Chapter Eight: Reflections and The Highest Mountain

[Purr]

After receiving a friendly clap on the shoulder from Stewart, Otiorin hops up to the top of the wagon. Given the amount of activity in progress, the roguish half-elf is at first unnoticed, but this does not last long.

Then his eyes widen further and his jaw drops. "I can hear them!" he whispers. "I can understand what he's saying!" He looks back and forth between King and Glider, finally settling on the horse. "Lady of the Forest!"

Glider beams a wide smile in congratulations. "Oh, that's wonderful! I felt that there was something inside there ready for freedom! I'm so happy for you!"


Bria giggles as she spars. "Bren! You can really talk to horses? Ooooh, that's... that's so very Sarabina!" Then a thought grasps her attention as she shifts and dodges in an attempt to get Sabrefang to overbalance herself in another lunge. "Uncle Glider, do you think he--" Bria stops her sentence when she realizes something, but she does not share what it is.


Still, Glider appears as perceptive as ever. "Very likely, Little Rainbow." And leaves it at that.


Bria smiles, quite pleased with the elder monk's answer. At one point during her spar, Bria catches Bren's eye and mouths, "Tell you later!" About that time, Bria spots Rin. She looks at him long, at least until Sabrefang's scimitar comes a'slashing. It is enough for her to smile all over again. "Rin! Hi hi!"


"Bright morning to you, Otiorin!"


"Heya, face!"


Mielikki's blessings upon you, twinblood! comes Vardadraug's thoughts into Otirin's mind. Or do you call her Ehlonna as the elves do?





Glider then moves about the sparring partners and clapping sharply, signals the team to pause. "O.K. Switch off. Powerpaw, Bria. Bren, Sabrefang. Sabrefang? I want you to watch how this human opponent fights. Your centers of gravity are different, and though you're a cat, Bren's balance is something I want you to learn from. Bren? Sabrefang has a lunging problem and relies too much on her strength. Care to help her with that?" As Bria and Powerpaw bow toward one another and assume fighting stances, Vardadraug takes a safe corner atop the wagon and watches.


Glider then turns to Rin, his incredibly-muscular body appearing gold in the sun as you ride along. There is a thoughtful light in his blue eyes. "So... Otiorin, I really enjoyed our conversation last night. How would you like to open your mind this morning? I bet we can find something in there. We certainly did just now with Bren."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin gives Bria a wink that was laden with mischief, even as he waves to the two Felane. At the nudging of Vardadraug's voice into his consciousness, he replied in kind.


"I celebrate the goddess in both her forms, after all, am I not the product of two races, two cultures? Mielikki, Ehlonna, regardless of the name she is sacred to me."


He watched as Glider approached and heard the elder Ko's proposal.


"I'm not averse to learning what you have to teach, Master Glider, thus far I have received great benefit from your sage wisdom.", he replied with a half-bow.

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Leonard Wolf - The Ranger

Shape: Human


1st lvl spell: Delay Poison


1st lvl spell: Entangle


2nd lvl spell: Wind Wall

The ranger had just finished a long yawn when Luna walked back into the room. He had only been awake for a short minute; not nearly enough time to think of something smart to say. He'd have to improvise with a smile.


"Hey, beautiful." he said. "Still here? Must have liked it last night then."

 

[Sherwood]

The fire mage smiles at her lover. "I could say the same to you. It seems that we both enjoyed ourselves last night." Luna leans over to give Wolf a kiss. "I want to thank you for being so patient with me. You helped to make it a wonderful experience."

 

[Purr]

Spoiler

Go Fathom! 8D


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There is only one thing in all of Sharseya that can fit in this place beside the Moonlit Edge and Otiorin knows all too well what it is. It is just a matter of finding it and ending the torment inside the blade his own loving mother entrusted to him.


"Now look at Bria..."


Otiorin need but follow the sound of the young woman's voice to find her. Bria spins at the sound of her name and faces Rin. Time seems to stand still as she smiles sweetly.

(Image credit: s518.photobucket.com)

(Image credit: seetoworld.blogspot.com)


Then there is the swoosh of steel and Bria and Powerpaw return to their sparring.


"Close your eyes..." Glider says calmly. "You've got it. It's always been in there, but now it's out... and yours to make use of."


And it is about time! The voice belongs to Sparkle for all to hear. Though you cannot see her, you feel the weight of her ever-sharp, unblinking gaze upon you. Given your penchant for laziness, I wondered if you would ever reach this stage...





"Dragon-sight..." Glider calls it by name.


Aye... And if he uses it at the right time, he just might get somewhere with it.









Otiorin has gained the ability to use Dragon-sight at will as a minor Signature Ability. Cap'n, please add this to your character sheet. This works similarly to a Detect Magic cantrip in that it the longer Otiorin stares upon something using the sight, the more information he gains. However, the information it provides is much different than that of the cantrip.


The knowledge comes in 6-second stages (1 round). At the end of 3 rounds, Otiorin will see all that this supernatural power can provide him. What all does it reveal, you ask? I just work here, sayeth your Dungeon Master. You'll have to use it in-game to learn its true potential, Cap'n. =)


Glider lowers his hands and their energies cease to mingle. All is calm again. Otiorin sees with the eyes he has known longest. And what does he see now? He sees his teammates staring at him in wonder.


"What was that? Why were his eyes shining?"


"Yeah! Hay Rin! How come yer face got all silveries, huh?"


"It sure was pretty! I liked it!"


Glider can't help but smile at Otiorin. He is awash in the terrific feeling of helping another rise in life. "Wish Luna and Wolf were out of their bed and up here with us. Personally, I think they're missing out." He chuckles under the shining sun as the Wanderers' Wagon continues to eat up the miles on your way north.

[/SPOILER]

 

[Kaerri]

Brendoran, human fighter/ranger

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals

"Uncle Glider, do you think he--" Bria stops her sentence when she realizes something, but she does not share what it is.
Still, Glider appears as perceptive as ever. "Very likely, Little Rainbow." And leaves it at that.

Bren's eyebrows raise questioningly, and he's about to ask, but catches sight of Bria's "tell you later" and lets it be, for now, though his curiosity remains plainly evident on his face.

Glider then moves about the sparring partners and clapping sharply, signals the team to pause. "O.K. Switch off. Powerpaw, Bria. Bren, Sabrefang. Sabrefang? I want you to watch how this human opponent fights. Your centers of gravity are different, and though you're a cat, Bren's balance is something I want you to learn from. Bren? Sabrefang has a lunging problem and relies too much on her strength. Care to help her with that?"

Bren smiles. "Certainly. Come, lady, let's see what we can do for each other." He'd dressed for breakfast, not combat, so his armor was down in his room still, but that was all to the good in this case. The greater freedom of movement would make him a harder target to hit, and make it easier for him to move to his sparring opponent's sides and back. Long habit meant his dagger hung from his belt, but his battleaxe, being rather clunky for the breakfast table, was lying beside his armor. And a lot of good it does me there! He didn't reach for the dagger, however, but instead settled into a stance not far unlike Glider's, fluid and graceful. Bren was no monk himself, but a monk had taught him his unarmed fighting skills, and inspired his unarmored defensive tactics.

Spoiler

Bren is invoking Dodge and Combat Expertise, and taking advantage of Improved Unarmed Strike. Also taking advantage of Two-Weapon Fighting for the occasional surprise strike with his offhand, particularly after one of those lunges Glider spoke of.

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Leonard Wolf - The Ranger

Shape: Human


1st lvl spell: Delay Poison


1st lvl spell: Entangle


2nd lvl spell: Wind Wall

"M-hm." Wolf confirmed with a smile. "We should repeat it again sometime. Before long, if chance allows it. Until then... Breakfast?" he suggested, looking back at her with a blissfully happy expression of the kind that can only show after a night like the previous one.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna smiles. "I heartily approve if that plan. Both plans, actually. Oh! I want to show you something." She roots around in her clothes for her spell book and flips to the rear of the book. "See this? It's instructions on how to craft a wand! It was always just beyond my understanding until the meditations with Glider. As I was bathing, the formulas just started to click in my mind. I need to do some serious reading, but if I am right, I'll be able to make a wand of Magic Missiles. Isn't that just wonderful? Now, let's get dressed and head to the dining room. After last night, I'm famished!" She leans over and gives Wolf another soft kiss. "Oh, my! If best be careful. If I keep that up, we may never get to breakfast! Help me with my buttons?"

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield x2, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Extended Mage Armor, Protection From Arrows, Scorching Ray x3


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Leonard Wolf - The Ranger

Shape: Human


1st lvl spell: Delay Poison


1st lvl spell: Entangle


2nd lvl spell: Wind Wall

A wand of missiles...?


"That's... amazing." Wolf answered, doing his best to match his looks to his words. "I mean, I'm glad you're making progress. We've all benefited greatly from Glider's presence. Remind me to thank him again."


He got up and hastily put on his pants, pausing the rest of his dressup in order to help Luna with hers. As he did it, he took every opportunity he got to bestow a gentle kiss here or a soft caress there.

 

[Sherwood]

It takes Luna twice as long as normal to dress, thanks to the continual distractions from Wolf. Finally done, she stands in front of the mirror to make sure that her robes are properly arranged on her form. Nodding to herself in satisfaction, she offers her arm to Wolf to escort her out to the main room of the Wagon. With a bright smile, she greets her fellow Wanderers as they walk out together, thoughts already racing in anticipation for the studies in wand crafting that she will be diving into shortly.


"Do I smell blueberry muffins? Oh, Boccob bless you, they are my favorite! Mmmmm, they smell heavenly. Good morning, everyone! How are you doing this fine morning?"

 

[Purr]

None of the Wanderers are present in the main room; the Grand Pool's wide and beautiful surface gleams in a lonely fashion. The only reply to Luna's voice is her echo.

 

[Sherwood]

"Perhaps everyone is outside. Let's go see." Sparkle, where are you? Are you out with the others?

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield x2, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Extended Mage Armor, Protection From Arrows, Scorching Ray x3


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout

 

[Purr]

Bren finds holes in Sabrefang's defenses the size of Bulette tunnels.

Spoiler

DM note: Bulette (pronounced "Boo-lay") are storied-enough in this part of the world that every Averlundian-born adventurer knows what they are.

True, the Felane druidess can use a shield well, but in moments, Bren is able to see bad habits in her training, some from lack of practice, others from faulty technique. While she can hit solidly, she leaves herself as open as Highwind's front gates to an experienced warrior like him. In moments, his two-weapon fighting has found target after target, leaving her astonished and wincing, mostly from embarrassment.


"Ohhh..." she frowns deeply with worry. "I can direct refugees and use druidic magic in many a creative way, but I feel like such a louse when I spar someone like you... My son says I have a lot of small errors to fix and that I need to use my rusty fighting skills in real combat. And here you are proving his every word true! Do you see the same, Brendoran, or is there more?"


Meanwhile, Luna comes across a strange discovery - when she sends to Sparkle, it is as if the little dragoness is not within range (over a mile away). There, in the emptiness of the Grand Pool, the fire mage receives no answer whatsoever.


What do Luna and Wolf do?


Outside, Glider watches Otiorin patiently while the others swing, sweat, block, and learn. There is a real sense of camaraderie between those sparring, even those who are now sparring one another for the first time.

 

[Sherwood]

Talking more to herself than to Wolf, Luna wonders where Sparkle is. "I'm going to head outside; I think I hear some of the others out there, and they may know where Sparkle went to." True to her word, she heads for the exit to look around outside.

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield x2, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Extended Mage Armor, Protection From Arrows, Scorching Ray x3


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Leonard Wolf - The Ranger

Shape: Human


1st lvl spell: Delay Poison


1st lvl spell: Entangle


2nd lvl spell: Wind Wall

"Coming with you." Wolf said and followed.

 

[Kaerri]

Brendoran, human fighter/ranger

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals

Spoiler

There's no sense of scale in that Bulette picture, but for those who haven't encountered them, they can get pretty big. Big enough a hobbit can crawl inside to clean their teeth, say...


Also, I'm pretty sure sound doesn't travel from outside the wagon to inside, and vice versa.


Bren smiles. "I find both Glider's and your son's appraisals accurate, Lady Saberfang. You are far from inept, but there are definite gaps in your defense. And it's true that skills left unused can fade. That is why fighters like Powerpaw and myself spar regularly, and against opponents who practice different styles of combat. I'd like to make sessions like this one a regular occurrence for all of us, to keep our skills sharp." He looks her over to gauge her weariness, and when she seems ready, offers another smile. "Now, let's try this again, and when I see a mistake, we'll stop there and I'll show you how to fix it. All right?"

 

[Purr]

Spoiler

Location: The Wanderers' Wagon on The Road of Kings (5 days north of Summerset)


Travel time to Highwind: On day 5 of 14.


Sunday, September 21st, 1118. Time: 8:30 a.m.


Weather: Bright and beautiful with a soothing breeze. Much like this:

(Image credit: www.youwall.com)


Stewart beams a smile as Luna and Wolf exit the Wanderers' Wagon and come into the sunlight. Below your feet, you can feel the motion of the wagon rumbling along, the neighing of the eight great horses pulling you along, and the warmth of the day upon your faces - none of which are discernable from within the wagon.


"Good morning, Lady Callen! Wolf!" Stewart calls.


Pyri... Sparkle purrs from her camouflage somewhere atop the active sunlit wagon. Her words can be heard by all. Your timing is impeccable; Otiorin has just discovered the means to prove that he is, without a doubt, a member of the draconic race.





Bria twirls her fighting stick. "Um, what about his ability to grow fangs, claws, and the like? Isn't that enough?"


Among some, my dear, but being able to change form alone is not proof enough for my people. Anyone can down a polymorphing potion or perhaps be gifted with metamorphing abilities, but Dragonsight? There is no faking it. As far as I know, it is beyond the reach of non-dragon magic except perhaps save a Wish spell and would-be charlatans wishing to pose as polymorphed dragons for personal gain do not have that kind of magic lying around...





Luna knows well that Sparkle has long been able to discern facts about people, places, and things that are well out of the grasp of even great mages. This, Sparkle confided, was due to this Dragonsight - a special ability she has never gone into great detail about -- she has only shared that the sight does not err, though its user certainly might.


As for Bren and Sabrefang, the motherly Felane hardly seems winded. "Here I am learning from great warriors in a distant land - Oh, how I wish your father could see me now!"


Powerpaw grins at the thought. "Aw Mom, he'd be so prouds of you! Moar!"


"You think so?" That puts a wide smile on her face. Then she returns her attention to Bren. She looks up the Road of Kings. "There is a druidic matter I need to bring to your attention, Bren. We will soon be arriving near where I am told the remnants of my refugees still live. I must visit them! Not as Sabrefang, but as Melshaef!" She fidgets. "I must release the souls of my fallen Mieikkians that Glider so bravely returned to us, I must return the Daughters of Summertime that they might guide my people to Skaagenrackner... Vardadraug too has offered to stay and assist them. Indeed, while my path is with you, there will be a parting of ways between some of us. I should be gone for an hour, perhaps two at the most." She takes a hopeful step toward Bren. "Could the wagon stop for, say, second breakfast or something while I accomplish my druidic duties? You are all welcome to come if you don't find such things too boring or stay here at the wagon as your heart desires..."





Powerpaw slams his club upon his shield in an attention-getting manner. "Hay, Bren! I wanna go wif her! Don't want nuffin' happenin's, knowwhatImeans?"


"What do you say, my leader?"

 

[Sherwood]

Luna gives everyone a pleasant smile as she walks out of the Wagon. "Good morning, everyone! What a lovely day. Sparkle, I must confess that I was a bit worried for a moment when I couldn't sense you from inside, until I came outside and realized that it must be due to the nature of the extra space of the Wagon that kept me from knowing where you were. So, what is going on out here? More training? Wonderful! Ever since the ceremony with Glider I have had such revelations that I just can't wait to look through my spell book to see what else I can learn. I plan on making myself a wand of Magic Missiles with my new found knowledge." She daintily slides down to a comfortable seat and pulls out her spellbook to begin her studies for the day.


When Saberfang tells everyone about her necessary side trip, Luna looks up. "I would be happy to come with you, too, if you and Powerpaw would have me. It would give me a chance to see a bit of the druidic rituals that I have little knowledge about. So much to learn, so little time! I wish that there was a way of learning more kinds of magic at once. Ah, well. So! Who else would like to come along?"

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield x2, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Extended Mage Armor, Protection From Arrows, Scorching Ray x3


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout

 

[Captain Hesperus]

With his newly-discovered ability, Otiorin opened his eyes to view the fire mage as she joined the group on the roof of the wagon. His pupils shifted from the familiar round shape of humans and their ilk to the horizontal slits of cats, lizards and, of course, dragons. He regarded her casually, without seeming to stare, wanting to fully test his Dragon-sight.


"If it's all the same, I'd like to tag along. I want to bid the Daughters farewell properly for their many generous gifts."

 

[Kaerri]

Brendoran, human fighter/ranger

Standard AC: 27


Fort save: +12


Ref save: +8


Will save: +4


Current action points: 9


Current HP: 87/87


Status effects: none


Powerpaw's tower shield +1


(-2 to attack rolls)


Spell: Speak with Animals

Bren smiles. "Certainly we can pause while you tend to your duties. And it seems many of us would like to come as well. We'll make it a proper stop and rest the horses." He glances at the road, then up at the sun. "Have we time for breakfast before then, do you think?"

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Leonard Wolf - The Ranger

Shape: Human


1st lvl spell: Delay Poison


1st lvl spell: Entangle


2nd lvl spell: Wind Wall

Wolf nodded politely back at Stewart and then walked up to Melshaef. "I would be honored to accompany you as well. I have a good feeling about this beautiful day."

 

[Purr]

[QUOTE="Captain Hesperus]With his newly-discovered ability, Otiorin opened his eyes to view the fire mage as she joined the group on the roof of the wagon. His pupils shifted from the familiar round shape of humans and their ilk to the horizontal slits of cats, lizards and, of course, dragons. He regarded her casually, without seeming to stare, wanting to fully test his Dragon-sight.

[/QUOTE]

Spoiler

"Into the fire


I'm reunited


I am the spark


Into the night


I yearn for comfort


Into the fire..."


[media]

[/media]
Otiorin's eyes glow with silvery light again as he calls upon Dragonsight and draws his gaze upon Luna. At first, there is before him the young woman whom he has adventured with for so long. He knows her well - her hair, her eyes, her skin. That is, until the Dragonsight flares to life and then with each passing moment, it becomes harder and harder not to stare at what he sees.


As Luna walks atop the Wanderers' Wagon apparently oblivious to what Otiorin is seeing in her, there comes a change - her skin seems to radiate, steam, crack, and then fall away replaced by something molten and magma-like. Bright orange fire flashes out from her eyes and hands, lashing this way and that, hot and searing until the vision before him is like that of a human-like woman of purest fire. It is all he can do not to shield his eyes with his hand or shrink back from what his sense tells him is liable to burn him.


Of course, all of this is the Dragonsight at work and only Otiorin seems to experience it. At its fullest, the Dragonsight shows Otiorin the vision of a young girl apparently growing before his eyes, maturing ever so into womanhood forevermore.

"Good morning, everyone! What a lovely day..."

The flame-woman speaks. It is definitely Luna's voice though it looks little like her. Her every step trails a small column of crackling orange fire as she walks by. There is something wild and powerful about the flames that wreath her - controllable, yet not always controlled - and as if in warning, those flames erupt violently, brightly, dangerously... and when that flicker of self-preservation all of us has comes upon Otiorin, beseeching him to turn off the Dragonsight and return his sight and mind to the safe kingdom of normalcy, Otiorin finds that the sight is not so easily denied. It remains active as thought it has a will of its own. Otiorin knows he will have to struggle this time to shut the sight off, so powerful and undeniable is the vision of Luna before his eyes.


It is at that moment that Otiorin alone hears a familiar voice in his mind, though it is not and never will be his familiar. Sparkle's grandmotherly tone is quite serious.


And what did you think you would see when you looked upon my Pyri, kin-of-Charmsring? What did you expect? You are oh-so-slowly coming of age yourself, Otiorin, and I have been long hoping you would reach this stage of life before my own time was done. Do you understand yet just how unique you truly are?

Bren smiles. "Certainly we can pause while you tend to your duties. And it seems many of us would like to come as well. We'll make it a proper stop and rest the horses." He glances at the road, then up at the sun. "Have we time for breakfast before then, do you think?"

Sabrefang, Powerpaw, and Bria look to Glider for answer. The handsome fellow with the rock-solid body motions to Bren and smiles. "Oh, don't look at me! Brendoran is your leader after all - I was just sharing a little something with you."


"Hark, Wanderers!" Bria raises her arms and poses dramatically in a way that is filled with nothing but cute. "We have a new adversary! It is up to us alone to enter the mysterious Wanderers' Wagon and set upon that most grand of adversaries - the dining room table! Chaaaarge!" She points toward the front door to the wagon. Bria then relaxes, pauses, and looks up at the warriors. "Um, I hope you don't think think I'm going to be the first one in - you're our front line after all! I'm the healer - I'm supposed to be behind you big, hunky guys! So go lead on already!"


An hour later, the Wanderers' Wagon is parked alongside the Road of Kings at a defensible spot of Sabrefang's choosing. Both Wanderers and horses are fed and cared for. Sabrefang's gaze looks longingly toward the wood to the west then back to you. Powerpaw steps up beside her. Together they do a bit of meowing back and forth as their restless tails swish back and forth. Glider then takes a moment to approach Bren.


"I should probably stay here and help keep a lookout for wandering monsters and that sort of thing."


Bria steps up beside him. "Either Powerpaw or me should stay here too. Probably me - I don't think Powerpaw is ready to have his mom out of his sight given all that they have recently been through. What do you think, Bren?"

 

[Purr]

The decision made, Powerpaw hugs his mom who gives him a big lick upside his furry face. "Oh boy, Mom! I get ta come an' sees yer new world! How did ya make up dat name? An' what's so importants that we gotta go now?"


"Oh, I didn't make up a thing, son! In fact, it was the refugees who named me!" She rubs her nose. "As for what we are doing, well... As a druidess, I still have a duty to these people. It is just wrong for me to disappear the way I did and not say goodbye, especially after it was Gerran and his fiends who took me from them in the first place! The souls of our fallen must be released so that they travel to join Mielikki on the Happy Hunting Grounds. In addition, I must bring the Daughters of Summertime to them and Vardadraug too - he has claimed an interest in helping them join with Skaagenrackner. And, in a small selfish way..." her fuzzy tail moves excitedly, "I would really like the chance to show you off to all of them! You rescued me from certain death after all..."


Bria trots over to Vardadraug and drops to all fours, meeting him eye to eye. "I suppose this is goodbye for now?"


It is, sweet healer. The courageous spirit-wolf wags his tail. I am Mielikki's wolf after all, though one of many. To serve my beautiful goddess and her people is the center of my very being - it is all that I am.





Bria smiles. "I can relate having a calling of my own to follow. Oh, I'll miss you, brave sir!" Bria reaches over and gives him a warm loving hug like only someone like Bria can give.


And I you, angel-spirit! Much is the good you have imparted into this world and greater still is the good I believe you will continue to provide it. Your love of giving is like the coming and going of the very sun - looked forward to by every good creature come dawn and missed dearly after dusk.





"I guess dawn will have to come again."


Indeed it shall. I look forward to the day.





"Me too, Vardadraug. Me too." She looks into Vardadraug's fur and spots a tuft of blonde hair. "And as for you, little sprite-lings, I'll miss you too!"


"Aaaahh!! We've been found!" The Daughters of Summertime burst from their hiding spots in Vardadraug's fur. "I knew I should have stayed invisible!" "I told you so!" "Did not!" "Did too!" The three tiny sisters flitter about in the air around Bria's head. "We'll miss you too!" "Yeah, we'll take the refugees and Mielikkians straight to Skaagenrackner!" "He'll know what to do! He knows every crook and cavern in all Shandra's Evergreen!"


Bria shares hugs with the little misses. "Keep bringing joy wherever you go!"


"You too!" "We love you! You're so fun!" "Yeah! If the Ko ever decide to ditch you, you are welcome to join us in the forest!"


Bria turns to Glider with an expression that says, "Oh noes! What a dreadful thought!" Glider's reply is laughter, manly and true-hearted. He shakes his head to his fellow Ko as if to say, "That'll never happen."


Bria cannot help but smile again. She makes her way over to Bren, and if he allows it, the little lady takes him by the hand and guides him over to Otiorin in a very Ko-like fashion. Once the three of them are together, she reaches over to Otiorin and, if he allows it, takes him by his hand. Then, with the utmost solemn tones, she calls out to the rest of her party. "Everyone?" Then she turns to Bren and states. "Do you, Lord Brendoran Killaneson Sarabina, take Otiorin Tale Treader as your lawfully wedded--, hahaahahah!" She bursts into a fit of laughter. "I can't even say it with a straight face!"


"Oh, that was good!" Glider applauds.


Once her laughter subsides, she looks up to them and speaks in a quiet, confiding manner while Glider immediately turns away and finds something else to do. Bria's words are clearly for Bren and Otiorin. "No, really. Listen Lord Shield Stallion sir and Mister Draconic Spell-shadow." She nods towards Powerpaw. "Of all us Wayfaring Wanderers, I think I can trust you two the most with this - would you please look out for our Fuzzy Goof? He's become used to having me near in social situations and here you guys are, off to go meet a bunch of folks he's had no interaction with. He's likely going to turn to someone, and I can imagine Mamapaw will get busy from time to time. It would allay my worries knowing that you two are there to guide him in such things?" Her eyes say, "Please?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin smiled at Bria's jests, and the expression lingered on his face as she made her heart-felt request of Bren and himself. Before Bren could speak, he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her in close.


"You have, for the longest time, depended on us to do what we can for you, I'm sure you do not need fret this time either. However,", he said, tapping the end of her nose with a finger, "you must promise to not get yourself into trouble again while we are away. Not that I don't enjoy being your white knight, racing to your aid, but if it is a rest you want, then you really should rest. No excuses but the direst."


He then held her close in his arms, if she allows, before stepping back and speaking clearly, "When shall we prepare ourselves to travel, Lady Saberfang?"

 

[Sherwood]

Luna laughs at the antics of her two companions and slips her spell book back into her bag of holding. "Oh, my. What a bunch we are. Lady Saberfang, I am looking forward to this side trip with you. Now, allow me to cast a spell and I will be ready to go. Mage Armor." With that done, she gently picks Sparkle up and places her across her shoulders.

Spoiler

Cantrips: Detect Magic, Dancing Lights, Mage Hand, Read Magic


1 - Shield x2, Magic Missile x2, Unseen Servant, Ear Piercing Scream


2 - Protection From Arrows, Scorching Ray x3


3 - Haste, Fireball, Displacement, Lightning Bolt


4 - Ball Lightning x2, Shout


Extended Mage Armor in effect for the next 16 hours.