Xandax collapsed on the ground outside the coronet. Faisal grabbed him and placed him over his shoulder, and took off to the cleric, and temple on top of the coronet. Faisal, turned to Thryn as the made their way. "We need a healer. There is one above the coronet," He stopped momentarily, then added, " I am trained to be a cleric, but I need to worship a god to get the abilities and powers"

Xandax turned his weakly to face Faisal. "You don't worship any one yet?" A tone of disbelief was hinted in his voice, and he thought it odd that a someone who knew the arts of a cleric did not worship a god.

"No, not yet and since I have gotten so close to death I better get one!" Faisal added with a bit of a chuckle, attempting to make a bit of a joke out of the crisis. Even though they were safe from the Coronet, the three still felt rushed.

"Aye that you should do, otherwise you will end up in Kelevemor's realm which ain't that pretty." Thryn commented as they made their way up to the temple, which was not far off now.

When reaching the temple, Faisal decided to make the obvious comment, but the three were too tired, and sore to care. "Ah here is the temple, lets see how much help we can get." The three men entered the temple, a very sorry site to see. Seeing the men covered in blood, bruised, tired and weary, the clerics rushed to their aid at once.

One took Xandax off Faisal's young shoulders while Thryn was getting his wounds tended to.

Faisal turned to one of clerics, and because of his lack of wounds, decided to inquire about a the father of the temple" Can i speak to the head cleric or who ever is in charge?" Faisal asked, still thinking about the fact he had not chosen a god yet

The cleric turned to Faisal, a caring smile on his face. "After your wounds are tended to and you have rested" The cleric then turned back to Xandax, helping the other two clerics tend to the wounds.

Faisal grabbed the man on the shoulder, and spun him back around to face him. Faisal was in no mood to wait, and replied in a rather forceful way. "NO, NOW!"

The cleric obviously shocked but does as is wanted. He took Faisal into a small study where an ancient man was sitting, reading a book. The old man, without looking up, knew of the men entering. "you can leave us now ribald." Once the cleric left, closing the door behind him, the old man looked up and asked "yes now what can i help you with?"

"Well," started Faisal shakily, "I have been trained to be cleric by my mother and wanted to know if I would still be able to use those abilities with any god, also I would like help in choosing a god" Faisal rushed the final portion of his question, feeling somewhat ashamed.

"Why all this sudden interest in choosing a god so quickly?" asked the old man gently.
"Well", Faisal ,totally at easy with this old man, relates the events of the past 2 days but omitting the part of the voice in his head. "Thus I have faced death twice in less than 2 days, I rather not end up a faithless man in Lord Death's realm."

"And?" asked the old man patiently.

"And?....nothing there is not much else to say" Faisal replied.

"If you don't want to tell me, it is okay, but I can't help you fully" stated the cleric calmly.

Faisal thought for a moment, then deciding that he might as well tell him began slowly. "I have been hearing voices in my head" he replies meekly.

The cleric was intrigued now, and leaned in towards Faisal. "Voices what do they say?"

"Well not voices, just one voice. It keeps emphasizing the importance of luck, which is ironic as I have had both bad and good luck over the past three days."

"Continue please" was all the old cleric said in response.

"Well, I got into Athkatla relatively easily, I was allowed to enter when someone assumed that I was an assassin. Usually I am hassled have to pay a huge toll, around 150 coppers or I have to fight my way in. This did not happen here. Lucky I guess. Then I was attacked that very night actually three hours later, where I nearly died. But did not for some reason, my shield did something to protect me against a lightening bolt, to my total amazement!"

The cleric was now greatly interested and motioned to Faisal to sit down and take a closer seat to him but said nothing so Faisal continued. "Then when I am almost dead a man comes to my aid out of no where and heals me and provides with food and aid. Lucky once again. But then there is a fight in the copper coronet, where I was caught off guard, but for some reason the attackers waits for me to ready myself for a fight, but then he is jumped by a couple of drunks! Lucky or what? There was also the dwarf, which was involved in the fight in the coronet, which was made relatively easy but I know for sure that I don't have the ability or talent to fight an experienced fighter. I was expecting to die."

"What exactly happened during the fight with the dwarf?" The cleric inquired.

"Well this is what happened..." Faisal started describing the fight. "It was very easy for me to turn aside that shield and kill that dwarf, it seemed easy especially since I do know my strengths, and one on one combat isn't one of them."

"When did you hear the voice?" came the response

"Well, one time was when fighting the battle, it said luck is the key to any battle and the other time I remember was when I was attacked at night, don't exactly remember what it said"
"Well let me think about it and you should get your wounds tended to and get some rest. We will talk about this in the morning!" The cleric smiled, and sent for another cleric to help Faisal to a room so that he could rest.

*****

Laying down on a bed, under the magical influence of a priest trying to heal his wounds, Xandax's mind starts to drift away into a state between the real world and the dream world. "You have not defeated me - I will have what is mine" Xandax blocked the words out of his head. He started to think about the last couple of events. "It all started with that Drow - I wonder what he is doing in Athkatla. And what about the mage - he was not an ordinary mage."

Xandax had never succumbed to magic the way it happened in the Coronet. "He was powerful, truly powerful. - Why did he travel with such a band of adventures? There was no need for him to do that. Trying to stay anonymous, perhaps? - And the other mage teleporting in, friend or foe of the first one.?" The questions ran through Xandax's head. "Could I have acted differently? - I could have sheathed my weapons, but who wants to stand unarmed in such a turmoiled situation. Should I have let them go after the Drow? - Well, probably not - that would maybe have cost the Drow his life. Could I have fought differently - well maybe taking out the dwarf first, instead of going after the mage.... No, the mage was the threat as I reasoned"

Xandax had no answers. He looked towards Faisal, who seemed upset and demanded to speak to leader of the temple. Looking down on his wounds Xandax first thought was annoyance, now he had to get a new suit of armour - the he saw how lucky he had been - the wound from the axe was deep, but it had been necessary, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten out of that place alive.
The priest was finishing his treatment of his wounds and once again he was back on his legs - even though he was still weak.

The man named Thryn approached and helped Xandax move towards the room where Faisal had gone earlier. "Who was this Thryn and could he be trusted, never mind - right now we need to get some distance between us and this place as soon as possible" Xandax thought to himself.

*****

The newly arrived wizard looks around in astonishment. Blood forming in pools from the fallen. Scorch marks in the wall. The ceiling in one area completely caved in. A bar fight raging around him, though the sight of the luminescently-garbed wizard quickly quiets that. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a few bloodied adventurers slipping out the door. But his eyes come to rest on the mage in red. Blood red. He stands amidst the carnage, unshaken and imposing.

"What has happened here? Are you the cause of this chaos?" the wizard says, his mellifluous voice reaching the ears of all, commanding attention.

"Ah...you must be Magus, hero of Athkatla" the red-robed mage sneers. "I had wondered if the tall tales of your prowess were true...guess not."
Magus senses the great power within this man. He couldn't let himself be baited into a spell battle. It would surely destroy the Copper Coronet and everyone inside it, and likely even more...if he could even win. It had been a long time since Magus had felt such power...dark memories of Raistlin, a decade ago, come rushing back. No, fighting now was not an option.

Perhaps he could draw out some information from the obviously vain man. "Who are you, that you wield such powerful magic's..." Magus pries flatteringly, motioning to the surrounding destruction, and then staring at the mage intently.

"Don't you wish you could know..." the mage speaks with a smile.

I am Lazal the Red, and you along with this city of fools shall soon feel my wrath... Magus detects psionically.

Lazal's eyes widen as he realizes the trick. His mind slams shut. "YOU..." Lazal fumes, pointing his finger at Magus.

Damn, Magus thinks. This wasn't good...

Luckily, Lazal calms down. He smiles. "Ah...I should have known better, you of many talents. But I know your kind's ways, and you couldn't have pried far without me sensing it. You know nothing. And you are no threat to me, Magus, mark my words. I know your purpose here, and know that you can't stop the inevitable, fool." With that, he teleports away, the previous inconsequential battle gone from his mind. He had more important matters to deal with.

*****

Magus still knows little after the fruitless encounter.

Void, did you have any more success?

I didn't want to risk detection. But revenge and the Cowled Wizards were on his mind as he left.

This man was dangerous. He wondered if he should warn the Cowled Wizards. Then again, why should he? He was certainly no friend of theirs, and one man couldn't do much against an entire organization, could he? No matter. But secrecy was a weapon, and Magus wouldn't leave without some answers.

"You there! Yes, you! What do you know of the red-robed mage that just left?" Magus asks a nearby mage, an apprentice by his looks.

"N-nothing much, milord..." he stammers, obviously overwhelmed. Magus's frown quickly loosens his tongue. "H-his name is Derlaz. He was part of the adventuring group, the Bleeding Hammer. That's all I know, I swear," the man hurriedly adds.

"What happened here?" Magus presses.

"N-nothing much, milord. A Drow came through and caused quite the stir. The Bleeding Hammer were sitting at the table over there, and got up to go after him. B-but Derlaz..."

"What, what about him?" Magus asks impatiently.

"There was this wave of power...all the mages felt it. Derlaz has never been one to mess with, but never did he emanate such power. It frightened us, it did. It was quickly gone, but we FELT it. And during the fight...his magic grew more and more powerful."

"What caused the fight?"

"A-a gentleman at the bar asked them something. Then somebody comes out of nowhere, knife striking toward the guy's back. Then all Hell broke loose. A friend of the man bashed the guy with the knife over the head with a chair and ran up the stairs. Then this elf comes running in like a blasted cheetah...and, and-"

"That's enough." Magus says, cutting him off, and the apprentice lets out a sigh of relief. "Did any of these two people fighting this adventuring group escape?"

"Yes, sir. I think I saw them leave when you came. They were pretty badly hurt. The elf went after them."

"Thank you. Here, a gold piece for your trouble." The apprentice gapes in astonishment. When he looks up, Magus has vanished.

*****

Hopefully these two guys fighting the Bleeding Hammer would have more answers about Lazal, or Derlaz as he seemed to be known. They must not have been your ordinary drunkards to have lasted for any breadth of time against what seemed to be a powerful and well known adventuring group. And this elf that ran like a cheetah...what was his involvement in this mess?

The babbling man said they were badly hurt. Perhaps they went to see a healer?

Magus turns wearily towards Void. In the sunlight outside the Copper Coronet, he looks like some strange mirage, or perhaps part of a low-lying cloud. Except for those red, glowing eyes. Finding the bright sunlight uncomfortable, he drifts away to find a shadowy and less unpleasant spot.

"Yes, the temple of Ilmater up there would be a good place to start," Magus mutters, shielding his face with his hand as he looks up at it. Blasted daylight. He much preferred the softer light of his home.

Deciding not to tempt the wrath of the Cowled Wizards, Magus climbs the long, rickety staircase leading to the inn's roof, then walks to the temple's entrance, instead of just teleporting about as is his wont. No need to strain already tense relations, though he's sorely tempted. He enters the door of the temple and goes to speak to the head cleric.

*****

Xandax's mullings are interrupted by voices outside the door.
"Magus, milord, the young lad within was gravely injured. When the priest finishes he'll need his rest."

"I'll only be a moment, good sir. But I must speak with him."

"Very well. Please try to be brief."

The door opens, and in comes none other than the teleporting mage from the Copper Coronet! Xandax instinctively tries to rush to his feet, but his exhausted body won't obey. It doesn't matter anyway. He is tired of fighting.

"Well, young warrior, looks like the day hasn't been kind to you," Magus says with a small smile. His voice is soothing and pleasing to the ear, and all feelings of hostility seem to fade away.
Things just keep getting weirder and weirder, Xandax thinks with a sigh. Then he notices the two red, disembodied eyes floating over his head...

*****

Virdel got little sleep, not even twenty minutes worth. His mind was too shaken by what happened, and felt he should return to Ferchen. He hadn't the time to rest. After his brief shut-eye, he made his way back to Ferchen's temporary head quarters. On his way through the twisting streets, he was be forced to walk by the Copper Coronet. As he did so, with his Hood drawn tightly as to not give his identity away, he glanced inside. He saw the place was a wreck. He instantly thought that the guards had torn the place up searching for clues about him, but something struck him as odd. Part of the ceiling had collapsed in. Never a good sign.

Realizing what a dangerous act it could be, Virdel decided to allow his eyes to slip back to their natural state. The red's and oranges of the surrounding heat patterns emerged almost instantly. He would have to be careful when looking up though, in fear of burning his retina. He looked at the door to the Coronet, and then along the side path, and to the stairs. It was a set of stairs not used regularly, and released it odd when he saw four sets of foot prints on the stairs, and leading upwards to the top level, probably to the temple for some reason. Going against his better judgment, he followed the trail, cursing himself as he did so. Even though three of the prints had lost quite a bit of their heat signature, the fourth one was still hot, still newly made. He reached the top level, and followed the path to the stairs to the temple. He was right. It was probably the guards healing their fallen comrades. Virdel, against his better judgment, crept up the stairs, and to the door of the temple.

*****

Xandax's mullings are interrupted by voices outside the door.
"Magus, milord, the young lad within was gravely injured. When the priest finishes he'll need his rest."

"I'll only be a moment, good sir. But I must speak with him."

"Very well. Please try to be brief."

The door opens, and in comes none other than the teleporting mage from the Copper Coronet! Xandax instinctively tries to rush to his feet, but his exhausted body won't obey. It doesn't matter anyway. He is tired of fighting.

"Well, young warrior, looks like the day hasn't been kind to you," Magus says with a small smile. His voice is soothing and pleasing to the ear, and all feelings of hostility seem to fade away.
Things just keep getting weirder and weirder, Xandax thinks with a sigh. Then he notices the two red, disembodied eyes floating over his head...

*****

Virdel overheard this exchange, and being new to Athkatla, believed this Magus to be a superior to the fallen guards. He took a deep breath, and summoned every ounce of courage he had. He had full intentions to attack, and remove that band of guards, so that they would give his identity away. He had no clue as to what he was in store for. He drew both Scimitars, checking again to see if his summoning stone was in place. Some relief found him as he notice it's black surface glowering back. With his back to the door, he pushed it violently in, and charged into the temple.
"Where are you!" commanded Virdel, pushing several panicked Priests out of the way. "Show yourselves you blasted men, or are you frightened of one lone Elf!" It was at this point he recognized his folly. He turned a corner in the building, and peered down the hall. His eyes didn't meet with a man of the Black Helm, but a Mage with transcendent coloured robes. A powerful mage indeed, one who knew what he was doing. Virdel knew instantly who this man was. Having heard all the stories of the valiant Magi who saved the city. Even with Virdel's extensive skills with the scimitars, he was no match for him. He backed slowly, feeling even more dread when an icy cold form materialized behind him, and sending a mental shockwave into his mind, causing him to pass out. Virdel had just met Void....

*****

Xandax had to lie down for a while again, Thryn placed him on a couch like piece of furniture - Faisal was still talking to the head priest, it had seemed that his stranger was a trained cleric, but was hadn't chosen or been chosen by a deity. Then suddenly there was somebody at the door.

"Magus, milord, the young lad within was gravely injured. When the priest finishes he'll need his rest"

"Magus - hmm, magic" Xandax thought - he'd not heard of any Magus, but he must be well known, and well respected, in this area Xandax reasoned out of the tone of voice that the priest talking to him used.

Entering the room was the mage that had teleported into the Copper Coronet, causing the distraction that made escape possible. Instinctly Xandax tried to get up and reached for his sword. He didn't make it and collapsed back onto the couch. Furthermore he had been so foolish to place some distance between himself and his sword and shield that lay in the other end of the room.

"Well, young warrior, looks like the day hasn't been kind to you" the mage said.

There was something in his voice, something peaceful - Xandax relaxed a bit - and noticed that his amulet didn't glow eerie as he had grown accustomed to it during when he was in danger.
"Things just keep getting weirder and weirder" Xandax thought - "what is it with this town"
Xandax sighed. "But what was this? 2 red eyes floating in the air?" Xandax thought and looked at his amulet "Don't fail me now" It was still not glowing. Xandax didn't have any more time to think when suddenly a commotion was occurring in the temple - a dark skinned person was turning a corner shouting. It was the Drow from earlier wielding his weapons.

"Hmm - 2 scimitars" Xandax thought, he had heard of a Drow ranger using these weapons, but that couldn't be him. The Drow noticed the mage and started to back up, he was either afraid of, or awed by the mage. Suddenly Xandax saw the 2 red eyes again as they materialized into some kind of creature behind the Drow. The Drow collapsed as hit by an unseen force. Xandax could not still make sense of this spectacle - all he knew was, trusting his amulet, he was in no immediately danger - or if his amulet failed him that he would die soon. Who was this mage - and this creature?

*****

Getting the location of his friend Xandax and new companion Thryn, Faisal headed into the room from a side door. Inside, and to his surprise, he found a mage, what appeared to be a dead Drow at the mages feet, and two floating red eyes on top of mage. Xandax on the couch separated from his weapons and Thryn was sitting on the chair next to the couch.

"Hades, not again..." Faisal thought to himself as he saw the group. Still armed, Faisal drew his sword and stepped in between Xandax, Thryn and the mage. "NOW what do you want?" he demanded at Magus.

*****

Suddenly there was a crash, followed by panicked voices and yelling.
"Where are you! Show yourselves you blasted men, or are you frightened of one lone Elf!" came a yell.

"What now?" huffs Magus, stepping into the hall.

Around the corner comes none other than a Drow, his hood thrown back in the confusion. Apparently he wasn't expecting to see the translucent-robed mage, for he slowly backs off in...fear, yes it was definitely fear. It seemed his reputation had reached even into the Underworld of the city.

But he was Drow, and Magus would take no chances, especially since he had come with violent intent. Void quickly materializes behind the dark elf and incapacitates him with a psychic blast. He crumples to the floor, undoubtedly not expecting that form of attack.

"My thanks, Lord Magus. He just suddenly shoved the door down and came raging through. We have no idea what he wanted," says one of the priests, hustling in.

"Bring him inside our room. I'll have some questions for him when he comes to," Magus asks.
"Of course, milord."

As the priest complies, someone comes bursting through the side door. Seeing Magus, the warrior draws his sword and steps between the mage and Xandax. "NOW what do you want????" says the unfrightened fighter grimly, ready to strike down the wizard if he makes any sudden moves.

Despite himself, Magus almost laughs out loud. The lad was young, even for humans. This one was impetuous, even foolish, to go about threatening mages of unknown power. That sort of behavior must be how the two had attracted Lazal's attention...

Magus manages to suppress the laugh into a chuckle. Alarmed, the priest tries to intervene, "Do you know who he is-" But Magus holds up his hand, interrupting him.

"Weapons away, young warrior. Some day your tongue of swords will slit your own throat." Magus makes a small motion with his hand, and the astonished fighter finds the sword ripped from his hand and replaced in its sheathe."

"There, that's better." Magus says in satisfaction.

Don't even dare... comes a whispery voice in Faisal's mind when his hand moves towards the hilt again. The two red eyes appear right in front of him.

The priest, turning pale at the weird sight, finishes dragging the Drow in, then slips out the door with all haste.

"Good. Now we're all here," Magus says, looking at Xandax and Faisal, then over at Thryn, who's remained silent until now.
"I came to ask some questions of you. But I see you all are tired and recovering from a difficult battle. Rest now. When you are ready, I shall be in the front. Sleep."

The command seems to be more than a mere word. Their already exhausted eyes close of their own volition, and they lay where they are and fall into a deep slumber. None awake until the evening is late, including the Drow.

*****

Yet again Xandax was dreaming - this was happening more often lately.

"Fight me and you will loose - I will have what is mine"

Xandax woke up sweating. He stood up and walked over to a window and looked out. It was late in the evening the sun had set and the moon was taking its position on the sky. Xandax got his feelings under control. He had been thought partly by his mother but also by his stepfather, a very experience fighter in his days, how to control emotions and thoughts so he wouldn't give them away in battle.

"A emotional fighter is a dead fighter" his stepfather had told him - "Use fear as your guide, but do not follow it without due cause - Use anger for power in you attacks but do not reason by it. - Fight every fight as your last, or it surly will be"

"Shield your mind, so your foe can not use it against you" his mother said. This was partly what made it possible for him to enter the enraged state. Faisal and Thryn was still asleep - this Thryn was a strange fellow, he didn't say much or give away much about himself. Faisal, he had much potential - especially if he could create a link to a deity.

"Okay " Xandax thought as he started to walk toward the door that lead to where this wizard said he waited. "It is time to get some answers about this town - and it seemed that this wizard had plenty of them."

*****

Virdel awakened alone in a room. He had placed against the corner in the room, his hands and feet bound by leather bonds. As he woke, he felt the after effects of Voids psionic blast. Feeling much like what a hang-over must feel like, he didn't enjoy the experience to much. He shook his head clear of the cobwebs, and peered into the dark room, still using his natural eye sight, he depicted where the door was, and approximately how large the room was. He slid himself up against the wall further, and blink a few times, gaining a bearing on what had happened. He glanced to his sword belt, empty of course, but some part of him thought his captor would be confident enough to leave them. He chuckled to himself, realizing no self-respecting surfacer would leave a Drow, prisoner or not, armed. It just isn't sane.
As he thought to himself, he heard the door creak open. He raised his quickly, and looked directly to the door, waiting to see who it was that would be entering. the image did not surprise him. It was the same Magi with the Transcendent coloured robes that entered the room. With him, a pair of translucent eyes, which Virdel quickly leaned was a hakeashar. He leaned his head back against the wall, his mind quickly forming a plan of escape. The Magi approached him, and stopped a few feet away. A small grin came to Virdel's face as his mind added little details to his plan.
"So you are the Drow that has put this city in a panic." said the mage quietly, and calmly. "Quick skilled, having removed a high level member of the Cowled Wizards." Virdel's eyes widened slightly at the fact this Mage knew he was the one who killed Tolgerias. It was disbelief that struck him more though, then shock. "I recognized the cut of the blades. Scimitars, two of them. Also, too efficiently made to be a human, and too ruthless to be a surface elf. So, I came to the conclusion of Drow. Now, only one Drow I know of uses dual Scimitars, but only is he a Ranger, but he is Ten-Towns right now. Besides, it would tarnish Drizzt's reputation if he were to do that. And now that I have met you, all the pieces have come together."

Virdel just looked blankly to the man's face, finishing the plan of his escape. "You must be Magus. I have heard many things of you." He grinned, and switched from common, to the Drow language. "I also know of Aegis, and his betrayal to you!" Virdel chuckled. His face then took on a grim appearance. He then murmured the words for a globe of darkness. As he and the Mage were surrounded by the black depths, Virdel sprung to his feet, and charged for the door.

Magus stood, unphased by the spell. Not only had Void warned him of Virdel's plan, but Magus had already begun the incantation to remove the globe. Virdel was stopped dead in his tracks as his plan diminished away, leaving him in the middle of the room, vulnerable. He spun to Magus defiantly, and waited for what was to come next.

*****

"I have gathered very little information on the man, Magus," the man began with his usual scowl. "I know he's closely tied with the Cowled fools, though I don't know to what extent. Several of the wizards are frightened of the man. He's had a surprising rise to power, which surely means he's stepped on a few toes."

"Yes," Magus mused, turning to pace in thought. His robes shimmered slightly and seemed to change color ever-so-slightly with each step. "I've tasted a bit of his power, though not first hand."

"Is he trouble?" The man's expression darkened, and he leaned back against the wall of the Ilmater Shrine, adjusting his sword belt for comfort. He was a rather nondescript human, average in most aspects, though his countenance and posture hinted at hidden confidence, while his glowering eyes suggested dark thoughts.

Magus heard the hidden meaning in the man's words and smiled to himself. "I doubt even you could take this mage down alone, my friend"

The man shrugged. "Perhaps not today, but it would happen."

Magus chuckled to himself, but his expression sobered greatly as he realized the man was coldly serious. "You may have better luck trying me, my friend."

"If it comes to that, Magus, I will forewarn you." The darkly garbed man cracked a slight smile, though the mage could never tell when the assassin was truly joking. "I owe you at least that."
"You worry me, Rail" Magus smiled at the joke, though the amusement never touched his eyes.
"We both walk a fine line."

Magus frowned. He was tired of this debate. "Is my path truly more dangerous than your own?"
Again, Rail shrugged nonchalantly. "Perhaps not." Rail seemed about to add more, but decided to leave it at that. Running a hand through his dust colored hair, the assassin glanced at the runes on his forearm, a reminder of battles never to be forgotten. A reminder of the battle he still fought. A reminder of the help Magus had given him and the friendship he still showed, despite their differing beliefs. The runes were of Magus' creation, a form of compensation for Rail's allegiance. A token of friendship. It helped offset the limited use he had of the arm. While it could still function as normal, it would never grip with any strength. Such was the power of Raistlin Majere. No god seemed able or willing to heal the wound.

Magus sighed. It had already been a long day. "Did you gain the item?"

Rail pushed from the wall and strode over to the mage, pulling an item from a pouch at his belt. Halting in front of his friend, he held open his hand and revealed a gem, as black to make the darkest night seem glorious and blinding. "It is one of the last pieces of the crown. I'm sure Aran's holding out on us, but with the pieces I've destroyed, the crown will never be assembled in it's entirety."

Magus nodded thankfully. "This piece took longer than the others." He looked curiously at the assassin, waiting for the man to fill in the blanks.

Rail smiled and dark thoughts seemed to dance in his eyes. "I sold it to a Halruaan wizard first. It answered many questions for me." Magus could fill in the blanks on his own. "You'd be surprised who wants such dark magic."

Magus took the gem from the thief and examined it's dark and shadowed surface before dropping it in a hidden pouch within the folds of his robes. "Thank you, my friend. You have done a great service..." Rail waived him off, but suddenly both men stiffened as if a silent alarm had gone off.
They awaken. Void's voice rang through their minds like bone on steel.
Rail frowned and rolled his eyes. Thanks, Misty. We aren't blind.

Void sighed. If only cutting your tongue out would affect your thoughts as well.

Rail genuinely smiled. If only you had a tongue I could cut, you animated belch! Rail fingered the hilt of his longsword playfully. Turning to Magus, his expression turned wary. I'll be nearby.
Watch the dark elf. He cut down Tolgerias without pause and gave Mendlar a good scare in an alley. As an afterthought, just as Rail faded off into nothingness, the assassin added, and Mendlar doesn't scare easily.

Magus frowned. That assassin had a great deal of potential, with the proper guidance. Who that proper guidance would be... Glancing at Void, the mage digested Rail's new revelations and went to confront the dark Elven stranger.

*****

Kierran awakened from his slumber to the sight of a red sky once again as the sun slowly began its descent from the heavens. Grabbing his cloak, he went to look for Old Fitz , only to find that he had already left his sleeping bunk. "Perhaps he's just gone out to look for food again, " Kierran chuckled as he remembered Old Fitz' love for food, "That man sure can eat a lot for his age."

Kierran puts on his cloak as he prepares himself for the busy night ahead. After leaving a note by Old Fitz' 'bed' (just to tell his 'host' that he'll be all right on his own), he decided to drop by what the slum-dwellers call the Copper Coronet to learn more about the incident he witnessed the night before, and more importantly, about his new surroundings. He felt uneasy that even though he had adjusted well to this new environment, he had made little contact with its inhabitants, and what better place to make new 'friends' than at the local inn.

*****

Words could not describe the shock on Kierran's face as he looked at what happened to the place that was once known as the Copper Coronet only a day ago. Its roof had collapsed and he could barely recognize the place were it not for the landmarks he made out of the surrounding buildings when he last passed by. Looking around, Kierran noticed the man who was bar tending the night before, and decided to approach him and seek some answers to the questions that were beginning to form in his mind

*****

Faisal jolted awake and made a frantic grab for his sword, which, was still by his side. Still angry about the antics of the mage, he pulled the blade out of it's scabbard. As he looked about the darkened room, he saw Xandax turn the corner at the end of the corridor, just outside of the room he had awakened in. Faisal stood up, and followed suit, stumbling most of the way. Faisal stalked Xandax into the room, where Magus was to meet with them. When Xandax saw Faisal stumbling in with his sword drawn, he quickly scolded the foolish boy, and his presumption of trouble. Faisal sheepishly placed his sword back to it's scabbard, seeing the wisdom his Xandax's words.

*****

Kierran sits at a stool in front of the bar, and soon enough the bartender comes over. He wears an unhappy scowl, and the reason is not difficult to guess. The place is a mess. Blood stains are everywhere, and the place stinks of death. Broken chairs and tables still lay about, not yet removed. The bar itself boasts quite a few new scars. But somehow it still sports the usual shady clientele, and business is as busy as ever.

"'Nother one? Can't you damn maggots a'leas give a man a chance to clean up this here pile of filth 'fore you muck it up again?" the bartender growls. "Well, don jus stare at me like a frickin moron! What ye want?!" the bartender blurts impatiently as Kierran hesitates.

"Actually, I just wanted to ask a few questions about what happened to this place."

The bartender snorts. "What's it look like happened? Some dumb bastard and his fool friend picked a fight with the Bleedin Hammer. Damn rowdies tore the place apart. But one thing's for sure...those two knew how to brawl, foolishness aside. They took out the entire group, excepting the mage, Derlaz. Bloody bastard was even more powerful than the rumors say. Those two and an idiot elf that joined them were 'bout to take a one-way ticket to Kelemvor when who shows up but bleedin Magus, himself. The three go sneaking away to lick their wounds while Magus and Derlaz have themselves a few words of mage nonsense. Derlaz vanished, and Magus stuck around for a bit chatting with a patron. Then he up and left, going after the three boneheads as I've heard, though why in the Hells he would want ta do that is a fool's guess," the bartender mutters, scowling again.

"Thank you, good sir. You've been most helpful," Kierran says honestly, putting down a gold coin. The bartender snorts again, pocketing the money. Whatever.

*****

"I also know of Aegis, and his betrayal of you!" the Drow chuckles, mistakenly thinking that the Drow language would veil his words. -How could he possibly know of this?- Magus thinks. The secret was a well-kept one indeed.
-Watch out. He's making his move.- comes Void's whisper.
Already aware of the drow's plan, the globe of darkness is dispelled almost as soon as it is invoked. The Drow freezes, knowing he cannot possibly make it out of the room before being struck down. He spins around defiantly, ready to rush the mage if necessary.

-Try it, and I promise death's embrace before you even think to make a step- comes a sinister whisper in his mind. Instinctively Virdel knows it to be the hakeashar. Even if he could miraculously slay the mage unarmed, he could not possibly harm the incorporeal hakeashar. Better to play along for now, and hope another chance for escape comes around.

-Your thoughts are transparent, fool. You will not leave unless Magus wills it. Try and you will die.- whispers the malevolent creature. Its eyes flare ruby red, staring deep into Virdel's own.

So his thoughts truly weren't his own, as Virdel had suspected. Until today he had dismissed such gossip as foolish. Well look who's the fool now, thinks Virdel bitterly.

"Enough. The others begin to awake, and together we shall piece together recent events. Cooperate, and I might just excuse your rudeness. Now come," commands the mage, turning his back to Virdel.
What an astonishing idiot! One quick chop to the neck and-

An unpleasant shock tingles through his mind, adding significantly to his persistent headache.
So his thoughts WERE still being monitored. Of course they were. Fools don't rise high. Virdel turns his head to glare at the foul specter.

It glares right back. -Think ME foul, dark elf?- The creature seems almost amused.

They return to the front, where a grim looking human fighter and another nervous human warrior stand watching their approach. Faisal's eyes widen in alarm when he sees the Drow walking along behind, apparently unbound.
"You forgot to bound the bastard!" Faisal cries, drawing his sword in a flash, with Xandax quickly though doubtfully following suit. After all, this Magus was obviously no fool. Thryn, who had entered silently and unseen by the two warriors, remains cloaked in the shadows, choosing to observe rather than confront.

"Calm yourselves. He is no threat, for now at least. Check your amulet, if you don't believe me," Magus speaks, motioning to Xandax, and going over to stand a short distance away at the far wall, where he could keep an eye on Virdel.

A quick look at his amulet confirms Magus's statement. The wonders never stop, thinks Xandax, sheathing his sword, and pondering how the mage knows the secret he had not yet told anyone.

"I'm a mage. It's my business to know the nature of magic, whether that be spells or items. Don't look at me like that," says Magus wearily, seeing Xandax's suspicious stare. "I can't help but hear your thoughts if you broadcast them so loudly."

He lets that sink in for a bit before going on. Faisal reluctantly puts away his sword, keeping his hand hovering only inches away from the hilt. "Now, to the business at hand. I seek insight into the turmoil currently plaguing this city. I have an interest in preventing this turmoil from escalating into total chaos."

"I seek information on the mage in red that you two confronted in the Copper Coronet. You may know him as Derlaz. His true name is Lazal. Obviously, you already know his power."

Now Magus turns to Virdel. "The reason I'm interested in you, dark elf, is that the group Lazal was with had an interest in your head, for some reason. I would like to know what that was." Magus looks penetratingly into Virdel's eyes. "It would be in your best interest to tell me, threats disregarded. Lazal may still be after you. And I promise you that if he wanted you dead, there's not a thing you could do about it by yourself."

*****
"I seek information on the mage in red that you two confronted in the Copper Coronet. You may know him as Derlaz. His true name is Lazal. Obviously, you already know his power." The mage had asked after reassuring that he was not a threat to Xandax and his new friend Faisal.
"Well even though I'm not sure of your friendliness I'll tell you what I know, which I'm afraid is not much.

Regarding the turmoil in the city, I know not much from this - other what my new friend Faisal here has told me - some kind of civil war between power groups. As for the tumble with the other band of adventures - even if I didn't know the Drow they were after, I have never been much for an unfair fight, there is no honour in that.

And as for the wizard they were traveling with, which seems to be your main concern, well all I can tell you about him is that he seems protected from weapons whether it be by magic or some form of deities. Plus I had the strange feeling that his power grew as we tumbled, his magical attacks were gruesome."

Suddenly Xandax noticed the 2 read eyes floating in the air again. "Hmm - it follows this mage around, like a dog." Xandax thought smiling. "Oh my god it is a hakeashar" Xandax had fought such creatures in his fathers keep - "If I remember correctly it can be killed with a good sword, but not by magic"

"So you think you can kill me, whelp"

"Get out of my head, monster, and I know I can if I wanted to"

"You.."

"Stop it - both of you" Magus interrupted.

Xandax got his thoughts under control, but didn't do anything else - they could look at his thoughts if they wanted to, for now, Xandax had nothing to hide.

"Okay - I've answered with all my knowledge of the situation, now it is your turn" Xandax looked at this mage.

"Who are you? And are you friend or foe of the other mage, Derlaz - Lazal or what ever he calls himself? What is your interest in this turmoil in the city?"

"Oh I almost forgot" Xandax smiled for a moment "I need a new suit of armour and possible other equipment, where is the best place to get this in this city?"

*****