Author's note: Six months? For one chapter?! Argh, I am so sorry it took this long to update. But this one's at least a bit longer! Hope you enjoy!
The next morning, they set out from the small cave, gathering together what supplies they had, and heading back towards the giant spiders' cavern.
As they stepped out of the silk shrouded cave, Makareth paused, looking back at the small web stretched across the back corner.
"What's wrong?" Liana asked, coming to stand beside him.
"They didn't come back." Makareth whispered, his eyes still glued to the snarl of silken threads. A piece of food had been left on the edge of the web for the inhabitants if they ever returned.
"Your spiders?" the ranger inquired gently, and he nodded.
"They should be fine on their own." he said quietly, closing his eyes, and turning back towards the tunnels,, "But I would have at least liked to see them one more time. I have a feeling I won't be coming back here again." He ran a hand slowly down the soft silk on the walls of the cave, blinking back the excess moisture in his eyes with a shaky breath. Tearing himself away, he began walking down the tunnel with the others, taking one last look at his home before a bend in the stone passage hid it from view.
0*0*0*0*0
Through smaller caverns and tunnels they circled the vast chamber of the spiders' lair, looking for signs of any other survivors. Occasionally they even ventured out into the huge cavern itself, retreating back into the side tunnels before their presence was known.
Days passed, and still their efforts proved fruitless.
Then, as they were settling down for a rest, Kirion suddenly shot up from his bedroll, head cocked to the side as he listened.
"What is it?" Liana whispered, watching the wizard intently, and straining her own ears to hear whatever had startled her companion.
"I thought I heard yelling." the high elf responded, turning his head slowly to the side as he lowered his body back down to the ground, "It's gone now. Maybe it was nothing."
"No." Makareth said, his hands hovering over his knives currently sheathed in their scabbards, "I hear it too." His eyes bore into the tunnel walls around them as he tried to pinpoint the direction the sounds were coming from.
They quickly struck camp, and crept along the tunnel listening with baited breath.
Before long, all three could hear without a doubt the sounds of shouting, accompanied by the ringing of steel on steel.
Increasing their pace, the three elves rounded a bend in the passage, coming out into a large cavern. This cave was much smaller than the spiders' lair, but easily five times the size of Makareth's web haven. With the exception of the passage they stood in, there was only one other tunnel opening on the other side of the cave.
It was from within this cavern that the sounds of fighting originated.
In the centre of the chamber stood four of the other former prisoners of the drow priestess. They stood in a ring with their backs to a small fire, surrounded on all sides by a group of thirty dark elves, consisting of ten crossbowmen, and twenty fighters.
Garbed from the shoulders down in blue steel plate armour; the bronze-scaled dragonborn fought with a mithral mace, while deflecting sword cuts, and crossbow bolts from the drow with a huge tower shield. Beside him stood a young human in chainmail who wielded a standard sword, and round shield; blue eyes hard and focused behind his wild blonde bangs. On the other side of the fire, and without the time to cast a healing spell on her companions; the redheaded halfling cleric fought fiercely, wielding a bronze shield, and silver war hammer. Covering the rest of the circle in a tempest of rage fueled fury, was the dwarven barbarian.
The group was holding their own, but they were outnumbered, and obviously weakened by the numerous injuries they had sustained.
One shared glance confirming their united train of thought, preceded the ranger, wizard, and rogue leaping forward to aid the other adventurers.
Liana loosed an arrow, just as a crackle of magic by her right ear signaled the release of a fire-bolt from Kirion. Both projectiles hit their mark, felling two drow in the rear ranks.
The flash of light from the wizard's spell drew the attention of the four adventurers, and they all raised their weapons with a reinvigorated cry, startling the surrounding dark elves. Locating the position of this new threat, the drow captain barked out a command, and the crossbowmen all turned towards Liana, and Kirion, releasing a storm of quarrels in their direction.
The projectiles never hit their mark as the high elf raised a protective barrier in front of himself, and Liana with a defiant shout. The bolts struck the magic wall with a deafening rattle like hailstones smashing on cobbles, and the wizard flinched as he concentrated on holding up the barrier.
With the end of the volley of bolts, Liana stepped out from behind the shelter, to fire off in quick succession, five arrows of her own towards the crossbowmen spread out in a ring around the other drow. She ducked back behind Kirion's barrier as the cries of her targets signaled her shafts striking home.
Only five bolts flew back in response, but when she stepped back out to fire again, only four crossbowmen remained, two still aiming at her position. The other two had their weapons pointed off to the side, scanning the shadows by the wall.
They were obviously looking for something.
The ranger ducked back behind Kirion's barrier as a pair of quarrels flew right past where she was standing. Drawing her bowstring back, and placing herself once again out in the open, Liana fired.
As she released her arrow towards one of the dark elves who's crossbow was aimed at her, she saw the other two fire, and turned to see Makareth drop into a roll as the bolts sailed through the air above him.
The drow nearest to him dropped his crossbow, and drew his sword, lunging forward to bring the blade down on the rogue, whose roll had brought him to a crouch a few meters in front of the crossbowman.
As Makareth sprang away from the oncoming blow, Liana drew another arrow, aiming it at the dark elf who was loading another quarrel into his weapon, still intent on the rogue. She turned toward the one facing her as her last shaft struck home, and reeled back in pain as his bolt slammed into her shoulder. It didn't pierce through her leather pauldron, but stuck fast in the armour, probably leaving a bruise. Before she could send any return fire, a crackle, and hiss from behind her preceded an elemental bolt flying into the drow's chest, and he fell to the ground with a smoking rend in his armour, and flesh beneath.
Glancing back, she saw Kirion moving towards her, having dropped his barrier spell to go back on the offensive.
"Go help the others." he said, after checking to make sure she was alright, "I'll handle this." He gestured towards the crossbowman, and rogue who were now engaged in a deadly dance of whirling steel. Fast though he was, Makareth lacked the strength of his opponent, who's strikes jarred his arms with each parry.
Kirion began casting a spell, and Liana moved into a better position from which to assist the other adventurers as the larger drow's next attack knocked one of Makareth's knives out of his hand, and the rogue to the cavern floor.
Makareth tried to get up, growling in frustration and pain when the other drow kicked him back to the ground, raising his sword to end the smaller's resistance.
The anticipated blow never came, as Kirion released his magic missile which embedded itself in the enemy's leg, causing him to fall to one knee with a cry. Taking the opportunity presented to him, Makareth leapt back to his feet, quickly finishing off his opponent.
As the larger drow collapsed, Makareth looked up, making a quick salute in Kirion's direction.
The high elf nodded back, turning to aid the other adventurers as the rogue bent to pick up his knives.
0*0*0*0*0
The hope that any of the other prisoners had survived, had been dull, and growing dimmer with each passing day. The prospect of them finding the small group of adventurers was most definitely too much to hope for; yet here they were.
Two more drow fell to the spells, and arrows of the wizard, and ranger; depleting their numbers further. The paladin was shocked to also see a small dark elf among the others, attacking them, and darting away before the survivors could register what had happened.
At first he was unsure of what he saw, the figure most commonly being on the very edge of his vision. It became clear that the lithe humanoid was a dark elf, when a particularly fast moving drow managed to break through the paladin's guard; and would have run a knife into one of the gaps in his armour, had another blade not found its way through the elf's spine.
As the enemy collapsed before him, dagger falling from his loose grasp; the dragonborn found himself staring into the violet eyes of a battered young drow. Despite the extra dirt, and scrapes since he had last seen him, the paladin recognized the rogue who had helped them escape the priestess's dungeon.
He nodded once in acknowledgement, getting a surprised ducking of the head in response from the elf, before he darted away again, leaving the dragonborn to focus once again on the fight before him.
0*0*0*0*0
Soon, only one dark elf was left alive, standing a bit awkwardly beside Liana at the obvious scrutiny from the other adventurers.
All of them had seen how he had fought beside them, and while some recognized him from past events, their minds were still racing with questions.
Before any could be asked, Kirion spoke up.
"I believe some explanations may be in order, but we should probably move away from the battlefield, and tend to injuries before your curiosity is sated." he said, the jumble of questions on their minds evident in their faces, "For now, know that he is a friend, and will not hurt you." the wizard concluded, gesturing towards Makareth.
The other adventurers nodded slowly, and the whole group moved out of the cavern, a few torches in hand, and the campfire extinguished, down the tunnels to make a new camp.
They stopped at a spacious bend in the path, where there was enough room for all seven to sit in a circle. The cleric, and paladin first healed the worst of the groups' wounds, before each taking a seat themselves.
An awkward silence settled over the camp for a few moments while scattered thoughts were gathered. It was eventually broken by the dragonborn, accurately summing up his own, and his companion's questions in one.
"So," he said, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, his amber gaze sweeping over the trio of elves, "What happened to you after the group was separated, and for what reason is this young drow continuing to aid us?"
The next while was filled with the retelling of the events from the spiders' attack, up to the most recent confrontation with the drow. Kirion began, ending in their temporary stay in Makareth's cave, allowing the rogue to tell what he wished of the information he had divulged to them in his home. Liana then took over, telling about their search around the cavern for other survivors, ending where they had joined the skirmish against the dark elves.
The other adventurers were silent throughout the whole story, and into the stillness after its conclusion, processing all they had just heard.
After letting them sit and think for a while, Kirion once again broke the silence; more hesitantly this time, fearing he already knew the answer to his question.
"The others," he began quietly, "Do you know what became of them?"
His fear was confirmed as the other adventurers' shoulders slumped, and they glanced back in the general direction of the giant cavern.
"The spiders got them." the paladin stated miserably, "The villagers lost their weapons in the first attack, and were taken down very quickly, despite some of us trying to help them." His hands clenched into fists as the memory resurfaced along with the feeling of helplessness, "The majority of the other adventurers fell trying to defend the civilians; while the rest were driven out, and most were captured." His voice caught in his throat, and he shook his head in mixed sorrow, and aggravation.
The halfling placed a comforting hand on the dragonborn's shoulder, her face equally as grim, before turning back to the three elves.
"We tried to find the others that had been driven off, but the only things we discovered were lost weaponry, and a few remains." she said, pausing to sweep her gaze over the small group, and adding, "We seem to be the only survivors."
It was now Kirion, Liana, and Makareth's turn to sit quietly, and think on what was just said. The silence did not stretch as long this time, before the paladin muttered sadly:
"We should have been able to help them."
"It is not your fault." Kirion stated, "The spiders' attack came by surprise. I have no doubt you all did what you could."
The dragonborn relaxed a bit at this, still looking troubled, but not as much so as before.
From where he was seated on the paladin's other side, the human spoke up.
"Should we all introduce ourselves?" he asked, glancing around at the vastly diverse group, "We all know Kirion, but I don't believe any of us heard you other twos' names, and I know we never gave ours."
"That's a good idea." Liana agreed, "My name is Liana Willow-whispers." she said, standing up, and giving a short bow.
Nodding politely from his spot beside, and a bit behind her, Makareth also replied.
"And I am Makareth Darkblade." he said.
"Catalin Greyheim." The human responded with a playful salute, "Nice to meet you both!"
The dragonborn paladin stood up next, placing a hand over his armoured chest.
"My name is Beoric Brazenclaw." he said, bowing formally, "Pleased to make your acquaintances, Liana, and Makareth."
As the dragonborn returned to his seat, the halfling stood, feet shoulder width apart, and her hands resting on the handle of her war hammer placed on the ground in front of her.
"Lila Marigold." she said, "Cleric of Cyrrollalee, and primary healer of the group. Pleased to meet you!"
She curtseyed before sitting down, and the final member of the party; the dwarven barbarian, came to his feet with a grinding of his steel armour.
"My name is Grolim Soulforge." he said, voice deep and rough, but not unfriendly, "It is good to finally be introduced properly."
"Indeed it is." Liana agreed, smiling at the other adventurers.
Makareth nodded again in affirmation, mentally running through their names a second time.
Looking over at Kirion, and back to the others, Liana asked:
"How long have you known each other, if you don't mind me asking?"
A slow smile spread across Kirion's face, and his gaze drifted upward in thought.
"A couple of years now." he said, thinking back, "We'd been on multiple adventures together before being captured." A nostalgic light entered his eyes, as memories of elder days resurfaced in his mind.
"And the rest of you had been working together for a long time before I joined you." Catalin added, "So, yeah. You guys have known each other for quite a while."
"Yes. And I for one would very much like that to continue." Lila said, bringing up one rather important question, "Do we have any plan as to how we are going to get back to the surface?"
Silence was becoming a common companion at this point, as everyone quieted again to think.
After a while Kirion spoke.
"Makareth," he began, "You're the only one of us who has any sizable experience in the Underdark. Do you know of any pathways that could bring us out of these caves?"
The young drow pressed his lips together uncertainly.
"I've never actually been anywhere near the surface." he said, "But we might be able to-" He stopped speaking abruptly, turning his head to the side at a sound from the tunnel they had just come from. The others turned to look as well, and were puzzled to see two mis-shapen masses making their way across the floor towards them.
Suddenly Grolim laughed, putting a hand to his forehead at his forgetfulness.
"We forgot the last two members of the party!" he exclaimed, striding towards the pair of dark lumps, "I think they're going to be especially happy to see one of you."
The others seemed unfazed, but the trio of elves were thoroughly confused.
"What are you talking about?" Kirion asked, while Liana and Makareth just watched in incomprehension.
The dwarf picked up part of the moving objects, revealing them to be nets woven of spider silk, filled with large insects and small lizards. Relieved of their burdens, the two shapes left on the ground immediately scuttled across the ground towards Makareth.
Instantly recognizing them, the young drow's face lit up, and he jumped to his feet, running to the pair, and letting them climb his clothing, and cuddling them close to his chest.
He stood still for a few moments, his face buried in the soft fuzz of the two little animals, a happy sob escaping his throat.
His spiders were alive, and safe.
0*0*0*0*0
Liana had seen Makareth smile before, but it had always been a very little one, or only a half-smile.
She couldn't help grinning broadly at the look of pure joy that crossed the small drow's face as he held his spiders that he had assumed lost or dead, in his arms.
"How did they get here?" he asked quietly, looking up at the other adventurers.
Grolim laughed again, a gentle chuckle this time as he returned to his seat by the others.
"They weren't able to follow you when the giant spiders split the group apart, so for some reason they decided to start following me around." he began, "At first I didn't like it, thinking that any spider down here would be pure evil. But they helped us survive, hunting, and showing us which plants and creatures are safe to eat." He paused, then added, "I take back everything I ever said about all tamed spiders being demon spawn. Without these little guys, we surely would have died."
"Thank you for watching them." Makareth said, coming back to his spot on the cave floor, the spiders climbing up his body to sit on his shoulder, and head; changing positions, but unwilling to leave him, making happy little chirping noises.
"What were you saying about a possible escape route?" Beoric prompted Makareth, still smiling from the reunion of the young drow and his spiders.
"Right." Makareth said, "I don't know any direct routes to the surface, but I know how we can find one."
0*0*0*0*0
"He bit you?" the lead warrior asked the shopkeeper, eyebrow raised with amusement.
Ishrae's guards had decided to check in with the store owner, to see if Makareth had been through there recently.
The shopkeeper nodded shamefaced, adjusting his sleeve to hide the still visible teeth-marks.
"Please give me another chance." He begged, "I won't let the little scamp get away next time!"
All eleven heads snapped around at a woman's voice from behind them.
"There won't be a "next time"."
"My lady… What are you doing here?" the leader of the guards asked as Ishrae stepped into the building. Her spider silk dress was gone, replaced with a form-fitting suit of leather armour, better suited for traversing the wilds of the Underdark. Her hair, previously worn loose, was pulled up in a high ponytail. She smiled coldly, fixing the leader with her gaze.
"It is taking too long for Makareth to be returned to me." she said, "I am going to bring him home myself."
"My lady, that will not be necess-!" the guard began, snapping his mouth shut at a glare from the priestess.
"He has shown to be difficult to subdue, and unwilling to obey indirect orders through you." Ishrae said, crossing her arms, "But even the most stubborn of attack dogs will heel to their master's call." She smiled again, turning towards the door, and adding, "Take that failure to the dungeons. After that, you may follow if you'd like."
The sounds of the shopkeeper struggling against the guards were muffled as the priestess shut the door, striding towards the large hunch-backed creature waiting a few meters from the building. Fur black, with a few dark grey patches, the quaggoth's long mane was braided in innumerable little plaits, each with the teeth and finger bones of various creatures woven into the braids.
The teeth and bones rattled as the creature turned his head to watch the priestess. A large metal collar around his neck had four chains attached to steel rings, each leash held by a drow standing beside the large quaggoth.
As Ishrae drew nearer, she reached into a pouch on her belt, pulling out a lock of silver hair. Holding it under the quaggoth's nose, she commanded:
"Find him."
The four handlers each removed the chains they held from the creatures collar, and after nodding once to the priestess with a growl of affirmation, the quaggoth took off into the dark caverns.
Author's note 2: So, when I originally started writing this, the only characters I was going to have were Liana and Makareth. But then I realized, there is no way those two would make it out on their own. Dumping the rest of the party on you like this feels kind of clunky to me, but let me know what you think!
Also, this is as far as I got planning out the actual plot line. I know where I want it to end, and there's one major event that needs to happen before then; but the Underdark is a pretty big place, so I gotta come up with some more adventure to put these guys through.