1
A Long Way From Home
Kaetlynn Icefury stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall of the alley. She watched as two street bums fought with each other, wrestling upon the ground. She had a small smirk on her face, finding the spectacle quite amusing. She noticed a few men from the other side of the alley looking at her, almost loathing looks in their eyes.
Kaetlynn was quite young, a fair twenty-five years of age. She was very tall and nimble, a fast runner. Long locks of auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders like water. Dark, alert eyes twinkled out at those who watched. At her hip there sat a scimitar, a deadly curved blade which she was quite adept at using. Many had seen their last moments looking at that twirling blade.
She was standing still when a small man, about half her height, came to her from the dark ends of the alley. He waited for Kaetlynn's attention.
"Gerundi wishes to speak with you," he said in a hoarse whisper. Kaetlynn's brow furrowed and she nodded. Silent as a whisper, she headed down the alley to the wizard's tower. Gerundi was a very powerful wizard; he practically ruled the streets of Demara. He had connections with Kaetlynn, she knew him quite well. However, she rather disliked the wizard; she was never fond of any magic-user. But know she had to wonder why he was calling for her. Perhaps it was to ask her to watch his things for his up-coming pilgrimage to Luskan, a huge trade city outside of Icewind Dale.
As she entered the tall tower, the first thing she saw was the little halfling servant, cleaning a shelf of old books and tomes. He looked up as Kaetlynn approached.
"Where is Gerundi?" she asked.
"In his study, as normal," the halfling replied offhandedly, returning to his cleaning. Kaetlynn did not reply as she started up the spiral staircase. The first floor was rather nondescript, with really nothing appeasing to the eye. Just plain, gray stone and bookshelves everywhere. But as she went up the stairs, it seemed as though someone had splashed a bucket of paint of the building; it suddenly became full of color and vibrancy.
"This guy's wacked," Kaetlynn said to herself, quietly. She hit the second story finally, and entered the door which she knew led to Gerundi's study.
As she entered, the old mage looked up. Kaetlynn did not offer any greeting, just looked at the man. He was once of average height, but old age had stooped him low; he now walked with a cane. His hands, gnarled and withered, rested upon the knobby cane. His gray hair, what was left of it, was pulled back tightly so as to stay out of his work. Small wire-framed glasses rested on his nose.
"Greetings, Kaetlynn." The old man said in a hoarse voice. She only nodded in reply. Gerundi cackled. "Always one of many words, you are." He said with a smile, revealing several missing teeth. He cleared his throat and readjusted his glasses.
"What is it?" Kaetlynn asked. "You are leaving soon for Luskan, aren't you?"
"Ah, yes." Gerundi said. "In a few days, actually." He added. Kaetlynn nodded.
"What did you call me for?" Kaetlynn asked. The old man before her shrugged. She noticed him fingering a wand on the table next to him, one of two. She nodded to them.
"What are those for?" she asked. Gerundi licked his chapped lips.
"You know, Kaetlynn, I always thought you a little too smart for the average bum around here." Gerundi said. Kaetlynn raised an eyebrow.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked. Gerundi picked up the wand and looked at it.
"Many people..have told me that you seem to run the streets now. They don't want that to happen," he said. Kaetlynn's hand came to rest on the curved scimitar hilt.
"I'll back off," she whispered.
"I'm sorry. I can't let that happen." Gerundi replied. He looked up at her. "I have to kill you." he said. Kaetlynn stood in shock for a moment, not moving. Gerundi raised the wand and spoke a word.
"No!" Kaetlynn screamed, but her scream was drowned out by the flash of blinding light. She fell back and felt herself literally being torn from the room.
Gerundi looked down when the light had passed. He bit his lip. There should have been some explosion, a fireball should have erupted in the room. He looked at the wand. With a pang of alarm, he turned to the desk and looked at the other wand that lay there, alone.
The old mage dropped the wand of teleportation and realized he had made a fatal error.
www
As quickly as the feeling had come, it was gone. Kaetlynn was hurled against something cold and hard, and she lost her footing and fell onto her back.
"Bloody crazy wizard," she mumbled to herself. She sat up to find out where she was. The only thing she could tell was that she was on the middle of some plain, made of icy tundra. The other thing she noticed was that it was dreadfully cold. The wind whipped wildly around her, and she pulled her cloak tight.
Judging by her surroundings, Kaetlynn could tell she was some where north.very far north. Perhaps even Icewind Dale. She stood slowly, and started walking in the direction she proposed was east, the way back to Damara. As she was, however, the ground shook with sudden undulations and a roar sounded behind her. Horrified, the young woman turned and saw something that made her scream.
It was a ten-foot tall monster with shaggy white fur and huge teeth. She had enough experience to tell that this was a tundra yeti, one of the most fear monsters of the north. She drew her scimitar with haste. The yeti swung a huge paw at her, which, had she not ducked would have taken her head off. Kaetlynn dove onto the snow, and thrust upward with the blade. The monster roared in anger and several drops of blood splattered onto the snow near the young woman. The next thing she knew, there was a heavy tug on her blade and the monster fell onto the ground with a heavy thump. Kaetlynn looked up. The monster was lying on the ground, dead as stone. Kaetlynn struggled to regain normal breathing as she sheathed the scimitar.
She was walking away when she heard the pounding of hooves on the snow. She slowed to a stop and half-turned, looking back at the horse and rider that approached. Kaetlynn's brow frurrowed.
"Incredible!" the man atop the horse shouted at her. She stared up at him for a moment. He was tall and slim, of medium build. His sparkling blue eyes looked down at her. He was wearing a dark tunic and breeches, a heavy cloak about his shoulders. He could be no older than he.
"What?" Kaetlynn asked. The man pointed to the yeti.
"That! I've never seen anything get away from one of those things unscathed, and so fast!" he said. Kaetlynn glanced at the yeti and shrugged. "You're good, lass. " he paused. "Me name's Laero. And yours would be?" he asked.
"Kaetlynn." She said slowly. Laero smiled.
"Pretty name. But one thing that got me pondering, how'd ya get out here so fast? There isn't a town for miles, and I just passed by here minutes ago. I woulda seen ya." Laero said. Kaetlynn blinked.
"I seem to be the victim of a teleportation spell," she said. Laero made a snorting noise.
"Damn bloody wizards. Never could find me a use for 'em. Where do ya come from, Kaetlynn?" he asked.
"Demara," she replied. Laero's eyebrows rose.
"Well, if you aren't far from home. Whoever sent you here surely couldn't like you." he said.
"He was trying to kill me." Kaetlynn replied dryly. Laero put a finger to his chin.
"Made a mistake, I'd say." He said. Kaetlynn nodded slowly. She looked around at the windy tundra around her.
"Where are we?" she asked, looking back to Laero. He took his hat off and shook it, replacing it back on his head.
"Well, we be in Icewind Dale, but the nearest town is Luskan." He said. Kaetlynn's eyebrows rose in amusement.
"Luskan? Well, this could turn out better than I thought." she said quietly. Laero didn't respond. "How far is it?" she asked.
"Not far," Laero replied. "But you'll never make it before nightfall. If ya don't freeze to death, the yeti's will get ya." He added. Kaetlynn bit her lip. "But I'll lend you a hand, being as you're new here. Hop on, I'll give you a ride." He patted the horse's rump. Kaetlynn jumped up, and the startled horse bolted off. Kaetlynn had to hold onto Laero to keep from falling off.
www
By the time they arrived in Luskan, the night had fallen. Laero dropped Kaetlynn off in front of an inn. Kaetlynn thanked him for his kindness.
"No problem, lass. If you need anything, I'll be here in the morning." Laero said. He rode off toward the stables. Kaetlynn turned and went into the inn. She spent a lot of time in inns back at home, and this one was nothing different. It seemed that half of it was actually a tavern, with a large tavern on the first floor. Looking up, Kaetlynn could see the rooms of the inn on the second floor. It was almost full tonight, with many patrons sitting around tables and laughing merrily into their mugs of ale. Immediately Kaetlynn headed to where the innkeeper sat to buy a room.
After buying one and heading upstairs, Kaetlynn went back downstairs to the tavern to get something to eat, and possibly find more information about the town. Looking around, she saw Laero sitting alone at a table. He saw her as well and invited her over. She waded through the throng of people on the barroom floor to join Laero. She thought he might know something about Gerundi's trip; he went to Luskan every year.
"I have to ask you something," Kaetlynn asked. Laero nodded for her to continue. She asked him if he knew anyone named Gerundi. Laero thought about it for a moment, mulling it over in his mead.
"Name rings a bell." He said. "Yes, I believe I do. He's a mage, comes here every year. He's even got a house here. Quite well known." He explained. Kaetlynn smiled.
"Perfect," she said. Laero raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" he asked. Kaetlynn explained the whole situation with Gerundi and the spell, and how she knew of his trip to Luskan. Laero nodded when she had finished.
"Ah. So I'm betting you'll be wanting to go to his house," he said. Kaetlynn smiled slyly.
"I might just give him a surprise when he arrives." She said. "Show him right for trying to kill me." she added. Laero smiled.
"I'll take you to it tomorrow." He said. Kaetlynn nodded slowly.
"Good man," she muttered, and tapped him on the shoulder as she got up and headed upstairs.
A Long Way From Home
Kaetlynn Icefury stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall of the alley. She watched as two street bums fought with each other, wrestling upon the ground. She had a small smirk on her face, finding the spectacle quite amusing. She noticed a few men from the other side of the alley looking at her, almost loathing looks in their eyes.
Kaetlynn was quite young, a fair twenty-five years of age. She was very tall and nimble, a fast runner. Long locks of auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders like water. Dark, alert eyes twinkled out at those who watched. At her hip there sat a scimitar, a deadly curved blade which she was quite adept at using. Many had seen their last moments looking at that twirling blade.
She was standing still when a small man, about half her height, came to her from the dark ends of the alley. He waited for Kaetlynn's attention.
"Gerundi wishes to speak with you," he said in a hoarse whisper. Kaetlynn's brow furrowed and she nodded. Silent as a whisper, she headed down the alley to the wizard's tower. Gerundi was a very powerful wizard; he practically ruled the streets of Demara. He had connections with Kaetlynn, she knew him quite well. However, she rather disliked the wizard; she was never fond of any magic-user. But know she had to wonder why he was calling for her. Perhaps it was to ask her to watch his things for his up-coming pilgrimage to Luskan, a huge trade city outside of Icewind Dale.
As she entered the tall tower, the first thing she saw was the little halfling servant, cleaning a shelf of old books and tomes. He looked up as Kaetlynn approached.
"Where is Gerundi?" she asked.
"In his study, as normal," the halfling replied offhandedly, returning to his cleaning. Kaetlynn did not reply as she started up the spiral staircase. The first floor was rather nondescript, with really nothing appeasing to the eye. Just plain, gray stone and bookshelves everywhere. But as she went up the stairs, it seemed as though someone had splashed a bucket of paint of the building; it suddenly became full of color and vibrancy.
"This guy's wacked," Kaetlynn said to herself, quietly. She hit the second story finally, and entered the door which she knew led to Gerundi's study.
As she entered, the old mage looked up. Kaetlynn did not offer any greeting, just looked at the man. He was once of average height, but old age had stooped him low; he now walked with a cane. His hands, gnarled and withered, rested upon the knobby cane. His gray hair, what was left of it, was pulled back tightly so as to stay out of his work. Small wire-framed glasses rested on his nose.
"Greetings, Kaetlynn." The old man said in a hoarse voice. She only nodded in reply. Gerundi cackled. "Always one of many words, you are." He said with a smile, revealing several missing teeth. He cleared his throat and readjusted his glasses.
"What is it?" Kaetlynn asked. "You are leaving soon for Luskan, aren't you?"
"Ah, yes." Gerundi said. "In a few days, actually." He added. Kaetlynn nodded.
"What did you call me for?" Kaetlynn asked. The old man before her shrugged. She noticed him fingering a wand on the table next to him, one of two. She nodded to them.
"What are those for?" she asked. Gerundi licked his chapped lips.
"You know, Kaetlynn, I always thought you a little too smart for the average bum around here." Gerundi said. Kaetlynn raised an eyebrow.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked. Gerundi picked up the wand and looked at it.
"Many people..have told me that you seem to run the streets now. They don't want that to happen," he said. Kaetlynn's hand came to rest on the curved scimitar hilt.
"I'll back off," she whispered.
"I'm sorry. I can't let that happen." Gerundi replied. He looked up at her. "I have to kill you." he said. Kaetlynn stood in shock for a moment, not moving. Gerundi raised the wand and spoke a word.
"No!" Kaetlynn screamed, but her scream was drowned out by the flash of blinding light. She fell back and felt herself literally being torn from the room.
Gerundi looked down when the light had passed. He bit his lip. There should have been some explosion, a fireball should have erupted in the room. He looked at the wand. With a pang of alarm, he turned to the desk and looked at the other wand that lay there, alone.
The old mage dropped the wand of teleportation and realized he had made a fatal error.
www
As quickly as the feeling had come, it was gone. Kaetlynn was hurled against something cold and hard, and she lost her footing and fell onto her back.
"Bloody crazy wizard," she mumbled to herself. She sat up to find out where she was. The only thing she could tell was that she was on the middle of some plain, made of icy tundra. The other thing she noticed was that it was dreadfully cold. The wind whipped wildly around her, and she pulled her cloak tight.
Judging by her surroundings, Kaetlynn could tell she was some where north.very far north. Perhaps even Icewind Dale. She stood slowly, and started walking in the direction she proposed was east, the way back to Damara. As she was, however, the ground shook with sudden undulations and a roar sounded behind her. Horrified, the young woman turned and saw something that made her scream.
It was a ten-foot tall monster with shaggy white fur and huge teeth. She had enough experience to tell that this was a tundra yeti, one of the most fear monsters of the north. She drew her scimitar with haste. The yeti swung a huge paw at her, which, had she not ducked would have taken her head off. Kaetlynn dove onto the snow, and thrust upward with the blade. The monster roared in anger and several drops of blood splattered onto the snow near the young woman. The next thing she knew, there was a heavy tug on her blade and the monster fell onto the ground with a heavy thump. Kaetlynn looked up. The monster was lying on the ground, dead as stone. Kaetlynn struggled to regain normal breathing as she sheathed the scimitar.
She was walking away when she heard the pounding of hooves on the snow. She slowed to a stop and half-turned, looking back at the horse and rider that approached. Kaetlynn's brow frurrowed.
"Incredible!" the man atop the horse shouted at her. She stared up at him for a moment. He was tall and slim, of medium build. His sparkling blue eyes looked down at her. He was wearing a dark tunic and breeches, a heavy cloak about his shoulders. He could be no older than he.
"What?" Kaetlynn asked. The man pointed to the yeti.
"That! I've never seen anything get away from one of those things unscathed, and so fast!" he said. Kaetlynn glanced at the yeti and shrugged. "You're good, lass. " he paused. "Me name's Laero. And yours would be?" he asked.
"Kaetlynn." She said slowly. Laero smiled.
"Pretty name. But one thing that got me pondering, how'd ya get out here so fast? There isn't a town for miles, and I just passed by here minutes ago. I woulda seen ya." Laero said. Kaetlynn blinked.
"I seem to be the victim of a teleportation spell," she said. Laero made a snorting noise.
"Damn bloody wizards. Never could find me a use for 'em. Where do ya come from, Kaetlynn?" he asked.
"Demara," she replied. Laero's eyebrows rose.
"Well, if you aren't far from home. Whoever sent you here surely couldn't like you." he said.
"He was trying to kill me." Kaetlynn replied dryly. Laero put a finger to his chin.
"Made a mistake, I'd say." He said. Kaetlynn nodded slowly. She looked around at the windy tundra around her.
"Where are we?" she asked, looking back to Laero. He took his hat off and shook it, replacing it back on his head.
"Well, we be in Icewind Dale, but the nearest town is Luskan." He said. Kaetlynn's eyebrows rose in amusement.
"Luskan? Well, this could turn out better than I thought." she said quietly. Laero didn't respond. "How far is it?" she asked.
"Not far," Laero replied. "But you'll never make it before nightfall. If ya don't freeze to death, the yeti's will get ya." He added. Kaetlynn bit her lip. "But I'll lend you a hand, being as you're new here. Hop on, I'll give you a ride." He patted the horse's rump. Kaetlynn jumped up, and the startled horse bolted off. Kaetlynn had to hold onto Laero to keep from falling off.
www
By the time they arrived in Luskan, the night had fallen. Laero dropped Kaetlynn off in front of an inn. Kaetlynn thanked him for his kindness.
"No problem, lass. If you need anything, I'll be here in the morning." Laero said. He rode off toward the stables. Kaetlynn turned and went into the inn. She spent a lot of time in inns back at home, and this one was nothing different. It seemed that half of it was actually a tavern, with a large tavern on the first floor. Looking up, Kaetlynn could see the rooms of the inn on the second floor. It was almost full tonight, with many patrons sitting around tables and laughing merrily into their mugs of ale. Immediately Kaetlynn headed to where the innkeeper sat to buy a room.
After buying one and heading upstairs, Kaetlynn went back downstairs to the tavern to get something to eat, and possibly find more information about the town. Looking around, she saw Laero sitting alone at a table. He saw her as well and invited her over. She waded through the throng of people on the barroom floor to join Laero. She thought he might know something about Gerundi's trip; he went to Luskan every year.
"I have to ask you something," Kaetlynn asked. Laero nodded for her to continue. She asked him if he knew anyone named Gerundi. Laero thought about it for a moment, mulling it over in his mead.
"Name rings a bell." He said. "Yes, I believe I do. He's a mage, comes here every year. He's even got a house here. Quite well known." He explained. Kaetlynn smiled.
"Perfect," she said. Laero raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" he asked. Kaetlynn explained the whole situation with Gerundi and the spell, and how she knew of his trip to Luskan. Laero nodded when she had finished.
"Ah. So I'm betting you'll be wanting to go to his house," he said. Kaetlynn smiled slyly.
"I might just give him a surprise when he arrives." She said. "Show him right for trying to kill me." she added. Laero smiled.
"I'll take you to it tomorrow." He said. Kaetlynn nodded slowly.
"Good man," she muttered, and tapped him on the shoulder as she got up and headed upstairs.
