Embers in the Dust

Leaf woke with more energy and anxiety than he’d had in weeks. No more studying. No more tests. He was the Archmage of Cecela, the youngest archmage ever. As he sat on his bed, his legs hanging a few inches off the floor, he studied Wulfgar’s features as he dressed. This was no longer a calm, carefree, elven man. He carried a weight with him, but Leaf didn’t know what it was or how to help.

“Have I told you that you’re wonderful when you stare like that?”

“Sorry.”

“Please, never apologize for staring. It’s flattering.”

Leaf smiled, and Wulfgar laughed. Since sunrise, only a couple of hours ago, they had been packing all of their belongings and readying themselves for the trip ahead. Leaf had checked, rechecked, and triple checked everything, while Wulfgar sat and watched him fidget with everything, having nothing of his own to worry about than the clothes he wore.

“I know we’ve talked about it,” Leaf started quietly. “But what was it like?”

“An endless void of nothing, followed by memories.”

“Nowhere else, though? No time in any of the afterlifes we know of?”

“No. It’s not surprising, really. I was never really much for religion anyways. I think it was my kind of in between. There were many happy memories, and a few bad ones. They just repeated.”

“Did you see who…?”

“I didn’t. I told you, they came up from behind me.”

Leaf could feel that he was lying, but didn’t want to press further.

“I’m just content in leaving those things in the past, and focusing on now.”

Wulfgar stood, then placed a hand on Leaf’s cheek. Leaf smiled, then turned to hug him. It was only one of hundreds of hugs he’d given him since Wulfgar returned, but each one felt like the first and last every time.

They finished gathering their things, and set out to meet with the others. In front of the dorm, a cart and horse had been provided to transport them to the docks. They traveled with purpose, but slowly. With each step, Leaf glanced around him to see the various shops, inns, and taverns they had visited together as a group. Many were busy, with people moving around to gather breakfast or set their shop up for the day. It had not snowed the night before, and was slightly warmer than normal in Berkton, causing the snow to melt completely. This morning, they felt the cold, but everything was dry, making it an easy trip to their destination.

Once at the docks, they met with the Halfblade Brothers, who gave them their confirmation letter, and ledgered their trip. The Polyanthus was an enormous ship, able to fit sixty or more people comfortably. As they walked up to the dock, Leaf saw Mr. Muffins’ interns, a large crew, and a large group of others that Darion hired on behalf of the party for any of the various needs they might have on their trip.

The first thing he noticed was that many were warforged, which helped with various tasks at the command of halflings, a goliath, a pair of hobgoblins, some leonin, one human, and a dwarf. As the party walked up to the bridge to get on the boat, they stopped in front of the dwarf, a human, and a warforged in fanciful robes.

“Archmage! It’s a pleasure to have you board The Polyanthus! I hope my ship is up to your standards,” The female dwarf stated. “Name’s Thorrim Flintheart. I’m the captain of this old lug of wood and nails.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well,” Leaf responded.

“I am Avo, first mate,” The human stated.

“And I am Rune, the ship’s mage,” The warforged added.

“We should be ready in a few minutes, Captain!” A female leonin hollered over the side of the ship.

“Okay, Kiolra! Get ’em on board, and we’ll leave soon,” Thorrim shouted back.

They all crossed the bridge, were escorted to their rooms to unpack, then left to their own devices. Wulfgar rushed Leaf, dropping their things on the bed, grabbing his hand, and pulling him back outside to watch the ship start its voyage. Everyone else followed them back up, where they waited toward the back, a dozen feet behind Kilora and another, male, leonin. They watched as Rune cast the spell to start the ship’s ascension, which hummed with energy from below. The sails caught wind, and within minutes they were just under the clouds.

Leaf sat with everyone, excited, anxious, and content. This would be the easiest part of their trip, and he was determined to enjoy it. Pulling a bottle of wine from his satchel, as well as a bunch of goblets that he had grabbed in Karthmere Keep, he poured a large amount in each and handed them out. As the sun rose high in the sky, and Berkton became only a small speck in the distance, he raised his glass to the others. They all followed suit, but Rhokhishi was the first to speak.

“To adventure!”

“To purpose,” Myla added.

“To destiny,” Lyla said sarcastically.

“To smooth sails,” Mr. Muffins said while pointing to the ones above them.

“To gathering again,” Gisela stated with a smile.

“To love,” Wulfgar whispered in Leaf’s ear, before kissing his cheek.

Looking to Leaf to finish the toast, he smiled wide and looked into the eyes of those around him.

“To friends.”