Chapter 2

Early in the evening, the sound of crying could be heard coming from the outside of Shadimir's house. The silver haired undead hunter was holding his daughter Andreya, who had just burned herself by sticking her hand in the fireplace. Thankfully, the flames had barely touched her hand before she pulled away.

"Shh, its all right Andreya," Shadimir whispered to his crying daughter. With tears running down her face, Andreya buried her head in his chest. Shadimir could feel her tears wet the front of his cotton shirt. He sighed, stroking her blond hair.

As Andreya began to calm down, Shadimir looked over, and saw Jepetto sitting at the door. "Will she be all right?" the deep gnome asked, huddling himself in his long coat. The hunter noted the look of concern on the gnome's face.

"Yes she will be," Shadimir answered after he kissed his daughter's cheek. "She and Jacen both at the age when they have to see and feel everything they can get their hands on. Yesterday, Stephanie caught Jacen trying to gnaw on Alustriel's pendant. You know, the one that can turn your hand into a sword if you wear it."

Jepetto let out a sigh of relief while Andreya closed her eyes. The deep gnome straightened his coat and looked at Shadimir. "What do you think Malice is up to?" he asked.

Shadimir shrugged. He had been asking himself the same question for the past few days. He remembered their first meeting, when she told him that her greatest ambition was to create a dracolich and destroy the drow city of Menzoberranzen. After his encounter with the dark elf cleric of Kiaransalee, Shadimir had sent Aliyah, Deidra, and Ophila to warn Drizzt DoUrden, who Malice had sworn revenge against.

While Malice was possibly building her army during these last few days, Shadimir and his wife Stephanie were playing hosts to Giogi and Cat Wyvernspur, who had been marveling at the sites Silverymoon had to offer. Not only that, but while her palace guards were away, Alustriel, the High of Silverymoon was staying at Shadimir and Stephanie's house. Alustriel had wanted to go back to the palace, but Stephanie insisted (more like demanded) that Alustriel stay with them until her guards return.

"I'm not sure what Malice is doing?" the undead hunter answered," but I'm not going to worry about it for right now. I'll wait until Malice attacks. In the meantime, I think I'll put a bed in the study.

Jepetto nodded, then stood up and walked into the house. Holding his daughter in his arms, Shadimir followed the svirfneblin inside.

When he entered the living room, Shadimir saw Giogi Wyvernspur and his wife Cat playing a game of chess. Stephanie and Alustriel were watching Jacen play with the snow tiger Elros. As the hunter looked around the living room, his wife turned her hazel eyes to him and asked," Will she be all right?"

Shadimir nodded. Andreya looked over at her mother and Alustriel with an embarrassed expression on her face. The silver haired hunter quickly handed Andreya over to Stephanie. Wearing a pair of leather breeches similar to Shadimir's and a dark blue silk shirt, the priestess of Kelemvor smiled at her little girl, who began trying to reach for her mother's loose strands of raven black hair.

Alustriel looked up at Shadimir. She wore a dark blue cotton dress and her hair was done up in a tight ponytail. "We need to have a talk in the study Shadimir," she said softly.

The undead hunter nodded. He and Alustriel left the living room and entered the study. Stephanie watched them go, then looked at Andreya.

As they entered the study together, Shadimir asked," So what's going on?"

Alustriel took a deep breath. "There have been reports of Cultists going around Fauern, digging up graves and gathering corpses." Shadimir was about to remark about how Cult of the Dragon members were always digging up corpses, when Alustriel added," There is also a rumor that an army of undead is marching towards Menzoberranzen. They say that a dracolich is leading them. We both know that Malice has gathered her forces.

A jolt of fear shot through Shadimir's body. He nodded his head and closed his eyes. "So she actually did it. Do you think it might be Naravala the Red?"

The High Lady of Silverymoon shook her head. "While you, the twins, and the Wyvernspurs were sleeping last night, Stephanie spoke to Kelemvor and asked the same question. Kelemvor assured her that the Devil Dragon's spirit now rests in the Abyss. Though he did tell her that a god from another world came to him, and told him that one of his souls escaped and is active in Fauern."

The hunter crossed his arms, while Alustriel continued. "Nevertheless, I know of a way we can defeat Malice and her dracolich. We must go to Krynn and retrieve the dragonlances. from my friend Juniper Shanklebee."

"Dragonlances?" Shadimir asked once he opened his eyes. "You mean like in the Huma story? But I thought that was all fiction?"

"The dragonlances are real," Alustriel assured him. "I've been to the world of Krynn before. I've even fought in the War of the Lance."

The hunter looked at Alustriel, then glanced into the living room. "What about Stephanie, Jepetto, and the others?"

Alustriel placed a hand on Shadimir's shoulder. "They will be fine. I've contacted an old friend of ours, who is coming to help. You'll have to leave Elros behind though when we journey into Krynn A white tiger with blue stripes might raise a few suspicions."

Shadimir nodded, then stepped back as Stephanie walked into the study. The doomguide of Kelemvor held a small letter in her hand. "Its from Cadderly," Stephanie said in a soft voice. The undead hunter saw the look of worry on his wife's face, then gently took the letter and unfolded it.

Shadimir:

A small force of undead just attacked the cathedral today. Dalla is fine, but one of the scholars was wounded, and two elves from the forest were killed. I'm pleased to tell you that your daughter stood up and acted bravely. Many scholars and priests around the temple have started calling her the Silent Defender. In the end, it was the Simbul who finished the undead. I summoned a demon from the abyss and asked why the undead had attacked the cathedral. The demon told me it was a priestess named Malice. I'll write more to let you know things are going.

- Cadderly Bonaduce

Priest in the Order of Denier

Postscript: Dalla wanted me to tell you personally that she is doing fine.

Guilt washed over Shadimir. He didn't need Cadderly to summon up a demon to know that it was Malice who had sent the attack at the Spirit Soaring. Part of him felt responsible for Malice sending the undead. He hoped Drizzt would have the same success in surviving Malice's trap as Dalla did, though instead of having one of the Seven Sisters to help him, the drow ranger from Mithral Hall would be getting a druid, a halfling, and one of the best (not to mention reckless and stubborn) fighters in the Silver Marshes.

Yet the undead hunter couldn't help but feel proud of his daughter. Only being eight winters old, Dalla had already fought her first battle. He hoped to speak with her about it once she came home for the Yuletide holiday.

Feeling Stephanie's arms around him, Shadimir made a silent vow. He would confront and defeat Malice and her dracolich, or die trying.