Part 5 - The Grand Druid

It is not a summons that Rio can ignore. When the attendants of the Grand Druid himself make it known that Rio is to appear before him he nods respectfully and returns home to inform Glow. At her questions he can only answer the 'Where ?'.

"I am to be at Whispering Tree in three days hence. I was given no other information nor any explanation other than summons itself." He pauses scowling. "I know of no reason that I should be called but I certainly didn't get the impression that anything was wrong."

"I will come with you." Glow says in the tone that means there will be no discussion of the matter. "What affects you affects me and you'll not leave me here to wonder and worry as to what it might be."

"Your place is always at my side." the druid replies, inwardly glad at her decision to accompany him. "I have a strange feeling that somehow for me summer is changing into fall. That in some way I am coming around full circle... only to shortly begin it all again on a different path." Rio takes a deep breath and starts to pace back and forth.

"Something is coming. It's not just the Grand Druids call for a meeting. It's something that I've felt building in the back of my mind until now, with this summons, it seems just around the corner." He stops and takes her hands in his. "I'm afraid that somehow I might lose you and was going to insist that you come with me... I should have known I wouldn't have to."

Their journey to Whispering Tree takes the expected two days. Upon arrival they find the usually quiet outpost bustling with activity, its population increased by what must be a factor of ten if not twenty. As they approach the Whispering Tree itself a young Initiate breaks away from a group and comes to intercept them.

"Rio ? Ah yes I thought that was you. Lord Peragren is expecting you. Please follow me."

"Lord Peragren ?!?" Rio thinks to himself trying to squeeze his memory. "Isn't that one of the Lords of Waterdeep."

They are led to what is usually a small secluded grove of aspen and ash that is, at the moment, being used as a supply area. Several small tents have been built and there are backpacks, clothing and boxes of foodstuffs stacked neatly about.

"Please wait here. I shall inform the Grand Druid that you have arrived."

Rio looks at Glow with a puzzled expression. "Not exactly what I expected." he says after they have been left alone. "Although... I guess I'm not really sure what I did expect."

It is only a minute or two before a LARGE man with a booming voice enters the grove and introduces himself as Grand Druid Peragren. At what must be 6' 8" and 300 lbs. he towers over Rio and Glow and is truly a formidable figure.

"Rio of the Crescent Isles..." he says extending his hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I feel like I've known you for years. There was a period some seasons ago when your adventures with the Otherworlders was the Harpers favorite subject and there was always a new song about your cunning or the barbarians strength or that strange little stone man or some such thing "

Rio accepts the mans firm handshake with thanks and then turns to Glow. "Allow me to introduce my mate, Glowing Forest. "

The Grand Druid extends his hand and shakes Glow's somewhat more gently than he did Rio's. "It's my pleasure to meet you." he says in a softer tone. "Your grandmother has saved me many long trips to Waterdeep because of her wisdom and strength." He looks around and then in a much lower voice that stays within the small grove says... "I wish all the circle had her simple grace and power... sometimes it's a challenge to keep some of my attendants focused on their duties rather than their advancement."

Glow smiles. "Her clarity of purpose and strength of vision has always been an inspiration to myself and the others of the Sacred Grove. I can only hope that Silvanis grants me her focus and passion for life."

The Grand Druid studies her face for a moment before replying. "I think that you needn't worry on that account." he says seriously. "There is much about yourself that you have yet to discover... but I see her within you and believe that your journeys over time will bring about in you that which you see in her." He smiles at her. "Surely Mielikke and Silvanis have blessed you both."

There is a long pause as both Rio and Glow wait for Peragren to continue and after a moment, seeing that the conversation has been deferred to him, he does.

"Yes, of course. I'm sure you're wondering why I asked you to see me. We will speak in private." So saying the Grand Druid begins to cast a spell. For a moment Rio thinks he recognizes it as a simple Silence spell but there's something unfamiliar thrown in at the end and he finds himself wondering what's going to happen. When the spell is complete a total and utter silence falls upon them.

Rio looks questioningly at Glow and then back to Lord Peragren who is lightly tapping his hands together. After perhaps 20 seconds of complete silence Rio begins to hear the sound of this and becomes aware that he can also hear himself again. He speaks, hearing his own voice, and then becomes aware that the Grand Druid is also speaking.

"There. I believe it's thinned enough so that we can begin. Can you hear me OK ? Glow ? Good. Sit down. Lets have a bite while we talk."

Peragren heaves over a crate and sits on it indicating that Rio and Glow should do the same. He produces a small drawstring bag from an inner pocket, dumps some of the contents in to his hand, passes the bag to Glow and begins munching. Glow pours a small amount of what turns out to be surprisingly good granola into her hand and passes it off to Rio who does the same.

"Rio," the Grand Druid says after finishing of his handful, "I need your help. What do you know of the Nine ?"

At Rio's questioning look Lord Peragren explains a bit of the history of the region and how the a group of adventurers called the Nine have settled into the Unicorn Run valley in the south of High Forest.

"Their leader is an archmage named Laeral. She and I have crossed paths on several occasions and I've come to know her as a reliable source of information. Several moons ago I received a cryptic message from her indicating she was in trouble and that if we would aid her she, in return, could give us the Staff of Storms that was believed destroyed over 400 years ago." He pours himself another large handful of granola.

"I am skeptical of her story and have tried to verify it by every means possible but so far my best attempts to gain any other information have been fruitless." Peragren glances around as if checking the stability of the spell and Rio realizes that while he can hear Glow and the Grand Druid, he can here nothing of the outside world at all.

"If it is true that The Staff of Storms still exists then we MUST retrieve it before anyone else learns of it. That is why I am sending you. I admit that it is a political decision on my part but I must know the truth before I act in any way. If it is so, and you can return with it, that would be the best of all possible situations but if all you can return with is the truth of the matter then you will have served me well."

He looks at Rio and then Glow seriously. "No one is to know of this. No word of the Staff of Storms is to be spoken to any of the Initiate or Circle members. In this there can be no exceptions." He pauses but neither Rio nor Glow say anything.

"You must do this for me." he says forcefully. "Your skill is well known and your experiences should give you insight that those who've not ventured abroad would not have. That's why I've chosen you. I believe you to be the best man for this job. Especially considering the nature of the staff itself."

Rio pauses before answering wondering what that last comment means. However, one does not refuse the Grand Druid and with a look at Glow and then back to Peragren he agrees.

"Good !!" Peragren says actually looking rather relieved. "You two can start off after the upcoming observance nine days hence."

With that done the Grand Druid dismisses his spell and the normal forest noises slowly begin to filter back into existence. Excusing himself Peragren shakes Rio's hand and says, "I've got a lot of confidence in you. Good luck."

The two make their way back home without incident, pack for extended traveling, and then make their way to Center Tree to see Arial and for the equinox observance. It's a happy couple of days for the reunited family and one afternoon Rio finds himself snuggled in the large hammock with Glow on one side and Arial on the other. He hugs them both and decides that it just doesn't get any better than this. When he says so aloud Glow nods her agreement and Arial says "I've missed you too."

He tells her of their impending trip without mentioning any details and lets her know they might miss the next Observance if their travels take longer than expected. Arial hopes that doesn't happen and Glow reassures her that even if it does she'll contact her via the Mindlink so that they can still make the Observance together.

At this Arial smiles. "I like the link mama. It feels good to have you in here with me." Arial taps on her forehead and Glow laughs.

"For me too little one." she says. "It is always good to feel you with me."

[Continued in Part 6 - Return]