Chapter 1

The half-elf Tanis Grey and his half-drow companion Kaylah Iceheart walked through Waterdeep's busy streets. His eyes devoured the many sites the City of Splendors had to offer.

Tanis had never been to Waterdeep before, but his mother Eneyla had told him many stories about this place.

"What do you think about Waterdeep so far?" Kaylah asked Tanis as she adjusted her cloak over her back.

Tanis ran his fingers through his red hair. "It's beautiful. My mother told me much about the people and the buildings of Waterdeep. Now I'm experiencing them first hand. I'm glad you suggested we come here Kaylah."

Kaylah blushed. Tanis, who was originally from the world of Krynn, had never traveled to a place like Waterdeep. She was sure that Krynn had large cities, where merchants came to do business and the townsfolk had gatherings. Yet there was something special about Waterdeep that made it a one of a kind city.

To Kaylah, Waterdeep was like rescuing a princess. Up and coming adventurers should experience it at least once or twice in their lives.

"We were fortunate to come across that dwarven caravan," said the half-drow as she and Tanis walked up to a forty-foot statue.

The statue was made of greenish-brown stone. It depicted an image of an armored warrior ready for battle. "Behold Tanis Grey, the Walking Statue," Kaylah announced in a loud voice.

Tanis stared up at the Walking Statue, his blue eyes almost watering as a cool breeze snapped across his face. "It's amazing. It must have taken the person years to sculpt this statue."

Kaylah giggled. "The Walking Statues were built by Khelben Arunsan. There are more around the city, and they are used as part of the city's defense.

"And they also make for good climbing walls," added their halfling hordebreaker friend, Freya Skogrull.

Tanis and Kaylah watched as Freya adjusted her leather armor. She then brought her double-axe from behind her back.

"Climbing wall?" Tanis and Kaylah asked at the same time.

Freya nodded. "I just got done climbing the statue in the Castle Ward. I take it we'll no longer be seeing Cobblestone and his caravan."

"He left for the Moonshae Isles an hour ago," Tanis answered. "We still have our rooms at the Raging Lion."

The hordebreaker's let out a yawn. "Good, I could use a rest."

When Tanis and his companions entered the North Ward, they found a beautiful elven woman with long black hair and olive colored skin, wandering the streets. She wore dark studded leather over her body, and held a masterwork long bow in her hands.

While Kaylah and Freya approached the steps of the Raging Lion, Tanis approached the elven woman. "Excuse me, can I help you?"

The woman quickly turned to face the stranger walking up to her. Her grey eyes stared at him, as if she knew him from somewhere. "Yes, I was on my way to Ardeep Forest, and I became lost."

Tanis winced. He had never heard of the Ardeep Forest before. He looked over at Kaylah and Freya, who were waiting for him on the inn's steps. Kaylah only stared back at Tanis.

Freya walked over to the elf and smiled. "I have hunted some orcs and bugbears near that area. If you want, my friends and I can lead you there."

The elf woman smiled back at the halfling. "Thank you. I am Lucilya by the way."

The half-elf gave a polite bow. "I am Tanis, and this is Freya. Over on the steps is our friend Kaylah."

Lucilya stared at the half-drow. Kaylah answered the stare with a what are you looking at? stare. "It is an honor to meet you all," Lucilya greeted with a smile.

Kaylah closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, her lips curling into a smile. "Why are you meeting friends in the Ardeep Forest?" the rogue asked curiously as she walked over to Tanis, hooking her arm around his.

"I can't go into full detail," Lucilya answered," but I will tell you that my friends and I are going to stop a tomb from being plundered."

"What is this tomb?" questioned Tanis, who felt Kaylah's arm tighten around his. "Is it a tomb of a famous wizard?"

The elf shook her head. "It is the tomb of a fallen elven warrior named Reluraun. Reluraun fell during the Crown Wars years ago against a powerful necromancer. Right now a group of elves are going to that tomb and retrieving something."

Lucilya was about to continue, but Tanis said," Say no more. We will go with you to Ardeep Forest."

The elf smiled and placed her bow around her back. Her eyes stared at Tanis for a moment.

Why does he look so familiar? she asked herself.

Along the borders of the forest, Gileed and his men had made camp for the day. As the elves made camp and discussed their plans, three Harper agents hid themselves behind the trees and ferns that surrounded the camp.

"He's just sitting there," whispered Dranan, a young rugged Harper from the region of Aglarond. "We should just have his head and be done with it."

A blond haired elf wearing red robes stepped next to the human. "We are not here to kill anyone Dranan. We are here to stop Gileed and his men from getting near the tomb." "Aravillus is right Dranan," added a tall half-orc named Gilderoy. The half-orc walked behind his fellow Harpers. "Besides, even if we wanted to go after Gileed, his forces out number us."

Dranan and Aravillus looked at each other, then back at Gilderoy. The half-orc stood a little over six-foot and wore dark studded leathers over his cotton shirt.. His features were more humanlike than orc. He had short black hair and a thick black beard that hid most of the lower part of his face.

"So Gilderoy, does Waukeen have anything to say about attacking Gileed?" asked Dranan.

Gilderoy was just about to answer, when the sound of loud war drums filled the area. The half-orc drew his cutlass Nightwalker from his belt and began looking around.

"Orc drums," Aravillus whispered as he drew a wand from his belt. Dranan drew his long sword and looked over at Gileed's camp.

A swarm of orcs emerged from the opposite side of the forest and charged the camp. Gileed had drawn his swords and gave the order to defend the camp.

Aravillus looked at his two fellow Harpers. "We may be here to stop Gileed from raiding the tomb, but I won't stand around while orcs attack." The elf chanted a spell, and vanished from where he stood. No less than six seconds later, he appeared down at the elven camp. Dranan let out a battle cry, then ran down to fight.

Gilderoy drew out a gold coin from his pocket. He whispered a prayer to his goddess Waukeen.

After he was finished, he followed his fellow Harpers into battle.