Crossroads Keep - - -

--Knight Commander

The next month or so was just waiting. The Keep was quiet with winter. Sand and Grobnar made short trips to Neverwinter to check on the news, but nothing had happened yet. This wasn't surprising, as merchant caravans were few and far between in the winter. Neeshka made longer trips, she either found someone or had a scheme hatching. I'm not sure which worried me more. Khelgar came back for a visit, and I persuaded him to try to teach me a few of the unarmed combat moves he learned from the monks. I wasn't very good at learning it, but it was something to occupy me while waiting. We usually did this up on the roof, so the troops didn't see their Commander being so clumsy. At least that's what I told myself.

Bishop started getting frustrated and bad tempered, and decided to go out camping for a few days. Karnwyr didn't seem worried, so we waved him goodbye, and had an additional thing to wait for. He came back pleased with himself about a tenday later, and we ended up tickling him until he told us about the villagers.

The Keep was pretty much running itself, so I didn't have much to keep me busy. I wasn't really used to this, for most of the last three years, I was pursuing people who wanted me dead, or recovering from the same. I pushed my training even more, until I often dozed off between sessions.

Casavir was the most serene of us, I really don't know how he did that.

As spring approached we finally got the news we had been waiting for. One quiet evening, Sand teleported into our armory, where I had been reading an ancient travelogue on the planes I'd found in the library. We all looked up, and saw that he was sparkling with hauteur again, and a suppressed excitement.

"News?" Bishop asked with barely suppressed eagerness.

Sand told him, with his intonation of implied idiocy, "Of course, you wouldn't think I came to visit you?"

Casavir interrupted before it could degenerate more, "We've all been waiting, please?"

A satisfied Sand said, "That trader sent news that he had gotten a small shipment of exotic blood, charged with ancient magic. Though he didn't mention Illefarn, he mentioned multiple vials. I suspect he doesn't know what kind of magic it was himself, but I think we've got good odds."

I asked, "Did he even hint who his supplier was?"

"No, I suppose we will have to speak with him directly," Sand admitted.

I said, "I would really like to leave tomorrow. Anyone have an objection?"

Casavir regretfully said, "I think we should wait here a few days to allow us to contact the others who want to help. It would take about three or four days for any message to return to him, and we can expect him to allow a couple more for winter roads... Did he say anything about how long, if any, the items were being held?"

"He did say I was the closest interested patron, but his market for this is necessarily limited. We can expect a bit longer than the tenday you're suggesting before a rival could arrive. Since Neeshka and Grobnar are still in Neverwinter, we could go there first. If we hurry, we should still be able to get to Port Llast in time," Sand admitted.

"I would feel better if we did that," said Casavir.

"And Neeshka would probably never forgive me if she misses the fun," I admitted. "Lets get packing, then."

After a flurry of repacking and a quick meet with Katriona, we went to bed. I was both excited and nervous about finally making progress.

x x x

--Bishop

Elondra had her first nightmare in a couple tendays that night. She had been down to about two a month. But tonight was not surprising, and Casavir and I just held her close until it passed. She had been pushing again, working on her combat skills or studying from the odd books left behind in the Keep library.

We had packed and repacked every tenday after Midwinter. The waiting had really gotten to me, and I dreamed of hunting or running with some deer, and I'd had to go do something, anything. I'd had to retrieve my old bedroll from the storage chest where M'Lady had stowed it, just as well I hadn't burnt it. They waved me off, and I couldn't quite remember what was so great about being totally free of other people. I missed smelling her and holding her close, but I did enjoy being back in the forest with the early signs of the coming spring. Karnwyr was happy to be hunting for real.

I had another one of my nightmares on the second night of my solo. This one had some kind of ugly tentacle creature, instead of the demons of the last one. But M'Lady and Casavir had died almost instantly, without a mark on them. That bastard trainer became some kind of lich even as he laughed at me. And this time I died instead of him, but I didn't care that much, other than the fact that I hadn't gotten my vengeance for them.

Waking up with Karnwyr licking my ear and face, I was curled up in a ball and with blood in my mouth, and my throat sore.

I healed myself, and went looking for trouble. It took me another three days to find some in the frozen landscape, outside some dinky village. Some bandits had decided to go after a stationary target, and had torched some outbuildings of one of the farmers, and were holding his children hostage for whatever they could get. The only hard part was getting them separated enough to take care of them. This scheme must have been an improvisation, as I found they had some slaver brands, which had already been used. I could heal them, but the burn damage did not seem to heal as clean as other wounds do. I was very uncomfortable with farmers' thanks, and kept telling them that I just hated slavers. And I left, nearly snarling, before they could offer anything else. By this time I had been gone a tenday, so I pushed to get back as soon as possible. I would have hate to miss out on the mage hunt.

I got back well after midnight, a little afraid of what I would find. They were deeply asleep, in their usual places, Elondra's hand flung out where it would have been if I were there. Undressed, I eased in next to her, kissing her palm as I moved it onto me and moved to kiss other areas. I'd wanted to taste her like this all over for days... forever.

Her sleepy voice murmured, "Welcome back. Missed you."

Something in me eased. It felt so good, I again had a pang that this was just a delusion at the bottom of a bottle or pipe, and I stilled.

Casavir whispered, "What took you so long?" even as I was pulled back into the moment.

Much later he repeated the question.

My "nothing" did not seem to satisfy them, and a tickle war erupted, the best kind. Once we'd all been defeated, or won, it really didn't matter, I admitted to my time in that village and got an extra embrace.

But it had been several more tendays until Sand had arrived with his news. With only the four of us traveling to Neverwinter, it made for a much quieter trip. While I doubt anything we could do would surprise an elf that old, we felt a bit inhibited as a group, Elondra and Casavir, especially. Even so, the discussions became interesting as M'Lady debated with Sand the accuracy and reliability of some of the planar reports she'd gleaned from the library. One of her frustrations was that the books she'd read really didn't have much, if anything, in the way of illustrations to help with identification. Apparently, devils and demons had very different weaknesses, and varied widely in appearance. A sword usually worked, but wasn't as effective as knowing their weaknesses and immunities. There was even less information another kind, yugoloths, that the other two breeds were wary of.

We made good time to Neverwinter, and it only took a few hours to find the other two. Elanee and Khelgar were too far away for this short a notice, though M'Lady did send brief messages. Aside from a brief hello to Duncan, we left right away. We couldn't push as fast as when Elanee was with us, but we still made it to Port Llast in few enough days.

Sand was to make first contact by himself, hoping he could learn something during initial discussion. Elondra insisted she would follow in a few minutes, which could very well be too close for a secretive transaction. The rest of us were supposed to be in earshot in case of trouble. Sand went over when the merchant was alone, and I thought I could distract her a bit to give Sand some extra time. She returned my kiss for a moment, and then she pulled away and went over to the stall.

Casavir muttered, "She did warn us."

x x x

--Knight Commander

I had to know, and I couldn't wait any longer. Bishop was sweet, trying to distract me, not that he minded that sacrifice. I hated the look on his face when I walked off, but I had been passively waiting too long already.

Sand saw my arrival, when I went to look over the goods, but his talk with the trader barely paused. I moved over to the edge of the display, still barely close enough to hear what they were saying.

This guy didn't seem to know what he was selling, first saying it was infernal blood, but when Sand pointed out the lack of some component, he didn't argue. He pointed out the quantity more than made up for its lack of lower planar origins. He had three vials, and he claimed to be able to get more. Sand doubted as to the value of the blood for magic, and wanted to do a test before any further negotiations for the vials.

I pretended to be selecting from a roll of scrolls. There were a few of interest, but I was curious as to how Sand was going to test. He did a chant I had never heard before, with part of it suspiciously close to an elvish phrase for 'like to like', and all three vials slid a little bit towards me.

There was no reaction from the merchant, just satisfaction that the blood showed its magic. Then Sand really put the pressure on, claiming that while magical, he couldn't give accurate information on the blood source. Sand wanted the name of his source for the blood... and he would compensate him.

The merchant was starting to get nervous as their discussion was probably audible to me, though I hadn't reacted. I also had several items piled in front of me, and seemed a better prospect than Sand at the moment.

Sand delivered his next tactic in a hiss, "You do know what the penalty is for selling human blood, especially of those with mage power, in places of Luskan interest, like here?" Reminding the merchant of that elite's allegiance and long reach.

I decided that was a cue, and turned to smile my nastiest at him. The merchant blanched, and protested he had been told it was planar. Sand blandly suggested that he provide the name of his source.

The merchant leafed through a small ledger, checked the paper, and ripped it out, giving it to Sand. I flipped a gem to the merchant, and grabbed the vials of blood. We then sauntered off towards the inn.

Sand admitted on the way, that he had been concerned I would push too fast. I stuck out my tongue at him as everyone converged on us.

We all met in one room, as Sand studied the ledger page. "Hmm, some of this would be interesting to follow up on later, but unrelated. It seems he purchased the blood from a necromancer named Limeretz , one who usually bought far more than he sold. There are a number of purchases listed here, but not what was purchased."

"Well, it seems we're going there next." I said, as Bishop looked unusually pleased, and yet edgy underneath.

x x x

--Casavir

We had had no troubles traveling inward into Luskan. We didn't attract the usual running children we do in most towns and villages, especially arriving at the gray start of spring when excess energy was a problem. My lady became almost grim as we traveled, starting when anyone spoke to her, though she warned of travelers' approach several times. Bishop lost his irony and became terse, while Karnwyr kept close to him all the times. Grobnar watched around us in consternation, and even Neeshka became quiet.

Officially, we shouldn't have any problem, as that ambassador's schemes had been repudiated by the Luskans. But we preferred even a damp spring camp over the doubtful safety of an inn. Once we had gotten close to the city, the only place we felt fairly safe to talk was on the road.

We'd have to try the merchant approach first, despite the fact that Elondra wanted to go in swinging. Bishop just wanted to fight some Luskans. I noticed Grobnar was sometimes playing quiet tunes, and I was glad he was along, despite the occasional embarrassment.

This was beginning to feel like juggling vorpal weapons. M'Lady was still pushing herself physically, sometimes we refused extra sessions by claiming other tasks. She was also getting more... hot tempered. At least she hadn't joggled Sand's elbow in the negotiations; he seemed pleased at the outcome, though we couldn't hear exactly how it went. It took her far too long to relax at night, she was often awake when I finished my watch.

Bishop was perhaps more dangerous, as he was in a permanent state of tension inside Luskan borders. It could have been that he was probably wanted for stopping their expeditions into Neverwinter. But more likely it was his own past, as I don't think that many had escaped him.

And necromancy... there were so few of that specialty who avoided the dark. We shouldn't assume, but we could prepare.

We selected an inn in the merchant area, and Neeshka gave our room a once over. As we considered this hostile territory, we only got one large room, and still kept short watches. We slept on the floor, leaving the bunks to the others.

The next morning, the plan was to go shopping in the market, and see if we found anything M'Lady had lost, or anyone selling the more esoteric spell and item components as well as information on the necromancer. In this case, her tendency to buy more magic worked for the task.

So we set out, keeping to the same area, with any shop showing a lot of magic components or her items being cued to Sand. We did find a cluster of component shops near the towers, but none of her missing items. Elondra only bought a few items. I know she was hoping the necro had a shop, but I wasn't surprised. Sand would have to find the link.

After we had visited the magic shops, we bought some lunch, and settled nearby while the rest finished their shopping. Sand, of course, took the longest as he was also fishing for a lead as much as looking for magic. A gang of urchins passed through, and Bishop watched them closely with a grimace.

We talked a bit about nothing important, until Sand was finished. He looked bland, so he had some news. With a gesture for us all to follow him, we set off, away from the market area. Once we were away, he said that Limeretz had a mansion at the north edge of the city, and sold prepared items, on the side, to those in the know. We were heading north, I think, confirmed when Bishop didn't object to our path. After a checks on directions, we reached an area with several mansions, hidden behind their own walls. Sand led towards the one, and located a bellpull at the gate.

"Paladin, you should probably stay in the back of the group. He might be able to detect your aura. Commander, please, you stay in the back as well, you're getting... testy. I got three different descriptions of Limeretz, from different merchants who had dealt with him before, so we do not know if he employs agents or magic to have different appearances. Prepare yourselves."

He rang the bell, as I pulled Elondra towards the back of the group with me.

A gaunt young man answered, and asked our business. Sand had evidently decided to play the merchant card, and mentioned his interest in rare components along with two of the merchants he had gotten the contact information from. The man nodded, and opened the gate.

As we went into the building, both Bishop and M'Lady became agitated. I couldn't figure a way to distract them, given our position under likely observation, and continued following Sand.

We arrived in a receiving area, where there were a good number of guards with odd posture circling the room. Our guide led Sand into the center of the room, and we followed, though M'Lady's hand twitched towards her weapon. Some of the guards were definitely undead. Halfway between Sand and the far wall was a large comfortable chair with a man in shadows on it. One moment he looked young, and another elderly, another satisfied middle age. Through this, Sand was opening negotiations for components.

I began to concentrate, so I could discern his evil..

Even as I did, M'Lady charged forward with a scream, pulling her weapon, and Bishop joined in. The others were slower to react, and paused for a moment as a force of raw energy sprang up between our host and them.

The real problem was that the necro had no evil, even now. I had to stop them.

Even as they turned to attack the closest of the guards, I moved to block them. "Stop it! He's not evil! He's not the one. STOP!"

"Yes, paladin. Stop your Commander..."

Other than the guards interposing themselves in front of our host, no other attack had come. And both Elondra and Bishop slowed to a puzzled stop. None of us were harmed, aside from a couple of bruises I took.

The force protecting the other mage still gave off an occasional sparkle, and he waved the guards back to the walls. They moved back without a sound, and the sparkling field ceased.

He then said, "Fred, get some refreshments for our guests."

As the gaunt young man left through a different door, some benches floated out to the center from the walls. Sand was looking at Bishop as if he were a small insect, and avoided looking at Elondra completely. Neeshka and Sand took seats, while Grobnar cautiously went over to examine one of the guards.

M'Lady was looking at the necro closely, and seemed to be trying to discern Limeretz's true appearance.

He sighed, and said, "We're not going to be able to continue, until you can see my true face, are we? Does any of you have true sight magic?"

"Not anymore," admitted M'Lady.

"Elf, your best dispell... It won't last, and it looks like my casting would not be believed..."

Sand bowed, and began casting.

As Sand was finishing, the necromancer said with an edged smile, "I must count on your discretion..."

The shadows and changing images ceased, to reveal a smiling woman of late middle age. M'Lady was baffled, and growing embarrassed. Bishop was merely embarrassed, as it looked like Karnwyr was scolding him.

I tugged both of them back to the closest bench, and sat down myself.

After a moment or two, the shadows began gathering around her again, and she again appeared in more masculine forms. Fred returned with some drinks on a platter, and handed them around.

She told him, "You can return to your studies, Fred. Chapter 20 for tomorrow."

Fred grinned and bowed out of the room.

"I had planned to express my admiration of your campaign against the Shadowking... I gained much tactical advantage when that bitch ambassador fell from favor, and Garius' plots were over. But I suspect you are pursuing something else now."

Grobnar piped up, "Are you a Harper, Lady Mage?"

"If I tell you, then I would have to kill you..." Limeretz smiled with him.

M'Lady spoke firmly, "I must apologize. I am pursuing a particularly vile mage, and one of your... masks resembles him greatly."

"And you came here because?" A touch of elven arrogance.

"He is trafficking in magical blood. And some of it, along with a chalice, came through you."

"I see. Just cause indeed. I broker many deals and finished items, but was unable to find any spells they were useful for, despite their magic. And sold the vials to a trader I knew along with the chalice I would have no cause to keep. My source, however..."

"Please," M'Lady said simply.

"No, just musing on the little I know. He calls himself Xamell, though I'm sure it wasn't his birth name. He has strong ties with two of the greater Mage-captains in the city, and an estate a few days northeast of here. However, he had said when I last saw him about a month ago that he was going to be claiming a new remote location for his experiments. I can tell you where his estate is, but he's had at least four remote labs since I'd known him. He's been a fairly ineffectual fellow here in Luskan. Now his wife had been the power..." Limeretz mused, while talking.

We all exchanged glances at that hit.

"Oh, ho. His wife? She had been angling for enough to become a power in the city. But, she was said to have died about a year ago in a lab accident. She hadn't been been as proficient as her husband, but she was the ambitious one."

I said, "No, by his own words, she died as a supporter of the Shadowking, during the war. And he had been in support himself."

Concern now colored the mage's words, "What else do you know, paladin?"

"He can planar travel or can call favors to travel for him to lesser known planes. He may have dealt with drow, or somehow discovered the remnants of a drow settlement. He gained perhaps as much as two gallons of that magic blood. And... he may have experience or a contact in the Luskan assassin training."

"Gods," she whispered. Then more strongly, "I can arrange for a writ for you from one of my acquaintances. If you do not take care of him soon, he can just get a counter later from one of his allies. This writ will cover a raid in his mansion. The only thing I would suggest, is that you present any Shadowking information afterwards, as even the Captains and slavers didn't want him. It was considered bad for business. Please, be at ease.."

She got up, and pulled a bell-pull along the wall. From another servant, she requested her lap desk. When it arrived, she wrote out a note, sealed it, and sent it with the servant.

As we waited, I noticed Grobnar had hummed a few minutes very quietly, before tinkering with fingering variations. Neeshka was playing solitaire, and Sand began to talk shop with our host. I noticed Bishop had slid closer to M'Lady, but they were barely touching. She was silent, merely staring at the wall

An hour or so later, the servant returned, and Limeretz presented the writ to us, saying only, "Good hunting."