The return of the lost son......

Home.......

A word so many use, yet so few understand.

Should it surprise me that my body, though pained with being back home, is also renewed and refreshed as if emerging from a crystal clear spring in the early morning? When first we crossed the rift into the feywild, I was welcomed with memories and even renewed power. There is nothing more satisfying than feeling the power of magic heavy in the air and in everything around me......yet what is this sadness I feel? Something is amiss...and even though I have been gone for so long, I can still feel the subtle, foreign power coursing through the air....drawing me closer towards greystar and calling me as if wishing to see a son that has been lost but has now returned. I can feel the ring.....perhaps it is because of the failed attempt to manipulate my mind, or because I have known it's power since a young age.

We trekked on into the forest surrounding Greystar, sticking to the only path that the forest held.....and as we neared the city, we came across a group of wild fey.....which had demanded our magical equipment.....now, I know I speak for the others when i say that was not an option.....and yet, after dispatching the creatures, Kharask gives me glances that show his disapproval.....as if I was wrong. He knows nothing of this realm, nor of it's inhabitants....and still he acts as if his way is the only way.....the fool. While intelligent, he has no co mmon sense....and it shows. If he thinks every creature in the realms is going to rally to his cause, he is an idiot......and I say that with the utmost respect.

The others all view me as mad.....even after all of the time we have spent together, and yet, they turn to me for help constantly......I am tiring of the constant bickering....and the mistrust. Let them view me with suspicion....let them pass judgement, but when the time comes, they know that I am the one who will be there by their side. My purposes and goals are my own....much like theirs are their own....and yet, i am the only one constantly brought into question.

I could see it in their faces as we moved on, and I knew what they were thinking, however, what could i say? As we neared the gates, Azriel let us know, and we were met with a squad of Bladesingers.....all of whom were reluctant to deal with me.....of course, under the circumstances, I cannot say i am surprised. Ehrentaelik was seperated from us as we were led into the city, being put in confinement for the time being. After Kharask, merrik, azriel and i waited for a few moments, we were met by a man who turned out to be the Drow's mentor......

He informed us that the Order of White Owls has sealed itself off from the city, keeping all from the tower which seemed ominous compared to the rest of the structures in Greystar. My refusal to stay silent obviously infuriated the man, and I could tell that he held a measure of animosity towards me.....however, we came to an agreement of sorts....because as it turns out, my fellow Eladrin are starting to see the perils of dealing with the corrupt order of wizards to which I used to devote so much of myself......and it seems the only wizards left are the most poisoned of them.
I will not lie....when he told us that we were to enter the tower and eliminate the wizards who were spreading their tainted views through Greystar, i felt joy....and the rising of a familiar hate and rage......I am not sure that i can go through with this without losing myself, but i do not have a choice. I know best what we are up against, and I must lend my power to my companions, but the ring.....I hear it calling my name......I feel it in my blood.......even after all of this time, the temptation is still there. I overcame it once.......can I do it again? Or am I doomed to lose myself into oblivion and condemn my comrades to death?

Kharask worries about my connection to this ring.....he has never openly stated as much, but he does not have to. He is right to worry.....I myself am worried and I can only hope that when the time comes, I am strong enough to hold on to who I am rather than fall back into the person i was....I am trying....but it is not easy.....and if Kharask only knew how hard i fight to remain true to myself, he would understand.....but alas...this is not his conflict.....it is mine, and I must endure it alone. In three days time we move to storm the tower, and in three days time, we will see exactly where my heart lies....even now I cannot say.....I have never been one for unnecessary violence, but I have also never been in a position to exact revenge on someone who stole my life away from me. I could use Freyla's guidance right now, but she is nowhere to be seen....I am alone in this....and I feel as though I will be swallowed up.

There is one thing i do know.....when all of this is done, one way or another, my name will be spoken within my home again....and if Ehrentaelik's mentor is true to his word, he will stand for me to be welcomed back amongst my kindred.......but should he prove to be untrustworthy, he too will be yet one more obstacle in my path to being reunited with my people.......

I hope that I do not make the same mistakes as before.......it will prove to be my undoing should I fail at maintaining my composure......