Master of Spells from Faerun

Chapter 280 Conversation in the Ice and Snow Castle
Zhentil Keep, New Shura Temple.

Blackthorn walked into Bane's secret room. The mage moved his eyes away from Bane's black bubbling flesh and the blood foam around his mouth. There was a new hole next to the bedside of the Lord of Darkness. Blackthorn paid attention to it. to one of the restraints being torn from the wall.The bed frame had long since shattered, the mattress torn to shreds, and Ben screamed, his body convulsing intensifying.

But the mage didn't bother, he knew that the Lord of Darkness was just healing himself, healing the serious injuries caused by Mystra.

The shouting suddenly stopped, and he turned around to find Ben motionless.The envoy approached his god, fearing that Bane's heart had stopped beating.The room smelled of death.

"Lord Ben!" Blackthorn shouted.Bane's eyes flew open and a clawed hand reached for Blackthorne's throat, but the envoy stepped back, saving his life from the blow.Ben sat up slowly.

"How long?" Ben asked simply.

"It's great that you can recover!" Blackthorne knelt on the ground.

Ben pulled the remaining restraints from the wall, snapping the shackles at his wrists and ankles. "I'm asking you a question."

Blackthorn told Bane everything about the bad time after rescuing him from the Tomb Castle. The god sat on the floor, leaning against the wall and listening, occasionally nodding his head. The memory returned to his mind, and he remembered that he fell into a coma. Before, I saw Mystra falling from the sky and the hateful divine blood.

"I found my wounds healed," Ben said.

Blackthorne smiled excitedly.

"Of course, those injuries were just physical. But my self-esteem was still an issue."

Blackthorne's smile faded.

"Yes, my pathetic human pride..." Ben raised his paws to his eyes, "but I'm not human,"

He looked at Blackthorne, "I am God."

Blackthorn nodded slowly.

"Now, help me change my clothes," Ben said.Blackthorne hurried forward.As he helped Bane change into his black armor, the deity began asking questions about specific worshipers and the progress of the temple's work.

"The humans who rescued Mystra in the Castle of Tombs," Bane said at last, "how are they doing?"

Blackthorne shook his head, "I don't know."

The ruby ​​eyes on Bane's gauntlet opened, and the Lord of Darkness showed a ferocious expression.The memory of Mystra's last moments and her warning to the dark-haired spellcaster still lingered in his mind.

"We will find them," he said, "and they will go to the Valley of Shadows to seek Elminster's assistance."

"Do you want to hinder them?" Blackthorne asked.

Ben raised his head, "I hope they die." His attention returned to the gloves, "I want you to bring me that woman's pendant. Now you can go, I will come to you when I am ready." The envoy nodded and left the room.

The God of Darkness leaned back against the wall, his body trembling. He was now very weak.Ben sat upright again. His body had indeed become weaker, but Ben was an immortal god and would not be affected by these trivial matters.Ben was immersed in the moment when he truly woke up from his slumber, and then began to consider the choices before him.

Helm once asked Mystra if she was carrying the Tablet of Destiny.Heim kills her when she offers to hand over the identity of the thief rather than the tablet itself.The secret between Bane and Melkor remains safe.

"You are not omniscient after all, Your Majesty Io." Ben whispered, "As Melkor and I guessed, losing the stone tablet has indeed weakened you."

Ben secretly rejoiced, but he soon realized that these were useless human emotions, and his saint still had a part of his humanity that needed to be eliminated.

"Elminster," Ben said softly, "maybe it's time for us to meet."

He walked out of the door. It was time to gather the army and march through the Valley of Shadows. As for Elminster?
Bane smiled contemptuously, mortals were useless to him, let alone mages whose spellcasting was affected.

At midnight, in the darkest hours before dawn, Bane stood before his assembled flock, speaking to his followers from a throne in which only the most senior and privileged could attend.

He connects the minds of all in attendance, allowing them to share his feverish dreams of immense power and glory, inciting people into madness without the need for words.

Fuzor Cherbery had the loudest voice and the strongest passion for Bane's ideals.

The God of Strife grew increasingly fond of the handsome red-haired priest.Fu Zor advocated disbanding the Zhentarim, of which he was second in command, and reforming the Black Network under Bane's absolute control.Naturally, Fu Zor was asked to command this force.

Manson just stood silently in the corner, watching Fu Zuoer's seizure of power. Something flashed in his eyes, but no one knew the secret hidden in the darkness.

The Lord of Darkness, who saw everything in his eyes, smiled. Nothing interested him more than the intrigues of his subordinates. If anything, it was war!

They would march towards Shadowdale, led by Bane himself, and then slip away in the heat of battle to deal with the troublesome Elminster.

During this time, the assassins intercept the caster before she can deliver the pendant to the sage of Shadowdale.Satisfied with the plan, Ben returned to the secret room at the back of the temple.This night, the God of Dispute had no dreams all night long, which was a good omen.
-
The mountains of Gnoll Pass were faintly visible behind Kelemvor and his companions. The mountains behind them reflected the gentle blue sky, as if the apocalyptic scene before them was like an illusion.

"Cross here and pass through the forest ahead to reach the Valley of Shadows." Cyric said, looking into the distance.

Midnight held the reins of the black horse tightly. Her nerves had been tense for a long time. Once she stopped, she would feel the boundless fatigue and the tingling of her nerves.

"Let's try to get through the forest tonight," Midnight said.

"Are you crazy?" Kelanvor shouted complainingly, "I understand your mood, Midnight, but you have to understand that we are not gods and we need to rest."

Midnight gritted her teeth and said nothing. She just straightened her back and showed no intention of relaxing at all.

Looking at the moonlit night, Imrik chuckled and said: "We really need to balance work and rest. Why don't we just rest here for a night? Tomorrow I will add magic to the horses to make them run faster. "

Midnight gritted her teeth and tried to release the spell.

"Teleportation!"

A blue light appeared, but soon signs of fragmentation appeared, and nothing happened.

Imrik shook his head. Since the fall of Mystra, the collapse of the Magic Network has become more serious. Imrik guessed that no huge disaster has happened until now. It is only possible that someone is forcibly controlling the stability of the Magic Network.

But even so, any summoning and teleportation spells have no effect. The cracks in the space will tear apart the fragile magic network around them, and the spells will fail before they take effect.

"Look, don't waste your efforts, Midnight," Imrik sighed.

He closed his eyes and raised his hand to point to the open space in the distance. Soon, cold ice wind came from the air, and the azure elemental energy continued to gather. Slowly, a huge ice crystal castle rose from the ground.

Seventh-level spell-like ability——[Ice and Snow Castle].

Kelanvor opened his mouth wide. He had never seen such a magnificent magical creation. Even at midnight, he was attracted by the beautiful winter elf in front of him.

"It's so beautiful. I can't believe it. What kind of magic is this?" Midnight said in surprise.

Imrik did not answer. He walked to the front of the castle. The two arcane knights made of ice and snow immediately retreated to both sides. The thick ice and snow door opened automatically. He smiled and said: "Welcome to my ice and snow castle. "

"Come in, everyone. Drink a cup of steaming chocolate and sleep comfortably for a night, so that we can have the energy to complete the goddess's mission, right?" Imrik said with a wink.

It is hot summer at this time, and the humid summer wind is accompanied by the chirping of cicadas.The slight chill brought by the ice and snow castle made everyone swallow their saliva.

"Okay," Midnight looked at Kelanvor and Cyric's soaked clothes and armor, and finally compromised.

"Have a night's rest, and we'll set off immediately early tomorrow morning."

Kelanvor and Cyric immediately walked impatiently towards the ice and snow castle. The outer perimeter of the castle was an icy-cold moat temporarily created by magic power. They crossed the drawbridge and entered the castle, followed helplessly by Midnight.

The decoration in the castle is very comfortable. There is a huge sofa in the hall, covered with soft plush cushions. There is a coffee table in front of the sofa, surrounded by several small soft cushions for people to collapse on the ground.

The huge fireplace was in the center of the hall, but because it was hot summer, the flames inside were not burning. On the contrary, there was a slight coolness coming from the surrounding ice crystal walls, making them feel hot. The temperature of the skin has dropped.

"That's great, Imric. I have to say, if I also had this ability, wouldn't I be able to live in such a luxurious castle wherever I go." On the sofa, he said with an envious look.

Midnight sneered and said: "You? I'm not mocking you. How can a muscle brain like yours understand the secrets of arcane magic? Do you know how much mysterious knowledge is needed to create such a magnificent creation? Wizards are not that simple. The presence!"

Kelanwo snorted disdainfully and did not continue to speak.

Several people sat in silence on the soft sofa, feeling sleepy. The fatigue and tense nerves of the past few days made them wish for a sound sleep at this time.

Half asleep, Cyric looked at them gently and said, "Thank you."

"Thank you for not giving up on me in the castle."

Midnight smiled and said: "What's the point? Why do we need to say thank you? Shouldn't companions help each other?"

Cyric took a moment to speak, as if he were trying to arrange the words, get them into the right order. “You are the first people who have not abandoned me,” he said, “in a way that I expected to be.”

(End of this chapter)