Chapter 4
For the next three days, the people of Jalanthar were preparing themselves for the battle against the Wolves.
The Arident Legion led by Badel trained vigorously in the woods.
Smiths made weapons and armors while mothers and fathers were packing food, toys, and clothes for their children.
Ansil, Hansil, and Lorlei volunteered to take the children into the forest while the battle was going on. The half-orc twins knew that they would be the last line of protection for the children, should the forces of Jalanthar fall to the Wolves.
During the four days, Aliyah, Deidra, and Dove Falconhand sparred with the warriors and rangers Jalanthar had to offer. Though most of the sparring was quick. calm, and at times playful, many of the townsfolk, children in particular, would stop whatever they were doing and watch.
One sparring match that captured the eyes of nearly every person in Jalanthar was the "friendly" between Aliyah and Dove Falconhand.
The match had started slow, but the pace and attacks of both lady rangers had picked up in a matter of seconds. In the end, the match was too close to call. Dove had bruises all over her arms and face, and Aliyah's lips were bleeding.
Shadimir had sparred also, but not as much as the others. He had spent some of his time working on the plan to keep the children far and away from the battle. He had suggested that the Ansil, Hansil, and Lorlei that the children to a small area known as Hill Top, a small hill that was miles away from Jalanthar.
The undead hunter also spent some time with Ophila, learning about his father's days in the Enclave.
During all of this, Elros had never left his side. Shadimir had taught Elros some tricks, and was surprised to learn that the snow tiger was not only a skilled fighter, but also good around children.
When the undead hunter wasn't sparring, teaching tricks, or listening to stories, he was spending time with Jepetto, who had come up with an idea how to fight many of the Wolves at once. The deep gnome hadn't told Shadimir anything about the idea, only that it involved the use of gunpowder, magic missiles, and wooden dolls.
One the day before the Wolves' attack, Shadimir had stopped at the temple of Mielikki where Jepetto had been working on his project. The hunter looked down at the snow tiger, who wore a worried expression on his face. "I know, I've got an uneasy feeling about this," he said, stroking the tiger's fur
Shadimir and Elros were greeted by a young blond haired cleric, who escorted them to the basement. The undead hunter noticed the look of grief that was painted the cleric's face.
Marlene, who wore a black overcoat walked up to Shadimir and watched as the priest walked up the stairs. "That's Damon. He and his wife Eliza had a baby who died of sickness a month ago. They both want another child badly and they've been trying, but nothing is working. I feel bad for them" Shadimir nodded and looked at Marlene. She was a pretty-for a gnome-and compassionate. He could see why Jepetto liked her.
"Shadimir, I see you're here for the demonstration," Jepetto said in a cheerful voice," and you've brought Elros. Would you both like a pair of goggles?"
Shadimir looked back at Elros, who now sat at the entrance to the stairs. The hunter looked forward and shook his head. "We're both fine thank you. So what's this demonstration all about?"
The deep gnome walked up, wearing his goggles and overcoat. In his arms, he carried a wooden mannequin was that carved to look like a small child. .
Jepetto showed off the mannequin to Marlene and Shadimir, then ran across the room and placed it against the wall. He quickly ran back where Shadimir and Marlene stood, and reached into his pocket and grabbed a small wand.
Shadimir and Marlene watched Jepetto point the wand at the mannequin. Out of the wand shot a white magic missile that flew straight at the mannequin.
When the magic missile hit the mannequin, the mannequin exploded with a deafening pop. Shadimir felt his ears go deaf and his eyes go blind as pieces of wood flew at him. Elros and Marlene both covered their ears while Jepetto wore a wide grin across his face. When the dust and the broken wood settled, Jepetto looked at Shadimir.
"Now imagine a hundred wooden dolls in one area and ten people firing magic missiles at the wooden dolls when the Wolves grab them," Jepetto said with excitement in his voice.
Shadimir scratched his head, trying to get the pieces of wood out of his hair. "I think you're hurt the Wolves all right. You're probably destroy half the town as well."
Jepetto looked at his friend. "So you don't think it's a good idea?"
Shadimir shook his head, clasping Jepetto on the shoulder. "I think that it's a great idea. If the Wolves think these are the children, then the children are safe on Hill Top, and you can just stand back and let the magic missiles go. You would just have to make sure you've got good people who have good aim."
"Well there will be Marlene and myself. Then there's Damon and Eliza," Jepetto responded," as well as some of the local wizards and sorcerers."
"Do you know of any with a good teleportation spell?" Shadimir asked his friend with a sly smile.
The deep gnome shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think so why?"
"Because Jepetto, if this doesn't work, and we end up destroying half of Jalanthar, you and I are going to have to get out of town as soon as we can."
Wolf's Eve was the festival Jalanthar held every twenty years before the Wolves came to attack the next day. It was a festival for everyone to put their worries aside for a few hours and enjoy the good things in life. There were games, drinking, dancing, and food.
The townspeople of Jalanthar were gathered in the middle of town. Couples, young and old, were dancing to the beautiful melody provided by the local minstrels. Ophila was talking with Aliyah and Deidra about joining the ranger and druid group known as Emerald Enclave, while Dove was trying to persuade them to join a group called the Harpers. Jepetto and Marlene were dancing gracefully and talking about Silverymoon.
Standing at a corner, Shadimir watched the two gnomes from a distance. He was glad that Jepetto had found some sort of companionship on this journey. He then wondered what would happen after tomorrow. Would Jepetto stay and be with Marlene? Would he ever see Ophila or Dove Falconhand again? Would they be standing in the Fugue Plane, waiting for judgment from Kelemvor?
"I'm starting to think like Jepetto," he muttered as he bent down and patted Elros' head. and saw the look the snow tiger was giving him that asked, Why aren't you out there dancing?.
"I just don't feel like dancing," Shadimir muttered, scratching the tiger's ears. "Besides, who would keep you company?"
Elros licked his mater's face, then growled and closed his eyes. Shadimir took that as Elros was of telling him, Go have fun, I'll be fine.
Shadimir patted his animal friend, then walked over to where everyone was dancing. He noticed that Ansil and Aliyah were dancing, Hansil was dancing with Deidra, and Ophila was dancing with Storn.
The undead hunter was ready to go back to his Elros when saw Dove Falconhand standing in front of him, holding her arm out to him. Shadimir shrugged his shoulders and took her hand.
As she danced with Ansil, Aliyah watched Dove and Shadimir dance gracefully. "Look at him," Ansil said with a little astonishment in his voice," He's so calm and cool. I would be down right nervous if I was dancing with one of the Seven Sisters."
Aliyah smiled as she looked at Ansil. "He's had practice." Aliyah sighed happily. She was proud of herself.
Over a year ago, she would have been yelling at Shadimir for dancing with a woman other than her sister. But after loosing her eye, being her sister's maid of honor at her wedding, and witnessing the birth of the twins, Aliyah had grown up a little.
She looked back at Shadimir, who twirled Dove in a fast motion.
Dove looked back at Aliyah, then at Shadimir. "So how was it being my sister's apprentice for a short time?" she asked, trying to come up with idle conversation.
Shadimir shrugged his shoulders, trying to come up with an interesting answer. "It was very interesting. I've probably cleaned every inch of that palace." They both laughed, and Shadimir added," but seriously, I wasn't cut out to be a mage. I put more trust in my sword and my instincts. I realized that the day I cast a spell that caused Jepetto to grow a beard while we were visiting Mithril Hall."
Dove laughed then nodded," Yes, my sister and I Storm tried to tell Alustriel that. I hear your daughter is studying to be a monk. It must have been hard to let her go."
"It was hard, but Dalla really wanted to study martial arts. I wanted to put her in a local monastery, but she suggested I let her study at the Spirit Soaring. When I came home after taking Dalla to the there, both Stephanie and Alustriel were very angry with me. But that's what she wanted to do "
Dove Falconhand smiled, but she saw that he was starting to think about his family. They stopped dancing, and she said," It's getting late, and you should get some rest."
Shadimir nodded, then headed back towards the inn.
When he got to his room, he found Elros asleep on the floor. He then lay down in his bed, and continue to lay there, unable to sleep for most of the night.