Chapter X
No Turning Back
Two days later, The Sundered Bond entered a small cove which hosted a small city. The weather was hot and humid, while swarms of insects buzzed about everyone like dark clouds. Arthas kept an eye on his possessions, for the city was crawling with very obvious pickpockets and scoundrels. He made sure to make eye contact with every one of them and told them with a stern gaze that any attempt to relieve him of his possessions was folly. None questioned that stare, but instead hustled on to find another target. Karthiah, Adam, and Alex guided Arthas through the streets and brought him into a side alley between two large buildings. It appeared as though Karthiah was counting bricks on the wall. When she reached a certain number, she tapped on it in a rhythmic pattern. The brick, along with a small square of the wall, sank back, then shot down, revealing a crawl tunnel large enough to emit a medium humanoid.
"Ladies first," Arthas said, bowing aside and gesturing at the tunnel.
Karthiah crawled in, and then disappeared from sight. She was followed by Arthas, then Adam, and finally Alex. A few yards down the tunnel, Arthas felt the ground drop from beneath him and he slid down a chute slick with rainwater. A light at the bottom grew brighter as he slid downward. When he was launched into a bright room, he came down in a roll that brought him to his feet, swords drawn. He lowered his guard when he saw there was no one there but Karthiah. Soon Adam and Alex were also flung from the tunnel. They were in a bright room in which many exotic plants grew and a fountain gurgled in the center of the north wall. The brightness came from many fist-sized orbs floating around the ceiling. They were constantly in motion, which caused shadows to dance around the walls in a chaotic manner. Hallways branched off in many directions, most likely leading to other chambers where the denizens of this extravagant place lived and worked.
"Is he the one?" a voice boomed from an unknown origin.
"He is," Karthiah answered.
The sound of grinding stone resounded off the walls, and the fountain sank into the ground to reveal a grand stairway to a throne that put the Hall of Justice to shame. The throne itself was marble inlaid with every precious stone Arthas could think of, and some he could not even identify. Spiraling out in intricate patterns from every inlaid gem were strands of white gold. The entire throne seemed to pulse with an inner power and light. As glorious as the throne was, the man sitting on it appeared simple in garb.
"Ishnu'alah," Arthas began as he strode forward. (a/n Ishnu'alah "Good fortune to you" in Thalassian, the archaic language of the elves.
"Arthas Naiöl, do you know why you have been brought before me?" the man on the throne asked.
"No, sir, I do not," Arthas replied.
"You were destined to hold not one, but two artifacts of great power. I am Naigani, and I know you have already heard of one of them, and you sought to assemble it during your journeys in Neverwinter," the man began. "Though I doubt you knew it was you who was destined to wield it."
"The weapon that could close Tiamat's portal in Neverwinter? I was the one destined to have it?" Arthas questioned.
"That you were, but that is not the only wondrous items you were prophesized to possess," Naigani explained. "There is an enchanted sword, one that my men unearthed in the far away Anarauch Desert, one that has power over the very fabric of time. With a small exertion of power, you can rewind time a short ways, briefly freeze time to make amazing escapes, and the potential list is limitless. But be warned, the sword has an intelligence of its own, and it will seek to control your actions and bend you to its will. Be warned that once you take up the blade, it will be bound to you forever, and can never leave your possession. Once you choose to accept this gift, there is no chance to turn back."