"You're sure?"
"Absolutely."
The Shadowknight leaned back in her chair and regarded her companion, an Enchantress, through hooded eyes.
"My contacts assure me that their information is accurate." Kalamia pressed.
"They could be lying."
"They know better."
Lanari gave a grim laugh and inclined her head in acknowledgement of the truth of that statement.
"Think of it Nari," Kalamia's voice took on a wheedling tone. "Think of the power such a weapon would bring. All would respect, admire and fear Lanari Xicotl."
Lanari said nothing for a moment, pondering her friend's words. Kalamia had heard of a weapon being guarded by a wurm named Azdalin, who resided on the savage continent of Kunark. The weapon was reputedly so powerful that anyone using it could slay such fearsome creatures as wurms single-handedly. The Shadowknight cast a disdainful glance at the sword hanging on her belt. Yes, it had served her through many battles, but what Lanari craved more than anything was power, and it sounded as though this… this "wurmslayer" could help her greatly…
Struck by a sudden thought, she looked up.
"So what's in it for you Kal?"
Kalamia spread her hands in front of her, red eyes opening wide, the picture of innocence.
"Me? This is purely out of friendship Nari. You know you're like a sister to me…"
Lanari cut her off with a derisive laugh, her own violet eyes not looking away from her companion's.
"And as we are so close, I know full well that you would not be here offering me this opportunity if you would not somehow benefit from my searching for the weapon."
The Teir'Dal knight chuckled at the scowl that crossed Kal's face, marring the innocent look.
"What are you after Kal?" Lanarie continued. "Supremacy? Helping me gain influence will hardly aid you if that is the case. You know that both our guilds frown on how we work together - A knight of Innoruuk the companion of an agnostic Enchantress! So what is it then?"
Kalamia looked away for a long moment, studying the fish that could be seen through the bar's underwater window.
"While gathering information on the Wurmslayer, my contacts also heard of a spell," she said at last. "A spell that allows one to take on the form of an Iksar. However, to get it requires a dangerous quest, which I can't complete on my own. I was hoping that once we were on Kunark, as I had aided you with the weapon, you would then return the favour and help me…"
Lanari tipped her seat back again, letting out a low whistle.
"Why didn't you just tell me this from the beginning?"
The Enchantress looked up, surprise showing on her face.
"I know your guild is… displeased with you for helping me on other quests. I didn't think that you would risk aiding me again."
"But Kal, think for a moment. An Iksar illusion… you could infiltrate their very cities, gain information that would be impossible to find any other way… Information that I'm sure both your superiors and mine would beg for. Under those circumstances, and with the Wurmslayer at my side, I am sure that my guild can be persuaded to turn a blind eye this time."
Kalamia nodded, her eyes sparkling.
"So you'll help me?"
Lanari grinned at her friend.
"Of course."
Raising her tankard, Kalamia toasted;
"To Kunark and the Wurmslayer."
"May Innoruuk guide us." Added Lanari, raising her glass in reply.
The two Dark Elves began to laugh in glee. Soon, they felt, they would have more power than they had ever dreamed possible…