The Hunt for the Queen

1st day of Febrian cy 4863

There is rejoicing in the streets of Van Myrid as the Elenorian army departs, routed by the efforts of the party. On the lips of every man woman and child is Taryn and Hosskal – their names ring out around the city. Each member of the party is mobbed as they head for the temple of Jarik Saal to get healed. Brazer Silverbow knows that the army will not be back, a quick sweep with his telepathy senses this is defeat for the Elenorians.

The giant Glaennyn – Hamroth – lifts into the sky putting a message into Brazer’s mind as he goes. "I must go to Aldegaarde to see Jarik Saal but I will return soon." Incredibly the Glaennyn shows Brazer how to keep up the mental defence of the city. After a short period of experimentation the Marraq has a similar shroud around Van Myrid.

As they head towards the temple of Jarik Saal Brazer senses the small prods to his shield, a number of mental searches or attacks against the shield wall. He decides to investigate one of them. With the shield still up he uses the other compartment of his mind to follow the mind back to it’s source. All his thoughts are to crush the mind but Brazer finds himself in touch with a Marraq called Zavan who is equally astonished by Brazer’s contact. Furthermore Zavan is within the palace of Illyanth, a member of the Dark Watch; a group of ten Marraqs she has put together to attack the party.

Brazer hides in the dark shadows and converses with Zavan. It soon becomes clear that the Marraq is sympathetic and before Brazer can be discovered he enlists the help of Zavan. "You have our arrows," Zavan says finally.

Taryn carries Sarrich – the last survivor of Illeum’s honour guard who fought with them – into the temple for healing. Rumus, the high priest, welcomes them all. Suddenly all their damage is recovered even the soul damage sustained by Brazer and Taryn. The party are euphoric. Rumus invites high priest G-Lest into his temple and they are soon greeted by a delighted Valadain Raikos.

Valadain bows to them. "This is a great day!" he shouts. "How can I ever repay you all?"

When Illeum Runesabre – Valadain’s half brother – arrives, the sense of victory becomes more tangible. Brazer raises concerns over the safety of Calandrin and Arvial but Illeum says; "They are beyond the reach of Illyanth."

Valadain proclaims a celebration, a banquet in honour of the victors but Illeum leads them all back into the security of the palace for a private conversation with Valadain and the party; a chance to decide what they do next. Brazer shrouds the room and the conversation is largely telepathic.

Taryn speaks frankly and asks Illeum that he people – the Menelothians – be represented within his empire. "What about a protectorate your imperial highness?"

Illeum replies instantly. "If you succeed in slaying the queen I will gladly accept your request Taryn Bzar."

The banquet is arranged hastily and all the noble houses and remaining court notables are present. Valadain and Illeum sit at the top table with the party. The relief on every face is visible; the whole room glows with gratitude for Hosskal, Taryn and the others. Indeed one of the most beautiful women in Van Myrid – Leandra (who led the healers during the siege) – asks Brazer for a dance. As the pair move gracefully across the floor there are loud cheers.

One absentee is high priest G-Lest who is at the temple of Malakar and starts the ceremony that will re-consecrate the altar and therefore get the temple back in working order.

Sergei Streng seduces many of the court women. His easy charm and casual good looks attracts every pretty noblewoman but he is sizing up their magic, the ring of Kal Amroth allowing him to discern the very nature and strength of all the sorcery they possess. For the thief it is an opportunity too good to miss!

The mood changes when a servant informs Valadain that an Elenorian diplomat requires an audience. The room falls to a hush as a heavily guarded diplomat called Varmiron is led into the now silent banqueting hall. The elf is nervous and surrounded by Valadain’s most proficient guards.

Streng concentrates on the elf’s sorcery. He is appalled to discover that Varmiron is a bomb, a sophisticated magical device contained within his soul. Streng informs them that it could be the Void.

As Brazer reaches into the mind of Varmiron Illeum starts to gather power from all around him. Streng feels it, most of the party feel the pull of his gathering. Illeum Runesabre draws heavily on the power of all sorcerers in the room, some of which collapse as he takes more than they can give. Brazer – who is still linked to Illeum, Valadain and the party, sees a shadowy door in the mind of the diplomat Varmiron.

"It is time to break down the door," says Illeum.

At this point the banquet is over. The nobles now realise that something is very wrong. Sorcerers collapse all around them and this starts a stampede to the exits. Brazer prepares to open the door that will probably trigger the trap. As soon as the Marraq pushes open the door in the mind of the diplomat he sees Illyanth staring back at him.

"Endgame!" she shouts with glee.

But Brazer lashes out at her with his mind. He feels her scream in pain as his power severs the link between diplomat and herself, he is satisfied that he has at least given her a bloody nose.

But at that instance the diplomat expands; turns to black glass and shatters. There is a sharp intake of breath but Illeum is there. His hands palm out he stops the expanding globe of Void and contains it. Glass shatters all around and the sound of a storm fills the hall. The party can do no more than blink in disbelief as the globe of pure destruction contracts until is is gone. After a loud crack Illeum falls back smouldering, his eyes blank and his mind unconscious.

Valadain and Leandra kneel over the limp body. Leandra admits that it is beyond her skill, she has no idea how to bring the emperor back from his coma.

"Get me a high priest!" roars Valadain. Brazer immediately reaches the mind of G-Lest and brings him to the palace. Even G-Lest is unable to rouse the emperor and they hurry through the streets with him, Valadain carries his body onto the altar of Jarik Saal and it sinks down into the stone as though it was made of water. Soon the body is gone. Rumus – the high priest of Jarik – reassures them that the emperor is safe with his god.

Back at the palace there is a fractious exchange between Taryn and Valadain on tactics. Taryn argues that they must act quickly and is initially pleased when Valadain says he will come with them but the ranger is dismayed by the negative fears that the steward has.

Eventually – after Valadain says that he knows the palace inside out – they decide to fly in on Hamroth. The Glaennyn has no magical surge and is magically and physically invisible to all prying eyes. Hamroth’s is a sorcery whose secrets not even the queen of Elenoria can fathom.

Soon they head north on the back of the gargantuan dragon. When the green sea of Elenoria becomes visible Valdain checks his katanas. He points out the cluster of temples hidden in the trees and soon they hove a thousand feet above the palace itself. He points out a balcony that abuts the queen’s bedchambers. "We set down there and follow me," he says.

They disembark onto the balcony and are soon inside the private quarters of Illyanth. The first palace guard they see discards his weapons and kneels at the feet of Valadain. "I will not hurt you master Valadain," the elf says. "Where is she?" Valadain spits. The elf gestures down below. Streng extends his magical sense and finds the strongest concentration – obviously Illyanth – but Valadain is already moving.

Brazer Silverbow attempts a backhand slash at the kneeling Elenorian but the palace guard avoids it. Valadain throws the Marraq a sharp stare but continues. Valadain Raikos becomes a blur, a move so fast that no eye could possibly see it. A katana rips through a hidden opponent, viscera and gore spray from the fallen demon as the steward of Van Myrid descends the twisting stairways quickly.

Brazer stretches out his mind and sees the palace guards – all loyal to Valadain – engaging the demons. As the battle rages for control of the palace the party get closer to Illyanth herself. Without warning two demonic guards drop amongst the party and lash out with glowing daggers. Taryn is caught unaware and a knife all but takes his soul.

Hosskal slays the demon with a crushing strike with Valkaras and once again Valadain is a blur of steel. He cuts down the second demon then – astonishingly – turns his blade onto Taryn himself. For a split second the party are taken by Valadain’s treachery but the steward – using the link maintained by Brazer – flashes a thought into all their minds. Valdain is going to use the demon’s soul to replenish Taryn’s.

Hosskal is unsure whether to stop the attack but Taryn allows the strike. The pain of losing the soul is nothing compared to the agony of replenishment. Taryn gasps and grunts but is soon back to full health. Before he can even thank Valadain the steward is already moving.

The magically secured door of Illyanth’s bedchamber is no obstacle. Taryn opens a vein and sprays fiery blood over the structure; he realises that the more powerful the magic the more voraciously his primal fire consumes it. Before long the door is ash and burnt timber and facing them is an awful sight.

Queen Illyanth of the Elenorians is breathtakingly beautiful, the suggestion of a snake-like tongue gives that beauty an alluring menace. In her hands are two katanas and her stance tells them she is ready for combat. The party are on the threshold of facing the greatest living exponent of the sword on Grayhawk.

"So it has come to this Valadain," she says with surprising confidence…