Date: 26 Apr 2001 18:56:07 +0100
From: zan@oceanfree.net
Subject: Night of No Tomorrow - 5

Disclaimer:

Hello again! I'm back with the fifth part of NNT. First of all, (*sigh!*
not again...) as mentioned before, this story is totally fictional and has
no purpose whatsoever to imply that any member of the BSB is gay. Secondly,
also as mentioned before, the setting of this story is 100% based on TRS,
Inc. Novels, the Forgotten Realms. The story is written purely out of fun
and leisure and I have no intention of publishing it anywhere or
whatever. Hmm... what else? Oh yeah, this story also contain homosexual
elements, so if you got a problem with it, boy, that's your
problem. However, if you are looking for some hot sex scenes, sorry dudes,
you'll be disappointed. I'm just not good in writing about that stuff :P
But if you like stories that goes nice and slow and have more to offer than
just sex, oh well, you might like this one (I hope).

Well! Now that is gone out of da way, lets get on with the story. Hope you
enjoy it. If ya got comments, objections, suggestions, tips, death threats,
boos, tomatoes or cabbages to throw or whatever, just write to me at
zan@oceanfree.net

Note from author:

Hey there, guyz or gals. I'm back because I'm in a happy mood. Why? 'Cause
I just had smashing birthday present. I GOT A BRAND NEW SILVER 98' BMW
CONVERTIBLE!!!! I LOVE YOU ANDY BRO!!! WOO-HOO!!! And here I thought the
new laptop I gave ya is good enough a present. Baby bro, I swear I'm gonna
find you a boyfriend even if I have to drag every gay guys in the college
back home so that they can meet ya!

Anyway guys, here's the next bit of NNT. I apologize if it a tad bit
shorter than the rest. I wrote it when I was taking by lunch break. Hope ya
enjoy it.

Drew.


**********************

In the Sword Coast...

"Morning Nick." Andy smiled when Nick opened his eyes. They were lying side
by side in bed in Andy's room, basking in the warmth of the morning sun
that came through the windows, though Nick noticed that Andy is washed and
fully clothed in his robe. Andy has always been an early riser. Nick looked
into his lover's eyes and smiled, remembering their night of passion. They
have given their virginity to each other last night and the feeling was
indescribable. He sat up and they kissed passionately again. As usual, time
and the world vanished when they kissed. When the pulled off from their
kiss, they clings to each other, each reluctant to pull away.

"I love you, Nick." Andy whispered.

Nick smiled and gave him a small kiss at his cheek.

"I love you too Andy." He replied just as softly. He stare into Andy's sky
blue eyes and grinned mischievously. "I have never seen that particular
side of you before, last night. I never thought you could be that wild."

Andy blushed causing Nick to laugh. Nick stood up and winced.

"What's wrong, Nick?" Andy asked worriedly.

"Huh? Oh nothing... just a little bit sore from last night."

"I'm sorry if I hurt you..."

"What? No! No, you didn't hurt me at all." Said Nick as he gave Andy
another kiss. He whispered softly, "In fact, it was the best night in my
life."

Andy smiled and nodded.

"It was for me too. You are the first person I have ever loved in my whole
life." He said softly. "And I can never bears the thought of hurting you."

Nick caresses Andy's cheek softly, feeling the silky smooth skin with the
tip of his fingers.

"That's so sweet, Andy. You're the first person I ever fall in love with
too."

Their moment were interrupted when they heard Muragh's shrill voice from
downstairs.

"Andy, you great lummox! The stew is boiling and there's no one to stir it!
In case you still haven't noticed, I have no hands!!"

"Great Mystra! The stew!" Andy exclaimed and jumped off the bed, landing
onto the floor with a crash as he tripped over the pile of clothes on the
floor. Nick fell on the bed, laughing hysterically at the sight of a
powerful wizard, tripping over his own clothes in his own bedchamber. Andy
looked at him and smiled. "So you think it's funny, huh?"

He made a small gesture, muttering a chant as he did so. Nick suddenly
found himself floating towards the small washroom and before he could say
anything, he was dumped into tub filled with lukewarm water. Andy has taken
the time to fill the tub with water after he woken up and warmed it.

"Hurry up and wash, Nick. Breakfast is ready."

"What's the rush?" Nick laughed as he washed his face with a sponge. He
felt strange that he is not feeling bashful being naked in front of another
person.

"We're going to town today. I need to get some food supplies and also get
some new components for my magic." Andy replied as he walked out of the
room.

"Cool."





Breakfast is unusual today. Because of the depleted supply of food, they
have to make due with the previous night chicken stew leftover, bread and
tea. Muragh sat on the table as usual, chattering endlessly, throwing out
snide remarks and hints and jokes. Andy and Nick laughed and jokes
occasionally but they never seems to be able to take off there eyes from
each other. Finally Muragh has enough. He maybe nothing but an empty skull,
but he is a very good observer, particularly since it was the only thing he
can do aside from talking.

"Oh will you two be done with the staring match and start kissing?!" he
asked snidely. "All these staring and secret smiles and stealing glances
are getting on my nerve even though I don't have any!"

Andy and Nick looked at him in shock. The look on their face caused Muragh
to giggle.

"So, you are finally together." Said Muragh happily. "Thanks Lathander! I
never thought this day would come."

"What do you mean?" asked Nick.

"I mean, it's about time Andy here found someone in his life. He has been
alone long enough."

"You mean, you knew Andy is gay all these time?" asked Nick.

"Muragh knows everything there is to know about me, Nick." Said Andy. "We
are close friends. Hell we considered ourselves brothers. We never keep
secrets from each other."

"So that's why you asked me to talk to Andy yesterday evening. Why didn't
you just tell me and makes the whole thing easier?" asked Nick.

"Because it is not my place to tell you. Some thrust are very sacred,
Nick." Said the skull. "Well, hurry up guys. Finish your stew. It's quite a
long hike to Beregost you know."

Muragh waited until both Andy and Nick were in the middle of drinking their
tea.

"You could at least have some sense of decency to keep you bedroom
activities down a little last night you know." He said in a somewhat smug
tone and the reaction he has been anticipating was VERY satisfying. Almost
immediately the table was covered with spitted tea. Muragh laughed
heartily.

"We... we weren't that loud." Andy grumbled as he blushed remembering how
he could do nothing other than crying out Nick's name last night.

Muragh gave a loud derisive snort.

"Your love cries is loud enough to envy the gods." He said
snottily. "Nearly drive me crazy too, considering the fact that I cannot
cover my ears."

This time, it was Nick who blushed. He practically screamed when he came.

"Ooookay!! Let's get ready. I want to be back home by sunset." Andy said as
he got up, red face, and purposely changing the subject, drawing up a laugh
from Muragh and then a small giggle from Nick.




Beregost is a small town located south of the great library, Candlekeep, on
the Coast Way. It comprises of about 40 central buildings and several
larger estates located some distance from the town itself. The town is
dominated by a large temple and its attendant buildings. To the east on the
low rise overlooking the town is a shell of a ruined castle, now
abandoned. Beregost is first and foremost a trading center, a starting and
rallying point for the expeditions into the southern kingdoms of Amn,
Tethyr and Calimshan.

According to Andy and Muragh, Beregost also is a home of a large temple of
Lathander Morninglord, God of Renewal and Birth. The high priest of this
temple is one Kelddath Ormyr, once a merchant of note whose ships plied
their trade up and down the Sword Coast. The temple is defended by about
200 men-at-arms who also serve as the city guard. Kelddath is also regarded
as the town's governor, though day-to-day operations are handled by a
five-member town council.

On a hill to the east of Beregost lies the burned ruins of a school of
wizardry founded some 300 years ago by the mage Ulcaster. It was destroyed
80 years later by Calishite mages who feared the school's collective power
had come to rival their own.

Beregost is also home to several notable individuals in the Sword
Coast. One of the foremost smiths in the Sword Coast area, Taerom
'Thunderhammer' Fuiruim, has his estate and shop here. Taerom is a master
armorer, capable of forging full sets of plate armor, ornate weapons and
using rare and exotic ores.

Beregost is also the abode of the wizard Thalantyr, a conjurer of great
repute. Interestingly enough, the casterian school was also a school of
conjurers and summoners. Thalantyr is aided by Taerom in creating magical
items.

Andy and Nick arrived at the town at around noon. Muragh sat dangling on a
small net at Andy's belt. Back in Nick's world, such thing would be very
out of place, but in Faerun, it is not for wizards are well known for their
eccentric habits to carry various odd things with them. The streets of
Beregost were crammed with people. Merchants lined the streets, eagerly
displaying their goods. Wizards, mostly older than Andy walked grimly and
quietly through the throngs of people, stopping occasionally at certain
merchant wagons to purchase rare components for their spells. Fully
equipped warriors walked along the streets, some laughing jovially with
their companions, others swagger arrogantly. Traveling adventurers added to
the crowds, seeking for various items or inns to rest in. Farmers and city
guards bustle about with their jobs.

"Come on Nick. We'll rest first at one of the inn. I know a good one where
I usually hang around whenever I came here. The innkeeper is my friend."
Said Andy. Nick, who is looking around the city curiously, nodded.

They made their way to through the crowds, past the town square where the
town crier made his stand, towards an inn called 'The Burning Wizard'.

"Fancy name." Said Nick.

"Eh? Ah yeah. It's a long story. Come on in. The food here is great." Said
Andy.

"Will you hurry up?" Muragh groaned. "These crowds give me a headache and
believe me, it is not a good thing if you are only a head."

"Will you be quiet?!" Andy grumbled. "I'm going as fast as I can."

Nick chuckled at the antics of these two. Muragh simply amuse him to no
end. They entered the inn and went straight to the innkeeper.

"Thaldorn!" Andy cried out. The innkeeper, a huge, middle-age man with deep
brown hair, turned towards the young mage and grinned widely.

"Andy Elbereth! How good to see you again!" He roars as he swipe the mage
off his feet in his great hug. Andy just laughed.

"And hello to you too, O Master of Belly!" Muragh piped in.

Thaldorn laughed heartily as he pulled Muragh out of the net and sat it on
the bar.

"Aye, sarcastic and rude as ever, my annoying little skull friend." He
laughed. "I see that you haven't drove young Andy here to his early grave
with your incessant chattering yet."

"Don't worry, old friend. He will be the death of me soon enough. Enough
about the irritating skull. I would like you to meet my good friend, Nick."
He places his hand on Nick's shoulder. "Nick, I would like you to meet a
very old friend of mine as well as my ex-adventuring comrade, Thaldorn
Ulbrent."

"Well met, Nick. Any friend of Andy is always welcomed to my table and
roof!" said Thaldorn.

"Pleased to meet you too, sir." Said Nick politely.

"No, no, no!" the innkeeper protested. "None of that sir nonsense now. You
call me Thaldorn, like everyone else."

"Or Master Belly. He earns it because he is a very good cook." Muragh piped
in.

Thaldorn just laughed.

"Come my friends. We will go to my own private dining room. Then I shall
whip you up some of my best dishes and we will talk and laugh just like the
old days. Come, lunch is on the house." Said the innkeeper.

They walked into the private dining room, talking and laughing all the
way. None of them noticed a sinister looking man with a scar across his
cheek looking at them steadily from the shadowy corner of the room -
looking at Nick in particular. The man slipped out of the inn quietly,
seeking his superior. The boy, Nick, fits the description of one of the
boys given by Sememmon to all of the Zhentarim agents. His superior is
going to be pleased.

*****************************

In the city of Westgate...

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Nice shot, AJ!" Beth said admiringly as she looked at the three throwing
dagger sticking out from the middle of the target board on the wall. "See?
I told you that you can do it if you try hard and well enough."

AJ took off his blindfold and look at the target board.

"Woo-hoo!!!" he whooped and danced in joy when he saw his achievement. He
jumped on the bed and cried out at the top of his voice. "I'm the king of
the world!!!!!"

Beth laughed at his antics. They have been through a lot of heists in the
past few nights, and the amounts of loots they have amassed are great
enough to last them for months. But Beth and AJ didn't do it for the loot;
they did it for the fun of it.

"All right, that's it. Get down from there before you destroy the bed."
Said the older thief.

AJ flipped off the bed and landed before the dartboard, picking out the
daggers.

"So, what are we gonna do tonight? More heist?" he asked eagerly.

Beth laughed again.

"Whoa, down boy!" she said in between the chuckles. "I know these whole
thing is fun and all, but we really got to stamp it down a little."

"Why? It has been fun."

"That just it, AJ. Thieving can be addictive. If you can't control your
urges, and keep on doing it night after night, you will overdo yourself and
when it comes to that, you will eventually slip. Then, the next thing you
will find out is you're in jail." Beth explained patiently. "Anyway, the
Night Mask will be annoyed if we take things too much. They don't mind us
doing a little heist on our own, but they will mind if we do too much. Best
if we rest for a couple of weeks."

"But what should we do? We've been through every inch of the city already."
AJ moaned.

"Why don't we take a little vacation? Visit another town? We can always try
Cormyr though we have to be extra careful there. The guards of Cormyr are
very vigilant and their war-wizards are even worst." Said Beth. "Or we can
travel the rest of the Realms. We can visit Baldur's Gate, Waterdeep or
even Neverwinter."

AJ looked at her thoughtfully.

"Why not? At least I can see more of this world. Hey, maybe I can even come
across the rest of the guys."

Beth grinned widely.

"Yeah! See what a good idea that is?"

"I agree it is a good idea, Beth. But I'm afraid; it is not a matter of
choices. You have to leave the city whether you want to or not." Said a new
voice from the window.

Out of instinct, Beth and AJ flipped a dagger towards the direction of the
new voice as they recoiled and turned. They saw a dark haired man wearing
dark brown leather armor over his dark green tunic. The man moved light
lightning. He snatched both dagger from the air and smiled at them.

"Marek! Damn you!" said Beth in irritation. "Don't sneak up on us
again. You might get hurt!"

Marek, a member of the Night Mask High Council smiled at them and returns
their daggers.

"My apologies, Beth and AJ. But I simply couldn't resist. I simply need to
see how time has affected your skills. As I can see, it is better than
ever."

Beth and AJ smirked. Then Beth smirked turns into frown.

"What do you mean we have to leave whether we want to or not?"

Marek face became serious.

"Some dangerous people have approach the Council asking for our services."
He whispered softly looking at AJ. "They are looking for you, and it is our
best guess that they want you dead."

AJ's eyes widened and Beth looked at him sharply.

"What? Who?" asked AJ.

"Believe me when I say you wouldn't want them to get their hands on you,
AJ. They are the Zhentarim."

Beth gasped loudly. AJ turned to look at her only to see her eyes were wide
open with fear and terror. Sliver of cold begin to creep up AJ's spine. In
all his time with Beth, he has never seen a slightest hint of fear in Beth
eyes. She is one of the bravest, daring and skilled woman he has ever met
in his life. But to see such terror in her eyes simply unnerved him.

"What... what could the Zhentarim want with AJ?" She asked hesitantly.

Marek shook his head, his usual answer to questions he didn't know the
answer to.

"Did anyone in the guild gave any indications that AJ is here?" she asked
sharply.

"No. And you should be thankful for that." Said Marek, looking more at AJ
than Beth. "In all your time here, you have made a great impression to the
guild and also made friends with all of the guild members."

"Perhaps it is because of that friendship that we secretly agreed to warn
you." Marek continued. "The Council sent me here to do just that. But know
this, AJ. Whatever your business is with the Zhentarim, we want no part of
it. We decided to turn blind eye on you and let you go. But we also decided
not to aid you, for in doing so, it would means that we are on your side to
the eyes of the Zhents and thus they will destroy us. When I leave, it will
be with the knowledge that we have never met and have never become
acquainted before. My suggestion to you right now is to leave Westgate,
now. Tonight."

They looked at each other in silence.

"These... Zhentarim. Are they looking for me... as in me... alone? Or are
they looking for other people too?" asked AJ.

"They are looking for you and four other people... your friends I believe,
though we have never seen any of them before." Marek replied. AJ nodded. He
is thoroughly frightened now, for the rest of his friends more than
himself.

Beth broke the silence by rushing around the room, packing their stuff. AJ
looked at her in surprise.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and pack. We have to be miles
from this place by morning." She said crisply.

"You're coming too?" asked AJ hopefully.

Beth glared at him.

"And what kind of question is that AJ? Of course I'm coming with you. You
wouldn't last a minute out there without me." She smiled
wistfully. "Anyway, we did planned to travel the realms together right?"

AJ smiled and moved to pack his stuff.

"Good luck, both of you and safe journey." Said Marek as he slipped into
the shadow of the night. "Take care of Beth, AJ."

Beth snorted.

"Don't bet on it Marek. I'll be taking care of him instead."

"Beth?" AJ asked hesitantly. Beth looked up from her packing. "Who or what
is the Zhentarim?"

Beth looked at her sadly.

"They are a very evil and powerful organization, AJ. More evil and cruel
than all the assassins of the Night Mask combined." She said softly. "Their
reaches are far and cruel. I will tell you more about them later. Suffice
to say at the moment that if the Zhents is out there to get you, we must
run as far and as quickly as possible and find a powerful ally as soon as
possible."

They gathered their backpacks and peered outside the window.

"Come, follow me. We have just enough time to catch the last boat bound for
Suzail," Beth whispered so softly that AJ could barely hear her.

Silently, the made their way over the roof, blending with the darkness of
the night. AJ looked for the last time at the city of Westgate below him,
the city that has become too dangerous for him to stay.

*************************

In the Sword Coast...

"Woo-hoo! I had a blast today, Andy!" Nick cried happily as he burst into
the living room. As he leaped onto the couch in front of the fireplace, he
gently concentrated on his spell to float the huge leather bag containing
their purchases onto the table. Having done that, he gently made specific
gestures and uttered a word.

Casilda

Suddenly, the fireplace is burning merrily before him. It was long past
sunset and they have hiked through the forests for nearly six hours before
they finally reaches Andy's place. While the journey has been long and
tiring, the day in Beregost has been great. After having their lunch at the
Burning Wizard, they made their rounds through the town, making all kind of
purchases and exploring the merchant's carts and wares. They also made
friends with some of the adventurers and met various people from many
races, the gentle elves, mischievous halflings, surly dwarves, curious
gnomes and graceful half-elves. It amazes Nick to no end whenever he talked
to these people, and even further when he listen to the stories of their
latest travels and adventures. It is almost like tales from storybooks
except that this time everything is believable, from snowy-white winged
pegasi to the gruesome beholders to the cruel dragons. They have also
visited Thalantyr's magic shop where they made their purchases of rare
spell components and new spells. Nick has bought loads of new and some of
them rare spells to be added into his spell books. He also bought some
wands and several magical items. Andy bought even more stuff from
there. However, something struck into Nick's mind when he watched Andy. He
realized that he has no idea as to exactly how powerful Andy is. He is 25
years old, which, according to Thaldorn, too young for a mage to be
powerful. But he has seen Andy deals with a very powerful spell before,
spells only wizards of great power could cast. So, Nick was puzzled as to
how Andy could have achieve such high level of power at his very young
age. He tried to ask Muragh about it, but strangely enough, Muragh prefer
not to discuss about it, very untypical of him. Nick put a mental note in
his mind to asked Andy about it later.

Andy walked into the room, holding Muragh in his hand. Another leather bag
filled with the stuff they purchased from the town floated behind him.

"Glad to hear it Nick," Andy beamed at him before pulling him over and gave
him a deep and passionate kiss.

"I've been longing to do that for the whole day," he said softly when they
parted.

"Umm..." said Nick, his eyes still closed. He pulled Andy over and kissed
him deeply again, longer this time, their tongues eagerly exploring each
other's mouth. When they parted, they stared into each other's eyes. "I've
been waiting to do that too."

Andy smiled and they kissed again, this time their hands are exploring each
other's body passionately. Their moments were broken by Muragh.

"Wow, now this is the first time in my undead existence that I really feel
like I'm going to be sick."

They parted from their kiss and begin to laugh hysterically at that
remark. The remark struck to them to be so funny that their laughter
increased and soon Nick was rolling on the floor, laughing uncontrollably
while Andy sat on a stool and then stumbled back and fell backwards onto
the floor, which further increased their laughter.

"Oh cut it out you two!" said Muragh.

Soon, Andy and Nick settled down, weakened by their own laughter, though
sudden giggles and chuckles escaped them once a while, which some times
degenerates into full blown laughter again. Muragh rolled at the edge of
the tables to stare at them.

"The gods must have a huge sense of humor indeed to make me live with these
two jesters!" He mumbled under his breath.

"All right, maybe we should go to bed now. I'm beat." Andy announced at
last.

"Me too." Nick said quickly, grinning at Andy. Andy caught his meaning and
grinned back. "I'm totally beat."

Muragh snorted.

"Yeah right, and the Nine Hells freeze in winter." He said sarcastically.

Andy and Nick giggled and rushed up the stairs.

"Don't do things I wouldn't do!" Muragh called after them.

"If we do that, where's the fun in it?" Nick shouted back. Andy laughed
beside him.

About two passionate hours later, they were fast asleep in each other's
warm embrace.

******************************

In Lurkwood Forest, south of Icewind Dale...

The hawk circled in the sky above the Lurkwood Forest where the Company of
the Red Wolves rested. They have traveled through the Spine of the World
for nearly two and a half months now, on their way to Silverymoon. They
stopped at the town of Mirabar for a couple of days to rest and replenish
their supplies before continuing on. The journey has been more or less
uneventful, with an occasional encounters with the natives of the Spine of
the Worlds, such as goblins, orcs, lizardmen, ogres and winter or mountain
wolves. The companions combined their skills and effort to overcome these
obstacles and move on forward - such is the life of adventurers. There is
an old saying amongst adventurers: 'Adventurers and fools walk together,
but which is which?'

"Clear your thoughts, Kevin. Let your mind be together with the hawk." A
soft voice spoke at Kevin's side.

Kevin and Ken were high up in the trees, perched on one of the
branches. The rest of the Companions are resting for the day a little
distance away. They have been traveling hard for the whole day and stopped
at sunset. They did this out of necessity for according to Keres and Ken,
there is no town or villages between Mirabar and Silverymoon. Only miles
and miles of desolated moorlands and forests. Silverymoon is still far
away, which according to Lamelle, would still takes more than a month to
get there. They have to go through Lurkwoods, and then on through the
trolls filled Evermoor. Beyond that they have to cross the elven forest,
the Moonwood, which surrounds Silverymoon.

Through their travels, Kevin developed more skills, thanks to Ken, and
eventually reaches the level to become a more or less skilled ranger. The
two tends to wander off into the surrounding regions when the Company made
their camps, honing their skills and try to develop new talents. Under
Ken's guidance, Kevin became quite good in using the bows. Keres and Delg
however took turns to teach Kevin in melee fighting.

Traveling through Lurkwood increased Kevin's skills further. Ken would take
him off into the forest, running with the animals through the trees and
brushes and flipping from one branch of the trees to another. Ken also
thought him how to interact with the animals and the surroundings.

In this particular evening, Ken is teaching him one of the basics of a
ranger's life, and that is how to adopt an animal follower. Every new
ranger has to bond themselves with an animal of their choosing, and these
two must travel together for as long as they needed too. This is necessary
as part of their studies in order for them to understand the world in the
animal point of view.

Kevin held out his hand before him as he focused his feelings and mind onto
the hawk. The hawk circles a few time before breaking off from his flight
path and flew towards the rangers. It hovered near the rangers for a moment
or two, observing them carefully before finally landed on Kevin's forearm.

"Well done Kevin. Meet your new animal follower." Said Ken happily.

Kevin smiled and uttered a phrase of sound from his throats just the way
Ken has thought him before. The hawk looked at him curiously and cocked its
head to the side. It gave a loud squawk before jumping and perched onto
Kevin's shoulder and squawked again. Kevin smiled and looked happily at his
mentor.

"I understood her!" he exclaimed. "And she likes me!"

Ken laughed.

"You are a very talented young man, Kevin." The half-elven ranger remarked,
"Very few rangers have ever made a hawk as their animal follower as quickly
as you did. Mielikki must have blessed you."

"What's your animal follower, Ken?"

"A winter wolf. We were best buddies for many years and traveled everywhere
together. But I let him go a couple of years back. He decided to return to
his pack and hunts once more."

They sat on the branch looking at the sunset. The hawk decided to take into
flight once more and Kevin marveled at its grace as it soar through the
sky, its wings outstretched, reflecting the sunlight from its gleaming
feathers.

"You know, I've always wished I could do that." Said Kevin.

"Do what?"

Kevin nodded at the hawk.

"Soar in the sky, with nothing to worry about. Be free from everything in
the world. No fear, no problems, just complete freedom."

"Aye, who wouldn't want to have all that?" Ken smiled.

Kevin's heart beat faster as he stares into Ken's eyes.

"Ken, there is something I... need to tell you."

Ken looked at him with concern.

"What's wrong Kevin?"

"I... For the last weeks, for the... I mean..." Kevin stammered as he tried
to think of a way to explain.

"Calm down, lad." Said Ken gently.

"I... I just want to let... I mean... I... I need to let you know
that... I... I think... I think I'm in love with you," Kevin whispered, as
he looked down, unable to meet Ken's gaze.

They sat in silence for a moment or two. Kevin's eyes begin to well with
tears. But then he felt a finger lifting his chin up. He took a deep
shivering breath and looked into Ken's deep blue eyes. To his surprise, he
saw the blond half-elven ranger is smiling.

"I know." He whispered softly. "And I love you too. I have been in love
with you ever since I first saw you when you fell out of that portal. For a
moment, I thought you were an angel who has fallen from the sky."

Kevin stared at the older ranger in shock. He never thought...

His shock turns into pure relief and happiness, one that Kevin has never
felt before. Soon he found himself in the most passionate kiss he has ever
felt in his life. The kiss went on for a long time, each men lost in their
own passion as they explore each other's mouth hungrily. Kevin moaned
through their kiss, his heart racing as if he has been running for
hours. They parted at last, breathing heavily.

"You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment." Ken whispered.

"You... knew." Kevin whispered. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I was waiting for you." Said Ken. "You don't seem to be ready to
come out to me. I wouldn't know how you might react. So I waited until
you're ready instead."

"Oh Ken," said Kevin before pulling into another kiss.

"Come on. Let's get back to the camp. It's getting dark." Said Ken.

They jumped down to the ground and landed gracefully. Kevin gave a series
of whistle and clicks. Soon, the hawk landed on Kevin's shoulder, squawking
happily. Kevin smiled at the hawk with fondness.

"I'm gonna call you Sabre." He said.

They walked through the woods slowly, enjoying the peace of the
forest. They joked and laughed as they walked, taking their own time. But
the peace shattered when six armed men stepped out before them, blocking
their path. They also noticed a dark robed figure standing in the shadows
of the trees.

Kevin and Ken tensed immediately as they looked at the men before them.

"Who are you, strangers and what do you want from us?" said Ken warily.

One of the warriors, a giant of a man whom Kevin assumed to be the leader,
stepped forward.

"You are Kevin Richardson, one of the Five," said the warrior. "We've been
searching for you for so long now. Lord Manshoon of Zhentil Keep has sent
orders to capture all five of you, dead or alive."

He took out his sword and almost immediately, the air is filled with sounds
of metal being pulled out of scabbards as the rest of the warriors followed
their leader.

"Kill the ranger, try to keep the boy alive. If he resist, kill him." The
leader said quietly.

With that, the warriors charged towards the two rangers. Behind them, Kevin
saw the robed man begins to chant a spell.

Ken took out his sword and shouted as loud as he could before rushing
forward to face the charge. His voice echoed through the forest.

"Red Wolves! To arms!!!!"

He blocked the swing of the leading warrior with his sword and ducks the
swing of another warrior. Kevin aimed carefully and releases an arrow
towards one of the three warriors coming towards him. The arrow pierced his
chest and the warrior fell down dead in mid-charge. In the distance he saw
Ken fighting two warriors simultaneously. Sabre is attacking the other one
with its claw. He dropped his bow and drew his own sword, seeing that the
other two warriors are too close to him. Ring of steel clashing with steel
filled his ears as he met the slash of one of his foe with his sword and
dodging the thrust of another. At the corner of his eyes, he saw Ken moving
gracefully as he parried off the attacks of both of his foe.

Suddenly there was a flash and soon he found himself thrown back onto the
ground. Jolting pain wrack his being as a bolt of electricity hits him. He
screamed in pain and frustration. The wizard! He has forgotten all about
the wizard. He regain his sense quickly enough to quickly block the thrust
of one of his foe with his own sword. While locked in the struggle, he
thrust up his feet into the warrior's belly, throwing him back. He flipped
his body back up and parried off the other warrior's attack. In the
distance, he saw Ken charging towards the wizard angrily. One of the
warriors he has fought was on the ground, but the leader is close at his
tail. But the wizard was faster. He pointed towards Ken and snapped a
spell. Three magic missiles streak through the air to hit him, causing the
ranger to flew back and hit the leader squarely, causing both of them to
fall on the ground. Ignoring his pain, Ken rolled sideway and stood. He was
forced to ignore the wizard as almost immediately, he is in a furious
battle with the leader. The other warrior however managed to chase Sabre
away with his sword.

Kevin however was having problem of his own. Weakened by the electric bolt,
he slowly backs away from his two foes, blocking and dodging their thrust
frantically. He saw the wizard looking at him as he chants another of his
spell. Kevin knew he wouldn't survive another bolt.

But the wizard didn't have the chance to unleash his assault. Three pulsing
magic missiles streaks out from the forest and hit the wizard squarely on
the chest, foiling the spell he was casting. A huge battle-axe appeared
before him, blocking the thrust of one of his foe. Kevin also saw a shadowy
figure appeared behind his other foe. There was a flash of steel and soon
the warrior fell to the ground, dead, with a dagger sticking from his
back. Alvin winked at him as he pulled his dagger from the corpse. Delg is
furiously battling his other foe, who backs away uncertainly from the
furious dwarven warrior. Magic flashes in the distance as Lamelle and the
Zhantarim wizard lashes out at each other with magic.

"Hold lad, ye're hurt too badly from the lightning bolt. Hold still while I
healed ye. The others will deal with those Zhentarim dogs." Kevin turns as
he felt a hand grabbing his shoulder. Garth sat him down beneath the trees
and started to mutter a healing prayer. He looked over at the battle. Keres
is fully engaging the warrior that has chased Sabre away. The hawk were
still attacking him though, scratching whatever it could with its sharp
claws. Ken was still furiously battling with the leader, though this time,
Alvin is with him. In the distance, he saw Lamelle unleashed her own
lightning bolt towards the wizard, though the wizard hastily created a
small shield before him, turning the bolt away. Delg is fighting a winning
battle; the warrior is now backed against the trees.

Suddenly, there was a load roar and an explosion. Kevin looked up in time
to see the fireball Lamelle has cast flew past all of the Zhentarim
wizard's magical defenses and exploded. When the fire is gone, the wizard
is nothing but a twisted charred corpse. At the same time, Garth hands
glowed with soft blue light and the light spread across Kevin's body. The
shrieking pain in his body was swept away, leaving behind a cool, warmth
and sweet feeling. Soon, he felt his eyes closing and he fell out of
consciousness.

***************************