After three days of travel to the city of Qeynos, the group bartered a passage on one of the quickest ships that would carry then to the Butcher Block Mountains. On that ship, the five mostly kept to themselves and their cabin, except Slith, who was constantly emptying the contents of his stomach over the side railings. The iksar had to endure his seasickness for a week and a half before the supposed "quick" ship got to the Butcher Block docks.
Slith had to be escorted off the boat with support from Brand and his father since he was too weak to stand alone. Brand laughed, but just couldn't help remembering Slith not ever getting sick on Lorilie's ship, the Windchaser. Brand recalled their exciting journey where Lorilie sailed them to different lands for a personal quest for her deceased brother. Two tears slowly rolled down the half-elf's cheeks: one for Lorilie, and one for Caleb. Both gone just like his tears were when he wiped them off with the back of his hand.
Lorilie's death never really settled with Slith. The two had grown up together and were very close friends. When Lorilie died, Slith shut himself in the room he shared with his brothers, in Kelethin, and didn't come out for days. To add to his sorrow also, was Caleb's death. Caleb was family to the iksar, and looked out for Slith like an older brother would. After both deaths, the young iksar was never the same. He had lost his love for the sea, and now when he sailed, he got sick.
Another past memory flashed in Brand's mind; it was the conversation he had with Lielay three years ago after the voice of Lorilie flooded the room they were in. Lielay had told him that Death stocked her, but always missed its target and killed the ones she loved. Brand remembered, at first glance, Lielay seemed happy and carefree, but behind those dark forest green eyes hid a world of pain and dear. Oh, how Brand wished to turn back time to change things. He would have been there to prevent Lorilie's death. He would have protected his one true love, but now she was a lost.
The bard shook his head and regained his senses. All of his supplies were at his feet and his friends were scattered about buying more products, except Kel who was lying nearby under the guards' piercing eyes. Slith and Mirk had their hoods on and spoke quietly to the vendors so that the guards wouldn't pester them because they were iksars. Aubrey, on the other hand, spoke loudly and smiled brightly to the female half-elf that he was buying from.
"The shuttles for the Maiden's Voyager are about to leave!" a deep voice boomed from the shuttle docks.
"Hurry, before we miss them!" Brand shouted to his friends, grabbed his belongings, and raced to board one of the small crafts.
Finishing their purchases, the remaining four of the group scurried onto the same shuttle as Brand like mice. A few other travelers hurried onto the shuttles and settled themselves for the ride to the famed ship, the Maiden's Voyager. Once on the Maiden's Voyager, it would take three days to reach the city of Firiona Vie. At the docks of that exotic city, men sent by Papsworth would meet the five rescuers. That cowardly high-elf always bid others to do his dirty work for him.
Brand sat down and opened up his lute case. The case showed signs of hard travel, but the instrument inside still looked in excellent condition. His nimble fingers plucked at the strings aimlessly as he drifted into another old memory of Lorilie.
A deceitful, grotesque man named Riley had hired Brand to assassinate Lorilie. Brand, being young and naive, accepted the task because he was in great need of money. The half-elf traveled to Freeport, to Caleb's inn, and got himself employed as an entertainer. But the moment Brand first laid eyes on Lorilie, his heart stopped, and his mind screamed that this was the girl he would love forever. The bard abandoned his job of assassinating Lorilie and vowed to never let any harm befall on her.
Looking out into the blue horizon, Brand shook his head at that last memory. He had failed his vow and now Lorilie would never be at his side again. Then, Brand began to wonder about his current task; to save Lielay. But what if he failed this mission too? Brand couldn't bear to think about it.
Lielay walked slowly around the city of Firiona Vie with Rhade guarding her. She sighed and stared at the neatly placed cobblestones on the ground while remembering her first visit there. She had met Albain on the Maiden's Voyager and after that, her adventures unraveled with Albain at her side. The filthy barbarian, Rhade, shook his greasy head and ushered Lielay to quicken the pace. Lielay ran her fingers through her silky dark brown hair and wondered what Papsworth had in store for her rescuers...if she had any left.
When the high elf, barbarian, two dark elves, and herself stepped off the ship, Papsworth ordered Rhade to let Lielay go anywhere she wanted inside the city while he went to arrange his next clue. He also said that Lielay was not allowed to speak with anyone or walk to far away from the barbarian. Lielay had rolled her eyes and commented that she wasn't a child and didn't need an extra shadow. Papsworth had laughed, patted her head, and motioned Rhade to lead her away.
Walking down the street, Lielay noted the throng of people and watched them with interest. She spied a cluster of four hidden under clocks and she knew that they were unwanted races, because no one would wear thick hooded cloaks on a hot day. Lielay laughed through her nose quietly and continued on. She then eyed a merchant up ahead whose stand stood next to an alley filled with empty crates. She then began to hatch a plan.
"My mouth is parched and my water flask is gone, can we stop at that vendor," she pointed, "and buy some beverages?" she said sweetly and smiled.
"Fine, but I'm doing the talking." Rhade snarled.
The former Druid nodded her head and clasped her hands behind her back. Moments later, they reached the vendor and Rhade began to haggle a good price for the drinks. He was a very cheep barbarian. He kept Lielay close to him and watched her out of the corner of his eye.
Lielay, knowing that she had to be quick, waited for a mass of people to pass by. She smiled; an oncoming group of humans were heading her way. Her muscles tensed up as she waited for the humans; she was going to grab one and shove him into Rhade while she ducked into the alleyway and hid behind a stack of crates.
Just then, the humans passed. Lielay grabbed a tall male's arm fiercely and thrusted him into Rhade, making both tumble over the merchant's stand and out of sight. Lielay leaped into the dark alley and jumped behind some boxes. She laughed lightly and cautiously peered around her hiding place.
"Did you really think that would work, Lielay?" Papsworth snatched her hands and pushed her between Vinx and Victoria so that the dark elves could restrain her. "Nice try, but I know you better. I knew you were going to try and escape. Just get over it, you're stuck with me till the end, my dear." He laughed and led his group out onto the busy street again.
