SILVERYMOON
Chapter 24
"Several weeks ago, three highly valued items, all weapons, disappeared from the vaults where they were held, Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor. Each is an heirloom held in every family for generations. It's not so much about their power but the status they represent. Each owner resides in Waterdeep," Mitala began to explain.
Kate's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Waterdeep?" They lived in Silverymoon. How did this concern them?
"I'm getting to that. The families that own these weapons can't afford for people in Waterdeep to find out that someone managed to steal them. And send each of them a note, challenging them to try and get them back.
"To ask for help in Waterdeep means that word would get out, causing the ruination of those families. So they sent a messenger to us. We, in turn, are coming to you," Mitala said.
That had Rick reading it to himself again this time. "Feathered Mound?" That certainly sounded like a clue to him.
"We believe that Feathered Mound refers to a single mountain. We call it White Plume. It's the tallest mountain in that range, and it always has snow on top. However, we have learned something more ominous.
"Thirteen hundred years ago, the Wizard Keraptis was searching for a suitable haven where he could indulge in eccentricities without fear of interference. He visited White Plume Mountain, going closer than most dared.
"At the time, Keraptis was the single most powerful Wizard of his era. That is no longer the case, but who knows what power he holds now," Mitala said.
Alexis's jaw dropped. "Thirteen hundred YEARS!? And he's still alive? How?"
"Alive is a loose term for what we believe he has done to himself. There is a process that can turn your body into an Undead. In other words, living forever as a Lich.
"Liches were generally gaunt and skeletal with withered flesh stretched tight across horribly visible bones but could greatly vary in appearance depending on their age. Some appeared as skeletons dressed in regal finery, yet others might appear to be nothing more than lepers. Bright pinpoints of crimson light burned in the empty sockets of those whose eyes had been destroyed or otherwise lost, or were so old they had finally rotted away. Often they were clad in dark, tattered robes. When moving, they seemed to glide as if floating on water.
"Liches frequently did not have lips or the necessary organs to produce natural speech, but they had the ability to project speech from their mouths magically, moving the jaw – if present – to aid the illusion," Mitala told them.
Alexis made a face, looking disgusted. "That's GROSS! Why would anyone do such a thing?" That wasn't living to her. That was existing with no real life or hope for a life.
"To live forever at any cost," Corimin said grimly.
Mitala gave a brief nod. "Correct, Corimin. All Liches care about is living forever. While you can and can't kill a Lich, they have one major handicap. They place their living spirit in an object that we call a Phylactery. Now this object could be anything.
"It is believed that most hide it away where none other can reach. The opposite thought is to hide it in plain sight, never suspecting that whatever it is, it holds the living soul of a Lich. Destroy it, and you kill him forever. If you only kill his body, he will create a new body or steal one from the living," Mitala expounded.
"What was that movie?" Rick's forehead wrinkled while he tried to remember. Then he snapped his fingers and exclaimed, "Captain Sinbad, that's it! The only way to kill this guy was to destroy his beating heart hidden away in a tower in the middle of a swamp. A massive hand guarded it."
"I know not this Captain of whom you speak or what a moo-vee is, though it does sound correct. If he is taunting the owners to come to take them from him, you can be sure that he will be ready for you," Mitala warned him.
"A Lich with guards?" Kate didn't see how that was possible.
Corimin spoke up and shared what he knew. "Undead guards, most likely. There is a tale of an Evil Undead that can actually create Undead to support him. Zombies, Skeletons, Ghosts, Wights. Perhaps even Mummies and Vampires. Real Vampires," he added hastily. He had since come to realize that Kate wasn't a real Vampire.
Rick looked at the map again. "Looks like we're going back north."
"If there's another Dragon you can count me out," Alexis informed them hotly. "Especially if it's that Red Dragon."
"The living would have nothing to do with a Lich. Living and Undead don't really get along well enough or long enough. In addition, all Dragons are solitary. The Red Dragon you are thinking about would be more interested in attacking him, taking the weapons, and adding them to his Horde," Mitala maintained.
"What about an Undead Dragon?" Alexis queried.
"Sadly, there is such a thing. It's called a DracoLich, an Undead Dragon that will live forever," Mitala disclosed.
Alexis crossed her arms across her chest and sulked. "IT FIGURES!"
"MEOW!"
"NO! Forget it. If there is that there, we're leaving. They can have their damn weapons," Alexis said angrily. Then she just sat there and stewed.
"MEOW!"
But even Patches couldn't get her out of it. Not that he wasn't trying.
"What is being offered in payment?" Kate inquired. The four of them could talk about it. They didn't have to say yes.
"If you can rescue the weapons from this false Keraptis, for who can believe it is truly the Magician of Legend after thirteen hundred years, the wealthy collectors have promised to grant you whatever you desire if it is within their power to do so. Keep in mind these are three of the more powerful and rich families in Waterdeep," Mitala told them.
Rick's eyes lit up. "Anything!?" He could think of a lot of things he would love to have.
"Down, babe. We have to decide if we even want to do this." Kate looked at Mitala sharply. "We are being asked and not told?"
"This is strictly voluntary. However, do not discount it being a real Lich and not someone pretending to be a thirteen hundred-year-old Magician. I would strongly suggest that you prepare for this possibility." Mitala honestly didn't want to lose these four. "Talk to Dima, she may know of a Cleric willing to go with you, and yes, she knows about you three. She has cast many spells on you herself," he confirmed.
"I didn't notice a thing," Alexis commented. Had that many spells really been cast on her?
"There is one more thing to consider. Secrets are hard to keep. You can bet that someone or several someones know about this and are planning their own attempt at retrieving the weapons. They will keep them for themselves or force the owners to pay far more than they are offering you. Or perhaps sell them to someone.
"Time is becoming an issue. The longer this lasts, the more likely word will get out," Mitala warned them.
"They'd lose face." Rick could see that.
"We need to talk this over," Kate told him.
"I can go downstairs and look around or come back in the morning. Do not discount taking a Cleric of Pelor with you. You may not be our Undead, but Undead should not be taken lightly," Mitala cautioned them.
"We can go upstairs." Hearing that, Mitala nodded and sat down to wait. Kate went upstairs, followed by everyone else.
"Anything, really?" Rick asked to be sure even though he was already sold.
"I'm pretty sure they mean an item," Kate said patiently. "What do we want or need, or do we try and sell whatever it is?"
"I don't know what you've learned in training, but there are things that can cost 200,000 gold or more," Corimin said. "Rings, books, Staffs come to mind."
Kate was conflicted. The offer of payment was enticing. But the risk...oh, the risk! She chewed her lip while thinking. "You think we could ask Ghared to come with us again? She's not a Cleric, but she might be useful."
"What do you know about turning Undead?" Corimin asked since he really liked the idea of taking a Cleric with them.
"Dima destroyed that spirit in the College," Rick mentioned.
"A powerful Cleric like Dima can destroy them outright. Weaker Clerics can only make them run away for a short time. Or conversely, if the Undead is powerful enough, even Dima might not accomplish anything," Corimin said.
"Mitala warned us about time. Ghared is what, at least a week away?" And with that, Alexis nixed adding her. "Even our Brass Dragon friend is a week away, and that's if we can find him."
"Then we add a Cleric." Kate settled on that. "Are we doing this? He's asking, not telling us."
"Asking, yes, but why do I feel like he's not asking but is telling us?" Alexis wasn't sure she trusted Mitala right now.
Kate felt it too. "Because he is." They might have proved that they weren't Demons or Undead, but they still were. If they were ratted out, their small family would be on the run to god knows where.
"Then we don't have a choice." Alexis sighed. "You don't have to come, babe." Corimin wasn't a Demon or an Undead.
"Where you go, I go, Alexis, so forget it. Besides, I finished my training. I'm officially a Sorcerer now." He knew a few low-level spells he could cast. Still, his Staff of Power was far more powerful.
"We need to go shopping. What is an Undead Lich susceptible to? I need three new wands for my Rod just for him or the others," Alexis said cautiously since Kate was still pinching pennies. They only spent money that they had to.
"Yes." Kate saw that coming. She wanted to return home alive too, so if spending some gold now did that, she would do it.
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Dima was expecting them the following morning. Like last time the City would provide the horses and one feed bag, meaning they had two total.
They were all sitting in an alcove waiting for their volunteer to show up when in walked a young woman. She was tall, very thin, rather plain-looking, and obviously, not ready to leave. But neither were they. They still had to go shopping.
"My name is Eslor Pusal. They told me that you have an Undead problem." She waited expectantly for someone to say something.
Kate greeted her and even bowed a little as a sign of respect. "Indeed we do. Our ultimate problem is likely a Lich, so we'll need advice on how to combat him."
"A Lich!? Interesting. I stand little chance of turning him. As for how to combat a Lich, we need to find his Phylactery. Most are strips of cloth full of magical markings hidden away behind a locked box not able to be scried. Other possibilities can be crystal trinkets that meant something to him in life.
"Regarding the physical Lich himself. They are completely immune to cold, electricity, and polymorphism. They have an aura of fear, causing you to react to this fear. Also, their touch can mean instant death. You will need magical weapons to attack them with, or they may suffer no damage at all," Eslor warned them.
Kate nodded thoughtfully. "Good to know. We still need to go shopping for whatever objects we might need. You're welcome to come with us if you wish and still want to come."
"I am a Servant of Pelor. I will be joining you willingly. I've been told that two of you are Demons, and one is a Vampire, but not Evil. I have cast more than one spell on you myself. Then I didn't understand why, but I've been told since." Eslor was not that worried about them.
"We have horses for everyone. We're going somewhere called White Plume Mountain to the north, and it will be cold," Kate warned her.
"Let me gather my armor, weapons, and everything else, and I will be right back." Eslor studied them for a moment and left.
"She seems nice." Rick kind of liked her.
"I just hope we aren't sending her to her death." That was Kate's only fear. She knew Corimin was now first-class while Ghared had said she was 7th class, so what was Eslor?
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It only took a short time, and Eslor was back. Wearing armor, she had a weapon with spikes on it that was hanging at her side. She had a staff in hand, was wearing a backpack, and had a shield hung over it. She had changed to boots and was wearing gloves of some kind.
"Snow goggles are nice." Rick liked those since she had them around her neck.
"How many potions do you all have?" They might need to start shopping here before even departing. Instead of waiting for an answer, she escorted them to a different room.
"Potions of healing, light, moderate, and critical. Neutralize poison, cure disease, and minor regeneration; we will want a few of those. I have heard what a kiss from a Demon can do, but far too many Undead can do the same," Eslor advised.
Sure enough, they left with almost three of everything even if Corimin did have a few of those in his Bag of Holding. From here they went across the bridge to go shopping for other magical items. Alexis needed three brand new wands to attach to her Rod that looked more like a staff. Three Wands of Fireball and another Ring of Invisibility.
"Are you good here?" Kate asked since Eslor seemed disinterested.
"I have all that I need. Celestial Armor, my shield has Ghost Touch, and my weapon has Disruption. A Staff of Healing, my backpack, Bag of Holding, and one magic bedroll. Two symbols of Pelor, one made of Mithral and one made of Silver." Eslor fished out the last one from a chain around her neck. It was somewhat small, but it would work just fine.
"Potions, as you already know, and I also have a few scrolls with spells on them in case I use mine up. I will be altering what I have memorized along the way." Currently, the spells she had were used in the City, not for going away from the City and getting into a fight.
"As well as all the winter clothing I have and need." She felt she was all set.
"You were informed of the compensation being offered for doing this?" Kate wanted to make sure.
"Anything my heart desires," Eslor stated. And she had ideas as to just what to ask for.
"Pretty much," Kate confirmed. "We need to go home, get packed up, and then we can go."
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Eslor was seated downstairs waiting while everyone save for Corimin, who had gone home to get packed, was upstairs. Everyone except Patches, who was sitting there watching her intently.
She began to talk to him. "I've been told your name is Patches. I've never seen a cat that was all fire before. You're quite remarkable."
"MEOW!"
Kate was the first one down. "Sorry for making you wait. Rick and Alexis will be down in a moment."
"Why are you not wearing any armor?" Eslor thought they needed it.
"I'm training to be a Rogue and then a Slayer of Domiel. All I can wear is leather, but I find that it's restrictive. Rick is training to be a Warlock, Alexis is training to be a Sorceress, while Corimin is a Sorcerer. They can't wear armor, Eslor. You should know that. Besides, we have everything we think we need." Kate raised an eyebrow and stared at her.
Eslor let her win that one. "Very well." She was also starting to think she was the muscle here, the only person who could do hand-to-hand combat.
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Two days to Sundabar. That would be their last chance to get food and supplies for themselves and their horses. Eslor quickly found that this group had a plan that worked for them. Every horse had its own hay bound up inside a blanket, and strapped just behind the saddle. They also carried lots of water. The City of Silverymoon had given them a feed bag to use. But they already had one, so that made two that the horses could use.
Before reaching Sundabar, they spent the last of day two walking the horses and stopping so they could graze and enjoy the grass. Horses didn't live by oats alone. It was actually bad for them.
Next came four to almost five days to Ascore which was an abandoned and ruined city now. They had plans to avoid it. Go north toward the small forest, skirt it on the east side, and go north to the mountains that separated them from the North. It was a part of The Spine of the World, so it would definitely be cold. That was another two to three days.
"So, you've been in the Desert of Anauroch?" Eslor queried as they left Sundabar.
Kate nodded. "One week in, plus time in the ice, and another week back. Even in winter it was hot under the sun."
"But we met a Brass Dragon. Our only nice Dragon so far," Alexis added. "And he loved Dad." The petite redhead rolled her eyes.
"I'll have you know that he loved my stories," Rick said defensively. Then he grinned wide. "He couldn't resist me."
Kate cut him down to size a bit. "Now you know what the rest of us put up with."
"But you love me," Rick said plaintively.
Kate grinned back at him. "I plead temporary insanity."
"And this is where I step in before these two start a fight. I'm not sure what's going to happen when I move out," Alexis added.
"MOVE OUT!?" Rick gaped at her. She wasn't moving out till she was 30 years old at least, maybe not even then.
"You'll live, Dad." Alexis knew moving out was coming, just not when exactly. "Besides, you and Kate need room for children."
"CHILDREN!?" Kate exclaimed, and automatically her hand went to her belly. She was beginning to think that she had a bump, but she wasn't sure. "We're getting married first. I'm not going to be a single mom. That's right out, mister."
"One more month." Rick was still working on what he was going to do and say at his very last wedding. Kate was it for him; he was never getting married again. Not ever.
"You two are getting married?" Eslor asked. This was new information to her.
"In one month in the inn that's in the middle of the lake. No one's staying there but we're borrowing a room to get married in and have food served. I just need to figure out where the honeymoon is going to be." He still had no idea.
"Honey...moon?" Eslor inquired since that word meant nothing to her.
"It's tradition in our family. The groom plans a honeymoon, a place where the newlyweds can celebrate getting married. Usually it's code for having sex. Lots and lots of sex," Alexis explained with a grin. "Take note, babe." Alexis smiled at Corimin because she had plans.
"What about you, Eslor? Is there anyone special in your life?" Kate asked her.
"Perhaps. He is trying to convince me that he is the right man, though I'm still not sure. I keep asking Pelor for guidance, but she has been silent so far." Eslor shrugged then looked away.
"You should have invited him," Kate told her gently. "He could have come."
"Yes, you two could learn a lot about each other. It's what Corimin and I did," Alexis shared with her.
Eslor shook her head. "I do not think he would want to do this. He owns and runs a business that he started. He has no time for this. I am not even sure he owns a weapon."
"Just so long as he is successful," Alexis countered.
"He is making money." Eslor was happy about that for him. "I heard you have a business. Something about Christmas?"
"We do. It's not a big hit yet, but we're working on it. We have high hopes for this winter," Alexis said, admitting that it was slow going. She loved Christmas so everyone should love Christmas. "You wait, by the time we're back home we'll convert you to believing In Christmas." Alexis had plans to do just that.
All of Faerûn was going to learn to love Christmas!