Notes: Special appearance from Shikamarana with his character in all his glory. It's a very accurate representation.

Hope everyone's holidays have gone well. Heavy delays as you can imagine from family visiting and such. Anyways, I have some ideas I've been pondering on for a couple short stories involving the characters here, deeper backgrounds and stuff. I'll be working on those as well for the next couple of weeks. Now, back to the story.

Chapter 2

Nashkel

The remainder of our journey towards Nashkel was very...uncomfortable, to say the least. Between the occasional angered glares from Jaheira and Viconia's increasingly provocative looks, I felt wholly surrounded. Only the ever chatty Imoen gave me any meager of relief from their constant stares.

"So uh, Viconia." She began in an attempt to break the silence, acquiring the attention of the dusk skinned elf from beneath her hood. "How long have you been on the surface? I bet it's way different from what you're used to." She questioned cheerily. Viconia smiled back at her slightly, though she was looking at me when she spoke.

"Yes, it has been some months now since I left the Underdark. You surface dwellers and your customs are indeed 'different'." She explained smoothly, her accent very prominent in her words. "Surface dwellers with your persecutions of my race is understandable, maybe, but has made life above ground an never ending challenge." She continued with a scowl as she looked back to the young girl. Imoen frowned slightly, the relationship between dark elves and nearly all other races widely known to be unfriendly at best. Still, the young girl would not be deterred so easily.

"Well, what was life like back in the Underdark then? Do you miss your friends and family?" Imoen asked innocently, eliciting a sharp laugh from the drow woman in return.

"There are no friends." She snorted back, the humor leaving her tone as she continued. "I could very little trust my own family, should I disappoint them. Your childish views on drow society are laughable." Imoen kept quiet for a time, unsure of what to say in response to Viconia's harsh words. Instead Jaheira spoke in her place, the druid eying Viconia venomously.

"Do not be surprised Imoen, the drow aren't known for their manners." The two women held icy glares, a slight grin on Jaheira's face as she spoke. "Tell me Viconia, where did you learn to speak common? Pick up bits and pieces from the many slaves at your disposal?" She questioned mockingly, bringing to light the devious nature of her race. Viconia only furthered her glaring, Khalid and I both becoming worried as the situation grew more tense.

"I learned little from the slaves, my tutors were the ones who taught me the tongue of the surfacers." She explained indignantly, unfazed by Jaheira's comment. Instead she grinned anew, venom lacing her voice as she spoke. "Though I did have one favorite pet in particular who I shared words with often. She was a crossbred mongrel much like yourself in fact. I enjoyed sacrificing her to the spider goddess." She countered deviously, the heated argument growing to a breaking point as Jaheira suddenly stopped. She whirled around and pointed her wood staff at the drow woman, threatening to crack her skull should she make a sudden move.

"I grow tired of listening to your snide remarks drow!" She yelled furiously at the woman who merely folded her arms in response, disregarding the druid's warning tone entirely. Khalid attempted to motion the angered Jaheira back, the two women staring daggers at each other now.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" Viconia cast another villainous grin at the druid, both of them ready to tear each other apart.

"ENOUGH!" I shouted loudly, ceasing the continued exchange for the moment. "I'll not have the both of you at each others throats any longer! Either halt this senseless bickering or leave." I commanded furiously, both women trading one last fierce glance towards each other before wordlessly ceasing their argument. Jaheira and Khalid moved back to the front, while Viconia moved somewhere behind Imoen and I as we continued south. The rest of our walk south remained in silence.

We arrived in Nashkel just as light began to fade, casting a red hue across the simple mining town. Many farms and small wooden buildings littered the area, though the center of town was dominated by the massive form of a temple dedicated to the deity Helm. The temple was easily the most active building in the area. The only other structure as busy was the nearby barracks, Amnish troops milling about the place wordlessly. Small groups of them patrolled the area, armed with longbows and longswords as they vigilantly surveyed their surroundings.

"Seems like a lot of guards for such a small village." Imoen pointed out curiously. She was right, it seemed like a small army encompassed the town. We crossed a small stone bridge as we neared the village center when a small group of Amnish soldiers suddenly approached us. They looked unfriendly at best, Imoen and I sharing a worried look as they approached.

"Hold travelers! Identify yourselves." The lead guard asked gruffly. Each of them studied us warily, their eyes lingering on Viconia as she hid farther behind her hood. It was hard to tell them all apart, all wearing the same colors of their group of guardsmen. They dressed in either heavy chain or studded leather, the same ornate metal helmets being the only significant difference from any other armed individual within the town. I cleared my throat slightly and stepped up to the guard, ignoring any feelings of intimidation I might of had.

"I am Alerac and this is my group of fellow adventurers." I stated without hesitation, straightforward and clear with my words as I spoke. "We hear much of the troubles as of late that plague your fair town's mine. Allow us to put ourselves at your disposal during our stay." I explained simply, though the guard seemed dubious of our intent.

"If you're seeking to resolve troubles, welcome. If you're seeking to cause them, kindly take it elsewhere." He warned us warily, though a sudden sigh escaped his lips as he continued. "Things are...not good here, Alerac." Past the mans stalwart outer shell it was obvious he was troubled by something greatly.

"You'll have no trouble from us sir, I assure you." The man looked less than relieved at my response, though he accepted it nonetheless with a nod.

"We were to meet the mayor of this town concerning these troubles, Berrun Ghastkill." Jaheira suddenly added, the confident woman stepping up next to me. "He is an old friend of mine, might you know where he resides?" She did not look at me once, though my eyes lingered on her hard expression. The guard brought me back from my sudden staring a moment later.

"I'm sure he has retired for the night by now." The guard explained somberly. "You all may speak with him come morning, the inn is but a short distance from us should you require lodging." He pointed toward a large single floored building near the grand temple. It was a dreary wooden structure, its only other neighbor being a general store that looked in just as bad of shape. I was already looking forward to a warm bed for the night. Still, the sooner we could get some answers the better.

"Before we go, might you better explain what things aren't good here? We have heard little short of uncertain rumors from our travels." I asked a moment later, my sudden need for answers getting the better of me. The weary eyed guard heaved another sigh, despair creeping up in his voice as he spoke.

"Aye, what IS good around here anymore? Our iron is rotten and their is talk of demons in the mines. The lower levels have been all but abandoned until the situation passes. And then there is the question of our Commander Brage..." He trailed off for a moment, shaking his head solemnly before continuing. "Ack, they have stripped him of that title but I use it yet." He took another moment to collect himself, the event seeming to have great effect on him.

"He killed his wife and children in a rage one night and all who saw him. Then he tore himself away and headed for the hills to the east. He is out there still and still we mourn, as much for them as for those he's taken..." He fiercely fought back his emotions, taking a deep breath as he stared back at us all accusingly. "Fie on you, now! You have brought tears to the eyes of a soldier!" The man shook his head once more in an attempt to dismiss his sadness. I tried to offer an apology but he quickly turned and left. The rest of his group of fellow guardsmen remained silent, though glaring back at us before following him toward the nearby barracks. The feeling wasn't at all comforting, and Viconia's sudden comment did not ease me at all.

"What a pathetic jaluk. Acting as if the very world around him has come to an end." She snorted hatefully, mocking the grieving man without hesitation.

"He mourns the fallen. There is no shame in that." Jaheira responded smoothly, casting a dark glance toward her and then back to me. I feared another argument may erupt between the two but Jaheira had quickly departed. She and her husband made their way to the inn the guard had mentioned, ignoring the slight grin across Viconia's face from behind. The drow woman gave me another intimidating grin before leaving for the inn as well, unease taking me once again. The infighting between my party was certainly causing problems. Still, I was sure we would need all the help we could muster.

"She sure is unpleasant when she isn't scared for her life." Imoen mused beside me as we watched the spiteful woman enter the building. I only shrugged in agreement, the woman's attitude vastly changing from when we had first met. "Still, I feel kinda bad for her. I mean, that's just how she was raised right? Maybe she'll be a little friendlier when we get to know each other some." She sighed worriedly, myself mirroring the same feelings. I was willing to tolerate her for now, though I knew I would need to have a serious talk with her at some point.

"Let us get some rest. We'll worry about her later." Imoen quickly nodded, giving a small smile for my benefit.

We soon entered the simple inn, the building dubbed simply 'Rundo's Inn'. It was like any other for the most part. Wood tables littered the common room as local villagers drowned themselves in drink. I licked my lips suddenly, remembering the sweet tasting beverage I had during our stay at the Friendly Arm. I was quite tempted to see if they had any of the stuff, I could certainly use it right about now. In the end I decided against it, reminding myself of the severe tongue lashing I received shortly after its consumption. I did not wish to anger Jaheira any further due to my actions. The inn was rather empty for this time of day, most inns usually bustling with activity at the end of a hard days work. It made sense though. If the depressed guard was anything like the local townsfolk I'm sure they didn't have much to celebrate about right now, much less spend the little money they possessed on drink. Mining was this towns main form of employment, short of joining the local guard. Only the few that owned their own farmland would still be making a meager amount of profit without trouble.

We slipped past a few of the round tables and made our way to the bar area. All three of our companions were waiting impatiently as they stood in front of the counter. "What's the hold up?" I asked curiously, though my question was soon answered. A large fat man emerged from a door behind the counter, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he waddled over to us. He cast a wry grin toward our group, his dark eyes settling on Jaheira's chest when she spoke.

"We require four rooms for the night." She stated irritatedly as she slapped several gold coins onto the counter, bringing the portly mans attention back to her face.

"Oh, right right." He said in a rush, turning around as he rummaged through a couple aged drawers behind him. He turned back scratching at the greasy dark hair on his head, only three keys held in his hand. "Sorry uh, milady, 'fraid we're short one room than you require tonight." He explained with a wry grin as his eyes settled onto Imoen next. The young girl quickly covered her arms over her chest and looked away as her cheeks grew red with unwanted embarrassment.

"Oh such a shame this is." Viconia spoke suddenly, her gaze back onto me as she brought her hood up slightly. "No matter, I will not mind if Alerac and I must share a room for the night. It is the least I could do for the good of the group." Her inviting offer came with a very lustful grin, the meaning of her passing glances coming to new light. I swallowed anxiously, her unexpected offer filling me with mixed emotions. I looked toward Imoen for help though she only managed a confused stare in return. I began to murmur a nervous reply when Jaheira suddenly spoke up.

"I don't think so." She said sternly, facing Viconia as she physically blocked me from the drow woman. "You and Imoen may share a room for the night, since you are being so generous. Alerac will sleep on his own." The druid made this clear to her, a sudden mental sigh of relief washing over me. Viconia only rolled her eyes in response, looking amused as she regarded the both of us with a grin.

"Fine, what do I need some jaluk for anyway? It was merely a suggestion." She dismissed us both with a wave before turning toward the innkeeper, his wandering eyes now settling on the dark woman. "Like what you see male?" She asked the heavy man all of a sudden, his grin widening at her sultry question. She chuckled lightly as she delicately grabbed one of the keys from his large hands, her mood suddenly turning dark after acquiring the item. "You lay your filthy eyes on me again and I promise you I will end your miserable existence in an instant." She threatened venomously, the innkeeper taking a step back in surprise. At that she only grinned anew, satisfied with herself as she made her way toward her room with key in hand.

"Come, Imoen." The girl stared back in slight awe from Viconia's sudden performance, quickly rushing to catch up with her a moment later. Jaheira received no further grief from the innkeeper as well, the man wordlessly handing her their key. As the two half-elves left for their room I took my key as well with a quiet word of thanks, stuffing it into a pocket instinctively. I stood for awhile next to the counter, staring back down the hallway they passed through as I replayed what had just happened through my head. The large fat man suddenly cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him.

"Can I uh, get you anything else?" He asked somewhat nervously, no doubt still reeling from Viconia's fierce threat. I quickly shook any further thought of her away and settled onto a bar stool, wiping my face with my hands before looking back up to him.

"I'll have a drink."

I had just finished my first drink when Imoen returned from her room, a worried look across her face as she approached. I sat the empty mug back down on the counter, hiccuping slightly before turning back to Imoen.

"What's the matter Imoen?" I asked curiously, the ever chipper Imoen hugging her sides as if fighting back a chill.

"Oh, nothing really I guess. Viconia just had some...interesting things to say is all." She explained somewhat nervously. I arched an eyebrow at her in confusion, only taking my eyes from her as the innkeeper, who I later learned to be named Rundo, sat another filled mug of ale in front of me. We had talked very little since the incident only minutes ago, though he seemed to have worked up enough courage as he once again began to leer at young Imoen. She noticed this and looked away once again, feeling uncomfortable as the man mentally pawed at her.

"Thank you, that will be all for now." I spoke to him warningly, my gaze hard as I slapped another coin onto the counter. He quickly nodded back seeming to get the message, taking the empty mug and coin and leaving for the back room once more. Imoen eased up at this, though her manner was still rigid. I motioned us toward an empty table nearby, allowing her a better peace of mind from the innkeeper.

"So tell me then, what did the two of you speak of that bothered you?" I asked her before taking a long sip of the amber liquid within my cup.

"We...talked about sex." She blurted out all of a sudden, causing me to spit out most of my drink and choke on the rest that went down my throat. It took a few moments of sudden coughing before I was able to speak once again.

"What for? Why would you talk to her of all people on such a thing?" I asked incredulously, all organized thought leaving my mind following her words.

"Well, when we got to our room I asked her about what she said to you earlier." She slowly explained, the reminder of it causing me to grimace slightly with further unease. "We just sorta talked about it for awhile, I don't know. Her people are very open with that kind of stuff I guess." She shrugged her shoulders with a slight sigh, thinking to herself for awhile.

"Well I'm certainly not as free with my words on such a thing, thank you." I answered irritatedly before taking another sip from my drink.

"Sorry, I wasn't going to start asking you questions or anything if that's what you were thinkin'." She admonished with a slight giggle. "Hey, I bet I could even tell you a few things she said about-"

"NO." I quickly cut her off as heat suddenly rose to my cheeks. Imoen only laughed anew, taking great pleasure at my expense.

"Oh I'm just foolin'. No need to be such a stick in the mud. And since when do you drink?" She asked, suddenly noticing the alcoholic beverage in my hand. I stopped my hand as I was bringing the drink to my lips, realizing Imoen had never tried it either.

"It's real good, I had one back at the Friendly Arm. Care to try a taste?" I asked with a smile, handing the beverage over to her. She took a experimental sniff before recoiling slightly, giving an unsure look back at me.

"I'm not sure. I was never one for alcohol as much as you were, though I guess that's changed. What's it called anyway?" She asked curiously, holding the mug back in both hands like it was some kind of fierce creature.

"It's mead. Trust me you'll like it, it tastes sweet." I assured her, though she seemed highly suspicious still. She took a small sip of the drink, immediately spitting it back out onto the floor.

"Blegh! That was disgusting!" She admitted with a frown, quickly handing back the repulsing beverage to me. "I thought you said it would taste sweet!" She accused, though I could only grin slightly at the young girl.

"It is. You're just picky I guess." I said with a shrug. Imoen only gave a huff of annoyance in response.

"Oh I am not. Just because you'll eat anything doesn't mean I'm picky." She countered with a slight grin. I laughed easily, relishing the sparse amount of humor in our lives that was all too far apart. For a short while, I could forget about the troubles that plagued me.

Imoen and I talked for awhile longer, the both of us happy to be in a safe comfortable place for once. Eventually she retired for the night, myself thinking the same as the sky turned fully black from outside the window. The inn was quiet now, the fireplace making more noise than the scarce patrons within the room. I felt a little tipsy as I stood back up, holding onto the table as my vision blurred slightly. I had forgotten how much I had drank, thinking little of it as I chatted with Imoen earlier. I stumbled slightly as I entered the hallway that contained the rooms we rented for the night, cursing myself for my foolishness. A door creaked open from behind me as I neared my own room. I could already imagine the lecture Jaheira would have for me this time.

"I see you had much to drink tonight Alerac." Viconia mused, catching me by surprise as I turned around to look at her. Her hood was gone and her protective metal armor missing, her body instead covered with a long bathing robe. She grinned at me intently, her devious eyes and long silvery hair catching me with its beauty. In my inebriated state I could only blurt out what first came to mind.

"You look very pretty tonight, Viconyeh." I spoke with a slight slur in my words, though it seemed she was nonetheless charmed by my drunken flattery.

"Why, how very sweet of you." She cooed, striding toward me with her eyes locked onto mine own. My mind was at a blank as she came in close, her hands moving to grab hold my mine as well. Her delicate touches graced my arms, eliciting sudden excitement from deep within me. "I hope you don't mind if I tuck you in tonight. Here, let me help you with that." She purred, opening the door to my room for me. Through my dreary intoxicated state I managed to realize some semblance of what was going on, backing away slightly from her touches.

"Wait I...we shudn't do thish..." I mumbled incoherently. Viconia only shushed me with two of her fingers pressed against my lips.

"Now now, it's time for...rest." She whispered as she took hold of my hands once again, helping to move them across the cloth that covered her body. Though I somewhat knew what I was doing I couldn't bring myself to stop, her form now irresistible to touch. She smiled anew before backing away slightly, grabbing me by the wrist as she began to lure me inside. I could barely comprehend what was going on then, instead just obeying her silent urges to follow her. Suddenly a loud shout came from across the hallway that immediately startled me back into some form of awareness.

"Just what do you think you are doing, drow!" Jaheira hollered furiously toward the woman, Viconia sighing in frustration as she looked back toward her.

"None of your business kitrye kyuvr. Go back to that stuttering husband of yours, we have plans." She said in annoyance, standing in front of me defiantly.

"Plans? And do your plans involve taking advantage of this drunken fool?"

"Hey..." I tried to interject, though Jaheira quickly silenced me.

"Be quiet." She only looked to me for a moment, her harsh glare soon turning back to Viconia. "I will not have you take advantage of this man when he obviously has no say in the matter." She continued, suddenly yanking me by the arm and pulling me inside of my room with her. Viconia was about to say another word of protest when Jaheira slammed the door in front of her. Viconia cursed at her in her native tongue before storming back to her own room, her door shutting loudly as well. I could barely stand straight, leaning most of my weight against the wall as Jaheira eyed me with anger.

"Blasted fool." Was all she said, quickly leading me to my bed to sleep. I did little but sat there as Jaheira helped me out of my heavy equipment, mumbling more frustrated curses under her breath as she worked. While Jaheira was busy unfastening the last of my possessions I suddenly began to rub at her backside without thinking. She jumped up in surprise, quickly taking hold of my wrist in an instant later. I had barely noticed what I had even done, only remembering the urge to caress the soft curves of a woman again. I looked back at her with glazed eyes, her mood softening somewhat as she released her grip on my wrist.

"I will forgive you just this once, considering your condition." She warned, finally freeing me of my heavy garb and pushing me down to bed. She quickly pulled the blankets over me, finally looking down at me when she was finished.

"Thanks Jaheira...I'm...shorry." I mumbled at last, finally closing my eyes as I quickly fell asleep. Though I did not know it, Jaheira was still there. Watching. She would be there for several more minutes, watching me sleep. She pulled the covers over me further one last time, stopping to smile slightly with humor as she stared down at me. She brushed my hair back with a soft touch, her hand lingering for a long moment. Eventually she cleared her throat and swiftly made for the door, stopping to look back at my sleeping form one last time inside the doorway.

"Goodnight, Alerac." She whispered, quietly shutting the door behind her.

~TBC

Secondary Note: It's not like they could have really done much anyways. Too damn drunk. Maybe next time?

Drow Translations:

Jaluk - Male

Kitrye kyuvr - Half breed