Set in Forgotten realms and JB's series of fantasy

Quagmire of Sorcery Prologue

Version 2014 I know needs improving. The action is coming up, u won't be disappointed!

"You will never have any of my power!" I screamed,lunging against the grip of the captors. They clamped my arms upwards. The bad man- I didn't know his name, had stolen my only possession… My locket!

Dangling it out of reach, he laughed loudly and harshly.

I panted. "Give it back! I'm NOT A WITCH!" Tears burned behind my eyelids. I won't let them have the satisfaction of seeing me cry! I steeled myself with thoughts of revenge, of becoming all powerful and destroying them all. Humiliating that sweat bathed my body. Time had ceased to make sense, everyday these bastards tried to sap me of maejic. I didn't know why- for I had not gone to any training academy, it was just pure jinx luck! Each day, I was dragged from my cell, healed and the beating would start again. I say I can't give any secrets because there's none but who believes me?I'm Not a mage!

I had been a servant girl at Cloudscryer Inn until one day I was caught for stealing something petty. It is what I do, getting loot to earn more and fill my stomach. No regrets in that. But it meant I landed in the Wanted list of felonies. My gang respected my talent, but nothing was funny now. A slap brought me back to the now. Blood ran down my nose. "Stop dreaming! What's the glowing you did wench? Then I may consider making you a bargain." His spit hit my face.

I didn't answer, didn't know how to. Cheap stage tricks wouldn't save me. The warlord had a huge tummy, fat fool with horrible glowing eyes and sharp teeth. I guessed he was not entirely a man. His huge meaty hand flicked my pendant up and closed around it. "Fine then, no talk it'll be mine. Goons throw her back in the dungeons! Some food, can't have her dead."

"What do we have here?" a new voice interrupted. My vision was blurry but I could make out a mage robe, green as leaves. Kalan guffawed. The sound of chain and metal was taken. I struggled. Oh god! Help me. They'll pay.

Kalan said, "This is precious to the bitch. She won't cooperate, no matter we'll beat the hell out of her another time, and then kill the pet." Serif! My magical frind, when he had no energy he'd revert to his small form again. I prayed Serif had escaped, no one would see him for he was so mini now.

The new voice continued, "Ah. I will take care of things. I made a discovery, that' d most please you. The ships are sailing for Kalimport and all the goods are ready to leave."

"Excellent! Ilkar, I have not hired you in vain. That's what mages should do, take orders well." What? I thought, that name sounded unique. Not a warlord or a gangster… this Ilkar laughed.

He is a mage too. My heart fluttered. The henchmen let go of me and I fell hurt. I wish I was dead. From my slanted viewpoint, I saw the leather boots. Several times, the doors slammed and voices drifted away. Ilkar said, "I will manage from here. Get some sleep Pedric."

"Ah thanks I will." Then the rustle of cloth approached me. Boots. I let my tears fall, too weak to stop them. Now it was part two and I would die.

"They are gone now. Are you all right?" Ilkar asked in a different tone. A part of me wheedled, the cynical side felt indignant he seemed to see me as a baby.

I didn't believe him. Many had sold me out. I remained silent. "Who are you?" His hand touched my face and the pain was soon gone.

Gingerly I pushed myself up. I decided on a fake name. The mage prevented me from slipping on the floor. He had dark hair and golden eyes, and a really sharp facecut. Then I leaned against his chest.

"It's all right. I won't let them hurt you anymore. When there is a chance- I promise," he whispered. As he circled his hand behind my back wounds, he sent me warmth. It triggered an unknown inner surge in me. Then he supported me to stand.

"Felicia," I said, concentrating on one foot in front of the other. He started leading me along the dungeons of blackness, interrogation chambers. His voice was musical as he talked that I almost went to sleep. The men would go on some voyage until the fifth of the moon, plenty of time for planning. I wondered hazily what he meant. I would be under his care and somehow he would try to help prisoners escape. My name was in there.

Sure. But what about Serif, and my pendant?! I can't leave them. Mind racing, I demanded, "Why will you help me? I'm a thief."

Ilkar frowned, finger to his lips. Shadows glided past and loud voices were gruff, and mockery. He ushered me into one room and shut the door, remaining outside.

I balked. "Yes yes of course. She will be interrogated. I'm going to heal her so we can continue more smoothly. No, I lied. I won't side with peasants." His voice dripped with cool derisive cruelty.

I boiled. Looking around the room, it had a table and rough crude stools. I sank down on a small bed. My body demanded rest and embarrassing stomach growled. Ilkar returned, the sound of fluid being poured into a container. He fed me the drink. The taste loosened my sore mouth, sweet and forbidden. "I will heal you Felicia. Many spies. Hold your tongue. If you wish to leave and survive, listen to me," he hissed.

When I leaned back, he too drank from a bottle with the same thing. Maybe it was a wine, I was warmed. Then he slumped in his chair, closing his eyes.

I bit back a retort of fury and turned my back. I think I fell asleep. When I next came to, Ilkar had moved nearer to me, nodding off and snoring softly. His arms were folded against his chest. I noticed one small pointed ear poking out from his hair. Elf in this forsaken place? Unlike the town elves I had seen before with pale skin and fair golden long hair, he looked almost human with dark cropped hair to his collar. He did not seem very old, unwrinkled complexion.

Why did he heal me? He is a stranger, to my experience they always taunt me. Those Gifted people with magic will always have some motive to force me into some kind of deal! I reached out my hand, controlling my breathing.

Chapter 1

A small voice inside cried out, then he should help me. We're on the same side. Right? Technically I'm a smalltime pickpocket, I steal for a living, limited magical talents. He Will betray and deceive me. I refused to believe in handsome princes saving me. Hm did the elf have anything useful to break out from here, at least a weapon? Slowly I shifted closer, fingers closing in to his shirt. My stupid hand shook from starvation. The creak of the bed was loud.

Ilkar did not move. I wondered why he seemed so tired, he sure had yelled a lot. Gingerly I peeked. His chest rose and fell but nothing gleamed. Too bad he was not seated in another direction, then I could search his pockets

I put my feet on the floor. I needed to eat. After I did so I would run away. The candleholder on the table could be a defence! A loaf of bread and the jug, I took them. I licked the crumbs.

"Ah you're awake. Hungry?" He asked, turning to face me. His smile disarmed me.

"Don't pretend to be kind. I'm beneath you and your kind isn't it? When's the interrogation? I won't give anything!" I snapped.

Ilkar blinked in confusion. His golden eyes were shiny like a feline's. "That was to convince the guards. I don't want them to think I'm on your side or it will get worse. Calm down."

I grabbed the candlestick like a weapon. Ilkar was about to come closer. "Why would you…" Then he winced, as if someone had wounded him, he inhaled sharply. One hand clutched tightly at his right sleeve. Feebly, he said, "I… am not the enemy.. so much at stake.. ." Ilkar whispered something and an orange light glowed over his body. His face had just turned deathly white, like a ghost and he fell back on the chair.

I was worried. Had someone thrown an arrow at him? But there's no blood, though I checked all the corners and sides. Or perhaps he had pushed himself too far healing my wounds.

A deep sigh, as Ilkar glanced up. "What is wrong?" I said at last, coming a little nearer. Some sweat slicked his face. He folded up the sleeve and I almost vomited, a red tattoo like a snake curved up from the top of the wrist to his lower bicep. I stepped back.

The Elf looked angry. "This Curse saps energy when I cast. I work for them, but not on their side. If so they wouldn't inflict such pain would they? I'm as Much a slave! "

I paused, creeping closer to study him. Despite my suspicions, Ilkar was in genuine pain and not really lying. I guessed he was studying me as well, from the corner of my peripheral vision. The metal felt so huge and heavy, that finally I dropped it. My head swam.

"Sleep. It will seem clearer in the day." He coaxed, pointing to the one bed.

"What?" I replied. Why will he do that for me? Has he lost his mind?

"I will manage. See you in the morning." He yawned and went away from my peripheral vision.

"Um hey you still there?" I called.

He replied in a small voice. "Yes. (after a pause) ….. We will need to work together to make them believe that we're enemies. How good is your acting?"

"I will try." I said sullenly. How dare he manipulate me? Being a thief means I am the one doing that, not the other way round!

Sleepless dreams, until suddenly a shaking roused me. "Quickly! Get up! now!"

What the hell, I rubbed my eyes turning away. Cold liquid splashed me.

"Oi!" I yelped, blinking lashing out. My body complained of needing sleep. Knocking was urgent on the door. The elf hustled me under the bed. "Shush. They're here!" he lifted the blankets. I scrambled underneath brushing cobwebs. His blue robe swirled, the only vantage point I had for now. "Yes, how can I help you gentlemen? I need my rest. It's so early." Ilkar had the most imperious voice now.

They grumbled if he had interrogated the prisoners yet, especially me the Witchbrat. I clenched my fist. Fuck, I only knew some petty tricks and had a pet dog mysteriously following me, that could change into a tiger. Alec the traitor! He befriended me. On that fateful day, thinking we could earn big money using our powers, he ratted on me. As I went soft at my knees, Alec waved merrily with a big bag of gold on his belt. The traitor had made his escape up a moving platform!

"Stop worrying. I have his gold and I will do my duties. I do things my way. Now, Kalan said I am not to be harassed. I'm his most important mage advisor."

Damn, at this rate if someone sent him flying, how would I survive? I didn't dare to hope.

"All right now it's safe." He said in a low tone. When the door shut, I crawled out. He beckoned. "Follow me."

He went to the other end of the room, which was shadowed. Elves can see better than us. A small square jutted out. He exclaimed. "Aha! A tunnel passage leading to another place, I'm not sure where it leads. A good hiding place."

Huh? I didn't like enclosed places, but didn't want to admit it. Ilkar waited. I caught his hand. "Er why are you helping me? We don't know each other. Who are you really?" I frowned.

He smiled and touched my cheek. "I hope you will. We are almost the same, Felicia. I'm only sorry it will take some time. Are you afraid? It's just a while." Then we stepped into the passageway, I had doubts if I could follow him and it was not a trap…