[h1]East of Waterdeep[/h1]

You ran from that hated concrete jungle. 

[i]Why did you ever risk exploring the City of Splendors?[/i] The detested prison full of traps. That zoo, with rooms full of beasts. [i]Who would harbor and chain such magnificent animals?[/i] 

It had been about an hour, since paranoia gripped your mind. Likely a consequence of the hallucinogens employed in the rituals you have pursued since knighthood. Or were you drugged? Your legs feel weak, but the gem brilliantly began to glow strong with vibrant blue light as you hastily departed from that hidden menagerie, to which invisible hands loosed your chains. Gradually, the sapphire commenced to dim, as if the inverse of its luminescence translated as a beacon, with its negative connotative. 

[i]Was this all because of that single use of that damned [i]Dragonrose[/i]?[/i] 

A drug, sensitive and rapidly degradable to light and heat, but if preserved in darkness, its potency doubled. The base is flammable and ignites into a blaze, if exposed too long to illumination. Once snorted, it kindles due to the body temperature serving as a catalyst. Hence the nominal creditation and the simultaneous dissuasion to consume in minute qualities lest the user suffer internal thermal burns. 

Furthermore, the consequence of this drug, rumored in a spectrum of enchantment and transmutation, whether temporary or permanent, some even dipping into other planes and complete madness, still has not deterred those who abuse and sell such illicit remedies. All because of the promise of divination and efficiency. 

Your memories suddenly harvested the remembrance of your friend, Evlynne. 

She used [i]Dragonrose[/i] with you, didn’t she? 

[i]Where was she? Was she looking for you? Was she dead?[/i]

The foliage on the outskirts demonstrated passage of not only time but seasons. The leaves were mostly comprised of hues of scarlet, auburn, and olive. You recall that it was winter when you entered the Castle Ward. 

[i]Has a whole year passed by?[/i]

Bark after branch after hill pass you by, as you delve deeper into the forest surrounding the eastern side of the Crown of the North. Following the cardinal direction of the sunrise, your lungs burn with the aroma of autumn as your legs tire, deprived of the energy of your Wildshape. Strangely, a clearing and a statue erupts into view. The sculpture bears familiarity, even housing a pebble of indigo in its arm. As you approach up to five feet of the feminine figurine, you mystically realize its identity as your whisper her name.

[@Ms Ravenwinter][@corneredbliss]