Freedrick stumbled through the portal. His mind was everywhere. He appeared in Shadowhaven. "What am I doing here" he thought. "Eh, it doesn't matter. Where did I put my mouse"
The merchants were all staring at this silly hobbit. He was patting himself down and mumbling to himself. He dug one hand deep into his pocket. An over exaggerated smile appeared on his face. He quickly took his hand out revealing a small rock. He petted it intently. His eyes were batting and he began to fall forward. The rock flew out of his hands, skipped on the ground a few times, and plopped into the water. The halfling hit the ground with a thud. The merchants rushed toward him, fearing the worst. One summoned the courage to turn him over. He didn't seem to be breathing. Finally, a loud, nasal snore erupted from his nasal cavity.
The merchant who turned him over kicked Freedrick in the side. "Ya filthy drunkard! Ya had me all worried"
Freedrick yawned and smacked his lips. In the corner of his eye, he saw Faerune speaking with a guide. Freedrick quickly sprang to his feet. He shouted"Mr. Faerune! Mr. Faerune"
Faerune heard the shouting. He looked over and saw the hobbit hobbling toward him. He tripped over himself and fell to the floor.
"Mr. Faerune, I can lead ya. I'm an expert at these things. I'm a bard, y'know. Best bard in the land" Freedrick proclaimed.
Faerune was puzzled. "But...Freedrick was it."
"Yes, sir! Freedrick's me name, don't where it out! Ya like that one, sir" Freedrick winked and nudged Faerune with his elbow.
"Hilarious" Faerune answered sarcastically. "But Freedrick, hobbits cannot be bards."
"And why not" Freedrick asked. He placed his hands on his hips.
"Because...because..."
"See, there isn't no reason halflings can't be bards. But as I was saying, I can be yer guide. I know the place like the back of my mouse. Where'd he go anyway" Freedrick frantically looked around for his pet. He looked in the pond and saw the rock on the bottom. "Jumping Jahosophat" He kicked off his boots, which were nothing more than paper sacks with strings, and dove into the water. He dove to the bottom of the pool and retrieve the small stone. He resurfaced and looked around. The ledges were much too tall for him to get out by himself. "Uhh, Faerune, ya mind helpin' a little guy outta 'ere"
Faerune sighed. He walked over to the edge of he pool and grabbed the hobbit's backpack. He jerked him clean out of the water and placed him on the dry ground. "Freedrick, I'm sure you'd be a great guide, but I do not think you can keep up with my pace."
"Ah, it'll be no sweat" Freedrick replied. He dashed ahead, looked back and shouted"See, I'm already ahead of you"
Tilkin held tightly on his horse's mane. He anxiously asked"What's happening, Pa? What is the problem"
Pa kicked the horse, urging it to run faster. "I don't know exactly, but something's happened at the Combine spires." He placed his hand above his brow and scanned the area in and around the spires. He picked out four figures, two standing, two lying down.
"Is the Scion O.K." Tilkin asked. "He was such a nice man. Remember when he lit that fire for us while we were waiting for the port. It was so cold that night."
"I don't know if he's O.K., son." Pa replied. "Just keep your head down and hold onto the mane."
"Yes, Pa."
Galena staggered to her feet. She tumbled over, exhausted from the fight. Abraham saw her pain and lent her a hand. He pulled her to her feet, saying "Thank you for killing the wizard. I was almost overpowered by that golem."
Galena blushed. "No, thank you. If you hand deflected that spear, we both would probably be dead right now." She dusted herself off and checked her body for any wounds. "By the way, how did you that the wizard was going to use my shrieken against me"
Abraham sighed and said"He was Black Wizard. They have been chasing me ever since I fled from Freeport. They keep telling me that I must atone for my past sins. But I have made my peace and they still stalk me. I've already tried to shoot arrows at the casters, but they use the arrowheads against me. They keep coming. I am about to give up."
"Hail, Abraham" Pa shouted. Tilkin waved.
"Hail, Crassus!" Abraham replied. He picked up his sword and waved at Tilkin. Suddenly, a sharp pain ripped at his sides. He fell to the floor and let out an agonizing groan.
"Abraham!" Pa shouted. He dismounted from his horse and ran to his friend's aid. He reached into his pack and pulled out some swaddling cloth. "Oh my, he's bleeding badly. You, woman, push right here as hard as you can." Galena hurried over and pressed her hands against Abraham's side.
"What's wrong, Pa? Is Abram hurt?" Tilkin asked. He knew not to get off the horse, so he held tightly on its mane.
"He's bleeding, but I should be able to stop the flow. Keep pushing!" Pa wiped his arm against his brow. He took out a needle and some thread and began sowing up the wound. It was deep, almost two inches in and four inches wide.
Abraham groaned in pain. All he could see was black. He felt a burning pain every single time Crassus weaved the thread through his skin.
"Almost done…there." Pa fell back from exhaustion. "Is he O.K. now, Pa?" Tilkin asked from his horse-top mount. "He'll be fine. My lord, Abram, what the hell gave you a wound like that?"
"Must have been that…blasted metal golem," he softly replied.
"Black Wizard's again? When will they realize that you already apologized?" Pa stomped his foot on the ground in disgust.
"Sorry to interrupt," Galena commented, "but who are these, 'Black Wizards'?"
"Rogue band of caster's from the nether regions of Kithcor," Abraham added. "They believe that they are the incarnate of the Tribunal and have the authority to try and punish every man, woman, and child on Norrath."
Pa added, "Back when we were young, we agreed to do business with the Freeport Militia. Abraham was working on following in his father's footsteps and becoming the lord of the Paladins of Marr, and I had settled down with my wife in the Eastern Commonlands. Times were tough back then, and no one would buy my products. So in desperation, I asked the Freeport Militia to help me with my predicament. They were normally nice people, but the week before, a new leader had been elected. His name was Sir Lucan D'Lere. He took it upon himself to help me with my sales. But instead of a friendly advertising campaign, he trashed, ran out, or destroyed all my rival business. Then, I had to do him a favor. I had to convince the council of Paladins to elect the new leader instead of use a monarchial system. There was a unanimous vote for an unknown elf, Colrayne Silvanis. This angered the still lord of Paladins, Adam Marrlan, and he went to the Freeport Militia for some 'help.' They agreed to kill the new lord if Adam's son, Abraham, joined their ranks soon afterward. So they set fire to the Temple of Marr during the night and blamed it on a new recruit, Faerune Justian…wait…Oh my lord!"
"What is it, Pa? Did something else go wrong?" Tilkin asked, still mounted on his horse.
"Faerune Justian! How could I have not of recognized that name! Tilkin, Faerune Justian is the real name of Faerune Silvanis, the man in the journal!" Pa jumped in excitement.
"You've been looking for Faerune all this time?" Abraham questioned. "Why, I was with him just over an hour ago! Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"You were? Oh what magnificent luck we have!" Pa quickly fumbled throughout his spell book and found the one he was looking for. "Here we are, Revive. Step back, everyone."
Pa closed the book and placed it in his pack. He took off his backpack and placed it slowly on the ground. He stepped forward a few time and began chanting the spell. A dark cloud covered the sky. The entire area was pitch black, the only light to be seen for mile was the light given off by the flowing strands of mana. Suddenly, a small beam of light escaped through the clouds. It was pinpointed on the heart of the Nexus Scion. It grew large with each passing moment until the light covered his entire body. A ghostly image floated down through the light and landed in the Scion's shell. He jolted. The skies became clear, and the Scion opened his eyes.
He slowly climbed to his feet and stated, "Thank you, kind cleric. I was dead and now I am alive again. Is there anything I can do for such noble travelers?"
"Give us all passage to the Nexus," Pa clearly replied.
"Very well." The Scion snapped his fingers and four stones appeared before him, encircling his body. He gave each of the persons a stone, starting with Pa. He gave the last one to Abraham and whisper, "I am sorry I have caused you so much trouble."
Pa ran over and picked Tilkin off of the horse. He kicked it in the butt and the horse galloped off. They all formed a circle, closed their eyes, and crushed the shards.
