Quiet Homecoming

[Lothoir]

The Stalwart eased into Avanthyr's port and the green-robed mage watched the bustle of the dock with a thoughtful expression that was at odds with the fluttering in his stomach.

"Almost a year, now." he said softly, looking down to his left hand, covered with a fine leather glove and wrapped in a delicate silver chain, with a symbol of Selūne holding the wrapping in place.

"Well, I suppose we should be off now." he said with a smile to the ginger-haired youth he had met in Waterdeep.

"I reck'n so." he agreed, hoisting the haversack over his shoulder and striding down the gangplank while Erik made his goodbyes with the rest of the crew. Though not an ordained priest, a devout spellcaster of the Moonmaiden was welcome on any ship.

"We lodg'n the temple?" his companion asked.

"No." Erik replied with a frown and shake of his head, "Not yet. Get us an inn room while I gather news of the valley."

After a quick kiss, Rigel made toward the Mariner while Erik began to scout the town.

[Lothoir]

His breath came out as a silver cloud in the cold air illuminated by Selūne's light high up in the Avanthyr mountains. He finished his prayers and offered a blessing to Gunter, the second scout of the Ranging squad patrolling this section of the border for Sestran spies.

He had Illuskan features, like Erik. Strong jaw, locks of gold hair that brought out his eyes. He was hard and loud where Rigel's southran appearance and mannerisms were soft and quiet, but still undeniably attractive. They had bonded near the end of his time in the House of the Moon, and Rigel had jumped at the chance to join his beloved brother in the faith to the land where the Dark Sister's avatar had been thwarted.

The voyage over had been pleasant enough. More than pleasant, Erik allowed himself with a grin while looking down on the twinkling lights of the city. There was little to do on the ship other than offer counsel and blessings to the sailors, so they spent near all of their time in their bunk.

That bliss quickly faded away after they arrived; Erik found the daughter of the woman who had saved his life, and became an adopted mother to him. She told him that Melissa had died.

Erik was an inconsolable wreck for days, and Rigel couldn't comfort him. It didn't help at all when he met Leikny, and the Illuskan sorceress reminded him enough of home to bring him that comfort Rigel was unable to provide, without dredging up the memories of his exile from the North.

She laughed at the little things Rigel couldn't understand, and followed the same customs that drew stares to Erik. They could say minor things that would only make sense to another Illuskan, and she never judged him-not that Rigel did, but it was different. Rigel was from Waterdeep, where magic was sold on street corners. Sorcerers weren't feared, not like they were in the North. Leikny reminded him of all the good of home without bringing back the shame of being a sorcerer. Leikny was a sorceress herself; she understood Erik is ways Rigel never could.

Rigel never had a chance. They both shared the same love of Selūne, the same dedication to her mission, and his body certainly was nothing to complain about, but in the end they bonded over Selūne, and not each other.

Erik wondered if that's all it was with Leikny. He looked down on where he assumed the Menacing Mariner was, thinking of the woman he had told to take his room when his curse had overwhelmed him and became dangerous again.

Was he only interested in Leikny because she reminded him of home? He wanted to believe otherwise, but the thought couldn't escape his mind that if he hadn't been twice-cursed by Mystra, he would be be in his village still, courting a woman who he would like to believe would be very much like Leikny.

He put the thought from his head as the rest of the patrol finished packing, and was ready to move out. He hadn't proven himself to them yet, and he wasn't about to let them down, despite how much his muscles were burning. He soothed his aching with a silenced Restoration, disguising it with a final prayer to Selūne. He grinned to the moon, and then turned to join his new fellows in protecting his home, and the woman he cared about.