Chapter Ten: Conference of Evil

The Heavens, 1 Hammer, 1370 DR

 "The Church of Kathryn grows daily. Already, the Amnish Church of All Song has accepted her rule. The agents of the de'Arnise woman and her friend Imoen, have spread their message of conversion as far south as Calimshan, and as far north as Silverymoon. The goddess herself has increased her might, up to the point that she even poses a threat to me. Her alliance with Mystra makes her even more dangerous, for she will act knowing that Lady Magic will support every move she makes, especially since Mystra will do anything to see my power shattered."

 Cyric finished speaking, and waited for one of the other gods to speak. He did not have to wait long, for Talos, his eyes crackling with the might of storms, bellowed, "The order imposed by this de'Arnise is unacceptable. Cyric, our alliance to break those lands has failed. Even your agent, with the power of madness at her fingertips, failed to stop the mage."

 Beshaba cackled, "Where is the might to kill her, anyway? Need I remind you that the skill that Nalia possesses with her magic is incredible? Should she desire it, she could march into Athkatla, and take control of the nation. And with her friend, Imoen, she could do anything."

 Umberlee shook her head. "No, as powerful as she is, there are those who serve us who are just as powerful. The Council will not fall so easily to her, and the Cowled Wizards would not let her take power. They remember too well how Nalia and the Bhaalspawn contributed to their loss of Spellhold."

 Shar chuckled, "With our help though, they have regained that fortress, and our key agents within their number are placed firmly. Soon, the wizards will be our tool. Even Nalia and Imoen together could not defeat the entire order of Cowled Wizards."

 The Lord of Madness frowned. "Though it is not just Imoen and Nalia. Imoen has brought to her side the aasimar daughters of Lathander and an air genasi- a prince amongst his kind. I can feel the heavens thrumming with their power…"

 Shar shrugged, "They cannot stand against all."

 The Sea Queen shrieked, "Then let us send all against them! Cyric, your Sythillisian Empire is almost ready to move. If we attack each servant of order and goodness before they can join their power, then chaos can tear the Empire of Amn apart easily. No matter what political standing de'Arnise has amongst mortals, she will fall to hordes of goblins, just as easily as any mage."
 Talos nodded. "So that is what we must do? Bend all our might to destroying Amn, so that order cannot hope to prevail. I am willing to do this. My agents will begin their work, spreading the discord of evil."

 From the shadows, Loviatar hissed, "I have one agent, easily a match for this Nalia. I will send her into the lands. She will be a prime focus of our might. Nalia will be too busy dealing with this agent, that the other forces of evil will go unnoticed."

 "Then it is decided. Amn will fall to the convalescence of evil. Every force at our disposal will be unleashed. Nalia de'Arnise will die, and the Church of Kathryn will be shattered until all her worshippers are dead or turned away from the weakness of music. This, we have decided, this, we will do."

 And one by one, the evil gods left, until there was no-one remaining in that section of the heavens. All that was left to speak of such a vile plot was a faint after touch of malevolence that thrummed through the planes.