Author's Note: This will hopefully finally wrap up the story of Alystin and Sabal. As a note for any new and soon to be confused reader, there is a romance in here between two women.
The shield dwarf shifted his axe on his shoulder as he walked beside the dark elf wizard. No one in the party was making a sound—a definite tension had settled on the group as they neared the City of Spiders. He glanced up at her. The lines of Alystin Druu'giir's face were composed, but devoid of the lightheartedness he had once associated with her. This past year had not been an easy one. Their endeavor had been plagued with surface and Underdark monsters alike, countless setbacks, and now the looming specter of Menzoberranzan. "Ye sure about this?" he asked finally, breaking the silence.
Aly looked over at her friend, grey eyes somber. "Thoroughly," she said. She was grateful for Storunn, for them all. "The tower is just up ahead. You don't have to follow. I'm forever in your debt for getting me this far."
"But we'll follow anyway," Camran said. The human priest of Sune offered her a smile when she hesitated and glanced over at him. He was a young man of average build with short, sandy hair and a neatly trimmed matching beard. His hazel eyes were perpetually friendly and warm, if worried at the moment.
They had all come. Her other two companions were quiet in their agreement with Camran's comment, nodding to her. Linnan Leafrunner, the halfling rogue she had grown so attached to, was checking the edge on his knife, just in case. Nendir was lingering at the back, hooded and shrouded to conceal his elven nature. He knew what perils he ran here, so close to the Spider Queen's city. "Are you certain she'll be there?" the surface elf asked as they broke out into a large cavern. He could barely make out the silhouette of a crumbling tower. "A Matron Mother is not going to be kind to you, Aly."
"She owes me," Alystin said without hesitation. She was confident of that much and Nedelyne Druu'giir was a woman who honored her debts, no matter who they were to. That meant she would undoubtedly be at the ruins. Besides, they had a history of cooperation and alliance going back centuries. If drow could ever be true friends, Aly and Nede were certainly that. The mage pulled up her own hood, almost vanishing into the darkness as her piwafwi's magic was activated.
As they approached the tower, the bittersweet pain in her chest returned. She remembered this tower clearly. It had been the first thing to jump to her mind when she needed a secure, secret space to meet with her old friend. Perhaps that had been a mistake, because now as she approached the spot, her thoughts strayed from the potential for present danger to the first time she'd kissed her lover. It had happened here, up in the tower. Clumsy, unexpected, and perfect. Aly's hands tightened into fists, one holding her staff even more tightly. She wasn't overly worried about an ambush or betrayal, not because she felt it was beyond Nede, but because she was significantly more powerful than she had been last she saw the Matron of House Druu'giir. How long had it been? It felt like lifetimes to even a long-lived dark elf like Aly, though she knew it had only been a couple of years.
"You should wait here," Aly said once they'd reached the standing archway that marked the entrance to the small ruined complex surrounding the tower. "I'll scream if something goes wrong."
"Oh, that makes us feel better," Linnan joked, though the humor in his voice sounded strained.
Aly flashed him a smile like summer lightning, there one moment and gone the next. "I'll be fine," she promised. "Just trust me."
"It's not you we're worried about," Nendir said quietly. "Be careful, Aly."
The drowess advanced alone into the ruins, alert for any sign of an armed presence. She didn't see anyone, but that didn't mean there was no ambush. Years of surviving by the skin of her teeth had taught her important lessons in caution. While she could afford to let her guard slip a little bit lower in Silverymoon under Alustriel's watchful eyes, she had no such luxury here in the depths.
There was a lone figure leaning against one of the stone walls, almost perfectly concealed. Alystin barely caught the outline—clearly another drow and a noble at that, if the enchantments were any indication. The wizard didn't relax, but she did pull her own hood down.
"It feels like it's been a long time, Aly," Nedelyne said, matching the gesture. She didn't look relieved to see her friend. Every muscle in the Matron's body was tense, strained even. She laughed, though, softly and darkly. "Coming back after everything is brave. Stupid, but brave. If the Church finds out you're here, they'll do unspeakable things to you."
"I know," Aly said. Her ring of truesight allowed her to see that this was, in fact, Nede and not a disguise. Alustriel's gift had been very helpful over the course of their journey. She could barely think through all of the feelings raging in her mind: fear, dread, relief, pain, and the faintest flickering of hope. For the first time, answers were within her grasp. However ugly the truth, knowing had to be better than this horrible limbo. That assumption didn't stop her head from whirling as she sat down on a low wall. "I just…is she…?"
Nede's expression softened slightly. "She's gone, Aly," the Matron said. She wasn't unsympathetic, despite the reputation of her station. There were very, very few people that Nedelyne felt invested in, but Aly was one of them despite her problematic relationship with the drow world. She wasn't certain exactly what the mage and her companions had done, but she knew it had earned the disfavor of Lloth in a colossal way. "You need to let this go and get out of here while you still can. She wouldn't have wanted you to throw your life away for a fever dream. Go live, be happy, start over."
Alystin combed her fingers through her hair, feeling that crushing despair settle into her chest. She wanted to break down and cry, but something wouldn't let her. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't completely believe it. Sabal A'Daragon had always been violently, fiercely alive. The idea of her dead and gone just didn't feel possible. "What happened to her body?" the wizard said very softly, looking down at her hands.
Nede bit her lower lip hard, evaluating whether or not she should tell the truth. She knew it would be easier for everyone involved if she lied, but some gnawing part of the Matron reminded her that she owed Aly something approaching the truth. "There is no body," she admitted.
Alystin's head snapped up. "She's alive?"
The other drowess sighed and shifted uncomfortably on her feet for a moment before sitting down beside the mage so she didn't have to deal with looking into those pleading grey eyes. "She's out of your reach, Aly. Out of mine. In a thousand years, you won't be able to even find her."
"Where is she?" the wizard demanded, hearing the desperation in her own tone. She couldn't quite censor it.
"Not here." It was as if the words were being dragged out of Nedelyne. More firmly, she said, "Aly, you're not an idiot. Leave this be. Nothing good can come of whatever this is."
"Where?" Aly turned to her friend. "Nede, in all the years we've known each other, how often have I asked you for anything? Give me this. Please. Where is she?"
"In the Demonweb."
The words hit the mage like a physical blow, prompting an actual flinch. Of everything that she'd imagined—death, dismemberment, and worse—that had not been among them. Apparently the Spider Queen's displeasure was nigh limitless. "Oh," she said softly. Her mind started to race. If Sabal was still alive, no matter what plane she was on, she could be reached. Slowly, a determined set returned to Aly's jaw. "Where in the Demonweb?"
"Goddess," Nede hissed, rounding on her friend. "You're not serious." Whatever she saw in the wizard's face did not reassure her. "Alystin, please, listen to me. I know what you're thinking, but it's not possible. One woman against a greater deity is not a battle you want to fight."
Alystin would not be swayed, not in this. "Who sent her there?" she asked. "Nede, if there are even traces of the magic left, I can find her."
"It was years ago, Aly. Nothing's lingering," the Matron said. "The Revered Daughter is a clever woman. She covers her tracks."
"I can't open a gate," Alystin said slowly, methodically. "But you can plane shift. You could send me there."
"Yes, and you'd be either five miles away from her or up to five hundred," Nedelyne said. "I'm not helping you in this insanity."
"I'll take my chances. She saved your life and your House, Nede," the wizard said steadily.
"And I repaid her by saving you!" the Matron snapped before calming herself with a deep breath. "I'm not going to send you to a fate worth than death. For Sabal's sake, if nothing else. She gave up everything so you would be safe, not so you could go charging into the Demonweb alone."
"Not completely alone," Alystin said. "I have companions."
"I can't decide if that makes it better or worse," Nedelyne muttered.
"Alright, don't help me," the arcanist said a little bit more stiffly. It was her last ploy. "But my mind is set, and if you won't help me, I'll find someone else who will."
The Matron grimaced. "Oh, they'll send you to the Demonweb alright," she muttered. If she wanted Alystin to be as safe as possible in this absolutely insane endeavor, there was only one way to guarantee it: doing this herself. She hated the idea more than there were words in Drow to express the emotion, which was saying something. They had words for hate the way dwarves had names for rock. "Fine. Get your companions. But we do this now, before I reconsider this lunacy. Besides, I'm likely already missed in Menzoberranzan."
"This means the world to me, Nede," Alystin said, keeping something of a rein on her gratitude and relief. She didn't want it to be too obvious, if only because of pride.
Nedelyne was something of an expert at reading emotions, however, and thus needed little cue. "You're a fool," she said harshly, trying to guard herself from the disappointment of losing her friend. She had felt better about the circumstance knowing that Aly was safe, even if she was on the surface. This was not what she'd wanted to see, nor what Sabal would have wanted. But on a fundamental level, Nedelyne was aware that Alystin would never be content or at peace without Sabal. Whatever the danger, the wizard would inexorably find her way to her lover. As far as the Matron could tell, it was some curse that had settled on the pair of them centuries ago: love.
"I know," Aly said before rising to her feet and heading back the way she had come. If she gave it too long, Nedelyne would most certainly withdraw her offer. Her companions were waiting and all stood up when she approached. "I know where Sabal is and I have a way to get there, but I have to hurry."
"Where's she at, lass?" Storunn asked.
The wizard swallowed hard at just the thought, feeling the faintest suggestion of tears that refused to fall. "The Demonweb," she said when she could breathe again.
An eerie silence settled on the small group. She wasn't certain what would happen next, whether they would accompany her or leave. The smartest move for them to make would be to part ways, but then again, they hadn't shown the best judgment by following her this far. It was Linnan who piped up. "Well, we'd better get moving then," he said calmly. "Right behind you, Aly."
There was a murmur of assent from the group, even from Nendir, who had the most reason to fear.
"The odds of us surviving this will be extraordinarily low," Aly warned them quietly. "And even if we do, we may never escape the Demonweb."
"Got to die of something," Storunn grunted, slinging his axe. He'd been checking the edge for cracks, not that he needed to. It was a beautiful piece of dwarven craftsmanship. He glanced back at Nendir as he and Linnan started moving in the direction of the Matron. "Comin', lad?"
"Of course," Nendir said smoothly.
It left Camran standing with Aly. "Go back," the drowess said quietly. "You have Maev waiting for you, Camran. We'll be alright. I can heal the others when we get into combat."
"I'm not letting you do this without me," the human said. He smiled reassuringly at her. "We understood the risks when we parted on the surface. Maev's a paladin, Aly. She knows about impossible odds and sacrifice and love. Neither of us would forgive ourselves if I abandoned you just because it's not going to be easy. Besides, I'm a servant of Sune. This is what I was called to do."
Alystin nodded. She had to look down and away for a second to collect herself before nodding. "Let's go, then," she said. She would still feel the twist of guilt in her stomach, maybe for the rest of her life, but she couldn't pretend she wasn't relieved to have Camran on her side. Together, they followed where the others had gone. Nendir was keeping his hood up to conceal his nature from Nede, for obvious reasons, but the others were easily visible for what they were: surface dwellers.
"I can't believe I agreed to this," Nede said. She knew she was on dangerous ground, but hopefully the Spider Queen would see it as an opportunity to wreak vengeance on an unfaithful soul who had done Her injury in the past. Whatever happened, someone would be getting an unpleasant outcome. She frowned deeply at Aly for her choice in companions, but didn't say anything. "You'll have to join hands if you want me to get all of you there in one piece and together."
The group held onto each other tightly, nerves showing in the strength of their grip. The fear was there, though hidden. Nedelyne started to chant, weaving her fingers in patterns. The air around the small group glowed and then they felt as though they had been ripped down through the ground, a horrible floating feeling taking over their stomachs. Alystin could feel consciousness trying to desert her as they fell through space. She clung to it even more tightly in answer.
The next thing she knew, she was connecting with hard ground. It wasn't a far fall, but it was still jarring. Her hands were still locked with her comrades', Camran on one side of her and Nendir on the other. All of them were still holding each other. The bite of a chill pierced through her clothes as some abyssal wind picked up. She let go of her friends and struggled up to her feet. "Goddess," she hissed when she saw the landscape stretching out before them.
An endless, dead plain of rocky chasms and gorges spread as far as the eye could see, forming a labyrinth of pits and dark, yawning holes. Giant petrified spiders stood here and there, webbing covering every apparent surface ahead—though they were strange and twisted webs, like nothing she had ever seen before. Eight bright, red stars gleamed above them in the night sky. Beyond, she could see a great iron citadel with some kind of river flowing towards it. The feeling of raw, primordial evil was everywhere. It pervaded every inch of ground and every breath of air. Alystin could feel it seeping into her body. The scar in her back from that cursed dagger ached fiercely in answer, residual infernal magics not mixing well with the demonic energies of the plane.
"Is it too late to reconsider?" Linnan joked after springing to his feet with an acrobat's ease.
Alystin took a deep breath and picked up her staff. It had been leaning against her shoulder when they shifted. She was surprised that it had come with them, but she was grateful for it. "I'm sure the demons here will be very accommodating," she said, focusing on the distance. She had no idea where to even begin. The plane's size was immeasurably vast and Sabal could be anywhere in it.
"What can we expect to meet?" Nendir asked. He could feel the corruption more than any of the others, his faith in the Seldarine serving as a massive handicap here—he would be sick and fatigued after only a few hours of hard walking or even less fighting.
"Nothing good, I'd wager," Camran murmured.
"All kinds of demons," Alystin said. "More than just yochlol serve the Spider Queen. Abyssal ghouls. Petitioners."
"Petitioners?" Linnan asked curiously. His inquisitive nature couldn't be dampened even by the Demonweb Pits, or at least not yet. Alystin supposed that in a few days, that might very well change.
"Drow here for their afterlife," the wizard said. She knew the lore of the Abyss well, and even though the Demonweb had separated from it, the roots and history were still very much similar. Granted, she'd never researched the Infinite Webs the way she had other layers of the Abyss. "They're even more dangerous than living drow, from what I've heard."
"Let's hope we don't meet them, then," Nendir said quietly. He pulled his hood back, less than worried about being spotted. Creatures here would know what he was anyway, and if they were caught, it would be a fight that even Aly couldn't charm her way out of. "Where do we go from here?"
Storunn shrugged and shouldered his axe. "Forward," he said gruffly.
"But do we have a way of detecting Sabal?" the ranger asked.
"Not yet," Alystin said, starting down a rocky approximation of a path. "I'll think of something. But for now, we need to move. The shift will have attracted attention to this area. If we can leave before anything reaches us…that would be better." She tried to pick a route that went between the thickest areas of webbing, but it was almost a lost cause. It was hard to move fast and manage to not be caught at the same time, so she erred on the side of caution and went more slowly. The group followed her: Storunn and Linnan right behind her, Camran and Nendir holding up the rear.
Their conversation fell quiet in the oppressively alien air. The sky above them was almost a complete, black void and had Alystin nursed any joy in her heart, she would have felt it snuffed out. This was not a world charitable to mortals or their soft emotions. The silence was broken only by their footfalls, largely muffled by ancient webbing, and the occasional curse as someone almost slipped.
It took them what felt like innumerable hours to get down away from the rocky overlook they'd landed on far enough for Alystin to feel slightly more secure. Nendir was exhausted and his face had taken on a grey pallor, but he hadn't said a word of complaint. She motioned for them to stop when they reached a deep, sheltered ledge just below the edge of a great canyon. The depths below were lost to darkness, but the area was easily large enough for a camp of ten or twelve people. "You alright?" she asked, looking back over her shoulder.
"Been better," Nendir admitted, swiping his brow with a shaky hand. "I think I'll get used to it. Just a little rough right now."
The drowess looked worried, but she nodded. "Let's stop and rest."
"Do we want to risk a fire?" Camran asked quietly, looking around. "I guess we could probably burn webbing. Not a lot of wood around."
Aly sat down and their elf flopped down on a stone outcropping, his breath coming in heavy pants. "I don't think we want to risk it yet," Aly said. She wasn't sure if deeper in would be any safer, but she knew they were likely in serious danger of being detected at the moment. Rations wouldn't taste good cold, but it would be better than nothing. She was grateful Camran had come. She wasn't certain how they would have provisioned themselves without the cleric's ability to create food and water—drinking or eating anything native to the plane sounded like a recipe for disaster. Still, she didn't want to tax him with casting it until they had to. For now, the normal rations and water that they'd brought would do.
Later, as she lay in her bedroll with a crimson spidersilk sash wound around her left hand, her thoughts took on a mind of their own again. She heard Nendir and Camran talking in low voices now that they were on watch, but she didn't care enough to try and make out what was being said.
A lot had changed since she'd last seen Sabal, even if she was just looking at herself. She'd done her best to stumble back towards the light, with the definite help of her companions. She wasn't certain if it had stuck. Certainly, for a long time she'd been angry. Hadn't Sabal promised to always be there? And yet, she'd run off into the Underdark towards certain doom instead of staying when Alystin desperately wanted—needed—her to stay. It was heartbreak of an almost unforgivable kind. Alustriel had done her best to gently explain Sabal's rationale, but that was a cold comfort to the hollow space where her heart had once been.
Anger, however, would never be enough to drive her away from Sabal. And so she tried to sleep to keep up her own strength, even though she knew exactly where her dreams would take her. They had been trying to fill the void left by absence for years now.
Alystin closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, one hand resting on her spellbook and the other on her staff, just in case.