53. If In Doubt, Ask.

Seated upon his throne in the heart of Castle Never, Lord Nasher looked as tired as Kail felt. He seemed to have aged ten years in just ten hours, and by his right shoulder, Nevalle didn't look much better. She stepped forward slowly, unsure how to begin. Lord Nasher saved her the trouble.

"I can tell by your furtive step that you do not bring me good news. I heard there was a battle at the Moonstone Mask. Is Melia..."

"She has been killed by a sorcerer, one who can summon demons. So has half the staff at the Mask."

"That is... terrible news. Without her, the Nine are weakened tremendously, and she will be missed. The killer - were you at least able to catch him?"

"No, he got away."

"Then it seems there is little more to be done. I can dispatch the Many-Starred Cloaks to the Moonstone Mask and Cyran's home to look for clues... But as for what they can turn up, I do not know. It looks like justice has been denied this day. Nonetheless, you are to be congratulated for saving Lord Cyran's life."

"Why didn't you tell me about Melia?" she asked.

"Keeping her identity secret was not meant to harm you or her - but there were too many uncertainties in these deaths as it stood to risk it. I am sorry if you find that difficult to understand, but it was my decision to make, not yours."

She shrugged. "I'm not the one who has to live with Melia's death on my hands," she said, and regretted it when a flicker of anger passed over the Lord's face. "What would you have me do next?"

"If there was a trail, I would ask you to track down this murderer... but without one... I fear we will have to bide our time. And another matter has recently been brought to our attention. It seems that we have an even larger problem within Neverwinter than we first thought-"

"I hope we are not intruding," said a new voice. Kail turned in time to see a heavily-framed woman enter the room, followed by a tall, bean-pole of a man. The woman was dressed in drab grey and brown robes, and had dull, greasy hair. And her accent was Luskan. Kail felt her nose begin to wrinkle in disgust, and she had to stop her hands from flying to her daggers. "Seems Neverwinter is quite active of late."

"I said I would send for you later, after I am done here," said Nasher, irritation obvious in his voice.

"My apologies, my Lord Nasher. But the conversation before was a bit brief, and I did not think it would be best for both our cities to wait any longer... forgive my impatience. Ahh, is this the Harborman... the Squire I have heard so much about?" The woman subjected Kail to a scrutinizing glance. She wished she was a little taller. Nobody seemed to think short people imposing. If only she could learn to loom a little, like Casavir or Bishop.

"Careful. Hosttower mage... and high-ranking as well," whispered Sand in her ear.

"Whoever she is, she's powerful... and she's masking it well, too," added Qara. Kail nodded, acknowledging them both.

"I am familiar with your exploits... and as exceptional as they are, I am certain we could spend most of the day discussing them," said the woman.

She ignored the woman's goads, turning instead to Lord Nasher. "Milord, if this is an inappropriate time, I will take my leave."

"No, no, I want you here, this merits your attention. This is Sydney Natale, our new ambassador from Luskan. She arrived earlier, and I had hoped to speak to you privately, before the three of us met. Her associate is Khralver, I believe?" The tall man nodded and stepped forward to bow slightly to her.

"Well met, my lady. It is my pl-"

"Khralver is of no consequence, he is here to assist me - and silently," said Sydney. "The news I bring concerns you, Lord Nasher and I most of all, so it is fitting you have arrived. I had hoped to speak to you before leaving in any event."

"Are you planning to put me on trial again with another false accusation?" she asked, more calmly than she felt. She wanted to gut the Luskan where she stood... but if the woman was in fact an accomplished mage of the Hosttower, as Sand and Qara suggested -- and it was rare enough for them to agree on anything -- then she would probably be incinerated before she could even get her daggers completely out of their holders. Of course, her friends would probably exact revenge, but that would matter little if she was dead.

"No, in fact, far from it. There has been a miscommunication, so I have traveled from Luskan to straighten certain matters out. If they were left to rumor, gossip or surface appearances, they might be... misconstrued. You have recently had trouble with those you believe affiliated with Luskan, when in fact they are not connected to or supported by us at all."

"Is that so? And who are these people?"

"There are four towers in Luskan, each ruled by a skilled mage. And we four work tirelessly to aid Luskan and its people. But there is a self-styled 'Master of the Fifth Tower' who, as his title suggests, has overstepped his bounds. This mage is a man by the name of Garius -- 'Black' Garius, I believe is yet another title he uses -- silly, but he really believes he casts a longer shadow than he does. Nevertheless, he has been quite... industrious as of late... almost as industrious as you, my dear Harborman. But he s not affiliated with our city or its interests -- unlike you and your long-standing ties to service in Neverwinter." Kail chose to ignore the sarcasm in Sydney's voice. Obviously the woman knew that she had only been assigned to the position of Squire out of convenience, and hadn't been in Neverwinter long at all.

"And what has he been up to that should concern me?" she asked.

"Ambassador Natale informed me earlier that she believes Black Garius began the war with their island neighbour, Ruathym," said Lord Nasher.

"Yes. And it has served as a convenient means to distract Luskan from its real priorities. Regardless, Ruathym was an aggressor for quite some time, so action needed to be taken regardless..." Sydney mused.

"I believe the Lord's Alliance would have taken exception to that... as do I."

"I am certain they would have, milord. But since Ruathym attacked us first, it is our responsibility to deal with their aggression and quickly... you can expect little else from island barbarians, really."

"I'm sorry to hear that 'island barbarians' are giving the great city of Luskan so much trouble," said Kail with the sweetest smile she could muster. Sydney scowled at her, but let the barb pass to continue her debriefing.

"You see, Ruathym believe that Luskan has stolen a precious artifact from them, a book called the Tome of Iltkazar."

"The Tome of Iltkazar?" said Sand quietly, but not quietly enough. Sydney turned to address him, and he took a step back behind Casavir, as if afraid of drawing the mage's attention for some reason.

"A powerful artifact... and not only can its sudden disappearance lead two nations to war, but in the wrong hands, it can be used to channel tremendous power."

"Garius' hands are most definitely 'the wrong hands'," said Kail wryly. "So this helps us how?"

"That is a matter we feel best left to Neverwinter... the matter is a domestic one, as it turns out. But that is not all that concerns us - we believe that Black Garius has made an alliance with someone known as "The King of Shadows" - a man or creature of whom we know very little. Garius was no doubt able to steal the Tome of Iltkazar with help from this ally, and use it to bolster his armies with golems awakened from the Tome."

"He sparked a war for a book? Isn't that a Luskan matter?"

"No, unfortunately, his ambitions do not end there. We have received word that he intends to perform a powerful ritual within the lands of Neverwinter, with knowledge he has stolen from the very King of Shadows he serves. I have heard of the loss of your local sage, Aldanon, and I suspect he is a part of this."

"In what way?"

"I suspect he was kidnapped to provide the last of the missing pieces to the ritual -- a ritual that will steal power from the 'King of Shadows' and grant it to Garius. The exact powers granted are not known to me -- or my fellow mages, which is a further cause for concern. But I have told you all I know."

"Where is Garius now?"

"We felt it was not only our duty to clear up any ties you might believe exist between Luskan and this criminal, but also inform you of his whereabouts. He and his forces are in a ruined castle, Crossroads Keep, within Neverwinter lands. Normally, Luskan would not hesitate to take action against such a criminal, but with the confusion that has already occurred, we felt it was best to advise Lord Nasher - and you - of the situation and allow you to do what you feel is best."

"Why Crossroad Keep? And in Neverwinter territory?"

"It is... difficult to explain to someone not skilled in the arcane arts."

"Try anyway."

"Crossroad Keep was the site of a great battle in the past, the one against the King of Shadows, in fact. That much we have been able to uncover. We believe that some of the power from that battle, his 'essence' perhaps allows them a stronger tie to the King of Shadows if the ritual is performed there, but that is our best guess."

"What do you want me to do about it, Lord?" she asked Nasher, who had been silent for some time.

"Garius must be stopped. We have his location, and I want you to travel there as soon as you are able," he replied.

"If we're going after Ember's killers, what about her?" said Shandra, pointing at Sydney Natale. "What about Luskan? Does anyone here really believe Luskan knew nothing about Ember? Nothing?!"

"My dear girl, I would be careful with such words, lest you offend me," Sydney replied. "I have come in good faith, and you are in danger of throwing it back in my face."

"I do not believe the Hosttower mages would be unaware of anything occurring in their domain," said Kail.

"That is correct, and all you have is my word," said Sydney, and turned to address Lord Nasher. "As your squire... I'm sorry, squire of a squire... has indicated, that does not seem to be enough."

"The matter of Luskan and Ember is for me to decide," said Lord Nasher to Kail and Shandra. "We are both aware of the threat this... Black Garius represents. If Luskan is interested in peace and co-operation, it is for the good of Neverwinter to respect that intention."

"I will not," said Kail. "If they were involved, then they should be made to answer for it." Made to answer for the murders, made to answer for her trial, made to answer for her nearly dying at the hands of Lorne, her best friend's brother.

"I see the Harborman... and her lackey... are as stubborn as I have heard," said Sydney. "I did not expect you to understand the subtleties of state and the delicate touch that politics require, especially in these equally delicate times."

"No, she's right! This isn't about politics, it's about the people of Ember -- you have to have known what was going to happen, and to let it just be conveniently forgotten like this, it's... it's..." Shandra stammered.

"Shandra Jerro," said Lord Nasher, "the strength of Neverwinter comes from its citizens, and you have shown that to me now. But listen to me. There are greater threats to Neverwinter as we speak. What happened at Ember is unfortunate, but I believe the one responsible has been punished for that crime. If we carry the accusation further to Luskan, I do not believe it is warranted, and furthermore, I am the one who sets policy in this court. This is not about one man, or one village. This is about Neverwinter, and it is about protecting what exists."

"Lord Nasher, I had a friend, Alaine, at Ember, who barely escaped. But so many others..."

"I know, and I am sorry for their loss. But unless this Garius is stopped, I fear that another tragedy will occur, much greater than what occurred at Ember. Justice will come for those -- in time, but not today. And I need you to accept it. We all have burdens to bear, and if they must be carried so that the people of Neverwinter may be safe, then that is what must be done."

"Lord Nasher - Ambassador Natale, Crossroad Keep..." said Khralver nervously. "I fear that..."

"Silence, Khralver," barked Sydney. "Do not make me remind you again. Lord Nasher, forgive me, but Black Garius may have begun the ritual, quick action is needed. I have done what I could to inform you of what we know, it is up to you to act, if you wish. And Harborman, as further proof of my good faith, and the good faith of Luskan, rest assured I will keep looking for information on this King of Shadows... and any proof I can bring that Luskan had no involvement with Ember."

"I imagine such "proof" will come in time," said Shandra venomously.

"Yes, girl, in fact, I know it will. Thank you three for hearing me. I realise these are difficult times for Neverwinter, and it was not my intention to bring another, but Luskan could not remain silent while this threat to its southern neighbour loomed. Farewell."

Everybody watched as the Hosttower mage retreated with her attendant. It was funny, thought Kail, that she was almost completely the opposite in looks to Torio, yet they both managed to walk with an arrogant swagger.

Lord Nasher cleared his throat, and she turned her attention back to him. "I have already dispatched the Many-Starred Cloaks and troops to Crossroad Keep, and I want you to go as well. Garius must be stopped. I want you to leave as soon as you are able to travel. Rescue Aldanon, and you are to do everything in your power to stop this ritual that Garius intends to perform."

"I will go at once, my Lord," she said with a tired bow.

"Excellent. I am glad I can count on you. Be careful at Crossroad Keep. If it is now Garius' stronghold as the ambassador has said, it is likely well-defended, not only with soldiers but with magics as well."

o - o - o - o - o

Outside Castle Never, the sun was beginning to rise. The rest of the group were holding quiet conversations about a variety of different subjects - the Hosttower, Garius, the King of Shadows, the slaughter in the Moonstone Mask... Shandra ignored them all, and concentrated on stoking her anger. It felt good to be angry, and she was very, very angry indeed.

How could Lord Nasher just ignore the evidence in front of him, and be naive enough to believe that the Hosttower mages, the absolute rulers of Luskan, could have been unaware of what was happening to Ember?

She was beginning to hate politics, and the more she understood, the more she hated it. Lord Nasher probably knew that the Hosttower wasn't innocent, as Sydney claimed. But he was happy to let the matter lie, because Neverwinter had its champion in Kail. In the eyes of the people, justice had been done because Kail killed Lorne, and Torio had been clapped in irons. As far as they were concerned, the matter was now over, and the people of Ember were a fading memory.

For Lord Nasher to pursue the matter with Luskan would be to tell people, "Oh, actually, justice hasn't been done after all, there's still somebody left to punish." This would make them lose faith in the justice system, and in him. So instead, he played nice with Luskan, pandered to its ambassadors, and got to keep Kail as his errand-runner.

It just wasn't fair. No wonder Casavir had left, abandoned his oaths to a city that was blinded by political meanderings. She gave the paladin a quick glance; he was as alert as ever, despite being as tired as everybody else. He just didn't let it show. Head held high, on the look out for trouble, he was the epitome of grace under pressure.

And even when he was looking around, keeping an eye out for trouble, he always managed to keep an eye on Kail. She had seen mothers doing similar with their children, but she knew that his interest in Kail wasn't as platonic as that. But Kail either didn't see his interest, or saw and ignored it. Why? Casavir was an attractive guy, and he believed in helping people, as did Kail. Sure, he may not exactly be Mr Openness and Warmth, but a girl could do a lot worse.

She shook her head. None of this mattered, none of it was important. How on earth had she become mixed up in all of this? She was fairly sure that it was either Kail's fault, or her grandfather's fault. Her grandfather's for stealing a githyanki blade a long time ago, or Kail's for having pieces of a shard lodged in her chest, and bringing the eyes of the githyanki upon herself.

But perhaps this was actually a blessing. It's wasn't like her farm had been prospering recently, not with the strange weather and the lizardling attacks on Highcliff. If her farm had done well, and she had made her yearly run to Port Llast, would she have been in Ember at the time it was burnt to the ground and its people slaughtered? Would she have shared that same fate? If it wasn't for her grandfather, for the lizardmen, for Kail... would she be dead right now? A name on a list that nobody cared about anymore because 'justice' had been done?

"Are you alright? You look a little lost." Shandra jumped in fright. She had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she hadn't seen Kail approach.

"Well, aside from the frequent kidnapping, yes, I suppose," she replied. "I'm still trying to figure out what's going on. But don't worry, I'll try to keep up, so don't trouble yourself. Alright?"

"Look, if you have any questions, ask. I'm here to help you." She searched the other woman's face for a minute; she seemed sincere enough. And it wasn't like they'd had much time to talk lately, what with everything surrounding the trial.

"Alright -- I mean, I know I haven't been around you as much as, say, Khelgar Idiotfist..."

"Hey!" said Khelgar indignantly.

"Calm down. Monks aren't supposed to get sensitive about things like that."

"Well, Ironfist monks are. We have our pride."

"I think I need you to explain to me, one more time, what we're doing," she said to Kail. "We're being hunted, and accused, and put on trial, and... and... you've got silver things in you."

"Shards," piped up Sand.

"Yeah, shards, I got it, Sand, thanks."

"I derive pleasure from clarification, Miss Jerro."

"Anyway, with all that's been going on, I'm not sure I understand why it's been going on."

"What don't you understand?" Kail asked her.

"Well, first off, the shards in you... sorry, the shard in you, and the shards you carry. Where do they come from?"

"Well, one is buried in my chest. The others I simply find."

"What are they shards of."

"A powerful sword of an extraplanar people."

"Okay, see, that's where you start to lose me. Why is this thing inside you? And why is it broken? And what are you supposed to do with it?"

"I'm supposed to use it again the King of Shadows. At least, that's what Zeeaire wanted it for."

"And the King of Shadows is... who? Like Elminster, except evil?"

"I have no idea - yet."

"But you're willing to keep trying to find out?" If it was her who had shards in her chest, and was being pursued by several groups of nefarious people, she would have run as fast as she could.

"There's not much choice," said Kail with a noncommittal shrug. "If I don't try, it just makes things worse. Knowledge is power, so I need to find out as much as I can."

"And this Black Garius... he's also helping the King of Shadows, right?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. He's something of a mystery."

"So what did those githyanki want with you? Are they with the King of Shadows?

"I don't think so. They want the shards... and the sword back."

"But one of those shards is in your chest. If it comes out, you're dead."

"That's part of the problem, yes." How could the woman be so calm about it? It was infuriating! Couldn't she be scared, or angry, or worried, like any normal person would be? It wasn't natural, being so aloof all the time. Not even Sand managed to appear as uncaring as Kail did.

"This is the most bizarre series of events I've ever heard," she sighed. It hadn't really cleared much up, either.

"Not me," said Grobnar by her side.

"Not now, Grobnar," she said, too tired to deal with another of the little man's tales.

"All right."

"So what are you going to do about all this, exactly?" she asked Kail. The bard was silent for a moment, her eyes on the horizon, and her head tilted to one side as if she was listening to something only she could hear.

"No plan at all. I'm going to keep going on and see what happens -- I'm not dead yet, so let's see where my path takes me," she said at last. It was another infuriating non-answer, but Shandra realised it was the best she was going to get.

"Alright. Well, as long as you don't get me killed doing it, I'll do what I can."

"Don't worry, I have faith you'll pull through," said the bard with a smile.

"Well, I'm glad you think so. But thanks, I appreciate the support." Kail nodded, and increased her pace so that she was at the head of the procession.

With a sigh, Shandra turned her thoughts back to the Hosttower, and Luskan. Somehow, someday, she was determined to see them pay for what they had done to Ember.

o - o - o - o - o

Though the sun was shining high in the sky, it gave off little warmth, and the breeze was bitterly cold against Kail's skin. Winter had been threatening, looming in the distance, for quite some time now, and it seemed that finally the season had turned. The trees, though, didn't seem to know what to make of the cold snap; half of them were still green, others were completely golden brown. One or two were entirely bare.

"The trees are so beautiful when they're like this," she said aloud to nobody and everybody.

"This is normal for trees outside of the Mere," said Bishop, for once not sounding condescending. "You just haven't seen it before because everything in there is permanently grey."

"True. Though I've been outside the Mere before... just never at this time in the season."

"Do you miss it?" asked Shandra.

She gave the question some serious thought. Yes, she missed it, in a way. She missed the familiarity, the sense of knowing a place like the back of her hand. Inside the Mere, everything seemed much simpler, as if time passed differently there, and places inside it were untouched by the events of the world.

But she knew that was just artistic fancy. Of course West Harbor had been affected by outside events... such as the patrols from Fort Locke which had stopped earlier in the year. She hoped they had started again, and was fairly confident that Commander Tann had kept his word to resume them.

"Yes and no," she said eventually. "The Mere is a world of it's own. It was dangerous, but safe. Dark, but beautiful. Treacherous, yet simplistic. I guess I miss the stability of living there, but I've learnt and experienced so much since leaving. I don't think I'd be the same person if none of this had happened and I had never left."

"You know, I never really thought of it that way before... but I guess that sums up how I feel too. Why do you think that only by looking back can we see how small and sheltered our lives were?" Shandra asked.

"I guess because at the time, we don't know any different. It's not until we leave, and experience new things, that we realise how different life can be. Lucas told me that once you leave home, you can never go back... I think I know, now, what he meant."

"Do you think you'll ever go back to West Harbor?"

"I don't know. Maybe, when all of this is over, when I'm no longer being hunted for the shard in my chest... maybe I will. But until then, it's too dangerous. It would make West Harbor too much of a target, and put my family and friends at risk. I won't do that to them, even if it means I never get to see them again."

"That's so sad," said Shandra sympathetically.

"And yet a very noble thing to do," added Casavir.

"I like the part where you won't put your family and friends in West Harbor in danger, yet you subject all of us to it on a daily basis," said Qara.

"Nobody asked you to be here, Qara," Kail replied. "You could be back at the Flagon, safely waiting tables for my Uncle."

"That's right. We're all along because we know when to fight," said Khelgar.

"And because a friend needs our help," added Neeshka.

"And because the King of Shadows represents a risk to everybody," said Elanee.

"And because it is a worthy cause," said Casavir.

"And we hope to get rich in the process," said Bishop.

"Not everybody is motivated by money, Bishop," said Casavir with a frown.

"Not primarily motivated by money," Neeshka smiled. "But it sure does help."

Kail let the argument erupt into a full scale war of words as she dropped back to walk beside Sand, who had been silent since they left Castle Never.

"I think you and I are long overdue a chat," she said. He nodded, as if expecting it. "I'd like to know more about what Torio said about you at the trial."

"There was a time I dwelled amongst the towers of Luskan, yes," he said, his eyes glazing over a little as he told his story. "For anyone interested in arcane knowledge, the masters of the towers have an impressive collection of artifacts. But... simply being in their employ is not enough And the things requested can make even the greatest of artifacts pale by comparison. And one day I simply could not continue to do what I did. The smallest refusal, and one is marked for death. So I came here, sought protection in Neverwinter. I moved my shop down here in the Docks in the hopes of avoiding notice."

"Were you in Neverwinter for the plague, and the war?"

"Sadly, yes. It was a terrible affair. I have never seen such anarchy and chaos in all my long years. People... 'civilised' people, may consider little back-water villages such as West Harbor to be uncultured, its people little more than semi-educated barbarians. But take away the noble man's creature comforts, force him to endure conditions beyond what he has experience before, threaten his livelihood and his life, and he becomes capable of the most reprehensible acts. In such times of trouble, small communities pull together. And big cities fall apart. So it was with Neverwinter. The city had to be almost completely burnt to the ground, before anything of worth could be salvaged."

"It sounds horrible. Did you... lose anybody close to you?"

"No. I had nobody close to me in or around Neverwinter at the time, unless you count Duncan. He would help smuggle supplies to me, and I would help ward his premises against those who wanted to do unscrupulous things both inside and to it."

"Do you have any family?"

"Quite the prying eye today, aren't we?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm just interested. You never really talk about yourself. Everybody knows me and my story... the shards, the King of Shadows, Duncan, the githyanki... I just want to know about the people I call my friends."

"My dear, I believe that we've barely even scratched the surface of knowing you. But in answer to your question, yes, I have family, though they live far from here. Parents and siblings, and too many cousins, nieces and nephews for my liking."

"No children?"

"Magic does not lend itself to spare time in which to practise dull rituals of affection... or for raising children," he said wryly.

"I guess not."

"Besides, I am hardly over the elven hill, as it were. I haven't had a single grey hair yet, so as far as I am concerned, there is still plenty of time for finding somebody to put up with for the rest of my life. But surely we have better things to be doing than discussing my love life, or lack of it?"

"You're right. I guess all this talk of home and family and stuff just got me thinking. To change the subject, then, how much do you know about Sydney Natale, and what do you think of her motives?"

"I know little about Miss Natale, other than what I observed at our meeting, and that is that she is a gluttonous, greasy fork-tongued Luskan and cannot be trusted in the slightest. During my time at the Hosttower, I paid little attention to the politics within... I was more interested in my advancement of the craft, and the artifacts available to my study. Unlike most there, I sought to advance my knowledge for knowledge's sake, and not to increase my own power or push my own political agenda. I basically kept my head down, did what I was asked when it was asked of me, and tried not to draw too much attention to myself."

"That's understandable. Do you believe what she said, about Black Garius not being affiliated with, or backed by, Luskan and the Hosttower?"

"I believe that the Hosttower mages back a horse, as long as it appears to be winning. They saw Garius and his war with Ruathym as an excuse to finally invade the island by making them seem the aggressors. Perhaps they thought that he would share his information from the Tome of Iltkazar... perhaps they thought that he was working in Luskan's favour. They thought that they could annex Ruathym, and by implicating you in a crime, make Neverwinter appear badly in the eyes of its neighbours. When it became apparent that Garius had ulterior motives and the backing of somebody potentially more powerful than them, they changed their bet to another horse, put as much distance between themselves and Garius and they could, and suddenly, what was a war between Ruathym and Luskan becomes a war between Ruathym and a rogue element whom they condemn. What was apparently a plot by Luskan to implicate one of Neverwinter's citizens in a mass murder, becomes a plot by a criminal to implicate the same."

"Thanks. You've confirmed what I suspected ever since meeting the new 'ambassador'. How much do you know about this book that Garius stole... this 'Tome of Iltkazar'?"

"Little, and most of that rumour and speculation. It allegedly contains information specific to the darker arts."

"You mean necromancy?"

"Yes and no. I've heard that it deals with creating life from non-living materials, and stealing the life source of other beings. I also heard that it deals with the Shadow Weave, as often as it does the Weave."

"What's the Shadow Weave?"

"Just as Mystra controls the Weave, the essence of magic on this plane, so does Shar control the Shadow Weave, the essence of dark magic. I must admit, I have limited my dealings, and research, on the Shadow Weave, not least because such knowledge is both dangerous and alluring. If you wish, I can attempt to procure certain books for your reading pleasure, and if you wish, I can resume my study of the Shadow Weave, if you believe it will help."

"Do you believe it will help?"

"No. The Shadow Weave is no lesser and no greater than the Weave. It is its equal, its opposite. You should be able to defeat Garius without resorting to such knowledge. Or if you're not able to defeat him, knowledge of the Shadow Weave and Shadow Magics would not have helped."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I have every confidence in you, my dear. I have as much confidence in you as I do in myself. I only wish I could say the same for all of your companions."

"Why? Who do you doubt?"

"Qara. Mark my words, she is dangerous. I have seen her kind many times before... naturals, sorcerers, who feel that just because they were born with power, that gives them the right to use it indiscriminately and without control. Such people strive for power, and are corrupted by it all too easily."

"What about... people who were born with power, but don't want to use it, and avoid using it?"

"You're referring to your latent Draconic abilities," he said confidently. She said nothing, keeping her eyes on the ground in front of her. She no longer feared her Draconic powers... now she had something much worse to fear; tainted blood of Bhaal. Not that she was going to tell Sand that. "I can understand you wanting to hide that information, but it was pretty hard to ignore when you practically incinerated Lorne during your Trial by Combat. And since I know that your bardic magic is not advanced enough, nor strong enough, to allow you to access any spell above the first level, I jumped to the logical conclusion. I also plied Khelgar with ale and questions to confirm my suspicions, but I doubt he even remembers that, so don't blame him too much. I suspect most people believe you had a hidden wand or scroll which you used at the last moment. I am more astute than that."

"And what do you think about it?"

"Dragon Disciples have been learning to embrace their inherent powers for hundreds of years. I think that we fear what we feel we cannot control, and that is why you fear to use your abilities. If you like, I can help you overcome your fear."

"How?"

"Books, mainly. Possibly it may help you to meditate with Elanee, to embrace your destiny or whatever, but I can at least provide you with reading material, first-hand accounts of other Disciples, and the trials they have endured to understand and control their abilities."

"But won't that make me just like Qara, attempting to use my own powers to suit my needs?"

"I believe that intent is three-quarters of action. Qara wishes to use her powers for power's sake. To increase her own power and force people into compliance. You, I think, are wiser than that. You fear your powers, and that is healthy. That fear is what will keep you wary, keep you alive. Just remember that a tamed wolf is still a wolf."

"That's almost the same as what the wizard who lived in my village, Tarmas, once told me," she said, smiling at the memory. That had been on the day of the duergar attack, just after Amie had died. We're all wolves, she thought. Underneath the veil of civility, it all comes down to feeding, killing and reproducing. We just tell ourselves that we're better than animals to make us feel better about ourselves.

"There it is, then. Wizards the realm over are wise beyond words."

"Thanks Sand. You've given me a lot to think about," she said. Then she jogged forward to the front of the group, leader of her own unique pack.