D&D - Forgotten Realms - Return of the Archwizards 01 by Summoning # Troy Denning

Author:Summoning # Troy Denning
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-01-09T09:25:23+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

28 Nightal, the Year of the Unstrung

Harp

Khelben had barely crested the slope before the first crack of war thunder rumbled across the frozen tussocks. Less than a mile distant, a rank of figures became visible along the moor’s edge, their invisibility spells fading as they hurled sling stones and magic bolts down on Lord Ryence’s elves. Khelben used thumb and forefinger to make a circle over his eye and uttered a spell. The figures resolved themselves into a couple of hundred bugbears, perhaps twenty beholders, and a dozen mind flayers. A pair of phaerimm hovered together near the center.

“As you predicted, milord,” said the scout Shantar, landing his invisible hippogriff beside Khelben. “We’ll ambush the ambushers and be done with it.”

“Our enemies would not make things so easy,” observed Naneatha Suaril, cresting the slope beside

Khelben. A blonde beauty whose pearly smile and shining eyes belied her fifty winters, Naneatha was Priestess of the High Moonlight of the House of the Moon in Waterdeep-and the unofficial commander of the small band of priests accompanying Khelben. “They are creatures of darkness, full of treachery and deception.”

Khelben nodded and glanced over his shoulder. The rest of the company was scrambling up the slope, wands and bows at the ready. He directed the Sword Captain to form a combat line and the Wand master to scatter the battle mages behind it, then turned back to Naneatha and Shantar.

“The other scouts will be returning to the sound of battle?” Shantar nodded. “They’ll be here any minute.” “And your mounts can carry extra riders?” Khelben asked. “For a short while.” Shantar’s eyes showed curiosity. “And lance work will be out of the question.”

“Spells will serve you better,” said Khelben. “Have the scouts assemble behind the battle line and take up Naneatha’s priests. They are to circle high, half a mile behind us. That will keep even phaerimm from seeing through your

invisibility.”

Naneatha frowned. “A priest’s place is in battle.”

“And so it shall be.” Khelben pointed his staff toward a scraggly pine hummock, then toward a cluster of moss-covered boulders. “Watch there for their rear guard. You and the scouts must strike them from behind-and strike hard.”

Naneatha’s scowl remained. “And if there is no rear guard?”

“There will be.” Khelben turned to Shantar. “Do your sending, then wait until Lady Suaril is free to join you.”

“As you command.”

Shantar flicked his thumb over his scout’s ring to activate its sending magic, and Khelben turned to find his small force ready. The archmage laid his staff aside, then he and Naneatha began to cast combat guards over the company. The spells required several minutes to complete, but Khelben

did not even consider advancing until they were finished. Without spell shields, sending men against phaerimm would be murder.

Once the last spell was completed, Khelben sent Naneatha off with Shantar, then took up his staff and led the way forward at a run. The company followed in silence, the normal clamor muted by his war magic. Despite the frozen tussocks and wind whistling

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