Chapter 1
Alturiak 15 1373 DR Year of Rogue Dragons
The bright morning sun shined through the treetops of the Lurkwood Forest, causing the thin layers of snow that had settled on the ground and the snow that capped the branches and treetops during the late winter to glint like crystals. Wearing a thick cloak over his elven chain mail, the slender, silver haired hunter of undead walked along an invisible path. At his side were his white furred, dark blue striped snow tiger, and his svirfneblin companion; wearing a thick overcoat over his small body and green lens goggles that sat atop his forehead.
"The emissaries of Obould Many-Arrows were rather persistent to get us out here," commented Jepetto in his soft voice as he looked up at the human, whose deep blue eyes stared into the distance. "Could have they come across some monstrous undead?"
Shadimir Deachron titled his head as his hands gripped the handles of the long sword and the light mace he wore on his belt. A light breeze passed through his hair as he reflected on the events two days before.
The orc king Obould Many-Arrows, who in the last year and a half, had established his kingdom near the lands of Mithral Hall and the Moonwood, had sent his men to Shadimir's home, requesting assistance from both the undead hunter and his wife Stephanie, a powerful doomguide of Kelemvor, the Lord of Dead. Normally it would have taken Shadimir days to travel to from Silverymoon to the Lurkwood, where the orcs were having their difficulties. As luck would have it, Stephanie was requested to come to Mithral Hall to help plan the wedding of King Bruenor Battlehammer's children. Using this as an excuse to use a teleportation spell granted by her god, Stephanie whisked her family to the dwarves kingdom.
"You think they could have come across a dracolich Shadimir?" Jepetto asked as he and his two companions passed a pair of bent trees.
"I am sure King Obould is more than capable of handling a dracolich Jepetto," answered the undead hunter in a calm voice. "For all we know, he might have called us to talk about the wedding, or discuss a trade route."
Elros shook his head and sniffed the air. Jepetto gave the snow tiger a pat on the head. "I agree with you Elros. Since when did anyone who ever asked for us, just wanted to talk about weddings or trade routes. When it comes to you Shadimir, it's either about undead, or sculpting."
"And when it comes to you Jepetto, its usually about some magic item that needs to be fixed," said Shadimir as he shook his head. He pointed forward to a small clearing. "He's waiting for us." The hunter picked up his pace, with Elros and the deep gnome following in suit.
When they arrived at the clearing, they found the muscular orc king, learning on his great sword. Close to him were four heavy set orcs, all armed with battle axes and small wooden shields. From head to toe, Obould and his men were dressed in breast plate armor.
Shadimir approached Obould Many-Arrows in a casual manner and extended his hand, which resulted in the king's guards to aim their weapons at the undead hunter's scalp. Obould responded to his men's actions by putting his right hand up-signaling to his men to put their weapons away-then shook Shadimir's hand with a firm, but warm grip.
"I was beginning to doubt you would arrive Shadimir Deachron," Obould said in a gruff voice. "I see you have brought your pet gnome and your pet tiger. But I do not see your wife or other allies."
"Stephanie is busy helping plan the wedding of Bruenor Battlehammer's daughter," Shadimir responded as he looked back to his friends. "You will find the three of us suitable for this task."
Obould looked over Jepetto and Elros with a sneer. "Let us hope you are correct. Follow me."
With the orc king leading the way, the party of eight went deeper into the Lurkwood. Shadimir walked forward to join Obould. "So what is this urgent matter that you called me for?"
Obould turned to Shadimir, his lips parting in a grin. "I needed someone who had an extensive knowledge of the undead, particularly of undead dragons. When I went to my priests of the matter, they told me to seek a Silver Haired Angel who could mold beauty from stone."
Jepetto walked up to join them, giving Shalimar a look that said, I told you so. The deep gnome looked over at Obould and said," You are in luck your majesty, dracoliches are our specialty."
Shadimir cursed, but then regained his composure. "I am honored to help you Obould, and we'll do what we can."
"If the stories I have heard of you are true, than I little to worry," the orc king commented with a smirk. "My kingdom is flourishing and I have established trade routes with some of the cities. I had hoped that this little adventure of ours can help relations between the dwarves."
"So you want me to go back and convince Bruenor Battlehammer, Alustriel, and other rulers of the Marshes to establish relations with your kingdom," the hunter deduced.
"In a matter of speaking. Come, I have something to show you."
Obould led them to a large area of the forest. Unlike the rest of the Lurkwood, this part of the forest appeared to have been scorched by a ravenous fire. Scattered all over the ground were orc bodies that were either burnt to a blackened color, or dismembered. Their faces-or rather what was left of their faces-were twisted in a expression that resembled torment.
"The dracolich had nothing to do with this," Obould Many-Arrows began in a grim voice. "Several days ago, I received a report from the camp here in the Lurkwood had captured the giantess Gerti Orelsdottr, who was wounded and injured. They had managed to keep her captured for three days, but one night came a man with one hand, riddled in scars, and an eye patch on his face. He came and freed the giantess, striking down several of my men with such fury and power."
"Did the survivors tell you this?" asked Shadimir.
Obould shook his head and answered in a low voice. "I saw all it in a dream."
Shadimir and Jepetto turned to each other, both remembering their conflict with the stormlord, Hothgar Tallos, who, like the orc king in years past, had allied himself with the giantess.
"Our concern lies in another direction," the orc king stated as he and his men resumed their trek through the forest.
They walked until they came across an enormous dragon skeleton. Quickly, Jepetto began examining the corpse, noting the spotless detail on the bones "Someone took their time getting this one ready. They must have spent days cleaning the skeleton."
Shadimir nodded. He too saw there was no dirt or grime anywhere on the corpse. He looked back to Obould and his men. The orc king gave a slow nod and stood in silence, his arms crossed while his men readied their weapons. Next to Shadimir, Elros sniffed the body, then growled.
Drawing his sword Ceresheart and his light mace, Shadimir continued to inspect the skeleton, noticing the many runes engraved around the beast's hollow eye sockets. "From it appears-" he stopped as the bones began to rattle.
"I wondered when he was going to wake up," remarked Jepetto as he reached into his one of the pockets in his overcoat and drew a small brass hammer.
Shadimir and the orcs backed away as the dracolich rose to its feet, its head turned towards Shadimir.
"It seems the orcs have come back to face their doom. And Shadimir Deachron," the undead dragon greeted in a masculine and hollow voice that flowed through the woods. "I am Magistravelnar, or Magis, as I was known in my past life before the Wearer of Purple Malice made me into a Sacred One. I flew out here to eradicate any annoyances and convert the Lurkwood into my own paradise, but Malice told me that if I ever had the chance of facing you or any of your comrades, to say that she sends her apologies that she could not be here to partake in your destruction. Fear not for after I am done destroying these orcs, I will bring you to her so that she could finish you herself."
Jepetto stood next to the undead hunter. "Do you think he could have used the orcs to lure us here?"
This brought scowls from not only Obould, but his men as well. Yet Shadimir merely shook his head and said in a loud voice "He was created by Malice, so he could have learned about me from her. It is nice to hear that she could not finish me herself. She had to send her lesser servants."
"Lesser servants," the dracolich roared. its red eyes glowing with anger. "I will show you who is the lesser. Now prepare for your deaths warm bloods!
4 4 4 4
Stephanie Deachon sat outside the entrance of Mithral Hall, dressed in her shimmering breast plate armor, with her black hair tied up in a honey bun. Her hazel eyes looked to her right, watching her son Jacen sleep sound fully on a large blanket that covered the snowy grass. For a moment, her thoughts went to her home in Silverymoon, where Jacen's twin sister, Andreya-who was not up for traveling-was staying with their neighbors and friends, the Kythorns. Although she enjoyed helping Catti-brie with wedding plans, she could not wait to get home and see her baby girl.
Hearing footsteps approach her from behind, the doomguide looked back to see her sister Aliyah Munoz and her dark elf lover Drizzt DoUrden. Cradled in the arms of the dark elf was their infant son Petyr, whose lavender eyes were darting from left to right, staring at the snow covered trees with curiosity.
"I take it Catti-brie is still sleeping," Stephanie asked as the newcomers sat down next to her.
Both Aliyah and Drizzt exchanged looks. "Aye, she is stressed about many things," Drizzt commented. "The wedding. The baby. Her father's plans. She is really glad to have you here Stephanie."
"She isn't the only one," Aliyah added. "But we are all doing what we can to help. Alustriel should be arriving soon. I am still surprised you left Andreya back home."
"I almost wish I did not," the cleric of Kelemvor said while shaking her head. "But she wanted to stay with Minerva and Hestia. Her and Hestia have a bond, like Petyr and Jacen. And Shadimir and Jepetto are still out there."
"Obould is a crafty warrior," Drizzt commented with a bitter tone while his son was trying to wiggle out of his arms, hoping to wake his sleeping cousin.
"You are just upset because you didn't finish him off," Aliyah remarked as she tickled Petyr's chin, causing him to giggle and forget about Jacen.
The three adults sat quietly until Jacen awoke up from his nap. As Drizzt set Petyr down next to Jacen, the dark haired halfling Deidra Emeraldhand approached them. "So this is where everyone went," she commented while adjusting the leathers she wore. "The sites of Mithral Hall are a marvel to behold."
"Aye they are," Stephanie responded, as Drizzt and Aliyah walked back inside. They were about to pick up Petyr when Deidra assured them she would watch him. The halfling sat down and placed Petyr in her lap. "I might go back inside for a little bit. "Jacen, will you be good for aunty Deidra?"
While Deidra amused little Petyr with funny noises and goofy faces, Jacen looked up at the sky. When she saw her son point into the air, Stephanie's eyes follow his, and she too noticed the blue-silver colored star that was falling from the heavens.
