spying these strange, flying folk,
powers mystic Morlock did evoke!And mighty elemental of air did appear, seeming as if naught but touch of insubstantial smoke.
From far off, yonder ship, mighty ballista fired heavy bolt, one aerial reptile screamed as the hurling dart it's wing had broke!
Swiftly the Archmage ordered vaporous form, and elemental caught the falling one before it had missed another stroke.
And thence to the deck of the Sea Foam did the elemental bring these folk home.
No sooner there than with shimmer and forms did blur, and thus were revealed in more human bone!
A lady of middle years, fringed leathers of beaded work, long bow, pale hair and at her neck large yellow stone.
The other an elf of long silver hair and a strange curved sword of Eastern make, blood from shoulder poured, in pain he moaned.
Good Lady Anna, to the wounded did give aid, and with a cerulean radiance the elf was healed, and he gave a soft groan.
"Hail and welcome aboard Sea Foam! I am Silverblade, Mage of War! These are my friends. Who art thou?" The enchanter asked with hair ocean blown.
"From Alturak, I am ranger Silvermoon!" the woman with bow in politest fashion replied. "Thanks indeed for helping Zeth-xelar, for his shoulder now will not need be sewn!"
The proud elf introduced himself, smiling a tad at what his companion humorous said, a kensai, a sword master, such skills in Western lands rarely shown.
But the two ships were closer now, and from the yonder galleon, a razored bolt came whistling, and men went down as if by scythe mown!
Seeing his crew dying, goodly sailor folk known many a year, the Mage of War in rage spell did cast: amidst the enemy, HAVOC SOWN!
A fury of indescribable might, brought chaos, upon their minds swept darkest night, the other ship's crew each did fight, all sense from them flown!
Then the Morlock's mystic creature, by his orders, on them a whirlwind reaped, throwing them into the deep, shattered against the mast as some were thrown,
Not a man survived, all did drown.......
But surprised was Silverblade, of the strangers unceasing hate, for his spell in not a single person did abate, and asked the new-come anger for explanation.
To which she said they had come from Lantan, hired there to capture and release elsewhere safe a unicorn, for twas not safe in that mechanist's nation.
On return their ship on rocks did founder, but they survived on drifting timber, and praise to Melikki, a ship, they were saved, in vast ocean rare wonder!
But those on the galleon had strangest air, the sailors for talking did not care, they did little more than steer and stare, as if some beguiling spell they were under.....
When they found the vessel's wizard, barricaded in his cabin room, he told them that was fair the truth! For a year and a month they had sailed unknown, haunted shores, and joys! They were in the Realms once more!
Yet some shaded power, some dark melody that claimed their hearts, seemed to sing sweetly in their ears, and made their brains rotten to the core!
And friend would kill his oldest mate!
For a week we sailed in that crowded, haunted funeral barge, ever fearful least the crew our door would break!
Then this day, your Sea Foam we spied, and by use of magic potion we left, far from shy! But alas the our friend the mage was killed, yet thank the gods, your deck we did make!
But then a cry did them all alert: by side of the hull, floating in pale flesh, spreading blood, Chandra, her heart pierced by earlier bolt. In silent death, none had seen her end, and into Silverblade pain of dragon's claws did rake......
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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