Epilogue
Although it went against Garadun’s nature to stay in any place named after a unicorn, he had to admit that the Bronze Unicorn Inn knew what it was doing when it came to taking care of its guests. The rooms were spacious and comfortable; with big soft beds, window shutters which locked from the inside, fresh daily linen, a large bronze bathtub and wash basin, lamps that were magically lit, and there was even room service. The inn offered single, double and quad occupancy rooms, and he and Cerathonil had each taken a single because they both needed a bit of privacy.
It had taken them a week to arrive at the city of Verbobonc; once they’d managed to find the proper road after getting directions from a party of gnomes who were making their way south to Hommlet. The only encounter of note (in addition to the giants) was when they were attacked by a spirit naga. They’d made camp for the night in the ruins of an old manor home, when the creatur
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The Mage Fair: Epilogue
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 15
Chapter 15
They walked away from the Inn of the Welcome Wench the next morning, with Garadun leading a chestnut mare carrying their gear. The mule must’ve had a draft horse for a mother because it was large and strong. Bigby lounged atop the saddlebags and waved to Bingle Boggleton, who waved farewell from the doorway. They’d only known the gnome illusionist and his apprentices for a week, but it was still sad to say goodbye.
They were rested and had full bellies to begin their day. Bigby was going to miss the Inn’s excellent food. Garadun had conjured the mule. He was also wearing a new pair of light cotton, dark grey pants over his grey boots, an off-white linen shirt and a dark blue silk sash around his waist; they’d done more shopping at the fair. This included, at his friend’s urging, a formal set of wizard’s robes and pointed hat. Cerathonil was clad in her usual travelling attire, including the cloak of elvenkind t
They walked away from the Inn of the Welcome Wench the next morning, with Garadun leading a chestnut mare carrying their gear. The mule must’ve had a draft horse for a mother because it was large and strong. Bigby lounged atop the saddlebags and waved to Bingle Boggleton, who waved farewell from the doorway. They’d only known the gnome illusionist and his apprentices for a week, but it was still sad to say goodbye.
They were rested and had full bellies to begin their day. Bigby was going to miss the Inn’s excellent food. Garadun had conjured the mule. He was also wearing a new pair of light cotton, dark grey pants over his grey boots, an off-white linen shirt and a dark blue silk sash around his waist; they’d done more shopping at the fair. This included, at his friend’s urging, a formal set of wizard’s robes and pointed hat. Cerathonil was clad in her usual travelling attire, including the cloak of elvenkind t
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The Inn of the Welcome Wench was quickly filled to capacity over the course of the week leading up to the mage fair, just as predicted. One wizard was already in residence when they arrived: a mage calling himself Dread Delgath. As he told it in the common room, he and a band of adventurers had been involved in an assault against the slave lords of the city of Highport, located on the western coast of Woolly Bay. It had happened way back in 579 CY and Dread Delgath seemed to long for his bygone days of glory.
Hosting the mage fair was Burne of Hommlet, who resided in a tall stone tower on the east end of town. The tower sat atop a man-made mound; east of the tower was another hillock, and surrounding both hills was an incomplete stone wall. It was only a few feet high in most places and included the foundations of several watch towers. There had at one time been a project to build a small castle in Hommlet, financed by the Viscount and Archcleric of Vel
The Inn of the Welcome Wench was quickly filled to capacity over the course of the week leading up to the mage fair, just as predicted. One wizard was already in residence when they arrived: a mage calling himself Dread Delgath. As he told it in the common room, he and a band of adventurers had been involved in an assault against the slave lords of the city of Highport, located on the western coast of Woolly Bay. It had happened way back in 579 CY and Dread Delgath seemed to long for his bygone days of glory.
Hosting the mage fair was Burne of Hommlet, who resided in a tall stone tower on the east end of town. The tower sat atop a man-made mound; east of the tower was another hillock, and surrounding both hills was an incomplete stone wall. It was only a few feet high in most places and included the foundations of several watch towers. There had at one time been a project to build a small castle in Hommlet, financed by the Viscount and Archcleric of Vel
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 13
Chapter 13
As could be expected there wasn’t a single bed or cot in the entire Burrow that was big enough for either Garadun or Cerathonil to sleep in. A guest chamber was provided, one with a six-foot ceiling, and large pillows were placed end-to-end as makeshift mattresses. The longest and widest comforters the gnomes had were used to hold them together. All the furniture in the suite was of course gnome-sized.
Garadun was especially glad to not be sleeping in a tree, to say nothing of the fact that they were about as safe as one could be in the Gnarley Forest. They were underground in a gnome burrow, hidden away from even the likes of green dragons. The only creatures that normally ever broke into these warrens were giant ants, termites and other enormous insects; and on those occasions it was completely by accident.
“Well, this was certainly unexpected,” said Cerathonil, grinning as she lay on her side across from her friend.
As could be expected there wasn’t a single bed or cot in the entire Burrow that was big enough for either Garadun or Cerathonil to sleep in. A guest chamber was provided, one with a six-foot ceiling, and large pillows were placed end-to-end as makeshift mattresses. The longest and widest comforters the gnomes had were used to hold them together. All the furniture in the suite was of course gnome-sized.
Garadun was especially glad to not be sleeping in a tree, to say nothing of the fact that they were about as safe as one could be in the Gnarley Forest. They were underground in a gnome burrow, hidden away from even the likes of green dragons. The only creatures that normally ever broke into these warrens were giant ants, termites and other enormous insects; and on those occasions it was completely by accident.
“Well, this was certainly unexpected,” said Cerathonil, grinning as she lay on her side across from her friend.
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 12
Chapter 12
With the dragon’s corpse rotting on the forest floor, they didn’t want to stay in the area any longer than they had to. They were up about a half-hour past dawn, and after taking the time to study their spellbooks (almost an hour in Cerathonil’s case) they dismantled the flet and carried their things to the ground as quickly as they could. Garadun conjured a mule stallion and they loaded it and got underway.
Beetles and other insects had already begun feasting on the corpse, and it would soon attract larger scavengers. Nature doesn’t let anything go to waste. And it was the big scavengers they wanted to avoid, particularly the more intelligent ones. There was also the fact that the dragon had been quite young, which meant in all likelihood it had still been lairing with its parents. From what Cerathonil knew of green dragons, they would want to avenge their offspring once they learned it was dead.
They spoke
With the dragon’s corpse rotting on the forest floor, they didn’t want to stay in the area any longer than they had to. They were up about a half-hour past dawn, and after taking the time to study their spellbooks (almost an hour in Cerathonil’s case) they dismantled the flet and carried their things to the ground as quickly as they could. Garadun conjured a mule stallion and they loaded it and got underway.
Beetles and other insects had already begun feasting on the corpse, and it would soon attract larger scavengers. Nature doesn’t let anything go to waste. And it was the big scavengers they wanted to avoid, particularly the more intelligent ones. There was also the fact that the dragon had been quite young, which meant in all likelihood it had still been lairing with its parents. From what Cerathonil knew of green dragons, they would want to avenge their offspring once they learned it was dead.
They spoke
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Birdsong woke Garadun from his sleep and he wasn’t happy about it. He always found birds to be too damned noisy, no matter the species, although crows and gulls were easily the worst offenders. The worthless bastards didn’t sing or even twit. They screeched and cawed at the top of their miserable lungs. He pulled the blanket down off his face and cursed whatever feathery git it was that had woken him. It wasn’t an easy thing, sleeping on a flet, and being abruptly woken didn’t help matters.
For the first time in many days Cerathonil was up and awake before him. From what he’d seen and knew of her she didn’t do mornings well, including the day before. But she was awake now, looking alert and refreshed. He blearily looked around for the offending avian and couldn’t see it. Bigby stirred and rolled over, stretching her entire body like a bow and yawning hugely. She sat up and stretched some more, yawning aga
Birdsong woke Garadun from his sleep and he wasn’t happy about it. He always found birds to be too damned noisy, no matter the species, although crows and gulls were easily the worst offenders. The worthless bastards didn’t sing or even twit. They screeched and cawed at the top of their miserable lungs. He pulled the blanket down off his face and cursed whatever feathery git it was that had woken him. It wasn’t an easy thing, sleeping on a flet, and being abruptly woken didn’t help matters.
For the first time in many days Cerathonil was up and awake before him. From what he’d seen and knew of her she didn’t do mornings well, including the day before. But she was awake now, looking alert and refreshed. He blearily looked around for the offending avian and couldn’t see it. Bigby stirred and rolled over, stretching her entire body like a bow and yawning hugely. She sat up and stretched some more, yawning aga
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Their plans to leave Caltaran were unfortunately put on hold by more bad weather. They woke to heavily overcast skies and rain, which became a full-fledged thunderstorm later in the day. The storm finally died out, but as in Maraven it kept raining. It rained hard all the following day, until the morning after that when the sky had exhausted itself. It was still overcast but at least it wasn’t pissing. They decided to take a chance with the weather because Garadun didn’t want any more trouble with the River Inn’s innkeeper. Bigby had been caught stealing food from the kitchen, and he had had to pay out some gold to mollify the innkeeper. His kitty had been behaving herself since leaving Greyhawk, but being cooped up in the inn wasn’t any fun and she’d gotten bored.
They were allowed to have breakfast and the innkeeper was relatively civil, but it was obvious that he was happy to see the back of them. Cerathonil called up a
Their plans to leave Caltaran were unfortunately put on hold by more bad weather. They woke to heavily overcast skies and rain, which became a full-fledged thunderstorm later in the day. The storm finally died out, but as in Maraven it kept raining. It rained hard all the following day, until the morning after that when the sky had exhausted itself. It was still overcast but at least it wasn’t pissing. They decided to take a chance with the weather because Garadun didn’t want any more trouble with the River Inn’s innkeeper. Bigby had been caught stealing food from the kitchen, and he had had to pay out some gold to mollify the innkeeper. His kitty had been behaving herself since leaving Greyhawk, but being cooped up in the inn wasn’t any fun and she’d gotten bored.
They were allowed to have breakfast and the innkeeper was relatively civil, but it was obvious that he was happy to see the back of them. Cerathonil called up a
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Cerathonil woke to the sound of rain. It wasn’t particularly loud but her keen elvish ears could make out the steady downpour easily, even under the covers of her bed. She slowly pulled the blankets down off her head and glanced at the window. The small panes were streaked with flowing water and it looked very overcast outside. The elf rolled onto her back and sighed. The thunderstorm had moved on but the rain hadn’t stopped.
She had played what Garadun called a “second set” the day before and the company in the common room had made her feel very appreciated. She’d entertained them with a half-dozen more songs, which were well received. It had eased her fears and taken her mind off the thunderstorm, at least enough that it became background noise. Most of the company assumed she was a bard. Not simply a minstrel but a full-fledged bard like her aunt, Lindruviel. She’d had a nice conversation with the pair of high elves
Cerathonil woke to the sound of rain. It wasn’t particularly loud but her keen elvish ears could make out the steady downpour easily, even under the covers of her bed. She slowly pulled the blankets down off her head and glanced at the window. The small panes were streaked with flowing water and it looked very overcast outside. The elf rolled onto her back and sighed. The thunderstorm had moved on but the rain hadn’t stopped.
She had played what Garadun called a “second set” the day before and the company in the common room had made her feel very appreciated. She’d entertained them with a half-dozen more songs, which were well received. It had eased her fears and taken her mind off the thunderstorm, at least enough that it became background noise. Most of the company assumed she was a bard. Not simply a minstrel but a full-fledged bard like her aunt, Lindruviel. She’d had a nice conversation with the pair of high elves
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Bigby could hear and smell the rain even before she poked her head out of the small tent she shared with her Master. It was almost entirely dry beneath the old elm because of its thick canopy, but beyond it the high grass was dripping with water. The sky was a heavy, leaden grey and the rain was coming down gently but steady. She glanced around, then padded out to a private spot among the roots to do her business.
When she crept back into the tent, Garadun was still passed out to the world. He and Cerathonil had stayed awake well past midnight, too on edge to sleep after the dragon’s flyover. But weariness finally demanded rest and they decided to risk both sleeping and not setting a watch. They were in fairly civilised country that was regularly patrolled. The odds of another encounter like the giant stag beetle were minimal; and the remainder of the night passed without trouble. Bigby sat down for a wash and then gently prodded his cheek with her
Bigby could hear and smell the rain even before she poked her head out of the small tent she shared with her Master. It was almost entirely dry beneath the old elm because of its thick canopy, but beyond it the high grass was dripping with water. The sky was a heavy, leaden grey and the rain was coming down gently but steady. She glanced around, then padded out to a private spot among the roots to do her business.
When she crept back into the tent, Garadun was still passed out to the world. He and Cerathonil had stayed awake well past midnight, too on edge to sleep after the dragon’s flyover. But weariness finally demanded rest and they decided to risk both sleeping and not setting a watch. They were in fairly civilised country that was regularly patrolled. The odds of another encounter like the giant stag beetle were minimal; and the remainder of the night passed without trouble. Bigby sat down for a wash and then gently prodded his cheek with her
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 7
Chapter 7
After an undisturbed night’s sleep in the barn’s hayloft, the two mages spent a brief part of their morning studying their spellbooks to regain the spells they’d used the day before. To use a spell a wizard first has to commit it to memory by reading it over and over until it’s imprinted on their mind. Once cast, the spell is lost until it’s rememorized. Casting the same spell twice or more means imprinting it more than once, and there’s only so many spells a wizard can cast each day. The number grows with experience.
After saving the lives of everyone on the farm by killing the giant stag beetle, Garadun and Cerathonil had been offered the farmhouse for their stay by way of thanks. Meurig had also offered the finest supper they could provide. These offers were politely declined. They’d paid for the use of the barn and not the house, and a deal was a deal. The hayloft was fine. And they’d already eaten. Gar
After an undisturbed night’s sleep in the barn’s hayloft, the two mages spent a brief part of their morning studying their spellbooks to regain the spells they’d used the day before. To use a spell a wizard first has to commit it to memory by reading it over and over until it’s imprinted on their mind. Once cast, the spell is lost until it’s rememorized. Casting the same spell twice or more means imprinting it more than once, and there’s only so many spells a wizard can cast each day. The number grows with experience.
After saving the lives of everyone on the farm by killing the giant stag beetle, Garadun and Cerathonil had been offered the farmhouse for their stay by way of thanks. Meurig had also offered the finest supper they could provide. These offers were politely declined. They’d paid for the use of the barn and not the house, and a deal was a deal. The hayloft was fine. And they’d already eaten. Gar
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Garadun woke an hour or more past dawn, groggy and feeling blah. He tried going back to sleep but it didn’t work. So he eventually gave up and made a start if it. Bigby woke up as soon as he pulled the blanket off and sat up, though she was still very sleepy-eyed. He said she should go back to sleep, then got dressed before using the separate latrine they’d paid extra for. With nature taken care of, he went downstairs and spoke to the innkeeper: breakfast for three. When he returned to their room Bigby was sitting on the blanket and having a wash. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door: it was a maid with hot water and fresh towels. It was time to wake Cerathonil.
“Cera,” he said quietly, patting her shoulder. “Cera, wake up.”
The wood elf made a sound and then jerked awake. “Fwazzit?”
“Sorry, Cera, but it’s morning,” he told her. “Breakfast
Garadun woke an hour or more past dawn, groggy and feeling blah. He tried going back to sleep but it didn’t work. So he eventually gave up and made a start if it. Bigby woke up as soon as he pulled the blanket off and sat up, though she was still very sleepy-eyed. He said she should go back to sleep, then got dressed before using the separate latrine they’d paid extra for. With nature taken care of, he went downstairs and spoke to the innkeeper: breakfast for three. When he returned to their room Bigby was sitting on the blanket and having a wash. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door: it was a maid with hot water and fresh towels. It was time to wake Cerathonil.
“Cera,” he said quietly, patting her shoulder. “Cera, wake up.”
The wood elf made a sound and then jerked awake. “Fwazzit?”
“Sorry, Cera, but it’s morning,” he told her. “Breakfast
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The Mage Fair: Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The days passed and the month of Planting gave way to Flocktime (Violets to the elves of the Flanaess and May on Earth) and Garadun began to seriously consider if he wasn’t being more than a little pretentious in thinking that he and Cerathonil had some kind of grand destiny, that their supposed fate was inextricably linked to the Eye of Vecna, that it was somehow their responsibility to see it destroyed. Especially since Garadun didn’t even believe in fate. He believed in Shit Happens.
And that’s even assuming there was a way to destroy it. None of the books and scrolls they had read in the Library had any specifics about the Eye. What few descriptions about its actual powers were more than vague, talking about inflicting death and horror. They certainly didn’t say anything about disintegration rays or death spells. And that was the problem with legendary relics. They’re, well, legendary; and legends te
The days passed and the month of Planting gave way to Flocktime (Violets to the elves of the Flanaess and May on Earth) and Garadun began to seriously consider if he wasn’t being more than a little pretentious in thinking that he and Cerathonil had some kind of grand destiny, that their supposed fate was inextricably linked to the Eye of Vecna, that it was somehow their responsibility to see it destroyed. Especially since Garadun didn’t even believe in fate. He believed in Shit Happens.
And that’s even assuming there was a way to destroy it. None of the books and scrolls they had read in the Library had any specifics about the Eye. What few descriptions about its actual powers were more than vague, talking about inflicting death and horror. They certainly didn’t say anything about disintegration rays or death spells. And that was the problem with legendary relics. They’re, well, legendary; and legends te
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Maya Sieberg opens her eyes and mumbles. The overhead lighting panels have dialled down automatically to their ‘twilight’ setting but they are still way too bastard bright for her bloodshot eyes to tolerate. She squeezes her eyes shut and runs her tongue over her teeth, wincing at the ghastly taste she experiences. Her lips seem to be coated in stale glue. Kuritan whiskey: the booze that keeps on making you pay.
There’s a snore from somewhere down at waist level and Maya tilts her head carefully forward so that she can look down. She had passed out at some stage, still sitting on the couch in her stateroom. Jessie must have cut out shortly after that because she’s toppled over sideways; her head is resting in Maya’s lap. Unsurprisingly, Jessie is still hanging onto the almost-empty whiskey bottle w
Dark Nebula, Clan Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
26 December 3053
Maya Sieberg opens her eyes and mumbles. The overhead lighting panels have dialled down automatically to their ‘twilight’ setting but they are still way too bastard bright for her bloodshot eyes to tolerate. She squeezes her eyes shut and runs her tongue over her teeth, wincing at the ghastly taste she experiences. Her lips seem to be coated in stale glue. Kuritan whiskey: the booze that keeps on making you pay.
There’s a snore from somewhere down at waist level and Maya tilts her head carefully forward so that she can look down. She had passed out at some stage, still sitting on the couch in her stateroom. Jessie must have cut out shortly after that because she’s toppled over sideways; her head is resting in Maya’s lap. Unsurprisingly, Jessie is still hanging onto the almost-empty whiskey bottle w
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The Lodestar has been the property of the Klassen family of Alarion since the latter years of the First Succession War. In the following decades, the Union class DropShip has travelled the length and breadth of the Lyran Commonwealth, serving paying clients ranging from the LCAF through to the Eridani Light Horse. Under Seth Klassen’s mother, Lodestar even spent a few years transporting newly-made BattleMechs from the Coventry Metal Works to nearby regular army units.
In all that time, the Klassens have taken care to protect what is theirs. The Lodestar is not just their livelihood, it’s their roaming home. So it was with some surprise that Claire Klassen-Ward found herself deep in conversation with Anton Delaney the day after Lodestar and Xanthus arrived back at Camelot, talking o
Dark Nebula, Clan Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
25 December 3053
The Lodestar has been the property of the Klassen family of Alarion since the latter years of the First Succession War. In the following decades, the Union class DropShip has travelled the length and breadth of the Lyran Commonwealth, serving paying clients ranging from the LCAF through to the Eridani Light Horse. Under Seth Klassen’s mother, Lodestar even spent a few years transporting newly-made BattleMechs from the Coventry Metal Works to nearby regular army units.
In all that time, the Klassens have taken care to protect what is theirs. The Lodestar is not just their livelihood, it’s their roaming home. So it was with some surprise that Claire Klassen-Ward found herself deep in conversation with Anton Delaney the day after Lodestar and Xanthus arrived back at Camelot, talking o
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G.D. Morrow
Artist | Professional | Literature
Artist | Professional | Literature
Canada
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Current Residence: I can't remember deviantWEAR sizing preference: Comfy Favourite genre of music: Rock Operating System: It doesn't get enough sleep Shell of choice: One that doesn't have a giant monster inside it Skin of choice: Soft Personal Quote: A dragon is just a lizard with a diploma |
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