Patience is a Virtue
"No! It... it can't be you!"
Hmm... too much 'fear.' Never a good thing. Looking for more pride, more threatening... with some surprise thrown in.
"How?! How is this possible?!"
Er... no. Too much questioning. Still not enough arrogance and anger. Hmm... I'll bet my sister never had this problem. Probably just said something about 'blood' or 'darkness,' and left it at that. Creativity was never her strong point.
"Who... who dares?!!!"
Hmm...
"Yes!" Irenicus stood triumphantly, his hands clenched in victory. Of course, it would have been much more climactic had there been anyone around to see it. He sighed, relaxing again as he looked around the Tree. Here he was, the greatest elven wizard to have walked the streets of Suldenesselar, the Exiled one whose return was so close to completion he could taste it, his revenge at hand... and stuck waiting. He looked back and forth, looking down the different paths that the Tree made through the palace of Suldenesselar... he wondered if they were close.
The sound of footsteps echoing down the branches and foliage sent him alert- he quickly assumed the position: hands upraised, shimmering magic covering him as he absorbed the Power of the Tree, his victory at hand...
"Master..."
The gravelly voice and servile tone betrayed the intruder's identity; Irenicus rolled his eyes with a sigh and detached himself from the power of the Tree and glared at his iron golem. "Yes, what is it?"
"The city's final uprisings have been destroyed... Suldenesselar is yours." the golem said, stiffly moving to bow before its master.
"Of course it is. Do not bother me again until Khan and his followers have arrived." Irenicus growled, the golem turning and stomping back towards the city's core. The wizard shook his head and looked back down at the unconscious form of Ellesime. Maybe he should have left her awake... at least he would have had someone to talk to. Not that it would have been real friendly discussion, but it would have been nice. There was only so many times he could go over his plans for what he would say when they got there, or what his opening move in the fight would be, or Bhaal forbid his dramatic death scene, should it come to that.
Jon looked at the runes he had inscribed, the place where the power of the Tree awaited his command. He supposed he could just go ahead and do it now, without waiting for the party to show up... but it was so dull. What kind of plot ended like that? He chuckled evilly, and then sat down on the branch, looking for a spot he could get comfortable in, wincing as a branch poked him in small of the back. He stood, anger smoldering in his eyes as he looked at the offending piece of wood. He briefly considered blasting it with a fireball, raising one hand with flames playing over his fingers-
"Master..."
Irenicus turned, his eyes narrowing as he saw his iron golem before him, kneeling once again. "What is it?! I told you not to disturb me unless Khan and his followers were here."
"Forgive me, master... but the drow forces you command asked whether you would have them secure the buildings with the moonblade and talisman..."
Irenicus growled, walking over to the golem and pulling him up. "No. No, those are to be left alone. Khan must find the items and use them to get to me, am I clear? Now leave, and do not disturb me again!"
The iron golem shuffled off, leaving Irenicus alone once more. He sighed, thinking about how much longer he would have to wait for the paladin to arrive... he vaguely remembered a fairly comfortable looking chair back in the temple throne room...
X X X X X X
Irenicus looked around worriedly, hoping he hadn't missed them- no. Ellesime was still asleep, his runes and wards were still in place... good. He exhaled as he set the chair he had swiped from the throne room next to Ellesime's form, then sat down, rocking back and forth. It was actually quite comfortable... he examined the craftsmanship of the seat, admiring it. Very nice indeed... he would have to get one of these for his lair the next time he was out-
The sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention- he stood, kicked the chair off the branch into the abyss below where it would not be seen, stepped into the ring of magic he had drawn and began to cast his spells-
"Master..."
"What?!!" Irenicus snarled, his eyes blazing as he strode to the golem, seconds away from immolating his own servant. Irenicus glanced over the branch towards while he waited for the golem to speak. The chair was on a branch below, shattered into pieces. The wizard rubbed the bridge of his nose... I really liked that chair.
X X X X X X
Khan looked up at the statues in the town square of Trademeet, admiring the work, the likeness of his party and himself. "Pretty good, huh, Imoen?"
"Wow. Real amazing, Khan..." Imoen huffed, poking him in the arm. "And you couldn't have waited to do this until after you rescued me? Ooo... maybe you could ask them if they'll trade out the statue of Yoshimo for one of me. He did betray you all, y'know..."
"Khan, don't you think we should return the Lanthorn to Elhan and the elves?" Mazzy asked, pointing to the artifact just barely sticking out of Khan's pack. "Surely Irenicus draws near to his goals by now..."
"Don't worry about it. He'll wait... really. He'll wait."
Khan noticed Mazzy's puzzled look; he shrugged and turned back to Imoen. "Hey... I could go for some ice cream. Anyone else?"
