Bens surrenders to the Dawn

[bhagavat]

"Its been so long.." the man grumbled quietly into his ale, looking around the dive tavern in a shabby area of the large city. The drinks were cheaper and as long as you looked broke and dumb the dangerous fools around and the even more dangerous ladies of the evening didnt seem to notice you.

Drinking another swallow drained the contents of the mug and the foul smelling, unshaven, and ragged looking man slammed it down in and anger and pain. He wasnt nearly drunk enough and the night was young. He would not be drowning his sorrows this night.

He raised his beady, sunken and dark eyes looking around the tavern room. It was dark, smelly and mostly empty. He found himself casing a fellow, looking him over as he ordered an ale accross the room. He wore bright clothing, white trimmed with gold, yellows and oranges. His head was shaved and he seems to wear some lighter kind of armor underneath the beautifully trimmed clothing.

Bens grumbled to himself looking at the fella. He recognized the dress and manerism. A worshipper of the Morninlord. The fellows bright smile and clothing made Bens wish he could get up and puke all over him. He belched loudly instead... suddenly filling his mouth with throw-up. Grimacing, Bens swallowed the now bile filled ale letting it burn down with each painful gulp.

He was now glaring at the fellow and it was rather obvious to a few now that his interest in the priest was not casual. Slowly it seemed the man turned to regard Bens. All Bens could see what his bright smile and just.. more light.. emenating from around the fellows body.

He smiled big... turned to Bens and said. "Ah.. just the fellow I am looking for!"

[bhagavat]

It was a day later and after an unusual and astounding conversation with this fella, Bens had decided to leave with him and head towards the Dales. As he trudged along the road, hurrying to keep pace with his new mentor's horse he thought over the past day and the faded memories he had of this man. After the man had come to sit with him and talk, Bens had gone through a strange emotional experience... first rage had begun to build and then it was like a floodgate had opened and a waterfall of tears had streamed from his burning blue eyes blurring the bright vision of a smiling Morninglord before him. As he cried he noted his bright clear eyes and the familiar quirk in his warm smile.

They had talked and Bens found himself able to remember childhood times that had been lost to him for ages in the dark, dank shroud that had covered his life. One was of a time he had dropped a cooling pot of cream onto the floor in the kitchen. Frist Bens had slipped in it and gotten covered, then one of the other kids that tried to help him up but slipped into the mess as well and within a few minutes everyone was slipping and sliding across the floor of the room laughing and playing, including this man before him, his teacher at the time, Dawnlord Geral.... now Morninglord Geral... it had been over 20 years. Bens was 26 now and had been a basically a lost youth in Waterdeep, doing whatever he could to make enough for a few drinks every night... and once in a while companionship.. if he could afford it and find someone willing to spend time with him.

Morninglord Geral's talk had brought him back to a memory of a time when life was a joy... and he wanted it back... more then anything. Bens had been through enough suffering... or fun as he had been calling it for the past 10 years or more. They had left everything he had owned behind.... found a stream on the outskirts of Waterdeep and cleaned him up. Geral had given him the pale yellow and white robe of an initiate and now he trudged along... with both hope and despair his constant companions... quite a step up from only having despair to keep him company. He smiled in spite of himself moved a hand up to casually stroke the horse. It whinnied approval, glancing back at him. The Morninlord smiled down at him and they continued.

[bhagavat]

It had been a long road. Bens felt much better then he had felt... ever really. He knelt facing the morning sun with his mentor the Morninglord Geral. They both felt the ecstatic feeling of being filled with the love and power of the Morninglord, Lathander, while they murmurs their private prayers in a meditative trance. Communing with their God every morning was often when they felt the closest connection and both enjoyed it very much, as Lathander was quite pleased with both of them.

Geral warmly clasped Bens shoulder as he stood with a gentle and slightly sad smile on his face. Bens stood as well a smile on his face.

"We near Daggerdale Bens and the Morninglord bids up to help bring renewal to this sad place. A few miles beyond that hill ahead you will see the city and though in has been graced already with the mercy of renewal there are still many with fear and distrust in their eyes. They have lived though a hard time and it will take simple kindnesses and patience to reach them. Come."

With that the two headed toward Daggerdale and the quest before them. A quest Lathander had sent many of his devoted servants to further. Daggerdale didn't look that bad when Bens first saw it far ahead. It seemed in good repair and like Morninglord Geral has said the outward scars had been healed rather well. As they approached the gates the guardsmen stationed were looking around grim faced checking those ahead of them, making sure all was as it should be. Upon seeing them their faces brightened and both bowed slightly in greeting to Geral before waving them in.

As they walked through the streets a beautiful energy of mercy and renewal exuded from both of them, though mainly Geral as his faith was much more firm. Most would brighten up at the sight of them and even those that didn't note them had their moods lifted some. They stopped and spoke with a few people, Bens and Geral sometimes going off short distances to speak with people about various things... usually simple trivial but positive aspects of the warm sun, freedom and grace as well as the brighter future before them as a community... they never forgot to honor the wariness felt in the peoples hearts though... focusing their fear to known problems like far off Zhents while urging more communities to form trusting bonds through communal events from working hard on repairs of the last few areas needing such things to more extravagant fairs and good times under the love and light of Lathander and the sun.

After a few months of this mission Geral called Bens to him to worship morning prayers together at the Temple of Lathander's Light in Dagger Falls. It had been some time since they had prayed together as Bens had been doing Lathanders work more and more on his own.



"Bens, I have wonderful news." Geral said after they had prayed. "The Morninglord has asked you to a new mission. You are given the title Dawnseeker and asked to head to Cormyr. A darkness threatens them and you are directed to go there and help support the good works of the goodly folk there. Cast down and destroy darkness as you find it."

Bowing to his mentor Bens felt a slight twinge of fear at having to let go of his mentor. His life had been changed through this man. Though Bens now understood the Morninglord has heard the plea of his heart and rescued him it was still hard for him to look to Geral and nods his willingness. Finding his voice he said "My life is a gift of renewal and I cherish the opportunity to share the Light of Lathander."

Geral noted the fear in the slightly halted reply and said "You faith will grow Dawnseeker. Remember, there is always another dawn and in the dawn the way is clear."