The
Arrival of Philebus the Amulet
On the day after the disasterous robbery of the Villa Stormwatch,
a message was sent by the Mages Guild, more properly known as the
Guild of Magists and Protectors. It was addressed to "Mistress
Galranwyn of the Neverwinter Woods, Guild Master in Good
Standing". The day was a busy one as there was much commotion
related to the theft and also the arrival of the Wildspace ship
"Te Ziah". Adding to the confusion was the agitation of the
household in general. This was due to the arrival the day before
of a new group of "followers" (for so the members of the now
famous Local 509 called those who served them). Not one of them it
seemed had any idea of what their duties would be even though they
had been clearly explained the day before by their masters. In the
chaos, the letter sat on the table in the entryway until late
afternoon. I shudder to think how easily the letter could have
been lost entirely, or so well hidden that it might have been so
delayed in being read that the issue of my adoption had been
settled much less to my advantage.
It was partially chance and partially the acuity of Eleven sight
that Galranwyn eyes were drawn to a corner of the table that stood
by the front door. She had paused there to allow a group of
"Bobites" through who were carrying fresh bed linens in large
whisker baskets. Something had been crumpled against the wall behind
the table. She picked it up and straightened it flat again using the
edge of the table. Her quick temper flared when she saw the Guild
seal on it, and burned brightly when she found it was addressed to
her. Quickly, Galranwyn read the letter, still standing near the
open door. She has showed me the letter, and I reproduce it here:
From Kalitaria of the Guild of Magists and Protectors
To Master Galranwyn of Local 509
My friend,
I heard this morning of the terrible troubles that occured the
night before and hope that you did not suffer harm in the
misadventure. A request from the Leut. of the City Watch that your
credential be verified was received here early this morning with
scant detail on what it related to. This request came before me
and with dispatch I sent off a reply advising the Watch of your
good standing within the guild and a recommendation that they make
every effort to cooperate with you and your associates. I then
immediately sent for my rhoumer monger who gave me more
information regarding last nights escapades. Allow me to offer you
my sympathy over this incident. If there is any way in which the
Guild may assist you in bringing the thieves to justice, please
let me know.
But strangely, I had planned on writing you this day in any event
to ask that you see me at your convenience to discuss a matter, of
course, unrelated to your current difficulties. In the
circumstance, I would be honored if you could meet me here at the
Guild for dinner this evening. If this is not the best time for
you, please advise me on such a day that is most suitable for you.
It is a matter of some importance however.
Hoping that this letter will find you well, I remain your friend,
Kalitaria
It was not to her credit that Galranwyn was so prompt to react to
the message, but rather the disorder of the household made the
prospect of a quiet dinner with an old friend very attractive.
Taking but a moment to advise others of her departure, she quickly
made her way to the Guild headquarters.
After being admitted to the Guild Hall, she made her way down
familiar passages to the workroom of Kalitaria, Personal Assistant
to the Guild Master of Waterdeep. Responding to Galranwyn's knock, a
woman of about 50 years opened the door. Her hair was still dark
brown, but somewhat shot with gray. Her face was not attractive, but
her face was expressive and friendly.
"Galranwyn! You're none the worse for your adventures last night I
see. Come in, I have something to show you."
Galranwyn looked at Kalitaria's study. The large room was fitted up
rather informally with a work table for magical research, a heavy
looking desk for correspondence and couple of overstuffed chairs
with a small table between for relaxing. I was hanging from the oil
lamp on the table when she arrived and was able to see and hear all
that went on between them. Of course I had no idea of the
relationship that would soon spring up between myself and Galranwyn.
Kalitaria gestured for Galranwyn to take one of the chairs and began
to make a pot of tea at the small stove on the work table as she
talked.
"So tell me what happened."
Galranwyn leaned back in the chair and tried to relax after her
trying day. "Your letter said you spoke to a rhoumer monger. First,
tell me what he had to say about it. I'm curious what is being said
on the street about this".
"He didn't know a lot. He said it was a guild theft, that about a
dozen of them had been killed, that you went to the Midnight
Magister and that a couple of the thieves had been captured, but
that not much of the loot. Is that about right?"
"That's about it. It was rather skillfully done if probably more
fatal than they might have expected. A group of four acrobats
offered to perform for those in the villa for tips and almost
everyone went out to the front of the house to watch. While they
were performing, the rest of the thieves climbed over the walls and
into the grounds while another bunch scaled the city wall in the
back or came up over the deck using a grappling hook. They picked
the balcony door lock and spread out through the rooms taking
everything they found. They even stole Victorex's under ware!
So there we all are, enjoying the show out front while all our stuff
is getting stolen inside. We didn't suspect anything at first. But
then I noticed that the guard that was supposed to be patroling
hadn't gone by in a while. I was just asking Victorex about this
when Stallen (he's the Bard) when Stallen's alarm rune went off. He
always puts one on his door even if it's only for a night. So I
teleported up to my room inside, and found Pisheo who shares my room
was standing naked and wet out of the bath. I knew she had heard it
too cause she was pulling out her sword without even drying off.
Then we both heard a little sound coming from the hallway. She ran
toward the door and I went over to the window. I could see that a
group of thugs were attacking the rest of the people outside, so I
cast a Magic Missile and took a couple out. By that time, Pisheo was
in a blade battle with one inside the house. I ran over to her, but
arrived just in time to see her dispatch the one she was fighting.
Together, we ran toward the open door that leads to the balcony, but
by the time we got there, they had dissappeared.
It only took another couple of minutes before the people from
outside began to come upstairs to where we were. When they saw what
the thieves had taken there were a lot of very pissed off people.
Several took off down the ropes the theives left behind to try and
follow them, but they didn't catch any, except for a couple that had
been badly wounded in the front. But none of them knew anything.
So the city guard comes, asks a bunch of questions and arrests us!
So off we go the night session of the Magisters Court to clear
ourselves of the killing of the thieves. I realize it was a
necessary formality and I wouldn't feel so bad about it if they had
been a little more polite."
"Actually" interjected Kalitaria "I have a couple of names to give
you that may help out".
"Names?"
"Yes. The next time you have dealings with the Guard, ask for
Subaltern Smerd. He's young, energetic, smart and respects the guild
highly. We have had dealings with him before and he is more inclined
to take our direction that most other guards. He is very
cooperative."
"I'll remember that. What was the other name?"
"Pevish Yak. He's my head rhoumer monger. You can contact him at the
corner of High Street and Gold Street. He has yet to make up
information as so many do. If he doesn't know anything he tells me
so instead of making up something."
"Thank you. I plan on getting in touch with him. So, anyway, we get
our case thrown out and the judge cautions us against taking revenge
and blah, blah, blah. We take off back to the villa, and by this
time, Victorex tells us that there are a couple of the thieves
hiding in the City of the Dead. So we take some guards along and go
to check it out. We found them all right, but the stupid guards were
to scared to go down the hole in the crypt where the thieves were
hiding and too stupid to let us do it. We eventually talked them
into letting Pisheo and Krom down and they were quickly captured.
So, that's it. Several of our folks lost everything they had in
their rooms including a number of magic items and gems. But we are
hot on the trail of the rest of the loot with scrying spells. We
should wrap thing up in the next day or so."
"I would bet your stuff begins showing up in Daggerford in a couple
of weeks. I'm sure the rest of the thieves will leave the city and
find a safe place somewhere."
"You could be right."
"But you didn't get anything stolen?"
"No, I had guard spells up, so they couldn't get in."
"Fine. So let me tell you about why I asked you here. Allow me to
introduce you to someone. Philebus, I would like you to meet my good
friend Galranwyn. Galranwyn this is Philebus." She gestured toward
where I was hanging from the table lamp.
I replied in my best schoolboy elven, "Galranwyn, I am most pleased
to make your acquaintance. It is rare that I have the pleasure of
meeting one of your race. I have always maintained that the scarcity
of your people is one reason that world is sometimes the unhappy
place it is."
I could see that she was most surprised by my speech. This is not
surprising, as I'm sure she had never seen my like before. To her, I
appeared as a small crystal sphere about a inch in diameter. Not
knowing who Galranwyn was, I had kept hidden inside. When introduced
however, I manifested myself. I have observed myself in a mirror,
and so have a clear idea of my appearance to others. At most times,
I look like well made glass marble. But when I manifest myself, an
eye, identical to the one I possessed in my mortal state, appears
inside. This image of an eye (of course it is not really an eye) is
one of my primary means of physical communication. As I have no
other visible part, my eye must serve to replace the face, hands,
mouth and everything else. I usually direct my eye at the person I
am speaking too. I've found that this is helpful as otherwise, there
is no way to tell to whom I am speaking. Since my voice seems to
come from the marble, it can't be directed.
She seemed pleased by my knowledge of my mastery of her mother
tongue. Unlike so many others, she was able to quickly overcome her
surprise and relate to me as if I were a normal person. She said "I
am pleased to meet you Philebus. You are a fair spoken gentleman, if
that is the right form of address."
She looked at Kalitaria and said "Is he alive?"
Kalitaria just smiled, so I said (in common this time in deference
to Kalitaria) "This is a point on which I suspect some philosphers
might justifiably debate, but I regard myself as alive after many
years of gathering empirical data."
Galranwyn laughed and said "I'm a satisfied that you are not a
practical joke that Kalitaria is playing on me at least."
"On my honor, this is no joke. Philibus came to us only yesterday
much by chance. Shall I explain Philbus?"
"Please do" I replied.
"Of his origins, I will allow him to explain, but I will tell of how
he came to me. Yesterday, a middle aged couple came to the common
entrance of the Guild and requested an appointment with one of our
number. After hearing the story, I was told about their situation
and agreed to see them. They told me that they had been honored to
have had Philibus as a guest for many years, but that it had come to
be time for the gentleman (who was named Justil Marks) to retire and
that this would only be possible if poor Philbus here was sold to
provide the necessary funds."
"I can affirm that this is so. They are honest people, perhaps the
most honest I have ever known. And this is an example of honesty
unrewarded."
"Just so" answered Kaliteria. "At any rate, they introduced me to
Plilibus and offered to ..." she looked at the crystal marble "I
hesitate to say 'buy' as it seems like slave selling."
"I am not as sensitive as that" I said. "I am well aware that I am
ultimately an in-animate object no matter how strongly I assert my
own living nature."
"Then, they asked if the Guild would buy the marble that contained
Philibus. Upon my understanding the situation (and after casting a
few spells to verify the appearances) I agreed to give the Marks two
thousand gold pieces. I didn't really know what I was going to do
with him. I don't know why I thought of you, but something seemed to
say 'Give him to Galranwyn.' I sent for you this morning".
"And your message didn't reach me until a few minutes before I got
here".
Kaliteria shot Galranwyn a questioning look. Galranwyn replied
testily "The whole villa is a hassle. It's like it's turned into the
flop house for everyone's followers. They are always underfoot, and
in the way. I was glad for your dinner invitation as it gave me a
chance to get away".
With a tactful change of subject, Kaliteria said to me "I think it
would be good if you two got to know each other. I know something of
Galranwyn and her work, but I know little of you story other than
what you mentioned yesterday. Would you tell us of yourself
Philibus?"
"With pleasure good lady!
I was born in this very city some 92 years ago. My father was a flax
merchant and mother took care of me. I was a weak, studious child
and I grew into a weak, studious man.
It is important that you understand one thing about me that to my
mind is the overruling facet of my personality. I am the greatest
coward I have ever heard of. I will not elaborate on such events
that have forced this realization upon me except to say that they
leave no doubt to any that there are none who may not be shown to
have more bravery than me. It has always been thus and despite all
attempts to stiffen my backbone, I still find that it turns to
treacle when I find my self at risk.
I am afraid of only one thing: DEATH
I avoid bodily injury of course, but not with the mania that I
suffer when I find my life in peril. Some people begin screaming
when closed in a small room, others may flee in terror from some
lofty vista. I can suffer such experiences. But just let me fear
that I could die and I turn into a creature that bears only a
passing resemblance to me.
So fearful was I that it spurred me on to my accomplishments as a
mage. I have always felt that magic was the strongest protection
against any hazard. I bent all my childhood efforts to learn quickly
and well all I could about mathematics and the like so that when I
came of age, I could propose to my parents that I be enrolled in a
Mages school. I studied well, and although not blessed with the
quickness of mind that some have, I still aquatinted my self well
and was quickly taken into the Guild on graduation.
At first I was terrified by the prospect of going to protect someone
who's life was in danger. I still shake when I think of the dangers
I faced during my early years as a Guildsman. But after a time, I
became known as a "steady head", despite the fact that my fears
screamed at me all the while. With experience, I was able to avoid
those assignments that I felt involved real danger. No doubt that I
suffered financially for this as I often turned down employment I
thought was to risky.
I also saved every copper I made and was able at age 31 to buy a
Potion of Longevity that added 10 years to my life. It was my plan
to buy one every ten years and so I would avoid death for as long as
the money held out. This plan was upset in my 41st year.
It was to have been a simple assignment with no discernible danger.
It was presented to me as a simple escort job. I was to conduct a
wealthy and well placed man from the outer gates of the city to the
palace. I knew he was on his way to an interview with the Lords, but
I had no idea how highly placed he was. I have decided that the
reason I was given this task rather than a full division of fighting
men was that his entry was to be as unobtrusive as possible.
Although I know, I may no mention the name of he whom I escorted as
I am still bound by dire oaths of secrecy. It would be a true shock
to you were I to reveal the name.
My terror knew no limits when we were attacked as we entered the
South gate. Archers fired arrows at him, but my protection spells
were efficacious. A pair of killers were upon us before I knew what
was happening. Once I saw his bared sword, I turned to flee and
managed to trip over my own feet. My client had turned to face the
one who ran toward him from the other direction and pulled his own
sword. He was an excellent swordsman and dispatched him in a few
minutes. When he turned around, he saw me grappling with my
opponent, and being stabbed deeply in the side. What he had not seen
was that my sudden lurch as I lost my footing took me unexpectedly
past the range of the killers longsword. I was badly stabbed in the
chest, but I managed to grab hold of him and hold on tightly knowing
I would be cut to pieces if I let go. There was no chance of casting
a spell of course.
I was unable to damage my opponent in any way, but I did impede his
movement to such an extent that my client was able to dispatch him
with no great difficulty. In doing so, he accidentally wounded me in
the shoulder and so weakened was I by my previous wounds that I fell
unconscious.
I came back to the waking world in the Waterdeep Palace with a
cleric attending to me. He said I had arrived in the Palace on
Death's Door and was very lucky to be alive. I believed him and
rejoiced at my good fortune. That same day, I received a visit from
my client. Imagine my surprise when he told me that I had saved his
life by taking the dastardly rear blow meant for him. I think he
also felt some guilt over the accidental would he gave me. Despite
my not particularly vigorous protestations of unworthiness, he
insisted that I should wish for what I would and that I would
receive it.
I still don't know what it was that made me think of it, other than
perhaps those old guild cautions against "wishing for more wishes".
So, I asked him for a Wish, expecting to receive nothing but
derision. I was surprised again to hear him say "I would willingly
wish the life back into my lifeless body and you have made this
unnecessary. I think it is a fair exchange." It took some time
before I could be convinced that he was able to procure the most
sought after spell of all. It took some years before his people were
able to locate a Wish scroll. And it took some years more before I
felt myself ready to use it.
It is a very unsettling thing to know that at some time in the near
future, you can make anything you wish for come true. There was
never any doubt of what I would wish for in general. I wanted to
become immortal; to live forever and never suffer that which I
feared so much: DEATH. But how could I effect this? It is by no
means as simple as it sounds. In the years it took for me to receive
the spell, I pondered this.
I tried to use the wait to my advantage. I researched the Wish spell
in the Guild library and found considerable advice there. Some of it
was even accurate. I came to understand the importance of the
wording of the wish, and the principal of "Least Perturbance" as a
way to estimate how effective a wish can be.
Even after I received the spell, I waited to cast it. You see, I had
an idea. It was so drastic however that I hesitated and
procrastinated before putting it into action. But after extensive
preparations, which included purchasing for 50gp this glass sphere,
I cast the spell and made my wish. I will never forget what I wished
for. It was:
I wish that my mind, soul, skills, magic, memories, feelings,
personality and will be place into this glass sphere that shall upon
my will display an image of my eyes and allow me to see in all
directions and hear as well as I do now and which shall henceforth
be protected against destruction or any effects of aging, here and
now.
First allow me to say that I have not often regretted my action. I
was shocked at the feeling of security and comfort that I derived
from the knowledge that I would not age, could not be killed or even
inconvenienced by any of the myriad of dangers the flesh is heir to.
I do not eat, drink, breath or feel either heat or cold and so I do
not fear starvation, thirst, suffocation, drowning, poison, burning
or freezing.
All this happened about forty years ago, and if I have aged a day in
all that time, I am unable to perceive it. I am satisfied that my
wish may well provide me with life of an indefinate period.
Still, it was not without cost as you can image. I have forsaken all
the pleasures of the flesh more than the most acetic monk. I can not
do anything without using a spell except talk and observe. I can not
smell or taste and I can only touch something by using a spell.
Although I can see in every direction at once, I do not see depth as
I have only one eye.
I had asked for and received the Guild's assistance in this effort,
and they were very helpful. But none were so helpful as my excellent
friend Ubel Marks. We had known each other for many years before the
events I've related and rejoiced with me at my good fortune like a
true friend. He listened and though and contributed many helpful
insights into my present situation allowing me to prepare for it. He
promised to look after me in my crystal form as long as he lived and
provide me with such books and entertainment that I should not
suffer unduly from on'wie.
He was as good as his word; for fifteen years he talked to me as he
used to, provided me with paper and pen that I might write as I
would and the like. But he was old when I first met him and died
some twenty five years ago after a long illness. In that time I
became used to his house, his family and his servants and their
routine. Although I chafed at times with my limitations, I had only
to remember how distant DEATH was and I was consoled. It is
surprisingly easy in my current state of mind to allow the days to
drift past as they will, leaving little of them in my memory. The
years seem to have passed very quickly. I became forgotten by my
hosts as I so seldom woke from my reveries to participate in their
lives. I might tell a story to the children, or speak to one or
another if they remembered my presence, but for the most part I was
dreaming while awake.
That was until last week. The son of my friend named Justil and his
wife Polly have also grown old. He is ready to retire, but has not
been fortunate enough to have placed sufficient funds aside to do so
now. His wife is a good woman, but she has become more hard hearted
as time passed. She suggested to him that he might do as he wanted
if I was sold. To his credit, he refused to listen to such
suggestions for many months. But at last, he spoke to me of it. As
if I couldn't hear their shouted arguments for months before. He
made the choice mine. I could either remain with the family (in
albeit somewhat reduced circumstances when he retired) or take the
opportunity to return the favor of decades of free rent by allowing
myself to be sold.
To tell the truth, it was as if someone had shaken me awake. I
realized at last that I had not had an original or new thought in
years. If this was what my condition was to become, I would prefer
death. I considered carefully over the next week. I tried to stay
awake and alert for as long as possible, but I still fight the
desire to drift off into dreamy contemplation. I decided that the
only thing that might save me was as different a change of scene as
possible. I knew that the Guild would welcome me back and that my
price would be high enough to keep my good friend Justil in his old
age.
And so, I find myself here among two attractive women, boring them
with the story of my life."
Enthralled at his tale, Galranwyn and Kalitaria had listened in
silence. Galranwyn said "Philibus, I've heard a lot of strange
stories in my time, but that is one of the strangest."
Kalitaria added "I had no idea". She took a sip of her tea and found
it had grown quite cold. She seemed to shake herself (a strange
habit Galranwyn had noted before) then said "I have ordered a dinner
served to us here. They are having flounder tonight; I hope you like
it."
"Kali, I hope you won't be offended, but I had something more
special in mind. I want to go to Gondolium's; remember, like
before."
"I do remember that Rani. I remember I hurt myself that night and
worked all the next day in pain" said Kaliteria with a smile.
"Then let me buy you dinner out. I haven't made reservations, but.."
"Don't worry about reservations. Gondolium's is one of my favorite
places. They know me. Just let me do the talking."
"Great! The meals are totally off at the villa. That damned arrogant
chef decided that his life was in danger if he worked today, so no
meals got made. I'm starving. Do you mind?"
"Nope. I disposed of all my really important tasks today, and I will
treat myself to an entire evening off. Philebus, what do you think
of Galranwyn so far?"
"If you mean regarding her prospective ownership of me, I can
scarcely answer that on such short acquaintance. I am not in the
habit of inviting myself to dinner, but if I promise that I won't
actually eat anything, may I come with you tonight?"
"You can come with us and welcome" said Galranwyn with a smile. "You
may even eat something if you want."
Unknowingly, she hit upon a sore point with me. There was no way she
could know of my distress and I would fain mention it so early in
our meeting. I simply answered "Thank you, but I have no need for
food or drink or air or anything else".
"Then lets be off!" cried Galranwyn jumping to her feet.
"Philibus, what about carrying you? How would you like me to take
you?"
"I am accustomed to being worn as an amulet, but this limits my
vision to only 180 degrees.".
"What did you have in mind?"
"Something like this actually" said Philibus. With that, I cast my
2D'lusion cantrip and made a picture in mid-air of a cap with a
widows peak that covered the neck. It a small protrusion on the top
of the head where I could be placed to have almost unlimited vision.
"What do you think?"
Galranwyn said "Looks like a man designed it. I don't want something
sticking up out of the top of my head. It would look stupid. How
about this." and she brought a pen, ink and paper from Kolitaria's
work bench and drew a hat that would provide me with just as much
visiblity and which I must admit, was considerably more attractive
than mine. I told her as much and she said she would look into it.
During this, Kalitaria was standing at the door. Galranwyn placed me
around her neck and put her arm around the waist of her friend and
said "Come on, lets have a great meal!"
On the way to the restaurant, Galranwyn and Kalitaria discussed the
theft of the night before, but I paid little attention. The movement
on the street was fascinating. It had been little enough I had seen
of the world outside the home of my friends. I didn't remember the
crowds being so thick before. The movement and the pace were almost
dazzling. It seemed a moment later we had arrived at the restaurant.
The weight of Kalitaria's position sufficed to provide them with a
private room after a delay of only a few minutes. We were shown into
a room that was hung with beautiful silks. The table was set with
more dishes than I have ever seen for before for only two people.
Throughout their meal, I was much surprised at the excellence of the
service. Alas, I can not tell you what the food was like.
After being presented with the menu of the night and ordering, they
were left alone in the sumptuous chamber.
"Is it all right for me to put you on the table Philbus?" Galranwyn
said. This warmed my heart. It had been some time since I had been
afforded the simple pleasure of having someone inquire into my
wishes.
"Please do. It will enable me to see both of you."
She placed me on the table and cleared a crystal goblet from my line
of sight. Then the two of them began to talk about old times and
other small talk. I tried to keep up my end of the conversation as
they took pains to include me in it. I was somewhat hampered by my
lack of practice at the art, and by the necessity of un-manifesting
my image when the waiters came in which interrupted me. Galranwyn
noticed and asked why my eye always disappeared when someone came
in. I answered as honestly as I could.
"I have always though that my continued safety was best served by
keeping my presence un-suspected by as many people as possible. In
short it is my cowardice that makes me so shy."
At this, I could see Galranwyn become serious. "Philibus, I like you
and will agree to own you if that's the right way to say it. But you
must know what you will be getting into. You don't know much about
me and my friends and you should before you agree to anything. I am
an adventurer. I am not a scholar, though I am constantly seeking to
know new things and learn all that I can. I risk my life on a
regular basis. If you come with me you will share this danger.
Although I can say little of it now, I am on a quest that will put
me in constant peril and if you seek a life of ordered calm, you
should let me know now."
To be honest, I had never in my life considered the adventurous
life. Because of my cowardice I had sought to stay away from any
hint of adventure. Even over the last couple of days as I
contemplated my change of situation, I had never thought to become
involved with a possible dangerous host. That I even considered this
was surprising to a part of me. All I said was "I am grateful to you
for your honesty. I will think carefully about what you say".
The two of them picked up the conversation where it had lapesd and
this gave me the opportunity to consider her words. I could tell
from Kalitaria's expression that Galranwyn had not overstated the
danger.
Was I ready to accompany an adventure on her missions? Absolutely
not. Nothing in my life had prepared me for it.
Could I do it? Maybe. I was always thought to be calm under stress
and react in an advantageous way.
But could I face the danger? One thing was for sure, I would find it
difficult to run away! I was not totally at the mercy of fate. I had
several spells that would serve me.
How much danger was really involved? How vulnerable am I in this
form? I couldn't answer either.
I decided that this was one of those rare occasions where logic and
reason would not suffice. It required guessing, maybe even a leap of
faith. So in the end it came down to only one question:
Did I like Galranwyn enough to trust her to do what was in my best
interest? I thought that perhaps I did.
When only the desert course remained to be served, the two friends
sank down in the comfortable chairs and conversation languished
under the effects of a large and presumably delicious meal. I spoke
to fill the silence.
"Galranwyn, may I ask you a couple of questions?"
"Of course. What can I tell you?"
"Would you be embarrassed to go around with a coward?"
"Not as long as his actions would not endanger me, my friends or our
mission. To tell the truth, we are all of us scared a lot of the
time. It's not whether you feel the fear, it's whether you or it is
the master of your actions."
"And what if I can't do it? I know you will be away much of the
time, and even though I don't need much help, I do need someone to
provide me with writing materials or books or the like. I require a
minimum amount of assistance. What would you do then?"
"It's funny Philibus, but I feel like I have known you for a long
time and it makes me forget that you don't know much about me. I am
rather well off and I own a comfortable tower near the small town of
Katina that is my regular home. I am a part owner in an inn called
the "Hero's Rest" nearby. I employ a number of workmen who labor to
build a school for mages that would be open to any one. If you agree
to come with me, and find you do not want to adventure with me I
would leave you with my friends there with instructions to look out
for you as long as I was gone. Oh, and by the way, I have a large
library."
"And you will not sell me if you grow tired of me?"
"No, of course not! I am sure we will become friends."
"Then..." I paused as one who will draw up at the edge of a snow fed
lake before jumping in. And then I jumped. "I am happy to consider
you my owner and the one who is responsible for me."
The dinner ended soon thereafter, and as they were leaving Galranwyn
said to Kalitaria, "I will bring the gold for Philibus by tomorrow.
Thank you for thinking of me."
Galranwyn picked me up from the table and put me around her neck. As
we walked out of the restaurant, it felt as though I was walking out
of my old life and into uncharted lands.