A Plan Unrequited

In time for the mid day meal Cimmera came to rescue Valen, or the librarian judging by the way he peered timidly over the edge of a large tome at the scowling tiefling. "Were you able to find anything useful, Kurt?"

"N-no, milady; the only mention we have of any possible locations are caverns deep in the wilds that have access to the Underdark. One, spotty history," he put down the tome to rifle through a pile of aged books, pulling one out and leafing through the yellowed pages, "Tells of an entrance to the Underdark up in the Silvery Marshes. A…a place called Mitheral Hall where the fierce drow of Menzoberranzan once attacked. That would be a place to start searching…perhaps." He gulped and glanced at Valen, "These tales are old and incomplete at best."

Cimmera moved to pull a sheaf of maps out of a large drawer, shaking her head and muttering to herself before speaking up, "Look at this, Valen. The Silvery Marshes are as far away as from here to Waterdeep at least, but that's as the crow flies and you'd have to cut through the heart of the Anauroch Desert." She pointed out the city they were in, marked clearly on the map and then ran her finger over the map up to an area north and west marked in large flowing script 'Silvery Marshes'. "If you were going to take that route, and I suggest not, it might behoove you to aim for the Scimitar Spires, see here? Right around the Shadow Sea and search there for an entrance into the Underdark."

Valen looked at the map, following the path outlined by Cimmera. "If we can find an entrance into the Underdark we can find The Seer. It wouldn't surprise me if she sent Nathyrra to meet us once we do find an entrance."

"D-dangerous, dangerous magics, ancient magics of the Underdark, evil creatures once imprisoned in a magical bubble under the surface still lurk beneath the ruins of the Netherese empire. B-best not to tamper with such forces," Kurt blurted.

"Hmmm," Cimmera considered it, "Best to swing to the west and then north. It'll add weeks to your journey but might be worth it to avoid the dangers of the Anauroch." She straightened and looked towards the window thoughtfully, "I seem to recall that Hilltop is somewhere in the Silvery Marshes. Maybe Hypatia knows a few things we don't about that area. She spent some time there under the tutelage of a retired dwarf adventurer named Drogan."

She looked up at Valen and shook her head, smiling, "But forgive me. I came to tell you that the mid day meal is being served and ask you if you would dine with Angelous and I. Afterwards, if you like, I'm sure your skill in battle could be put to good use training the temple guard; that is if you're interested."

*****

Xanthus strode through the bustling city street with Gabriel. Both paladins watched the crowd, looking for scofflaws or other troublemakers that might need being taken to task. The bright sun glinted off of their armor and the colorful garments of the throngs of people who hurried about on their errands and business.

"So," Xanthus spoke as they moved through the crowd, "your little informant from the poor district told you she was back?"

"Mmhmm," Gabriel smiled, "For a piece of silver the little urchin came straight to me after she visited. Best way to keep track of her really."

"But why?" Xanthus twisted past a group of wealthy women who were moving purposely towards one of the many open bazaars.

Gabriel stopped to look at him for a moment before continuing on, "I've considered the problems that paladins face. Evil is the least of them. That's easy for the noble and courageous of heart to withstand. No, my friend; love causes more problems for men of our station and calling than anything else. Not just men either. Look at Lady Aribeth of Neverwinter. She became a blackguard when her love was rightfully punished for his complicity in the plague that ravaged the city. "

"Hmph," Xander grunted thoughtfully, "Those fellows who endlessly moon over a woman who is out of reach aren't great assets either. I half expect them to start spouting bad poetry at any moment."

Gabriel laughed and slapped him on the back, a clank of gauntlet on plate mail. "You've got the right of that. And that's where Hypatia comes in. I met her back when she was still an acolyte. She'd come looking for someone to accompany her into the poor district to do works of charity, someone to keep her safe.

At first I didn't want to be bothered babysitting some young cleric whose heart was far too soft. She didn't understand the need for these people to take responsibility for themselves. Always going on about how it was up to those who were more fortunate to give aid to the less fortunate. As if people don't make their own fortunes. As I began to think about it though, as I watched her I realized something: She would make the ideal wife."

Xander very nearly tripped, such was his surprise, "That was fast!"

"Hear me out. She's a total innocent. Bronwyn was following her around like a lost puppy and she simply thought he was trying to be helpful. At first I thought she was playing him for a fool, then I realized that she was just clueless."

Gabriel started ticking his fingers as he spoke, "She's a cleric of Mystra, so no worries about her piety. She's not bad looking either. She has a noble, honorable heart; she'll be an asset as a wife. Once she's safely with child she won't be wandering the poor districts anymore and with a wife and children at home I'm safe from any of that unrequited love business. Safe from falling from grace because of a woman, and once she's mine I'll be free from temptation and the wiles of women of less savory character. It's perfect; she's pure, honorable, easy on the eyes and soon as I have her hand in marriage I can concentrate on the important things: like ridding the face of Toril of evil."

"But you don't love her," Xander observed quietly. "I wonder what she would think of that."

Gabriel chuckled, "She'll never know. I'll woo her properly and she's such an innocent she'll be swept off her feet. Love just makes you weak anyway, gets in the way of duty and honor. Weakness is an imperfection that leads to ruin. One that I intend to avoid, all it takes is a little foresight and planning."

"So," Xander once more twisted past a cluster of people; merchants in richly embroidered robes this time. "Why did you wait then? Why let her go away to Hilltop before beginning your grand scheme?"

"Plan, my friend, plan; not scheme. She was still a child when she left to enroll in that adventuring school. And in truth she left while I was out on a task myself. I made my way up to Hilltop when I found out where she'd gone. She had an admirer but once again was completely clueless. With nothing to worry about and not wanting her to know I'd been checking up on her, I returned here to continue my own training. I knew she'd visit those street brats as soon as she returned so it was a small thing to offer one of them a silver piece for news of her when she visited."

*****

It had been some years since Hypatia had been to the little shrine of Mystra and during the course of those years the new High Priest, Farquhar, had seen fit to build it up into a fair sized temple. Though she disapproved, preferring the small natural shrine that had been on the spot before, it wasn't her place to question the actions of a High Priest in regards to the temple he was stationed at. So Hypatia had gone in and given her tithe, explaining as much as she knew about the artifacts, armors and weapons she had brought to tithe. She glossed over most of the details of her adventures, and the clergy wasn't really interested in what she'd done to acquire her tithe.

High Priest Farquhar was just as cold as she recalled and she didn't like the look of calculating cruelty in his eyes but he gave her no cause to complain so she shrugged off her internal warnings. Despite her best efforts to keep her report brief they kept her talking for the better part of the day.

Farquhar seemed particularly interested in the anti-magical properties of the core of the obelisk she'd tithed and questioned her closely about it. Then he turned his attention to The Ring of Mystra, questioning her closely about the details of how she had come into possession of it and what its properties were. He seemed quite impressed by the Anyspell it could hold, speculating on how much power such a ring could offer to the right bearer of it.

"Now, you're just not of a rank in the church to be trusted with a relic like that. So just hand it over." He held out a bony hand, sneering or perhaps leering at her.

Hypatia sat back, shocked, "Even if I wanted to give it to you, High Priest Farquhar, I could not. It was given to me by The Lady of Mysteries herself."

"Hmmm," He frowned, though a glint of anger showed in his eyes, "Of course, child. A simple test is all. One which you've passed quite handily. Now if you'll excuse me I must be about my duties."

"Of course," She rose and bowed, confused and more than a little troubled. Yet she still had no real complaint. Not unless she wished to accuse the High Priest of lying or worse and it would be impossible to prove even if she were right; and what if it had been a simple test? Surely it was within his right to test the priesthood; it might even be considered his duty.

She left the temple of Mystra and made her way slowly towards the temple of Sune, it was late afternoon judging by the angle of the sun. Her steps came more quickly the closer she got to the temple of Sune, and Valen. Now that she'd done her duty by the temple she was free to help Valen find the Seer again, and from there a way back to Sigil. He was homesick for it and she rather thought the Seer might know a way to get there.

It would mean leaving Toril, possibly for good but it would make Valen happy and set her sister free to follow her own truelove to his home, which was where she belonged. Once there she would be safe and taken care of as she deserved to be. Of course that would all depend upon what Valen wanted to do. She wasn't about to make decisions on his behalf; she loved him far too much for that.

*****

After the mid day meal, Valen had declined the offer to help train the temple guard. Cimmera studied him for a moment. "Now that's interesting."

Cimmera spent a good part of the afternoon seeing to her own duties, meeting and counseling hopeful couples as well as speaking to the lonely and lovesick. Valen observed the workings of the clergy from a sentinel position, blending into the temple guard with ease.

Finally, around midafternoon Cimmera finished up and motioned for Valen to follow her to the dining hall where she got some tall glasses of chilled fruit juice for them to drink. Angelous, as always, by her side. Taking a sip of the chilled fruit juice that had been served she finally decided to ask some questions of the tiefling. Her sister was head over heels for him and she needed to know that he'd treat her well.

"So, Valen," she studied him critically, "I would like to know what makes you so special."

Echoing memories of when he'd voice the same question to Hypatia aside, Valen scowled; shocked to suddenly find himself being questioned by her sister in such a manner. "I am not sure I understand the question…"

Cimmera waived her hand, interrupting him, "I'm talking about what it is that Hypatia sees in you." She looked him over with piercing eyes, "I've introduced her to plenty of better looking men. Paladins boasting devotion to honor, duty and good that are beyond reproach or question."

Valen's scowl deepened into a dark frown.

"Yet each one she rejected on such a deep level that I'm not even sure she was ever aware that they were interested. There is something inside of her that has never let a man get close to her…until you." She leaned back in the chair, still eying him critically. "At first I thought she was being deliberately obtuse; after all, she is not a stupid girl. Then I realized that whatever it is that has up until now rejected any potential suitor, is so deep within her that she isn't even aware that she's doing it. So how is it that got past this thing?"

"Perhaps," Valen suggested stiffly, "You should ask her."

"No can do," Cimmera shook her head. "That'd just make her angry with me and she'd clam up. I worry about her. There is something dark within her and I can't help but wonder if it found its equal in you."

Valen stood abruptly, knocking the chair back, his eyes suddenly glowing red. "Your sister has sacrificed herself time and again to protect you. She saved your world from horrors untold…."

Seemingly unperturbed, Cimmera waived him to resume his seat, once again interrupting him. Something, he absently thought, that Hypatia had never done.

"I know her, I know what she's been through; possibly better than anyone. I worry about her. She has not come through all of this undamaged. " Here she stopped and her expression changed to one of deep seated sorrow. "Hypatia has never let me help her. She's never let anyone help her. Not when it comes to the deep betrayal and hurt of having her own father almost kill her, of having her own mother stand by, cowering; and watch it happen. She changed then. I had hoped, on that day long ago when we had both found our callings that she had healed. But then when she entered the temple with you and I saw her frozen expression I realized that change was still with her. Yet through some miracle you have reached her. "

*****

Gabriel and Xanthus were striding purposefully down the street upon which was located the Temple of Sune when Gabriel stopped and pointed to a red haired cleric in a drab priestess robe hurrying up the steps. "There she goes. Must have just returned from the Temple of Mystra and is going to see her sister. See how modestly she covers herself? Nothing ostentatious, nothing too rich, and certainly nothing suggestive," satisfaction rang in his voice, "she is a paragon of virtue."

*****

Hypatia entered the temple smiling. Her duty was done and now she was free again to explore, learn and discover the wonders of her world. She was ever humbled by the majesty of what the gods had wrought. She delighted in seeking out the hidden places and the beauties therein and she hoped that Valen would also find joy in such things. And if not, then she would go where he wished and learn of, of perhaps even the planes.

*****

Before Valen could utter another word an acolyte hurried over to them, "High Priestess, your sister has returned."

Cimmera sighed, "Her timing is impeccable, as usual. Come then, let us go to her."

Valen had already risen and was moving towards the door that led to the passage that would take him to the main hall where Hypatia would be.

Cimmera was delayed by another priest who caught up with her just outside the dining hall and had a matter he needed to discuss with her.

*****

Hypatia hurried down the long, ornate foyer of the temple, bypassing the intricately carved doors that led to the main cathedral and was turning towards the passage that led to the dining hall when Gabriel and Xanthus entered the main doors.

"Hypatia!" Gabriel called, his deep voice echoing off the marble columns.

Hearing her name called, Hypatia stopped, her hand reaching for the door handle, and looked back over her shoulder. "Gabriel? Whatever are you doing here? Don't tell me you've finally found the one." She smiled turning to him.

Gabriel flashed a grin to Xanthus and moved towards Hypatia, his long legs eating up the distance between them rapidly, "Well now, I believe I may just have."

The door opened and Gabriel stopped, setting into a battle ready stance as he saw a tiefling step through. "Stand back, Hypatia. Tieflings are creatures of evil."

The tiefling scowled deeply and stepped half in front of Hypatia, resting his hand on the hilt of a wicked looking flail.

"Oh do try to let go of your prejudices, Gabriel." Hypatia scolded him and turned to smile up at the tiefling. "While I would never begrudge The Lady my rightful duty, I am glad to be back."

Gabriel's jaw dropped and anger flashed through his brown eyes. "Hypatia, you are naive enough to believe that even such a creature as this, with demon's blood in his veins, can be redeemed. This is a dangerous naivety. Step away from him and let me drive his evil taint from this temple."

Hypatia placed a small hand on Valen's arm and stepped around him, her eyes flashing with an anger that more than matched Gabriel's. "That is quite enough of that. He is good." She looked him in the eye, letting that statement hang in the air for a moment before continuing, "you will not harass him. Know this," She spoke sternly, "You will not harm Valen."

Valen towered over Hypatia, scowling fiercely at Gabriel and when he caught up to the small group, Xanthus too.

Deciding to try a different tack, Gabriel said, "I heard you were back in the city, Hypatia and stopped by to see if you would need me to accompany you into the slums once more."

Releasing a silent breath of relief that he seemed to be willing to let go of his initial dislike of Valen, Hypatia smiled, "Thank you Gabriel but I know your duties are stern and I have Valen now to protect me when I venture out."

Not the answer he'd been looking for. He frowned down at her and glared at the tiefling standing protectively over her. "Very well. It is good to see you have returned safely, now I must be about my duties."

Once out of the temple Gabriel turned towards the Temple of Mystra.

"What are you going to do?" Xanthus followed along.

"I am going to bring this matter to her High Priest. He will see about disciplining her and putting an end to this…this delusion she has that an evil creature can somehow redeem himself and turn aside from the taint that flows in his veins."