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Silverymoon Lining
Luca, Cerin, and Stormwind stepped through a door of space back into Silverymoon where Danforth was waiting for them. He was old, but still of solid build and ruggedly handsome with silvering sandy hair, brown eyes that looked more like smoky quartz, and a light brown beard that was well-groomed. …For a ranger, anyway. "What kept you, Onyx?" he asked, with age adding a slight rasp to his usually smooth cello baritone. Luca chuckled with a meek, gentle smile and a glint in his silvered sapphire eyes. "Well, time flies when you aren't being hated or chased out." The elder smirked a little. "Is that so?" He added before his expression grimmed. Luca studied his face for a moment before reading the story in Danforth's eyes. "What happened?" He asked in a respectful tone that restrained his simmering rage. "It's better if you hear it firsthand; brother Cahess wanted to tell you himself and make sure you don't fly off the handle." Luca paled as he stared at Danforth in shocked bewilderment. His teacher usually always talked down to him on days he did well in practice and tolerated the berating when he messed up. This was not the sour, unpersonable hermit he remembered, nor was this an ordinary situation. After a moment or two of letting the elf gawp at him dazedly, Danforth finally ordered, "Pick up your damn jaw and get your disguise on; we're going to Helm's Hold." Luca shook his head to put himself back together, then did as was asked. "Golden star, light afar." he called with a flourish of his left hand that he pulled down over his face and his appearance shifted from Silver Drow, to true Elven. The four of them then started the trek to Helm's Hold in Silverymoon, with Luca's worry and anxiety starting to eat him alive. A half day's journey brought the quartet to the gates of the great Elven city. Before they were questioned by the guards, Luca froze as the sensation of being watched came over him. A dark, gentle voice spoke to his mind. "I've been watching you a while, dark one, but worry not. You differ greatly from the black ones." Luca relaxed his grip on his swords and decided to carry on a conversation. He focused on the voice and answered, "I'll decide if you're a friend or foe when I see you; show yourself or be hunted." A deep chuckle was heard to his right and he spun toward it with his swords drawn and spotted a large black cat slowly walking toward him. Danforth heard Luca's swords and excused himself from the guards to see what the elf was riled over. "You didn't draw your-" He was cut short by the sight of the now faintly striped big cat walking toward them. The veteran ranger tried to dominate the big cat, it growled loud and low. Luca held his hand out to stop his teacher, then walked up to meet the strangely intelligent beast. "Don't expect me to save you if he cops an attitude." Danforth called. Luca smiled back and returned with, "He won't; he was speaking to me a moment ago." After conversing with the tiger, he learned it had no name. "I think Kyanite would suit you best." Luca declared after thinking a moment. The big cat tilted his head and asked, "Why that?" "You remind me of it." The tiger chuffed at Luca and smiled the way cats smile after a quick nod. "Kyanite I am, then." After reluctantly having his new friend wait in the wood, Luca went through the gate and into the city. "What in the name of Cyric were you thinking?!" Danforth hissed while they marched through the streets. Luca sighed through his nose and answered, "Good Veteran, wasn't that exactly how Stormwind chose you? And Cerin chose me?" "Whatever! If she did get nasty with you at first, you still could've handled yourself and the bird can't carry anything bigger than a rabbit. The only cat I've ever seen that can take down an ogre is a Dire Tiger and you never want to press your luck with a wild one. There's something very strange with that cat." "And, he looked at me just like Cerin did; he admired me for some reason." The wolf made an uncertain sound and looked up at her friend. Luca smiled lightly at her and reassured her. "Don't you worry, though; we've been through too much for me to forget about you. I'm also a little apprehensive about Kyanite." They reached the temple in short order and were warmly but grimly welcomed by the Helmites. "Luca, Danforth; be welcome as always in spite of our mourning." The bald, slightly round man was only as tall as Luca and looked him right in the eye. "The black owl dropped a feather on your doorstep; brother Cahess wants to see you alone." Luca felt his chest grow tight and nodded. "Come, Cerin." The cleric looked back and stopped them. "Dear brother, you know the rules; she is not allowed inside the father's chambers." The wolf glared at him as sorrow forced anger into Luca's eyes, tinging them with wisps of garnet. "Cerin follows wherever I tread. If she isn't allowed, neither am I." he snapped. "Artuehr, let 'em go; he has enough trouble without you putting more on his mind." The priest composed himself and nodded to Danforth. "Very well; follow me." Luca calmed himself with a worried sigh and the red that crept into his eyes faded. At that, the Silver Drow and his companion followed brother Artuehr to meet with Father Corbret.
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Permalink Reply by layla on
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Lunabell makes it through the door and ended up in a strange new world. A name came to mind, Helm's Hold. She concentrated once more on Luca and found herself standing just outside a temple. Being a spirit and having no body to hold you back comes in handy when you have a temple that's well guarded. She enters through a wall of the temple to find several chambers. Maybe she'll just have to keep going through wall after wall until i find him, or maybe she can concentrate on Luca once more and end up where he is. That's the hope. She tries again. When she opened her eyes again, she's in a chamber with 3 others." I wonder if they can see me. Only one other person has been able to see me." "I hope I can help him." she thought. She waited for a chance to do something useful.
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Permalink Reply by Driretlan on
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Cerin's ears pricked in alarm and she made a nervous grumble. It caught Luca's attention and he looked for what might have startled his companion. Brother Artuehr noticed too and looked back to see what spirit had intruded his sanctuary. "What brings you here, child?" The priest's tone was soft and careful, but demanded an answer. "Brother, I've sensed this before. I sensed someone was looking for me that they might help." Artuehr threw the elf a quizzical look. "It may have told you that, but until someone with experience can tell you definitively, you must pay the apparition no mind." Luca narrowed his eyes with as much respect as he was able. "I am disparate from the black elves, but their work with the dark arts has given me a heritage that lets me speak to spirits and best discern their intent. I despise them as much as any, but they have many valuable skills, of which I use some for good." Luca then called out to the arrival. "I believe it was you who were searching for me to aid. Be welcome as an ally; what is your name?"
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Hearing no answer but still feeling the presence, Luca called to it again. "I will be listening for you, then. Safe travels." he said with a small bow. He turned to brother Artuehr and nodded to get them going again. The priest nodded in return with a wary look toward the general direction of the apparition, then turned and led Luca and Cerin the rest of the way to the Father's Chamber. An old but well-built man sat behind a desk answered the knock at his door. "Who comes?" The man's voice was husky and soft, revealing the will of a fighter and compassion of a cleric. Luca stared in wonder at the door as though he recognized the man speaking. "'Tis I, brother Artuehr, bringing Luca Bittrell and his companion." Artuehr nearly spat the last word and Cerin gave him a hard look. The other man answered, "Mind your tone, Ifano; send them in." "At once, Father." the priest meekly answered. Luca's eyebrows shot up; he knew that voice and the face behind it. The lock clicked open and Ifano swung the door open. Father Zachary Cahess looked at the ranger and smiled gently as he waved the two in. Ifano chimed in, "Forgive me, Father; I couldn't stop-" "Would you refuse entry to a druid's familiar?" Ifano looked down, humbled. "No; I would bring them, too." "Then, you do not refuse one of a ranger; especially one who is Silver Drow. They are already persecuted enough. You are excused." "Yes, father." Ifano then bowed and shut the door behind him. After settling his shock, Luca finally managed to ask, "How did you become the ordained?" Father Cahess chuckled a little and answered, "Such is a story for another time, I'm afraid." His expression grimmed and Luca knew exactly what happened. "The Drow abducted Father Corbret." Zachary looked at him quizzically and confirmed with a nod. "You can tell me how you discerned that later. Presently, however, I have worse news than that." Luca narrowed his eyes in surprise and bewilderment. "All due respect, Father, but what would be worse than having my fears confirmed?" Cahess sighed heavily in regret and answered, "The fact that you are to be excommunicated because of the circumstances." while being barely able to look the elf in the eye. Luca could hide his feelings no longer. "What?!" he shouted as his eyes started to turn white. Zachary slowly rose from his desk and answered him calmly. "I understand your feelings, but please hear me out. The only reason this has to be done is because of how you are most often judged. We both know that very few people choose to look past your skin and see only your heritage. The risk of war within the church or even between the gods is too great to have a Silver Drow in our ranks." Cerin let out a small whine as she laid at Luca's feet, while the elf sorrowfully looked down. Father Cahess gave him a warm smile. "But, Helm will not abandon you, nor will I, and my friends are of my choosing." Luca met the priest's eyes again, his own now a dark, vivid sapphire. "What will that say of you, though?" "Let others think what they will; all of us can attest to your character with written proof, as can Danforth, even with all his cynicism. Once everything is sorted through and it's proven that you have no allegiance to Lolth, you will be welcomed back." Luca's eyes began to show silver again as inspiration struck and he devised a small plan. "What if I brought him back? Before the Drow can start their evil plans?" Father Cahess was taken aback. "Luca, they could do worse to you! How do you even plan on getting close to him?" "I've already thought of that." Luca replied with a smile. It faded quickly, though, when he came to a terrifying realization…
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"My name is Lunabell. i got word of your much needed help from the tavern. I pray I can be of use to you,sir"
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Father Cahess suddenly looked past Luca, sensing another presence in the room. The other two did also, with Cerin raising her ears and smiling with a couple thwaps of her tail. Luca also recognized the voice, and sweetened his voice as much as he could to answer. "Well met, Lunabell; I, too, pray you can help and I might know how." Father Cahess looked at the elf strangely. "You know this spirit?" Luca looked to the priest and nodded. "I sensed her before; she must have come to the tavern I went to after me, but I left a note with the innkeeper there and she answered the call." Cahess glared through the space next to Luca, then back at him. "Be careful, as not all spirits will help even if they seem friendly." Luca smiled at him and answered, "Who better than a necromancer to tell what a spirit's intent is?" Father Cahess eyed him warily, then shook his head. "Necromancy always corrupts; don't do it." Luca challenged his friend by looking him deep in the eye. "The stain of a necromancer is inimitable and indelible; look into my eyes and tell me I have." The priest averted the gaze and nodded to the elf. "I know you and know that you never would, but I must caution you on using the gifts of the black elves; please, be careful."
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"Please know that i mean no harm to any one. Let me know what you need and I will do my best to occomadate."
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Luca smiled at the reassurance the spirit offered. "I understand; I sensed that already. Others are less likely to be as trusting as I am, though." His expression grimmed as he thought back on his epiphany from earlier. "What I think you can do presently is to find Silmawen Gend. She, too, is a Silver Drow like me and leads a group known as the Black Doves. I need you to tell her that all Silver Drow are in grave danger from the Valsharess; she should remember me and she will know what you're talking about. It's imperative that she's told as soon as we can manage."
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" I will do the best that i can kind sir"Do You know where I can find her?"
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Luca thought for a minute and answered, "Last I remember, she started for the port town of Luskan, but one of the Elven Black Doves - not a Silver Drow - is in Ten-Towns far to the north. Her name is Threng Viluisurr; she's a master thief and assassin. You have my thanks and I pray you find one of them quickly." Father Cahess became utterly puzzled at this exchange. "Now would be a good time to tell me how you discovered the black elves' plans." Luca turned back to him and nodded. "At a tavern in the Crossroads, I found a patron was abducted by a spell. I checked it and found that Lolth had sent an agent of hers - whether Drow or something else - to take him to a secret spell chamber in one of the Underdark's cities. There is a ritual the Valsharess can use to eliminate an enemy of the Drow - be it a group, a few powerful individuals, or perhaps even a god, so long as she acts in concert with Lolth." Father Cahess thought on this information a while, then his eyes widened when he came to the same conclusion as Luca. "She means to use Father Corbret to eliminate the Silver Drow…" His words trailed off and Luca nodded grimly. "So, it could be wiser to keep closer ties to an adversary, or one who is very much like them." The priest let out a small, bitter chuckle through a half smile and returned, "You could well be right in this case, Luca; I will consider it, but I will need to speak with Silmawen personally."
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Lunabell enters this strange world once more, responding to a call she heard from Luca. She makes her way to where she left her friend. She finds herself back in the chamber where she left Luca. She searching, now, for his large feline friend, Kyanite. She approaches Luca and announces her return." Hello, friend. I heard your call from in the tavern. I have returned as you requested." What can I do for you now,kind sir?"
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Luca hears the voice again and answers, "Perhaps my friend, Kyanite, could help you best. He may know best where to find Silmawen and you can find him on the outskirts of the city. Be sure you also tell him that I sent you."
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