Session 43

Feeps, at least one Maziel, Beck, Lysandra and I plane-shifted to the Feywild. The others went to Hestavar.

In the Summer Court, we stopped close to the Sun of Leaves, the Fey Queen's palace.

“I'm heading off to make contact with Ellistraee,” Maziel declared already walking away. “Let's meet back here in an hour or so.”

“Can I come?” Beck asked, stepping forward.

I saw Maziel hesitate, then shrug; the two moved out of sight.

I clapped my hands together. “Alright, well, we get the less exciting task of talking to family,” I finshed, looking at Feeps. I was mostly here to transport us, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask my mom if she knew anything about her deceased husband's life. Viceak had managed to run a kingdom and be an Arch Magic on the side, and while my mother had some notion of what he had been up to, nothing was revealed until I found him dead. I think the only one who really knew about Viceak’s secret life was my biological father, Elroar, but their friendship crumpled with the truth of my parentage.

We strolled through the grounds until we reached the private grove of titanic trees that served as the homes of noble fey. I found my mother's house, climbed up the trunk’s spiral staircase, wavered at the door, then knocked. There was shock on Irielya's face when she opened the door to find her daughter and company waiting. The confusion quickly dissolved into a bright smile as she pulled me into an embrace.

“Taelim,” she said simply, squeezing me softly.

“Hi Mom...can we come in?”

We sat in the parlor as my mother played host, passing out tea and snacks. There was a jaunt to her step, but I couldn’t shake the feeling she was terribly lonely here, despite friends and distant family.

“My dear Feep,” she beamed at my warforged guardian, patting his hand affectionately. She stopped at Lysandra, holding out a cup for her. “I don't believe we've had the pleasure. Irielya.”

Lysandra glanced at me as if to ask, What do I say?

In that moment I realized I had no idea what we were. Friends? Lovers? I wanted her to myself, sure, but did she? Even with Killian removed from the picture, I had a whole lot of apologizing still to do.

I opened my mouth, unable to answer, and my mother’s curious stare settled on me.

Lysandra smiled and took the tea. “I’m a compatriot of Taelim.”

My mother nodded once as she took a seat across from us, watching me. Waiting. I got the feeling she knew there was more to that statement. She always seemed to know when I was hiding something. “How are things in Illium, Taelim? Have you amended things with Killian?”

Yeap, there she goes, forcing the truth out of me. To be fair, she probably hadn't heard of my public removal from the throne.

I locked eyes with my mother and answered unapologetically. “No, I've abdicated the throne and broken off the engagement. Killian gave me a choice: marry him and settle down, or leave to adventure. I chose the latter. If he wants to play king and be a coward, that's on him, the rest of the world needs help.”

The room fell silent, and I permitted myself a peek at Lysandra who was eyeing me quizzically. I hadn't had time to tell you properly, I thought miserably. It's been one thing after another.

“Whatever makes you happy,” my mother said at last, almost willing me to be. She leaned back in her chair and smiled. If anyone knew what it was like to marry someone you didn’t love, it was her.

I laughed softly. “In time, I hope. Anyway, as much as I wish this was a social call, I have a question for you. It's a long shot, but...Viceak had this book...it creates these collars but it's gone missing. Do you remember anyone peculiar who might know its origin?”

Irielya frowned, sighing almost to herself. After a long moment, she shook her head. “I'm afraid not, he was a secretive man, it was one of our many...issues.” She seemed to chew on the matter, then, “But Elroar might. I could reach out to him...”

There was something shy about the way she mentioned my father, as if they hadn't had an affair and were in love all those years ago. Did she still keep away after everything that happened? Now, a different thought occurred to me, and I tried not to sound too enthusiastic.

“Do you think he'd travel here if you asked? He's a druid, so he has much of the same abilities I do…”

The notion caught my mother off guard, and after a short time she replied. “I'll try...” she got up quickly and walked out of the room.

“Taelim.” Feeps tried to pry my intentions out.

“Just go with it,” I said.

She still loves him. I grinned to myself all the while as we waited for her to return with the news. My father was en route.

Admittedly, things were slightly awkward at first, all long pauses and averted eyes. At some point I pulled my father aside to talk freely so my mother could catch up with Feeps without pressure.

“I'm not sure if mom told you why we called…?”

Eloar shook his head, curious but careful.

“You know how Viceak had those collars…?” I started tentatively.

He groaned loudly. This was not his favorite topic, he felt passionately about seeing them all destroyed.

“It's not what you think,” I added. “There was a book in his library, but it's gone missing. Now someone is using it to make more. Is there anyone who might have information about it?”

Elroar's rugged features were unreadable. Granted, I hadn't really gotten the chance to know him well, he had basically watched his daughter grow up from afar, raised by another.

“Dad,” I pleaded, the title catching his attention, endearing me. “I want to destroy the collars and the book.” I said at last, and now I could see surprise register in his face. He knew I had wanted to pursue Viceak's magi role, but not to what degree.

He sighed. “If anyone would know, it's the Magus of Night, the Inculabram that resides in the Shadowfell. He taught your father many things that shouldn't have been learned.”

I beamed at him, and despite his best efforts, he smiled back. “I'll fix this, don't worry.” I offered.

Elroar nodded, ”I'm...proud of you.”

“Is that because you know I broke up with Killian?”

He laughed brusquely. “Maybe.” Then peered back into the room at Irielya, then Lysandra. “Who's your friend, Taelim?”

Now it was my turn to sigh dejectedly. “She’s…” I stopped, trying to gather my feelings truthfully, “...someone I want to introduce as...more than a friend. If I can figure my shit out. Why is everything so complicated?”

His arms were suddenly around me, and it felt like being hugged by a bear. “You'll figure it out.” He placed something over my head as he pulled away.

I blinked down at the necklace hanging there; within a tiny glass container strange liquid swirled. It shifted in a disoriented manner.

“To help you figure your shit out,” he said gruffly.

“Thanks,” I said, momentarily mesmerized. I lifted my head and gestured to my mother. “You know, she's single again. What are you waiting for?”

Elroar flushed, then looked at my mother. In that moment I thought I glimpsed hope, was he really waiting on a blessing? I had years and booze to get over the truth behind their actions, and now, frankly, I knew better. Staring at Lysandra, I realized I could even relate.

“Before I go, there's something you should know.” I leaned into his ear and whispered a single, strange word. “That will shatter the collars Viceak designed. Never forget it.”

Elroar's eyes widened, then I patted him playfully on the arm and walked into the parlor. “Time to go! We're supposed to meet back up with Maziel before she sends a hunting party.”

My mother stood to embrace me, and as I kissed her goodbye, in Sylvan I said, “Give him another chance.”

Irielya's eyes narrowed, then she addressed the lot of us. “I was going to ask you all to stay for supper, but well...Elroar, you're more than welcome.”

Again, Elroar blushed furiously, then nodded. “It'd be my pleasure…”

“And we're off!” I called back, still smiling as I shut the door behind me.

Maziel looked pissed. Well, more so than usual. She all but stomped over, throwing her hands in the air. “We were right, Ellistraee thinks something is trying to manipulate us into using the god-kill boon I have to end Torog.” The drow snorted. “You know, since I didn't use it on Lolth.”

“I thought Graz'zt was using Torog.” I replied back.

“But why? Are we being baited?” was all Maziel gave back.

I shrugged, “I don't know, let's head back to Illium and see what the other group learned. After, I want to head to the Shadowfell.”

Maziel's face fell, and I recounted my father's confession. That only seemed to fluster her more. She raised her gaze skyward. “Before we go, I was hoping to head somewhere nearby. I had this nightmare of drow invading a prestigious academy, but I think it was real….I  want to know what became of it.”

Weird, I had a nightmare last night too, I just can't remember. “How far is it?” I said instead.

“If it's the one I'm thinking of, that's a trek, Maziel.” Lysandra added.

“Damn…” Maziel growled, crossing her arms.

“A trek…” I continued, undeterred. “But walking or flying?”

For a heartbeat, they all looked at me as if to question my logic. Then it dawned on them—I’m the party druid.

“Right then,” Lysandra amended. “What do you have in mind for all of us?”

“I'm thinking another dragon, as long as no one casts Feeblemind.”

All that remained was the shell of a building sitting atop a lonely hill in the middle of a forest. While the others set to exploring the remains, I sat on my haunches watching the forest line. Nothing about this felt right. 

Maziel was convinced her dream was real, and in it, something was taken—the reason for this academy being raided and pillaged in the first place. We just didn't know what.

Movement caught my eye at the base of the hill. A humongous brown bear with strange glyphs on his fur shambled into view. Unabashed, it stared me down until I finally got up and lumbered over.

“Why are you in my realm, dragon?” the bear demanded in a baritone voice.

This caught me off guard, that and the mention of a dragon, until I realized I was said dragon. I dropped the form, returning to a half-elf, and to my surprise, he did the same. Now a seven-foot tall bearded man in hunting leathers lorded over me.

“Sorry?” I offered, pointing over my shoulder. “My friends are here on a premonition or something.”

The man growled softly. “What's your name?”

“Taelim. Druid. My mother's of the Summer Court.”

This seemed to relax the man, “Bjeornheim, the Bear King. Take me to your friends.”

I bit my tongue and obliged. As we crested the hill, walking through the charred remains of the building's entrance, I called out to the others. “Attention folks, Bjeornheim, the Bear King is in your presence.”

Bjeornheim inclined his head, “You know your manners.”

And you don't know sarcasm. I smiled thinly and took a seat on a fallen pillar.

“Why are you here? This is all my domain.” Bjeornheim demanded, staring daggers at Maziel.

“Apologies,” Maziel replied. “We're trying to figure out what happened here…”

The Bear King pointed a meaty finger at Maziel. “Drow happened.”

To her credit, Maziel stayed calm. “Then you surely know the reason—I believe something was taken.”

Bjeornheim stepped closer and loomed over her. “Believe or know?”

“I didn't have anything to do with this, if that’s what you’re implying.”

Tension filled the silence, then Bjeornheim snapped his fingers. “Ziggly!” he roared.

A pixie popped into existence, bowing mid-flight. “My liege?”

“The academy's inventory,” the king held out a huge hand which the pixie filled with a thick scroll. It was unfurled and inspected. After a time, he blinked back at Maziel. “It's all accounted for.”

“Might I have a look?” Lysandra spoke up from the wall she leaned on.

Bjeornheim's eyes narrowed, then he tossed her the scroll.

It was hardly a few moments before she produced a satisfied smile. “It's a good forgery, I'll give it that.” She walked over to the king and pixie, pointing to an item on the list. “That one, falsely accounted for.”

The king and pixie leaned over the parchment until shock replaced their doubtful expressions.

“What's the item?” Maziel asked carefully.

“A gauntlet…” Bjeornheim replied quietly, evidently still working through his amazement. “It nullified magic.”

The rest of us exchanged nervous glances. Not like that couldn't be used for nefarious deeds.

“Will you get it back for me?” the Bear King asked, his voice taking on a different tone. Pleading.

Maziel shrugged, “We can certainly try.”

Bjeornheim closed his eyes and nodded. “That is all I can ask.”

I leapt up to my feet, using this as our excuse to get off of this plane. “Then we'll take our leave.” I motioned to the group, who knew the drill to get close and link hands for plane-shift. “Time to go.”

I quickly gestured the spell's components, uttering the necessary words. The surge of transportation magic flared, then suddenly died. I opened my eyes, confused, and the others slowly did the same.

The Bear King, who had witnessed the whole thing, shook his shaggy head. “It's as I feared…”

“Taelim?” Maziel tried as I focused on the ground furiously.

“We're stuck in the Feywild,” I growled back.