Peri was keeping watch at the deck of the Vagabond. The priests of Tymora had been taking the children away once in a while, and it seemed to go well. She was pleased. There was another person approaching the ship, a woman with predatory gait. As she approached further, Peri registered auburn long hair and grey level eyes. She wasn't young anymore, probably well over forty, but she still looked agile, quick and lethal. In spite of the crow feet in the corners of her eyes she looked attractive because of her lively face and strong, muscular body. Peri assumed she was another Tymoran and approached her warily, her sword drawn.
- "You have the codeword?" she asked.
- "Nope. But I have the information that Winski Perorate and Sarevok Anchev are on this ship," the woman answered, and Peri's eyes narrowed.
- "Do not take one false step," she said.
- "I wouldn't, girl," the woman chuckled. "I came here because I want to find out if it is indeed true. I am an old friend."
Peri's laugh was bitter and derisive.
- "Someone lied to you about being a friend before, huh?" the woman asked, still seemingly amused which was rare for strangers in Peri's company.
- "You could indeed say that," Peri said, not smiling. "Winski!" she called, knowing that the mage was on the deck at the other side of the deck.
Winski's footsteps came closer, then stopped altogether and Peri heard him gasp. The woman also had turned her gaze to Winski and looked at him in disbelief, joy and tears mixing on her face. Then they ran to each other and hugged, deeply, for a long time.
Peri sheathed her sword.
- "It seems she is for real," she said.
- "Oh yes," Winski said, his face alight with joy. "Allonia Jaccion, an assassin extraordinaire and my old, best friend. Peri of Candlekeep, Sarevok's sister. You might have heard of her. If it wasn't for Allonia, Peri, all of us would be dead now - me, Jelena, Sarevok..."
- "Well, there is that little detail I meant to ask you of," Allonia said. "I was under the impression that you were indeed dead. They said that they killed you in Baldur's Gate - you and Sarevok both. And not only that - that it was this Peri here who did it."
- "It is true. It is a bit complicated," Winski smiled. "Normally I would live at the Planes, but Jelena has this post-mortal job as a priestess and I am traveling with her and we have an assignment on the material plane. And Peri resurrected Sarevok and..."
- "Whoa! Slow down. You know, I have only this tiny scope of a person who lives her time on the Toril and passes to the unknown, where people normally don't return to tell their tales from."'
- "Understandable. Come on in! Sarevok will want to meet you too."
- "Um, Allonia? How did you find out about them being here? We are kind of in the middle of something discreet here," Peri said.
- "I have my contacts. I have been an assassin around Sembia and Cormyr for decades. And not only that, I have been tracking the rumors, hoping to find out if my dear friends indeed have returned back from death."
Peri nodded, satisfied.
- "Sorry, I am a bit edgy right now. I will have to stand guard now, but we will chat later," she said, and Winski and Allonia disappeared under the deck where the rest of the party was keeping company to the children.
- "If there was one thing that could make me happier still it is this," Winski said sincerely. "There has been so much... I don't know where to begin. Oh! Don't you ever call Sarevok Anchev. He gets upset... though I think he'd forgive you."
- "So what are you?" Allonia frowned. "You seem similar... you are flesh and blood and bone... but there is something different as well."
- "I am what everyone will become once they die and go to the Planes. An immortal spirit. Though if it wasn't for Jelena I would probably be little more than half-ethereal, anguished wraith in Hades at the moment. And you? Are you still with the Throne?"
- "Oh, good gods no. I lost my appetite for that organization long before they sent assassins after you two, and when they offered the job for me I quit. Actually it is much more fun to be a freelancer. Did you really plan to... start a war so that... Sarevok would become a god?" Allonia's expression was incredulous.
- "Er. That is a phase of my life I prefer not to talk about," Winski said, blushing.
- "By Mask. What happened to your brain, Winski? And hey, this is your old pal. I want to hear it all. But I have also heard very conflicting stuff about the company you keep. Others say you are demonic troublemakers of demigod-like proportion, others that you are a force of good, and that Sarevok is looking for redemption."
- "I will tell you about it all. But look... I have a familiar now. Her name is Twiggy."
Allonia regarded Winski's childlike expression as he presented the coiled adder in his hand, a mixture of pride and love. She smiled. She had got her friend back.
