Friend 


Deep in the moonlit night, in one of the many gardens of the palace, 
there was a shimmer of light.  A hole opened in the air and three 
figures stepped into the garden.  The portal closed as soon as they 
were clear.  
	Sutekh knelt and patted the ground.  "I am a creature of this 
world," he explained.  "May I never leave it again."  
	Prince Federick knelt beside him, pulling Adaz down with him.  
"May your wish come true," the prince said with a smile.  "Sutekh, 
Adaz, I am forever in your debt for what you have done and I offer you 
my eternal friendship."  He clasped Sutekh's wrist.  "Both of you," he 
added as he kissed Adaz's cheek.  Adaz shyly bowed her head.  
	"My lord," Sutekh was shocked at Federick's words.  "My lord, 
I am a thief from the streets of the Vault.  I had difficulty enough 
accepting my master's friendship, but yours... Lord Federick, you 
cannot."  
	"Oh, posh," the middle-aged elf said.  "I decide who I give my 
friendship to, and I choose the two of you.  And stop calling me 
'lord.' It's Federick to you.  Unless we're in court, then it's Prince 
Federick," he finished with a wink.  Adaz and Sutekh both laughed, 
which was easy to do when in the presence of the prince.  
	"Well then, friend Federick," Sutekh replied, "I give you this 
in return.  You are all that is good and beautiful in this world and 
you're friendship is a great honor to me.  I pledge my friendship and 
service to you and yours.  If ever you need skills such as I possess, 
simply ask and I am at your command."  
	"Likewise," Adaz added.  
	"Well, well, I thank you," the prince replied.  "Come now, my 
friends, I would to the queen."  
	"Ah, Federick," Sutekh hesitated as the others stood.  "I 
would that Lady Yolande be the first to know that you are back.  If 
you will allow me, we shall pass unnoticed through the palace to her 
chambers."  
	"Very well," the prince said.  "Spell away."  
	Sutekh made Federick invisible with a spell, then he sheathed 
his sword while Adaz willed her ring to power.  Federick's eyes were 
not fooled by Adaz's ring, so he followed her while her keen ears 
followed Sutekh's faint footfalls.  Thus Sutekh once again led the way 
by stealth into the capitol of Celene.  

"And what of the drow?  I do not like his sudden rise in favor.  He is 
an unlooked-for player in this game."  
	"The 'ElfFriend?'" Duke Llwen asked with disgust.  "He is 
nothing.  He and the human female rarely leave the queen or Prince 
Federick.  We need not consider them in our plans."  
	Smile.  
	"Very well, sir.  And when may I tell my lord that he can 
act?" 
	"Tell Magistrate Trentius that his bugbears may enter the 
valley of the wood elves in three weeks time.  All will be ready by 
then."  The duke folded a map and handed it to elf.  
	"Very well," the conspirator replied, "But I wish you would
not speak so freely."  
	The duke laughed.  "This chamber is blocked from all forms of 
scrying.  Have no fear.  Now, to your master."  
	Silent laughter.  
	The elf with the map left, closing the doors behind him.  
	"Are you sure this is wise, sir?" one of the duke's henchmen 
inquired.  
	"Why not?  The wood elves contribute nothing to Celene, 
forever hiding in that little valley of theirs.  The end result will 
be them gone and myself with more power.  How can that be foolish?  
Come, there is a special bottle of wine I have been saving for just 
such an occasion as this."  
	The duke and his henchmen left the magicked chamber, leaving 
only Sutekh.  Still invisible, Sutekh could not resist his pride.  He 
moved to the chair so recently vacated by Duke Llwen and sat down, 
propping his feet up on the table.  "You know, Selegil, some days you 
just overlook the obvious."  
	Duke Selegil Llwen was not found when the soldiers entered his 
estate to arrest him.


						Jeff Stehman