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Message: <blockquote data-quote="sniffles" data-source="post: 3992598" data-attributes="member: 30035">A Joyous EventAs we awaited the occasion of the prayer vigil for Covenant that Liadan had arranged, my companions and I continued to discuss our future intentions. Nekaya-Re was convinced that we should attempt the use of the portal in Elishar’s temple. Erim agreed with this opinion, as did Liadan and I, but Baran was not so easily convinced. Only when he saw that the rest of our group were committed to this purpose did he give his assent.What we would do when we emerged from the portal was less clear. Our conversations with both Madu and Osaze had led us to the conclusion that it might be unwise to approach the dragon Ssurathrax. But we were convinced that we must return to the Cloven Mountains if we were to gain any insight into Covenant’s destination when he parted from us there. In the meanwhile, we were invited to have tea with Madu el Barake once more, for he had arranged to sell certain items we had acquired from the eye tyrant temple in the desert. Being aware that we meant to travel soon, he gave us the amount he anticipated receiving from the sale so that we might have it for our needs. He also informed us that he had heard that Ruathar was still free in the city, and that Kordal, leader of the devotees of Kord, still wished to reacquire his prize. He advised us that we should not travel alone. When Madu had given us the coin, Erim said, "I would suggest we leave some money here for Ruathar," to which Madu replied that he would take care of Ruathar should he need any aid. But we insisted that he keep a portion of the gold so that he need not use his own funds for Mi'Lamber's asistance. We directed that should Ruathar never use the funds, we would rely on Madu's judgement to dispose of it as he would for charitable purposes.Before we took our leave of Madu, Liadan said to him, "If we have the chance - and you have been more than gracious in granting us your time - we would hear the story of Osaze and the dragon."Madu replied, "Would you hear the full story?" We then agreed that we would meet with him again in three days time so that he might tell us the tale at his leisure.On our return to our lodgings, we were met by an acolyte of the temple of Lathanul, who informed us that representatives of the Sultan awaited us. Curiously, he seemed somewhat surprised that we were willing to see these visitors without hesitation.He escorted us to the chamber where our visitors awaited us, and there we were introduced to Captain Rallam of the Sultan’s guard. He explained that he wished to question us about our visit to the City of Brass.Initially he appeared skeptical of the veracity of our tale, but as we provided him with more details he began to show greater interest. We spent several hours with him, describing everything we had experienced there – but as always avoiding any mention of Covenant’s mission.At the conclusion of this interview, Liadan explained to Captain Rallam that we intended to leave the city within a few days. To this he responded, “The Sultan will be most displeased should you leave the city.”We were naturally somewhat dismayed by this, but we did not object. Liadan then asked the captain if he intended to attend the ceremony for Covenant. Rallam replied that he had known Covenant in his younger days when Liadan’s father was more often seen at the palace, and though he had not first meant to attend the ceremony he soon determined to do so when Liadan reminded him of her father’s many great deeds.When the soldiers had gone, Erim expressed the opinion that we should take care in seeing that no one became aware of the portal within Elishar’s temple. Nekaya-Re then suggested that perhaps we should pool our funds to purchase a spell of invisibility for Erim’s use, so that he could disguise ourselves and our mounts and allow us to enter the temple unseen. Though we wished to aid the people of Calimshan against the efreet, we felt our own affairs were urgent and we did not wish to be delayed by a repetition of our interview with Captain Rallam.As the day of the ceremony arrived, I retired to my room to meditate and prepare myself. Liadan had asked for celebrants at the ceremony to inscribe prayer scrolls with thoughts or good wishes as a part of the event. These would be burned in a brazier to send their contents heavenwards. I took some little while in composiong my message, finally settling upon May Covenant’s light continue to guide us.At the hour before dusk I joined my friends in making our way to the temple, attired in our finest raiment. Outside the temple a great many peddlers had set up stalls to sell prayer scrolls, tokens,  and books of philosophy or theology. Already the large courtyard within the ornate temple had begun to fill with those whose lives had been influenced in some way by Liadan’s father. Perhaps one person in ten had come garbed in the black of mourning, believing the ceremony to be one of memorial. Others thought that it was intended to pray for his safe return from one of the lower Planes of Hell. Still others had simply come to commemorate the life of a great man.Many of the nobles and wealthy folk of the city had come to pay their respects. I think that Liadan had intended for us to have places very near to the dais, but we had been supplanted by dignitaries of Calimport that include two of the Sultan’s most favored wives, though the Sultan himself did not make an appearance. When the light of dusk enveloped the city an acolyte rang a great gong, silencing the chatter of the crowd within the temple and the cries of the hawkers outside. Two rows of priests entered the courtyard. The high priest came forward and began to speak of Covenant’s devotion to Lathanul and his place as a son of the city – though I recall that Liadan told us he was born of the nomad tribes in the desert. Perhaps the priest meant that he was a son of the city in spirit if not in flesh.The priest was followed by the chief official of Covenant House, who made many praises of Covenant’s good works and those of Covenant House. He encouraged his listeners to follow the example of Covenant and Covenant House in performing such good deeds. This speech was followed by a prayer of thanks to Lathander for the strong and good-hearted folk who were drawn to his temples. Then the temple choir sang hymns of praise, and other speakers came forward to describe the philosophies of the church and how Covenant expressed them. One man, whose skill at public speaking was less polished than most, seemed to be defending some actions Covenant may have taken that were seen less than favorably by many but were meant to create new beginnings for others. By this time the sky had grown much darker, though the courtyard still glowed and was surprisingly comfortable. Then Liadan was introduced as the daughter of Covenant.Liadan stepped onto the dais. She had donned the finest clerical vestments she could acquire and wore the handsome circlet Baran crafted for her, and she fairly shone in the light of the torches ringing the courtyard. “What I ask you here today is to raise your voices to Lathanul, raise your prayers to Lathanul,” she said. “Ask Lathanul to grant Covenant the power to fulfill his quest, and if that cannot be done then to strengthen all of us to follow in his example.” The crowd seemed moved by her words. The priests had gathered prayer scrolls from many of the lesser guests at the ceremony, and had placed them in a huge golden brazier which stood upon the dais. A radiant aura surrounded her, filling the courtyard with the light of the sun and gleaming on the golden domes and minarets of the temple. Liadan called upon the power of  Lathander, and the brazier was filled by a column of fire descending from the heavens. My eyes were dazzled by the brilliance of the flames and Liadan’s shining aura. When my vision cleared, I realized that five figures stood upon the dais who had not been present a moment before.I recognized that one of the figures was my beloved Erendis.[sblock]Devo: "They look a little beat up."Hedrin: "I cast mass cure moderate wounds."Devo: "Jastra looks surprised that one of the people they left to guard the horses can cast that high-level a spell."[/sblock]For a breath I could not see, as my eyes filled with tears of joy. I blinked them away and began to wend my way through the crowd to reach the platform. Thanks to my enchanted ring nothing impeded my advance.I saw her gaze searching the great mass of people in the courtyard and alighting upon me. I recognized the way the tension went out of her shoulders when she saw me. I sprang onto the platform, walking directly to my wife and laying my hand on her cheek. She in turn took my free hand in hers. I had feared some deception, but that fear was allayed when I felt her familiar touch beneath my fingers.It seemed to me then that nothing existed but we two. The fire in the brazier might have consumed all the world and I would still have stood looking into her golden eyes. I scarcely cared that my beloved smelled of sulphur; it was as finest perfume to my nostrils because it came from her. I could only faintly hear the tumult of awe and surprise from the crowd.But that sensation was all too brief. The great gong rang again, struck by Nekaya-Re this time, and the crowd fell quiet. Baran climbed onto the platform, gazing with wonder at our newly-arrived friends, then turned to glare at the obtrusive spectators. Liadan and Covenant stepped forward to the edge of the platform to gently discourage those who would have climbed up onto the dais to be nearer to Covenant.[sblock]Zora: "I should get out my spool of endless rope and rope off the stage."Jubilee: "You need a spool of endless yellow police tape."[/sblock]Liadan addressed the crowd. "Thank you, people. Your prayers have all been answered. He is back with us, and we must determine where we go next. A new door has been opened. A new day has dawned."Her words reminded me of how uncertain she had been when first we met, and how much she had grown since that time.Havin Wayfinder stood smiling with good humor all the while, and I thought that Jastra Moondown looked rather surprised by our appearance. It occurred to me then that though my wife and her friends seemed somewhat the worse for wear, they had changed little since we last saw them. We had done as much during their absence as they must have done in all their years of adventuring together. I would have much to share with Erendis when we had the time for such discussion.Covenant himself then spoke to the audience. "Blessings of Lathanul on all of you, good people. Be good in all of your deeds, remain strong in your will, and give thanks for all that you are and all that you have." He then stepped back and moved toward the exit from the dais. Still clasping my beloved’s hand in mine, I followed my friends as we departed to seek a more private space in which to enjoy our joyous reunion. Garrett had vanished, and Erim now made his way up to join us. He will have much to tell Sandrue when he has the opportunity to write in his enchanted book.[sblock]Devo: "Do Telemnar and Erendis go with everyone else?"sniffles: "Yes, but we're still holding hands."Jubilee: "Get a room, guys! Or at least take the ring of communication off first!"[/sblock]As we vacated the temple courtyard, all of us enjoying the uplifting sensation that Covenant's presence imparts to those who are in his company, I overheard Liadan asking her father, “Where have you been? What happened?”He looked at her, winked, and said cheerfully, “We died."</blockquote>

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