Aster's Path
Tuesday, May 13, 2003 (20:47:32)

Posted by Meg

Chapter One: Aster Swiftthought
It feels strange, being out of the barracks. There may be men only there, but they were good-hearted men forced into the world of war. Or chose to be. Either way, they were stricly forbidden near me except when we were reviewing drills. Today is the day I turn adult. A score year has passed when I was born, though the origin of my birth was strictly forbidden to me. Gorion always kept it secret. Whenever I had pondered about it, he would never answer. When I tried to get the information out of anybody else, they didn't know. Only Gorion knew.




Gorion is very sweet man. He is about two score and a decade old. Maybe older. He had taught me many things, and usually kept me holed up in to study. But once I finished my studies and chores, I would go outside and play games with the boys. Usually war games, sometimes pseudo-adventures, but they were always fun. Gorion would never object. He knows how much I like the outdoors, and he knows how much I like magic.

Imoen is my best friend. She's like sister to me. Her foster-father is Winthrop, the innkeeper. He would crack a joke or two, but they got old fast. Imoen is the sweetest little girl imaginable. Maybe not little girl, perhaps young lady-- I can never be too sure. She may only be a year and a half younger than me, but she still retains the qualities of a playful girl, sure she is ready for anything. I could never imagine her in the barracks. She has too much of a heart. A bit mischievous, I might add, stealing things here and there. She hardly gets caught, and her skills do her well.

Gorion gave me a summons. This is strange, because he usually comes to get me whenever he needs me. Maybe this is serious...

Imoen was in the garden near the inner keep sniffing a flower. She looked up at me and her eyes sparked with joy. Her amber hair bounced with life as she got up from her spot. Gods, she looks younger every day. I could never imagine her beyond Candlekeep.

"Aster!" she greeted, giving me a hug. "I heard you got a summons. Gorion said you were going someplace with him."

"Where, do you know?" I asked.

"I dunno. It didn't say in the letter..." Imoen started, looking thoughtful.

"Letter?" I asked increadulously.

"Uh... Letter, what letter? Forget I said that, um... I gotta do my chores before Winthrop catches me. Bye!" Imoen
said hastily. She started running away.

I couldn't help but laugh. Imoen can be such a ditz sometimes. But, about the letter... What letter was she talking about? Never mind. I have to get to Gorion.
Gorion told me to get my bearings. I quickly gathered my stuff together and I bought a sword from Winthrop. Gorion's eyes seemed glazed over, and he would not tell of our destination. I knew whatever it was about, it would be serious. A couple of times Imoen implied that she wanted to come and I accepted the offer. It would break my heart to leave her. She then dropped the idea and said that Gorion would never let her. I agree-- a person like her would not be fit to go out in the wild. But it would be nice to have the company. I wondered how she would react if a Gibberling attacked her.

I must stop daydreaming. I'll go to Gorion's right now.
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