“My name is Dagny, and I am here because I need help.” The woman stated.
Opal stepped forward, “What can we do?”
Dagny sighed in relief, “I think that a higher up in Tyr’s Uproar is selling secrets to the Sword’s Brand.”
“That is a strong allegation,” Gudrun frowned. “Do you have anything to go off of?”
The halfling nodded, “The last few missions that I have been on have been...stopped by the Sword’s Brand. Many of them were top secret and no one outside the few involved had any information on them.” She took a breath. “I think that the person feeding secrets to the Sword’s Brand is a half-orc by the name of Jannsenn Grumble.”
“What you are asking us to do could be very dangerous,” Edge said. “Can you give us time to think about this?”
Dagny nodded, “Of course. But please don’t wait too long. We need to catch whoever is behind this before it is too late. Here is an address to leave secure messages.” With that, she excused herself from the shop and made her way quickly out of eyesight.
“I think we need to talk with Eira before we make any decisions on this,” Edge stated. “She may have some insight into Tyr’s Uproar that we are not aware of.”
“That is a wonderful plan,” Gudrun said. “I have some plans tomorrow morning in the Blad Ward, but we can definitely meet at Eira’s after lunch.” Edge nodded and was out the door before anyone could stop her.
“What are you doing in the Blad Ward tomorrow?” T’hih-me asked.
Gudrun smiled softly, “Just some community outreach. Providing blankets, food, and other necessities to some of those children.”
“Can I help?” Opal asked.
To her surprise Gudrun nodded, “I could definitely use some help.”
...
Spring 41 YR 331
Opal padded down the stairs. She could hear the soft snores of T’hih-me sleeping on his rock, accompanied by a soft humming from the kitchen. She stepped into the small room to see Gudrun hard at work already. She smiled up at Opal as she pulled the pot of oatmeal off the stove.
“Just finishing a batch of oatmeal,” she hummed. “Can you package that batch over there? I just need this batch to cool for a few moments before we package it and head out.”
“Did you sleep at all?” Opal asked hesitantly.
Gudrun paused, “Of course I did. What kind of question is that?”
“You just...” Opal started, Gudrun stood with her hands on her hips. “Never mind.” She started packaging the oatmeal. “So, Gudrun...” the other woman glanced up to her. “Can you play every instrument that you have hanging upstairs?”
“Of course I can,” she smiled. “I did go to school to study music, and magic.” Her smile faltered slightly.
“Why do you think that the seances for T’hih-me’s parents went wrong?” She asked hesitantly.
Gudrun sighed, “You and these seance questions...” She took a deep breath. “Because I didn’t see what I normally see.”
“Well, what do you normally see?” Opal asked as she finished packaging the oatmeal and began to follow Gudrun out the front door.
“I usually see a person, or animal on occasion,” she stated. “The image of the one that has passed on.”
Opal furrowed her brow, “Do you believe that you are seeing the actual spirit of the ones that have passed on?”
Gudrun tilted her head and bit her lip slightly, “I’m not sure how to answer that one. Part of me believes that what I see is real, but the other part of me doesn’t. I don’t believe in ghosts, Opal.”
“Why did you do the seance then?” Opal asked as they left the district of Kjemper’s Tooth and began heading toward the Blad Ward.
“Just because I don’t believe, doesn’t mean someone else won’t.” She stated. “Even when I told T’hih-me that it didn’t work he was still dead-set that it did. Why are you so interested in these seances? Are you trying to communicate with someone?”
Opal’s eyes widened. She couldn’t tell Gudrun about her mother. Not yet at least. “I am trying to learn more about my father. I have never met him. I’m honestly not sure if he is alive or dead.”
Gudrun nodded, “Do you have anything of his? That would be helpful for the seance if he is dead.”
Opal shook her head, “Not that I know of.” The conversation began to fall as they entered the Blad Ward.
Opal was in charge of handing out the oatmeal while Gudrun passed out blankets, shoes, and jackets to the children in need. Soon the few children turned into many children. They all thanked Opal and Gudrun as they got their food and blankets.
“They remind me of my siblings,” Gudrun smiled as they started to pack everything up. “I am the oldest of four. There’s myself, Runar, Inger, and Johannes. Our family runs a general store.”
Opal glanced up in surprise, she quickly masked it. “I have two little sisters, Freya and Ingrid.”
“So you are the oldest too?” Opal thought a moment and then nodded. “I could sense the big sister energy.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment?” Opal smirked as they made their way back to Idun’s Garden.
...
T’hih-me was still lying on the rock when they arrived. A small cube in hand. He perked up when he heard the door opening.
“Here’s your hotbox!” He exclaimed handing the cube to Gudrun.
The woman froze, glancing between T’hih-me and the cube. “That is not what it is called.” She stated. “I don’t want to ask...but do you know what a hotbox is?”
“A box that makes things hot, of course.” T’hih-me stated. “This is box that makes things hot. So it is a hotbox.”
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Gudrun closed her eyes setting the pot and ladle down on the counter. “No, T’hih-me. That is the cube.”
Opal giggled as she listened to Gudrun attempt to explain a hotbox to T’hih-me. She took the pot back into the kitchen to start working on the dishes. After a few moments she heard the door to Gudrun’s store open. She glanced out into the store room to see Edge.
“I think we should head to the docks to find those children,” she stated by way of greeting. “It shouldn’t be any worse than the hell hounds or an assassin.”
“How are we going to get the creatures though?” Gudrun asked. “The report says that they are flying creatures. Last time I checked, none of us have flying abilities.”
“We can use these,” Edge smiled as she held up two nets. “They were T’hih-me’s idea. He came up with it while you two were out doing your community service.”
The entire walk to the docks, Opal was thinking up ways to stay as far away from the water as possible. She wanted to help the people of Port Lysren, but she was also terrified of water.
...
The dock was nearly deserted when they arrived. For a major port city, that was unusual. They approached the dock master as he finished his rounds. He furrowed his brow glancing the group over quickly.
“Are you here to deal with the creature?” He asked. “You all don’t look like much.”
Gudrun nodded, “We are here to help in taking care of the creature. Anyone know what type of creature it is?”
“It can fly,” the man stated. “Pulled a kid out over the water and then pulled her down.” Opal gulped. “Not afraid of a little water are ya, lass?” The man chuckled. “It was last seen down that way. That entire area of the dock has been restricted since the last attack.”
“Thank you,” Gudrun nodded as she led the group forward.
Opal hesitantly followed. She took a few deep calming breaths as they continued to inch closer and closer to the water. She was focusing on her breathing and didn’t notice the rustling in the trash bin next to her.
“Watch out!” T’hih-me yelled as the creature sprung out of the trash bin lunging directly for Opal.
Opal turned, shield at the ready, but the creature bypassed her and went straight for T’hih-me. The creature was composed of a brain like structure with a beak and tentacles. She swung at the creature barely hitting the soft, squishy brain like portion as it wrapped T’hih-me in its tentacles and flew high into the air.
“What the fuck is that thing?” Edge yelled.
“Language!” T’hih-me called from above them.
Edge glanced at Opal then up to T’hih-me. “I need a boost!” She exclaimed as she ran full speed toward Opal.
Opal had meer seconds to prepare. She placed her hands open over her knee and then pushed Edge into the air above her. Edge then threw one of the nets, missing the creature by a hair. She cursed as she landed on the ground.
The creature above was moving quickly over the water. Then suddenly the creature stopped and began to plummet. Opal’s heart hammered in her chest as she watched T’hih-me fall into the water, chainmail and all.
“We’ve got to get to him!” Gudrun exclaimed as she jumped in the icy water.
“Here’s a rope!” Opal yelled as she threw one end of the rope to Gudrun and she held tight to the other.
T’hih-me made it to the edge of the dock without help. He looked exhausted, but he was going to be alright. Opal grabbed him by the collar and helped to pull him back onto the dock. She then helped Gudrun out of the water as well.
“Thank you,” T’hih-me shivered.
Gudrun began to dry off quickly as she used her magics. She turned to T’hih-me and tried to help him warm up a bit. “We should head back to my shop. Is the creature dead?”
T’hih-me nodded, “I got it.”
“You did good buddy,” Opal smiled and the young man smiled.
“So she can call you buddy, but I can’t?” Gudrun asked.
T’hih-me nodded, “You don’t say it like Opal does.”
Gudrun rolled her eyes and began making her way back to her shop. The group followed close behind. Opal paused as they were passing by the Job Board.
“I’m going to get us some food,” she stated. “I can find my way back on my own.”
T’hih-me frowned, “Are you sure?” He shivered again, “I can help you.”
“I’m positive,” Opal replied. “You need to get warmed up. I’ll be right behind you.” T’hih-me nodded hesitantly and followed Gudrun and Edge back to the shop.
Opal quickly picked up a few orders of soup and a bread bowl before making her way back to Kemper’s Tooth. She passed by Idun’s Garden and made her way into the Olde Krone. She coughed at the smoke and aroma that floated toward her as she entered.
The door jingled and when Opal glanced up she was face to face with the eladrin, Fala. “Can I...help you?” They asked as they glanced over Opal.
“Well,” Opal didn’t want Fala to know the real reason she was here. “Gudrun sent me to get herbs for her shop.”
Fala’s brow lifted, “Oh really? What type of herbs did she send you for?”
Opal thought hard, “You know the ones that she uses for herself...” Fala smiled softly. “Ok, ok...she didn’t send me. I wanted to get her a gift for allowing me to stay in her home.”
“Ah,” Fala smiled. “I think I have the perfect herb for this situation.” They made their way over to a nearby shelf. They came back with a small bundle of herbs in hand. “Now don’t use it all at once. Or do.” Their smile widened ever so slightly. “Anything else I can do for you?”
“Do you sell candles?” Opal asked.
Fala nodded and handed over a single candle. “Enjoy,” with that Fala was gone.
Opal quickly tucked the herbs and candle into her pouch and walked back over to Idun’s Garden. She stepped inside to find T’hih-me sprawled out on the warm rock. The young man didn’t even move when she stepped into the room.
“You hungry?” Opal asked and T’hih-me sat up. “I got you a bread bowl.” He followed her over to the table. She served them both and took her seat. “Where’s Edge and Gudrun?”
“Edge went home,” he stated between bites. “And Gudrun went to take a bath.” He said through a mouthful of food. “Opal,” he started. “Are you afraid of water?” Her eyes widened. “There’s nothing wrong with being afraid of something.”
Opal took a deep breath, “I don’t know how to swim.” Her shoulders sagged ever so slightly. “I almost drowned in a lake when I was little. My mother saved my life.”
“Maybe you will learn how to swim one day,” T’hih-me smiled warmly. “Hey, I wanted to show you something!” He quickly changed the subject. He set his orb on the table in front of her, allowing her to see it in full for the first time.
The orb was a crystalline sphere with a rainbow bismuth inside. As the light hit it just right the rainbows shimmered. Opal gazed at it in aww.
“Where did you get that?” She asked.
“I’ve always had it,” he stated. “It was a gift from my dad.” He quickly took it back into his hand. “That’s why I think Gudrun’s seance worked...because she said she saw rainbows. When I see my dad, this is what I see.” He glanced back down at the orb.
“T’hih-me,” Gudrun sighed as she stepped into the room, “like I’ve said before. The seances do not work to talk with the living.”
“Well I think it worked,” T’hih-me stated as he stepped away from the table, making his way back over to the rock.
Gudrun glanced at Opal, “Thank you for picking up dinner.”
“It’s the least I could do,” she smiled. “Thank you for letting us stay in your home.” She took her leave from the table.
Opal made her way up to the bedroom. She doffed her armor and changed into her nightclothes. She sat on her bedroll and quickly set her shield in front of her. Her mother’s shield. She dug through her pack to find the herbs and candle.
She glanced around the room and then lit the candle. She pulled a few herbs from the bundle, about the same amount she had seen Gudrun use the night before, and lit them. She did the same motions and went through the process she had witnessed Gudrun do before.
“Mother,” she whispered. “Mother, I need you. I need your...” She felt a little woozy. “I need your guidance.”
She watched the smoke dance around her fingers and over her shield. Warmth filling her body as she took a few deep breaths.
“Opal!” Gudrun exclaimed. “What are you doing?” Opal couldn’t seem to respond as she continued to smile while the smoke curled around her fingers. “Did you go to Fala’s? You must have!”
“Not Fala’s fault...” Opal muttered. Gudrun crouched down in front of Opal and shook the young woman’s shoulders. “That’s not nice....” she stammered a frown settling on her face.
“Alright...” Gudrun sighed. “Time for bed.”
“But I’m not done...” Opal whined.
Gudrun laughed angrily, “Come on, up. Time for bed.” She yanked the younger woman up from the ground, pulling the herbs from her hand in the process and putting them out. “Get in bed.”
“Who has the big sister energy now....” Opal grumbled as she crawled into Gudrun’s bed and passed out.
...
Spring 42 YR 331
Opal awoke the next morning to loud explosion from outside the shop. She ran downstairs to see T’hih-me and Gudrun rushing outside with buckets of water. She quickly grabbed another bucket to help put out the flames. Others of Kjemper’s Tooth were out with buckets trying to put out the flames behind Fala’s shop.
Once the flames died down, Opal, Gudrun, and T’hih-me were left examining the scene. Gudrun stopped in her tracks when she saw the charred body of a halfling woman lying in the alley.