Witch


        "Sutekh," Nilonim spoke in his native tongue.  "It is good to
see you again."
        "And you, Nilonim," replied Sutekh.  "And it is good to be able
to speak normally again."
        "So what brings you by this time?  Do you wish an audience with
Master Cygnus?"
        "If I did, I would have to wait three or four days, wouldn't I?
He never seems anxious to see me."  Sutekh seated himself across the
table from the mageling drow.
        "He has nothing against you.  It's just that, even after eleven
years, he has not recovered from his battle with Ee," Nilonim apologized
for his master.  "Cygnus has no desire to face that sorcerer again and
fears that you might attract his attention.  Thus he does not encourage
you to visit." he explained.  "Oh, have you heard?  The archmage that
deciphered Ee's gates disappeared while studying the nexus' center at
Stoneheim."
        "So Ee is still about."  Sutekh thought on that for a moment.
"I don't think that affects me.  I have other problems to deal with and
will not actively seek him out.  Revenge is a foolish goal and Ee is
no fool, so I doubt he will seek me.  If he manages to gain the power he
craves, perhaps then he will turn his mind me way.  Anyway," continued
Sutekh.  "The reason I am here is to deliver this."  Sutekh drew a small
bolt of cloth from his pack and dropped it on the table.  Instantly it
transformed to a large tree branch.  "One branch from a black willow.  I
hope it is enough."
        Nilonim laughed.  "Undoubtably."
        "Also," added Sutekh.  "Ask Cygnus if, the next time he sends
me after ingredients, he would be so kind as to explain to me exactly
what I am going up against.  The gorgon was a walk in the dark compared
to that tree.  By the time I found out it was sentient I was nearly
dead.  I used every trick I could think of to get a sizable piece of
wood.  Finally, I had to use my wand on it, twice, and that only blew
off a couple of branches like this one.  That tree is still very much
alive."
        Nilonim smiled sympathetically.  "Well, Cygnus is very busy.
He sometimes forgets that we do not all have his vast knowledge.  You
know how mages are."
        "Yes," sighed Sutekh.  "But fortunately I will never be that
powerful.  Well, for all the trouble I've been through and all the
gems I've paid him, this double sheath had better work.  I'm tired of
carrying my sword in my pack."
        "With Cygnus making it, rest assured that it will work,"
replied Nilonim.  "And that brings us to your sword.  I've been doing a
lot of research on it lately, both magical and scholarly.  Based on
that, plus what your sage friend has told you, I think I've finally
pieced its story together."
        "Excellent!" exclaimed Sutekh.  "Let's have it."
        Nilonim closed his eyes for a moment, preparing for the
narration.  "Centuries ago, the sword was bequeathed to a knight in a far
off land or, perhaps, world.  This knight wielded the sword with the goal
of destroying a circle of knights lead by a king.  The knight failed in
this endeavor and was slain, but the sword was removed to a magical land
called Lyons.  There it was guarded for decades, until the Fen Witch, who
originally bestowed the weapon upon the knight, brought destruction upon
Lyons.  Then the sword was transferred to Oerth.  Here, it was discovered
deep in a marsh by a hunter who wielded it with deadly effect against the
humanoids of the Pomarj.  It is said that the Fen Witch tests the wielder
of the sword, and that the hunter's greedy grandson fell prey to her in
this manner.  That is when the sword was lost.  It resurfaced only once,
wielded by a hero of the Pomarj.  Now it is found again..."
        "And was used to destroy the power of the Pomarj," finished
Sutekh.  "How fitting.  But I have had the sword for over ten years now,
and I have not been tested by this Fen Witch."
        "Perhaps it is your life span that has kept her from testing you
yet.  However, she will come for you sometime, of that you can be
certain."
        "What form will the test take?  How can I prepare?"
        Nilonim shook his head.  "I cannot say, but she will probably
strike when it will be most inconvenient.  All you can do is stay on
your toes and keep your eyes shaded."
        Sutekh thoughts darkened for a moment, then he sighed
reservedly.  "Well, she will come when she comes.  At least now I
understand a few things better.  Thank you."
        "Anytime.  Unlike my master, I like to have you around.  It's
nice to speak the old tongue from time to time."
        "You miss the Vault, don't you."
        Nilonim shrugged, "I am a drow; the Vault is my home."
        "But, had it not been for Cygnus's timely arrival, you would
have been sacrificed."
        "I like the ways of the Vault no more than I did before, but it
is still my home."
        "And if you went back there?" asked Sutekh.
        "I have, several times."
        Sutekh shook his head,  "Yeah, Eldrad has apparently gone back
once or twice, too.  They seem to except him; however, he told me in no
uncertain terms that I would be sent to the arena if they ever caught
me down there.  You remember the arena?  The only way out is to be
carried."  They were silent for a moment, then Sutekh added with a
smile, "You know, it kind'a makes me proud that they hate me so much.  I
don't understand why they would hate me more than Eldrad, or especially
you, but I'm glad they do."
        Finally Sutekh rose from the table.  "Well, if you'll excuse me,
I must bid you farewell for now.  I'd like to be home in two days."
        "A rather short visit, Sutekh."
        Sutekh smiled.  "Nilonim, you are a good friend, but you are not
as pretty as Adaz."  He contemplated the band on his left ring finger
for a moment.  "It is so nice to have a reason to go home."


                                                Jeff Stehman