Session+83

**1-9-16** ** Session 83 ** **The Aftermath and Celebration in Myth Coramanth**

Weakened, ragged and worn, and badly injured... the survivors were grateful for the victory. The elven city stood defiant in the aftermath. Sun filtered down through the trees and cheers could be heard ringing through the city. The elven rangers accompanied Mina to sweep for stragglers.

A week passed as everyone rested and recovered. The civilians were called back from the Clan of Eisenhammer where they had stayed safe from the battle. Fires were long out, but buildings were damaged and craters were in the streets... and the elves began to rebuild.

 Hirotsu and Eltrue met with Erevin in the palace, "It could have been much worse, my son. You have done well. There were losses, of course... but we only lost a handful... it could have been so much worse." Erevin agreed, "I am only saddened that we could not have gotten more notice." Hirotsu nodded and continued, "We have started the repairs to the city, and we are going to hold a great celebration to give honor and thanks not only to you heroes who defended our homeland... but to those from Lyrabar, Sanctuary, Eisenhammer, and the others who came to our aid as well... and to pay respect to those who have fallen." Hirotsu turned to the drow beside him with genuine gratitude and warmth, "And a special thanks to you, Priestess of Eilistraee. You have your life for our city." "It was an honor, my queen," Shri curtsied.

"You and your friends are welcome to free reign in the city, of course... I know you all have other obligations with threats to the world... but for tonight, make merry... and have a little fun," Hirotsu nodded to them. She dismissed everyone else from the room, keeping Eltrue, Shri and Erevin behind, "There is one other matter that I would seek the advice of my son and his... betrothed?" She raised an eyebrow, questioningly. Erevin smiled, "I will make that official later... though I'm certain Shri already knows." He glanced sidelong at the drow woman who smiled quietly, not saying a word.

Hirotsu sent them to accompany Eltrue to the lower levels. Erevin nodded to the elven warrior, "It was nice to see you still swinging the sword, old man." Eltrue chuckled, "Every once in a while... I get to deal a little damage. The elven city is rather peaceful... and I miss my old pupil, Kale . How is he doing with that witch of his?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Erevin nodded, "Wrapped around her little finger as tight as could be." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Ah," Eltrue nodded and frowned slightly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"But he is truly one of your best," Erevin nodded. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Indeed," Eltrue nodded proudly, and then added, "I've heard there's something between his sister and that little halfling... Thorn ?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"It is beyond me, m'lord," Erevin shook his head and shrugged. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Well I've heard some strange things in the palace," Eltrue nodded, "Kale was muttering something about halfling kabobs." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Erevin laughed.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Deep in the lower levels of the palace, torches flickered on the walls. It was solemn and simple, but clean. An elven prison... Eltrue opened a door to a simple room where Queelest was being held. Erevin walked in and embraced her, and Shri's older sister tentatively hugged him back.

Hirotsu joined them in the hallway, and explained that Queelest, along with her fellow priests and priestesses had helped the city during the battle... but that Queelest confessed to her afterward as to her involvement, "She said that she had confessed everything to you prior... I have placed her here for the time being, but I am uncertain of what to do... she is the high priestess of Eilistraee and yet she has committed //some// treason against Myth Coramanth..." Erevin nodded, "I have given this some thought... Surely there must be some discipline... but she //did// let us know in time." "She has always served The People well," Hirotsu nodded, "She has been the high priestess for decades. It is a delicate situation. Since Yilithor left for wandering, she has been the face of the drow here in Myth Coramanth. It could look bad if she is punished too severely... I thought this would make an ample attempt at your leadership skills, my son. ...A test for a simple woodsman." Eltrue laughed beside her at her last comment.

Erevin pondered, "Is there another who can serve in her stead... here and now? ...other than Shri." Hirotsu replied, "Shri would certainly be the best suited... and she has other leading priests, but none that are of the skill of Queelest or her sister. In a pinch, they could at least perform her basic duties." The young elven prince nodded, "Perhaps... though this would be a trying thing... a limited banishing... send her on a pilgrimage to meet with Yilithor... so that they might travel together doing Eilistraee's will... for perhaps 20 years... and then with Yilithor's blessing, she could return... Is that too harsh?" Hirotsu pondered, "20 years is a good length of time... even for an elf... it would give her time to reflect. Very well. It is settled." "There will have to be someone to lead the drow here," Erevin continued, "We can ill afford for something like this to happen again." The elven queen nodded, "We will speak with her to see which member would be the most qualified to take up her duties." "It is my understanding that she longed to meet with Yilithor anyway," Erevin nodded, glancing at the door where Queelest stayed. "He is a very charismatic man," Hirotsu agreed.

Nymmurh had already returned to the council with most of the other dragons, but Wren and Kale went to visit Midori and Bloodworth in the temple of Hanalil, hosted by Dulcet, where they were on the mend. "There's going to be a feast and a celebration tonight in the palace," Wren nodded to both of them, "Will you come?" "I don't know... I don't really think I'll be welcome," Midori shook his head. "Nonsense!" Wren quickly shook her head, "You helped to save the city! Of course you are welcome." "Well," Midori looked her determined face over and nodded, "I'll go on one condition." Wren raised an eyebrow at the elven form of the great green dragon, "And that is?" "If your halfling companion, Maliumpkin, invites me to stay... I will stay," Midori nodded. Well aware of the grudge her druidess companion had against him, Wren burst out laughing, "Mali?!" "Only then will I feel welcome," Midori nodded. "Well I don't really know how much Mali has to do with the whole welcome of Myth Coramanth for you... I mean I'll certainly ask her... but I wouldn't hold your breath," Wren shook her head. "Who is this Maliumpkin?" Bloodworth interrupted them, curious. "She is someone that Midori tricked a while ago... and she's been hateful and spiteful toward him ever since," Wren nodded. "She is a cruel and begrudging halfling," Midori agreed. "Well... even if my friend, Midori, doesn't want to stay... I'll stay," Bloodworth agreed, nodding to the young witch. Wren beamed, "It will be an honor to have you!"

The pair went on to see Argent and Silvermane who were still in the city as well. The silver-haired sorceress nodded to Wren, "We wont miss a party! There will be handsome elves prancing about in their tights!" She leaned closer to the witch, "You can usually see their little packages!" Wren laughed, "Now, now... just because they're elves..." The young witch winked at her, "They can't all be dragon size, you know."

Crowe met up with Wren in the street, "Our Mother requests to speak with you. She's with the others at Hero's Rest." Raven, Falco , Magarite , and Esme were gathered together inside drinking in the local inn... the surviving members of Guardians of the Tome. Falco was telling a tall tale to the group, and Avidon was scrawling quickly onto multiple sheets of paper as he listened. Wren wondered if Jerome was among them... the spirit of the uncle that Posy often spoke of. Falco looked up and grinned at the approaching trio, "Wren! You really are the daughter of Raven... you look just like her. You could practically be sisters." Wren raised an eyebrow, "Thank you... I think... Even though her hair is white and mine is black... and her eyes are violet and mine are gold... You know... I just don't see it." She laughed, and glanced at Crowe beside her, wondering for a moment if the gnome had mistaken her sister for her as the elder looked much more like their mother than she did. Falco laughed, "It's an internal thing." "An //internal// thing?" The young witch raised an eyebrow, "You've been hanging out with Rosche, haven't you? Your grandson has a set of marbles from him..." "A gentleman never tells..." he winked at her and raised a mug, "Have a drink!" Wren accepted a goblet of fine peppermint elven wine and sat down among them, "It's so good to see all of you!"

"It was a great battle," Magarite nodded, "And it was good to finally put an end to the last of the mindbreaker. I hope that shriveled little walnut of a brain will provide you with what you need." Wren nodded to her gratefully, "Thank you! We couldn't have asked for more." "It rekindled the fires of old," Magarite nodded, "We had forgotten what it was like to form a companionship ...and a group of friends." "I am glad to see you all back together," Wren smiled, looking around at the warmth of each of the companions. Magarite continued, "Indeed, we are thinking of traveling a bit more... seeing parts of the world that we haven't seen yet." "Oh, Really?" Wren raised an eyebrow, glancing over toward her mother. Raven nodded, "And that is why I wish to speak with you... I think that getting out of Myth Coramanth for a while would do me a world of good. There's so many things that I have not seen yet." "Alright," Wren nodded tentatively. "So you're in charge of the Nest," Raven nodded to her matter-of-factly, and then added sweetly, "Congratulations!" The other companions roused cheers around her, "Here, here!" as they clinked glasses and swallowed down wine. Wren's eyes were wide as she stared at Raven in shock, "What?! ...I still have so many things to take care of! We needed that brain to go and fight a god. I don't have time to run a coven!" "You would deny your mother this simple request?" Raven raised an eyebrow calmly. "Simple?!" Wren protested, "What exactly do you think is simple about running a coven?" "The one who runs the coven is the most powerful witch," Raven explained, gesturing to her youngest daughter, "And you are the most powerful witch. You have out shown your sisters in this regard... You know the most powerful hexes and incantations... I can think of no other who could possibly fulfill the role while I am gone." "I appreciate the commendation, but..." Wren continued to protest. "And who knows if I'll return," Raven continued, ignoring her objections. Wren stared at her silently for a moment, assessing her, and she furrowed her brows, "Are you trying to tell me goodbye?" "Yes," Raven nodded, and Wren's eyes widened further. The elder witch laid a hand over her daughter's "Well not right away... I'll stay for the party." Wren's mouth dropped open. "You look surprised," Raven looked her over with a smile. "Surprised..." Wren nodded, looking distracted as she fought for words, "We'll go with that." "Oh come on... You can't tell me you haven't dreamed of lording over your sisters like a queen?" Raven raised an questioning eyebrow. "Maybe when I was just a little child," Wren nodded. "Which was... yesterday?" Raven asked mockingly. "I've grown a lot in the last year!" Wren answered defensively. "Indeed," the coven mother nodded, "That is why I can think of no one better." "I certainly appreciate the gesture of confidence," Wren nodded, "But again... I don't have time to run a coven." "You don't have time?" Raven asked her, "You don't have time for your sisters?" "Ghandahaur is still out there and needs to be taken care of," Wren's voice was calmer, more serious. "Well you can leave one of your other sisters in charge while you take care of that," Raven nodded to her, "I trust your decision. You are a highly intelligent and motivated young woman with a handsome paramour." "Who I plan to marry... and can't live in the coven with," Wren countered. "Well you know," Raven replied in an inviting sing-song voice, "When you're in charge... you get to make the rules." "Hmm..." Wren nodded, a little more interested... but her thoughts strayed again to the long list of obligations she already had... including the travels and the time it may take to help Destiny ... Raven smiled and patted her, "You think on it... I know this is all a bit of a surprise." Wren nodded, relieved, "I'll think on it." The rest of the group raised their glasses, "To the new leader of the nest!" Wren raised her glass, "How about to the still standing of Myth Coramanth and our victory?" "That'll work," Falco nodded, gulping down his wine. Thorn and Posy went to find the Garishthimbles who returned with the elven civilians. They found the gnome couple looking around with wide and wondrous eyes at the craters formed into the earth from the crash of the dragons. "Thorn, it's good to see you," Kattri nodded toward the halfling. "And Posy! You're alive!" Aware beamed at her niece, "I heard you were a shriveled little prune for a while!" "It happens," Posy shrugged. "You've healed up quite well," Aware nodded again. "Everything went okay then?" Kattri asked, "You gave them a what for?" Thorn nodded, "Yep, and we're still alive!" Aware slipped an arm around Posy, whispering to her off to the side as she glanced back at Thorn, "I thought your boyfriend was a big barbarian?" Posy nodded, "He's helping to rebuild." "Oh! Okay," her aunt nodded, "I was thinking that one looked quite small." The two asked many questions, intrigued with the stories of dragons, vampires, and balls of flame and lightning going everywhere... and Thorn and Posy delighted them with many tales. "So now there is going to be a party?" Kattri asked. Thorn and Posy nodded. "And then we're going to travel to our homeland?" Aware asked. "And then we can introduce you to our family!" Both of the Garishthimbles spoke at once with big smiles on their faces. "It will have to wait," Posy shook her head. "What do you mean it will have to wait?" Aware blinked. "I thought we were going to release the elves from your gem there," Kattri agreed. "Yes..." Posy nodded tentatively, "That means meeting the family?" "Well you're going to //be// //there//! You don't want to be rude," Aware encouraged her. "First," Thorn quickly changed the subject, "While we're //here//... is there anything we need to obtain or to help when we do that over there? I really don't want to have to travel back again..." "I don't think so," Aware shook her head, "We should have everything that we will need in Lantan." "I spoke with your Attalicus," Kattri agreed, "And the materials that he provided for the mythal should be fine. I do not believe we'll need //him// to actually travel with us." "I think we can handle it. We are gnomes after all... the most clever and inventive of the races," Aware nodded proudly. "Yes..." Thorn mustered a smile through his difficult lie, "You are." "We'll rest those souls right out of that thing!" Kattri nodded. "When you say 'rest those souls'," Thorn asked, "You mean gently, right?" "Well they're souls... there wont be any fatalities," Kattri assured him. "They're kind of important to some of our friends," Thorn warned him. "Oh, they'll be fine!" Aware and Kattri nodded together. "And I get to keep the bauble when we're done... that was the deal, right?" Thorn asked. "Well if it's okay with the elves... I guess that's alright. We don't need it for anything," the gnomes agreed. "It's alright with the elves," Thorn nodded confidently. The Garishthimbles continued, "It's just a big valuable gemstone that one could probably live their whole life off of." "I-I've heard..." Thorn nodded, struggling with the fact that he was going to have to give it away. "Can you imagine the magic items that you could buy with that?" Kattri asked. "Oh dear!" Aware nodded, agreeing, "I don't even know!" "Yes... it's... precious," Thorn nodded, clenching his jaws. The four walked to the palace together. Wren slipped up beside her red-haired halfling friend, "So Mali... you remember Midori, right?" Mali turned to face her slowly with a raised eyebrow. "He would be honored if you would invite him to join us at the celebration," Wren smiled sweetly. "Oh would he?" Mali put her hands on her hips, "Well isn't that just a tough little dragon scaled titty!" Wren giggled. "I'm not inviting him to shit!" Mali folded her arms. "Are you sure you don't want to invite him to... get another chance to know him? Maybe even play a little practical joke back on him?" Wren asked encouragingly. "No, I'm pretty sure we were already close enough," Mali glowered, "I'm pretty sure that //possession//... is plenty close enough." "Alright," Wren nodded, "I'll be sure to let him know." "Yeah, you do that," the little druidess nodded. Wren headed back out to find Kale while Mali went through the shops on her own... magic items, chocolate, sausages, and intentionally getting a gown NOT green... A tailor was happy to make her a scandalous dress in red and orange hues... like fire... one that lifted and squeezed her in all of the right places, emphasizing her feminine form. Hunting jack rabbits with Melleron, burning off some steam, Mali noticed a large black crow looking at her from a tree. She threw some crackers up at, and it swallowed them up before luring her out further into the forest. It squawed out, "Follow me, follow me." She followed it slowly, deeper into the woods, to the outskirts of the city. In a clearing, the crow finally rested on a cloaked individual's shoulder. He stood next to a drow that Mali recognized from the moonblade episode in the warehouse in Waterdeep. Mali glowered as she realized she had just been lured out far away from any of her companions... out past the security of the city's mythal... to 2 drow... and now she was alone. //This is all Midori's fault!// she thought to herself, //He's the one who got me all riled up! Why did he ask ME to invite him?!// The elder drow looked her over curiously, "I honestly didn't think that would work..." Turning to him, full of so much anger that she appeared calm, "Oh... do you think I'm afraid of you? Am I supposed to be scared?" "You mean you //knew// it was me?" He looked at her curiously. "Did you think that I can't protect myself?" she continued on, ignoring his question, and folded her arms in a huff, "Obviously it should be //you// that's frightened. You may want to carefully consider your next action." "I //have// carefully considered my next action... I can assure you," he nodded, "I have a message for your companion... Erevin Lionspaw." "Oh... were you too afraid to go to him yourself?" She looked at him as though she was insulted to be called as a messenger. "It is less a question of fear... and more of a question of I can't actually go in farther... The mythal keeps my kind out. Hence... I had to lure someone out," he nodded to her. "Well get on with your message then. I don't have all night," Mali scowled grumpily, tapping her foot and thrusting her hands on her hips. "I take it that my daughter's ill-fated venture has met with the end that I told her that it would?" he asked. "Clearly you have more foresight than she did," Mali yawned, folding her arms, "I'm still waiting on the message." "Very well then," the elder drow nodded, "I come with an offering of peace... These hostilities between our people are..." "Detrimental to the numbers of your people? I would agree," Mali finished for him with a terse tone. "Yes," he nodded, "Perhaps bluntly put... but you have the correct of it. After your little escapade in our fortress... I decided that further antagonizing Hirotsu would lead to nothing but more strife between our people... but my daughter would not let her lust for vengeance go... I tried to talk her out of this continued hatred toward your friend, Erevin... but I was unable to convince her... she provided me with a very ... pointed... argument. However, I'm better now." "So your message... is that you wanted me to tell Erevin that...?" Mali nudged him along. "That we shall make no more attacks on your people," he nodded. "We shall see," Mali glowered, unflinching. "And... we have an offering of peace," he gestured to the cloaked mage beside him. The drow mage began casting, and Mali recognized the teleportation magic of bringing someone or something in. The young druidess sent off a feather-token bird with a brief message back to the city to Erevin, explaining what was happening, and Melleron growled beside her as she took on a tense defensive posture. A young drow woman dressed in a simple burlap dress appeared beside them. Mali stared at her blankly without any recognition. "This is your priestess's younger sister... the youngest sibling of Queelest and Shri Zau'zynge... We offer this prisoner of war as a token of our good faith," he gestured at the young woman. "People... aren't tokens... Haven't you figured that out yet?" Mali glowered at him, "Maybe that's why your people keep dying." "Perhaps you are right... you have given us much to think about," he nodded to her, taking a step back, "Maliumpkin, was it? I hope that you take this offering in the spirit that it was given." He nudged the young drow woman toward the halfling. The young woman had obviously been recently cleaned up... but had endured a lot of abuse. Mali slipped an extra cloak over her shoulders. "I bid you good day then," the drow nodded to her, and he disappeared with his mage companion. Mali looked over the young drow, and placed Melleron's collar on him to shrink him down. She placed the small lion in the drow's arms, and transformed into a griffon, nudging the woman to climb onto her back. The young drow blinked, frightened, and spoke in elven "I should... get on your back? ...You're not going to eat me, are you? ...Is this some sort of cruel trick?" The Mali griffon shook her head, and nudged her to gently to climb on. The drow climbed on tentatively, and held on. Mali felt the warmth on her back, and she glanced back as she flew toward the city to see the drow wreathed in light, sparking from the humming of the mythal. The druidess quickly turned around, taking the drow back to the safety outside of the mythal. The small feather token bird arrived to Erevin to tell him that Z'ress's father was outside of the mythal in the woods, teleporting something in. He heard the hum of the mythal, and ran to one of the watch towers. He blew the horn of the rangers to alert them to the right area to be watched. Wren and Azarius quickly gathered with the rest of their companions, teleporting them out to Mali standing next to a drow woman with a definite familial resemblance to Shri. The young drow girl was wary, but seemed to recognize Shri. Wren wove a spell over the drow, discerning her true next of kin... finding that she was indeed the blood kin of Shri and Queelest. Shri stepped next to her, looking her over tentatively with true vision. The girl was dressed in only non-magical clothing made of burlap. Erevin retrieved a ring from Attalicus to grant the girl temporary access into the mythal, and they took her to the temple of Hanalil where Shri and Dulcet gave her some healing and new clothes. The girl was suspicious, but did as she was told... it would take time for her to adjust.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Lanterns were hung and glow fairies took off into the sky, leading trails of light through the city and up into the treetops. Ribbons were tied in the trees and many elves were already sauntering and dancing in the streets. Yienshul ran up to greet everyone excitedly. She embraced Kale warmly as she smiled at Thorn, "It's good to see you again..." and she quickly turned to Posy, "And a dragon fell on your head?!" She greeted everyone at once in her excitement, barely letting anyone else get a word in to greet her back. "I was hoping my big brother would escort me to the ball!" She smiled up at him and then glanced at Thorn and the others, "...unless someone else would like to?" "Of course! I would be glad to escort my one and only baby sister!" Kale beamed proudly, sweeping his sister closer with one arm. "What about Wren?" Thorn blinked at the elven warrior. "I'm sure Wren has no shortage of suitors," Erevin nodded to him. Wren covered her mouth, trying to hold back her smile, and nodded. "Oh! ...ohhh... I'm sorry. I didn't know," Thorn looked sympathetic at the strong elven warrior who now looked confused and a little uncertain. "Well I was... going to... escort Wren," Kale put his other arm around the elven witch, pulling her close. "Being awfully selfish, isn't he?" Erevin grinned at Thorn. "Oh... well... I can see that you're going to have your hands full, brother," Yien sounded disappointed as she slipped out of his arm and stood next to Thorn with a sigh, and offered him her hand. Wren was giggling, and nodded to Thorn appreciatively, "You're the sweetest!" Kale was glowering, and the young witch nudged him, "He's escorting your sister... aren't you grateful?" Thorn walked with Yien in front of the elves, his hand resting up on her butt as he gave her cheek a little pinch! "Oh! Thorn! You're so... naughty," Yien giggled as she walked with him.

Bloodworth bowed in greeting on the steps of the palace, nodding to the red-haired druidess, "Miss Maliumpkin... Midori has told me so much about you." "Great..." she responded curtly. "He sends..." the human form of the blue dragon started. Thorn interrupted him, shaking his head, "That's not how you introduce yourself to Mali." "Oh?" Bloodworth turned to him, "I'm unfamiliar with halfling customs... how does one introduce themselves?" "Oh great... another dragon," Mali grumbled, "I know you want to get in here... but it's not happening." Bloodworth blinked at her, "I'm... already in here." Wren stepped in closer, laying a gentle hand on the human man's arm, "Midori possessed her..." "What?" he turned to her, his brows furrowed. "He possessed her body," Wren nodded to him, "and walked around in her." "Why would he do such a thing?" Bloodworth shook his head. "Well... he wanted to see Myth Coramanth and couldn't get in... so... he used her," Wren explained further. "Oh, well that would explain why he didn't get the visit that he was hoping for," Bloodworth nodded, "He regretfully sends his regards as he did not wish to intrude on your celebration tonight." "Oh! Well that's... that's great! Lovely! Thank you," Mali nodded to him cheerfully, "I'll have such a better time now." Bloodworth leaned closer to Wren, "She seems to be filled... with... a little bit of hate." Wren giggled and nodded, "Yes... more than a little bit." "It's halfling rage season," Thorn shrugged casually, and then screamed fiercely with his arms raised up. "Oh my," the noble lord Arclight blinked at him, and then turned back to the others, "Well Nymmurh has returned to the Council with the others, and I'm planning to stay for the evening to take in your Myth Coramanth. It seems like a fine city." "Oh, it is!" Wren nodded encouragingly, "Let's go take the tour. You should certainly see the palace." She gestured up the stairway. "Very well," he nodded to her and joined the group as they entered the doorway... delicious, savory smells wafting over them.

Inside, dozens of conversations were going on at once, and hundreds of tiny fey were flitting about... it appeared the fairies had been assigned to light up each of the groups with symbols and colors. Over each of the paladins of Lathander, a bright sun was cast to give them a golden glow. Argent, Melanie, Katarina, and Samira were glowing with a symbol and color of their arcane element. The elves were lit up with faires of their own. A tawny gold lion hung around Hirotsu and a deep dark violet-black shined around Raven.

Hirotsu tapped her staff on the floor, echoing out for silence, "The guests of honor have arrived. The heroes of Myth Coramanth who fought against dragons, vampires, and all manner of evil to protect our fair city." Loud choruses of cheers rang through the ballroom, and the group was quick to applaud and cheer everyone else who had earned the victory as well. The elven coronal gestured the arriving group to a table already lathered with platters of food... roasted venison, fresh fruits and berries, soft breads, cheeses, and several elven delicacies.

As the group took their seats, Erevin studied the lordly looking elder elven man who sat near Hirotsu at her table. Hirotsu smiled, noticing her son's quizzical look. She gestured for the man to rise as she rose with him, "We have a visitor today... From our roots, so to speak... He's from the Forest of Cormanthor. This is Haemir Embermoon." "Lord Embermoon," Erevin bowed in greeting, "What brings you all this way?" "We are rebuilding Drannor in the forest... and we thought it was time to re-establish relations in what was once a part of our city," he nodded in greeting. "Ah," Erevin grinned and raised his cup, "So you've come to take my city back?" "I... I'm afraid that magic is a bit beyond our kin," Haemir smiled back, "But certainly there were records that were lost here that no doubt would benefit our scholars to learn of our past." "Excellent," the young elven prince nodded, "I've heard that the building of the Crescent city goes well." "Yes," the noble elf nodded. "And in the spirit of the cooperation of our people, I've nominated the young paladin," Hirotsu raised a glass and gestured toward a beautiful red-haired paladin woman, "Kieraleigh Sunglaive to be our ambassador." "I can think of no one better," Erevin agreed and started the applause that swept through the room. Kiera's cheeks were pink as she bowed, a little embarrassed at all of the attention of so many powerful people.

Hirotsu continued on, "I believe Lord Tyrian has a request of you as well." She nodded to Erevin and gestured to the elven prince of Evermeet... leader and creator of the Sun's Heart. Sitting a few chairs down, Tyrian stood up and nodded in greeting. Erevin shook his head, "I can scarcely arrive in town without horns being blown, and yet you have managed to come in//here// without so much as a whisper..." "Well if one keeps a low profile... and doesn't walk around with those who throw chain lightning and fireballs," Tyrian smirked as he walked over to join their table, "It's a little easier." "Hey!" Wren perked up, "What are you trying to say?" "I cast no dispersion," he winked at the young witch with a grin, "And I hear congratulations are in order." "Oh... yeah... thank you," she nodded to him, speaking quieter as she sank back into her seat. "I've spoken to your mother," he nodded to her. "Oh? Have you? ...I'm sure that was a delightful conversation," Wren nodded. "Indeed," Tyrian agreed. The rest of the group looked at Wren with questioning glances. Posy formed a hand over her own belly, with round full gestures as she looked at Wren inquisitively. "What?" Wren blinked at her in surprise, recognizing the gesture, and shook her head quickly, "No... I'm not pregnant!" She looked herself over, pinching her waistline with a frown.

Tyrian turned back to Erevin, "It is my understanding that during your travels you came across 3 elven children?" The young ranger nodded, "Yes... they were to be a wedding gift at a dragon's wedding of all things." "I was able to track down their lineage during that time... and there is a young girl among them who was of my people," Tyrian continued on. "Oh," Erevin nodded, intrigued to hear that at least one of them had been tracked back. "Unfortunately her parents were killed," The elder elf shook his head sadly, "but I believe I have found a good woman to be her ward. She is a cousin of mine." "Excellent!" Erevin nodded. "I merely wished to inform you, and let you know that she will be well taken care of," Tyrian assured him. "I could ask no more. We will see to it that she is made ready for travel," Erevin nodded. "Excellent," Tyrian smiled, "I shall be leaving with Lord Embermoon and Miss Sunglaive tomorrow, and we will take the young woman with us to her ward. I too wish to see the forest." Erevin nodded his agreement.

As Tyrian returned to his seat, Kale turned to Wren, "Congratulations... are in order?" "No... not really," the young witch shook her head, her shoulders looking weighted. "Then what happened?" he asked concerned. Wren sighed, "My mother is trying to pass me the title to lead the coven." "Trying to?" Erevin turned to her. "Well she really wants me to take it," Wren nodded. Erevin raised an eyebrow, "She's leaving?" "Yes... with the others... the g..." Wren started to answer. "So you're taking it," Erevin nodded, interrupting her. "We have other things to do," she shook her head in protest, "There's a list! Lantan... The water city... Ghanaudar..." "The war in heaven," Erevin nodded. "Exactly! We still have to go to heaven," Wren agreed, "And that's not going to be fun." She imagined them all having to die to get there... "Heaven should be a pretty good time," Erevin disagreed. "Oh... well I don't know that we'll coming back," Wren shook her head. "But I'm sure that you'd be a splendid leader of your coven, Wren," Kale encouraged her. She turned back to him, "Really? You think I'm the leaderish type?" "Don't you think that you can be a great leader?" he asked her again. Wren took a moment, trying to form the uncertain word of sure on her lips, but her words of honesty poured out as, "No... no I don't." She quickly recovered genuinely, "But I'm willing to try." She put a hand over his, "But how do you feel about all of that? I haven't had the chance to talk to you about this..." "Well... I don't want to //not// be able to see you ever again," he spoke hesitantly. Wren shook her head, "Oh no... if I'm the leader then I get to make the rules." "Oh... well that sounds like a good deal," he nodded to her. "So much for tradition," Erevin laughed. Wren grinned over at him, nodding, and turned back to Kale, "But you would be content in a lifestyle like that?" "Well we're not done adventuring yet," Kale shrugged, "We have a world to save." "Exactly!" Wren agreed, "That's what I tried to say... but she wants me to take it over now." "Well..." Kale squeezed her hand reassuringly, "She'll just have to wait." Wren beamed at him, relieved that he was on her side, "Thanks!"

More lights were hung up on a large balcony overlooking the moon now full in the sky after the eclipse. "We have a bard with us tonight... Reginald Mercer ... he helped to fight in the battle, and he has agreed to play us some fine music this evening to help celebrate," Hirotsu introduced the human nobleman who was talking to Jerrandis who had Parula on his arm. Elven musicians accompanied the high level bard, playing beautiful music to fill the dance floor with many people. Magnus had an ever changing line of women that he danced with... as did several others, Attalicus, Eltrue, Silvermane...

The group swept out to the dance floor with their respective partners. "Let's go over there and dance by Kale," Yien pulled on Thorn, and pointed toward Wren and Kale who gracefully sailed across the floor, "Not too close... just out of sword range." Azarius glided across the floor, dancing with several beautiful women... sometimes multiple at once! Posy danced in her armor. Uther seemed to be used to it, "Expecting something to happen?" "It always does," Posy nodded, stepping onto his feet as he carried her in a dance. Mali twirled around in her scandalous flaming dress with Ursus dancing along, not minding at all. Erevin took Shri into his arms, twirling her around like a moonlit ribbon. Everyone swapped with several partners, mingling with the many heroes and nobles at the dance... discussing visiting other countries, adventures, and thanking those who came to their aid.

Erevin raised a toast, giving a speech of thanks to everyone who came to help the city. "It was our honor to defend our allies here in Myth Coramanth. Those who came to our aid when //our// city was overran by a lich of Thay, who I will not dare to speak his name," Magnus nodded to him, raising his mug. "Here, here!" Erevin agreed, raising his own. The paladin continued, "It is the duty and honor of all good folk to stand together against evil and those incapable of defending themselves in such a threat." "I agree," Erevin nodded. Silvermane raised his glass, "I heartily agree with Lord Magnus. Although our countries are separated by borders... we are not separated in our ideals. I hope that should a threat rise again, we will stand together to face it. It grieves me to have had to slay those dragons duped by Magmadon and controlled by forces... that again... we will not speak of... and here is to hoping that that will not happen again." "Here's to that," Erevin agreed, taking a drink. A round of cheers was met with clinking glasses as many joined in.

Erevin set down his glass, "It is in the presence of such good people, stout friends, relatives, and family... Our close allies... I have an announcement." He took a knee on the dance floor and offered a hand to Shri, who stood there wide eyed and nervous, "Will you do me the honor of being my bride?" She swallowed, "I've been waiting for this moment ever since when we were young... and I let you win that archery contest..." The crowd erupted with laughter. "Let me win, did you?" He took her hand, pulling her closer. "Of course," she grinned. "Well... it did wonders to bolster my self confidence... as you can tell," he stood up next to her. "One has to do for their man what one has to do," she grinned back at him and gave a quick wink to Wren who laughed and nodded.

Trey Castle, the head of the arcane university in Lyrabar, approached Azarius on the dance floor, "Lord Chaat?" Azarius turned to him and nodded, "Yes." "After the battle I returned to Lyrabar to make sure everything was running smoothly at the university... and I received a message while there... from your sister residing at the Winterrowd estate. She insisted that I bring her here to speak with you," Trey nodded, gesturing to the hall where Trieste and Amara were approaching. "Big brother! It's so good to see you! You haven't written to me in ... months!" Amara exclaimed as she embraced Azarius. Despite that it had only been a couple of weeks since he had written her last, Azarius comforted her, "My apologies... I'm fine." "Have you been throwing yourself into mortal danger?" she asked fearfully. "Well... not so much danger that I couldn't handle it," he assured her, "To what do I have the pleasure of this visit?" "I'm worried! I've been in regular correspondence with our parents... and Mother, at least, has been quite diligent in replying," she nodded, "She asks often about the men in Lyrabar... but I have not received a letter from either of them in over a month... and that's just not like her!" Azarius nodded calmly, "I'll look into it." Assured by his presence and calm, Amara nodded, "Alright."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> It had been a while since Azarius had written with his parents... avoiding the ever present press of his mother to find a wife. He had written with his father about using one of the merchant ships to go to Raven's Bluff... but that was the last time he'd heard from them personally. He considered teleporting directly home to check on them, but as Amara disappeared into the crowd of dancers, Trieste informed him with a more detailed accounting of Amara in Lyrabar... which consisted of going to any party that the young noble woman could. "She's been to all of the major social engagements, and Lord Winterrowd has treated us very generously as welcomed guests," Trieste nodded to him, "Though... the lord's step-daughter has been asking about your man servant." Azarius glanced out into the crowd to see Thorn now dancing with Amara, and he nodded to her, "I'll look into that as well."

Wren nodded to Jerrandis, "Have you had the pleasure of meeting some of our local witches who helped to defend the city?" "Yes," he nodded, "I've met a couple of your sister sorceresses." Wren laughed softly, "Sister sorceresses? That's adorable." "You all seem to wear a lot of black... is that the color of your sorceress guild or your university or something? Parula said that you were going to be taking over as headmistress?" he asked her several questions at once. "Wow... that's come all the way around to you already?" Wren shook her head. "Yes, Parula couldn't stop talking about it... she seemed relieved that Miss Crowe wasn't going to be taking over," the young witch hunter added. Wren laughed and shook her head, "Well... No one said she wouldn't be in charge of some things..." Jerrandis lead her out onto the dance floor, "It's very exciting to be here... I've only been out of the witch hunter college for about a year now, and I never had much of the chance for all of those social gatherings like my brother Reggie. He always told me of these balls... but I'm curious... why is your gnome there," he gestured his head toward Posy, "dressed in her armor? I mean that can't be comfortable." Wren laughed, "Well because we've been to many social events and several haven't ended quite as well as this one." "But we're in the middle of the elven city... with all of these powerful people... I mean surely nothing is going to happen," he shook his head. "You'd be surprised," Posy's sing-song voice could be heard a couple of people away as they danced on the floor. "Well," Wren nodded, "Let me put it to you this way... we all met at a grand wedding... in the heart of Lyrabar... surrounded by powerful people... and many of our companions were scattered to other worlds... so... we're a little cautious... and on the defensive." "I've heard the story," Jerrandis nodded. "But we're very glad that you're here now and that you answered our call for Myth Coramanth's aid," Wren nodded to him. "I was honored," the young witch hunter danced with her, "off in the witch hunter's acting shadows... it was good to be able to openly display our skills... fighting the vial forces of darkness." Wren nodded, "I heard that you were most valiant." "He was," Parula nodded dreamily, coming up to dance again with Jerrandis. Wren nodded, walking away giggling to herself about a sorceress university...

The next morning, the group woke in their rooms in the arms of their loved ones. Erevin couldn't help but notice the runed tattoos that ran up Shri's back. She caught him looking at them, and smiled, "There is one blessing that came of this..." "That you are still alive," he answered. "Well... that's the obvious one," she winked, "but... the other elven souls that were in the moonblade... are currently inside of me... and when I pass on, they will pass on to Arlandor's realm." "Really?" Erevin's voice was full of pleasant surprise, that //is// a blessing." He raised an eyebrow, "How about yours?" Shri smiled, "Mine will go to the heavens as well." The drow priestess nodded, "And, of course, your soul will pass on to the heavens... well... unless you pick up another moonblade. Your mother was eyeing you. You perhaps didn't notice it. I think she's grooming you." "She certainly has her plans, I'm sure," Erevin nodded. "Stay close to me, my simple woodsman," Shri slipped up closer. "That shouldn't be a problem," he embraced her, "But we have a sword to destroy today."

Erevin took the sword Eclipse to Attalicus. "While our moonblades are many... this blade is one... and quite powerful," he nodded, "Some would call it an artifact. Generally with those... only a specific method can destroy it." "So until we can find that... we need to hide it? Bury it?" Erevin asked. "Put it somewhere safe," Attalicus agreed.

Silvermane agreed to open the gate to allow the group to pass through to Waterdeep when they were ready to go to Lantan, and Wren and Azarius would be able to teleport the group to Sanctuary with a couple of passes.

With the possibility of Azarius's parents in trouble... and the underwater city near to them with the possibility of The Mother lurking below... the group opted to go to Sarchel first, and began to prep for travel south near to Lyrabar.