Well, crap.

Day broke bright and clear, scorching the retinas of my horde of largely hung-over adventurers. Of course, there had been antics during the night, but that was to be expected. I firmly locked and barred my door to prevent malicious acts of love and devotion in the dark, and to my surprise the impromptu lock of a chair wedged against the door worked. None the less, there were knocks on my door bright and early. I was up, up and painfully hung over. The sun was shining, the sea breeze was crisp and clean, and the fall weather wasn't stopping the bustle of commerce on the wharf.

All of it conspired to turn a pounding headache into something decidedly worse.

I grumbled as I pulled the stool away from the door, not even bothering to pick up a weapon first. It wasn't that my fighting instincts were dull- I was tired, hung over and simply didn't care. If some assassin lurking behind the door had managed to sneak past everyone in the tavern, then he deserved to kill me. Fortunately, it was just Imoen.

"Wakey wakey, sleepy head! C'mon, the Thumb is putting out breakfast. This'll be everyone's last meal together for awhile. Why don'tcha come down before the pancakes are all eaten?"

I grumbled, managed half a smile, and excused myself to get semi-presentable. My sister smiled a big happy smile, and skipped off to tell the others. Great, which of my admirers would jump me now? I sat down, sighed, and started to remove Jaheria's careful dressings. They were great- her years of healing experience could be seen in the small details of every stitch, every knot. I smiled, remembering the first time she had to sew me up. I had screamed and moaned like a banshee, for a cut that wasn't nearly as deep or long as any of those I wore now. She had yelled at me, and despite my twitching she had done a great job of it. I touched the scar, a reminder that even kobolds can be dangerous.

The door opened without so much as a knock. Of course, only one person would dare do that. Viconia stood there, grinning and looking surprisingly...eye-catching. She wore a simple cloth dress, indigo standing out against her darker skin. The dress itself was nothing special...a single strap over one shoulder, no tassels or embroidery. However, it did hug her every curve. As she walked forwards, her grin growing at my partial nudity, I saw that it was slit along both legs. She leant forwards in front of me, blonde hair cascading around her leather circlet as she reached to undo a knot I had been rather fond of.

"You will let me dress your wounds, jaluk."

It was a command, not a request. I didn't object, and thanked the Morninglord and Tymora both that I made of habit of wearing pants regularly. What was I to do as she kneeled there, deliberately granting me a gratuitous look at her cleavage and changing my bandages? It never ceased to amaze me how she could turn something like pulling bloody rags off my body into a sensual affair. Her fingertips danced across my skin, tracing along scars and muscles. Here, a kiss over the scar of an arrow meant for her. There, the stroke of a hand over my pectoral muscle.

Viconia was my equal as a cleric, at the very least. It took her twenty minutes to change my bandages when I could have done it in five, but in this case it was more than that. She was showing her power over me. As she wrapped fresh, dark cloth- the same color as her dress that day, in fact- she smiled up at me seductively. She had a clear view of my groin, and what it was doing obviously amused her. The task complete, she traced my jawline with her index finger and kissed me slowly. Then, she withdrew.

"Eat, ussta mrannd'ssinss. The road is long today."

I just stared as she stood, sinuous body unfurling as she turned. Her soft boots made barely a sound as she left without another word or look. Of course, Aerie was just coming in as she was leaving. Viconia hissed at her and laughed, heading down for her own share of the food. I was still in shock, and now covered in Viconia's bandages. Aerie looked at me skeptically, and sat down beside me, looking tearful.

"Why do you put up with her?"

"Aerie, we've been over this- she's been with the group for a long time, almost as long as Jaheria."

"I know...it's just..."

"C'mere."

I pulled her close, gave her a hug. Our lips met, and we kissed tenderly. I squeezed her, and she returned my hug, looking appeased and eager.

"So, when are we leaving? Have you eaten yet?"

"No, dear."

"Well, get dressed and let's get moving. Everyone's getting hungry waiting for you."

Aerie stood, hand in mine. I smiled at her, gave her another quick hug, and ushered her out of my room while I dressed. Of course, she was ogling me the entire way. I hope she liked what she saw. I emerged a little later, packed and ready to go to find her still waiting for me. She slipped her hand back into mine, and we walked down the stairs together. It was nice...peaceful, innocent.

Everyone was waiting for me, looking hungry. Huge stacks of pancakes and waffles sat on the table, along with platters of bacon and eggs. Massive jugs of cider were evenly spaced along the table. It was, unquestionably, the most fantastic looking breakfast I had ever been privy to. Everyone smiled, and the instant my ass hit the chair, they dug in. It was probably one of my fondest memories of adventuring- everyone eating and talking merrily, pasts and squabbles forgotten. No one fought, no one complained, no one was hurting badly. A common meal, no worgs or assassins or spiders hiding in the dark waiting for us. No mages or dragons or siblings wanting any of us dead. A common meal, with uncommon people.

Minsc ruffled a serving boy's hair, sent him on his way after he had deposited yet another tray of pancakes. There were, of course, tensions at the table. Jaheria and Viconia alternated loving/lusty glances at me and staring daggers at one another. Aerie sat near me, indulging in small talk and generally trying to stay out of everyone's way. Everyone else babbled and ate and made merry. There was, of course, news and planning. A lot of people were heading off on their own. Xan and Branwen had to return to their homelands, Keldorn to his family, Kivan and Coran to the forests. Kagain and Korgan planned to adventure back to the Underdark, to relieve it of its riches. Garrick and Haer'Dalis were heading out to tour all the way south, as far south as they could go. Alora, Skie, Eldoth and Yeslick were heading back to the Gate as well, going to see how the city was faring without us heroic types. Mazzy and Valygar were heading out to his cabin on a...private retreat, and Nalia was needed at her keep. Jan and Quayle were sticking around, quite happy in Athkatla. Cernd was going back to his grove, Edwin to Candlekeep, and everyone else was joining up with me for my return to Sandulessar. I was sad to see my friends go, but at least I had a group. The meal was fantastic, and it was late in the morning before everyone was ready to leave.

Imoen, Minsc, the three women, and me. Great, this was going to be a fun ride, I thought to myself. We all stood together awkwardly for one last time in the barroom of the Sea's Bounty. My party was prepared, mostly sitting on chairs with bags and backpacks at their feet. Kivan was the first to step forwards. He shook my hand, smiled.

"Best we not tarry. It has been grand, and I thank you for the vengeance wrought and adventures shared. Our parting will not be permanent, friend."

"Good luck, Kivan. "

Coran shook my hand as well, and nodded.

"Seek me out if you need me, lad."

"I will."

The ranger and the thief shouldered their backpacks, started out. The dwarves were next. In turn, each nodded, grasped my forearm and grunted. They offered me one last chance to join them, and left for darker climes. Quayle stepped forwards, hand extended.

"Take care. And Aerie, you be careful. Wildwanderer look over both of you."

We shook, he hugged Aerie, and he left. Jan and Keldorn followed him.

"Any advice for me, sage Sir Knight?"

"Stay out of trouble, pup. You've got a good heart, let it lead you where it may."

He grasped my forearm firmly, despite his years, and looked me in the eyes, smiling. After a moment, he let go and pulled his wife under his arm and headed for the door. Jan smiled, saluted, and under the withering glared of everyone, fled without a word. It's not that we didn't like him...but this was a personal moment, one that did not need the involvement of turnip-related stories. Branwen grinned, watching him leave. She smiled warmly at me.

"Tempus watch over you."

"May the Morninglord guide you home one day, Branwen."

"Oh, this is hopeless. Hopeless, I say! The instant we leave your sight we're going to be beset by brigands and let by the side of the road, naked and DEAD."

"Cheer up, Xan. It was good to see you again."

"Cheer up? Do you even remember how we met? I was beaten half to death and tied up in a cave!"

"Uhh...yes. I remember. Be careful, Xan. Branwen will be with you most of the way...if you get lost, we've helped enough people that you're BOUND to meet one. Evereska may be far, but your people will be waiting for you. Once you're there, everything will be fine. Now go, you've got a ship to catch."

"I dreaded this day. Should I make it there, I will send a message to you. IF..."

The elf shook his head, bowed stiffly. Branwen gave him a stiff slap on the back, and started lecturing him. I heard the word 'trials', and chuckled to myself. Yes, he had every right to dread the long trip with a priestess lecturing him. Cernd extended a hand.

"Walk with nature, all of you."

"You as well, Cernd. Say hello to your son for me."

He nodded, and he was gone. I tried to think of an apt nature analogy, and failed. I shrugged, and looked around. The party heading for Baldur's Gate was shouldering heavy satchels, preparing for a long journey. Garrick and 'Dalis nonchalantly tuned instruments and watched the farewells. Edwin barely stopped to say goodbye.

"You know where I will be, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then goodbye. Don't bother me."

There was much headshaking, a few wisecracks as he departed mumbling under his breath. Nalia curtseyed gracefully.

"I'll be going now. With the trolls gone, the invasion over, my people need me. I hope it's not too much to ask..."

"I'm a man of the cloth, Nalia. I know duty. Go on, we'll meet again. I mean, it seems like the whole Coast knows what I'm doing, right?"

"Yes, I guess so. Until later then, Dawnbringer."

She curtseyed once again, shouldered her small bag, and stepped out the door. The goodbyes went swiftly with the group destined for Baldur's Gate- I didn't want to keep my hands too close to theirs. I mean, it's one thing to trust Eldoth when you're back to back with him, fighting off hobgoblins. It's another when you know he's apt to steal the rings off your fingers...which he did. I really had liked that silver ring, it was a memento of Candlekeep. Yesslick stayed behind a moment as the other left, already lusting for their next adventure. He looked up, and like the other warriors, he clasped arms with me. He stared up at me as he spoke.

"Remember what I said, godling. Come visit me sometime, and we can speak of adventures past."

"I will, don't worry. Take care of the others, will you?"

"I'll try. They're a slippery bunch."

"Aye."

"Aye."

Then, he too was gone. Anomen grasped my arm.

"Where does the Order take you, Sir Knight?"

"I know not. You have its blessing, though; I have seen to that."

"Good luck then, Anomen. May the Morninglord look over you in your travels."

"Aye. You need no blessing, my friend. Know only that our friendship will never die."

I nodded, he bowed. It was a rare show of humility from the man, as well as the favor granted to us by the Order of the Radiant Heart. I spied Mazzy and Valygar holding hands, talking quietly. I smiled, walked over.

"What's this, then?"

"Uhh..." Valygar began, at a loss for words. Aerie giggled in the background.

"Congratulations, Mazzy. Picked yourself a fine ranger, there."

"Thank you, Dawnbringer."

Well, hot damn. She was using my title. Mazzy turned to Valygar, who was rather embarrassed.

"Shall we away, my dear? The road may not be as long as the others', but we still have many a mile to cross."

He smiled and stood, shouldering his backpack. He extended his hand to me.

"Your wisdom has always proved invaluable. I will carry it with me wherever I go, friend."

We shook, and Mazzy bowed. I smiled down at her.

"Goodbye, Mazzy. You're a knight at heart, and perhaps soon you'll carry the title as well."

"Perhaps. I can live without it, can't I?"

"You've lived well enough so far. Good luck, Mazzy."

She nodded, took the hand of her new lover, and they too were gone. Only the two bards remained, along with my crew of fanatics. Garrick strummed his lute, as 'Dalis frantically penned something onto parchment.

"You have ...lived... well e...enough...so far, Knight...Knight Mazzy..."

Bastard! He was writing all of this down!

"Oh, my raven, why did you not become a poet instead of a priest?"

"So, now words from the heart make me a poet?"

"Nay, nay. I was simply saying..."

Garrick started, looking around as if surprised.

"Where'd everyone go? Oh, I guess it's time to leave, then."

He shook my hand absentmindedly, wandered through the door without a word. Haer'Dalis merely shook his head, finished writing.

"It has been grand, my raven. Your words and actions will be immortalized, and spread amongst the planes as the farmer sows his crop. While I will miss you, it is time for this sparrow to fly."

"So be it. Try to stay out of trouble, eh?"

"I will, my raven. We'll meet again, and we shall shake the very heavens when we do."

"Indeed we shall. Goodbye, Haer'Dalis."

He bowed, and the door swung shut behind him as ran to catch up to Garrick. The bar looked so empty, devoid of life without everyone. The Thumb was busy clearing the mess we had made as I lay a heavy sack of gold on the table for him. Jaheira put a hand on my shoulder, squeezed it lightly.

"It is time."

I put my hand over hers, and she smiled despite all she had been through. We shouldered our satchels and bags and tents, started to go. I looked across the faces of my loyalists, those who dared remain.

Aerie, so innocent, so faithful. She trusted me implicitly. Her eyes looked at mine, happy to be on the road again, sad at saying goodbye to her friends. It didn't seem to matter to her now- all she wanted was another adventure, another trial by my side. Despite the suffering she had seen and undergone, she remained the voice of compassion in the party. She was the heart of the group.

Imoen, little sister. She followed me from the beginning, and even when I didn't know she of the Blood, I still chased after her, helped her regain her soul. It helped to have her around, to have someone who knew what I was going through. She followed where I led, enjoying almost every moment. Her quick wit made the harsher moments that much lighter. Hers was the mind of the group, ever assessing.

Minsc, brother mine to the death. Despite the obstacles he faced- repeated head wounds, mages, Bhaalspawn, demons- he smashed them aside with sheer determination and grit. Ever the defender of the downtrodden, he was the strong right hand of justice.

Viconia, the dark angel. No matter how she tried to hide it, there was good lurking beneath the surface of her battered soul. The survivor, the will to live, the voice of pragmatism was hers. She was often just behind Minsc, tearing down her foes. She was the avenger, caller of retribution on our foes.

Jaheira, a bar of iron in a world of water. Ever the voice of balance, I could not imagine her not at my side. She remained the only constant as my life shifted beneath my feet, friends coming and going, despite every trial and tribulation. She was the judge, the advisor, the counselor of the group, everyone's pillar of strength. She was the conscience of our party.

I took one look at these brave souls, who had literally seen me to hell and back, and prepared to step once more unto the breach.