James Ward - Pools of Darkness

"Talenthia and Andoralson. You're both druids, but Andoralson also commands the magic of illusions. You're related-let's see, not brother and sister. How about cousins? You were sent to Phlan by your god. You travel by means of your shapechanging abilities. And you only met Ren within the last few days. How did I score?" the sorceress asked.

The trio looked at her, dumbfounded. "You've used your magic to spy on us!" Andoralson accused her.

Evaine was amused. "Don't be silly. Until a half-hour ago, I'd never seen any of you."

"Mind magic. You can read our thoughts," Talenthia suggested.

"Nope. Trying to read the three of you at once would give me a terrific headache."

"Well, maybe you're just plain smart," Ren offered. He hadn't a clue about this woman's abilities, but he didn't want to be left out of the game.

Evaine touched her finger to the tip of her nose. "The ranger wins. I observed you carefully and made some simple deductions. Ren for example, walks with a light step-as if he's walking in the woods-but he's agile and quick and has the moves of a thief. The way he speaks to Talenthia and myself, it's obvious that he respects women and enjoys their company."

The ranger nodded his agreement.

"Also, Ren has spent a lot of time outdoors from the look of his tanned skin. If he were a resident of Phlan, he'd either be missing with the city or have his own tent.

"The druids. You don't show any romantic feelings toward each other, and there's a slight family resemblance. You don't talk like siblings. Cousins, that's my best guess."

The druids smiled at her cleverness.

"I've seen Andoralson's illusion magic. That was easy. You don't have horses, so I can only assume that you shapechange. Had you trekked through the woods or down the roads to Phlan, I think your robes would be dirty and tattered. You're in the city because your god sent you. That's also easy. Most druids don't hang around in cities by choice. You belong in the wilds.

"Ren's only been in town a few days, and you still don't know a lot about each other. That's why I guessed that you'd just met. Well?" Evaine waited for their reaction.

Ren burst out laughing. After all the depression and sadness he'd seen in the last few days, this woman was a breath of fresh air. She wasn't rattled by the day's events, and she still had her wits about her. He was astonished by her insights.

"Right you are, lady. You didn't miss on a single point. Would you care to guess my birthdate now?" Ren was still laughing.

"No, thanks, Ren. That's not something I can guess just by looking at you." Evaine chuckled at the ranger's amusement.

The druids were too amazed to speak. But they couldn't help themselves and now joined in the good humor. Gamaliel didn't laugh, but rubbed a hand on Evaine's shoulder. She patted his hand affectionately.

"Okay, you've figured us out. How about telling us a bit about yourselves?" Ren coaxed.

"Not much to tell, really. I came to Phlan looking for a few unusual spell components. I prefer traveling to sitting home in a dusty lab experimenting, but once in a while I need an obscure substance for some research. Gamaliel always comes along. He's quite a fighter and likes to make sure that I'm safe. We've been together quite a number of years."

Ren and the druids were left with no doubt that the barbarian was an able protector. His graceful gait and intense demeanor were evidence of discipline and concentration. His lack of armor was not a sign of weakness; rather, on this human, armor would have seemed awkward. The barbarian's heavy blade and sharp-taloned gloves spoke of skill in combat, with or without a weapon.

The group left the stable, exchanging stories briefly. Ren explained his mission to find Shal, Tarl, and the city, and the cousins explained that they had been sent by Sylvanus to assist Ren. The conversation was like one between old friends.

The barbarian whispered something in his mistress's ear.

"You're right, Gamaliel. I think they're okay, too. Think I should tell them?" The warrior nodded.

Evaine's smile faded, and her tone became serious. "I don't make it a habit of telling all my secrets to strangers, but I think I'm safe with the three of you. We both have something the other wants." The trio listened intently.

"I didn't tell you the whole truth about the pools of darkness. I've made it my life's quest to find and destroy those waters of evil. I know that pools of radiance can transform into pools of darkness. A pool of darkness is nothing less than a powerful tool of evil. The one in Phlan vanished when the city vanished. I have to learn more about what happened to the pool of radiance ten years ago. Maybe whatever you did caused the pool to change. Maybe not. But any information you can give me could help me discover where the pool has relocated.

"I've tracked and destroyed four pools in the past five years. I know many special spells that help me locate and then purify the evil waters. My magic has revealed strange visions. I know you want Phlan back, and I want that pool. I'm certain that if we find one, we'll find the other."

The trio again stared at her, dumbfounded. Ren was the first to choke out a reply.

"Evaine, are you telling us you have a means to find the pool that was in Phlan?"

"I think so. First, we must leave this pitiful city. In four more days, I plan to cast another location spell for the pool. The spell is extremely dangerous, and I can't cast it more than once in seven days."

Ren was elated at this news. For the first time since he had arrived in Phlan, there was some hope of finding Tarl and Shal. "I'll do anything to find my friends. You can count on the druids' help, as well."

An odd smile crept over Evaine's face. "This is the strangest thing. Ordinarily, I work only with Gamaliel. But somehow, I feel that fate has something slightly different in mind for me this time. I feel like I can't say no."

Andoralson laughed.

Talenthia sighed in exasperation. "Why is it that all you strong, silent types work alone? If everyone worked alone, nothing would be any fun, now would it?" Andoralson patted his cousin's shoulder.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us. There are plans to be made and supplies to be bought. If Evaine can find the pool in four days, we'd better be ready to move fast." The druid's tone was serious, but the impending adventure put a glimmer in his gray eyes.

Ren began herding the group toward the tent held by the worshipers of Tyr. "It's already dark, I'm hungry, and we need a place to sleep. Brother Anton has offered me lodging; I'm sure he won't mind a few more. I suggest we get settled so we can get an early start. Any objections?"

Evaine wasn't used to lodging with a crowd, but she was too tired to object.

Brother Anton welcomed the group warmly. He found space for all of them to roll out blankets and bedrolls, and offered them a warm meal. As tired as they all were, they were too excited to sleep. They lay awake in the dark until well after midnight, exchanging whispered ideas and plans. When they finally dozed off, none slept soundly. The danger that lay ahead crept into their dreams.

"North?"

"That's right, north. We aren't going to have a debate every time I want to cast a spell, are we?"

"No. You're the wizard, and I'm the muscle on this mission, but the woodsman in me always wants to know why a certain direction is chosen."

"And the druid in me would like to go northeast into all those beautiful forests," Talenthia chimed in as she spurred her horse next to Ren's.

"If we're voting, I'd opt for south. Ocean voyages are much easier on one's riding muscles," Andoralson said from the back of the group. No one paid attention to the druid.