Jessi: I do not own Forgotten Realms. I do however own all the characters in this story unless I state otherwise.
Chel's wings glowed softly in the starlight. The winged elf happily landed on a high branch, barely bending it with his slight weight. He loved to fly, especially at times like this.
The moon was sinking below the mountains. It would be a few hours until the sun would take its place so now the sky was a riot of stars as though a clumsy hand had spilt flawless jewels onto black velvet.
To Chel's keen eyes the forest was almost as clear as day and twice as quiet, making a perfect time for a flight.
Abruptly he sat up. Unless he was mistaken the whisper of chain mail through grass was not a forest sound. As silent as an owl the pale elf flew between the trees, his wingtips brushing the rough bark. What he saw almost made him fall from the sky.
Lizardmen! He would recognize the shape and build of those creatures anywhere. Even if he didn't possess his supernatural sight he would have easily smelt the feral musk.
They were hunched creatures in surprisingly well-made chain mail armour. Their head at the end of those long necks were topped with full helms that left only the blunt muzzle free. At the base of each lizardman's neck hung thick plated cords festooned with all matter of gory trophies-with even some human and elven bones among them. As if their scimitar-like claws weren't enough they were also armed with long swords. From the end of their snouts to the tip of their tails they averaged about ten feet long.
There were a total of twenty of these creatures. Twenty! In a place so many hundreds of miles from Chult, where they were usually found.
Chel had encountered these creatures several times in his unnaturally extended lifetime and, even though he last saw them many elven generations ago, he knew that they would never change their habits.
The only possible explanation for a band of lizardmen this size was that they were being hired by somebody else.
But why?
Chel's eyes widened. Vale and their companions could be in danger.
The most any lizardman ever heard was a single flap of a wing as Chel took off to warn the others.
"You know we can't keep referring to you as 'the elf' now can we?" Keroigar lounged against a boulder, a bowl of stew held in one hand.
"Especially since you travel with two other elves now," said Vale, a soft smile on her face, the task of keeping Chel a secret finally over.
"We tried asking him about his name. But he won't write it down or anything... Maybe he doesn't understand Common."
The male elf looked up from his curled-up position by the fire as Samera laughed.
"When he's curled up by the fire like that he reminds me of mother's puesdo- dragon. Remember Kemi?"
"The name Kemi suits him," mused Keroigar as he closed his eyes.
"Vale!" Chel landed awkwardly but staggered upright again, clutching the elven cleric's arm, "Vale! We must go! Now!"
"Why? What's wrong Chel?" The winged elf was pale and he was breathing hard.
"There is a band of lizardmen heading this way... If they find you..." Chel swallowed, "You will all end up as trophies around their necks..."
Vale's eyes widened and Samera swore. Keroigar began to kick dirt onto the fire and Kemi sat bolt upright, his eyes wide with fear. Quickly she rammed the book she had been reading into her bag and scrambled to her feet. Within mintues all were prepared to leave.
All of a sudden a blood-curdling howl floated in on the breeze and an armoured figure leapt through the bushes, sword out and claws gleaming in the fire light.
"We're too late," moaned Chel as behind him the other all drew their weapons.