Chapter 5.

Entreri found himself quite alone for what had to have been several days. Normally enjoying solitude, he found himself at a loss in this strange place. Inactivity had never suited him, so he determined he would explore the complex on his own. It proved more of a challenge that he ever would have imagined.

The first problem that presented itself was the lack of light. Though there were random light sources scattered through the place, there were also long stretched of corridors that were completely lightness. Entreri was used to working in dark conditions, but the utter lightlessness of the underdark was beyond his experience. It felt almost solid, closing in around him like a smothering blanket. Gradually, by concentrating, he learned how to shift from normal vision to infra vision, and then was presented with a whole new set of difficulties. The heat sensing vision made life forms easily identifiable, but everything else was a confusing jumble of information that his brain had no way to interpret. He also realized that though he would be capable of recognizing any life form that might wish to harm him, he was completely blind to other dangers. As an example: a gaping chasm right before his feet. The assassin knew that drow had other methods of detecting their surrounding, such as subtle air current and echoes, but his visually dependant senses weren't developed enough to use such methods.

His next set of difficulties came in the form of Bregan D'earth's own members. To say they weren't helpful would be an understatement. Any attempt he made to communicate with them proved fruitless. His hand movements and pointing made him feel foolish and were met with laughter, and he heard the word "iblith" used more than once in reference to himself. Apparently, even these outcast drow considered themselves superior to Colnbluth. Entreri desperately wanted to kill a few of the bastards, but knew that if he did he would likely never see the surface again. He held his temper.

Eventually he made an important discovery in the form of the kitchen and dining area that Aramys had mentioned. Here were gathered a number of drow soldiers, and thankfully, the place was lighted. As he entered, he heard the drow conversation go silent, and felt the weight of every stare. Confidently ignoring, them he strode to where the cook was serving two drow soldiers. The cook, a skinny and rather dirty looking goblin, looked up and issued a stream of unintelligible gibberish, then stared at him expectantly.

Entreri shrugged. Then he motioned to his mouth, his stomach. What other than food did the damn creature expect him to request!?

The goblin eyed him archly for a moment, then turned, muttering "iblith" to himself. When he came back to Entreri, he handed him a plate filled with what appeared to be exactly that.

"Enjoying lunch, master Entreri?" said a familiar voice.

The assassin turned to see Aramys, a passive expression on her face.

"What in the nine hells is this!?" exclaimed the flustered human.

Aramys led him to a vacant table and sat. "Its called "shui". Entreri sniffed at it. "It's made of mushrooms," she added helpfully.

"Have they been previously digested?!"

Aramys's cool expression began to melt. She laughed." No, I don't think so, though I wouldn't trust Krumchl as far as I could kick him." She controlled herself quickly."Try it, its better than it looks."

Entreri sighed. "It would have to be." He raised a spoonful to his lips. It was indeed better than it appeared, though just barely. He was famished enough not to care, and ate hungrily, but he decided that the culinary arts weren't something highly developed by goblin-kind.

Aramys watched in silence as the man ate. He looked tired, she noticed; apparently the hours she had left him alone hadn't been restful. She recalled Jarlaxle's comments about him, and wondered what he had alluded to. He would surprise her. How? Aramys had found that surprises were rarely a good thing. She would have to keep a close eye on this one if she would have to spend much time with him.

The assassin looked up to see the girl regarding him thoughtfully, and wondered what passed behind her guarded eyes. He had seen eyes like that, somewhere, where the owner seemed to sit far back from their surface, keeping a distance and a shield raised between the outside world. Such eyes held a world of pain, he knew, pushed far down in their depths. Entreri wondered at himself, for empathy was not an asset to one in his line of work, and he didn't indulge in it often. His musings were interrupted by her voice.

"Jarlaxle wants us to go into the city tonight."

" I thought you were going to help me with the infra-vision first"

."You mean you haven't figured that out on your own yet?" Aramys put on a surprised expression. "Well, no matter, you had your chance and you will have to make do. Just follow me."

"How long has it been since you left me in the practice area."

Aramys seemed a little thrown by the change in subject."About six hours."she answered.

Six hours! It had seemed like six days! "How do you tell the time in this place!"

Aramys, a creature of the underdark, took this little detail for granted, and was surprised by the man's confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, on the surface, we determine the hour by the position of the sun or moon." Entreri had never been one to obsess over time, but the changelessness on the underdark was beginning to weigh on him. "I can't seem to judge the passage of time here."

Aramys began to comprehend the man's dilemma." All time in the city is set by Narbondel." Entreri's face was blank. "I will show you when we get into Menzoberanzan." She added, "Where it is not visible, we have magical timepieces that are set to mirror it. But after a while, you just know the time." The girl shrugged.

"What will we do in the city?" He questioned.

Aramys looked at him passively, "I have a job I have to do, which requires surveillance on a certain household before it can be completed. You're to come along for the ride. "

"Do you actually lead these soldiers on missions.' Entreri asked, indicating the drow sitting about the room.

Aramys laughed softly." No, I don't usually participate in Breagn D'earth's group ventures. The other soldiers don't like me and I'm not fond of them either." She held his eyes steadily." I work alone, and perform duties that require a more stealthy approach."

Entreri was beginning to catch on."You're an assassin." He stated.

Aramys nodded."That, as well as spy, and occasionally thief."

The assassin accepted this calmly, no longer doubting anything she claimed about herself. He studied her face for a moment longer, noting a subtle undercurrent in her features, something that would be imperceptible to any other. There was something a little too delicate about her, he realized, as if she didn't quite eat or sleep enough. He had worn that look himself once; it had lingered years after he had escaped the muddy slums of Calimport: the mark of one who had survived on too little for too long. Once again, he recognized his empathy for the woman and found himself disturbed by it.

The girl noticed his close scrutiny and gave him an annoyed look."What!" she demanded, sounding slightly self-conscious.

"Nothing." The man answered."When do we leave?"

"As soon as you have eaten, we will prepare to go."

Entreri stood. "Well then, we are wasting time."