Drego

The apartment was more lavish than what he ever dreamed they would be.

From the first day he was chosen to learn magic and alchemy Drego knew he would one day become a house wizard to one of the more powerful houses in Selgaunt. He hoped he would be apprenticed to a mage of House Uskevren, but luck would not fall his way on that.

Still he was not disappointed. House Durgan, though a minor merchant family, boasted to have the powerful mage Grunbel Bloodcrow. Not a kind man by any means, but exceedingly studious. It was common knowledge among the mages of Selgaunt that Grunbel was willing to go to great lengths to increase his knowledge of the arcane, spending great amounts of his personal finances to fund his endeavors.

Grunbel selected Drego from amongst the hundred 5th year students at the academy. At the first he thought the small halfling was unremarkable. When Drego finished his placement testing in record times Grunbels opinion diminished even further. Obviously the hin was making a mockery of a very important aptitude test, one that will determine not only if he is capable of furthering his studies, but if he will even be selected as an apprentice to any noteworthy mage.

Among the masters of the academy the years end selection was known as the scavenging. Few house mages showed up to observe the examination, choosing to appear after the final ranking hours later. Grunbel was not one of them. It was his curiousity that forced him to pay a hundred crown to the proctor for a first look at the hin's test. The other students were still wading through the exam.

A near pefect score! Grunbels hand quivered slightly as he double checked the answers, taking the answer key from the proctors hand to do the check himself. Incredible! Either the hin had a memory that would rival most wizards in Sembia, no in all Faerun or he was just the luckiest guesser to ever make it through the academy. Either way it didn't matter. Grunbel payed the exorbitant bribe, considereing it a pittance of what he would have paid if some of the more wealthy house mages were there vying for the student.

It was the very next day that found Drego standing at the entrance to his rooms in Grunbels own townhouse! Far from being opulent, but still better than most of the others selected will find welcoming them at their new homes.

The first three years working with Grumbel went by fast. His master pouring more and more time into his lessons, still he thirsted for more, and Grunbel was more than willing to oblige. Drego even spent many candle lit hours at night pouring over his days notes. Why? They were all locked tight filed in his mind for use when he needed them, still there was something more. His head drooped towards the desk once again only to be yanked back upright by the hins resolve to uncover his masters theories.

There it is! Taking every third weeks lessons he began to unravel the puzzle that has been keeping him up. Grunbel was planning an experiment that would place his expansive collection of tomes, both arcane and mundane into his mind, making every word, every spell available in an instant.

Several weeks passed and Drego continued pouring through his lessons becoming even more immersed in his work, then one day.

“Drego, come to my laboratory if you will.” The disembodied voice of Grunbel summoned him.

“Yes Master” He replied as he hurried out the door. Drego always called his patron ‘Master’. Not because he was obligated, or that Grunbel demanded it, but out of respect a student would afford his teacher.

The Hin hurried along. He rarely had days off, and this being one of them, Drego had been going over his lessons again. Something important must be going on. He walked even faster.

“Yes, Come in Drego” Grunbel called out, waving the door open with a thought even before the Hin was able to knock. Without looking up he commanded. “Close it and lock it”

Without a word Drego locked the door and quietly moved to a respectful distance near his patron.

“Melag doolgoriad nefzect paragiad” Grunbel swiftly intoned as he turned to face his student.

Drego realized what was happening once his master began to chant.

“Master you di….” The words frozen on his lips as the powerful spell of binding took hold. Even in the face of what was happening and the betrayal he now felt, Drego remained calm. Not that he had a choice about it anyways.

Grunbel set candles of all manner about the chamber. A large brazier was also lit and now emitting a putrid smoke from the blue coals. He continued to chant the whole time he went about his preperration.

Drego could feel the inks being painted onto his head and face. The gentle brush strokes painstakingly deliberate as Grunbel transferred the arcane symbols onto his student.

“Onion and fish”, Drego thought as he listened and strained to watch his master at work. “Onions and fish for lunch”

After what seemed an hour Grunbel repeated the spell of binding, cementing Drego to his fate. Grunbel was not planning to bind books into his mind, but steal the Hin’s instead.

“Dueldack far Melgadorg, Hamishdeg Jool belwargeldabar”, Grunbel began to chant now finished the runes he moved to stand facing the Hin. “Mogwal glempa too eil cando Mageord”

The laboratory grew darker and lights swirled about, then the pain began. At first it was a dull ache then it grew into a white hot ember inside his brain. If he could have collapsed he would. Still his teacher continued to chant.

Drego’s eyes bulged as he strained futilely against the spell. He was nearly blind with pain, but he could still see his masters face.

Grunbel continued to chant. It’s working! He could feel all the memories, all the knowledge stored in his poor student brain flow into his own. Exhilarating!

He chanted even faster, demanding the magic to leech from his student. He could barely discern a gentle buzzing that started in his mind. Still he chanted.

Yes! He continued to chant. The buzzing growing louder, but still he continued. Something was wrong. He tried to stop, but Grunbel found himself locked in his own spell, the chant continuing to flow from his now straining body.

He could see it on his masters face, but could do nothing. Powerless! When he thought he was about to die from the pain the spell of holding gave way. He collapsed to the floor like he had no bones left in his body to steady himself. All went dark.
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Standing over the Hin, Carlic Durgan, patron of house Durgan nudged the Halfling with his boot.

“This one actually survived!” He exclaimed, looking to his friend who now sat on a divan that was brought into the room. The man turned back to look down as he drew a dagger from his belt.

“No, not here!” Grunbel spoke. Not that he cared for Drego, but the Calim carpet was expensive and he wished no blood on it.

“Fine.” Carlic sneered and slid the blade away. “I’ll send some men to dispose of him” With that, the patron turned and left.
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“Why throw him in the river, Trego?” Hauklen grumbled as he dragged the Hin into the wagon.

“Just shut up, Hauklen and move your arse!” Trego exclaimed. “I want done with this so we get our coin”

Drego didn’t move. His eyes glazed and unfocused. What were these men doing? Where was he? His mind hurt, his body wracked with pain. He could not move if he even wanted. A tarp of some kind was dragged over him blocking the bleary light putting him in total darkness. The wagon began to move.
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The caravan moved along the road north of Selgaunt on their way to Ordulin, then beyond to the Dales. The guards were alert for any troubles, though with a caravan this size, any bandits in their right mind would stay well hidden at their approach.

The scout rode swiftly in towards the lead wagon. “An ambush ahead, Sir!” He said.

Standing on the seat, Keegan nodded to the scout. “Yes, William. I see the smoke.” The large man sat down again.

“See if there are any survivors.” He commanded the scout.

William kneeled by the still form of the Halfling as the wagons approached. The broken remains of the lone wagon lay strewn about the road. The smoldering embers all that’s left of a cook fire near where two men lay dead.

“This one lives, Sir!” William took out his canteen and wetted the Hin’s lips. The small figure seemed in a daze.

“Get him to the Priests cart, William!” The caravan master called down. Several men were already moving to lift the small form.

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“He’s finally waking! Go bring Keegan!” The priest told his acolyte.

“Yes, Honorable one!” the young man rushed off.

The priest whispered a silent prayer, bringing the healing warmth once again into the Hin. He barely finished his prayer when Keegan walked up.

“Has the poor lad moved into Kelemvor’s domain?” Keegan strode up unceremoniously. “Or has Helm healed him, Storgoed?”

“Aye, He’s waking!” the priest said, ignoring his friends jibe.
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Drego opened his eyes. The light nearly blinding him and he squeezed them shut.

“What’s you name, Lad?” The deep voice asked again. “Where were you bound? What happened?”

His head ached. “Drego. Drego Goodbar” He tried to reply, but all that came out was “ Drr Gdrrrr”

Sitting up slowly, he would have fallen back down if not for the strong hands supporting him. He looked about with confusion. Who were these strangers? His mind whirled about in his head, thoughts racing, but not connecting. Where was he? Why did he hurt so much?

“What is it lad?” The man prodded firmly again. “What happened?”

Getting no answer the man spoke. “Best get him to your temple, Storgoed, then we’re on our way to Dagger Falls”

“Tha.. That’s it!” The Hin spoke weakly.

Keegan turned back to regard Drego. “What? What is it, Lad?”

“I.. I’m Will Storgoed, Helm Priestman of Dagger Falls” Drego spoke, his mind racing.

“Easy Son.” Storgoed laid a gentle hand upon the Hin’s brow. “Rest, We’ll get you to Dagger Falls”.