4. Silvershield Estate

Eventually the Harpers finish their long meeting with Duke Entar.

Upon entering the Duke's office, they find Entar and Aldous quietly seated, apparently both mulling over deep thoughts. They perk up though when Skie's mentioned.

"What have you learned?" Entar asks. His eyes are slightly bloodshot. "When will we have my daughter safely returned?"

"Your daughter has gotten mixed up with a charlatan by the name of Eldoth Kron. She has been helping him run various cons and scams. They’re planning on using this money to run away together" Dieter reports. Dieter motions for Aiwë to finish the report

"Skie seems to not be a hostage. She is obviously head over heels for the man and he is taking advantage, but public consensus is that he only cares about what she can do for him." Aiwë drums her fingers on her arms. "Still, violence isn't his style. It is highly unlikely he will actually bring physical harm to Skie even if provoked, but he should be taken very seriously, especially if we are waving words like 'noose' around."

"Skie herself should be taken even more seriously. She's already picked a side, and how this is handled will either change her decision or cement it forever."

Receiving such a confirmation this morning might have sent the Duke into a rage (or more of one). But after a day of meetings and relived emotions, Entar can only close his eyes in pain. Pain at this rift in the family. Pain at his parenting failure. Pain at being a single father with too much on his plate.

After a long moment Aldous speaks up. "Father, you don't have to worry about any of this. Leave it to me. I'll make sure she's brought home-"

Entar holds up a hand to gently cut Aldous off. "No. Skie's my daughter..." His voice catches, overcome with emotion. But he clears his throat and continues. "I have no doubt that you could bring her home safely, Aldous. Thank you. But she deserves to have her father show up himself. With an apology."

Dieter is suprised at Entar’s reaction. He didn’t know that the man could Finish a sentence without waving dismissively.

In many ways the Duke's reaction is what she hoped, and Aiwë is pleased. In many ways she is very, very sad.

"We are here to assist, my Lord. I would be happy to help with anything that is needed. I'm sure there are many things that could be lifted from your plate to make things easier for tonight, even if not directly related to Skie."

Duke Silvershield looks at the clock on the wall. "I had my schedule cleared today, so I don't have much pressing me at the moment. But thank you, Aiwe."

He lifts himself from his seat, seeming to have aged a decade. "If you all will excuse me, I will prepare myself for tonight."

Aldous beckons for Stella to come sit with him. He looks weary, as though he's gone a night or two without sleep, even though it's only been some hours since the group saw him last. But he manages to smile at her through his weariness. "Stella! How did you like your afternoon in Baldur's Gate? I'm sorry I wasn't there to show you the shops and things, I-"

He cocks his head and squints at her. "Oh Stella! Have you been crying? What's the matter?"

"Actually, my Lord," Aiwë speaks up before Entar can leave. "There has been a change in plans. Stella will update you, and then I will share some information relevant to the mission that about I learned after the meeting at Wyrm's Rock concluded." She settles into an obedient soldier's pose and waits for Stella to continue.

Entar pauses and turns to Aiwe. "Ah. Yes, please do. The more information we have, the better." His face looks tired, but his eyes are focused on Stella.

With eyes that have seemingly lost their luster, Stella forces herself to walk slowly, but still smoothly over to Aldous and sits next to him.

She notices his weariness, and her eye-stars reflect just a bit of teal. What happened in the last couple hours?, she wondered, momentarily distracted from her morosity by her concern for him.
"I'm..." Should she tell them now? She could wait for Aiwë to finish her report. She glances over to find Aiwë clearly waiting for her. In her lifelong friend's face, she could still see that look of shock and betrayal she had seen earlier. She looks away. She had to tell them. Otherwise, she was just prolonging false hope.

"I'm going home," she says quietly, staring off dully. "Aiwë insists on joining and returning once I'm back in Kuldahar. I'd like to come back...eventually. Maybe after this is all over. But, right now, I'm..." Her eyes glisten slightly, but she forces the tears back. She would not embarrass herself any more than she already had. "...too much a danger to everyone. My powers have become unpredictable," And the rest of me, too. "I can't trust myself, and I don't know that anyone else can either."

She knew she was being vague. She'd explain further if he asked. But she didn't want to spill it all over them like a shattered bottle of ink. She was already too much a burden on Aiwë. She didn't want to permanently ruin her changes with Aldous and be a burden to him too. Snapple gobs, I probably already am after dropping that fireball.

She swallows and waits for their responses.

"Once Stella is escorted safely home I will return as quickly as time or magic will allow," Aiwë confirms.

Aldous looks as though he's taken a pike through the chest. He looks around at everyone as though to clue him in to a joke or something. Finding no hope there, he looks back to Stella. "You're... leaving."

"It's funny you should say that," he says as he enfolds her in his arms. "The only place I feel I belong is beside you. Wherever that may be."

"...right when I need you the most, my family, my city... the things I've learned today, I... you're just..."

Stella puts a hand on Aldous' shoulder, raises herself on her toes, and gently presses her lips to his.

It wasn't a long or deep kiss. But it was a tender and caring one.

His gaze drops. He clears his throat and blinks several times. "Forgive me, I just... need a moment..." He moves quickly, unsteadily towards the door. As he leaves, he starts to look over his shoulder. "...Bye."

And he's gone.

Entar Silvershield, one of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate, wears an unreadable expression as he watches his son leave.

"Might I please have a moment with Miss Melerelel." He looks at Dieter and Aiwe, letting them know his words are a polite dismissal. "I would speak with her alone."

He gestures towards a padded chair. "If you would... Stella."

Aiwë hesitates. Stella is still in danger... but the Duke has his own guards. She needs a moment too. She nods once, and departs.

In the hall she sees Aldous darting away. Once more a hesitation. She is so tired. Besides, without Stella between them, who is he to her? She closes her eyes. Someone who needs her.

"Aldous, wait!" She elbows Dieter and waves for him to follow her.

Dieter runs after Aiwë