Chapter 2: Awake

Targon sat in front of a roaring fire, sipping fine wine while enjoying the company of Luther, a high-ranking representative of the Red Wizards. Luther had been assigned to keep tabs on Targon's research, which had finally paid off. Luther leaned forwards, eager to hear more about the product his organization had paid dearly for. In his hand he held a small vial with an electric blue liquid inside of it.

"So your formula will grant the one who drinks it complete immunity to mental attacks?"

Targon nodded and idly sipped his wine, attempting to look nonchalent, "Indeed, did you think I would not keep my promise?"

Luther grasped the vial tightly in his hand, "Did you think the Red Wizards would not demand proof? Your words are fairly dripping with honey- now give me something more."

Targon leaned forward and grinned. Time for the trump card. "Girl!" His servant appeared, he was glad she had changed out of her rags that she normally wore- she had embarrassed him in front of company before and he had punished her for not thinking to dress herself appropriately. "Bring the mind flayer out here." She nodded and left without a word. She reappeared shortly, ushering in the mind flayer. The years had wrought their changes upon it, no longer was it a short, childlike monster- it had matured into the creature that inspired fear in many of the learned minds of Faerun. Targon's grin widened as Luther flinched back slightly at the sight it, his leather armor creaking slightly at the motion.

"Ugh, they certainly never conquered so much of the Underdark through their looks- that's for sure. You have a test in mind Targon?"

Targon nodded in response, "Mind flayer," it turned to look at him, its pale eyes reflecting firelight, "take the girl." The creature turned and the girl immediately fell backwards, landing painfully and crying out. Targon kept an eye on Luther's face and how quickly color had fled from it. It was a feeling Targon understood well enough himself. As a mage, having the power to defeat a lesser person was greatly intoxicating- to know that such alien beings could undermine even power such as his with a thought was disquieting; for the mundane it must be outright terrifying. "Luther," the Red Wizards representative looked slightly startled at being addressed, "I advise you to drink that quickly." Luther downed the entire potion in a single swallow- his fear becoming evident. Targon stood upright and gestured towards Luther, "Mind flayer- take him!" Luther raised his arms in the vain hope of warding off the mental attack that... never came? The frightened rogue peeped out beneath his crossed arms in time to see Targon strike his experiment.

"Try harder!"

thud

"Nothing?"

smack

"I ordered you to take him down!"

whack

With the final blow the mind flayer collapsed into a ball, covering its face with its arms as Targon kicked it one final time before regaining his 'composure' and speaking to Luther.

"I can produce a dozen of those potions in a month. As you required proof this shipment will only have eleven now. Each requires ingrediants that are somewhat rare and expensive- the hardest of course being the ichors of the mind flayer. They will cost the Red Wizards 500 gold pieces." At a nod from Luther, Targon added, "Apiece." almost as an afterthought. Luther blanched but nodded, mopping the sweat from his brow.

"You shall have it, how long do the effects last? And will the potion keep for a decent amount of time when unused?"

Targon grinned, he was in his element and had no issues playing his part, "The effects will continue for roughly an hour, I have not kept a potion long enough to test the latter as I spent considerable time and energy producing them to be used by the Red Wizards so unfortunately we'll discover that one together."

Luther accepted a box of the potions from the girl and placed it into a small pouch he had on his belt, causing it to shrink and eventually disappear from sight. Luther had lost much of his stature in Targon's eyes, and decided he needed to recapture some of that with a boast. "The Red Wizards will be assaulting a city of the Illithid within the next year- if we manage to capture any alive, would that speed up your efforts?

Targon's eyes gleamed with greed, "Certainly, so long as the required funds and perhaps assistance are sent my way? I have also spent considerable amounts of time and effort studying the physical limitations and weaknesses of mind flayers- perhaps that would be useful as well?"

Luther immediately extended his hand, "On behalf of the Red Wizards of Thay- be welcome Targon." Luther reached into his pouch with his other hand and withdrew a different bag, one that clinked with the sound of coins. "Here is your first payment, should you require anything at all, be sure to contact me and I'll see that you receive it."

Targon nodded as he shook Luther's hand, delighted at the outcome. It's easy to come out ahead of someone when you have all of the cards.

It's easy to come out ahead when he thinks he holds all of the cards. Claire thought at her Illithid conspirator.

Indeed, I obtained much information from this "Luther"; were you harmed from my mental attack Claire?

Claire laughed at his joke, the two of them had quickly learned that Targon could not detect their mental conversations and so spoke frequently throughtout every day. He has no idea his potions are useless, are you sure faking the attack was the wisest course of action? He probably would've been slain on the spot if Luther thought he had been lying for all of these years.

Yes, now Targon will be accepted into the Red Wizards without question. He will meet and speak with many of the foul creatures, each one giving us more information so that we may strike freely and with certainty amongst the organization.

Claire's brow furrowed as she shut the door on his cell, About that, how well are you doing in developing your powers? A sense of sadness came through the telepathic link she shared.

I still cannot seem to use the mental blast effectively, I imagine normal Illithids all have this information readily available to them as part of the hive mind...

Claire heard Targon calling for her from the front room. You'll get the hang of it eventually, and when you do...

I will kill Targon, and every other Red Wizard of Thay I can reach.

Claire smiled as she finished locking the door. That's the plan, sleep well,