Warming light spilled through a partially open bedroom window. As the sun rose on a cold winter morning, the line of sunlight matched its pace slowly moving across the room until it eventually creeped up to meet the sleeping eyes of the Baron. Bright light pierced through his slumber and he rose suddenly in bed. With a flick of his fingertips the window slammed firmly shut and the room was dark once again.
Mundane business had kept him within the city for the last several days. He yearned to be out with his companions exploring the countryside. Instead he had remained behind, ironing out the intricate details of the partnership with the merchant. The new waterfront would transform the city. It would bring wealth, renown and new settlers to the kingdom. This deal was critical to the short term success of the nation and its people. He had to remain behind and ensure it was completed.
Yesterday the merchant had presented Raam with an interesting gift. An ornate sailboat was given to him after finalizing the contract. Seeing it brought back memories of his youth and fishing trips out on the pond of his family's estate with his cousin Kalek.
Where was Kalek he wondered in silence. He hadn't received word from his cousin in some time. The only recent news was that he had gone off to put down some foul cult in the mountains and hadn't been heard from in some time. If not for his obligations to the Kingdom, Raam would have already set out in search of his friend. The cold correspondence received from his father reinforced that his cousin was the only member of his family who still embraced him. He could not shake the fear that something was wrong and that Kalek was in great danger.
With a sigh he sat up and stretched slowly and deliberately. He was a little sore after the night with the half-elf. She was beautiful and direct, two qualities he quite enjoyed in a woman. Her connections in Restov might prove to be as valuable as her other considerable 'talents'. Their night together had been memorable. He was almost positive that the rather simple minded members of the yellow band watch were going to break through their door that night to investigate the screams.
"Quite uninhibited, that one" he mused with a grin.
The week, like so many others since the fall of the stag lord, had been a surreal mix of experiences and emotions. He needed a break, a respite from everything. He rose and pulled a map from his shelf, tracing with his finger the route from Stagfell to the mountains in which Kalek had gone missing.
"It would be a long journey" he said under his breath.
With that, he felt the familiar grip of the small claws against his shoulder and the purring against his neck. He reached up to gently pet the faerie dragon and offer it the last of the cup of wine on the table.
"Would you join me, my friend? Or would you miss the comfortable nest on the windowsill and the fine wine from the casks of the castle?"
"Have I grown so complacent as well? So domesticated?"
The dragon curled around Raam's neck to sleep. He could feel it's soft and contented breathing against his shoulder.
With a sigh Raam leaned forward and rested his chin in his hand and studied the map again, tracing the route absent-mindedly with his fingertip.
"I know he would come in search of me..."
