A Cold Start
Nyxian
Nyxian Vaylasari woke with both excitement and nervousness. He sits up in his bed and looks out the window. It is usually cold, frost touching the leaves on the trees surrounding his house. His fire died out long ago, and a shiver runs down his spine. The weather was precisely why the council called for an investigation. The woods should be in full bloom, but winter's grasp wouldn't let go. Food sources were low as most animals migrated south to warmer weather or were killed by the cooler temperatures. Nyxian rises to dress. He still has a half hour before needing to meet with his best friend, Wren Greentree, to depart for Ten Towns. He was thankful for the mission too. Things between Wren and his brothers were getting bad. Soon Nyxian would have to step in, which was not something any of them would want. He packs his bag with essentials he'll need for the trip and reaches for his sword. Pausing a moment to study it. His father spent good money on the Rhoka blade, saving Nyxian's life more than he could count. This would be the first time they were sent on a mission by themselves. It's what he's wanted for such a long time, and he could barely contain his excitement. He walks out the door and down to the small pond beside the entrance to their village. He could see Wren making his way to him in the distance. He smiles, watching his friend with Jaeda, his Pangolin companion. Wren wasn't looking forward to leaving the woods. He was most at home amongst the trees and animals. People were difficult for his druid friend. Jaeda runs ahead faster, rolling her body along Nyxian's feet.
"Are you ready?" Nyxian asks.
Wren's grumble causes Nyxian to laugh and claps Wren on the shoulder.
"Come on, it's going to be fun. You'll see."
Wren shakes his head, giving a half-laugh. "That's what someone says right before the opposite of fun happens."
Conner
"Enter." A deep voice says from behind a thick wooden door.
"You wanted to see me, master?" The young monk kneels.
The elderly monk folds his hands on the tidy desk, his face becoming stern and severe. "Child, it is time for you to venture out on your own. There is no more I can teach you. The rest is up to you."
The young monk looks at him with a bewildered expression. "I have angered you, Master? Is this because of what happened yesterday? I -"
The elder put his hand up. "No. You thrive on being free. But do not forget freedom comes at a price."
"Master?"
A knock sounds out, and another monk enters. He walks quickly to hand papers to the elder before taking his leave. "Ten Towns is requesting assistance. You are to go there and help." The old monk stands and walks to his student. "Remember, you're to be in the world, not of it." The old monk was never emotional, but he looked as if he would burst into tears. Ignoring etiquette as he usually does, the young monk hugs his Master. He is thrilled to finally go, but this life, these people, were all he knew.
The elder pushes him back to look at him but doesn't let go. "You will always be welcome here."
The young monk shakes his head, tears welling in his eyes.
The elder drops his arms and walks back to his desk. "Go now, Conner Trimace; I hope you find what it is you seek."
Sophia
Walking quickly, Sophia Laki bursts outside, ready to tell her mom and stepfather the excellent news. She has only been a member of The Moonstar Guild for a few weeks, and she was already getting her first mission. She knew she was moving quickly within the guild because of her father's tenuous relationship with The Moonstars. They were showing her off, using her. She didn't care, though. And neither did her father, but she wasn't going to tell the council that. She has only seen her father a handful of times since she was a child. None of the encounters were pleasant. His bitterness towards her mother was evident in his speech and face. Sophia makes her way down the crowded streets of Waterdeep to her mother's work. She was a renowned professor at one of the prestigious arcane schools in the city. Several vendors and passersby wave and say hello. She enters the large school gates just as the bell rings. Students and faculty begin to pour out in the courtyard. It was midmorning, and she knew she only had a few minutes before her mother's next class would start. She walks into her mother's room, her breathing ragged from climbing the numerous flights of stairs. "Mom?" she huffs.
Her mother looks up at her, startled by the abrupt entrance. "What has you so excited, nugget?" her mom asks with a warm, toothy smile.
"I'm going on my first mission."
"Isn't this kind of sudden?" Her mother asks with concern. "Where to?"
I know it's because of …him. Not sure why there is bad blood between the Harpers and us."
"Old bitterness and rivalries."
"Where is the mission?" Her mother asks again.
"Ten Towns." Sophia sits down at one of the tables facing the front. "I've never been so far. At least not by myself."
"Couldn't you just settle down with a nice man? Become a professor. Serina says, stroking her daughter's face. "You know something safe."
Sophia gives a disgusted look. She points to the window that overlooks the courtyard and the land beyond. "He's out there somewhere." She says. Sophia longed for a family of her own. She wanted to create what she lacked growing up. Sophia loved her mom, but she still missed having a father. Things may have been different if she married Karn sooner, but things don't always go according to plan, as her mother would often say.
"Good luck Sophia." Her mother says with a kiss on the forehead. Kids started coming in to take their seats as the bell rang again. "I know you'll do great things."
