Certain major characters are not mine, though Lon is mine, among many others. Language and other stuff warning, just to be safe...

--- x x ---

Neverwinter, the Sunken Flagon ---

--- Elondra

The box that Cas had carried back to the Flagon with us was larger than any gift I'd ever expected to get from a near stranger. I was still wondering what was inside when Duncan passed on the sealed and scrawled note.

The writing was like the other writing I'd seen of the old sage, even if written in a hurried mess. It had few words, 'I have new information about the shards, and conjuring the Sword for you. But be careful, there is an enemy in Neverwinter. Come quickly.'

Once I'd read it out loud, we all looked at each other and ran up to our room. Cas stopped to get his squire, despite my unspoken worry that anything Aldanon would consider dangerous would kill her outright. We hurried, getting out of our fine clothing, and wore minimal armor, just what we could do in bare minutes.

I really, really didn't like not being able to wear some kind of armor. And now I could understand even more Cas's frustrations about my lighter armor.

Eldride wanted to help Cas, but he quietly insisted she arm herself. Telling my uncle where we were going, we all hurried to Blacklake. Bishop cast a spell for himself and Cas, but we still arrived fairly quickly.

The mansion was quiet and almost dark, making me worry that we'd been too late for whatever danger there was. When Cas pounded on the door I was getting ready to enter another way.

A light approached, visible through the door's tiny window, and I just flexed my fingers while wishing Neeshka'd been along.

A servant sleepily open the door a crack to see us. "Yes? Is there some emergency?"

Carefully, Cas told him, "We received an urgent message from Aldanon..."

The servant paused, and his voice showed a trace of resignation while saying, "I see. If you would like to come inside, I will see if the master is awake and receiving."

Looking at Cas and Bishop, I knew I was glad there wasn't an immediate emergency. We followed the middle aged servant into the hall, and we settled ourselves to wait. Bishop crouched and was petting Karnwyr. Cas and his squire were watching around us too. I was feeling jumpy, and fiddled with some wires from my pouch.

After a while, longer than a few minutes, the servant returned and told us that Aldanon would see us. We were then led deeper into the mansion, and eventually into a bedroom hallway.

I would have flushed more if I wasn't now more familiar with the private rooms of Castle Never than I wanted to be. Bishop was watching me and grinning. Both Cas and Eldride had blank faces.

Entering the bedroom filled with large and heavy furniture, Aldanon was wrapped up in more blankets than I would have expected. And there was a strange odor, new to me.

His servant, or now it seemed, nurse, said quietly, "Sir? Your guests have arrived from your note..."

Aldanon sat up a little and said shakily, "Good. Put some more wood on the fire, Stirn."

Stirn said, "Of course sir, I will get you some warm milk, or tea sir," before tucking the blankets closer.

"I'm tired of tea, spike the milk, Gerrin," Aldanon said peevishly.

I looked at Cas, and saw concern in his eyes as well.

Once the servant had gone, I quietly asked Aldanon, "You sent me a note tonight about the shard..."

"What?" he said with irritation, "Oh, Lieutenant! Yes, yes, I remembered a person of interest while I was mulching the asparagus. The court wizard had a strange sword before he disappeared, named Jerro, I believe... The wizard, not the sword."

"Wasn't he a sorcerer? I heard he was bald..." I said, leading the old man on to make sure, feeling sad.

"He is? He had such a healthy head of red hair when I was young. A bit proud of that along with his family, but little patience for those in Blacklake. He was always very cutting about them as being directionless and useless before he disappeared for years when young Nasher became Lord. The young Lord really needs to get married, an heir might be a good thing for him, so he settles down and stops visiting fest halls with that elven wench of his. Beautiful she was, and a bard, from a long line of them, stretching all the way back to..." Aldanon continued to ramble, but less coherently, and about things from so far back or places so far away, they meant little to me.

Bishop was grinning at the tidbits about Nasher's youth. I wasn't even sure if it was the same Nasher.

Aldanon was rambling nicely even as Stirn returned with a warm drink, and gave it to him. I looked at the rest of our group and saw only amusement or sympathy.

Cas had almost silently done a spell, and Stirn looked at him briefly, even as Aldanon smacked his lips while drinking.

"Aldanon?" I prompted, "I've gotten some information on this spellcaster, Jerro, and his lab was destroyed recently. We're on it. Thanks."

"Good, good. Don't forget, I'll be happy to buy any interesting old tomes you find on your travels, young woman... Narrick! Narrick! Rouse that blasted apprentice!" he cried weakly, waving his arms around before speaking to Stirn, saying, "Have you finished cleaning all the beakers and glassware yet? Ungrateful child! Always knew my cousin's brat was worthless!"

Stirn hushed him, and tucked the blankets around him again as the old man fell asleep again suddenly. Escorting us back out into the hallway and to the entry, he spoke, "I'm sorry that he got that message out to you. His periods of lucidity are getting fewer..."

"He always was..." started Bishop with a grin, but I elbowed him.

More gently, Cas asked, "When did he get worse, Stirn?"

With a slight smile, he said, "Actually my name is Noldaven, even if he so rarely remembers it He got considerably worse during the trip when he returned from Crossroad Keep. We mostly humor him and keep him comfortable. Managing his diet seems to be helping some."

"Does he have any relatives who give a shit?" I wondered.

"No," Noldaven told us, "He's outlived the worthwhile ones, and I expect the others will descend like wolves when he passes." He paused, looked at Karnwyr, and added, "Far worse than wolves, actually. More like maggots at the feast. He's said many times that he's made sure I won't be dependent on their charity, but..."

More firmly, Cas said, "Don't forget that you can apply to the Hall of Justice for relief when the time comes, to ensure a just outcome in a dispute such as this."

"Thank you, my lord," Noldaven said formally, to our collective dismay.

Then he escorted us back outside, and we found ourselves outside very late. We walked back towards the docks, the three of us lagging a little behind Karnwyr and Eldride. Nothing happened, and we were quiet all the way back.

I know I was thinking about the sage. Very few in West Harbor had died of old age in my lifetime, it was too often a center for battles. Georg had been probably the oldest I remembered clearly. There'd been a few others but they'd died before I, as a child, knew them. Daeghun would outlive me. But Aldanon was in sad shape now. He didn't seem unhappy, even if he was confused.

"Cas," I asked quietly back in our room, "What spell was that?"

"Checking for poison, but it was safe," he answered sadly.

With a smile in his voice, Bishop said, "Don't feel too bad for him, you two. He's dying in a mansion, with everything he needs around him. The only thing to make it better would be a soft and curvy armful, even if I doubt they'd want to spend enough to hire one for him."

Changing the topic to something cheerful seemed to be a good idea, so I said, "Let's open that package. I'm curious what would be considered a good present. The few gifts I'd ever seen in West Harbor, were always practical things like quilts, blanket chests, or mead."

"Mead would be a good present," Bishop said, while he impatiently helped with my armor.

Cas was on his own, and he had a smile at that. I rolled my eyes about Bishop, and Cas's eyes twinkled in response.

Then I got a dagger and carefully opened the wrapping before we'd done much more than remove our armor. Inside, well wrapped was one of those expensive clocks made in the city. I'd only seen small, private ones at a distance a few times, in Nasher's rooms in Castle Never. I really hadn't had any place to keep one or the urge to buy one.

This one was nicely carved, and seemed to have some kind of moving figures for in the visible tracks. The little doorways were small enough that we wouldn't see them until they rang through their pattern.

Soon we were looking at the pieces and trying to figure out how to get it working. It took a while, kind of like disarming a trap in reverse. There were two long weighted chains, and it seemed to be a wall clock. The housing looked like someone's idea of a fortress, or more likely Crossroad Keep. There were pennants, shields, and horses in barding positioned around the fort on green painted 'ground.' Once I got the pendulum swinging after setting the dial to late morning, we just waited the few minutes until something would happen.

While we were waiting, we somehow ended up close together and I was getting drowsy. Then some small bells rang, and I sat up, watching to see what would happen. Even Cas started looking more alert for such a late hour.

As the chimes rang, two figures came out along the two longer circle tracks, one in brown and the other in a slightly metallic looking gray. Then a third popped out in the middle, carved to look like she wore a frilly dark red dress.

That dress was embarrassing.

Then came the hour chime and the figures representing Cas and Bishop bent over slightly towards that dress with each chime, before all moved away again.

Bishop was laughing before it was done, and I could feel that my face had warmed with a flush. Cas had reached out to kiss my hand, even as he had flushed as well.

"That's funny," Bishop said after a minute, "but let's remove that pendulum. I don't like interruptions..."

I stopped the clock, and agreed, "It's really late, and I think we need the sleep."

Bishop pouted for a second, but soon we all were in bed. I fell asleep quickly, only to be woken by a yell from beside me.

--- x x ---

--- Bishop

That clock was very funny, with a little paladin and little ranger kissing the little damsel, many times. Whoever made it had a wicked sense of humor, and both Lon and Cas had flushed. Hers was brighter this time, maybe as he'd been closer to dozing when the little chimes began.

I saw many hours of amusement from this toy.

It was late, and though Cas would have to be up early, I was hoping we could spar or wrestle too. So I settled close to Lon, glad that I could.

But then I woke up with a feeling of dread and sore throat from my shout. I was sitting up, looking around for something to attack, and Lon was holding me. Cas was watching, and looking worried as well.

"S'okay," I said, after looking around. "Another Redfallow's Watch dream. Pretty much what really happened, just the handler really wanted me to toe his line as I could smell the village burning behind me."

"Are you sure?" Casavir asked.

I could feel myself snarling, and I said, "Yeah, I was alone."

Lon was hugging me so tightly, something creaked... not that I cared. Cas even gripped my shoulder, despite our recent differences.

You're in the pack, the pup reminded me. It was more of a scold.

After a moment, I added, "I'm still not necessarily completely convinced that omens and things from gods are such a good thing. I put my faith in my weapons, and my sword into Luskans."

Lon chuckled next to my ear, and Casavir said, "We will get by then, as long as those Luskans are of evil intent and action."

Finally I could smile, I said, "I wouldn't even notice a peaceful merchant, if there were any."

He started listing a little himself and Lon pulled him closer. He looked exhausted, even leaning against her more than he'd usually allow himself.

Maybe Karnwyr's comment on piles were on my mind. Curling to be slightly behind her, I leaned back and settled back to sleep, her weight on me a comfort. I fell asleep breathing in the scent of her hair.

Lon shifting woke me, and I opened my eyes enough to see that Casavir was leaving in the early light for his prayers. I went back to sleep, and when I woke later he must have returned and Lon was shaking our shoulders. Already mid-morning, I had to smile at their rush to get moving.

Maybe I smiled too much, as Cas reminded us that Sand would quiz us on our studies tonight, before or after seeing the others. As soon as we went down for breakfast, Pameran was waiting with Duncan and Eldride in the taproom, near a pair of large trunks.

Lon said, "Uncle Duncan, didn't you give him his room key? He didn't have to wait for us to get settled."

Pameran returned with a smile, "He did, of course, Commander. This is the already completed portion of your wardrobe, and sorely needed, according to some reports. Later today, we should review what you have and decide which is best designated as rags."

Duncan was grinning at Lon's face, and even Cas's squire had a slight smile. There were a lot in the city with elven blood, and damn it these all were, and laughing at us here. Even Duncan, who I doubted had bought anything expensive to wear in twenty years for himself.

Cas had a flat face when he said, "We will have to spend some time at the Hall of Justice to finish arranging sparring. We should be able to return early afternoon for study and this."

Lon had put an arm around me and rubbed my back a second, even though I could see she wasn't happy either. After a brief discussion as we ate, this Pameran was given a few places where he could work and a key to our room. I was not thrilled to see how both Lon and Cas's faces got blank when this dresser was becoming a real intrusion.

We left for Cas's temple quickly enough, a bit more comfortable right now than the Flagon. Once there, Cas and Eldride led us to a smaller hall that was more suited to winter with a fireplace and only small windows. The chamber had the air of disuse, even if I didn't see any dust or obvious tracks.

Cas said, "We can have free use of this until it becomes too chilly for outdoor classes. Then we will have second call after those classes."

"Practice weapons, sir?" Eldride said quietly.

"Yes, I will sign some out, and we will get a stand as well," he said thoughtfully before they left.

"Don't need that to start, my dear," I said, grinning at Lon.

Lon wasn't that happy, only sighing. At least she didn't object to the bout this time. Leaving our weapons tucked into the fireplace to be out of the way, it didn't take long to get started. I was sure Cas would cover the more polite methods, but mostly she had to learn when she had lost too much advantage and change her actions. Cas knew more formal crap, but not as much dealing with the underside. Actually, I wished there was more junk in the room as clean and formal wresting matches rarely happened out in the real world.

But improvising was part of it too, so I grabbed her braid and used it to unbalance her. At least Lon wasn't playing this time, as she snarled at me. Disappearing, she must have 'stepped away as I didn't hit anything when I swept the floor to trip her.

--Where is she, Karnwyr?

Enemies couldn't ask me.

Surprised for a second at his disapproval, I heard a shifting of the weapon pile. Hmm. Not that I'd really object at my mate changing the few implied rules, but I thought it unusual of her.

Not very surprised, soon I was tripped and Lon wasn't hard to see now. No weapon... but.

But her braid was gone now, roughly cut off. And all I could think, was that I'd never gotten the chance to try some beads or something else in her hair. When I was distracted, she got me in a passable arm lock, not hurting nearly as much as my throat.

I managed to say, "Your bout."

And she let go instantly, and I had to remind myself I wanted this. Turning, and even with a sore arm, I put my arms around her and wished.

"How long?" I had to ask her in a whisper.

Not sounding happy either, Lon told me, "Maybe spring."

Sighing, I ran my fingers through her hair where the braid had been until I heard the door open with Cas and his squire bringing the equipment. He didn't say anything right away when he saw, but I thought he looked a little sad too.

Soon we began to do some normal sparring for the first time in over a month. Eldride mostly watched, though we'd repeat something for her once in a while. Then Cas more formally began to teach wrestling to both Lon and Eldride. I added sniping bits about how it worked in a real fight, but no one said anything. They both tried some things, but even untrained, Lon was stronger and more combat wise. So soon Cas or I were doing the demonstrations. I did most for Lon, as Cas had a harder time disengaging with her.

Not that I was going to complain.

Without saying anything about it, we were staying to the more formal rules that Cas taught. The only real improvement was that Lon was starting to speed up in her actions, even if she wasn't choosing very well. She was doing better with tricky tactics, not the wresting moves. But she slowed down while she rolled past me, and it was so easy to interrupt that roll and get her down on the floor, with an elbow at her throat.

Her face flat, the room had a tense silence then, and I looked at everyone else, wondering why.

"The Lady Commander was only a blur when she rolled," Eldride said, with her eyes wide.

With a half-smile, Casavir said, "Too bad you had not been sparring much. You were overdue for that hastened effect." When some bells rang outside, Cas said, "We have to return now."

Moving my arm to brace myself beside her, I gave Lon a kiss. Some reward for our play, for both of us.

Back at the Flagon, we washed and ate, and that was the last fun thing for the rest of the afternoon. The dresser we hired was rude about most of our clothing. Some was 'salvageable,' but I could feel my snarl as I tried to read the one book that Cas said I had to, as that dresser separated Lon's clothing into the two piles. Mine got the same treatment next, then Cas's.

"If you must keep them, at least keep them in separate chests with your other travel gear," our employee said, almost asking for a fat lip.

Once he'd finished with that, he unpacked the new costumes, saying, "I anticipate within a tenday, you will have enough clothing for daily use." Displaying them briefly before putting them away, he soon left for his own dinner and freedoms.

We were finally free for the others' visit to trade information, and this guy was going to be a pain in the ass.

I asked Cas and Lon while we moved the food for meeting the others, "You sure we can't take off for somewhere else, like the High Forest? I hear they have lots of... trees, as well as some infernals for Cas to smite."

Lon looked unhappy, and shook her head. Finally she said, "I'd prefer a home, even if I wander from it sometimes. If I had to go, would be different. Not that I'd force you, either of you, to stay if you have something you need elsewhere."

"I would not want to leave Lather and his allies operating here, before I would even consider travel," Casavir admitted.

"There is that," I agreed. "Also, there aren't that many Luskans to hunt there."

--- x ---

A/N: Thanks to my beta reader, who's been kind enough to point out some things. Any typos that remain are not intentional... Reviews or even a PM to let me know what you think would be very appreciated.