Icelin did look up then, but she couldn't read his expression. 'Do you still believe that?' she asked.
'I don't know,' the Warden said. 'I've learned to put my faith in this city and the men and women who serve to keep it thriving. I look to them for aid and inspiration when I need it. So far, those forces have been enough to sustain me.'
Icelin nodded. She knew that kind of strength. Ruen and Sull and Bellaril had been hers. 'What will happen to him?' she asked.
She was speaking of Ruen. They both knew it. 'He did bring you to the Watch, as I instructed, though it was after considerable delay,' the Warden said. 'Unfortunately, it's been made clear that he can't be trusted to act under our direction. That leaves two options, as I see it.'
'You can't send him back to the dungeons,' Icelin said. 'I owe him my life.'
'I don't enjoy the prospect,' the Warden said, 'which is part of the reason I inquired after your immediate plans. Will you take up your great-uncle's shop and stay in Waterdeep?'
Icelin shook her head. 'I considered it, but no. My family wanted me to see more of the world than Waterdeep.'
It was a desire she'd never found in herself before. But she knew the breadth of her life now, and the urgency and wanderlust in her blood had flared. The time to begin her journey was now or never.
The Warden nodded thoughtfully, as if he'd been expecting her answer. 'I suppose I could recommend a period of banishment from the city for Morleth. A man of his resources should have no trouble finding a direction in the world. Perhaps that direction will coincide with yours.'
Icelin grinned. 'You might ask him about this course of action before you undertake it. He may vastly prefer the dungeons to being saddled with me indefinitely.'
'I have already asked him,' Tallmantle said. 'He has agreed to keep an eye on you for me.'
Icelin didn't know how to respond. Her throat constricted around emotions she couldn't begin to handle. 'My thanks,' she said roughly, 'for everything.'
'Gods and friends go with you, lass,' the Warden said, 'wherever you choose to walk.'
When Icelin stepped outside the barracks, she didn't immediately see the monk. Ruen stood in the shadow of a building several paces down the street.
'Were you waiting for me?' she asked when she reached him.
'I would have waited in Tallmantle's office with you,' Ruen said, uncrossing his arms, 'but I can only spend so long in the place. I break out in a rash.'
Icelin fixed a look of annoyance on her face. 'So the Warden thinks I need watching after does he? What makes him think you're the man for this task?'
'I'm still alive,' Ruen said, shrugging. 'No small accomplishment, where you're concerned.'
'Hmmm,' Icelin said. 'I suppose you're right. Will you be vexing me the entire journey?'
'At least halfway there and back.'
'I see. I suppose I'll have no choice but to pay you back in kind.' Icelin took a step closer to him and leaned in. When it became clear she was about to kiss his cheek, Ruen stepped back, his hands on her shoulders.
Icelin smiled up at him teasingly, but he didn't return the humor. His eyes were shadowed under the brim of his hat.
'Don't,' he said simply.
'Don't what? Don't kiss me now, or don't kiss me ever?' she said. 'You already know the outcome. What can it hurt?'
'I don't know anything,' Ruen said. 'Nothing is carved in stone.'
'Finally, he admits it. His gift is not infallible,' Icelin said. She brought his gloved hand to her lips and kissed the back. 'Congratulations.'
'Mock me if you want, but you're not giving up either,' he said. 'You wouldn't be leaving Waterdeep if you didn't think there was something to find in the world that could help you.'
'I admit it freely,' Icelin said. 'Aldren's burden was lifted. But if such a cure doesn't exist for me, I'll live the remainder of my life as well as I can. And I'll have my taste of adventure besides.'
'Lead on, then,' Ruen said.
Icelin nodded, but she did not turn in the direction of the city gates. 'I have a stop to make first, to Sull's shop.'
'It's closed up,' Ruen said. 'Going there won't change anything.'
'I know,' Icelin said, 'but I need to go anyway.'
They walked in silence, and Icelin was surprised, when she turned onto the butcher's street, to see Bellaril standing in front of the shop. She held the signboard with its painted haunch of meat in her hand.
'I didn't expect you'd get roped into helping him,' Icelin said when they walked up.
'Didn't think it myself,' the dwarf woman said. She made way as Sull's bulk crowded the doorway. The butcher's bright red hair caught the sunlight. His teeth flashed in a wide smile when he saw Icelin. He dropped the hammer and nails he was carrying into his apron pocket and went to her.
He swept her up in a hug that was ten times as crushing as the one Kersh had given her. Icelin had no breath left to protest.
'Almost done here,' he said when he released her. 'Just need to board the windows for winter, then we can be on our way.'
'She came to make you reconsider,' Ruen spoke up.
Icelin elbowed the monk in the ribs. She smiled sheepishly under Sull's black glare. 'I'll be fine, Sull. Ruen's coming with me, and what about your shop?'
'Got it all with me,' Sull said. He trotted around the side of the building and came back with a small cart and pony. 'We need provisions, and I'm goin' to see to it you don't starve on hard rations. Besides, I've got recipes for the road,' he said proudly. 'There are spices and meats out there in the world Waterdeep never sees. How can I pass up the chance to bring some back?
This is research, is what this is, an investment. Got nothin' to do with you,' he said, grinning broadly.
Icelin looked at Ruen, who shrugged. 'I dori't mind eating good food,' he said.
She appealed to the dwarf woman next, but Bellaril shook her head. 'Nothing to me if he goes ot not, but I'm staying. The Cradle's a mess, and I'm still looking forward to dealing with the pretty elves,' she said, a wicked light gleaming in her eyes.
Icelin sighed. 'Fine. You're all baggage, though, and nothing but.'
Ruen bowed. Sull grinned wider.
When they passed beyond the city gates, Icelin silently composed the letter in her head.
Dear Grandfather,
I leave today on a new adventure. Faerun calls to me, and I'm willing to hear what she has to say. Wish me good fortune, and know that wherever I go, I carry all of you in my heart.
Love always,
Icelin
