Back at the Longtooth Inn, after the group had collected their spoils and reported to the captain that the troll had indeed been killed, Peren offering a large tooth as a token of the beast's demise. The captain paid them a thousand gold dragons, Olly feeling a bit sick as her companion took the money with eagerness.

As the elf looked at his payment he announced that they would celebrate that night and started ordering the innkeeper around for ale and a feast for his friends, throwing the money away on himself quickly. Olly excused herself from the group, tired from the fight and needing the time away from Peren that she could get. Ed watched as Olly walked away from the group, her head hanging as she slowly began taking off her gloves and armor as she ascended the stairs that would take her to their rooms. Before in the cave, she had seemed as big as the troll, but now watching her small frame go up the stairs, she seemed tiny, deflated almost.

"Hey holy savior!" Curio called out tossing him another beer "Drink up! You deserve it after your first battle with a stinking troll!"

Ed obliged and took a sip, but his thoughts turned inward, ignorant of the pleasantries with everyone, needing his own time to rest mentally.

He had been traveling for how long now? Months? Years even? It was hard to tell sometimes with Curio around. He had been the tieflings friend now for quite some time, getting into all kinds of trouble up and down the Sword Coast. He had met Curio saving the dumb gambler from a poor bet he had made outside of Waterdeep, the Bard still trying to smooth talk his way out of the hanging that a crowd had come to see. Ed had stood up for Curio, even vouched for him that he was not a gambler like everyone said (although to be perfectly honest, only Curio could fold a hand so quick you'd never know he had switched the cards) and being a Cleric of Pelor, wasn't he one to trust?

As it turns out, the answer was pretty clear when they had let Curio down and the bard had pledged himself to be Ed's companion. Ed welcomed the company, he enjoyed solitude but traveling alone could be dangerous, and he was known to find danger without looking.

But now, the Cleric's attention was on the girl that had snuck away upstairs, and the more ale he drank with his companions, the more he began to ask questions.

"So how did you all meet Allana?" Ed said, comfortable now that Peren had started talking to some local elves and had strayed from their table. That one made his spine stand up straight and a fire burn in his veins with how he spoke and moved around people. Like a predator stalking prey.

"Well first off" Jeet said taking a long swig from his mug "You don't call her that. Don't ever be callin Olly her full name unless you want to get kicked in the teeth. That names apparently reserved. Call her Olly and you will have a chance of not getting hurt" he slurred almost laughing near the end "I saw a trainee at the Keep call her Allana once, and she flipped him over the wall. Before he knew what hit him, he was sinking in the river under the Moonbridge."

"We met her in Silverymoon, where we also trained at Arrowmoor Keep. Her father takes only a few recruits every season, but you always have to check ahead which season that actually is. When we went, it was the fall and the Kingmaker had just gotten back from his duties with Olly and her brother" Enki said happy to tell the story "He took us in, and we trained under him and Olly for a few seasons before taking off on our own."

"Ah! The Kingmaker" Curio said waving his cup around "The Monster Hunter! The North Wind they call him since he is cold and quick, a shivering storm that creeps up on you and before you know it BAM! You are just another knick on his bedpost."

"Weylyn isn't that bad" Jeet laughed "He's tough as dragonglass, but he's not scary. He taught us enough that when I realized the Ranger life wasn't for me, he was happy to let me go to a local temple near Triboar that taught me all I know today. He's a good man, and his daughter is just like him, hell all of his children are. Olly and I have been friends for some time, although I will say I think I like her better when she's not around Peren."

"That elf is a bigger ass than a hobgoblin" Ed laughed "And I've met some pretty mean hobgoblins."

"Yea but Peren knows his stuff" Enki said slurping down his mead through his long beak "I've seen that sorcerer do things most wouldn't. He's got talent, but he's a little on the edge personally. I will admit, he is a bit rough on Olly, but it's not our business right?"

"Right" Jeet said nodding, as if the two had their conversation many times before. Ed watched the two exchange a look and peek around, just to be sure Peren wasn't in earshot. It bothered Ed watching his own friends walk on eggshells around the elf.

Ed couldn't help but think of her, ask about her. The moment he had seen her in the stable, the sunset hitting her hair and the smell of orchids as she passed by, it wasn't hard to want to know about her. Her family name was legend, but seeing her in person solidified any rumor he had heard about them. She moved like a air elemental, smooth and light, and those eyes made him think of what heaven must look like...

Ed could remember being a child, sneaking off from the Pelorian temple into the local village to hear stories of the Duer's. He would find himself seated with the crowd, a local farmer or two recognizing him and pushing him to the front to hear the adventurer that had taken refuge in the small village tavern. There he would sit, listening to the wild tales people would say. He remembered the story of Weylyn Duer's blessed children, the children of the Celestials. One of the storm, one of the fire, and one of the flood, that's what was always repeated from every newcomer that would make their way into his village.

His favorite story was the one where Weylyn Duer took on the Cloud Giants, the Ranger famous for having not only found the sky castle that the giants were rumored to live on, but how he dismantled the leader, letting him fall to the ground and killing him, a tyranny ended for the region the giants dominated.

Then after hearing the tales at the tavern, Ed would sneak back to the temple, a cathedral of white arches and stain glass windows, a wide open structure so that when dawn came and Pelor's light shined through those windows, you knew he was there and real. Not that Ed had any doubts, he knew his god was real, he lived in the soil and the sky, he was all around...

"So you think he'll go up tonight with her?" Ed suddenly overheard Curio talk in a spirited whisper. It was a hot, spitting whisper that meant scandal talk.

"I don't know, I don't think I should ask, it's weird" Jeet said shaking his head with a laugh "I mean, do you want someone asking you what your plans are when you take a girl to bed?"

Ed could feel his face flush a bit, knowing they were talking about Peren and Olly together. It wasn't his business, and he didn't care of course, but hearing them talk like that made him feel a bit ill. His drank a large gulp as the words passed between his companions, but felt the woozy spin that came from drinking too much too fast.

"I'm gunna step out mate" Ed said patting Curio on the shoulder "The ale's getting to me."

"Pussy" Curio jested before nodding, happy to go back to the scandalous conversation of whether Peren and Olly were to couple together tonight.

"I heard it hasn't happened in weeks, maybe months" he speculated but Ed quickly walked away, not wanting to know. Instead, the fresh air felt fantastic, a cool fall breeze livening up the night air.

He needed the air, breathed it in deep after being in that cavern all night and day looking for the troll den. Now it was a fresh night, happy music and laughter filling the air from the inside of the tavern. It was a good night, a calm night, one that you use to celebrate the hard work of the daylight. But as Edric stepped out and looked back up at the tavern's second and third story, he saw a single light in the darkness, the party below still full with patrons of the inn. Ed knew it was Olly up there, all alone, thinking about the day.

The way he face looked when Peren had dissolved the body...

He shook his head, trying to get the image of it out. His heart had broken, he knew it as he watched her cry. He felt sympathy and was empathetic, but never as much as this. When he had heard her cry, it reminded him of his own cries as a child, alone and scared...

"Stop it" he scolded himself "You are just star struck is all. She's a beautiful young woman, how many of those do you see a day hmmmm? You've just been on the road too long."

As he rationalized with himself so his feelings did not run astray, he turned up towards the stars, the ones that were said to be a guide to all that were lost. He had never been taught to read the stars, a navigator he was not, usually leaving the directions up to whoever he was with at the time. Now staring up at them, he admired how many things the stars were used for like navigation, guidance, stories...

It was then he realized that someone was standing on the roof of the tavern.

"What the hell-" he began as he scooted back staring up at the figure that was standing perfectly still on the roof, staring up at the stars...

"Olly?" he whispered as the girl stood there looking up at the stars. He watched her begin to bend and feared she might jump off the roof, his body bracing to run to catch her should she leap. Instead he watched her bend down, sitting on the shingles of the tavern, her legs scrunched up to her head, arms wrapped around tightly like a child. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, happy that the night was not going to turn too dark. Why was she up on the roof in the first place?

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Olly could see the crowd below her, but chose to look up and think about everything that had happened lately. She knew she couldn't go on much longer with Peren, her heart heavy with confusion, sadness, just...everything. He had become a stranger to her mind, her body, and her heart. She no longer knew the man that wanted to share her hand and her bed. But what other choice did she have right now?

"What should I do" she mused to herself, staring at the village below her that seemed so quiet outside of the Trollclaw Ford, not noticing the small frame of the Cleric staring up at her from below "If I leave, he can always find me, no matter what, if I stay, he keeps doing exactly as he likes."

She stared up at the clear sky, watching a silent cloud pass every now and then, wishing she too could be up there. She couldn't fly yet, although her wings would come and go with her power, she couldn't control them for actual flight. How long had she looked up at the sky and dreamt about going through those clouds like a knife through butter? She wished for the freedom, the cold air on her skin and the wind in her hair as she would fly. She wished more than anything she could...

Ed had managed to sneak upstairs to his own room in the tavern, letting open the window to the fresh night air. He had ditched his armor, wanting a little more stealth for this endeavor. He knew it was foolish to go up on the roof, but he feared for the Ranger's safety that high up. He knew her mind was in a troubled place, and he would ease it if he could...

He started to climb out his window, the rafters rather large so his footing was comfortable. He began to reach for the next set of rafters that led to the main roof. Maybe he could get her down, talk to her, see what he could do to help...

"What are you doing?" he heard her exasperated voice above him, making him freeze on the spot.

What should he say? What could he say?

"Oh hey there, come here on top of the tavern roof much?" or "Nice weather we are having out here and I was definitely not spying on you."...

"You are the great daughter of Weylyn Duer" he heard her say above him "Who does he think he is bossing you around?"

"Oh thank gods" Ed thought to himself as he sighed deeply "She's talking to herself..."

He knew he shouldn't listen, that he should turn around, but he was just a curious man after all...

"Why does it always end like this? Same story, Olly says no, Peren says yes, Olly argues, Peren wins the fight, Olly apologizes for something she didn't do, Peren gets what he wants. It's exhausting" she heard herself say, happy to at least get it out.

Sure she may look crazy, but she was so lonely and these thoughts plagued her, she needed to release in some way. To put it in the air so something would listen to her for once.

Ed listened selfishly to her, trying to empathize with her feelings. He too had felt that way, not with a lover, but many mentors he had once trusted. He knew how it felt to be twisted and manipulated...

"I just want so much" she sighed "I want it to be different, I want an adventure. I want a love like my parents, something true and pure. I want a friend in this world. I want a lot of things, but most of all, I want to be free. Truly free" her heart started to quicken as she came to her realization "I just want to be free, free to love who I want, free to go where I please and do what I want to do! I want to go all across the world and see things nobody has ever seen before. I want to see the sun rise over a new horizon, and the moon set over a beach I've never been to. I want to hold somebody's hand and not feel so alone in this world, I want to laugh again and smile like I used to. I want to not feel so guilty about wanting so much..."

Ed blinked and realized he had been frozen in place listening to her, his body growing stiff against the cold air so high above the settlement. He had been holding his breath listening to her words, feeling her words, the vowels and verbs settling somewhere in his soul as they escaped her own heart.

How many times had he sung that own song to himself? How many times had he stared up at the stars and thought about wanting more than this life that had been determined for him? Her words had struck him to his very core, as if his own mouth had spoke them so many times into the night like she was doing, maybe not exactly word for word, but he had pleaded into the night for something to be different, something to happen to him, a sign for what he was supposed to do.

All those lonely nights as a boy, staring through the stained glass windows, wishing for something great to happen to him...

"But what am I going to do?" Olly could feel her chest tightening, the tears starting to come as she felt the helplessness "He's got this stupid thing on me, and I can't get away. I can't even get my money from him if I wanted to! If only I could just..." but her voice trailed off, not actually knowing what to do to get away from him. She felt the tied piece of black ribbon, magically bound around her neck, not a promise anymore, but a collar.

Where could she go? He could follow her anywhere, he had so many connections through Faerun, it would be impossible to lay low somewhere without him showing up. Maybe it was better to stay and just sleep this all off?

"No" she hissed at herself, making Ed below freeze once again as he tried to creep back into the safety of his own window "You don't need him Allana. What would your father say? You don't need anybody, right?" her voice had gotten weak near the end, her musings quiet now that she turned internally "You can do this on your own..."

Ed waited a moment, and then went into his rooms, taking a moment to breathe and think about what he had just heard.

If he already didn't like the elf before, he really didn't like him now. He didn't like how Peren treated Olly, nor did he like that she seemed so conflicted about needing him. From what he had seen, the Ranger could take the elf and then some, but he knew that the affairs of the heart could overcome any kind of physical strength. It didn't stop Ed from hating the apathy that came from the high elf's voice when addressing her, or the unloving way he stared at her when she wasn't looking...

"It's not my business" he repeated to himself, his own musings now needing to be said out loud "You just met them for Pelor's sake, you don't need to get into a problem you haven't been asked to help with."

But wasn't there pain in her voice just now? He could hear the other voice inside of him asking him the questions he knew should be asked. Yes, there was pain, years of it that he could hear in her voice. He could feel the war raging within herself. Why else would she seek solitude way up high away from everyone and everything?

Aren't Clerics supposed to help and heal the injured? Yes, that was the way of Pelor, much like the way of the Ranger, and he desperately wanted to help the Ranger on the roof. She was a good person, she was kind and brave and he had only known her for a day or two, but it was clear to him what she was really like. She was being treated unfairly, badly even, and it warranted his involvement.

"You need to do this right" Ed said to himself "If you are going to be the Cleric, you need to act like one. Everything else aside, only focus on helping and healing. Offer your assistance, and if she turns it down forget about it."

The idea in his head sounded good, but hearing himself say it, he hoped his resolve would be just as strong as he made it out to be. Nodding to himself, he sealed the deal to help Olly if she wold take it.

Olly on the other hand, finally began to feel the chill of the night air, and gingerly walked along the roof once more till she found her window for their lodgings and snuck in, like she had never left to begin with. It was getting late in the night, and maybe if she fell asleep fast she wouldn't have to endure Peren's advances. As she moved in the luxurious room, the pine wood floors below her creaking with her bare footsteps, she filled a bowl of fresh water from a pitcher to clean her face of the tears she had been silently crying above. The golden mirror hanging on the wall above the bowl showed Olly's puffy face, that swollen redness of her nose and lips that made her think she was pathetic for crying over someone that seemed to care so little for her...

Moving the bowl over to the window so she wouldn't have to look at her reflection, Olly splashed the water on her face, letting it drip down to mask more tears that seemed to want to join their siblings.

"Allana" she heard a voice whisper in the air. The words felt fire burning in her mind and blood as she darted her head up.

Olly quickly wiped the water from her face, on high alert as she turned around, a dagger quick in her hand as she checked the room fast.

"Olly?" the voice whispered again, and this time Olly recognized it.

"Mama?" Olly called out confused. It was her mother's voice, calm and warm like a hot bath.

"Olly the water" the voice whispered again. Olly stared at the bowl of water and realized she had moved it into the moonlight. Moonwater, a small way of communicating between druids, she had forgotten.

"Mama is that you?" Olly moved over to the bowl ,watching it shimmer and glow now that Olly was staring directly into it.

"Allana can you hear me? Can you see me?" the water reverberated with her voice, a gentle face appearing in the water like a clouded reflection. She saw her mother's deep brown eyes clear in the water, although the rest of her features seemed blurry.

"I can hear you Mama" she said looking at the water. She was amazed her mother could talk to her through the bowl of water, a makeshift moonwell that could only be done with the highest magic. Usually one would have to communicate through a body of natural water, but it seemed that the fresh spring water was enough for her mother to fulfill the enchantment.

"Olly listen carefully because I don't have a lot of time" her mother's voice grew sturdy, even, as if her intent was on this message so the magic grew stronger "I can't find Nole."

Olly felt her heart drop "What do you mean you can't find him?"

"I can't sense him, usually I know where all of you children are, but last night I couldn't sense Nole. He's vanished from my sight, your father doesn't know where he could have gone" her mother's voice called out and Olly knew the gravity of her mother's words.

Jentess Duer could see past, present, and future, there wasn't a lot that she couldn't see with her gift, so for her brother to just be gone was not a good omen. The last time this happened, Atticus had disappeared...

"I'll go after him" Olly assured her mother "I'll gather my things and tell Peren and we will head out immediately. We went to the Trollclaws, but I can go wherever, it doesn't matter. Do you know where he could have headed at all?"

"The only place I can think of is Triboar, but that is just a guess. You know this doesn't sit well with me just guessing where your little brother could be..." her mother's voice growing weaker "He just...disappeared. Your sisters are doing their best to locate him, but your father can't leave..."

"I know Mama" Olly said trying to remain strong "I'll find him, and then I'll bring him home. I promise."

"Be careful my love" her mother's voice whispered before fading completely from the enchanted water that quickly lost it's shimmer and returned to normal.

Olly took a couple of deep breaths to stifle her panic. What kind of deep magic had taken another one of her brothers, and this time would she really be able to get him back?