Date: 19 Apr 2001 01:02:21 +0000
From: zan@oceanfree.net
Subject: Night of No Tomorrow-2 (gay/boybands)

Disclaimer:

Hello again! I'm back with the second part of NNT. First of all, *sigh!* as
mentioned before, this story is totally fictional and has no purpose
whatsoever to imply that any member of the BSB is gay. If any of them is,
that's their business, not mine. Secondly, also as mentioned before, the
setting of this story is 100% based on TRS, Inc. Novels, the Forgotten
Realms. The story is written purely out of fun and leisure and I have no
intention of publishing it anywhere or whatever. Hmm... what else? Oh yeah,
this story also contain homosexual elements, so if you got a problem with
it, boy, you're in the wrong place. However, if you are looking for some
hot sex scenes, sorry dudes, you'll be disappointed. I'm just not good in
writing about that stuff :P But if you like stories that goes nice and slow
and have more to offer than just sex, oh well, you might like this one (I
hope).

Well! Now that is gone out of da way, lets get on with the story. Hope you
enjoy it. If ya got comments, objections, suggestions, tips, death threats,
boos, tomatoes to throw or whatever, just write to me at zan@oceanfree.net

Oh by the way, my twin brother, Andy asked me to sent a big HI to all of
ye. He found out about my blowing off his huge crush secret last time to ye
all and boy, for a moment this morning, I thought the world was ending. And
today wuz his turn to cook dinner so instead of a nice hot meal, all I got
today is a cold shoulder :P But I know you love me bro and I love ya too
hehe. So, I take it that the pizza you bought me for dinner is some kind of
pay back huh? (you know I hate mushroom!!!). Still, I'm glad to see yer
happy face when ya read my story. I knew you like it. You have always loved
those Forgotten Realms books. Wait till you see the rest of yer birthday
presents next Wednesday.

Another thing, in this part of the story, some part of it (particularly the
one about the adventuring party in Icewind Dales) was taken out from the
book 'Spellfire' by Ed Greenwood (I can't help it okay!! I really like it
and it is very suitable for this story!). I just change the characters a
little bit and added some bits and pieces. Fine, call me unoriginal or
whatever. I'm a lazy person. Happy now? :)

Anyway, onward with the story!!!...

Drew

****************************


The triad of evil will be formed
Bringing chaos to gods and mortals alike
Darkness shall be the harbinger
Destruction shall harm the Silver Maiden
Strife shall form her doom

But Five shall arrive from far
Five hold the key to free the Silver Maiden
Five shall be hunted down by the shadow
But the Five will bring triumph

The good gods will smile
The silver fire burns
The power released
Five shall come forth
Five will disperse
Five shall gather
But Seven will return
And the Maiden be free...

			The prophecy of the Silver Maiden
			Recited by Janaiya Faerael
			Lady Oracle of Silverymoon.

************************
West of Beregost, in the Sword Coast...

Nick scrambled through the thick brushes and trees, ignoring the cuts he
inflicted on himself as he tore through the woods in terror. Behind him,
numerous shrill cries of glee arise and they get nearer and nearer as he
ran.

He has been running for almost half an hour now. His breathing is ragged
and his feet seem to scream from fatigue. His heart is pounding wildly more
out of terror than tiredness. His clothes were torn at many places and
blood seeped through it from the numerous cut he acquired as he rushed
through thorns filled bushes and shrubs.

He awoke from his unconsciousness in a small clearing in a wood. The sky is
blue above him with an occasional clouds floating gently by. The air is
warm and the wind breezed by gently. Nick has no idea where he is and how
he ever managed to get here from the plane. As he stood up and walked
around a little bit, he heard a small scuffling and chattering behind one
of the bushes. As he walked nearer to investigate, a vile rotting smell
filled his nostril and at the same time the ugliest creature Nick has ever
seen in his life rose into view, grinning at his evilly. Its appearance is
so vile that Nick can't even begin to describe it. In its hands is a wicked
looking crude axe.

Suddenly it gave off a shrill guttural cry and then more of these creatures
came into view before him from behind the trees and bushes. The one before
him rushed towards him in a mad glee axe upraised in its hand as he
charged. Following its example, the rest charged forward.

With a cry of terror, Nick turns around and rushed into the woods, running
as fast as he could. He rushed through thorn filled bushes, jumped over
small streams and even clambered over stone boulders in attempting to lose
his pursuer but the creatures kept coming closer.

Nick ran on, ignoring his fatigue but he knew he wouldn't last long. He has
no idea where he is going since he has no clue as to where he is. He might
be running around in a huge circle for all he knows but he has to keep
going. The shrill cry grew closer and the closer it gets, the more
triumphant it becomes as if his pursuer could sense his despair.

Nick came to an abrupt stop as he reaches the face of a cliff. It is too
steep for him to climb and there is no way around it. Weak and in despair
now, Nick turns towards the direction of where he came from. One of the
creature appeared before him, crying out shrilly in triumph. It threw its
axe towards Nick. With a cry of terror, Nick ducked and the axe hits the
wall where his head should have been before that. The creature advanced
nearer with a wicked looking dagger in his hand. By this time, the rest of
the creature stood behind it, grinning evilly.

"Duck!!!"

A new commanding voice shouted from above. Ready to accept any sort of aid
from anyone now, Nick complied to the command. There was a chant and
suddenly there was a huge explosion and a roar. The air before him was
filled with blazing fire. The fire was so near him and so hot that it
actually singes him a little. Then the fire recedes and Nick looked up
slowly and fearfully. The trees, bushes and grass were nothing but burned
twigs and branches. Lying here and there are the twisted looking burned
forms of the creatures that has attacked him. Of all of them, none
survived.

A small scrambling and a soft rustling made him looked to the side in
alarm. A young blond haired man wearing a divided white robe and a red half
cloak strode into view. Beneath his robe, he wore a plain brown trousers
and a leather boot. A short sword and numerous pouches hang lazily from his
jeweled encrusted belt. Nick could see numerous daggers strapped and
partially concealed at his boots, shoulder and belt. He carries a small bag
at his side and held a strange looking staff in his hand. A sign of what
looks like a golden dragon with its wing outstretched etched clearly on his
robe. His gloves, boots, robe and cloak is fringed with strange looking
runes.

His beautiful figure awed Nick even further. His pure blond hair, parted in
the middle, wavered gently in the slight breeze. His eyes are as blue as
the sky. His skin is pale and smooth as silk. His smile is gentle and
caring and his movement is as graceful as a knight. He looks to be about 25
years old or so.

"Are you all right?" he asked gently as he helped Nick to his feet. Nick
could only stare, bound speechless from his beauty. His voice is smooth and
caressing like the gentle breeze of the wind.

"Uh... okay... I guess" Nick managed to stammers out. "T... t... thank
you."

"My pleasure. My name is Andy. Andy Eldereth of Beregost. You are...?"

"Nick. Nick Carter."

"Well met, Nick. Now, before you fall down why don't you have a sit and
calm down your nerve. It was very courageous of you to face a whole clan of
goblins with nothing but your bare hands, though it was never a good idea."
Andy smiled.

"G... g... goblins?" Nick replied shakily. To him goblins are nothing but
myth.

"Yes, goblin." Said Andy as he looks at him curiously now. "You know,
short, humanoid figure, pointed ears, horribly ugly with smell that can
make you vomit for days."

Nick just shakes his head.

"I... I thought... I thought goblins are just myth..."

Andy's eyebrow shot up curiously.

"Where am I?" asked Nick.

"You are just east of Beregost, on the shores of the Sword Coast." Andy
replied.

"Beregost?" asked Nick as he frowns. 'Sword Coast? I... I never heard of it
before."

"Where are you from Nick?" asked Andy gently.

"Orlando, Florida."

Andy tilted his head in puzzlement.

"Never heard of the place." He said. "How did you come here?"

Nick frowned as he tried to recall back the memories of the plane and the
vortex. He told Andy what he could remember. Andy frowned thoughtfully as
he listened.

"I thought I felt a small ripple of magic. It must have been you then." He
murmured thoughtfully.

"Magic? What are you talking about?" asked Nick in alarm.

"Well Nick, suffice to say you are no longer in you world. You're in Faerun
now. I felt a slight ripple about an hour or so ago, which is what
basically drawn me to come out here to investigate. It must have been
caused by your arrival here." Said Andy before frowning thoughtfully
again. "Yes, the opening of a portal could cause a ripple."

"But... but my friends... Brian... Kevin... where are they? And my
family... I must get back..." Nick stammered in panic.

Andy placed a soothing hand over Nick's. Nick's heart pumped faster as he
felt Andy's touch.

"Shhh... relax. I'm sure your friends are fine. Don't worry, I have ways to
find them if you want." Said Andy soothingly. "But first thing first. We
must start by taking care of your wounds."

He looked at Nick's torn clothes and his dirt smudged face.

"And get yourself clean and get you into a new clothes." He said smiling
reassuringly.

Nick looked at himself and smiled as he notices his condition for the first
time.

"Yeah... I guess so..."

Andy stood up.

"Come with me. My tower is nearby and we will get everything we need
there. Come, I'll help you."

With Andy's help, they made their way through the woods. Andy let Nick use
his staff to help in their support. The staff felt strangely cold in his
hand. A thought strike into Nick's mind.

"Umm... Andy?"

"Yes Nick?"

"Umm... the explosion that killed the... the goblins. How did it happen?"

"Why by magic of course. Very useful. Fireball spell that is." Andy replied
amusingly more to himself than to Nick.

"Are you a... a wizard or something?" he asked in a small voice.

Andy laughed in amusement.

"You sounded like you have never heard of magic and wizards before" he
said. He turned to look at Nick when he heard no respond from the young
man.

"Well, from my world... magic and wizards and goblins does not exist." Nick
said quietly.

Andy's eyes widened in shock.

"No magic?! No wizards?!" he stated in a shocked tone. Nick nodded. "By all
the Gods, how do people in your world live then? I would die without my
magic. Mystra aid me. You must tell me everything about your world Nick."

Nick smiled.

"And yes Nick. I am a wizard. Andy Elbereth at your service."

The walked for several minutes before arriving at the shore. The sea
rumbled beside them. In the distance loomed a small old lighthouse.

"Ah we're there." Said Andy warmly.

"You live in a lighthouse?" asked Nick. Their short travel seems to have
forged a bond between them.

"Yes." Said Andy happily. "It is every wizard dream to own their own tower
where they can do their studies and researches in peace. I inherited this
lighthouse when my uncle passed away a year ago. Now a lighthouse is not
much of a tower, but it serves the same purpose all the same. Better have
something than nothing."

"Cool." Said Nick.

They entered the lighthouse, into a huge sitting room. The fire is burning
merrily in the fireplace.

"Now Nick, you can clean yourself in the bathroom over there. I'll get some
fresh clothes for you and warm up dinner. You like roast beef?" said
Andy. Nick nodded as he stares curiously around the room like a
child. "Well and good! Now go clean yourself. I'll tend to your wounds when
you're clean enough."

In an hour, Nick is sitting comfortable before the fireplace, wearing a
plain white robe. Andy has tended to his wounds by means of healing potions
and dinner was great.

"You know, for a wizard, you sure prefer to use your own hands to do your
house chores. Can't you just zap it all with your magic?"

Andy laughed again.

"You sure are funny, Nick. I can conjure an invisible servant to do all the
chores for me, but I prefer not to. I will make me fat and lazy."

Nick giggled.

After a while they settled down for a while.

"Thanks for saving my life Andy. I owe you one." Said Nick.

"It's not a trouble at all Nick. One thing you must know in this world is
that dangers wait in almost every corner of this world. And every minutes,
every hour there are always people in this world who are fighting for their
life. There are evil people and there are good people. The evil people do
their evil deeds, guided by their evil gods and their greed, lust and
thirst of blood and power. The good people however spread goodness into the
world, guided by the good gods and their hatred towards all evil. The evil
people strife to be strong because for them, the weak perish and the strong
survive. The good people however strove to protect each other for only when
they are united that they can be strong."

"I help you because you were in trouble. It merely is a human thing to do,
something that you could have done too if you are in my place."

"Wow. That's a really strong words for a guy as young as you." Nick smiled
causing Andy to smile too.

"Ah well, my father used to say that to me. I merely passed it to you."

"Where are the rest of your family." Asked Nick. He immediately regretted
that when he saw Andy's face fell.

"They all died when pirates attacked and plundered our village. I was in
Waterdeep at that time, in the middle of my apprenticeship. So I am the
only one in my family who survived." He said flatly.

"I'm... sorry. I shouldn't asked." Said Nick.

Andy merely shook his head.

"It's okay Nick. It was a long time ago. I have got over it."

They sat quietly after that, staring into the crackling fire.

***************************

In the northern region of Faerun, in Icewind Dales...

"Have a care sot." Alvin said affectionately to Garth, kneeing his horse's
flank to come closer. "Else you'll be right off your beast and head-first
in the mud!"

The florid red-eyed cleric clamped large fingers onto the rim of his saddle
and fixed Alvin with a drunken, baleful eyes.

"Tymora love thee for thy ill-placed concern, sly and thieving, bootlicking
dog!" He belched comfortably, adjusted his budding paunch in a small
disagreement it was having with the front of the saddle, and wagged a
finger at the slim, mischievous thief. "So I like to drink! Do I fall from
the saddle, despite thy cries? Do I disgrace the Great Lady whose symbol I
bear? Do I yip and yap incessantly in a double-tongued, fawning, untruthful
manner, like some thieves? Aye?"

Kevin, riding next to Ken, a half-elf ranger behind them, wisely said
nothing. The Company of the Red Wolf was traveling along a snow-filled pass
on their way to a small village of Easthaven. Kevin looked around him and
saw nothing but snow covered mountains and glaciers. The wind was bitterly
cold and even through the layers of warm fur cloak the company generously
lent him he still shivered. Icewind Dale Ken said when he asked where he
was. A fitting name indeed.

Kevin arrived in Icewind Dale several nights ago. Well, arrived would be
inaccurate. He actually woke up one night and lo and behold, the first
thing he saw was the bearded face of a dwarf staring at him suspiciously;
ready to hack him with his great battle-axe if necessary. Apparently,
according to the group, a portal opened up in the same clearing where the
Company was resting. Kevin fell out of the portal and has been unconscious
for half a night before Garth, a cleric in service of a goddess known as
Tymora, the Goddess of Good Luck, managed to wake him up.

At first, they thought Kevin was an evil creature from another world,
masked magically in human skin. After several magical test by both Garth
and Lamelle, the group sorceress, they found out the he is indeed a normal
human being, and this heightened their curiosity even further considering
his means of arrival. After hearing his story, Lamelle decided that he is
important in some way and purposed the group to return to a place called
Silverymoon to consult with her superior there, a lady known as Alustriel.

The company comprised of six people, seven now if Kevin is
included. Leading the party is a young paladin, Keres. Keres is a serious
man most of the time, with long dark hair and neatly trimmed beard. His
armor is well polished. His shield bears the symbol of a silver gauntlet,
the holy symbol of his god, Torm the True, God of Duty and Loyalty. There
are two other warriors in the company. Delg the dwarf rode his own pony
beside Keres, heavily clad in dwarven forged armor with his great
battle-axe hung easily on his back. The other warrior is Ken, the
half-elven ranger. Although within the three days he has made great friends
with these people, it is Ken whom he is closest of all. It seems that Ken
has decided to take Kevin under his wings and teaches him how to use the
bow and wield a sword. They became great friends in a short time. Lamelle
is a kind handsome middle-age lady, graceful and well respected in the
party. She is a conjurer from Silverymoon before joining the adventuring
party. Garth Winterstone of Tymora and Alvin Shadowstar are the cleric and
the thief respectively. The two are best friends and has been traveling
together even before the group is formed. Garth loves to drink very much
while Alvin continually teasing and playing silly jokes and tricks on him.

The blond half-elven ranger beside him smiled.

"Lost in thought, good Kevin? No time for that, now, not once you're an
adventurer! Philosophers think and do nothing. Adventurers rush in to be
killed without a thought. A single thought as to what they're facing would
no doubt have them fleeing just as quickly!"

Delg chuckled deeply in front as he heard the ranger. Keres smiled.

"Not so," Garth rumbled, wagging that finger again. "If ye worship the Lady
Luck, Tymora, luck will cloak thee and walk with thee, and such thoughts
but mar thy daring."

"Yes, if you worship Tymora," Lamelle chuckled.

"Well said Lamelle, if you worship Tymora," Alvin snickered. "We are both
more prudent men, eh, Kevin?"

"Ye worship Mask and Mystra between ye and speak to me of prudence?" Garth
chuckled. "Truly, the world rears strangeness anew with each passing day."

He leaned forward suddenly to point into the dimness.

"Look ye, loosetongues! Isn't that not a devil in those rocks and snows?"

Kevin froze in his saddle. Devils? What the hell are they talking about?
Ken placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Keres stopped to peer into
the rocks, sword out of the scabbard smoothly. Delg backed his pony a bit,
battle-axe ready in his hand.

"Devils? It can't be. I would have sensed their evil by then." Keres said
flatly.

"Perhaps you're seeing things Garth. Perhaps its something else?" asked
Lamelle as she peered in that direction.

"Nay, Garth is right. There's one o'er there. And there too." Delg rumbles.

"Nay, wait a minute. Something is amiss... see how its flame scorches not
and it passes through the rocks and trees without disturbances, without so
much a leaf crunching or a twig cracking? Nay, 'tis an illusion!" said
Keres.

Garth swung about to fix Alvin and Lamelle with a stern eye, the silver
disc of Tymora shining in his hand.

"This would not be your work, wouldn't it, Alvin the Tiresome? Or you
Lamelle the Conjurer?"

"No," Alvin said, spreading honest hands.

"Such effrontery!" Lamelle said disapprovingly. "Why would I want to do
that, Garth of Tymora?"

The company turned back to peer at the slopes suspiciously.

"Why an illusion, but to draw us away?" Ken said in a low voice as he hefts
his bow.

"Aye," Delg replied softly, "but into a trap, or to get us off the trail
and away from someone who wants to pass without meeting us?"

"Hmmph," Garth said and rose in his saddle again, holding his holy symbol
aloft. His hands traced empty air around the disc, following the
curves. First he used one hand, while the other held the disc, and then he
switching hands, all the time chanting gently, "Tymora! Tymora! Tymora!
Tymora!"

The disc began to glow, faintly at first, then gradually more brightly,
until at last it shone with a bright silver radiance. The others scanned
the slopes ceaselessly, blades and spells ready. Kevin looked with
admiration at the synchrony of the group. It is more like he and his
bandmates. Each person has their own skills and ability and used it for the
benefits of the group. At the same time, they watched each other's back
without any second thought. Abruptly Garth released his hold upon the
glowing disc. It did not fall, but hung silently in midair. Garth said to
it:

"By Tymora's power and Tymora grace, Be revealed now whatever I face, All
lives and things that evil be Unveiled truly now before me!"

The cleric took hold of the disc as his words ended; the disc flared with
silvery light, and then the radiance slowly faded away. Garth, holding the
disc before him, was already peering ahead down the path, eyes keen.

"Aha!" he said almost immediately. "Six evil people on the trail, moving
this way."

He dragged a long, heavy mace from his belt and whacked his armored knee
lightly, swinging his arm to limber up his shoulder.

"Ready all?" he asked.

Keres guided his horse with his knees, one hand bearing his shield, the
other bearing his sword. Delg jumped off his pony, battle-axe ready in his
hands. Alvin rode beside Garth, long slim longsword ready in his hand. Ken
rode beside Keres, arrow readily nocked in his bow.

"Kevin, you and Lamelle watch the rear okay?" said Keres. Kevin and Lamelle
nodded. Kevin gripped his longsword in his hand.

"Ready, comrades?" asked Keres.

Alvin slipped back into his saddle and grinned.

"It's your head, oh smeller-of-evil."

Keres nodded briefly and jerked his horse reins. His mounts reared, pawing
the air. The paladin gave a solemn salute to the heavens. When the horse
came down, the sword was flashing with a radiant blue light, held ready in
his hand, and he leaned forward, bellowing,

"For the glory of Torm and victory! The Company of the Red Wolves are upon
ye! Die!!!"

Kevin gulped as they tore through they snowy slopes at full gallop. Lamelle
rode steadily at his side.

"Are you all right, Kevin?" she asked gently.

"Yeah, I guess. I mean this is all so new to me and I... I have never
killed anyone or anything for that matter in my life." Kevin replied.

Lamelle gave a beautiful musical laugh.

"Don't worry, Kevin. You will get use to it. In this world, you kill when
you have to, or else you will be killed in return, for there are lots of
evil men out there who wouldn't hesitate to do so."

She peered at Kevin soothingly.

"And in the mean time, you will have to tell us more about your world. I
confess, the group finds it fascinating about the fact that people in your
world actually live at peace and that war and battle is a very rare
thing. Even in the absence of magic."

"Well, I didn't say that there is no war at all. There is some battle going
on but they are greatly localized. The people in my world have grown tired
of all the bloodshed in the past. Believe me, our history is filled with
bloodshed. Because of this, each nations in my world sent an emissary to
represent their nation and these emissaries form some sort of a Council to
ensure...."

Kevin continued on talking while Lamelle listened with great interest,
without caring at all about the battle before them. Far ahead, they dimly
heard yells echoing from the rocks ahead and then the slash and skirl of
steel upon steel. There was a short shriek, quickly cut off, much thudding
of hooves, more steel, and then a few scattered yells.

After about fifteen minutes or so, they heard crashing on the trail ahead,
nearer than the sounds of battle. Kevin nervously holds out his sword while
Lamelle raised her hands in readiness; spell ready at the edge of her
tongue.

"Ho, Kevin and Lamelle!" Delg's voice came floating through the
rocks. "Haven't ye sprout roots on that stretch yet?"

The dwarf lumbered into view with Ken and Alvin at his side. Kevin looked
at the half-elven ranger walking gracefully towards the two in
admiration. His heart beats wildly at the sight before he jerks at the
thought. What is he doing? He is not gay... is he? He has just checked out
a man... He was so deep in his thought that he didn't notice Lamelle
looking at him staring at Ken and smiled slightly.

"Was it worth the battle, Hammer of Clanggedin?" she asked.

"Adventurers out of Llorkh - priests of Bane and a mage of minor power out
to make a name for himself," said the dwarf before spitting to the ground.

"Dead?" asked Kevin.

Delg nodded.

"They weren't willing to surrender or flee," Ken said mildly.

Kevin shook his head.

"Eh? Why so?" Delg asked, eyeing him as he hold the rein of his pony.

"Just the five of you," said Kevin, "bellowing war cries... and a moment
later you come back and tell me they're dead."

Delg nodded.

"That's what usually happens." He said deadpan.

Kevin shook his head again as they rode down the slope.

"No, no," he said. "Don't mistake me... How can you just ride forward like
that, knowing you face six foes, and at least one a wizard?"

The others laughed at that.

"The war cries and all? Well, if you're risking death, why not have fun?"
Alvin replied. "If I wanted to risk death without having fun, I'd be a tax
collector; not a thief. Come on - if we tarry much longer, Garth and Keres
will have finished all the food and wine, and we're not even there yet!"

"Aye," Delg grinned. "Keres may be serious and all but he has an enormous
appetite. Strange he never gets fat with all the food he ate. And
Garth... well... ye know Garth."

"Why attack them anyway?" asked Kevin. "They never bother us."

"They will, if they notice us, Kevin." Said Lamelle gently.

"They are adventurers from Llorkh, Kevin." Said Ken. Kevin turned and
nearly melted as he peered into the crystal blue eyes. Ken smiled causing
his heart to beat wildly. "Llorkh is a very evil city, other than Zhentil
Keep, Darkhold and the Citadel of the Ravens, all ruled by the Zhentarim."

"Zhentarim?" asked Kevin.

"Yes, and in this world, Kevin, you will have to know several evil
organization that you have to be wary of and even kill without hesitation
when needed. One of them is the Zhentarim. They are cruel, ruthless and
merciless." Said Ken.

"And none are more cruel than priests of Bane and the Zhentarim mages."
Said Lamelle.

"Bane?" asked Kevin.

"Bane the Black Lord is the God of Strife, Tyranny and Hatred." Said Ken,
as he made a gesture to his goddess, Mielikki, Goddess of the Rangers and
Woodlands to ward off any evil that might come his way from uttering the
evil name. "From that list of titles, you should understand why they hold
the ways of cruelty as sacred."

"Enough gloomy talk." Said Alvin. "Tonight we will do nothing but sing and
dance and jokes, that is until Keres put a stop on it all."

The thief galloped towards the campfire in the distance. Lamelle rushed
after him.

"Ye up fer some practice tonight, lad?" asked the dwarf as he peered up at
Kevin.

"Why not? After all, I must get used to this world." Kevin replied sadly.

Delg placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry lad. Ye will find the rest of ye friends. And ye will return
back to yer home soon. As soon as we get to meet Alustriel in Silverymoon,
she'll find yer friend fer ye and then sent ye back home. Clanggedin
willing."

The dwarf peered at the figures at the campsite.

"Garth! Ye charlatan! Leave some ale fer me, damn ye, else ye better start
praying to Tymora fer healing spells before I get there!"

With that the dwarf galloped towards the campsite as fast as his pony can
run.

Kevin turns to look at Ken only to find the ranger staring at him sadly.

"You missed them very much, don't you?" he asked softly.

Kevin sighed and nodded quietly.

"They are more like brothers to me. And one of them is my cousin. I hope
they're all right."

Kevin felt Ken placed his arm around his shoulder and hug him gently.

"They are all right, Kevin. You must have faith in them. And keep on
believing the fact that one day, you will find them all back, safe and
sound."

Kevin sighed inwardly as he rested on Ken's embrace. He has never felt so
safe in his life. It was at that time he realized that in the brief moment
since they met, he begins to have feelings on the half-elven ranger.

**********************

In Zhentil Keep...

Manshoon strode into the meeting chamber only to find two other people
patiently waiting for him. At the end of the room, Fzoul Chembryl, Master
of the Black Altar and High Priest of Bane stood near the fireplace. The
High Priest looked up at the newly arrived archmage expressionlessly. Near
him, sitting on one of the chair is Sememmon, Lord of Darkhold and an
archmage of his own right. Sememmon is also one of Manshoon most trusted
men.

"You wish to see me on something urgent, Fzoul?" he asked the burly High
Priest coldly.

Fzoul turned towards the archmage and stare at him coolly.

"Actually I need to see both of you urgently." He replied just as coldly.

"Well? Out with it. My studies awaits." Said Manshoon.

"Lord Bane appeared before me in my bedchamber early this morning with
commands that must be carried out immediately." Said Fzoul.

Manshoon and Sememmon looked up sharply.

"Bane appeared before his priest in person? Interesting." Murmured
Sememmon.

"Well? What is his commands then?" asked Manshoon.

"We are to use whatever means we have to destroy five young men not from
this world who arrived several days ago. The clergy of Shar and Talos will
aid us." Said the High Priest. He made a small gesture and the image of
five young men appeared before them all.

"They are just boys. A trifle task not worth to waste my time with. Send
some of the Zhentarim soldier and a mage or two after them." Said Manshoon
before turning back towards the door.

"If it is a trifle task, Manshoon, Bane, Talos and Shar would have not
needed our help. If the gods themselves have difficulties in carrying out
this task what makes you think this is a trifle matter?" Fzoul said coldly.

Manshoon turned back and look at him speculatively.

"Indeed." He breathed at last. "My apologies. I still haven't recovered
from the magical chaos that has struck me a month ago. Do continue."

"Well, maybe this would perk your interest High Lord. The young men have
direct connection with the magical chaos that has happened in the past."
Fzoul continued.

Manshoon and Sememmon looked up with renewed interest.

"You have my complete attention." Said Manshoon.

"The Black Lord has told me everything Manshoon..." Fzoul continued
relaying to them what has happened a month ago.

"Interesting." Said Manshoon when Fzoul finished. "With Mystra gone, Bane,
Shar and Talos will be the new gods of magic."

"Why couldn't the gods find them?" asked Sememmon.

"Bane told me that they are from the negative planes. So they would be
invisible to the gods and immune to any spells of detection." Fzoul
replied.

"So we have to find them the old fashion way." Said Manshoon. "I must
confess, Fzoul, this would be worth my time after all. I'll send out some
of the Zhentarim mages and soldiers to look for these young men. Sememmon,
alert all our spies in the Heartlands. Give the descriptions of the men and
have them report straight to you, me and Fzoul if they spotted any of these
men."

"Aye, Lord." Sememmon replied.

"And I shall sent out some of my priests with your soldier." Said Fzoul.

Manshoon nodded.

"Will there be anything else?" asked Manshoon.

Fzoul shook his head.

"Very well. Good day gentlesirs."

With that, Manshoon vanished from the room and so does Sememmon.

************************