Date: 29 May 2001 23:30:38 +0100
From: zan@oceanfree.net
Subject: Night of No Tomorrow - 8 (gay/boybands)

Disclaimer:

Hello again! I'm back with the eighth part of NNT. Exam is over, and boy
was it horrible!! First of all, (*sigh!* not again...) as mentioned before,
this story is totally fictional and has no purpose whatsoever to imply that
any member of the BSB is gay. Secondly, also as mentioned before, the
setting of this story is 100% based on TSR, Inc. Novels, the Forgotten
Realms. The story is written purely out of fun and leisure and I have no
intention of publishing it anywhere or whatever. Hmm... what else? Oh yeah,
this story also contain homosexual elements, so if you got a problem with
it, hmm... too bad. If you keep on reading it, well, don't say I didn't
warn you. However, if you are looking for some hot monkey sex scenes, sorry
dudes, you'll be disappointed. I'm just not good in writing about that
stuff :P Let just keeps the detailed sex stuff behind closed doors. But if
you like stories that goes nice and slow and have more to offer than just
sex, oh well, you might like this one (I hope).

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

Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who e-mailed me of your comments and
such. It's nice to know that you've enjoyed it. I live to serve (Hah!). All
in all, thanks guys. I intend to make this story as long as I can. But
ideas do tend to run out quickly. I can always think up of new ideas (if I
can get my lazy mind going long enough. It really needs a kick or two at
time but it has always serve me well... hmm... well, most of the time). But
if you have any inputs, ideas or suggestions, feel free to drop me a note
anytime you want, be it through e-mails, letters, pigeons, message in a
bottle, Morse codes, talking drums, whatever.

Hmmm... what else. Oh yeah. Again, English is not my first language so I
apologize for any grammatical mistakes that might arise. In Tarzan's
language... me no speak English well!! You smart, me dumb :) Also, In NNT7,
there are LOADS of grammatical mistakes. Sorry about that. That's what
happens when you are typing the story and at the same time watching Xena
the Warrior Princess on TV. Especially the sea-demon part where the word
dragon occasionally comes out. Originally, the attack was by a sea-dragon
but I change it at the last minutes to sea-demon. Dragon is a very
difficult creature to fight and I'm really not quite prepared to write
dragon fighting just yet.

Right! Enough mindless chatters and on with the show! Enjoy!

Drew and Andy

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

In the Sword Coast, in the Woods of Sharp Teeth...

"What about that one over there?" asked Nick as he pointed at one of the
cluster of red stars in the sky. Andy squinted at the sky as he tried to
make out where Nick was pointing.

They were lying next beside each other by the campfire, resting from their
journey. They have been traveling for nearly a day now from the Friendly
Arm Inn and so far the journey has been uneventful. They traveled hard
during the day and rested during the night, watching the stars in the sky
and lying in each other's embrace.

"Hmm... ah yes! That's the constellation representing Sune Firehair, the
Goddess of Love and Beauty. To the elves, it represents Hanali Celanil, the
elven goddess of Love and Beauty. Some elves think it represents Arvandor,
the elven heaven."

Nick smiled as he snuggled against the warmth of Andy's embrace. Muragh sat
at the top of the boulder near the fire, keeping watch though it is really
not necessary for Andy has set up numerous wards around the camp. Any enemy
that comes within a mile will alert both of them immediately.

"Andy?"

"Yes Nick?"

"Tell me about your family. You never talked about your family before."

Andy remains silent for a moment.

"Well, there is very little to tell, Nick. I was born in a small village
near Neverwinter, up in the North." Said Andy quietly. "I had one younger
brother. My father, as I recalled was a merchant and my mother was a
housewife."

"I stayed with my family until I was 13 when a traveling mage recognize my
talent in wielding magic and hence decided to offer me a chance to become
his apprentice and learn how to wield magic."

"You see, Nick, not everyone in this world can wield magic. Only certain
people that have the inherent ability to draw energy from the magical Weave
can do so. People of the Old called them 'Mystra's Children'. Of these
people, most of them do not even know they can wield magic. They usually
found that out when applying for apprenticeship where they are magically
tested, like you Nick. However, there is a small portion of these people
who have these talent activated when they were born. Mages are usually able
to recognize them at a glance. They can feel the... umm... magical
resonance, I should say, within these people. These people are very rare. I
am one of them."

"So, I decided to travel with this mage back to his home in Waterdeep where
I started to learn the Art. I stayed there until I was 18 when my master
decided I should go and see the world and gain experience." Said Andy,
before adding sarcastically, "That was also the time Muragh came into my
life."

"Oh, how I feel so loved," said Muragh from the boulder where he is
sitting, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"While I was in Waterdeep, news came to me stating about a band of pirates
raiding and destroying my village." Andy face dropped at that. "I traveled
back there only to find the burn out remains of the village. Of my family,
none survive."

Nick tightened his hold on Andy's hand.

"I'm sorry." Said Nick. He gently wiped the tears from Andy's cheek. "You
don't have to go on..."

"It's okay, Nick. I'm all right. It... was a long time ago. The past is the
past." Andy murmured.

They remain quiet for a time, watching the stars.

"What did you do then, Andy?" said Nick softly.

"What can a powerless apprentice do against several bands of pirates?
Nothing." Andy replied. "Nothing except to return to Waterdeep and continue
with my studies and hope to gain enough knowledge, skills and power to
become an adept mage. This time though, I decided to immerse myself in
battle magic more than others. After I finished my apprenticeship, I join a
band of adventurers and traveled the Realms. That is where I met Thaldorn."

"Tell me about this adventuring band." Asked Nick.

Andy smiled.

"Well, there are six of us altogether, each and everyone of us are new in
that business. We called ourselves 'The Windrunners'. There are two
fighters, a ranger, a cleric, a thief and myself; the mage. We traveled
everywhere for many years and we became so close that they are like a
second family to me. We traveled up to the Savage North and Icewind Dales
and down to Calimshan, the Snowflakes Mountains, the Shining Plains and
even to the reaches of the Border Kingdoms. We traveled East to Cormyr, the
Dales, Implitur, and even Aglarond and West to the Moonshaes. We also
explored some forgotten ruins and dungeons, some of which we succeeded, in
others we were forced to either abandon our quest or perish. In time, we
gained enough gold and skills to retire. Thaldorn, as you can see, open up
an inn in Beregost. I on the other hand inherited the lighthouse from my
uncle and decided to continue with my own studies. This was about a year
ago. The others still wanders the Realms and came by to Thaldorn's inn from
time to time to visit."

"Sounds like you led an interesting life," Nick smiled.

"Interesting, yes, but tiresome too, particularly when you have to spent
most of your time fleeing and trying to stay alive." Andy chuckled. "But
such is the life of an adventurer."

"Did you make lots of enemies?"

"A number of them, yes. From time to time, we encounter mages and warriors
serving the Red Wizards of Thay and the Zhentarim. There's also agents
serving the Cult of the Dragons, the Shadow Thieves, the Night Masks... but
these things is common throughout the Realms. One usually stumbles into
them wherever one go, and as most evil organizations, they will naturally
attack and you have no other choices than to kill them."

Nick snuggled closer against Andy, resting his head against Andy's shoulder
and enjoying the warmth of the campfire as they watch the stars.

"Is it always like this when you go out adventuring? Sleeping in the rough,
by the campfire, watching the stars every night?" asked Nick.

"Yeah, and more." Andy replied dreamily. "One feels so free when one is out
there in the world and amongst friends. To be one with the world. To make
our ways through the Realms together, uncovering our destiny
together. Fighting side by side with friends. One doesn't mind what foe one
is facing as long as one is amongst friends."

"Why do you guys retire then?" asked Nick. "I mean, I understand why
Thaldorn retire, since he is too old to go running around waving
swords. But why you? I mean, you're only 25."

Andy remains silent for a moment before answering. Nick looked up and saw
tears building up in his eyes.

"Andy?" he asked quietly. "You okay?"

"I retire because I have to." Andy whispered at last. "It was the only
way..."

"What do you mean?" asked Nick curiously but Andy remains silent as he
stares quietly into the sky.

Respecting his privacy, Nick decided not to pursue. Gently, he wiped the
tears from his lover's eyes.

"It's alright, Andy. I... I didn't mean to brings back memories..."

More tears arise. Nick frowned inwardly. Something happened in Andy's
past. And whatever it was, it must be big. Could this be related to the
huge amount of power he secretly wield...? Nick felt slightly hurt at
this. After all they are suppose in love with each other. Lovers shouldn't
keep secrets from each other, right? But at the same time, he should
respect Andy's privacy.

"It's okay, Andy." Said Nick softly. "You don't have to tell me if you
don't want to."

Andy looked at his lover tearfully.

"It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just... you... you'll hate
me." He whispered bitterly.

"Andy, I will never hate you," Nick replied. "I love you."

Andy shook his head resignedly.

"No, Nick," he whispered. "You will hate me."

Nick looked at him silently before speaking softly.

"Does it have anything to do with the holy medallion of Tempus you are
wearing around you neck?"

Nick gently touches the medallion he saw for the first time around Andy's
neck, half concealed beneath his robe. The medallion, hanging by its golden
chain, bears the symbol of a blazing sword in a blood-red field. Nick has
studied enough about the Realms to recognize the holy symbol of Tempus, the
God of Battles.

"I thought you worship Mystra... ugh!!" Said Nick softly before being
roughly pushed aside.

The reaction he got from Andy was very surprising. The young mage sprang to
his feet; fear, panic and anguish filled his eyes as he desperately
concealed the medallion beneath his robe.

"Its... its not my fault!" Andy cried out bitterly, tears streak down his
cheek. "I... I didn't want the power! I never asked for it! And I certainly
never asked for the curse!!!"

Nick, surprised and speechless at this display, could only stare at him.

"What curse?" he asked softly.

He was interrupted by explosions that suddenly erupted within the woods.

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

Some distance away...

Fifteen men crept silently towards the direction of the campfire. The
leader, a giant of a man wearing a horned helm and a spiked armor made of
black iron turn to regard the thin, slender man wearing a robe at the back.

"Damer, is that them?" he asked in a harsh whisper.

The wizard strode up to the warrior and squint towards the campfire.

"I think so. Hold on." He said softly. Then he chanted softly and raised
his hands, pointing towards the campfire. A small wizard eye appeared out
of thin air and floated gently towards the camp. The wizard scrye through
the wizard eye for a moment before nodding. "Aye. I can't see the boy, but
the wizard boy is there. He appears to be taking to someone."

The warrior grinned.

"Only two of them? Well, we'll make a short work out of this then." He said
arrogantly before taking out his sword. "Attack men!"

"Wait you fool! There's a..."

Before the wizard could finish the sentence, the warriors were charging
through the woods towards the camp. Suddenly, right in the middle of their
charge, there was a flash of bright light and numerous explosions filled
the wizard's vision. The wizard immediately cast a spell of invisibility on
himself.







Back in the camp...

The explosions caused both Andy and Nick to turn towards the woods in
alarm. Someone has broken through the wards.

"Over there! Warriors! And a wizard!" said Muragh. Being an undead, it has
the ability to see things well in the dark as well as seeing things through
illusions. "The wizard is invisible. 'Ware all!"

"Nick! Light!" Andy said grimly before murmuring a spell. All emotions
drained from his face as he summons all his disciplines into his mind. Nick
uttered a spell and raised his hands in a flourish. Suddenly the area is
filled with bright light. Nick could see fifteen or so warriors crashing
through the woods towards them. Nick uttered another spell to detect
invisibility and soon enough, a robed figure appeared in the distance,
flying through the woods.

Andy completed his spell and suddenly the air before them shimmered and a
wall of force appeared out of thin air, protecting them from the volley of
crossbow bolts that almost immediately come their way as soon as the
charging warriors are within crossbow range. Then, Andy pointed his finger
towards the approaching warrior and intoned another spell. There was a red
flash of light and then a fireball streaks through the air and exploded
with a huge roar, incinerating five of the approaching warriors.

"Nick, deal with the wizard." Said Andy grimly before intoning another
spell.

Trying hard to control his fear, Nick uttered his own spell and hurled a
lightning bolt towards the flying mage. The mage flew aside and dodged the
bolt, snarling a spell as he did so and pointed towards Nick. A lightning
bolt shot fourth, this time towards Nick. With an oath, Nick threw himself
aside. The bolt hits the spot where he stood. Pushing himself up
desperately, he uttered a spell to conjure a globe of invulnerability
around him. The magical shield sprang up just in time as the mage hurled a
fireball towards him.





Andy watched through narrowed eyes at the warriors rushing towards him as
he cast his spell. The leader of the warriors, already injured and angered
from the warding snarled and ran faster, determine to reaches the young
mage before he could finish his spell casting.

Andy completed his spell of 'Slow'. There air around the charging warrior
thickened and hum with unleashed magical energy as the spell took into
effect. Suddenly, the leading warrior and those around him felt their body
becomes heavier and their movement becomes sluggish and slowed. The leading
warrior gave an angered snarled as he struggled slowly to get to the young
mage. Through his angered vision, he saw Andy raised his hands towards him
and intoned a spell, his eyes glowing with gathered power. The last thing
he saw was sparks of electricity appearing from between the young mage's
hands and fingers. The sparks gathered in energy and intensity and then a
burst of blue-white lightning bolt shot towards him unmercifully, crackling
and sparking through the air as it spells out the warrior's doom.

After killing the leading warrior with his lightning bolt, Andy drew
several strands of spider webs from one of his pouches of spell components
and muttered another spell. The webs glowed and vanished to become a ball
of red energy. The young mage hurled it towards the warriors and the ball
exploded in a bright red light and suddenly the air around the warriors is
filled with sticky strands of webs, entrapping several warriors unfortunate
enough to get caught within it. The rest jumped aside from the onslaught or
ran around the webbed area. Crossbow bolt rained from those who still held
onto their crossbow, but these bounced off from the shield Andy erected
before him. From the corner of his eyes, he caught the glimpse of Nick
battling furiously in magic with the wizard.

Andy turns his attention back towards the remaining charging warriors, and
shouted another spell. A windblast threw some of the warriors back but not
all of them. They are too close for him to cast any spell now. Three of
them still bear crossbow bolts. He'll have to deal with them first. He
uttered a summoning word and raised both his hands. The partially concealed
throwing daggers that he kept amongst his robe, about two dozens of them,
floated into the air before him. With his lips pursed grimly, he pointed
towards the crossbowmen. Soon, the crossbowmen were screaming as a swarm of
daggers shot towards them mercilessly.

The young mage turn his full attention towards the remaining warriors,
about seven of them left, watching him warily as they slowly surrounded
him. They planned to overwhelm him from all side.

"Do you really think you can defeat me?" Andy asked mildly. "You really
have no idea who I am do you, Zhentarim soldiers?"

One of the warriors at his right sneered and charged, sword upraised before
him. Andy snorted at the attempt and uttered another summoning words. The
warrior swings his sword, intending to decapitate the young mage. Suddenly
there was a bright blue-white flash and a glowing staff appeared before the
warrior. Sword meet staff, and then there was a huge burst of energy and
the warrior screamed in pain as a jolt of electricity ran through him. The
sword shattered into small pieces and the warrior stumbled back. Andy
watched him coldly and willed the floating staff towards the warrior.

"Feel the bite," said the young mage grimly. The staff whirled through the
air and struck the warrior again. Again, there was a flash and crackle of
electricity and the warrior was thrown back about five feet away from his
original spot, dead. The staff floated back to Andy and hovered readily at
his side, as if it is protecting his back.

"Anyone else?" asked Andy.




Arloth Bloodshoulder, warcaptain of this particular band of Zhentarim
warrior, watched warily at the furious young wizard before him. Simron, the
swordmaster as well as the original leader of this band is dead. That
leaves him in charge. At first he and Simron thought this would be an easy
battle but now he knew first hand that this is not true. This mage,
although young, is more powerful than any other mages he has ever
encountered in his life! (With the exception of Manshoon and Sememmon of
course). He watched warily as the young mage turn to look at him. The
mage's eyes glows with gathered power, promising death as he stares at each
and every one of them. He caught the warcaptain eyes and smiled grimly.

One of the warriors beside him dropped his sword to the ground and rushed
into the woods, away from the battle. Arloth whirled at the deserting
soldiers.

"Garan, come back, you craven dog!" he bellowed, "The curses of Bane and
the Brotherhood on you!"

He whirled around quickly enough when he heard the young wizard chanting
and was just in time to see a swarm of magic missile racing through the air
and struck the fleeing warrior. He backed away when he saw the mage smiled
at him coldly. The air around them seems to thicken with gathered power.

"You have tried really hard to reach me, Zhentarim warriors." Said the
young mage as he wove his magic. His staff hovered protectively around
him. "By all the gods, you'll wish you hadn't."

Arloth leaped towards the wizard and so does the others. The staff whirled
and struck three of the charging warriors, sending them flying back. The
others continued, sword upraised but the wizard finished his spell casting
and spread his hands in a flourish. The air thickened and roared as a ring
of shockwave burst outwards of the wizard's body and threw the warriors
back. Arloth leaped back up with a snarl just in time to see the staff
dealing death to another warrior and the wizard completing another
spell. Then to his horror, his swords and daggers were lifted into the air
and floated towards the wizard. All around the area, Arloth could see the
other warriors experiencing the similar experience. The warriors,
weaponless now, backed away as the mage smiled grimly. Their weapons
hovered before the mage, pointing towards them.

"Send my regards to Bane." Andy smiled and pointed towards the warriors.

Soon the air is filled with the dying screams of the warriors as they were
killed by their own weapons.

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

In Darkhold...

Sememmon watched the progress of the battles through Arloth eyes
quietly. For a moment, he would have thought Simron's would have no trouble
with these two men, but now he know he was wrong. That young wizard wearing
the battle robe seems familiar somehow, but he couldn't exactly place where
he has seen him...

The Lord of Darkhold leaned back onto his chair as he frowns in
thought. His memory runs back to the years past. Images of battles appeared
in his mind. Images of a mass of warriors marching across a bloody
battlefield. Images of burning cities come next, its citizen fleeing the
invading army. Those who were foolish enough not to flee meet their death
swiftly. Another images arise. This time a lone figure stood atop a hill,
facing another city. Dark clouds appeared above the doomed city and from
it, dozens of fireball and lightning fell from it. The city were eventually
laid in ruins, destroyed by a single spell of meteor swarm, cast by the
figure.  The same figure is present in each image. Leading the army or
casting powerful spells that wrought destruction on cities and lands
alike. The image took form of a young man, sitting proudly on a great
war-horse, bearing a staff of immense power. The man has pure blond hair,
parted in the middle and deep blue eyes.

Sememmon stood from his chair with a smile as he remembered where he has
seen this young man before.

"Andy Elbereth," He whispered to himself. "So the one of the Cursed
Battlelords of Tempus has risen again."

He turns to look at the picture of the five guys near his scrying mirror,
at Nick in particular.

"You have chosen a powerful ally indeed, Nick Carter." He muttered. "But
this particular ally can be controlled and compelled, and then turned into
powerful enemy."

He strode towards his scrying mirror and willed for an image to
appear. Almost immediately, the figure of a beautiful lady comes into
view. Elliana, a powerful enchantress serving the Zhentarim in the Citadel
of the Ravens regards him lazily.

"Ah! My dear Sememmon! It has been a long time indeed!" the enchantress
purred.

Sememmon smiled in return to her greetings.

"Well met, Elliana. I have a task for you."

Elliana smiled and allow him to proceed.

"I have found Andy Elbereth, one of Tempus's Chosens."

The smile vanished from the enchantress face. She sat up straight and
regard the archmage seriously.

"You have? Where?" she hissed excitedly.

Sememmon smiled.

"Can you still perform the ritual of Bane's Curse?" he asked.

"Yes!" the enchantress grinned. "Bring him here and we will wreck
destruction to the Realms again."

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

Near the Sword Coast, in the Woods of Sharp Teeth...

The globe of invulnerability effectively saved Nick from the explosion
caused by the fireball. Without waiting for the fire to dissipate, Nick
quickly cast another spell. Dimly in his mind, he remembered Andy's
teaching.

'Spell battles are never as tales had them; mages trading spells formally,
one after the other. The mage who struck first, fastest and hardest is the
one who usually prevailed.'

He finished the incantation and pointed towards the mage, his pointing
digits glowing with green light. Three acid lances hissed through the
air. The wizard eyes widened in surprise as he saw the oncoming lances and
immediately maneuvered himself hastily out of the way but he was too
slow. One of the arrows struck him at the shoulder, causing him screamed in
pain and also disrupt his next spell casting.

Again, Nick didn't waste any time. He pointed towards the mage again and
recites another spell.

'Magius Stryke!'

Four pulsing magic missiles streaked through the air, twisting and turning
through the air to follow the mage. The mage hurled his own magic missiles
before being hit, causing him to loose his concentration on his flight
spell and fell to the ground. Nick ignored the oncoming magic missiles and
applied himself to another spell casting, drawing a ball of sulphur from
one of his pockets. The missiles hit the magical barrier still in effect
around him and vanished. He peered into the woods and saw the mage fell
onto the ground. He uttered the final syllables of his spell and almost
immediately the ball of sulphur burst into flame. Quickly, he hurls the
fireball onto the area where the mage fell. The fireball exploded with a
roar and Nick peered into the darkness to determine whether the wizard
survived or not.

"Muragh! Did the wizard survived?" he asked the skull beside him.

"I'm... not sure." The skull replied. "Take me with you if you're going to
check. I'll watch your back. Be careful!"

Nick picked up an oak staff he brought along with him and stick the skull
at the top so that Muragh could see around and warn him if he see
anything. Then, cautiously, he walked into the woods, keeping a sharp
lookout for the wizard.

He walked cautiously through the woods, trying to make as little noise as
possible. He peered around silently, seeking for the wizard. He reaches the
area where he has hurled his fireball and found no one. He quickly cast a
spell of invisibility on himself and drew a wand of lightning from his
belt.





The wizard, Damer is sourly injured and very angry. To be defeated by a boy
- a boy! The explosion caused by the fireball caught him as he fell. If it
weren't for the ring of fire resistance he is wearing, he would have been
dead by now. Even then, he still suffered considerable injuries from the
fall.

He limped quietly through the trees, trying to gain some bearing in his
mind. He has no idea the boy was also a mage. He drew his own wand of fire
from his belt and peered around the woods cautiously. He could hear the din
of battle between the warriors and the other mage, probably the boy's
mentor. He is so young that one, but still powerful. His face seems
familiar but with his mind clouded with pain, he could not summon the
strength to even think at the moment. That boy! That boy will die a slow
death by his hands! The wizard continues to stalks the woods quietly. The
boy must be around somewhere.

A snap of twigs in a distance makes the wizard turns around with a
snarl. He raised his wand towards the direction of the sound and shouted
the triggering word. A fireball burst fourth into the woods and
exploded. The wizard peered anxiously through the woods, wishing he could
part the darkness, but couldn't see any one. A burst of lightning bolt
hitting the trees before him makes him yelped in surprise. He rush into to
darkness in frantic haste and took cover behind one of the trees. The boy
is out there and has armed himself with a wand of lightning! It must be,
for otherwise he would have heard the chanting of spells. Silently he cast
spell and conjured a globe of invulnerability on himself.




Nick skulked through the trees, looking around warily. The fireball nearly
caught him, but he managed to teleport himself away from the area using a
dimension door spell and retaliates by hurling a lightning bolt using his
own wand. But he knew he has to be more careful for he memorize only one
dimension door spell. He wouldn't be able to escape another fireball if it
happens again. It's a good thing he memorized a spell of infravision. It
makes the whole searching a lot easier.

"Muragh," he whispered. "See anything?"

The skull looked around from the top of the staff.

"Something move over there," the skull whispered. "I think the mage is
invisible now but I might be wrong. Either way, there are some magical
activities over there, probably protective spells. I suggest you use you
magic to dispel any magic around that area. Make sure you run away quickly
as soon as you cast the spell. The mage will surely send another fireball
here as soon as he noticed it."

Nick squinted towards the direction and murmured an incantation softly. As
soon as the magical energy left his body, he picked up the staff and Muragh
and ran off as fast as he can. As Muragh said, a fireball shot fourth and
exploded. Nick jumped behind a bush and stayed there.




Damer looked up and cursed vilely as a magical wind swirled around him,
dispelling any enchantments he has placed upon himself, including his globe
of invulnerability.

"Damn you!" he snarled as he aimed his wand towards the source of the magic
and triggered it. The fireball exploded and the wizard ran off again,
trying his best to blend into the shadow. He stopped in horror when a blond
figure stood from behind the bush pointing a wand at him.

'Merzae!'

The wizard screamed as the lightning bolt struck him, throwing him a few
feet backward. He stood weakly, his robe smoldering as he glares at the
figure before him and pointed his wand towards him. But the figure was
faster. He intoned a spell and pointed towards him. Soon the wizard was
flying again as a blast of wind struck him. He slammed against a tree,
losing hold of his wand in the impact. He looked up at the blond figure
again and saw his doom.

"There will be others fool!" he snarled defiantly and raised his hands to
cast a spell. Nick pointed towards him and uttered a magic missile spell.

Magius Stryke!

Four magic missiles pulsed through the air towards the stammering wizard.





Andy willed his staff to return back to him. As soon as the staff is in his
hand, he leaned wearily against it and walked towards the woods, searching
for Nick. Blood spattered everywhere on his clothes and face as the result
of the slaughter. He looked around for more enemies, but found none. He
gently caresses the staff in his hand. The Staff of Tempus has been in his
possession for more than three years now, and its power has aided him more
than once. A wave of grief overwhelmed him as he remembered the prize he
has to pay for using the staff's power. He has been too eager back
then. Eager to gain more power of his own. Now he has all the power he
needed, but the memory of the consequences for wielding such power still
haunts the dark recess of his mind.

A sudden rustling near him jolt him off his thoughts. He gathered the power
of the staff in readiness as he peered into the wood.

"Nick?"

"Over here, Andy."

Andy turned and saw Nick walking towards the campfire, struggling to
balance Muragh in his hand and dragging the body of a robed figure with the
other.

"Nick, you all right?"

"Yeah. I'm okay. Been playing hide and seek for sometime now. This guy here
is sneaky. But he has some magic rings, wands and some new spell scrolls
for me."

Andy leaned beside the boulder, resting his weight on it, still looking at
his lover. Nick turned around from the body to look at Andy. His face
changes from happiness into horror and alarm.

"ANDY, LOOK OUT!!!" Nick screamed.

Andy turned around and saw a bleeding, near-dead warrior pointing a
crossbow towards him. Before he could do anything, the warrior let the bolt
loose. Andy felt a sharp pain in his chest before falling to the ground. As
he loose consciousness, he heard Nick's voice rising as he cast a magic
missile spell.





The magic missiles struck the warrior, throwing him a few feet away,
dead. Nick turned to look at Andy only to find the young mage fell onto the
ground beside the fire, a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest.

"ANDY!!!" Nick screamed again as he dropped the staff and rushed towards
his lover. "Andy!!!"

Andy lay unconscious. His breathing is shallow and even as Nick watched,
blood is seeping through the wounds. Buried within the tears of pain and
grief, Nick could only cried out in anguish. He didn't hear Muragh
screaming his name repeatedly.

"NICK!!!" Muragh screamed for the seventh time. The skull hopped up and
down repeatedly, trying to get his attention. At last Nick looked up and
saw the skull beside him. "Lift me up and let me see the wound, NOW!"

Not knowing anything else to do, Nick complied. Muragh mumbled to himself
as he examines the wound intently. The skull mumbled to himself as he
carefully examines the wound. Being a priest himself in life, Muragh
certainly has the full knowledge concerning wound healing. But being only a
skull now, he couldn't help but feeling extremely frustrated and helpless.

"Mu... Muragh, I... I don't know what to do!" Nick sobbed.

"Nick, listen! He is still breathing. He is still alive. I want you to stop
the bleeding. Hurry! Try you best and stop the bleeding. But whatever you
do, don't touch the bolt. It is too close to the heart."

"But..."

"Just do it!" Muragh cried out in frustration.

They spent some moment trying to stop the bleeding. Nick tears up his spare
robe into strips in order to use it as bandages.

"All right. Now Nick, pack up our things. We're still not too far off from
the Friendly Arm Inn. We can make it there in time if we push hard
enough. We can find a priest there to heal him. Hurry!"

Nick nodded tearfully and rushed to pack up their things and prepare the
horses. In less than half an hour, after helping Andy onto a crude
makeshift, they quickly make their way towards the Friendly Arm inn. As
they make their way through the woods, Nick placed his hand on Andy.

"Hang on, Andy." He whispered tearfully. "Hang on, my love."

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

In the Kingdom of Cormyr...

"Why do I get the feeling that we're being watched?" asked AJ as they ride
their horses along the Calantar's Way. They spent three nights in Suzail,
resting after journeying across the Lake of the Dragons for more than four
days. According to Beth, they still have a long way to go before they would
arrive at Shadowdale.

According to Beth, Suzail is the royal capital and the richest city of the
kingdom of Cormyr, and home to the most important merchant houses and
nobles of Cormyr. The city is dominated by the fortified castle of King
Azoun IV, which is set apart from the lower city by its splendid gardens
and rumored to have rich burial grounds beneath it.

The city is justly famous for its bazaars, its ivory sculptors, and its
clothmakers. Of the former, hundreds of ivory gleaned from the
Unapproachable East and the hot jungles of the South has found its way
across the Inner Sea in great shiploads of raw tusks and fragments to
Suzail and been fashioned into inlays and goods for Amn, the North and the
Sword Coast cities. Of the latter, the wool is woven as well in the Sembian
city of Daerlun, but those who work looms in Suzail hold that their work is
finer and the colors more true and more lasting. The city also houses
numerous major trading houses, all of them have great influence in the
economy of not only the city, but also to the whole kingdom of Cormyr.

The First Citizen of the City and the nation is his most Royal Highness
King Azoun IV, King of Cormyr, Protector of Tilverton and Victor of the
Horde Incursions. He is almost always accompanied by his most loyal
advisor, Vangerdahast, Royal Magician of Cormyr and Chairman Emperius of
the College of War Wizards. Sthavar, Lord Magister of the City is the local
lord entrusted with the day-to-day governing of Cormyr's largest city.

Suzail maintains a large army of Purple Dragons, 14 ships of the Imperial
Navy and a large contingent of the War Wizards.

As rich and famous as Suzail can be, the past three nights has been the
dullest in AJ's and Beth's life. Thieves and rogues lay low in Suzail due
to the ever-vigilant Purple Dragons and the War Wizards. In the three
nights they stayed there, they had only one midnight heist. The next
morning, the streets were brimming with Purple Dragons looking for the
thief and the War Wizards, casting divination spells to determine the thief
whereabouts, which is why they are on their way towards Arabel now, the
next major city in Cormyr located north of Suzail.

Beth stirred on her own mount next to him.

"AJ, if you are on the run from the guards, you'll always feel like you're
being watched." She said lazily. "I told you that thieving in Suzail is not
a good idea, but nooo... the call of thievery is too strong..."

"All right, all right, quit the lecture." AJ chuckled. "At least we liven
things up a little in that city."

Beth laughed out aloud.

"Spoken like a true thief."

"Is Arabel the same as Suzail?" asked AJ.

"Arabel? Hmm... not quite. It is basically a merchant city, famed for its
jewelry, principally that of the merchant house of Thond. But a number of
trading companies have major outposts there, and there is always a floating
pool of mercenary talent to be hired there at any time, the largest unit
being the Red Ravens. The city is also the main shipping area for coal in
Cormyr, gathering coal from the mines in the Gnoll Pass area."

"Being located at the center of the Cormyrian Empire, Arabel tends to be
the foremost stopping point for every travelers from every part of Cormyr
as well as the rest of the Realms. So in essence, Arabel is brimming with
traveling foreigners hence as time passes by, smuggling activities and
thief guilds rises in that city to the point that it eventually contributes
partially to the economy of the city. The Purple Dragons still hold sway in
Arabel and thieves still lay low there, but not as much as in Suzail. The
current local lord of the city, a lady actually, Lady Myrmeen Lhal allow
traders and merchants to engage in whatever tactics they see fit, as long
as no one is hurt and the Crown of Cormyr is not endangered. She also
permits, though the decree was never made publicly, smuggling and some
other illegal activities to continue within the wall of the city provided
that they are not caught. The law of Cormyr still applies to any criminals
that are caught."

"Cool. You've been there before?"

"Only once, about six years ago. It is a fine city though I prefer Baldur's
Gate and Waterdeep better. They have more freedom there."

"What about Shadowdale? Have you been there?"

"Yup, also about six years ago.  I was with a band of adventurers and we
were heading towards the ruins of Myth Drannor to salvage what we can on
the treasures that lay scattered there."

"Did you get any?"

Beth laughed bitterly.

"No. The ruins of Myth Drannor are a very dangerous place now. Evil mages,
probably the Zhentarim has released dangerous creatures there in hopes to
keep people away. The creatures, Baatezus, bone demons and other foul
creatures from the lower planes went out of control. Now they keep everyone
away from the ruins, even their own masters. My adventuring group
encountered these creatures when we got there. The Knights of Myth Drannor
has warned us of the dangers of the ruins but we ignored it. We lost half
of our crew as the result. Fortunately I was one of those who survived and
I will never set foot at that place again for all the gold in the Realms."

AJ looked around again, frowning.

"Still feels like someone's watching you?" Beth giggled.

"I tell you Beth, I really don't like this feeling... wait! Hear that?"

Beth tilted her head and focused to the surroundings. The two thieves
listened carefully for a moment or two. Eventually they noticed the vague
commotions that arise from the distance hills.

"Sounds like a battle." Said Beth slowly.

"Think we should check it out?" asked AJ.

"I... don't think so," said Beth. "You don't want to get caught in the
middle of a battle don't you?"

"You sound like you're not sure of your decision."

"Well, this is Cormyr after all, the land of peace." Beth replied
slowly. "I don't like this. I don't like this at all."

"People might need our help." Said AJ.

Beth looked at the direction of the battle silently for a moment. Finally,
after reaching a silent decision, she nodded.

"We'll watch the battle quietly first, see who is battling who. Then we
make our decision." She said quietly.






In the plains west if Arabel...

"Regroup! Rally the Purple Dragons!" Tessaril shouted as she blasted a
flying gargoyle with her lightning wand.

"There's too many of them!" one of the Purple Dragons shouted back as he
dodged the slashing clawed hands.

Tessaril turned around quickly as she heard an agonized cry of one of her
men. In the distance she saw Caleis, the Purple Dragon commander who
accompanied her fell onto the ground with a huge tear in his gut. A
grinning gargoyle looked up at her, shrieking in a mad glee. She blasted it
grimly to dust with her wand again. She turns around and saw Howie and
Carl, the war-wizard hurrying towards her.

"We lost two men," said Carl grimly.

"Three." Tessaril replied as she pointed toward Caleis.

"More coming!" Howie shouted as he pointed towards an army of ten gargoyles
coming towards them.

"Soldiers! Soldiers approaching!" one of the Purple Dragons cried out as he
pointed towards ten dark armored soldiers racing towards them from the
forest.

Tessaril peered at the approaching army grimly.

"By the rays of Lathander! Zhentarim soldiers!" she cursed softly. "Rally
the Purple Dragons! To arms!"

She raised her hands and intoned a spell, pointing towards the approaching
gargoyles. Two blazing fireballs streaks through the air, trailing sparks
of flame as it passes over the Purple Dragon soldiers and exploded in the
midst of the flying gargoyles. Four gargoyles perished in the onslaught,
crashing onto the ground and boulders and smashed into small pieces of
rocks and pebbles, which is what they were made off. Carl hurled his own
lightning bolt, taking down another gargoyle.

Howie dodges the slashes of one of the remaining gargoyles and threw a
dagger at it. The dagger struck the gargoyle's muscular body but it
reflected off without any effect.

"It's no use Howie!" Tessaril shouted as she slashed at one of the
gargoyles with her magical blade. "Gargoyles are immune to normal weapons!
Use the magical sword I gave you!"

By that time the gargoyle is flying back towards Howie, leering wickedly,
it's clawed arms outstretched. Howie drew the glowing sword Tessaril had
given him before the journey and swing it towards the gargoyle's neck. The
gargoyle drew back quickly, barely being decapitated by the blade. But the
blade hits one of its wings, drawing sparks of magic before tearing it.

With a terrible shriek of pain and anger, the gargoyle crashed to the
ground. Howie looked up to see Tessaril finishing off another gargoyle with
her lightning wand, but another one flew towards her from behind.

"Tess! Look out! Behind you!" Howie shouted.

The Lady of Eveningstar turned around quickly but she was not quick
enough. Suddenly Howie heard Carl chanting from behind him and four magic
missiles swept through the air and hit the gargoyle, throwing it
back. Tessaril grimly decapitated the creature with her blade. Howie did
the same to the gargoyle he managed to bring into the ground.

"Carl!" Howie heard Tessaril shouted and turned toward the
war-wizard. Three gargoyles approach him quietly from behind. Carl turned
around and blasted one with his own lightning wand but the other two bore
down onto him mercilessly. The war-wizard's agonized cries were stilled
when one of the gargoyles ripped his throat. Blood splattered on Howie's
face as he watched in horror. He heard Tessaril chanting a spell and then a
swarm of magic missiles struck one of the gargoyles. Howie charged towards
the other and struck it again and again with his sword. He finally
decapitated the creature while Tessaril struck the other creatures again
with her spell.


In the nearby woods...

"By the burning lashes of Bane! The gargoyles are down already!" Laelar of
Bane growled as he watched the unfolding battle. "How are the warriors
doing?"

"They are doing fine!" Deina replied harshly. "Five more Purple Dragons are
down. The war-wizard is down too. That is our opening. Laelar! Deal with
the boy! Damien! It's time we strike!"

The priestess of Talos raised her hands and prays towards the heavens,
calling upon the Stormlord's power and using it to summon a lightning
storm. Beside her, the wizard Damien snarled his own spell and pointed
towards Tessaril.

Above them, the sky darkens and the wind began to rise.

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