Fire and Water Chapter 59: Home for Midwinter, a neverwinter nights fanfic

Chapter 59 Home for Midwinter

Usual disclaimers: Most of the characters in this chapter are owned by Hasbro, Atari, and a whole lot of people, but not me, except for a bear and paladin-lovin' ranger and an occasional NPC. I'm sure that most of you know, but in case you don't, Midwinter Festival is the Forgotten Realms equivalent of Christmas.

Casavir didn't know where to start, whether to touch her face, smother her with kisses, or simply gaze at her, so long gone from his side, so he did all three. "Praise Tyr that you're here," he finally murmured in her ear as he held her so tightly she could scarcely breathe, as if he feared she would be snatched away from him again if he let her go.

Dee was laughing and crying at the same time, and she clung to him too, as closely as she could considering they were both armored. She replied softly between kisses, "Aye, and praise Kel for letting me use one of his portals to get me here all the faster." She took his face in her hands, gazing into his azure eyes so like her own while running her fingers through the healthy growth of black stubble, which was almost a light beard. "You've been fasting! For how long? Oh love, you've grown so thin."

He didn't answer her at first, suppressing his first thought, which that she was so gaunt and wasted that she was nearly cadaverous. He vowed that he was going to dedicate himself for the next few tendays at least to restoring her to health. Instead, he stated his safer second thought. "Oh love, I want to pinch myself to make sure it's not a dream." She laughed and obliged by giving him a light pinch on the cheek. Casavir laughed, put his arms around her and picked her up and would have spun her around, except there was little room to do it without hitting someone in the crowded room. He contented himself with returning her kisses.

Ophala wordlessly got the attention of her employees and slipped out the door with them to lessen the crowding, now that the crisis was over. She headed downstairs to her office to write out a note for Marshall Cormick so he could send an alert on the Harper network, letting them know to call off the search for their missing agent, while she waited for them to clear the room so she could examine the site of the portal.

But no one else made a move to leave. That was to be expected of those closest to Dee. Neeshka was softly crying, and her tail bumped Sand, standing beside her. He put one arm around her shoulders and dabbed at his eyes with his other hand. But even Vale, the Prior, Sister Olivia, and Brother Donovan of Kelemvor gave no indication that they intended to leave. They were reverently watching the scene unfold that to most of them seemed to be a miracle, and they naturally attributed to the intervention of their own god. The two young foreigners also watched quietly off to the side, not wanting to intrude, but also determined to bear witness, knowing this was one of those stories they would tell their grandchildren some day. Only Daeghun took a few hesitant steps forward towards his foster daughter, though he wouldn't have dreamed of intruding on her reunion with her husband.

Casavir pulled away after one more kiss. "As much as I could kiss you all day, my love, there are others here who've also missed you terribly." He indicated her new companions. "And I believe introductions are in order." They reluctantly broke apart, though neither of them would let go of the other's hand.

Dee looked puzzled as it dawned on her that they seemed to have been awaiting her arrival. "Wait a minute, what are you doing here? How did you know I would be here? Did Tyr tell you?"

Casavir thanked Tyr again. "It's the strangest thing; our many prayers must have finally borne fruit. We've had absolutely no clue as to your whereabouts for nearly two months, and then all of a sudden, on the same day that we learn what 'Betrayer's Crusade' means, we received your letter, Tyr sent Sister Olivia over there a vision, and Kelemvor sent a dream to his Doomguide, Brother Donovan. It's as if the gods agreed it was time to send you home."

That was closer to the truth than he knew. There was only one place they could have heard the phrase 'betrayer's crusade' that she knew of, and Dee smiled at the confirmation of what she already knew, though she was worried that he and Karnwyr weren't with the others. But before she could reply, Daeghun strode over to her and pulled her into an uncharacteristically warm embrace. He hadn't held her like this since the time she almost drowned when she was four. Mas cawed a greeting at her then flew up and landed on the canopy of the bed to get away from a too curious Kaji, who flew after him to pester him more. Safiya called her familiar back to her, flushing and scolding him for his bad manners.

Daeghun drew back to look over his daughter, and he frowned as he tried without success to hide his concern at her appearance. "Though it seemed bleak, I never gave up hope that we would find you, my daughter."

Dee kissed his cheek. "I've missed you so, Father! Who's your new companion? He's a handsome one." Daeghun smiled and held his arm out for the raven and introduced him to his daughter.

Gann always had a flair for the dramatic, and he took Casavir's words as his cue and stepped into the middle of the room. Using his stage voice, he called for their attention. "Please, allow me to make the introductions. We've heard so much about you all from our fair leader for the past two months that I feel like I already know you. Where shall I start? The tall, dark, handsome one is obviously our leader's beloved husband Casavir, though I must say the miniature of you she carries doesn't do you justice. And yet, I still do not believe you're more handsome than I." Casavir chuckled good-naturedly and gave Dee another kiss on the cheek after she snorted and rolled her eyes at the hagspawn.

Gann considered the three elves in the room and pointed at Daeghun. "This is Dee's foster father, the ranger Daeghun Farlong, though she never mentioned you traveled with such a magnificent raven." He considered Vale then shook his head. "I don't recognize you, sir. No, but the Moon Elf with the ebon tresses must be the wizard Sand, notorious for his deadly rapier wit and always having a good supply of Clean cantrips memorized." Sand chuckled and bowed to to the shaman.

Gann looked around at the remaining faces, trying to match a name to their descriptions in her stories, and seeking one companion in particular, while trying to be coy about it. "This gnome is obviously the bard Grobnar. This knight here with the fearsome eye of Neverwitner on his tunic can only be their distant cousin, Sir Nevalle of the perfect hair." Sir Nevalle smirked and bowed to the newcomers, secretly pleased that she had enough regard for him to have included him in her anecdotes, though he hoped they had reflected him in a favorable light.

Gann looked around again with a thoughtful frown and continued. "I...don't recognize any of these priests from her tales, nor do I see the dwarven monk or your druidess, so last, but not least, there only remains the lovely Neeshka, master trap and lock-springer." He walked over to her and made a formal bow with a theatrical flourish. "I must say you are the very essence of beauty, my lady. It hasn't been my experience that my dream image of a woman is less beautiful than the reality, but it's true in your case."

Neeshka wiped her eyes and giggled girlishly, her tail swaying gently, as the handsome stranger took her hand and kissed it. "I don't know your name, but I saw you with Dee at the Keep!" She poked Sand with her tail. "See Sand, I really did see her!"

Gann turned to address everyone again. "Now, allow me to introduce my companions. The woman in the blue robe is our comely wizard Safiya, and the creature flying beside her is familiar Kaji. The enormous, garish, ill-tempered, and sharp-clawed bear is the mighty Okku, and last but not least, I am the humble spirit shaman, Gannyev-of-Dreams, but you may call me Gann. Especially you, lovely one." He kissed Neeshka's hand again, provoking another round of giggles.

Daeghun reluctantly stepped aside to give the others a chance to greet his daughter. He crowded in next to Okku, who struck up a conversation with the ranger about the manner of animals and spirits in the area. Sand was next to draw Dee into an embrace, followed by Nevalle, who reminded her that she was required to present herself before Lord Nasher as soon as possible. But taking a good look at her, and seeing the look of panic that flashed across her face for a moment until she composed herself, he felt dismayed that as Lord Nasher's second it fell to him to give her the order. "Tomorrow or the next day will be fine. In fact, I shall try to arrange a private audience for you outside of court."

She smiled warmly at him. "Thanks, Gilles. I appreciate that."

The Prior greeted her with a kiss to the cheek and made her promise she would visit with the High Justicar as soon as she had rested. Grobnar squeezed in and grabbed her hand, being too short to give her a proper hug. "You simply must tell me all about your adventure so I may write a song to commemorate it. We've only heard about it up to the battle with the bear god's army from the young Calishamite, and we simply must know the rest. It will be a companion piece to the ballad I wrote about the battle of the Mere!"

Dee's face clouded with pain for a moment. She murmured, "Yeah. Mayhap later, Grobby." Her hand flailed for Casavir's until she caught it again.

Neeshka squealed as she pushed her way through and threw her arms around Dee. "I can't believe you're here! Talk about last minute, huh? Glad you didn't need to be rescued after all! I was nervous about how they were going to react to me in Mulsantir, but I thought I'd be safe enough if I stuck by Cas and Sir Hair, umm Nevalle. But how did you get here? I want to hear everything! Spill it!"

Dee smiled tightly as she hugged her back. "Later, Neesh, and before you ask, yes, I brought you something. But later, alright? 'Tis for Midwinter." She gave her another tight hug but was beginning to feel overwhelmed by emotion. Her head was spinning, and despite being so happy to be home that she wanted to kiss the ground, she had to fight an urge to bolt out the door and out of the city until she found herself alone in the quiet of the forest. She squeezed Casavir's hand, and he leaned over and slipped his arm around her for support, and Cillian snuggled closer on the other side.

Casavir whispered, "Do you need a healer, my love?"

She shook her head. "No, but I need to go somewhere else..."

He looked at her with concern. "I believe I know just the place." He called for attention. "Let us go to Dee's townhouse. The furnishings are sparse, but we'll make do. You're...all invited, of course." He gave them the address and steered her towards the door.

Okku grumbled as he ambled towards the door, "Good idea. I've been afraid I'll step on the nosy small one." He walked out still trying to avoid an inquisitive Grobnar. They followed Sand and Safiya, who were already engaged in an animated conversation like long-time acquaintances.

Dee stopped and looked at Casavir, confused. "Wait! When did I get a townhouse?"

Vale glided over and offered his hand. "Thank you, but I think I shall take my leave, since my services are no longer going to be required to take your rescuers to Mulsantir. Let me offer my congratulations before I go." He caught the eyes of Omar, whose disappointed face showed he was beginning to think that Beshaba had taken notice of him, and wondering if he should make an offering to make her turn her attention elsewhere. He indicated the boy. "However, this young man was going to be our guide. His eyes tell me that he's greatly disappointed not to be going home, as much as I'm sure he's delighted that you're back with us."

Dee spotted the lanky youth standing out of the way in the corner with a Shou girl and motioned him over. Just seeing him seemed to give her energy. "Omar! I can't believe you made it this far already! Cas, this is the son of the merchants in Mulsantir who were so kind to me when so many there treated me like swamp scum."

Casavir nodded. "Yes, he explained when your father brought him to the temple."

As much as she wanted to hear how Omar had gotten there so quickly, she was determined to get him back home after what he had done for her. "Vale, I'll gladly pay for the cost of the teleportation spell if you will send Omar back to his family." She pulled off her glove and fished in her belt pouch.

Vale smiled slyly. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself about the cost, Lady Farlong. Lord Nasher already provided the components I needed, and the spell is ready to be cast. But I would prefer to cast it someplace where I may concentrate. Whenever you are ready, young man, I suggest my own workshop, if you will accompany me there."

Omar grinned in obvious relief and thanked his gods then bowed to him. "I owe you a debt I cannot repay, Master Vale. But let me first take my friend to the tavern of the brother of Master Daeghun so she may get a room." He glanced at Lotus, still as a statue behind him, then turned back to Dee. "I would like to ask a boon of you too, my lady. My friend Lotus I met in the caravan..." He took Lotus's hand and pulled her closer. "She is a monk. She would like to go to your Keep of the Crossroads to meet your dwarven monk and see if he will teach her the Way of the Iron Fist. Do you think you could take her with you and make the proper introduction?"

She smiled at the girl. "Well met, Lotus. Of course we can. But Ironfist is his clan name, not his fightin' style." Dee thought about it for a moment. "Strange thing is, it fits him." Casavir nodded and murmured his agreement.

Brother Donovan stood next to the door adjusting his wrinkled robe and running a hand through his wild brown hair, as if his first thought was that he should make himself more presentable. He barred their way as if he feared he wouldn't have another opportunity and introduced himself, taking Dee's right hand in both of his. "I would like to offer my congratulations too, my lady. I'm rather jealous. I can see a faint gray nimbus of my lord's power surrounding you. That can only mean you've spoken directly with one of his avatars, haven't you!"

She bit her lip before she nodded and replied tersely, "Yeah. Don't be jealous. I don't think you would want to be where I've been. Now about your shrine..."

He stared at her speechless for a moment before he recovered. "How did...erm yes, about the shrine."

She cut him off as politely as she could, for she had no desire to offend him. On the other hand, her energy was flagging again, and she didn't feel like she could do anything but remaining upright. She got to the point. "It doesn't matter. Were you planning to include a hospice to help the dyin' pass over?"

He smiled at her. "Most assuredly, my lady. A small one to start, anyway."

She nodded as Casavir uttered an apology to the priest and moved in again to steer her away and allow her a tactful escape. But she was feeling more energized as she thought about the need for the shrine. "There is a good sized plot of land close to the cemetery, where a street of row houses once stood, until nearly everyone was killed by the Wailing Death. Then the entire neighborhood burned in the great fire during the war with Luskan. It's never been rebuilt because 'tis said to be haunted. If you can release the spirits, 'tis a good site we could get for almost nothing, and then we'll have more to spend on the structure. Mayhap my husband can carve a replica of the Wall of the Faithless to place along the street. You should see the image of Meilikki he made for me." She looked up at her husband, eyes shining with pride.

Casavir was too dumbfounded by her request to answer. He had spent hours with his hammer and chisel shaping raw stone into acceptable images of various gods. But this was something entirely different. It wasn't a question of whether he had the skill; it was the horrific nature of the subject matter. He was about to voice an objection when the warmth from Tyr's visitation flared anew for a heartbeat. He closed his eyes and let it fill him before he replied. "I sense that it is Tyr's will that I help you. If you can describe what you saw, my love, I can create it."

Nevalle was standing close enough to overhear. Indeed, he was actively eavesdropping so he could report on the Doomguide's plans to Lord Nasher, and he had no qualms about voicing an objection. "Surely we don't need to display something that hideous so prominently, Dee. It would be better placed inside the shrine."

She gave him a look of pure steel. "That's true, Giles. You have no idea how hideous a thing it is. And that's why it must be built, right out in the open where everyone can see it." Nevalle swallowed hard as Casavir frowned worriedly and called upon Tyr's grace to soothe her.

The Doomguide paled, no longer as jealous as he had been a few moments ago. "As you wish, my lady, and thank you sir. May I call on you in a day's time, or two, after you've had a chance to recov... erm, rest?"

She extracted her hand from his gently. "Aye, give me a day or two." He backed away and bowed respectfully at the door then sped down the stairs to find the plot of land she had spoken of.

Dee looked around. Most of her companions had already left. "Where's Khel, anyway? Where's Elanee? I know they made it out of the Mere. Otherwise, He would have told me."

Daeghun and Nevalle explained their absence as they walked down the stairs and out into the cool late afternoon air. Daeghun went first, telling her glowing with pride of Elanee's tireless work to restore the damage done by the King of Shadows, and then Nevalle reluctantly told her about Khelgar's temporary promotion as they walked down the street.

"Khel is acting Captain?" She understood well why the Keep needed a captain as a symbol of authority if nothing else, and that Kana had no interest in the position. Yet while she acknowledged that Khelgar had matured greatly since that day she met him at the inn on the edge of the Mere, his would have been far down the list of names of likely candidates to take her place.

Sir Nevalle's ears turned beet red, conscious that it must appear to her that she had been replaced before she was even cold, which when he thought about it, he saw was the case. Casavir draped his arm around her and gave her a hug, worrying that she thought the same thing. But she understood better than anyone that someone had to take charge. "I'm just glad the Keep's in capable hands."

When they arrived at her townhouse, Sand was engaged in a lively debate about their schools of magic with Safiya while he examined Kaji and complimented her handiwork. He told them Grobnar had volunteered to take the Shou girl to the Sunken Flagon because he wanted to inform Duncan of his niece's safe return. "Poor girl, he was pestering her with a barrage of questions about her homeland before they had gone ten feet."

Neeshka and Gann were nowhere to be seen, but Sand said she had wanted get some wine to celebrate, and Gann had tagged along. Cillian nuzzled Dee then announced he was going to the river with Okku to show him his favorite place to fish, and the two ambled off, startling more than one passer-by. None of those outside her circle remained except the Prior, who told them he wanted to bless the house for them before he returned to the temple.

Dee's townhouse stood out from the others on the street mainly because of a fresh coat of paint. The closest shop was a candle maker, beyond that she could see a sign for a seamstress's shop, and there was a bakery and a sausage maker across the street. Several of the nearby shopkeepers had stepped out into the street or had opened their windows and watched them indiscreetly, curious about what manner of shop might be going in, and whether it would offer them any competition. But these people didn't look like any merchants they had ever seen, and more than one also noted, as they gathered to speculate, the presence of one of the Nine as well as the Prior of the temple of Tyr.

Casavir inserted the key in the lock then stood aside for her. "The High Justicar told me the lower floor had been rented for many years by a cousin of your mother's, who was a wine merchant, but when the evacuation order was given, he decided to sell his stock and leave permanently." He paused with his hand on the knob. "By rights you should be the one to open the door to your house, my love."

"We're married, remember? It's your house too." She smiled brightly and kissed his cheek then slipped under his arm, turned the key, and opened the door.

"Yes, we are." Casavir swept her up in his arms, causing her to gasp loudly in surprise then giggle like Neeshka as she threw her arms around his neck. "Then allow me to carry my bride over the threshold." He offered a prayer of thanks to Tyr as they walked in that he was able to do so.

Sand and Safiya each spoke a word of magic, which caused the top of their staffs to emit a warm glow. The Prior led the way, blessing each room in turn in the name of Tyr. The main shop area had at one time been the parlor when the wealthy lived here rather than in Blacklake. The rest of the ground floor had been converted to a warehouse (which had been a ballroom at one time!), workshop, and a small tavern, while the shop's owner and his family had lived on the floor above.

Dee ran her hand along the intricately carved oak trim on the walls, a remnant of the house's former glory, "I suppose eventually I'll need to find a good tenant," she murmured. But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she had a sudden inspiration, as did both Sand and Casavir, and they turned and grinned at each other. There was no need to say what was on her mind, for Sand spoke first.

"You need look no further, dear girl. It's perfect! It's much larger than my old shop, and there's likely room enough in the cellar to create a secured work area. I could even extend it out under the garden. It's but a short walk to the Academy from here. Now the only problem remaining, apart from the excavation, is moving everything over and hiring suitable help to run it, for I shall be far too busy." He extended his hand to Dee, and she took it and shook it, sealing the deal, and resisted the urge to spit on her hand first, as they would have done in West Harbor.

"A magic shop? How interesting." Safiya said flatly, though she wasn't sure whether she should be delighted at the financial freedom it would give him, or appalled that he was willing to settle for being a shopkeeper, peddling who knew what potions and wares to the public.

Casavir was looking out for his wife's interests. "Don't forget to agree upon the rent." It didn't take him long to think of a suggestion for an employee either. "And how about the sorceress at the festhall you're teaching? I gotten the impression that she only works the trade to be with her sister."

Sand smiled as he thought about her. "What a splendid idea, Casavir. I don't imagine it will be easy to persuade Mignon to leave her twin, however. But I shall try. Perhaps her sister might find employment in one of the festhalls here, or even open her own." He examined the space thoroughly; there was a room off the shop that would be more than adequate for whomever he hired, and he was already making plans to place his private quarters in part of the space of the former tavern.

There were several rooms on the second floor. The largest was the master suite, which had its own bathing chamber and privy, and was big enough that it might have housed a family. The room was empty apart from an elegant old table and chairs carved from cherry wood, two wardrobes also of cherry wood, new oak armor stands for each of them, a weapon rack, and the new box bed. In a small alcove a shrine to Tyr had been installed, and beside that a shrine to Meilikki. The room had a sun porch with two large windows that looked out on the back garden. A smaller window on the other side of the room faced the street, with sturdy shutters that could be closed to seal out the winter storms or the summer sun. Curtains embroidered with colorful flowers and animals matched the hangings on the bed. Dee ran the cloth through her fingers and looked longingly at the bed as Neeshka and Gann returned with the wine, with Duncan and Grobnar in tow.

She sighed softly, which was unheard by everyone except Casavir, and his heart ached for her, but he also knew her friends would come first, as he knew they would for him. And they missed her too, so he would let them have a reunion then tactfully hint that they leave so she could rest. He put his arm around her and gave her a hug. "Why don't we get out of our armor, my love?"

"Let me help you before I return to Castle Never, cousin." Nevalle walked over and began unfastening Casavir's dragon scale armor and helping him place it on one of the stands.

Dee forced a bright smile and let Duncan wrap her up in a bear hug. But she didn't realize how much she had missed him until he was standing before her. "Same old Uncle Duncan, still wearing the same ale-stained apron you wore the last time I saw you, as if no time at all has passed." But this close she couldn't help but note the new scar across his cheek, though it almost blended in with his tawny beard.

He drew back to look at her closely and shook his head, not bothering to hide his concern, then hugged her again, but much more gently, as if he feared he might snap her bones. "I only heard about what happened to you from Sand when we got back to the city, just over a tenday ago, lass. If I'd have known they was goin' after you, I'd have given my brother my folding boat to take in case they had to cross water. Where have ye been? You tell your uncle all about it."

She smiled wanly and gave him another hug then extricated herself. "I'll tell you all about it, Uncle, but later, I really want to get out of my armor. Where have you been? Where did you sail to when you evacuated? How did that boat hold up after all those years, and your green crew, did you manage to teach 'em the ropes?" She bit her lip as she turned around and unfastened her armor, having dodged another attempt to draw her out. Casavir frowned and caught the eyes of Daeghun, who also had a worried frown. But the ranger shrugged subtly, a move that Casavir interpreted to mean this was to be expected, and he felt she would recover, given time.

Duncan swallowed hard while he thought of a reply, glad she had turned away so she couldn't read the lie in his eyes. She wasn't the only one who wasn't ready to talk. "We...sailed around a bit. I'll tell you later, lass. But I need to be getting back to the tavern now before the supper rush. Yer new friends here are welcome to stay there if they like."

She turned back and nodded as an unspoken understanding passed between them. "Thanks, Uncle. I'll see you later." After a final kiss on her cheek, he left for his tavern.

Dee hung her weapon belt on a hook on the rack, close enough to the bed that she could grab something in a heartbeat. As she turned, Neeshka insisted she model the cotton Rashemi shirt she was wearing over wool leggings, which had a high band around the neck in place of a collar, an offset keyhole neck opening, and bands decorated with blackwork embroidery gathering the wide sleeves. Dee made a face at the tiefling but held out her arms and turned around. Neeshka teased, "Ooh, it's cute! Only you would get grabbed and taken half way across the world and then go shopping."

Dee shrugged defensively as she plopped gracelessly beside Casavir while Sand and Safiya tittered, "Well it wasn't like I had anything with me but a couple of changes of small clothes and socks, and you know how torn up our clothes get. Most of my pack was full of potions and healer's kits when we set out. I lost both pairs of spectacles too, and I couldn't find anyone who knew how to make 'em."

"It's true, and she was even missing a boot when I met her," Safiya interjected helpfully.

Casavir frowned at the memory of that day. "I held on to your boot until the Luskan mage carried me from the ruin and only let go because she took it from me. I was too weak to fight back. One of the Greycloaks found it later and brought it to us. I have it in your bag." He spoke a word as he opened one of his belt pouches, which she recognized as her magic bag she had left locked in her desk drawer at Crossroad Keep. He grinned sheepishly. "I uhh unlocked your desk and brought your bag with me, thinking if we found you that you might have something you needed in it."

"That was thinkin' ahead, love." She beamed at him, thinking how blessed she was that she had such a clever husband as she pulled her new bag off her belt, then opened it and whispered 'boot" into the opening. A heartbeat later, the matching boot was in her hand, and she set it on the floor next to its mate. "And I picked up another bag in Rashemen from someone who didn't need it anymore, so you may as well keep that one."

Dee flushed as she closed the bag and thought about the number of gifts she had acquired for them all. "Yeah, I admit I shopped when there was downtime. For one thing, the merchants treated me like a human and not a monster, and it wasn't 'cause they only wanted my money. All I could think of was if I would make it home in time for Midwinter Festival. Hells, buyin' you all presents gave me hope that I'd live long enough to make it home so I could give them to you."

Neeshka looked down at the floor. "I haven't even thought about Midwinter. It seemed wrong to, with us not knowing where you were or if you'd make it back." Casavir and Sand spoke their agreement.

Dee gave the tiefling a fierce hug. "I know. Thanks, my friend."

Daeghun, Safiya and Sand claimed chairs, but Neeshka and Gann were content to sit on the floor, while Casavir and Dee sat on the edge of their bed. Grobnar climbed up on the table and played a relaxing tune on his lute. Neeshka had acquired goblets and mugs from the former tavern's kitchen and passed the wine around, and they toasted to Dee's safe return. Dee sipped at the wine and deflected questions by asking Neeshka and Sand about their escape from the ruin. "Funny, Jerro was right about that at least. He saw you holding your lucky coin as you ran past, and he guessed the spell that Sand cast. He was wrong about everyone else though."

"Then Jerro did find you?" Casavir inquired.

"More like we found him. Zhaeve found us on the astral plane. I'll tell you about it later tho'. How did you get away from the Luskans?" She relaxed visibly as she listened, and Casavir settled next to her and began rubbing her back as he talked. She sighed peacefully and gave herself over to the familiar comforting sensation of his touch.

About that time a loud shriek of "bear!" from the street below, followed by a deep bearish bellow of "human!" alerted them that Cillian and Okku had returned. Grobnar ran down the stairs to open the door for them. Daeghun looked around at the gathering, which was threatening to go on all night, and frowned then stood and got everyone's attention. "My daughter and her husband are being too polite to ask you to leave so they might have some time alone." He ignored Dee and Casavir's protest that they didn't mind and said firmly, "We will see her tomorrow. Mas and I are off to the Sunken Flagon, if anyone would like to go with me." He didn't wait for a response, but followed the raven down the stairs.

Sand stood and pushed his chair back in and did the same for Safiya's chair as she stood. "My lady, there's a lecture at the Academy tonight on the phenomenon of the great number of sorcerers who have been born since the Time of Troubles, if you would like to accompany me? On the way, we can stop for supper at the Moonstone Mask, and I can take you on a tour of the Academy before the lecture starts. Afterwards, you must stay in my guest room at my old shop rather than that tavern. I insist."

Safiya smiled at Sand, relieved that they were getting along so well. "Thank you, that does sound interesting. I do hope they've allowed adequate time for questions. Come along, Kaji." After they stopped at the door to give Dee a final hug, she followed behind Sand, discussing theories of transmogrification as they passed Cillian coming up the stairs.

Gann watched every move through the veil of hair that covered half his face as Neeshka stood gracefully and stretched and said, "Daeghun's right. Come on, Grob. Let's head to the Flagon." She smiled at the hagspawn, who was thinking he was being sly about watching her, but not fooling her at all. "Gann, would you like to go with us?" She bent her head and toyed with her tail shyly.

Gann bounded gracefully to his feet with surprising speed and kissed her hand. "Anywhere you go, I shall follow. However, I couldn't help but notice that little playhouse we passed on the way back from the wine shop, and I believe the sign board said there is a performance tonight. One thing I gained from joining our fair leader's cause and staying at The Veil was an appreciation of the theater. Would you honor this humble hagspawn by accompanying me?"

Neeshka clasped her hands together and gave a little hop, and her tail swung in excitement. "Ooh, I haven't been to a play in ages! We used to go all the time when we were in the city, but then we were always too busy when we came to town from the Keep, and one of the first things Lord Nasher did was close the theaters when he issued the evacuation order."

Grobnar echoed her enthusiasm. "Ooh, a play! What a wonderful idea, even if it is at The Swan. Too bad there's nothing doing at The Globe, but I suppose we must take what we can until the city returns to normal. Let's go!" Grobnar trotted towards the door as fast as his short legs would carry him.

Gann tossed back his hair, revealing a momentary frown of annoyance, as Neeshka giggled and took his hand and whispered, "It's alright, Grobby's a good friend. And besides, he's got connections at most of the theaters and festhalls, so he can get us the best seats and backstage if we want. We might even get in for free!"

Gann smiled at her. "That's an offer I cannot refuse, dear Neeshka. Let's go before your friend gets there before us, and we can't take advantage of his connections." They said their farewells and left, Neeshka allowing Gann to take her hand as they walked down the stairs.

Cillian nuzzled Dee and told her he was going to sleep in the big cave downstairs where Okku had settled in so she could be alone with her mate. He gave her a final look before he ambled out the door, confident that with the tall one she was safer than she had been in months.

She followed him to the door and was about to shut it, but she smiled as it occurred to her that there was no need because they were alone in the house. Casavir knelt at the shrine to Tyr murmuring his prayers, and she knelt beside the shrine to Meilikki and did the same. Then as she finished, she offered another prayer of thanks to Kelemvor, murmuring as she finished, "I think I need another shrine."

Casavir offered her his hand to help her stand. They were alone at last. He burned to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to their bed, knowing that she loved such romantic gestures, but he didn't want to rush her. Instead he gave her a soft kiss on the lips and put his arms around her, gazing into her eyes. "Are you hungry, love?"

She leaned against him, laying her head against his chest, and smiled as she breathed in his manly scent. "I've missed your smell the most I think. No, Kelemvor fed me...somethin'...tho' I don't remember what exactly. What about you?"

Casavir arched an eyebrow. "Kelemvor fed you? I have to hear this one." He frowned as he vaguely recalled something he had read years ago when he was a boy, but the memory was fleeting. "What would you like to do, my love? How about a hot bath then?"

It was a pleasant thought. "Mmm, a bath. That's one thing I really missed in Mulsantir, besides you. I think a lot of people there take one once a year whether they have to or not. I haven't had one in days, I think, and I probably smell like it. 'Tis hard to keep track of time plane hopping. What about you, love? You must be hungry." She ran her hand down his chest. He seemed like he was nothing but lean muscle and bone now. Fasting was one thing, but she feared he had taken it to excess.

He replied as if reading her mind. "Perhaps later, love. I need to end my fast slowly with some of this bread Neeshka left, and another glass of diluted wine, and then some simple foods like tea, soup and porridge tomorrow." He led her to the table and poured them both a half a glass, and they sat across from one another and drank it, holding one another's free hand. She still wasn't talking about her ordeal, or rather was making small talk, but he was content to have her there with him for now. He finished the wine and stood, smiling at her. "I believe you said you wanted a bath before the bears begin to complain of your smell. I'll be right back." He winked and walked across to the bathing room, though he couldn't resist turning to look at her more than once, afraid she would vanish again.

She wiggled out of her leggings and folded them and lay them on the floor. She unbuttoned the neck of her shirt and looked down at her chest with a frown, not ready yet to show him Nefris's handiwork. But she scolded herself for being silly. It wasn't as if she could avoid letting him see it for long, but she knew he would immediately demand to know what had happened. She spotted a pile of new linens and a quilt in a basket on the far side of the bed and made it up as she waited for him, then stretched out on her side to close her eyes for a moment, testing the new feather mattress as she listened to the splashing of the water. "Is it big enough for two?" It was a comfortable thickness, and she snuggled in.

"Indeed it is big enough for two, if we sit close," he said as he strode back into the room, pulling his shirt over his head, though feeling somewhat ashamed of becoming instantly aroused by his wife's suggestion. But he was a man, and there was nothing wrong with having a man's reaction. She didn't reply, and his heart leaped in his throat as he called out to her. He looked around the darkened room, cursing himself for not lighting a candle. The only light was Selune's, streaming in through the garden window.

As he looked around anxiously, he made out her still form on the bed. He strode over, dropped beside her, and placed his hand under her nose, but breathed a sigh of relief as he found her in a deep sleep. She frowned and murmured something, so he pulled the quilt over her and kissed her cheek then stretched out beside her. He put his arm around her waist, spooning with her as he used his ability granted from Tyr to fill her with calm.

It felt so good to hold her again, so right, and he felt so peaceful, that he didn't want to move. But it was too early for him to go to bed. He remembered as he lay there what the man from the Academy had said about the time differences between the Sword Coast and Rashemen and mused that she would probably awaken in the middle of the night. Since she was sleeping peacefully, Casavir got up carefully so he wouldn't wake her and made a fire in their fireplace. He smiled as the kindling caught light and murmured, "Our first fire." He tended it until its warmth filled the room.

He lit one candle at the table and finished the bread and water, as well as the wine. Apart from checking on her from time to time, he spent the rest of the evening meditating before his god until the candle burned down and he felt tired enough to sleep. He undressed and got into bed slowly so he wouldn't awaken her, slipping under the quilt and snuggling close. With his arm around her, he felt more at peace than he had in months as he drifted off to sleep.