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[dndfic-blog]

Dungeon World: “Facing the Familiar”

Key Characters: Kalen Falinar, Shane Danavin, Ivory, Senwe, Grobble

Summary: Kalen is coming to terms with being back in his home town for the first time since running away as a child. Luckily, familiar faces are making the homecoming easier.

1/?

They’d been traveling about a day with their newest companion before Kalen saw a few stout building on the horizon. His stomach sank realizing they had made it. Fylinth.

He hadn’t seen the shithole since running blindly out of his childhood home and into the ocean wilds. He was terrified when he left at aged 12. 65 years later, he still felt a growing sense of fear and anxiety as he and the travel party moved closer to town.

Fylinth was primarily a stop over farming village on the way to Vors. It was isolated but did see traders come from both east and west at times. Town businesses and homes were few and far between. The Falinar’s property was on the opposite side of town, largely isolated from the rest of the civilization. It was far enough out that their traveling party may not encounter it at all, thankfully. His father wouldn’t be there which was an immense blessing but what of his mother? She never left the house when he was a boy so it stood to reason she’d still be there, rooted to the spot. The elven man drew a deep breath through his nose, dreading any contact he may have with his mother. Kalen had no desire to see the woman who only cared for him after his father’s fists stopped landing. No; he would avoid the southwest boundary best he could.

Kalen tossed his head to clear the hair from his eyes and the thoughts from his mind. Straining his ears, he could hear Ivory talking excitedly from inside the coach at his back. Whether she was speaking to Senwe the Ranger or his giant frog companion, Grobble, was up for debate. He gave a shake to the reins to spur Pulumbo and Trempton the gators forward. Once in town, Ivory and Kalen would stock up on supplies, find Evelyn and Eddie, drop Sen and the frog off, and continue on to whatever beacon was on their map. The sooner they could put Fylinth behind, the better.

Civilization had snuck up on them faster than expected as a tent city now sprawled out to meet them. It hadn’t been there years before but based on what Sen had said, it seemed that many from Niska may have already arrived to make camp. Things must have gotten much worse at the capital to drive so many away and this far west. The makeshift pathways were too narrow for the coach and gators to move through so Kalen pulled off the road to secure everything. Soon after stopping, Sen’s head popped out to survey the surroundings.

“We made good time! You know the area or somethin’?”

“A bit,” Kalen chewed out as he tied off the gator team to a public hitch.

Ivory and Grobble squeezed their way out from behind Sen to step outside. “There’s a ton of people here. I thought you said Fylinth wasn’t that big?” Ivory questioned.

“It wasn’t. This must be the lucky crew from Niska.”

“Right,” Ivory said, nodding with a concentrated frown. “So Eddie’s here? With Evelyn?”

“Last we heard - or read, yeah. I’ll check,” Kalen muttered, shaking the Linked Paper out from his pack. Sure enough, Evelyn’s neat handwriting was there. Orange tent top close to town proper - in sight of marketplace.

“They’re a ways in still. We’ll have to walk through from here,” he said, folding the paper back into its place.

“Okay, let’s go. Come on!” Ivory declared before hurrying forward. Kalen, Sen, and Grobble followed and quickly met the halfling’s stride without much difficulty.

Although the tent city was very close quarters, there wasn’t much overt activity or noise as they traveled. The few people they saw made eye contact quickly before retreating back to whatever tasks they had in their tents, unbothered by newcomers. Looking around, Kalen was surprised he remembered a fair number of the faces he passed. The baker from 5th Street was huddled with a blanket over her knobby shoulders just to the left. Fifth or so feet down, the twins who lived close to the Northern wall of Niska were playing some sort of hand clap game. Seven tents from there, Mr. Angus Flynn, the banker with a drinking habit, glowered and spit, seemingly recognizing the elven man.

Kalen looked quickly away from Flynn and studied the ground roughly ten paces straight ahead of his feet. Although it was strangely comforting to be surrounded by familiar faces, he didn’t think he could bear more judgements right now. It was somehow worse now that the sentiments came from non-strangers.

The traveling group walked quietly through the tent city for several minutes without much fanfare. Suddenly, a raised voice cut through it all: “Kalen?”

Hearing his name called in question, Kalen straightened and turned around quickly to find whoever had recognized him. Just a few tents back, standing next to a glowing fire, Shane Danavin, blacksmith and former partner of Kalen’s, was staring back with wide eyes, his mouth hanging ever so slightly open.

Without blinking, Kalen turned and, with four long strides, closed the distance to clutch at Shane in a fierce hug. To his credit, the human caught him immediately and returned the hug with equal fervor. Kalen squeezed his eyes closed tightly, burying his face into Shane’s neck. He could smell aftershave under the fire’s smoke on his skin. It was perfect.

“You made it out,” was all Kalen could say.

“Yeah. You though... where have you been? Have you been in Niska this whole time?”

Kalen huffed out a short laugh. “No, not coming from Niska. I’ve been on the road for a couple months”

He pulled away slightly and let his hands rest lightly around the blacksmith’s shoulders m before withdrawing completely. Shane’s hazel eyes watched him closely as Kalen retreated back to his more rigid posture. “A couple months? Where?”

Kalen sighed. “There’s too much to explain with that but yeah, I’ve been gone. First away on business but now, I’m not sure what we’re doing.” He paused awkwardly. “I should have told you. Shit. I’m sorry.”

Shane shook his head and waved a hand vaguely. “Nah. It’s good. We’re good.” His brow crinkled in a show of good humor with tired acceptance. “This your crew?” He nodded over Kalen’s shoulder without breaking eye contact.

The elf nodded, thankful for the slight change of conversation. “Yeah. Guys, come’ere a sec.”

Ivory, Sen, and Grobble joined the two men at the fire and stood quietly as Kalen introduced each of them. Shane shook Ivory and Sen’s hands while making an effort not to look too alarmed by Grobble’s large size. Ivory’s eyes were bigger than a whale’s as she looked up at Shane. He gave her a tight lipped smile. “Good to meet you. Are you here to stay or?”

Shane’s question hung in the air while Kalen tried get his thoughts together. Thankfully, Sen’s even tone took over. “Meeting up with some folks. Going where ever we’re needed needed from there, all said.”

The blacksmith nodded and casually ran a hand through his short, slightly curled brown hair. “Looking for someone from Niska or Fy-“

“Not from Fylinth, no.” Kalen jumped in quickly. Shane’s nod continued as he looked out to the pathway through the tents. “Someone I know? I can help you find ‘em, if you want.”

Kalen waffled for a moment. Having Shane in front of him was both a comfort and a stressor. He couldn’t get his thoughts together as he fought for stability. “Evelyn Fisk? Eddie Gurgles? They’re closer in to town, I think.”

Shane shrugged. “Sorry. Don’t know ‘em. But you seem to have a sense of where you’re going so I’ll let you get back to it,” he paused and zeroed in on the elven man in front of him. “It was good to see you, Kalen.”

A lump lodged itself in Kalen’s throat. He should walk away and leave it. This was the out he needed. Shane didn’t know what was going on in Kalen’s now very complicated life, nor did he need to.

Unfortunately, Kalen’s mouth allied itself with his heart, not his head in that moment. “We’ll be here for a little while. I can come back to see you. After we make our meeting?” Kalen could feel his brow tensing, bracing for disappointment. He hated himself for it.

Somehow, Shane didn’t recoil at the suggestion and instead nodded quickly. “Yeah, come on back. I’ll be here,” he said warmly. A fraction of tension left Kalen’s shoulders as he nodded with a small grin. “Alright. Give me a while.”

“You got it.”

Kalen stepped backwards and held up a hand in casual farewell. He’d see Shane later today. It was a comfort and a terror to the former soldier but damn if the high he had going didn’t feel good in that moment.

“That was Shane?” he heard Ivory squeak as she, Sen, and Grobble continued walking through the tents.

“Yeah.”

“He seemed nice.”

“I told you he was.”

“You almost seemed nice, too.”

Kalen shot a dark glance down at her as he heard Sen chuckling.

“Let’s keep going. We’re close to the marketplace now,” Kalen relented as they pressed forward.

[dndfic-blog]

D&D Eberron: “A Night Away”

Key Characters: Valia Orespeaker (LG f!dwarf, druid), Percivahn Sartura (LN m!elf, fighter, NPC)

Summary: After the revelation of her partner’s family being murdered, Valia decides to put adventuring on hold to be with Percivahn - if only for a short time.

Part 2/2

The two lay quietly together in bed, coming down from their highs and readjusting to the realities around them. Valia let her head rest on his chest as she wrapped an arm across his midsection. His hand was on the top of her wrist as he lazily rubbed back and forth. It was comfortable and familiar. She hoped it was helping him feel a little more grounded. It was certainly helping her.

“Tell me about Wroat,” he said into the darkness. And so, she did. She spoke of the weather, the peaches, the people, and various groups vying for power. She spoke about Simic and how his real name was Hobin. She explained his history as best she knew it, about his brother, his mother, and Alwin - poor Alwin. Then there was the Hand of Galifar and the vampire and potentially the rakshasa. Finally came loneliness, the resentment, confusion, and anger she was feeling amongst and for her compatriots.

“I don’t know who they are and question if I ever did,” she finished. She felt her chin get lifted by one of his long fingers and she looked up at him in response. Thankfully, he was smiling.

“They are a complicated group but I do hold out hope for them. We accomplished much in The Shadow Marches. Despite their jokes, I am back to to my senses because of their help.”

Valia frowned. “I hate that they make those jokes at your expense. At our expense. Being enthralled was no laughing matter and based on their own relationships, they don’t have a big game to talk about.”

“Perhaps not, but that doesn’t stop you from taking the high ground, I’m sure.”

She let out a harsh sigh. “No, it doesn’t. I want to help them fix things. There are actual ancient dragons watching us right now but they are watching to make a judgement on the mortal races. A judgement on how deserving we are - how good. If our own companions are neck deep in a bunch of selfish lies and burned bridges, I’m not sure what high roads will exist after the dragons choose to roast us.”

Her partner cocked his head to the side at her words. “That doesn’t sound like the Valia I know,” he said softly. She closed her eyes.

“No, I know.” She paused and listened to his pulse beating under her ear. “I’m angrier now than I think I’ve ever been.” She paused again. “I need to go back and help make things right but I would much rather stay here,” she lamented.

His hand behind her rubbed a long line across her shoulder blades at her words. “And I would be a liar myself if I said I didn’t want you here as well,” he murmured, “but they need you. If anything, it sounds as though Oswald will need backup for supplying logic, morale, and general goodness to the others.”

A sad smile crossed her face before quickly falling away. She hugged Percivahn tighter and tucked her head under his chin. “I’m sorry I can’t stay yet. I’m sorry can’t be here to help you, too.”

“You are apologizing for a great many things and while I do thank you for it, tonight has been a gift I soon won’t forget. It will certainly be what I return to in memory over the next weeks, I’m certain.”

“Will you go to Aerenal ? To see your sister?” she asked quietly.

His sigh echoed in her ears. “Yes, I think I must. I need more answers and closure than what my uncle has been willing to supply. Plus, as I am now the oldest remaining in the line, there is the matter of funerals to attend to,” his words were all business but held a brittle tone to them. Valia sat up to look at him.

Her partner looked back with an impassive expression but his eyes shone with determination and deep mourning. Closing the gap between them, Valia placed a lingering kiss to his lips. He responded in kind, deepening it with the swipe of his tongue. She felt him smile against her lips. “As I said, I will think of this night very often indeed,” he said lowly.

She pecked him on the corner of his mouth and gave a small slap to his chest. He grinned and wrapped both arms around her, rolling them onto their sides to face each other.

“I’ll remember tonight, too. First flight is a big deal among Druids. I’m happy I got the chance to see you at the other end of it,” she giggled in his embrace, watching his features closely.

“When you think about me, about tonight, please remember that I love you,” she said in a rush of words. His brow rose in surprise before a smile stretched across his angular face. “I will so long as you too recall that I love you, Valia Orespeaker.”

Their kiss was tender but made Valia’s stomach flip in its simplicity. They had endured so much already and more was certainly to come, but knowing that she had the love of her partner was like a balm to the dwarf’s spirit. She threaded her fingers through the Percivahn’s hair at the base of his neck while their legs entwined. It would be another hour before the two fell asleep in each other’s arms.

————

Valia woke to Percivahn placing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Opening her eyes, she saw him leaning over from a standing position at her side of the bed. “Good morning,” he said simply.

“Good morning. What time is it?”

“Two hours past dawn, I believe. I wanted to let you sleep but know you have a great travel ahead of you,” he replied, offering her a plate of fruit.

She sighed at the realization. “Thank you,” she murmured, taking the plate and eating the food quickly. After placing the now empty platter on the side table, she sat up and gave him a quick kiss before getting out of bed to change.

“I didn’t mention it last night but I was curious if you had any thoughts on relocating or staying somewhere else, at least for a time,” she started. The elven man looked back at her in question but let her go on.

“It’s just that we don’t know where your cousin Elenia is right now and I worry about what she would do if she found out about your location,” she finished.

Percivahn inclined his head in thought. “Yes, you may be right about that, unfortunately. I will see if I can make arrangements at the Aurum for a temporary room of sorts. At least for when I return from Aerenal.”

Valia nodded. Percivahn could certainly take care of himself what with his skill with a sword, but the danger of this unhinged relation was difficult to deny. “When will you leave for the continent?”

“Likely tomorrow or the next day, depending on when I can secure passage,” he replied.

“You’ll continue to write me?”

He smiled. “Yes, of course.”

Now fully outfitted, Valia walked to stand in front of her partner. Without hesitation, he bent forward to kiss her while wrapping his arms around her in a comfortable embrace. They ended their kiss but stayed in each other’s arms for a time. Due to his height, the top of her head hit just under his chin. It was easy and felt like a perfection Valia had never known. “I love you,” she said.

“And I you,” he returned. “Thank you... for coming. And for listening and -“ she cut him off with a firm kiss. “Your welcome, Percivahn. And despite what you wrote in your letter, you are the strongest of men I have ever known. You’ve overcome so much and still can keep your eyes on the bigger of pictures. I admire that. You don’t give yourself enough credit,” she espoused.

“Thank you for that as well then,” he said sheepishly. Valia stood on her toes to kiss him firmly before stepping away. “Good luck in Aerenal. Write as much as you would like to. I like seeing your script.”

“I will.”

She smiled brightly before opening the window of his room. “Check this out!” she exclaimed before returning to the form of an eagle. Percivahn’s eyes widened as she let out a screech and flapped her newly formed wings. “I’m impressed, yet again,” he shook his head in mirth. “Safe travels, my love.”

The eagle gave another bright call before taking off into the sky. Percivahn watched as her form grew smaller before disappearing entirely. He shut the window and went back to his preparations feeling lighter than he had in some time.

[dndfic-blog]

D&D: Eberron - “A Night Away”

Key Characters: Valia Orespeaker (LG f!dwarf, druid), Percivahn Sartura (LN m!elf, fighter, NPC)

Summary: After the revelation of her partner’s family being murdered, Valia decides to put adventuring on hold to be with Percivahn - if only for a short time.

Part ½

Despite the multiple battles she and the group had weathered throughout the day, Valia still felt the heaviest burden from the letter she kept in the pocket at her side. Percivahn had been in her thoughts since she left, but after witnessing multiple levels of communication breakdowns from her party members and their relations, the dwarf was nearly consumed by emotion after reading his most recent note.

Her traveling companion Simic’s cowardly refusal to speak with his former partner, Alwin, stung. How could you walk away from someone you care for without a word? How could you live with yourself knowing that your partner thought you were dead for years when you were actually just hiding? Why wouldn’t you want to rectify things as soon as you could upon your return? Alwin deserved an explanation and several apologies, now more than ever. She only hoped that Simic would get the nerve to have such a conversation him before things got further out of hand.

Valia placed a hand over her pocket again. Letters were easy. It was the least a person could do to stay in touch with those they care for. The thought made Valia’s blood boil as she remembered this morning’s conversation with Ara. The elven woman had always had her secrets but to purposefully hide a murderous twin sister from her traveling group and from her own family was irresponsible and callous. Not only was it remarkably selfish but it also put her cousin Percivahn in danger. If this twin had already killed a large percentage of her family - their family - what was stopping her from tracking another member of their clan down?

The realization made Valia’s stomach turn as a cold sweat broke on her brow. Yes, she was angry with Ara for withholding information but her concern for Percivahn won out. The first paragraphs of his recent note were heartbreaking to read as he processed his losses through scratched out words and hanging sentence fragments. The loss of 75% of ones family with little explanation was horrific; especially to a dwarven woman. It was unbearable to know Percivahn was enduring this tragedy alone now.

It was this thought that cemented Valia’s plan. As their party walked into the Profane Goose Inn, she dropped heavily into a tavern chair. Oswald paused with a small but concerned grin as if to ask whether or not she was in need of a drinking buddy. Valia smiled back but shook her head no. As much as she liked Oswald, Valia very much needed some time and space to herself right now. With a good natured shrug, the halfling climbed the stairs with the rest of the group.

Valia stared at the fire for some time with the hope of soothing her emotions and gaining back a spell or two. She sank into her Druidic teachings from Clan Ignistram as she meditated on the flames. After an hour had passed, she rose and headed to the stairs. As her foot touched the first plank, Valia cast Pass Without a Trace on herself. At the top of the staircase, she took a left instead of a right and walked to Nalath’s room. She tried the knob and was relieved to find it wasn’t locked. It was the level of irresponsibility she had been hoping for from the warlock. Valia quickly cracked the door and slipped inside the room.

Nalath was sprawled haphazardly across the bed against the wall with his mouth hanging open. The dwarf crept closer and sat down on the bed. Extending her spell to the prone figure, she placed a light hand on the half elf’s shoulder. Snorting suddenly, Nalath came around and stared back at Valia in the dark of the room. “It’s just me. Please keep it down,” she whispered.

“What are you doing in my room?” Straight to the point then. She took a deep breath.

“I need to leave. I’ll be gone tonight and will be back tomorrow. I wanted someone to know, just in case the others have questions,” she trailed off and watched him carefully.

“Yeah, okay,” Nalath paused for a second before asking, “where are you going?”

“Sharn.”

“Sharn?”

“Yes. I’ll be gone and back before you know it.”

“You’re going alone?”

“Yes, I am.”

He paused again. “Yeah but Sharn is pretty far from here. How are you gunna get there and back so quick?”

Valia smiled and walked to the room’s window. She opened it wide and looked back to Nalath. “I promise I’ll be back by midday tomorrow. Please don’t wake anyone.”

Without waiting for him to respond, Valia hoisted herself onto the window frame before jumping out into the air. She heard Nalath scrambling in panic behind her as her body shifted into the form of an eagle. With a powerful beat of her new wings, the Druid vaulted into the night clouds and set a course for The City of Towers.

————

She flew for a few hours before the outlines of the city started to solidify. As much as she was enjoying this new trick of hers, Valia wanted nothing more than to be settled on the ground again. The overwhelming size and height of Sharn hit her all at once as the towers began rising in earnest. She dropped her elevation only slightly and wove her way through the bridges hanging between buildings.

She circled the neighborhood of Shae Lias a few times before finding the right causeway. Finally pinpointing her target, the eagle coasted down to street level and came to a graceful stop in front of Percivahn Sartura’s door. She gave a quick look around the platformed walkway before shifting back to her true form. Valia rested on her haunches for a few long moments, drawing deep breaths to adjust after flying for so long. Catching her breath enough, she rose and knocked.

It wasn’t surprising there was no answer based on how late it was but still, Valia knocked again. Another lengthy pause filled the air. Maybe he had stayed late at the Aurum? He had done it a time or two before. Just before Valia began turning away to head in the headquarters’ direction, the door cracked opened to reveal a tired and wary Percivahn.

“Hi,” was all Valia had time for before the man pulled the door open wide to take one large step out to her. The elf threw his arms around Valia in a crushing hug. After a moment, Percivahn’s form melted into hers as he deflated into the embrace. She closed her eyes, burying her face into his chest as she felt him breathe heavily. “How?” she heard him mutter.

“I knew I needed to be here if I could be,” she replied, bunching the robe he wore between her fingers. “It’s much easier now that I can fly. Let’s go in?”

He pulled away from the hug slowly, nodding wearily. “You’ll have to show me this new ability of yours,” he intoned allowing her to pass through the doorway. “I promise I will,” She said grinning.

The two made their way into the front room of the home. Percivahn lit a lamp on the mantle while Valia Produced Flame to light a few candles on a nearby table. Satisfied with the low level of firelight in the room, the two settled on a couch together in silence.

“I got your letter,” she started. “Percivahn I am so, so sorry. I didn’t know what had happened with your family what with Ara not saying anything about it but…” she trailed off watching him cast a worried expression down at his hands in his lap. Valia slid closer on the couch and covered his hands with hers. “I’m sorry for your losses, Percivahn, and I’m sorry you found out the way you did. I’m sorry for all of.”

“Thank you, but it isn’t something you have responsibility for,” he said shaking his head. She squeezed his hands lightly.

“You’re right, but I still feel awful and it doesn’t alter the injustice of it all.”

He winced. “No, it doesn’t.” Percivahn sighed deeply and rolled his head around to stare up at the ceiling. “I’m trying to make sense of things but honestly, I can’t focus on any one thought for long enough before a thousand more assault me,” he blinked and shook his head.

“I won’t pretend I know exactly how you’re feeling right now, but I’m here, if you need me,” she replied. He refocused on her face with a pained smile. “Thank you, truly,” was all he mustered.

Valia fidgeted as she studied her partner. His face was drawn and brow creased with tense energy. She brought a hand up to his temple in an attempt to smooth away the lines across his forehead. His eyes closed at the contact but his brow only tensed more as his head dropped forward. Valia placed her forehead against his and waited.

“I wasn’t close with them. My family. I hadn’t seen or spoken with them in years. They practically cast me out the last time I was home and…” he let out a ragged breath. “I would be lying if I said I had spent any time obsessing over revelations, reunions, and apologies with my parents or brother but now that they’re gone and I don’t have the chance -“ his voice cracked and his words came to an abrupt stop.

Valia’s other hand came up to rest in the crook of his neck, keeping their heads pressed together. “The murders are terrible. How you learned of them is, too. It isn’t right or fair and while I know I keep saying this, I am sorry you have this burden to carry,” she said as he let a harsh breath out across her face. “I’m here to help you carry it, if you want.”

With that last statement, Percivahn grabbed Valia by the waist and pulled her bodily toward him as his mouth met hers in a hard kiss. Valia’s grip on his shoulder tightened as she kissed him back with the same urgency. It was more forceful than anything they had shared before but the outlet was welcome and delicious.

After a long moment, Percivahn pulled away looking guilty. “No,” Valia scolded, “you do not apologize for that kiss or for anything right now.”

The elf huffed out a quiet laugh and nodded. Leaving one hand on her waist, he took her other and brought it down between them. “How long can you stay?”

“Tonight. I’d stay longer but things in Wroat are still a mess.”

He nodded before standing, pulling her up by the hand. She watched as he blew out the nearby candles and grabbed the lamp on the mantle. She smiled back at him as they made their way up the stairs to his quarters.

[dndfic-blog]

D&D: Eberron - “A Night Away”

Key Characters: Valia Orespeaker (LG f!dwarf, druid), Percivahn Sartura (LN m!elf, fighter, NPC)

Summary: After the revelation of her partner’s family being murdered, Valia decides to put adventuring on hold to be with Percivahn - if only for a short time.

Part 1/2

Despite the multiple battles she and the group had weathered throughout the day, Valia still felt the heaviest burden from the letter she kept in the pocket at her side. Percivahn had been in her thoughts since she left, but after witnessing multiple levels of communication breakdowns from her party members and their relations, the dwarf was nearly consumed by emotion after reading his most recent note.

Her traveling companion Simic’s cowardly refusal to speak with his former partner, Alwin, stung. How could you walk away from someone you care for without a word? How could you live with yourself knowing that your partner thought you were dead for years when you were actually just hiding? Why wouldn’t you want to rectify things as soon as you could upon your return? Alwin deserved an explanation and several apologies, now more than ever. She only hoped that Simic would get the nerve to have such a conversation him before things got further out of hand.

Valia placed a hand over her pocket again. Letters were easy. It was the least a person could do to stay in touch with those they care for. The thought made Valia’s blood boil as she remembered this morning’s conversation with Ara. The elven woman had always had her secrets but to purposefully hide a murderous twin sister from her traveling group and from her own family was irresponsible and callous. Not only was it remarkably selfish but it also put her cousin Percivahn in danger. If this twin had already killed a large percentage of her family - their family - what was stopping her from tracking another member of their clan down?

The realization made Valia’s stomach turn as a cold sweat broke on her brow. Yes, she was angry with Ara for withholding information but her concern for Percivahn won out. The first paragraphs of his recent note were heartbreaking to read as he processed his losses through scratched out words and hanging sentence fragments. The loss of 75% of ones family with little explanation was horrific; especially to a dwarven woman. It was unbearable to know Percivahn was enduring this tragedy alone now.

It was this thought that cemented Valia’s plan. As their party walked into the Profane Goose Inn, she dropped heavily into a tavern chair. Oswald paused with a small but concerned grin as if to ask whether or not she was in need of a drinking buddy. Valia smiled back but shook her head no. As much as she liked Oswald, Valia very much needed some time and space to herself right now. With a good natured shrug, the halfling climbed the stairs with the rest of the group.

Valia stared at the fire for some time with the hope of soothing her emotions and gaining back a spell or two. She sank into her Druidic teachings from Clan Ignistram as she meditated on the flames. After an hour had passed, she rose and headed to the stairs. As her foot touched the first plank, Valia cast Pass Without a Trace on herself. At the top of the staircase, she took a left instead of a right and walked to Nalath’s room. She tried the knob and was relieved to find it wasn’t locked. It was the level of irresponsibility she had been hoping for from the warlock. Valia quickly cracked the door and slipped inside the room.

Nalath was sprawled haphazardly across the bed against the wall with his mouth hanging open. The dwarf crept closer and sat down on the bed. Extending her spell to the prone figure, she placed a light hand on the half elf’s shoulder. Snorting suddenly, Nalath came around and stared back at Valia in the dark of the room. “It’s just me. Please keep it down,” she whispered.

“What are you doing in my room?” Straight to the point then. She took a deep breath.

“I need to leave. I’ll be gone tonight and will be back tomorrow. I wanted someone to know, just in case the others have questions,” she trailed off and watched him carefully.

“Yeah, okay,” Nalath paused for a second before asking, “where are you going?”

“Sharn.”

“Sharn?”

“Yes. I’ll be gone and back before you know it.”

“You’re going alone?”

“Yes, I am.”

He paused again. “Yeah but Sharn is pretty far from here. How are you gunna get there and back so quick?”

Valia smiled and walked to the room’s window. She opened it wide and looked back to Nalath. “I promise I’ll be back by midday tomorrow. Please don’t wake anyone.”

Without waiting for him to respond, Valia hoisted herself onto the window frame before jumping out into the air. She heard Nalath scrambling in panic behind her as her body shifted into the form of an eagle. With a powerful beat of her new wings, the Druid vaulted into the night clouds and set a course for The City of Towers.

————

She flew for a few hours before the outlines of the city started to solidify. As much as she was enjoying this new trick of hers, Valia wanted nothing more than to be settled on the ground again. The overwhelming size and height of Sharn hit her all at once as the towers began rising in earnest. She dropped her elevation only slightly and wove her way through the bridges hanging between buildings.

She circled the neighborhood of Shae Lias a few times before finding the right causeway. Finally pinpointing her target, the eagle coasted down to street level and came to a graceful stop in front of Percivahn Sartura’s door. She gave a quick look around the platformed walkway before shifting back to her true form. Valia rested on her haunches for a few long moments, drawing deep breaths to adjust after flying for so long. Catching her breath enough, she rose and knocked.

It wasn’t surprising there was no answer based on how late it was but still, Valia knocked again. Another lengthy pause filled the air. Maybe he had stayed late at the Aurum? He had done it a time or two before. Just before Valia began turning away to head in the headquarters’ direction, the door cracked opened to reveal a tired and wary Percivahn.

“Hi,” was all Valia had time for before the man pulled the door open wide to take one large step out to her. The elf threw his arms around Valia in a crushing hug. After a moment, Percivahn’s form melted into hers as he deflated into the embrace. She closed her eyes, burying her face into his chest as she felt him breathe heavily. “How?” she heard him mutter.

“I knew I needed to be here if I could be,” she replied, bunching the robe he wore between her fingers. “It’s much easier now that I can fly. Let’s go in?”

He pulled away from the hug slowly, nodding wearily. “You’ll have to show me this new ability of yours,” he intoned allowing her to pass through the doorway. “I promise I will,” She said grinning.

The two made their way into the front room of the home. Percivahn lit a lamp on the mantle while Valia Produced Flame to light a few candles on a nearby table. Satisfied with the low level of firelight in the room, the two settled on a couch together in silence.

“I got your letter,” she started. “Percivahn I am so, so sorry. I didn’t know what had happened with your family what with Ara not saying anything about it but...” she trailed off watching him cast a worried expression down at his hands in his lap. Valia slid closer on the couch and covered his hands with hers. “I’m sorry for your losses, Percivahn, and I’m sorry you found out the way you did. I’m sorry for all of.”

“Thank you, but it isn’t something you have responsibility for,” he said shaking his head. She squeezed his hands lightly.

“You’re right, but I still feel awful and it doesn’t alter the injustice of it all.”

He winced. “No, it doesn’t.” Percivahn sighed deeply and rolled his head around to stare up at the ceiling. “I’m trying to make sense of things but honestly, I can’t focus on any one thought for long enough before a thousand more assault me,” he blinked and shook his head.

“I won’t pretend I know exactly how you’re feeling right now, but I’m here, if you need me,” she replied. He refocused on her face with a pained smile. “Thank you, truly,” was all he mustered.

Valia fidgeted as she studied her partner. His face was drawn and brow creased with tense energy. She brought a hand up to his temple in an attempt to smooth away the lines across his forehead. His eyes closed at the contact but his brow only tensed more as his head dropped forward. Valia placed her forehead against his and waited.

“I wasn’t close with them. My family. I hadn’t seen or spoken with them in years. They practically cast me out the last time I was home and...” he let out a ragged breath. “I would be lying if I said I had spent any time obsessing over revelations, reunions, and apologies with my parents or brother but now that they’re gone and I don’t have the chance -“ his voice cracked and his words came to an abrupt stop.

Valia’s other hand came up to rest in the crook of his neck, keeping their heads pressed together. “The murders are terrible. How you learned of them is, too. It isn’t right or fair and while I know I keep saying this, I am sorry you have this burden to carry,” she said as he let a harsh breath out across her face. “I’m here to help you carry it, if you want.”

With that last statement, Percivahn grabbed Valia by the waist and pulled her bodily toward him as his mouth met hers in a hard kiss. Valia’s grip on his shoulder tightened as she kissed him back with the same urgency. It was more forceful than anything they had shared before but the outlet was welcome and delicious.

After a long moment, Percivahn pulled away looking guilty. “No,” Valia scolded, “you do not apologize for that kiss or for anything right now.”

The elf huffed out a quiet laugh and nodded. Leaving one hand on her waist, he took her other and brought it down between them. “How long can you stay?”

“Tonight. I’d stay longer but things in Wroat are still a mess.”

He nodded before standing, pulling her up by the hand. She watched as he blew out the nearby candles and grabbed the lamp on the mantle. She smiled back at him as they made their way up the stairs to his quarters.