The Mark of Nerath by Bill Slavicsek

Author:Bill Slavicsek [Slavicsek, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7869-5762-0
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2010-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

40 FALLCREST, THE GLOWING TOWER, DAY

Albanon stared at the ancient wizard Nimozaran with an expression that was halfway between shock and horror. He knew that the old man was jealous of Moorin, but to accuse Moorin’s apprentice of such a heinous act was beyond Albanon’s comprehension.

“You think I killed my master?” Albanon asked, finally finding his voice.

“Let’s not make this any more difficult than it needs to be,” the Lord Warden said, motioning for his guards to surround Albanon and Roghar.

“If I really killed Moorin,” Albanon said, looking directly at Nimozaran, “really was able to defeat the greatest wizard in the Vale, what do you think you’ll be able to accomplish with a handful of guards and a decrepit old mage?”

“Impetuous youngling!” Nimozaran said, stamping his wizard’s staff on the ground. “If it must come to a battle arcane, know you that I am more than a match for your rudimentary skills.”

“The apprentice didn’t kill anyone,” Splendid said, sounding rather annoyed that the commotion was interfering with her nap on Albanon’s shoulder. “A foul creature from someplace else entered the Great Moorin’s tower and slew the Great Moorin in a terrible battle that I was forced to watch from the inside of a cage.”

Everyone turned to look at the pseudodragon that was draped around Albanon’s neck. It appeared to be extremely tired, and its scales glistened in the afternoon sun.

Nimozaran’s apprentice, the halfling Tobolar, peered from around his old master. “Of course the drake would say that,” Tobolar said. “It makes sense that it would defend its master. It is his pet, after all.”

“I am no one’s pet,” Splendid roared, making her voice louder than Albanon imagined possible. “And Albanon is no one’s master.”

“Even so, I saw the blood and poor Moorin’s body with my own eyes,” the Lord Warden said. “Until we can sort this out, I really think that you and your friend should come with us.”

Roghar assessed the situation. Then he made a decision. “I shall not see another injustice done this day,” the dragonborn shouted. Albanon noted that Roghar’s voice was much, much louder than Splendid’s. “Bahamut, aid your humble servant this day!”

Bright light burst from Roghar’s sword, spreading out and blinding the Fallcrest Guard as well as the two wizards standing with them. Roghar grabbed Albanon by the scruff of his mantle and tossed him on to Tempest’s horse.

“Time to go, my friend,” Roghar said. “We must be free if we are to save Tempest from the monster that killed your master.”

Albanon nodded, and the two of them spurred their mounts into motion. Splendid took to the air, flying directly at Nimozaran and Tobolar. Both wizards dodged the tiny winged creature, dropping to the ground to avoid her slashing, stinger-tipped tail. The pseudodragon turned the attack run into an escape, flying wide around the close-packed trees surrounding the Glowing Tower to meet up with the horses as they pounded toward the eastern gate. The Wizard’s Gate. It seemed fitting somehow that Albanon was going to leave Fallcrest, perhaps forever, by exiting through the Wizard’s Gate.

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