Plans
Solonund opened his eyes to a tapping sound. Lodo was inspecting the sphere.
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
"I wasn't asleep."
"It's a figure of speech, Solonund. Why are you so upset? You were not waiting that long. It was only dinner."
"I'm just frustrated, Lodo. I am confident you can get me out of this soul sphere. "
"If you are so damned confident, why are you moping around in there."
"It's Olwa I am worried about. I don't want to be too rough on his body. And, if you hadn't noticed, the sphere is shrinking. I do not want Olwa to cease existence."
Lodo got a sly look on his face. "I could just let Olwa out and leave your sorry ass in there. That would solve my problem with you."
"Do whatever you want. While in reverie, I realized how selfish I have been these past few days. I tried to plan what to do next, but my thoughts kept drifting to my son. I am in this mess because I tried to cheer myself up, get my old self back. I should have focused on my son."
"You should have focused on Anaiys. She left you again didn't she? With a thriving business like she has, she did not need you freeloading."
"Anaiys and I worked out our problems. Thelan was stolen by pirates. "
"My god, Solonund! Anaiys must be worried sick!"
"Anaiys is dead. She was murdered by the same pirates."
Lodo stood silent. His thoughts were jumbled. His mind went back to when he first met Anaiys.
She was the most beautiful storyteller in the Brothel of Intellectual Lusts. At least, that is what Lodo thought of her. Her wit, her childlike innocence, her strength, her love of magic, and her tolerance were wonderful in Lodo's eyes.
He had never imagined feeling that way about a Moon Elf. He had always assumed that he would fall for a human. After his first visit to see and listen to her, he visited her every day. Lodo fell in love with Anaiys. He wanted to tell her, but lost his nerve every time. Solonund showed up and took her away.
Lodo never got the chance to tell Anaiys he loved her. He kept his mouth shut when she moved in with and eventually married Solonund. For her sake, he kept his silence. For her sake, he let Solonund become a good friend. He could never harm anyone Anaiys truly loved.
He searched for her when she left Solonund, but did not find her. His own ambitions found their way to him. They got in the way of his search.
Lodo felt his feet go out from under him. He put his head in his hands as he crumpled to the floor. he sat there and shook for several moments, trying to regain his composure.
"Lodo! What is the matter? Do you need me to get you something? Some water?" Mozarikan said in a panicked voice.
"You, you filthy piece of crap! How could you let that happen to her!?" Lodo said angrily as he fought back his tears.
"I tried, gods know I tried! She tried to rescue Thelan. We were grossly outnumbered. She was told to think of her condition and get into the lifeboat, but she would not listen! I carried her into the lifeboat myself when our ship died. She died in my arms two weeks later, on Perinath. There was nothing I could do that I did not do." Solonund said as the tears flowed freely down his face. " She was one of the three most precious girls in my life. I am lost without her."
"Three, what do you mean three, you bastard! You should only love one woman!" Lodo said as he roughly grabbed the sphere to peer into it.
Solonund looked at Lodo soberly, "Lodo BenArris Celestide, the other two were my mother and my sister. Please, come to your senses so you can help me regain mine. Don't kid yourself. I know you loved her. I always knew. She knew it too."
"What? You mean?" Lodo said. his ragged breathing calmed and slowed. He placed the sphere carefully back onto the table.
"Yes, Anaiys knew you loved her, she told me. Her feelings for you? She loved you as a good friend, nothing more. She was tormented by your lust for power. Frankly, it scared her. The last time we were in port in Sigil, she wanted me to keep my distance from you. If I had, you would have never found this house. So, if I am guilty of being a disappointment to her, then so are you. Get over it. We have a young boy in here with me to save."
Lodo's face grew ashen. He stood there faced with his own sins. Solonund was right. When his lust for power overtook him, he became a monster, a killer. He was to be feared, but he never expected Anaiys to fear him.
"Men," Mozarikan huffed," Why don't you, Lodo, and me take the sphere to Waterdeep first. I have no quarrel with Blackstaff, like you seem to."
"No, Moza. That may take too much time. That is why Solonund had you bring him here."
"Well then, who should we let out first, gentlemen." she sarcastically hissed.
"The more I think about it, the more I think it will be safer to let Olwa out first." Lodo said once his mind began assessing the situation once more.
"Why is that?" Solonund asked.
"Because his soul can get to his body much quicker than I can get to the gate to Waterdeep. Your soul would have to search for his body, while his instinctively knows where to return. It will save time." Lodo said," I will use a tracing spell on your soul, Olwa, so Master Blackstaff can locate this place. It will be much faster if he created a gate from within Blackstaff Tower, then it would be for me to find a stable gate to Waterdeep, then get past the bounty hunters, then try to gain access to the tower. Olwa, once you get back to your body, you must tell Khelben Blackstaff exactly this ' Lodo Celestide and Mozarikan Artemise have Solonund in a soul sphere in Sigil. The sphere is shrinking and the soul must be back in his body before it becomes non-existent. Celestide put a tracing spell on me so you can have their exact location to create a portal directly here. It will save precious time. Celestide will get out of your hair as soon as it is done. On his honor as a servant of Azuth' Please repeat back to me, Olwa, what I have just said."
"How do I know you will not just let me cease to exist once you get Olwa out?"
"Because, Solonund, I loved Anaiys." Lodo said calmly.
"Olwa, repeat back to me what I have just told you to do."
Lodo had Olwa repeat back exactly what he wanted Olwa to say at least a dozen times before he was satisfied that Olwa had it completely memorized.
"Now, Moza, you stand over there and keep a close eye on the sphere. Kordon may have trapped. It may try to fly off while I do this. When you are ready to cast your spells, tell me."
Mozarikan kneeled on the side of the sphere opposite where Lodo was readying his own spells. She cupped her hands and reached around the sides of the sphere, close enough to grab it if necessary, but not touching it.
"Ready."
"Here we go, Olwa."
Lodo weaved his spell. Slowly, Olwa's ghostlike form appeared outside of the sphere.
Olwa nodded and slowly dissipated into mist. The mist followed a thread that extended from it.
...................................................
Laeral watched the sleeping Wild Elf. She wished there was more she could do for him. Khelben told her that she should stop her ministrations, and let the boy die. She disagreed, and continued to make sure the boy stayed alive. She was not sure why, but she had a feeling that it was important. If nothing else, Solonund, her good friend, gave himself up to save him. She should at least have the same amount of conviction that Solonund had.
Suddenly, the boy's heart began to race. He groaned and moved.
Laeral caught a short breath as she saw the boy sit up, stretch, and open his eyes.
"Oh, hello Ma'am."
"Hello! You are alive! Thank the gods' grace!"
"Ma'am, I need to speak to Khelben Blackstaff right away. It is a matter of life and death."
"Of course! I will get him."
Laeral opened the door to the room and grabbed the first servant she saw.
"Tell Master Blackstaff that the boy is awake and wants to see him. Tell him I sent you and I won't take no for an answer! Quickly!"
"Yes, Lady Laeral! Right away!" the servant said as she raced down the hall.
"Now, " Laeral said as she turned back to the boy, " What is your name and who is in danger?"
"My name is Olwa. I was trapped in the soul sphere with Solonund Brasher. Two wizards in Sigil have it and are awaiting permission to enter the tower, Ma'am."
"Thank the gods I followed my instincts."
"Ma'am?"
"Never mind, Olwa. Please, call me Lady Laeral. I am Master Blackstaff's wife."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were someone important, or I would have been more polite when I opened my eyes! Please forgive me."
"You are forgiven. Now, who has Solonund?"
"Lodo Celestide and Mozarikan Artemise."
"Celestide. Khelben will not be very happy about letting him in, but perhaps he will make an exception."
"Like hell I will," Khelben said as he walked into the room," I will not be letting that self-centered, greedy upstart in here."
"Bb, but Sir, the sphere Solonund is trapped in is shrinking! His soul will be crushed if they do not get here, fast!"
Laeral placed the fingers of her right hand over her lips. She looked wide eyed at Olwa, then at Khelben.
"Don't give me that look. I have work to do. You need to get some clerics you trust to help you completely oust Kordon from Solonund's body, preferably someone who is an expert at possession." Khelben said dryly," Boy, I suppose you have a specific message for me."
Laeral rushed out of the room to make her preperations as Olwa answered.
"Yes, Sir. Lodo Celestide and Mozarikan Artemise have Solonund in a soul sphere in Sigil. The sphere is shrinking and the soul must be back in his body before it becomes non-existent. Celestide put a tracing spell on me so you can have their exact location to create a portal directly here. It will save precious time. Celestide will get out of your hair as soon as it is done. On his honor as a servant of Azuth."
Khelben sighed, " So, she is there too. Hmm, Elminster will have a roaring fit if I don't do this. He has no love lost for Solonund or Celestide, but Artemise is another story. Humph, very well. Let me look at you."
Khelben concentrated to find the line that Celestide made for him to follow. In a matter of minutes, he knew exactly where to make the portal.
"Olwa, I believe you said your name was, if you are well enough, I suggest you gather your things, leave this room and close the door."
Olwa jumped out of the bed and dressed quickly. He went out into the hall, closing the door behind him. He had no idea which way to go, but he was famished. He asked a servant, who led him to the kitchen.
.................................................
Laeral smiled as she made her way to the room where Kordon, in Solonund's body, was held. She had already prepared for this, but was waiting for Khelben to give the word to proceed. If all went well, Kordon's soul would replace Solonund's in the sphere.
Kordon was awake and shuffling around the room in the shackles.
"So pretty, are you going to quit hiding the talisman from me?"
"Save your flattery. I do not know where the talisman is. Besides, I am here to help you on your way."
"You will be killing your friend. He has no way back into this vessel."
"So be it, if you are gone from this world as well."
Once the group of clerics gathered, Laeral flung the door to the room open. The dozen of them rushed inside and closed the door before Kordon could wade out. they circled him and started to hum.
"I would suggest you inform your deity that you are on your way." Laeral hissed.
The humming proceeded into chanting, As the chanting got louder, Kordon began to scream and curse at all of the men and women who were holding him there.
.................................
Khelben opened a temporary portal into the guest room where Olwa had been. He did not doubt his power to make the portal, he just wanted to be on the safe side in case the portal stayed open. He could just activate the wards on the room and then wall it up.
A swirling circular pattern formed in front of him. On the other side, Khelben could clearly see Lodo, and Mozarikan with the sphere. He beckoned them through the portal.
"Forgive the intrusion, Master Blackstaff, but I owed Solonund a huge favor." Lodo said with a polite bow.
"Just keep your hands to yourself and only go where I tell you to, Celestide."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Blackstaff." Mozarikan said as she curtsied.
"That goes for you too, Artemise."
"Here is the soul sphere, sir" Mozarikan said, as she held the sphere up for Khelben's careful inspection.
"Yes, it is. Now bring the lecher and follow me. " Khelben said unemotionally as he opened the door to the room," Close the door behind you. Don't touch anything unless I say you can."
"Yes, Sir." the two replied.
He led them down a hall to a room that was loud with the sound of chanting. Khelben instructed them to stop just before they entered the room. He peered in to the soul sphere at Solonund.
"You are quite aware that you could have gotten out of that sphere any time you wanted to." Khelben droned.
Lodo made an extremely sour face when he heard that information.
"Yes, Master Arunsun, I was worried about Olwa."
"You are a bad liar, Solonund. At least around me you are."
"Well, I didn't want to be stuck following my body around with Kordon in it."
"That is a bit closer to the truth, " Khelben snorted, " The talisman went with you, and you did not want it stolen."
"Yes Master Arunsun."
"Very well, use the talisman and will yourself out of there. Your two cohorts and myself will keep our eyes on that talisman once it materializes around your soul's neck. Laeral should have Kordon weakened enough for you to shove him out now. Artemise, hand me the sphere once Solonund is out."
Solonund's willowy spirit form slowly came out of the sphere and stood before the door where the clerics chanted. His neck sparkled where the talisman held itself. Khelben nudged him ahead.
Upon Solonund entering the room, the circle parted slightly.
Kordon, believing it was a chance to escape, ran toward the door.
Solonund saw his body coming towards him and speeded to meet it before it left the circle.
A loud, eerie, scream from seemingly nowhere, overpowered the chanting. Solonund's body fell to the floor. The talisman completely materialized around its neck.
Khelben held up his staff and made a sweeping motion to it. He looked to see Kordon within the soul sphere.
Laeral helped Solonund to stand and took the shackles off of him.
"Where is the mountain goat that hit me?" Solonund said.
"Everything is alright now, Solonund. Here's a sheet to cover yourself with. I'm afraid Kordon never took time to dress." Khelben said as he handed him the sheet.
Solonund looked down at his naked body and turned a bright shade of red.
"Solonund," Laeral commented," I think this is the first time I have ever seen you blush," as she wrapped the sheet around him.
The clerics shuffled out of the room as Lodo made his way inside.
"You could get yourself out of the sphere any time you wished?" Lodo spat.
"Yes."
"I hate you." Lodo said as he spun on his heel and followed Khelben to the room provided.
"Milady, where is Drizzt? Are he and Catti-Brie alright?"
"They are fine, Solonund. They had to get underway on the Sea Sprite. Now quit talking and lets get to your room and to bed. You will need to rest at least a day."
"Yes Milady."
...........................................
The next day, Solonund woke to a pounding on his door.
"Solonund, open this door!" Lodo's voice boomed.
"Just let me pull on my breeches. I will be right out."
Lodo was livid, " I hate you!"
"You have said that hundreds of times over the years. What is the problem this time?"
"How in the hell am I going to get back to Sigil? Hmm? We are both on a load of trouble if we stay here. Why in the hell didn't you tell me that Mozarikan was the step-child of one of Elminster's students? The old pipe smoker is on his way here to collect her! He hates me more than I hate you."
"Oh, that reminds me, I have to give her a drawing of the talisman. She will have to memorize it in order to get through the portal from the Astral Plane to Arvandor."
"You are not listening, Solonund. Elminster is on his way here. That means trouble."
"I heard you. I know, he doesn't like me either. Let me get my things. I will deliver this drawing to Moza, then we can get out of here. You can come with me to help me find my son. Oh and we have to find my brother, I have some unfinished business with him."
"I do not want to go with you. I want to go back to my house in Sigil!"
"Then you will have to come with me. The only stable gate in Waterdeep leads directly to Blazerthai's fortress. It is heavily guarded and you have to sign a contract to use it. I know where there is another gate, but you will have to come with me."
"And where might this other gate be?"
"North, near Neverwinter." Solonund said nonchalantly as he put on his armor and brown cloak.
" Neverwinter! I have no clothes for a journey that far. Are there, perhaps, any portals closer?"
"Yes, but none that lead directly to Sigil. You want to make your way out of the Abyss back to Sigil? There is one in Calimshan that leads to a spot in the Hive, but you don't want to go that way, trust me."
"And why not?"
"It opens inside Naduaa's hideout. Come on. We still have time to eat, and I need to get Olwa before we go. He wants to come with us. It is good to be home!"
"I really hate you."
"No, you don't."
The End
Notes:
Mozarikan's last name is pronounced artie-meese
A Sequel is soon to follow!
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