on numerous levels, and the powers I contain can do you even more harm than those you’ve already felt today. Just after the lightning strikes, the Tower came under attack, I’m told, by an over-reaching mage and his agents. Pikar Salibuck sustained serious injuries this afternoon trying to drag me to safety from a nishruu. The power I bear flared up to aid me when he dragged me too far from you, and the magic that binds us incapacitated both of us for a time. The fires are among my greatest powers, but I dare not use them without risking your life. Mystra’s fire could sever the links, but not without destroying you, your familiar, and what remains of Danthra in the process. Until we can afford the time to separate our souls, you and I will remain bound by magic and must remain within eight armspans of each other at all times. For good or ill, apprentice, we are each other’s company until Mystra deems our task fulfilled.”
“How is Pikar? Is anyone else hurt?” Tsarra asked. “Were the invaders caught?”
“No one else suffered injuries, and Pikar is fine now as well. Yes, four intruders are the newest guests of Castle Waterdeep’s cells, awaiting a magister’s pleasure come morning. Their ringleader, however, escaped.” Khelben frowned. “I did not see him, but to summon fiendish wolves and nishruu requires some power. None of those captured had magical ability—merely mercenaries told to loot what they could grab. The sixth figure, however, interests me the most. He wore red and bore a short sword—”
“With golden diamonds on the blade?” Tsarra asked. “I saw him just before I fell unconscious. He didn’t seem to be attacking, though, Master. He looked as surprised as you—er, all of us.” Tsarra blushed and looked away from the startled archmage.
“You saw him?” Khelben asked. “Oh, of course. Yourmother’s keen eyes. Well, his sword interests me more than the man himself, and we’ll have to glean more on that later, when you’re able.” Khelben gave the briefest of smirks as he said, “Some congratulations are due you, Tsarra. Apparently, your youngest students stopped the nishruu. While Elkord and his students captured the invaders, your two young brothers from Myratma knew of nishruu—from bedtime stories, of all things. They used floating disks to dump salt appropriated from a nearby vendor onto the creature to dissipate it.”
Tsarra laughed at that but winced as Nameless launched himself off her lap. She didn’t have to ask why, as she felt what he did—and his nose smelled food moments before her own caught the scent. As he flew by, the tressym bit a hunk of venison off the platter Laeral brought into the room. Nameless settled onto an exposed beam overhead and began tearing away at his prize.
Laeral said, “Your charges in the kitchens worry about you and had this ready for you to test for taste. If it’s suitable, all of us should join the students for dinner. That is, of course, if you’re done telling her what she needs know, darling.” Laeral handed the fork to Tsarra, who tried then devoured the heavily spiced deer meat.
Khelben took Laeral’s hand as she set the tray down between him and Tsarra. “You know more of me by choice than Tsarra may learn by accident, my love. You alone know my soul.” Khelben kissed his wife lightly before he turned again to Tsarra. “Tsarra, the next few days will be rough on both of us, but I insist you not share what you see with anyone without my express permission. You may learn more about me than any living being knows, aside from Laeral. Likewise, the magic unleashed this afternoon is older than this city, and it will be our task to contain it properly. We have until the Feast of the Moon to resolve this. I dare not focus beyond that, as more is at stake beyond our four lives.”
Khelben’s steel-blue eyes bored into hers, and Tsarra felt the seriousness of the moment. She also heard Khelben’s voice in her head
“How is Pikar? Is anyone else hurt?” Tsarra asked. “Were the invaders caught?”
“No one else suffered injuries, and Pikar is fine now as well. Yes, four intruders are the newest guests of Castle Waterdeep’s cells, awaiting a magister’s pleasure come morning. Their ringleader, however, escaped.” Khelben frowned. “I did not see him, but to summon fiendish wolves and nishruu requires some power. None of those captured had magical ability—merely mercenaries told to loot what they could grab. The sixth figure, however, interests me the most. He wore red and bore a short sword—”
“With golden diamonds on the blade?” Tsarra asked. “I saw him just before I fell unconscious. He didn’t seem to be attacking, though, Master. He looked as surprised as you—er, all of us.” Tsarra blushed and looked away from the startled archmage.
“You saw him?” Khelben asked. “Oh, of course. Yourmother’s keen eyes. Well, his sword interests me more than the man himself, and we’ll have to glean more on that later, when you’re able.” Khelben gave the briefest of smirks as he said, “Some congratulations are due you, Tsarra. Apparently, your youngest students stopped the nishruu. While Elkord and his students captured the invaders, your two young brothers from Myratma knew of nishruu—from bedtime stories, of all things. They used floating disks to dump salt appropriated from a nearby vendor onto the creature to dissipate it.”
Tsarra laughed at that but winced as Nameless launched himself off her lap. She didn’t have to ask why, as she felt what he did—and his nose smelled food moments before her own caught the scent. As he flew by, the tressym bit a hunk of venison off the platter Laeral brought into the room. Nameless settled onto an exposed beam overhead and began tearing away at his prize.
Laeral said, “Your charges in the kitchens worry about you and had this ready for you to test for taste. If it’s suitable, all of us should join the students for dinner. That is, of course, if you’re done telling her what she needs know, darling.” Laeral handed the fork to Tsarra, who tried then devoured the heavily spiced deer meat.
Khelben took Laeral’s hand as she set the tray down between him and Tsarra. “You know more of me by choice than Tsarra may learn by accident, my love. You alone know my soul.” Khelben kissed his wife lightly before he turned again to Tsarra. “Tsarra, the next few days will be rough on both of us, but I insist you not share what you see with anyone without my express permission. You may learn more about me than any living being knows, aside from Laeral. Likewise, the magic unleashed this afternoon is older than this city, and it will be our task to contain it properly. We have until the Feast of the Moon to resolve this. I dare not focus beyond that, as more is at stake beyond our four lives.”
Khelben’s steel-blue eyes bored into hers, and Tsarra felt the seriousness of the moment. She also heard Khelben’s voice in her head
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