Ambush - Chapter 1

Drovus told his story of the eventful day and of the time elapsed since then. The two strangers listened, nodding in agreement or simply staring off in the distance (though their weapons still pressed upon the companions necks). After a time of silence the woman aptly named "'Lor" by the dwarf removed her blade from Drovus's neck.

"I believe you." She stated as if that would clear up everything. She motioned Drovus to hold out his hand, when he did she firmly grasped his hand and pulled him up with a powerful tug.

"Alora, you can honestly trust 'im? A drow... A drow!" The dwarf shook his head, thoroughly upset and kept his axe pressed on Kellandura's neck.

"Took, if not these outcasts then who? We are running out of options and we need allies - we need help." Alora looked down. "I mean who can say he, a wizard of Turn, ummm Turn..." "Turnsdell," Drovus filled in quickly. "Turnsdell, yes Turnsdell, is any less trustworthy than us two? As you know we are little more than outcasts now as well."

"We have all heard of the exploits of them dark elves" Took grunted through his matted black beard, "them are murderous scum from the depths of the earth!"

"True, or so the tales say," Alora continued "but if she, a drow, is under the wizards spell certainly a wizard of that power, power enough to control a drow elf, could help us?" Drovus blushed not used to being being adressed so but did not interupt, still feeling the prisoner. "The drow" she paused staring down Took, then continued, "if she is under the control of his whim, could not another trained blade help us?" Alora continued, "we have heard of her battle prowess.

"Your right, as usual, friend" conceded the dwarf, Took, but he still looked frustrated. "Don't expect any favours from me elf" Took growled at Kellandura, who in response cursed in her native tongue, throwing the dwarf off track. "She can still speak! I thought you had control of her Wizard?" Took thundered.

"I did - I do ... I think my power over her is waning. To say truthfully I have no right controlling her so, she is a living being. Even if she is bad-natured I think she had no choice, she grew up with murderers and Lolth cultists. Would you be so different under the same conditions dwarf?" Drovus stated defiantly, daring the dwarf to react, surprising even himself. He had not realized how attached to this alien companion he had become over the last few days.

"Lets not give her a chance to gain back her mind!" The dwarf lifted his axe suddenly arcing it over his head and then switching direction, slammed it towards Kellandura's neck. With lightning speed Alora intercepted the heavy chop with both of her blades drawn, crossed in a dazzling parry. Drovus gasped in amazement, he had barely see her move. "Look Took, don't be stubborn we need his help and if she's with him, then she is also with me - even if she is a drow." Took spat at the ground cursing, "aye, alright I'll give her" he motioned at Kellandura's still prone, form, "and him a chance," he completed nodding at Drovus.

"Good boy," Alora grinned, "He may seem tough, but I assure you it is merely for show" Alora whispered into Drovus's ear. Then seeing the furious look on her companions face she began to laugh heartily, "although his scowl has saved us from danger plenty a time". Drovus not knowing how to react to the comically enraged dwarf, tried to stop the grin from spreading across his face. As quickly as the dwarfs anger departed so did he became companionable to Drovus, "Laddy, me names Took Boringer, champion and defender to the mighty Citadel Adbar" the dwarf stated proudly.

"Glad to meet you, my name is Drovus Arden, mage of Turnsdell. My companion is Kellandura, though I do not know her last name." Kellandura seeming to recall something from her previously intelligent life, answered, "Kellandura Drihavar" she introduced in her rough common. The dwarf shook visibly, "I hope your right about her boy!" the dwarf reasoned, "as am I" grinned Drovus in reply. He had changed his mind about the dwarf quite drastically since the mages rough awakening.

"And I am Alora Tellanen, ranger by title," the woman stated finishing off the introductions. She sheathed her deadly short swords, and following her notion Took slid his axe ,handle first, into the strap of a large buckeled travel belt. "Now that we are all on even ground," Alora stared intently at Drovus as she continued, "I need help and I think you can offer it, what say you, friend?"

"I have no where else to go" the overwhelmed mage realized he could change his predicament by befriending others more knowledgeable of Faerun (and had decided that both Alora and Took were trustworthy). Drovus agreed "I think Kellandura and I would be pleased to help, although I have a few questions to ask first?"

"Go ahead Drovus" Alora smiled warmly, stunning Drovus with her striking beauty.

Snapping himself out of his paralyzed state Drovus asked "What-W" (Drovus didn't see the dwarf smirking at his predicament behind him) "What is a ranger doing grouped up with a Champion from Cit-" his words were cut off by the whoosh of an arrow.

"Down," Alora shouted diving atop Drovus, knocking him roughly to the ground as the well aimed missile flew overhead. "Ambush!" cried the surprised Took Boringer once again taking out his battleworn mithril axe, he was always ready for a good fight.

------------------------------------------The End----------------------------------------------

Hey, I realized the prologue was a little long so I tried to cut this chapter shorter. Also I capitalized drow on my last piece and corrected that error this time around. Please get some reviews up and I will work on writing the next chapter. Oh and be aware that errors in grammar and spelling may occur, sorry ahead of time.

thanks,

TrailWanderer