Date: 23 Apr 2001 19:29:43 +0000
From: zan@oceanfree.net
Subject: Night of No Tomorrow - 4 (gay/boybands)

Disclaimer:

Hello again! I'm back with the fourth part of NNT. First of all, (*sigh!*
not again...) as mentioned before, this story is totally fictional and has
no purpose whatsoever to imply that any member of the BSB is gay. Secondly,
also as mentioned before, the setting of this story is 100% based on 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, why are you here??!
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 or cabbages to throw or whatever, just write to me at zan@oceanfree.net

Note from author:

Oh by the way, in case you're wondering who is writing this, I'm Andy,
Drew's brother. Drew is off somewhere, studying. I know Drew told all of
you that he wouldn't be writing for the next few weeks. But this morning he
discovered that he forgot to sent this bit of the story along with the rest
the last time he wrote to Nifty. So he asked me to send this for him. Hope
you enjoy this. I know I am :)

Anyway, onward with the story!

Andy

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

In Nirvana...

"Azuth?"

The figure of a bearded old man turns from the scrying pool of crystalline
water to face the figure of an affectionate woman in her middle years
before him. Aura of warmth and tranquility radiate from the woman, filling
the air with contentment and health.

"Well met, Lady Chauntea." Said the God of Wizards huskily. Azuth is
tired. He has been studying the complex spell crafted by Bane, trying to
figure a way to counter the spell and remove the spiritual link. But the
spell was very complex, even for a god. To make things worst, at the same
time, he has to ensure the stability of the Weave. It was all he, even with
the help of Savras and Mystra's mortal Chosens, could do to ensure the
stability of the Weave and because of that he barely has enough strength in
him to study the complex spell. But it must be done, lest the Goddess of
Magic would surely be doomed.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Azuth, but I brought news that might bring you
hope," Said Chauntea gently. The Goddess of Health and Agriculture looked
sympathetically at her fellow deity. She understood the predicament all of
Mystra's allies are facing, but there was little she or any other good gods
could do other than helping them as best they could. "I found one of the
mortals you are looking for."

Azuth looked up at the goddess with renewed hope in his eyes. Mystra's
Chosens have nearly exhausted themselves trying to find them, but so far
none of them have had any result. Things get even tense when they heard
that minions of Bane, Shar, Talos and the other evil gods have stirred and
are looking for them too. None of the gods were able to even sense the
mortals, since they are from the negative planes.

"Really? How? Which one? Where is he?" he asked with a rush.

Chauntea raised her hand to calm the god.

"The curly hair young man called Brian. He is in the Moonshaes, presently
traveling with one of my priestess there. That is how I know. I can't see
or sense him, but I heard mentions of him through her prayers. He is a
cleric now, Azuth. His faith to his God is so great that it grant him
considerable clerical powers." She replied. But when she continued, her
voice is filled with concern. "But trouble awaits him, Azuth. I can sense
forces of evil near my priestess, no doubt I think, that they are after
him."

Azuth received this news with concern.

"That is ill news." He said at last. "Can you protect him, Lady Chauntea?"

Chauntea looked at him for a moment before nodded.

"I will protect him as best I can, Azuth, and so will Lathander, Silvanus
and the Earthmother. But I cannot give you any promise. Not even the
Greater Power is allowed to touch the Realms directly."

"Do what you can, Lady Chauntea." Azuth replied before a thought struck
him. He looked up at the goddess and smiled. "But you have just made me
realize a way to communicate with them."

Chauntea looked at him curiously.

"Oh? How?"

"We might not be able to sense them. But they still need to sleep, just
like the rest of the mortals." Azuth said thoughtfully.

"Dreams?"

Azuth nodded.

"Every mortal dreams when sleeping. I may not have the strength to do so,
considering the predicament I am facing with the Weave and Bane's spell,
but I'm sure Selune can find their dream sphere easily."

Chauntea nodded thoughtfully.

"Do what you have to do, Azuth, and bring Mystra back. The only reason the
good gods interfere with this situation is because we cannot allow Bane to
take Mystra's power." She said as she turns around. "Take care of yourself
too, High One."

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

In Moonshae Isles...

Five men stood hidden within the shadow of the woods, looking at the trail
the lead to Caer Corwell. One man wearing a black robe peered down the
trail, looking at the approaching two figures that are riding fast through
the pass. One is a woman wearing a green riding robe, bearing a medallion
of Chauntea around her neck. Another is a curly hair young man with
piercing blue eyes.

The man in robe turned to look at the armored cleric beside him with a
raised eyebrow. The cleric in turn gave a grim nod in reply. Nodding in
acknowledgement, the man in robe silently gestures at the other three men
to take position.

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

In the plane of Gladsheim...

The goddess gently touches the crystalline water of the pool in the middle
of the room. Her appearance usually changes with time, depending on the
changes in the moon. At the moment, amidst the silvery light of the full
moon, she appeared as a beautiful young maiden with dusky-hued skin with
wide, radiant eyes. Her hair is long and ivory-white, reflecting the
moonlight everywhere as the gentle breeze blows it steadily.

She stood up gracefully as Azuth materialized before her, and gave the god
a radiant smile, which added further to her beauty.

"Well met, Azuth. Welcome to Gladsheim." She spoke softly.

"Lady Selune, forgive me for disturbing you." Said Azuth in return to her
greetings.

"You didn't disturb me Azuth. But I do wonder why you are here though." She
smiled again.

"I am in need of your aid, Moonmaiden."

"And what would that be?"

"I'm sure you are aware of the mortals Mystra has brought into Faerun."

The Goddess of the Moon nodded.

"If you suggest that I can find them, Azuth, I'm afraid you are
mistaken. No gods can sense any being from the negative plane. I am no
exception."

"But you can touch their dream sphere. You have the power to speak with
them through their dreams." The God of Wizards argued.

Selune frowned thoughtfully. Azuth was right. Normally, gods and goddesses
can touch mortal dreams directly. But in this case, these mortals are from
the negative planes. The deities cannot touch their dreams since they can't
sense them. But Selune is the Goddess of the Moon. It is within her power
to look after mortals while they sleep and gave them dreams through their
dream spheres. While these mortals are from the negative plane, they still
need to sleep and dreams at night, which means that Selune can touch their
dream sphere. However, there are some limitations. Slowly she nodded.

"You are right, Azuth." She began slowly. She went on when Azuth was about
to speak again. "But there are some limitations. Yes, I can touch their
dream sphere and I can communicate with them. But to do so will require
much of my power. This is not the same as the dream visions the gods has
been using to communicate with the mortals Azuth. This is a dream, and
sending messages through the dream sphere means merging elements of reality
with elements of non-reality. I can do it, but only for a very short
time. There are laws in the dream world that not even I can break it,
Azuth."

"I am aware of that, Moonmaiden." Said Azuth wearily. "And that would be
enough. Will you help me then?"

Selune nodded slowly.

"I have no wish to involve myself in the affairs of Mystra and Bane,
Azuth. The battle between the two is and has never been my concern." She
said softly. "But I will help you, Azuth, simply because of the involvement
of Shar in this matter. The Nightgoddess's bid for Mystra's power must be
countered."

Azuth nodded silently.

"But what would you like me to do?" she asked.

"Bid them all to go to Shadowdale." Azuth replied. Selune looked at him
curiously. "Two of Mystra's Chosens lives there - the archmage Elminster
and the bard, Storm Silverhand. They will have enough power to protect
them. Also there is a holy shrine of Mystra there. It is at that site where
one's presence would be closest to Nirvana. I have not yet completed my
task to form a spell that would counter Bane's spell. What I have achieve
so far however is that the spell would also be similarly complex, and must
be done in close proximity of both Nirvana and the Realm below. That
particular site would be perfect."

Selune looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before nodding.

"Thank you, Moonmaiden."

"Don't thank me yet, High One." Selune replied. "I may be the giver of
dreams. The Nightgoddess however, is a giver of nightmares. She too has the
power to touch the dream spheres."

"Protect them then, Selune, for the sake of the Weave, please protect
them."

Selune nodded again.

"I will. I give you no promise though, for Shar is more powerful then me,
but I will do my best. That is the only promise I can give you."

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

In the Sword Coast...

"You love him don't you?"

Nick looked up from his spell book to look at the skull on the table before
him in surprise.

"What... what do you mean?" he asked in fear.

The skull chuckled slightly that for a moment, it seems to Nick like the
skull was actually grinning in amusement. Nick nearly jumped off his skin
when he discovered Muragh, the talking skull, when exploring Andy's
study. At first he thought it was some kind of an evil thing and was ready
to throw him into the raging fireplace, but Andy managed to stop him just
in time. Then he thought he was going crazy when Muragh, horrified at the
thought of being fed to the fire began to curse and swear, until Andy
laughed and started to explain.

Apparently, Muragh was Andy's only companion before Nick arrived in his
life. According to Andy, Muragh was actually a priest of Lathander about
200 years ago. However, somewhere along his life, his constant chattering,
pestering and smug comments (a habit he seems to keep to this very day)
managed to anger an evil mage, resulting in the mage to lay a magical curse
on him. The curse apparently changes his body into a talking skull and
doomed him to live forever in that dismal form. He spent years changing
hands from one being to another (mainly because those who kept him
eventually got weary of his constant prattling). He eventually passed on to
Andy after the young mage passed his apprenticeship - a gift from his
master (though both of them thought that the master was also weary of the
skull and would do almost anything to get rid of it.) So the two has been
keeping each other company for more than five years now. Since Andy lives
alone, he don't mind at all of Muragh constant prattling. At least there
was someone he could talk to when he is bored and lonely. And Muragh was
more than happy to oblige. The two became best friends ever since.

His stay with the young mage also turns out into something else. Nick asked
Andy to teaches him magic - well begged actually. At first, Andy refused
vehemently because he has never had an apprentice under him before and
these things are totally new to them both. After some 'persuasion' by
Muragh (the skull actually shouted at him, threatening him to never let him
sleep at night with his constant prattling), Andy readily agreed. Nick's
study progressed unbelievably quickly, much to Andy's surprise. In two
months, Nick has already achieved a level of power that usually takes mage
years of studies. Muragh deduced that it probably due to the young man's
great curiosity to know more about the stuff, though Andy is not sure about
that. Andy however dreaded the teaching at first, but as time progressed,
he finds it more enjoyable. Nick was simply bursting with questions and he
seems to absorb every single thing Andy teaches him.

His relationship with the young mage also changes in the past two
months. Nick finds that his feeling towards Andy grew stronger and
stronger. But he couldn't say anything for fear of affecting their
friendship. But as the two months passes by, the feeling grew so great that
it begins to hurt. Every time they touch each other, Nick felt like he is
going to cry. He wanted to tell Andy about his feeling but he was so scared
of what might happen if he did.

"You know what I mean, Nick. I know you do. I may be a skull, but I can see
things around me too, you know. And most of all, I could see it in your
eyes every time you look at him," Said Muragh. "So, you love him don't
you?"

Nick stared at the skull, speechless. Tears begin to form in his eyes.

"I...," he began but Muragh cut him off.

"Nick, it's okay thrust me. I don't mind." Muragh said soothingly. "What I
do mind is why you haven't talk about this feeling with him? Why do you
keep hiding it inside you? You'll hurt yourself if you keep it in for long
you know."

"I... can't. I can't tell him, Muragh. I just can't." Nick managed to blurt
out at last. "I'm scared. What if he rejected me? What if he hates me and
turns me out of the house? What if..."

"What if he loves you too?" Muragh interrupted smoothly.

"He cannot love me. He prefers girls, just like everybody else." Nick
mumbled before returning to his spell book.

"How do you know?" asked Muragh. Nick could have sworn he saw a twinkle in
the orb where his eyes should be. "You won't know anything unless you two
talk."

"And how am I suppose to do that?" Nick snapped. "Just walk up to him and
say 'Hey Andy, I am in love with you. Oh by the way, I hope you're gay. "

"Umm... well, I wouldn't start like that." Muragh said mildly as if
discussing about the weather. Nick fought down the urge to throw the skull
into the ocean. But instead he shut his spell book with a snap and stood.

"Geez, Muragh. Now I know why people grew tired of you. You're
so... so... annoying!!" Nick said in exasperation. Muragh just chuckled.

"I know. All my previous companion said so." He said between the
chuckles. "But I love it."

The skull begins to hops and wiggles about the table and then dropped onto
the floor. Then it hopped and rolled over the floor and out of the room,
still laughing. But before leaving he turns around to face Nick.

"But I was serious about the talk." He said softly. Nick could have sworn
he was keeping something back. "You never know unless you find out by
yourself."

Nick rolled his eyes and put the book aside. Muragh has been with him for
more than an hour, chattering ceaselessly. His head ache so much that he
felt like someone has dropped an anvil over it. He lay down on his bed and
closed his eyes, sighing heavily, letting smoothing thoughts enter his
mind. Muragh may be annoying, irritating, arrogant and sometimes downright
rude, but Nick has to admit, he is a good companion. And as much as Nick
hates to admit it, he is getting more and more fond with that skull and
that darn skull knew it. Muragh simply knows how to makes him laugh,
especially when he is in his 'Let-tease-Andy' mood. He is also a superb
storyteller and jokes, and somewhat wise in the way of life (Maybe because
of all the experiences life has given him as time passes on - probably one
of the benefits for not being able to die). Most of all, he knew all about
Andy and all of his embarrassing stories (he actually used it to threat
Andy when Andy refuse to teach him magic). Nick also understands Muragh's
constant pranks and chattering. Being only a skull with no limbs
whatsoever, the only thing he does best is talk.

He looks outside the window to see the sun beginning to set. He got up from
his bed and walked up towards the top of the lighthouse. He found Andy
standing there, staring at the sea. There were traces of burned out powders
on the floor, indicating a major spell being cast here a moment ago.

"Andy, you okay?"

His question startled the young mage a little. Andy turned around to face
him. In the light of the setting sun, his eyes seem to glow and his hair
shone brightly as if it is alive. Nick's heart melted as he saw this and
his heart beats faster.

"Nick! By Tempus, you surprised me." He smiled.

"Andy, what have you been up to? You look half dead." Said Nick worriedly.

Andy smiled tiredly and sat cross-leg on the floor, watching the
sunset. Nick sat beside him, enjoying the setting and his closeness to the
man he love.

"I've been doing what I has always been doing. Trying to locate where you
friends are. I just couldn't understand why all my spells doesn't work on
you or your friends!" He said with frustration. For the past two months,
ever since he discovered that none of his detection spells works on Nick or
his friends, he has been pouring over every tomes and scrolls he could get
his hands on, trying to find the cause. He has also been trying to find
anything that could lead him to a way to find Nick's friends. Nick smiled
inwardly, knowing that Andy hates things he couldn't explain. He finds that
Andy looks cuter when he is frustrated.

"I take it that your latest spell doesn't work?" he pointed to the burnt
out runes on the floor.

"The was the most powerful divination spell I have ever come across in my
life." Andy mumbled. "It takes weeks to prepare the components and
runes. It also took a great deal of my magic and strength, but it still
doesn't work."

He looks at Nick in exasperation.

"I'm sorry Nick. I really don't know what else to do. I'm running out of
options here."

"Oh Andy," said Nick softly. The sight of Andy looking so sad pained
him. He never realized how much trouble Andy has gone through just to help
him. "It's okay. Really, I don't mind. You did your best, that is all
anyone could ask for. I'm sure something will come up eventually and I'm
sure I will meet the rest of my friends again."

"But you look so sad whenever you think of your friends. You look so sad
and lost. I... I can't bear to see you look so sad anymore. I must do
something. I... I love you..."

The last came out as mere whisper but Nick could hear every word as if Andy
had just shouted it out aloud. To hear the word you have always been
dreaming of actually comes up in real life was like a lightning that
suddenly comes out of the clear sky to strike you down. Nick was so stunned
that his mind simply went overload. He sat there, staring open-mouthed at
the young mage.

Andy however, thought differently. He thought the words he just uttered
were like the sharpest of blades, slicing through the bond and friendship
they have build up ever since they met two months ago. Pain and bitterness
filled his heart. Tears began to spill over his eyes and down his
cheeks. Soft sobs escaped his lips. He looked away, unable to look, unable
to even imagine the hatred and disgust in Nick's face.

"I'm... sorry, Nick. I really am. I... I didn't mean to fall in love
but... but I can't help myself. I tried... and tried, I just can't..." Andy
stammered. "I... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"Andy"

Andy continued on babbling endlessly.

"Andy"

Andy simply didn't stop. His mind is in overdrive and drawn into
itself. Suddenly he was grabbed from behind and was turned around. His
babbling stopped as he suddenly found himself pulled into the deepest and
most passionate kiss he ever experienced in his life.

Nick didn't know how long they had been kissing, but when they pulled
apart, Andy was staring at him dazedly. Streaks of tears lined his
cheeks. Nick stared into his eyes as he gently wipes the tears away with
his thumb.

"I love you too." Nick whispered softly.

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

Meanwhile, in the Moonshae Isles...

Brian and Sarelle slowed their horses down into a trot as they reaches a
slow rise somewhere along the pass that leads to Caer Corwell. Brian looks
at Sarelle in confusion as he noticed the priestess hefted her mace from
the straps and begins to look around warily.

"What's wrong, Sarelle?"

"Shh," Sarelle whispered warily. "Arm yourself, Brian. I sensed... evil
about."

Brian begins to look around nervously as he hefted the silver war-hammer
that Sarelle has given him a couple of weeks ago. He let his thoughts open
to the surroundings and scanned for the presence of any evil around
him. The answer came quickly enough as he felt a sudden cold at the back of
his neck.

"Get behind me." Said Sarelle softly before she chanted a short spell to
protect them from fear. Almost immediately, Brian felt his nervousness
disappeared, only to be replaced by a feeling of warmth and courage.

"Cast the spell to protect yourself from evil Brian." She said softly
before chanting softly again. Brian complied and muttered the necessary
prayers.

They continue to trot along the trail, watching the surrounding
warily. Suddenly, five men appeared before them. Brian could see four men
in spiked, dark armor. Three men held wicked looking swords in their
hand. The other held a spiked morningstar on one hand and a shield with the
symbol of a black gauntlet in red on another. The last man of the five
wears a black robe. His face hidden under the shadow of the cowl.

Sarelle hissed and pulled her horse to a stop. Brian did the same.

"Beware Brian," she whispered. "The one in robe is a wizard, and the one
with the morningstar is a priest of Bane. Beware!"

The cleric of Bane moved forward, his eyes are hard and cruel. Brian could
see the red aura of evil radiating around him that for a moment, he though
the man was on fire.

"Priestess of Chauntea," he sneered. Brian could see Sarelle stiffened as
if the fact that his very voice carrying the name of her goddess disgusted
her. "We have no quarrel with you, so if you value you life, you'd best
step aside and hand that boy to me."

"Oh really?" Sarelle sneered back. Brian raised his eyebrows slightly in
surprise to hear her tone. Sarelle has always been warm, caring,
compassionate and cheerful. He has never seen or heard anger in her voice
before. It was almost a contradiction to every aspect of her. "How
interesting that you would know was is best for me, Priest of Bane. You are
right at one thing. You have no quarrel with us, and we have no quarrel
with you. I suggest you take yourself and your lackey and go mind your own
business elsewhere. Good folks live here and we don't need evil beings like
you."

The priest smiled coldly.

"Strong words from a terrified lass. I will repeat my warnings and no
more. Hand over the boy and no one will be hurt. If you resist, it will be
a waste of your life."

"You are a fool if you believe I would trust you benevolence." Said Sarelle
quietly. "Now, step aside and you and your lackey will be unhurt."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, wench." The priest sneered. He gestured
slightly and the three warriors galloped forward. Behind him, Brian noticed
the wizard is chanting softly.

Sarelle pointed the charging warriors as she chants a prayer. Her
Rose-in-the-Sun medallion glowed and divine power coarse through her body
as she called upon her goddess. The trees, grasses and bushes reach towards
the warriors, completely entangling one of them. The other two managed to
slip out of the plants reach. But Sarelle wasn't wasting any time. She
pointed towards a charging warrior and cried out a magical command.

'Sleep!'

The warrior, busily looking over at the trees to avoid being entangled,
looked around in fear and surprise as the air sparkled around him. Before
he could do anything, he slipped off his horse and fell to the ground, fast
asleep.

But at that moment, the wizard pointed towards the priestess and uttered
the final syllable of his spell. There was a bright flash and a bolt of
electricity struck Sarelle. Sarelle staggered as she cried out in surprise
and pain, but managed to stay on her horse. She looked up just in time to
see the final warrior bearing towards her, sword in his hand. In the
distance, she saw the cleric snarling a spell of his own. She summoned her
strength through the midst of the pain and calmly blocked the warriors
thrust with her mace. At the same time, she threw herself onto the warrior,
causing both of them to fall onto the ground. She cried out again as she
scraped her arm onto one of the warrior's spike. She got off him quickly
and backed away, her silver mace held ready in her arm. Suddenly, the air
around her started to sparkle. She felt her body stiffen and her movement
hampered. She realized that the cleric must have cast a spell of
paralization on her. She quickly musters all of her strength and will to
fight off the effect of the spell, mentally calling out to her goddess to
strengthen her faith. The enchantment failed and Sarelle felt the hold of
the paralization spell gradually leave her.

She uttered another prayer and suddenly her body is covered with a holy
armor. The warrior moved forward again, sword swinging before him and she
calmly block it with her mace. They continued on fighting, neither noticed
a bright flash and the wizard and cleric screamed in pain.



Brian looked wide-eyed as Sarelle calmly cast her spell causing the first
warrior to become entangled within the surrounding plants. He noticed that
the cleric was casting a spell too. They were too preoccupied in Sarelle
that they totally ignored him - they didn't realized that Brian could cast
spells too. Brian searches his mind and snatched a spell. He carefully
muttered the necessary prayers, channeling all his faith to God into the
effort, his hands moved carefully as he traced a series of runes in the
air. His chant faltered a little as he saw Sarelle being struck by the
electric bolt but he moved on with his casting. He noticed the cleric
hurled a paralization spell on Sarelle and also saw Sarelle successfully
fought off the effect of the spell. He finished uttering the last syllables
and pointed towards the cleric who is casting another paralization spell.

Suddenly there was a flash of light above the cleric. The cleric looked up
in surprise and alarm as a glowing glyph of warding appeared in the air
around him, his spell casting ruined at the sudden break of
concentration. The warding is the triggered and then he screamed as he was
covered by streaks of electricity, which form a shell around him. The shell
expands and soon struck the wizard, foiling his next spell casting as he
screamed in pain. The shell expands further, striking the entangled warrior
before it vanished. When it was over, the cleric was staggering dazedly
where he stood. The wizard was on his knees, his robe smoldering. The
warrior lay dead, burnt and twisted beyond recognition.

The wizard and cleric looked at Brian in horror as he saw the young man
chanting again. The cleric snarled a spell and so does the wizard. The
wizard pointed towards Brian and snapped a spell. Three magic missiles
streaks through the air towards Brian. But the cleric doesn't have the time
to do anything for Brian has completed his second spell at that time, right
before the magic missiles struck him, throwing him off the horse onto the
ground.

Dark clouds appeared above the cleric. The cleric looked up in fear and
disbelief as he realized what the spell was. He only had time to scream for
a short time before a column of fire shrouded him. His scream faded and the
fire died down, leaving an unrecognizable burnt corpse on the ground. The
wizard looked up wide-eye and caught sight of Sarelle chanting a spell. The
warrior she was battling lay at her feet, his skull smashed. Brian
staggered to his feet, face twisted in pain. The wizard pointed towards
Sarelle, intending to cast another magic missile spell but Sarelle finished
her spell first. A shroud of white light surrounds the wizard and then
vanished. As the wizard started snapping his spell, he discovered that his
voice is gone. He realized that the priestess has cast a spell of Silence
on him. Bereft of his access to magic, the wizard knew that the battle is
lost and he started to back away, drawing his dagger in case they come for
him. The sleeping warrior has awakened by then but the priestess was
already dealing with him. The curly hair young man was leaning on a nearby
boulder, recovering from the magic missiles spell. The wizard raised his
dagger to throw it to the young man. Sarelle smashed the warrior's skull
with her mace and saw this.

"Brian look out!" she cried as she pushed the dead warrior away. But before
the wizard or Sarelle could do anything, there was a flash of silver and
suddenly, the wizard cried out silently in pain and dropped his dagger as
he felt a burning pain in his shoulder. Before Brian stood a slim figure
wearing a gleaming silver armor and holding a bow. It was then the wizard
noticed a silver arrow jutting out of his shoulder. The armored figure
released her bow again, but this time, with a silent cry of fear, the
wizard dodged aside hastily and ran behind the trees. Soon Sarelle, Brian
and the armored figure saw the wizard rushing away through the woods on his
horse, by that time, he was out of bow range.



Sarelle rushed towards Brian.

"Brian! Brian! Are you okay?" she asked frantically.

"I have felt better. I'll be all right in a sec. Gimme a minute." Brian
gasped weakly before closing his eyes and murmured a healing prayer. Soon
he was covered with a soft blue glow and when the glow disappeared, the
pained expression on his face was no more. "God, that was awful. What was
that?"

"You got hit by magic missiles." Sarelle said briskly before she stood to
face the figure in the silver armor. "Well met, noble stranger. I thank you
for your help. Know that we owe you our very life and gratitude. I am
Sarelle of Chauntea and this is my friend, Brian. Who might you be?"

The armored figure removed her helm to reveal a fair elven female face with
flowing long golden hair. The elf smiled at them.

"Well met, priestess. I am Galadriel, one of the Sisters of Synnoria of the
Llewyr elves."

Sarelle bowed a little to show her respect.

"It is an honor to meet one of the fabled Sisters of Synnoria." She
said. "But, what would a member of such respected and seclude Order be
doing here, outside of Synnoria, near Corwell?"

"I came upon the request of the Great Druid, Genna Moonsinger. I am doing
this in return of a huge favor she has given me years ago. Upon her
request, I am to accompany both of you, especially you, Brian, wherever you
go. I am also to protect you from any danger at all cost."

"Genna sent you to protect us? But why?" asked Brian.

Galladriel shook her head.

"I know not, Brian. But I do know that she is acting under the order of her
goddess, the Earthmother."

They stare at the elf in silence for a time.

"Well, thank you for your aid, all the same Galadriel." Said Sarelle. "But
we are on our way to Corwell now. I know for a fact that most elves don't
like the city very much, and the Llewyr, more than most especially
Corwell. Would you accompany us there or would you stay in the forest?
Either way we will not force you to come with us."

Galadriel winced upon hearing Corwell. She smiled bitterly.

"It's all right, priestess. I may hate the cities, Corwell more than most,
but I will adept. My honor is more important than my selfish desires. I
give Genna my words that both of you will be safe, and I intent to keep my
words. Come on then, young Brian and Sarelle. We go to Corwell." She
said. "But we must be wary. The wizard escaped. And there are probably more
of his men at the city. Did you recognize any of them Brian?"

"No, I have never met them before in my whole life." Brian replied.

"But they know you." Said Sarelle. "And somehow, they want you. That means
you are important to them in some ways. We have to keep our eyes open from
now on."

She searches the corpse of the fallen warriors for any clue of the identity
of their foe. She sighed when she discovered a strange tattoo on the
warriors left arm.

"Zhentarim soldiers." She murmured in a resigned voice as she looked up at
Brian and Galadriel. Galadriel hissed upon hearing the name.

"Who are they?" asked Brian.

"An evil organization. Not quite known here on the Moonshaes but very
powerful throughout the rest of the Heartlands." Sarelle replied. "You got
a powerful foe indeed, Brian."

"All the more reason not to tarry here further. Come on. Let's go."
Galadriel urged.

They climbed their horses and continued on with their journey.

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