearances." "That's 12 silver friend." Halan informed Colin.
Colin glared at the man, knowing he was being ripped off. "How about I just slit..." Colin stopped short there, the glare vanishing. At that moment he saw Emalia emerge from the pet shop, wheeling a large wooden cage before her. "Is that a tiger?" Colin said aloud to himself. He quickly fished out 12 silver pieces and placed them before a bewildered and somewhat shaken looking Halan.
Colin quickly moved into a better position to see Emalia, who abandoned the tiger right outside of the shop and started heading quickly towards the east. Just as he began to follow her something else caught his eye, an exceptionally short woman who seemed to be paying as much attention to Emalia as he. Colin would probably have not even noticed her had it not been for the monkey who was perched upon her shoulder. Thoughts of the spies that Emalia had once mentioned immediately sprang into his head. "This can't be good." Colin thought.
Colin's dread intensified as the small stranger began following Emalia eastward through the crowded square. "At least this makes it easy to keep an eye on both of them." Colin thought to himself as he threw on his new cloak and set out after the both of them.
The three of them made their way eastward through the city, one after another, two stealthily ducklings following an unknowing mother. After some time they arrived at the eastern edge of the city. There were a great number of docks jutting like fingers into a huge expanse of water. Colin positioned himself behind a stack of wooden crates as Emalia stopped before one of the docks. She seemed to survey her surroundings and suddenly lifted into the air, pausing only a moment before flying off over the water.
"Damn." Colin cursed under his breath. "If only I could be free of this damned..." Colin's thoughts stopped there and his attention quickly shifted to the small woman who had also been following Emalia. She was headed over towards a dock where a quick-looking sailing vessel was anchored. Deciding there was not so much need for stealth not that Emalia had flown off, Colin walked over closer toward the woman, busying himself with inspecting some crates waiting to be loaded. She approached a man who looked the be the captain of the vessel and Colin watched as they spoke. The ship captain's demeanor indicated the two were at least acquaintances and they talked for some time. Although Colin was only able to catch small bits of the conversation it was enough to gather she planned to sail on the vessel in the direction Emalia had headed.
The small woman departed to prepare for her journey and Colin made a quick decision. He removed his cloak, pulled himself up to his full height, and approached the captain of the vessel. "It looks like you could use another hand loading your ship. I'm strong and I work cheap."
The captain surveyed Colin, a shrewd look on his face "Normally I'd tell ye t'move on. I don much like strangers. But, it just so happens I need to step up me schedule a bit. I want all of these loaded in the next 20 minutes. Get that done and I'll give ya 5 silver." "Agreed." Colin said with a nod and quickly got to work.
The crates were large and heavy yet easy for him to handle and the work gave him a great opportunity to learn the bowels of the ship. When the work was done it was not difficult to load the last bit of cargo into the ship's hold before the journey began... himself.
"You there!," called a olive-skinned vendor who sat turning an unknown animal on a large roasting spit. "A big man like yourself needs lots of meat to feed those muscles. One copper a slice, two for a sandwich. My wife baked the bread fresh!"
"Sorry friend," Colin replied with a slight grin, "you're barking up the wrong tree. But I'll give you that copper if you can help me out. Where can I get some clothes, and maybe a couple of blankets? Somewhere close."
"Halan's right over there. It's not the fanciest stuff but he should have what you need."
Colin tossed a copper coin to the man and made his way over to Halan's stand, all the while keeping watch over the door to the pet shop. Indeed, the selection of clothing and fabrics laid out on Halan's tables was surprisingly vast. Colin quickly picked out a nondescript shirt and cloak which were not so much necessary for their warmth or protection, but for their ability to conceal him. After a moment's consideration, he picked out a medium weight blanket. "Not that I need it," Colin thought to himself, "but it's good to keep up appearances." "That's 12 silver friend." Halan informed Colin.
Colin glared at the man, knowing he was being ripped off. "How about I just slit..." Colin stopped short there, the glare vanishing. At that moment he saw Emalia emerge from the pet shop, wheeling a large wooden cage before her. "Is that a tiger?" Colin said aloud to himself. He quickly fished out 12 silver pieces and placed them before a bewildered and somewhat shaken looking Halan.
Colin quickly moved into a better position to see Emalia, who abandoned the tiger right outside of the shop and started heading quickly towards the east. Just as he began to follow her something else caught his eye, an exceptionally short woman who seemed to be paying as much attention to Emalia as he. Colin would probably have not even noticed her had it not been for the monkey who was perched upon her shoulder. Thoughts of the spies that Emalia had once mentioned immediately sprang into his head. "This can't be good." Colin thought.
Colin's dread intensified as the small stranger began following Emalia eastward through the crowded square. "At least this makes it easy to keep an eye on both of them." Colin thought to himself as he threw on his new cloak and set out after the both of them.
The three of them made their way eastward through the city, one after another, two stealthily ducklings following an unknowing mother. After some time they arrived at the eastern edge of the city. There were a great number of docks jutting like fingers into a huge expanse of water. Colin positioned himself behind a stack of wooden crates as Emalia stopped before one of the docks. She seemed to survey her surroundings and suddenly lifted into the air, pausing only a moment before flying off over the water.
"Damn." Colin cursed under his breath. "If only I could be free of this damned..." Colin's thoughts stopped there and his attention quickly shifted to the small woman who had also been following Emalia. She was headed over towards a dock where a quick-looking sailing vessel was anchored. Deciding there was not so much need for stealth not that Emalia had flown off, Colin walked over closer toward the woman, busying himself with inspecting some crates waiting to be loaded. She approached a man who looked the be the captain of the vessel and Colin watched as they spoke. The ship captain's demeanor indicated the two were at least acquaintances and they talked for some time. Although Colin was only able to catch small bits of the conversation it was enough to gather she planned to sail on the vessel in the direction Emalia had headed.
The small woman departed to prepare for her journey and Colin made a quick decision. He removed his cloak, pulled himself up to his full height, and approached the captain of the vessel. "It looks like you could use another hand loading your ship. I'm strong and I work cheap."
The captain surveyed Colin, a shrewd look on his face "Normally I'd tell ye t'move on. I don much like strangers. But, it just so happens I need to step up me schedule a bit. I want all of these loaded in the next 20 minutes. Get that done and I'll give ya 5 silver." "Agreed." Colin said with a nod and quickly got to work.
The crates were large and heavy yet easy for him to handle and the work gave him a great opportunity to learn the bowels of the ship. When the work was done it was not difficult to load the last bit of cargo into the ship's hold before the journey began... himself.
A Timely Rescue
Dorian wakes up in the Hall of Mirrors. An angel chants next to her. Looking around Dorian sees Khyron and smiles weakly at him then says, "Thank you" before fainting back into darkness.
Prayers Answered
Emalia was closing the gap fast between herself and the eager water below. She really hadn't thought this through much at all, and felt incredibly stupid that this was how she was going to die. In the middle of nowhere, until she either became fish food, or her body - bloated and unidentifiable no less - would wash up on some distant island. She could almost smell the rot of her own flesh. She looked up again, "Please, Apprentice, if you are there... I believe you are... save me. I know I've had my doubts, I know that I've recently been worried what path to choose, but if you lend me a hand-"
"Man overboard!" Emalia heard the cry somewhere in the distance. She turned, noticing for the first time a rather large boat. It was sleek and even with its size looked thin - obviously made for cutting through the waters at high speed. Its sails fluttered in the wind, thrusting it quickly along the waves. On deck, several men, built with corded muscles, vainly fought with rope to turn the sails. On the deck, amidst the vainly working men, a very short woman raced to the rail.
Emalia was unable to speak, much less ask for help, with her shock being so deep. The Apprentice *had* heard her... he had answered her prayer... he- *Splaooonkshhh* The short woman hit the sea water like a rock. Emalia's mouth fell open even as she drifted further down. Amazed, she watched as the woman that had dropped from the merchant ship resurfaced and swam toward her.
"Gotcha," she barely heard the woman whisper. As soon as the feeling of something solid touched her feet, Emalia looked to the woman, then to the boat, then to the heavens, and passed out with the words, "Thank you," wafting from her lips to be lost on the breeze.
"Man overboard!" Emalia heard the cry somewhere in the distance. She turned, noticing for the first time a rather large boat. It was sleek and even with its size looked thin - obviously made for cutting through the waters at high speed. Its sails fluttered in the wind, thrusting it quickly along the waves. On deck, several men, built with corded muscles, vainly fought with rope to turn the sails. On the deck, amidst the vainly working men, a very short woman raced to the rail.
Emalia was unable to speak, much less ask for help, with her shock being so deep. The Apprentice *had* heard her... he had answered her prayer... he- *Splaooonkshhh* The short woman hit the sea water like a rock. Emalia's mouth fell open even as she drifted further down. Amazed, she watched as the woman that had dropped from the merchant ship resurfaced and swam toward her.
"Gotcha," she barely heard the woman whisper. As soon as the feeling of something solid touched her feet, Emalia looked to the woman, then to the boat, then to the heavens, and passed out with the words, "Thank you," wafting from her lips to be lost on the breeze.
Wet and Cold. And Wet
"Man overboard!" The cry rose from overheard, pulling Tamilyn instantly out of her slumber. Deftly maneuvering out of the hammock strung in her make-shift cabin, the small woman landed with a cat's grace and flew out the door, not caring that all she wore was a breastband and underskirt; it covered her well enough to be modest, anyway.
Launching out onto the deck, Tamilyn rushed to the side of the boat, rising onto her toes to peer out over the water. As she had expected, rather than one of the crew, not far off the bow floated - rather haphazardly - their quarry. "That's her!" she called before swinging her legs up and nimbly straddling the railing. A hand reached out to steady her and she swatted it away.
The woman looked in bad shape, floating scant feet above the water and looking toward the sky. At this distance, it was impossible to tell if she had fallen asleep or was merely accepting her fate as she sunk toward the waves. Either way, it wouldn't be long before her magic gave out, that was obvious enough.
Biting her lip, she judged the distance between them and shook her head. "No good," she murmured, glancing up at the sails. The wind was not blowing in the right direction to swiftly come up upon the woman. "Be ready for her," she directed no one in particular, trusting the crew around her to prepare. With a deft movement, she brought her other leg over the rail and dove into the water.
The waves were brutally cold this time of year, and when she surfaced she took a moment to let her temperature even out before swimming forward. Her strokes were strong, hair plastering against the side of her head, a single bead coming loose and bobbing away. Soon, she was beneath the woman, her feet within reach from where she tread. With quick, practiced motions, she drew wind to her as she would yarn, weaving an invisible basket and raising it up beneath her.
"Gotcha," she whispered, taking up the slack and bringing the woman to rest. Slowly, concentration split between keeping herself afloat in the water and the woman afloat overhead, she made her way back to the ship.
Launching out onto the deck, Tamilyn rushed to the side of the boat, rising onto her toes to peer out over the water. As she had expected, rather than one of the crew, not far off the bow floated - rather haphazardly - their quarry. "That's her!" she called before swinging her legs up and nimbly straddling the railing. A hand reached out to steady her and she swatted it away.
The woman looked in bad shape, floating scant feet above the water and looking toward the sky. At this distance, it was impossible to tell if she had fallen asleep or was merely accepting her fate as she sunk toward the waves. Either way, it wouldn't be long before her magic gave out, that was obvious enough.
Biting her lip, she judged the distance between them and shook her head. "No good," she murmured, glancing up at the sails. The wind was not blowing in the right direction to swiftly come up upon the woman. "Be ready for her," she directed no one in particular, trusting the crew around her to prepare. With a deft movement, she brought her other leg over the rail and dove into the water.
The waves were brutally cold this time of year, and when she surfaced she took a moment to let her temperature even out before swimming forward. Her strokes were strong, hair plastering against the side of her head, a single bead coming loose and bobbing away. Soon, she was beneath the woman, her feet within reach from where she tread. With quick, practiced motions, she drew wind to her as she would yarn, weaving an invisible basket and raising it up beneath her.
"Gotcha," she whispered, taking up the slack and bringing the woman to rest. Slowly, concentration split between keeping herself afloat in the water and the woman afloat overhead, she made her way back to the ship.
Water Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink
The fact that the island that she assumed she would be closing in on wasn't getting any closer was the least of Emalia's worries. She was losing energy - fast. Already the effects of maintaining her spell were wearing on her, and coupled with the fact that she had already been worn out before she even started... "Oh this can't be good. This really can't be good."
Emalia's frame dipped a bit in the air. The sparkling facets of the water seeming not so beautiful now, and more like a bath of glass. If she couldn't maintain her spell, she definitely wouldn't be able to swim, and if she couldn't swim, she would die. Suddenly, she wasn't flying alone - panic dogged her like a faithful friend and began to play about her legs.
The calm, as always, came about naturally. With her time to rest before she set out, she was a little something like her own self. The vicious cycle, however was started. She knew that the calm brought on fatigue, and she began to worry, and with the worry, the calm increased. She was less than five feet from the surface now as she looked skyward pleadingly, "Lathander, Apprentice - please... help me."
Emalia's frame dipped a bit in the air. The sparkling facets of the water seeming not so beautiful now, and more like a bath of glass. If she couldn't maintain her spell, she definitely wouldn't be able to swim, and if she couldn't swim, she would die. Suddenly, she wasn't flying alone - panic dogged her like a faithful friend and began to play about her legs.
The calm, as always, came about naturally. With her time to rest before she set out, she was a little something like her own self. The vicious cycle, however was started. She knew that the calm brought on fatigue, and she began to worry, and with the worry, the calm increased. She was less than five feet from the surface now as she looked skyward pleadingly, "Lathander, Apprentice - please... help me."
Fly? Over the Sea of Swords??
It wasn't often that someone so familiar walked into a shop in her town. Less often was it someone she had actually heard of. Tamilyn looked up from the monkey she had been playing with as the young woman spoke, her eyes appraising the lady's face - and she was a lady, that was obvious enough, clad in pure white robes that appeared not to have seen much travel. She had followed the woman from the road, finding herself trailing one of the women she had been watching for on her own journey back to New Thalos with her bags full from another successful trading run to Westbridge.
"She's looking for a temple of ...Lathander??" Tamilyn murmured as the woman left the store. Slipping a hand to her coin purse, she withdrew a few coins, the opened the monkey's cage and allowed the creature to climb up her arm. He had a kind face and a delightful playfulness; she hated to see him wasting in a cage. She set the coin upon the counter without a word, only nodding to Nabil, and struck out after her mark. Finding her at the docks was easy enough, after the "directions" Nabil had given her - that rascal, anything for a buck, she thought to herself - but it was not until she watched the lady lift herself from the ground and start eastward that Tamilyn decided to truly become involved.
"Hoy, Captain!" she cried, striding toward one of the smaller, faster ships in port. "Hoy, Miss Tami!" a man with a salt and pepper beard and a cunning grin cried back from the deck, raising a hand in greeting. "Comin' aboard?" His eyes took in the monkey perched on her shoulder, picking through her hair, but he did not say a word about it.
"Aye!" she called back, making a quick jaunt up and onto the ship. Its sails were down, but its crew was working steadily to load the last of a number of boxes. "Looks like you're to set off today," she commented as she closed the distance and came to stand beside the man overseeing his crew.
"Aye, we'll be gone within the hour if I've my way," he told her. Then he cracked a wide grin, slapping her on the back as though she were an old comrade - and, a few of the crew remarked, a man. "I know what you're to ask, girly, and ye know you are always welcome on my ship. Those bags look plenty full for a trip to the City of Splendors!"
"Oh, these are incoming, though I am due for Waterdeep soon." Tamilyn looked out over the water. "I'm more interested in that odd woman, though. You saw her, right?"
The captain's face turned grim. "Real pretty, too far in the air to be quite right?" "That's the one. Fool mage is going to get herself killed before she reaches the other side, either drowned or starved from island hopping." She shook her head, the beads in her hair clicking together softly. "I'm no rescue boat," the captain said simply, following Tamilyn's gaze. "But you're a good man, Donovan, and you know I will pay. I want to leave as soon as you're able, I won't deny you your cargo and we can go far longer than she can." She gave a charming smile, though her eyes remained grim. "One candlelength, then, we ought be done. I expect ye'll use your talents to track her..." "I'll be back," Tamilyn vowed, leaving the obvious answer unsaid, and jogged toward the docks again. A quick trip to drop her goods and supply herself for a journey across the sea would be well done within half an hour.
"She's looking for a temple of ...Lathander??" Tamilyn murmured as the woman left the store. Slipping a hand to her coin purse, she withdrew a few coins, the opened the monkey's cage and allowed the creature to climb up her arm. He had a kind face and a delightful playfulness; she hated to see him wasting in a cage. She set the coin upon the counter without a word, only nodding to Nabil, and struck out after her mark. Finding her at the docks was easy enough, after the "directions" Nabil had given her - that rascal, anything for a buck, she thought to herself - but it was not until she watched the lady lift herself from the ground and start eastward that Tamilyn decided to truly become involved.
"Hoy, Captain!" she cried, striding toward one of the smaller, faster ships in port. "Hoy, Miss Tami!" a man with a salt and pepper beard and a cunning grin cried back from the deck, raising a hand in greeting. "Comin' aboard?" His eyes took in the monkey perched on her shoulder, picking through her hair, but he did not say a word about it.
"Aye!" she called back, making a quick jaunt up and onto the ship. Its sails were down, but its crew was working steadily to load the last of a number of boxes. "Looks like you're to set off today," she commented as she closed the distance and came to stand beside the man overseeing his crew.
"Aye, we'll be gone within the hour if I've my way," he told her. Then he cracked a wide grin, slapping her on the back as though she were an old comrade - and, a few of the crew remarked, a man. "I know what you're to ask, girly, and ye know you are always welcome on my ship. Those bags look plenty full for a trip to the City of Splendors!"
"Oh, these are incoming, though I am due for Waterdeep soon." Tamilyn looked out over the water. "I'm more interested in that odd woman, though. You saw her, right?"
The captain's face turned grim. "Real pretty, too far in the air to be quite right?" "That's the one. Fool mage is going to get herself killed before she reaches the other side, either drowned or starved from island hopping." She shook her head, the beads in her hair clicking together softly. "I'm no rescue boat," the captain said simply, following Tamilyn's gaze. "But you're a good man, Donovan, and you know I will pay. I want to leave as soon as you're able, I won't deny you your cargo and we can go far longer than she can." She gave a charming smile, though her eyes remained grim. "One candlelength, then, we ought be done. I expect ye'll use your talents to track her..." "I'll be back," Tamilyn vowed, leaving the obvious answer unsaid, and jogged toward the docks again. A quick trip to drop her goods and supply herself for a journey across the sea would be well done within half an hour.
Into the Sea
Emalia walked up to the gates of New Thalos behind several other travelers. Many of them seemed to appear out of nowhere, riding atop carts drawn by sickly looking mules and horses, others arriving in grand status on the backs of stately steeds. Still others walked the path just as she did, carrying bags almost certain to be laden with goods for sale rather than provisions for a trip. She did not stand out though her robes (recently cleaned), were bright white. With the regalia all around her in the form of merchants, she was in company that paid her no mind at all.
Emalia wandered into the large market square and stopped to take in the sight of it. It crawled with the seediest looking beggars and shops all around. She stopped into one just by chance, full of cages with animals. Nabil grinned easily and spoke in an accent that was completely different from anything Emalia had heard before. "Do you desire pets? I have monkeys, lizards, tigers-" "No... I must know... have you heard of the Temple of Lathander?" Nabil chuckled and waved his hand to his 'merchandise'. "Buy a pet, I will give you directions." "I hardly see how-" "Then leave my store."
Emalia muttered and looked around, choosing to take with her a tiger which, she promised herself, she would free soon. "You must take a boat far east of here." "And then?" "And then you get off the boat. What?"
Emalia sighed deeply and left the shop, walking to the docks. Sailors were everywhere, some loading up their ships, some unloading, and others leering at her with toothy smiles and tipping caps. Choosing to depart without having to ask for a boat, Emalia cast a spell of fly and kicked off from the ground in a small cloud of dirt. She rose only about six feet from the ground but it was enough to send some of the men running to catch a glance under her robe. 'How disgusting,' she thought as she willed herself forward and over the sea.
The water was mostly calm as she drifted over what seemed like an endless expanse. Under the light of the sun, the surface of the water exploded into shimmering light not unlike the brilliant cut of a diamond. The salty air whipped against her face and she breathed it in deeply. Far, far in the distance, she saw what she thought might be an island, and feeling herself slowly wearing out, she sped forward deciding to make camp there to regain her stamina.
Emalia wandered into the large market square and stopped to take in the sight of it. It crawled with the seediest looking beggars and shops all around. She stopped into one just by chance, full of cages with animals. Nabil grinned easily and spoke in an accent that was completely different from anything Emalia had heard before. "Do you desire pets? I have monkeys, lizards, tigers-" "No... I must know... have you heard of the Temple of Lathander?" Nabil chuckled and waved his hand to his 'merchandise'. "Buy a pet, I will give you directions." "I hardly see how-" "Then leave my store."
Emalia muttered and looked around, choosing to take with her a tiger which, she promised herself, she would free soon. "You must take a boat far east of here." "And then?" "And then you get off the boat. What?"
Emalia sighed deeply and left the shop, walking to the docks. Sailors were everywhere, some loading up their ships, some unloading, and others leering at her with toothy smiles and tipping caps. Choosing to depart without having to ask for a boat, Emalia cast a spell of fly and kicked off from the ground in a small cloud of dirt. She rose only about six feet from the ground but it was enough to send some of the men running to catch a glance under her robe. 'How disgusting,' she thought as she willed herself forward and over the sea.
The water was mostly calm as she drifted over what seemed like an endless expanse. Under the light of the sun, the surface of the water exploded into shimmering light not unlike the brilliant cut of a diamond. The salty air whipped against her face and she breathed it in deeply. Far, far in the distance, she saw what she thought might be an island, and feeling herself slowly wearing out, she sped forward deciding to make camp there to regain her stamina.
Emalia's Shadow
As he crouched behind a scrubby bush not far off the eastern road, Colin found himself wishing the vegetation were tall enough to provide some shade. The late afternoon sun beat down upon his back and the muscles in his legs quivered in protest of holding his large frame in such a stooped position.
It had been more difficult than he had anticipated to follow Emalia on this first leg of her journey. The relative lack of other travelers meant that he had to travel the sometimes difficult terrain alongside the road instead of the well-worn road itself. Once, Emalia had caught him off guard by looking back over her shoulder unexpectedly. Colin had successfully ducked behind the low property wall he was following at the time but he had come far too close to being seen. He made it a point to keep additional distance and be more attentive from that point on.
Now, he peered intently at Emalia through the sparsely leaved branches of the bush. Although she was over 100 yards distant he could easily make out her slender, white robed form against the gates of New Thalos rising before her. Colin eagerly anticipated entering the city. It would be much easier to follow Emalia with other people around and it would afford him an opportunity to gather some supplies of his own. He had no idea how long this journey would last, or how far it would take him, but he was determined to follow Emalia to the end.
It had been more difficult than he had anticipated to follow Emalia on this first leg of her journey. The relative lack of other travelers meant that he had to travel the sometimes difficult terrain alongside the road instead of the well-worn road itself. Once, Emalia had caught him off guard by looking back over her shoulder unexpectedly. Colin had successfully ducked behind the low property wall he was following at the time but he had come far too close to being seen. He made it a point to keep additional distance and be more attentive from that point on.
Now, he peered intently at Emalia through the sparsely leaved branches of the bush. Although she was over 100 yards distant he could easily make out her slender, white robed form against the gates of New Thalos rising before her. Colin eagerly anticipated entering the city. It would be much easier to follow Emalia with other people around and it would afford him an opportunity to gather some supplies of his own. He had no idea how long this journey would last, or how far it would take him, but he was determined to follow Emalia to the end.
Setting Off
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.
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.
The Decision
There Colin stood, in the middle of the rutted western road not far outside of Westbridge, his face turned downward. He stared at a dry clump of dirt without seeing it, feeling as if tears might lend some moisture to that dirt clump. Emalia had just left on her journey, alone, and he had allowed her to go. Not much earlier that day he had began to get concerned about her. The last he had spoken to her was the previous day when she was about to talk to Hellstrom about her beliefs once more.
After not hearing from her, Colin had spent almost an hour asking guards around the city if they had seen her and by the time one of them directed him to the western road his concern had grown into worry.
He came upon her on the rutted road, sparse with travelers, not far outside of the city gates. As he was jogging to catch up to her he noticed that she had a very full pack slung over her shoulder and looked to be prepared for an extended trip.
He was not expecting the reception that he had received from her. She told him simply that she was leaving and did not want to discuss it any further. His first assumption was that it was because of Hellstrom. "What did he do to you!?" Colin had demanded.
"Hellstrom did nothing," she had responded, "Melchior came back. I have given up on the cause of love. I've given up on trying to resolve anything with anyone. I'm finished and I'm going on a trip alone to clear my head so excuse me."
Colin had tried to stop her, to offer her comfort, but just as she had so many times before, he was rejected. Emalia had chosen to lump him in with everyone else who had "turned on her". Even after her rejection Colin had insisted that he come with her, and even tried to force the point against her will.
However, in the end, her quiet, heartfelt plea to be left alone had broken his resolve and she had departed alone.
"Why can't she see that I am not the same as them?" Colin thought to himself as he replayed the events in his mind, his gaze still trained upon that lonely clump of dirt at his feet.
"Hey, what are ya, dumb!? Get outta the middle a the road!" yelled a wheezy voice.
Colin looked up and jumped to the side just in time to avoid a vegetable cart pulled by a single horse who seemed far too eager to reach the city gates. Colin did not, however, avoid the squinting glare of the paunchy man with rosy cheeks who drove the cart.
"Why you fat little..." Colin began to think yet stopped there, his mind instead snapping back to his concern for Emalia. How could he let her go off by herself, especially when she had mentioned that spies had followed her recently. "She may not realize it, but she needs me... and I need her."
He had been employed as a bodyguard before, and was practiced at how to watch over someone from afar. This time he would just have to be extra careful not to be seen. If the time came that he had to take action, he would just have to hope that she could understand. "After all, I didn't tell her I wouldn't follow. I just told her to do what she needed to do. I won't stop her from doing that but I must be there if she needs me."
His decision made, Colin quickly started off in the direction Emalia had taken.
After not hearing from her, Colin had spent almost an hour asking guards around the city if they had seen her and by the time one of them directed him to the western road his concern had grown into worry.
He came upon her on the rutted road, sparse with travelers, not far outside of the city gates. As he was jogging to catch up to her he noticed that she had a very full pack slung over her shoulder and looked to be prepared for an extended trip.
He was not expecting the reception that he had received from her. She told him simply that she was leaving and did not want to discuss it any further. His first assumption was that it was because of Hellstrom. "What did he do to you!?" Colin had demanded.
"Hellstrom did nothing," she had responded, "Melchior came back. I have given up on the cause of love. I've given up on trying to resolve anything with anyone. I'm finished and I'm going on a trip alone to clear my head so excuse me."
Colin had tried to stop her, to offer her comfort, but just as she had so many times before, he was rejected. Emalia had chosen to lump him in with everyone else who had "turned on her". Even after her rejection Colin had insisted that he come with her, and even tried to force the point against her will.
However, in the end, her quiet, heartfelt plea to be left alone had broken his resolve and she had departed alone.
"Why can't she see that I am not the same as them?" Colin thought to himself as he replayed the events in his mind, his gaze still trained upon that lonely clump of dirt at his feet.
"Hey, what are ya, dumb!? Get outta the middle a the road!" yelled a wheezy voice.
Colin looked up and jumped to the side just in time to avoid a vegetable cart pulled by a single horse who seemed far too eager to reach the city gates. Colin did not, however, avoid the squinting glare of the paunchy man with rosy cheeks who drove the cart.
"Why you fat little..." Colin began to think yet stopped there, his mind instead snapping back to his concern for Emalia. How could he let her go off by herself, especially when she had mentioned that spies had followed her recently. "She may not realize it, but she needs me... and I need her."
He had been employed as a bodyguard before, and was practiced at how to watch over someone from afar. This time he would just have to be extra careful not to be seen. If the time came that he had to take action, he would just have to hope that she could understand. "After all, I didn't tell her I wouldn't follow. I just told her to do what she needed to do. I won't stop her from doing that but I must be there if she needs me."
His decision made, Colin quickly started off in the direction Emalia had taken.
Fate
Emalia stood in her room - jaw dropped, tears in her eyes, and her tome on the ground - still in the haphazard position it was when Melchior threw it to the ground. He, too, was upset with her choice. He, too, looked upon her as a dealer in death. It set Emalia's resolve once and for all.
Earlier, she had been ready to run away. Again, she would find a new town, a new place, new people and thus not break any vows to anyone. As luck would have it, she stopped into the Prancing Stallion for a bit of water and ran smack into a drunken Grobnak.
She remembered Elbryan's words and was about to go, but she ended up talking to Grobnak anyway. As he found out her plans for leaving and why, he agreed quickly to withdraw his spies from her. She felt so much better, knowing that all it took was a simple request for her to keep her other family from enduring any worries. 'See,' she told herself, 'he's not as bad as they all make him out to be.'
Emalia had almost decided not to take her journey, when Grobnak made a suggestion... to seek out the Temple of Light. The name rang within her soul like a bell - perhaps here would be her clarity. She would seek out not only this place, but a man called 'Keldon', and see if her fate could finally be determined and her questions answered.
Leaving Grobnak at the compound, she went into Westbridge to collect her provisions and ended up in the map shop, hopeful that maybe there would be some sort of direction to this place... and so she stumbled on Melchior... and ended up here, by herself, with his words flailing her skin to shreds like a strand of barbed wire:
"You sentence us all to death!"
Earlier, she had been ready to run away. Again, she would find a new town, a new place, new people and thus not break any vows to anyone. As luck would have it, she stopped into the Prancing Stallion for a bit of water and ran smack into a drunken Grobnak.
She remembered Elbryan's words and was about to go, but she ended up talking to Grobnak anyway. As he found out her plans for leaving and why, he agreed quickly to withdraw his spies from her. She felt so much better, knowing that all it took was a simple request for her to keep her other family from enduring any worries. 'See,' she told herself, 'he's not as bad as they all make him out to be.'
Emalia had almost decided not to take her journey, when Grobnak made a suggestion... to seek out the Temple of Light. The name rang within her soul like a bell - perhaps here would be her clarity. She would seek out not only this place, but a man called 'Keldon', and see if her fate could finally be determined and her questions answered.
Leaving Grobnak at the compound, she went into Westbridge to collect her provisions and ended up in the map shop, hopeful that maybe there would be some sort of direction to this place... and so she stumbled on Melchior... and ended up here, by herself, with his words flailing her skin to shreds like a strand of barbed wire:
"You sentence us all to death!"
The Child
Jayden made his way to the cookie shop, thinking it would be nice to sit around and relax his old bones. As he walked into the shop he noticed a small girl sitting at a table crying 'Oh my gosh, it is Emalia he thought to himself, he hobbled his way over to Emalia and asked her what was wrong. Jayden then proceeded to sit down, placing cane in lap and relaxing little bit, standing for a long time, was now beginning to bear it's troubles with him. Emalia began to speak of the Jihad, Jayden was confused as to how this could happen without him knowing of such things. As Emalia started to get scared of what Jayden would think or say to her, he raised a frail hand and placed it on top of Emalia's, to comfort her, and show her he would not leave her for a choice, he would never leave her side, little did she know the Jayden saw her as one of his own children, he loved this young girl as much as any father could love any son or daughter.
She began discussing Hellstrom, and how he played into this and Jayden felt the need to bring Hellstrom into the picture. Jayden reached a hand up to the Insignia upon his neck and began to run his frail fingers lightly over it. It took but five minutes and Hellstrom appeared at the door. His voice was loud but calm "Yes Jayden?" He motioned for Hellstrom to make his way over and to take a seat. Hellstrom got a little nervous and said if this was to belittle the Jenovese people he would leave because he told Emalia he would not do such a thing. Emalia told him to stay after much debate Jayden suspected.
As they all engaged in talk about what was going on, a loud thud sounded on top of the shop. Jayden was the first to hear this sound so he looked up, the rest followed in suit, and they all arose from their seats. Jayden told them what should be done, but the two youth in the shop had their own views, and telling youth what should be done, is a recipe for disaster. Jayden let it go and Hellstrom ended up leaving for the woods to draw out this intruder. Jayden and Emalia stood behind, as Sandorin made his way into the shop.
Sandorin sat down with Emalia, and Jayden motioned that he should part ways now. Emalia told him to stay "Please" she had said to him, so he took a seat and started speaking with this man who was but a few years younger than him. Once finished with the story Jayden peered over at Emalia and she was fast asleep on the table. Sandorin made an attempt to wake her up with his hand, but before the hand reached Emalia Jayden bolted his hand upward with a speed no one has seen the old man use, nor did most think he was capable, "No...let the child sleep, she will come back to the halls with me tonight."
Sandorin didn't quite like the gesture but he understood where the man was coming from. Soon after Jayden stood with cane in hand and picked Emalia up and hoisted her onto on should, lightly as not to wake her. Jayden uttered a few words and a portal the size of the two of them appeared, he walked through and the portal was gone.
Arriving at the hall, Jayden made his way down to an empty room and placed Emalia into a pre-made bed, he tucked her in and gave her a small kiss on the top of her forehead, "Goodnight my child."
She began discussing Hellstrom, and how he played into this and Jayden felt the need to bring Hellstrom into the picture. Jayden reached a hand up to the Insignia upon his neck and began to run his frail fingers lightly over it. It took but five minutes and Hellstrom appeared at the door. His voice was loud but calm "Yes Jayden?" He motioned for Hellstrom to make his way over and to take a seat. Hellstrom got a little nervous and said if this was to belittle the Jenovese people he would leave because he told Emalia he would not do such a thing. Emalia told him to stay after much debate Jayden suspected.
As they all engaged in talk about what was going on, a loud thud sounded on top of the shop. Jayden was the first to hear this sound so he looked up, the rest followed in suit, and they all arose from their seats. Jayden told them what should be done, but the two youth in the shop had their own views, and telling youth what should be done, is a recipe for disaster. Jayden let it go and Hellstrom ended up leaving for the woods to draw out this intruder. Jayden and Emalia stood behind, as Sandorin made his way into the shop.
Sandorin sat down with Emalia, and Jayden motioned that he should part ways now. Emalia told him to stay "Please" she had said to him, so he took a seat and started speaking with this man who was but a few years younger than him. Once finished with the story Jayden peered over at Emalia and she was fast asleep on the table. Sandorin made an attempt to wake her up with his hand, but before the hand reached Emalia Jayden bolted his hand upward with a speed no one has seen the old man use, nor did most think he was capable, "No...let the child sleep, she will come back to the halls with me tonight."
Sandorin didn't quite like the gesture but he understood where the man was coming from. Soon after Jayden stood with cane in hand and picked Emalia up and hoisted her onto on should, lightly as not to wake her. Jayden uttered a few words and a portal the size of the two of them appeared, he walked through and the portal was gone.
Arriving at the hall, Jayden made his way down to an empty room and placed Emalia into a pre-made bed, he tucked her in and gave her a small kiss on the top of her forehead, "Goodnight my child."
The Hunt
As his plans were foiled due to the fact of Hellstrom using a portal to carry them away from the area, he moved to a more comfortable spot, waiting and thinking. "Blasted Guardian....fool...." He moved down from the overlook and proceeded to Westbridge where he sat in the shadows by the temple, just waiting for a thought to enter his head.
When he saw it, he could not believe his eyes, there she was, Emalia. "Yes...perfect.." He then proceeded to follow her, as she made her way into the Cookie shop he perched himself up on the roof where he could tune into what was being said. About that time he saw an old man, looking quite pathetic make his hobbling way into the coffee shop then he heard Emalia and the man speak. After a long while Nyrul heard a noise, and peeked behind him, it was Hellstrom making his way through the door. The conversation was not what he was looking for, he heard a little of Elbryan and a mansion. Nyrul climbed down a little bit to hear this better but then slipped, he fell flat on his face and he then heard everyone go silent. Nyrul hushed himself and scaled down the backside of the building. He heard Emalia yelling so he moved sneakily toward the side where he could see a bear, most likely Hellstrom's guard.
Hellstrom proceeded out the door to where his bear stood, and Nyrul waited, then he made his advance to follow Hellstrom Far behind once again, but not far enough as to lose him. Nyrul thought to himself 'I will get what....I wanted...'
When he saw it, he could not believe his eyes, there she was, Emalia. "Yes...perfect.." He then proceeded to follow her, as she made her way into the Cookie shop he perched himself up on the roof where he could tune into what was being said. About that time he saw an old man, looking quite pathetic make his hobbling way into the coffee shop then he heard Emalia and the man speak. After a long while Nyrul heard a noise, and peeked behind him, it was Hellstrom making his way through the door. The conversation was not what he was looking for, he heard a little of Elbryan and a mansion. Nyrul climbed down a little bit to hear this better but then slipped, he fell flat on his face and he then heard everyone go silent. Nyrul hushed himself and scaled down the backside of the building. He heard Emalia yelling so he moved sneakily toward the side where he could see a bear, most likely Hellstrom's guard.
Hellstrom proceeded out the door to where his bear stood, and Nyrul waited, then he made his advance to follow Hellstrom Far behind once again, but not far enough as to lose him. Nyrul thought to himself 'I will get what....I wanted...'
Rock and a Hard Place
Emalia woke up to the sound of musical chanting. Maxell walked slowly in the room, chanting as he swung his censer to and fro. The incense was that of sage, a sharp but healing scent, and it brought Emalia to her full waking state. "Kossuth educatoris de incendium. Kossuth patronus de Puniceus Praeses. Kossuth teneo ex consuetudo de noceo, ac perduco omnis de tenebra."
Maxell repeated his chant, unaware that Emalia was awake, listening. Without his knowing, she slid from the table and down the corridor, and with a spell, landed herself in Torregiano.
She had been here before on different errands, but still the city was a large maze for her. Eventually, she found her way to Elbryan's mansion, and let herself inside. She checked in many rooms until one of the butlers moved, as if floating, to her side. "May I help you?" he asked with an air of importance. It was obvious from his stature, he took his job quite seriously. "I need to speak with Sir Elbryan." "Mmmmm, this way."
With a short bow and after many stairs, the butler left her standing before the door to Elbryan's recreation room. She knew she was pushing herself, but she had to see him, and with a deep breath, she opened the door and popped her head inside.
Elbryan welcomed her in, and Emalia sat in the chair opposite him. "What brings you way out here today?" "I believe my time has come to an end with the Guardians. I have come to ask to be let go." Emalia sat with her head down, then looked to Elbryan as he spoke. "If they DO pose a threat are these the type of people you want to be associating with?"
Emalia spoke quietly, "Sir Elbryan, I cannot leave. I gave my vows. As for the danger... they have spies."
Elbryan was dismissive of this as he launched into several remarks on the state of his knowledge. "Is it enough for you to turn your back on us as well?" "My word. I gave my word." "You also gave your word to us, though not at knife point."
Emalia hadn't expected things to be easy, nor had she felt they would be so hard. She was frozen in two places. She had given her word to both the Guardians and to the Jihad and the only way she was beginning to see to get out was to fall forward onto the dagger. That, however, was something she wanted to avoid at all costs. "Grobnak's spies are hunting Hellstrom because you care for him and because he cares about you. I would evaluate which person is more truthful and more understanding in this affair further before making a rash decision."
Emalia could say nothing. Her weakness was at the point of dropping her to the floor, so before it could, she let go of her argument and vanished into her magical doorway.
Maxell repeated his chant, unaware that Emalia was awake, listening. Without his knowing, she slid from the table and down the corridor, and with a spell, landed herself in Torregiano.
She had been here before on different errands, but still the city was a large maze for her. Eventually, she found her way to Elbryan's mansion, and let herself inside. She checked in many rooms until one of the butlers moved, as if floating, to her side. "May I help you?" he asked with an air of importance. It was obvious from his stature, he took his job quite seriously. "I need to speak with Sir Elbryan." "Mmmmm, this way."
With a short bow and after many stairs, the butler left her standing before the door to Elbryan's recreation room. She knew she was pushing herself, but she had to see him, and with a deep breath, she opened the door and popped her head inside.
Elbryan welcomed her in, and Emalia sat in the chair opposite him. "What brings you way out here today?" "I believe my time has come to an end with the Guardians. I have come to ask to be let go." Emalia sat with her head down, then looked to Elbryan as he spoke. "If they DO pose a threat are these the type of people you want to be associating with?"
Emalia spoke quietly, "Sir Elbryan, I cannot leave. I gave my vows. As for the danger... they have spies."
Elbryan was dismissive of this as he launched into several remarks on the state of his knowledge. "Is it enough for you to turn your back on us as well?" "My word. I gave my word." "You also gave your word to us, though not at knife point."
Emalia hadn't expected things to be easy, nor had she felt they would be so hard. She was frozen in two places. She had given her word to both the Guardians and to the Jihad and the only way she was beginning to see to get out was to fall forward onto the dagger. That, however, was something she wanted to avoid at all costs. "Grobnak's spies are hunting Hellstrom because you care for him and because he cares about you. I would evaluate which person is more truthful and more understanding in this affair further before making a rash decision."
Emalia could say nothing. Her weakness was at the point of dropping her to the floor, so before it could, she let go of her argument and vanished into her magical doorway.
Cookies
Comfort is what Emalia desired more than anything, and cookies were what she felt could provide it. Annie seemed to sense that saying anything wouldn't help, and thus delivered the plate of cookies in silence. Emalia picked one up and took a bite. Like many things do when one is grieving terribly, it tasted flavorless and only served to coat her tongue in a gritty chocolate mash. She put the cookie back onto the plate, dropped her head onto the table, and sobbed into her arm.
She wasn't there long before Jayden appeared. It really was the last thing she wanted, for someone else to see her crying, and so she hastily dried her tears and attempted to smooth back her hair. Here was another person she would have to admit this to... someone that she really, truly, cared about, and who had become almost like family to her. She spoke of the Jihad and waited for the look of distaste... but it never came.
Jayden put a hand on hers, patting it gently as he asked her what brought about her change of ideals. It shocked Emalia to see the kindness that she was still given from the man she had come to regard as her grandfather.
They spoke of destruction - the very thing the Guardians were not - and how it was better left to the evil Jihad. Up until that point, Emalia had almost been prepared to forsake her joining with the Jihad... but evil... she didn't believe it for a moment. None of the Jihad had ever treated her badly, nor done anything to her that would support the idea of evil. When Jayden asked if she had been followed...
Emalia's head rested in her hands, now. She took a short moment to notice just how heavy a head really was, before Jayden pointed to her that he had never lied to her, nor pointed her in the wrong direction. All she wanted, was to have some choice she had made be right.
Emalia spoke more to Jayden, telling him what had transpired between she and Hellstrom. "Hellstrom is young... inexperienced with words." "His solution is not to leave me so long as I say nothing to him. How can that be love at all?" "I do not know child... I know that I would never leave your side for voicing your opinion. it is our...God given right to voice our opinions." "Do you think, perhaps, Hellstrom isn't the one for me?" "Perhaps."
The admission did come as a bit of a shock. So did Jayden's accusation that the Jihad wanted nothing more than to break her away from the Crimson Guardians in the name of gaining members. No, they never forced her to leave. Even Grobnak had told her that she didn't have to abandon them. It made no sense. She was bridging the gap, bringing them together, not being torn away. The only tearing being done was by those that looked at her the way Hellstrom had, the way the people in the shop had, the way... almost everyone had.
Emalia continued talking until Jayden invited another to sit with them. Behind her was Hellstrom, and Emalia froze with panic. This is not who she wanted to see - yet here he was. Soon after, a noise came from the rooftop, and much sooner after, the door opened with no one there. Jayden wanted to leave, Hellstrom called for action, Emalia finally stood up and screamed.
Again, she and Hellstrom bickered. He didn't fear anyone, he didn't need to, he was going to go to the wood - and the final straw broke when Hellstrom chuckled out, "Don't worry for my welfare." It was all Emalia could take.
"Well then... why worry for you at all, yes?"
How he could have said something so thoughtless, Emalia didn't know, and couldn't understand. Caring for one another didn't mean only one side. Her heart felt as if it had finally broken in two. She knew she must go to Elbryan. To protect her family and her friends - she would leave the Guardians.
Hellstrom told her where to find the skeleton, and Emalia went to Jayden. She knelt at his side, requesting a prayer. It soothed her and helped to restore her sense of self. She apologized to Hellstrom, and as he left, her Uncle Sandorin entered. One more she hadn't told... One more she couldn't handle. She sat at the table as her weariness took over, and fell asleep listening to the speech of two old men.
She wasn't there long before Jayden appeared. It really was the last thing she wanted, for someone else to see her crying, and so she hastily dried her tears and attempted to smooth back her hair. Here was another person she would have to admit this to... someone that she really, truly, cared about, and who had become almost like family to her. She spoke of the Jihad and waited for the look of distaste... but it never came.
Jayden put a hand on hers, patting it gently as he asked her what brought about her change of ideals. It shocked Emalia to see the kindness that she was still given from the man she had come to regard as her grandfather.
They spoke of destruction - the very thing the Guardians were not - and how it was better left to the evil Jihad. Up until that point, Emalia had almost been prepared to forsake her joining with the Jihad... but evil... she didn't believe it for a moment. None of the Jihad had ever treated her badly, nor done anything to her that would support the idea of evil. When Jayden asked if she had been followed...
Emalia's head rested in her hands, now. She took a short moment to notice just how heavy a head really was, before Jayden pointed to her that he had never lied to her, nor pointed her in the wrong direction. All she wanted, was to have some choice she had made be right.
Emalia spoke more to Jayden, telling him what had transpired between she and Hellstrom. "Hellstrom is young... inexperienced with words." "His solution is not to leave me so long as I say nothing to him. How can that be love at all?" "I do not know child... I know that I would never leave your side for voicing your opinion. it is our...God given right to voice our opinions." "Do you think, perhaps, Hellstrom isn't the one for me?" "Perhaps."
The admission did come as a bit of a shock. So did Jayden's accusation that the Jihad wanted nothing more than to break her away from the Crimson Guardians in the name of gaining members. No, they never forced her to leave. Even Grobnak had told her that she didn't have to abandon them. It made no sense. She was bridging the gap, bringing them together, not being torn away. The only tearing being done was by those that looked at her the way Hellstrom had, the way the people in the shop had, the way... almost everyone had.
Emalia continued talking until Jayden invited another to sit with them. Behind her was Hellstrom, and Emalia froze with panic. This is not who she wanted to see - yet here he was. Soon after, a noise came from the rooftop, and much sooner after, the door opened with no one there. Jayden wanted to leave, Hellstrom called for action, Emalia finally stood up and screamed.
Again, she and Hellstrom bickered. He didn't fear anyone, he didn't need to, he was going to go to the wood - and the final straw broke when Hellstrom chuckled out, "Don't worry for my welfare." It was all Emalia could take.
"Well then... why worry for you at all, yes?"
How he could have said something so thoughtless, Emalia didn't know, and couldn't understand. Caring for one another didn't mean only one side. Her heart felt as if it had finally broken in two. She knew she must go to Elbryan. To protect her family and her friends - she would leave the Guardians.
Hellstrom told her where to find the skeleton, and Emalia went to Jayden. She knelt at his side, requesting a prayer. It soothed her and helped to restore her sense of self. She apologized to Hellstrom, and as he left, her Uncle Sandorin entered. One more she hadn't told... One more she couldn't handle. She sat at the table as her weariness took over, and fell asleep listening to the speech of two old men.
Revelation
The light breeze seemed to grow colder as Emalia came closer to the overlook. She glanced over her shoulder several times, marking her progress by exactly how far away Westbridge was, and just how well she could see it. When the trees of the wood finally obscured her view, she knew she was close, and using the game trail, came at last upon the Overlook, and the figure sitting upon it.
Emalia truly had nothing to say, and readied herself for the worst. After what had passed the last time in this place, she was ready for her dismissal from Hellstrom's life. She began to speak, but was interrupted by Hellstrom's curious request to take the discussion elsewhere.
In the woods of Darrowmere, Emalia at once began to speak. "I care for you so much, Hellstrom, and I don't understand... why... you can't believe in me... or at the very least... respect my thoughts and feelings."
Hellstrom spoke plainly, "I’ve said all I intend to about the Jenovese. I've made my feelings about them known to you and that’s all I intend to do. I just pray that someday you see Grobnak for what he is."
'And there it is,' Emalia thought. 'This is the end of my possibilities with this man.' "However, I'm not willing to let it destroy what you and I have. I have a proposal for you, if you will hear it."
Emalia agreed in absolute dumbfoundedness to hear his words. Hellstrom spoke, and Emalia's heart sank. "Speak not to me of the Jenovese or their Faith, and I will hold my tongue as well on my point of view."
'This is love?' Emalia's mind reeled. 'Silence between two people that should share everything with one another?' "I'll say one more thing on the matter." Hellstrom looked down into Emalia's eyes. "When the day comes and the swords are gathered, I will be standing there as the RoK is destroyed. As I feel is my duty to those I love." "And what if I am right?" "Oops."
The anger Emalia felt was barely contained. To her, what had just been said, was that her thoughts were wrong absolutely, and someday, with the one she was supposed to love glaring at her in triumphant truth, she would see. The argued, but as Emalia continued to speak, she realized that no matter what she said... it wasn't about her.
Emalia hung her head, closed her eyes, and agreed to Hellstrom's terms. 'At the very least, I can keep him near me.' When Hellstrom smiled and asked her for a walk, she felt kept. She wanted not to be with him, and excusing herself, she left Hellstrom in the woods with a spell of transportation.
Emalia truly had nothing to say, and readied herself for the worst. After what had passed the last time in this place, she was ready for her dismissal from Hellstrom's life. She began to speak, but was interrupted by Hellstrom's curious request to take the discussion elsewhere.
In the woods of Darrowmere, Emalia at once began to speak. "I care for you so much, Hellstrom, and I don't understand... why... you can't believe in me... or at the very least... respect my thoughts and feelings."
Hellstrom spoke plainly, "I’ve said all I intend to about the Jenovese. I've made my feelings about them known to you and that’s all I intend to do. I just pray that someday you see Grobnak for what he is."
'And there it is,' Emalia thought. 'This is the end of my possibilities with this man.' "However, I'm not willing to let it destroy what you and I have. I have a proposal for you, if you will hear it."
Emalia agreed in absolute dumbfoundedness to hear his words. Hellstrom spoke, and Emalia's heart sank. "Speak not to me of the Jenovese or their Faith, and I will hold my tongue as well on my point of view."
'This is love?' Emalia's mind reeled. 'Silence between two people that should share everything with one another?' "I'll say one more thing on the matter." Hellstrom looked down into Emalia's eyes. "When the day comes and the swords are gathered, I will be standing there as the RoK is destroyed. As I feel is my duty to those I love." "And what if I am right?" "Oops."
The anger Emalia felt was barely contained. To her, what had just been said, was that her thoughts were wrong absolutely, and someday, with the one she was supposed to love glaring at her in triumphant truth, she would see. The argued, but as Emalia continued to speak, she realized that no matter what she said... it wasn't about her.
Emalia hung her head, closed her eyes, and agreed to Hellstrom's terms. 'At the very least, I can keep him near me.' When Hellstrom smiled and asked her for a walk, she felt kept. She wanted not to be with him, and excusing herself, she left Hellstrom in the woods with a spell of transportation.
Chance Meeting
Emalia sat in the same place she had when Colin left, staring to the north. She could have blamed her lack of movement on the fact that her body was so weak, it was ready to fail her - but that would not have been the full truth, nor the true reason... she was afraid.
I just won't go. Emalia stood up and started back into the gates of Westbridge, but the idea kept occurring to her, 'If I really care for him, I'll go up there and do what I said I would.' She paced round and round inside the gates which seemed to rather irritate the guards. It wasn't until she bumped square into someone that she stopped.
Today wasn't going to be her day. At all. After everyone had told her he wasn't coming back, all the voices seeming to sing in chorus from her mind that the man didn't want her obviously, and that he had gone away to be clear of her: Melchior stood before her like a phantom in the flesh.
She noted immediately his eyes - how different they were, and how much better he carried himself. He was no longer a dirty drunkard, but a man with some sort of purpose in his life. Emalia's face went even more pale than it normally was and a tremor, well hidden, ran through her.
It's never easy to tell someone, your first crush no less, that you are involved with someone else. It was the very same here as she stammered out the fact that she had moved on. Emalia assured Melchior that she had been nothing but honest with her feelings, and that she had not done anything with any other but be interested.
Everything seemed to go over well, for the most part. Emalia examined some peculiar wounds on Melchior's arm, then sought to speak to him regarding the Jenovese and the Jihad. Her words were immediately shut down, and when Melchior's questions on the earnestness in her heart began - she had no true answers.
For just a moment in time, Emalia gave up on the discussion of Faith to say goodbye to her friend. "Perhaps we shall meet again." "There is no perhaps if I've anything to do with it."
Emalia squeezed Melchior in her arms and turned to walk away, but before she could get far, Melchior made her another promise after a kiss to her forehead in a quiet voice, "We WILL see each other again. I cannot let go the person who saved me."
Emalia smiled, revolving the words in her mind, "the person who saved me." 'Yes.' she thought. 'I did help someone... and I have to help them all. I have to help them... all.' The two parted at last, Melchior off to his journey, and Emalia finally heading through the northern gates of the city as she trudged to hers.
I just won't go. Emalia stood up and started back into the gates of Westbridge, but the idea kept occurring to her, 'If I really care for him, I'll go up there and do what I said I would.' She paced round and round inside the gates which seemed to rather irritate the guards. It wasn't until she bumped square into someone that she stopped.
Today wasn't going to be her day. At all. After everyone had told her he wasn't coming back, all the voices seeming to sing in chorus from her mind that the man didn't want her obviously, and that he had gone away to be clear of her: Melchior stood before her like a phantom in the flesh.
She noted immediately his eyes - how different they were, and how much better he carried himself. He was no longer a dirty drunkard, but a man with some sort of purpose in his life. Emalia's face went even more pale than it normally was and a tremor, well hidden, ran through her.
It's never easy to tell someone, your first crush no less, that you are involved with someone else. It was the very same here as she stammered out the fact that she had moved on. Emalia assured Melchior that she had been nothing but honest with her feelings, and that she had not done anything with any other but be interested.
Everything seemed to go over well, for the most part. Emalia examined some peculiar wounds on Melchior's arm, then sought to speak to him regarding the Jenovese and the Jihad. Her words were immediately shut down, and when Melchior's questions on the earnestness in her heart began - she had no true answers.
For just a moment in time, Emalia gave up on the discussion of Faith to say goodbye to her friend. "Perhaps we shall meet again." "There is no perhaps if I've anything to do with it."
Emalia squeezed Melchior in her arms and turned to walk away, but before she could get far, Melchior made her another promise after a kiss to her forehead in a quiet voice, "We WILL see each other again. I cannot let go the person who saved me."
Emalia smiled, revolving the words in her mind, "the person who saved me." 'Yes.' she thought. 'I did help someone... and I have to help them all. I have to help them... all.' The two parted at last, Melchior off to his journey, and Emalia finally heading through the northern gates of the city as she trudged to hers.
The Chase Leads On
Hellstrom was walking through Westbridge on his way back to the Guardians hall when he decided to take a break and rest on a bench in Market Square. The market was not terribly busy but there were a few people wandering around to the nearby shops collecting supplies and bartering for goods.
A call came over the telepathic link from Jayden asking Hellstrom to go to the coffee shop in Westbridge quickly. Thinking there was some kind of trouble Hellstrom freed his axe of its holder and ran for the coffee shop as he was not that far away. He opened the door swiftly and looked around the room. Seeing only the waitress, Jayden, and Emalia, he put his axe back in the loop and asked Jayden what he needed. The silence that followed was enough for Hellstrom to assume that it had something to do with the Jenovese so he added "If this is something to do with the Jenovese or Grobnak I will be leaving now, I cannot stay while her beliefs are being belittled." Emalia asked Hellstrom to stay, and at her request he did.
A loud Thump sounded from the roof of the Cafe, and the three looked up at the ceiling above them. "Where you followed?" Jayden asked Hellstrom quietly.
"I don’t believe so, but I was warned this would happen." Hellstrom replies just as quietly as a frown creases his face. "Its ok, I will leave, it is me he is after." After an argument about who was going to go and who was going to stay, Hellstrom throws the hood of his cloak up over his head and makes for the door. Emalia called for him to stop and he did turning his head slightly to the side hiding the hurt look on his face within the deep hood of his cloak. Emalia tried to apologize for hurting Hellstrom, but he knew in his heart that he was the one that was that was doing the hurting on this day. It would be better if he got away from the city. He would stop destroying his chances with Emalia and he would lead the spy away from Emalia and Jayden.
He pulled his green cloak tight around him as he departed the cafe and ran full sprint into the ancient elven forests north of Westbridge. After running some maneuvers trying to lose his pursuer Hellstrom finally approached the clearing in the wood where he exercised and practiced. In the middle of the clearing he pulled off his cloak and shirt. stuffing them into his backpack and began his exercises. At least he might as well provide a show if his pursuer was able to find him here. What Hellstrom had forgotten was he had no way to contact the Guardians without that insignia on his cloak.
A call came over the telepathic link from Jayden asking Hellstrom to go to the coffee shop in Westbridge quickly. Thinking there was some kind of trouble Hellstrom freed his axe of its holder and ran for the coffee shop as he was not that far away. He opened the door swiftly and looked around the room. Seeing only the waitress, Jayden, and Emalia, he put his axe back in the loop and asked Jayden what he needed. The silence that followed was enough for Hellstrom to assume that it had something to do with the Jenovese so he added "If this is something to do with the Jenovese or Grobnak I will be leaving now, I cannot stay while her beliefs are being belittled." Emalia asked Hellstrom to stay, and at her request he did.
A loud Thump sounded from the roof of the Cafe, and the three looked up at the ceiling above them. "Where you followed?" Jayden asked Hellstrom quietly.
"I don’t believe so, but I was warned this would happen." Hellstrom replies just as quietly as a frown creases his face. "Its ok, I will leave, it is me he is after." After an argument about who was going to go and who was going to stay, Hellstrom throws the hood of his cloak up over his head and makes for the door. Emalia called for him to stop and he did turning his head slightly to the side hiding the hurt look on his face within the deep hood of his cloak. Emalia tried to apologize for hurting Hellstrom, but he knew in his heart that he was the one that was that was doing the hurting on this day. It would be better if he got away from the city. He would stop destroying his chances with Emalia and he would lead the spy away from Emalia and Jayden.
He pulled his green cloak tight around him as he departed the cafe and ran full sprint into the ancient elven forests north of Westbridge. After running some maneuvers trying to lose his pursuer Hellstrom finally approached the clearing in the wood where he exercised and practiced. In the middle of the clearing he pulled off his cloak and shirt. stuffing them into his backpack and began his exercises. At least he might as well provide a show if his pursuer was able to find him here. What Hellstrom had forgotten was he had no way to contact the Guardians without that insignia on his cloak.
Resignation
Hellstrom’s bear was sitting right where he had left it when he got back to the lookout. He immediately knew from his bear that whoever was coming was not coming any closer, as if they were afraid to come closer that they were. Hellstrom stood at the edge of the overlook looking out to the horizon. Hellstrom waited until he heard the light footsteps of Emalia coming up from behind him and he smiled slightly as she sat down on the edge of the lookout at his side.
Emalia started trying to talk to Hellstrom but he remembered something that Elbryan had said to him earlier. "Would you mind if we went someplace different?" Hellstrom asked, and after Emalia agreed Hellstrom thought for a moment and opened a door to the dense forest of Darrowmere. Emalia and Hellstrom stepped through and Hellstrom closed the door and it disappeared.
The talked for a while. Hellstrom offered to throw aside matters of faith as Elbryan had advised. Emalia looked hopeful for a second until Hellstrom reminded her that on the day when the swords were gathered he would be standing there as the RoK was destroyed. This dropped her gaze back to the ground. Finally she agreed to try. Hellstrom smiled for the first time since she had shown up on the lookout that day.
The talk continued for a bit longer and Emalia decided that she needed to rest. Hellstrom nodded and Emalia departed through her magic to where Hellstrom knew not. Hellstrom decided to stay in Darrowmere for a while. He hunted down some of the local wildlife and built a fire and roasted some squirrel, though it tasted like ash. Things with Emalia were not good. But it was a step in the right direction.
Emalia started trying to talk to Hellstrom but he remembered something that Elbryan had said to him earlier. "Would you mind if we went someplace different?" Hellstrom asked, and after Emalia agreed Hellstrom thought for a moment and opened a door to the dense forest of Darrowmere. Emalia and Hellstrom stepped through and Hellstrom closed the door and it disappeared.
The talked for a while. Hellstrom offered to throw aside matters of faith as Elbryan had advised. Emalia looked hopeful for a second until Hellstrom reminded her that on the day when the swords were gathered he would be standing there as the RoK was destroyed. This dropped her gaze back to the ground. Finally she agreed to try. Hellstrom smiled for the first time since she had shown up on the lookout that day.
The talk continued for a bit longer and Emalia decided that she needed to rest. Hellstrom nodded and Emalia departed through her magic to where Hellstrom knew not. Hellstrom decided to stay in Darrowmere for a while. He hunted down some of the local wildlife and built a fire and roasted some squirrel, though it tasted like ash. Things with Emalia were not good. But it was a step in the right direction.
The Unwilling Spy
The Lookout was deathly quiet as if the wood sensed Hellstrom's foul mood and chose to leave him alone. His bear stayed hidden in the woods nearby in the off chance Hellstrom needed him. Hellstrom's mood shifted from darkest depression and fits of sobbing, to pure muscle shaking rage.
After a time Hellstrom finally stood up and called for his bear, who shambled out of the trees and sat down where Hellstrom had been sitting. Hellstrom concentrated and opened a door to where Elbryan was and stepped through. Elbryan as sitting in the same chair with the same book he had before open in his lap. Elbryan carefully closed his book and set it on the table next to his chair and studied Hellstrom for a minute. "I was wondering when you would be back." Elbryan stated.
Hellstrom paced for a few minutes trying to decide where to start as Elbryan watched patiently and waited for what he knew was coming. Finally Hellstrom stopped pacing and looked at Elbryan who asked, "I’m guessing it didn’t go so well?" Hellstrom looked at Elbryan for a minute still unsure where to start.
"Grobnak's poison words were too strong... There is nothing I can do..." Hellstrom finally began. "When you meet with her again Hellstrom, do not do so in the same place." Elbryan cautioned, "I am not the only one with spies." "You think I am being watched?" Hellstrom asked in surprise. "I don’t think, I know!" Elbryan said matter-of-factly. "Emalia is new to the order they will have people watching her actions for a bit... You can be sure you have come to the Jenovese's attention."
Hellstrom thought about this for a minute and finally nodded his understanding at Elbryan. "But, what am i supposed to do?" Hellstrom asked Elbryan with a tone of desperation tinging his tongue, "I...I mean we are going to lose her to the Jenovese."
Elbryan sat back in his chair and steeped his fingers in thought for a moment. "Do not cut ties with her." Elbryan said slowly and thoughtfully, "If you do she is lost to them forever. Do not accept her faith, that’s not what I am saying. But all the same try to stay a positive influence in her life. Maybe, just maybe, she will have a change of heart."
Hellstrom thought about this for a while. He wouldn’t be losing Emalia, he could still see her. It made sense to Hellstrom's confused mind. "Ensure that she understands where your loyalty lies though. For when the time comes, the Guardians will be standing with the rest to destroy the RoK, as will the followers of Kossuth." Hellstrom nodded his understanding again and turned to leave. His bear was warning him that someone was approaching the lookout.
"I have to go Elbryan...." Hellstrom says quietly. "She has returned.", and with that opens a new door and steps through back to his bear to wait for Emalia's appearance on the lookout.
After Hellstrom's departure from his residence, Elbryan looked at the spot where the door had been. "I’m sorry for using you Hellstrom..." Elbryan whispers to himself. "But it must be done for the sake of the world."
After a time Hellstrom finally stood up and called for his bear, who shambled out of the trees and sat down where Hellstrom had been sitting. Hellstrom concentrated and opened a door to where Elbryan was and stepped through. Elbryan as sitting in the same chair with the same book he had before open in his lap. Elbryan carefully closed his book and set it on the table next to his chair and studied Hellstrom for a minute. "I was wondering when you would be back." Elbryan stated.
Hellstrom paced for a few minutes trying to decide where to start as Elbryan watched patiently and waited for what he knew was coming. Finally Hellstrom stopped pacing and looked at Elbryan who asked, "I’m guessing it didn’t go so well?" Hellstrom looked at Elbryan for a minute still unsure where to start.
"Grobnak's poison words were too strong... There is nothing I can do..." Hellstrom finally began. "When you meet with her again Hellstrom, do not do so in the same place." Elbryan cautioned, "I am not the only one with spies." "You think I am being watched?" Hellstrom asked in surprise. "I don’t think, I know!" Elbryan said matter-of-factly. "Emalia is new to the order they will have people watching her actions for a bit... You can be sure you have come to the Jenovese's attention."
Hellstrom thought about this for a minute and finally nodded his understanding at Elbryan. "But, what am i supposed to do?" Hellstrom asked Elbryan with a tone of desperation tinging his tongue, "I...I mean we are going to lose her to the Jenovese."
Elbryan sat back in his chair and steeped his fingers in thought for a moment. "Do not cut ties with her." Elbryan said slowly and thoughtfully, "If you do she is lost to them forever. Do not accept her faith, that’s not what I am saying. But all the same try to stay a positive influence in her life. Maybe, just maybe, she will have a change of heart."
Hellstrom thought about this for a while. He wouldn’t be losing Emalia, he could still see her. It made sense to Hellstrom's confused mind. "Ensure that she understands where your loyalty lies though. For when the time comes, the Guardians will be standing with the rest to destroy the RoK, as will the followers of Kossuth." Hellstrom nodded his understanding again and turned to leave. His bear was warning him that someone was approaching the lookout.
"I have to go Elbryan...." Hellstrom says quietly. "She has returned.", and with that opens a new door and steps through back to his bear to wait for Emalia's appearance on the lookout.
After Hellstrom's departure from his residence, Elbryan looked at the spot where the door had been. "I’m sorry for using you Hellstrom..." Elbryan whispers to himself. "But it must be done for the sake of the world."
The Following
As Emalia departed Nyrul waited until she was but a blur in his vision he then began to trail her, using his cunning stealth and the aura of invisibility. He followed her until she was stopped by another unknown in which she told him many things. Nyrul waited behind a tree leaning on it, his hands folding up slightly into the crooks of his arms, his grey cloak making no sound as the wind pierced around it, blowing the frayed ends around him, his head hung low and nothing but darkness filled the insides of the hood.
Nyrul grinned as he witnessed Emalia crying upon this mans shoulders, maybe...maybe this one could be used in his ever thickening scheme. He remembered Emalia mentioning a man by the name of Hellstrom, it had seemed this was the one Nyrul was seeking out "All the....closer." he muttered under his breath to himself.
All the closer Nyrul was to finding everything out about this man that he could. The time was drawing near. 'Hellstrom will regret ever crossing Jihad.' Nyrul thought to himself. He then peered back over toward Emalia and this stranger, hoping that soon it would be over and she would take him to Hellstrom without even her knowing of it.
Nyrul grinned as he witnessed Emalia crying upon this mans shoulders, maybe...maybe this one could be used in his ever thickening scheme. He remembered Emalia mentioning a man by the name of Hellstrom, it had seemed this was the one Nyrul was seeking out "All the....closer." he muttered under his breath to himself.
All the closer Nyrul was to finding everything out about this man that he could. The time was drawing near. 'Hellstrom will regret ever crossing Jihad.' Nyrul thought to himself. He then peered back over toward Emalia and this stranger, hoping that soon it would be over and she would take him to Hellstrom without even her knowing of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)