The Mis-Adventures of Quinn Silverthumb (Episode 11)

"Is that the one?" The Simbul asked

"That's it" Yenir replied with a sly grin, showing gleaming polished teeth.

"Good. I'm looking forward to spilling some Thayan blood today." The women smiled with dark delight. The Simbul is a beautiful woman, with long tresses of silver hair that seem to flow from her scalp like wind. She was trained by Elminster himself and is counted among his "children". Out of the Seven Sisters, The Simbul is the most deadly; carrying with her a barrage of sorcerous spells for her "hobby" of hunting and killing the powerful Red Wizards of Thay. "I've been searching for this Kahn for some time now. He's eluded me thus far. I'm getting a kick out of the fact that your little Halfling friend brought him out of hiding. I do so look forward to meeting him in person for all the atrocities he's caused to the realms."

“Yes, and I for what he's done to my friends. Sizrit, how fares your wing?" Yenir looked to the silver raven upon his shoulder.

"If you had gotten there any later I would have been of more use as a carrion appetizer than a familiar." He joked and ruffled his wings appreciatively, "My wing feels good enough to fly on again. Now let’s go save Quinn." They looked down upon the fortress they were hovering above. Quinn was being held captive there and was being subjected to tortures no man should ever endure. The Simbul began casting a spell of her own design and three copies of herself blinked into existence.

"No need to make a physical appearance just yet. Let’s see how the poor excuse for wizards fare against three versions of their most feared nightmare." A sadistic smile crossed her beautiful features that seemed out of place for someone of such beauty. With a silent command the projections whizzed towards opposite ends of the fortress. Concentrating on any one of the illusions would allow her to cast her spells through them as though she were actually there. She closed her eyes and began concentrating.

"Ah I think you've got them my dear. They're running around like scared rats." Silver spell fire erupted all over the walls and retaliatory spells hit nothing but air as they passed harmlessly through the Simbul's projections.

"I've come for your leader, Kahn!" She roared and all of her projections passed the message to the scrambling wizards. She waved her hands and her first projection transformed into a huge silver dragon that began ravaging the wizards on the wall. "That is but a taste of my power! My wrath is limitless and your deaths will be swift if my demands are not met promptly!"

"Quite the woman isn’t she?" Yenir smiled. He couldn't help but feel strongly attracted to The Simbul's power.

"Keep it in your pants Yenir." The Simbul looked up briefly and smiled back "We have work to do. Or were you planning on standing there while I did the bulk of it?" Her words were cutting but warm. She waved her hands again and one of her projections exploded in thunderous fire, engulfing no less than thirty wizards attempting to combat her form. They now lay in smoking husks of what they once were. “I am not a patient woman!" She bellowed through her last illusion.

"Yenir!" Sizrit perked up “I see something. There on the highest tower." Yenir looked to where Sizrit was referring and spotted a tall bald wizard dragging what looked to be something small with him. Yenir cast a simple spell that allowed him to see great distances and zoomed in to the spot, looking upon it as if he were no more than five feet away. It was Kahn alright and he was dragging Quinn forcefully alongside him. Quinn wasn't putting up a fight and it seemed most of his usual fire was broken. Yenir gritted his teeth in fury when he saw the state of his good friend.

"No one should be tortured like that, especially one so small." Rage boiled in him like The Simbul's legendary silver fire. "Sim, I see him there. He has Quinn."

"Don't call me that," She spat respectfully “and, yes, I've seen him. He's attempting to parlay with my projection."

"Good. Keep him occupied while Sizrit and I sneak up on him. Ready Sizrit? Sizrit?" Yenir hadn't noticed Sizrit take off towards Kahn. Yenir reached out with his mind but Sizrit was blocking his thoughts. “Oh I do hate it when he does that." Yenir began casting a spell and both he and Sizrit vanished from sight.

"So you're the notorious Kahn. I would have imagined you taller." The Simbul mocked as she commanded her projection to float up to the tower Kahn was standing on. She put a hand on her hip provocatively.

"The Simbul I presume." Gaugane bowed without taking his eyes off of the black garbed woman floating close to him. “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit this day?" Meanwhile, The Simbul readied another spell.

“You seem to have something of mine, rather, an acquaintance of mine, and I've come to get him back." The Simbul began to glow with gold sparks.

“You surely didn't come all this way for this slug." He held Quinn effortlessly before him like a shield. Quinn hung limp in his grasp and looked nearly dead. “There must be something of more value to you here than this." He snarled.

“Why Kahn, you know me all too well" Her voice seduced” Your little wizards are making great sport and it seems I've lost none of my luster. I've come for bigger fish, as you well know, and to extend an invitation to you, lord." It was her turn to bow but she let her eyes fall away from Kahn. Kahn saw his chance and blasted The Simbul with his most powerful slaying spell. Her form burst to dust.

"Hahahahaha! That, my dear Quinn, was your ticket out of here and enemy to all of my people. One simple slaying spell turned her and all her glory into dust." Kahn laughed again and turned to leave. There standing behind him was The Simbul. A blast of energy rang from the tower before he could react and Kahn was struck sending him sailing off the tower. He frantically cast and stopped his descent, floating in the air above the fortress. Quinn, however, was plunging through the air.

“That was just a projection silly." Her eyes were afire with silver wisps of flame. "It would have been prudent to cast a true seeing spell or something." she threw up her hands exasperated,  “Really? Do I have to teach you everything?" Blue lightning sprang from her fingertips. Kahn tapped his brooch and a globe sprang up around him. The lightning struck the orb and rebounded back at the Simbul. "Impressive" She said as her own bolt struck her in the chest. She was sent reeling through the air.

“This should teach him." Yenir said and cast a dispelling curse upon the shield. The spell struck true and the orb blinked away. Kahn looked frantically for his assailant and spotted the flying sorcerer. He began casting another spell and seven shining blades blinked into existence around him.

"GO!" He spat and the blades rushed at Yenir. Yenir ducked and dodged as the blades flew at him, one striking him in the shoulder caused him to howl in pain. Kahn laughed smugly until something tapped him on the shoulder. He turned just in time to see a silver flame wreathed fist bury itself into his nose. It was his turn to howl in pain. His face burned and his eyes watered from the blow but he could still see the Simbul floating in front of him, nearly naked.  The pieces of what was left of her clothes hung loosely around her.

"Never turn your back on an enemy. Geeze! I thought you would have learned the first time!" She scolded him like a mother would scold a small child. "Now then. Shall we make a wager?" She held up her fingers that were crackling with white lightning.

“I don't make deals with Witches!" Kahn whirled around with a wand in his hand that wasn't there before and blasted the Simbul again. The Simbul screamed in agony.

"It may have been in your favor to gamble this night”, spoke a voice in his left ear. Kahn recognized those words as his own and the woman's voice was agonizingly familiar. Something touched down on his shoulder and he turned his head just in time to see the silver bird appear at his shoulder. "Remember me?" The bird asked and dawning realization passed over Kahn's features. Sizrit let off one of his most powerful spells and electricity coursed through Kahn's body. Sizrit clutched his shoulder until it was only his wings keeping them aloft as the last of Kahn’s life drained from his sizzling insides. Sizrit let his corpse fall to its fate.

"Nice work my friend." Yenir said as he flew over to Sizrit. The Simbul came over as well with a fake pout on her face.

"You couldn't have left any for me? Oh well good riddance I say." She looked around as if she'd forgotten something. "Um, I don't suppose anyone saw where he stashed your Halfling?" Sizrit and Yenir exchanged shocked glances and then the trio sharply turned their gaze down to the small form coming dangerously close to the ground.

Quinn regained consciousness as the mind numbing spell began to fade. He could feel the pain of the last few days in his limbs and everything was a whirring blur. He seemed to be free falling through the air. He thought of his mother, her warm smile and the hearty food that would be waiting for him at home. He thought of the tricks he and Yenir would play on the watch when he was younger and the trouble they would get into. He thought of Mt. Waterdeep and how beautiful the towers looked at sunset. Then his eyes focused on the world around him and he could see the jagged ground rushing up to meet him.

“So this is what it feels like to fly, Sizrit." He said to no one...

To be continued...

The Mis-Adventures of Quinn Silverthumb (Episode 10)

"Wake Up!" Pin pricks of light danced behind Quinn's eyelids that stung with dry pain. Cold iron held Quinn's hands in place on a rack that stretched his body to the limits of exertion. He could no longer feel his body through the pain and was dimly aware of the fact that he was even alive at all. Kahn had flogged him raw when he brought Quinn to this dungeon and then he was ordered onto the rack for a new round of torture. What little sleep he got was when he could take no more pain and passed out on the rack. It was a tenuous rest that lasted but  moments before Kahn woke him with malice laden voice.

"Enjoying your rest?" Kahn asked as Quinn turned his weary, red rimmed eyes at his tormentor.

"Mystra?" Quinn said in a weak voice, his mind broken to the point of hallucination. He saw not the malicious Kahn standing over him but a dream of the goddess of magic delivering him from this prison. Kahn let out howling laughter.

“If only you were that lucky." He sniggered with vile glee. “Look at me with wakeful eyes wretch!" He slapped Quinn to consciousness with a hard backhand to the face. Quinn screamed and turned hate filled eyes on Kahn. He spat into his face the moment he recognized Kahn.

"Spirited. I like that." He walked over to a brazier and took hold of one of the handles sticking out. Sadistic, maniacal happiness passed briefly over his face before turning a serious sneer toward Quinn. “We’ll see how long you remain that way." He walked to the rack and waved the red hot brand back and forth in front of Quinn's eyes. "Now tell me who you work for?"

“I work for no one specific." Quinn said knowing full well it wasn't the answer he was looking for. White hot pain burst through his body and he screamed without the effort of knowing he had done so. The smell of his own burning flesh reached his nose when the initial pain subsided and he could think on more than the excruciating turmoil.

“I’ll ask again. Who sent you?" His eyes were daring Quinn to lie again.

“Even...if I told you....the truth I...would....still be tortured." Quinn gasped through clenched teeth. A barbaric hiss went up from his searing skin as he was branded again. Blisters erupted from the spots that Kahn pressed the iron into his captive's skin. He shivered with glee at the sight of Quinn's squirming body as it writhed in agony. He got such a rise out of torturing helpless souls. It wasn't until he heard Quinn sobbing with pain did he realize how long he had held the iron to his skin. With some regret he pulled the brand away. After all, he didn't want to kill the Halfling...yet.

"Loviatar would have me as her right hand if you don't tell me what I want to hear. The Goddess of Pain would cringe at the things I could have done to you Halfling! Now speak! Who do you work for? The Harpers perhaps?" Quinn wished the Witches had killed him for the death of Othura. That fate would have been much more pleasing than this, he thought morbidly. He had to answer something or this torture would continue to far worse heights than they have become. The only thing he could think of, however, was to pray. So he prayed to Mystra to deliver him from this place even if it was to be the end of his life.

“No answer. Truly a pity." Kahn raised the iron to press again when the metal door to the torture chamber clanged against the stone wall.

"Lord Kahn! I have..." Kahn raised his hand stopping the young Red Wizard's words.

"I told you I was not to be bothered!" Kahn brandished the iron like a sword pointing it with disdain at the wizard who was now bowing to Kahn. “Up! And out with it!”

"Sir, the fortress is under attack." His voice betrayed his fear as he tried his hardest to sound as professional as possible in front of the high ranking Kahn.

“It had better be a horde of Dragons if you’re interrupting me in my pleasure!" He howled with nearly controlled anger.

"Worse sir. It’s the Simbul." Kahn dropped the iron, stunned. Quinn couldn't help but smile. The Simbul was a hated and genuinely feared enemy to the Red Wizards. Being the deadliest of the Seven Sisters she spends most of her time hunting and killing the Thayan wizards. Quinn would have cheered if his brain wasn't numb from all the pain.

"Praise Mystra." Quinn sighed weakly.  Kahn whirled around on his victim and screamed with bloody rage.

"You have caused me nothing but trouble since I've met you! I have half a mind to kill you right here but as prudence has it, I may have use for you yet. Jael! Unbind the prisoner! We may have a bargaining chip with him and I'm in the mood to parlay with death today!" Kahn barked the orders as he whirled up the stairs. “Bring him to me in more suitable clothes. I have business with a certain Chosen of Mystra. We'll see if the goddess of magic truly favors you."

To be continued...

The Mis-Adventures of Quinn Silverthumb (Episode 9)

Episode 9

Blast! Magic sizzled in the air like electricity as Sizrit cast his first spell. A bolt of indigo lightning blasted from the fingertips of the white robed woman Sizrit had taken the form of. The bolt flew true and sent Direz reeling into the forest snapping branches as he was launched almost fifty feet from where he stood, robe and arms flailing madly as he flew.

“Insolent Wench!" Screamed the other Red Wizard, Malek, as he began gesturing in the air preparing his spell. Red sparks crackled on his fingertips as he swept the air in graceful arcs. He thrust his hands forward and five fiery stars erupted from the campfire, floated above it for a moment, and then streaked toward Sizrit. Sizrit dodged most of them but was struck by one in the arm as he spun to avoid the blow. His skin was left charred on the shoulder of Owl feather’s form. He looked up and began reciting a spell, malice blazing in his eyes. Aluthine stopped chanting, seemingly distracted for a moment by the magical display.

“Keep going witch!" The last wizard, Kahn, commanded Aluthine and she lurched up. As if struck in the forehead by some unseen force she continued her chant to unlock her mother's mask in her hypnotized daze. Meanwhile, Quinn watched the battle from the forest, fearing for his friend as "She" began another spell. Sizrit's body became wreathed in golden fire while Quinn watched. Direz was shaking off the daze of the first spell and began climbing to his feet to aid his comrades.

“I don't think so." Quinn whispered to himself and drew a small dagger from his sleeve. Thunk! The dagger flew with deadly accuracy into the back of Direz' neck. He fell face-first into the ferns and lay still. Quinn suppressed a cheer of triumph so as not to give his hiding place away. Quinn turned back to the scene just in time to see Sizrit lunge at Malek and tackle him to the ground. Malek screamed as his body was consumed in amber flame as they rolled together. Quinn looked over to Aluthine and saw the mask floating in front of her on its own accord. He had to stop her! Lord Kahn, it seemed, needed to keep his concentration on Aluthine to continue his control over her, Quinn surmised. He began to sneak through the forest toward the head wizard.

"Get off of me Harper!" Malek shrieked and pushed Sizrit away with some effort. Sizrit took the blow and spun gracefully away from the smoldering wizard who was now wearing little more than robe tatters and charred skin.

“Harper? I'm flattered but no, I'm no Harper." Sizrit taunted seductively. “Just passing through."

“What do you want then?” He asked, painfully climbing to his feet to square off again. They began circling each other preparing for the next attack.

“You wouldn't happen to know of one called the Simbul, would you?" Sizrit smiled sweetly. Terror crossed over Malek's face and he looked around to see if anyone else was approaching unseen. Sizrit smiled broader seeing that his ruse had the effect he was looking for.

“Sh..She’s here?" He said panicked.

“No, but she will be. I have sent word that I have found your little band. You see we've been looking for you and it just so happens that I mistakenly stumbled upon your little bonfire and found you."

“You lie!" Malek snarled.

"Would you like to wait and see your statement true or would you like to keep your life?" Sizrit put a hand on his hip like a taunting barmaid. Malek bared his teeth and began gesturing for another spell. “As you wish." Sizrit began his own spell in unison.

Quinn made his way around just behind Kahn, being as cautious as possible. The wizard was still chanting with Aluthine and the mask now spun slowly in the air in front of her. Quinn nocked a bolt into his crossbow and leveled it at Kahn. The bolt sang true to its target but when it reached him it stopped mid-flight and fell harmlessly to the ground. Kahn spun around, breaking his concentration, and stared at the Halfling looking back at him from the forest. Aluthine fell in a crumpled heap, the mask clattering to the ground atop her.

"You! Meddling Halfling, you'll pay for that." He spoke a command word and Quinn's muscles froze. He was paralyzed! The wizard walked calmly into the woods towards him. He would have trembled but his body wasn't responding to his commands.

A spout of blue flame leapt from Sizrit's mouth and met Malek's green bolt midflight. The beams fought in a tug of war of magic pushing one way and then the other. The wizard called out a command and the green bolt widened. It began to push against Sizrit's jet. With his hands free, Sizrit sent a missile of energy at Malek's gut stopping the green bolt and sending the blue flame into his face. Malek let out one last scream before falling, dead, to the ground.

"Say hello to Direz for me." Sizrit waved his hand toward where the previous wizard lay in a pool of blood.

“Dear, Dear. You have made a mess of my plans haven't you?" Kahn said with a paralyzed Quinn at his side. “Care to make a wager, Witch?" Sizrit looked at his frozen friend and then back at Kahn.

“I don't make deals Wizard." He growled and began gesturing a spell in hopes of saving his friend.

"Pity. Truly a pity." Kahn laughed. Sizrit sent another indigo bolt at Kahn just to have it rebound at the last moment and turn on him. The bolt struck the wide eyed woman and sent her reeling into a tree knocking him senseless.

"Hahahaha. I'm sorry my dear. It may have been in your favor to gamble this night." Kahn sneered. He turned to Quinn “As for you. I will not kill you just yet but you will make ample sport for my irons." a cruel smile crossed his lips and he teleported away taking Quinn with him.

Sizrit looked up in time to see Kahn disappear with Quinn. His vision faded as he transformed back into his raven form.

"Yenir! We could use your help right about now." He gasped.

  As his vision faded the fire erupted in golden light and in its place stood a form.

Then all went dark...

To be continued.....

The Mis-Adventures of Quinn Silverthumb (Episode 8)

The night was cold as a fresh blanket of snow began falling from the sky. There was no wind so the snow fell steady to the ground. There was little light at this late hour save for the watch fires on the outskirts of the village that reflected their soft light on the snow.

"What do you see?" Quinn asked. Sizrit sat on his shoulder with his eyes closed. It took all of his effort to sift through the bombardment of visions that came to him when he began to focus his scrying.

“The spirits of this land are very strong. It's hard enough to concentrate without you asking questions" Sizrit snapped. “I’ve never seen so many paths at once. It's difficult to get a lock on her."

“Well keep trying. I think that's her hut there." He pointed to a small round hut with dark glass windows devoid of light. A black sash hung over the door, more than likely symbolizing the death of Othura. Quinn took a glance in both directions and over his shoulder, being sure there was no one watching him. He crept to the window and, gripping the sill with his hands, hoisted himself up to peer into the window. There was no one inside. He moved around to the front of the building, careful to keep to the shadows of the hut as he went.

"Oh!" Sizrit said exasperated. “It’s no use. The land's spirits are interfering with my scrying ability. I can't find her."

“I think I can though. Look there, in the snow. Footprints. I think there fresh." Quinn knelt down to examine the prints in the freshly fallen snow. "Too small to be a man. It's her alright."

“Then we had better get moving before this snow covers up her tracks." The two of them stealthily made their way out of the village, being extra careful to avoid the watch fires. They followed the tracks to the forest just outside of the village. Quinn shuddered to think of what horrible creatures lurked in the forest at night. He steeled his courage, however, and continued forward into the gloom.

“I can't see anything." Quinn whispered.

“That’s ok. I can. Just keep moving forward." Sizrit sat on his shoulder attempting to be Quinn's eyes. Quinn stumbled a few times but for the most part made little noise as he made his way through the dark brush. Sizrit tapped Quinn on the side of his head with his beak to signal him to stop.

“I can see a light up ahead. Can you see it?"

"Not yet." Quinn squinted to try and get a better look but still couldn't make out the light. “We’re not close enough. My eyes aren't as keen as yours in the dark."

“I’ll fly on ahead. Wait here and stay out of sight." Sizrit took off from his shoulder and into the palpable darkness. He returned a few moments later.

"Come on, Quinn, you have to see this." There was a strange excitement in his voice.

“What?" Quinn asked confusion plain in his voice. He probed forward in the dark to the edge of a clearing where he could now see in the light of a flickering camp-fire. His eyes widened with astonishment at what he saw. "By the bard! What's that?" Quinn gasped. Before them was a plain hut with a hay thatched, peaked roof and circular windows. The whole hut was held aloft by a giant pair of chicken legs.

“It’s called the Baba Hut." Sizrit said. “I didn't think it actually existed. Believed to be a children’s story. There's a rhyme: When Baba sleeps and dines inside, Chicken Legs will stand with pride. When Baba walks and travels out, Chicken Legs will walk about. When Baba sings and dances there, Chicken Legs will be her pair."

“Hmmm. What do you suppose it's doing then?" Quinn glanced at the tall fowl legs.

“Well, according to the rhyme, when the legs are standing like that there's someone inside it." Sizrit answered. “I would assume Aluthine is using it as a safe house."

"She's in that thing!? How do we get inside?" Suddenly there was a flash of red near the hut and two men appeared from the air.

“Get down!" gasped Sizrit. Quinn ducked into the underbrush where he could still see the clearing. The hut slowly began to lower itself like a nesting hen until the door was level with the ground. The door opened and Aluthine walked from it to greet the two men who Quinn recognized as the other two Red Wizards from the tower. To his surprise they bowed before Aluthine.

“Direz, Malek. It's about time!" Aluthine addressed the bowing men with a voice that was not her own, but that of a man. “I was beginning to think you had turned yellow." Aluthine's form began to melt and in her place stood a red robed man heavily adorned in various forms of gaudy jewelry. He was bald like the others but wore a golden circlet encrusted with black jet.

“Lord Kahn." One of the bald men said as he stood “We were delayed. We were attacked and Foreth was captured."

"I know Direz." Kahn said turning cold eyes on the mage. “He was brought to the trial and nearly blew our cover. The witches are growing suspicious of Aluthine."

“What of the Halfling?" The other man, Malek, asked.

“A nuisance is all. One that nearly cost us everything. It would have been preferable if he would have died in place of Foreth but events proved unlucky in that respect."

“Yes and that white haired bitch cost us that!" Direz spat.

“Agreed." Malek nodded “A Harper by the looks of her."

"I'm flattered." Sizrit sneered under his breath to Quinn.

“If the Harpers are alerted to our presence then we must move quickly before another of their damnable ranks decides to stick their nose where it doesn't belong again." Kahn turned to the hut “My dear it is time." Quinn gasped when he saw the real Aluthine emerge from the hut in tattered rags for clothes. She seemed to be in a daze and walked as if hypnotized towards the mage. “Let’s begin."

“We have to do something." Quinn said and began to stand. He looked around but Sizrit had disappeared. The wizards began to chant something and Aluthine moved to the fire with the mask in her hand. She began to call out to the forest in an ancient tongue. All of a sudden there was a loud crack and bright flash of light on the other side of the clearing. The wizards stopped chanting and turned snarling eyes towards the form on the other side of the clearing. It was Sizrit in the white woman's form smiling deviously at the trio.

“I’m not interrupting anything am I. “She said with a sly grin.

To Be Continued...