- "I had quite forgotten how it feels to have hair that is not greasy," Winski said, running his other hand through the object of the remark. He was gazing at the scrying ball, seeing Allonia's happy face.
- "Yeah, well, it is damn hot here in Calimport too. But seeing as I have visited Icewind Dale, I'm not really complaining," she answered.
- "And I suppose you can wash yourself on a regular basis?"
- "That is one luxury I am rather keen on."
- "It was simply not an option," Winski said. "But never mind me... the stubborn child was heavily pregnant at the end!"
- "Oh yes! The double-crossing pirate, right?" Allonia laughed. "That kid is going to have some interesting genes. Is it due any time soon?"
- "Jelena is just checking on her... it won't be long any more, and a good thing too. She tries to hold on to her dignity, but being physically more helpless than usually really gets to her and everyone can feel the tension. She is also irritable as hell."
- "Well, fill me in as soon as the kid pops out."
- "Certainly. How's Ali?"
- "Much better. His parents want to talk with you guys as well."
- "Ah. If there is something I don't handle well, it is gratitude," Winski said miserably.
- "Hey - it would mean a lot to them."
- "Oh all right. I will let Jelena do the talking," Winski sighed.
- "So what has Sarevok been up to?"
- "He spends a lot of time with Peri, supporting her... and walks around the outskirts of the city, moping about Tamoko. He has also befriended the commander of the local garrison and her son after a fashion. They are apprehensive of that warlord whose alleged troops attacked us in the desert."
- "Hm, whatever else can be said about that girl she has got some balls. Nomad of some scattered tribe and then she up and plans an attack on the greatest and oldest nation of the whole Toril."
- "Well, we do not know for a fact if that is what she plans. And frankly, if that happens, I hope we are already on the move. I would rather not get involved with the politics."
- "Yeah... don't blame you. Whatever you do, someone's gonna be pissed off. How do you like the place so far?"
- "Well, this is a rather forlorn little garrison city - they don't even have a library!" Winski said, genuine indignation in his voice. "There are some wu jen, namely the local wizards, working for the garrison, but they never leave it and I am under the impression that they are interested only in applying the Art rather than studying it. So, there is another reason I would want to move on. I would love to meet some genuine scholars, to experiment and search their libraries."
- "Just tell Jelena to take care that you remember to eat and sleep when you get that far," Allonia laughed. "Myself, I am just building a network of contacts. I didn't mention my profession to Ali's parents, but they have been helpful nonetheless."
- "Right, friend. Good time of the day for you... it is evening here."
- "The same, Winski. These scrying balls are really cool!"
The connection was broken, and Winski put the ball back to the shelf. He flexed in the armchair and reached for his spellbook. After living for a while without his magic, studying the spells had never felt like a chore any more. Every time the feeling of understanding and mastering it, feeling it humming and singing in his blood filled him with purpose and joy. According to a very superficial and general treatise on Kara-Turan magic, the spells were not organized in schools of magic like in Faerun. The wu jen studied elements, the physical stuff the very world was created of, and the spells were divided according to which element the wu jen was manipulating. Winski was tremendously curious and couldn't wait to study that in depth. He sighed, when Jelena entered, carrying a tray of tea, the green jasmine-scented tea the Shou were so fond of.
- "Beloved," she smiled and put the cups on a table, sitting opposite to Winski.
- "Wife," Winski smiled back, his voice so full of tenderness when uttering the simple word. "How is Peri?"
- "Fine. Healthy. Anxious."
- "How long still?"
- "The baby could be born anytime now. An Mah is frantic, barely daring to sleep," Jelena smiled. An Mah was the name of their innkeep.
- "I must confess I am very excited. I have never had anything to do with infants before..." Winski said.
- "You will have abundant chances to change nappies and sing to it," Jelena fondly said.
Winski walked behind her and massaged gently her shoulders. He pressed his face to her hair, breathing deep. Then he lowered his head, starting to lightly suck the earlobes, Jelena purring softly like a kitten.
- "Come," she said, and led him to the bed.
