With Gulthias vanquished, the Mages set about shrinking the Heart so that it could be easily conveyed out of the spire.  Panril and Alarick engaged in a heated but mostly civil discussion about what our next move should be.

 

“Very well.”  Said Alarick.  “We shall leave the Heart with you and your party Master Shortenkard to transfer back to the Temple of Kord.

 

“But…?!”

 

“Hold your tongue Rogard.”  Commanded Alarick.  “I am very well aware of the questionable tactics you have been using and you owe Gerard here a long overdue apology.”

 

“Kerris is guilty of the same offence.”  Protested Rogard.

 

“Kerris is not here.  If she were, I would have her apologize to Gerard as well.  Her actions, misguided as they were, were meant to protect Gerard.  It would seem that Gerard’s faith is stronger than anyone gave him credit for.  Is that not right Master Shortenkard?”

 

“Oh yes, Kord has smiled twice upon Gerard in the last few weeks”

 

Alarick turned back to Rogard.  “Your manipulation was an attempt, not to put too fine a point on it, simply to cover your own arse.”

 

Rogard turned, stared daggers at me, and then vanished.

 

“I apologize on his behalf Gerard.”  Said Alarick.

 

I nodded acceptance, but it made me wonder if there was more to story than I ever knew.  Why would Rogard find it so vital to wipe my memory of his involvement in my father’s treachery?  But I knew it was fruitless to press Alarick further.  I was also glad to see that Grizzlegar had been just out of earshot of this last exchange between Panril and Alarick (he was talking with Serina about a matter that would soon occupy us all).

 

We all crossed back through the rift and found ourselves in the basement of Numbilung’s hideout/bookstore.  The mages stayed behind to close the rift for good, while we accompanied Valet, Panril and several other Paladins, with the Heart in tow, back to the Temple, where a feast had been prepared to celebrate our return.  Menolly was there to greet me and I gave her the ruby hilt I had written to her about.

 

The next morning, I rose early and found my way to Third Gate where I dropped off a ring of Shooting Stars with an artisan in hopes he could fashion it into a medallion with the same properties.  As I came back through the town square, I noticed that everyone seemed to be setting up for some kind of occasion, and then I remembered it was Carver’s Day.

 

Carver’s Day commemorated our ancestors, who carved the city out of the side of the Melinir Hills.  I also observed that a traveling carnival had come to town to take advantage of the day’s festivities. 

 

As I passed a certain alley, I recognized a voice from the past and doubling back, peered around the corner.  It was indeed Larmy, the head of the Melinir Thieve’s Guild. Menolly and I shared a friendly rivalry with Larmy over the years, so I quickly rummaged through my pack and found the very loaded dice that Larmy himself had given me years ago.  I pulled my hood up to hide my face and as I got closer to the little group participating in the dice game I realized that Jerro and Pax were already among them.

 

“Step right up!  Many will play! Few will win!  But not as few as you might think!”  Barked Larmy.

 

Jerro tossed his dice and lost; now it was Pax’s turn.  Jerro stood right by my side and didn’t recognize me.  Pax won twice then lost; now it was my turn.  I won, and then won again.  With my third win, Larmy became suspicious, and by my forth he knew something was not right.

 

“Let me see those dice!”  Larmy demaned.

 

I handed him the dice and pulled down my hood.  He carefully weighed them in his hand.

 

“These are definitely weighted…In fact....”  He examined the dice closer.  “These are my dice!”

 

“Well, I should certainly hope so.  YOU gave them to me.”

 

Larmy finally looked up and saw my face.

 

“Gerard?!  You old bastard!  I should have known.  Only you would have the …uh hem..nerve to try to fleece me with my own dice.  How long have you been home?”

 

“Just got back last night; from a mission for the Temple.  Oh and these are my friends Pax Ironlight, and Jerro the Grand and Horrifying.”

 

“Pleased to fleece…That is meet you.”  Said Larmy.

 

“I think you were right the first time.  By the way; where is Grizzle?”  I asked Pax and Jerro.

 

“Hangover from the feast last night.”  Explained Pax.  “He said he would try to catch up with us later this morning or more probably afternoon.”

 

“He did want us to ask around about someone called Captain Colran.”  Put in Jerro.

 

“Colran?  Ah he’s nasty character.  I’d give him a wide berth if I were you.”  Said Larmy.

 

“Why, what’s he into?”  I asked.

 

“Word is he’s running some kind of operation for Lord Gunrink.  Plus, he’s a Drow, which gives him a big black mark in my book.”

 

“Mine too.”  Said Jerro.

 

“Wait, wait, Lord Gunrink is involved in this?”  I asked Larmy.

 

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

 

Lord Gunrink had been one of the Temple’s greatest Paladins.  Panril had extolled his exploits to me thousands of times over the years.  He was from Torlynn, where he held a seat on the city council, but his family (whose ancestors were prominent figures in carving out the city of Melinir) had always maintained a plantation on the outskirts of the city.  Lord Gunrink had taken over day to day operation of the plantation about 10 years ago and there had always been rumors that he indulged in corrupt practices (by Thunder Rift standards) but I had never believed them.

 

“Well, from what Grizzlegar said.”  Related Pax.  “Or should I say what his other wife, Serina told him; Colran’s operation has to do with kidnapped orphans.”

 

“All I can tell you is what I’ve heard; Colran is a man to be avoided.”  Summed up Larmy.

 

Pax and Jerro said their goodbyes and left the alley.  I was about to do the same when Larmy clapped his hand on my shoulder.

 

“I believe you owe me three coppers old friend.”

 

“Three coppers?”  I asked incredulously.

 

“One for you, and your two friends.  I should really make you pay more after what you tried to pull, but I’ll settle for the three coppers.”

 

I grudgingly slipped the coins into his hand then finally left the alley.  I saw that Pax and Jerro were playing some kind of game that involved a spinning wheel.  I started to join them when I noticed a familiar face from the Temple.  It was Tibbs, the assistant stable master.