Chapter 109: Spider's Poison

The company returned to Ust Natha fairly promptly the following day, being greeted by a gruff Solaufein who appeared to have been given a tongue-lashing by Phaere and was in less than a good mood. The daughter of the Matron Mother herself had retired to her quarters to 'recover', and although Harrian's party was evidently being charged with other jobs in the meantime, Solaufein had all but guaranteed that she would want to see him – or all of them, as he had corrected swiftly – and possibly direct them in new duties sooner or later.

In the meantime, the Handmaiden Imrae, who had so far directed them, charged them with seeking out and killing a beholder smuggling adamantine into the city. With sighs and groans, the party had proceeded to the relevant platform to find the eye-tyrant and fight it, a battle which had been a moderately unchallenging affair for the eight-strong company, although Jaheira had had to do some impressive dodging to avoid becoming a delightful garden ornament. But they had brought the beholder down, and Solaufein had swiftly dismissed them, saying that he would take care of the body and they could retire for the night.

So again they had rested, then answered Solaufein's summons in the morning, where he had told them that Phaere had at last been permitted to return to activity after her ordeal and wished to meet Harrian – and, indeed, the entire group, as Solaufein slipped again – in the tavern shortly.

As they entered the building, reaching the inn's common room, there was no chance that Harrian could have missed her. As before he had not managed to get the best of looks, in the dark when flustered, worn and in pain after the fight, a part of him was sure that his passing glance was wrong in many ways, and that he would see someone completely different to how he remembered.

But no, and again he was glad that his skin was dark as Solaufein led them to the table. She sat with the sort of impertinent slouch that only the most important and noble could get away with without appearing sloppy, and her expression was imperious enough to both quail and warm even the coldest and bravest of hearts. She was indeed a fine specimen of a drow; long, silvery hair that framed a delicate and finely chiselled face, with a strong jaw – for an elf – without being jutting, a small nose and flashing red eyes. A sideways glance at Anomen and Edwin showed that the affect she had, the slight shiver of excitement and flash of fear upon looking at her, was not exclusively his. Harrian felt both glad about and irritated by this.

Phaere spotted them before the party arrived and swept to her feet imperiously. "So Veldrin arrives at last to greet the female that he rescued so valiantly from the clutches of the filthy devourers!" she declared as they approached, smirking a little, a smile which broadened as Solaufein rolled his eyes.

"Ah. I must have been invisible and uninvolved during that encounter, I see," the drow warrior muttered with more than a touch of irritation and bitterness as he stepped up to the table, standing stiffly before her.

Phaere sneered a little as she glanced at him. "I was speaking to Veldrin, Solaufein. When I speak to you, it shall be to command you to lick my boot. Keep your bitterness silent or lose your tongue," she snapped curtly, raising an almost artistic eyebrow at him arrogantly, before turning back to Harrian. "Now, ignore your emasculated commander's outburst, Veldrin, and consider this a time for reward and enjoyment," she said, her tone a little softer again. Her eyes flitted to the party. "Tell your lackeys that they may go about their ways; costs of drinks shall be covered, and they may relax as we talk."

Harrian sensed, rather than heard or saw, Jaheira's stiffening and upcoming protest, and he waved a hand at her as dictatorially as he dared. "Yes… enjoy yourselves. You fought well today; perhaps some entertainment so you're in a good enough frame of mind to not get me killed next time would be in order." Already he could hear the retreating footsteps as Edwin and Haer'Dalis made simultaneous bee-lines for the bar.

Phaere smiled slightly, sitting down and gesturing that he should too. "You handle your group well; as must be evident from the fact that you are a male, and you have females in your party who follow your instructions. You must be a… powerful warrior indeed," she almost purred, and Harrian sat down abruptly to hide his discomfort before Phaere continued. "Mother Ardulace was pleased by your performance. Solaufein's abilities are known to her, but she was delighted to learn you are such a powerful fighter. Ust Natha could use one such as you, Veldrin."

Harrian leant forwards, feeling a little delight in the role he had to play which he sensed Haer'Dalis was constantly infused with. He fixed Phaere with a long look, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. "And you? Could you use one such as me?" There was a slight smile on his face, but his expression was, for the most part, neutral.

Phaere affected almost the same look as she shrugged exaggeratedly. "Perhaps. I am… often seeking strong men for various tasks. You have proven yourself as a warrior, a skill I shall most certainly make use of for now. Any other uses… you will again have to prove yourself. Nothing is impossible for one of your… skills."

Harrian did his best not to shift as her eyes ran down him, the look on her face that of someone who was evaluating that which sat before them; she seemed very much an expert in that which she was judging, and a glint in her eye was quite appreciative. "Amongst the drow, only the strong survive," Phaere continued slowly, her voice low and a little sultry. "You could have slaves at your beck and call, rewards at your fingertips… the favour of Lolth. How does this sound?"

The swashbuckler managed to shrug with an apparently disaffected air, smirking a little. You have a part to play… play it! "I'd rather have you," he replied coolly, fixing her with his own gaze, though he wasn't sure he dared to allow his eyes to roam over the impressive sight.

He had evidently dared beyond his better judgement, however, for the slight smile which tugged at her lips was knowing intense. "Ah, is that so? Perhaps I may just show you the carnal delights of which only I am capable, male… but only if you prove yourself worthy of that honour," she reiterated.

Solaufein snorted loudly, and Harrian was jerked from his reverie, seemingly unaware that the warrior had even been there. The drow male fixed him with a look, a slight glint in his eyes suggesting that he already despaired of the Bhaalspawn, but spoke anyway. "If you knew what was good for you, Veldrin, you would begin running in the other direction as soon as the spider shows its fangs," he elaborated, shrugging.

"A pity some cannot comprehend the exquisite pleasure of being bitten, Solaufein. Perhaps some are hardy enough to withstand my poison and shudder with ecstasy," Phaere replied, her gaze not shifting at all from Harrian's face, something which made the disguised human shift with discomfort again. "Indulge yourself in relaxation for this day, Veldrin. You and your party. Tomorrow… I believe there will be a little something I can find for you to apply your skills to." She stood slowly, and it took a few seconds for his eyes to catch up with her face as she rose, causing her to smirk slightly. "Perhaps you can prove yourself in various ways?"

When she was gone, Solaufein barked a short, sharp laugh, then leant across the table towards Harrian. "Veldrin, I think she has taken a shine to you," he murmured wryly, shaking his head. "I would not fall for it, if I were you. That woman has a heart blacker than that of the Matron Mother herself."

Harrian glanced sideways at the door through which Phaere had disappeared. "I can see how you are right, Solaufein," he sighed, also shaking his head. "But, by Lolth, that female knows just how alluring she is."

The drow warrior shrugged, clambering to his feet. "Perhaps. I would think you not foolish enough to succumb to this temptation… it is a price which is far higher than it seems. Indeed, it may seem like more of a gift at first… but keep your wits about you, Veldrin, and you won't fall into the spider's trap."

Left alone for a few moments, it did not take long for Anomen to head over, two drinks in his hand, and he slid one mug across the table to Harrian. "My friend, you do indeed have a way with women," the cleric sighed wryly, rolling his eyes. "Perhaps you could bestow me with something by way of some pointers?"

Harrian gave the Helmite a venomous glare. "Silence, priest," he mumbled, shaking his head. "You try my patience, and speak of things of which you have no understanding. Worm, keep your opinions to yourself!"

Anomen grinned at him broadly. "Phaere is gone… Veldrin. I think you do not need to affect such airs any more," he pointed out.

Harrian snorted as he raised the mug to his lips. "You presume acting when there is none," he declared, then lowered the drink as both he and the cleric exploded in a brief bout of unfamiliar laughter, which tasted all the sweeter for how unaccustomed to such things they were… but inside, he could hear Solaufein's warning echoing repeatedly.