The thought of it now was almost too much to bear, at times Sarina would turn to her heavily armored companion and take his arm. A delicate sentiment she had subdued for so many years in the presence of others. But with all that she had witnessed, all she had done, and the plans now made and the coin spent, the call finally had reached her ears. The priestess couldn't help but spare a glance back to Arelith as she stepped on the sea bound vessel.
Running over the words of her fears in her mind for yet another time, Vail's piercings in his skin clinked as his brow furrowed. As her lips moved wordlessly he reassured her, an arm around her form that was protective and caring, a gentleness they had kept hidden from the world.
For hours and days they had spoken about it, but she was no where near ready enough to make the venture. But under potential threats of tying her form to a mast, and with hope of both her family being reunited, and lastly a distant dream she stepped onto the ship of her own volition. So many times she thought she would be able to sacrifice herself for some greater good in spite of all that had transpired, it had taken a great deal to accept that perhaps this was not to be her end.
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When the ship finally touched the Sword Coast, the mainland Sarina was on the bow with the blackguard ever by her side. By now the sea was no difficult thing for the woman, however the path ahead was not a certain one. Her heart lifted though as she saw the hands waving to receive them, hardly a queen's welcome but she had made her transportation plans with the utmost care and under an alias to avoid as much attention as possible. Those hands were her twins standing alongside their puffy elder keeper who with her withered expression was perhaps too happy to know that her days of watching the energetic youths were passing, even if she'd been paid handsomely for the work.
The excitement could hardly be contained as the children ran overjoyed into their parent's arms. Kayle her son into the mother's embrace, and Aurianna immediately lifted up onto her father's shoulders in a playful glee and fleeting bliss that was ignored by the tired hustle of commuters off of the vessel beyond them. A few stray glances lingered over to them, smiling as the recognized a small but beautiful moment. But for Sarina it was a step in the right direction, pulling out the small stuffed toy of a monk with gems for eyes as she offered the gift up to her son with joyful tears in her eyes. Though there was always a look over her shoulder, even now her concern for safety still remained in her mind.
Aurie took up the smithing hammer that was exceptionally advanced and well worn, but since she had taken to her father's instructions about smithing she was elated to have such a quality smithing hammer. Sarina gently explaining as they made their way towards the inn along the cobbled alleyways how it had belonged to a terrifying drow that he had met, one who'd enslaved her friend and been an assassin. This of course only thrilling the young lady further to imagine the obsidian skinned warrior in her exotic attire and appearance even giving her a little language lesson in the tongue. Every syllable seemed to only light a fire of excitement in the girl's eyes, earning a slight glare and growl from Vail. “We said we wouldn't influence them.. that they will make their own choices.” Sarina nodding as she ushered them all inside.
Spending a singular evening in the bustling harbor city was all the priestess planned on, their carriage would signal them just before the dawn. Already packed with trunks and various tools, the journey would be exceptional, though this would only be another path to another ferry. Vail gave Sarina a bit of an annoyed look at the gift of the stuffed monk, and they might both yet rue the moment the gift was given as the toy string was pulled time and again. Eventually the thing had to be seized else their sanity might abandon them before they reached the next leg of their trip. Through the southern trade road leading east through Amn, Brost, Riatavin, all the way until the next shores of Alaghon came into view. Though Sarina's breathing and anxiety eased the moment they passed beyond the border of Amn and its influence.
The travel was not easy on the young ones, they were not yet ten summers and were endlessly restless. To pass the time Sarina shared stories of the things they conquered, the people and races they had met, and all manner of adventures that had them glued to her hip in anticipation. Whenever they stopped, Vail would ensure they were provided their specially crafted shields, instructing them in both the care as well as training to wield the metal creations. While Aurianna took great care to meet and try to exceed in the training, Kayle was a little more soft natured and seemed to take more breaks when he could steal the time.
But this travel continued onto a ferry, the children were overjoyed with. Watching creatures of the deep leap and play, they never remembered being on a ship when they were only a handful of months old. One night as they sailed towards their destination, Sarina emerged onto the deck to find Kayle alone peering over the edge. She only gave a soft worry as her son looked into the depths with fascination. “Be careful my dear, there are many things that live in that darkness.” A gentle caution that let her mind drift back into the past as her gaze became long and haunted. Kayle gently tugging on her arm to gain her attention as a light passed beneath them in a fluid motion. And then another. A whole host of radiant things moving through the darkness in a silent grace. Sarina smiled a bit as her son half clung to her, but also couldn't entirely pull away. Nodding softly, she knew he had the gift of this generation. He was to be the one blessed by the Gods, stroking over his hair with a pang of pity and pride.
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Days flew by until they finally had reached the destined shore. For the youngsters though the trip seemed half of a lifetime. Pulling up on the desolate cape of Dragonfang on the borderlands between Thayan influence and Aglarond there was no civilization of note. A few wrecked fishing vessels but now they unpacked and loaded up their beasts of burden. A set of four pack horses, naturally the children wanted to ride along and Vail lofted them unto the saddles now bearing various goods and belongings.
The ferry did not stay overly long as they were instructed to sail on their normal route to make their departure as secretive as possible. Now they climbed and walked for hours, difficult enough for the party to advance forth but eventually the foothills and steep walkways were navigated as Sarina lead the way with her stave tapping the earth upon each step while she slowly recalled the path.
In time the rugged and imposing mountains so appropriately named Dragonjaw gave way, and the hard rock then parted into a more sloping hidden valley between the peaks nestled high above the world around them. In that moment even Vail would take the time to behold the view of the vast Sea of Fallen Stars behind them and the faint shimmer of distant southern shores. Before them however was a different scene all together. With the rain shadow cast by the Dragonjaw mountains, a lush and untouched forest rested before them. An emerald maze of aging woods and patches of grasses, flowers, and brush. Walking through, Sarina touched over the trees, eventually starting to remember as the rest of her family looked on. And after a few hours they came upon it, an overgrown ruin now that was being reclaimed by the grasses and mosses of years of neglect. To Vail and the children it was only a ruin, they'd passed by many on their way here with little notice.
Sarina held up her hand, “Setup here, this is where we stop, this is where we stay.” Vail never one to second guess her started the process and the twins followed after their mother as she started to walk. Most of the ruins were wooden or some mix of stone. But then came the scorched remains of the once humble yet sacred Abbey she had learned in. Her foot scratching a line in some of the packed sand where they once practiced each dawn rise. Smiling as the dust swirled in a satisfying and familiar way.
Stalking after her the children remained just out of sight, however it was hard to know if she would notice them as she walked through the memories of her heart. They couldn't understand why she started to cry, but Aurie held Kayle back from charging up to help his mother. Her attention now on a lone white wood tree. It bore no leaves and it looked to be dead. Sarina reached out to put her palm upon the trunk as if greeting a childhood friend.
Her revelry seemed to break as she heard Vail swear multiple times, running to his side in a hurry. The twins were left with this white tree standing there untouched by time it seemed. While the parents were busy with trying to unpack all manner of belongings to begin a new life here Kayle drummed up the courage and his sister followed after. Looking around worriedly like they might get in trouble they hesitated before Aurie goaded her brother to touch the tree. His eyes went wide for a moment and then he pressed his ear to the bark. “Wait, what is it?” She chirped her question in excitement. Kayle's expression turned confused as he answered her. “It sounds like a heartbeat..”
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In a short span of months from the early spring into summer the family unit had established their own home as well as beginning work on additional buildings, one in particular seemed to be towards the edge of the woods purposefully reinforced in such a way and made with fortification in mind. An excess of locks and thickened walls and windows stocked from floor to roof with reading and writing material, the children were instructed never to disturb this vacant abode. No marking or hint of who was to arrive there was indicated ever cast in the shadows of the woods surrounding.
With the assistance of extraplanar beings anchored long enough to assist, under the distant watchful gaze of the red dragon who's tattooed scales and tattered hide betrayed her years in battle, the family would continue their work of clearing the ruins and reforming the village. Eventually even working the land and gaining flocks from merchant caravans on their way to Thay. Their home was made and ever built on for whoever might be joining them. For now at least they had peace, a place to learn and grow, and in time perhaps greater things.
Until next time.
The Dragonsong Epilogue
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