The Wilderness

Stella lingers near Minsc as they search for coin. "I'm sorry I didn't return when I said I would...the mine turned out far more dangerous than we expected. Thank you for your...call to heroism," she smiles up at the massive man. "You've helped me decide what I want to be."

"If you don't mind me asking," she turns to Dynaheir, "What IS your mission here? If you're not allowed to say, though, then I understand."

Stella takes time to sit down and peer into her pearl at Edwin's staff, seeing strings and nodes of evocation—of fire. She hands the staff to Sheemish. "Do you want this? It's classified as a Minor Staff of Fire. Attune to it and you can spray and sling fire with it. I can show you how to use it, if you want." She shrugs. "I'm not overly fond of fire, but I can keep it if you don't want it."

"Speaking of fire..." Stella draws out a couple few fire arrows and hands them to Imoen so she has three total. "Here's a few more. I should have given them to you earlier...Could have made the fight a bit easier," She sheepishly twirls a lock of hair around her own finger.

She draws out the wand of magic missiles. "Dieter!" She tosses it to him. "For when you run out of things to throw."

After redistributing magic items she takes a seat on a barrel, straightens her tattered skirt—she would need to get a new one—and opens up to search Edwin's spellbook.It would take a lot of ink, costly components, to learn and practice these spells...she could hardly read his writing! She could probably decipher most of it, but it would take some trial and error. But if her count of her share of the party's newfound gold was right, she should have plenty to learn a few!

Her owl familiar lands on her shoulder and hoots softly. "You did great today! Thank you. We need a name for you, girl...Strix? No, that's for those horrid blood-sucking birds...Wirrow would like that, but how about...Noctura? Noctal? Noctalia? Yes, Noctalia! A beautiful name for a beautiful celestial bird."

She laughs. "Certainly better than 'Flumphy'," she says and scoffs. "Papa is so unimaginative...What kind of name for a flumph is 'Flumphy'? That'd be like calling you 'Brownie' or 'Owly'." She chuckles and sighs. She did miss Zenithral's little floating familiar friend with its funny tentacles and eye stalks. And as she thought further, she found herself also missing...her father.

Her smile fades. She...missed him. And she didn't feel angry with him. It felt like...storm clouds had drifted away, revealing a clear stary sky. Had this quest for Minsc, and accepting that she wanted to be a hero done that? She lets a fond smiles creep onto one corner of her mouth and nods.

Yes, Stella thought. I think it did. She was letting who she was start to come from inside her now, not from someone else.

She sees Aiwë pass by. She quickly hops up from her seat on a barrel, straightens her skirt, then runs up to Aiwë with a hug. She steps back and give s bright smile, her eye stars sparkling yellow and white. "Thanks," she says simply. "For helping me start to believe in me. And in all of you."

Aiwë gives Stella a squeeze and a tusk-y grin. "Always, Stella! So, first a breather and then back to Nashkell. After that... how are you feeling about home? Going home doesn't mean you don't believe in yourself. There's plenty of hard things there, too."

Minsc beams down at Stella. "Being a hero is a busy time! You helped many people, and then you helped us. You are double the hero!" He leans down conspiratorially. "Any wise words you hear from Minsc's mouth are the words of Boo!"

Dynaheir is obviously weary from her captivity and the gnolls' treatment of her, but her smile as she looks on Minsc and Stella is genuine. "I am grateful Minsc was able to make friends while I was gone, and not only because thou and thy companions played such a large part in our rescue!"

When Stella asks after her mission, Dynaheir gives a slight shake of her head. "I would reward thy curiosity with answers, but such discretion is not my place. Perhaps one day, fair Stella."

The wychlaran hands Stella's star-shaped crystal necklace back to her. "I thank thee for entrusting this to me for a short while. In Rashemen we have a long history of seeking guidance from the stars. Holding it gave me courage." She meets Stella's gaze, noting the stars in her eyes. "Might I ask how thou didst gain this one?"

Stella puts a hand to her mouth and giggles, then scratches the hamster behind the ears. "Well thank you, Boo. I'm glad you're both safe."
"Oh!" Stella had nearly forgotten she had lent her star-shaped arcane focus. Her 'starcane focus', Papa always called it. "A gift," she says with a smile, tying the cut cord around her neck and nodding her thanks. "I love the stars. I've always felt part of them. When I started studying with the local archmage, Mama and Papa commissioned it from some jewelers in the Ten Towns—north in the Icewind Dale," she explains fondly.

"I..." the white-haired girl purses her lips and stares at the ground. "...think I want to stay," she says, then nods slowly. "This is the first time I've felt this way." She looks up at Aiwë. "Like I can make a big difference, and that I'm starting to figure out who I am, you know?"

"Then we'll stay!" Aiwë grins. "You're incredible, and I know you'll keep doing great things!"

"I have never heard of this Icewind Dale. My land is far, very far, to the east, and also has frigid winds. It is considered inhospitable by most. But the sky at night is beyond description, the stars shine crisp and clear..." Her lips curve in a friendly smile. "Perhaps one day Minsc and I shall visit your home. And Boo, too!"

"And perhaps I will visit your land as well! The stars seem to be so different here, I can't imagine what they'd be like where you're from! Farewell, Dynaheir, and farewell Minsc! And you too, Boo!"