The Ogre Fange found few goblins and pressed some shapechangers into service. Shapechangers were tricky and untrustworthy. A mischievous shapechanger mimicked Morlecainen and tried to gain access to Alluna’s bed chamber. A Protection Glyph preserved the purity of their relationship. Morlecainen forced the perpetrator to assume the form of a horse’s backside and face ridicule from its cohorts. Guards posted at the River Luumic reported no activity on the other side.
Morlecainen spent long hours in the Room of Sorcery and had little time for Alluna and the twins. He studied tomes, practiced spells, and often consulted the Orb, which always demanded a bit of his blood. Alluna queried about his sore fingers. When he returned from the work room a few nights after his return from the disastrous Hillesdale campaign, she said, “Your work consumes you. You miss the changes in the children. Today Theandra changed a dark weed to a bright yellow flower. Chalar changed the flower back to a dark weed. They quarreled for an hour. Little puffs of smoke came from their ears as they squabbled. The power of Magick is strong in both of them. Chalar spends much of her time playing in the hallway near the armory. When I ask her why, she says ‘My friend is there.’”
“I had imaginary playmates when I was a child,” the sorcerer mused. Memories of his mother and the family retreat, Ylysis, returned.
“Why do you seek dominion over the Dwarves?” Alluna asked.
“There is great bounty to be had in this world. I am not content to rule in this swamp. I want more for you and the girls. I think I may have found a way to do so. It will mean another journey. I may be away for some time,” Morlecainen answered.
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