Part 6 - Return

After the Ceremony of Observance, performed by Peragren himself, Rio and Glow depart, heading back for the Old Road and the ruins of Delimbiyr before turning south to follow the River Shining. Travelling quickly it takes them only a few days to reach the pass through the Grey Peak Mountains and only a few more beyond that until they reach the point that Glow says they should leave the river and head west until reaching the Unicorn Run.

It's not that their journey is without dangers that enables them to travel so quickly. Rather their skill and abilities in the outdoors have become so refined that only once in the first week do they concern themselves with something they're passing (a large group of dire wolves causes perhaps an hour delay but they get by without being detected) and at no time do they use any of the rations they've brought preferring instead to eat what Nara has made available to them.

When they come to the Unicorn Run they turn North and follow the river for a couple of days as it winds through the forest. Then, as they get closer to The Star Mounts, the challenges to their continuing mount and their progress is slowed considerably. At one point they change into squirrel form to bypass a pair of stone golems and at another Rio is forced distract a hill giant while Glow sneaks over a small enchanted bridge. All in all it's a mostly painless journey and the two find themselves rounding a bend in the river to come into visual range of the Stronghold early one afternoon.

Rio suggests that their best approach is a direct one with him being a representative of the Grand Druid and her as his squirrel familiar. Glow agrees and changes form to accommodate. They head straight through the gate and are soon challenged by a human and an elf who are wearing similar uniforms and a holy symbol that Rio doesn't recognize. When he tells them he is seeking Laeral, as a official representative of the Grand Druid, they eye each other and come to some unspoken agreement between them.

"Come with us." the elf says sheathing his sword. "You should speak with Fionin."

They are lead through the small above-ground compound to a good sized wooden building that has recently seen extensive repair and are ushered inside. Glow wraps her tail loosely around Rio's neck and from her vantage on his shoulder sniffs at the air and chirps in his ear.

Fionin turns out to be the highest ranking cleric currently in the stronghold and the man listens quietly as Rio tells him of his mission, as a representative of the Grand Druid, to find Laeral . He does not mention the tone of the message specifically nor anything of the Staff of Storms.

"Hmm." Fionin says after hearing the brief Druids tale. "Neither Laeral or Khelben has sent any word to us that they needed to see the Grand Druid and it's surprising that you should come here to find them. Ever since Khelben was able to break the influence that accursed Crown of Horns had on our group they have lived mostly in Waterdeep. It is there that you should seek them."

With a few questions Rio learns the events Fionin has described occurred roughly four years ago and that yes, Khelben is indeed the same Khelben Arunson that Rio, as part of the Otherworlders, met almost ten years ago around the end of the Time of Troubles.

Rio thanks the cleric for his assistance and information and then departs. When the two are well out of range of the stronghold he stops for the night and is washing his face in the river when Glow reverts to her lovely human form.

"This doesn't make sense." he says to her after a few minutes of trying to think the situation through. "Why would Laeral send a call for help that she doesn't need ?" He frowns not comfortable with his lack of understanding. "We need to contact Peragren and relay what we've found out."

Glow nods her understanding and begins the quiet meditations that precede the establishing of a Mindlink. After a few minutes she is deep within the link and Rio watches over her like a mother bear protecting her cubs. When she comes out of it he waits for her to compose her thoughts.

"Lord Peragren says that if we've discovered nothing of the staff that we must continue until we can learn the truth from Laeral." Rio nods expecting such news and Glow continues. "I know that you probably do not relish returning to Waterdeep but it will give us a chance to see my Grandmother again and to find out what has happened to Dre and Raagnar. Peragren said he would make sure that my parents and Arial know that we are detoured."

Rio lets out a heavy sigh but smiles and reaches out to take Glow by the hand. "It will also be nice to stand once again under our Declaration Tree." he says with a sparkle in his eye.

The journey takes them through the dog days of summer and into the early fall. At the summer equinox they stop for a day of worship and ceremony and Glow contacts Arial as promised. After what is probably her longest link ever she reports that their daughter is well and happy.

"She was so proud." Glow says as they cuddle together that evening. "Her teaching is going well and she is showing an aptitude for the Initiate."

"Just like her grandmother and great-grandmother." Rio says tickling his wife. "What could have gone wrong with you."

Glow squeals as Rio reaches a cold hand onto a warm thigh and she rolls over quickly on top of him pinning his arms to the ground. She leans over him and drapes her hair in his face. He strains lifting his head up trying to catch her lips on his but she teases him staying just an inch out of his reach. Finally he wiggles one of his arms free and catches the front of her tunic pulling her to him. Their passion is undiminished and they lend the heat of their joining to the already warm summer night.

After another ten days of traveling they come to the place where they waited for Dre and Raagnar and continue on toward Waterdeep. Traveling off the road to avoid contact with other the pair finds themselves now only a few days away from their destination. Not being thrilled with the surroundings as evening approaches Rio leaves his club behind with Glow and takes an aerial form to scout ahead for a more hospitable camp side. After half an hour aloft he spots a nice grove of trees and returns to tell Glow that they've perhaps an hour or so left of easy traveling before they get there.

Glow is nowhere around. For a moment Rio is not worried figuring that she's just off somewhere relieving and refreshing herself after the days travels. Then he notices his club laying in the grass freshly stained with a thick brown blood.

Rio's heart begins racing and he is gripped with a fear that he has never known. "GLOW !!!" he calls out at the top of his lungs. "GLOWING FOREST !!!" He stops, listening intently but get no reply. He repeats the call and listen several times and then in a panic begins to examine the scene looking for clues as to what has transpired. What he finds chills him even more. Many sets of large bare humanoid foot prints and one that is so large that it must belong to a giant. He also finds indications of the struggle that left his club stained with blood.

Cursing his inability to take avian form for a second time Rio takes the form of as large a black panther as he can manage and sets off in pursuit. With every breath and stride his anger and worry grow slowly more intense and he savors the thought of ripping out the attackers throats with his claws.

It is almost full dark when his cat ears begin to pick up the sounds of battle. As he rounds a corner he can see up ahead a rough campsite in which a company of ogres and an ettin are battling with a large bronze dragon. He pulls up short of the action searching for any signs of Glow. It is a few moment before he spots her body sprawled near a large boulder.

By this time several of the ogres are dead ant the ettin has been very badly damaged by the dragons claws and tail. Before Rio can join in the battle the dragon roars and discharges a crackling ball of lightning right in the ettins chest. With a howl of pain the monstrous two-headed creature drops its weapon and turns to flee taking its ogre henchmen with it. The dragon takes a few steps toward the fleeing creatures and roars again as if warning them not to return.

Then, in an action that takes Rio completely by surprise, the dragon turns into a large human female with garish reddish-bronze hair. She kneels down next to Glow, lays a hand on her forehead and begins chanting a mantra in an unknown but complex and lyrical tone. Unsure of what is transpiring Rio pads into the campsite and approaches warily ready to spring if necessary. He is confident of his silent approach but before he can get close enough to strike the woman turns and regards him seriously. There is no fear in her eyes.

"Well now..." the dragon/lady says after regarding him for a moment. "You're not from around here are you." Rio approaches cautiously sniffing the air and comes close enough to see that Glow, although she has definitely been injured has also just been healed by the large woman. He transforms back into himself and kneels next to Glow to assess her situation. Although she has a nasty black and blue mark to go with a huge lump she seems to be resting peacefully. Then he looks up at their new benefactor and bows deeply.

"My lady..." he says in a voice choked with emotion. "I am Rio of the Crescent Isles and this is my mate Glowing Forest. Your timely intervention has saved her life and for that you have my heartfelt thanks and eternal gratitude. What service may this poor druid do for one such as you."

The large woman smiles bidding the druid rise and says only that he would be wise to remember that the world is a dangerous place for children such as themselves. She laughs to herself for a reason that Rio can only guess at then with a wink transforms back into the dragon and flies away.

When Glow awakes the next morning Rio is there at her side with a water boda. She drinks slowly and then smiles up at him.

"I knew you would rescue me." she says trying to sit up too quickly and almost falling over sideways.

"Careful my love." Rio says as he steadies her. "You've had a bad head wound and need to take it easy.

"They caught me completely by surprise. I got one good bash in on one of the ogres before all went black. How were you able to defeat so many of them ?"

Rio tells her of his discovery of her abduction, subsequent chase in panther form, and then the remarkable events of the dragons battle with the ogre and ettins that had captured her.

"She saved you and I didn't even learn her name." he says just realizing it to be true. "She just winked at me and flew away. Oh my love you can not know how worried I was... how scared that I might never find you again... or worse find you dead." Rio takes her hands in his. "I shall never leave you again."

After a day of rest to let Glow fully recuperate the two again set out for Waterdeep and arrive only a few days later. The city is much as Rio remembers it, maybe a little louder and a little more populated, but essentially the same. They make there way to the Sacred Grove and are greeted warmly by the Great Druid. Rio tells her of their quest to find Laeral (on behalf of the Grand Druid) but doesn't mention the Staff of Storms by name. The Great Druid accepts the story at face value and offers any help that she might be able to give.

The next day the two set out for Khelben Arunson's. After a few minutes of arguing with a household staff member Rio and Glow are let into a small sitting room and told that they will be attended to shortly. When Khelben and Laeral arrive to join them both Rio and Glow stand for introductions. Then, after a small refreshment is served, Rio addresses Laeral and speaks of the reason for their journey, the warning received by the Grand Druid, and Peragren's subsequent interest in the Staff of Storms.

Laeral listens closely and after Rio finishes his tale she looks thoughtful as if considering how to respond.

"Although I do not remember sending such a message it is certainly possible that I did so." she says finally. "You must understand that once we, the Nine, fell under the influence of the Crown of Horns each of us would have done or said anything to gain or hold it. It must be that in my desperation I sent word to Peragren, whom I'd known from several meetings, saying that I needed help." Laeral pauses frowning. "Although I fail to understand why he should be receiving such a message only now." She looks over to Khelben and then back to Rio.

"I'm sorry to have brought you all this way on an issue that is five years out of date. I've never known anything specific about the Staff of Storms other than the popular stories and songs that speak of its destruction in ages past. I must have thought that if I promised to return one of the great druidic artifacts I'd get help in a hurry."

Rio nods his understanding. "I can see that." he says rising to depart. "Thank you both for taking the time to meet with us."

As they are returning to the grove Rio is unusually quiet as the two walk hand-in-hand slowly through the bustling streets. When they get back Rio takes refuge in one of the top branches of a tall oak. He ruffles his feathers in the breeze and calls out forlornly in the falcons shrill cry. Eventually Glow scampers up beside him and the two watch the sunset from the relative quiet of the top of the tall tree.

Later that night Glow contacts the Grand Druid to inform him of their meeting with Laeral. Peragren is disappointed but tells her that he really expected something like this. He wishes them a speedy journey home and then breaks the link which catches Glow quite by surprise since she's always been the one to terminate the connection.

Talking quietly they agree to spend a few days looking for Dre, Raagnar and Elrin before beginning the long journey home. The next morning the two head off to Elrins guild hall to see what they can learn of him. They are met by a young acolyte whose eyes widen when they introduce themselves and announce their desire to see Elrinith. The lad leads them through the guilds great hall and into the office wing where they are met by none other than Jallarzi Sallavarian. After a surprisingly warm greeting she asks them to sit down and tells them something of Elrins past. It seems that the man got his wish for an easy and opulent lifestyle among the wealthy of Waterdeep and now spends most of his time overseeing the security concerns of a large shipping company founded by his wives grandfather.

"I believe they are currently on holiday though." Jallarzi replies when Rio asks of his current whereabouts. She shuffles through some papers until finding the one she's looking for. "He should be back... where is it... ah yes... His letter says they'll be returning by mid-winter."

Rio sighs and thanks Jallarzi telling her that he and Glow will probably be back in High Forest by then but to please tell Elrin they were here.

"Oh by the way..." Rio asks before leaving. "Do you know anything of our other companions Raagnar and Dre."

Jallarzi scratches her head. "The last I had heard of them was several years ago. Elrinith would be able to give you the details but I know it's been at least three years since they were last here."

Rio thanks her again and the two take their leave. "Well..." he says to Glow as they make their way to the Yawning Portal, "at least we know that they're alive as of three years ago."

They reach the Yawning Portal in time for lunch and Rio asks the proprietor if he has any information of Raagnar and Dre. It takes a few gold pieces to loosen up the old mans tongue but they finally learn that at several times in the last few years both Dre and Raagnar and others in their company have descended into Undermountain and returned some days later. Unfortunately he knows nothing of their current whereabouts.

As they are leaving the Yawning Portal Rio turns a corner and literally runs right into the large woman that had saved Glows life some days earlier. Rio smiles.

"Glow. This is the... lady who aided us."

"Estarria of Waterdeep." the large woman says taking Glows hand. "I was just going to have some lunch. Will you join me ?"

Rio says that they've just eaten but would be happy to join her. Estarria pauses and decides instead that if Rio and Glow will accompany her to her home that she has something that she wishes to discuss with them.

When they get to Estarrias home the invites them to sit and get comfortable while she changes into more appropriate household attire. When she returns she tells them of the six Dragon Gifts and the quest she has put together to retrieve them. She reminds Rio of his promise of aid should she ever need it and appeals to his sense of balance noting that the races of evil creatures are growing at an alarming rate, especially here in the north.

"If you would join my children in their quest I would consider your debt to me paid many times over."

Rio and Glow discuss it briefly and decide that since Arial still has a year and a half of training at Center Tree left to complete before returning home, that they can join Estarria's "children" on their quest.

Having so decided Estarria fills them in on as many details as possible and hints that Rio will be very interested in the dragons gift to the Moon Elves and will want to be a part of the force that frees it. On the subject she will say no more insisting that to do so would jeopardize his objectivity.

"Return to me tomorrow and I shall see to your transportation to Leilon so that you may join the others."

At the next days dawn Rio and Glow say goodbye to the Great Druid and ask her to keep her eyes and ears open for any sign of Dre or Raagnar and to let them know of their joining Estarrias quest. The Great Druid assures them that she will and be sure to pass on whatever she learns when Glow contacts her. When they get to Estarria's they are shown into a casting chamber that's large enough to accommodate her in her true form. She bids them stand in the center of an engraved pattern on the floor and begins her casting. At the spells completion Rio feels himself begin to fade and he quickly takes Glow's hand. There is a strange sensation of motion and all of a sudden they find themselves standing in a roadway looking down onto the small city Leilon.

[End of Transition]