The long road home

Celci leaves Myth Drannor with a full pack of supplies after speaking with Writh about a special job she has for him. She finds Eisau waiting for her in Shadowdale. Eisau also is well prepared for the long journey

"Are you ready, then?" She asks him.

He nods and they head west. Celci finds herself filled with feelings of sadness for leaving behind her love, fear for traveling far, and determination to see for herself what had become of the farm she grew up on. Eisau said he had visited there not so long ago and it had been destroyed. He had found no sign of her father.

They set out west, perhaps she will find her father alive and well. Maybe she can tell him about her love and the wedding she has planned. Maybe he will follow her back to the Dalelands for the wedding.

She knows she only dreams, but west she heads. Their first stop, Forest Country: Cormyr.

At the fire packed for the trip Eisau waits for Celci to arrive. She wants to go and see the old farm. See for herself the things he'd told her. A small glimmer of hope burns in him. He had left the area without digging very deep into what had happened, when he'd see the other farms destroyed too he'd assumed the worst and didn't want to hear the news that they'd died. Eisau's spirit danced for joy when he saw Celci alive, perhaps her father, his mentor, was still alive too.

"Are you ready?" Celci asks him when she arrived. Eisau just nods, confused by the strange elf with her. An elf in a black hood and cloak. He was introduced simply as Writh. Celci had hired him to look for information on John. Between the three they were determined to find John Kardune.

The three set off west, Eisau burning with Questions for Celci. Of this trip, of this new stranger she was bringing along, and of course the wedding and her soon to be husband. He still held resentment to this man he'd only meet once. Why did he keep her in constant danger? He waits, as they walk, trying to find the right moment to talk about it. Eisau's Feeling for Celci having recently manifested into an almost older brother like way, is causing him to lose sleep over what will happen to his only remaining friend. He knows he'll have a chance to ask these questions and more. The road back to the farm is a long one, and he's going to take this time, to try and talk her into a safer life, with or without her "Ceela."

Eisau waits until Writh is out of ear shot. "Celci" he ask "If Ciardha loves you why does he keep you in such danger all of the time? If he truly cares wouldn't he keep you safe? Keep you away from the drow? As a black archer he has a vengeance, if he's lost others he cares for to the hands of the drow, why would he carelessly flaunt you in front of them? Celci, I worry about you. You are far to reckless sometimes, I may not know much, but I know that that leads down a grim path." His voice trails off as his sentence ends. He looks to her with sorrow in his eyes "Celci, I've had to feel the heart break of losing you once. That is a feeling I never wish to have again."

Celci stops and looks up at the sky seeing as dark clouds form.

"This is all new for him. He has been sworn to his oath for the past eight-hundred-fourteen years. He was only one-hundred-six when he swore his oath to Shevarash. He is not used to having to keep close tabs on someone and he is getting better. He's asked me to stop following him below and I have agreed."

She turns her gaze to her friend and smiles

"I am going to do as you suggested. I am giving him a reason to come back. I am training as well. Even though I will remain on the surface, I am going to still be under threat. The best I can do is train. Perhaps I will be among Wythran's surface militia. I will help protect those here while he hunts down there."

As the rains starts to fall, she sighs deeply and looks to the sky allowing the rain to wash away a few tears that start to build when she says "I am afraid to be away from him, but I know I will make his fighting tactics weaker if he has to protect himself and me. That is why I will stay behind... not because I am afraid for me but because I am afraid for him."

Celci continues forward on the road. Ahead of them is the city of Suzail, Capital of Cormyr. As a port town, it might be a nice location to do some shopping.

As they continue to walk forward Writh Yells out "Kid stop whining and let's get going"

Eisau pulls his hood up as the rain continues to fall "I'm glad to hear that, I really do worry about you."

Eisau starts to speak when Writh once again interupt "Come on, quit belly aching and lets get to town, I'm out of rum and getting pissed!"

Eisau juts his jaw a bit and looks back to Celci "Where did you find this prick?"

Shortly after her arrival in Suzail, Celci found a courier and mailed off a letter to Ciardha. After that, she continued down the road with Eisau in search of a place for them to stay the night and for Writh to restock on his rum. As they walk, Celci points out a sign for "The Hidden Lady" inn and tavern. Writh of course made a comment of it being the proper place for Celci to stay. Celci laughs as they enter the inn.

Inside, the barmaid greeted them.

"Welcome to The Hidden Lady" she said. "Are you here for drinks, a room, or both?" she asked politely.

"We need two rooms for the night, one for me and one for the men. Also, some stew for the three of us and I am sure Writh could give you his drink order." Celci replied with a quiet giggle.

The barmaid handed Celci two keys and looked to Writh and Eisau. Celci handed one key to Eisau and took her things to her room. The room is nothing more than a standard inn room. It has one decently put together bed, a wardrobe, and a desk with a chair. She sighed and took a seat at the desk to write in her journal. As she wrote, a few tears escaped her eyes. The passage was short and after she finished writing, she returned to Writh and Eisau by the bar.

As the approach they Inn called "The Hidden Lady" Writh looks to Celci with a grin. "You should spend more time here, perhaps then you won't spend your life surrounded by drow." Celci and Writh both chuckle as they walk in. After Celci tells their order to the maiden, Writh smiles to her and orders 2 bottles of their best rum. Writh and Eisau sit down at the bar. When the maiden returns with Writh's Rum Eisau orders a bottle of whiskey. Writh refills his flask as Eisau looks to him and laughs.

"Let a real man show you how to drink old timer." Eisau grins as he pours his first glass of Whiskey. Writh simply puts the remaining bottles into his bag, and pours a glass of whiskey as well, slowly at first the 2 men throw back the glasses each placing the glass upside down on the bar when they are done to indicate how many glasses. After about 4 bottles, Eisau has 6 glasses more then Writh. Writh looks to Eisau as Celci returns down the stairs. Pointing a finger angrily he mutters something that is to incoherent to be understood. Eisau picks of the simple words, cheater, cheap liquor, and tree nymph. Before Eisau could ask what he meant by that Writh drunkly falls to the floor. Eisau kindly pays the bar maiden for both tabs, throws Writh over his shoulder and carries him up the room before return to Celci.

"Who would have thought It'd cost 150g to get him to shut up for a change?" Eisau speaks with surprising clarity. "I dumped him on the bed so we can finally talk in peace. I'm going to ask once again, because you seem almost as torn on the topic as the rest of us. Do you love him? You'll never convince him to give up. You're choosing the life of a widow, and you know this. Do you love him enough to stand by him, and watch as he destroys himself?" Eisau throws back the final bit of the last bottle before looking back to Celci.

Celci comes down the stairs from her room to see her two companions at the bar. As she approaches she watches as Writh drops to the floor and Eisau picks him up. While Eisau carries Writh to their room, Celci takes Writh's seat and the barmaid sets the bowl of stew in front of her.

"Thank you" she says to the barmaid.

Celci eats her stew and Eisau sits back next to her. His line of questioning is not surprising to her. It seems that everyone asks her the same questions whenever the subject is brought to the table. She sighs and looks to Eisau.

"Yes, I love him. I know I will never convince him to give up his way of life and I am not going to ask that from him anymore. Perhaps it is the life of a widow, but I will stand by him until the end. He needs me. I need him. I am certain he will feel the same way when ever I run off into battle at the aid of Myth Drannor or stirring up trouble with the Zhentarim. I love him and I am going to marry him."

She looks at him and smiles. "I want you to be there and support my decision, Eisau. I understand if you do not, but you can not change my mind. My heart belongs to him."

She resumes eating her stew, thinking about everything said and about her feelings for Ciardha. When she finishes her stew, she looks to Eisau one more time and says "I love him".

She pays the barmaid for the room and the stew and retires to her room for the evening.

After Celci, Eisau, and Writh shop the port town a few days, they pack up and decide it is tim to continue on their journey. It is a long way to Baldur's gate from Suzail. As they exit town, Celci equips her bow and pulls up her hood. She knows the next few days of traveling will be long and dangerous.

Not long out of the city, the three of them find a group of bandits on the road. One of the men smirk and look at the three of us. He looks over them and chuckles when he sees the three are full loaded with items.

"It seems our luck is turning gentlemen. We have a few fairies here fully loaded." he continues to chuckle and moves in closer.

Celci can see the other five men near a caravan chuckling and eyeing her. She takes a deep breath and responds.

"Can I help you?" Her voice sounds calm but slightly agitated.

The original man continues to move in closer. He ignores Celci's question as he looks her over. He says back to his men, with his gaze still focused on Celci "I bet this fairy would fetch a pretty penny."

Celci slowly reaches for two arrows from her quiver and loads both to her bow but does not raise it.

"If you are not in need of assistance, I suggest you back away and leave me and my traveling companions alone" Celci says between her teeth.

Eisau takes a step in front of Celci.

As the group approaches the group of bandits Writh takes a moment to slip into the shadows and coating his blade with some poison from his bag.

As the first bandit began to look over Celci, Eisau positions himself in front of her, staring daggers to the man. "You will not be touching Miss Celci." Eisau growls. As the two men begin to stare each other down Writh makes his strike. A bandit towards the back falls to the ground convulsing. Writh having taken a moment to sneak around the group struck the man with his poisoned blade. Eisau quickly follows Writh's lead and blast the man in front of him with an eldrich blast. The blast hitting the bandit in the face. He stumbled back grabbing his eyes.

The four bandits by the caravan jump, two moving in toward Writh and the other two coming to the aid of the leading bandit, who was still holding onto his face in agony. The leading bandit immediately reached for his sword and swung down, blindly at Eisau's head. Before the sword could reach Eisau, two arrows flew over Eisau's head planting one in the bandit's face and the other in his chest. He stumbled backward dropping to the ground.

Celci looked to Eisau making sure he was alright. The two bandits heading their way started to close in and Celci grabbed another arrow loading her bow sighing. "You had to pick the violent way..."

Celci gasps when she sees Writh fall to the ground and immediately sends an arrow slamming into the bandit, who had hit Writh, in the chest. The bandit falls to the ground gripping at the arrow.

Just as the last standing bandit moves in after Celci, a large black panther runs up from behind growling at the bandit. His eyes turn wide as the massive panther approaches him and he turns and runs away. The panther starts to chase the man when Celci calls her back. "Come back, Heart. No sense in chasing after him."

Celci rushes to Writh's side appraising his wounds. She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a few bandages.

"Hold still" Celci says as she begins to bandage the massive gash in Writh's shoulder.

Once the three of them are capable, they quickly continue on their way.

Celci walks through the gates of Baldur's gate. Although having grown up not far south of the city she'd only visited it once. The size of the city is astonishing and once again it is another port city. Despite the urgency for time, Celci can't fight her instinct to explore the new town. They'd been traveling for days and she could not see a reason to not relax a bit. After a bit of wandering, Celci sees a sign for a place called "The Blushing Mermaid"

"This place looks interesting." Celci says and continues toward the door. She walks in, still followed by Eisau and Writh. They are greeted by a topless woman.

"Welcome to The Blushing Mermaid" the topless woman says with a smirk and looks to the two male elves.

"We have a couple of Elven women available if that is what you seek." She looks back to Celci, who is now blushing blood red. "Unfortunately we do not have men available, but the women are available to work for other women as well."

Before another word is spoken, Celci bolts from the building blushing deep red. She continues walking without noticing if Eisau or Writh were still with her.

As they enter the "blushing mermaid" the men's eyes both go large and zone in on the topless woman. As the woman tells of what they have Writh looks over the main room seeing the other women. As Celci bolts through the door Eisau snaps out of his daze and turns to leave. He makes it to the door before realizing Writh is still behind him looking. He grabs his collar and pulls him out.


As they catch up to Celci, Writh says, "Well this is where our paths split. I will meet up with you at the Splurging Sturgeon in a few days." With that he turns back to the direction of "The Blushing Mermaid." Eisau rolls his eyes and looks to Celci.

"Well where to now?" Eisau turns and continues to follow Celci.

(((until they meet up all accounts of Writh's activities will be kept in his Journal)))

After they split paths with Writh, Celci and Eisau pack up and begin traveling south where John Kardune's farm once stood. Not unlike Eisau's description, the house Celci grew up in was nothing more than a few pieces of burnt and rotting wood. The grass where Celci had once been taught to use her bow was dead. The barn in which Celci tended the livestock was no longer standing. It seemed as though any proof that she and her father once lived on this land was gone.

"I did not want to believe you." Celci managed to say to Eisau before the tears began to flow down her face.

Celci walks into the burnt remains of what was once her home scanning the ground, taking in to her heart the damage. As she was looking over the area she noticed something reflecting light from the ground. Covered almost completely in dirt she found a ring. She dusted it off and looked it over. It was the same ring she'd always seen her father carrying on a chain around his neck. He said he kept it to remember her mother. She picked the ring up from the ground and slid it onto her finger.

She whispers quietly to herself as if she was speaking to someone who is not there. "Now I will keep this to remember you both."

She wipes the tear from her eye and looks over to Eisau.

Having already seen the destruction Eisau held his composure and walks to Celci and places his arms around her allowing her to bury her face into his shoulder. "I'm sorry" The only words he was able to choke up before he felt his throat tremble and tighten.

Holding Celci close he forces a smile and tells her "Don't give up until we find him. He may still be alive." The man chokes back a tear though his hold body shakes as he forces himself to hold together. "Don't give up yet." He speaks more to himself this time then to Celci.

Celci sighs as she finishes soaking Eisau in her tears and pulls back

"You're right, Eisau. Let us not give up. Let's head back to the inn back in Baldur's Gate. Perhaps Writh has learned something." She hugs Eisau.

They both continue north. The trip back is done in silence, both Eisau and Celci clearly deep in thought of what they saw and what they might learn from Writh. It is well past nightfall when they arrive back at the Splurging Sturgeon tavern. Celci walks directly for the bar, knowing this would be where she'd find Writh. She sees him sitting at the bar with a bottle of rum. She takes a seat next to him.

"Did you find anything?" She asks Writh with a slightly grim tone as if expecting his response.

Writh looks to them with a forced small smile. "I learned what you wanted." Writh took a swig from his glass finishing it off. 'The farm was destroyed in an orc attack." He pauses for a moment looking to the unopened bottle of rum in front of him. "Dammit, I'm sorry Celci." He pauses shaking his head looking to the ground, trying to get the courage to give the news, knowing he's going to crush this soon-to-be-bride's spirit. "He's dead, he died saving the people from the other farms. I found where they laid him to rest and I am gonna show you when you're ready." Writh pulled his hood forward. He hated showing this much emotion, but despite his self he hated breaking news like this.

Eisau slumped into a chair looking like he'd been hit by Garag in the face. Writh, in an unusual gesture of kindness offered his arms to Celci if she so choose to hug him. "Take your time guys. We're in no hurry."

Celci sighs and accepts Writh's hug. Much to their surprise, she did not cry. She did not shed another tear. Perhaps it was because her father died doing what he did best or maybe because she had already accepted this before the trip. She pulled back from the hug and looked down at Writh.

"I would like to see where he rests." she says simply.

Writh nods and pulls Eisau to his feet. then leads them out of town. Writh carries an unopened bottle of rum. After about a 2 hour walk out of town they come to a small clearing. In the middle is a small mound, a small stone reading "Here lies John Kardune, Hero", sticking from the ground behind is a blade. Writh looks to Celci. That is your family sword I am told. They left it here with him, but I'm sure they wouldn't if you took it." Writh opens the bottle pouring the bottle over the grave. "I hope you like rum sir, may you enjoy it where ever you protect now." once the bottle is empty he puts it in his bag, and looks to the others. "I'll leave you two for now."

Eisau falls to his knees at the grave side. he bows his head and speaks as if John is standing in front of him. "Sir, I will make you proud. I will show the world that I have a good heart, that I too will be a good man." Eisau walks off and begins collecting pebbles. He returns with a small bag full of pebbles and writes out the only thing he feels should be said. As the water reflects the face, So the heart reflects the man. He whispers once more "Thank you sir, for saving me."

Celci looks over her father's grave and bites her lower lip. She reads the title given to him on his headstone over and over. Here lies John Kardune, Hero. She stares down at the grave plot as Eisau speaks to her father. A few tears escape her eyes. She lays her hand on Eisau's back. She quietly whispers the words as well. "I will make you proud."

Celci watches as Eisau walks off to retrieve pebbles and places them on the grave.

The three of them stay at the grave until dawn as they talk of the memories they shared with John Kardune and with how he ended his life the way he lived it as a hero. When the sun rises, Celci pulls the family sword from the ground. She hands it over to Eisau.

"I know my father would have wanted you to have this, Eisau. You are as much part of this family as I am."She smiles at him as he takes the sword.

"Let's get back to the Dalelands... I have a wedding to prepare for." she says as she starts heading east.

The three of them make their way back to the Dalelands with new dreams, new goals, and new respect.

(((The End. Writh, Eisau, and Celci will be back in game by Saturday. Hope you all enjoyed the story.)))