Forgotten Realms:
Angels and Demons
Part LVI
In a town not far away, a curiosity shop named Needful Things was being staffed by Halfling man. He was a shrewd businessman, known for driving a hard bargain. Which is how he managed to get a good price for the supposedly enchanted oil lamp. Haunted would be a better word, as a voice came from it, but it did nothing else. He had managed to buy it off the last owner for five gold. If he had seen any other useful traits, he'd have paid more.
He dusted the curiosity, wondering if anyone would ever come to purchase the item. It had seat on his shelf for the last five years. It seemed anyone interested in it, quickly lost interest. He figured it would sell eventually, he just had to find an angle. Though to be honest, he kind of liked it. Which is why he didn't spend a lot of time trying to sell it.
The Halfling went into the back, now that he was locked up, it was time for second supper. The lass down the way had fixed him, what smelled like an incredibly delicious stew, and he was eager to taste it. He knew she was a good cook, but just as shrewd as he was when it came to business. She was highly sought after for her ability as a seamstress. However, after tasting her cooking, he figured she could do well in the food industry as well.
While he left, a shining winged figure materialized quickly. The shining light the figure set off, nearly fully illuminated the whole shop. It was a miracle that the proprietor didn't notice it, but it was good for the occupant trapped for the last ten years. Left in the oil lamp, not knowing how long she had been imprisoned, but aware that time had passed.
The glowing figure touched the lamp and gas began to pour out of it. Materializing into a pale, white eyed woman, hardly dressed. She let out a whimper as she fell to the ground, her body unused to being in the physical plane. Her hair fell, as she hesitantly looked up, unsure if the evil wizard was bringing her out for more punishment. It could be worse, he could torture her some more, by using his magic to show her powerlessness. He hadn't gotten the point of forcing himself on her yet, but it was only a matter of time.
"Do your worst," the Changeling growled, not wanting him to see the fear in her heart.
Instead of the wizard's voice, she heard a gently, compassionate, but powerful one, "My apologies for not coming sooner, but I was not aware of your predicament."
Relief flooded her, thinking she knew who it was, "Great Traveler! I am your servant."
The voice though shut down that thought, "While I do travel, I am not your Traveler. For now, I'm going to take you to a safe place. There you will be healed, your potential released."
Before the Changeling could argue, warm, comforting light enveloped her and she found herself drifting off into sleep. Safety, security and a sense of wellbeing took over. She rested for the first time since being drug to this realm, and soundly. A peace had settled over, and her battered body set to repairing itself.
When she awoke a beautiful Elf was there, smiling gently at her. She felt the weight of a heavy comforter laid over her, and she was amazed at what she didn't feel. Gone were her aches and pains, the pulsing sensations of the cruel wizard's ministrations. She felt fully recuperated, with not an ounce of exhaustion upon her. Not just that, but there was something inside that changed. A mercurial feeling of great untapped power, and one easily fatigued.
"Hello there! I am Loralei," the Elf introduced herself. "You are the honored guest of Sun Warrior Kirann Lichtus."
"Is that who brought me here?" the Changeling asked.
Loralei shrugged, "A celestial being brought you here to us. He advised to get you healed up and outfitted. Apparently, you have traveled a long way."
"I thank you, but I think I must be leaving," the Changeling said, and threw off the blankets, which is when she noticed her pale white skin. "What happened to me?!"
Loralei held up her hands to calm the other woman down, "Easy, easy. When you were delivered, you changed from a Human woman to this form. We were told you were what is called a Changeling."
"This does not cause you concern?" the Changeling asked, shocked.
The Elf went over to where a small pile of clothing was neatly laid out, "Not really. I was told you could take the form of anyone you have seen. Our librarian says you came from a plane called, Eberron. He also related that your people make great spies and assassins. If I may make a suggestion, don't go to the library. He doesn't easily take to new people.
However, Kirann is notorious for looking past a person's circumstance and seeing them for who they are. I mean he runs with Drow and Tieflings for goodness sake! I don't think you'd warrant a raised brow from him."
"He sounds too good to be true," the Changeling took the clothing, not wanting to remain naked under the sheets. Finding a dressing partition, she put on the clothing, noticing they all fit perfectly.
Loralei smiled, "Some would say he is, but I'm proud to serve him. Now, we need to get you outfitted. The Celestial Being said you had an important job to do, a message to relay."
"And if I refuse?" she asked.
The Elf looked confused, "You are free to go. Each being is able to choose their own destiny. If you choose to help us out, it will be because you want to. Anyway, I'll have Jeeves take you down to the armory. At least take a dagger, I hear the roads are still a little wild."
"Just like that?" the Changeling asked.
Loralei nodded, "I know you experienced some of the cruelest parts of this world. That is over for you. What we are asking you to do, is to bring relief to those who fight to make it better."
"You really believe this," the other woman sounded surprised.
The Elf just gave her a bigger smile, "If only you could have met the master of this manor. Then you would believe easier. When you meet him, don't let his directness or seemingly short speech fool you. He cares about everyone, and sometimes sees things in others, that they can't see in themselves."
"Alright, let's say I agree, what are the details?" The Changeling couldn't believe she was about to agree to this.
Loralei beckoned for her to follow, "I'll explain on the way to the armor. By the way, I never caught your name."
"Aribeth, my name is Aribeth Strider," the Changeling introduced herself.
The Challengers were on their way to the Sun's Edge Monastery in their cart, pulled by young horses. The original horses had been put out to pasture long ago, and were enjoying their retirement. These horses were gifts, though the monk treated them as more. He appreciated what they did for him, but never thought of them as property.
As they neared the monastery, a very well known druid appeared out of the lush greenery. Lorinda gave her friends a friendly wave, before moving to intercept them. Kirann halted the horses, bringing the cart to a slow stop. Behind Lorinda were six druids, acting as an honor guard for her.
"Greetings, Kirann and Raven," Lorinda smiled. "Ah, and you have Leilani with you. What brings you out this way? Not that I complain about seeing you all again."
Kirann gave her a sad smile, "Unfortunately, it is business. It is time."
Lorinda deflated, horrors racing behind her eyes as she looked back. She hadn't been there when they had faced the demons years ago, and it had haunted her since. She had listened to the stories being told, and had wanted nothing more than to be with her friends. Now, it was about to begin again. This time she would be there to fight alongside them.
"You will have my aid," she said with determination. To the honor guard, "Go to the enclave and ask for any volunteers to join us. Sun Warrior Kirann, friend to us all, requires help against a threat most grave. Go now!"
"You've developed quite the dramatic flair," Kirann teased her.
Lorinda cut him a look, "It was your counsel that made me take the Arch Druid role."
"You seem to have grown into that role," Raven remarked.
The Elf druid laughed, "If I had known how much it was just putting out fires, dealing with personalities and less about guiding people, I would have declined."
By midafternoon they had picked up a dozen druids, and were heading back towards the monastery. News must have traveled, because the inhabitants at the monastery met them with an honor guard. They were escorted to where an older, but barely noticeable Grandmaster Ming-Wa Fa met them. She moved a little slower, but for a monk like her, it was still faster than even warriors in their prime.
"Found you have, the ones behind the original attackers," Grandmaster Ming-Wa said. "Told you help we would. Where are they?"
"We go to fight demons and devils," he said.
The grandmaster took it all in, "Aid they gave to the wizard, Manheim, just as responsible are they. Alone, you will not face this."
That night, the druids and the Challengers spent the night feasting and preparing. The next morning they headed out, with almost the full complement of fighting monks. Teachers and lower level students stayed behind to carry on the legacy of Sun Soul to the next generation. A good portion, however, marched with the Challengers.
They marched towards Tyranfal, with the intention of heading through Wyvern's Fall and ending in Altamar. From there they would head to the site of the battle, where the demons had been held back a decade ago.
They found their reception in Tyranfal warm, but no further aid. Lady Byron argued their case, but the other two lords weren't willing to budge. They were not willing to send any of their soldiers off to fight demons so far from home. Kirann had hoped for more, but he could understand their need to protect their own people.
Lady Byron asked the Challengers their forgiveness, to which Raven told her there was nothing to forgive. She had championed their cause, and that was all they could ask of her. In the pit of her stomach, she felt dread rise up. The next stop didn't help that one bit, as the people of Wyvern's Rest had a similar response to their request. Two down, but no further forces added to the druids and the monks.
In Altamar, the druids and monks camped outside the city walls, while the Challengers entered. Instead of heading to the castle first, Kirann led them to the docks. He was hoping that Val had returned from her odyssey. Much to his pleasure, he saw her on the deck of her ship, surrounded by her crew.
Val saw him and immediately ran over, grabbing him in a warm embrace. She then did the same with Raven, Leilani and Lorinda. Her armor and cloak had remained the same, but she had added a captain's hat to her ensemble. She was still the same old Val, and soon they were catching up on everything in the intervening years.
"So, it is time then?" Val asked. "You have my blade, always will. Let me see if any of these pirates want to come along. I've told them all about you!"
As if to accentuate this, one of the sailors came over, "You must be the legendary Kirann Lichtus, Sun Warrior, that we keep hearing about. To be honest we weren't sure if you were even real, even if the captain declares it so."
"He has that effect on people," Leilani said.
As she did the sailor instinctively went for his cutlass, but then stopped himself, "Sorry 'bout that miss. Back home we deal with Drow, and they aren't as pleasant as you."
"No harm," Leilani smirked. "I would hate to flambe a friend of Val's, she usually has good taste."
"Touché," the sailor laughed. "I'm Smitty, and captain, the boys will be joinin' you on this. Though we do ask you make this quick. Unmoving ground is so unnatural."
In Altamar, the Challengers actually got some help. Lord Wallace had severe arguments with his advisors, but in the end they relented. Many of them knew of the Challenger's exploits, but they say time dulls the collective memory. Most of the older people were divided between agreeing to his request, and outright saying it was none of their business. Of the newer advisors, some grew up idolizing the Challengers. However, hero worship was replaced with practical concerns. They could not see giving up any number of forces, for what was amounting to a potential suicide mission.
Lord Wallace went to his family, and made the hardest decision of his life. Talking with his wife, he advised her he was following the Challengers. He also told his counselors that during his absence, his daughter would be taking over. He also asked his wife to help her rule, to give her guidance and watch for what she could not see. His daughter was ready, even if she didn't know it yet.
He then went and spent some time with his son. He was the next in line after his sister, but he was also a very spiritual young man. It was very possible that one day he'd take up the vestments of faith. Lord Wallace couldn't be happier at how his children had turned out, or their how their interests evolved.
The next day he met up with Bruce, his court wizard, who was also packing up. At first Lord Wallace grumbled about Altamar needing him. Yet, Bruce advised of two things. Someone had to be there to pull him out of the fire, if something went wrong, and the Challengers would need all the help they could get. Together they went off to the gathered forces, all volunteers, about a third of Altamar's forces.
Raven had their gathered forces march on, while they left for their next destination. So, the Challengers watched their small army head off, while they took a smaller road. It was rougher, but still maintained. Soon the road's ride began to become smoother and they could tell the roadway had greater care taken with it.
Eventually they came to Fort Wildmont, where Walton was its commander. Not just reinforced, the fort was practically rebuilt from the ground up. Wooden palisades had been recovered, repaired and at times replaced. Massive logs made up the beams of the fort wall, along with a mound of dirt built up around the wall. The built up mound was preceded by a massive trench, winding around the fort like an oval ring. Guard houses were systematic along the wall, with two around the main gated entrance.
"Hold! Who goes there?!" one of the guards called out.
"I am Sun Warrior Kirann Lichtus, and we are the Challengers," Kirann answered. "We seek word with Commander Walton."
Moments later they were ushered into the main keep of the fort. There a weathered Walton looked over a map, along with many missives piled up on the desk nearby. Upon seeing the other Challengers, Walton came over, seeming to lose years as he did so. He clasped Kirann on the arm.
"It has been many years, my friend," Walton smiled. "What brings you out this way?"
"The demons are set to return," Raven answered. "We have come looking for allies."
All the aging that had reversed in Walton reversed, and he seemed to age another ten years in front of them. Yet, his stance didn't change. He looked over to where his wife would normally be and thought of their children together. The paladin of Tyr knew two things, he didn't want to go and he had to. Justice demanded that Evil be stopped when it tried to gain a foothold, no matter what.
"I'll make preparations," Walton said. "I can leave in the morning. We'll take a majority of my forces here. Our numbers here are small, but we are mighty. I would wager them worth three warriors from any army."
Kirann bowed, "I would be honored to fight beside them, then. I promise, I'll do everything to bring you back home."
"I know you will, old friend," Walton said. "You are a good man."
