Jaheira, Anomen, Minsc, Jasper and Aerie wearily followed Laith through the seemingly endless tunnels of Waterdeep's sewers. Minsc was the only cheerful of them, as Laith seemed unusually shy and quiet as of late. Jaheira, Aerie and Jasper refused to talk to each other after the previous night's events and none of them had gotten much sleep.

The light from Laith's torch began to flicker and Laith stopped and set it gently on the ground.

"We're here," he said simply, his voice low. Reaching his hands down, he lifted up a hidden hatch that you'd have to know that it was there, to know that it was there. He blew out the torch and jumped in the hole, shortly followed by the rest of the group. They hit a hard stone floor and they could here the slamming shut of the hatch above them. They walked less than a minute before entering a world wich was vastly different than the one they'd left.

They had come to Skullport, the subterranian city hidden miles beneath the City of Splendors where brigands, monsters and the rest of society's outcasts mingled. A group of kobolds were trying to sell stolen cloaks "with not much guts on them" to a large ogre, while three drow mercenaries played a game of dice around a dying fire.

Laith led them to a tall, yet thin, building that seemed to be made of a giant stallactite. Stopping at the front he turned around.

"You will stay here and wait for me. I'll be going to meet with my contacts. You shall be traveling within an hour," he said. Jaheira whirled around, her eyes wide with outrage.

"This wasn't part of the deal!" she exclaimed. Laith looked down at her darkly. He grabbed her by the shoulders and lifted her several feet off the ground.

"I don't like it when you my methodsss. If you want to sssee your friend again, you will lissssten to me and do asssss I sssssay," he said, his voice scratchy. He walked to the doorway of the building and dumped her unceremoniously on the ground. Satisfied, he dusted his hands off and walked into the darkness.

Gathering what remained of her dignity, Jaheira stood up and walked into the building, ignoring the sniggers coming from the direction of Aerie.

***

Quilik sprinted as fast as he could away from the battle scene, looking for a secluded room in case one of Kakrin's minions discovered what had happened. This place is like a maze, he thought. He'd run almost every hallway, and still he'd found no exit. Kakrin, you're good, he thought.

Rounding a corner, he came to a door. A quick glance inside told him that it would suit his purposes. Slamming the door shut behind him, he leaned against the wall to catch his breath. After a few moments passed, he walked to the center of the room and began to chant.

His hands glowed with energy and arcane runes and sigla soon appeared in the air around him and began to circle the room. The chanting sped up as did the runes. Quilik chanted faster and faster until suddenly, the runes melded together and shining white orb appeared in front of him. He reached out his hand and gripped the shining ball. Nothing could have prepared him for what happened next.

It felt as though his spirit was being torn from his body. The world melded around him into a rainbow swirl. Shining lights appeared. A white hot pain exploded in his mind. Suddenly, it was all gone. He was back in the room where the spell had been cast. But as he looked around, he realized he was floating. He could also see his body, gripping the orb. Quilik muttered a silent prayer to no one, and flew to Jaheira.

***

Jaheira was in a dark room in the stalactite building, silently crying. She kept telling herself time over and over that it would all be over soon. That all would be well and as it used to be. But alas, it was in vain. Still she cried. Damn that Aerie! She was so infurriating. She cried so hard that she did not even notice that the room was growing brighter. She came to her senses when a warm hand gripped her shoulder. Turning her head, she was nearly blinded by the light in front of her. As her eyes adjusted, however, she began to see the faint outlines of a person, until she realized she was looking at a ghostly apparition of Quilik.

She jumped into his arms, holding him tight in a warm embrace. She felt his lips kiss hers. She melted in his touch. The arms around her pulled away abruptly and gently pushed her down on the bed.

"I've not much time. You must hear me out," he said, his gaze stern but compassionate. "Where are you?" he asked. Jaheira gave him a confused look.

"Don't you know? How did you get here?" she asked. Quilik shook his head. "I'm not here, so to speak. Please, I've not much time. Don't ask questions, just answer," he said.

"We're in Skullport," she said. Quilik stepped back abruptly. Jaheira stood up. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Jaheira, you've got to leave. Laith isn't really Laith. And Jasper. He knows something! Don't trust him, he's a r..." Quilik stopped speaking abruptly. The image that was him began to swirl around as if he were water and suddenly, he was gone.

Jaheira stood there, trying to comprehend what had just happened, and what to do next. It hit her in full force and she cursed herself for her foolishness. Snatching up her scimitar, she stormed out of her room and blew open the door do Jasper's.

There, on the bed, lay Jasper with Aerie curled up next to him, her eyes looking up at Jaheira defiantly. Jasper had a bored expression on his face when she came in.

"Something you need?" he asked. Jaheira threw the blade in her hand. It landed in the wall less than an inch away from the elf's head.

"You know something," she snarled. Jasper chuckled. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific than that," he said. Jaheira glared angrily.

"Don't play games with me. I know that you are not as you seem," she said. Her hand lashed out to punch him. Her hand connected with his face…

…only to be immediately brought back with a surprised cry of pain. She looked at her scorched hand in disbelief, then stared at Jasper. He stood up, seeming very upset. There was a hole in his skin revealing red scales underneath. The hole quickly closed, and Jasper stood, fuming at the druid. "Don't. You. Ever. Touch. Me. Again," he said, emphasizing each word. "I know circumstances of your meeting last night," he said. A ball of fire appeared in his hand. Grinning evilly, he threw it at Jaheira. She stood still and the bolt flew past her, exploding against the far wall.

"Your lover won't be able to help you, my dear. I'm afraid he's…occupied right now."

As if on cue, the doors burst open and drow warriors rushed in the room. They lined themselves against the wall, they're blades poised for attack. Jasper put his hand on Jaheira's shoulder.

"Don't resist, or I'll have to take you in pieces. I'm sure you'll like your new home very much," he said. Jaheira spit in his face. Jasper drew back and snapped his fingers. Jaheira vaguely heard the thud of a blunt object smashing down on bone, and then everything went black.