As so many times before you head to Gorion's chambers at the fifth floor of the library keep to knock on his door. It is odd but you find the door not only open but slightly ajar. The chambers are large and as soon as you enter the antechamber you can feel that something is wrong. At first you cannot place it but after a short while it comes through the faint odor of sewer that followed you up: the metallic scent of blood. When you look into the sleeping chamber you find your foster father on the floor, quite dead with his throat slit and fresh blood pooling on the floor. There is no one else in the room.
There are signs that indicate that Gorion was packing: an open backpack, half-packed supplies and clothes are scattered around the room.
In your foster fathers hand is a letter.
Letter to Gorion:
My friend Gorion,
Please forgive the abruptness with which I now write, but time is short and there is much to be done. What we have long feared may soon come to pass, though not in the manner foretold, and certainly not in the proper time frame. As we both know, forecasting these events has proved increasingly difficult, leaving little option other than a leap of faith. We have done what we can for those in thy care, but the time nears when we must step back and let matters take what course they will. We have, perhaps, been a touch too sheltering to this point.
Despite my desire to remain neutral in this matter, I could not, in good conscience, let events proceed without some measure of warning. The other side will move very soon, and I urge thee to leave Candlekeep this very night, if possible. The darkness may seem equally threatening, but a moving target is much harder to hit, regardless of how sparse the cover. A fighting chance is all that can be asked for at this point.
Should anything go awry, do not hesitate to seek aid from travelers along the way. I do not need to remind thee that it is a dangerous land, even without our current concerns, and a party is stronger than an individual in all respects. Should additional assistance be required, I understand that Jaheira and Khalid are currently at the Friendly Arm Inn. They know little of what has passed, but they are ever thy friends and will no doubt help however they can.
Luck be with us all.
I'm getting too old for this.
E
