_{by jaymamma.}

Lillian, I hate to leave you but we must go, we have a few leads in town, and then we are going to head to the mine. Annette can visit as often as her folks allow. The house is yours Lock the door..” I trailed off as her eyes started to roll.

“Yes, yes stay inside keep safe, wouldn’t it be safer to come with you”

I laughed. “Most certainly not. We barely get two steps out of town before we are attacked by something, I have my hands full keeping an eye on droop as he gets his bearings. Your parents should arrive shortly.

A look of apprehension crossed her face.

I reached out and took her hand. “We should be gone a few days, beg plead if you have too get them to stay here with you until we return, I’m sure they will be tired after their journey. A weary traveler can quickly become a dead one. I will try to talk to them at least get them to bring your horse home with you” I will visit you to continue your lessons should they not let you return. I promise.

    Rydolph will wait with you until they arrive, he may seem old and frail but I can feel the magic weeping from him.” “I will pursue other avenues to bring us resolution” “Stay here until your parents arrive, promise?”

“Yes, Lil she smiled weakly.

“Thank you”. I squeezed her hand before letting go not really wanting to leave her behind.

Mercarri was rousing. I could tell because I heard the cracking of wood. Her and those dam gauntlets. Late into the night and first thing in the morning.

I knocked on her door before entering.

She was pretty much naked save the gauntlets.

I shook my head and looked away.

“The gauntlets are the first thing you put on?”

“Hellll yea she replied.

“I have a question, I was wondering if you could do something” I got closer and whispered it in her ear.”

She shook her head. “If I could have I would have already, that would take greater ability than I yet possess”

“What of your compatriots back home?”

“I don’t know the status of things there, I could try to send a message and see if I get an answer, if it finds its way into the wrong hands it could bring a crapstorm down on us, I didn’t exactly leave things in the best way.”

I understood that but still all options needed be explored. 

“Send the message if it turns poorly we will deal with it”

She nodded solemnly understanding why we needed too, but still she would sooner avoid it.

“One more thing”

“Yes, she looked up equal parts anticipation, and reluctance to my next words.

“Could you entreat your Goddess?”

She thought for a second.

“We don’t usually ask for assistance the goddess typically provides when she knows its is necessary, but the cause is right and just?” She gave me a sideways glare.

I sighed. “Yes, of course it is.” It was true mostly.

She grabbed her shield and knelt still completely nude of course, so little shame for such a supposed holy of holies. 

She canted and spoke in a whispered voice that I could not make out. The symbol on her shield glowed faintly for a moment and then stopped.

“I have asked” She said.

“So, now what?”

“We wait and see what happens”

I couldn’t help but frown.

She noticed. “Well entreat your patron or whatever then”

“Mine doesn’t really do things like that”

“Well then we wait.”

“I understand thank you Mercarri.” I looked her up and down. “Put some clothes on priestess geez”

She was still giggling as I went back downstairs. 

Rydolph rose form the couch. “No breakfast?”

“You are incorrigible Druid” I sighed I was not typically a homemaker or preparer of meals. I could certainly cook though. Once upon a time I did have a mother who was quite the talent at cooking.

“I’ll tell you what If you do me a favor I’ll make you whatever you fancy”

“Would that favor be keeping watch on a certain headstrong young lady that will likely run circles around me”

“oh, you heard that”

He smirked.

“You are a creepy old man sometimes you know”

“You seem to focus much on me being a Druid, I am also an old man”

“creepy old man that pretends to be passed out while listening in” I smiled.

“An what will you have me do when her parents arrive, you mentioned I would stay until they arrived what did you mean”

“So you caught that too, well I would have you try and help convince them to rest here until we return, I imagine they would stay for Harbin’s funeral anyways so that should be easy. I need another favor, it will be a long journey for an “Old man ” as you say and I apologize for having to ask but I am trying to achieve one thing from multiple angles.”

He looked up no longer smiling but dead serious. “Go on”

“I would have you take a message to NeverWinter and bring back someone who can do something for us. I will write the letter”

“what would you have done”

I whispered it.

“ah, I see quickest solution to the dilemma and if successful bait”

“I had not considered that last bit” Which I honestly hadn’t.

He eyed me to see if I was telling the truth I could not blame him for that. He looked satisfied.

He smiled. “Ham, Sausage, and bacon please”

I knelt and hugged him. 

“Thank you so much, and Don’t mention I don’t want to provide hope and all fails. its a secret.”

He nodded. “Breakfast?”

“If I keep this up your never going to head back to your home” I said it in a Joking tone and realized I was serious, I liked having the old buzzard around

“I may not depends how good your cooking is”

I made his breakfast, and headed to the door.

“Where you headed, he asked”

I have to pay a visit to Sister, plus those heathens will smell food and all stomp down here any minute like hounds. I only made enough for you and droops plate is on the counter , the rest can feed themselves, heathens.

I moved swiftly to the shrine and motioned Sister Garielle to inside.

After a hushed conversation, she agreed to assist me in my endeavors. I returned in time to see the party assembled. Ready for the days events.

I bid them to give me a moment in my room.

I stopped at the top of the steps to listen.

“I wonder what she’s been up to” Mystic said.

Mercarri said nothing thankfully.

“Its gonna get a whole lot more interesting around here” Rydolph said with a loud laugh and bellow.

I would follow Mercarri’s Idea my patron did not do these type of things but what could it hurt.

I knelt and felt none of the usual feelings when I did this. I summoned cursebringer and laid my face upon the flat silver runed edge.

“You told me to keep my guard up, and I did but it was not enough. I know this is not your forte so I will not beg you to do something you would not, I beg, and I plead lend assistance in any way you can, I know you must have some type of interest in the mines we can secure it, have access and make Phandalin safe and prosperous in the act, I win, you win, we all win.

“Thank you Mistress of the Hex, or Master of the hex whichever you prefer, now we go to claim the mines and hopefully crush a spider or two along the way.”

I returned to the foyer ready to go.

Mystic eyed me.

“Yes?”

“what are you plotting?”

I shrugged. “Well maybe if you hadn’t played for Halia, or left me and Mercarri and Droop pulling a dead Gnome in a wagon I’d trust enough to tell”

I was not playing or being humorous in the least. 

“You ready Mercarri? I asked.

She tapped her breastplate. “I am”

“Droop?”

“always”

I smiled at him. “Good” its good to have someone I can depend on. With that we moved out. I seriously was very angry with both Dare and Mystic. Disgusted even.

We researched the loft and found new information. We also learned a little information about the message. The most interesting thing we learned though was the letter from Gundren. My instincts were correct, I just hoped we were not late. Mercarri hung back as we headed south and towards the mines. I looked back as she produced a letter from under her breastplate and handed it to Barthen. Discreet that one could be thankfully. Droop noticed, looked up caught my gaze, smirked and resumed walking as if he saw nothing. Good, he was starting to get it. Things were changing, hopefully for the better.