Forgotten Realms:

Angels and Demons

Part XVIII

The next day dawned with the silent arrival of the rising sun. The people of Altamar woke to the usual sounds that dotted their daily lives. Bells rang on ships docked, raising their resting crews. Criers went door to door, waking inhabitants and signaling the start to a workday. Then came the sounds of work begin, some with song, others with curses. From the castle trumpets proclaimed the coming day, like an angelic herald.

Lord Wallace's people roused him where he had fallen asleep, at his war table. Soon he changed into fresh clothing and called for the Challengers. He had a job for them, one that his city guard couldn't do. They had come through for Altamar and though they probably deserved a rest, his city needed them once more.

While he waited for them to arrive, he turned to his steward, "Are there any callers that can be seen while we wait for our heroes?"

"Well, milord, there were several petitioners from around the city, but it seems they all have removed their petitions," the steward said, her voice full of disbelief. "However, the guard has a slew of new prisoners to be judged."

Lord Wallace laughed, "This begs more than a passing note. What are the specifics?"

The steward poured the notes, "According to the night watch guard lieutenant, several prisoners were brought in during the night. Three cutpurses were brought in, which matched the descriptions left by seven mugging victims. A body was recovered from an attempted assassination of a local moneylender. Our guards are investigating, but it appears the body has ties to organized crime."

"You don't say, the moneylender?" Lord Wallace asked.

"As far as the guard can ascertain, he was a good lender. He never loaned money out that intentionally kept people from paying back," the steward read off some quick notes. "Then we have some drunken sailors and tavern patrons, all cooling their heels in the cells below. Night watch says they had reports of a brawl, but all the participants were stopped by an unknown fighter.

Odd, it seems the reports for each of those has an unknown fighter. This fighter is supposed to be fierce as a dragon, and spit fire from his hands. That sounds familiar."

"It does, doesn't it. Well, make sure the magistrate takes care of the more violent offenders. Release the brawlers, no need to take up valuable court time for such stupidity."

"Will do," the steward took some notes. "He does realize you gave him the night off, right?"

Lord Wallace chuckled to himself, "I don't think that one takes days off. Then again, that might be how he relaxes. Monks are an odd bunch."

The Challengers found Kirann exercising in the town's center. A fountain sent water through the air behind him, and bits of water vapor infused the air. Behind the monk, were giggling children, all mimicking his movements. Every so often he'd look over at them, and they'd all squeal and hide. Kirann would then turn and pretend not to see them scurry back out.

"Look at the wee ones," Boris said. "Our monk friend has such a following."

Manheim chimed in, "Figures he'd be playing with children, he's got the intelligence of one."

"One more word from you, and I'll turn you into a frog," Lorinda said, holding her head in pain.

Boris laughed, "Little lady can't hold her liquor. I've seen that look before."

"Silence, Dwarf!" Lorinda's look would have shot the Dwarf with daggers. "Everything is entirely too loud."

Boris bust out in an even bigger gut busting chuckle, which made Val groan in sympathy pain. However, Kirann stopped his exercises. He waved to the children, before heading to his friends. The excited cries of the young ones brought joy to him, but it looked like one friend was in pain.

Putting a hand on the Elf druid, he let a little of his celestial ancestry. She felt a warmth go through her, and soon the headache completely disappeared. Instead of the usual weariness that followed a headache lifting, it felt as if she had never suffered from a hangover. He turned and went back to the fountain, finishing his morning exercises.

"Kirann, Lord Wallace has summoned us to the castle," Lorinda said. "Thank you by the way."

"Anytime," he said with simple wave. "Let's get going."

They found Leilani sitting outside the Temple of Mielikki. A contented look was upon her face, though none could see it for her pulled hood. She heard the coming of the others, and quickly collected herself. She met them, but still taken back as Kirann gave her a friendly pat to her shoulder. He explained the summons, and before she knew it, she was following them.

Luckily, she got a slight reprieve as a hurried merchant excitedly came up and literally fell over himself. He begged and pleaded for Kirann to follow him, almost fawning over him. To the monk's credit, he looked supremely embarrassed, and was trying to soothe the man. Finding it impossible to send the man away, he agreed to follow. The rest of the Challengers were very curious by this, so they chose to follow.

The jubilant man led them through a maze of side streets, avenues and alleyways till they stood in front of a modest shop. The large glazed glass windows held many treasures, collected from all across Faerun. Masks were fitted about on shelves, cloaks were held by hooks, with tiny knickknacks scattered amongst a diverse array of tables and cabinets.

He led them in, where a comely woman lit up with an inner brightness. She rushed over and managed a feat no enemy had ever done, she tackled the monk in an unbreakable hug. Slowly he managed to untangle himself, gingerly, respectively. Both man and woman spoke a million words a minute, to the effect everyone except for Kirann was confused. Thankfully the exuberant energy started to wane to more manageable levels.

"You are the hero my husband told me about last night," the woman said. "You saved his life from an evil man."

The monk tried to explain, "I was at the right place, the right time. No more, no less."

Only to fail, as the man interjected, "I told you he was so humble! Like an angel of vengeance, he swooped down as that knave had his knife at my throat. I remember being terrified, thinking I'd never see my beloved again. I prayed, prayed so hard to any god that was listening."

"Oh, how they listened!" The woman continued. "My poor Marty was delivered. This man, he tells me, comes out of the night on fire. The assassin turned and was instantly burnt to a crisp!"

"That's a little exaggerated," Kirann tried to correct the story, but it was for not.

Raven nudged Val, "That sounds like him. Smiting evil doers with the touch of his pinky!"

"I know, why I think I recall him wrestling a Balor to the ground. Then complained he failed to do it fast enough, because he had a cold!" Val unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.

"Ye durned humans, why didn't ye come get me for some skull bashin'?" Boris was annoyed.

"Oh my, I didn't realize," the man said, starting to fall to his knee. "My lord, I apologize for not recognizing.."

"Hold!" Kirann had to stop this now. "I am no deity, just a man. I'm grateful I could help you, but I need no exaggerations."

For the next hour, the couple entertained the Challengers. By then the guards were looking for them, but they couldn't pull themselves away from the couple. For the others, it was a rare even to see Kirann so uncomfortable. He liked helping, but found the extended limelight a little too bright. Considering what he was, the others found that a bit humorous.

Eventually he did escape, but not before the couple wrangled two things out of him. One was a promise to return, for a hearty dinner. The other was to choose a reward from the gathered artifacts in the wife's shop. The monk searched around, taking his time, eventually finding one item that he knew would be of use. Picking up the mask, he thanked the couple again, and made an expeditious flight. Behind him were his amused party, including a curious Drow.

Leilani caught up with him, passing by Raven and Val, who were kindly ribbing the monk. He held the mask, his reward in one hand, looking at it while navigating the city. The item precious because of the people who had given it to him, but also because it would help one of those with him.

"Here, think about what you want to look like," Kirann placed the mask inter Leilani's hands. "The inscription says it'll take that shape."

Leilani tried to hand the item back to him, "I can't accept this, it is your reward."

"For you, it'll help more," he explained. "My reward to your gift. The gift to walk without the need of a hood. I call it a good trade."

Leilani looked like she was going to refuse, but Val interrupted her, "Our leader isn't going to take 'no' for answer. Probably the only reason he didn't vanish into thin air to begin with."

The Drow looked between them, her hood shifting just slightly. Taking in a deep breath, she let out a long sigh. Bringing up the mask, she put it to her face and tied the string. Beneath her hood, the ebon skin of a Drow vanished, and the tan skin of a Wood Elf appeared. Purple irises became green, and silver white hair became brown with lighter highlights.

Then Leilani took the biggest risk of all and moved her hood back. Waiting on baited breath, were her new allies. The cheer they gave her almost sent her hood back up, but she endured. To them she was a beautiful Elf, and only one knew of her true heritage as a Dark Elf. He though slyly gave her a nod, before moving the group forward.

Captain Reynold met them, and gave the group a rather stern look. They had kept Lord Wallace waiting, which was bad form. However, you wouldn't have thought that from the way the leader of Altamar greeted them. Warmly he led the group to his map room, where all the maps laid out with markers of Orc bands. All thanks to the intelligence retrieved by these heroes.

"My friends, Altamar is in need of you again," Lord Wallace told them all. "Thanks to you, we know of the coming battle. The why, when and who is behind it though are not known. I must give you the more dire of quests. Infiltrate the Orcish lines, find out what they are after and then return that back to us."

"That's a suicide mission!" Manheim complained. "Which army is going to follow us in?"

"It'll be just us," Kirann correctly guessed. "A small group can get in and out, without calling attention."

"He's right," Captain Reynolds agreed. "While you are out there, we'll be bringing together a grand coalition. The Orcs won't know what hit them."

"Not to be a wet blanket," Manheim growled again, "but why do you need us to go out then? Sounds like you have sound plan."

"Because we don't know enough," Raven said. "We may think there are only a thousand Orcs, only to be met with fifty thousand. They could be coming for a hidden artifact, and in our haste to defend the city, let it fall it into their hands."

"In other words, we could win the battle only to lose the war," Val said somberly.

Kirann looked at his group, then turned to the Lord of Altamar, "We'll do it."