Idal – I do feel bad putting Imoen through so much, but this chapter should bring that particular matter to a conclusion. And Phaere, too, come to think of it.

Thanks for reviewing!

OOO

"But she didn't change?" Jess demanded tersely, for perhaps the third time, her heart hammering in her chest. "You're sure of that?"

"Speaking as one who has observed the phenomenon, I can assure you that it is not likely to be overlooked," Jaheira replied with deliberate patience. "Her eyes were undoubtedly golden, but she regained control before the change progressed further."

Her words provided scant comfort. Dammit! "What in the Nine Hells caused it?" she asked, keeping her voice low. "She was doing better when I left!"

Anomen shrugged helplessly, looking miserable. "A few minutes after you left, she started to panic again. She was sure that you were in trouble, that she had to help you. It became necessary to restrain her to keep her from leaving our suite, and that was when it…happened."

Jess shuddered inwardly at the thought of what could have happened if Imoen had escaped her companions, wandering Ust Natha in her frantic state. The bruises on Jaheira and Anomen's faces and arms bore mute testimony that the restraint had not been an easy one. "She grew in strength, as well?"

"Aye," Anomen nodded, looking troubled. "It finally required Minsc to hold her; she struggled briefly, then fell unconscious." He glanced toward the door that stood slightly ajar. "She has remained so since then."

Jess closed her eyes, fighting to free herself from the icy fist of fear that had closed around her heart. "All right," she said at last. "The ritual begins in three hours; get all our gear together, and be ready to leave when I do." She entered the room that she shared with her sister, a light footstep behind her telling her that Jaheira followed.

Imoen lay on her bed, face flushed and eyelids fluttering fitfully in the manner of one caught in restless dreams, hands curled into tight fists even in sleep. Jess knelt beside the bed, reaching out to stroke Imoen's hair, then drew back her hand with a startled hiss.

"She's burning up, Jaheira!" she whispered to the druid. "Don't you and Aerie have spells –"

Jaheira shook her head, dark eyes grave. "We have both tried, Jess, and Anomen as well. The fever that grips her is not natural in origin."

Jess stared at her helplessly, then turned her gaze to Imoen, her hand returning to the hot, dry skin of her sister's cheek. "She's not sweating."

"No, she is not; it would help to ease the fever somewhat if she would." Jaheira reached over Jess' shoulder to place a hand on Imoen's brow. "It does not seem to have worsened, at least," she said at last.

"It's the taint, isn't it?" Jess asked. "That's what's doing this to her."

"I believe so, yes," Jaheira replied quietly. "It fights her for control, and she fights back, but she has been weakened in body and spirit by the abuses of Irenicus – more so than I realized. I am sorry, Jessime."

Jess looked up, chilled anew by the note of sorrow in the druid's voice. "She's not going to die," she said, her tone wavering between plea and command. I won't lose her after all this. I can't. "Tell me she's not –"

"Jess?" Imoen's whisper was so weak that the warrior barely heard her. "Jess, you're back? You're all right?" One hand reached up to touch Jess's arm, feeling as light and as free of substance as a piece of wood reduced by fire to nothing but ash, needing only a strong wind to dissolve the illusion of solidity.

"I'm here, Im, and I'm fine," Jess assured her, gathering the younger girl into the protective circle of her arms, feeling the heat radiating from her. "We didn't have any trouble at all switching the eggs. Three more hours and we're leaving this place for good."

"It told me you were dying, Jess," Imoen murmured. "That it would be my fault if you did, that you were here because of me. It told me that I could save you, that it could show me how."

"It lies, little sister," Jess whispered urgently, not needing to ask what 'it' was. "It wants to trick you into giving it control. You have to keep fighting it, Im. Please, just a little while longer."

AND THEN WHAT? The Slayer demanded in the silence of her mind. ONCE YOU LEAVE THIS PLACE, YOU MUST STILL PURSUE THE MAD ONE AND HIS SIBLING. THE TAINT OF OUR SIRE WILL OVERWHELM HER LONG BEFORE YOU REACH THEM. ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SAVE HER NOW…IF YOU WILL USE IT.

You lie, Jess replied fiercely. You lie to me just as it lies to her.

WAIT AND SEE, THEN, it responded with cold satisfaction. IT MATTERS NOT TO ME. HER DEATH MEANS ONLY THAT ONE FEWER BHAALSPAWN LIES BETWEEN US AND THE THRONE.

Jess ignored it, turning her attention back to Imoen. "Just a little longer, Im," she whispered again. "Please keep fighting…please."

"Tired," Imoen whispered faintly. "Trying, Jess…but so tired…sorry." Her voice trailed off, and Jess felt her heart plummet.

"Imoen?" Dear gods, no! Her hand moved to Imoen's throat, finally locating her pulse, rapid and thready, but still there. Easing her back down onto the bed, she dropped her head onto the pillow beside Imoen, feeling despair trying to draw her into its embrace. "Jaheira, we have to do something!"

The druid reached out, her arms encircling both Jess and Imoen, laying her head on Jess' shoulder. "We can do nothing until we are away from this cursed place," she replied softly. "If what we have heard is correct, Irenicus emerged from the Underdark near Suldanesseslar. The elves there possess magics far beyond those that I command. They will be able to strengthen her, fortify her until we reclaim her soul from Bodhi…if they will."

"They will," Jess growled. Or I'll make whatever Irenicus had planned for them seem like a gentle spring rain.

She felt Jaheira tense. After a long silence, the half-elf said, "Jess, you cannot surrender to the taint, not even to save Imoen."

"I can't just let her die," Jess answered, unable to keep the anger from her voice. "I won't."

"Would you save her only to have her see you fall?" Jaheira wanted to know.

"Yes!" Jess hissed, trying to shake herself free of the druid's touch, but Jaheira remained where she was, tightening her embrace.

"Then you will doom her to kill the one she loves the most," Jaheira replied simply, "or be killed by you."

Jess sagged. She knew that Jaheira's words were true, but – "What do you want me to do?" she demanded in a choked voice, tears beginning to flow. "Kill her now, before it can?"

Jaheira moved her hand to Jess's cheek, turning the warrior's head so that they were eye to eye. "I want you to trust in yourself," she said, gently but firmly. "Trust in the rest of us, and in what we can accomplish together. Do not let fear goad you into a rash choice."

Jess regarded her somberly, then nodded. "I'll try," she said softly, "but if she dies –"

"She is not dead," Jaheira stopped her, her voice thick with emotion, "and as long as that is so, there is still hope." Leaning forward, she kissed Jess' forehead gently. "Stay with her and rest. I will wake you when it is time to leave."

As the door closed behind the druid, Jess eased herself onto the bed beside Imoen, wrapping her arms around her sister and laying her cheek against the younger girl's hair. "It'll be all right, little sister," she whispered softly, willing herself to believe it. "I'm not letting anything happen to you, no matter what."

She drowsed fitfully, never able to fully surrender to sleep, until Jaheira came to tell her that it was time for her to go. Imoen could not be roused, so Jess simply kissed her cheek, murmuring, "I'll see you soon, Im," before stepping into the common room where the others had gathered to see her off.

"You know what to do?" she asked, glancing around at their grave faces; even Minsc was unusually subdued, towering behind Aerie and looking anxiously from his witch to Jess to the room where Imoen lay.

Jaheria nodded. "I planned to wait until ten minutes after you leave before we move out. We'll move as far into the tunnels as we can, then wait for the spell sealing the city to be broken. After that is done, we take the eggs to Adalon and wait for you there." Her tone clearly showed her to be in disagreement with this last part of the plan, but Jess had been adamant, and Imoen's condition had rendered any argument futile. "And you?" One eyebrow lifted as she regarded Jess with a faintly challenging expression.

Jess knew better than to roll her eyes. "I stay at the ritual just long enough to see Ardulace dead, then join you in Adalon's cave immediately," she replied obediently, then grinned. "No demon dueling, I promise."

She hugged Minsc and Aerie, shook hands with Yoshimo, then paused before Anomen. "Take care of her, please," she said softly.

He nodded, reaching out to take her hand in both of his own. "My life will leave me before a drop of her blood is spilled," he promised. "I swear it by Helm."

Jess shook her head. "I don't want that, either," she told him. "Just be careful." She kissed him lightly, then turned and strode quickly to the door.

Jaheira followed her. "No foolish chances, Jess," the druid warned her again as she hugged her. "We need you alive. Imoen needs you alive."

"I know, Little Mother," Jess replied, returning the hug. "No foolish chances, I promise."

She moved quickly and purposefully through Ust Natha. The city fairly hummed with anticipation; drow gathered in tight groups, speaking excitedly and frequently glancing in the direction of the Temple of Lolth. It was obviously common knowledge that an event of great importance was imminent.

Phaere was waiting for her just inside the entrance to the Temple. "You are ready?" she asked, giving Jess a measuring glance. "The ritual is about to begin…and the triumph of Despana shall be sweet, indeed." As she turned to lead the way, Jess caught again the same odd, evaluating expression on her face and felt her heart quicken. Had her deception with Solaufein been discovered?

Jess was tensed for battle, expecting an ambush as they entered the room that had been prepared for the ritual, a large chamber with a raised platform in the center, but all eyes were upon Ardulace, elaborately robed and wand in hand, standing over a brazier glowing with magefire. Upon their entry, the doors were closed and bolted from inside.

Ardulace immediately began the ritual, casting powders and potions into the brazier, tracing the glowing wand through the air in intricate patterns while she chanted incantations in a tongue that Jessime could not understand. Heavy, foul smelling smoke rose from the brazier, but did not disperse. Instead, it moved as though drawn by a draft to a point several yards away from the brazier, then swirled in a lazy, broad spiral upward from the floor to the vaulted ceiling.

As the chanting continued, a shape began to coalesce within the smoke, massive but indistinct, and Jess was suddenly aware of the weight of a presence pressing upon her, the sense of a vast and ancient evil. She squinted into the smoke, trying to see the shape within more clearly, but it remained indistinct, defying her attempts at definition.

"I HAVE COME," its voice boomed, in her head or in her ears Jess could not be certain. "YOU HAVE WRESTED ME FROM MY PLANE, DARKLING. HAVE GOOD REASON, OR I SHALL TAKE MY PRICE IN DARKLING BLOOD!"

"I have good reason, lord of the nether pits!" Ardulace said, stepping away from the brazier. "I beseech you to aid the drow cause in the war against our hated surface cousins, to carve their pale flesh!"

"AND WHAT MANNER OF TITHE WOULD YOU OFFER ME FOR SUCH A DEED, DARKLING?" Jess could feel the cold amusement emanating from the demon…and the anticipation. One way or another, it would be repaid in blood for its summoning. "WHAT MANNER OF PAYMENT WARRANTS MY AID?"

"I offer you these, lord of fiends," Ardulace exclaimed, holding the basket of eggs up to be seen. "Eggs of a silver dragon, a self-righteous creature of light. Yours to do with as you please, in return for your aid."

Amusement changed abruptly to anger, thickening within the chamber like rapidly clotting blood, and the basket was knocked contemptuously from Ardulace's hands, the eggs sent flying across the floor. "FOOLISH DARKLING! DO YOU THINK I WOULD BE TAKEN IN BY SUCH A SIMPLISTIC DECEPTION?"

Ardulace stared up at the demon, disbelief rapidly giving way to fear. "What do you mean, o dark lord? These…these are –"

Phaere turned her head to stare at Jess, her expression a mixture of surprise, relief and triumph, and Jess suddenly understood what had been behind the odd looks the drow had given her earlier. Until this moment, Phaere had not been certain that Jess had not betrayed her to Ardulace, that the ritual of summoning was not a trap set by the matron to eliminate her eldest daughter once and for all. Phaere thought herself safe now; she knew nothing of the eggs that Solaufein had given to Jess…the false eggs that Phaere herself now held, believing them to be real. Jess felt ill.

"THEY ARE FALSE DARKLING!" The demon bellowed, and Jess felt power building, mixing with the rage until the air in the chamber seemed too thick to breathe. "I WOULD TAKE SUCH A TITHE, WERE IT REAL, BUT I CANNOT BE MANIPULATED THROUGH TREACHERY. PERISH, LITTLE DARKLING WOMAN, AND KNOW THAT YOUR ARROGANCE HAS DOOMED YOUR CITY, AS WELL!"

"No! NO!" Ardulace screamed as she stumbled backward, her face a mask of horror. "Lolth, protect your faithf—"

The power in the room contracted suddenly, condensing itself around the form of the demon, then releasing in a bolt of pure darkness that flew downward to strike the Matron of Despana. Ardulace arched backward with a shriek of agony, then collapsed to the floor in a lifeless heap.

"Hold, demon!" shouted Phaere as the demon began to move toward the spectators, who had drawn back against the walls of the chamber when Ardulace had fallen. "I am the daughter of the one who has summoned you…and I have the eggs that you seek. I offer them to you as the tithe!"

No. I can't let this happen. Jess took a half step forward, then hesitated. I can't…Imoen…

And then it was too late.

"THE DECIEVER IS DECIEVED!" the demon exclaimed with a cruel laugh, and Jess felt a sudden touch upon her mind, contemptuous but cautious. "THE BHAALSPAWN HAS BETRAYED YOU TO YOUR DEATH. MOST AMUSING. JOIN YOUR MATRON IN LOLTH'S EMBRACE, DARKLING DECIEVER."

"Veldrin?" Phaere gasped, spinning to stare at Jess in betrayal. "How did you –" Her expression quickly shifted to one of bitter irony, then cold fury and resolve. She swept her blade from its sheath, and Jess readied herself to meet the drow's attack, but the demon struck first. Another bolt of darkness flew, and Phaere's body landed heavily beside her mother's, her sword clattering to the floor. Jess stared at it numbly; it had all happened so quickly that there had been no chance for her to intervene.

"WELL, BHAALSPAWN, WILL YOU PIT YOUR STRENGTH AGAINST MINE?" the demon demanded. Jess felt the Slayer surge forward eagerly and knew that such a fight would be difficult…but winnable.

Or losable. There's nothing here to fight for now. The demon was plainly not eager to challenge her, though it would not refuse a fight. She shook her head. "I have no quarrel with you," she told it in a level voice. "Raze this city to ashes, if you wish; it matters not to me."

"I NEED NO PERMISSION FROM YOU FOR THAT, BHAALSPAWN," it informed her. "NOW GO, AND LEAVE ME TO TEACH THESE FOOLISH DARKLINGS A LESSON THAT WILL NOT SOON BE FORGOTTEN."

The drow clustered frantically around the door were swept away by a massive but unseen hand. The door swung open before Jessime, then closed behind her. The bolt slid home again, and the screams began seconds later. Jess ducked into the growing crowd that had gathered around the temple to stare in horrified fascination, evading the few among them who recognized her, moving with increasing speed toward the marketplace. Her passage attracted little attention; everyone she saw seemed to be either running toward the temple or away from it. As she reached the marketplace, shouldering her way through a group of guards running in the opposite direction, a thunderous noise from behind her announced that the lesson had begun for those outside the temple now.

She hesitated, glancing toward the road leading out of Ust Natha, then turned and sprinted toward the slave cages. The slavemaster had remained at his post, and he strode forward as Jess arrived. "You there…Veldrin, isn't it?" he called out as he approached her. "What is going on? The entire city has gone mad!"

"A demon summoning gone wrong," Jess gasped out as an idea occurred to her. "Matron Ardulace has commanded that all the prisoners be released to draw the creature's attention, give our warriors a chance to kill it while it is distracted. I'm to help you drive them to it."

His brow creased in concern. "Release the prisoners? But you've not been sponsored by Despana –"

Jess let him get no further. "If I'm lying, you can bring me before the Matrons." If you can find me. "Quick, man! Ust Natha is being destroyed!" Another thunderous crash and more screams punctuated her words and got him moving. Hurrying from cage to cage, he sorted through the keys on his ring, unlocking doors and flinging them wide. He hesitated when he reached Viconia's cage.

"This one, too?"

Jess nodded. "The beast desires drow blood; let it have hers."

He unlocked the cage and opened it. "On your feet, dog!" he shouted at Viconia before turning back to Jess. "Where are we to –"

Jess' right fist was already in motion, connecting with the point of his chin with a sharp crack. He slumped to the ground, but Jess' mercy proved futile when Viconia darted from her cage, snatched the dagger from his belt and slashed his throat.

She faced Jess defiantly. "I know not who you are, but I would not be driven to my death while he still lived. Dog? Hah!" She turned and spat on the corpse.

Despite the situation, Jess could not help a smile. "No one is being driven anywhere, but we need to get out of here fast. It's Jessime, Viconia…you remember me? From Beregost?"

"Jessime? Impossible!" The drow stared at her in astonishment, then her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "But no drow could know of such things. What magic has done this?"

Another crash, this one undeniably closer. "Long story, no time. The demon's real, and he's not happy." Turning her head, she surveyed the slaves who stood fearfully before their cages. "We're leaving here now. Follow me and stay close. Those of you who are stronger help the weaker ones."

"Why should we trust you?" one of the slaves, a gaunt-faced dwarf, challenged her. He drew back fearfully as she pulled her scimitars from their sheaths, but she stalked past him to the entrance of the slave market, then turned back.

"Follow the light from my blades if you want to leave this place," she said shortly. "Those of you who want to end your days in a demon's belly, feel free to remain here." Without waiting for an answer, she set out at a jog. She had released them, but she couldn't carry them all to freedom. Behind her, she heard shuffling footsteps as they began to follow her; a moment later, Viconia appeared beside her.

"Time has not improved your temper, my friend," she observed with a wry smile.

"Not noticeably, no," Jess agreed with a smile of her own, eyes in constant motion, looking for any who might seek to prevent them from leaving Ust Natha. All the guard appeared to have deserted their stations, however, either fleeing the demon or fighting it, and the few drow who had not sought hiding places drew back from Jess' glowing blades and forbidding expression. Once they were out of the drow city, she maintained their pace until they were well away, then brought them to a stop at a stream not far from Adalon's cave.

"Wait here," she told the exhausted group. "Rest, drink, stay quiet. I'll be back soon with the rest of my companions, and we'll head back to the surface."

A muffled cheer went up from the rescued slaves as she turned away. Before she had gone half a dozen steps, Viconia was back at her side. "I'll not stay with this unwashed rabble," the drow announced with a disdainful sniff. "They would slit my throat before you were out of sight."

Jess nodded. "You're probably right," she said, then couldn't help adding, "You'll be safer with the dragon."

"Dragon?" Viconia stopped, but they were already at the entrance to Adalon's cave, Jaheira stepping forward to meet them.

"I had begun to worry," she told Jess, "but I should have known that you would return for her."

"Seemed safe enough, Jaheira," Jess replied easily. "The rest of Ust Natha was busy with the demon. And I got all the slaves out. They're waiting by the stream."

"Phaere?" Jaheira asked, watching Jess closely.

"Dead," Jess replied curtly, trying to ignore the gnawing guilt.

"Good riddance," the druid growled, then sighed. "I know that you wish it had been otherwise, Jess, but it was doomed to end thus. She would have betrayed us in the end, had it better served her own interests. Drow are incapable of friendship and loyalty," she added, looking straight at Viconia.

"You still keep company with the mongrel, then?" Viconia inquired archly. "Her disagreeable tongue is as distinctive as her homely face. You would do well to pay whatever price is asked to extend the enchantment upon her; her appearance is much improved."

Jess suppressed a groan. "Enough, you two," she sighed. "Imoen?" she asked Jaheira as they started into the cave. At the druid's grave expression, she quickened her pace, drawing away from the half elf and the drow.

She glanced frantically around the cave as she entered, eyes slipping past Minsc, Yoshimo and Solaufein. Adalon dominated the chamber, even with her massive wings folded onto her back, her tail curled protectively about her eggs, her great head turned to regard Anomen and Aerie, who knelt on the floor over -

"Imoen!" Jess sprinted across the chamber, dropping to her knees beside her sister's still form. Aerie drew back with tears in her eyes as Jess gathered Imoen into her arms. "I'm back, little sister. We did it. We got the eggs, and we can get out of here now." There was no response, and Jess' trembling fingers could barely feel the fluttering pulse at her throat. "Im? Imoen, look at me, please?" She shook the limp form gently, then with greater urgency. "Imoen, don't you dare leave me…don't you dare…please…" Drawing her sister close, she began rocking back and forth, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. Someone nearby was crying…Aerie? Jaheira? Did it matter? "Please…" she repeated, no longer certain whom she was addressing. Anomen prayed to Helm, Aerie to Baervan and Jaheira to Silvanus, but what deity would heed the petitions of a Bhaalspawn?

YOU HAVE THE SEEDS OF GODHOOD WITHIN YOU, FOOL, the Slayer told her. WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR SIBLING TO DIE BECAUSE YOU FEAR TO CLAIM YOUR BIRTHRIGHT?

No! Jess sobbed. No! I'll do it, just show me what to do. Don't let her-

"Bring her to me."

Jess raised her head to meet Adalon's gaze, then rose and walked forward with her sister in her arms. "Please," she whispered, staring beseechingly up at the silver dragon, ignoring the Slayer's angry snarl. "Please help her."

The massive head lowered, nudging Imoen, then Adalon emitted a soft hiss. "The mad one has done much damage," she said at last, "and the taint of Bhaal even more, but she is not yet beyond my aid."

The dragon raised her head and her wings unfolded, stretching across the breadth of the cavern. For the second time that day, Jess felt a power stirring, as ancient and vast as the oceans, and as undeniably good as the demon lord had been evil. The walls of the cavern began to glow, faintly at first, but the light quickly became too bright for Jess' drow vision. She closed her eyes, but the brightness continued to grow until it became visible even through her eyelids. Along with the light came a tingling warmth, pleasant on the skin, like standing in the sun on a late spring day. Abruptly, both light and warmth faded. Jess opened her eyes.

The walls continued to glow brightly enough to illuminate the chamber, but the light no longer hurt her eyes. Looking down, Jess saw Imoen, the drow semblance gone, sleeping quietly in her arms, her cheeks pink and her breathing deep and steady.

"I have healed the damage done by the mad one," Adalon said, folding her wings once again, "and I have placed restraints upon the taint of Bhaal. They will protect her for a time, but you must regain her soul from the ravenous one with all speed, lest it overwhelm her again. There is strength within her, godchild… different from your own, but no less."

"Thank you," Jess said simply, hugging her sister to her fiercely. "If I may ever serve you, in any way, you have only to ask."

"It is I who remain in your debt, godchild," the dragon replied. "You were given the opportunity to reach the surface in safety, leaving my eggs in the hands of the drow. You chose to honor your promise to me, risking your own life and the lives of those dear to you. If you ever pass within this realm again, you will be under my protection."

Jess bowed awkwardly to the dragon and stepped back. As the rest of the company, their drow disguises likewise dispelled, gathered around them with happy murmurs and hugs, Imoen opened her eyes and gave her sister a sleepy smile.

OOO

Author's Musings – Deciding to kill Phaere was one of the more difficult choices I found myself facing in this story. I really liked the dynamic that developed between she and Jess, but having already planned to haul Viconia and Solaufein out of the Underdark, I decided that dealing with the issues that Phaere would undoubtedly present was going to be too much. Never one to let a good plot bunny go unfed, however, I went on to explore Solaufein and Phaere's relationship in the one-shot "The Moonless Night" and its as-yet uncompleted sequel, "Against Her Will", where I am working on a plausible way to get them both out of Ust Natha.