Rumors

You and your mother met this Colonel in quite the inconspicuous location, a library that both were paying subscribers to. This had been a small surprise, as the Cathedral of the Lost had an extensive private library on it's own, but what Doolyn did with his time wasn't your concern, than or now. Your mother was a little beside herself, despite the menial nature of the building.

"Is everything okay, mom? You look a little overwhelmed" You asked as you waited for this enigmatic Colonel Dilancia to appear.

"Oh don't worry about me" She waved her hand as a short smile came across your face "Corn only grows in one direction, you know."

You had normally been able to understand Gilzra's penchant for maxim's, but this one lost you "I'm sorry, what?"

"Just something my momma used to tell me anytime I used to think about the woulda shoulda couldas. You can't change the past, because Corn only grows in one direction"

"Still thinking about meeting the Archdeacon?"

"Not that hun. Just this place brings back some old fantasies. I would have loved to come to a place like this as a family, have your daddy teach us both how to read."

"You don't know how to read, Mom?"

"Oh, I do now." She nodded slowly. "Not when you born though. Kharn taught me, eventually."

"Interesting, I wouldn't have thought that."

"It was a surprise to me too. I think most of us have some bad stereotypes that need to be torn out like a stubborn weed, but that's neither here nor there. The important thing is Demetria, I didn't get to be the momma I planned on being, and you didn't get the momma you deserved. There's going to be a lot of reminders about that I'm afraid, at least for a little while. I'm just happy that Doolyn fella rubbed off on you in a good way."

"Me too" you both swung your attention to the voice. From appearances, it could only have been the Colonel. She had years on her as Doolyn did, and she carried them with the same confidence and respect. Flash in her armor with a rare golden tone, she was an intimidating presence. Or, she would be, if there wasn't something enticing about how she looked at you.

"Forgive me for making you wait. I had to resolve some business once I got the news. Quite the story"

"Thank you for coming, Colonel" You said as the three of you sat back down.

"Please, call me Dilancia." She gently refuted "I was happy to come, especially after being told all of what had occurred." There was a slight pause in the elder Paladin's actions. "I apologize for my distraction, but you don't remember me, do you?"

You shook your head no, sure you would have recalled someone like her. Gilzra, likewise, appeared surprised and slightly confused.

"We had met a few times when you were very, very young. Even than, you were a very bright, charming young thing. Ferghus always had good updates about you when I would ask how you were doing. And now look at you! An adventurer in your own right, and a champion against evil. Oh, if only you had been a member of the Watch."

Your mother scoffed "Yes, well, if only the watch didn't hold such terrible views towards our kind, maybe she would have been dropped at your door and not his"

Despite the stress and awkwardness, Dilancia progressed calmly "Those were different people, at a different time. T'sara as a whole has learned it's lesson since those days. I can't excuse what happened in the past. I am also not responsible for it. All that said, I understand how you must have felt at that time."

"Do you have daughters of your own, Colonel?" She asked

"No ma'am, that outcome was never in the cards for me, given who I am and the oaths I took"

"Than you don't understand it at all." Your mother was not normally this agitated, and not this quickly, at least from the small amount of time you've known her.

"Perhaps not" The elder paladin said with a gentle bow of the head " I'm sure you're proud of your daughter, and made the best decision you could at the time, all those years back, and now all the happier to have been reunited all this time. I'm sorry if what I said came out the wrong way. Perhaps if you provide the scepter, I'll depart and leave you to your day."

You slowly heave the infamous weapon on the table, still wrapped in simple burlap. The Colonel doesn't seem especially curious, looking no further than to ensure it's well tied before taking it herself.

"You know" She began as she got back on her feet "If you're looking for more tieflings, I heard some are forming a settlement in Linthalia. You'd think there's enough people there, but can't find a better place to take up a farm community."

"That's a random bit of news" Gilzra commented, getting up as well "Are you saying that in hopes we leave your city."

Dilancia shook her head no, and had a smile that ran counter to your mothers mood. "No, it's nothing like that at all. If anything, if circumstances were different, and I were a younger woman, I think I'd ask to court your daughter."

Her honesty took you both back for a second, and you felt quite flattered.

"That's quite kind of you to say" You respond. Your mother followed suit, her hard edge having softened quickly "I understand, and I'm sorry for being a bitch. Since we're just talking all theoretical like, if those circumstances were different, I think I'd say yes."