The Blacklake district. Finally, Captain Brelaina had relented and had given Sarina and company access. Ever since the wizard, Sand, had scryed her silver shards, she had grown increasingly desperate to find out what in nine hells they actually were. Elanee had helpfully pointed out that the strange creatures that attacked West Harbour had not yet given up their search. In place of ruthless assassins as reported, the mottled creatureshad pounced on them in a warehouse, in the merchant quarter of all places, not-so-subtly reminding them that the threat still remained.

They marched through the large cobbled square overlooking Blakelake itself, studying the sumptuous mansions that stood glittering in the warm afternoon sun. It seemed like they were finally making progress in the quest for answers, after so long serving the Watch in the run down Docks. They all seemed to enjoy the change of scenery, all apart from Qara who kept tossing dark looks towards the direction of the Neverwinter mage's academy, hands curling into fists. It was obvious she was itching to burn it while the other witches studied inside. Qara would be a difficult young sorceress to reign in if things did get out of hand.

Casavir also didn't seem to be enjoying the search for Aldanon's location. He kept his eyes downcast, still keeping his distance from Sarina, until she caught him staring glumly at her from over her shoulder. He ran a frustrated hand through dark hair, and walked over like a convicted man on his way to the Gallows.

"My lady, could I talk to you, alone for a moment?"

His awkwardness was catching, she waved the others to give them space, before motioning him over to the stone wall overlooking the lake. At least that way they could admire the pretty view instead of having to face one another. She sat down heavily, awkwardly staring at the beautiful lake, suddenly feeling too shy to look straight at him. He leant against the stone, eyes also fixed upon the choppy, blue water.

"I'd like to apologise, for my behaviour the other night. I am – ashamed - for letting the wine cloud my judgement. I spoke inappropriately, and would hope you could forgive me for this… transgression. You have my word that it certainly shall not happen again."

He sounded contrite, serious, back to the cold civility that all Paladins were famed for. And it saddened her a great deal. This was the real Casavir; the tipsy, blushing man that chuckled at her bad jokes was just a one off encounter, likely never to be seen again, at least in her company. She chanced a look at him, immediately regretting the decision when her heart skipped at the sight. It was well past time to quash these small feelings of attraction.

She grimaced, trying to form her features into a comforting smile, "It's fine, please don't apologise. It was nice, you were sweet."

His eyes widened only very slightly, but his face still seemed set, emotionless. She continued quickly. "If anyone should be apologising, it should be me; I was the one asking you all those personal questions about Callum and leaving Neverwinter. I had no right to. You do me a great service, following me, helping in my search for answers. I wouldn't want to jeopardise that by demanding… "

"No. No, I understand. You have an important goal, even if you are unsure of the finer details. You need to surround yourself the people you trust, my lady. And to do that you need to know them inside, and out. I only hope my behaviour that night hasn't tainted your opinion of my intentions."

"It hasn't Casavir, I promise it will take a lot more than that for me to doubt your good intentions. Friends?" She offered her hand in what she intended to be an unserious handshake, to break the tension. He shook it firmly, giving no sign of playing along with the joke. She bit back a sigh.

"So, how does it feel being back here? This is where you grew up right?"

Blacklake was beautiful, it was easy to see why anyone would want to protect it at great cost. He had every right to be proud to hail from a place like this. Casavir however, looked doubtful.

"Wait! Sorry, I can't believe I've just asked you another intimately personal question so soon…"

He waved off her apology before she'd finished, "I used to live just down that street in fact, before I joined the order of Tyr at sixteen years old. Though this place hasn't felt like home for many years now."

She sensed although he'd obliged her by answering the question, he wasn't quite in the mood for bringing up any more of his past. "Yeah I get that. Say, I don't suppose you remember which house is Aldanon's by any chance?"

He peered past her to a mansion overlooking the square. "I believe it is that one over there."

"Great! Do you remember that from when you were young?"

"No, there's a large sign above the door. And it's the only one with a large patrol of City Watch outside."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Bloody hells."


Sarina plastered her best winning smile as she sauntered toward the Watch patrol. She recognised some of them from her garrison, which she hoped would make them less obtrusive to letting her enter.

"Gentlemen! Hope you're all well. Is there some issue with the man that lives here?"

The largest turned around to face her and she recognised the man instantly; Cormick, another member of the Watch who hailed from West Harbour. And one that unfortunately didn't view Watch rules as flexible as she did. If anyone was going to be difficult in letting her enter the house, it would be him.

"Sarina, up to no good again? We've been ordered to set up shop here, until whoever is responsible for these murders has been caught. One of the higher-ups seems to think there's a pattern to them, and that the Sage who lives here could be a target. I thought you and your friends were only permitted in the Docks and Merchant district? What are you doing here?" his eyes narrowed suspiciously. He had no right to question her on this, she had permission from Captain Brelaina herself, damn him.

It took all of her effort not to roll her eyes, "Got permission from the Captain to speak to Aldanon. On a private matter. So if you'll just excuse us…"

"Wait a moment Guardsman, let me see that."

She smiled sweetly again as he snatched Brelaina's written permission from her hand. Playing by the rules could sometimes work out rather well, especially if that meant winding up insufferable jobs-worth's like Cormick Marshall. The man would rather the City Watch be regimented and disciplined like a military unit. She almost felt sorry for the poor guards that fell under his command. Thankfully Captain Brelaina also understood that rules could be bent occasionally to serve the greater good, an outlook that suited Sarina just fine.

Sarina mock- saluted Cormick, "Carry on guardsman."

Elanee and Casavir did not look impressed.


After some bargaining at the door, Aldanon permitted them entry to his grand, old home. It was dark inside the clutter-filled mansion, with lanterns dimly lit already even though it was the middle of the day. Aldanon himself was an elderly man with long white hair and beard, he looked a stereotypical mad old wizard, matching his surroundings perfectly.

"Well met, well met. It is lovely to have guests! I must confess, I am rather reclusive these days. Lately with all the troubles – I've even had to put protective wards around my home."

"Wards?"

"Ah yes, I've seen shadowy figures sneaking around at night, it's obvious what they want."

"Erm, what do they want?"

He began to stroke his beard thoughtfully, all he needed now was a big point-y hat and he'd be the picture of 'crazy old wizard'.

"Why, my house of course! As if I'd ever sell it! Back when I first settled in Neverwinter, my humble abode was on the outskirts of Blacklake, bordering acres of untouched wilderness. Now with Neverwinter being rebuilt following all that plague nonsense several years ago…"

Casavir shifted uncomfortably at that, somehow managing to frown even more intensely than usual. What was his problem?

"…my property went from the periphery to being right on the main thoroughfare of the "rich" part of Neverwinter. All the nobility wants to live in Blacklake, but there's no more room. So lately they've been trying various ways to convince me to sell my land."

"Bought a house with rocketing equity, not bad at all. How do they try and get you to leave?"

"Well first they tried offering me ridiculous amounts of gold. What do I need with more gold?"

Neeshka gasped, "I WISH people would give that question a little more thought!"

Sarina laughed under her breath. Gold probably didn't mean much to a mad old Sage living alone in a house like this. The crazy old sod was probably richer than Nasher himself.

"Anyway, it matters not. You came here for a reason yes?"

"It's a long story…"


"You've certainly come to the right place. A while ago I found another shard, with properties similar to the ones you possess. If you'd like some answers, I'll gladly run some tests on your shards. I have just enough quicksilver to do it."

She reached into her pack and pulled out the unnaturally cold shards, "Please, I would be very grateful."

"Thank you, I'll be right back with these."

She turned to the others, "Might as well get comfy I guess."

She sat on an old satin couch and began leafing through the yellowing books on the side table next it while the others followed suit. They probably looked a sight, several heavily-armed people rooting through an old man's book collection. Khelgar leaned on his axe, his legs swinging off the couch as his feet didn't quite reach the floor, "Hey boss! Remember the last time someone examined those shards?"

"Sand you mean? Yeah I remember that, you howled your ass off when that blast knocked us all off our feet."

He chuckled deeply, "Ahh good times. Seriously though, you don't think the same will happen to the old man? Doesn't look like he'd survive being blown over like that."

"Sod. Think we should check on him?"

Neeshka waved her hand. "Nah, he'll be fine!"


Aldanon managed to examine the shards and return thankfully intact.

"Well, I learnt quite a bit. Quite a lot actually."

He carefully passed the shards over to Sarina with trembling hands that shook with age. "It appears these shards contain latent magical energy, caused either by a strong enchantment… or the method of their destruction. Are you familiar with the Githyanki?"

"…"

Aldanon grinned, more than happy to impart his knowledge, "Well, the githyanki are a race of beings that live on the Astral plane. Ages ago, the ancestors of the githyanki were human, and inhabited another plane of existence, where they were enslaved by the illithids, or mind flayers. Then came Gith. Little is known about her outside the githyanki, but she led the rebellion to free her people of the illithids, and is considered the hero and founder of the githyanki people. I believe the shards that you have found are pieces of one of their silver swords. I presume the githyanki have come to Faerun to recover the shards."

"The grey creatures that keep attacking us, that must be what they are."

Sarina re-opened her pack to peer at the shards, they had a strange silver sheen that was barely visible to the naked eye, an otherworldly glow. Which was funny because if Aldanon was correct, that's exactly what they were, 'otherworldly'. Not of this Plane. Creepy. And the githyanki seemed desperate to get the damn things back and punish them all for having audacity to get mixed up in their mess.

She groaned, "Wonderful. Is there anymore you could tell us about the shards?"

Aldanon resumed the stroking of his white beard, "I only wish I knew more. Ammon Jerro was the real expert, he actually possessed a real sword of Gith."

"He did? Do you know where this Jerro might be?"

"Well he's dead now, poor fellow. Though I suppose the Jerro family may still have some of his research? Or at least have the location of Jerro's Haven? They moved away from Neverwinter after the war if I remember correctly."

"I'm sorry, Jerro's Haven?"

"It was a private retreat of some sort, where he went for solitude and to conduct research. I know it exists, but I don't know where. I suspect that the Neverwinter Archives here in Blacklake would have its location."

The research would definitely help them understand more about the githyanki, their swords and the shards themselves. It was a lead, a good one too, provided Aldanon's information wasn't a complete imagining of his. But he didn't seem THAT past sanity yet, poor sod.

"I guess it's a trip to archives then, thank you Aldanon. You've been a great help."

"Thank you for your visit, it's been quite enlightening really. Oh – and before I forget, here."

He carefully placed his silver shard in her hands.

"A- Aldanon I couldn't"

"Nonsense, I've no use for it any longer, and who knows, you may gather more."