The trip home ... A Faerun tale ... (by Jain & Sunset)

[Sunset Fallow]

It was surprising how even a little sleep was refreshing given the proper motivation. Reti wanted nothing more than to be out of this place. She’d heard of the various organizations that professed to do good and knew that their reputation differed greatly on who was asked. But she’d also read the history of this area and those organizations. None held a monopoly on saintliness. Some tried and were most often associated with good rather than evil, but even good deeds attract foul play and others whose intent it is to corrupt that deed. And those who do good things must go where there is evil to combat it. She didn’t want to be there. Not right now.

She gathered here things and placed them neatly into her pack. It was a little odd how much she had brought compared to Lyanthi, who carried only her weapons, a single change of clothes and a few miscellaneous items. Lyanthi had even commented on the fact that she had packed three books saying how she’d regret it. Zaryna had just smiled knowing that Reti needed those books and would have gladly volunteered to carry whatever Reti needed.

After rising and packing their belongings, they waited upon their hosts. Reti lay on the bed with a book propped up and was busy whispering and making complex hand gestures. Some were accompanied by fanciful lights and popping sounds. After each she wrote a few notes stopping occasionally to reread what she written, making a few corrections here and there. Lyanthi watched all this as she lay very close to Zaryna, her head resting on Zaryna’s shoulder, her face serene.

Lyanthi thought she had never seen a face that was more expressive than Reti’s. Each time the woman did something, you could tell her satisfaction by the turn of her mouth, the way her eyes narrowed and her cheeks moved just so. She slipped an arm around Zaryna. She’d never had someone who just loved her the way she felt loved now.

She knew both of these women were quite capable of protecting themselves, but she also knew it was dependent upon their ability to cast their enchantments. She knew why mages often had battle hardened soldiers in front of them. She also knew what happened to those who protected mages and their like in the heat of battle. They were considered expendable. It didn’t matter to her...she knew she’d die protecting them if it came to that. She also knew they’d probably feel and do the same for her.

The thought of someone who loved her so much dying to protect her was so sad...she closed her eyes trying to hide the tears she felt welling in her eyes. She hugged Zaryna a little harder as those tears ran down her cheeks. Some warrior...crying, But she didn’t care, ‘stupid girl, don’t cry...it’s only because you love them’.

[Jain Zar]

Just as Zaryna turned her head and offered Lya a peck on her lips, there was knock on the door.

“Are you girls up?” It was Betty and she knocked again with a giggle. “Or do you need a hand in there first?”

Zaryna flushed deeply and muttered something under her breath as she brushed red strands to the side of her head, tucking them behind her slightly pointed ear.

She opened the door and before her stood… wait… who the hell was that? But then, when paying more attention she recognized her.

The most striking attribute of Betty’s new appearance was probably the white face. Her lips were painted black and with a fine eyeliner she had drawn black lines along the lower lid of both her eyes. Over each eye she had drawn long eyelashes, and elongated triangles under each.





The mime Betty faked a sad face before lifting a violin she was holding, her instrument sending a wordless cry into the world as she briefly played its strings. The sweet yearning melody had the power to elicite tears in Zaryna’s eyes and for no reason at all she could feel a sorrow that hadn’t been there a moment earlier run down her cheeks. She found herself stepping backwards into the room with her hand on her chest. Goosebumps rose up her arms, the hair on the back of her neck stood...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuNhTLVgV2Y


In her mind’s eye Zaryna could see a sad little girl in a heartbreaking scene. The child was crouching in the rain-soaked mud of a road with crowds of people just walking around her like she were contagious or something. Silent tears were streaming down her tiny cheeks as she cuddled what seemed to be her only possession, a dirty teddy bear that was missing a leg. No one really seemed to pay any direct attention to the child, and some managed navigating around her with their heads turned away. Like there was no one in the world who would give her the time of day. Finally... one of the people, a boy who was a little bit older, stopped and seemed to notice the silent form of the girl. Above the pair dark clouds rolled up, thickened and sent down another steady stream of rain. A pale little face smeared with dirt looked up at the boy who started to approach her, the salty tracks on her cheeks blending with the fresh sky-fallen trickles. Zaryna watched how the child reached out her hand, begging for food or help. And then the scene began to fade with the thinning droplets of rain, their forms slowly growing translucent before entirely disappearing, leaving an empty street with pools of cold water glistening below a graphite sky behind...


Only after the music stopped and Betty graciously bowed in the doorway, Zaryna realized the woman just had used magic on her. On all of them. She glanced over to look at the others and back at Betty whose grin now almost felt alien and cruel, like it was the most unappropriate thing one could do after such a vision. She sensed a strange hurt reverberate down her chest all the way to her stomach and shook her head as she caught her breath. “Never underestimate the power of a bard…” she whispered.

Betty looked at the others, Alfonso showing up behind her and tossing in some clothes.

“Alright people, time to dress up.” Betty closed the door behind her with her heel, shutting Alfonso out with a grin. “Today we’re a travelling party of musicians and likewise artists.” She motioned at the clothes. “We need someone to carry our goods, someone who is fast with her hands and someone who can do a little face painting. Take your pick.”

The three tieflings blinked a bit and Betty explained. “No one travels through this city unnoticed, let alone leaving it. Let’s make sure we display reasons to be here, and a reason to leave.”

[Sunset Fallow]

Lyanthi watched the performance with some impatience. The whole thing with the violin and face paint left her cold. The music...of course. It was an enchantment she was using. She disliked magic users who just assumed all would appreciate whatever spell they felt like throwing around to impress people. And this was no different. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at the woman.

“Don’t assume your magic makes me go all teary eyed or that I want it cast on me. In fact, since any magic cast on me is a threat until proven otherwise, the next time it happens, you might find a dagger protruding from someplace most uncomfortable. Is that perfectly clear?” She held the woman’s gaze a moment before returning to her pack and weapons, purposely ignoring the woman until she had finished.

Reti for her part understood how Lyanthi felt. It would have been no different had she gone up to a stranger and cast a spell to daze them. She’d expect they’d be anything but amused and might even attempt to have her arrested in some of the larger cities. That this woman had done this to them, or tried with regard to both her and Lyanthi, was not impressive. It showed an utter lack of restraint and immaturity she’d seen in the younger casters, but hardly expected here.

Of course, Lyanthi was much more vocal about her displeasure. She was going to say something about not being rude to Lyanthi, but then this woman’s use of magic wasn’t all that polite either. She looked over at Zaryna but really couldn’t tell what she thought of the whole demonstration.

There was already an air of tension between Betty, or whatever her name was, and Lyanthi. Being a peacemaker wasn’t really her forte. If things got out of hand between the two, she’d have to side with her sister, but for now she’d just stay silent and hope that calm would prevail.

As for who did what...she had no idea what this woman wanted. She wanted someone fast with her hands, a beast of burden and someone to do a little face painting. As for painting...where was the materials and why? And as far as carrying stuff, that wasn’t something she was going to do. Her hands had to be free is she needed to cast. Lyanthi was very fast with her hands...probably faster than anyone she’d ever seen. But I doubt at this point Lyanthi would volunteer for anything. These people expected their cooperation and gave nothing in return.

“Well, whatever...” Maharetii mumbled, crossing her arms and sitting on the bed. The morning had started out alright but had degenerated into something that made her feel uneasy and somewhat unconvinced of the professionalism and trustworthiness of these people.

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna recovered but didn’t seem pleased either with how things were going. She did however knew how things were out here. There always were people who had seen or heard things and a description on the scene of last night probably already had been send around the city twice. And how rude the bardic magic may have appeared, through it and through what she had seen, she knew Betty was meaning well and merely wanted to show off her talent to reassure them she could lead them out without any questions raised by others out there.

“I’ll be doing the carrying… and if she doesn’t mind... Reti could do the facial painting perhaps if you give her some equipment. That leaves Lya for the ‘fast hands’ but although I can already see where this is going, what do you exactly expect from us out there?”

Betty nodded and looked at all three of them, hanging the violin over her shoulder as she stepped to the middle of the room. “We’ll be doing small perfomances on the corners of the streets. Alfonso will be telling stories while I handle the musical effects and songs during. As we move from spot to spot you carry some of our stuff, Zaryna. Meanwhile Reti and Lya draw people in with a few small side acts.”

“Side acts…?”

“Yes, whereas it is obvious Reti will be taking care of children’s faces, I’d like Lya keep some of the crowd busy with cups ‘n balls. Here, I’ll show it to ya.”

Zaryna knew beforehand that street magicians, performers who didn’t use any real magic at all, were among the best people at manipulating attention and awareness. The trick Betty performed involved three upside-down cups, empty of course, and three balls and when she placed one under each, the balls seemed to be jumping from one cup to another, disappearing from one cup and appearing in another. The sleight happened so fast and their attention was constantly at the cups and balls that they didn’t first notice how Betty secretly loaded and unloaded the cups using her sleeves until she slowed down and made them pay attention.

She winked as she brought her forefinger to her lips. “Oldest trick in tha’ books, don tell anyone.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EzMo8OQU8M

The mime showed off a few more variations on the little game and let Lyanthi experiment as the other two dressed up. Zaryna observed the clothes and cloaks they’d be wearing wouldn’t draw much attention. She shook her head some and watched a moment Betty instructing Lya. Nope, all the attention would be on the musical tales and the games, and they actually would have a certain level of credibility as street performers.

An hour later they left the Five Flagons Inn and went for the first spot somewhere on that massive bridge that connected north and south Athkatla. The perfomance didn’t last very long as there was lack of ‘interest’. Instead of heading north to the Government district, Betty was taking them south however, towards Waukeen’s Promenade.

Zaryna didn’t know if that was such a good idea as she recalled the area as a bustling place full with stalls and shops. When she softly mentioned it to Betty, the girl reassured them that there would be more eyes on places that were less convenient and less crowded.

“If we’d make a straight ‘run’ for the northern exit of this city, I’m pretty convinced we’ll find ourselves a few shadows tailing us. And every shadow is backed up by another if it would be something interesting what it is they are on to. So let’s be interesting, but not in a way that can be interesting for ‘them’. Enjoy the day, feel free to stop at the stables and buy insignificant things like food and souvenirs. Act... “ The mime grinned almost wickedly “... normal and you'll be out of the city by evening.”

A silence fell between them, persisted until they walked under a gigantic archway that gave direct access to the promenade. Though she had seen it once before, Zaryna’s jaw dropped...

[Sunset Fallow]

Hundreds of people crowded the promenade in an almost festival-like air. Stalls were crowed one next to the other and formed a huge maze where anything and everything was for sale. Reti couldn’t resist stopping to try on clothes and unusual pieces of jewelry or smile at the children as they begged to get their faces painted. Moving through the promenade and its hundreds of booths was slow and finding space to perform took time...but the crowds of people smiling and laughing, and the smell of food from the stalls cooking exotic and spicy fare was too good to ignore.

Lyanthi had found several larger colored balls and was walking along juggling with an expertise that neither of the other two woman had suspected she possessed. The smile on her face was a rare sight these last few days and one that made the other two woman laugh as they watched her display.

The real reason for their performance and slow procession was forgotten amid the bustle of the crowded thoroughfare. Each time they stopped, the woman would each begin to work the crowd, performing their acts with a proficiency that seemed natural and well-rehearsed.

For her part, Reti had abandon a long multi-colored overcoat that had concealed a scanty costume that revealed much more skin than it covered. Her painted face with a crown of laurels fastened to the tiny horns that adorned her head made her seem a fairy maiden as she moved among the crowd nearby enticing both children and adults to vie for her attention, having their faces painted or merely frolicking with the young woman in a dance that seemed exotic and playful. Though for the men, it seemed most were more interested in standing close to the scantily clad maiden to contend for her attention than having their faces painted.

Many of the men watching Lyanthi move the small balls among the cups had risked a few coins on their ability to follow her swiftly moving hands. She declined their wagers good-naturedly as most would have lost, giving those gathered a knowing smile and tiny wink as she performed. Like her twin, she used her revealing outfit and youthful allure to distract those who took up her challenge to follow the ball beneath the fast-moving cups.

Though their progress along that crowded market took the better part of the day with stops too many to count, the time passed quickly. They were nearing the end of the promenade when Betty moved closer to the three women, playing her violin to coax the crowd into a soothing and enraptured calm that drew their attention into a dream-like state.

“We’re getting close. I hope you’re all not too tired.” Betty walked between the three talking calmly just loud enough that they might hear as they made their way to yet another open spot along the promenade.

“No...not really.” Reti smiled. “But it is more work than I had imagined.”

“Lyanthi...?” Betty glanced over at Reti’s twin.

“Nope.” There was a brief pause as she turned toward Betty. “Doing okay.”

“Good, move closer to me. We’re getting near the end and if we’re going to have any trouble, it’ll be there.” Betty spoke in a hushed voice.

[Jain Zar]

Almost all that time Zaryna realised what her role was supposed to be. With not much to do but to pick up and move things as they went from spot to spot, she had the time to observe. At first she had of course watched her two lovers, amazed by how natural they had stepped into the character they were supposed to be, and sensing a feeling of deep admiration and attraction for the two. But down the way it dawned on her what she was supposed to do, or at least could do, aside from carrying things that is.

The priestess remained in the background mostly, making herself look as unimportant as possible (which she actually was!). She feigned lack of interest in her surroundings, as if the happenings on the famous Promenade were of no importance. At some point male and female dancers, probably hired by or working for the Circus, entertained the crowd. And while there had be a keen appetite for Betty’s ‘band’ at the beginning of their next performance, interest soon fell off and shifted to the large group of performers.

The feathered dancers acted out various legends peculiar to some sort of culture and were quite different from anything Zaryna was accustomed to. As they moved in the dance they seemed to create patterns that resembled figures if looking from above. As they produced these effects with their movements and their music, the dancers consummated metaphorical transformations of imagery powers and traits imbued in their feathered outfits and heavily painted bodies.

“If we want to move on, now would be a good time as no one seems to be paying attention to us anymore,” the red haired tiefling observed. She stood beside Reti and Lya, a hand resting discretely on each’s back, watching how the sun shone down on the colorful event.

But even before Betty reacted to that, the twins sensed how Zaryna’s hands froze on their backs. She murmured something but remained looking in front of her. “We are being watched… and not with eyes. I call it a faint whisper or probing of the will, a strange will. Someone is trying to get a better read on us… or rather… me...”

Zaryna did her best in order not to gag as the powers that were used were… polluted. The music of gongs and drums resounded too loudly in order to concentrate. Voices around her sounded hollow and for a moment Zaryna, who was clearly the target of whatever mental investigation that was going on, got tempted to react to this threat with magic of her own. She realised though it would be grand but ineffective as she wasn’t able to locate the source. It could be any of these people or even someone on top of those walls near the gate behind them. And then all of a sudden it was gone again, like a weight being lifted off of her shoulders.

The two other tieflings glanced at her and between her teeth Zaryna murmured,” Time to move, will tell later…”





Betty nodded and started to help Zaryna and the others pack their things, like a party that had concluded it was the end of yet another successful day, figuring it was time to retire and perhaps return later on to enjoy the ongoing events themselves. Only, they wouldn’t return. They sauntered painfully slowly down the last part of the Promenade and went through the south gate of the Athkatla.

But not before Zaryna looking over and noticing. “Hey, where’d Alfonso go?”

Betty grinned over her shoulder. “He left us already an hour ago. We’ll see him at your ship.”

The tiefling blinked. “Our ship?”

“Yep, after helping us out again, that’s the least we could do. It’ll take you to Waterdeep, Zaryna and friends, and from there you’re on your own again.”

Zaryna blinked. “Helped you again?” It dawned fast enough though on all the three of them. They just had not only smuggled themselves out, but Betty and Alfonso as well. If there even had been a threat to the three tieflings…
She didn’t know whether to thank Betty or what, but the prospect of having a ship taking them so much closer to the destiny of their trip combined with the shock of the sort-of -adventure they just had been part of, robbed her of the power of speech…

[Sunset Fallow]

If there was anything Reti had been trained to do, it was observe details; minute details, details so seemingly inconsequential that few would notice. But she did. It was what all really good mages did. When Zaryna began to feel a power probing at her, making her feel almost sick, Reti noticed. She didn’t react, but she knew.

Then when she heard that Betty had used them, again. She looked quickly at Lyanthi. She saw the scowl and shook her head quickly, trying to dissuade Lyanthi from making a scene here in this very public place. Lyanthi pursed her lips in an unpleasant expression, but then simply shook her head and sighed, giving both Zaryna and Reti a disdainful look as if saying; ‘That woman irritates me and if she keeps it up, I’ll make that little insect go away.’

Reti placed an arm around Zaryna’s waist and leaned close to whisper. “She’ll stay silent...but she’s not happy about being used again.” They both turned towards Lyanthi giving her a understanding look. It was something that Betty perhaps noticed and even understood, although nothing was said at the time.

They walked on through the crowd slowly finding their way to the south gate and the end of the large promenade. The number of people that had so crowded that walkway thinned appreciably as they exited the thoroughfare and made their way to the docks. Once at their ship and boarded, the crew made ready to push off, watching the women with curiosity as they were quickly ushered below deck.

Athkatla and the promenade were beautiful and exciting, but the tension that had plagued them from near the very time they entered that city was over. A short sea voyage to their next destination seemed a welcome reprieve from the tension of the last few days.

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna stood on deck of the Coral Slicer. Whether that ship had been seized -or- hired by Betty in order to get them out of Athkatla, Zaryna didn’t know. Betty and Alfonso had abandoned the ship in the middle of the night at the latitude of about Candlekeep or Baldur’s Gate and never really said goodbye. The four day journey north to Waterdeep had been a rather calm one and the horizon seemed full of promise. As they sailed closer towards the mainland the most important city of the North grew bigger and bigger and Zaryna could clearly make out the streets between the homes rising up against the flanks of Mount Waterdeep. The darkening sky and the many torches being lit, turned the city into a necklace of lights, sprawling from the coast all the way up against the mountain.

The Crown of the North was built on the remnants of a very ancient elven settlement, and over 100.000 people had made it their home. Known for being a great trading site and ruled by the secret Lords of Waterdeep who found support with the countless guilds and nobility, the city had flourished and rather became more and more advanced. To Zaryna’s surprise it had advanced rather a lot. Never before had she seen so many ships sailing in and out the Great Harbor, and the number of shipyards and warehouses most certainly had grown expansively since the last time she was here. They even had to drop anchor and wait their turn before a smaller ship with a navigator and some guards would be free to lead them in the harbor.

Meanwhile the twin had joined her on the deck. She giggled a bit as it most certainly had taken the two some time before showing up here. Zaryna however didn’t mind at all, and she was rather happy with the two learning to know each other better. And after all, they were sisters. She wrapped an arm around each and together they looked a moment at the city behind the massive seagate.

“I think you two will love it here… if you never been here before that is?” Zaryna looked from Reti to Lya. “I’d say we allow ourselves three or four days here before heading north. It’ll be about two hundred forty miles or so to Neverwinter and from there about fourty to my former home.” She watched them warmly as a gentle evening breeze played with their hair and she admired their outfits...

[Sunset Fallow]

It’s not often we find happiness or that our life becomes more than what we hoped. Maharetii gazed out over the distant shoreline, one hand holding the rail against the slight motion of the ship beneath them, the other wrapped tightly around the waist of her twin. To each side stood a woman whom she loved.

Their destination slid past in a verdant display of landscape and buildings that covered the ground and reached out into the water as if something nearly alive in its spread. The time they had spent on the ship had been relaxing. Even Lyanthi seemed eager to make landfall and explore the city that lay before them in all its sprawling glory and veiled intrigue.

“I do hope you have a place in mind for us to stay that doesn’t involve recuing secretive misfits.” Lyanthi looked askance at Zaryna.

“Now Lyanthi...” Maharetii assumed a motherly tone. “It wasn’t as if that was all planned...and you know that. So be good.”

“I’m teasing...” Lyanthi’s sarcastic reply was accompanied by a quick squeeze and wide smile.

“Well, yes, I understand. But in every little acerbic remark lies a hint of truth. Besides, we’re here because we wanted a little adventure, right?” Maharetii persisted in her gentle remonstration.

“Fine...then I’ll say it without the sarcasm. Where are we staying? How far is it from the docks? Is it in a well-traveled area where we can reasonably assume we will not be accosted? If you do not have an intended place, then can you tell us now and explain where you intend to look and what we should expect. Is that better?” Lyanthi placed her hands on the rail and leaned forward. “You want to lead...then lead.”

“LYANTHI..!” Maharetii turned to her twin, her eyes wide and glaring. “What is the problem with you today? You want to pick a fight...then wait till we get on shore. I’m sure there are several dock workers just itching to go one-on-one with a pretty little tiefling. And as far as maligning Zaryna...just don’t. She’s our friend and more...hummm?” She grabbed Lyanthi by the shoulders and turned her twin to look at her. “Look at me...”

It all happened so quickly. Lyanthi was holding the rail, then turned as Maharetii pulled on her shoulders. Lyanthi’s gaze was far off and unfocused as she slid forward into Maharetii’s arms and then limply to the ground. Her skin had become cold and pale, her breathing rapid and shallow.

“Lyanthi...” Maharetii shook Lyanthi as she lay on the deck, muscle spasms now wracking her body. “LYANTHI...oh god. Zaryna, help me.”

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna had listened to Lyanthi with a slight frown and a half smile, slightly uncertain if the tiefling was serious or not. But when Lyanthi collapsed to the floor, the priestess was quick, very quick to assist. The lounging and bored crew, unemployed and at loose hands because of the waiting times to enter the harbor, immediately had jumped up and started gathering around the three, anticipating with their gaze what was happening with one of their passengers for whom they got paid well for. It was probably all meant well...

The red haired tiefling however, who had slid one arm carefully under Lya’s head, briefly glanced up. “Back off…” It didn’t sound like a polite ‘please’ but rather urgent and blunt, and coming from her perhaps a trifle rude for her normal way of acting. And if their had been any doubt to the intonation of her voice, when some didn’t immediately step down, Zaryna looked sternly up at them and her voice had lost all its grace when she lashed out. “I said… back off! Reti… help me hold her head up so I can get a closer look.”

It surprised even herself how she just had reacted towards the crew but she had other things on her mind right now than starting to apologize and reassuring people she wasn’t like this at all. Perhaps later since right now there was someone she loved in trouble.

Zaryna, now kneeling on the gently rising and falling deck of the Coral Slicer turned back to Lya, checking her life vital signs, the tiefling’s earlier utterances completely forgotten and forgiven. Well, not entirely, cause what was going on with Lyanthi? Had she gotten herself just a trifle too agitated or…?
Zaryna wasn’t a healer-priestess but she understood the magic they used. The only information that was missing was which spell to apply. She would also have to look some things up.

“Reti… I’m sorry, but can you please go get my backpack from our cabine? And hurry back.”

Meanwhile Zaryna murmured the words of a spell she had studied thoroughly over the past weeks, a spell initially meant to cover any seasickness. While awaiting Reti’s return this remove disease was the only thing she could do for her.

“Ma’am…” a male voice rumbled.

“I -said-....” Zaryna’s eyes flickered as she looked up sternly at some old moustached man looming over them.

He tipped his hat and had this disarming look. “Alex Walters, ma’am… ship’s surgeon. Few of th’ men came over to tell…” He motioned to Lya’s lifeless body. “Care if I take a look? Looks bad on the captain if one of ‘is passengers grew ill on his ship, and I just have sworn to help people in need.”

Zaryna nodded,” Of course, yes, please.”

And as Alex started to check the same things Zaryna had done, Reti came running back with the backpack in her hand.

The surgeon took out an instrument Zaryna recognized as a stethoscope and listened after placing it against Lya’s chest. Zaryna waited anxiously for him to locate any problems so that they could come up with a proper treatment. “Reti… find my blue book and look for the section curative agents and other remedies.” Meanwhile the red haired tiefling took a closer look at Lya’s skin color and touched her forehead.

[Sunset Fallow]

The man claimed to be a healer. “I’m not quite the wielder of magic as you or your friend, Miss. But I can do a fair job of it.” He lifted the stethoscope from Lyanthi’s chest. Zaryna watched then as he took various instruments from a small satchel. He gently rolled Lyanthi to one side and inspected all of her exposed skin.

“Lads,” he nodded to a couple of the crew who had moved several feet away, “Get me a couple of blankets and a small crate.” He then proceeded to look in Lyanthi’s eyes and ears, opened her mouth to look and smell, listened at and palpated her neck and abdomen, then pressing more deeply.

Meanwhile the small crate and blankets had arrived. “Lift her feet for me, would ya, lass.?” Then the surgeon placed Lyanthi’s lower legs and feet on the crate then covered her with a blanket. He then motioned Zaryna to the side away from the crew. As he saw Reti return, she also joined them.

He spoke in a hushed tone. “She’s not doing well. She’s in shock...not sure why. But it’s very bad. If we don’t fix whatever’s wrong, I doubt she’ll last the day.” They both stared, somewhat incredulous at the grim diagnosis.

Reti moved closer to the surgeon. “Shock...what...what do you mean? Please...she can’t die!” Reti gripped the surgeon’s forearm with both hands.

The Surgeon nodded at Reti, patting her hand. “Reti, isn’t it? Well...Reti...she’s in a bad way. I kin tell ya I’ve seen this before an’ we need to find what is causing this an’ quickly. So what I need you two to do is go to her room, look to see if you can find any things he might have taken or eaten.” He looked at Zaryna then. “An’ Miss Zaryna, if you could cast on her the strongest spell of healing an’ restoration you know once each hour, that’ll slow the effects of what’s happening to her...and a spell to eliminate poison, if ya know em.” The surgeon then moved to return to Lyanthi, but stopped and tuned back to the two Tieflings.

“But, ummm...before you go, I kin tell you what’s not causing this. She’s young, so I doubt it’s her heart, she’s not bleeding that I kin tell, an’ internal bleeding can cause this, but from the history and physical, I doubt that. She could have a severe allergy like reaction, or sepsis, an infection that’s in her blood, or finally something that’s affecting her brain, nerves or certain substances in her body...or magic.” He said the last as if a question left hanging between them.

[Jain Zar]

Of course Zaryna knew those spells, she knew all the spells, but just lacked the sharpened analytical skills on the medical part, something which the surgeon could offer. In the past she had helped more than once people with injuries, but those had been often obvious and easy to detect. Now given some direction she whispered the required blessings and though hating it to leave Lyanthi behind, after brushing the unconscious tiefling’s forehead she followed Reti quickly to the cabine they had shared. Both women rummaged through the luggage while they considered what they ate in the past days. They rather quickly concluded it couldn’t have been the food or the drinks as at least one of them had consumed the same as Lyanthi. Poison was probably out of the question. So it had to be mental, or magic….
After those first few minutes of searching it struck Zaryna, but Reti was already even ahead of her. Rather distressed Reti was holding the jewelry Lya usually wore. Zaryna moved over to her and together they took a closer look at them.

“Could it be…” Zaryna mumbled.

“Definitely…” Reti replied. “I still wouldn’t know the… exact cause, but I have a feeling one of these may work. These immunities are covering the spectrum of mind affecting spells, magical damage and a certain level of spell resistance.”

“Given the impressive wards on these as well…” Zaryna was turning over one of Lya’s rings,”... the chance is rather high…” Zaryna agreed and together they huried back to their mutual lover. Why Lyanthi always had such powerful and expensive wards permanently on her was a mystery to Zaryna, but it was a question that would have to wait. For some reason though she wondered if Reti had any suspicions herself.
As they returned to the deck and put on Lya’s items, overhead seagulls gathered high in the air, scattering their cries and flying in circles... as if a sign they had done the right thing.


In reality, the Coral Slicer was preparing to sail through the passage and into the harbor. Ropes, of which some thick as an arm, squeaked when stretched by the ship’s canvas. The salty wind and the rising tide, like as if the ocean was breathing out, drove them into Deepwater Harbor and far past the strong currents of an unfathomably aquatic chasm known as Umberlee’s Cache. Merfolk Guards watched how the ship carefully sailed past the rift in which locals each year donated thousands of gold coins to the Bitch Queen, praying for the ships to stay safe on the seas. At the edge of the rift stood a light house of which Zaryna knew its light was actually sunlight that was magically transmitted to a crystal, absorbing the energy and releasing it for hours even with the sun gone.

When closing in on the harbor itself there was a revolving crowd of vessels, small and gigantic, either arriving or leaving with flapping sails. The swarm of cranes and people loading and unloading the ships at the quays made them wonder if there would be any room to land soon, and that is when Zaryna started worrying again. Together with Reti she had made it Lyanthi as comfortable as possible, her arms around both her lovers. Silently the red haired tiefling leaned over and pecked Lya softly on the lips...

[Sunset Fallow]

Maharetii looked up from Lyanthi to watch as they entered the bay. A fine mist rose from the prow of the ship, driven by the prevailing winds, it swirled haphazardly across the deck and riggings. Reti wiped sea water from Lyanthi’s face as she lay on the deck unmoving. She held Lyanthi’s hand in her own as if willing her own life’s energy into that of her unconscious twin.

The ship’s surgeon had taken the items the tieflings found and was now inspecting them. He spoke without looking up. “I don’t want this to sound abrupt...but I need the two of you to step away from this woman.” He looked up at the two tieflings.

“Nay...it’s not what you think and please, be quick...just to the other side of the deck.” He waved his hands at them. “Now...please...go!”

The two reluctantly rose and moved off to the other side of the ship’s deck and watched, their arms holding tight to each other. The surgeon held a stethoscope to Lyanthi’s chest, listening for several minutes as the two stood nervously.

The surgeon looked up and yelled across the deck. “She’s doing better...” Then waved at the two as they made to return. “Nay...I didn’t say to come close.” He stood and walked over to them. “I don’t understand it nor will I ever, I’m guessing. But it’s one of you two that’s the cause o’ this.” Reti’s head dropped as she sighed heavily.

The surgeon nodded slightly at Maharetii. “You..?” The surgeon paused. “Is it a curse or something...she’s your sister, I’m guessing. Maybe a twin?”

Maharetii nodded without looking up. “Something like that...and yeah, my twin.”

“And the items, those magical trinkets of hers, they protect her?” The surgeon asked.

“I didn’t see she wasn’t wearing them...I should have. I’ve known for weeks...months.” Maharetii sounded forlorn in her guilt.

“And ya haven’t told her...have ya now?” The surgeon leaned low to peek into Reti’s face.

“Noooo...” Maharetii nearly whispered.

“Well, I’ve replaced the items on her and she should recover nicely. She’s quite strong; amazingly strong, really. I think that curse or whatever is on her and you, I’d wager, is meant to kill.” He looked at Maharetii again closely. “And you...you’re warded?” It was more a question.

Maharetii nodded.

The surgeon watched Maharetii and then continued. “It’ll be an hour or so before she’s up an’ about. Keep her warm for now, as best you can. When she wakes, move her to the cabins but not until she wakes. We’ll be in port for a couple of days...take your time. Don’t rush her and keep those trinkets on her.”

Maharetii clung to Zaryna protectively, her head resting on Zaryna’s shoulder.

“You can go over ta her...she should be fine.” The surgeon stuck his hands in his pockets, his satchel hanging from one arm as he wandered off. “I’ll be in me cabin if ya need me.”

“I’m sorry.” Maharetii whispered to Zaryna after the surgeon had left.

[Jain Zar]

“Nothing to sorry about, Reti. But you will have to tell me what you know. Though not here.”

Zaryna glanced over the deck at the crew swarming about, making final preparations effcient and orderly, their objective being to manoeuvre their ship between two other vessels with only a very restricted swinging room. Watchkeepers on the quays carefully monitored any change in the wind, one of the conditions that could turn this mooring into a catastrophe. They did so not because they cared much about damage itself done to any vessel, but rather because they earned a commission based on the number of ships -and their cargo- that moored on their stone quay wall. Damaged, and more specifically sinking ships were best to be avoided if they wanted to receive their weekly wage.

While the ship slowly paralleled the berth, cables and chains making it spin around its anchor, Zaryna made a decision on their next step. As soon as Lya would wake up they would bring her ashore instead of staying on the ship. They would stay for a few days in the oldest ward of the city. It was rumored to be lawless, a place for drunks, beggars and smugglers, pretty much like Athkatla but Zaryna knew better. As long as you’d stay away from the alleys, didn’t go for a walk in the night and knew the ‘right’ establishments they would be just fine.

She knew a perfect place for them to stay here in the Dock ward. ‘Warm Beds’ in Ship Street was a quiet establishment that delivered exactly what its name said. Every bed was heated by large warm stones and warm water would be available for washing purposes. For food they could always check the Sleeping Wench. There might be some dancing on the tables but at least the place had a better class of clientele than most around. There would be some music but conversations were perfectly possible. At least last time when she was here.

The House of Healing was for now too far up the High Road, an inland trade route that connected Waterdeep with Luskan and partially ran through this city. The House of Healing was a place Zaryna remembered well, right across the market. The people there might be able to look into the nature of this curse, and even though they may not be able to lift it, their analysis could be vital for later. Zaryna wanted to learn everything… if the twins agreed.

As crew members scuried forward along the deck, peeking over the side and looking for the lines to moor the ship to the quay, Zaryna explained her plans to Reti. She underlined it would also be like having a little vacation... for all of them. She intended to stay at least a week until she was sure Lya had recovered and they all three had been able to enjoy themselves a little…

[Sunset Fallow]

The morning sun though warm and inviting at first, became oppressively hot as the day wore on. Lyanthi roused from her stupor, pushing the crate from beneath her feet and throwing the blanket to one side.

“Hot...” Lyanthi mumbled as her eyes opened.

“Zaryna! Lyanthi’s awake.” Maharetii called over to Zaryna.

Zaryna had gotten her and Reti breakfast and was waiting for Lyanthi to wake, talking with the crew as Reti watched over Lyanthi. As soon as she could walk, they’d move her to a place ashore. Reti wasn’t sure that having Lyanthi walking so far and so soon was such a good idea, but Zaryna seemed unconcerned.

“How are you doing, sweetie?” Reti shaded Lyanthi’s face from the morning sun.

“I’m okay.” She looked at her hands and the rings they had replaced. She pursed her lips, then spoke. “What happened? I don’t remember much.”

Reti took her sisters hand and squeezed. “You were acting strangely, then passed out.” Reti touched the amulet on Lyanthi’s neck. “Do you remember saying anything or what you felt?”

Lyanthi stared for a moment. “Sick and a bit anxious...like something was wrong. I don’t know why, just did.”

“We need to talk about that later, okay? Can you sit up?”

Lyanthi rose onto her elbows. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Alright. Go slow and we’ll move into the shade near the cabins.” Reti helped her stand and saw she still moved unsteadily.

They moved slowly to a place shaded from the sun between the ship’s rail and the cabin bulkhead and were about to sit when Lyanthi lurched suddenly to the rail, vomiting. Reti followed quickly and held her sister. “Lyanthi...”

“I’m fine...better now.” Lyanthi panted as she leaned over the rail. “Can I have some water?”

“Sure, come sit.” Reti pulled gently on Lyanthi.

Zaryna had come across the deck and was standing near Maharetii. “She’s doing better...walking and puking.” Reti laughed sarcastically. “We should be able to move in a few minutes. She wants some water, if you could get it for us Zaryna?”