Change happens whether we're ready for it or not. It doesn't matter how powerful a wizard you may be either. Take for example me. I'm a fairly talented guy, but I'm not above change either. I came to this land for several reasons, the first (and in my mind most important) was that the last place I called home was being eaten alive by a plague. It killed me once, and I was brought back only to be played with by one of the gods. Which explains my total lack of respect for anyone/thing calling it self such.

I left because I didn't feel like dieing again. It kind of sucked actually and I didn't want to experience it again for a long, long, long....long time. I didn't have any family so the split was fairly clean. With of course one exception. She was my partner. She'd been blessed by one of the other gods and chosen to help the people of the land. Personally I didn't see why a god had to choose someone, and give them a special title to "help those in need". Obviously the gods had the power to make their own immune, why not spread that to the general population if they wanted to help?

Ok, got sidetracked, sorry. As I was saying, Khory was my partner and the only thing I missed from that land. I'd been tricked by demons, framed for murder, and imprisoned by an insane "lord" to look into some tower that was seeping life and magic out of the land. All things that I could live without. Of course at least two of those I brought upon myself. You see, I'm a detective. And being such seems to paint a big red dot on my forehead and a sign over me that says "Aim here and win a prize!".

So far in Aleris I'd been able to keep my head down and not attract any unwanted attention. I did a couple odd jobs, finding lost keys, a goat that'd run away, a baby that was "misplaced". The normal stuff. And I was currently enjoying a beer in one of the local bars. It was about 10 in the morning as I sat sipping my draft and reading the paper. I know what you're thinking, "Its 10 o'clock and he's drinking a beer! He Must Be An Alcoholic!" No. I'm not an alcoholic, I just enjoy the taste. Back off. We all have our vices, yours (if that was your thought) is being judgmental, mine was enjoying one cold beer in the morning while reading the news paper.

I'd just finished my beer when I came to the "Letters to the Editor" section. I read the letter from a Leona Ravenholm. I read it again. Then I laughed. Not just a little giggle either, (wizards don't giggle) it was a full on belly laugh. The lady had written almost as if someone would care enough about either group to actually get involved. As far as I was concerned they could have at it with each other. Demons killing Vampires, and Vampires killing Demons. That was fine by me. As long as the anger wasn't coming at me, they could kill each other off and I wouldn't shed a single tear.

The two families had been battling each other for years, I found out from the bar keeper. It was a blood feud that wouldn't end until every member of either family was dead. That was one thing I both did and didn't regret in my life. Having a family. The closest I'd ever had was Khory, my partner, and I'd left her. She was in good hands though. She was immune and I wasn't. I wouldn't be doing her any good if I was dead. At least this way I'd be able to help others. Back on subject, I thought of family as a way to relax after a hard case. People to talk about the troubles of the world and maybe help explain some of it's mysteries.

However in my line of work family meant something else too. A weakness. Something for your enemies to use against you. For that I was glad that I didn't have anyone who relied upon me. At least I wouldn't have to worry about them getting used. But I couldn't help thinking about what it'd be like if I did...

That, of course, was when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Hello Vic." and my heart stopped.

Khory had had a long journey. This was not the world where she'd spent her life, grown into the woman she was now, and attained the rank of High Priestess of Respect. No, this was a different world altogether, but more important to her right now than the one she had left. It contained a single person that she had found to be more important to her than every friend and God she'd ever grown attached to. Her partner, her friend, and sometimes more than that.

Khory and Vic had parted ways long ago, but there was something about their friendship, their connection, that made it impossible to lose track of one another. No matter how much time passed the love was there. It was a strange way to think of someone for whom you'd never really felt romantically involved with. It was more like the connection that twins sometimes had. A strange sense of another person who was very like you were that constantly hovered in the back of your brain. That was how Khory felt with Vic.

So, when times had gotten rough and the world as she knew it had fallen apart, she'd followed that strange sense to another world. She's tracked him, don't ask her how. Perhaps it was the vestiges of being the Chosen of a God. She didn't know. But it had worked. It had led her to a pub, no surprise there. And suddenly her long journey was over.

Khory entered the bar, standing silhouetted in the doorway for a moment. Her eyes locked on him almost immediately. He had his back to her, reading a paper and drinking a beer way too early in the morning. She would know that tall, lanky idiot anywhere, and a smile split her face. She really was overjoyed to see him, but it wouldn't do to be too eager. So, she smoothed her clothes and her features and marched right up behind him. Her tone was warm, almost smug, as she greeted her long-lost friend.

"Hello, Vic."

I turned unsure that I'd actually heard the voice. It'd sounded just like Khory, but surely it couldn't have been. She was still in Mystra. Sure enough, as I turned there she was with a smile on her face that told me she was taking almost as much joy from my confusion as she was at seeing me. I just grinned and shook my head. Then a thought came to me. I closed my eyes tightly and thought very hard. One million gold coins. One million gold coins. One million gold coins. I opened my eyes and reached into my pocket. Nothing.

From behind Khory, a small man squeezed past her and into the pub. As he did a bell started ringing, and two waitresses, both of which looked like they'd been picked for more...physical reasons, stepped to either side of the man. The bartender came from behind the bar grinning. "Congratulations Sir! You're our one millionth customer. In honor of this momentous moment we'd like to give you one million gold coins!"

"Figures." I muttered, and at the questioning look from Khory just shook my head, "It's nothing." I mouthed.

Then I watched her as she made her way to the table I was at. She was as beautiful as ever, long legs, flaming red hair, and a right hook that would knock me on my ass if she had any idea what I was thinking about. Don't get me wrong, Khory and I were partners, mostly business partners, but once or twice we'd be physical partners as well. And even given that history I knew she'd smack me around for thinking like I had. She was a proud woman and had every right to be. She'd fought most of her life and if she hadn't won then she'd done something that might have been even more important, she'd survived.

As she got closer I stood and bowed to her. "Priestess." I said with a hint of amusement. She knew my feelings towards the gods, but I'd always respected her choice to follow them. That didn't stop me from teasing her once in a while though. I motioned for her to take a seat close to mine and as she started towards it, I stepped behind it and pulled it out for her. It never hurt to be a gentleman. It was just the way I was programed. Some took offense to it. Others thought it was "cute" in an "old world" sort of way. I just thought it was polite.

"So, what brings the might of Otherworldly Gods to Aleris?"

Vic was so strange sometimes. His reaction was expected, sort of an ironical twist to his lips following the startlement. He really was shocked at seeing her here in this new world of his. She couldn't really blame him, and she was sure he could see the surprise in her eyes as well, lurking behind the amused smile.

Yes, she hadn't expected to travel through Portals to get here either. Nor had she expected to find him. No, all of her travels had another target entirely, but they were all connected to Vic. So she was just as glad she had finally found him. Now there would be the obligatory small talk to get out of the way before she could unload the mother of all problems on him, and if that wasn't an ironic turn of phrase she didn't know what was.

"High Priestess no longer, though habit is hard to break. You should know as well as I do that Gods don't really travel dimensionally. Poor etiquette, you know. No, I'm back to being just me in funny clothes."

The strange weapon she was carrying ended up leaning against the wall, right next to his staff. She smiled a small wistful little smile as the image caught at her memory. How many times had their weapons sat just like that? She took the offered seat, a wry smile at his gentlemanly ways. Funny how he could be so polite and simultaneously be one of the rudest men she'd ever encountered. She gave a mental shrug. She wouldn't have stuck around so long if he was boring and predictable. One or the other, but not both.

"As for what brings me to Aleris, well, that's a rather long story, and one you will definitely need another beer for. In fact, you might need several, and so will I."

She signaled the bartender and very politely ordered several beers for them right off, then pressed enough coin on him that he was convinced to keep a running tab. She wasn't kidding. This was not going to be easy, and she didn't really know where to start, so she decided to try for levity.

"Congratulations, Vic. You're a father."

Social interaction really wasn't her strong suit at all...

"Congratulations, Vic. You're a father."

I played those five words over in my head four or five times before I blinked and looked at Khory. Then I played them over another three times. I was a father. Not only that, but I was a father and hadn't known about it. I couldn't blame Khory though, in all fairness I was in another world now. But I had been gone for a few months. How sure was she that I was the father?

"Um. Than...No. That's not the right term. Where is he? She?" I started looking around trying to see where she had hidden the baby while we had been talking. I didn't see or hear anything though. "Is she...he...with a baby sitter? Or...Where is our child?"

Wow, that felt odd. 'Our Child". Ok Vic. Get your shit together. Yes, Khory had surprised you by showing up. Yes, Khory had surprised you by telling you were a father. Yes, Khory had surprised you by not bringing the child with her. But seriously, I'm a Wizard. This is nothing I can't handle. I Am Wizard, Hear Me Roar.

I'm a father, hear me gulp.

She couldn't help but be amused as she watched him mentally flail with the information he'd been handed. Yes, it was quite a lot to handle. How the hell did he think she had dealt with it? She'd been a warrior her whole life, and it wasn't as though she hadn't had lovers in that time. This had never, not once, even been an issue. Part of her blamed her path at the time, the one that had led her to become High Priestess.

Gods were notorious for stuff like that, weren't they? Yes, let's test the new initiate by giving them new and mind-numbingly scary challenges. Parenthood will test their level of dedication, their personal responsibility, but most of all, if they can handle that then they might not go completely insane being the Hand of a God.

Khory had gone through the same mental flailing herself when her condition was discovered. Mantras of "this can't be happening" had repeated in her head for months as she grew gravid with child. Even holding the baby in her arms she hadn't been able to believe it. How had she come to this?

Well, that was easy. It was all Vic's fault, and now he was gone, off gallivanting in another dimension. Yes, there was some anger left there, which went far to explain how suddenly she had dropped this news on him. Still, now she felt bad about it.

"Don't strain yourself. The child isn't here. In fact, the only reason I am here in this realm is because it was the last place I tracked her to. Our daughter has been kidnapped, and I would like to hope, despite your understandable shock at the news, that her father will help me track down the animal that has taken her and assist while I kill him."

Khory changed while she said that phrase. Some vestige of her Priestess nature came swelling up and she practically glowed with righteous anger. Her voice dropped as she spoke the last words, and the look in her eyes was nothing short of terrifying. Someone had dared take her child from her, and there would be HER to pay.

Someone had kidnapped my daughter. Thousands of feelings floated through me at that point. Anger, fear, apprehension, just to name a few. A small quivering, twisting feeling settled into my gut as well. As the emotions swept over me it seemed that one came rushing back. Anger. Anger at the person(s) who had taken his child and at the thought of what they might be doing to her.

I stood, my chair falling back behind me as I did, "Come with me." I said in Khory's general direction, and started walking towards the pub door without checking to see if she was following. I knew she would.

Stalking to my room at the inn several blocks away, I silently made my way through what was becoming a lot of people going to market, or various other places of business. I didn't care at that moment though. All that mattered was getting my gear from my room and kicking someone's ass. I put the key into the lock on my door (after several failed attempts) and slammed it open. I reached out my hand towards my dresser and shouted "Vento!", forcing will into my words and the cane sword that was resting there flew into my hand.

My staff was in the corner and behind a night stand. Before reaching for it and jerked the drawer open in the small table and rummaged through it until I found what I was looking for. A silver belt-buckle with an image of a bear (poorly) carved into it. I'd been experimenting with it for a while now, it took a little bit of energy from me each day and stored it away. Kind of like a piggy bank where you toss all your loose coins from the day. It added up and stored it away for a rainy day.

I already had on my spell enhanced duster and rings. One for defensive purposes and the other for, well I guess the same thing, but the rings packed more of a punch. I grabbed my staff and almost made it out the door when I remembered my hat. I slipped it on and tightened my belt.

Khory looked at the hat and gave me a questioning smirk. I fitted the large brimmed hat onto my head and replied, "When you've had a sorceress playing mind games with you head, you come up with a way to stop it the next time." I wasn't sure what we were about to get into, but I wanted to be ready for any and every thing.

We made our way back down and out of the inn when the lady behind the desk stopped me. Jillian, I think was her name, at this point though it could have been about anything and I wouldn't care.

"Mister Sage, this letter came for you. I couldn't catch you on your way in, sorry." she looked like she might actually be sorry, for a second, but when I just stood there and looked at her like I didn't know what to do she got a look of frustration on her face. The envelope wavered a bit and she set it on the counter.

After the day I'd been having this couldn't be good. There was no possible way that whatever news was in that package would make my day better. I slowly stepped up to it and was about to pick it up when I realized that I should probably check it for curses. Yes I know it makes me seem paranoid, but that doesn't mean that the Gods weren't out to kill me.

Waving my hand over the envelope and reaching out with my senses told me that there wasn't any magical influence on the letter. Good. I opened it and a small piece of paper fell into my hand. The writing was perfect, almost looked like it was from a printing press. The paper however looked as if it'd seen better days. It was worn and there were several stains on it that I didn't realize were blood until about half-way into reading it.

"Victor and Khory,

I write this letter to you to inform you that I have your daughter.
You will get her back, but only if you do exactly what I tell you to.
You need to come to the Outlands. Once there you will fight.
I picked you because of your uncanny ability to win as the underdog.
You will fight for the Redmonts.
And We will win. Or your daughter will die.
Look forward to seeing you soon.

The Bishop"

It was short. Short enough that I re-read it four times before passing it to Khory. It appeared that despite my best efforts, I wasn't going to be staying out of the Redmont's war. I hate it when I'm threatened. I hate it worse when an innocent child is threatened. Khory and I would find this 'Bishop', and we would kill him. If I had to go through every Redmont to get to him, I would see him dead, and my daughter back to safety.