Castle Ravenwood ILLUSTRATED

Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1
CASTLE RAVENWOOD
The STORMLORD TRILOGY
Volume One
A Fantasy Novel
By
Lawrence 1. Cohen
2004 Lawrence 1. Cohen
Dedication
In loving memory of my grandpa,
Murry Kaplan
Moishe ben Yitzchak HaKohen Kaplan
5 Adar 5746 / 26
th
February 1986
Acknowledgements
No writer works alone, much as he likes to daydream u new worlds! "y close #riends,
$ony "ende% and $om &udson, insired a lot o# the characters and lot o# this tale! 'e sent
many hours role-laying together, everything #rom #antasy worlds to (tar $rek! 'hen ) *egan
turning our adventures into a via*le manuscrit, it was $ony and $om who read it, made
suggestions, and gave encouragement! $o my great-aunt +orothy #or giving me my #irst *ook,
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and ,randma, #or reading it to me! "om, #or ushing me in
childhood to at least write down my stories i# ) were going to daydream in class, and +ad, #or
teaching me to think logically and ut things into order! "y teachers, esecially Pro#essor Carl
Calendar and -scar "uscariello as well as .mily $ra##ord /erges o# /rookdale Community
College and 0ersey City (tate 1niversity, resectively! $wo #riends #rom childhood, long gone,
who also in#luenced the main characters2 "ark (teven Collins 31453-14667 and ,erald
+el,eorno 31458-1491!7 'ayne 1rstadt o# the (ociety #or Creative :nachronism, the real
(hadowmaker! $he great authors o# my childhood2 ;! <rank /aum, Peter /eagle, and 1rsula ;e
,uin! <inally, my editors at i1niverse #or *elieving in me and showing me how to *reak into
u*lishing, at last with my #irst novel, The Dragon's Familiar. 3"r! /aum u*lished his Oz
tales in recisely the same way!7 ,ood writers turn to =sel#-u*lishing> houses #rankly *ecause
we get tired o# all the olitics it takes to get into rint! $raditional u*lishing houses only accet
two or three manuscrits a year, and those are through literary agents! )t took 2? years o#
ainstaking work *e#ore 'i%ards o# the Coast@and $(R *e#ore them@would even consent to
read my manuscrits! <inally, thanks to my agent, +ave "ocknick, #or #inally getting Castle
Ravenwood u*lished!
Shadowsong is a real legendary sword cra#ted *y the late 'ayne 1rstadt o# the (ociety
#or Creative :nachronism, the real Shadowmaker. :ccording to tales told in taverns and inns
all around (cadia and Arynn, this masterwork Buality *lade was coveted *y all, *ut none could
a##ord (hadowmakerCs asking rice! .ventually it was urchased *y the son o# an unnamed 1!(!
(enator, and suosedly hangs on his wall somewhere!
Arion is *ased on my own ashwood sta##, cra#ted o# un#inished wood #rom a saling,
which has #ive twists in it! $his sta## was urchased #or D4? at Pennsic EEF))) 31494!7 )Cve
since added a rare golden dragonCs claw clutching a solid crystal *all to its to!
$hese golden dragon claws can *e urchased #rom /utch &oneck o# the (C: at 38167 835-49??
3*elieve it or not, heCs never even read a single +ragonlance novel, and started cra#ting the
oular items *ecause a customer reBuested one in 1499!7
The above pewter miniature of Jasryn Storm, complete with the Staff of Air and
pseudodragon familiar, is available through sculptor Andrew Barlow,
www.darkplatypus.com. Professional paintjob done by 1ason Hensey at
www.middlepillarpathpainting.net, middlepillarpathpaintingyahoo.com, or
(801) 465-0488.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
1ASRYN STORM &uman 'hite Ro*e mage, arentice
o# Palin "aGere, and *rother o# 1sha
"aGere! :n orhan whose ast is
shrouded in mystery
SIR MARKHAM SWORDHAWK &uman Anight o# (olamnia,
Anight o# the Crown

GARNET IRONDELVE /lacksmith and +warven 'arrior
SHYLA POUCHFINDER Aender #rom (olace
DORIAN BARRETT &al#-elven Rangerlord, leader o# our
intreid *and o# adventurers
TIMBERWOLF &uman Hue-(hu shaman/ranger
GNEBBICH BUMFUZZLE ,nome tinkerer/inventor
MERCIDITH OPHIRWIND )merial Princess o# .rgoth, and
Priestess o# "ishakal, goddess o# healing
LUNDAR ECLIPSE +ark .lven /lack "agic 'i%ard,
-utcast #rom (ilvanesti <orest
SUNDER +ragon-sawn :ssassin who has retained
3):)N ;-CA&:R$7 his #ormer memories and ersonality!
SIR DALLYN FORESTRUNNER .lven Anight o# (olamnia,
Pegasus Rider
CASTLE RAVENWOOD
A Dragonlance Novel
By
Lawrence 1. Cohen
PROLOGUE
=FIND THE LITTLE SORCERER`S BRAT!> a harsh adult voice *ellowed, and cut
through the silence o# the woods! (mall, #rightened animals scattered, skittering through dead
leaves and other de*ris as ironshod hooves thundered near*y! <allen *ranches snaed and #resh
leaves rustled as the *aronCs +ark Anights searched relentlessly!
: #ew hundred yards away, a saling-thin *oy o# ten or twelve summers crouched *ehind
thick under*rush, trying to control his ragged *reathing! 'ide with #ear, eyes the color o#
er#ect sahires shone *eneath raven-*lack hair, which #ell like a dark water#all a*out the *oyCs
trem*ling shoulders! -nce, 0asrynCs hair had *een the color o# (olinariCs moonlight, *ut +anvil
<elcra#t had turned it midnight-*lack with magic, so heCd resem*le the *aronCs long-dead son!
$he *oyCs eyes also changed color #rom time to time, #rom sahire to ro*inCs egg *lue, or even
a rich golden, deending on the light or his mood!
"assive ine trees towered high a*ove, their gnarled trunks covered *y vines! 'ild
*ushes grew in the saces *etween the trees, and a thick #og covered the ground! "oisture
ermeated the air, covered the new leaves o# sring, and soaked clothing where heCd *rushed u
against the *ushes! 'arm air met the #rost o# winter, and the #og was getting thicker! $hese
woods marked the *order o# Neraka, a *eauti#ul country o# mountains, lakes, and more
treacherous terrain! Folcanoes eruted where none had reviously eIisted, surrounded *y dry,
sandy deserts and the *urnt ashes o# ancient trees! $his a*rut contrast in climate was no
accidentJ it was the result o# #oul magicks racticed *y *lack-hearted sorcerers and evil dragons!
$he rulers o# this land hungered #or even more wealth and ower, and invaded their neigh*ors to
the west and south! $he land itsel# re#lected the oulationJ *eauti#ul in aearance, yet
concealing a dark, rotted core!
$hrough the thickly laden male and oak lim*s, torchlight shone #rom the towering
windows o# Castle Ravenwood! $he castle itsel# #ormed a itch-*lack *ackdro in the distance,
*lotting out the starlight! $he man 0asryn was #orced to call #ather had gone this night to
NerakaCs caitol with "aster +anvil, or he wouldnCt even have attemted this!
:cross #rom 0asryn, two more #rightened *oys crouched low, the smaller o# them looking
like he was a*out ready to cry! -nly #our summers old, little Aalistaire was too young to
understand what was haening, wriggling and sni##ling in his *ig *rotherCs arms! "arkham
(wordhawk, a straing youth o# #ourteen summers, hushed the child and wished #or a sword!
"arkham was a sBuire to his own #ather, ;ord "ikval (wordhawk, a Anight o# the Rose!
$he (olamnic Anight and two elder si*lings were slain when the *aron conBuered Colintyn &all,
Gust across the *order in $hrot! $he surviving *rothers had *een languishing in the *aronCs
dungeons, tortured at +anvil <elcra#tCs whim, when 0asryn rescued them with cantris and a
secret assageway #ew knew o#!
<or days, "arkhamCs screams echoed through the castle, seemingly even outside and into
the surrounding Ravenwood <orest, while 0asrynCs Buill scraed on #resh archment one level
a*ove! $he young novice winced at the shrieks, wraed his *are #eet around the wooden legs o#
his chair, and tried hard to concentrate on coying the comlicated incantation into his thin
sell*ook! $he youngster had a*solutely no atitude #or the sword@even though Cean
/lackgaard had atiently taught him how to throw a dagger with deadly accuracy@so the
disaointed *aron gave him over to +anvil <elcra#tCs tutelage!
/aron Fildero## had grunted, KAt least the boys good for something useful,C when "aster
+anvil reorted that magic *urned *rightly in 0asrynCs *lood! +anvil <elcra#t had smiled
*eneath his dark hood, having susected as much! $he red ro*ed wi%ard (erannon had cared #or
this #oundling child *e#ore <elcra#t slew the mage #or his sell*ooks and treasure o# arcane
Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1?
arti#acts! 0asryn *ore an uncanny resem*lance to the grieving *aronCs only heir, dead these many
winters to a (olamnic arrow! : whisered incantation in .ldritch to disguise the *oyCs hair, and
Fon /ladmere had his son *ack, along with a new arentice #or <elcra#t! :s 0asrynCs master,
<elcra#t would eventually rule the *arony through him! $he events #rom earlier that night still
*urned in 0asrynCs memory!
The latch on Jasryns classroom door slid, the solid oaken door creaked open, and
Danvil elcraft glided silently into the chamber. The boy painstakingly formed his letters even
as he felt !aster Danvils foul, hot breath "hisper against his cheek.
K:deBuate, my little novice,C Danvil pronounced, giving a rare complement. Jasryn
dared to breathe again. ailure from carelessness "as not tolerated. One mistake meant Jasryn
"ould be do"n in the torture chamber himself# either humiliated, sitting in the stocks "ith a
tickle he$ cast on the soles of his bare feet, laughing so hard he couldn%t dra" a full breath for
long hours and "et himself repeatedly, finally passing out from asphy$iation. Or perhaps more
seriously, locked in a small metal bo$, denied all food and "ater for three days, shivering from
the cold do"n there. &orst of all "as the 'hocking (rasp he$, "hich Jasryn suspected Danvil
had used on the young 'olamnic s)uire that afternoon. *ain from that spell "as blinding, ripped
a"ay all thought. The shrieks "ere ear splitting, and Jasryn had thought it "as another child
screaming, "hen Danvil had done it to him. Dissociation came )uickly to the victim, lest he go
mad.
The boy looked up at a tall candle, burning brightly in a golden sconce that sat on the
ancient, gnarled "riting desk. +t had burned do"n to the our,of,the,-lock mark, "hich meant
!aster Danvil had .ust tortured the poor 'olamnic lad for eight hours.
K) have #ound a suita*le sacri#ice #or you,C Danvil elcraft had told him in the "elcome
silence that finally filled the classroom. Jasryn hadnt thought the boy s)uire "ould ever stop
screaming.
K(acri#ice, "asterLC Jasryn had asked in a small, shaking voice that "as filled "ith fear.
KJa,C Danvil had told him smoothly. K)t is time #or you to earn your *lack ro*e, *oy! $hat
reBuires you to make a *lood sacri#ice to Nuitari, the dark god o# magic! (wordhawkCs youngest
son will do nicely!C
Jasryn had shuddered at the thought. Danvil had meant little /alistaire, the baby0 A
small child "ith large, trusting blue eyes and platinum,blond hair, hed been taken "ith his
brother, then forced to "atch "hile the young s)uire "as tortured.
KMour #ather and ) must see the ;ord o# the Nocht ere (olinari rises this evening! /e
ready on my return,C Danvil elcraft had ordered, then left, slamming the iron,banded oaken
door like the thunderpeal of /rynns doomsday.
=$ake this,> 0asryn whisered urgently! &e ulled himsel# #rom the memory, and slied
his silver-chased throwing dagger into "arkhamCs hand! $he cold steel glinted in the moonlight!
'ith a shake o# his head, the elder *oy a*sently tossed his long, sandy-*lond hair out o#
his eyes, and shot the young magic arentice a meaning#ul look! ="y thanks! "y *rother and )
owe you our lives, mage!>
=)Cm Gust a novice,> 0asryn corrected, whisering *ack! =:nC you can thank me later!
$heyCre still a#ter us!>
0asryn eeked through the thick #oliage! &e saw a ower#ul *lack warhorse, *earing a
+eath ;ily Anight in #ull latemail armorJ he wore the *adge o# a catain! $he knight cut the
under*rush with his longsword! : large, Geweled greatsword hung sheathed #rom the saddle!
$he *oy gased so#tly, recogni%ing the warhorse, Nightwind, and the sword, 1ehement! /oth
*elonged to (ir Cean ,anoke /lackgaard, <atherCs catain!
=,lad you knew o# that secret assage to these woods,> "arkham *reathed so#tly! (ir
Cean was still too #ar away to overhear! 0asryn rayed #ervently that /lackgaard ass them *y!
Aalistaire looked u at the mention o# Paladine!
=)Cve *een lanning my escae #or a long time,> 0asryn told him *y way o# eIlanation!
=$he castleCs #illed with secret assageways, *ut this is the only one that leads outside the walls!>
=)Cm "arkham (wordhawk,> the youth said, introducing himsel#! =$his is my little
*rother, Aalistaire@well, heCs adoted, really! (omeone le#t him, wraed in *lankets, at our
keeCs chael@>
=+o you always chatter like a kenderL> 0asryn snaed! 'hen the youthCs Gaw snaed
shut at the re*uke, 0asryn #elt guilty! =(orry, ) tend to do that, too! )Cm 0asryn F@(torm!>
&eCd almost said KFon /ladmere!C 0asryn hoed "arkham didnCt catch the sli! &e
didnCt know i# the son o# a murdered (olamnic knight would trust the *aronCs adoted child!
='e wonCt get #ar on #oot,> "arkham stated! ='eCll need a horse, weaons, sulies!>
=+unno a*out a horse or weaons, *ut ) *rought some #ood,> 0asryn told him, atting the
large deerskin satchel he carried! )nside was a loa# o# *read and some #ruit #rom the kitchens,
#lint and tinder #or kindling cam#ires, his sell*ook, a small *ag o# steel coins, and (erannonCs
old #orest-green cloak #or warmth! $he enchanted elven cloak could hide all three o# them in its
voluminous #olds, *ut 0asryn didnCt know that! :ll the *oy knew was that +anvil <elcra#t had
stolen it a#ter murdering gentle old (erannon, and 0asryn wasnCt going to leave it *ehind!
"arkham regarded 0asrynCs Geweled dagger, their only weaon! =+o you know any real
magicL Mou know, a sell ower#ul enough to hel us escaeL>
0asryn hesitated! &is thin, *lue leather sell*ook contained nine cantris and #our low-
rank sells! <or weeks, heCd memori%ed the same sell and racticed it daily, with no luck! &e
understood the concets o# moon magic, *ut so #ar, actually drawing lunar energy and using it to
cast low-rank sells have *een *eyond him! =0ust one, *ut ) canCt cast it yet! :ll ) really know
are cantris, minor magic taught to children!>
=Mou have to try, 0asryn,> "arkham stated in that same tone o# voice <ather o#ten used
during sword ractice! =)tCs our only chance!>
$he wind icked u, rustling the new sring leaves in the *oughs high a*ove them!
$hrough the *rush, CeanCs horse was even closer to their osition! $hat was no coincidence!
Rangers had trained Cean /lackgaard! )ndeed, a moment later, Cean called out to his #ellows!
=AurtN RoricN CaydN -ver hereN $he *rat went this wayN>
0asryn gased sharly, then turned to look at "arkhamCs leading, *lue-gray eyes!
=Please try, 0asrynN>
=$ry 0asryn,> Aalistaire reeated, his little voice *egging! $he #rightened toddler didnCt
understand much, *ut 0asryn knew he didnCt want to go *ack to that dungeon! 0asryn certainly
didnCt want "aster +anvil to ut that ritual sinuous-shaed dagger into his hands and #orce him
to sacri#ice this small *oy with the large, trusting eyes!
Nodding solemnly, 0asryn (torm Fon /ladmere rose #rom his knees with a sigh! =(hield
your eyes,> he advised, and saw "arkham ull his little *rother close and cover his #ace!
0asryn closed his own eyes in concentration, and then li#ted his small, thin hands, moving
them in intricate atterns! :ll heCd said was true! &e was a novice, a child, who only knew a
hand#ul o# cantris@calling light, mending shattered trinkets, reading magic scrolls, moving
small things with an invisi*le hand, and casting a *itterly-cold ray o# #rost@all o# which
wouldnCt do more than annoy the +ark Anights under Cean /lackgaardCs command!
-h, yes! :nd one real sell that he hadnCt even *een a*le to cast success#ully yet! -olor
'pray! +a%%ling, enchanting, hynotic rain*ows that stunned the victim, sometimes into
unconsciousness!
(omehow, 0asryn didnCt think rain*ows, esecially #rom a twelve-year-old novice, would
imress these eIerienced, *attle-hardened ro#essional soldiers!
$hen he heard the sna o# *ranches under NightwindCs hooves, #ar-too-close, the so#t
moan o# Aalistaire at his #eet, and 0asryn knew he really had to try this time!
$he *oy #ell into a trance as "aster had taught him, Buieted his mind, and reached out to
sense everything around him! 'omething was di##erent this time, something in the #orest, near*y!
0asryn touched the magic o# Arynn, and sensations assaulted him! &e #elt the wind *rush the so#t
new leaves high a*ove, #elt water #low as it ran across the smooth stones in a near*y *rook, #elt
the po"er o# the silver moon, (olinari, which he secretly longed #or and +anvil <elcra#t had
#or*idden to him! $he *oyCs heart called out to the *right, shining moon, and (olinari answered
his son!
Power sang within 0asryn (tormCs soul, #illed his whole *eing! "agic tingled in his very
*lood, glowed on the tis o# his small, thin #ingers! (uddenly 0asryn knew he could cast the sell
now, and he chanted the words o# ower in .ldritch, the sidery language o# magic2
=Januith!Tolin "iri Shira" #e"tra #rism$>
;ight #lared in the childCs hands like twin stars and shattered the night! 0ust as all #our
dark knights raced toward him through the thick #oliage, reslendent rain*ows eIloded, #illed
the #orest, and da%%led *oth horses and men!
$he *lack armored knights screamed and shielded their eyes, *ut it was #ar too late!
(omething 0asryn didnCt know o# or understand increased the normally low-level sell tenfold,
stunning all who saw the rain*ows into unconsciousness! :ll collased, save 0asryn@a mage is
never a##ected *y his own sell@and the (wordhawk *rothers, whoCd *een #orewarned not to
look!
0asryn #elt *oth drained and eIhilarated at the same time, as the magic #inally started to
#ade away, channeled into the sell! $he young magic-user dared to look around, and saw the
a#terglow o# his #irst real sell! Colored glitter, like #ire#lies, sarkled all over the clearing! $he
very air was tinged with magical static energy! $he air smelled as #resh as it did Gust a#ter a
summer storm! "en lay rone everywhere, sleeing where theyCd #allen! : skylark chired
merrily #rom a high *ranch!
=M.:&N> 0asryn cried with Goy, Guming into the air! =) did itN +m a mage0>
=Meah, you are,> "arkham whisered, awed, standing *y his new #riendCs side! :#ter a
#ew moments, the youth touched 0asrynCs arm! =) think weCd *etter get going!>
$he smile Buickly #aded #rom 0asrynCs #ace, as he remem*ered the sellCs duration! =1h,
yeah! $hat sounds like a good idea! $hey wonCt *e aslee #or too long!>
"arkham slid the dagger into his *elt and scooed u his little *rother, while 0asryn
snatched u his satchel, sliing the carrying stra across his shoulder! :s they started to run,
"arkham asked, =&ow longL>
=<i#teen minutes, may*e twenty,> the young novice in#ormed him! ='eCd *etter run
#asterN>
=(hame those horses were knocked out, too,> "arkham gried! ='e sure couldCve used
one or twoN>
$he *oys ran until they were out o# *reath! "arkham, trained as a sBuire, was in *etter
shae, *ut the added weight o# Aalistaire wore him down at the same time as 0asryn! /oth *oys
leaned against the wide, gnarled trunk o# an ancient oak tree, winded, guling air greedily!
0asryn held a stitch in his side, and swallowed hard!
='eCre!!!never!!!gonna make it,> 0asryn gased, #alling to his knees! &e *rie#ly
considered duming the *ag, which had grown heavy, *ut Buickly dismissed the thought! $hey
deserately needed everything in it!
='e have to,> "arkham answered, swallowed, and then continued! =) ainCt goinC *ack
thereN No wayN>
0asryn nodded in #ull agreement! &e didnCt mean he was giving u this easily, he meant
he didnCt think they could ossi*ly make it, not on #oot, when /lackgaardCs men all had heavy
warhorses! $hey either needed to #ind some lace to hide, #ind a wild horse lost in Ravenwood
<orest, or!!!a miracle!
=,imme a!!!a minute to catch my *reath,> 0asryn hu##ed, letting oIygen #ill his lungs
again! &is chest *urned, his legs were on #ire! &eCd sent long days oring over dusty old
scrolls or gardening her*s #or magic comonents! $he only real eIercise heCd had was the
mandatory sword lesson twice a week, as the *aronCs son and heir!
=+onCt have the time,> "arkham told him #irmly, icking u Aalistaire again! =Come on!
'e only have may*e ten more minutes *e#ore they wake u and chase a#ter us!>
:ctually, 0asryn re#lected, they were ro*a*ly already awake, Gust still da%ed and
con#used *y the magical rain*ows! $he +ark Anights could stum*le a#ter the children into the
#orest, *ut their horses would still *e useless to them #or several more minutes, i# not another hal#
hour, #rom #right i# nothing else! 'arhorses were trained to ride through the clash o# steel and
the metallic scent o# *lood, not the weirdness o# magic and the scent o# sell comonents! :
mageCs steed, either a riding horse or a donkey, was trained to ignore the oosite!
0asryn he#ted the weight o# his satchel and #ollowed! -nce more, the *oys ran until their
lungs *urned and their legs #elt like saltwater ta##y #rom the sweetsho in Palanthas! $his time,
they ran until they collased and lay on the ground, chests heaving! 0asryn turned his #ace, and
uked into the soil!
0asryn lay there #or long, long minutes! &is mind screamed that he needed to get u and
run, or at least #ind a good lace to hide, *ut his *ody wouldnCt cooerate! /elatedly it occurred
to him that he shouldCve studied the ma o# Ravenwood harder! .ven *etter, he shouldCve taken
the scroll with him!
=0ase,> "arkham gased, his voice hoarse! $he *oy turned his head! No*ody had called
him *y that nickname *ut (erannon, years ago, *e#ore he was kidnaed and taken to Neraka!
=MeahL> he answered, anting hard!
=;ook,> "arkham whisered, and 0asryn heard the awe in his #riendCs voice! =MouCre
not gonna *elieve it! ;ookN>
0asryn raised his head, his eyes widened to saucers, and slowly, ever so slowly, sat u!
$he *oy gased again, this time out o# sheer wonder!
)t was the most *eauti#ul creature 0asryn had ever seen in his li#e, ure white light given
living #orm! (now#lake-colored #eathery hair graced the long, slender neck with a thick mane,
#illed a lush moonlit tail, and #eathered its ankles! Power#ul yet grace#ul muscles riled under
ivory skin! .yes like liBuid sahires regarded the *oys, #illed with ancient wisdom! :ll o# this
aled in comarison to its horn, which twisted u to a shar oint #rom its #orehead, and shined
with its own enchanted light, like (olinari at #ull hase!
: unicorn, a real unicornN NoN T"o o# themN : stallion and a mareN
='ow,> 0asryn *reathed so#tly! 1nicorns hadnCt *een seen on Arynn since the :ge o#
+reams! Met, here they were@two o# them@in Ravenwood <orest!
'ith a #lick o# its #eathery snow-white tail, the mare lowered her head and nu%%led little
Aalistaire, who reached u with small wriggling #ingers, standing on titoe, and giggled with
glee! $he unicorn let the child et and hug her!
=) thought!!!) thought they only liked girls,> "arkham asked, struck with wonder at the
sight!
=No,> 0asryn answered, remem*ering the myths heCd read in the Buiet o# the castleCs
well-stocked li*rary! =:ny virgin can touch them!>
(tung at the insult to his manhood, the youth turned his #ace hal#way in 0asrynCs direction
and shot him a dirty look! ='hatCre you sayingL )Cve kissed girls *e#oreN>
0asryn smirked, holding *ack laughter, mostly #rom the Goy o# *eing in the resence o#
unicorns! ='hat ) think it means is theyCre attracted to innocence, urity o# heart! MouCre a
(olamnic sBuire, arenCt youL>
"arkham nodded, satis#ied with that answer, and returned his #ull attention to the
reternatural *eauty o# the unicorns! $he stallion cantered u to them with a grace no natural
creature could imitate! /oth youths laughed, reached out, and stroked the unicornCs head and
withers! )t #elt so#ter than down, smoother than the silk sheets sread across the *aronCs *ed!
0asryn #elt the #amiliar tingle o# magic! &e didnCt dare to even consider touching the horn,
though!
$wisted early-white moonlight, the horn glowed with its own inner light! 0asryn was
reminded o# the great +ragonlance that hung in a lace o# honor over the enormous #irelace in
Castle RavenwoodCs ,reat &all! "isused #or slaying the good metallic dragons, <atherCs lance
was tainted, ermanently stained with innocent *loodJ *ut the maGority o# the +ragonlance shone
eIactly like this living, eldritch horn!
(uddenly, 0asryn understood the connection! : +ragonlance, according to one legend,
was #orged #rom the rare, early-silver metal mythril! $he arcane metal itsel# mustCve come
#rom the essence o# unicorns, most o# which were slaughtered during the :ge o# (tar*irth!
$hat was when ArynnCs dragons *ecame numerous! :ccording to the 2ook of 3egends
of /rynn in his #atherCs study, coied #rom the original in the ,reat ;i*rary o# Palanthas, a
unicorn was the only living creature that could slay a dragon!
The (reat 3ibrary! (erannon had taken 0asryn there once, when he was as little as
Aalistaire! $he then-small *oy had *een awed *y all the *ooks and scrolls!!!walls and shelves
#illed with them, as #ar as the eye could see! (erannon later told 0asryn heCd *een looking #or
*irth records, any clue as to where to #ind the *oyCs #amily!
The elderly mage confided to Jasryn some of "hat hed learned over ice cream, promised
for behaving himself in the 3ibrary. There "as a sister, older than Jasryn. 4er name "as 5sha,
and she lived many miles a"ay, some"here in the "est.
The elven mage had never revealed the boys true nature to him. 4e did say that Jasryn
"as very magical, and unlike other little boys, he "ould age very, very slo"ly. The Dark 6lfs
hair "ould turn "hite as sno" before the boy ever sa" puberty. Then,,about the age Jasryn "as
no"7'erannon e$plained that hed go through a gro"th spurt in a short span of time, appear to
be fifteen or si$teen summers of age, and once more be frozen in time for many, many long years
to come.
(erannon had told him solemnly that when this time came, to seek out his sister, 1sha!
$he red ro*ed illusionist had romised that she would take care o# him!
=+o!!!> 0asryn *egan, hesitantly asking the unicorn, =+o you know where my sister 1sha
isL>
$he unicorn neighed@even though 0asryn susected she could seak@and nodded her
head! : sarkle shone in her liBuid sahire eyes, dee or*s that seemed to hold all the
knowledge and wisdom o# the world! <irst the stallion, then the mare, lay down close to the
ground, their intent o*vious! $he *oys all clim*ed on, riding *are*ack!
$he thunder o# warhorsesC hooves rum*led into the glade, Gust as the air o# magical
creatures were rising to their cloven #eet! )n the lead o# two +ark Anights, (ir Cean /lackgaard
reined his steed to a halt, eyes wide with surrise, and a little hint o# #ear!
='hat in the +ark HueenCs memoryL>
=)mossi*le,> Roric *reathed!
=1nicorns donCt eIist,> Aurt sneered, and ulled his longsword #rom its sheath with a
hiss! =K$is another trickN $he *oyCs trying to #ool us with smoke and shadowsN>
="ayha,> Cean answered, his voice drawling! =<elcra#t did say the little runt had talent!
/ut an illusion like this is Red magic! ) dou*t a /lack Ro*e wouldCve taught him to do thisN>
='e #ound him with a Red Ro*e, remem*erL> Aurt reminded him! =<elcra#t was Buick
to snatch u the el#Cs sell*ooksN>
Cean nodded Buickly, setting his Gaw! Rain*ows! $he little sorcererCs *rat had evoked
rain*owsN /y his *lood, the striling would ay #or that indignityN /lackgaard drew 1ehement,
steel singing #rom its sca**ard, and ointed it directly at 0asryn!
=No more tricks, my little lord, or )Cll have you in the dungeons with them,> Cean
/lackgaard threatened in a cold, dead voice! &e waved the *ladeCs oint toward the ground!
=,et down o## there, and come with us!>
='hy, so you can kill themL> 0asryn shot *ack *ravely! $his night, heCd cast his #irst
real sell, and sitting astride a real honest-to-goodness unicorn, the *oy #elt uissant! $he young
novice stuck out his Gaw de#iantly!
='hy you little!!!> Cean growled low, under his *reath! 0asryn had never diso*eyed him
*e#oreN $he *aron had given *oth him and <elcra#t ermission to disciline the *oy, esecially
#or showing cheek! <or oen de#iance, /lackgaard would do #ar more than tan his little *ackside
with the #lat o# his sword! $here was a nice, stout Buartersta## or three in the armory! &eCd *eat
the whel within an inch o# his young li#eN
=;ovely rain*ows, *oyN> Aurt shot *ack! =0ust you wait till ) get my hands on youJ then
)Cll make you see stars, tooN>
Cean nodded! :arently Aurt shared his sentiment! 0asryn had gotten into mischie#
ever since the /lack Ro*e had armed him with magic! Candles continued to shine with eerie
light a#ter they were *lown out! +aggers #lew #rom *elt sheathes! "ugs o# ale #loated across the
dining hall!!!N -*viously, 0asryn had used the same trick to snatch the key ring #rom the guard,
and had #reed (wordhawkCs *rats #rom their shackles and a locked dungeon cell!
$his time, there would *e no escae, #or any o# them! 3ets see the little mageling cast
spells "ith his hands bound behind his back and a gag stuffed in his mouth, /lackgaard thought
grimly! =) want them alive! :ll o# them!>
=&:&N> /lackgaard cried, and surred his warhorse into motion! Aurt and Roric were
only a moment *ehind him! $heyCd close the #i#ty-#oot distance *etween them in seconds!
)ronshod hooves tore u the earth as they galloed toward the children!
='e should #ly now,> "arkham advised, *ut without reins, the young sBuire was at a loss
how to turn the unicorn around and ride away! &e didnCt have a sword, a long*ow, or even a
shield, and he dou*ted 0asryn could ull that same trick with the rain*ows twice! "arkham
knew that magic drained a mage o# his strength rather Buickly, and 0asryn was only a small,
slight child, not an adult wi%ard like $enolyn (ilveroole!
/lue eyes widening, 0asryn cried, =MeahN ,et us out o# hereN &urryN>
$he unicorns had other ideas!
$he air o# magical *easts stood their ground, making no movement other than to swish a
moonlit tail! $he silvery light #rom their horns grew *righter, and a thrumming hum #illed the
air! $he nightCs wind icked u, stirring the *oughs high a*ove! (cattered leaves on the #orest
#loor #lew skittering toward the warhorses! $he unicorns made eye contact with the dark mounts!
Nightwind came to a sudden sto and neighed in utter terror! $he other two horses did
the same! $hen, all three warhorses reared, their #orelegs kicked emty air! $he knights tried to
*ring their mounts under control, to no avail! :ll three were thrown #rom their saddles and #ell
to the hard ground! $heir armor clattered in the vast, emty glade! AurtCs right leg remained
traed in the stirru, and he was dragged across the ground when his horse #led into the woods!
Cursing in Nerakese and Common, and a #ew choice words heCd icked u #rom a
"inotaur, Cean /lackgaard managed to sit u in his latemail armor a#ter many long minutes o#
trying and grunting with eIertion! &e ried the skull helmet #rom his head and tossed it to the
ground! (weat matted his *lond hair and sittle #lew into his goatee! &eaving with stress and
#rustration, /lackgaard let out another string o# curses when he reali%ed that his Buarry, o#
course, was long gone!
$he *aron would have his head stuck on a ike #or this!
O O O O O
1sha "aGere was ainting a ortrait *y Crystalmir ;ake when she saw the unicorns!
(he didnCt notice them all at once, chiding ;ayne, 0a##rey, and Rusty, the cooerCs
children, into sitting relatively still so she could #inish their ortrait! )t was a warm sring day,
#ollowing a *itterly cold winter! $he air was so#t, the leaves on the vallenwood trees #resh and
green with small *udlike *lossoms which scented the air! : gentle *ree%e *lew across the
sur#ace o# the water, creating eddies everywhere! $he youngsters were restless with (ring
#ever, and ket *egging to swim the lake! 1sha *lended the colors o# their long, #iery-red hair
with a #an *rush, and romised, =0ust a #ew more minutes!>
$hatCs when 1sha saw the two snow-white unicorns galloing around Crystalmir ;ake in
the ortraitCs *ackground! 1shaCs aintings were #amous all over :nsalon #or their magical
Buality! (ometimes, i# she did a ortrait o# a child, the shadowy image o# the *rave (olamnic
Anight hePd grow u to *ecome stood Gust *ehind the lad in his ortrait!
1shaCs lis arted as she looked u at the real lake sheCd Gust catured in oils, and her
*rush #ell #rom nerveless #ingers! &er eyes, sometimes golden, sometimes the color o# sahires,
widened now in wonder!
=/y the grace o# Paladine!!!!> she whisered, rising to her #eet, *rushes and alette
#orgotten! :ll three o# the cooerCs children saw the look on 1shaCs #ace and turned around! :s
one, they all gased!
$he unicorns came to a halt not ten #eet #rom 1sha "aGere! $hree young *oys rode
*are*ack astride the wondrous *easts, #ear and uncertainty lain on their #aces! $he clothing o#
the tallest *oy identi#ied him as a (olamnic sBuire, and the cloth was torn! +ark *ruises covered
the youthCs #ace! &e looked like heCd *een tortured! :ll three *oys looked like theyCd *een
through the :*yss!
$he small *oy with long, wavy dark hair and eyes resem*ling her own soke u in a
silvery, thin voice that trem*led! =:re you my sister 1shaL>
1sha "aGere, wi#e o# the most ower#ul mage in Arynn, a woman whoCd thought sheCd
seen Gust a*out everything this world had to o##er, was #la**ergasted at the laintive Buestion
coming #rom this #rightened child!
(he walked over in silence, not certain what to say, and heled the child down #rom the
mare! $hen she stood there, staring into his eyes, which changed color #rom sahire to gold
even as she watched! (lowly, 1sha nodded her head, never more certain o# anything in her li#e!
=Mes, )Cm 1sha!!!and ) think!!!that ) may well *e your sister!>
$he other two *oys had gotten down #rom the stallion, and 1shaCs attention was once
again drawn to the unicorns! (heCd heard a tale once, that the &eroes o# the ;ance had met a
unicorn in +arken 'oodJ somehow she knew that this articular mare was that same magical
creature! $hey were so suernaturally *eauti#ul she cried, weeing oenly!
-ne o# the small red-headed children made a so#t cry, and then all o# them watched in
rat silence as the unicorns, sensing their task was done, turned and #led around Crystalmir ;ake,
*ack into the woods!
CHAPTER ONE
Solace Township, 430 AC
(Seven Years Later)
$he resounding crash sounded like the gods had droed another #laming
mountain on the lost city o# )star!
0asryn (torm slowly got to his #eet, staring in dis*elie# at what had once *een the warm,
#riendly common room o# the )nn o# the ;ast &ome! Colored shards #rom the stained glass
windows tinkled, raining down everywhere! 8ather e$pensive stained glass windows, shied
all the way #rom Palanthas! (lintered wood #rom the northern wall was strewn across the
hardwood #loor, which ;aura "aGere, and $ika her mother *e#ore her, had once olished until it
gleamed! $a*les and chairs were overturned, the lace settings lying in ieces on the red linen
ta*lecloths! $he *oy still had utensils in his right hand! Now they too, #ell #rom his num*
#ingers and clattered on the #loor!
$he young mageCs #irst coherent thought was, !y enemies have finally found me. :s he
contemlated what kind o# monstrous creature could *e ower#ul enough to wreck the inn,
mentally rearing himsel# to throw u a (hield sell, his eyes slowly #ocused, and his shar
mind at last registered what he was looking at!
;ying in a huge hole where the wall used to *e was a strange contration comosed o#
steel rods, torn red canvas, and a u##ing iron #urnace! /rown shingles #rom the roo# continued
to rain down as the machineCs *oiler whistled, shooting out steam! :midst all this, a small,
sBueaky voice rose u #rom the center o# the wreckage!
=Con#ounded(el#releasingseat*elts)nevershouldhavetrustedCousin,noshtodesignthem,>
a high-itched voice grum*led! (traed into the ilotCs seat was a gnome, his long white *eard
*ristling, his nose and cheeks turning a *right shade o# ru*y, his small, udgy #ingers struggling
with the stras o# a *right orange sa#ety harness! :s 0asryn watched, another small eIlosion
went o## in #ront o# the machine! : large white canvas sack Buickly #illed with comressed air,
and walloed the ilot in his #ace and uer torso! ;ittle legs kicked, and some more color#ul
eIletives on the scienti#ic anatomy o# kites were mu##led! : warning la*el read2 Mount
Nevermind Airbag Co., Inc. Guaranteed to inflate
automatically on impact. (Warranty Void if not
installed according to Instructional Supplement 86-C,
or installed in Unregistered Land, Sea, or Air
Vehicles.)
=&eyyouN /oyN ,etmeouttahereN>
0asryn *linked! (till reared to cast a shield sell to rotect himsel# should the gnomeCs
contration eIlode yet again@a distinct ossi*ility@another art o# his mind a*sently
wondered i# the internal organs o# a gnome were ingredients in any o# ;aura "aGereCs recies,
#or the $avernCs longtime rorietress was surely going to murder *oth o# them #or this! $he
oor, haless *oy was even now rearing his eIcuse in his mind! K2ut, 3aura, it "asnt my
fault0 8eally0
$hatCs when 0asryn noticed the *right red canvas *ehind the ilot moving, and a second,
mu##led voice sBuealed! =-h*eHuiet<lu**)toldyou)CdgetyouhereNC the ilot resonded! &is
little arms were uming #uriously, still struggling with the sa#ety harness! =;ookN
$hereCsa'hiteRo*emageN)donCtknowwhytheladCsGuststandingthereinsteado#helingusN
'hiteRo*esaresuosedto*ehel#ulN>
;aura was de#initely going to *ean him #or this with her #rying an, a #amily heirloom
sheCd inherited #rom her mother! )t was one reason 0asryn always memori%ed the (hield sell
*e#ore coming to hel out at the inn! Aeeing the *ooks, moing the #loors, washing dishes,
and setting the ta*les #or the lunch crowd was how the nineteen-year-old mage earned money #or
his ucoming adventuring career! 'ith Palin "aGere as his *rother-in-law and mentor, 0asryn
had a lot to live u to!
$he traed gnome ilot ushed aside the o##ending air*ag and remem*ered to slow his
seech down, a reBuirement when trying to communicate with the other races on Arynn! :#ter
all, not everyone had the uniBue a*ility to communicate as much in#ormation as Buickly and
e##iciently as gnomesN
=&ey youN 'hite Ro*eN &el us get down #rom hereN> the ilot demanded, trying to
undo the *uckles to his harness with one hand, while holding the air*ag away #rom his #ace with
the other! ='ho said you could stick a treehouse right in the middle o# my #light athL
1n*elieva*leN +idnCt you register this inn with the "ount Nevermind /uilding, (a#ety, and
Qoning CommissionL &eyN &umanN )Cm talking to youN +o some hocus-ocus and get us
down #rom hereN>
0asryn *linked twice, as i# trying to con#irm that this wasnCt a *ad dream! &e shook his
head, weighing the otential #or disaster *y casting a sell, versus heling out manually! $he
*oy Buickly decided the latter was sa#er than trying to sellcast around sensitive gnome
contrations that #lew into the *uildings! $he assenger gnome, dressed in a small, woolen white
ro*e, had other ideas! "oving #orward to hel, 0asryn suddenly stoed dead in his tracks! &e
recogni%ed the hand-gestures and the language o# .ldritchJ the strange, sidery-sounding
sylla*les that, when chanted correctly, called uon the magic o# Arynn!
A (nome mage9 *alin never mentioned thisN :o" + know +m dreaming0
$he young mageCs arentice almost *acked u, and then reali%ed that nothing would
save him #rom a massive eIlosion caused *y that angry-looking *oiler, couled with a sell
miscast *y a gnome! .ven the ilot, reali%ing what his comanion was a*out to do, started to
anic!
=N-+-NC$N<;1///1"<1QQ;.N+-NC$M-1+:R.N>
=R.;:EN)AN-''&:$)C"+-)N,,N.//)C&N> the gnome mage resonded, a#ter
comleting the incantation swi#ter than any mage heCd ever heard! (lowly, the air o# them
*egan rising into the air, #loating gently u #rom the small, leather *ucket seats! $hen, they
stoed their uward movement, their sa#ety harnesses still #irmly anchoring them into the #lying
machine!
=-osN $hat does resent a ro*lem,> he muttered!
0asryn sighed with relie#! : levitate sell! &eCd only cast a levitate sellN $he *oy had
hal#-eIected to *e engul#ed *y an incendiary #ire*all!
=1m!!!;adN Could you erhas cut these strasL> the mage asked in a kindly, elderly
man voice! =$hereCs a good lad!>
Nodding Buickly, 0asryn aroached, ulling his silver-chased throwing dagger #rom an
arm sheath he ket hidden under his right sleeve! $he dagger was a mageCs weaon o# last
resort, should his magic #ail him #or some reason! Cean /lackgaard at Castle Ravenwood had
taught 0asryn how to roerly use it, *e#ore heCd escaed #rom Neraka seven srings ago! Palin
had since enchanted the *lade #or him, *ut what 0asryn needed right now was its keen edge!
Huickly, he sliced through the tough canvas stras, and the two gnomes resumed their uward
motion, #loating toward the ceiling!
=<lu**N> the ilot grum*led loudly! =:o" whoCstheNincomooL>
=-h,sto*ellyaching,> <lu** /um#u%%le retorted! 'ith a wave o# his hand, the two o#
them reversed their skyward motion, and instead #loated gently to the #loor! =(eeL/ackonArynn-
#irma--orascloseasossi*le,*einguinatreelikethisN>
=.Icuse me,> 0asryn *egan, trying to kee the eIaseration out o# his voice, and #ailing
misera*ly! &e was o*viously addressing a senior-level mage #rom the same -rder o# magic he
was still an arentice in! :t slightly over #ive #eet tall, the human *oy still had some height on
*oth o# the gnomes! )ndignation shone like #ire in 0asrynCs eyes! ,lass shards clung to his
raven-*lack hair, which #ell like a dark water#all a*out his thin shoulders! :lthough nineteen, the
*oy only aeared to *e may*e #i#teen summers o# age, a trait o# the eole he and 1sha came
#rom, whoever they were! /oth si*lings aeared to *e human, *ut *oth were *orn to magic!
1shaCs innate talent came out in her cooking and artwork, while her little *rother 0asryn icked
u arcane knowledge #ar #aster than any o# his eers! $heir eyes also changed color, #rom
sahire to a rich gold, deending on the light, or their mood!
='hat!!!) mean!!!whoCs going to reair the wallL> 0asryn asked laintively, gesturing to
the wreckage o# the common room! ,lass crunched under#oot as he walked! =;auraCs going to
serve me as tonightCs secial #or thisN>
=+onCt you worry, lad,> <lu** com#orted, reaching u to at the *oy on his le#t hand!
=)Cm <lu** /um#u%%le! $he inet ilot over here is my *rother, ,ne**ich! ) haen to
seciali%e in magical and scienti#ic research, *ut ) had my #air share o# reair work, #iIing the
damage to the la*oratory in "ount Nevermind during my arenticeshi, and all! ) can #iI this
wall in no timeN>
=(eak #or yoursel#, <lu**N> ,ne**ich groused, toddling away! =$his is an unmitigated
disasterN 35 months in lanning and develoment, 24 months in construction@what with arts
delays #rom the hill dwarves@5 months waiting #or test-#light clearance!!!only to crash into a
*uilding stuck u in a tree that isnCt suosed to *e hereN>
$he gnome ilot got to his #eet, surveying the hole in the $avernCs wall *e#ore ulling a
scrolled macase out o# his *ackack! : la*el on the side o# the cherrywood scrollcase said in
*old, *lock letters2 =TOP SECRET TEST FLIGHT PATH: GNEBBICH
BUMFUZZLES AERODYNAMIC FIXED-WING SUSTAINED
PERPETUAL FIGHT EXTERNAL COMBUSTION STEAM-
POWERED KITE, PATENT PENDING. IF FOUND, PLEASE
RETURN TO GNEBBICH BUMFUZZLE, MT. NEVERMIND.
=MeeshN 'hat shoddy constructionN .lves certainly didnCt *uild this lace! ;ooks like
some humans slaed it together@-h, right! MouCre a human, arenCt youL> ,ne**ich asked,
and toddled over to a ta*le that was too tall #or him! (etting a chair uright, ,ne**ich clim*ed
u and sread his scroll ma on to o# ;auraCs #ine orcelain lates #rom Palanthas, and started
reading it!
Actually, it was elves from the nearby forest of ;ualinesti that originally helped the
humans build this uni)ue settlement, 0asryn thought, *ut held his tongue! &e was in enough
trou*le as it was! 0asryn was going to say something a*out ;auraCs ta*le and lates, and then
thought *etter o# it! )t wouldnCt do any good at all! (nomes, in ;auraCs common roomN + am so
dead.
<lu**, #or his art, shrugged out o# his own *ackack, and *egan rummaging around,
looking #or his sell*ook! =;essee!!!nononononoM.(N <ounditN +onCt worry, lad! ) have Gust
the sell #or this! .nhanced version o# mend! Mou do know that cantri, donCt youL>
0asryn nodded! =-# course ) know it! 1m!!!sirL Perhas we should wait #or "aster Palin
to get here *e#ore you@>
=Nonsense, my dear *oyN )Cve cast this sell do%ens o# timesN ;etCs
see!!!indeI!!!indeI!!!!>
(haking his head, 0asryn edged closer to ,ne**ich! ,nomes crashing into *uildings
were *ad enough! ,nomes lanning to cast magic sells seemed ten times worse, like waiting
#or a dragon to wake u #rom a snoo%e! =1m!!!you guys arenCt related to kender, *y any
chanceL>
$he int-si%ed ilot looked sideways at him while studying the ma! =$he story that
gnomes and kender are related is Gust a vicious rumor, *oyN &mm!!!) canCt kee calling you that,
can )L 'hatCs your name, 'hite Ro*eL>
=0asryn (torm,> the young mage answered very care#ully! &e ket stealing glances at the
locked #ront door, eIecting ;aura "aGere to come in any second now! (he was having lunch
with his sister at their house, not #ar #rom here! (urely, some*ody mustCve noticed a hissing,
steaming gnome #lying machine sticking out o# the $avernCs #ront wall *y nowL =0ust out o#
curiosity, where were you headed #orL>
=$he $ower o# 'ayreth,> ,ne**ich answered, thum*ing at his *rother over his shoulder!
=) was taking nincomoo here to the tower #or his $est o# &igh (orcery!>
$he teenaged *oy nodded in understanding! &eCd recently taken his own $est, a year
ast! )t had *een grueling, and otentially deadly, *ut heCd le#t Palin no choice in the matter!
0asryn had ieced together an incomlete arcane scroll heCd #ound in a sho in &aven, and
learned how to take magical #light! $he laws o# the Conclave o# 'i%ards were strictJ once an
arentice mage was otentially caa*le o# throwing #ire*alls or lightning *olts@the same rank
sell as #lying@he was reBuired to go to 'ayreth to attemt the $est o# &igh (orcery!
0asryn walked over to the ta*le! =MouCre really o##-course! $his isnCt 'ayreth! K$is
(olace!>
=:haN> <lu** roclaimed, *alancing his sell*ook on his arm! =) knew itN $he idiot
canCt read the maN>
=) can too read a ma, you hal#-*aked eIcuse #or a mageN 'e were #lying right over
'ayreth <orest, heading straight #or the tower@>
=:*out to crash into it, you meanN> <lu** inGected! =ireball. 'hrinking. 6nlarging.
lying. )tCs in here somewhere!!!!>
=@when this con#ounded treehouse Gust aeared, right in my #lightathN> ,ne**ich
continued, as i# he hadnCt *een interruted!
=)Cm telling you, sir, this is (olace,> the *oy stated, sta**ing his #ore#inger down on the
ma, #lat in the middle o# :*anasinia! =$he magical #orest is in Hualinesti, #urther to the west!
-# course, 'ayreth <orest has this nasty ha*it o# moving@>
$he rest o# 0asrynCs sentence #ro%e in his throat, as he saw the runes inscri*ed across the
to o# the scroll, written clearly in .ldritch, the language o# magic2 =Te#ul Ast Joman Duma",>
and #ro%e!
=$he $om* o# 0oman the +arkL> 0asryn whisered, not Buite *elieving his eyes! $he
*oy immediately leaned over the ta*le, translating the rest o# the ma! : magician had de#initely
enned this! =Mou have a ma showing the tom*Cs locationL>
=$om*L 'hat tom*L -h, you mean the cryt o# the dead mageL +onCt *other! &eCs
*een sti## as a *oard since the :ge o# +reamsN Now, ) #igure i# ) can get the engineCs #urnace hot
enough, ) can increase steam ower *y 126 ercentN Course, that means getting a red dragon like
Pyro to *reathe into the intake ort o# the engine!!!you donCt haen to know where ) can #ind a
cooperative red dragon, *y any chanceL>
/ut young 0asryn was drooling over the ma like a go*lin over wenches in an all-night
tavern! =$he sta## o# 0oman Noothschoan was an arti#act that could control the reternatural
element o# :ir!!!one o# #our such staves cra#ted *y good wi%ards during the :ge o# +reams@>
$hat was when the door to the $avern slammed oen with enough #orce to shake the
walls! 0asryn looked u and saw his doom! $he thin, gently aging #ace o# ;aura "aGere turned
three shades o# urle! /ehind her were 0asrynCs sister, 1sha, and his master, Palin!
='ha!!!what!!!0:(RMN ($-R", '&:$ &:F. M-1 +-N. $- "M )NNL> ;aura
demanded, her eyes *ulging out o# her #ace! (he was *reathing hard, her whole *ody shaking
with indignant rage! =$he wallN "y windowsN "y #ine Palanthian orcelain dishesN>
='hat in the name o# ArynnCs three moons is that thingL> Palin "aGere asked,
thunderstruck! (lowly, his ga%e rested on the gnome glider sticking hal#way into the common
room! ='here did!!!how!!!-h! ,nomes!>
Palin had said that last word as i# that eIlained everything, and in #act, it did! Palin ut a
calming hand on his sisterCs shoulder to restrain her! =Calm down, ;aura!>
=C:;" +-'NL> ;aura screamed, shrugging o## her *rotherCs hand and taking two
stes #orward! =C:;" +-'NN P:;)N, ;--A :$ $&)( P;:C.N '&:$ (P.;; +)+ M-1
$.:C& $&:$ A)+L &-' $- (1""-N ,N-".(L $&. P;:C. ;--A( ;)A. :
CMC;-N. &)$ )$N>
:ctually, 0asryn re#lected that there really "as a sell #or summoning gnomes, *ut he
didnCt know it, and roclaiming his innocence wouldnCt hel at all, so instead he swallowed hard
and didnCt say anything!
=;emme seeN ;emme seeN> a small, sBueaky voice suddenly ied into the room, as two
small #igures sBuee%ed ast the adult humans to get a good look! -ne was a #emale kender with
a long, *ouncing, light-*rown onytail! $he other was a small *oy o# eleven summers, with a
head o# latinum *lond hair and a smile as *right as the sun! Aalistaire (wordhawk, little *rother
to Anight o# the Crown (ir "arkham (wordhawk! :ll three *oys lived with 0asrynCs sister and
her hus*and, occuying 1lin "aGereCs old room! Aalie and his kender al, (hyla Pouch#inder,
were the *ane o# 0asrynCs eIistence, snatching his enchanted dagger and tiny *ags o# sell
comonents when he wasnCt looking!
1sha gra**ed the *oy *y the collar o# his yellow tunic *e#ore he could get all the way
into the room! =Aalie, noN $hereCs glass everywhereN (tay *ackN>
No*ody stoed the kender, however! .yes widening, (hyla walked right u to the
gnomesC glider, asking a *arrage o# Buestions! =-h *oyN : #lying whatchamacallitN :ll the way
#rom "ount NevermindN &ow high does it goL Can you #ly #astL ) *et you can out-#ly a dragon
in this thingN Can ) go #or a rideL Aalistaire and ) love to #ly, *ut 0asryn only casts the #lying
sell on us when heCs not in a rotten mood, which he gets into sometimes when heCs studying,
and heCs always studying@>
=:o, you cannot go #lying in my kite,> ,ne**ich told her in an eIaserated tone o# voice,
shaking his little #ist, his white *eard *ristling! =NononoN Please, stay away #rom thereN )tCs
*roken enoughN 'ho let this kender inL>
=(hyla Pouch#inder,> she said *y way o# introduction, shaking the gnomeCs hand, and
coming away with a small leather case, a tiny toolkit, a*out the si%e o# a thie#Cs lockick set!
=)Cm #rom &ylo, *ut ) was *orn in Aendermore, right *e#ore "alys the dragon got nasty and
*urned everything to the ground! (he killed my mom and *rothers, and every*ody got sad, so
now Po makes me carry daggers as well as a hooak! K$is a hooak o# dragon-slaying, reallyN
1ncle $as used it to slay the dragon o#@>
=,immethatN> ,ne**ich eIclaimed, snatching *ack his toolkit! $he ilot shot his
*rother a dirty look! =Mou see what youCve gotten us into, #lying o## to 'ayreth $owerL Now
weCre invaded *y kenderN>
=-ne kender does not constitute an invasion, ,ne**ich,> <lu** atiently corrected, while
studying his sell*ook!
=-neCs as *ad as tenN +onCt you have an arcane sray reellent or somethingL>
,ne**ich shot *ack!
=6$cuse me,> Palin cut in imeriously, steing #orward, holding the hem o# his white
samite ro*e u, so all the de*ris wouldnCt tear it! =:renCt you <lu** /um#u%%leL>
Recogni%ing the head o# his magical -rder #rom PalinCs descrition, the gnome mage
*rightened into a smile and o##ered the archmage his hand! =Mou must *e ;ord PalinN :n honor
to meet you, sirN>
=)Cm sure,> Palin said, his voice tight, keenly aware o# the damage to his #amilyCs inn,
and his sister *ehind him, who he knew was a*out ready to strangle *oth o# the haless gnomes!
=<lu**, what are you doing hereL>
='hy, )Cve come to 'ayreth to take my $est, o# courseN> the diminutive mage relied!
=,ot my invitation somewhere!!!!>
Palin held u a hand! =+onCt *other, )Cm the one who sent it to you! <lu**, this isnCt
'ayreth, itCs (olace!>
=$hatCs what ) told them,> 0asryn interGected, looking u #rom the ancient ma! -ne dirty
look #rom ;aura silenced him, however! $he lady strode #orward, glass crunching under her
*oots with each ste, in#uriating her even #urther! 0asryn was glad ;aura wasnCt armed with her
#rying an, or the leather stra heCd hit him with since he was little, and even more glad that he
wasnCt the o*Gect o# her rage any longer!
*oor little gnome. Of all the taverns he couldve crashed into!!!!
=M-1N ,N-".N :R. M-1 R.(P-N()/;. <-R 'R.CA)N, "M )NNL>
=:nd a very #ine inn it is, too@> <lu** *egan, dilomatically, still smiling!
=)t "as@> ;aura continued, clenching her teeth! =$his innCs *een in our #amily #or
generationsN "y arents le#t it to meN>
=:nd in all that time, why did no*ody register this lace with the "ount Nevermind
+eartment o#@-1C&N> ,ne**ich sBuealed as 0asryn slaed his hand!
=.Inay on the Nevveraymind ay@> 0asryn warned him! $hen, he lowered his voice!
=Mour *rotherCs toast! "y sister-in-lawCs going to serve him u as stew tonightN>
=Mour sister-in-lawL> ,ne**ich inBuired!
$he *oy sighed! ='ell, whatever you call it when my sisterCs married to ;auraCs *rother
@>
=N-, ) ');; N-$ /. H1).$, P:;)NN +- M-1 AN-' '&:$ ($:)N.+-,;:((
')N+-'( <R-" P:;:N$&:( C-($L $&:$ ':( : (C.N. +.P)C$)N, -1R
<:");M :N+ <R).N+( +1R)N, $&. ':R -< $&. ;:NC.N )$ ':(
)RR.P;:C.:/;.N>
=RelaI, my dear lady! ) have Gust the sell to reair everything, right here in my
sell*ook! 0ust give me ten minutes, and )Cll have it as good as new,> <lu** eIlained atiently,
holding the leather-worked tome u #or her insection!
0ust as ;aura was a*out to say something more, Palin held his hand u! ="ay ) see that
#or a second, <lu**L>
=-# course, my lordN )Cd *e honoredN>
;aura stared at *oth o# them, her Gaw working, with no words coming out #or a second!
<inally, she managed to get something out! =<ineN $hese are your eole, Palin "aGereN )Cm
going ustairs to take a dra#t o# salicylic acid, and lie down! /y the time ) get *ack, ) want this
whole room sotlessN>
;aura turned on one heel, and stormed o## u the stes! $he wooden *anister creaked as
she gried it, the stes echoed with her assing #oot#alls! 0asryn suddenly *reathed a sigh o#
relie#! &e nodded in PalinCs direction!
=MouCre getting *etter at those charm sells, "aster!>
Palin held a single #inger u to his lis and shushed his uil! $hen he turned his #ull
attention to the sell enned into the gnomeCs *ook, his interest aroused! =$his incantation is
intriguing! +id you come u with it yoursel#L>
=0asryn,> 1sha *egan, walking u to her younger *rother! =)Cm taking Aalistaire home!
Mou hel clean this lace u! )Cll send "arkham over later to hel!>
=$hanks, 1sha,> 0asryn relied! $his was de#initely an interesting morningN $he *oy
turned his #ull attention to ,ne**ichCs ma, which was #uel #or his dreams o# adventures with
"arkham (wordhawk and ,arnet )rondelve! :t last, they had a treasure worth going a#ter, like
the #a*led +ragonlancesN
CHAPTER TWO
$revlorCs lungs were *ursting! $he small *oy was lashed to a wooden lank, his
wrists tied *ehind his *ack, with a length o# roe wound tight around his torso, down his legs,
and knotted at his ankles! Reluctantly, $revlor let the last o# his air go, and watched as the
*u**les #loated toward the shining sur#ace o# the water, so very #ar away!
/lue cret u the corners o# his eyes until it #illed his vision! $hen, the color *lack
relaced it! &e had to *reathe, and oened his mouth to draw water into his lungs!
'ater roared, and $revlor coughed, hacking, deserately trying to draw air into his chest!
$he *oy alternately coughed and sucked oIygen into his strained lungs! &e didnCt know how
much longer he could take this!
='hat were the last two words he saidL> the harsh adult voice asked, comletely devoid
o# ity or comassion!
$revlor wracked his *rain #or the in#ormation the mage wanted, *ut the truth was, he Gust
couldnCt remem*er! )t was a assing comment in the )nn o# the ;ast &ome! (trange, sidery-
sounding words, #our o# them! &e coughed the last o# the water u, and managed to get out,
=Tepul Ast!!!!>
=Tepul Ast!!!"hat9> +anvil <elcra#t asked #or the tenth time, #rustration growing to a
deadly tone in his voice! $he mage sighed, shaking his head! =Mou know, *oy, ) canCt kee this
u #orever! $hose stones lashed to the *oard under you are getting Buite heavy, and the levitate
sell is going to wear o## soon! 'hen that haens, you will sink to the *ottom o# the lake, and
no*ody will *e a*le to ull you u!>
$he *oy so**ed, leading with "aster +anvil! =Please, ) canCt remem*erN>
=$ry,> +anvil asked, in the tone o# a teacher with an eItremely slow student!
=Tepul Ast!!!0oe +art!!!+ar--something!>
='R-N, :N('.RN> the mage screamed, and lowered his hand!
=:6+:0 P;.:(.N> $revlor yelled, Gust as the *oard he was tied to lunged dee into the
lake again! &eCd wasted his chance to draw a #ull *reath, and heCd screamed! &is lungs were
only hal#-#ullN $here was no way heCd make it the #ull two minutes when +anvil #inally let him
*reathe again!
$revlorCs chest was tight, his lungs *urning! $he *oy sBuirmed, deserately hoing #or
slack, *ut there was none! $he +ark Anights had tied his *onds too tight! :ll he could do was
wriggle his #ingers and toes, with no hoe o# getting #ree! $he *oy let a little o# his recious air
go, and watched as the air *u**les #loated to the sur#ace! &e could see the sun, knew air was
there, Gust out o# reach! +arkness cret u the sides o# his vision again, and he tried hard to
concentrate!!!!
Trevlor "as dressed as a street urchin, "earing a knee,length tunic of blue cotton, belted
at the "aist "ith a length of rope, bare legs and bare feet. The proprietress "as a kindly lady in
her middle years, "ho took pity on the poor, and fed street children like him kitchen scraps.
<:ot that 'olace had that many street children running around to begin "ith, but the ongoing
skirmishes "ith :eraka left many orphans, "ho "andered the countryside after their homes had
been put to the torch. All searching for a place to stay, for someone to take care of them.=
3aura !a.ere had promised the small boy, no older than ten, "ith blond hair and blue eyes, that
one of the to"nsfolk "ould take him in eventually. 'olace "as a to"n descended from survivors
of the irst -ataclysm, and its people "ere "arm and open to the needs of strangers, having
been in that situation at one time themselves.
'o it "as that the boy "ho called himself Trevlor -auley "as allo"ed to hang around the
+nn of the 3ast 4ome, sitting on his knees on a "ooden chair, "hile a teenaged magician sat at a
booth in the far corner "ith four friends, studying an old, yello"ed parchment, talking
animatedly. Of the young mages four companions, one "as a female kender, and one a boy
about Trevlors o"n age. &ith the typical arrogance of gro"n,ups, the five companions talked
openly, albeit in lo" voices, so no other adults could overhear, right in front of the t"o children.
As long as Trevlor kept )uiet, they left him alone.
Off to Trevlors right "as 3aura, arms folded, tapping her foot impatiently. The young
mages master, *alin !a.ere, "as studying a tome of magic, discussing the fine points of an
incantation "ith a gnome, "ho also "ore a "hite robe. All the shards of broken glass "ere
collected into a "ooden bo$, "ith the s)uare of a missing "indo" open to the verdant
1allen"ood boughs .ust outside, and the bright blue sky peeking bet"een the ne" spring leaves.
The "reckage of a recent disaster involving a gnome glider had been cleaned up, "ith most of
the damage repaired, all of the debris long,since s"ept up. The "ooden floor had been mopped
and polished "ith a fresh coat of "a$. All that remained "as for the t"o &hite 8obes to repair
3auras stained glass "indo".
The young magic apprentice "as smiling, stabbing his finger at the aged parchment, and
trying to convince his friends to go on a )uest of some sort. 'eated there in the booth "as a
human /night of 'olamnia, brother to the small boy /alistaire, a mountain d"arf dressed in the
clothes of a forgeman, and the female kender, 'hyla, "ho had been so kind to Trevlor and had
first introduced him to 3aura !a.ere.
The scroll "as a map, depicting the "estern portion of Ansalon, "ith markings over the
island of 'outhern 6rgoth, and funny,looking "riting inscribed all over it. 8unes ran across the
top of the map in large, bold letters, resembling the runes "ritten on the spines of magic tomes
in Danvil elcrafts library back home.
The young mage opened his mouth, pointing at the large runes at the top, saying the
"ords !aster Danvil "anted. =!!!Tepul Ast 1oman Dumak!!!the lost staff "as entombed "ith
him!!!!>
$revlor was coughing, deserately trying to draw air into his strained lungs, and hacked
u water instead! :*ove him was the *right, *lue sky, daled with #lu##y-white clouds! +imly,
the *oy reali%ed he was *ack a*ove the sur#ace o# the water again! )nstead o# the Huestion,
$revlor heard "aster +anvil seaking to another man! :#ter a moment, he recogni%ed the voice
o# his knight, (ir Cean /lackgaard, and the distinctive sound o# chainmail rattling as he walked!
=@you kill my age, and )Cll *urn your sell*ooks in a *on#ire out in the castle courtyard
when we get *ackN> (ir Cean was grousing! <or the #irst time since this nightmare *egan, hoe
returned to $revlor! /lackgaard was here to save him #rom the dark mageN
=Children die every day,> +anvil <elcra#t resonded in a cold, nonchalant tone o# voice!
=)# he dies, )Cll get you a new age! &e has in#ormation ) need!>
=)n#ormation you needL> /lackgaard snaed in a very dangerous, tight voice! =+onCt
you mean in#ormation the Order needsL>
=Mes, o# course,> the mage relied Buickly! =$his intelligence is vital to the $horn
Anights, ) assure you, /lackgaard!>
=$he Thorn Anights,> Cean growled! :#ter a moment, he continued! =Mou know,
<elcra#t, ) liked you a lot *etter when you wore the *lack ro*es!>
='earing the ash gray o# cremated death has its advantages, my dear Catain,> +anvil
relied! $revlor was dimly aware that heCd *een lying there, lashed tight to the *oard, #loating in
the sweet air #or a long time now! $revlorCs *reathing was under control, and he saw the two
men talking on the shore! $revlor ket silent, hoing +anvil wouldnCt remem*er to continue the
torture, raying that Cean would rescue him #rom the sorcererCs clutches!
=) am now #ree to use incantations and enchantments #rom all three -rders o# magic,
including the sell*ooks ) long ago con#iscated #rom the Red Ro*e wi%ard (erannon, which
allows me to maintain an illusion that hides us all!> <elcra#t resonded!
/lackgaard took three clanking stes toward the evil mage! : gauntleted #inger ointed
directly at $revlor! ="y age is valua*le as a syN $he (olamnics donCt susect a child o#
anythingN &eCs known in the town! Peole like him, eole trust himN Mou kill the *rat, and
youCll ruin two weeks o# hard work in#iltrating him into their very midst!>
+anvil grew angry, and the *oard $revlor was tied to suddenly sank siI inches toward the
water again! $he *oy gased!
=Mou think itCs easy, hiding two-score knights, retainers, and an overgrown dragon9
MouCre #ree to take over sellcasting anytime, Catain! 1ntil then, leave me to my work!>
='hat have you learned thus #arL> Cean asked in an eIaserated, de#eated tone! &e did
need <elcra#tCs magic, *last him, as well as his uniBue skills as an inBuisitor!
=0asryn is indeed in (olace, along with (workhawkCs mis*egotten whels,> +anvil told
him! $he mage turned his head *ack in $revlorCs direction, the look in his eyes cold and deadly
as a serentCs! $revlorCs *reathing grew harsh, as the *oy reali%ed his time was growing short!
="arkham (wordhawkCs now a Anight o# the Crown, assigned to the outost here! $heir main
Go* seems to *e serving as an honor guard #or the $om* o# the ;ast &eroes! :ll three o# them
have lived with the "aGeres since they #led the castle seven years ago! 0asrynCs arenticed to
Palin "aGere himsel#, and "aGereCs once more taken the mantle as &ead o# the -rder o# 'hite
Ro*es! $he *oyCs owers have grown considera*ly! &eCs already assed his $est, reortedly at
the age o# siIteen summersN>
/lackgaard nodded! =Mou always said the *rat had talent,> he grudgingly o##ered! -n
the night 0asryn (torm Fon /ladmere had heled the (wordhawk children escae the castleCs
dungeons, heCd cast his #irst real sell! /lackgaard set his Gaw! 8ainbo"s! /lasted, da%%ling,
mesmeri%ing rain*ows that knocked /lackgaard and his three men unconscious! :s i# that
werenCt enough, the *oy had somehow summoned a air o# live unicorns, which #rightened their
warhorses and carried the *oys as #ar away as (olace! /lackgaard had at #irst thought the
magical *easts were an illusion, *ut when <elcra#t had returned to the castle and heard his
account, the dark mage roclaimed that the unicorns had *een real!
=0asryn was my student,> +anvil reminded him, not #or the #irst time! =1n#ortunately,
the *oy ran away when resented with the uniBue oortunity to Goin the -rder o# /lack Ro*es!
$he late *aron called his adoted son weak and ungrate#ul!>
=)Cll agree with that,> /lackgaard grum*led! =/aron Fon /ladmere adoted the *oy,
made him his heir, all *ecause *y chance the whel resem*led his murdered son .dmund! Mou
taught him the secrets o# magic, and instead o# making that human sacri#ice you told me o#, he
disaeared!>
=:nd now we need him *ack,> <elcra#t concluded! ='eCll get him, Catain, donCt you
#ear! :ll ) need is this last *it o# in#ormation #rom inside o# $revlor ;ockhartCs worthless little
skull!>
=0ust *e care#ul, mage,> /lackgaard warned him! ='e still need $revlor! /ring the *oy
to my tent when youCre #inished laying with him! )# he survives!>
'ith those #inal words, $revlorCs Anight, who the *oy loved and showed true loyalty to,
stalked o## into the trees, leaving him to +anvil <elcra#tCs tender mercies! $he *oy swallowed,
eIecting to *e lunged underwater again!
=;ast time, *oy! $his is *eginning to grow Buite tiresome@>
=Tepul Ast Joman Dumak0 Tepul Ast Joman Dumak0> the *oy shouted at the to o# his
lungs! =$hatCs all, ) swearN>
+anvilCs emerald eyes grew wide at this new in#ormation, and as cold as that recious
stone! $he sorcerer nodded arovingly! =$here, now! $hat wasnCt so di##icult, was itL>
$he *oyCs *reathing grew more intense, #ully eIecting the mage to lower his hand again,
and the lank he was tied to with it! )nstead, the mage soke another two words in that same
strange language o# wi%ards, and the *oard #loated sideways, *ack toward the shore, then
lowered, settling gently into the sand! +anvil knelt down and drew a long, wicked-looking
dagger with a sinuous *lade #rom a sheath at his *elt! $he *oy nearly screamed, suddenly a#raid
o# +anvil sta**ing him! $revlor calmed when the mage simly cut him loose #rom his *onds!
=&:N(N> <elcra#t *ellowed! : dark knight steed smartly #orward, #rom his ost *y a
tall *irch tree, where heCd lacidly *een watching $revlor *eing tortured! &e munched on an
ale, and then tossed the core over his shoulder! $he knight stoed a #ew #eet away #rom
them!
="aster <elcra#t,> &ans answered sharly!
<elcra#t stuck the wicked-looking kni#e *ack into his sheath, and stood! =)Cm done
Buestioning the *oy #or now, Anight! Please take him *ack to /lackgaard! Mour catainCs
eIecting him!>
=Ja, (ir "age,> the knight relied, and ulled the *oy roughly to his #eet! $he child
shivered #rom the cold air! &is hands still tied *ehind his *ack, as he was marched *are#oot
through the woods, over shar tree roots and twigs! $hey came to the largest tent in the Nerakan
encamment, where two knights stood guard outside the entrance! $hey nodded at &ans and let
them ass!
)nside, the tent was sartan! $he #ew #urnishings $revlor himsel# had set u, as the
catainCs age*oy! $here was a cot, an oak chest with *anded iron and a *rass adlock, a
orta*le ma ta*le made o# inewood, and several wooden stools to sit on! : air o# oil lanterns
hung #rom a cross*eam and rovided illumination! $his comleted the entire tentCs contents!
Cean ,anoke /lackgaard, Anight o# the ;ily, sat on a stool *y the ta*le, on which rested
a *ottle o# dwar# sirits! $he catain held a shot glass in one hand, his gauntlets removed, #olded
into his thick leather *elt! Cean swallowed the clear liBuor, and then aused to regard the thin,
trem*ling *oy who stood *e#ore him!
=Remem*er whom you serve, $revlor Cauley ;ockhart,> Cean intoned, dark intent in his
voice!
=) live to serve the -rder, my knight,> the *oy answered automatically! &e scu##ed his
*are toes in the dirt and looked down! $he resonse used to *e + live to serve my )ueen, *ut
$akhisis was now dead, her knighthood renamed!
=+o you reallyL> /lackgaard asked sarcastically! &is *rown eyes were cold and dead as
<elcra#tCs! &is tone o# voice was low and dangerous! /lackgaard nodded once to &ans!
$revlor heard the sound o# steel singing as it le#t its sheath! $he neIt thing the *oy knew,
&ans had gra**ed a hand#ul o# his thick *lond hair and was holding the ra%orCs edge o# a dagger
to his throat! =(hall ) slit him now, my CatainL>
/lackgaard watched the scene coldly, as i# contemlating Gust that! $revlor swallowed,
#eeling the cold steel touch his unrotected neck! <elcra#tCs words suddenly came dri#ting *ack
to him2 =-hildren die every day.>
=Mour #ather committed his #irst murder #or the -rder when he was a*out your age,
$revlor,> /lackgaard eIlained, as i# he were instructing the *oy on roer court etiBuette,
instead o# rearing to order the *oyCs death! =)ain was told to lure another child, his *est #riend,
to his death!!!or he would *e *eaten to death himsel#! $he *oy, may*e #ourteen summers old,
was the son o# a traitorous shokeeer who ran a sa#ehouse #or the ;egion o# (teel! 'e couldnCt
get the traitor, un#ortunately, so the *aron ordered the eIecution o# his son, whom heCd #oolishly
le#t *ehind in Neraka!>
Cean oured himsel# another glass o# dwar# sirits, and went on with his narrative! =)ain
watched, crying his eyes out, as ) ersonally *eat that *oy to death with an e*ony Buartersta##!
$hat was the day )ain $omas ;ockhart Goined the guild o# assassins!>
Cean swallowed the shot, and then leaned #orward, resting his el*ows on the ma ta*le!
=:re you caa*le o# serving the -rder like your #ather, $revlorL Can you lure a *oy out
into the woods here, so we can cature himL> /lackgaard asked in such a way that $revlor
understood a wrong answer would mean his immediate death!
=Ja, my knight,> the *oy answered in a small, meek voice! $he steel #elt shar and cold,
#oremost in the *oyCs mind!
=$hen youCd *etter show me youCre caa*le o# *etter work than you have so #ar,>
/lackgaard drawled! =$his is a simle esionage mission! ,athering intelligence and earning
the trust o# a mere child, #or the memory o# the +ark HueenN Mou have the otential to *e #ar
more than your worthless #ather, $revlor! )Cve chosen you #or my ersonal age! +o you know
what that meansL>
=Ja, my knight,> the *oy answered, sweat #alling in lines #rom his #orehead! =Mou hoe
to train me as your sBuire someday!>
=.Iactly right, *oy! +o not disaoint me again, or it will *e your last mistake,>
/lackgaard warned! &e signaled &ans to cut the *oy loose!
&ans Buickly and e##iciently withdrew the kni#e #rom the *oyCs throat, and sawed through
the hem *inding his wrists! $revlor moved his hands to his #ront, ru**ing the circulation *ack!
=$his is the only warning youCll get, *oy! Pay closer attention to whatCs said around you,
and whoCs doing the talking! Now goN )tCll *e nochtfall soon, and the innkeeer will wonder
whatCs haened to you! $he last thing we need is a search arty out here, looking #or a drowned
child! $he wrong search arty!>
=Ja, my knight,> $revlor relied, and Buickly ran #rom the tent!
=+o you think itCll work, CatainL> &ans inBuired care#ully! Cean /lackgaard did not
like to have his orders Buestioned, *ut he also knew this entire mess was lanned *y <elcra#t,
whom his commanding o##icer desised!
=)t had *etter,> /lackgaard groused! &e slammed the small shot glass onto the wooden
ta*leto! =$he ;ord o# the :ocht ersonally asked me to return 0asryn Fon /ladmere to Neraka,
and )Cm not a*out to disaoint him!>
CHAPTER THREE
0asryn was tending ta*les that evening when he noticed his dagger was missing!
:gain!
$he young mage looked at a *ooth *y the common roomCs #irelace! $he cheer#ul orange
#lames crackled, chasing away the chill o# early sring and silling #lickering light on his #riends,
who were enGoying a meal! 0asryn Goined them whenever he could, detailing what he knew o#
the wondrous sta## called Arion! &eCd already convinced the dwar#, ,arnet )rondelve, that there
was a #ortune in steel coins and recious gems *uried in the vaults, and heCd #inally convinced
"arkham that the Buest was worthwhile, as there were *ound to *e evil villains to #ight, and
enchanted swords to *e had, entom*ed down with the /lack Ro*e mage 0oman Noothschoan!
$he lively, talkative kender, (hyla Pouch#inder, was Gust in this #or the adventure!
&eck, they all wereN 0asryn had studied as a war wi%ard! $he com*at sells were mainly
learned in sel#-de#ense, stemming #rom o# his old #ear o# /aron Fon /ladmere tracking him
down, *ut there was another reason! "arkham, who was like a *rother to him, was all set #or an
eIciting li#e with the (olamnic Anighthood, and their #riend ,arnet made it clear heCd #ollow
"arkham into the deths o# the :*yss! Naturally, 0asryn was not going to let "ark and ,arn go
stalking o## into danger without his magic to *ack them uN $wo #ighters and a mage made a
ower#ul team! (hyla was also use#ul to #ind hidden assageways and treasure!
KCourse, the advantages o# having a kender tag along also had its downside! .very time
0asryn or one o# the others turned around, something was missing!
=%tter,> the *oy ronounced, holding his hand out in the direction o# his #riendsC ta*le!
)nstantly, one o# (hylaCs ouches tore #ree #rom her *elt and came #lying across the common
room to 0asrynCs hand! &e oened the small leather ouch and removed his silver-chased
throwing dagger! "aster Palin had laced two enchantments on the masterwork *lade to make it
more deadly, and also added a dweomer o# returning, knowing the *oy hung around a kender!
0asryn slid the dagger *ack into its sheath under his right sleeve and started walking *ack
to the ta*le, when ;aura walked right u to him and ain#ully inched his shoulder through his
cotton ro*es!
=) thought ) told you no magic in my common room,> she hissed!
;ooking guilty, the teenager held u the kenderCs ouch! =/ut (hyla took@>
=No eIcuses, 0ase,> ;aura ordered, re#using to hear his reasons! =0ust get *ack to work!>
=Mes, maCam,> 0asryn sighed, and turned in the direction o# a arty o# rangers, to ask i#
they needed anything more, when ;aura touched his el*ow again! $he *oy looked u, and saw
concern on her #ace!
=&ave you seen $revlor tonightL>
$he young mage shook his head! )t took a second to remem*er whom she re#erred to,
and then he reali%ed it was the little urchin Aalistaire hung around with! =No, ) havenCt seen@
'ait, ) think Aalie said they were going to swim u in the lake this a#ternoon!>
;aura ursed her lis, arms akim*o! =+id they ever come *ackL>
0asryn nodded! =Aalie came home hours ago, and ) guess $revlor mustCve come *ack
with him! &eCs a street child, ro*a*ly wandering around town somewhere! &eCll turn u,
;aure! &e always does!>
$he middle-aged innkeeer smiled a weak grin! =MouCre ro*a*ly right! &eCll show u
when he gets hungry!>
=)Cll let you know i# ) see him,> 0asryn told her Buickly, and went over to the ranger, who
was signaling #or a re#ill on his mug o# ale!
;aura meandered *ack to her kitchen, greeting her guests on the way! 0asryn returned
with a itcher o# ale #or the ranger arty, *e#ore #inally making it *ack to "arkham and the
others! (tealing a Buick glance to make sure ;aura wasnCt watching, 0ase slid into the *ooth neIt
to ,arnet! &e tossed the leather ouch in (hylaCs direction, who caught it on re#leI!
=$hanks, 0asrynN> the kender told him with a *road smile! =,ee, youCre getting real good
at #inding things! Mou wouldCve made a good kenderN>
=$hank you,> 0asryn relied, taking the comliment #or what it was, instead o# the insult
it sounded like! =(o, what do you guys thinkL>
=)t sounds like it would *e worth it to make the tri,> ,arnet told him, wiing his *eard
o# dwar# sirits on the sleeve o# his #orgemanCs shirt! =0ust to check it out, you understand!
'eCll also need to *uy that ma #rom the gnome!>
=:lready working on it,> 0asryn con#ided with a losided grin! =) soke to ,ne**ich,
trying to convince him to come along! &eCs more interested in archaeology! &is cousin
,noshalot seciali%es in mummies and tom*s and stu##! $hatCs where the ma came #rom!>
='hat i# the gnome doesnCt want to come, or re#uses to sell his maL> "arkham asked!
0asryn noticed the tense tone in his old #riendCs voice, the eIression on his #ace! "ark had
something on his mind, and the *oy knew heCd tell him when he #elt like it!
(ounding eIcited, 0asryn whisered consiratorially! =)n that case, donCt worry! ) coied
it!>
"arkham ut his mug down on the old wood ta*le with a thunk! : little ale silled,
running down the ewter cu! =Mou coied itL 0asryn (torm, thatCs the same as stealingN>
$he young mageCs #ace #ell! =No, it isnCtN ,ne**ich only uses the ma to make #light
lansN>
=:nd it Gust haens to lead to a treasure in arcane arti#actsN> "arkham retorted! &e
ointed his #inger at him! =Mou Gust said his cousin might have a ro#essional interest in it! 'e
canCt go a#ter this #ind i# the right#ul owner o# the ma wants toN>
0asryn made a #ace! &e was stung, #eeling all his dreams sliing away on a technicality
o# the "easure, which even white mages didnCt #ollow! $he -rder o# 'hite Ro*es uheld
causes that were Right and 0ust and ,ood, *ut the rimary motivation o# all three -rders o#
magic were the same2 the ursuit o# more magical knowledge!
=+onCt *e such a stick in the mud, "arkN ;ook, )Cm trying to convince ,ne**ich to
come along, *ecause youCre right! &e does have a share in what we #ind down there!>
=&.M, /-MN> a huge oI o# a man called #rom a near*y ta*le! $he young mage looked
u, and saw $haddeus ;ongarm waving him over! $he *ig #armer was dressed in mud-slattered
overalls, and he didnCt look too hay!
=.Icuse me,> 0asryn told "arkham, got u, and Buickly dashed over to the other ta*le!
=Mes, "ister ;ongarmL>
=;ad, i# youCre gonna hang out with yer #riends instead oC working #or ;aura, lease let
her know so she can dock your ay,> the man said gru##ly! &is wi#e didnCt look too leased,
either! )nwardly, 0asryn kicked himsel#, reali%ing they were right! &eCd *een neglecting his
duties ever since heCd laid eyes on that treasure ma!
=(orry, sir! 'hat can ) get youL> 0asryn Buickly o##ered!
=-ur meals, lad! ;aura took our orders a while ago,> $haddeus told him! =) know sheCs
*usy, *ut@>
=) understand, sir! )Cll go see whatCs haened, right away,> 0asryn romised, and ran o##
toward the kitchen! &e oened the door, and #ound ;aura "aGere *y the water sigot! (he was
using a *rush to com* $revlorCs unruly *lond hair, while the *oy sBuirmed and looked
uncom#orta*le! Near*y, three ots on the stove were *oiling over! $he mage gra**ed a thick rag
and removed the ots #rom the #lames!
=;aura, the ;ongarms are waiting #or their meal, and this stu## is *urning,> the *oy said,
sounding #ra%%led!
=-h, )Cm sorry! $revlor #inally turned u, and the ;ongarms said they might *e
interested in taking him in! ) was Gust getting him cleaned u! 0ase, run to the antry and *ring
them a *ottle o# Hualinesti wine! $ell them itCs on the house, and )Cm sorry #or the delay!>
0asryn nodded and oened the antry door, thinking how unusual this was! Hualinesti
wine was rare now, and Buite eIensive! ;aura had several cases o# it down in the wine cellar,
#rom *e#ore Hualinost was #looded and drowned! :ll the elves had returned to their ancient
ancestral home in (ilvanost, or so the tales went! <or ;aura to have le#t a *ottle o# the rare
vintage u here meant she was lanning to do this all along! $he young mage smiled! $he
"aGeres were all like that, generous to a #ault, esecially when it came to orhans like he and the
(wordhawk *rothers were! 0asryn Gust hoed this $revlor kid reali%ed how much trou*le ;aura
was going through to hel him #ind a home!
$he o*Gect o# their attention stood there, looking Buite uncom#orta*le, and sBuirming!
="iss ;aura, do ) really have to@>
=&ush, )Cm Gust making you resenta*le, is all,> ;aura chided, utting the *rush down
and straightening his tunic! =:t least youCre clean! +id you go swimming in your clothesL>
=Mes,> the *oy lied! &is voice Buivered, ever so slightly! &ow could he tell this nice
woman that his knight and "aster <elcra#t had nearly drowned him this a#ternoonL -r that there
was a contingent o# +ark Anights right on the townCs very doorsteL 'hat the +ark Anighthood
eIected o# himL No, i# the Anights o# (olamnia ever #ound out $revlor were a sy, theyCd hang
himN
;aura turned the *oy around, slaed him on the #anny, and led him across the kitchen to
the stove! =,ra* two dishes and a tray #rom over there while ) stir this stew! -h, good! K$is not
ruined! 'here the heck were you, anyhowL Aalie came home hours ago! +idnCt you know how
secial this night wasL>
=No,> $revlor answered, keeing his answers short and direct! $he less these eole
susected, the *etter! &is mouth was dry as he thought a*out what he was a*out to do, reaying
all their kindness *y *etraying them! )s that what his #ather )ain had #elt, years agoL +id he lay
with his childhood #riend, stay over #or suer, never saying a word, knowing his #riend was
going to *e dead soonL
=/oys,> ;aura said to hersel#, shaking her head! (he sooned the #ood onto the lates,
added a loa# o# #reshly *aked *read, and stuck a small #lower in a thin clay vase in the center o#
the tray to make it look #estive! $hen, she icked u the tray, laden with leasant-smelling
suer, and urged the *oy toward the door! =,oN ,oN $heyCre waiting! Now remem*er, the
;ongarms are #armers, so theyCll ro*a*ly eIect you to do some chores! $heyCve raised three
children, and ) know theyCre good eole!>
$revlor nodded, as ;aura rushed him across the common room to a ta*le with a middle-
aged coule sitting at it! $he man had red hair and a thick *eard, with wavy hair! &is #ace was
wrinkledJ his large hands callused #rom hard work in the #ields! $he woman was thin, with so#t
*lond hair tied u in a *un! (he had crowsC #eet around her eyes when she smiled at him!
=,ood evening, $haddeus,> ;aura greeted with a wide smile and warmth in her eyes!
(he graciously set the lates and *owls in #ront o# them! =(orry #or the delay! ) was *usy *ack
there!>
=Huite all right, ;ore! Mour momma would *e roud o# you,> $haddeus told her! (he
stared at $revlor! =$his the *oyL>
;aura nodded! =:ye! $his is $revlor! &e was orhaned when the Anights o# Neraka
*urned down his village! 'e #ound him wandering around (olace!>
=Poor little mite,> :deline remarked, looking the child u and down! =+id you wander
cross the countryside in your *are #eetL Come sit *y me, dear! ;aura "aGere, whatCs wrong with
youL CouldnCt you at least get the oor *oy a air o# shoesL <etch him a late o# stewN>
;auraCs Gaw hung oen #or a second! $ruth *e told, she had tried to get $revlor to wear
shoes, *ut the *oy had re#used, comlaining that they were too tight and hurt his #eet! (heCd also
Gust #ed him two *owls o# stew! Anowing *etter than to argue, the innkeeer Gust smiled and
turned *ack to the kitchen, thank#ul the coule had taken an immediate liking to the *oy!
=0asrynN (to hanging around with your #riends and get to workN Pug -mahonCs
signaling #or a re#ill on his grogN> ;aura hissed while assing the other ta*le, and dashed *ack
into the kitchen!
CHAPTER FOUR
~0asryn (torm, where is my maL> the little gnome inventor asked indignantly, his
*ushy white eye*rows #urrowed, ointed red ca askew on to o# his head! ,ne**ich stood in
the small *edroom doorway, #lanked *y "arkham, ,arnet, and 1sha, who were standing in the
hallway, all wearing eIressions o# dis*elie# and anger!
$he young mage looked u #rom his sell*ook, con#usion and annoyance miIed on his
#ace! &e and "arkham had Gust had an argument, a#ter the knight revealed that his commanding
o##icer had ordered weekend asses cur*ed, and "ark wouldnCt *e a*le to come home all the
time, like he used to! 'hen "ark was a sBuire, Palin "aGere ulled some strings, so "ark
would *e a*le to stay with 0asryn and Aalistaire on weekends, instead o# *unking in the *arracks
with all the other knight-candidates! 'hen "arkham had actually *een knighted, however,
everything changed! Now, 0asryn would *e seeing even less o# his #riend, and the mage hadnCt
taken the news too well!
(ulking, 0asryn dove into his tomes o# magic, the one lace he #ound *alance and eace!
$he *oy looked u #rom his small oakwood writing desk, cluttered with scrolls and *ound *ooks,
the closed inkot with various Buills lying neIt to it, and the small golden ring "aster Palin had
given him with the assignment o# identi#ying its magical dweomer correctly!
=.Icuse meL> the teenager asked!
="y maCs missing,> ,ne**ich stated emhatically, toddling right u to the tall wooden
stool 0asryn was sitting on! $he other three came into the cluttered *edroom! AalistaireCs toys
lay all over the *eds and #loor, and silled out o# a small cherrywood chest *y the window!
0asryn saw the looks they were all giving him, and knew they susected him o# the#t!
=) donCt have itN> 0asryn honestly told him! &is ga%e dri#ted #rom the little gnome
inventor to "arkham, ,arnet, and #inally his sister 1sha! &e #inally came #ull circle, looking
,ne**ich /um#u%%le directly in the eyes! =) swear *y the (ilver "oon, ) gave it *ack to you
when ) was done!!!done using it!>
0asryn had almost admitted that heCd copied it, *ut Buickly caught himsel#, glancing
Buickly in "arkCs direction #or hel! $he knight nodded, satis#ied!
=&e doesnCt have it, ,ne**ich,> "arkham stated #latly, like an adGudicator ronouncing
Gudgement! =) know 0asryn! 'e grew u together! /esides, $he (ilver "oon is his god! No
white mage would make an oath like that and risk losing all his owers!>
"arkham had le#t out the #act that 0asryn had no reason to steal the scroll, not when heCd
so unethically made a dulicate! 0asryn sighed with relie#, returning his attention to ,ne**ich!
=)# itCs not you, then who else!!!!> ,ne**ichCs almond-*rown eyes suddenly grew wide,
and he eIclaimed, =$he *lasted kenderN (he was under#oot this morning, as ) was reairing my
kiteN>
=$hat sounds #ar more likely,> ,arnet grum*led! "aster +uncan (hadowmaker, the
dwar# he was arenticed to, had assigned ,arnet the task o# making the relacement steel rods
and other arts ,ne**ich reBuired to get his glider o## the ground again! &eCd *een *usy #or
several days, trying to work while several o# (olaceCs children watched, and (hyla went oking
around the smithy, ocketing small items as she wandered! =$hat kender would take the #orge i#
it werenCt so heavyN>
=,o easy on her,> 1sha "aGere told them all! Relie# was evident in her voice when she
reali%ed her *rother had *een vindicated, and she sat down on the lower mattress o# the *unk
*eds the (wordhawk *rothers shared! =Aender donCt steal things, they Gust take them without
reali%ing what theyCre doing!>
=) donCt care i# sheCs a kletomaniac, or the master cat*urgler o# Palanthas,> ,ne**ich
souted, not reali%ing these good eole had no idea what the scienti#ic term #or a kenderCs
condition was! &is tiny cheeks u##ed out and turned red! =) Gust want my ma *ackN )t has my
#light lans drawn out in intricate detailN>
='eCll get your ma *ack, "aster ,ne**ich, have no #ear,> "arkham told him with all
the con#idence o# a Anight o# (olamnia! =$here are only so many laces (hyla could have
gone!>
=(heCs with Aalie and $revlor,> 0asryn told them, shi#ting his weight on the stool! =$hey
went swimming in Crystalmir ;ake this morning! ) told them to get going already, so ) could get
some studying done!>
,ne**ich looked u at the tall human *oy susiciously, as i# 0asryn were guilty o# neglect
in the urloinment o# his missing scroll, even i# he werenCt the culrit who actually stole it!
=:nd you didnCt notice her carrying a long, thin scrollcase in her handsL )tCs too *ig to #it into
one o# her ouchesN>
0asryn closed his eyes, concentrating, thinking *ack to that very morning! &e
remem*ered the sBuealing voices o# the two human *oys, gra**ing towels, a *lanket, and a
*ucket! $revlor had a satchel slung over his shoulder, which heCd said contained lunch #or all
three o# them, *ut (hyla had held a*solutely nothing! 3.Icet #or 0asrynCs small ouch o# cassia,
used #or a charm sell, which heCd Buickly snatched *ack!7
=No, ) didnCt,> 0asryn told him a#ter a #ew moments! =(hyla wasnCt carrying anything!>
=MouCre sure ladL> ,ne**ich asked! =$his is a kender, #or ,earsakeN>
=Huite sure,> 0asryn told him with certainty! =$hey ro*a*ly stoed *y your tent two
watch you work on the glider on their way out o# (olace, and she took the ma then!>
=)tCs a kite,> ,ne**ich corrected! =:nd youCre ro*a*ly right, laddie! ;isten!!!um!!!)Cm
sorry ) susected you! MouCre a white ro*ed wi%ard, like my *rother! ) shouldCve known *etter!>
0asryn smiled, his voice warm and low! =$hatCs all right! ) was the logical susect,
having studied your ma so thoroughly!>
$he young mage glanced at his #riend "arkham, then at ,arnet, *oth o# them sBuirming
uncom#orta*ly! &is #riends were covering #or him, and #or a knight, that must *e un*eara*le!
$he *oyCs ears turned red! 0asryn cleared his throat, then admitted, =1m!!!,ne**ich!!!) have a
con#ession to make!>
,ne**ich and 1sha *oth looked u at that comment! 0asryn #elt *lood rush to his neck
and cheeks, *ut there was nothing #or it! &e Gust had to come clean! =)!!!um!!!) coied it!>
=Mou coied itL> the little gnome asked! $hen, his #ace *rightened, relie# evident on his
#ace! =Mou made a coy o# my #light lanL $hatCs wonder#ulN>
=Meah, ) did,> 0asryn continued, turning around, and reached #or the shelves a*ove his
desk! NeIt to the scrolls o# *lank archment were #ive or siI wooden scroll cases containing
incantations Palin had given him to study! $he *oy selected one, oened it, and unrolled the
archment #or all to see! =(o, i# you donCt get your ma *ack, you can always use this one!>
,ne**ich took the ma #rom the *oy, oring over it with a critical eye, and a wide smile
on his #ace! =:ye, the calculations are all here, including my notations on wind velocity and
udra#ts! Mou even added the entire eastern hal# o# :nsalon, with graduations #or mountain
elevationsN Mou say you did all thisL <ine work, *oy! <ine workN>
='ell,> 0asryn laughed, a little nervously, glad ,ne**ich wasnCt angry with him! =$he
*asic ma was already drawn out! ) Gust took my old ma o# :nsalon, and added all the
inscritions and notations that were on your ma! $here were also some strange notes written in
.ldritch that ) coied into my sell*ook! $he wordings kind o# strange! ) know )Cve seen these
runes *e#ore, *ut ) Gust donCt Buite understand the language, yet!>
=$hank you, laddie, ) really areciate this,> ,ne**ich told him! =)t was good thinking!
) shouldCve made a coy, mysel#!>
=0:(RMNN ":RA&:"N '&.R. )( .F.RM/-+ML> (hylaCs voice suddenly called
#rom downstairs, in the wake o# the "aGereCs #ront door slamming oen! .very*ody looked u!
=1 here, (hyla,> 1sha called, rising #rom AalistaireCs *ed! (he crossed the room to
,ne**ich, and ut a gentle hand on the to o# the gnomeCs head! =$ake it easy on her,
,ne**ich! )Cm sure she didnCt mean to cause any harm!>
$he kender came *ounding u the stes, and rushed, *reathless, into the room! =/oy, am
) glad ) #ound you guysN MouCre never gonna *elieve@>
='&.R.C( "M ":PL> ,ne**ich *ellowed, cutting her o##!
(hyla stoed, ut her hands on her his, arms akim*o, and looked o##ended! =Mou lost
your maL Mou really should learn to take *etter care o# your things, ,ne**ichN )# ) werenCt
around to look a#ter you@>
,ne**ich reached #or (hyla *e#ore any*ody could sto him, *ut the sliery kender
*acked u, *ehind the legs o# the tall (olamnic Anight! =A.N+.RN '&:$ +)+ M-1@>
1sha *end down and gra**ed ,ne**ich *y his small shoulders, holding him *ack!
=,ne**ich, calm down, )Cm sure@>
=) donCt have your stuid olC ma,> (hyla stated indignantly, eeking out #rom *ehind
"arkhamCs legs! =) wouldCve Gust handed it *ack to you, i# ) did! :nyway, thereCs more
imortant things ) have to tell youN $he *oys were kidnaedN>
.very*ody started at this! 1shaCs #ace turned ale! ='hatL>
=$hey were kidnaed *y the Anights o# Neraka, down *y the lake,> (hyla eIlained,
*reathless!
=Aender tales,> ,ne**ich grum*led, not *elieving it! ='hat are +ark Anights doing all
the way out here, in (olaceL>
=$his isnCt very #unny, (hyla,> "arkham chided, *ristling at the mere thought that
something aw#ul mightCve haened to his little *rother! $he two o# them were the only
survivors o# the (wordhawk #amily!
=)Cm not Goking, "ark,> (hyla insisted! =) heard them mention the names Catain
/lackgaard and Aurt Aoonan that you and 0asryn kee talking a*out! $hey almost had me, too,
*ut ) escaed! No*ody can catch a kender i# we donCt want to *e caught!>
0asryn aled at the mention o# those names, his *lue eyes growing wide! (hyla saw her
#riendCs reaction, and continued, =) really didnCt want to leave them, *ut ) #igured some*ody had
to go and get hel!>
=Mou did the right thing, (hyla,> "arkham stated, and then asked, =+id you see which
direction they wentL>
(hyla nodded! =Northwest, into the woods! $here were a lot o# them, "ark! "ore than
twenty!>
0asryn looked at his #riend, ale as his own ro*es! &is worst #ear had come true! $he *oy
had always susected the *aronCs men would return #or him, *ut why AalistaireL
=0asryn,> "arkham called, and the young mage looked u! =)Cm going to reort this to
;ord 'arren! ,et what you need, and meet me at the garrison!>
'hile he said this, "arkham knelt at a chest *y the #oot o# his *ed! ;i#ting the lid, the
young knight started ulling out the ieces o# his armor and Buickly straing them on! 1sha
heled! 0asryn went to a high*oy *y the window, oened the *ottom drawer, and removed
(erannonCs old #orest green elven cloak! &e ut the cloak on over his white ro*e, and then
gra**ed a worn satchel made o# deerskin, and started tossing in things heCd need, like his
sell*ook and a #ew eItra magic comonents!
=0ase, Palin took <lu** to the $ower o# 'ayreth, so youCre the only trained war wi%ard
weCve got,> "arkham said as 1sha straed on his adding! $his statement was true! ;ong ago,
the ,reen +ragon -verlord /eryllinthranoI had sent her +ark knights into (olace, mistakenly
thinking he was resonsi*le #or all the dragons losing their magical owers! Anights,
draconians, sawn, and dragons set #ire to the *uildings, 1lin "aGere had magically destroyed
the old :cademy o# (orcery, and *urned the entire lace to the ground *e#ore it could *e looted!
Palin had since re*uilt the :cademy, o# course! (ince the return o# the three gods o# magic,
wi%ards regained their old owers, and a school was needed to train those gi#ted with magic, to
reare them #or the otentially deadly $est at 'ayreth! $he institution was still called the
:cademy o# (orcery, although Palin had long thought o# renaming it the :cademy o# &igh
(orcery or something more aroriate, since the wild art racticed *y their mortal enemies, the
Anights o# the $horn, was #or*idden *y the gods o# magic! $oo many eole knew the school *y
its old name, however, so it stuck!
0asryn turned out to *e one o# those rare individuals who had *een *orn with draconic
*lood #lowing in his veins, and ro*a*ly would have *ecome a sorcerer, le#t to his own devices!
&e had never needed to cast the Detect !agic cantri! ;ong ago, (erannon had told 0asryn that
his uncanny a*ility to (ense "agic, the tingling sensation he #elt when he handled enchanted
arti#acts, and how he somehow (ensed when a mage cast a ower#ul sell near*y, was his
naturally! $he Red Ro*e wi%ard had also eIlained that 0asrynCs innate ower would grow over
the years! &e could ro*a*ly cloudwalk or <eather#all sontaneously, *ut since he had never had
the rare eIerience o# #alling #rom the sky, this was Gust theory! -ne day, during a eriod o#
severe stress, 0asryn would summon his #amiliar! <inally, heCd gain the a*ility to shaeshi#t into
any #orm he chose!
)nstead o# training to *ecome a sorcerer, however, (erannon *egan the *oyCs studies as a
wi%ard, knowing the gods would someday return! ;ater, Palin had agreed with this decision,
saying 0asryn would *e #ar more ower#ul as a roerly trained 'i%ard o# &igh (orcery!
<inally, o# all the students at the newly re*uilt :cademy, 0asryn was one o# the #ew trained in
magickal com*at! Caitlyn ;o#tern and $amil $ruelight were *oth o## on assignments #or Palin,
accomanying (olamnic Anights #rom the outost! No*ody had eIected this surrise attack on
(olace, and 0asryn was alone!
="ark, )Cm not rearedN> 0asryn comlained, holding u his *lue leather *ound
sell*ook! $here was anic in his voice, in his eyes! =) havenCt memori%ed any com*at sellsN>
"arkham looked across the room at the mage, while straing on his shining *reastlate
with the raised crown and king#isher em*la%oned uon it, and made a #ace! 'i%ards needed to
reare their sells ahead o# time, and it was true that the Anights o# Neraka had caught them all
with their ants down! =&ow much time do you needL>
=:n hour, at least,> 0asryn told him, a#ter thinking #or a moment!
=MouCve got thirty minutes,> "arkham ordered in a command voice heCd only recently
icked u! =)tCll take at least that long #or ;ord 'arren to scram*le the knights and #ootmen!
)Cll tell the sta*le *oy downstairs to have ,ust ready #or you! "eet us at the garrisonCs #ront
gate!>
=-*oyN ) get to reort to your commanderL> (hyla asked in a high-itched sBueal, her
onytail *ouncing with Goy, as she #ollowed the armed and armored knight out o# the room!
:#ter theyCd le#t, 0asryn slaed the #lat o# his hand down on to o# the oen age, closed
his eyes, and racticed the *reathing eIercise Palin had taught him to Buiet his mind! -alm
do"n. >ou "ont do /alie any good like this. /alie doesnt e$ist. This emergency isnt
happening. Just breathe!!!!
: minute went *y, then two! 0asryn oened his eyes, his mind #ocused on the task o#
memori%ing the comlicated magical #ormulas! $hat morning, heCd already memori%ed a #ew
cantris, the +dentify sell, and a #lying incantation #or relaIation a#ter the long hours o# study!
"ost o# those wouldnCt do him any good whatsoever in a real com*at situation! $o these he
added nine more sells o# a more destructive nature, and he included a shield #or de#ense!
0asryn had lost track o# the time, *ut he guessed@he hoed@that only hal# an hour had
assed! *robably longer, he reflected. $he good magician Buickly closed his tome o# magic,
stu##ed it into the deerskin satchel, and slung the stra over his shoulder! :#ter a momentCs
thought, he slied the magical gold ring onto his right hand! $he ring contained two ower#ul
rotective !age Armor dweomers, and right now, 0asryn needed all the rotection he could get!
&e ran down the stes two at a time, kissed his sister on the cheek, and dashed out the
door o# the house! $he )nn o# the ;ast &ome wasnCt #ar, across the wooden *ridges that
connected the mighty vallenwood trees and served as the streets o# (olace! Passing eole on
the *oardwalk with hardly a hurried Ke$cuse me,C the mage ran to the roe ladder that led down
#rom the inn in the trees to the sta*les at the roots o# the ancient vallenwood! $here stood a
sturdy #rame structure o# inewood, *uilt *y Caramon "aGere himsel#!
:lec Aim*ell, the young sta*le*oy, had already reared 0asrynCs mount! ,ust was a
#ine *rown riding horse, #i#teen hands tall, and trained at the :cademy to ignore the weirdness
that surrounded a magician and the miIed scents o# his sell comonents!
=)Cve thrown some sulies into the saddle*ags #or you, 0asryn,> the small *lond
sta*le*oy told him! =0ust in case youCre out there #ighting the +ark Anights #or a #ew days!>
=$hank you, :lec,> 0asryn relied, utting his le#t #oot into the stirru, and Guming u
into the *lack cowhide saddle! &e took the reins #orm the *oy and kicked ,ust in the withers!
)mmediately the horse took o##, racing #or the (olamnic outost on the edge o# (olace!
Not much was *uilt on the ground in this uniBue town, its longtime residents re#erring to
*uild their homes and shos in the mighty vallenwood trees, high a*ove! -n the ground itsel#
were sta*les #or horses and animals o# *urden, *arns #or storage o# grain, hay, and other sulies,
a #ew smithies *uilt o# stone, and the #ort that housed the Anights o# (olamnia who guarded the
tom* right neIt to it!
$he #ort itsel# was constructed mostly o# wood, with stone #irelaces! : tall icket #ence
surrounded the enclosure, with lookout towers at all #our corners! )nside were o##icerCs Buarters,
a main structure #or o##ices, the sta*les, a small smithy, and *arracks #or the men! Palin "aGere
had enchanted the wood structures himsel#, to make them resistant to enemy sells and
conventional #ire! $he gates were oen, and mounted knights in #ull reslendent sterling armor
came riding out, at the head o# a column o# armed #oot soldiers!
'hile searching #or his #riend "arkham, 0asryn sotted two other mages, sitting astride
*orrowed horses, *y the #ront gate! $he *oy rode over to them and nodded in greeting!
="istress :manda, "aster Canthus,> the *oy said, and the two senior magicians, one
wearing a white ro*e, the other draed in *lood red, regarded him!
=0asryn, we heard what haened, and came right over,> :manda told him, her voice #ull
o# comassion! =+onCt worry, weCll get Aalistaire *ack!>
$he *oyCs voice droed! =) hoe so! ,lad youCre here! ) thought ) was all alone!>
Canthus gave him an encouraging smile! =0ust *ecause we teach research and nature
magic, doesnCt mean we donCt know some com*at sorcery, tooN )Cve had my share o# *attles,
what with the +ragon 'ars and their a#termath!>
$he *oy mage smiled at this, weakly! :#ter seven years, he was still learning things
a*out his teachers! Canthus was the one whoCd told 0asryn he could kee the -olor 'pray sell
heCd learned long ago as a twelve-year-old novice! K'o long as you dont make a habit of
collecting 8ed !agic incantations, + dont think 'olinari or 3unatari "ill begrudge you a fe"
lo",rank spells! + strongly recommend you learn invisi*ility as "ell.C
0asryn had #ollowed CanthusC sound advice, and recorded the incantation that would turn
creatures invisi*le #or a #ew minutes into his leather-*ound sell*ook soon a#terward! &eCd read
that long ago, there eIisted a more ower#ul version o# the sell that could turn someone
invisi*le #or 24 hours, *ut it was lost when the wi%ards o# the western coast destroyed the $ower
o# +altigoth, rather than let its secrets #all into the hands o# the Aingriest o# )star!
=;ook over there,> :manda told them, ointing with her chin! =$hereCs something you
donCt see every dayN>
0asrynCs eyes widened in surrise! =$hatCs (hadowmaker, and heCs carrying a swordN )s
that what ) think it isL>
=)t is, lad,> Canthus told him, awe evident in his voice! =) think heCs #inally a*out to
resent his master*lade to some*ody, a worthy knight!>
'hen the mountain dwar# men called (hadowmaker #irst came to (olace and reoened
<lint <ire#orgeCs old smithy, #olk were sketical! $he small stone structure had *een ractically
enshrined *y the locals in memory o# their *eloved &ero o# the ;ance! +uncan was the old
dwar#Cs name in legendary $hor*ardin, now sealed *y the +war# Aing $arn and the Council o#
$hanes to the outside world! &ere, he was named #or a *eauti#ul *eGeweled greatsword which
had hung, rominently dislayed on the *ack wall o# the smithy, shining in the orange light o#
his #orge! &is master*lade, +uncan had named it 'hado"song, the very last sword heCd ever
#orge in this li#e!
'hado"song, +uncan would eIlain with an air o# mystery in his voice, *ecause a ghost
is sometimes called a shade, and a sword turned men into shades! )ts hilt was cra#ted o# olished
gold, inlaid with silver chasing, and had a single er#ect ru*y set in the ommel, with twin star
sahires set Gust *elow the crossguard! +warven runes were etched along 'hado"songCs length,
naming the *lade, and which were rumored to glow with orange eldritch light in the resence o#
evil! .very last knight in the (olamnic garrison, including the ost commander, ;ord 'arren,
coveted this #ine, er#ectly *alanced sword! None could a##ord (hadowmakerCs asking rice,
however! 'hado"song would only go to the ure-o#-heart knight destined to wield it, the smith
reeatedly romised!
Now, aarently, that day had come! $wo dwarves came trotting u to the line o#
knights, riding side *y side! ,arnet )rondelve wore armor #orged #or a dwar# in the dee halls o#
$hor*ardin, and he *ore a mighty war-aIe straed to his *road *ack, in a leather harness
constructed #or that urose! (hadowmaker, too old #or com*at, wore his #orgemanCs clothesJ he
carried the greatsword in one hand, and held the reins o# his ony with the other!
$he knights stoed whatever they were doing, holding their collective *reaths! <or
years, (hadowmaker had #orged naught *ut daggers o# the #inest Buality, cast-iron cauldrons and
cooking utensils, oil *urning lams and lanterns, horseshoes, and the occasional reair o#
(olamnic armor or *arding #or their mounts! /ut no more swords! 'hado"song was his last, and
+uncan was adamant on that oint!
$he smith halted his ony *y ;ord 'arren, looking u at the mounted knight commander
with courtesy in his voice!
=;ord 'arren,> the dwar# greeted with a nod!
="aster (hadowmaker, what *rings you out on such a #ine day as thisL> 'arren asked,
with anticiation in his voice! Covetousness was lainly written in his gray-*lue eyes!
=)Cve heard what haened, my lord! :nd ) know what it is you #ace! 'ith your
ermission, ) would like to resent this weaon, my master*lade, to one o# your *rave knights!>
'arrenCs mustaches #luttered in the *ree%e, and he nodded curtly! :arently, he was
not to *e the greatswordCs reciient, *ut at least one o# his men would wield it! )# ever they
needed a ower#ul, enchanted weaon, now was the time!
(hadowmaker surred his ony into motion, riding Gust a little #urther! &e stoed at a
snow-white dale, a destrier eighteen hands tall, named 'ild#ire, and the only knight whoCd *een
a*le to *reak and ride the #iery *east! (hadowmaker got down o## his ony and reached u! &e
held the enchanted sword, hilt #irst, u to the young Anight o# the Crown!
(ir "arkham (wordhawk was #la**ergasted, his Gaw hanging loose, his *right *lue-gray
eyes wide with wonder! 'hen he #inally managed to seak, it was in a hoarse whiser!
="eL MouCre giving 'hado"song to me9>
(ilently, the old dwarven smith straed the greatsword onto the warhorseCs side with
thick leather stras! .ntranced, "arkham unsheathed the weaon with his right hand, and held it
alo#t in the *rilliant sunlight #or all to see!
,olden sunshine layed across the *ladeCs length and lit u the gems in its hilt! $his was
a weaon #or the greatest o# knights, chosen o# Paladine himsel#, to com*at the #orces o#
darkness and esta*lish Gustice in the lands rotected *y the (olamnic Anighthood!
="aster (hadowmaker, )!!!donCt know what to say,> the young knight shuddered, looking
down #rom his warhorse at the elderly dwar#!
=$ry saying Kthank you,C> +uncan muttered, and then soke lainly, #or all to hear! =,et
your little *rother *ack home sa#e, lad!>
=:yeN> "arkham relied, and watched in rat silence as (hadowmaker got *ack on his
ony! =:nd thank youN>
=,o with them, ,arnet,> +uncan told him! ="ind what )Cve taught you, and watch them
young lads! $heyCve never seen real com*at ere now, most o# Kem!>
=:ye, "aster,> ,arnet answered! :n unsoken message, a look in their eyes that soke
volumes, assed *etween the two dwarves in those #ew seconds! ,arnet )rondelve had seen
*attle *e#ore, during the Chaos 'ar which had le#t their mountain home o# $hor*ardin a
crum*ling ruin! -nly the Northgate comleI had *een le#t intact, which their king had ordered
re*uilt and eIanded into the City o# Norwarden, to house the surviving dwarves o# all siI clans!
+uncan and ,arnet were among those the king had sent out into the world, seeking magicians
who might shore u or even restore the old inner cities o# the mountain kingdom, which the #ire-
dragons o# Chaos had utterly destroyed! /oth un#ortunate dwarves had *een caught outside
$hor*ardin when the council had voted to seal the mountain to the outside world!
(hadowmaker strode o##, *ack to his small stone smithy in town, as his arentice #ell
into line neIt to his human #riend, the young Crown Anight whoCd *een honored this day!
=+onCt let that sword get to your head, "ark,> ,arnet warned him sagely! =.nchanted
*lade or no, yeCll die Gust as Buickly #rom an enemy arrow or some #oul sell!>
"arkham nodded, and sheathed the weaon! =) understand, ,arn! "y sueriors have
taught me well! )Cll kee my shield u!>
=:ll well and good, *ut )Cm here to watch your *ack,> the dwar# grum*led! =0ust as our
#riend the mage is suosed to hang *ack and watch *oth o# ours!
"arkham smiled, and then looked around #or 0asryn! &e #inally #ound the young mage
riding alongside two other magicians, chatting, and remem*ered his own romise to 1sha! &eCd
watch over the kid! No harm would come to 0asryn or Aalistaire while he drew *reath!
CHAPTER FIVE
='e have them outnum*ered, my lord,> :lwalt $all*ow remarked, as the
commanders surveyed the land! /e#ore them, round the lakeCs #ar shore, was the enemy! (ome
twenty dark knights mounted on warhorses, lus another #orty #oot soldiers, armed with
long*ows and swords! : num*er o# the knights also sorted ikes and lances, rearing to
charge on command! No dragon-men, no ogres, no magic-users!
$he #orce under ;ord 'arrenCs command *oasted thirty mounted Anights o# (olamnia,
as well as eighty men-at-arms, lus three mages! .ven as they soke, archers were taking
osition, nocking arrows! $he wi%ards were well *ehind the lines, rearing their sells, and
word had *een sent to (olanthus on the wings o# magic! $wo talons o# dragons and a wing o#
egasus riders were *eing disatched immediately! .ven *y air, it would take the rein#orcements
three days to reach (olace! $he *attle would *e decided *y then, all the veteran knights knew!
=$hatCs what worries me, (ir $all*ow,> 'arren told him, mustaches *ristling! =$hereCs
something very wrong with all this! ) can #eel it in my *lood!>
=(ir 0ocundN> 'arren cried, as an elderly Anight o# the (word rode u to him on a
*rown charger! ='hat word #rom the rangersL>
(ir 0ocund ,rin*lat *rought his warhorse to a sto alongside his commanding o##icer and
saluted! =$he Rangerlord, +orian /arrett, reorts his men are ready to sneak *ehind enemy lines
and into their cam in an attemt to rescue the missing children!>
=<ollowing the instructions o# a kender,> :lwalt muttered!
=:ye, my lord,> 0ocund agreed! =$hat same kender, as well as Anight (wordhawk, the
dwar# ,arnet )rondelve, and the 'hite "age 0asryn (torm, all reBuest ermission to Goin the
rangers in the attemt to rescue the two *oys!>
=$hey do know these woods *etter than anyone else, my lord,> :lwalt commented as
'arren was considering this! =$hose young men all grew u here! $heir advice would certainly
*e *etter than any kenderCsN>
'arrenCs ga%e took in the vast eIanse o# *lue water, re#lecting the tall ine and :sens
that lined its shores, the #lu##y white clouds in the *right *lue sky, the golden sring sunshine
that warmed everything! /irdsong #illed the air! $rout and *ass tinkled the sur#ace o# the water!
Fery tranBuil, very serene, very decetive! 'arrenCs unease grew! $hey only had three mages,
and to send one o# them with the rescue arty seemed the height o# #oolishness! Met, it increased
the small artyCs chances o# success, esecially i# the enemy had a mage!
=Permission granted, *ut tell them to hold *ack until the *attle *egins! $heyCre to sneak
o## under the distraction caused *y the #ighting!>
=Fery good, my lord! )Cll ass the word,> 0ocund answered, saluted, and rode o##!
=$all*ow, give orders #or the archers to make ready to #ire on my command! ) also want
the men under Crownguard and (wi#tlance to #iI lances! -ur knights will charge under cover o#
arrows and magic sells!>
=Mes, my lord,> :lwalt resonded, and rode o## to disatch the commands to the yellow
tent in the rear, where ages waited to run messages!
;ord 'arren continued to survey the *attle#ield, and shook his head, wondering where
his old #riend, Palin "aGere, went o## to!
O O O O O
=Ast "iranann "air to&anis"ar 'oli#ar,> :manda chanted, Gust as the line o# archers
were kneeling, ready to #ire their #irst volley o# arrows! $he sha#ts all took on a #aint red glow,
like do%ens o# small torches! 0asryn watched with interest! &eCd read a*out this sell, *ut it was
one he hadnCt learned yet!
=;--(. :RR-'(N> .rik Crownguard ordered, and the archers let #ly! $he sha#ts sang
in the air, arching toward their targets unerringly! :s they *egan their downward descent, the
wooden sha#ts *urst into #lames that could not *e doused with any amount o# water@magical
,reek #ire arrows! $heir targets *urst into #lames that rose high into the air, the men #alling dead
and writhing in their death-throes!
Near a hundred #eet #rom where the (olamnic arrows #ell and struck, a line o# Nerakan
men-at-arms knelt, aimed their long*ows toward the sky, and released their own volley o#
arrows! :s the enemy sha#ts reached aogee, .rik Crownguard cried orders to his men!
=Raise shieldsN Protect the archersN>
Huickly, soldiers wearing chain mail and helmets ran into osition, raising kite shields o#
shining steel high, to ward o## enemy #ire while their own archers nocked their long*ows again!
$he arrowtis #ell like rain, inging o## the metal kites as loud as hail! 0asryn winced at the loud
reort, and grit his teeth when a lucky shot or two wounded a (olamnic knight on horse*ack!
=Ast "iranann "air Seth(aran!Suh "ali Jalaran,> Canthus chanted, moving his hands
in intricate gestures with such violence that his red hood was thrown *ack, revealing his thick
*rown hair! 0asryn #elt the gathering o# immense magical ower, and saw the air shimmer in
#ront o# the scarlet ro*ed wi%ard! )n a moment, the air suerheated, and a huge *all o# #lame
*la%ed into *eing! Canthus threw it, and the *all *la%ed a direct ath toward the mounted +ark
Anights! $he #ire*all eIloded on imact, *urning knights and their mounts together! 0asryn
heard their screams clear across the lake!
=:rchersN ;--(. :RR-'(N> Crownguard cried, and the men #ired, do%ens o#
*owstrings twanging in unison! 0asryn noticed that the Neraka archers had #ired Gust a second
a#ter the (olamnics did, and this time, he had an idea!
$he *oy #ell into the trance necessary to sellcast, concentrating on the enemy
arrowheads as they aroached the highest oint o# their arc, assing the (olamnic sha#ts in their
deadly #light! 0asryn concentrated on the magic, waved his hands, sculting air with his mind,
and clearly soke the 'ords o# Power2
=Ast astol ith "alis, "ali &udrunin$>
$he wind rose at 0asrynCs command, slamming into the oncoming hail o# enemy arrows
like a wall! $he air current shi#ted, a crosswind sei%ing the #letching o# each arrow, tossing them
sideways! $he arrows came down #ar short o# their marks, most landing harmlessly in the water!
=Not *ad,> Canthus told him with a smile, *reathing Gust a little hard! (weat was #orming
on the middle-aged mageCs *row! =MouCre living u to your name, young (torm!>
0asryn laughed! =$hanksN ) wasnCt sure that would work or not!>
='ind gusts are great #or tossing a #ew arrows, or *lowing away a #og,> Canthus told
him! =0ust wait till you learn how to shae a 'all o# :ir!>
Near*y, :manda had Gust reeated her #laming arrow sell! $he sha#ts all #ound their
marks, slaughtering another score o# men!
$he young mage looked u at the sound o# hoo#*eats headed in his direction! "arkham
stoed ten #eet #rom his #riend, and then signaled #or him to clim* on!
=0ase, itCs time,> the knight in#ormed him!
='e got ermission to goL>
='hat do you thinkL> "arkham resonded with a smile! =&urry u and get on *ehind
meN $he rangers wonCt wait #oreverN>
=,ood luck, 0asryn,> Canthus called to him, as the young 'hite Ro*e mounted 'ild#ire
directly *ehind his #riend!
"arkham cantered o##, headed directly #or the woods on the shore o# the lake! $hey rode
into shadow, swallowed u *y the thick greenery o# the #orest! 0asryn swallowed, looking
around warily!
="ark, this is the +arken 'ood! )tCs suosed to *e haunted!>
=Aender talesN> "arkham sco##ed! =$he only things haunting these woods are +ark
Anights o# Neraka, and our own rangers!>
:s i# to rove his oint, they suddenly entered a small clearing, where twenty-#our
rangers, along with ,arnet and (hyla, waited #or them! 0asryn suddenly wished heCd ridden
,ust, as every*ody else seemed to have his own horse, eIcet (hyla!
=$his the mageL> : #igure clad in #orest-green asked, and the *oy looked u! : hal#-el#,
clean-shaven save #or a Fan +yke, and with shoulder-length *rown hair, had greeted him! $he
Rangerlord wore a longsword at his hi, a long*ow and Buiver o# arrows on his *ack, and an
elven cloak identical to 0asrynCs! &e sat ato a Aaolyn thorough*red, roGecting an air o#
authority!
0asryn gave him a curt nod, then Buickly glanced at their arty! &e counted a num*er o#
humans, a #ew elves, and even a *ar*arian lainsman, who looked to *e a shaman o# the Hue-
(hu tri*e *y his clothing! 'ith a dwar# and a kender, they made Buite a diverse grou!
=(ave your sells #or when we really need them, *oy,> the Rangerlord ordered, and
0asryn simly watched him #or a moment, his sahire-*lue eyes #lashing in the seckled
sunlight that #iltered through the treetos! $he hal#-el# aarently had enough eIerience with
mages that he knew sellcasting taIed their strength, sometimes to the oint o# eIhaustion!
(olinari was waning, which #urther drained his strength! $he *oy was #it and healthy, however,
and #elt he could cast #ive or siI more ower#ul incantations *e#ore #eeling tired!
=Aender, are you a*solutely sure o# the enemy camCs strengthL> the Rangerlord asked!
(hyla glared u at him #rom where she sat, *ehind the shaman! =-# course )Cm sureN
$here were may*e twenty +ark Anights when ) escaed! $im*erwol# and ) snuck *ack and
checked it outN>
=$he cam does aear to *e virtually deserted, my lord,> the Hue-(hu con#irmed! =)
counted twenty-#ive sBuires and siI age*oys! :ll o# the adults must *e on the #ield!>
$he Rangerlord, +orian /arrett, looked like heCd *itten into something sour uon hearing
this news! =None o# this makes any sense! 'hy would the +ark Anights send so small a #orce,
this dee into our territoryL 0ust to kidna a coule o# kidsL>
0asryn *it his li and said nothing! )# it really were the *aron and his men, they came
looking #or Gust one erson2 him! $he *oy mage #elt it in his *ones, and a chill that suddenly ran
u his sine made him shudder!
="y lord, we can learn their motives later, a#ter weCve rescued my little *rother,>
"arkham told him, imatience in his young voice!
=$rue, (wordhawk! ) Gust want to make certain weCre not walking into some sort o#
tra,> +orian told him, and thought #or a moment! =Fery well, weCll #ollow the original lan!
'e ride to within 8?? #eet o# the cam, and then reconnoiter the tent (hyla says the *oys are
*eing held in! "age, do you have a sell that can see whatCs inside #rom a distanceL>
0asryn nodded! =,et me within 58? #eet o# the tent, re#era*ly within line-o#-sight, and
)Cll *e a*le to tell you eIactly whoCs inside!>
=.Icellent,> +orian remarked, and 0asryn #inally laced his accent as Palanthian! $his
man hailed #rom one o# the uer classes o# that great city! &ow a hal#-elven aristocrat came to
*e here must *e Buite a tale, and the *oy intended to ask him a*out it over mugs o# ale *ack at
the tavern this evening!
$he rangers rode on ahead, into the woods! -## in the distance could *e heard the sounds
o# *attle, arrows #lying and magic sells going o##! $hey stoed a good distance #rom where
some color#ul tents could *e seen through the thick #oliage, then snuck u closer on #oot! $hey
crouched low, the rangers nocking arrows to *owstrings and watching care#ully! :#ter a #ew
moments, +orian snuck *ack to where 0asryn was, and ointed to a certain avilion!
=$hatCs the tent, *oy! Cast your magic!>
0asryn nodded! &eCd already taken out a small crystal *all@the si%e o# a large glass
mar*le@#rom one o# his ouches, and his *lue leather magic tome #rom the deerskin satchel, and
oened it to the age that contained the clairvoyance incantation! =) didnCt have it memori%ed, so
)Cll have to read it directly #rom my sell*ook!>
$hat admission earned him a shar look #rom the ranger! +orian didnCt try to hide his
annoyance, and it came out in the tone o# his voice! =&ow long will this takeL>
0asryn thought #or a moment! $he incantation was three ages long, and the casting time
would take aroIimately twice as long as i# heCd already had it memori%ed! =,ive me #ive or
siI minutes to cast the sell, and another #ew minutes to see whatCs inside that tent!>
+orian gave him a curt nod! =$im*erwol#, see to it that the *oyCs not distur*ed! &e
needs to concentrate!>
$he shaman acknowledged his instructions with a nod! +orian le#t so Buietly 0asryn
thought a shadow had assed! $he mage immediately #ell into a trance, taking dee *reaths to
clear his head! )n a moment, 0asryn oened his eyes and *egan reading #rom the age in #ront o#
him! $his was tricky! $here was #ar less chance o# miscasting a sell with the incantation
written out right in #ront o# him, *ut it took longer to cast! "emori%ed sells only reBuired the
wi%ard to utter the #inal verse in order to release the magic! "ost imortantly, he could not *e
interruted at all, or the long and intricate sell would *e ruined, and heCd have to start all over
again #rom the *eginning! :lso, all the magical energy heCd gathered would *e lost, and some o#
his strength along with it! $here was also a slight danger that the incantation would *e
ermanently erased #rom his sell*ook, like when he read a magic scroll, *ut 0asryn didnCt want
to think a*out that right now!
"inutes assed, during which the only sounds were *irdsong, some o# which were the
rangers signaling each other! 'ind rustled the *oughs, laden with #resh new leaves, high a*ove
them! 0asryn had comleted the gathering o# magical #orces, and shaed the energies to er#orm
the e##ects he desired! Now all that was le#t was the #inal line, to activate his sell! $he *oy
looked across the clearing to the tent in Buestion, and ronounced the #inal words2
=Tolin #e"tra Suh tangus!ha"on,> 0asryn whisered, and he #elt the rush that always
accomanied channeling magical energies through his *ody and soul! $he wind rose, rustling
the *ranches high a*ove! $hen the mage concentrated on the small crystal *all in the alm o# his
hand, no larger than a mar*le! (unlight layed across the olished Buart%, and swirled in the
deths o# the small shere! :#ter a #ew moments, an image crystalli%ed in 0asrynCs mind!
0asryn clearly saw Aalistaire, still dressed in the knee-length tunic and *reeches heCd
worn to the lake this morning! Roe *ound the *oyCs wrists *ehind his *ack, with more roe
holding his ankles! &e was sitting u against the center ost that suorted the roo# o# the tent!
Near*y were a cot, a wooden chest, and two or three low stools! No*ody else aeared to *e in
the tent with him!
=) see Aalistaire,> 0asryn said a#ter a moment, not oening his eyes! =&eCs tied u, *ut
okay!>
='hat a*out the other *oy, $revlorL> +orian asked!
0asryn oened his eyes, and shook his head! =&eCs not in there! $hey le#t Aalie
comletely alone! No guard or anything!>
=Check the rest o# the tents,> +orian ordered!
$he mage nodded, knowing this sell would last #or another #our minutes or so! &e
selected the tent right neIt to the one Aalistaire was *eing held risoner in, and eeked inside,
using the (ight given him! Nothing! )t was comletely emty! &e checked another tent, and
another, all eBually a*andoned! <inally, when he came to the #ourth tent, he saw a *ustle o#
activity! $his avilion was occuied *y several individuals, the older *oys dressed in the livery
o# Nerakan sBuires! $he rest all wore tunics that identi#ied them as age*oys! 0asryn almost
turned his attention to the neIt tent, when he suddenly recogni%ed $revlor! $he young mage
gased, and +orian caught that reaction!
='hatL> the ranger hissed!
=) donCt *elieve it,> 0asryn told him, eyes still closed in concentration! $revlor was
sitting at a ta*le, laying dice with three other *oys his own age! &e wasnCt tied u, held cative,
or anything! $he young mage swallowed, #eeling *etrayed! =&eCs!!!$revlorCs dressed as a age!>
0asryn oened his liBuid sahire eyes, looked at +orian, then at "arkham, who was
sitting near*y! ="ark, $revlorCs one o# themN $hat kidCs a sy #or the +ark Anights o# NerakaN>
$he Anight o# (olamnia sat *ack, *lood draining #rom his #ace! )t all suddenly made
sense! &eCd always thought it strange that a small *oy o# ten summers would arrive, lost and
alone in (olace, claiming that the +ark Anights had *urned his village to the ground and killed
every*ody *ut him! )t was early sring, which meant #or $revlorCs story to *e true, he had to
have walked *are#oot through the snowy countryside!
=)Cll wager he ro*a*ly stole ,ne**ichCs ma, too,> ,arnet grum*led! $he dwar# ut a
com#orting hand on 0asrynCs shoulder! =+onCt #eel too *adly, lad! &eCs #ooled us all!>
=Thats suosed to make us #eel *etterL> "arkham whisered harshly! $he knight
reached #or the hilt o# 'hado"song, which heCd straed to his *ack, and ulled the greatsword
#ree o# its Geweled, silver sca**ard! +orian immediately gra**ed "arkCs arm!
=&ave you lost your sensesL> the Rangerlord hissed, looking through the trees, to see i#
anyone had noticed the noise! $hey hadnCt! =Aee silent, Anight! ) only agreed to *ring you
along *ecause ) needed the mage! Mou and the dwar# make enough noise in that steel armor to
wake a dead dragonN>
(colded, "arkham *lushed red, grit his teeth, and nodded grimly! &eCd #orgotten the
o*Gect o# this eIercise #or a moment! $hey were here to rescue two children #rom the clutches o#
the Anights o# Neraka, not grouse a*out the treason o# a small *oy!
+orian sat *ack on his haunches, ga%ing through the *rush, thinking #or a #ew minutes!
&is men, and the #our comanions #rom (olace, watched him intently! <inally, the Rangerlord
soke! =Fery well! &ereCs what we do!>
(o saying, +orian withdrew an arrow #rom his Buiver, and *egan drawing lines in the dirt
with the shar steel head! =AalistaireCs here, in this tent! +er*y, you and (tave will sneak
inside, #ree the *oy, and *ring him *ack to the horses! Pynce, you take your sBuad and osition
yourselves here, here, and here! Aalor, take your sBuad and set yourselves u in a line here,
across to the north! (wordhawk, you, the dwar#, the kender, and the mage take these #our
ositions!>
$he #our comanions watched closely as +orian make #our XCs in the dirt, noting heCd
elected to lace them *etween the rison tent and the tent where all the sBuires and ages were!
0asryn nodded to himsel#, thinking o# Gust the sell heCd cast on the entire grou, should trou*le
start! :s long as the enemy was #oolish enough to come within #orty #eet o# him, theyCd all dri#t
o## to slum*er like *a*ies!
=$he rest o# you are with me! 'e take u osition here,> +orian ordered, and then he
looked +er*y clearly in the eyes! =(hould anything go wrong, +er*y, take the *oy straight *ack
to our lines! &eCs innocent, not involved in this! +onCt look *ack!>
+er*yCs *rown eyes #lashed! ="y lord@>
+orian ut a hand on his loyal #riendCs shoulder, and smiled! ='eCll take care o#
ourselves! 0ust get the child to sa#ety! 1nderstandL>
=Clearly, my lord!>
=,ood! Nock arrows! "age, reare your sells,> the Rangerlord whisered, and 0asryn
smiled! &e slied the sell*ook *ack into his satchel, and he#ted it over his shoulder! &e
a*sently noticed ,arn loading a cross*ow! $he dwar# had a cold, determined look in his eyes
0asryn had never seen *e#ore, eIcet in the Anights o# Neraka, when he was growing u at
Castle Ravenwood! $hat look meant ,arnet was reared to kill, without hesitation or remorse!
)t chilled the teenaged wi%ard to the deths o# his soul! &eCd trained as a war wi%ard, true, *ut
heCd never actually taken a li#e *e#ore!
0asryn swallowed! (o #ar, heCd only cast non-lethal sells, even though he knew
ower#ul heIes that were Buite lethal! 'as he even caa*le o# taking someoneCs li#e, i# the
situation called #or itL (hould a white ro*ed wi%ard even *e considering thisL 'hite "agic was
#or gathering knowledge and heling eole, unlike the sel#ish ursuits o# the other two -rders
o# magic! &eCd heard "aster Palin say that a mage was sometimes called uon to slay the
wicked, to rotect the innocent! $hat was all nice in theory! $his was realN /lood would *e
shed, men would *urn!
(uddenly, the men all rose to their #eet and ran through the trees, into the clearing, and
there was no more time #or second thoughts! 0asryn srang to his #eet and dashed into osition!
"arkham, ,arnet, (hyla, and two rangers were already there, rotecting the young wi%ard, so he
could cast his magic! 0asryn *rought the words o# a ower#ul slum*er sell to his mind, reared
to cast it!
0asryn shot a Buick glance over his shoulder, saw two rangers enter the tent where Aalie
was *eing held, and let out a *reath he wasnCt aware heCd *een holding! $he tension in the air
was thick! &eCd o# course heard all the whisers #rom the knights *ack at cam, and the rangers
here! $heyCd all eIected something terri*le to haen, saying this skirmish seemed too easy!
$hey outnum*ered the enemy! $he +ark Anights *eing here was a comlete mystery! $his
made no sense at all!
: moment assed, then two! $he rangers slied #rom the tent with Aalistaire, running
#or the cover o# trees!
$hatCs when the fear hit! 0asryn #elt his legs weaken, his chest growing tight, as i# steel
*ands had *een tied across his torso! (weat daled his #orehead, and his slender, delicate
hands shook! $he *oy had almost #orgotten the sell heCd *een concentrating on!
: huge dark shadow assed over the verdant grass, the tents, and the grou! : shadow
with enormous, scalloed wings and a long, sinuous *ody!
$he young mage tried to swallow in a suddenly dry throat, and #ound he couldnCt! 0asryn
had only #elt this way a #ew times *e#ore, years ago at Castle Ravenwood! &e suddenly
remem*ered, with the #orce o# a runaway horse! <ather ket a dragon! $he *aronCs mount, his
artner #rom the dragon wars! )# the *aronCs men were really here, then surely the great wyrm
must *e, too! (lowly, 0asryn (torm raised his eyes to the heavens, and saw the great, *loated
#orm he knew heCd #ind!
CHAPTER SIX
$he dragonCs roer name, in -ld &igh 'yrm, was <enalysten! "en called him
Cinder, and he was one o# the largest, most #eared dragons in all the continent o# :nsalon!
-ne hundred #i#ty #eet long he was, #rom #ire-*reathing snout to *ar*ed, scaly tail! &is
ra%or-shar talons could rend steel as easily as aer! &is lightning-Buick tail could ierce a
castle wall like a *attering ram! &is wings, when he #laed them, created gale-#orce winds! &is
teeth were as long and shar as swords, and his *reath could reduce a man to ashes and melt his
armor around him in seconds! <enalysten was the son o# "alystryI, a rince o# his kind! :
dragonlord, he wouldCve claimed a larger demesne o# his own *ut #or an -ath heCd given to his
a*sent Bueen! <enalysten was *ound to a rider, the human /aron Fon /ladmere, *y the most
solemn o# dark vows! .ven in death, the *ond held true! Ahellendros the /lue still sought out
his own rider in the *leak realm o# death! <or his own art, <enalysten was more ractical! &e
saw himsel# as vassal to the *aronCs young heir, Buestions o# the *oyCs loyalty to darkness
notwithstanding!
$he original lan was simle! ;ure the new *aron out o# the sa#ety o# the townJ *ring
him *ack to Neraka #or trial and to assume his duties to the realm! $hat was before <elcra#t had
#ound out a*out the crum*ling old ma! $ruth *e told, i# <enalysten himsel# didnCt recall the
sheer, raw magical ower o# the arti#act in Buestion, he never wouldCve agreed to this!
:s it was, the dragon did as he was *idden! &e soared over the *attle#ield, died low,
and distur*ed the sur#ace o# the dee *lue lake with the sheer #orce caused *y his wings! Cinder
sat out three enchanted #ire*alls, killing the (olamnic Anights in grous o# two or three *e#ore
rising into the clear *lue sky once more! &e saw the *rave, #earless knights cringe at the mere
sight o# him, and chuckled dee within his throat! &eCd #orgotten how much #un this wasN
O O O O O
0asryn nearly wet himsel# in his anic! &eCd comletely #orgotten how terri#ying it was,
Gust to *e near CinderN
Near*y, men screamed! Not Gust screams o# #ear, *ut screams o# surrise, ain, and the
dying! $he *oy looked, and saw two o# the rangers with arrows suddenly sticking through their
torsos, the steel arrowheads glistening with red *lood! 1 *y the tents were three Anights o#
Neraka, armed with long*ows! 'hat #ools they wereN $he knights were here in the cam all the
time, invisible0 $he sell mustCve *roken when they #ired their arrows, to deadly e##ect!
&eedless, 0asryn took a #ew stes #orward! $hree +ark Anights were *arely #i#ty #eet
away! +ou*tless, more invisi*le knights were silently aroaching, swords drawn! $oo #ar
away #or his slum*er sell, *ut well within range o# another enchantment!
=-ut o# my wayN> the young mage cried to his comanions, and *egan casting his sell!
$he two rangers, who had *een standing there trying to rotect the mage, got the hint and hastily
cleared out o# his line o# #ire! ;iterally! $he *oy tightly held a twisted crystal rod, shaed like a
unicornCs horn, gestured with his hands, and soke clearly the 'ords o# Power2
)Ast *iranann *air +adurm Soth,arn!Suh "ali Jalaran$-
$he air shimmered with *uilding heat as he soke! 0asryn could #eel the magical energies
gathering, then discharged as a massive *olt o# *lue-white lightning which lanced across the
#ield! $he *olt turned urle and #lashed #orward a hundred twenty #eet, searing everything in its
ath! "en screamed, writhing, their invisi*ility sell *roken, and #ell thrashing into the grass!
&eCd hit a good twelve invisi*le dark knights with that sell! "ore knights in encased in *lack
steel aeared, swinging their swords, #lanking the grou! 0asryn caught a #lash o# dark *lue
steel and an accomanying orange *lur out o# the corner o# his eye, and he (ensed strong magic!
"arkham swung 'hado"song, arrying, thrusting, #einting, as heCd *een trained! +imly,
he #elt the swordCs leather-wraed hilt vi*rate in his hands, and saw the engraved runes glow
orange, like #irelight o## a #orge! Part o# his mind echoed the words o# (hadowmaker, whisered
*y his #ellow knights! $he runes that selled out (hadowsongCs name would glow in the
resence o# evil! $he greatsword sliced through hardened steel armor and enemy swords as
easily as *utter, meeting little resistance! $he young knight only aused *rie#ly, ga%ing at his
new *lade in awe, a#ter heCd slain every +ark Anight *e#ore him! $hen, "ark heard the whoosh
o# air that accomanied the swinging o# a sword, and he instinctively *locked! )t was as i# the
sword had a mind o# its own, heling "arkham #ight! )t was the same as when he was very
young, and his weaons instructor had ut his huge hands over "arkCs small ones, gently
guiding him during those #irst, uncertain sword strokes!
=*alith "aran!!!> a strange, #oul voice cried on the air! )t had come #rom somewhere o##
to his right, through the *urnt grass and strong smell o# o%one #rom 0asrynCs lightning *olt!
=')Q:R+N> "arkham warned, suddenly reali%ing what was haening! :nother
wi%ard, invisi*le, was casting a sell! &is gray-*lue eyes #lashed in his #riendCs direction!
=0asrynN ,et himN>
$he young 'hite Ro*e had already heard the .ldritch words, and recogni%ed the sell
instantly! 0asryn acted on instinct, and cast a sell with re#leIes honed *y his own com*at
training!
='agen "alis a.she$>
)nstantly, a shimmering translucent disk o# yellow energy, a*out three #eet in diameter,
#lashed into eIistence directly in #ront o# the *oy mage! 0ust as 0asryn ronounced the second
word o# his sell, #ive *olts o# *rilliant white energy had *egun streaking toward their little
grou, and weaved around all other o*stacles2 men, a small male saling, even a tent! :s
0asryn soke the third word, the shield materiali%ed, and three o# the #iery sheres imacted
harmlessly against the eldritch *arrier! $he remaining two *olts struck "arkham and the
shaman, $im*erwol#, whoCd #lanked the mage! $he energy *alls *urned right through armor and
adding to the skin underneath, searing #lesh like scolding hot iron! /oth men screamed,
clutched their chests, and #ell to their knees!
=,et *ehind meN> 0asryn cried, and *ravely steed in #ront o# his inGured comanions,
his only de#ense the glowing yellow shield! &e looked at the enemy mage, and called to mind
the very sell that would hurl those same white-hot *alls o# light right *ack at him!
=(utt day to you, 4err 0asryn (torm,> a hauntingly #amiliar voice, in a chilling Nerakese
accent, addressed him! $he *reath caught in the *oyCs throat in site o# himsel#!
=+anvil <elcra#t,> 0asryn relied in recognition! $he evil mage was a short man, #ive #eet
#our inches in height! &is raven-*lack hair had grayed, and lines were etched dee in his #ace,
*ut those same cold emerald eyes stared across the distance o# sace and time, chilling the *oy to
his very soul! <elcra#t had eIchanged his midnight *lack ro*es #or the gray o# a re*el wi%ard, *ut
his aura o# evil was as tangi*le as ever! &is po"er, 0asryn could (ense #rom where he stood, had
only grown over the years!
=>ou kidnapped /alistaire to lure me out here,> 0asryn accused in #lawless Nerakese! =+
shouldve kno"n it "as you.>
=And you came, the heroic "hite robed mage, and his side,kick, the 'olamnic /night in
shining armor. 4o" predictable. >ou made this all too easy!>
+anvil <elcra#t raised his hands and *egan chanting the words to a long and immensely
ower#ul sell! 0asryn knew his little 'hield would *e useless against what his old master was
rearing to throw at them all!
=Astol ara"h"h!!!!> <elcra#t *egan! $he very sky darkened, thunder rum*led #rom
nowhere and everywhere, as the dark wi%ard marshaled magical ower! )n resonse, 0asryn
*egan motions with his #ree hand, casting his own sell! 0ust three words to activate itN Could
he get it o## *e#ore <elcra#t could #inishL
=*alith *aren, to&a.is"ar$> 0asryn cried, and three *olts o# glowing searing light
eIloded #rom his #ingertis, #lying directly #or the enemy wi%ard! $he *alls wove around the
rangers and +ark Anights *etween them, around the saling tree, ast the small tent, and #inally
*urned their way into the evil mageCs chest!
=:RRR,&N> <elcra#t screamed, collasing to his knees! 0asryn had *roken <elcra#tCs
concentration, ruined his sell! !agic !issile /olts werenCt deadly, unless #our or more o# the
energy *olts struck the heartJ *ut they hurt like *la%es, and certainly did the trickN
: dark knight ran to the aid o# <elcra#t, holding his steel shield u in a vain attemt to
*lock the 'hite Ro*eCs sells, heling the dark mage to his #eet with a #ree hand!
:nother enemy knight swung at 0asryn when he wasnCt looking, and the glowing yellow
shield automatically #loated into lace to a*sor* the *low! .nergy crackled along the swordCs
length, and the magical shield #aded out o# eIistence! Caught *y surrise, 0asryn Gumed
*ackward, out o# range! : ranger steed *etween them, rotecting the young magician with his
raier! $he *oy gased, grate#ul that it had only *een a glancing *low! :nything stronger
wouldCve gone right through what was le#t o# his shield, and continued on to cleave his skull in
twain!
"arkham was still on his knees, shaking his head to clear it! $he *rave knight clutched
his chest, wincing in ain! 0asryn knelt down to hel his #riend, wishing there were a sell o#
healing! :las, such was not the urview o# (orceryJ the gods reserved that ower #or their
clerics! (till, the *oy clased his #riendCs arm, heling "ark to his #eet!
=Mou okayL>
=/urns!!!like hell,> "arkham hissed *etween his teeth, and held a gauntleted hand to his
*reastlate! ='ent right through my armorN +idnCt even damage the steel!>
0asryn nodded grimly, knowing the sell well! )t was most e##ective! =Can you standL
'eCve got to get out o# hereN +anvil <elcra#tCs hereN &eCs #ar too ower#ul #or me!>
=) think ) can manage,> "arkham managed in a hoarse voice! =Mou donCt look to hot
yoursel#!>
)ndeed, 0asryn #elt drained, *one-weary! $he +dentify sell heCd cast on the magic ring
early this morning was eIhausting, in site o# the two hours na heCd taken immediately
a#terward! $hen, this uneIected *attle was uon them all! 0asryn had never cast so many sells
in Buick succession *e#ore, even though heCd *een well trained #or magical com*at! (till, the
*oy mage smiled gamely! =) can cast a #ew more sells *e#ore )Cm comletely sent, "arkham
(wordhawkN ,imme a chance, and )Cll ut all these guys to slee! $hen we can all sneak away
while they snoo%e!>
"arkham nodded, not wanting to argue! (weat oured down his #ace, and he grunted,
=&urry!>
$he *oy solemnly rose to his #eet and raised his hands, reared to cast his slee sell!
0ust then, he heard the strained voice o# +anvil <elcra#t, chanting on the *ree%e!
=Astol ara"h"h "alis!!!!>
0asryn immediately switched sells, motioning #or a di##erent incantation! )t was #ive
words long, *ut the a*Guration sell was their *est hoe #or survival! &e knew <elcra#t had *een
toying with him u till now! Now that 0asryn had really annoyed the old mage, heCd surely
unleash magic too terri#ying to contemlate! Clearing his mind, the teenage wi%ard chanted the
words to the only sell he knew that might hel them!
=Tsaran "alith avaun "ara,emarth$>
.ven as 0asryn ronounced the #inal words, he knew it was too late! &e could #eel the
dark magicks taking shae around him, saw the shimmering o# the air, and #elt the ground #all
out #rom under his #eet! $he sky and the earth swam in circles around him, causing a sickening
sense o# vertigo! $he sinning seemed to go on #orever! 'hen it #inally stoed, the *oy was
still da%ed, the entire world whirling like a dervish, even though he #elt solid ground *eneath the
alms o# his hands and under his knees! &e knelt in the dirt, guled dee lung#ulls o# air, and
tried to clear his head!
&hat did Danvil hit us "ith9
=ReorI *elow, ) hate transort sells,> the dwar# grum*led, #rom somewhere o## to the
mageCs right! +imly, as he #ought o## nausea, another art o# the *oyCs mind analy%ed the weird
eIerience, and he reali%ed ,arn was ro*a*ly right! 0asryn oened his eyesJ saw sangled
sunlight shining through the trees, with siI o# his comanions srawled on the #orest #loor around
him! :ll the others, including the +ark Anights and +anvil <elcra#t, were nowhere to *e seen!
=$oo ower#ul,> 0asryn gased, still on his hands and knees! =,ods, heCs hideously
ower#ulN>
=MeCre right a*out that, laddie,> ,arnet mum*led, staggering to his #eet! $he dwar# took
a #ew #altering stes, coughed and sat, shook his head, and then turned to the others! =)s
everyone all rightL>
='ow, that was #unN> (hyla eIclaimed in a sickeningly cheer#ul voice! .very*ody shot
her a dirty look! $he kender looked chastised! ='hatL>
,arnet shook his head! =-nly a kender would think that was #unN "arkham lad, can you
standL>
=) think so,> the knight managed to gas! &e sat u, ut his weight on 'hado"song, and,
with the swordCs oint in the dirt, used the golden hilt to ull himsel# to his #eet! $he dwar#
stoed him hal#way!
=(tay where ye *e, lad! 'ait till the shaman has a look at ye,> ,arnet cautioned!
=CanCt!!!we could *e attacked at any moment@>
=) dou*t it, "ark,> 0asryn told him, looking around! =) think ,arnCs right! $hat was a
teleport sell +anvil cast on us, an eItremely ower#ul one! ) tried a countersell, to dispel his
magic, and ) think ) was only artially success#ul!>
='hat do you meanL> "arkham asked!
=Dispel !agic is one o# my most ower#ul incantations! 'hile ) wasnCt success#ul in
*locking it, ) think ) at least threw his aim o##! 'eCre not where he meant to send us, or weCd
ro*a*ly *e in a dungeon right now, surrounded *y armed guards!>
$he knight ran his tongue over dry lis at this new in#ormation!
=-kay, then where eIactly are "e9> "arkham asked, looking around care#ully! <erns,
#irs, and ines reached skyward all around them, instead o# the Fallenwoods, oak trees, and
males near (olace! Patches o# ice covered arts o# the ground and some near*y *oulders,
*esoke o# recent snow#all! $he air was chill, *ut #resh and invigorating!
=)Cm a#raid to ask,> 0asryn said under his *reath, although "arkham caught it! 'i%ards
were arrogant as a rule, and suosed to have all the answers, *ut 0asryn was still young enough
that "ark saw right through the act!
='eCre at the *eginning o# a great adventure, Gust like we lannedN )snCt this eIcitingL
'hat a strange and wonder#ul #orestN ) wonder i# weCll #ind any *earsL )Cd like to see a@>
=,ive it a rest, kender,> the dwar# grum*led, turning around in a #ull circle, taking in
everything! ='eCre ro*a*ly in very dee trou*le, thatCs where we are!>
"arkham nodded agreement and glanced in $im*erwol#Cs direction! $he shaman was
kneeling over the Rangerlord, chanting in Hue-(hu, his eyes closed in rayer! $he clericCs hands
rested on the hal#-el#Cs chest, whose leather Gerkin was ulled oen to reveal reddened, sore #lesh!
.ven as he watched, the redness slowly #aded away!
0asryn saw this miracle, *linked, and once more wished (olinari granted such healing
owers to his worshiers!
=:re you inGuredL> the shaman asked, aroaching "arkham, concern evident in his
voice! 'hen "ark hesitated, the shaman chided him! =) saw you get hit *y a magical *olt, (ir
Anight! (to retending to *e okay, and ull o## that *reastlate! ) have to lay hands on in order
to heal you!>
=) thought only clerics o# "ishakal could heal,> the knight inBuired! &e hissed with ain
as he shi#ted his weight!
$im*erwol# smiled and shook his head! ="y healing gi#ts are limited! Airi-0olith will
only cure good-hearted warriors who are inGured in *attle! : cleric o# "ishakal can heal anyone!
Now, let me see your inGury!>
(ighing with resignation, "arkham reached u to undo the leather stras that *ound the
shining silver *reastlate to his torso! $he shaman knelt to hel him! ='hat are you called,
AnightL>
="arkham (wordhawk,> he admitted weakly, letting himsel# *e stried o# his armor and
tended to! )t was no shame to *e inGured during his #irst real *attle, "arkham knew, *ut he didnCt
know o# a single knight in the entire -rder whoCd admit to weakness, even i# heCd had an arm or
a leg cut o## in com*at! $he young man hissed when $im*erwol# *egan to remove the adding
*eneath the *reastlate! (teeling himsel#, "ark nodded Buickly in 0asrynCs direction!
=$he mage is my childhood #riend, 0asryn (torm! $he mountain dwar# with the nasty
disosition is ,arnet )rondelve, and the annoying little kender is (hyla Pouch#inder!>
=(hyla ) know already,> the shaman told him as he #inally removed the white adding,
revealing *listered, sore #lesh *eneath! )t looked as i# an inBuisitor had taken a glowing red
*randing iron to the young knightCs chest! ='e scouted out the enemy cam together! ) am
$im*erwol# o# Hue-(hu! "y old #riend the Rangerlord is +orian /arrett, also known as
+orianayllyn the hal#-el#!>
"ark nodded! /oth men wore hunting leathers, *reeches and Gerkins dyed #orest-green!
$hey were each armed with a large Buiver o# arrows and yew long*ows, sanded smooth! +orian
also *ore a raier and a dagger, and a cloak that looked a lot like 0asrynCs! $im*erwol# also had
a glittering latinum arrowhead, worn as a talisman! 'ith a start, "ark recogni%ed it as the holy
sym*ol o# Airi-0olith!
=$im*erwol#, you tend to the knight! )Cll *e *ack,> +orian said suddenly, and Buickly
melted into the #orest! $he shaman nodded, *ending to his work!
$he knight hissed as $im*erwol# laid his hands on his wound, then #orced himsel# to *e
silent! $he shaman chanted in Hue-(hu, a melodious rhythm! (lowly, even as he watched, the
in#lamed #lesh healed *y inches! $he others stared, entranced! )n a #ew minutes, the *urn was
comletely gone!
=ReorICs <orge,> ,arnet *reathed in rat wonder! =$he gods must have truly returned to
Arynn, i# you can do thatN>
=)ndeed, #riend ,arnet,> $im*erwol# told him! =:ll save Paladine and $akhisis have
returned, and not even my wise grand#ather, Catchstar, knows why!>
=C$is *ecause $akhisis is dead, and PaladineCs *ecome a mortal, an el#,> "arkham
eIlained, hissing! =Palin "aGere was there when it haened!>
,arnet nodded! =:ye, )Cve heard the rumors, *ut weCve no time to discuss the gods Gust
now! 'here are we, and how do we get *ack to (olaceL>
"arkhamCs head turned in the mageCs direction! =) donCt suose you can Gust wave your
hands and whisk us *ack homeL>
$he *oy mage shook his head with a sad smile, knowing "ark was kidding! ='ell
*eyond my hum*le owers, "ark! 'eCll have to walk!>
=) was a#raid youCd say that,> the knight relied! ='hich means we have to scout around
a *it! (hyla, why donCt you go with!!!(hylaL Now whereCd that kender run o## toL>
=Pro*a*ly stirring u a hornetCs nest,> ,arnet relied! =)# ) know her!>
="ayha,> $im*erwol# said! =) roose that +orian and ) do the scouting! "aster
,arnet, would you *e kind enough to gather some #irewood and kindlingL>
$he dwar# looked du*ious! =Mou want to cam here9>
='hy notL 'eCre not going anywhere #or several hours! $wo o# us are recently healed
#rom grievous wounds, the mage is sent, and the kender is missing already! $hereCs #resh water
ten #eet or so ast the *rush! CanCt you hear the water #lowing in the *rookL :nd the two o# us
can do a little hunting while weCre out scouting!>
,arnet nodded his assent, *ut grum*led out o# character! ='e donCt even have our acks!
'e le#t them in +arken 'ood with our horses! No #lint, no@>
=) have #lint and tinder,> 0asryn ied u, cutting the grousing dwar# o## in midsentence!
$he *oy unslung his satchel #rom around his shoulders, undid the leather ties, and oened it! &e
shu##led through some small ouches containing eItra magic comonents and a #ew steel coins,
some dried #ruit and nuts, his sell*ook, and a coule o# waterskins *e#ore he #ound the small
steel *oI heCd *een #ishing #or! $he mage handed it to the dwar#! =Now, i# you donCt mind, )
really am very tired, and )Cm useless to you unless ) rest!>
=,o ahead, *oy! 'hen you wake, weCll have suer waiting #or you,> $im*erwol#
romised, and slied o##, silent as a #awn, to Goin the Rangerlord!
'ithout another word, 0asryn wraed himsel# in his #orest-green cloak, ulled the hood
u, and lay down on the ground! "arkham gased! &is #riend had turned into a ile o# #allen
ine needles, indistinguisha*le #rom the #orest #loor! ,arnet caught the young knightCs reaction
and laughed!
=)tCs his elven cloak, lad! $hat RangerlordCs got one, too! <irst saw Kem during the
Chaos 'ar! :lmost as good as *einC invisi*le!>
"arkham continued staring at the ile o# ine needles in wonder! =0asryn said the cloak
used to *elong to his old master, (erannon, a red ro*ed wi%ard! /ut ) never susected@he ket
this #rom me, all these yearsN Now ) know how he used to win at &ide-N-(eek when we were
childrenN>
=:ye! Now, i# yeCre #inished gawking, hel me! Clear these leaves, dig a #ire it, and
line it with stones while ) #ind us some #irewood!>
'earily, "arkham (wordhawk rose and got to work! )t ket his mind o## his little
*rother and his #riends and #ellow knights, all le#t *ehind in (olace, at the mercy o# +ark Anights
and a *loated red dragon! &ow 0asryn could ossi*ly slee at a time like this was *eyond him!
$hen again, 0asryn "as a mage, and they were all strangeN
CHAPTER SEVEN
=Neraka,> 0asryn reeated in dis*elie#, as $im*erwol# revealed their
aroIimate location, *ased on the osition o# the stars, terrain, the native #lora and #auna, and
the climate! Reluctantly, the young mage was #orced to admit that the shaman was right! 0asryn
himsel# recogni%ed the terrain, and even the mountains looked #amiliar!
$he mage swallowed a mouth#ul o# water, then another, *e#ore admitting his own, rivate
#ears to the others *y the light o# the cam#ire! ="akes sense! )# +anvil <elcra#t and Cinder
were in (olace, they were ro*a*ly sent a#ter me!>
.very*ody stared at the *oy in the #lickering orange #irelight! =MeCre Gust imagining
things, lad,> ,arnet said kindly, *ut "arkham added his own Buestion!
=CinderL> the young knight asked! : stick o# wood oed in the #lames, sending sarks
heavenward!
0asryn nodded! $he #lickering orange light layed o## his white cotton ro*es! =$hatCs the
name o# the dragon! $he *aron ket him at the castle! -ccasionally, he #ed people to Cinder!
Criminals, mostly!>
=;ovely,> "arkham murmured! &e twirled a twig through his gloved #ingers, and tossed
it into the #lames!
='hereCd that kender get toL> ,arn asked #or what mustCve *een the thousandth time!
&e eered into the darkness, *ut the cam#ire inter#ered with his dark vision, a trait heCd
inherited #rom a Aair clan grand#ather! =(he shouldCve *een *ack *y now, *last her!>
=)Cm sure (hylaCll turn u,> $im*erwol# reassured him, again #or what must *e the
thousandth time! &e heled himsel# to some roast ra**it #rom the coneys theyCd shot on their
com*ined scouting/hunting mission! $he shaman used a iece o# wood #or a late, and cut the
meat with his dagger! ='e #ound her tracks in the woods, headed northeast! Not easy to #ind the
tracks o# a kender, mind you! (he clim*ed the hulk o# a #allen tree that had *een struck *y
lightning, icked some wild#lowers that grew *y a stream, and continued on her meandering
course!>
0asryn looked u a*sently! &eCd washed his greasy hands clean with water #rom his
waterskin, and then dried them on his cotton ro*e! $hen he removed his sell*ook #rom the
satchel and started reading *y #irelight! &e needed to memori%e his sells, and chose what he
Gudged to *e the most use#ul #or their situation! =) wouldnCt worry! (hylaCd charm a mountain
*ear out o# his ot o# honey!>
='hatCs thatL> ,arnet growled! &e really was concerned #or the kender, *ut heCd never
admit it to her!
=) said, (hyla can charm a wild *ear out o# his honey ot,> 0asryn reeated, looking u
#rom his magical tome! =Now, lease sto distracting me! ) have to memori%e my incantations,
then )Cll take the neIt watch!>
=(ure youCre u to itL> "ark asked, not a little concern in his voice! =Mou looked retty
wied out!>
=)Cm #ine now,> 0asryn snaed, a little too Buickly!
=No, yer nae, laddie,> ,arnet said with warmth and comassion! :s the *oy looked u,
his eyes changed to golden in the #irelight! =$his was yer #irst *attle! ) saw that *olt o# lightning
you cast, and the look o# horror in yer eyes! MeCve never killed *e#ore!>
0asryn #ro%e, and then shuddered as the memory came rushing *ack! <ear would have
#ro%en him, had it not *een #or his intense training! Com*at sellcasting, hundreds o# ractice
hours weaving sell and countersell until he could do it in his slee, had Gust saved all their
lives! $he situation had resented itsel#, and heCd Gust acted! &e threw the lightning *olt, and
killed several men! Now, he had to deal with the emotional a#termath, which no*ody had
reared him #or! $he *oy shook his head and stuck his nose *ack into his sell*ook!
=) donCt have the time #or grie#, ,arn! ) donCt dare think a*out whatCs haening *ack
there, right now!>
$he dwar# inched closer to the *oy, and laid his hand on his shoulder! =AalistaireCs okay,
lad! &e had ten rangers to rotect him!>
:cross the #ire, "arkham stared at ,arnet, a*sor*ing his words, raying to Paladine and
Airi-0olith that it was true! 'ithout consciously willing to do so, "ark gave voice to his inner
thoughts! ="ay*e, *ut what a*out the rest o# our #riends, ,arnL $hat was a red dragonN &e
couldCve set the whole town a#lameN>
=No, he wouldnCt have,> $im*erwol# said with certainty! ='e didnCt have the chance to
tell you, *e#ore! $he :cademy o# (orcery sent several messages out, including one to the $ower
o# 'ayreth! Palin "aGere sent word he was on his way *ack with the entire $owerCs garrison o#
mages, #rom all three -rders o# magic! : dragonCs ower#ul, *ut surely even this Cinder canCt
ossi*ly stand u to the entire 'i%ardCs ConclaveN>
(ilently, 0asryn had to agree with that! :cross #rom him, he saw "ark was com#orted *y
these words, and he muttered, =$hank the gods!>
=(eeL ;ittle AalieCs ro*a*ly *ack at the )nn o# the ;ast &ome right now, enGoying a
hearty mealRwhich is where ) wish "e wereN>
0asryn giggled at that, knowing the dwar#Cs #ondness #or ;auraCs #amed cooking, and her
ale and *eer on ta! (olinari knew, heCd served ,arn and his master, (hadowmaker, enough
helings in one evening to satis#y an entire army o# $hor*ardin dwarves!
,arnet atted the *oyCs shoulder, and then reached #or some more roast ra**it! ='hat
this needCs is some nice mushrooms! 'e grow #i#ty-three varieties in the dee warrens o# our
mountain home! -ver two-thirds o# thatCs #or #ood, and one thirdCs #or clothing, roe, and other
sulies!
='hy did you leaveL> $im*erwol# inBuired!
,arnet )rondelveCs gray eyes #lashed in anger #or a moment, then he calmed down when
he reali%ed the human didnCt mean any harm *y his Buestion! &e was Gust curious! =$he king
sent several grous out into the world, seeking magic to reair the damage to the mountain
kingdom the dragons caused! 'hen the doorkno*s on the Council voted to seal the mountain,
we were caught in the -utlands! Now, we canCt return home until the thanes, in their in#inite
wisdom, decide to let us *ack inN>
=Mou have my symathies, "aster )rondelve,> $im*erwol# told him, then looked u at a
sudden sound, the call o# a night*ird, which was not native to these mountains! =.Icuse me,> he
said, and rose silently to investigate! :#ter a minute, ,arnet got u and #ollowed him, leaving
0asryn to study his incantations and "arkham to *rood and worry!
$he dwar# hadnCt gone #ar, erhas a hundred #eet or so into the woods, when he saw the
two tall rangers, $im*erwol# and +orian, talking in hushed whisers! :s silently as he could@
steing on a twig, loudly snaing it, and swearing at the noise@,arnet aroached them to
see what was wrong!
=+ark Anights,> $im*erwol# told him without ream*le! =$wo o# them! +orian says it
looks like a atrol!>
='hereL> ,arnet asked, eering out into the night! Now there was nothing to inter#ere
with his dark vision, and he saw everything clearly! $he human and hal#-el# aeared as two
#igures in varying shades o# red! $he dwar# also saw several small red #orms, scurrying along
the ground, or sitting in the *oughs o# the trees!
=<our miles to the north,> +orian /arrett told him! =$heyCre on horse*ack, using a well-
worn ath through the #orest! $hey might miss us, might not!>
=/etter tell the lads to douse the cam#ire, ,arnet,> the shaman advised!
=,ood idea,> ,arnet relied, turning to do Gust that, then, he aused! =:ny sign o#
(hylaL>
$he Rangerlord shook his head! =) #ound her tracks! (heCs still headed northeast,
ro*a*ly #ollowing something or someone, *ut darned i# ) know what! $here was only one set o#
tracks!>
=&arrumhN Pro*a*ly chasing a *ird,> ,arnet sco##ed! =Dumkoff o# a kenderN )# she
gets caught *y those knights, )Cll thrash herN>
(o saying, the dwar# trudged o##, *ack to their cam! &e started tossing dirt on the #ire
without eIlanation, still dee in thought, when the mage cried out in surrise!
=&eyN ) need the light to read@>
=(orry, lad,> ,arnet muttered, still tossing dirt! =$im*erwol#Cs orders! $hereCs a atrol
o# dark knights, #our miles o##! 'e donCt want to attract their attention!>
$he mage and the knight Buickly eIchanged a look, thinking eIactly the same thing!
=$hey might have horses,> "arkham stated!
=:nd sulies, and more imortantly, in#ormation,> 0asryn added!
=&old itN> ,arnet cried, suddenly straightening to his #ull height o# #our #eet! =Mou two
stay right hereN MouCre eIhausted, 0asryn (torm, and youCre inGured@>
=Not anymore,> "arkham returned, Buickly straing on his greatsword! =$im*erwol#
healed me, remem*erL>
=/ut!!!ye still need yer restN> the dwar# said to the mage!
=) slet #or a #ull eight hours, ,arn,> 0asryn countered, tossing his magic tome into the
satchel and slinging it over his shoulder! =)Cm ready #or anythingN>
=Mou manage to memori%e any sellsL> "arkham asked as they strode o## urose#ully
into the woods, in the direction the two rangers had gone!
0asryn nodded! =$hree! ) still havenCt used my sleep sell, so thatCs still ready to go! )Cll
sneak u on them, send them to dreamland, then we can tie them u and Buestion them!>
=(ounds like a lan,> "arkham agreed! $he dwar# #ollowed at their heels, muttering all
the way! 'hen they aroached the air o# rangers, "arkham soke u, asking vital Buestions!
=$im*erwol#, where are those +ark AnightsL>
+orian ointed! =$hataway! $heyCre on heavy warhorses, dales, and theyCre armed to
the teeth! ) wouldnCt mess with@>
='e need those horses,> "arkham stated #latly! $im*erwol# *ristled, recogni%ing the
command tone in the (olamnicCs voice! =0asryn can knock them out with a single sell@>
=:re you out o# your mindL> +orian asked simly! =$hose knights are #rom a garrison
somewhere near*y@>
=Mou donCt know that,> "arkham retorted! ='e donCt know anything! 'hat we do need
is in#ormation, and ) canCt think o# a *etter way to get it!>
+orianCs mouth snaed shut! $he knightCs argument was too logical to contradict! (till,
the Rangerlord had a nagging #eeling, right in the *ack o# his neck that no good would come
#rom this! (lowly, +orian nodded his consent! NeIt to him, so did $im*erwol#!
=0asryn can sneak u in that cloak o# his, enchant them *oth to slee, and then weCll have
catives to Buestion,> the knight suggested!
$im*erwol# nodded! =(ounds reasona*le! &ow close do you have to get to themL> he
asked the mage!
='ithin #orty #eet,> 0asryn told him!
=$hatCs a short *owshot,> +orian warned, an edge to his voice!
=$hey wonCt see me! 'eCre in the woods at night, er#ect conditions #or the cloak to hide
me,> the mage eIlained!
=+onCt sound so arrogant, *oy! )Cve an elven cloak, too! $heyCre not #oolroo#! ) can
shoot a ra**it in the dark Gust *y the sound it makes,> +orian told him gravely! =Mou have to
chant your magic words, donCt youL>
=$heyCre not rangers! $heyCre knights, in #ull, noisy, latemail armor,> 0asryn countered!
+orian *lew *etween his teeth! )t wasnCt that 0asryn was a mageJ it was that he was a
hotheaded teenager, who thought he knew it all! =MouCre ro*a*ly going to get yoursel# killed,
*oy! /ut i# youCre willing to try this!!!!>
=$he decisionCs made, +orian,> 0asryn told him #latly! ='e need those horses, and we
need in#ormation even more! 'eCre going!>
$im*erwol# nodded! =Ferily! 'eCll rovide a distraction #or you to work your magic!
0ust *e very care#ul!>
$he grou moved north, at a Buick ace! $he humans tried twice over unseen
o*stacles in the dark, *ut ,arnet heled them *ack u, chiding them a*out night-*lindness, and
how #oolish this insane lan o# theirs was! <inally, they reached a large, gnarled #ern tree near a
running *rook that +orian said was close to the ath the knights were riding on! 0asryn couldnCt
see it clearly, and wished #or light! -ne word would summon a shining glo*e! -# course, that
would de#eat their element o# surrise!
$he mage took osition, and drew u his hood, #ading #rom sight! &e called the 'leep
enchantment to mind, gra**ed a hand#ul o# sand, and reared to cast his sell!
$he grou waited #or long minutes! <inally, 0asryn thought he heard the sound o#
hoo#*eats in the distance, growing closer! :#ter several more minutes, two dark shadows
aeared, coming u the ath at a trot! $hey were chatting in Nerakese, which 0asryn recogni%ed
#rom his early childhood!
$he *oy *it his li! &e still hadnCt told "ark, his *est #riend, the whole truth a*out "hy
the *aronCs men were really a#ter him! /esides *eing the *aronCs adoted son and heir, <elcra#t
had once told him solemnly2 K>ou are one of us. >ou belong forever to the dark god of magic.
:obody leaves the Order. The only "ay you leave us is in death.C
/y #ar, the most #rightening thing that had haened to 0asryn yesterday a#ternoon,
outside o# CinderCs aearance, was seeing <elcra#t again! &is old master had changed little,
eIcet he seemed to *e even angrier and more venomous than *e#ore, i# that were even ossi*le!
$he moving shadows had moved closer to 0asrynCs osition! $he moment was almost
uon him! &eCd wait #or the knights to ass, and #or $im*erwol# to distract them! +orianCs
warning that he could *e shot was #oremost in his mind! $he mage sBuinted in the dark! $hey
didnCt look to *e carrying *ows, *ut that didnCt mean they werenCt! 0asryn held his *reath as the
knights assed, thinking he was a thin saling, due to the disguising magic o# his cloak!
(uddenly, a *ird calledJ an owl, *y the sound o# it! $hen came the unmistaka*le sound o#
long*ows twanging, and sha#ts cutting through the night air@the rangers, distracting the +ark
Anights! NeIt, he heard the sound o# two swords *eing ulled #ree o# their sca**ards *y the
knights on horse*ack! &eCd *een right! $hey "erent armed with *ows!
$he mage walked directly onto the ath, and stood a good twenty #eet *ehind them! .ven
i# they turned around now, theyCd never see the cloaked mage in time to react! 0asryn tossed the
hand#ul o# sand in their direction, and chanted so#tly2
=Ast tasara" Sinuralan "r.nawi!> $he air o# knights instantly slumed in their saddles!
$he horses, too, shook their heads, and then lay down onto the dirt ath! &eCd #orgotten until
nowJ (olinari was in conGunction with Nuitari this night, which *oosted the ower o# every sell
cast *y mages wearing *oth white and *lack ro*es! 0asryn smiled *eneath his hood! =$oo easy!>
$he mage saw his #riends aroach warily, arrows nocked and sword drawn! ,arnet had
his cross*ow out, and "ark held 'hado"song out in #ront o# him, grasing the hilt with *oth
hands! 0asryn ulled his hood *ack and reaeared!
=Mou guys worry too much! $heyCre out like *lown candles!>
=:ye,> $im*erwol# returned, aroaching the slum*ering +ark knights with not a little
degree o# caution, then #inally unnocked his arrow and returned it to his Buiver! =Now comes the
hard art! 'e have to Buestion them!>
='eCre going to ha#ta get those horses o## Kem #irst,> ,arnet gried! =$heyCre lying on
to o# KemN>
=-ne thing at a time, good dwar#,> +orian whisered! =-ne thing at a time!>
=0asryn, can we have a little lightL> "ark asked!
=Shira",> the mage said in resonse! &e held his right hand u, and a glo*e o# ale *lue-
white light *urst into eIistence, lighting u the whole area!
=-1C&N> ,arnet cried! ='arn me *e#ore you do that, ladN ) have dark visionN>
=(orry,> 0asryn aologi%ed, and then *ent closer!
=&ow long will they *e out #orL> +orian asked, ositioning himsel# around the horse,
and *ending over to get a good gri!
=<ive or siI minutes,> 0asryn told him, walking toward the Rangerlord to give him more
light! 'hen the ranger looked u and gave him a shocked look, the *oy shrugged! =&ey, )Cm
only an arentice! )Cm not that ower#ul, yetN>
+orian strained, and the others *ent to hel him! =,ods, this thing weighs a ton and a
hal#N ,ive me a hand! No, not you, 0asryn! 0ust hold that light u!>
+orian, ,arnet, $im*erwol#, and "arkham *ent to the task o# li#ting the massive,
unconscious warhorse! :s they all got a good gri, "arkham looked u at 0asryn! =Can you
ull him out, a#ter we li#t this thingL>
=(ure,> the mage shrugged! &e removed his hand #rom the glo*e o# light, and the or*
#loated where he le#t it! $he *oy then gra**ed hold o# the knightCs shoulders, reared to drag
him to sa#ety once the weight was o## o# him!
,arnet suttered #or a moment, #la**ergasted at the #loating will oC the wis their mage
had conGured!
=Me can do thatL 0ust leave it hanginC in the air like thatL> the dwar# asked!
=KCourse! $he glo*eCs made o# air, so why shouldnCt@>
=Never mind,> +orian snaed! =0ust get ready to ull him outN .very*ody readyL -ne,
two, three!!!!>
:s one, the #ighters strained, and the dale li#ted nearly a #oot! $he mage ulled, dragging
the +ark Anight out #rom under his #allen mount, and the men gently let the animal down on the
ground again! 0asryn Buickly relieved their risoner o# his weaons, tossing them onto the
ground a #ew #eet away!
$im*erwol# straightened! ='hat wasnCt so *adN>
"arkham oened the daleCs saddle*ags, #ound a length o# roe, and tossed it to the mage!
=0ase, cut some cord #rom this, and tie him u Buickly! 'e still have to #ree the other one!>
0asryn nodded, slied his dagger out #rom under his right sleeve, and cut two lengths o#
roe! &e swi#tly *ound the manCs hands and #eet, and then went over to the other warhorse,
where his #riends were rearing to reeat the rocedure! $he *oy got a good gri under the
unconscious knightCs arms, reared to ull!
=-kay gentlemen, like *e#ore! -ne!!!two!!!threeN>
$he mage eItracted the knight, *ut this time he noticed there was something wrong! $he
manCs leg was twisted at an unnatural angle! =-os! ,uys, ) think his legCs *roken!>
"arkham walked over and winced! =MouCre right! $im*erwol#, weCre going to need
your services!>
$he dwar# straightened! ,arnet and +orian stared silently at the young (olamnic Anight!
&e didnCt understand! =Mou want to heal himL>
0asryn aused in the act o# *inding the +ark AnightCs hands! /oth o# the young #riends
#rom (olace looked u at the veterans in con#usion! =-# course! 'e canCt Gust leave him like
thisN>
+orian continued to stare at the young knight! $im*erwol# looked away, suddenly
#inding the tree root system rather interesting! Huietly, the dwar# walked u to the knight!
="ark, weCre going to have to kill them, once weCre done Buestioning them,> ,arnet told
him gently *ut #irmly!
$he knight shook his head in horror! =NoN Mou canCtN>
=&ey, this was your idea, /night0> +orian shouted, throwing u his hands! =?3ets
)uestion them0 &e need information0>
=) never agreed to kill themN )tCs dishonora*le to slay a helless oonentN> "ark shot
*ack!
=$hat wonCt *e necessary,> 0asryn ronounced, a#ter standing his #ull height@#ive #oot
siI wasnCt much, *ut he tried hard to imitate his master, Palin! )ntimidation *y a magician
shouldnCt *e too di##icult, although heCd never tried to do this *e#ore! =) have a sell that will
make them my #riends! $heyCll do whatever ) ask, within reason!>
=:n how long will that sell last, apprentice mageL <ive minutesL> +orian yelled,
o*viously not intimidated! &e ointed to the air o# +ark knights, lying *ound at their #eet!
=$heyCre already waking u #rom your #amous slee sellN>
=<ive hours,> 0asryn told him #irmly, hands resting on his his! $he large sleeves o# his
ro*es #luttered in the *ree%e, and he tried to look intimidating, like "aster Palin!
=$hat wonCt *e nearly long enough,> ,arnet told him, looking u at the young 'hite
Ro*e! =No, "arkN 0aseN ;isten to me #or Gust one minute! $hese are enemy soldiers! /elieve
me, they wouldnCt hesitate to slit our throats while we slet! 'hat haens when that #riendshi
sell wears o##L 'hat i# their garrisonCs more than #ive hours away #rom hereL 'hat thenL>
0asryn continued to glower down at the dwar# he considered to *e his #riend! (o did
"arkham! $he knight looked u when +orian aroached, seaking 'oto voice!
=$his is "ar, (wordhawk! +onCt #orget, they ulled out a dragon on a town o# innocent
eoleN $heyCve done it *e#ore! ) saw the results with my own eyesN &undreds, thousands
*utchered, slaughteredN Children with their heads cut o##, or *urned alive while *egging #or
mercyN>
"arkCs #eatures shi#ted, and the ranger knew he was getting through to him! $he two
young #riends looked at each other! :#ter a moment, "arkham looked the Rangerlord dead in
the eyes! =$hat doesnCt mean we have to stoo to their level! 'e Buestion them, then we leave
them sell*ound here in the #orest!>
0asryn swallowed! "arkham was con#ident in his #riendCs magic owers, *ut 0asryn
knew he wasnCt that ower#ul, yet! $he mage looked like heCd *itten into something sour, as the
aw#ul truth set in! $hese men were going to have to die!
=<ine,> +orian stated #latly, giving the cowering +ark Anight at his #eet a withering
glare! =Mou Buestion them, Anight! $hey tell you what we want to know, and weCll leave them
here tied u and alive, or sell*ound singing love songs to a sBuirrel, #or all ) care! /ut i# they
re#use to talk, )Cm cutting *oth o# their throats, right nowN>
"arkham watched the hal#-el# turn on one heel and stalk o## into the darkness! 0asryn
#olded his hands in the voluminous sleeves o# his ro*es to hide his trem*ling hands, watching as
"arkham knelt down neIt to the enemy soldier and started talking to him in a low voice!
=;ook, my #riend wants to kill you #or what your -rder did *ack at (olace@> "arkham
*egan! $he Anight o# Neraka cut him o## in midsentence!
=(ave your threats, (olamnickN Mour freund is right! $his is war! +onCt think ) have any
illusions a*out your letting us liveN> the man shot *ack *ravely!
"ark looked u at 0asryn, who shrugged!
=;ooks like youCre going to have to use your magic, a#ter all,> the knight sighed, and
stood u again!
=)tCll take me awhile to reare! ) wasnCt #inished memori%ing the incantations when we
decided to do this, remem*erL ,ive me another #orty-#ive minutes or so,> 0asryn said #latly, and
he walked o## into the ool o# light, directly under his #loating glo*e! $he *oy mage took out his
tome o# magic, sat down on the ground, and *egan to read!
=Per#ect,> "arkham said under his *reath! orty,five minutes9 $here was nothing #or it!
)t was o*vious this dark knight wasnCt going to say anything, and the *roken leg ro*a*ly
irritated him even #urther! "ail clinking so#tly, "ark went over to the other man, knelt down,
and started Buestioning him! &e got the same results, with the added *onus o# the evil knight
sitting in his eye!
<rustrated, the (olamnic Anight rose, walked ast 0asryn, and sat down on the ground
near where ,arnet was rummaging through the saddle*ags! Near*y, the two rangers were
talking so#tly to the horses, making sure they were okay! "ark wied the sittle #rom his #ace,
grunted, and reali%ed there were too #ew horses #or them all, even i# they rode dou*le! $he night
air was cold, and he didnCt even have a cloak! (ome small animal, erhas a #oI, *arked in the
distance!
=$his little idea was a *ust!>
Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1??
=&ate to say ) told you so, *ut ) did,> ,arnet answered, uending saddle*ags and silling
things on the ground! $here were ouches o# dried #ruit, a loa# o# *read wraed in a clean cloth,
a small *ag o# gold coins, #lint and tinder, and an eItra dagger with leather sheath! &e #inally
#ound an eItra cloak, *lack wool with the crest o# the +ark Anights on it, and tossed the article to
"arkham! =&ere! 'ra yoursel# *e#ore you get sick!>
"arkham stared at the *lack cloak like it was going to *ite him! :#ter a moment, he
threw it across his shoulders and muttered a =$hank you!>
=)tCs not your #ault, lad,> ,arnet told him! $he young man looked u, his gray-*lue eyes
#lashed in the eerie light #rom 0asrynCs glo*e! =MouCre Gust young!>
=$his is not what the knighthoodCs all a*out,> "arkham said! &is voice was #lat,
de#eated!
=PahN )t certainly is, "ark! MouCve Gust never seen war *e#ore! +id you *elieve the
(olamnic Anighthood was all arades and rancing around in the great halls o# castlesL /elieve
me, your sueriors know #ull-well what war means, and theyCd *e *ehind us a hundred ercent, i#
they were here!>
"ark swallowed! =C$is not that, Ktis!!!) donCt know!!!!>
=$hat Ktis okay to kill in the heat oC *attle, when yer simly reacting and #ollowing yer
training, *ut Ktis another story when ye have to kill yer enemy in cold *lood, isnCt itL>
=&ave youL> "ark suddenly asked!
,arnet aused a moment! =:ye! ) learnt a long time ago, during the +ragon 'ars, to do
what was necessary! "y #ather, Crag )rondelve, did the same thing during the Clan 'ars!>
"arkham *linked! =Mour father #ought in the +war# Clan warsL $hat was nearly #our
hundred years agoN>
,arn shrugged! =Mer only human, laddie! )Cm young #or my kind, *ut )Cm olderCn )
look!>
$he knight #ell into silence, and stared at his #riend, the mage, sitting cross-legged on the
ground and studying his magic sells!
Cohen /Castle Ravenwood /Page-1?1
CHAPTER EIGHT
~Bloodthirsty cowards,> "arkham (wordhawk grum*led as he and the mage
stalked o## into the darkened woods, leaving the dwar# and the rangers to their grim work!
0asryn really didnCt need #orty-#ive minutes to study the one sell! &eCd sent nearly an
hour memori%ing the necessary incantation that would grant him the a*ility to listen to a manCs
mind, along with several other sells he thought he might need in the near #uture, *e#ore he
returned to Buestion the two enemy soldiers! $he *oy had deli*erately delayedJ hoing in vain
that ,arnet and the others would change their minds! $hen, he returned to where theyCd le#t the
dark knights to do his duty! $he magical glo*e had long-since #aded out!
/y #lickering torchlight held alo#t *y ,arnet, 0asryn cast the more ower#ul enchantment
which allowed him to mentally hear their sur#ace thoughts! /eneath the #ear and darkness o#
their minds, the young mage reali%ed these two men were #rom Castle :maranth, on the edge o#
these woods, and in the emloy o# a "arBuis Ne#ariant, a mysterious Nerakan no*leman! &e
also learned they were holding an .rgothian rincess cative in the castleCs dungeons, along with
the survivors o# a small village #rom $hrot they had recently *urned to the ground!
0asryn immediately reali%ed they had to do something to #ree the marBuisC catives! &e
also reali%ed that "arkham would *e right *ehind him, *ut the rangers and ,arnet ro*a*ly
wouldnCt *e! $here were only #ive o# them@siI, when they #inally tracked down (hyla@and
they still had to get *ack to (olace!
:#ter sulking #or several minutes, trying to #igure out a way to *reak the news to "ark,
the irreressi*le kender #inally showed u, her onytail *ouncing with every movement!
=&i, guysN MouCll never guess what ) #oundN> (hyla cried, running right u to them! $he
small #igure now sorted a wool cloak that looked like it was made #or a wealthy human child!
(he held u a gleaming silver *roach that looked like a holy sym*ol o# "ishakal, u #or 0asrynCs
insection! =) think itCs magic, 0asryn! Not sure what it does, though!!!!>
:*sently, the young mage assed his hand over the small metal sym*ol, a #igure-9 on its
side, in#inity, without touching it! &e #elt the #amiliar static #ield that was the telltale sign o# a
ower#ul dweomer! =)tCs magic, all right! Pro*a*ly *lessed! (hyla, whereCd you get this #romL>
=<rom a castle hal# a dayCs walk #rom here,> (hyla cheer#ully in#ormed him! =;ots o#
+ark Anights, marching around and looking serious! $heyCre holding a *unch o# eole that
donCt look too hay! ) #reed some o# Kem and led them out through a tunnel ) #ound, *ut thereCs
lenty more still there, and ) #igured ) should go *ack #or you guys to hel!>
=(hyla Pouch#inder, ye doorkno* o# a kenderN> ,arnet shouted, running right u to her!
='here were you all this timeL :re ye all right, lassL>
$he kender smiled warmly! ='ell, o# course )Cm all rightN Nice to know you care, ,arn!
:nyway, weCve got to rescue the rincess and the children *e#ore they get #ed to the vamireN>
0asryn and "arkham #ro%e at those words! =1ampire9>
='hat vamireL> "arkham asked, #rowning in dis*elie#!
=-h, didnCt ) mention itL $hat marBuis guy, heCs a vamire! Aory@sheCs the seamstress
) #ound in the dungeons@asked me to #ree her children *e#ore the vamire drank their *lood,
cause he likes ure *lood *est, andR'hy are you guys staring at me like thatL>
=(hyla,> "arkham *egan, taking the kender *y the shoulders and guiding her to sit down
on a #allen log! =$ake a dee *reath, and start again #rom the *eginning! $ell us everything!>
(hyla was hal#way through her tale when the two rangers Goined them, and 0asryn
suddenly eIclaimed, =!aldavia0 'eCre in "aldavia, north o# /ladmere! "arBuis Ne#ariant
rules this whole countyN "y@Castle RavenwoodCs a*out siIty miles to the south!>
='hich means weCre nearly seven hundred miles #rom home,> +orian told them grimly!
$he Rangerlord sighed, ru**ing the *ridge o# his nose *etween thum* and #ore#inger! /oth
rangers now wore the armor o# the two Anights o# Neraka, their own Buivers and long*ows slung
across their *acks!
=(hyla,> "arkham *egan again, wetting his dry lis! $he art a*out #eeding children to a
vamire really shook him! (uddenly, he didnCt #eel too *adly a*out killing the two +ark Anights
anymore! ='e need to know everything you can remem*er a*out the castle! )ts de#enses, all the
entrances and eIits, the location o# the risoners@>
=&old it,> +orian interGected! =MouCre not seriously thinking o#@>
=Mes, ) am,> "arkham retorted, standing u straight and looking the Rangerlord directly
in the eyes! =$his is what ) Goined the knighthood for, itCs what weCre all a*outN>
=:ll rightN> $im*erwol# shouted, utting himsel# *etween them! =:ll right! $his is what
the rangers are all a*out, too, "ark, so donCt get yoursel# in an uroar! 'eCll rescue those
eole, *ut it has to *e lanned out thoroughly! 'e canCt Gust march into a Nerakan stronghold,
ruled *y a vamire no less, and demand the release o# his risoners in the names o# "ishakal and
Airi-0olith!>
=MouCre insane, all o# you,> +orian told them, *ut most o# the energy had drained #rom
his voice! =/ut youCre also right! 'e canCt Gust leave those oor eole down there!>
=/esides, they donCt know weCre coming,> ,arnet ut in! =)# the dungeons and this secret
tunnel are underground, Gust get me in there! )Cll *e a*le to #ind my way around! : dwar# knows
tunnels the way an el# knows the #orest!>
=$hatCs good to know,> +orian relied with a smile! &e *rushed his long hair aside,
revealing his elegantly ointed ears! =$im*erwol#Cs holy sym*ol and arrows should do some
serious damage to any vamire!>
=Not to mention #ire,> 0asryn ut in! (ome o# his sells would *e articularly otent
against the undead! laming 'phere and *alins *yre came to mind!
=(o, weCre all in this togetherL> "arkham asked, looking everyone in the eye one *y
one!
=:ye, (wordhawk, weCre with you,> +orian con#irmed! =)Cll not leave children to *e
slaughtered *y the undead, much less to *e turned into things like him!>
=,ood! (hyla, get out your *lank archment! 'eCre going to need a good ma,> the
knight stated!
O O O O O
Castle :maranth stood on the western #ace o# a mountain, rising some two hundred #eet
#rom the cli## which served as the *uildingCs #oundation! : stone wall, #i#ty #eet high, enclosed
the courtyard and three towers, which were themselves crowned with *attlements! $he stone
used in its construction was good granite, with o*sidian and white mar*le used #or highlights! :
small, narrow road wound u the mountainside to the #ront gate o# the castle! $he whole thing
looked imosing and imregna*le! &ad (hyla not known a*out a secret way in, none o# them
would even *e attemting this!
=-# course thereCs a secret assageway inside,> (hyla told "arkham, when he asked!
=$his is a castle! $hereCs al"ays a secret assageway!>
/oth the dwar# and the mage had laughed at that! (even years ago, when they were
children, 0asryn (torm had snuck "ark and his little *rother Aalistaire out o# Fon /ladmereCs
dungeons the same way! : air o# unicorns ultimately rescued the three children! 0asryn never
#ound out what the reternatural creatures were doing there, Gust when they were most needed,
*ut he thanked the gods every day #or it!
Now, it seemed, the gods wanted 0asryn and "arkham to return the #avor! $wo young
men, a Anight o# (olamnia and a white ro*ed mage, stood in lace o# two #rightened young *oys,
reared to do their duty!
='e donCt know i# the entrance is guarded now,> +orian told them all! =$he marBuis
may well have ut some o# his men there! ) would!>
0asryn #rowned! =MouCre kidding! 'ho would want to *reak in to the home o# a
vamireL>
=1s,> $im*erwol# told him sharly! =+orianCs right, 0ase! Mou may have *ook smarts,
*ut youCre a child when it comes to oerations like this! 0ust have your sells ready, and do as
we tell you! ClearL>
(tung, the mage looked like he was going to say something more, *ut then thought *etter
o# it! &e eered out at the shaman #rom the #olds o# his ro*eCs white hood and merely nodded!
=$he kender and ) will scout on ahead, to make sure the coast is clear! /e ready!>
(o saying, +orian /arrett gra**ed (hyla *y the arm, and led her o## toward the cave
mouth sheCd romised led into the castle! 0asryn watched them go, and then sat down on a
*oulder that had *een warmed *y the sun, and was still warm in early evening! "ark took out
his greatsword and started olishing it with the hem o# his *orrowed *lack cloak! 0asryn started
when he noticed the runes etched into the sword dimly glowing!
'ould a magic sword *e roo# against a vamireL $he young mage hoed so, and
ru**ed his right arm where his enchanted dagger lay hidden! &ish my blade "ere enchanted
silver, like the legendary dagger of !agius that 8aistlin once carried. Oh, "ell. !ight as "ell
"ish for a spell of vampire,slaying "hile +m at it.
=Now, we wait,> ,arnet muttered, and sat down neIt to the *oy!
$hey didnCt have to wait long! /oth scouts, the hal#-el# ranger and the kender snuck *ack
so silently even the mage thought they were ghosts! =$here are three guards u on the wall, and
another thirty atrolling the *attlements! /ut Ktis dark, and ) dou*t theyCll see us! /e care#ul o#
your #ooting! $he ledge leading to the cave is #our #eet wide in some laces, and thereCs
scattered de*ris on the ath! ) dou*t anyoneCs used this secret assage in many years! ReadyL
;etCs go!>
$heir two scouts led the way, #ollowed *y "arkham, $im*erwol#, 0asryn, and ,arnet!
$he #ighters all had their weaons out, swords, aIe, and long*ows! 0asryn had his 'leep sell
reared, Gust in case! )t wouldnCt do any good against the undead, *ut the marBuisC soldiers
were human enough!
$he cold wind whistled against the mountainside, un#urling their cloaks, making arts o#
0asryn and +orian #licker like candles in a dra#t! $he comanions aused, leaning u against the
rock wall! 'hite clouds, shaed like a *irdCs talon, assed *e#ore the silver moon, and
comletely hid scarlet light #rom the red one! <urther down the mountain, #rom the direction o#
the trees, a nighthawk cried as it dove #or its suer! 0asryn ga%ed u, and saw torchlight #rom
the towers, two hundred #eet a*ove them, #licker weakly into the night!
$he line o# rescuers continued again! :#ter some minutes o# hiking, (hyla disaeared!
"arkham and $im*erwol# #ollowed! 'hen 0asryn reached the entrance, he was surrised! $he
cave entrance was a narrow crack in the mountainside, *arely wide enough #or an adult human to
sBuee%e through sideways! &ad the kender not told them a*out this entrance, the mage dou*ted
any o# them couldCve #ound it, even a hal#-elven Rangerlord!
0asryn assed through the crack, which widened a #ew #eet in! <inally, he was through!
)t was itch *lack, sounds echoed, and 0asryn could hear water driing somewhere!
="arkL> the mage asked!
=)Cm here, 0asryn,> the knightCs voice answered! =)s every*ody inL>
$hey all sounded o## in the a##irmative! )n a moment, 0asryn stated, =$his is ridiculous!
&ow a*out a little lightL>
=Not yet,> +orianCs voice snaed! ='e have a torch ready, *ut we want ,arnet to check
this cavern out with his dark vision!>
(ilently, 0asryn nodded in agreement, and then reali%ed the ranger couldnCt even see the
movement! /y this time, 0asryn had a*out had it with the RangerlordCs atroni%ing attitude
toward him, and the magician decided to teach him a lesson! (miling in the dark, 0asryn once
more raised the hood o# his elven cloak!
:#ter several long minutes, during which 0asryn heard the scu##ing o# *oots and gentle
clink o# mail as the comanions #idgeted in the dark, he #inally heard the dwar#Cs #amiliar
*aritone! =$his cavernCs may*e siIty #eet dee! $here are two tunnels at the #ar end! /oth lead
into larger, connecting caverns! ) didnCt eIlore #urther!>
=,ood! ,arn, shield your eyes! "arkham, light the torch, lease,> +orian ordered!
$here was the sound o# metal scraing against a rock, a #ew sarks o# #lint, and the *it o# dry
grass caught! "arkham touched his torch to the small #ire, and it *urst into #lames with a hiss!
0asrynCs eyes Buickly adGusted to the light! &e saw $im*erwol# had taken the recaution
o# holding (hylaCs hand so she wouldnCt wander o##, and then re#lected the downside, that hal#
his ersonal ossessions were ro*a*ly missing!
='hereCs the mageL> +orian asked!
=Right in #ront o# you, ranger,> 0asryn answered, trying to make his voice sound grim and
mysterious! +orian stared in the direction the *oyCs voice was coming #rom, and only *arely
made out the shadowy outline o# a cloaked #igure in the torchlight! -*viously, his elven cloak
worked Gust as well in this cavern as it did in the #orest!
+orian set his Gaw, and then gave a curt nod o# aroval! =,ood idea! 0ust try to stay
close *y, *ecause we canCt see you, anymore than the enemy can!>
=-# course! :nd )Cll *e sure to watch your *ack!>
+orian allowed himsel# a rivate grin! &e was wondering when 0asryn would ick u
those articular character traits that made magicians so endearing! =Right! ,arnet, lead the way,
lease!>
$he grou went straight *ack, avoiding rocks and stones lying on the cave #loor! 1 *y
the roo#, gray stalactites dried water, which ooled on the stony #loor, roducing small
stalagmites #rom mineral deosits! Huart% and other crystals sarkled in the #lickering torchlight!
/lack smoke #rom the #lames rose toward the roo# and disaeared! (ome siIty #eet into the
mountain, as romised, were two tunnels with rough, natural entrances, some twenty #eet aart!
=$his is as #ar as ) went,> the dwar# announced in his gru## voice!
+orian turned to the kender! ='hich way nowL>
(hyla hesitated #or a #ew seconds, and 0asryn grit his teeth! :nyone who knew her
reali%ed this meant she wasnCt sure! $he mage could easily see whyJ the two choices were so
close to each other that anyone could have #ailed to notice, esecially i# they had *een leading a
grou o# #rightened children out o# this lace to #reedom!
=$hat way,> (hyla said a#ter a *rie# ause, ointing to the right!
=:re you certain, (hylaL> 0asryn asked, trying to kee the imatience out o# his voice,
lest the ranger ick u on it and make an issue out o# what might *e nothing!
$he kender nodded! =Meah, course )Cm sure, 0asrynN ) was here Gust yesterday! Come
onN>
(o saying, onytail *ouncing, &ooak ready #or any evil threat, the kender dashed
#orward through the tunnelCs mouth! )t couldCve *een the gaing maw o# a hungry dragon, #or all
the di##erence it made! )nwardly, 0asryn grinned! 'hile (hyla had *een too young to *e truly
=a##licted,> "alys had traumati%ed (hyla at an early age when she incinerated Aendermore with
her #iery dragonCs *reath! (hyla was still a#raid o# dragons, *ut thank the gods, that was the only
thing the little kender #eared!
=+rat that kenderN> ,arnet swore, and dashed a#ter her! $he others #ollowed! $hey
entered a U-shaed cavern that wound to the right! &owever, some twenty #eet directly ahead o#
them, the cavern oened u, connecting with yet another cham*er! )t was in this direction that
(hyla ran, ,arnet trying to catch u! $he humans ran a#ter, heedless o# any danger, calling a#ter
her!
'hen they #inally reached (hyla, the kender had stoed dead in her tracks! ,arnet
started to scold her, then stoed! (hyla Pouch#inder was #ro%en sti## with terror, her large
*rown eyes wide and staring!
0asryn looked in that direction! <i#teen #eet in #ront o# them was the huge skeleton o# a
dragon, its *ones yellowed with age! )t looked like the huge *east Gust lay down and died in its
slee! -## to the right, glittering in the orange torchlight, was a huge ile o# treasure! ,old
coins, loose and in old, rotted *ags, lay iled as high as a storm giant was tall! $rays, vessels,
mirrors, and other o*Gects lay scattered, all o# solid gold, with some silver, latinum and recious
stones thrown in!
=(old,> "ark said, sneering! =: #ortune in gold! 'orthless today! Pro*a*ly taken #rom
the vamireCs victims over the centuries!>
=:ye, *ut ) donCt lan on Gust leavinC it@= ,arnet )rondelve said, his eyes growing wide
at the sight! &e started trudging #orward, reaching #or a cloth sack tied to his *elt!
=,arn, we donCt have time #or this,> +orian said, his tone o# voice insistent! =$hat gold
will only weigh us down!>
$he dwar# whirled on him! ='hat kind oC mercenary are yeL>
$he hal#-el# reached down and sBuee%ed the dwar#Cs meaty shoulder! ='e can always
sto *ack here on our way out!>
=Right,> $im*erwol# muttered, eyeing the skeleton o# the dead dragon, and the scattered
*ones o# its many victims! /loodstains seckled the walls and #loor o# the cavern! $he sense o#
evil was ala*le!
=:w, come on,> ,arnet whined! =0ust a #ew gold coins, a gem or two@=
='e canCt waste the time, ,arn,> "arkham told him, his voice as #irm and solid as his
shining armor! ='e have eole to rescue!>
No*ody noticed the mage, standing there ractically invisi*le in his elven cloak, staring
at the dragon skeleton in the same way the dwar# was eyeing the gold! /e#ore 0asryn lay a
#ortune in magic sell comonents! <rom his studies, the *oy recogni%ed the horn ridges and
shae o# the head, the *ar*ed tail! $his was the remains o# a red dragon! -ne small *one would
enhance his #ire sells!
$he young wi%ard took a ste closer, stretching out the alm o# his hand! 0asryn #elt the
static charge o# magic clinging to the dried *ones, even a#ter all these ages! &e started edging
closer when +orian made a cry o# surrise, and he looked u!
="ark, your swordN )tCs glo"ing0> the Rangerlord warned, ointing to the enchanted
weaon! )ndeed, the runes were glowing a dull orange, like the light o## a #orge! $he young
knight nodded!
=:ye, )Cm told itCll do that in the resence o# evil,> "arkham told him, then eyed the
dragonCs *ones! =)Cve got a *ad #eeling a*out this! ;etCs get out o# here!>
:s one, the comanions *ack out o# the cave, giving wary glances at the monsterCs
remains! No one noticed the mage lingering! 0asryn shook his head, thinking his #riends were
*eing over-cautious! $his thing was dead #or untold scores o# years! $hey simly #eared what
they didnCt understand, and he could really use one o# those smaller *ones! 'hat harm could it
doL
(till, 'hado"song had signaled a silent alarm #or a reason! 0asryn had a chill run u his
sine as he stared at that skeleton! &e had lanned to chi o## one o# the smaller teeth with his
dagger, *ut now he didnCt want to get that close! -ne o# his simlest sells, the !age 4and
cantri, would get him that *one #rom a sa#e distance!
$he teenager glanced over his shoulder! &is #riends had gone, only seconds ago! )# he
did this Buickly, he could win his ri%e and catch u! $he mage stretched out his hand and
whisered a single word in .ldritch!
='oi#iar,> he commanded, stretching out his #eelings, touching a small incisor with his
mind! $he *oy concentrated, and the tooth wiggled, then came loose and #lew o*ediently to his
hand! )t was a*out the si%e o# a dagger, and Gust as shar! 0asryn stared at it #or a moment,
*e#ore tucking it into one o# his ouches!
$he sudden sound o# *ones rustling against stone caught his attention, and the mage
#ro%e! &e could have imagined it, *ut 0asryn could swear one o# those #inger *ones, the whole
le#t talon, had Gust moved! $he mage turned and le#t the cave, intending to Buickly reGoin his
#riends, and shuddered once he was sa#ely away!
That "as close, the *oy thought! All + need is to "ake the dead.
/ack in the *ig cavern, 0asryn noticed his #riends werenCt there! "oonlight silled into
the cave mouth and outlined the eIit, *ut little else! $hen, 0asryn noticed the #lickering light o#
the torch a little #urther to his right! &is #riends had taken the second tunnel, deeer into the
mountain! 0asryn icked his way across the itch-*lack cave #loor, and #ollowed them!
0asryn steed *ehind $im*erwol#, and sighed with relie#, *oth #or getting away #rom the
dragonCs skeleton in one iece, and #or sneaking *ack with his ri%e, all without *eing noticed!
&e was sure +orian would have something to say a*out it, *ut the less the ranger knew, the
*etter!
$he comanions had stoed at the edge o# a reciice that yawned down into darkness!
$he rangers and the dwar# studied this new danger care#ully, and the two aths that #orked at this
oint, circumventing the it on *oth sides! $yically, the kender droed a small stone into the
it! : #ew seconds later, everyone could hear the sound o# the rock loing into the water!
=:n underground lake, like the 1rkhan (ea in $hor*ardin,> ,arnet in#ormed them! =Not
nearly as grand, though!>
=&ow do we cross itL> $im*erwol# asked!
=(hyla, which way did you go last timeL> "arkham asked the kender!
=$o the right,> (hyla answered immediately, ointing in that direction! $hen, she started
o##, leading the way! "ark #ollowed #irst, grasing his sword in *oth hands! $im*erwol#, now
*earing the torch, was immediately on the knightCs heels! )n a line, the others #ollowed, 0asryn
taking u the rear! : cool *ree%e dri#ted u #rom the it *ehind them! 0asryn again thought o#
the dragonCs *ones, and hoed it wasnCt coming a#ter them!
$he teenager shook himsel#! Dont be absurd. Dead is dead.
1 ahead, (hyla entered another tunnel, this one clearly shaed *y tools! ,arnet grunted
his aroval, and noted that it was ro*a*ly dwarven construction, ointing to the evenness o#
the lines, and the smoothness o# the tunnel walls!
$heyCd entered a rectangular cham*er hallowed out o# the living rock, #orty #eet long *y
thirty #eet wide, with a series o# stes leading into darkness on the northwestern corner! "ore
skeletons, human or elvish, were scattered throughout the stone cham*er! $he torchlight gave
them a ghastly aearance! (ome were yellowed with age, others were *leached white! /lood
had stained the #loor, dried long ago!
$im*erwol# *ent down near one o# the newer-looking skeletons, and touched the tis o#
his #ingers to a ool o# red #luid! $hey came *ack wet! =)tCs #resh! )Cd say this *lood is no more
than a day old!>
='hat could ick the #lesh #rom the *ones like thatL> "ark asked!
=) donCt know,> the shaman answered!
=) donCt think ) want to know,> +orian added grimly! $he Rangerlord looked warily
around the stone cham*er, reressing a shudder! &e cast a #urtive glance at the dark stairway,
wondering what monster could have done this to these eole! (urely, not the vamire! &e
wouldCve Gust drained them dry! +orian gried his sword hilt so tightly, the #ingers on his le#t
hand turned white! $hen, he turned, calling #or 0asryn!
="age, do you sense anythingL>
="agic,> the *oy resonded invisi*ly! =$hereCs de#initely an aura o# some kind around
this room, centered on the skeletons@>
0asryn stoed short when some o# the *ones *egan to move! <inger *ones slid together
to #orm handsJ skulls reattached themselves to sinal columns! $hen, the undead started to ick
themselves u #rom the cold stone #loor o# their tom*!
='atch outN> "arkham cried! =$heyCre coming *ack to li#eN>
=-hN &ow interestingN> (hyla eIclaimed, her *rown eyes widening in surrise! =0asryn,
what kind o# sell does thatL>
=/lack magic,> the *oy mage immediately resonded! =+estroy them, BuicklyN>
=(ound advice,> ,arnet eIclaimed! &e he#ted his war-aIe, strode right u to one o# the
animated skeletons, and smashed it with a mighty *low! $he assem*led *ones #lew aart on
imact!
(eeing the ease *y which the dwar# had de#eated his oonent, "arkham, +orian, and
$im*erwol# Goin in with gusto! $he skeletons icked u *lades and cudgels and loose stones that
had *een lying around on the #loor! $he shaman Buickly snatched u a longsword *e#ore the
skeleton nearest it could, and used it to hack the *ones to ieces again!
=Ast astol ith *alis, Suh,"ali &udrunin,> 0asryn chanted, and a windstorm Buickly rose
in the con#ined cham*er, swirling clothing, tossing loose articles, and most imortantly, *lowing
all the remaining skeletons aart! $he wind continued to howl through the cham*er #or several
more seconds, until 0asryn was satis#ied the danger was ast! $hen, the magician let the wind die
down, and all was Buiet!
=$hat was e##ective,> "arkham commented in awe, lowering his sword!
=:ye,> +orian agreed! =Nice work, mage!>
=$he name is 0asryn,> the *oy told him, lowering his hood and reaearing *rie#ly! $he
Rangerlord looked right at him, saluted the *oy with his raier, and nodded!
=0asryn it is!>
$he sound o# metal scraing on stone, accomanied *y a low growl, suddenly caught
their attention! :ll the comanions looked u and saw a coule o# green-skinned, muscular orcs
aroach #rom the to o# the darkened stairs! $hey *oth had a losided tusk rotruding #rom
their lower Gaw, Gaundiced eyes, and in#lamed warts scattered all over their *odies! $hey wore
scras o# armor #rom Anights o# Neraka, Anights o# (olamnia, and various other races #rom all
over :nsalon! $hey *oth *ore massive, twin-*laded war-aIes that gleamed in the torchlight!
=0ust er#ect,> "ark said, reressing a shudder! (o long ago the historians in Palanthas
#orgot when they #irst recorded it, human *eings #ought go*lins and their cousins the orcs, *e#ore
they ever came across any other monsters sent *y the in#ernal +ark Hueen! $hese *easts still
held a secial lace o# dread within the human heart, and were the monster-under-the-*ed o#
every child in the human realms! $o this day, they still made u the #oot soldiers o# $akhisisCs
army whenever Neraka went to war with the #ree lands o# the 'est!
Polished silver armor gleamed in the torchlight! 'hado"song glowed a *rilliant orange
#rom its own inner #ireJ the (olamnic Anight strode urose#ully #orward to meet the enemy!
$he dwar# and the rangers were right *ehind him!
(teel rang as it smashed against steel! "arkham swung, *locked, thrust, arried! $he
sheer strength o# the monster was nearly overwhelming, and "ark managed to *lock the #all o#
that deadly, ra%or-shar aIe *lade! -nly the magic o# his sword aided him in countering the
mighty *low!
$he dwar# had no such ro*lems, having sent most o# his li#e at the #orge, shaing steel
into weaons and other articles, or in com*at himsel#! $he only disadvantage, i# it could *e
called that, was in the si%e di##erence! /eing one o# the smallest races on Arynn, the dwarves
trained to com*at much larger oonents as a matter o# #act! ,arnetCs aIe #ound its mark, taking
a huge chunk o# meat out o# the orcCs arm! (creaming in rage and agony, the monster
counterattacked, one-handed, *ut at a decided disadvantage!
$he rangers moved in to hel "arkham, *ut he screamed at them to get *ack! =: knight
#ights his *attles one-on-oneN>
Chastised, the air o# rangers *acked o##! Preared to cast a sell to hel his #riend,
0asryn also ausedJ he knew "ark took the -ath and the "easure very seriously, and heCd take it
as a ersonal a##ront i# the mage or anyone else intervened in his ersonal com*at!
:wed, 0asryn noticed that 'hado"song was slowly hacking notches in the orcCs *laded
aIe, like a hot kni#e cutting into *utter! &e re#lected that the mage whoCd enchanted that sword
mustCve *een ower#ul indeed!
'hado"maker, you and + definitely have to have a long talk "hen + get back to 'olace@.
)n another moment, the oint o# heling either the knight or the dwar# *ecame mute, as
two more orcs aeared at the to o# the stes! $hese two were armed with a *roadsword and a
massive morning star, resectively! $he air o# rangers aroached to meet the new threat!
Now, 0asryn unleashed his sell! (eaking three words in .ldritch, three *olts o# *rilliant
white energy shot #orth #rom his #ingertis, weaved around his #riends, and struck the new orcs
directly in the chest! $he orcs staggered, and the rangers took #ull advantage o# the distraction
0asryn Gust *rought them to attack!
$he kender also got into the #ray! &aving icked u several rocks #rom the cavern #loor,
she used the elastic *and on her &ooak to hurl stones at the orcsC heads! &er aim was true, and
one shot even got an orc in the eye! $he monster growled and swung *lindly at the dwar#!
'ith a mighty swing, ,arnet )rondelve searated his enemyCs head #rom his shoulders!
/reathing hard, the mountain dwar# looked around, searching #or a new enemy to #ight! 'ith a
mighty roar, he lanted his aIe into the shoulder o# the closest orc, the one #ighting $im*erwol#!
$he shaman *acked o## a ste, taking dee *reaths, grate#ul #or the *reak in com*at!
<or his art, "arkham #inally got through his orcCs de#enses, thrusting the ti o#
'hado"song right through his oonentCs heart, chestlate and all, and clean through its *ack!
$he knight smote his enemy onto the tile #loor, dark *lood ooling *eneath it! "ark ulled his
*lade #ree, *reathing hard!
+orian screamed as his oonentCs massive war-aIe #ound its mark, sinking into the
meaty art o# his uer right arm! /lood slattered, dousing everyone close enough! (creaming
+orianCs name, $im*erwol# srang #orward and thrust his longsword into the orcCs torso, Gust as
the dwar# hit it with his own aIe!
$he orc went down, dying *e#ore it even touched the #loor!
/reathing hard, the comanions looked around them! $he entire *attle had only taken a
#ew minutes!
;etting his new longsword clatter to the #loor, $im*erwol# sank to his knees *eside his
#riend! =-h, gods! $ry not to move, +orian! MouCre losing a lot o# *lood!>
=No!!!Aidding!!!sha!!!shaman,> the Rangerlord managed to get out! =/etter!!!hurry! ) #eel
di%%y!>
:s the shaman *egan to tie a tourniBuet to staunch the #low o# *lood, ,arnet clim*ed the
stone stes into darkness, calling to "ark to accomany him! =Come on! ;et the cleric heal
him! 'e have to see i# thereCs any more o# KemN>
(eeing the logic o# the dwar#Cs wisdom, knowing he was the veteran o# war *e#ore "ark
was even *orn, the knight #ollowed, dashing u the seven stone stes into itch darkness! 0asryn
#ollowed, signaling the kender to come along! $he mage was reared to cast a light sell, *ut
#ound it was unnecessary! $he stairs led into another cham*er, twenty #eet dee *y #orty #eet
wide, with a little alcove! : #lickering oil lam set on a rickety ta*le so old, ;aura "aGere might
well have choed it u #or #irewood lighted the small room! )n the dim light, 0asryn could see
#our enormous *ut well-worn cots, with old hay #or mattresses! : casket o# liBuor sat on the
ta*le, with scattered ewter mugs near*y! 'ooden stools lay around, with *owls o# steaming
meat o# some kind still inside! )n the corner, knuckle*ones, ro*a*ly human, lay *y a closed
oaken chest! :nother chest o# the same si%e was lying on the #loor, *y the #oot o# one o# the
*eds! $wo ratty-looking cloaks were droed on the #loor!
=$hese are their *arracks,> ,arnet Gudged! ='e mustCve caught Kem right in the middle
o# suer!>
"arkham held a #inger to his lis, and shushed ,arnet Buietly! &e went to a door on the
north wall none o# them had noticed! $he knight ut his ear to the door, sword held ready! :#ter
a moment, he whisered!
=) donCt hear anything!>
=+oesnCt mean thereCs nothing there,> ,arnet told him! &e waved to the mage! =0ase,
oen the door while we stand ready!>
(miling, ulling his hood *ack u, 0asryn shot *ack, =(ure, let the mage do all the workN>
)n the dim light o# the oil-*urning lam, he was comletely invisi*le! (till, he stood
*ehind the door, and tried the latch! <inding it unlocked, the *oy ulled the massive oaken door
oen, standing *ehind it, Gust in case! /elatedly, he wished heCd used the !age 4and cantri
again! Cantris were the only sells a wi%ard didnCt have to memori%eJ once learned in
childhood, they could simly *e cast with a single word, over and over again!
(houting and thrusting with his sword, "arkham charged #orward into total darkness!
$he dwar# was right *ehind him! $he knight slashed *lindly in the darkJ hit something, which
#ell with a metallic clang at his #eet! "ark continued to attack the clattering thing on the #loor,
una*le to see eIactly what the threat was!
=&oN &oN &oldN> ,arnet shouted, and the knight #inally stoed, *reathing hard! :
second later, 0asryn aroached, carrying the oil lam! /y the so#t, golden light o# *urning olive
oil, "ark could see that heCd attacked an empty suit o# armor!
=Nice move, Anight,> ,arnet chuckled! =) think you got himN>
"ark laughed nervously, lowering his sword! 'ooden racks lined the two oosing
walls! Racks on the le#t were loaded with weaons and various arts o# armor, and a small shield
or two! -n the oosite wall were sacks containing #ood, casks o# liBuor, and a water um!
=(toreroom o# some kind,> 0asryn commented!
=:n armory, lad,> ,arnet told him! =;ooks like weCve reached a dead end! ;etCs go
*ack, and see i# +orianCs all right!>
Nodding in agreement, the two young men #ollowed their #riend *ack to the scene o# their
*attle! $hey #ound $im*erwol# still tending to the Rangerlord, his holy sym*ol out and shining
*y the light o# the torch that (hyla was now holding! $he shaman had lain hands-on, eyes closed
in concentration, chanting words in his native tongue! $o 0asrynCs ears, it sounded like the same
sentence over and over again!
=Nothing u there *ut a dead end,> 0asryn in#ormed them! &e moved closer to the
shaman, relieved that the wound was closing, and the *leeding had stoed! (eeing that the
kender had wandered o## to another art o# the cham*er, having #ound something interesting
a*out the wall! 0asryn sighed! &e reali%ed they needed more light, and held the lam closer!
=:h-haN> the kender suddenly cried, and 0asryn looked u as he heard the distinctive
sound o# stone grating on stone! : solid granite door, made to look Gust like art o# the wall,
rotated oen on hidden hinges, and allowed access to another art o# this dungeon #rom the
western wall! =) kne" there must *e more secret doors around here somewhereN>
(o saying, the little kender dashed into the hidden room sheCd Gust #ound! &eart in his
throat, the young magician moved to #ollow her! =(hylaN 'aitN &old uN>
$he mage Buickly set the lam down neIt to $im*erwol# so heCd have some light to work
*y, and #ollowed the #lickering torch held *y the kender! &e stoed Gust inside the doorway,
*reath caught in his throat! =-h, my ,od!!!,uysN Come hereN (hylaCs #ound a treasure roomN>
CHAPTER NINE
Glittering in the #lickering orange and gold torchlight, iles o# gold ieces lay
everywhere, stacked neatly in columns ten or twenty coins tall on ta*les, right neIt to overstu##ed
*ags and oen co##ers o# #ine olished wood, or silver, or gold! ;arge chests were stacked two or
three high, dou*tless #illed to the *rim with recious and semi-recious gems2 diamonds, ru*ies,
emeralds, sahires, garnets, onyIes, amethysts, *loodstones, and Buart% gleamed everywhere!
(omething even more eItraordinary than wealth caught 0asrynCs interest! ;ining the
walls in racks were weaons o# all kinds! ,reatswords, longswords, raiers, cutlasses, *attle-
aIes, and daggers! Huite a num*er o# these weaons were inlaid with Gewels and chased with
silver and gold that shone in the wavering #irelight! -n two ta*les were ordinary-looking goods,
clothing and helmets and Gars with Bueerly-colored owder or #luids inside! $he mage
immediately went to these, comletely ignoring the stacks o# money! &e assed his hand over
these items and smiled! :s heCd guessed, they all had the telltale static charge o# enchantment!
6very weaon, and each o# the common-looking items on *oth large ta*les!
4ere was a treasure a wi%ard o# the Conclave was interested in! 0asrynCs master, Palin
"aGere, &ead o# the -rder o# 'hite Ro*es, would have 0asrynCs head i# he assed u a chance
like thisN Not so long ago, the magic o# Arynn was dying, a dried-u well with the dearture o#
the gods! <or many long years Palin and the other wi%ards had to learn sorcery, imure magic,
Gust to cast the simlest o# sells! -ther wi%ards, *orn without the gi#t o# dragonsC *lood in their
veins, resorted to sihoning divine magical energy #rom the enchanted arti#acts le#t over #rom the
last great age to ower their sells! : magical dagger might *e used to ower a #ire*all or two,
leaving a comletely ordinary kni#e, drained o# its enchantment! "ore than hal# the stores and
armory in 'ayreth $ower were deleted in this manner! Now, as *e#ore, Palin "aGere and the
Conclave o# 'i%ards sent the lesser mages out into the world, searching #or what #ew magical
arti#acts were le#t to relenish their stores! .ven a white ro*ed mage would give his eyeteeth #or
a #ind like thisN +uming some o# his money onto the ta*le as ayment and to make room #or
them, the *oy stu##ed small scrolls into his ouch, *arely glancing at the sells they contained!
0asryn came to a cloth sack made o# so#t *lue velvet, and knew #rom its touch to *e
magical as well! :lthough aarently emty, it weighed may*e #i#teen ounds! $hen, 0asrynCs
*reath caught in his throat! Picking it u, he oened the sack, and droed a dagger inside at
random! $he small yet *ulky item disaeared without leaving so much as a *ulge! &e reached
in, #elt the dagger, and ulled it out again!
=: *ottomless *ag,> 0asryn whisered in wonder! 0ust what he needed to carry all o# this
awayN $he *oy reached #or another item, and then aused, suddenly remem*ering! 'hile
eItremely rare now, and Buite use#ul, each *ag could hold no more than three magical items at
one time! .ven to add one more would result in the loss o# everything in the *ag, and run a high
risk o# the *ag itsel# eIloding violently! /ut which three items should he chooseL 0ust to
identi#y an arcane o*GectCs seci#ic dweomer would take several hoursN $o test every o*Gect in
this treasure room would take days, weeksN &ow to know which three items to takeL
=0:(RMNN '&:$C( &:PP.N)N, )N $&.R.L> $im*erwol#Cs voice called #rom the
other room!
=1h!!!nothing,> the *oy answered nervously, staring at the ta*le! 'ands, rings,
necklaces, otions in glass Gars, scrolls iled high! .ven three cloaks, #olded neatly, and a air o#
so#t leather traveling *oots! 0asryn #elt like a kender in a comletely deserted marketlace in the
heart o# Palanthas! &hat to choose9 &hat to choose9
-## in a corner, (hyla was #illing her ouches with as much as they would hold! (he
even took a set o# eyeglasses #rom the ta*le o# magic items@='owN "agic reading glasses, Gust
like 1ncle $as hadN> @and 0asryn didnCt sto her! &e could always convince (hyla to hand the
arti#acts over to Palin later!
)n the end, the *oy stu##ed his deerskin satchel into the magic *ag to #ree his handsJ the
only magical item in the satchel was his sell*ook! $o this, 0asryn added one golden ring set
with a small emerald, and a articularly large wand o# wrought silver, with a #lawless ru*y set at
its ti! -# these two, he Gudged to *e a ring to contain a dweomer o# invisi*ility, or erhas it
was a ring o# lant growth! $he other was a wand o# #ire*alls, at his *est guess! )t was
imossi*le to tell #or certain without identi#ying them magically, and that would take hours, as
well as a earl crushed into #ine owder and miIed with wine! &e had three small earls acked
away with the rest o# his sell comonents, *ut the glass o# wine would have to wait till they
made it *ack to a tavern!
=0asryn, what the heck are you doing in here,> "arkham (wordhawk asked, standing at
the oen doorway to the treasure vault! $he Anight o# (olamnia stoed short, gased loudly,
eyes widening at the sectacle *e#ore him as the kender and the mage lundered everything they
could get their hands on!
=&oly +ragonlance o# PaladineN> the knight eIclaimed, steing into the room! &is
mouth hung oen, and he lowered the oint o# his greatsword until it touched the stone #loor with
a so#t metallic clang!
0asryn nodded, and gestured to the wall covered with racks o# enchanted weaons! =-ver
there, take your ick! $heyCre all enchanted! ) checked!>
Caught short #or a moment, the young knight steed over to the arsenal, Gust staring in
oen-mouthed wonder at all the weaons! :#ter a moment, "ark shook his head! (reed! 'hat
was he thinkingL
=0asryn,> "arkham *egan, turning *ack to his #riend! $he young mage had do##ed his
own traveling *oots, stu##ed them into a *lue cloth sack, and was trying on another air that had
*een lying on one o# the ta*les! =) already have a magic sword, a good oneN :nd youCve got
*ootsN>
0asryn looked u at him! =(oL 'eCre going u against a vamire and his stronghold o#
Nerakan AnightsN 'e might as well arm ourselves #rom their own arsenal, "ark! Pick a dagger
or two and may*e a mace! )t canCt hurt!>
="ark, 0ase, we really need to #ind@,R.:$ R.-REN> ,arnet )rondelve eIclaimed
when he *eheld the vault! =&eve found the lost treasure vault of /ing 4ammerfel0>
=N-N> "arkham shouted, ointing to the dwar#, even as ,arn headed toward the ta*les!
=,arn, donCt you dareN &el me get these two out o# hereN>
='hyL> the dwar# asked laintively, avarice gleaming like #ire in his large *rown eyes!
=-1$N> "arkham shouted at the dwar#, gra**ing him *y the shoulders and hysically
#orcing him #rom the room! =-ut, out, out0 :ll three o# youN ) donCt *elieve thisN 'e came
here to rescue a grou o# innocent villagers #rom a vampire, and all you can think a*out is
wealthN>
(tung, *oth (hyla and 0asryn looked u at him, the hurt showing in their eyes! $he
knight was, o# course right! 'hat had they *een thinkingL -ne o# them had already *een
inGured in this rescue mission, and here they were, *usily stu##ing their ouches and *ags with
ossessions that had ro*a*ly *elonged to the vamireCs countless victims!
=;etCs go0> "ark cried, waving them *oth towards the door! $he kender went #orward,
0asryn #ollowing! :s the mage assed the rack o# enchanted weaons, he stoed, Buickly
selected a Geweled raier with a gold sca**ard, and a massive war-aIe o# dwarven make, holding
one in each hand!
=0:(RMNN> "arkham cried, taking three stes toward his erstwhile #riend!
=)Cm coming, )Cm comingN> 0asryn answered, sounding like a etulant child told to ut
away his toys and come in #or suer! :#ter they le#t the room, "ark ushed the hidden door
closed once more!
(hyla looked u, made silly #aces, and shot the knight a ras*erry! :s the wall closed u,
"arkham looked down at her with a dis*elieving look on his #ace! $he kender couldnCt *e
heledJ she was Gust *eing a kender! /ut 0asryn shouldCve known *etterN
$he mage aroached their #riends! +orian was still sitting on the #loor, in a ool o#
*lood, much o# it his own! )t looked like $im*erwol# had managed to heal him, thank PaladineCs
memory! $he others were standing over him, concern evident on their #aces!
=&ow are youL> 0asryn asked!
=0ust eachy,> +orian snaed! $he Rangerlord held his arm, *ut 0asryn could see that
the #lesh was whole *eneath the dried *lood! $heir leader glared u at him! ='hat were you
doing in thereL>
=:rming ourselves,> the mage admitted, a#ter *lushing! =&ere, theyCre *oth enchanted!>
0asryn tried to hand the raier to +orian, *ut he held u his hand in re#usal! =No, thank
you! ) already have a sword! $im*erwol#, you take it! )t looks to *e in *etter shae than that
hal#-rusted thing you icked u!>
$he shaman nodded and threw aside the ancient *lade heCd icked u in haste! )t was
good enough #or shattering skeletons, *ut clearly in not much good #or anything else!
$im*erwol# took the gleaming weaon, admiring its cra#tsmanshi! $he sca**ard itsel# was
*eauti#ul, solid gold set with garnets along its length! $he hilt was o# wrought gold, set with
matching garnets and a er#ect sahire! &e stood and straed it on!
=$hank you,> the shaman said to 0asryn! $he *oy nodded, and handed the massive war-
aIe to ,arnet!
$he mountain dwar#Cs eyes widened! &e took the aIe lovingly! $he thick handle was
stout oak, stained and olished smooth! $he aIe-head was silver-chased steel, o# the highest
grade! $his aIe looked to have come #rom the lost armory o# the &ylar indeed, *e#ore the
dragons o# Chaos had destroyed the ancient clanCs city! $urning the aIe over, ,arnet saw a
small mark, the rune o# its maker, and *reathed so#tly!
=$his!!!this was wrought *y Ru*y &ammer#el, ersonal weaons-smith to the kingN &e
lived over seven hundred years ago! $hank ye, lad! $hank ye very muchN>
=MouCre welcome,> 0asryn told him, glad that at least some*ody was grate#ul #or his
e##orts, instead o# making him #eel like a guilty child!
=Mou took nothing #or yoursel#, 0asrynL> $im*erwol# asked du*iously!
$he wi%ard #lashed a mysterious smile! =) didnCt say that,> and ointed to his new
#ootwear! =) think these are elven *oots! $heyCll make me move a*out silently! 'ith the cloak
#rom my old master (erannon, ) now have a matching set!>
='hereCs your satchelL> "arkham suddenly asked, alarmed! &e knew 0asryn ket a
num*er o# imortant items in it, including his sell*ook!
=Right here,> the *oy answered, reaching under his ro*e, and ulled out the *lue velvet
sack! $he *ag #olded neatly and stored conveniently against his chest, under the white #olds o#
his ro*e! $he *oy reached inside and ulled out his deerskin satchel, with aarently no *ulge
showing in the *ag at all! =$his is an enchanted *ag! ) can throw a lot o# stu## inside@>
=-kay, we get it,> "arkham snaed! &e ointed u the stone stairs! ='eCve reached a
dead end, and all you can think a*out is your magic@>
=+ead endL> (hyla asked, looking u at him with large, almond eyes! ='hat dead endL
$hatCs the way into the dungeon, where all the risoners are ket!>
.very*ody watched in surrise as (hyla marched right u the stone stes, taking the torch
with herJ the comanions were le#t with the so#t light o# the oil lam! 0asryn Buickly icked it u
and #ollowed her, curious! ;e#t with no choice *ut to #ollow or stand there in the dark, the others
trailed *ehind! $hey #ound the small kender in the armory, ressing all her weight against the
*lank, northern wall!
=-# course,> ,arnet eIclaimed, walking u to her! =:nother secret doorN ) can see the
cracks where the two *locks o# stone meet, nearly er#ectly! &ow could ) *e so *lindL>
+orian and the others watched #or some minutes, while the dwar# and the kender ressed
a #alse stone, the triggering mechanism! /oth grunted, trying to ush the door oen!
='hatCs wrongL> the Rangerlord asked a#ter a little while longer!
=+unno, itCs Gammed,> (hyla told him! =$his is how ) got every*ody out yesterdayN
'hy wonCt it *udgeL>
=/lasted magic-usersN> ,arnet eIclaimed a#ter steing away, glaring at the wall! =$his
is good dwarven stonework! $hereCs no other reason #or it *eing Gammed like this!>
=0asryn,> +orian said in a so#t voice, turning to the mage! =+o you think you can get it
oenL>
$he 'hite Ro*e nodded! )t didnCt escae this notice that this was the very #irst time
+orian had called him *y his roer name, instead o# K*oyC or Kmage!C &e aroached the wall,
stood neIt to the still-straining kender, and assed the alm o# his hand over the stones! =$his
was sealed *y magic, all right! ) can #eel the charge! )tCs Arcane 3ocked! (tand *ack!>
,arnet gra**ed (hyla *y her shoulders and ulled her away, leaving 0asryn room to
work! $he teenaged mage lightly *rushed his #ingertis against the cold stone, #ell into the
trance necessary to channel magical energy, and chanted so#tly!
=*hetsaram #a"liol,> 0asryn whisered, and the entire wall a*rutly started to glow with
an eerie orange light! : moment later, and the entire wall shi#ted, turning silently sideways on a
concealed hinge! =Huickly, *e#ore it closes,> the mage urged, and steed through himsel#!
$he small grou swi#tly #ollowed, crowding into a small room, *arely ten #eet sBuare!
$he walls were smeared with grime! -n shelves against one wall were mos, *uckets, a #ew
small *ottles o# soa, and iron manacles! :gainst the oosite wall was a wooden *ench with a
closed oval lid, and a stench reeking #rom it they all recogni%ed!
='eCre in a rivy,> $im*erwol# stated! =(hyla, are you sure this is the right wayL> &is
voice held humor!
=(ure )Cm sureN> the kender answered lightly, and moved to the door, intending to sneak
out! =$he +ark Anights are guarding the risoners Gust ast this doorN &eyN>
0asryn gra**ed (hyla and ulled her *ack Gust in time! &eCd check himsel# #or lost
articles later! =(hyla, please donCt do that againN>
=/ut ) was Gust going to@> (hyla rotested! (he was swi#tly cut-o## *y +orian!
=No,> the hal#-el# told her #irmly! =&ell check it out! $his is why $im*erwol# and ) are
wearing *lack Nerakan armor!>
$he kender *rightened, smiling u at him! =&ey, thatCs a good idea, +orianN $heyCll
think youCre one o# themN>
=$hatCs the general idea, Aenderkin,> $im*erwol# told her, holding a #inger u to his lis!
=Now, hush!>
Cautiously, the Rangerlord oened the oaken door and eered through the crack! &e saw
an emty corridor o# worked stone, with wooden doors lining *oth sides, going north at least a
hundred #i#ty #eet or more! $orches *urned in iron wrought sconces on the walls every #ew #eet,
sending a dark cloud o# smoke u to the ceiling! : cool *ree%e *lew into the rivy through the
cracked door, and they reali%ed Gust how *adly it smelled in here! +orian closed the door again
and looked down at the kender!
='hereCs the cell*lock where the risoners are ket, (hylaL>
=+own the hall to the end, make a right, then turn right again! )tCs oosite a winding
stairway! /ut donCt go u the stairs, that leads u into the castle,> (hyla told them!
=$hanks #or the warning,> +orian answered, then looked at the others! ='ait #or us here!
'eCll *e *ack as soon as weCve checked it out!>
O O O O O
+orian and $im*erwol# Buickly closed the door *ehind them, grate#ul that someone had
maintained the hinges with grease, so it didnCt sBueak! $heir armor so#tly clinked as they
walked, and +orian winced! &e was used to his hunting leathers, not this chain mail! .ach clink
seemed to echo down the long corridor, and +orian sweated *eneath his helmet! &e and
$im*erwol# had their #acelates down, which hid their #eatures, *ut they had to eer through
narrow eye-slits! $he #acelate itsel# resem*led a grinning skull, a death mask! +orian
wondered a*sently i# this vamire was the Nerakan no*leman who had originally suggested
#orging the +ark AnightsC #acelates like skulls, a#ter using reanimated skeletons as his guards!
$he air o# rangers assed a solid oak, iron-*anded door to their le#t, and an identical
door on the oosite wall to their right! $hirty #eet #urther down, they assed another closed
door on their le#t, with loud snoring coming #rom *ehind it! +orian nodded to $im*erwol#! )t
was a *arracks, like the one theyCd assed through to get here! $he snoring ro*a*ly came #rom
a large human, or more likely, a snoo%ing orc!
:s Buietly as ossi*le, the two disguised rangers continued ast the door! <i#ty #eet
#urther on, they came to a massive suort column, some thirty #eet in diameter! 0ust *eyond this
was what o*viously served as a wine cellar! $he old tales that castle dungeons were used to kee
risoners, torture cham*ers, and monsters were only artially true! )n most cases, the dungeon o#
a castle was used #or the storage o# #oodstu##s, wine, and other sulies that ket *etter in the
chill air underground! /arrels were stored in racks, siI high and ten wide! NeIt to these *arrels
were racks o# wine in glass *ottles, *ehind a locked metal grate! :arently, the good marBuis
let his men have #ree access to common, chea liBuor, while saving the Kgood stu##C #or himsel#
and his guests!
$he dungeon oened u here into a huge cham*er, over #orty #eet wide, and continued to
their right #or at least two hundred #eet! ;ike the long corridor theyCd Gust come down, the entire
area was well lit with torches! Passing kegs o# wine or ale on *oth sides, and another closed door
on their right, the air came at last to the *ottom o# a winding, circular stairway, which led u
through the ceiling! )mmediately to the right o# the stairway was a wide archway, with another
long hallway leading south!
+orian signaled $im*erwol# to go this way, and led him down this #inal corridor, which
the kender had romised was the cell*lock! $he hallway went straight #or over a hundred #eet,
with oaken doors on oosite sides o# the hallway, every thirty #eet or so! +orian counted eight
doors, #our to a side! $he closed door on their right mu##led sounds o# men chatting and
laughingJ ro*a*ly a guardhouse! : small sBuare oening with *ars, set high in the door on their
right, revealed a cham*er with various devices o# torture! $hank#ully, no*ody was in the room!
$he rangers continued on, eering into each cell they assed! $he #irst two cells were
emty! $he neIt two held children, as the kender had warned! $here were #ive or siI small
risoners in each cell! $he neIt one on the le#t held what looked to *e their arents, #our women
and three men! None o# the risoners aeared to *e in the *est o# health! $he oor wretches
had ro*a*ly *een down here #or weeks or even months, wasting away on the oor #are Neraka
#ed its catives!
$he #inal cell on the right held Gust a single cative! ;ying against the wall on dried hay
sread all over the cell #loor was a *eauti#ul young woman! +orian couldnCt tell #rom the oor
light, *ut she looked to *e in her early thirties, with long, curly-*rown hair, and no*le, hawklike
#eatures! &er once #ine, silk dress was torn and #ilthy! : glint o# something metallic around her
neck caught the light!
(tealing a #urtive glance to his right, +orian hissed to the woman to get her attention,
then signaled #or her to come to the door! $he risoner looked u at him lethargically, and then
scowled!
='hat do you want nowL>
=PsstN Come hereN> +orian asked, eering to his right again! &e whisered to his
comanion, =$im*erwol#, kee an eye out!>
Curious, the young woman got to her #eet and strode u to the door! +orian was right!
(he held a certain grace, a no*le *earing! (he also had #ire in her eyes that said she was a*out
ready to sit in his eye any second!
='hat do you want o# me, Nerakan dogL>
=Now, is that any way to greet your rescuersL> +orian asked, reali%ing what the ro*lem
was! &e li#ted his #acelate u to reveal his handsome #eatures! ="y name is +orian /arrett!
"y #riend and ) are rangers! 'eCre here to rescue you!>
Now, the woman did sit in his #ace through the small, *arred window in the wooden cell
door! =+o you really *elieve )Cd #all #or such an un*elieva*le loyL Mou can torture me all you
want, *ut even your master canCt make me su*mit to his will! ) am a riestess o# "ishakalN "ay
my lady strike@>
=(toN (to,> +orian retorted, Gust *arely a*ove a whiser! &e held u a small trinket in
his gauntled hand, the small latinum owl (hyla had K#oundC down here! =+oes this look
#amiliarL>
$he riestessC eyes #lew oen, the *reath catching in her throat! ="y holy endantN>
+orian nodded! =Meah, a kender #riend o# mine had it! ) kind o# thought she swied it
#rom you!>
$he riestessC eyes narrowed to slits! =&ow do ) know you +ark Anights didnCt kill her
and take itL )tCs Gust like you to do something like that!>
+orian #ro%eJ she had him there! $here were de#inite disadvantages to dressing u as a
Anight o# Neraka! =MouCre Gust going to have to trust me on that score!>
: second +ark Anight aeared at her window, and then raised his own #acelate to talk
to her! =Reverend +aughter, do you really *elieve that a +ark Anight, sworn to serve the #orces
o# darkness *ody and soul, could even touch "ishakalCs sym*ol without *eing *urned *y its
innate holinessL>
$he cleric was taken a*ack #or a moment, and $im*erwol# went on, showing her his own
necklace, a shining silver arrowhead! =(eeL 'eCre on your sideN>
+orian reached through the *ars and handed her *ack the small gleaming owl! :#ter a
moment, she nodded! =) gave this to the kender to seed her Gourney! (he rescued siI children
the day *e#ore last! )n retaliation, the marBuis murdered ten men! &e said theyCd serve him #or
all eternity as the undead!>
+orian cleared his throat! =1h!!!yeah! ) think we assed them on our way in here! $hey
were no more than skeletons, my lady! -ur mage *lew their *ones aart with one o# his sells!>
=0asryn (tormL> the young woman suddenly asked, and *oth rangers were taken *y
surrise that she knew him! =(hyla mentioned him, and a young knight o# (olamnia, named (ir
"arkham (wordhawk! (he said theyCd *een #riends #or years!>
=Meah, theyCre *oth here,> +orian told her! (omething or someone suddenly tugged on
his cloak, and the startled Rangerlord looked down!
=&i, +orianN ) see you #ound Princess "ercidithN> (hyla ied u, as glee#ul as
ossi*le! =(ee, "erciL ) told you )Cd *ring helN>
=(hylaN 'hat are you doing hereL> $im*erwol# eIclaimed! Nervously, he cast a #urtive
glance down the long corridor, their only ath out! ='e told you to stay with the othersN>
=Meah, *ut ) got *ored,> the small kender told him, taking out her lockick set #rom one
o# her ouches! =/esides, you need me to oen the cell doors #or youN &ow did you lan to get
the risoners outL>
<la**ergasted, +orian and $im*erwol# steed *ack! (hyla had the cell door unlocked in
seconds, and the young riestess steed out! +orian saw she wore the holy sym*ol at her waist,
dangling #rom her *elt! : second, smaller owl glinted at her throat! =*rincess "ercidithL>
$he young woman nodded regally! =) am the daughter o# &is )merial "aGesty, the
emeror o# .rgoth!>
$im*erwol#Cs Gaw #ell oen with sudden recognition! =-# courseN MouCre the heir to the
throne o# .rgothN ) heard you studied at the Citadel o# ;ightN>
+orian swet his *lack cloak *ack, taking a grand and #ormal *ow, revealing his training
as a child in no*le courts o# Palanthas! =:n honor to meet your &ighness, *ut weCre a *it ressed
#or time! )# youCll #ollow usL>
=Not without the children,> "erci insisted, in a tone that was not to *e Buestioned!
+orianCs eyes narrowed! -h, she was royalty, all right!
$he humans looked u, and saw that all the remaining cells had *een oened while theyCd
chatted! (hyla had wasted no time! /linking, the children wandered out o# their cells, their
mothers hugging them and crying! $he three men Gust stood there, eyeing the aarent +ark
Anights warily, standing *etween them and the children!
=:re we to *e eIecuted then, or #ed to the vamireL> one man asked! &e was wan and
thin, *eaten down, *ut there was #ire yet in his eyes!
=$omas, itCs all right,> "erci told him! =$hese men are here to hel!>
:t this, the man called $omas nodded in her direction, *ut still scowled at +orian! =)#
you say so, my lady!>
=Come, Buickly,> +orian told them all, rushing ast, leading the way out o# the cell*lock!
&e was almost to the end o# the corridor when the door to the guardhouse suddenly oened, and
a *lack knight steed out, casting a surrised glance his way! +orian strode #orward
urose#ully, stealth#ully drawing his dagger, and hiding it u against his arm!
=&ere now, whatCs thisL> the knight asked! &is eyes were red and his seech was slurred
#rom too much drink!
=-rders #rom his ;ordshi,> +orian told him Buickly! &is Nerakan wasnCt that great, *ut
he could get *y! =&e wants to #east tonight!>
'hile the +ark Anight continued to stare at him with an o*livious look on his #ace,
+orian sta**ed him, shoving the dagger all the way into the manCs stomach, Gust *elow the
*reastlate! (urrise #illed the evil knightCs #ace, and he gra**ed +orian, dying, sliding to the
#loor!
$hatCs when the screaming and growling started, accomanied *y the clash o# steel, #rom
somewhere down the other corridor! +orian immediately knew their #riends were in trou*le!
CHAPTER TEN
=Damn that kender to the :*yssN> ,arnet hissed, making a #utile gra* #or (hyla
as she snuck out the door and into the hallway!
0asryn looked u! )n the long minutes since the rangers le#t them *ehind, his sell wore
o##J the secret door lost its eerie orange glow and slid shut! $hen, the kender announced that she
was *ored, and 0asryn was #orced to agree with her! $he young mage removed the slender, silver
wand #rom his *ag, and care#ully eIamined it *y the so#t light o# the oil lam! &e held the wand
care#ully, concentrating on it with his innate a*ility to (ense "agic! :t his *est guess, the wand
held nine charges! )t ro*a*ly "as a wand o# #ire*alls, *ut he wouldnCt know that #or certain
until he had the chance to study it more closely and identify its dweomer! -# course, he could
always #ind out the hard way, *y taking a chance and actually using the darned thingN
$he kender, meanwhile, had nothing to distract her, and, as any native o# Arynn could tell
you, a *ored kender will eventually #ind something to do, no matter how dangerous it was!
0asryn re#lected that they shouldCve seen this coming, *eing stuck here in a dark rivy with
nothing to do *ut wait #or the others to return!
+ shouldve put her to sleep. Too late no", the *oy mage thought!
$here was nothing #or it! ,arnet oened the rivy door all the way, calling in a hoarse
whiser #or (hyla to come *ack! &e might as well have asked #or the gods to say destroying
)star was a mistake, and to undo it! $he comanions iled out o# the dark rivy, chasing a#ter
her! "arkCs armor clinked, as did ,arnetCs! $he dwar# was shouting, Gust a*ove a whiser,
making so much noise 0asryn was surrised the entire castle didnCt know they were here!
:s i# hearing his thoughts, a door at the #ar end o# the corridor oened u, and an ugly-
looking orc stuck his head out to see what all the #uss was a*out! &e narrowed his Gaundiced
eyes in an angry #rown, and shouted, =&ey, youN 'here did you come #romL>
$he orc steed out into the corridor, and another one was right *ehind him! =+armuth,
you num*skullN $hatCs the same kender that heled the children escae two days agoN>
,runting, +armuth ulled his *roadsword #rom its sheath, and started to run in (hylaCs
direction! $he second orc aused Gust long enough to warn his comanions in that room to get
u, the *lasted kender was *ack! : #ew seconds later, #ive more orcs #iled out o# the room into
the corridor! -nly one had noticed the kenderCs three comanions, racing toward them! :o"
was the time #or a sleep sell, 0asryn reali%ed! &eCd never tried to cast a sell while running
*e#ore, *ut he had to tryN $he *oy *egan the hand motions necessary to unleash the magic, and
*egan to chant!
=Ast tasara" sin@'hat in the!!!L>
0asryn a*rutly stoed running, and instead *egan to dance! Dance, like he was at an
all-night arty ;aura was throwing in the )nn o# the ;ast &ome, and 0ean <arnworth was laying
her har to a lively tune! 0asryn tried to sto, *ut couldnCt! &e saw the orcs, *loodthirsty and
turning in their direction, weaons drawn! &e saw his #riends rushing #orward, a*out to engage
the monsters at any second, and here he was, dancing his heart outN
Oh, no0 the mage slowly reali%ed, horror #illing his *eing! ?Tis the boots0 They must be
cursed0 + dont kno" ho" long this is going to go on, but at least they cant see me. 'ome
"izard + am0
(teel clanged on steel, making sarks #ly, as "arkham and ,arnet met the enemy! /oth
were armed with magical weaons, at least! $he mage #elt helless, dancing against his will!
"ark Buickly slew one orc, then another, *e#ore the enemy soldiers #inally reali%ed they
were under attack! &e swi#tly lo**ed o## its head, *e#ore a third monster counterattacked with a
*roadsword! ,lowing a *rilliant orange in the dank, dingy corridor, 'hado"song Buickly
chied ieces out o# the orcCs *lade!
NeIt to him, ,arn )rondelve swung his ancient dwarven aIe, driving its massive curved,
*laded head directly into the chest o# his oonent@and clean through@as i# he were a *utcher
choing cold meat with a cleaver! ,arnet aused to stare at the aIe in awe, only #or a second!
&is trusty old war-aIe, now straed to his *ack, had never done that0 : second orc attacked
him, and the dwar# reeated his swing, choing through armor, muscle, and *one as i# they
were old archment!
$he dwar# warrior strode #orward to the neIt orc, shouting an ancient war cry #rom the
Alar clan!
:#ter two minutes that seemed like an eternity, 0asryn #inally stoed dancing! &is
#riends were making good headway against the orcs, *ut he was useless to them with these
cursed *oots on his #eetN $he teenager Buickly sat down on the stone #loor and tried to ull them
o##!
0asryn grunted and ulled, to no avail! &e #inally stared at the *oots in horror! $hey
wouldnCt come o##N &e could wriggle his toes inside, and #elt lenty o# room! $hey were a
good, com#orta*le #it, and they ena*led him to walk silently, like the elven *oots heCd thought
they were, *ut they wouldnCt come o##N
$he mage looked u! $he orcs still had his #riends outnum*ered, three to two! $here still
might *e something he could doN &olding the thin silver wand tightly, the *oy took care#ul aim
at the middle orc, and ronounced the word2 =*air$>
$wo things haened then! : #ire*all *urst #rom the ru*y, searing a ath down the
corridor, straight #or the orc, and 0asryn started dancing again, sinning on the #loor like a to!
&eCd once seen a troo o# circus er#ormers in (olace, and one o# them danced on his *ack on
the #loor, sinning, eIactly as he was doing now! 2reak,dancing, the er#ormers had called it!
$his time, the dance lasted #or only a minute, *ut when he #inally stoed, he was di%%y!
0asryn looked u and shook his head to clear it! &is two comanions were still standing,
their enemies #allen all around them! /oth looked around, and then in 0asrynCs general direction,
angry eIressions on their #aces!
=<ool o# a human mageN> ,arnet growled! ='here is heL>
(heeishly, the *oy ulled his hood down, and reaeared! ,arnet )rondelve yelled at
him #rom twenty #eet away! 'iss o# smoke rose #rom his whiskers! =Mou doorknob0 Mou
singed my *eardN>
=(orry, ,arn! ) couldnCt think o# anything else to do,> the *oy eIlained Buickly! &e
still sat there on the #loor, ointing at his #eet! =)tCs these darned *oots! ) started dancing when )
tried to cast a sell, and now they wonCt come o##N>
0asryn sounded like he was a*out ready to cry! -n his first real adventure, everyone was
deending on him as their only mage, and heCd messed u *ig-timeN
"ark was #la**ergasted! &e was a*out ready to say )-told-you-so, *ut held his tongue!
,arnet was a little more symathetic! : little! &e lowered his new aIe to the stone #loor
with a loud *ang, and announced, =/oots o# Dancing9 Mou shouldCve *een a kender, 0asryn
(tormN &ow could a mage #all #or thatL>
$he *oy looked u in surrise! =Mou know what they areL>
=-# course ) know what they areN> the dwar# yelled *ack, with the tone o# a #ather
scolding his young son! =:nvil ,oldenshield ut a air o# the thrice-cursed things on during the
Chaos 'arN $he little dumkoff didnCt reali%e that anything he #ound in a Daegar stronghold was
not to *e trustedN ReorI-cursed /lack Ro*e magicN>
=&ow did he get them o##L> the *oy asked!
=$hey have to *e removed *y a high-level cleric, or a truly ower#ul wi%ard who knows
how to remove curses,> ,arnet in#ormed him! =Timber"olf might *e a*le to do it, once he stos
laughing, i# he doesnCt get his #ool head choed o## #irstN>
"arkhamCs *lood #ro%e, his eyes widening! =Mou canCt sellcast at all9 &ow are we
going to get out o# hereL $he door shut itsel#N>
0asryn aled! &e hadnCt thought o# thatN &e swallowed, and then reali%ed something!
='aitaminute! )!!!) cast the sell o# oening after ) ut these darned *oots on, so may*e@>
=!aybe9> "ark screamed! =0ase, we have several children counting on us to lead them
out o# hereN Mou darned-well better *e a*le to oen that doorN>
=+onCt get yerselC in a ti%%y, "ark,> ,arnet told him, waving his hand! =)# ) remem*er
correctly, those *oots only start dancing i# the wearer tries to attack or de#end himsel#! &e can
do anything else he wishes, like oening doors!>
$rem*ling, a#raid it wasnCt going to work, the *oy held the alm o# his hand u and
called #or light! =Shira"$>
)mmediately, a glo*e o# *rilliant, ale *lue-white light aeared, illuminating twenty #eet
o# the corridor! 0asryn sighed with relie#! =Meah, ) can oen the door, "ark! ) memori%ed the
oening sell three times, knowing )Cd ro*a*ly need it to unlock cell doors!>
=:t least you can do something use#ul,> "arkham snaed, sounding hauntingly like
0asrynCs adotive #ather, the old *aron! $hen he turned, harking to the noise o# *attle coming
#rom #urther down the corridor! :ll three o# them #ro%e, reali%ing what it meant!
=+orian and $im*erwol# are in trou*le,> "arkham announced, and dashed down in the
direction o# the com*at, not looking *ack! ,arnet #ollowed, and minute later, a#ter getting u, so
did 0asryn! Pulling his hood u to turn invisi*le again, he le#t the glo*e o# light #loating in the
air, and ran a#ter them! 0asryn couldnCt imagine what good he could do with these cursed *oots
on, *ut he had to tryN
$he three comanions didnCt have to go very #ar to #ind trou*le! :t the end o# the
corridor, coming round a huge suort column, were #our +ark Anights! $he sight o# a
(olamnic Anight and a charging dwar# startled them #or a #ew seconds! $hen they all drew their
swords to meet the invaders!
=(ir /rack, where did they come #romL> one o# the dark knights asked his #ellow!
=+unno, $errey, *ut we canCt let them near his ;ordshiN +e#end the marBuisN>
/rack moved #orward, meeting "arkham head-on! $errey swung his sword at ,arnet,
their two comanions Goined in! :rriving on the scene, 0asryn watched the com*at warily,
wondering what he could ossi*ly do! 0ust a*out any sell he cast to hel could *e considered
an attack! $he wand was his only chance, *ut heCd only get o## a single #ire*all *e#ore he started
to dance, and even then, he ran the chance o# hitting one o# his #riends in such close Buarters!
Cloaked and silent, 0asryn went to the le#t, thinking to go around the massive suort column!
&e was almost all the way around it when he noticed another secret door, wide oen!
:arently, the #our knights had come out through this concealed door! 0asryn eeked inside!
)t was a cavernous cham*er, which had surrisingly little inside o# it! -n the northern
wall was a raised dais with a massive o*sidian throne at the to! $o the right o# the throne was a
*eauti#ully worked o*sidian sarcohagus, with solid gold trim! $he *oy turned and saw the
*attle was #lowing in his direction! &e drew his wand, reared to take his one shot!
$he +ark Anights, outnum*ering his #riends #our to two, ressed them *oth *ack into the
room, and 0asryn *acked u even #urther! &e held the wand at the ready, una*le to take a shot,
lest he hit all o# them!
-ne in the wide cham*er, however, *oth "ark and ,arnet had room to maneuver their
oversi%e weaons to their *est advantage! $he (olamnic Anight *roke his enemyCs sword with
'hado"song, and then went on to run his enemy through! 1n#ortunately, this le#t "arkhamCs
le#t side oen, and the other knight took advantage o# this to sta* at him! "arkham winced! &is
late mail turned the oint o# the *lade, *ut the #orce o# imact still hurt! :ngered, "ark swung
'hado"song to his le#t, arrying the neIt *low!
,arnet had little trou*le arrying his enemiesC sword thrusts with his new enchanted
weaonJ the large head o# the war-aIe acted as a makeshi#t shield, and the dwar#Cs muscles, large
and riling #rom long hours o# #orging metal daily #or years, *esides com*at eIercises with his
own heavy aIe, ena*led ,arnet to handle a normal aIe with ease! $his magical war-aIe, #orged
long ago in the *owels o# $hor*ardin *y Ru*y &ammer#el, was light as a #eather! ,arnet
wielded it like a sea el# suddenly having to #ight in air, which o##ered #ar less resistance than
water!
,arnetCs oonent made a #atal error *y slashing downward with too much #orce! &is
thin longsword shattered on imact with the magical aIe, leaving him weaonless! )n the neIt
moment, ,arnet swung his aIe into the manCs chest! $he dark knight went down with a look o#
shock on his #ace!
"eanwhile, "arkCs oonentCs weaon was much worse #or wear, nicked in several
laces, as he #ought against 'hado"song! "arkham riosted, Buickly *urying the oint o# his
greatsword in the +ark AnightCs heart! /reathing hard, he turned to his right, and saw ,arnet
#inishing o## his own oonent at a*out that same instant!
=&a ha ha ha ha haN> chilling, mocking laughter greeted them, echoing throughout the
cavernous stone cham*er! /oth #ighters looked u and noticed a #igure seated on what aeared
to *e a large throne o# o*sidian #or the #irst time! =Fery good, very good! )# my minions cannot
de#eat a #ew invaders, they do not deserve to serve me, in li#e!!!or in death!>
'hado"songCs rune shone *rilliantly, and even the *lade itsel# glowed with the inner #ire
o# a #orge! $he hilt had *egun to hum and vi*rate in "arkCs hand! $he knight understood! $his
was a monstrously evil, eItremely ancient and ower#ul vamire!
"arkham glanced around the room as the creature soke! &e recogni%ed the etched
runes carved deely into the walls, the ceremonial candles, the smokeless torches *urning in gold
sconces on the walls, and most telling, the large ela*orate sarcohagus Gust to the right o# the
throne! $hey were standing in a tom*, which dou*led as the vamireCs audience cham*er!
=) donCt know how you managed to make it ast my dracolich in one iece! <ire*rand
was much more attentive to his duties in li#e!>
=+racolichL> "arkham asked, #orming his mouth around the un#amiliar term!
(omewhere, he knew, his invisi*le mage #riend was ro*a*ly shuddering at mention o# the
strange monster, *ut the knight had never studied things magicalJ the little *it he did know, heCd
icked u #rom 0asryn!
=Ja,> the marBuis continued in a thick Nerakan accent! =: dracolich is the reanimated
skeleton o# a dragon! ;ike all undead, the oor creature thinks itCs still alive!>
"arkham lightly steed to his le#t, #urther away #rom the oen doorway, giving himsel#
more room to maneuver, should rein#orcement come #rom that direction! $he vamire continued
seaking, mildly amused *y the mortal knight!
=<ire*rand was mortally wounded in the 'ar o# the ;ance, and he made his way *ack
here, to his lair, to die! ) #ound him Buite use#ul as a guard #or the secret assageway through the
underground caverns, and called him to service again! ;et me guess, youCre #ar too chivalrous to
touch <ire*randCs treasure, and so #ailed to wake the dracolich! Mou (olamnic Anights are so
good, its sickening0> $he marBuis scowled with distaste as the said this last sentence, his words
echoing throughout the tom*!
=$hanks #or the comliment,> "arkham relied, li#ting his sword slightly! -ut o# the
corner o# his eye, he saw ,arnet standing a #ew #eet to his right! $he dwar# was likewise
reared #or anything!
0asryn stood there, invisi*le, watching the whole eIchange, wand out and ready! &eCd o#
course had a #ew chances to throw a #ire*all at Ne#ariant, *ut he was gathering #ar too much
in#ormation at the moment! &eCd Gust reali%ed that his instincts regarding the dragonCs skeleton
were correct! : dracolich was reanimated *y the #oulest o# /lack "agic rites, and it was nearly
as ower#ul as it had *een in li#e, sometimes even more so! 0asryn didnCt know how they were
going to get ast that thing on their way out! )# he had reawakened <ire*rand@and, with the
small dragonCs tooth in his ouch, he might well have@they had a very *ig ro*lem! $he only
thing he could think o#, with these cursed *oots stuck on him, was to *last it with #ire*alls #rom
his wand@assuming, o# course, that #ire*alls would even a##ect a dracolich created #rom the
skeleton o# a #ire-*reathing red dragon! $he only solution 0asryn saw was to teach one o# the
others how to use the wand, to destroy the dracolich on their way out o# this lace!
'hile 0asryn was lotting this, the vamire suddenly turned his head, and looked right at
him!
$oo late, the mage remem*ered that a vamire wouldnCt *e #ooled *y an elven cloak, and
so #ailed to avert his ga%e! Ne#ariant ga%ed directly into 0asrynCs sahire *lue eyes with his
*loodshot red ones, and the *oy was instantly entranced, under the vamireCs dominion!
(uddenly, 0asryn saw Ne#ariant in a new light! $he marBuis looked much as he had in
li#e, roughly 0asrynCs age! &is golden *lond hair #ell a*out his thin shoulders in curls, his
#eatures were hawk-like and no*le, and his #iery-red uils re#lected a kindness toward his
su*Gects! $he young mage couldnCt think o# a kinder, no*ler master to serve!
-ome to me, Jasryn 'torm 1on 2ladmere, the vamire mentally commanded him!
=Mes, "aster,> the *oy relied, and started toward the raised dais! $he vamire eered
directly into his soul, through his eyes! $he *oy stoed at the #oot o# the throne!
=,arn, did you Gust hear 0asrynCs voiceL> "arkham asked!
=:ye, an ) didN )t sounded like 0ase Gust called the vamire his master,> the dwar#
answered!
=1h oh,> "ark muttered! =0aseN +onCt look him in the eyeN ;ook awayN>
$he mage heard his #riends seaking, *ut it was like hearing the distant *ark o# household
dogs, while his dearest #riend was having a conversation with him over a sumtuous meal!
0asryn was standing only a #ew #eet away #rom Ne#ariant now, ga%ing directly into the creatureCs
eyes!
The /ord of the 0ight wants to tr. .ou for treason, Ne#ariant told him, seaking directly
to the teenagerCs mind! Don1t fret2 3 will #rote4t .ou, &o.2 3 4an use a 4om#etent mage for a
4hange, es#e4iall. one of high &irth2 Just now, there1s something 3 want .ou to do for me2
Su4h a little thing.
='hat is that, "asterL> 0asryn asked!
"arkCs head snaed u! &eCd distinctly heard 0asrynCs voice u *y the throne! =,arn,
weCre in very dee trou*le! 0ase is in his ower!>
=No kidding! )s that why the lad kees calling the marBuis his masterL ) thought heCd
Gust decided to give u his white ro*es to Goin the $horn AnightsN>
=$his is no time #or Gokes,> "arkham whisered urgently! =,et ready to duck!>
Turn around and annihilate .our friends2 Destro. them$
=Mes, "aster,> 0asryn relied, and did as the vamire *id him! $he mage didnCt see his
#riends in the same light anymore, either! $he dwar# looked like a #eral /lar, with his *eard and
hair matted and unkemt, and *loodlust in his *eady little eyes! "arkhamCs silver (olamnic
armor aeared tarnished and rusted in laces, and his enchanted sword glowed with a
malevolent light! $hese men were sent to harm his masterN 0asryn couldnCt allow thatN
=+estroy my #riends,> 0asryn said in a monotone, raising his wand outside the
concealment o# his cloak! $he knight caught the slight movementJ saw the scarlet-glowing ru*y
at the ti o# the silver wand eek out #rom nowhere, ointed directly at them!
=+1CAN> "ark cried, and he and the dwar# #ell #lat on the tiled #loor!
=*air$> 0asryn cried! : #ire*all eIloded #rom the wand, increasing in si%e to the
diameter o# a go*lin *all #rom the childCs game, as it "hooshed across the tom* toward the
comanions, Gust as they hit the deck! $he #laming shere #lew right over them and eIloded
loudly as it imacted on the #ar wall!
)mmediately, 0asryn started to dance, taing his way merrily down the stone stes o# the
dais! &is hood slied down, and the mage reaeared, dancing his heart out!
Ne#ariant scowled! =+onCt tell me you ut those ridiculous elven *oots onL )Cm
surrounded *y incometentsN>
$he vamire rose #rom this throne, intending to end this himsel#, when $im*erwol# *urst
into the tom*, long*ow out and ready! $he vamire immediately #elt the innate goodness o# the
*lessed silver arrowheadJ its holiness re#lected the torchlight #ar too *rilliantly! &is eyes
widened with understanding! $his human was a cleric o# Airi-0olithN
$he shaman Buickly glanced around the vast stone cham*er, taking in everything! &e
saw his #riends lying #lat on the #loor, saw the ghost o# dying #lames and thick, *lack smoke
rising #rom the stone wall *eyond them, and he saw 0asryn dancing down the stone stes o# a
dais *y the #ront o# the tom*!
:n instant later, $im*erwol# sied his target, shouting o*scenities and rising #rom an
o*sidian throne! $he shaman took care#ul aim, and with a rayer on his lis, let his *lessed
arrow #ly!
;ike a shooting star, the silver arrow #lew across the tom*, unerringly toward the
vamire! Ne#ariant, sensing his danger, instantly turned into mist! $he arrow assed harmlessly
through the cloud as it sread out and *illowed toward the oen door!
=/egone, #oul creature o# the nightN /egoneN> $im*erwol# cried a#ter the retreating mist,
which was sliing out the door with all the seed o# a rushing storm cloud! $he shaman Buickly
ran to his #riends!
=:re you all rightL>
=MeahN <orget usN &el 0asrynN> "ark cried!
$im*erwol# looked u and aroached the dancing mage, wondering what sick #light o#
#ancy ossessed Ne#ariant to command the *oy to dance like this! &e reached #or his holy
sym*ol under his *reastlate, Gust as the mage stoed dancing, looking around him in a da%e!
$he *oy stared, trans#iIed at the sight o# the gleaming silver arrowhead! $hen, he shook his head
to clear it, waking u #rom a dream!
=$im*erwol#L> the mage asked, looking around! ='hatCs going onL "ark, whatCre you
and ,arn doing on the #loorL>
='e thought it was a good time #or a na,> ,arnet relied sarcastically! =Mou #ell under
the vamireCs ower, you doorkno*N Mou attacked us with a #ire*allN>
=) didL> the *oy asked *lankly, staring at the glittering silver and ru*y wand in his hand!
=Come on,> the shaman said, taking the teenager *y the arm and urging him toward the
eIit! ='eCve got to get out o# here *e#ore Ne#ariant returns with more troos!>
-ut in the hall, 0asryn saw +orian and several ragged looking risoners, most o# them
children! $he mage suddenly remem*ered what they were doing here, the hidden door in the
rivy, the dracolich, and the *oots! &e turned to the shaman! =$im*erwol#, these *oots are
cursedN Can you get them o## meL>
=;ater,> the shaman Buickly relied! ='eCve got to get out o# here, right nowN>
$he grou ran *ack the way theyCd come, straight down the corridor to the rivy at the
end o# the hall, 0asryn and $im*erwol# in the lead! (hyla and ,arnet were right *ehind them, the
dwar# holding his aIe ready! +irectly *ehind them were "erci and the risoners with "arkham
and +orian covering their rear! 0asryn threw oen the oak door and Buickly steed into the
small rivy, moving toward the south wall!
=&ere, take this,> 0asryn said, and handed the wand to $im*erwol#! 'hen the shaman
looked slightly con#used, he ela*orated! =)tCs a wand o# #ire*alls! 'eCll need it to get ast the
dracolich!>
=+racolichL> $im*erwol# cried, well #amiliar with the term! &is Gaw #ell oen! =Mou
mean thereCs a dracolich *ack thereL>
=+onCt talk, listen! Point the ru*y at the dracolich and say the word Kkair!C>
$im*erwol# glanced at the slender wand in his hands, and asked, =/-->
=+onCt say it yetN> 0asryn cut him o##, and then nodded! =Right! /air is the .ldritch
word #or #ire!>
$im*erwol# stared at him! ='hy canCt you!!!L>
=/ecause ) cant,> 0asryn told him, eIaserated! =$hese *oots are cursed! ) canCt attack
or even de#end mysel#! )Cm lucky ) can still oen this doorN Now, stand *ack!>
0asryn lightly touched the stone wall, closed his eyes in concentration, and ronounced,
=*hetsaram #a"liol$>
)mmediately, the wall #lared with orange light and slid oen! 0asryn was through *e#ore
it was even all the way oen! $im*erwol#, ,arnet, and the others swi#tly #ollowed!
=Shira",> the *oy cried, and a glo*e o# light *urst to li#e in the alm o# his hand,
illuminating the room! =$his way, Buickly!>
$he mage guided their way through the armory, through the small *arracks, and down the
stone stes, making sure everyone was #ollowing closely *ehind him! 0asryn Buickly checked
out the outer cham*er #rom the to o# the stairs, and *reathed a sigh o# relie#! &eCd hal#-eIected
the skeletons to *e waiting #or them, *ut the human *ones Gust lay there! $he *oy went Buickly
*ack, *rushing ast his #riends and the risoners!
=0ase, whatCs wrongL> "ark asked, his sword held high!
=Nothing, thank (olinari! ) was Gust checking to make sure there were no surrises
waiting #or us,> the mage answered! =)s every*ody throughL>
"erci did a Buick head-count! =Mes, ) think so! .leven children, seven adults!>
=0asryn, you should close that door,> +orian told him, thum*ing *ack toward the armory!
=$hatCs why ) came *ack, - #earless leader,> the mage told him smartly! =) Gust ran
ahead to make sure those skeletons were staying dead this time!>
=;et us handle the skeletons,> "erci told him, and turned toward $im*erwol#! =Children,
stay here until we tell you itCs sa#e!>
: #ew o# the small heads *o**ed u and down! "ostly, they stood huddled like shee,
with large, #rightened eyes! $heir arents stood *y themJ the men looked like they wanted to ask
some Buestion, *ut reali%ed that now was not the time! $heir rescuers were moving *ack and
#orth, checking their advance and their retreat!
0asryn moved Buickly through the armory again, and #ound ,arnet waiting #or him, aIe
ready! =Coast is clear, *ut ) donCt know #or how much longer!>
$he magician nodded! &e le#t the glo*e hanging in the air #or a moment, ressed his
hands #lat against the stone door, and ushed! $he ortal ivoted silently on hidden hinges, and
the orange glow vanished, sealing it shut!
=Can you seal it with magicL> ,arnet asked, his *eard *ristling, his *ushy *rown
eye*rows #urrowed as he #rowned!
$he mage shook his head! =) donCt know what would haen i# ) tried to dou*le arcane,
lock it, and ) didnCt memori%e that sell anyway! ) Gust lanned on opening locked cell doors, not
sealing them again!>
=&and me that ike over there,> ,arnet told him, ointing to the long weaon, leaning
against a wall! 0asryn instantly got the idea! )n seconds, theyCd roed several long-handled
weaons and swords against the wall and caught in a groove in the stone #loor, *arricading the
whole thing! =) never did trust magic, anyhow! $he simlest solutions are usually the *est!>
=;etCs go,> 0asryn told him, taking his glo*e o# light once more, and heading out!
=-kay, we *arricaded the secret door,> ,arnet told "arkham in the *arracks!
=,ood! Princess "ercidith and $im*erwol# are in there, making sure those skeletons
donCt wake u again,> the knight eIlained, and led the way *ack to where heCd le#t the two
clerics!
='hat a*out usL> $omas asked the knight as they assed *y! ='hat can we doL>
=Not much,> the knight said tact#ully, eyeing the oor hysical condition o# the men, and
trying hard to ignore the small o# long imrisonment! $hen he thought *etter o# it! : man with a
weaon in his hands was *etter than a *arehanded, escaing risoner! =$hereCs a *unch o#
swords in that room we assed through! :rm yourselves! ) wonCt lie to you, weCll ro*a*ly have
to #ight, *ut leave the #ighting to us!>
=Mes, (ir Anight, and may the gods *less you,> $omas answered!
+orian was ama%ed at the simle manCs reaction to "arkCs shining (olamnic armor,
verses the reaction he received #or his *orrowed *lack suit o# mail! $he Rangerlord lanned on
losing this armor in #avor o# his green hunting leathers as soon as ossi*le!
$im*erwol# reaeared, his #eet scu##ling on the stes as he ran! ='e need to go, right
now! 'e donCt know how much longer *e#ore the vamire returns with his whole army!>
"arkham nodded! &e looked *ack, and saw the three male risoners now each *ore a
sword, and had even armed the women with short swords and a sear! .ven some o# the older
children held a dagger in their hands! $he young man didnCt really eIect them to #ight, *ut he
#elt *etter, knowing the children were armed with something, in case the enemy made it ast all
o# them!
=-kay, #ollow us,> "arkham told them in a command tone heCd icked u during his
training! =(tay close, and watch out #or de*ris on the ath! "ake sure the little ones are with
you! Carry them, i# you can!>
$he adults nodded, and #ollowed the adventurers out and down the stone stairs! $hey
assed through the tom* with its scattered human *ones as Buickly as ossi*le! 0asryn looked at
the rincess, and his *reath caught short! (he looked eIhausted, like he had, a#ter #ighting in the
*attle near (olace three days ago! $im*erwol# also looked ale, *ut didnCt say anything! $he
young wi%ard edged closer to "ercidith, gallantly o##ering her his arm to lean on! $he lady
acceted with a smile and a nod o# her head!
=) thank you, (ir "age!>
=MouCre the rincess (hyla mentioned, arenCt youL> 0asryn asked! 'hen she smiled at
him in that way some ladies had, the *oy *lushed like the young teenager he was! &e held the
glo*e o# light a little higher with his #ree hand!
=:ye, ) am Princess "ercidith o# .rgoth,> the cleric told him, and whisered close to his
ear! =/ut, you may call me "erci!>
$hey had entered the narrow, stone worked tunnel that led to the outer caverns! $he
magician noticed everyone had stoed, ausing in the dark, waiting with *aited *reath! $he
#ear was tangi*le!
=0asryn,> +orian whisered harshly! =,et u hereN>
$he thin mage sBuee%ed ast everyone, heading down the tunnel to the #ront o# the line!
&e #ound +orian and ,arnet standing Gust outside the tunnel, with $im*erwol# a #ew stes in
#ront o# them! $he dwar# *linked in the suddenly *right light 0asryn carried, *ut the glo*e didnCt
illuminate very much! $he light only stretched #or twenty #eet or so, as a torch, leaving much o#
the cavern in itch darkness!
=,arnet checked it out as *est he could with his dark vision! &e doesnCt see anything, *ut
that doesnCt mean thereCs nothing there! 'hat do you sense, mageL>
0asryn sighed, closing his eyes in concentration! &eCd never *een asked to eItend his
secial magic (ense like this, trying to #eel #or the tell tale static charge o# an enchantment!
1sually, heCd #eel a dweomer in a dagger or a ring *y assing his hand over it, or i# he held it
#irmly in his hands! -ccasionally, when "aster Palin or another high-level wi%ard cast a
articularly otent sell, heCd felt it, #rom as #ar away as several yards!
:#ter a #ew long minutes, during which 0asryn #elt nothing more than a cold dra#t coming
u #rom the yawning it, and heard only the *reathing o# his #riends, the young mage shook his
head!
=Nothing! $here may *e a dracolich out there, *ut ) donCt (ense it! (orry, +orian!>
=+onCt *e,> the Rangerlord told him, laughing nervously! =)Cd much rather there *e no
monster there to #ight, *oy! -kay, "ark! (tart everyone moving again! "ake sure to kee
everyone as #ar to the le#t as ossi*le! &ug the wall!>
$he comanions waited until everyone was out o# the tunnel, groued together in the
cavern! $he small ones looked scared in the cold ale light #rom 0asrynCs glo*e! +orian
reeated his instructions care#ully, adding to hold the childrenCs hands, making sure everyone
understood that theyCd *e crossing a very narrow ledge on the li o# a dangerous, dee it with
water at the *ottom!
=$he ledge is only seven #eet wide at *est, and itCs littered with rocks! /e very care#ul,>
+orian #inished, satis#ied only when all the adults, and the maGority o# children nodded! &eCd
made sure "arkham lit another torch, as a *ack u to 0asrynCs glo*e, and that the kender held it!
$hat way, they could *e sure where she was at all times! =(hyla, kee a close eye on everyone,
okayL>
=(ure,> the kender relied, nodding! -nce she was given something imortant to do,
(hyla rose to the task! )t was only when she got *ored, that they started having serious ro*lems!
(hyla held the torch high, and told something #unny to a little *oy to make him laugh! 'hen the
tow-headed child looked at +orian and giggled, the Rangerlord reali%ed he was the *utt o# the
Goke, *ut he didnCt mind! (o long as everyone stuck close together, they might yet make it out o#
here in one iece!
,arnet *la%ed the trail, a*le to see *est in itch darkness, holding $im*erwol#Cs hand to
guide him! $he shaman was still armed with 0asrynCs wand, which made the mage #eel *etter! )#
there were any trou*le, the two #ighters should *e a*le to handle it long enough to warn the rest
o# them! 0asryn stayed a good siIty #eet *ehind, lighting the way #or the long line o# eole, *ut
not close enough to ruin the dwar#Cs secial dark vision!
:t last they came to the narrow crack in the rock that led to the outer cham*er, that a
#ully-grown human could *arely ass through, with his shoulders *rushing against the stone!
0asryn was hal#way through, when he heard a warning shout #rom ,arnet!
=+R:C-;)C&N>
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fiery light *urned in the emty eyes sockets o# the dragonCs skull as the dracolich
regarded the tiny human mage and the insigni#icant dwar# with its toy weaon!
$he monstrosity stood *etter than #i#ty #eet tall, a hideous animation o# dried *ones that
held a slight reddish glow in the dwar#Cs dark-sight, almost like the glowing em*ers o# a dying
#ire! Normally the dwar# saw living *eings and animals that gave o## *ody heat in varying
shades o# red, #rom a dull scarlet to the *rilliant orange o# a #orgeCs #lames! .ven the stone walls
o# an underground cavern aeared as a dull *urnt um*er! +ried *ones that had *een le#t #or
many years like this *ore the same color o# stone, *ut these *ones looked like they were recently
a#lame!
$hen, the two adventurers heard a dee-voiced chuckling, the echo o# laughter, as it
resounded throughout the vast cavern! <ire #lashed #rom the thingCs Gaw*ones, *rie#ly lighting u
the whole creature, so the human cleric could see it, too! $hat was when $im*erwol# kne" they
were in serious trou*le!
Not certain it would even have any e##ect on the dark-magicked skeleton o# a #ire-
*reathing dragon, $im*erwol# ointed the #aintly glowing ru*y toward the dracolich as 0asryn
had instructed, and soke his very #irst magic word!
=*air$> $im*erwol# cried, and a *la%ing #ire*all eruted #rom the ru*y, seared across the
darkness o# the cavern in a #laming trail, and eIloded violently on imact with the animated
skeleton! (ome o# the *ones *roke loose, #lying away in the dark! $he dracolich roared, raising
its great skull to the cavernCs roo#, #lames shot #rom its Gaw!
=*air$> $im*erwol# reeated, and a second #ire*all shot #orward with the seed o# an
arrow! $his time, the #laming shere eIloded when it imacted with the thingCs skull, literally
knocking its *lock o##! $he massive skull #ell to the stone #loor with a loud crash! $he rest o#
the skeleton still stood there, however, moving a*out like a chicken with its head cut o##! $he
skullCs eye sockets continued to glow *ale#ully, *rilliant red! $hey looked like the #lames o# hell!
='hatCs haeningL> 0asryn asked, coming u #rom *ehind them! &is magic glo*e lit
u the whole immediate area! ,arnet thought the dracolich didnCt look any *etter in the light!
=) hit it with two #ire*alls, 0asryn, and itCs still moving,> $im*erwol# told him, holding u
the thin silver wand! $he enchanted ru*y continued to glow with suernatural light!
$he mage took in the situation Buickly, watching the dracolich move, the *ale#ul,
glowing dismem*ered skull, which still smoked with magic dragon-#ire! &e thought Buickly,
and then ointed!
=$ry hitting it in the sine, dead center,> 0asryn advised!
$he shaman nodded grimly, took care#ul aim, and reeated the magic word! : third
#ire*all *urned a *la%ing trail through the cavern, imacted with the dracolichCs *ack*one, and
shattered it in twain! $he thing continued to writhe, re#using to give u! $im*erwol# handed the
wand *ack to its owner, a grim eIression o# determination on his #ace!
=&ere, "age! Now ) try it my wayN> the shaman eIclaimed, removed his holy sym*ol
necklace #rom under his tunic, and slowly aroached the skeleton! $he silver arrowhead
glowed with a holy *lue light, glowing ever *righter as he neared the dracolich! $im*erwol#
chanted in his native Hue-(hu, and concentrated on the skull! $he red light in its eye sockets
grew dimmer with each ste $im*erwol# took toward it! <inally, the shaman knelt down and
hysically touched his holy sym*ol to the dragonCs skull! : *lue electric sark #lared in the dim
light, and the entire dracolich #ell aart into its comonent *ones, and then #inally lay still!
=Thats how to slay the undead,> the shaman told 0asryn in a atroni%ing tone the *oy
didnCt areciate! &owever, 0asryn was still awed *y $im*erwol#Cs ower! &olding the silver
wand *y the ti, the young mage let it rotate *etween his thum* and #ore#inger, so the ru*y
ointed downward!
$im*erwol# laughed at the teenagerCs reaction, steed #orward, and tousled his hair!
=+onCt #eel too *ad! )Cve had a lot more eIerience #ighting evil than you, kid!>
=-*viously,> 0asryn muttered as $im*erwol# *rushed ast him, *ack into the tunnel
where theyCd le#t the others! ,arnet stood there, whistling a hay tune, a gleam in his *rown
eyes! $he mage hal#-scowled at the dwar#! =(hut u!>
=)tCs sa#e now,> the shaman told the grou! =/ring them throughN>
='hat a*out the dracolichL> "erci asked, standing rotectively in #ront o# the risoners!
$hough nearly eIhausted #rom #ighting the undead, "erci rested her hand on her hi, near the
large latinum owl, reared to #ight again!
=) took care o# it, your &ighness,> $im*erwol# assured her! $he ranger gave her his most
disarming, cavalier smile! =$rust me, ) wouldnCt ut the lives o# these good eole in any more
danger!>
"erci relaIed, Gust a little! $he cleric ut her hand on the shoulder o# a little *oy and
urged him #orward!
+orian waited until they were all out and into the neIt cavern, did a head-count, and then
turned to 0asryn! $he young mage was oring over some small scras o# archment heCd taken
out o# his ouch! =/etter douse that light! 'eCre a*out to eIit the cavern, and ) donCt want the
'atch to see us!>
0asryn glanced u at him! =)Cm rearing something to hel our escae! Check the ath,
#irst! Ne#ariant mayCve stationed his men Gust outside!>
+orian nodded, signaled $im*erwol#, (hyla, and ,arnet to #ollow, and added o## to the
caveCs mouth, which was lit *y moonlight! 0asryn stood there muttering to himsel#, and
"arkham aroached the mage, a Bui%%ical eIression on his #ace!
=Mou get those #rom the treasure cham*erL> the knight asked, ointing to the small magic
scrolls his #riend was reading!
=!!!invisi*ility!!!no, its not mass invisi*ility! 'all o# #og!!!noe! 'e*, no! +anielCs
&ideous ;aughterL +e#initely notN &uhL -h, yeah, "ark! ,ood thing ) gra**ed these *its o#
archment, too! ) was taking most o# this stu## *ack to Palin, *ut weCre gonna need one o# these
sells to get out o# here sa#ely!>
=Can that magic *e trustedL> "arkham asked, glancing down at 0asrynCs #eet! $he
clerics still havenCt had a chance to remove the cursed *oots, and their only mage was seriously
handicaed wearing them!
=&mmL -h, yeah! Fery little can go wrong with a sell ) read mysel#, "ark,> the mage
eIlained! =/esides, this is a Red "agic incantation ) wouldnCt normally *e a*le to cast!>
=(o, how can you cast it, thenL> the knight asked! =:renCt you #rom a comletely
di##erent -rder o# &igh (orceryL>
=Normally, yes,> the *oy looked askance, smiling a little! =/ut these are scrolls! :ny
magician can cast the magic written on them, regardless o# his ro*eCs color! )ncluding!!!:haN
<ound itN> the *oy cried in triumh, stu##ing the other *its o# archment *ack into his ouch!
=Duma",> 0asryn ronounced, and the glo*e o# light oed out o# eIistence, lunging
the cavern into darkness once more!
=+orian told me to douse it,> he said *y way o# aology when everyone started
comlaining! ="ark, stay here! )Cve got to get this sell ready, or the archers on the wall will
start raining arrows down on us the second we leave this cave!>
Con#used, the knight watched his #riend ad o## to the moonlight *y the caveCs mouth,
archment in hand! &e returned to the others, his eyes slowly adGusting to the dim light!
=;isten care#ully,> "arkham told them in his command tone, gathering everyoneCs
attention! ='eCre rearing to leave the caverns! $hereCs a very good chance the +ark Anights
will *e waiting #or us! ) want everyone to stick together! &ug the cli## wall, itCll rovide some
cover! :s soon as weCre down on the ath, head #or the #orest, *ut kee together! 'e canCt
rotect you very well i# you scatter in a do%en di##erent directions!>
$he risoners all nodded, including most o# the children! (atis#ied, the knight #lashed a
reassuring smile at everyone! $hen he glanced at the caveCs mouth, wondering when the rangers
would return, or even i# they would! )# their scouts had *een am*ushed, theyCd never know it
until it was too late!
'ith *ated *reath, the Anight o# (olamnia stood in the darkness o# the cavern, watching
the young mage! ,auntleted hands rested on the hilt o# his enchanted sword, the weaonCs
shar, steel oint resting on the stone #loor! 'hado"songCs runes had grown dark, which was a
good sign!
<inally, a#ter several long minutes, #our shadows@two humans and two smaller ones@
reentered the ool o# moonlight! $hree o# them aroached to reort, while the #ourth, +orian,
lingered *y the 'hite Ro*e 'i%ard, talking in low tones!
=$he 'atch on the wall and the three towers have *een dou*led,> ,arnet said in his usual
*aritone! =/ut thereCs no*ody out on the ledge, in our ath at all! +orian doesnCt think they can
easily get to this art o# the mountain!>
=$he #orestCs clear, too,> $im*erwol# told him! =/ut weCve got to leave no"! )t wonCt *e
long *e#ore they #ind a way to come a#ter us!>
"arkham (wordhawk nodded, taking in all this tactical intelligence with a critical ear!
='hat a*out graling hooks and roesL CanCt they clim* down to the ledge #rom the castle
wallL>
,arnetCs eye*rows #urrowed, and he smiled! =$heyCd need a good seventy-#ive #eet o#
roe, and several o# them! +onCt #orget, weCve got three archers and a mage, and can ick them
o## as they tried to clim* down! $hat wallCs *uilt #or defense, lad, not attack!>
=,ood,> "ark relied, and turned to "ercidith! =)tCs nearly time, your &ighness!>
:s the grou aroached the caveCs mouth, "ark could hear 0asryn chanting in the
sidery language o# magic, his *lue eyes re#lected intense concentration, his right hand ointing
outside! $he scrollCs scrit disaeared in u##s o# *lue smoke, the same color o# the ink, as
0asryn read each word! "arkham swallowed, understanding dawning! 0asryn had said he took
those arti#acts to give them to Palin, which was ro*a*ly trueJ the archmage couldCve easily
coied the scrolls, *ack in 'ayreth $ower! $he incantation on that small scroll was a one-shot
deal! /y reading it, 0asryn was sacri#icing the magic it contained to kee them all sa#e!
:s the young mage ronounced the #inal word, a small u## o# *lue smoke rose into the
air, leaving a *lank scra o# archment! "arkham looked outside, and #rowned! Nothing
seemed to have changed! $he mage was smiling at him!
=)tCs done! 'e can leave now!>
='hat did you doL> +orian demanded!
=$rust me,> the mage said, still smiling! 'ithout another word, the *oy steed out into
the moonlight, walked down the ath, hugging the rocky wall as "arkham had earlier instructed!
$he moment "ark steed outside, he noticed that everything #elt weird! $he moonlight
had a strange Buality to it, as i# seen #rom underwater! .ven sounds, the scru## o# his *oot on the
stone, the whimer o# the risoners, seemed muted! "arkham looked u, and saw the #licker o#
torches and the shadows o# men, as watery outlines! &is *lue-gray eyes widened, and then
regarded the young white ro*ed mage with awe!
=&eCs cloaked us,> "arkham whisered to +orian! =&eCs cloaked the whole valley in
shadowsN>
+orian nodded once, ga%ing at the mage in admiration! =$hey canCt see us! ) donCt even
think they can hear us! $his is Red "agic o# the highest order! 'hatever was on that scroll
mustCve *een a otent sell, indeed!>
+orian snuck u to 0asryn, the clink o# his chain mail muted! &e lightly rest his hand on
the *oyCs shoulder! =-kay, youCve imressed me, and thatCs hard to do! ) donCt think $hanor
"orham couldCve done *etter, and he was a very uissant Red Ro*e mage!>
0asryn nodded once! =$he illusion should last #or several hours, masking even our
#ootrints! 'e can enter the #orest, with no sign o# our assing! Now, why do $im*erwol# and
"erci look totally wastedL>
=$hey had to #ight a grou o# three vamires to get us out o# that cell*lock,> +orian
eIlained! =:nd the rincess also healed a #ew o# these oor wretches, so theyCd *e well enough
to walk! 'e couldnCt have made it this #ar, otherwise!>
=$hatCs what ) was a#raid o#,> 0asryn told him! =) #elt the same way a#ter the /attle o#
Crystalmir ;ake!>
=&owCre you holding uL> +orian asked! $he *oy smiled gamely!
=) can still sellcast, i# thatCs what youCre asking, *ut these cursed *oots still have to
come o##! ) guess )Cll have to wait until the clerics have rested enough to have the curse
removed!>
+orian slaed his hand on the mageCs *ack reassuringly! ='eCll take care o# it, as soon
as we can! Right now, letCs ut some distance *etween us and this castle!>
Neither o# them noticed the slightly reddish tint in some o# the childrenCs eyes, or how
they so#tly glowed with a *ale#ul glint whenever they haened to glance in their direction!
CHAPTER TWELVE
Dorian and 0asryn had le#t cam when the screaming started! "arkham was
kneeling neIt to "ercidith, calming the #ears o# a young mother and chatting on how theyCd
eluded the +ark Anights! 0asrynCs sell had #ollowed them, and eItended throughout the entire
valley! $he young mage told his #riends that the illusion would last #or twenty-#our hours,
according to the instructions on the magic scroll heCd read! Plenty o# time to travel three miles
into the woods, to make cam and rest #or a #ew hours, *e#ore continuing onward!
$he re#ugees were huddled *y a small cam#ire, trying to stay warm in their tattered
clothes! "arkham had loaned his *orrowed Nerakan cloak to two children, wraing them u
snuggly in its voluminous *lack wool #olds! $im*erwol# and +orian had done the same with
their own cloaks, *e#ore +orian took his long*ow and went o## to hunt game! 0asryn had already
le#t, searching #or more #irewood!
: high-itched shriek caught "arkhamCs attention! Rising to his #eet, the knight had his
greatsword out, drawing it on instinct! &e immediately noticed two things! <irst, the runes had
started to glow again, and second, that it was a little girl that was aarently attacking the
screaming *oy!
:s the (olamnic Anight drew closer, running to the childCs side, he aused at a ghastly
sight! $he girl looked u at him, her eyes glowing #iery red in the darkness, *lood driing #rom
two very shar canines, and her ointed, small chin! $he *oy had stoed screaming a*rutly,
clutching his neck, his *lue eyes wide with terror!
=F@vamireN> "arkham managed to get o##, *e#ore the girl Gumed on him, ushing
him *ack with imossi*le strength, and trying to sink her teeth through the chain mesh cowl that
covered "arkCs head and rotected his neck! $he young knight *elatedly tried to *ring his
sword u, *ut his attacker was #ar too close, and his instinct was not to hurt the child who was
Buite o*viously trying to kill him!
)n the neIt second, ,arnet was there, trying to ull the girl o## him! Peole started
screaming all over then! <rom somewhere o## to his right, "ark thought heCd heard "ercidith
chanting something in a singsong voice, a haunting lyrical melody in another language! &e
heard the sound o# a long*ow twanging, a sha#t cutting the air as it #lew toward its mark! $he
knight ulled #ree his dagger, intending to sta* the girl, *ut #ound that he couldnCt!
'hes .ust a child0
$he girl hal# turned, hitting the dwar# so hard that the stocky little man literally #lew three
#eet away! "arkham again saw the childCs horri*le red uils, the shar #angs, as she hissed and
once again tried to sink her teeth into his neck ast the steel mesh cowl!
: shining silver arrowhead a*rutly aeared in the center o# the girlCs chest, glistening
with *lood! $he girl vamire shrieked, eIactly like the *oy sheCd attacked earlier! : moment
later, and the girlCs entire #orm crumled into dust, the glowing arrow #alling to the ground!
"arkham was le#t gasing #or air in horror, still clutching his dagger in one hand, his glowing
magic sword in the other!
$he *ow sang again, and another arrow #ound its mark! : third vamire child screamed
and crumled to dust! $he shaman nocked his *ow again in one #luid motion, slowly turning in a
comlete circle, searching #or more targets! &e reeated his circle, then, satis#ied, lowered the
*ow and relaced the arrow into his Buiver!
="ercidith, check all the children! /e very care#ul,> $im*erwol# instructed, going
Buickly to his #riendsC side! &e heled the dwar# u, checking him over Buickly #or *ite marks,
*e#ore moving on to "arkham! =+id she *ite you, "arkL>
=)!!!donCt think so,> the knight said in a very dry throat! ='hat in PaladineCs name!!!was
thatL>
=Famires,> the shaman told him simly! =$hree o# them! Ne#ariant mustCve created
them as soon as (hyla rescued those kids a #ew nights ago! /lastN ) shouldCve seen this
comingN>
=No, it had to have *een long *e#ore that,> ,arnet corrected him, sitting u and looking
Buite shaken! $he mountain dwar# ru**ed his neck under his chin, and aeared Buite ale in the
#irelight! =: vamire takes three days to rise #rom the dead!>
=Normally, )Cd agree with you,> $im*erwol# said conversationally, heling remove the
knightCs mail cowl, and checking his neck #or marks! =/ut Ne#ariantCs eItremely ancient, and
more ower#ul than any vamire ) ever encountered *e#ore! Normally it takes three *lack ro*ed
wi%ards to create a dracolich, *ut )Cd wager Ne#ariant did that on his own! Mou aear to *e
okay, "arkham! &el us to check the others! ;ook #or two small *ite marks, like in-ricks,
around the throat area!>
(o saying, the cleric o# Airi-0olith moved on, checking the young mother and her two
small children! "arkham and ,arnet gave each other meaning#ul looks, *e#ore collecting
themselves, rising to their #eet, and heling out!
"ercidith aeared the most uset! $he young riestess o# "ishakal knelt *y the young
*oy whoCd *een *itten, hushing him and singing, while touching her large latinum owl to the
wound! $he *ite marks Buickly closed and vanished like they never were!
+orian returned, a clutch o# coneys hanging #rom a leather thong swinging #rom his hand,
a look o# surrised shock on his #ace! &e saw the disarray and children whimering, when
theyCd all *een *liss#ully aslee when heCd le#t! $he Rangerlord went straight to $im*erwol# #or
a reort!
='hat haenedL>
=$he three Coonan children were vamires,> $im*erwol# told him immediately, a look o#
guilt on his #ace! ="ercidith says she shouldCve checked, she couldCve reversed it, i# it was
within twenty-#our hours, *ut!!!+orian, )Cm sorry! 'e messed u! + messed u! ) knew )
shouldCve checked, *ut@>
$he Rangerlord ut a calming hand on his #riendCs shoulder! =$hatCs okay, $im! 'e
were all under a lot o# ressure! )Cm the leader! ) shouldCve thought to have you check #or that,
*e#ore going hunting!>
+orian ursed his lis, and handed the clutch o# coneys to (hyla! =Clean these #or us,
will youL>
=(ure, +orian,> the little kender relied! =) got one o# Kem in the *ack o# the head with an
acorn! &e turned his head, looking at me all angry, and $im*erwol# shot him with an arrow@>
=$hanks, (hyla, *ut!!!lease, tell me a*out it later, okayL 0ust clean the ra**its! $he
children will want *reak#ast *y sun-u!>
=-kayN> (hyla relied, and dashed o## toward the #ire!
=&ow a*out the restL> +orian asked in a low voice, glancing around nervously!
=.very*ody else is okay,> $im*erwol# told him! ="ercidith and ) dou*le-checked each
other! $hen, ) *lessed the entire area! (ee those markersL $he undead wonCt dare to cross them!
$heyCll go u in #lames i# they try!>
+orian eered through the cam, nodding as he sotted the *lessed rocks, marked with
white aint, and the lines in the dirt the shaman had made! =-kay, you and "ercidith go and
gra* some slee! MouCre *oth wasted! ,arnet, "arkham, and (hyla, too! 0asryn and ) will take
the #irst watch@wait-a-minute! 'hereCs the mageL>
O O O O O
: gri%%ly *ear growled #rom somewhere *ehind 0asryn! &e #ro%e and nearly droed the
load o# #irewood heCd *een carrying!
-kay, so may*e he did mess u *y utting on these stuid cursed *oots without checking
them out thoroughly #irst! :nd it had *een the height o# #oolishness to snatch that dragonCs tooth
#rom an inert dracolich, esecially when the short hairs on the *ack o# his neck rose, and
'hado"song tried to warn them that something was wrong! /ut, theyCd never have made it ast
that arcane-sealed door without him, and it was 0asryn who cast the illusion that ena*led them all
to escae! -verall, the young mage #elt that heCd *roken even, *etween his successes and his
screw-us!
$hat was until 0asryn had wandered Gust a little too #ar #rom cam searching #or #irewood,
and heard the unmistaka*le sound o# a large redatory animal rustling around and making
growling noises *ehind him! &e slowly turnedJ saw the large, *lack *ear, and his rather limited
otions #lashed through his mind!
$he *ear rose on hits hind legs, looking 0asryn right in the eye, and growling angrily!
1na*le to cast a de#ensive sell, or even to throw his dagger without dancing, 0asryn droed the
wood and ran, screaming #or hel!
Panicked, the *oy thought o# the wand, tucked sa#ely inside the *ottomless *ag, hidden
under his ro*e! &e dou*ted the *ear would sto chasing him long enough to dig it out and say
the magic word! &is anic grew, hearing the *ear draw closer! &e #elt as helless as a small
child, una*le to use his owers, ursued *y a hungry mountain *ear! +id *ears even eat #oolish
young magesL $hey ro*a*ly did, esecially i# said mage invaded its territory, and "omma
/ear #elt he was a threat to little $eddy!
0asryn ran through a shallow *rook, tried, regained his #ooting and ran, screaming all
the way! /reath came hard, his chest and legs on #ire! &e heard the *ear growl and slash right
*ehind him! &e made it to the oosite shore and ran on, soaked and slattered with mud! $hen
0asryn tried on a tree root, #ell #lat on his #ace, and #ully eIected to *e mauled to death any
second!
$he seconds ticked *y, the mage tried to get to his #eet, scram*ling to get u, when he
noticed the *earCs roar had taken on a di##erent tone! 0asryn made it to his knees when he looked
*ack, and saw something that assaulted his already anicked mind!
(omething small, red, scaly, and dangerous was attacking the *ear with a wicked-
looking, siked tail! )t #luttered in the air on tiny, *at-shaed wings and dove, stinging the *ear
hal# a do%en more times, hissing at the great *east!
0asryn loed right *ack onto his rum, his #orest-green cloak and white ro*es covered
with mud, his eyes wide with terror! &hat is it9 &hat is it9 &hat is it9
+ts a small red dragon, you numbskull, another, more logical art o# his mind answered!
$he young mage sat there, *reathing hard and darn near staining his white ro*es yellow,
as the *ear was driven o## in ain and terror! <luttering in the air on its small wings, the tiny red
dragon hissed once more at the #leeing *ear, then turned in 0asrynCs direction!
)t started #luttering closer to the mage, its dark red eyes like liBuid ru*ies, locked on him!
$he tiny dragon hovered there a moment, #lew over to the mage, and hovered some more
*e#ore settling down at his #eet! 0asryn swallowed, slowly calming down, the logical art o# his
mind trying to classi#y the small *east!
2aby red dragon...the tails too sharp and pointy...and they cant fly this young, can
they9 &heres his momma9 5nless its not a red dragon at all, but a,,
=-h, please, donCt *e an Chaos +ragon!!!!> 0asryn whisered to the creature!
$he small dragon hissed at him angrily!
: moment later, and two images #illed his mind! <irst, the a#orementioned #ire dragon o#
Chaos had a *ody o# #lames, scales o# molten lava, and *reath that could melt solid stone! $he
eggs alone #rom such a creature *ecame #ire*om*s that could devastate the whole countryside
around $hor*ardin!
No, this little guy was de#initely not one o# those! /ut neither was it a *a*y red dragon,
whose ictures 0asryn had studied, and *een tested on! <or one thing, its scales were a raw
sienna in color instead o# a dee red! :lso, the #angs and shae o# the horns were all wrong, not
to mention its tail!!!!
$he creature crawled closer, and licked his hand, eeing haily! $he second image
now #illed his mind! $his tiny wyrm sat on 0asrynCs shoulders, its tail wraed rotectively
around his neck, its liBuid ru*y eyes looking *ale#ully at a *lack-armored Anight o# Neraka! )n
the image, 0asryn was dressed in a ro*e o# gleaming white samite, gold and silver threads
selling out rotective wards at the sleeves and hem, Gust like "aster Palin wore! )n 0asrynCs
hand was a tall ash sta##, olished smooth, with #ive twists in the wood! Crowning the sta## was
a latinum dragon clutching a #ist-si%ed, er#ect sahire that glowed with eldritch light! : *olt
o# lightning lanced #rom the shining gem, striking down the evil knight!
$he Anight in the vision had *een none other than Cean ,anoke /lackgaard, /aron Fon
/ladmereCs catain, whoCd heled +anvil <elcra#t murder gentle old (erannon, so many years
ago!
0asryn *linked! $he vision #aded, *ut suddenly 0asryn understood what this creature was!
: pseudodragon! <iercely loyal, they only served eole o# ure heart and shining
morals! $heir tails stung a masterCs enemies, while he cast sells! )t also had limited teleathic
a*ilities, and could turn invisi*le at will, like a living elven cloak!
$he creature was also imaginary, the stu## o# #aery tales that (erannon had told 0asryn
when he had *een very small and didnCt want to go to slee!
$he seudodragon hissed again, Gumed u, and settled onto 0asrynCs shoulders! )t
Buickly curled u around him and lay its head down on the crown o# the *oy mageCs head! )n a
moment, it was so#tly snoring!
$he seudodragon had #allen aslee on his head!
*erfect!
$he young mage sat there #or several minutes, wondering what to do, a#raid o# waking it!
: art o# him wondered i# he were dreaming! $his certainly #elt like a dream!
:o, +m not that lucky. &eve got a vampire and his horde of Dark /nights and
hobgoblins and a legion of undead chasing after us. +ve got to find the others!
(lowly, care#ully, so as not to wake the little dragon, his new et@amiliar, you
numbskull@0asryn got to his #eet and looked at the stars, trying to #ind east, or north!
: memory came to him, un*idden! (erannonCs voice, when heCd *een a lad o# #our! $he
elderly elven mage had taken him on a tri to Palanthas! $heyCd gone to the ,reat ;i*rary, and
all the *ooks and scrolls had awed 0asryn! $he small *oy knew the magic theyCd held, the
reverence with which (erannon had taught 0asryn to treat them! <ar more volumes than in the
red ro*ed mageCs small li*rary in their little #armhouse in $hrot, even more than the rivate
li*raries o# the minor lords and (olamnic Anights his master had sometimes taken him to on
visits! :ll around were tomes *ound in leather, scrolls tied with colored ri**ons, small *ooks
and large covered the shelves and walls as #ar as the eye could see!
(erannon had *een to the ,reat ;i*rary to check the *irth records, heCd later eIlained
over ice cream, which had *een romised to 0asryn #or *eing such a well-*ehaved *oy that day!
$he dark el# 3eIiled #rom (ilvanost #or having chosen the Red Ro*es over the 'hite7 had never
told the *oy who his arents were, or where his eole came #rom, *ut he did mention that 0asryn
had an older sister! &er name was 1sha, and (erannon had told him to seek her out shortly a#ter
he reached u*erty! (erannon had romised his sister would rotect him as he grew u, and this
later turned out to *e true!
$hen, the elven mage eIlained that 0asryn was a very magical child! &e would not age
as Buickly as other *oys, *ut very, very slowly! $he el#Cs hair would turn white as snow *e#ore
0asryn saw u*erty, and (erannon dou*ted heCd even still *e alive *y then! 0asryn had eldritch
*lood #lowing through his veins, and while he still had to learn how to cast sells, to *rew
otions, and how to do magical research, certain owers and a*ilities were his naturally!
$he #irst ower had already *een his! 0asryn could (ense "agic, #eel its charge, even at
age #our! $he second ower, summoning a #amiliar, would occur when he was under severe
stress, and ro*a*ly all alone in the wilderness! $he third ower would come a*out a#ter many
years o# eIerience with magic, or unless something unusual haened! 0asryn would one day
*e a*le to shaeshi#t, to assume any #orm he desired!
:arently, the second ower had Gust mani#ested itsel#! .Icet that his romised
#amiliar wasnCt a hawk or an owl or a cat! )t was a creature out o# #aery tales!
afnir, the Pseudodragon o# the .nchanted 'ood!
'hen 0asryn #inally went #or his $est o# &igh (orcery with this mythical #amiliar on his
shoulders, they were going to laugh him out o# 'ayreth $owerN
(ighing, the young mage #elt the trunk o# the nearest tree #or the thickest moss, knowing
it always grew thickest on the north #ace! $he lan was to take the re#ugees to a cave, straight
west, that the knights o# the ;egion o# (teel used as a sa#ehouse and *ase o# oerations! "uch as
he hated to admit it, 0asryn wasnCt a ranger! &is woodsman skills were limited to making
cam#ires, #inding cardinal directions, and identi#ying certain secies o# #lora and #auna #or sell
comonents! &e was Buite literally lost in the woods!
=,reat, Gust great,> 0asryn muttered, and started in the direction he knew the others were
headed! )# he were eItremely #ortunate, he might *um into them *y sheer dum* luck! :t least
no*ody could accuse him o# talking to himsel# anymore! &e could Gust say he was talking to his
#amiliar, the #aery tale wraed around his shoulders!
=(olinari, donCt ever let anyone accuse you o# not having a sense o# humor,> 0asryn said
aloud, looking u at the silver moon! "ost 'hite Ro*es didnCt ray so much as study, *ut #rom
time to time (olinariCs devout #ollowers talked to him, leading outsiders to *elieve they were
#lat-out cra%y!
:#ter over two hours o# walking, 0asryn came to a road that ran northwest, cutting
straight through the Pinewoods o# the Ahalkist "ountains, in the general direction +orian was
headed! )n the oosite direction lay Castle :maranth, he was willing to *et! (o his luck ran!
$he magician decided to #ollow the road #or a while, having no *etter otions! )# he heard
hoo#*eats, he could always leave the road, hide in the *rush, and see who it was!
/e#ore long, 0asryn came to a small village with a icket #ence surrounding it, some eight
#eet high! (everal otions occurred to him! &e could cast the #lying sell on himsel# and soar
over the #ence, *ut he was *one-weary, eIhausted #rom casting sells and walking all night with
no slee! )n the end, the mage elected to simly ull his hood u and Goin the long line o# eole,
merchants mostly, waiting to ass the guards at the main gate! $he elven cloak would hide him
with its magic, *ut not the small *east aarently #loating in mid-air! &e oked the #lying retile
snoo%ing contentedly on his shoulders, and whisered to it!
=<a#nir, nowCs a good time to turn invisi*le, i# creatures #rom #aery tales really have that
ower!>
<a#nir oened one la%y eye, grunted, and vanished #rom sight! 0asryn still #elt the small
dragonCs weight, *ut he couldnCt see it! (miling and shrugging, the cloaked mage walked *oldly
#orward!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
~What in &er )n#ernal "aGestyCs "emoryL> the +ark Anight muttered, *linking
#uriously! .reI )lwerk wasnCt eIactly the sharest nail in the *oI! &eCd *een assigned as a
watchman o# (leey Pine, a nice little town as small towns went! $he lace *oasted an inn that
served decent ale *y hal#way decent wenches, a Daegar dwar# *lacksmith with two missing
#ingers, a criled healer with a missing eye, three carters, two cooers, a draconian sheri##, and
a thie# who stayed in *usiness only so long as the city guards and his honor the lord mayor got
their cuts!
.ven hung-over and hal# a #lask o# dwar# sirits toward *ecoming drunk again this #ine
morning, .reI noticed caked mud and grime hanging in mid-air, outlining the shae o# an
invisi*le cloaked #igure walking slowly ast his guard ost!
/y the light o# the torches and the rising sun, .reI could Gust make out the manCs outline!
Poking his #ellow, then kicking him awake, the dark knight ulled his longsword! =1, damn
youN>
='assamatta, .reIL> the do%ing knight relied, raising his head and looking at his
catain through hal#-closed eyelids! +un (tani*ek yawned and stretched!
="age trying to sneak in,> .reI relied, and nodded in 0asrynCs direction! =;east, thatCs
what ) think it is!>
/linking slee and a royal hangover #rom his eyes, +un eered through the oen
doorway to the little shack that served as (leey PineCs main guardhouse, and saw nothing more
than the usual chantilly dressed merchants carting #ruit, vegeta*les, clucking #owl in wooden
cages, and other wares to market #or the morning shoers! &e saw some #at swine with its
young oink *y, and yawned again!
=Mer drunk, .reI,> +un relied, #olded his arms, and nodded o## again!
$his time .reI kicked the chair out #rom under him! +un #ell to the #loor in a clatter o#
chain mail, and #inally woke u, cursing! .reI he#ted his sword, so the ink and gold o# dawn
re#lected o## the *lade! ='chnell0 ,et u o## your sorry arse and do your dutyN>
(eeing his artner was #inally #ully awake and getting u, .reI le#t the small guardhouse
and strode over to ,irt /askan, the knight who was doing morning check, taking eoleCs names
down on a cli*oard and waving them on! .reI taed the knight on the shoulder and ointed!
,irt looked, then #rowned darkly! "ud #loated in the air, in the outline o# a man! :n invisi*le
someone, with only the dirt covering him, had Gust walked right ast them!
=Mou see what ) seeL> .reI asked!
=Ja, ) do,> ,irt relied, drawing his sword! $he air o# Nerakan Anights aroached the
mage, wearing grim eIressions! $he watchmen looked u and saw Catain +raloI, their Aurak
draconian commander, riding ast with two o# his lieutenants! .reI smiled to himsel#! $his was
his chance to imress his sueriors, and #inally, may*e, get trans#erred to a more desira*le ost!
.reI )lwerk strode right u *ehind the invisi*le mage, and threw his arms around his
shoulders! $he knight held onto something solid, #lesh and *lood, and not thin air or dwar#
sirits!
=&eyN> 0asryn cried in surrise, sBuirming in the knightCs *ee#y arms! .reI reached u
and ulled the hood o# the cloak down! 0asryn reaeared!
$hatCs when all hell *roke loose! $he seudodragon turned visi*le in a moment, hissing
and trying to sting .reI through his armor! $he #laing o# its wings in the knightCs #ace *linded
him!
='hat in the :*yss!!!L> .reI cried in surrise! &e swung his sword, *ut the misera*le
#lying li%ard was #ar too Buick and close to hit!
=Name o# the gotts,> +un cried! &is sword was out, *ut the *lasted thing was fast0 &e
couldnCt hoe to draw a *ead on it! =&elN CatainN &elN>
+raloI turned his head at the commotion, his solid yellow or*s widening as he reined in
his horse! ,olden scales covered his whole *ody, with leather armor roviding even more
rotection! :n Aurak was hatched #rom the corruted egg o# a gold dragon, trans#ormed into an
evil dragon-man soldier *y *lack ro*ed magicians and clerics o# $akhisis working together,
untold years ago! 'hile the baaz #ormed the *ack*one o# the Nerakan army during the last
+ragon 'ar, the auraks were among the most dangerous, *eing a*le to sellcast!
(cowling, his li%ard-like #eatures making him aear even more sinister, +raloI ointed
at 0asryn and his #amiliar, and chanted in the sidery language o# magic!
0asryn *acked Buickly away #rom the +ark Anight who had attacked him, raising his
hands as i# to sellcast! &is mouth oened, *ut no words came out! (uddenly, 0asryn
remem*ered! )# he dared cast a sell on these knights, heCd only start dancing! ;ogically, he
should run away in all the con#usion, *ut that would *e the height o# cowardice, not to mention
Gust lain wrong! &ow could he Gust leave the *rave little dragon *ehindL
+uring the seconds 0asryn tried to think o# what to do, his drowsiness *ecame
overwhelming! &eCd lanned to #ind the nearest inn #or in#ormation and to slee #or a #ew hours,
then lan his neIt move when he woke u! Now, the *oy #ound he couldnCt kee his eyes oen
any longer! &e collased in the middle o# the street, aslee *e#ore he even hit the ground!
:round him, the knights #ell too, slum*ering eace#ully! -nly the little dragon was una##ected
*y the slee sell, hovering *y 0asryn rotectively! : minute later, <a#nir was wraed in
strands o# strong, sticky we**ing, una*le to #ly, hissing *y his slum*ering master!
O O O O O
'hen 0asryn #inally woke, the #irst thing he was aware o# was the gods-aw#ul stench!
$he smell o# urine, human eIcrement and unwashed *odies assaulted his nostrils! &e moaned
and moved, hearing the rattle o# chains, and then #elt the manacles *inding his wrists! $he *oy
oened his eyes a crack, then uon seeing he was alone in a small room, oened them all the
way! (unlight #ell in a thick column through an iron-*arred window, illuminating his dreary
surroundings! &e was lying on a wooden cot that had *een covered with straw! :n emty
wooden *ucket sat in a corner! : wall o# *ars with a door in it *locked access to the rest o# the
*uilding, which consisted o# a narrow hallway with more cells across #rom his!
$he magician sat u slowly, wondering why his manacles should look so shiny and new,
instead o# the usual artly-rusted iron or steel heCd eIect to #ind in a Gail in the middle o#
nowhere! $hen reali%ation hit him! $hey were !ythril silver manacles, cra#ted to *lock
sellcasting! $hey kne" he was a mage, o*viously! Not that he couldCve cast very many sells
anyway, with these cursed *oots stuck on his #eet! 0asryn checked himsel#, and #ound his elven
cloak gone! :long with it, his ouches o# sell comonents, and even his hidden enchanted
dagger was missing! $he Anights o# Neraka had *een very thorough!
$he scru## o# a *oot made 0asryn look u! )t was the dark knight whoCd attacked him
earlier! =:h, our guest awakens!>
='hereCs <a#nirL> 0asryn asked in as *rave a tone as he could manage, a#ter sitting u on
the cot! &e looked the man directly in the eye, to show he wasnCt a#raid!
='hoL>
="y little seudodragon, my #amiliar,> the *oy eIlained, wetting his lis! &e knew
<a#nir was still alive, he felt him close *y, and even sensed the dragonCs emotional state! $he
animal was a *it irritated, locked in a small cage! $he young mage also knew #rom his studies
that i# his #amiliar had *een killed, heCd *e lying in a coma right now, instead o# having this
conversation!
=Ja, the nasty *a*y dragon,> .reI relied, #olding his arms and tried to look menacing!
=Catain +raloI ut a "ythril collar on it *e#ore sticking it in a cage! &eCs down the hall in my
o##ice! Mou didnCt #eed your et very well, 4err /aron! )t ate three mice whole! Poor thing was
hal#-starved!>
0asryn *linked at the un#amiliar title! ='hat did you Gust call meL>
.reI smiled a greasy smile! =/aron! Mou are 0asryn (torm, /aron Fon /ladmere! &ere,
you match your wanted oster!>
$he knight ulled a rolled archment #rom his thick leather *elt, and held it u through
the *ars #or him! 0asryn got u, went over and took the archment! )t was a good likeness o#
himsel#, with words *elow the image, written in Nerakese2
=WANTED
FOR TREASON AGAINST THE ORDER. LORD JASRYN
STORM, BARON VON BLADMERE. 56 TALL, SAPPHIRE
BLUE/GOLD EYES, BLACK HAIR WORN LONG. 19 SUMMERS
OLD, THIN BUILD. WHITE ROBED MAGE (APPRENTICE).
LAST SEEN IN SOLACE, ABANASINIA. USE CAUTION.
APPREHEND AND BRING TO NERAKA. ALIVE.> )t was signed *y the
;ord o# the Night, and *ore his seal in hard red waI!
=Treason9> 0asryn asked, dis*elieving! $he ghost o# a memory, Ne#ariantCs voice
whisered that word into his mind, came #loating *ack to him! =/ut ) didnCt do anythingN )Cve
lived in (olace ever since ) was twelveN &ow could ) commit treasonL>
$he knight shrugged! =) have no idea, *ut the adGudicator will ro*a*ly tell you when he
gets here!>
=:dGudicatorL> 0asryn asked in a suddenly dry throat!
=:ye! Catain +raloI sent a magic message to 0elek, and theyCre coming #or you! : #ull
wing o# dragons, so )Cm told!>
$he +ark Anight *owed low, swirling his *lack wool cloak with a #lourish! =) am .reI
)lwerk, mein 4err! (orry i# our accommodations are not what youCre used to! :nything your
;ordshi needs, Gust let me know!>
'ith that, .reI le#t 0asryn (torm standing there in shock, string at his own wanted oster!
O O O O O
=:rrestedL> +orian asked, incredulous! ='hat do you mean, arrestedL>
Rudyard :damant, Anight o# (teel Commander, leaned #orward across the wooden ta*le,
the single candle lighting his handsome #eatures! : long and nasty scar ran across his right
cheek, a gi#t #rom a dark knight! :cross #rom him sat +orian /arrett, $im*erwol# and "arkham
(wordhawk, wol#ing down the #irst real meal theyCd seen in days! Princess "ercidith, ,arnet
)rondelve, and (hyla were all aslee in another art o# the cave, a vast network o#
interconnecting caverns that ran through this art o# the Ahalkist "ountains, and rovided the
knights with their *ase o# oerations here! $he marBuisC #ormer risoners were *eing well cared
#or, *e#ore their long tri out o# Neraka, *ack to #riendly territory!
=$hatCs what my in#ormant told me this morning,> ;ord Rudyard said evenly! &e
swallowed a mouth#ul o# wine, his gray eyes re#lecting the candlelight! =: young white ro*ed
mage matching your #riendCs descrition was arrested trying to sneak into (leey Pine using a
magic cloak! &e also had a small *a*y dragon with him! Huite vicious, ) understand!>
=: *a*y dragonL> $im*erwol# inBuired, *a##led!
=+onCt ask,> "arkham told him! =)t would *e Gust like 0asryn to ick u a wild animal
and make a et o# it!>
=&ow #ar is this townL> +orian asked, trying to get the ertinent #acts!
=;ess than a dayCs Gourney #rom here,> Rudyard told him! =)# youCre lanning to rescue
your mage, youCd *etter do it Buick! 'ord is 0elek sent a wing o# dragons #or him!>
=: "ing9> +orian interruted, his eyes *ulging out o# his #ace! : wing o# dragons was
#our talons, or twenty-#our wyrms, and their riders! $he riders would undou*tedly consist o#
high-ranking Anights, as well as a #ew magicians, and erhas even a dark cleric or two! =&ow
did 0asryn warrant that9>
=$hat isnCt clear, *ut one thing is certain! $he wi%ard is wanted #or treason,> Rudyard
answered! =)# heCs convicted@and in Neraka, unless he has solid olitical connections, he "ill
*e@theyCll eIecute him *y slow torture!>
"arkham hal# stood u #rom his chair, then settled *ack down again! ='e must rescue
himN>
+orian waved #or calm! =(immer down, (wordhawk! 'e "ill, *ut this has to *e lanned
out very care#ully! +ou*tless theyCre guarding him round the clock, i# heCs that imortant to
them! "isdou*t me, 0asryn was the reason the +ark Anights attacked (olace in the #irst lace!
Rudyard, weCll need men, horses, and disguises!>
=MouCve got them,> Rudyard Buickly answered! =)# this *oy really is the arentice o#
Palin "aGere, there isnCt a man in my comany who wouldnCt risk everything to #ree him!>
+orian smiled! =) was counting on that, old #riend!>
O O O O O
0asryn *linked as he was marched out into the *right sring sunshine! )t was a clear day
with #ew clouds, the sun Gust *eginning to warm this art o# :nsalon! $he air was yet cool and
cris, and what little snow that remained on the ground was melting! &is wool white ro*es were
#ilthy, and he still wore gleaming "ythril silver manacles on his wrists, *ut the teenaged
magician held his head high and ket his #ace imassive! 0asryn saw the nervous looks, the wry
glances, in the crowd o# onlookers and even the twelve +ark Anights who served as his escort!
$hey were afraid o# him, all o# them! <or some unknown reason, these eole were treating him
as i# he were as ower#ul as Palin "aGere himsel#! 0asryn smiled! &ord mustve gotten out that
+m his apprentice!
-## to his right was the Aurak magician, *earing a small wooden cage! )nside was <a#nir!
$he *rave little seudodragon hissed, giving eole *ale#ul looks as they assed! $he Aurak
ignored him!
: sudden *ree%e whied 0asrynCs ro*es and hair, and he looked u@then his *lood ran
cold! )t was a red dragon, its mighty leathery wings carving a ath through the air! :nd it
wasnCt alone, *ut art o# a talon! <ive red wyrms and a *lack! $he *oyCs throat went dry at the
sight o# them, *ut he wasnCt terrified, not like heCd *een around Cinder! &e reali%ed the dragons
must have *een suressing their natural dragon#ear, so as not to anic the oulace! .ither that,
or he was #inally *ecoming accustomed to *eing around the huge monstrosities!
'ith e##ort, 0asryn tore his ga%e away #rom the landing wyrms and noticed a small
kender, dressed in the clothing o# a human child! $he mageCs heart leaed!
'hyla0 0asryn knew it must *e her! No human girl would *e holding a hooakN :nd i#
she were here!!!!
>es, the mage thought to himsel# with satis#action! $he tall human male standing neIt to
her had the height and *earing o# "arkham (wordhawk! $he *rave Anight o# (olamnia had
traded his gleaming silver armor and its distinctive helmet with the ornate dragonCs horns #or
simle merchantCs gar*! 0asryn thought heCd caught the glint o# steel under "arkCs cloak,
dou*tless his enchanted greatsword, 'hado"song! "ark had even cut his trademark long
mustaches to normal length!
$he young mage smiled to himsel#! )# "ark had *een ersuaded to trim the mustaches
heCd always *een so roud o#, that had taken years to grow, 0asryn would never hear the end o#
it!
;ooking around, the mage Buickly sotted ,arnet )rondelve, $im*erwol#, Princess
"ercidith, and easily twenty others who all carried themselves like soldiers!
Dorian mustve contacted his friends in the /nights of 'teel. This should be interesting,
0asryn thought, wishing he could hel them somehow! +f only + "erent "earing these mythril
shackles and these thrice,cursed boots0 One minute, .ust one spell, and +d have them all gaping
at rainbo"s0
$he air was thick with tension! &is #riends were waiting #or their chance to move!
0asryn tried to look nonchalant! &e knew heCd have to run when the signal was given, *ut he
wasnCt going to Gust a*andon <a#nir! &eCd have to tell one o# the others to gra* the cage,
somehow! The message cantrip7 if only + could spellcast0
$hat was when the wind rose, and hoe died, dragon#ear settling like a all on the crowd!
$hree dragons, a red and two *lues, alighted in the village sBuare, nearly crushing a *eauti#ully
cra#ted mar*le #ountain in #ront o# the mayorCs home! $he great *easts moved, catlike, daring
the townseole to so much as stare at them! $hirty #eet #rom ti to tailJ scales gleamed like
sahires or ru*ies in the *rilliant sunlight! $alons and #angs scraed the earth, as long as
swords and daggers, and twice as shar! .Buine heads whied a*out on long, sinuous necks,
their eyes gleamed like recious gems, and as cold as those stones! .ach o# these *easts could
*reathe #lames or lighting *olts on the crowd, incinerating everyone in seconds! No*ody moved,
no*ody *reathed!
:n evil sorceress slid o## the red dragonCs *ack, ausing to at the great *east on its
withers! ;arge, scalloed wings the color o# *lood stretched, then #olded neatly against its
massive *ody! $he sorceress had a shaely #igure that her tight dark ro*e accentuated! ;ong
*lack hair as so#t as silk #lew in the sring *ree%e, #raming an oval #ace with gleaming emerald
eyes! Rings, dou*tless magical, adorned her #ingers! : single dagger with a gleaming gold hilt
lay sheathed at her waist! 'ith the grace o# a tigress and a look o# hunger clearly written on her
#ace, she aroached the young mage!
=4err 0asryn (torm,> the woman addressed him! $he teenager couldnCt hel *ut notice
how #ull and red her lis were! =Mou are the cause o# much de*ate in the &igh Council! 'e
were Gust wondering how to get you *ack, and here you wander right into our waiting arms!>
=)!!!> the *oy started, his mouth dry, his #ace #lushed! = ) didnCt have a choice! Mou sent
a comany o# +ark Anights and even Cinder a#ter me! $hen you attacked a whole town o#
innocent eoleN>
$he wi%ardess laughed so#tly and cold! ='e destroy little towns like (olace all the time
i# they dare de#y the -rderN Come, my young lord! Mou saw what your adotive #ather did, how
ruthless he was! +id you *elieve the late *aron was uniBueL>
='ho are you, frauline9> 0asryn asked with a tone o# anger and outrage!
$he woman gave him a mocking *ow! =) am ;ady +onna &arridan, your adGudicator!>
0asryn wanted to seak #urther, *ut his *reath #ailed! )t wasnCt Gust the *arely-suressed
dragon#ear that came in waves #rom the trio o# wyrms! $he lady magic-user was gorgeous! &er
every movement communicated desire and assion, and it was o*vious that she wanted him! <or
all his studiousness, 0asryn was still a red-*looded, teenaged *oy with normal desires! &is *ody
reacted to the seIual signals &arridan sent, even as he tried to kee his head!
=Congratulations, Commander +raloI,> +onna said, addressing the Aurak! =Mou have
done well!>
=;ady, one o# my men sotted the mage as he tried to sneak into our #air town! Anight
.reI )lwerk,> the draconian relied, sunlight re#lecting too-*rilliantly o## do%ens o# small gold
dragon scales like gold coins! $he :urak smiled, revealing rows o# needle shar teeth! =/ut o#
course, it took all my sellcasting a*ility to arehend such a dangerous #elon!>
0asryn nearly rolled his eyes in eIaseration, *ut stoed himsel#! ?Dangerous felon9
+m only an arentice, for 'olinaris sake0 6ither of these t"o magic,users could probably have
me for breakfast. Talk about hamming it up0
<a#nir hissed at &arridan as +raloI held the small cage u #or her insection! =&e had
this creature with him, milady!>
=/y the /lack "oon,> &arridan gased, leaning a *it closer! <a#nir snaed his Gaws
shut, hoing this woman would *e #oolish enough to stick her #inger *etween the *ars so he
could ni it o##! =)t that!!!a pseudodragon9>
&arridan looked u at +raloI, who shrugged! =) know not! )t aears to *e a red
hatchling, *ut #or the shae o# its horns, and its lack o# #ire-glands to roduce #laming *reath! )t
does have a rather nasty stinger on the ti o# its tail, however@>
=@and it can turn invisi*le, and roGect rimitive thoughts into the minds o# others,> the
*lack sorceress comleted #rom memory! $hen, she turned to look directly at 0asryn! ='hat do
you say, 4err /aronL>
=<a#nir is a seudodragon, my lady,> the mage answered in a tight voice, wondering
where "ark and the others were! )# they were going to attemt a rescue, now was the time, *ut
even 0asryn could see the hoelessness o# the situation! : do%en dark knights, two cloaked
mages, and three dragons did ut a damer on their lans! =) came across him in the Pinewoods,
not #ar #rom here!>
=afnir9 :s in the #aery taleL &ow cute,> +onna &arridan mused! $hen, she dislayed
a very oisonous look in her eyes! =)tCs your familiar, isnCt itL>
:gain, the *oyCs mouth went dry! (heCd guessed the truth, and knew that to truly hurt
him, all sheCd have to do was slay his new #amiliar! (ilently, 0asryn nodded assent!
='eCll take eIcellent care o# it,> +onna told him! =Put him in our national %oo, erhas,
as an unusual secimen! 'eCve had tales o# seudodragons in these mountains, *ut until now,
weCve never catured one!>
=&eCs mine,> 0asryn told her #irmly!
=/ut o# course, my lord,> &arridan continued! =) meant, weCll ut him in the %oo in the
case o# your unfortunate demise!>
.reI )lwark steed u, his shiny *lack leather *oots clicking smartly on the
co**lestones! &e held out a canvas sack, *ulging with items! =$he mage had these on him,
frauline! "y commander in#orms me they are all magical in nature!>
=)ndeedL> she asked, taking the sack!
=)t had *etter all *e there, +raloI,> 0asryn snaed in a #irm tone! =-r )Cll return with a
#ull *attalion o# my knightsN>
)t was a *lu##, more o# a guess! )# these eole were treating him as i# he already had the
title o# *aron, that meant all o# his #atherCs lands, roerty, and troos "ere his to command!
=)tCs all there, mein 4err, down to the siI steel coins in your ouch,> +raloI relied,
*ristling at the thought heCd steal #rom a Nerakan no*leman! $he Aurak had his honor, too, Gust
as an evil Anight o# Neraka did!
+onna smiled coldly! ='o, you acknowledge that you are /aron Fon /ladmereL $hank
you #or *eing so honest with me! )t makes my Go* easier!>
0asryn glowered at her! &hy not9 ='hy shouldnCt ) *e honest with youL ) have nothing
to hide! ) am 0asryn (torm! $he *aronCs men murdered my master (erannon when ) was only
siI years old, and kidnaed me! $hen the *aron only adoted me *ecause ) resem*led his dead
son, .dmund!>
=:ll this we know, mein 4err,> the adGudicator told him saucily! =Please *e aware that
anything you say@and even what you donCt@"ill *e used against you in court!>
=&ow can you use what ) dont say against meL> the *oy asked innocently! &e had a
very *ad #eeling a*out this!
=(ilence means imlied consent under our laws,> the lady told him! =/ut donCt worry
a*out it! )# we want to convict you, we "ill, regardless o# true guilt or innocence!>
=&hat9> 0asryn asked, incredulous! =&ow can you condemn an innocent manL>
+onna &arridan shrugged her slender shoulders! =$hatCs Gust the way it is! +id you
really think there was any Justice in our legal systemL (ome eole in society are more eBual
than others! Mou are high *orn, a#ter all, desite your adotion! Continue to cooerate with me,
and things will work out #or you! (hall we go now, my lordL>
0asryn *it his li! &e knew the others were Gust as #rustrated, oised to strike, comletely
helless to do anything to hel him! $he mage saw no choice *ut to go with them!
$he white ro*ed wi%ard was led to a red dragon that had a large saddle made o# *lack
leather straed to its *ack, Gust in #ront o# the shoulder *lades, where the mighty wings Goined
the *ody! $he gargantuan monster lay down #lat to allow the mage easier access! $he saddle
had *een *uilt #or two, one rider and a assenger! $wo knights heled the teenaged mage clim*
u, as his hands were still manacled! 0asryn #ound he could use the hard red scales as #ootholds
to clim* u! $he knights ut him in the rear osition, straing him in securely, so he wouldnCt
#all!
$he knight took the #orward osition once his risoner was secured, and straed himsel#
in! $he knight turned around to seak to 0asryn, and handed him a *urla *ag! =$his your #irst
time on dragon*ackL>
$he mage looked at him haughtily! =)Cve #lown *e#ore, mortal! )Cm a "izard, in case you
hadnCt noticed!>
=$hatCs not the same thing,> the knight laughed! =)# you have to uke, do it in the *ag!
$ry not to get any on me, 4err /aron!>
(o saying, the dark knight #aced #ront again! :s they waited, 0asryn cast #urtive looks at
the crowd! &e thought heCd sotted "ark, *ut couldnCt *e sure! $here was nothing #or it! &e
Gust hoed his #riends would *e a*le to catch u with him later!
$he evil knight whistled, and the dragon rose to its #eet again, to stand some #i#teen #eet
#rom the ground! $he young mage was imressed! &eCd ridden horses *e#ore, twelve hands tall
at most! $his was #ar higher o## the ground, and theyCd go much higher still! $he adGudicator
checked her risoner visually, and then gave mental commands to the dragons in her wing!
$he red sread its wings, and +onna &arridan rose into the clear *lue sky! $he red wyrm
*earing <a#nirCs cage, straed securely to its *ack, rose hal# a minute later! $hen, it was their
turn!
0asrynCs red dragon sread its enormous, *at like wings, leat #or the sky, and they were
air*orne *e#ore the mage even knew what was haening! 'ind *lew in 0asrynCs #ace, whiing
his hair and clothing a*out him! &e saw other dragons, *lues, reds, *lacks, and a green, #illing
the (ky a*ove, *elow, and all around him! $he *oy #elt his stomach lurch, and nearly asked i#
they could go *ack to the ground to look #or it! $hen, he made the mistake o# looking down!
$he ground was a tan and dark *rown *lanket, with swaths o# green and *lue! $rees and
*uildings aeared as mere childrenCs toys, they were so small! Peole and herds o# cattle were
ants crawling in comlete disorder! :ll o# this was seen #rom an angle, and 0asryn reali%ed they
were clim*ing in an uward siral!
0asrynCs stomach, the one heCd thought heCd le#t #ar *ehind on the ground, chose that
moment to heave! &eCd *arely had enough time to oen the *ag *e#ore he uked, losing the
*reak#ast o# gruel and stale *read .reI had #ed him that morning!
$his, the young mage hadnCt eIected! $he a*ility to #ly was the goal o# every young
magic arentice, and it was the #irst advanced sell 0asryn had learned, even *e#ore the casting
o# lighting *olts, as soon as heCd reached that level o# skill! 0asryn had racticed #lying every
single day he could a#ter that, clim*ing, diving, looing, and even er#orming *arrel rolls! &eCd
tossed a *all and #lew to catch it *e#ore it could hit the ground! &eCd racticed sellcasting while
in #light2 magic *olts which always struck their targets, erected eldritch shields o# glowing
yellow energy, conGured rain*ows, even threw lightning *olts heCd learned the sell, everything
he could to reare himsel# #or aerial com*at, *ut nothing had reared him #or this0
$he magni#icent maGesty o# a dragon in #light was *eyond comare to any other
eIerience in the world! 0asryn dou*ted that even the elite Pegasus Riders o# the (olamnic
Anights had steeds that matched the sheer #lying ower o# a great wyrm! Now he understood
why only the very *est o# (olamnic Anights got to ride on dragon*ack! $he mage was now
higher and traveling #aster than heCd ever dreamed ossi*le! :#ter several minutes, when his
insides had #inally calmed down, the *oy sat *ack and enGoyed the ride!
'ind assaulted his #ace, yet was cool and re#reshing! <ar *elow, 0asryn saw they were
Gust assing over the mighty Ahalkists, whose eaks looked hard and shar! : #ew white wiss
o# cloud clung to the mountaintos, and atches o# snow seckled the dark gray o# their sides!
Pine trees and #erns dotted the landscae all around, and he saw a sarkling glitter o# *lue and
silver that ran in a line downhill, which 0asryn recalled was the +ewark River #rom mas heCd
studied! :#ter awhile, may*e #i#teen more minutes o# #lying, they assed over a wide eIanse o#
water that the river #ed, ;ake Aasyn! (mall on the ma, the shining water #illed his entire #ield
o# view in seconds, and 0asryn reali%ed Gust how *ig it was, a mile across at least! (his dotted
the sur#ace o# the water, traveling *etween 0elek and the various cities and villages along the
lakeCs shores!
:ll too soon, heCd sotted their destination, the caitol city o# 0elek! :s one harmonious
grou, the entire wing o# twenty-#our dragons *egan their downward siral toward the city, so
very #ar *elow them! $he *oyCs stomach lurched again, *ut it was emty, so he was sa#e #rom
that em*arrassment!
$he ground rushed u toward them, growing steadily larger, and 0asryn reali%ed why
heCd #elt nauseated! <lying on his own, he was in command o# his actions! &e knew what to
eIect, when to steel himsel# #or a loo or a dive! &ere, someone else was in control, and
whenever they lurched le#t, right, or yawed, it came as a surrise!
$he toy *uildings grew ever larger, and he could make out ant-eole once more! 0asryn
saw a #ew *uildings, enormous ones, which were in the heart o# the city! $he mighty kee o# the
Anights o# Neraka, with its massive o*sidian towers and thick walls o# *lack stone, the wide vast
courtyard where scores o# dragons took o## and landed!
=-ur destination, /aron,> the knight told him, seaking #or the #irst time since the #light
*egan, and ointed to the huge edi#ice! =$he home and hearth o# the Anighthood!>
='onder#ul,> 0asryn muttered sarcastically, too low #or either the knight or the dragon to
hear him over the rush o# the wind! =Now )Cm really in #or it!>
$he dragon chuckled, dee in its cavernous throat!
0asryn swallowed!
$he *east had heard him!
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
=Where is your #atherCs +ragonlanceL>
0asryn was chained to the rack, his *ody stretched tautly, as they alied dark magicks to
his *ody to *reak him! $heyCd shocked him, theyCd *urned him, theyCd #ro%en him, and all *y
touch, stimulating raw nerves with eItremes, never once even *reaking the skin, or causing any
real damage! $he teenaged *oy screamed #or hours, #or so long as heCd wondered how many
days heCd *een lying there, disassociating when the ain *linded him and he couldnCt even ull
together a single coherent thought!
$hen came the Buestions! (imle, inane Buestions, that 0asryn knew they already knew
the answers to! 'hat was his nameL &ow old was heL 'hat was his ro#essionL &ow many
sells did he know, how advanced was he in his arcane studiesL 'ho were his teachersL &is
#riendsL RelativesL
Never once did they ask a*out "arkham and the others, #or which the *oy was grate#ul!
&e didnCt know how long he couldCve held that in#ormation *ack, i# theyCd thought to ask!
$hen came The ;uestion! $he thing they really wanted to know, the reason heCd *een
charged with treason and *rought *ack to Neraka!
$he one thing he really, truly did not know!
=) donCt knowN> 0asryn cried, his voice sounding like it was coming #rom a young child!
/y this oint, the mage thought heCd regressed *ack to age ten or even younger, his laintive
mewling iti#ul in his own ears! &eCd even so**ed the answer! =) really donCt knowN Please,
sto hurting meN>
$he tall, imosing man, the senior inBuisitor #or the -rder, stood an inch shy o# seven
#eet tall! "aliIanderCs ower#ul muscles *ulged and riled *eneath his long *lack ro*es, his
#eatures concealed in the shadow o# the hood he wore! $he inBuisitorCs voice, when he soke,
was cold and void o# all comassion, o# any human #eeling at all, even anger! &eCd asked his
Buestions in the same calm, cool manner! "aliIander never once raised his voice or altered his
tone! $hat cold, dead voice, the voice o# a soulless man ossessed o# a demon, had *een all
0asryn heard #or hours!
Met the inBuisitor had not asked the Huestion! )t was a woman, the adGudicator, +onna
&arridan@0asrynCs Gudge, Gury, and most likely, his eIecutioner! $he gray-ro*ed witch slowly
circled the rack, her *oots clicked smartly on the cold, stone #loor o# the torture cham*er!
=Mou donCt know,> +onna reeated slowly, as i# lost in thought! (he lowered her head,
then snaed it u again in his direction! =Mou donCt kno"0 $he Dragonlance, 0asryn! $he one
your #ather wielded in countless *attles, which used to hang over the #irelace in your #amily
castleCs ,reat &all! That +ragonlance, 0asryn! $he one that Gust haened to disaear,
vanished without a trace seven years ago@on the very same night you ran away #rom home on
the *ack o# a unicornN>
+onna &arridan leaned close to the *oy, so he could #eel her hot *reath on this #ace,
could smell her er#ume! =+onCt dare lie to me, *oy! Mou donCt really want "aliIander to
torture you againL>
=Nooooo!!!!> he whimered!
=$hen tell me what ) want to know,> she whisered sensually in his ear! ='e can leave
this dreary lace, go to suer, laugh a*out it over #ine, 'ilvanesti wine! 0ust tell me what ) want
to know! 'here is the +ragonlanceL>
=)!!!!> 0asryn *egan, knowing this answer would only anger her more, *ut it was the only
honest resonse he could give! = ) really, truly, donCt knowN Please, you have to *elieve meN>
+onna *acked u, snarling! =Continue the inBuisition, "aliIander! ) donCt care how
long it takes! ) want to know every secret in his muddled young skull! 6verything! $he *oy
may yet have a clue heCs not aware o#! )Cm going to dinner!>
=Ja, mein frauline,> "aliIander answered, and then drew close to 0asryn! &is raised his
large, red-glowing hands once more! =Now then, *oy! Mou are going to tell me everything )
want to know!>
O O O O O
0asryn told them everything he knew! $he torture had gone on #or two solid days,
screaming endlessly throughout the night and into the neIt morning! $ime *ecame meaningless!
$he teenaged mage was only aware o# timeCs assing *ecause "aliIander told him so! )# the
huge, hulking monster o# a man had told 0asryn heCd *een down there #or two years, the *oy
wouldCve acceted that as truth without Buestion! -nce, during the torture, "aliIander told him
he had trained his old master, +anvil <elcra#t, in the arts o# inBuisition and torture! That 0asryn
easily *elieved! +anvil had *een so sadistic that heCd willingly tortured his own uil #or the
slightest in#raction as a child! (tarvation, *eatings, tickle torture, dunking underwater, #ree%ing,
and electric shocks were as much a art o# 0asrynCs early childhood as inscri*ing scrolls,
harvesting her*s #or magic comonents, and sellcasting!
Now 0asryn sat in a cold, dreary dark cell with #ilth covering the gray stone walls! :
*ucket #or relieving himsel# sat in the corner! &e had a stone shel# with smelly, torn wool
*lankets #or a *ed! : solid oak, iron-*anded door *arred the only eIit! &is once immaculate,
white cotton ro*e was now torn and dingy! &is long dark hair hung a*out his #rail shoulders and
#ell into his ale #ace! &eCd o# course eaten the tasteless gruel theyCd #ed him, swallowed the
cask o# water #rom a dented, rust-covered tin cu, and then #ell into the dee slee like one dead!
&is guard, a *lack-armored Anight o# Neraka, and yet another *lack-ro*ed individual
awakened 0asryn! &is *reath caught on sight o# those *lack ro*es!
=+onCt hurt me!!!donCt hurt me anymore!!!!>
=RelaI, my son,> the *lack ro*ed man said, addressing him in a calm, gentle voice! &e
ulled down his hood, revealing a Golly, round #ace and a *aldate! 'hite teeth #lashed in the
#lickering candlelight, melting in the iron sconce on the wall! &e looked like a wi%ard, *ut #or
the gold and silver holy sym*ol that hung *y a silver chain a*out his neck! )t was a miniature
dagger, sheathed! 0asryn had seen that holy sym*ol once at Castle Ravenwood, many years ago,
when he was nine or ten! $his man was a cleric o# (argonnas, the god o# Fengeance, whom the
minotaurs called (argas, and the elves called ;ucien! $he dark god was consort to the dead
Hueen $akhisis! (argonnas was now called Prince Consort, and ruled in the +ragon-HueenCs
lace! 0asryn guessed his clerics mustCve gained a great deal o# ower since then!
$hat holy sym*ol@or unholy, deending on how one looked at it@was no toy, either!
$he *lade was ra%or-shar, and died in a otent oison!
=) am <ather -tto -*elisk! )Km here to see to your siritual needs during this time o#
ordeal!>
$he cleric nodded to the guard and waved his hand in casual dismissal! =Mou may leave
us!>
$he knight grunted, then le#t the cell without a word! $he cell door slammed shut, and
the *olt could *e heard sliding home! $he *oy looked warily at this dark cleric!
=<ather, )Cve already told them everything ) know@>
=&ush, ) know all that, my son,> -tto interruted, holding his hand u #or silence!
=rauline +onna is not leased with this outcome, *ut she knows you told the truth! ) am not
here a*out the missing +ragonlance! ) came to hear your con#ession!>
=Con#essionL> 0asryn asked, slightly a#raid! 'hat would dislease a god o# darknessL
=Mes, my son,> -tto continued in his gentle voice! &e took a seat on the hard stone shel#
neIt to 0asryn! ='ould you like to con#ess your sins to (argonnasL &e can *e a ower#ul #riend,
i# you let him!>
$he *oy wet his lis and swallowed! =/ut wonCt he unish me i# )Cve done something
wrongL>
=&ave you done something wrong, childL>
='ell!!!) screwed u *ig time, <ather -tto,> 0asryn *egan! &e ointed to his #eet! =$hese
magical *oots are cursed! ) know ) shouldCve roerly checked *e#ore ) ut them on, *ut )
didnCt! Now, theyCre stuck!>
-tto nodded sagely! ='ould you like me to remove themL>
$he *reath caught in 0asrynCs throat! : dark cleric ro*a*ly could remove the curse as
easily as $im*erwol#! /etter not look a gi#t horse in the mouth! $he teenager nodded!
=Mes, lease!>
$he cleric knelt at 0asrynCs #eet, held one hand over the *oots, while clutching his holy
sym*ol with the other! +ark, midnight-*lue light #lashed, leaving an aura on the so#t leather
#ootwear! $he cleric ulled o## #irst one *oot, then the other!
0asryn smiled with relie# and wriggled his toes! $he cleric ut the *oots aside, and then
stood once more! : shadow crossed -ttoCs #ace! &is tone o# voice never changed! )t remained
so#t, gentle, and warm, which contrasted sharly with his neIt words!
=Now, mein kind! Mou owe the dark god a #avor in return! Con#ess to me every act o#
goodness youCve ever committed!>
0asrynCs Gaw #ell oen! =:cts o#!!!goodness9>
=-# course,> -tto told him! =Mou wear the white ro*es! (urely, you must have
committed acts o# goodness, which go against the teachings o# mighty (argonnasL Mou must
always live *y honor and deal truth#ully with men, *ut every act #or which you do not eIact
some #orm o# ayment in return goes against the holy writings! )# you do something #or
someone, and they do not ay you *ack in kind, you must take vengeance on that erson! :ll
de*ts must *e aid!>
0asryn swallowed in a dry throat! ='ell!!!)!!!saved the lives o# "arkham (wordhawk and
his little *rother Aalistaire, when we were little kids!!!!> the *oy *egan haltingly!
=$hat was seven years ago, wasnCt itL> -tto asked, and 0asryn nodded! =$hey owe you
what is called a ;i#e +e*t! )n all these years, have they done what you wishedL ,roveled at
your #eetL (erved you in any wayL NoL 0asryn (torm, those two *oys are little more than your
slaves! $hey must *oth serve you #or the rest o# their lives!>
$he cleric #olded his hands into the oosite sleeves o# his *lack ro*e, and *egan acing!
=)Cm a#raid you must do enance, mein kind! :nother torture session would *e aroriate@>
=NoN PleaseN> 0asryn cried, #alling to his knees on the cold stone #loor *e#ore the dark
cleric, gra**ing the *lack ro*es in hand#uls! =+onCt send me *ack to "aliIanderN PleaseN>
=) am sorry, my son, *ut you are not yet evil! Mou must *e roerly unished,> -tto told
him #irmly! Now his tone o# voice did grow harsh! =(o that when you neIt see the (wordhawk
*rothers, you will *e roerly vengeful! $hose two *oys must either serve as your slaves #orever,
or you must kill them! ;et this enance #orever serve as a reminder!>
0asryn sat there on his knees, shaking! $he dark cleric ointed to his hands! =:re you
aware that youCve grown younger during the torture sessionL ;ook, itCs haening now!>
0asryn looked at his hands and gased! &e let go o# the *lack #olds o# cloth, staring oen-
mouthed at his hands! $hey were so#ter, smallerJ the hands o# a human *oy, only ten summers
old! :s he stood, 0asryn noticed his *are #eet on the cold stone #loor were smaller, too! .ven his
voice!!!!
&e suddenly remem*ered the torture session, the sound o# his voice, crying out iteously,
how young it sounded!!!!
=&ow did this haenL> the *oy asked in a laintive voice! : childCs voice, silvery and
innocent, and #ar too young!
=(uch is the way o# "aliIander, a cleric o# mighty (argonnas,> -tto told him in a mildly
amused tone! =Mou have *ehaved like a child, so the dark god has reduced you to a small childN
Remem*er this lesson, my little ;ord /aron! ,1:R+N ) :" <)N)(&.+ ')$& &)"N>
$he dark cleric stood *y the door as 0asryn remained where he was, staring in dis*elie# at
himsel#! &is white ro*es hung on him like heCd *een wearing his *ig *rotherCs clothing!
<rightened, the *oy *acked u to the stone cot! &e hoed u and sat there, while the guard
unlocked the door and made a noisy show o# locking it again! Clink, clink, sna!
$he young mage waited until he heard #ootstes echo and #ade down the corridor! -ne
advantage o# this sudden change heCd noticed was that his manacles were #ar too large #or his
now-slender wrists! $he *oy slied easily out o# the restraints, and then le#t the heavy chains
on the stone cot neIt to him!
Could he sellcast nowL $rue, most o# the sells heCd memori%ed had *een driven #rom
his mind during the torture, *ut the incantations #or #ive sells yet remained, *urned in his
memory, their magic tingling in his *lood! 0asryn might aear to *e hysically only ten, *ut his
mind and training remained! $he *oy held his hand out, alm uward, and called #or light!
=Shira"$>
: glo*e o# ale *lue-white light *urst into *eing, and the *oy laughed! )t was a high-
itched laugh he hadnCt *een a*le to make in Buite a #ew years! )t was weirdly nostalgic to hear
it again, *rought *ack #ond memories o# laying in the #amily castle and on the grounds, o#
imaginary *attles with monsters in Ravenwood #orest and swimming in the mountain lake!
-kay, so he could sellcast again! /ut what were a #ew sells and cantris against the
entire Nerakan armyL Not to mention the #act that he was a little kid again, and the +ark
AnightsC sta*le*oy could ro*a*ly *eat him u and recature him!
<ive sells! &e could #ly, throw a lightning *olt, oen a locked door, shock men
senseless *y touch, and read their minds! .ven that hand#ul o# otions was cut down *y the #act
that theyCd taken his sell comonentsN Not enough magic against their whole army!
$he *oy cued his too-small chin in his too-small hands, and sighed!
!ark, "here the heck are you9
O O O O O
='here is heL> the Anight o# (olamnia asked, acing the room again, his chain mail
clanking with each ste!
=(ir "arkham, calm down, and sit down,> +orian ordered! =Mour acing is making me
nervous! &eCs *eing held in their main kee in 0elek! $he lace is heavily guarded! $he only
way in, that we can see@>
=N-N> "ark roared! =) will not wear the *lack armor o# an evil knightN>
=$hen youCre not going,> +orian said #irmly! =)Cm sorry, Anight (wordhawk, *ut this is
the only way short o# using magic, and our only mage is the one weCre trying to sring!>
<uming, "ark sat down, nearly crushing the small wooden chair! &e crossed his arms
and sighed heavily! <irst his mustaches, now this! &ow many comromises to his honor was he
willing to make to rescue his closest #riend, whom he also Gust haened to owe his li#e toL
=1erily, )Cll wear the *lack armor,> "ark grunted, and then reeated it when the hal#-
elven ranger said he couldnCt hear! =/ut ) kee my sword!>
=Naturally,> +orian told him in a calm voice! =$hat *ladeCs enchanted! 'eCll need it!>
"arkCs sandy-*lond hair #ell as he leaned #orward, his eyes #lashed in the candlelight!
No (olamnic Anight should have to *e reduced to esionage, *ut to rescue a #riend, who was the
arentice o# Palin "aGere!!!!
The /nights -ouncil "ould probably agree "ith this course of action to rescue a &hite
8obe &izard...but may *aladine forgive me, )Cm not comfortable "ith this.
+orian slayed his hands on the olished wood ta*leto, and leaned #orward! =Now,
hereCs what weCll do!!!!>
O O O O O
$he screaming had gone on #or another day!
0asryn wasnCt sure when it stoed or started again, or how much time assed! :ll he
knew #or certain was that "aliIander seemed to *e leased at the rosect o# torturing a helless
child instead o# a teenaged arentice wi%ard! $he *lack ro*ed cleric was sick and twisted, no
dou*t a*out it! 0asryn was lost! <inally, he lost consciousness!!!!
+t had been a "arm, sunny day in the height of summer, Jasryns si$th. -louds dappled
the sky. 3arge, fluffy clouds that promised rain before long. The sun baked everything# the air
"as hot and close. 'erannon had promised Jasryn that he could go s"imming in the pond later,
but first he had chores to do. 6ven at such a tender age, children living on a farm had chores.
Jasryn had already fed the chickens their millet, collected the eight eggs theyd laid, and
no" he "as filling the goats trough "ith fresh hay. The animals rushed for"ard, pulling stra"s
of grass from his hands, even as he transferred the load from the "heelbarro". The boy giggled,
petting the animals and humming a "ordless tune of the kind small children sometimes sang.
6rlin, the hired hand, did most of the hard "ork. :ormally Jasryn liked to "atch the big
man brush do"n the horses, or help him milk the co", "hile !aster 'erannon delved into his
magical studies in the house. :ot today, ho"ever. Jasryn "anted to finish up )uickly, and .ump
into the "ater.
Just one more .ob to do. Jasryn "ent to the pump, "hich "as fed by an underground
"ell, "hich also supplied "ater to the house. The small boy grabbed the large lever "ith both
hands and pumped "ith all his might. +n a fe" minutes, hed filled the trough to the top "ith
cool, clear "ater that the goats drank thirstily. Jasryn pet the goats a little more, then left the
pen, being sure to close the gate behind him.
The boy ran barefoot across the grassy field, back to"ard the farmhouse. 4e screamed
'erannons name in a high,pitched, s)ueaky voice.
A "ind gust hit the boy like a closed fist, slammed into him, rustled his thick silvery hair
cut into a dutchboy haircut, and knocked him do"n to the grass. The boy looked up and sa" the
la"n moving in "aves. A dark shado" passed overhead, blocked out the 'un. The childs gaze
rose even further, felt a nameless terror.
The dragons "ings stretched "ide, seemed to fill the sky. They "ere scalloped and the
color of fresh blood. +ts long, sinuous body "as covered "ith scales of ruby, highlighted "ith
firelight orange. -harcoal black horns t"isted up from its head. lames flashed from the
beasts nostrils, then shot from its giant ma" in a gout of ra" po"er. The dragonbreath
sounded like a "indstorm. lames licked the dry shingles, and the farmhouses roof caught like
tinder.
A'68A::O:0B Jasryn cried, sitting on his knees. Tears filled his golden eyes and lined
a "et trail do"n his cheeks# fell in drops from his trembling chin. 4is breath came in sobs as he
thought of his kind master, reading )uietly from tomes of magic, completely una"are of the
horrible, "inged monster.
Thats "hen he noticed his master standing behind the house,,another house, some fifty
feet from the farmhouse that the dragon had set aflame. Jasryn realized that the burning house,
no" consumed by raging fire, "as not "here it had stood this morning. !aster had cast a spell
that made the "hole structure appear to be fifty feet a"ay from its actual location.
Jasryn smiled, his sniffles dying do"n. 'erannon "as a po"erful 8ed robed "izard. :ot
even a dragon should be able to hurt him0
The thunder of hoofbeats made the boy turn. !ighty "arhorses tore up the tilled earth.
2lack,mailed Dark /nights rode around the barn, searching for something.
Jasryn "atched in stunned silence as a knight rode right up to 6rlin and cut the
farmhand do"n "ith his shining s"ord. The young man "as completely unarmed, but that
didnt seem to matter to this knight. The s"ord "as huge, a greats"ord, easily longer than
Jasryn "as tall and three times as heavy. 4is faceplate "as horrible, a dark iron skull. An evil
black knight "ho dealt death.
T"o more knights rode around the barn, spotted Jasryn, and called their captains
attention to the small boy. Their superior sheathed his "eapon and nodded curtly. The other
knight rode right up to the boy, dismounted, and picked Jasryn up "ith one hand.
A&ell, "hat have "e here9B the dark knight asked, his voice muffled by the black metal
helmet. The man lifted his faceplate to look at the child better, and Jasryn sa" handsome
features. 2lond hair "as matted to the mans head "ith s"eat, and cold blue eyes looked as
hard as stone. A0a, li*elingN >oure the right age to serve 4er Dark !a.esty, and + can use a
ne" page.B
A3emme go0B Jasryn screamed, kicking "ith bare feet. 4e hurt his toes on the hard
metal breastplate.
Aeisty little one, arent you9B the Dark /night laughed. ADont fight me, boy, or itll
go "orse for you.B
A+!26-+36 D8A(O:0B someone screamed in a harsh voice, dra"ing the attention of
both of them. +t "as a short man, "earing robes like !aster 'erannon, e$cept his "ere midnight
black instead of the bright red of 3unitaris moonlight. ADO:T 258: T46 4O5'6 >6T0 +
:66D 4+' '*6332OO/'0B
The dragon laughed, a deep,throated, cacophonous sound that thundered across the
field. &ith a mighty flap of his "ings, the great "yrm !en called -inder rose into the deep blue
sky, his scales brightly reflecting the sunlight.
A+m surrounded by incompetents0B the 2lack 8obe complained loudly, "aving his arms
to"ard the 'ky.
The knights .oined in -inders laughter, making sport of the evil mage.
A'ee there, boy9 Thats Danvil elcraft, one of the most po"erful 2lack &izards in
Ansalon7or so he claims7and he cant even control the barons dragon0B
AThats...a real dragon9B Jasryn asked, his eyes as "ide as saucers. The knight noticed
that the boys pupils changed color even as he "atched, from a rich gold to the shade of perfect
sapphires. The knights breath caught.
A0a, his names -inder. &err 2aron rides him into,,&hat in 4er +nfernal !a.estys
:ame...9 >our eyes, boy0 They change color9 >ou must have magic about you. 0a, a prize
indeed0 elcraft "ill "ant to see you.B
The boy "asnt interested in meeting elcraft, or staying in the arms of this evil knight,
either. 4e "atched as !aster 'erannon cast another spell, and "aited for him to chase these
bad men a"ay, and the dragon. 5nless 'erannon could shrink -inder do"n to the size of a
housecat, in "hich case, Jasryn "ould have a ne" pet.
The air shimmered "ith heat "aves, color e$ploding and reforming around the elfin
mage. 'uddenly, there "ere eight 8ed 8obed images, standing about and laughing at the black
robed !age.
Aoolish young human, to think you could actually master one of Takhisis shrieking
hosts9 That is a great "yrm, elcraft0 4e only serves 2aron 1on 2ladmere so long as it pleases
him to do so0 &oe unto you the day7B'erannon cried, rankling his enemy.
AOh, stick it in your ear, drowN> elcraft hissed, and pointed his hands at the 8ed 8obe.
=Ast kiranann kair Suh-aran/suh kali 1alaran!
A ball of green fire, the size of a goblin ball, appeared in Danvil elcrafts hand. 4e
tossed it, and the flames e$panded, impacting "ith the verbose elfin mage, consuming him in
flames and thick black smoke that rose high into the blue sky.
That image "inked out of e$istence, and the other seven merely stood s"irling about,
laughing at elcraft. As one, they "aved their hands "ith a flourish. 3ong, sinuous, black
tentacles thrust up form the ground and attacked the black robed mage.
2efore 'erannon could finish casting his spell, ho"ever, a longbo" t"anged. A dark,
blue fletched arro" shot through the shimmering summer air and struck do"n another red robed
illusion. 'i$ 'erannons turned in the direction the arro" had come from, and all si$ pointed at
the knight.
/night -aptain 2lackgaard dropped his bo", suddenly screaming in sheer terror. The
large man backed his mighty "arhorse up, yelling for the a"ful magician to stay a"ay from him.
A-ean0B the Dark /night holding Jasryn cried, and then cussed. 4e pulled his dagger
from a belt sheath, and held the naked blade up to Jasryns throat.
A:C&$1N,N T48+-6,-58'6D &+CA8D0 'TO* +T0 (C&.;;N 'TO* &4AT
>O586 DO+:( TO !> -A*TA+:, O8 +33 -5T T46 2O>' T48OAT0B
-ean 2lackgaard "as s"atting at buzzing insects all around his head, still screaming in
terror, eyes "ide. A(et a"ay0 Nein0 A"ay from me0B
'erannons face fell. There "as little he could do "hen he realized the foul Dark /night
meant his threat. 4ed murder the child "ithout a moments hesitation. The elf lo"ered his
hand in a cutting motion, and his spells all ended at once, dismissed. -ean 2lackgaard suddenly
stopped screaming.
2lackgaard looked around, spittle flying from his mouth. 4e pulled the helmet from his
head, tossing it clattering to the grass. The evil knight screamed like a ne"ly damned soul, his
eyes narro"ed and locked on the elf. +n one fluid motion, 2lackgaard dre" his greats"ord and
spurred his mount into motion.
'erannon stood there, impassive, his gaze locked on Jasryn, as 2lackgaard thundered
to"ard him. Then, the 8ed 8obe spoke. A>our "ord as a knight that no harm "ill come to the
boy0B
The 2lack /night dropped his dagger to the dirt and nodded his assent. A2y the Dark
;ueen, + s"ear my name is /urt Andin, and that this boy "ill remain safe, so long as you
surrender0B
A+ do,B the 8ed &izard calmly replied, and a"aited his fate. The black,armored knight
on his midnight,black steed rode him do"n. 'teel flashed, and the greats"ord Fehement
slaughtered the gentle old elf as easily as it had cut do"n 6rlin.
A'68A::O:0B Jasryn screamed, over and over. 4is master, the only parent he kne",
fell to the ground, his blood "atering the earth. The scene gre" blurry as tears filled the boys
eyes, then "hite light e$ploded behind his eyes as the dark knight cuffed him.
A'hut up, boy0 (oddess, + hate little brats0B /urt yelled. A>oure lucky + s"ore to
protect you by my honor, so "e cant kill you. 2ut there are "orse things than death, boy.B
/urt thre" the boy over his saddle, the hard leather pressing into Jasryns stomach.
Then he mounted himself, and rose over to his captains side.
A;uick thinking, /urt,B -ean 2lackgaard told him. 4e "iped 1ehement clean "ith a
silk handkerchief, and sheathed his greats"ord. The Dark /night carelessly thre" the e$pensive
cloth to the ground, "here it "as )uickly stamped do"n by his "arhorses shot hoof. A5sing the
mages brat as a hostage "as a stroke of brilliance.B
AAye, and + have a ne" page to replace ritz,B /urt replied, spanking Jasryns backside
once .+t stung, but not as badly as "itnessing 'erranons death.
2lackgaard shot him an evil grin. AJust be careful not to shoot this one like you did the
last.B
/urt sco"led. A+ didnt like the message he brought me. ritz "as my page, and it "as
my right to kill him if he displeased me.B
The t"o knights "aited, sitting astride their mounts, until Danvil elcraft emerged from
the little farmhouse7the real one7"eighed do"n "ith several magic tomes bound in co"hide
leather, a large burlap sack bulging "ith several more items, and a neatly folded, forest,green
cloak.
Aind "hat you "ere looking for, mage9B 2lackgaard asked.
A0a, + did,B elcraft replied, and thre" a purse to"ard the knight, "hich 2lackgaard
caught one,handed. Then he thre" a second pouch to /urt. The men opened the purses, and
found them filled "ith precious gems "orth thousands of steel pieces.
A>our share of the bounty, gentlemen. CINDERN> the mage called, shouting up to the
heavens. =Now you can burn the buildings, "yrm0B
Thunderous "ings approached as /urt lifted Jasryn and dismounted from his mighty
"arhorse. AAh, elcraft. + "anted you to have a look at this. This boys eyes change. + dont
think hes human.B
A2ring the kind closer,B Danvil elcraft pronounced, lo"ered his burden, and knelt in
the grass. 4is thin fingertips lingered on Jasryns face.
A2y the goddess five heads0B Danvil elcraft breathed as far above, -inder returned
and set fire to the barn, then s"ung around, back to"ard the farmhouse. A/urt Andin, you blind
fool0 This child is the spitting image of 6dmund0B
The farmhouse roof, the real one this time, burst into flames. /urt sco"led. ANein, he
doesnt0 This boys hair is "hite...silver...B
A*latinum blond, you imbecile,B 2lackgaard inter.ected, and took a s"allo" of li)uor
from a small tin flask.
A&hatever0 The barons son had black hair.B
Aools,B Danvil elcraft spat. 4e "hispered in the spidery language of magic, tousling
the boys hair as he "orked. Jasryns long silky locks changed color, from the silver of
'olinaris moonlight, to .et,black. ANow look at him0B
2lackgaards .a" dropped. A2y the gods, youre right0 +t is 6dmund 1on 2ladmere0B
AOf course,B Danvil told him, and grinned like the fo$ thatd caught the rabbit. 4e held
the boy close. A2aron 1ilderoff "ill re"ard us handsomely for this.B
Jasryn shuddered, looking do"n at 'erannons dead body, as the dragon fle" high above
them, and flames consumed their little farmhouse rising high into the blue sky, filling the
summer air "ith thick, black smoke.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jasryn woke u in a large, com#orta*le *ed sread with silk sheets, goose down
illows, and a hand-em*roidered Built with his #atherCs *aronial Coat o# :rms on it! $he room
was dark, and it was o*viously nighttime! +ou*le moonlight silled through an oen window,
lighting u two *ulges under the covers, his #eet! : gentle *ree%e *illowed the sheer gossamer
draes, and #illed the room with cool, #resh air!
$he *oy lay there #or several minutes, taking stock o# his surroundings, *reathing easily!
&e noticed his little seudodragon, curled u and aslee on the *ed *eside him!
=K$was no dream, my lord,> a voice addressed him #rom the window, and 0asryn Gust now
noticed a large, humanoid shadow in the window seat! 'hoever it was had a air o# large,
yellow, glowing eyes that studied him intently!
(lowly, 0asryn sat u, distur*ing <a#nir #rom his slee! $he little dragon immediately
started growling at the stranger! 0asryn gra**ed <a#nir, hugging him close! &e didnCt think the
seudodragon would sting his own master, and 0asryn didnCt want him attacking this
stranger!!!not until he got some answers!
='ho are youL> 0asryn asked! &e immediately noticed that his voice had returned to
normal! &is *ody was larger, too! $he dark miracle had aarently worn o##! &e was nineteen
summers tall again!
=(under is what )Cm called,> the #igure answered, choosing to remain in the moonlight!
$he shadowy man aeared taller than most, with a very weird silhouette! 0asryn thought he
wore a (olamnic helmet like "arkhamCs, *ecause a air o# #oot-long ornamental dragon horns
was mounted on to! &e also wore what aeared to *e a *ulky *ackack o# some sort!!!unless
the stranger was a hunch*ack! =/ut you knew me *y another name when you were a child, mein
4err!>
<a#nir growled low, and 0asryn et him, stroking his head and sine, as he would a
housecat! )t was a di##erent tactile eIerience, however, as his #amiliar was covered with scales
instead o# #ur! :#ter a #ew moments o# scratching <a#nir under the chin, the small creature
started urring contentedly!
='hat name was thatL> 0asryn asked! &e was sorely temted to conGure light, *ut he
was also intrigued *y this masBuerade! :t least #or the moment! &e didnCt think this erson
meant him any harm, *ut the man was de#initely toying with him #or some reason! Fery well!
&eCd lay along! <or now!
=) was known as )ain ;ockhart, when ) was human,> the stranger answered crytically!
=) used to work #or your #ather!>
3ockhart. $he young mage suddenly made the connection! =$revlor!!!!>
=$revlorCs my son,> (under answered evenly, with a slight undertone o# danger in his
voice!
0asryn stared at (under, silhouetted in the moonlight! +id he dare to tell him that $revlor
had *etrayed them all, lured Aalistaire out to the lake, where the *oy was catured, used as *ait
#or the rest o# themL
&is instinct told him not to! 'hoever this (under was@)ain ;ockhart@whomever, he
was o*viously dangerous! :t the moment, 0asryn had only #ive incantations memori%ed, and he
couldnCt even use most o# those without having the roer sell comonents on his erson! &e
hadnCt even *een a*le to oen his cell door magically without a vital sell comonent, a small
skeleton key heCd usually ket in a ouch! :ll he could do right now was shock this stranger
with Golts #rom his #ingertis, and that reBuired hysical contact! $he *oy mage decided to listen
to this man, *ide his time!
=&e was!!!taken!>
=$akenL> 0asryn asked! =Mou mean kidnaedL>
=(omething like that! /lackgaard made $revlor his age, suosedly rearatory to his
training as a knight! )n reality, my son is *eing held hostage to insure my!!!cooperation!>
=Cean can *e gru##, *ut heCs honora*le,> 0asryn said, trying to reassure this (under! =)#
Cean /lackgaard told you $revlor would *e trained as a knight, then he will *e!>
(under snorted! =4onorableL 'here was your #atherCs honor when he did this to meL>
0asryn sti##ened as tension #illed the air o# the *edcham*er! <a#nir, sensing his masterCs
unease, sti##ened in his arms! :s the small dragon clawed his way u 0asrynCs nightshirt, the tiny
claws made him wince! <a#nir settled on 0asrynCs shoulders, and wound his two-#oot long tail
around him rotectively!
='hat!!!did <ather do to youL> 0asryn asked in a tight voice! )t was o*vious this man
was mentally unsta*le! $he wrong word, or even the wrong *ody language, could ossi*ly set
him o##!
(ilence #illed the room in answer to 0asrynCs last Buestion! (under ondered his answer!
='ellL>
=:re you really sure you want to know the answer to that BuestionL> (under resonded!
=) wouldnCt have asked, i# ) didnCt want to know!>
<a#nir started to growl in a low tone again, and 0asryn #elt the tiny dragon tensing to
sring on the intruder with the slightest rovocation!
=&old your #amiliar *ack, or ) may have to kill him,> (under warned in the most
dangerous tone yet! No Buestion, this man was a *rutal killer, and he would do so without
hesitation or remorse! =:nd ) wouldnCt want that to haen!>
0asryn closed his eyes, reached u, and #elt the seudodragonCs tiny head! &e stroked it,
sending calming thoughts through the limited teleathic link they shared! $hen 0asryn suddenly
remem*ered! : mage could see through the eyes o# his #amiliar, hear through its earsJ and a
dragon had natural dark vision, the same as dwarves! Could he ossi*ly ta in and!!!L
$he young mage concentrated #or a moment, and then oened his eyes! Now he saw the
same image, dou*led! -nce with his own eyes, and a second time, a mental image #rom <a#nir!
(hades o# red suerimosed themselves over his limited human sight! $he silhouette was
enhanced, revealing a stark di##erence! (under was no man! &e wasnCt human at allN
0asryn gased! =MouCre a draconianN>
(o#t chuckling was (underCs answer to that accusation!
$he mage Buickly Gumed out o# *ed, hands held high, and the (hocking ,ras heI
reared in his mind! $hree words, and heCd *e a*le to Golt the draconianCs scales o## his hide #or
seven long minutes! )# <a#nir also Gumed the stranger, distracted him, that would give 0asryn
enough time to ronounce the magic words!
=)Cd advise you not to attemt it, mein 4err,> (under told him, sounding mildly amused!
&e hadnCt made any threatening moves at all, *ut 0asryn got the imression that (under could
attack with lightning swi#tness! =) am a trained assassin, and you are merely an apprentice
mage! ) could kill you *oth in less than thirty seconds! $he change has only enhanced my
re#leIes and skills! :nd ) am not a draconian!
0asryn stared, his eyes narrowing! +f hes not a draconian, then "hat9
=;ight a candle, i# youCre *rave enough,> (under taunted!
'hield your eyes, 0asryn mentally warned the little seudodragon, remem*ering ,arnetCs
reaction to the sudden aearance o# light, *ack in the caverns! $he *oy slowly raised his right
hand, alm uward!
=Shira",> the mage ronounced in .ldritch! -*ediently, a glo*e o# ale light srang into
*eing, chasing the darkness away!
$he creature crouched on the windowseat aeared even worse to 0asrynCs human eyes,
lit *y the stark eerie magical light o## his glo*e! )ts scales were shades o# *lue, #rom sahire to
midnight *lack! )ts arm and leg muscles riled with ower! $he hands ended in claws that
looked ra%or-shar! $he *ulge heCd earlier taken #or a *ackack was a set o# *atlike wings,
#olded close to the *ody! )ts #ace!!!!
(ods above and belo"0 )ts #ace was a hideous arody o# humanity, a cross*reed o#
human and dragon, with a long snout, Gagged, needle-#ine teeth that gleamed in the light, and
eyes that resem*led large or*s o# glowing am*er! &orns rotruded #rom its head and came to
shar oints that could gore a man, should (under decide to head-*utt an oonent! /lack
leather armor covered him, with secial consideration made #or his shoulder *lades, where the
wings met the *ody!
4im, not it, 0asryn chided himsel#! &e was a mage, a "hite robed mage! &e was
suosed to *e thirsty #or knowledge, to seek out the unknown! $his reaction o# disgust was
human, to *e sure, *ut 0asryn still #ought to suress it! This creature claims that he "as once a
man, a human being.
Dont bet on it. + doubt 'under ever had any humanity, even "hen he "as human, the
little voice in the *ack o# his mind warned! 0asryn was *eginning to susect these sudden
thoughts were not even originating in his own mind, *ut stemmed #rom the link to the
seudodragon! &eCd have to #ind out later!
0ust now, he had more immediate concerns!
=Mou are a draconian,> 0asryn stated emhatically, recalling his dragonkind studies that
Palin had drilled into him! =Mou look like a 'ivak@>
=+id Palin "aGere also teach you a*out the +ragon-changedL> (under asked lainly!
0asrynCs *reath caught! &e guled audi*ly! : +ragon-change, also called a (awn, was
what resulted when one o# the dragon -verlords *onded with a human *eing, donating art o#
themselves through the skull totem! $he resulting trans#ormation resulted in something like this,
a hideous hy*rid o# human and dragon! $heir strength was incredi*le, their re#leIes lightning
#ast, they could #ly with those wings, and their *reath!!!!
'"eet 'olinari, he can breathe lightning, .ust like a blue dragon0 !y 'hocking (rasp
he$ "ouldve been useless0
=&ow!!!can you!!!) mean!!!) thought a humanCs ersonality was suressed during the
trans#ormationL>
=) really donCt understand it mysel#,> (under told him! =Ahellendros screwed u! "ay*e
he had changed too many, and his control slied! Perhas he intended #or my mind to remain
intact this way! 'ho knowsL :ll that matters is that in here,> and (under taed his skull with a
wickedly-shar talon, =) still have all my memories o# human eIistence, including all my skills
as a master assassin!>
=) am now a 'yrm :ssassin,> (under eIlained! =) seciali%e in slaying dragons and
their ilk! <or this, the loss o# my humanity, ) want revenge! ) never #orgive, and ) never #orget!
$he creed o# the :ssassins ,uild!>
0asryn *acked u a ste, horri#ied! )nstinctively, heCd recoiled, letting the glo*e o# light,
which was really Gust illuminated air, #loat out o# his hand and around the room! (hadows
shi#ted with the glo*eCs movement! : horri*le truth suddenly came to him!
=) think!!!) remem*er you, )ain ;ockhart! Mou did secial assignments #or my #ather!
$hatCs what +anvil had said, at least!>
=+id <elcra#t also tell you what kinds o# assignments ) did #or 4err /aronL> (under
asked tentatively!
=)!!!assassinations, ) guess!!!!>
=$hatCs eIactly right! ) did a lot o# very secret and *loody work #or your daddy! .very
Nerakan no*leman or knight o# any ower at all has his own rivate assassin and his own
network o# sies! )tCs how you no*les survive in this country!>
0asrynCs eyes narrowed, his mind raced Buickly! ="y #ather did this to youL>
(ilence!
$he *oy straightened in his seat! =&e did! $hatCs why you hate him!>
=Not directly, no! $he *aron was very su*tle,> (under eIlained! =/ut oh yes, he
arranged it! "y last assignment #or his ;ordshi involved eliminating 4err "ordant /lackgaard
o# Palanthas!>
=/lackgaardL> 0asryn asked! =: relative o# CeanCsL>
=&is cousin, commandant o# the occuying #orce o# Palanthas! 4err "ordant ruled that
city, and he kne" ) was coming #or him! Mour dearly dearted #ather had informed him of my
coming, and a tra was laid #or me!
=$he Anight Commander had me *rought straight to Ahellendros, to *e trans#ormed!
$he rocess is ain#ul, let me tell you, *ut it results in the ower#ul *ody you see *e#ore you!>
0asryn swallowed! &e susected something, a hidden thing (under was not saying! &e
decided to aeal to (underCs human side, *y using his human name! =)ain@>
$he sawn was on his #eet #aster than the *oy could *link! $he creature stood nine #eet
tall, and he was o*viously hunched over, his head *rushing the ceiling! &is *ody scales
glimmered like sahires, his eyes turned cold and deadly!
=+onCt call me thatN> the sawn snaed! =)ain ;ockhart is dead0 ) am (under nowN )
am the death o# all dragonsN>
Now it was 0asrynCs turn to remain silent! &eCd hit a nerve! $he *oy wet his lis with his
tongue, treading very care#ully!
=)Cm a 'hite Ro*e 'i%ard, and ) donCt like to lie,> 0asryn eIlained!
=All mages lie, when it suits them!>
=Not me,> 0asryn told him emhatically! ="y *est #riend is a (olamnic Anight, and the
-ath and the "easure ru**ed o## on me,> the *oy said with a smile! $his was true! =) knew you
as )ain ;ockhart, and )Cd like to continue to call you that!>
(under considered! =Fery well, *ut only in rivate, 4err /aron! :round all others, ) am
(under!>
$he young mage nodded! $hen he got to his neIt Buestion, or he would have, *ut (under
regarded some clothing lying on the dressing ta*le!
=$ry that on, i# you donCt mind,> (under asked in a reasona*le tone o# voice! =)tCs almost
suertime! Mou must *e #amished, and ) donCt think it would *e roer to aear in the dining
hall dressed only in a nightshirt!>
0asryn aroached the dressing ta*le! (read out on the #inely olished, hand-carved
#urniture was a *eauti#ul gray samite ro*e, with magical runes em*roidered into the thick silk
cloth in strands o# silver and gold! Right neIt to the ro*e was 0asrynCs #orest-green elven cloak,
cleaned, and neatly #olded! Near the cloak was his *lue leather *elt with all o# his ouches o#
sell comonents attached! ,littering on a owder-*lue cushion was the golden 8ing of
*rotection and something new, a air o# silver 2racers of Defense! 0ust to right o# this was a
leather arm-sheath containing his magical, silver-chased throwing dagger, and a*ove that was the
velvet *lue magical *ag!
$hey had returned everything to him *ut his tattered old white cotton ro*e! $heyCd
relaced it with this gray one!
=$hanks, *ut ) donCt wear the gray ro*es,> 0asryn eIlained!
=$ry it on, anyway,> (under advised! =)t wouldnCt hurt to masBuerade! Not #or one
night, anyhow!>
=$hatCs the worst sort o# lie,> 0asryn rotested! =Pretending to *e something )Cm not@>
=+amn your seudo-(olamnic sense o# honor,> (under snaed, his voice steady *ut
#irm! =0ust try it on!!!4err /aron! )t wonCt *ite you!>
(ighing, the *oy icked u the #ine, so#t cloth, and slied it over his head! $he samite
ro*e was a er#ect #it, and #elt very com#orta*le! )n #act, it was gorgeous, as *eauti#ul as "aster
PalinCs!!!!
0asryn gased! $he samite ro*e changed color even as he watched, #ading #rom gray to a
*rilliant, stark snow-white! Now, it really did look like PalinCs ro*eN
=) thought so,> (under muttered! =$hatCs a 8obe of 4igh 'orcery! $hereCs a ower#ul
enchantment woven into the silken weave! )t will change color deending on the urity o# the
wearerCs heart! )Cve rarely seen a ro*e so whiteN MouCd *est *e care#ul, my /aron! $oo many
+ark Anights would kill you on sight, Gust #or wearing that!>
=$hanks #or the warning,> 0asryn told him, and strode toward him in his *are #eet! &e
had to ask this *e#ore he lost his nerve! =+id you kill my #atherL>
(under smiled without mirth! $hat retilian grin gave the teenager chills!
=:nd i# ) didL>
0asryn nodded silently, looking the man-creature directly in the eye! =) Gust wanted to
know!>
=+o you intend to seek revenge against meL> (underCs voice was very so#t and deadly in
the stillness o# the darkened room!
$he *oy shook his head! =Mou may call him my #ather, *ut ) *ore no love #or the man!
$he *aronCs men murdered (erannon, who )Cll always think o# as my real #ather!>
=$hatCs good to know,> (under told him! =:nd ) will take you on your word, /aron!
Mou are #ar more honest than the last /aron Fon /ladmere!>
0asryn turned to the dresser, reaching #or his leather *elt and attached sell comonents
ouches, *ut (under stoed him with a word!
=)Cd ut something else on, /aron,> (under said, gesturing to the ro*e o# gleaming white
samite! =$hat white ro*e will make you a target!>
=Right,> 0asryn relied, ulled o## the #ine garment, #olded it neatly, and lay it down
care#ully on the dresser! ='hat are you, my *odyguard or somethingL>
=-r something,> (under said to him with wry amusement! =Mour ersonal ,uard arrived
Gust this morning, *ut you were *eing held in the dungeons *y the clerics o# (argonnas!>
="y ersonal ,uardL> 0asryn asked, reaching #or the 2ottomless 2ag! &e reached
inside, and #elt around #or the enchanted ring heCd taken #rom the FamireCs vault!
=$en o# your #inest knights are standing guard Gust outside that door,> (under told him,
ointing to the #inely olished oak ortal!
0asryn looked u at the door, and then smiled sheeishly! =)Cm not used to this! ) mean,
my #riends usually watch my *ack, *ut to have knights sworn to rotect me!!!!>
=Mou had *est get used to it, #or #rom the moment you arrived in Neraka, your li#e was in
danger,> (under told him, and the smile #aded #rom the *oyCs #ace! =Mour #riends also arrived
this morning, and they were swi#tly arehended!>
=&hat9> 0asryn asked, nearly shouting! $his was ro*a*ly more imortant to him than
anything else (under had yet told him! ='hy didnCt you say that *e#oreL "arkCs a Anight o# the
CrownN $heyCll eIecute himN>
=Normally, yes,> (under agreed! =.secially since he was caught sneaking into the kee
wearing the *lack armor o# a Anight o# Neraka! /ut (wordhawk is a known #riend o# yours, and
it is also known that he owes you a li#e-de*t! "y sueriors Buickly reali%ed he was acting in
#ul#illment o# that de*t o# loyalty! (wordhawk is *eing treated as an honored guest, as are the
others, articularly her )merial &ighness, Princess "ercidith! Mour #riends await you #or
suer as we seak!>
0asryn nodded, ulled out the magical ring heCd #ound in Ne#ariantCs treasure cham*er,
and lay it down on the olished wood dresser-to! $he young mage oened the velvet *ag wider,
care#ully smoothed the heavy silk #a*ric o# the *eauti#ul white samite ro*e, and care#ully inserted
it into the enchanted *ag! $his was a gi#t he areciated!
=: 2ottomless 2ag can only contain three magical items at a time! $o insert even one
more is to risk having the entire *ag eIlode,> 0asryn eIlained! $hen, he held u the gleaming
gold ring with the small emerald! )t sarkled decetively in the magical light o## 0asrynCs glo*e!
=$his might well *e cursed! ) #ound it neIt to the cursed elven *oots, *ut ) wonCt know
#or certain until ) +dentify its dweomer!>
(under held out his large, clawed hand! =) will have it checked #or you, 4err /aron!
Mou should not have to handle such a otentially dangerous o*Gect!>
Nodding, 0asryn droed the ring into the sawnCs outstretched talon! =+o ) have any
other clothesL>
(under nodded, ointing with his chin! =Right over there in that wardro*e! .verythingCs
*een tailored to #it you, *ut the seamstress can still *e sent right u, should you reBuire it!>
0asryn went to the #inely cra#ted, cherrywood ca*inet, and oened the swinging doors *y
ulling on two solid gold handles! )nside were hung tunics, *reeches, ta*ards, and cloaks, all o#
the #inest silk, cotton, linen, and wool! "ost o# the ta*ards and tunics *ore the sym*ol o# the
-rder, which 0asryn immediately reGected! &e #ound two tunics em*roidered with his /aronial
Coat o# :rms, a dou*le-headed *lack hawk on a gold #ield! $he #irst tunic was *lack, the second
a navy *lue!
0asryn selected the dark *lue tunic, a air o# wool *reeches, and a air o# *rushed suede
*oots! &e smiled at <a#nir, curled u on the dresser, and do##ed the nightshirt!
='hat time is itL> 0asryn asked, sliing into his underwear, then the *reeches!
=$wel#th 'atch, milord,> (under in#ormed him! =MouCve *een aslee #or over ten hours!
Not surrising, considering your ordeal! rauline +onna &arridan was not leased with the
resonse you gave! (he was hoing you knew where the missing +ragonlance was!>
=Meah, well, ) donCt,> 0asryn answered *itterly! &e ulled on the *lue silk tunic, and then
checked his new look in a #ull-length mirror, o*viously cra#ted o# solid *rass *y the dwarves o#
$hor*ardin! :ot bad, 0asryn thought, leased! &e hadnCt worn such #ine clothes since he was a
small child, living at the castle! &e crossed *ack to the dresser, *uckled on his leather *elt with
his sell comonents, and slied the magic golden ring on his right ring #inger! :#ter a
momentCs thought, he also snaed on the air o# silver 2racers of Defense! 0asryn knew *y
touch that these were magical as well, and he didnCt think they were cursed! <or whatever
reason, these eole wanted to rotect him, at least #or now!
=$hat much is o*vious!>
0asryn smiled, reali%ed he mustCve let his mind wander! /etween the new 2racers of
Defense and his 8ing of *rotection, he should *e Buite well shielded! &e raised his right sleeve
and straed on the leather arm sheath! )t was designed so that a #lick o# his wrist would dro
the dagger right into his hand, ready to throw! <inally, he icked u the silver-chased dagger
heCd had #or years!
=$hat is an eIcellent weaon, 4err /aron,> (under told him with admiration in his voice!
=+ou*ly-enchanted, with a dweomer o# returning! :lmost as #ine as my own!>
0asryn slied the dagger into his arm-sheath, rolled down his sleeve, and looked u!
(under had ulled a single small dagger #rom one o# his two leather *aldrics that cris-crossed his
chestJ they held #ive knives each! $he throwing dagger gleamed in the lightJ its golden hilt
chased with silver, and was set with a *lood-red ru*y!
=our enchantments, lus the return dweomer,> (under announced roudly!
And, doubtless, coated "ith a potent poison, 0asryn thought grimly!
=C$is *eauti#ul,> the mage told him! :#ter a moment, he returned his attention to the
dresser, oened the magic *ag, and removed his deerskin satchel! <rom this, 0asryn took out his
sell*ook and returned the satchel to the 2ag of 4olding! &e #olded the enchanted *ag #lat and
slied that under his tunic, *etween his *are skin and the #a*ric! $hen he snatched the magical
light glo*e, still #loating near*y, and crossed to an ela*orately carved writing desk made o# solid
oak with gold trim! $he desk *ore #resh archment, a small stack o# real aer with his *aronial
Coat o# :rms illuminated at the to, an inkot containing *lack ink, and Buills #rom ravens,
geese, doves, eagles, and ostriches! -ther Gars o# ink glistened in the light, o*viously miIed with
crushed recious gems! 0asryn nodded his aroval! Farious sells reBuired di##erent Buills to
en them! (ome*ody had taken a great deal o# thought when they #urnished and sulied this
*edcham*er!
NeIt to the stand o# Buills were two sticks o# sealing waI, and a gorgeous golden signet
ring! 0asryn set his sell*ook down in the center o# the desk and reached #or the signet ring,
which o# course had his #amily crest cra#ted onto it! &e studied the ring #or a moment, which
glittered in the light! )t was nonmagical, *ut #inely cra#ted! (ome*ody was o*viously going to a
great deal o# trou*le to imress the young mage, ossi*ly in an attemt to *ri*e him over his or
her cause! $hen again, all o# this was ro*a*ly urchased with #unds #rom his own co##ers!
0asryn shrugged, slied the ring onto his le#t hand, and oened his *lue leather sell*ook!
=&ow much time do ) have until suerL>
=$he guests await your ;ordshiCs leasure,> (under in#ormed him! =/ut usually, the
eerage takes dinner at eight!>
0asryn sighed! =,ood! $hat gives me the hour ) need to memori%e my sells! -h, and
could you lease send a message to my #riendsL ;et them know that )Cm all right, and )Cll *e
down in an hourL>
=Fery good, 4err /aron,> (under relied! &e crossed the room, oened the door, and
soke to a young *oy standing outside in the neIt room! :*sently, 0asryn reali%ed the kid was a
age! &e cleared his mind and dove into memori%ing the 'hield incantation!
$wenty some-odd minutes later, while 0asryn was memori%ing yet another sell, the
comlicated incantation which would ena*le him to mentally hear a ersonCs sur#ace thoughts,
the #amiliar *aritone o# a certain mountain dwar# interruted him!
='&:$ +- M-1 ".:N, &. C:NC$ /. +)($1R/.+L )CF. AN-'N $&:$ /-M
()NC. &. ':( : '.. ;:+ -< $'.;F. P;:M)N, ,-/;)N-/:;;N ) 1(.+ $- P1$
&)" -F.R "M AN.. :N+ '&)PP.+ &)( /:CA()+. '&.N &. +.(.RF.+ )$N ;.$
1( P:((N>
0asryn smiled and looked u at (under! =;et them in, )ain!>
$he hulking sawn nodded his headJ rose #rom the wooden chest heCd *een sitting on,
and oened the *edcham*er door! =4err *aron will see you now!>
(ir "arkham (wordhawk strode in #irst, wearing an angry eIression on his handsome
#ace! &is silver (olamnic armor shone reslendently in the harsh white light o## 0asrynCs glo*e!
$wo thoughts #lashed through 0asrynCs mind at that moment! <irst, that he needed to summon
another glo*eJ the hour was nearly u, and its light was *eginning to #ade! (econd, that
some*ody in the castle had taken the trou*le to olish "arkCs armor so thoroughly a man could
use it #or a shaving mirror! $he dwar#Cs armor also gleamed, and the two rangersC hunting
leathers looked like they had recently *een ru**ed down with reserving oils! .ven the kender
sorted *rand-new velvet clothes!
$hen 0asryn caught the eIression on "arkCs #ace, and his smile #aded!
=Mou dastard0> "arkham (wordhawk shouted, and crossed the room in siI strides!
='hy didnCt you ever tell us you were Fon /ladmereCs adoted sonL>
=)@> 0asryn *egan, the words catching in his throat! &is *lue eyes #lashed with concern!
=Mou were afraid to tell me, you sineless dastardN 'hat, did you think )Cd *e so *ase as
to take it out on you9 $he barons men are the ones who murdered my #amily, not you0>
0asryn stared, a#raid to say anything! &eCd hurt the #eelings o# his closest #riend, and
Buite ossi*ly insulted his honor! "ark aced, sittle #lying #rom his mouth!
=)n all these years!!!N>
=)!!!) wanted to, "ark, *ut!!!it never came u,> the *oy o##ered weakly!
=-h, simmer down, "ark, *e#ore the draconian over there decides youCre really trying to
threaten the *oy,> ,arnet )rondelve said, Gerking his head in the hulking assassinCs direction!
$he (olamnic Anight cast a #urtive glance at the sawn, crossed his arms, and shut u!
=/esides, (ir "arkham, you really shouldnCt *e yelling at him, all heCs *een ut
through,> "ercidith scolded! (he crossed to 0asryn, a look o# warm comassion on her #ace!
$he rincess wore an ela*orate samite dress o# *uttercu yellow, with white #rills at the cu##s,
hem, and V-cut neckline! :round her slender neck, a string o# diamonds glittered! =:re you all
right, 0asrynL>
$he *oy nodded sheeishly! =Meah, ) guess so! ) guess you guys must *e retty mi##ed
at me!>
='hat, #or getting yoursel# catured while trying to sneak into a #orti#ied town, dee in
enemy territoryL> +orian /arrett suddenly asked, *itterness in his voice! =-r #or somehow
getting yoursel# charged with treason *y the Anights o# NerakaL>
=-h, hush0> Princess "ercidith told him, reaching out #or 0asrynCs shoulder! =$hey
tortured the oor *oy! &ow can you *e so insensitive, +orian /arrettL>
=$hank you, &ighness,> 0asryn managed weakly, =/ut heCs right! /esides, these are my
#riends! $heyCre entitled to insult me!>
=+arn right we are, you young doorkno*,> ,arnet gried! ='hereCs this charge o#
treason coming #rom, anywayL>
$im*erwol# lit #our candles on a nightstand, and the *oyCs sahire eyes gleamed in the
golden light! $he shaman moved a*out the room, lighting candles as he went, #illing the whole
cham*er with *rilliant, #lickering illumination!
0asryn ran his tongue across his lis! ="y #atherCs +ragonlance is missing, and they
think ) had something to do with it!>
=Mour #atherCs!!!Dragonlance9> "arkham asked in shocked surrise! =) thought only
(olamnic Anights had themN>
=No,> 0asryn eIlained! =-ver the centuries, enemy #orces li#ted them #rom the dead on
the *attle#ield, as they would a catured sword or shield, as *attle trohies! -ne such
+ragonlance, ro*a*ly #rom the time o# &uma +ragon*ane, eventually #ell into the hands o# my
#ather! &e used it during the 'ar o# the ;ance!>
=/ut why would the +ark Anights think that you had something to do with itL> +orian
asked, ru**ing his goatee! =MouCre a mage, 0asryn! Mou canCt even use a +ragonlanceN>
$he *oy smiled sheeishly! =Not normally, no! /ut ) could conceiva*ly draw magical
ower #rom the lance *y touch, and use that to cast some retty otent sells! )t also Gust
haened to disaear on the very night we #led Neraka, seven years ago!>
$he *oy sighed, and hung his head, his voice droing! =)t was one o# the things they
asked me during the torture!>
(ilence was their resonse! (ilence, and #urtive glances around the room! (hyla was the
one who #inally soke u, thum*ing at (under!
='hatCs with the draconianL> the kender asked! ='hereCd you ick him uL>
=)Cm no draconian, you little thie#,> (under told her in as threatening a voice as he could
manage, which naturally didnCt hase the kender a whit! =)Cm a 'pa"n!>
.very*ody tensed, and 0asryn nearly laughed out loud! =,uys, this is (under! &e was
art o# <atherCs household sta## when ) was a little *oy!>
+orianCs hand dri#ted to his sword hilt! =$he changed are under the mental domination
o# the dragon that created them, 0asryn!>
=Not me,> (under told him in a thick *rusBue voice! =:nd i# you even think o# using that
ig sticker to attack me or his ;ordshi, youCd *e dead *e#ore you even knew what haened!>
=&e claims to *e #ree o# AhellendrosC control, +orian,> 0asryn in#ormed them! =) donCt
know i# this was done to him on urose, or *ecause Ahellendros le#t Arynn, *ut he seems to *e
in his right mind!!!a#ter a #ashion!>
=(weet goddess!!!and this was done to youL> "erci asked, horri#ied!
=:ye, your )merial &ighness,> (under told her in a somewhat so#ter tone o# voice than
he used around any o# the others, even 0asryn! =:nd the a*sence o# Ahellendros is not the reason
) ket my mind intact, /aron! :s ) already told you, the wyrm miscast the +ragon-sawn
rocess with me! ) was #ree o# the dragonCs control long *e#ore he went through the ortal
known as the 'indow to the (tars!>
-## in a corner o# the room, <a#nir hissed and snaed his Gaws as the kender reached #or
him!
=/e careful, (hylaN &eCll sting you, and thereCs oison in his tailN> 0asryn warned, hal#-
sitting u!
=$hatCs okay, 0asryn,> (hyla relied, cooing the small *east, and reaching #orward again
to scratch it under the chin! <a#nir urred contentedly! =&e likes me! (eeL>
&ell +ll be, 0asryn thought! &e watched as the tiny dragon clim*ed u (hylaCs arm and
settled on her head and shoulders! =$hatCs!!!) didnCt think heCd do thatN>
=&eCs your familiar, 4err /aron,> (under eIlained! =$he *east knows #rom you that
these are your #riends, and so he wonCt hurt them!>
=<amiliarL> "arkham suddenly asked, the #irst words heCd soken since *eing re*uked
*y the rincess, several minutes ago! ='hen did you have time to acBuire a #amiliarL>
=&e Gust came to me in the #orest, and!!!-h, itCs a long story, "ark,> 0asryn told him, not
knowing where to *egin!
='hy donCt you tell us over suerL> "ercidith o##ered, rising regally! &er demeanor
o##ered no Buestions #rom anyone! =Mou must *e #amished, 0asryn, and the sta## has reared
Buite a sumtuous reast #or us!>
=$hat sounds like an eIcellent idea,> ,arnet agreed, and was the #irst to the door! ='ell,
are the rest o# you coming, or do ) eat yoursL>
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
=You must kee your strength u, 4err /aron! Mour trial *egins tomorrow,>
+onna &arridan announced #rom the oosite side o# the long dining hall ta*le!
$he solid oak ta*leto was covered with a white linen ta*lecloth, and set with #ine
Palanthian orcelain lates and solid gold utensils laid uon cotton nakins! $all candles *urned
in golden sconces in the center o# the ta*le, and #rom chandeliers hung overhead! (teaming
latters were #illed with roast heasant, *ee#steak, deviled eggs, creamed mushrooms, and tender
steamed *roccoli! <ine wine, straight #rom (ilvanost, was oured #reely into #luted glasses, the
glassware itsel# dating *ack to re-Cataclysmic )star! )t all smelled wonder#ul, and tasted even
*etter! $he servants had even reared a late o# raw, *loody steak #or <a#nir, who munched in a
corner o# the hall *ehind the mage!
0asryn had *een a*out to ut another mouth#ul o# otatoes into his mouth when the
adGudicator had made that statement! $he #ork hovered in #ront o# his #ace!
=/ut you Buestioned him under torture,> "arkham shot in her direction! =Mou kno"
0asrynCs innocentN>
+onna &arridan smiled sweetly and swirled the dee golden wine in her glass, twirling it
with a soon! =Correction, Anight (wordhawk! ) am satis#ied that 0asryn (torm does not know
where the +ragonlance is, or even have the slightest clue what haened to it!>
Co*ra-like, the adGudicator #iIed the young mage at the other end o# the long ta*le with a
oisonous stare! =&owever, the late /aron Fon /ladmere o*viously did have something to do
with it! $he &igh Council *elieves Fon /ladmere susected he was a*out to *e assassinated,
and hid the lance rior to his demise! $he ;ord o# the Night has charged /aron Fildero## with
treason ost mortem, and the trial has yet to take lace!>
=:nd what haens thenL> +orian asked!
+onna swallowed her wine, and held the emty glass u, #or the waiter to re#ill it! =)n the
event that the late /aron Fildero## is #ound guilty o# treason against the -rder, his entire #amily
will *e eIecuted *y slow torture!>
=$hatCs not very #airN> "arkham cried! =Mou canCt hold 0asryn resonsi*le #or what his
father didN>
=$hose are our laws, (olamnic,> +onna atiently eIlained! =1n#ortunate, *ut true!
/aron 0asryn will stand trial in his late #atherCs lace! )t will *e a #air trial *e#ore a Gury o# his
eers, and the decision o# the Gury is #inal! -nly our missing Hueen could choose to ardon him,
or her chosen &igh Cleric, the ;ord o# the Night!>
+onna &arridan swallowed another si o# wine, then rose! =Now, i# you ladies and
gentlemen will kindly eIcuse meL ) have a very #ull schedule tomorrow! (utt evening, 4err
/aron, rauline )merial &ighness!>
'ith a #inal nod to 0asryn and "ercidith, &arridan swet silently #rom the hall!
$he young mage set his #olk down on the late with a clink! =) think )Cve Gust lost my
aetite!>
=+onCt worry, 0ase,> "arkham said! =$hereCs no way weCre going to let them eIecute
you!>
=Right,> ,arnet agreed! ='eCll sneak o## tonightN 0ust as soon as ) #inish this rack o#
lam*@>
=) canCt do that, ,arn,> 0asryn told him! =)tCs dishonora*le!>
=+ishonora*leL> $im*erwol# cried! =MouCre a mage, #or Airi-0olithCs sakeN>
=)Cm also a *aron, $im*erwol#,> 0asryn countered! =) icked u honor #rom "ark@>
=MouCre no knight! MouCre a "hite robed mage,> $im*erwol# insisted, ointing at the
*oy to emhasi%e his statement! =) donCt know where you got this cra%y sense o# honor #rom,
0asryn (torm, *ut in my eIerience, a mage only shows honor when it suits him to do soN>
=$he oint is mute, $im,> +orian interGected! ='eCre stuck in the heart o# Neraka, in the
+ark AnightsC stronghold, smack da* in the middle o# their caitol city! :s our only mage
hasnCt learned to cast a transort sell yet, Gust how do you lan on all o# us leavingL>
$he Hue-(hu shaman had no good answer #or that, so he simly glowered at the
Rangerlord!
=) will die mysel# *e#ore ) allow harm to come to 0asryn,> "ark stated #irmly!
='e all would,> +orian answered! =/ut the #act remains that weCre stuck here until a#ter
the trial! :nd, as there is very little we can do a*out that, ) suggest we #ollow ,arnCs advice!
+onCt worry a*out what you canCt change, and enGoy this wonder#ul meal the servants have
reared #or us!>
(o saying, +orian #orked another iece o# meat and ate it! &e savored the #lavor, as the
#ood ractically melted in his mouth! =/esides, ) love filet minion!>
"arkham (wordhawk stared at their leader in shock #or a moment, stunned seechless!
$hen he threw down his #ine, em*roidered nakin on to o# his uneaten #ood and rose #rom the
ta*le without another word, ausing only to nod olitely to the rincess! :#ter a moment, 0asryn
himsel# started to get u, *ut +orian stoed him!
=/oy, sit your skinny *utt *ack down and eat,> +orian ordered! =MouCve Gust *een
tortured #or three days straight, and #ed hardly anything in that whole time! ) know #or a #act that
mages canCt #unction on an emty stomach!>
=/ut@>
=6at!>
(ullenly, 0asryn did as he was told! )t wasnCt lost on him that he was now a *aron with
maGor resonsi*ilities, and here he was, still taking orders #rom +orian!
$he mage sta**ed a iece o# meat with is #ork and took another *ite!
O O O O O
=There you areN> the *ookish man said *y way o# introduction, as 0asryn steed into his
*edcham*er, "ark right *ehind him! &e was a thin, unassuming gentleman with a thick Nerakan
accent! $he lenses o# his glasses, which rested on his mousy little #ace, magni#ied *eady little
eyes! $he little #ellow stood *arely #ive #eet tall, i# he was an inch! &is clothes were tailored to
#it him, made o# silk and velvet! &is #ingers were stained with *lack ink #rom 0asrynCs writing
desk, which was now covered with *ooks and scrolls! =)Cve *een waiting an hour #or your
;ordshiN 'e donCt have much timeN>
0asryn #rowned, waving "ark o## with one hand, holding onto the tiny seudodragon
with the other! &e didnCt think this guy couldCve gotten ast ten #ully-trained knights standing
guard right outside the door without ermission, which meant he was ro*a*ly sa#e! "ark had
his hand on his swordhilt, *ut slowly relaIed!
=.Icuse me,> 0asryn *egan! ='ho are youL>
="ortimur $argonne,> the little man relied, wiing his *ald ate with a handkerchie#!
=)Cm your *arrister!>
="y "hat9> 0asryn asked incredulously!
=/arrister,> the man relied! =/-:-R-R-)-(-$-.-R! Mour la"yer! )tCs my Go* to de#end
you! 'e have a court date tomorrow a#ternoon, and ) have very little time to reare!>
$argonne sat himsel# down at the writing desk, Buill in hand, reared to take notes
down! =(itN (itN <irst, tell me your #ull *irth name!>
=$argonneL> "arkham asked, incredulous! =:s in (ir !orham $argonne, #ormer ;ord
o# the NightL>
=&e was my older *rother,> the lawyer eIlained! =Power-hungry and maniulative!
$oo am*itious #or his own good! ) am Gust a simle de#ense *arrister! )Cve hardly ever lost a
case, and youCre aying me a #ortune to reresent you, so letCs get started! NameL>
=0asryn (torm Fon /ladmere,> the *oy answered, sitting down in the velvet-cushioned
armchair neIt to him! $he Buill scraed on the new archment!
=/irth dateL>
=)!!!)Cm not sure,> 0asryn told him! =)Cm a #oundling! (erannon took care o# me, *ut he
never told me when ) was *orn, or who my arents were!>
$argonne sni##ed! =$hereCs a lot o# things that red ro*ed dro" never told you, like the
#act that he kidnaed you #rom (tormCs Aee, where you were *orn!>
=&hat!!!L> the young mage relied! =&ow do you know!!!L>
=$hatCs why your surname is (torm! &e never told you that, eitherL <or shame, #or
shame!>
0asryn reached out and gra**ed the manCs arm! &e sti##ened, #ree%ing at the sight o# the
seudodragon, which watched him with those distur*ing, liBuid ru*y eyes! =+o you know who
my arents wereL>
=No, mein 4err! $hat in#ormation is not in the records,> $argonne relied, a *it
nervously! &is *eady little eyes locked on <a#nir! =+oes he *iteL>
$he mage smiled wickedly! =Not unless you try to hurt me!>
$argonne tore his ga%e away #rom the little dragon, and returned his attention to the
archment! ='ell, we know you were *orn in the sringtime, so )Cll Gust ut that down! Mour
ro#ession is wi%ard, rank arentice, correctL>
0asryn nodded! Near*y, "ark sat down on another chair, watching the lawyer warily! )t
was o*vious the (olamnic Anight didnCt trust $argonne, least o# all to de#end his *est #riend in
court! Met, he held his tongue, listening to every word the lawyer said!
=&ow advanced are youL ) mean, how #ar away #rom taking your $est o# &igh (orcery at
'ayrethL>
=1h!!!another two or three years, *ut i# "aster Palin has his way, itCll *e sooner than
that!>
=4err Palin "aGere is your master, correctL &e #eels that youCre that advanced in your
studiesL :nd heCs the &ead o# the -rder o# 'hite Ro*esL ,ood, good! :ny chance we can get
him to testi#y in your de#enseL>
That had never occurred to him *e#ore! 0asrynCs eyes widened, and shi#ted color to gold!
=)s that ossi*leL PalinCs either at 'ayreth or (olace!!!)s (olace still intactL>
=;ast time ) checked, yes,> $argonne told him a*sently! =Palin "aGere and a horde o#
wi%ards #rom all three -rders o# magic chased o## Cinder! 'e can send a message to him *y
sorcery, and he should *e a*le to get here using the KCorridors o# "agic,C whatever those are!>
=Consider it done,> "arkham (wordhawk assured him! $he knight rose and le#t the
room, his large *lue cae swirling with the movement! $he latch clicked shut solidly, leaving
0asryn alone with this strange and knowledgea*le old gentleman!
0asryn (torm sighed contentedly, and stroked <a#nir, who had crawled into his la! $he
little dragon urred with his eyes hal#-closed!
Thank 'olinari, at least somethings going right0
O O O O O
$he #ollowing morning, the day o# his trial, 0asryn decided to wear the new ro*es! $he
*oy didnCt care to masBuerade any longer as a dark mage, or as a mem*er o# NerakaCs eerage!
&e #elt to do so would give them the eIcuse they needed to #ind him guilty o# treason against a
country heCd never #elt any loyalty to at all! /esides, when his master arrived, he wanted to *e
wearing the ro*es o# his own -rder! $he *oy stood in #ront o# the #ull-length mirror, admiring
how he looked in the reslendent white samite! $he silken weave really showed o## the gold and
silver runes at the sleeves and neckline that re#lected in the morning sunlight, which came
streaming in through eIensive glass windows! $hose runes rotected him #rom certain sells,
and acted like a !age Armor incantation when the hood was ulled u! $hat, com*ined with the
enchanted 8ing of *rotection and 2racers of Defense, made u in some small measure #or a
magicianCs ina*ility to wear any armorJ to do so inter#ered with the hand-gestures necessary to
cast most sells!
=&ow did you manage to get yoursel# into this much trou*leL> a #amiliar voice suddenly
asked #rom the direction o# the door! 0asryn looked u, a wide smile on his #ace!
=PalinN> the *oy cried! &e ran into his masterCs em*race! $he senior wi%ard hugged him
#or a moment, and then held him at armCs length!
=&ow are you, *rother-in-lawL )Cd heard they!!!!> PalinCs voice droed o##, una*le to
comlete the sentence! ;ess than ten years ago, heCd also *een held cative *y the Anights o#
Neraka, and was tortured #or in#ormation he didnCt have! $his was done at the insistence o# the
,reen +ragon -verlord! &is hands had remained twisted and *roken until a cleric o# "ishakal
had #inally healed them!
0asryn shrugged! =)Cm okay!!!now that youCre here!>
Palin smiled! =+onCt worry a*out it! -ur #amily always seems to run a#oul o# +ark
Anight aladins! 'hen ) was a*out your age, ) was held as a risoner o# war, tried as a sy!>
='hat haenedL>
=$hey eIecuted me!>
Palin said that statement with such sincerity that 0asryn Gust had to laugh!
=-hN ) #ound some arti#acts and magic scrolls #or youN 'e #ound these in a treasure
vault *elonging to a vamire named Ne#ariant! &ere we areN>
0asryn ulled out the 2ottomless 2ag #rom under his ro*es, and #rom it removed the
glittering silver wand and the golden ring!
=$he wand shoots #ire*alls! $here are only #our charges le#t! )Cm a#raid ) had to use it
against a dracolich to get us all out o# there!>
Palin eyed his arentice with a smile, taking the slender wand, and admiring the mystic
ru*y set at its ti! =$hatCs all right, it can *e recharged, so long as thereCs one charge le#t in the
wand! : dracolich, did you sayL>
=+onCt ask,> 0asryn told him! &e really didnCt want to admit that heCd woken the *east
*y taking one o# its teeth! =:nd hereCs a 8ing of +nvisibility! /e very care#ul not to ut it on, itCs
cursed! "y eole checked it out! $hey said that the wearer will *e stuck invisi*le, and that the
sell will #ail at the worst ossi*le times!>
=)ncredi*le,> Palin *reathed! =) know o# a /lack Ro*e who can #iI this ring #or us!
$hen, weCll ut it into the vault *ack at 'ayreth! :nything elseL>
=-h, yeah! $hese scrolls,> 0asryn told him, ulling them out o# his ouch and handing
them over! Palin studied them *rie#ly #or a moment, and then handed them all *ack to his
student!
=Mou can kee the scrolls,> Palin told him! ='e already have all the incantations on
them, and some o# those are Red "agic sells that neither o# us can normally cast!>
=$hanks! MouCre going to have to check (hyla! (he has a air o# enchanted glasses Gust
like $assleho## /urr#oot used to@it may even *e the very same air@and gods only know what
else!>
=&mm! )Cll have to *arter with her, give her non-magical items in eIchange! Aender Gust
like to collect things, regardless o# their value! &mmmm! (o, a mage and a kender raided a
vamireCs treasure vault! ) knew ) did a good thing, teaming you two u!>
0asryn giggled, momentarily #orgetting his trou*les, and then came a knock at the door!
=Come in,> the *oy called!
-ne o# 0asrynCs knights oened the mighty oak door and announced his visitor! $he oor
man looked terri#ied, and small wonder! )t was known that their new *aron was a magician who
could kill or inGure with a ointed #inger and a word o# magic on his lis! :dd to that the #act
that the *oy wore the white ro*es, a sworn enemy o# the Anights o# Neraka, and that his master,
the most ower#ul wi%ard on Arynn, was in the same room with him! Needless to say, this *rave
knight was ale, and his voice shook!
=Pardon my ;ord /aron, *ut her )merial &ighness Princess "ercidith is here to see
you!>
0asryn smiled warmly and nodded! ='ellL (how her inN>
$he dark aladin stum*led while *acking u and nodded, nearly *uming into said
rincess in his haste to eIit the cham*er! $he rincess swet ast him, carrying hersel# with a
grace that #ew human women ossessed! (he wore a turBuoise and lavender velvet dress, with
#loral rints on the silk skirt, the same diamond necklace #rom the revious evening, and her
large holy sym*ol hung #rom a silver chain a*out her waist! "ercidithCs hair was done u in a
coi# that mustCve taken her handmaidens hal# the morning, laced li*erally with tiny earls! $he
clericCs *lue eyes #lashed, and there was a look o# concern on her #ace that her smile *arely hid!
="y ;ord /aron,> "ercidith *egan #ormally, steing #orward! =+id you slee wellL>
=Mou have got to *e kidding, "erci,> 0asryn managed to get out *e#ore he was
interruted *y (under, who was right *ehind her! )# (awn could *e said to gae in shock, then
this one was gaing! $he assassinCs voice scolded! =!ein 4err, ) thought we agreed you
wouldnCt wear that ro*e in u*licN>
/e#ore 0asryn could sutter an answer, his master soke u #or him! ='hy should he
notL 0asryn is my student, and he most certainly shall wear the ro*es o# his -rder!>
$o the surrise o# everyone in the room, (under *owed his head *rie#ly in
acknowledgment o# PalinCs ower and osition! =<orgive me, ;ord Palin! ) do not mean to
aear imetuous, *ut here in Neraka, the white ro*es make /aron 0asryn a target! .secially in
light o# his trial, we had agreed that he would wear something a *it more!!!neutral!>
Palin glanced once at his uil, and then returned his #ull attention to the sawn! =Mou
may as well ask a knight to wear the armor o# a rival -rder! /esides, the runes woven into the
samite clearly rotect him #rom certain magickal assaults!>
(under considered that #or a moment, and then nodded his head! =Fery well, *ut it will
Gust make our Go* harder!>
=$hen your Go* will *e harder,> 0asryn told him #orce#ully! =) will not lie *e#ore a court
o# law *y wearing clothes which resent me as something that )Cm not!>
=$argonneCs going to have kittens when he sees this,> (under muttered, almost too low to
hear! $hen, he *owed his head once more, ro*a*ly in resect to PalinCs osition more than
0asrynCs! =Mour will *e done, 4err /aron!>
"ercidith waited #or a moment longer, to see i# the sawn was going to leave the room!
'hen he did not, *ut instead took a osition in the corner and aeared to melt into the
*ackground, she shrugged and held out a small silver necklace #or 0asryn! )t was a small, sterling
(ilver "oon, which glittered in the morning sunlight! (he droed it into the *oyCs outstretched
alm!
=$hank you, &ighness, *ut!!!!> 0asryn *egan, not Buite knowing what to say!
=)tCs a holy sym*ol #or the worshiers o# (olinari,> "erci eIlained! $he young woman
took the necklace, undid the clas, and ut it on 0asrynCs neck while eIlaining #urther! =)
rayed #or "ishakal and (olinari to *less this #or you, and my rayers were answered last night,
while the (ilver "oon was #ull! $he moon that grants your magic owers is still out during the
daytime, which is a good omen!>
=$hank you, *ut why!!!L>
=/ecause,> "ercidith continued, sealing the chainCs clas, and turned the teenager around
to #ace her! =Ne#ariantCs here, and you can use all the rotection you can get!>
='hatCs Ne#ariant doing hereL> 0asryn suddenly asked, sti##ening! &is #irst thought was
an a*surdity, that the vamire would surely demand his magickal arti#acts *ack! $his was
ro*a*ly true, right a#ter he sucked all the li#e*lood #rom 0asrynCs youth#ul, vital *ody!
=$he marBuis is your eer, 4err /aron,> (under eIlained, when it was clear no answer
was coming #rom the rincess! =&e is here to serve on your Gury!>
0asryn closed his eyes and *lew air through his teeth! =Can this ossi*ly get any worseL>
=<or them, erhas,> Palin told him, atting him on the *ack! =$hink ositively, 0ase!
'eCre going to win this! MouCre innocent, remem*erL>
=Mes, "aster,> 0asryn answered! &e #aced the door, sBuared his shoulders, and nodded!
=-kay, letCs do this!>
(under courteously oened the *edcham*er door, and 0asryn strode *oldly out into the
sitting room, his white ro*es swirling a*out his thin #orm! &is #riends were all there waiting #or
him, as were #our o# his trusted *aronial knights, and his *arrister! -n sight o# his client,
$argonneCs mouth #ell oen! &e steed #orward, droing rolls o# archment as he walked!
="y lord, ) imlore you not to wear thatN )t could negatively in#luence the court@>
='eCve already had this discussion in my *edcham*er, $argonne! ) am a 'hite Ro*e
'i%ard, and roud o# it,> 0asryn told him #irmly! 'ith a glance at "arkham (wordhawk, then at
the +ark Anights that comosed his ersonal ,uard, the young man continued! =) re#use to lie
*e#ore this court! )tCs dishonora*le!>
=/ut!!!to tell the truth in court!!!my lord, youCll lose your case!!!erhas an insanity
de#ense would work! 'e could say you were delusional@> $argonne suttered, took out a
handkerchie#, and wied his glasses clean, while he droed another large scroll onto the rug!
=Mou will tell the truth, "aster $argonne,> 0asryn #irmly instructed him! =) am not
insane!>
$argonne ushed his glasses *ack uon his nose! =Mou eIect me to de#end you, telling
@>
=$he truth, you dog,> "arkham con#irmed, and steed #orward! &is hand rested on his
swordhilt! =Mou will resent the facts as they stand, *e#ore the court, without any #oul lies! $he
*aronCs honor us at stake as much as his li#e!>
$argonne saw the eIression o# steel glint in (wordhawkCs *lue-gray eyes, and caught
the same look o# contemt #or him in the #aces o# the +ark Anights resent! $he lawyer wied
his *aldate with his white handkerchie#!
To the Abyss "ith these knights and their sense of honor0 =Fery well, my lord! $he
truth, in a court o# law!!!this is unheard o#!!!the rosecution will@>
&e caught the look #rom 0asrynCs knights, and continued in a more hum*le voice! =)
suose thereCs #irst time #or everything!>
"arkham looked like he was ready to kick the lawyer as he *ent to ick u his #allen
archment scrolls!
=(ir (wain, i# you will kindly oen the outer door, ) *elieve ) have a court date in the
,reat &all,> 0asryn ronounced!
=:t once, 4err /aron,> (wain relied resect#ully, reaching #or the golden door handles!
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
=Herr 0asryn (torm, /aron Fon /ladmere, /aronet :andria, (heri## o#
Ravenwood, you are here*y charged *e#ore this court with &igh $reason against the -rder o# the
Anighthood o# Neraka, #ormerly the Anighthood o# $akhisis, in the the#t o# a +ragonlance
*elonging to the -rder! &ow do you leadL>
="y client leads Not ,uilty, rauline,> $argonne ronounced, clearly and #irmly, his
voice echoing throughout the vast cham*er! $he court was acked with curious onlookers! $he
,reat &all was designed #or #ormal ceremonies, the vaulted ceiling and tiles lending well to
acoustics, the sound carried u to the *alconies on the second and third levels! $he walls were
constructed o# large gray stones, their cement dark with age! Chandeliers and smokeless torches,
*urning #lames o# red, gold, *lue, and green, illuminated the entire cham*er! $aestries woven
o# #ine wool with gold and silver threads hung #rom the #ront wall, Gust *ehind the raised dais
where the &igh :dGudicator sat! $o rauline +onna &arridanCs le#t was another, smaller dais,
*earing a *oI o# olished oak, where the Gury listened to every word!
Care#ul not to make the same mistake o# meeting a vamireCs ga%e, 0asryn merely
glanced in Ne#ariantCs direction! $he vamire wore a *lack silk ta*ard that *ore his own Coat o#
:rms, and a velvet cae with a urle silk lining! $he marBuis had some color in his #ace, which
meant heCd recently #ed on *lood, ro*a*ly Gust rior to his arrival in the courtroom! $here were
no windows in this inner cham*er o# the srawling kee, so no sunlight was availa*le to *urn
him with its golden rays! (till, Ne#ariantCs mere presence in court, during the daytime, *esoke
o# his ancient ro#ane ower! "yth and literature hinted at vamires so old and ower#ul that
sunlight hardly caused them to #linch! )# these legends were to *e *elieved, then Ne#ariantCs
vameric owers were mostly neutrali%ed during the daylight hours! $hat was small com#ort to
0asryn!
(eated in the *oI neIt to Ne#ariant was a *lack ro*ed mage 0asryn didnCt recogni%e, an
el# with the rare *lond hair o# (ilvanost, and a allor that matched the vamireCs! :lso resent
was <ather -tto, dressed in simle ro*es o# *lack wool, and his silver dagger holy sym*ol
gleamed against the dark #a*ric! $here were Buite a #ew Anights o# the +eath ;ily 0asryn didnCt
recogni%e, and one that he did! (ir +arig Farletaard, a close ersonal #riend o# his adotive
#atherCs, whoCd once given 0asryn a sword lesson when he was nine or ten! $he Gury mem*ers all
wore eIressions varying #rom sternness to mild amusement to utter contemt, o*viously in
resonse to 0asrynCs white ro*es! )n their minds, the *oy was o*viously guilty Gust #or wearing
them!
$he adGudicator wasted little time drawing attention to that #act, looking down her thin
hawkish nose, and soke disdain#ully!
=4err /aron, why are you dressed in the white ro*es o# (olinariL>
0asryn smiled thinly, even as his *arrister aled! /e#ore his lawyer could seak u, the
*oy answered #or himsel#! =$hey were gray when ) ut them on this morning, lady!>
: #ew chuckles echoed throughout the courtroom, #rom the *lack ro*ed el# mage in
articular, to that resonse! rauline +onna did not look amused!
=$hen you still claim mem*ershi in a rival -rder o# magic, ;ord 0asrynL>
0asryn smiled at her! $he mere resence o# his #riends, esecially Palin "aGere in the
courtroom, #illed the young mage with a #eeling o# con#idence!
=:n enchantment woven into the #a*ric itsel# re#lects what is in my heart, lady! ) am
innocent and ure as #resh sring water,> 0asryn relied!
+onna &arridan gave him a cold smile! =$rue evil can *e as ure as innocence, my lord!
;et it *e entered on the court transcrit that the de#endant is a 'hite Ro*e 'i%ard, serving the
cause o# goodness! ;et it also *e noted that in my own #indings, that the de#endant re#uses to lie,
even under torture!>
=(o entered, my lady,> the clerk resonded, his Buill gently scraing as it #lowed across
the archment in #ront o# him! $he court clerk was seated to the adGudicatorCs right, in a small
*oI o# the same cra#tsmanshi as the Gury *oI! -n a small writing desk with an inkot, several
Buills, and #resh *lank archment at hand, he worked diligently recording every word! : age
stood near*y, ready to #etch whatever it was the clerk or the court might reBuire!
$he trial *egan, stretching on throughout the morning as oening arguments were heard,
and none other than +onna &arridan hersel# resented the #irst witnesses #or the rosecution!
<rom his seat, "arkham (wordhawk #rowned at this, whisering in Princess "ercidithCs ear!
$he cleric nodded! &arridan was serving as *oth Gudge and rosecutor, which was un#air and
*esoke o# a serious con#lict o# interest! "arkham dou*ted the dark aladins ever intended to
give 0asryn a #air trial, and looked like he had *itten into something sour!
=$heyCre going to railroad him,> "arkham whisered! (eated neIt to him, Palin "aGere
touched the knightCs shoulder!
=Patience, young "ark! $he outcome has yet to *e decided,> the &ead o# the 'hite
Ro*es in#ormed him crytically!
Called to the stand was (ir ;othar 'ol#erin, a dark knight long in the service o# the
*arony, who was resent the night the +ragonlance disaeared!
=) saw the lance hanging in its usual lace! $hat was in the castleCs ,reat &all, that very
evening, my lady!>
=:nd what time was that, aroIimatelyL> &arridan asked!
=&al# ast .leventh 'atch, ) *elieve,> the gently graying knight resonded! =) was -!C!,
due to go on duty at that time!>
=Mou were the o##icer in command o# the 'atch o# the night in Buestion,> &arridan
reeated, #or clarity to the court! (he aused, ursing her lis! ='hy did you haen to have
cause to *e in the ,reat &all that eveningL>
(ir ;othar wore an eIression that said heCd answered this Buestion numerous times over
the years, *ut never to the satis#action o# the adGudicator! &is resonse was automatic! =:
num*er o# the *aronCs loyal knights take their meals in the ,reat &all, as ) had that evening!>
=) see! :nd the ,reat &all was normally occuied, thenL>
=Naturally!>
='hat haened neItL>
=) was walking the *attlements along the 'est 'all, when the lookout@(ir -ris@said
he thought he saw movement in the trees! ) Buickly went to the *oyCs side, and ) thought ) saw
three small shadows #leeing through the woods! ) assigned -ris and :evl to check it out, which
took several minutes!>
=$here was a general alarm sounded around this time, correctL>
=Not until much later, milady,> ;othar answered!
=&ow much laterL>
=)Cd say, mayha #orty to #orty-#ive minutes! )n that time, -ris had time to check out the
area thoroughly and reort *ack to me! &e and :evl had #ound an old, rusted grate that had *een
oened! ) had cause to check it out later! $he grate was overgrown with weeds and hadnCt *een
used in many years! $hatCs when ) remem*ered the secret assageway that had *een long
rumored a*out! $his was the #irst time )Cd *ecome aware o# it in #act, however!>
=+id you reort thisL>
=Ja, ) reorted it directly to Catain /lackgaard,> ;othar answered! =&e swore, and
commanded me to come with him! 'e went straight to the dungeons, to check on the risoners!>
=PrisonersL 'ho were these ersonsL>
=:t the time, the two young (wordhawk *rothers, as well as hal# a do%en thieves and
cutthroats! $he catain immediately went to the childrenCs cell, and we #ound it emty! $he
guardCs ring o# keys was missing as well!>
='hat was Catain /lackgaardCs reactionL> &arridan asked, leaning #orward, a look o#
grim amusement on her #ace!
=&e sta**ed the guard through the heart #or incometence, then sent me to sound the
general alarm! ) #ound three age*oys in the kitchen sneaking sweetmeats, and then went to
rouse the whole garrison mysel#!
=$hatCs when Catain /lackgaard returned, #ully armed! &e said heCd checked out the
secret assageway, and the *rats had escaed *y it! ) was le#t in command, while Cean
/lackgaard rode out, leading the search arties himsel#!>
='here was the *aron during all o# thisL> &arridan asked 'ol#erin, *ut her eyes were
trained on 0asryn!
=4err /aron was in the caitol city! &e had *een called to an audience with the ;ord o#
the Night, which at the time was ,eneral "irielle :*rena!>
='ho went with the *aron to this meetingL>
=$he wi%ard +anvil <elcra#t and the dragon, Cinder,> ;othar 'ol#erin answered! =$hat
was the very night the *aron was murdered!>
;othar le#t that hanging in the air #or a #ew moments, his own susicions already having
*een made very vocal over the years, that <elcra#t had had something to do with his ;ordshiCs
demise! $hat was not, however, the crime *eing tried this day! No*ody really cared whoCd
assassinated a traitor to the -rder!
=$hank you, (ir ;othar! $he (tate has no #urther Buestions,> +onna stated #or the record!
(he regarded $argonne! =Mour witness, /arrister!>
"aking a show o# clearing his throat and straightening his tunic, $argonne strutted u to
the witness stand, and am*iguous smile on his #ace! =(ir ;othar, how long have you *een in the
*aronyCs emloyL>
=Nigh on thirty years,> the knight resonded!
=) see! :nd in all that time, was his ;ordshi leased with your er#ormanceL>
=Ja, he was,> the knight resonded, daring the lawyer to make an issue o# it!
=ReallyL> "ortimur $argonne asked, and raised a small, thin ledger #or all to see! =$his,
my lady, is one o# the log*ooks #or the castle! $he dates include the night in Buestion, and go
*ack #or two years rior to that! Precisely one month earlier, ) #ound a curious entry regarding
the witness! )t states clearly that (ir ;othar 'ol#erin was drunk, and laI in his duties! )t was
signed *y (ir Cean ,anoke /lackgaard, the witnessC commanding o##icer!>
=$hat was the Night o# the .yeN> ;othar rotested! 1nertur*ed, $argonne went on!
=$he Night o# the .ye,> $argonne mused! $hat articular religious holiday was held at
the conGunction o# all three moons, the (ilver, the Red, and the /lack, when they aeared to
#orm a giant eye in the night sky! =:nd how o#ten does this cele*ration take laceL> $argonne
asked! $he whole courtroom could tell that ;othar was growing angrier *y the secondJ the
lawyer didnCt care! :s in com*at, when an oonent lost his head, he grew careless!
=-n the <i#teenth +ay o# "ishamont, every year,> ;othar resonded! =.very school*oy
knows that!>
=&mm! $hen lease eIlain to the court why you were also #ound drunk on the
(iIteenth, (eventeenth, and Nineteenth o# "ishamont, (ir ;otharL )n #act, there are no less than
twenty-#our entries #or the year in Buestion that Catain /lackgaard had to rerimand you #or
*eing drunk while on dutyN>
;othar turned red, then urle, *ut he could not deny it! =Ja, Ktis true! )Cve im*i*ed now
and again, *ut it never inter#ered with my duties!>
=-# course not,> $argonne Buied! =:s ) recall, my client@your own baron ) might
add@is charged with a missing +ragonlance which is a direct result o# your negligenceN>
+onna &arridan ounded her gavel, as murmurs o# agreement swet the courtroom!
=/arrister, you are *adgering the witness! Please kee to the oint o# your argument!>
=) thought ) Gust had, my lady,> $argonne insisted! =$here are a num*er o# other
imortant oints to cover@>
=$hen ) suggest you cover them! ) mysel# Buestioned Anight 'ol#erin, as well as the
entire household sta##!>
=Ja, you did, ;ady, *ut what ) am *ringing to light is your conclusions! )# ) might *e
allowed to continueL>
=)Cve already given you leave to,> +onna resonded, motioning with her #ingers!
=(ir ;othar, you said that the ,reat &all was regularly #illed with eole, usually knights
taking their meals, correctL>
=Ja!>
=$hen lease eIlain what haened to these knights, why none o# them noticed the the#t
o# the lance #rom the wall a*ove them, on the night in BuestionL>
=$hey were all called to dutyN> ;othar resonded! =$he lads le#t their meals and ran to
their osts! $he ,reat &all had *een cleared out!>
=Cleared out!!!how convenient,> $argonne resonded! =:llowing the thie# to do his dirty
work, unwitnessed *y you and your men! $ell me, ;otharJ are you that certain o# the loyalty o#
all these knightsL &ow do you know that none o# them removed the lance #rom the wall in your
a*senceL <or that matter, how do you know they werenCt all out o# the hall *y thenL>
;othar #airly eIloded! =+astardN )# this werenCt a court o# law!!!N>
=/ut it is, (ir ;othar,> +onna &arridan countered, the tone o# her voice grave! =Please sit
*ack down and answer the Buestions ut to you! ) mysel# asked you these very same Buestions,
seven years ago!>
=Ja, frauline, you did,> ;othar muttered, and sat down! 0asryn watched with a slight grin!
&is lawyer was good! :n unscruulous snake, *ut he knew his ro#ession! 0asryn made a
mental note, however, to assign a knight to rotect $argonne! )# the looks ;othar was giving the
lawyer were any indication, he dou*ted "ortimur $argonne would live out the night!
=(ir ;othar,> $argonne *egan again, drawling! =Mou were the one who called the general
alarm, and ordered all men to their osts, correctL>
=Ja,> ;othar answered in a dangerous tone!
=:nd this alarm was in resonse to what againL>
=$he escae o# the risoners, o# courseN>
=-# course,> $argonne returned! =:nd how, recisely, did these two children, locked
securely in the castleCs dungeons, escaeL>
=$hey were heled,> ;othar relied, unwilling to #ully answer that Buestion, his eyes
dri#ting to his *aron!
=/y whomL>
=$hrice damn thee to the :*yss, $argonneN )t was his ;ordshi 0asryn who heled the
(wordhawk whels escae that night!!!N> ;othar suddenly stoed, the #ull imact o# his words
hitting him! =&e used the magic heCd learned #rom <elcra#t to snatch the key ring, then led the
*oys through the secret assageway, out into the #orest!>
=:t the tender age o# twelve summers, his ;ordshi was Buite the adet little novice, ehL>
=Ja, he was! ;ittle ;ord 0asryn used to make go*lets and candlesticks #loat across the
dining hall, enchanted oil lams to give o## eerie light a#ter they were *lown out, and even #ro%e
the logs o# a roaring #ire so the #lames died! &e was the terror o# the castle, once <elcra#t taught
him the magic arts!>
=(o, his ;ordshi was Buite caa*le o# ulling o## the rescue, using his limited talents,
correctL>
=Ja, an ) said thatN>
=Patience, my good man,> $argonne resonded, holding his alm u! ='here was 0asryn
(torm when the +ragonlance disaeared, and the knights were called out o# the ,reat &allL>
: *road smile came to the old knightCs #ace as he reali%ed where $argonne was going
with this! =$he little lord was #leeing through Ravenwood <orest with the two (wordhawk *oys!
&e couldnCt possibly have taken itN>
=$hank you, (ir ;othar! :nd, with /aron Fildero## away in the caitol, he couldnCt
ossi*ly have done the deed either! No #urther Buestions,> $argonne resonded! &e turned and
dri#ted *ack to 0asrynCs side, winking at him!
$heyCd Gust won the #irst round!
O O O O O
=4err /aron, may ) have a word with youL> the voice called to the teenaged mage, thick
with Nerakan accent and as cold as death! 0asryn sti##ened! Court had *een adGourned #or the
day, a#ter many long hours o# testimony and cross-eIamination o# the witnesses! $here was a
*rie# *reak #or luncheon, and then the lawyers dove right into it again, hovering around each
other, sta**ing at issues, tearing aart testimony! )t was like watching a Goust o# knights, or two
wi%ards in magickal com*at!
$he whole time, the young mage avoided looking directly at Ne#ariant, #ully aware what
had haened the last time heCd made the mistake o# looking the vamire directly in the eyes!
(teeling himsel#, 0asrynCs thoughts went to the new holy sym*ol hidden under his ro*es! $hen
he slowly turned around to #ace Ne#ariant in the corridor! $orches suttered in their sconces,
casting wavering #irelight and shadows all around!
=Mes, my lordL> 0asryn asked olitely!
$he vamire aroached the young wi%ard cautiously, stoing mere #eet #rom him, #ully
aware o# the many knights, all nervously #ingering their sword hilts, and the two clerics o#
goodness, each clutching their holy sym*ols! $im*erwol# dou*tless also had a small vial o# holy
water in addition to those damna*le *lessed arrows o# Airi-0olith! $he *oy mage himsel# could
destroy him with a lightning *olt!!!at least #or the evening! Ne#ariant would simly turn to mist
and return to his tom* to regenerate, to return the #ollowing night!
=) Gust wanted to let you know that ) *ear you no ill #eelings, *oy,> Ne#ariant told him in a
hynotic voice! &e was o*viously attemting to -harm or Dominate him again, *ut 0asryn was
staring at the vamireCs throat, deli*erately avoiding contact with those horri*le, red eyes! =)
*elieve you to *e innocent, and my vote will re#lect that!>
=$hank you, "arBuis,> 0asryn answered, his voice tight! &e recalled the words to
unleash the magical *olts o# white-hot energy, which always struck their intended target! )n
these tight Buarters, 0asryn couldnCt risk striking his #riends! $he !agic !issile *olts would
*urn the vamire as surely as #ire, although Gust how much damage theyCd cause was
Buestiona*le!
=+ also "anted to let you kno" that you may keep the items you removed from my
treasure vault,> Ne#ariant stated in er#ect Nerakan, which o# course 0asryn understood!
=-onsider it a gift. (utt evening, 4err 2aron!>
O O O O O
Cloves o# garlic were hung in 0asrynCs windows that very night, swaying gently in the
evening *ree%e! "ore garlic hung over the door to the *edcham*er, and #rom the ela*orately
carved head*oard! $im*erwol# was now srinkling holy water all over the lace, a grim
eIression on his #ace! 0asryn emerged #rom the steaming hot shower in the rivy, towel-drying
his hair and wearing a terrycloth *athro*e! (team oured #rom the oen door! <a#nir, occuying
his usual sot on the huge *ed, looked u sleeily, saw his master was okay, and lay his small
head *ack down again!
=:nd "here am ) suosed to slee, Mour Royal &ighnessL> 0asryn asked the small
dragon in mock annoyance!
$im*erwol# looked u while *lessing the windows so the undead could not enter! $he
Hue-(hu shaman reali%ed 0asryn had *een talking to his dragon, and returned to his rearations!
='oi#iar,> the mage whisered, right hand eItended, alm uward! &e raised his hand,
and the tiny dragon #loated o## the *ed a*out a #oot, still sleeing soundly! <a#nir hung in the air
#or a moment, dri#ted toward 0asryn a*out a #oot, then settled *ack down again to the so#t
mattress, leaving 0asrynCs side o# the *ed clear #or him to lie down!
=:re you sure all o# this is necessaryL> 0asryn asked, this time talking to the shaman!
$im*erwol# looked u!
=1nless you want a visit #rom Ne#ariant this evening,> $im*erwol# resonded! =)Cd *e
hay to take it all down and eItend the marBuis an invitation! $hen you can Goin the ranks o#
the undead *e#ore your trialCs over!>
=,ee, is that instead o# *eing eIecuted *y slow torture #or &igh $reasonL> 0asryn asked,
sarcasm driing #rom his voice! =+ecisions, decisions!>
=RelaI, 0asryn! MouCve got a lot o# good eole ulling #or you, and even (ir "arkham
admits that lawyer o# yours is shar! .ven in this cra%y KJustice system, youCve got a #air shot at
*eing vindicated!>
=)s that *e#ore or a#ter they cho my head o##L> the *oy resonded, turning the covers
over! $he teenager looked #orlorn and lost in the large, osh *ed, a sullen eIression on his #ace!
$he shaman sighed and went over to him!
=.verythingCs going to *e okay,> $im*erwol# told him #irmly *ut gently! =Now get some
slee! $his trial should *e over *e#ore you know it! MouCll see!>
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
=My ;ord Ne#ariant, has the Gury reached a verdictL +onna &arridan inBuired
theatrically! $he look in her green eyes was oisonous!
='e have, frauline,> the vamire relied coolly, gathering his cae a*out him and rising
#rom his seat! &is eerie red uils scanned the vast cham*er!
$he trial had taken the *etter art o# a week to comlete, and the Gury deli*erated #or a
#ull two days a#ter that! 0asryn stood *e#ore the com#orta*le violet-cushioned armchair theyCd
given him #or the duration o# the trial, totally eIhausted! &is *arrister ro*a*ly #elt even more
tiredJ he Gust hid it *etter!
"arBuis Ne#ariant was the #oreman o# the Gury! -ould this possibly get any "orse9
0asryn thought!
=Please state the GuryCs decision *e#ore the court, so it can *e entered into the record,>
rauline +onna instructed!
+ "onder if itll hurt very much to be electrocuted and dro"ned at the same time9 the
teenager wondered a*sently!
=Not guilty,> the vamire resonded!
(ighs o# relie#, cries o# outrage, and murmurs o# dis*elie# echoed throughout the
courtroom! +onna &arridan looked like she was a*out ready to drive a stake through Ne#ariantCs
undead heart on the sot!
='ould you lease reeat thatL> rauline +onna asked, dis*elieving!
:mid whoos o# Goy #rom 0asrynCs #riends, and $argonne atting 0asryn on the *ack,
+onna &arridan ounded her gavel #or several long seconds, crying #or order! <inally the
courtroom grew Buiet again, and the marBuis reeated what heCd already stated so emhatically!
=rauline, the verdict o# this Gury in the case o# the Anights o# Neraka versus ;ord 0asryn
(torm Fon /ladmere is not guilty! 'e #ind there is insu##icient evidence to suggest that either
the current /aron Fon /ladmere, or his adotive #ather, the revious *aron, is guilty in the the#t
o# the +ragonlance!>
+onna &arridan assed her deadly ga%e across each mem*er o# the Gury, making clear the
imlication that each and every one o# them would now *e su*Gect to investigation!
=$hank you, my lord,> she told him, her eyes throwing silver daggers! =$he Gury is
dismissed!>
='hy, thank you, frauline,> Ne#ariant continued smoothly, =*ut we will kee our seats!
'e are understanda*ly curious as to what haens to the *oy now!>
&arridan shot the vamire another dark, oisonous look, *e#ore returning her attention to
the de#endant! =) would think thatCs o*vious, milord! /aron 0asryn (torm Fon /ladmere, the
decision o# this court *eing innocence o# the charge, ) have no choice *ut to let you go #ree!
4o"ever,> the adGudicator added, =) must imress uon you the seriousness o# the situation! )n
the event you should #ind the missing +ragonlance, you are eIected to return it to my custody
immediately! :s you and your #riends are a grou o# adventurers, this task should rove
singularly easy #or you to accomlish! $his court stands adGourned!
O O O O O
='hat do you mean we canCt leave NerakaL> 0asryn asked, his mouth #alling oen! &eCd
*een cele*rating in the lush garden *ehind the .ast $ower with his #riends! :s Palin "aGere was
Buite caa*le o# casting the "ass $eleort sell necessary to whisk them all home, 0asryn
eIected to *e enGoying the #ine #ood and atmoshere o# the )nn o# the ;ast &ome *y night#all!
"arkham had eIressed his disleasure at the delay, #eeling it tactically unsound, *ut
acknowledged that Palin was right! $hey couldnCt Gust vanish now, not without at least checking
Castle Ravenwood #or some clue as to where +anvil <elcra#t was headed! $he $horn Anight had
simly vanished, taking an oversi%ed red dragon and a si%a*le contingent o# +ark Anights with
him! Now, theyCd delayed long enough that the Nerakan authorities were making their wishes
lain!
=Perhas ) did not make mysel# clear,> +onna &arridan reeated! :s she steed closer,
0asryn sti##ened! (he was Buite close enough already! =Mou, 0asryn (torm, are a *aron o#
Neraka! )t is your duty to locate and retrieve the missing +ragonlance! $hen, you may #reely
travel the world, i# you so choose!>
='hat makes you think weCd agree to thisL> +orian demanded! $he Rangerlord *ristled,
his hand dri#ting su*consciously to his swordhilt!
=-h, not much,> +onna answered! =0ust a #ull contingent o# my #inest knights and a
wing o# dragons, all to escort the good *aron and his arty to his new home, Castle Ravenwood!
=Mou will remain at your estates, 4err /aron, until such time as the +ragonlance is
recovered! (utt day to your ;ordshi,> the adGudicator stated! (he turned on one heel and strode
o## across the co**lestones!
=(omehow, ) knew it couldnCt *e that easy,> ,arnet grum*led!
=,entlemen and ladies,> Palin "aGere *egan, drawing all o# their attention! =$his works
out well #or us! 'e were headed to the castle anyway!>
=Mes, *ut "aster Palin, wonCt the Anighthood send ower#ul mages to kee us in the
castle with their magicksL> +orian ointed out! =Not even you can sto a do%en or more enemy
wi%ards!>
Palin smiled thinly! =$rust me!>
O O O O O
/ackwash #rom the great wyrmsC scalloed wings swirled the ro*es o# the mages, and
un#urled the cloaks o# everyone else resent in the arty! : do%en dragons o# various colors
milled a*out, their secial leather saddles securely straed down *y their handlers! $he great
wyrms eyed the arty o# adventurers as i# contemlating dinner! Curled a*out 0asrynCs
shoulders, <a#nir hissed at his larger cousins! $he *oy mage stroked the long tail and told the
tiny seudodragon to hush!
=+ragon*ack,> ,arnet )rondelve muttered in disgust! &e #ingered the light cross*ow
hung #rom his *elt! =) donCt suose theyCd *e willing to let us walk!>
=Courage, "aster ,arnet,> +orian told him, although the Rangerlord himsel# was so ale,
they wondered i# he were trying to convince himsel#! =K$is *etter than the way we came@>
='anna *etL> ,arnet countered, his *rown eyes shi#ting down the ranks o# +ark
Anights! $he hal#-elven ranger was re#erring to their sneaking into the city o# 0elek, a#ter
assing through woodlands and *ram*les, all in disguise, then *eing arrested the moment they
crossed through the main gates!
=/esides, ) donCt think that walking is an otion any longer,> "arkham (wordhawk told
the dwar#! &e sorted a new *lue wool cloak, the roer color #or a Anight o# (olamnia! )t had
*een sewn esecially #or him, courtesy o# the Anights o# Neraka, as he was the ersonal #riend o#
a Nerakan *aron!
=-*oy,> (hyla sBuealed, Goining them, with Princess "ercidith in tow! $he kenderCs
*rown eyes grew wide with #ear! (he #ro%e, lost in the eyes o# the great retilian *easts!
=)!!!think now would *e a good time #or Palin to cast his transort sell!!!!>
"erci looked down at her, concern lain on her #ace! =(hyla, whatCs wrongL ) didnCt
think Aender were a#raid o# anything!>
=$his one is,> 0asryn *egan gently, kneeling down in #ront o# the little kender, and took
(hylaCs hand! =(hyla, "alystryI is dead! $hese dragons are Gust here to #ly us to the castle!>
$he kender shook her head vehemently, the #ear *ursting in her eyes! =No, lease 0asryn,
donCt make me@>
=(hh!!!> the young mage told her! ='e donCt have a choice! ;ook, i# you want, ) can ut
you to slee, okayL 'hen you wake u, weCll *e there, sa#e and sound!>
(hyla took a dee *reath, tore her ga%e #rom the Red wyrm with e##ort, and looked at
0asrynCs smiling #ace! =-kay!>
0asryn took a hand#ul o# rose etals #rom one o# his ouches, and *lew them #rom his
alm into (hylaCs #ace, their scent overowering the kender!
=Ast tasara" sinuralan "r.nau2>
$he mage caught (hyla as she collased, cradling her in his arms! Palin smiled warmly
at him!
=) remem*er when you were Gust learning that sell! )t took you three weeks to get it
right!>
=Can you ull that trick #or all o# usL> ,arnet gried!
=(orry, ) only memori%ed it once,> 0asryn told the dwar#! (hylaCs long, light-*rown
onytail #luttered in the *ree%e! =/esides, ,arn, ) am not carrying *oth o# you!>
"erci gently touched the *oyCs shoulder! =0asryn, why is (hyla a#raid o# dragonsL>
$he young mage looked u, searching #or the right words, and #ailed misera*ly! Palin
steed #orward and answered #or him!
=(hyla was very small when "alystryI the Red "arauder *urned her home to the
ground, slaying thousands! (he claims to have *een too young to remem*er, *ut )Cve caught her
having nightmares, even screaming in her slee!>
=&ow terri*le,> "ercidith eIclaimed!
=Riverwind gave his li#e heling (hylaCs #amily and many others escae to &ylo in the
western lands,> Palin eIlained, as 0asryn cradled the kenderCs small head against his chest and
walked o## to seak to the Anight Commander! "arkham was Buickly at his #riendCs side, as
was $im*erwol#!
='eCre ready #or you and her &ighness, /aron 0asryn,> the man told him, a#ter #irst
snaing smartly to attention! $he +ark Anight sneered down at the kender, aslee in the
mageCs arms! =) can have one o# my men take that #or you, i# your ;ordshi wishes!>
=) can carry her, Commander,> 0asryn told him coldly! =$he kender rides with me!
Please, lead the way!>
$he +ark Anight hesitated a moment! =:s you wish, my lord,> he relied, turned on one
heel, and marched o## toward a large red! 0asryn #ollowed, *acked u *y "arkham, ,arnet, and
$im*erwol#! +orian and Palin escorted Princess "ercidith! :s they started down the ath,
which oened into a vast courtyard, two rows o# +ark Anights, their *lack mail gleaming in the
warm sring sunshine, snaed to attention, their *oots thundering on the co**lestones!
='hoa,> $im*erwol# eIclaimed! =(ince when do the Anights o# Neraka honor the likes
o# usL $his is more than an escort!>
=)tCs not #or us,> "arkham in#ormed him!
=0asrynL>
$he young Anight o# (olamnia nodded! =:nd her &ighness, and even ;ord Palin! &e
may *e #rom a rival -rder o# magic than their own magicians, *ut he is the most ower#ul wi%ard
in :nsalon, as well as the head o# his -rder! )# it werenCt #or all the dragons, Palin could
ro*a*ly make short work o# all o# them with a single sell!>
$he comanions were each led to searate dragons, handlers waited to hel stra them all
in! 0asryn suervised the man who secured (hyla into the seat directly *ehind where he would
sit, aware that the #orces o# +arkness didnCt lace the same value on li#e that they did,
articularly #or the so-called KlesserC races, like Aender! $hen 0asryn himsel# was straed in!
$he man handed him a small sack, in case he got sick again! 0asryn took it, *ut dou*ted heCd
need it this time! &e was getting used to dragon #light, even dreamed o# it now during the long
days and nights here in 0elek!
$wo dragons took #light *e#ore 0asrynCs red! $he dragon, +eath#lame, sread her
enormous scalloed wings and was air*orne *e#ore the mage reali%ed it! $his time, 0asryn
closed his eyes to the wind, which tore at his ro*es and hair! $he *oy took a #ew dee, cleansing
*reaths, then oened his eyes to the cool, *lue (ky! &e smiled, enGoying the #light, imagining he
was the dragon, with ower#ul glimmering wings that clove the air and re#lected the sunshine!
'hen they were over the mountains, 0asryn looked *ack! (hyla was still snoo%ing
soundly, *liss#ully unaware o# *eing this high u on dragon*ack! :ctually, the mage re#lected,
she ro*a*ly wouldCve enGoyed this #light as well, had it not *een #or the dragons!
<urther *ack, he could Gust make out the others, telling them aart mainly *y the color o#
their cloaks, #lying in the wind!
:t length, the dragons siraled down to a landing in a clearing dee within Ravenwood
<orest, a*out a league #rom the castle! : large ool o# water, #ed *y a small *rook, sarkled
near*y! Castle Ravenwood rose a*ove the green treetos, *lue-gray in the distance! : *owshot
away, retainers held horses #or the #inal Gourney, calming the *easts, which shied away #rom the
dragons!
0asryn turned around, touched (hyla lightly on the cheek, and whisered a word in
.ldritch! $he kenderCs *rown eyes #luttered oen! =:re we thereL>
='eCre here, (hyla,> 0asryn resonded, hoing heCd done the right thing! :t his reBuest,
+eath#lame had lain down in the grass, as close to the ground as ossi*le, and closed her eyes! )t
was a calculated risk, letting (hyla wake u still straed to the *ack o# a live red dragon, *ut the
*oy once icked u a *it o# wisdom #rom an old dwar#! )n order to overcome oneCs #ears, he had
to #ace them!
=0!!!0!!!0ace@> (hyla *egan, her *reath catching in her throat! $he *oy was neIt to her
immediately!
=RelaI, (hyla, the dragonCs taking a na, seeL> &e Buickly undid the *uckles to the
sa#ety harness! =+o you think you can clim* down *y yoursel#, or should ) carry youL>
$he kender swallowed, then slowly rose #rom the saddle! =) think ) can make it,> she told
him gamely! (hyla let 0asryn take her hand and slowly lead her down #rom the *eastCs *ack,
using the giant scales as stes!
='hy in ReorI did the dragons set us down over hereL> ,arnet gried! =$he castleCs a
long way o## yet!>
=$his is as close as theyCll come to CinderCs lair,> 0asryn told him! =$here are horses
over there to take us the rest o# the way!>
"arkham eyed the horses with a critical eye, clenched his #ists in their gauntlets, and
steed closer to "ercidith! &e didnCt like this at all, the hositality o# the +ark Anights, so
o*viously trying to entice them, and how 0asryn was laing it u! &e needed to have a long talk
with the mage, re#era*ly armed with a long lank o# wood to knock some sense into him!
=(omething distur*s you, (ir "arkhamL> the rincess asked, gathering her cloak a*out
hersel#! $he lady clericCs green eyes sarkled like emeralds in the warm sring sunlight! (he
was Buite lovely, and "arkham tried hard to avert his ga%e!
=Not at all, &ighness,> "arkham returned, Buickly covering u his #eelings with a smile!
&e gallantly o##ered the lady his arm, however! =(hall ) escort you, PrincessL>
$he lovely cleric o# "ishakal returned the smile in turn! =Mou may have the honor, kind
sir!>
Near*y, +orian and $im*erwol# leaned toward each other, discussing much the same
thing "ark had *een thinking! +orian whisered something, and $im*erwol# nodded! 0asryn
caught the looks they were shooting in his direction, and walked u to them to #ind out what was
the matter! $he *oy took a dee *reath, letting the scents o# the #orest #ill his lungs!
=)Cm home!>
=&omeL> $im*erwol# asked, #rowning deely! =Mou sent your childhood in this
#orestL> Perhas they were wrong! Perhas it was Gust this lace, and all the *oy #elt was
nostalgia! $hat was more logical!
0asryn nodded, con#irming the shamanCs thought! ='eCre less than a league #rom the
castle! Right over thereCs where ) heled "aster +anvil gather lavender and Gasmine #or sell
comonents, and ) used to swim all a#ternoon in that ond! Rare golden-tailed geese #lock here
in the summer!>
=&ow wonder#ul,> +orian relied sarcastically! $he Rangerlord strode *oldly #orward,
headed toward the horses!
='hatCs wrong with himL> 0asryn asked!
="age, you #orget where we are,> $im*erwol# resonded in care#ully measured tones!
0asryn looked u, caught the rough tone, and the eIression on the rangerCs #ace! ='eCre dee in
enemy territory, and youCre treating this like a vacation!>
$he *oy reacted as i# slaed! =MouCre right! )tCs Gust that!!!!>
='hatL>
=Mou said it earlier! ) grew u here, $im*erwol#,> the *oy answered simly! =:nd )Cm
learning things a*out my ast that ) never knew *e#ore! $argonne told me that my surname,
(torm, means ) was *orn at (tormCs Aee, and that (erannon kidnaed me #rom my cradle
there!>
=Rescued you, more like,> the shaman relied sharly!
0asryn nodded! =Mes, ) reali%e that now, *ut all the secrets that were ket #rom me, all the
clues to my ast are here, *uried somewhere in *ooks, in scrolls, and in eoleCs memories!
1sha and ) never knew who our arents were, $im*erwol#! )Cm lucky the unicorns *rought me
to her at all! $his is my chance to learn the truth!>
$he shaman nodded slowly! &e had never considered that! /e#ore he could seak
#urther, they had reached the horses, and the +ark Anights were listening! $im*erwol# ket
silent #or the nonce! $here would *e lenty o# time #or this discussion later!
:#ter mounting their horses and thanking the servants #or their consideration, +orian rode
a little ahead o# the grou, getting the #eel o# his mount! $he Rangerlord turned in his saddle to
#ace the others!
=)Cm setting a *rick aste through the #orest!> $he eIerienced ranger had said this so
seriously that every*ody started laughing!
=: Kbrick paste,C +orianL> (ir "arkham asked, li#ting his le#t eye*row!
=)s that as #ast as asty *ricksL> ,arnet Buied with wry amusement!
+orian chewed on that #or a moment! =Fery #unny! 2risk pace! ) need some water,> he
eIlained, and took a si #rom his canteen!
+ark Anights #lanked the arty on *oth sides! $heir Kescort!C $he comanions watched
them warily!
=:ll right, letCs go,> +orian instructed, and rode o##! 'ind rushed through their hair as
the ace icked u to a gallo! :ll were eIerienced riders, although ,arnet wasnCt used to a
horse this largeJ he always rode a ony!
:lthough +orian had never *een in these woods *e#ore today, the Rangerlord Buickly
#ound the well-worn ath that countless riders had trod, which led directly to the estate! &e
enGoyed the sensation o# wind in his #ace even more now than when heCd *een on dragon*ack!
&ere, +orian /arrett was in his own element! $he hal#-el# esecially enGoyed the eIressions on
the +ark AnightsC #aces as they struggled to kee u!
'hen heCd raced #or hal# a mile, +orian glanced *ack over his shoulder! -# the whole
arty, only $im*erwol# and (ir "arkham had *een a*le to kee ace with him! 0asryn, Palin and
"ercidith were several yards *ehind them! ,arnet and (hyla were not to *e seen, *ut +orian
knew their escort could *e trusted not to let them get lost! $hrowing caution to the wind, +orian
continued at a #ast gallo, until one o# the +ark knights ulled a sword! $he message was clear!
+orian slowed his horse to a trot, and the dark aladin ulled u neIt to him!
=Mou wouldnCt *e trying to escae now, would youL>
=) didnCt know ) was your risoner, Anight,> +orian shot *ack, and grit his teeth in a #alse
smile! =) thought ) was the *aronCs guest!>
$he Anight o# NerakaCs eyes narrowed! =Ja, that you might *e, *ut ) wouldnCt want you
getting!!!lost!!!in these woods! Ravenwood can *e treacherous!>
/y now, #ive o# the others had caught u, 0asryn last in line! $he small grou continued
at a trot #or the rest o# the Gourney! +orian and $im*erwol# noticed everything! (ecies o# trees
and lants, and recogni%ed *irds and small animals *y their articular call or scent! +ou*tless
0asryn knew all o# this, having grown u here, studied them and collected sell comonents!
+orian would comare notes later! $here might *e something vital heCd missed!
(ir "arkham aid care#ul attention to the tactics used *y the dark knights, as they led the
arty, #lanked them, comletely surrounded them! $he young (olamnic knew their arty could
ro*a*ly take out this grou o# knights, or at least escae them, *ut one or two o# their num*er
might *e inGured in the attemt! )# he were in command instead o# +orian, heCd try to overower
their guards now! /ut he wasnCt, having *owed to the sueriority o# +orian and Palin, who were
*oth #ar more eIerienced camaigners than he!
-*livious to his #riendsC consternation, 0asryn relaIed, closed his eyes at times, and
*reathed in the heady scents o# the #orest heCd sent so much o# his early childhood in! $rue,
heCd *een kidnaed against his will, *ut there were hay memories here, too! $he mage
reached u and scratched <a#nirCs small head, and the seudodragon urred!
"ercidith was lost in thought! $he rincess rode with her *ack straight, as sheCd *een
trained, and looked as regal as ossi*le! Not two weeks ago, she was a risoner in the vamireCs
dungeons, her #ate uncertain! (heCd heard the cries o# the villagers, the screams o# some oor
soul in the torture cham*er down the corridor! $he cleric had ut her #aith in the goddess, as she
had ever since "ishakalCs return to Arynn! Mears ago, the young rincess had *een sent to the
Citadel to *e trained *y no less a ersonage than ,oldmoon! "erci had *een *orn with the gi#t
@or curse, deending on how one looked at it@o# seeing and seaking with the dead! :#raid
his daughter and only heir would turn to the *lack ro*es@and not without cause, as +alamar the
+ark had attemted to recruit "erci as his arentice in necromancy@.meror Aonstan#el
disatched the rincess to ,oldmoonCs care!
.ven at the Citadel, surrounded *y mystics o# light, ure-hearted Anights o# (olamnia,
and even the ancient silver dragon "irror, the +ark Anights o# Neraka had tried to a*duct the
rincess! "ercidith hersel#, with the aid o# some other students, #oiled the kidnaing lot, and
thought that was the end o# it! "erci shouldCve known *etter! $he Anights o# Neraka hadnCt
#orgotten a*out her at all, they had Gust *ided their time!
)n the end, Ne#ariant had come #or her as she slet at in )nn in Palanthas! -ne o# the most
ancient and ower#ul vamires in Arynn, Ne#ariant catured the good cleric a#ter a *rie# *attle,
and even then, heCd had to resort to an amulet heCd worn a*out his neck that contained a
ower#ul (lee sell! $he rincess still remem*ered the vamireCs #angs, his romise to make
her one o# the undead!!!!
"erci shook o## the memory, which mostly consisted o# #og and shadows anyway! $he
vamire catured "ercidith, *ut heCd *een una*le to *ite her, as she wore two otent holy
sym*ols, and the one around her neck was wrought o# mythril silver! $he rincess
unconsciously toyed with it, and then looked u at the seckled sunlight, which shone down
through #resh ine needles! (he took a dee *reath o# scented #orest air, then another, to clear
her head! : dee-voiced grum*ling interruted her meditations!
=Con#ounded young hal#-el#N 'ho told him to race through a strange #orest, when ) can
*arely ride this great *eastL> $he dwar# straightened his helmet, and took a #irmer hold o# the
reins! &e *lew stray hair #rom his #ace, and his *eard had #lown in the wind!
"ercidith smiled! =)s there a ro*lem, "aster ,arnetL>
=Noooooo, your &ighness! 'hy should there *e a ro*lemL 0ust *ecause weCre in the
heart o# Neraka@magicked here, no less, *y an evil sorcerer@and our own wi%ard is *eing lied
with titles, money, and even a *loody castle0 )# +orian and "ark donCt ound some sense into
that kidCs head retty soon, +ll do itN>
=,uard your words,> "ercidith cautioned, Gerking her head toward the +ark Anight to
their le#tJ he was riding close enough that the dwar# could *e overheard! =$hese men are sworn
to rotect the young mage, even against his #riends!>
$he dwar# immediately shut his mouth!
/ehind them came the sound o# cussing! /oth the dwar# and the cleric turned around to
see what the commotion was! <our knights rode o##, shouting orders in Nerakan! "ercidith
caught #our or #ive words, including =mortz> and =kinde,> which meant, roughly translated, to
=Aill the kender!>
"ercidithCs eyes widened and she gased! $he *rown mare (hyla had *een riding was
riderless! (he immediately turned to the mage! =0asrynN (hylaCs missingN>
0asryn turned at the call, and saw a#ter a #ew seconds that "ercidith was correct!
Normally, the kenderCs sneaking o## wouldnCt concern him! $he *oy knew sheCd eventually #ind
her way *ack to them! $he castle was a little hard to miss, visi*le #or miles around! &owever,
his men were +ark Anights, dark aladins! $hey were nervous and they disliked kender to *egin
with! kender were laced somewhere *elow elves and rodents on the vermin list! $hey might
well kill (hyla #or sneaking o##, and aologi%e to their liege lord later! KThe kenders demise "as
an unfortunate accident, my 2aron. + thought it "as a "ild animal dashing through the
underbrush!C
=<a#nir, wake u,> 0asryn urged, and Ga**ed the little seudodragon with a #inger! <a#nir
was immediately awake, and his head oed u! $hrough their shared teleathic link, the *east
knew something was wrong! =) need your skills! <ind (hyla, and *e care#ulN>
$he seudodragon eeed, sread his wings, and vanished into the woods #aster than the
human eye could #ollow! )# the young mage had *linked, he wouldCve missed the red *lur that
streaked into the trees!
=+onCt concern yoursel#, 4err /aron,> one o# the +ark Anights assured him, malice and
contemt dried #rom his voice! ='eCll #ind the kender straight away! Rest assured o# thatN>
<or some reason, 0asryn wasnCt the least *it reassured! &e turned to his master to ask #or
his hel, *ut PalinCs head was drooed #orward, chin to his chest, o*viously dee in a ;ocation
sell! $he sell to ;ocate living creatures was *eyond 0asryn at the moment, which is why
0asryn was glad #or his #amiliar!
$im*erwol# and "arkham were almost immediately at 0asrynCs side!
=(hould ) search #or herL> $im*erwol# asked!
$he young mage shook his head! =$oo dangerous! Mou might get shot with an arrow! )
sent <a#nir a#ter her!>
=)s that sa#erL> $im*erwol# asked!
$he young mage shot him a look! =MouCve got to *e kidding! : seudodragon will sting
any o# these knights unconscious *e#ore they could draw a *ead on him! )tCs like trying to shoot
a was or a humming*ird! ) saw <a#nir #ight! &eCs that #ast!>
:ctually, $im*erwol# re#lected, he or +orian could in a was to a tree trunk #rom thirty
aces, *ut he didnCt think any o# these knights could do it, and so held his tongue! $he Hue-(hu
shaman merely nodded in agreement! : moment later, 0asryn closed his eyes, dee in
communion with his #amiliar, seeing through the tiny dragonCs eyes! Now, *oth wi%ards were
using magic to search #or their erstwhile kender!
$im*erwol# didnCt think any o# the owers heCd rayed #or this morning would *e o# any
good in a search, *ut he made a silent rayer to Airi-0olith anyway! Aender were *eloved o# the
missing Paladine, and all the gods knew it! )t couldnCt hurt to try!
:#ter several more minutes, (hyla was #ound! )t hadnCt *een either mage whoCd #ound
her, *ut Princess "ercidith, who cried out in triumh!
='eCve #ound herN> "erci shouted, drawing the attention o# all save Palin, lost in his
sell! =(hylaCs #ound a cave entrance! ) see steam coming out o# it, and Buart% glittering in the
stone walls!>
0asryn aled at this news! =$hatCs the entrance to CinderCs lairN>
=) thought the red dragon was missing,> "arkham asked! =&eCs o## somewhere on the
other side o# :nsalon with +anvil <elcra#t!>
0asryn turned to the knight, his eyes gleaming sahires in the #orest! =Not i# that cra%y
kender touches CinderCs treasure hoardN $he dragon will *e *ack here *e#ore you can *linkN>
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Steam oured in thick clouds #rom the wound in the earth, a gaing dark it in the
woods! Rich *rown loam coated the *lack volcanic rock! Huart% and amethyst seckled the
stone, glittering in the sunlight! -ne side o# the it sloed gently, and there were visi*le hand
and #ootholds *y which an enterrising young kender could clim* down and eIlore this
wonder#ul cave that humans, elves, and ro*a*ly even dwarves would have overlooked, each o#
them having more imortant things to do!
(hyla swung her onytail *ehind her head with a Gerk o# her head! &e#ting her *ackack,
the kender tested the uncertain ground ahead o# her with the ti o# her &ooak, the traditional
weaon *eing a very versatile tool! (he started down, moving more Buickly than an eIerienced
human mountain clim*er, even ausing *rie#ly to stu## three small stones into her ouches! $he
small amethyst might have some small value to a dwarven Geweler or as a magic comonent #or
some mageCs sell, *ut the other two, #lint and coal, had no value to anyone *ut Aender! $hey
were trohies o# her latest adventure, roo# to other Aender that sheCd actually *een here, to this
very interesting hole in the ground that souted hot steam right in the middle o# a #orest!
$he *ottom o# the it oened u to a hori%ontal sha#t, a natural tunnel in the earth that
stretched #orth into darkness! : gnome couldCve told her that this cavern system was once a
volcanic vent le#t over #rom when this entire mountain range was a series o# active volcanoes,
untold millions o# years ago, and that the steam was ro*a*ly roduced *y underground hot
srings! Not too #ar to the east, in geological terms, was the +esolation, a string o# active
volcanoes and dead lains that the Red "arauder, the Bueen o# the +ragon -verlords, once
called her domain! 1sing magicks that only the largest and most ower#ul o# dragons ossessed,
"alys had altered the whole terrain o# her chosen realm, until it was com#orta*ly warm #or red
dragons, and un*eara*ly hot and inhosita*le #or Gust a*out every other living creature! $oday,
even though the great Red $yrant was dead, the twisted landscae retained its magically altered
#orm, and it would continue to do so until some truly uissant wi%ard, or some god, decided to
return the landscae to normal!
(hyla aused only long enough to dig a torch #rom her ack, <lint and tinder #rom her
ouches, and to light it! Aender were not *lessed with dark vision, unlike some dwar# clans and
a host o# wild creatures that dwelt underground with them!
<a#nir caught the kenderCs *ouncing, light-*rown onytail Gust as she ducked into the
steamy, dank cave! $he little seudodragon had *een #lying over the sur#ace o# the it #or nearly
ten #ull seconds *e#ore he his shar eyesight and other senses caught the movement! .ven
though <a#nir was well out o# range #or his limited teleathy, the ermanent magical *ond with
0asryn allowed him to send the mage a *rie# image o# (hyla and the caverns, con#irming what
"erci had already reorted!
Normally, the little dragon wouldnCt come within miles o# a lair that *elonged to one o#
his larger cousins! :s a rule, dragons did not invade one anotherCs territory, unless they were
seeking to mate, or to o##er service to a vastly more ower#ul wyrm! $his, however, was an
emergency! $he small *east #elt his masterCs urgency to get (hyla the heck out o# there!
(wi#t as thought, <a#nir dove into the dark, navigating *y *lindsense even *e#ore his
magical eyesight adGusted to the itch-*lackness! $hen he sotted the wavering, golden-orange
torchlight held *y (hyla! $he dragon hovered in the air neIt to her, eeing incessantly!
$yically, the kender smiled at him and greeted the dragon as i# they were two kids meeting on
the layground!
=&i, <a#nirN ;ook what ) #oundN>
$he tiny seudodragon sent her the image o# 0asryn and the others, waiting #or them a
Buarter-mile away, all wearing eIressions o# dee concern!
=+onCt *e such a worry-wart, <a#nir,> (hyla told him! =) Gust wanna eIlore a *it! 'eCll
*e *ack *e#ore they even know weCre goneN>
<a#nirCs ru*y eyes glistened in the torchlight, and his hissed at her! (urely the gods could
not have ossi*ly created a race this stuid! 0asrynCs instructions were clear! Aee (hyla sa#e,
and get her *ack as Buickly as ossi*le! $he little seudodragon alighted onto the kenderCs small
shoulders, wraed his tail all a*out her, as he would with 0asryn!
<a#nir only hoed (hyla meant it when she said she was leaving this lace soon! $he
small *east looked *ack nervously at the entrance, #ully eIecting the great *loated son o#
"alystryI to return any second! $he only consolation was that *oth o# them together wouldnCt
even *e a light snack #or <enalysten!
<a#nir had, o# course, known o# him. $he great Red Prince had laid claim to this whole
mountainous region, at least tacitly! 'ord was that <enalysten could not actually rule these
mountains the way his mother ruled the +esolation, *ecause he was *onded to /aron Fon
/ladmere at the command o# $akhisis!
<a#nirCs own #amiliar, 0asryn, was now the current *aron, another reason the tiny *east
susected they might *e sa#e!
"ay*e!
+f <enalysten returned in a good mood!
+f <enalysten was amused *y the two tiny creatures that had dared to invade his lair!
+f this cra%y kender could *e trusted not to touch anything in the redCs treasure hoard! 3Meah, a
kender, not touch anything shinny and eye-catching!7 <a#nir sighed, loing his head down on
to o# (hylaCs noggin in eIaseration!
$hey were doomed!
$he tunnel wound ahead #or siIty #eet, wide enough #or an army o# dwarves, comlete
with their onies and war-engines to ass, with several yards to sare!
-r, one enormous red wyrm with a *ad temer and a nasty disosition!
$he tiny seudodragon wondered what Buirk o# #ate aired him with a wi%ard whoCd
*e#riended this cra%y kender, when the tunnel suddenly oened u into an enormous cavern! $he
walls disaeared into the shadows! (talactites hung #rom the roo#, directly over a steaming ool
o# mineral water! +ee grooves, too straight and even to have *een natural, were carved dee
into the stone #loor around the li o# the deression where water gathered! $he dark waters
swirled, *u**led, and hissed! )t was ro*a*ly hot enough to cook a arty o# adventurers haless
enough to wander down here!
(uddenly, the small seudodragon reali%ed what it really was! $he natural hot sring ro*a*ly
served as <enalystenCs rivate *athtu*! <a#nir groaned! $hey were sooooo deadN
='ow,> (hyla *reathed! (he steed closer to the ool o# water, trying to get a *etter
look! <a#nirCs head oed u, and he eeed in alarm!
=RelaI, <a#nirN <or a dragon, youCre aw#ul nervous,> (hyla said, and atted the long tail
gently! =) have to con#ess, ) really donCt like dragons too much cause o# what "alystryI did to
our home when ) was a *a*y! /ut )Cm not a#raid o# you, cause youCre #riendly and real cute, the
way a dragon should *e! ) wonder where this cave leads! $hereCs another tunnel over there that
goes in the direction o# the castle! )t ro*a*ly runs right under it! "ay*e, thereCs a secret
assagewayN>
=:ctually, it does,> a gravelly voice suddenly answered her! $he voiceCs tone sounded
deadly, like it came #rom an individual who was used to killing without hesitation or remorse! )t
echoed throughout the huge cavern, originating #rom somewhere in the shadows! ="ost #olks
are too a#raid to wander down here! <enalysten doesnCt areciate tresassers, articularly
thieving little kender!>
<a#nir immediately sensed dragonkind, and hissed! &is tiny claws dug into (hylaCs
shoulders, and his tail snaked out to strike at anything #oolish enough to come within range!
)gnoring the insult 3Aender were not thieves, they were #inders o# lost o*Gects7 (hyla
edged closer to the direction the voice came #rom! ='ho are youL Mou sound #amiliar! +o you
live hereL>
=Mou ask a lot o# Buestions #or someone a*out to *ecome suer #or a dragon!>
$hat remark caused (hyla to ause! $he torch trem*led ever-so-slightly! $he creature
smelled #ear #rom her, and he was mildly amused! Aender generally didnCt #ear anything! $hey
were too stuid! "ay*e this one had a lick o# sense!
=+-d-did you G-G-Gust say!!!!>
=$he word dragonL> the voice resonded, calm and cool as a snake a*out ready to strike
at his neIt victim! =Ja, ) did! : great wyrm, actually! Roughly a hundred and #i#ty #eet long!
&is name is <enalysten@2rimstone!>
(hyla closed her eyes, swallowed, and tried to *ring her *reathing under control! "ay*e
this wasnCt such a good idea a#ter all! (he had wandered right into a dragonCs lair! ;ittle <a#nir,
sensing the danger *e#ore she did, had *een trying to warn her!
=:re you a!!!dragonL> (hyla asked cautiously!
=No,> the voice answered, and steed into the ool o# light! $he orange torchlight
#lickered and re#lected o## sahire-like scales, which covered a humanoid *ody nearly nine #eet
tall! )t looked like a *lue draconian, eIcet that draconians were all metallic, #ormed #rom eggs
o# the metallic dragons o# good! $his sawn was clearly art chromatic wyrm! =) am most
certainly not a dragon!>
=(underN :m ) glad to see youN>
$he sawn smiled, revealing wicked, needle-#ine teeth! =$hat has to *e the #irst time
since my trans#ormation anyoneCs told me that! Come to think o# it, nobody has ever said that to
me *e#ore!>
='ell, may*e eole should say it more o#ten,> (hyla told him! (he ran u to the sawn,
who towered over her! =)t might hel imrove your mood!>
=$here is very little in this world that could do that, )Cm a#raid! (hyla Pouch#inder, what
are you doing down hereL>
=) was Gust eIloring,> the kender said honestly!
$he sawn knew it was an honest answer! &e could tell #rom her hysiological reactions!
/reathing slow to normal, uils constantly dilated in the dim light! (under nodded once!
='ell, then! )# youCll #ollow me, leaseL )Cll *e hay to lead you out o# here!>
=Can you show me the secret entranceL> (hyla immediately asked! ='e can surrise the
others *y getting there #irstN>
=$hat wouldnCt *e my #irst choice, no,> (under told her #irmly! &e started in the
direction #rom which sheCd come!
=-h, *ut it would *e a shame to come all this way and not see a secret entranceN>
$he (awn sighed! &e actually sighed! )# this kender werenCt a close ersonal #riend o#
the *aronCs, he wouldCve killed her *y now!
=$he *aron and his arty are waiting #or your sa#e return, (hyla! : little alacrity, i# you
donCt mind,> (under chided, Buickening his ace! &oe#ully, the kender would #ollow him! (he
ro*a*ly would, a#ter the warning a*out <enalysten! :t least, he hoped she would! Ailling her
was not an otion! Picking her u and carrying her *ound and gagged certainly "as, eIcet the
seudodragon wouldnCt allow him to do that without a nasty #ight! (under silently counted to ten
*e#ore eItending his suerior senses to *e sure the kender was still *ehind him!
$o (underCs relie#, she actually was, chattering away *ehind him!
$he assassin asked himsel# i# all this was worth it!
O O O O O
$he only thing that ket the Anights o# Neraka #rom oening #ire was the #act that they
recogni%ed the hulking +ragon-man that strode toward them through the ine trees! "ildly
disaointed that they couldnCt shoot the kender, the +ark Anights lowered their weaons!
$here would *e other chances to kill the little vermin! 0ust let her leave the *aronCs
rotection again! 0ust one more time!
$he comanions watched as (hyla aroached the grou! Reasona*ly certain that none
o# these evil knights would stoo to hel the little kender get *ack u onto her horse, (ir
"arkham dismounted his *orrowed *lack charger, and icked her u himsel#! &is silver
(olamnic armor gleamed in shar contrast to the *lack mail o# his counterarts!
=:re you okay, AenderkinL> "ark asked, as he li#ted (hyla u into her saddle!
=(ure, "arkham,> she answered in a chier manner! &er *rown eyes told a di##erent
story, however! :ll resent knew the kender had Gust come very close to #acing her greatest and
only #ear, while eIloring the cavernous lair o# a great wyrm! "ost telling, <a#nir remained on
the kenderCs shoulders, instead o# returning to his master, as he normally would have! "arkham
guessed correctly that the little seudodragon was #ollowing some silent mental command #rom
0asryn!
Nodding to her, the (teel Anight returned to his stallion, ointedly ignoring the looks o#
contemt he was getting #rom the Nerakan Anights! (o *e it! Paladine loved the kender, having
once called them the Ktrue innocents of this "orld!C .ven with the most ower#ul o# the gods
missing, PaladineCs Anighthood would uhold his ideals!
$he arty started #orward again, taking a much slower ace than +orian had *egun with!
0asryn maneuvered his horse so it was closer to his master, Palin, and Princess "ercidith! $he
two were having a conversation in low tones!
=Mour &ighness, i# you donCt mind my asking, Gust how did you #ind the kender *e#ore )
or my arenticeL> Palin asked!
+d like to kno" the ans"er to that myself, 0asryn thought! (ince rescuing the rincess,
she had dislayed a num*er o# mysterious owers that he hadnCt read o# in any dusty tome!
$he wind icked u a *it! Clouds had rolled in, threatening rain! $he cleric o# "ishakal
smiled wanly, and ulled u the hood o# her #ur-lined cloak! =) can commune with the dead,
;ord Palin! ,hosts that haunt this #orest told me!>
$he archmage gave her a shar look, as did 0asryn! =) wasnCt aware "ishakal tra##icked
with the dead!>
=$he ;ady can when she chooses to, o# course,> "erci told him with a secret smile! =/ut
it wasnCt the goddess who ena*led me to do this! $he talent has *een mine since earliest
childhood!>
$he air had grown chill rather Buickly, and the wind whied leaves across the wooded
ath! Palin a*sor*ed what "ercidith had Gust told him, ulled u his white hood and hoed
theyCd arrive at the castle *e#ore the rain started! $he ;ord o# the 'hite Ro*es remem*ered a
tri +alamar had taken to .rgoth, years ago, *e#ore the return o# the gods! )t was a dark time,
when magic had #lickered like a guttered candle, and sorcerers stooed to raiding tom*s,
deserately searching #or arcane arti#acts with which to eItend their own #ailing owers!
'ould the evil elven necromancer have stooed to seduce an innocent young rincess,
erhas to #eed o## her suernatural talents in an attemt to *oost his own (orceryL
Certainly +alamar would have!
"ore to the oint, would Palin have done the same thingL 'ould he have *een deserate
enoughL
$he ;ord o# the 'hite Ro*es didnCt want to think a*out it!
$hunder cracked, lightning #lashed! (mall animals skittered in the *rush, #lew through
the trees, which now swayed in the wind!
$he ast was the ast! $he #uture *elonged to the young! ;ike Princess "ercidith, who
Palin knew was a discile o# ,oldmoon, #irst trained in the mystic arts, then as a #ull cleric o#
"ishakal uon the godsC return to Arynn!
;ike his young arentice, 0asryn (torm, whom Palin secretly hoed would one day take
his lace as &ead o# the -rder! $he *oy certainly had the raw ower, and Palin was growing old!
&is time was done! &e had retired #rom the "agic :rts to *e with his wi#e, and only took u his
old mantle on 1shaCs insistence to train her younger *rother!
Palin himsel# was hysically too worn out to *e one o# them any longer! &e only hoed
his chosen relacement would *e a*le to guide young 0asryn without seducing him down the
dark ath! :nother Raistlin "aGere they didnt need!
+orian icked u the ace, anIious to reach the castle *e#ore the weather grew too much
worse! )n the #lash o# lightning, through the mist that now assaulted them, Palin "aGere saw, Gust
#or a moment, another intreid *and o# adventurers, #rom the years *e#ore his own *irth!
: silver armored (olamnic Anight, *earing an enchanted *lade that had *een handed
down to him #rom his #ather! : crusty old hill dwar#! : hay-go-lucky kender! : dark-souled
Red mage, who suorted his #rail #orm on an immensely ower#ul sta## he *arely knew how to
wield, and re#used to admit it! &is huge, hulking *rother, who always looked uon his si*ling
with concern! : *ar*arian cleric o# "ishakal, who *ore a shining crystal sta## o# healing! &er
*eloved, who o##ered aid and com#ort where it was needed! :ll led *y a hal#-el#, a ariah #rom
his own eole, risking his li#e and #uture so the world might have one!
$he &eroes o# the ;ance! Chamions out o# history, out o# legend!
Palin "aGere tried deserately to live u to their eIamle, in a world that was le#t
shattered, *ere#t o# its gods and its magic! : world le#t to the tender mercies o# great *loated
dragons that had come to :nsalon #rom arts unknown, enslaving or destroying all in their ath!
$he once-young 'hite Ro*e #ormed a new grou o# heroes with ,oldmoon to stem the tide, to
win small victories against the great wyrms!
Now, the aged wi%ard knew the time had come to ass the torch yet again! )t was no
accident that 0asrynCs closest #riends were a (olamnic Anight, an aIe-wielding mountain dwar#,
and a #lighty kender! Palin himsel# had engineered this grou #rom the very *eginning! $hat the
clerics "ercidith and $im*erwol#, and a hal#-elven Rangerlord named +orian had Goined them
was a sure sign #rom the gods that they aroved o# PalinCs maniulations!
&is young arentice was not Buite ready to #ace the dangers o# this world, *ut the *oy
had courage and strong ideals to comensate #or his lack o# wisdom! &e was a*out ready to take
his $est o# &igh (orcery!
0asryn (torm looked imossi*ly young to PalinCs eyes! $hey all did! Met, wasnCt Raistlin
"aGere a*out this age when the comanions #led $akhisisCs hostL 'asnCt Palin himsel# this age
when his *rothers died on the outset o# the :*yssal 'arL
Mes, it was time!
?3undar,;uarian, + charge you "ith protecting my young apprentice. (uide him. + "ill
be "atching from &ayreth.
$he sky oened u, and sheets o# water assaulted the arty! 'ind *lew the rain
sideways! Palin soke a word o# .ldritch, and his ro*es dried out and stayed that way, while all
the others were very Buickly soaked! $he archmage smiled to himsel#!
$here were some advantages to old age, a#ter all! : warriorCs muscle tone and tight
stomach might turn to #la*, *ut a wi%ard grew ever more ower#ul!
+ark granite towers rose three hundred #eet a*ove them, *olts o# lightning *rie#ly lighted
*attlements silhouetted against the *lack sky! <ive towers and a kee, enclosed *y stone walls
some siIty #eet high! Anights encased in *lack metal manned the walls, their cloaks #lying in the
wind where they werenCt inned down securely! $orchlight #lickered in the narrow windows,
illuminating the structure in dim light!
Castle Ravenwood!
0asryn shuddered! &is knight comanion resisted the urge to do the same! $oo many *ad
memories connected with this lace! $oo many childhood nightmares!
<or the #irst time in seven long years, 0asryn (torm was home!
$heir arty rode through the ortcullis and into the courtyard! "en were ready to take
their horses and return the *easts to the sa#ety o# the sta*les! 0asryn gathered his ro*es a*out him
against the wind, and led his #riends to the keeCs main entrance! :t the very least this night he
could o##er his weary #riends a warm #ire, a hot meal, and a so#t *ed a#terwards!
Never mind the ghosts! 0asryn was a grown man and a wi%ard! &e could deal with a #ew
*ad memories!
'ind slattered water all over the large, oak doors that had *een ainted a dark *urgundy
red! /e#ore 0asryn could even reach out #or the *rass knocker, however, the ortal oened o# its
own accord, as i# to welcome the young master o# the castle home!
Not Buite!
: #rail, elderly woman, draed in a midnight-*lue cloak and *earing a golden, trile-
ronged candlestick aeared in the doorway! $he woman *owed low, as lightning #lashed!
=(utt evening, 4err 2aron,> the woman ronounced in #lawless Nerakan! (he
straightened, meeting the young mageCs ga%e with her own! &er eyes were like steel! =) am
rau :lesand, your ;ordshiCs chatelaine!>
: *olt o# lightning cut the night sky, high a*ove them, and sooked the horses! 0asrynCs
retainers had to #ight to control them!
0asryn smiled warmly, recognition evident on his #ace! =) remem*er you, :lesand! Mou
were my governess!>
$he chatelaine smiled, ever so slightly, and then motioned with her hand! ='hnellN
'hnellN Please, come in, ere you catch your deat!>
$he arty entered a cham*er with vaulted ceilings and a grand staircase, carved o#
worked stone and highlighted with wood aneling! $he "aGeresC whole house #rom (olace
couldCve #it in the entranceway with room to sare! (uits o# armor, weaons, shields, and oil
aintings decorated the cold gray walls! 'ater dried #rom 0asrynCs white samite ro*es,
ooling at his #eet, and the mage #elt a*surdly guilty!
&e was once again messing u the castle, as he had as a small child, covered with mud
#rom the #orest!
(ervants rushed #orward to throw towels a*out him, reared to rush 0asryn ustairs #or a
hot *ath! :lesand gave the *oy a scolding glare!
=Perhas your ;ordshi would care to dry o## and change *e#ore taking his suerL> the
chatelaine suggested in a cold tone o# voice that made it sound more like a command!
0asryn kne" it was a command!
Nineteen summers old, a white ro*ed mage almost ready to take his $est o# &igh (orcery
at the $ower o# 'ayreth, lord o# the castle, and :lesand was still treating him like a ten-year-old
child!
Mu, he was home, all right!
=$hank you,> Palin "aGere said #ormally, acceting a large terrycloth towel #rom a maid!
=/ut as you can see, ) am Buite dry!>
=(eak #or yoursel#, "age,> ,arnet grum*led! +ros o# rainwater coated his shining
helmet and suit o# armor, and #ell driing to the stone #loor!
=: ity you did not teach the *aron that sell, my lord,> :lesand said scathingly!
=Rooms have *een reared! )# you will all #ollow meL>
0asryn clim*ed the stairs, and gried the #amiliar stone handrail heCd once slid down,
many years ago! &e couldCve #ound his way *lind#olded! : warm #eeling #illed his heart,
relacing the dread heCd so recently #elt! <ather was dead, and +anvil <elcra#t was not here!
"arkham caught the look on his #riendCs #ace, and shot a meaning#ul glance in +orianCs
direction! $he Rangerlord nodded once!
$hey had to get 0asryn out o# here *e#ore their young mage settled in ermanently!
$he arty slit u at the to o# the stairs, as servants led them to their various
accommodations! $o 0asrynCs mild surrise, :lesand did not lead him to his old room! (he led
the way to the large door at the #ar end o# the long corridor!
<atherCs old suite o# rooms, the *aronCs inner sanctum!
Now, 0asryn "as the *aron!
$he iron-*anded oak door oened on silent, greased hinges to reveal a room #looded with
warm, golden candlelight and a crackling #irelace! : #our-oster *ed, sread with silk sheets
and com#orters, stood ato a olished malewood dais near the #ar wall! $wo #ine wooden
wardro*es with the /aronial Coat o# :rms carved uon their doors stood to one side, a dresser
*etwiIt them! 'arm, dry clothing, neatly #olded, was laid out #or him!
)n the outer sitting room, a large writing desk stood near two tall windows, which 0asryn
knew oened out onto a mar*le *alcony! : tall *ookcase, #illed with leather-*ound volumes,
stood near*y! Rare area rugs covered the cold stone #loors!
$hese rooms didnCt #eel like his! $hey were athers!
/ut they "ere his, now!
Crossing to the dresser, 0asryn stried o## his gleaming *ut soaked ro*e, sBuee%ed the
water out into the cham*er ot, and laid it care#ully on the dresser! &e took a nearly identical
gray ro*e #rom the dresser, and #elt a ower#ul dweomer in the silk cloth! 0asryn towel-dried
himsel# and Buickly slied into the new ro*e!
$he color immediately #aded #rom gray to a gleaming white! )t was identical in every
way to the wet ro*e heCd Gust do##ed, down to the uniBue style o# scrited, magical runes
em*roidered in silver and gold threads! $he very same tailor had cra#ted *oth magiciansC ro*es,
and 0asryn wondered Gust how many o# them had *een made #or him!
Figorously towel-drying his long, dark hair, 0asryn walked over to the wardro*es and
oened the ca*inets! $he #irst wardro*e contained ten more magical ro*es, identical to the one
he wore, with small di##erences! $hree were ure white samite, three were gray, and one was a
*eauti#ul *lack! <our ro*es were sewn #rom #ine lam*swool, in the same colors! 0asryn knew
the color mattered littleJ they would all turn gleaming white the moment he ut them on!
$he second wardro*e contained #inely tailored, regular clothing #or di##erent occasions!
$unics, ta*ards, *reeches, and cloaks, made #rom cotton, silk, satin, and velvet! $he drawers
contained lightly scented silk underwear and nightshirts! ;ined u neatly at the *ottom o# each
wardro*e were *oots and shoes, all olished to a #ine sheen, or *rushed suede leather!
$he clothing alone must have cost a small #ortune!
"arkham and the others were right! $he Anights o# Neraka "ere trying to *ri*e him into
changing sides!
&hy9
$he sudden sound o# a *oot scu##ing on stone came #rom the neIt room! &e still wore the
silver *racers o# de#ense and his magical ring #or rotection! 0asryn Buickly called a sell to
mind, Gust in case, and steed into the sitting room!
CHAPTER TWENTY
A thin #igure stood in the corner o# the room *y the *ookcase, draed in elegant
ro*es o# so#t *lack velvet, em*roidered with .ldritch runes at the cu##s and neckline in a #lowing
.lvish scrit! $he el# hardly *reathed! &e couldCve *een a shadow!
: moment later, recognition #lickered in 0asrynCs eyes! &eCd seen this very same mageCs
ro*e worn *y one o# his Gurors! $hin, grace#ul hands reached u and ulled down the *lack
hood, so the *oy could see his #eatures! 0asryn nodded! $his "as the elven mage with the rare
*lond hair #rom (ilvanost!
=,reetings, :rentice 0asryn (torm,> the mage *egan in a heavy (ylvandon accent, a
variant o# (ilvanesti! Fery roerly and eIactly ronounced, his manner and movements very
aristocratic! $his master magician, whoCd earned his title and resect, o*viously descended #rom
elven no*ility! 0asryn re#lected sarcastically that his relatives must *e leased as unch when
heCd donned the *lack ro*es o# an evil wi%ard! =) am sorry i# ) startled you!>
=$he castle does have a #ront door, "aster!!!L>
=;undar-Huarian .clise,> the el# named himsel#! &is ro*es #lowed a*out his thin #orm
as he moved, and the hem whisered across the stone #loor! &is name was a com*ination o#
Common and .lvish! )t meant 6clipse of the 2lack !oon, i# 0asryn was translating it correctly!
=) am here at the invitation o# your master, Palin "aGere!>
8emind me to thank *alin for asking you to teleport into my bedchambers unannounced,
0asryn thought, and smiled thinly! :lthough he couldnCt yet cast a teleort sell, 0asryn knew the
sellcaster was reBuired to *e somewhat #amiliar with the lace he was to aear in! :ny
attemt to teleort to un#amiliar surroundings could *e otentially #atalJ the mage might aear
inside a iece o# #urniture, or even a wall! This 2lack 8obe has been here before. &hy doesnt
that surprise me9
=) aologi%e #or my a*rut entrance, *ut it is raining outside, so ) traveled *y the
corridors o# magic!>
=Naturally,> 0asryn resonded, his voice droing! =;et me not *e called a oor host, sir!
"y sta## has reared an eIcellent meal #or us this evening! )# youCll #ollow meL>
$he /lack Ro*e 'i%ard nodded! 'hen he soke, there was arrogance in his voice!
=:#ter you, 0asryn!>
Not K!y lordC or K!y dear 2aron,C *ut simly his given name! -h, this ;undar .clise
was a master magician, all right! (ince 0asrynCs arrival in Neraka, everyone had treated him with
the utmost oliteness and courtesy, as *e#itting his station as a *aron! :mong his eers in the
elite and eIclusive ranks o# the magi, however, 0asryn was still Gust an arentice! $his el# was
his superior, even i# #rom another -rder o# magic, and ;undarCs *earing and tone o# voice
demanded that 0asryn mind his roer lace!
=)Cd ask how your tri was, *ut!!!!> 0asryn *egan awkwardly, as he led his uneIected
guest down the grand staircase, and then in the direction o# the ,reat &all!
=(are me the small talk, *oy,> ;undar snaed! ='e saved you #rom the eIecutioner
#or seci#ic reasons! Mour master is #ully aware o# what those are!>
&ell, e$cuse me for living!
=:nd those reasons would *eL>
=:ll in good time, *oy,> the mage answered curtly! &is .lvish accent was thick! =Mou
will learn the urose o# our mission at the same time as your comanions, this very evening!
&ave you (ilvanesti wineL>
=)Cll ask :lesand,> 0asryn relied as they entered the hall! ;ike the castleCs entranceway,
this cham*er was cavernous! )t could easily accommodate a hundred ersons #or dining, and still
had lenty o# room le#t over #or dancing or entertainment! Chandeliers, which *ore a hundred
candles each, #looded the whole room with so#t golden light! : monstrous #irelace dominated
the west wall and chased away the chill and dam! : stone shield etched with the /aronial Coat
o# :rms was set a*ove a solid mahogany mantle, and two rather large golden hooks set a*ove
that were consicuously emty o# their *urden!
$he great silver +ragonlance those golden hooks once held was the cause o# their *eing
here, and very ro*a*ly the reason ;undar .clise was resent this night! $he lance had *een
cra#ted in the :ge o# "ight #rom eldritch metal and living crystal! <atherCs +ragonlance had
*een tainted, ermanently tarnished *y innocent *lood a#ter misuse against the metallic dragons
o# goodness! 0asryn recalled how those dark, reddish-*lack *loodstains marred the head, and
slattered the gleaming silver sha#t! No matter how hard the servants had tried, they could never
remove those ancient, dried *loodstains #rom the glorious weaon!
='hat do ye mean ye donCt have dwarven aleL> ,arnet comlained loudly! =Me have
that thin swill the elves drink, *ut good strong sirits #rom $hor*ardin@>
=Calm yoursel#, 4err )rondelve,> the chatelaineCs terse voice answered him! $he thin *ut
#eisty old woman towered over ,arnet, and ga%ed at him in the same severe way 0asryn knew so
well! =) *elieve /aron Fildero## ket a keg or two somewhere down in the dungeons, under lock
and key! ) will go down mysel# and have a look #or you!>
,arnet suttered #or a moment through his *eard, then mum*led in a much lower volume,
=$hank you!>
=MouCre Buite welcome, 4err +war#! &ere, enGoy some nice red meat o## the *one while
you wait! -h, and you might care to use two ne" inventions, to add to your culinary eIerience!
$hey are called a #ork and a kni#e!>
:lesandCs heels clicked sharly on the stone #loor tiles and echoed throughout the hall as
she stalked o##!
=(mart ass,> ,arnet grum*led, and Goined his #riends at the ta*le! $hey were all
snickering so#tly into their hands at this eIchange!
$he head ta*le sat uon a low dais *y the #irelace! )t was cra#ted o# mahogany, olished
to a #ine sheen, and carved to reresent the heads and talons o# dragons, unicorns, and gri##ins!
'hite linen covered the ta*le, and it was set with silver candlesticks, silver lates, and silver
utensils with gold chasing! Platters o# #ood o##ered steaming #resh *reads, tender red meat,
steamed carrots driing in *utter, and *aked otatoes! -n a side*oard were more latters #illed
with stu##ed chicken, sinach, mushrooms, mu##ins, and even custard-#illed Sclairs smothered in
rich, dark chocolate #or desert! NeIt to this was a matching ta*le loaded with decanters o# all
shaes and si%es, which contained liBuor #rom all over :nsalon!
)t was enough #ood to #eed a small army, or a hungry arty o# adventurers! $he dwar#, as
usual, ate more than all o# them ut togetherJ in site o# the #ull and hearty *reak#ast the Anights
o# Neraka had served them all #or *reak#ast!
Palin "aGere occuied the head o# the ta*le, as 0asrynCs master, which was his right! $o
the 'hite Ro*eCs right was Princess "ercidith, who took dainty *ites o# care#ully cut ieces o#
*ee#steak! $o her immediate right, "arkham (wordhawk tore into his meal with gusto,
alternately chewed and swallowed mouth#uls o# #ood and wine!
0asryn made a *eeline #or Palin as the mysterious /lack Ro*e mage glided silently along
*ehind him!
="aster, we have a dinner guest,> 0asryn *egan without ream*le! &is *earing and tone
o# voice were tense! =&e claims to know you!>
Recognition sarkled in Palin "aGereCs ale *lue eyes as he nodded, and 0asryn sensed
trou*le *rewing on the hori%on! 'hoever this arrogant el# was, "aster really did know him!
="y dear ;undar, how good o# you to Goin us,> Palin *egan in a tone o# voice that he had
never used *e#ore! 0asryn could tell that no matter what his reasons #or inviting the wi%ard, Palin
didnCt like him! =Please, take a seat! $he Hualinesti wine is eIcellent!>
$he /lack 'i%ard made a #ace! "aGere kne" he was #rom (ilvanost! (till, even wine
#rom Hualinost was suerior to whatever these humans aged in their casks! ,raciously, the el#
took his seat at the same instant as 0asryn! (ervants rushed #orward to #ill their emty lates and
crystal go*lets!
=(o, now that we are #ree to seak without *eing overheard, ;undar, why donCt you tell
us the real reason +alamar sent youL> Palin *egan! &e had set down his #ork and was staring
eIectantly, directly at the *lack ro*ed mage!
;undar smiled coldly! =(urely, my masterCs message can wait until a#ter weCve artaken
o# this #ine #east your arenticeCs servants reared #or us, ;ord PalinL )t all smells so
wonder#ul!>
$his eIchange drew the attention o# everyone resent! :ll knew the name +alamar the
+ark, eIiled #rom (ilvanesti lands #or having chosen the *lack ro*es over the white, as was usual
#or his eole@Gust as this ;undar aarently had! $hat in#amous elven wi%ard was the sole
arentice o# Raistlin "aGere, PalinCs uncle!
='ell then, at least tell me! &ow is +alamarCs healthL> Palin asked a#ter another
moment! &is eyes were twin stars that *urned at the head o# the ta*le!
(ir "arkham stoed chewing his #ood! )t was well known in certain circles that there
was no love lost *etween Palin "aGere and +alamar the +ark! $he only thing reventing oen
war#are *etween the two old rivals, and conseBuently *etween the -rders o# 'hite and /lack
ro*es, was "istress 0enna, head o# the -rder o# Red Ro*es! <riend and ally o# Palin, lover o#
+alamar, 0enna was the *alm that healed old wounds!
='halafi is well,> ;undar relied in .ldritch #or ?master, a#ter chewing and swallowing
his #irst *ite! =$hank you #or asking, my lord!>
$he comanions all watched in silence, content to let Palin handle this! 'hen the
eIchange seemed to *e susended, at least #or now, they resumed their meal!
=:ny idea where the +ragonlance might *e, 0aseL> "arkham asked a#ter a long,
awkward silence, trying to start the dinner conversation again!
0asryn looked u! ='ell, it used to hang right u there, over the #irelace! :ssuming itCs
still somewhere in the castle, itCs most likely hidden in a secret assageway, or a hidden room
somewhere! ) ro*a*ly discovered half o# them growing u here, *ut there are dou*tless a lot o#
secret doors even ) donCt know a*out! )Cm going to need all the hel ) can get searching this
castle!>
;undar made a #ace at this statement, *ut remained silent! &e didnCt have long to wait
*e#ore one o# the others asked the very Buestion that was on his mind!
=$he +ark Anights wouldCve torn this lace aart with a #ine-tooth com*,> $im*erwol#
stated! ='hat makes you think itCs still hereL>
0asryn took another *ite, thinking #or a moment *e#ore answering! =$hey could have
missed something o*vious, $im*erwol#! (omething that only a #amily mem*er wouldCve
noticed! Perhas thereCs even a cham*er sealed *y magic! )n that case, our chances o#
discovering it have Gust increased *y one-third!>
=&mm! Perhas then ) should delay my dearture #or a day or two,> Palin commented!
0asrynCs head snaed in his masterCs direction in utter shock! =MouCre leaving, "asterL>
="y time in Neraka is *rie#, 0asryn,> Palin eIlained! =) only came in answer to your
urgent summons! Now that youCre sa#e, ) will give you instructions, and take my leave!>
=;ord Palin,> +orian *egan courteously! =Mou are without a dou*t the most eIerienced
o# any o# us here! 'e need you with usN>
=;undar can take my lace, +orian,> Palin eIlained! $hat sentence was met with looks
o# alarm #rom most seated at the ta*le! /e#ore any o# them could o*Gect to an evil *lack ro*ed
wi%ard Goining their arty without even a discussion, however, Palin went on! =)Cm getting #ar
too old #or this sort o# thing! Mears ago, ) tried to retire! :#ter a dark aladin killed *oth
+alamar and mysel#, and the gods o# magic later restored us to li#e, ) let +alamar think that )Cd
re#used the gi#t o# magic they had o##ered us *oth!>
;undar looked u with interest! &eCd o# course heard a version o# this tale, what had
haened at the $emle o# +uerghast a#ter the #inal de#eat o# $akhisis and her &igh Cleric!
=Mou lied to 'halafi,> the el# accused! <or the #irst time since his arrival, he aeared ill
at ease! ;undar seemed to take this news as a ersonal a##ront!
(ood, 0asryn thought!
=No, ) let him assume that the magic was never returned to me! ) simly never corrected
him! $hereCs a di##erence! )n oint o# #act, ) had re#used the gods when they #irst o##ered me my
owers *ack, *ut ;unitari stated emhatically that the *alance must *e maintained, and her
cousins were #orced to agree! <or years, ) hid the return o# my owers #rom everyone, save my
wi#e!>
=/ut!!!whyL> (ir "arkham asked, comletely una*le to #athom why any archmage,
articularly the greatest 'hite 'i%ard to walk :nsalon, would willingly re#use the gi#t o# magic!
=$he magic cost me dearly! "y marriage to 1sha was nearly over! ) was gone #rom
home #or long stretches o# time, and le#t 1sha to raise our children alone!> Palin took a si o#
wine, and deli*erately le#t out the ain#ul eisode when 1sha and ;aura had *een stranded in the
city o# &aven during a +ark Anight occuation! ;ost and alone, #eeling a*andoned, his *eauti#ul
wi#e had a *rie# a##air with a local merchant! :t the time, Palin wasnCt Gust missingJ heCd *een
held cative and tortured *y evil sorcerers! /ut that was a rivate matter, not to *e revealed to
anyone, not even his own *rother-in-law!
=Mou eventually took u the mantle as &ead o# the 'hite Ro*es once more,> ;undar
rodded!
PalinCs look was oisonous! =) did! (omething haened to *ring me out o# retirement!>
='hat was thatL> 0asryn asked! -# the #ive dragon $yrants, three were dead, and
Ahellendros the *lue had assed through the 'indow to the (tars, vanished without a trace!
-nly /li%%ard the 'hite &urricane was le#t, #ormerly called <rost, alone in his snowy realm o#
(outhern .rgoth! 'hat ossi*le danger could *ring Palin out o# his longed-#or retirementL
=>oure the reason,> Palin stated #latly! &e stared his young arentice right in the eye!
=0asryn, you came riding out o# the woods on the *ack o# a unicorn, #leeing dark knights! /oth
1sha and ) knew they would someday come a#ter you! :t the time, you were *ut a child, a
talented novice, in deserate need o# a teacher! 1sha kne" )Cd *een #aking the loss o# my
owers, and she insisted that ) train you, even knowing that the Conclave would Buickly *ecome
aware o# it and ersuade me to return to 'ayreth!>
(eeing the look o# guilt on 0asrynCs #ace, Palin smiled kindly, and sta**ed another iece
o# *ee# with his #ork! =Mour sister wanted you reared #or this time, and she can *e Buite
ersuasive!>
0asryn smiled at that, and a*sently icked at a iece o# *aked otato! =) guess you want
us to recover the +ragonlance without you, then!>
=-h, to the :*yss with the +ragonlance,> ;undar gried! =$he sta## is #ar more
imortantN>
0asrynCs eyes li#ted at that, turning Buickly in the el#Cs direction!
=(ta##L 'hat sta##L> +orian asked *e#ore 0asryn could!
=Arion, the elemental (ta## o# :ir, which that o*noIious little gnome had the ma to,>
;undar answered! &e shoved another iece o# lettuce into his mouth!
=$he maN> "arkham eIclaimed, suddenly remem*ering! =+idnCt $revlor steal itL>
+ndeed, +orian thought! )n all that had haened to them in recent weeks, theyCd
#orgotten all a*out it! =$revlor was a age*oy #or the Anights o# Neraka! +ou*tless theyCve
gone a#ter it! $hat evil wi%ard ro*a*ly has the sta## *y now!>
=<elcra#t most certainly "ould have sei%ed the sta## *y now, i# he could read the ma,
which he cant,> ;undar eIlained! 1nconcerned, he took another *ite o# his meal, leaving the
comanions hanging!
='hy canCt he read the maL> "ercidith asked! =&eCs a wi%ard, so he should *e a*le to
understand magical writing!>
;undarC eyes smiled! =$hat ma was reared *y a Red Ro*e mage untold ages ago!
Fitally imortant sections were recorded in moonrunes, scrit that could only *e seen *y a white
ro*ed mage during certain hases o# (olinari, the (ilver "oon!>
$he /lack "age shot a meaning#ul look at 0asryn, and all eyes #ollowed!
=!e9 /ut,> the *oy suttered #or a moment, trying to get his thoughts in gear! =/ut why
would a Red Ro*e mage reare a ma that only a 'hite Ro*e could ossi*ly readL>
=$hat ) do not know,> ;undar went on! =/ut ) do know that the instructions #or #inding
the $om* o# 0oman Noothschoan and his elemental sta## can only *e read *y a mage o# your
-rder, and itCs driven +anvil <elcra#t nearly insane! 'ord is, heCs slaughtered eole at random
in #rustration!>
=0ase, you made a copy o# that maN> "ark eIclaimed!
$he young mage nodded slowly!
;undar nearly droed his #ork, and turned even aler than archment! =Mou copied itL
'here is this coyL>
0asrynCs #ace #lushed under the close scrutiny o# his #riends and this /lack 'i%ard!
<inally, his ga%e settled on Palin, as he con#essed what heCd done! =)!!!gave it to ,ne**ich@>
=Mou &4AT9> ;undar shouted! =/agsN :re you seriously trying to tell me you gave a
translated coy o# that ma to a gnome9>
=Mes!!!well!!!) gave it to him to hold, saying weCd all go looking #or the tom* and its
treasures later,> 0asryn started, and then caught himsel#! &e stared across the ta*le at ;undar!
"arkham (wordhawk caught the sli at the same time as his #riend! =&old on a second!
&ow do you know a*out the gnome and his maL>
;undar gave them *oth an am*iguous grin! =) have my ways, knight!>
(ir "arkham stood and drew his longsword so a*rutly he uset his #inely carved oak
chair! &e instantly regretted coming down to dinner dressed in a (olamnic AnightCs #inery, hose
and a gray ta*ard em*roidered with his #amily crest! "ark had le#t his armor and two-handed
magic sword ustairs in his room! $he young knight chided himsel# that he shouldCve known
heCd need 'hado"song, at least, this #irst night in a Nerakan castle that 0asryn had Gust inherited!
&eCd grown comlacent!
=.Ilain yoursel#, you vile /lack Ro*e,> "arkham demanded, ointing the ti o# his
longsword at ;undarC throat!
(hadows seemed to gather a*out the mage, darkening his #ace! $he el#Cs eyes glowed in
the dimness! =Put u your sword, human, or regret your actions!>
/oth 0asryn and Palin called sells to mind! "ercidith clased her latinum owl,
$im*erwol# and +orian their sword hilts! ,arnet already had his dagger out, a #ine *eGeweled
*lade heCd cra#ted himsel#! -nly (hyla hadnCt reached #or a weaon, wondering what was going
on!
=(it down, *oth o# you,> Palin ordered! ="arkham, you have no call #or ulling that
sword!>
=&eCs a /lack 'i%ard! $hatCs all the call ) need@> the (olamnic Anight retorted,
re#using to *ack down! (uddenly, sarks shot #rom the *ladeCs hilt! "arkham droed it,
clattering to the stone #loor! &e hissed with ain and ru**ed his stinging hand!
=;et that *e a lesson to you, knight,> ;undar said in a threatening tone! =+o not ever ull
a sword on me!>
0asryn watched the eIchange in shock! &e hadnCt even see ;undar make any hand-
gestures, or hear him utter a single word o# magic! &ow could any mage ossi*ly *e this
ower#ulL
4e mustve gestured under the table, "here + couldnt see, 0asryn thought rivately! 2y
the 'ilver !oon, !arks s"ord is still glo"ing0
)ndeed, "arkham had Gust noticed the same thing! &is longsword glowed a reddish-
orange, like it had Gust *een ulled #rom the #orge! &e looked #rom the sword to the el#! )n site
o# *eing raised with a mage, magic still unnerved him! "ark resisted the urge to shudder, and
stared *ale#ully into ;undarC urle-*lack eyes!
$hose eyes glowed! $hey were inhuman! +nelfin, even!
'"eet memory of *aladine0 &hat is he9
="arkham, are you all rightL> Palin suddenly asked, concerned!
(till hugging his hand close to his *ody, the knight scowled and sat *ack down! =Meah!
)Cll *e #ine!>
:#ter another moment, the dark el# returned his #ull attention to his meal! &e ignored
"ark as inconseBuential! =:s ) was saying, ;ord Palin, the ma is in the hands o# <elcra#t! -ur
one advantage is that he cannot read it! /ut, i# this coy your arentice made and so
thoughtlessly handed over to that gnome should #all into the hands o# the +ark Anights, that will
change everything!>
=) agree,> Palin returned! =) must return to (olace immediately, and secure it #rom
,ne**ich! ) will send you word!>
='ait,> 0asryn suddenly inGected, getting u at the same time as his master! &e ulled
the /ottomless /ag out #rom under his ro*e, and removed his leather-*ound sell*ook #rom it!
=) didnCt coy everything to the other ma! $here were some notes written on the *order o# the
scroll@>
=/lessed Nuitari, you do have some *rains, a#ter all,> ;undar eIclaimed! =Mou didnCt
coy the inscritions or the keys!!!N>
=Not in the same lace, no,> 0asryn told him! &e oened his sell*ook to the last age!
='hat ) didnCt understand, ) coied into my sell*ook to look u later! ) thought it was
imortant enough to kee searate!>
Palin crossed around the ta*le to his student, read the runes *y candlelight, and #rowned!
=$his isnCt .ldritch! Pro*a*ly the reason why you couldnCt understand it!>
=No, it isnCt .ldritch,> 0asryn Buickly eIlained! =$hatCs why ) was going to show it to
you later, when ) had the chance! +o you recogni%e the language, "asterL>
Palin nodded slowly! =)Cve seen runes like these *e#ore, *ut ) canCt think o# where!!!!>
="ay ) see itL> ;undar asked!
.veryone shot the dark el# a look, with eIressions ranging #rom susicion and distrust to
outright contemt!
)t was Palin who soke! &e laid the oen volume uon the ta*le and gestured #or the
/lack Ro*e to Goin them! =Please!>
;undar wied his mouth with his nakin, threw the cloth down, rose maGestically #rom
his seat, and rounded the ta*le! 'ith a thin #inger, ;undar rotated the tome o# magic on the
ta*le! No eIression crossed ;undarC #ace whatsoever! Not recognition, not surrise, nor
con#usion, yet, 0asryn was certain he saw something #lash in the dark el#Cs eyes!
4e masks his thoughts a great deal, the young 'hite "age thought! &e was used to
wi%ards o# his -rder #reely sharing knowledge, not Gealously guarding the secrets o# the world
#rom each other!
<inally, ;undar soke, his words care#ully measured! =) once saw runes like these in the
City o# ;ost Names! $he language is ancient, and dead!>
=+eadL> (hyla asked! (uddenly the little kender was *y their side, trying to sBuee%e ast
0asryn! $he mage held her *ack, a#raid o# what ;undar might do to her i# annoyed!
$hen, 0asryn suddenly remem*ered what she was carrying in one o# her ouches! 1ery
"ell, 2lack 8obe. >oure not the only one "ho can keep secrets!
='hat he means *y dead is that no*ody seaks that language any more,> 0asryn gently
told her! =)Cll eIlain it all to you later, Aenderkin!>
=Mes, the City o# ;ost Names! That was itN +o you know which eole used these
articular runes in their alha*etL> Palin asked!
;undar ursed his lis! $hatCs when 0asryn knew #or certain ;undar was holding
in#ormation *ack!
$his Dro" knew e$actly what the language was, and ro*a*ly even what the inscrition
said! ;undar was lying! 0asryn suddenly lost what little trust he might have ever had #or this
stranger, *eing a #riend o# PalinCs, and a senior-level wi%ard!
=Mes! )t was a very old and ancient race that once walked Arynn,> ;undar answered
crytically!
=:ndL> Palin asked, rodding him!
=$he language is -ld &igh 'yrm, Palin "aGere,> ;undar #inally admitted in a
mysterious voice! =:t least, thatCs what ) think it is! $he dialect could also *e any o# the ten
known secies o# dragons that now walk Arynn, or a language that is no longer in use, *ut has its
roots in the mother tongue o# all great wyrms! 'ithout roer research, itCs imossi*le to know
#or certain!>
$he 'hite 'i%ard nodded solemnly! =Can you translate itL>
0asrynCs heart #ro%e! &e didnCt want this *lack ro*ed magician going anywhere near his ersonal
sell*ookN &e didnCt want this Dro" to read it any longer, to touch it at all! (uch thoughts ran
against the sirit o# cooeration all three -rders shared in their ursuit o# the :rcane! "agical
knowledge was suosed to *e shared with all mages, regardless o# the color o# their ro*esJ *ut
there was something a*out this elven mage that 0asryn (torm Gust didnCt trust at all!
;undarCs lis ursed in rearation to answer PalinCs Buestion! =Perhas! )Cd have to
send some time studying it, ;ord Palin! )Cll dro *y young 0asrynCs room later on, to coy this
inscrition!>
=-# course,> Palin told him, shooting his arentice a warning look! $heir eyes locked as they
met! :n entire conversation took lace in that glance! Palin would *rook no argument!
=) want you to work with him, 0asryn! +o you understand meL>
=)@> the *oy *egan, wanting to rotest! <inally, his shoulders sagged! =Mes, "aster!>
="eanwhile, ) need to return to (olace this very night,> Palin announced to the whole
room! ='e cannot allow a coy o# that ma to #all into the wrong hands! ,ne**ichCs li#e is in
danger Gust #or ossessing it! 0asryn, +orian, "arkham! ) am leaving all o# you with my #irmest
con#idence that you will comlete the #ollowing two missions ) now charge you all with!
=<irst, try to locate the missing +ragonlance! )# you canCt, at least #ind some clue that the
last /aron Fon /ladmere mightCve le#t *ehind! ) am convinced the answer to that riddle lies
somewhere in this castle, as 0asryn said!
=(econd, we have to retrieve the (ta## o# the .lements *e#ore +anvil <elcra#t does! $hat
one arti#act is immensely ower#ul, even moreso than the (ta## o# "agius ) used to *ear!
<elcra#t is already nearly as ower#ul as ) am! ) shudder to think what heCd do with a sta## that
can control the element o# :ir!>
Palin "aGere steed *ack, the words to a sell o# $eleortation on his lis! <irelight
#lickered a*out his #rail #orm! &is #ace darkened, his eyes shone with mystic light! $he air
shimmered like heat lightning on a warm summerCs day! =<ortune *e with you all!>
$he ;ord o# 'hite Ro*ed 'i%ards #aded #rom view, and was suddenly gone! 'iss o#
smoke rose into the air like a newly snu##ed candle!
='ell, he certainly knows how to make an eIit,> ,arnet remarked!
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
MarkhamCs right hand was red, *listered, and *urned! $he knight tried to ignore
the ain, gamely grit his teeth and aced the suite o# rooms that had *een assigned to him in
Castle Ravenwood! &eCd gotten some relie# *y soaking the scorched skin in cool water, *ut it
still #elt as i# heCd gra**ed a red-hot oker!
"ark closed his eyes and once more conGured the haunting eyes o# ;undar .clise!
$hose cold, eerie, glowing, inhuman eyes!
'hat "as heL Certainly not an el#! No el# heCd ever known had eyes like thatN
/lack magic! .very last Anight o# (olamnia distrusted magic, *lack moon magic in
articular! ,ods a*ove and *elow, they already had a mage in their grouN 'hat did they need
another one #orL
$here was a knock at his door! $he young man looked u and *it *ack the urge to sna a
curt answer! &e ut his right hand *ehind his *ack and regarded the closed ortal!
=Come in!>
,olden-orange light silled into the room #rom the torchlit corridor outside! "ercidith
swet into the room, silent as the dawn, concern wrinkling her lovely #eatures! &er dark hair was
swet *ack and held in lace with a white silk ri**on! $he clericCs eyes *urned in the dim light
like twin emerald-#lame candles! &eld loosely in *oth hands, wraed in a thin silk scar#, was a
longsword! )ts hilt *ore #amiliar golden sym*ols etched into the shining steel2 a *ird, a Geweled
crown, and a sword! )t was the weaon o# a Anight o# the Crown!
=Mour *lade, (ir "arkham,> the rincess o##ered gently, holding it out #or him! =$he
metal #inally cooled enough #or me to gras it!>
=) thank your &ighness,> "arkham relied graciously! &e didnCt know what to say,
uncom#orta*le with such a *eauti#ul woman o# high station in his rivate rooms! &e gestured to
a wooden chest *y his *ed, where heCd laid 'hado"song in its silver sca**ard! =0ust ut it over
there, i# you donCt mind!>
"erci withheld her resonse! (he was not used to *eing ordered a*out like this, eIcet
*y her own #ather! $he rincess crossed to the chest and slied the *lade *ack inside its leather
sheath! ;aying the weaon down, she went to the *asin o# water "ark had used earlier! $he
cleric o# "ishakal removed the large holy sym*ol #rom her *elt, and swirled the latinum owl in
the water!
=Come over here!>
$he knight recogni%ed an order when he heard it! &e grit his teeth, trying to hide his
wound, even as he took three stes toward her! =)Cm #ine, &ighness! Really!>
=MouCre a terri*le liar, "arkham (wordhawk! Mour sword had glo"ed, it was so hot!
Now, let me see your hand!>
Reluctantly, the knight ulled his hand out so the cleric o# "ishakal could see it! $he
rincessC #ace inched, *ut sheCd *een eIecting this! =$hatCs a very severe *urn! 'hy didnCt
you come to me immediatelyL>
=)@> "ark *egan, *ut she didnCt really want to hear his eIcuses! )t was a rhetorical
Buestion!
=Put your hand in the water,> "ercidith told him! (he gently took his hand and inserted
it into the cool liBuid!
"arkham gased with relie#! $he ain vanished instantly! 'hatever sheCd done to the
water, *lessed it or whatever, he could #eel the *listered skin heal even as he soaked it! :#ter a
#ew minutes, he removed his hand and saw the #lesh, ale *ut whole! "ercidith towel-dried it!
=$hank you, &ighness!>
$he rincess steed closer, looked u into his gray-*lue eyes! =K$was the goddess, (ir
"arkham, not me!>
=$hank@> "ark *egan! (he was uncom#orta*ly close to him now! &e could smell her
er#ume, #eel her so#t *reath! =the goddess then!>
=Mou remind me so much o# a man ) knew in my girlhood,> "ercidith *reathed! =:
knight! /rave, #earless, and rotective!>
=1h@> "arkham *egan, una*le to ull away #rom her! 'hat was she doingL "ercidith
was a princess!!!the heiress to the )merial throne o# .rgothN &e was a Anight o# (olamniaN &e
was suosed to uhold the ladyCs honor, her virtue!!!!
Met, she was so *eauti#ul!!!!
&er lis, so red, arted!!!!
=/rash!>
=&ighness, )@>
=(hut u and kiss me!>
/e#ore "arkham knew what was haening, "erci was in his arms, her lis ressed to
his, honor and virtue #orgotten!
: *ree%e *lew through the oen window, and eItinguished two or three candles!
O O O O O
=0ase, what do we need with the kenderL> ,arnet asked, eIaserated! $he gru## dwar#
scu##ed his *ooted #eet on the stone #loor and twisted his long *eard with a calloused hand!
=/e Buiet #or once in your li#e, ,arnet )rondelve,> 0asryn whisered! &e closed the door
to the sitting room, the one leading out into the corridor!
;undar was aslee in his room, or so the servants had told him! )t was midnightJ the
moons were high in the sky! (olinari was waning, *ut he had enough ower #or this! $he *oy
lightly touched his #ingertis to the wooden door and ronounced the words o# ower2
=*alis,an &urdrunin "ara,emarath!>
: #lash o# orange light, and the ortal was sealed *y an enchantment! )t wouldnCt sto a
*lack ro*ed mage, esecially one who could simly teleort into the room, *ut it would certainly
sto any*ody else! 0asryn turned to his two guests, a grumy old mountain dwar# and a sleey-
eyed kender!
=-kay, (hyla! $ime to take out those glasses you swied #rom the treasure vault!>
='hat glasses, 0asrynL> (hyla asked, yawning! $he yawn made 0asryn want to yawn
himsel#, *last her!
=(hyla, we donCt have time #or this,> 0asryn insisted, trying to look imosing and
mysterious, as a wi%ard should! )nstead, he merely looked irritated and imatient! =) saw you
take a air o# eyeglasses #rom Ne#ariantCs vault!>
='hat a*out themL> (hyla asked, *acking o## a ste!
=Cough them u, you useless doorkno*,> ,arnet demanded, steing #orward, his *ushy
eye*rows knotted together! =0ase is a mage, and i# heCs asking, there must *e a good reason #or
it!>
(hyla looked #rom one to the other! (he sighed and reached into her ouch! $he kender
removed a seashell, a iece o# *roken glass, a length o# coiled string, a silver #ork #rom dinner,
and #inally the eyeglasses! =MouCll give them *ackL>
=) romise,> 0asryn told her, taking them care#ully!
$he young mage crossed to his writing desk, where a candle *urned! 0asryn oened his
ersonal tome o# magic to the last age, where heCd ainstakingly coied those strange runes,
#ollowing the angle and curve o# each letter! &e kne" theyCd looked #amiliar when heCd seen
them in (olace!
Old 4igh &yrm, ;undar had called the language! 0asryn nodded in agreement! $hese
were +raconic Runes, the alha*et o# dragons! &eCd studied them #rom Dragons, An4ient
'agi4al 5estiar. and their Culture, a care#ully reserved coy in Palin "aGereCs ersonal
li*rary!
!akes sense, if the "riter of that map didnt "ant .ust anyone to read it, 0asryn thought
as he care#ully wied the lenses clean with a so#t cloth!
"ore than siIty years ago, during the last +ragon 'ar, the kender $assleho## K#oundC a
air o# eyeglasses in the dwarven kingdom o# $hor*ardin, ro*a*ly snatched #rom the home o# a
Thei"ar dwar# mage! $hose glasses ena*led $as to read any language in a #orm he could
understand@Common@so the #amous Comanions would know how to use the +ragon -r*s
against the dark #orces o# $akhisis!
'ith a silent rayer to the god (olinari on his lis, 0asryn ut the glasses on, and looked
down at the age! $he *oy slowly smiled! $he whole assage aeared in Common!
='ell, mageL Can you read itL>
0asryn nodded! =Per#ectly! K:eath the (reat hall in the To"er of Daltigoth, "ithin the
Tomb of Joman the Dark, lies the 'taff of the 6lement of Air, called Arion! Through yon
6nchanted orest of Dream"ood, seven paces to"ard the 'cales of 4eaven "hile 'olinari rises,
chased by his cousins. 'leep spell A"akened, past the &eeping &illo", Thrice the length of
Dragonbane. The To"er revealed, ?neath -enter chair, Open the DoorDTrapped, do"n into
Darkness thou goeth. Only the *ure of 4earts light may "in through, and claim the &indstorm
in the Darkness of Daltigoth!C>
='hatCs all that gi**erish suosed to meanL> ,arnet asked, scratching his head!
=)tCs a riddle, you old goat,> (hyla Buied! =)Cm willing to *et DoorDTrapped means a
tradoor right underneath an imortant chair in the $ower o# (orceryCs :udience &all!>
=$he &all o# 'i%ards,> 0asryn said, sounding de#eated! =)t no longer eIists! $hese
instructions were written when the $ower at +altigoth was still standing! $hereCs nothing there
now *ut ruins and de*ris!>
=0asryn (torm, )Cm surrised at you,> ,arnet chided! =$hereCs an old legend that the
+warves o# $hor*ardin were contracted to *uild those #ive towers #or the 'i%ardCs Conclave,
and i# that tom*Cs underground@>
0asryn *rightened! =&ey, yeahN $he To"er was destroyed, *ut the catacom*s, where all
the mages were *uried, must still *e down thereN>
=)# it was dwarven construction, it would *e,> ,arnet con#irmed! =-nce underground, )
should *e a*le to guide you! Thei"ar trickery or not, theyCre still d"arves!>
0asryn smiled at him! "ost dwarves desised using magic! -nly the so-called +ark
+warves, the Thei"ar clan, racticed the "agic :rts! $here was only one ro*lem2 all o# the
Thei"ar were *lack ro*ed wi%ards!
$he *oy sighed! )t was *eginning to look like theyCd need ;undar .clise on this tri
a#ter all! $hat was if they could trust him, and 0asryn was almost ositive that this mysterious
dark el#in mage could not *e! (till, Palin had given him seci#ic instructions to work with
;undar!
=,arn, my old #riend, ) think weCre going to have to watch our *acks,> 0asryn told him!
$he dwar# met the young mageCs eyes! =)# you mean that *lack ro*ed elf, )Cm in #ull
agreement with you, 0ase!>
=) thought my ears were *urning,> a cool voice suddenly said #rom inside the room!
$he three #riends all #ro%e, chills running u their sines! $he voice had come #rom
directly *ehind them! (urretitiously, 0asryn removed the eyeglasses and slied them into a
voluminous sleeve o# his white ro*e! $hen, he snu##ed out the candle on his desk and slowly
turned around!
;undar stood in a corner o# the room, his ro*es as *lack as the shadows! $he young
mage couldnCt *e sure i# ;undar had Gust teleorted in, or i# heCd *een hiding there all along!
=Correct me i# )Cm wrong, Apprentice, *ut didnCt your master give you seci#ic
instructions to work closely with me on this missionL>
=)n most civili%ed arts o# this world, ;undar, it is generally considered good manners to
knock *e#ore entering a room,> 0asryn returned scathingly! =$his is the second time youCve
simly teleorted in here!>
=) thought it ractical,> the dark el# said with a slight smile! =Certainly, your door was
magically sealed against ordinary mortals, not me!>
One can only hope, 0asryn thought, *ut didnCt say it!
=Mou knew ) was coming *y your cham*ers this night to coy those runes #or
translation,> the elven mage said, gliding across the room as silently as a shadow! =-r did you
think the dwar# or the kender knew how to read -ld &igh 'yrmL>
=)tCs late,> 0asryn *egan lamely! =) was going to show you my coy o# the inscritions in
the morning!>
=MouCre awake,> ;undar countered, gesturing slightly with his right hand! 0asrynCs thin
tome o# magic #lew #rom the writing desk into the el#Cs waiting hands! =) saw the candlelight
glowing #rom the crack under your door! :s ) #ound it imossi*le to slee either, ) thought there
was no reason we shouldnCt work on this now!>
'ure, be my guest. 4elp yourself to my personal spellbook "hile youre at it. &ould you
care for a brandy, too9 0asryn thought sarcastically! &e *ristled at the sheer audacity o# this
*lack ro*ed mage, whoCd slied into his rivate cham*ers on the wings o# magic, and snatched
u his ossessions without so much as a may-)!
=/randy gives me heart*urn, dear *oy,> ;undar suddenly said, his dark urle eyes
scanning the age! =(ome o# that Hualinesti wine in your cellar will *e Gust #ine, however!>
$he *oyCs eyes widened! &e stood, eyes narrowing! =)Cll thank you to stay out o# my
head, ;undar!>
=0asryn, what@> ,arnet suddenly asked, silent until now! 1nconsciously, the dwar#Cs
hand slied to the dagger he wore at his *elt!
=) wouldnCt do that i# ) were you, +war#,> ;undar told him, mildly amused! =Remem*er
what ) did to your (olamnic #riend at dinner this evening!>
,arnet #ro%e, drawing his eye*rows together!
=,arn, donCt,> 0asryn warned, utting a rotective hand down on the dwar#Cs shoulder!
=&eCs reading our thoughts!>
=)s he nowL> ,arnet answered in a gru## voice! &is *rown eyes never le#t the tall el#!
="ay ) use your deskL> ;undar asked, #inally reBuesting ermission #or something! =)
need to coy these inscritions!>
=/e my guest,> 0asryn returned in an icy tone o# voice!
=$hank you,> ;undar answered! $he dark mage sat down, his *lack velvet ro*es #lowing
a*out his thin #orm! (lender el#in #ingers took a goose Buill, died it into the ink well, and
started scratching on a small iece o# *lank archment!
='hatCs it sayL> (hyla asked, suddenly standing at the elven mageCs el*ow!
2ags0 +m going to eviscerate that kender, the wi%ard thought, #rowning deely.
;undar #ro%e in the act o# comleting a sentence! Aender could move a*out as silently as
he did with magic, which was one o# the reasons he desised the little vermin! ;undarCs mouth
worked as he tried to recall i# kender sleens were an ingredient in any o# his otions!
=$hese are seci#ic instructions #or #inding the ancient mageCs tom* and entering it
sa#ely,> ;undar #inally answered! =:nd i# you donCt ut *ack whatever it is you Gust took #rom
my erson, ) shall certainly turn you into a mouse and #eed you to 0asrynCs small dragon in the
morning!>
(hylaCs eyes *rown eyes grew wide! (lowly, she stole a glance at <a#nir, curled u
aslee on 0asrynCs *ed! $hen, her small hand laced a tiny silk ouch onto the desk *eside
;undar!
=Mou droed this,> the kender said in a small voice, and took three cautious stes
*ackward!
=:h, my ouch o# ammonium car*onates owder! &ow thought#ul o# you to return it to
me! Now ) might actually *e a*le to cast a 'leep sell in reverse, which is what these
instructions recommend,> ;undar stated, his voice driing with sarcasm! $he el# Buickly ut
the small *lack ouch into a hidden ocket o# his ro*es!
0asryn #rowned at this news! $he young white ro*ed mage took a ste closer to the desk,
so he was standing *etween this /lack 'i%ard and his #riends! =: 'leep sell is reversi*leL>
=-# course, arentice,> ;undar answered, eIaserated! ="ost sells are! &ow did you
think we were going to get through the +reamwoodL>
=+reamwoodL> (hyla asked, staying close to 0asryn!
=$hatCs the name o# the guardian #orest surrounding +altigoth $ower,> 0asryn eIlained!
=-nce, there were #ive $owers o# &igh (orcery! ;ong ago, the Aingriest #orced the Conclave
o# 'i%ards to destroy two o# them! $hey all retreated to a single tower, at 'ayreth! -# the
remaining two towers, the one at Palanthas was cursed *y a *lack ro*ed mage, a*andoned, and
today the $ower o# )star lies with its city at the *ottom o# the sea!>
=$he mages destroyed their own towersL> (hyla asked in innocence!
=Mes, Aenderkin,> 0asryn relied! =/ut the enchanted wood which once warded
+altigoth $ower #rom intruders, called the +reamwood #orest, is still there! 'ithout the right
sell to rotect them, any intruders will *e lunged into a dee magical slum*er!>
=) see "aGere was not negligent in your *asic education,> ;undar Buied, died the
Buill in the inkwell, and continued scraing the strange letters onto his scra o# archment! &is
writing was smooth and elegant! =Mou at least know the general history o# :nsalon and the
Conclave!>
=) know a great deal more than that,> 0asryn shot *ack, his annoyance at its eak! &e
susected something a*out this mage, and there was one sure way to #ind out #or certain! =$hose
candles on the other side o# the room rovide oor light!>
;undar didnCt look u #rom his writing! =$hey are adeBuate enough #or this@>
=Shira",> 0asryn ronounced! )nstantly, a *rilliant glo*e o# *lue-white light #lared into
eIistence in the alm o# his hand! $his glo*e was *righter than usual, as the *oy had deli*erately
oured more ower into his sell than normal! )t was a strain, with (olinari on the wane, *ut the
e##ort was well worth it! $he entire room was now as *right as morning, *anishing all shadows!
;undar .clise suddenly screamed! &e shielded his eyes with his hands, staining his #ace
with *lack ink! )t was only #or a second! $he dark mage recovered Buickly, *ut in that moment,
0asryn learned all he needed to know!
;undar was sensitive to *right light!
0ust like certain dwarves reacted negatively to the sudden #lare o# light in the darkness o#
an underground cavern, which distur*ed their secial night vision and hurt their eyes! +warves,
seudodragons!!!!
Creatures used to the darkness!
=Now you can see what youCre doing,> 0asryn told him in a chier voice, trying his *est to make
his act sound innocent! $he 'hite Ro*e mage *acked u into ,arnet when ;undar turned on
him! $he Dro" mageCs eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice carrying threat!
=$hat,> ;undar *egan in erilous whiser, =was uncalled #or, mageling! ) am trying to
work with you!>
=(o you are! ) didnCt know you had dark vision!>
;undar nodded! =) have low-light vision! 'ould you mind turning that *lasted or*
downL $hank you!>
3o",light vision9 +ve never heard an elf call it that before.
-*eying 0asrynCs mental commands, the glo*eCs light *ecame less intense! 0asryn le#t it
#loating in the air where heCd *een standing and inched closer to the desk! &e retended to *e
aying close attention to the inscrition ;undar was coying, *ut he was really aying attention
to the dark mage himsel#!
$he el# still *linked away the a#terimage caused *y the sudden #lash o# light, and resumed
his task! ;undarCs ale skin was slightly reddish, as i# heCd sent too much time in the summer
sun!
+nteresting!
=+o you think you could give me a coy o# the +raconic Rune alha*et to studyL>
0asryn asked him, trying to sound contrite!
;undarCs scri**ling aused #or a moment! &e desised interrutions! $he dark mage
turned his head slightly to regard the teenager!
$he look in his urle-*lack eyes was oisonous!
=Mou will need a rimer o# the *asic voca*ulary on the language,> ;undar told him
evenly! =<ortunately, ) haen to have a coy among my things! Auld 6igh W.rm And the
/anguage of Dragons, With Annotated 0otes and A##endi4es.>
0asrynCs eye*rows shot u! 'hen ;undar had #irst arrived, he didnCt aear to *e
carrying so much as a satchel! )ndeed, he *ore nothing more than the clothes on his *ack, a
dagger u his sleeve, and the numerous ouches at his waist that contained his sell comonents!
=Mou Gust happen to have a rimer o# -ld &igh 'yrm on your ersonL> the *oy asked
sarcastically!
=(ome o# us are eIerienced enough to come prepared, *oy,> ;undar told him, and
smiled am*iguously! =MouCre not the only one with a magical *ottomless *ag!>
(eeing 0asrynCs shocked reaction, ;undar went on! =.ach *ag can only contain three
magical o*Gects, *ut they can hold a great deal more in mundane items! <ood, clothing, money,
and non,magical coies o# *ooks, like rimers on ancient languages! .re we leave this lovely
little castle o# yours, ) strongly suggest you ack wisely! ) noticed an entire li*rary down the
hall, with a most imressive collection o# tomes! (ome o# those manuscrits can only *e #ound
in the ,reat ;i*rary o# Palanthas!>
0asryn nodded! =<ather ket a li*rarian on sta##! Aate maintained his rivate collection,
and even made tris to laces like Palanthas to urchase rare volumes or to coy *ooks and
scrolls #rom the ,reat ;i*rary itsel#!>
;undarC eye*rows li#ted at this! =:stinus actually allowed his works to *e coied #or
rivate collectionsL>
=<ather was a atron,> 0asryn eIlained! =-r did you think :stinus o# Palanthas had an
ineIhausti*le account o# #undsL>
;undarC mouth Buivered! .ver so slowly, a smile came to his thin lis! =Fery good!
(arcasm suits you, *oy! Mou may *e one o# us yet!>
0asryn sti##ened at the o*vious insult! /y KusC, he o# course meant the /lack Ro*es!
=0ase is ten times the mage youCll ever *e, 6lf,> ,arnet groused!
;undar *arely sared the dwar# a glance! =)s there some reason we need the dwar#
resentL>
0asryn smiled thinly! =Mes! $he ruins we are going to are underground, and, as )Cd
susected, they were constructed *y dwarves!>
='ho told you thatL> the el# suddenly asked! =(urely not "aGere! $hat knowledge was
lost centuries agoN>
=No one told me,> 0asryn admitted! =)t was a logical deduction! +warves are the *est
masons in :nsalon, and the Conclave has Buite a num*er o# Thei"ar in its mem*ershi!>
=(o you deduced that the Thei"ar constructed the original #ive $owers, a#ter their
designs were #inali%ed! Fery, very good, 0asryn (torm! )Cm *eginning to understand why
<elcra#t and "aGere hold you in such high regard! MouCre not incometent, Gust ineIerienced!
$hat is cura*le!>
;undar #inished the #inal line o# the inscritions 0asryn had the #oresight to make a coy
o#, and assed the alm o# his hand over the archment, while whisering a single word o#
.ldritch! $he ink dried instantly! $he el# rolled u his coy, ut it into one o# his small ouches,
and then ulled out a velvet ouch! )t was dark maroon in color, the same shade as dried *lood!
;undar took out two volumes #rom his 2ag of 4olding! /oth *ound *ooks were eItraordinarily
ancientJ their leather covers were cracked with age, and the ages were yellow and *rittle!
=) donCt think ) need to tell you to *e care#ul how you handle these, 0asryn! Please return
them when #inished!>
0asryn nodded, and took the two tomes with the roer reverence! $he dark mage
aeared leased!
;undar rose #rom the chair and glided silently #rom the room, oening the door and
*yassing 0asrynCs Arcane 3ock with a simle ass o# his hand and a single word!
$he /nock sell, which 0asryn kne" took two words to cast, and this mysterious *lack
ro*ed wi%ard had Gust cast it with one!
0ust how ower#ul was heL
"ore imortantly, "hat was heL
(hyla closed the door with a click, and *oth o# the kender and dwar# turned to 0asryn!
=0ase, what sort o# el# has dark visionL> ,arnet asked immediately!
$he *oy ket staring at the closed door! =No clan o# either kingdom on :nsalon that )
know o#!>
=$hatCs what ) thought,> ,arnet mused, ru**ing his *eard! =)Cve lived one hundred
twenty-seven years, seen wonders thatCll take your *reath away! )Cve even had occasion to visit
*oth Hualinost and (ilvanost, *ut )Cve never come across an el# that could see in the dark like
Thei"ar and /lar dwarves!>
0asryn sat down! =.lves have a di##erent kind o# night vision! $hey can see in the #orest
as i# it were twilight! ) know the di##erence *etween the two races! $echnically, a dwar# can see
into the in#rared ortion o# the visi*le sectrum, while elves can see into the ultraviolet, which is
directly oosite it!>
=&uhL> ,arnet asked, stroking his long, graying *eard and #rowning deely! ='hat
didGa Gust sayL>
0asryn smiled! =+i##erent arts o# the rain*ow! Mou can see things in the dark *y the
heat they give o##, so eole and o*Gects aear in di##erent shades o# red! .lves can see in the
dim #orest *y the slightest light given o## *y the moons and stars! $hey see in various shades o#
*lue or even green, *ut no el# native to :nsalon has dark vision! $he elves have what is called
nightvision!>
='hich means heCs not #rom :nsalon!>
=) donCt think heCs even #rom our world o# Arynn,> 0asryn told him ominously! &is ga%e
#ell to the two volumes ;undar had le#t on his desk! $he #laked gold lettering roclaimed their
titles! $he #irst was a *asic rimer o# +ragon Runes and -ld &igh 'yrm, as the /lack Ro*e
"age had romised! $he second was aarently a *ook on the 4istory of the ive To"ers of
4igh 'orcery! /oth volumes were older than any *ook "aster Palin had in his collection at
home in (olace!
=MouCd *etter get some slee,> the *oy told ,arnet, rising to let his guests out! &e
susended the :rcane ;ock, and then closed the door a#ter them with a resounding click!
0asryn got himsel# ready #or *ed, undressing and sliing into a nightshirt! &e lay down
neIt to <a#nir, care#ul not to wake the tiny dragon! &e closed his eyes and lay Buietly, *ut slee
would not come! $he mage lay awake #or another hour, ondering the mystery o# ;undar
.clise!
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
=All right (hyla, letCs #ind that lance,> 0asryn announced, and instantly regretted
saying it! $o actually ask a kender to #ind something sent shivers u his sine! (tories a*ounded
@all having their *asis in #act, the young mage was Buite sure@o# a single, little kender who
wandered into a certain mageware sho in &aven! "ere minutes later, the entire *uilding
shimmered, then disaeared! ,one! Poo#! Fanished right o## the #ace o# Arynn, never to *e
seen or heard #rom again!
'hich was recisely the reason why the two wi%ards werenCt going to let (hyla anywhere
near +anvil <elcra#tCs la*oratory in the castleCs 'est $ower! Or the underground caverns where
Cinder made his lair! Or the castle armory, which had a num*er o# enchanted weaons!
)t was much sa#er@i# such a term could *e used when alied to kender@to have her
search the *aronial residence itsel#! 0asryn knew o# a hal#-do%en secret assageways in this
section o# the castle alone, *ut he deli*erately didnCt tell (hyla where the entrances were! $he
teenager susected there even were more secret rooms around here somewhere that he didnt
know a*out, and decided to kee her *usy trying to #ind them!
$ruth *e told, *eginning the search #or the missing +ragonlance in <atherCs study wasnCt
such a good idea, either! .ven *e#ore 0asryn had started down the road which led him to
*ecoming a magician, he had loved *ooks@story*ooks, history *ooks, science teIts, atlases
#illed with mas o# #araway laces, even volumes written *y gnomes descri*ing incredi*le
inventions, comlete with diagrams!
$he young mage knew he could easily get lost in here, oring over endless ages, Gust as
he did when he was a child! $he danger was heCd send all his time reading, when he was
suosed to *e searching #or the +ragonlance!
0asryn walked across the thick scarlet and gold area rug, which covered most o# the #loor,
and mu##led his #ootstes! Cedar aneling, stained a dark *rown, covered three o# the #our walls!
$he #ourth *ore a *eauti#ul taestry #rom Palanthas! ;arge cherrywood-#ramed glass windows
dominated the eastern wall, to catch the setting sun in the evenings! : massive mahogany desk
stood three #eet #rom those windows, its edges highlighted in gold lea#! ;eather uholstery,
tanned #rom the hide o# a giant roc <ather and Cinder had once slain, covered the roomCs
#urniture, #rom the swivel armchair *ehind the desk to the couch and armchairs on oosite sides
o# a Fallenwood chess ta*le! $he chess ieces had *een carved #rom the teeth o# silver and gold
dragons! $he heads o# *oth great wyrms were mounted on oosing walls in the castleCs ,reat
&all, and they had always given 0asryn chills Gust to look at them!
/ookcases covered the north and south walls, over#lowing with *ound volumes and loose
scrolls tied with colored ri**ons! ,old and silver lea# runes roclaimed the various titles in
seven di##erent languages, only siI o# which 0asryn could read #luently! &e knew Nerakan,
(olamnic, :*anasinian, Hualinesti, .ldritch, and o# course, Common! &e could recognize some
words in (ylvanesti, ,nomish, +warven, and .rgothian, and #or some reason, the inscritions in
-ld &igh 'yrm #elt very #amiliar! 0ust on the ti o# his tongue were whole sentences in the
dragonCs rough language! 0asryn was certain there was at least one volume in that ancient tongue
hidden somewhere on these shelves!!!!
-ut it out0 >oull read later. ind the Dragonlance, 0asryn chided himsel#, and turned to
the rest o# the roomCs #urnishings and decorations! <ather may have le#t a clue somewhere in
here!
$rohies decorated the whole study, #rom swords and shields that hung on the walls, to a
#ull suit o# (olamnic late mail armor assem*led and standing against one wall! $he gaing hole
<atherCs sword had once made when heCd slain the *rave knight was still there in the center o#
the *reastlate, although the servants had long-since washed away the dried *lood!
+ominating the center o# the study was a two-#oot high scale statuette o# <ather, dressed
in the #ull armored regalia o# a *aron in the Anights o# $akhisis! &e was astride the ,reat 'yrm
Cinder, and even held a tiny relica o# his +ragonlance! $he statuette had *een #orged o# ewter,
with #atherCs #ace and other details #inely cra#ted and highlighted with silver and gold! $he
whole a##air rested on a solid oak stand! $all sconces were scattered throughout the room to
rovide li*eral illumination at nighttime!
"emories #looded 0asrynCs mind o# endless nights sent in this very room! &eCd read
*ooks while <ather worked at his desk, ored over *attle lans, or layed a Buiet game o# chess
with +anvil <elcra#t or Cean /lackgaard! <irelight had crackled #rom the hearth on the east wall,
Gust to the right o# the windows, and had warmed the whole room!
-# all the comanions, 0asryn was the only one who could (ense "agic! "ark had
suggested correctly that 0asryn had the *est chance i# any o# them to #ind the +ragonlance, and
0asryn had *een #orced to agree with him! (omething that immensely ower#ul couldnCt stay
hidden #or very long i# he was actively searching #or it!
$he white ro*ed mage stood in the center o# the study, *y the statuette! &e reached u
and stroked <a#nirCs long tail, which was coiled a*out him, as always! $he dragon eeed!
=&ush, <a#! ) need to concentrate,> 0asryn chided his #amiliar! $he tiny *east was #illing
his mind with images o# a nice, Guicy, #reshly killed mouse! $he mage #rowned at his #amiliar!
=Mou Gust ate *reak#astN (heesh, are you getting soiled! Mou didnCt eat this well *ack in that
#orest, )Cm sureN>
$he seudodragon yawned and loed his tiny head down on to o# 0asrynCs! $he *oy
looked u, eIaserated!
=0ase, thereCs got to *e a secret assageway *ehind this *ookcase,> the kender was
chattering! =$hereCs al"ays a secret assageway hidden *ehind a *ookcase! ) think the dwarves
must have a law or something when they *uild castles! ) Gust have to #ind the triggering
mechanism! ;essee!!!is it this *ookL No! $his *ookL No! $his oneL>
0asryn sighed, giving u! &oe#ully, (hyla wouldnCt damage any o# the valua*le *ooks
in the collection, and <a#nir would sto #illing his thoughts with images o# mice long enough #or
him to concentrate!
$he mage closed his eyes and sread his arms wide aart, alms outward! &e shut out
everything *ut the magic! $he *oy immediately (ensed the magical items he had on his erson,
and the seudodragon, which rested uon his shoulders! 0asryn tried to shut them out, and
sread his #eelings #urther outward!
No good! $he static #ields emitted *y the small dragon, his magic 8ing of *rotection,
2racers of Defense, his enchanted throwing dagger, and the 2ottomless 2ag were #looding his
secial senses so he couldnCt detect anything #urther away than his own erson!
*erfect. &hy cant anything be easy9
0asryn crossed over to the desk! &e removed his dagger, *racers, and his ring, and set
them all down on the desk *lotter neIt to a small lam! <inally, 0asryn untangled <a#nir #rom his
shoulders, and ut him down on the leather chair! $he little *east hissed his disleasure at
having his slee distur*ed!
=(orry, <a#nir! /ut ) have to concentrate, and ) canCt do that with you dwelling on #ood,>
0asryn said gently, and lowered his white silken hood to deactivate the ro*eCs rotective magic as
well!
$he seudodragon watched him with his liBuid ru*y eyes, and oened his tiny Gaws! No
matter what their si%e, all dragons thought they were #earsome!
0asryn once more sread his hands out, closed his eyes, and sread out his #eelings! )t
was a #amiliar, weird #eeling, which 0asryn recogni%ed as the distinctive charged #ield o# a
magical dweomer! )t was centered on his chest!
$he 2ottomless 2ag!
$he mage nearly screamed in #rustration and ulled out the enchanted velvet sack! &e set
it down on the desk neIt to his dagger, *racers, and ring!
'hy did his secial "agic (ense have to *e so #lakyL ,ranted, no*ody else he knew o#
could feel the uniBue charge o# magical energy! .very other magician in the world had to cast
the Detect !agic cantri to see a magical #ieldCs glow! /ut still@
$he *ookcase on the north wall suddenly rotated! (hyla had #ound the hidden sring
*ehind the third *ook on the second shel#, which 0asryn had #orgotten a*out! $he little kender
cried out with Goy, and the seudodragonCs head oed u! <a#nirCs tail writhed in the air like a
hay uyCs!
=) #ound itN> (hyla cried, and swi#tly disaeared into a hidden corridor! (he returned a
minute later, reaching #or a lit candle to light her way while she went eIloring! =Come on,
0aseN $his has got to lead to@>
=)t leads to the kitchens and the chael,> 0asryn told her with a*solute certainty!
=-h! Mou mean you already knew a*out this oneL>
$he *oy nodded! =) #ound it when ) was seven! +ana the cook never could #igure out
how ) was a*le to kee raiding her antry #or sweetmeats and nuts! 'eCre looking #or a secret
assageway that ) dont now a*out!>
=&ave you tried the other *ookcaseL> (hyla o##ered!
=$hereCs nothing *ack there,> 0asryn answered!
='ure there isN> the kender contradicted, walking cross the room, onytail #lying! =CanCt
you see the imer#ections in the woodL : *lind gully dwar# could sot thatN>
0asrynCs head sun! $here was a second hidden entrance *ehind the other *ookcase on
the oosite wallL $he thought had occurred to him in childhood, *ut he could never #ind the
triggering mechanism! <ather had insisted that nothing was *ack there! Dont let me catch you
fooling around this bookcase, Jasryn. +ts@
=,reat +ay in the "orningN> 0asryn suddenly eIclaimed! &e crossed to the *ookcase in
Buestion, a look o# wonder on his #ace! =$he triggerCs magic0 +anvil <elcra#t mustCve set the
sell o# oening ages ago, and told <ather the asswordN>
0asryn gently touched the *ookcase, (ensing the wood! Mes, he could #eel the magical
charge, which came #rom the shelves! $he only reason #or enchanting an entire *ookcase would
*e to hide a secret room, like the kind they were searching #orN
=*hetsareen #a"liol$>
:s eIected, an entire section o# wall #lared with orange light and rotated oen, revealing
a small hidden room! (moke and dust, thick with the years, dri#ted outward! $he interior was
dark as itch!
=Shira",> 0asryn ronounced, and a glo*e o# light *urst into eIistence in his oen alm!
&e steed into the small room, which had *een sealed u #or (olinari only knew how long! &e
held the glo*e with one hand and waved co*we*s out o# his #ace with the other! <a#nir #lew
across the room and settled onto his shoulders! (hyla Buickly sBuee%ed ast him!
$he small cham*er was only nine #eet *y seven! )t contained a tiny writing desk and two
*rass sconces! $all candles had *een *urnt down to the hal#way oint, their waI having melted
all over the metal sconces, and thick dust covered everything!
)n the center o# the desk was a thick, leather-*ound tome!
0asryn *lew away the dust! (hyla watched with large, *rown eyes! $he inscrition was
*arely legi*le!
JOURNAL
VILDEROFF, BARON VON
BLADMERE
O O O O O
"arkhamCs #ootstes echoed throughout the silent dungeon! (omewhere, water dried
incessantly! /ottles o# aged wine lay in wooden racks, near casks o# ale! (acks o# #lour stood
stacked higher than a man was tall, neIt to grain and other sulies! $o the le#t was a long,
darkened corridor!
The corridor!
(omething crunched under the ironshod *oots o# the dwar#! ,arnet swore, moved the
torch a*out, and grum*led some more! &e handed the torch to "ercidith!
=&ere, lass! )t inter#eres with my dark vision! ) can see *etter without it!>
Nodding, the rincess took it #rom him! "ark could #eel her aroach *ehind him! &e
heard her *reathing so#tly! (he sensed the tension in the young knight!
='hatCs wrongL> the rincess asked, #ully eIecting a monster or two down here! (he
looked a*out her nervously!
=Nothing, "erci,> he relied, retending to #ind something interesting in the stone wall
*e#ore him!
=$hen why are you trying to #ind a hidden doorL $hatCs ,arnetCs secialty!>
"arkham turned his head, holding it at an angle, and eered at her in the dim light! (he
saw ain in his *lue-gray eyes! "ercidith could almost hear the ghosts that echoed in his mind!
$he cleric knew this was the one thing her healing owers could not mend!
=$alk to me, "ark,> "ercidith leaded so#tly!
=No!>
"ercidith caught the #urtive glance heCd made in the direction o# the darkened corridor,
how he was making a oint o# averting his ga%e #rom that direction! : cold dra#t *lew ast her,
#luttered the #laming torch! $he rincess gased as i# hysically struck, her eyes widened!
=(omething haened here! (omething terri*le!>
="erci, lease donCt@> "ark *egan weakly, leading with her! $he sound o# a knight
leading *roke her heart!
(he turned and eered at him! &er emerald eyes *urned like green candle#lames in the
dark! =) see there were two children down here, long ago! $he older *oy was tortured!>
=$hat was me, "erci,> "arkham admitted! &is #ace twisted into something
unrecogni%a*le! =$ell that ghost to mind its own damn *usiness!>
Princess "ercidith #ro%e at the words! ;ast night, the two o# them made love *y
moonlight! "ercidith knew sheCd taken advantage o# the innocent *oy! (heCd ressured him *y
her suerior rank, and *y the nearly ten years she had on him! ;ast night, "erci had con#essed a
great deal, almost too much! Not many eole outside o# ,oldmoonCs circle knew the .rgothian
rincess was a medium who regularly tra##icked with ghosts!
"arkhamCs words had hurt, and she got the imression heCd intended them to!
="ark@>
="erci!!!Mour &ighness!!!please!!!) have no good memories o# this castle, and all o# them
center around this dungeon!>
=$hen why did you volunteer to hel search itL> "ercidith asked!
(ir "arkham (wordhawk straightened to his #ull height! $he torchlight glinted o## his
shining (olamnic armor! =/ecause )Cm a Anight o# (olamnia, not a #rightened young *oy any
longer! :nd ) have a Go* to do!>
'ithout another word, "arkham took the torch #rom her and strode *oldly down the
corridor! (hadows #led #rom the #irelight! $he cell doors were all unlocked, oen now! &e
illuminated each room!
)n these cells /aron Fon /ladmere had ket his risoners, catured during various
camaigns against the eace#ul eoles to the west! (teeling himsel#, "arkham entered one cell
in articular!
$he torture cham*er!
&ere the *lack ro*ed wi%ard, +anvil <elcra#t, had wrung every last iece o# usa*le
in#ormation out o# a helless #ourteen-year-old *oy, then tried to convince the haless young
sBuire to Goin the ranks o# the dark aladins!
$he evil wi%ard had almost succeeded! &eCd almost *roken "ark comletely! :nother
day o# torture, erhas mere hours, and "arkham (wordhawk would have *een reduced to
licking the mageCs muddy *oots clean! &e wouldCve willingly Goined the enemy that had
murdered his #ather and two *rothers, along with all his #amily retainers! Pain would have driven
the *oy into *etraying all he held holy and dear!
:nd it had almost cost "ark his soul!
$he knight shuddered, the light in his hand wavering! &e couldnCt hel it! &e saw the
ghosts, saw himsel# stretched out on the rack, shocked senseless *y electricity which oured out
o# +anvil <elcra#tCs #ingertis, *urned *y the /lack Ro*e "ageCs touch! Moung "ark had
screamed and screamed and screamed! &e couldnCt help *ut scream, couldnCt stop screaming!
&eCd only aused in his screaming long enough to draw a *reath o# air, Gust so he could scream
some more!
$he torture had gone on #or endless hours, days on end, and only aused when <elcra#t
himsel# was weary, and went *ack ustairs #or a meal or a na! $wo long weeks had assed that
way! )t was the longest #ortnight o# "arkham (wordhawkCs young li#e!
Now, seven years later, a #ully-grown man, a Anight o# (olamnia stood in that very same
cell! )n his mind, "ark could hear his own voice echoing #rom the ast!
$he mighty knight collased, #ell to his knees! "ercidith was at his side in an instant,
held him, rocked him gently!
,arnet #ound the lovers like that a #ew minutes later! &e stood *y the torture cham*erCs
oen door, una*le to seak! 'ords were inadeBuate! &e didnCt want to know what had *rought
a Anight o# (olamnia to his knees, so**ing like a small child! $he dwar# Buietly slied out
again, only to return several minutes later, when he was certain "arkham had regained control o#
himsel#!
=)Cve #ound a secret assageway! )t leads outside, to the #orest,> the dwar# said so#tly!
=) know o# it,> "arkham told him in a very strange tone o# voice! )t sounded distant!
,arnet didnCt know why his old #riend was acting this way, esecially a#ter #acing orcs,
ho*go*lins, and dark knights in *attle, surrounded on all sides *y *lood and steel and magic
sells! :#ter a #ew moments, "ark went on!
=0asryn used that tunnel to rescue us seven years ago!>
,arnet chewed his Gaw #or a moment! &e o# course susected as much, having heard the
tale a do%en times! =Meah, well!!!ahem!!!thereCs nothing in there! No sign that anyoneCs used it
#or years! $he outer grillCs rusted shut, and the lock with it! ) canCt #or the li#e o# me imagine
how you lads got out that way!>
=)t had *een oen then,> "arkham said, his eyes losing #ocus! =)Cm sure o# it! $he *aron
mustCve ordered it locked and sealed a#ter our escae, and it mustCve rusted over the years
since!>
=:ye, that sounds reasona*le,> ,arnet mused! =)n any case, ) only #ound that one hidden
door, in a *ack wall o# a storage room! )Cm sure there must *e more assageways! 'hy donCt
the two o# you go *ack ustairs and hel 0asryn and the others search the rest o# the castleL>
=No, there must *e more hidden assageways down there that 0asryn didnCt know a*out,>
"arkham relied! ='eCll kee searching!>
=Mou sureL>
$he knight straightened his shoulders and met the dwar#Cs eyes! =:ye, )Cm sure!>
=$here are two more hidden doors down here,> "ercidith said suddenly, in a very strange
voice that didnCt sound like her own! &er eyes were closed, her head *owed slightly #orward!
:#ter a moment, the rincess looked at *oth o# them and cleared her throat! =-ne door is sealed
*y magic, and ) cannot oen it! )tCs a assageway that leads to the 'est $ower! +anvil <elcra#t
uses it o#ten! $he other reveals a hidden staircase which leads u to the *aronCs *edcham*er!>
=(hosts told you all thisL> "arkham asked, eyeing her warily! &e distrusted magic as a
rule, and #ound this womanCs a*ility to seak with the dead unnerving!
=Mes, (ir "arkham, they did indeed,> "ercidith answered evenly! $he #ormal use o# his
title didnCt escae him, either! $he miIed signals he was getting #rom "ercidith con#used the
:*yss out o# him! -ne minute she was in his *ed, the neIt moment she was treating him like her
retainer!
='ell, letCs check out this hidden staircase, then,> "arkham told her, and *rushed ast
,arnet into the corridor! :#ter a moment, he reali%ed that he had no idea where the staircase
was! &e waited in the corridor like a #ool, kicking himsel#, #or "ercidith to #ollow and show
him where it was!
)n a comletely di##erent art o# the dungeon, a storeroom #illed with old acking crates,
"ercidith led them to a *lank stone wall! "ark held the torch close enough to read the
inscritions on the crates! +ishes, utensils, clothing, dried #oodstu##s! $hen he came to one crate
that was marked =COLINTYN HALL.> &is *reath caught in his throat!
=,arn, hold the torch,> he asked! $he dwar# comlied!
="ark, the hidden doorCs over here!!!!,> "erci told him, ointing to a #ar wall!
=)n a minute,> "arkham told her! &e drew 'hado"song and used the *lade to ry the
wooden lid o##!
=Och, i# +uncan could see the use yer utting that sword toN> ,arnet tisked! =;et me
#ind a crow*ar, #or -reCs sakeN>
=)tCs already oen, ,arn,> "ark relied! &e tossed the lid aside, ulled out the straw
acking material, and then #ro%e when he saw the contents o# the crate! Reverently, he removed
a large shield! $he young manCs eyes were wide! 'hen he #inally soke, it was in a tone so low
the others had to strain to understand him!
=<atherCs shield,> he gased! =$his is my #atherCs shield!>
$he shield was em*la%oned with a king#isher that clased a sword in its talons, and it had
a large red rose over its head! $he device o# a Rose Anight o# (olamnia! "ark slied it onto
his arm, sheathed his magic sword, and looked at the rest o# the crateCs contents! =$his is my
#atherCs old suit o# armor! &is helm, his gauntlets, his *reastlate@>
"arkham removed the *reastlate, held it u to the torchlight with *oth hands! $here
was a rent in the metal, right where a manCs heart would *e! +ried *lood still clung to the metal!
=;ad, we can come *ack #or this later,> ,arnet said gently!
"arkham stared at his #atherCs armor #or another moment, then laced it gently *ack
inside the crate!
$he dwar# went over to the wall, and studied it very care#ully! $o his trained eye, the
imer#ections were clearly outlined! =$his is good dwarven stonework! $hereCs no ga *etween
the stones, *ut the slightest crack! &ere, here, and here! $his is how the door swings oen! $he
triggering mechanism is ro*a*ly a trick stone on a sring!>
$he dwar# started ressing stones at random! -n the siIth try, the *rick moved inward!
$here was a click, and the entire section o# wall slid in, then rotated into a cavity within the
stonework! $orchlight revealed eIactly what "ercidith had said would *e here, a hidden stone
staircase, leading uward!
=:#ter you, Mour &ighness,> ,arnet o##ered graciously!
,athering her gown a*out her, "ercidith swet ast him into the secret assageway,
"arkham right *ehind her, lighting the way!
O O O O O
=Mou have got to *e kidding,> +orian told (under!
$he (awn assassin had led him to the inner courtyard in the rear o# the castle! $here, in
the stonework, a yawning it descended straight down some two hundred #eet! $he morning
sunlight *arely illuminated the shadowy *ottom, where *leached *ones o# some un#ortunate was
#ed to!!!something!
+orian /arrett could guess what that something was! $he dimensions o# the it could
accommodate a great wyrm easily!
=Cinder actually hasnCt used this entrance in years! &eCs grown Buite a *it since the last
*aron had it installed,> (under eIlained!
=+o tell,> +orian relied, remem*ering the sheer immensity o# the red dragon that had
#lown overhead near (olace! &e couldnCt imagine anything that si%e sBuee%ing down this sha#t,
*ig as it was, esecially with its wings sread #or #light!
=&owever, it is still Buite large enough to suit our uroses,> (under told him!
+orian noticed that the *lack armored and cloaked dark knights were keeing their
distance! $hey were atrolling the walls and *attlements ato the towers, glancing down at the
air, the #oolish Rangerlord who stood at this reciice with a creature who had once *een a
trained assassin *e#ore the trans#ormation that had turned him into a monster!
+orian swallowed in a dry throat! &e suddenly wished heCd thought to *ring one o# the
others along with him, erhas 0asryn! :t least the *oy mage could control him!
=) donCt have a roe long enough to reach all the way to the *ottom,> +orian comlained!
!aybe + can use that e$cuse as a prete$t to go back for the mage.
='ho said anything a*out clim*ing downL> (under told him matter-o#-#actly! &is
leather wings suddenly sread wide, a san o# some #i#teen #eet! +orian had almost #orgotten the
creature could #ly! &is eyes widened when he reali%ed what the sawn had in mind!
='aitN +onCt@> +orian suttered!
$oo late! (under leat #orward, wraed his arms securely around the ranger, and
lunged into the gaing it in an eye *link! +orian screamed *rie#ly over the sound o# huge,
#laing leather wings! )n less than a minute, the two o# them were standing at the *ottom o# the
stone it, standing in *rackish water that had ooled on the stones!
.yes *ulging, gasing #or air, +orian couldnCt seak #or a moment!
=Mou scream like a human girl-child,> (under chided!
=Mou!!!didnCt even warn meN> +orian comlained!
=) didnCt think ) had to,> (under told him simly! =$hereCs the entrance to the
underground caverns! MouCll need a torch,> the creature recommended!
+orian shrugged out o# his *ackack, knelt down, then dug out a torch, #lint and tinder!
)n a #ew moments had it lit! :n archway, with a height o# some twenty-#ive #eet, led into itch
darkness a hal#-el#Cs nightvision couldnCt enetrate! (unshine didnCt reach into that cavern, and
the torch *arely shed light twenty #eet in all directions!
&is rangerCs instincts were starting to alarm him!
A little late for that.
=Mou #irst, (under!>
Nodding, the nine-#oot-tall monster strode *oldly into the dark tunnel like he owned the
lace!
-ne hand held the torch, the other his swordhilt! +orian #ollowed cautiously! (ome siIty
#eet in, the tunnel continued with no sign o# stoing! +orian made small talk, mostly to calm
his own nerves! =(o, (under!!!what makes you think the lance is down hereL>
=)t would *e the logical choice,> (under told him! ='ith the eIcetion o# the kender and
mysel#, no oneCs dared to enter <enalystenCs lair since the last *aron died! Not even +onna and
her +ark Anights came down here!>
=$hen the +ragonlance most likely is down here, ro*a*ly guarded *y the red *east,> the
Rangerlord said #irmly!
=) *elieve ) said that, mortal!>
+orian cleared his throat! ='here would you suggest we start lookingL>
=)# Fildero## le#t the lance with his dragon, it would *e with the treasure hoard,> (under
said coolly, and started walking down the tunnel! +orian was a #ew stes right *ehind him!
='aitaminuteN 0asryn said i# anyone dared to distur* CinderCs treasure hoard, it would
summon the dragon right *ack hereN>
=(o it would!>
=:re you insane9> +orian asked, stoing dead in his tracks!
$he sawn turned around to #ace him! =)# ) am, +orian /arrettL 'hat o# itL>
$he Rangerlord stared at him! ;ight dawned!
$his creature was an assassin, whoCd told 0asryn he was the Kdeath o# all dragons,C and
sought revenge #or turning him into a monster! :t the same time, (under had also ractically
admitted to murdering the last *aron!
(under wanted the +ragonlance himself, to slay <enalysten, and ro*a*ly Ahellendros
a#ter that!
'hat i# the *aron had susected that (under wanted to kill Cinder #or that lanceL 'hat i#
the *aron had in #act hidden the +ragonlance with the dragon, to kee it away #rom (underL
'hat i# (under #inally killed the *aron in an attemt to get that +ragonlanceL
=Mou want the +ragonlance #or yoursel#, to slay Cinder and Ahellendros,> +orian #latly
accused! &e watched the creature #or some reaction!
(under stood there, still as death, mulling over what +orian had Gust said! +orian
reali%ed this was a hell o# a time and lace to accuse a sychoathic monster all alone! <inally,
(under simly answered the Buestion!
=$he +ragonlance right#ully *elongs to young /aron 0asryn! )Cd need his ;ordshiCs
ermission *e#ore using it to slay <enalysten and Ahellendros!>
=-# course,> +orian retorted! =:nd a white ro*ed mage would ro*a*ly grant you
ermission to slay two evil dragons! /ut what i# 0asryn re#usedL>
:n alarming thought #lashed through +orianCs head! 'ould this creature kill 0asryn i#
the *oy stood in the way o# his revengeL 'as (under that determined to slay every last wyrm,
*eginning with Cinder and AhellendrosL
"ore likely than not, yes!
+orian knew he had to warn the others! &e also knew he wasnCt likely to live long
enough to do that!
(underCs eyes #lashed yellow in the darkness! $hey #airly glo"ed!
$he sawn laughed! =) am not that un*alanced, ranger! ) only kill i# ) have reason to do
so! .ven i# ) had a reason to harm you, your #riends would guess it was me rather Buickly, and
the young *aron would never trust me again, and he certainly would not give me leave to slay
Cinder or Ahellendros! (o youCre sa#e, #or now! Come this way!>
4es reading my thoughts, .ust like a mage, +orian reali%ed!
(under turned and roceeded down the tunnel! +orian nervously #ollowed, hand griing
his sword so tight his #ingers turned white! <or the tenth time since they le#t the others at
*reak#ast this morning, +orian regretted agreeing to go with this monster alone!
$he tunnel turned, wound round a *end, and led into a natural cavern! 'ater dried
incessantly somewhere in the dark! $he roo# disaeared high overhead! (o did the #ar walls!
3ovely place for a murder, +orian thought to himsel#!
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
A mountain o# gold and steel ieces, with co##ers over#lowing with Gewels, rings,
necklaces, and even the occasional *laded weaon and magical arti#act or two greeted +orian
/arrett as he entered the lair o# <enalysten the Red!
+orian wasnCt a knight in shining armor, nor was he a minor no*le sworn to uhold the
law, like his human #ather! &e was a ranger, who made his living hunting and traing in the
#orest, and warded the woods #rom oachers #or ay #rom the Anights o# (olamnia! $he hal#-el#
was more than a little temted *y the mound o# treasure that lay *e#ore him! -nly his will and
utter #ear ket him in check!
$o even touch a single latinum or steel coin was to *ring down the #ull wrath o# the
dragon!
=(o,> +orian asked, clearing his throat! =0ust how do you roose we search this huge
ile o# money, looking #or a single magical arti#act, "ithout touching it9>
=$he +ragonlance is Buite large, mortal,> (under told him! $he hulking creature
cautiously aroached the hoard, *eginning to circle it! =)t is also an arti#act o# goodness,
ossessed o# considera*le divine ower! )t is my hoe that i# you get close enough, the lance
will *egin to glow, erhas even vi*rate, and let its resence *e known to you!>
=1h huh,> +orian said, thinking! &is voice dried with sarcasm! =MouCre assuming my
heart is so ure that )Cll attract a *lessed arti#act o# goodnessL 'ouldnCt (ir "arkham *e more
aroriate #or thisL>
=&e would,> (under admitted! =0asryn would *e even *etter, as the +ragonlance is
intended #or him! /ut you will do, hal#-el#! .secially in the resence o# something like me!>
+orianCs eyes narrowed! ='hyL /ecause youCre +ragon-changedL>
=Mes,> (under snaed! =$hat, and my chosen ro#ession!>
=Mou mean killing eole #or hire,> +orian concluded, #olding his arms across his chest!
$he creature *e#ore him inclined his head! =;ong ago, this same +ragonlance started
glowing like the moon (olinari, Gust *ecause )Cd entered the room! $here were only two other
eole in the ,reat &all that day, a cook and a age*oy! $he cook ) knew was not a*ove
stealing a chicken or a lam* #rom his ;ordshiCs rivate stock! $he *oy was the son o# a dark
aladin, and had a heart *lacker than his sire! $hat *oy later Goined the :ssassinCs ,uild!>
='ith a re#erence #rom you, no dou*t,> +orian Buied!
(under nodded! =Anights generally donCt collect ersonal #ortunes as large as assassins
or irates! $he *oy had avarice in his heart, a greed he knew heCd never satis#y in the
knighthood!
=$he oint is, the +ragonlance is so tainted that it doesnCt discriminate so #inely any
longer! :arently, all this articular lance reBuires is a human *eing threatened *y the resence
o# a creature like me to react! Mour soul is whiter than either the cook or the age! MouCre a
ranger who leads a grou o# adventurers in the service o# goodness, a arty that includes a
Anight o# (olamnia and a 'hite Ro*e mage! $o this +ragonlance, you are the urest, most
gallant knight who ever lived!>
=) see,> +orian mused! &e took a cautious ste closer, then another! =(o, you Gust want
me to walk around the treasure mound, hoing the lance will *e attracted to my resenceL>
=.Iactly!>
+orian shrugged! )t was certainly worth a try! )# this #ailed, they could always *ring
"arkham or 0asryn down here to try again! +orian and the sawn circled the hoard in oosing
or*its, watching closely #or the slightest sign o# movement, the slightest sound or *urst o# light!
:#ter circling the enormous treasure three times, the only sounds he heard were his own
*reathing and ounding o# his heart! &e did sot a crystal *all that was dou*tless magical and
would ro*a*ly interest the young mage, *ut not even that arti#act glowed #or him!
=+id it occur to you that the lance might *e *uried underneath all thisL> +orian
suggested, waving his gloved hand at the treasure mound!
=Mes,> (under answered! =/ut the +ragonlance is *lessed! )t would still make its
resence known!>
=)t hasnCt,> +orian stated #latly! ='hich ro*a*ly means itCs not here!>
=) am #orced to agree with you,> (under said, sounding disaointed! +orian reali%ed the
sawn had ro*a*ly searched every last inch o# the castle, and was counting on it *eing down
here! )t made logical sense #or the *aron to have given it to Cinder, *ut the guess was o*viously
wrong! $heyCd have to look elsewhere #or the arti#act!
+orian suddenly stoed! :s he stared at that ile o# treasure, greed #lashed *rie#ly in his
eyes! -ne o# those larger gems was worth enough to *uy *ack his #atherCs estates in Palanthas!
$he manner house heCd grown u in could *e his again, with more wealth than his #ather ever
dreamed o#!
=$ell me, i# we were to start si#ting through all this!!!!>
=+o you enGoy li#e, +orian /arrettL> (under asked matter-o#-#actly!
$he rangerCs eyes shi#ted to the sawn! $he creature looked mildly amused!
=$he young mage was Buite correct,> (under told him! =)# you were to touch so much as
a single coin, the dragon would immediately sense it! : wyrmCs treasure hoard is art o# him in
some magical way that no one really understands! <enalysten would *e *ack here in an eye
*link!>
=&owL> +orian asked! (urely, (under was eIaggerating! =Cinder is hundreds o# miles
away #rom here@>
=$he +ragon -verlords were not native to Arynn,> (under eIlained! =and they had
additional owers! -ne o# them is the a*ility to +ragongate #rom one location to another!
<enalysten inherited that a*ility #rom his mother, "alystryI!>
=Cinder is "alysC son9> +orian shouted!
(under hissed a moment, #licking out his #orked tongue in disleasure! ='hy do you
kee stating the o*viousL -# course <enalysten is her "aGestyCs hatchling! &ow do you think he
grew to *e so largeL /y eating his sinachL>
+orian chewed on that *it o# in#ormation #or a moment! ='hatCs!!!a +ragongateL>
=)t is similar to a mageCs teleort sell, only it allows assage o# a larger grou, and itCs a
lot more accurate! $here is no chance o# error, or o# arriving in a di##erent lace than intended!>
=: larger grou, you said,> +orian ondered! =;ike how largeL>
=$he +ragon -verlords were caa*le o# moving whole latoons o# armies through a
,ate, so long as their strength held out! Ahellendros only did that once, when he conBuered
Palanthas!>
='hich eIlains how +anvil <elcra#t got a #ull contingent o# dark knights so dee into
(olamnic territory without *eing detected! Cinder mustCve transorted the soldiers #or him!>
=Fery good, mortal! Mou show signs o# having a *rain a#ter all,> (under chided, his
voice driing with contemt! =)t was also how <elcra#t and the knights escaed #rom (olace!
Palin "aGere and the 'i%ardCs Conclave, and their allies, the Anights o# (olamnia, would have
overwhelmed them otherwise!>
='here are they nowL>
=(outhern .rgoth! <elcra#t cannot read the whole ma, *ut he knows the o*Gect o# his
search is somewhere on that island! $he evil mage and the dragon are com*ing the whole #ro%en
realm o# ,ellidus even as we seak!>
(ellidus@that "as 2lizzards dragon name. The dragon that !en used to call rost
actually had many names. :o", he "as kno"n as the (reat &hite 4urricane, +orian re#lected,
ru**ing his Fan +yke!
='ill they #ind itL>
(under smiled thinly! =$hey can search #rom now until ArynnCs doomsday! $he entire
island is covered with ice and snow, and the ruins they search #or elude them magically! -nly
his ;ordshi or another 'hite 'i%ard can ossi*ly read that ma! <elcra#t has no idea that the
tom* is *uried *eneath the ruins o# the old $ower in +altigoth!>
=(o, what i# <elcra#t gets another white ro*ed mage to read the ma #or himL -r erhas
threatens or *ri*es another mage to do it #or himL>
=$hat will eventually occur to him,> (under admitted! =)t may already have! /ut can
you seriously icture a 'hite 'i%ard heling a grou o# dark aladins o*tain such a otent
arti#act o# magicL>
+orian couldnCt think o# anything that would #orce a good mage to do such a thing!
=(to worrying, my #riend,> (under told him! ='e have lenty o# time to #ind the lance
and get to +altigoth to recover that sta## *e#ore <elcra#t and his ilk!>
=) am not your #riend, assassin,> +orian said with contemt! &is eyes #lashed in the
torchlight!
=:lly, then! Come, your torch is nearly sent! ;etCs go and see i# the others had *etter
luck than us!>
=:#ter you!>
(under led the way #rom the red wyrmCs lair!
O O O O O
=Mou #ound the *aronCs diary9> "arkham eIclaimed in surrise, a#ter striding right u
to 0asrynCs chair in the ,reat &all, and reading over his #riendCs shoulder! $he teIt was enned
in a #lowing scrit that he *arely understood! :ll (olamnic knights, *eing their sworn enemies,
were reBuired to read Nerakan!
$he mage nodded a*sently, a*sor*ed in the dusty, yellowed old *ook! : sumtuous meal
had *een laid out #or their lunch, *ut 0asryn had hardly even touched his late! &e ni**led on a
*risket sandwich and drank ale Guice as he read! (hyla and <a#nir *oth tore into their meals,
however! $hey were *oth on second helings o# roast turkey, otatoes, stu##ing, and gi*let
gravy!
=Mour ha*it o# stating the o*vious never ceases to ama%e me,> 0asryn stated *itterly, his
eyes never leaving the age! )n a moment, he sat *ack, ru**ing his eyes!
='hy the attitudeL> "arkham asked! =0asryn, all o# us are *usting our tails searching
the castle #or this +ragonlance o# yours!>
$he *oy stoed ru**ing his eyes and looked askance at his #riend! =.Icuse meL
"arkham (wordhawk, do you have the slightest idea what ) was Gust ut through #or the ast #ew
weeksL>
&e was o# course re#erring to his treatment at the gentle mercies o# the dark aladins!
$he knight looked away #or a moment, *lew air *etween his teeth, and nodded! &e ulled o##
one leather gauntlet with his teeth, then the other! =)Cm sorry!>
0asryn continued to stare at his #riend #or a moment longer, as "ercidith and ,arnet came
into the hall! $he dwar# immediately sat down and started eating! $he rincess stood *y
"arkhamCs side, looking at 0asryn with concern!
=+id you #ind anythingL> "erci asked! =-ur search in the dungeons was
#ruitless!!!mostly! "ark #ound his #atherCs old shield, *ut there was no sign o# the +ragonlance!>
=) wouldnCt think that it would *e down there,> 0asryn told her! &e held in his hands an
ancient, crum*ling, leather-*ound *ook! =Not a#ter what ) Gust read in here!>
='hatCs thatL>
="y #atherCs Gournal! )t was hidden *ehind a #alse wall in his study,> 0asryn told her!
=$hatCs wonder#ulN> "erci eIclaimed! =+oes it give any clues as to where the lance
might *eL>
0asryn gave her a look o# #rustration! =Not eIactly! <ather aarently susected (under
was going to kill him to get his hands on the +ragonlance, so he asked someone to hide it #or
him!>
$he knight and the rincess stared at him in silence! .ven the dwar# and the kender
stoed eating and looked u when the mage said that, and so casually!
=(under killed the *aronL> ,arnet suddenly asked! &is resect #or the hulking
monstrosity Gust raised a #ew notches!
0asryn nodded! =&e susected it! Mou shouldnCt miss meetings, ,arn! (under hinted at
it weeks ago, and had ) already told "ark and +orian that!>
"arkham nodded! &eCd already stated, loudly, that it was dishonora*le #or (under to
slay his own liege, until 0asryn eIlained that the *aron was resonsi*le #or the assassin ending
u as a (awn! "ost o# what 0asryn had learned here was old ground, *ut the #act that (under
was a#ter the +ragonlance was new!
='ho did the *aron ask to hide the lanceL> "arkham asked!
='ait,> ,arnet interruted! ='hy would (under even want itL>
=-ne Buestion at a time,> 0asryn said to them all! &e looked around the room, to make
sure they were all listening! $he servants went a*out their duties Buietly, o*viously listening to
every word! -ne man had sti##ened when 0asryn *lurted out that the sawn assassin had
murdered their old master! $he mage chose his neIt words care#ully, #or the *ene#it o# the
servants!
=) donCt know #or certain i# (under killed my #ather or not,> 0asryn told them! $hree
eole glanced at him when he said this! &e was now certain that the servants were listening in,
and he lowered his voice again! =/ut, <ather at least suspected it was coming! &e knew (under
was o*sessed with revenge on Ahellendros, and he ro*a*ly wanted to do <ather in as well, #or
sending him on the mission that resulted in his trans#ormation! &e also didnCt want to leave the
+ragonlance hanging in the ,reat &all while he was called o## to *usiness in 0elek, so he gave it
to +anvil <elcra#t to hide #or him, somewhere in this castle!>
"arkhamCs *lood #ro%e! =(o <elcra#t knew all along where the +ragonlance was
hidden!!!and that you were charged with treason against the -rder! $hat *lack-hearted wi%ard
sent you *ack here, #acing certain death i# convicted@>
="ay*e not,> 0asryn countered! =+onCt #orget, my rosecution was rigged! ) was *eing
railroaded #or a crime ) was never guilty o#! "y de#ense was also rigged, according to ;undar
.clise! $he entire Gury was arranged *e#orehand to acBuit me, #or the sole urose o#
in#luencing me into heling them #ind the missing +ragonlance and to hel recover the elemental
sta## Arion! $hat was not something +onna &arridan wanted, however!>
=$hey want you in the +ark Anighthood,> "arkham concluded with certainty in his
voice! ='hyL>
0asryn shook his shoulders! ='ho knowsL )Cm no di##erent #rom any other white ro*ed
mage, an apprentice mage, no less@>
=.Icet that you Gust haen to *e /aron Fon /ladmereCs heir, 0asryn,> "ercidith ut in!
=Perhas <elcra#t thinks he can control you, and rule the *arony through you!>
=: uet *aronL> "arkham asked, turning to the rincess! &e crossed his arms across
his chest!
='hy notL )tCs *een done with kings and emerors in the ast,> "erci told him!
=<elcra#t is an am*itious toad, grasing at ower! Ravenwood is a rime iece o# land, on the
*order *etween Neraka and $hrot! $he /aron Fon /ladmere wields a great deal o# ower and
in#luence!>
=(o what are you sayingL> 0asryn asked! =$hat you think ) should stay hereL>
=,oddess #or*id,> "erci whisered, making a holy sign over the *oy! =)Cm Gust saying
what <elcra#tCs motives ro*a*ly are!>
=)n any case, we need to #ind the lance, and get the heck out o# here as swi#tly as
ossi*le,> "arkham said! &e watched his #riendCs *lue eyes #or any thought to the contrary!
$his castle was right#ully 0asrynCs, the home he grew u in! &e might not "ant to leave!
=Meah, we do,> 0asryn agreed a#ter a moment! =/ut ) also want to talk to some eole
while weCre here, erhas get some clue as to who my real arents were!>
$he knight #rowned and ointed to the *ook on the ta*le! =+oesnCt the Gournal tell you
thatL>
$he teenaged wi%ard slowly shook his head! =$he Gournal con#irms that ) was *orn at
(tormCs Aee, kidnaed #rom my cradle *y (erannon, and recovered *y +anvil <elcra#t years
later! (erannonCs sell*ooks and magical arti#acts were Gust *onuses #or <elcra#t that day! + was
what they were really a#ter, *ut they didnCt reali%e who ) was until a#ter theyCd catured me!>
=:ll right! (o <elcra#t was seci#ically a#ter you,> "arkham agreed! =&hy9>
=) donCt know,> 0asryn answered! =)Cll ro*a*ly learn that when ) catch u with him! )
was Gust hoing one o# the servants here might have overheard something, a snatch o#
conversation #rom years ago!>
='e canCt risk that, 0ase,> "ark told him #irmly! &e ut a calming hand on the *oyCs
shoulder!
=$he knightCs right, *oy,> ,arnet said, in-*etween mouth#uls o# turkey! ='e have to #ind
the +ragonlance and get out o# here!>
0asryn looked at them all! =&as it occurred to any o# you that i# <elcra#t knew where the
lance was hidden, that he may have simly taken it with himL>
=No, ) donCt think <elcra#t thought that #ar ahead,> "arkham answered! =&e didnCt know
a*out the ma to #ind that sta## until after heCd arrived at (olace, and his little sy told him a*out
it! &is little side-tri to (outhern .rgoth came at such short notice! ) think <elcra#t Gust le#t the
lance here in the castle, where it was sa#e! +onCt #orget, itCs *een missing #or seven years, sa#ely
hidden away! 'hy risk taking it out nowL>
=&e also didnCt think 0asryn would #ind that diary,> "erci agreed!
=Right, and i# +anvil <elcra#t hid the +ragonlance, then more likely than not itCs still
hidden in the 'est $ower, <elcra#tCs rivate domain!>
=(eaking o# which, does any*ody know what haened to $im*erwol# and ;undarL 'e
sent them there to search the mageCs tower this morning! ;undar *ecause heCs a *lack wi%ard,
and $im*erwol# *ecause heCs a cleric o# Airi-0olith!>
0asryn shrugged! =Perhas theyCre still searching! +orian and (under havenCt returned
either, and to tell you the truth, )Cm a lot more concerned a*out +orian *eing alone with (under!
'e never should have let him go down there with a trained assassin!>
='hy didnCt you say something *e#oreL> "arkham asked!
=) did say so *e#ore, *ut all o# you outvoted me! Mou thought it was more imortant to
have me search the arts o# the castle ) was more #amiliar with, like <atherCs study!>
$he knight shot him a dirty look! &e hated when a mage was roven right, even i# that
mage haened to *e his *est #riend! =$rue enough! 'eCll wait #or another hal# hour or so, then
weCll go and look #or them!>
="ark,> 0asryn said, his eyes changing color to a very dee sahire *lue! =) have this
really *ad #eeling! ) donCt think we should wait!>
"ark resisted the urge to shudder! &e hated when 0asrynCs eyes did that! =Right! ;etCs
go!>
$he mage nodded and rose #rom his seat, taking the diary with him! $he little
seudodragon #lew over to the teenager and took his usual lace a*out his shoulders! $he kender
*ounced u #rom her chair, eager #or adventure! -nly the dwar# delayed, crum*s #alling #rom his
*eard! &is mouth was still #ull! =&eyN 'hat a*out lunchL>
=,ra* a drumstick and letCs go, ,arn,> "arkham chided imatiently!
$he mountain dwar# took the o##ered drumstick and a coule o# *iscuits, grum*ling a*out
how overrated adventures were, and the imatience o# youth, all the way out o# the ,reat &all!
O O O O O
+ark knights arted #or the young mage and his arty, saluting crisly! $heir clean, *lack
woolen cloaks swirled a*out their shining *lack steel armor! 0asryn still wasnCt used to knights,
esecially the evil Anights o# Neraka, treating him as i# he were their liege lord! $hey Buickly
strode out into the courtyard, where he knew the sha#t, which led to CinderCs lair, was! :#ter
looking down into the yawning it #or a moment, 0asryn called over one o# the knights!
=Mes, my /aronL> the man on duty inBuired resect#ully! &e was a lieutenant *y the rank
on his cloak clas!
=+id (under and my #riend the hal#-el# go down into the dragonCs lairL>
$he knight nodded! =(ome time ago, ;ord!>
=&ow did they get down thereL> "arkham asked! =) donCt see any roes!>
=(under used his wings,> the knight eIlained sti##ly! =&e can #ly, (olamnic, and he
carried the hal#-el# ranger down with him!>
='ell, that settles that,> 0asryn told "arkham! =)# (under can #ly down there, so can )!>
=0asryn, wait,> "ercidith told him! ='e should all go down together!>
=,ive us a #ew minutes to rig a roe down there, 0ase,> "arkham said! &e asked a dark
aladin #or a coil o# two hundred-#oot-long silk roe!
$he young mage shook his head! ="ark, ) have a really *ad #eeling! ) donCt think we
have the time #or that! )Cll go #irst to scout around, then you and the others can #ollow!>
"arkhamCs eyes met his #riendCs, his Gaw setting! &e couldnCt damn the mage #or his
*ravery or his loyalty to +orian! /e#ore he could #ind a reason to o*Gect, the dwar# did! =;ad, do
nae *e a #oolN $hat sawn is a trained killerN>
=&eCs also sworn to o*ey me,> 0asryn countered!
=&e was sworn to o*ey yer #ather, too,> ,arnet insisted, and looked u, lacing his
gauntleted gloves on his his! $he dwar# warriorCs armor creaked with the movement! &e stared
the human *oy directly in the eye! =<or once, listen to meN>
=:nd while weCre arguing like this, +orian could *e dying,> 0asryn insisted! &e walked
*ack to the edge o# the it, and cleared his mind to sellcast! =/esides, ) have <a#nir with me!>
=0ase, can you at least carry one o# us down with youL> "arkham insisted!
$he mage eyed him, gauging a large man wearing late-mail armor! =)Cve never carried
that heavy a load *e#ore! ) donCt know i# weCll go crashing all the way to the *ottom!>
$he knight sighed with #rustration! &e knew 0asryn was right, *ut he did not want his
#riend to #ace this danger alone! )t went against all sense to send a mage *y himsel#, *ut they had
no real choice! =:ll right, go! (cout ahead! /ut do not engage the enemy alone! :m ) clearL>
0asryn smiled! =Mes, (ir "arkham! ) romise to *e a good little mage! S".rr "alith
"aren Jistrathar$>
: moment later the *oy Gumed into sace, #lying! &e eIertly dri#ted down two
hundred #eet, to the hard stone #loor at the *ottom o# the sha#t! $ruth *e told, a mage like 0asryn
could have levitated down or dri#ted as light as a #eather, *ut he #rankly didnCt know those
incantationsJ heCd never bothered to, when there was a sell that would ena*le him true #light!
/esides, he re#lected, he might need to get *ack u again in a hurry! light was the *est sell #or
most cases!
0asryn hovered #or a moment, siI inches a*ove the #loor, and decided that silence might
*e the *est aroach! &e #lew straight into the yawning, *lack entrance o# the tunnel *e#ore him!
$his sell would last #or well over an hour, so there was no reason not to take #ull advantage o#
it! $he mage #lew through the darkness #or several #eet, then stoed and closed his eyes in
concentration!
afnir, + need your eyesight! :#ter a moment, the mage oened his eyes again! &e could
now see the walls o# the tunnel outlined in a dimly glowing *urnt um*er!
+ncredible, the *oy thought, ama%ed at the new ower his #amiliar gave him! : human
*oy couldnCt see in total darkness, *ut his little seudodragon could, and he didnCt dare announce
his resence *y summoning light! &e shot #orward again at the seed o# a small swallow,
turning when he saw the tunnel *egin to *end!
$hen the tunnel a*rutly twisted to the right uneIectedly, and 0asryn #lew right into a
stone wall! &e smacked his head into the rock, hard! $he mage #ell to the ground, saw stars, and
shook his head to clear it! 2rilliant move, Jasryn0 &hy not do the assassins .ob for him9
<a#nir eeed in agreement! &eCd #orgotten the dragon could read his mind! $he tiny
*east shi#ted osition, his ru*y eyes glowed silently in the dark!
0asryn #elt his head, and then checked the rest o# his *ody #or inGuries! &e #ound nothing
more than a slitting headache, thank (olinari! &ad he *een #lying any #aster, he wouldCve
knocked himsel# out!
(haking himsel# once more, 0asryn got to his #eet! &e decided to walk the rest o# the way
a#ter all! $he *oy moved as silently as ossi*le, his *reathing imossi*ly loud in his ears! &e
couldCve taken out his elven cloak #or concealment, *ut he didnCt know i# the +ragon-man could
see right through its illusion or not! /esides, he didnCt want to go rummaging through the
/ottomless /ag in the dark!
:#ter #ive minutes o# walking in the darkness, or so he guessed, the tunnel oened u into
a huge cham*er that looked vaguely #amiliar! <a#nir had *een down here with (hyla, in another
art o# this same underground cavern! :s 0asryn stood there, wondering where to *egin looking
#or a homicidal +ragon-sawn and a ro*a*ly very-dead ranger, he suddenly saw a #licker o#
light! 0asryn started in that direction, then decided it was light #rom a torch! +orian would need
one down here, *ut (under surely wouldnCt! $his ro*a*ly meant the ranger was still alive!
0asryn smiled! )t looked like he wasnCt going to need that lightning *olt a#ter all! (till in
all, it didnCt hurt to *e cautious! $he #irelight was headed in his general direction, so the young
mage simly stood there in total darkness, <a#nir curled a*out him, and reared to cast his sell,
Gust in case!
$wo minutes later, the oddly matched air aroached his osition! +orian looked
surrised to see the 'hite 'i%ard standing there in the dark! (under wasnCt!
:othing seems to surprise that spa"n.
$he magician wraed himsel# in his #lowing silk ro*es, utting each hand into oosing
sleeves, and smiled his most disarming grin! ='ell met, Rangerlord!>
=0asrynL 'hatCre you doing down hereL> +orian asked, honestly surrised, and glad to
see him!
$he mage remained silent #or a heart*eat, trying to aear mysterious! $hen, he soke!
=Mou two never came *ack! 'e were understanda*ly concerned!>
+orian eyed the wi%ard #or a moment, and then smiled! =$hanks, *ut as you can see,
weCre #ine!>
(under remained silent!
0asryn nodded grimly to the sawn! &e didnCt care a*out the imlications, that 0asryn
simly didnCt trust him!
=+id you #ind anythingL>
=No, my lord,> (under answered! =$he +ragonlance was not in <enalystenCs hoard!>
=)t might still *e somewhere else down here, in the dark,> +orian added! =$hatCs why we
took so long! 'e were searching all the side-tunnels!>
0asryn nodded in understanding! ='ell, at least!!!the dragon didnCt eat you, +orian! )
wouldnCt think it would *e down here, anyway!>
$he Rangerlord ut one hand on his hi! ='hy notL>
$he *oy shot him a coy smile! =/ecause ) donCt *elieve that +anvil <elcra#t wouldCve
hidden it in CinderCs lair! &e wouldnCt have *een a*le to get to it that way without a lot o#
trou*le! "ore likely than not, the +ragonlance is in the 'est $ower!>
+orian started, lowering his torch slightly! =elcraft hid itL &ow do you know thatL>
0asrynCs smile grew even wider! =) have my ways! Come, *e#ore the others have
connitions wondering i# weCre all digesting in the dragonCs *elly!>
+orian #ollowed, asking several more Buestions o# the mage, which 0asryn did his *est to
answer in (underCs resence!
$he +ragon-sawn assassin #ollowed them in silence!
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
All avoided the 'est $ower o# Castle Ravenwood!
Rising one hundred #eet, constructed o# granite stone and white mortar, it looked Gust like
the other #our towers! )t Gust felt wrong! (hadows gave the imression that they clung to the
structure, its stonework aeared to *e darker, and the eyes o# its stone gargoyles seemed to
#ollow eole as they walked ast! $he iron-*anded, solid oak door was so dark with age it
aeared to *e made o# smooth e*ony wood! $he demonsC head knocker was so #inely detailed
as to *e almost alive, and its eyes challenged all who dared a visit to the occuant within!
(ir "arkham, "ercidith, ,arnet, and +orian all shuddered as the shadows gathered all
around them in the middle o# a sunny a#ternoon! (hyla wasnCt #rightenedJ she was #ascinated!
/oth 0asryn and (under were used to this, having sent years here at the castle!
=0ase, what in PaladineCs memory are those!!!things9> "arkham asked, his hand dri#ting
automatically to the hilt o# the longsword, which rested at his hi! &e was sorely temted to ull
'hado"song #rom its silver sca**ard on his *ack!
=+onCt *other them and they wonCt *other you,> 0asryn relied o##-handedly! $he young
mageCs #eatures were artially hidden *y his samite white hood, and he gave o## the imression
o# *eing a*ove the ordinary cares o# humanity! )t was an attitude "arkham (wordhawk didnCt
articularly care #or, even i# he did grow u with 0asryn!
$he (olamnic Anight shuddered again, #leIing his #ingers in rearation to draw his
magic sword and Buickly slay the shadow creatures! "ages might *e used to all this weirdness,
*ut he wasnCt!
"ercidith grased the latinum owlCs head that hung #rom a silver chain a*out her
slender waist, and a *lue glow ulsed #rom the holy sym*ol! (omething screeched, and the
shadows retreated! 'arm, golden sunlight returned to the entrance o# the tower, and the
comanions sighed with relie#!
=$hank ye, lass,> ,arnet said! &eCd already taken out his massive dwarven aIe, ready to
cleave monsters in twain! &e wondered i# an enchanted war-aIe would do any damage to living
shadows! &e was willing to *et that it would!
=Perhas youCd *etter draw your magic sword,> +orian suggested to the knight!
"arkham nodded! 'hado"song came #ree o# the metal sca**ard with the song o# steel
hissing! )mmediately, the dwarvish runes etched in the metal came alive with a ale, orange
light! :ll noticed this, all knew what it meant!
=(o much #or $im*erwol# and ;undar *eing all right,> +orian commented, and ulled his
own *lade, a deadly looking raier! $his weaon, too, was enchanted, although heCd never told
the others that! $he Rangerlord shot their young mage a dirty look!
=-kay, so may*e it wasnCt such a hot idea to search the tower,> the *oy o##ered meekly!
=/ut ) was right in wanting to check on them!>
=0ase, they never came *ack,> "arkham warned! &e ointed with a gauntleted hand to
the locked door *arring their way! =-en it!>
$he teenage wi%ard nodded and licked his dry lis! =) Gust hoe +anvil hasnCt changed
the assword!>
$hat comment earned 0asryn even more shocked glances and shi#ty eyes #rom the eole
he called his #riends and comanions!
=Mou know the asswordL> "ercidith asked in surrise! $he hand grased the small owl
so tightly her #ingers turned white!
=) was +anvil <elcra#tCs novice, remem*erL )Cve *een inside this tower many times!>
=0ust oen the door, 0asryn,> +orian insisted, li#ting the oint o# his sword! (unlight
gleamed o## the *lade!
$he young mage nodded and steed #orward, alm u and out! &e knew *etter than to
touch the doorkno*! )t was iretrapped! $he sell would go o## i# anyone touched it the wrong
way! $he wrong assword would also trigger it! $hat one magical *oo*y tra could outright
kill, or at least seriously inGure, everyone within ten #eet o# the door! $he wards in 0asrynCs ro*es
should rotect him@mostly@in case something went wrong, and he should shield the others
with his own *ody! &e #ervently hoed that wouldnCt *e necessary! &e ran his tongue across
suddenly dry lis and ronounced the words <elcra#t had taught him, years ago!
=5. 0uitari1s /ight.>
1on ronouncement o# the /lack "oonCs name, the metal latch slid *ack, the doorkno*
turned o# its own accord, and the e*ony door creaked slowly oen! $he ortal *eyond led into
darkness!
$he *oy was a*out to ste #orward when a hulking *lue +ragon-man suddenly *locked
his way! ="y /aron, let me go #irst!>
0asryn steed *ack, nodding! =0ust *e care#ul o# the (hield ,uardian, (under!>
+orian and "arkham eIchanged a look! =1h!!!whatCs a (hield ,uardianL>
=Mou ever seen a golemL> the mage asked! =NoL $he guardianCs an animated statue
with magic owers!>
=:nd you didnCt see #it to mention this little detail to us *e#oreL> +orian asked
du*iously!
=) mentioned the (hield ,uardian to ;undar, and he claimed he knew how to handle it,>
0asryn eIlained!
=Meah, well may*e he couldnt,> "arkham Buied, and took three strides #orward, ast
0asryn! +orian and ,arnet, weaons ready, were right *ehind him! (ighing, the mage called a
sell to mind and entered the tower, "ercidith right at his heels!
"arkham entered the darkened room, lit only *y daylight that streamed in through the
oen door *ehind him! $he sawn, desite his si%e, moved as silently as the shadows, and
*ecame one with the darkness!
'ithout warning, the many torches in iron sconces *olted to the walls suddenly *urst into
#lames, and #illed the room with light! $he knight noticed that the torches gave o## light, *ut no
smoke! &e was standing in a lavishly aointed, circular cham*er! Plush armchairs and couches
welcomed visitors! ;ow ta*les o# cherrywood were laden with decanters o# liBuor and crystal
go*lets on silver serving latters! (helves dislayed rows and rows o# *ound *ooks and scrolls,
and the odd trinket or two! "arkham noticed the o*Gects were odd! (hrunken heads and
amutated hands used as *ookends! : stu##ed, great horned owl, its wings sread #or #light, held
a dead mouse in its talons!
=/oo,> (hyla suddenly eIclaimed #rom *ehind them!
:ll three #ighters turned on her, swords and war-aIe ready to cleave the kender in twain!
=/oy, are you guys GumyN> (hyla giggled!
0asryn smiled, trying to hold *ack his laughter!
=+oorkno* o# a kenderN> ,arnet grum*led, his glare re#lected in the gleaming aIe!
"arkham sighed, closed his eyes, and lowered his sword! =$hat isnCt very darned
#unny!>
=)t is i# you could see the eIressions on your #aces,> 0asryn told them! .ven the little
seudodragon aeared to *e laughing, making short, hissing sounds! =$his room is the arlor!
)ntended #or guests, which usually consisted o# <ather and me! $he most dangerous thing in this
room is the couch cushions!>
=$hen why is my sword still glowingL>
0asryn ut his hands on his his and sighed! =)tCs ro*a*ly Gust reacting to the #act that
the owner o# this tower is an evil, *lack ro*ed mage! "ore likely than not, ;undar got himsel#
lost in +anvilCs li*rary or the la*oratory! (olinari knows, ) did that when ) was a kid here!>
=(to trying to make us #eel *etter,> +orian snaed! =;ook, kid! ) know you donCt want
us to worry, *ut this is serious! 'here would ;undar and $im*erwol# have run into trou*leL>
$he teenagerCs #ace #ell! =$he la*oratory, to level! $hatCs where the (hield ,uardian is!
-r at least it "as, the last time ) was in here!>
=0ase, that was seven years agoN> "arkham chided!
+orian held u a hand #or silence! ='eCll search everything! +escri*e the tower to me,
eIactly! ;eave nothing out!>
0asryn nodded and thought #or a moment! =+irectly a*ove us are +anvilCs rivate rooms,
where he lives and slees! :*ove that is his ersonal armory, #illed with arcane weaons! $he
third #loor has a small kitchen and a antry, a dining room, and a guest *edcham*er! <ourth
#loor is +anvilCs study and a li*rary anneI, and some storage rooms where he kees magic sell
comonents and other sulies! $he #i#th #loor is!!!#or*idden to novices! +onCt ask, the doors
were always locked on that level! $he siIth #loor is the la*oratory, where +anvil conducted all
his dangerous eIeriments, and he #irst taught me how to conduct magical research! $hereCs also
a small stairway leading to the roo#, where he has an eIensive *rass telescoe set u! &e used
that to teach me how to #ind the constellations and the three moons o# Arynn!>
=) want to check out the #i#th #loor,> +orian said immediately!
0asryn smiled! =$hatCs what ) always wanted to do! Come, thereCs a circular stone
stairway that winds u through the center o# the tower! $his way!>
="y lord,> (under called #rom the neIt landing, Gust as the comanions were aroaching
the stes! =$he second level is secure! ) am roceeding u to scout out the rest o# the tower!>
=(under, waitN> +orian cried, ushing his way ast the mage and on u the stes! &is
*lack leather *oots scraed on the stone as he clim*ed! ='e work as a team! MouCll take at least
one o# us with you!>
(under gave the Rangerlord a mirthless smile, which was horri*le to *ehold on his
retilian #ace! Mellow eyes glowed in the dim light! =&ave you ever #aced a (hield ,uardian in
com*at, mortalL>
=,argoyles,> +orian immediately countered! =$wo o# them! :nd thatCs not the oint! )#
youCre going to work with us, you learn to #ollow orders! )Cm the leader here!>
$he assassin glared at +orian #or a long, *reathless moment! +orian suddenly
remem*ered his #ear down in the dragonCs underground den, when he thought this monster
would murder him! Thank the gods Jasryn decided to check on me.
=) #ollow who ) choose, ranger! Mou are not my liege lord! /aron 0asryn is! <ollow to
assist me, i# you choose! +ie i# you will! "y Go* is to rotect the *aron, and ) will not *e held
resonsi*le i# you deli*erately lace yoursel# in harmCs way!>
(o saying, the assassin turned around and slied into the darkness a*ove! +orian
swallowed #or a moment, then turned to the others! &e waved #or "arkham and ,arnet to
#ollow!
=;etCs go, and *e cautious! ) donCt trust him!>
=+o tellL> ,arnet muttered! &e shu##led a *ooted #oot onto the stone ste! =) was a*out
to hire him as a ersonal *ody guard!>
:rmor so#tly clinking, the knight and the dwar# #ollowed, sword and aIe held at the
ready! (hyla skied along, assing the mage, ready to #ire *ullets #rom her &ooak with a wide
smile on her #ace! 0asryn shook his head! &e kne" what they were #acing at the to level o# this
tower! K$was an eItremely ower#ul golem constructed o# stone, wood, and metal that could
even store and cast a #ew magic sells! -nly the erson who held the amulet it was *ound to
could control the towerCs guardian! +ou*tless, <elcra#t had the control amulet with him! $he
(hield ,uardian would #ollow its last command until told otherwise, or it was destroyed! 0asryn
only knew o# two or three sells that would even have an e##ect on the construct! "ay*e!
0asryn reached u and stroked the little seudodragon, wishing he could *reathe #ire like
his #ull-si%ed cousins! $he oison sting would have no e##ect on a non-living entity made o#
stone, metal, and wood!
1 ahead, the others had reached the #irst landing! $wo doors on this #loor were oen,
and 0asryn #elt a slight *ree%e as the wind *lew through an oen window! &e glanced into the
*edcham*er as he assed! $he warm sring wind swirled sheer yellow draes and astel *lue
*linds which hid a #our-oster *ed! $he room smelled o# Gasmine incense, which 0asryn recalled
was a comonent o# an incantation to *anish *ad dreams! +anvil mustCve ket his *edcham*er
shut u tight, and (under had Gust oened the shutters to the outside world! ,olden sunlight
oured into the room!
-n the oosite side o# the hall, 0asryn sied the sitting room! : thick *lack cloud that
smelled o# sulhur wa#ted out onto the landing! : third door that led to a small rivy was also
oenJ the rie odors common to such laces also #lowed out! 0asryn Buickly closed these two
doors and #ollowed the others on u!
$he third level was dark eIcet #or a lone torch, its #lames #ee*ly trying to enetrate the
*lackness! $wo doors on this level were closed, and i# 0asryn remem*ered correctly, magically
sealed! $he magical armory was the logical lace #or +anvil to hide the +ragonlance, and #or
that reason, 0asryn really didnCt think it was here! (till, *oth o# these rooms would have to *e
checked on their way *ack down, when they had the time to search the tower roerly!
)nwardly, the young mage was leased that even (under, with all his strength, couldnCt get ast
the locked oaken doors and their rotective magical wards! Met 0asryn, a mere apprentice
wi%ard, knew a simle sell that would allow him entry!
"ercidith glanced at him! $he mage nodded *ack, the silken white hood o# his ro*es
swaying with the movement, and they #ollowed the others on u! (o #ar, theyCd taken no longer
than a hand#ul o# minutes, hastily giving each landing a cursory glance *e#ore roceeding u to
the neIt level!
: strong *ree%e *lew down through the staircase! 'indows were thrown oen on *oth
sides o# the #ourth level, where 0asryn remem*ered sending long hours as a child! &ere was
+anvil <elcra#tCs rivate study, with an attached anneI #illed with more *ooks and scrolls, all
having to do with magic in one #orm or another! $here were volumes on everything #rom lant
and animal secies, the history and ha*its o# rare magical creatures, the social li#e o# dragons,
dwarves, and elves, among others! $here were scrolled archments containing detailed street
mas o# maGor cities like Palanthas and Nurymdom! NeIt to those were mas o# #orests, #ields,
waterways, lakes, streams, and other *odies o# water, with secial notes on the land and marine
li#e #ound there! +usty tomes covered numerous languages, literature and oetry in soken
tongues and those long #orgotten! $here were volumes on musical theory and song*ooks,
reared *y *ards who knew how to weave magic sells into their music!
-# course, there were also two whole *ookcases constructed o# olished oak that
over#lowed with tomes and scrolls, all #illed with magical incantations! $he sells therein
covered everything #rom summoning #ire elementals to #ire*alls, #rom hurling lightning *olts to
cra#ting golden rings o# invisi*ility! $he sell*ooks were all here! $hey had *een #or*idden to
0asryn when he was a novice twelve summers old, and were now #or*idden to him *ecause he
*elonged to an entirely di##erent -rder o# magic than his old master!
Resting in the center o# +anvil <elcra#tCs study on a solid *rass stand was a shere o#
smooth, rose Buart%, oaBue to all eyes *ut those o# wi%ards! (moke swirled in the crystal *allCs
deths! $his magical arti#act could reveal anything that transired in the continent o# :nsalon!
'hen 0asryn was nine, he once saw a maGestic golden dragon rising into a clear a%ure sky on
wings the color o# sunset!
$he young mage aused in this room only *rie#ly! $his entire castle and everything in it
was technically his, yet he still #elt like an intruder! 'ame "ay + felt sleeping in athers bed last
night. 3ike + dont really belong here!
0asrynCs #ace darkenedJ he turned and eIited the cham*er! :s the mage dashed Buickly
u the stone stes to the neIt level, his *oots scraed gently! -n the #i#th level, all was Buiet and
dark, same as on the armory level! $he great doors stood shut, *lack iron-*anded oak wood, all
locked *y key and enchantment!
The orbidden 3evel! "aster +anvil hadnCt even entertained a young *oyCs Buestions as
to what was hidden *ehind those locked doors! Now, o# course, 0asryn was no longer a novice!
&e could oen the ortal with a #ew whisered words o# .ldritch, or even *last them oen with a
*olt o# lightning!
: scream diverted his Buiet musings! )t had come #rom the to level! $he clash o# steel
striking stone, and someone cussing in +warvish came #rom the la*oratory! 0asryn rushed to the
to o# the staircase, recalling the words to unleash colored lightning!
$he door to the la*oratory was wide oen, and sunlight silled out into the hall! $hrough
the ortal, 0asryn could see "arkham swing 'hado"song, which glowed as *rilliantly as a #alling
star! NeIt to him, ,arnet grunted and *rought down his heavy enchanted war-aIe onto
something inhuman, un#eeling, and uncaring! "ysteriously, the aIe seemed to *e doing more
damage than the sword! -# +orian, "ercidith, (under and the others, there was no sign!
=Per#ect,> 0asryn whisered to himsel#! :s a *oy, heCd had nightmares o# this hulking
monster chasing a#ter him! )t didnCt think, and it didnCt #eel! $he construct Gust lum*ered
#orward and heartlessly killed anything it was ordered to! Nothing mortal could sto it, and only
the most ower#ul magicks could even cause it damage! 0asryn swallowed and raised his right
hand! &e had a clear shot!
=Ast "iranann "air +adurm Soth,arm!Suh "ali "alaran$>
: lance o# *rilliant, *urning lightning #lashed #rom 0asrynCs outstretched hand and struck
the creature dead center! .nergies crackled a*out it, a nim*us o# urle, orange, and gold!
(arks danced a*out the steel arts, and the wood caught #ire and turned *lack! $he le#t arm #ell
o##, severed at the shoulder, *ut the mighty guardian was still standing!
$he creatureCs head turned in the mageCs direction! $he eyes were inoints o# red
#irelight! )t raised its remaining hand in his direction! 0asryn swallowed!
=-h uh! <a#nir, ) think weCre in very dee trou*le!>
$he little seudodragonCs hackles rose and he hissed!
=/aronN RunN> (underCs voice called #rom somewhere inside the la*!
$he twin inricks o# #irelight #lared as a halo like glimmering #ire#lies aeared and
surrounded the solid *rass right hand! $he (hield ,uardian was as tall as an ogre, and strong
enough to unch through solid stone walls! <or a moment 0asryn had #orgotten that it could also
sellcast! (wi#tly, the young mage *egan another sell!
=Ast sonan suh@>
(trands o# silky thread suddenly aeared on his hands, arms, and torso, reventing him
#rom making the necessary gestures to sellcast! $he strands were sticky threads o# gossamer
that Buickly multilied and *ound the mage to the walls! $he seudodragon tried to take o## in
#light the second the magical strands #irst aeared, *ut he too was Buickly caught in the
eIanding we*, which #illed the whole tomost #loor o# the tower!
A &eb spell, 0asryn thought in #rustration! 4o" could + be so stupid9
$hrough the oen door, 0asryn could see a *lue *lur! "uscular arms, which were
covered in scales that glistened, like wet sahires and ended in talons! (omething roared!
(omething inhuman, hal#-man, hal#-dragon, all monster! (under!
0asryn watched as the assassin ummeled the automaton with huge retilian #ists and
slashed with ra%or-shar claws, seemingly to no avail! $he #ists were reelled *y an invisi*le
aura that sheathed the guardian! $he aura *ecame translucent, with a nim*us o# sarks with each
*low!
$he mage understood two things at once! <irst, an invisi*le #orce *arrier rotected the
(hield ,uardianCs erson! $hat 0asryn had once read a*out, a long time ago! -rdinary weaons,
such as (underCs #ists and claws, had no visi*le e##ect! "agical weaons and sells, such as
"arkhamCs sword and 0asrynCs lightning *olt, stood a chance o# *reaking through the shield to
ossi*ly damage the stone and metal *ody *eneath! $he ower#ul shield that surrounded it
mostly disersed his lightning sell, which heCd eIected to ulveri%e it!
$he second thing 0asryn reali%ed was that the others must all *e traed in we**ing like
he and <a#nir were! (under mustCve #reed himsel# *y slashing the we* with his claws and
yanking with his great strength! 'hich meant 0asryn could do very little to hel, unless he could
somehow cut the strands o# silk which *ound him!
Al"ays kne" my magic dagger "ould come in handy someday, 0asryn grimly re#lected!
&e looked at his right arm, where the small weaon was hidden! $he sheath was designed to let
the *lade dro right into his hand with a #lick o# his wrist, *ut his hand had to *e resting at his
side #or that to haen, letting gravity do all the work!
$he mage smiled! $here was another way!
=%tter,> 0asryn cried out, and immediately the dweomer o# returning activated! $he
silver-chased kni#e #lew #rom its sheath right into his oen hand! $he mage gra**ed it and *egan
cutting at the sticky, silky threads! $he strands were thick and tough, *ut snaed with very little
e##ort! $he small *lade was dou*ly enchanted and sliced through the we**ing as i# it were cotton
candy! :lready, 0asrynCs right arm was #ree! )n another #ew minutes, his entire *ody would *e
out o# this gooey mess!
'hile he cut, (under #ought on *ravely! $he (hield ,uardian swatted at him with its one
remaining arm, *ut the (awn was too #ast and strong #or it to connect! $hen, (under did
something uneIected!
$he (awn raised *oth hands and lightning #lashed #rom his taloned #ingertis, assaulting
the (hield ,uardian! $he nim*us o# shield energy #lared urle, then ink! (under screamed a
*attle cry, and a second *last o# electricity shot out and ierced the shield this time! (tone chis
*roke o##, and the wooden arts *urst into #lames!
+ didnt kno" he could do that, 0asryn thought, #inally #ree o# the we**ing! /its o# silk
still clung to his hair, #ace, and white ro*es, *ut he was now #ree to act! $he young mage took
several stes closer, and *egan to cast another incantation! )n hindsight, this was the sell he
shouldCve cast in the #irst lace!
=Ast sonan suh "aran!ith "alis$>
: low, thrumming hum *egan, centered on the guardianCs chest, underneath the shield!
$he sound *uilt Buickly, rose to a high-itched #reBuency, and rose higher still! $he automaton
*egan to vi*rate as the noise sounded like a do%en hives o# angry *ees swarming! (under,
reali%ing the mage had cast a sell, leaed away #rom the (hield ,uardian Gust as it *egan to
shake aart! (tone and gold ieces o# the guardian shattered like ice that had *een le#t in the sun
too long!
$he sonic assault reached a crescendo, and the guardian eIloded into hundreds o#
slintered ieces! (ilence #ollowed! 0asryn walked #orward, his *oots crunching on *its o#
stone, wood, and metal! <a#nir #lew into the room and took a erch on to o# a dusty *ookcase!
=.very*ody okayL> 0asryn asked nonchalantly as he entered the room!
=0ust eachy,> ,arnet gried! $he dwar#, like everyone else, was trussed u in thick,
sticky we**ing! &e looked like a gray sack o# laundry! $he teenager had to #ight not to laugh as
he walked toward ,arnet, dagger ready to cut him #ree!
=)Cll have you out in a minute, ,arn,> the mage reassured him, and cut through the tough
silk easily with his enchanted kni#e!
=<orget us,> $im*erwol# cried! =Check on ;undar! $he golem cast some kind o# sell,
and heCs *een aslee #or hours!>
(under was already kneeling at the /lack "ageCs side, checking #or a ulse! $he dark el#
was lying on the #loor, trussed u in layers o# we**ing, like the others! $he (awn nodded once!
=&eCs unconscious, *ut alive!>
=(under, only a magical weaon can cut@> 0asryn started to say! $he (awn was using
his ra%or-shar claws to slice oen the *lack mageCs silk cocoon!
=$ell me something ) donCt know,> (under relied with a *itter edge to his voice! ="y
claws are magical, my /aron! ) would not stoo to use my weaons #or such a mundane task!>
$he statement sounded like a recrimination! + think he means his enchanted daggers.
4ell use the blades to murder people, but he "ont stoop to use them to cut 3undar out of that
stuff9 0asryn shrugged and ket cutting the dwar# #ree, and didnCt really care much #or the codes
o# an assassin!
=K/out time, *oyN 'hy didnCt you warn us the whatchamawhosit could wra us all u
like sring chickensL> ,arnet groused, ulling stray *its o# we**ing #rom his hair and *eard!
=1m!!!*ecause ) didnCt knowL> 0asryn answered sarcastically, as he *egan to #ree
"arkham! 'hen the dwar# shot him a dirty look, 0asryn went on! =-h, ) knew a*out the (hield
,uardian o# course, and how tough it was to *eat! /ut ) didnCt know "hich sells +anvil
emowered it with!>
$he (awn aeared intrigued! &is eyes #lashed in the 'hite Ro*eCs direction!
=)ncidentally, my lord, which sell did you use to destroy the golemL> (under asked! &e
steed #orward, and with a #ew Buick slashes o# his claws, the rincess was #ree! &e heled the
lady away #rom the shroud o# gray silk!
='hatter,> 0asryn eIlained! =1se#ul #or *reaking steel swords, heavy chains, rein#orced
armor-lated doors, and ramaging (hield ,uardians!>
(under grunted, imressed with the young mageCs ower! $hen, he gestured at the
unconscious elven wi%ard, who lay on the cold stone #loor o# the la*oratory! =Mour &ighness,
your skills are reBuired with the dark el#!>
$he rincess thanked him and went to hel ;undar! 0asryn #inally #inished #reeing
"arkham and then the two o# them *egan to cut aart the cocoons that enwraed +orian and
$im*erwol#! "arkCs magic sword made short work o# the layered we**ing! 'hen the mage
#inished, he moved to #ree the kender! :s he started to cut the silk, +orian sneered at him and
ulled stray strands o# we* #rom his *lond hair and Fandyke *eard!
=;eave herN (heCs swied my dagger #or the last time,> +orian snaed! &e steed
over to the rincess! =&ow is heL>
0asryn #ro%e #or a moment! &e knew +orian couldnCt ossi*ly have meant that, and
continued cutting!
"ercidith looked u, a #or*idding look in her emerald eyes! $he cleric shook her head,
and her long hair swayed with the movement! =:s #ar as ) can tell, heCs er#ectly healthy, *ut my
healing owers are having no e##ect!>
+orian grunted! =Pro*a*ly cause heCs a creature o# evil!>
=+orianN> "ercidith snaed! &er eyes *la%ed like Gewels in the sunlight! ='e canCt
Gust leave him like thisN>
='hy notL> (ir "arkham inGected #rom several #eet away! $he knight sheathed his
enchanted greatsword, and then wied his long mustaches, which were sym*olic o# his #amilyCs
rank in the (olamnic Anighthood! =)# our roles were reversed, do you dou*t #or one second that
*lack hearted wi%ard would leave us to dieL>
="arkham (wordhawkN $hatCs not the oint and you know it,> 0asryn snaed! (unlight
streamed in through an oen window and glinted o## his dagger as he slid the small weaon into
its sheath, then rolled down his sleeve! =&eCs art o# the grou!>
=:nd the #act that heCs a mage means no nevermind to you, ) suoseL> +orian asked!
&is arms were #olded across his chest!
0asryn gave the older man a dirty look! $ruth *e told, he was really eIhausted #rom
casting all those sells in Buick succession while the (ilver "oon waned! -ne more sell would
ro*a*ly drain him to the oint o# collase, *ut he didnCt dare to tell the others that, not the way
they were acting! )nstead, he simly glared at the Rangerlord, stared him down!
=(under, would you lease carry ;undar downstairs and ut him in *edL )Cll try to *reak
the sell that *inds him later,> 0asryn ordered, and #olded his hands inside oosite sleeves o# his
white ro*e!
=:ye, my lord,> the assassin relied! (under knelt, li#ted the unconscious mage in his
massive arms, and stalked out o# the room! :#ter a minute, when 0asryn was reasona*ly sure the
(awn was out o# earshot, he #inally relied to their leader!
=+orian, whatCs the matter with youL 'hat kind o# leader leaves his comanions *ehind,
sell*oundL> 0asryn asked! $he e##ort o# shouting made him #eel di%%y, *ut he shrugged it o##!
&e didnCt want to aear weak in #ront o# the hal#-el#, not now!
$he Rangerlord glared at him, then moved over to a work*ench, unslung his long*ow and
leather Buiver, and Goined $im*erwol# cleaning o## their weaons o# the last o# the we**ing! $he
mage glided silently over, still glaring at him!
='ellL>
="age, youCre naTve and trusting, and that will get you killed in this *usiness,> +orian
told him simly! =MouCre getting your #riends con#used with your enemies! ) suggest you get
your head on straight!>
"ercidith slammed her slender hand down on the olished wood *ench, and all eyes
shi#ted to her! =MouCre "rong, "aster /arrett! )# you cannot #ul#ill your resonsi*ilities as our
leader, then ) suggest we select another who can!>
+orian turned on her, his #orest-green cloak whirling a*out his lithe #orm!
=Absolutely, your )merial &ighnessN> +orian snaed! (ittle #lew #rom his mouth!
=;ook, ) didnCt *argain #or thisN ) led a grou o# mercenary rangers! 'e were hired to rescue a
coule o# kids who were a*ducted *y the +ark AnightsN <or some reason, $im*erwol# and ) got
ourselves magicked all the way to Neraka *y an evil wi%ard who was a#ter this kid mageN :ll
)Cm trying to do now is get home in one ieceN>
=$hat can *e arranged, ranger,> "ercidith relied coolly! =:s soon as ;undar .clise
wakes@if he wakes@)Cll ask him to transort you *ack to wherever it is you come #rom! /ut in
the meantime, )Cll thank you to see to the sa#ety o# all concerned!>
+orian *linked!
=:s you can see, it is in your *est interest to make certain the mage you desise so much
actually regains his senses!!!and youCd *etter hoe he will *e inclined to waste his time and
energies on you when he does!>
0asryn stum*led #orward, caught himsel# on the edge o# the work*ench, and held a hand
to his sinning head! ,arnet was at his side in a moment! "arkham looked on in concern!
=:re ye well, laddieL>
=0ust a little di%%y, ) guess!> 0asryn took a dee *reath and nodded! &e smiled gamely,
*ut ,arnet knew *etter! &e heled the *oy to a lush, scarlet-cushioned armchair!
=(it down and rest,> ,arnet told him in a low voice! =MouCve *een ushing yoursel#
again, havenCt yeL>
=No more than necessary,> 0asryn admitted reluctantly!
=&ow many sells didGa cast todayL>
=0ust #our,> 0asryn said! =/ut they were some o# my most ower#ul enchantments! :lso,
the (ilver "oon that grants my magic owers is waning, so ) had to our more o# my energy into
casting them!>
=(o, those #our sells were more like siI really ower#ul ones,> ,arnet Gudged! =:m )
rightL>
$he mage nodded! + thought only Dar"ar practiced magic. (arn kno"s more than he
lets on. =Not like ) had much o# a choice, ,arn! $hat golem couldCve killed all o# you!>
='ell, weCre out o# danger now! No more sellcasting, hearL Not until youCve rested,>
,arnet ordered, using his strongest aternal tone o# voice, as he used to do when 0asryn was a
thin little scam o# a *oy, who ran around laying at mischie# and drove him cra%y!
='hat a*out ;undar@>
=:*solutely notN> ,arnet snaed, cutting him o##! =&eCll wait until tomorrow, sleeing
in that nice, com#orta*le *ed downstairs! )# that nasty dark el# still hasnCt woken u *y then, you
can try to *reak the sell! Mou have to learn that you have limits, *oy! MouCre a mage! )Cve seen
mages collase *y overtaIing their owers *e#ore! $hey lased into a coma #or daysN>
0asryn nodded meekly! $he dwar# was right! =1m!!!what a*out searching #or the
+ragonlance "ithout magicL>
,arnet ut his #ists on his hi! =Mou leave that to us! Mou Gust rest!>
=Mes, sir!>
$he mage watched as ,arnet Goined the others, *ellowed a*out wasting valua*le time,
and shouted that they had a whole tower le#t to search! $he others Buickly agreed, and *egan *y
tearing the la*oratory aart! $hey le#t anything that looked like it might *e dangerous #or the
mages to handle later!
$he armchair was really very com#orta*le! 0asryn closed his eyes and nodded o##!
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
=Welcome *ack to the land o# the living,> 0asryn intoned, his voice accusing and
Gudgmental!
;undarBuarian .clise slowly *ecame aware o# his surroundings in stages! $he sound o#
*irdsong through an oen window, the so#t rustle o# sheer draes as they swirled in a gentle
*ree%e! <rom somewhere outside came the sound o# *ooted #eet marching on stone!
$hen, ;undar sensed the seudodragon <a#nir coiled a*out his young masterCs shoulders
as usual! $he tiny dragon, more o# a nuisance to a mage o# his ower, could still conceiva*ly
hurt him, caught unreared like this! &e wore a nightshirt, and his *lack ro*es and sell
comonents lay on a near*y dresser! $hey might as well *e locked in a vault two #loors *elow!
'ithout them, his sellcasting a*ility was eItremely limited!
$he *oy himsel#, though a mere arentice, was ossessed o# enough raw ower and
talent to destroy him, were he so inclined! ;undar dismissed that thought immediately! 0asryn
was a naTve child! &e wouldnCt stoo to slay a de#enseless enemy! Not yet, at any rate! 'hen
the time came, 0asryn (torm would *e a most #ormida*le enemy!
(lowly, the dark el# slit his eyelids oen! :s heCd susected, it was mid-morning!
(unlight streamed in through a high window oen to the western sky! &e was in *ed, a #our-
oster with scarlet draes the color o# *lood that swirled in the light *ree%e! Not three #eet away
stood the *oy mage, reslendent in white samite ro*es, which contrasted sharly with the dark
look o# susicion on his young #ace! $he *oyCs arms were crossed over his chestJ his eyes
glinted like twin sahires and seemed Gust as cold as that stone! $he hurt in his eyes was oen
and honest and athetic!
$he seudodragon watched him with liBuid ru*y eyes, looking like he simly wanted to
kill him! )n this, the small dragon was the wiser o# the two!
;undar smiled amica*ly! =,ood morning@>
=(ave it,> 0asryn snaed! $he /lack "age noticed that the *oy had chosen to con#ront
him alone! Fery overcon#ident, and very stuid! )# ;undar didnCt actually need the little white
ro*ed mageling to get the sta##, heCd ro*a*ly kill him #or the arrogant, smug look on his #ace
alone!
='hy did you deli*erately ut yoursel# into a magical coma like thatL> 0asryn asked
accusingly!
;undar was imressed! $he Buestion was logical, simle, and direct! ='hat makes you
think ) would do such a thingL>
=: (hield ,uardian can only store a single, relatively low-level sell, like that we*
evocation! (imulating death, a necromantic enchantment like the one that held you until ) Gust
diselled it, didnCt come #rom that walking ile o# rocks! >ou had to have cast it on yoursel#,
leaving $im*erwol# to #ace that murderous walking statue alone! $he Buestion is, "hy9>
2ags0 The boy is bright. ;undar sat u, roed on his el*ows, and sighed! &is dark
urle eyes revealed nothing! =&as it occurred to you that your old master le#t a tra in that
room that ) Gust haened to set o## in my carelessnessL>
0asrynCs eyes so#tened slightly! The child is buying this!
=Mou mean *esides the guardianL> he asked!
=.Iactly,> ;undar nodded! "entally, he made a note to sneak *ack u to that la*oratory
and leave a *ook with the charged trinket, which would account #or his *ehavior! =) made the
mistake o# reading the sine o# one o# <elcra#tCs *ooks, and the neIt thing ) knew, ) was #lat on
my *ack!>
0asryn looked thought#ul, and ru**ed his chin! =: cursed runeL $he 'epia 'nake 'igil9>
'o, your education included kno"ledge of 2lack !oon !agic spells. +nteresting.
="ore likely than not,> ;undar resonded reasona*ly! &e li#ted the covers and sat u!
=&ow long was ) outL>
=$wo days,> 0asryn answered, a hint o# aology in his voice! =+orian and ,arnet
wouldnCt let me disel the enchantment until we were sure it wasnCt going to wear o##, #irst!>
$he el#in mage ga%ed a*out the room! $he #inely cra#ted #urniture and aointments
looked very #amiliar! Of course. +m in Danvil elcrafts o"n bedchamber. : slight smile
ghosted the el#Cs #eatures! )# the renegade wi%ard could see this, heCd have kittens! +orian *eing
here would also make lanting evidence easier! .Icet #or the *oy, ;undar was ro*a*ly alone
in the 'est $ower! &eCd sneak u to the siIth #loor later and lace a 'igil on one o# the *ooks
himsel#! $he cursed magical rune was caa*le o# lunging an unsusecting victim into the kind
o# deathlike trance heCd *een in!
=)Cm #amished,> ;undar suddenly announced! =)# you would lease send me u some
*reak#astL>
0asryn stared at him #or a moment! =)Cll have to get it mysel#! -nly (under or mysel#
will even enter this tower! $he servants think itCs cursed!>
=$hatCs *ecause it is cursed, 0asryn,> ;undar relied with a smile! &e gestured to his
*lack mageCs ro*es, #olded neatly and resting on a near*y dresser! :t his *idding, the cloth #lew
over and landed across his legs! =Mou cleaned them #or meL>
=$he cantri is easy enough,> 0asryn relied with a shrug! &e turned #or the door! =)Cll
#etch your meal while you do your morning a*lutions! -h, and thereCs a *all tonight! :lesand
arranged it, at the reBuest o# (ir +arig Farletaard! "y #atherCs old #riend #eels itCs necessary to
introduce me to society, as the new /aron Fon /ladmere!>
=)s that wiseL>
=Pro*a*ly not,> 0asryn relied, his hand on the solid *rass door latch! =/ut as usual,
theyCre not leaving me much o# a choice! +arig insisted on it! /e *ack shortly!>
(o saying, the *oy dearted the room, and le#t ;undar alone with his thoughts! &e
slied into his *lack velvet ro*es, and then knelt to ull on his *oots!
oolish child, ;undar thought! &ere you my apprentice, you "ouldve )uestioned my
motives more thoroughly!
O O O O O
=&e said he accidentally set o## a magical trap9> +orian asked susiciously! $he
Rangerlord stood *y a ta*le in the castleCs kitchen, hand resting on his hi! /e#ore they arrived
in 0elek, heCd gotten a haircut and trimmed his goatee into a Fan +yke, thinking the short *lond
*eard looked more distinguished! $he seamstress here had recently sulied him with a *rand
new set o# #orest-green hunting leathers, comlete with a matching archerCs hat! :t this news,
+orianCs eye*rows gathered a*ove his #ace! =) donCt *elieve it!>
=K$is ossi*le, +orian! &e "as glancing at some dusty old *ooks on the shelves when he
collased! That was when the (hield ,uardian started moving and attacked me,> $im*erwol#
eIlained as he munched on an ale!
=-h, that makes me #eel so much *etter,> +orian relied as he turned to his old #riend!
=$he guardian didnCt attack you until after the /lack Ro*e collased, which means it lay
dormant in the resence o# evil!>
=-r, it lay dormant in the resence o# a mage,> the shaman eIlained! =Remem*er,
0asryn used to use that la*oratory as a child, when he was <elcra#tCs student years ago, and
0asrynCs no /lack Ro*e!>
="akes sense,> 0asryn commented #rom the other side o# the room, *y the cooking #ire!
)t was a *etter theory than oenly accusing ;undar o# trying to get $im*erwol# killed! $he
young magician icked u a sliver o# raw meat and #ed it to his seudodragon! $he tiny *east
chired haily, Gumed down onto the ta*le, and *egan snacking on a *owl o# #ood! :cross the
ta*le, a serving girl shot <a#nir a dirty look, *ut said nothing! 0asryn was the *aron, and had
every right to #eed all that #ood to his little et i# he so chose! $he girl went right *ack to
rearing a silver tray with dishes o# *reak#ast #oods #or the other mage in the 'est $ower! (he
was Gust glad her new master was volunteering to serve his own guest in that cursed *uilding!
=+oes itL> +orian returned! =:ll this sounds contrived, somehow! ) think ;undar is
hiding something!>
=&eCs a "izard, +orian,> $im*erwol# resonded! =-# course heCs hiding somethingN /ut
i# you think ;undar and <elcra#t are consiring together against us all, having lanned it this #ar
in advance, youCre way o## *ase! :nd <elcra#tCs considered a rogue mage now *y the 'i%ardCs
Conclave! $he two would never work together! /esides, evil consumes itsel# in the end!>
=.ventually it does,> +orian agreed! =) Gust hoe they donCt kill all o# us *e#ore that
haens! .vil does win some *attles, i# good sits *ack and does nothing!>
=Now youCre sounding mor*id,> 0asryn interGected! NeIt to him, the girl ut a large
silver cover over the tray, to kee the #ood warm! =$hank you, Charlotte!>
=-h, this is cheer#ul #or +orian,> $im*erwol# eIlained with a wry grin! =&eCs usually
as dour as a dwar#!>
=+o tellL> the *oy shot *ack with a smile! &e icked u the tray and headed #or the door!
<a#nir Gumed onto his shoulders when it was clear his master was leaving!
=0ust try to #ind out what heCs really u to, 0asryn,> +orian insisted! =:nd *e care#ul! )
donCt trust him!>
0asryn stoed and #rowned at him! ='hat makes you think that + do9 "aster Palin
ordered me to "ork with him, not to let him take advantage o# meN )Cll let you know what ) #ind
out!>
='aitaminute, )Cll go with you,> $im*erwol# insisted! =) want another look at that
tower!>
0asryn shrugged! =$hanks! ) donCt mind the comany! No*ody else wants to go near the
lace! CanCt understand why! )tCs #illed with magicN>
$im*erwol# and +orian shot each other a meaning#ul look *e#ore the shaman #ollowed
0asryn out the door!
O O O O O
=;et me eIlore a *it, 0ase,> $im*erwol# asked, a#ter the young mage oened the
magically sealed door! =)# this room is a magical armory, then it stands to reason that the
missing +ragonlance might *e in here somewhere!>
$he young mage stood *y the oen door, still holding the silver tray #or ;undar! &e shot
$im*erwol# a du*ious look, which the shaman didnCt notice *ecause his *ack was turned! =)Cm
not so sure thatCs a good idea! :ll the weaons in this room are enchanted! Mou really shouldnCt
*e touching anything unless )Cm with you!>
=$his will rotect me,> $im*erwol# told him con#idently, twisting hal#way in the *oyCs
direction and holding the small gleaming arrowhead that hung a*out his neck!
0asryn shrugged a#ter a long moment! =(uit yoursel#! 'hen ) get *ack, )Cll hel! $hen
we can search the #i#th #loor! +o you want me to ask ;undar i# he wants to Goin usL>
$im*erwol# almost said, Kabsolutely not,C then thought *etter o# it! 'ho would know
more a*out /lack "agic than a *lack ro*ed mageL &e slowly nodded!
=Mes, do that! )Cll wait here #or *oth o# you!> $im*erwol# agreed!
$he young mage le#t silently, having le#t the door oen! &is #ootstes could *e heard
scraing on the stone stes as he descended to <elcra#tCs rivate aartments!
$he $horn mage was well known and #eared in the lands to the west! )t was whisered
among those o# ower and wisdom that <elcra#t was a descendant o# the legendary
<istandantilus! -thers claimed that he "as that dark wi%ard re*orn, and at least one rumor
claimed that <istandantilus had actually ossessed the unsusecting mage when he had *een an
innocent young man!
(till in all, there was no dou*t that <elcra#t was one o# the most evil and uissant wi%ards
to ever walk the continent o# :nsalon!
:nd now $im*erwol# was standing in his ersonal armory!
-ne entire wall held swords, aIes, hammers, and small *laded weaons in wooden racks!
$o the right o# this were two #ull sets o# latemail armor, and a manneBuin #itted with what
$im*erwol# recogni%ed as elvish chain-mail and a shining helm! -n a near*y ta*le were two
cross*ows and #our or #ive long*ows, one o# which looked to *e a comosite model!
$im*erwol# icked u this last, admiring its cra#tsmanshi! )t was wrought o# #inely olished
yew wood, and #eatured a cherrywood gri! $his *ow was #it #or elvish royalty!
$he ranger ulled an eItra-rein#orced cord #rom one o# his ouches and strung the *ow!
)t was lightweight, and #elt right in his hands, almost as i# this *ow were made #or him!
$im*erwol# nodded! &e had little dou*t that this *ow really "as enchanted, and lanned to ask
0asryn i# he could have it!
$he ranger slung the *ow across his *ack, neIt to his own, and continued to eIlore the
room! : olished walnut ta*le held #our small wooden chests, all o# them locked! NeIt to these
was a carved cedar case, the kind that no*lemen used to hold a set o# daggers or cutlery! $his
case oened easily, *ut inside o# it there werenCt any *laded weaons!
$here were wands, siI o# them! .ach was a*out a #oot in length, and cra#ted o# di##erent
tyes o# wood, which $im*erwol# recogni%ed! )n order, they looked to *e made o# oak, ash,
cherrywood, walnut, e*ony, and Fallenwood! .ach wand was decorated with gold or silver lea#,
and set with recious stones! $wo o# them had strange runes carved right into the wood! :ll the
gemstones glowed with their own inner light!
$im*erwol# le#t the wand case where it was! 0asryn or ;undar were #ar *etter suited to
eIamine them! &e turned to the #inal ta*le, uon which rested a small crystal -r* that shone
with a *ale#ul *lack light! $im*erwol# assed his hand over this -r* once, and was immediately
struck with a strong sense o# inherent evil! $he holy sym*ol a*out his neck #lared with silvery-
*lue light as he did this! $he shaman ulled *ack his hand and didnCt reeat the eIeriment!
(uch magical arti#acts were also *est le#t to the mages!
&is ga%e #inally #ell to a sta##, which stood uright in a shadowy corner o# the room! $his
sta## was cra#ted o# aged ashwood, as long as a human was tall, with two *eauti#ul diamonds set
in silver at either end, and magical runes and sym*ols engraved along its length! $im*erwol#Cs
*reath caught in his throat! $his sta## was gorgeous to *ehold!
$he diamonds glowed and suddenly #lared like shooting stars even as he watched! )n
another moment the light was so *rilliant it hurt to look directly at it! $im*erwol# closed his
tearing eyes #or a second, and then oened them again!
$he sta## was gone!
=(weet Airi-0olith,> $im*erwol# gased! 0asryn would have to con#irm it, o# course, *ut
heCd *et hal# the *lessed arrows in his Buiver that +anvil <elcra#t had Gust summoned that sta## to
his hand, as heCd seen some wi%ards do in years ast!
$he thought that <elcra#t could summon any o*Gect #rom this cham*er at will was
unsettling, to say the least! Could the dark mage *e aware o# the clericCs resence in his inner
sanctumL Pro*a*ly not, or <elcra#t wouldCve teleorted right *ack here himsel#!
<ighting +anvil <elcra#t in single com*at was not conductive to a long li#e, so
$im*erwol# reconsidered! Perhas he should wait #or the teenaged mage to get *ack a#ter all!
$he cleric walked *ack to the rack o# enchanted weaons on his way out, and aused to
eIamine those o*Gects he was #ar more #amiliar with!
'arily, he ket a watch#ul eye on that -r* on the oosite side o# the room!
O O O O O
=Mou donCt like $im*erwol# very much, do you *oyL>
0asryn looked u sharly when ;undar had asked that Buestion! &ow did he know the
shaman had accomanied him to the towerL
='hatL> the 'hite Ro*e asked, too Buickly!
;undar #lashed him a slight smile! $his *oy was ositively transarent! No wonder he
always made it a oint o# telling the truth! 0asryn (torm ro*a*ly couldnCt tell a genuine lie i#
his li#e deended on it!
='hy else did you leave the oor *oo* to *lunder around in +anvil <elcra#tCs rivate
armoryL :re you actually hoping heCll touch the +ragon -r* and have his mind *lasted to
o*livionL>
$he young mage suddenly #ro%e in the act o# ouring ;undar a cu o# tea! =$hereCs a
+ragon -r* down thereL>
=$sk, $sk! +idnCt you noticeL /y the #ar wall! ,lowing with *ale#ul, *lack light!
$hro**ing with ower and intelligence! $he mind o# Nightstar is contained within! <elcra#tCs
*een trying to master the *lack -r* #or many years now,> ;undar in#ormed him, smacking his
lis! =$hen, there are other arti#acts down there, things not Buite as *enign! Cursed swords,
wands o# #ire*alls, rings o# demon summoning, and even a #ull suit o# cursed late armor, once
worn *y ;ord ;orian (oth o# Night@>
0asrynCs hand was on the doorCs latch *e#ore ;undar had even #inished his litany!
='ait!>
='hat #orL> the *oy asked anIiously!
=/e very care#ul, *oy! $here are dangerous arti#acts in that room even you shouldnCt
touch! 6specially the +ragon -r*! .ven the legendary Raistlin "aGere nearly lost his mind
trying to master the green -r*, when he #ound it in (ilvanost during the last +ragon 'ar!>
=$hanks! )Cll *e care#ul,> 0asryn romised!
>oull be dead, ;undar thought *ale#ully, and then went on!
=-h, one more thing!>
&eart ounding #or #ear o# his #riend, 0asryn had to sto himsel# #rom Guming #rom #oot
to #oot! =Mes, "aster ;undarL>
inally, the *oy had used the title master, which all arentices o# magic were reBuired
*y rotocol to use around a senior-level mage, regardless o# which -rder o# magic they *oth
*elonged to! $he dark el# smiled silently to himsel#!
=/eware o# going into any o# the rooms on the #i#th #loor o# this tower! 5nless, o#
course, you #eel youCre strong enough to meet the challenge! $here was a reason <elcra#t
#or*ade you entrance to those rooms!>
='hatL> 0asryn asked, his curiosity aroused in site o# himsel#!
;undar .clise smiled am*iguously! =$hatCs something you must learn #or yoursel#,
0asryn (torm! 0ust remem*er that ) warned you!>
$earing his ga%e away #rom the el#, 0asryn released the latch and le#t the room!
O O O O O
=!!!and then the sta## Gust vanished! )Cm *etting that ,ray-ro*ed necromancer summoned
it all the way #rom (outhern .rgoth!>
0asryn nodded thought#ully! <rom $im*erwol#Cs descrition, he was willing to *et the
arti#act was a <roststa##, *ut why +anvil would need such a thing in a #ro%en wasteland like the
'hite -verlordCs realm was *eyond him! 1nless!!!unless it also contained a sell that ena*led
the wielder to control cold-related monstersL Possi*le, *ut an arti#act that cast magical #lames
would *e #ar more e##ective!
='hat else did you #indL> the young mage asked atiently! -n his shoulders, <a#nir was
ga%ing at all the retty, glittering things! $he little dragon was ractically drooling, and sent his
master a mental image o# all these lovely things sa#ely ensconced *ack in his #orest lair in
"aldavia! =Not no", <a#nir!>
=$hat ta*le over there has several locked chests on it, including a case o# magic wands! )
didnCt touch any o# them,> $im*erwol# Buickly added!
=Fery wise,> 0asryn relied, and dri#ted over to the ta*le in Buestion! $he small dragon
shi#ted osition and #laed his wings! $he small ru*y eyes locked on the gems, which graced
the small sticks, comletely o*livious to their true nature! &e merely coveted the gems, which
covered them, as any dragon would do! $he *oy mage stroked his seudodragonCs tail, and
gently hushed him!
=$hereCs one wand missing,> 0asryn o*served! ='as this case #ull a #ew minutes agoL>
$im*erwol#Cs almond-*rown eyes widened! =Mes, it "as0 $here were siI o# them *e#ore
you walked in!>
/eneath his samite hood, 0asrynCs *lue eyes #lashed in the shamanCs direction!
=+o you recall what it looked likeL>
$im*erwol# looked thought#ul #or a moment! =.*ony! )t was cra#ted o# e*ony wood,
with gold settings, and a small glowing ru*y at the ti! ) couldnCt understand what the magical
writing said, *ut it looked like a single word!>
=+id it resem*le the wand o# #ire*alls ) #ound in Ne#ariantCs treasure vaultL>
$im*erwol# nodded! =:ye, it was similar, Kcet that wand was made o# metal! Mou think
this one shot #ire, tooL>
=)Cd *et my sell*ook on it,> 0asryn con#irmed! =)tCs logical, #its the attern! $hat sta##
he summoned sounds like it controls cold-related sells, and he also called #or a wand o#
#ire*alls! ) think youCre right! "aster +anvil can summon anything #rom this room at will!>
$im*erwol# #rowned! =K!aster +anvilLC>
0asryn grinned sheeishly! =(orry, old ha*it! ) was going to call "aster Palin here, to
ask him what to do! "ay*e ) could use his hel in carting all this stu## away! /ut whatCs the
oint, i# +anvil can simly summon it all *ack to his side, anytime he wants toL>
$im*erwol#Cs #ace #ell! =-h!>
='hatL>
$he shaman unslung the comosite long*ow and held it out to show the young mage! =)
was going to ask you #or this, *ut whatCs the oint, i# itCll simly disaear one day, erhas
while in the middle o# com*atL>
0asryn care#ully took the *ow, and #elt its charge o# magic instantly! =)t is magical, *ut
what dweomer rests uon it, ) canCt say yet! Perhas the summoning evocation only works i# the
o*Gect is hysically in this room! $ake it, *ut donCt use it yet! ,ive me a chance to )denti#y its
dweomer!>
=Mou think it may *e cursedL>
0asrynCs *lue eyes turned golden! =Possi*ly! "ore likely than that, it may *e that its
magic is simly incomati*le with your *lessed arrows! $ake it #rom here, and give me a chance
to +dentify it roerly! (hould *e one nightCs work!>
$im*erwol# nodded Buickly, and slung the *ow again! =$hank you! -h, and that crystal
*all over in the corner is cursed! "y holy sym*ol reacted *adly to it!>
$he *oyCs ga%e #ell to the so#tly glowing -r* $im*erwol# had indicated! &e shook his
head! $he words that escaed the *oyCs lis were a hoarse whiser! =No, $im! )tCs not cursed,
Gust dangerous!>
$he young 'hite Ro*e dri#ted over to the solid gold stand uon which the arti#act in
Buestion rested! $im*erwol# #ollowed at his heels! $he *oyCs sight *ecame lost in the or*Cs
swirling, *lack deths! )t actually beckoned to him!
=:re you sure a*out thatL "y holy sym*ol #lared like a torch when ) assed my hand
over it!>
0asryn nodded dum*ly #or a second! 'hen he soke, his voice sounded like it was
#ading, even to his own ears, like it came #rom very #ar away! =)t was reacting to!!!the
intelligence within! $he mind thatCs traed inside!!!is evil!!!*ut the or* itsel# is Gust!!!dangerous!
: very otent weaon o# great ower! Raistlin "aGere mastered one, when he was a*out my age!
&is skills *ack then were eBual to my own! ) wonder i#@>
$he *oy was drawn even closer, and assed his hand over the shining, crystal sur#ace!
/lack smoke inside the -r* swirled, and glowed *righter with *lack light! : dee-sounding and
very ancient voice soke to 0asryn, inside his mind!
+reetings, .oung mage2 %es, 3 will serve .ou2 Ta"e me from this #la4e2 %ou 4an &e
the most #owerful wizard to ever wal" *r.nn, even more #owerful than Raistlin 'a7ere2 Far
stronger than that 4oward, Danvil Fel4raft2 Far more #uissant than Fistandantilus$ %ou are
of m. "ind222m. "indred2222
0asrynCs #ingertis *arely *rushed the sur#ace o# the or*, and $im*erwol#Cs latinum
arrowhead #airly eIloded with silvery-*lue light! $he cleric Buickly gra**ed the *oy and hurled
him *ackward, away #rom the -r*!
=N-N> 0asryn cried! $hen, he #ell lim in the shamanCs arms!
$im*erwol# shook him! =:re you all rightL>
0asryn nodded! =M@yeah! ) think so! )t!!!called to me! )t spoke to me, in my head!>
=+angerous is right,> $im*erwol# commented, and cast a #urtive glance at the +ragon
-r*! $he *lack glow slowly died down as they *acked #urther away #rom it! ='hat in the :*yss
is that thing, anywayL>
=)tCs called a +ragon -r*! -nly the strongest-willed o# mages can hoe to master them,>
0asryn eIlained!
='hat haens i# you cant master itL +t masters you9>
$he *oy nodded grimly! =$he mind o# an enormous, ancient *lack dragon resides within!
$he dragon was called Nightstar *y the .lves, and "idnight *y "en! :ll three -rders o# magic
cra#ted the #ive -r*s in the :ge o# +reams!!!!>
=+idnCt the #amous knight (trom (ilversword use one o# those things during the 'ar o#
the ;anceL> $im*erwol# suddenly asked!
=$hatCs right! $he *lue or* was destroyed! $he green -r* was sirited away *y Raistlin
"aGere! $his one, the *lack, was thought destroyed centuries ago! ) have to get word to Palin
that itCs hereN>
=Right,> $im*erwol# said, turning the teenager around! =<irst, ) think, we should get you
the heck out o# this room, and away #rom that thing!>
=)Cm okay now,> 0asryn relied, standing #irm! &is white ro*es hung a*out him, the
voluminous sleeves swaying with his movements!
=Mou sureL>
=:ye,> 0asryn relied! &e took a *reath, and nodded! =) #oolishly oened mysel# u to
the -r*Cs ower! <rom this distance, the wards sewn into my ro*e rotect me #rom its malign
in#luence! /esides, ) want to get a Buick look at the rest o# the arti#acts in this room!>
$im*erwol# hesitated #or a moment, and then nodded! =:ll right, *ut the very #irst time
you start acting weird, )Cm taking you out o# here, even i# ) have to carry you!>
0asryn glanced sideways at the shaman! =)Cve got the ugliest mother in all :nsalon!>
=-uch, that hurt,> $im*erwol# Goked! 0asryn went over to one o# the chests resting on the
ta*le, waved his right hand over it in an intricate attern, and whisered a #ew words o# magic!
$he *oI glowed orange and the lock oed oen! &e care#ully raised the lid and revealed
glittering Gewelry within! <a#nir chired with delight, and avarice shone in his small eyes!
Resting on scarlet silk lining were rings, cra#ted o# gold or silver, the work o# dwarves or
elves! (everal o# them were set with small stones! /eside the rings was a choker collar made o#
*lack velvet, which had tiny diamonds sewn into the cloth! 0asryn immediately recogni%ed it!
=$his collar will make a mindless slave o# the one who wears it,> he eIlained! =)t
contains a ermanent, ower#ul charm! :nd this!!!sweet (olinari!!!!> 0asryn whisered in
dis*elie#! $he *oyCs *lue eyes glowed, wide as saucers!
&e care#ully removed one ring #rom the *oI! )t was wrought latinum, with three
settings! $wo o# them were emty! $he third still held a small stone, a tiny gleaming ru*y! $he
gem seemed to wink at him!
=) think!!!this is a ring o# limited wishes! $hereCs one stone le#t!!!one wish!!!!> 0asryn
whisered, almost too so#tly to hear!
=: ring o# limited wishesL> $im*erwol# asked du*iously!
$he *oy nodded slowly! =$heyCre less ower#ul than a #ull wish, which is the most
ower#ul magic a human wi%ard can control! $his one ring is easily one o# the most valua*le
arti#acts in this room! )Cd *etter take it with me!>
$im*erwol# shrugged! =MouCre entitled! Mou are the *aron, a#ter all! Mou own this
castle and everything in it! Not that weCre staying long, *ut the dark aladins donCt know that!>
0asryn looked u at him! =Right!> &e slied the small ring into one o# the ouches
hanging on his *elt, and eIamined the rest o# the rings care#ully! =) canCt even guess at what the
rest o# these rings might *e! )Cll Gust tell Palin to come *ack here and check out the whole room!>
='hy not take all the rings with usL $he case isnCt that *ig, 0ase!>
)t sounded like a reasona*le course o# action, *ut the young 'hite 'i%ard knew *etter
than to try! $he cursed *oots o# dancing were still #resh in his mind! =No! (ome o# these rings
are *ound to *e cursed! )n #act, knowing +anvil, )Cd *et on it! ) also susect that removing the
entire case #rom this room will set o## some kind o# tra! :#ter what haened at the vamireCs
castle, ) donCt want to temt #ate, or the anger o# the gods!>
$im*erwol# nodded! =MouCre the wi%ard! ) trust your Gudgement! Come, letCs go and
check out that #i#th #loor!>
0asryn nodded, closed the *oI o# rings, and #ollowed the shaman out o# the magical
armory!
$he #i#th #loor *eckoned!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The door was iron-*anded oak, *lack with age and dark with the #oulest magicks
+anvil <elcra#t could command! $he ortal had *een sealed shut *y lock and enchantment, *oth
o# which #ell to the white mageCs glowing touch!
=*hetsaram #a"liol$ >
0asryn (torm had to reeat the /nock sell, the very #irst time that had ever haened to
him! $he ower#ul incantation oened two hysical locks, or one mechanical lock and one
arcane! Fery #ew eole set a door with three or more locks! 'hatever secrets +anvil <elcra#t
had hidden inside this room, it was ro*a*ly very dangerous indeed! <rom earliest childhood,
heCd had nightmares o# whatever sinister monsters lay *eyond this closed, *lack door!
)n years ast, +anvil <elcra#t had solemnly warned 0asryn never to go near this lace!
$oday, ;undar .clise had also warned him not to enter, unless he #elt himsel# strong enough to
#ace whatever it was that awaited him inside! $he door glowed orange and sBueaked oen on
rusty hinges! $his room o*viously hadnCt *een oen in decades! +arkness yawned *eyond the
now-wide ortal!
=(tand ready,> 0asryn cautioned, and summoned a glo*e o# light *e#ore recalling a #ar
more ower#ul sell to mind!
=0asryn, may*e we ought to get the others@>
="ayha! ) Gust want to take a Buick eek inside, #irst!>
=0ust remem*er what curiosity did to the cat,> $im*erwol# gried so#tly!
=&ush,> 0asryn whisered! &e held out his alm and gently *lew at the light glo*e!
Constructed o# glowing air, it gently dri#ted inside like a soa *u**le! *lue-white magical light
illuminated the cham*er within, its rays *arely enetrating the inky *lackness! $he mage
immediately knew that the room must *e Buite a *it larger than the twenty-#oot radius o# the light
sell!
=NothingCs attacking the glo*e,> 0asryn commented! =:nd ) donCt hear anything!>
=) suose thatCs a good thing,> $im*erwol# told him, and held the teenager *ack with a
cautious hand! =0asryn, there are things in this world that will lay dormant #or years, sometimes
#or centuries, until an unwary adventurer wanders into its tra!>
0asryn looked u at him! =-kay, ) get the hint! Mou want to go *ack #or the others!>
=Not yet,> $im*erwol# relied with a smile! =Mou were right! $he two o# us should *e
enough Gust to check out this room! :ll )Cm saying is it ays to *e rather cautious, hmmL>
0ust then, the mage noticed something! -r rather, <a#nir did, and 0asryn icked it u
through their secial teleathic link! &e motioned to his #riend with one hand! =$im*erwol#,
wait! <a#nirCs sotted something!>
='hat is itL> the ranger asked, and held his weaon #irmly in his right hand!
=$he light, itCs wavering! (himmering! :lmost like weCre seeing it through water!!!-h,
gods! $he doorN )tCs a gatewayN $hat room isnCt even in this towerN>
$im*erwol# sti##ened! =MouCre sureL>
=Reasona*ly sure! 'here-ever that is, itCs somewhere else on Arynn,> 0asryn told him!
$im*erwol# wet his lis! ='ell, it doesnCt aear to *e immediately dangerous! ;etCs *e
sure, though, *e#ore we ste on through!>
$he shaman took a tightly coiled string #rom one o# his leather ouches, tied his dagger to
one end, and tossed the kni#e through the doorway! $he *lade hit the stone #loor with a clink that
echoed throughout the room! $he shaman then reeled his dagger *ack! =-kay, it doesnCt look
like weCre going to get stuck over there! (till, it doesnCt hurt to take recautions! Mou once said
that -ening sell o# yours only lasts #or seven minutes, rightL>
0asryn nodded!
$im*erwol# set his dagger down, the oint o# the *lade stuck in the wooden door, its hilt
lodged #irmly in a crack *etween two co**lestones, making an e##ective i# makeshi#t doorGam*!
=$hat should hold the door oen! :o" letCs go!>
$he ranger entered #irst! 0asryn #ollowed, a lightning sell reared, Gust in case! &e
admired $im*erwol#Cs strategy, and areciated the lessons #rom an eIerienced adventurer!
$im*erwol# had o*viously *een through lenty o# castles and dungeons with *oo*y tras waiting
#or the unwary! 0asryn or "arkham wouldCve simly walked in, and ro*a*ly *een stranded
over there when his sell #inally wore o##!
$he two #riends entered a cavernous cham*er, easily a hundred #eet or more in height, the
walls siIty #eet aart! )t was di##icult to tell #or sure! $he walls and ceiling werenCt even visi*le,
hidden in shadows! 0asryn snatched his light glo*e with his le#t hand and #ollowed $im*erwol#
#urther into the vast cham*er! $heir #ootstes echoed in the dark! $he air was cold, and their
*reath #ogged!
='herever we are, itCs underground,> 0asryn said! =<a#nirCs sure o# that!>
=$hereCs a dim light over there,> $im*erwol# said to him, ointing! &e led the way, and
then ointed at a dim red glow with the oint o# his raier! )t was three lines drawn on the #loor!
-ne was curved, the other two intersected to #orm the letter V at regular intervals! 0asryn
counted #ive o# them, and then noticed a small, round deression in the stone #loor, right where
the two straight lines met!
=$his seems to #orm a icture o# some sort, thatCs suosed to *e seen #rom the air! )Cm
going to send <a#nir u to see i# he can make any sense out o# it!>
=,ood idea, *ut is he smart enough to reali%e what the sym*ols meanL> $im*erwol#
asked!
$he mage shot him a look! =&eCs a dragon, $im*erwol#! /esides, heCs my #amiliar!
Creatures *ound to a magician are the smartest o# their kind! <ailing that, ) can see through his
eyes!>
$he *oy untangled the small *east #rom his shoulders, stared directly into <a#nirCs liBuid
ru*y eyes, and communicated his wishes! $he little dragon shuddered!
(omething a*out this lace #rightened the seudodragon! 0asryn #elt it himsel#! $here
was something distur*ingly familiar a*out this lace! (omething #rom his ast, #rom earliest
childhood!
=$im*erwol#, )Cve *een here *e#ore!>
='hatL 'henL>
=: long time ago,> 0asryn whisered! =: very long time ago! ) was very small! :
*a*y!!!) canCt remem*er more than that! )tCs like a #eeling o# de.a vu, *ut itCs much stronger!
$he mage shuddered! $im*erwol# caught the involuntary movement! (omething a*out
this lace #rightened 0asryn on a rimeval level! &e cast a #urtive glance at the door, which still
glowed orange with magic light! (even minutes hadnCt assed yet!
=Mou want to goL>
=No, ) want to see what we can learn #irst! <a#nir, #lyN> $he 'hite 'i%ard gave his little
dragon a slight nudge, and it rose into the air, #luttering on small leathery wings! )n less than a
minute, <a#nir had risen some #i#ty #eet, and the ceiling still wasnCt visi*le! /ut the design on the
#loor, #ormed *y so#tly glowing scarlet lines, was now clear! <a#nir recogni%ed it immediately,
as did his master, who saw through his eyes!
0asryn gased as recognition sent chills u his sine! =)tCs a pentagram0 $hese lines
#orm a large entagram on the #loor, and ) think this glowing red ink is *loodN>
$im*erwol# stared at him! =/loodL 0asryn, itCs *een my eIerience that a entagram
sym*ol is only used *y magic-users who are racticing the *lack arts, and they usually draw the
lines #rom human *lood!>
=-nly i# the entagram is uside down, and drawn in *lood, like this one is,> the mage
told him! =)tCs a suernatural gateway, used to tra creatures #rom other lanes, and to
concentrate magical energies and #ocus them #or seci#ic incantations!!!!>
$he teenagerCs voice trailed o## as he caught movement #rom the corner o# his eye! &e
thought he saw the ghost o# an image! <ive small, glowing crystal sheres, each sat in one o# the
#ive deressions in the stone #loor! 0asryn recogni%ed the glowing sheres in his vision
immediately!
+ragon -r*s! :ll #ive o# them had *een assem*led in this very cham*er, #or some dark
urose!
=0asrynL>
=) have *een here *e#ore,> the *oy told him with certainty! =) was!!!very young!!!a *a*y!>
$he memory layed at the edges o# his consciousness! /lack ro*ed wi%ards "ere here,
and others, also draed in *lack ro*es, *ut with gold holy sym*ols hung a*out their necks, all
shaed in the image o# a #ive-headed dragon! :ll o# them had *een chanting strange words
0asryn couldnCt Buite remem*er! $he air was thick with clouds o# incense that had made him #eel
di%%y! &e had *een very small, and very #rightened! No more than two summers old!
='hatever this roomCs original urose was, it was o*viously intended to hold something
Buite large@>
=1nicorns,> 0asryn whisered!
='hatL> $im*erwol# asked!
=) Gust remem*ered! $he red-glowing lines!!!itCs unicorn *lood! $he dark clerics o#
$akhisis sacri#iced unicorns #or the ritual! :nd there were +ragon -r*s here, all #ive o# them!>
<a#nir returned to his lace on 0asrynCs shoulders, his small wings #laing loudly in the
still darkness!
=-kay, 0ase, now youCre starting to scare me,> $im*erwol# said!
=) was a *a*y! $hey ut me in the center o# that entagram!!!) canCt remem*er much
more! : manCs #ace hidden *eneath a hood, lit *y torchlight! )t almost looked like +anvil
<elcra#t, although 0asryn knew it had *een centuries *e#ore the wi%ard had even *een *orn@
$he *reath caught in 0asrynCs throat! &e suddenly saw a vision o# a #ace! $he man
whoCd cast sells and curses uon him as a *a*y@
=<istandantilus! )t was istandantilus0>
=0asryn@>
=4e did it to meN )!!!donCt remem*er what@>
=0ase, letCs get out o# here@> $im*erwol# insisted, Gust as the oening sell wore o##, and
the door sBueaked! )t didnCt closeJ the dagger held it #ast! =N-'N>
0asryn didnCt #ight as $im*erwol# ulled him #rom the dark stone cham*er! &e gased
hard, ulling *reath, and stood shivering in the #i#th #loor corridor o# the 'est $ower once more!
$im*erwol# removed his dagger, and let the door close on that cham*er o# evil!
=$im*erwol#!!!that!!!that was 'torms /eep0 $hat cham*er was in a cavern hundreds o#
#eet underground, *e#ore the #ortress had even *een *uiltN>
$he shaman gave the closed, dark door one #inal look! )t made sense! :s a cleric o#
goodness, heCd also #elt the echoes made *y the dark clerics *ack there! $he evil resence was
tangi*le! $hat articular kee was the home o# the +eath Anight, ;ord :usric! &eCd also seen
things, ghosts or visions! $he sirits o# those un#ortunates whoCd *een sacri#iced in ro#ane
rituals, while their murderers chanted the raises o# $akhisis!
=0asryn, itCs over,> $im*erwol# told him #irmly! =:nd ) intend to make certain that it
never haens again!>
(olemnly, the Hue-(hu shaman aroached the door, his holy sym*ol held out in #ront o#
him! NeIt, he slied a small *it o# chalk #rom his ouch, and added to this some glitterdust,
silver shavings! $im*erwol# inscri*ed several sym*ols on the door and the door#rame, and then
*lew the glitterdust over it, so the metallic dust stuck!
='hatCre you doingL> 0asryn asked!
=(ealing the door! ) dou*t even <elcra#t can get ast the *lessing ) Gust laid uon it!>
$he teenager smiled! =+anvilCs going to *e royally mi##ed!>
$he cleric smiled *ack! =) dearly hoe so!>
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
~My dear /aron 0asryn, how #are you this #ine eveningL>
$he teenager #ro%e in shock! "arBuis Ne#ariant was the very last erson he eIected to
*e here this night, right in the middle o# the *all! &ow in the name o# (olinari did this vamire
get ast the #ront doorL 0asryn reached u and #elt *eneath his ro*e, checking to make sure the
small silver moon was still around his neck! $he holy sym*ol, in addition to the ower#ul
magical runes woven into his white ro*es, should rotect him #rom this creature! -nly then did
he ste #orward to greet his guest!
$he heels o# 0asrynCs *oots clicked smartly on the mar*le #loor o# the *allroom,
"arkham (wordhawk at his side! $he knight had his hand resting on the hilt o# his sword!
='hat are you doing here, Ne#ariantL>
$he vamire smiled at him, his cheeks #lushed with a rosy glow! 0asryn knew this meant
heCd Gust #ed *e#ore coming here! ='hy, ) was invited o# course, my dear *oy! &ere is a coy o#
the scroll!>
:s 0asryn read the archment, three +ark Anights in his emloy steed #orward! $wo
more +ark Anights, accomanying the vamire, met their level ga%e!
=$his is legitimate,> 0asryn ronounced! =)t *ears my chatelaineCs signature and seal!>
: retainer, &ans, dressed in #ine *lack velvet, steed #orward and whisered in his
*aronCs ear! =)nvitations went out to the entire no*ility, my lord!>
='hy wasnCt ) told a*out this earlierL> 0asryn whisered *ack!
=Mou were Buite *usy with your houseguests, my lord! )t is the duty o# your sta## to see
to such mundane details!>
=Naturally,> 0asryn relied, clenching his teeth in a #ake smile!
=) should think youCd *e a little more grateful, *oy, all things considered,> Ne#ariant told
him! &is eyes were red and enetrating, *ut he could no longer dominate the young mage! $he
runes on 0asrynCs ro*e glowed #aintly, and he #elt the small endant growing warm on his *reast!
=) was, a#ter all, one o# the Gurors who acBuitted you!>
0asryn smiled tightly! =) was innocent o# all charges, my dear "arBuis! ) really donCt see
where you had much choice in the matter!>
Ne#ariant sti##ened! =)# you *elieve that, you are hoelessly naTve, with no knowledge o#
Nerakan olitics,> Ne#ariant snaed! &e was clearly annoyed that he couldnCt get ast the *oyCs
rotection! =Now, i# youCll eIcuse meL ) see a certain young lady o# my acBuaintance that )
really should ay my resects to!>
'ith his *lack velvet and silk cae swirling a*out his thin #orm, the vamire swet away
into the crowded *allroom, his two armed guards close *ehind!
=+o we kill him now or laterL> "arkham asked matter-o#-#actly!
=;ater,> 0asryn told him, eIaserated! =NowCs not the *est time #or vamire slaying, )
think! 0ust kee an eye on him! ) donCt want him killing any o# my guests!>
"arkham shot the mage a look! =Mou mean like ;undar, or any o# these wonder#ully
treacherous *astardsL ;et evil consume itsel#, 0ase! )tCs #ated to *e!>
=Not on my watch, "ark,> the young mage relied evenly! =) donCt dou*t they all
deserve to *e drained dry *y a *lood-thirsty vamire, *ut it wouldnCt *e roer to let them die
while guests in my own castle, even i# this is the last@>
='atch your tongue,> "arkham cut him o##, steing on his toe! =.ars are everywhere!>
'atching Ne#ariant intently, 0asryn nodded silently! $he vamire dri#ted toward
Princess "ercidith like a shadow! $he mage and the knight *oth tensed at the sight!
='hy that son o# a@>
=0ust kee an eye on him,> 0asryn warned again!
"arkham nodded! =Mou have your sells readyL>
=Mes, *ut a lightning *olt would hurt too many eole, including "ercidith, and donCt
know how much good my magic dart *olts will do against him!>
=)Cll alert the others,> "arkham relied, and strode o## into the crowd! 0asryn watched
his #riend #or a moment, and then glanced uward, to the high ceiling, where <a#nir lay coiled in
the shadows, ready to ounce on the mageCs enemies at a momentCs notice! $he others were all
scattered throughout the huge room, reared #or trou*le! None o# them had *een reared #or
the vamireCs aearance, however! 0asryn sotted (under *y a ta*le laden with gourmet #ood,
watching the *aron intently, across the room! $he young mage cast a simle cantri #or assing
a simle message to the assassin at a distance!
=(under, Ne#ariantCs here! 'atch him closely! )# he tries to hurt "ercidith, kill him!>
$he hulking +ragon-sawn nodded once, indicating heCd heard the whisered message,
and strode o## in the direction o# the rincess!
0asryn le#t his osition *y the door, and his duty to greet his guests, intending to circle
around and kee a close eye on Ne#ariant! &e recalled the sell that would unleash "agic +arts!
$he mystic *olts were his sa#est *et, a*le to weave around the innocent *ystanders and strike
only their intended target!
(uddenly someone gently *ut #irmly gra**ed his arm! 0asryn looked u and saw a
strikingly *eauti#ul young woman! (he had long, curly hair, a #ashiona*le dress slit u one leg,
and gently ointed ears! : hal#-el#, who was smiling warmly at him!
="y lord /aron, may ) have this danceL>
0asryn was instantly entranced *y her *eauty, his Gaw le#t hanging oen! $his wasnCt a
charm, which the runes woven into his ro*e wouldCve rotected him #romJ *ut the girlCs
suernatural *eauty cativated him with the same ower o# that sell! &er #eatures were
er#ectly elegant, #rom the shae o# her nose, to the curve o# her neck, to the sarkle o# her ice-
*lue eyes! $he teenager couldnCt seak #or a moment, only nod his head in ascent! : warning
screamed at him in the *ack o# his mind! &e needed to get into osition to hel rotect the
rincess, *ut he told himsel# that dancing with this girl was the er#ect eIcuse he needed to get
closer to "ercidith!
$he young lady took 0asryn into her em*race, and the two o# them entered the dance
#loor! &e only had eyes #or this girl, never reali%ing that she was Buite ossi*ly #ar older than
she aeared! &er lis were red and moist, her teeth white as milk, her *reasts er#ectly #ormed,
*arely hidden and even accentuated *y her dress!
=Mou are Buite the mystery, 0asryn Fon /ladmere! -ur nation has never had a white
ro*ed wi%ard as a mem*er o# the eerage *e#ore!>
='@well, )@ahem!!!) wasnCt raised here! ) mean, ) sent my early childhood here, *ut
@> 0asryn *egan, his ga%e dri#ting over to "ercidith and Ne#ariant! .very instinct was
screaming that something *ad was a*out to haen, *ut what actually occurred took him
comletely *y surrise!
Ne#ariant was seaking to the rincess! &eCd o*viously said something to o##end her, #or
in the neIt moment, she slaed the vamireCs #ace! $he sound o# undead #lesh *eing struck
carried all the way to where 0asryn stood! $he marBuis smiled coldly at her, even as 0asrynCs
household guards closed in! $hat didnCt uset Ne#ariant in the slightest! 'ith the de#test o#
moves, he gra**ed the wrist o# one dark knight and snaed the *ones so he droed his sword!
$hen the vamire tossed the haless knight some thirty #eet, arcing overhead and then into the
crowd! )n the neIt moment, he reached out with *oth hands and easily snaed the neck o# a
second knight! 0asryn #elt <a#nir dive toward the marBuis #rom his high erch, and saw (under
and the others Buickly closing in to attack Ne#ariant!
0asryn was a*out to eIcuse himsel# to sellcast, when he suddenly saw something cold
and shar out o# the corner o# his eye! $hen he #elt it rick against his neck!
=+onCt move, my lord,> the hal#-elven girl ordered in a cold, inhuman voice! =$his in is
coated with curare, a very deadly oison! :ll ) need do is nick you with it, and youCll *e dead
*e#ore your *ody even hits the #loor!>
A distraction, 0asryn reali%ed! :efariants attack "as meant to dra" the others a"ay,
"hile this "oman kills me!
0asryn saw Ne#ariant Gum straight u some do%en #eet, and then cling to the wall like a
sider! :ny cometent mage couldCve done *oth o# those moves using two sells, *ut a vamire
could do all that and more, due to his own suernatural owers! )n the neIt moment, a swarm o#
tiny *ats #lew in through the windows and glass doors, which oened out into the garden!
$endrils o# thick mist dri#ted in as well, re#orming into three more vamires!
=Huickly, #ollow me outside! )# you cry out, )Cll kill you,> the el# ordered!
0asryn swallowed! <a#nir had droed as silent as a shadow, and was assaulting
Ne#ariant! $he *rave little dragon had stung the vamire hal# a do%en times *e#ore Ne#ariant
could resond! 'hen he did, he reached out with his long shar #ingernails, attemting to
scratch <a#nir, *ut the seudodragon had #luttered out o# range! (ilver-tied arrows sang
through the air and struck two o# the other vamires, skewering them right through the heart!
$hey crum*led to dust instantly!
='ho are youL> 0asryn asked as he let himsel# *e led toward the glass door!
="y name is Nightshade! Mour ersonal assassin is overrated! $ime was )ain ;ockhart
wouldCve easily recogni%ed me in this get-u! (ince his trans#ormation, heCs grown
overcon#ident and careless! $hat will *e his undoing! )tCs already yours!>
=+o you intend to kill meL> 0asryn asked, and mentally sent a message to <a#nir! $he
little seudodragon instantly looked u and saw his masterCs redicament! &arn the others!
=Mes,> Nightshade relied simly! =/ut not Gust yet! $he master wants you intact!>
0asryn knew what that meant! Ne#ariant was lanning to turn him into a vamireN $here
were sells 0asryn could emloy, i# only that oisoned needle werenCt right at his throat! $hey
steed outside, into the garden! $he moons were out, white (olinari and red ;unitari! /oth cast
the lants and trees in dou*le shadows! &e knew the *lack moon, Nuitari, was u there
somewhere as well! 0asryn couldnCt actually see it, only a *lack wi%ard like ;undar could see
Nuitari against the dark sky in oily outline, *ut all mages could #eel its vile resence!
=;et the *oy go, Nightshade,> another cold voice intoned! )t came #rom a corner o# the
garden, the tone commanding and deadly! /oth the hal#-el# assassin and her haless cative
looked u and saw ;undar .clise addressing them! Nearly invisi*le in his *lack ro*es, the
elven mageCs intent was o*vious!
=/ack o##, wi%ardN $he *oy *elongs to us!>
=) need him alive,> ;undar stated simly! =) will not warn you again!>
$he assassin smiled without mirth! =) can kill him *e#ore either o# you can get a sell
o##!>
&anna bet9 0asryn thought, and sent a silent mental command! (uddenly Nightshade
screamed in agony as <a#nir soared in *ehind her and stung the assassinCs *ack #ive times,
inGecting oison with each strike! 'hile the seudodragon may have *een a mere annoyance to
the vamire lord, he was more than a match #or this el#! Nightshade droed the in, and 0asryn
Gumed *ack away #rom her in one swi#t movement!
&hy isnt she collapsing9 0asryn wondered! That poison "ill drop a normal human or
elf in seconds0 'he should lying on the grass, sound asleep0
$rem*ling, o*viously struggling to stand, Nightshade drew two gleaming daggers #rom
somewhere on her erson, and deserately tried to cut the little seudodragon! (he #ailed
misera*ly! <a#nir was lightning-#ast, and simly #lew out o# range! 0asryn reared to cast a
sell, as Nightshade turned on him and reared to hurl a dagger!
='ordo4h$> ;undar cried! Nightshade instantly sti##ened, her eyes rolling u in her
head! (he didnCt even have time to scream! (he was dead even *e#ore she hit the co**lestone
ath! <a#nir screeched once, then alighted onto his masterCs shoulders!
=$hat was un*elieva*ly stuid o# you,> ;undar stated in a matter-o#-#act tone!
=Nightshade couldCve killed you *e#ore you could throw that lightning *olt! :t *est, you
wouldCve killed each other!>
=$hat,> 0asryn *egan in shock, =that sell you used, was a "ord kill!> $he *oy had, o#
course, read a*out it! )t was an eItremely ower#ul and dark incantation, *lack magic at its
#oulest! -ne word caused instant death! )t was comletely without honor!
=)Cd teach the sell to you, *ut )Cm a#raid itCs a *it *eyond you at the resent time,>
;undar told him, steing closer! &e didnCt even give the slain assassin a second glance! 0asryn
did, taking another moment to make sure she wasnCt getting u again! &e didnCt *elieve ;undar
was that ower#ul! 'ord-'tun, may*e, a less otent version o# the death sell!
!akes more sense. +f 3undar "ere that puissant, hed be on a level "ith !aster *alin or
Dalamar the Dark. 'till, +d better "atch my step. 4e could kill any of us easily!
=Not to mention the #act that death sells are *lack magic, not white,> the *oy countered!
&is god, (olinari, didnCt arove o# its use!
;undar shrugged! =) did say that it was *eyond you #or now!>
0asryn didnCt like the imlication! &e was a 'hite 'i%ard and hay to stay that way!
;undar o*viously hoed to corrut him, seduce him over to darkness with romises o# ower! :
sell o# the highest order@
0asryn #ro%e! -ould be duplicated by a 'uggestion spell0 +f a sub.ect "ere told to ?die,
she "ould simply collapse into the deepest sleep0 &hy that deceitful@
=)# you decide to Goin us@>
=$he :*yss will #ree%e #irst, ;undar,> the *oy mage told him emhatically! =Come on!
$he others need our hel inside!>
: slender hand clothed in *lack velvet reached out to snatch his arm!
='hy donCt ) wait out here, and set a tra #or our undead #riend, insteadL> the el#in
wi%ard o##ered!
0asryn hal# turned! =&ow do you eIect me to lure him outsideL>
;undar looked the *oy directly in the eyes! &e sighed, eIaserated! =0asryn, you are the
lord and master of this castle! <igure it out!>
0asryn *linked and straightened Buickly! &is *lue eyes #lashed in the torchlight! Of
course0 ='hy didnCt + think o# thatL>
=;ack o# eIerience! MouCre *right enough! (kills like tactics take time to develo! )Cll
wait #or him out here!>
=Right,> 0asryn relied, and strode *ack into the *allroom, his ristine white samite ro*e
swirling a*out him! (unlight #illed the whole cham*er! &e shielded his eyes against the glare
and looked u, his eyes adGusting! -ne o# the clerics had summoned +aylight into the *allroom,
ro*a*ly "ercidith, #rom the looks o# things!
Huite a ower#ul *lessing, that! &eCd once heard that the Daylight summoned *y a cleric
couldnCt a##ect vamiresJ aarently, that was an old wives tale! $wo o# Ne#ariantCs vamire-
servants were caught comletely unreared #or *right sunlight in the middle o# the night! $hey
*oth *urst into #lames and were reduced to ashes and *leached white *ones that continued to
smolder! $he vamire lord still had a num*er o# living servants, however2 +ark Anights,
assassins, and assorted "en-:t-:rms scattered throughout the vast cham*er! +ou*tless more
than a hand#ul o# the no*les resent were in the marBuisC service as well! Ne#ariant himsel#
#loated some nine #eet a*ove the dance #loor, his *lack cae draed a*out his #orm, seemingly
una##ected *y the miracle o# sunlight! $hen, 0asryn recalled how Ne#ariant sat in the Gury *oI
during the daytime, with nothing more to show #or it than a dee tan! $he vamire was so
ancient, that his ro#ane ower had grown to match that o# +anvil <elcra#t, at least!
+ts time to end this, 0asryn thought, raised his right hand, and ointed at the vamire!
=*alith "aran, to&anis"ar$>
<our *rilliant *olts o# si%%ling white energy *urst #rom the young mageCs #ingertis, raced
unerringly, and slammed into Ne#ariant! $he "ystic /olts *urned into the vamireCs chest and
he #ell #rom the air, screaming in agony!
<ourN 0asryn had eIected three! (olinari must have Gust raised his ower level! $he
*oy smiled! &is god must *e leased with his er#ormance, and 0asryn wasnCt a*out to
disaoint (olinari now!
Ne#ariant got to his #eet, hissing and screaming curses in a language so ancient no*ody
even soke it anymore! )n a moment, the vamire levitated once more, rising slowly! &is red
eyes glowed with the *ale#ul light o# hell#ire!
=)nsolent uN )Cll kill you #or thatN 'hen you rise #rom the dead, )Cll leave you chained
outside to #ace the dawning sunN>
'ith a racticed gesture, 0asryn again cast the !essage cantri, so his words would carry
directly to the undead monster! $he *oyCs sahire eyes gleamed, and he wore a devious smirk!
=$hat was to get your attention,> the young mage told him! =Ne#ariant, as lord o# this
castle, ) here*y revoke my invitation!>
$he marBuisC #ace #ell! &is eIression was so riceless, 0asryn wished his sister couldCve
*een there to cature it #orever in oils!
'ith the seed o# thought, the vamire suddenly #lew sideways, directly toward the tall
windows, and shattered the eIensive glass on his way out!
$he other guests, including 0asrynCs #riends, noticed the eIchange! :midst the clash o#
steel, "arkham and the others looked u! $im*erwol# was the #irst at this side, having Gumed
down #rom the raised stage where the orchestra had *een laying, and where heCd shot his
*lessed silver arrows!
=Nicely done,> $im*erwol# comlemented, claing the youngster on his shoulders!
=Come, ;undar is alone out there with Ne#ariantN>
$im*erwol# nodded! 0asryn aused Gust long enough to adGust his "essage sell, and let
the rest o# his comanions know to meet them outside!
)n the garden, the shadows had come alive at ;undarC command! $hey wraed around
the vamire lord tightly, su##ocating him! Ne#ariant screamed as i# he elementals actually *urned
him! $hey ro*a*ly did!
=Mou have a sell readyL> $im*erwol# asked, nocking another silver-tied arrow!
0asryn nodded, holding his hands out in #ront o# him, already making the necessary hand
gestures! ='henever you are!>
=-n three,> $im*erwol# intoned, drawing *ack his *ow!
=Ast "iranann@> 0asryn *egan, chanting his lethal sell, #ingers dancing, shaing the
magic to his will!
=-ne!!!> $im*erwol# counted, lining u his target!
Ne#ariant writhed in agony, traed *y the shadowy creatures, like a dragon in a tar it!
=!!!two!!!>
=@"air +adurmin@> $he wind *egan to rise, shi#ting the *oughs o# trees in his garden!
Ne#ariant cast a*out, summoning his swarm o# *ats! $he tiny creatures #lowed out o# the
*roken windows like living smoke, headed directly #or the /lack Ro*e who was assaulting their
master with #oul /lack :rts, #ar too late to do anything! $he vamire hadnCt even noticed 0asryn
and $im*erwol# yet!
=@Soth,arn!Suh *ali@> Colored light #ormed a nim*us around 0asrynCs hands!
=!!!threeN> $im*erwol# cried, and let #ly his sha#t! $he silver-tied arrow gleamed with
white light, as *rilliant as the white moon crescent in the night sky!
=@Jalaran$> 0asryn cried! $he swirling, enchanted white light #ormed into a crackling
lightning *olt, which lanced out toward Ne#ariant and struck its target with an eIlosion o#
scintillating #iery energy! :n accomanying *oom o# thunder echoed throughout the grounds,
and could dou*tless *e heard inside the *allroom!
$he magic lightning struck the vamire a #ull two seconds *e#ore $im*erwol#Cs arrow
did! <ro%en *y ;undarCs shadow elementals, then *urned *y 0asrynCs white lightning, Ne#ariant
could only scream, eyes *ulging out o# his skull, in the instant *e#ore $im*erwol#Cs *lessed
arrow struck home!
$oo late, 0asryn reali%ed that the smoke rising #rom the vamire was not the result o#
lightning having set his clothes on #ire! Ne#ariant was already dissolving into mist! /y the time
the *lessed arrow skewered him, there wasnCt much le#t to hold onto! )n the neIt second, the
vamire was gone, turned comletely into mist, leaving the sha#t to #all clattering to the
co**lestones!
=N-N &eCs getting awayN> 0asryn cried! &e deserately tried to think o# a sell to draw
the vamire *ack, so they could #inish destroying him! : magical wind would do the trick! )#
only he had enough time to cast it *e#ore Ne#ariant could escaeN
=;et him,> ;undar ronounced coldly!
=/ut!!!;undar, heCll return to his cryt, regenerate and return to kill more eoleN> 0asryn
o*Gected!
=:gain, let him,> ;undar countered! =+onCt #orget where we are, and who his victims
will *e!>
=;undarN> 0asryn screamed *ack! =MouCre talking a*out :lesand and the rest o# my@>
=Mou mean the same :lesand who invited that vamire to your home tonightL>
$im*erwol# insisted! $he *oyCs head sun in the shamanCs direction! =$he one who reared
this whole silly *allL (he set you u, 0ase!>
0asryn stared at him in dis*elie#! "arkham and the others #ought their way outside,
#inally Goining them! $hrough the windows, 0asryn could see KhisC +ark Anights #ighting the
men loyal to Ne#ariant! $he whole *allroom had long since dissolved into chaos!
=/ut she was my governess0> 0asryn relied, his voice losing energy as he reali%ed Gust
how *adly someone heCd trusted #rom childhood had *etrayed him!
=(heCs evil *oyN> ,arnet told him, slamming the oint home! &is war-aIe and armor
were covered with *lood, none o# it his own!
=.vil uses kindness to deceive,> "ercidith told him, as gently as ossi*le! =$he very
eole who raised you used you, 0asryn! $hey were using you all along!>
=+onCt #orget, they murdered your master, (erannon, and kidnaed you,> "arkham
reminded him, lowering his greatsword to the co**lestone ath! $he gleaming, enchanted steel
weaon glowed *rilliantly in the dou*le-moonlight, slick with #resh *lood!
=(under, itCs time,> ;undar ronounced gently *ut #irmly! =:ll are resent! ,et us out o#
here!>
$he hulking sawn nodded curtly and steed #orward, armed outstretched as i# to
em*race them all!
0asrynCs eyes widened! ='aitaminuteN 'hat a*out the@>
:n eIlosion o# *lue-white light eruted #rom (under, #orming an energy shere that
encomassed the whole arty!
)n the neIt moment, they were elsewhere!
0asryn could see *listery, #rigid whiteness *lowing ast them, through the translucent
*lue energy *u**le! $hey had arrived right in the middle o# a winter sBuall, *lown in #rom the
sea! /eyond the whiteness, 0asryn could see three-masted shis *o**ing on the choy *lue
water, tied with thick roe to wooden docks! $heir sails were all secured, and the sound o# wood
hulls creaking could *e heard over the howling wind! (now covered everything with a ristine
white *lanket! )t was the kind o# scene that looked idyllic and icture-er#ect when seen #rom
the com#ort and sa#ety o# oneCs own warm, toasty home through a glass window!
(uddenly the energy *u**le oed, and the comanions were assaulted *y arctic *lasts
o# snow crystals carried on the sea wind! $he air tore at their hair and clothing!
=@+ragonlanceL> 0asryn #inished! &e knew where they were without *eing told, or
thought he did, at any rate!
='elcome to Caergoth,> ;undar .clise announced!
THE END
$o *e continued in The Darkness of Daltigoth
Jasryn Storm the White obe
Male Human Noble 1 / Abjurer 5 / Wizard of High Sorcery 3 CR
!a"ful #ood
Re$re%en&ing !arry Cohen
Strength !"'(1)
#e$terity !%'(3)
&onstitution !''(*)
(ntelligence !)'(+)
Wisdom !"'(1)
&harisma !%'(3)
Size, Medium
Heigh&, 5- ./
Weigh&, 135 lb
S0in, 1ale
2ye%, 3lue
Hair, 3lac04 S&raigh&4 3eardle%%
S$ecial&y, Abjura&ion
#a5e u$, 2nchan&men&6 7llu%ion6 and Necromancy
Total *it +oints, ''
S$eed, 38 fee&
Armor &lass, "" 9 18 (3 :de;&eri&y< -+5 White Mages Robe*=Mage Armor S$ell6 "i&h
hood $ulled u$ &o ac&i5a&e $ro&ec&ion6 +2 Ring of Protection6 +2 Bracers of Defense)
>No&e, All "izard% of &he &hree ?rder% of High Sorcery af&er $a%%ing &heir @e%& are
gran&ed robe% "i&h %$ecial magical rune%4 &he%e robe% all gran& $ro&ec&ion from Charm
%$ell% a% "ell a% incor$ora&ing a Mage Armor %$ell6 bu& only with the hood pulled up!
'a% 7 found ou& &o my regre&A) 'Towers of High Sorcery, page 57)
obes of *igh Sorcery,
(5 Armor bonu% &o AC
S$ell Re%i%&ance 15
(+ Sa5ing bonu% on all %a5ing &hro"%
Whi&e Robe, (1 effec&i5e %$ellca%&er le5el on all Abjura&ion %$ell%A
Red Robe, (1 effec&i5e %$ellca%&er le5el on all 7llu%ion %$ell%A
3lac0 Robe, (1 effec&i5e %$ellca%&er le5el on all Necromancy %$ell%A
Mo%& robe% change color according &o charac&erB% alignmen&4 %ome are
$ermanen&ly a color6 and charac&er% "ho don %uch nonCaligned robe% %uffer 3
nega&i5e le5el% "hile "earing i&A @he%e robe% re$lace robe% of archmagi in
Dungeon masters !uide" S&rong 5aried, C! 1+
&h
6 Craf& Wondrou% 7&em6
Antimagic field, mage armor, mnemonic enhancer" #rice 75,$$$ stl% &eight 5
l's"
@ouch AC, 13
Dla&Cfoo&ed, 1 '18 ( for robe%6 ring6 and bracer%)
(nitiative modifier, ./ 9 (3 :de;&eri&y< (+ :im$ro5ed ini&ia&i5e<
Dor&i&ude %a5e, (+ 9 * :ba%e< (* :con%&i&u&ion<
Refle; %a5e, (E 9 + :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
Will %a5e, (18 9 :ba%e< (1 :"i%dom<
A&&ac0 'handheld), (+ 9 3 :ba%e< (1 :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'unarmed), (+ 9 3 :ba%e< (1 :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'mi%%ile), (. 9 3 :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
#ra$$le chec0, (+ 9 3 :ba%e< (1 :%&reng&h<
!igh& load,
Medium load,
Hea5y load,
!if& o5er head,
!if& off ground,
1u%h or drag,
+3 lbA or le%%
++CF. lbA
FEC138 lbA
138 lbA
*.8 lbA
.58 lbA
!anguage%, Common6 Abana%inian 'regional language)6 Nera0e%e6 Solamnic6 ?ld High
Wyrm 'Graconic)6 2l5en6 and 2ldri&ch 'Magic) '* more)
0#agger :1d+."6 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 18 f&A6 1 lbA6 ligh&6 $iercing< ." to *it,
eturns to *and on &ommand -1Ytter)
02uarterstaff :1d.." /1d..", cri& ;*6 + lbA6 &"oChanded6 bludgeoning< ." #amage
AR3O0: Staff of Air (Staff of Archmagi, Intelligence 17) Storms, Lightning,
Blue and White Dragon breath are merely absorbed into the staff.
Dweomers:
All Air Domain & Storms, and related powers
At Will: Daylight 3:methyst Crystal in golden dragon claw7, !inor 3ight of Truth 3(hadows
reveal true #orm7, eatherfall, -olor 'pray, (ust of &ind, +nvisibility, &ind &all, -omes to 4and On
-ommand, Appears on -ommand! O
$he #ollowing owers are only unlocked when the ossessor willingly oens himsel# to the sirit
o# :rion within the sta##2
*nown #owers8 (Twice per day)2 &all of Air, 3ightning, -hain 3ightning, 'ummon Air
6lementals, -one of -old, -ommand Air elementals, ly (Once per week): -ontrol &eather,
-ontrol &inds, +ce 'torm, Airy &ater, 'torm &all, Overland light, &all of og, &hispering
&ind, &raithform, 8ainbo" *attern, 'olid og, &all of +ce
(Once per month): -ontact Air *lane, *rismatic 'pray, +AT9,
'ummon the *ossessors of the other three 'taves of the 6lements <ire, 6arth, &ater=
`Note Well: $his arti#act contains the sirit o# :rion, the last (tormlord, a U16 )nt! ;, 'hite Ro*e! )# used in
com*at, there is a 8?V chance the sta## will ossess 0asrynCs *ody #or the duration o# the com*at 3and
there#ore the character is under the control o# the +", and the layer gets :O eIerience oints #or the
com*at seBuence!7 :rion is a 14
th
level 'i%ard, haughty and arrogant, who gives orders to (olamnic
Anights and other =lesser> good characters, and eIects to *e o*eyed in all things, *ecause he knows *etter!
:ll evil creatures must *e slain in as Buick and ainless a method ossi*le! $here is no arguing with :rion!
S2 -As Silver #ragon trapped in human form3, Sense 4agic -"56 radius3 @hi% i% not
Detect Magic4 Ha%ryn Sen%e% &he %&a&ic charge of magical energy '"ea0 or %&rong) "hen
ne;& &o i& or holding i&7 8eatherfall, &loudwalking, #etect #ragon 9 #ragonwise 9
-9Dragons of (rynn)
Skinny &haracter Trait, (1 e%ca$e ar&i%&6 C* S&reng&h on being bullCru%hed
')rom *egends of the Twins)
8eats,
&ombat &asting
(mproved 8amiliar :+seudodragon;
4agical Aptitude
Spell 8ocus -Ab<uration3
(mproved (nitiative
&raft Wondrous (tem
Scribe Scroll :free to wi=ard;
S+ill ,ame
(ey
A'ility
S+ill
Modifier
A'ility
Modifier
-an+s
Misc"
Modifier
A$$rai%e 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
3alance Ge;> + 9 (3 (1
3luff Cha + 9 (3 (1
Climb S&r
>
* 9 (1 (1
&oncentration Con !' 9 (* (1*
Craf&I1 'Clo&h6 !ea&her) 7n& . 9 (+ (*
Craf&I* '1ain&ing) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Craf&I3 7n& + 9 (+
Geci$her Scri$& 7n& . 9 (+ (*
Gi$lomacy Cha + 9 (3 (1
Gi%gui%e Cha 3 9 (3
2%ca$e Ar&i%& Ge;
>
5 9 (3 (*
Dorgery 7n& + 9 (+
#a&her 7nforma&ion Cha + 9 (3 (1
W U4 on saves vs! hot environments
Handle Animal Cha 5 9 (3 (*
Heal Wi% * 9 (1 (1
Hide Ge;
>
+ 9 (3 (1
7n&imida&e Cha 5 9 (3 (*
Hum$ S&r
>
1 9 (1
>nowledge -arcana3 7n& !" 9 (+ (F
Jno"ledge
'archi&ec&ure)
7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge
'dungeoneering)
7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'geogra$hy) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'hi%&ory) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'local) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'na&ure) 7n& . 9 (+ (*
Jno"ledge 'nobili&y) 7n& . 9 (+ (*
Jno"ledge 'religion) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge '$lane%) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
!i%&en Wi% + 9 (1 (3
Mo5e Silen&ly Ge;
>
5 9 (3 (*
1erformI1 'Gance) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI* 'Wri&ing) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI3 'Chan&) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI+ 'S&ory&elling) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI5 Cha 3 9 (3
1rofe%%ion 'Scribe) Wi% E 9 (3 (+
Ride Ge; 5 9 (3 (*
Search 7n& . 9 (+ (*
Sen%e Mo&i5e Wi% 3 9 (1 (*
Spellcraft 7n& !' 9 (+ (E
(* :Jno"ledge6 arcane< (*
:magical a$&i&ude<
S$o& Wi% * 9 (1 (1
Sur5i5al Wi% 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
S"im S&r
>
* 9 (1 (1
K%e Magic Ge5ice Cha . 9 (3 (1 (* :magical a$&i&ude<
K%e Ro$e Ge; 3 9 (3
Jnife @hro"ing>> Ge; + 9 3 (1
> 9 chec0 $enal&y for "earing armor
>>9Dir%&C!e5el Noble @raining 'Dragonlance Cam$aign Se&&ing)
S$ellcraf& L95 ran0% gi5e% (* on u%e magic de5ice chec0% on %croll%A
Typical Spells +repared,
MeroCle5el Abjurer %$ell%, 5 '+(1) $er day
Resistance, Light, Fare, Mage !an", Detect Magic
Dir%&Cle5el Abjurer %$ell%, . '+(1(1) $er day
#n"$re #e%ents, &oor '(ra), 'hoc*ing +ras(, Magic Missies, 'hie", 'ee(
SecondCle5el Abjurer %$ell%, 5 '3(1(1) $er day
,rcane Loc*, Fog &o$", Fa%ing '(here, 'hatter, -noc*
@hirdCle5el Abjurer %$ell%, 5 '3(1(1) $er day
Dis(e Magic, Lightning Bot, +$st of Win", F), Fortif) Fa%iiar**
Dour&hCle5el Abjurer %$ell%, + '*(1(1) $er day
Re%o.e &$rse, Minor +obe of /n.$nerabiit), Fire 'hie", Rar)s Mne%onic
#nhancer
Dif&hCle5el Abjurer %$ell%, 3 '*(1) $er day
0ee(ortation, 0ee*inesis, Bigb)s /nter(osing !an"
Spellbook: :ll memori%ed as well as2 All Level Zero Spells, 1
st
- +dentify, -harm, 5nseen
'ervant, True 'trike 2
nd
,Detect Thoughts, 3ocate Ob.ect, 'ee +nvisibility, 6lemental DartE,
'hocking 'parkE, +nvisibility, !irror +mage, Augment amiliar 3rd-!agic -ircle against 6vil,
-lairaudienceD-lairvoyance, 2illims 2ifrost 2ridge, *alins *yreE, !inor 3ight of Truth,
6ndure the 6lements 4th- Daylight, Arcane 6ye, 'crying, Dalamars 3ightning 3anceE, 'park
'hieldE, 'torm &all, *olymorph, 'toneskin, Dimension Door 5
th
- *ermanency, &all of Dispell
!agicEE, Overland light, 3eomunds 'ecret -hest, Timeheal (42 Spells total above Level 1,
taking into account Int +4 +2 spells per level for 7
th
Level Mage; changes to 48 Spells total
at 8
th
Level, 54 Spells at 9
th
Level)
:s the arentice o# the &ead o# 'hite Ro*es, 0asryn (torm has access to the li*raries o#
'ayreth $ower, within reasonJ his master will allow him to see those sells he #eels the teenager
is ready #or! -nce 0asryn asses his #inal $est in the catacom*s o# the ruined $ower at +altigoth
and o*tains his sta##, however, he will have #ree access to those li*raries in the main $ower at
'ayreth! Please note that some sells #rom the game in this world were lost when the wi%ards
destroyed three o# their enchanted towersJ these sells are lying in dusty old li*raries o# castles,
tom*s and such, waiting #or some enterrising adventurer mage to rediscover, such as ire
'hield! )t is there#ore strongly recommended that higher-level wi%ards leave some sell slots
oen uon reaching a new level, so that as you discover these new sells, you can simly roll the
dice and add them to your sell*ook! 'hich sells are actually availa*le at the start o# a game,
and which are still missing, are u to your +ungeon "aster!
ODragonlance Camaign (etting
OO'pell -ompendium
Human
2;&ra fea& a& fir%& le5el 'already included)
Dour e;&ra %0ill $oin&% a& fir%& le5el 'already included)
?ne e;&ra %0ill $oin& a& each addi&ional le5el 'already included)
Noble
Bonus &lass Skill -level !3
8avor .! -level !3
7n%$ire Confidence 1/day 'le5el *)
Da5or (* 'le5el 3)
Coordina&e (1 'le5el +)
7n%$ire Confidence */day 'le5el 5)
Da5or (3 'le5el E)
Coordina&e 'le5el F)
7n%$ire Confidence 3/day 'le5el )
7n%$ire #rea&ne%% '1 ally) 'le5el 11)
Da5or (+ 'le5el 1*)
Coordina&e (36 7n%$ire Confidence +/day 'le5el 13)
7n%$ire #rea&ne%% '* allie%) 'le5el 1+)
Da5or (5 'le5el 1.)
7n%$ire Confidence 5/day6 7n%$ire #rea&ne%% '3 allie%) 'le5el 1E)
Coordina&e (+ 'le5el 1F)
Coordina&e (56 7n%$ire #rea&ne%% '+ allie%) 'le5el *8)
Wizard of High Sorcery 'Whi&e Robe Abjurer)
?nhanced Speciali=ation7 (tem of +ower7 4oon 4agic7 Tower esources
-level !3
Arcane esearch .! -level "3
8irst @rder Secret Magic of Defense -level A3 ?mpower or ?$tend Ab<uration
spell !B #ayC " Devels, does not use higherElevel slot
Arcane Re%earch (* 'le5el +)
Second ?rder Secre& 'le5el 5)
Arcane Re%earch (3 'le5el .)
@hird ?rder Secre& 'le5el E)
Arcane Re%earch (+ 'le5el F)
Dour&h ?rder Secre& 'le5el )
Dif&h ?rder Secre&4 Arcane Re%earch (5 'le5el 18)
When &he hood of &he robe i% $ulled u$6 %aid &o ac& a% Mage ArmorA
Wizard 'Abjurer)
Damiliar / Aler&ne%%6 e&cA
3onu% Dea&% 'already included)
High in&elligence gain% bonu% %$ell% daily
S$eciali%& ge&% 1 e;&ra abjura&ion %$ell/le5el/day
.lass H# rolled
!e5el 1, Noble F
!e5el *, Abjurer 1
!e5el 3, Abjurer 1
!e5el +, Abjurer 1 (1 &o "i%dom
!e5el 5, Whi&e Robe Abjurer *
!e5el ., Whi&e Robe Abjurer +
!e5el E, Whi&e Robe Abjurer +
!e5el F, Abjurer 1 (1 &o in&elligence
!e5el , Abjurer +
The Author, dressed as 1asryn Storm

The above pewter miniature of Jasryn Storm, complete with staff and
pseudodragon familiar, is available through Andrew Barlow,
www.darkplatypus.com. Professional paintjob done by 1ason Hensey at
www.middlepillarpathpainting.net, middlepillarpathpaintingyahoo.com, or
(801) 465-0488.

Ha%ryn S&orm-% 2Nui$men&,
5 lb
* lb
5 lb
1 lb
Wea$on% 'from abo5e)
3ac0$ac0/Geer%0in Sa&chel
3edroll
Candle
Ca%e 'for ma$ or %croll)
Chal0
* lb
3 lb
1 lb
* lb
1 lb
18 lb
1 lb
1 lb
1 lb
+ lb
1 lb
* lb
. lb
IIIII
+F lb
Di%hhoo0
Dla%0% ;1
Dlin& and %&eel
7n0 5ial
7n0 $en
!an&ern 'bull%eye)
Mirror
?il fla%0% ;*
1a$er %hee&% ;18
1archmen& %hee&% ;18
1ouch ;1
Ra&ion% '1 day) ;18
Sealing "a;
Signe& ring
S$ygla%%
Oial 'for in0 or $o&ion%) ;1
Wa&er%0in% ;1
Healer 0i&
S$ell com$onen& $ouch
S$ellboo0 ;*
@o&al
Al%oAAA
1White %age2s robes of !igh 'orcer)* %ami&e "i&h $ro&ec&i5e rune%
'Mage Armor S$ell)4 PBag of !o"ing6 blue 5el5e& '15 lb%A)4 P'taff
3,rion, 'taff of ,ir)4 PBracers of Defense +24 PRing of Protection +26
PDagger of Ret$rning +24 PWan" of Firebas '58 Charge%6
rechargeable)4 Oariou% %mall %croll%6 mo%&ly illu%ion %$ell%4 Small Sil5er
Moon holy %ymbol $endan&6 ble%%ed again%& undead4 P&oa* of
#.en*in"*4 PFa%iiar4 Pse$"o"ragon 'Dafnir)4 Riding Hor%e '#u%&)6
Saddlebag% '*)6 3i& Q 3ridle6 %addle blan0e&6 riding %addle ' Weigh&
di%&ribu&ed be&"een &he PBag of !o"ing and &he &"o %addlebag%A)
>No&e, When &he .loa+ of /l0en+ind i% "orn o5er &he -o'es of High
Sorcery6 only &he magic of &he Cloa0 "or0%4 &he magic of &he robe% i%
&em$orarily %u$$re%%edA Al%o6 &he magic of &he robe% i% only ac&i5e "hen
&he hood i% $ulled u$A
PMagical 7&em
Familiar: `Fafnir, pseudodragon- ;iBuid Ru*y eyes, resem*les a miniature red dragon,
slightly smaller than a housecat! )t is reddish-*rown in color rather than a dee red! )t has #ine
scales and shar horns and teeth! )ts tail is *ar*ed and very #leIi*le! $iny, mischievous little
creatures! )t weighs a*out 6 ounds! : seudodragon can communicate teleathically!
3 #t! long, ti to tail 32 #eet is the tail!7
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 10
Hit dice2 2d12U2 322 HP7
Speed2 18 #eet 33 sB!7, <ly 5? #t! 3,ood maneuvera*ility7/round
AC: 18 3U2 si%e, U2 +eI, U4 natural7, $ouch 14
Base Attack: Sting +4, melee (1d3-2, plus poison)
Full Attack: Sting +4, melee (1d3-2, plus poison) and bite -1 melee (1)
(ace/Reach 2-1/2 #t/? #t 38 #t with tail7
(ecial :ttacks2 Poison in tail
(kills X <eats2 &ide U15/U24 in #orests or overgrown areas, )ntuit +irection U3,
;isten U8, (earch U2, (ot U8, :lertness U "asterCs skills, i# aroriate X *etter
Special Qualities: Nightsense, 60 ft; Dark vision 60 ft.; Immunity to Sleep
and Paralysis, Invisibility (self only), Low-light vision, Spell Resistance 19,
Telepathy 60 ft.
More abou& Ha%ryn S&orm,
Ha%ryn S&orm i% &he ado$&ed %on of 3aron Oilderoff Oon 3ladmere of Nera0a6 and
hi% only heir6 a% "ell a% &he e;Cno5ice of &he e5il blac0 robe Gan5il Delcraf&A
Ha%ryn i% really a young %il5er dragon &ra$$ed in human form6 bu& doe% no& 0no"
&hi%4 i& i% ob5iou% &o any dragon &ha& encoun&er% him6 ho"e5erA A& age &"el5e6
Ha%ryn e%ca$ed Nera0a on &he bac0 of a unicorn &o Solace6 "here he became
&he a$$ren&ice of 1alin MajereA Ha%ryn-% be%& friend% are &he young Jnigh& of &he
Cro"n Mar0ham S"ordha"06 &he d"ar5en "arrior #arne& 7rondel5e6 and &he
female 0ender Shyla 1ouchfinderA Added &o &hi% ad5en&uring $ar&y are &he
Rangerlord Gorian 3arre&&6 RueCShu %haman @imber"olf6 Nor&h 2rgo&hian
1rince%% Mercidi&h ?$her"ind6 &he my%&eriou% el5en blac0 robe !undar Ruariu%
2cli$%e6 and &he GragonCS$a"n a%%a%%in Sunder '"ho re&ain% hi% memorie% of
human lifeA) @hey are on a Nue%& &o find &he fabled S&aff of Air 'Arion) before
Delcraf&6 and &o defea& 3lizzard6 &he #rea& Whi&e Hurricane 'formerly 0no"n a%
Dro%&) in Sou&hern 2rgo&hA
S@hi% Charac&er Shee& i% for Ha%ryn S&orm a& &he end of &he cam$aign6 !e5el
>>> 7f allo"ed by GM, All "izard% 3
rd
le5el and abo5e can ca%& !e5el Mero %$ell% a&
"ill6 no need &o memorize &hemA
This Character Sheet Produced by Dragonlance 3.5 Character Generator Online
*y .d <riedlander! www!athguy!com/krynn/htm
Markham Swordhawk the Trustworthy
Male Human Digh&er 3 / Jnigh& of &he Cro"n +
!a"ful #ood
Re$re%en&ing @om Hud%on
Strength !/'(3)
#e$terity !/'(3)
&onstitution !%'(3)
(ntelligence !"'(1)
Wisdom !"'(1)
&harisma !%'(3)
Size, Medium
Heigh&, .- 3/
Weigh&, *58 lb
S0in, @an
2ye%, 3lueC#ray
Hair, !igh& 3ro"n4 S&raigh&4 !ong
Mu%&ache%
Total *it +oints, F"
S$eed, *8 fee& :armor<
Armor &lass, !) 9 18 (5 :brea%&$la&e< (1 :buc0ler< (3 :de;&eri&y<
@ouch AC, 13
Dla&Cfoo&ed, 1.
7ni&ia&i5e modifier, (+ 9 (3 :de;&eri&y< (1 :heroic ini&ia&i5e<
Dor&i&ude %a5e, (18 9 E :ba%e< (3 :con%&i&u&ion<
Refle; %a5e, (5 9 * :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
Will %a5e, (3 9 * :ba%e< (1 :"i%dom<
A&&ac0 'handheld), (18/(5 9 E :ba%e< (3 :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'unarmed), (18/(5 9 E :ba%e< (3 :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'mi%%ile), (18/(5 9 E :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
#ra$$le chec0, (18/(5 9 E :ba%e< (3 :%&reng&h<
!igh& load,
Medium load,
Hea5y load,
!if& o5er head,
!if& off ground,
1u%h or drag,
F. lbA or le%%
FEC1E3 lbA
1E+C*.8 lbA
*.8 lbA
5*8 lbA
1388 lbA
!anguage%, Common6 Solamnic 'regional language)6 Abana%inian
1Dagger .A :1d+.A6 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 18 f&A6 1 lbA6 ligh&6 $iercing<
Hea5y Cro%%bo" :1d186 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 1*8 f&A6 F lbA6 $iercing<
Hea5y Shield :1d+6 cri& ;*6 oneChanded6 bludgeoning<
0.' Greatsword :*d..'6 cri& 1C*8/;*6 F lbA6 &"oChanded6 %la%hing< 1'ha"o5song
3rea%& $la&e :medium4 (5 AC4 ma; de; (34 chec0 $enal&y C+4 38 lbA<
3uc0ler :(1 AC4 chec0 $enal&y C14 hardne%% 184 h$ 54 5 lbA<
8eats,
Athletic
#odge
#ie *ard
TwoEWeapon 8ighting
*onorEBound
Weapon 8ocus $! Weapon-s3, Greatsword
Trustworthy
S+ill ,ame
(ey
A'ility
S+ill
Modifier
A'ility
Modifier
-an+s
Misc"
Modifier
A$$rai%e 7n& 1 9 (1
3alance Ge;> 5 9 (3 (*
3luff Cha 3 9 (3
Climb S&r
>
E 9 (3 (* (* :a&hle&ic<
Concen&ra&ion Con 3 9 (3
Craf&I1 7n& 1 9 (1
Craf&I* 7n& 1 9 (1
Craf&I3 7n& 1 9 (1
Gi$lomacy Cha E 9 (3 (* (* :&ru%&"or&hy<
Gi%gui%e Cha 3 9 (3
2%ca$e Ar&i%& Ge;
>
3A5 9 (3 (8A5
Dorgery 7n& 1 9 (1
#a&her 7nforma&ion Cha . 9 (3 (1
(* :&ru%&"or&hy< W U4 on saves vs! hot
environments
*andle Animal Cha F 9 (3 (*
Heal Wi% * 9 (1 (1
Hide Ge;
>
3A5 9 (3 (8A5
7n&imida&e Cha 5 9 (3 (*
Hum$ S&r
>
C1 9 (3 (* C. :%$eed *8<
Jno"ledge
'geogra$hy)
7n& 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
Jno"ledge 'hi%&ory) 7n& 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
Jno"ledge 'local) 7n& * 9 (1 (1
Jno"ledge 'nobili&y) 7n& + 9 (1 (3
Jno"ledge 'religion) 7n& 3 9 (1 (*
!i%&en Wi% 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
Mo5e Silen&ly Ge;
>
3 9 (3
1erformI1 'Gancing) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI* 'Singing) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI3 '#ame%) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI+ Cha 3 9 (3
ide Ge; H 9 (3 (5
Search 7n& 1 9 (1
Sen%e Mo&i5e Wi% 1 9 (1
S$ellcraf& 7n& 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
S$o& Wi% 1 9 (1
Sur5i5al Wi% 1A5 9 (1 (8A5
S"im S&r
>>
E 9 (3 (* (* :a&hle&ic<
K%e Ro$e Ge; 3A5 9 (3 (8A5
Human
Digh&er
Jnigh& of &he Cro"n
S&reng&h of Honor 1/day6 0nigh&ly courage 'le5el 1)
Heroic 7ni&ia&i5e (1 'le5el *)
Digh& &o &he Gea&h 'free /Gie Hard/4 le5el 3)
Honorable Will6 S&reng&h of Honor */day 'le5el +)
Heroic 7ni&ia&i5e (* 'le5el 5)
Migh& of Honor 'le5el .)
Armored Mobili&y 'ma0e adju%&men&% on %hee& a% needed)4 S&reng&h of Honor
3/day 'le5el E)
Heroic 7ni&ia&i5e (3 'le5el F)
Aura of Courage 'le5el )
Cro"n of Jnigh&hood6 S&reng&h of Honor +/day 'le5el 18)
.lass H# rolled
!e5el 1, Digh&er 18
!e5el *, Digh&er *
!e5el 3, Digh&er +
!e5el +, Jnigh& of &he Cro"n 1 (1 &o de;&eri&y
!e5el 5, Jnigh& of &he Cro"n *
!e5el ., Jnigh& of &he Cro"n +
!e5el E, Jnigh& of &he Cro"n F
Mar0ham S"ordha"0-% 2Nui$men&,
5* lb
* lb
* lb
5 lb
3 lb
* lb
+ lb
3 lb
1 lb
* lb
18 lb
. lb
18 lb
1 lb
* lb
+ lb
1 lb
IIIII
118 lb
Wea$on% / Armor / Shield 'from abo5e)
Cro%%bo" bol&% 'Nui5er of 18) ;*
3ac0$ac0
3edroll
3lan0e&6 "in&er ;1
Dla%0% ;1
Dlin& and %&eel
#ra$$ling hoo0
!an&ern 'bull%eye)
Mug
?il fla%0% ;*
1o&
Ra&ion% '1 day) ;.
Ro$e '58-6 hem$en) ;1
Sealing "a;
Signe& ring
@orche% ;*
Wa&er%0in% ;1
Whe&%&one
@o&al
Al%oAAA
1'ha"o5song6 .' Greatsword4 P.A #agger7 Jnigh&ly Cloa06 Jnigh&ly
Robe%A Hea5y Warhor%e6 Mili&ary Saddle6 Saddlebag% '*)6 Saddle 3lan0e&6
3i& Q 3ridle6 %&irru$%A
P2nchan&ed 7&em
More abou& Mar0ham S"ordha"0,
Mar0ham i% be%& friend% "i&h Whi&e Robe mage Ha%ryn S&orm6 and "ill follo" him
&o &he end% of Jrynn or e5en in&o &he Aby%% for a ju%& and honorable cau%eA
3aron Oon 3ladmere %laugh&ered hi% fa&her and &"o bro&her% in a %ur$ri%e
a%%aul& "hen he "a% 1+6 and Ha%ryn u%ed hi% neo$hy&e magical %0ill% &o re%cue
him from a loc0ed dungeonA Mar0ham i% o&her"i%e &rying &o ree%&abli%h hi%
familyB% honor and land% in @hro&A
S@hi% Charac&er Shee& i% for Mar0ham S"ordha"06 !e5el E6 a& beginning of
$layA
Jasryn Storm the Iovice Wi=ard
Male Human Noble 1 / Wizard 1 '1*CyearCold No5ice)
!a"ful #ood
Re$re%en&ing !arry Cohen
Strength /'C*)
#e$terity !%'(3)
&onstitution !''(*)
(ntelligence !H'(+)
Wisdom !!'(8)
&harisma !%'(3)
Size, Medium
Heigh&, +- ./
Weigh&, E lb
S0in, 1ale
2ye%, 3lue
Hair, 3lac04 S&raigh&4 3eardle%%
Total *it +oints, !"
S$eed, 38 fee&
Armor &lass, !A 9 18 (3 :de;&eri&y<
@ouch AC, 13
Dla&Cfoo&ed, 18
7ni&ia&i5e modifier, .A 9 (3 :de;&eri&y<
Dor&i&ude %a5e, (* 9 8 :ba%e< (* :con%&i&u&ion<
Refle; %a5e, (5 9 * :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
Will %a5e, (+ 9 + :ba%e< (8 :"i%dom<
A&&ac0 'handheld), C* 9 8 :ba%e< C* :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'unarmed), C* 9 8 :ba%e< C* :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'mi%%ile), (3 9 8 :ba%e< (3 :de;&eri&y<
#ra$$le chec0, C* 9 8 :ba%e< C* :%&reng&h<
!igh& load,
Medium load,
Hea5y load,
!if& o5er head,
!if& off ground,
1u%h or drag,
*3 lbA or le%%
*+C+. lbA
+ECE8 lbA
E8 lbA
1+8 lbA
358 lbA
!anguage%, Common6 Nera0e%e 'regional language)6 ?ld High Wyrm 'Graconic)6 2l5en6
and 2ldri&ch 'Magic) 'T + more)
Gagger Ma%&er"or0 :1d+(16 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 18 f&A6 1 lbA6 ligh&6 $iercing<
No familiar ye&
S2 -As Silver #ragon trapped in human form3, Sense 4agic -"56 radius3 @hi% i% not
Detect Magic4 Ha%ryn Sen%e% &he %&a&ic charge of magical energy '"ea0 or %&rong) "hen
ne;& &o i& or holding i&7 8eatherfall, &loudwalking, #etect #ragon 9 #ragonwise 9
-9Dragons of (rynn)
Skinny &haracter Trait, (1 e%ca$e ar&i%&6 C* S&reng&h on being bullCru%hed 'Drom
*egends of the Twins)
8eats,
Magical A$&i&ude
7m$ro5ed Damiliar :1%eudodragon<
Scribe Scroll :free &o "izard<
S+ill ,ame
(ey
A'ility
S+ill
Modifier
A'ility
Modifier
-an+s
Misc"
Modifier
A$$rai%e 7n& + 9 (+
3alance Ge;> 3 9 (3
3luff Cha 3 9 (3
Climb S&r
>
C1 9 C* U1
&oncentration Con % 9 (* (+
Craf&I1 7n& + 9 (+
Craf&I* 7n& + 9 (+
Craf&I3 7n& + 9 (+
Geci$her Scri$& 7n& F 9 (+ (+
Gi$lomacy Cha + 9 (3 (1
Gi%gui%e Cha 3 9 (3
2%ca$e Ar&i%& Ge;
>
+ 9 (3 U1 (kinny Char $rait
Dorgery 7n& + 9 (+
#a&her 7nforma&ion Cha 3 9 (3
W U4 on saves vs! hot
environments
Handle Animal Cha + 9 (3 (1
Heal Wi% 1 9 (8 (1
Hide Ge;
>
3 9 (3
7n&imida&e Cha 3 9 (3
Hum$ S&r
>
C* 9 C*
>nowledge -arcana3 7n& F 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'archi&ec&ure) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge
'dungeoneering)
7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'geogra$hy) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'hi%&ory) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'local) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'na&ure) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'nobili&y) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge 'religion) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Jno"ledge '$lane%) 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
!i%&en Wi% 8 9 (8
Mo5e Silen&ly Ge;
>
3 9 (3
1erformI1 'Gancing) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI* 'Jha%) Cha 3 9 (3
1erformI+ Cha 3 9 (3
1rofe%%ion 'Scribe) Wi% 1 9 (8 (1
Ride Ge; 5 9 (3 (*
Search 7n& 5 9 (+ (1
Sen%e Mo&i5e Wi% 1 9 (8 (1
Spellcraft 7n& / 9 (+ (* (* :magical a$&i&ude<
S$o& Wi% 8 9 (8
Sur5i5al Wi% 8 9 (8
S"im S&r
>
* 9 C* (+
Jse 4agic #evice Cha % 9 (3 (1 (* :magical a$&i&ude<
K%e Ro$e Ge; 3 9 (3
Jnife @hro"ing>> Ge; + 9 3 (1
>>9 !e5el 1 Noble &raining
@hi% charac&er al%o ha% * ran0% in S$ea0 !anguage%A
MeroCle5el Wizard %$ell%, 3 $er day
Light, Ra) of Frost, Mage !an"
Dir%&Cle5el Wizard %$ell%, * '1(1) $er day
&oor '(ra), 'hie"
SpellbookK, All memorized $lu%, Devel 5, -ead Magic, Detect Magic, Mend,
#restidigitation, Dan0ils /lectric 1olt 2Dragonlance Cam$aign Se&&ing)%
Devel !, Magic Missiles, 3dentify, Dan0ils Hideous *aughter
'>Ha%ryn a& &hi% $oin& i% only 1* year% old6 bu& highly in&elligen&A Hi% S$ellboo0 reflec&%
&hi%A He ha% ye& &o ca%& hi% ini&ial fir%&Cle5el %$ell6 Color S$ray)
Human
Noble
8avor .! -Devel !3
7n%$ire Confidence 1/day 'le5el *)
Da5or (* 'le5el 3)
Da5or (3 'le5el E)
Da5or (+ 'le5el 1*)
Da5or (5 'le5el 1.)
Wizard
.lass H# rolled
!e5el 1, Noble F
!e5el *, Wizard +
1asryn at age 12
Castle Ravenwood, Bladmere, Neraka
Ha%ryn S&orm &he No5ice Wizard-% 2Nui$men&,
1 lb
* lb
* lb
18 lb
+ lb
* lb
3 lb
IIIII
*+ lb
Wea$on 'from abo5e)
3ac0$ac0
Cal&ro$%
Candle
Chal0
Di%hhoo0
Dlin& and %&eel
7n0 5ial
7n0 $en
1a$er %hee&% ;5
1archmen& %hee&% ;5
Ra&ion% '1 day) ;18
Wa&er%0in ;1
S$ellboo0 ;1
@o&al
Al%oAAA
3ro"n a$$ren&ice mage-% robe% 'co&&on "i&h %il0 lining)6 bel&6 %of& bro"n
&ra5eling boo&%6 %il0 bag "i&h *5 %&l coin%6 &oa* of #.en*in" 'from hi%
original ma%&er6 &he Red Robe Serannon4 he i% ye& &oo %mall &o "ear i&6 a%
&he hem "ill drag on &he ground6 bu& he can "ra$ him%elf in%ide of &he
cloa0 and %&and %&ill for &he %ame effec&A)
More abou& Ha%ryn S&orm &he No5ice Wizard,
Ha%ryn a& age 1* i% &he ado$&ed %on of 3aron Oilderoff Oon 3ladmere of Nera0a6
and &he magic no5ice &o &he e5il 3lac0 Robe Gan5il Delcraf&A A% &he heir &o &he
baron6 &he boy had manda&ory %"ord $rac&ice &"ice a "ee06 "here he learned &o
&hro" a dagger "i&h deadly accuracyA A% $ar& of hi% educa&ion6 &he boy
freNuen&ly 5i%i&ed hi% fa&her-% $ri5a&e library6 "here he immer%ed him%elf in all
0ind% of boo0%6 and $layed Jha% "i&h hi% fa&her6 Gan5il Delcraf&6 and Sir Cean
3lac0gaard6 &he ca%&le-% Gar0 Jnigh& Ca$&ainA ?n e;cur%ion% in&o Ra5en"ood
Dore%& %urrounding &he ca%&le6 &he boy ga&hered herb% for %$ell com$onen&%6
$rac&iced can&ri$%6 rode a mare6 and in &he %ummer freNuen&ly "en& %"imming in
a clear $ool of "a&er %urrounded by $ine and fir &ree%A While he under%&and% &he
conce$&% behind %$ellca%&ing6 he ha% ye& &o ca%& hi% ini&ial fir%& le5el %$ell6 Color
S$ray4 &hi% i% becau%e he %ecre&ly de%ire% &he Sil5er Moon Solinari6 bu& hi% 3lac0
Robed ma%&er in%i%&% &ha& he dra" magic from &he 3lac0 Moon6 Nui&ariA ?nce
Ha%ryn call% u$on &he Sil5er Moon6 he "ill be able &o %$ellca%& a& !e5el ?neA
S@hi% charac&er %hee& i% for Ha%ryn S&orm a& &he 5ery beginning of $lay6 a%
crea&ed4 a& &he beginning of &he cam$aign6 he "a% !e5el EA
#anvil 8elcraft the &ruel
Male Human Digh&er 1 / Necromancer + / Wizard of High Sorcery F / Jnigh& of &he
@horn 3 / 7nNui%i&or 3
!a"ful 25il
Re$re%en&ing GM
Strength !5'(8)
#e$terity !A'(1)
&onstitution !''(*)
(ntelligence "5'(5)
Wisdom !/'(3)
&harisma !F'(*)
Size, Medium
Heigh&, 5- +/
Weigh&, 155 lb
S0in, 1ale
2ye%, #reen
Hair, Gar0 3ro"n4 S&raigh&4 3eardle%%
S$ecial&y, Necromancy
#a5e u$, Abjura&ion6 7llu%ion6 and @ran%mu&a&ion
Total *it +oints, )A
S$eed, 38 fee&
Armor &lass, !H 9 18 (1 :de;&eri&y< +6 +ra) Mages Robes, +7 Ring of Protection
@ouch AC, 11
Dla&Cfoo&ed, 18
(nitiative modifier, .! 9 (1 :de;&eri&y<
Dor&i&ude %a5e, ( 9 E :ba%e< (* :con%&i&u&ion<
Refle; %a5e, (. 9 5 :ba%e< (1 :de;&eri&y<
Will %a5e, (*1 9 1. :ba%e< (3 :"i%dom< (* :iron "ill<
A&&ac0 'handheld), (11/(./(1 9 11 :ba%e<
A&&ac0 'unarmed), (11/(./(1 9 11 :ba%e<
A&&ac0 'mi%%ile), (1*/(E/(* 9 11 :ba%e< (1 :de;&eri&y<
#ra$$le chec0, (11/(./(1 9 11 :ba%e<
!igh& load,
Medium load,
Hea5y load,
!if& o5er head,
!if& off ground,
1u%h or drag,
33 lbA or le%%
3+C.. lbA
.EC188 lbA
188 lbA
*88 lbA
588 lbA
!anguage%, Common6 Nera0e%e 'regional language)6 Abana%inian6 Solamnic6 Aby%%al6
Graconic6 G"ar5en6 7nfernal6 and 2ldri&ch 'Magic)
1Dagger +7 :1d+.A6 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 18 f&A6 1 lbA6 ligh&6 $iercing<
Ruar&er%&aff :1d./1d.6 cri& ;*6 + lbA6 &"oChanded6 bludgeoning<
Sna0e familiar
8eats,
Aler&ne%%
Comba& Ca%&ing
Godge
7m$ro5ed Coun&er%$ell
7ron Will
S$ell Docu%
'Necromancy)
S$ell Ma%&ery ;*
S$ell%, Rea" Magic, Detect Magic, &hi 0o$ch,
'hoc*ing +ras(
Scribe Scroll :free &o "izard<
2m$o"er S$ell
S+ill ,ame
(ey
A'ility
S+ill
Modifier
A'ility
Modifier
-an+s
Misc"
Modifier
A$$rai%e 7n& E 9 (5 (*
3alance Ge;> * 9 (1 (1
3luff Cha 15 9 (* (18 (3 :%na0e<
Climb S&r
>
1 9 (8 (1
&oncentration Con !% 9 (* (1+
Craf&I1 7n& E 9 (5 (*
Craf&I* 7n& E 9 (5 (*
Craf&I3 7n& 5 9 (5
Geci$her Scri$& 7n& 18 9 (5 (5
Gi$lomacy Cha 1. 9 (* (F
(* :bluff< (* :Jno"ledge6 nobili&y<
(* :%en%e mo&i5e<
Gi%able Ge5ice 7n& . 9 (5 (1
Gi%gui%e Cha . 9 (* (+
2%ca$e Ar&i%& Ge;
>
1 9 (1
Dorgery 7n& 5 9 (5
#a&her 7nforma&ion Cha 1+ 9 (* (1*
W U4 on saves vs! hot environments
Handle Animal Cha + 9 (* (*
Heal Wi% 5 9 (3 (*
Hide Ge;
>
1 9 (1
7n&imida&e Cha 9 (* (5 (* :bluff<
Hum$ S&r
>
8 9 (8
>nowledge -arcana3 7n& !H 9 (5 (13
Jno"ledge
'archi&ec&ure)
7n& . 9 (5 (1
Jno"ledge
'dungeoneering)
7n& . 9 (5 (1
Jno"ledge
'geogra$hy)
7n& F 9 (5 (3
Jno"ledge 'hi%&ory) 7n& 9 (5 (+
Jno"ledge 'local) 7n& . 9 (5 (1
Jno"ledge 'na&ure) 7n& 1* 9 (5 (E
Jno"ledge 'nobili&y) 7n& 13 9 (5 (F
Jno"ledge 'religion) 7n& 9 (5 (+
Jno"ledge '$lane%) 7n& 9 (5 (+
!i%&en Wi% . 9 (3 (1 (* :aler&ne%%<
Mo5e Silen&ly Ge;
>
3 9 (1 (*
1erformI1 Cha *A5 9 (* (8A5
1erformI* Cha * 9 (*
1erformI3 Cha * 9 (*
1erformI+ Cha * 9 (*
1erformI5 Cha * 9 (*
1rofe%%ion Wi% 5 9 (3 (*
Ride Ge; + 9 (1 (3
Search 7n& 18 9 (5 (5
Sen%e Mo&i5e Wi% F 9 (3 (5
Sleigh& of Hand Ge;
>
3A5 9 (1 (8A5 (* :bluff<
Spellcraft 7n& !) 9 (5 (1* (* :Jno"ledge6 arcane<
S$o& Wi% E 9 (3 (* (* :aler&ne%%<
Sur5i5al Wi% 3A5 9 (3 (8A5
S"im S&r
>>
8 9 (8
Jse 4agic #evice Cha A.F 9 (* (1A5
K%e Ro$e Ge; * 9 (1 (1
@or&ure 7n& 11 9 5 (.
@hi% charac&er al%o ha% * ran0% in S$ea0 !anguage%A
3luff L95 ran0% gi5e% (* on di%gui%e chec0% &o ac& in charac&erA
Geci$her Scri$& L95 ran0% gi5e% (* on u%e magic de5ice chec0% in5ol5ing %croll%A
Jno" Na&ure L95 ran0% gi5e% (* on %ur5i5al chec0% abo5e groundA
Search L95 ran0% gi5e% (* on %ur5i5al chec0% "hile &rac0ingA
MeroCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, 5 '+(1) $er day
#ectric 8ot*, Detect Magic, Rea" Magic, Fare, Light
Dir%&Cle5el Necromancer %$ell%, E '+(*(1) $er day
&hi 0o$ch, Re"$ce Person, 'hoc*ing +ras(, &har% Person, !i"eo$s La$ghter,
Feather Fa
SecondCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, . '+(1(1) $er day
'tone 'har"s*, &rac*ing '(here*, Resist #nerg), Bin"ness, Fase Life, '(ectra
!an"
@hirdCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, . '+(1(1) $er day
Protection Fro% #nerg), Phanto% 'tee", Lightning Bot, 9a%(eric 0o$ch, F),
!aste
Dour&hCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, 5 '3(1(1) $er day
'(ar* 'hie"*, #.ar"s Bac* 0entaces, ,rcane #)e, &har% Monster, ,ni%ate
Dea", Fear
Dif&hCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, 5 '3(1(1) $er day
&o$"*i, Ma:or &reation, Fistan"anti$s Faithf$ Dog, Wa of Force, ')%bo of
Pain
Si;&hCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, 3 '*(1) $er day
Dro5n*, '$%%on Monster 9/, 0r$e 'eeing, &reate ;n"ea"
Se5en&hCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, + '3(1) $er day
Li%ite" Wish, #ectrica 'tor%*, Dra5%i:s /nstant '$%%ons, Mass !o" Person
2igh&hCle5el Necromancer %$ell%, 3 '*(1) $er day
Fistan"anti$s Porta*, Besto5 +reater &$rse, +reater Pr)ing #)es
Human
Digh&er
Wizard of High Sorcery '3lac0 Robe Necromancer)
?nhanced Speciali=ation7 (tem of +ower7 4oon 4agic7 Tower esources
-level !3
Arcane esearch .! -level "3
8irst @rder Secret -level A3
Arcane esearch ." -level '3
Second @rder Secret -level F3
Arcane esearch .A -level %3
Third @rder Secret -level /3
Arcane esearch .' -level H3
Dour&h ?rder Secre& 'le5el )
Dif&h ?rder Secre&4 Arcane Re%earch (5 'le5el 18)
When &he hood of &he robe i% $ulled u$6 %aid &o ac& a% Mage ,r%orA
Jnigh& of &he @horn
#iviner7 ead @mens -level !3
Armored Spellcasting -EFL3 -level "3
Aura of Terror -level A3
Wea$on @ouch 'le5el +)
Armored S$ellca%&ing 'C18U) 'le5el 5)
Read 1or&en&% 'le5el .)
Armored S$ellca%&ing 'C*8U) 'le5el F)
Co%mic Knder%&anding 'le5el 18)
7nNui%i&or
?$treme 8ocus7 Trap Sense .! -level !3
?rudite Synergy -level "3
Jncanny #odge -level A3
@ra$ Sen%e (* 'le5el +)
2rudi&e Synergy 'le5el 5)
7m$ro5ed Kncanny Godge 'le5el .)
@ra$ Sen%e (3 'le5el E)
2rudi&e Synergy 'le5el F)
7n&ui&i5e !ogic 'le5el 18)
Wizard 'Necromancer)
S$eciali%& ge&% 1 e;&ra necromancy %$ell/le5el/day
.lass H# rolled
!e5el 1, Necromancer +
!e5el *, Necromancer 1
!e5el 3, Necromancer 1
!e5el +, Necromancer * (1 &o in&elligence
!e5el 5, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer 3
!e5el ., 3lac0 Robe Necromancer 3
!e5el E, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer +
!e5el F, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer + (1 &o "i%dom
!e5el , 3lac0 Robe Necromancer 3
!e5el 18, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer *
!e5el 11, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer *
!e5el 1*, 3lac0 Robe Necromancer * (1 &o chari%ma
!e5el 13, Digh&er .
!e5el 1+, 7nNui%i&or 5
!e5el 15, 7nNui%i&or 3
!e5el 1., 7nNui%i&or 3 (1 &o in&elligence
!e5el 1E, Jnigh& of &he @horn 1
!e5el 1F, Jnigh& of &he @horn 3
!e5el 1, Jnigh& of &he @horn 3
Gan5il Delcraf&-% 2Nui$men&,
5 lb
* lb
5 lb
3 lb
1 lb
*5 lb
3 lb
* lb
1 lb
* lb
1 lb
5 lb
Wea$on% 'from abo5e)
3ac0$ac0
3edroll
3lan0e&6 "in&er ;1
Chal0
Che%&
Dla%0% ;*
Dlin& and %&eel
7n0 5ial
7n0 $en
!an&ern 'hooded)
!oc0% ;1
Manacle% ;1
?il fla%0% ;1
1a$er %hee&% ;18
1archmen& %hee&% ;18
Ra&ion% '1 day) ;5
5 lb
1 lb
1 lb
*8 lb
1 lb
+ lb
* lb
lb
1 lb
IIIII
lb
Ro$e '58-6 %il0) ;1
Sealing "a;
Se"ing needle
Signe& ring
S$ygla%%
@en&
Oial 'for in0 or $o&ion%) ;1
Wa&er%0in% ;1
S$ellboo0 ;3
@hie5e%- &ool%
@o&al
Al%oAAA
1+ra) Mage2s robes, P+6 Mage ,r%or6 P+7 Dagger6 PBag of
!o"ingA Call% any magical "ea$on from hi% $ri5a&e armory in &he We%&
@o"er of Ca%&le Ra5en"ood in Nera0a a& "illA
Snake familiar, S&r . Ge; 1E Con 11 7n& E Wi% 1* Char *4 *it points, '%47ni&ia&i5e (3
'de;)4 S$eed 15 f&A6 climb 15 f&A6 %"im 15 f&A4 AC, 1 '(* %ize6 (3 de;6 (* na&ural6 (*
le5el)4 bi&e (5 melee6 $oi%on4 Dor& (E6 Ref (F6 Will (1E6 3alance (116 Climb (1*6 Hide
(1F6 !i%&en (F6 S$o& (F4 "ea$on fine%%e 'bi&e) Aler&ne%% fea& "hen in arm-% reach4
im$ro5ed e5a%ion4 %hare %$ell%4 em$a&hic lin04 deli5er &ouch %$ell%4
More abou& Gan5il Delcraf&,
Gan5il Delcraf& i% &he "izard "ho &ran%formed Ha%ryn S&orm6 K%ha Majere6
!undar 2cli$%e6 and o&her% from dragon% in&o human%A He "a% Ha%ryn-% old
ma%&er6 and ho$e% &o reclaim &he boyA He began a% a 3lac0 Robe mage6 &oo0
%ome figh&er and &hen inNui%i&or &raining under &he cold and cruel Mali;ander &he
Mercile%%6 and e5en&ually joined &he @horn Jnigh&%A @oday he "ear% &he gray
robe%A 7& i% unclear "he&her Delcraf& i% merely a de%cendan& of Di%&andan&ilu%6 or
if he ac&ually is Di%&andan&ilu%A @he an%"er "ill be re5ealed in 3oo0 777 of &he
S&ormlord @rilogyA
Nefariant the Marquis
Male Oam$ire Human Digh&er + / Sorcerer *1 / Noble *
!a"ful 25il
Re$re%en&ing GM
Strength "%'(F)
#e$terity !)'(+)
&onstitution EEE :undead<
(ntelligence !/'(3)
Wisdom "!'(5)
&harisma "A'(.)
Size, Medium
Heigh&, .- */
Weigh&, *F8 lb
S0in, 1ale
2ye%, Red
Hair, 3lond4 S&raigh&4 3eardle%%
Total *it +oints, !'F :include% e$ic &oughne%% ;1<
S$eed, 38 fee&
Armor &lass, "5 9 18 (+ :de;&eri&y< (. :5am$ire<
@ouch AC, 1+
Dla&Cfoo&ed, 1.
7ni&ia&i5e modifier, (F 9 (+ :de;&eri&y< (+ :im$ro5ed ini&ia&i5e<
Dor&i&ude %a5e, (13 9 :ba%e< (* :e$ic< (* :grea& for&i&ude<
Refle; %a5e, (1+ 9 . :ba%e< (* :e$ic< (+ :de;&eri&y< (* :ligh&ning refle;e%<
Will %a5e, (*8 9 11 :ba%e< (* :e$ic< (5 :"i%dom< (* :iron "ill<
A&&ac0 'handheld), (*3/(1F/(13 9 1* :ba%e< (3 :e$ic< (F :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'unarmed), (*3/(1F/(13 9 1* :ba%e< (3 :e$ic< (F :%&reng&h<
A&&ac0 'mi%%ile), (1/(1+/( 9 1* :ba%e< (3 :e$ic< (+ :de;&eri&y<
#ra$$le chec0, (*3/(1F/(13 9 1* :ba%e< (3 :e$ic< (F :%&reng&h<
!igh& load,
Medium load,
Hea5y load,
!if& o5er head,
!if& off ground,
1u%h or drag,
38. lbA or le%%
38EC.13 lbA
.1+C*8 lbA
*8 lbA
1F+8 lbA
+.88 lbA
!anguage%, Aby%%al6 Common6 ?ld High Wyrm 'Graconic)6 Syl5an6 Nera0e%e 'Regional
!anguage)
1Dagger +6 :1d+.'6 cri& 1C*8/;*6 range inc 18 f&A6 1 lbA6 ligh&6 $iercing<
1Longs5or" +7 :1dF.A6 cri& 1C*8/;* + lb6 oneChanded6 %la%hing<
8eats,
7m$ro5ed Damiliar
Aler&ne%%
3lindCfigh&
Comba& Ca%&ing
Comba& Refle;e%
Gecei&ful
Godge
#rea& Dor&i&ude
7m$ro5ed Coun&er%$ell
7m$ro5ed 7ni&ia&i5e
7ron Will
!igh&ning Refle;e%
Magical A$&i&ude
Nego&ia&or
Gragon Damiliar
7m$ro5ed Sorcerer S$ell Ca$aci&y :e$ic< ;1
S$ell Jno"ledge :e$ic< ;1
2$ic @oughne%% :e$ic< ;1
Craf& Wondrou% 7&em
@rai&%,
S+ill ,ame
(ey
A'ility
S+ill
Modifier
A'ility
Modifier
-an+s
Misc"
Modifier
A$$rai%e 7n& 5 9 (3 (*
3alance Ge;> . 9 (+ (*
3luff Cha 1F 9 (. (+ (F :5am$ire<
Climb S&r
>
F 9 (F
Concen&ra&ion
Cha
:undead<
1+ 9 (. (F
Craf&I1 7n& 5 9 (3 (*
Craf&I* 7n& 3 9 (3
Craf&I3 7n& 3 9 (3
Geci$her Scri$& 7n& 5 9 (3 (*
Gi$lomacy Cha 11 9 (. (3 (* :nego&ia&or<
Gi%gui%e Cha 9 (. (1 (* :decei&ful<
2%ca$e Ar&i%& Ge;
>
. 9 (+ (*
Dorgery 7n& . 9 (3 (1 (* :decei&ful<
#a&her 7nforma&ion Cha F 9 (. (*
Handle Animal Cha 1* 9 (. (.
Heal Wi% E 9 (5 (*
Hide Ge;
>
15 9 (+ (3 (F :5am$ire<
7n&imida&e Cha 1. 9 (. (18
Hum$ S&r
>
9 (F (1
>nowledge -arcana3 7n& !/ 9 (3 (1+
Jno"ledge
'archi&ec&ure)
7n& + 9 (3 (1
Jno"ledge
'dungeoneering)
7n& + 9 (3 (1
Jno"ledge
'geogra$hy)
7n& 5 9 (3 (*
Jno"ledge 'hi%&ory) 7n& . 9 (3 (3
Jno"ledge 'local) 7n& 5 9 (3 (*
Jno"ledge 'na&ure) 7n& + 9 (3 (1
Jno"ledge '$lane%) 7n& + 9 (3 (1
!i%&en Wi% 1E 9 (5 (* (F :5am$ire< (* :aler&ne%%<
Mo5e Silen&ly Ge;
>
1+ 9 (+ (* (F :5am$ire<
1erformI1 Cha F 9 (. (*
1erformI* Cha . 9 (.
1erformI3 Cha . 9 (.
1erformI+ Cha . 9 (.
1erformI5 Cha . 9 (.
1rofe%%ion Wi% 11 9 (5 (.
Ride Ge; 18 9 (+ (+ (* :handle animal<
Search 7n& 13 9 (3 (* (F :5am$ire<
Sense 4otive Wi% !/ 9 (5 (* (* :nego&ia&or< (F :5am$ire<
Spellcraft 7n& !/ 9 (3 (18
(* :Jno"ledge6 arcane< (*
:magical a$&i&ude<
S$o& Wi% 1F 9 (5 (3 (F :5am$ire< (* :aler&ne%%<
Sur5i5al Wi% 5 9 (5
S"im S&r
>>
1* 9 (F (+
@umble Ge;
>
5 9 (+ (1
K%e Magic Ge5ice Cha 18 9 (. (* (* :magical a$&i&ude<
K%e Ro$e Ge; +A5 9 (+ (8A5
Jno"ledge
'$%ionic%)
7n& + 9 (3 (1
@hi% charac&er al%o ha% 1 ran0% in S$ea0 !anguage%A
MeroCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, . $er day
Rea" Magic, Detect Magic, Mage !an", Dancing Lights, 0o$ch of Fatig$e,
Message
Dir%&Cle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, F '.(*) $er day
8$%(, &har% Person, 9entrio<$is%, 'ee(, 'hoc*ing +ras(, !)(notis%, 0r$e
'tri*e, Protection Fro% +oo"
SecondCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, 'E(*) $er day
'(i"er=&i%b, Fog &o$", '$%%on '5ar%, Dar*ness, /n.isibiit), 'ee /n.isibiit),
&o%%an" ;n"ea", Detect 0ho$ghts, Le.itate, Dar*.ision
@hirdCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, E '.(1) $er day
Desecrate, Magic &irce ,gainst +oo", Dis(e Magic, 'eet 'tor%, +aseo$s For%,
,rcane 'ight, Fireba
Dour&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, E '.(1) $er day
Po)%or(h 3Bat, Rat, or Wof), ;nho) Bight, Di%ension Door, Minor &reation,
'oi" Fog, Lesser +eas, ,ni%ate Dea"
Dif&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, E '.(1) $er day
0ee(ort, Do%inate Person, 0ee*inesis, >.eran" Fight, Pass5a, 'en"ing, !o"
Monster
Si;&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, E '.(1) $er day
&reate ;n"ea", +$ar"s an" War"s, ,na)?e D5eo%er, 0r$e 'eeing, +eas@A$est,
'ha"o5 Wa*, Mass '$ggestion
Se5en&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, . $er day
Per%anenc), Li%ite" Wish, &ontro Weather, +reater 0ee(ort, &ontro ;n"ea",
9ision
2igh&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, . $er day
&reate +reater ;n"ea", ;nho) ,$ra, Discern Location, !orri" Witing, Bigb)s
&enche" Fist, +reater Pr)ing #)es
Nin&hCle5el Sorcerer %$ell%, . $er day
Wish, &reate Dracoich, '$%%on Monster /B, 0i%esto(, Do%inate Monster,
'ha"es
7m$ro5ed Sorcerer S$ell Ca$aci&y ;1 "i&h *3 Chari%ma,
Recommended di%&ribu&ion,
!e5el 18 %$ell%, 1 $er day
Human,
Oam$ire,
Kndead "i&h d1*4 u%ual undead &rai&%
(. %&reng&h6 (+ de;&eri&y6 no con%&i&u&ion6 (* in&elligence6 (* "i%dom6 (+
chari%ma
@urn re%i%&ance (+
(F racial bonu% on bluff6 hide6 li%&en6 mo5e %ilen&ly6 %earch6 %en%e mo&i5e6 and
%$o&
2lec&rici&y and cold re%i%&ance 18
Gamage reduc&ion 18 / %il5er and magic
Slam a&&ac06 energy drain4 blood drain
#ain% aler&ne%%6 comba& refle;e%6 im$ro5ed ini&ia&i5e6 ligh&ning refle;e%4 al%o
dodge if de;&eri&yL913
More 5am$ire abili&ie% and limi&a&ion%
Noble
8avor .! -level !3
(nspire &onfidence !Cday -level "3
8avor ." -level A3
Da5or (3 'le5el E)
Da5or (+ 'le5el 1*)
Da5or (5 'le5el 1.)
Digh&er,
Sorcerer,
Can 0no" only limi&ed number% of %$ell%
High chari%ma gain% bonu% %$ell% daily
.lass H# rolled
!e5el 1, Digh&er 18
!e5el *, Digh&er 1
!e5el 3, Digh&er +
!e5el +, Digh&er F (1 &o chari%ma
!e5el 5, Sorcerer 1*
!e5el ., Sorcerer 5
!e5el E, Sorcerer 3
!e5el F, Sorcerer 3 (1 &o %&reng&h
!e5el , Sorcerer .
!e5el 18, Sorcerer +
!e5el 11, Sorcerer 11
!e5el 1*, Sorcerer 5 (1 &o de;&eri&y
!e5el 13, Sorcerer +
!e5el 1+, Sorcerer
!e5el 15, Sorcerer E
!e5el 1., Sorcerer 5 (1 &o in&elligence
!e5el 1E, Sorcerer 1*
!e5el 1F, Sorcerer E
!e5el 1, Sorcerer 5
!e5el *8, Sorcerer E (1 &o "i%dom
!e5el *1, Sorcerer 1
!e5el **, Sorcerer 5
!e5el *3, Sorcerer *
!e5el *+, Sorcerer E (1 &o %&reng&h
!e5el *5, Sorcerer *
Nefarian&-% 2Nui$men&,
5 lb
1 lb
1 lb
* lb
1 lb
5 lb
1 lb
1 lb
* lb
IIIII
1 lb
Wea$on% / Armor / Shield 'from abo5e)
Candle
Chal0
Dlin& and %&eel
7n0 5ial
7n0 $en
!oc0% ;1
Manacle% ;1
1a$er %hee&% ;18
1archmen& %hee&% ;5
1ouch ;1
Ro$e '58-6 %il0) ;1
Sealing "a;
Signe& ring
Oial 'for in0 or $o&ion%) ;*
@o&al
Al%oAAA
Dine %il0 and 5el5e& clo&hing a% befi&&ing a marNui% from Nera0aA Nigh&C
blac0 "arhor%e or Nigh&mare6 Riding %addle6 Saddle blan0e&6 Saddle bag%6
3i& Q 3ridleA *8 Gar0 Jnigh&% of Nera0a6 3+ %0ele&on%6 1* 5am$ire%6 *
%$ec&er%6 3 gho%&%6 and one dracolich6 &he reanima&ed remain% of hi%
familiar6 a huge red dragon "ho died in &he War of &he !anceA
#racolich 8amiliar, Hi& $oin&%, E*4 Aler&ne%% fea& "hen in arm-% reach4 im$ro5ed
e5a%ion4 %hare %$ell%4 em$a&hic lin04 deli5er &ouch %$ell%4 %$ea0 "i&h ma%&er4 %$ell
re%i%&ance *.4 scry on familiar4 free familiar spell u%e4
More abou& Nefarian&,
Nefarian& i% an e;&remely ancien& and $o"erful 5am$ireA He hold% &he &i&le of
MarNui% in Nera0a6 and i% "ellC$laced $oli&icallyA Hi% life&ime $receded &he
Ca&acly%mA @hi% 5am$ire ma0e% Gracula loo0 li0e an a$$ren&ice by com$ari%onA
Nefarian& can only be 0illed &em$orarily4 he "ill merely &urn &o mi%&6 &ra5el bac0 &o
hi% coffin6 and regenera&e &he follo"ing e5eningA
Addendum
Some rules my Dungeonmasters, 1oe Sanchez and Tony Mendez, initiated (They`re not in
any of the rulebooks that I found, but they make sense, and they should be: )
17 .ach layer, uon creating a character, is awarded one minor magical item o# his
choice, which he =inherited> or was awarded *y his master! $his short list
included a +2 weapon o# some sort, a :; Ring of <rote4tion, or a wondrous item!
:s 0asryn was awarded three minor items 3: Cloa" of 9lven"ind, a :; Dagger,
and a :; Ring of <rote4tion, *oth $om and /arryCs characters were awarded one
maGor weaon! $omCs character got a +4 sword, and /arry got a :; Dwarven
war,a=e with an Antimagi4 shell dweomer!
27 :ll 'i%ards o# &igh (orcery who success#ully ass their $est are awarded
enchanted magical ro*es, as er The To"ers of 4igh 'orcery, page FG! *rotective
8unes em*roidered at the cu##s and hem o# all the ro*es o# the three -rders o#
"agic o# Arynn rotect the mage #rom -harm sells, a U4 (ell Resistance, and
more imortantly, roduce a !age Armor sell 3U87 when the hood is ulled u!
'hite ro*es also grant U1 e##ective sellcaster level on all a*Guration sells, Red
Ro*es grant U1 on )llusion sells, and /lack ro*es grant U1 on all Necromancy
sells! $his does not stack with other magical clothing 3-loaks of 6lvenkind, #or
eIamle!7 ) #ound that wearing the #orest-green -loak of 6lvenkind over my
white mageCs ro*es roduced disastrous results! $he magic o# the cloak "orked,
while the rotective magic o# my ro*es didnt! $his is how the vamire Ne#ariant
managed to entrance 0asryn so easily! $ony took this rule directly #rom the
+ungeon "asterCs manual, as ) later #ound out!
37 :ll Qero-;evel arcane sells do not have to *e memori%ed any longer once the
wi%ard reaches 3
rd
;evelJ they can *e cast at will, as a sorcerer does! $his is
*ecause a#ter many years o# ractice, a wi%ard learns these simle cantris so
well, he doesnCt have to memori%e them any longer!
47 Certain new sells were invented, such as the Fountain of %outh, a Clerical
a*ility to reduce characters to childhood, either temorarily or ermanently 3Clr
87! $his greatly reduces their si%e, strength, and constitution scores, *ut not
mental scores, such as intelligence and wisdom! $hey also #ind they are suddenly
triing all over the lace in clothing and armor which is #ar too *ig #or their
small #rames! $his makes enemies #ar easier to cature alive! : new arcane sell
is 'inor /ight of Truth! :dded to a common 3ight incantation 3also Daylight
and -ontinual lame7 shadows on the wall reveal true #orms, i.e!, a dragon
trans#ormed into a human would show the shadow o# a dragon 3(or/'i% 37!
87 Characters *elonging to certain -rders, such as the Anights o# (olamnia and the
'i%ards o# &igh (orcery, *egin their rigorous training so early that they reach 1
st

;evel at Buite a young age! : (olamnic (Buire reaches <irst ;evel #ighter *y age
14, while a young mage is usually caa*le o# casting his initial 1
st
;evel (ell *y
age 12 or 13 3a magic-user who doesnCt *egin casting these *asic, low-level sells
*y age 15 is considered an ignoramus, and has a very oor chance o# assing the
$est o# &igh (orcery at 'ayreth! &e is there#ore weeded out *e#ore he has to
oortunity to get himsel# killed!7 $his eIlains Raistlin "aGereCs deseration as
he grew older, yet could not cast a simle 'leep sell until he was 15! )t had
nothing to do with RaistlinCs intelligenceJ he simly was unwilling to make the
commitment to magic, and the gods withheld ower #rom him until he did so!
$his has direct arallels on .arth during the "iddle :ges! : Anight *egan his
training to *ecome a sBuire at age 14, and was knighted *y age 21! $his would
mean (ir "arkham +anyal (wordhawk, $om &udsonCs character, would *e a
(eventh ;evel Anight *y then, and my character o# 0asryn (torm was a (eventh
;evel mage! )# a +" insists that all his layer characters *egin at #irst level, that
means that characters *eing trained *y these resective organi%ations are
corresondingly younger 312 to 18 years old!7 $his also means that certain a*ility
scores, such as (trength, Constitution, and 'isdom are initially lower, *ut they
raidly go u to adult levels in a #ew years o# game time! )n initial lay, when my
character was twelve years o# age and was given the oortunity to rescue two
children traed in my #atherCs dungeon, he initially had (trength o# >, and a
'isdom o# ??! $omCs character, aged 14 and develoing muscles, had a strength
score o# @, and a 'isdom o# ?A! $his eIlains 0asrynCs rather limited a*ility to
cast Gust three cantris and two 1
st
level sells each day at the *eginning o# game
lay! &e was a child! $he writers o# the PlayerCs &and*ook never roerly
eIlained thisJ $ony "ende% did!
57 +oing something incredi*ly stuid, like utting on 2oots of Dancing #rom a
vamireCs treasure vault 3$om and /arry still snicker a*out that to this day7 will
usually result in the +ungeon "aster #eeling sorry enough #or you to award a
secial #amiliar, like 0asrynCs seudodragon, <a#nir! O
ONote well2 Pseudodragons are high-maintenance ets, like my soiled collie,
;addie! $hey hel themselves to ham*urgers you leave unattended #or more than
3? seconds, and usur your *ed, #ully eIecting the =master> to slee on the #loor!
$hatCs where ) got the scene #rom in 0asrynCs *edroom, when he returned #resh
#rom a shower! =Per#ect! :nd Gust where do you eIect me to slee, your Royal
&ighnessL> ) recorded the hoto o# my et/#amiliar at this memora*le time #or
osterity!
Laddie, World's most spoiled collie
Dragonlance
"agic words #or sells
<rom the 'orld o# Arynn
3$aken #rom -hronicles, $he -riginal $rilogy, and added to7
ELDRITCH 3=$he sidery language o# magic!>7 O
=Shira">Y;ight, =Duma">Y+ark, =*air>Y<ire, =Tangus>Y$ongue, ='oi#iar>Y&and
=Ast-B <rom, =Avaun-B :way, =es>Y Cold, =Sinuralan>Y (lee
S#ell 'agi4 S#ell to invo"e
(lee =Ast tasara" Sinuralan "r.nawi>
,ust o# 'ind =Ast astol ith "alis, Suh,"ali &udrunin!>
/urning &ands =*air tangus moi#iar!>
(eak with +ead =Ast &ila" #ar&ila"ar2 Suh tangus moi#ar> 34E7
Charm =Suh tangus moi#iar, ast a"ular "ali#ar!>
+ee (lum*er =Ast tasara" sinuralan "r.naw!>
+etect "agic =Tsaran "orilath ith ha"on> 3#aint red glow7
"agic "issiles =*alith "aran, to&anis"ar$>
:rcane ;ock =*alis,an &udrunin "ara,emarath2>
Anock =*hetsaram #a"liol$> 3-range glow7
Color (ray =Januith!Tolin "iri shira" #e"tra #rism2>
"inor )mage =A"ular,alan suh Tagolann Jistrathar>
<ire*all =Ast *iranann *air Soth,aran!Suh *ali Jalaran$>
;ightning /olt =Ast *iranann *air +adurm Soth,arn!Suh "ali Jalaran$>
(hocking ,ras =*air +adurm moi#iar>
Ray o# <rost =9s>
$eleort =Astol ara"h"h "alis Tsaran Suh,"ali!Soth,aran$>
(hatter =Ast Sonan suh "aran!ith "alis$>
<lame :rrow =Ast "iranann "air to&anis"ar moi#iar$>
(hield ='agen "alis "air>
<laming (here =Ast "iranann "air ith moi#iar to&anis"ar$>
<ly =S".rr "alith "aren Jistrathar!
+isell "agic =Tsaran "alith avaun "ara,emarath!>
Clairaudience/Clairvoyance =Tolin #e"tra Suh tangus!ha"en!>
.(P/+et! (ur#ace $houghts =Suh a"ular ast moi#iar!>
.ndure the .lements =Ast "air!ith es avaun!>
)nvisi*ility =5attin &entu" ta"s "alithatan2-
3O) named the language used *y wi%ards mysel#, with the +"Cs aroval! )t seemed ridiculous
to me to name this language a#ter "agius, &umaCs comanion wi%ard #rom the *ooks! $he word
=eldritch> means magical or unearthly, according to the dictionary!7
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
:ll writers cra#t stories #rom their own li#e eIerience, and this eic tale is no eIcetion! )n the
tales are hints o# summer vacations to the Catskill "ountainsJ long days sent swimming in
crystal clear lakes and laying amongst the tall ine and male trees! $he oaks were o# course an
enchanted #orest, the *ird high in the green *oughs "erlinCs own owl, :rchimedes! <or
;awrence grew u in New Mork City with a healthy, overactive imagination! :t the age o# #ive,
the *oyCs great-aunt +orothy resented him with a coy o# The Wonderful Wizard of Oz *y ;!
<rank /aum! $his was #ollowed *y A Wizard of 9arthsea *y 1rsula ;e,uin, and tris to the
movies with his dad to see Fantasia, The Sword in the Stone, and 9s4a#e To Wit4h 'ountain!
/y the time little ;arry was ten, he was laying +ungeons and +ragons, and the 'orld o#
:*ydonne was taking #orm in his mind! $old *y his mother to sto daydreaming in class and
write his stories down, ;arry oened a #resh siral-*ound note*ook and *egan his career!
/esides Castle Ravenwood, the *eginning o# the Stormlord Trilog., and The Dragon1s
Familiar, ;awrence 0! Cohen has also enned the #ollowing manuscrits, which with &ashemCs
hel, will soon see rint2 Dragon1s Or&, The Sword of Ara"ron trilogyJ Wizard1s Crusade, a
time travel storyJ and Od.sse., a (tar $rek novel, among others!
Fisit the authorCs we*site at www.larrysbooks.com which includes in#ormation #or #ans,
as well as notes on his ucoming novels and current roGects! Mou can also leave notes at the
authorCs e-mail2 larryGcohen2Zyahoo!com
Aee in mind2 $he author is always looking #or a new grou o# gamers to lay
Dragonlance and Star Trek withN &e lives in :s*ury Park, New 0ersey, a #ew *locks #rom the
*each!

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