The Chastening pt.2

After sending Leeora ahead with diamonds, Cleo arrived in Myth Drannor to find that[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].

The attendants gathered and gave their aid. Justin processed the body from the crypts. Cleo conducted the ritual, while Leeora led the testimonials. Ravossel gave her aid and comfort to Amatria, who made a moving plea for the return of Trip Kindred's immortal soul.

Elric arrived and helped the company out to the Chauntean shrine. My'manir arrived and consulted with Cleo about Karovir.

Leeora provided a lovely picnic and nearly fell in the well.

A few books arranged behind him, Cleo makes his morning ministrations at the altar to Lathander, as he recalls his recent brief but important return to the Lower Planes.

It had not gone as expected, and Hell was the stuff, not just of nightmares, now, to Cleo, but of recent and persistent memory. Still, it was good to see Karovir alive and to learn what they had learned. Given their newfound knowledge, it seemed for the best that Karovir had released the group of any debt to him and sent them back through a portal of his own creation.

Better that than to attempt his subtle mission with a priest and a paladin in tow. But My’manir had her orders, and so she would stay.

Cleo says a quiet prayer for her and for Karovir, then turns his attention to more immediate matters.

He approaches the Dawnstone, floating in its place above and behind the altar, and before the great symbol of the Morninglord.

Reaching out to that place within and above, inside and beyond, the place of light that shines in unison with daybreak, Cleo connects his spirit to the Dawnstone.

All thoughts of Hell flee like shadows before the radiance that floods his consciousness, bringing tears unbidden to his cheeks and a smile to his face.

“Hello, there. It’s good to see you again.”

He spends some time in communion with the Dawnstone, attempting to further understand its properties and how to access them.


Then, when he’s learned all that he feels he can through this method, he turns to the books behind him and begins to study, stopping occasionally to try different means of accessing the Dawnstone’s holy power.

He would be in prayer as Cleophus walks by him.
As he finishes Cleo would be in communion with the Dawnstone.

He'd think to himself how wonderful it would be to feel Lathander's embrace directly feeling a twinge of jealousy.
He'd then shake off the imisguided feeling - In his actions and in his faith lie Lathander's embrace.
The Path of Duty offers little comforts and he has chosen it willingly.

Having begun the hallowing of the walls in Shadowdale, and requested that the priests there finish the task, Cleo, still unable to properly wield a weapon, had asked Jay to escort him to Myth Drannor.

There, after a disturbing conversation with the Prior of the Dawnspire, Cleo reluctantly handed Jay a note he'd received in the Dawnspire post from Celovar.

They discussed the note only briefly in the Dawnspire's chambers. Only much later, as Cleo and Jay comb the library, researching several possible leads, did they begin to debate its contents.


Many fears and hopes were spoken aloud in the Hall of Echoes before it was finally settled: yes, Jay would accompany Celovar on his dangerous mission to free the slaves in Freehaven. And no, Cleo would not. It would be covert. It would be deadly. And Jay could do for the slaves what he had done for the kidnapped Lathanderites, those many moons ago: steel their courage for the journey.  

Preparations were made. Cleo spent a night and a day writing scrolls between bouts of dream-tossed sleep, then pressed them into Jay's hands: Gate, Etherealness, Remove Curse, and many others.

Then, after a brief goodbye, Jay went marching off to Freehaven, leaving Cleo surrounded by Echoes Past.

Now, not knowing Elven, Cleo works with the librarian as much as she'll allow, but he is often simply left alone to pass the time scribbling his notes and adding to his chart.


The word comes many hours later, whispered between the stacks: "Freehaven has fallen."

Cleo bows his head and, very slowly, steadying his hand, he makes another adjustment to the chart.  

He says a prayer the slaves, for the dead, and for Jay's swift return. Then he quietly recites a poem his mentor had taught him years ago.

Earlier today Cleo had given him his assignment.
He returned to the same tower where they prayed and spoke..

When he had a moment to himself later that noon he returned to the tower.

He pondered to himself:

"I can only wait for cleo's list before i do more but for now.."


"To lead... To lead is a burden and not a glory. For true leadership lies in both carrying out one's assignment and providing for one's cohorts.

What will await me in that evil mansion where the dark secrets of a fallen elven family lie? I know not but i shall pray for wisdom. That i will not fail my mission or bring harm to my companions by recklessness."

He gave praise to the highsun. A belief that grew within him is that Lathander's light does not end nor begin in dawn. it blazes in his heart at night and now at the sun's zenith it basks upon his skin as well.



"Oh Lord Almighty, I thank thee for this new day,
filled as ever with thy light and love.
Guide me to use it wisely in thine service,
keeping my steps on the sacred path,
which thou illuminate so clearly for those who will but open their eyes.

Guide me to those who need my help,
whether in word or deed.
Grant me the courage and patience to give aid,
to end misery and pain and to seek and stamp out the evil of this world.
Let each act be undertaken in thine name and be the herald of a new beginning. "