The Wicked Demesne of Butterfly Sunrider

Morning came and went. With all the bustle of entering Everlund I didn't get much of chance to talk to Ralenthra about yesterday's shopping trip. Indeed, she seemed to be over her melancholy and now her eyes gleamed as she took in the city's sights. Traffic was insane as services all over the city were just getting out and the pious clogged the streets and thoroughfares. I had business at the Evergreen Hall, but I didn't want to keep Ralenthra waiting when she probably had better things to do.

"Why are you stopping?"

"I have druid business at the Hall. Thought you might want to...er...case the town."

"Trying to get rid of me, eh?"

"That's not it at all. I didn't want you to be bored with the...er, druid stuff."

"Gods, you are gullible. I was kidding,"

I blushed and looked at the ground. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Ralenthra's smirk melted into what appeared to be a look of concern.

"Hey, I know I give you a hard time. Try not to take it too personally. For a treehugger, you're not bad. I'll pick you up at the stroke of five so we can get dinner."

And with that, she rode off. I met with the druids of Evergreen. This was partially a diplomatic excursion, as my cousin Pandora was headed here to be installed as Archdruid after her honeymoon was over. We discussed Silverymoon and what I should do about the huge increase of chipmunks in Old Town. They in turn, asked my advice about the cat colonies in the Bell Market. We also spoke of Pandora's exploits and realized there was more bitterness between her and Lord Nasher of Neverwinter than I had previously suspected.

This went on for seven hours, as we do not conduct business over food.

Ralenthra was back on time and together we decided on The Friendly Dwarf, a popular and boisterous inn often patronized by Harpers and Moonstars - hence the boisterousness. Ralenthra and I chatted about our days, both avoiding whatwe might felt the other would see as "boring" details. We were just finishing dinner when a familiar face wafted into the room. While everyone else was busy catching their breath, I got up and strode over - until I was knocked on my behind by the biggest half-orc I'd ever seen. Damn, he was fast!

"Hey!"

"Hey yourself, druid. No rushing the bard-lady."

"I know this troublemaker, Kronk. It's okay. Help her up, willya?"

Kronk held out his huge paw and pulled me to my feet. For a big guy, he could be surprisingly gentle.

"You have a bodyguard now?"

Her name is Thralia Ma'freyja. About 20 years my senior, she was like a big sister to me in those years before I went to train in Amalith. We went to the Lady's College together (I was very young to be attending - 120 was the average age of most first-year elves) and after I got expelled, she went on to be a bard ( a famous one at that) and now, by the look of the small silver pin on her lapel, an agent for the Harpers. For those of you not in the know, she's a sun elf and heads a band of bards called Sun and Moon.

"Just for the tour. After that's over, he'll accompany me back to Silverymoon. I've got a regular gig at the Dancing Goat lined up!"

"The Dancing Goat...that's...just..gr-fabulous."

"Oh, you have to come see me. You promise you will? Please?"

Damn.

"Sure, I go there all the time! Hey, can I introduce a friend of mine?"

I grabbed Ralenthra by the arm and pulled her over, forgetting myself. The half-orc sprung and soon he was holding Ralenthra about three feet off the ground, his hands around her waist with the same ease as around a man's neck.

"Veil not fool me, drow."

"Unhand me you brute!"

I stifled a giggle.

"She's not one of those drow. Lia, could you -"

"Drop her, Kronk."

"But - "

"She's a good drow, like Drizzt. Only probably not as whiny. Remember Drizzt?"

"Yeah"

Ralenthra was dropped like a rag doll to the ground. Luckily, her cat-like reflexes ensured that she would land on her feet. I thought I saw something flash in Thralia's eyes for a split-second, but it was probably nothing.

"Kronk, you can make an appointment with one of the ladies if you like. I should be safe with Seledra for a while."

Kronk wandered off towards the back room. I hoped The Friendly Dwarf was not a reference to the ladies in the backroom and turned to Ralenthra.

"Dhavra, this is Thralia Ma'freyja. You may not have heard of her, Dhavra. She's a famous bard."

"Charmed. No, unfortunately it has not been long since I escaped the Underdark and I have not heard of you, Mistress Ma'freyja." Ralenthra curtsied deeply. I couldn't look at her for fear of laughter.

"Yes, I detect an accent. Menzoberranzan? And...you have green eyes."

"My father...was a moon elf. I'm looking for him."

"I hope you find him, dear."

"Thank you. Seledra, if I may, I'd like to adjourn to our room upstairs. The sun - it's taken a lot out of me."

I knew not to expect her when I got up there.

"Have a good rest, then. We have a big day tomorrow."

She knew we might not be staying at the same place two nights in a row.

"It was, Mistress Ma'freyja, a pleasure."

"The pleasure was all mine, Miss Dhavra."

Ralenthra went upstairs. Thralia and I ordered some elven wine and Thralia insisted on treating me. When she reached for her coinpurse, she found it was gone.

"Where did you find her?"

"Uh..."

"She's amazing. No one has been able to pick my pocket without my noticing in years. No, don't tell me. It's probably best that I don't know."

"Right."

"Here." She shoved a small scroll into my hand. "I want you to give that to her. It has my contact information on it." She whispered, "I don't want the Moonstars to get her first." Her volume returned to normal. "Luckily, I keep two coinpurses on me. I don't think Kronk did."

I reached for my coinpurse. "Here, let me - "

"Don't worry, I can take care of Kronk. Besides, the ladies here rarely charge him as it is."

"That guy?"

"Looks can be decieving."

"And you would know this because...?"

"No, no, no. I don't mix business with pleasure."

"Um. Ew. And yes you do."

"Well, not this time."

"Good."