Quiet Before the Storm (Part Four)


21 Frostkolt 348 AC

Shadow mentions to Cassidy, “I hear we are going to be going on a ship for the next leg of our adventure. Have you been around ships much? Grotto is seeking instruction in seamanship from Raven. Perhaps we should go as well?”

Cassidy smiles, "I have never been on a ship before! Unless you count the one I rode from Lookit to Ergoth. Those gnomes were so nice! And it only caught fire three times! I'm told it was a Highly Successful Voyage!" The kender beams up at his dark elf companion. "I can even practice with my crossbow! Ooo! Look! A squirrel!"

“Please don’t shoot the squirrels. The elves will get very unhappy.”  Shadow takes Cassidy and steers him towards the riverfront. Along the way he thinks to himself 'Raven will kill me if this kender sets the boat on fire'. He tries to keep up with the small talk of boats and Underdark lakes and rivers. “The horrors of the dark waters under your feet are nothing to be trifled with.” He answers questions back and forth with Cassidy as they walk. 

Shadow begins to take in the beauty of the “sunny side up” Elven City and his talk becomes one of differences in architecture, the way the city is laid out and the amenities it offers verses the stark contrast of the Drow cities. “These elves are truly blessed and are in no way prepared for a war. I don’t want to see another city put to the sword and flames.” 

As they get closer, Shadow says “Are you a strong swimmer by chance?  Odds are better than even that you get tossed overboard for some nonsense. That’s why we have spells like Water Breathing. Maybe one day we will go for a swim with the fishes together. Water is cold and this time of year can kill you in less than half an hour without protection. We have spells for that too.”

"There was a couple of humans in Ergoth who told that they would take me to swimming with the fishes once. We never got to go. They were arrested by the city watch." Cassidy replies.

Kysek continues to train. He particularly enjoys the balance boards as he duels with the locals. He leaves Bubo to rest during the day. In the evenings, the elf chats with either the others in the party or Ornforithalas and sends Bubo out to hunt as well as keep watch upon the outskirts of the city.

Ra’ziir focuses his time on reviewing his grimoire for spells that will be useful in ship-to-ship combat. Once he’s catalogued them all, he then spends some time obtaining implements and materials for creating magical scrolls.

Romulus takes time to relax. He has no interest in seamanship training or creating any more magical items. He just walks around or takes leisurely rides through the city on Macula, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Silvanost. He watches the elves making preparations for their midwinter holiday and the beginning of the upcoming year. He finds a bakery that he likes and stops in most days for tarts, handpies, or scones (or all three) and steamed milk or hot cider.

Arthur listens and smiles, "Lady Ag'nesallynn, what a beautiful name. Your brothers sound brave and honorable indeed. I would like to meet them if given the opportunity. I hope we can assist you in finding then one day." He frowns, "Why did your elders forbid you from getting involved?" Arthur holds out his arm to stroll with her and speak more in depth. Truly enjoying his time here with her.

Agnes pauses as if searching for a diplomatic answer, "I
guess it comes down to a promise they had made long ago. Our clans agreed to stay out of the affairs of the world at large and retreated back to our island home."

Elves throughout the city make preparations for the Midwintwer celebration, decorating with boughs of evergreen, exchanging small gifts, singing, and days or feasting. Music fills the streets and city squares as the year begins to wind down to a close.

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