The Blackstaff Lord's Madness

As a half-Druid determined to turn her territory into a vast garden, the Gold Dragon had always been proudest of her gift for growing plants.

This was the Northern Continent, where winters lasted an extraordinarily long time.

Only in her Northlands could flowers of every shape and color bloom in the depths of winter. The Dragon Queen had never wanted to share that beauty with other territories.

She had chosen to give some to Hill because she was genuinely grateful that he had saved Telly's life.

The black-haired mage took a bell from her pocket and gave it a gentle shake.

The little bell made no sound.

"Ah!" Velamarandis sighed. "What a powerful soundproofing spell. I thought I'd have to pretend I hadn't noticed!

"That damned Blackstaff! He dared to eavesdrop on a top-tier private box like this. He's broken every convention on Faerûn.

"No wonder Alustriel doesn't want to see him.

"How can Mystra still put up with his antics?"

Hill frowned. "Has he lost his mind? Surely Waterdeep isn't a place where he can make every decision himself?"

Velamarandis smiled with contempt. "He wants to find the hidden lords. He'll come up empty-handed.

"Why else would he insist on taking over that city in the wasteland?

"His wife really is pregnant with twins!

"More than one god, including the Goddess of Magic, foretold the children's future. Blackstaff's ambition has been beyond control ever since.

"Still, the hundred-odd dragons in Waterdeep were the last straw. To someone as cautious as Blackstaff, dragons don't make good neighbors.

"Everyone was living perfectly ordinary lives, yet he thought even collecting rent from them was dangerous!"

Hill smiled in agreement.

Lynn turned his head and leafed through the auction catalog on the table.

"What upset the elves most was that he denied being