Fanfic Time: My Baby Now (14)

~Some Significant Years Later~

"You have everything you need, ja? You have your balm? Enough of your balm? And the recipes too? You're sure you want to go adventuring as a Bard?"

"Yes, Dad," Aldiirn sighed. Dad was such a worrywart, sometimes. "It would be unfair to adventure as a Monk," Aldiirn smiled, enduring the umpty-billionth farewell hug from his Dad, and then his Mum, and then each of his fifteen siblings. "I'll be fine, Dad. Don't worry about me."

"I'm your parent, it's my job to worry about you," he leaned down to press his brow to Aldiirn's. "I'll miss you, kleiner..."

Mum, better known as Lady Cordelia, said, "Remember everything I taught you about avoiding little surprises. I know how Bards are."

"Mu-u-um... Not this Bard. I think I'm a bit broken in that direction..." The blush burned his face anyway. "I'll be fine."

"I've hidden a little something in your pack. I'm sure you'll let me know when you find it."

"Da-a-ad..." He sighed. It was embarrassing. Twenty-one years old, and still having his parents fuss over him. He knelt to embrace the youngest twins, aged just past four. "You two have the most important job of all. Keep Mum and Dad distracted enough so they don't worry themselves bald, okay? Get in lots and lots of trouble for me."

Mercy and Consideration giggled at the idea.

In spite of every confidence he had in himself, in spite of everything they'd taught him, it was still terrifying to strike out into the world as Aldiirn Deepborn, the technically clanless half-drow who was not at all affiliated with a whole damn polity by adoption. Seeking somewhere that didn't know him so he could make a name of his own. Just to find a way to make the world better with his own merits.

Somewhere far away would be a good start.

Baldur's Gate, probably. That might be far enough away.