This was not a game session, but rather a story I wrote to take Meleyn out of Ptolus since I, as a player, also had to leave Eric Mcloins' Ptolus Campaign.

It was a great ride!

Queensday, 18th of Moons, 721IA

Evening.

I haven't even contemplated leaving Ptolus.

Not at this stage at any rate. If Vianir wouldn't have come knocking at my door with such a hard to refuse offer, it would have probably been some years yet before I decided I was ready to explore the world. But when one is offered to join a wondering troupe that is going to travel all over the continent and at some point pass through Calendale, well you might see how it would be hard to refuse.

You don't? Have I never told you of Elyn of Calendale? I must have, as she is practically my hero, the astute among you would have noticed her name imbedded in my own name. No, it was not some incredible foresight by my useless parents, or the hand of fate or anything like that. My birth name was Meliandra of all the possibilities, and I can't say that I ever liked it. When the story of Elyn first came to my attention at the age of nine (I think) I was instantly taken: she came from nowhere yet became famous and influential, helping people from the lowest serfs to the rulers of kingdoms, soother of dragons and friend to angels. She was me… or at least how I saw myself at the tender age of nine, and who I wanted to become. So I changed my name and integrated her name into mine.

Why not change my name to hers? Because I did not want to be her, I wanted to be like her. And so, Melelyn.

* * * * *

My hair was still dripping water when I opened the door and saw the Aram in the corridor. He was elderly and noble looking and almost filled the entire corridor which wasn't exactly built for large humanoids. "Melelyn Lothven?" he inquired in a deep, warm, voice. I nodded, "How may I help you sir?"

"How would you like to see the world?" he asked me with a wide and friendly smile. How do you answer a question like that? Menon might have been suspicious about him, but she was bathing and I had a good feeling about this Aram. "Please, come in," I invited him, "there is a bit more space in the room than in the corridor." He smiled and bowed his head as he stepped through the doorway.

"Miss Lothven, my name is Vianir, and I am the current leader of a troupe of performers known as the Thirteen of Prus, you might have heard of us?" he asked in a tone that suggested I might not have. When I shook my head he smiled, "I did not expect you to. It has been long since we have last been to Ptolus, I think it about 24 years ago, I was younger then and you might notice, I'm not so young now," he laughed. I poured him a glass of elven red wine and he accepted it graciously. "Our company was founded 98 years ago," he continued after a sip, "and has been touring the continent ever since. We have just come from the east, having performed at the Grail Keep of the dwarves of the Hotash Mountains, and many of the lesser keeps as well; we traveled from Istoma on the Gulf of Satran, across the Plains of Panish, to Saar at the foot of the Grey Mountains; we went along the southern border of the Great North Woods to Devost and then south to the crumbling heart of the Empire that is Tarsis; we've gone through Kartare, to Sariush by the Morn Woods and now we're here, in Ptolus. We've been here almost a month and are preparing to leave tomorrow morning, but one of our members was… lured away by the Kath family," I detected some annoyance in his voice, "and now, we have an opening." He finished and looked at me.

I took a drink from my wine and looked at him, not really knowing what to think. "I… don't you usually make auditions? How did you come to me?" I finally said.

He arranged his goatee with one hand as he said, "It was actually pure chance. I happened to be at the Ghostly Minstrel several weeks ago when you performed some songs marvelously, but I had to rush out as one of our people was arrested, wrongly of course, but I later returned to learn your name, hoping to learn when your next performance would be. When I later spoke with some of our people, they mentioned they have heard you also and were impressed. The second time I heard your name was two days ago, when I met an old friend for dinner, I think you might know her: Nivae Tamelli," he said in a smiling, not so questioning tone and raised one of his eyebrows.

I think I might have blushed. "Yes I know Nivae, of course," I replied.

"Well she had only good things to say about you."

I tried to collect my thoughts. "You do know that this is something that I would rather have had more than several hours to think about such an offer…" I started.

"Clearly my dear, and I am sorry it is in such a rush," he sound very sincere. He was swirling his wine in his glass as he started to speak again, "just so you'll have an idea, our plan from here to head north to Carper's Bay and then cross Palastan going through Black Gronn Valley, Brantshire, Tross, Calendale, River Tonam basin, Certa-on-the-Mesa, the Valley of the Giants, and then to Trolone. From there we'll head south to…" I'm not sure what else he said right after that. I looked sharply at him the moment it came from his mouth and while he was looking down into his swirling wine glass I'm almost sure I could see the ghost of a smile flicker across his lips.

If traveling through the continent, seeing all the places I've only read and dreamed about, wasn't enough to excite me, I could barely contain myself when he mentioned Calendale, Elyn's birthplace. By all rights he shouldn’t have mentioned it. All the places he named where prominent cities, regions, and features; Calendale is a small place, only the fact that Elyn was born there makes it important… to those who care about Elyn. Oh, he's a crafty one, this Vianir.

I had to smile.

"I've given you something to think about I believe," he said as he set the empty wine glass on the table. "We'll be leaving from the North Gate tomorrow morning; we'll be the people in the two large wagons. There'll be enough room for a pack of clothing and some books if you want to bring along," he said nodding towards my bookcase, "that is, if you will decided to join us. And I hope you will. I'll let myself out if you do not mind," he said when I did not immediately respond, "Goodnight Melelyn," he said as he backed away. "Menon," he said and closed the door behind him. My sister was standing wrapped in a towel, "Who was the horse?"

I gave her the look.