IV A King's Gift IV

Tarsakh 1 1365 DR, Year of the Sword

Shortly after the defeat of the Legion of Lucius (a nickname concieved by the halfling bard), Bowie bad placed Marlena safely on Gorstag's back. The copper dragon promised that he would return the princess safely to her father. After Gorstag left, Hannah teleported everyone back to the palace gates. When they arrived, Hannah bid her friends farewell and kissed Bowie goodbye. Azoun asked Bowie if he, Sawyer, and Virgo would be leaving the next morning. The halfling told the king that he and his fellow Harpers would set out in a few days.

Three days flew by like a warm summer's breeze. Bowie spent most of his time in the palace, studying at the library or asking War Wizards if they knew the whereabouts of Lucius Darkfang. None of the War Wizards were of any help, and the court mage Vangerdahast refused to see him. During the nighttime, Bowie would stay in the guest room King Azoun provided for him, speaking with Sylune about the location of the next two Harpers he was going to recruit.

Sawyer had spent his three days helping Virgo and his mother with their work around the palace. Virgo had to temporary leave her job as a librarian, which meant her last few days of work would mostly consist of cleaning up the messes that scribes left in the library, which didn't bother the young woman too much since she had Sawyer helping her.

Jessica was happy to see her son with a very beautiful and strong woman. Though they didn't display it in public, Virgo and Sawyer had grown quite fond of one another. At night, the couple would sit out, watching the stars in the sky. Much gossip was thrown around this subject, but none of the nobles had the fortitude to question the couple about their relationship.

When the morning of their departure finally arrived, Bowie, Sawyer, and Virgo had packed their belongings and were set for their journey. The halfling had intended to leave as soon as possible, but King Azoun had thrown a surprise breakfast in honor of them leaving.

After the breakfast, Sawyer told Bowie that he was going to say goodbye to his mother. When he arrived at her cottage, she and Queen Filfaeril were tending the garden.

It was a short goodbye as Jessica cried her tears and hugged her son farewell. The queen then pulled the druid into a tight embrace, making him promise that he would come and visit them soon.

After he biding his mother and the queen farewell, Sawyer walked through the palace halls. He stopped at an empty hallway, looking up at the tapestries on the wall. "Well well, if it isn't the traitor's son," a cold stern voice remarked from behind Sawyer. The druid turned around to see a handsome young man wearing a very expensive looking silk robe.

"Can I help you?" Sawyer asked calmly, keeping his hands at his sides, acting as if he hadn't heard the young man's comment.

"Auandar Bleth is my name," the young man stated in a snobbish tone," You must be Sawyer. Yes my father has told me about your family. How your father Lander was a traitor and how he was slain by my relative Clous, who also died mysteriously that day. And your mother...well my father thinks you both should have been thrown out onto the streets rather than working at the palace. At least you're leaving and taking that filthy whore Virgo with you."

It wasn't enough that Auandar was taunting Sawyer with his comments about his mother and father, but when the young Bleth had decided to call Virgo a filthy whore, something snapped inside of the druid. As Auandar Bleth continued to speak, Sawyer balled up his fist and drove it hard into the nobleman's jaw. The force of the druid's punch caught Auandar Bleth off guard, sending him down to the floor.

Auandar spat out a couple of teeth and clutched his jaw. He glared up at the druid with rage in his eyes. 'You'll pay for that!" he spat at the druid before he scrambled to his feet and stormed out of the hallway.

"Go run to mother," Sawyer muttered under his breath. He turned to continue down the hall, but standing behind him was the King of Cormyr dressed in a blue robe.

"Word to the wise Sawyer. Try to avoid confrontations with nobles. Come along, I have something for you." Sawyer stood there, wondering what King Azoun meant.

The king and the druid proceeded down the hallway and into a small room. The walls were white stone with the Cormyrian banner painted on the floor. Hanging all over the walls were swords of various designs. Azoun looked at Sawyer with a serious expression on his face. "Before we continue I must tell you Sawyer, that your father did not die a traitor. Lander was one of my most courageous knights. Sadly, someone he thought as a friend framed him. Auandar did tell you that your father did die at the hands of his relative Clous, but what he didn't mention was that it was Clous who was the traitor, not your father. There was no mystery to how Clous Bleth died. He and your father slayed each other in battle. Every other knight in the company that day was told not to say a word about the matter ever again." The King of Cormyr stopped and smiled. "Which brings me to why we are here. Now I'm sure you know that I have a rather extensive collection of magical swords." Sawyer nodded and the king continued," When I was informed that you were arriving-and if you're curious it was Vangey who told me, you were arriving-I remembered that there was something your father wanted to give you all these years when he deemed that you were ready for it."

"Before you were born Sawyer, your father went on a journey to Cormanthor to visit a friend. During his time there, he came across a powerful sword." Sawyer watched as King Azoun pulled one of the swords from the wall. It was a beautiful weapon, with a blade that was long and green, and hilt with black leather gripping. "When your father returned, he asked that I keep this sword safe. After he died, I continued to keep the sword hidden, waiting until the day I could hand it over to you."

"So, you're giving me this sword?" Sawyer asked, eyeing the long sword.

The King of Cormyr nodded. "Yes, but on one condition. I want you to watch over Virgo. Show her the world. She has lived her entire life in Cormyr and has yet to see the rest of Fauern."

"You didn't have to ask," Sawyer responded quietly. Azoun nodded and placed the green-bladed long sword in Sawyer's hand. The druid sighed, looking down at the sword on his belt. He had received the sword from his mother when he was just a child. She had told him that it once belonged to his father.

Sawyer reached into his belt and drew his father's sword. He held it out for Azoun to take. "Do you think you could watch over my father's sword? I don't know how he would feel about me wielding another blade? But something tells me that he would want me to use this green-bladed sword you have just given me."

King Azoun shook his head. "Your father was a man who believed that everyone should set out on their own path in life. If he was alive at this moment, he would be the one presenting you with this sword, telling you how very proud of he is to have a son like you. Now you must be off Sawyer. May Tymora aid you on and your companions on the road ahead. And do try and visit, Queen Filfaeril gets worried about you sometimes."

"Thank you," breathed Sawyer as he turned and walked out of the room.

'So you are my new wielder' a sultry voice whispered in Sawyer's mind as he was walking down the hallway.

"Who said that?" Sawyer asked aloud. The druid felt the sword vibrate gently in his hand.

'I am Elowynn, the sword you now hold in your hand. I have been in the hands of many elves, dating back to the Crown Wars. Some like to call me the Unlucky Blade.

"Why do they call you the Unlucky Blade?" questioned Sawyer.

'Let's just say that during the course of my existence, I have had many wielders, all who have died while gripping my hilt. However, you are the first human wielder I have had, so maybe things will be different."

Sawyer bit his lip as he gently grazed Elowynn's pommel. The sword vibrated in his hand once more, and the druid could swear that it let out a giggle. I have many secrets young druid, and perhaps you will be the one who will unlock them.

Dressed in their grey traveling garbs, Bowie and Virgo stood outside the gates of Suzail, waiting for their druid comrade. Erilett sat next to Virgo's foot, looking out into the city for any sign of her master, but it wasn't before long before the druid was walking up to them with a smile on his face. "Sorry that took so long," Sawyer apologized in a soft voice," So where are we going?"

Virgo looked at Bowie. Earlier in the morning she had asked him the same question, but the halfling bard told her not to worry. "We're traveling to Eveningstar," the halfling answered," There we will meet Virgo's brother Val and his friend Roland."

"Are you sure?" Virgo commented with a laugh. "I don't know how they could be of service to the Harpers. The only thing they know how to do is cause trouble."

Bowie waved a finger at her. "I remember you asking that question when I approached you about being a Harper. Besides, you would be surprised on how many troublemakers we have in the Harpers."

Sawyer looked at Bowie. "Is that what you were talking with Sylune about these past few days?"

The halfling nodded, but Virgo had a very confused look on her face. "Sylune? Sylune of Shadowdale? Isn't she supposed to be dead?"

Bowie chuckled. "That's a long story Virgo. Perhaps I will start at the beginning..."

As Bowie began his tale about Sylune sacrificing her life to save Shadowdale, Sawyer turned around and looked into the beautiful city of Suzail. He wasn't sure how long he would be on the road, or how much of Fauern he would be seeing during this time, but he was sure about one thing.

He would keep his promise to return home someday.

For Jason and Kristine

and to everyone else... Happy Holidays