Chapter 1
NOW
Gods, it was bloody dark.
The low hum of the day-to-day in the temple enveloped us — a constant quiet murmur, broken by the occasional sharp word of a female drow.
I squinted into my bag, trying to make heads or tails of what I was looking at — why in the Nine Hells had I decided to keep Beholder eye stalks? I gave them a tentative sniff.
An inpatient sigh sounded from directly behind me, followed by the shifting of armoured boots.
I rolled my eyes with a shrug at the glassy grey beholder stalks.
The source of the sigh, Valen Shadowbreath, towered behind me; the pale tiefling with a dark scowl.
Beside him stood his silent drow counterpart, Nathyrra, who had just evened the odds in my fight to free Halaster, the day before. She watched silently from her position against the wall. Her eyes were narrowed as she observed every move I made. A lazy smile curved her lips — more sinister than friendly.
Conscious of all of the eyes on me, I returned my attention to the mess in front of me.
I gave a satisfied nod, before replacing all of my belongings — my precious notebook on top — and pushing my bag aside. Unfastening the tight buckles, I began sifting through the tiefling's much larger pack.
I'd already searched through Nathyrra's meagre belongings — who'd seemed more curious than anything as she silently relinquished all of her worldly possessions. With a frustrated sigh, I'd found little of worth that she wouldn't immediately need. I reminded myself that she hadn't been with the Seer for long. She hadn't intended to permanently leave her previous employer, after all…
Valen's pack — belonging to the more travelled of the two — had proven more fruitful, so far.
I removed his bigger items in search of what he could afford to sell.
The tiefling in question towered behind me, a watchful shadow.
He'd strongly voiced his concerns about my treatment of his belongings before relinquishing temporary ownership.
I shifted a few more belongings.
Another sigh.
"I get the feeling you don't like me very much," I murmured over my shoulder with a half-smirk.
I heard him shift his weight again. "Untrue," he began.
I don't even know you, I remembered suddenly, my hands momentarily pausing at the all-too-familiar feeling of déjà vu.
"I do not even know you," he echoed. And wasn't that the truth? "So I can hardly dislike you."
He didn't seem happy with his statement, based on the pause that followed.
I gave an amused huff as I placed a couple of loose coins from his pack onto the floor beside me, before continuing in my search. "Coulda fooled me."
I could feel something small and hard wedged in the bottom corner. I dug deeper, before: "Ahuh!" I exclaimed, pulling out a small stone. It had been trapped in a seam at the bottom. "They really are a girl's best friend," I told my new companions with a satisfied nod.
I admired the clear diamond between thumb and index finger.
"Here," I flung back my other hand, impatiently clasping and unclasping my fingers. "Pass me my satchel. It's the dirty — well, dirtier — one."
He gently kicked the small bag toward me.
With a happy nod, I pulled my embarrassingly light coin purse from within and began placing the stones and loose coins inside. We would almost have enough to get us started…
"Unlike the Seer, I'm not about to put all of my faith in you." Valen deep voice cut through my thoughts.
I looked over my shoulder at my companions. Nathyrra's expression hadn't changed at his admission, but I noticed her lazy stance had tensed at the conversation's direction.
I bobbed my head from side to side.
Tightening my coin purse with his hard-earned loot inside, I caught the deep worry line that had formed above his light blue eyes.
I felt the Beholder's eye stalks boring into me — judging.
Conscious of his lighter pack, I grabbed a few narrow glass vials from my bag. The green glow of the healing potions threw dramatic shadows all around us as I carefully placed them in the empty potion compartment at the opening of his pack.
I caught his silent nod of approval.
That should leave me with enough for now…
I gave the insides of my bag and the outer-pockets one final sweep, mentally categorising everything as either important or soon-to-be-sold.
"Now, my dear," Enserric drawled from his place beside my pack. "Which category do I fall under?"
I smirked, hearing Valen shift to get a better look at the surprise speaker.
"Would I ever sell you, Enserric?" I tutted at the sentient sword, smirk still firmly in place.
A beat, and then an indignant: "Yes!"
I shrugged, assessing the collection of items before me. Finally happy I hadn't missed anything, I buckled the bag back in place.
"A talking sword," I heard Valen mutter, either to himself or Nathyrra I wasn't sure.
"So then," I started with a wry smile over my shoulder at the two of them. "Who's a lady gotta kill to prove themselves?"
He made a nondescript sound that may have been a chuckle. "Indeed." he drew out. "Prove yourself against the Valsharess, and then we will know you are who they say you are, Emma."
I fought a grimace at his choice of wording.
Sure. Easy-peasy.
With a groan, I pushed back to my feet, rolling my shoulders.
"We're going to have to sell what we can, and stock up," I shrugged in a way I hoped was apologetic. "I need to buy some better boots," I wiggled my toes.
The leather binding holding my shoes in place was almost completely mismatched from numerous repairs, and what little of the fur that remained around the opening was crusty with who-knows-what.
"Keep an eye out for something that'll help me see better in low-light, too," I asked of the drow by our side. She quirked a snowy white eyebrow at my easy admittance of weakness. I shifted my unstrung bow and quiver to my side. "What I'd do to be able to see properly again," I continued wistfully to myself.
I'd need that and some better protection for myself — I wasn't going to make it far without more magical intervention.
Even with everything I knew...
Shaking my head, I pushed the thought aside. We'd start with the weaker enemies, avoid the non-essentials, and improve our equipment as we went.
If you can count anything as a weak enemy in the Underdark…
I rubbed absently at my upper arm, where a drow's poisoned blade had nicked me just the day before.
I pushed that thought aside. Focus on acquainting yourself with the Seer's camp first, then you can worry about how you want to die.
I pulled my pack onto my back with more enthusiasm than I felt.
Meanwhile, Valen had scooped up his own substantially lighter pack from the ground, before raising an eyebrow expectantly.
"Well," I said with a smirk. "Let go work on that trust."
Then, squaring my shoulders, I pushed open the heavy door, and stepped out into the dark streets of Lith My'athar.
THEN
God, it was bright.
Big and blue and bright.
I squinted, raising a hand in an attempt to shield my eyes from the unrelenting sky above.
Where the shit was I?
I sat up, wrapping my arms around myself as I realised just how god-damn cold it was, despite the sky's welcoming colour. Goosebumps appeared along my bare arms and I rubbed my pale skin. I exhaled deeply, a plume of mist escaping my chapped lips.
I knew I needed to get up, but my head was foggy and I couldn't quite remember how I'd ended up here.
Where was here?
The wind cut deep with a shrill howl, chilling me to the bone.
Where did you leave your jacket?
I looked around in panic, my eyes darting about the… grassy hilltops?
They stretch as far as the eye could see, frost capping the tops of each unkempt blade of grass. A scattering of small yellow flowers waved erratically at me. I could just make out the tops of trees in the distance, the leaves glistening like a mirage. I caught the brief streak of a large bird as it dipped into the trees and out of sight.
I scrambled to my feet, suddenly very desperate to be up. The grass crunched beneath my bare toes, damp and numbingly cold.
"Where am I?" I whispered into the wind.
The wind howled.
I turned in a full circle, suddenly worried I might not be alone, but it was the same green nothing on all sides.
What happened?
I'd been at home. There'd been a bottle of red wine on the bench.
I fell asleep on the couch.
My memory faded around the edges, but I could clearly remember one barely touched glass on the coffee table. It had been an early night.
Maybe sleep walking? I usually did that when I had too much on my mind… I think the last few weeks would definitely count…
I let that idea die, as I was overcome with a violent tremble. It was too cold — too new. I didn't walk here from home.
I held myself tight, and I walked. Straight ahead and towards the trees.
One cold foot in front of the other.
As I pushed through the chill, I reached into my jeans' pocket and pulled out my mobile.
Thank shit. I breathed a sigh of relief. It had a couple more hours of battery life left in it. More than enough to get me home, surely.
My stomach dropped. No reception.
I lifted it above my head as I walked, turning in a circle. Nothing. Of course lifting it higher didn't work. Why would that ever work?
Emergency Calls Only, my screen mocked me.
Not yet, I told myself as I shoved my unhelpful phone back into my pocket.
Don't panic. Someone will be able to help me and make sense of where I am. I'll find a sign. A road. Something.
I felt the wind urging me on, my hair blowing away from my face as I walked up the crest of a hill — towards the trees. My nose stung from the biting cold, but I forced myself to breathe evenly.
Then, I jolted at the shrill call of what could only be a bird.
A woman's head suddenly bobbed up into my field of vision, long brown hair billowing around her shoulders in an unruly mane. Then the rest of her appeared, as she crested the hill and started towards me.
We took each other in, silently.
What on Earth…
And that's when I realised — I'd lost my mind.
NOTEBOOK EXTRACT
Jane's messy handwriting covers a double-spread, outlining what appears to be an inventory summary, come shopping list.
This list is followed by a crudely drawn map of Lith My'athar, with the different merchant's circled.
Belt:
Throwing knives, non-magical, 3
Longsword, Enserric - sell?
Potion of full heal, 3 - always need more!
Rogue stones, 2 - again, always need more!
Wearing:
Greenleaf armour - would look cool as fuck if it wasn't so damn green
Cloak - warm… that's it. Buy a new one?
Bracers of dexterity - see how much an upgrade would cost
Old leather boots - needs replacing (Boots of Striding?)
Amulet of Natural Armor - looks like an okay quality one…
My ring on necklace
Ring of protection - missing a stone and pretty battered, upgrade if money left over
Cursed (?) ring
Belt of Agility - seems like it's really good quality, very noticeable difference when wearing it
Valiantheart Longbow - needs upgrading
Quiver - needs desperate restocking
Satchel:
Healing kit - ask Nathyrra about any useful local flora
Poison's bag
Potion's case - need a few more Potions of Cat's Grace
Random components box - don't open; stinks!
This notebook - need a new one, almost full
Relic of the Reaper. This is followed by a small — but very detailed — drawing of a hand giving the middle finger.
Rod of Resurrection, 3 charges left (triple-shit!)
Waterskin
Djinn bottle
Gem of brightness
Wooden goblet - gift from the dryad near Hilltop
Pack:
Throwing knives, non-magical, 5
Rope, 20m
Flint and steel
Rations, 5 days worth - Undermountain desperately needs an Uber Eats
Tea Case: Loose herbal tea and tea bag cloth - running low
Blanket
Cup, cutlery, bowl and saucepan
Shadows of Undrentide by Deekin Scalesinger. This is followed by a lovingly drawn music note.
Timber torch and rags
Money pouch - too light!
Bag of Holding:
Dagger, Ice Talon - for Nathyrra?
Deck of Hazards - not sure if it's worth the risk of trying? Should probably sell it…
Brooch of Shielding
Unidentifiable wands, 3 - See if Nathyrra or Valen can identify and either give to her or sell
Belt of Strength - Not sure on quality, see if Valen wants it, or sell
Armour of freedom - sell
Drow full plate, 1 - good quality, sell
Drow leather armour, 3 - varying qualities, sell
Robe of Eyes - sell
Shadow Robe - looks hot as fuck, plus nifty concealment enchantments. This is crossed out, followed by: sell
Shiver-ring - might be good for Cania?
A pouch of gems and decorative jewelry of varying colours, sizes and quality
Quiver:
Standard arrows, 19
Magically enhanced arrows, 2
Poison arrows, 3 - need to make more, talk to Nathyrra?
Urgent: Need something to help see in the dark!