8-Oct-03

Title: An Urgent Mission Part 1
Author: MSMoon
Warnings: none
Feedback: As long as it's nice ;)
Characters: MMC02, CC01, MMC07, MMC09, MMC10 & some mention of MMC11
Disclaimers: I do not own EverQuest. I am poor. Suing me wouldn't really profit much. However I do own my own characters from EQ. BSG and Chibi own have their characters in this one as well. I would be somewhat upset if someone used my or anyone else's characters without my permission. So if you want to use them please ask.
Rated: PG

Chapter 21

It was a warm breezy day when Zeresh and Jadeen stepped off the ship and onto the deck. Zeresh in her high elf disguise found herself actually enjoying the sunlight.

"I love boat rides." Jadeen said quietly as she stretched her arms. Zeresh smiled.

"It's not really a boat, Jay, it's a ship. Some might be offended by the comparison."

"I know...so where to now?" Jadeen smiled and became pensive. "Not so sure about Kaladim, but it being underground and all might remind you of your home, right?"

"It would. If I still had a home." Zeresh said. "Besides, even though Kaladim is underground it lacks three features Neriak has."

"What's that?"

"It's neither dark enough, nor deep enough, and it lacks a certain sleek sophisticated look." Jadeen's smile faded slightly.

"Zeresh, I know it not my business, and you're not obligated to answer but from the way you talk you sound somewhat...double minded." Zeresh looked to her companion bewildered.

"How do you mean?"

"Well, you talk about how cruel your people are, and how you wouldn't want to live there if you could."

"Yes, that's all true..."

"But then, you compare cities and people to your city and your people and you end up praising and favoring the works of your people." Zeresh thought for a moment, examining both statements.

"I suppose it's an odd situation, but the truth is I do love my people...I just don't like their behavior. So many of us have broken off from Neriak and pursued other things. Yet the majority of the Dark Elves still cling to the old ways of hate...mostly out of habit but also because it's easier." She paused before they passed the statue above Kaladim. "I was born and raised in Neriak among my people...it's natural for me to prefer my people's architecture over others." she said quietly. Jadeen nodded.

"Now I understand completely."

"Oh?"

"We're the same here. I can't stand the way my people treat others of different race; like they're so inferior. But what was the first thing I said when we were going through Freeport? How primitive the human city was. I embarrassed myself!" Zeresh chuckled.

"So we're even then."

"Hey let's hunt a bit."

"Hunt?"

"Yeah, just to sharpen our skills and such. I don't know about you but it's been a while since I actually did some training." Zeresh nodded.

"Yes, likewise. Alright. Let's hunt."

Generally Galveira didn't like taverns very much. They made her a bit lonely since she had no one she really wanted to eat with. But somehow today she'd ended up in a tavern for brunch, and was glad she had.

"Did you hear?" one of the tavern waitresses mock whispered to another. "Tanslea said he saw a dark elf in the Butcher Blocks!"

"A darkie?" the other asked.

"Yes, he said she had a strange companion, who obviously couldn't see through the enchanted guise the darkie had on, but they were hunting in the Butcher Blocks and making their way to Greater Faydark."

"You think it's coming this way?" Someone asked.

"Not unless it wants to get killed." a male voice boasted, making the gossiping she elves giggle. Galveira was frozen for the most part. A dark elf, in Greater Faydark? Could it be Vanlar? And who was his companion?

She quickly paid for her meal and left to find Tanslea. Tanslea was a bit older than her, though he wasn't too far above her brother's level. He was an Enchanter who now both and sold jewels, jewelry and other enchanted items. She looked around the city and found him in his usual spot.

"Well, hello there, Galveira. What can I do for you?" he asked, his tone suggestive.

"What can you tell me about the dark elf you saw?" Galveira asked cutting to the chase. Tanslea's eyebrows rose surprised.

"What do you want to know? I hope you don't intend to hunt the darkie down by yourself."

"What I do is my business. Are you going to tell me or do I have to go looking else where?" Tanslea sighed. Galveira knew how much he enjoyed playing his little games, but the information she needed was worth the risk of putting him out.

"There isn't much to tell.."

"Well, what did he look like?"

"He?" Tanslea seemed more surprised.

"...It was a male dark elf wasn't it?"

"No, no, no. Not at all. This was a lady Dark Elf. A good enchanter and quite beautiful...well you know...I almost accepted her High Elf guise until I heard her talking to her friend about Neriak."

"Well, what did she look like?"

"Um, the normal white hair, blue skin, purple eyes...But she didn't look mean. She looking somewhat sad." Galveira took all this in and thought for a moment. Meiz had said Vanlar has a sister...

"Alright...I have to go now. Thank you."

"Galveira? What are you planning? Are you...that is...Do you know this dark elf?"

"I'm going to have to find out. Do you know where Meiz is?"

"I think I aw Qinelwen sulking this morning so I suppose she's visiting Kelethin again." Galveira cringed inwardly. She didn't dislike the Wood Elves, at least no anymore, but she hated heights.

"Thank you again, Tanslea." She left quickly before Tanslea could start questioning her again. She started out at an all out run, doubting he'd follow. She sped through the city and into the Faydark. Over hills and through the trees, dodging adventurers and travelers, but sticking to the beaten path till she finally came upon Kelethin. Though beautiful the city still seemed foreboding. She cautiously approached the lift as though it were an angry orc shaman.

"Galveira?" Galveira jumped at the mention of her name, but was relieved to see Meiz, especially on ground level.

"...Hail.."

"Hail yourself." Meiz replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, it's nice to se you too." Galveira grumbled.

"Galveira, it's common knowledge that you hate heights. You were so focused on the lift that you didn't even notice me. And besides that, you've got that look."

"What look?"

"The look that says you're on a mission." Galveira sighed. She'd forgotten how well Meiz knew her.

"I was looking for you." she said softly.

"Well, you've found me." Meiz cocked her head to the side, curiously studying Galveira. "What is it?"

"Well, I was wondering..." Galveira said slowly, but switched gears quickly as the words started coming out so quickly you could barely understand her. "You said you learned Vanlar had a sister and a Wood Elf had met her and today there was some talk and it sounded serious, so I thought I should tell you two." Meiz held up a hand.

"Hold on, you're saying you've heard possible news of Zeresh and Vanlar?" Galveira nodded. "I'd better go and get Yajuu then. Perhaps Amai too. The more eyes and ears we have the better." She sighed as she looked at the lift. "Wait here by the lift. I'll be back soon."

"But wouldn't it be better to just gather at this, Yajuu's house? It'd be far less likely that we'd be over heard." Meiz looked as though she knew this.

"Yes...But her house is up there." she said gesturing to Kelethin's tall decks.

"So? I'll need to get there eventually. If Kelethin is the chaotic maze I've heard of I'd better learn to navigate now."

"I suppose. Just tell me if you start to have a panic attack."

"Don't worry so much." Galveira bluffed as they stood upon the lift platform. "It'll be just like the bridge at home. Don't look down, and get over it fast so there's no time to think." Meiz gave her a look.

"Right." she looked around and then put the lift into action. Galveira's stomach flip-flopped at the first upward jerking motion. As they reached the deck and Galveira looked around she couldn't help but gape at the vast city.

"Is it ever chaotic..." Meiz smiled sympathetically.

"We're at the newby lift. It might take some time to get to Yajuu's house from here."

"Then why didn't we get on another lift?"

"Didn't want to give you time to think about it." Meiz said easily.

Galveira now sat quietly at Yajuu's table, sipping hot tea. By the time they'd gotten there Galveira was turning all shades of colors. Yajuu had brewed some tea, for which Galveira was most grateful. Meiz had gone to fetch Amai, who was at her guild.

"Thank you so much for the tea, Yajuu." Galveira said, setting her empty cup down. Yajuu giggled.

"For the umpteenth time, you're welcome." Galveira shook her head.

"If you had any idea what my stomach was doing to me, you wouldn't wonder why I was so thankful."

"Oh, believe me, the three different shades of green that passed over your face were evidence enough." Yajuu said as she refilled Galveira's cup. A knock came from the door, and Meiz walked in with Amai in tow.

"Alright now, what's going on?" Amai asked as Meiz shut the door.

"There was some talk in town today of a Lady Dark Elf making her way to the Faydark." Galveira said. Amai blinked.

"A Lady Dark Elf?" Galveira nodded.

"An Enchantress." Yajuu let out a small gasp.

"You mean...could it be Zeresh?" she asked. Galveira shrugged.

"Tanslea said she was under High Elf guise."

"Tanslea?" Yajuu asked looking from Galveira to Meiz.

"A good Enchanter from Felwithe. If it came from Tanslea then it's true." Meiz said.

"Then why did he start blabbing all over the street?" Amai asked.

"He didn't blab...he told his supervisors." Galveira voiced in her fellow Enchanter's defense.

"The sight of a Dark Elf disguised as a High Elf probably shook him up...He probably was just reporting what he saw and someone overheard." Meiz deduced letting out a frustrated sigh.

"You know how everyone talks..." Galveira reminded.

"Gossips you mean." Yajuu corrected. She began to pace in a small circle. "Now the whole of Felwithe will be on guard...and she could be anyone..."

"He said she was traveling with an Erudite..." Galveira elaborated.

"Wait, wait, wait...Are we sure it's even her? I mean, yes, it'd be nice to meet this infamous nice lady Dark Elf, but let's not get all excited when it could be nothing."

"Did Tanslea give a good description?" Meiz asked leaning against the table. Galveira nodded.

He said she was beautiful, wore a red robe, white hair, purple eyes..."

"Sounds like her but...is a hunch enough to go one?" Yajuu asked.

"It is for me." Meiz said. "How would you two feel about bunking with me?" she asked, addressing Yajuu and Amai.

"What about me?" Galveira asked. Meiz looked up, slightly shocked.

"You want to join in on this venture?"

"I brought you the information didn't I? And plus I am an Enchanter so I can easily recognize her magic and I can make sure all of us can see through illusions...besides if all you say about this Zeresh is true...that makes her Vanlar's sister."

"Ah, so that's what this is about." Meiz said chuckling slightly. Galveira made a face.

"Vanlar? Who's Vanlar?" Amai asked.

"Zeresh's younger brother." Meiz said still smiling. "He passed through several weeks ago and saved Galveira then he helped me. I found out who he was and more importantly who he was looking for."

"I owe him...that's all." Galveira said looking away.

"Right. Just be sure to remind yourself of that." Meiz said with a shrug.

"You want my help or not?" Galveira asked.

"Of course we do. Now you two gather some things and we'll head to my house."

"We might want to have somewhere else away from the cities where we could stay also."

"Why's that?" Yajuu asked.

"Well, she's a Dark Elf Enchanter and she's on the run. Her race and class tell me she doesn't like being noticed and that probably means she doesn't like crowds. She probably uses her spells to pass through heavily populated areas, so it might be more comfortable for her away from crowds."

"I think I know of a place..." Amai said pensively.

"A bandit camp?" Galveira cried as she surveyed the house.

"Yes, and please keep your voice down. We want this place to stay secret." Amai reminded.

"She can't stay in a bandit camp." Galveira said firmly.

"It's abandoned. Has been for months." Amai pointed out.

"I see..." Meiz said looking the small house over. "And you know this for sure?" When Amai nodded Meiz couldn't help but go on. "How is that?"

"...Well...I am a Rogue..."

"I see. So you knew them."

"Of course, and it's a good thing I did." Amai said crossing her arms. Meiz nodded.

"Yes, I suppose it is at that. Alright then, now that we've got a location all we have to do is wait." Meiz said.

"And hope no one finds her first.." Yajuu said ominously.