Forums: Forums -> Freedom's Paean -- Entry 11

Freedom's Paean
Danger mounts like fell beasts circling the eaves of a castle’s spires. Its been a while since I wrote. Time to myself has been rare and I have found few precious moments to pen my thoughts.

My heart twists, restless. I do not favor the sea. Mine is the waving and rolling plains and valleys. Place me within legions of massive oaks shouldering a vast canopy of leaf cover or find me striding amidst a blossoming field of lilies and lavender. Even root me in the stark grey city where I have made my peace and sussed for my comfort and sanity, what little is verdant within. Here, at sea, I find it easy to sink. Little of seafaring nourishes me. The salt air stings my lungs, and the brine cracks my archer’s fingertips. Little feels settled here, though I do take comfort in the wave’s caprices and do savor the reprieve of time to think.

As we remain at sea, (we have been here over a week already), I slowly warm to its pleasures. Sea songs sustain me like warm elven berry bread. Ada (father) knew only a handful of sea songs, so their novelty cheers me. They are spritely and blithe. Their ability to capture the improbability of liberation among tempests incontestably imperious, resonates with my unfettered soul. Freedom is a spark that lights society and saves it from darkness. It drives creativity, passion, and meaning. In this time at sea I have learned to respect those of the water. The conjured spirit of sea folk intoned through maritime shanties reveals a depth, and sagacity I did not fathom before this. On this ship, I find myself with occasion to observe and admire such insight as I reflect upon my own quests. We have now been sailing for several weeks, seeking Alden’s brother, Jamus, and I find myself changed even in so short a time. I have always extolled freedom but recent events and time to reflect have magnified its significance and vaulted freedom to the fore of ideals worth living and dying for. Let me briefly detail how we and I more specifically got to this point.

After we rescued Rellik and maimed the iron hand of bane, we knew retribution from the Kraken loomed imminent. Though it was breaking the law, let no decree by man stand between those I love and safety. I respect order and grasp its utility in society, but I care not for trifling laws. Edict means nothing beside love, justice or most certainly, individual liberty. Therefore we left Waterdeep and hid my father in Ardeep Forest despite the mandate that thralls not leave the city grounds. I would rather break a king’s law than for certain supply Ada’s neck for the Kraken’s death noose. Fortuitously, in Ardeep we encountered the last survivors of my old elven enclave in the forest. It was lovely to see them again. As nomads not easily tracked or traced, they agreed to shelter my father. In their capable hands he should be safe. I sing their praises for the sanctuary they will offer my dearest Ada. My restless heart heals.