say,
Understand?
“Was that this link?” She touched the green jewel.
“Yes.” Khelben replied. “The gem normally just stores memory and magic, but as a
kiira n’vaelahr
, it also allows mental communication between you and me. The gem also helps stabilize the fragments of Danthra’s soul so we might help her survive.” Khelben gestured toward the tressym overhead. “I can even feel your connection to him, and a familiar’s bond is not something I’ve felt in ages.”
Tsarra asked. “If this is so dangerous, why aren’t you wearing one? And what is so important that we can’t tend to Danthra first?”
“I only had the one
kiira
, which you need more than I do. Mystra’s fire protects me from the confusion and the damage the link can do,” Khelben said, as he got up. “Danthra is safe, if uncomfortable, for the time being. Waterdeep may not be. Still, the dangers will hold at bay until dinner is completed, since you deemed the main course acceptable. We shall dine then make a few visits this evening.”
“I’m feeling much better, Master, thank you.” Tsarra said, and she got out of bed. She looked down at her sweat-soaked dress and asked, “Um, Master Khelben, I’d like to change from this and into something cleaner.”
Khelben sighed and said, “Help her, Laeral, would you?” He idly speared one piece of venison with a knife and turned his back to stand in the doorway of the room. “Oh, be sure to wear the belt for now, but beneath your cloak. You’re to bear the majority of Danthra’s spirit through it.”
“Not very patient, is he?” Tsarra whispered to Laeral as they opened the wardrobe. She smiled, happy that her normal comfortable feelings for Laeral were back, instead of the fear and revulsion.
“Not when he gets caught unawares, no. That’s why he always plans—to avoid surprises like the one we had today.” Laeral grinned at Tsarra, “My dear, in your first years here, you wished you could get more personal time with the Blackstaff. As more than one faith on Faerûn will tell you, ’tis best be careful what ye wish for. You’re going to learn exactly what my love endures nearly every dayfor the Realms. Should you survive it, you’re going to fully understand what makes him both irascible and honorable at the same time.”
“It is regrettable,” Khelben said, licking one last shred of venison off his fingers as they walked, “that you and your charges are finishing your kitchen duties. Aeraralee’s class hardly shows any magic … of the culinary type, at least. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed Tethyrian-spiced venison. Spices are nothing without cooks who know how best to use them.”
Tsarra said, “I’ll be sure to tell Ginara and the twins their contributions were appreciated.”
She had barely had time to grab her scimitar, quiver, and bow as requested before Khelben hustled them downstairs again after dinner. Tsarra rarely saw Khelben when he was actually content, wholly enjoying a satisfying meal.
Khelben said, “I shall have to thank Gamalon for dropping those spices off here with our new apprentices before he headed north to Longsaddle. I expect him and his retinue back just before the Feast of the Moon. Gamalon plans to challenge the ‘Tethyr Curse’ by wintering here in Waterdeep … and surviving.”
“So will we be receiving guest lectures during the winter months from Tethyr’s court sage?” Tsarra asked, fully knowing the answer already, “or at least history lessons on the evils that befall Tethyr’s nobles within the City of Splendors?”
“Indeed.” Khelben said as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Khelben crossed the entry chamber of the tower to stand before a looming wardrobe. He reached up with his staff to tap a rune on the left-hand door thrice. Tsarra noticed the staff was a different one than he bore earlier—still as night-dark as any carried by the Archmage of Waterdeep, but it was shod on both ends with brass
Understand?
“Was that this link?” She touched the green jewel.
“Yes.” Khelben replied. “The gem normally just stores memory and magic, but as a
kiira n’vaelahr
, it also allows mental communication between you and me. The gem also helps stabilize the fragments of Danthra’s soul so we might help her survive.” Khelben gestured toward the tressym overhead. “I can even feel your connection to him, and a familiar’s bond is not something I’ve felt in ages.”
Tsarra asked. “If this is so dangerous, why aren’t you wearing one? And what is so important that we can’t tend to Danthra first?”
“I only had the one
kiira
, which you need more than I do. Mystra’s fire protects me from the confusion and the damage the link can do,” Khelben said, as he got up. “Danthra is safe, if uncomfortable, for the time being. Waterdeep may not be. Still, the dangers will hold at bay until dinner is completed, since you deemed the main course acceptable. We shall dine then make a few visits this evening.”
“I’m feeling much better, Master, thank you.” Tsarra said, and she got out of bed. She looked down at her sweat-soaked dress and asked, “Um, Master Khelben, I’d like to change from this and into something cleaner.”
Khelben sighed and said, “Help her, Laeral, would you?” He idly speared one piece of venison with a knife and turned his back to stand in the doorway of the room. “Oh, be sure to wear the belt for now, but beneath your cloak. You’re to bear the majority of Danthra’s spirit through it.”
“Not very patient, is he?” Tsarra whispered to Laeral as they opened the wardrobe. She smiled, happy that her normal comfortable feelings for Laeral were back, instead of the fear and revulsion.
“Not when he gets caught unawares, no. That’s why he always plans—to avoid surprises like the one we had today.” Laeral grinned at Tsarra, “My dear, in your first years here, you wished you could get more personal time with the Blackstaff. As more than one faith on Faerûn will tell you, ’tis best be careful what ye wish for. You’re going to learn exactly what my love endures nearly every dayfor the Realms. Should you survive it, you’re going to fully understand what makes him both irascible and honorable at the same time.”
“It is regrettable,” Khelben said, licking one last shred of venison off his fingers as they walked, “that you and your charges are finishing your kitchen duties. Aeraralee’s class hardly shows any magic … of the culinary type, at least. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed Tethyrian-spiced venison. Spices are nothing without cooks who know how best to use them.”
Tsarra said, “I’ll be sure to tell Ginara and the twins their contributions were appreciated.”
She had barely had time to grab her scimitar, quiver, and bow as requested before Khelben hustled them downstairs again after dinner. Tsarra rarely saw Khelben when he was actually content, wholly enjoying a satisfying meal.
Khelben said, “I shall have to thank Gamalon for dropping those spices off here with our new apprentices before he headed north to Longsaddle. I expect him and his retinue back just before the Feast of the Moon. Gamalon plans to challenge the ‘Tethyr Curse’ by wintering here in Waterdeep … and surviving.”
“So will we be receiving guest lectures during the winter months from Tethyr’s court sage?” Tsarra asked, fully knowing the answer already, “or at least history lessons on the evils that befall Tethyr’s nobles within the City of Splendors?”
“Indeed.” Khelben said as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Khelben crossed the entry chamber of the tower to stand before a looming wardrobe. He reached up with his staff to tap a rune on the left-hand door thrice. Tsarra noticed the staff was a different one than he bore earlier—still as night-dark as any carried by the Archmage of Waterdeep, but it was shod on both ends with brass
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