Updated 1/8/24
24th of Ches
Tomorrow, a merchant caravan is headed up the coastline to Luskan, and the caravan master, a tall half-elf named Wilavor, hired the Ruthless Blades for protection. They'll be following the High Road, which is well-traveled, but it's a long trip and you can never be too careful. And since I've decided to follow Val and see where my destiny leads me, Elanor Renne, head priest of the church of Kelemvor secured me a spot on the caravan as a healer as well.
Yesterday, after my meditation in the garden, I went to see Elanor, a matronly woman with kind eyes and shared my dream with her. She took me under her wing shortly after I joined the church and has always given me good counsel. Somehow, I instinctively knew when we met that she would help me understand and follow my dreams.
Elanor and I discussed my recent dream over tea, her favorite way to give counsel. I told her every detail, leaving nothing out, and that I felt I needed to follow Valentiano and see what Kelemvor's plans for me may be. We spoke into the early evening, Elanor questioned and probed to check my resolve and counseled me in a way only a mother figure could. In the end, we were in agreement, and she granted me leave from the church to follow the visions from my Deva.
Back in my room, I packed my few belongings, all provided to me by the church, into my chest. Elanor said she would have it sent to the caravan. I set my amulet, a flask of holy water, and a quarterstaff on the end of my bed. I hoped my parents still had my traveling backpack, it would be nice to have a little bit of home with me on the road. I've been on many trading expeditions up and down the Sword Coast with my family, but this will be the first time I've left the city on my own. I looked around the small, simple room that has been my home for the past four years and wiped away the tears that started to flow. After a good cry, I headed out to my childhood home to say goodbye to my family. I will miss my parents and I will especially miss Envon. I know this will be hard for both of us, even more than when I left home to join the church.
The church, my duties, and my studies keep me pretty busy, so I don't get a chance to visit home very often. Now, knowing I'm leaving Waterdeep, I wish I had made more time to visit Envon, Mom, and Dad.
"Don't cry again Zira," I said to myself and squared my shoulders before I walked inside.
It was almost dinner time and all I smelled as I walked through the door was home; freshly baked bread, honey, a pork roast over the fire, and good mead. Mom heard me come in, turned, and a huge smile appeared across her face. She stepped across the room, pulled me into her, and wrapped me in a fierce hug.
"Oh, Zira! I've missed you. Dad and Envon will be so excited to see you. Are you staying for dinner?" That last part was her telling me I was staying for dinner. Thankfully that was already my plan. I wanted a good home-cooked meal before leaving tomorrow.
"Yes, Mom, I'm here for dinner." I smiled into her shoulder, "Where are Envon and Dad?"
"They're in the back, finishing up the cleaning for the night. They should be out any minute. You got here just in time for dinner." She steered me toward a chair and as I sat down, I tried to hide a sly smile. I timed my arrival perfectly, I did not want to get roped into helping with clean up.
Envon and Dad's appearance saved me from Mom and a huge grin spread across my face when I saw my twin! I jumped up, practically knocking over the chair as I rushed open-armed into Envon's arms. We were a tangled, twirling, hugging whirlwind that knocked over the broom by the door, Envon was grinning ear to ear and I knew my own face matched his exactly. Envon is my identical, fraternal twin. This means that we look identical except for his brown eyes and my gold eyes. Well, we used to look identical, but now my scars have changed that… Oh yeah, and he's a man.
"Children!" Mom yelled in exasperation.
It was as if we really were children again. Envon and I stopped dead, bowed our heads, mumbled, "Sorry Mom," in unison, and slid into our seats. Mom gave us "The Look" because we left the broom lying on the floor. Envon and I ignored her and stared at each other, trying to hold out until the other picked up the broom. I heard Dad chuckle when he slipped into his seat, and I knew Mom was still giving us "The Look."
"Sit down, sweety," Dad said, patting Mom's chair, "You know one of them will pick it up. It's just a matter of how long they want to go without dinner." And he's right, one of us always caves, but tonight I was determined not to be the one.
"Zira, I'm here every day picking things up," Envon griped, trying to guilt me into it. And on most visits that would have worked. But this was my last night at home for I don't know how long, and I would NOT be guilted into picking up the broom.
"Envon, since I'm not here much, I am considered a guest. And guests should be cared for by their host," I responded sweetly and smiled.
Envon must have been feeling just as determined as me because our little game went on for several minutes, each of us invented new reasons the other should pick up the fallen broom. It definitely went on long enough that Mom and Dad were losing their patience with us. I heard Mom sigh and I knew "The Look" was back.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning and I don't know when I'll be home again!" I exclaimed.
Envon, Mom, and Dad froze and stared at me.
Ugh, this is not the way I wanted to tell them. I took a deep breath, they know about my dreams, but they don't understand how important my dreams are to me. That it's part of who I am as an Aasimar. I told them about my dream, Valentiano, the merchant caravan, and that the church had given me permission to go. And although I could tell they didn't truly understand how important this is to me, they love me and want me to be happy. Just like when I left to join Kelemvor's church. I could tell that a little piece of Envon's heart was breaking because I knew that mine was too.
The rest of dinner was talk of my coming adventure and suggestions, lots and lots of suggestions o G. Luckily, Dad still had my traveling pack and all its gear! And much to my surprise he also gave me some studded leather armor and his old crossbow.
"To keep you safe," Dad said. Dad had taught Envon and me to shoot when we were younger, but he gave me his old shooting safety speech again anyway. I've only ever hunted with a crossbow, it's hard to imagine using it in defense.
It was hard to leave them tonight, but I wanted to get back to the church before it got too late. We hugged and cried and told each other how much we all loved everyone. I promised to write whenever I could - and then I left my home for the last time.
Oh, and Envon picked up the broom.
Z