Disclaimer: Celestine and Xalia belong to me. All other characters and places belong to WotC and Bioware. Thanks!
Chapter 1 – The Power of Written Words
Surely enough, Celestine's words proved to be true. It was indeed Riisi, and as it turned out it was Celestine for whom she had come. The rune-covered pouch opened easily enough once the dragon finally awakened and spoke the command words; inside was a small scroll and a coppery ring, both of which Riisi handed to the young cleric. "Master sent Riisi to give these to you, so now you must take them, yes, you must," the dragon wearily spoke before returning to her slumber.
Celestine quietly thanked the creature before retreating back to the inn, where she found her companion busily scarfing down a plate of mashed potatoes and turkey between gulps of ale. She silently sat down beside him and set the ring on the table.
"Now that's a pretty thing, no mistake," Tomi spoke.
"You're not touching that ring."
"Who said I was talking about the ring?" He replied with a wink.
"Flirt." Celestine chuckled as she opened the scroll. Her mirth was short lived, however, as she read the haunting words written in her former teacher's familiar script.
Dear Celestine,
No doubt you have already discerned the gravity of the matter of which I am about to address. You know that I am loath to send my dear Riisi on such a long and potentially treacherous journey without proper cause. Be certain that the matter I discuss is of considerable importance to the Guild and should be regarded with the utmost discretion.
In the interest of brevity I shall only say that a series of events culminating in the theft and subsequent recovery of the four artifacts has threatened the lives of my students and myself, as well as everyone living in and around Hilltop. One of the artifacts entrusted to my care has turned out to be far more powerful than we initially determined. The Tower Statue was itself only a container for a much more powerful item, a crystal with such power that I cannot even begin to ascertain its true nature.
Determining the truth behind this turn of events has been quite the daunting task. Ayala Windspear has pledged her aid in determining the driving force behind the attack on Hilltop. I have entrusted the crystal to Xalia St. Genevieve (whom you no doubt remember from your own apprenticeship), and she and my two eldest apprentices have joined a caravan heading to the Anauroch desert. My hope is that, once they arrive, they will meet with a man who should be able to determine the crystal's origin.
The mere fact that I have been forced to send my students on a potentially deadly assignment is particularly disconcerting. Thus far all three of them have proven to be quite capable, but I fear that the worst is yet to come. It is on their behalf that I request your assistance.
Enclosed in the bottommost chamber in the pouch is a ring, much like the one you wore as my apprentice, but far more powerful. This ring is magically linked to an amulet that Xalia wears, and once activated the ring will teleport you to her location. You are, of course, under no obligation to respond. However, my friend, your assistance would be very much appreciated, and if I am correct, your presence might just mean the difference between defeat and victory.
Best regards,
Drogan Droganson
Archmage of Hilltop
Celestine finished reading the letter, stunned by the sheer gravity of Drogan's words. Any force powerful enough to threaten Master Drogan was indeed a force to contend with. More than anything, however, this was a Harper matter; as an initiate into the Guild she had sworn an oath to protect the cause of good, and that included coming to the aid of other Guild members if the situation presented itself. If Drogan's compelling words were not enough to convince her to lend her aid, the Harper's Oath was. Celestine knew what she had to do.
"I must leave," Celestine softly spoke.
"Wha-aaat!" Tomi, who had been busily munching on a turkey leg, suddenly stopped mid chew and looked at the cleric. "You're kiddin', right?"
"I'm afraid not."
Tomi swallowed his bite of turkey. "But what about this Cult thing? Miss Aribeth needs you here, doesn't she?"
"She has more than enough help," Celestine mused. Most of Aribeth's hopes for rooting out the cult were placed on the two survivors from Neverwinter Academy, a pair of half-elves named Hadrian and Lexi. The brother and sister team had already done a lot for Neverwinter, having successfully spearheaded the mission to recover the plague cure. It was no surprise that Lord Nasher had placed them among those he sent to Port Llast. To be honest, Celestine felt like a third wheel half of the time anyway. The big folk had little regard for halflings, it seemed, and she had gotten the cold shoulder more often than not. "Lexi and Hadrian have Daelan and Sharwyn to help them. There are so many mercenaries that you can't walk from the inn to the temple without running into at least one of them. I'm not really needed here."
"What am I, chopped liver?" Tomi looked genuinely hurt. "What am I supposed to do once ya leave? Boddyknock's no fun at all, Linu hates me guts, and I sure ain't going to travel with that death-obsessed dwarf. That Gend fellow's got his eye on me, y'know. Doesn't trust me none, but when I'm with you he's a bit less nosey, if ya get my meaning."
"And the fact that I'm the only female halfling in Port Llast has nothing to do with your protests?"
"Yeah, well, that too…." Tomi's voice trailed off. "Look, I'm bein' serious. We make a killer team, you and me. It'd be a shame to split apart now! Think of all the fun you'll miss!"
"Tomi, please," Celestine spoke in almost a pleading tone. "This is difficult enough already, all right? I don't want to have to pick up and leave like this, but this is a matter I absolutely must tend to. The wizard who sent this it my former teacher and one of my dearest friends. I can't just ignore the summons. As much as I wish to continue my work for Neverwinter, and as much as I wish to remain by your side, I…I have to go, Tomi."
Silence.
"I ain't gonna see you again, am I?"
Celestine bowed her head. "I do not know." She fingered the ring; it, like the pouch it was previously housed in, was covered with runes. This ring was Celestine's portal into a new destiny--a destiny that left Neverwinter behind. A destiny that left Tomi behind. Over the past month or so the two of them had become close companions, reaching the point that, despite Tomi's less-than-perfect track record, Celestine trusted him with her very life. Perhaps there was something more than friendship between them. Celestine didn't know, and now, it seemed, she would never have the chance to find out.
oOoOoOoOo
Journal of Celestine Alyssum Sweetwater OakbridgeDay 746 in Arvoreen's Service
I have said my good-byes and wished my dear friends well. They have a long road ahead of them, a road that I shall no longer share. My destiny lies not with the servants of Neverwinter, but in the Anauroch Desert with fellow students of my former master. I must remain faithful to my patroness' calling wherever it shall lead, and I know in my heart that this is where I must go. Where this path will eventually lead me I know not, what challenges lie ahead I know not, but no matter the circumstances I must remain true to my faith and my Guild.
I shall spend one final night here in Port Llast among my friends and leave upon the morning's light. Riisi, I am told, is recovering well and should be able to make the return trip to Hilltop within a few days. I can only hope that she finds Master Drogan well. Arvoreen willing, I will find Xalia and the others well. I remember her only vaguely from my apprenticeship. She came to Drogan mere months before I left to follow my calling, so I know very little about her. But if Drogan has placed his faith in her, then I must place my faith in her as well.
Celestine looked carefully around her room, checking and double-checking to make sure that she wasn't forgetting anything. Her eyes came upon a small object sitting next to the candelabra on her desk. Strange…I've never seen this before, she thought. Curious, the young cleric made her way over to the desk and discovered that the object was really two objects--a rolled up piece of parchment and a silver ring. Celestine pulled the paper out of the ring and unrolled it, revealing a hastily written message inside.
Hey Cel,
Just a small token to remember me by. Not like you'd ever forget someone like me, right?
Take care of yourself out there.
Tomi
Tears welled up in Celestine's eyes as she slipped the ring on her finger. The band was made of mithral, no doubt, and she was pretty sure that the stone was a lapis lazuli. She didn't know where Tomi had gotten it (and with his reputation she was certain that she didn't want to know), but it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.
Tomi had just made leaving that much more difficult.
I can't do this…
Yes, you can.
But what about him?
What about your duty? Would you abandon your calling for one man?
I…I can't decide.
You must. Will you let Drogan down? Will you let Xalia and the others face a future where they might lose their lives? Can you bear that guilt?
No.
Steeling her resolve, Celestine placed her backpack on her back and retrieved Drogan's ring from a pocket. She took a deep breath and placed the ring on her thumb.
There is no going back now, she thought as the inn dissolved before her eyes.
End Chapter 1
Authoer's Note: Finally, on to the meat of the story! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed. :)