Shirl had been understandably stunned by the young man’s revelation. For him to make such an outrageous suggestion like that, seemingly out of the blue...
Lander, however, found the young man greatly to his liking. He could sense the honesty in everything Evendur said.
“I find this ‘destiny’ matter fascinating. It is indeed a good day for you to be here, as I am preparing Shirl to set out on her own. She has grown much stronger under my tutelage, but she’s learned enough that she doesn’t really need me anymore.” Lander looked Evendur’s clothing over briefly.
“You’re not particularly well-equipped right now, but have you ever considered the adventuring life?”
Evendur frowned.
“I’m not too keen on being sliced up by some skeleton. A staff and a few clubs hardly seems like adequate adventuring gear.” He glanced toward the innkeeper, a tall and stout man more attractive–and immaculate–than most of his ilk.
“I’ve been waiting on payment for my services up until now, but even with that amount of gold, it’ll be down to the last copper when the time comes to equip myself.” He examined the circular item in his palm, shifting it in the light until the blood-red gem reflected sunlight streaming in from a nearby window.
This amulet has proved useful, but perhaps it could provide another sort of benefit necessary to launch my adventuring career... Rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he pondered his options, he finally spoke some of his thoughts aloud.
“Mmm... Give me until tomorrow to make a few decisions. I believe you said you had seen the symbol on this amulet somewhere in this city? I would appreciate any aid you could provide in locating it.” Evendur chuckled lightly. This was more help than he’d ever asked anyone for, and he tried not to ask for any when he could survive without it. Hopefully this Lander fellow wouldn’t think he was just being needy.
Leaning forward with his elbows on the table and his chin supported by his fists, Lander smirked.
“I could always ask the locals, but that would take time. Oh very well, one more spell on the house. Shirl, I’m going to use a Divination. Information such as where to find that shop will be a cinch.”
Shirl shook her head vehemently.
“Oh, no, I think we should scry on the location of the symbol. You’ve seen it before, so it’ll be easy. And that way, I can assist you again for practice.” She looked at Evendur.
“Besides, that way we can give him a visual to help him find it more easily.”
Lander sighed. Reverting to the Chondathan dialect of the common tongue, he replied, “All right. Scrying it shall be.” Placing both palms flat upon the table, he instructed the two others to do the same. He then placed his hands atop those of the other two in order to create a physical link. “We’ll need to all be linked for the spell to succeed. Go ahead and hold hands.” After some apparent nervousness on both their parts, Evendur and Shirl linked hands and turned to face Lander.
As the two cast their spell, Evendur’s mind’s eye was opened up, and he found himself viewing a sphere of 80 foot diameter. He was “floating” in the air above a street intersection, and there on the corner was a small magic shop (not a magic shoppe, believe me there’s a difference
), christened “Melthym’s Exotic and Esoteric Imports” by a fanciful sign. True to Lander’s memory and the spell’s function, just inside the window was a buckler, with a tear-shaped gem in the center of it. It was almost a perfect replica of his amulet.
Bingo, he thought, then wondered if he could get a closer look somehow. Next thing he knew, the center of the spell’s area had moved to just in front of the shop. Experimenting, he found that he could move the scried area anywhere he wished, at about walking speed. For the next ten minutes, he scried the surrounding area extensively, looking for familiar landmarks. When he finally found one, he went back over the area and memorized the route he needed to take. He was finished almost a minute before the spell expired, but continued to explore for later reference. When he finished, he looked at Lander and Shirl, who opened their eyes slowly.
“See anything interesting?” Shirl asked with a smile.
“We couldn’t see what you were scrying, so I hope you found what you needed to find.”
Evendur looked at them incredulously.
“You chose to make me the sole beneficiary of the scrying?” He was surprised that they would go to all that effort to have the spell affect only him all along.
“Regardless, I saw what I needed to. I’ll be heading off to check out that shop, once I’ve finished with brunch.”
He removed his hands from theirs and waved a serving girl over. After requesting their brunch, the three chatted idly about inconsequential things the likes of which two bards and a rogue might discuss (sorry, but I’m getting tired of banter
).
* * *
Meanwhile, thousands of miles to the east...
Green light shot out of the hands of the four cloaked figures, the only light in the underground chamber. Coalescing along lines carved into the earthen floor, the mystical energies bound the four together, forming a complex synergy of power. Theirs was the work of a
ritual, a powerful method for casting spells beyond the abilities of one single magic user. In this case, their target was the blood-red gem on the floor in the center of their small circle. Or rather, the entity contained within it...
One of the figures spoke in a decidedly cruel female voice as the ritual was completed. “Oh, gods, the power! I can feel it... The energy courses through me!” The speaker threw back her head, lowering her hood to reveal her facial features. She was most definitely striking even in the greenish lighting, but the mad glee on her face would be enough to frighten most would-be-suitors. “Was it this incredible for you?” she asked the figure on her right.
That one, however, remained unmoving. Only his deep, booming, monotone voice indicated he was responding at all. “The power is in you now. Our master wishes to speak to you. Place your hands upon the stone.”
She did as compelled, and immediately her hands locked onto it. Painful energy coursed throughout her body, and yet she could not tear herself away. A voice boomed inside her head.
YOU HAVE DONE WELL, MY SERVANT. BUT THE TIME IS STILL FAR AWAY. YOU ARE FAR TOO WEAK. GATHER MORE, AND WHEN I AM FREE, YOU WILL BE BLESSED. NOW FEEL BUT A LITTLE OF THE MIGHTY POWER YOU DESIRE. The voice faded immediately, and with it went the pain, immobility, the ritual’s energy, and most of her stamina. Collapsing to the floor in a daze, she could only think one thing, over and over again...
Oh, gods, the power!
