Chapter 5

The late night sky was filled with stars when Shadimir, and Jepetto arrived in Silverymoon. Elros had caught up with them as they entered the gates. The snow tiger shook his head, trying to overcome the exhaustion he had built up from running back.

"Jepetto, I want you and Elros to go back to my house and make sure everyone is all right. Tell Stephanie I'll be home." Shadimir said as he rubbed his shoulder. It was still aching, but thankfully the bleeding had stopped.

Elros looked at his master. Shadimir would love to have his animal companion venture with him to Alustriel's palace, but he could see the tiger's eyelids getting heavy. The snow tiger felt the same way. He would follow Shadimir to the depths of the Abyss, but right now his body was demanding rest. "All right, see you back at your house," Jepetto said in a quiet voice as he and Elros started for Shadimir's home.

Shadimir turned and headed for the palace. He stared to move at a quick pace, but the pain in his shoulder caused him to move a little slower.

When he arrived, the hunter quickly walked up the steps and up to the front door. Just as he was ready to knock, the door opened with a soft creek.

"Shadimir, you've arrived," Alustriel's voice said from the dark hallway. The magical candles on the palace walls began to burn, providing light for the palace. Alustriel was standing at a corner. Next to her was a large black metal trunk that had a gold lock wrapped around a gold chain on the front.

As Shadimir began to approach the High Lady of Silverymoon, the black trunk stared to move and shake. The undead hunter raised an eyebrow when he heard the sound of muffled screams coming from inside of the trunk.

Alustriel laughed. "No use in asking what's inside the trunk. Besides you wouldn't even believe me if I told you."

The trunk gave one last shake, then stopped. Shadimir looked at Alustriel and reached into his pocket. From his pocket, he drew the King's Tear gem. "I have the jewel you asked for."

Alustriel smiled as she carefully took the gem from Shadimir's hands. Her eyes then noticed the wound on his shoulder. "You look hurt. Do you want me to look at it?"

Shadimir saw a look of hunger in Alustriel's eyes. "No I'm fine Alustriel," he answered as he took a step back.

"I insist." Alustriel said in a ravenous voice. She seized control of his arms and bit into his shoulder that was covered by the elven chain armor. The hunter pushed Alustriel away from him, putting his hands on his weapons. Just as he gripped the handles of his mace and sword, he felt his limbs freeze in place.

"What's wrong Shadimir?" Alustriel asked with a smile. The hunter watched as her hair began to change color, from silver to black, and her skin became very pale. Her eyes were now blood red. "Would you like me to look at it now?" she asked as her sharp fangs peeked out of her lips.

"Bella, stop toying with him," a cruel female voice said from behind the vampire.

Shadimir's eyes widened when he saw the drow female standing next to the vampire. She wore black armor and had amber eyes. Her hair was long and white, and she wore six silver rings on her right hand. This woman looked almost identical to the drow he had dreamed about in Jalanthar.

The drow walked over to Shadimir. Her smooth ebony colored fingers brushed against his lips. Shadimir's blood began to boil. "I see my Hold Person spell is working, and now we meet face to face Shadimir. My name is Malice, a priestess of Kiaransalee." Shadimir wanted to ask Malice what he had done with Alustriel, but his lips couldn't move.

Malice kissed Shadimir's cheek. "You have thwarted my goddess for the last time. Before I send your soul to meet her, I'm going to tell you a little dream of mine." The hunter tried to move again, but then he felt a powerful force hit the back of his head. It was only seconds before the darkness took him.

Back at Shadimir's house, Jepetto finished telling Stephanie, Aliyah, Ophila, and Deidra about the encounter in the Moonwood. Giogi, Cat, and the twins were now asleep upstairs Elros was now asleep in the study.

"Something isn't right," Stephanie commented. "If Shadimir and I were getting attacked by undead and Cult wizards, then the Cult of the Dragon must be trying to assassinate Alustriel." She looked at Ophila, Deidra, and Aliyah. "We need to go to the palace at once."

"I agree," Aliyah commented, holding her new scimitars close.

Deidra was the first to stand up. "Well I'm up for going to the palace to talk to Alustriel and Shadimir." Ophila nodded.

Stephanie sheathed her bastard sword. "I'll go to the palace as well. What about you Jepetto?"

The deep gnome didn't have the strength to answer. He was already asleep in the chair he was sitting in.

"All of Alustriel's guards are gone," Stephanie whispered as they entered they palace.

Aliyah's left eye zipped left, seeing eight zombies and a vile looking woman with brown colored scales that covered her body and several snakes in her hair. A medusa, Aliyah mused to herself. "Well it doesn't look like we're going to have to worry about running into the guards, unless Alustriel hired some new guards from Chult."

Stephanie saw the zombies and drew her sword. After crying the word Lyonsbane, she looked over at the corner, and spotted a large black trunk. The trunk began to shake violently. The cleric's intuition told her that whatever was inside of the chest would help her.

Holding Azrael high in the air, Stephanie hoped that her intuition was right.