Session+72

**Magic Item Shopping and The Great Catamaran Race in Lyrabar** **5-16-2015**

Lyrabar's late summer was hot and muggy. Palm trees and the magically everclean canals were a welcome sight in the city. The evening had been busy in the elven embassy as several elves had gathered around Erevin asking for stories, and he happily obliged them. A few young elven maids asked Wren if it was true she was a witch. She nodded. "Is it true that you own four men?" one of the young women leaned in closer. Wren laughed and shook her head, "I //own// no men.. though I claim one as mine."

At dawn the small group of Erevin, Shri, Wren, and Kale headed across the canals to the merchant district. A bright awning decorated the front of the House of Wonders and tables had been set outside with various magic items to draw in the passing potential customers. Shandra's daughter-in-law, Melanie was out front in a low-cut sorceress robe and a cute witch's hat. She waved and greeted the approaching elves, "Good morning!" "Good morning, Melanie," Erevin nodded. "My mother-in-law was hoping that you all would stop by today. She said you had made vague promises yesterday of coming by to spend lots of money," the young sorceress smiled. "Well we do tend to do that," Erevin nodded, "Your mother-in-law takes very good care of us and offers only the best of supplies."  "Oh, speaking of supplies... she had me make these up for you," Melanie handed them each a deep red potion bottle, ones that they recognized as similar to the ones that Wren and Dominic made fairly often. (Cure Moderate wounds 2D8 + 2)  "Potions on the house," Erevin nodded, accepting his gratefully, "Very nice.""And I'm sure you're all interested in better things than these trinkets used to draw customers in," Melanie gestured to the tables, "Come on inside." She gestured to the door."Indeed," Erevin agreed, "Shall we?" he looked back at the others.Wren nodded, gesturing to the door, "After you."

As Erevin entered the House of Wonders with Shri at his side and Wren and Kale following them in, Thorn rounded the corner of the street toward the magic shop, waving warily to the enormous golem that stood ever quietly next to the shop.Despite the muggy heat outside, as the elves entered the shop the inside was cool and refreshing. "Ahhh," Wren smiled, enjoying the delightful relief."Nevermind what I was going to buy..." Erevin looked around, "How do I get //that//? What does it cost to take this cool air system wherever I go?"Wren laughed and nodded her agreement."Welllll..." Shandra greeted them inside, "If you're looking to cool a room, it's not really that expensive... as long as you're not looking to cool a vast estate."Thorn entered with Melanie behind them, "It's probably just a box with an air elemental and a water elemental trapped inside it."Wren turned around and laughed, nodding."Stop giving away our secrets," Melanie poked him and winked before heading back out to greet more customers.

"So what can I do for you fine adventurers today?" Shandra smiled, looking over the group, and nodding to Erevin, "Did you need some more dragon slaying equipment?""Don't you start," Kale shook his head at her."Yeah, really!" Wren nodded beside him, agreeing."Just serving my loyal customers," Shandra smiled cheerfully."How much for an arrow?" Erevin asked, remembering that he'd used up 2.Shandra flipped through a book, "Are you interested in a regular slaying arrow or a greater slaying arrow?""Tell me the difference," Erevin leaned on the counter, listening intently."Well the regular (DC 20 save / 50 dmg) is 2000 gold while the greater (DC 23 save / 100 dmg) is 4000 gold... and we don't just have //dragon// slaying arrows, we have..." she paused for a brief moment."Halfling slaying arrows... go ahead and say it," Thorn nodded."Well... I'd probably have to //make// halfling slaying arrows... Honestly, those aren't a big seller," she shook her head."That's good to know," Thorn nodded."Most adventuring parties don't go out hunting halflings... and for most halflings a normal arrow does the job just fine," Shandra shrugged.Thorn sighed and raised an eyebrow, jingling the gold in his bag, "You were saying?""I'm just saying that incredibly handsome and potent halflings are very rare and it is fortunate that I'm graced by one's very wealthy presence," she spoke cheerfully.Thorn nodded, "Please continue."Erevin nodded to her, "I'll take one."Shandra nodded, "I can even throw in a little extra if you like... for an extra 1000 gold, I'll make your arrow returning... Understand that if you //hit// a target, the spell will still go away... but if you //miss//, the arrow will return to you intact."Erevin nodded, "I'll take that. Not that I miss... but things happen."Shandra nodded, prepping the arrow for him.

"And what would you like?" she tilted her head down to the halfling."I wasn't done..." Erevin shook his head."Oh!" Shandra blinked with surprise, turning back to the young elven prince."I still have more money to spend... unless of course you don't want it," Erevin shrugged."No, no... I have a granddaughter to get into the arcane university... and that's expensive. Lessons... Tutoring... Private tutoring... very expensive," Shandra went on."Well I wouldn't want your granddaughter to miss out on the academy," Erevin nodded, "So I'm looking for a Collar of the True Companion for my wolf.""Oh," Shandra nodded, "Generally only nobles make it into the university because they're the only ones who can afford it. I'm just a simple commoner."Wren raised an eyebrow, "How can you just be a simple commoner at this point?""No matter how great one gets in one's craft... one can only be //born// of noble blood," Shandra nodded to the young witch and turned to Erevin, "Is that not true, young prince?"Erevin answered thoughtfully, "I believe Attalicus would answer differently.""And how much influence does //he// have? Isn't Attalicus merely a high mage?" Shandra asked."Isn't that noble?" Erevin asked."Perhaps by Myth Coramanth standards," Shandra nodded."Well you're noble to //me//," Wren nodded to her, "Your craft is the best.""Aww," Shandra smiled at her, "If it weren't for my starving granddaughter, I'd give you a discount.""Starving..." Wren laughed genuinely.

"I thought I heard something about... your children? How are they?" Shandra looked over at Thorn. "Oh it's been tough," Thorn nodded, "They've seen better days. Every one of them... Every... single... one... of... them."Without missing a beat, Erevin turned to nod at the halfling rogue, "How is ol' Mimsy?""Mimsy is fine," Thorn nodded, "And so is Marvin... and um Milly..."Shandra nodded, "I see you have a theme going with the M's.""Yes," Thorn nodded, "It makes them so much easier to remember." He grinned.Wren giggled.

Shandra pulled a leather collar out of a box, handing it to Erevin for the exchange of a large bag of gems and gold, "Anything else, oh mighty prince?""No, my lady," Erevin nodded, "My curiosities are sated as is my purse." "I'm glad we could do business," Shandra bowed her head, "I'm sure your companion will be grateful to be bestowed with sentience... that is a great gift."(To keep Mari as a companion after being " awakened " there will not be an additional hit dice enhancement)Erevin nodded, taking a step back from the counter next to Shri.

"And you, oh handsome and nimble halfling," Shandra turned to Thorn, "with charm, and sparkling eyes that just seem to draw me in."Thorn grinned, wondering how those sweet words would change as soon as his coin purse was empty, "Just a few items... First, I'd like an eagle cape .""Oh, that sounds like a reasonable item," Shandra nodded, retrieving a flowing cape from a rack with large eagle feathers decorating the back and arms, "though I just can't picture you as an eagle...""No?" Thorn raised an eyebrow, "They don't seem quite as noble and majestic as they used to 7000 gold ago?"She grinned, "No, no... I just see you more as a hawk."Thorn shrugged, "Well I'd be alright with a hawk... you're the one who makes the items."She glanced at some chicken feathers in the back room and smiled cheerfully back at him, nodding as she handed him the eagle cape for the exchange of another large bag of gold. She gestured at the eagle feathers decorating the cloak, "It makes it easier to remember what the item is... otherwise cloaks would all just look the same."Thorn nodded, "No, no... I understand. I'd have to try them all on, and figure out which one did what... and the next thing you know there's a cursed item stuck to my shoulders... not that I think you'd sell a cursed item, mind you.""No, no..." she shook her head and smiled, "You'll turn back into a halfling just fine."Thorn raised a suspicious eyebrow, glancing back and forth between Shandra and the cape in his hands as she continued to smile cheerfully.

"What else can I get for you today, Mister Thorn?" Shandra continued."I'm looking for a pair of deliquescent gloves ," he nodded."Acid damage?" the mage proprietor tilted her head, "Why would you want that?""Look at me," he gestured to himself, "Does it look like I hit that hard?""Alright, well I'm sure as an adventurer you can find something to do with them," she nodded, retrieving a pair of dark leather gloves, "There's lots of evil things in dungeons... it's not like you would use them to melt any //locks// here in the //city//." She peered at him over the counter with an accusing look before handing the gloves over in exchange for yet another large bag of gold.Erevin looked over the bags on the counter, and nodded to Shandra, "It looks like the first few semesters are paid for.""Oh," Shandra nodded, "But understand that my Jake is a virile young man and Melanie is quite the beautiful young woman... I'm sure it wont be just the //one// grandchild. There will be more on the way."Wren giggled."How about some toothpicks of pyrotechnics ?" Thorn inquired, looking over small items in a glass case.Shandra nodded, pulling out a small box, "Don't bite down on these."Thorn laughed and nodded, handing her a small gem in exchange."And I'll finish up with a couple of potions of blur ," Thorn nodded.Shandra handed him the flasks in exchange for gold and nodded.

Posy, Uther, Mali, and Ursus slept for the night at the Unexpected monkey. The four met in the lobby for a delicious and hearty breakfast and then came into the House of Wonders, joining the others already shopping.Shandra glanced over at Wren and Kale who were browsing the cases. Wren was gesturing to an apple and giggling as she leaned against the elven warrior, talking low. Assuming they needed more time, the brown-haired sorceress nodded to the group of barbarians and druids, "Good morning! What can I get for you today?" "I would like to purchase a shirt of immolation ," Posy nodded confidently. "Oh," Shandra nodded, "That sounds like a bad hug!" "I don't really like hugs," Posy shrugged. She followed Shandra's gaze to the human barbarian beside her who looked crestfallen, "Oh from //you//, it's okay!" She patted Uther reassuringly, "Just not anyone else." "Can you turn it on?" Uther grinned at her, gesturing with his head to the shirt now in Shandra's hands, "I think I'll like it." Posy laughed, "We'll try it later." She nudged Uther and nodded to the sorceress behind the counter, trading her a bag of gold for the shirt, "I'm also looking for a headband of havoc ." "It sounds like it will be dangerous for whoever is fighting you... I only have one of these. Not much of a call for barbarian items," Shandra nodded, retrieving the item from the backroom. "I'm glad to take it off of your hands," Posy nodded to her, trading for another bag of gems and gold.

"And for Miss Maliumpkin," Shandra turned to the red-haired halfling, "The most beautiful and wise druidic halfling that I know..." Mali giggled, "I'm the //only// druidic halfling that you know." "Yes, perhaps... but that doesn't mean that you're not the most beautiful... or wise," The long brown-haired human woman smiled at her. Mali laughed and nodded her agreement, "Well I was looking around... but do you happen to have an insistent doorknocker lying around?" "Who's knockers?!" Shandra blinked at her. "No, no... an insistent doorknocker," Mali shook her head. "Well I'm sure that one of your two barbarian friends can be an insistent door knocker," the older woman looked over the two large human men near the halfling and gnome. "That's true," Mali nodded, "but I'm looking more for a magic item that's flat on one side to put against a wall... and you use a magic password and knock on it and it lets you go through a foot of material like it's a door... you walk to the other side and say the magic word again, taking the door knocker off and the door disappears to become a wall again." "Ohhhh!" Shandra nodded, "That does sound familiar... let me see..." The sorceress returned from the backroom with a strange device that looked like a small gargoyle face with a ring in it's mouth, "Yes, this should do the trick... it will only work once per day." Mali nodded, taking it into her hands to look over it gleefully, "And it will grant one foot of penetration?" Shandra nodded.

"1 foot is a little less than she's used to," Ursus nodded beside her. Mali nudged him, giggling. The halfling traded her a small bag of gold, "I'm also hoping to find a blue ioun stone ." "Oh, that would look beautiful around you," Shandra nodded, retrieving a tiny blue incandescent sphere from a jewelry case behind the counter. Mali traded her a small bag of gems and the blue incandescent stone took orbit around the halfling's head with her light stone. "There might be something else... but I need to look around a bit if that's okay," the small druid pondered. "Of course!" Shandra nodded, and turned to the witch.

"Wren... what would the daughter of the mighty witch Raven wish to purchase? It is my honor to be serving such an immense personality," the shop owner smiled cheerfully. "Oh, Shandra," Wren laughed, "We're better friends than //that//... there's no need to butter me up... let's start small. I need one of those cute familiar satchels so Inali can ride in ultimate comfort." "Ooo ultimate comfort," Inali cheered beside her in her kitsune form before pausing thoughtfully, "Wait... what does that do? Are you going to put me in a bag?!" Wren laughed, "Well sort of... but it will keep you protected." Inali gasped, her cute fox ears standing up and her tail twitching, "But... I'm not going to ride in there //all// the time, right? I mean... I'll still walk beside you and ride on your shoulders?" She looked up at Wren with hopeful and pleading eyes. "Absolutely, honey, that's why I'm also going to buy you a pretty necklace," Wren nodded to her, calming the petite fox girl slightly. Erevin shook his head at her, "Those days are gone... You're going in the bag... where you're safe." "But..." Inali's big eyes looked back and forth from the elven prince to the witch. Wren took her by the hand and led her over to a jewelry case, "How about that amulet of protection +2 ?" "Oh, that's pretty," Inali nodded, "I like it!" Wren nodded, pointing it out to Shandra and trading her more gold. Wren fastened the amulet around the young fox girl's neck while talking with the sorceress, "I'm also hoping you can upgrade the enchantment on my headband of intelligence ?" "Of course," Shandra nodded, taking the headband faceted with blue and purple gems from the witch and handing her a new one in exchange for a heavy bag of gold. "Perfect! Thank you, Shandra," Wren nodded, slipping it into place, "Just one more item." She gestured to a shield on the wall with an open dragon's mouth and glanced back at Kale, "What color would you like?" He smiled at her, nodding his approval, "Green." She grinned, and nodded back to Shandra, "I'll take one of those Wyrmsbreath shields in green, please." The pointy-hat wearing sorceress handed the shield to Kale, accepting the gold from Wren. She walked over and carefully opened a dragon statue's mouth, pouring in the vast amount of gold and gems from the transactions to disappear in an instant.

Azarius entered the magic shop to join everyone with his bodyguard, Trieste, at his side.Following just behind them, a young man arrived in the rich burgundy house colors of the Dulsaer family. He looked around the room and strode over to the elven prince, "Lord Erevin, I have a message for you." He handed him a scented envelope. Erevin nodded to him, tipping him a coin for his troubles, and accepted the letter. The messenger nodded his thanks and ran off. The message inside was written in a delicate feminine handwriting...

Lord Erevin,I am pleased to hear that you have returned to town. I remember the last time that we met... it was unforgettable. I would like to see you again. I would be honored if you would visit my estate and call upon me. Lady Vivian Dulsaer

Another messenger dressed in the house colors of Winterrowd walked into the shop as the other was exiting. He walked over to the newly arrived sorcerer, "Lord Azarius, I have a message for you." "Thank you," the sorcerer with two different colored eyes handed the lad a generous tip, sending him on his way.

Lord Azarius Chaat, I have heard that you and your companions have returned to the city. It would be my pleasure for you to once again stay at the Vastel estate, your home away from home while you are here in Lyrabar. Of course we extend the invitation to your faithful manservant Thorn, your sister Amara, and your bodyguard. <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lady Carus Vastel Winterrowd

"I will take your sister to the estate and make sure your rooms are prepared, sir," Trieste bowed to Azarius. "Excellent," Azarius nodded to her and the two women walked out of the shop.

Erevin returned with the elves to the embassy to get cleaned up and dressed appropriately to see Vivian. Annaisuru greeted them, handing an envelope to the witch, "Wren, I have a message for you from a Penny Coppertop." "That's fabulous," Wren nodded in pleasant surprise, "I was just on my way to go and see her. Thank you." Opening the envelope shot out bright multi-colored sparks that dazed the raven-haired elven woman momentarily, staggering back and leaving her hair frizzy and blown back. She shook her head and noticed Kale trying desperately not to laugh, and she poked him, giggling, "I forgot it was Penny..."

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Please come to the Temple of Selune at your convenience. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We look forward to talking to you and we'll go and see "them".

"Why are you going to the temple of a //human// goddess of the moon?" Erevin raised an eyebrow, "We have a perfectly good elven goddess of the moon." He gestured at Shri, "High priestess!" Wren laughed, "I'm not going there to worship, Erevin... just to talk to Penny and take a dip in their pool. I'll still dance with Shri." She winked at the drow woman.

Thorn sighed, recalling the date he had promised Seri. He needed to save the world! There was no time for such things! But... since the others all seemed to be busy with things in Lyrabar still... he thought he might as well get it over with and headed toward Odds and Ends in the merchant district.

Uther and Ursus seemed to be bustling about, getting ready for the special dinner date night they were planning for the girls. Mali looked over at Posy, "Do you think we should go bathe for tonight? I mean is that something people do for this sort of thing? We should bathe, right?" "Yes..." Posy sighed and nodded, stretching before getting up, "We should. They're putting in quite the effort." The two headed off to one of the quieter bath houses.

Erevin arrived at the Dulsaer estate with several guards around. The red-haired human woman sauntered down the stairs to greet him, wearing a red satin dress that clung to her curves. She gestured to a butler who poured her two glasses of wine, one of which she handed to Erevin, "It is unseemly for a woman to drink alone so early in the day." "Well we can't have that," the long blond-haired elf nodded to her, accepting the glass. "Please, escort me to the balcony," Vivian looped her arm into his. The two walked out onto the open balcony overlooking the grapes on the compound. The Dulsaer family was well known for their wine making. "I hear that you've had many adventures since we last spoke... when you left me in that horrible Den of Sin," she spoke with a flirtatious tone despite her accusation. "You seem to be doing alright," He smiled at her, looking her over, "You gave the devil the what for, I believe." She smiled with sultry eyes, "Mmm Mr. Baeliss is quite the skilled orator." "One would think," Erevin nodded, agreeing, "Are you well?" "I am well... though I have a slight problem," she nodded more seriously. "What matter of problem? Life threatening?" Erevin raised a concerned eyebrow. "Oh no, no, no. Nothing as melodramatic as that... far more mundane to an adventurer off fighting dragons and horrible creatures like that. But I've heard that you spent some time on a ship?" She looked at him hopefully. "I've done some sailing," Erevin nodded. "Well that's good!" She nodded, "It just so happens that at the end of the summer before the tides switch to fall... the noble families here host a race." "Okay... like a gala? A ship race?" Erevin asked. "Catamarans," Vivian nodded, "And unfortunately my ship captain had a slight mishap... and I have a need for someone who might have the spirit of competition and might have a little experience with the sea?" "It sounds interesting," Erevin nodded, "These catamarans... they're a smaller ship, yes?" "Yes," she nodded again, "A crew of four." "Hmm admittedly I have little experience with smaller crafts, but it wouldn't be the first time the spirit of competition got the better of me," a sly smirk played on the elf's lips. She nodded, smiling, "Although the reward is little compared to what you might find in your quests... there is a trophy to the winner, and I would like to see it brought to my household." "If I can assist the Dulsaer house, helping to uphold their good name... that will be reward enough," he smiled. "You are very sweet," She smiled coyly, "and perhaps afterward, we can return to the Den of Sin?" "Perhaps," he smiled and nodded. "The others have been asking for Mr. Pride," she winked at him. "Well he does lurk about..." Erevin nodded thoughtfully, "Where can I meet this crew?" "Down to the harbor," she gestured into the distance, "You'll see the ship and you can speak to the crew. The race will be in the morning tomorrow." "I better get to work then," Erevin nodded, surprised that the race was so soon. She smiled, "I have no doubt that such a capable young elf needs very little time." "If only it was so easy," he winked at her, refilling her glass, "In the morning then."

Wren combed her hair back down and headed across the canals with Kale toward the temple district. The city was bustling. Cute little fish in bright shining colors darted about in the water beneath the boats. Some of the people in the gondolas sprinkled chunks of bread on the surface to draw the fish up in the sunlight. Wren giggled, with her hand poised over the edge of the gondola, dropping crumbs of bread, "Are you ready, Inali? Here they come!" The petite black fox licked her lips and splashed her paw along the surface into the display of fish. Penny Coppertop, dressed in a white robe bearing the symbol of the moon, had her copper hair in a braid that cascaded down her back. She greeted them as they walked up the temple stairs, "Miss Wren! Mr. Kale! So good to see you! It's been so long!" She opened her arms wide for a hug. Wren beamed, "Lady Coppertop, it's such a pleasure to see you!" The young witch looked her over warily, and pointed out the buzzer in her hand, "Remove that please... you got me once today already." Penny disappointedly removed the shock device from her hand, "I did? Was it funny?" Kale nodded, glancing a little warily at Wren. The gold-eyed elven woman laughed and nodded as well, "Of course it was." "It's not as funny if I don't get to see it," the young priestess pouted, "So tell me everything about your adventures while we walk." The three walked along to the silvery pool with Inali trotting along beside them as Wren told tales of their adventures in the volcano and since she had seen her last. "Oh! So he poked her right in the eye?!" Penny gasped, "I bet she didn't like that!" "I'm sure we're being hunted," Wren nodded to her. "And why has your elven lord been seen buying and wearing all of this dragon slaying equipment?" the copper-haired priestess looked both confused and accusing. Wren sighed, her shoulders looking suddenly heavy, "I don't know! I can't seem to break him of it." "We're not all bad!" Penny shook her head. "That's what I keep telling him," Wren nodded, "You should meet him... don't tell him you're a dragon when you do... but you should meet him." "I'm afraid to meet him! I mean I'm not really a dragon... I just have dragon blood," Penny explained. Wren nodded, glancing at the powerful hum of magic coming from the pool.

Transporting to the snowy mountaintops, Kale came prepared and draped a warm fur stole over Wren's shoulders. She leaned against him affectionately, "Aww, you're the best." They walked along the snow covered path winding up to top of the once volcano where the enormous golden dragon, Aurax, was sitting on one of the giant ledges surrounding the snow covered caldera. Aurax nodded his head to the approaching group, and as they climbed higher they seen several other dragons on other ledges surrounding the basin-like depression. A great white dragon bearing Wren's father's eyes that the elven witch recognized as her great grandmother, Glacierwind, sat near an immense green dragon about her same size. They recognized him as Kale's father, Midori. A younger black dragon, that she recalled flirting with at the dragon wedding, was also present... Caustus Farneel. And near to the green and white was a slightly larger blue dragon, Bloodworth Arclight. Argentillius, the silver dragon, sat near Aurax along with a brass and a copper dragon.Wren beamed, giving them a grand sweeping bow... so many had answered, coming to the dragon council.

Aurax nodded to Wren, speaking in a deep rumbling voice, "I have heard of the events of the dragon wedding from your grandmother, and I must commend you." Pleasantly surprised by such praise from the council leader who seemed to think little of the other races, Wren curtsied a gracious acknowledgement and turn to briefly smile affectionately at Glacerwind as he continued. "Thanks to your efforts, the council has been reborn. We have representatives from almost all of the chromatics and even one of the primals," Aurax gestured toward the dragons around the circle. Wren bowed again, "It was our pleasure and our honor to do what little we could to help." Caustus nodded, his voice still rumbly, but younger and not as deep as the great gold dragon, "Freya and her sister are still on the fence... but I think with a little more convincing, they could come around." "That's fantastic! How can I help?" Wren turned to him, nodding and smiling. Despite that her hair was now it's natural raven color instead of the white she had at the wedding, the young black dragon recognized the witch's face and gold eyes as Elise Arcticwind who he had met at the wedding. "I'm not sure... perhaps when you meet them again, you could be persuasive," he nodded, "They seem to... respect a woman's opinion more than a man's." "Very wise," Glacierwind nodded with Argentillius also nodding in agreement. Wren laughed softly, "I would love to meet them again anyway."

"Although he did not wish to be present at this meeting," Aurax's deep voice boomed out over the mountain top, "I have spoken with the shadow dragon, Bellasham, as well. He is still a little nervous about these meetings. He was always a loner, but he has given his acceptance to join the council... whether he will attend any meetings or not remains a little questionable." Wren nodded, pleased that he had indeed sought out the council, "That's wonderful news! The council grows bigger and bigger." Wren went on to give them the story of Magmadon being involved with the Mindbreaker and Ghaundahar... the Red Lord and the Mother being the other 2 agents of the god, and that he and his minions were invading the heavens. "We have heard rumblings of that," Aurax nodded, "We dragons have our own gods and those that can commune with them. We will keep our eyes open for any sign of these Ghaundahar priests. I have heard nothing of this Red Lord or Mother, but I find it disturbing that Magmadon would dare try to enslave our kind. He must be brought to justice for this." Wren nodded, agreeing, "Yes, whatever aid we can do to help... we'll be happy to do it. He hunts us and loathes us..." "You have our support against Magmadon. It is our duty to prevent conflict between dragons and the lesser races," Aurax nodded to her. Wren bowed gracefully, "We are grateful." "Such wars can only lead to an endless cycle of revenge where dragons kill humans and elves... and then humans and elves kill dragons," Aurax continued. Wren nodded, "Much like the ongoing war between the elves and the drow." "Yes," Aurax nodded, "We have a hard enough time fending off our lairs from would be treasure hunters." Wren nodded.

"If you run across any further potential members, including this Freya and her sister, please extend an invitation. We still seek to rebuild," Aurax nodded to the elven witch. "We will do so gladly," Wren nodded deeply. The great golden dragon held out one of his enormous taloned hands to set a sack next to her, "For your efforts." She curtsied gracefully, "Thank you," as she noted that the bag was moving. She peered carefully inside it to find a long and sinuous golden animate item that resembled a wingless pseudodragon with emerald eyes. It slid casually over her, settling around her arm. She beamed up at him, "It looks amazing! What does it do?" "I believe that you human women call it an... accessory?" He answered slightly uncertain. "Oh," Wren nodded, whispering, "Elven... I'm elven." She tapped her pointed ears and winked up at him. "Elven," he nodded, correcting himself, "Of course, your ears are pointed... so hard for me to see." He peered down at her, bringing his head closer. She grinned up at him, "It's gorgeous! Thank you very much!" She curtsied respectfully again. He nodded to her, "It can be more than an armband... it will also be a necklace... or a belt... or you can put it into your hair... whatever shape you want." "It's perfect! I love it!" Wren gasped, sliding it into various positions. "It also has other uses that you may find useful, but Miss Coppertop asked me not to tell you," Aurax nodded toward Penny. Wren laughed, "Penny and her practical jokes... how we love her." They all bid their farewells, and the three departed the mountains to return to Lyrabar through the magic pool.

Mali and Posy dressed light in cool and simple dresses with their hair done up nicely. Uther and Ursus arrived, dressed nice with their hair pulled back into ponytails and clean-shaven. They looked awfully coordinated and nice for them to have done it on their own and had likely gotten help from someone. "Miss Posy, Miss Mali, Are you ladies ready for an evening of merriment?" the barbarians offered their arms with the girls looping theirs in. They took them on a private gondola, passing the gondolier gold to take them on a tour of the city. Winding through the quieter crystal clear water paths of the city where colorful fish swam around their boat, Mali and Posy exchanged a glance... the boys had definitely gotten advice and help from someone. Along the canal there were bards who played romantic music and an occasional other gondola passed with a couple. Willow, the flower girl, was waiting on the docks with a basket of flowers. She handed a bouquet to each of the girls with a smile, "These are for you, Miss Maliumpkin, and these are for you, Miss Posy." "Willow! It's very good to see you again," Mali nodded, accepting the flowers, but starting to feel anxious at all of the special treatment... she started to wonder what was going on and who may have died. Willow winked at the barbarians, and suddenly the girls knew who had given them the advice. Ursus nodded to Mali, "Uther and I were exploring the city... and we happened to find a place that we think you'll like." "Alright," the young druidess nodded up to him, following him.

They took them to a small out of the way restaurant near the wall. The sign read Oztrmo's and had a pair of tomatoes on it. Delicious smells of pasta and sauces drifted out of the door as they opened it. A thin balding man with a mustache greeted them and led them to a table, setting down menus. "My name is Oztrmo, and I will be cooking for you this evening," he nodded, "Your young friends have already taken care of everything. You may order whatever you wish." Mali opened them menu, ordering enough food for three people. He brought them a bowl of fresh warm bread and a bowl with frozen oranges in it. The oranges melted in their mouths with a cool sweet citrus flavor. Everything was delicious.and perfect as they were surrounded in plates of food with Oztrmo remaining close to make sure everything went just so. Sweet cream filled pastries and sugared breads ended the meal perfectly. The barbarian brothers escorted the girls outside as the sun began to set. They nodded to one another, pleased that things were going well. Ursus took Mali's hand, "Follow me." Uther took Posy's following behind. The four walked down to the bay where the boys laid down blankets on the sand to watch the sun set. They poured them each a glass of wine from the bottle they purchased at the restaurant. "Are you trying to get me tipsy, so you can take advantage of me?" Mali winked up at Ursus. "Curses they're on to us," he grinned over at this brother. "We never needed booze before," Posy shrugged and nudged Uther. The four enjoyed their evening watching the sun set and drinking wine. "This is lovely," Mali nodded, "You've quite outdone yourself. I can't wait to see what you do next time if this is the treatment I should get used to..." "Um... uh..." Ursus and Uther exchanged a look, "We'll do our best... You fight so hard every day, that we thought we'd do something nice for you in the way that the city folk do their courting." "But the evening isn't over yet," Uther shook his head. "Yes, brother," Ursus nodded to him, "But this is where we shall part ways." Ursus and Mali went back to their room, and Uther and Posy went off to theirs.

Thorn headed out of the inn as Posy and Uther passed him, slamming their room door and growling. Dressed nicely, he went to meet Seri at Odds and Ends. She was dressed elegantly in emerald green with her hair done up, and just finishing putting on a final earring as a finishing touch. The parrot called out as the halfling entered, "I can't believe the fucker showed." "I had faith in him," Seri countered. "You're a crazy bitch," the parrot bobbed and weaved, "Watch your earrings." Thorn imagined him battered and fried for a moment before turning to her, "Are you ready?" She nodded, "Am I ever! I've been looking forward to this for months." A stream of people carrying carnival winnings were coming from the front gates. It had been a year since they last attended the Carnival of Masks outside of the city. "They actually came back?" Thorn raised an eyebrow, remembering having to save Vivian from the last one. "They move up and down the coast line," Seri nodded, "They come every there." Scary clowns, fun games, and shows of bearded women and talented artists were all over.

Boots came walking along, the lower half of her face was covered in cotton candy that she was happily eating, wisps of sticky strands were stuck in her green hair. She had certainly grown over the past year since he first met her. He had to look up at her now. The rogue halfling grinned and nodded to her, "Well that looks like it's good." "Mr. Thorn!" Boots beamed at him, "Would you like some?" She pulled off a big sticky piece with melted spots where she had been eating it, and offered it out to him. "Oh, no thank you... all for you," he shook his head. "Me and big sister are enjoying the carnival! Who's your friend?" the young girl looked over the halfling woman at his side. "This is Seri," he gestured to the brown-haired woman dressed in green, and then nodded toward the girl in front of them, "And this is Boots." "Pleased to meet you, Miss Boots," Seri bowed to the young woman, "You're a friend of Thorn's?" The green haired girl curtsied with sticky hands, and glanced at Thorn and nodded. Seri nodded, "I've not seen you on the streets before... if you ever need anything, just stop into Odds and Ends and I'll help you out." "Thanks," Boots nodded, smiling with her cotton candy smeared face. "Where is your sister?" Seri asked, looking around. Boots pointed down the way where Salem was sauntering up with a large elephant ear that she tore in half and handed to her sister. The young girl was blossoming into a young woman now, gaining curves that she was still too young to know what to do with. "Mr. Thorn!" the young woman smiled at the halfling, her waist length dark hair cascading down her back, "Would you like a piece? It's got Ciminiminimon on it." He smiled, and shook his head, "No, no. You enjoy that." He gestured at her and nodded to Seri, "This is Boots' sister, Salem." "It's wonderful to meet you both," Seri nodded, "Would you two like a special show?" Thorn raised an eyebrow wondering exactly what kind of show his fence had in mind.

Seri hopped deftly up onto a stump and drew a gesture with her hand over her face, making a beautiful pointed bird-like silvery mask appear over her face with bold green hued feathers forming a headdress at the top. Thorn stared at her, both stunned and curious. Seri put a single finger to her lips, looking at the girls, "Now don't tell anyone." They stared at her in awe. Wearing the mask, the nimble halfling seemed to grow a couple of inches taller and become more buxom than she was before, disguising her physical appearance slightly.

The Viridian Mask went into an amazing display of acrobatic finesse. Showing off her phenomenal strength and flexibility as she held nearly impossible positions, bending and twisting her body. She held onto both of her feet by her head and rolled forward and backward, did high flying back flips, and long languid stretched poses... all while looking quite provocative toward Thorn, yet maintaining innocent entertainment for the girls. "Oh my..." Thorn stared at Seri's sexy contortionist dance. A crowd gathered as her show went on, and she gave a grand, sweeping bow. She dropped a few devices to the ground, puffs of smoke obscuring her from view, and as the smoke cleared... the Viridian Mask was gone. "That was amazing!" Seri cheered over at Thorn. "Yes that was," Thorn agreed. "Especially when she did this!" Boots tried to copy the acrobatic halfling's moves by extending her leg up in the air and trying to grasp it over her head only to topple over on the ground, "Ow!" Thorn grinned, "I think it's going to take a little more practice to be able to do that." "But she made it look so easy," Boots pouted. "Yes she did," Thorn nodded, and turned to them with a hushed voice, "Remember... we can't tell anyone." "Tell anyone what?" Seri turned to him. "Who she is," Thorn whispered to them. "I don't know who she was," Boots shook her head, both girls looking confused. Neither seemed to have any memory of Seri's transformation. "That's right," Thorn nodded. "Okay... I shouldn't tell anyone..." Boots nodded, "Is she your girlfriend?" Thorn blinked and shook his head, speaking firmly, "Don't tell anyone that!" "I'm pretty sure she is..." Seri nodded, turning to her younger sister, "You'll understand when you're older, Boots." "No I wont," Boots shrugged. "So how's your training going with the school?" Thorn changed the subject with a heavy sigh and a clenched smile. "OH! Do you want to see?!" Seri bounced with excitement, and before Thorn could say another word, the teenager's feminine hand was on his chest, "Shocking grasp!" Electricity sparked from her hand deep into the unsuspecting halfling. "Ahhhh!" Thorn screamed, shocked and in pain. "Miss Samira said if any man touched me that that's what I should do," Seri nodded with a big smile. "Th-that's good advice," Thorn nodded, backing up, and laid a hand over his chest, "But I didn't touch you." "The best defense is a good offense," Seri nodded. "I guess classes are going well then... I don't need any other demonstrations... thank you," Thorn shook his head, "Please don't hurt me." "The other spell we learned makes us run really fast!" Seri nodded, with Boots nodding beside her, "Because sometimes little girls have to be able to run really fast." "That's right," Thorn nodded. The two girls went on to chatter about the classes with Samira and Argent and how they got their hands slapped with rulers when they didn't write notes. Boots showed him a light spell, and Thorn nodded, "That's much better."

Seri made her way through the crowd, carefully balancing three ice cream cones in her hand. She handed one to each of the girls and one to Thorn. The sprightly halfling raised an eyebrow at her, "Where's yours?" She smiled sweetly, "I thought we'd share." He noticed a lick mark in the ice cream he held in his hand and grumbled internally, convincing himself by repeating in his head, //Remember what I just saw//... //Remember what I just saw//... He managed a smile and nodded, "Okay... so what would you like to do now?" Salem and Boots hugged onto Thorn, "We have to go find our mother." "Already?" he nodded, hugging them, "Alright, run along!" Salem called back, "We'll show you more magic next time... I didn't get to show you my magic missile!" Thorn sighed, shooing them, "Run along."

Seri smiled at him, "I hope you enjoyed the show and that I impressed your young friends there." Thorn nodded, "Oh they were very impressed. The little one even tried to do one of your moves." "Oh," Seri looked a little concerned, "It requires a little practice." "Yep," Thorn nodded, "That's what I told her when she fell on her butt." Seri grinned and nodded, "It just requires some training." "Naturally spending a lot of times on ships in the rigging, I had developed a lot of acrobatic skill on my own. I was noticed by the Emerald Mask, and he took me on as his understudy," Seri explained, "It is unlikely that I will ever become the Emerald Mask because I just don't have the time to devote to the carnival, but when it comes to town I do my part." Thorn frowned, "Hmm well that's unfortunate... I mean, is it something that you //want// to do?" "Part of me does," Seri nodded, "I mean I like running my shop and meeting new people... but there is something to be said for performing in front of a group of people and bringing joy to them in that way too. The Emerald Mask has tried to talk me into traveling more with them, but I just can't seem to be able to leave my old life behind." Thorn nodded, "Well that's understandable, but you do seem skilled enough to do it... so don't give up on that thought." "I wont," she nodded, obviously thinking more about it. She took another lick of the ice cream and handed the cone back to Thorn who accepted it with more internal grumbling as she continued on, "So what brings you into town this time?" "Oh you know... the usual," Thorn nodded. "Saving the world, fighting the dragons, being all heroic?" Seri smiled. "Yeah... it gets boring at times... you save one world and then you have to save another," Thorn shrugged, "You know the usual life of a heroic adventurer." "Any trouble from any old enemies lately?" Seri tilted her head, "The shop's been kinda quiet. No one has tried to break in... so I figured maybe you had cleared the ledger so to speak?" "Maybe? Probably? Hopefully? ...Temporarily?" Thorn thought about Echo and her elven sisters, but then shook his head, "But no... no old enemies bothering me. All new ones... but I should tell you about this latest one... she's a real doozy." "Alright, tell me the story," Seri nodded, noting that the ice cream cone was melting and starting to drip and Thorn still hadn't taken a lick, "You don't like the ice cream?" "Oh... I'm sure it's great," Thorn nodded and put a hand over his belly, "But I'm really full... I ate before I picked you up." "Mmm," she smirked. "I should wait to talk about that particular person... we should wait until we're somewhere else... just in case," he nodded, "I'll tell you about her in private later on." "Alright," Seri nodded, taking him on to the best shows at the carnival. Open air plays of comedies and tragedies. She took him to a romantic play under the stars and scooted closer to him. It's because she's cold... yeah, Thorn nodded, thinking in his head and trying to convince himself. Seri glanced at Thorn's arm a few times throughout the play. He stretched his arms and she looked hopeful until he put his arms back down at his sides, and she looked disappointed, but continued to have a delightful evening. "Do you want to play some games? I could win you something," Thorn suggested. "Sure!" She took him over to a game where Thorn had to sit in a booth over a tank of water while she took a ball and hit the target to dunk him in. She took him over to the ringtoss where he deftly hooked every bottle, winning her a large stuffed parrot. Seri continued to throw subtle hints throughout the evening that she'd like his arm to be around her or holding her hand, but she seemed to get some sort of perverse amusement from him not-so-subtly avoiding it. She would reach out her hand and he would quickly stick his into his pouches, "I'm just checking my money pouch... thieves, you know." Seri giggled and nodded. Thorn eventually walked her back to her shop. She unlocked the door and smiled at him, "Thank you Mr. Thorn... I had a very entertaining evening." It was a very interesting evening," he agreed, "It was fun." "I thought so too," she nodded, "And I appreciate my stuffed parrot here. I assume that you'd like me to insinuate that this one would make a finer pet than the one that I have?" "Oh I'm sure you could find some way to make that point come across," he nodded, "He can be replaced with something quieter." She laughed, "But he likes you. He hasn't bitten you yet. Most people that he doesn't like, he bites." "I'll keep that in mind," Thorn nodded, "No fingers near the parrot." Seri stood up on her tippy toes near him and he leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek, causing the pirate halfling to laugh. //I can't be tied down//, Thorn grumbled in his head. "I appreciate the evening," Seri nodded to him, "I hope we can do it again soon." "That sounds fine," the young rogue nodded.

Azarius returned to the Vastel Estate where they were known for their jewelry making. The head of the Vastel family lost his mind when he lost both sons at once... one son perished and the other was revealed to be a doppleganger. He poisoned himself, his second wife and his daughter to end it all. A dinner guest who was there at the time was able to save both Carus and Tylianna, but Tybalt Vastel Sr died to the poison. Carus went on to marry Reegan Winterrowd who took her and her daughter into his home, leaving the immense Vastel Estate practically vacant with the exception of a few servant caretakers. Azarius, Amara, Trieste, and Thorn had the home to themselves. A flurry of servants were working in the home, still removing furnishing coverings when Azarius arrived. Everything in the home spoke of wealth and power. Trieste greeted him at the door, "I have already seen to your room. It certainly is an awful shame what happened to the family here." One of the human servants came up to the human sorcerer, "Should we make up a room for Master Thorn in the servants' area?" "In the servants' area?" He reasked the question, thinking for a moment before recalling the story they had used, "Yes, yes. That will be fine." Trieste had already moved everything he had on the ship into his room here at the estate, but Azarius was hanging his clothes in the luxurious closets when a knock at the door came from Reegan Winterrowd. "It is good to see you," the silver haired human nobleman nodded, "It has been quite a long time since you have been here." "I've been preoccupied with work," Azarius nodded to him. "Ah the life of a nobleman is not as easy as though of the lower class would lead you to believe," Reegan smiled and nodded, "It has been awhile since we've had to use the Vastel Estate since my wife stays in the Winterrowd home, so I hope that the servants have gotten the place cleaned up enough. I have sent some of my staff here to keep the kitchen in working order so that you can have an appropriate meal. I'll be sure to have them prepare something for you. I assume your man-servant, Thorn also eats the same as you?" "Blood of the innocents, yes," Azarius smiled and nodded. "Well we have plenty of that... we are nobles," Reegan laughed, joining in on the joke, "I've heard that you've had some experience on ships on your travels." "Ships of a sort," the sorcerer nodded, "The ships I've become proficient with are magic ships... a bit different than sea faring ships." "Some of the principles are the same, I imagine," Reegan nodded, "As you may or may not know... there is a catamaran race among the nobles tomorrow. I will have a ship in the race, and I will be piloting that noble vessel. I was thinking I could use another able bodied nobleman with experience on ship to help bring victory." "How many is the crew?" Azarius asked. "Four," Reegan answered, "If you'd like to invite another of your companions along to help crew the ship, you're welcome to invite them. For instance your daunting man-servant? I have two other men who can fill in." Azarius considered it a moment and nodded, "I will ask my trusty man servant if he is interested and get you an answer post haste, but I imagine that he'll be interested. He's a bit short though... how big is this ship? Will he be able to reach the riggings? Wellll we can probably put him on stilts if we have to, I'm sure he'll be fine." He imagined running the ship himself with his tentacles. "Very well," Reegan nodded.

Thorn received a message requesting that Man-servant Thorn come to speak with Azarius Chaat at the Vastel Estate where he was met by a butler, "You are Mr. Thorn?" "I am," the halfling nodded up to him. The butler looked him up and down a moment, "Very well, sir, a room has been made available for you." "Thank you," Thorn headed into his room where a man servant outfit had been laid out for him. He sighed, and changed into the clothing. Soon after another servant escorted him to Azarius's room where the sorcerer was dressed in in fine Chaat clothing. "We've been invited to do some sailing in a race," Azarius nodded to him. "We?" Thorn raised an eyebrow. "You're going to be my first mate," the blonde-haired human nodded. "I don't know anything about sailing," Thorn shook his head. "I'm sure you know a little bit," Azarius nodded, "I'm sure you can do it. It'll be fun." "Alright," Thorn nodded, "When is it?" "Tomorrow. In the morning," the sorcerer nodded. "Oh!" the halfling blinked in surprise. Azarius nodded, "They kind of just threw this at me too... what's good for the goose is good for the gander... we'll go down to the docks and lose this thing together." "I swear if there's a little boy sailor outfit waiting for me in the morning..." Thorn eyed him. Azarius laughed, "I'll be sure there's some shiny buttons on it for you."

Wren and Kale were entwined together, lounging on the bed. The sheets and blankets were all over the floor, and her head was lying on his shoulder... something about being among all o f those dragons. A knock came at the door and Kale looked over at her, shaking his head, "Don't answer it." She grinned, and snuggled in, but the knock became more insistent... and then continuous. She sighed, "It sounds important..." She called out, "Who is it?" A feminine elven voice came from the other side, "Miss Dreamspinner... there's a young man waiting for you." "But I already have one," Wren called back, snuggling in closer to Kale, "Isn't Crowe available?" Kale chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "He insisted that he speak to you... he appears to be a nobleman... a Mr. Mercer?" the elven voice responded. Wren sighed, "What can Jerrandis possibly want this late?" She slid slowly out of Kale's comfortable arms, "This had better be good." She slipped into a mostly sheer black robe that barely made her decent, and ran her fingers through her hair to smooth it out. She opened the door to see the young elven woman in the hall. "He's waiting for you in the foyer," the woman gestured down the hall, and Wren nodded. The elven witch headed down the stairs sleepily, smelling leather and steel lingering on her exotic herbal skin. She smiled warmly when she seen Jerrandis waiting, dressed in noble clothing instead of his witch hunter attire. He blushed when he seen her come down the stairs, quite obviously pulled from bed, "Oh, I'm terribly sorry for waking you up!" She smiled, and nodded to him, "Lord Mercer, to what honor do I have the pleasure of your company tonight?" "I'm terribly sorry to have woken you, but it's an emergency, and I need your help," he sounded a little out of breath. "An emergency?" She tilted her head and became more serious, "What can I do to help you?" "Well you know we just got back after dealing that righteous blow to those witches... but no sooner did I walk in the door and my father ambushes me," the witch hunter explained it as though something traumatic and urgent was afoot. "Ambushes you?!" Wren interrupted, looking him over concerned, "Are you alright?" "Not ambushes me in //that// way!" he shook his head, "He screamed at me for forgetting that the great race was tomorrow." "A great race?" She tilted her head, confused. He nodded, "The catamaran race!" Wren shook her head, "I'm afraid I don't know what a catamaran is, sweetie." "It's a ship," he nodded, "A small sailing ship!" "Oh!" Wren nodded, "Alright... so you're going to race some little boats... alright." Jerrandis nodded, "Yes, and with my eldest brother, Mikah, having duties at the arcane university tomorrow... we are short some crew members for the ship... and you and your friends are the only ones that I know of last minute that I could think of that could help. I've heard of your heroic adventures on that ship... so I figured you have some experience on ships?" "Some..." Wren nodded, "I mean I was on that pirate ship." "So you'll help?!" He shouted at her, looking hopeful. "Okay, wait, wait, wait... calm down. Let me get this all straight... Your "emergency" is that you're going to race a little boat and you need crew members?" She blinked, staring at him. "Well yes, but... I have to //win//! Otherwise father would be cross at me," Jerrandis nodded. "Well we can't have that," Wren shook her head, "And you did help me..." "Yes, I thought you and that ... big strong fellow... Kale... man he looks like he can man a sail!" Jerrandis nodded. "Oh, my fiance, of course!" Wren nodded. "Fiance..." the word fell slowly from his lips, and Jerrandis looked stunned and crestfallen, stumbling over his next words, "Yes your... fiance... can help with the ship." "I'm sorry," Wren laid a soft hand on the nobleman's arm, "I thought that you knew." "No," he shook his head at her, still a bit scattered, "Well... the ship has room for 4... so if you and Kale come, you can still invite another to join us." "Alright, We'd be happy to come and help you," Wren nodded. "Great! It's in the morning!" he nodded to her. "Wait! What?!" she blinked at him. "Hence the emergency!" he nodded. "Okay... in the morning... where should we meet you?" she tilted her head at him. "At the bay, you can't miss it," he nodded.

Wren sighed, standing alone in the foyer... a race... in the morning... and she had to find another to join them. She returned to the bedroom where Kale was still laying on the bed. He looked up at her, "So who was it?" "Jerrandis," Wren nodded, "Apparently there's some sort of emergency where he forgot about a little boat race and he needs crew members for the morning." "Oh... well good luck with that," Kale nodded and patted the bed. "Ohhhh," Wren sighed, "You're not going to go with me?" "Oh..." Kale nodded, "Well if //you're// going, then I'm going." She nodded, "I told him that you're my fiance by the way." "Did he take it well?" the elven warrior raised an eyebrow. "Well... I don't know about //well//," Wren answered thoughtfully, "But he's stable." "Accidents happen on boats, so I should probably watch myself tomorrow," he nodded to her. She grinned at him, leaning in closer to kiss his lips, "And we have to go find another to volunteer to go with us." "Okay..." he nodded, getting up to join her. Wren knocked on the bedroom door where Erevin was lying in the bed with Shri asleep across his chest, her white hair draped over his shoulder. He called out from the bed, "Is someone dying?" Wren laughed, "No, Erevin... no one is dying." "What possible reason could you be knocking on my door so late at night?" He asked and then answered excitedly, "The dragons have surrendered! They're coming to beg for mercy!" Wren laughed, "You're adorable late at night!" "That's what they all tell me," he nodded, patting Shri back to sleep as she stirred slightly. "Apparently there's some sort of boat race in the morning..." she started to explain. "I know... I'm going," he interrupted. "Oh!" Wren blinked in surprise, "Wait... who are you going with?" "With the Dulsaers, of course, that's who asked me," he answered. "Oh... well Kale and I are going with the Mercers, so we'll see you in the morning," she nodded. He glanced at the door with a raised eyebrow, "I'm deeply concerned about this town..."

Wren looked at Kale, "It's late... I don't feel like walking all the way to the Unexpected Monkey... let's just teleport, okay?" She leaned against him. "Okay," he shrugged, and put his arms around her as she wove her spell. The two arrived in the tavern at the entrance of the inn and walked up to the room where Posy and Uther were staying. "I don't hear any animal sounds or things crashing, so we should be safe," Wren knocked on the door, "Posy?" The little gnome wandered over and opened the door, feathers strewn about in her hair, looking up at the elven witch. "Oh! I love that look!" Wren nodded, "You should wear that more often." "I think it's from her pillows," Kale nudged her, "Or the mattress." "Oh," Wren looked her over again and shrugged, "Well intentional or not, feathers are a great look on you... anyway... do you want to go sailing tomorrow?" Posy stared at her blankly, "No?" Wren giggled, "Apparently there's a race among the nobles where they use some sort of little boat and Jerrandis needs our help." Posy sighed and nodded, "We'll be there." "Great! Thank you, Posy!" Wren nodded, "Oh and Erevin is helping the Dulsaers... so we'll have competition." Posy raised an eyebrow.

Mali walked down the hall, carrying a glass of water, overhearing the two women talk about a boat race, "Oh! Would it be cheating if I turned into an air elemental and blew the sails?" "Oh!" Wren turned to her, "I'm sure that wouldn't be cheating... We would love that! It'll be fantastic! No one will notice you, it will be great." "She wont be invisible..." Kale leaned against her. "We'll tell them we have an air elemental painted on the sail," Posy shrugged. "I don't think that's going to fly..." Kale shook his head. "Oh fine... you could go in my place!" Wren offered. Posy blinked at her and laughed, "Wait a minute..." Wren laughed, "Well Erevin might need you on the Dulsaer ship, Mali, he's going to be there too... Or Kale might be happy to be off the hook." "Oh no..." Kale shook his head at her, "If you're going, I'm going. I'm not letting you go sail on a ship with //Jerrandis//... surrounded by water... that's just a recipe for bad." Wren grinned at him, and nodded, "Alright." "I can cheer you guys on... in the water... under your boat," Mali grinned. Wren laughed.

Sleep was fitful for everyone, knowing what was coming... A captain's outfit with a long coat and buttons were laid out for Azarius and a sailor's outfit was waiting for Thorn. The bay was mostly devoid of the normal early morning fishing ships and in their place were about a dozen catamarans... Small, single sail ships, flying the crests of the noble families. Townsfolk had set up chairs and blankets along the coast, gathering to watch the race.

As Erevin, Wren, and Kale rounded the corner, coming from the elven embassy, they could see Azarius speaking with a handsome nobleman. City girls were staring at the handsome men, oooing and ahhing. Wren raised an eyebrow at Thorn's attire, but said nothing. Posy was already accompanying the witchhunter Mercer. Erevin nodded to him, "Jerrandis... I didn't know you were a sailor." "I'm not exactly," Jerrandis shook his head, "I mean I've done this..." he gestured toward the boats. "Did you wax the deck of that ship?" Erevin asked him. Jerrandis shook his head and continued on, "I've done this a couple of times... I've just never been in charge before." "Make sure that deck gets waxed," Erevin nodded to him. "Oh, I get it now!" Jerrandis laughed, "That is what the people say is 'talking shit'!" Erevin grinned, "Kind of." "Ha!" Jerrandis nodded, "Well I shall defeat you!" Wren laughed softly, unable to contain it, and winked at Erevin, taking her place in the young Mercer's group along with Kale and Posy. "Excellent," Erevin nodded to him, grinning. Mali was along the beachline, waving to all of them.

Arriving a little late, Shri bounded up to the elven ranger, wearing a red bandanna, a little eye patch, and thigh high black leather boots, "You weren't going to leave without me, were you, //Captain// Erevin?" Erevin's eyes looked her up and down, and he grinned, "Let's go find the boat." Vivian Dulsaer had on a big hat to keep the sun out of her eyes and was wearing glasses with darkened lenses. She smiled when she saw him and gestured to her extravagant Dulsaer ship, built for speed and racing. Two were already on the boat. One of them was an experienced sailor that the Vivian had hired. The other was an older man... the world's most interesting man, and he greeted Erevin with a handshake, "I don't know if you remember me, sir, but I was at the wedding of Miss Winterrowd. My name is Thamalon Uskevren." "Do you know how to work this thing?" Erevin greeted him and gestured to the boat. "I don't often go sailing, but when I do... it's a catamaran," he nodded with a smile. "So how did you get roped into this?" Erevin grinned. "I'm visiting from Sembia. My wife doesn't come into town often, but when she does, she is always wined and dined by Miss Vivian. So the young Miss Dulsaer placed the word in her ear that while I was in town, I should use my skills to help her out." "Alright," Erevin nodded. "This should be a piece of cake... all of these youngsters... what do they know of sailing boats?" he nodded to Erevin with a smile. "That's what I wanted to hear," Erevin nodded and grinned.

Mali slipped into the water, turning into a water elemental and making the water rougher with waves, giggling mischievously. Alexander Brightwood was on another boat with his own crew. Erevin waved to him, "Mr. Brightwood, splendid day, don't you think?" "Yes, of course," Alexander waved back, "Or it will be for me when I win." Erevin grinned, "We shall see." Several other nobles were boarding their catamarans and preparing. Reegan had clearly raced before, and knew what he was doing. Uskevren was the same, instructing the others on what to do. Jerrandis was busily trying to remember everything that needed to be done while Kale and Posy adjusted the mast with brute strength. Everyone moved into lines along the bay.

Magarite stepped into place next to an arcane student who wove a spell around her to make her voice boom out across the bay, "Welcome to the Grand Race again this year, nobles of Lyrabar. We wish you all the best of luck. This year there will be a slight change to the rules. Rather than just circling the customary island... we have placed a flag, one each bearing the symbol of your noble house. You must get to the island and retrieve your flag before sailing back. Of course you may not harm or interfere with any of the other contestants or their boats. Good sportsmanship. May Lathander watch over you." She stepped off to the side, revealing the great armored Lord Magnus. He lift his sword aloft, bursting it into flame, and brought it down in a sharp chopping motion, signaling the green light.

These boats were very different from Destiny... Stretched canvas over two runners with a single mast and sail. They could feel every wave, and water sprayed up to mist their skin and clothing. Wren and Kale counterbalanced the Mercer boat while Posy moved the sail, and Jerrandis steered. Thamalon steered for the Dulsaers, Shri controlled the sails, and Erevin counterbalanced with the other sailor. Shirt open and long blonde hair whipping in the winds as he leaned off the edge of the ship, holding onto a rope. Reegan piloted the Winterrowd/Vastel catamaran, Azarius took the sails, and Thorn and the other sailor counterbalanced.

Wren wove a gentle breeze to help fill the sails as Posy adjusted them to catch it. Kale had his shirt off, muscles glistening in the spray of the water, and he nodded with a grin to Erevin as the two rode the edges of their ships. Wren stared at both of them and nodded, "You boys know how to sail." Shri winked over at Wren from her boat, "No matter who wins... we win." Wren flashed her a smile and nodded, "That's right!" Azarius worked the sails like a pro, subtly using tentacles to help him with the ropes. Thorn nimbly and deftly skidded across the ship, placing his small weight in just the right places to keep their boat balanced perfectly. Shri took note of the breeze suddenly filling the Mercer sails and she nodded, "Oh, so you want to play it like that, huh?" She sent a prayer to Eilistraee, blessing her crew with a divine guidance. The three boats leapt into the lead with the Brightwoods not far behind as the others started to fall into the distance.

As they came up closer to the large rocks, the center was shallowed with rocks. Thorn noticed and called out, "Azarius! Destroy those rocks!" He pointed ahead. Erevin heard something about rocks coming from Thorn, and he turned to Thamalon, "Can you make this thing jump?" "Well... if you can make a bigger wave," he nodded. Erevin nodded, centering their boat for speed and precision, and he pushed the other sailor off the boat to lighten the load, "Get ready to go over!" Wren wove a witch hex to bless Posy with good fortune, their boat oblivious to upcoming rocks. Azarius wove a spell, using his tentacles to subtly keep the sails in check and sent out a green ray from another of his tentacles into the water, destroying the rocks ahead of them! Water splashed up from the explosion of rocks.

Maliumpkin churned the water around her, making bigger waves that rushed out under the boats. The Dulsaer catamaran rode the large waves, jumping over the rocks in front of them! "Jerrandis! Rocks!" Wren pointed ahead a little too late, and she sent a hex of fortune over him. "I feel lucky!" he cheered back, barely navigating through the jagged rocks and scraping something as they passed through. The other ships continued behind them, racing onward.

The island ahead had a group of young women... Samira, Argent, Melanie, Katarina, Rhianna, and Natalie were scantily clad in island grass skirts, waving at the approaching boats. The flags were waving in the middle of the island. Azarius got close to the island, banking right and handing a ring of flight to Thorn to get to the isle. Erevin instructed Thamalon to curve up and bank a hard turn to carry them across the island on the catamaran! Wren turned to Jerrandis, "Bank left, start heading back." She kissed Kale on the cheek, "I'll be right back. Don't worry about me, just keep the boat balanced." She stepped through a dimension door. Mali played in the water, watching the others by the isle.

One of the catamarans luckily made it through the safe path Azarius had cleared the rocks from, but two more crashed into the rocks, toppling over where the Dulsaer sailor was floating in the water. The other ships behind them made hard turns to go around. Thorn leapt into the air, taking flight to get onto the isle. All of the girls called up to him, cheering, and jumping up and down, "Thorn! Hi Thorn! Come down and see us!" He winked down at them, enjoying the aerial view, "Maybe later, ladies... I've got a flag to catch." As Thorn arrived at the Winterrowd / Vastel flag, Wren appeared near him, putting a hand on the Mercer flag. She winked over at him, "Hi Thorn!" "Hey!" he grabbed his flag, shaking his head at her. She glanced over to see Erevin on the front edge of the Dulsaer ship heading straight for the island at top speed, "What the hell is he doing?!" She nudged the halfling beside her, "Um... Thorn? Time to go!" Samira turned around, pointing at Wren, "Naughty naughty!" She sent a beam for the witch, but Wren pulled her swift dispell from Cirdan, to knock the beam off into the distance, "Don't you have cinnamon rolls burning, Samira!" Melanie stepped beside her, weaving a spell over Thorn, suppressing his ring, so he fell to roll on the sand.

Azarius ran the Winterrowd catamaran along the edge of the isle, trying to get closer for Thorn who engaged his boots of speed to run across the sand! Erevin pulled his blade and threw out a cone of cold to cover the sand in ice as they sped across the ice-covered path. "Look out, ladies!" Thorn called back as he ran across the sand, glancing back to see the girls dive out of the way. Erevin leaned off of the front of his catamaran, smiling, "Ladies." He grabbed the Dulsaer flag as the boat careened across the isle back into the water! "Dramatic and showy as ever, Erevin!" Wren grinned at the elven prince, and wove another spell over herself, just barely getting it off before Samira got hers off. The witch teleported back to the Mercer ship, arriving on the catamaran as it hit the rough waves, and she nearly fell off, sliding to the edge, leaning back with her hair in the water! The beam from Samira impacted the sand where Wren was just standing a moment before. Thorn leapt for the boat, diving from the island, and a tentacle reached out and grabbed his hand to pull him aboard. "Oh, thanks!" Thorn nodded, first relieved for the helping hand in, noticed what had a hold of him. Wait... that's a tentacle. His eyes widened and he had a momentary look of horror on his face, "Ahh!" But he was set down safely on the catamaran.

All three boats were heading back toward the dock. Thorn slipped around the boat, counter balancing with speed and precision as Azarius steered their boat. Reegan, impressed, nodded to the sorcerer, "That halfling is dynamite! It's like he was born to the sea! Where did you find him?" "He's my man servant," Azarius nodded. Wren sat up out of the water, and wove a spell over Posy to allow her to be able to hex her with more fortune while the gnome turned the sails and Kale kept them balanced. Erevin worked with Shri and Thamalon to bring the speed back up on their boat in the water to curve around toward the dock.

Shri whispered a prayer to Eilistraee and Erevin felt his muscles bulge up a little more. She pulled the ropes to catch the sail into the wind. Erevin considered ramping off of the wreckage of boats, but there were still noblemen swimming around it... so thinking better of it, he worked to catch back up to the Winterrowd / Vastel ship. Azarius steered as Thorn pinballed across their boat to balance. Wren put another hex of fortune on Posy, bringing her good luck as the gnome shifted the mast around trying to recatch the wind. Mali started a whirlpool up closer to the docks. The Dulsaer ship was just behind the Mercer ship as they followed the Winterrowd ship that was pulling away into the lead. Posy pointed to the whirlpool forming ahead in front of Azarius and Thorn, "It's going to be suck to be them!" Wren nodded, watching in shock.

Azarius steered directly for the whirlpool, nearly defying gravity as they hit the edge and leapt over the whirlpool to careen across the water to the other side. Erevin pointed to the edge, preparing to slingshot the ship along the curve of the whirlpool. Wren shook her head, "We're going to have to try to ride along the edge... hold on tight!" She prepped a mending spell and put her hands on the ship, preparing to repair just in case. Thamalon used his great skill to maneuver in, but Jerrandis was a little less sure and the two ships ended up side by side as they skirted to the edge of the whirpool. Posy hefted with a mighty heave to turn the mast, but cracked it in half, the sail falling! Erevin glanced back to make sure they weren't going to drown, and satisfied they kept going coming into the docks at second place. Kale and Posy hefted the mace into place together and Wren mended it back together to bring them in to third place just ahead of the Brightwoods who took fourth. A couple of other surviving boats arrived after.

The crowd gathered and cheered the arriving boats, congratulating the Winterrowd / Vastel group on their win.Erevin grinned at the others, "Next year we enter our own."Wren laughed and nodded.The sorcereresses on the island returned with the rescued people from the crashed ships. Samira gave Wren the eye, "I was //this// close!" The young witch flashed her a grin.Amara came up to Azarius, cheering, "Congratulations! That halfling is a ball of fire!""Yes, yes he is," the sorcerer nodded to her, "That outfit does him justice." He glanced over at Thorn in his sailor clothes."I will definitely call upon his services later," Amara nodded, "I have some laundry."Wren and Posy turned to the witch hunter, "Sorry, Jerrandis... we tried."Erevin bowed to the lovely Dulsaer spy, "Lady Vivian, I apologize.""Aw, you came in second. That was much better than some of the others did," she smiled and nodded approvingly.

Everyone had the afternoon and evening off in Lyrabar, and plans were made to head to the west the following day to deal with the fungus and the unicorn.