Emancipation

[Anastasia]

As you chat you come to the docks. Here amid the ships, the commerce and all of it? The last dock is out of service, a single man standing at the end. His curly blonde hair blows in the wind as he watches the sea. Commander Oberuth is there, waiting, clad in gear and yet unnoticeable, magic surely at play.

[Corwin]

"Relying more and more on that thing you hate?" Seira asks, raising an eyebrow as she touches down beside him.

[Anastasia]

"What I want rarely matters with magic," Oberuth retorts. "Amaryl, Elle."

"Hellman," Elle says, taking in a breath of the sea air.

[Corwin]

"I'm a bit surprised you chose to return to Balmuria," Seira voices. "Weren't you going to pass on the torch after finally settling our legacy and securing the safety of this world?"

[Anastasia]

"I already have." Oberuth says, "It's set up and done. There are dangers and enemies, but it's natural for my time here to be at an end. The city is strong, the Baronies are strong and the Crimson Guard is strong. They'll stand on their own and make their own legends in the future." As the sea wind blows, a cloudy day as ships come and go, "I once said goodbye to an empire. This second goodbye is harder. In my mind I can hear the whispers of the Deep Ethereal, calling me back even now to fight them. A purpose, a purpose I feel more every day that I was born for. That each time I face and defeat the nightmares that I'm fulfilling something more than relief from them."

Looking out at the water, "Old soldiers make for melancholy and maudlin sentiment, and I'm not even drunk."

[Corwin]

With a snap of her fingers, Seira summons a bottle from her wine cellar, tilting her head questioningly. "We could get a little drunk, if you'd like," she offers. "Before you move on to the next great adventure, that is. Have you decided on the Deep Ethereal? There's a lot of good that you could do, guiding struggling Primes."

[Anastasia]

"I'll do some of that and...I'll wander, see the worlds." Oberuth finally says. "I can't afford to grow dull, not now."

"I know," Amaryl says, "None of us can."

Elle smiles a bit, "We all had to leave Balmuria behind." Turning back to take it in, "We did so much here, but so much more awaits for us ahead."

[Corwin]

"We're doing our best, for this world and all others," Seira agrees. "Ascension hasn't changed that or made us forget. Elle upgraded the portal network on this Prime recently, and we're working through locals to ensure that knowledge spreads far and wide. The portals ensure mutual defense against attackers, swift delivery of aid and commerce and travel on an even greater scale than that which existed before. Eliminating scarcity is actually a possible goal, with how you censured Asmodeus and kicked Shar off-world forever."

Seira smiles at Oberuth. "Wasn't that part of why you called us here for a chat? Because you can see it already taking root?"

[Anastasia]

"I've seen it for a long time," Oberuth says, taking one last look back. "Let's go."

[Corwin]

Seira takes the four of them away at that. Elle wanted to stop by for a visit at her old shop, and Seira herself was reminded of things to do on this Prime, but for now it would be best to give Hellman closure.

[Anastasia]

As you go, "...damn." Oberuth pauses, going up to rub his temple. "All this and I almost forgot while I called you in the first place."

"...eh?" Amaryl says, a twitch of her ears. "This wasn't all about that?"

[Corwin]

"I'm all ears!"

[Anastasia]

"The portals first - they've been growing," Oberuth says, "I know you know that, but Oolu's been setting something up in his home to connect closer to them."

[Corwin]

"He'll keep things safe and knows who to call if they grow beyond his ability to contain. He does know a few people in high places!"

[Anastasia]

"Secondly, we've been establishing more inns on the road, ones with a small, detached and trained militia to defend it," Oberuth says, "Safer roads agree with everyone, banditry's been low within the Baronies for years and it's dropping lower."

"Better to keep the armies and fighting men with a stable source of coin," Elle remarks, "I've been worlds where wars mean a decade of bandits and thieves after, because all the soldiers and mercenaries are suddenly uneployed."