Pools of Darkness

by James M. Ward

  I can’t imagine what he wants, Gamaliel, but please try to be polite. We have to work with this ranger, even if we don’t particularly like him. Evaine pleaded with him mentally.

  As you wish, the barbarian agreed, then turned to follow Ren.

  Casting a worried look into the forest, Evaine retrieved a brush from her backpack and began untangling her hair.

  “This Marcus character seems to be trying to raise a huge army,” Evaine said, thinking out loud.

  “Yes,” Andoralson agreed. He checked the rabbits that sizzled over the fire and brushed a sticky concoction over the meat. The scents of herbs and roasting meat were delightful. “With the Moonsea region so stirred up, I don’t think he’s going to get more than a couple of hundred, maybe even a thousand troops. But an army like that could take advantage of the chaos in the region. Gods only know what this Red Wizard could do to the balance of life around here.”

  “Miltiades, what could you do with a thousand troops? Especially with the condition the Moonsea is in now?” Evaine had grown to respect the warrior’s battle sense. She was beginning to like the undead paladin. He didn’t speak much, but he had an intelligence and discipline Evaine appreciated and admired.

  “With a thousand good troops, I could conquer all the tent cities of the Moonsea. But without the real cities, the ones the gods have stolen, it would be only a series of hollow victories. If I were on a mission of conquest, I’d certainly want more than hundreds of poor refugees.

  “There is more to this Marcus than meets the eye. If he were earnestly trying to hire mercenaries, he would have sent more reliable ambassadors than those lycanthropes. He’s either a miserable strategist or he just wants a few armies for some brief attack.” The paladin was obviously puzzled.

  Evaine and Miltiades continued their discussion about the mysterious wizard while Andoralson flittered about the campsite, muttering about overcooked meat and listening for the return of Ren and Gamaliel. Irritated by their absence, he served up the rabbits, quite proud of his cooking despite his annoyance. The remaining two servings he placed near the fire.

  Half an hour later, with supper finished and their portions overcooked, two bruised and battered men limped out of the woods. Ren’s hands bore bleeding scrapes and he sported a large cut along his neck. Gamaliel was almost unrecognizable behind two blackened eyes.

  “What have you two been doing?” Evaine shrieked.

  “I was being polite,” Gamaliel said innocently. His eyes blazed a bright green but were tinged with gold.

  You’re annoyed with the ranger, but you enjoyed your fight, didn’t you? Evaine silently communicated.

  Not to worry mistress. I’m only slightly wounded, and the ranger finally realizes that I’m not one to be trifled with. Evaine snickered at the haughty tone in his mental message.

  “Let’s just say that we men understand each other a little better,” Ren smiled, revealing a split lip.

  Ha. He probably thinks he won, too!

  Evaine couldn’t help but laugh out loud at Gamaliel’s silent sneer.

  After considerable scolding and patching of wounds, Andoralson served the remaining portions of the rabbit. “If you’d been here on time, you could have had a delicious supper. But now you’ll have to settle for rabbit jerky.” The druid huffed in disgust. Ren and Gamaliel had both eaten worse, and thought the meat was wonderful despite its chewiness.

  As the two men ate, the rest of the group inventoried their supplies and added the few useful items of equipment left by the werewolves. The spoils from defeated enemies were always welcomed.

  The five companions crawled into their bedrolls under the dark, threatening sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Miltiades took up his normal watch. All slept fitfully, dreaming of the unknown horrors that awaited them.

  At dawn, all were awake and packed for the trail. Transformed again into a giant cat, Gamaliel obliterated their tracks. Miltiades summoned his magical ivory steed, and the companions started out through the woods determinedly.

  They rode under the troubled sky for several days, following the coast of the Moonsea. They braved a steady, chilly rainfall the entire second day. As they approached within a few miles of Zhentil Keep, the group made a wide arc around the dark city.

  Zhentil Keep sat like a blood-gorged spider on the western edge of the Moonsea. The walled city was easy to avoid, and fording the Tesh River was little trouble. While the others had to swim against the current, leading their horses across, Miltiades and his enchanted ivory mount simply walked along the river bottom and emerged wet on the other side.

  Beyond the evil city, a wide road wound to the south. Evaine had insisted on taking that route, but on the first day of travel, the druids became concerned.

  “It’s rained here far more than normal, even for the conditions around here the last few months. The ground has become unusually swampy,” Andoralson said.

  “Notice the fiddlehead ferns, the jewelweed, and the jimsonweed. They don’t grow in this type of environment. Something is seriously disturbing the balance of nature here.” The druids looked more and more worried as the expedition pressed on. The druids were convinced they were witnessing harbingers of greater danger.

  Ren rode far ahead of the group, explaining that he wanted to scout. He refused to admit to himself that he was trying to hide his mood.

  With a thud of horse’s hooves, Evaine galloped ahead to ride at Ren’s side.

  “What’s bothering you, Ren?” the sorceress asked.

  “Using your magic to read my mind, wizard? Why don’t you tell me what I’m thinking?”

  Evaine ignored his surly reply. “I know you and I got off to a rough start. We’ll probably never be close friends, but we certainly could be loyal comrades. Everyone can sense your nervousness. What’s wrong?”

  Ren could no longer hide his frustration. “We’re getting farther and farther away from the Moonsea and that red tower. That’s what’s wrong. Every minute I delay, my friends could be dying. You’re the wizard, and I agreed to follow your lead in matters of magic, so we’re going south when everything in me screams to find that large area of darkness, wade into the evil, and rescue my friends no matter what the cost. That’s what’s wrong.” The frustration and concern on his face spoke more than his words.

  The sorceress spoke calmly. “The same urges driving you to forge bravely into the darkness and danger tell me we must be patient and learn what we’re facing. That means investigating the smaller blackness first. Let me tell you a story, and maybe it will convince you.

  “Most people who want to learn the ways of magic apprentice themselves to powerful wizards. Some attend formal schools. In my case, I apprenticed myself to a wizard who lived just a few days’ ride from here. Sebastian was incredibly skilled in the magics of conjuration and summoning. I learned amazing powers from him.

  “One day, after researching a spell for over a year, my kindly, brown-haired mentor left his home and laboratory to cast an experimental spell. He said he would return in a week. Twelve days later, he dragged himself up to our doorstep, white-haired and looking seventy years old. He had attempted some type of summoning spell that went wrong. Life was never the same after that. He was still kind and giving, but he refused to talk about that one particular spell.

  “The things he taught me from then on were powerful defensive magics. He wouldn’t admit it, but I think he expected us to be attacked somehow. Three years later, I buried him. I never learned what happened during his disappearance, but I’m certain that whatever dwells in that small patch of darkness is involved. His old friend might be able to tell us something. As a warrior, you realize that knowing your enemy can mean the difference between winning and losing a battle.”

  Looking to Ren, Evaine could see the indecision on his face. “I’ll make a deal with you. We’ll ride to my home tomorrow. We’ll need two days more to get to the small patch of darkness. The day after that, no matter what I find there, we head straight fo
r the red tower, wherever it lies, and I promise that Gamaliel and I will follow your orders to the letter. Now, can you ask for more than that?”

  Ren sighed. “It’s a fair bargain.” He tried to soften his expression. “From what I’ve noticed of you, you’re obviously one who plans carefully. I can’t say I’ve disagreed with your leadership so far.”

  They smiled at each other, comfortable in their agreement. Slowing the horses, ranger and sorceress waited for the others to catch up. A silent party rode hard until sunset.

  Tower of Evil

  Over two months had passed since the smallest ray of sunlight had touched Faerun. Over two months had passed since Phlan had disappeared. The group rode solemnly through drooping forests. Only Talenthia maintained her cheerfulness.

  “Yes, yes, I know, my honeys. We’ll do what we can for you. Fly along now, and don’t worry,” the druid chirped to the fluttering cloud of sparrows, jays, and robins circling about her as they rode.

  “Isn’t that the third flock of concerned birds you’ve talked to today, Cousin?” asked Andoralson. He was partial to snakes and cats, and birds didn’t talk to him much. Talenthia was constantly chatting with birds or petting bugs and spiders.

  “Yes, dear Cousin, and the poor darlings are frantic. That last robin is ready to lay her eggs and doesn’t even have a nest yet. They all say the same thing. The forest in this area is turning horrible and evil. The trees and plants are dying, and it looks as if none will bear fruit this season. What are we going to do about this, ranger?”

  Ren reined Stolen to a halt. “Talenthia, I share your concern about the forest. Even I can tell something isn’t right about these woods, and the evil goes much further than too much rain and too little sunshine. But as long as you wish to help, and I believe that’s what Sylvanus had in mind for you, you must stick to the common goal. I can’t go around righting such wrongs until my friends are saved. When that happens, you have my word that I’ll come back here with you and do whatever I can. Does that sound fair?”

  “For now, handsome, for now. What’s with her royal highness and her cat buddy?” Talenthia asked, pointing to the pair going off the trail far ahead of the group. The druid still wondered if Evaine had any designs on Ren.

  “Her cottage is off this road. Wizards of all types have a strange attraction to building secluded homes,” Ren replied.

  “I would have picked a better spot. There are only birches and scrub trees around here. Give me a good oak or redwood grove any day,” Andoralson grumbled, mostly to himself. The others were far ahead and off the path, catching up with Gamaliel and Evaine.

  The ranger discovered the sorceress and barbarian standing in front of a small, crumbling stone cottage. Half the structure was caved in, and chairs and tables had obviously been tossed out of windows and doors.

  Evaine picked up a chair leg and sighed. “I guess if you leave your home often enough, things like this are bound to happen.” Her tone was emotionless, but shock at the destruction showed on her face.

  “It was ogres, about a week ago, from the look of the tracks,” Ren announced. Two blackened ogre skulls, already picked clean by wildlife, confirmed his report. “Looks like these two were blasted by lightning.”

  Evaine smiled grimly. “I expect my guards and warding spells probably blasted quite a few of them as they invaded. I hope what they found was worth the effort.”

  “Allow me to enter first, miss. Enemies may lurk within. I will alert you when I know your home is safe.” Miltiades bowed low to Evaine, and the sorceress nodded. His courtly manners were hard to resist.

  At the paladin’s signal, the group entered what remained of the small tower. Almost everything had been tossed out of the lower room. On a small pedestal in the center of the chamber rested a piece of parchment. Evaine read the note aloud:

  “ ‘To the former owner of this structure. My troops have destroyed this place at my orders. I am the new ruler of these lands. You may join my armies forming on the Moonsea or you may die. Know, however, that great rewards await those who serve me. No wizard who is not in my service will be allowed to live in my domains.’ ” She grimaced. “It’s signed by Lord Marcus.”

  “He’s on to us!” Talenthia cried. “He knows we killed his werewolves!” The druid began wringing her hands and pacing the room.

  “Oh, be quiet. He does not know we killed them.” Evaine fairly glowed with rage. “The gall of that man.” Suddenly, her tone became icy and determined. “Well, Gamaliel, you and I must pay a visit to this Marcus to discuss what has happened to our home. Maybe we’ll do a little tower-smashing of our own.”

  Andoralson calmed his cousin. “I think you can count us in on your visit,” he said quietly.

  “Oh, I think we’ll all be in on that party,” Ren agreed. “Will you still be able to cast your spell to find the pool?”

  “I’m sure I can. I don’t think there’s much to worry about,” she said, striding to the east wall of the chamber. It looked fairly solid. “Especially if the attackers were ogres. If so, they wouldn’t have been able to find this.”

  With a wave of her hand, a sparkling green outline of a door took shape on the wall. The door frame crackled with sparks and energy; the light pulsed with a faint, rhythmic drumming noise.

  Evaine smiled at the rest of them. “Please excuse the drumming sound. The noise you hear is the enhanced sound of my heartbeat. I’ve been told it’s quite disturbing to friends entering my spellcasting chamber for the first time. We’ll be entering a pocket dimension. Naturally, I attached the room to my lifeforce when the chamber was created. Please come in.” She and Gamaliel walked through the strange door.

  Ren and Miltiades looked at each other, then cautiously walked in behind her. Talenthia and Andoralson stood in amazement outside the magical chamber, inspecting the energies filling the door frame.

  “I didn’t see any walls large enough for this huge chamber when I walked around the tower. I don’t think I would have missed such a bulge, do you?”

  Andoralson chuckled. His cousin could control weather and heal the worst injuries, but she was still naive about wizardly magic. “I expect that the bulge, as you call it, is a magical enchantment I’ve never been able to master. Dimensional magics are fascinating. I wish I could cast spells like this, but I haven’t a clue as to the control necessary for such energies. I once tried to create a chamber the size of an egg, and I couldn’t cast another spell for a week. This chamber is bigger than most peasant cottages. And attaching her lifeforce to a pocket dimension is tricky business. I bet the entire chamber shrinks if she’s injured or sick.” The druid couldn’t hide his admiration for the chamber.

  Talenthia stood mesmerized by the emerald crackles of energy pulsing like a heartbeat. Looking into the green chamber, she could see the others listening to Evaine. But to her senses, the room seemed far too unnatural.

  “Go ahead,” she murmured. “I think I’ll stand guard here. You can never tell when those ogres might be back.”

  “Sure, Talenthia. That’s probably a good idea.” Andoralson sensed his cousin’s uneasiness. As he entered, he found Evaine explaining the next step in casting the location spell.

  “And if you’ll give me a lock of your hair, Ren, I’ll be able to use your energies to connect more directly with the pool of darkness. I’ll read my notes on the spell tonight and cast the magic early tomorrow. Now, let’s make camp in what’s left of my home while I see what I can find in the wreckage.”

  Ren tried to help Gamaliel set things right, but the vast amount of destruction made it a useless effort. The tower would need to be completely rebuilt, and unless powerful magics or master stonemasons were employed, Evaine’s home would never be restored.

  Miltiades volunteered his services to help Evaine salvage her belongings and hunt for missing items. The undead paladin’s quiet nature helped the sorceress channel her anger and her sense of loss.

  Andoralson and Evaine called upon numerous spells to sec
ure the first floor. The wooden doors and shutters were mended, the stones sufficiently melded to hold the walls in place. It was no guarantee of safety, but at least it would keep out some of the wandering creatures of the woods.

  The companions were all exhausted by the time they rolled out their blankets in front of Evaine’s fireplace. Despite the day’s unpleasant surprises, everyone slept soundly, safe inside the stone walls.

  As the cloudy sky began to lighten with the morning, Evaine was completing her spell preparations. Everyone but Talenthia gathered in the casting chamber to watch the sorceress. She set up many warding spells around the perimeter of the room. Andoralson added to the protections with some spells of his own.

  “Never hurts to be too careful,” the druid explained, smiling to Evaine.

  Around mid-morning, Evaine set up the magical brazier. To her great relief, the flame lit instantly upon removing the platinum cap. She began casting the pool-finding spell with a passion in her eyes and voice. Her powers were strong within her own pocket dimension.

  Evaine lay the quartz crystal on the enchanted flame and spoke lengthy arcane passages, her voice rising and falling rhythmically. Reaching for the crystal, she laid it on the cloth in her lap and lapsed into concentration.

  Her mind’s eye easily left her body. Her essence rose above the ruined tower to survey the land for miles around. This time, the magic of the brazier, Evaine’s strong center of power, and Ren’s link to the pool combined to create a faint light forming a path. The magical light began at the tower and cut over the forest and into the inky blackness just a few miles ahead.

  Evaine chose to ignore the light at first. Instead of following its path, she directed her essence toward the smaller patch of darkness. The large mass of blackness had grown so enormous since the last time the sorceress cast her spell that the two evil auras were now only miles apart.

  She gathered her strength to pierce the smaller of the ebony mists. The darkness was permeated by intense evil. The sorceress’s instincts screamed at her not to touch the vile cloud, but she fought against her will to tap the blackness and learn more about its nature. Then she turned her attention to the larger field. Although she was wrought with fear, she knew that she had to compare the two black fields. Approaching the larger cloud, Evaine learned the painful truth—that their evil natures were exactly the same.