-1Disclaimer: As always, none of it's mine.
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It was her hair that made me recognise the girls first. An unnatural shade, the colour of flame. The reflection of something not quite normal about the Child, that would no doubt set her apart on her travels. Gorion had said in his letters he would make her dye it a more normal colour before they left Candlekeep. That he evidently did not have enough time to make good on his plan showed the urgency in which he had fled with the Child.
Even if the elf's tear-streaked face was not enough of a sign, his absence from the side of the two young girls told me of what had passed. He would never leave the side of the Children he had sworn to protect with his life if necessary.
I had never imagined the brash young battlemage I had known so many years ago to be the paternal sort, but the letters I received glowed with pride at the rewards of his new role. Fatherhood had agreed with him. Even the loss of the adventuring life he had led for so long, for the routine of work as a sage in the great library did not seem to bother him, instead offering the opportunity to nurture them and watch his Children grow. Hopefully, in the days, weeks and months to come, they would remember his teaching. Not just the principles of good and honour he had brought them up with, but no doubt he had taught them a few of his old adventuring tricks, perhaps thinking that this day might come when he could no longer protect them.
With a snort I remembered his letter of four years ago, sent under the pretext of a warning about the Child's apparent aptitude for the magical arts. Really, it had been little more than the excuse of a father wanting to brag about his daughter mastering her first spell. Since then, between a pubescent mage with a love for experimentation and the teenage rogue with no mind for books, Candlekeep had apparently been turned upside down with their various pranks.
The presence of the little rogue worried me also. He had planned to leave her in the safety of the great library, reassuring me in his letters that she was yet unknown to those who wished them harm. Events appeared to be moving faster than we had anticipated. I would have to ensure we were not caught unawares again.
I whispered to the soul now no doubt speeding to my lady Mystra's celestial home in Nirvana "Fear not, old friend. Thy old friends will watch over your Children as best we are able." and ambled forward to greet the sorry figures trudging along the road towards me.
"Ho, there, Wanderer, stay thy course and indulge an old man…"
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A/N: Just a little piece that came to me after class today when I no doubt should have been studying. Any feedback most gratefully received. Hope you enjoyed!