Aodhan curses as he drops the shield again, wincing as he tries to massage his arm. Covered in bruises as it is, even touching it carefully hurts.

"Are you trying to make me unable to lift one of the dragon chess figures so you'll have an easier win later?"

"No, I'm saving your life. You're still catching blows instead of deflecting them. Do that in actual combat and you WILL be unable to lift much of anything.", Alasdair replies. "I should also remind you that it was you who asked for this training."

Aodhan picks up the shield once more. "You're right. Let's go again."

Alasdair readies his hammer, looking at the Eladrin's arm. "Why don't you use some of your healing to remove these bruises?"

"They serve quite well as a reminder. And to really drive home any mistakes."

"Well, be my guest. Don't think I will go easy on you because of them."

Once more the hammer blows rain down on Aodhan. After a dozen he fails to deflect one, catching its full force on the shield instead. As the Eladrin drops the damaged wooden shield and shakes his arm painfully some more, Alasdair takes a step back and lowers his hammer.

"You're getting the hang of it. I'm sure you'll learn eventually. After all, as you so frequently remark, you have a lot of time to do so."

The old count laughs as Aodhan shoots him a sour look.

"Let's call it a day. You're no good to me with a broken arm."

Aodhan starts to object, then thinks better of it. As they clean up their practice gear, he remarks "There will be no mercy in the dragonchess game later on, just so you now."

Alasdair grins. "Bring it on."

---

The next morning, Aodhan visits the library in the Temple of Oghma, where he expects to find Phylis. He is not disappointed, finding the gnome huddled among books in one corner.

She looks up as he approaches, a smile widening on her face. "Come to join me? I could use some support going through the titles you mentioned."

"Actually, I'm a bit tired. I came to check in, but probably won't be any good helping in research."

Phylis puts aside the book she was reading and settles down a bit more comfortably.

"I still can't believe I'm digging through dusty books while you have fun getting beaten up by your lord."

Aodhan smiles. "Made any progress?"

Phylis shakes her head. "I think we'd be better served getting out there, digging through some ruins. There's bound to be books the spell plague uncovered that are not in Candle Keep's library."

Aodhan chuckles. "You just want to get into adventure. Believe me, it will find us soon enough. And as you know, planning and cool-headed preparation are key to success."

"Says the paragon of cool-headed preparation."

"Young lady, is that a tone to take with your father?" Aodhan still smiles, his warm tone taking the sting out of his reprimand.

Phylis also notices it and decides to push on. "So ... you want to tell me why mom was mysteriously absent from the family dinner these last nights? Am I to expect a sibling?"

Aodhan's expression doesn't change, but you can hear some surprise in his answer. "Are you not a bit young to be discussing such topics?"

Phylis gives him a look of indignation. "I am one hundred and twenty six years old, and I have two sons of my own. You haven't forgotten, I hope?"

"Er ... no, of course not. Jorkas and Albar, right? How are they doing? Haven't seen them around."

"They are still living with their aunt, ever since the accident. Last I heard they were doing too damn well for their own good."

"Yeah, kids. They grow up so fast."

"Well, some of us have to." Phylis looks at him pointedly.

"I'm sorry about the accident. If I'd been closer, or less indisposed ..."

"There's nothing you could have done. I'm not talking about the accident. It happened, it's passed. I manage, as you can see. You, on the other hand, still seem to suffer from your blessing more than you benefit."

Aodhan seems to think on that for quite a while.

"Maybe. But I guess that depends on how you weigh the factors." He starts to rise. "If you could give it another day, I'd be eternally grateful. Well, or at least for how long this season lasts. Can't promise anything with summer, you know."

Phylis laughs.

"I'll do that, but you'll be in my debt. You still owe me a good adventure from last time we met. Getting chased out of a tavern by angry husbands does not qualify, just so you know."

She picks up the book again.

"I'll deliver this time. It's good to see you doing well, Phylis."

"Same. Oh, and I have to compliment you. You've become really good at changing subjects you want to avoid."

Aodhan chuckles. "I've been practicing."

---

Later on, Aodhan meets Alasdair, who greets him with a mocking smile.

"Ah, finally up?"

"Still up. I did some meditating, though, on the lessons learned yesterday."

"So you did. Any enlightening thoughts?"

"It still hurts."

Alasdair chuckles. "Enlightening indeed."

"We'll still go on later today, if you have time."

"Sure thing. Being holed up in the city researching, I can use the exercise. We're going to need it once we go back out. And to admit it, you've become good enough with the shield that I can profit from the training."

"Thank you. I was not expecting any more compliments today."

He glances over to the chess board, set up for another round. It's been in this state since a few days, as they had to skip last nights match just as the nights before. Alasdair follows his eyes, then looks at him with a sad smile.

"As much as I would love to, Aodhan, there is more to be done. Each day that passes is a day that thing can wreak havoc on my county."

Aodhan nods.

"I agree. Phylis is already looking into books that vanished during the spell plague. I shall likewise commence another tour gathering rumors on book and on that kobold's whereabouts."

"So that's what you call drinking your way through taverns these days?", Alasdair asks with a smirk.

Aodhan smiles softly. "We're lucky, I think. Autumn does not usually overindulge. There may be something useful coming out of my tavern tours the next days."

Alasdair shakes his head. "I will never understand how that weird faerie nature of yours works. Or how you can so willingly accept it."

"You're not alone. I really need to introduce you to my daughter. She had much the same complaint earlier."

"The way you keep going on about her she must be someone special, indeed."

Aodhan nods briefly. "That she is." Then his expression turns serious. "On that topic, though. I owe her."

"Like you do half of Faerun, it seems."

Aodhan stays serious despite Alasdairs joke. "Her more than the others. She's looking for adventure, and I'm sure she's capable in her own way. But she's also vulnerable in others. I hope that with us, she can get what she seeks without being hurt more than necessary."

Alasdair also turns serious at Aodhans tone. "You know I can't promise that she won't be injured. You've seen what we're up against and what it's like out there."

"I don't mean physically, Alasdair. There's worse ways to get hurt than bruises on your arm. You'll understand once we meet."

Alasdair nods. "Well, we should do that, then. And you know that I protect those that stand with me."

"That you do. That's why I'm letting her come with us."

Aodhan bows politely, then turns to leave. At the door he turns around again to bow once more and add "My lord." Alasdair, already busy checking on today's social schedule, doesn't notice it anymore.