Elsewhere in the world part 1

Mashy sighed and continued to scrub the counter.
"What's wrong lassie?" The bartender said.
"Oh, its nothing. Just worried." She said pushing her glass toward him.
"Worried? Is it about the sundering, the Lathenderian forces, or something else?" He said as he filled up the pint with beer and sending it back to her.
She smiled weakly and took a sip.
"Well, kind both. There was this guy I used to be really close to." She said taking another sip and looking wisftul.
"Oh, I see." The bartender said knowingly. "He broke your halfling heart didn't he?"
"Yes." She said sighing. "To run off with some young innocent wizard or something." She drank some more. "I mean, I guess I can forgive him for that, but it doesn't make it hurt less or make me worry less. Last thing I heard he was going to go out and right some wrongs or something."
"Lots of wrong's to be righted. Was he heading anywhere near Waterdeep?"
"I think he was heading right for Waterdeep."
"I hope he got out of there, last I heard that land is mostly cracks, lava, and hostile armies."
"The fool." She said. "I am also worried about my family in Secomber. I haven't heard from them in ages and I am worried that the city was taken over."
The bartender held his tongue. He had just heard from some refugees that the only thing left unspoiled in the entire region around Waterdeep were the druids who had escaped into the High Forest.
"I... am sure it will be alright sweetie." He refilled her pint. "On the house."
She put her head down on the bar.
"Darvin, you stupid fool..." she whispered. "I miss you..." The bartender softly patted her arm.

"The new report is in Grand-Warden." A frumpy looking red wizard said behind her.
Ceilith turned away from the view of drab Thay and smiled at him graciously. "Thank you magistrate. Come, walk me down to my office." He nodded and the two of them moved to walk down the stairs away from the battlements.
"How are the repatriations coming along?"
"Quite well. We have arranged travel and a small stipend for all the former slaves who wished to return home to their native lands. Those who decided to remain here have been given either land or start up capital for their home businesses." He paused under her raised eyebrow. "Honestly, nothing can undo the damage wrought by the previous regime, but at least it is a sign that the Republic of Thay is interested in doing what it can."
"Well spoken Halfarg." She said. "I will make note of that in my next report to the Citadel. I will say that we have been quite pleased that our expeditionary force to Thay has had to do little peace-keeping duty. You and your fellows do seem to have turned the corner." Thay had changed dramatically in such a short amount of time. She thought. The revolution had sprung up overnight and the wizards were really not prepared for the damage that a repressed people can do.
"You are lucky that the revolution didn't just slaughter all of you."
"There were many of us who always had qualms about the path that our most recent ruler had. It was a convenient time for us to throw our lot with the opressed masses." He saw the look on her face. "I know that we had been cowards before then, but I hope that the world will give us the chance to show that we will never let that happen again."
"I do not know if the world is as forgiving as I am." She said as she opened the door to her office and ushered him in. Although the new government of the Republic had offered her the former chambers of the ruling wizard she decided that simple chamber would do. She took a seat.
"How about the mobilization?"
"We are trying to push our training ahead of schedule to replace those wizards lost in the revolution. I am hoping that we will soon have enough combat forces to stem the tide. Our new Republic Guard is ahead of schedule - your Paladin's have been instrumental in their training. I daresay that our next army will not know what to make of a Thayvian army trained by Tormish Paladins."
"Let's just hope it is enough." She looked down at the stack of papers. "Any other news?"
"We lost contact with our scout patrol that was sent to Shaar."
"Oh? Any idea what happened?" They had been hoping that the orcs would be helpful allies and stop any disasters in the south.
"Our last report came frofrom Zalkar who said the unit had been destroyed and that he was bringing several warriors back with him. He said he was going to use the gates to travel back, but we haven't heard anything since." The man looked down at a sheet of paper.
"One said he knew you, a cleric named Ethelred Beranhond."
Ceilith felt a leap of her heart as she remembered all of the times she had spent with him and she felt a slight flush creeping to her face.
"Eth?"
Halfrag looked confused. "Do you know him?"
"Long story... very long story... we used to be good friends." She stopped. "Well, still are good friends, our paths just cross in odd and dangerous places. Maybe he can shed some light on the situation."

Illuvaen crepty quietly through the woods and looked out into the open glade. Seeing nothing he waved his hands back to to his followers. His six companions approached with bows drawn.
"Any sign of danger?"
"No, I think we avoided my mother's trackers."
"She is getting better at tracking than the shadowcasters were." One said quietly.
"She is far too clever." Illuvaen responded in a hushed tone. "At least she hasn't fully learned how to use the gem, otherwise we would be in series trouble."
"Next time some visitors from another world show up Illuvaen don't be so nice to them OK?"
Illuvaen winced. It was true that he had helped Nym escape the world and that their efforts had unwittingly put his mother in charge. I hope she is doing well. He thought. I wouldn't mind seeing her again, even if she is running with that foolish Darvin.
"Alright, time to move, lets get into the safety of the village!" Illuvaen shouted. Then moving as one, he and his companions darted across the field and dived into a nearly invisible hole in the ground.