Turning to find a man no older than himself with rich raven hair and a long black leather surcoat leaning nonchalantly against a wall Aeron had to have doubts about his own attentiveness. In the Moonwood even elves skilled in woodscraft found it difficult to approach him undetected but it seemed that the ambient noise of the city’s hustle and bustle had blunted his senses. Not only had this man caught him unaware, but the drow priestess… and even an armored dwarf had. Galen had been quietly observing the odd trio from the moment the dwarf’s bellow caught his attention, but they’d been so focused on each other that they clearly hadn’t noticed his presence. He’d never heard of this so called goddess of good drow or her temple in the nearby forest, nor had he actually encountered a dark elf before, but he’d learned from experience not to allow prejudice to guide his judgement. “What purpose could this Eilistraee have in sending you to a place you’d be unwelcome? Even if the Watch’s and Knights’ apathy allowed you to slip in unnoticed, as soon as they become aware of your presence they’re sure to treat you as hostile… most likely arresting you as a spy on sight,” he posed as he moved closer to get a better look at her and found that he liked what he saw. Although only five feet tall, with a typically elven slender form, she was graced by clear feminine curves and surprising full ripe charms, as well as truly stunning features. “She hasn’t revealed that to me, but I have faith that she’ll see I’m able to fulfill it… whatever it may be” Faeryl professed as she took his measure. About the same age and height as the woodsman, with a slim build and comely features, he appeared to bare a good measure of Netherese heritage, often a sign of natural arcane aptitude, as marked by his hair and pale complexion. But what drew her attention most was an odd, raised rune, similar to a brand, above his brow. Then a thought occurred to her, and she proposed; “Perhaps it wasn’t a lack of diligence to their duty that allowed me enter unchallenged by the city’s guards but the Dark Maiden’s hand at work.” “Bah… all this talk of gods meddling in our affairs is too much for me sober,” Tarl grumbled, before suggesting in a cheerier tone as he motioned to the tavern only a hundred feet away; “We were headed to the Bright Blade Brandished. I say an ale or two will make this whole discussion easier on us all.” “I couldn’t agree more,” Galen concurred with a sly smirk. He’d been on his way back to the Lady’s College, Silverymoon’s preeminent school of arcane knowledge, after tracking down a wizard rumored to sell scrolls of a specific spell he had an interest in acquiring. But now his curiosity was piqued, and he just had to know more about this odd trio, especially the alluring dark elven priestess, this so called goddess of good drow, her vision and the mysterious purpose that had brought her to the city. As they started off, Aeron couldn’t help but wonder if he and the others were part of this undisclosed purpose, and if it could be the reason the gods had allowed his family to be taken from him so brutally. Then he banished such foolish thoughts from his head. It was nothing short of immense hubris to think the gods actually care enough to manipulate him like that. But it was a remarkable coincidence that in all the vastness of the city they’d come together at the same time in the same place like this. However, as the decidedly strange quintet made their way toward the tavern they failed to notice a shadowy figure stalking through the darkened streets behind them. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Disclaimer: Some of the material presented here may be the property of Wizards of the Coast, LLC© taken from the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Setting authored by Ed Greenwood & Sean Renyolds, the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Accessory Silver Marches® authored by Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl and/or other sourcebooks registered to Wizards of the Coast, LLC©. This is unofficial “Fan Content” permitted under Wizards of the Coast, LLC© Fan Content Policy, it is not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, LLC©.