Candlekeep Map [http://www.forgottenwars.com/bg1/maps/x_2600.jpg]
My home; Candlekeep is a Citadel, essentially an impenetrable fortress, set on the cliffs of the Swordcoast, it is a little bit out of the way for the normal visitors that other towns receive, I guess this makes it a bit safer. We have one of the best collections of books on the face a Faerun… or so I’ve heard…. I have never left Candlekeep, it has been my home as long as I can remember, and very rarely have I ventured outside of this Keep’s austere walls.
When I was about ten years of age Gorion adopted my now sister Imoen, and while ten more years have passed, I swear she has never mentally aged. While I had taken to Gorion, Imoen had found a friend in the tavern owner, Winthrop.
I have no memories of my parents, nor do I have any heirlooms or keepsakes; only vague hints in regards to my mother, who to the best of my knowledge, must have died giving me life… oddly enough I suspect Imoen has the same background as I, she does tend to change the topic any time the conversation drifts towards our birth parents. For the past 20 years I have lived behind the walls of Candlekeep, raised by my foster father Gorion. He has spent years telling me tales of the outside world, from books as well as his own adventures. Looking up to him from a young age, it is no wonder that I couldn’t help but to follow similarly in his footsteps. I spent the majority of my childhood within the halls of Candlekeep soaking up as much of the knowledge as the library had to offer; and while Gorion is the stereotypical [Mage], I couldn’t help but to play with the sculpting of my spells.
While Gorion was kind enough to instruct me in the basics of being a mage, he seems a bit overly concerned about my safety…I bet he is glad that Imoen never followed in his steps, and I cannot imagine the worry he might have if he knew I practiced with wild magic. Nevertheless when I, one day…, start my journeys outside of these walls, I know I will learn more than Candlekeep can ever teach me.
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…
It’s a bit strange,… Lately if feels as if I have become a burden to Gorion, I cannot help but feel that it is something regarding me; and while I have tried to ask, it has been in vain… something must weigh heavily on his heart.
…I know Gorion will tell me when the time is right…. But I cannot help but feel that something is terribly wrong…
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Maybe today is the day I will find out what is going on… Gorion came to me this morning, halting my chores, (I do hope the monks finish putting the books away) he shoved a pouch of gold in my hands and told me to prepare to leave, that we would be leaving Candlekeep for a journey as soon as possible. I attempted to ask why, but I was told to just prepare, and to meet him at the library steps when I was finished.
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The Tavern sits on the North side of Castlekeep.
Entering the Tavern I see a few of the castle monks sitting at the tables, some of them no doubt drowning away their worries for the day.
Not but a few seconds after I enter, Ol Winthrop is already calling out to me…
“Ah, well allo there Craylon, Come to visit Ol’ Winthrop ave ye? Well now, don’t forget the 10,000 gold piece entrance fee! Tis a Candlekeep custom don’t cha know? “
Winthrop is a burly and round man, full of good humor and cheer. He spends most of his time standing behind the bar, serving drinks to his patrons. Very easy to get along with, many of the patrons have many of stories with Winthrop.
Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but to give a slight chuckle, Winthrop loves this saying… he says it at least once a day… well to me at least. I’m quite sure he gives Imoen a different greeting, probably something about leaving the paying customers alone, or to keep her thieving hands to herself.
…it’s his fault really… The big lout rubbed off on her,… I swear he was a scoundrel before he took over the tavern… I mean where else would Imoen have learned to pop locks, or pick pockets? And there’s no telling how corrupted staying around the tavern made Imoen… I heard her asking for a story about Trollops and Plugtails the other day… I mean really…. A girl asking for a story about prostitutes and penis’….
But regardless…smirking I reply to Winthrop
“Heh, you always were a big kidder Winthrop… you know it gets funnier every time I hear it.”
With a large grin, Winthrop can’t seem to help himself.
“Haw! Just avin a bit o fun with ye. Them monks be walkin round with poles in their netheres, but ye boy, you know ye be always welcome in mine sight. ”
"Ah, Gorion did well by ye, that he did. There anything I can get ye boy? Drinks? Room? Supplies?”
Thinking for a second
“I could use a sling and 3 packs of stones”
Turning around to gather the items he shouts over his back
“It be 13gold, anything else?”
As he places the weapon on the table, I pass over the gold and respond
“I could use an ale, Father has us heading out of Candlekeep as soon as I’m ready”
Grabbing a mug from under the counter, he proceeds to fill it with the house ale, a Bitter Black Ale.
“1 gold”
Passing Winthrop the gold, he pushed the mug of ale to me and asks
“So where ye an ol Grey headed?”
Taking a seat at the bar, I breathe in the bitter aroma of the ale, I’m reminded of many nights in this tavern, cheerful nights of laughter, sitting around the table with Imoen and Father, listening to tales of knights and mages, Stories of mystery and adventure. I find myself a bit saddened; I am not sure where I am going, nor when I may return,
“I, … I am not sure Winthrop…. Father sent me here to grab some supplies. He told me he would tell me on our way…”
As if sensing my feelings Winthrop comes around the bar, placing a hand on my shoulder, I look up at him
“I tell ye what, I’va shiv in the other room, tis on top the book case, Grab it, ye may need it on yer trip.”
Surprised by the sudden offer I ask
“Are you sure?”
“Of course,… now hurry up, I'm sure ye have others to say off to, ye best not be keeping ol Gorion waitin for ye”
With a smirk I stand up, pushing the ale away
“Thanks Winthrop “
Winthrop turns his attention to the other patrons, and waves me off, hiding any emotion under the guise of busy work.
Heading into his reserved lounge, I am greeted by a savory aroma, Winthrop’s stew pot hanging over a slow roasting fire, giving the room a soft, but sweet smell of stew…Mmm…Perhaps potato?
Sitting and facing the fire is a couple I haven’t seen in Candlekeep before, Dressed in overly extravagant linens, marred by bright colors, and oversized jewelry. The woman is dressed in a soft metallic silver dress, hemmed with bright golden fabric that shimmers in the firelight, and embroidered with flowers. Her dress is complemented by a matching shawl over her hair, which is eccentrically accented with gems. The man is dressed in a similar metallic suit, but hints of a crimson red vest can be seen behind the buttons. Where the woman had a shawl, the man is bald, firelight dancing off his barren and polished head.
As I am entering the room the man spots me, and beckons me over.
“Ah, come my boy, join us by the fire, you will need a good fire to warm the chilled stares of the monks,… most inhospitable they are, isn't that right my love?”
“Oh yes my dear, MOST standoffish”
Trying to hold back an eye roll, or a snarky comment I say
“Well you know, the monks here sort of, ..live a cloistered life,.. many of them are very un-accustomed to so many visitors..., aaannd you are,… a bit more… colorful, then they are used to…”
With a taken aback expression, his brows turn to a slight thinking expression before he responds, however his lady speaks first…
“Colorful!?!? … Dear should we perhaps, dress a little more plainly?... to fit in?
With a smirk he responds to his woman
“It.. is worth a try my dear, ... however our clothes may only be the half of it.... they certainly couldn't act any worse than they already have. Good sir, I thank you for the suggestion,… and for wording it so tactfully.”
“Good eve to you.”
“and to you as well”,
I nod, and respond taking my leave to head over to Winthrop’s book shelf and grab his old dagger... The thing has seen better days, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Leaving the way I came, the couple is in a deep conversation, it seems the man is explaining the "colorful" behavior to his lady...
I pass by Winthrop, giving a parting wave, and ready to head out the door when I hear my name called out
“Craylon!”
Stopping in my tracks I look around to see a Mage, dressed in green and yellow robes, sitting at a table by himself, unkempt hair drooping into his face, gazing at his mug, maybe hoping he could stare ale into existence... lord knows I've tried.
Heading over the old mage speaks
“Ahh it is good to be back within the hallowed halls of Candlekeep. Did you know there is an iron crisis upon us?... It made the trip from Beregost more hazardous than I care to relate.... ah but you are Gordon's young ward Craylon, correct?”
Nodding at him, he continues
“My my you have come into your own, haven't you? Ah, do not mind me, it is just the ramblings of an old man, jealous of youth he once himself had...”
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, he brings himself back to the present
“Right,..My Manners,... Craylon, I do not know if you remember me, I am Firebead Elvenhair, I knew you when you were but a pup... I left an identify scroll with Tethtoril, he should be done examining it by now,… could you do me a favor and fetch it for me? He is in the inner grounds. I would be grateful for your assistance”
Nodding I respond
“Sure, however, I cannot guarantee that I can help, Gorion has informed me we are to leave as soon as possible. But if I have time I will retrieve your scroll for you.”
Nodding Firebead responds
“Ahh, I understand Craylon,… See to it then..
With that Firebead waves me off, and I turn to leave the tavern.
Exiting the Tavern, I make my way to the library; I don’t want to keep Gorion waiting… Damn library is surrounded by a wall, there’s an entrance on the south and north side of the library, Kind of makes you wonder if the library was built before the main wall, or if the monks love their books so much they surrounded it with a wall… Oh well,… I wonder if I will see Tethtoril on the way, meh; if I do I’ll just tell him to take the scroll to Firebead.
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As I start off toward the library Phlydia come running towards me, she has the same lost expression on her face as always… Phlydia is pretty cute; well I may think that because she is one of the few girls in Candlekeep that are close to my age, she has short cropped brown hair, with beautiful hazel eyes, slim nose, with thin lips, and a very nice backside… it’s too bad she is so absent minded.
“Craylon! Have you seen my copy of ‘The History of Halruaa’?"
Shaking my head, more so to clear my thoughts than to say no, Phlydia throws her hands in the air in exasperation.
“Gahhh… All because I wanted some fresh air! It’s so Stuffy in that Library, and the incessant noise!... The constant shuffling of feet just drives me crazy!”
With a smirk I let her know I will search for her book
I’ll help you look for it, who knows, maybe you left it in the same place as that 4 set encyclopedia”
Visibly paling at the mention of the encyclopedias
“Oh Gods, don’t remind me of that…. I almost lost a year’s worth of wages for those books… Please let me know if you find it!”
“Will do”
Phlydia runs off towards the inn… I guess to search for her book; I can’t help but to watch her backside as she runs the way I came. As she disappears behind the door, I shake my head and continue to head towards the library, planning to stop by the barn to search for Phlydia’s book.
After deciding to help Phlydia out, I head east towards the Barn, and after a few moments I’m upon it. Well, lo and behold, Dreppin is there... Kid’s a farm hand, right about my age too, he’s got a stocky build, brown hair, brown eyes, nothing special about him, he’s covered in dirt and mud, or at least I hope it’s mud…… If you ask me he spends a bit too much time here with his cow…
“Hey Dreppin, have you seen a book around here? Phyldia’s lost another one”
With a chuckle Dreppin responds.
“Yea, it’s in the hay, beside the cow, if you run it to her be sure to come back. I’ve got some plans for you.”
Nodding I grab the book and head back towards the inn, I swear without me to run endless tasks, this Keep would crumble into the dust from which it came.
As I am getting closer to the Inn, I see Phylidia coming back out. Waving the book in the air, I can visibly see Phylidia’s expression brighten.
“My Book! Thank you! Ohh you remind me of Gorion when you grin like that… Raising you has been hard on him, I know, But he says it is a toll of love, a toll of destiny even. You must be a very special child indeed to draw such praise from a MAN of his silent nature…”
Well Damn, at least I know who Phylidia has her eyes on…
“Here take this little gem of mine, Maybe Winthrop will give you a little something for it.
“Thank you”
Giving Phylidia a quick thanks, I swoop into the inn Phylidia just came out of, and quickly hear Winthrop.
“Aye, Craylon! Back already are ye? What can I do ye.”
“Phylidia gave me this lynx eye for helping her find a book, what can you give me for it?”
Handing the gem to Winthrop, I cannot help but think that Candlekeep, seems to continue to defy the laws of economics: the more books it holds, the more valuable they become to those who read them. The greater the supply, the greater the demand... Bah, all this thinking is making my head hurt.
“ I Give ye 7 gold for it”
“Done”
Handing me the gold, I head back out of the tavern and head east back toward Dreppin, to see what he needed from me.
Lounging on the cow hay, Dreppin speaks as I approach.
“Nice day, ain't it? It’s too bad Nessa, here ain't enjoyin' it…, her bein' sick 'n' all. I need to get her one of them potions of antidote off Hull, But I gots to stay here and watch her, Could you run over to Hull an grab one?”
Giving Dreppin a shrug sure, he continues
“Thanks, Hull stayed up drinkin' last night and got hauled outa bed early this morning to man the gates; He uses the antidote potions to cure his hang overs, so I bet he's got a few of them lyin' around somewhere. Again, Thanks Craylon”
Parting ways with Dreppin, I head south toward Hull to see if he has any potions on him. However Reevor stops me on my way.
“Dammit Boy! I thought I asked you to clean the rats’ outa my building yesterday!”
Oh , I guess I forgot…
“What are you waiting on boy? An invitation? Hop to it!.... Get in there!”
Not giving me a chance, the burly dwarf shoves me into his warehouse, closing the door instantaneously behind me, not daring to join…
Immediately upon my entry I see three large rats, half the size of a cat… and it doesn’t take long for them to notice me either.
“Oh Crap!!, these things are huge!”
I pull out my recently acquired shiv from Winthrop, and prepare myself as the three rats start to move in on me.
With a quick downward stab I drive the dagger into the mid-section of the first rat, it squeals with an inhuman noise as its body goes lifeless. (It better… it’s a rat, not a human)
Turning quickly I see the other two rats coming at me as a pair; they suddenly split to attack me from two sides. I stab down in the same manner towards one of the rats, but miss horribly. The rat dodges me and bites at my wrist. I pull my hand back, narrowly avoiding teeth, and return to full standing height. Thinking myself the bigger man, (more like only) I attempt to stomp on the rat’s face, missing twice I score a solid on the third stomp and feel the crunch from under my shoes. The final rat took this opportunity to bite my leg, with a *cough* manly cry I stab at the spot the rat was biting me, realizing after the blade sinks into the rat that I could have just stabbed myself on accident… taking a moment to breathe I look around at my surroundings, from the window I can see Reevor cheering at me.
“Kill them like the rats they are!”
Glancing around a bit more I can see two cats, sleeping on the crates… useless sod’s…
Quietly I tip toe around the room, wary of any more rats that may be in the building. As I round the stack of crates I see another rat, completely oblivious to me. Deciding to end this quickly I grab my sling and slowly spin it, with a flick of the wrist I unleash the bullet, and watch as it impacts the rat square in the belly, felling it where it stood.
I jump for joy at the miraculous shot, eliciting a squeal, and apparently alerting another rat. Twirling my sling to prepare for the (hopefully) last rat, I await it to enter my sight. As it enters my vision I unleash my stone of death…missing…. The rat starts its mad dash towards me, I ready my dagger. With a swing of my mighty blade, the foul creature falls to the ground in a slump.
Catching my breath I see a crate cracked open ever so slightly. Looking around I see that Reevor is nowhere to be seen, like the rats I just slayed. I reach into the crate, and pull out a lustrous silver ring, pocketing the ring; I make my way out of the ware house, sneering at the lazy cats as I exit.
Reevor congratulates me as soon as I exit the warehouse, or at least I think he is..
“A glorious battle, unlike any this world has ever seen, truly splendid… here’s your 5gold, … Don’t spend it all in one place.”
With abruptness, Reevor bolts into his warehouse, leaving me to my thoughts outside
Shrugging at the odd display form the dwarf I continue south to find Hull.
Against the walls of Castlekeep the stands one man, standing steadfast in his task to stomp out all who would do evil…. Not really, in a pitiful display of drunkenness, Hull leans against the fortifications, completely oblivious to his surroundings…. He may even be sleeping.
Not willing to surprise a hung over guard, I call out to Hull from a distance.
“Hull, Hey Hull!, do you have a minute?”
Propping himself up, hull turns to me.
“Hey kid, whatcha need?”
Waiting till I got a closer, I respond
“Dreppin sent me over, said Nessie ain’t feelin’ well, mentioned you might have an antidote potion for her”
With a smirk Hull responds,
“Sure do kid,… I tell you what, I woke a bit late this morning, and left my sword in the barracks before coming on duty. If you get it and bring it back to me, I’ll let you have a potion. My sword is in my chest, it’s the only chest on the right side of the barracks.”
“Sure thing”
Quickly turning around I head west, straight towards the barracks.
From behind me I hear Hull shout
“Be quick about it!”
With a little umph in my step I hurry my pace, however not even half way to the barracks the Gatewarden stops me.
“Soon be gone, will ye? Aye, Gorion arsked me to teach you a whit about the finer arts o' mass combat 'afore ye leave. Can I pique yer int'rest with it, Craylon”
Fidgiting in place I reply
“ah, I am afraid I cannot spare the time Gatewarden, Gorion is in a hurry.”
With a look a agitation, the Gatewarden responds
“aye, I know he be in a hurry, Gorion himself arsked me to do this deed. It would be best ye took the time to learn it now rather than curse yer ignorance late, I'll not offer it to ye twice, what say ye?”
With a sigh, I respond
“I thank you for your concern, Whatever little knowledge I have, I am sure it will be sufficient, thank you... Besides, Gorion will be there if we encounter any trouble.
Shaking his head in irritation the Gatewarden speaks as he turns to leave
“Aye, ye be as ye've always been, then. Worse than tryin' to talk sense to Ulraunt, himself. Now there be duties that need attendin' to and I'll not suffer a brat like ye any longer.”
Rolling my eyes I continue towards the barracks, as I enter I see Fuller sittin in a chair, apparently nursing a hangover as well.
“IHull sent me to grab his sword."
Without saying a word Fuller glances at me, nods, and points towards hulls chest
Retrieving the sword, and a potion I return to Hull
Upon arriving Hull approaches close to me, and alternating between a small whisper and a yell, Hull grabs his sword and begins to lays into me...
“Took your sweet time, didn't you? Gorion's a fool for trying to bring you up right and you can tell him I said so, too. If I didn't know any better, I'd say this whole iron crisis is the result of twerps like you wandering off with people's swords. Here's 10 gold for your help. Now get out of here, I'm on duty!”
Taken aback by the sudden change of character, I take a few steps back and eye Hull inquisitively before heading off to Dreppin, never once noticing the Gatewarden eyeing Hull from a distance.
As I round the corner, I see Dreppin where I left him, still lounging on the cow’s hay, but as I near he waves one had at me. I return the gesture with the potion in hand. at that it seems as if Dreppin came to life, he bounds up and hurry’s over to me
“Heh, yer a wonder, you are. Stick with me and we'll go far... Well, okay, stick with me and we'd prob'ly never leave the walls of Candlekeep, would we...”
I roll my eyes at him
“You know I’m, leaving Candlekeep with Gorion today?”
Eyes widening for a split second, Dreppin seems to recall the information
“oh yea, Hmm…, well tis a good thing you ain't wearin' none of that metal armor,... as I hear it, the bandits out there would just as soon kill you as look at you to get it off your back. I just hope this whole iron crisis business is wrapped up soon.”
Holding his hand out to shake, Dreppin gives me a farewell, and I head off to the library to meet with Gorion.
As I enter through the inner gate, that surrounds the library, Imoen pops out of hiding, as if she was just waiting for me to show.
“Heya,... I’m surprised that stuffy ol Gorion let you away from your studies and chores…That ol fiddle faddle….”
With a smirk, Imoen lowers her voice
“I snuck off too... Ol Puffguts Winthrop was looking for me,… but I”ve got all day to do his chores…”
Like a child with ADD Imoen changes topics
“You have time for a story today!.. No, no I can tell that you don’t…. What HAVE you been up to?”
With a smirk I shake my head slightly
“I’m afraid I cannot chat today, little one. Our foster father wishes for me to prepare for a journey,… but will not say to where”
Puffing up her cheeks Imoen is quick to catch my slight
“Little one? I’m not much younger than you!, though you sure got tall fast…Well relatively anyway... But a Journey eh?... I never get to travel… wish I could go with ya. ...Yep I really wish I could…”
Imoen glances up at me with a slight puppy look
“Yes, sir. Really do.”
Shrugging my shoulders in resignation
“Alright, alright, I get the message. I’ll ask if you can go with us.”
With a chuckle, and a victorious smirk, Imoen responds
“Heh, don’t be silly, Gorion wouldn’t even let you finish the sentence…. Especially after what that letter of his said…oops, Err… did I say that?? No, no of course I didn’t… Never saw no letter…”
With flustered actions, Imoen starts to take off in the other direction
“I’ll just get back to work now…. You had better go, Gorion Is waiting”
A bit confused at what Imoen is hiding, I attempt to chase her down, However as I lose Imoen in the library gardens I see Tethtoril, coming my way.
Flagging Tethtoril down I ask him about Firebead’s scroll
“Hey, Thethtoril, do you happen to have Firebead’s scroll?, he asked me to find you…”
Before I could finish my sentence Tethtoril cuts me off
“Firebead sent you to me has he? Very well, return this scroll to him.”
“But..”
“Now now, you must hurry, Gorion is of need of you. He is at the steps of the library.”
‘Yea, but!..”
‘Child, I assure you, It is a matter of greatest urgency.”
Still not allowing me to finish my sentence, Thethtoril leaves me standing in the garden alone.
“Bastard, wouldn’t let me finish… I think I might keep this scroll as payback… which one is it anyway?”
Opening up the scroll I see it is a scroll of identify.
“Ooohh, this might come in handy.”
With a smirk on my face, I take a seat, and begin learning the spell. After about 20 minutes the scroll starts to dissolve from my hand, and I can feel the words etched into my memory.
“Amazing, I don’t know if I will ever get used to that, makes six spells now, too bad I cannot fully use two, and the third is a gamble.”
...
When I was first learning how to be a [Mage], Gorion brought me a few spells to choose from, he let me know that they were the first ranked spells, he told me to choose two. Reviewing my choices carefully, I spent long and hard trying to decide, ultimately choosing the spells I felt would provide me the most utility. Choosing was hard, but eventually I chose to learn the spells [Sleep] and [Magic Missile].
It must have been only a few weeks after I learned my first spells, maybe a few months… I was in the library, rummaging through the books, when one in particular caught my eye. [Wild Magic], it detailed the core idea behind what natural, or wild magic was, and told tales of people who could bend wild magic to their will. A rank one spell called [Nahal's Reckless Dweomer]
After I had read the book, I decided to test the theory; I played with the casing of [Sleep]. Tugging and molding the arcane energies, it took a few day of trying, but one after noon I felt the spell change, and I blacked out...
When I woke, I could feel a natural ability to mold spells, but I knew that there would be unknown reactions if I cast the spell that way. I could also feel partial knowledge of two more spells, spells that I could perceive as incomplete... it felt as if they could shield me from unexpected consequences of my [Nahal's Reckless Dweomer], if I wished to try I am sure that I could cast the spells, but I know that there is great risk in this; after looking through the book a second time I found the other two spells were called [Chaos Shield] and [Improved Chaos Shield], a rank 2 and rank 7 spell… it would explain the incompleteness in knowing the spell, I have qute a few level I need to gain before I can competently cast them.
…
Standing up, I believe I have said goodbye to those who matter, and I decide it is time to find my Father
As I approach the library, Gorion seems flustered, and addresses me with a sense of urgency
“Craylon, I know this is all very unnerving, but you must trust me. The keep is well protected but not invulnerable. You must hurry and pack all of your possessions, we must leave Candlekeep immediately.”
“Father, please tell me where we will be going?”
With a stern gaze Gorion responds
“Alas I cannot, for I have not truly decided. All that is certain is that we will be far safer on the move. Perhaps the woods might offer some secluded security, or perhaps the city of Baldur's gate would offer cover amidst its teeming throngs of people. I do it know where we shall end up, but I have a few friends here and there…. Hmm, I will think on this while we travel… are you ready son?”
“yes father, I am ready to go now.”
With a smile Gorion places his hand on my shoulder,
“Very well son, let us go”
...
We both head to the main gate, both of us nervous for the journey, both for differing reasons.
As we enter the staging ground, that lies secluded between the outer main wall, there are two city guards and a priest awaiting our departure. Gorion stops to talk to me
“Craylon, listen. If we ever become separated it is imperative that you make your way to the Friendly Arms Inn. There you will meet Khalid and Jaheria. They have long been my friends, and you can trust them.”
Nodding my head, Gorion signals to the priest and guards that we are ready to depart.
As the guards open the gates, the priest casts a healing spell on me, I guess to make sure I am as ready as possible for the journey.
…
After a few feet past the gate, the guards close it… Father and I now begin our Journey together.