We arrived in Thornhold today. On the outside it's a plain gray stone fort with two towers, but inside is a bustling caravan stop. The dwarves of the Stoneshaft Clan transformed the fort into a stopover and resupply for traders before continuing along the High Road past the Mere of Dead Men. You can find almost any goods you need and don't need, to "safely" pass that stretch of the road.
And we arrived during the last two days of the Fleetswake Festival! Every night during the ten-day festival there are fancy galas, but the best festivities are at the local tavern. And I needed some fun to take my mind off Val's rejection from last night. Mom and Dad gave me plenty of gold to start my trip, and I know it won't last forever, but neither will life. So I've decided I'm going to enjoy myself whenever I can, starting with staying in a nice room at the inn & tavern. Most of the folks traveling with Wilavor stayed with the caravan, but I prefer sleeping in a bed.
After I put my stuff in my room and cleaned up a bit, I headed downstairs to the tavern to get some dinner. The place was pretty empty because it was still early so I found an empty table to sit, eat, and watch the room. Gilra and Czorn walked in, and when they saw me I waved them over. They happily joined me for dinner and I feel like we are becoming friends of our own. Val and Hunter were standing watch, and would probably come over after. We chatted about the caravan, and their time with the Ruthless Blades, and told each other a few childhood stories. Eventually, they asked why I left the church and joined the caravan. I told them I was on a mission for Kelemvor and that my first task is to rid this area of the undead.
I can't explain why or how I know this, it's just a feeling, like a whisper, telling me the undead must be eradicated. I know I'm not a Necrobane or even a Doomguide, but I am a Cleric of Kelemvor and I can not allow these abominations to continue existing.
After our dinners were finished, we continued drinking and talking as the room filled up around us. You could feel the buzz of the holiday festivities in the air. A bard began performing a jubilant sea shanty and people started responding and moving to the music. It's slow at first; finger and toe-tapping, a knee will start to bounce to the beat, and someone will start slapping their hand on their leg, folks start humming and singing along, and next thing you know people are up and dancing!
I'd been so busy with my studies and trying to understand my purpose in life, I had forgotten how freeing it is to let loose and follow the crowd's energy. I was bouncing my knee to the beat and caught up in watching the crowd, so I think Czorn had to ask a few times if I'd like to dance. It was so fun and exhilarating twirling around the room one minute and stamping our feet in a line the next! We saw Val slip into the seat next to Gilra and made our way back over to join them. When we got to the table, Val and Gilra were talking about setting up watches to relieve Hunter and Geo, Wilavor's plans for while we're in town tomorrow, and other boring work stuff.
"You two need to lay off the work talk. We're off duty, there's a party happening, and Zira said she's paying for the next round of drinks." Czorn said when he sat down.
"Are you now?" Val turned, looked at me, and raised one eyebrow. "I didn't realize clergy had those kinds of funds."
"I wasn't always a cleric. My family makes some of the finest dyed silks in all of Faerun," I put my hands on my hips and almost stomped my foot like a child. Where is this behavior coming from? I only act like this around Envon.
"I was just teasing you Zira," Val says and ruffles my hair. "I know you haven't always been a cleric."
Then he took my hand, stepped back, and bowed, "Please accept my apology."
And how could I refuse when he's always so polite and respectful?
I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped before I said, "Apology accepted. Now let's get another round of drinks, on me!"
We spent the rest of the night drinking, dancing, and singing! Well, Gilra didn't dance, she said this is not music she could ever possibly dance to.
My warmed bed is calling to me and I am looking forward to sleeping the night away in comfort.
Z