Disclaimer:
Hello again! I'm back with the eighth part of NNT. Exam is over, and boy was it horrible!! First of all, (sigh! not again...) as mentioned before, this story is totally fictional and has no purpose whatsoever to imply that any member of the BSB is gay. Secondly, also as mentioned before, the setting of this story is 100% based on TSR, Inc. Novels, the Forgotten Realms. The story is written purely out of fun and leisure and I have no intention of publishing it anywhere or whatever. Hmm... what else? Oh yeah, this story also contain homosexual elements, so if you got a problem with it, hmm... too bad. If you keep on reading it, well, don't say I didn't warn you. However, if you are looking for some hot monkey sex scenes, sorry dudes, you'll be disappointed. I'm just not good in writing about that stuff :P Let just keeps the detailed sex stuff behind closed doors. But if you like stories that goes nice and slow and have more to offer than just sex, oh well, you might like this one (I hope).
Well! Now that is gone out of da way, lets get on with the story. Hope you enjoy it. If ya got comments, objections, suggestions, tips, death threats, boos, tomatoes or cabbages to throw or whatever, just write to me at zan@oceanfree.net
Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who e-mailed me of your comments and such. It's nice to know that you've enjoyed it. I live to serve (Hah!). All in all, thanks guys. I intend to make this story as long as I can. But ideas do tend to run out quickly. I can always think up of new ideas (if I can get my lazy mind going long enough. It really needs a kick or two at time but it has always serve me well... hmm... well, most of the time). But if you have any inputs, ideas or suggestions, feel free to drop me a note anytime you want, be it through e-mails, letters, pigeons, message in a bottle, Morse codes, talking drums, whatever.
Hmmm... what else. Oh yeah. Again, English is not my first language so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes that might arise. In Tarzan's language... me no speak English well!! You smart, me dumb :) Also, In NNT7, there are LOADS of grammatical mistakes. Sorry about that. That's what happens when you are typing the story and at the same time watching Xena the Warrior Princess on TV. Especially the sea-demon part where the word dragon occasionally comes out. Originally, the attack was by a sea-dragon but I change it at the last minutes to sea-demon. Dragon is a very difficult creature to fight and I'm really not quite prepared to write dragon fighting just yet.
Right! Enough mindless chatters and on with the show! Enjoy!
Drew and Andy
In the Sword Coast, in the Woods of Sharp Teeth...
"What about that one over there?" asked Nick as he pointed at one of the cluster of red stars in the sky. Andy squinted at the sky as he tried to make out where Nick was pointing.
They were lying next beside each other by the campfire, resting from their journey. They have been traveling for nearly a day now from the Friendly Arm Inn and so far the journey has been uneventful. They traveled hard during the day and rested during the night, watching the stars in the sky and lying in each other's embrace.
"Hmm... ah yes! That's the constellation representing Sune Firehair, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. To the elves, it represents Hanali Celanil, the elven goddess of Love and Beauty. Some elves think it represents Arvandor, the elven heaven."
Nick smiled as he snuggled against the warmth of Andy's embrace. Muragh sat at the top of the boulder near the fire, keeping watch though it is really not necessary for Andy has set up numerous wards around the camp. Any enemy that comes within a mile will alert both of them immediately.
"Andy?"
"Yes Nick?"
"Tell me about your family. You never talked about your family before."
Andy remains silent for a moment.
"Well, there is very little to tell, Nick. I was born in a small village near Neverwinter, up in the North." Said Andy quietly. "I had one younger brother. My father, as I recalled was a merchant and my mother was a housewife."
"I stayed with my family until I was 13 when a traveling mage recognize my talent in wielding magic and hence decided to offer me a chance to become his apprentice and learn how to wield magic."
"You see, Nick, not everyone in this world can wield magic. Only certain people that have the inherent ability to draw energy from the magical Weave can do so. People of the Old called them 'Mystra's Children'. Of these people, most of them do not even know they can wield magic. They usually found that out when applying for apprenticeship where they are magically tested, like you Nick. However, there is a small portion of these people who have these talent activated when they were born. Mages are usually able to recognize them at a glance. They can feel the... umm... magical resonance, I should say, within these people. These people are very rare. I am one of them."
"So, I decided to travel with this mage back to his home in Waterdeep where I started to learn the Art. I stayed there until I was 18 when my master decided I should go and see the world and gain experience." Said Andy, before adding sarcastically, "That was also the time Muragh came into my life."
"Oh, how I feel so loved," said Muragh from the boulder where he is sitting, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"While I was in Waterdeep, news came to me stating about a band of pirates raiding and destroying my village." Andy face dropped at that. "I traveled back there only to find the burn out remains of the village. Of my family, none survive."
Nick tightened his hold on Andy's hand.
"I'm sorry." Said Nick. He gently wiped the tears from Andy's cheek. "You don't have to go on..."
"It's okay, Nick. I'm all right. It... was a long time ago. The past is the past." Andy murmured.
They remain quiet for a time, watching the stars.
"What did you do then, Andy?" said Nick softly.
"What can a powerless apprentice do against several bands of pirates? Nothing." Andy replied. "Nothing except to return to Waterdeep and continue with my studies and hope to gain enough knowledge, skills and power to become an adept mage. This time though, I decided to immerse myself in battle magic more than others. After I finished my apprenticeship, I join a band of adventurers and traveled the Realms. That is where I met Thaldorn."
"Tell me about this adventuring band." Asked Nick.
Andy smiled.
"Well, there are six of us altogether, each and everyone of us are new in that business. We called ourselves 'The Windrunners'. There are two fighters, a ranger, a cleric, a thief and myself; the mage. We traveled everywhere for many years and we became so close that they are like a second family to me. We traveled up to the Savage North and Icewind Dales and down to Calimshan, the Snowflakes Mountains, the Shining Plains and even to the reaches of the Border Kingdoms. We traveled East to Cormyr, the Dales, Implitur, and even Aglarond and West to the Moonshaes. We also explored some forgotten ruins and dungeons, some of which we succeeded, in others we were forced to either abandon our quest or perish. In time, we gained enough gold and skills to retire. Thaldorn, as you can see, open up an inn in Beregost. I on the other hand inherited the lighthouse from my uncle and decided to continue with my own studies. This was about a year ago. The others still wanders the Realms and came by to Thaldorn's inn from time to time to visit."
"Sounds like you led an interesting life," Nick smiled.
"Interesting, yes, but tiresome too, particularly when you have to spent most of your time fleeing and trying to stay alive." Andy chuckled. "But such is the life of an adventurer."
"Did you make lots of enemies?"
"A number of them, yes. From time to time, we encounter mages and warriors serving the Red Wizards of Thay and the Zhentarim. There's also agents serving the Cult of the Dragons, the Shadow Thieves, the Night Masks... but these things is common throughout the Realms. One usually stumbles into them wherever one go, and as most evil organizations, they will naturally attack and you have no other choices than to kill them."
Nick snuggled closer against Andy, resting his head against Andy's shoulder and enjoying the warmth of the campfire as they watch the stars.
"Is it always like this when you go out adventuring? Sleeping in the rough, by the campfire, watching the stars every night?" asked Nick.
"Yeah, and more." Andy replied dreamily. "One feels so free when one is out there in the world and amongst friends. To be one with the world. To make our ways through the Realms together, uncovering our destiny together. Fighting side by side with friends. One doesn't mind what foe one is facing as long as one is amongst friends."
"Why do you guys retire then?" asked Nick. "I mean, I understand why Thaldorn retire, since he is too old to go running around waving swords. But why you? I mean, you're only 25."
Andy remains silent for a moment before answering. Nick looked up and saw tears building up in his eyes.
"Andy?" he asked quietly. "You okay?"
"I retire because I have to." Andy whispered at last. "It was the only way..."
"What do you mean?" asked Nick curiously but Andy remains silent as he stares quietly into the sky.
Respecting his privacy, Nick decided not to pursue. Gently, he wiped the tears from his lover's eyes.
"It's alright, Andy. I... I didn't mean to brings back memories..."
More tears arise. Nick frowned inwardly. Something happened in Andy's past. And whatever it was, it must be big. Could this be related to the huge amount of power he secretly wield...? Nick felt slightly hurt at this. After all they are suppose in love with each other. Lovers shouldn't keep secrets from each other, right? But at the same time, he should respect Andy's privacy.
"It's okay, Andy." Said Nick softly. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Andy looked at his lover tearfully.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just... you... you'll hate me." He whispered bitterly.
"Andy, I will never hate you," Nick replied. "I love you."
Andy shook his head resignedly.
"No, Nick," he whispered. "You will hate me."
Nick looked at him silently before speaking softly.
"Does it have anything to do with the holy medallion of Tempus you are wearing around you neck?"
Nick gently touches the medallion he saw for the first time around Andy's neck, half concealed beneath his robe. The medallion, hanging by its golden chain, bears the symbol of a blazing sword in a blood-red field. Nick has studied enough about the Realms to recognize the holy symbol of Tempus, the God of Battles.
"I thought you worship Mystra... ugh!!" Said Nick softly before being roughly pushed aside.
The reaction he got from Andy was very surprising. The young mage sprang to his feet; fear, panic and anguish filled his eyes as he desperately concealed the medallion beneath his robe.
"Its... its not my fault!" Andy cried out bitterly, tears streak down his cheek. "I... I didn't want the power! I never asked for it! And I certainly never asked for the curse!!!"
Nick, surprised and speechless at this display, could only stare at him.
"What curse?" he asked softly.
He was interrupted by explosions that suddenly erupted within the woods.
Some distance away...
Fifteen men crept silently towards the direction of the campfire. The leader, a giant of a man wearing a horned helm and a spiked armor made of black iron turn to regard the thin, slender man wearing a robe at the back.
"Damer, is that them?" he asked in a harsh whisper.
The wizard strode up to the warrior and squint towards the campfire.
"I think so. Hold on." He said softly. Then he chanted softly and raised his hands, pointing towards the campfire. A small wizard eye appeared out of thin air and floated gently towards the camp. The wizard scrye through the wizard eye for a moment before nodding. "Aye. I can't see the boy, but the wizard boy is there. He appears to be taking to someone."
The warrior grinned.
"Only two of them? Well, we'll make a short work out of this then." He said arrogantly before taking out his sword. "Attack men!"
"Wait you fool! There's a..."
Before the wizard could finish the sentence, the warriors were charging through the woods towards the camp. Suddenly, right in the middle of their charge, there was a flash of bright light and numerous explosions filled the wizard's vision. The wizard immediately cast a spell of invisibility on himself.
Back in the camp...
The explosions caused both Andy and Nick to turn towards the woods in alarm. Someone has broken through the wards.
"Over there! Warriors! And a wizard!" said Muragh. Being an undead, it has the ability to see things well in the dark as well as seeing things through illusions. "The wizard is invisible. 'Ware all!"
"Nick! Light!" Andy said grimly before murmuring a spell. All emotions drained from his face as he summons all his disciplines into his mind. Nick uttered a spell and raised his hands in a flourish. Suddenly the area is filled with bright light. Nick could see fifteen or so warriors crashing through the woods towards them. Nick uttered another spell to detect invisibility and soon enough, a robed figure appeared in the distance, flying through the woods.
Andy completed his spell and suddenly the air before them shimmered and a wall of force appeared out of thin air, protecting them from the volley of crossbow bolts that almost immediately come their way as soon as the charging warriors are within crossbow range. Then, Andy pointed his finger towards the approaching warrior and intoned another spell. There was a red flash of light and then a fireball streaks through the air and exploded with a huge roar, incinerating five of the approaching warriors.
"Nick, deal with the wizard." Said Andy grimly before intoning another spell.
Trying hard to control his fear, Nick uttered his own spell and hurled a lightning bolt towards the flying mage. The mage flew aside and dodged the bolt, snarling a spell as he did so and pointed towards Nick. A lightning bolt shot fourth, this time towards Nick. With an oath, Nick threw himself aside. The bolt hits the spot where he stood. Pushing himself up desperately, he uttered a spell to conjure a globe of invulnerability around him. The magical shield sprang up just in time as the mage hurled a fireball towards him.
Andy watched through narrowed eyes at the warriors rushing towards him as he cast his spell. The leader of the warriors, already injured and angered from the warding snarled and ran faster, determine to reaches the young mage before he could finish his spell casting.
Andy completed his spell of 'Slow'. There air around the charging warrior thickened and hum with unleashed magical energy as the spell took into effect. Suddenly, the leading warrior and those around him felt their body becomes heavier and their movement becomes sluggish and slowed. The leading warrior gave an angered snarled as he struggled slowly to get to the young mage. Through his angered vision, he saw Andy raised his hands towards him and intoned a spell, his eyes glowing with gathered power. The last thing he saw was sparks of electricity appearing from between the young mage's hands and fingers. The sparks gathered in energy and intensity and then a burst of blue-white lightning bolt shot towards him unmercifully, crackling and sparking through the air as it spells out the warrior's doom.
After killing the leading warrior with his lightning bolt, Andy drew several strands of spider webs from one of his pouches of spell components and muttered another spell. The webs glowed and vanished to become a ball of red energy. The young mage hurled it towards the warriors and the ball exploded in a bright red light and suddenly the air around the warriors is filled with sticky strands of webs, entrapping several warriors unfortunate enough to get caught within it. The rest jumped aside from the onslaught or ran around the webbed area. Crossbow bolt rained from those who still held onto their crossbow, but these bounced off from the shield Andy erected before him. From the corner of his eyes, he caught the glimpse of Nick battling furiously in magic with the wizard.
Andy turns his attention back towards the remaining charging warriors, and shouted another spell. A windblast threw some of the warriors back but not all of them. They are too close for him to cast any spell now. Three of them still bear crossbow bolts. He'll have to deal with them first. He uttered a summoning word and raised both his hands. The partially concealed throwing daggers that he kept amongst his robe, about two dozens of them, floated into the air before him. With his lips pursed grimly, he pointed towards the crossbowmen. Soon, the crossbowmen were screaming as a swarm of daggers shot towards them mercilessly.
The young mage turn his full attention towards the remaining warriors, about seven of them left, watching him warily as they slowly surrounded him. They planned to overwhelm him from all side.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" Andy asked mildly. "You really have no idea who I am do you, Zhentarim soldiers?"
One of the warriors at his right sneered and charged, sword upraised before him. Andy snorted at the attempt and uttered another summoning words. The warrior swings his sword, intending to decapitate the young mage. Suddenly there was a bright blue-white flash and a glowing staff appeared before the warrior. Sword meet staff, and then there was a huge burst of energy and the warrior screamed in pain as a jolt of electricity ran through him. The sword shattered into small pieces and the warrior stumbled back. Andy watched him coldly and willed the floating staff towards the warrior.
"Feel the bite," said the young mage grimly. The staff whirled through the air and struck the warrior again. Again, there was a flash and crackle of electricity and the warrior was thrown back about five feet away from his original spot, dead. The staff floated back to Andy and hovered readily at his side, as if it is protecting his back.
"Anyone else?" asked Andy.
Arloth Bloodshoulder, warcaptain of this particular band of Zhentarim warrior, watched warily at the furious young wizard before him. Simron, the swordmaster as well as the original leader of this band is dead. That leaves him in charge. At first he and Simron thought this would be an easy battle but now he knew first hand that this is not true. This mage, although young, is more powerful than any other mages he has ever encountered in his life! (With the exception of Manshoon and Sememmon of course). He watched warily as the young mage turn to look at him. The mage's eyes glows with gathered power, promising death as he stares at each and every one of them. He caught the warcaptain eyes and smiled grimly.
One of the warriors beside him dropped his sword to the ground and rushed into the woods, away from the battle. Arloth whirled at the deserting soldiers.
"Garan, come back, you craven dog!" he bellowed, "The curses of Bane and the Brotherhood on you!"
He whirled around quickly enough when he heard the young wizard chanting and was just in time to see a swarm of magic missile racing through the air and struck the fleeing warrior. He backed away when he saw the mage smiled at him coldly. The air around them seems to thicken with gathered power.
"You have tried really hard to reach me, Zhentarim warriors." Said the young mage as he wove his magic. His staff hovered protectively around him. "By all the gods, you'll wish you hadn't."
Arloth leaped towards the wizard and so does the others. The staff whirled and struck three of the charging warriors, sending them flying back. The others continued, sword upraised but the wizard finished his spell casting and spread his hands in a flourish. The air thickened and roared as a ring of shockwave burst outwards of the wizard's body and threw the warriors back. Arloth leaped back up with a snarl just in time to see the staff dealing death to another warrior and the wizard completing another spell. Then to his horror, his swords and daggers were lifted into the air and floated towards the wizard. All around the area, Arloth could see the other warriors experiencing the similar experience. The warriors, weaponless now, backed away as the mage smiled grimly. Their weapons hovered before the mage, pointing towards them.
"Send my regards to Bane." Andy smiled and pointed towards the warriors.
Soon the air is filled with the dying screams of the warriors as they were killed by their own weapons.
In Darkhold...
Sememmon watched the progress of the battles through Arloth eyes quietly. For a moment, he would have thought Simron's would have no trouble with these two men, but now he know he was wrong. That young wizard wearing the battle robe seems familiar somehow, but he couldn't exactly place where he has seen him...
The Lord of Darkhold leaned back onto his chair as he frowns in thought. His memory runs back to the years past. Images of battles appeared in his mind. Images of a mass of warriors marching across a bloody battlefield. Images of burning cities come next, its citizen fleeing the invading army. Those who were foolish enough not to flee meet their death swiftly. Another images arise. This time a lone figure stood atop a hill, facing another city. Dark clouds appeared above the doomed city and from it, dozens of fireball and lightning fell from it. The city were eventually laid in ruins, destroyed by a single spell of meteor swarm, cast by the figure. The same figure is present in each image. Leading the army or casting powerful spells that wrought destruction on cities and lands alike. The image took form of a young man, sitting proudly on a great war-horse, bearing a staff of immense power. The man has pure blond hair, parted in the middle and deep blue eyes.
Sememmon stood from his chair with a smile as he remembered where he has seen this young man before.
"Andy Elbereth," He whispered to himself. "So the one of the Cursed Battlelords of Tempus has risen again."
He turns to look at the picture of the five guys near his scrying mirror, at Nick in particular.
"You have chosen a powerful ally indeed, Nick Carter." He muttered. "But this particular ally can be controlled and compelled, and then turned into powerful enemy."
He strode towards his scrying mirror and willed for an image to appear. Almost immediately, the figure of a beautiful lady comes into view. Elliana, a powerful enchantress serving the Zhentarim in the Citadel of the Ravens regards him lazily.
"Ah! My dear Sememmon! It has been a long time indeed!" the enchantress purred.
Sememmon smiled in return to her greetings.
"Well met, Elliana. I have a task for you."
Elliana smiled and allow him to proceed.
"I have found Andy Elbereth, one of Tempus's Chosens."
The smile vanished from the enchantress face. She sat up straight and regard the archmage seriously.
"You have? Where?" she hissed excitedly.
Sememmon smiled.
"Can you still perform the ritual of Bane's Curse?" he asked.
"Yes!" the enchantress grinned. "Bring him here and we will wreck destruction to the Realms again."
Near the Sword Coast, in the Woods of Sharp Teeth...
The globe of invulnerability effectively saved Nick from the explosion caused by the fireball. Without waiting for the fire to dissipate, Nick quickly cast another spell. Dimly in his mind, he remembered Andy's teaching.
'Spell battles are never as tales had them; mages trading spells formally, one after the other. The mage who struck first, fastest and hardest is the one who usually prevailed.'
He finished the incantation and pointed towards the mage, his pointing digits glowing with green light. Three acid lances hissed through the air. The wizard eyes widened in surprise as he saw the oncoming lances and immediately maneuvered himself hastily out of the way but he was too slow. One of the arrows struck him at the shoulder, causing him screamed in pain and also disrupt his next spell casting.
Again, Nick didn't waste any time. He pointed towards the mage again and recites another spell.
'Magius Stryke!'
Four pulsing magic missiles streaked through the air, twisting and turning through the air to follow the mage. The mage hurled his own magic missiles before being hit, causing him to loose his concentration on his flight spell and fell to the ground. Nick ignored the oncoming magic missiles and applied himself to another spell casting, drawing a ball of sulphur from one of his pockets. The missiles hit the magical barrier still in effect around him and vanished. He peered into the woods and saw the mage fell onto the ground. He uttered the final syllables of his spell and almost immediately the ball of sulphur burst into flame. Quickly, he hurls the fireball onto the area where the mage fell. The fireball exploded with a roar and Nick peered into the darkness to determine whether the wizard survived or not.
"Muragh! Did the wizard survived?" he asked the skull beside him.
"I'm... not sure." The skull replied. "Take me with you if you're going to check. I'll watch your back. Be careful!"
Nick picked up an oak staff he brought along with him and stick the skull at the top so that Muragh could see around and warn him if he see anything. Then, cautiously, he walked into the woods, keeping a sharp lookout for the wizard.
He walked cautiously through the woods, trying to make as little noise as possible. He peered around silently, seeking for the wizard. He reaches the area where he has hurled his fireball and found no one. He quickly cast a spell of invisibility on himself and drew a wand of lightning from his belt.
The wizard, Damer is sourly injured and very angry. To be defeated by a boy - a boy! The explosion caused by the fireball caught him as he fell. If it weren't for the ring of fire resistance he is wearing, he would have been dead by now. Even then, he still suffered considerable injuries from the fall.
He limped quietly through the trees, trying to gain some bearing in his mind. He has no idea the boy was also a mage. He drew his own wand of fire from his belt and peered around the woods cautiously. He could hear the din of battle between the warriors and the other mage, probably the boy's mentor. He is so young that one, but still powerful. His face seems familiar but with his mind clouded with pain, he could not summon the strength to even think at the moment. That boy! That boy will die a slow death by his hands! The wizard continues to stalks the woods quietly. The boy must be around somewhere.
A snap of twigs in a distance makes the wizard turns around with a snarl. He raised his wand towards the direction of the sound and shouted the triggering word. A fireball burst fourth into the woods and exploded. The wizard peered anxiously through the woods, wishing he could part the darkness, but couldn't see any one. A burst of lightning bolt hitting the trees before him makes him yelped in surprise. He rush into to darkness in frantic haste and took cover behind one of the trees. The boy is out there and has armed himself with a wand of lightning! It must be, for otherwise he would have heard the chanting of spells. Silently he cast spell and conjured a globe of invulnerability on himself.
Nick skulked through the trees, looking around warily. The fireball nearly caught him, but he managed to teleport himself away from the area using a dimension door spell and retaliates by hurling a lightning bolt using his own wand. But he knew he has to be more careful for he memorize only one dimension door spell. He wouldn't be able to escape another fireball if it happens again. It's a good thing he memorized a spell of infravision. It makes the whole searching a lot easier.
"Muragh," he whispered. "See anything?"
The skull looked around from the top of the staff.
"Something move over there," the skull whispered. "I think the mage is invisible now but I might be wrong. Either way, there are some magical activities over there, probably protective spells. I suggest you use you magic to dispel any magic around that area. Make sure you run away quickly as soon as you cast the spell. The mage will surely send another fireball here as soon as he noticed it."
Nick squinted towards the direction and murmured an incantation softly. As soon as the magical energy left his body, he picked up the staff and Muragh and ran off as fast as he can. As Muragh said, a fireball shot fourth and exploded. Nick jumped behind a bush and stayed there.
Damer looked up and cursed vilely as a magical wind swirled around him, dispelling any enchantments he has placed upon himself, including his globe of invulnerability.
"Damn you!" he snarled as he aimed his wand towards the source of the magic and triggered it. The fireball exploded and the wizard ran off again, trying his best to blend into the shadow. He stopped in horror when a blond figure stood from behind the bush pointing a wand at him.
'Merzae!'
The wizard screamed as the lightning bolt struck him, throwing him a few feet backward. He stood weakly, his robe smoldering as he glares at the figure before him and pointed his wand towards him. But the figure was faster. He intoned a spell and pointed towards him. Soon the wizard was flying again as a blast of wind struck him. He slammed against a tree, losing hold of his wand in the impact. He looked up at the blond figure again and saw his doom.
"There will be others fool!" he snarled defiantly and raised his hands to cast a spell. Nick pointed towards him and uttered a magic missile spell.
Magius Stryke!
Four magic missiles pulsed through the air towards the stammering wizard.
Andy willed his staff to return back to him. As soon as the staff is in his hand, he leaned wearily against it and walked towards the woods, searching for Nick. Blood spattered everywhere on his clothes and face as the result of the slaughter. He looked around for more enemies, but found none. He gently caresses the staff in his hand. The Staff of Tempus has been in his possession for more than three years now, and its power has aided him more than once. A wave of grief overwhelmed him as he remembered the prize he has to pay for using the staff's power. He has been too eager back then. Eager to gain more power of his own. Now he has all the power he needed, but the memory of the consequences for wielding such power still haunts the dark recess of his mind.
A sudden rustling near him jolt him off his thoughts. He gathered the power of the staff in readiness as he peered into the wood.
"Nick?"
"Over here, Andy."
Andy turned and saw Nick walking towards the campfire, struggling to balance Muragh in his hand and dragging the body of a robed figure with the other.
"Nick, you all right?"
"Yeah. I'm okay. Been playing hide and seek for sometime now. This guy here is sneaky. But he has some magic rings, wands and some new spell scrolls for me."
Andy leaned beside the boulder, resting his weight on it, still looking at his lover. Nick turned around from the body to look at Andy. His face changes from happiness into horror and alarm.
"ANDY, LOOK OUT!!!" Nick screamed.
Andy turned around and saw a bleeding, near-dead warrior pointing a crossbow towards him. Before he could do anything, the warrior let the bolt loose. Andy felt a sharp pain in his chest before falling to the ground. As he loose consciousness, he heard Nick's voice rising as he cast a magic missile spell.
The magic missiles struck the warrior, throwing him a few feet away, dead. Nick turned to look at Andy only to find the young mage fell onto the ground beside the fire, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest.
"ANDY!!!" Nick screamed again as he dropped the staff and rushed towards his lover. "Andy!!!"
Andy lay unconscious. His breathing is shallow and even as Nick watched, blood is seeping through the wounds. Buried within the tears of pain and grief, Nick could only cried out in anguish. He didn't hear Muragh screaming his name repeatedly.
"NICK!!!" Muragh screamed for the seventh time. The skull hopped up and down repeatedly, trying to get his attention. At last Nick looked up and saw the skull beside him. "Lift me up and let me see the wound, NOW!"
Not knowing anything else to do, Nick complied. Muragh mumbled to himself as he examines the wound intently. The skull mumbled to himself as he carefully examines the wound. Being a priest himself in life, Muragh certainly has the full knowledge concerning wound healing. But being only a skull now, he couldn't help but feeling extremely frustrated and helpless.
"Mu... Muragh, I... I don't know what to do!" Nick sobbed.
"Nick, listen! He is still breathing. He is still alive. I want you to stop the bleeding. Hurry! Try you best and stop the bleeding. But whatever you do, don't touch the bolt. It is too close to the heart."
"But..."
"Just do it!" Muragh cried out in frustration.
They spent some moment trying to stop the bleeding. Nick tears up his spare robe into strips in order to use it as bandages.
"All right. Now Nick, pack up our things. We're still not too far off from the Friendly Arm Inn. We can make it there in time if we push hard enough. We can find a priest there to heal him. Hurry!"
Nick nodded tearfully and rushed to pack up their things and prepare the horses. In less than half an hour, after helping Andy onto a crude makeshift, they quickly make their way towards the Friendly Arm inn. As they make their way through the woods, Nick placed his hand on Andy.
"Hang on, Andy." He whispered tearfully. "Hang on, my love."
In the Kingdom of Cormyr...
"Why do I get the feeling that we're being watched?" asked AJ as they ride their horses along the Calantar's Way. They spent three nights in Suzail, resting after journeying across the Lake of the Dragons for more than four days. According to Beth, they still have a long way to go before they would arrive at Shadowdale.
According to Beth, Suzail is the royal capital and the richest city of the kingdom of Cormyr, and home to the most important merchant houses and nobles of Cormyr. The city is dominated by the fortified castle of King Azoun IV, which is set apart from the lower city by its splendid gardens and rumored to have rich burial grounds beneath it.
The city is justly famous for its bazaars, its ivory sculptors, and its clothmakers. Of the former, hundreds of ivory gleaned from the Unapproachable East and the hot jungles of the South has found its way across the Inner Sea in great shiploads of raw tusks and fragments to Suzail and been fashioned into inlays and goods for Amn, the North and the Sword Coast cities. Of the latter, the wool is woven as well in the Sembian city of Daerlun, but those who work looms in Suzail hold that their work is finer and the colors more true and more lasting. The city also houses numerous major trading houses, all of them have great influence in the economy of not only the city, but also to the whole kingdom of Cormyr.
The First Citizen of the City and the nation is his most Royal Highness King Azoun IV, King of Cormyr, Protector of Tilverton and Victor of the Horde Incursions. He is almost always accompanied by his most loyal advisor, Vangerdahast, Royal Magician of Cormyr and Chairman Emperius of the College of War Wizards. Sthavar, Lord Magister of the City is the local lord entrusted with the day-to-day governing of Cormyr's largest city.
Suzail maintains a large army of Purple Dragons, 14 ships of the Imperial Navy and a large contingent of the War Wizards.
As rich and famous as Suzail can be, the past three nights has been the dullest in AJ's and Beth's life. Thieves and rogues lay low in Suzail due to the ever-vigilant Purple Dragons and the War Wizards. In the three nights they stayed there, they had only one midnight heist. The next morning, the streets were brimming with Purple Dragons looking for the thief and the War Wizards, casting divination spells to determine the thief whereabouts, which is why they are on their way towards Arabel now, the next major city in Cormyr located north of Suzail.
Beth stirred on her own mount next to him.
"AJ, if you are on the run from the guards, you'll always feel like you're being watched." She said lazily. "I told you that thieving in Suzail is not a good idea, but nooo... the call of thievery is too strong..."
"All right, all right, quit the lecture." AJ chuckled. "At least we liven things up a little in that city."
Beth laughed out aloud.
"Spoken like a true thief."
"Is Arabel the same as Suzail?" asked AJ.
"Arabel? Hmm... not quite. It is basically a merchant city, famed for its jewelry, principally that of the merchant house of Thond. But a number of trading companies have major outposts there, and there is always a floating pool of mercenary talent to be hired there at any time, the largest unit being the Red Ravens. The city is also the main shipping area for coal in Cormyr, gathering coal from the mines in the Gnoll Pass area."
"Being located at the center of the Cormyrian Empire, Arabel tends to be the foremost stopping point for every travelers from every part of Cormyr as well as the rest of the Realms. So in essence, Arabel is brimming with traveling foreigners hence as time passes by, smuggling activities and thief guilds rises in that city to the point that it eventually contributes partially to the economy of the city. The Purple Dragons still hold sway in Arabel and thieves still lay low there, but not as much as in Suzail. The current local lord of the city, a lady actually, Lady Myrmeen Lhal allow traders and merchants to engage in whatever tactics they see fit, as long as no one is hurt and the Crown of Cormyr is not endangered. She also permits, though the decree was never made publicly, smuggling and some other illegal activities to continue within the wall of the city provided that they are not caught. The law of Cormyr still applies to any criminals that are caught."
"Cool. You've been there before?"
"Only once, about six years ago. It is a fine city though I prefer Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep better. They have more freedom there."
"What about Shadowdale? Have you been there?"
"Yup, also about six years ago. I was with a band of adventurers and we were heading towards the ruins of Myth Drannor to salvage what we can on the treasures that lay scattered there."
"Did you get any?"
Beth laughed bitterly.
"No. The ruins of Myth Drannor are a very dangerous place now. Evil mages, probably the Zhentarim has released dangerous creatures there in hopes to keep people away. The creatures, Baatezus, bone demons and other foul creatures from the lower planes went out of control. Now they keep everyone away from the ruins, even their own masters. My adventuring group encountered these creatures when we got there. The Knights of Myth Drannor has warned us of the dangers of the ruins but we ignored it. We lost half of our crew as the result. Fortunately I was one of those who survived and I will never set foot at that place again for all the gold in the Realms."
AJ looked around again, frowning.
"Still feels like someone's watching you?" Beth giggled.
"I tell you Beth, I really don't like this feeling... wait! Hear that?"
Beth tilted her head and focused to the surroundings. The two thieves listened carefully for a moment or two. Eventually they noticed the vague commotions that arise from the distance hills.
"Sounds like a battle." Said Beth slowly.
"Think we should check it out?" asked AJ.
"I... don't think so," said Beth. "You don't want to get caught in the middle of a battle don't you?"
"You sound like you're not sure of your decision."
"Well, this is Cormyr after all, the land of peace." Beth replied slowly. "I don't like this. I don't like this at all."
"People might need our help." Said AJ.
Beth looked at the direction of the battle silently for a moment. Finally, after reaching a silent decision, she nodded.
"We'll watch the battle quietly first, see who is battling who. Then we make our decision." She said quietly.
In the plains west if Arabel...
"Regroup! Rally the Purple Dragons!" Tessaril shouted as she blasted a flying gargoyle with her lightning wand.
"There's too many of them!" one of the Purple Dragons shouted back as he dodged the slashing clawed hands.
Tessaril turned around quickly as she heard an agonized cry of one of her men. In the distance she saw Caleis, the Purple Dragon commander who accompanied her fell onto the ground with a huge tear in his gut. A grinning gargoyle looked up at her, shrieking in a mad glee. She blasted it grimly to dust with her wand again. She turns around and saw Howie and Carl, the war-wizard hurrying towards her.
"We lost two men," said Carl grimly.
"Three." Tessaril replied as she pointed toward Caleis.
"More coming!" Howie shouted as he pointed towards an army of ten gargoyles coming towards them.
"Soldiers! Soldiers approaching!" one of the Purple Dragons cried out as he pointed towards ten dark armored soldiers racing towards them from the forest.
Tessaril peered at the approaching army grimly.
"By the rays of Lathander! Zhentarim soldiers!" she cursed softly. "Rally the Purple Dragons! To arms!"
She raised her hands and intoned a spell, pointing towards the approaching gargoyles. Two blazing fireballs streaks through the air, trailing sparks of flame as it passes over the Purple Dragon soldiers and exploded in the midst of the flying gargoyles. Four gargoyles perished in the onslaught, crashing onto the ground and boulders and smashed into small pieces of rocks and pebbles, which is what they were made off. Carl hurled his own lightning bolt, taking down another gargoyle.
Howie dodges the slashes of one of the remaining gargoyles and threw a dagger at it. The dagger struck the gargoyle's muscular body but it reflected off without any effect.
"It's no use Howie!" Tessaril shouted as she slashed at one of the gargoyles with her magical blade. "Gargoyles are immune to normal weapons! Use the magical sword I gave you!"
By that time the gargoyle is flying back towards Howie, leering wickedly, it's clawed arms outstretched. Howie drew the glowing sword Tessaril had given him before the journey and swing it towards the gargoyle's neck. The gargoyle drew back quickly, barely being decapitated by the blade. But the blade hits one of its wings, drawing sparks of magic before tearing it.
With a terrible shriek of pain and anger, the gargoyle crashed to the ground. Howie looked up to see Tessaril finishing off another gargoyle with her lightning wand, but another one flew towards her from behind.
"Tess! Look out! Behind you!" Howie shouted.
The Lady of Eveningstar turned around quickly but she was not quick enough. Suddenly Howie heard Carl chanting from behind him and four magic missiles swept through the air and hit the gargoyle, throwing it back. Tessaril grimly decapitated the creature with her blade. Howie did the same to the gargoyle he managed to bring into the ground.
"Carl!" Howie heard Tessaril shouted and turned toward the war-wizard. Three gargoyles approach him quietly from behind. Carl turned around and blasted one with his own lightning wand but the other two bore down onto him mercilessly. The war-wizard's agonized cries were stilled when one of the gargoyles ripped his throat. Blood splattered on Howie's face as he watched in horror. He heard Tessaril chanting a spell and then a swarm of magic missiles struck one of the gargoyles. Howie charged towards the other and struck it again and again with his sword. He finally decapitated the creature while Tessaril struck the other creatures again with her spell.
In the nearby woods...
"By the burning lashes of Bane! The gargoyles are down already!" Laelar of Bane growled as he watched the unfolding battle. "How are the warriors doing?"
"They are doing fine!" Deina replied harshly. "Five more Purple Dragons are down. The war-wizard is down too. That is our opening. Laelar! Deal with the boy! Damien! It's time we strike!"
The priestess of Talos raised her hands and prays towards the heavens, calling upon the Stormlord's power and using it to summon a lightning storm. Beside her, the wizard Damien snarled his own spell and pointed towards Tessaril.
Above them, the sky darkens and the wind began to rise.