Up and Away
Mozarikan carried the sphere out the front gates of Blazerthai's fortress.
"Alright, tell me where the shaving is."
"No, not yet. It is too difficult to get to where I need to be. I mean, trying to navigate this soul sphere. You will need to take me where I need to go before I tell you anything."
She looked at the sphere, let out a sigh and rolled her eyes.
"As long as it doesn't take too long. I want that shaving!"
"Calm down, sweetie. It is not that bad. We just have to take a quick jaunt to Sigil. Do you think you can manage?"
"Of course I can manage. I visit there on a regular basis. After all, Blazerthai never gathers his own spell components."
"Good, now let's hurry. I have no idea what the wizard who has my body will do to it."
Mozarikan launched herself off the edge of the dead giant. Once comfortable with the sudden weightlessness, she moved herself through.
"Ah, I have missed the freedom of the Astral Plane."
"Shut up, Solonund. I need to concentrate on our destination. I do not want to get lost. I m sure you don't want to get lost either."
Olwa pressed his face against the side of the sphere. He had never seen a place so incredible before. He was so awed. Suddenly the sphere pitched a bit, sending him sprawling through the mist inside.
"Solonund! Who in the nine hells was that? You are not alone in that sphere?"
"Oh, I suppose I forgot to mention Olwa. Poor boy got himself trapped too. Don't worry, he will not hamper your plans, sweet lady. You had better keep an eye on where you are flying. You don't want to fall through a portal to Mechanus."
"You are right about that," Mozarikan said as she regained her concentration.
She flew past a large white, pool like portal. "Care if I throw you there?" She taunted.
"I told you already, I do not want to go to Mechanus."
"Are you positive?"
"The last Modron I met nearly ripped me to shreds. So, no, I do not want to go to Mechanus."
"Alright, but you do have to admit, Modrons create the most lovely portals."
"The most boring portals. The all are exactly alike. Down to the last minute particle."
"Ah, here we are. " she said as she headed toward a portal that resembled a swirling pool of warm chocolate."
"Next stop, Sigil." She said as she dove into it.
"Slow down!" Solonund started .
The weightlessness they were under stopped abruptly. Mozarikan, realized her mistake and began to scream. She clutched the sphere tightly as Lai dug his claws into her shoulders.
They hit the side of a roof, and slid down to hit another roof and slide down further. They bounced off of an awning, finally landing in the back of a wagon full of some type of large, tart fruit. Mozarikan tried to wipe the sticky, green substance from her robes. She was angry at herself, but not seriously hurt. She found the sphere, it was fine as well. Lai chattered as he ate.
"What the hell are ye berks doing in my tarazzal fruit? It took me weeks to gather that up! Ye are gonna pay me fer those, or I will march ye right to the hall of the Harmonium me self!"
"I got the jink, old man. Keep it in yer knickers, " Mozarikan said as she tossed a medium bag of gold coins to the merchant."
The merchant opened the bag and examined the coins closely. He ran his fingers through the gold.
"Thank ye fer yer business. Where de ye want the un-ruent fruit delivered?"
"You can keep it."
"Thank ye cutter!"
"Where did we land? I can't see a thing through this green glop." Solonund said.
"Somewhere in the lower ward, I can see the hall of merchants."
"Good. Go to the clerk's ward. Make your way to the hall of the Sensates. Make sure to have the goop cleaned off of the sphere, on a spot big enough, so I can tell the desk girl that we need my usual room."
"Good, that is no too far. I will be happy to have my information and be rid of you." she sighed.
"No, you are just going to clean off this sphere and get a bath for yourself and Lai. In the closet of my rooms is some very formal clothing. We are going to need it to get to see who we need to."
"The deal was not for a bath and fancy clothes from one of your former girlfriends."
"No, it was for information on a shaving of Corellon's sword. The clothes belonged to my late wife. I hope they fit you. We are going to see a nobleman, in the Lady's ward."
"You are full of surprises, Solonund Brasher."
**********
With the joint efforts of, Khelben, Lareal, and Andrak, Kordon, in Solonund's body, fell asleep.
They carefully entered the room.
Lareal immediately began healing up the wounds on the sleeping man.
Andrak gathered up the tattered remains of Solonund's belongings.
Khelben placed warded shackles on Kordon, in case he should wake.
"I have not found the talisman Drizzt spoke of." Andrak said, "Perhaps you were right, Lord Arashun. The artifact went with his soul."
"Pick up all of the weapons and anything else he can use to harm himself with. Lareal, remove his rings. We do not want Kordon using them. He should stay in this room until we find out exactly what happened to Solonund's soul. I do not relish the thought of telling your sister, Storm, that one of her best agents was killed in this manner."
"Yes, my dear, Storm would be very unhappy. Do you think we should inform her, and Elminster of what has transpired here?"
" I have already seen to that." Khelben replied, "Elminster should be here in the next couple of days."
Andrak took Solonund's belongings to another room. He arranged them carefully so that they would be ready when he returned.
"I miss you, my friend," he sighed.
Once finished, Lareal and Khelben exited the room holding Kordon and re-set the wards and locks. Drizzt saw them finish what they were doing.
"How is he?"
"Kordon still holds his body, Drizzt."
"I see."
"Don't worry," Lareal added," we are taking the utmost care with Solonund's body. As long as we have Kordon held, your brother's body will be unharmed."
"Very well. I need to talk to Deudermont. Catti-Brie is already aboard the ship."
"Do not let this situation interfere with your duties aboard the Sea Sprite. If you need to get underway, go ahead and do so."
"I just wanted to be here when he was himself again."
"I will personally send word to you when he is himself. Don't worry, Drizzt, here, he is in the best of care."
"All right. I will ask Deudermont if we can stay one more evening. " he said as he walked away.
"Khelben, I have never seen a set of sworn brothers as devoted to each other as Drizzt and Solonund. Despite most appearances, they are very close."
"Knowing Solonund, Catti-Brie will be the undoing of those two. I do not look forward to that day."
"Neither do I. Together, those two are a danger to evil anywhere on the Sword Coast."
**********
Mozarikan looked at herself in the large mirror in Solonund's room in the hall of the Sensates. She had never seen clothing quite so fine. The dress, the shoes, the wizard's robe, all fit her beautifully.
"Moza, quit admiring yourself. Go to Kelly at the desk. Have her send a message to His Majesty, Lodo Celestide in the Lady's ward as soon as possible. Celestide doesn't like unannounced visitors."
Mozarikan whirled around to peer into the sphere. She gave Solonund a hard look.
"Let me get this straight. We are going to see Celestide, THE Celestide. The one they call The Butcher of Brenvar, The Blood Prince, The Reaper of the Sword Coast, Celestide the Conqueror, Celestide the Kin Slayer. The half elf that is known as one of the most ruthless wizards on Faerun. Do I hear you correctly? That Celestide?"
"Yes, and don't worry, he owes me a favor. He hates my guts, but he still owes me. I would not put my name on the announcement."
"You are impossible, Solonund."
"Just go do it, or I will not tell you one of the two ways to get what you seek."
"Fine!" She said as she left and slammed the door.
"Well, Olwa, I can say one thing about her. Her mother named her aptly."
Olwa looked at Solonund and blinked.
**********
Notes:
Mechanus- a plane consisting of sentient machines. Also known as the plane of absolute law, where there is only 1 and 0. (for example: 1=good 0=bad Bad must be punished. Bad must be purged from existence so 1 can be absolute.)
Modron- a sentient computer, an inhabitant of Mechanus.
Mozarikan- the name is a loose English-ization of a Russian slang term meaning 'nearly impossible female.'
Mozarikan carried the sphere out the front gates of Blazerthai's fortress.
"Alright, tell me where the shaving is."
"No, not yet. It is too difficult to get to where I need to be. I mean, trying to navigate this soul sphere. You will need to take me where I need to go before I tell you anything."
She looked at the sphere, let out a sigh and rolled her eyes.
"As long as it doesn't take too long. I want that shaving!"
"Calm down, sweetie. It is not that bad. We just have to take a quick jaunt to Sigil. Do you think you can manage?"
"Of course I can manage. I visit there on a regular basis. After all, Blazerthai never gathers his own spell components."
"Good, now let's hurry. I have no idea what the wizard who has my body will do to it."
Mozarikan launched herself off the edge of the dead giant. Once comfortable with the sudden weightlessness, she moved herself through.
"Ah, I have missed the freedom of the Astral Plane."
"Shut up, Solonund. I need to concentrate on our destination. I do not want to get lost. I m sure you don't want to get lost either."
Olwa pressed his face against the side of the sphere. He had never seen a place so incredible before. He was so awed. Suddenly the sphere pitched a bit, sending him sprawling through the mist inside.
"Solonund! Who in the nine hells was that? You are not alone in that sphere?"
"Oh, I suppose I forgot to mention Olwa. Poor boy got himself trapped too. Don't worry, he will not hamper your plans, sweet lady. You had better keep an eye on where you are flying. You don't want to fall through a portal to Mechanus."
"You are right about that," Mozarikan said as she regained her concentration.
She flew past a large white, pool like portal. "Care if I throw you there?" She taunted.
"I told you already, I do not want to go to Mechanus."
"Are you positive?"
"The last Modron I met nearly ripped me to shreds. So, no, I do not want to go to Mechanus."
"Alright, but you do have to admit, Modrons create the most lovely portals."
"The most boring portals. The all are exactly alike. Down to the last minute particle."
"Ah, here we are. " she said as she headed toward a portal that resembled a swirling pool of warm chocolate."
"Next stop, Sigil." She said as she dove into it.
"Slow down!" Solonund started .
The weightlessness they were under stopped abruptly. Mozarikan, realized her mistake and began to scream. She clutched the sphere tightly as Lai dug his claws into her shoulders.
They hit the side of a roof, and slid down to hit another roof and slide down further. They bounced off of an awning, finally landing in the back of a wagon full of some type of large, tart fruit. Mozarikan tried to wipe the sticky, green substance from her robes. She was angry at herself, but not seriously hurt. She found the sphere, it was fine as well. Lai chattered as he ate.
"What the hell are ye berks doing in my tarazzal fruit? It took me weeks to gather that up! Ye are gonna pay me fer those, or I will march ye right to the hall of the Harmonium me self!"
"I got the jink, old man. Keep it in yer knickers, " Mozarikan said as she tossed a medium bag of gold coins to the merchant."
The merchant opened the bag and examined the coins closely. He ran his fingers through the gold.
"Thank ye fer yer business. Where de ye want the un-ruent fruit delivered?"
"You can keep it."
"Thank ye cutter!"
"Where did we land? I can't see a thing through this green glop." Solonund said.
"Somewhere in the lower ward, I can see the hall of merchants."
"Good. Go to the clerk's ward. Make your way to the hall of the Sensates. Make sure to have the goop cleaned off of the sphere, on a spot big enough, so I can tell the desk girl that we need my usual room."
"Good, that is no too far. I will be happy to have my information and be rid of you." she sighed.
"No, you are just going to clean off this sphere and get a bath for yourself and Lai. In the closet of my rooms is some very formal clothing. We are going to need it to get to see who we need to."
"The deal was not for a bath and fancy clothes from one of your former girlfriends."
"No, it was for information on a shaving of Corellon's sword. The clothes belonged to my late wife. I hope they fit you. We are going to see a nobleman, in the Lady's ward."
"You are full of surprises, Solonund Brasher."
**********
With the joint efforts of, Khelben, Lareal, and Andrak, Kordon, in Solonund's body, fell asleep.
They carefully entered the room.
Lareal immediately began healing up the wounds on the sleeping man.
Andrak gathered up the tattered remains of Solonund's belongings.
Khelben placed warded shackles on Kordon, in case he should wake.
"I have not found the talisman Drizzt spoke of." Andrak said, "Perhaps you were right, Lord Arashun. The artifact went with his soul."
"Pick up all of the weapons and anything else he can use to harm himself with. Lareal, remove his rings. We do not want Kordon using them. He should stay in this room until we find out exactly what happened to Solonund's soul. I do not relish the thought of telling your sister, Storm, that one of her best agents was killed in this manner."
"Yes, my dear, Storm would be very unhappy. Do you think we should inform her, and Elminster of what has transpired here?"
" I have already seen to that." Khelben replied, "Elminster should be here in the next couple of days."
Andrak took Solonund's belongings to another room. He arranged them carefully so that they would be ready when he returned.
"I miss you, my friend," he sighed.
Once finished, Lareal and Khelben exited the room holding Kordon and re-set the wards and locks. Drizzt saw them finish what they were doing.
"How is he?"
"Kordon still holds his body, Drizzt."
"I see."
"Don't worry," Lareal added," we are taking the utmost care with Solonund's body. As long as we have Kordon held, your brother's body will be unharmed."
"Very well. I need to talk to Deudermont. Catti-Brie is already aboard the ship."
"Do not let this situation interfere with your duties aboard the Sea Sprite. If you need to get underway, go ahead and do so."
"I just wanted to be here when he was himself again."
"I will personally send word to you when he is himself. Don't worry, Drizzt, here, he is in the best of care."
"All right. I will ask Deudermont if we can stay one more evening. " he said as he walked away.
"Khelben, I have never seen a set of sworn brothers as devoted to each other as Drizzt and Solonund. Despite most appearances, they are very close."
"Knowing Solonund, Catti-Brie will be the undoing of those two. I do not look forward to that day."
"Neither do I. Together, those two are a danger to evil anywhere on the Sword Coast."
**********
Mozarikan looked at herself in the large mirror in Solonund's room in the hall of the Sensates. She had never seen clothing quite so fine. The dress, the shoes, the wizard's robe, all fit her beautifully.
"Moza, quit admiring yourself. Go to Kelly at the desk. Have her send a message to His Majesty, Lodo Celestide in the Lady's ward as soon as possible. Celestide doesn't like unannounced visitors."
Mozarikan whirled around to peer into the sphere. She gave Solonund a hard look.
"Let me get this straight. We are going to see Celestide, THE Celestide. The one they call The Butcher of Brenvar, The Blood Prince, The Reaper of the Sword Coast, Celestide the Conqueror, Celestide the Kin Slayer. The half elf that is known as one of the most ruthless wizards on Faerun. Do I hear you correctly? That Celestide?"
"Yes, and don't worry, he owes me a favor. He hates my guts, but he still owes me. I would not put my name on the announcement."
"You are impossible, Solonund."
"Just go do it, or I will not tell you one of the two ways to get what you seek."
"Fine!" She said as she left and slammed the door.
"Well, Olwa, I can say one thing about her. Her mother named her aptly."
Olwa looked at Solonund and blinked.
**********
Notes:
Mechanus- a plane consisting of sentient machines. Also known as the plane of absolute law, where there is only 1 and 0. (for example: 1=good 0=bad Bad must be punished. Bad must be purged from existence so 1 can be absolute.)
Modron- a sentient computer, an inhabitant of Mechanus.
Mozarikan- the name is a loose English-ization of a Russian slang term meaning 'nearly impossible female.'