Verdant Fall
Bohdan grew increasingly nervous as the company drew closer to the border of the Jutonfar Highlands and the Aeterveran Woods. The eyes of the elves lit up with relief as they saw their beloved wood. Bohdan grew even more nervous at the sight of the great trees. These trees were no pines but even in autumn they had not shed their leaves. It just isn't natural, thought Bohdan.
"We're really going into that wood?" he asked Kyner.
"We are, and from there we will take a ship to Hreispell."
"An elven ship?
"Probably."
"You can't be serious," muttered Bohdan.
"Would you rather walk?" Bohdan was silent.
The elves began leaving as the company journeyed deeper into the wood, many of them thanking Kyner before leaving, and the former captives were herded off–presumably to see the healers. Eventually, only the three travelers and Taurnil remained. How subtly they part company, thought Ciara.
The trees grew taller and thicker as the four passed into the deeps of the Aeterveran Wood. Broad stairs ascended silver barked trunks to unseen heights.
Light and heavy song drifted down from the high branches of the great trees and Ciara realized how perfectly musical the elven tongue was. Without understanding a single word the song showed her the struggles endured by the elves against innumerable races, their sanctuaries all across Faerun, and an island paradise far to the west.
Ciara broke her gaze away from the high branches to see that Taurnil was watching her. The elf smiled lightly before looking tuning forward again. Ciara looked at her other companions. Bohdan, nervous and ill at ease. Kyner, determined and stalwart. Neither one of them showed any reaction to the song. Ciara continued to listen as she walked on, and her eyes drifted up to the trees.
It was a wonder she didn't trip over anything, her eyes didn't see the ground for a long time.
At length the four arrived at a tree whose trunk was thicker than that of the others and ascended its spiraling stair. Bohdan tried to keep his eyes on the inside of the spiral. Ciara looked down on the forest they were rising above, spellbound.
Maybe she can find something here, thought Kyner, This place radiates peace. But peace can lull one into complacency. Something I cannot afford.
When they had finally ascended the long stair they found themselves on a broad platform that had been built onto the tree. Various platforms ringed other trees and narrow bridges connected the platforms. Ciara gaped shamelessly at the marvel.
"Come," said Taurnil, "we are almost there."
He led them across a narrow bridge to another platform. The elf and Kyner crossed with utmost confidence in the bridge's durability. Bohdan crossed slowly and then sped up drastically when a gust of wind whipped his cloak. Ciara laughed as she crossed and even leaned onto the railing of the narrow bridge to stare downward for a few moments.
After a few moments, Ciara followed the rest of the party into a structure that had been finely carved into one of the silver barked great trees. Much of the tree's inside had been hollowed out and the results could not be faulted. Kings would give entire provinces to have the simple, yet elegant, accommodations like those enjoyed by the denizens of Aeterveris. It would have been impossible to construct a room of such natural perfection with mortal means.
The room was only simply furnished with a few tables and chairs but the craftsmanship was undeniable. A warm hearth quietly blazed on the far side of the room and a spiral staircase ascended the perimeter of the high-ceilinged room to the next level.
"I will inform Lord Mahtan of your arrival," said Taurnil, and he rapidly ascended the staircase. Kyner comfortably took a seat at one of the tables and Ciara followed his example. Bohdan remained standing. It was not long before Taurnil descended the stair again. A number of other elves descended soon after and made quick exits.
"Kyner, Lord Mahtan will see you now. I will show the two of you to your quarters."
Ciara gave Kyner a worried glance. The old warrior nodded and she hesitantly followed Taurnil behind Bohdan.
Kyner ascended the stair alone. The second floor was Lord Mahtan's audience chamber, and Mahtan himself sat on a well-made but plain chair atop a dais. He rose as Kyner entered.
"It is good to see you again, old friend," said Mahtan.
"Yes," Kyner replied as he approach Mahtan, "I only wish the circumstances were different."
"Your tension is quite palpable," Mahtan commented, "I could tell that you wanted to meet with me alone before you were even in this bough. Now tell me, why have you come?"
"It was not my intention to come here, old friend. The ship I was traveling on was attacked by gnolls and ran aground on the south bank."
"Where are you traveling to?"
"We were bound for Hreispell, and from there to Scornubel."
"I would not recommend that destination friend," said Mahtan.
"And why?"
"Because insurmountable bands of brigands have laid waste to a great deal of the land between the Wood of Sharp Teeth and the Sunset Mountains. They ravage towns and the countryside unchecked."
"What of the militias and local armies?"
"It is all they can do to defend their own cities. Why did you seek to travel to Scornubel in the first place?"
"It was at the behest of Gorion," replied Kyner, "he felt that we had the best chance of meeting there. We knew that we couldn't stay where we were, him in Candlekeep and myself at Noatun."
"Why did you need to leave?"
"Do you recall the prophecies of Alaundo?" asked Kyner.
"Yes, detailing the prophesied death and possible resurrection of Bhaal through his mortal progeny. I've read what I could of them but I admit that has been very little."
"The prophesied children of Bhaal are very real."
"How do you know?"
"I've spent the past twenty years raising one."
"How–" Mahtan sputtered.
"Did I come to be the foster-father of a child of Bhaal? I was in Gorion's retinue when we attacked a temple of Bhaal. We were unable to save any but two children. A boy and a girl. Gorion took and raised one, and I the other."
"You are traveling with her now?"
"Yes, her name is Ciara."
"You named her?"
"I did."
"Does she know what she is?"
"I've told her a fair amount. However, there remains much to be said."
"So," Mahtan started, "what do you intend to do now?"
"I will continue to Hreispell. I need to keep moving."
"What will you do once you get to Hreispell? That is what I want to know."
"I will probably go on to Baldur's Gate. There is a chance that I may be able to find Gorion there."
Mahtan nodded, "Baldur's Gate is safe for now. Now I must tell you some news I have dreaded. The messenger came in a few hours ago and related to me that, sometime yesterday, frost giants descended from the Dagger Rise Mountains and laid waste to Keep Noatun. My spies watched but didn't dare to stand in their way.
"The frost giants seemed to be looking for someone. When they couldn't find that person they killed everyone and razed the keep and all of its outbuildings."
"They were looking for Ciara," Kyner grimaced.
"My troubles dear friend," Kyner remembered telling Fredek before he had left Noatun, "you need not worry over it."
"There is more," said Mahtan, "though I did not think it important earlier, my spies told me that the giant who appeared to be leading could have been no older than thirty years. That is quite young for a giant, especially a leader."
"You think he is a Bhaalspawn also?"
"I think it very likely, considering what you've just told me."
"I will be sure then to not spend so much time here as I did in Keep Noatun."
"Do you wish to leave immediately? I could easily arrange it."
"No," said Kyner, "Ciara seems at peace in this place. I do not desire to rip her from it so soon. I would like to stay a day or two."
"Very well," said Mahtan, "you may stay as long as you like. Selinde will be waiting downstairs. Simply ask her to take you to your companions."
"Thank you." Kyner turned away but paused. Can I trust him?
"There is something else?" asked Mahtan.
"Yes," Kyner said slowly. "When Ciara and I fled Noatun, we were ambushed on the river by elves."
"Surely you do not think they were my men?" asked Mahtan. His face betrayed both concern and disbelief.
"No," said Kyner, "they were neither as disciplined as your warriors nor were they so well equipped. However, they did bear arms of elven quality."
"That is most distressing," said Mahtan, "several days ago a number of elves under my care disappeared. They were all young, and so we thought that wanderlust had taken them. It is not so uncommon that a number of youths will strike out together. Several months earlier a number of our weapons disappeared. We had no luck finding the culprits. I had not considered to put the two together until now.
"But, I do not understand why my people would leave to attack you and your ward. I am sorry, old friend. Do you have any idea of what has taken place?"
"I am certain that Ciara is being hunted by other Bhaalspawn. Your youths may not have meant to come for our lives. I am sorry for their deaths."
"What do you mean?"
"They may have been tied by a geas spell."
Mahtan shuddered, "We will speak no more of this now. I must think on this. Sleep well, old friend."
"I fear that my sleep will be as restless as your own."
Kyner opened the door to the chambers that had been provided for Ciara. He had hoped that she would still be awake. At Noatun he had known her to stay awake into the harrowing hours of the night. Instead he found Ciara lying in bed, the long sword Aitana propped against the wall.
The old man crossed the floor to Ciara's bedside. She slept soundly. It was something Kyner had seen her do too little of.
"Sleep well, child," he murmured as he quietly left the chamber.