Reunion Quest

(( I can rarely play much on weekends, so this is an attempt to participate in a "side-quest" sort of way in a really hot story until Monday, hence the new thread. Please join in, if you like. ))

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], Cleo could be seen in a quiet little pavilion set aside from the others, comforting the bereaved among the refugees. Occasionally, he would take a break and walk into Myth Drannor proper, always returning red-faced and clench-jawed, always taking a few moments to sit alone, watching the sun on the water, letting the joy in him return to his countenance before returning to his work.

This morning, he's up before dawn, in the very same pavilion, comforting those who mourn. As day breaks over the Dawnspire, a curious pattern began to emerge in testimony of the refugees.

Thoughtfully, Cleo pauses to pray and ponder, kneeling where the Silver Tower will one day stand and facing the dawn to say a little prayer.

"Lord of Morning, keep him safe. I couldn't bear to lose another love to violence. Bring us together, safe again."

Cleo ends the prayer and stands, beginning a slow walk about the farms, hands folded in front of him, his youthful brow furrowed in thought, mumbling.

"Jay had made the right choice, going to Shadowdale, and so had I, staying here at first. And at least we had a choice to make. Too many people are cut off from their loved ones. Bel sits in prison. Lhanir and Emrys struggle with her memory. All these people here...Yes, some family members were dead, but many more were missing, having simply run away when the parasite was discovered, either scared or already infected."

He observes his surroundings as he walks, waving casually if a bit absently to those he knows well. Bryanna's efforts were keeping folks comfortable. Imesah was working hard to help anyone who needed it. Kendra was well enough to begin to take action. They had things well in hand.

He stoops to pick a dandelion and help a child blow its thistles away to make a wish. He smiles as the girl runs away with the bald little weed, then he sets his jaw, nods once, and gets to work.

In a flurry of activity, he quietly enlists the aid of acolytes and priests, asking for a list of names and descriptions of everyone's missing family members. While this is being prepared, Cleo spends time within the Dawnspire, praying and writing on parchment.

Once the list is ready, Cleo takes it in hand and sets out, armored and warded, first to Rimwood, and then to the Crossroads, on his way to Shadowdale.

Bryanna catches up to Cleo, though perhaps not recognizable at first in heavier than usual armor and a helm, even her shield has had a bit of work done to it.

"I spoke with Kendra... its time for her to see to the back lines a while and allow me to take on some of the risks."

Cleo regards Bryanna for a moment before melting a bit into a tentative, grateful smile.

He rummages in his coat pocket, pulling out a bone-hewn scroll case, and removing the five scrolls inside. "These are Dismissal scrolls. See if you can read them. If not, we'll find wands, somehow."

He presses them into her shield hand.

"I detect, you disinfect."

The little Dawnlord pats the tall Paladin on her shoulder and climbs into Natalya's wagon, bound for the Crossroads.