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The battle that followed was swift, but violent enough to meet Gnarfling's expectations. When all that remained of Landish the Adept was a smoking, greasy circle on the blasted clearing, the greenmage came up and took Gnarfling's hands between hers.
"The same blight," she murmured, her brows pulled down in a deep frown. "It is a necromantic spell, but not one I have seen before."
"Are you not Suzza Indoulur, niece to Lord Basel of Halar?" asked Ursault.
Her eyes widened, and she responded with a nod.
"Your name is spoken as a capable greenmage, but did I not also hear that you are studying for the priesthood of Azuth?"
"News travels swiftly through this forest," she said cautiously.
"The herbal potions and prayer spells of Constandia of Azuth against the leprous blight may prove efficacious," suggested Ursault. "Even a novice priestess might be granted such a spell. I believe I saw some wild priestcap flowers just off the path. Shall I gather some for you?"
She considered this, nodded, then set to work. In short order Mirabella was sitting comfortably, sipping a steaming herbal brew as the greenmage gently smoothed priestcap ointment over the old woman's face. Gnarfling was gri
"I can make more ointment for your legs, if you like," the greenmage offered. Her gaze fell on his stu
Her confusion suggested other possibilities, even more wondrous than the prospect of looking as other men. "Might not hurt to even things out a mite," he said casually. "Kind of you to offer."
The greenmage sent him a tentative smile and set to work with a wooden bowl and pestle. She scooped the ointment into a small pot and pointed to a curving mark carved into the pottery.
"This is my family sigil. Trace it with one finger and repeat the words I will give you, and it will bring you to our estates near Halar. I would like to see you again to make sure the cure is progressing."
"And if it doesn't?" asked Gnarfling, gesturing to his stubby limbs.
The greenmage's soft smile didn't falter. "Even then."
She spoke a short, strange word and had Gnarfling repeat it. When she was satisfied with his pronunciation, she rose in one swift, surprisingly graceful move and strode to the impatient band of wizards. Her father's squire handed her the kestrel, and she tied the little hawk's jesses to her saddle pommel. They rode off without a backward glance, their horses clattering over the rough corduroy path.
Gnarfling watched them go, and for the first time, his future seemed bright with possibilities. He turned to his wizard companion.
Force of habit prompted him to ask, "What now?" Ursault's smile held a world of contentment. "Isn't it wonderful? I have no idea." Originally published in Dragon #335, August 2005 Edited by Erik Mona
GAMES OF CHANCE
Elaith Craulnober is one of my favorite characters, but the truth of the matter is that he's not "my" character at all-or at least, he didn't start out that way. His first in-print appearance was a brief paragraph in the first edition game product Waterdeep and the North, written by FORGOTTEN REALMS creator Ed Greenwood. The entry caught my eye when I was researching Realmslore for Elf shadow, my first book, and for some reason the rogue moon elf captured my imagination. I included him in that first novel. Only later did I learn that Elaith was more than just a bit player invented for a game product-he'd been part of Ed's personal campaign for years.
Ed has been very gracious about this, and fortunately we seem to be on much the same page when it comes to this character. He has repeatedly said that he's happy with the directions Elaith has taken and content to let me run with the character.
Still, I've always felt a little guilty about having shanghaied another writer's character. Early on, I learned that writing in a shared world works a whole lot better if you don't define "sharing" as "everything in the lore is up for grabs, no matter who created it,"
But having stolen Elaith, I felt obligated to give him interesting things to do. He took an active role in the events of City of Splendors: A Waterdeep Novel, and he'll be even more prominent in Reclamation, the upcoming Songs amp; Swords book. This short story gives a glimpse into one of Elaith's many business affairs-a glitzy casino in Waterdeep. It also revisits his daughter, Azariah, and her determination to inherit the Craulnober moonblade. Please note that Elaith's thoughts concerning moonblades reflect his personal bias and the level of information available to him; as such, they do not necessarily reflect the whole truth, or the "canon lore" concerning these magic swords.
Over the years, many readers have wondered if there's any significance in the similarity between Elaith's name and mine. Circumstances being what they are-Ed created the character long before he knew me from Lolth-it is clearly a matter of coincidence. But when I'm in a fanciful mood, I'm not quite so sure of that. I might not have created Elaith, I might not look or act or think as he does, but I understand him far too well for my peace of mind.
GAMES OF CHANCE
There were a thousand ways to cheat, and until tonight, Elaith Craulnober had thought he knew them all.
The moon elf watched, amber eyes narrowed in speculation, as Olte
Olte
The threadbare southerner stood out among the glittering Waterdhavian pleasure seekers, and as such was the target of many arch glances and none-too-softly whispered jests. He seemed as unaware of these insults as he was his own shabby finery, for he was entirely focused upon wi
And win he did. So far this evening, Olte
Elaith sniffed. "Gondblessed," indeed! Not even Tymora, goddess of good fortune, smiled upon her faithful with such consistent and profitable result.
He glanced across the room to where a gray-ski