The Adventures of Avery Dameron

This is the first complete psuedo-novel I ever wrote while in high school. I've been meaning to dust it off and rewrite it in a setting completely my own for possible publication. I am going to print it as it was written some 20+ years ago. Maybe you can give me your opinion on whether its worth the time to salvage or if I should scrap it and start over.

P.S. As I am editing this for publication here it has come to my attention that I seem to have written the Forrest Gump of Fantasy. I dont know if any of you have ever read the book Forrest Gump but I personally found it to be one of the worst books I've ever read. The film bares little resemblance to the book. I've always wondered how they were able to turn that book into an academy award winning movie but they did. So even though this isnt a great work it shows theres still hope for it.

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The Aventure's of Avery Dameron

Chapter 6
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The next day, they turned west, and followed the map between the great desert known as, Anauroch, and the mountains in northern Cormyr.

The sun was extremely hot that day. Avery, gave Trothgar some lighter clothes to wear, and changed out of his black clothing. A slight breeze blew cooling off Urus, and Delynn through their chain mail.

Overhead, what they at first thought was a cloud, passed between them and the sun. Avery, Trothgar, and Urus looked up. It was a dragon.

The gigantic, red creature, spotted the party and descended. The sight of that Great Wyrm, as it landed, caused Thevila, and Esta to faint clean away. Both fell out of their saddles. Furian, and Guido went to tend to the women, as the rest dismounted and moved in to attack. All were startled as the great creature spoke.

"Well met, brave adventures." It's voice was gruffly female. "My name is, Scarlet, what is yours?" The two parties introduced themselves, cautiously. "I'm sorry that I scared your friends. I meant no harm, I just wanted to find someone who would be willing to be my friend. I've been alone for so long, ever since my master died of old age, over a millennia ago when I was just entering full adulthood. Ever since then no one would talk to me. They either ran scared or tried to kill me."

After her story, Avery was the first to agree to be her friend, followed by the rest. Scarlet joyfully invited them to her lair. The party made a detour and followed Scarlet, who walked along side of them, to her lair.

On their way Scarlet told Avery, that she had come acrossed the lair, complete with hoard, only a few months ago. She waited there for days, and when the owner didn't return, she chose to stay there.

It took them, two weeks to reach, Scarlet's Lair. The lair was a giant cave, in the side of a mountain top. It opened up larger as they entered. Inside was a vast treasure hoard of coins, gems, and other antiquities. She told Avery, that her master had said that you share with your friends, so she offered some of the hoard to Avery and his companions.

Avery told them to only take a few coins, and not take advantage of their host. Avery grabbed two handfuls of Silver, Gold, and Platinum, and put them into his **Bag of Holding**. The others took similar amounts, for provisions and other things. The group stayed for a few days before saying farewell to Scarlet. After coming out of the mountains on the opposite side. They traveled for days, finally coming to a bridge crossing a river. From there they left the road and rode west until they came to another river.

They followed the river, to a city named, Iriaebor. From there the booked passage to the port city of Baldur's Gate. They were told, that they could book passage to the city of Waterdeep. The home of both Esta and Furian. they knew that they could find someone to take them to Evermeet from there.

After reaching Baldur's Gate, they immediately booked passage on the first ship heading to Waterdeep. They found out that they had to stay the night in Baldur's Gate.

Not far from the ship was an inn that they all chose to stay in for the evening. It was dark, and dank, leaving allot to be desired, but it was within a few yards of the ship. They spent that evening in their rooms, away from the restless sailors.

They boarded and left early the next morning. Lorrick spent the entire voyage in his room seasick, cursing everyone else for his misfortune. Urus spent most of his time alone, enjoying the view of the ocean. The rest found time to spend alone, paired up with other party members. Esta with Furian, Trothgar with Delynn, Thevila with Guido, and Avery with Mariko. Each learning as much as possible about the other.

Avery used his mental powers to probe Mariko's mind. He found out that she had also been taught the ways of the ninja, but, chose to try to leave it behind. Avery used this knowledge to show Mariko that he was also a ninja.

It took almost the entire voyage to Waterdeep, for her to admit to him of her secret training. They spoke the last two days about their talents, and about how they could maybe someday put them to good use.

The others spent their time together, talking and building friendships that would hopefully last the rest of their lives. They all came together the final day to fellowship. That afternoon, the arrived in Waterdeep.

Waterdeep was one of the largest cities, that Avery had ever saw, next to Shadowgate. Several ships were docked in the port. Esta spied one that she said sported elven totemic images and runes.

After docking, Esta lead the party to the vessel that she had seen. Alone Esta went aboard, a tall human male, with bright blue eyes and long, curly blond hair approached her. He wore a kilt and a long sleeved white shirt with extravagant ruffles at the collar and cuffs.

They spoke for a few moments, and then Esta, with a smile on her face returned to her companions.

"The captain of the ship has been named, Sha'Quessir, elf-friend. He has agreed to take us to Evermeet. He even offered to take our mounts. He said that we'll leave just as soon as we're ready. Shall we board?"

Everyone, but Lorrick agreed to go, but he told them that he would wait for them at the Yawning Portal. The rest boarded with their mounts and prepared for the voyage.

The first leg of their journey was peaceful, with calm waters and no problems. They stopped off in a large group of islands, known as the Moonshae Isles. There, Captain Carreigh Macumail, bought extra provisions for their trip.

They were less that a week away from the islands, when the ship was attacked by three other vessels, all baring the standards of the Zhentarim. Furian and Mariko began casting **fireball** spells at the sides of the vessels, while the rest used ranged weapons to fend off their attackers.

Avery and Trothgar fired arrows at the men they saw casting spells. Furian and Mariko's spells, ripped a hole in one of the ships, and it quickly began to sink. Several of the sailors jumped into the ocean, but the under tow of the sinking ship, drew them into the depths of the ocean.

In the distance, Trothgar spotted two ships that he called, Drakkar, ships of the northmen raiders. Esta said that they were actually elven dragonships from Evermeet. The two ships joined us against the Zhentarim, leaving only one ship left, to try to limp away, as it began to sink itself before it got too far.

Avery, Urus, Delynn, and Trothgar boarded the ship, and finished off what was left of it's crew. Below they found several elven slaves, chained to the ship. As quickly as they could they got all but one out, a small boy. Avery turned to his friends, as the water rose to chest level.

"Get out of here!"

Urus looked at Avery. "No! We won't leave you!"

"Urus, you need to help save the others. Now go on, get out of here!"

As Avery turned back toward the boy, Urus clubbed him over the head. Avery awoke a few minutes later, laying on the deck of Captain Carreigh's ship. Avery realized where he was and tried to stand, as he watch the Zhentarim ship sink. Mariko grabbed Avery and begged him to stay as he went to help Urus. "But he is my friend."

Seconds after the ship sank below the waves, an elven boy came to the surface. Avery made Mariko let him go and then jumped in to help the boy. He brought the boy back to the ship and helped hoist him up to his companions, before they helped him out. The boy told them that Urus was able to rescue him just seconds before a beam fell, it killed him, leaving the boy to swim for the surface alone.

As the two elven ships escorted them to Evermeet, Avery stood by himself at the stern of the ship looking back at where his friend had died. A tear built up in his eye. He spent most of the voyage either there or in his room, alone. A couple days before they reached Evermeet, the boy that Urus had saved came to Avery, as he sat in his room.

"Sir, what do you do for a living?"

"I entertain people, by playing music and acting."

"Please, play me a song?"

"I can try, but I am not sure that I will do very well."

"Please??"

Avery grabbed his flute and had the boy follow him up to the main deck. Avery sat on the top step of the forecastle. From the heart he played a slow, but, beautiful melody, that he had written for Jasenta. Everyone on all three ships stopped what they were doing to listen to Avery's song. All applauded after he finished. The boy thanked him, and told Avery that his name was Deyrth. Before he returned to his parents he told Avery that that was the most beautiful melody he had ever heard. Avery smiled and thanked him, then he returned to his room. He spent the rest of the time updating his journal, and drawing several pictures of Urus.

A day after they arrived, Captain Carreigh Macumail, knocked on Avery's door. After Avery changed in to his noble clothing, the captain escorted Avery, Trothgar, and Furian to the palace. All the full elves and the crew of the ship had already been on the island.

The architecture of the city was exactly like that of the palace where Avery grew up, but the palace itself was a work of art. Avery would have liked to be able to stop and study the art, but that was out of the question.

The queen was a woman of exquisite beauty. She stood six feet tall, with red-gold hair, a slender, high-cheekboned face, and piercing blue eyes. She wore gray clothing, with small white flowers in her hair.

"You are spoken well of, Avery Dameron, especially by the child that your friend died saving. Trothgar, you and Furian were of great aid to Esta, and our friends. Come, all three of you and kneel." Avery knelt to one knee, head bowed. His action was copied by the others. She put a silver chain and amulet on all three of them.

"I name all of you Sha'Quessir, elf-friend. From this day, you shall be as one of our people. I know of your plans to return to your world, Avery, but, while you are on this one, your help in any form will be of great help. What do you say?"

"Anything you need while I'm here, my queen."

"Furian, you are welcome to live here among our people. Noble Trothgar, we would like you to travel with Avery and help him further our needs while he is here, and if at the time he chooses to leave you wish to go with him the friendship of our people goes with you. Now arise brave friends and fellowship with your people."

Trothgar and Furian went to join Esta, while Avery stayed and talked with Queen Amlaruil. After the queen dismissed her guards, Avery openly told her of his mixed ancestry, she told him that his friends had already told her, but, she glad that he was open with her. She told him of a drow priestess, who needed to eventually be escorted back to where she could meet with her people. She asked Avery to take the job, which of course he agreed.

After their talk Avery went back to the ship. There he removed everything from Urus' room and put it in his. Then he got Zared and Carl, and brought them ashore. One of the elves showed Avery a place where he could let them run free.

After letting them run with the other mounts, Avery was escorted to The Green Sword Tavern, where his friends were. The group drank with several elves, before Captain Carreigh invited Avery and Trothgar to accompany him to visit an old companion of his.

They rode through the forest to a clearing where a tribe of green elves resided. With the help of the captain they were finally welcomed into the men's lodge for a formal ceremony of inclusion.

As they headed for the men's lodge, Carreigh informed them of a special ceremony which included them being marked with their totem animal. As soon as they arrived at the lodge, they were again in greater detail informed of what was expected of them. They were taken to the sweat-lodge, where they were told that their totems would appear.

The sweat-lodge was a low, dome-shaped structure hung with hides. Inside, a small fire was built in the center, heating the hut to an almost intolerable degree. The fire was hot and the small amount of smoke escaped through a hole in the roof. They sat on several soft, warm furs that encircled their lower bodies, causing them to sweat profusely.

They sat there for hours, becoming more and more delirious as time went on, as the elves talked and joked as if this was nothing. Eventually they passed out. Trothgar dreamt of a great eagle soaring through the blue sky. Avery on the other hand, dreamt of a great cat, blacker than coal. It's dark fur prevented him from discerning what kind of feline it was.

When they awoke, they were laying outside the sweat-lodge in the cool air. Soon after the tribal patriarch, Kamana, stood over them. Trothgar told him of the eagle he had seen in his dream. Kamana was visually pleased. He then asked Avery about he dream.

Suddenly one of the green elves yelled. Everyone ran to see what he had spotted. It was a large black lion, seven and one half feet in length. Avery told Kamana that the lion was what he had dreamt of.

The lion walked defiantly toward them. Avery walked passed everyone toward it. A few feet from everyone else, he pulled out his boot daggers, and stuck them into the ground. He looked into it's eyes, and then started to walk towards it. It leapt at Avery knocking him down. Everyone reaction went from terror to amusement as they watched it lick Avery's face. It then stood and spoke, it's voice deep.

"I have waited a long time, and traveled to many worlds looking for the one born of royal blood, who I would serve as protector and guardian. Name me, my lord, for I am at your service."

Avery thought for awhile and then said. "Your name shall be, Veldrin Kyorlin, it means shadow guard. Come with me my friend." As Avery turned toward the crowd to walk back, everyone knelt.

Kamana was the first to speak. "My lord, you must truly be a king, to have the king of all felines bow at your feet. I hereby pledge the loyalty of my people to you."

"Arise. If you knew of parentage you would scorn me, not pledge your loyalty. I am the child of a human paladin, and a drow priestess. What have you to say now?"

Only Kamana spoke. "Your heart must be a good one, for you to have been made Sha'Quessir. Our pledge stands my lord. What ever you ask of us we will do, without question."

"Very well then. You will follow the rule of Queen Amlaruil, as you would mine. Being loyal to her is being loyal to me. If you agree to this arise, if not stay where you are."

Everyone rose and approached Avery. They invited him to stay for a while. Avery told them that he must first return to the city to attend a celebration at the palace, but would return the following day. Before they left, both Avery and Trothgar's shoulder's were marked with their totem animals.

The celebration was filled with pomp and glory. Everyone who had been left on the ship was at the party, also given the name of Sha'Quessir. During the celebration, Deyrth, the boy from the ship asked the queen to have Avery play the song he had back on the ship.

As Avery stood and pulled out his flute the entire hall became silent. Avery closed his eyes and pictured Jasenta as he brought the flute to his lips. Everyone could feel the love that Avery exuded as he played. Tears formed in the queen's eyes as she listened to the music.

Avery bowed his head after playing the final note, as the hall erupted in applause. He noticed the queen's tears as she wiped her face. After the celebration the queen told Avery, that his tune reminded her of her late husband. She thanked Avery for giving her a few minutes of joyful remembrance of her beloved. Avery told her that he would be staying with the green elves until she needed him.