Chapter 1

Sitting in his study with his son Jacen on his lap, Shadimir was enjoying a quiet evening at home. The undead hunter's study was decorated with sculptures and carvings that he had made himself.

He smiled down at his son. Like Shadimir, Jacen had beautiful silver hair. However, his eyes were hazel like his mother's.

Seeing his papa's smile, Jacen giggled, then reached over and grabbed the small black book that was sitting on the small table, next to the wooden chair he and his father were in.

"No, no Jacen, that's papa's," Shadimir said with a smile as he gently grabbed the book away from Jacen. The small child looked at his father with innocent eyes, and then stared at his white cotton pajamas. Shadimir gently placed the book back on the table, then felt his son's hands grabbing at the dark blue shirt he wore.

"Children are little wonders," said Jepetto as he walked into the study. Shadimir smiled at his deep gnome friend. Wearing his brown leather overcoat, Jepetto flashed a smile of his own as he walked over to Shadimir and his son. His eyes then glanced at the book on the table.

"You're finished with that already?" asked the svirfneblin. "Didn't Alustriel give that to you three days ago?"

Shadimir nodded while patting Jacen gently on the back. "I finished it this morning. I just couldn't bring myself to put it down these last few days."

"Really?" the deep gnome asked as he sat in a chair next to Shadimir. "What's it about?"

The undead hunter took a deep breath. "It's about this knight named Huma who gets separated from his fellow knights. He saves a minotaur named Kaz, and then he goes through these dangerous trials. He falls in love with a silver dragon named Heart, and uses a weapon called a dragonlance to defeat the Dark Queen."

"Sounds interesting," Jepetto remarked, deducing that Shadimir was only giving him a brief summary, and not trying to spoil the book for him. "Perhaps I'll borrow it sometime." The gnome looked over at Jacen, who was smiling wildly. "How are you today Jacen?" Jacen answered with a coo and a couple of dribbles. The child then noticed his father's snow tiger animal companion Elros, and let out a happy squeal.

Elros smiled and walked over to the two Deachron men in the wooden chair. Jacen laughed happily and reached out to stroke the snow tiger's white fur and dark blue stripes. Elros licked the boy's face, then turned to Shadimir.

"I hope you had a good dinner Elros," Shadimir said as he scratched his animal friend's neck.

Jepetto stared at Elros for a moment. "It looks like he has gained a little weight since coming to Silverymoon," he commented. Elros turned and glared at the deep gnome.

Shadimir laughed, then heard a knock at the door. He picked up his son and rose from his seat, "Be good for Elros and Jepetto," he said, then gently sat Jacen down in the chair. Who could be coming here this time of the evening? he asked himself as he left the study.

The hunter walked up to the door. When he opened it, he found Alustriel standing outside, wearing a light blue colored silk dress with sapphires stitched around the bottom. "Alustriel, I was going to stop by tomorrow and thank you for the book you gave me."

Alustriel stared at Shadimir, then nodded. "Yes the tale about Huma. A good story. Shadimir, I came here to ask for your help. There is a rare jewel that I need you to find. The Cult of the Dragon has had their eye on it for some time now. There have been rumors going around the Silver Marshes. Whispers of Cultists looking for gems to use as soul items for their dracoliches."

Shadimir crossed his arms. He knew of the Cult of the Dragon as scheming wizards, who were dedicated to bringing the world under the rule of dragons, both alive and undead.

"The jewel that I want you to acquire is called the King's Tear," Alustriel continued," It is a clear jewel shaped that is shaped like a teardrop. It is a very rare gem and ideal for a dracolich's phylactery." Alustriel stared at Shadimir for a moment. The hunter saw the stress and uneasiness in her eyes. Alustriel had sent the palace guards and servants on vacation. Some of the guards had wanted to stay with Alustriel, but the High Lady of Silverymoon insisted they take some rest. She had expected one of her sisters to come and keep her company, but they never came. Shadimir sensed that Alustriel was starting to feel lonely.

"You seem to be very concerned about this," Shadimir said quietly. "I'll look into it. Do you know where the jewel is located?"

Alustriel smiled. "It is at a graveyard in the Moonwood Forest, hidden in one of the tombstones. When you return, bring it back to me immediately." She learned up and kissed his cheek. "I must be off. The palace does not clean itself, despite all of my magical talents."

After Alustriel walked away, Shadimir went back to the study where Elros and Jacen were both asleep on the chair he had sat in before talking to the High Lady of Silverymoon. Jepetto was admiring a small wooden figurine of a dragon Shadimir had carved. "A good representation," Jepetto remarked with a smile. "Was that Alustriel I heard at the door?"

Shadimir nodded. "She wants me to go to the Moonwood and find the King's Tear gem. She seems to be under a lot of stress."

"Being in a big palace by yourself might do that to you," the svirfneblin said in a soft voice. "Perhaps we should take turns checking on her."

"You should just invite her over Shadimir," a beautiful voice said from behind Shadimir. The hunter turned around to see his beautiful wife Stephanie, wearing a well-tailored blue-grey robe. In her arms, Stephanie held their daughter Andreya, whose hair was blond like her aunt Aliyah. The sleeping child was wearing a small blue silk dress.

"How was the opera?" Shadimir asked, giving his wife a kiss on her lips. He ran his fingers through her raven black hair and smiled.

"It was good," the doomguide of Kelemvor answered, handing the sleeping Andreya to her husband. She then brushed the wrinkles off of her robe and added," Deidra, Ophila, and Aliyah enjoyed the show." Stephanie smiled as she touched her daughter's small nose. "This little one even managed to stay awake for the whole show. She fell asleep when it was over."

"Well Jacen is asleep with Elros in the study," the hunter commented, holding Andreya close to him. "I'll grab him when I head to bed.

Stephanie nodded. "You're going to the Moonwood tomorrow and retrieving a gem. I hope you make it back in time to meet our guests."

"Guests?" questioned Shadimir, then he remembered. "That's right, the nobles from Cormyr who are staying with us for a few days. Yes darling, I will be back by nightfall."

The doomguide smiled and kissed her husband's lips. "I'm going to bed now love." Stephanie gently took Andreya into her arms. Shadimir gave his little girl a kiss, then watched as they walked upstairs.

Shadimir turned to Jepetto. "Feel like going to the Moonwood tomorrow?"

Jepetto sighed and looked at his friend. "Do you even have to ask? Just give me enough time tomorrow to go and grab a couple of things from my shop. Do you think we'll need fire and oil?"

Shadimir shook his head. "Not unless you want a large number of forest creatures wanting to hunt us down."