Kali had been tossing and turning under the covers for over an hour because sleep just would not come. Every time she felt herself slipping under, her mind would start racing and she\u2019d be awake and staring at the walls. Again.<\/span><\/p>\n It didn\u2019t help that the Flood Moon was shining through the window directly onto her bed. Her room at her grandparents\u2019 house was on the second floor and faced southeast, providing a grand view of Midland, the Jeggare River, and East Shore beyond. Normally, that was a breathtaking sight, but right now she just wanted the light out of her eyes. So she got out of bed, walked over to the window and pulled the curtains shut. As the room darkened she became aware of voices coming from downstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n I will never get to sleep,<\/span><\/i> she thought.<\/span><\/p>\n The voices grew louder, briefly, and then quieted down. <\/span>Another argument?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n She opened the door slowly and checked the hallway: it was empty. Down below, the voices grew louder and then cut off abruptly for a second time.<\/span><\/p>\n Kali quietly and cautiously crept down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2014barely 10 years old. She\u2019s still a child, for gods\u2019 sake!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s still Midland, Mom, not The Shingles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kali sighed to herself. <\/span>Mom and grandma, at it again.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Her grandmother snorted, loudly and derisively. \u201cWest Dock. Close enough! A bunch of thieves and laborers. And you want to <\/span>take her there<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Their voices quieted again and Kali couldn\u2019t make out what was said after that. She risked tiptoeing down the last few steps to the main floor. She could hear her grandfather\u2019s words now.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c\u2014about Kali\u2019s safety? She can\u2019t protect herself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His words stung. Kali had a large scab on her forehead, still, from the previous week. Marlena and Ianca had cornered her, and when Kali finally got away she ran half-panicked and tripped. It was just a scrape, but it was large, and it was taking too long to heal, and of course her grandparents had fretted over it. They, too, thought she was fragile, and she resented it.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re <\/span>friends<\/span><\/i>, Dad. They have been for years. That hasn\u2019t changed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Her grandmother spoke again.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd what about what she\u2019ll <\/span>say<\/span><\/i>? You shouldn\u2019t expose your daughter\u2014my <\/span>granddaughter<\/span><\/i>\u2014to <\/span>that.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNot expose her to <\/span>what<\/span><\/i>, Mom? The world?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Another long silence. Uncomfortably long.<\/span><\/p>\n Her father\u2019s voice broke it. \u201cShe will find out soon enough. They are to return to Sandpoint in the coming weeks. But right now, Qatana is here, and she wishes to\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And that\u2019s as far as Akmal got because at the sound of Qatana\u2019s name, Kali burst into the sitting room.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>What do you mean, \u2018Qatana is here\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Kali opened the door and stepped in.<\/span><\/p>\n Her parents had prepared her. She knew the whole story of what had happened to the Marchands, where Qatana had been for the past several months, and what she had endured. They did not elaborate on the details, but they didn\u2019t need to. Kali understood enough. She knew what Kaer Maga was.<\/span><\/p>\n Her father said to her, solemnly, \u201cShe has changed since you last saw her. And I mean more than just her age and her appearance. She is not the same girl you knew. But it is important to remember that it is still her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Her mom added, \u201cAnd that she needs her friend, not an inquisitor. Just talk to her. <\/span>Tell her how you feel about her<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kali nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n And she <\/span>thought<\/span><\/i> she was prepared, but when she stepped inside and actually <\/span>saw<\/span><\/i> Qatana, she froze and drew in a sharp breath.<\/span><\/p>\n Qatana was sitting on the bed. The first thing Kali noticed was her eyes, which seemed huge and wild as they stared into hers. The second thing was her hair, which was not just short but <\/span>shockingly<\/span><\/i> short. She could pass as a boy in the right clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n The room was small and sparsely furnished: a worn but comfortable-looking bed, a small table that doubled as a nightstand, and a wooden stool for sitting. Heavy curtains could be drawn to block the window which overlooked the street below. It was small, but not cramped.<\/span><\/p>\n Kali took this all in, recovering quickly from the shock, and bounded across the room, tears welling up as she embraced Qatana in an awkward, tight hug.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re alive! Gods, y<\/span>ou\u2019re alive!<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She sobbed into Qatana\u2019s shoulder for what felt like several minutes. In her embrace, she could feel another change: strong, firm muscles. <\/span>Like Anavaru<\/span><\/i>, she thought, as she pulled away, drying her eyes by wiping the tears away with her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really you,\u201d she said. Then, her voice breaking slightly, \u201cI\u2026I thought I\u2019d never see you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Qatana appeared to be startled, and Kali just now realized how tense Qatana had felt in her embrace. <\/span>Maybe I shouldn\u2019t have done that<\/span><\/i>, she thought.<\/span><\/p>\n She stepped back to give Qatana space, and herself some time to gather her composure. She fumbled with the stool, clumsily pulling it out so that she could sit at what she thought was the right distance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKali,\u201d Qatana said, barely above a whisper. \u201cThey said you were here, but I was afraid to believe them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She looked at Kali, actually looked directly at her, with watering eyes. She shook her head, turned away briefly, and when she returned her gaze to Kali her eyes were dry.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYour parents came by earlier and were so nice, and when they asked if you could come visit it took me a while to realize what they were asking, or even why they were asking it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Qatana flashed a fleeting half-smile.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never been to Korvosa before, but I\u2019ve not seen much of it yet. Mostly just this room and the Gray District.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Gray District?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cI lit a pair of candles for my parents.\u201d She became quiet again, fidgeting with a loose tie on her jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n Kali shifted uncomfortably in her stool. <\/span>What am I supposed to say?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n And then Qatana continued again, so softly that Kali had to lean forward to hear her.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne of the clerics told me that our loved ones can speak to us from beyond death, but after all that has happened, I don\u2019t think I want to know what my parents would have to say to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t think I would eit\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo when are you going to show me the town?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Kali sat back quickly, startled by Qatana\u2019s abrupt change in tone. This was not going at all like she expected it to. The question was surprising, to say the least, and it just didn\u2019t seem to <\/span>fit<\/span><\/i>. It would be fun, but was it the right thing to do <\/span>now<\/span><\/i>? She didn\u2019t know.<\/span><\/p>\n Maybe she just needs something that\u2019s normal. Maybe doing that would help?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026Well\u2026I\u2019d have to ask permission, but\u2026I\u2026We could go\u2026tomorrow?\u201d <\/span>Mom and Dad would let me\u2026wouldn\u2019t they?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n She continued, hesitantly at first, then more excitedly as she went on. \u201cWe\u2019re\u2026just below The Heights. We could\u2026walk up there. On the way, there\u2019s this huge bookstore, the biggest one I\u2019ve ever seen in Varisia. And\u2026at the top is the museum, and the big temples, and the amphitheater. There\u2019s also the tower; the Sable Company\u2014they\u2019re the military here\u2014keeps hippogriffs up there, and you can see them flying in and out! And on the other side are the Merciless Cliffs above the bay. On clear days, you can see all the way to Veldraine.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDo you\u2026Would that be OK?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSure!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Qatana actually looked excited at this idea, and for a moment, it was just the two of them ready to explore the city together like Qatana had never been gone. Like the past few months had not happened. <\/span>But, that\u2019s not how it is at all, is it?<\/span><\/i> There was something very wrong about Qatana\u2019s reaction, but she didn\u2019t understand what. She replayed the conversation in her head, trying to figure it out.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo, tomorrow, then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Qatana\u2019s voice snapped Kali back to the present. She was smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n Is that it? Are\u2026are we done?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u201cYes! Tomorrow. I\u2019ll come by\u2026assuming my parents are OK with it\u2026.I\u2019ll come by\u2026around 11 o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kali stood up. She thought about giving Qatana a parting hug, but she had stayed seated on the bed. So instead, Kali walked over to the door and opened it. She looked back at Qatana one last time\u2014she was still smiling at Kali, so Kali smiled back\u2014exchanged an awkward good-bye, and left.<\/span><\/p>\n In the common room on the main floor, she found her parents seated at a table with Shalelu. Kali hesitated at first\u2014she was not very comfortable around the elven woman\u2014but overcame her anxiety and walked over to where they were sitting. Their conversation came to a halt when they saw her, and all three of them turned their heads to watch as she crossed the room and sat down next to her father.<\/span><\/p>\n Akmal glanced up at Denea briefly and they had a silent exchange before he turned his attention back to his daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m fine. She\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Kali hesitated.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2026she wants me to show her the city. I\u2026I said I\u2019d do it. Tomorrow. If you and Mom said it was OK. That I\u2019d take her to The Heights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Akmal looked up at Denea, who had been watching Kali intently. She met his gaze and then nodded once. He turned to Shalelu next, and they had a short conversation in Elvish. It ended with her nodding, too. Finally, he turned back to Kali and spoke in an even, serious tone.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd do you want to do this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe asked to go. I think she really does want to see the city. And, I think she needs it. That it will help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKali. Do <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> want to do this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes. I do. And, I want to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He nodded and Kali relaxed, realizing for the first time how tense she had been.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cVery well,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will make arrangements for\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhere is the Gray District?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n All eyes were on Kali again, and it was so long before someone spoke that she was afraid she had said something wrong. Denea and Akmal both looked up at Shalelu, and they had another exchange in Elvish.<\/span><\/p>\n When it ended, Denea stood up, gently took Kali\u2019s hand and said, \u201cCome with me, and I\u2019ll tell you about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAm I in trouble?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo, Kali. You\u2019re not in trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After they had gone, Akmal and Shalelu sat facing one another.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou are sure you are OK with this?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes. She needs a friend. Someone her age that she can trust. And they\u2019ll be safe in The Heights. Especially with me keeping an eye on them.\u201d She paused before adding, \u201cDiscreetly, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Akmal smiled at this.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOf course. If you need anything more, do not hesitate to ask. We will be here for another week at least. You know where to find us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a7<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mid-Gozran, 4700 (Korvosa) Kali had been tossing and turning under the covers for over an hour because sleep just would not come. Every time she felt herself slipping under, her mind would start racing and she\u2019d be awake and staring at the walls. Again. It didn\u2019t help that the Flood Moon was shining through the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_import_markdown_pro_load_document_selector":0,"_import_markdown_pro_submit_text_textarea":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[32],"class_list":["post-1703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vignettes","tag-kali"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1703"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5676,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1703\/revisions\/5676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dungeonetics.com\/gamediary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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