ftp.ee.pdx.edu/2014.02.ftp.ee.pdx.edu.tar/ftp.ee.pdx.edu/pub/frp/stories/adaz+sutekh/adaz.24

Text File | 1993-02-14 | 6KB | 105 lines

Witch

"Sutekh, it is good to see you again." Nilonim spoke in his native
tongue.
    "And you, Nilonim," replied Sutekh.  "And it is good to be
able to speak normally again."
    "So what brings you by this time? Do you wish an audience with
Master Cygnus?"
    "If I did, I would have to wait three or four days, wouldn't
I? He never seems anxious to see me." Sutekh seated himself across the
table from the mageling drow.
    "He has nothing against you.  It's just that, even after
eleven years, he has not recovered from his own battle with Ee,"
Nilonim apologized for his master.  "Cygnus has no desire to face that
sorcerer again and fears that you might attract his attention.  Thus
he does not encourage you to visit." he explained.  "Oh, have you
heard? The archmage that deciphered Ee's gates disappeared while
studying the nexus' center at Stoneheim."
    "So Ee is still about." Sutekh thought on that for a moment.
"I don't think that affects me.  I have other problems to deal with
and will not actively look for him out.  Revenge is a foolish goal and
Ee is no fool, so I doubt he will seek me.  If he manages to gain the
power he craves, perhaps then he will turn his mind my way.  Anyway,
the reason I am here is to deliver this." Sutekh drew a small bolt of
cloth from a pouch and dropped it on the table.  Instantly it
transformed to a large tree branch.  "One branch from a black willow.
I hope it is enough."
    "Undoubtably," Nilonim laughed.
    "Also," Sutekh added.  "Ask Cygnus if, the next time he sends
me after ingredients, he would be so kind as to explain to me exactly
what I am going up against.  The gorgon was a walk in the dark
compared to that tree.  By the time I found out it was sentient I was
nearly dead.  I used every trick I could think of to get a sizable
piece of wood.  Finally, I had to use my wand on it, twice, and that
only blew off a couple of branches like this one.  That tree is still
very much alive."
    Nilonim smiled sympathetically.  "Well, Cygnus is very busy.
He sometimes forgets that we do not all have his vast knowledge.  You
know how mages are."
    "Yes," Sutekh sighed.  "But fortunately I will never be that
powerful.  Well, for all the trouble I've been through and all the
gems I've paid him, this double sheath had better work.  I'm tired of
carrying my sword in my pack."
    "With Cygnus making it, rest assured that it will work,"
Nilonim replied.  "And that brings us to your sword.  I've been doing
a lot of research on it lately, both magical and scholarly.  Based on
that, plus what your sage friend told you, I think I've finally pieced
its story together."
    "Excellent!" Sutekh exclaimed.  "Let's have it."
    Nilonim closed his eyes for a moment, preparing for the
narration.  "Centuries ago, the sword was bequeathed to a knight in a
far off land or world.  This knight wielded the sword with the goal of
destroying a circle of knights led by a king.  The knight failed in
this endeavor and was slain, but the sword was removed to a magical
land called Lyons.  There it was guarded for decades, until the Fen
Witch, who originally bestowed the weapon upon the knight, brought
destruction upon Lyons.  Then the sword was transferred to Oerth.
Here, it was discovered deep in a marsh by a hunter who wielded it
with deadly effect against the humanoids of the Pomarj.  It is said
that the Fen Witch tests the wielder of the sword, and that the
hunter's greedy grandson fell prey to her in this manner.  That is
when the sword was lost.  It resurfaced only once, wielded by a hero
of the Pomarj.  Now it is found again..."
    "And was used to destroy the power of the Pomarj," Sutekh
finished for his friend.  "How fitting.  But I have had the sword for
over ten years now, and I have not been tested by this Fen Witch."
    "Perhaps it is your life span that has kept her from testing
you yet.  However, she will come for you sometime, of that you can be
certain."
    "What form will the test take? How can I prepare?"
    Nilonim shook his head.  "I cannot say, but she will probably
strike when it will be most inconvenient.  All you can do is stay on
your toes and keep your eyes shaded."
    Sutekh thoughts darkened for a moment, then he sighed
reservedly.  "Well, she will come when she comes.  At least now I
understand a few things better.  Thank you."
    "Any time.  Unlike my master, I like to have you around.  It's
nice to speak the old tongue from time to time."
    "You miss the Vault, don't you."
    "I am a drow," Nilonim said with shrug.  "The Vault is my
home."
    "But, had it not been for Cygnus's timely arrival, you would
have been sacrificed."
    "I like the ways of the Vault no more than I did before, but
it is still my home."
    "And if you went back there?" Sutekh asked.
    "I have, several times."
    Sutekh shook his head.  "Yeah, Eldrad has apparently gone back
once or twice, too.  They seem to except him; however, he told me in
no uncertain terms that I would be sent to the arena if they ever
caught me down there.  You ever witness the arena? The only way out is
to be carried." They were silent for a moment, then Sutekh added with
a smile, "You know, it kind'a makes me proud that they hate me so
much.  I don't understand why they would hate me more than Eldrad, or
especially you, but I'm glad they do."
    Finally Sutekh rose from the table.  "Well, if you'll excuse
me, I must bid you farewell for now.  I'd like to be home by tomorrow
afternoon."
    "A rather short visit, Sutekh."
    Sutekh smiled.  "Nilonim, you are a good friend, but you are
not as pretty as Adaz." He contemplated the band on his finger for a
moment.  "It is so nice to have a reason to go home."