Session+38

**Hawkwinter's Party, Attack on the Dragon Bloods, Eliath's Proposition, Yuki's Childhood Remembered, Shade and Harte - New Love Rivalries?** Everyone dresses very nice and heads to Tespar and Vivenne Hawkwinter's dinner party. Eliath is there with a lovely elven woman on his arm. The human noble, Caslanter and his lovely wife, Glacia. Yuki had made mention to Wren how much the white-haired woman had some family resemblance to her. Axton compliments Yuki on her dress and seems extra attentive to her. Since the visit to her home has rattled her slightly, he tries his best to be there as a calm and reassuring presence. Uncertain and skeptical about this kind, "boyfriend" Axton, she comes to realize his words are genuine, blushing happily. Kale leans down to Wren, "Can I get you something to drink?" She smiles up at him, "What did you have in mind?" He gestured to the punch bowl and raised an eyebrow at her when she shrugged and nodded. "Do you want me to spike it? Is that what you're saying? Put a little tea in it? Is it going to be that kind of party?" Wren laughed softly and nodded, "I might need just a little more courage than punch... that's quite the woman to go and talk to." She glanced over to the lovely white-haired human appearing woman with the silvery white eyes. Yuki nudged Wren forward, trying to shoo her off to go and talk to Lady Glacia. Axton nudged Yuki, "She'll go and talk to her. Give her a little time. Have some punch." He handed her a glass, rejoining her side. "Fine..." Yuki pouted but when Axton's back was turned, she continued to encourage Wren with little pom pom cheers and whispers of "You can do it, Wren!" until he turned and caught her, "I'm watching you!" Wren giggled and finally wandered over to talk to Glacia, introducing herself and smiling warmly, "I don't know many people here..." "Oh, are you new to Waterdeep? A friend of Eliath's then?" Glacia smiled at her. "I... just met him too," Wren smiled. "Well that's very interesting... most elves that come through here are very familiar with The Serpent as he is called..." "I'm a very young elf... and I was born in Myth Coramanth far, far from here." "Myth Coramanth... that 'is' far away. What brings you to Waterdeep?" Wren nodded toward the beautiful woman who was pretending not to watch them, "The priestess that I travel with was born here." Glacia turned to look over at Yuki who was now innocently eating cake beside Axton, "Oh, a priestess of Sune. The temple here is widely regarded." "That's what I've heard... She trained there, but then went to the temple in Lyrabar where we met." Glacia nodded and looked Wren over as though trying to place her vague familiarity, "And you're friends with her now then?" Wren nodded, "Yes, good friends. She's wonderful." "And I seen you have a handsome young man on your arm..." Wren grinned and nodded, "Thank you!" "And I assume you're taking the fullest advantage of that?" Wren laughed softly, nodding, "Of course!" Lord Castlanter returned with a glass of punch for his wife and smiled, "And who is this lovely young woman, Glacia?" Wren curtsied to him and smiled at Glacia, "Looks like you have quite the handsome man yourself." Glacia slid her arm around him, "I certainly do. Lord Caslanter is quite the catch." She smiled up at him, "And to notice a poor young woman like me..." she laid her head on his shoulder and he put an arm around her, holding her close. Wren smiled at them, "Aww but you are so lovely... I would think everyone in the room would notice a woman like you." Glacia smiled, "Why thank you! You are very sweet." Kale returned to Wren's side, handing her a glass of spiked punch as she introduced him. They made small talk and talked about the city, suggesting all of the the best places to try. Yuki continually moved a little closer, trying to eavesdrop, and Axton kept pulling her back a little more. She sighed, "B...But it's just getting good! Come on! ...AL...THOUGH it sure seems that the lady is getting more information from Wren than Wren is getting from her... this needs to be fixed! Do something!" He blinked at her, "What am 'I' supposed to do?" "You're a spy! You have tricks!" Thorn mingled into the small crowd of people, slightly disappointed that the intimate gathering didn't quite warrant the more expensive jewelry pieces that the balls tended to bring out. The pretty young elven woman who was on Eliath's arm bounces over near him, "Hi! I'm Sherry! ...like the drink!" Thorn stamped down the million phrases that wanted to come out and simply smiled at her, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sherry." She bounced up and down with excitement, her bosom barely contained, "This is the first I've ever been to a party like this! I'm so excited!" Thorn looked up and nodded to her as her chest bounced up and down with her, "This is pretty exciting, isn't it? It just makes you want to bounce with happiness and joy." She bounced even more, nodding, "It does! You're a halfling, aren't you?" He nodded to her, smiling, "I am." "You don't see very many halflings at these noblemen parties." Thorn shook his head, "I'm sure that you don't." "Are you friends with the Hawkwinters?" "I am friends with Miss Yuki Ashdown." "Ohhhhhhh!" She nodded happily and then tilted her head, "Who's she?" Thorn looked at her for a moment and then nodded, "Well it's a little hard to see from here... but if you kind of bend down a bit to peek through the crowd..." he gestured toward Yuki. Sherry bent down and laid her head on Thorn's shoulder to see where he was pointing. "Oh there it is... I mean there she is," he nodded, "The one right over there." "Oh! She's a priestess of Sune! I recognize that look..." she nodded and whispered quietly, "I've heard they're kind of sluts." Thorn shook his head and whispered, "I wouldn't say that..." She shook her head, "Oh no, I wouldn't. That would be rude. Eliath picked me to come with him because I'm... smart." She nodded. Thorn smiled and nodded, "I'm sure you are. You seem rather intelligent." She picked up a little plate of cake and took a slow, delicate bite as Thorn stared at her and shook his head to clear it, "Um... You're going to have to excuse me... I..." A male elven voice came from behind Thorn, "I see you're enjoying the fine Sherry's company tonight." Thorn turned around to see her date, Eliath, who Erevin had mentioned was the Queen of Evermeet's agent here in Waterdeep... with a bit of a reputation of also having some underworld dealings. His silent approach from behind him sent off Thorn's rogue radar. "She's delightful, isn't she?" "She is a very pleasant lady... you're a very lucky guy." "Oh! Eliath!" She bounced in place and reached out to hug him. Eliath smiled at Thorn, "Oh, do you think so? I have to go and speak a bit with Tyrian about elven matters... you wouldn't mind keeping her company, would you?" Thorn looked a little uncomfortable but smiled, "Absolutely not." "I knew I could count on you. Erevin has told me much about you." "Oh he has? I'm sure nothing but good things..." Eliath nodded, "But things I might have a use for if you're staying in the city for any length of time." "I will make sure we have time to discuss any matters you would like for me to attend." "Excellent!" Eliath nodded, "Make sure to take good care of Sherry. She's very ...smart." "Oh isn't he dreamy?" Sherry laid a head on his shoulder. "He sure is," Thorn nodded, "You're a lucky lady." She hugged onto Thorn as they watched Eliath walk away. Thorn thinking to himself, "Erevin... remind me to thank you later." A little annoyed that most of the people missed her due to her height, Posy got herself a plate of food and sat at one of the tables... a bit disappointed with the 'not spiked' punch. Much to her surprise, a male gnome came over to join her handing her a glass of wine, "Why don't you try this Miss?" He smiled at her, dressed in black. He was handsome with black hair with a streak of pink running through it. "My name is Shade Raventree. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss...?" "Posy," she nodded to him, accepting the glass. "Miss Posy, I'm quite surprised to see one of my brethren here. I didn't think Lord Hawkwinter knew any other gnomish families... I was a little surprised to see the invitation to the party this evening, but now I see why." He smiled at her. "Oh, I'm here with Yuki... and Wren, and Mali, and Thorn..." She pointed to each of her companions as she named them off. Thorn was comfortably nestled in the pillowy chest of the bimbo elf maid next to him. "So you're not from Waterdeep... a traveler then. What brings you to our fair city?" "Our adventure." "You're an adventurer? Oh my! I used to adventure every once in a while." Posy peered at him curious, "Why don't you still?" "Alas my poor father passed away and I had to take over the family estate. I was quite the powerful sorcerer." "We could use a sorcerer's assistance..." Posy smiled at him, nodding. "Oh really? For what? What is this adventure you speak of?" "Well we're heading north to the barbarians first." Shade picked up a bottle of wine and escorted Posy to a quieter spot, "So you're going north.. for what reason?" "For some battles," Posy smiled sweetly, unsure of who this gnome might be... she decided to play the bimbo card. "For some battles..." He tilted his head, looking her over, "I bet you're very smart." Posy nodded, "Yeah... and strong like bull." "Do you have a last name, Miss Posy? What family are you from?" "My uncle is Jerome. Jerome the gnome. We lived in the forest." "I've not heard of him," Shade shook his head, "So are you heading north towards icewing dale?" He asked about north of waterdeep instead of where we were heading... "Oh much further north..." "Well... certainly it is slow this time of year for the Raventrees... I might be able to help you. Why don't you tell me more... over some wine?" He smiled at her and refilled her glass. Posy smirked, looking him over, confidant that she could outdrink him and she nodded, "Sure." Shade was charming and handsome with that sorcerer's allure... Posy sat with him chatting and drinking, keeping Uther in her mind. Little pink hearts fluttered around Yuki as she glanced over at the two gnomes sitting at a table. Mali chatted a bit with Vivenne about her gift of nature and earth and watched her bloom the flowers with the closeness of her hands. Vivenne told her that her sister had a similar gift but for fire and passion. A recalling of passionate dreams from the night before... Thorn was stealthing through a warehouse disarming traps casually and easily to find a room filled with a harem of beautiful women! They gasped excitedly as he came into the room, "Oh Thorn! You made it!" They rush toward him as their clothes fall off of their bodies and slow motion tackle him to the floor to pleasure him in many ways over and over again until he jerks awake, drenched in sweat to look around his quiet room, "Noooo bring them back!" He made his way to the first woman he could find, a young maid in the house, "You... come with me." She blushed, "Oh... my lord!" "You're going to be saying a lot of that," he quickly led her back to his room. Posy was on a hunt with Uther, chasing down prey for what seems like days until finally she slices through it's throat with her claws to spray fresh, warm blood over both of them. Trickles of blood run down her neck as she and Uther gaze at each other over their fresh kill, steaming in the cool night. Uther leaps over to tackle her, ripping her clothes off and drags her to the ground to ravage her over an over again for what seems like hours! Eventually waking up alone in the slightly torn silken sheets of the Hawkwinter bed... a few feathers from her pillow drift down to lay on her sweaty skin. Left with a feeling of desperate desire and need, Posy panted, looking around the room, "Just wait til I find him..." Mali dreamed of Ursus flying through the sky chasing her as eagles and then air elementals and they land on the ground, laughing playfully in their game of chase. They rapidly shift and change forms as he would catch her... teasing and tormenting her, nibbling her ear, and then releasing her to chase her again in a new form. Finally she shifts back into Mali, out of forms to change to and looks back to see Ursus come out of bear form into his muscled human form, neither of them clothed and he tackles her to the ground to have his way with her... again and again, losing track of how many times... until she awoke alone, aching and tingly and drenched in sweat and looking around frustrated that Ursus wasn't with her. At the party, Mali looked around the room at all of her friends socializing happily... she wandered up behind Shade, nodding her approval to Posy that he was cute! She tried to wink at her suggestively, but it looked more like she had something in her eye. A rich nobleman's voice came from behind her, "So is this what's called playing wing-woman?" Mali turned around to see a crotch and slowly looked up to see a very handsome human man, smiling down at her, "Who are you?" He leaned down to offer her a drink, "My name is Harte Wavesilver... and what is your name, young druidess?" "My name is Maliumpkin." "I'm pleased to meet you. You're a friend of Lord Hawkwinter?" Mali tilted her head up at him, "Who?" Harte laughed and gestured across the room, "The handsome older gentleman over there... I don't recognize your name. You must be new to Waterdeep." "Yeah, just visiting... I'm here with my friend, Yuki." This time it was Harte to look at her confused, "Who?" She gestured toward Yuki and Axton, "She's the one over there in the red... sari I think they call it." "I see. What brings you to Waterdeep?" "Just visiting family... Yuki's family. Not mine. I don't have any family..." "I'm sorry to hear that..." "Here." She finished. "Not anywhere? or just not here?" "Well... mmm.... not... not here." Mali nodded, after some thought. He frowned in thought and nodded, "Hmm... well I'm one of Hawkwinter's friends. It's very interesting to see such an interesting group of people that he's brought in this evening." "Well you know... Variety is the spice of life." He raised an eyebrow, unsure exactly how she meant that, but then nodded with an intrigued smile, "Indeed." He pondered a moment longer, "Since you are not local to Waterdeep... my family has been charged with taking care of the city's gryphons. I don't know if you've ever seen a gryphon..." Mali nodded, "I would like to see them sometime. I saw them flying on our way in... they were quite interesting." "I would be delighted to show them to you... perhaps I can even give you a ride." He smiled invitationally. "Ohhh... a ride..." her voice full of suspect. "On one of the gryphons." He nodded smiling, "I think you'd find them quite interesting. They really are a noble creature." Mali smiled playfully, "Well then I really would be the wing-woman, right?" "Yes, literally," Harte laughed and nodded, refilling her drink. They chat about the gryphons were he genuinely knows a lot and loves to talk about them, and they continue to chat about noble families and his family has been friends with the Hawkwinters for some time... and occasionally Tespar threw these little parties together to acquaint people, obviously throwing this one together to introduce Amynta's friends. Hawkwinter announces a special guest, a bard from the city. He plays music on a lute with great skill and talent. Axton takes Yuki by the hand, "Might I have this dance, milady Yuki?" She leaned in close, whispering, "It doesn't involve scrubbing statues, right?" "I don't see any statues here in the dance room... so it's just going to involve dancing... holding close." "Alright," she curtsied, blushing as she registered 'holding close'. He pulled her out to the dance floor and lost in his beautiful sapphire eyes, Yuki seems to falter occasionally stepping on his foot, "I'm not doing that on purpose... Don't look at me!" "I have to look at you while we're dancing..." "Okay, look at me... but ... don't... ummm..." "Here," he pulled her closer and rested his head on her shoulder as she rested her head on his so he wasn't looking at her. "You're really close," she whispered in his ear, "Really, really close!" "Well if you want me not to look at you... we'll have to be this close. It's a burden that I am willing to bear." He whispered back in her ear as he continued to dance with her, holding her close. "Me too," she sighed dreamily, melting into his arms. Kale swept Wren out onto the dance floor gracefully. The two were very comfortable together and Wren followed his lead easily. Their beautiful elven dance catching a few stares from the people around the room. Dominic and Amynta danced around the room, under Tespar Hawkwinter's stern gaze. And as Sherry looked around the room at the couples dancing, she sighed softly, "Oh... isn't that romantic? I wish I had someone to dance with..." She sighed a little heavier. Thorn smiled and offered his hand, "Would you care to join them?" "I don't want to dance with them..." He raised an eyebrow, still holding up his hand in offering. "Oh! You mean with you!" She laughed and bounced up and down, "I would love that!" Thorn took her hand and led her out onto the floor. She was very enthusiastic, holding him close, pressing his head into her upper abdomen, her breasts practically nestled over him as they danced. Mali smiled up at Harte before he could say another word, "Would you like to dance, Mr Wavesilver?" "I would be honored," he nodded and bowed slightly. "Well of course you would," she nodded and handed him her hand. He took her hand and escorted her onto the floor, gently nudging as he led her a dance that she was unfamiliar with, but he was smooth and easy to follow. Shade offered his hand to Posy, "Might I have the pleasure of this dance?" Posy shook her head, "I don't dance very well..." "Trust me," he nodded to her, taking her hand gently, "I'm sure you'll be fine." "Ohhhh kay... if you say so," She let him lead her to the floor. A little strange to dance with someone of her own height, he actually wraps his hands around her waist. Actually able to look eye to eye. Shade, trying to be mysterious and cool, manages to impress Posy as he barely reacts to her stomping on his feet, "See! You dance quite devine...ly." He nodded with a smile as she stomped on his foot again. "Nice try there, bud... nice try," Posy nodded, knowing she was doing a terrible job but still dancing with him. He was a very good dancer, but she was more focused on keeping his eyes on her eyes, his hands on her waist, and keeping Uther to the forefront of her mind to follow his leads very well. A startled cry came from across the room, and Lord Castlanter turned to the woman at his side, "M'lady! Is something wrong?" Glacia, the beautiful white-haired woman looked pale and steadied herself with his arms, "Can we rest for a moment? I'm not feeling well..." "Of course!" He guided her over to the soft cushy chairs where she toppled over. Yuki and Wren immediately headed to help her as the music paused and the guests looked on worriedly. Lord Castlanter was frantic at her side, cradling her pale and sweaty body. Yuki got to her first, looking her over recognizing symptoms of poison. She felt a strong resistance to her magic but Yuki overcame it with her power of Sune clearing away the poison. A shadowy vapor left Glacia and her eyes shot wide open, and for just a brief moment Yuki noticed Glacia's eyes looked slitted. Yuki took a step back, but before she could say a word she saw Wren out of the corner of her eye. Wren, on her way to help Glacia, paused in her steps as an agonizing pain nearly paralyzed her in place. The room started to spin and her body felt cold for just a moment before she was plunged into a deep unconscious state, her body crumpling to the ground... Yuki's voice so far, far away... "WREN!!!" as Yuki screamed, turning away from Glacia and racing to the witch's body on the floor. "Wren!" Kale called out with concern, his arms outstretched, trying to reach out for her, also falling to the floor to one knee as he was grimacing in pain and clutching his stomach. Axton continued over to Kale as a panicked Yuki fell to her knees to take Wren's face in both of her hands, pouring her heart and soul into her magic to cleanse her friend as she again cried her name, "Wren!!" Bright pink lights and sparkling hearts lit up around them in a swirl. Sherry hugged onto Thorn even tighter, "Oh that's so beautiful!" Thorn nodded, snuggling into her hug, "It's so beautiful..." Coming from a deep deep dream that didn't want to let her go, Wren could hear Yuki's voice growing louder, and finally she broke to conscious to feel that agonizing pain slowly leaving her body as she gasped out. Her eyes still fluttering open, focusing on Yuki's worried face in front of her as the priestess still held the witch's face in both of her hands. "Y-Yuki?" Wren blinked again, unsure of where she was or how long she'd been out... though it had only been a moment, it felt more like hours, "I think I feel better... Where am I? What happened?" "You're at the party," Yuki nodded to her, helping her sit up, "Look good, dear." "What? Oh..." Wren nodded to her, sitting up and smoothing back her hair. Still pretty near to Glacia, the girls could hear Castlanter comforting her, "Are you alright? What happened?" "I don't know... I just felt weak all of the sudden." Now that her friend seemed to be okay, Yuki remembered seeing Kale fall, "Oh! Kale! Axton?!!" "Kale?" Wren looked around to see Kale down and her heart leapt out of her chest as she panicked, but calmed a little when she seen his pained expression fade as Axton purged the poison. She shook her head and Yuki helped her up as Axton helped Kale to his. Kale nodded his thanks to fiery haired priest, "That hurt like hell... what the hell was that?" Axton helped Kale walk over to the cushioned chairs as Yuki helped Wren sit down near Glacia. Wren looked at the three of them, and out at the rest of the room where everyone else seemed fine... //Kale, Glacia, and I were all affected... and the 'only' ones affected.//.. Thoughts spun in Wren's head... S//omeone is hunting dragon bloods?// Yuki dabbed at Wren's face with her handkerchief, fixing her make-up and smoothing her hair. Wren smiled up at her and squeezed her hand, "Thank you, Yuki! I think I'm alright now." Lord Hawkwinter walked over to them, "Is everything alright over here? What happened?" "Well there was this..." Yuki started to explain things to him. Wren interrupted her, squeezing her hand, and nodded to Hawkwinter, "Maybe it was too much punch." Yuki shook her head, "but..." Wren looked over to her and Yuki fell silent looking back and forth at the two of them. "I'm terribly sorry about that!" He nodded to her with concern and turned to the table. Seeing the look in his eyes as he summoned one of the servants, Wren held up her hand, "No, no. I'm sure they did a fine job... I probably just drank too much." She smiled up at him warmly. "Alright... I hope it wasn't too strong... here," he had someone bring them each a glass of cold water. Wren smiled and nodded her thanks. After he walked away, she glanced into the glass skeptically smelling it. Not smelling anything wrong, she still laid a hand over Kale's and shook her head. She looked up at Yuki, "Can you make us some water?" Yuki shook her head and waved Mali over who made the three of them glasses of fresh water. Yuki leaned in to Wren shaking her head and whispering, "Wren... you didn't drink that much." Wren nodded and whispered back, "I think someone doesn't like dragons here." Yuki gasped loudly drawing glances at the two of them whispering together. "I don't think the punch was too strong," Sherry sipped more of it from her glass, her cheeks a bit rosy. "No, I think it's just fine," Thorn nodded his agreement to her, still held close to her. Wren scooted over closer to Glacia, whispering in draconic into her ear, "If you have a moment, my lady... I would like to speak with you more privately... if you're feeling up to it, of course." Glacia raised an eyebrow at Wren and then turned to Castlanter, "Oh my dear husband, I think I need to rest for a little while... please... continue to enjoy the party. I know how you like Lord Hawkwinter's little get togethers. I'll be fine." He nodded to her, convinced she was going to be alright. Wren hugged onto Yuki, sighing, "Thank you again, Yuki." Yuki hugged her TIGHT, "Don't do that to me! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Wren leaned her head on her, sighing softly, "I'm sorry." Mali, after seeing Yuki and Axton casting remove poison spells and making water for Wren, Kale, and Glacia... felt suspicious about Wren's explanation of 'too much punch'. She went and looked into the punch bowl, again trying a sip... it did have a strange taste to it, but nothing more than just a local cider or herb that they were unaccustomed to could account for... and everyone else seemed fine. Wren hadn't eaten anything that she herself hadn't eaten. Axton, Yuki and Mali slipped into a private room with Wren, Kale, and Glacia... with Posy watching over the door. Glacia nodded to Wren, "What did you want to speak to me about, Miss Dreamspinner? Draconic... that's quite a rare language. I only know a little of it myself." Wren giggled as Lies and Deceit whispered into her ears, and she nodded to Glacia, "I was lucky enough as a child to learn it from my mother... some of her older spell books and alchemy recipes are written in draconic and so she taught me." "Ahh, you're mother must be a very learned woman." Wren nodded, "But I would like to talk to you about a couple of things... first..." she glanced to Kale and back to Glacia, lowering her voice and speaking in draconic, "It appears that someone here does not like dragons... considering it was the three of us who fell." Mali and Yuki stood near to the door, whispering back and forth with Posy standing outside. Glacia shook her head, feigning innocence, "Whatever do you mean? All I see is quite a beautiful elven woman, a handsome elven man, and I'm an innocent noblewoman myself." Wren smiled and nodded, "Perfectly created, I'm certain." "Are you implying something otherwise?" Glacia raised an eyebrow, "Are you saying that you're a dragon?" Wren smiled and shook her head, holding up her thumb and forefinger, "Very minute... not as well blooded as you, my lady." "Who me?" Glacia asked innocently, "Are you saying that I'm a dragon? What would make you think that?" "Well... I'm guessing that your longer name would be Glacierwind... Are you familiar with a certain gold friend by the name of Aurax?" Glacia's shoulders sagged as she sighed softly. "He's a little stuffy... but a very nice young gentleman," Wren nodded. "Well he's not young..." Glacia shook her head and sighed, "So are you his lackeys then? Come to deny me of my fun?" "What sort of fun did you have mind?" Glacia glanced at Yuki and back to Wren, "Is she delicious?" Wren glanced at Yuki and shook her head at Glacia, "Not in that way." "Of course, I'm delicious!" Yuki spoke up and then she saw Wren's face, "Oh! Not in that way...No, not at all." Mali poked Yuki in the ribs and Yuki walked across the room, "Oh look... there's a lamp. I bet it turns on." She clicked the lamp on, fire flickering. Glacia nodded to Wren, "I'm actually having quite a ball here in Waterdeep. I have a loving husband. The mechanization of the whole nobility is quite invigorating. A whole new different type and set of games." Wren nodded to her, "Well if I learned anything in our brief conversation... I can't imagine Aurax minds the game play you're doing with the humans." "Oh," Glacia blinked in surprise, "Well then... there's no problem." Wren nodded smiling, "However..." "Ahhh the but... it's always about the but." "It does seem that way doesn't it?" Wren laughed softly, "but it appears that The Council is missing some chromatics and he would like to invite some in, including yourself." "Oh... I haven't been out east in quite some time. Something's happened?" "Yes... there was a... horrible man... who took over the minds of many of the dragons and unfortunately most of the chromatics were killed... including the woman who took your place in The Dragon Council. Leaving no chromatics in the circle anymore." "Oh...." Glacia sighed heavily, "That is terrible news. While I didn't precisely see eye to eye with many of my brethren, certainly their loss is a great tragedy." "Yes," Wren nodded, sighing with her. Glacia glanced at Mali and back to Wren, "Why is the halfling staring at me suspiciously?" Wren smiled, "Oh she had a bad run in with a dragon... don't mind her." "She did?" Wren nodded, "With a green dragon called Midori." "Oh Midori!" Glacia laughed, "He's a very charming green." Mali grumbled, "mmm quite the talker." Glacia continued, "So devoted to that elf that he fell in love with. I've only rarely ever seen a dragon fall that hard for one of the..." She glanced at Yuki and at Mali and then back to Wren, "...smaller races." Wren smiled and squeezed Kale's hand, nodding to Glacia, "I've heard tale that you did the same?" "I've had a few human and elven dalliances in my time... there are a lot of handsome men in the world." Yuki nodded dreamily, "You better believe it." "You see," Glacia nodded, "The young lady agrees with me... but yes, quite a few dalliances in my time." "I'm certain that you have," Wren smiled at her. "No, no... ask her for details!" Yuki nudged Wren who giggled. Glacia smiled, "That's not a proper conversation for young ladies, Miss Ashdown." "Oh, priestess of Sune," Wren waved casually, "She likes it." "Really? I'd heard some rumors, but..." Glacia pondered. "H-Hey!" Yuki looked offended and then turned back to the corner, innocently, "Right. Lamp..." Mali nodded to her, "I love lamp." Yuki mumbled, "They never tell me the good stuff, Mali! Never!" "You're always busy! With Wren... learning things..." "But I just asked! ...although she does usually tell me the most interesting stories," Yuki grinned... Glacia turned back to Wren, "So you have some dragon in your blood then?" Wren nodded, "From what I've been told.... Yes, from you." She looked over Wren intrigued, "Really? You do look a little familiar. Who was your father?" "Thalmyr Luminaas." "Oh! That's what my son named his little boy... Really... Has it been that long? It seems like that was just a few years ago. Hmm..." Wren nodded and smiled. Glacia smiled at her and put her hands on Wren's shoulders for a moment, looking at her and hugged her warmly. Wren melted a little with relief and hugged her happily. "Certainly Aurax has chosen wisely in sending you... in hope that my own great grand-daughter would tug at my heart strings a little bit... ahh the old gold is very clever." Wren smiled up at her and nodded, "Yes..." Glacia gestured toward Kale who had been very quiet, "And this young handsome man who I can sense that you are involved with is another dragon-blooded?" Wren smiled over at Kale and nodded back to Glacia, "He is. This would be Midori's son, Kale." "Green dragon!" Mali whispered. Glacia nodded to her, "I know that Midori is a green dragon... He was kind of a prankster." Mali folded her arms, "He's kinda something." Glacia glanced back over at the red-haired halfling, "You know, I don't think that you like him much." "Don't say anything, Mali," Yuki shook her head. Wren leaned in toward Glacia, "Something about some huge game and trying to crush her." "It's not that I don't like him... I just disagreed with him once on..." Mali started out trying to be political with her response. Glacia nodded, "Did he try to get you to play one of his little games? And he cheated?" "Tried... yeah." Mali nodded, "I refused. Called him on it too." "Oh my..." Glacia shook her head, "Dragons don't forget... they have very long memories." "Neither do Maliumpkins," Mali retorted stubbornly. "Oooo is that some subspecies of halfling? Maliumpkins?" "No, that's me. I'm Maliumpkin." "Oh. Well pleased to meet you." "You too!" Glacia smiled and hugged Kale, returning to their conversation, "So then whatever that was only effected those with dragon blood?" "That would be my guess," Wren nodded. "Obviously!" Yuki chimed in. "Oh," Glacia pondered, "there are only certain poisons that do something like that. Fortunately since I didn't see anything happen to anyone else, they should be alright... So I guess the question would be, was this an attempt on my life? or an attempt on yours?" Wren frowned and shook her head, "I don't know... I know very few people in Waterdeep. Would anyone here know of your... lineage?" Glacia shook her head, "Not even my husband knows of my lineage. You're the first that I know of who knew of me." Mali chimed in, "Surely if someone had something against dragons that they would have some way to pick out those of that lineage." Glacia pondered, "I can't say that I have not made my share of enemies in the past... but as far as I know no one knows of my lineage here in the city. This is very disturbing. If it were not for the timely intervention of the priest and priestess of Sune..." Yuki glanced at Axton, "Two to One... just saying." But he ignored her flaunting. Glacia continued, "It could have been very... unfortunate." Wren nodded, "And additionally unfortunate... whoever tried... now the three of us are exposed as surely they would know." "If they were here at the party..." Glacia nodded, "You don't think we have a killer amongst us?" Wren shook her head, "I don't know." Glacia nodded, "I shall have to speak with my husband. Tell him that I have someone out east to visit... perhaps a long lost great grand-daughter." "That might be difficult to explain..." Yuki nodded to her. Wren nodded, "Being as you are so... young." "A cousin?" Yuki suggested. "Yes... a cousin," Glacia pondered this and nodded, "If someone 'is' trying to kill me and you leave... I'd pretty much have to have a priest at my side at all times and that would be... inconvenient." Wren nodded, "I can only imagine... especially depending on the games you like to play." She smiled. Glacia nodded, "And I should probably go talk to the old fuddy duddy golden dragon and find out more about what he would like." Mali perked up, "There's a golden dragon here? ... but she said fuddy duddy... that doesn't sound like he's happy. I bet gold dragons like cupcakes." Wren and Yuki giggled together, both imagining Mali trying to feed a cupcake to a big gold dragon. (Mmmm tastes like frosted halfling! A new breakfast cereal!) Glacia nodded to Wren, "Surely my husband will not object as you look like a capable bunch... and you wouldn't mind acting as my... bodyguards... on this trip to see my "cousin"?" "We would be happy to take you with us," Wren nodded, "I would love the opportunity to talk to you more." "We have two elven princes!" Yuki chimed in. Wren nodded, "It's true, We have two elven princes in our company. I'll introduce you." "Oh..." Glacia nodded intrigued. "That's what I'm saying," Yuki nodded. "Mmm we should talk," Glacia nodded to her, "Have you sampled these elven princes?" "Well it's a bit complicated... how much time do you have?" Yuki smiled. Wren laughed softly. "I'm a dragon and we live for a very long time," Glacia nodded to her, still interested in this complicated story. "Well I'm human and I don't... well... technically that's a long story too." Glacia looked at Wren, "You have very interesting friends, great grand-daughter." Wren smiled and nodded, "I try my best." Mali nodded, "Like I always say, variety is the spice of life." Wren nodded, "And I like lots of flavor in mine." The girls all glanced at Kale with a wink. Outside of the room, the party carried on back to normal. Everyone seeming to have bought the "too much punch" explanation. Sherry giggled from too much to drink and passed out, draped over Thorn. "Ohhh my... Oh dear... ummm..." Thorn looked her over as she covered him like a blanket. Asking Eliath where she stayed, so he could get her home... Eliath smiled, "She has a room at my place in the elven promenade, but she seems to be much too tired to return there tonight so I'll ask Lord Hawkwinter to give her a room here for the night... See that she returns safely in the morning. You'll take care of her, wont you?" "I certainly will," Thorn nodded, "You can count on me." "Excellent. Then I look forward to talking with you about other matters in the future." "Yes," Thorn nodded, "We must talk." Lord Hawkwinter nodded to Eliath when he asked about a room, "Of course! Any friend of Eliath's is a friend of ours. Will you be staying with us tonight as well, Miss Yuki?" "I should go home..." "Aww!" Amynta pouted, "I always wanted to have a sleepover!" "We've had sleepovers." "But I haven't had one in such a long time... and you know how my pillows are the best for the pillow fights!" Yuki comforted her, "Your pillows are the best for pillow fights. They're fluffy and feathers go everywhere." "And of course we have the pillow fighting lingerie!" Yuki laughed, "You still have that?" Thorn turned to the two of them, focused in suddenly on their conversation. Axton nodded to Amynta, "I'll be sure to get her home safely." He slipped an arm around her as she whispered something about scrubbing and mouthed the words, "Save me!" to Amynta, but Axton guided her out of the house, the door closing behind them. Harte Wavesilver approached Mali now that she was back out of the room, "Is everyone alright in there? Too much punch, huh?" Mali nodded to him, "They're all fine now... but speaking of punch, my glass is kind of empty... would you mind getting some for me?" She fluttered her lashes up at him. He smiled and kept her glass full. "It was quite the pleasure meeting you tonight," He stood close to her. She smiled, "Oh the pleasure was all yours, I'm sure." "Indeed it was," he nodded, "Shall I come and get you in the morning then to show you the gryphons?" Mali nodded, "The earlier, the better. I bet sunrise from gryphon back is fabulous." "I shall show you the dawn of Waterdeep on the back of the most magnificent gryphons that you will ever see," he kissed her on the back of the hand and made his exit. Shade Raventree thanked Posy for a wonderful evening, "Despite your reservations, you're a wonderful dancer." "Thank you, but you're just being kind." "I hope that your companions are alright? I heard they had a little too much to drink? That happens sometimes." Posy nodded. "Not to you apparently though," He looked over her calm composure. Posy grinned and shook her head. "I take you are quite the mistress of drinking then?" "Yes, lots of competitions," Posy nodded. "And you said that you are going on this adventure... and you're leaving how soon?" "When we've finished our business here." "Well then you will let me know then... and perhaps I can lend my magical might to your quest." "Uh, yeah." "And hopefully I'll get a chance to learn more about you," he smiled. "You're gonna have to cut off that interest right there. I have a boyfriend," Posy told him matter-of-factly. "Oh..." Shade looked disappointed, "Well then that is my loss... You seem to be quite the amazing young gnome." He kissed her hand, taking note that she did not wear any sort of ring and smiled up at her before taking his leave. Sherry woke up as Thorn helped her upstairs and she giggled, "Where are we going?" "We're going to bed..." "Yay!" She cheered and giggled with that elven chiming happiness. "It's sleepy time," he helped her into bed, grabbing an extra pillow, and curled up on the cushioned chair, watching over her. Wren and Kale, Posy, and Mali retire to their rooms as well. Axton and Yuki walk back to her house as she points out random places, recalling childhood memories and asking if Axton was there. Each time he nodded and told her he had been there. "Why can't I remember you?" "I don't know... I think I'm pretty memorable." Yuki laughed, enjoying his quick comeback. Axton pulled Yuki closer, standing in the moonlight, reflecting off of the pond where the sun of the day had melted away the ice. She entwined her fingers with Axton's and murmured quietly, tentatively, "I need to see it in the morning." He nodded to her, "I'll be there." Back home, she chatted away about the party to her father, negating the dragon poisoning part, until she started to doze off and Axton carried her into her room, laying her into her bed with him and her father tucking her in and leaving her alone to sleep. With the sky growing pink in the dark of the early morning, Lord Wavesilver came to escort Mali. Dressed in heavier leathers with leather gloves and a sword belted at his side, he greeted her in the common room. Glancing at the sword on his belt Mali smiled, "Expecting trouble, are we?" "It's never wise to go unprepared... especially on a long gryphon ride. You never know what one could find outside of the city," he nodded to her. She nodded, "This is true. That's why i brought first breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, pre-noonsies, noonsies, and lunch." He raised an eyebrow, "That is a rather big basket." He walked up to the heavy riding horse waiting outside and before he could help her up, she took a running leap and got into the saddle on her own. Even pre-dawn, the city was pretty crowded as they rode through with remnants of the late night crowd mixed with the early morning merchants. He took her up the winding cobblestone, pointing out a few of the noble families as they made their way up to the towers of the palace in the mountain. Gryphons with heads of eagles, bodies of lions, and great wings... nested on top of the towers. Mali asked to ride a black one and Harte nodded that they had one, "Have you ever ridden a gryphon before?" "No..." "Then perhaps you should take your first ride with me," he nodded to her. "I think I can handle myself... Mr Wavesilver," Mali declared with a bit of an arrogant determination, "I think you might be surprised." "I'm hoping so..." Harte chuckled, "because if you fall off to your death that's going to look very bad." "No, no... don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I can fly," She nodded. "Alright," he said a little hesitantly but trusted her confidence. "Of course Melleron is very excited. This will be his first gryphon ride too." Harte led her over to a fierce looking black gryphon where a couple of guys walk around the nest with wriggling black bags, taking out a couple of rabbits and tossing them into the nest for the gryphons to gobble up. The bunnies scream as the gryphons crunch on the bones. Mali casted speak to animals over herself and approached the fierce black gryphon, greeting him warmly and introducing herself. Wavesilver looks a little surprised that she's talking to the gryphon. The gryphon was very excited, "You're talking to me? You're talking to me?!" Mali fed him sausages, "Do you like the sausages?" "Yes! They're very delicious! Can I have more?" "Certainly!" He watched her dig through and asked excitedly, "Oh! What's that little kitty? He looks delicious!" "Oh no... he's not really little... he wears a special collar to make him small because he scares people... and he's not for eating. I wont let you eat him." "Oh... but I can have more sausages?!" She fed the gryphon happily. Harte Wavesilver watched her curiously as she made strange noises from her throat speaking gryphon, "You're speaking to him?" She nodded to him and turned back to the gryphon, trying to convince him that he and the other gryphon should make her look good, but not really getting it, he just asked excitedly, "We're going to fly?" She nodded. Harte chose the gryphon he trained with who is very happy to see him. Similar to riding Melleron, Mali held on to the gryphon, giggling through the invigorating flight, "This is so much fun!" Harte led her up the mountain, spiraling around the features of the lone mountain catching the updrafts he was familiar with and cleverly timing it just right, so that as they came over the top of the mountain just as the sun broke the horizon, sparkling over the ocean waves and the snow on top of the mountain. Warm sun shining on her face, he took her on a couple hour aerial tour of the city. Thorn wakes up to see Sherry sit up in bed and stretch widely, her dress barely holding her in, "Good morning, sunshine." "Oh! What am I doing here? This isn't the Promenade," She looked over at him surprised and then looked around the room, "Is this your room?" She gasped, "We... we..." She gasped again and blushed. "I spent the evening on the chair." "Oh, Phew!" she breathed with relief, "Good, because I don't think Eliath would have liked anything like that going on... I was supposed to be his date." She walked over to the couch, bending down to give him a perfect view as she kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you for being a perfect gentleman! Will you escort me to the promenade this morning?" "Of course. We should stop somewhere and have breakfast. I have a sudden craving for ... melons." "Oh I love melons too!" "Oh I really love melons..." "I'm sure Lord Hawkwinter's kitchen has lots of nice, ripe juicy melons." "Oh, probably..." Thorn nodded. Melon juice dribbling down her lips as they ate breakfast... Thorn sighed, thinking //this so isn't fair.// A very large inn with elven architecture and trees placed all around it. Several elves coming and going. Thorn took her inside where Eliath glided up next to them, "Mr Thorn, so good to see you this morning. And I see you've returned our poor wayward elven maid." "Yes, safe and sound." "Excellent." "And he was a perfect gentleman!" She bounced over to Eliath and clung to his arm, "We even had melons for breakfast!" Eliath patted her gently, "I'm sure you did. Why don't you run along and get something more appropriate to put on this morning?" She waved happily, "I hope to see you again, Mr Thorn!" "Oh, I hope so too," he nodded to her. Eliath smiled at Thorn, "I trust you had an enjoyable evening?" Thorn nodded, "It was very enjoyable, yes." Eliath walked up to the bar where a bartender reached down to pull out a bottle of very expensive elven wine to pour into two glasses. Eliath handed Thorn a glass, "Excellent. When I spoke with Erevin and found that you would only be in town for a few days, I figured that you wouldn't have a chance to find entertainment for the evening, so I brought along Miss Sherry to at least provide you with some amusement." "Really? That was ... very thoughtful of you," Thorn nodded to him, "Thank you." "I haven't spoken to Lord Erevin much about his reasoning for coming to the city other than something about Lord Tyrian's priestess of Sune. How long do you think that you'll be in the city?" "Oh there are still a couple of matters to attend to while we're here in the city, so I'd guess at least a few more days." "Is there anything I can help you with while you're here in the city?" "You've already helped me quite a bit... and I believe there was some business you had in mind that you wanted my assistance with?" Eliath nodded, "I'm a little hesitant to bring it up without Lord Erevin here, but I understand he's indisposed with some sort of elven flu?" Thorn nodded, "Yes, some strange bug going around... but I could possibly reach him with a messaging spell if necessary." (Says Dave as he pulls out his cell phone. LOL!) Eliath smiles, "I have some business that requires... shall we say.... a light touch. A bit of stealth and discretion." Thorn nodded, "Understood. Before we go into details, should we take this conversation somewhere a little more private? Less ears to hear?" "Certainly there's a booth over here, but everyone here is mine... so you don't need to worry too much about that." Eliath smiled. "In that case... Please continue, sorry to interrupt." "There's a particular noble family... The Rosnars. Let's just say that they are of the view that Waterdeep should be for humans..." "Oh... I do run across that type once in a while." "Normally I would ignore such barbaric behavior, however... somehow they have gotten their hands on a few dormant moon blades... and they are shipping them to one of their holdings nearby for... destruction. I don't entirely know if they actually have the means to do this... as even a dormant moon blade is a powerful item. But I do know their intent... and that is an insult that I can not accept. I don't know if Erevin has told you much about 'his' moon blade..." "No, but I have seen it in action," Thorn nodded to him. "Well what many of those who are not of The People do not know about moon blades is that they are passed down from one successor to the next, generally within a family, but not always the case... when a young elf attempts to take up the moon blade of their family and the moon blade finds that they are worthy, it will accept them... if it does not, they are destroyed, so as you can see this is a somewhat risky proposition... but for many elves it is a great honor to wield a moon blade and so take that risk. Dormant moon blades are those that have not found a wielder for some time and the magic falls dormant until they are re-awakened... but the most important thing is that when the bearer of the moonblade dies, their spirit passes into the moonblade rather than to Arvandor, the elven heaven... and so that they may still serve The People, a skilled wielder can call upon the spirits that have wielded the blade before." "Wow," Thorn nodded, intrigued. "And so you can see that the destruction of these blades would be the destruction of the spirits within." "This can't be allowed to happen... certainly heirlooms of this power and importance must be rescued from destruction." Eliath nodded to him, "And I happen to know of the warehouse down in the dock district where these items are being stored... and let's just say that me and mine are being watched fairly carefully. It's no secret how I deal with those that I believe threaten The People... so I was hoping that Erevin and perhaps the more stealthy members of his little entourage..." Thorn nodded, "That's pretty much me." Eliath smiled and continued, "...might liberate these weapons while I maintain the aura of uninvolvement." Thorn nodded, "How many are there? And do you have any other details you can give me?" Eliath nodded, "There are three." He snapped his fingers, drawing another elf closer who brought him a scrolled layout of the warehouse. "There will be other weapons and goods here that they are planning to ship and the items are likely going to be made to fit in or lost in the shuffle... and will be guarded by some guards hired by Rosnar, but I'm sure that will be no problem for you, Erevin, or any other of your... stealthy companions." Thorn nodded, "You have provided such hospitality and been so nice to us that it would be... just wrong for me to turn down an offer of assistance like this." "Ahh excellent! Your Prince Erevin said that you were a kind and generous soul, and I can see that he is correct." "Well thank you." "But... I understand that these little operations sometimes need... a little capital? ...to bribe the people that need to be bribed and grease the wheels..." Thorn nodded. Eliath snapped his fingers again, motioning to a different elf who ran up to hand him a discreet black felt bag. Eliath slid it across to Thorn, "Just in case you need a little greasing." Thorn nodded, pocketing the bag that had a clattering of gems inside, "And when do you expect to find yourself uninvolved?" "Well... they plan to ship them out early next week, so I suppose for the rest of the week I could be very visible in the city." "Understood. Well then, Thank you." "It was a pleasure doing buisness with you." "I will get in touch with you as soon it's done," Thorn sipped the rest of his wine, taking another to go. Eliath escorted him and Sherry waved from a window a story up, "Bye Mr Thorn!" Thorn bowed elegantly to her before heading off. Yuki woke early in her childhood home and draped a shawl over her shoulders as she headed outside. Passing Axton, she couldn't help but think he looked really cute, laying on the couch, covered in a blanket. A beautiful sunrise just peaking over the horizon outside. A quiet cool breeze blew through, but it seemed like it was going to be a warmer day. She walked through her neighborhood that seemed the same, but she noted a couple of the dogs looking older and gruffer and a couple of the people seemed to have aged a bit as well... but it was still home. She walked until she found herself at the pond and she leaned against the tree, watching the ripples of the breeze on the water. She skipped a stone across the pond, recalling a memory of games as children skipping stones and gloating at Axton, "Beat you again! Beat you again!" Yuki laughed softly. She looked at the carvings in the trees, little notches of height and initials. But she could feel fear stirring... Not yet... Sighing, she returned home to check on her mother, bringing her some oatmeal. She doesn't really eat it and seemed in about the same condition, leaving Yuki eager to get her to Prince Tyrian's city. Letting her mother rest, Yuki went into the kitchen and started breakfast. Axton joined her but it was obviously hadn't really cooked before in his life. A little while later, her dad emerged, very excited that his cute daughter was still home and cooking him breakfast. She eagerly convinced him to read her a couple of pages of his book, "the good parts!" After he read to them for a bit, she looked up at him, and broached carefully, "Sooo... Dad..." "Yes, my daughter?" "I think...mother is cursed... by shadows... the shadows of Shar..." "Why would she be? We don't have any trump with..." He makes a warding gesture, "the dark goddess of loss... we've always been a happy family." Yuki nodded slowly, "Yeah...but...well... I know that when Mayu died I was very sad." "Yes... well we were all very sad. She was taken from us long before her time." Yuki nodded again, "Well... Shar is the Goddess of Loss." "And you think she had something to do with it?" "I think she has entered out home." "Well you've got to do something! You're a powerful priestess of Sune, right?" Axton nodded beside them, "Yes she is." That surprised her. Was she a powerful priestess? Yuki shook her head, "But not THIS powerful... yet... YET!... But I have a friend... you know my...our friend, Prince Tyrian." "Oh, the handsome elven prince," Avidon nodded. "Yeah..." Yuki's eyes went a little dreamy for a moment. "I'm not sure I like the way he looked at you," Her father gave her a stern look. "R-really?" "You should be careful about him." "I mean... he looked at me?" "Yes," Avidon nodded, "He was looking at you the whole time you were here... dark smoldering eyes." Smoldering eyes... Yuki sighed...not a little happy. Axton glared at Yuki. She grinned back at him. Avidon nodded to her, "You should be careful of that type... elves." "Really? What's wrong with elves?" "They're all about... free love... and that sort of thing." Yuki nodded sagely, "Mmm...Wren's like that." "Don't let them make you tea... elven tea can be very ..." he mumbled a bit under his breath. Yuki raised an eyebrow, "What do you know about elven tea?" She ruffled the mantle on her shoulders. "Uh... I mean... Raven used to make it ... It's not important!" "Mmm..." Yuki fixed him with a shrewd, eye, "Danced around some fires there, Daddy? ... ANY...WAY! Tyrian has a light that's supposed to dispel all shadows... and if we can take Mother there. I think it would break the hold on the shadows on her." "I don't know about that..." "But we have a magic ship! Wouldn't you...'like' to go on a magic ship?" "Is it a romantic magic ship?" "It's very romantic," Yuki nodded. "It's been so long since I adventured... and that sounds like an adventure to me." "Weeeeeelllll...first we have to gate to the palace of a very powerful archmage..." Yuki flipped the bacon onto some plates, "...who's wife is potentially some sort of a fire passion mage." "I'm so proud of you." "...and then we have to board our magic ship where we'll fly into the sky... to the north...where we might even meet some barbarians!" Avidon glanced over to Axton, "She's not making fun of me, is she?" Yuki nudged Axton, "Tell him! I would never make fun of him!" Axton nodded to Avidon, "It's all true, Sir." "With two elven princes!" "Oh my..." "And two witches!" Avidon grew wary, "Who is the other witch?" "Raven's daughter, Crowe." Avidon sort of made a grimacing face, "Well... I guess if you think we can get her to the ship... and there's nothing you can do here... then I want my wife... your mother back." "Me too," Yuki nodded to him, "The temple here has tried everything. I think Tyrian's light is our best bet to break those chains I see holding her." "Alright... then I will dig out... my adventuring gear." Yuki gasped excitedly, "You mean... 'The Pack'!" "I'll have to get someone to watch over the house and the shop and make sure my publisher knows where I'm going... how soon will we be leaving?" "I'm not sure... Erevin is sick... but Shri is taking care of him." "At least a couple of days?" She nodded. "Alright. Adventuring again... I'm so excited!" Yuki beamed excitedly with him, "On a real magic ship!" Avidon headed to his room to pack and Axton slipped an arm around Yuki, "Well done!" She beamed happily, "That went better than I thought!" "You know you're father very well..." He paused a moment and then looked at questioningly, "It might be dangerous." "Yeah... maybe... probably..." "We'll take care of him." "It's not him I'm worried about... if he can survive Raven showing up in his room wearing only a mantle, then he's fine... It's my mother I'm worried about." "I know... and what will happen if she finds out about this exotic past of his? There will be no more witches for him!" Yuki laughed, "Nuh uh!" "So... what are 'we' going to do today?" "I need to remember...Mayu." "Uh.. okay... What can I do to help?" "I don't know... protection from evil..." "I can do that," Axton whispered a spell over her. "That includes both of us right?" Axton smiled, "I am a priest of Sune... I am the definition of good." "Uh Uh... There's got to be a loop hole in there somewhere..." "Not totally... demon proof..." He leaned in closer to her. "Right, the pond!" She flusters, "I have to go to the pond!" She started heading for the door and glanced back as he followed her, "Hey I heard Mali was going gryphon riding." "Is 'that' what they call it these days?" Yuki giggled, "Isn't that something 'you' always wanted to do?" "The young nobleman did seem quite interested. I'm sure he is showing her a 'good' time... riding the gryphon." "Axton! They sounds kind of... not virtuous! ...and sort of interesting too. How exactly would that work?" "I've always wanted to," Axton nodded to her as they walked toward the pond, "Maybe we'll get a chance to try that later." "Ride a gryphon?" "Uh huh" "Well that sounds sort of fun... i guess." She said a little uncertainly, just WHAT were they talking about here?! "I've always wanted to..." Yuki blushed, "I...I'm not really all that athletic though... I...I mean I would probably fall off." "Maybe you can borrow Mali's ring of feather fall." "That's a good idea.... uhm... we are talking about birds, right?" Axton smiled and nodded, "Yes." "Okay...just making sure... cause for a minute there it didn't seem like we were talking about birds at all." "Are you alright? You're blushing." "er?! I'm f...fine. FINE! Really need to get to the...pond." Yuki looked over the pond, little fish darting around inside it, "It doesn't look that bad... Wren said it looked creepy... but look, it has fish. Evil ponds don't have fish... So... how do I jog my memory?" "I don't know..." "I don't have to drown, do I? "I hope not!" Yuki cast water walking on herself then walked out tentatively over the water, staying near the shores. She waved to a couple of passers by before bending down to run her hand through the water, still careful to stay close to the shore. Nothing happened. Turning around, she looked at Axton and shrugged, "What now? What am I supposed to do now?" He shrugged, "Maybe you should walk out a little ways." "You want me to go deeper?" she asked, unconvinced. "Well if it is re-living past trauma... you're not really getting wet." "Well if it's re-living past trauma then I'd be climbing the tree and falling in, right?" "Yes... I suppose you could do that," Axton said a little hesitantly. Yuki walked back to shore and climbed up the tree onto one of its branches, "Do you think this is high enough?" Axton looked up at her and it suddenly occurred to her he might be able to see up her skirt. "A...Axton, you PERV...!!" As she bent down to adjust her skirts, she lost her balance and fell into the pond!  The water was freezing cold and the dirty scent of pond water surrounded her... for a moment nothing seemed to happen, but then something grabbed hold of her ankle and pulled her under! Suddenly flailing around in the darkness, she could just see the sunlight coming from above and then she was a little girl again... 5 or 6... Mayu was there...and a boy about 8 or 9 with flaming red hair. Bubbles were everywhere in the water. Struggling in panic, she tried to reach Mayu but something was wrapped around their legs, pulling them under. Axton, being a little older, grabbed both of them under his arms. He kicked frantically trying to pull them to the surface. Mayu and Yuki were panicked and struggling. It was...Horrific! This utter feeling of terror! Her lungs burned for air, and watching this all take place as adult Yuki, she could see the bubbles coming from Axton as well as he was slowly, desperately running out of air too, all while struggling to get the girls out. Mayu, seeming to sense the desperation of their situation, went perfectly calm. Her face...almost serene...as she suddenly kicked free of Axton. Yuki's eyes widened as she desperately reached her hands toward her sister...Mayu becoming smaller and smaller, fading into the black deep of the pond. Out of the pond, Yuki and Axton, gasping for air, coughed up water. Mad with grief, Yuki struggles to free herself, to run back to Mayu but Axton holds her back, pulling her up on to the shore. Little Yuki was filled with rage, anger, and despair, grief as she hit Axton over and over again, "WHY didn't YOU save her?! Why didn't YOU LET ME GO? Why didn't YOU SAVE HER? SHE WAS MY SISTER! I LOVE HER!" He tells her he tried, over and over, but this only made her madder til she screamed at him, "I HATE YOU AXTON! I WILL ALWAYS HATE YOU!!!" Avidon came running up from the house, lifting Yuki into his arms, leaving Axton standing alone, crushed. A brief flash of pink under the water and Yuki is back in real time as whatever was pulling her down by her leg let go and Axton again pulled her up onto the shore. Yuki coughed and gasped as Axton held her in his arms, "Yuki! Are you alright? Are you alright?!" She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as tears streamed down her face, "I get it... I remember. I'm sorry! I remember..." More memories come rushing back from her childhood with Mayu and Axton... Too many to really grasp all at once, but they were back. Trembling and still crying, Yuki continued to squeeze Axton tightly, "I remember... I'm remembering more... I'm so sorry! I don't hate you... I don't hate you at all. I remember." Soaked, he carried her back to the house, her arms still wrapped tightly around him, murmuring apologies...over again and again... Mali returned from her gryphon ride in the middle of the afternoon and everyone gathered at the Hawkwinter estate. Posy sat around daydreaming about her passion dream and wishing Uther was here. Thorn mentioned wanting to check out the entrance of a famous dungeon in the city. Yuki nodded, "Oh... the Yawning Portal Inn! It's run by an ex-adventurer, Duncan. There's a giant well inside the inn that goes down into the depths of the under-mountain..." Axton nodded, "The mad wizard Halaster the Black discovered an ancient dwarven city beneath Mount Waterdeep many years ago. He decided to make it his lair, and visiting all sorts of strange lands... he brought back all kinds of monsters to stock his lair with... He had 7 apprentices who were known as The Seven who followed in his footsteps, building their own towers here and finding deeper areas in the under-mountain... stocking them with monsters... until eventually Halaster went mad and killed some of his apprentices and the others fled... but rumors say he still dwells in the under-mountain and the whole place is now a labyrinth of big fat dungeon... enticing adventurers to come with treasure... the innkeeper charges a gold coin to lower you down the well and a gold coin to wheel you back up. Many an adventurer has gone down to get some of Mad Halaster's treasure." Wren shrugged, "Let's go check it out." Thorn nodded, "Alright, I just wanted to look... but..." "I could use something to work out some aggression," Posy nodded. "You'll need a priestess!" Yuki nodded. Wren glanced at Kale who nodded to her. "Maybe we should get some more muscle..." Yuki pondered. "I'm standing right here," Kale looked over at her. "Yeah... but you only protect Wren." She grinned back at him. "Hey! I seem to recall pulling you out of some black tentacles..." Yuki shuddered, "Ugh! Don't remind me!" Posy sent off an invitation to Shade Raventree and Mali sent one off to Harte Wavesilver. Wren penned a note, "Dear Erevin... we have gone to go and see the famous dungeon in the under-mountain. The entrance is located in the Yawning Portal Inn if you would like to join us when you're feeling better." Yuki scrolled in a note on the side of it, "We'll share! ... Really we will! ...No, really! We will! ...(maybe)." Thorn added his own message at the bottom, the words getting smaller and smaller as he tried to fit all onto the page, "Making an unplanned trip into under-mountain. Please catch up. Please. Oh lord, please... don't abandon us in there. Please come! I just wanted to visit the inn... crazy Wren has insisted that we go down. The dungeon is known for killing many countless adventurers. I hear tale of 'whore traps'... for the love of all the gods, please come! There could be a lot of lightning down there and poor Yuki might not make it back!" We pin the note to Erevin's door. We head toward the inn. Yuki chatters away merrily, "I almost drowned today..." Wren turned to look at her, shocked, "What?!" "It's okay... I remember everything!" "Is that good?" Wren looked at her questioningly. Yuki nodded, "Yeah! You see..." She paused...suddenly feeling they were being...watched. "Thorn... I'm getting this annoying feeling..." He glanced up from beside her, guiltily, "I'm sorry! I didn't do it on purpose! Your butt was right there... and I tripped... and I didn't want to fall in the mud..." "My b...butt...WHAT?!" gasped Yuki! "Oh... but you're not talking about that... what another annoying feeling are you getting?" "We're being watched!" She took a step away from him, covering her bum. "Ohhh!" He looked around, but there were 10's of thousands of people... People just everywhere. It was hard to tell anything. "Really! We are. This is my hood!" Yuki insisted, trying to speak rogue and failing miserably, "My terf! My...er...hidey hole!" Thorn laughed, "Someone's looking at your hidey hole?" Yuki gasped, "Well YOU were a moment ago... just stay away from..." "Let me tell you about this dream I had..." "Dream?!" Yuki is instantly distracted, "You had a dream too?! I think we all had a dream! You should ask Erevin about his dream! And tell me. I know about Wren's dream! Soooo romantic!" Yuki glances pointedly at Axton, "...Axton won't tell me about his dream other than something about red leather and boots! There may have been a whip..." Thorn blinked at her, "Okay then... about this being watched... just be careful. Too many people to tell... we'll stick to the main streets." "Okay. Well I certainly don't want to almost die twice in one day... We'll go this way then." Thorn nodded to her, "Remember we're in your hood, yo." "Yo!" She beamed excitedly, missing his sarcasm. The inn is huge and the common room is filled with adventurers. In the middle a stone wall runs across to form a 40' across well... with a giant crank that lowers an enormous basket down the well that easily holds a whole adventuring party. Other adventurers make wagers around the room as to who is going to survive. Posy walked up, handing her two gold. Thorn blinked, "We just got here!" He tried to pull her back a little, but she was ready to go! The innkeeper nodded to us, "You going in as a group then?" Posy nodded and gruffly answered, "Uh huh!" "Well she seems quite eager to go in... it's good to see fire in youth these days." Thorn nodded, "I suppose we are." "Alright. There's a rope down there to pull to let us know when you want back up... You look like seasoned adventurers so I shouldn't have to ask if you've got all your 10' poles and pitons and things that you'll need." Yuki tilted her head, her eyes drawn to the exchange of money in the corner, "My what? ...I'd like to get in on that gambling action though!" The innkeep continued, "I recommend sticking to the dungeon level if you're new in town... don't go any deeper." Yuki giggled, "Oh we've taken on dungeons before!" We mingle, drink, and place a few bets. Thorn looked over the bag from Eliath to find about 1000 gold in gems. Shade and Harte join us, dressed to go in. Posy ruffled Shade's hair, "Aww look at you!" "Hey!" Harte smiled at Mali, "I had a wonderful time this morning... hopefully you'll be in town long enough that we can go again. We've done sunrise... sunset is just as beautiful." "I find that the beginning of the day is a happier time than the end of one..." "Mmm but have you ever ridden under the stars?" "Oh I've ridden at night." "I see..." he smiled at her. "These dungeon dumplings are great!" Thorn exclaimed snacking away, "What is this? Chimaera?" Duncan nodded, "It's always good to have a good hot dumpling before facing certain death." We load up into the basket, pay our gold, and they lower us 150 feet to a huge central chamber. Torches on the walls. Clean and maintained. Recent boot tracks around the area. Large stone archways lead off from the circular chamber... each seems to be named... The Bone Throne The Cavern of Eyes The Falling Stair The Grim Statue The Hall of Sleeping Kings The House of Pain The Sundered Throne The Temple of the All Seeing One Yuki smirked at Axton and glanced meaningfully at The House of Pain. "Hey!" He nudged her. Thorn pointed to The Temple of the All Seeing One, "Not that one... that says beholder to me." We look over the names and decide to head into The Grim Statue.
 * 1-25-2014 **