Chapter 3 :
***
Cadence sighed as she walked back to Phlydia, the book had been in the hay...again. Cadence looked the book over as she walked.
"History of Halruaa" Cadence read out loud.
As Cadence approached Phlydia she held the book up and said:
"You'd forget your head if it weren't screwed on so tightly"
Phlydia chuckled good naturedly at this.
"Here's a small bauble for bringing me my book, I'm sure Winthrop will give you something for it" Phlydia said.
Cadence accepted the Lynx Eye Gem and smiled.Phlydia smiled as well but then turned serious.
"Cady, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about...," Phlydia said.
A short silence followed.
"Oh dear, I appear to have forgotten what it was" Phlydia said,scratching her head.
"Oh well, couldn't have been important then. Bye Phlydia" Cady said before moving to walk away.
"Cady wait, I remember now" Phlydia said,visibly relieved.
Cady turned back to Phlydia and Phlydia put her hands on Cady's shoulders.
"I feel I must warn you about Ulraunt," Phlydia said.
"Ulraunt?. Why?. What's the old bugger up to?" Cady asked.
"I don't know and it worries me. It's no secret that Ulraunt would much rather see you leave Candlekeep...," Phlydia said.
"It's no secret that Ulraunt wants me dead" Cady said, remembering when Ulraunt had said to her that the only suitable place for someone like her was six feet under.
"But it's dark six feet under," she had said to him.
"Exactly," Ulraunt had sneered.
"Cady?" Phlydia questioned when she saw the empty look on Cady's face.
"I'm afraid of the dark" Cady mumbled.
"Cady" Phlydia said louder.
Cady snapped out of it and wildly looked around her.
"I'm not afraid of the dark, did I say I was?. Because I'm not" Cady rambled.
"I know you're not," Phlydia lied, hoping to calm her down.
Cady visibly relaxed and Phlydia continued.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is stay away from Ulraunt, he's got some kind of scheme planned and I don't want you to become the victim of that scheme." Phlydia said.
"Phlydia, don't worry. I'm a rogue, remember?. I could sneak circles around that old vulture," Cady said,confidently "Bye Phlydia,thanks for caring"
Cady skipped away and out of sight and Phlydia frowned.
"A rogue, huh?. I can't help but remember that time in the kitchen" Phlydia mumbled "That wasn't very stealthy"
***
Cady sneaked around the guard, walking behind him as he turned. Then when he was about to see her, she leaped into the Candlekeep Inn. The guard shook his head as he saw her leap away.
"Hi Winthrop" Cadence enthused.
"Little Cadence, always a pleasure it is" Winthrop said.
Cady smiled as she saw who was standing in the corner of the Inn.
"Mr Elvenhair" Cady chirped.
"Miss nosy" Firebead said,using his nickname for her.
Cady giggled as Firebead ruffled her hair and smiled down at her.
"How's my favorite thief?" Firebead asked.
"I am not a thief, I am a rogue" Cady said in a snooty voice.
"And here I thought that was the same thing, my apologies, dear lady" Firebead said, bowing before Cady, making her smile.
"Actually, it's good that I caught you. I've recently lent a scroll to one of the scholars, one you know well I believe, Tethtoril is his name. I wonder if you could retrieve it for me" Firebead said.
"Of course, I'd be glad to," Cady said "I'll be right back"
Firebead smiled as he watched the young girl bounce out of the inn. She and Imoen were very much alike and yet with Cadence, there was something lurking underneath, something far more sinister than Gorion was willing to believe.
Firebead sighed, he hoped it would all work out. Everyone who knew Cady well enough knew she was a wonderful person.
***
Cady smiled as she looked up at the large tree standing in front of the wall. If she was going to get inside the walls of the courtyard, she was going to do it the stealthy way.
She rubbed her hands and started climbing the tree. Once she was at the top she hopped over the wall, gracefully landing in the branches only to fall flat on her face after tripping on one of the branches.
"So much for that thought" Cady grumbled as she dusted herself off.
"I've been looking for you, child" a voice said behind Cady.
Cady turned around and smiled broadly, she ran to Tethtoril and hugged him.
"I'm glad you're happy to see me" Tethtoril said with a smile.
"I'm always happy to see you" Cady enthused,breaking the hug. "Plus, I heard that the monk that helped me when I was in Ulraunt's office was one of your students"
The elderly monk chuckled lightly at this.
"I don't condone your actions in Ulraunt's office for it is still stealing but he did take the bracelet from you" Tethtoril said.
"Yeah, for no reason" Cady muttered.
"For no reason other than breaking a vase" Tethtoril reasoned with a smile.
"Still..." Cady grumbled.
"Don't worry child, I am not here to judge you. Firebead sent you, did he not?. Here is the scroll he lent me, you better run and give it to him. Gorion is looking for you, he said he would be at the library, it sounded very urgent" Tethtoril said.
"Thanks" Cadence said,tucking the scroll into her belt.
"Beware of Ulraunt Cady, he's up to something" Tethtoril suddenly warned.
"I will be. Tethtoril?" Cadence asked.
"Yes, child?" Tethtoril asked.
"You always say you respect Ulraunt but what do you really think of him?" Cady asked.
Tethtoril seemed hesitant to discuss the subject but then he stepped closer to Cady and when he was sure no one else could hear him, he whispered:
"Between you and me I think his robes smell rather funny"
Cady burst into a fit of giggles.
"What about his beard?" Cady asked between giggles.
Tethtoril pulled a face and Cady thought she'd die as she held her stomach while laughing. She had to lean on Tethtoril for support. Once she calmed down she wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes and said:
"Thanks Tethtoril, you're the best"
"You're most welcome child, now run along" Tethtoril said.
Cady went on her way,she brought the scroll to Firebead and he cast a protection from evil spells on her and she received a healing potion.
As Cady returned to the inner walls to find Gorion she ran into Imoen. Cady frowned as Imoen approached her.She looks gloomy, Cady thought.
"Hey Imoen" Cady said.
"Heya, have you calmed down a little bit?" Imoen asked.
"Yep, sorry for blowing up on you like that" Cady said.
"That's okay, I shouldn't have laughed at you"
"Friends?" Cady asked, spreading her arms.
"Best friends" Imoen said, accepting the hug.
When they broke the hug they both sighed at the same time and they both giggled.
"I hear Gorion's waiting for you, must be real worried what with that letter and all" Imoen said.
Imoen suddenly realized she had said too much and she clasped her hand over her mouth.
"Letter?.What letter?" Cady asked.
"I haven't seen any letters, didn't read a thing, nope, nope, nope. Gotta go" Imoen babbled.
"Imoen..." Cady started.
"Bye sis" Imoen quickly said.
Imoen left, leaving Cady behind in confusion. Cady made her way to the library and saw that Gorion was waiting for her on the steps.
"Ah child" Gorion said as soon as he saw her "I am glad to see you are safe and well. I wont beat around the bush, I know that you've wanted to leave Candlekeep for quite some time now and today we will be doing just that. Gather what things you can but carry only what you need" Gorion said.
"But father, where are we going?" Cady asked.
"I cannot tell you that now, I will explain, later. Go now, we leave at midnight" Gorion said.
Cady's heart sank as she heard him say those last words.
"Midnight" she gasped.
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