PS: My youngest maternal uncle broke his arm in a fall while visiting the family graves. I went to see him in the hospital today, so the makeup update will be delayed until tomorrow or the day after. I will make it up, I swear on the Lectitio Divinitatus! -Tianzi
In early June of 1368 Dalereckoning, torrential rain fell outside the command tent, swallowing the Dragon Mountains in a heavy curtain of water.
The early summer rainy season was like poetry and song. Churning rain washed away the blood, covered the corpses, and completely obscured the lingering smoke and traces of magic on the battlefield. Huge drops drenched the soil around the Moonsea, turning it into a watery expanse and forming pond after pond.
Inside the command tent, Aaron once again summoned everyone to a council.
By then, Elminster and the others had already withdrawn their Dalelands troops. They had come to destroy the Zhentarim in the first place, and now that Zhentil Keep had fallen, Elminster had no intention of lingering. He swiftly withdrew from the Moonsea with the Dalelands army and three of the Seven Sisters of the North, returning to Shadowdale.
Before leaving, Elminster reiterated his two earlier demands to Aaron.
First, withdraw from the Moonsea. Second, help reclaim Myth Drannor.
Aaron said he had thought Elminster would stop him from marching back to Cormyr.
"There is no dynasty in this world that never falls, nor any grave that never gets dug up," Elminster said meaningfully before his departure. The Great Sage held his pipe between his teeth and sighed. "Still, I hope you won't do this. Heaven creates all things to sustain humanity, yet humanity has nothing to offer heaven in return. All the gods are watching. Think it through and weigh your actions."
"Alusair has