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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7510203" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 219Quellan felt an unexplained nervous energy that made it difficult for him to focus his thoughts.  After his meeting at the Rectory he had intended to spend a few hours at the Great Library, but instead found himself walking alone in the gardens that extended along the rear wall of the temple complex.  After that he took his time making his way back to the inn, but the intense looks he drew from the city folk had him eager for the solitude of his room.  He entered through the side door, preferring to avoid the bustle of the common room, but as he turned toward the stairs leading up to the guest rooms he heard a familiar voice that drew him back around.  His dark mood evaporated, and he had a big smile on his face as he made his way into the common room.“Kosk!  I didn’t know you were back.”The dwarf clasped his arm tightly.  “Heard we were a little late, but we made it eventually, and with the widget.”“Kosk was just telling us about his adventures in Tal Nadesh,” Xeeta said.  “It sounds like they had an even tougher time of it than we did.”“You always did have a nose for finding trouble,” Quellan said.  “Where’s Glori?”“She went looking for you, actually,” Bredan said.  “I told her it was a fool’s errand, given how big the Temple here is, but she insisted.”“Pull up a chair,” Xeeta suggested.  “She’ll find her way back here eventually.”“No, I’d better go find her,” Quellan said.  “But I want to hear that story later.”  He clapped Kosk on the shoulder and turned around, missing the knowing smiles his companions shared behind his back.He left the way he’d come in, but he barely made it through the door before he almost collided with Glori.“Quellan!”“Glori!”He embraced her in a hug.  She laughed as he lifted her off her feet.  “I looked all over for you,” she said, swatting his shoulder.“I’m sorry I missed you.”“Yes, well, apparently Javerin had a spell that allowed her to keep in touch with her friends in the Apernium.  She told them we were coming back today, but apparently they didn’t share that information with you guys.  Bredan said he heard about it only by accident, so he was there when we arrived.”“I’m just glad to see you okay,” he said.  “The others are inside.”She nodded, but instead of heading into the inn she sat down on a bench next to the door.  He joined her there, careful of the wood as he settled onto it.“I’m a little cross with you,” she said.  “Javerin told me that clerics can also cast that long-distance-messenging spell as well.”“Sending,” Quellan said.“And you can cast this spell?”He nodded.“So we didn’t need to rely on the wizards to keep in touch,” Glori said.  “I wouldn’t have had to worry about you as much.”“I’m sorry,” he said.  “I… I couldn’t.”“I understand,” she said.  “The spell couldn’t penetrate the Reserve.  Bredan told me that the wizards were all freaking out when they lost contact with Javerin and couldn’t reach any of us.  I suppose it was the same in Underhold for you.  Bredan said they had all sorts of magical wards and…”“No, Glori,” he said.  “I couldn’t.”  He looked down at his feet as he spoke.  “If something had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to function.  I just had to believe that you were all right.  Bredan and Xeeta needed me.  I know it’s selfish.  I just… couldn’t.”“Oh,” she said.“We should go back in,” he said, rising suddenly.  “The others will want to talk to you…”She stepped in front of him, blocking his way to the door.  “Glori…”She interrupted him by stepping up into him.  Her head came up, her lips meeting his.  He enfolded her with his arms, once more pulling her off her feet, but careful not to crush her with his strength.</blockquote>

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