"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were happy!" Imoen said with an exaggerated smile.
David noticed the relief on his friends' faces and knew that he had been really unreasonable. He couldn't let that stand. "Listen, guys…I guess I just went on an extended self-pity leave. I'm really sorry that it had to involve you."
Sarevok looked up from his breakfast. "Think nothing of it, brother. If anyone in this party has gone on an extended leave of morality, it would most definitely be me. You are an admirable person…I'm not so sure I would have chosen as you did."
Everyone knew what Sarevok had meant by that. Valygar had to laugh softly. Being the good-upholding ranger that he was, he wasn't at all happy with the inclusion of Sarevok in the party. As he recalled, neither, at the time, was Sarevok.
That had all changed, though. David had done the impossible—during Sarevok's time with the party, his set of values had made a complete turnaround. Free of the childhood burden that he came to realize wasn't his fault, he was as good a party member as any of them.
Keldorn stood up. "Well, seeing as how our esteemed party leader has regained his will to adventure…" everyone snickered at that, "…let's deal with the situation at Watcher's Keep. I hear that Helm has sent a plea far and wide for able men to come in his need…I can think of no abler men than ourselves."
Sarevok looked pointedly at Imoen. "It looks as if, Sir Keldorn, you have excluded at least one of our friends from your noble endeavor."
Blushing, Keldorn murmured a quick, "My humblest apologies, Lady," and went to his quarters to 'try on his new armor'.
The whole table roared with laughter, and it doubled when Keldorn found the source of it; Imoen had loosely pinned a dagger to his leather jerkin.
When it died down enough, they could hear faint muttering about the lowly living conditions of Paladins these days.
Shaking his head, David had the traditional group poll. "What do you say, people? To Watcher's Keep, or to another week of dry humor and luxurious living quarters?"
Imoen leaned back in her chair. "I don't know…after having been through the Irenicus Era, I could get used to living like this."
David looked off distantly. "I don't think that I could…"
Taking his Sword of Grief off out of the closet, Sarevok put a hand on David's his shoulder. If there's one person in this group that understands you, brother, it's me.
After a few minutes of getting outfitted, the old friends and companions made their way to Watcher's Keep with the sweet taste of adventure guiding their steps.