Flight from the Darkness

Magicman: Lets go!

Smokegirl: This one had better be good, amigo.

Magicman: I assure you that- wait. Amigo?

Smokegirl: Si. Este mejor sea bueno o le castro.

Magicman: When did you start speaking Spanish?

Smokegirl: I've been taking lessons.

Magicman: I see…

Daevan: Es usted que va a hacer esto a menudo?

Smokegirl: Apenas hasta el final del capítulo.

Daevan: Fresco.

Magicman: Gah! Just get this started.

IIIIIII

What the HELL were you thinking! They almost saw you!

They did not! They were too busy with the beholder.

The same thing happened with the balor! I swear, Aerie saw you then!

Well what of it? You were about to be killed!

You know, I'm getting really sick of you taking every excuse to jump into my body. It's my body. I want to be in control of it.

Okay. Sure. The next time a balor kicks you into a wall and runs up to bite your fool head off, I'll just sit there and let it happen!

Don't tempt me to take you up on that.

No chance. We made a deal.

Argh… Why is my life so complicated?

Don't look at me. I was dormant until Irenicus ripped out your soul.

"Taurus?"

Taurus snapped out of his internal argument. "Hmm?"

Jaheira and Aerie were giving him curious looks. The three of them were sitting at a table in Taurus' room in the tavern, discussing fiscal issues they'd be having soon if they didn't find some source of income.

Taurus smiled ruefully. "Sorry. I must have been thinking about something else. I don't think it's a problem though. Phaere won't let us starve if we keep doing her favours."

You want to make a bet?

Will you shut up!

Jaheira shook her head. "We won't be here forever, and I surely want nothing more to do with her than I have to. It's not so much an issue as long as we're in the city but when we get to the surface we probably won't have any idea where we'll be. It could take weeks to find a town or village, and that's a long time to go without food or water. And even if we do find a settlement how will we pay for lodgings?"

"We also need more potions" Aerie added. "Our supply is almost out. A couple of scrolls couldn't hurt either, but that's really stretching it."

"Well how much money do we have left?"

Aerie pulled out the group money pouch from one of the many hidden pockets mage robes characteristically had and plopped it on the table. "After paying for ship passage and losing most of the rest when the ship sank, there's just a little over 3000 left."

Taurus sighed and rested his forehead in the palm of his hand. They'd begun this jaunt with more than 30,000 gold coins, and this was what they were left with. "Okay" he said after a moment of internal fuming, "Here's what we do. You two take what we have left and check out the market. Rations and water are the priority but if you see any good bargains for other things we need, like weapons and clothes by all means use your best judgement. Aerie, how are your potion brewing skills?"

"Not great." The elf girl shook her head, her beaded hair shaking about in a cloud. "I could try and find an alchemy manual though. As a rule, ingredients are cheaper than the finished potion itself."

"Good. I'm officially dubbing you the group potion maker. Jaheira, can you try and find a blacksmith who'll repair any damaged armour we have?"

The druid nodded. "Of course."

Taurus smiled. "Then I guess that solves that."

Aerie and Jaheira glanced at each other again. "Taurus" Aerie finally asked, "Are you feeling alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I watched you hit your head on a stone wall earlier today. I think you should let me look at that."

Taurus shook his head. "I'm just fine Aerie. I just need to rest a bit before meeting with Phaere." He sighed tiredly at the prospect.

Jaheira shook her head. "I've seen men die from a blow to the head like that."

"I'm not going to die Jaheira."

"That's not a risk I'm willing to take." The druid glared at him in that way she had. Whenever Taurus saw that look, he was reminded of an oak tree that stubbornly clung to the soil. "I've lost too many friends over the past year. I refuse to add you to the list."

"Besides" Aerie added quietly, "You still have to get Irenicus and Bhodi."

Taurus eyed them both ironically. "You two have had some time to think about this, haven't you?" He sighed again. "Clearly I'm outvoted. Alright, take a look."

The two women brightened considerably when he acquiesced and he couldn't help but smile as Aerie approached to check his skull. If allowing his friends to care for him would make them happy, then who was he to refuse?

Maybe you should start wearing a helmet. Then these issues wouldn't come up.

Taurus rolled his eyes. Of course, that didn't extend to disembodied voices and personifications of his inner evil.

I heard that. Shadow chuckled eerily from the depth of his unconscious mind. Maybe you'd like me better if I looked like your little elf maid.

"Yeah right" he muttered under his breath.

"Pardon?"

Taurus coughed anxiously at Aerie's questioning look and tried to ignore Shadow's laughter.

IIIIIII

"Wait. You want me to what?"

Phaere drank her alcohol smoothly, eyeing Taurus with her big blue eyes. She seemed to enjoy watching him get upset. She condescended to repeat herself. "The gnome settlement to the west hasn't been showing us enough fear and respect. So I want you and Solaufein to go and slaughter one of their scout patrols."

Taurus just stared at her, shocked into silence. Solaufein on the other hand was vocal enough for the both of them.

"Gnomes! You cannot seriously consider them a threat!"

Phaere's calm demeanour vanished as she glared wrathfully at Solaufein. "Who are you to object to the will of the matrons? Or my own will for that matter? You have been placed under my command, and you will do as I say!"

"But what possible threat do gnomes pose! Killing such weaklings will not bring any glory to Lolth!"

"Silence! You will obey male!"

Solaufein scowled and stood up. "I may have to obey but I will not be silent at your will! This is a fool's task, as you well know. The gnomes are not even worth killing, and my own matron will hear about your squandering of my services just to make Veldrin jump through hoops!"

Phaere smirked wickedly at him. "Whine to your matron all you like. You're only a male. I doubt she'd go to war solely for your sake." She waved one hand dismissively. "Now get out of my sight."

Solaufein glared balefully at her and for a moment Taurus thought he'd attack Phaere. Instead he spun on his heel and stalked away.

Phaere watched him leave, that taunting smirk still on her face before returning her gaze to Taurus. "Ignore his outburst" she commanded. "Solaufein grumbles but he will obey me. He knows the punishment should he fail to."

By now Taurus had recovered his composure and had folded his hands together on the table, considering how to voice his objections. "My lady, why the gnomes? Surely there are more worthy foes to strike down. The illithid, the beholders, even duergar are more of a challenge. Any of them would make a better lesson to everyone."

"Yes they would. But I'm telling you to kill gnomes instead." She smiled softly, and Taurus was immediately tense. "Oh, it's not all bad Veldrin. But we all must do things we'd rather not when rising in power. Matron mother Ardulace still has doubts about your ability. Think of this as a test of your loyalty." Phaere stretched back, catlike in her flexibility, her gold hair spilling back. "Besides, killing a few gnomes will not be too hard for you. And their deaths will please me greatly." Now her smile turned sly. "And there are always benefits for those who please me."

Despite the feeling of doom creeping over him, Taurus was somewhat intrigued. "What did you have in mind?" he asked cautiously.

"That's for another discussion Veldrin." Phaere stood up, suddenly all business. "Gather your group and meet with Solaufein in the northwest tunnels. Take no longer than twelve hours. When you get there, wait for a gnome patrol to investigate your presence then slaughter them all. Bring me their leader's helmet as proof of the deed. Then return here within three days."

Taurus shrugged, a show of carelessness. "I doubt it will take three days to deal with gnomes, but as you wish." He stood up as well.

"Good." The drow woman focussed her eyes over Taurus' shoulder and grinned unpleasantly. "Go and tell your companions about it, then make me proud of you." She ran one hand through her hair before walking off pleasantly.

Startled, Taurus turned and looked behind him. To his vast relief neither Aerie nor Viconia were standing there, watching him with a look of doom in their eyes. It was just Imoen watching him, her fists on her hips.

"So" she said finally after watching Phaere leave. "She's given us another task, has she?"

Taurus nodded. "How much of that did you hear?"

"The part about wasting our time killing some gnomes."

"Ah good. You understand the situation explicitly."

Imoen rolled her eyes back. "You exactly what I mean. Arianna isn't going to be happy about this, and neither are the others. Neither am I actually."

"Then I guess we can forget all about it then" Taurus snapped sarcastically. "We can disobey Phaere, anger her matron, and spend the rest of our lives running in fear. If we're lucky. House Despana could just throw us to the spiders and be done with it!"

"So instead we throw away pride and self-respect to her?" Imoen jerked her head in the direction Phaere had left.

Taurus frowned and leaned over to his sister. "We don't have a lot of choice" he whispered into her ear.

"I know" she whispered back. "But like I said, the others aren't going to like it."

"Neither do I, but all we can do right now is just live with it."

"Then I guess I'll go and keep the damage under control. You might want to put in an appearance after Aerie blows up though. She has a pretty bad temper under all that gentleness." Imoen smirked at her brother's wince then stepped back. "When you're ready I'll have the group set to go. I'll see you then brother dear." With a mocking bow she slunk away through a crowd of people.

IIIIIII

Taurus had known that the group wouldn't take their latest 'assignment' well. Unfortunately he was right.

"But gnomes aren't evil! We just can't murder them!"

"I do not like this one bit seriso. Drow are a prideful people, and killing these gnomes without complaint will tell the city that we are without pride altogether."

"She thinks she has us on a leash! I would greatly love to show her just how much I think of that attitude of hers."

"No! It is a black day when great men and hamsters are forced into evil deeds! The gods of Valhalla will definitely be getting an earful when I get there!"

Fortunately everybody understood the reasons why. They weren't happy, but they didn't put up too much of a fight over it, to Taurus' infinite relief. This gnome village was the same one to which they'd come seeking directions toward Irenicus, and they'd received the help they needed. The gnomes were a friendly, personable people who'd needed their help and thanked them profusely once the deed was done and the demon slain. Taurus didn't look forward to killing any of them.

That was one big reason why he dragged his steps down the Underdark tunnels, and why the party was so quiet behind him. Normally he could hear Aerie and Imoen chattering or Viconia and Jaheira bickering, and Minsc regaling them all with his war stories. Now, there was only a silence following him.

'It's hard,' Taurus reflected, 'To be better than the bad guy when you're working for him.'

How are you any better than Phaere? She'll do anything for her ambition and you'll do anything to get back your soul.

Taurus found himself nodding. As annoying as it was having a voice in his head ready to argue with him at any excuse, Shadow could offer some interesting insights he missed. But sometimes he just had to disagree. I have my limits and you know it.

He heard the sound of a snort echo through his mind. Forgive me his darker side said sarcastically. I forgot that you're a hero type.

Taurus didn't bother answering that. His Bhaal instinct wouldn't understand.

It was another hour or so before the party finally reached there destination. The tunnel they followed twisted and bent wildly about fifty feet before reaching the rope bridge that led to the village. Solaufein was waiting for them. The warrior was leaning up against a stalagmite, a profound expression of disgust on his face. When he saw them approach he nodded slightly, though he too seemed in no hurry to follow through. "You're finally here" he intoned grimly by way of greeting. "I have enough to be concerned about; I was not going to start worrying for your safety."

Taurus rolled his eyes. "I don't need you looking after me. I've got all of them" he chucked his thumb back at the group, "to do it."

"You must be greatly loved then" was the sardonic answer. "I've been down this passageway before and the gnomes patrol it regularly. One troop of six will come through in the next quarter of an hour or so. It will be easy enough to kill them all, but we should leave one alive to report our actions to their leaders."

Taurus spat on the stony ground, disgust written on his face. "Then let's get this over with quickly. The sooner it's done, the sooner I can forget about it. We shouldn't bother killing gnomes."

Solaufein raised an eyebrow. "You are not very drowlike to show mercy to a weaker species. But in this case I must agree with you. Phaere and the matrons see things in terms of their own ambition and nothing else. Our pride and honour are nothing to them."

Taurus raised an eyebrow of his own at this bold statement. "How have you lived this long?"

"I know when to keep my mouth shut and when to speak."

Taurus 'hmm'ed to himself.

"Go and prepare" Solaufein ordered, apparently tired of the conversation. "The gnomes will be here shortly, and I have enough issues to deal with to concern myself with your own safety."

"Thank you so much."

With the sarcastic conversation over, Taurus left Solaufein to his brooding and joined Jaheira on one of the large mushrooms that grew in the tunnels. "I don't know whether I like him or whether I want to break all his teeth" Taurus complained.

"Then don't talk to him" Jaheira advised. She eyed the sullen drow warrior critically. Despite his obvious skill, he did not preen under the gaze of his race. In most surface cities and especially in the Underdark prowess with a weapon was respected. Very few people, especially not an arrogant elf and doubly so for the drow, could simply ignore all that praise. Solaufein could. He simply didn't care. After each mission he'd served with the party he had refused to indulge in the rewards Phaere granted them and had promptly secluded himself in his quarter up the street from the tavern. It was really very curious.

Right about then Imoen slunk up to Taurus. "Veldrin, a word if you please." Curious, Taurus went off with his sister for a moment, leaving Jaheira to her pondering.

Viconia joined the druid on her mushroom. She buffed her nails on her chain mail before casually commenting "So what's with you and Solaufein?

Jaheira gave Viconia a withering stare. "Nothing is 'with' me and Solaufein, and I'll thank you to never try and play matchmaker for me again!"

Viconia smirked. "Who said anything about matchmaker? Now stop seething. Arianna and Imori have been scheming about this gnome problem. As you may have guessed they're not especially happy about it."

"And why do you care exactly?"

Viconia wrinkled her nose. "They're gnomes" she said flatly, leaving no room for rebuttal. "But anyway, neither they nor Mantas are actually eager to go around killing subspecies of rat so the lot of them have gone so far as to plot behind the more sensible party members' backs. That would be you and me in case you're not following me."

Jaheira frowned. "What exactly are the girls plotting? Is it dangerous?"

"Only if it doesn't work." Viconia yawned as Taurus walked by again, heading for Solaufein. "It's quite clever really. They figure that Solaufein would jump at a chance to disobey Phaere, so why bother with secrecy? Basically I'm just supposed to distract you for a few minutes while Veldrin goes over and convinces the brooding one to let us handle the gnomes by ourselves."

Jaheira knew she must have heard that wrong. "What!"

Viconia smirked. "I thought you'd react this way. It was my idea to keep you out of things for a while. You're too stodgy sometimes, and it would blow our little scheme."

The druid realised that this was in fact not a joke. She also realised that when Taurus had walked by them earlier he had been heading right for Solaufein. Indeed, the two seemed engaged in conversation even now. Cursing virulently, she jumped to her feet and took off to where she was sure blood would be spilt.

The druid barrelled up to the two just as she heard Solaufein's rather laconic voice muse aloud, "Hmm. I may take you up on that offer. Phaere enjoys making me…" He trailed off when Jaheira arrived, huffing and puffing. He must have seen the murderous look in her eyes as she glared at Taurus because he added "I think I'll return to Ust Natha now. Something tells me that things are going to get more violent than I'd prefer very shortly." He bowed politely to Jaheira then turned and stalked away through the tunnels.

Taurus glanced curiously at his friend. "Is something wrong?"

"The next time you decide to do something that could get us all killed, would you at least do me the honour of telling me that you're doing it!"

Taurus winced. What was with women and screaming at him lately? "It seemed the right thing to do at the time…"

A dark blue eye twitched. "And did you even consider what you would do if Solaufein refused? Never mind" she cut him off, "You're not an idiot even if you are a fool. You just ignored that possibility didn't you?"

"Well it did occur to me" Taurus admitted. "But I think the risk was worth it."

"Damn it Taurus!" Jaheira yelled. "You can't take risks like that!" She was about to continue yelling when Taurus did something very unexpected. He actually bowed his head and apologised. It was enough to cut her off in mid rave.

"I'm sorry Jahs" he sighed, suddenly sounding very tired. "I sometimes forget how much pressure hanging around me can put on you."

Somewhat mollified by the unexpected repentance, Jaheira was able to continue talking in a reasonable tone. "Taurus, it's not the pressure you put on me that gets me so upset. It's that you never seem to consider that the pressure you put on yourself will get you killed." She scowled but it was in annoyance, not anger. "I've lost too many good friends in my life. I don't want to add you to the list."

Taurus sighed again. "Why is it always others who die because of what I do? I'm the Bhaalspawn. Why shouldn't I be touched by my own actions?"

Jaheira rolled her eyes. "Quit being so angst-ridden!" She snapped. "It doesn't suit you in the slightest! Act like the omni-present authority and be the damn leader! The last thing I need is to kick start you into doing your job!"

"Since when did I get paid for this?"

"Since I started treating you like an adult instead of like an annoying child. Don't say it!" Jaheira cut him off before he could open his mouth.

Taurus closed his mouth with a snap. Then he manage a small grin. "Point taken. I'll try not to let…certain things get me down too much."

Jaheira nodded. "Good."

"Aww! You guys are so adorable!"

This comments came from Imoen, who was grinning from ear to ear. Aerie was present too but clearly had misgivings about the druid, as she was hiding behind the thief-mage's back. "So I take it that the plan is a go?"

Jaheira's smile instantly turned into a scowl. "I should strap your backside for pulling a stunt like this!"

"Don't forget to send us to bed without supper mother." Imoen's grin didn't falter in the slightest. "Jaheira, you really shouldn't pretend to be angry you're not going to do something you'd hate. You just make yourself confusing. Besides, it worked didn't it?"

Minsc approached from the rear and nodded sagely. "True. The creepy drow is gone now. We don't need beat up defenceless gnomes."

Aerie peeked out from behind Imoen. "And they'll be coming soon so we really shouldn't be arguing about something that's said and done."

Jaheira's eye twitched erratically. She took a deep breath and managed to calm down. "Very well" she said. "But we will be discussing this when have the time."

Imoen's retort was interrupted by the sound of echoes that came from down the tunnel. In no time at all, the echoes sharpened into footsteps, tromping along in unison.

Taurus nodded to himself. "It's time gang. To your places."

Jaheira gave him a weird look. 'What places?' she thought. But she couldn't voice it because a troop of about half a dozen deep gnome soldiers had just rounded the bend in the tunnel and come into view.

At the sight of six armed drow waiting for them, the patrol's leader raised a hand for his men to halt. With that done, he rather nervously approached the group himself. When he reached them, he cleared his throat and addressed them in undercommon. "Greetings visitors from the drow city. What do ye be wanting from us?"

Taurus stepped forward too. "I don't want anything in particular from you" he answered dryly. "However, my matron wants more tribute from your settlement, and so I am here to tell you that."

The gnome captain sighed in relief. "Thank ye for telling us this. We want no war with your kind sir. I shall be telling the chief that we should make offerings."

Taurus nodded, pleased at how well this was going. "One other thing though. My matron also wanted me to kill you and your patrol to show how serious we are." He waited for the look of shock on the gnomes face to appear before raising a hand to forestall and foolish acts. "But that would a waste of my time and talents, so I'll let you go back to your homes if you give me your helmet. I need proof that I killed you after all."

The captain began to breathe again, and nodded his head vigorously. "Of course noble drow! If it be saving my life, I be giving it up gladly. May the Deep Brother be ever smiling on you sir!"

Taurus smiled as he received the helmet. "Then we'll just be on our way." Nodding to the gnomes, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the cavern, the group on his heels.

Aerie caught up to Taurus after they left the gnomes alone and smiled at him. "You really are a good person Taurus." She told him softly.

Taurus smiled back. "I try."

IIIIIII

When both gnomes and adventurers had left the cavern, nothing happened for several minutes. Then a shadow stepped away from a wall, revealing a tall, thin figure with short white hair and a sharp face. The drow stared intently down the tunnel the party had taken back to Ust Natha.

"Well" Jaken quipped to himself, "Isn't that interesting?"

IIIIIII

Magicman: And done. After many weeks of Anime North, Teknoman, Tales of Legendia, and Final Fantasy: Advent's Children, I finally finish. Please don't think too harshly of me for taking so long.

Smokegirl: What will happen next time? Will Jaken tell Gladia the truth about Taurus and company? Will the good guys ever realise just how deep into drow politics they are?

Taurus: That would be nice.

Imoen: Don't count on it then. I think he secretly enjoys making your life miserable. Why else wouldn't he have let you sleep with Aerie yet?

Magicman: You know I do understand dramatic formula. The hero gets the girl at the end.

Imoen: Then what about Viconia?

Magicman: Their romance is a catalyst for future events.

Taurus: Oh great. You're using my love life as a tool to further the plot.

Smokegirl: Shut up everyone! I'm supposed to get the last word! And that word is avalanche!