Entry 27: A happy reunion

Over breakfast, we mulled over the implications of the dragon construct's remains, and its lingering aura of malevolence. The danger it posed was clear: any unsuspecting traveler or explorer who stumbled upon it would be at risk of succumbing to the chaotic charm that had already caused so much harm. Our best course of action, we decided, was to bring this to the attention of the Mages at the Briar Ring. If anyone could neutralize such a threat, it would be them. The mages possessed the knowledge and resources to either dispel or contain the evil magic that clung to the wreckage like a curse.
 
But the dragon construct wasn’t our only concern. The enigma of Robert Talespinner weighed heavily on us. With the knowledge that he hadn’t been seen in days, and the unsettling possibility that he could be linked to the cult, we knew we had to investigate further. His room at Erna’s Wish was our next destination. If Robert had left any clues behind, we needed to find them.
 
As expected, getting into his room wasn’t straightforward. The door was trapped—evidence that Robert had secrets worth protecting. Thankfully, Dadroz’s nimble fingers made quick work of the trap, and we entered the room, our hopes high.
 
The initial sweep, however, left us disappointed. The room was sparse, devoid of any incriminating evidence or personal items that might connect Robert to the cult. It was almost as if he had expected someone to come searching and had taken precautions to cover his tracks. The only item of interest was a sending stone, a powerful tool for communication over great distances. Alistan pocketed it, but we agreed not to use it—at least not yet. Without knowing who was on the other end, activating it could alert our enemies or lead us into a trap.
 
It was the contents of his backpack that yielded the most curious find of the morning: a keychain with ten identical keys. We stared at it, each of us trying to make sense of it. What could require ten identical keys? The possibilities were endless, and each one more concerning than the last.
 
Then, an idea struck me. “Maybe these keys aren’t meant for one person,” I suggested. “What if he’s supposed to distribute them? It could be that these keys open a hideout or a vault, something important to the cult. And if that’s the case, we might have just stumbled upon something crucial.”
 
We left a message for Robert with Feyris, carefully worded to express our concern for his well-being and our eagerness to hear from him as soon as possible. Despite the suspicion swirling around him, there was still a part of me that hoped this was all a misunderstanding, that Robert would return and offer some benign explanation for the oddities we’d uncovered. But I wasn’t holding my breath.
 
Next on our agenda was the dragon construct. It needed to be dealt with, and the mages at the Briar Ring were the only ones capable of handling such a dark and dangerous artifact. The others agreed to take the news to them, and I bid them farewell, choosing instead to focus on something closer to my heart: the survivors from Ravensfield. These were my people, my responsibility, and I needed to see for myself how they were faring.
 
When I arrived at the temporary camp that had been set up for the villagers, I was pleasantly surprised. The people of Keralon had truly stepped up, offering food, supplies, and medical aid to those who had lost everything. It was a small comfort in the midst of our many losses, but a comfort nonetheless. The sight of the villagers being cared for lifted a weight from my shoulders that I hadn’t realized I was carrying.
 
Dan, it seemed, had been reluctantly thrust into the role of village leader after the tragic death of our mayor. His discomfort with the position was palpable, but he was managing admirably. I made sure to give him the addresses for Alistan’s estate and Erna’s Wish, ensuring he could contact us if the need arose. I wanted him to know that, even though I couldn’t be with them all the time, they weren’t forgotten.
 
I spent the rest of the day moving through the camp, checking in on each of the villagers, offering words of comfort where I could, and doing my best to reassure them that Ravensfield would rise again. It was exhausting, but necessary. These people had been through so much, and it was important they knew they weren’t alone in this. That their home might have been lost, but their community was still strong.
 
As the day waned, I made my way back to Erna’s Wish, feeling a little more at peace. The others would have made their report to the mages by now, and I was eager to hear what had come of it. The road ahead was still uncertain, but at least for now, I could take solace in knowing that the people of Ravensfield were safe and cared for. And that, no matter what else happened, I would do everything in my power to keep it that way.
 
The mages assured us that knights would be dispatched to investigate the dragon construct, securing the area and ensuring the safety of any unfortunate souls who might stumble across it. With that heavy burden off our shoulders, we turned our attention to the next pressing matter: what to wear to the upcoming ball.
 
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the very mention of shopping for fancy clothing. Balls, dresses, and noble etiquette were far from my priorities. I already knew what I was going to wear—exactly what I always wore. My tried-and-true attire had seen me through battles, negotiations, and more than a few tight spots. I saw no reason to change it for a night of forced politeness and shallow conversations.
 
Liliana, however, was at a complete loss. Having spent most of her life in the Feywild, she had little idea how to dress as a noble. Apparently, fashion wasn’t a priority in a realm where magic and nature held sway. So, she suggested we ask Elsa for advice.
 
At the mere mention of Elsa’s name, I noticed a familiar change in my brother. His eyes lit up, and his posture straightened, as if an invisible string had pulled him upright. He quickly brushed off his robes, ran a hand through his hair, and even checked his reflection in a nearby window. It was the same routine I’d seen countless times before, whenever a pretty girl entered the picture. Luke might be a powerful wizard, but in moments like these, he was just my awkward brother, trying to impress a girl.
 
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. For all our adventures and the dangers we faced, some things never changed. And honestly, it was nice to see a bit of normalcy in the midst of the chaos that had become our lives. Watching him get flustered over Elsa was a welcome distraction from the weighty matters we had been dealing with.
 
As we made our way to find Elsa, I decided not to tease Luke about his obvious crush. There would be plenty of time for that later. For now, I was content to enjoy the small moments of levity that reminded me we were still human, even in the face of all the darkness we were up against.
 
As we neared the Colline estate, the sight of a massive warhorse standing outside caught our attention. The steam rising from its flanks indicated that its rider had only recently arrived. I couldn’t help but wonder if Edward had returned to Keralon for the ball. The thought was intriguing—he was always a lively presence, and it would be good to see him again.
 
The servant who opened the door confirmed our suspicions. After introducing ourselves, we were led inside, where Edward greeted us with his signature wide grin. He confirmed that he had indeed returned for the ball, and after some time spent catching up, he excused himself to freshen up, promising to join us shortly for our shopping excursion.
 
As we waited, Elsa arrived. The moment she entered the room, I noticed Alistan and Luke’s faces light up with grins that spread from ear to ear. It was amusing, really—some things truly never change. Elsa seemed genuinely surprised to see us but delighted all the same. When she learned of our intention to go shopping for the ball, she regrettably informed us that she wouldn’t be able to join us due to her busy schedule at court.
 
However, she was kind enough to offer Liliana and me access to her wardrobe and jewelry. While I appreciated the gesture, the idea of squeezing into one of her dresses was laughable. Elsa was slim and delicate, and I—well, I had a bit more volume than she did, and I wasn’t ashamed of it. I preferred my attire practical and comfortable, and I didn’t see how one of her gowns would suit me in any way.
 
Still, I took the opportunity to pick out a simple brooch for my cloak. It was a modest piece, elegant in its simplicity, and it would add just the right touch to my outfit without being too flashy. I promised Elsa I’d return it after the ball, and she smiled, saying she knew it was in good hands.
 
When Elsa turned to Gael, Alistan, and Luke, she posed a question that left two of them momentarily stunned: would any of them like to be her escort to the ball? Gael, ever the reserved one, quickly excused himself, leaving Alistan and Luke to pick their jaws up from the ground. The moment hung in the air, and then, with a graceful bow, Alistan stepped back, letting Luke eagerly accept the honor.
 
A smile played across Elsa’s lips, a knowing and slightly mischievous one. She then suggested that we all go to the ball together and promised to arrange a large carriage to take us there. It was a wonderful idea—after all, we hadn’t had the chance to spend an evening together like this in quite some time. The thought of all of us arriving as a group, enjoying the night as friends, made the idea of the ball far more appealing.
 
With that settled, Elsa excused herself, needing to return to her duties at court. Edward then took on the role of guide and led us out for our shopping expedition. I’ll spare you the details of that particular venture—needless to say, the process was as dull as I expected. But I tolerated it, knowing that the night ahead would be worth the tedium.
 
The rest of the evening was a balm after the stress of recent events. We gathered around a table laden with delicious food and more wine than was probably wise. Stories flowed freely, tales of our past adventures mixed with exaggerated anecdotes, each of us trying to outdo the other. Laughter echoed through the room, the kind that comes from deep in the belly, and for a few hours, the weight of the world lifted from our shoulders.
 
There was something comforting about being with these people, my friends, my family in a way. Despite the trials and the battles, the uncertainties that loomed on the horizon, moments like this reminded me of why we fought, why we risked everything. It wasn’t just for duty or honor—it was for each other, for the bonds we shared, for the memories we had yet to make.
 
As the night wore on and the wine flowed, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment, fleeting though it might be. Tomorrow, the world would intrude once more, with all its dangers and decisions. But tonight, at least, we had this. And for now, that was enough.