Chapter 4: Away to Adventure

Katla looked at the shoreline of Evermeet as it slowly disappeared into the distance. She continued to watch after the island disappeared from view.

Iasa held her hand as the boat slowly rocked on the sea. Part of him wanted to reassure him that everything would be all right, but he felt in need of support as well.

Neither of them had been away from Evermeet before. Neither of them knew if they would ever see its shores again.

As the ship headed out further into open water, Iasa got a bout of seasickness. It took both Katla and Xarlion holding him to keep him from going overboard during his vomiting fits.

"Iasa. I don't think it is good for you to be up on deck. Go below for a while."

"Please, no, Your Grace, it is worse when I go below. I am sure I will get used to it better up here." He sat on the deck near one of the masts and held his stomach.

"Enough of the formalities, we are no longer on The Isle, our titles mean nothing from here on out, Iasa."

"But, Prince Xarlion..."

"I know it is hard to accept, but it will become clear soon."

Katla rubbed Iasa's shoulders and shook her head. "Xarlion, won't the elves in Sonoria object to the lack of formalities?"

"We are not going to Sonora. I told your father that to keep his worrying mind at ease. We are going to Waterdeep."

Iasa took in a big gulp of air and nearly choked, "Waterdeep! Why in the hells..."

"Because I am pledged to Katla's safety, as well as the safety of your sorry hide. The elf-bane falsehood has a long reach. Another problem, Iasa, is your father's insistence on moving the headquarters of the Astral Knights. It has caused animosity towards your family. We are going to travel on the continent for a while."

Iasa sat up. His face filled with excitement." We are going adventuring!"

"I suppose this means I can put all those silly gowns away and wear more comfortable clothing."

"Yes Katla, that would be appropriate. Personally, I think you are much sexier in leggings and a shirt. That is why I had you in gowns at the palace. I believed if you looked like one of those court fops I would be able to tone down my lust for you."

"Xarlion, you are an oaf and a lout."

Xarlion leaned his head back and roared in laughter. "Now that is the way I like things. No female bowing to my whims because of my title. Your saucy mouth makes you more attractive."

"And your boorish attitude makes me you uglier."

Xarlion laughed again. "I will leave you then." He went below deck, laughing all the way.

The sight of Waterdeep awed Katla as the ship entered the docks. In her wildest dreams she could not imagine that humans could build something so grand.

She was shocked to see men brawling on the docks.

The evening was fast approaching.

Iasa and Xarlion went to go find rooms to stay the night.

"We will only be staying here a couple of nights before going inland. I have people waiting for us."

"Who, Xarlion?"

"You will see when you meet them. For now, stay here by the ship. It is too dangerous for you to be wandering about, no matter how skilled you are at defending yourself. You will be arrested if you start too large of a commotion. Besides, I need you to make sure all of our gear gets unloaded. I trust you can guard our valuables well."

"Shouldn't I stay with Katla?"

"No, I will need you with me. She should be fine as long as she stays put. Katla, be wary of pickpockets if someone tries to speak to you."

"I will. Be careful."

"Always."

Katla watched them as they slowly left the docks. She did not want to be left alone to tend to their belongings. She felt confident she could keep their things safe, but the putrid smells and the strangeness of the city did not make her feel well.

"Perhaps I am a spoiled brat." She muttered to herself as she kept a close watch on the elves unloading their belongings.

"May I be of some assistance?" A voice spoke from behind her.

Katla whirled around to see a richly dressed moon elf, with gray hair, regarding her with a bemused expression.

She shook her head and blurted something out in the Elven language as he hands naturally signed the words she spoke.

Xarlion had taught her some of the rudimentary basics of the common language, but she still needed practice to understand it well.

The elf smiled slyly and repeated his question in Elven, so she could understand him.

"Uh, no. I think I have everything under control."

The stranger bowed and reached out his hand to kiss Katla's hand. "It is odd to see such a rare beauty dressed as an adventurer. That length of curls should be a hindrance to your sword." He added as he reached over and fingered Katla's hip length hair. "Such a rare thing to find hair this color with such curl to it. Simply lovely."

"Please do not take liberties, sir, before I am forced to draw my sword and show you just how much of a hindrance my hair is."

"Now that is no way to treat a fellow elf who simply wants to..." The male's sentence trailed off as he looked at Katla's eyes. "Ah, now I see. You do not trust elves either. You have nothing to fear from me. I have an establishment not far from here. Come, join me for a glass of Elverquisst, as a show of good faith."

"No thank you. I have to keep an eye on my belongings, and I am not alone. So if you will kindly leave, I would appreciate it."

"Such rudeness from a child who is clearly noble born. Very well then. I shall take my leave. Please, remember, I am always at your service should you need me."

"Elaith Craulnobur! Get away from her!"

Elaith whirled around to face Xarlion. "Ah, Your Highness is back from the Isle. So how is your mother?"

"None of your business. Now please step away from Lady Katla."

"Ah, Lady Katla Wisteria, the elf-bane, as I suspected when you came into port. I was informed she would be arriving, but my informant failed to tell me that she would be in your company. Perhaps you should let the lady decide if she wishes to accept my kindness."

"Kindness is not in your nature, Elaith. You proved that when you broke my sister's heart."

"So are you going to draw your sword on an unarmed man?"

"I would hardly call you unarmed. I know you hide weapons in that finery."

"No, he will let me slice you to ribbons myself." Katla said as she quickly and silently drew her weapon and stuck it to Elaith's back.

Katla was so quiet that Eliath did not know she had drawn her sword until he felt the tip of it touch his back.

"I see. I am outnumbered. In any case, if Lady Katla wishes to visit me, I will be at my inn, The Hidden Blade. I will bid you a good evening, if you would but lower your weapon."

"Step away Xarlion. Let the lout go his way." Katla said as she slowly lowered her sword.

Elaith walked away from the docks, turned once and smirked as he placed his hands behind his back and strode confidently down the street.

"I am sorry, Katla. I should have warned you about the Serpent before I left you. He is part of the reason that we can only stay her a few days at most. No doubt he already has hired assassins."

"You mean he approached me in order to kill me himself?"

"Perhaps, if he wanted to save the coin he was spending on his hired killers. Or, he may have some other plan in mind. Either way, it is not safe to stay here."

"It is good you asked Iasa and me to travel light. Where is he?"

"He is looking over our rooms. It seems he trusts me less than he does the inhabitants of this city."

"He has always been overprotective."

"I have a handcart for what we can not carry. I do warn you. I plan on selling everything we will not need."

"Oh good. Forgive me, but I hate those gowns your mother insisted I bring."

Xarlion started laughing as they headed off down the street to the inn. "I suggest putting them in storage. You may need them when we get back this way."

"No. I do not think so. There is only one fancy dress I want to keep, and I plan on keeping it where I have it tucked safely away. It is not in that trunk."

"Smart girl."

Iasa waved to them as they reached the door of the inn. He grabbed the cart with Katla's trunk and dragged it inside.

"I paid someone to haul her trunk to her room. You will not have to worry about it again tonight, sire."

"Good. Have you gotten us a table and something to eat?"

"Yes sire." Iasa led them to a table near the stairs.

"Iasa, I told you before, here on the continent, I am no better than you are. You can call me by name." He flopped down in the chair and grabbed his glass of wine. He slurped the liquid and grabbed a hunk of bread from the loaf on the table.

"Sorry Xarlion. This is all so new to me." Iasa sighed.

"You will get used to it."

Iasa looked at the sloppy manner in which Xarlion conducted himself, grinned and began eating and drinking in the same barbaric manner.

Katla looked at the two in stunned silence. Even in the most casual of settings, neither she nor Iasa were allowed to conduct him or herself in such a manner.

"More to drink over here!" Xarlion shouted at a passing barmaid.

As the barmaid poured more drinks for the three at the table, Xarlion whispered something into the buxom human girl's ear.

Xarlion slipped the girl a coin as pinched her behind as she left back for the bar.

The girl squealed and giggled but did not slap Xarlion's hand away.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing, Katla. What is the matter? You have hardly touched your food."

"Um, I am not used to such, um, table manners."

"You are so spoiled, Katla. You need to loosen up that haughty noble air or you will not survive long on the continent. Believe me, you will be staying here quite a long time. The Serpent is not the only fancy one who will try to seek your life. You need to blend in."

"I don't know."

"It is alright, my love. I know it will take time. Perhaps you should go up to our room and rest a while. I understand that a lady's first encounter with a human city can be a bit overwhelming."

"Perhaps that is best."

"I will be up to check on you later."

Katla sat cross legged on the bed as she breathed deeply in her reverie. She was surprised to see Xarlion walk into the small room that had been rented for her.

She believed that the reason for two rooms, although frivolous, was meant to separate her from her two male companions.

"Should you not be next door with Iasa?"

"And leave you unprotected?" Xarlion slurred out. "Not likely."

"You are drunk."

"Not quite yet, although I fear Iasa is completely inebriated. He needed to relax."

"Why are you here?"

Xarlion pulled the wooden stool next to the bed and sat down.

"I needed to speak to you, alone, away from Iasa's ears. He will not like what I have to say, and I am in no mood to rebuff him."

"Once he knows we are here alone, he will storm in."

"I did not think you were one for petty, humanlike, proprieties."

"I'm not. Iasa is overprotective. Sometimes he can be a damnible nuisance."

"Well, I do not see him interrupting us for some time. He is drunk, and has companionship for now."

"The barmaid?"

Xarlion smiled and put his hands on his hips. "Exactly."

"He will be angry tomorrow."

"He will be too hung over to ask. I know, it was much the same way with me my first visit to Waterdeep."

"What did you want to speak to me about?"

Xarlion gave a huge sigh and ribbed his forehead. One of his dark blue forelocks fell forward as his shoulders slumped slightly. "First, you need to stop using the sign language when you speak. Just it's use could land us all into trouble that we do not need."

Katla crossed her arms in front of her and frowned. "Why should it matter?"

"Did Jarren Moonwind ever tell you where he learned the finger speech?"

"No."

"He learned it from Drow."

"What?"

"He was one of my companions years ago. Below Waterdeep is another city called Skullport. He spent months down there learning the speech from the worshippers of Eiliastraee. Even so, if any people we run into believe you associate with Drow, it will mean trouble. There is one other thing. Although I care for you, I can not say I love you. My intention of asking for your hand had very little to do with emotions."

"I suspected that a long time ago. I wondered why you chose to continue to pursue me, when your heart was clearly not in it."

"I have a secret that I did not want my mother to know. I married someone she would never have approved of. I thought you would understand, as you defended my sister so adamantly."

"She is human."

"Was, or rather, all three were human. They are no longer living."

"If they are dead, I do not see the problem."

Xarlion stood and paced back and forth a couple of times. He breathed in and out trying to calm himself.

"You have children, don't you?"

Xarlion stopped and gave Katla a stare of anguish. "Yes, five children. I do not want my mother to know about them. You see, they are my life now. I do not want a throne or a title. All I want from life is to have my children safe from scorn and harm. I have no wish to be a prince, only a good father for as long as my children live."

Katla took his hand and looked deep into his eyes. "You are not unlike my own father in that respect. He may get angry and moody, but I have always known how much he loves me. My very existence has caused him untold hardship, yet he never gave up."

"Until he sent you away with me."

"No. He did that for my own good too. He knew how hard my life would be. He wanted to make sure I was prepared for anything. He could no longer keep me sheltered to achieve that goal."

"I see. I want you to help me. I never plan to return to Evermeet. This was my last journey. I am going to disappear. It will be as if I died. It is the only way I can see to keep my children secret."

"How can I?" Katla released his hand as he described his plan

"You can travel with us for at time. Once I find a safe place for me and my children to reside, I want you to fight me in Iasa's presence. I would like it to come to swords. Do you remember the avyr maneuver that I taught you?"

"Yes. The sword strike that delivers a blow that completely incapacitates but does not kill."

"That is the one. Does Iasa know it?"

"No. I did not teach it to him. He gets so hotheaded. I was afraid he would use it against my father's students."

"Good. If you make sure he sees my death, he can attest to my death. He can go to Evereska or Straankeep and make the grim announcement. Then my children and me will be free to live as we choose. You do not have to do this if you do not want to."

"I will gladly help you. "

"You understand it will make the elf-bane rumor worse."

"Yes, and I don't care. You are my friend. I can not let children who are innocent of the manner of their birth be chastised for it, as I was. Besides, I also have a secret."

Xarlion arched an eyebrow and sat down on the stool again.

"I am already married."

Xarlion gasped and nearly choked. "Who? Not that preened pigeon Nymil Kimesin?"

"No. I was married a mere month before you arrived on The Isle. I take it my father informed you of the rumor?"

"No, but Ilyrana told me about the mob and the fire. She mentioned how you were dressed when you emerged from the tree, and that you were no longer virginal."

"I had a visitation that night in the tree. He saved my life and took me to wife in return. You can scoff at me as my father and others have if you wish, but it will not change the fact."

"Who is your husband?"

"The Father God, Corellon Larethian himself. My voice was one of his bride gifts to me."

"I can not say why I do, but I believe you. It explains something I noticed when we left Evermeet. You have a faint, unnatural glow about you. You didn't have that before. I am not sure if I am the only one who noticed it. If someone did, it has not been mentioned."

"Do you think that is why Craulnobur noticed me on the docks?"

"No, he was expecting your arrival. Although, come to think of it, it is possible. He may be in exile, but he is still the head of House Craulnobur, and in possession of a moonblade. The blade is dormant, but his lineage allots him with certain abilities."

"I will be careful around other elves then. do you think Iasa has noticed?"

"I do not think so. As big of a talker as he is, he would have mentioned it to me."

"Is your royal status what makes you able to see this strange aura?"

"Partially, and that brings me to the last of my secrets that my mother does not know about."

Xarlion rose and went to his belongings. He unwrapped a tattered sheath from a group of rags.

Katla gasped as Xarlion pulled a Moonblade from the sheath.

"I met a distant cousin during my travels. When he died, his moonblade called to me. This blade puts me out of the running for ruler ship of Evermeet. One can not hold more thane one Moonblade. I suspect, because of the connection to Corellon the Moonblades have, they allow the bearers to see your aura."

"Then that is why my father could not see what you do. His Moonblade was passed on to my brother, Malkim."

"Come, we should take reverie now. Iasa will be a chore tomorrow." He sheathed his Moonblade and put it back among his belongings. "Unless you want to play at something else?"

"Ilyrana told me that Corellon was the jealous type."

Xarlion laughed heartily. "I imagine he would be. Besides, once you have coupled a god, how can a mere mortal ever measure up?"

Katla joined in the laughter. "True. So true."

Iasa moaned and groaned as they sold off their unnecessary goods and made their way towards the city gates. His head felt like someone was pounding on it. His mouth was dry. His nether regions were sore from the constant attention paid to him by the barmaids.

Apparently, when the one Xarlion hired had finished, she bragged about how good in bed Iasa was.

Iasa was busy from the time the next barmaid came above stairs until he managed to fend them off early that morning.

He discovered, soon after his short reverie, that his sexual prowess was not the only thing the barmaids were interested in.

All of the money and gems that he did not wear constantly were gone.

He complained to Xarlion and to the tavern owner, but both laughed in his face.

"That is the harsh reality of it, Iasa. If you do not keep an eye on your things, they walk away. It is the hardest lesson any adventurer has to learn."

"You didn't have to laugh at me."

"Sorry, it was funny. Your voice still squeaks when you get angry. I had not expected it to do so."

"I squeaked because I was hung over, and still am."

Xarlion went on to explain his reasons for wanting to be a ranger, like Zaor had been before moving to Evermeet and becoming king.

Katla listened to the conversation. She wanted to catch every nuance of the common tongue. She would speak in the common language as of ten as she could on their journey. Within a week, she could speak the language well enough to get by.

"How long before we make it to where our companions will meet us?" Katla carefully whispered. "Are you sure that we should not tell Iasa about your children?"

"Quite certain. I want his shock to be genuine. I do not think he knows what he is getting into by wanting to be a traveling adventurer. He has few skills that could come in handy here."

"You want him to decide to go home before your plan is done?"

"If that will keep him alive, yes." Xarlion chuckled to make it sound as if he and Katla were having a lover's conversation.

Iasa whirled around and drew his sword. "You are talking about me and the barmaids again, aren't you?"

"Put your sword away, Iasa. Xarlion was telling a lewd joke and did not want you to fly off like you are doing. You are an excellent swordsman, but I doubt you can best Xarlion. You can barely hold your own against me. That temperament of yours gets in the way. "

Iasa sheathed his sword and sighed. "I suppose you are right. Isolder was right too. I am not cut out to be an Astral Knight. Perhaps on our adventure I can find my true strengths."

"That would be a good idea."

They traveled for a few more days.

Xarlion looked over the terrain and found a ranger's cave. "Thank Solonor we are here. I need a rest.

"Where are we?"

"A cave not too far from Evereska. Katla, you must stay on your guard. I do not doubt there is already a bounty on your head. We will wait here."

"Your companions are late? How sloppy, Xarlion."

"Things come up when you adventure, Iasa. This is not the Evermeet military. Late is fine unless it is more than a day or two."

"Then what? Do we just move on."

"No!" Xarlion snapped "You go looking for your companions to see what happened to them. You bury them and say prayers for them if you find them dead or you celebrate and sup with them if you find them alive. You never turn your back on your companions when they are depending on you. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir."

"You have a lot to learn. You could be more quiet and listen, like Katla does."

"Bah! She is used to it. She was mute for nearly ten years."

"Neither of you needs to use me as an excuse. Enough of your bickering. I am going to get a fire going and make something to eat, if you two can quit arguing long enough to go catch some food."

"I will go hunt. Xarlion can gather more firewood." Iasa huffed as he stormed from the cave.

"Are you sure he will be alright?"

"He is good with that bow of his. So far, it seems hunting helps him calm his nerves."

"He hates being my cousin. I think he is still hoping I will allow him to be my lover."

"Since he can not be your husband."

"Yes."

"You are a good person, Katla. Let him down easy. He is still a coddled child. He knows little to nothing of hardship firsthand. Like you, and me it is something that can't be learned from observing another's pain, and it can't be taught."

"I will go after him if he is gone too long."

"Alright, Katla. I just hope he doesn't catch anything too big."

Notes:

Elverquisst- a rare Elven wine.

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