The Bright Blade Brandished’s taproom was nearly empty when Galen arrived, but as dawn came it would fill quickly with locals heading off to their daily labors and east bond travels, all seeking to break their nightly fast. Taking a seat at the small round table he and the others had occupied the previous night, he waited quietly for them to join him. They’d made no real commitment to meet this morning, but he knew they’d come. Whatever greater power, fate or destiny that had drawn them together last night would see to that. However, as he waited he failed to notice an odd quirk of fortune, there’d been four chairs about the table last night… now there were five. Tarl was the next to arrive, shuffling in on less than fully stable feet, his head still ponding with the aftereffects of the many pints of ale he’d consumed last night. Faeryl appeared next, beaming with confidence and renewed energy, although she held her tongue, waiting till they were all there… but she did notice the fifth chair and turned her eyes to the heavens in recognition of the Dark Maiden’s hand. A few minutes later Aeron approached with a gorgeous moon elf by his side, taking the last two seats. Galen stared in confusion as Nykira slid into the fifth chair. Aeron had described his encounter with her the previous night, but how had she ended up here? Meanwhile Tarl’s expression went from surprised to a bawdy grin, as he imagined what had likely passed between them during the night. But Faeryl just smiled knowingly, casting her eyes to the havens again in acknowledgement of divine influence. “Well lad… it looks like you got rewarded for your generosity after all,” Tarl taunted with a broad smirk, as he allowed his eyes to roam hungrily over Nykira’s delightful figure. “Better than you’ll ever know, dwarf,” she spat back spitefully, although Aeron silenced any further reply with a gentle hand on her shoulder. But before he could explain Faeryl spoke up, announcing with absolute confidence; “The Dark Maiden herself came to me in a vision last night and told me that we share a common fate. She called us a “Table of Five”… so it would seem that she’s meant to be here with us.” The other’s all turned their eyes to her, looking stunned by her revelation, especially Nykira, but it was Galen who voiced their common question first; “Your goddess appeared to you in a vision last night… and told you we were fated to come together… the five of us?” “She did,” the drow priestess replied emphatically, adding with less conviction; “Although, she still has not revealed to me what it is we are meant to do, she was clear that we are bound by a common fate.” Allowing the others a moment to digest what she’d said as she surveyed their faces, finding expressions of uncertainty, she knew that she had to draw them together. Extended her hand into the center of the table, she challenged; “We are fated to come together. We are a ‘Table of Five’!” For a moment it looked like the others were wavering but then Aeron’s hand joined hers, followed by Galen’s and Tarl’s, but Nykira hesitated for a moment longer before joining them, sealing their bond… but to what end they still didn’t know? ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Disclaimer: Some of the material presented here may be the property of Wizards of the Coast, LLC© taken from the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Setting authored by Ed Greenwood & Sean Renyolds, the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® Campaign Accessory Silver Marches® authored by Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl and/or other sourcebooks registered to Wizards of the Coast, LLC©. This is unofficial “Fan Content” permitted under Wizards of the Coast, LLC© Fan Content Policy, it is not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, LLC©.