The Time of Goodbyes
- "Winski, how..."
- "Sarevok, I..."
- "Really, beloved ones. Eat your pancakes, they are no good cold. We have all the time in the world to ask questions later," Jelena said.
- "Yes yes yes! Pretty goody-two-shoeses lady say goodgoodgood advice! Sarevok listens to!" Cespenar nodded and scowled at Sarevok and Winski, who obediently fell silent and resumed eating their pancakes. The party off to Kara-Tur had already gathered together, as the remainder of Peri's group sat and ate as their own formation. Irenicus declined the pancakes and stood alone, confused, until Ilmater went to him and started to talk with him in a quiet voice. As was her wont, the solar just observed.
- "Now is the time of goodbyes," the solar said, "All of you will be teleported to your native plane, to the location you have ties to. Keldorn Firecam, faithful servant of Torm. Where do you wish to go?"
- "Of that I have no doubt," Keldorn said in that deep voice of his. "I wish to go to Athkathla, to finally be with my family."
- "Say your goodbyes then, and your wish will be granted."
- "Peri, I am glad that you made the right choice. You are not an evil woman, just... scary. Don't ever let the honor of your spirit die," Keldorn said.
- "Keldy, thanks for being the annoying, nagging dad figure," Peri answered and highfived the old paladin, who returned the gesture somewhat clumsily.
- "And Sarevok, being a part of your changing your ways is one of my greatest reasons of pride," he continued. "You are a noble and good man now, and can do much with your skills. Fare well."
- "Fare well, Keldorn. I wish you well."
And then he was gone.
- "Korgan Bloodaxe, mercenary par excellence, an accidental tool of goodness in this matter. Where do you wish to go?"
- "Har! Wherever the business be good... nay, mayhaps Underdark. Take over a clan of me own..." Korgan grinned.
The solar sighed.
- "Say your goodbyes then."
- "Kinda dumb of ye not take the power, Peri, but the immortality nay be a bad deal either... been great fun. Visit me if ye happen to be back to Faerun and we go kick some more Demogorgon ass! And Immy, ye be a good lass too!" He hugged both of the girls, or rather their waists.
- "Have fun, Korgy! Of course you will," Peri smiled.
- "And ye Sarevok me be swearing I'll never understand. But ye're the scariest warrior on the face of the Toril, and that be coming from Korgan Bloodaxe," the dwarf said in a serious tone.
- "I appreciate it, dwarf. I wish you well."
- "Minsc, the most pure-hearted of you all. A berserker of Rasheman. Where do you wish to go?"
- "And Boo! Boo is a miniature giant space hamster!"
- "Of course." The solar's weariness seemed to increase gradually.
Minsc, confused, consulted Boo, who was cupped in his hands. Then he lifted his head.
- "Boo and Minsc want to go to see pretty Nalia in her castle!"
- "Say your goodbyes, and you will be teleported to... castle D'Arnise."
- "Minsc is sad to part ways with old friends... but Boo says he should go see pretty Nalia."
- "I think it will be fine, Minsc. She is perhaps not the brat she was any more," Peri said, recalling the young noble woman magician they had helped out, "and can find you a nice job. Thank you for everything. We will come to visit you sometime, perhaps."
- "Now Minsc knows Sarevok firmly kicks the butt of evil," Minsc bellowed encouragingly.
- "I am pleased. Fare well."
- "Edwin Odesseiron, a former Red Wizard and now a free agent. Sarade Zaravhan, a cleric of Azuth and a Netherese specialist. Two young people in love. Where do you wish to go?"
- "What about the part of my unmatched arcane power and intel..."
- "Edwin, will you shut up for now," Sarade whispered. "We wish to go to Halruaa, to be married."
- "Very well, say your goodbyes."
- "I am unsure how you simians will be able to manage without my arcane power if those stories of wu jens of Kara-Tur have any truth to them... but perhaps this wizard of Sarevok's is good for something."
- "I like you too, Edwin. Thanks for everything, and Sarade, you were a godsend," Peri said.
- "What about m..."
- "Wizard, I must say that while you can be quite aggravating, I am beginning to see why my sister finds you amusing, and why a lady like Sarade could fall in love with you. I wish you two the best possible happiness in your marriage," Sarevok said, that little smile in the corner of his mouth.
- "Now the old friends are back home, and the one you promised a soul remains."
Indeed. Everyone turned to face Irenicus. Next to Ilmater, he was weeping silently.
