Approaching Dranseri, the statue of Bahamut, cursed pretender, towers above the roofs. The platinum dragon is surrounded by scaffolding, which I hope means Tiamat has landed an injurious blow. My companions gasped and admired the sights – the Raven Queen’s obelisk, the Cobalt Reserves’ sapphire-domed library, the Two Moon sculpture of the elven gods.
They saw the benefit of docking outside the city and entering the Jorkh Road gate on foot. Once we did, I gave my purse to Tilia – I’ve no need of gold – and set off to find Nemeia.
I strolled thru the sixth ward, enjoying the smells and tastes of home, until mid-afternoon brought me to her cabin across the alley behind the Broken Die. Her front door was locked, so I checked at the back. This was also locked, so I decided to wait for her to return.
It grew dark, and she did not return. I finally thought to check inside instead of loitering suspiciously and forced entry. The room was empty. Still, it will serve as shelter while I remain in this town.
A bit later, I crossed the brothel. As expected, Jim was behind the bar, his evident disappointment with life punctuated, for a moment, by surprise.
I asked what news; he had none. The stars are moving, the queen talks of war, Nemeia has been gone at least a month. I thanked him with most of my remaining silver, and he agreed that I had not been there.
I hope Nemeia is well. She has probably found a new companion and moved on – or been captured by the queen, swept up in confessions from those I left at the Pansophical ambush. Either way, I cannot hope to see her again.
That means I have no reason to stay here in danger. I have a key from the Bladeoak tombs, which unlocks something in the far north. Perhaps I will see what mysteries lie there. But not tonight.
p. 253
I am safe, or the moment, in anonymity, and will be on my way in the morning. Today I joined the crowds for fights at the Coliseum, to enjoy being alone and unknown among many. Rae Dranser makes our amusements cheap and gory, preferring to provide bread and circuses rather than effective social or civic services.
Almost before I could settle in with my ale and fried foodstuff, the manticore match began. Imagine my surprise – it was not surprising – when Val led Pantaghion, Wynlynn, and the others into the arena.
The bout only lasted a few minutes, with Val softening the first beast so Pantaghion’s spy Jerry could gut it, the Travis calmly casting a kill spell on the second while Tilia distracted it by turning into a bear. I cheered loudly, as did the entire small early-arriving audience, at that trick. They must have stood in line at the Pansophical all day for magic licenses.
I had to congratulate them, so I collected a return entry mark and stepped outside to the combatant gate. There, however, Teal told me they found the Lucky Penny closed, and I hurried away to investigate.
Sure enough, the tavern is boarded over by authority of Erasmus, to be sold in bankruptcy. I could learn nothing of my parents from inquiries nearby. My father, like me, grew up in the Penny, so if they survive, they must have retreated to Mother’s home village. I will start for there tomorrow.
This was Songsteel’s doing, vengeance or punishment for my tricks on the way out of town last year. No matter, I will beseech Tymora to smile on my parents independent of her disappointment in me.
UNOMAHA D&D 