Mother and Father,

The cunning of Telemont, Lord Shadow, was evidenced today and all his foes are in full retreat. Today we did our small part in trying to save some of the vanquished Bedine from being slaughtered by the host of the Shade Enclaves.

Our Halruaan captain, Omen, maneuvered the Realms Master down to the sands of Anauroch in a desperate attempt to save the retreating Bedine from being savaged by two blue dragons. The dragons looked to have reached maturity and one wonders if they did so under the tutelage of the Shades for such beasts are seldom found to allay themselves with humans. I hope that I can capture the epic proportion of the events that transpired next. The two blue dragons along with about five score of the soldiers of the fell Shades were pursuing the retreating Bedine, thinning their numbers and providing no quarter. Oskar valiantly leapt from the Realms master and charged the closest dragon. Cedar, as he did in our first encounter with the armies of Shade Enclave, rained fire upon them. The result of this massive spell was the utter ruin of the host before us save the two dragons. I stood amazed, so much destruction, so much death, from one spell. It seamed as though Mystra was truly working her grand schemes through our fair mage. The Dragons turned to face this new threat and one shot a blast of lightning at Oskar and his steed. The smell of ozone and singed hair filled the air. The battle was met as Oskar let loose a fearsome challenge and swung his mighty ax upon the snout of the great worm. Following Oskar's brave example I leapt from the deck and positioned myself about six paces behind Oskar and cast one spell to weaken the dragon and invigorate Oskar and then loosed an arrow into the second dragon. Shane jumped into the fray by positioning himself between the second dragon and me. He then lashed out with a flurry of blades upon the second dragon. Xan's arrows sliced the air between the Realms maser and the dragons and soon the fell beasts were stung with many a fletched shaft. Cedar, fresh from raining ruin upon the enemies troops extended a great magical hand that grasped the second dragon by the muzzle and held it at bay. He then caused a score of dark tentacles to spring up behind the second dragon. The tentacles lashed and grappled the dragon preventing it from focusing its full attention on the diminutive monk slashing his for feet into ribbons of blue and red. Kerith was invaluable as he maneuvered one of the captured skiffs to pick up Oskar and allow him to attack the dragon at eye level. With all of us working together, it did not take long for the fearsome dragons to fall. I was surprised at how quickly they fell. The last time we encountered a dragon in combat it nearly killed several of us. Of course that was a long time ago and it was only a white wormling. We have indeed come far!

It was then that I heard the anguished cries of Cedar from aboard the Realms Master. I turned to see him raise his hands to the heavens and then, with a look I shall not soon forget he brought his hands down and the heavens opened above one of the Shade Enclaves. Out of the rift in the sky fell brimstone as if all the forges from all the planes of hell were loosed upon the city. Dragons fell by the score and great spires were sundered. I raced back to Cedar's side but not before he flew to the air and tired to repeat the act upon another floating city. But this time Mystra refused him. It was then that I noticed the half empty flask of heavy magic in one hand and the Netherese scroll in the other. He had done the unthinkable. In his desire to stop the designs of Lord Shadow, he broke one the ancient covenants that all magi have with Mystra and used the forbidden magic. For his blasphemy, Mystra now refused him. There was much I wanted to do and say at that moment, but there were many lives that could not wait for the parlay of a humble priestess and a fallen mage.

With Kerith's assistance we were able to save many a Bedine warrior that day; returning them to the safety of the Scented Hills. There we discovered a sanctuary hidden in the hills and at its center, a life giving pond in the desert. In the pond, as if floating, there is a temple to Salune. The temple, it is rumored, is a conduit to the Goddess herself, but only to female priestesses. I longed to learn more about it but was called to the needs at hand. No sooner than the Bedine soldiers left the Realms Master, Oman called us back for another sortie to Anauroch.

This time we encountered an old blue dragon that charged the Realms Master as soon as it saw us. Kerith turned one of the captured skiffs to protect us from the dragon, but it was destroyed with one mighty blow from the massive beast. The blow sent Kerith tumbling to the sands below and its roar made many a brave soul cower in its presence. Oskar and Shane met it in pitched battle and I did what I could to sustain their vital essence with the help of Corellen. It was then that I tried something new. Channeling the healing will of my patron deity, I inverted it to instead do harm. It goes against my nature to do such a thing, but felt it necessary to meet this formidable opponent.

Kerith was once again invaluable in rounding up the beleaguered Bedine soldiers and getting them aboard the Realms Master. Oman then brought us back to the Scented Hills where I expended all my remaining healing skills to succor the Badine.

As the last streaks of a mournful day fell into shadow, Khemed, our old friend from the Cult of the Dragon approached us seeking our help. It seems that the Dragons they so cherish no longer are content to follow their will. It pleased me to hear of this as I have no love for this man or his ilk. It did however explain where the blue dragons came from.

After I cleansed myself in preparation to enter the temple of Salune I went to Ceder's tent to offer my support. I wanted to be angry, angry for the failings of man, angry for the impetuous young mage that believed that he could wield such great magic……angry for a god that would allow so much suffering and deny her servants the power to stop it. I paused before Cedar's tent flap and drew a troubled breath. Should I scold him for his arrogance? Should I remind him why I counseled him against ever removing the Netherese scroll from Anauroch? No. The deed had been done and no matter what scorn and ridicule I could throw upon him would be insignificant to the denial of Mystra. It was then that I entered the tent. Cedar was seated on a rug looking at an ancient tome. The instant he noticed my presence he slammed the book shut and braced himself for the tirade I was sure to deliver. Looking into his eyes and then his heart I knew what I must do. I embraced him and offered my support in what ever path he now felt compelled to follow. What else could a true friend do? Cedar, I, and all the Wandsmen have come so far together. How could I too banish him in his moment of greatest need?

Cedar thanked and accompanied me to the temple of Salune. Xan, Kerith, Shane and Oskar met us there. The sun had already set when I entered the temple. After meditating quietly over the days events I laid down on the cool marble floor. I remembered none of what happened next, but Kerith related to me all that I missed. Apparently I awoke and faced the Wandsmen. They could tell that I was not my self because I spoke with a voice that was not my own. The voice related to them the history behind Selune and Shar.

I now find myself writing to you outside of the temple of Selune as the remaining Bedine enter the temple and use the portal within to leave Anauroch. They have collectively decided that for them the war with the Shades is over. As for me, the war has taken on a personal significance. Cedar has fallen from the grace of Mystra as a result of his desire to stop the Shades. So much was sacrificed today by so many. And although I agree that what Cedar did was wrong, I can understand why he did it. I care for Cedar as I do all the Wandsmen. Now one of my own is in great need and so I must demonstrate the depth of my compassion to my fallen friend.

Wish me strength,

Primula Easterling