Chapter Ten: Farewells

It never ceased to amaze Allesyn how quickly humanity and a city like Baldur's Gate could recover from an event. Not three days ago the entire Sword Coast stood on the brink of war due to the whims of a madman. Today life resumed its normal course as if nothing had happened. The grand dukes of the city shut down what remained of the Iron Throne and restored order.

The companions had spent the last several days explaining to the dukes and the guards what had happened, carefully leaving out Imoen's blood-ties to the situation. The constant questions had sent Jaheira into a frenzy trying to keep people at bay so they could heal.

Imoen and Allesyn sat on the great bridge into the city, their legs dangling over the edge. All around them people bustled here and there as trade returned to the honest merchants. Imoen idly tossed a few pebbles into the river below while Allesyn polished Rune. Neither one of them spoke. Finally, Imoen broke the silence.

"Been a crazy couple of months, hasn't it?"

"Keeps you on your toes." Allesyn set Rune aside. "How do you feel about it all?"

"Worn out mostly. I'm glad it's over. There's a lot to think about and I hate thinking about things. Gives me a headache."

"You're going to have one doozy of a headache for a long time."

Imoen nodded. "Yeah... I don't think this Bhaalspawn thing ended with Sarevok, who, incidentally, I do NOT consider family. Nor do I think that of Bhaal. Gorion is my father."

"I think that's a good attitude to have." Allesyn clapped Imoen on the shoulder. "You know you always have friends to turn to if you need support or guidance."

"Guidance? You sound like Jaheira."

Allesyn laughed. "Oh, now that's just insulting."

Imoen grinned mischievously and changed the subject. "So... you and Kivan have been getting along well."

"He's a good friend."

"Good friend nothing! I think you like him!"

Allesyn narrowed her gaze at Imoen. "Come again?"

"You. Like. Kivan! Can't get any simpler than that! I see you two always talking at night. I see how you smile every time he stands near you. And yet I also see how he always picks a seat next to you by the campfire and he always rolls his bed out beside you. I see it all!"

"Keep it up, Imoen. You're this close to being tossed off the bridge."

Imoen stuck her tongue out.

Allesyn chuckled, albeit a little nervously. She had a feeling that Imoen was right. Kivan really had come to mean a lot to her over the last couple of months. Part of her knew that she had been hiding from Kivan these last couple of days in order to avoid saying goodbye. She thought back to the night in Beregost when Kivan had sworn to shed his blood for her. If she wanted to be someone worthy of that oath then it was time to stop being childish and admit the truth. She cared for Kivan, more than as a friend and she would let him go.

Imoen continued, oblivious to Allesyn's ruminations. "Well, I think we need to find you a husband."

Allesyn jolted out of her thoughts. "What?"

"You need a man. We'll just need to clean you up a bit. Lose the fighter look. Guys don't want a girl who could beat them up. Maybe braid your hair, get some makeup..."

Kivan exited the gates of the city and headed towards Wyrm's Crossing. He kept his hood up in an attempt for some privacy from all the traffic entering Baldur's Gate. He looked out over the great bridge. It stretched out over the river and towards the road home.

Home.

Deheriana.

It was time for him to go, but he needed to say farewell to one person, the one connection he had left in this world. He saw her standing alone by the bridge's edge.

"Jaheira said I could find you out here," he remarked as he strode over to Allesyn's. He pushed his hood down, an inviting gesture. "She seemed to think that Imoen was with you as well."

"Imoen decided to go for a swim. Let's walk, shall we?"

As Kivan fell into step beside her, Allesyn realized that she was smiling at having him by her side. Damn Imoen was observant. Together the two companions traveled the length of Wyrm's Crossing making small talk. They walked slowly as if they had all the time in the world.

"How are you faring today?" Kivan inquired.

Allesyn poked her ribs gently. "Better. Still sore, but that's to be expected. Eyesight back to normal?"

"Aye." He flexed his scarred fingers. "Old wounds, new wounds... It will be good to put my bow to rest." He eyed the empty scabbard on her hip. "You will need to find a new companion for Rune."

Allesyn shrugged. "Maybe. This isn't the first time I've broken my secondary blade. Gets old having to find a replacement." She chuckled. "It's silly, the only reason I use two swords is because I wanted to emulate Drizzt. Perhaps it's time to reconsider that line of thinking and get a shield. Contrary to what you've seen, I actually don't enjoy getting my ass kicked."

"That would require different training."

"Yes, but it would keep me out trouble."

"Somehow I doubt that, mellonamin."

When they reached the far end of Wyrm's Crossing, Allesyn found herself desperately wishing the bridge was longer. It didn't matter. It was time for goodbyes.

"Ya know," she started, staring out over the road, "I'm going to really miss you. Your friendship has been a pleasant surprise in my life."

"Agreed. Your friendship has been the finest thing to have happened to me in these last fifteen years. I wish that our paths had crossed in happier times."

Allesyn felt a flush in her cheeks and she looked at the ground between her feet. "Yeah well... thank you for being the sane man to my ramblings."

"You have been the joy to my gloom."

Allesyn chuckled and looked up at the ranger. "Guess we kind of balance each other out, don't we?"

"I suppose we do." Kivan thought for a moment. "You helped give me my life back. I cannot repay you for that."

"You would have done the same for me. You have done the same for me. After ten years in this world, you've given me something that I could not find on my own. I can't repay you for that. So we're even."

Allesyn reached out to Kivan in the Spirit. She felt him brush against her with that warm touch that she knew well. It was going to be a rough time getting over him, she knew.

Kivan seemed to sense her melancholy and, to Allesyn's great surprise, he took her into his arms and hugged her. Now Allesyn felt just as shocked as Kivan did the other night. She recovered quickly as she wrapped her arms around his waist and gently squeezed.

"Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta," he whispered.

"May your ways be green and golden," she translated and responded.

As they parted, Allesyn threw a bit of caution to the wind and planted a quick, friendly kiss on Kivan's smooth cheek. Kivan cupped Allesyn's chin with his finger and thumb. He tenderly caressed her jawline with his thumb, his dark eyes on her.

Allesyn enjoyed the moment, then pulled away. She smiled and lightly punched Kivan in the arm. "Now go on, get out of here, sunshine. Deheriana's waiting."

The ranger released a great sigh of relief. He pulled his hood up and started down the road. Allesyn watched him, determined to keep an eye on him until it was no longer possible. Just before he got too far away, he turned back.

He was smiling.

Then he was gone.