"Most deceits aren't like one layered cakes, they are layers upon layers
upon layers. be careful."
Chapter 1 The Unlikely Three. Dark Dealings.
"I still think you are not fit into a paladin's position, Adakor! Look at you! I mean, no offense to your heritage and all, but it's your "moods and views" that kills you!", said a raven-colored haired, slim human female named Haikarith, "I bet my whole fortune you will not last long as a paladin!", she added as she continued to stuff food into her mouth.
"Don't you know it's bad to talk while your mouth is full?", replied Adakor, a tan skinned, long and wavy, jet black-haired human, "Go disturb Kalan please, I am trying to enjoy my steak."
Haikarith looked at the man across the table who is also eating. The man, who got long brown hair tied behind his back, looked up at Haikarith, put his arms around his food plate and hugged it closer to him, "You stay away from my food, Haikarith, and stay away from me!"
"WHAT?! You think I want your food you freak of a sorcerer?! I can afford my own food, thank you very much," complained Haikarith loudly, "you are always grumpy, but yeah, can I have a taste?"
"Oh brother.", Adakor smiled and shook his head. He looked around the almost empty tavern and smiled to the few costumers who are present, "forgive the attitude of my friends. rough days lately, that's all." With that, Adakor stood up and carried his now empty plate towards the kitchen.
"Oh, don't bother yourself", one of the barmaids approached Adakor to take the plate from him. Then she saw something unusual about him, small crude rock like spikes are bulging from Adakor's knuckles, and as she drew nearer, she felt suddenly uncomfortable, as if she is tipsy from a good dwarven ale.
"No really, it's ok", Adakor said, obviously not wanting the barmaid to go nearer.
"HEY! STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL!", Haikarith stomped near to the pair and stood in between them, facing Adakor. "YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF MISTER! LOOK AT HER, ALL PALE!... Oh, Missy, are you alright? Forgive my friend here. He is kinda sick and have a contagious disease."
"Oh."
"Give me those plates Adakor, before you break it!", before Adakor can offer the plates, Haikarith took it from him "HMPH! Here you go Missy. and here, a tip for your troubles", she gave her a gold piece.
"You are so kind Miss. Miss", replied the stunned barmaid.
"Call me Haikarith! The prettiest girl in Faerun!". Haikarith immediately heard whispers from the costumers. She turned around to look at them with a fierce stare, "AND WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!".
A pretty teenage girl from a group of six teenagers stood up from her seat, "Well, you might be pretty, but I am prettier". The girl's seatmate, a tall blonde lad urged her to sit down while the rest giggled.
"Oh, so we have here a challenger ey? Say, we hold a beauty contest here tonight huh? Call all your pretty friends, and let us see who is the prettiest", replied Haikarith.
"You better stop her, Kalan, she is into it again", Adakor said smiling as he returned to his seat.
"BAH! Leave me alone tiefling!", Kalan able to muttered while chewing a big piece of his steak. "I don't care what that girl say or do, its none of my business what she gets herself into."
"Really? Aren't you afraid of our reputation, that we might get the attention of certain. people?", Adakor challenged.
"Why? I have nothing to hide tiefling, unlike you."
"Perhaps", was all Adakor could say, as he could not help but look outside the old window of the old tavern, towards the bright sky, "perhaps."
By this time, the teenage girl and Haikarith was being held by the teenage girl's companions and the barmaid for their argument turned heated, which could erupt anytime with a fist fight. "Oh, letting your friends hold you now, hey? Pretending to still wanna fight??", mocked Haikarith. She then felt a strong hand on her left arm.
"Let's go Haikarith", Kalan said, pulling Haikarith away towards the door. He is quite amused with the strength that Haikarith have to resist his pull, but he managed to pull her away anyway.
The teenage girl manage to mock back, "So it is you who are letting your friends drag you back! HA HA HA!".
Haikarith, turning red, kicked and punched wildly in the air, "You will pay for that!".
As Kalan managed to pull her outside the tavern, Adakor stepped out too, "Now, who is to be ashamed of herself?", he smiled at her.
"WHY YOU! YOU TWO WILL NOW GET THE BEATINGS OF YOUR LIFE!", she yelled. She positioned herself in a fist fight position, "C'mon, who is first?!".
"Look Haikarith, across the street, they sell cakes," pointed Adakor to a red painted one-story building.
"Really? WO HOOOOO!", Haikarith ran towards the building, bumping two women carrying groceries in the process.
"Watch it!", one yelled.
"Can't talk. Gotta buy cakes!"
Kalan looked at Adakor with a questioning gaze, "How did you know they sell cakes, I don't see any sign that they do."
"I don't", Adakor gave his usual half smile, "I just saw someone getting out of there carrying a cake."
"OK, now you are gonna get it from her!"
"Nah, I don't think so, even if they don't sell cakes, she will make sure she leaves the building with one, one way or the other. That is our Haikarith, besides, you should thank me, otherwise, she would be kicking your arse by now"
"Yeah whatever."
After waiting for a few minutes, Haikarith ran out the building holding a half of a cake, while being chased by an angry bald man.
"See, I told you", Adakor said, as they go walked towards where Haikarith was running. He then threw a gold piece to the bald man.
"Yeah whatever", Kalan again muttered, as they walked the busy streets of Secomber.
******
The half-drow knocked at the withered door of an old building, which is in truth, a secret branch of the church of Cyric, the god of Murder and Lies, in Secomber. An old woman in dirty, rugged clothes opened the door, "How may I help you, sir?".
"This is a place for the worshippers of the Black Sun, is it not?", the half-drow said without hesitation.
"I think you are mistaken sir. This is a place where we, the poor unwanted people of Secomber gather," the old woman started to close the door. But the half-drow stopped the door.
"I have no time for this games, I know I am not mistaken or that you are what you seem you are. Do not worry, I am not here to kill you, and I am not a spy from either the Harpers or the church of Bane for that matter," with that, he smiled for the mention of Bane gave away the old woman's identity, for her eyes suddenly showed signs of shock, anger. and fear, even for just a fleeting moment.
"Enter", the woman stepped aside, and as the half-drow went inside, he was quite impressed of how well the church fooled outsiders with its outside appearance. Inside, the place looks all new, woods are very polished, the floors and everything inside are clean, even the benches are well arranged. In the other end of the fifty feet long room, an altar is erected, with a big symbol of Cyric imbedded in its walls - a jawless skull in front of a black sunburst. Black and purple candles are almost scattered throughout the room, with gothic candle holders. Around a dozen of people are either kneeling or sitting throughout the benches.
"So, looks can indeed be VERY deceiving," remarked the half-drow, smirking, lowering his cowl, and as he looked at the old woman, her whole body seemed to ripple as if she is made from water, and then turned into a tall, beautiful, yet intelligently deadly looking lady, with long straight black hair, wearing long black robes made of thin cotton, which is tightly hugging her slender frame. It seems to the half-drow that the woman herself is wearing nothing but just painted her body black. He gave another smirk, "I doubt that the only deceiving thing about you is that old woman form you took."
Getting the irony of that statement, the beautiful woman then asked with a cold, uncaring voice, "State your name and business mixed-breed," without even showing a hint of surprise to the visitor's race.
Looking at the woman, challenging her cold voice with his cold stare, he bluntly said, "I am Sithyari. I seek a vampire here in Secomber, have you heard of him? I think that the people who knows best of his existence and whereabouts would be you people, the clerics of Cyric."
"Yes, I know of this vampire you seek. The only vampire in Secomber I believe, for it wishes not to make others of its kind, in fear of being spotted. Trust me in this, mix-breed, only a very few knows of its existence. And yes, I know its whereabouts. I will tell you only and only if you do something for me in return. Are you interested?", now it is the woman's turn to smirk, thinking she have the upper hand now.
"Then say what you need of me to do so I may do it in haste. I am quite in a hurry."
"A paladin. a paladin of Lathander have been bothering me and my associates lately, he has been. seeking and destroying any worshippers of any. deities not his own."
"You mean evil deities," corrected Sithyari, "so where can I find this paladin?"
"Don't be too cocky in this half-drow, the paladin is good, he have killed three of my clerics, and four of Malar's. He is not usually in Lathander's church but instead roams around town to seek evil. His name is Edrith, blonde hair, muscu---"
"Yes yes, no need to describe him. His name will do, the fact that he is a paladin of Lathander won't give me a hard time finding him", interrupted Sithyari.
"Don't come back until you have dealt with him then, after, we will talk."
"Give me two hours", boasted the half-drow.
"Don't bet on that, half-breed", retorted the cleric.
"Oh, but I already have", smiled Sithyari as he walked towards the door.
"Then you will lose everything," she whispered.
Sithyari, having a drow hearing capabilities, if not totally; heard the remark, but didn't bother replying. Let actions speak for themselves, he thought.
Chapter 1 The Unlikely Three. Dark Dealings.
"I still think you are not fit into a paladin's position, Adakor! Look at you! I mean, no offense to your heritage and all, but it's your "moods and views" that kills you!", said a raven-colored haired, slim human female named Haikarith, "I bet my whole fortune you will not last long as a paladin!", she added as she continued to stuff food into her mouth.
"Don't you know it's bad to talk while your mouth is full?", replied Adakor, a tan skinned, long and wavy, jet black-haired human, "Go disturb Kalan please, I am trying to enjoy my steak."
Haikarith looked at the man across the table who is also eating. The man, who got long brown hair tied behind his back, looked up at Haikarith, put his arms around his food plate and hugged it closer to him, "You stay away from my food, Haikarith, and stay away from me!"
"WHAT?! You think I want your food you freak of a sorcerer?! I can afford my own food, thank you very much," complained Haikarith loudly, "you are always grumpy, but yeah, can I have a taste?"
"Oh brother.", Adakor smiled and shook his head. He looked around the almost empty tavern and smiled to the few costumers who are present, "forgive the attitude of my friends. rough days lately, that's all." With that, Adakor stood up and carried his now empty plate towards the kitchen.
"Oh, don't bother yourself", one of the barmaids approached Adakor to take the plate from him. Then she saw something unusual about him, small crude rock like spikes are bulging from Adakor's knuckles, and as she drew nearer, she felt suddenly uncomfortable, as if she is tipsy from a good dwarven ale.
"No really, it's ok", Adakor said, obviously not wanting the barmaid to go nearer.
"HEY! STOP SCARING THE POOR GIRL!", Haikarith stomped near to the pair and stood in between them, facing Adakor. "YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF MISTER! LOOK AT HER, ALL PALE!... Oh, Missy, are you alright? Forgive my friend here. He is kinda sick and have a contagious disease."
"Oh."
"Give me those plates Adakor, before you break it!", before Adakor can offer the plates, Haikarith took it from him "HMPH! Here you go Missy. and here, a tip for your troubles", she gave her a gold piece.
"You are so kind Miss. Miss", replied the stunned barmaid.
"Call me Haikarith! The prettiest girl in Faerun!". Haikarith immediately heard whispers from the costumers. She turned around to look at them with a fierce stare, "AND WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!".
A pretty teenage girl from a group of six teenagers stood up from her seat, "Well, you might be pretty, but I am prettier". The girl's seatmate, a tall blonde lad urged her to sit down while the rest giggled.
"Oh, so we have here a challenger ey? Say, we hold a beauty contest here tonight huh? Call all your pretty friends, and let us see who is the prettiest", replied Haikarith.
"You better stop her, Kalan, she is into it again", Adakor said smiling as he returned to his seat.
"BAH! Leave me alone tiefling!", Kalan able to muttered while chewing a big piece of his steak. "I don't care what that girl say or do, its none of my business what she gets herself into."
"Really? Aren't you afraid of our reputation, that we might get the attention of certain. people?", Adakor challenged.
"Why? I have nothing to hide tiefling, unlike you."
"Perhaps", was all Adakor could say, as he could not help but look outside the old window of the old tavern, towards the bright sky, "perhaps."
By this time, the teenage girl and Haikarith was being held by the teenage girl's companions and the barmaid for their argument turned heated, which could erupt anytime with a fist fight. "Oh, letting your friends hold you now, hey? Pretending to still wanna fight??", mocked Haikarith. She then felt a strong hand on her left arm.
"Let's go Haikarith", Kalan said, pulling Haikarith away towards the door. He is quite amused with the strength that Haikarith have to resist his pull, but he managed to pull her away anyway.
The teenage girl manage to mock back, "So it is you who are letting your friends drag you back! HA HA HA!".
Haikarith, turning red, kicked and punched wildly in the air, "You will pay for that!".
As Kalan managed to pull her outside the tavern, Adakor stepped out too, "Now, who is to be ashamed of herself?", he smiled at her.
"WHY YOU! YOU TWO WILL NOW GET THE BEATINGS OF YOUR LIFE!", she yelled. She positioned herself in a fist fight position, "C'mon, who is first?!".
"Look Haikarith, across the street, they sell cakes," pointed Adakor to a red painted one-story building.
"Really? WO HOOOOO!", Haikarith ran towards the building, bumping two women carrying groceries in the process.
"Watch it!", one yelled.
"Can't talk. Gotta buy cakes!"
Kalan looked at Adakor with a questioning gaze, "How did you know they sell cakes, I don't see any sign that they do."
"I don't", Adakor gave his usual half smile, "I just saw someone getting out of there carrying a cake."
"OK, now you are gonna get it from her!"
"Nah, I don't think so, even if they don't sell cakes, she will make sure she leaves the building with one, one way or the other. That is our Haikarith, besides, you should thank me, otherwise, she would be kicking your arse by now"
"Yeah whatever."
After waiting for a few minutes, Haikarith ran out the building holding a half of a cake, while being chased by an angry bald man.
"See, I told you", Adakor said, as they go walked towards where Haikarith was running. He then threw a gold piece to the bald man.
"Yeah whatever", Kalan again muttered, as they walked the busy streets of Secomber.
******
The half-drow knocked at the withered door of an old building, which is in truth, a secret branch of the church of Cyric, the god of Murder and Lies, in Secomber. An old woman in dirty, rugged clothes opened the door, "How may I help you, sir?".
"This is a place for the worshippers of the Black Sun, is it not?", the half-drow said without hesitation.
"I think you are mistaken sir. This is a place where we, the poor unwanted people of Secomber gather," the old woman started to close the door. But the half-drow stopped the door.
"I have no time for this games, I know I am not mistaken or that you are what you seem you are. Do not worry, I am not here to kill you, and I am not a spy from either the Harpers or the church of Bane for that matter," with that, he smiled for the mention of Bane gave away the old woman's identity, for her eyes suddenly showed signs of shock, anger. and fear, even for just a fleeting moment.
"Enter", the woman stepped aside, and as the half-drow went inside, he was quite impressed of how well the church fooled outsiders with its outside appearance. Inside, the place looks all new, woods are very polished, the floors and everything inside are clean, even the benches are well arranged. In the other end of the fifty feet long room, an altar is erected, with a big symbol of Cyric imbedded in its walls - a jawless skull in front of a black sunburst. Black and purple candles are almost scattered throughout the room, with gothic candle holders. Around a dozen of people are either kneeling or sitting throughout the benches.
"So, looks can indeed be VERY deceiving," remarked the half-drow, smirking, lowering his cowl, and as he looked at the old woman, her whole body seemed to ripple as if she is made from water, and then turned into a tall, beautiful, yet intelligently deadly looking lady, with long straight black hair, wearing long black robes made of thin cotton, which is tightly hugging her slender frame. It seems to the half-drow that the woman herself is wearing nothing but just painted her body black. He gave another smirk, "I doubt that the only deceiving thing about you is that old woman form you took."
Getting the irony of that statement, the beautiful woman then asked with a cold, uncaring voice, "State your name and business mixed-breed," without even showing a hint of surprise to the visitor's race.
Looking at the woman, challenging her cold voice with his cold stare, he bluntly said, "I am Sithyari. I seek a vampire here in Secomber, have you heard of him? I think that the people who knows best of his existence and whereabouts would be you people, the clerics of Cyric."
"Yes, I know of this vampire you seek. The only vampire in Secomber I believe, for it wishes not to make others of its kind, in fear of being spotted. Trust me in this, mix-breed, only a very few knows of its existence. And yes, I know its whereabouts. I will tell you only and only if you do something for me in return. Are you interested?", now it is the woman's turn to smirk, thinking she have the upper hand now.
"Then say what you need of me to do so I may do it in haste. I am quite in a hurry."
"A paladin. a paladin of Lathander have been bothering me and my associates lately, he has been. seeking and destroying any worshippers of any. deities not his own."
"You mean evil deities," corrected Sithyari, "so where can I find this paladin?"
"Don't be too cocky in this half-drow, the paladin is good, he have killed three of my clerics, and four of Malar's. He is not usually in Lathander's church but instead roams around town to seek evil. His name is Edrith, blonde hair, muscu---"
"Yes yes, no need to describe him. His name will do, the fact that he is a paladin of Lathander won't give me a hard time finding him", interrupted Sithyari.
"Don't come back until you have dealt with him then, after, we will talk."
"Give me two hours", boasted the half-drow.
"Don't bet on that, half-breed", retorted the cleric.
"Oh, but I already have", smiled Sithyari as he walked towards the door.
"Then you will lose everything," she whispered.
Sithyari, having a drow hearing capabilities, if not totally; heard the remark, but didn't bother replying. Let actions speak for themselves, he thought.