<hr/><div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/7f/68747470733a2f2f732d6d656469612d63616368652d616b302e70696e696d672e636f6d2f353634782f36322f64342f66342f36326434663464663265363131316531346664343136316232353336303139312e6a7067.jpeg)(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/a/a7/0981841a51652a342d650c5b12309d86.jpg)<br/>(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ec/Animated-music-note-image-0012.gif)<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">PROLOGUE TO</span><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">THUROK</span><br/></span></strong></div><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><em>The Dagger's Rest Tavern, Westgate<br/>1358, TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO</em></div><br/><hr/><br/>This is the tale of Carona, the prostitute who was promised a better life...<br/><br/>The tavern life was all she knew, and the regulars disrespected Carona long before she opened her legs.<br/>They said she was<em>"too beautiful to be a courtesan"</em>,<em>"too beautiful to do anything but be a doll"</em>,<em>"too beautiful to leave"</em>.<br/>As far as she cared, in a monstrous and unpredictable world as Faerûn there was no other choice. She had to work.<br/>Life was<em>"just business"</em>with who had enough money to buy their freedom.<em>"Don't go falling in love now,"</em>she always heard.<br/><br/>She was about to sneak into an alley with a hooded stranger who was buying but a lyrical shout from a silver carriage in the street stopped her.<br/>A white-haired man popped his head and arm out of the window, a hand reaching out desperate for her attention.<em>"Carona! You! We need to talk!"</em><br/><br/>A shrill shout shot like gunfire from inside the carriage, from a woman inside, Missus Marble.<em>"Don't you dare, Trevor Anthony Marble!"</em><br/><br/>The mister Trevor Anthony Marble dared, bursting out of the carriage.<em>"I'm in love with you! I've always loved you and I always will!"</em><br/><br/>This quite frightened Carona yelled back,<em>"Stay away from me, you madman!"</em><br/>By the time she checked, her mysterious buyer fled.<br/><br/>Trevor pranced over in uptight dress clothes like he was some fancy sailor or fisherman, clearly someone wealthy with a maritime hobby.<br/>He laughed and placed a hand on his chest, confessing,<em>"I am your madman... don't be afeared, you have nothing to fear anymore."</em><br/><br/><em>"Look,"</em>Carona gave a cold stare,<em>"You're wasting your time. I don't remember you. I go through ten men and women a day. It's just business."</em><br/>It was almost painful to watch Trevor stand there, silent and still thinking of another thing to say. She added,<em>"If you're not buying, get out of here."</em><br/><br/>That was when the man brought out a heavy sack of gold from his coat pocket, the largest amount Carona had seen in her life.<br/>Her eyes widened at the lump of treasure being handed to her. This was enough to not prostitute for an entire year or two.<br/>Carona scowled to be cutting,<em>"Either you really are crazy, or there's strings attached. I am no fool."</em><br/><br/>Missus Marble closed the door with a bang and the silver carriage crawled on. Trevor laughed quietly, shaking his head.<br/>She looked into his silver eyes as he said,<em>"Stay with me until dawn. We'll go anywhere and do anything you want."</em><br/><br/><em>"Anything? Fine, but on one condition,"</em>Carona said.<em>"Cut the love crap. I hardly believe you and I don't need any of it."</em><br/><br/>Trevor stifled his smile and lowered his eyes,<em>"Miss Carona. I understand."</em><br/><br/>Carona took the sack of gold and hurried to the bakery where Trevor watched her wolf down sweets she claimed she hadn't had in years.<br/>Next, they went to a tailor and got her in a nice black dress. Then they went to the docks, looking out at the Sea of Fallen Stars.<br/>All the shining stars at sea were the port cities, and together they looked out at them, all that potential, beaches, and life paths...<br/><br/>Trevor was absolutely silent, watching Carona deliberate her whole future.<br/>She did not say anything for hours until...<em>"I don't know where I'd go."</em><br/><br/>He asked,<em>"What does your heart tell you?"</em><br/><br/><em>"My heart's a liar,"</em>Carona was quick to reply. She did not flinch. She meant it.<em>"I don't trust it with my life." </em><br/><br/><em>"Hmm,"</em>Trevor gazed out at the magical horizon.<em>"Would some music help?"</em><br/><br/><em>"Uh, you play?"</em>Carona cringed, not wanting to hear an entitled rich man poorly play.<br/><br/><em>"Masterfully. I am a bard, after all. The Bard, they say."</em>He conjured a silver lute, atom by atom in his hands.<br/><br/><em>"I'll be damned,"</em>Carona was left speechless then.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">The Song Which Made Her Believe</div><div class="spoiler_body">https://youtu.be/7D4HM5SR1B4</div></div><br/><br/>He sang tender and jammed, a magical song ahead of their time:<br/><em>♪ ♫ "The question is why, why are we here?<br/>To say our hello's and goodbye's and then disappear?<br/>This beautiful life, what is it for?<br/>To learn how to master peace or master war?<br/><br/>There's only one answer that matters<br/>Even if your heart has been shattered<br/>Whatever you want, whatever you are after<br/><br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love, love, love, love! Love, love, love!" ♪ ♫</em><br/><br/><em>"--we had an agreement--"</em>Carona rolled her eyes but it was too late. Here was heartache.<br/>His face was so offensive, so calm, so smug, and so certain. He adored her when no one did.<br/>She quietly appreciated it. He helped when no one would. That was bad business. Why did he?<br/><br/><em>♪ ♫ "We all make mistakes, no, we're not perfect yet<br/>Maybe God made us all from an accident<br/>And the question that sits on everyone's lips<br/>Is why should we pick ourselves up! and start over again!<br/><br/>There's only one answer that matters<br/>Even if your heart has been shattered<br/>Whatever you want, whatever you are after<br/><br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love, love, love, love! Love, love, love!" ♪ ♫ </em><br/><br/>For a day, she wasn't a courtesan or a doll. He let her dream of leaving.<br/>He did not buy her, but bought freedom for her, anything her heart desired.<br/>He really was crazy, and there really was a catch. He really loved her.<br/>Carona fought back a dangling tear and failed; it fell down her cheek.<br/><br/><em>♪ ♫ "The question I'll ask at the end of my days<br/>Is what did I give and what will I take<br/><br/>There's only one answer that matters<br/>Even if your heart and your dreams have been shattered<br/>Whatever you want, whatever you are after<br/><br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love is still the answer<br/>Love, love, love, love! Love, love, love!<br/><br/>Love, love, love, love! Love, love, love!<br/>Love is still the answer..." ♪ ♫</em><br/><br/>Everyone at the Dagger's Rest Inn was stunned to see the glamorous vision Carona was in her elegant black dress.<br/>Her face was rosy and positively glowing, there was a sparkle in her eyes, and by god, she looked years younger.<br/>Her arm was on the dashing benefactor with the strange white hair. All gasped when she said,<em>"I want the Honeymoon room."</em><br/><br/>It was a thrill too for Carona who had never been with a man who afforded this room. She looked around, disappointed though.<br/>The wallpaper was tawdry with little pink hearts, and there were dried rose petals crunching everywhere she stepped.<br/><br/>Somehow she felt older, and this fantasy room felt realer. When asked what was the matter, she replied,<em>"It's dark in here."</em><br/><br/>With a touch, Trevor Anthony Marble made a potted plant in one corner glow a pulsing moon white.<br/>That was magical just enough for her but maybe too good to be true.<br/><br/>Carona thought woefully again about Missus Marble and asked if he fell out of love with her. On that, he replied Missus Marble was his sister.<br/>So things were not as complicated as they first seemed. She relaxed in his lap, feeling his soft mouth suckle and lick tastes of her neck.<br/>His strong legs held her while his long cock hardened up against her back. That was cold proof that he lusted her utterly and completely.<br/><br/>Most men's were stumpy or hard to get up. Not Mister Marble, who was fit as a fiddle, hot and ready like a steamy plate long denied.<br/>She had not enjoyed sex before this. Giggles overwhelmed her as she drew nearer and nearer the best climax she ever had.<br/>It was easy to imagine she was an instrument now, played masterfully by a male courtesan or the devil himself. She came and came.<br/>Her pussy squeezed as he was balls deep, her head soaring higher than clouds and stars, while he groaned with her. They sang all night long.<br/><br/>She was shocked feeling hot seed spray inside. Every man pulled out. Children meant paying more, and that was bad business.<br/>He impregnated her, she was sure of it. He could see her start to panic and soothed her,<em>"Hey. You'll get out of Westgate."</em><br/><br/><em>"I wish I could believe that--,"</em>she started to argue. He argued over her,<em>"--Your heart is not a liar. It'll be okay. I'll make sure of it."</em><br/><br/>He and Carona spooned as the dawn came. Sunshine crept up her smile before striking her sleeping eyes. Then she woke with fright.<br/>She checked behind her, and there he was. Mister Marble, butt naked, facedown, sleeping soundly. Still here... She sighed deeply.<br/><br/><em>"Don't go falling in love now... It's bad business..."</em>She quietly echoed the past mantra to herself, unsure how to answer it with a new present.<br/><em>"I always said if I were pregnant, I'd sell the babe. Or put it to work."</em>Mumbling plans, she dozed on him, rising and falling with his breaths.<br/><br/>Trevor slowly chuckled,<em>"You won't have to worry about that. I have too much money. You'll want for nothing."</em><br/><br/>So he heard. Carona moaned, not wanting to get out of bed.<em>"You promise?"</em><br/><br/>There was a brief pause, but the Bard answered.<em>"Carona, I promise."</em><br/><br/><hr/><div align="center">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/7f/68747470733a2f2f732d6d656469612d63616368652d616b302e70696e696d672e636f6d2f353634782f36322f64342f66342f36326434663464663265363131316531346664343136316232353336303139312e6a7067.jpeg)(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/6/6f/1c776277e008a97e35ab0505f09b8e11.jpg) <br/>(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ec/Animated-music-note-image-0012.gif)<br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">PROLOGUE TO</span><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">DROTHMICK UNBECK</span><br/></span></strong></div><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><em>The Harbor, Veltalar<br/>1355, TWENTY-NINE YEARS AGO</em></div><br/><hr/><br/>This is the tale of Triskar the Intrepid, the dwarf pirate who would retire for royalty...<br/>Fearsome was she upon the Sea of Fallen Stars! She was the haunt of every port city.<br/><br/><em>"Triskar-the-Intrepid!"</em>Pirates and sailors would bellow with no pause in between words.<br/>Old hags ran screaming when rarely Triskar was ever there. In Veltalar, no one expected different.<br/><br/>But it was 1355. Twenty-nine years ago.<em>"Triskar-the-Intrepid!"</em>In broad daylight Triskar the Intrepid was there.<br/><br/>What they noticed was her swagger and charming strut, walking about like she was mayor.<br/>Her ring-pierced braided hair swung heavily while she sported an iron-hard navel.<br/><br/>This time Veltalar went up in arms, mobbing her back to the harbor. Back to her ship and 50 pirates.<br/><br/><em>"Commander,"</em>a pirate called after Triskar.<em>"Pull anchor?"</em><br/><br/><em>"We leave the anchor,"</em>Triskar squinted at Veltalar.<br/><br/><em>"Your Intrepidness?"</em>another pirate stepped forward, deaf in one ear.<br/><br/><em>"Leave the anchor! We've committed no crime!"</em>Triskar shouted at the harbor and muttered,<em>"They'll come around."</em><br/><br/>By sundown, one man came. Just some kind of fancy albino bard, yet Triskar was glad there was at least one visitor.<br/>The way moonlight hit the water and danced upon him, he seemed fey-like introducing himself as Charles Miststride.<br/><br/><em>"It's a shame they treat you this way,"</em>Charles said unblinking.<em>"I've seen you years ago. Raven's Bluff and Airspur."</em><br/><br/>Triskar scrutinized him, squinting,<em>"Never seen ya."</em><em>"Didn't want you to,"</em>Charles cracked a bonafide smile.<br/>She was surprised she smiled back at all. He said,<em>"Wrote a song about you. Would you like to hear it?"</em><br/><br/>She laughed, shaking her head and looking out to the sea. Curiosity got the better of her as she looked back,<em>"I'm not a dancer."</em><br/><br/>He said,<em>"I know. I remember. I asked a few bard friends of mine to help me play it to you, if that's okay."</em><br/><br/>She stomped one foot at the banister of her ship, resting an arm over her knee,<em>"This had better be good."</em><br/><br/>Charles Miststride waved a hand signal. A few merry bards came prancing on the dock with their instruments.<br/><br/>A mandolin conjured out of thin air, enthralling Triskar the Intrepid, realizing atom by atom in his hands agleam silver.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">The Only Song That Got Her To Dance</div><div class="spoiler_body">https://youtu.be/zgyN80hWgvk</div></div><br/><br/>He sang tender as they jammed, a magical song more advanced than their time:<br/><em>♪ ♫ "Years ago when I had a chance<br/>I could've held your hand<br/>But I was young and then I blew every circumstance<br/>Yet I still think I dream of<br/>Dancing, dancing with you, with you<br/>And maybe even share a drink or two<br/>While I tell you the truth<br/>That I don't even care what this is for<br/>As long as I get to share the floor<br/>With you, with you... with you"  ♪ ♫</em><br/><br/>Triskar's boot tapped. Her brown eyes and stubborn lips were transfixed, yet her body moved.<br/><br/><em> ♪ ♫ "In my thoughts and dreams I do a little swayin' away<br/>Swayin' away with you<br/>Even if I know it'll never realize<br/>Maybe one day I'll wake up<br/>Maybe some day it'll be true<br/>Maybe that day I'll be<br/>I'll be<br/>Dancing dancing with you, with you<br/>And maybe even love you a little more<br/>While we tango across the floor<br/>And I don't even know when I'll see you again<br/>I'll keep living this dream 'till the end<br/>With you, with you... with you" ♪ ♫</em><br/><br/>Charles Miststride had stopped singing there while the band kept playing on, refrain after refrain.<br/>An invisible hand took the mandolin from him and played by itself, hovering in the foggy air.<br/><br/>The 50 pirates gawked, fascinated to see Commander step foot on the dock and tango with a romeo.<br/>How her braids swung heavy! How her iron-hard navel swayed sexy! How her smile never dropped!<br/><br/>Triskar was so curious she talked over the music,<em>"Charles Miststride, who are you?"</em><br/><br/><em>"I'm Charles Miststride, what do you mean?"</em>He spun her around with just fingertips above.<br/><br/><em>"Only royalty wear royal garbs,"</em>Triskar bounced with her hair, dancing carefree.<br/><br/>She had not noticed but Charles stood still, stunned and remembering who he was. She opened her eyes and stopped dancing.<br/><br/><em>"I'm not really Charles Miststride."</em>He said, looking over his shoulder. Triskar believed him,<em>"You're a prince on the run, eh?"</em><br/><br/><em>"Long since I saw you, I was on the run to you, to you."</em>He inched closer. She looked at his lips and let them kiss hers.<br/><br/>The pirate, deaf in one ear, exclaimed to another,<em>"What just happened!?"</em><br/><br/>Down in the Commander's cabin, while they rocked with the water, he laid under her and she straddled him.<br/>His hands helped tear off her bra. He leaned forward to nibble her ornately and heavily pierced nips.<br/>There was no place he had not explored, from her dangling braids to the curve of her tattooed back.<br/>There, in the stillness of a moonlit night, the prince and the pirate made love on the water.<br/><br/><em>"Charles,"</em>Triskar moaned out his false name in the candle-lit dark. She decided she would give him a heir.