Prawn Lo'Shan

The port of Telflamm was by far the busiest and most uplifting by atmosphere Peri ever recalled seeing. The independent city state controlled the access from Golden Way to the Sea of Fallen Stars, which had made it both very rich and full of life, business and entertainment. Silks, tea, porcelain vases, spice and rice from the far east Kara-Tur were carried under the decks of ships due West, and Faerunian goods in turn were packed into caravans ready to start their long journey to the exotic East. The happy chatter of the sailors, street peddlers and fishers filled the air. Fresh winds waved Peri's hair.

- "So this is goodbye then," Saemon said, looking Peri in the eye.

- "So it is," Peri said evenly, feeling a little bit blue. The journey across the sea had been a nice affair for her. Every night they would play and sing with the band, gamble with the crew of the ship, and then share some nightly fun in Saemon's cabin. It had lifted her spirits somewhat, for the comfort her body got out of it made her feel that there was something more primal and more eternal than all the complications and pains a human soul can be in. The rest of the family had accepted the fling with silent resignation, Sarevok on edge but behaving.

- "Ye wouldn't want to become a corsair queen, lass?"

- "Nah... I belong together with my family," Peri smiled. She didn't point out that any longtime partnership with Saemon was a risky bet at best. "I have enjoyed the trip much and I am grateful that you gave me something nice for change. It made me feel better. But now it is time to move on, leave for Kara-Tur. I don't think I'm coming back."

- "Well. There's a time for everything. Then let me give ye something to remember ol' Saemon by."

He clipped diamond jewels in Peri's earlobes. Of course they were fake, or if they weren't, they were stolen. But all the same Peri felt touched.

- "Thanks! I will have fond memories of this short time we spent together. Here, have this."

It was a jeweled dagger from which of the dungeons Peri had looted she couldn't remember. Saemon thanked her, and both of them stood awkward, not knowing what to say. After all, they had spent some time very intimately, and knew they wouldn't in all likelihood ever see each other again.

- "I hate complicated goodbyes," Peri said. "Let's just kiss the last time and be gone."

So they did. Then Peri waved and winked, walking away, not looking back.

She found her family from a seashore restaurant with a balcony overlooking the sea. It served Kara-Turan food, and they had decided to try it in advance. The waiters and waitresses were all Kara-Turan, dressed in beautiful silks. The wooden panels were painted red and gold, and there were silken gobelins depicting bamboo croves, snow-capped mountains and temples with pagodas. There were red and white paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Peri had never seen anything like that, and the food smelled lovely, spicy, dark and rich. She watched the strange beauty of it for a good moment before she joined her family.

- "Hi!" she said and sat down. "What are we eating?"

- "Er... sweet and sour pork, chicken with red peanut sauce and... what was it... prawn Lo'Shan," Imoen said. "So you just... said goodbye."

- "So I did. That's what happens when people part ways."

- "But are you not sad? Do you not miss him, even if it's Saemon? In my books the maiden always misses the pirate..." Imoen sounded confused.

Peri laughed.

- "There is a lot of crap in your books. I may sorta miss him, the same way I miss Korgan, or Keldorn, or other people I spent time with and don't any more. Nothing more romantic than that. I knew from the beginning it is the trip to Telflamm and then I move on. He's not exactly husband material, you know."

- "I don't think I could... I would want to be really in love and plan a wedding and children..."

Peri smiled and stroked Imoen's cheek.

- "You are Immy, and I am Peri. We are different. You are fine the way you are."

Imoen smiled back.

- "I am glad that Havarian didn't try to betray or deceive you," Sarevok said in a very serious tone.

Peri shrugged.

- "I guess there was nothing to gain... and who knows, perhaps he liked me enough so that it would make a difference. Or not. Anyway, who wouldn't feel safe with you in the same contained space?" she said, smiling slyly at Sarevok.

The large warrior put his arm around his red-headed sister.

The waitress carried plates of divine-smelling food into the table. She set the dishes on warmed plates. There were vegetables and meat cut in small pieces, the colors matching each other, in delicious sauce. In a large bowl there was steamed rice.

- "Excuse me," Sarevok said after a while, very politely.

- "Yes, sir?" asked the waitress.

- "What are these... sticks, and where are the forks?" He held two very helpless-looking wooden sticks cupped in his enormous hand.

- "We eat with chopsticks in Kara-Tur," the waitress explained. "I can fetch forks, if you like..."

- "Oh no, no. We decided to eat in the Kara-Turan way so I will eat with these."

After half an hour Sarevok was growling.

- "I swear there must be a layer in Abyss where you are hungry and have to eat your food with these god-cursed things!"

- "Sarevok... perhaps you should give up... I mean, you have already broken five pairs," Jelena timidly suggested.

- "NO!"

- "But... if I take a fork too?" Peri said. Sarevok grudgingly nodded.

As the food was delicious, his mood improved soon as the forks were carried to the table.