Shortly after Nicolai escaped the party, he finds Klem sitting in his house with three others playing cards. Nicolai performs simple magic and identifies the four as Amos Marwick, Alfred Marwick (Amos and Alfred are cousins), and Edward Teach. All four are drinking wine and gambling. Five minutes after Nicolai came in to the dim rooms illuminated only by a single lightbulb hanging precariously from the ceiling, Edward takes some notice of Nicolai. Showing his blackened teeth, he talks to Nicolai.
"Ello, Klaus." says Edward.
Nicolai, touchy at being called Klaus, grunts and says: "My name is not Klaus. It's Nicolai."
Klem, just now realizing Nicolai's presence, flashes a slight but unmistakable look of horror before dashing up and escaping the room. The cloud of dust and dirt that flew up due to this hasty exit causes confusion for several minutes, during which time three bottles of wine spill, two bottles of beer spill, one wineglass shatters, and poker cards and chips fly everywhere. Nicolai is left to help clean up the mess along with Amos, Alfred, and Edward.
Thirty minutes later, Nicolai is riding with fellow elves through the Maga forest, which is at a height of splendor in springtime. Notable members of this group include Urza, Queen of the Elves, Sarah, daughter of Urza and Princess of the Elves, Zaarn, an estranged elf who came from the northern elf-land, Philinus, one of the best enchanters in the world, and Nicolai himself.
Nicolai ponders all possible reasons for Klem's speedy exit, and the fact that he vanished since then. No one could tell what was going on underground, one hundred miles away.
* * *
At the very location just described are several people in dark robes, similar to those robes of the ambushers in Marston Forest.
The leader of the group clears his throat and begins to speak.
"As you all know, the elven group is heading to Central City for the meetings.They will not make it, am I right, Klem?"
Another one, highly nervous, replies.
"Y-yes sir. They will not."
Devilish smiles tend to spell trouble...
No comments:
Post a Comment