A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 98: Final Preparations
The next morning, we gathered to learn what our next step was. Someone had brought out a large table on which had been placed a map of Faerûn.
"You've all done well in opposing the cult, but we believe they are close to their ultimate goal," said Verrax, "Mr. Samshire?"
"I've learned that the Shadow Triad is planning on open portals to a void-space, and zone locked between the folds of reality," said Eric, "Their master was sealed away there long ago, and they seek to unleash it upon the realm once more".
"But what exactly is their master?" asked Uxarix.
"That's a good question, but unfortunately not information I was privy to," said Eric.
"So, what's the plan then?" I asked, "Stop them from opening the portals?"
"Unfortunately, that won't work," said Verrax, "I've mapped out the coordinates of each rift their opening and discovered they're drawing a massive ritual circle, something that falls under the category of High Magic, well beyond the normal limits of what even the greatest mages in the land could cast. Disrupting a few nodes of this ritual might stop the ritual, or it might instead rip reality as we know it asunder. There's no way to be sure. Magic of this level hasn't been called upon in countless millennia".
"Then what do we do?" I asked.
"We use their own ritual against them," explained Verrax, "Based of the information we've gathered, before the ritual can be fully completed, they'll need to open initial rifts at each primary node of the ritual circle. We can use these rifts to go into the voidspace, and defeat their master before it can emerge".
"Sounds risky," said Narcrath, "We've been through a lot, but to leap into a complete unknown? Evan more, how will we get back?"
"I've already got something in the works to solve that issue," said Verrax.
"Do you have any idea at all what we might encounter beyond the rift?" asked Charles.
"From what limited experience I have with this sort of thing, void-spaces are, despite their name not empty. They contain fragments of worlds, bits and pieces melded together with no rhyme or reason," said Eric, "you could run into almost anything".
"In any case, we've identified the best point of entry," said Verrax, "This island, right here".
Verrax flew down, and pointed his tail at a chain of islands due west of the Sunset Mountains.
"The relative remoteness of this location will likely lead to the Shadow Triad sending a smaller force to secure the area," explained Verrax, "the less resources we have to expend reaching the portal, the more we'll have to combat what lies beyond. For now though, you have time to prepare yourselves, gear up, and collect any supplies you might need".
I watched as my companions split up for now, each heading off to prepare in their own way. I headed to the edge of the nearby forest, thinking on how far I'd come in such a relatively ahort time. As I sit there, thinking, I caught a familiar scent on the wind. I examined my surroundings carefully, and head a slight rustling an a tree to my left.
"I know you're there, Jundre," I said, "come on out".
There was a small laugh, and a familiar Fairy Dragon showed himself.
"Good to see you again," said Jundre, "how have you been?"
"Well enough," I replied, "but what are you doing here, so far from Riverpoint?"
"Quoros and I are out travelling," said Jundre, "He wanted to stop here and visist one of his old colleages. That, and there's been word of something major going one here".
"You could say that again," I said, "Where is Quoros?"
"Oh, he went ahead to the academy," said Jundre, "why don't we go find him together? You can tell me all about what you've been up to. You've clearly benefited from your time on the road".
Jundre flew down and landed on top of my head, and together we began to head back to the academy. On the way I told him about the various places I'd been and people I'd met. I told him of my companions and how we'd all met and traded stories, how we'd unexpectedly found Uxarix and rescued him, all the way up to the most recent events.
"It seems you've been quite busy, my friend," said Jundre, "Baeshra mentioned something about the movements of this 'Shadow Triad' as well. He's been in and out of town, working on opposing the cult. Not sure where he is right now, but I'm certain he's fine".
As we reached the main courtyard of the academy, I spotted a famailiar gnome speaking with Verrax. As I approached Quoros glanced over at me and grinned brightly.
"Valignatirisk, is that you?" said Quoros.
"Were you expecting someone else?" I asked.
"I suppose not, young one," said Quoros, "It's good to see you. I see Jundre has found you already".
"Indeed he has," I said, "how have you been?"
"Riverpoint has been honesty too quiet without you around," said Quoros, "Verrax has already told me of the adventures you've shared. But I'd love to hear it from you as well".
"Let's find a place where you can make yourself comfortable," I said.
"Oh, I can slove that in a moment!" said Quoros.
He waved his staff, and his favorite comfortable chair appeared, and he took a seat.
I lay down nearby and began recalling for him my advetures up to this point, from meeting Charles, Lydratir, Krisyra, and Narcrath, to plunging into the depths of the Stone Tooth, helping out Vorlianax, closing the portal to the forgotten wizard's sanctuary, recuing Uxarix and several others from Cholothra's lair, all the way up to the most recent events.
"Well, it seems you've been keeping busy," said Quoros, "and from what Verrax has mentioned, you're not done yet. Confronting this cult, leaping into the unknown, I almost wish I could accompany you, but I feel I'll be more of use here".
"In what way?" I asked.
"Verrax asked for my assistance on a project of his," said Quoros, "something to aid you in what is to come".
We continued to speak on into the afternoon, catching up and just relaxing for a moment.
A/N: And there we go! Events are accelerating towards the greatest challenge our heroes have faced yet. Next time, our heroes depart for the ritual site, and towards whatever awaits them See you then!