Hakam set the torch to the constructed-flesh image of Calimshan's most powerful ruler, and the oil ignited. Without any ceremony, he turned and stepped back into the rowboat and was raised back up to the floating sea vessel.
The party was emotionally neutral at their most recent happenings. They had soundly defeated their longest foe and saved entire kingdoms from potential tyranny and ruin. They had set back El Sadhara's plans a second and likely final time. They had come out of exile and gained the means to travel nearly wherever they wished.
Yet they had lost a traveling companion that at least some of them had been growing very fond of, and they could see no immediate means of retrieving her or of pursuing Samber, the main goal of their divinely ordained quests.
When the others had joined Belvin and Kytharrah on the ship, they were concerned by the amount of blood, but Kytharrah, oddly, did not seem worried.
"Little sister not hurt, because of trick."
"Trick? What trick?"
"Stab and fix cut trick."
"Ilthian has healing magic?"
"I think that he is saying that Ilthian can regenerate," said Solisar.
"Like a troll?" said Belvin.
"Like the construct that she is," said the sun elf. "It makes sense. How do you know this Kytharrah?"
"Playing."
Solisar had found a final entry from Ilthian. It was written in the Thorass alphabet, like Common, but appeared to be a transliteration of Lantanese, (which was usually written in Draconic).
She appeared to have been interrupted in the middle of writing a sentence.
Solisar explained to the others, "The final words mean the following in Lantanese. Ordû means 'order', 'command', or 'instruction'. A cûig dêag means 'fifteen', which is Samber's number for Ilthian in one of the previous notes of his that we found. Sos means 'break', 'pause', 'rest', or 'stop'. I do no know the word intleacht for certain, but I strongly suspect it to be a loan word from common to mean simply 'intellect'."
"So he can swap bodies now," said Leokas.
"So it seems," said Solisar.
"You spoke with Samber in Lantanese when he faced us," said Hakam. "What did you ask him?"
"I asked him why he was in Calim's form, and he told me that it was what was available."
"I am going to send to Ilthian," said Hakam. "Give me some time."
When Hakam finished his prayer, he spoke aloud. "Ilthian, if this is you, know that we are coming for you. But if this is Samber, know that we will stop you."
In a few moments, a frown formed on Hakam's face.
"What was the response?" asked Szordrin.
"'What right have you to stop me? The gods are petty, jealous, arrogant. As for you, you stole my property. I simply take it back.' It was Samber's voice."
"What do we do now?" asked Szordrin. "I see no immediate way to pursue him."
"At the very least, we need to regroup with Jayce," said Hakam. "He has uncovered clues to Samber's past that may aid us in finding him again."
"I must return to Evermeet and report on my findings in the North," said Solisar. "While there, I can seek advice from my grandmother, who is exceptionally wise. She may be able to advise us. Also, my people are known to sail wildspace and may be able to advise us in such matters, if we desire to head to Bral. However, Evermeet is not keen on non-elven visitors. I would have to travel there alone."
"I see no reason to go after Samber anymore at all," said Bevlin. "Thard Harr showed me that I would meet him, not that I should pursue him. This, I have done. My spirit quest is over. We have just saved the world; I think that it is time for Kamil and I to go home."
"My friend," said Leokas, "the gods spoke to me clearly that this task was for all of us, not just for me. We cannot give it up now. This is just a setback."
"I will seek a vision from Thard Harr at home," said Belvin. "Then, if he wills it, I will continue the search with you, my friend."
"It seems like all of us desire to head in different directions for the time being," said Solisar, "to regroup later. Hakam, do you need to report to the heads of your order in Memnon?"
"I have a special calling now and report only to Anachtyr directly," replied the cleric.
"Szordrin, what are your thoughts?" asked Solisar.
"My first desire has always been the pursuit of the Interlink Consortium," said Szrodrin. "We should go to Bral. I suspect that if any place might have information on Bral, it might be Calimport, and we are as near to that city as ever we have been. If everyone is going in separate directions for the time being, that is where Ferry and I will go."
"So, this is the plan then?" said Leokas. "We split up to gather information and then regroup? If so, I will travel with Belvin to the Chondalwood. Perhaps Solonor will send me another wolf while I am there."
"Where will Kytharrah go?" asked Solisar. "He cannot come to Evermeet with me, unless I appeal to have him accepted as an 'elf-friend', but that will be challenging."
"He may go with Bevlin and me," said Leokas.
"That is probably for the best. I am not certain that I could keep our young minotaur entertained while I research.
"Is it settled then? We fly the spelljammer first to Calimport to drop off Szordrin, then to Chondalwood to drop off Belvin, Leokas, and Kytharrah. I will pilot the vessel back west to Lantan so that Hakam can join up with Jayce, and then I shall continue on alone to Evermeet."
"When shall we meet again?" asked Leokas. "The more time we tarry, the closer Samber will get to achieving his ultimate goals."
"A couple months should suffice, yes?" said Solisar. "I will contact all of you from Evermeet in the month of Ches."
~~~~
The Frihet, Ilthian's name for the vessel, entered the clouds and sailed to the southeast, to the great city of Calimport.
Far above — in a manner of speaking — two feminine entities watched its passage, or rather the passage of its crew, as they had been watching with interest for over a year now, from the Outer Planes.
Your sister's power grows stronger, the meddler is now free again, and now these mortals give up search. If she is able to manipulate him....
They have not given up search. They will regroup. Things will turn again. The Moringlord has come to our side, and the Seldarine are allied with us too in this. We need not fear.
Not all the Seldarine.
The Seldarine will follow Corellon's command.
Will they?
Take heart, Midnight. My followers have slain her chosen priestess. There is still hope.
She will choose another. And there is already Lord Shadow and his entire city of worshipers.
The city will fall in time. We need only hold out until then.
And your own chosen, what came of her?
Nothing came of her; she simply has been sidetracked. She will soon come to understand her power and act in accordance. It may be better that they have parted, as, for the time being at least, the meddler does not seem to be following my sister directly.
Let us hope that it remains that way.
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Posted on December 31, 2019 19:04
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