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Message: <blockquote data-quote="simmo" data-source="post: 1424681" data-attributes="member: 9744">Part 16 Revelling in Ecstasychapter 1 Knowing the PathCaleb heard his mephits chattering about the flying ship above Haven that his friends were using to reach the Outlands, but he did not look up to spot the ship. Looking up in to the sky was not something that Caleb did, it was against his religion.Instead he went down to the dock-front and tried to find a ship across the river. Although water was not his favourite element, the earth genasi rationalized that water rested upon the earth and so was alright to cross. Fortunately for him there was an old man in a small boat who offered him a lift. Caleb made the decision to ask his mephits row them across the river and they barely made it to the other side. After losing the oars several times and the earth mephit almost falling (under suspicious circumstances), by some miracle they made it across to the other side.The old man tied up his small boat and offered the earth genasi a ride in his wagon to the gate leading to the Outlands. Caleb thought nothing of the coincidence that this old man happened to turn up in the right time and place to take him to the destination that he sought. They reached the gate just in time to see the last of modrons pass through.Meanwhile back in Ecstasy, the gate-town to Elysium, the companions rose late and went downstairs in time for the midday meal. The sullen staff served them cold meats, cheeses and ale.After they'd finished their meal Malkir noticed an old man enter the tavern and recognised him as the ancient Githzerai master who'd come to test him and his student in 34b Stonecutter's Row. The old Githzerai walked slowly to the table and sat down on an empty chair. His posture was perfect and he stared intently at the mystic, as if he was looking right through him at all the different versions of Malkir.“You are a man who does not *know* himself,” the Githzerai nodded his head, having found what he was looking for after staring at Malkir for some time.“That is true,” the mystic shrugged his shoulders to acknowledge the truth. He'd heard the description from Andrew of what happened when he Diverged and was aware of the fact that he no longer knew himself.“I will take you to a place where *knowing* yourself is the difference between life and death. It is the chaos in which the people impose their will and live." Galen ignored the others at the table and the Githzerai's attention was entirely focused on Malkir. Nothing else existed for him but the two of them at the table. "Will you come to this place?”“Very well,” Malkir had not slept well, his dreams filled with thoughts that were not his own - yet strangely familiar. In his dream he saw himself giving his halfling housekeeper orders in a harsh tone and reprimanding her for failing in her duties. The dreams shifted abruptly and he saw himself standing on the deck of a flying ship engaged in battle with an illithid war cruiser. He was tired and wanted to get his life back under control.Galen extends his hand and stood up.“I'm afraid that there is something that I must do,” Malkir told his friends.“Where is it that you are off to?” Littleby asked. Serena sat quietly having spent some time studying the Githzerai and she sensed that Malkir and Galen had a similar aura. They both exuded serenity and health, although Galen's aura felt far more powerful.“If I know then surely an expert scholar such as yourself should be able to figure it out." The mystic laughed as he knew that the dwarven scholar was well aware of his destination. "A place of raw chaos where his people come from.”"This is probably a bit of a pointless question, but do you think that you will be long?” Littleby looked at his friend and wondered if he would ever see him again. Serena sensed that their paths would cross again and she felt sad at his departure.  She got up to give him a farewell hug, but Galen and Malkir began to fade.In answer to Littleby's question Malkir began to whistle a tune called Soul Limbo. The dwarven scholar recognised the tune and the reference to the Cricketers tavern. He laughed as he watched his friend shift away and waved farewell.</blockquote>

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