“Papa!” The small white Tabaxi cub ran across the fenced in yard as Cleatus opened the gate. He swung the little boy up onto his shoulder as he walked in.

“How’s my Zvetaara?” Cleatus asked.

“Mama made me take a bath!” The boy whined.

“How terrible!” Cleatus carried his son into the farmhouse Laughing at the boy’s recount of everything that happened since his father had been gone. Just outside the kitchen door was a Tabaxi woman hanging the laundry. She smiled when she turned and saw Cleatus.

“Ah Priya, you’re home.” She smiled. Cleatus put his son down and embraced his wife.

“All is well?” He asked.

“Always is.” She replied. “How’d the contract go?”

“Unexpected.” He sighed. He looked down to his son and cleared his throat, whispering into his wife’s ear; “I’ll tell you later.”

“For now, here.” Cleatus pulled his coin purse free and put it into his wife’s hands. Briefly opening it and swiping out two silver coins. He bent down to his son and handed them to him. “And this, is for you my Zvetaara, don’t spend it all in one place.” The boy took the two coins, dancing around overly excited at the allowance.

“Ah,” Cleatus’ wife sighed happily. “What a relief, I don’t have to cook tonight.”

“Oh you’re going to make me do all the hard work after fighting for my very life?” Cleatus teased.

“What can I say? You’re better at it.” She chuckled.

…

Shaynen wandered his way through to the large parking area for caravans. It was fairly crowded with the comings and goings of different large groups and covered wagons. Among them was a large group of forest elves packing up their wagon.

“Good morning!” Shaynen called as he approached.

“Morning.” Called the elder man. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for a particular route into the forest,” Shaynen said. “Old, probably not used anymore.”

“There are many routes in and out of the forest. None that can be found unless you know where to look.” The elder said dismissively. Shaynen frowned.

“Well the one I’m looking for was used most likely only a handful of times. During a sort of migration or something. I don’t remember it exactly. Just a lot of caravans and everyone needing to leave.” Shaynen thought hard about the very fuzzy memories that he didn’t really have.

“Never was any such thing.” The elder shrugged.

“Excuse me?” Shaynen asked.

“Y’heard me. Unless you can prove me wrong?” The elder stared hard at Shaynen. The boy flushed, he shifted uncomfortably.

“Just what little I remember and what I was told.” He mumbled.

“Why don’t you run off then? Go die to a dragon or whatever you young folks do these days.” The elven caravan snapped and moved away. Shaynen watched it go numbly. He stared at where it disappeared through the trees until a halfling woman asked it he could move so they could make camp.

Shaynen sulked his way back to the Loudwater inn. Picking a table in the corner of the large dining hall and huddling up with his head on the table. Minutes later Odelia and Haagut came in chatting quietly. They sat across from Shaynen without pausing in their conversation. Cleatus came in soon after and sat at the head of the table.

“So, where are we going next?” He asked.

“Excuse me?” Honey the waitress came up. She held out a little envelope to Cleatus. “This came in a few minutes ago, the deliverer said it went to a party matching your description.”

“Oh, thanks Honey.” Cleatus said. She nodded and went on to her chores. Cleatus looked over the unmarked envelope..

“What is it?” Haagut asked.

“Dunno, it’s got that thing Shaynen’s wearing.” Cleatus turned over the envelope to show the wax seal in the shape of a dreamcatcher. Shaynen sat upright and snatched the envelope out of the Tabaxi’s hand. He lifted the flap and unfolded the letter. It only said one thing;

Grandfather Tree

Shaynen’s eyes went wide. He flailed for a second before practically throwing the letter at Cleatus.,

“This! Do you know where this is?” He asked hurriedly.

“Yes, I’ve brought one or two people there a few times.” Cleatus nodded. He hailed Honey again and ordered a round of drinks for the table. Ordering mead for Haagut, ale for himself and Odelia and he stared hard at Shaynen before finally asking for water.

“Take me there.” Shaynen commanded.

“No.” Cleatus didn’t even pause.

“What? Why? I need to go there.” He pleaded.

“It’s dangerous. The High Forest is dense and filled with deadly creatures, plants, and tons of other deadly shit.” Cleatus explained. “Unless you can offer me a good amount of coin to make it worth it, the answer is no.”

“I have ten gold.” Shaynen said. Cleatus laughed aloud.

“That’s not nearly enough.” He shook his head.

“Why is this so important to you?” Haagut took up the letter to examine it. “What’s this symbol?”

“It’s from the Church of Dreams, it’s a fairly localized monastery I wouldn’t expect anyone to be familiar with it. I was brought there as a child and have been retracing some steps which has led me to the High Forest but I have absolutely no proof of my family ever really existing and it’s VERY difficult to move forward but I cannot just turn away NOW THAT I HAVE SOMETHING REAL IN MY HANDS!” Shaynen devolved into yelling and realized how worked up he was getting. As well as the added attention. “Maybe we should change the subject.”

“I feel for you kid, really I do.” Cleatus said sympathetically. “But the trail into the High Forest is dangerous and I would need at least as much as a life to make the journey worth it.” Shaynen’s shoulders slumped.

“How much is a life worth to you?” Haagut asked.

“Bout… ah 30 gold.” Cleatus shrugged as the drinks were delivered. Shaynen thought this over. He pulled up his bag and went hunting through it. A few odds and ends but there was one thing…

“How about a trade?” He asked quietly. “I have an item worth more than 30 gold. Take me to the Grandfather tree and it’s yours.” Cleatus leaned back in his chair and thought it over with a long drink.

“And what about us?” Odelia asked. “What are we getting out of it?”

“I only have one,” Shaynen mumbled.

“You don’t have to come.” Cleatus said. Putting his tankard back onto the table. He took the letter from Haagut and looked at it, then to Shaynen.

“Is this really that important?” He asked. Shaynen nodded. Cleatus sighed heavily. “Fine then. But I want half upfront.”

“I have ten gold.” Shaynen said again. Cleatus held out his hand and Shaynen tossed his coin purse into it.

“All right then. We leave at dawn.” Cleatus got up and tossed a coin to Honey on his way out of the Tavern.