Chapter 54
The next morning, Lord Neverember joins the companions as they break their fast. While they eat the plethora of food spread out before them, their host elaborates on his request. There have been many kidnappings in the previous months, all at night, and there appears to be no connection between them. The most recent are four prominent citizens:
- Eldon Keyward, a highly knowledgeable elven scholar who specializes in the Outer Planes.
- Indrina Lamsensettle, a human actor who moves in Neverwinter’s highest social circles.
- Sarcelle Malinosh, a human wild-magic sorcerer who plumbs the mysteries of the Outer Planes.
- Umberto Noblin, a gnome historian who has written books on various deities.
He has funded divinations from the House of Knowledge, expecting to learn something of the victims’ whereabouts. The priests followed the mystical trail as far as they could, leading them to Hallix Mausoleum in Neverdeath Graveyard. They were unable to see inside the mausoleum, their divinations blocked by some unknown means—or individual.
An hour later it’s mid-morning and the companions congregate in their room, gathering their gear, and preparing to make their way to Neverdeath Graveyard. Dolor notices a flicker of light in a corner of the room and realizes it’s of fae origin. The tiny light becomes brighter, turning into the silver-haired woman that rescued them from the boiling waters within the temple.
“I have little time, so we will forgo introductions, but I feel like I owe you a better explanation of how and why you came to be here, along with some guidance.”
Bilwin begins to speak, his typical first response in every siutation. The Lady gives him a soft look, one that would calm a raging minotaur, and the dwarf’s mouth remains slightly open even though no words come out.
“Time is short. Your actions in the Temple of Aish were rash. Brave, courageous, and clever, but still rash. Bringing together Whelm, Wave, and Blackrazor set off a beacon to dangerous foes. Enemies you are not ready to face. In addition, their combined magic weakens the barrier between planes and gives the holder certain powers. The one who now bears those weapons is of great concern to myself and my colleagues. We do not yet understand his motivation, but we know that he’s siphoning magical energy from Eritz. And that appears to be connected to the animosity towards arcane users on your home world. That is most of what we know. The rest will come in time, as it always does. We hope that it comes in time to stop him.”
She turns toward the open windows, breathes in the sea air, and, for a moment, seems to forget their presence. None of them could speak in that moment if they’d tried, seemingly spellbound by her presence.
Turning her gaze back to the companions, “You should be safe here, in a different plane, at least for a while. It is similar to your home world, you shall acclimate quickly. Please assist Lord Neverwinter during your time here. I will return for you as soon as I am able.”
Gven’s drive to understand what happened to Torp gives her the strength to ask, “How does this relate to my brother?”
The Lady settles her calm gaze on the half-orc. “The enemy I speak of takes on many disguises, deceiving those who yearn for meaning beyond their normal experiences. Those who feel lost or slighted by others are easy prey to his deceptions. Your brother’s inner demons weaken his resolve, they counter the lessons your parents taught you both. While you find strength in and embrace your unique heritage, he finds ridicule and humiliation. His fate is not yet completely written, but his path is a difficult one. Perhaps as difficult as yours.”
She spends a final moment looking into each of their eyes. It’s more than just a glance, it’s a measurement of their resolve, their courage, their ability to endure. And then she disappears.
Mond’s the first to comment, “That was cryptic as fuck.”