Key of Stars

by Bruce R Cordell

  It seemed to Japheth they measured their heartbeats together, twining their sighs and caresses, moving in concert with the power of mutual need, tenderness, and a sweet intimacy that finally left him without words or thoughts.

  For a few moments after she woke up, Anusha couldn’t recall where she was. Early morning light filtered into the room under the drawn shade, casting a pale glow on the wall.

  She saw Japheth. He lay next to her, his limbs half-tangled in the coverlet. Then she remembered.

  The man’s breath buzzed softly, and his eyes were closed. An old scar puckered a line up his thigh onto his hip. She reached out and lightly traced it.

  Japheth’s eyes opened. He smiled, and his hand enveloped hers with a firm grip.

  “ ’Morning,” he said.

  “I’m glad you came by last night,” she replied.

  He chuckled, “I wanted to come by ever since we returned,” he said. “I would have earlier if …”

  She nodded, then sat up, drawing a portion of the coverlet around her.

  “Japheth, now it’s time to talk,” she said. “Do you mind?”

  “Of course not,” he said. But his smile faded as a line of worry creased his brow.

  Anusha pressed on. “I like you,” she said. “A lot; that’s obvious. Problem is, I just don’t know if I can allow myself to fall for you. Anyhow, I’d like to—”

  “I understand,” Japheth said. “It’s my traveler’s dust; you’d be crazy not to be worried about that. And my new pact. You’re wondering if you can really be with someone who …”

  He trailed off when she touched a finger lightly to his lips.

  “Yes,” she said. “But, let me finish—that’s something we absolutely need to discuss. Before that, though, we’ve got something even more important to attend to.”

  Japheth’s eyes narrowed in thought. “Xxiphu,” he said.

  “Yes,” she replied. “Because of what you did to save me, not allowing Raidon to destroy the Dreamheart when he first had the chance—”

  His face hardened.

  “I’m not saying you should have acted differently,” she continued. “Thank Torm you didn’t! But, because of that, we have a responsibility, both of us, to take care of the problem.”

  “You said we should try to sink it,” Japheth said,

  She nodded. “If possible,” she said.

  He cupped her face with one palm, leaned forward, and kissed her. “I agree. It is our responsibility.”

  Anusha smiled. If Japheth was with her, convincing the others would be easier.

  “Maybe there’s hope for you after all, warlock,” she said.

  “I’d like to think so,” Japheth replied.

  Anusha glanced around the salon. How different it looked with everyone assembled. The table was so full that Raidon and Yeva deigned to stand. The scent of smoke stung the air; it curled up from the bowl of Captain Thoster’s pipe.

  Anusha cleared her throat. “Thank you, everyone, for being here,” she said. “I’d like to discuss our next move.”

  “Our next move?” said Seren.

  “Yes,” said Anusha. “What are we going to do about the fact a petrified aboleth city followed us to the surface?”

  “Bah. What can we do?” replied the wizard. “You know what lives in Xxiphu—we barely got out alive, and that was before Raidon decided there wasn’t a vintage or spirit in the city he didn’t like.”

  Anusha glanced at the monk. The half-elf scowled at a spot on the floor only he could see.

  Anusha began again. “If we decide—,” she said.

  The captain interrupted. “The city is looking for something,” he said. The swagger was gone from his voice, replaced by a nervous conviction.

  “It is?” said Seren.

  “Yes,” Thoster replied. “I remembered yesterday. When it came up out of the Sea of Fallen Stars, it sent out a call. We all heard it, that terrible music …”

  “I don’t remember any music,” said Seren.

  “Well, that ain’t important,” said Thoster. “I heard it. And I finally figured out the command woven into the tune. The city, or whatever controls it, wants something called the Key of Stars.” The captain inhaled smoke from his pipe.

  “Key of Stars?” said Japheth.

  “Yes,” said Thoster. “And as awful as Xxiphu is all on its lonesome, I get the impression that if this Key of Stars is found, a whole new meaning for awful would have to be invented.”

  “How so?” said Anusha.

  “I can’t say; just a feeling I get,” said the captain.

  Seren rolled her eyes.

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” Japheth said. “Sounds like something I heard in a dream … Something about a Key anyway. Anusha was in it.”

  Anusha clapped a hand over her mouth. “I had a dream like that!” she said.

  “You know, I think I did once too,” said the captain.

  Raidon stepped forward. “And I,” he said. He pointed to Anusha. “You stood in a realm of twilight mist. You were trying to tell me something about a key, though I couldn’t understand what you wanted of me. Something that made you sad.”

  Everyone looked at Anusha. She felt her face grow warm. The reactions of her body were much harder to control when she wasn’t in her dreamform.

  “The fact all of us have shared a similar dream is incredible,” she said. “I don’t know what it means. But I’ve had variations on it too, from the same perspective as you described; I saw myself. I just thought it was a recurring nightmare.”

  Japheth rubbed his chin. “I’ve dreamed it on at least three occasions, maybe more,” he said.

  Raidon nodded in agreement.

  “I’ve only had it once that I can remember,” said Thoster.

  “Well, I’ve never dreamed anything like that,” Seren exclaimed.

  Raidon frowned at the wizard. Then he turned to the faux golem. “How about you?” he asked.

  “Actually—yes,” Yeva replied. “Just before I came awake and saw you trying to stab Japheth … I recall fragments of seeing Anusha standing in a many pillared temple, crying …”

  “What does it mean?” said Anusha.

  “That Seren didn’t have the dream?” said Thoster. He blew a smoke circle at the wizard.

  “No—well, maybe,” Anusha said. “But that most of us did share the same dream? I don’t recall seeing that misty expanse beneath Gethshemeth’s island or anywhere inside Xxiphu.”

  “Maybe because what all of us saw in our dreams hasn’t happened yet,” said Japheth.

  Seren snorted. “That’s a leap,” she said.

  Raidon addressed the warlock. “How could we see the future without some sort of ritual of divination?” he said.

  “If a future event is significant enough, who’s to say rumor of its approach wouldn’t echo into the past ahead of its occurrence?” Japheth replied. “Such things have happened before. And besides, Anusha seems to be at the heart of this—her connection to the realm of dreams is obviously important.”

  Seren affected a dubious expression, though Anusha noted she didn’t gainsay Japheth’s theory.

  “What event?” Anusha said.

  Japheth shrugged. “I can’t really tell what’s going on in the dream; it’s just fragments.”

  “To be so significant, it’d have to be pretty terrible, I’m guessing,” said Thoster.

  “Very likely,” replied Japheth.

  “I have some experience with psychic phenomena,” Yeva said. “I agree with the warlock. We are sharing the same dream because we are all entwined in what may happen. We all have some stake in the outcome, more so than others, anyhow. Anusha especially, since we’ve all seen her in the vision. She at least will survive to transmit her dream warning from the odd location we all saw.”

  “I wonder where that is?” said Thoster.

  Anusha shrugged. “Nowhere I’ve ever visited,” she said.

  “By what you all describe, it doesn�
�t sound like any place on Toril,” said Seren. “More like one of the echo planes; either in Shadow or even a remote corner of Faerie, where things become wild.”

  “I thought you didn’t believe any of this,” said Thoster.

  “I didn’t say that, you cantankerous pirate!” Seren said. “I—”

  “Stop it,” said Anusha, raising her voice. “Let’s not fight, please, not in my house.”

  Seren raised a hand in acquiescence.

  “Well, regardless of anything else, Xxiphu is looking for something—this Key of Stars,” said Thoster. “I’m fairly certain we don’t want to let Xxiphu find it. If we’re going to do anything, it might do to find this Key before Xxiphu or Malyanna.”

  “Wait,” said Seren. “Why us? Saving Faerûn from these aboleths isn’t just our problem. We should ask for help!”

  “From who?” said Japheth.

  “The old Sage of Shadowdale, who else!” Seren replied.

  “He’s missing,” said Anusha.

  “Come on!” Seren said. “I doubt—”

  “My old tutor told me,” Anusha continued. “Elminster dropped out of sight after the Spellplague. People say they’ve seen him here and there since then, but my tutor didn’t think those reports were reliable.”

  “Great,” Seren said. “I guess that explains why he hasn’t already blasted the damned thing out of the sky.”

  “How about one of the Chosen?” said Thoster.

  Anusha could only shake her head.

  Japheth said, “If Elminster is out of the picture, the other Chosen might be too. Besides, aren’t the Chosen empowered by Mystra? If she’s dead, I doubt the Chosen are up and at ’em.”

  “It’s true,” Seren said. “I got my magic back early, but those with years more invested in the Weave had it harder. Some still can’t cast a spell reliably. It’s possible the Chosen … are all dead.”

  Silence chilled the salon.

  “We’re the ones who’re already involved, and partly responsible,” said Anusha. “We should clean up our own mess. We can’t turn our backs on it and hope it goes away.”

  “Yeah,” Thoster said. “Only children would do that.”

  “And we’ve got Raidon, with his Sign and sword,” Anusha said. “Right, Raidon?”

  Everyone looked at the monk.

  Raidon’s face was a pallid mask. “I … want to find the inspiration to care,” he said. “I know I should.”

  “What’s that mean?” asked Anusha. Her stomach clenched. “You’re the one who warned us we had to destroy the Dreamheart in the first place, and kill the Eldest—”

  “Neither of which we managed to do,” observed Seren.

  Anusha ignored the interruption, “And now you don’t care?” she said. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I can try. That’s all I can offer,” said Raidon. His expression didn’t betray the least hint of shame.

  Anusha blew out her cheeks as she regarded the man. He was as unreadable as ever. At least he was drinking tea that morning, not wine. But could she count on him the next time aboleths threatened?

  Aloud she said, “Well, good!”

  “I’m in,” said Japheth. “As I said this morning …”

  Was he blushing?

  The warlock continued, “I accept some blame in this. Moreover, Neifion’s made it clear he’s never going to stop hunting me. He’s working with Malyanna, who’s behind Xxiphu’s emergence and search for this Key, I have little doubt. We saw her with the Dreamheart as we disembarked from the city. Little good it’ll do her.”

  “Well, count me out,” said Seren. “I’ve got my own troubles to deal with.”

  “What? You can’t leave! You’re part of this,” Anusha said.

  “Thay knows I’m alive,” Seren explained. “Morgenthel is hunting me. He’s traced me here to New Sarshell.”

  “The wizard taker—the one from Valtelar?” asked Thoster.

  “Yes. He set an ambush for me,” Seren said. “Fortunately, I discovered it before falling prey. His presence means he’s not going to give up. I need to deal with him before he takes me by surprise.”

  Anusha didn’t much like Seren. Truth be told, she thought the woman was a little too familiar with Japheth. But aloud she said, “We could use your help.”

  “If I end up dead or carted off to Thay, I’ll be little use to you,” replied Seren.

  “But—,” Anusha started.

  “And you’ve already got enough trouble with enemies popping up out of nowhere trying to kill you,” Seren added, gesturing to Japheth with her chin. “If I’m with you, Morgenthel is one more idiot on the list looking for us. Think of me leaving this way—I’ll be the distraction that keeps a powerful enemy off your flank. The displeasure of Thay is not something you want to contend with.”

  “When you say it like that,” said Thoster, “it almost sounds noble.”

  “You know me better than that, Captain,” Seren said. She and Thoster chuckled.

  Yeva clapped her hands together. The sound rang through the chamber like a gong. “Very well,” she said. “What is our next move?”

  Japheth cleared his throat. “We have to find Malyanna,” he said. “She’s got the Dreamheart. As I said before, it doesn’t have the power to wake the Eldest. But she must have used what strength remains in it to trigger Xxiphu’s breach.”

  “I suppose she’s in Xxiphu—although, maybe not, if she’s out looking for this Key of Stars,” said Thoster.

  “I can find her,” said Japheth. “With the power of my new pact, which she and I share, I can find her.”

  Anusha smiled at him. He returned a wink.

  “Well, where is she?” said Thoster. “Probably in some nightmare realm, eh? Or, is it Xxiphu after all?”

  “Not in Xxiphu, it turns out, but in the world,” Japheth replied. “I need to conduct a rite, perhaps with Seren’s aid before she leaves, to nail her location down exactly. But from what I was able to discern this morning, she seems to be somewhere in Aglarond.”

  Everyone was quiet for a moment, processing, wondering what the eladrin noble could possibly want there.

  “That does not bode well,” Raidon said, his voice quiet.

  The monk watched the others debate. It seemed he stood in a room separate from them. Their voices were muffled, and their expressions hard to read, as if they moved through shadowy cobwebs only he could see.

  The image made him apprehensive, even slightly angry, though he couldn’t say why.

  Raidon wanted to stalk from the room, the mansion, New Sarshell, and out of Impiltur altogether. He’d head north, perhaps all the way to the empty white expanses of the Great Glacier, where a man could be alone with his thoughts, and not be dragged down by the travails of the world.

  And yet …

  When Anusha had reminded him of the dream, the one they had apparently all shared, his resolve to leave crumbled. A fleeting familiarity with the odd scene depicted in the dream touched a chord in him. For some reason, it brought to mind the image of his mother, Erunyauvë.

  It was the second time in two days that he’d thought of her.

  Raidon’s hand went to the spellscar on his chest. He recalled how the image had once been contained on an amulet. The amulet had been his mother’s forget-me-not, the only thing she’d left him before she vanished when he was still a child. At that time, he hadn’t known any name for her other than Mother. And until he was older, he hadn’t appreciated the oddity of a Shou man, his father, and an eladrin woman bringing a child into the world together.

  When his prospects in the city of his childhood had soured, he’d tried to find her. He had used the amulet to trace her. Eventually, he’d discovered her name, and more—

  Raidon was startled from his reverie when he heard Japheth say “Aglarond.” He quickly reviewed the conversation he’d been mostly ignoring. Malyanna was in Aglarond? His heart skipped a beat.

  “That does not bode well,” he said.

  Ev
eryone looked at him. Seren raised an eyebrow.

  Raidon continued. “If Malyanna is in Aglarond,” he said, “it’s possible she is looking for a secret place called Stardeep, an eladrin citadel.”

  “What’s that?” said Thoster.

  “Stardeep was a secret prison-dungeon hidden in the depths of the Yuirwood forest …,” Raidon said. “Well, actually in a splinter of Faerie accessible only from certain points in the Yuirwood. It was hard to find and even harder to escape from.”

  “Who are these eladrin, and whom do they imprison?” said Seren.

  “They were called the Keepers of the Cerulean Sign. They watched over someone so perilous that killing him was deemed too dangerous. So they kept him, isolated and alone, impotent. They called him ‘the Traitor.’ His crime was preparing the way for the Aboleth Sovereignty.”

  “You’re speaking in the past tense …,” Seren said.

  “Because Stardeep is gone,” Raidon said. “So is the splinter of Faerie where it was built, a realm called Sildëyuir. The Traitor either escaped, or more likely died in the Spellplague, and the Keepers and their golem warden are dead. The Cerulean Sign burned into my chest is all that remains of their order.”

  Raidon saw each person around the table digest his news in their own way; quietly, with a raised eyebrow, and in Seren’s case, a tiny shake of her head.

  Thoster poured himself more tea. “So if this place is gone, why’s Malyanna interested in it?” he asked.

  “Stardeep is destroyed … but its ruins remain,” said Raidon. “If she discovers their location, she might unearth the Traitor’s remains. I don’t know what the Key of Stars is that Xxiphu and Malyanna seek, but if it has to do with the Sovereignty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Traitor knows.”

  “You said the Traitor died when Stardeep was destroyed,” said Anusha.

  “Remains can be reanimated, and questioned,” said Japheth.

  Raidon nodded. “Just so,” he said.

  Anusha frowned.

  “So,” said Thoster. “There’s the hoary old aboleth city itself, hovering off the coast. And then there’s Malyanna, digging around somewhere in a ragged tatter of the Feywild near Aglarond, looking for the Key of Stars, or news of it. If we’re really serious about doing something about the situation—”