Laith Adarion twiddled his thumbs and whistled a bit, uncomfortable in his armor that seemed to big and would itch too much. The message from Elton had arrived less than an hour ago, and the people who he was supposed to meet could be here any minute. Looking nervously around, he wondered how well he could accommodate them. Though few knew it, Laith was extremely shy. His somewhat bard-like personality was merely a facade to help him attain social position in Waterdeep's nobles.

He shuffled his feet a bit and cocked his ear to the side, listening intently to the words being spoken between a commoner and a nondescript Gold elf.

"Excuse me," the elf said, "Do you know the residence of a Laith Adarion?" The commoner looked up with an angry expression.

"I 'ave things to do! Wunna dem not bein' sittin' on me duffer toolkin' to yew!" he said, and stormed off. Laith stepped forward.

"Forgive me, I could not help but overhear your conversation. I am Laith Adarion. Are you with the adventuring band I was to meet with?" he asked. The Gold elf looked around.

"Aye, that I am. Forgive me, my colleagues seem to have disappeared. I am Jasper Praevilo. I was sent by Duke Elton of Baldur's Gate to meet with you about..." the elf began. Laith held up his hand.

"Yes, I know the circumstances of your arrival. We shall wait for your friends and then we shall depart for my abode."

***

Hours later, Laith, Jasper and the rest of the group were seated around a table, eating food that was the best Laith could offer. At first he was worried about disapproval, but his guests appeared quite content with their meal. This, he surmised, must've been the fact that they had been used to eating rabbits and venison for the majority of their journey.

The meal was over quickly, with many compliments to the cook (and a request for the recipe from Jasper), and it was then that Laith tried to bring attention to more serious matters.

"So, you're friend. How long has he been missing?" Laith asked. Minsc looked up through a mouthful of food, his tiny companion perched nearby. Jaheira stared at her plate and answered simply, "Seven weeks." Laith nodded.

"And why do you come to Waterdeep to look?" he asked.

"Quilik always spoke of visiting the City of Splendors. It seems the only place to look," Jaheira said, still staring down. Laith nodded again.

"What does he look like?" he asked. A tear slowly streamed down Jaheira's cheek. Anomen took the opportunity to speak.

"He is half-elven, with dark brown hair and bronze skin. He is tall, for a half-elf, roughly my height. His ears are more elven than human, his eyes an emerald green. He is Rogue Priest and, though I doubt this will help, he wears a silver plate mail and wields two warhammers, one white and one black," he said.

Laith sat back and nodded, pondering what to say next and how to say it.

"I have seen him."

In unison, all the party members stopped what they were doing and stared straight at their host.

"Yes, I have seen him. He was being carried away in a slaver crate in downtown Skullport. I know the man you seek. And I know how to find him. Tomorrow, I shall lead you to Skullport and buy you passage on the next caravan leading to where he goes. Now, however, you shall sleep. My maid shall escort you to your rooms."

***

Quilik stared hard at the page. On that page lay the spell that would take him to Jaheira. It would be a short time, but I would probably be enough time to explain things and to warn her. He steadied his breathing, taking great care to make sure his excitement wouldn't grow to ecstasy. He closed his eyes and began to chant over and over the words of the spell and began to weave his hands around in a fluid motion, trying to memorize it.

His concentration was broken by a door flying open. A hand slammed the cover of the book shut. Quilik stood up, face to face with Kakrin.

"I know what you are attempting," Kakrin said, lip curled and breathing heavy. Quilik stared at him coldly.

"I know what you are attempting," Kakrin repeated, "and I assure you, it will not work! I have a stronger magic than you can ever hope to achieve."

Quilik continued to stare. He extended his left arm out to the side. In a flash of white magic, an alabaster warhammer appeared in his hand. He then extended his right hand. There was another flash, this one a black, and an ebony warhammer appeared in his hand. He then made a sweep of his hand, and Kakrin flew through the air, smashing into the wall behind him. Quilik advanced once more.

"You won't keep me here any longer, you bastard," he spat. Kakrin looked up at the enraged half-elf and wiped blood from his mouth.

"You can't be serious," he said, meeting the Quilik's glare with an equally powerful one. Quilik stared down with an arrogant sneer.

"Very well," Kakrin said, standing up. "You shall have your fight, Bhaalspawn."