Disclaimer: I own nothing.
/For Wildfly/
The Revels Continue
Followers of Sharess, goddess of sensuality and hedonism, do not have a particular date chosen to honor their patron's name. Instead they happily attend to any secular or holy celebration they are aware of all throughout the year. This collective festival is known as the Endless Revels of Life. The Sharessians can always find a way to entertain themselves, get inside a private party and become a center of attention. However, even though most of the faithful agree that without risk there can be no real excitement, outward sadism or ruining one's mind with Black Lotus are considered a blunt lack of taste. If offered such 'amusements' a priest of Sharess walks away, offended.
But even if a party turns out to be a complete disaster there is always another night. And so the Revels continue.
***
„A tiefling, a kobold and a drow walk into a bar..." she began the old joke leaning forward over the table, resting her chin on her interlaced palms.
"Wait. I think I know this one." Valen interrupted her with a smile, kissing her lips softly, casting a great shadow on her face as he also inclined to her.
"But I like it…" she pouted, earning another kiss.
"You do know that the entire tavern is staring?" Nathyrra interrupted the two lovebirds. It was true. From the moment they entered they were in the centre of attention, and even as they were sitting by their table waiting for the dinner to be served new people were coming inside to watch the strange companionship. And strange it was indeed. A woman so beautiful that could pass as a nymph, with long hair in dark brown color flowing in a lazy cascade on her back, a man taller than any full-blood human, with slightly bent horns and a tail lashing from under his light cloak, a drow woman blending with the shadows, even when there didn't seem to be any, and a kobold on top of that, with red leathery wings at its back that could be easily hidden under his gaudy cloak were he not flapping them constantly in excitement.
Everybody was staring, yes, but no one confronted them, there wasn't even a smallest sign of hostility towards the specimens of most dreaded races on the surface and below Faerun, only pure curiosity. And when they entered the inn, the innkeeper called Green Marco served them a free round, raising his cup in Varia's direction. Of course he wasn't the only one that recognized the half-elven priestess. Many men rose from their sits to eagerly welcome the returning Sharess' devoted follower. Most of them resigned however, when Valen put his arm around her waist.
Nathyrra was used to this already. No matter where they went or how backwoods the village they made their rest in was, there always was someone who knew Varia well enough to pay for their drinks or offer them a quiet corner under his roof. All eyes were turned on the half-elf and Nathyrra silently suspected that it didn't as much as cross anybody's mind to hold any prejudice against either of her companions. Just as if she was surrounded with some sort of aura, creating a world free of any discrimination, where different meant just as much as exotic. Only Valen was regularly earning fierce glares, but that had nothing to o with his infernal blood.
"The Apple Core", the place where they were taking their well-deserved rest today, was even friendlier than usual house owned by Varia's admirers, and much more luxurious than the name sounded, the best inn in town. The owner was tolerant enough not to mind Nathyrra sitting in the kitchen as their dinner was being prepared, watchful in case of someone tried to poison them, and didn't object when she proclaimed that she would serve the meal herself, so that nothing could be slipped into it. And when Marco saw her handling three plates at once along with cups full of beer without spilling a drop she got an offer of work as a serving wench. She took it for a compliment. Now she wondered how she could show off her skills with a knife, in hopes for a position of a cook.
The drow assassin put the plates and the cups in a neat order on the table the three of them were occupying.
"Completely poison free" she said a bit louder to get through the pink mist that seemed to surround the minds of her two friends. "Unless you count dead spiders." Nathyrra made what she hoped was a humoristic comment, trying hard not to use sarcasm. It took some time for Deekin to teach her the basics of surfacer's sense of humor, but she was an eager and devoted student, and after grasping the general concept she was getting better every day.
She took a sit on a sturdy chair, that even if saw a brawl or two, still looked stable and clean. The only complaint Nathyrra could express about the place concerned a forlorn dwarf standing on a small platform, who was twisting his braided black beard while trying to captivate the patrons with a romantic ballade. So far Nathyrra didn't feel even remotely captivated.
"I love you more" Varia cooed to Valen, looking at the giant tiefling with eyes that spoke of melting butter, teeth-eroding sweetness, bare-naked babies with wings and tiny bows, and other things alike. 'Or maybe I just had enough of romantics for my entire life' Nathyrra thought.
"No, I love you more" Valen replied, also smiling like a fool. What this 'love' was doing to one's mind to make him behave like that? If Nathyrra told Valen five months ago that he would be having this sickly-sweet argument she would be most likely torn to pieces. Her world was turned upside down in more ways than one since then, but there ought to be some limits, for Eilistraee's sake!
She nudged the half-elf under the rib when they continued the 'quarrel', steadfastly ignoring the food she brought getting cold without their attention. And then she pointed the small stage by the bar, where a new performer was taking the place no longer occupied by the dwarf and his weepy ballads.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" A loud and more than croaky voice, belonging to a kobold seemingly too small to produce it, greeted the audience. "Deekin Scalesinger, a bard of some renown…" Here Deekin bowed spectacularly, flapping his shiny red wings. Few gasps could be heard from those who still expected them to be fake and bet some money on it. "…has the unquestionable honor to entertain you this evening with a ballade, finished only today!" Every 'r' in his speech was carefully accented. "A tale titled… 'Hordes of Underdark'!"
Nathyrra felt rather than saw, Varia'del tensing like a spring.
Only to exhale loudly half an hour later. The ballad wasn't describing what happened in the Underdark. Or rather was, but not exactly the way it happened. Deekin neglected some of the facts, added others, never outwardly lying, but stretching the truth like the noblewoman sitting behind them was stretching her far too tight dress. The ballad was about everything in general and nothing in particular, but still remained fascinating and moving. A true bardic masterpiece.
The song didn't mention that she betrayed the Seer. It didn't say that she left her friends to die. Not a word mentioned that she opened the city gates to their enemies and run away like a coward. When a jolly applause rewarded Deekin's performance and Green Marco sent another round of complimentary drinks their way she didn't feel she deserved it, quite the contrary. She stole a glance at Valen. His jaw was tense and his fist were clenching and unclenching under the table, an evident sign of his inner struggle. His tail was leashing back and forth like an angered snake, drawing attention from other patrons.
Varia abruptly got from her seat, circled the round table and hopped on her love's lap, her arms surrounding his neck, putting one hand into his red hair – color so intense that other red things varying from blood to roses could only use it as an example, an unrivalled perfection. And then the priestess of Sharess, goddess of sensuality did all she could to make him forgive, or at least to forget.
"Ahm!" A sound of someone clearing throat made her recall vaguely that they were still in the middle of a crowded common room. But then again… She caught Valen's hand as he began to release her from the tight embrace. One more kiss couldn't hurt.
"Valen?" Nathyrra tried to help the throat-clearer.
And maybe two couldn't either.
"Varia!!!"
The half-elf looked around a bit dazzled. She felt good, warm and far too comfortable to be bothered with minor issues. Judging from Valen's contented expression he'd rather mind being interrupted too.
"What?!" he snarled at the woman who tried to get their attention for few minutes already.
"You haven't changed one bit, have you Varia?" Ayala the Scout stood before the pair, hands on her hips giving the impression of irritation, but smile on her face not quite agreeing with such pose. A worn cloak, boots, which saw the mud of many roads and dungeons, and a bow on her shoulder made her look as if she just walked out from the forest. And it was probably a correct first impression. "Braving the Undermountain, the Underdark and the Hells in few days, only to throw yourself all over the most handsome man you happen to stumble across afterwards."
"It is a rather accurate description." Varia gave Valen a playful nudge, smiling widely. "Valen is the most handsome man I happened to stumble across.
"And I hope you are all for me rather all over me, my love, though I don't mind either." Valen seemed to forget all about his anger as well.
"Who are you and what is your business with us?" Nathyrra asked in sullen note Deekin did not train his way through yet.
"Nice elf lady Ayala." The kobold appeared by the table carrying a big and heavy-looking bag filled with tips he received for his performance. "Nice elf lady is a…"
A slim hand clasped the reptilian mouth before the last word was uttered.
"I am trying to work undercover here!" Ayala pointed out that they were still in the inn, still closely watched by most of the patrons, interested either in a strange mix of races they were creating, or in Valen and Varia's recent activities.
"You may be right…" Varia muttered, somehow managing to look surprised by the fact that so many people were staring so shamelessly at them. "Let's talk in my room."
***
"So… What brings you here?" Varia dared to ask when the full-blood elf finished setting all her anti-scrying gizmos and charms in every possible free space of the room and finally sat with them by the table. "I haven't seen you since Drogan's funeral. Thanks for the letter by the way."
"I was looking for you actually. I heard you are in town." Ayala frowned looking at Valen and Nathyrra, obviously worrying about whether or not she should trust them, but she didn't have much choice. As always Varia'del didn't even consider as trivial matter as secrecy was. "It's Harper business. There is a matter of utmost delicacy that I am somewhat unable to handle. Your help would make my task much easier."
"Sure, I'll help" Varia agreed readily. "What's the problem?"
"Shouldn't you ask that before you agreed to help?" Valen smiled when Varia sent him a mocking kiss. Then he noticed the condescending look Ayala was giving him, almost saying out loud 'How little you know'. He felt instant dislike towards the elf.
A group of priests of Sune was attacked a ten-day ago" the Harper once again addressed Varia. "Six priests on a pilgrimage, who carelessly chose to cross Anauroch via the Black Road, taking only four men with them as an escort. They were carrying a relic of the waterdhavian temple, the Mirror of Sune, but it is not confirmed whether or not that was the reason of the attack. All we know… The entire group has been slaughtered on the edge of the desert, every valuable item they possessed stolen. No one survived. I did not see the place of the massacre, but I read the reports. The bodies were said to be ripped to pieces. I don't know what kind of bandits would do something like that. I'm not even sure those were bandits."
"That's why you are sending us, yes? We are dispensable so you can send us to better gauge what is in there, depending how it kills us?" Nathyrra stopped when Deekin threw her a meaningful look. "…I'm already looking forward to it." She tried to joke. The kobold's frown lessened somewhat.
"Deekin is sure nice elf lady Ayala means us no harm!" Deekin flapped his wings few times, apparently without even realizing.
"That's not the real problem" Ayala sent a smile Deekin's way. "There are many among the Harpers who had dealt with many dangerous beasts already. It is part of our job to be prepared, whatever happens."
"So what is the problem?" Nathyrra tried to sound interested and excited, to make up for her pessimistic comment.
"I'm getting to it. After they were informed about the misfortunate event, the priests of Sune from the temple in Waterdeep required assistance from Harpers. We are an allied group after all, and we always strive to keep the realms a safe place. We were to retrieve the Mirror and bring the culprits to justice. However, they have also hired a band of mercenaries to join us in this task. Namely Lawn Kierkson and his barbarians."
"Ouch."
"Ups." Deekin and Varia reacted instantly looking as if Ayala just told them that a meteor signed 'from Mystra' fell on the newly build hidden quarter of the Harpers, but neither Nathyrra nor Valen seemed to have heard that name before.
"Who is this Lawn?" the weaponmaster asked.
"A man famous for his dislike to all organizations, Harpers especially." Varia said so quickly that she choked, answering before Ayala managed to open her mouth. The elf threw her an amused glance from under her long eyelashes. "And since he is an over seven feet tall barbarian warrior his feelings matter a lot. There's no way he would work with Ayala. Actually, knowing him, he'd gladly do every thing possible to get in her way."
"And you know him…?" Nathyrra sensed a decoy coming.
"Yes, kind of, we go way back." Again Varia almost bit her tongue off so fast she replied, trying not to let Ayala speak. "I won't have any problems. I think we should go find him right away. I haven't seen him for quite some time already. Four months I think."
'Four months.' Valen did a quick count in his head. Just before she came to the Underdark.
"If that's what you think…" There was something left unsaid, but whatever it was Ayala wasn't going to say it. "His band set a camp near Loudwater, it's nearby. From there they intend to go to Llorkh. They are waiting for the Harper agent to show up so don't be surprised if they set off without you."
"It's fine. With little help of magic we'll get there before the sunset. Let's go." Varia grinned at Valen with a smile he recognized as the one that always appeared on her face when she was hiding something. He decided to let it be. For now.
