A/N: Sorry to the couple of people that actually read this fic for taking so long to get this chapter up. I just lost all motivation to wirte it at all, but for some reason got some of it back and managed to finally finish this chapter. I'm not making any promises but I'm definitely going to try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can.
Sephirothxx - thank you for continuing to review, and once again i aplogize for taking so long. and i'm glad that you liked the game of chess and the fight with the minatour. there should be some more fight scenes in this chapter that i hope you enjoy.
Anbu713 - sorry about the long wait, but here it is. there are definitely more fights in here, strictly magical, so you should like them quite a bit. and there will, without a doubt, be some new characters in the next chapter. glad you liked the spellbook and the rakasha, which will be starting to play a bigger and bigger role in the coming chapters.
After the long wait this chapter is up and ready to be read and reviewed, so without further ado enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 5
Important Decisions
It was mid morning on the day after the game of conjurer's chess, and Thamior had just woken up to find Nexal and Graycloak sitting at the table looking at a book.
"Sleep long enough?" Graycloak asked.
"Nope," Thamior said sarcastically.
"Well, have you decided what you're going to do?" Nexal asked simply not taking his eyes off of the book.
"Yes, but I have a question first. If I stay and learn more of the arcane arts from you wont many people die from this 'dragon' war?"
"It is possible that some may in fact die, but the war has not really started yet. The 'puppeteer' behind all of this has not unleashed the true war upon this world. It is only just starting." Nexal said finally looking up from his book.
"If the war hasn't really started in full yet then I think that I should stay here and learn what I can so I'm ready to face whatever this being will throw my way," Thamior said as he sat down next to Nexal and added, "What's this book for?"
"Well, I wasn't sure if you were going to stay so I started to prepare in case you left today. This book details the way to a place where there is a map that will take you to the homeland of the good, or metallic, dragons of the world. It is there you will receive orders on what to do next. But since you aren't leaving today we don't have to worry about it yet."
"One question before we start training. If the good dragons are known as metallic dragons what are the evil dragons known as?"
Before Nexal could answer Graycloak cut in, "They are known as chromatic dragons, not that anyone but the scholars really care about the differences. To most people all dragons are exactly the same."
"Oh. Well then, when do we start training?" Thamior asked always ready to learn something new, especially where spellcasting was concerned.
"Whenever you're ready," Nexal said as he closed the book that lead to the map. "Oh, there is one thing I would like to ask you. In return for teaching you what I can I wish to learn your mother's double spell technique."
"No problem, I'm sure my mother would have wanted other people to know of the technique she spent years creating. I have the records my mother kept on it and I can lend you the tome whenever you want."
"Great. Now we can begin your training whenever you want."
"Let's start right away, what's first?" Thamior asked genuinely interested.
"You combine your spells creatively and effectively but it takes you too long to figure out how you want to combine those spells. And in the process you waste spells that could prove the difference between life and death in many situations. So, I think that we need to focus and train your mind to notice to small details in every situation, and to think things through before you waste a spell."
"Alright, but how exactly are we going to do that?"
"First, you will meditate every morning after studying your spell book the night before. And make sure you prepare a wide variety of spells to cover any situation. Next, you will go through a series of obstacle courses I have designed to sharpen the mind to the little things. Once you complete all of the obstacle courses I will begin to teach you as many new spells as I can. And you should know that the longer it takes you to complete all of the obstacles the less time there will be to learn new spells since you can stay no longer than a year."
"Why couldn't I stay longer if the war doesn't get bad by then?" Thamior asked slightly disappointed.
"Well, there are others who have things to teach you, it's not just myself. Now if you have no more questions we should start the first obstacle course as soon as we can."
OoOoOoOo
A group of people were lined up just outside of Karak's throne room, waiting to find out if they would be selected as his new apprentices. Each person in the room had been hand selected, all of them picked based on their evil deeds and skill in the use of the Weave. Then, they had each performed a magical display in front of Karak himself.
Now Karak was in his throne room deciding whom he should pick to replace his apprentices since he sent his last remaining ones to help Commander Blare find this kid. None of these people had really wowed him so he decided to pick based on something other than skill. He picked people that used spells that he personally liked. And that meant that none of them had used a fireball or a lightning bolt spell, since that wasn't very original and there wasn't a wizard in all of Faerûn that didn't use them too often.
He called everyone into the room.
"I have chosen the five people that will become my new apprentices. If you are still breathing when I get up then you know that you have been chosen." With this statement some people tried to scramble back out the door only to find it locked.
"What the hell is this? When I signed up to try out no one said that I would die if I failed," one rather brave, or stupid, man shouted.
"This is a lesson to show the five that are chosen that I do not tolerate failure," Karak said as he waved his hand and one person dropped to the ground dead. The process continued as one by one the group was slowly whittled down to five. "You are the lucky five. My servant here will show you to your rooms and then someone will arrive there to show you around the complex. Training starts tomorrow," Karak said as he waved his hand in dismissal, and then he shouted to another servant, "Clear these bodies away and do it quickly!"
As the new apprentices were led out of the room more servants appeared on the scene and hurried to clear the bodies of the failed test takers. "Each of you has a room prepared for you in the east wing, which is the wing that has been dubbed the magic academy. You will have a few minutes to unpack your things before another servant will knock on your door and show you around the castle," the servant leading the small group said as they reached the east wing and the apprentice rooms.
OoOoOoOo
"Whew, that was one hard ass obstacle course," Thamior said as he finished the last obstacle course that Nexal had prepared to get Thamior to notice things better. "I thought I was going to be stuck in that room forever."
"So you've finally finished all of them," Graycloak said as he perched himself on Nexal's shoulder having just completed his usual scout of the forest. "Bad news Nexal. The wizards and their soldiers have become bolder. They are starting to venture into the forest, and it's only a matter of time before they start moving further in."
"Thank you for the report Graycloak. You should go and get some rest for the rest of the day," Nexal replied, and the owl took off. "These people are getting too bold, we should do something to reimburse the fear of the forest."
"And what exactly did you have in mind?" Thamior asked.
"We attack tonight, giving you ample time to replenish your spells. And we only stay so long, we are not trying to kill every last one of them. Prepare what spells you deem necessary, but keep the mission in mind."
"Very well," Thamior said as Nexal cast a spell to teleport the two of them back to his house to prepare for the attack.
OoOoOoOo
Thamior walked out of his room in Nexal's house after having spent the time to study his spell book and prepare his spells. He walked into the kitchen area and found Nexal sitting at the table waiting for him. "I'm ready when you are," he said to his mentor.
"Good. We leave in just a few minutes, but first I have a something that I wish to lend to you," Nexal said as he got up and walked to one of the many case that rested on the wall. He reached inside and pulled out two identical rings. "Here, this one is for you," Nexal said handing one of the rings to Thamior while putting the other onto his own finger, "When activated the ring will teleport you back here. And it is activated simply by willing it to active, no command word needed."
Thamior slipped the ring onto his other hand, the one without his ring of darkvision, while Nexal moved over to a closet and pulled out a new quarterstaff. He handed the weapon to Thamior as he said, "Since your last weapon was burned I figured you might like a new one, this one is for you to keep."
"Thank you, a new weapon would be very useful should things take a turn for the worse. Does it have any magical properties?" Thamior asked curious what the powerful wizard might have done to enhance the weapon.
"Sadly I have not had the time to enchant it with anything yet. Besides I think you will be getting a much greater weapon in due time."
"From who?"
"Now is not the time, we are needed elsewhere at the moment," Nexal said as he grabbed his own staff, one that Thamior often wondered about the hidden powers it might hold. And the two of them headed out into the dark forest.
Thamior willed his ring to activate so he could clearly see all that was happening. Nexal on the other hand, could see just fine with the little light emanating from the moon and stars since he was an elf. So they set off toward the fringes of the forest to prepare their attack on the invaders.
After an hour or so of walking in the darkness of the forest the two mages finally came to the outskirts of the enemy encampment.
"Looks like there's quite a few of them. What's the plan Nexal," Thamior whispered to the older mage from their hiding place in the bushes.
"What do you think we should do?" Nexal countered, then when Thamior gave him a quizzical look added, "It's part of your training, military tactics."
"Well, the best course of action would probably be to take out the wizards first. They pose the greatest threat."
"Very good," Nexal said taking a small mirror out of one of his many pockets. As Nexal looked into the mirror an image started to form. "Apparently these wizards are rather cocky. They didn't even set up wards against scrying." The image was clear now and Thamior could see the group of five wizards sitting down to eat. "Would you care to do the honors," Thamior nodded, "make sure you check for wards first."
Thamior pulled his most recently made wand out of his belt and cast a spell from it. As the spell was cast a blue aura surrounded the tent that the wizards sat in. "It appears only to have a simple alarm spell cast on it," Thamior said after studying the tent for a few minutes.
"Very well, you may continue as you see fit," Nexal said content to keep what he knew to himself to see how Thamior handles the situation.
Thamior thought about what spell to use for a moment, then decided to use one of his newest and most advanced spells. He reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out a piece of clear crystal in the shape of a sphere.
"I didn't know you could cast Otiluke's Resilient Sphere," Nexal said recognizing the spell simply from the component needed to cast it.
"I just learned it a few days ago."
"How, you've been doing the obstacles every day?"
"I borrowed some of the books from your collection and I've been studying them before I go to bed," Thamior said as he starting casting the spell, and signaling that that was the end of the short exchange unless he lose his concentration and waste the powerful spell.
Nexal took the sign and didn't continue the conversation. Instead he sat back and watched Thamior go through the rather long casting of the spell. He marveled at how flawlessly Thamior went through the difficult incantation. And knew that it was the gift of the arcane forest to be able to read a spell and learn it perfectly in just a couple of days of short work.
Thamior took a deep breathe after muttering the final word of the long incantation. As the word was spoken the piece of crystal in Thamior's hand disappeared and was replaced by a globe of shimmering force that surrounded the entire tent below the two mages.
"Well, that seemed to work rather well," Thamior said admiring how well he cast the spell for the first time.
"Don't be so sure," Nexal said bursting Thamior's bubble.
"And why's that. I cast the spell perfectly," Thamior said a bit touchy.
"You're right you did cast it perfectly. The problem was in your dispel magic spell. These wizards are strong enough to hide some of the wards that were cast on the tent. Watch," Nexal said as he turned back to the tent.
Thamior too looked back at the tent and found that Nexal was right. The sphere he cast around the tent was starting to fade.
"It was definitely a good plan, but one you were not yet strong enough to execute. And now that they know we are here it's time for a plan B, what d'you have in mind."
"Why am I still calling the shots? I just screwed up and gave away our position," Thamior asked slightly confused.
"Being in charge isn't just about doing everything right. But now isn't the time to talk about leadership, so what's the new plan?" Nexal asked looking directly at Thamior.
OoOoOoOo
Down below where the mages where hidden by the bushes the five wizards had run out of their tent as the sphere around it had disappeared. And were now frantically scanning the area for the attackers, with both eyes and spells. While they looked everywhere for the hidden attackers the commander Blare and his troops just watched their antics until one of the wizards shouted, "What do you think you're doing set up a perimeter."
"This seems to be an affair between magic users, so if it's all the same to you we'd much rather stay out of it. I don't even know what we're doing here anymore, it's obvious that we'll never find that kid we're looking for," commander Blare said trying to keep his troops from unneeded harm.
OoOoOoOo
As the leaders continued to argue down below the forest's two protectors formed their next plan.
"It's obvious that the troops don't even want to be here so we should use that to our advantage and focus solely on the wizards," Nexal offered as Thamior continued to plan their next move.
"What we need is some way to slow them and their spellcasting down," Thamior said thinking to himself.
"I have a web spell prepared that I can cast," Nexal said taking on the role of subordinate for the time being.
"Perfect, you'll cast a web spell on them and then I'll hit them with a barrage of magic missiles. After that it'll turn into an all out wizards duel, so once you recover from casting your web spell do whatever you see fit. Oh, and before we start the battle we should cast some protective magic on ourselves," Thamior said as he picked a spell that would protect him from spells below fourth level, a spell that he didn't even prepare but one that he had written in the book that he got from Nexal. Casting this spell would have replaced one of the other fourth level spells he had prepared except that he had cast the only fourth level spell that he should have been able to cast at his current strength. But this fact didn't register in Thamior's mind at the moment for it was focused solely on the task at hand.
Nexal cast the same spell on himself and then cast a spell on each of them that would protect them from some of the damage dealt by most types of elemental spells. With their protection spells out of the way Nexal then started to cast the web spell.
While Nexal was casting the web spell Thamior started his spell so that they could time it just right. Nexal finished his spell first, since Thamior was using his mother's double spell technique, but didn't say the triggering word so that Thamior could catch up. When all that was left of both spells was their triggering word the two mages nodded to each other.
Nexal's spell was first so, he said the word that would cover the area around the five wizards with sticky spider webs. The spell caused the wizards to become covered in the sticky webbing, but with Nexal's complete control over his spells he made sure that only the wizards were covered. Luckily the spell had bound the hands of some of the wizards to their sides.
While the chaos ensued and the wizards that had free hands tried to dispel the webbing Thamior said the words that completed his two magic missile spell. With the two spells complete eight bolts of pure magical energy darted toward the five trapped wizards.
Six of the eight bolts hit the closest wizard squarely in the chest in quick succession, and killing him as soon as the sixth one hit him. The other two bolts went around his dead body and hit the next wizard right in her face.
The wizard that was killed was one of the two that had their hands free. The other was the girl that was wounded by the other two magic missiles, and now with only one wizard to dispel all of the webs surrounding them the process went more slowly.
This gave Thamior and Nexal the time to prepare their next assault. The two wizards once again started casting spells. This time Thamior chose not to go with a double spell so that he could save some time.
Nexal being the more experienced finished his casting before Thamior did. And as Nexal said the final word of the spell an array of colored beams shot from his hand. But as Nexal had neared the end of the spell the wizard with her hands free had finally managed to clear enough of the webbing to free her colleagues' hands so they could cast spells while she finished with the webs.
The wizards with their feet still trapped in the webs each managed to cast a spell, and each spell created a wall that intercepted the beams aimed for their casters. One wizard created a wall a fire, another made a wall of ice, and the last constructed a wall of iron. The walls were cast so they appeared one behind the other, so the wizards would be protected for the longest amount of time possible.
When Nexal cast the spell he altered it so that the beams lined up single file, this way all the beams didn't hit the same target at the same time. The yellow and green beams each hit the wall of fire in quick succession causing all three of the spells to be cancelled. The red and blue beams each hit the wall of ice causing shards of ice to fly in every direction. The violet and indigo beams hit the wall of iron causing tiny pieces of iron to embed themselves in the skin of the nearby soldiers. While the orange, and last, beam passed through the destruction of the walls and hit the already wounded wizard. Upon impact the wizard glowed green as her skin and body was burned away by acid.
With Nexal prismatic spray finished and the remaining wizards going back to clearing the web Thamior decided to complete the spell he held waiting. Upon finishing the spell a fiery bolt appeared in front of him, and as he pointed to one of the wizards the bolt headed straight for him.
The wizard was not expecting another spell to be cast at him so soon so, he was in the middle of dispelling the web. And could not stop the flaming bolt from piercing his heart and igniting his body on fire.
Now that the two wizards were free from the web spell and their position was well known Nexal and Thamior decided it was time to reveal themselves. They walked out of the bushes and faced the two remaining wizards.
"Now that the odds are evened let's make this one on one," Nexal suggested.
"Fine with us," one of the wizards said then leaned over to her companion and whispered, "The young one is the kid we're looking for so make sure you capture him alive."
"If I must," the wizard said before he faced Thamior and said, "Let's get this over with kid."
"You shouldn't call me a kid," Thamior said pulled a second wand from his belt and pointed it at his opponent saying the single word that triggered the spell the wand contained.
With the word said a bolt of dripping acid was shot at the wizard Thamior was squaring off against. The wizard starting moving his hands and muttering arcane syllables trying to get his spell off before he was impaled by the bolt heading straight for him. At the last second he realized that he would not get to finish the spell and was forced to dodge. But he was not fast enough to get out of the way entirely. The bolt grazed his leg and the acid, much less potent than that of the acid from Nexal's prismatic spray, burned away the skin around the wound.
Somehow the wizard had managed to hold onto his spell and continued casting it once he regained his composure. As he finished the spell a sheet of fire erupted from his hand, which was pointed at Thamior. Thamior managed to stay clam and started to cast a retaliatory spell. Toward the end of his spell the sheet of fire engulfed him.
"I said keep him alive!" the other wizard shouted as her shield protected her from yet another spell from Nexal. She started to cast a spell before her shield was torn apart. Upon completion of her spell a small orb appeared in front of her continually growing until it became the size of a small rock. She waved her hand in Nexal's direction with a triumphant grin on her face.
"You young people these days always think you've won before the fight is even over," Nexal said calmly as he waved his staff at the orb heading for him and it suddenly stopped and started heading back the way it came.
Nexal's opponent was too taken aback by this turn of events to do anything before the orb touched her and transferred all of it's cold to her body freezing her instantly.
The sheet of fire was just dissipating when a bolt of lightning shot through the flames and hit Thamior's opponent in the chest and scorching him. With the fire almost gone Thamior could be seen safely inside the bubble that was his protection spell.
"You know we should capture you right now," a voice said as the person it belonged to stepped forward. "But I care more about the lives of my men than my orders from Karak," commander Blare said facing Nexal.
"But if I know Karak he wouldn't just let you live after you had the perfect chance to capture us and yet you came back empty handed," Nexal said to the leading officer.
"That is very true. Karak would skin us all alive if that happened. That's why I'm going to take my troops and take refuge in Cormanthor."
"Very well, you seem to have everything figured out. And you do not seem to pose a threat to us anymore so we shall let you and your men leave. Come Thamior, let us take our leave," Nexal said as he vanished from the spot he was standing in.
Thamior too willed his ring to activate and was also whisked back to Nexal's house. When the disorienting effects of teleporting wore off Thamior found himself in Nexal's kitchen facing Nexal.
"You did very well out there tonight. There is not much more that I can teach you so, it might be better if you start out on your quest before the full year is up. You will have to finish the last obstacle course first, but after that it will be time to leave and find your next instructor," Nexal said.
"And who will that be?" Thamior just couldn't resist the question.
"The great dragons of good, of course," Nexal said as if Thamior should have known it.
"But you were supposed to teach me some new spells," Thamior protested feeling cheated.
"You have already learned some of the spells I intended to teach from the books you borrowed. So I'll let you keep them so you can continue to learn even more of them. We will talk more about the mission in the morning, but for now I think you could use some rest."
OoOoOoOo
"What do you mean commander Blare and his entire troop was wiped out, including my apprentices!" Karak shouted at the sole survivor of the troop, the messenger who used his ring to teleport out when things got ugly.
"I'm sorry sir but I thought it best that I live to tell you instead of staying to fight with the rest of the troop."
"That was a good choice. Do you know why?" Karak said as he held his out.
"N-no s-sir, why?" the messenger said in fear as the pitch-black sword appeared in his master's hand.
"Because now I get to kill you myself!" Karak shouted as he slashed the messenger's neck with the sword's jagged edge. "Get me a new commander, and clean this up!" he shouted to a nearby servant.
OoOoOoOo
Thamior was still in his room packing his things as morning came around. He already put his books into his backpack, and was now putting the wands and scrolls, that he made while training under Nexal, in his backpack as well. He already had his ring of darkvision on and had his deck of illusions in one of his belt pouches. He put his backpack on, grabbed his new staff and the three books that he was going to leave in Nexal's care.
He walked down to the kitchen and put the books on the table in front of Nexal, "Here, these contain my mom's double spell technique."
"Thank you. I have something for you as well. It's the map that will lead you to the map of the dragon's lair," Nexal said handing Thamior a piece of parchment.
"So, it's a map to a map?"
"Yeah, pretty much. I know it's stupid but it's the only way. Besides think of all the extra experience you'll gain. By the way, I think it would be wise if you formed a party to accompany you on your mission."
"Ok, but where am I going to find anyone that will go with me?"
"I would search in Waterdeep, it has plenty of people, and it's a good place to start the mission. I have friends in the wizards guild there, so I should be able to teleport you directly to Waterdeep, no travel needed.'
"Sounds good."
"Let me just contact them real quick," Nexal said as he sent a mental message to one of his friends in Waterdeep's wizards guild via one of his rings. "Alright, they're ready to receive you. Are you ready to start on this mission?"
"Yeah, its now or never I guess," Thamior said as he readied himself for the teleportation to Waterdeep.
"Ok, once you're in Waterdeep you should be able to get a room in the wizards guild. And they have ways of contacting me if you have any questions about anything. The only thing left is to say good luck and good-bye my friend," Nexal said as he started casting the spell that would teleport Thamior to Waterdeep.
"Thank you for everything, and I'll contact you as soon as something arises," Thamior said as Nexal finished the spell and he was whisked off to Waterdeep.
That's that and i hope you enjoyed it. in the next chapter there will be some new characters introduced and more will become known about how nexal knew karak. PLEASE read and review. Until next time, so long.