Their return to Sunken Flagon was quiet. As it happened, Lanar, Raewyn's fellow Watchman who had agreed to bring their purchases to the inn, had come and gone by the time they returned. Casavir felt a rather uncharitable flush of satisfaction that the lad had not remained long enough for Raewyn to thank him personally. Once again, he wondered at the sensation, but chose to dismiss it without further examination.

The others had returned earlier, and after distributing the items she had purchased, and suffering graciously through Grobnar's expression of gratitude, which naturally took the form of a song, Raewyn and the rest settled in for dinner. The others were anxious to show off their own new acquisitions as well, and the gathering took on the air of a holiday. Casavir sat a little apart as had become his custom, but he found their talk and laughter less of a trial than it had been at first.

He pondered this, watching Raewyn. She, too, sat a little to one side, but she was nonetheless the center of the group, the force that drew them together and kept them together. It was her personality as much as her quest that had not only forged strong bonds of loyalty, but even made genuine friends of these disparate individuals, and he marveled again at her ability to do so. That she seemingly did it without actively doing anything made it the more remarkable.

The paladin was distracted from his musings by a sudden uneasiness at the edge of his awareness. He looked around, seeking the source, and his gaze settled on a hooded figure at the far corner of the room. Casavir had noticed the man the day before, always remaining in the shadowed corners of the common area. He had seen no one, not even Duncan, address the stranger, though the food and drink before him seemed to indicate that innkeeper was aware of him. He seemed to materialize from nowhere, and vanish as unexpectedly, and Casavir realized that he had felt the same sense of unease the last time he had appeared.

There was something else he had not noticed before, and which came to his attention only because of the angle at which he and the stranger were positioned. The man was watching Raewyn with the attentiveness of a wolf watching its prey. Casavir looked to Raewyn, relieved to see that she seemed wholly unaware of the man's surveillance, but unsettled nevertheless. Who was he and what was his interest in her? He looked back to the man to find the stranger's eyes now fixed on him, an expression of hatred in his predatory golden stare. He rose from his seat, intending to discover the hooded man's intentions, but as he did a messenger entered the room, asking for Raewyn. By the time Casavir looked back, his quarry had vanished.

The messenger brought yet another assignment from Captain Brelaina. Raewyn took every such task she'd been given seriously; it was simply her nature to do so. Nevertheless, she chafed at the continued delay in progress on the task that had brought her to Neverwinter, namely identifying the mysterious silver shard, and uncovering the agenda of the strange beings that hunted both her and it. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't quite shake the feeling that the unrest in the city and her own quest were related, even though she couldn't begin to see how.

Her companions meanwhile, had fallen quiet, knowing the messenger usually meant a new assignment, and they listened closely as Raewyn spoke.

"It seems we have a new task at hand. We are to intercept a Luskan ship here at the docks. Captain Brelaina suspects the ship carries spies, and we are to prevent them from disembarking. I know it's late, but the ship is docking in an hour. We must leave at once. I don't think this should be too dangerous, but one never knows. Who wants to go with me?"

As was usually the case, everyone did, except of course for Qara, who never seemed to want to do anything unless she thought of it herself, and it involved setting something or someone on fire. Raewyn thought for a moment, then selected Casavir, Khelgar, Elanee, and Grobnar. The latter was ecstatic at the chance to use his new bow. "Easy Grobnar, I am hopeful we will not need to fight."

Khelgar burst out laughing. "If there is anyone who could talk your way out of a scrape, it's you, lass, but I doubt even you can silver-tongue a boatload of Luskan spies."

As they gathered their gear, Raewyn approached the tiefling. "Neeshka, I need you to do me a favor if you're willing."

"I wondered why you didn't ask me to go." She'd been disappointed, and Raewyn was happy to see her renewed enthusiasm. "What do you need?"

"Nothing stolen, Neeshka," she warned with a smile, the rogue's tendency for thievery something like a joke between them. "Awwww…." Neeshka pretended to pout.

Raewyn continued "I need you to find out whatever you can about the hooded man who comes in here sometimes. I think Duncan knows who he is, but don't let him know you're looking into it."

"Sure thing, but why?"

"I'm not actually sure, but I just have a bad feeling about him. I think he's been watching me, and with everything going on, I want to know why, but I don't want him to know I'm even aware of it."

"You got it, Raewyn. He kind of gives me the creeps, too. I'll see what I can find out. This should be fun!"

"Try not to break too many laws, alright?" Raewyn said laughing. "Wish us luck with this ship."

The tiefling gave her promise, wished them luck, and they departed. Khelgar was correct in the end, and the encounter turned to combat.

They arrived at the docks as the evening mist rolled in from the water. The Sea Ghost was a large ship, lavishly, even ostentatiously decorated. As Raewyn and her companions approached, she saw a small group of men on the quay, and she headed toward them.

"Excuse me. Are you from the Sea Ghost?" At his nod she continued. "I am Raewyn Thorne of the Neverwinter Watch. I have been instructed to inform you that you are not to enter the City, on the orders of Watch Captain Brelaina."

The men looked at her, then returned to their conversation. "Naturally. Why doesn't anyone ever take me seriously?" grumbled Raewyn. She turned to glare at Khelgar's chuckle behind her. With a sigh, she motioned her companions to follow and headed out onto the quay.

"Gentlemen, I must insist you re-board your ship and leave this port. If you don't, I will be forced to put you under arrest."

An arrogant man in a strangely fashioned robe, presumably the leader of the group, took a few steps toward Raewyn, his face openly contemptuous. "We Luskans travel where we want, when we want, and if we want to land here in this filth-hole of a city, then we will."

"This is your last warning, Luskan. You will leave this quay on board your ship, or you will not leave it at all."

With a haughty laugh, he gestured his men to attack. "Told you!" yelled Khelgar as he raised his axe and charged forward, the rest of the group doing likewise.

For several moments the docks were lit up with spells flying in both directions, for the leader of the Luskan party proved to be a formidable mage. Raewyn dodged a fireball as she advanced on him. As was her habit, she sidestepped his two henchman, perceiving the mage as the greater threat. She knew Casavir and Khelgar would have her back, and the arrows and spells from Elanee and Grobnar would help slow their opponents. The henchmen fell quickly, and it seemed to Raewyn that the mage was tiring.

The mage held up a hand in surrender, giving a barking laugh in spite of his labored breathing. "So it seems my prey was waiting for me. I yield, Harborman."

"I was your prey?" Raewyn drew up short, finding herself once again knowing nothing about a situation that the other party clearly knew more about, and not liking it one bit.

"Indeed. My Master has grown impatient with the frequency with which you cross our path." the mage sounded like he was enjoying her confusion, and Raewyn's ire rose further. Her eyes widened as a few of the puzzle pieces fell into place. It seemed that Luskan was indeed the source of the smuggled weapons she had intercepted, as it seemed they had armed the orcs of Old Owl Well. But why would Luskan want to arm dockside thugs, or orcs, for that matter? And were they also behind the efforts to undermine the Watch?

"Then Luskan should stay out of Neverwinter." Raewyn retorted. "I'm happy to start with you."

"Luskan?" The mage looked surprised, then smug. "Ah, you think my master and Luskan are one and the same. No, it is a sleight of hand you see, where the left does not see what the right is doing...and the four Hosttowers do not yet see what the Master of the Fifth plots."

"What in the hells are you talking about?" barked Khelgar from her elbow, and Raewyn looked back to the mage, adding "Master of the Fifth Tower?"

"Yes, Black Garius, my master. But he does not serve Luskan, not at all. His ambitions lie higher than nations, I think. When Luskan finds out what he plots, I do not think they shall be pleased, but by then, I think, it shall be too late" He paused then, looking over Raewyn and her companions.

"As for you, you have crossed him more than once, and I was sent to remind you that you would serve us better in death."

Raewyn rolled her eyes. It alway came back to the threats. She was tired of riddles and wordplay. "Enough. Save your stories for the Watch."

In response, the mage, who had caught a second wind despite his yammering, launched a fresh volley of spells at the group. Even his spells however, couldn't keep Casavir's blade from him, and it was over in minutes.

Once Brelaina's men had arrived to secure the vessel, they headed back, puzzling over the Luskan mage's words. It certainly seemed that Brelaina's hunch had been correct, and they were not the innocent traders they had pretended to be. It was possible they were in fact the suppliers of weapons to both the dockside gangs and the Eyegouger Clan. But Raewyn and her companions didn't know what to make of this talk of Black Garius.

"Well, it seems to make sense that these Luskans were behind the shipments of weapons that have been smuggled in to Neverwinter, and likely the efforts to suborn the Watch. Brelaina did say that all seemed too organized for the usual dockside rabble." Raewyn mused.

"Aye, I agree, lass. Those dock rats couldn't have dreamt up that scheme without someone feeding them the idea." Khelgar observed.

"Much as the plan to abduct the emissary from Waterdeep and send a replacement is too sophisticated a plan for the orcs of Old Owl Well." added Casavir.

"Right. I hate to say this, but it does seem a little unlikely that even Luskan would attempt to reopen hostilities so soon after establishing diplomatic relations with Neverwinter, so maybe there is something to the claim that these agents are not operating under official Luskan orders." mused Raewyn. "Casavir, you know a bit more about this kind of politics than I do. What do you think?"

Casavir had a little more knowledge than the rest of them, but even he could only offer speculation. "Luskan is only loosely governed by the towers. It is not unheard of for one segment of the Brotherhood to break with the others, and operate as a rogue entity. It seems likely that is the case here." He stopped, uncertain whether to go on. He was loathe to worry her, but decided it was more important to warn Raewyn of the danger. "We must be careful, my lady. I am concerned that the agents of this Garius seem to be seeking you directly, and to know much about you."

"Hells, that's right! He knew I was from West Harbor, didn't he? I missed that in all the rest. Where could he be getting the information?"

"That is one thing that worries me, lady. We seem to have dealt with the agents aboard the Sea Ghost, but clearly their master is elsewhere, and we do not know that other agents he may have in Neverwinter."

"Of course. It can never be easy." Raewyn sighed, then gave a sardonic shrug. "Well, I will have to report to Brelaina; perhaps she will be able to make sense of this." The others broke off to head back to the Sunken Flagon.

"Casavir?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Would you be willing to accompany me? I know you have preferred to avoid the Watch, and I do understand, so it's alright if you say no. But I think your experience could be valuable in this instance. I trust Captain Brelaina, and Marshall Cormick is an old friend. I do not think either of them will...object to your assistance."

She looked up at the paladin, knowing the difficulty of what she was asking, and saw the conflicting emotions warring in his face. Her heart ached to put this upon him, but she had no way to know how long she would be in Neverwinter's service. If he was to stay with her, which she wanted more than anything, he would need to find his place here.

For his part, Casavir too had known this would come, and he had dreaded it. The thought of confronting charges for his abandonment of duty, or of being dragged away in chains made his blood run cold. He realized it was not for is own sake, but for hers that he feared this fate. Yet he, too knew he must confront his past if he was to stay at Raewyn's side.

As he thought further, he realized his dread was muffled, a shadow of what it had been when leaving Old Owl Well. Even then, he had known Raewyn was returning to Neverwinter, and had been willing to risk it to follow her. And in the end, his first concern was to do anything he could to protect her from whatever threatened. If he could lend his experience or knowledge to the Watch's effort, then he would offer it.

He looked at her, his care and loyalty making his voice firm despite his misgivings. "My place is at your side, my lady. I will go with you gladly, and offer whatever I assistance I can."

They entered the Watch, and after greeting Captain Brelaina, Raewyn gestured to the man beside her. "This is my companion, Casavir. I believe his experience may be helpful in uncovering the truth of the events here."

Brelaina studied her for a moment, then glanced at Casavir before returning her assessing stare to Raewyn. "I know of Casavir's history in Neverwinter, and am aware he has returned to the city with you. Can you vouch for his loyalty?"

"I can, and I do." she answered without hesitation. "Casavir was instrumental in defending Old Owl well, and I could not have recovered Emissary Issani without his assistance. He has been an able and trusted comrade, and I do not hesitate to offer the honor of my name as pledge for his loyalty."

Behind her, Casavir again felt the warmth of her trust wash over him. Brelaina only nodded once, briskly. "Very well, then. Casavir, I welcome any insights you may have."

Together she and Casavir briefed Captain Brelaina on what had transpired at the docks, as well as their observations about the weapons they found at Old Owl Well.

Brelaina nodded thoughtfully. "I fear that the situation has become more complicated rather than less. And what you have told me only adds to the confusion, I am afraid."

"What do you mean?" asked Raewyn, with a worried glance at Casavir.

"Looks like you're making interesting enemies" replied Brelaina, seemingly unsure of what to make of the situation. "I have just received word from the Nine. They believe assassins are in Neverwinter, and have asked for our help in dealing with them. The problem is, according to our intelligence, they seem to be looking for you." She paused, measuring her words, and Raewyn felt Casavir place a steadying hand on her shoulder, unseen by the Captain.

"Moire's gang was the kind of trouble we usually face... I have no idea what these assassins want with you, though, that's new territory." Brelaina paused, looking over the names she had jotted down from Raewyn's account. "Though if, like those on the Sea Ghost, these assassins work not for Luskan itself, but for this Garius, that changes things…though it still leaves the question of what they want with you. Have you any idea?"

Raewyn looked to Casavir, and after a moment he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. She turned to the Captain. "I mean no disrespect, Captain, but while I may have an idea, I am not certain, and if I am mistaken, it may only further cloud matters. I think for the present, you may be better off not knowing."

Brelaina gave a short laugh. "I probably am, at that. Lieutenant, I don't intend to wait for the Nine to handle this. We have the location and I am giving you your orders. Proceed to the Merchant Quarter and deal with the situation. If the assassins pose a threat to Neverwinter, I want their presence here removed."

"Yes, Captain. We will do our best."

"Well, I hope you succeed. I'd hate to lose our most effective watchman to these foreigners. You have their location. Beyond that, there's nothing I can tell you, other than their presence has drawn the interest of some powerful people."

"Very well, thank you."

"Oh, and Raewyn?" Brelaina stopped her at the door, letting Casavir get a few steps away before speaking quietly to her.

"I do know a bit about Casavir, and despite my questions earlier, I know he does not give his allegiance lightly. I know his departure was unorthodox, but he is well thought of among both the Graycloaks and the Watch. There's few I can think of, in Neverwinter or anywhere, that I'd rather have at my back. You've done well to have him as an ally."

"Thank you Captain, I appreciate that. He will, too."

She and Casavir hurried back to the Flagon to inform the others. They decided they needed to rest at least a few hours before storming the house in the Merchant District where Brelaina's intelligence said the assassins were hiding. They agreed to rise at fifth candle and meet in the common room to plan their approach, and headed upstairs to their rooms, knowing morning would come all to soon.

Raewyn yawned and rose to go, but Casavir remained in his seat near the fire, staring into the flames. She went and sat next to him. Neither spoke for a while.

"Brelaina said that I was fortunate to have you as an ally."

He sighed but didn't answer for a moment.

"And you, my lady. Do you think yourself fortunate to count me your ally?" He sounded weary, and she knew he was thinking of Brelaina's questioning of his loyalty. "Or will you soon grow tired of defending me?"

"I think it will not be necessary. She told me you are highly regarded here. In Neverwinter, I mean. I was glad to hear it for your sake, but not at all surprised." She looked at him then. "But it wouldn't have mattered, Casavir. I know how fortunate I am to have you at my side, and nothing will ever change that. I would defend you from anything or anyone, as you would me."

She reached out and took his hand in her own, her thumb tracing over his calloused palm.

"You are correct, I will not ever fail to defend you while I breathe." His fingers tightened around hers, and they stayed there a long while, hands clasped, staring at the flames.

"The hour is late, my lady, and we have another fight ahead of us."

"Indeed. Goodnight, Casavir. Rest well."

"Rest well, my lady."

In the quiet predawn hours they did a quick reconnaissance of the house, but found only the front door passable. The went in, expecting to find heavy and immediate resistance. All they found was a few githyanki, each flanked by three or four bladelings. They moved on through the house, each of them getting more tense by the moment, expecting something more formidable around every corner.

They reached the back of the house and saw a strange multicolored light emanating form the back room. As they drew nearer, they saw a handful of githyanki warriors. The moment they entered, a massive armored figure holding huge blades in each hand crashed through the room, finishing off the last of the gith.

When the huge fighter saw them he turned, silhouetted for a moment against the swirling light of the portal at the back of the room. Without a sound except the pounding of his plated boots on the floor, the creature moved to attack them as well. Raewyn and her companions met the attack, but couldn't seem to get any solid hits; even Casavir's sword and Khlegar's axe seemed to bounce harmlessly off the dark metal plating. After a few moments, the fighter turned and lumbered into the glowing portal and was gone.

They stood gaping before Raewyn managed to sputter "What in the Nine Hells was that?"

"Just to make sure my eyes aren't lying to me; a huge suit of armor did smash through here, attack the githyanki, and us, then we drove it back through that portal?" Khelgar's confusion echoed Raewyn's own. "Because if my drinking is catching up with me, I'm stopping right now."

Raewyn agreed with the Ironfist. "No... no, that's about right." she said with a shudder.

"Good" said the dwarf, but he didn't sound relieved.

Grobnar answered, his voice soft with wonder. "Why...that was a golem. A golem with blades. Wasn't he magnificent? The construction...the elegance...the sheer sharpness of those blades...the work of a master craftsman indeed!"

Raewyn looked at the little harper in horror. "You mean, there wasn't anything inside that thing? It was just a…machine? A dead...thing?"

The gnome hurried on, not noticing Raewyn's revulsion. "We should follow it! I mean... if the portal was still open. Which it's not. But to let it get away before taking a good look at it, why, we're missing out!"

Casavir's voice was thoughtful. "I do not know who sent that golem, but it was attacking the githyanki as well as us. There is a third party at work here."

Raewyn looked at the paladin, the horror fading from her face, grateful for his calm, but more confused than ever.

"So, someone is after the githyanki, and they are after me, and Garius is after me, and possibly Luskan, and one of them or possibly somebody else entirely sent that...horrible thing…." she shuddered again, unreasonably spooked by the idea of the golem.

"We are safe for the present, my lady. We should let Captain Brelaina know what has happened here." Casavir sensed her near panic, and hoped to help her focus on the present.

"Yes, of course. Casavir, would you mind joining me? We'll see the rest of you back at the Flagon."

As the paladin walked beside their leader, he pondered her reaction. He has not seen her so shaken by any of the foes they had encountered so far, and it struck him.

"My lady, I do not wish to distress you, but I could not help but notice you reacted strongly to the golem."

She shrugged sheepishly, her horror seeming foolish now. "I don't know, really. I've always had this...terror of mechanical beasts. One harvest fair when I was, well, I couldn't have been more than six or so, a traveler had a golem of sorts. Nothing like that one, of course—I've never seen anything like that thing—but it was a mechanical man that would walk around, do simple tricks. I thought it was an actor in a costume." She smiled at Casavir, feeling a little silly recounting her childhood fears.

Casavir nodded for her to go on. "Then Bevil told me it was a machine and I was terrified out of my wits. I really don't know why, but I had nightmares about these lifeless mechanical things coming to get me for at least a year. Daeghun was at a loss to help me, though he tried. It went away after a while, but..just seeing that lifeless killing machine…." she shuddered again.

"I think I understand. There is something cold and unnatural in such a thing. Fighting other beings, humans, githyanki, orcs; there is purpose in their eyes, they fight for a reason. Even undead, as vile as they are, bear some stamp of their former existence; they are a perversion of nature, but nature is still evident in them. But a machine is simply…."

"Soulless." Raewyn finished for him.

"Yes. Soulless. It is a chilling thing to face."

"Thank you Casavir."

"For what, my lady?"

"For noticing. For caring enough to ask, and for understanding."

Captain Brelaina at last gave Raewyn passage into the Blacklake District, allowing her to seek the counsel of Aldanon, the aging wizard who held her best hope of unraveling the mystery of the silver shards she bore.

"My lady, I am happy that you will at last be able to pursue your original objective."

"Thanks, Casavir. I am, too, I suppose." Casavir saw trepidation and relief warring over her features. He knew she had chafed at the long delay in gaining access to the wizard, but she seemed hesitant now that access had been granted.

"You are uncertain?"

His question was gentle, offering her the chance to speak her doubts or not as she felt best. She smiled up at her companion. "I guess I am. I mean, I've been frustrated at all the delays, but at the same time, there has been something...simple and straightforward in undertaking the missions McCormick and Brelaina have set before me. Now, I have no idea what I will find, or what I will need to do, or…."

"I understand." They shared a glance, for they both knew he did indeed, understand. "But my lady, do not underestimate yourself. You will find the right path, and you will meet whatever challenge the wizard's answers present."

"Casavir, I wish I had half the confidence in myself that you do. I still feel like I'm just squeaking by, half by making it up as I go, and half by dumb luck." She grinned ruefully. "I don't mean to...that is, I appreciate your support Casavir. I really do."

"Always, my lady. I assume you will want to gather the rest of our companions, will you not? They should all hear what this Aldanon has to say."

The mage Aldanon was not as Raewyn had pictured him. He seemed more like a forgetful, bumbling, if kindhearted neighbor than the powerful mage she expected. He had known a good bit about the shards, though getting him to focus on the topic at hand had taken some coaxing by Raewyn and her companions.

Aldanon had revealed that the shards were, in fact, the remnants of a shattered githyanki silver sword, an item of considerable power and rarity; such rarity in fact that the githyanki employed an elite corps of warriors, Sword Stalkers, whose sole purpose was the recovery of such blades. Aldanon himself had another of the shards, though in another bout of forgetfulness, he could not recall who had given it to him. He was happy to let her take it, in the event she ever found a way to restore the shattered blade.

As Raewyn was beginning to expect, she was left with as many new questions as answers to the old ones. Aldanon was unable to tell her where the sword came from, how it might have been broken, or why the githyanki had only now set out to find the shards.

"But where else can I go for answers, Aldanon?"

"I wish I knew more. Ammon Jerro was the real expert. He actually possessed a silver sword."

"Ammon Jerro? Where can I find him?"

After further discussion, it seemed that the mage whom Aldanon mentioned was a dead end as well, though Aldanon suggested that Jerro may have kept records of what he knew in his private retreat, or as Aldanon called it, his Haven, though he had no notion where that might be. The only further advice he could give was that they might consult the Neverwinter Archives in hopes of finding a clue to either the location of Jerro's Haven, or possibly of his decedents, though Aldanon thought they had left Neverwinter after the war. Aldanon gave Raewyn the name of his contact at the Archives, and warned her that others might be seeking the same information. She and her companions made ready to leave. On impulse, Raewyn stopped and asked him another question.

"What can you tell me about the war?"

"Oh, those were dark, confusing times. So much death and chaos, all brought about by some self-proclaimed 'King of Shadows.' We were told the King of Shadows was not a king at all, but rather a very powerful warlock and summoner of demons."

"What happened?" asked Raewyn, sensing there was more Aldanon wanted to say.

"He invaded Neverwinter decades ago, with an army of demons. Neverwinter sent their forces to confront him. Both armies perished in the battle, and the King of Shadows was never heard from again."

"What became of him?"

"Some rumors suggest that he was defeated and imprisoned by a cabal of mages. Others say that he was dragged away to the Abyss by his own demon servants. Whatever the King of Shadows' fate, I say good riddance."

"I agree, Aldanon. Thank you for your help."

After taking leave of Aldanon, they convinced their escort to accompany them to the archives. Not surprisingly they had, as Aldanon predicted, found the archives under attack by more githyanki and their bladeling henchmen. They dispatched the few that lingered near the entrance, and helped one of the librarians escape the fighting. Before he left, the frightened man told her where to look for the information she sought, and and gave her a magical veil which would help her to gain access to it.

The rest of the githyanki provided little challenge for the companions. Once they could move about safely, Raewyn was able to find the four magical tomes that would open the most secret archives pertaining to the nobility of Neverwinter. Neeshka especially was awed as Raewyn, wearing with the veil the librarian had given her, found secret doors as they proceeded through the massive library, where even her rouge-trained eye saw only plain walls. Once Raewyn had solved all four of the puzzles with considerable help from Grobnar, they headed into the secret archives.

The records of Neverwinter's nobility held no clue as the the location of the haven of Ammon Jerro. What none of them expected, however, was what they discovered about the identity of Ammon Jerro's living relative.

"Shandra Jerro?" Raewyn slapped her forehead. "Why didn't I put it together myself!"

"Sandra? The Highcliff girl with the flammable barn?" Neeshka asked, incredulous.

Khelgar gave a bitter chuckle. "Small world. Hope the lass has forgiven us for the farm burning down."

The rest of her companions looked blank, as Raewyn agreed. "I do not know if Shandra will be pleased to see us. The last time we were at Highcliff, lizard folk burned down her barn practically the moment we met. But we need to get to her at once. The githyanki are probably heading there as we speak."

They left quickly, stopping only briefly at the Flagon to gather supplies and tell Duncan of their destination. They managed to entreat a captain friendly to Captain Brelaina to depart for Highcliff at once. The githyanki had a small lead on them, but Raewyn hoped that by taking ship they might manage to arrive before the gith, and save the unsuspecting farmer.

Khelgar's worry had been well founded. When they arrived in Westcliff, Shandra was not happy to see Raewyn. Unfortunately, before they had been able to calm her, the githyanki arrived. The green-skinned warriors split into two groups, one of which pursued Shandra into the farmhouse. The other came at Raewyn and her companions. By the time they had dealt with both groups, Shandra's house was a smoking ruin, and Shandra herself was furious.

Raewyn tried to talk her down without success. Then Casavir spoke up, and she capitulated. Raewyn, not altogether unfamiliar with the calming nature of the paladin's presence, sent him a speculative glance, but soon they were on their way.

Shandra's calm lasted only until they got settled in the Flagon, then she demanded answers. Raewyn couldn't really blame her; the girl had lost everything. The group gathered around the fire and tried to sort out what to do next.

"All right. So you tracked me down because...why, I'm a Jerro?"

"No, Shandra. We came to save you from the githyanki. They tracked you down because you are a Jerro; they are seeking your grandfather's haven."

"Shandra," Casavir added, "we realize this is difficult, but your life may be in danger. I swear to you, we are trying to protect you, not make more trouble for you."

The girl's demeanor changed suddenly and she spoke almost sheepishly. "Oh. All right, sorry. Guess the whole thing's hard to take all at once."

Raewyn's brow furrowed again as she looked at the paladin, noticing again his effect on Shandra. Apparently she wasn't alone in her observation.

Neeshka muttered to Raewyn under her breath. "Wow. A little paladin charm sure calmed her quick."

Raewyn sent a look of agreement to Neeshka, then sighed. "We are seeking the haven as well, but only because they are."

"So you did all this, just to use me!" Shandra flared.

"That was not our intention, Shandra. Please... hear us out."

Once again she looked to Casavir and seemed to soften. "Oh... well, if you think I'm going to some dark dungeon that used to give me nightmares, well... think again."

"Perhaps we should retire; we all could use the rest. Shandra, I believe Duncan has rooms upstairs." he returned.

"Oh... uh, thanks for the hospitality... uh, Casavir, right? I appreciate it."

"Of course, you have been through a great deal, it is the least we can offer."

"That I can offer, he means." Duncan corrected him. "My inn, you know, always eager to help a lass in distress, we are, here at the Sunken Flagon."

Raewyn watched as Duncan bustled Shandra off to a room, clucking over her like a mother hen. She understood Duncan's making a fuss; he could never resist flirting with a pretty face. But what was with Casavir? She'd never seen him so...friendly. It was true that she and Casavir had become friends, even close friends, but it had taken a long time. Perhaps he was simply responding to Shandra's distress with his natural concern for others. With a sigh, she put the matter from her mind and sought her bed.

She didn't get much sleep however. In what seemed like mere minutes since she closed her eyes, she heard Duncan shouting for help.

"The Flagon is under attack!"