On The Road Again

It's a few more joyous days of relaxation within Traity before you finally depart. The initial clamor for your achievements died down, but it is still impossible for you or your comrades to go anywhere without being immediately identified and celebrated. It's a welcome change from the general anonymity you all are used to, but by the end, you start to long to be just regular old Fiana again, and not the vaunted hero.

You would have left to continue your journey sooner, but King Yalph the Wizened insisted that you all stay until he could prepare worthy rewards for your achievements. The five of you were each bestowed with a heavy cloak, fastened with a brooch in the shape of Yalph's family crest, an owl resting on the antlers of a deer. Additionally, you were each given an expertly hand crafted blade to further serve in your adventures. This time, when you held a rapier in your hands, there was no eye rolling or judgement as there was when you all first met. The King gave you a special gift, carefully wrapped in a protective cloth. He refused to say what it was, but that it was something you would appreciate, and was an extra token for putting Marowyn to rest, for doing what nobody else could.

This time, when you left Traity, you didn't feel the need to skulk out in the night and leave a letter. You could hold your head high and look your parents in the face as you said goodbye.

"Well," Your father started, holding you close "I would have liked you to have stayed longer, but I understand it now. I think you've done more in the few days than most of us could accomplish in a decade. I'm sure this kingdom will be a different place the next time you or us come to visit."

"Us?" You ask as you look at him quizically.

"Yes. Your mother and I got to talking in the past few days, and we decided it was past time that we had a little adventure of our own."

"Fathers, that's great!" You exclaim as you give him a hug "Where do you intend to go?"

"I was thinking of going North, to Hammerdeep. I should like to see The Eternal Forge, find out of if it really is as grand as I've read about. Your mother wants to go to the land of the Maiden Queen, and from there visit Mer. We'll probably compromise on something completely different. Who knows what we'll see? That's what makes it an adventure, right?"

"Quite right" As you give him another hug before departing on your horses, making a stop at the tavern before you leave. James has been spending an inordinate amount of time there of late, particularly curious given the wine wasn't strong enough for him.

"I'm sure we'll be able to see each other when we come back to Krakorum." James was talking to Thirona, with her sisters eavesdropping in the distance "After that happens, who knows?"

"I'd like to come with you." She said "Your adventures really sound magical."

"I know, but they're crazy dangerous too. I don't know what's in store for us, but it's probably worse than one crazed Banshee, and I don't want you getting hurt." He took a deep breath, holding her hand "For now, let's play this one day at a time, okay?"

Thorina didn't respond verbally at first. Instead, she looked into James' eyes as she pulled a small object from her pocket and placed it in his rough hands, whispering to him.

"I'll be here waiting, whenever you come back" Thorina said as she and her sisters went back inside. James stared at his hands for a minute before he got on his horse and joined you to depart.

"What was that all about?" You asked "I couldn't hear what she said."

"I don't know what happened, honestly" James said, as he stared at the small object in his hand. "She was speaking in Elvish, but if I didn't know any better, I'd say I was engaged." He extended his hand out to show a small, simple ring with a solitary green gem in it. Your hand reflexively went to your face in surprise. Bruce was also surprised, but expressed his a different way, with unexpected laughter.

"Hahaha! James Dowton, what spell did you put on that poor Elf girls mind to trick her into such a thing!"

"Shut up Bruce!" James was deeply angry from being laughed at, far more than you had seen their past bickering reach. "I didn't do anything. She just, I don't know." He took a soft breath "She likes me for being me, I guess. That's never happened before."

Bruce patted the younger man on the back "Sorry for laughing there boy, but you have to admit that this is the last thing anyone would expect to happen."

"Ya, no kidding" He said, still staring at the ring as the journey preceded on horse "What does this all mean?"

"It means you're finally going to have to start listening to me." Bruce said "You're heading into a larger world than you know, and I'm the only one you know whose been there. I'll help keep you out of trouble, just like I've been trying to do all these years."

"Okay." His reply was distant, as if his mind wasn't really on the conversation anymore. He put his ring back in his pocket, and looked at you and the others. Curiosity piqued his mind.

"Hey, Fiana! What was the special gift you received from the King? I'm sure you didn't get a proposal as well"

"Not anything like that, but he did give me something special," you say with grace as you carefully pull back the cloth, to reveal an unusual, masterfully crafted instrument

"Never seen one of those up close before" Kraig said, having been quiet this whole time "I'm sure you all have a pretty name for it, but in human circles we call it a hurdy gurdy"

You giggle slightly "I think I actually like that name better. At any rate I'm sure it will be of good use later on. It will at least make a great souvenir some day, if nothing else"

"So where are we too now? Once we clear the forests I mean" Kraig asked

"From here it should be a simple journey to Vilory" You reply "I don't know much about the place, other than words from merchant's that it's a human land with strange customs."

Bruce replied with another hearty, but short laugh "If that's true than there's nothing simple about it, but I'm sure the worst is behind us..."