Postby Vandic » Mon Aug 26, 2002 9:09 pm
It took me a long time to figure out just how to say this, and I still don't know if I have it the way I want it, but hopefully it gets the message across.
We miss you Kimmy.
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Vandic rolled over fitfully on the lumpy mattress, trying desperately to catch up on sleep after the long journey south from Waterdeep. The late afternoon sun had become obscured by dark clouds shortly before he arrived at the Blade and Stars Inn, and now the streets of Baldur's Gate were silent as slashing sheets of rain tore through the night sky. This storm seemed wholly unnatural to Vandic; it was far too close to winter for such strong storms, and it had come upon the city in a matter of minutes. The sputtering rain that splashed through his window, combined with the howling wind, rumbling thunder, and the unfamiliar bed made the prospect of a good night's sleep unlikely at best. Vandic turned over once more before restlessly throwing the covers aside and getting out of bed, then walked over to the window to watch the storm.
A jagged bolt of lightning streaked dangerously close to the inn, so close that the following thunder seemed to shake the entire building. Vandic staggered backwards, briefly blinded by the flash, then returned to the window to try to see what damage the impact may have caused. The cobblestone streets below were covered with the soaking rain, and each new drop splashed visibly in the standing water. As Vandic watched and listened to the hypnotic sounds of the storm, he noticed a series of splashes moving along Windspell Street, heading north towards the city gates. They were far too large to be caused by rain, or even hailstones (of which there were none), and they occurred at regular intervals rather than in the erratic pattern of the raindrops.
They seemed to him to be almost like footsteps.
Vandic burst out of the Blade and Stars Inn into the open street, immediately becoming drenched with rain. He scanned up Windspell Street to see if he could relocate the mysterious splashes heading towards the gates. Another bolt of lightning struck about 100 feet in front of him, and in the brief flash he caught the image of a dwarven woman on the opposite side of the street, walking leisurely towards the northern gates, seemingly oblivious to the elements. The sudden appearance of another person out in the street startled Vandic, and while it explained the footprint-like splashes he'd seen from his room at the inn, he couldn't figure out why he hadn't seen her before.
"Lass!" he called out as he ran towards the spot where he last saw her walking. "Where're ye headed at this dark hour in such dreary weather?"
The other dwarf turned back to look at him, now only about 20 feet away. As she turned, Vandic came to a dead stop, taken aback by the sight of the face he had not ever imagined he would see again. The soft, bright eyes that had persisted even as disease had ravaged her body now stared back at him, set above the warm and familiar smile. The rain passed clean through her translucent form, splashing onto the street beneath her feet.
"Home," she replied softly, so softly that the word seemed only to echo inside Vandic's head as he heard her speak. "Ye help take care of me love, hear?"
Vandic nodded, still dumbfounded by the sight he did not expect to see. The ghostly dwarf smiled at him again, then turned to continue on her way towards the city gates. Yet another bolt of lightning streaked through the night sky, causing Vandic to turn away briefly, and when he looked back, she was gone.
Farther to the north, a small break in the clouds had opened up, and a single star was visible through the windswept rain. The northern star, shining a brilliant bluish-white, so bright that it seemed to illuminate the entire town. Vandic stood in awe of the shimmering light, holding down the lump that welled in his throat, then breathed a heavy sigh and turned back towards the entrance to the inn. The night watchman had come out to ask what sort of demon could have possessed him to run out into the rain as he did. Vandic did not reply, but simply smiled and accepted the towels offered to him. After changing into dry clothes and looking out into the dark streets of Baldur's Gate one last time, Vandic crawled back into bed, and he slept.
[This message has been edited by Vandic (edited 08-26-2002).]
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