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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(contact)" data-source="post: 528335" data-attributes="member: 41">49, ContinuedThelbar prepares his own scrying device, and after undergoing his ritual, gains a vision of his two children.  A young man and woman, they are obviously twins.  There is something familiar about their features that tugs at Thelbar’s heart, and stirs long-forgotten feelings and memories within him.  He teleports to their location, and is immediately approached by a swarthy human male, who bends a knee and addresses Thelbar as “my lord”.Thelbar’s arcane sight reveals that there is a powerful illusion on the man, and addresses him.  “You are my servant, and the guardian of these two?”“I am, my lord.”“And these are my children?”“They are, my lord.”The two youths look at Thelbar curiously, and Thelbar notes the spell component pouches at their waists with a fierce and unexpected pride.The young woman says, “I do not doubt our noble guardian, but pray tell me, stranger, how we can be confronted by a father who is not familiar to us, and who recognizes us not.  This man does not match your descriptions, Salim.  How is this possible?”“I have entered the pasoun,” Thelbar says by way of explanation.  “I do not remember you.”“Then we are even,” the young man says.“I brought them here for you, my lord.” Salim says.  “I have taught them many secrets, and keep them safe from your enemies.  Your Goddess’ name be praised, for it is all as it was said.  You have returned.”“You are not what you seem,” Thelbar says to the man.“I am not, my lord.  I came into your service many years ago, at the hands of your magic, which was even greater then than now.  I will serve for many more years, faithfully and well, as our agreement still binds me, whatever form you wear.”  After a pause where Salim scrutinizes Thelbar closely, he remarks, “I often think what a curious thing it must be to be mortal.  There are few in this multiverse who can match intrigues with me, my lord.” After a moment, Salim continues.  “For that reason, I was given the guardianship of your most precious treasure when you left us to die.  You bade me bring them to this world, and instructed me to wait.  Thus have I done, for many years.  You and your brother angered a great king, and were soon to die at his hand.”  When Salim sees no recognition on Thelbar’s face, he continues, “but the last joke is on him, for your goddess has brought you back, and his patron has not been so kind.  You see, I know where his soul now lies.”  Salim says this last with a decidedly disturbing tone.  “You have many enemies, my lord, from your many lives.  You collect them the way others might collect treasures or trinkets.  There are many who would wish to have these two, in order to harm you.”“Yes,” Thelbar says.  “There are drow now who know of you.”“These drow, my lord, should be the least of our concerns.  They have hated you for only a short while, and their memories, like those of all mortals, are doomed to crumble under time.  I was chosen because there are others like me who would have you brought low, and their memories will never fade.”“Salim is a devil.  A pit fiend,” the young man says.  “But you turned him from his nature, father, and now he watches over us.  I am Corwyn, and this is my sister Esara.”  He tells Thelbar that they are sorcerers, the magical blood of their lineage brought to fruition by the training provided by Salim.The rest of the reunion is stilted, and mercifully brief.  Thelbar explains the truth of the Risen Goddess, and entreats both of his children to seek her faith, and commit to the pasoun.  Salim remarks that should they ever require aid, he will seek out the church of Palatin Eremath, and bids Thelbar farewell.  “Until all you have told me has come to pass, I serve, my lord.  May your enemies forever swirl in a morass of confusion, and may your path never be known to them.”-----The next morning, the group begins the overland journey to Daggerdale, with the weather obliging, and the heroes make good time under a bright sun and crisp fall air.  The trip is surprisingly lighthearted, all things considered, and even Thelbar gets into the spirit of things, favoring the group with a song on his lyre.  He strives to remember music from their past lives, with Kyreel or Taran supplying a melody here, or a verse there.  As they sight Daggerdale, Taran speaks up.  “Listen,” he begins, “I have to tell you both something.  You’ll probably think I’m crazy.  Hell, I think I’m crazy, but last night I did something that might be bad.”“Go on,” Kyreel says soothingly.“I kind of got involved with someone.”“Yes, you slept with that drow, Nathe” Thelbar says.  “We know.”“You do?”“It was obvious, brother.  You are like an open book—one with many pictures.  Do what you will, but do not forget what I told you on your return from Arabel.  Ishlok has blessed us, and set us apart from her other children.  A normal man’s life is not for you.”“Do you love her, Taran?” Kyreel asks.“I think I might.  Or, I’m not sure what love is supposed to feel like, but I feel really good about her, even though I think I should feel really bad.  I mean, I might have to kill her later, but I’m starting to think that I couldn’t do it.  That’s love, right?”“I suppose it is,” Kyreel says.“But what do I tell Jhanira?  She’s not going to understand.”“Tell her the truth, of course.  Deceit is well termed a web, Taran.  Our enemies use it as their tool, but the righteous should not touch it.  Jhanira will understand what she is given to understand, but you must not deceive her.  Now, more than ever, the dangers of your life compel you to be fastidious about your own morality.  Self-serving is the dubious luxury of others, and not suited to the goddess’ champions.  Be truthful, and you will truly be a man.”-----Thirty miles away, in Mistledale, Juron sits with his arm around Jhanira, breaking the bad news, and offering her his shoulder to cry on.</blockquote>

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