A/N: Guess that the gods have to hate me. Don't mind, just read and review!

On the move again

Dressed only in her informal robe, Elvorfiring slowly went out of her room to meet others; Xanos, Dorna and Mischa. With small smile she listened to their arguing. But suddenly...

"What's the noise?!"

"We're under attack! Use your rings!"

PLOP!

o.O.o

'So, Drogan has been poisoned, four artifacts stolen.. return of old times, it seems,' thought Elvorfiring with slightly bitter smile. 'And most centrainly no Aarin to whom I could go to.'

She left him because she thought it would be better for both of them - but the longer she was without him, the more it hurt. 'Will he ever be able to forgive me?'

Thinking, she left the house and went to Hilltop. This is going to be very tiring searching with all that snow and cold everywhere. No need to make it even longer by staying in the academy longer than is really neccesary.

o.O.o

After few days she returned, all artifacts in her bag. Drogan looked much more better after the antidote Ayala made for him.

"You're back, Elvorfiring. How has your searching been?"

Elvorfiring responded. "It went quite well, master Drogan. I have all the artifacts you've been robbed of. I helped to solve a pair of problems and... well, I think that one of the artifacts is not in so good condition. Deekin - the little kobold who had it - said he broke it. Here it is; the tower."

Drogan looked on it closer. "Hm... you're right it seems. But the breaking of it was maybe the best thing which happened to us. Whom would ever occured that the tower was only wrap of something much more important? Ayala, what do you think it is?"

Ayala looked on the brightly shining gem. "Could it be... could it be mythal? I doubt it. But if yes, that would explain the attack of kobolds."

Elvorfiring interjected. "Well, Tymofarrar firstly made a deal with woman called J'Nah about this artifacts. He wanted to betray her. Well, they betrayed each other in the end. But even J'Nah was servant of someone else. I don't know who it was - but most centrainly it was woman who wears a cape all the time."

Ayala and Drogan looked on her with thoughtful expressions. "Wearing a cape all the time?" said Drogan. "Anyone whom we should know, Ayala?"

"At least it's someone whom I don't know," replied Ayala.

Elvorfiring looked on them, waiting. "And any ideas what to do now, master Drogan?"

Drogan gazed on her. "You passed your final test, Elvorfiring Greyn. So call me just 'Drogan'. We are equal now. But I ask for a boon of you."

She felt her cheeks burning. 'Well, not that I needed a teacher after the Wailing death but this... hooray!' "If you think so, m... ehm, Drogan. What do you wish of me?"

Drogan nodded, slightly smilling. "I thought you will say that. We need to identify this gem. But there is a problem; only man who is capable of it is Garrick. And Garrick left the Hilltop two years ago because of the archaeological research of one ruins near oasis in Anauroch desert."

Elvorfiring nodded. "Anauroch desert. How do I get there? I have no travelling experience with desert and I doubt it would be good if I lost there."

Ayala said: "There is a caravan in the Hilltop, right? Catrina should be on her way through the desert soon, if I'm not mistaken."

" 'Soon'?! Then I should be on my way to her caravam. Missing them would be terrible!" squeaked Elvorfiring.

"No, not 'that' soon," calmed her grinning Ayala. "You still have at least one day for rest. I'll send Mischa to tell Catriona about you. She will wait."

"Uh, I have thought I will have to leave as soon as possible. But what about you? What shall you do about that woman?"

"We will make her believe that it's me who has the crystal. You will be relatively safe from her for some time."

"Okay then. I'll go to sleep for some time and leave tomorrow. Good night."

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

...meanwhile in Neverwinter...

Aarin impatienly paced before Lord Nasher's desk and was speaking very loudly.

"Lord Nasher, that can't be true! They would never..."

"I know perfectly what they are capable of!" answered Nasher in the same loudness as his spymaster.

"I' m sorry, lord, but you don't! My spies..."

"In this matter I don't care about your spies! They failed one time, they can fail anytime again! I will see the men dead for what they have done."

Aarin paled. Then, with deep breath he said quietly: "I don't agree with your action." And with this he let the stunned Nasher behind and left the room.

o.O.o

"Do you know where Elvorfiring Greyn is?" asked the former spymaster one of his contacts.

The quiet laugh was his answer. "Yes, I know, master spy. She has been there for quite long time."

"Stop playing with me and finally answer me," growled Aarin. "Where is she?"

"You wouldn't guess. That place is called 'Hilltop'. Well, more precisely it's an academy led by old dwarf of name Drogan."

"Hm, Hilltop you say? I've heard about the place. Thanks for information. Here is your reward. And try to stay away from any trouble, yes?"

o.O.o

The journey to Hilltop took him two weeks. When he finally got there, he asked about the Academy and one of its students, elven woman Elvorfiring Greyn.

"Oh, yes! Elvorfiring is really studying in Drogan's academy!" exclaimed young woman with small child in her arms. "she was the one who saved my child here. But I'm afraid I have to disappoint you - she left the Hilltop two weeks ago with Catriona's caravan. She told me they are heading to through the Anauroch desert.

Aarin thanked her. But as soon as he was alone in his room, he just sat on his bed with his head in palms. 'Elvorfiring, did you have to leave just when I'm looking for you?'