p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3bf891f810f4494021320e3be05a7035"The week long ride to Silverymoon was surprisingly pleasant, Ed being used to now fighting things with the Duer's left and right, but besides a few roadside bandits that thought twice about robbing them, everything was fine. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a5daaeaac02fc57ea7b468f878460fb6""I can't wait till we get to the gates" Nole breathed out a sigh with a smile, the trees above them now a lush green that Ed hadn't noticed before. The air itself seemed to drip with life, the sun nice and hot on their necks, the smells of trees and flowers filling the breeze so that you inhaled deep just to feel it in your chest. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9836ff99ad7b15a4295dd0bd52230401""Mmhm" Olly said content, her eyes closed as she also was visibly relaxed. She had her legs thrown over Ed's, her boots kicking lightly to a beat in her head. Ed smiled to himself, taking some pride that it was his presence helping the Ranger rest. The farther that they traveled together now, the more Ed seemed to wonder how he could have gone off on his own again. Being by Olly felt right, like a piece fitting snugly where it belonged in the grand scheme of things./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d6bbc0a777d2df43be8aba215d84786f""Will your parents be happy to see you?" Ed said to Nole, giving the back of Olly's knee a tickle so that he could get up and stretch "Or do you think you might be in trouble?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b8a75f9649486a93f074e6e76678e2e""Oh, he's in trouble" Olly laughed adjusting herself "Just wait till our mother sees him."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2f93f0d077f51600484dd1d1fc66464d""Yea, Kirwin went off on his own for about four months and when he came back Mama made him wish he stayed in the forest" Nole smirked remembering, his glowing eyes staring off into space "It's not that she minds us going off on our own, but if she doesn't know where, she freaks out a little."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4bcbd02a1f1977a4bd26cd43ee3b1f27""Call it her response to constantly having her children in danger" Olly shrugged "You'd think she'd be used to it by now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84bbc5872162c83a19c74f661219db8e""I don't think a mother is ever used to danger with her children" Ed shakes his head as he looked up to the sky "It must be tiring for her."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e1fcee0f00a43305e01b6e6d20f342e1""She's a lot stronger than she looks" Nole said nodding to Olly who met his gaze "She's taken down the Warlocks of Vassa all by herself. Something not even our father could do on his own."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="af9b2bb18212ee6cc2672f3e1bb68b76""And she was pregnant" Olly reminded her brother. It was after all, her birth story./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3ee3a2bc548d1607b142057ed03ebdf9""Amazing" Ed said taking in all the information "That's why the High Mage wanted her in Silverymoon so bad?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="65c7cdebb5778e9392e0dddbd9c71372""Our mother could be the head ruler of all the Druid circles in the Forgotten Realms if she desired, she knows all of them and can wield most of their magic" Olly said with a hint of pride in her voice "She chooses to just stay in Silverymoon and help the locals, and probably some rest."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a79a0f5a6edb717d6cd49b94d681ef26""Where are your parents Ed?" Nole asked curious about the Cleric "You look like a Northerner."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e36e8f60c677659bcdd2a49644d5768""I'm not sure honestly" Ed said with a light voice and a forced grin "I'm an orphan. I guess I consider the church my family. I was raised by the Clerics and priests of my temple that worships Pelor."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b858b1e842ddda3748fcc9c48602f8bd""Pelor is basically another version of the sun god Lathander right?" Nole asked curious. Olly knew Nole was still studying lore of the realms, and desired more information that was in a book./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4e4784cadf2431a5c41b7fce804c7705""A little bit" Ed said with a smile, happy to talk about his god "Pelor is like the father and Lathander is like his son, or even a younger version of himself. Anything under the sun's light is his domain. He's justice, and promises, and mercy all at once."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f8095e9f1cc4fa95936f10694cf66eb2""Hmmmm" Nole said "Interesting. Mother doesn't worship Pelor, although she has a shrine to Lathander. Maybe you could do an offering and it would still count when we get to the Keep."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="34aec0bee5e770ce479b6529c2fcfdcd""Who does your mother worship?" Ed asked wanting to know a little bit more about the famous family./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5f1c0872c2c04ef1a776b2cf99de101a""Mielikki mostly" Olly said braiding back her hair as she talked "The Earthmother, Chauntea. All the ones that have to do with nature and magic. Mystra before she was killed..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d70ac8949c4ddebcbaa25fb6e408296c""Do you worship them as well?" Ed looked at Olly, who seemed to be trying to busy herself with something else./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="262b54ab7c6d3c9dee35dfd56ee6c1a5""We know the rituals" Nole said trying to answer for her "We know the words." /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="11bbb8b3af0959ee3ef940854cc09d6d""I don't see the point in praying to our gods when they don't answer me" Olly finally got out, her voice a bit more tense "They don't guide me like they do everyone else."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="afb81925e69960253257fd5c28ec2c4e""Is that true?" Ed said looking over at Nole who averted his eyes much like his sister./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="48b5dac0d67f0a1edbc1f03651a97dd9""I hear them" Nole said sheepishly "I know Atticus heard them too. It's like casting Guidance except it's not a spell. We just look internally and hear them."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f366e6d4f3461e6f02972fa06bbf3d52""See?" Olly said "I don't know why they don't speak to me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a328ced8b55d1335b2b2a43f5727331f""Silverymoon!" a squawk sounded out from their Kenku driver "Around the bend."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fc06169baa3600136049a19368cf6c52""Yes finally!" Nole said getting excited as the wagon stopped, his frame nearly leaping out of the transport. Olly made sure to tip the driver two unicorn coins so that he would find suitable rest when he made his way into the city, but the trio decided to walk to rest of the way./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f7cb7c204f9aa05bb36f494e2a4042ab"The path was filled with stone that seemed to be placed purposefully so that it wouldn't interfere with nature, the grass and trees growing tall and lush. Olly and Nole walked like they had done hundreds of times up to the white gate, but Ed was still taking in what was known as the Gem of the North./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5dc2a4af5f415d1667fdc248d0212fe6"The gate, tall and white, was marbled with silver doors that sparkled in the light. Two armed guards stood in silver armor, their helmets in the shape of a unicorn as the halted the trio as they approached. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0d05260f8c0ee85f3ebe2155724ad4a1""Who approaches?" the guard said respectively./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6fdffa8e434dd4d4f141f1a43f1aa5fa""Allana and Nole Duer, with a Cleric of Pelor as our guest at Arrowmoor" Olly answered back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="18c96e1b0007a50af6f3f5c07c7ecf37""The Duer's?!" the guard said excitedly from his horse head helmet "You've returned from your journeys! The High Mage will be most pleased that all the Duer's are back in Arrowmoor. Silverymoon will feel much safer now. Please come in!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="51800b99c09bee9c1d6374ee0632b0e5"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Not all of them"/em Olly thought to herself sadly, hiding it behind a smile as the guards hurried to open the gates, the name Duer being shouted from the other side now in various voices, as if the city were being under attacked instead of visited by two young Rangers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="857757421954a92ccc499525eccf3637""I know you two said that your family was a big deal in Silverymoon, but just how big?" Ed said cautiously as more voices started to yell, the silver doors creaking open wide./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bd61c6d51bba688a51a7ad7fa08f409d""Well..." Nole said with a wide grin as Olly shrugged "Our father did save it from an ancient shadow dragon, so there's that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3fcb7ea33be0c72b99c43c0ae1d0209"Ed took in that information and calculated just how big of a dragon that was when suddenly Ed was flooded with white flower petals falling from above. At first, he thought it was danger, until he heard the chime like laugh come from his partner, who held out her hands like she was catching snow./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="87f01b7a2829381ecc72272fb6b74a9c""Guess we have a welcoming party" she grinned at him as they stepped inside the city of Silverymoon./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="510ed71ba110ce87fa9970100fa6f453"High from the tall beautiful buildings above, people were shouting the name Duer, their heads poking out of windows to throw flower petals at the trio that began walking through the white roads. Children yelled and chased after one another, crowding around and waving at them as they passed by, the adults coming up and offering gifts to the Duer children. Ed watched in awe as Olly and Nole simply waved, knowing most people by name as they were greeted and welcomed back into the city. He felt truly below the two Rangers as they flew high above them with the people of Silverymoon./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a7e459381ca1eb8a90c4d8da7134c425"Watching Olly in her environment though was a show in itself. Ed loved that the once serious Ranger who hardly smiled was now beaming, the love from everyone apparent as she took each gift and well wishes with grace. Children asked to feel her hair while young boys asked for a kiss on the cheek. At first Ed was worried, but Olly plucked a kiss on each cheek as she passed by, her face nearly glowing as she did so. She was like a princess in her own right, Ed thought happily, the two of them damn near royalty in this place as they couldn't walk very far without someone coming up to them./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b38c79468c952d2b261ce000228b302c""Hey Oll" Nole said loudly "We can hitch a ride home with Gunther here if ya want!?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="562164ca70e08fc5ee6042c6e8a0d7a9"Ed turned with Olly, a little nervous to leave her side in the commotion, and saw a chariot just big enough to carry the trio through town, a green dragonborn driver waving at them gleefully./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="707adcc778b48285228a314ad0f8428a""Let's go" Olly said in Ed's ear "The crowd is getting a bit much for me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4936fd6ff673ec69d7cc74bdf3383b15""You and me both" Ed joked as he took her hand and walked over to the chariot together. Now a new slue of chatter started, watching the young Duer girl lock hands with this unknown Cleric. Ed blushed a bit, but Olly came a bit closer to him, her presence soothing him enough to not care what others were thinking in the moment. He was with Allana Duer, Monster Hunter, and holding hands with her as if they were long time lovers, their bodies relaxed and moving together in unison. Nothing could get him off this cloud if it dared./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6b5890a02cd65a4cad684d395d6e89e9"The driver of the chariot flicked the reins quickly as they sped off down the street at a much faster pace than walking. Now people ran beside the chariot just to give Olly a flower, or Nole a firm handshake, nearly colliding with one another to reach the Rangers. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9c3a7fd7886e9bfdac757c01541e8b91""Is it always like this?" Ed laughed as he saved someone from falling against the chariot at the last second./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e28dce37be711e23c1cc110bfe155851""Only when it's been a while" Olly said accepting another flower as they passed by quickly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9d1cf24f9a85b6e8ad51ae5bbb014eeb""And for her it's been more than a while" Nole laughed "Although it seems nobody was unaware of what you were up to for years Oll. News travels fast in the realms."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bf4b9103f7818c9a93b40eb1c46cc726"Olly blushed at her brother's words but fell silent, a small prideful smile crossing her face. Ed was happy that although most of those years were miserable, she still was proud of helping others that were in trouble./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c5b82e85f717c8692e399f8bc0cdfb51"As they drove past temples and important looking structures that seemed to weave in with nature itself, Ed spotted something high in the air that almost overlooked the city. It was like a rainbow, except no prism of color shimmered against the light, it was a large silver streak against the bright blue background./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="77b607fc33a046edfcad418a8b8beaa4""That's the Moonbridge" Olly said pointing over to it "They say that at night on a full moon the Goddess of the Unicorns Lurue dances underneath it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="55ba2f1b7824fd44bfd559ccd225e213""You ever seen her?" Ed said staring at the giant silver structure. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ff7c9f98a80b3bca3ed9cfa44c8536ec""No" Olly smiled "But when I was a child I use to dream of her all the time. She would come for me in a forest, and I knew her face immediately."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="027e61bd4b3036d137a0436098b5d8ef""That sounds like a nice dream" Ed smiled at her, but Olly was still far away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="217cccdc482b27e6b620b5a1cbaa429d""I use to have that dream, every night. Until one night Lurue didn't come. It was someone else" Olly said sadly "Someone I didn't know...a shadow in the trees I couldn't make out. It scared me. After that I didn't want to dream."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e07f47d36274ce348af477b11e02f624"Ed took her words internally, watching as Olly's eyes flashed a feeling he couldn't pin down before she turned to him once again normal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="508ae817af29864f19d3097a3a16177b""I haven't dream very often in my travels" Olly said with a smile "Except lately."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c16859d7e945169703ce3afcc75b75b7""Why's that?" Ed said as they passed through the city now farther into the forest, the trail still littered with white shining stones./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1d088071b21cb2b0d39633ec6ab1a65a""Probably because of you" Olly said not looking at him "I sleep a lot more soundly."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c2bd5ec3971f86e24df74cc2a72e12c6"Ed blushed at her words, but couldn't help the prideful smile that spread across his face as he tried to hide it./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="911d04fa9f152cf787589fb279298268"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Easy lover boy"/em Valor said in his head em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Don't swoon too hard."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="18466df1bffa9f712e6e781eed3a4d23"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Cut it out" /emEd thought to himself em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Can't I enjoy it?"/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b6d0a301a4269405fae7d7b720ca05c"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""I'm just saying" /emValor psychically shrugged em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Keep your heart inside your sleeve instead of out." /em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a88b29fcaf8e5846fed5793ff5912699""em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Duly noted"/em Ed nodded and then put the Dawnstar away in a purple wrapped cloth against his back. He would speak to the Solar later when he was done enjoying his time with the Duer's./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c7a48e31508414897ad82957b62c082d""There it is!" Nole said excitedly to Ed, pointing over the horizon of the tree tops./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; position: relative;" data-p-id="862b684014375ba973fe5b9ee56f3079" data-media-type="image" data-image-layout="one-horizontal" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c764178a6b64be22a48c47b37c89ca4a""Arrowmoor Keep" Olly nearly breathed out like a sigh of relief as Ed turned to look at the building that seemed to press itself into the hillside of the mountains that surrounded the city./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="08a097e13059ccd4130def32a44b3585"It looked like a brown stone against all the green, the towers tall and high against the sky as buildings grew fat and wide the lower you looked. High walls guarded the castle, with archer spots all over the edges and through the opening of windows. Long ago it must have been quite a force to be reckoned with, but now it looked peaceful, only a few wandering guards that began shouting out the trio's arrival as they crested around the road./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="983104bb2f4df29ff5c101476240ad1e"A small bridge was the only thing separating the Keep from Silverymoon as they crossed with loud thunks against the wood and up the dirt road to the gates of the castle. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="46d16b7b7e1ba31a157715f4f096fbe8""Lady Allana and Master Nole are back!" cries were heard against the breeze as Ed could make out more hustling noises and cries that echoed back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="05d55f31713e5458570357d447a29305"Olly felt light as a feather, for years she had been absent from her home, but now seeing the castle once again, she felt the steady beat of home start to vibrate inside of her. Here she had run the halls, had bounced against the walls learning to balance herself, had trained hours and hours with swords until she was satisfied. Here was where she grew up against the harshness of the wild, and now it called to her more than the forest itself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4b203ce5a5f34e736cdf6fd83f2d301a""I can't wait to be in my own bed" Olly said out loud "I haven't slept in such comfort since the Margaster Mansion."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="46b313de049abd4292cf1e0b34c63cd3""That seems so far away from now" Ed chuckled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9d1d0414e6ab6ac81cfb5498b91ddd09""I guess it does" Olly smiled "Times flies with the right company right?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c8173700fe49387058a5375f6274373a"Ed nodded to her as they descended the chariot, the driver refusing payment, only the honor of getting to take the Duer's to their home was payment enough. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fd8ae940c42f1e9533aed546a119de7e"Nole nearly raced to the giant wooden doors of the Keep, his voice ordering them open with haste and laughter. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="47aa39c1b8f20394cde7394205ec7812""He's happy to be home" Olly smiled as Ed helped her from the chariot "But I don't know why he's so excited, any moment now he's going-"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1ccf05631ce5a969d100e4101a7aaab6""NOLE AMADEUS FLAMEFLOOD DUER!" a rumble sounded out in the air, like a mini earthquake that made Ed steady himself against Olly who looked like someone had thrown a pebble her way./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ebb35656e78e8c8d842e6bdfedaf97d9""What was that?" Ed said startled./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="07cd5b1b7174a4a6c241e4e7d29115c6""That" Olly sighed "was our mother."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="24a4b4895750abf96ab32f2d728dcb21"Suddenly Ed spotted the one who had caused the thunderclap of noise, a flick of dark blue showing out against the brown stone as they walked inside the gates. There she stood, hands on hips in front of the ornate wooden doors that led into the inner halls of the Keep. To Ed, this shorter woman with jeweled hair looked like a sorcerer about to wreck anything in her path, her bright brown eyes alight as she walked towards the trio with a determined stance. To Olly, their mother looked as if she hadn't aged a day since they were young, her frame and stance the same as when they were little and caught doing something bad. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6b57b2f5260e01e039aa62e1aafae8c0""Hello Mama" Nole said sheepishly as he approached the woman, servants and recruits on the outer rim of the entrance watching the famous Duer's interact./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="adaeb615842740b5070c6b883648d4f7""Don't you hello Mama me young man" Jentess of the Moonshea Isles said crossing her arms "What makes you think you can take orders from the High Mage without letting anyone know?! Who told you to just go off without a word to anyone at the Keep?! And then I have to get your sister to save you from whatever mess I'm sure you got into. Gods child, when will you let my heart rest?!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ba62ea73cecdf320266118b38120b968""I'm sorry mother" Nole said bowing his head "It was my first secret order, I wanted to do it right."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bfc997aabf8e51f46290bc9d099554f9""Nobody can get you out of trouble if we don't know where trouble is" Jen said with a frown, but soon softened at her youngest's apologetic stance "It's over now, and you are home. That's all that matters. But to make up for it, you can go and tell your father all that has happened while I speak to your sister. Whatever punishment he has in store for you, you will do it without complaint. Understood?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="867109f76d2c96950236b604819c3b6e"Nole nodded and gave Olly and Ed a quick glance before taking off inside the Keep. Now Ed felt his heart race at the pointed stare of the Druid, her brown amber eyes assessing this newcomer before giving him a gentle smile. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bc5ff7a5a82794127df577628f664750""Allana" Jen said turning to her daughter "I'm so happy you are home. You're father has been waiting anxiously for you, and I'm sure you have a lot to tell us, but first who is your companion?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9f77638060e1f2a60657c162f8d3e309""Mother this is Edric Alphonse" Olly said motioning for Ed to come forward "He's the one that helped me find Nole and escorted us here. We met in the Trollclaws."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bac40dd677ec92862ef4eea7c8bca0e6""It's an honor my lady" Ed said bowing, showing the utmost respect out of duty, and a little bit of fear. Hearing the motherly tones come out of the famous Druid frightened him more than her magic./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b47a04ee58b81a9e9e1407724989cce2""Thank you for assisting my daughter and son" Jen said smiling at the Cleric with a more gentle gaze "Your efforts will not be unnoticed around Arrowmoor. I expect you to be staying with us for a night?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="37f968baa0532694f676679665316a92""More like a few" Olly said piping up against her mother's voice "Ed has earned a rested stay here. And he had become a friend of mine."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="71495f1a5c56611c5f9d406b3e494f6c"Ed blushed slightly that Jen caught quickly, watching the two young people shy away from each other for a moment. Jen gave Ed a knowing smile and then turned from the two gracefully "But of course my dear. He should be here for the festival of the Dancing Deer, that should give him quite a fun time during his stay. Will you be joining your father now? We will have a moment to speak later."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bbbbf22923f890a5b3e20424d9ae79de""Yes I think I should" Olly said nodding "You want to come with?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b110a8a2a60270eafbe8f118f867a11e""The Cleric will follow me to his rooms, it's best he knows them before it gets too late in the evening" Jen said not turning to her daughter. Olly looked at her mother for a moment, the two in some kind of stare down that Ed could only guess what was about. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="24747497442dac5ec741656746bb47c4""I think I should go with her" Ed hissed jokingly at Olly, breaking the tension. Olly gave him a apologetic look before taking off inside the doors, her footsteps echoing against the marble black walls. She prayed to the gods that her mother would not intimidate her new friend, but the likelihood of that was slim at best. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5b2c08f210a8b301a3151d15928633a4"Ed walked up beside Jen and offered his arm to her "I will follow your lead my lady" he said in his most polite voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d23a9670759ec814ce511e7b01363ecb""No need anymore for formalities Cleric" Jen said smirking as she took his arm "My name is Jentess, or you can simply call me Jen. I know Olly must think I'm going to interrogate you, but I simply wish to know the person my daughter has been traveling with. You are no elf, and Peren has been on my mind as of late. To my surprise my children walked in with a human, so now we must get to know one another."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a488e7fc6ffbc0c775391fc13152eb91""I would be honored" Ed said bowing his head "Although I am sorry if I am not what you were expecting."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7deef45bd10b932d7d91e5eefa1fd065""Nonsense" Jen said patting him as she led him past several large rooms "We just want to make you at home."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44308add985c85afe146a9bed3cd8708"Ed took one final glance at Olly as him and her mother rounded a corner, Olly's figure disappearing down another hallway with a wave./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b6ae345d046bf869467a37878757c034"Olly knew that her mother would take her time with the Cleric, her breathing even as she followed the hall down another corridor until the doors to the training yard were ahead of her. How many times had she walked this path she wondered? She could remember waking up before the sun even thought about cresting over the mountains, her feet dragging against the stone floor before her hands found the wood handles, pushing them open with a grunt./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f6fd554e81b55c966c1501b4c6c5ea1d"The training yard was a large square in the back of the Keep, the high walls littered with obstacle courses she would often run as a trainee, the shacks surrounding the area with various weapons and shields the recruits would use to scrap battle with. She spotted several recruits running on the large poles to practice their balance, while others mock battled on the rafters. A Fighter and Ranger had to be quick on their feet, it was one of the most core rules./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57f426b0c35f870ff9df8a5ae98a9b5d" The large open area was a dirt ground with large wooden posts around it to border it off. There in the middle of the training area, recruits dished out mock battles, the clash of wood and steel ringing out in the air, testing their skills against one another as a lone figure sat on the steps leading down to the yard, his steely gaze fixed on the ones that would carry the name of Arrowmoor outside his walls. Nobody bothered the old man, in fact, it seemed most didn't dare even look his way as he studied the young ones below him. Hard steel blue eyes watched closely, assessing, thinking, and executing what would need to happen later on. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d763e8062c3d400143a02a1b88df6ee"Olly approached the man, his knees bent at a hard angle as one hand rested on a wooden staff, while the other sat relax against his thigh, but you could feel the hard energy coming off of him when you approached, as if you were approaching a dangerous beast instead of a man. Olly didn't fear him, but she knew that she had to approach gently./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="369759ad0c534e4301352537ca23f2cd""Hello Father" Olly said softly behind him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4264abe3a7cd95f785adcc7381d358ef"Those steel blue eyes of his turned and found Olly, immediately washing away the edge as a small smile crept along his face under a white beard and long snow hair. He looked far older than she remembered, time showing off the scars that littered his face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c0bb2c3764532bae1bf7a741551f5f27""My little Olly" Weylyn said, his daughter dropping down to one knee in front of him, her head bent respectively./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cefb29cae9784a5e8bd3ae19b75abb78""Father, I've come back as mother asked" Olly said "I'm sorry for being away so long."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="99e98eac719af8757f1c46ee575cbe89""And what pray tell daughter, were you fighting all these years?" Weylyn said with a grin "What has kept you so far from home?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d6cca75f1702f219755eca195c63fa1c""No beast father" Olly said honestly "I didn't return because Peren thought I ought not to."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7e15665cfadbdc6956842ea2b42d0ac6""And when has a man told you what to do that you actually listened?" Weylyn said a bit more sternly "Nobody can command you to do anything."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fe919bef1926ef62d36531af53a5a011""I'm sorry father" Olly said with a few tears threatening to spill from her eyes "I was weak."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="badd49ab281a15b62a2298526e863450""Nonsense" Weylyn said now standing, his weight on the staff as Olly refused to look at the missing leg in front of her that was her own doing "There is no such thing as weakness with you. You were simply lost, much like your brother, and you have both returned to your rightful place. There is nothing to apologize for."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="68577ffe40aaf932857f3ac2ad479b8a""Father..." Olly said looking up at him, her words failing her in the presence of him after so long./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c5510f3d77af64dd29d1f8018227a47c""Rise daughter" Weylyn said "Take your place here again. The new recruits need someone to sharpen their skills to deadly points. I think you would do a fine job."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5506ba5825557fadf98a289ad4972f44""Maybe so Father" Olly said "But Peren is still out there looking for me. I didn't leave him on very good terms. I don't want to bring danger to the only home I have."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="77c79a8ab104e81a5be314c74e74150d""That elf is no more dangerous than I am" Weylyn said with a hard laugh, his eyes sharpening now "I'd like to see him try and infiltrate the walls of the Keep. You will be safe here, I promise that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9efb065bebc97c215395c012c00ceb79""Thank you Father" Olly said rising to her father, although she still only barely hit his chest, he was so tall./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4da06a0d317101d403d16287ec0ccc01""You've grown my little one" Weylyn said now in the most gentlest of tones as he cupped her face in his hand "You are no longer the little fireball, you are the dragon fully grown. Nole told me of the Yuan-Ti, about Xanathar. You showed such courage."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b8c6eccd410a5612c1fe94aa732967a3""The beholder didn't stand a chance" Olly said somewhat prideful "The Yuan-Ti proved to be more difficult."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="353456f1dea720a8abd2733319d5b75f""I have gone up against a few of the snake beasts myself" Weylyn nodded "But Nole tells me there was something different with the ones that took him."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ea7f5635dbc571d043d85940b71d5be3""Yes!" Olly said remembering how she had felt against Nessalli "I felt something even darker, more Infernal in the temple. I know the female wasn't what she said she was. It wasn't just dark magic, it was hellish fire that seemed to fill the air around us. I've never seen anything like it."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="af6dfbbb430cbd34605df07f5e46a1a8""Interesting" Weylyn said keeping his thoughts to himself "Well no matter. All that we need to worry about is getting you back up to speed. You will train the new recruits at dawn."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b59b0f86063e208de1ea5ab1a8b148ce""Yes Father" Olly said immediately, although inside she groaned at the thought of not being able to oversleep in her own bed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d23b07cf98aea7aced58be92bbb1e4d2""There is one more thing though" Weylyn said as he propped the cane against his seat "You haven't embraced me, and I think your old man needs a good hug."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e9a52b259881a8dc2fe721c7e34ab42a"Olly smiled and fell into her father, his large arms enveloping her and squeezing her tight against his chest. Even as a grown woman, she still felt small next to her father, his scent like the woods at night./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 30px 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; position: relative;" data-p-id="bf35f95c6d7ade1f1d3b8ff452e10faf" data-media-type="image" data-image-layout="one-horizontal" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cbc9c6e2cc705ede97307d89bd3823b8""I missed you Papa" Olly said quietly against him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d437ef0cc2e91e0ba0fc7be8e98601f1""Welcome home daughter" she heard in her hair, and it was true. She was home./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26478db11a74b3c8675f463fee30cba7" /p