His Helm, Pieces Among Many Crowns.

Lokteruost woke in a sweat. Half awake and half still asleep, he thrashed about and bellowed to the murky night sky. A horrible memory would not let him go.

He stood inside the closed and barred doorway to the temple. An angry crowd surrounded the Temple of Corellon. Torches flared in the dark as Lokteruost and his fellow priests guarded every possible entry.

Inside the temple, treasure had been collected in order to trade for food and supplies. The wealthy houses of Tiertarengir had come to take the wealth. They were willing to burn down the temple and kill everyone inside the walls to get to it.

Luinil took a pair of gauntlets from the pile of gold and jewels. She placed them around Lokteruost's wrists. "To defend this wealth so we will not all die."

It did not matter to the crowd that most of the crops had withered, and game to hunt was scarce. It did not matter that Orcs and other such monsters were becoming bold enough to scale the city walls to steal children in the night. It did not matter that a strange disease was killing many without mercy to age or social status. The wealthy houses wanted to prove that they would not tolerate the priests trying to usurp their authority.

Lokteruost grabbed his wrists as the vision dissipated. He felt the demon hands on his shackles and shook his head. He sat up on his cot, put his head in his hands and wept.


Korko and Kunne sat in the Wine and Sprits getting miserably drunk.

"It really was that easy, Korko, to get the Veiled Knights to accept you as their new leader?"

"I suppose. Knifing backs, fighting monsters and picking pockets in their underground maze was easy. Bowing down to Ty'Aero and swearing fealty to the Emperor was not too hard. Faking my devotion to Vhaeraun was not hard either. Other than the priests themselves, I don't think any of the assassin's and thief's guild really cared who the hell I worshipped."

"Then what is the matter with you?"

"I had to couple with the new High Priestess of Fredaine. She was not more than a child! It I had not been under close scrutiny, I would not have done it. It sickens me to think I was capable of the task."

"Well now that it is over with you will just have to make it up to her some way. If we succeed in our task, she should forgive you."

"I suppose." Korko rocked the glass full of whiskey to listen to the ice clank along the sides of the glass. "I have one more test before I am named the official leader. Fortunately for us, it was already among Lodo's plans."

"The Billowing Towers?"

"Yes. Lord Ty'Aero believes it is a hindrance now that Anga Norsa is dead. He hates Illithids as much as I do."

Lodo paced back and forth in front of the room where Katla and Walisra were dressing.


"What is taking you so long? We were supposed to meet Korko and Kunne an hour ago." He yelled to the door.

"We have to make sure Walisra is well disguised. I wanted to make sure her hair and skin look natural. Her hair is drying now. We will be done soon. If you are that worried, you and the dwarf go by yourself to meet them. I am not your nanny, Lodo."

"Fine!" He stomped off leaving the ladies to their work.

Walisra heaved a sigh of relief. She looked at herself in the mirror.

Her dusky gray skin was dyed to coppery. Her hair was a pale gold. It was if her small amount drow heritage had been washed completely away.

She compared herself to Katla, and was pleased to see how similar they looked.

"Are you sure Ty'Aero will not recognize me?"

"With this disuse and the protection spells Tharros has prepared, it should be an easy task."

"I was wondering something, Katla."

"What do you want to know?"

"Kunne told me that every since you came to the mythal, he has had a very strange feeling about you and the rest of your friends. I felt something strange as well, but it was not until I came into your service and the service of the resistance that the feeling became strong. "

"And what feeling is that?"

"It is hard to really describe. Something holy? I get a similar feeling around Father Lokteruost. The sense from you and your friends is more muted, like it is suppressed or hidden."

"Well, I am a Knight of the Astral Blade. A warrior in service to Corellon Larethian himself. As for the rest of us, I am not sure. We all worship different gods reverently."

"Hmm. Kunne and Korko have fought so long trying to free the good people here. I am glad Lodo did not push them completely aside."

Walisra helped Katla into a gaudy red velvet dress for her meeting with the emperor and Ty'Aero. The only advantage Katla could see to the dress is that the flowing skirt had slits up the sides, making it easier to move in.

The gold satin slip underneath was slit up the front and back. Its color was mirrored in the sleeves, where satin showed through slits in the sleeves.

Walisra dressed as Katla's chambermaid.

Both females hid small weapons within their clothing.

Despite Lodo's stern warnings, Katla decided to wear her sword over her slip. It was well hidden. The dress was made for a woman to carry a sword, and she did not want to be disadvantaged my not having her favorite weapon.


Lodo grumbled as Katla and the rest of her entourage met up with him at the Wine and Spirits.

She let him grumble. It was his idea that she seduce Ty'Aero in the first place. He could grumble all he wanted.

Korko, dressed entirely in black leather and velvet, took his position at the front of the procession. Stradivarius dressed in olive green and gold finery, stood next to him. They looked as fine as any elite guard of a wealthy female could. All of the rest of her party who accompanied them wore similar fine clothing.

Lodo took Katla's arm, and escorted her in grand style towards the front gates of the Jagged Palace.

As they passed the masses in the Grand Promenade, a wide berth was made as many stared with awe at the lot of them.

The merchants whispered in sympathetic tones, believing Katla was off to wed the Emperor.

"This was not the stir I wanted."

"Hush, Lodo, and enjoy it. I suppose you have not walked a procession since you abdicated your throne."

"I was usually on horseback, and being spit at. Processions make me nervous. I am glad Tessirak disguised himself as well."

The gates to the Palace opened for them, but that was the extent of the welcome they had.

Kirisatt decided that they were not meeting at the gate, and Ty'Aero had not yet arrived.

The ragged dressed servant led them to the foyer of the Palace and asked them to wait.

All shifted in their seats as time wore on.

"I have never seen a king so rude. Even that pompous ass who rules Calimshan had more manners than this." Katla stood up and pounded on the foyer door that led inside the palace.

"I thought we were supposed to be civil?"

"Lodo, if this idiot can be this rude, then he only understands rudeness. I will pound on this door and scream until I get an answer!"

"I have a better idea." Stradivarius stood and waved Tharros to help him. The two of them splintered the door.

"After you, Milady."

"Thank you, my fine orcish friends."

"Lady Katla, wait."

Katla ignored Walisra and stormed down the long wide hall. She threw open the doors at the end. Inside was another foyer, identical to the one they had just left.

A wind rushed through as she opened the last set of doors.

"What in the nine hells is this?" Katla howled as she looked at the lawn and ruins behind the Jagged Palace.

"This place is a maze for spirits. The Emperor is very superstitious."

"Well, 'Allie' what do you suppose we do now? The Emperor does not want us here, despite the summons this morning."

"We could go visit the Ancient Captive. That bottom of a ruined turret is his home. The ruin of arches, covered with vines is his temple. At least we would be welcome."

"Lead on."


Lokteruost shuddered slightly as he rose from his position of prayer. He could feel them coming to the temple long before he could see the member's of Katla's procession heading his direction.

He shook with anticipation and fear as he saw the group round the small hill and proceed up to the temple to meet him.

As soon as Lodo, Katla and the rest entered the ruin, he gasped and fell to his knees before them.

Walisra was puzzled at Lokteruost's reaction. She had never seen him shaken as he was at that moment. She went to his side and whispered in his ear. "Father Lokteruost, it is me, Walisra. These are my friends. They have disguised me well. There is nothing to fear."

"Child, you have done more than I have ever hoped. I believed you were bringing mortals to my aid."

"What are ye a talkin about? We're mortals. I am Thelvin Battlehammer, nephew to the King of Mithril Hall." Thelvin helped Lokteruost to stand.

"You are and you are Thansamryn Gorm, son of Gorm Gulthin, the Dwarven, keen-eyed defender. I see into you. You are a god, as are most of your comrades."

"You are mistaken sir. We are only mortals. I am Lodo Celestide."

"Yes, and you are also Aranvarda Samniaur, first of the half elven gods."

"Allie, this man is daft. Perhaps I should use a healing spell on him."

"Would that you could heal me, Ursanus Silverstar, Selune's trusted."

"Father Lokteruost, that orc is called Tharros, and I am Katla Wisteria."

Tears welled into Lokteruost's eyes as he lunged toward Katla. "I know you too, but I have no memory of your name, goddess. I only knew that you would come for me." He said as he kneeled before Katla.

"Allie? Are you sure this is the Ancient Captive?"

"Yes, Katla. Although, I have never seen him so distraught before."

Lokteruost stood and shook his head. He ran his fingers through his hair. "You are right. I am making a fool of myself. Years of hope have worn on me. You can not be gods. The weave of this mythal would not let you in if you truly were. Please, accept my apologies."

"Alright, if you let me see those shackles." Lodo said," I am a wizard, and they deeply interest me."

"Very well, but be careful. The demons that these hands belong to do not like being prodded."

"They are still alive?"

"Yes, somewhere in the dungeons of the palace. They get their hands back as soon as I am freed. I do not like or trust demons of any sort, but they are as anxious to escape as I am. The inner part of the shackles I believe is what holds them in place, but I am not sure of that either. One of the former Emperors gloated that they took two hundred years to complete. I am not sure if it was the truth."

Lodo carefully studied each shackle. Each one was a masterpiece of creation, unique for the purpose they served.

"I am guessing it is more like four hundred years, one hundred for each shackle. They are as magnificent as they are horrible."

"I am glad you like them, Lodo, but is there a way you can remove them from him?"

"We shall see, Katla."

Lodo wove a fire looking spell and precisely aimed it at the shackle on Lokteruost's left arm. The hand started to disintegrate, but Lokteruost fell over and howled in pain. Lodo quickly ended the spell.

As he watched, a green light enveloped Lokteruost. Like a trickling stream, the light flowed and entered the demon hand, healing it to its former state.

A roar from somewhere deep in the cliffs near the edge of the ruins.

Lokteruost breathed heavily. His strength had been sapped by the healing energy of his own body.

"Very clever. The shackles themselves are tied to you by your life force. No wonder no one can remove them. I hate to tell you this, but you may die if they are removed."

"Better to die than live on in this hell."

"Lady Katla!" Ty'Aero said as he floated up the steps to meet her." So this is where you have been. Did the Ancient Captive keep you entertained?"

"Better than the hour wait we had in one of those trick foyers. Better than the hospitality I was shown at the gate. Naurailoki, your Emperor is beyond rude. Does he not know to not keep a lady waiting?"

"That little.. Oh, I am sorry. I should have guessed he had sabotaged our luncheon. He is in the dining hall getting besotted. I refused to allow the cook to serve us until you came. Of course, it did not stop His Majesty from eating. "

Lodo walked beside Katla and took her arm.

"I see you have your champions with you. Are you sure you trust that wizard?"

"Completely, Naurailoki. He is not only my servant, but my cousin and had been a confidante since childhood."

"Ah, I see. So he is not my competition."

"No, he is not, if you are speaking of properly courting me."

"Let us go to see the Emperor. You all deserve an apology."


The meal was the best that Katla had seen since their arrival to Myth Fredaine.

Kirisatt preferred better than the usual fare that could be found in the marketplace. He had most of his cuisine shipped in privately.

Other than the sound of an occasional snore from Kirisatt, the room was quiet.

"I am sorry you are angry. This must be the worst of insults to be finally in His Majesty's presence, only to have him sleep in a drunken stupor."

"Thank you, Naurailoki. The Emperor's rudeness knows no bounds. I am not silent due to that. Royalty has a habit of snubbing me. My house is distained at the moment."

"Truthfully? Why so?"

"The murder of the King of Evermeet. A cousin of mine tried to restore our place on the throne."

"Ah. Well, good riddance. I never much cared for him myself." Ty'Aero walked over to Kirisatt and gave him a sound thump on the head to wake him.

"Oh, you are here. I suppose we should go to the throne room and discuss payment for your victory." Kirisatt snorted as he rose and ambled through a side door.

"Lady Katla, I must leave you to your meeting with the Emperor. I have a meeting I must attend. Tell me if he gives you too much trouble."

"Thank you."


Goylar shrouded himself to keep the harsh light from reaching his dark, mottled, skin. He hated being outside the temple of Ghaunadaur, but there was no other way that Ty'Aero would have agreed to see him.

Worse, Goylar hated having to stay in his original form for so long. It reminded him too much of what his life in the Underdark was. A memory he chose to forget.

He fingered the only part of his head where hair would grow. The memory of the torture his sisters and Matron Mother thrust upon him still hurt, although it was far in the past. They had burned his entire body and left him for dead because accidentally tripped his sister. Goylar felt it was the divine intervention of Ghaunadaur that kept him alive.

He took his black, crooked staff and thoroughly beat anyone who crossed his path. there was no way the dark Shepard of oozes was going to let himself be slowed by whiny ingrates.

As he quickly strode, members of the noble houses of the city shrieked and cowered in fear. They knew that if Goylar touched any part of their house with his staff, their entire household was doomed to be food for his oozes.

Goylar did not need noble blood for his pets this day, only answers.

Ty'Aero met him at the gates of the Academy of the Black Wizards. He led Goylar to a windowless room to make the priest more comfortable.

"So why have you come to the depths of your temple to see me?"

"I believe you know exactly why I have come. Your coquettish attitude may work with the Emperor, but I have no such need. Speak plainly to me, or I will devour you where you sit."

"You speak of the strange waves of magic that have been plaguing the city."

"That is exactly what I speak of. I suppose you have no idea where it is coming from?"

"My students and myself work day and night trying to find the source, but have so far come up with nothing. We are going to be making a sweep of the slums tomorrow. Every cleric that we can find will be taken."

"I see. You are aware that the nature of this magic is holy, not wizardly. Although, I seriously doubt you will find the source in the slums."

"If you doubt my methods, perhaps you should go to the Emperor, and the other priests of the city for help."

"The Emperor will not approve of my solution. The priest of Vhaeraun and the new priestess of Fredaine concur with me. The source is the Ancient Captive himself. You must have him killed before he can escape."

"He is not strong enough to achieve things in that manner. The shackles keep him in place. The demons feed off of his life energy. He is addled. I have talked to him myself. He only knows how to pray and to take wounds and pain from others."

"Then perhaps his prayers are being answered."

"Not likely."

"I do not believe you, Ty'Aero. Have you not noticed that the sky has become clearer of late? Have you not noticed that the wards around the dock area have weakened? I myself have noticed the ancient gate opening more often. Several wretches from the slums have been fleeing out the old gate."

"I had not been informed of this!"

"Of course not. Your mind, from what I have been told by my faithful, has been seated in your loins. Bed the wench and get her out of your system. "

Goylar rose and put up his hood. Before he could walk a couple of steps, he stumbled and howled in pain.

Ty'Aero grabbed for his handkerchief and put it to his nose. His head hurt so bad that he nearly passed out. The blood flowing from his nose freely blanketed the handkerchief as he reeled.

Once the pain passed, Goylar stood over Ty'Aero and hit him twice with his staff. "You see! He is growing stronger as we speak!"

"I will give your solution some thought. Be warned. If the Ancient Captive dies, it could destroy most if not all of the city."

"If you do not kill him, then the city will surely be destroyed."

Goylar went back to the Temple of Ghaunadaur and left Ty'Aero to ponder.


Tessirak and Solonund, both magically disguised as handsome young elven boys, managed to cajole Emperor Kirisatt into continuing the discussion with Katla, Lodo, and Tharros.

"So what do you two and the orc want as payment for winning the match?"

"I think a public display of appreciation for dong away with that twisted monstrosity will be enough for me."

"That is all I planned on giving a filthy orc servant anyway. So, Lady Katla, what do you suppose I should give your half-elf for such a momentous deed?"

"An army."

Kirisatt nearly choked on the wine his male concubine served him. "What the hell would someone as powerful as him need with a bloody army?"

"Thay." Lodo replied curtly. "I have had my kingdom ripped from my grasp and now I want another. I need a kingdom where magic is a high priority. I want Thay. "

"Ah, now. That is an answer I like to hear. I will discuss it with my chief advisor. I see no problem with that. Is there anything you want for yourself, Milady?"

"A crown, to replace the one that was stripped from my line."

"You can have any of those crowns on my display shelves."

"You misunderstand me. I want to rule."

"Women can not rule. Or have you been corrupted into thinking that because of that whore of Evermeet? Boy, give me more wine!"

"I have a place in mind."

"Oh, and where is that? Ugh. Give me a moment, this wine seems to have gone to my head."

Emperor Kirisatt slid forward off of his throne and hit the floor. His head made a sickening cracking sound as his neck twisted slightly.

Katla looked at Kirisatt in shock. She knelt down and carefully turned Kirisatt over. She covered her mouth with her hand.

"He is dead! He broke his neck!"

"You, boy. Go to Ty'Aero and tell him what has happened." Lodo burst out to the boy serving wine.

"Does this mean all of the concubines are free?"

"Not yet. Not until Ty'Aero gets here."

The boy set the wine bottle down and ran out of the room as quickly as his feet would carry him.

"Well, this makes it a lot easier, Katla. Take the staff and free the pieces of the helm from those crowns on the wall."

"Lodo! He is dead! The potion was only supposed to put him to sleep!"

"It did only put him to sleep. He broke his lousy neck all by himself."

Katla sighed as she carefully touched the scepter to each of the crowns on display. Several pieces of the helm loosed themselves from within the crowns. She finished by touching the scepter to the crown on Kirisatt's head.

"Good, it did not destroy the crowns themselves. No one should notice the pieces are gone. This helm is really a masterful piece, Lodo. It is made in pieces, so that it can be taken apart to repair specific sections."

"Do you have all of them pieces?"

"I think so, Thelvin. You are better at the workings of armor than I am. Can you double check it for me?"

"I'll be doin' more than that. I'll put this thing back together in a snap"

The Dwarf slowly pieced together the helm until it was complete. It shined in the candlelight as Thelvin buffed it slightly with his shirttail.

"There ye go. Almost complete. It has a ridge fer a crown, but if I remember that poem right, it be somewhere else." He said as he put it into the bag of holding on Lodo's waist.

"Are you sure that the sleeping potion leaves no trace, Tharros?"

"Certain. Once it mixed with the wine, it becomes completely part of the beverage. Although, I do suggest we pour the dregs from his cup into the bottle. If Ty'Aero suspects anything, he can take it down as bad wine."


Lokteruost sat cross legged on the grass near the garderobe as he pondered the visit from the mortals whom he thought so surely had to be gods. He leaned over and vomited on a large pile of grass.

The sickness came after that wizard tried to free him from the shackles, and had not let up.

Lokteruost was certain he brought up all his meals dating back all the way to breakfast the day before. He hoped it would ease before the next meal. His stomach felt as hungry as it did wretched.

His mind swam as another vision crept up on him.

He was riding a horse through the streets of Tieratarengir. The people were rioting and burning everything in sight. People he had once counted as friends came at him with swords and arrows.

He wailed and cried for every person he had to kill that night. He did not want to, but to save the city, and the many people who wanted nothing to do with the riot, he had to.

He looked over to see the King fall from his horse.

"Eltar! Are you well?"

"No, Lokteruost. Take me to the temple. These upstart houses want my crown. Here, take my helm. You have none of your own and you may need it to get me to the temple before I die."

"I can't, Your Majesty! I do not deserve it!"

"No arguments, Lokteruost. You above all of my loyal followers deserve it. You have done more to keep this city alive than any other Elf I know. Let them think you are me. Give them a reason to continue the good fight. If I die from my injuries, make sure my son knows who his father is. Make sure he is a good king. He is of your blood too. Protect him."

The vision faded, taking the nausea with it.

Lokteruost stood and went to his home. Hopefully there was still some bread and cheese left from the last meal to ease his hunger.


Author's Note:

Thanks for all of the reviews, even the bad ones. They really do help.

I really have no idea what a 'mary sue' is, but I will try to make my story less boring.

Writers block is hell.

Notes:

garderobe- an outhouse or toilet.