Shadows and Results

Chapter I

     The well tended meeting hall, with it's sturdily-built and polished wooden walls, caught the dazzling yellow glow from the cupped,' flame-less torches that resided along the columned pillars as Abberaddus Soulthreader stepped up to the podium. The hall was full. All faces watched him. Some in desperation. Most in anger.

     Earlier that day, his nephew, Zandannan Knowmuch had stolen from him an emblem of amplification, which had power to increase the potency of certain spells. This alone would not have caused so much as a head to turn. But coupled with the knowledge of where he was going with it.. and what he was doing, however..

     The council members that sat behind him would support him all they could, but Abberaddus was understandably the one to whom the blame would fall. "It is now common knowledge," he began with an expectation of hostility, "that my nephew has stolen Outpor, my amplification medallion." The townsfolk began to stir. "It is also known, that he is headed for Arquit."

     Loud murmur and complaints began arising. Arquit was an abandoned tower that was built into a large rock formation. It had been inhabited two years past by a rogue sorcerer from their

town. He had been shunned, and decided to leave, and not on the best of terms.

     "Zandannan's intent is not yet known," he dared, knowing that many DID know his intent, "but should he reach the tower, disaster will undoubtedly occur, one way or another. Marden will not likely show mercy, and my nephew, being in possession of Outpor, could potentially wipe out that entire area." His next words would put them over the edge. "Some of YOU will be the ones to go and attempt interception."

     They were livid. A brawl seemed imminent. Abberaddus, however, displayed more intensity than they, to the surprise of all. He pointed and spoke with ferocity. "YOU are the ones who provoked Marden! It was your lack of kindness and cruelty that drove him there in the first place! You WILL go!"

     A man seated near where Abberaddus had previously sat whispered to a young woman sitting next to him, "Your father rarely does the wrong thing. He always has everyone's best interests

at heart. This'll turn out ok."

     The audience died down, and his volume with them. He lowered his arm. "You will be taken by Nary," he said, turning and motioning to a young female behind him, taking her by surprise as much as everyone else. She gave the man sitting next to her a look. He buried his laughter. "Naryanna." He spoke her name again, motioning her forward.

     She rose and took her place beside him. It shouldn't have surprised her as much as it did. She thought the situation dire.. She glanced into his eyes. The look in them told of confident expectation: hope in her. Her father was very passionate about his decisions, as well as the well being of the people. She was always glad he was a more gentle father than he was a positional leader. "Paddin." He pointed into the observing group. "Lurrel. The two of you, apologizing to Marden, may yet bring peaceful closure to this situation, assuming you can reach him before Zandannan does."

     Paddin nearly wet himself. Memories of his experiences with Marden brought fear and guilt- a guilt he had carried since his late teens. He had bullied the young boy. Looking back, he had

not known why. It made him sad, though the fear of a confrontation was at this point elevated well beyond his sadness.

     Lurrel, who spoke little, had half a mind to flee into a nearby forest.. a thick one. He had also mistreated the lad. Naryanna took a deep breath and started for the two that would accompany her. Her father took her shoulder, "Take the shortcut. At this point he has a head start. Try to reach the sorcerer before Zandannan. If you can't.." She nodded and began off. "And Nary," she turned back. "Be.." he paused, looked off for a moment and nodded, "wary."