Episode 11- Infiltrate the Keep! Battle Begins!

After a good meal and the rest of the keep dispersed to rest, the party planned in hushed tones about their next move.

Menelwen had the idea with the circlet of elemental summoning to send the tower crashing down. But it would cause more destruction and risk the lives of the refugees so the idea was abandoned. 

Vega shot a look over to Sasha who was still cozying up to Henry. In elvish, he asked "What about her?" 
Henry heard "I want that one." with the point towards Sasha. That earned a glare from the rogue. Sasha however, only had eyes for Henry.

So after gently, turning her down the party starts sneaking over towards the tower once they were sure no one was watching.

On the way they passed what was realized as the church of the keep. Henry snuck in to get a look around at what was going on. There was a woman, cracking a whip with a manic look in her eye wearing blue robes. She was screaming in a language Henry couldn't understand with two armored men on either side of her. There were five unarmed men hard at work in the dais beneath her. Corpses littered the ground as well.

Feeling sick at the sight, Henry snuck back and informed the party. It was decided that they would continue on to the tower to deal with the bug bears, lest the people in the church caused enough commotion to allow the bug bears to get a jump on them.

They manage to get to the tower.

Though Henry had informed them about the existence of the bug bears, nothing could prepare them for the smell. In the process of sneaking up the stairs, Menelwen became overwhelmed with the smell and lost her dinner. Theamen unfortunately slipped in the sick and fell down the stairs.

Eventually they get to the top of the stairs. 

Henry went to unlock the door but found it already unlocked. He played it off as though he was a master rogue of unlocking.

He came back, proud.

"Did you perception check it?" Thok asked, having heard breathing on the other side of the door.

"Yes?"

"Go check."

Henry took a step in, looked around and saw nothing. He stepped out. And was told to go back in. This happened several times that it became almost a stealthy pokey. Henry was getting frustrated, not seeing anything to be concerned about.

So since Henry was failing to see the bug bears that he had seen earlier, Vega decided to take a look.Due to his increased ability to shapeshift (being able to turn into creatures that can swim), he was able to turn into a constrictor snake. Using blind sight, he located a bug bear hiding in the closet on the right wall of the room. Nothing else was found.

Turning back, he told the group what he found.

A plan was formed. Vega had a spell that was going to help Thok attack more. Vega cast haste on Thok, allowing him to rush forward. He threw the closet open, getting three attacks on the bug bear within it. Together with Henry, they took it down.

In time for two more bug bears that had been lying in wait to get the drop on the rest of the party.

(Homebrew rule for this campaign that will be relevant momentarily: if you lose more than half your hit points in one hit, you need to role a constitution save. If you fail, you fall unconscious). 

One of the bug bears knocked Vega out cold.

Which meant that Haste ended due to it being a concentration spell. And what Vega hadn't told Thok before casting it on him is that you are unable to move or attack for a round when it ends.

"I hate you Vega." Thok's (last) words as the one that had been hiding on top of the closet came down with a swing of a club to his head. "Vega, I'm going to kill you."

Menelwen attempted to take the bug bear that was standing over Vega's body down with magic missiles to his face. It hit and certainly did damage, but like Vega, one solid hit knocked her clear out.

Henry turned, seeing two of his allies down. He shot at the bug bear that was on Thok with his bow and arrow.

Theamen, who had been waiting outside in case shit hit the fan kicked the door down. Three rays of fire streaked through the air. Two hit, blowing off the head of the bug bear that had downed Vega and Menelwen (and was currently standing over her body). 

Thok managed to take the one on him down. Vega comes back to consciousness and Theamen gets Menelwen up. Mass cure wounds heals the party up rather nicely thanks to Vega. 

Blinking a few times as she comes to, Menelwen sees the headless bug bear body still standing over her. "Did....did you do that?"

"Yes...."

"Thaaank you." she hugged him.

Relieved that this fight was over, the party starts heading back down the way they came. Vega, clearly out of sorts with how he almost killed Thok with Haste, was in a funk. Menelwen booped the druid on the snoot, confusing him momentarily. But it worked.

They headed back to the church. This time, Menelwen and Vega listen at the door as the chanting had reached a fever pitch. They recognized and started speaking at the same time to translate to the group. "Keepers of the Eye, serving Gar Shatterkeel, he serves the eye and you must serve the crushing wave."

With this new knowledge, a plan is formed. The party noticed that there was another door on the other side. Theamen would go around and prevent anyone from escaping while the others crept in. Before he left, he placed a hand on Menelwen's shoulder. A familiar tingle of warmth filled her from Shield of Faith.

They sneak in. The delay of the bug bear fight had seen three of the men drop, a fourth falling as they planned their attack.

Judging the distance accurately, Menelwen opened up with a fireball centered on the guards. It was  a blazing inferno that left they nothing but smears of ash on the ground. The priestess was thrown off her feet, allowing Vega to rush in and bind her.

Thok's jaw drop, making a mental note to never piss the wizard off.

Menelwen was just...overjoyed at having used her first fireball. Theamen caught up with the group. Giddy, she went over to him. "Oh my gosh, you should have seen-"

"I was standing by the door to make sure they didn't escape." His gaze dropped to the scorch marks. "They didn't escape."

Taking the items from the priestess, they obtained a whip and a quarterstaff. Menelwen got both, excited to have potential melee weapons. 

In Elvish, Theamen told her, "That will not be incorporated." She laughed. What Henry heard was very different.

He heard "That is not to be inserted."

Thok caught Theamen's eye. "Remind me not to piss her off."

"I try not to on a daily basis."

The party tried to question the priestess, but it was clear that she was too far gone to be of any use. Vega's nails grew into claws as he prepared to end her. However, Thok stepped in, giving her a quick death and sent Vega to help the one surviving prisoner.

After finishing their business, they turned their attention to the keep where Grimjaw would be. Leaving the church, they headed into the main part of the keep.

Carefully checking ahead, Henry saw two soldiers much like the men who Menelwen had turned into ash before, a woman in robes, and a portly man sitting at a desk. Grimjaw.

Henry returned to the party, informing them.

And the assault planning began....

~To be continued~

Character Playlists

Menelwen's Playlist

Desert Fantasy Music- Desert of the Sand Elves by Brandon Fiechter: Menelwen, hailing from the town of Solaris in the middle of the desert in the far east of the continent lived happily with her tribe of Desert Elves for over 200 years.

Magic Fantasy Music- The Ancient Gift by Peter Gundry: She spent time, studying magic with her father. The tome she carries is a gift from him. He gave her a tome, magic, and taught her as much as he could until he died.

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again by Danny Gokey: The shock and pain of the attack, seeing those she loved dead, the pain of loss paralyzed her. Everything she knew was gone, shattered. Clutching her tome to her chest, she had to force herself to make the hardest decision- to try and begin anew.

Wish You Were Here by Florence and the Machine: After her tribe was torn asunder by the people in black stone armor, she traveled in search of answers. Even before the attack, she missed her father terribly, now there were more lost lives on her mind. She tries to leave it behind but she sees them every night in her meditations. She misses them and wishes that they were still by her side.

Moonlight by BlackGryph0n and Baasik: The terrain changed as she traveled. Sand was exchanged for grass and trees....rivers and mountains. The stars and moon stayed, twinkling and leading her onward towards Waterdeep. She would find her answers...a new home...friends and maybe even...one day a family.

Unstoppable by Sia: At first Menelwen was cool, distant with a smile. She didn't want to be seen as weak. She was determined to prove herself to her new party and to herself. Menelwen needed to be unstoppable, to prove her strength. But the only way to bond with the party was to show the chink in her armor- the pain of loss she was carrying.

Dark Horse by Katy Perry: She started coming more into her own with magic. Squishy though she may be as a magic, she hit hard. Until opening up to her companions about her reasons for traveling, she was an unknown quantity. She also acknowledged to herself, that there was no going back no matter what she would hope.

Fight Song by Rachel Platten: Even when she's down to only cantrips (one match) she can make an explosion. She refuses to stand idly by while her new found friends fight. Menelwen promises to herself that even if no one believes in her, she will fight on and protect them. Even though she misses home at times, the urge to push on to find justice and truth burns strongly inside of her.

I Wouldn't Mind- He is We: She was unprepared when she met Theamen. Slowly she managed to find room in her heart for him. Though he's human, she's beginning to think she wouldn't mind spending forever by his side if she could see that smile on his face...and would do anything to keep it there.

Quest by BlackGryph0n and Baasik: Through all she's seen on her travels, there's still so much more out there. Adventure and answers are waiting out there...and everything will be obtainable with her newly found family by her side.

Bonus:

The Arena by Lindsey Stirling

Theamen's Playlist

Image of the Invisible – Thrice: Theamen has been raised that he is to use his abilities as a Paladin of Mystra to further her glory. Her invisible will is dealt by his tangible sword. But Theamen doubts that these works are as important as those that pass invisibly into suffering while he could potentially act and save them

Drowning – Crazy Town: His father’s will and demands are becoming unbearable and Theamen does not know how much longer he can be subject to his elder’s whims. Does he do what his heart tells him is right, or does he follow in the path before him?

Another Sky – Fiddler’s Green: Theamen has finally come to the conclusion that he can not stand by and allow his father’s desires to rule his life. He will walk his own path, unbeknownst to his father, and hopefully find his happiness there.

Runaway – Linkin Park: Fearful that his father is going to catch onto the secret works he and his mentor have been achieving and the magic gifted to him, Theamen hatches a plan to escape into the world, hopefully to be lost.

Man With No Country – Flogging Molly: The life he has known is behind him, as he keeps trying to slip away from those who would bring him back, he is lost to the path that he is cutting for himself, he doesn’t know where to go.

I’m Free – French and the Punk: There is a path before him. Travelers who need his help, who seek the same thing he does, to help the world. Yes, each has their secrets, each has their own desires, but all wish a better world and are DOING something about it. The world he had is gone, but he is free to forge a new one.

Liar – Four Star Mary: He has to keep so much from his new companions. If they were to know the things he has done, the lies he lived, the ones he still lives, would they ever accept him?

I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice: Not only was he accepted, he was embraced. Menelwen has brought him into the fold of this family, calling to him in ways he’d never experienced. The man who he was is dead, and the one he wants to be can now be born.

Drinking with the Devil – Painless Parker: His path now set, he has betrayed too many oaths. His past will one day catch up with him, and there is no sanctuary from that. He cannot be saved, and he accepts that.

Sunny Moon – The Cat Empire: In spite of all the darknesses of his life, past and future, Theamen now knows that there are those who will stand by him, who will support him, and help him grow stronger.

Coming soon (hopefully)
Thok

Vega

Henry

Episode 10- Riverguard Keep

Upon arriving in Womford, it was very apparent that it was not the type of place that one would make an end destination, more like a passing through. It is a run down fishing village. But they had heard tale that the person who sold the Genealogy of Mirabar had come from this direction. Perhaps someone had knowledge...?

Henry finds the Red Herring Inn and walks in to try to get information. Thok and Vega step in for a drink. The bartender told Henry to "Get Out". He doesn't serve to kids nor does he like them. Henry, in a spark of inspiration flashed the ring he had gotten from Nalaskur. Maybe the guy was in the know?

Nope.

He glanced at the ring, shrugged and said it was shiny.

Henry left the Inn,defeated to keep Menelwen and Theamen company. Thok and Vega pick up and manage to get some information that Henry was unable to.

"If anyone would know, Sholar would know. You can find him at the Sea Spray Keelboat." After finishing and paying for the drinks, the party headed to the docks to find Sholar.

Henry took initiative and approached the halfling male that went by the name of Pike. After some persuasion and coin changing hands, he brought them to meet Sholar.

Sholar is the Captain of the ship, and a water genasi. The Captain was living well, lots of plush, lavish surfaces. He was in rather impressive robes with blue green skin, seafoam eyes. and hair like green seaweed. He greeted the party warmly, kissing Menelwen's hand, hugs and cheek kisses to Thok, Vega and Theamen, and a head pat to Henry.

After some words, Sholar requested to speak with Henry, alone. Theamen took Menelwen out of the room.

A little while later (and a few more coins changing hands), he agreed to take the party down the river to Riverguard Keep with a warning that there are some unsavory folks down that way. Pike told them they'd be heading out in two hours with or without them.

Most of the party takes advantage of the time to freshen up in the river. They arrive back in time and set sail.

It would take about two days with decently cramped quarters.

Theamen and Vega step aside and speak, mainly about the use of Hellish Rebuke seen on the way to Womford. Henry spoke with Menelwen, watching the two of them.

"I'm happy he found someone he loves. He's glowing, so much happier." Menelwen agreed. But the next statement flustered the elf. "I hope we don't need to plan a wedding anytime soon."

There were a couple more private conversations (Vega with Thok, as well as Vega and Theamen). Unfortunately, among the crates on deck, Thok discovered one with this symbol.

One he recognized.

He brought this up to the group, saying he wanted to investigate the contents. So they hatched a plan. One that accidentally sent Vega (who had turned into a rat) over the edge of the boat. He swam back. With some luck and stealth, Thok managed to open the crate and take the contents before throwing the crate overboard.

Inside was: a shark tooth sword, a cloak of elven kind, a decanter of endless water, a circlet of summon elemental, and a few sapphires. They hide their finds well. The rest of the journey was smooth.

They arrive at Riverguard Keep. A white banner hangs from it with a blue gauntlet on it.

Guards flank the gate with similar swords to the one that Thok found.

The group posed as refugees. Upon entering, they could see men, women and children, working. The men were repairing parts of the keep, lifting large bits of wood. The women were cleaning or cooking. The party split to work.

Vega went up on a roof to work repairing, Thok and Theamen were hauling wood. Menelwen went to cook with the ladies.

Henry walked over to the kids. A young girl maybe a year his senior with darker skin, light brown hair, and tawny eyes helped him out with a bowl. They got to talking. She told him to not talk to the men with the swords.

Henry managed to charm her to a point that the young woman, Sasha, became completely in love with him.

Asking around, the party was slowly informed to also avoid the North Tower and the chapel. Thok and Theamen end up speaking with another of the builders (who turns out to be Sasha's father). He tells about the attack of hobgoblins, bandits, fire demons....the drought, losing land, family...and also about Grimjaw. The name rings a bell with Thok. Though a pirate gone straight, the information is rather valuable.

Henry snuck away after speaking with Sasha, hearing something sketchy going on in the Tower. None of the guards wanted to deal with it. Henry followed the man carefully. He saw a dark haired woman in priestess robes talking to guards. Then up in the tower, a "big shaggy creature" that Grimjaw was paying for protection.

Information learned, he headed back to speak with Menelwen. Fortunately, no one saw him. Menelwen however, had seen him sneak off on his own and was furious. Grateful for the information yes, but what if it had all gone wrong. She slapped Henry and sent him to speak with Thok. When Thok heard about Henry sneaking and encountering Bug bears, he was furious as well.

Henry was furious. No one was valuing him for what he could contribute.

"I don't do work." He told Thok.

That flipped a switch. Thok grabbed him roughly. "Oh you're gonna work." And threw Henry onto the rough roof before taking the ladder away.

This is how Henry gained a full scholarship to the School of Hard Thoks.

Vega, who was already working on the roof, tried his best to assure Henry that they weren't trying to be abusive, they were trying to cultivate him.

Theamen, to his credit was working shirtless with Thok and the other men. The ladies who were hanging around Menelwen cooking were eyeing him. All except Sasha who was trying to weasel any information from her about Henry. Until Theamen walked by to get water. Then everyone looked.

Eventually the work day finished, the group met back up for dinner. Sasha edged real close to Henry, propositioning him for a good night...while they planned their next move. To tackle the tower and hopefully, take down Grimjaw himself.

~To be continued....~

2nd Watch Chats

Journey to Womford

Night 1

Theamen and Menelwen sat together after relieving Thok and Henry of an uneventful watch. They waited until the evened breathing indicated that they had fallen asleep. They quietly prepared their spells before he spoke.

“Do...you want to talk about it?” He asked, broaching the topic first.

“Talk about what?”

“..What happened there. At Feathergale Spire.” She could tell his cheeks turned a subtle shade of pink. He wasn't talking about the fight.

“Putting it like that..makes it sound like you regret it.” She glanced at the sky, her eyes tracing constellations.

“I very much do not.” His voice was gentle. “Do you?”

She looked back at him and smiled. “Of course not.” Her hand touched his, lacing their fingers together. “...You know how I feel about you, right?”

Theamen closed his eyes for a moment. “I do. Because I feel the same.”

“Good.” She shifted up to a kneel to kiss his cheek before settling down next to him.

The rest of the watch was relatively uneventful.

Night 2

“Menelwen.” Theamen's low voice caught her ear as he gently woke her.

She smiled slightly and opened her eyes to see him. “It's time, isn't it?”

“Yes...” He glanced to where Thok and Henry were bedding down for the night. She stretched, fully rested unlike him who would be catching another few hours after this watch. But unlike last night, there seemed to be something on his mind.

She frowned. “What's up? You look so serious....was it a bad dream?”

“Well, not exactly...” He patted the spot next to him. She sat. “...I wanted to talk to you about the third shift last night.”

“What, with the ghouls? Vega and I handled it-”

“Yes but you should have woken the party instead of rushing headlong into danger.” His voice had an edge to it. An inhale, exhale. “...I'm sorry, that was harsher than it should have been.”

Menelwen was quiet, considering his words. “...I'm a capable fighter in my own right you know.” It was a soft snap.

“I'm well aware. I've seen you fight. But you are...delicate.” He raised a hand before she could slap him for the comment. “Wait, let me finish. You are squishy, but you do hit hard. But...put yourself in any of our shoes. What if you hadn't been able to handle it?”

“...But we did.”

“But what if you didn't?”

She looked down at her lap for a moment, composing herself. “...I...could have cost the party their lives if I...we hadn't taken care of them.”

“While this may be true...there's something else you should think about. What if I had woken and found you dead?” The words hung in the air, poisonous.

“...I'm sorry Theamen.” She winced. “I hadn't...thought of it.”

He exhaled, covering her hand with his. “Promise me you won't do that again. You're not fighting by yourself anymore.”

She squeezed his hand. “...I promise.”

The rest of the watch passed uneventfully.

Night 3

After Henry and Thok turned in, Theamen broke the quiet.”This may be out of bounds...but I don't actually know that much about your family. We've spoken about mine....”

“In which case I would like to hear more about them...at some point.”

“At some point perhaps.” He nodded. “...But I was wondering if there was anything you'd be willing to share about yours.”

Menelwen went quiet, considering.

“You don't have to-”

“...I was closest to my father. Before he passed away.” This rang a bell with Theamen. He remembered (after the accusation of being pregnant), Henry had asked point blank “Your father's dead right?” How she had tensed before saying that he was.

“I'm sorry to hear that. I bet he was a great man.”

“He was. He absolutely was.” Her gaze trailed up to the stars as if searching for the words. “He taught me everything I know about magic...how to mold earth....my first firebolt...” Her lips curled in a sad smile. Menelwen's fingers moved, brushing against the tome on her hip. “...He gave me my tome. It's...all I have left of him.”

A tear escaped her eye and she wiped it away. “..Sorry.”

“There's nothing to be sorry about. You were close.” So different than he and his father... “...How did he die....if I may?”

“A raid, he was fighting to defend Solaris. He...told mother and I to stay hidden until he came back. But...he never came back.” She sagged slightly against him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders to draw her closer. “'Menny', he said. 'Make sure you keep your tome with you. It can make anything happen.' Which...was a lie. It didn't make him come back. But...” She glanced up at him. “...It helps me protect people...and...” a half smile crossed her lips. “...it's part of the reason we're so close...so...I suppose he was right.”

His fingers ran through her hair idly, just listening. “...Yes, I suppose it did.”

The rest of the watch passed uneventfully.

Night 4

It had been another relatively quiet day and a quiet night so far. They woke for second watch. Keeping an eye out, she absentmindedly ran her finger down the pages of her spell book. “You're expecting another story...I can tell by your posture.”

“Only if you're willing to share.”

Once certain that there were no enemies near, she nodded. “..It's nice to be able to open up to someone about them. Makes them feel alive, you know?” She closed her tome. “...My Mother and I...had a tense relationship. Mostly because she...while a wonderful person...was dense when it came to certain things.” Menelwen ran a hand down her face and sighed. “So we tended to fight...Father would break the tension until...you know.”

“Right.”

“..She fell apart when he passed away. I needed her to be strong...to be the parent but it didn't quite happen. I had to step up..and take care of her. It was like...I lost a father and gained a full grown child to take care of it. Getting her to eat...to sleep...to rest when she started pushing herself too hard...to pick up the slack...”

She shook her head. “It was rough but we managed. Somehow. Then the “child” grew into a teenager when she met Ulstan.”

“Ulstan?”

“Mmhm. He was a human bard who found his way to Solaris. He was on a pilgrimage for stories to immortalize in song. He heard about the raid somehow...and wanted to help ease the pain by creating songs for our dead. And learn Elvish...because the language 'is one of the most beautiful when sung, and it doesn't even matter what you say'.”

“I can see that.” He smiled a bit. “But you still have to be careful with any language lest you insult someone.”

“True...I'm pretty sure he was trying to call my mother a beautiful vision...but called her a beautiful venison instead...anyway.” Menelwen shifted her position, her shoulders relaxing a bit. “...They spent a lot of time together. And she fell for him.”

“But isn't that a good thing?”

“...Generally yes...but elves...if we marry tend to stay with the same partner and take no others after they die. So when she...” Her eyes closed as if remembering something painful. “told me she was pregnant...my world just...crumbled. Father was the greatest love of her life...how could she just...move on and start a new chapter with this human bard?”

Theamen squeezed her hand. “So you have a brother?” He seemed surprised to learn this fact and was hoping to change the topic away from what was clearly causing pain. “I'm sure you had your reasons for not mentioning him sooner...”

Menelwen winced slightly. “...I did, because I'm afraid you'll think less of me when I tell you that story.”

“...Take your time.”

She nodded, settling against him. The rest of the watch passed uneventfully.

Night 5

They sat quietly under the moonlight, the battle with the barbarians still fresh. “..You're sure you're okay?” She asked him.

“I'm fine. I can take a hit.”

“Still...” She bit her lip. She should have helped with his fight...especially when she saw his sword fall.

Theamen sighed, looking at her. “You did exactly what you were supposed to. Take care of the bigger threat. Which was about five feet away from you. If you had turned your attention away from him things may have ended worse.”

“I suppose...”

“Look on the bright side.” Theamen said, hoping to change the conversation. “Only one person needed to be revived today, and it wasn't you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Still, we should find a way to bolster your defenses more...”

“You mean besides staying away from big burly men in loincloths with axes?”

He chuckled slightly. “Yes, besides that.”

They fell quiet. “...Theamen?”

“Yes Menelwen?”

She looked up at him. “...the black fire you used....hellish...rebuke?”

He expelled a sigh. “...Yes. It's because...” His hand touched the tarnished symbol of Mystra. “You know.”

She nodded. “..I do. But...it...scared me. I'd never seen that kind of look on your face...” Menelwen shifted to her knees in front of where he was sitting. She cupped his face between her hands. “..Don't give into the darkness...more than you can help. My light spell can only go so far. I'm not...as strong as you are.”

He closed his eyes, raising his hand to cover hers. He kissed her palm before pulling her into a hug. “I'll do my best...” But he couldn't make any promises. They both knew that.

A lump in her throat, she hugged him. “...I'll stand by you, no matter what.”

The rest of the watch goes uneventfully.  

Night 6

After the excitement of the previous day, this part of the trip was uneventful. As was the watch. Theamen gently woke Menelwen for their watch.

“So...” she sighed, lacing her fingers with his. “...Are you ready? This story may...make you think differently about me.”

“I doubt it, but go on.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“My brother's name is Miramaer, Mira for short. And...after...he was born...for a while...I hated him. With everything I had. I...wanted him dead.”

Theamen listened quietly. “...Because of what he represented, not who he was.”

She nodded, taking her hand back. Menelwen covered her face. “She introduced him to me as my brother...but he looked so...different. He had dark hair like his father...but our ears. Mother said we needed to keep him a secret....because he was a half elf.” She expelled a breath. “...Mind you...I don't have grudges against humans or half elves in particular-” Menelwen glanced at him, to the sleeping party and back to his face.

“I know that.” He reached out, smoothing a hand over her hair.

“...She handed him to me when he was fussing. He stopped squirming and fussing...I....the first thing I said to him...to my brother was that I hated him.” She searched his gaze. “I wanted him dead....and what did Mira do? He just smiled and babbled at me. Like I had said some joke. But...I know it wasn't his fault Father was gone...just...”

“It's alright. I understand what you mean.”

She leaned against him for support. “...I took care of him...most nights so she didn't need to get up. Even though I hated him...I still...loved him because he was my brother. I promised to always be there for him.”

“Did you lose him in the fight as well?”

Menelwen shook her head. “No. His father took him away when he was about five or so...when the tribe found out...so he's...somewhere.”

“Maybe we'll find him.”

“...Maybe...” Her gaze was distant. “...I'll have to tell him about mother if I do....” She focused on Theamen after a moment. “...So...”

“I don't think any less of you. Everyone...has their weaknesses...but it's how you deal with them that matters.”

Deep breath, exhale. “That...means a lot. Thank you.”

He gave her a peck on the lips before they settled in for their watch. An uneventful watch.

Night 7

When it came time for their watch, it was Menelwen's turn to wake Theamen. “It's time...” She shook his shoulder gently. He opened an eye and winked slightly. The fight with the Perytons had been...brutal. For them, not the party.

He got up and they took their normal positions to keep watch. “...I just wanted to say how amazing that was. The way you took them down...”

Theamen chuckled quietly, a little embarrassed for such praise. “Like I said, it's a spell you can learn too...”

“I know. But still.” She seemed in much better spirits.

“They were eyeing you and Vega. They wanted to rip your hearts out to feast.” He arched an eyebrow.

“Wanted. Past tense.”

“Indeed.” A pause. “...Well..I didn't want anyone or anything else taking your heart.” He glanced at her.

She blushed. “Silly bladesinger...you know it's already yours.” Menelwen whispered conspiratorially.

Theamen touched her cheek. “I do...but it's nice to hear. And mine is yours. Speaking of hearts...” He shifted, bringing out the locket that they had looted from one of the previous places they had all but forgot about. “Here.”

Menelwen seemed surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Thok...doesn't care about it, and the others seemed to have forgotten it existed. I don't...have anything to put into it though...”

“Theamen...” Her voice was soft but it was clear the gesture was appreciated. She kissed his cheek before shifting. She found a piece of parchment in her pack and a writing utensil. Menelwen glanced at him and smiled. It took a couple moments before a rough image of the two of them came together. Carefully ripping it from the parchment, she placed it in the locket. “There. It's perfect.”

“Just about.” He clasped the chain around her neck. “Now it is.”

She blushed pretty deeply. “..Thank you.” She gave him a sweet kiss.

“You're very welcome.”

They settled in for a final uneventful watch, looking forward to reaching town tomorrow.