Pools of Darkness - James M Brown [123]
Ren laughed. "It was more than extraordinary. And it probably won't surprise you to know that Miltiades hardly mentioned his valorous deeds. I guess the greatest heroes have modesty woven into their souls. We had no idea we accompanied such a legend."
The companions chatted on as the sun set and the stars tiptoed into the night sky. They took turns cuddling the baby they had all helped bring into the world.
Beyond the twinkling skies of Phlan, two gods were looking down on the peaceful scene with opposite emotions. Bane was filled with rage at losing yet another city. His followers had failed him and these mere mortals had defeated some of his most powerful servants.
Bane's only small triumph was the interception of the enchanted blue hammer. He gloated as he thought of the special magics he had used to ensure that the holy weapon would never again be wielded in the name of Tyr. He was convinced the weapon was so well hidden that it would never again surface on Toril.
Bane tried to stiffen the control he held over his few remaining cities. But with Phlan released, he felt his grip ebbing from the regions that should have brought him power. The massive disruption in his magical web was too much for even the evil god to mend. One by one, the cities Bane held captive popped out of their prisons and returned to fill their voids in the landscape. Dozens of Bane's minions died horrible deaths at the wrath of their god as the cities slipped away.
In another realm beyond the skies of Toril, Tyr smiled on the group assembled in Denlor's Tower. His followers had served him well, and a new and powerful warrior was now beginning the long journey that would lead him to be a future hero of renown in Tyr's army.
The god chuckled as he sensed Bane's rage at losing the city and his triumph at stealing the hammer. The artifact was of little consequence to Tyr. Finding the hammer would prove to be an appropriate quest for a certain warrior when he came of age. Tyr looked forward to watching Shal and Tarl's child grow.
* * * * *
The conversation in the tower turned to future plans for the companions. Shal, Tarl, and the baby would remain in Denlor's Tower, keeping an eye on the city they had grown to love. They could only hope that Phlan's future would prove to be more peaceful than its past.
After a lengthy visit with his old friends, Ren planned to return north to claim the valley he had worked so hard to win. And he still hoped to make the acquaintance of the beautiful druid who lived in the next valley.
Evaine and Gamaliel made plans to leave Phlan at first light. They would first visit the hill where Talenthia had given her life to restore and protect the woodlands. Evaine owed her life to Andoralson, and she hoped to look after the region for the druid, making regular visits to Talenthia's woods. There was also the matter of rebuilding Evaine's tower. And Faerun was still plagued by other pools of darkness. The wizard had no intention of abandoning her quest.
Evaine left the group around the fire to rummage among her belongings. Returning to the circle, she held out the magical brazier to Tarl. "Miltiades entrusted me with this artifact of Tyr. I promised to return it to your church after our adventures were over. Can I trouble you to deliver it to your elders? I don't know whether any of its magic remains-it may not light again.
Tarl smiled. "I'd be happy to return it. And under the circumstances, I'll bet that Tyr will light this artifact at least once more."
As midnight neared, the friends said good night and trickled away to the guest rooms in the tower.
Evaine packed some of her