Epilogue

Roxi performed a makeshift funeral outside of the ruins. She spoke of how Jaina took down the acolytes of Kiri-Jolith, and how she bravely fought the demon to save her friend. After the cleric was finished speaking, Allister burned Jaina's body with a beautiful fireball while Dorm, Timber, and Eliza looked on.

Eliza had not taken the death of her friend well. She had awoken a minute after Jaina had died. She apologized to Jaina for being a brat about horseback riding, and how she would never do it again. Dorm told her that Jaina would want her to continue to ride horses and live her life.

Allister cast a teleportation circle to take Dorm, Timber, Roxi, and Eliza back to Two Creek. Timber asked the mage if he wanted his rapier back. Allister told the rogue to keep it as a gift, then handed him the Goblet of Maridoc and told him to dispose of it. Dorm thanked Allister what he was going to do next. The mage didn't answer. He just waved goodbye until the teleportation spell took them away.

Back in Two Creek, Roxi and Timber were quietly having lunch in a grassy area. Roxi was curiously staring at the rapier Timber had gotten from the mage. "That thing really took care of those dretches back there," she commented.

Timber nodded as the Alcarin glowed red. "It sure did. I'll bet Allister got this from some kind of demon slayer. Strange gift from a mage though." His elven eyes saw Dorm walking towards them. "Speaking of gifts Dorm, did you find what you were looking for?"

Dorm sat between Timber and Roxi. The half-kender cleric gave the ranger a warm hug. Timber patted his friend on the back and saw Jaina's short sword sheathed on the ranger's belt. "That sword looks good on you," he commented.

"Thanks," Dorm answered softly. "To be honest, its kind of uncomfortable. Not physically, but mentally. Still, having it, is almost having her by my side." He placed Jaina's jewelry box next to him. It was made of redwood with her name written in elven on the top.

Roxi wrapped her arms around Dorm, closing her eyes as she held him close. "It's going to be okay Dorm," she said between her tears. While the cleric hugged the ranger, Timber lifted open the box and peeked inside. His eyes lit up when he saw what Jaina had left Dorm.

When Roxi let go of Dorm, Timber shut the lid and looked away innocently. "You know Dorm, if you think having her short sword will make it seem like Jaina is with you, perhaps you should look inside the box."

The cleric raised an eyebrow. The elf smiled as Dorm lifted the lid open and found a necklace inside. The chain was made of pure silver and the jewel on the chain seemed familiar to Dorm. Like the chain, it was made of silver and it was in the shape of an eight-pointed star with four larger points and four small points. There were small diamonds placed at the tip of each point, and in the middle was a large crystal clear diamond in the shape of the heart.

"Its a starjewel!" Roxi cried in excitement. "She gave you a starjewel! This is what her father must have left her when she was a baby and now she has given it to you. This is just like when Steel Brightblade gave Sara Dunstan the starjewel."

"Of course," Dorm interrupted," The Legion of Steel insignia. That's where I've seen this design like this before." He smiled as he put on the necklace. The starjewel felt warm against his skin.

Roxi crossed her arms. "There is just one last thing. Whatever happened to the Goblet of Maridoc?"

Timber's ears perked up. He gave a soft laugh, then answered," I sold it."

The cleric's eyes flared up. "You sold it. To who?"

Timber shrugged. "Some guy in black robes. He said his name was Tasslehoff Burrfoot. Why, what were you going to do with it?"

"I was going to destroy it, that's what," Roxi snapped.

"Well, if you want to find it, you better start now," Timber remarked. "There are about a hundred Tasslehoff Burrfoots in the world. Say, don't you have a few uncles on your mother's side named Tasslehoff."

Dorm turned away as Roxi slapped Timber hard across the face. He watched as some loose blades of grass flew into the air. He then saw an image of Jaina standing there with her long sword. She smiled.

"Thank you," he whispered as he gently pressed the starjewel around his neck. The wind carried his words to the image of Jaina. She flashed him another smile and blew him a kiss. Then he watched her vanish, never to see her again in this life.

Dorm looked down at the short sword he wore on his belt, and gently pressed the starjewel around his neck. He would cherish these gifts until the day he died.

In memory of Roman Hernandez