Chapter 52 A Reunion, of Sorts

Usual Disclaimer: Most of the characters in this chapter are not owned by me, though all of the NPC's are. As always, concrit, questions, and suggestions appreciated.

On the Sword Coast:

Wolf glanced at the hint of light in the sky to gage the hour. "You want me to lead you back to Bishop's body because the Captain told you to in a dream? Are you sure, Sir?" He tried unsuccessfully to hide his disbelief that the paladin was making such a request of him at such an early hour.

Casavir flushed in embarrassment, hearing a sound from inside the room that indicated the boy wasn't alone. He was of age now, and a comely lad despite a few teenage blemishes, so he should have expected that. But a heartbeat later, Karnwyr was standing beside him looking up quizzically at the paladin. One of the first things Elanee had done was use the power granted to her by Silvanus to restore and regenerate the wolf's burned skin, even before she did the same for the boy. He offered his hand to the wolf. "Karnwyr's still with you then?" He hadn't been sure how long the wolf would stay around with his bond with Bishop broken.

Wolf shrugged sleepily in the doorway then reached down and scratched Karnwyr's head. "Yeah, we ain't bonded or nothin', but he got half tame livin' with Bishop, and he's comfortable enough with me. He really likes Zeta though." He craned his neck to look up at Casavir's face. The paladin seemed earnest, but it occurred to the boy that the strain of almost six tendays with no word about his wife would get to anyone. He asked again, "Are you sure, sir? Mayhap you should talk about it with your companions first?"

Casavir suppressed a sigh and nodded. "I wouldn't blame you for thinking I'm losing my mind, lad, but the dream was very vivid. I honestly felt as if she was with me."

Wolf frowned as he thought about this. "Do you think it could've be a haint? We had lots of nasty undead here, and the Ironfists are still turnin' things up now that they're exploring the deep ruins under the Keep. Or could it be..." He hesitated, thinking how best to go on, showing admirable tact for his age. "Do you think it could've been your lady's spirit? Mayhap Brother Ivarr could advise you before we go runnin' off into the hills and disturb a grave needlessly."

Casavir again flushed, the madness of his request being reinforced after hearing the voice of reason coming from a young man of sixteen. "Perhaps you are right, Wolf. I will speak to Brother Ivarr. He should be up by now, but I'll give him time to have his breakfast. Do you think you could find Elanee for me anyway? I shall require her services to...perform the resurrection. She's the only cleric in the area capable of casting the appropriate spell."

Wolf looked up at the sky again. At least the rain had stopped, not that he paid much mind to the rain other than to duck under a tree if he had to. "I know where she's been workin' while she waits for Master Daeghun to get back. 'Tis not too far. Karnwyr and I should be able to track her down and mayhap return by highsun."

The druid had been working to create a new grove and restoring the damage to the land from the King of Shadow's blight. She had told Wolf when he came across her one day while he was hunting that her plan was to eventually turn the grove over to Byrun, Orlen's younger son, who had become her initiate. She told him that while she wanted to help Daeghun search for his foster daughter, her first duty was to Nature, and they agreed that Dee would also want her to heal the land. Therefore, she rarely returned to the Keep.

"Thank you, Wolf. Again, I apologize for the earliness of the hour."

Wolf shrugged again. "In truth, I was lyin' there about ready to get up." He bowed his head to him respectfully, and Casavir did the same then walked off towards the temple to petition his god and wait for Brother Ivarr to come in for the morning prayers.

Wolf waited for him to get out of sight then shut the door. "Did you hear that?"

Zeta sat up in the narrow bed. They were not lovers, but their brief time adventuring together had brought them closer, as they took comfort in one another's presence when their dreams were haunted by having seen too much death at too young an age. "Yeah. Weird, huh? He's the last person I'd ever think would lose his wits, even over somethin' like this. He always seemed as solid as one of his statues." She pulled her blanket around her as if chilled by the thought, frowned and chewed her finger. "He dreamed she came to him and told him to dig up Bishop? Weird by itself, but there was this thing with Neeshka last tenday..."

Wolf let Karnwyr out then went through his pack to ensure he had anything he might need. He paused and turned to the girl, noting again that sometimes her eyes glowed red in the dark. He wondered if she was aware of that or what she might say if he brought it up. He thought better of it, not wanting to risk their friendship. "What thing with Neeshka? Or can you tell me?"

Zeta stood and stretched and wrapped her blanket around herself again. "Yeah, I can, and I won't have to kill you afterwards either." She giggled as he tossed a balled up pair of dirty socks he found that had been rotting in his pack at her and continued. "She goes down to that summoning circle etched into the floor in the first cellar. You probably don't know she goes down to talk to a pit fiend they met in Jerro's Haven through it. Just between you and me, she...thinks they're related."

In fact, Neeshka believed they were both related to Mephasm because the pit fiend hadn't seemed surprised at all when she brought Zeta with her one evening. He knew her by name, just as he had known Neeshka the first time she saw him. Zeta found it unnerving to say the least. She suppressed a shudder as that was something better left unsaid and went on.

"Anyway, you know how frustrated everyone has been that they haven't been able to find out anything about where the Captain is, just that she's not dead, but not close, and not always on the Prime. They think whoever took her must've had some powerful magic. Like a lich, or even a god. So Neeshka finally asked Mephasm, even though she probably has to do something for him in return for his help. And all the bugger told her was, 'She's looking over your left shoulder.' And Neeshka said she thought she could almost see her for a minute when she turned around, and she wasn't alone. But then she wasn't sure if the fiend hadn't tricked her, and he wouldn't tell her anything else. Mephasm could have summoned a thrall to take the Captain's shape to fool Neeshka. It's very weird."

Wolf went back to packing. "Huh. That is really weird. And creepy. Figures the fiend didn't really tell her anything. That just proves you can't trust 'em." He pulled on his trewes up his legs, marveling again as he did whenever he saw his own flesh at how Elanee had completely restored the scarred skin then flushed as he realized Zeta was watching him stroke his smooth yet oddly hairless thigh. He grabbed his clean shirt from his shelf and pulled that over his head.

She walked gracefully over to him while keeping the blanket wrapped tightly around her, and knelt to look through his pack to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything while he fastened his brigandine. He was such a boy sometimes. "Yeah, but she didn't say anything about it to anyone but me, though she was gonna tell Master Sand when he got back from Neverwinter. I don't think she did yet though. But like I said, what's weirder still is that Captain wasn't alone. Neeshka said she thought there was someone standing behind her, a man with bluish skin. She got a feeling he was planar."

Wolf fastened his patched green cloak, which had seen quite a bit of wear since the Captain had won it at the Harvest Festival more than two years ago. "Blue skin you say? Weird. Definitely not from around here then. Some people think that Ammon Jerro had somethin' to do with the Captain being taken. That's the rumor anyway. Mayhap the blue man was some kinda demonic keeper? That could be why he was standin' behind her. But why would they be here?"

Zeta wrinkled her nose as if smelling something bad at the mention of Ammon Jerro. She had always avoided the glowering warlock whenever he crossed her path. "Could be, Mephasm is blue. Besides, it's awfully convenient that the warlock disappeared the same time the Captain did. That's what Neeshka says, and it makes sense to me. She's argued about it with Captain Khelgar more than once, so much that they were avoiding each other for days. He doesn't believe it tho' and says Jerro was fightin' the things that took the Captain same as he was. I don't know. It could have been a ruse so they wouldn't think he was involved. But why would he go through all that trouble of pretending to fight them once they had her?"

Wolf shouldered his pack and pulled up his hood. "Yeah, and there's the Githzerai too. They never found a trace of her body at the ruin, just Qara's and one of the Luskans."

He grew silent, remembering how Qara's charred, broken body had been brought back by the rescuers along with that of a woman he identified as being with the Luskan party. The Luskan was buried outside of the Keep proper in a cemetery reserved for travelers who died there. Qara's body was placed temporarily in a tomb in the temple while word was sent to her father in Neverwinter. Wolf overheard a whispered conversation between Sand and Khelgar that led him to believe that she had betrayed them and joined the King of Shadows, and should rightly be in the Tomb of the Betrayers. That didn't surprise Wolf much. He had pegged Qara right away as someone whose chief interest in life was herself and gaining power for herself, then making a display of her power so that others would tremble in fear before her. But if she had betrayed them, nothing of her betrayal made it into the official record.

More than a month after they had departed for the Mere to face the Shadowking, Qara's father finally returned to Neverwinter and then sent a terse message to the Keep that he did not believe in resurrection, and so his daughter should be buried as they saw fit. So in the end she was left where she had been placed, with only a handful of people besides her grim former companions in attendance at her funeral.

The memory still saddened him, as did the githzerai's unknown fate. "Leather told me Sir Nevalle thinks Miss Zhjaeve's disappearance is pretty damning too. He thinks her people could have taken the Captain for the sword once they finished the Shadowking. They would need her to get the last shard out of her chest. It's too bad Miss Neeshka can't talk to Master Aldanon as well as Master Sand. He might know if Giths can be blue." He checked the tips and fletchings of his arrows then put his quiver over his shoulder.

Zeta paused while tucking a pouch of dried fish and a couple of apples into his pack. He was such a boy sometimes, and he wouldn't even think about eating until his stomach started rumbling, and then he would have to forage for whatever dried berries or roots he could find. "I think Sir Nevalle talks too much. He could be a security risk if it was anyone but Leather polishing his 'sword.' Someone should talk to him about it. And Leather shouldn't be repeating what Sir Nevalle says when his other brain's in control. But yeah, Neeshka said the blue man was a real looker, so I don't think he sounds like a Gith. Not that I've seen any but the one, and she hid her face behind that veil. But still..."

Wolf nodded in understanding as he took an offered pouch of dried fruit and nuts and tied it on his belt. "I'll talk to Master Grobnar too. Bards see and hear a lot in their travels. Mayhap he might know what the blue man is." Wolf knew that Grobnar had been seeking out his Harper contacts, but he kept that to himself. Grobnar had approached him about working with the Harpers as a junior scout about a tenday after they got back from the Mere, but no one but he and Daeghun knew about Wolf's acceptance of the offer. Grobnar and his new apprentice Dulce had gone to Neverwinter and east from there while Daeghun had headed south. Wolf was to be their eyes and ears around the Keep in the meantime.

Zeta shook her head and tsked at him as she pushed his hair, which he hadn't even bothered to brush, out of his eyes. "He and Dulce came back last eve. I saw him talking with Master Sand."

Wolf paused at the threshold. "Are you sure you don't want to go with me, get out of the Keep and get some fresh air?" He smiled at her hopefully.

She opened the door. "Ugh, the sun's not even fully up. Only place I'm goin' is back to bed until Hiram's cinnamon rolls are ready, and then I have page duty with Captain Khelgar this afternoon." She was also up late exploring a merchant caravan that stopped off the evening before, looking for anyone or anything out of place to report to Neeshka, but she kept that to herself.

Wolf made a disappointed pout and momentarily considered putting off his journey for a few hours. But only for a moment. "That's right, it is cinnamon roll day today." Hiram had decided that every thirdday would be cinnamon roll day after he settled back into his duties in the kitchens, and his cinnamon rolls were now eagerly anticipated by the grateful Greycloaks. But Wolf had given Casavir his word. "Try to save me one?"

Zeta chuckled throatily as she pushed him out the door. "I promise I'll be waiting with one. You best get goin' before the rain starts anew." She closed the door behind him after she watched him whistle for Karnwyr and sprint off, and then she crawled back into his narrow bed where she tried to get back to sleep. But she swore she could already smell the rolls baking. She threw back the covers and hastily dressed, having decided that she would have first crack at the rolls, and it would be easier to save one for Wolf if she got there in time to help Hiram.

Casavir looked up from his prayers as the dwarven cleric bustled into the sanctuary with a basket looped over one arm and set up a ladder so he could begin replacing candles. Casavir was surprised that one of the acolytes wasn't assigned this menial duty as he made the sign of Tyr and stood to help him. Brother Ivarr smiled up at him as Casavir pulled down a high sconce. He asked perceptively, "You're usually up early, but this is early even for you. Is something troubling you?" The priest thought he knew what was troubling him, but he also knew that if anyone had brought word of the Captain's whereabouts or fate, someone surely would have awakened him.

Casavir replaced the candles as Brother Ivarr handed them to him and waited for him to work up the nerve to say whatever needed to be said. Finally he told him about the dream and ended just as they finished their task, while the priest listened quietly. "You know about the dreams I've had of her lately. However, this one last night was so vivid, I'm...certain she was trying to send me a message. I know it sounds mad...but I'm sure of it."

Brother Ivarr closed a hymnal that had been left open on a pew then patted his arm. "You have been under quite a lot of pressure, but I am confident you're mentally sound. However, I agree with the lad. Speak to your companions today while I attempt a divination spell to ascertain whether our Lord can tell us if it was indeed her. I can't imagine why she would need the betrayer raised from the dead if not to see him hang, but I cannot imagine she would send you a message for that."

Casavir was relieved, not only to find that he was believed, but also to have a purpose for the first time in tendays. He had felt increasingly impotent from his inability to do anything to retrieve his love other than pray for her, and he had fallen lately into his old habit of self-doubt, blaming himself for not protecting her. "Thank you, Brother. Most of them will not be awake yet, but I can prepare provisions for the journey while I wait."

Brother Ivarr smiled fondly. "Splendid! Now, let us go to the dining hall. It's cinnamon roll day, you know." Since this was a relatively small temple, he and the few acolytes assigned to him had been allowed by Dee to take their meals with the Greycloaks, which saved the temple the expense of hiring a cook or spared him from suffering an unskilled acolyte's cooking.

Casavir sent a message with one of the Greycloaks to Harm, the Master of Horse, to ready their mounts. For he was the only one besides Casavir and Elanee (and Dee when she was still with him) that Thunder would tolerate grooming or saddling him, much less riding him. Casavir wasn't sure how many horses would be needed as he wasn't sure who would be coming, and it occurred to him that he was no longer waiting for his companions' counsel. He was hoping to leave as soon as Wolf arrived with Elanee. Such was the power of the dream over him.

Brother Ivarr watched him with a bemused expression then led the way to the dining hall. "It seems you've made up your mind."

Casavir flushed but smiled wryly. "Indeed, it seems I have." He motioned a page over and sent word to his companions that he needed to speak with them at breakfast, deciding that he would rather not wait until they awoke on their own.

Once they reached the dining hall he sent one of the cook's assistants to gather provisions for a tenday, though he didn't think they would be gone nearly that long. He and Brother Ivarr took their place in line, refusing politely the offer of several Greycloaks to let them cut ahead, though they did let the page join them when he returned from delivering Casavir's messages. They took their trays, Brother Ivarr's laden with enough food for two men, and walked to a room set aside for private meetings or for when the Captain had to entertain visiting dignitaries. Casavir picked at his food, letting Brother Ivarr do the bulk of the eating and talking while he waited.

Finally the door opened, and Sand slipped in gracefully, looking elegant in his green watered silk robe, appearing none the worse for having had his reverie interrupted. His tray held a typical elven breakfast of a light porridge with fruit and nuts and an herbal tea. But even he couldn't resist the siren call of the cinnamon rolls. He was followed by Grobnar and Neeshka, who delivered a message that Khelgar would be along as soon as he finished going through a stack of dispatches and requisitions, but they should start without him.

Neeshka looked as if she had made a late night of it as she poured herself into a chair well out of the autumn light filtering in the window. She gobbled down her roll and finished it up with black coffee. She waited just as long as it took to finish the roll then interrupted the small talk in the room. "So what's up?" She didn't have to ask if Casavir had received any news about Dee. There was no way that news wouldn't have been spread around the Keep like wildfire as soon as it was delivered.

Casavir stood and cleared his throat. Everyone could see the tension in his posture. They independently came to the conclusion that he was looking for a way to tell them something disturbing, something he suspected they wouldn't like. "Please hear me out before you say anything. Last night I had the strangest dream..." All eyes were upon him as he recounted the dream, and to her credit, even Neeshka managed to let him tell it all without interrupting him once. He resumed his seat. "I know, it sounds mad, but she was so adamant. And I feel..." He took a swallow of his coffee before he continued. "I feel that somehow she did send me the message. I don't know what to make of it though."

"Bishop?" Neeshka shook her head, and her tail lashed in agitation. "How could she know he died, and why would she want that creep resurrected?" Neeshka gasped and Sand squeezed her tail to stop her from blurting out what had occurred to him that moment too. For the easiest explanation for Dee to have learned of Bishop's death was that she was dead herself. But every Commune spell that had been attempted thus far said she yet lived, though her location could not be ascertained by mage nor priest.

Brother Ivarr spoke up, sensing their thoughts. "As far as we know she lives, though I am going to petition our lord again to determine whether that has changed." He stretched over and patted Casavir's arm as he saw the stricken look on his face.

Neeshka refilled her coffee as he spoke and paced the floor anxiously before she turned to face them. "I haven't said anything about this because, well, I know how you're going to react. Anyway,..." She told them of her visit to summon Mephasm using the charm that Dee had Sand craft but decided against using herself. "And he told me she was there watching us. And when I turned around I thought she was! It was her, but not her. It was like she wasn't solid. But I admit I only caught a glimpse of her. And she wasn't alone."

Casavir sat up straight at those words and interrupted her. "Hold for a moment, Neeshka. I sensed the same thing, and I want to ensure that we aren't feeding one another's delusion if that's what it is." He leaned over and whispered what he had seen to Sand then motioned for Neeshka to go on when he finished.

She blurted out nervously toying with the tip of her tail, "Like I said, I only caught a glimpse of her. But standing behind her was a man with long dark hair wearing armor made out of some kind of wild cat hide. And his face was a grayish blue! He was really cute though. I sensed he was planar too. I've been trying to think of a way to ask Sand about it."

Casavir jumped out of his seat and grabbed her hand as Sand said calmly, "Interesting. Perhaps Casavir should tell us everything he remembers."

Casavir dropped her hand, conscious that he was making her itch. But he was too excited by having confirmation to step away from the tiefling. "Yes, I recall that armor. He was handsome enough I suppose, but there was something rather unwholesome about his eyes and the shape of his mouth." He shrugged at Neeshka, who was too excited to learn that she wasn't seeing things to care that he questioned her taste in men. "Perhaps he is a druid of some kind, or a shaman? He had that look about him. I recall seeing pouches on his belt."

"Glad I'm not the only one havin' visions of the Captain then!" They startled and turned to face Khelgar, who had just come in so quietly they didn't even hear him. "I was meditating in the monastery garden not even a tenday ago when I suddenly saw a vision of her through my third eye. The sight was enough to snap me out of me trance. But when I opened my eyes, she was gone. I wasn't sure what to make of the vision, so I kept it to meself while I've tried without success to repeat it. But aye, I saw the blue man too. Somethin' about him reminded me of a frog. Sorry, fiendling."

Sand took a sip of his tea. "Do go on. What about our dear girl? What do any of you remember about her appearance?"

Neeshka thought about it. "She wasn't solid so it was hard to tell, but she looked really tired."

Khelgar nodded. "Aye, sickly and skinnier than when she left, worse than that slip of an elf. I only saw her for a heartbeat though too."

Casavir closed his eyes as he tried to recall what he saw. "Indeed, she had ropey veins standing out on her hands and deep circles under her eyes, and her cheeks were hollow. She was pale despite her tan. She looked rather wasted, like a plague victim..." He gave a stifled gasp and trailed off as Brother Ivarr stood to offer him comfort. Casavir fought back tears, as did Neeshka.

After he composed himself and Sand coolly pressed him on, he continued. "She was wearing her leather brigandine and a heavy cloak, as was the stranger. I got the feeling they're someplace much colder than here." He wracked his brain to remember any detail no matter how insignificant. "Cillian wasn't with her either. That of itself is disturbing. Let's see...She wore her swords, but I don't recall either being the Sword of Gith. Remember the hilt was very distinctive."

Neeshka piped up. "When I saw her she was unarmed and wearing a long blue or green robe with a high neck, or maybe it was bluish-green, something she would wear if she was in her room in the evening. And on the sleeves and up the front there was bands of blackwork embroidery." She ran her fingers of her left hand up her right arm to illustrate. "Like this. But I only saw a glimpse of her."

Casavir frowned as he considered that. "I suppose it's some comfort knowing that she is able to purchase clothing wherever she is, and not just the basics, but a dressing gown. That means she isn't likely a prisoner, or if she is, she's being cared for despite how sickly she looks."

Grobnar had been listening quietly until now, but Neeshka's observation caught his attention. "Black embroidery worked in a band so? Worked in geometric patterns?" He copied the way she had illustrated on her arm and body. "I know I've read about clothing decorated with embroidery that match that description somewhere. I believe they're worn by the people at the eastern end of the Sea of Fallen Stars. Perhaps in Mulhorand, Alglarond, Rashemen, or Thesk. Perhaps it was in Volo's Guide to the Golden Road. I'll go to the library and peruse it before you leave. I assume you're all leaving today?"

Casavir said dejectedly as Grobnar's words sunk in, "Could they really have taken her so far away?" That would explain the inability to find her magically, and that thought almost sent him into despair again. But he whispered a prayer and forced himself to assume his normal calm demeanor. "Yes, today. I've taken the liberty of arranging for horses and supplies for the journey, but there's no point in going if I can't convince Elanee to cast the spell. We would be forced to bring his remains back to Neverwinter and find a willing cleric there." As he said the words, he immediately thought of the High Justicar, but Casavir was reluctant to ask him to perform a resurrection that must be hidden from Lord Nasher.

Sand steepled his slender fingers under his chin. "Count me in if it helps us get the dear girl back safely. However, that still doesn't answer the question of why she needs this done. And moreover, what shall we do with the ranger once he's been raised, hmm?"

Khelgar's voice wasn't nearly as booming since he had begun to focus intently on his monk studies, but being quieter it was more startling now. "Sayin' we do this, what guarantee do we have that he'll even come with us? He could just make that vile gesture he's famous for and go on his merry way."

Brother Ivarr had listened silently until now, but he felt compelled to speak up, and his voice boomed across the room much as Khelgar's used to. "The man betrayed everyone here when he sabotaged the Keep. He deserves nothin' less than hanging after a fair trial." He sat back with his arms crossed across his chest, looking around the room defiantly.

Casavir sighed. "You are correct that he should have to account for his crime. However, Sand and I have already discussed this at length, and we are both of the opinion that he wasn't entirely responsible for his actions. There are several mitigating factors that you are not aware of, Brother. Granted, he's an ass, but his betrayal was directed at Dee, not Neverwinter. That is why he wanted to rub her nose in it when he could have been safely away."

Sand added with obvious distaste as if it pained him to admit the truth, "Yes, and in addition, we know he had been placed under a powerful Geas by Black Garius. It must have taken an enormous effort of will to tell Dee what he had done at Garius's behest, for he would have had to have fought the excruciating pain it caused the entire time. As much as I would like to see him pay, I would feel compelled to offer him a competent legal defense."

Casavir toyed with his holy symbol. "As would I. I've never liked nor trusted the man, but it would be unjust for me not to assist in his defense knowing what I know. While his declaration to my wife might seem like the height of vindictiveness, the knowledge of his sabotage actually gave us time to erect barricades to hold the undead back when the attack came. If he truly intended to betray us, he could have simply left or even revealed that hidden escape tunnel to Black Garius, and we would have been taken completely by surprise." Casavir ran a hand through his thick black hair. "I admit, however, I am biased because my lady needs him for some reason."

Brother Ivarr huffed, "To save him from the Wall of the Faithless where he belongs!"

Sand said archly, "That raises another point. Might I remind you, he's dead. That fact alone should put him beyond the reach of Neverwintan justice. Furthermore, he left as soon as he realized that he was free of the Geas, with a parting shot at Black Garius's back that only helped us. His last living act was to try to help free Casavir from the Luskans who held him captive. Surely that's worth something." He didn't state the obvious, that Bishop was trying to free himself as well. Brother Ivarr didn't look quite convinced, so he added, "And I'll add what Casavir won't: justice in Neverwinter is too often tainted by political expediency. If Nasher needs a scapegoat, it won't matter what evidence of his innocence we present."

Ivarr scowled, but he knew in his heart Sand was right. Casavir met his eyes pleadingly. He sighed. "Alright, I'll admit that's the main reason why I accepted this assignment at this backwater fortress. But tell me, how do you think the Greycloaks will react when they see him? The Captain worked hard to build rapport with her troops, and I fear this might undermine all that she has done. Think on that." He sprung to his feet with more grace than one would have expected from an elderly dwarf. "Meanwhile, I will go to the meditation chamber to petition our Lord Tyr. I must think on the wording of the questions first. I also don't think I should hear whatever plan you all come up with. Plausible deniability, after all." He grinned sardonically as he picked up his tray and huffed out the door.

The room grew silent for a few minutes after he left, everyone deep in thought and attending to their breakfast or picking at it. Neeshka refilled everyone's coffee and Sand's tea, her tail lashing evidence of her impatience. Finally she couldn't stand the silence any longer. "Are we really gonna do this?" She looked around at her companions. "Then I'm in too, though the priest is right. Think about it. He's going to need at the very least a whole new face and name or face a lynch mob within a tenday, whether you can get him off in a trial or not."

Khelgar said with a note of regret, "I really want to go, but I've got too much work to do here to leave for a few days. I wonder sometimes how the lass managed to travel as much as she had to and keep as tight a rein on this place as she did."

Casavir smiled at him. "I understand. I think she would rather you tend to the Keep, though I must say you've done an admirable job."

Grobnar finished a swallow of coffee. "I would like to go, but I think perhaps my time might be better spent researching that gown Neeshka says she wore and the blue fellow. It could be nothing, but how likely is it she would appear in a foreign style of garb unless that is what she was currently wearing? Now that Aldanon and his apprentices have returned to Neverwinter, there isn't anyone to do the research for us. Besides, it will be good experience for my apprentice."

He grinned eagerly as he looked around at his companions. "I'm also rather curious again about Thay. You recall we suspected Thayans before because of that locket she was gifted, but as far as we could tell using my and Neeshka's contacts, that proved to be a dead end. Now I'm not so sure. I'm also expecting a Harper agent who was traveling from Silverymoon to Neverwinter. If it was at all possible, I know the Captain would have sought out Harpers wherever she is, even if she was restricted to asking about the Wendersnaven. No one I've spoken to so far had heard anything, but if she is truly that far away, it would take months for a message to reach us."

Casavir stood and beamed with gratitude. "Thank you all. I would like to leave as soon as Wolf and Elanee return."

They departed to gather their packs and change into traveling clothes (Sand, anyway). It was agreed that Casavir would send the page on duty for them as soon as Elanee arrived, though he was tempted to leave anyway and let her and Wolf catch up with them.

Wolf hadn't seen any sign of Elanee so far, but that didn't mean she wasn't around. The weather was fine, with a touch of autumn coolness, but the rain had held off. As they hiked through the forest, he paused and made the call of the mountain raven, which made twice was an agreed upon signal. Finally he was rewarded when the call was returned, and not by another raven this time. Karnwyr sniffed the air then barked and headed off to the west, and Wolf trotted after him. He climbed a ridge and spotted the druid in a clearing below, in a circle of newly planted oak, ash, and thorn trees. He knew that with her magic, the trees would be fully grown next spring. But he also saw several huge standing rocks arranged within the circle, which were not there last time he saw her.

He whistled to hail her and noticed that there were three other people with her. He recognized Farmer Orlen's son Byrun, but the others were strangers. Standing next to Elanee was a man with silver hair worn in a long braid and a thick beard that would have made any dwarf proud. Beside him was a plump grandmotherly woman leaning on an oaken staff. He guessed they were fellow druids from their simple brown robes and the many pouches that hung from their belts. Elanee called to him across the clearing. "Well met, young ranger. Has there been news?"

He shook his head. "No, but Casavir needs your help. I can explain on the way back to Crossroad Keep."

They didn't leave as soon as he would have liked. Elanee surmised from the way he hesitated to go into the details of Casavir's mission that this was something Wolf didn't want to tell her in front of strangers. And as Elanee introduced them, Wolf realized that these were no ordinary strangers, but the Grand Druid herself and a traveling archdruid from the High Forest. He felt guilty taking her away from such important visitors. They had come to bless Elanee's budding grove, anoint her as an archdruid, and to officially ordain Byrun into the order. They had Wolf kneel as well and called forth a blessing on him as a ranger of Meilikki. He was honored, but at the same time he had a hard time getting his mind off his quest. Leaving Byrun there with the senior druids, Elanee fastened her cloak and followed Wolf. "What has happened?"

He looked around and replied tersely, "I'll explain on the way back."

As soon as they set foot through the gate, Katriona, who was the sergeant of the day at the bailey gate, found Casavir in the temple, where he had gone to pray for direction in his quest. She said in a hushed whisper, "They've returned." She met his eyes and looked away and blushed.

He understood why. Bevil had acted similarly when he had encountered him recently. They obviously felt guilty that they were happy newlyweds, while happiness had been denied to him and Dee, and he could read it in their eyes. "Thank you, my friend." He squeezed her hand as she smiled sadly at him and he walked out into the gloomy afternoon.

Elanee had considered turning back more than once as she listened tight lipped as Wolf explained what Casavir needed her to do, but the boy was very persuasive. She shifted into the form of a red-tailed hawk so she could think about it and followed him and Karnwyr. She had prayed too as they traveled, and though she also suspected that Dee only wanted to free Bishop from the Wall of the Faithless, she didn't get a sense that Silvanus disapproved. Then after listening to Casavir recount the dream and the earlier discussion, she made up her mind. "I will do it. But Neeshka is right. What are we bringing him back to face? This will be for naught if Lord Nasher demands we surrender him to his justice."

Casavir nodded. "That's why it's better if he remains hidden until we learn what my lady needs of him."

Elanee met his deep blue eyes and replied with unusual sarcasm. "Oh, that should be easy." But she was now as committed as the others were. "There's still no guarantee that Silvanus will allow it. There is, however, ancient druidic reincarnation magic that I could use which, rather than bringing his spirit back and raising his body, would actually raise him in another form, though not necessarily human." In fact, Silvanus was much more likely to reincarnate him in the form of an animal, but she kept that to herself. "It is the method preferred by druids, that is if they would even bring back someone from the dead at all. It does violate the natural order of birth and death. That's why we prefer a rebirth in another form."

Casavir thought about her words. "But what if he cannot fulfill whatever my lady needs him to do in the new form? Then there would be no point in disturbing his rest."

Elanee said doubtfully, "That's saying there is some quest for him at all. I have to say that Brother Ivarr might be right, and she only wants us to save him from the Wall of the Faithless." She sighed in resignation as he looked at the ground. "But we druids hate the Wall and everything it represents. It would be much better if our gods followed the druidic way and the example of the pantheon of the far east and allowed the dead to work out their misdeeds of their lives in a new life, reserving the afterlife for those who have found enlightenment."

Casavir nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we have had many discussions on that topic at the temple of Tyr. I have it on good authority that Tyr is one of the gods who consider the Wall of the Faithless to be unjust, but they cannot go against the ruling of Ao."

Elanee frowned. "I wish I could believe Bishop will appreciate what we're going to do for him, but I doubt that too."

On the way to the burial site after several evenings' discussion, they had settled on her performing a simple resurrection, and Sand suggested a polymorph spell made permanent to change his appearance to solve the problem of his being recognized. But he reminded them that Bishop would have to agree, and furthermore, he would be the same Bishop. Casavir spoke his hope that Bishop's time in the Wall had given him time to reflect on his life and his actions, but Sand wasn't as hopeful. "I suggest we seriously consider putting him under a Geas as well. I can think on the precise wording so I'm ready to cast it when we arrive."

Casavir rubbed his chin in thought. "A Geas? I see your logic, yet I fear that might backfire on us as he would feel we were forcing his cooperation and placing those hated chains around him again. It would remind him too much of what Black Garius had done to him."

Neeshka shrugged. "Well shouldn't we be? Forcing his cooperation, I mean?"

Elanee nodded in agreement. "Bishop never was one to do anything that doesn't benefit himself. That's something else to think about. We might have to make this worth his while. And while I think he had stronger feelings for Dee than he would ever admit, I fear that helping her won't be enough motivation. Nor do I expect him to be grateful. I'll talk to Karnwyr. He might have some advice on dealing with him."

At times like this Sand regretted that his specialization did not allow him to cast teleportation spells. But he had others at his disposal to grant speed to their horses and provide for his comforts on the way. They made good time as the autumn rains held off, though that troubled Elanee. Wolf lost the way twice, but the first time he finally recognized an oak tree with a branch that curved up almost into a heart shape, and the second time Elanee cast a spell that let her talk with Karnwyr, who remembered very well the path they had taken.

They reached the cave, Karnwyr barking happily and pawing at the ground as if he knew what they were doing there. And perhaps he did. Casavir, Neeshka, and Wolf carefully moved the stones away from the niche where they had laid him to rest while Elanee communed with her god. Casavir had half expected to find the body gone, as if Dee was trying to tell him he was alive and loose, but that was not the case. They smelled him long before they finished exposing his corpse. They cleared away enough rocks to allow access to the body and got out of the spell casters' way and into fresher air.

Elanee sat cross-legged on the ground near the body and Sand sat behind her, wondering how she could tolerate the smell as she leaned forward into the niche and lay her hands on the corpse's chest. Green light flowed from her hands after a moment and quickly spread until it enveloped Bishop. A heartbeat later, they saw his leg jerk and heard him cough. Another heartbeat later, they heard a muttered, "Fuck!" and he slowly sat up as Karnwyr barked happily and pushed his way to him and licked his face.

He wrapped his arms around the wolf. "Good to see you too, mutt." He then became conscious of his location in the cave, his bow and quiver laid out beside him, and then of the others with him in the cave. Elanee handed him a waterskin as he looked around and muttered angrily, "Who...how...what the hells?"