Bruce Cordell - Key of Stars

“Maybe because what all of us saw in our dreams hasn’t happened yet,” said Japheth.

Seren snorted. “That’s a leap,” she said.

Raidon addressed the warlock. “How could we see the future without some sort of ritual of divination?” he said.

“If a future event is significant enough, who’s to say rumor of its approach wouldn’t echo into the past ahead of its occurrence?” Japheth replied. “Such things have happened before. And besides, Anusha seems to be at the heart of this-her connection to the realm of dreams is obviously important.”

Seren affected a dubious expression, though Anusha noted she didn’t gainsay Japheth’s theory.

“What event?” Anusha said.

Japheth shrugged. “I can’t really tell what’s going on in the dream; it’s just fragments.”

“To be so significant, it’d have to be pretty terrible, I’m guessing,” said Thoster.

“Very likely,” replied Japheth.

“I have some experience with psychic phenomena,” Yeva said. “I agree with the warlock. We are sharing the same dream because we are all entwined in what may happen. We all have some stake in the outcome, more so than others, anyhow. Anusha especially, since we’ve all seen her in the vision. She at least will survive to transmit her dream warning from the odd location we all saw.”

“I wonder where that is?” said Thoster.

Anusha shrugged. “Nowhere I’ve ever visited,” she said.

“By what you all describe, it doesn’t sound like any place on Toril,” said Seren. “More like one of the echo planes; either in Shadow or even a remote corner of Faerie, where things become wild.”

“I thought you didn’t believe any of this,” said Thoster.

“I didn’t say that, you cantankerous pirate!” Seren said. “I-”

“Stop it,” said Anusha, raising her voice. “Let’s not fight, please, not in my house.”

Seren raised a hand in acquiescence.

“Well, regardless of anything else, Xxiphu is looking for something-this Key of Stars,” said Thoster. “I’m fairly certain we don’t want to let Xxiphu find it. If we’re going to do anything, it might do to find this Key before Xxiphu or Malyanna.”

“Wait,” said Seren. “Why us? Saving Faerun from these aboleths isn’t just our problem. We should ask for help!”

“From who?” said Japheth.

“The old Sage of Shadowdale, who else!” Seren replied.

“He’s missing,” said Anusha.

“Come on!” Seren said. “I doubt-”

“My old tutor told me,” Anusha continued. “Elminster dropped out of sight after the Spellplague. People say they’ve seen him here and there since then, but my tutor didn’t think those reports were reliable.”

“Great,” Seren said. “I guess that explains why he hasn’t already blasted the damned thing out of the sky.”

“How about one of the Chosen?” said Thoster.

Anusha could only shake her head.

Japheth said, “If Elminster is out of the picture, the other Chosen might be too. Besides, aren’t the Chosen empowered by Mystra? If she’s dead, I doubt the Chosen are up and at ’em.”

“It’s true,” Seren said. “I got my magic back early, but those with years more invested in the Weave had it harder. Some still can’t cast a spell reliably. It’s possible the Chosen … are all dead.”

Silence chilled the salon.

“We’re the ones who’re already involved, and partly responsible,” said Anusha. “We should clean up our own mess. We can’t turn our backs on it and hope it goes away.”

“Yeah,” Thoster said. “Only children would do that.”

“And we’ve got Raidon, with his Sign and sword,” Anusha said. “Right, Raidon?”

Everyone looked at the monk.

Raidon’s face was a pallid mask. “I … want to find the inspiration to care,” he said. “I know I should.”

“What’s that mean?” asked Anusha. Her stomach clenched. “You’re the one who warned us we had to destroy the Dreamheart in the first place, and kill the Eldest-”

“Neither of which we managed to do,” observed Seren.

Anusha ignored the interruption, “And now you don’t care?” she said. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I can try. That’s all I can offer,” said Raidon. His expression didn’t betray the least hint of shame.

Anusha blew out her cheeks as she regarded the man. He was as unreadable as ever. At least he was drinking tea that morning, not wine. But could she count on him the next time aboleths threatened?

Aloud she said, “Well, good!”

“I’m in,” said Japheth. “As I said this morning …”

Was he blushing?

The warlock continued, “I accept some blame in this. Moreover, Neifion’s made it clear he’s never going to stop hunting me. He’s working with Malyanna, who’s behind Xxiphu’s emergence and search for this Key, I have little doubt. We saw her with the Dreamheart as we disembarked from the city. Little good it’ll do her.”

“Well, count me out,” said Seren. “I’ve got my own troubles to deal with.”

“What? You can’t leave! You’re part of this,” Anusha said.

“Thay knows I’m alive,” Seren explained. “Morgenthel is hunting me. He’s traced me here to New Sarshell.”

“The wizard taker-the one from Valtelar?” asked Thoster.

“Yes. He set an ambush for me,” Seren said. “Fortunately, I discovered it before falling prey. His presence means he’s not going to give up. I need to deal with him before he takes me by surprise.”

Anusha didn’t much like Seren. Truth be told, she thought the woman was a little too familiar with Japheth. But aloud she said, “We could use your help.”

“If I end up dead or carted off to Thay, I’ll be little use to you,” replied Seren.

“But-,” Anusha started.

“And you’ve already got enough trouble with enemies popping up out of nowhere trying to kill you,” Seren added, gesturing to Japheth with her chin. “If I’m with you, Morgenthel is one more idiot on the list looking for us. Think of me leaving this way-I’ll be the distraction that keeps a powerful enemy off your flank. The displeasure of Thay is not something you want to contend with.”

“When you say it like that,” said Thoster, “it almost sounds noble.”

“You know me better than that, Captain,” Seren said. She and Thoster chuckled.

Yeva clapped her hands together. The sound rang through the chamber like a gong. “Very well,” she said. “What is our next move?”

Japheth cleared his throat. “We have to find Malyanna,” he said. “She’s got the Dreamheart. As I said before, it doesn’t have the power to wake the Eldest. But she must have used what strength remains in it to trigger Xxiphu’s breach.”

“I suppose she’s in Xxiphu-although, maybe not, if she’s out looking for this Key of Stars,” said Thoster.

“I can find her,” said Japheth. “With the power of my new pact, which she and I share, I can find her.”

Anusha smiled at him. He returned a wink.

“Well, where is she?” said Thoster. “Probably in some nightmare realm, eh? Or, is it Xxiphu after all?”

“Not in Xxiphu, it turns out, but in the world,” Japheth replied. “I need to conduct a rite, perhaps with Seren’s aid before she leaves, to nail her location down exactly. But from what I was able to discern this morning, she seems to be somewhere in Aglarond.”

Everyone was quiet for a moment, processing, wondering what the eladrin noble could possibly want there.

“That does not bode well,” Raidon said, his voice quiet.

The monk watched the others debate. It seemed he stood in a room separate from them. Their voices were muffled, and their expressions hard to read, as if they moved through shadowy cobwebs only he could see.