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With sadness in my heart, I talk to Xan. I tell him that he should rest for a while, get some sleep. He has been working too hard to protect me. He doesn't seem to object much, though, which kinda throws me off.



Our paths must run apart for a while. If I should need your help again, though, we should rendezvous at the Jovial Juggler in Beregost.

It makes no difference either way. I can await death as easily in one place as in another.

His intense depression does hit me hard in this goodbye. I don't want him gone forever, but he seems as though he will like to die soon. Branwen, though, seems to understand exactly how I feel. She does the perfect thing, right there in front of everyone.



*She takes your hand gently, her fingers and palm robust, but her movements soothing.* You've suffered many losses recently, comrade. May Tempus strengthen your spirit for the battles to come.

I truly appreciate her words. It means a lot to me, especially since Xan is gone. She will have to join me on the front line. With that in mind, we go over the new equipment that I got. She gets the Crystal Plate Mail and the Crystal Helm. They're blue! She also takes Xan's old Ring of Fire Resistance. Altogether, she's almost completely immune to fire. I'll have to keep that in mind. She also gets the Girdle of Bluntness and the Gauntlets of Power Attacks. She is going to be formidable on the front line by my side.



While sifting through everything I realize that there is an extra scroll that I didn't notice before. I find it in Imoen's pile of things, actually. Is she trying to squirrel it away?



I copy it into my spellbook, which gives me 5 level 3 spells. But I can never remember these, no matter how hard I try. When will it be possible?

I also pass out the Gnomish Boots to Imoen, and the Teddy Bear of Protection to Safana. She holds it gingerly but understands its power. I take the Boots of Speed for myself, since Branwen already has the Boots of the Forgotten Ones, and give the Boots of the North to Safana as well. It looks like we are all set for what may come in Restenford. Because I've decided - we're leaving this cursed Sword Coast. Wiping the dust off of my Boots of Speed. I need to go somewhere where nobody knows who I am.



Yes.

Wonderful. I won't bother updating your map. Since we are located off the mainland, you would need a ship to get there. So I will transfer us there.

You will find me either in my home or at the tower I have in the castle. Please let me know when you find anything unusual. When you are ready, I will send you back to the temple.

Wow, we are on an island! Did you ever think we would travel so much? What should we do first?

Go lay on the beach? I don't know. Maybe we should start talking to people to find out what is really going on here.




Do you like my new hairdo? I have the best hairdresser in the world.

Wind will be your hairdresser, then?

Northren wind hairdo - the style I prefer to any else.

I like your style, Branwen. I always wanted to meet a woman who looked lovely without making an effort.

I think you have just presented me with a challenge. I should take some time and help you to brush up your skills in gallant talk.

You have my permission to tutor me in gallant matters, madam.

I will take this task very close to my heart, Syvishtara.

So... where are we?

We must be in the main area of Restenford. It looks like a pretty decent-sized town. Not as big as Beregost, but not as small as Nashkel either.



I have no idea where to go or what to do, though. I guess there is nothing to do but start to the southeast and work our way around.



Locked! Safana takes a crack at it, but says it is not a normal lock, and may even be warded. I guess this old lighthouse is going to be closed to us. The house next to it, though, is open.



Imoen and Safana share a glance and rush off giggling.







Uh, sure, Safana. That's awfully nice of you...

That's right, you have the feel for it now. Such a clever girl, reminds me of another pretty young thing I once knew...

The dagger that they find is pretty sweet too.



Safana appropriates it. When they come back out of the house I feel a new kinship between them, and smile. It's good to see people making friends.

This city is an example of man's excesses. Ugh... I wish we would be gone from this place.

Uh... thanks for spoiling the mood Kivan. Our next stop is this big manor house with all the trees.



It turns out to be Pelltar's house.



No Pelltar, nothing yet. We will keep looking.

When I turn around Safana is nowhere to be seen. So we make innocent-sounding smalltalk until she decides to show up again.



'Twas truth you have heard. Northeim Isles rise from the cold sea, as castles here in the South, pink and gray and speckled with shining crystals.



And the sea breaks against the cliffs... a magnificent sight indeed.



The cliffs are as unyielding as the warriors of my land. They sail the sea in longboats, their prows and sails painted red, the color of blood and honor.



And the dark blue waters of the deepest fjords - color the eyes of the daughters of Norheim?



Perchance you have heard songs of the Northerners?



No, it was only a guess.



Safana gets back with a really great haul. The potions she stumbled onto are pretty sweet.



Basically fireball in a bottle. The scrolls she brings back are spells I already know, but they will be good in an emergency. I put them in my scroll case. I give her a wink and a nod, and we make our way to the exit. But on the way out, Safana pushes her luck a little too much.



"RUN!" she shouts, and we all take off. I wonder what Pelltar will think of us now? No time to check, we just keep running. We don't stop until we hit one of the buildings along the river, and duck in.



Imoen tells Safana that its her turn, and she goes exploring.



At the same time, we see a guard patrolling behind us. Safana talks to him.



In her haste to open the safe behind the painting, Imoen doesn't check for traps. An arrow flies in towards her!



It hits her and she winces, but she's otherwise alright. She goes and carefully checks for traps by the next crate.



Unfortunately, it is empty. There's nothing else to do in this empty warehouse style building, so we go back outside. I see a commoner and try to strike up a conversation with him.



We go into the next building, which is much like the first. Safana asks Imoen if she can come along this time, just for fun. Imoen agrees, and it's a good thing she does too.



While we are all waiting around for them to get back, Branwen's face lights up and she has an epiphany!









She says she finally understands something about Tempus that she never quite realized before. She says she knows what she needs to do to serve him better. She says he will grant her... more power. I can deal with that.

I look at Branwen steadily all the while, as she explains all the details of her new revelations to me. My gaze never wavers, even after she finishes telling me all about her greater insights. She finishes talking, and then just looks back at me. I don't want to look away. Finally, she just bursts out with



She does strange things to my body, this woman. I'm in shock.

Me... to kiss you? Just now? Just like that?

Syvishtara, you're hopeless! Yes, just like that.

Alright...

...

I... I expected to find my zest matched. But you have surpassed all my hopes and anticipations... Syvishtara, humor me again.

It will be a pleasure.

...

Shall... shall we... again?

*nod*

...

...

That was... quite a kiss. Can I hope for more?

*smirk* This eve, Syvishtara. And no excuses.

Safana and Imoen get back then, and since the third open box is within sight of the guard, we will have to come back later. We mark it on our map.

This city is a beautiful place, so full of the gullible and stupid.

I hardly hear her. We move on to the third and final warehouse. Imoen and Safana make short work of it, and come out looking like two cats in the cream.

With nothing else left to steal, the girls see a tavern nearby and suggest we go get a room for the night. I flush at the suggestion, and they look at me strangely. Then Imoen glances at Branwen, and tries to hide a grin. She knows, and now I know she knows, and she probably know I know she knows. My entire body flushes hot.



When we get into the tavern, we all get a table except for Imoen, who starts to immediately work the crowd as she normally does. The very first man she talks to lays out a huge wall of a story.







What? Bandits, here? It seems like you can't really get away from them no matter where you go.



After she gets done talking to the commoners, Imoen approaches the proprietor.



I was hoping you could answer a few questions.

We are very busy this time of year, but order a few drinks and I'm sure we can get you what you want.

Sure, drinks sound like a good idea.

We drink until we can hear no more rumors at all. It's always hard to separate fact from fiction, but apparently we have orcs and wolves outside of town, and a bait dealer who is a magic-user and likes rats. OBVIOUSLY he's evil. The other rumors, like a huge amount of treasure under the Baron's castle and his daughter being a doppleganger plotting to kill him, I find a bit harder to believe. That one about skeletons is disturbing, though. Maybe that one is true. Better to think about this in the morning, though, because we are all stonking drunk.



But before I can gather erryone together to gotabed, I see a suspiciouslookingperson in the hole... walll... thing. The corner. Yes, the corner. I interrogitate him.



You are a bard, aren't you?

(bows) Yes Lady, I am. Am I supposed to assume that because I am a bard, I HAVE to take requests?

I'm not going to tip a bard that doesn't play requests.

Oh drat, there goes the money for that new mule.

Slap! (she slaps Fabio)

Ouch! What was that for?!

That is for being a pig! Your so-called "armor rash" spread to me! I had to see a priest to get it cleared up.



(looks up from instrument) I said, are you still h... Oh, my lady! Forgive me, fair maid. I had no idea such a stunning beauty was in my presence.

(blushing deeply) Awe, you are so sweet.

So, what can I help you with?

Information.

Ah, that I am quite helpful with. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Fabio, (bows deeply) world renowned bard. Traveler to multiple universes, and past member of the famous Raelis Shai troupe. Of course you have heard of me?

Nope, never heard of you.

Either you mock me poorly or you have spent your life in Candlekeep or some other hole.

(giggles) You don't know how right you are.

My poor child, you need to get out more. And I think you really need a great bard to assist you. Plus, I really need to find some better women than in this fishing town (*he winks at you*).

Sure, we can use a good bard to help us.