Nova sat watching the sunrise. Well, watching wasn't the right word. The woman sat in meditation. She needed to know what was going on.
"Nova," a soft and melodious voice called from behind her.
Nova sighed and turned around to face Wraith. The drow had all of her adventuring equipment on. Also, behind Wraith—and about 3 feet taller—was Nightwing, and it too was prepared for travel. It, for indeed Nightwing was an it: about eight feet tall, pitch black, and gaunt with a tail and no facial features. If you didn't know better you would call Nightwing a demon or devil. Of course, you would only say that once, it was one of Nightwing's pet peeves.
Nova smiled and got up. Her two companions had probably felt something as well, even if it wasn't as strong.
"What are we waiting for?" As usual Nova was excited. They were actually going to travel to Mithiral Hall. It wasn't often that The Circle just chose a location and went.
Wraith smiled and the group started heading out of Shadowdale.
22
It was Callahan's turn to cook. Jarlaxle always looked forward to when the young elf cooked since he was better than Entreri, and the drow was worse than Entreri.
However, there was no conversation, no laughter; not even Callahan was talking—and that was fairly rare.
Everyone was thinking about the same thing. What had happened last night?
To Callahan it was scarier than anything else. Entreri was his mentor. The young elf didn't want to think about what could scare his master.
Jarlaxle's main thought was what had caused it to happen. The drow wasn't even convinced that Entreri normally dreamed. The sudden nightmare should be taken seriously.
Entreri knew what he had seen, but he didn't want to think about it. Every time the assassin thought about it he couldn't bear the image of Master Cedril being whipped by…NO! He refused to think about it. He had promised himself never to let his mind travel down that road again.
222
"You are my elite, you are my hounds," Ali Entreri said to the group gathered before him. "You are four of the most powerful people in Memnon."
The High Lord turned to a woman with long black hair, black eyes, and dark skin.
"Sabra, you are one of the most powerful clerics of Shar here. That is to be your role. Not only are you a cleric, you are among the highest ranks of our deity: you are a Nightcloak." The High Lord handed her a cloak. "You were capable of hiding in the shadows, now you are even better."
Ali turned to the next person in line. He was a lightly built man with black hair and dusky skin.
"Qadmah, you are possibly the best monk to our Lady in Calimshan. I expect you to do your job well." He handed the monk a pair of gloves. "Strength is useful even to warriors who do not depend on it."
Entreri turned to the next person in line. She was built similarly to the other two with light gray eyes.
By now he had given his speech. He handed her a scroll case. "May your spells strike your enemies down."
Ali then turned to the last man in line. "Brother, I must ask that you accompany them. You will play the role of hound and thief." He handed the small man a dagger. "Strike true," he said in the language of the Efreet.
"I want Artemis brought back alive," Ali told the group. "Only my brother may touch Artemis for matters outside of combat. You may kill anyone else. Oh, I would appreciate it if the Brat was the same race he currently is."
The group nodded.
"Then go Hounds. I will transport you where they were last found. May your hunt be swift."
A cheer rose and a horn sounded. The hunt was about to begin.
The Hound's didn't even notice the shadow of a cat that moved. Sahide had to tell Artemis.
2222
Sahide quickly transported back to Artemis. He had to find a way to warn him without letting him know about the teleporting ability.
Sahide had to ensure his many-times great-grandson would survive this.
22222
For the first time Callahan burnt the food. It was evidence that he was really bothered by what had happened the night before.
"Not your best Callahan," Jarlaxle noted, looking at the burnt lump in front of him.
"It's better than what you make," Entreri said quietly.
Jarlaxle looked at him. The man sounded scared. Just then Sahide arrived in the camp.
"Where have you been?" Jarlaxle asked accusingly. Sahide just looked at the drow and walked over to Artemis. Jarlaxle was fuming inside, but he didn't want Entreri to know how much he mistrusted the cat.
"I need to talk to you," Sahide said to Entreri.
222222
Mask wanted to listen to their conversation, but the Hounds needed to be watched. Just as it was about to peer over in their direction the mask tightened; now the deity couldn't see.
Grumbling, the deity pulled the mask off. Her form changed, and her long, straight, red hair flowed down her back. She looked at the thing and cursed. If it weren't the only reason she was a deity she'd have gotten rid of it years ago.
Sighing, she watched the Hounds. If Memnon was freed, it was all over.
Author's Note: I know some peope might argue about my view of Mask, but face it, that's just a plot waiting to be exploited.
