Chapter 4: New Roads
It was getting late in Shadowdale as Lhaeo the Scribe rushed about in his office to gather things up for the evening. He was still working hard, but due to some minor disputes and other difficulties, things had kept him away from his writing. Lhaeo was just thinking to himself about how he'd throttle the next person to bang on his door, when someone banged on his door. Visibly irritated, the scribe went to the door and quickly pulled it open. He was about to tell the knocker to come back tomorrow, when he stopped to better look at the two figures at the door. One was a bleary-eyed man wearing blue and silver robes, and the other was a figure hidden beneath a cloak and hood of living blue flame.
Lhaeo was slightly taken aback at the unusual sight, and asked, "Are you in need of something, sir?"
The priest shook his head, "I am fine, it is my companion who needs help right now..." The figure in the cloak pulled back the hood. Lhaeo's eyes widened as Willow looked up at him, face streaked with tears, and lips trembling with the coming of another fit of sobs. He stuttered at the sight, and searched for words, "W-what, what happened?"
The priest moved forward slightly, "She has been through a horrible experience, and I would like it if you could find someone from the town to help her. I am Bugoron Bearfang, a cleric of Selune. I assume you know this young woman?"
Lhaeo looked at Bugoron, "Why yes, this is Douglas's daughter, Willow, but tell me, good priest, why are you with her, and not he?"
Bugoron frowned, "Let us inside and you will be told everything, but first, she needs somewhere to rest, and some hot food would also help. Is Elminster around, by chance?"
Lhaeo frowned as well, "I am afraid my master is not here at the moment, he has been gone for several days, and I was informed he would gone several more, but you are welcome to stay here as long as you need."
The Moonpriest was visibly relieved at the words, letting out a deep breath and saying, "Thank you." As they made their way into the scribe's inner rooms, Bugoron whispered to Lhaeo not to ask about how they had came to this place until Willow was asleep or they could talk privately, to which the scribe readily agreed. Lhaeo led them into a small dining room and left to send a runner for some hot food from the kitchen. While the scribe was absent, Willow absently sat in her chair, staring at nothing in particular. Bugoron wished he had more words to help comfort the poor young woman, but so much had been taken from her in such a short time, that he had used all of his words, and they still were not enough, it seemed. He looked about the room, filled with expensive furniture: polished oak chairs and a matching table, cabinets by the wall nearest the door, no doubt full of fancy plates and cutlery. The priest looked to the walls and noted the carvings etched into the wooden surface. Scenes of all different sorts were shown, from magnificent battles to sagacious wizards. Bugoron hadn't much time to examine the rest of the room, when Lhaeo came back with a plate of food, still warm from the kitchen. He quickly grabbed a silver spoon from the cabinet, and it and the bowl in front of Willow. The young woman simply looked up at Lhaeo, then to Bugoron, and finally down at the bowl of food, taking the spoon and quietly beginning to eat. The priest saw the look in her eyes, and knew she was more than thankful, but she just couldn't express it. What had happened to Willow was just too much for her to take in all at once, and what she needed more than anything was time and love from her friends. Bugoron shot a look to Lhaeo and glanced at the adjacent room when he'd caught the scribe's attention. The priest looked at Willow, smiled weakly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, and left her to eat, as he and Lhaeo went into the next room. He proceeded to tell Lhaeo about how he had met Willow and her father, their parting, and the attack on the road. It had taken Bugoron just over two days of non-stop traveling to bring the wagon into Shadowdale, during which time the priest refused all chance to sleep, using his healing magic to keep himself going. He told the scribe of the murder of her father, and of the attack on Willow. The priest assured him that the attacker had been "dealt with". Bugoron also mentioned that he had dug a grave off to the side of the road, away from traffic, for Douglas. His resting place, the priest told Lhaeo, was marked with a moonstone, and blessed by the Moonmaiden.
Lhaeo took in the news with a silence filled with sorrow, "It is beyond unfortunate and unfair for all of this to happen to such a happy child..."
Bugoron nodded slowly in agreement, "Indeed, and she needs people who can comfort her right now." He leaned over slightly, looking back at Willow, who was quietly picking away at her food, head down, eyes fixed on the bowl.
Lhaeo watched Bugoron for a moment, and then said quietly, "Perhaps we should move back inside with her, keep her company, sir?" The priest looked back and nodded to him, as the two started back into the room. As the half-elf's steel boots clanked on the floor, Willow suddenly turned to watch him come in. Her eyes looked to Bugoron with the expression of one whom gazed at their savior, after long standing suffering, and it pained the priest to see that look in her eyes. So different was this woman from just days before, now so tormented, destroyed and hollow.
Bugoron laid a gentle hand on Willow's shoulder, "I see you finished up the food, I'm glad to see that you were able to eat. You should get some rest now, you're exhausted."
Willow kept her eyes on him for a few moments, and then nodded slowly to him. As she lowered her gaze, her eyes fixed on the amulet adorning his neck, where her gaze lingered again for another few moments. She then rose quietly from her place at the table, and allowed Lhaeo to bring a servant to show her to her room. When the young woman left the room, Bugoron leaned against the wall, letting down all the mental barriers he had set up to ward off the exhaustion that was growing inside him.
Lhaeo looked to the half-elf in concern, "I believe that Willow is not the only one who needs sleep. Come, I will take you to a room as well, my friend." The scribe helped Bugoron along as he consented to Lhaeo's assistance. They walked up a set of ornate stairs to the second floor, where Lhaeo helped Bugoron to a door on the right side of the hallway. The half-elf was so exhausted that he could barely make out anything he looked at as he passed them. The scribe opened the door, and the priest walked inside the room. Bugoron thanked Lhaeo groggily and waited for him to leave the room before pulling off his robes. He took blue cotton under-breeches from his pack and slipped them on. He looked around, half in a daze, and wondered where his Mooncloak was. It took him a moment, but then he remembered that Willow was still wearing it when she had left the dining room. The half-elf didn't mind, it would help her stay warm through the night, and he could pick it up tomorrow. Bugoron pulled back the silk covers of the bed, crawled in slowly, covered himself up, and looked around.
He squinted his bleary vision and looked at the door, "Did I lock that?" he wondered. He pondered the question only for a short time, deeming it an unnecessary precaution. Bugoron was, after all, sleeping in the house of Elminster, thus he figured there was little chance of anything happening simply because he had not locked his door. He looked at his pack, resting on the chair beside the bed, and then turned in the bed, to look at the lone candle giving light to the room. He quickly blew out the candle and drifted into sleep.
In the stark silence of her quarters, Willow lay curled in her bed, sheets pulled tightly over her. She tried desperately to sleep, but the darkness made an ideal canvas on which her nightmares were being painted. Images of her father sprawled back on his back with lifeless eyes staring at her, the horrible man that had killed him and tried to rape her. Thoughts ran through her head about what might have happened if Bugoron hadn't shown up in time to stop the thug from having his way with her. Then, as the thought of Bugoron crossed her mind's eye, she felt a sort of calm, a respite from the torrent of horrors that sought to haunt her dreams. She rose from her bed and looked to the chair at her side. Bugoron's Mooncloak gave off a small amount of light, making it possible for her to discern most everything in the room. She took the cloak gently, feeling the Moonfyre radiate a gentle heat into her skin. She slid the cloak over her shoulders, clasping it around her neck, and slipped out of her room. I need to stay with him, his presence keeps the nightmares away, she thought to herself. She walked toward the stairs and looked to the door on her left. She tried the door and found it unlocked, so she gently pushed the door open slightly to peek inside. The radiance of the Mooncloak lit up a portion of the room just to the right of the bed, which looked like it was occupied. The chair beside the bed was illuminated, along with a leather backpack that had been laid on it. Willow recognized Bugoron's pack, and she felt that calming feeling wash over her again. She smiled slightly as she opened the door further, passing through the doorway, shutting and locking the door behind her.
The sun rose on Elminster's home long before Bugoron awoke. The rays of sunlight bursting through the window warmed the bed in which he lay, making it very comfortable. The half-elf's eyes opened slightly as he began to stir. He had turned in the night, so that he was now facing the chair at the bedside once again. He saw his Mooncloak draped over it lightly and smiled. Suddenly, though, his eyes opened wider, and he stared at the cloak with blurry eyes.
Bugoron blinked a few times, "I didn't go after that last night..." As he began to become more aware of things, he noted the feeling of something against his skin. He looked down at his arms...but they were not his arms. Examining them closer, they were much more slender, and had a feminine look to them. One arm was draped over him, while the other was under him, linking in front of his chest. The information began hitting his brain hard and fast as he also felt something at his back. Bugoron gently pulled the hands free of each other and turned in the bed, to face the other way. The priest's eyes flew wide with surprise and shock. He looked down to Willow, who had been holding him from behind, and who was wearing nothing. He tried furiously to work out the thoughts flying through his mind, but they were moving too fast. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and turned back around. He went to rise from the bed, when he heard Willow start to stir. Bugoron panicked, wondering what he would say. He couldn't scold her for doing what she did, especially not after what she'd been through. For all Bugoron knew, he might be one of her only friends, and for him to blow up at her would do more harm than good. The priest decided it best to simply collapse on the bed once again. He pretended to still be asleep as Willow moved slightly under the silk covers. She took a deep breath, and sighed contentedly, pulling herself close to Bugoron, hugging him tight and resting her head against his shoulder. For the next few minutes, she did not move, indicating to the half-elf that she had fallen back asleep. He thought about it for a moment, and finally decided that he would stay. He relaxed in the bed and tried to go back to sleep. He would let Willow be the first to rise from sleep, he thought, since she needed sleep as bad as he, and was using him for a security blanket. The priest closed his eyes. He had not fully rid himself of the exhaustion that had accumulated over the two days it took to get from the site of the attack to Shadowdale, so he was quick to drift back into slumber.
Willow enjoyed the feel of holding Bugoron tightly during the few minutes it took for him to fall back asleep. Once his body relaxed again, she waited for a while before slipping her arm out from underneath his body. She leaned in close, gently kissing Bugoron's neck before she rose from the bed. She went to the chair and took the simple clothes that had been given to her by the servant from under the Mooncloak. She quietly slipped them on and headed to the door. She turned, looking back at Bugoron, asleep in the bed, and smiled warmly. She unlocked the bolt, sliding the door open silently and slipped out, heading downstairs to get something to eat. As she made her way down the stairs, she caught the smell of eggs in the air. Willow quickened her pace, hoping she'd not missed out on a delicious-smelling breakfast. As she came into the dining room, she nearly bumped into Lhaeo, who had placed a large plate of bacon and eggs on the table.
The scribe smiled as he met her in the doorway, "Oh, good morning, madam, I hope you still have a big appetite, I asked the cooks to whip up something nutritious and appealing for you. I hope you like bacon and eggs." He had a happy look on his face, but his eyes gave away that he was watching her closely, with concern.
Willow was quick to pick up the difference between Lhaeo's eyes and face, "I'm fine, I promise ye, friend." She smiled, assuring him of the sincerity of her words.
Lhaeo looked at her curiously for a moment, but then just shrugged, hoping for the best. He started to turn away, when he stopped, looking back at Willow, "So I guess I do not need to ask whether you slept well or not, madam?"
The young woman was taking her seat at the table when the scribe asked her this. She stopped a moment, then, turning to Lhaeo, she smiled warmly, "Yes, I did, no bad dreams or anything at all last night." She then turned back to the table and began to eat her breakfast.
A knock on the door of the bedroom gave Bugoron a start as he snapped into consciousness. He instinctively looked behind him and found that Willow was no longer in the bed. As he scanned the room, he also noticed she had vacated completely. Breathing a sigh of relief, he called, "Yes, come in." The priest kept the sheets about him, sitting up in the bed, as Lhaeo slowly opened the door and walked in.
The scribe looked to Bugoron and started, "Oh, do forgive me, I had hoped not to disturb you while you were asleep."
The half-elf shook his head and waved a hand, "I was waking up in the first place, you need not feel bad. Is there something I can help you with?"
Lhaeo replied, "No no, all is well, I just wanted to let you know that the cooks have made breakfast for you. It will be waiting for you downstairs, if you'd like to come down and have some." He looked to Bugoron a moment, "By the way, I met Willow downstairs. She seems extremely better than she did last night. Do you have any clue as to what might have happened to bring about such a quick change?"
Bugoron pondered the question for a minute, then shook his head slowly, "To be honest, I find what you say is hard to believe, but I do believe your claim, and I am glad to hear it all the same. I will soon be down for breakfast, I just want to check my things first."
Lhaeo nodded, "Very well, sir, I will leave you to your things, and perhaps we will talk later on downstairs." He smiled, turning and closing the door behind him.
Bugoron watched the door close, turning his gaze to the chair where his Mooncloak still rested, "I hate lying like that..." he whispered to himself, frowning. He knew very well what had caused Willow to be so cheerful today, and he also knew it wouldn't last. Sooner or later, she would slip back into the state she had been in last night. Perhaps not as bad, but she would now believe that only when he were with her could she be able to escape the demons that were haunting her right now. Such a thing could be expected when she seemingly had already been falling in love with the half-elf, but could his presence be so great to her that by just being with her, he was able to drive away the horror that had struck her so fiercely? As that thought passed through Bugoron's mind, he felt a pang of guilt. He had no such feelings for Willow, saw her as a dear friend, but nothing more, but he couldn't very well just bluntly tell her as much and shatter her already cracked and fragile world. For right now, if she needed someone to care for, then he would allow himself to be that person, but he would not show her feelings any more than that of a friend, and would have to make sure things did not get out of hand. His decision having been made, he crawled out of the bed. He took a few moments to adorn himself with his robes and other items, and packed the Mooncloak back into his pack. He made his way to the door, but stopped before it, turning. He looked back at the bed, his brows furrowing slightly, then shook his head, turning back around as he walked out the door. The priest made his way down the stairs and into the dining room, where Willow waited at the table. The young woman had an impatient look on her face, but smirked as she looked at him, "Up and at 'em, sleepyhead, ye certainly do sleep long enough, don't ye?"
The half-elf smirked back at her, replying, "And since when is it a sin for a Moonpriest to sleep through the morning? Have you had breakfast yet, Willow?"
"It's all but gone and settled," she exclaimed to him, grinning. "Now hurry up if ye want to be going today!"
Bugoron smiled, "Alright, alright," he said. He sat at the oak table and began to eat his plate of bacon and eggs. He noted out of the corner of his eye that Willow was watching him. He stopped suddenly, and turned his head sharply towards her, "What, is there something on my face...?"
Willow blinked at his quick action, then snickered, cracking up at the quick jest. She laughed happily at the priest's joke, "No, no, there's none on your face, ye silly fool!"
Bugoron grinned and finished off his food, wiping his face with a napkin, which brought another snicker from Willow. He stood just as Lhaeo came into the room. Bugoron looked to him, "Ahh, perfect timing, I wanted to thank you for the lodging and food. I am afraid I'll be heading out today."
Both woman and scribe looked at him with eyes wide. Lhaeo's expression softened into a smile of understanding, while Willow's did not. She looked surprised at the priest, "But Bugoron, ye've only gotten one night's sleep in contrast to losing two, ye must still be very tired, ye'll run yourself ragged!"
The half-elf shook his head, "I've been through worse, but thank you for your concern," he said with a smile. He bowed to Lhaeo, "May Stars guide you, my friend, and give Elminster my regards upon his return."
Lhaeo bowed in return, "Of course, sir, may you be safe in your travels."
Bugoron turned and headed out of the dining room, walking down the hall. He stopped at the doorway, as he looked down curiously at a pack resting by the door. He blinked, studying the pack, then turned his head slowly back to eye Willow, who had followed him to the door. She was standing firm, with a serious and determined face. He blinked again, "No."
The young woman simply replied, "Yes."
Bugoron sighed, "Willow, I know you want to come with me, but you would be better off staying here."
Willow shook her head, "I can't stay here, there's no one left here for me. Besides, a good journey would do me good, don't you think?" she winked as she finished.
"No, I don't think it would do you good," Bugoron stated.
The young woman stared at him, "I'm coming with you, and there's nothing you can say that will change my mind."
Bugoron replied quickly, thinking he had a trump card, "I will refuse to visit you," he said, staring back at her. Instead of a look of surprise, though, Willow just smirked. The priest furrowed his brows, "What?"
Willow grinned, winking, "If I'm with you in the first place, you won't have to visit me. I believe I win, Bugoron."
The half-elf sighed, exasperated. He went silent for a few moments, then looked up at Willow, "Fine, you can come along, but I cannot and will not turn around for you, you must understand. You know why I travel, and it is something I need to resolve."
Willow nodded quickly, "I know, and I promise I won't ask you to, and I will not get in the way."
Bugoron nodded slowly, "Alright, then, get your pack, we leave now."
As the half-elf turned towards the door, Willow beamed happily, hefting the pack quickly over her shoulder, and following the priest out the door.
Lhaeo heard the door in the entryway close from his office as he was sorting through some of his paperwork. He waited a moment before standing, but as he still heard nothing, he went to the hallway, he looked out toward the door leading outside. His eyes focused on a small piece of parchment lying on the floor, which he quickly came over to confiscate. He remembered Willow leaving a pack in the exact same spot earlier that day, but hadn't completely understood why. When he went to ask her about it, Willow explained that Bugoron was going to let her travel with him. Knowing the priest's journey, and believing that he would want no harm to come to the young woman, he told her that he believed otherwise, but that it was between Bugoron and herself. The scribe bent slowly, picking up the paper. As he straightened to stand, he looked at the writing on the paper. He couldn't help but crack a smile and shake his head as he walked back to his office, reading the words on the parchment to himself:
I told you he would let me come with him
