Session+90

**Session 90** **5/14/2016** **The Many Stops on the Journey Toward Lantan**

The group gathered up in Sarshel. Trieste stayed behind to watch over Amara. The elven pirates were to stay for a few more days for repairs and then move on. The companions teleported through Wren and Azarius's magic to Myth Coramanth. Coming in to an elegant raised dais surrounded by ivy just outside of the city, the group appeared in the designated safe arrival area. The smell of the forest was all around them, and they could see a few rangers hidden in tree stands around the area watching the dais. Following the path into the city of grand trees with rope and vine bridges weaving through the multi floors of buildings among the trees, the white tower and the golden palace could be seen from the gates. "M'lord, you have returned," A young scribe girl quickly arrived to bow to Erevin, "The rangers sent word of your arrival. Your mother is asking if there is something that you need or are you just passing through?" "We are just passing through today," Erevin nodded. "Very well," she bowed again, "Your mother has extended an invitation for you and your companions to stay in the palace, to eat, and to share your tales." Erevin nodded, "Tell her we will be joining her." "Excellent, I'll inform her right away," she bowed and took off through the streets, heading to the palace. The group headed out to the river outside of the city where Wren had seen the fairies in her dream. There were a few elven couples along the river banks having picnics and communing with nature. In a quieter area up river they found tiny winged fairies floating around the area like colorful motes. Wren stepped away from her companions, weaving water walking over herself to walk across the river to join them. Perfect little elven women were dancing about. Some had dragonfly, some had butterfly, and some had feather wings. A sparkly fairy in white with moth wings flew up to greet her. "A beautiful spring day to you, my lady," Wren curtsied. "Ah good day to you, witch of the nest," the pale fairy nodded back, "To what do we owe the honor of this visit, daughter of Raven ?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"I have come in search of The Three. I'm hoping that they're either here or you can point me in the correct direction," the young elven witch answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Well there are more than three of us here," the little fairy gestured to her winged sisters, "Which three do you seek?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren shook her head, "They are known as The Three." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Oh! I know of whom you speak... you seek my sisters," she nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Excellent! Do you know where your sisters are?" Wren asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Yes," she nodded, "Will you dance with me?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren hesitated for just a second and then nodded, "Of course I will dance with you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Dance with us then, daughter of Raven," the little moth fairy gestured toward the fluttering of fairies around them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Will you answer my question first?" Wren smiled. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Hmm," the little fairy looked her over, "You witches are tricksy..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"I have been so accused before," Wren nodded, "But I don't mean it as a trick. I will gladly dance with you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"The Three that you seek are the Three Knights of the River. They are Lady Ruby, Lady Amethyst, and Lady Emerald," the fairy nodded again. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Such beautiful names for these Three," Wren nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"They are like the sparkling stones by which they were named. I am Lady Diamond," she smiled. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Diamond," Wren nodded, "May I introduce you to my companions?" The young witch gestured to the group standing on the shore line. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Ooooo! So pretty!" Several fluttered around Kale and Erevin while a few others quickly surrounded Thorn, "Who's the little one?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren laughed, introducing each of them, including Posy and Shri. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thorn's feet felt ticklish, and he looked down to see a couple of fairies braiding ribbons into the hairs on his feet, "Hey!" he started to chastise them, but after pausing to watch what they were doing, he nodded with a shrug, "Oh... okay... Actually that's... that's not so bad." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren laughed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"So do you know where these Three Knights of the River are now?" Wren pressed for more information. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"They left," Diamond and the other fairies looked sad, "They went to guard the Queen of Rivers." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren nodded, "And do you know where they went to do that?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The fairies fluttered around each other and shook their heads, "No... they followed after a couple of humans." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"A couple of humans?" Wren nodded, "Do you know what these humans looked like?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Do you know their names?" Erevin asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren nodded, "Their names would be even better." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The fairies swarmed around each other whispering about what they remembered... finding a general consensus, "The girl had pink hair... that seems to be the general consensus... and the boy had dark hair... it may be brown, it may be black, or it may be dark chestnut... or perhaps a charcoal." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren laughed and nodded, "I can live with that description. The woman with pink hair is pretty distinct. There is only one woman that I know of who has pink hair and is human." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Now dance!" the fairies cheered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren nodded, "Of course." Wren began to dance with them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">One of the fairies fluttered around her with her arms crossed, "That's not dancing..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren blinked at her, "Then what is dancing?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"You can't properly dance with all of //that//... on," the fairy gestured to Wren's clothing and gear. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Oh!" Wren nodded, "You wanted a witch dance, of course." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"A fairy dance," they nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Alright... are there any other traditions I need to know about fairy dancing? I've never done one," Wren shook her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Nope. You just have to dance free of all impediments," the fairies all agreed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Of course, fully free... here in the broad daylight. It will be fantastic," Wren agreed. The fairies cheered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Should we start a bonfire for you? Make it easier?" Thorn tilted his head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren grinned, "That would be great! I would feel much more at home." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">She handed her things off to the others to watch over and stepped onto the water to dance. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The others settled in for the show. Wren wove a slinky and sensual dance over the water, and the fairies swarmed around her strategically covering her with colorful motes of light. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Thorn gestured out to the dancing witch and fairies, "First of all... I've already seen it... and second of all, that's still not fair! ...damn fairies." he mumbled and sat back against a tree with a huff, "Corn rolls in my toe hairs and now I can't see the goody bits." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Kale, Erevin, Shri, Posy, and Uther sat on the riverbank to watch. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Some of the fairies formed a glowing crown around Wren's head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Finally they flitted around her happily, "You have done us a great honor, daughter of Raven. Please give your mother our regards." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Of course I will," Wren smiled and nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">As the fairies scattered back off, Kale met her to wrap her cloak around her. She grinned and leaned up to kiss his lips. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">As Wren regathered and donned her equipment, the others got up to move. 1 hair had been pulled from each of Thorn's feet to be woven to the other foot, so as he stepped he felt the pinch of yanking out a hair from both feet at once. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Ow!" Thorn looked down, "Damn fairies!" Little flowers and ribbons had been woven into the braids of hair and looked very cute. "I'm probably going to have to shave this to get it all off... good thing I'm a halfling and it'll grow back in a day." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren giggled and patted his shoulder, looking around to see that all of her companions had been touched by the fairies. Posy's hair was woven with a big posy flower woven into it, Erevin and Kale had braids in their hair... Erevin's braids were woven like a lion, and all of them, including the witch, were covered in sparkling dust. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Everyone followed Wren deeper into the forest where the underbrush was thicker and the animals were plentiful. She wove them through the maze of vines to a grove of trees where recognizable women were scantily dressed much like Wren. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Loch was the first to reach them, giving Wren a big hug, "It's so good to see you!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Oh look, it's the woodland sluts," Erevin grinned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"No, that's me," Crowe sauntered up slower with fresh herbs cut in her hand, "Welcome back, sister." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"It's good to see both of you," Wren hugged them both. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Crowe bowed low and gracefully to her younger sister with a smile on her face. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, "Alright... let's hear it... let's hear the whole 'Mother Dreamspinner' bit... cause I just know you're dying to let it fall off of your lips." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Why I would never be disrespectful to my lady... the high witch mother... I'm but a humble... servant," sweet sarcasm dripped from her voice. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"A humble servant... that's adorable," Wren shook her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Are you here to see our mother?" Crowe asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Is she still here?" Wren tilted her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Yes, I think she's all packed and just waiting for you... to take your... your new role," Crowe nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"She's waiting!" Wren nodded in surprise, "What a nice mother we have." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Indeed she is rather waspish... a lot of 'what is taking that girl so long'," Crowe nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren laughed, "Well time is still ticking because I'm not here to fill her shoes just yet." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"How disappointing," Crow smirked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren smirked, pulling her older sister closer by her arm, and licked her cheek slowly, "My sister... I knew I could count on your support." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Loch lingered ever close, an arm around Wren's waist. Kale scowled, also staying near his witch lover. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Crowe smiled and walked over to hug Erevin, "Prince..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"It has been too long, m'lady," Erevin nodded, returning her embrace. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Indeed it has," she nodded and walked over to bend down low in front of Thorn, giving him a nice clear view of her ample bosom, "Thorn..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">He sighed happily and grinned... realizing he had actually missed the ever presence of her seductive advances. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Crowe looked them all over, taking note of the braids and ribbons, "I see you've been with the fey." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Oh," Wren nodded and laughed, "How could you tell?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Loch blew some of the sparkling fairy dust from Wren's shoulder, sending a small cloud of glitter to sprinkle to the ground, "Aww so pretty!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The raven haired witch laughed, "I danced with them." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"And I missed it?" the ghostly pale elven woman frowned, "They always dance naked." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Wren nodded, "Yes, it was rather freeing in the broad daylight." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Crowe tilted her head, "So if you're not here to take up the reigns... why are you here then?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Well there are some things that I need from Mother's supplies, some herbs I need to pick up... and I wanted to check on everyone since I thought that she left," Wren answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Well... she seems reluctant to leave me as the interim mother until you arrived," the elder sister replied. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Hmm I wonder why..." Wren laughed and winked, "I'll talk to her about it. For my sister... anything." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Thanks," Crowe smirked, "I knew I could count on you." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Crowe led Erevin, Kale, Thorn, and Uther to a fountain with a statue of a naked woman was posed in a dance surrounded by a few comfortable benches. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">She nodded, gesturing to the open area, "You are all welcome to wait here." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Loch escorted Wren, Posy, and Shri into the tree. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Several black ravens lined the branches of the great tree. A few of them flapped their wings and vanished into a window. The tree was old and large. A strong scent of earth filled the air. Candles lined the walls of the long spiral staircase descending down from the entrance. Wren paused at the door to her mother's room and knocked. Entering when she heard Raven's voice inside. She smiled when she seen her mother packing things into a large pack, "Mother... still planning for your trip, I see.""Wren! You're here!" Raven looked up with excitement, "I was just putting some final touches on my packing... I heard that you had returned to Myth Coramanth. Finally I can go on that vacation." The elder elven woman hugged her.Wren returned her embrace, "It's good to see you, Mother... You know that I'm not here to take over just yet, right?""But why?" Raven frowned, putting on her guilt filled sad violet eyes, "Why would you do that to your poor mother? Don't you love me?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The golden-eyed elven woman smirked, "Of course I love you... I'm still trying to save the world." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "<span style="display: inline !important; font-size: 12.8px;">Can't you do both?" Raven asked her.Wren grinned, "Sure... but that would mean Crowe would be in charge when I'm not here... or Loch... or both." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Do you think that would work?" Raven tapped a thoughtful finger to her lips and then shook her head, "I think Crowe would dominate poor Loch and there would be a horrible constant orgy here." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, "That's my fear as well.""So we see eye to eye on this," Raven nodded to her, "I knew I chose wisely." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well... what if we start a shop within the city? Where we can sell potions, herbs, and various things... and Crowe can have her trail of men there. Would that make you feel better?" Wren tilted her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes... I wouldn't want to visit and have this whole place stink of men," Raven nodded in agreement, "Alright. You set that up. Be firm... as a proper Mother of the Coven would be." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course," Wren nodded deeply. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You make me so proud," Raven smiled and nodded to her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smiled, "You have raised me well." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And I can sense that your power has grown as well," Raven nodded to her youngest daughter, looking her over. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Thank you," Wren smiled, "We've been working very hard." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You shall be the most powerful witch this coven has ever had," the white-haired elder witch nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smiled, "Well... I'm not as strong as you yet. I'm still striving." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You will surpass me soon enough," Raven nodded, "Then I shall just be an old relic." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Really?... An old relic?" Wren raised an eyebrow and folded her arms, "//The// Raven Dreamspinner... the woman who created alchemical recipes that no one else could touch... and a name known far and wide... an old relic?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Aww, you flatter me so well... See, I knew I chose right," Raven smiled at her, "Alright... You explain it all to Crowe and go off and do your saving the world." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smiled and nodded, "You will be careful, right? ...I mean you've seen Esme, right? She's looking like she's sort of in her more rickety years." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Raven nodded, "Well halflings don't live as long as elves... even druids who don't show their signs of aging like others. Esme has gone through some tough times." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And Thorn's grandpa isn't exactly young either," Wren shook her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well I'm in the prime of my elven life," Raven nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course you are," Wren agreed, "And they'll all be counting on you... which is why you'll be careful, right?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You can't lecture me," Raven scowled at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I can worry about you all that I want... it's my right as your daughter," Wren countered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Raven paused for a long moment and then nodded, "Very well, I love you too... now off with you." She shooed her to the door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Wait!" Wren stopped before her mother could close the door in her face. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "What?" Raven raised an eyebrow, pausing with a hand on the door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I need you to teach me two spells," Wren smiled sweetly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Ahhh the true reason you have come... Spells... all that you need out of your poor mother," Raven shook her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Aww... I need much more from you than that... I need your love," Wren smiled. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I only believe you because I know that you can not lie," Raven replied. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Wow... It's come to that..." Wren sighed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "What spells would you like to learn?" Raven nodded to her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I need to know how to scry... and how to travel between planes. It seems like it's going to be important for some of the next steps we have to accomplish," Wren answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Very well... I'll be glad to teach you these spells. They are certainly useful," Raven nodded, "Scrying on people..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well it'll likely be on items... but I might have to scry on you now and then to make sure you're alright," Wren nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You wouldn't!" Raven stared at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren grinned, "You've been scrying on me for years... turn about is fair play, right?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "No... that's not how a mother daughter relationship works," Raven shook her head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed.The two spent a couple of hours with Raven helping Inali and Wren learn the magic. A couple of junior witches took platters of food and wine out to the girls lounging in the coven and the guys at the fountain. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Crowe... you should be making our guests feel welcome. Go out and dance... offer them tea... if you're going to be looking after this place, you need to work on your hostess-ism," Wren nudged her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The elder sister scowled at her... if looks could kill, Wren would have been dead on the floor... but Wren continued to smile sweetly and nudge her sister along. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Crowe went out to the fountain and sat down next to the halfling rogue, "Have I told you how much I've missed you, Thorn?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Probably not as much as I've missed you," he grinned up at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She put her arm around him and nodded to the braids on his feet, "I like your furry little feet." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He hid them under the ledge of the fountain in shame... pretty little braids with flowers and ribbons... it was unseemly for his reputation. An hour or so later, Raven handed the new scrolls to Wren, "Inali shouldn't have any problem learning the magic from these, and she can bestow the knowledge on to you... Everything else is well? Your new patron is treating you fairly?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The young elven woman nodded, "More than fairly since she did save my life." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The elder witch nodded, her violet eyes looking over her daughter knowingly, "And you haven't had any other problems from your former patron?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well..." Wren frowned, "There does still seem to be some lingering effects there that I'm dealing with... some of them good... speaking the truth is probably good for me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Raven nodded, "Yes, good for all of us." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smiled, "I'm glad you see it that way. ...Is there anything else that you need me to see to before I go?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "No, I shall be counting down the moments until you come to take up your mantle," the wise elven woman nodded. Her new small owl familiar sitting on her shoulder, nestling in to her long white dreadlocks. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, "Alright then... I'm going to steal some of your books from your library. I'll bring them back." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It's not stealing if you're telling me," Raven nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh, well... I'm borrowing them then," Wren grinned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Take what you need," her mother nodded. Wren and the girls returned outside to join their male companions at the fountain. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She frowned, looking around, "I can see we need to work on our hospitality here." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin grinned, "We were fed many berries and fruits." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smirked and nodded, clearly unimpressed at how little they had been taken care of. She sat down next to her elder sister, "I worked some things out with mother." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "So I'm in charge?" Crowe asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "She is going to be going on her trip," Wren continued, ignoring her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "So I'm in charge?" Crowe asked again. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm in charge," Wren answered simply. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh, so you're going to stay and take over?" Crowe asked sweetly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "No," Wren shook her head, "You're going to be responsible for looking after things here while I'm away, but I'm in charge... however..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I will take care of things while you are gone," the elder elven woman smiled innocently and nodded. Wren continued, "You're going to set up a shop inside the city... where we can sell potions, spells, trinkets, and whatnot... continuing to make a good name for the witches of Raven's Nest . We will, of course, continue to answer to any call or need from Lady Lionspaw ." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "There ARE a lot more men in the city," Crowe nodded, speaking her thoughts aloud as she mulled the idea around. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes, so you can have your men in the back of the shop... but not out to the tree. Fair enough?" Wren asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Crowe nodded, "Yes... Mother never did like to defile this place." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded in agreement. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Your words are wise... 'Mother'," the elder sister smiled, wielding her younger sister's new title like a weapon. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Mmm," Wren nodded, brushing off the accusation of acceptance in order to keep things under control. "So where are you off to now?" Loch asked, linking her arm back into Wren's. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We're going into the city to speak with Lady Lionspaw," the raven haired elven woman answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Then I will walk with you into the city," her ghostly pale childhood companion nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren accepted her arm, nodding approvingly, "Good, then you can start finding a location and striking bargains for the new shop. Alright?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Loch nodded. The group returned to the palace in the afternoon to the mouth-watering aroma of fresh roasted venison, rabbit, and pheasant. Tables were set up with a grand buffet and a handful of elven nobles had been called. Erevin embraced his mother warmly, "You never fail to impress." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She returned his warm and squeezing hug, "Welcome home, my son, your grip has gotten stronger... and clearly... you've had some dragon problems?" She looked him over, recognizing an array of anti-dragon magics. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> A smirking smile spread on his lips, "Not anymore... though there is still one that lingers out there." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Ahh," Hirotsu smiled and nodded proudly. Yenshul came down the hall, throwing her arms around Kale, "Brother!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The large elven warrior embraced his sister, hugging her close with both arms.She moved over to Thorn, leaning down to hug the short halfling, "Thorn! It's good to see that you're back!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> With a wide grin, he returned her hug, leaning in to her welcoming pillowy bosom, "It's good to be back." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She sat next to him, clasping one of her hands into his beneath the table. She retrieved a small basket that she slipped into his hand, "I baked you some of my moist muffins, would you like one? They're delicious!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> For a brief moment, horrific flash backs swept through the halfling's thoughts of Yenshul... cookies... not being able to move... and Echo over him with her daggers. Erevin smirked at Thorn, joining in on the game, "Are you getting moist muffins under the table?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> It was enough to jerk the young rogue back to the present and he grinned, "Of course! I love your moist muffins. I'll be sure to eat them later." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Yenshul glanced sideways at Kale to see he was watching them with narrowed eyes, and she smiled at Thorn, "They're warm... and soft." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Tastes like heaven," he nodded with a long sigh of delight. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "If you don't want any now... maybe you can have some later tonight," she smiled coyly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh I hope to have many later tonight," he nodded to her. Kale cleared his throat, looking at his younger sister, "Why are you doing this? ...What have I done?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I don't know what you're talking about, brother," she blinked innocent eyes up at him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale turned back to Wren, "Did I do something?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The young witch who usually tried to calm him and defend the girl, instead shook her head, "What? I'm staying out of it." She'd been watching the entire scene...Yenshul obviously delighted in torturing her brother... so this time his witchy fiance didn't bother to try and hold him back. "Muffins in the morning, muffins in the evening..." Thorn hummed a merry little tune as he set his basket down beside him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And there's nothing wrong with muffins in the afternoon too!" Yenshul nodded cheerfully. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn nodded and he and the young elven woman spoke at the same time, "Afternoon delight." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You know what's really good?" Erevin nodded to them, "A flat muffin... but you have to pound that muffin first." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn grinned wide, nodding, "Fill that muffin with cream and keep pounding!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm sitting down," Kale moved down the table to take a seat, stabbing into the venison on a platter rather violently with his knife. Wren moved to sit next to him, offering a comforting squeeze with her hand on his knee to let him know she was there. Everyone sat down at the table and enjoyed their fine meal. Certainly a different cuisine than they had had in Sarshel... Fresh game and fruits instead of fish and the more sea-faring plants. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin brought up the topic of a possible elven embassy in Sarshel to his mother, asking if there would be any interest. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We certainly have a very nice embassy in Lyrabar, but it wouldn't hurt to have an embassy a little closer to home," she nodded, "That's certainly a generous offer... you've spoke to the people in charge there?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes," Erevin nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And who do you think would take up the mantle there?" Hirotsu raised an eyebrow. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin shook his head, "I'm not sure... I wasn't sure there would even be an interest... but Whitenedwave and his crew would appreciate having a home there... a place to go when they make port." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She nodded, "I will ask among the people here to see if any are willing to go. It's not such an easy thing... as, of course, it is hard to be away from home... but we have certainly been aided by those of Impiltur." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I thought maybe there might be some interest to the aquatic elves there as well," he nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Unfortunately we do not have much contact with the sea elves... I know there are some in the Sea of Falling Stars, but they are the most rare of our people," she replied.He nodded. Stories of adventure were traded, bringing the queen more up to date on their travels. Erevin filled her in, holding back only the story of fighting Grumish to tell her more privately later. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> When they spoke of the angels and watery aberrations falling from the sky to the sea and deck of the pirate ship, Hirotsu nodded, "A few fell here in the forest as well." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We pulled some of the angels from the sea to try and bury them... but they turned to ash," Erevin shook his head sadly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "These are dangerous times," she nodded, "You be careful." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He nodded, "You too." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well thanks to you and your companions," she nodded to the multi-racial group of adventurers, "and those loyal to me," she nodded to Eltrue and the group of elves sitting near to her, "We've put an end to the drow trouble here for now. Things have been quiet here. We've rebuilt most of the damage and have seen no sign of any further incursion... though we still have priests out looking for any sign of undead left behind." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Quiet is nice," the young elven prince nodded. Later on, Erevin took Hirotsu aside, telling her of the visions he and his companions had received. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It sounds like several higher powers have taken an interest in you... in all of you," she nodded, "It's a great honor." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Do you think it's a literal battle against Grumish?" he asked her, looking over her face for clues to her honest opinion, "Or some symbolic thing?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I do not know... the ways of the gods are not mine to question," she brushed her fingers lightly over her holy symbol of Corellion, "I would assume that it speaks of some... metaphysical way." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "To battle the legend... would be quite the honor," he nodded. The feast went on without any interruption or trouble. Everyone ate well and socialized. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Yenshul who had both spoken with her brother as well as paid quite a bit of attention to the young halfling, turned to Thorn, "Will you be staying here tonight?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale turned to her, his voice slightly sharp, "Yes, //we're// staying in the Palace." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn smiled, "I don't know... I was having second thoughts... I mean the room they give me here is just so large and spacious... I don't know what to do with all of that space by myself." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You'll survive," Kale turned to him, his voice a little threatening, "If you stay alone... you'll survive." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Ignoring him, Thorn continued, "The bed is like an island... it's just so large with little ol' me in there." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "If you get lonely, you can summon your duplicate," Kale glared at him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You have a duplicate?" Yenshul asked with interest, tilting her head at Thorn. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The young halfling offered her his arm, "Why don't we adjourn to my room and I'll tell you all about him." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "How about I walk you home," Kale put a hand on her shoulder. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You can't tell me what to do," she quickly argued, pointing a finger at her brother, "If I want to go with Thorn... then I'll go with Thorn." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale looked to Wren.She laughed and shook her head, "I'm staying out of it... I have too many to babysit as it is. I mean I could send her off with MY sister if you like." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yeah," Thorn nodded, "You could send her off with Crowe." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale sighed long and deep, and then nodded to Yenshul, "You're right... I can't tell you what to do. You're a big girl now. I can only be... very disappointed." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh that's so low!" she spat back with frustration, her hands in fists at her side. She sighed when he said nothing else, "I would hate to disappoint my big brother... I guess I'll go home to my house... all alone." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Kale, you make sure she gets safely to HER house," Thorn nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes," Yenshul nodded, smiling back at Thorn, "You remember the way... to MY house? Don't you Kale?" she turned back to her brother. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course he remembers the way to YOUR house," Thorn answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Disappointed," Kale spoke one word of warning like a weapon of guilt as he took his sister's arm, walking her home. Wren told Hirotsu that Raven would be leaving for a vacation. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Lady Lionspaw nodded to her, "She has led the coven for a long time. It is about time. I certainly wish that I could take a vacation..." she glanced at Erevin and smiled back at Wren, "You notice how my son looks like a deer in the torchlight." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed and nodded, "I understand that feeling all to well." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin shook his head, "I'm certain we could get Anna back here at a moment's notice. She'd be very excited." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm sure," Hirotsu nodded with a knowing smile, "I will persevere. Corellion's light will guide me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Trying to relieve Erevin of the spotlight, Wren continued, "Even in my mother's absence, the coven remains loyal to you as always." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Hirotsu nodded to her, "I'm sure. I heard something about your mother nominating you as the new Mother in charge. I look forward to your work. You've been a wise council to my son." Wren smiled, bowing her head to the compliment though she felt far from a wise council, "Unfortunately my sister is going to be taking the lead until I return... but I will make sure that she knows that whatever you may need... she will see that it is done." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Hirotsu smiled, "She is definitely a free spirit." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed, "I've heard that same accusation referred to myself... so that's putting it very politely." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well she's not stupid," the queen smiled. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Certainly not," Wren agreed, "She's almost too clever for her own good. She's... a little manipulative to be honest." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well this should be interesting," Hirotsu smiled and nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "They'll be setting up a shop in town, but if they cause you any trouble at all... you are welcome to throw them out of the city and back to the tree... and I'll deal with them when I return," Wren nodded firmly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Ahh well now you do sound like your mother," Hirotsu smiled. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well... despite being her youngest, she did raise me with certain roles in mind... I still have her thumbprints on my ears," Wren nodded with a laugh. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "The disadvantage of being an elf," Lady Lionspaw nodded in agreement. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "There's a lot of ear to grab," Thorn nodded, looking up at her ears as he joined them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed and nodded to him. The companions were all given luxurious rooms for the night. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Posy told Uther of the dream she'd had before. She told him she'd had a dream of being surrounded by barbarians, Uther and Uthgart in bear form alongside her... they had all charged into battle against a vast army of tentacled beings until there was a mountain of corpses that she climbed atop, despite her physical exhaustion from such a long battle, to shout their victorious battle cry! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Uther listened to her every word, and finally nodded, speaking a barbarian word akin to Valhalla that she hadn't heard before, "It is a place where you go to fall nobly after battle... You're not going to die, are you?" He put an arm around her, looking her over with concern. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well I..." Posy paused a moment in thought... death wasn't what she'd felt from the dream... she shook her head, "We were all together... well the tribe... and I did not see you or I or your father die..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well it is proper that I was by your side... so if we die... we will die together," he squeezed her close, seeming to take refuge in that thought, "This is right. I would want to stay with you in this life and the next." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Posy smiled in pleasant surprise, melting a little in his arms. "We are going to Lantan next?" he asked hopefully. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She nodded, "Eventually. I mean that's the plan... though it is still a bit of a journey to get there." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "This is good. We will see your family. I can not wait to meet them," he nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She smiled and nodded, "Me too." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Are you sure?" he nudged her softly, "You seemed to be kind of avoiding it actually." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She smiled up at him, "We were busy!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You will be alright," He grinned and squeezed her, "What does the Littlest Bear have to fear? You've fought the lieutenants of elder gods... dragons... masked evil undead lords! What's a few gnomes?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She leaned against him, "Unanswered questions..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I will be with you if you need any help," he assured her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She nodded, "Alright." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He nudged her again and grinned, "We should take advantage of this overly sized bed." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She flashed him a wide smile, grateful for the offered break, "Alright!" Thorn slipped from his room quietly, noticing a little can of coins leaning against his door. He pocketed the handful of copper with a grin. He put a muffin in the empty can outside of Wren and Kale's door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale was very anxious, pacing their room as Wren lounged naked over their deeply soft bed, stroking Inali's fur."I'm sure he's up to something... I should go check his room," Kale paused his steps and glanced back at Wren. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yeah?" She sat up, strands of her raven hair draping over her face as she tilted her head, "More interested in Thorn tonight, hmm? I could ask Loch to stay and help me keep the bed warm..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He raised an eyebrow at her, walking up to the bed. He cupped her cheek and gently brushed her hair away from her eyes, "Distract me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She grinned, pulling him onto the bed, "That I can do..." Thorn cheerfully made his way to Kale and Yenshul's home. It was dark, and he approached it with caution to knock softly on the door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> A single candle lit up inside and the young elven woman opened the door, dressed in an obviously new silk nightie, "Thorn! What brings you by so late?" She glanced past him into the dark to see if anyone was following him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I wasn't sure what time we would be leaving tomorrow... and I wanted to repay you for the muffins," he smiled at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She smiled, pulling him inside quickly with another quick glance outside before locking the door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn felt a little nervous and jumpy... the last time he was here, he had been attacked for the first time by Echo. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She poured him a glass of wine that he tested cautiously to find it delicious and safe.She was clearly interested... but she obviously had no experience. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He smiled, sitting beside her, "We can simply spend the evening together if you like." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "No... I want you to make me a woman... then my brother will leave me alone," she nodded quickly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn shrugged... if that's what she wanted... He nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "So... I should take my clothes off?" she asked, eager but uncertain. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He smiled and shook his head, "Leave that to me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He was kind and gentle... fulfilling her wish... and stayed until she woke in the morning. Wren opened her eyes to see Kale lying awake next to her, "Good morning... everything alright?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "If I go and check Thorn's room... He's going to be there, right?" he asked her with hopeful eyes. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She smiled, and rolled closer to whisper, "Do you want me to go and peak?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He shook his head, "No... because then I will ask you... and you will have to tell me the truth... and I don't think I want to know the truth..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh, well then I'm sure he's there," she grinned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He nodded, "Thank you... now please distract me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She laughed and nodded. Everyone joined together for breakfast. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn stretched, "Did everyone sleep well? I know I did... what little sleep I got." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale carved violently into the meat platters laid out on the breakfast table. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn paused his hand over a basket of muffins, "Oh look I'm the first one to get to it... but I couldn't... I've had enough." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren's eyes widened as the metal goblet in Kale's hand bent. She stood up quickly, dropping her fork to the table and placing herself between him and the halfling, "So do you remember how you said you wanted to ride me... there are some mountains close to here... I'm sure we have time for me to turn into a dragon and we can go for a ride this morning." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "That sounds like a good idea," he nodded to her, his hand still squeezing and bending the goblet further. Erevin took the time with Shri to visit Queelest in the prison while the others did a little shopping or sight seeing. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Everyone said their farewells to friends and loved ones and thanked their generous hostess. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Would you like to see your sister to say goodbye before we go?" Wren asked tentatively, standing among their group in the hall of the palace. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale frowned, shaking his head, "I'm not sure I can handle it." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, turning to see the young elven woman coming in the door. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Yenshul called cheerfully down the hall, "Brother!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Okay then... Everyone join hands!" Wren quickly grabbed her companions and teleported to Lyrabar... Thorn was just able to catch the silken kerchief falling from Yenshul's hand as she reached them. A "T" had been embroidered onto it for Thorn. He quickly tucked it into a sleeve as they appeared in the elven embassy. Erevin swept up Anna in a circle as he embraced her, "It is good to see you... my much older sister." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She grinned, "And wiser and prettier." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin laughed, "Certainly wiser and prettier than I... and next in line for the throne." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn eyed the elven woman... calculations running through his head... he'd been with Wren's sister... and now Kale's sister... Erevin had a beautiful sister as well, though certainly a strong warrior in her own right. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It is good to see you my little brother," she nodded as he set her back down on her feet. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Not that little," Shri shook her head, eyeing the two of them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "What brings you to Lyrabar? Is there something I can help you with?" Anna asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We're here to see Samira, a sorceress at the bake shop. She may be linked to a quest that Wren is on," he answered her, "How are things here? The drow problem is still no longer an issue?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She nodded, "Things are well. More have traveled through the city on their way to the Tree." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Have you been?" he asked her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I have," she nodded, "It's amazing! I could almost feel the presence of Corellion and the Seldarine." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He nodded, "I wish you could have been there when it grew." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Those of the face of Sune, Corellion, Lathander, and Eilistree have set up shrines around it... places of worship for those making the pilgrimage," she nodded, "It gives off the feeling of peace." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We can use more of that," Erevin agreed. "Other than that, the city is still alive and bustling and we've had no other problems with Szass Tam or drow," Anna assured him. Erevin nodded, "What of Bishop? How is he?" He studied his sister's face, recalling that she'd had a personal interest in the alchemist... and last he'd heard the man's wife was on her deathbed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It is difficult to say," Anna replied, a little surprised by her brother's interest, "He has taken his wife to his home in Ilmwatch... the rebuilt Medici estate. I have not heard one way or the other." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin nodded, letting it drop at that. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Will you be staying long?" Anna asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Not at all," Erevin shook his head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She nodded, "Just let me know if you need help with anything." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course," he replied. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Very well then," she stepped aside, "I have duties to attend to." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Duties..." he smirked and nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes... not all of us can just gallivant around," she glanced at him accusingly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, adding, "I hear your mother would like to take a vacation." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Really?" Anna blinked at her in surprise and then nodded, "I can understand the feeling." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin stretched and yawned as his elder sister glanced back toward him, "I'm sure your job is very stressful... and requires a skill set that I do not have." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "The main skill requires that you can stay in one spot for more than a couple of days," she shot back. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Oh! That reminds me... I need to check on the construction of the house I'm having built here," he nodded back to her. The group headed off to see Shandra at the House of Wonders, buying up a few extra magic items.(everyone needs to look at the book and place their orders.) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin and Shri headed off to the bluff area of the city to see the skeletal structure coming together for Erevin's estate. Dwarves were there building and several men were hauling in wood.It was late spring. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You must be Erevin, I'm Dervin Eisenhammer... I was sent by my kinsman, Gavin. He mentioned your name and when I heard you were building a house, I traveled down here to Lyrabar," one of the dwarves introduced himself to the elven prince, "We'll leave the upper levels for the elves... but we'll give the foundation some fine dwarven craftsmanship." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Erevin nodded, "Excellent! Are you finding the materials suitable?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes, and we brought some wood from Myth Coramanth to blend with the local wood to give it a more homey feel," Dervin nodded.There were a few elven architects from Myth Coramanth as well as local humans from Lyrabar were working on the home as well. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'd say you'll have a roof over your head by winter definitely... maybe even the end of summer," Dervin assured him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Excellent!" Erevin nodded approvingly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Shri leaned against Erevin softly, putting her arm around him, "It will be a fine place to live." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Visit anyway," he nooded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> She smiled, adding in a whisper, "And to raise babies." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "If it is Corellion and Eilistraee's will," he turned to nod and smile at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We've certainly been trying," she grinned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It's true," he pulled her into his arms, "We've been doing our part." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Posy, Uther, Thorn, and Kale went with Wren to the Sokolov Bakery. The warm smell of baked breads and sweets wafted out of the door as it opened. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The young witch paused her steps, glancing up to some movement on the roof. "You all go on in and start making some selections, I'll be along in a moment," she assured them. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> As the others continued into the shop, Wren flew up to land on the roof where three small fairies froze in shock and then quickly drew their swords to point them at her! One was dressed in shiny red armor, one in purple, and one in green. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren smiled, bowing before them, "The Three Knights of the River, I presume? Lady Ruby, Lady Amethyst, and Lady Emerald. My name is Wren Dreamspinner." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You know of us?" Lady Amethyst looked at her questioningly, her darker goth-like appearance offered a more sad expression than the other two. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The boisterous red-headed fairy in shiny red armor raised her sword in reply, "Of course she does! Everyone knows who the Knights of the River are!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I don't believe that's correct..." the one in green pushed a pair of spectacles up higher on her nose, "Most people really haven't heard of us." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Nonsense!" Ruby shook her head, turning back to Wren, "What do you want from us, lady witch? We recognize your clothes... you're from that coven of man-eaters aren't you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed and nodded, "Some might say that, yes." Her mother and blood sister did a fine job of keeping that reputation. The young witch continued, "I was sent by the water... I'm questing for the Queen of Rivers who was joyfully just born. I was told to find you three to find her." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The three of them exchanged glances with each other, and then turned back to Wren, "And what do you want from the Queen of Rivers?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "The Water has sent me to meet this newcomer to the world to help protect me in our quest to save the world. I'm supposed to acquire something divine from her," Wren explained. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Huddle!" the three fairies quickly gathered in a circle, whispering among themselves. Finally Ruby nodded to Wren, "Alright. That seems important. ...and we've seen you here with Samira before. We don't know anything about this "water" that you speak of or saving the world... but perhaps you can speak with Samira. The Queen of Rivers is her daughter." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Ahh so she had her baby," Wren nodded, "Excellent!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes! And we are her guardians... so we have our eye on you," Ruby nodded to her as Emerald and Amethyst agreed beside her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed softly, "Very well then... I'm off to speak to The Queen of Rivers." She turned to leave, but was interrupted. "You're not with the silver-haired one are you?" Ruby asked her, a little more suspiciously. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Immediately placing the silver haired sorceress, Wren glanced back with an eyebrow raised, "Why?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "She has a big mean cat," Ruby explained. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "A cat?" Wren tilted her head inquisitively, "I didn't think Argent liked having pets." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> They young witch recalled her conversation long ago with the exquisite silver-haired sorceress eyeing Inali and patting the drool from her lips as she told her that she'd never had a familiar. Perhaps it was Shandra's. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well she seems to like this one," Emerald assured the young witch. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Hmm... well I'll have to speak to her about such things," Wren nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "We will defeat it one day, and I shall stand atop it's kitty corpse!" Ruby shook her fist. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Raising an eyebrow, Wren turned back to her, "Is the cat some sort of threat to the Queen of Rivers?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Well I don't know about her... but it's a threat to us!" Ruby answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It chases us and tries to eat us!" Emerald echoed beside her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes... well... I'm sure the Queen of Rivers is in good hands," Wren nodded, adding under her breath, "Since the cat defeats you..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It's a very clever cat!" Ruby defensively argued. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "It's some wizard's familiar, you know! Not just some dumb animal," Emerald agreed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm familiar with such things," Wren nodded, stroking the long-eared black fox who crawled out of the bag on her hip. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Amethyst sighed heavily, "Some protectors we are..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm sure you three are doing a fine job," Wren nodded to them before safely floating back down to head into the bakery. Posy and Thorn were eating sweet pastries along with Uther as Samira set down a fresh plate on the table. Kale was waiting for her by the doorway. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Samira smiled and nodded to the witch as she came in, "Wren! I heard that you would be coming by." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Samira, always good to see you," the elven woman nodded, walking up to greet her with a hug. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You're here to see my daughter?" Samira asked. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I am," Wren nodded, "Someone told you I was coming?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I received a vision," the pink haired sorceress replied, leading her to the back room where an infant girl slept. Her dark hair had a shocking streak of pink in it. She was in a very durable looking magical crib. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn eyed the crib, noting several high level magical traps all over it, "Even the most ancient of treasure isn't as well guarded as this..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed softly, "It looks like Rosche has sent you a wonderful gift for the baby." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Samira nodded, "Yes, it closes all the way up too." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'm glad she is kept safe," Wren nodded, looking over the crib and the tiny girl inside. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "He probably just wants to keep her safe so that she can grow into a beautiful young woman to oggle her," Samira shook her head, "Bastard!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed and nodded, "I'm sure that's in his plans." "I was told that you would be arriving," Samira explained, "In this vision I saw a woman made of water who spoke to me... telling me to gather the elemental sister of water and that I should join with her and my daughter to send you to the lady's domain." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, "With my companions? Or alone?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Even with our combined power... it will only be enough to send you," the pink haired sorceress answered, "But it could be some time before the elemental sister of water can be found. You know the tale of the four daughters of Mystra..." She went on to tell her the story of Carsus and Mystryl and how later Carsus regained his strength and caused the essences of the lingering goddess to be rediscovered. The essences took human hosts and finished off Carsus for good. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "The elemental sister of fire as you may know is Silvermane's wife, Magdelana ," Samira continued. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren nodded, "And I believe the sister of Earth resides in Waterdeep." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes, Vivian. Air is Princess Anastia of the Grey Cloak Hills along with her daughters Fiona and Lumani ," the young sorcess agreed, "The three of them traveled together, forming a bond... but the Sister of Water was found last, possessed by Carsus. They were able to free her and she was grateful, but she never developed the bond that the three already shared. She went her own way 30 years ago or so. She has visited Vivian in Waterdeep on occasion, so we know that she lives... but she roams free like the water, I suppose. I have spoken to the arcane university and the other sisters to see if they can find her and send her here. Or certainly if you were to run across her..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course," Wren nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "With my power over water, along with hers and my daughters... we should be able to send you to see your patron," Samira nodded, "I will send you a magical sending when we are together so that you will know when to come." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren bowed gracefully, "I am grateful." Samira nodded, handing her a pastry, "Have a cinnamon bun." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Thank you," Wren accepted the treat, taking a bite, "I plan on buying boxes for our traveling." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Not too many... remember once on the lips, forever on the hips," Samira warned her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed and shook her head, "It shouldn't be a problem. Mali will eat most of them." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And Thorn," Samira agreed, "How can one put so much in such a little body? I think he's eaten his weight in cinnamon buns! He likes anything with the word buns in it, doesn't he?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Mmmm buns," the young halfling rogue agreed from behind her, smacking his lips. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren laughed, nodding and agreeing. She bought several items and had them boxed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Argent was away at the magic shop, teaching Boots and Salem. Thorn wandered his way into the Temple district of the city, pondering, and finally made his way to the alley where he had run into Mask before. He cautiously made his way through the shadowed alley to see a plain black mask lying on the ground by a barrel.After much inner deliberation, the young halfling slipped on the simple black mask to find that it fit him perfectly. He found that he could see into the darkness at the back of the alley where a figure seemed to move in the shifting shadows <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> .A familiar voice came into his ears, "Ahh, Thorn... I am everywhere you know. You didn't have to look that hard. Everywhere where there is a little greed in the hearts of men... elves... dwarves." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn nodded, "That IS everywhere... greed is good." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes," Mask agreed, "It's the most important thing in the world... I mean, Love? That's just greed for another person. Hate? You hate people that have shinier things. ...I see you have my bauble. I sense that you are on your way to free the souls? That should be quite the event." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn nodded, "We'll get there eventually. The life of a hero... always busy." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I am under no time constraints... within reason," Mask nodded casually. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "That's good to know because I don't know how long this is going to take us," Thorn nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You travel with some pretty puffy magic users that seem to be porting all over the place. I'm sure you'll have it done in no time at all," he smiled, "And you'll have a warm welcome in the elven city of Myth Taryn, I'm sure." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes, from I've been told... despite our popping around, we have a fairly long boat ride ahead of us," Thorn nodded, "Anywho... I was hoping to get some information on that place you were telling me to go... but I'm guessing that you're not just going to come out and tell me." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Mask smiled, "You will find a doorway in the place where you must always wear a mask." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn stared at him for a moment, "Yep... like I said, I didn't think you'd just come out and tell me... but I'll keep that in mind." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "That mask will work," Mask nodded, "You should keep it." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn's fingers traced the black mask over his face. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Mask smiled and faded back into the shadows. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn removed the mask from his face and stared at it for a moment before sighing, "What am I getting into?" He placed it safely into his knapsack. Posy and Uther went hunting outside of the city. The forest was thick and green in the late spring.The two of them brought down a decent sized deer and took the time to smoke the meat into jerky for their trip, using the seasoning he learned from his clan. Everyone rejoined at the elven embassy, ate dinner, and spent the night. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The group then moved on to Sanctuary, porting just outside of the city. Ringed by mountains, the city was built up around both sides of the river that came from the large lake. A wall was built up on the south side of the city, protecting it from would-be intrusion. It was mainly humans here, but there were several elves as well. Some of the elves were a little different than the typical elves... There were also kitsune, a couple of drow, and a few other rare races.No one seemed to look at the group with a second thought despite the strange grouping of races... it seemed to fit right into the rest of the city. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Some younger mages in uniforms were getting into rafts, moving out to the tower on the lake in the morning. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The group spoke with a ferryman who sent word on inside to the university to tell of their arrival before rowing them all to the tower. The lake was deep. The water was clear enough to be able to see fish fairly deeply easily... until the light simply didn't penetrate enough to see.The school was close enough to how they remembered it in the alternate future... enough that they could find their way around among the arcane students carrying their tomes about. Silvermane was coming down the stairway, fastening his hair back behind him, and removing his gloves that looked a bit scorched. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He greeted everyone by name with surprise, "I wasn't expecting you here today... I was in an early class showing the students... it's not important. What can I do for you?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren hugged him in greeting, "Do you remember when we asked to use your gateway to Waterdeep after the battle for Myth Coramanth? The time has come when we need to ask that favor of you if you are still willing." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course!" he nodded, leading the group down the halls. He paused on occasion to peak into a classroom to correct someone, "That's too much..." "It's pronounced..." "A little gentler with that wand." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He sighed as he walked with them, "Students..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The group laughed and agreed. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> He deactivated several wards as they traveled through the halls. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn ribbed him several times, "Ooo you would have almost got me with that one." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Where were you going again?" Silvermane raised an eyebrow at the halfling. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren stepped between them, "Oh! And we brought you a box of pastries from the Sokolov Bakery in Lyrabar... and this elven wine from Myth Coramanth." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Distracted as he accepted the small tokens, Silvermane seemed to forget about Thorn until the halfling added, "I got you 12 copper." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Thanks?" Silvermane accepted the cup from Thorn, "Ooo I like the cup. Elven." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Thorn nodded, "Sorry about the muffing crumbs." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Kale growled, "I hear nothing..." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The silver-haired mage activated a large stone gate, moving around the runes, "Waterdeep, you say?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Yes, not Deep Water... please be sure to get the runes right," Thorn answered. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> A few scenes could be seen in the gate as the mage moved the runes... one was a horrible place of fire. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren's eyes went wide, "Why would you go there?!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You forgot to clear your history, didn't you?" Thorn grinned at him as a succubus went by inside the gate. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Finally the beautiful port city of Waterdeep could be seen shining inside, "Okay, you can go through. If you need a return trip... you can contact Lady Vivian and I can open the gate from here." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Wren bowed in respect, "Thank you. You are generous as always. Is there anything you need while we're on our travels?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "You are saving the world... and I'm rather fond of the world. If you see Lady Vivian, give her my regards... or if you happen upon your home island, give the queen my regards," he nodded to her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "Of course! We would be honored. If we see either, consider it done," Wren and Erevin both nodded. The group arrived in Waterdeep to see a couple of gryphon riders flying in the sky. A large face was carved into the mountain where the famous dungeon ran deep inside.The city was tight packed. Overpopulated. Buildings close together. Narrow alleyways. A rather stinky city. They eventually made their way to an elven inn that they remembered as Eliath's place. Inside the smell of the overpopulated port city seemed to fade behind them.A large chested woman bounced over excitedly, "Thorn! You've returned! I missed you so much!""I missed you too," he agreed, his voice muffled by her large bosom as she embraced him."You came back to Waterdeep just to see me?" she released him, batting her eyes."Yes," he answered simply, nodding."You're so sweet! Maybe while you're here you can take me out... there's this new restaurant that everyone is talking about! I hear they have really good food and I'd really like to go, but it's kind of expensive... and Eliath doesn't pay me that much... though he's generous other than that," she chatted on and on."How long are we staying?" Thorn glanced back at the others."Ahh, Bambi, thank you for escorting them," Eliath sat in a large chair in another room, "The grown ups need to discuss some things... can you wait outside?""Okay..." she nodded, a little disappointed, and gesturing to her large chest to Thorn, "But I think I'm pretty grown, don't you?""Oh you have grown so much," he nodded in agreement.One of the elves closed the door, leaving her on the other side. An elf in his prime, Eliath sat coiled in his chair like a serpent, "Erevin... it has been a while since you have come to see me. I trust that you have dealt with any lingering drow problems?""Every chance I get," the elven prince nodded."Good," his gaze swept over the group, doing a headcount, "It seems that all of you have survived. Shri, you are as beautiful as ever. Wren, you continue to grow more lovely every day... like a flower.""Eliath," the young witch nodded to him in greeting, "You're as silver tongued as ever.""Posy, I can feel the ground tremble at your approach," the serpent smiled at the little gnome.The little barbarian looked him over suspiciously and folded her arms, "Mmm hmm."Without slowing down, Eliath continued over the group, "Thorn... Bambi has missed you. She talks about you all the time... Fortunately I pay people to listen to her so that I don't have to. I've heard there's a new restaurant in town."Thorn grinned, "I bet you've heard about that new restaurant so many times...""Indeed," Eliath nodded, "So what brings you here, Lord Lionspaw?" He turned back to Erevin."I need a favor," the elven prince explained."What can this humble merchant do for a lord?" Eliath asked with feigned humility."I need a boat ride," Erevin answered, "Or a portal... to Lantan.""I can certainly arrange a boat ride... that's quite a lengthy voyage. Is time of the essence?" he asked."To a point, yes," Erevin nodded, "but I know that you can not control the length or ways of the sea."Eliath nodded, "Yes... but since you are of The People... and friends of The People..." he glanced at the companions. "I could perhaps arrange for some magical transportation to our homeland.""I've never been," Erevin shook his head."An elf should see it at least once in their lifetime," Eliath nodded."I agree," Erevin nodded. "From there, I'm sure I can suggest a fine elven captain to take you to Lantan. It should shave at least a week's time from your journey," Eliath went on. Erevin nodded, "If you can make that happen... We would be most appreciative. I would be in your debt."Eliath smiled and nodded, "Excellent! Then you should an old friend of mine called Roh'um Ocneia." He handed the elven prince a letter to give to the captain."Ocneia..." Wren tilted her head, "We are familiar with this name. We know a Corsha Ocneia.""His daughter... very tragic," Eliath shook his head."How so?" Erevin asked."I wouldn't want to spread any rumors," Eliath shook his head.Wren frowned looking him over, "Tragic? ...well she's not dead.""No... she was banished," Eliath replied."Please," Erevin nodded, "Tell us the tale.""I am not at court... so such things are only hearsay, but I had heard that she was a very promising young sea sorceress. The Ocneias provide safe passage and help to see to the defense of the island. She was escorting a ship that had some minor relationship to the queen... and the ship was set upon by a sudden storm and a reef. Several elves lives were lost. The queen did not take that well... and Corsha's father was upset as she should have been able to not only detect the storm, but she should have been able to neutralize it and avoid the reef. She brought dishonor to her family. Roh'uam disowned her and she was cast out of Evermeet," Eliath explained."That is indeed tragic," Wren frowned, shaking her head with Erevin agreeing beside her.Eliath nodded, "She was so promising... and it must have been really bad for her father to disown her. I know he loved her."Wren frowned, "It sounds like it was likely an unnatural storm..."Eliath nodded, "I'm sure that Roh'um knows more if you would like to speak with him. It is not a subject that I broach with him.""I can see why," Erevin nodded.  Eliath continued on, "I will transport you to the city of the queen. There is a port there and I will give you directions to his estate." "Very good. Still on top of things, I see," Erevin nodded to him."I try," Eliath smiled, "I haven't gone native yet.""Always faithful to The People," Erevin gave him a nod of respect."Indeed. We have many enemies," Eliath nodded."Behind every shadow," Erevin agreed.Eliath nodded, "Yes.""And behind every mask," Posy added.Eliath blinked in pleasant surprise at the barbarian gnome, "Well said, young Posy!" "When will you be ready to send us off?" Erevin asked, "Perhaps we'll have time to visit this new restaurant that you speak of.""Yes, that would be an excellent idea," Eliath nodded, "I'll be sure to see that Bambi gets the afternoon off." He winked at Thorn who sighed heavily but nodded. "I'll prepare for this evening then," Eliath nodded, and raised a glass in farewell.  Bambi looked on with big hopeful eyes as the group came out of the meeting room discussing plans for the evening.Thorn was nodding to the others, "So it looks like we have time to stay for dinner... to the new restaurant then?"Erevin nodded, "It sounds like an excellent idea."Bambi's eyes were large and worried, and her lower lip began to stick out just a little.Thorn glanced over at her and shrugged casually, "You're going as well.""Oh, Thorn!" she rushed over with her large bosom bouncing, and swallowed him up in a hug, "I thought you'd never ask!" The group went on to the nice little restaurant off on a winding road along the mountain. Higher quality shops and restaurants seemed to be along the road. It looked out over the tropical blue and green Sea of Fallen Stars. Unusual smells drifted among the tables. A swarthy skinned man met them at the door, "You are new customers?""Yes," Erevin nodded, sweeping his hand to gesture at the large group accompanying him."Oh, then you must try a bit of everything," the man nodded, looking over the group, "My there are a lot of you."Tables were pushed together to fit everyone in the group and several different platters of unusual dishes were brought out from Ahm in the south... a dessert kingdom of spicy and exotic foods. Everyone was passing and sharing finding some a little too hot to eat.The young host came back to check on them, eyeing Erevin, Kale, and Wren, "You are friends of Eliath?""Yes," Erevin nodded."Ahh, then do not even think of paying. Eliath is a generous patron," the swarthy gentleman nodded."Are you certain?" Erevin asked."I am certain," the host nodded, "He has helped our restaurant get off to a start. There are many here in the north that view Ahm as shifty southerners. Our major port city of Kalamshan is one of Waterdeep's main trading rivals... so it was difficult to get this place started. However Eliath knew what it was like to be a stranger in a strange land.""Well thank you very much," Erevin nodded, "Let me leave a tip at least.""If you insist," the young host nodded.The group had a delightful meal of spicy foods, cleansing the palette with chilled fruits for dessert. Several elves came and went as patrons with some Waterdeep merchants also coming in to eat. "Are you sure you have to go? You can't spend the night?" Bambi pouted as she faced Thorn."I'm sorry my dear, but not this time," he shook his head, "We have to go.""But I wanted to show you this thing that I learned..." she leaned down to whisper in his ear.Thorn blinked wide eyes up at her, "The human body can do that?!" He glanced back at the others who smiled and shook their heads... it was time to go.Thorn sighed and patted her, "Rain check?"She nodded, "Alright. I'll be here waiting." The group thanked Eliath for the meal and followed him down some deep spiraling stairs. They finally arrived in a beautiful room with the floor covered in thousands of snakes! Eliath smiled, "The snake really has a bad reputation... you see, it doesn't ever bite out of anger or hate... it's a necessity... it is it's nature." He recited a short elven oath to the queen as he made gestures... the rocks started to glow, forming a path as the snakes moved off of them, clearly uncomfortable. "One can never be too careful," Eliath smiled at the group's reaction and then glanced at Thorn, "This is a city of thieves." Eliath walked the newly opened path, leading the others. He stopped to offer his arm down with one of the snakes slithering up to coil around him, "She is one of my favorites. Look at her beautiful colors." "She is quite striking," Erevin nodded behind him."One little nip from her could send a man into an eternal slumber in less than 6 seconds," Eliath spoke proudly as he ran a gentle hand down the colorful scales of the snake."She does her job well then," Erevin nodded."Would you like to hold her?" Eliath offered the snake out."Thank you, but no," the elven prince shook his head.Thorn shook his head beside him, but still looked at the snake with intrigue, "No, not necessarily... but I wouldn't mind some of that venom."Eliath gasped, "You can't ask a woman for her venom! You man-whore."Thorn shrugged casually, "Wont know unless you ask.""There are those who would pour it out freely," Wren agreed."Like Bambi," Eliath shrugged and agreed. He led the group farther in through the carpet of slithering snakes... just enough of a cleared path to walk.They came to a earthy cavern where a circle of mushrooms formed a fairy ring. The group stepped inside the circle and the mushrooms began to glow.Light swirled around and the laughter of the fey chimed with a feint song until the group appeared in a verdant green isle in a circle of much bigger mushrooms. The trees were thick with various green and flowers were heavy in bloom. Beautiful elven towers could be seen in the distance. The port was busy with ships and the sun was slowly just dipping into the sky toward the water. It was beautiful to everyone, but instantly the elves felt at peace, like they were home.