(image by Ron Spears, from Monster Manual V)
Baltazo looked up from his work to see Gyderic approaching, a stormy look on the elan’s face. “So, how did it go?” the changeling asked, keeping his tone disinterested.
“The Bleaker didn’t have the Eye,” the elan said.
“He never had it? Or he didn’t have it any more?”
Gyderic slammed his fists down on the desk. “He gave it to the adventurers. Those Gatekeepers!”
“So you don’t have it, then,” Baltazo said in the same half-bored tone.
“No. And I’ve been wondering why that might be. There’s no way the Gatekeepers could have known about the Eye unless someone told them!”
Baltazo steepled his fingers, then arched an eyebrow.
Pointing a finger, Gyderic said “You never explained how you got away from them in Plague-Mort.”
“Why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind, Gyderic?”
“You told them where to find me.”
“Of course.” Gyderic seemed taken aback by the confession. “What was I supposed to do? They made wreckage of my lions, and I couldn’t teleport away.”
A violet halo burst into view around Gyderic’s shoulder, and the elan growled “You treacherous bastard.”
“Pike it, Gyderic.” Baltazo stood and backed away from the desk. “If you’d killed Starwing, like I ordered you to, we’d already have the Eye. Everything they’ve done to thwart us comes from your sloppy work. I knew I should have sent Fade.”
“He never would have learned what I have,” Gyderic replied, circling around the desk. “And now, neither will you.”
“Do your worst,” replied the changeling, beginning a defensive spell.
“ENOUGH!” came a bellow from the hall, freezing both men in place.
A hairless human-like creature with great ram’s horns floated into the room. Apart from the hooks, chains, and barbs that decorated its flesh, he was nude. Baltazo dropped to his knees at once; Gyderic followed mere seconds later.
“The City needs me,” the devil began, regarding the two men with lifeless eyes of solid black. “Do you know how it ANGERS our lord that I must leave it to ‘check up’ on you? SILENCE!” he thundered before Gyderic had even opened his mouth to protest. “Already you have failed to gain us the Tear of the Night. Now the Eye has also slipped from your grasp!”
The devil glided between them, stooping to peer at Baltazo’s tightly shut eyes. “Our lord believes that you have both outlived your usefulness, and I’m inclined to agree. What do you say to that, Baltazo?”
“If that is his will.” The changeling’s voice shook with the words.
“I’m so glad we agree on that much, at least,” the devil said, returning to his full height. “The lord recognizes your past service – and appreciates your aid with our latest recruit. Furthermore, you seem to know more about these meddlers than I, so we have agreed to give you one more chance.”
“Praise you, Betzalel,” said Gyderic.
Betzalel drifted toward the elan. “My offer still stands. I will reward you most handsomely for the Eye of the Dawn. And if you kill these Gatekeepers in the process, so much the better.”
“What about the Tear of the Night?”
“It’s no longer your concern. Another agent has been sent to retrieve it.” As the devil floated toward the hall, he paused to state, “I return to the City of Mirrors. If you don’t have the Eye the next time you see me, I shall be the last thing you ever see.”
Gyderic turned his gaze back to Baltazo once Betzalel was gone. “If I get the Eye before you,” the elan said, “the duke won’t need you any more.”
“I was thinking the same thing about you,” the changeling replied.
“Then we are agreed.” Gyderic stood and left the room, leaving Baltazo to work his way back into his chair. The changeling drew a fancy sheet of parchment from the desk and began to write.
Let Gyderic try, he thought. The adventurers would make short work of him, and it would draw attention from his own plan.
He sealed the letter with the symbol of the Great Eye, stood, and crossed the room to a mirror. His face had changed to resemble the ranger’s. Talan, his name was.
“I’m Talan,” said Baltazo, repeating it until it sounded close enough. It would have to do; he only had to fool Hexla long enough to subdue her.
With a stolen smile, Baltazo left to begin his work…
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