CHAPTER 2
A Sudden Realization and a Quest for the Truth
Father Dethryn looked at his young pupil. Already three years and his student began to already show signs of great potential and progress. Imoen had already understood the basics formulating magic within her energies and could somewhat mold her energy to her will. It would have taken five years to master such a skill, yet the girl showed incredible potential. In addition, her cheerful humor gave happiness to everyone whom sought patronage within the halls of Candlekeep. Dethryn was glad to have her as a student. She was more of like daughter than an apprentice. It was sure that in the heavens, Gorion was proud of his daughter.
However, despite her bouncy and happy appearance, Dethryn could also sense sadness, particularly loneliness and a great worry for something or someone. Although Imoen dated with a few young men, she broke off contact and still returned to her own state. Something was troubling her; it was obvious due to her daydreaming and staring in the Library hours ago. This was happening too often and he was determined to get to the bottom of this, to know about the pain inside his dear student and to find a solution to conclude this emotional conflict within her.
“Imoen,” the monk requested.
“Hmm? Yessir! Imoen’s on it! What’s it gonna be Master?”
“Ah-ah, proper tongue my apprentice.”
“Okay, okay… jeez. Ahem… Yes Master, how may I aid you?”
Father Dethryn began the question. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Imoen.”
Imoen gave a puzzled look. “Uh… nothing Father. I’m just about my studies, nothing else.”
“I’ve known you for three years and 10 days; I think I know enough about what your thoughts are.”
“I swear Father. It’s nothing.”
Annoyed Dethryn might be on Imoen’s resistance in revealing her truths, he still showed patience.
“Imoen, do be aware that truth is also part of knowledge, another key into becoming a successful practitioner of the magic arts. To hold the truth within yourself is to deny that very vital knowledge.”
“I…” It seemed Imoen was weakening her resistance. The monk smiled in subtle victory.
“Trust me Imoen. Even you must trust in your emotions to become a powerful mage.”
Imoen’s puzzled face then became that of a concerned one. She then finally confessed.
“I… Father Dethryn, I worry about someone.”
“Go on. I’m here to advise and help you.”
“Thank you Dethryn,” gladly responded Imoen. Dethryn second to Gorion was like a father to her. “I’m worried about someone, a person… a man if you will Father. I’ve known him in my entire life from when I was a babe till I was grown up. I grew really close to him; we were… inseparable. We both understood and comforted each other in times of need. I… care deeply for him… yet until I was a bit shocked about what he had felt about me. It’s…. it’s complicated.”
“Nothing is too complicated my dear Imoen. I’m still willing to listen.”
“I… thank you Father. I… he, whom I’ve been talking about, is my brother.”
“Ah… I see. Locke. Imoen praised much about his son back then.”
“Yes Father. I cared deeply for my brother as he cared for me. I… I loved him like as a sister would love a brother. After the whole situation back three years ago, I find it confusing. I… I was disgusted and well, shocked about what he felt about me. But, when I thought about the good times we’ve spent together… I’m not so sure.”
“Ah… I see. And what was this ordeal that disgusted you?”
“My brother… he’s in love with me.”
“How so does that explain your disgust? So do all other brothers that care for their sisters.”
“No… father, it’s different. He’s IN love with me. Like… when… when… a man loves a woman?”
This brought a great concern over Dethryn. He was caught between his pupil’s morals and her great concern and affection for her brother.
“I see.”
“I just… I couldn’t. It’s not right. I mean, what would Ol’ Gorion think, his own son in love with his daughter? What would he think of me? I… I couldn’t do that.... so… I…”
“Go on.”
“I told him it was wrong and he should rethink things over. Then, I kinda left him to give him some time alone to think, maybe leave him to find some worthy gal to be by his side.”
The monk analyzed her confessions carefully. There was a great consequence in her actions.
“Imoen, have you ever really thought harder about what your brother might feel about your abandonment?”
“I… well, I told him I was going to go to Candlekeep to study magic and stuff. I thought lil’ brother took it well. He wished me luck.”
“It would seem so, but I have a feeling that your brother wished to atone for his sins, and therefore distancing himself from you. I believe that he thought he has greatly shamed himself and you, and sought further to prevent himself from further shaming you and your honor. Your brother cares, or I daresay loves you very much. However, his emotions are still there…”
“I… what was I supposed to do Father? It’s… wrong?”
“I have no idea about what his feelings about you are right now, but I can tell that this conflict has been yet to be resolved. What about you? What are you feeling right now at this very minute?”
“I… I dunno Father, but I still worry about him. I mean, I wonder where he is and how he is doing. Heck, I still wonder if he’s still thinking about despite all of this. I’m… just very confused. Every time I think about him, I think about past times that we spent together… happy. I… loved those times. I’m … I‘m not so sure about what is right anymore Father. I mean… is it wrong for me to think like that when he’s… you know?”
There was a pause. Imoen was beginning to get a bit nervous while Dethryn was in thought. Then he asked a single question.
“Imoen, do you feel guilt?”
The young mages was surprised about the question but then realized it hit home to where her feelings where. “Yes… I feel so guilty most of the time. I feel as if I abandoned Locke during his time of need. I… I did something wrong have I, Father Dethryn?”
“Nothing my child, you were confused about the complications that were brought before you. However, this matter still needs to be resolved between you and your brother. Obviously, you are still confused about your feelings towards your Locke. I think you need a vacation.”
“I can’t! What about my studies?”
“I have the utmost confidence in you. You have learned enough to survive any threat or encounter that may lie before you, and have shown the greatest potential than any of my students had ever presented. I think it’s allowable to delay your studies for pursuits that are far more worth than being cramped up in this dusty library.”
Imoen chuckled lightly at the monk’s joke. However, she still had her worries.
“But, where am I going to find him? What’ll happen when I see him? I mean, where will I go?”
“As I said, you have all the vacation time you need. Do not ponder on such minor thoughts. Answers to questions may be revealed once you find your brother.”
Imoen was amazed at Father Dethryn’s willingness to help her in allowing her studies to be delayed. She had to show respect for what her master was working hard for.
“Thank you. But Father please tell me, what do you think of all this?”
The monk gave his truest answer.
“Love, is a very powerful emotion. It can be found in the most unlikely couple of individuals. Both you and Locke share a deep love, a bond that may well transcend beyond deeper than that of a mere brother-sister relationship. The hardships that you have faced together have only worked to bring the bond closer than ever, and the confusion of the truth behind of those emotions is what may threaten it. You, Imoen, must decide if you desire to keep the bond and that means finding the truth about your feelings and yourself. I have seen such love before and it seems to be true; it is above more than just simple lust. You’re brother means too well that he would quest to keep the bond by distancing himself from you because he does not want you to be disgusted at him further. However, that I believe is wrong and may as well break the very bond that you together have developed.”
Imoen pondered on Tethryn’s words carefully.
“Come my child. You must journey as soon as possible. When the sun has risen, supplies and provisions will be in your quarters. I’ll even make sure that one of my students will find rumors about where your brother may be. As I’ve heard, he’s quite the hero you know.”
Imoen, wanting to thank her mentor said words of thanks.
“Th-thank you Father. I appreciate what you are doing for me.”
“No need. Now, continue your studies.”
“Yes Father.”
The next day…
Imoen waved goodbye when she finally exited the gates of Candlekeep. Looking towards the road, she was determined although a bit nervous to find her brother. Rumor was that her brother was heading north to help solve a bandit problem.
“Well, I guess this it. I hope to see you soon Locke.”
With that said, she set off into the road north.
Meanwhile, Tethryn prayed to the gods for favor. “Oh gods, I pray in hopes that you will guide Imoen to her truth. I wish that she will find true love. And to Gorion, I hope that you are still proud of them, no matter what the complications maybe.”
Then the monk closed his prayer.