A/N 1: Yeah, this story's old. But it's still a good one, hence why it's getting posted. Also, having reread it for the first time in three years, I felt motivated to continue with the 'prelude' chapters I'd been slaving over to explain what the boys' lives were like before this little trip through fantasy.
A/N 2: While I utilized the AD&D (yeah, second edition Dungeons and Dragons. I'm one of those. Started playing back in the late '80's. (sniff) Shaddup.) system for this tale, the reader needs zero, zip, nada knowledge of the system itself. I just utilized it to roll out battles (Wufei has the freaking luck of the Gods, I swear) and used their monster stats and land layout. It's a pain in the butt creating your own world (holds head, remembering the effort she went through when her players demanded it), and I was being lazy when I wrote this. Bite me. :)
Disclaimer: I in no way own Gundam Wing or AD&D's plethora of monstrous goodies/landscapes/cities/etc. Don't sue; I'm simply an E5 in the USN, therefore I have no money. Ha.
-BEGIN FIC-
"Once upon a time upon the Sword Coast existed a city of wonders, a city of magic, the literal City of Splendors. From the spiraling towers of its magnificent castles to its twisted alleys in the Docks, it was permeated with mystery and an aura of beauty. The City of the Dead, the North Ward, the fabled Undermountain were all calling cards of the fabulous Gem of the Sword Coast, which drew everything and everyone from dragons to elves, from thieves to paladins, from the lowliest peasant trading his wares to the infamous Elminster himself. It incurred upon itself the hatred and love of everyone upon this grand continent of the Faerun simply with its unique splendor-"
"Can you get on with the story already, Grandpa?"
Arching a brow, the wrinkled, shriveled little old man glanced down at the boy who huffed at him, his arms crossed over his chest and a look of annoyance written upon his chubby, cherubic face. His bright green eyes narrowed, the child snorted. "You always ramble."
Chuckling, the old man winked, his own emerald eyes twinkling with the light thrown from the torches that lit the boy's room. "Ah, but this is not rambling, child. You know nothing of this city. How are you to know the significance of this story if you don't understand how Waterdeep was back in its days of grandeur?"
"AWWW! Why are you telling a Waterdeep story?"
"What do you mean, why am I telling a Waterdeep story?"
"Come on, Grandpa," the boy sniffed, "we all know about it. It was a big ol' city on the coast that was burned to the ground like back in the days when the Gods wandered the world and Ao used his flint and steel to light up the universe."
Arching a brow, the old man smirked. "So you're saying your grandfather is as ancient as the universe is old?"
"True, isn't it?"
Shaking his head, the old man snorted. "It was only 200 years ago, boy."
Arching a brow, the boy huffed. "Just 'cause you're an elf and've seen everything..."
"Hn." Smiling, the old elf shook his head. "But do you want your story or not?"
Sighing in disappointment, the boy arched a brow. "Is this the only story I'm going to get?"
"Yes, it is."
"Fine, fine. And what's it about?"
"It's about the son of one of the Hidden Lords of Waterdeep that brought the destruction of that glorious city."
"Can you at least make it interesting?"
Shrugging, the elf held out his hand. "Very well."
The boy stared with complete fascination as mist formed around the old elf's fingers, slowly billowing and crystallizing into a ball upon the sheets of the boy's bed. Clarifying, the solid crystal orb sparkled.
"Magic... wow..."
Smirking the elf nodded before snapping his fingers. The ball flickered to life, golden light flaring deep within its center then slowly twisting and coloring to form an image. Both boy and grandfather leaned forward, eyes sparkling as they watched the moving images within.
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The lank figure sighed as he leaned against the panes of glass that made up the eastern wall of his room, staring blankly out into the sprawling world that made up the city beyond.
"I'm bored."
Glancing over his shoulder, his dark eyes focused upon the servant who hovered near the door. "Get me something entertaining, Jeeves."
Bowing, the boy's butler backed out of the room. "As the young Lord wishes."
As the man left the boy returned his gaze to the city, his eyes slowly losing their focus.
"I hate it here."
"City of Splendors, eh? More like Cesspool of Slums, Censor of Slime, Center of Spore... hmph."
Narrowing his dark blue eyes, the boy wrapped his heavy furred cloaks more tightly around his abnormally thin frame.
"Father, I want out."
"Let me out..."
---)))000(((---)))000(((---)))000(((---
Jeeves sighed as he marched through the city streets, looking for something new to entertain his dismally depressive young Lord with.
As easy as such a job sounded, it was actually more difficult than anyone could possibly imagine. Being the only son of the man commonly known as Vincent Marcus Alexius VonWinner who was in charge of the Traders Guild and who was secretly one of the mystical Hidden Lords of Waterdeep that were charged with keeping the peace and order of the city intact throughout any crisis or obstacle, the young Lord had possession of nearly everything any boy could desire and had seen more exquisite and exotic artifacts and acts than most world-wise mercenary adventurers had ever dreamed of seeing. Thus, finding something new to entertain and amuse him, something different to bring a smile to his thin and pale lips, was one of the biggest challenges any man could be saddled with.
"Something entertaining, hm?" the man grumbled as he marched through the city streets.
Thus far he'd had no luck. And he'd been searching for over an hour.
Hearing cheering down one street alley, he decided to head in the direction of the racket and see what was going on.
What met his eyes fascinated him. A lone acrobat was calmly balancing over 30 plates on the tip of his nose while juggling teacups. Teacups, filled with tea. All while standing on one foot atop an overturned ale mug.
Jeeves joined in with the enthusiastic applause that erupted when the boy alighted from his stand and gave a small bow. Walking amongst the people who approached to drop coins into the acrobat's cap, the servant smiled.
The boy arched a brow even as he tugged a shirt over his previously bare back and tucked it into his breeches, indicating that he had indeed seen the VonWinner servant. Brushing his hair back (only to have it flip back over the left half of his face again moments later, proving the effort given forth by the boy to be utterly futile), the acrobat nodded. "What do you want?"
"You."
Both eyebrows arched, even though this action was barely discernable through that thick waterfall of hair. "Whatever for? You don't appear to be one of the City Guards. I don't believe I need to prove my validity and my permits to you to continue performing here."
Holding up a hand, Jeeves shook his head. "Hold, boy. I mean that I wish to offer you a proposition, not to discipline you in any fashion."
"Proposition?"
"Perform for the Household I work for tonight and the Lord will pay you handsomely."
"Indeed," the boy said, crossing his arms. "Sorry, but I don't go for private performances."
"Will 200 gold pieces to start be sufficient?"
The boy stared at the offered bag. "Sure thing. When do you want me there?"
"Sundown tonight. And your name...? To tell the guards to allow you onto the property..."
"Trowa."
tbc...