Zacnefear walked through the early hours of the new day. Told to go and train the young mage of Yathtallar Mavralyn's house, he approached the guards. They watched him suspiciously and grabbed for weapons as Zac suddenly disappeared from their view. Cries of alarm sounded as their bodies became outlined in harmless faerie fire, causing more guards to rush and investigate. Zac calmly watched this as he levitated fifty feet above and off to the left.

Ignoring the guards he cast another spell. This allowed him to detect the wards about the compound and he watched as the tangled weave appeared. His experienced eyes read the web as if it were a scroll. He was most impressed with the Yathtallar's skill, but Zac soon found a flaw. The wizard quickly disentangled the weave and entered the compound. Seeing the Yathtallar herself appearing to investigate the disturbance, he dispelled his invisibility and bowed before her.

"Vendui' Malla Yathtallar," he greeted respectfully. "The Malla Ilharess Arielana has bid me to assist thee and thy wanre. Seems we shall have to begin with warding the perimeter."

Mavralyn's eyes flashed in anger at this disturbance and a score of warriors surrounded Zac with weapons readied.

"You presume a lot jaluk^*2, with your entrance," she said in a mild tone. "Nor do I appreciate it."

"To assist with strengthening, one must learn and test that which is in place already Yathtallar," he replied as he remained bowed in respect. Though not pleased at the ease in which the wizard gained entry, Mavralyn's common sense acknowledged his logic and she gestured for him to rise.

"Do not presume too much Zacnefear, for I do not wish to be disturbed in such a manner again."  Smiling wickedly she continued with a husky laugh, "Unless of course, you wish to be the first to consecrate our altar."

Zac prudently remained silent while Mavralyn issued a few orders to the guards. With a bow, most of the guards returned to their posts. The few that remained escorted the older mage to the apprentice, Shadosin.

Training a Wanre Faern, Part 2
by Zacnefear

Zacnefear followed his escort across the compound to the tower being constructed; his student was awaiting him there. Shadosin escorted the Faeruk del Dur'Eben up the winding stairs and through the passages towards his chambers. The construction on the House was continuing as they passed various rooms. Slaves carved into the stone, following the blueprints of the new Matron's plans.

The dark stone was bare and still roughly carved as they continued to the highest room of this section. Zac ignored the slaves scurrying about, and waved off any remarks about the condition the room was currently in. Instead he looked about the various rough carved shelves at the components they contained, pleased that the wanre took his studies serious, and then got down to business.

After informing the young male of what was expected of him, he pulled out a tome that was full of runes. Giving the male the book they began, page-by-page and went over each rune and its uses; they also discussed how to combine various runes to set various spells. Once the lecture part was complete, the older mage set young Shado to memorizing the runes. While Shadosin studied, the faeruk watched the slaves work away at the stone. Several times he suddenly asked questions about the construction, then berated the apprentice for allowing himself to be distracted.

Hours passed to days, as they worked on the various runes contained within the ancient tome, some simple, some intricate. Every cycle of Narbondel the student was quizzed, then they talked of the feel and shaping of magic. When a week had passed, they began working with cantrips and simple spells using some of the runes Shado had learned.

Occasionally the wizard departed for a time, but only after leaving the student with a heavy amount of study. At first Shado thought that once the faeruk had departed he could take a break, but he found he was wrong. Zac suddenly appeared behind him and the sparks of electricity jolted him back to the fact he had studies to attend to. That gentle reminder was all that was needed to keep him on track; he never figured how his teacher knew that he had not been studying.

After several months had passed Zacnefear had Darnex bring the apprentice a scrying mirror that he had created for him. The mirror had other uses as well, but Shado was not ready to learn of those. Shado was very adept at his studies, and they quickly moved on through to harder cantrips and simple spells. There were always more runes to learn as well, and occasionally the student scribed scrolls for the teacher.

The faeruk followed Shadosin across the compound, ignoring the guards that followed behind as they moved to the fence. Shadosin thought he was merely there to observe as usual, especially after Zac started to draw glowing runes along the fence itself. He thought wrong, for after drawing a few symbols of power, Zac pulled a small mithril box from his tunic and handed it to the young male.

"These tools I had made by a Svirfneblin^*3 craftsman for you, then placed the enchantments upon them myself."

Shado took the box from the faeruk and slowly opened it; the tools within glowed with a soft radiance and were for carving. He looked up with puzzlement written across his features.

"Bel'la dos^*4, but what are they for?" he asked. Then understood as the faeruk led his gaze to the glowing upon the fence.

"Thy tools shall stay ever sharp, I have agreed to ward thy house, but..." and Zac paused for a moment.

"The strength of those wards shall depend upon thy skill, you are to be faeruk of thy house. So tis fitting that their strength... or weakness be of thy hand."

Shadosin nodded his understanding and returned his gaze to the tools. Selecting the appropriate ones he moved to the fence and began to carve. As he did so, Zac moved on drawing more symbols and glyphs along the walls. Around the fence they moved, one drawing symbols as the other carved them into the rough stone. A few of the guards watched at first, then bored, turned back to their duties of securing the compound.

When Zac had drawn the last glowing symbol he glided around the fence to check the young mage’s work. He noted with a frown that several of the glyphs where rough, and a few of them were even chipped. Seeing one of the important symbols was marred, he removed his own tools and worked to remove the damage.

The tapping of the mithril hammer sang a wondrous drow song instead of the normal chink of metal on metal. Again the guards watched as the faeruk smoothed the rough lines and removed the small chip. They gasped as Zacnefear stepped back and the tools continued to work and sing their song. When that rune was correct, he pointed to another and the tools moved in unison and began their work again.

When the last of the three most important runes were repaired, Zac nodded to Shado and floated up into the air above the house. Shadosin followed the faeruk and watched as the scrolls he now held slipped from his grasp and unfurled. Moving along the line of scrolls, the wizard chanted as his fingers blurred in intricate movements. His body glowed from the magical power that he channeled through it, only to cast it into the glyphs and runes about the fence.

Unlike with his own house, he ensured that any watching knew it was he that was weaving the web of magic about the compound. This ensured that the lower houses would think again before contemplating an attack. From the corner of his eye Zac saw the student trying to imitate his movements, a smile formed as he continued down the line of scrolls. For the faeruk himself had done the same with his master.

Time passed...

As the Faeruk chanted the last of the scrolls, it burnt to ash in a puff and a flash. Zac settled down to the compound and walked towards the fence. The runes flickered in ever changing patterns, yet the change was slow and imperfect. His practiced eyes looked over the tangled weave of spells and noted the fact that though still powerful, it would weaken over time.

Shadosin settled along side him, and was told to look over the weave. As he did so the older wizard explained the flaws and their causes slowly and thoroughly. He ensured that the young male understood that the carvings must be flawless for the magic to last and have true power.

Shado listened carefully to all that was spoken, especially to the fact that such flaws when attempting certain spells could cost him his life. After being given a new list of spells to learn, and told to practice his carving, the faeruk’s fingers moved in a sight-defying blur and disappeared. Shado blinked a few times wondering if it was just a spell of invisibility, but no, he no longer felt the sense of malevolent power nearby. The faeruk had returned to his house.

During the weekly assembly, Drathsin waited as Ilharess Mavralyn continued her lecture. His mind raced over all that occurred on this night. He wished only to serve his Matron and the dark Queen Lloth as best he could and now he saw the chance to serve both in a better way.
 
As the assembly concluded and all members slowly left the room, Drathsin slipped out into the shadows with an evil gleam in his eye. Heading towards the surface he soon found himself on the outskirts of Neverwinter. Using the shadows and darkness of night to hide his passage, he passed many people. Some within mere feet of him, but none noticed the silent figure as he stalked the streets. His target was more important then all these peasants unworthy of sacrifice to Lloth.

From within some trees, Drathsin spotted the building he knew his prey spent most of his time. Taking out his blades he checked them all for a keen edge, their black surface giving no shine from the rays of the moonlight. With a grim smile he slipped the deadly weapons back into their hidden spots and moved closer to the building.

Quickly peaking into the window he noticed movement inside. As his eyes roved over those inside he spotted his target walking up the stairs. Moving around to the back of the inn he smiled to himself as he found one back window partly open. Concentrating he began to levitate to the window.

Carefully widening the opening he slipped into the darkness of a long hall. Moving from door to door he listened for the sound of movement from within the rooms. At the door of one darkened room Drathsin heard the sound of heavy armor clanking and a grin split his lips as his blades came whipping out of their hiding spots.

A quick glance around showed nobody else around and testing the door he found it unlocked. Pausing warily at this unexpected bonus, he prepared himself for a possible trap. Pushing the door open Drathsin stepped in silently and his eyes caught the gleam of plate armor, alerting him to his prey's whereabouts.

A shadow flickered off to his side distracting his gaze from his target. Diving forward into a roll a blade flashed over his head. Tucking his blades in close as he rolled, the velg'larn^*5 came to his knees. Drath’s hand snaked out as he murmured a quiet prayer that his aim was true. His eyes gleamed in malice as his blade flew straight and caught the hidden attacker in the throat. Not turning to see the body fall, he rose swiftly to scan the rest of the shadows until they fell upon the knight in silver plate-mail.

“Vendui' Rog, guardian of light, I have come for your soul," Drath whispered with menace.

The big man stared at Drath for a moment then drawing his sword he laughed, "I have been waiting for you as you can see dark one."  The human looked with contempt at the fallen body of his comrade, "Seems you can't buy good help these days."

Before Rog finished speaking his sword cut through the air where seconds before Drath stood. Grinning at the lumbering human, Drath pulled out his own short swords. Leaping in close, the twin blades flashed through the air as he wove an intricate pattern of death. Rog's sword blocked the flying blades with effort. A quick feint low brought Rog's sword downward as Drath's foot launched straight up into the human's chin staggering him.

Using his innate ability, Drath dropped a globe of darkness on Rog. Then the assassin moved quickly around the larger figure. Rog countered the darkness with one of light, removing the blinding blackness.

Slowly they circled each other testing each other's defenses. Then Rog launched an attack. Dropping low, Drath's foot flashed out catching Rog's and tripping him. Pivoting quickly the assassin spun on his heel, his foot flashing up and around catching the stumbling Rog behind the ear and dropping him to his knees.

Growing bored with this game, Drath threw his sticky net out and watched the binding magic of it wrap around the human. As Rog stopped moving, Drath walked up to the trapped figure. Drath's blades disappeared quickly as a jeweled dagger flashed into one hand and a red box in the other.

Rog's bright eyes watched Drathsin approach; unable to move no matter how he struggled. The knight’s fear brought an evil grin to Drath's face. Cutting away the armor, the assassin tore open the tunic beneath and bared the chest. Drathsin then dropped to one knee making a silent prayer to Lloth.

Rising slowly, Drath plunged the dagger deep into Rog's chest. As the flesh opened and blood flowed, his hand reached into the man's chest and closed around the still beating heart. With a cruel smile the assassin ripped it out and showed it to the wide-eyed Rog as the life drained from the large man's eyes.

Dropping the heart into the box Drathsin headed out the door and back towards the window. He left behind only two dead bodies, a mute testament to his skill.

Satisfied at a task well done, he moved through the night. Returning to the compound of Elythanar he wished to present this heart to the Ilharess for it was part of his test to gain the position he wanted. Already his mind worked on the details of the next part of the test, and those who would fall to his blades in the times to come.

*1.  Apprentice Mage.
*2.  Male.
*3.  Deep gnomes.
*4.  "Thank you."
*5.  Assassin.