Flight from the Darkness

Legal disclaimer: Nothing that is clearly owned by Black Isle or other people is owned by Magicman, though Smokegirl may claim otherwise.

Magicman: Damn straight! Ahem. Hello once more beloved fans of Baldurs Gate. I am pleased to see you all again. I've got some new and interesting gimmicks in store for Taurus Halfbreed and all the other 'characters'.

NPCs: Hey!

Smokegirl: You want some of this! (brandishes a pair of suspiciously evil looking swords)

NPCs: (sit down and shut up)

Magicman: As I was about to say, our story continues some time after the companions escaped from Spellhold. Taurus and his friends have traveled far in search of Jon Irenicus. Much has been stolen from them, including the lives of friends and loved ones but they have been reunited with young Imoen, revealed to be Taurus' half-sister. Still, even though the small group is once again whole, somehow their situation has become darker than ever…

IIIIIII

Shouts of encouragement and jeers of derision rang through the pit but neither combatant paid them any attention. They were sizing each other up cautiously.

The great beholder glared hatefully at the small, pathetic morsel it had been given. It was another of the black skinned creatures that imprisoned it and this angered the beast. Their flesh was weak and flavourless. Anxious to be rid of this pest and return to the solitude of its cage the beholder roared. It began to charge up its central eye for a powerful killing strike.

The puny one stood his ground, his hands resting lightly on a pair of swords at his slim waist. When the beholder had gathered enough energy it released it with a furious roar. The deadly energy bolt glowed white as it streaked toward its target. Had it hit, the drow's life would have been extinguished in an instant.

The drow sidestepped to the left, allowing the beholder's death ray to strike harmlessly against the stone wall of the pit. Mildly surprised, the beholder was quick to charge another death ray and fire it, hoping to catch its meal off balance. When this ray missed, it fired another, and another, becoming steadily angry as it did so. Now determined to slay this impudent creature that dare challenged his power, the beast unleashed its full strength. Its multitude of lesser eyes burned viciously and let loose with a flurry of crackling lightning, hissing enchantment's and wailing necromancy spells. The normally dark fighting pit became a screaming storm of light from the force of the beholder's magic.

The drow could no longer simply sidestep these attacks. Now he was forced to run and dodge, flipping and whirling in a backbreaking series of contortions. Once a burst of lightning flew by his face, lightly burning the skin but he did not flinch. He kept up this impossible defence for over a minute, while his foe grew ever angrier. Faced with the horrible inadequacy of its power the beholder rushed forward, its jaws gaping open to receive its stubborn meal. And that was when the drow made hiscounterattack.

The instant the magical hail stopped the drow whispered three words of magic. Immediately the air filled with a glittering powder substance. It did not bother his eyes any but the beholder's many eyes were immediately dazzled by the sudden lights. And when the dust made contact with the monster it shrieked in alarm. The magical glitter dust immediately embedded itself within the creature's skin and burrowed deep into the sensitive membrane of its eyes. The mighty beholder had been blinded.

The drow watched his foe float for several seconds. He observed how it twisted and turned with all of its eyes, trying desperately to catch the slightest iota of light in the underground fighting pit. Then he pulled forth one gleaming katana, glowing from the heavy enchantments that it had been imbued with at its creation. The beholder seemed to hear the sound and threw itself at the drow, its jagged teeth gleaming. The drow extended the arm holding the katana and held it steady. The beholder ran itself through.

The drow watched as his suddenly dead foe jerked and twitched, ignoring the blood that rushed over his arm and onto his chest. When the eyestalks ceased their erratic motions he planted one foot on the corpse and shoved it off. He sighed at the body and shook his head. "Why is it that weaklings like you always challenge your betters? You weren't even worth killing."

Gradually the drow became aware of applause and cheers surrounding him. Glancing up he saw many drow, men and women cheering the victor. The pit keeper waved his hands in an attempt to gain their attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" he shouted, waving his hand with a theatrical flair, "I present to you the victor, Veldrin of Ched Nasad!"

IIIIIII

Ust Natha was pretty much like any surface city. It was a clutter of organised chaos. Merchants dominated the square in front of the city gates, ambassadors from the illithids and githyanki congregated in fortress-like embassies, and the common drow roamed everywhere, on business for their matron mother or for their own survival. Every now and then a procession of guards and one very powerful female marched through the crowds, hurling aside those too slow to move. And of course the city was crawling with spiders. The strong ruled, the weak served, and both were in constant flux. Also the citizens still found time to enjoy life in between house wars and invasions of neighbours. The tavern was a good place to rest and relax and it was in the tavern that Taurus and Jaheira now sat. Minsc was asleep, Imoen was roaming the city, and Viconia had convinced Aerie to pay a visit to the city's merchant bazaar, no doubt to spend all the gold Taurus had just won from slaying the beholder.

"Well" Taurus commented as he looked into his glass of amber liquid, "I must say that we seem to be off to a good start. One day here and we've already earned the attention of a powerful house, made an impression in the fighting pits, and we haven't even been executed for traitors yet. I'm even starting to feel at home."

Jaheira snorted quietly, sipping at her bitter drink with a grimace and thinking longingly of her teabags that had been lost when Havarian's ship sank. "Just remember what we came here for" she spoke, keeping her voice down. "Don't get too caught up in your acting. We'll likely have to betray someone to get those eggs so I wouldn't recommend forming any attachments."

Taurus shrugged lazily. "Don't worry about me. I'll do what needs to be done but nothing more."

"I don't think you really needed to go and fight all the monsters Szordin had in the pit."

"I was bored and needed to relax."

"By killing monsters and demons?"

"Just a little entertainment among drow. I got to have some fun and show off in front of the city at the same time. Plus I got paid and managed to get some information out of Szordin." Taurus threw back his head and swallowed the contents of his glass, savouring the fire as the liquor burned its way down his throat. When he was finished he put the glass back with a loud thump and continued. "Szordin told me that security around the temple of Lolth has been tightening lately. The Handmaidens are preparing for something big; they've been trying to get their hands on all kinds of interesting herbs and other ingredients."

"How do you know that?"

"Szordin delivers slaves to the temple often. But there's something else. Security around the temple is centering on the treasury."

Jaheira drew in a breath. "There's something very valuable in there then. The eggs?"

"If not them then maybe a clue to finding them."

"We'll never get close enough to find out. We'll have to wait for an opportunity." Jaheira sipped her drink again. "Drow politics should give us one before to long. Perhaps in the meantime you should keep being friendly with Szordin."

Taurus didn't answer. Instead he poured himself another drink form the pitcher in the middle of the table and stood up. "Maybe I'll go check out the rest of the inn" he told Jaheira. "Szordin said there's an arena where I can fight trained drow warriors instead of a few monsters."

Jaheira blinked, surprised at the thought. "Why would you bother?"

Taurus only grinned a Viconiaesque grin and strolled casually over to a corner of the inn Jaheira hadn't explored yet.

Left with her thoughts, Jaheira waited at her table while drow milled about her in laughter and in quarrel. 'Life is getting too interesting' she thought morosely.

IIIIIII

Aerie and Viconia returned not long after. To Jaheira the avariel looked relieved beyond words but Viconia just looked bored. Bored and clean.

"So have you been enjoying the sights?" the druid asked by way of greeting.

Viconia smirked. "Indeed." She stroked a hand through her long hair. "The salons are still open. It has been far too long since my hair was this clean!"

Aerie slumped down into the seat Taurus had vacated. "I had to wait outside while she was being pampered. I swear that every drow in that market was watching me from the corner of their eye."

"Probably. They're likely spying on us for their clans."

"That doesn't make me feel any better" Aerie snapped.

Viconia laughed while Jaheira sighed. Ever since the group had hit the Underdark in pursuit of Irenicus Aerie had been very temperamental and waspish. She was feeling the instinctive claustrophobia of her winged race combined with fear of the drow and it was making her difficult to live with. Privately Jaheira though that the young elf had been exposed to Viconia for so long that she was reacting to fear with hostility.

Jaheira passed the pitcher over to the girls while Viconia grabbed two glasses from a passing male, who reeled back in surprise. As she filled the glasses Jaheira filled her in on what Taurus had said. She finished the exposition and leaned back in her chair. "I never thought this job would be easy but it's getting even more complicated than I thought."

"You don't know the half of it. You remember that woman we rescued from the Mindflayers? Apparently she's the oldest daughter of the strongest house in the city. What was her name again?"

"Phaere of house Despana."

Viconia nodded to Aerie. "I was more concerned with the flayers at the time but when we returned to the city I checked around. Apparently house Despana has only recently risen to such power. Also nearly all of their soldiers have been removed from the city barracks for duty closer to the surface." She raised one delicate white eyebrow. "Sounds suspicious, hmm? Especially if you consider the build up in the temple, which I might add is where the matron of Despana has her quarters."

Aerie snorted. "Meaning that we'll probably have to deal with that witch before we can take back the eggs." She shook her head forcefully and drank from her mug. "I hate this place already but I'll bet my right hand that house Despana is going to make things worse. Just try and prove me wrong!"

Viconia laughed again while Jaheira considered this new information. Her musings were interrupted by sudden shouts and angry voices off in the direction of the arena. Her heart clenched in her chest while the others looked over there curiously. "That's where Taurus went earlier" she explained to them then pushed back her chair and hurried over to the scene.

There was a small crowd gathered around two individuals. Imoen was among the crowd, her arms crossed and looking amused. She nodded her head as Jaheira arrived. "You're just in time for the fun" she greeted. "Veldrin is antagonising the local tough guy."

"Is that wise?"

"He was bored; you tell me."

Jaheira watched the ensuing battle of words, cursing to herself under her breath.

Taurus was facing a drow who was taller and more muscular than most, though he was still half a head shorter than Taurus. The new drow gestured violently and Taurus just rolled his eyes.

"I watched your recent match" he spoke scornfully. "Four on one? You were clearly their superior in strength and experience."

"Wretch!" snarled the drow. "I am Laosonar! The pride of the Fighter Guild! I have slain hundreds in the wars with the surface elves and the Illithids! The Kuo Toans in the west fear my name! How dare you disrespect me?"

"Very easily. The only worthy opponent of a drow warrior is another drow." Taurus curled his lip, snarling viciously. "But you disgrace that creed! You fight children and call it a glorious victory! You are no object of pride."

"You are an outsider to Ust Natha!" Laosonar snapped. "Know your place! You are below all here, and as such your insults mean nothing! You don't have the position to criticise my skill." That said he began to turn away.

Taurus smirked. "Coward."

Laosonar froze in mid turn and Taurus continued. "You are a coward and not worthy to be drow." The drow glared at Taurus with such malevolence that Jaheira could only flinch.

"I will see you in the arena" Laosonar ground out.

Taurus bowed mockingly. "Lead the way."

As the two fighters turned to the iron door that was the pit's entrance Jaheira swore under her breath again. "Why does he do this to me?" she growled helplessly to Imoen. "We do not need him getting killed in some god forsaken fighting pit!"

Imoen grinned. "Don't worry about Veldrin" she said, using the drow name for the benefit of any listening. "He can take care of himself. And all these people around means more pockets to pick." With that she stepped back and vanished into the gathering crowd.

"She's right you know." Jaheira turned and saw Viconia and Aerie approach from behind. The drow woman seemed to be enjoying the spectacle and the avariel was trying to make herself look smaller. "Our darling leader is just blowing off steam. Let him have his fun. A fight to the death is good for confidence. Maybe you should try one, eh butterfly?"

Aerie just glared at Viconia.

Ignoring the others, Jaheira watched as the fight coordinator, whose name she didn't know, spoke the terms. The fight would be to the death or until one of the combatants gave up. Jaheira winced at that. Taurus wouldn't give up. The other condition was the winner gaining the loser's weapon. Jaheira winced again. Taurus would rather be mauled by demons than give up his swords.

"And without further ado" the fight coordinator continued, "I pronounce this duel open!"

Laosonar drew his blade, a long bastard sword that gleamed in the dark. Every now and then a flicker of fire would lick up the blade. He held it vertically so Taurus could see its power.

Taurus sneered at the presentation and drew Celestial Fury with his right hand. He let the golden blade crackle with electricity for several seconds before drawing the Blade of Roses with his left hand. With two weapons he had a clear advantage. Then he grinned and tossed the Blade of Roses off to the side and adopted a fighting stance suitable for one weapon.

It was a clear insult and Laosonar's eyes darkened with fury. Growling, he rushed at Taurus who met him halfway.

Viconia watched the fight with growing interest, particularly in Taurus' taunting tactics. "He really can be quite luscious when he wants to be" she murmured mostly to herself.

A harsh voice broke in on Viconia's inner musing. "Your associate is very skilled."

Viconia turned and met the gaze of a drow priestess. She didn't recognise the house insignia that decorated her adamantine armour but she was clearly highly placed in the city's hierarchy. Right now this priestess was watching Viconia through narrowed eyes. She sensed the challenge in those eyes and smiled frostily.

"Indeed" she said. "He has survived far worse than Laosonar's boasting. It makes me wish that I owned him for myself."

"Better for you that you do not. Laosonar is my favourite male and his honour is important to my house. If your associate defeats him I will be forced to kill him myself."

"You would not succeed. He has seen worse than you as well."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "You clearly have no idea who I am. I am Challinthra, priestess of house Dradano. I am the one who leads my house in prayers to mother Lolth and who administers punishment to those who fail my matron. Your foolish male would have no chance against my powers." Challinthra's eyes shifted to Aerie past Viconia's shoulder and sniffed. "And neither would either of you, so do not seek to interfere!"

Viconia smirked but said nothing. Aerie just watched the antagonistic drow woman, her small fists clenching and unclenching.

In the arena Taurus was enjoying himself mightily. So far Laosonar had managed to keep even with him in every blow. However, Taurus was using only one weapon and both of them knew it. But Laosonar was experienced enough to not grow angry at the mocking.

Instead of flailing, Laosonar thrust surgically at Taurus, hoping to discover some weakness to exploit. Instead each of his blows was struck aside and met by a counter blow forcing him to surrender the space he had gained with the previous swing. For his part, Taurus was just trying to make Laosonar over extend his reach, ripening him for a swing that would gut him, or at least incapacitate him. It was a maddening process that led the combatants around the arena in the quest for each other's blood.

Suddenly Taurus's foot seemed to slip under a small patch of pebbles and collapsed under him. Surprised, he swung wildly to keep Laosonar at bay while he tried to stand up.

Laosonar stepped back and waited with his sword in the parry position. He did not advance.

After a second Taurus laughed and stood up. He nodded toward Laosonar. "You're better than I thought. I'll have to start trying against you."

"Do not take me lightly" the drow warned. "It will be your doom if you do!"

"You're competent, I'll give you that." Taurus' icy eyes froze up entirely. "But you have know idea what you're up against."

Taurus attacked, drawing his katana back for a surgical thrust. His feet pounding against the stone floor rose dust. Laosonar's eyes flashed at the opportunity and swung hard at his legs, intending to cut them off at the knee. But Taurus saw it coming from a mile a way. He killed all of his forward momentum, let the blade pass by then rushed into its wake. Laosonar's eyes had only a moment to reflect surprised horror as Taurus' sword darted for his face. Then Taurus reversed the stroke, hammering his opponent in the forehead with the jewelled pommel.

The blow knocked the drow back. Taurus grabbed his arm and yanked him forward, slamming his fist into Laosonar's jaw. This time when the drow slumped to the stone floor Taurus let him fall. He surveyed his comatose foe with an amused smirk on his face.

"Heh. So much for the pride of the Fighter Guild" he mocked. His eyes drifted to Laosonar's impressive sword. On a whim, he pried the blade from the man's fingers. Visually scanning it for a moment, he nodded in satisfaction. Then he sheathed his katana then picked up and sheathed the Blade of Roses before taking his prize from the arena, ignoring the cheering crowd.

In that cheering crowd Viconia was smirking with intense satisfaction at the look of displeasure on Chalinthra's face. "Well priestess of house Dradano, the time has come for you to show your power. I hope that a lowly male will not be too much for you."

Chalinthra didn't seem angry. The annoyed look was quickly displaced by a sly narrowing of the eyes. "I believe I shall collar him" she said. "It seems that Laosonar was weak. Your male will make an excellent replacement."

Aerie laughed, her normally melodious voice laden with scorn. When she finished, she grinned. "He'll cut you in half."

Challinthra sneered nastily at Aerie but didn't answer. She turned toward Taurus and began pushing her way through the crowd. The males parted like water for her but Taurus noticed her stalking gait and paused in his own stride to meet her.

Aerie watched her go, amused. A month ago she would have been afraid for Taurus but by now she had seen how strong he was. More importantly, he was driven to get his soul back. No one like Challinthra would be able to break past that drive, though she thought it was strange sometimes. He didn't seem quite like himself.

Aerie's thoughts were interrupted as she felt hot breath on her ear lobe, making her jerk slightly. "I think that you would have made an impressive drow" Viconia whispered into her ear. Her voice was low enough for only Aerie to hear.

The avariel shook her head slightly. "I doubt it" she whispered back. "I'm afraid all the time down here. What kind of drow is so afraid?"

Viconia grinned. "Don't kid yourself. Every drow is afraid. Males fear females who fear the matrons who fear Lolth. But they all hide it and are determined to stay strong. So do you; the way you stood up to the priestess was amusing." She stroked Aerie's hair lightly for a moment and made a face. "Your hair is covered with cobwebs and monster guts! I am taking you out to the salon tonight. And don't start arguing!" Viconia cut off the ensuing argument. "Nobody deserves hair mussed this badly. Besides" she added, leaning forward to whisper in her ear again, "Let's just leave our darling to his fun. He can be quite frisky after a fight, hmm?"

Aerie felt her cheeks heating but a chorus of shouts distracted her attention. In the fighting pit Taurus had just decapitated Challinthra after cutting off an arm. The fight coordinator stepped forth and let out a booming shout. "I am proud to announce the winner, Veldrin of Ched Nasad!" The crowd roared in bloodlust for a time until the coordinator shouted them down. "Are there any other challengers for this most potent male?"

A cacophony of challenges rang out through the tavern. Viconia smirked.

"I imagine that our darling will be quite frisky tonight, butterfly. I had better get you prettied up for him." She pulled her reluctant elf friend from tavern and out into the organised chaos of the city as the challenges kept coming.

Life in the drow city was indeed getting very interesting.

IIIIIII

Magicman: And so it begins…

Daevan: Since this is a part 2 story, shouldn't it be 'so it continues'?

Magicman: …Let me ponder that for a bit.

Smokegirl: Take your time.

Daevan: In the meantime, thanks go out to those of you who have made it this far! Hopefully the mayhem counter will rise to epic proportions, but for now I hope that you enjoyed this opener designed to illustrate the current situation and mindset of the characters.

Smokegirl: (waves swords in air) See you next time! (swords emit massive wave of evil energy, a scream is heard from the next room) oO Wow. Nice shot.

Daevan: xX