Time Well Spent

[Tom Cashel]

"The Shadovar are the Nether, as far as we can tell. They shunted their entire city into the Plane of Shadow to escape the magical cataclysm that destroyed their empire...and they returned last year. Have you been living in a box? Have you not heard that the Sharn Wall is broken, freeing the phaerimm from Anauroch? Do you not know of the war barely won by Evereska?

"Although they aided Evereska, the Shadovar have erected a canopy of shadow over Myth Drannor--for some mysterious purpose--and we have reason to believe they are responsible for what happened to Tilverton. As long as Calumn will keep the timepiece from the Shadovar, then we want the same thing.

"As for Khelben, I hope that old fool is dead. And if he isn't, I hope he will be soon."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Wisp, if I ever ask you why I hate Harpers, please remind me of this moment.

"Yes, indeed. You Harpers have been very busy. We common folk don't pay much attention to the good work you're doing.

"Please... what did Khelben do? Last time I met him he teleported me to the Sword Coast. I bear him no love, but did he turn traitor?"

 

[Tom Cashel]

"Don't patronize me, Foxhound. Now listen: we need to work on getting the hourglass. So stop preparing for your ridiculous duel and get to work on something worthwhile." She smiles. "And if we finish the job soon enough, perhaps we can retire to your Secure Shelter for a bit of wrestling before we say farewell."

Oh, boy... groans Wisp.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Careful now, Wisp...

"Now you're starting to speak my language, Lady Mistmantle.

"The thing about it is, I believe my old mentor is involved in all this somehow. I've heard tales that his wife was killed by a Netherese scroll. If I can help him, I owe him that much."

I jump up.

"So I'll be back in two shakes of a sharrada's tail. I'm sure I've got enough time to beat my old master in a mageduel, discover who killed his wife, find the hourglass, and STILL keep your passion for me alive.

"I'll meet you here in half an hour.

"Ah, perhaps ... you might, ah, lend me a token for the upcoming duel? For luck, you understand."

 

[Tom Cashel]

She moves forward and stands on her toes, pressing her body against yours. "For luck?" She kisses you, tongue darting around your lips and into your mouth, hips moving a little more than suggestively against you.

"Mmm," she says, stepping back. "You taste as good as you look, human, and that's a rare thing. Don't be late."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

I'll say it for both of us, Wisp. "Oh, boy."

I leave her in a daze.

Don't worry old friend, I don't trust her either. But trust and love have very little to do with each other. For now, I need you to trust me. Come, I've got the makings of a plan.

I take Wisp aside and study the rest of my spells.

"Don't worry, Wisp... you'll be this way for less than an hour, I promise."

I polymorph Wisp... into the beautiful Mela Haelstrom.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Wisp assumes the shape of your former lover. "This feels very strange," he says in a female voice (that doesn't sound much like Mela). "What now, Tall magic one?"

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Gah! First of all, try not to speak. I must say, seeing her again ... I've missed Mela. I understand why Gustav's gone a tad mad.

"But your real form is much more graceful, Wisp. I'll have you back in it very soon.

"In the meantime, you know the plan: when I signal to you, step out of the crowd and wave to Gustav. I'll handle the rest.

"For now, stay out of sight. I'm off to confront Gustav. Mystra help us both."

 

[Tom Cashel]

ACT III: The Duel

du.el
Pronunciation: 'dü-&l also 'dyü-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin duellum, from Old Latin, war
Date: 15th century
1 : a combat between two persons; specifically : a formal combat with weapons fought between two persons in the presence of witnesses
2 : a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or forces; also : a hard-fought contest between two opponents

Dawn rises over the crater, filling it with light filtered through the tenacious sandstorm that blankets the region. Already the stalls are filled with shoppers, and criers are inviting one and all to the Amphitheater to hear Moriorty Minderbender's latest theories on the Arts of Summoning and Conjuration.

Though it sounds interesting, you and Wisp head directly toward the great flat circle that marks the mageduel arena. A crowd has already gathered there, and Wisp blends into it.

Gustav Haelstrom awaits you, resplendent in his blue cloaks and shining rings, with a stormy and impatient brow. He glowers at you as you enter the circle.

"I am surprised you had the sauce to show your face, adulterer."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Actually, Gustav, according to Cormyrian law, you have to be married to be an adulterer. So Mela was an adultress and I was, well, nothing, I guess.

"But what I did was wrong, and I betrayed my master. For that I am sorry. But, Gustav, you've got to know ... I had nothing to do with her death."