I do not own the game Neverwinter Nights, nor do I own the Expansion Pack Hordes of the Underdark or anything seen within. They belong to their respective owners.
I do however have rights to anything new and not seen before, the main character and so on.
This is a rather different version of the story, more as a sort of 'back story' for my character. Liath Bel'cador is the character I finished HOTU with, she is also my D&D character I use. I thought it would be an experience to have a character which has issues, one who is not quite stable.
All comments are appreciated and responded to if possible. I apologise for the breaking of canon and the like, it is not really important in this story I suppose.
Something sinister in the background is going on, the reader may or may not like this. Enjoy.
- Liath Bel'cador
Part 1 – Waterdeep I
Waterdeep; a great and powerful city on the continent of Faerûn on the plane of Toril was under siege. Built over the dark recesses of Undermountain, the great city had survived for centuries against whatever evil threatened it. Now, it was under attack, not from the country side around the walls but from underneath the city itself. For the first time, creatures were pouring up through the depths of Undermountain and it seemed nothing could stop them. A call had been put out for heroes to join the guard in their defence of the city and to solve the problems caused by this invasion of the creatures of the menacing Underdark.
The guards were closing the gates for the night, a long process in which a score of guardsmen would strain on the mechanical levers to close the doors and seal them. As they were closing the second gate, the light of the sun nearly vanished they saw a lone figure walking down the road towards them. As bows were readied, the guard captain called out an order for the person to halt and state their business.
"I heard that the city of Waterdeep has put out a call for volunteers to help fight the menace which currently assails it." The voice was definitely male but was undefined and was hard to remember the tone.
The guards looked at one another, finally the captain leaned forward again. "It is past dusk, what man comes so late without transport to the gates of the city?"
"A man who sees you obviously do not need my assistance," with that he turned and began to walk back.
"Wait!" the captain called. "Are you saying you can help us?"
"I cannot read the future," the shadow said gnomically, "but I am experienced in such matters as you mentioned."
"Then enter, but we look badly upon any sort of crime or misdeeds."
"Then I will be sure not to commit them," the man said and walked into the light of the torches. He wore a long black cloak that shrouded him and a hood and mask. The mask was black and was in the shape of a sculpture's first draft of a face; beneath the cloak was the shimmer of blackened armour and a sword hilt.
As he walked forward, a spear haft intercepted him gently and the captain moved into his path. "We bid you welcome stranger but we ask to see your face. None may enter with disguises already applied, we would see your true form."
The man cocked his head to one side, "of course, I wear it only when I fight so that my enemy might not see my true form."
He reached up to his face and pulled the mask and hood aside with a single move. Instead of some horror or monstrosity that the captain was secretly expecting, he found himself looking at the pleasant features of an elf lady. He looked again, the voice had sounded so neutral but had been undeniably male. His confusion must have been evident because she leaned forward and smiled. She had skin that was almost as pale as some of the lighter drow that he had seen in the few incursions they had made. Her eyes were a steel-blue which matched her skin whilst her hair was as white as untouched snow. She also deliberately kept the right side of her face in shadow.
"I see my appearance confuses you captain," the voice was definitely feminine, there was no illusion here it was clear. "The mask not only hides my appearance, it hides my voice so my foes do not know who they face. I am Lady Liath Bel'cador."
The captain, a human of about thirty smiled nervously as the mask was again donned. "Welcome then, my lady. Durnan, the owner of the Yawning Portal Inn is organising the efforts of the adventurers."
"Very well captain, a good night to you," the dull voice vanished into the shadows behind him.
"Close the gates," he ordered his men shakily. He did not know whether to be happy or alarmed at this new arrival.
The stranger walked down the streets from the gates through the crowded streets to the central south of the city. People glanced at her but could see no part of her exposed, they let her be though, something about her seemed to radiate power and danger. She was not sure where exactly she should go but nevertheless she followed her instincts and followed pointers only she could see. Finally, she came to a barricade manned by a dozen tough and gnarly men in the uniform of the guard. The looked her up and down and were obviously unable to detect her gender, as it should be.
"Listen friend, this area is the warzone, go back into the main part."
"I seek the Yawning Portal yonder," she stated tonelessly.
One man rose to his feet and looked down on the elf. "Listen boy, only those with the leave of the High Captain go past, now go away."
"I would recommend that you do not obstruct me, soldier."
The big man chuckled, he was over six foot three and broad like an ox. "And why's that boy?"
Liath stared at the man for a few moments, judging him and then reached inside her cloak and drew out a paper sealed with wax. "Then read this," she commanded, the man looked uncertain. "You can read I assume?" she asked, drawing far too much enjoyment from the encounter. As usual, her dormant darkside took advantage of her at the strangest moments.
The big man growled and shouted along the street, "capt'n, some man wants to see you."
A medium sized man with a wide moustache and an arrogant air approached from the door of a building marked as "off limits." "What is it sergeant?" he demanded.
"Man has permission to enter he reckons."
"Why did you not deal with the matter yourself eh? Alright you, get over here and show me what you have." These last words were barked at Liath who moved quietly over to him.
"Captain, I am glad that you showed prudence. It seems your man could do with some more training."
The soldier's eyes narrowed, "so? what is so important?"
Liath handed the letter over, the man broke the seal without looking and read it over quickly. He looked up and then down again, "and what does this mean?"
"The seal, before you broke it was that of Lord Nasher of Neverwinter, signed by Aarin Gend, his personal aide. It is also signed and sealed by the Ambassador of your own city." The voice was so calm and reasonable that the captain was finding it difficult to think, or was that the seven pints he had had?
He reached a decision, "very well, the Portal is just over the square."
Liath took the note back and bowed her head before walking away. The guards watched her go and shrugged, going back to their leisure.
A huge, one armed half-orc guarded the doorway and growled suspiciously as the black robed figure appeared out of the dark shadows of the street.
"What you want?" he asked thickly.
Liath smiled behind her mask, this would be amusing. She flourished a piece of paper which had actually been her requisition of supplies some months before.
"You will call me lord when you talk to me, lackey," she hissed. "Can you not read what this order says? Why is such an incompetent on duty here?" Her voice was so commanding that the half-breed saluted.
"Sorry lord, I cannot read it," he muttered.
"You will let me pass then and be thankful I do not have you dismissed for insubordination."
The half-orc had no idea what the last word meant but hurriedly stepped aside, bowing as he did so.
Liath swept past him, amused despite the nagging guilt that that was not the right thing to do. She looked at the guard, "imbecile," she muttered and walked into the inn.
Inside was the usual collection of soldiers, nobles and mercenaries that always inhabited such places. Liath walked into the room, aware of the gazes on her, she felt a gentle probe at her mind but repelled it without difficulty. It had not been serious and she followed the source to the owner, a younger elf woman in blue robes and a pleasant smile. The elf woman bowed her head, seemingly having found nothing worth discussing in Liath's mind.
"What can I get you lord?" the bartender asked.
"I seek the owner of the establishment, Durnan I believe his name is."
The barkeep nodded his head, "up the stairs to the right. He is just interviewing other mercenaries."
Liath thought briefly of making the man retract his words but then decided against it. She walked slowly up the stairs and along the corridor until she entered the room where two half-elf rangers were just being dismissed. They looked like brothers, twins maybe but Liath did not care.
Durnan looked up at the unsettling tall black shape with no sign of skin or even gender visible, he nodded and waved to the seat on the other side of the table. The table was covered with papers, quills, glasses and other miscellaneous objects that the man pushed aside. He was a strong man, probably past his prime as a fighter but a determined man still. His gaze tried to pierce the hood and cloak but failed.
"What can I do for you? You will be wanting a room no doubt, are you here to join the adventurers?"
"You have answered your own questions, licensee. I have authority from the Ambassador of this city and the blessing of Lord Nasher of Neverwinter."
Liath handed him the note which he read over and then looked up. "You know Eairth Fel'dore?" he asked in surprise.
"In a manner of speaking yes, he a friend of a friend is a better description. We are still close to each other though and he heard of the trouble here and had me recommended."
Durnan was still gaping in surprise, the Hero of Neverwinter's friend was here to help them. This was comforting news indeed, most of the people who came here would be hard pressed to kill a weak goblin. "I am pleased to see you, but it says that your name is Liath."
"What of it?" she asked though she knew the answer.
"Liath is a ladies name and this letter refers to a 'her'"
Liath sighed and pulled the mask free, shaking her hair out as she did so, she sighed. "Does that answer your question, human?" her voice was smooth and feminine once more.
Durnan let the species remark go but nodded, "I see. Why the disguise?"
"It is for personal reasons as well as military. I do not want to discuss it." Her voice had shown actual emotion for the first time since she had entered the city.
The face was covered again before he could protest, she had turned her face away from him so only the left side of her face could be seen. The owner of the tavern wondered what it was that marred her beauty which was striking.
"I am sorry to pry on that matter, you may have one of my better rooms since you are a hero of renown. It is not the palace of the Shah but it is the best you will find in the warzone."
"I am sure it will be adequate," she stated blandly. Durnan was unsettled by the dull, inhuman voice coming from the elf woman but let it go.
"Good, tomorrow morning we discuss our plans for the entry into Undermountain. Until then, I suppose we should rest."
"This is a fact," the elf stated and walked from the room.
The guest accommodation was nothing special to Liath but it was perfectly adequate. "At least it isn't bloody white marble. I swear if I stay in another room with white marble I will injure someone," she muttered. She locked the door and looked around; three rooms of clean and decent accommodation. A log fire was burning in the grill whilst opposite it was a double bed with thin lace curtains around it. The floor was carpeted except for around the fire place and bathroom. This room was reasonably sophisticated and contained a portable bath which the elf intended to bring out into the main room. Liath nodded in appreciation and, after seeing the windows locked and barred, began to settle down. She stripped off the long cloak and mask, setting them on the bed as her white hair uncoiled and flowed down her back. There was only one mirror in the room and she covered it with a spare piece of cloth before moving on. Underneath this she wore black coloured armour of flexible plates with matching leg plates and bracers; her gloves were of some kind of black leather that seemed unusually tight and responsive. At her waist was a sword, a weapon she used in both hands despite her evident strength and ability to use it in one. It was not a weapon covered with ornamentation, just a couple of simple steel guards and a arrow shaped pommel. The blade was a greatsword and a mighty weapon it seemed indeed. Liath set it down and stripped off her armour, putting it carefully out of sight, adding a pair of short swords to the pile which she carried at her back. Finally the elf stood in just a black tunic, trousers and gloves, she winced as she looked down at her hands as though they pained her but she fought the emotion aside.
There was a knock on the door, Liath swore inventively but knew there was no time to put her cloak and mask back on.
"Who is it?" she demanded, one of her short swords in hand just in case
A pleasant female voice called from the other side, "sorry to interrupt but the owner said you were friends with the Hero of Neverwinter."
Liath sighed, her darker side was urging her to discard this meddlesome person so she could get some rest. Her other side however, deplored this and took control.
"Wait, I will unlock it."
Liath was able to unlock the door and stand back as the speaker came into the room. She was the elf lady from downstairs, the one in blue robes who appeared a priest or cleric. Liath sighed and faced to the wall so her right side was out of sight.
"Come in, I was just getting unpacked, as you can see, my appearance is somewhat deceiving."
"We all have our reasons dear," she said, closing the door and locking it. "I was a friend of Eairth and hoped he would come here. Instead you have come, a friend of his, I am glad to see you. My name is Linu, Linu La'Neral. Are you alright?" the other elf asked in concern.
Liath was suddenly filled with anger and disgust, disgust at herself. The cleric could see the anger over the half of the face she could see, could sense her pain and impotence.
Liath forced a smile, "I am pleased to meet you Linu. Eairth is a good friend and asked me to come here in his place." A half truth was better than no truth she supposed.
"Where is he? He vanished after saying goodbye and thanking us. We expected he would stay at least a few days."
"He had duties elsewhere, he told me the story though. I was impressed, he has developed as a cleric so he has."
Linu looked happy, her green eyes filled with remembrance until she looked back at Liath. "Three more of us who survived came here, they are downstairs but I thought I would come and say hello."
"Then thankyou my elven friend. I hope to see you in the morning."
Linu wanted to ask why the other elf was hiding her right cheek so much but did not want to anger her. She stood and was heading to the door when Liath called to her.
"Please do not come to see me again without warning," she advised carefully.
Linu looked back to see the elf woman looking away from her, she did not answer but walked out the door and closed it behind her.
Liath walked to the mirror and pulled the sheet clear.
Ten seconds later, the mirror was an empty frame, the broken glass scattered over the floor as Liath fell onto the bed, her breaths stifled with emotion.
The door opened as the hand was poised to knock on it a second time; the young human woman stepped back in surprise. She had been told of the appearance of the stranger but still the appearance of, her, was disconcerting. The expressionless mask, the black hood and the shining pommel of the sword at her side all filled the girl with fear. She was Durnan's daughter, a tough girl who would not shy away from battle but now she felt paralysed.
"I assume my presence is requested downstairs?" Liath asked from behind her disguise, the younger woman nodded. The innkeeper's daughter was wearing a simple white cotton dress, well made but which seemed so simple before the black silk and oiled steel.
"Yes my lady, my father, Durnan wishes to talk with you."
"Granted, I will be down momentarily, my thanks."
Tamsil nodded here head and backed away, walking back down the stairs into the smoky main room of the Inn. Her father was waiting with a dozen other adventurers around a long wooden table set for the midday meal. The owner's daughter looked at the scarred, hard faces of the adventurers, sitting together in groups, the four who had come from Neverwinter sat together at the far end. The oak table was covered in maps and charts of the city and the Undermountain passages. All eyes looked up to her, she blushed and moved over to her father who smiled grimly.
"Is she not coming Tamsil? It is near noon and she has not come down."
"She said she would be down soon," she replied, the girl had not understood the last word the elf had said but thought it meant that.
"Well I hope so, this crowd is getting restless," Durnan muttered and waved his hand at the other stairs leading upwards. "Go on child, go and see to the rooms upstairs, then you may have this evening off."
"Thank you father," she said, embracing him quickly before moving off across the main room.
Durnan looked at the adventurers before him, a rag-tag bunch, those closest to the city had arrived, word had not spread far enough yet. The four Heroes of Neverwinter were the exception, four experienced adventurers who were about as different as they came. There was the brown haired elf cleric, Linu sitting next to a huge half-orc who was taller sitting than many were standing. These two were the most trustworthy in the innkeeper's mind, the elf seemed almost too kind and generous. Even Daelin the half-orc seemed unnaturally honourable, something that Durnan had not expected. Opposite them was a human woman, Sharwyn who imperiously looked around the room, she was too impetuous in the older man's experienced opinion. And then there was the halfling thief, Tomi, not a person to trust anywhere you would not see him.
"You alright Durnan?" a polite voice came from behind him, he turned to see his friend, the Duke of Westphal coming out of the sunlight into the inn.
"Santos! Why are you here?" Durnan asked, his face full of shock.
The duke pushed back his greying brown hair, smiling happily, "I heard you needed experienced men to fight beside you. As I am the duke of a broken city, I gathered all of my people who still live and came to your aid."
Durnan looked at the man as though he was a revenant from the pit, they had been friends once; but he had not seen him in a dozen years. The man did not look much older now than he had before, rumours of some elven heritage were showing themselves to be more factual than he had thought.
"I am glad beyond words to see you again Santos, it is going to be a hard fight even though it has just started."
Santos clapped the stern retired adventurer on the shoulder, "I have only five men left. Only five out of near three thousands."
"I am sorry it needed to end like this Santos," Durnan said, his usual calm returning.
The duke shook his head as though the older man had not understood correctly, "it would have been none if you had not been at my side. Enough of the past though, what is the situation?"
"I was to have a meeting at dawn but my star attraction has not put in an appearance," Durnan said sourly.
"And who would that be?" the duke's voice was accented with the tone of his home far to the east.
"She is a friend of the Hero of Neverwinter," he said sardonically. "We were used to strange people but she is the worst Santos, the worst."
"As in the one who defeated Aribeth in combat?" Santos asked, interested.
"Aye, a friend of his, some elf woman who wears a mask all the time."
"He was a worthy man, a true gentleman," Santos murmured.
"You met him? I did not even know you were there?"
"I marched with the Lord's Alliance and helped disperse the enemy forces after Aribeth was captured. He would not kill her you understand; I met him after the battle. I also met him a few years ago, not to know but he remembered me; he must have a good memory to remember me after all that time."
"Well I am suspicious still, where is she anyway?" he snapped in irritation.
"She will come," Santos assured the older man.
"Then she can come and see me in my backroom, I have some seven year whisky, fancy a shot?"
"When you put it like that Alliner, how can I refuse?" the nobleman said and strode away. Those at the table followed, leaving just the four companions of Eairth Fel'dore alone in the room.
Liath was content to let those below wait, they could wait for her or they could choose not to, it was not her concern. She checked her possessions for the last time and walked out of her room. A few other guests were about, they stared at her suspiciously but the elf ignored them and walked down into the main room. Only four were in this large room; the four of them had been companions of Eairth, Liath frowned in her mask at that name. His imperious tone made her want to strike him for his demanding tone. She respected him but at that moment it had been all serious business. He had spoken briefly to her, very briefly, she had resented the reason she was here. She silently cursed them all, manipulative scheming-.
"Look who's here then!" a voice said as she pushed open the door.
Liath looked imperiously down at the four adventurers as they turned with expressions ranging from welcoming smiles to suspicious frowns. Linu stood and walked forward towards the newcomer, the image of the woman's pale hair uppermost in her mind. She had seen nothing that was deserving of this total deprivation of light or outside influences; she had though, only seen half of the woman's face.
"It is good to see you at last Liath, we though you had been lost to us when you did not come down before."
"I was ensuring my equipment was functional," the hooded elf stated blandly.
"Of course, of course," the elf cleric said in the way a negotiator of international treaties turns insults into compliments.
The huge half-orc walked forward and held out a welcoming hand to the stranger who took it after a moment. "It is an honour to finally meet a friend of the fearsome Eairth Fel'dore. I hope we might strive against the forces of darkness together."
"Hopefully it is an event I will not have to participate in but since an enemy threatens, how else can I respond?"
The barbarian did not know if he was being insulted or not and so frowned behind his thick brows. The expressionless mask of the woman did not show anything as she looked on to where a halfling was trying to surreptitiously to look under her mask, without success. The halfling had the undeniable look of a thief about him as he straightened up and tried to look innocent. He was about four and a half foot high with reddish hair and numerous scars across his face.
"Pleased to meet you my lady, my name is Tomi, I hope you won't mind if I just ask why you wear that big mask, aye?"
The temperature seemed to lower by several degrees, the blank mask of the woman looked into the rouge's eyes for several seconds before sweeping up.
"That is none of your concern, halfling, if it ever is, I will be sure to tell you."
"You aren't exactly easy to miss in a crowd are ya?" he countered, not at all put off the topic.
"As are you, if one could look down far enough that is," she said. The thief was not happy at this arrogant insult but the nonchalant way the masked woman's hand touched her sword hilt put pay to any riposte.
A tall red headed human woman in her twenties was the last of the former companions of Eairth Fel'dore, she looked capable despite her slender appearance. She was indeed beautiful but it was a beauty that was more tempered with experience than that of many woman who simply lived in cities their whole lives. It was clear that she had travelled and done much in her life, comparatively short though that was.
"Greetings Liath, I am Sharwyn, I expect Eairth told you all about me," she said as though she expected as much and enjoyed it.
"No, regrettably he did not tell me of the woman who were in his company," the bland words were infuriatingly provocative. The human woman found her anger slowly rising.
"So he said nothing about his companions through that long and difficult adventure we all endured?"
Linu was making vague motions to placate the woman, to no avail. "He told me only that which he judged was important. Did you expect such recognition? Were you involved with him romantically?"
The woman spluttered in outrage whilst Tomi tried to hide a chuckle and Linu tried to intervene, the cleric was ignored though. "Of course not, you think I would fall for him?" Sharwyn demanded.
"He has unusual taste in woman," Liath stated, the human's fists clenched.
"Perhaps if we could-" Linu began.
"No," Sharwyn said, she would not be defeated by this arrogant elf bitch. "Tell me what is so unusual about me then."
"You are human, he has had several of them in the past much to the surprise of those around him."
Her eyes narrowed, "is that so, if I find him-" she began.
"I thought you said there was nothing between you?" the masked elf asked innocently.
"Listen, there was nothing going on, you were not there."
"You indignant outrage says more than you ever could, human. If not, then why do you care?"
"I don't," she snapped in return.
"Good, I am pleased we talked, human." The emphasis on the last word was one of dislike, even anger
"So what do you want, elf? At least he wasn't so damn arrogant. Why do you dislike humans so much anyway?"
Abruptly, the masked woman looked to Linu, her tone softened, despite the mask. "Linu my friend, where is the owner of this inn?"
The elven cleric was taken aback by the friendly question. After the insults handed out to her three friends, she stuttered slightly in response, "he, he is in the next room. He was awaiting your arrival but when you did not appear, he retired with an old friend to the backroom."
"Then let us meet him shall we?" Liath asked courteously and let the elf cleric go first, following her closely. The three other Heroes of Neverwinter followed, passing looks of annoyance at each other.
Durnan looked up as the damn elf woman in the cloak finally entered the room. He swore softly and flicked a meaningful gaze to the duke who took the hint and stood with a traditional salute.
"My lady Bel'cador, a pleasure to see you," he said in perfect high elven, a language few spoke well.
Liath seemed both impressed and amused, her arrogance disappeared as she bowed, "I greet you." As was to be expected, her high elven was perfect but strangely accented, "it is so rare to find a human who knows the old language. So many of your people are intellectual barbarians."
"Indeed they are," Duke Santos changed back to common. Only the two elves in the room, Durnan and the duke had understood her words, Linu looked a little shocked at them in fact. "I am Duke Maelius Santos of the ruined city of Westphal, I am honoured to meet the friend of the noble Lord Fel'dore."
When it was clear that they would be speaking in common, the elf's arrogance re-emerged. "We were not close you understand. We only knew each other well enough to trust each other with the necessary details. It is not as if we were related."
Santos seemed a little taken aback by this swing and flung a hopeless look at Durnan who shrugged.
"If we might sit Lady Bel'cador," Durnan said in presentable elven. She graciously accepted the invitation, he sighed as he repeated the instruction so that the others might understand. The others mercenaries had been given their instructions, now there were just these five to talk to.
"Well, now we are all assembled, we might begin," Durnan said pointedly in Liath's direction but the elf ignored his words totally. "As you are aware, this city sits on top of the old network of tunnels and passages of Undermountain. Undermountain, for those who may not know is a dungeon created and maintained by the mad mage Halaster for reasons unknown. What is known however, is that recently, his control has slipped, something has happened to the wizard. Now drow and other races rarely seen on the surface are coming through Undermountain and attacking the city, at the moment as just individuals but we cannot tell if this might increase at any moment. We have some time as there are precious few entires into those caverns and all of them can be guarded. What does need to be watched is if they find a way to create a portal that bypasses our defences. If they do then we may have a serious issue on our hands."
"Obviously, what do we know about the portals down there that exist?" Liath asked, Sharwyn's eye twitched slightly but she remained composed.
"My inn is built over one of them, there is another in the west of the city and another in the north, all are under heavy guard."
"You say that these incursions have been small?" Liath's voice became more precise, she was obviously a commander of some experience.
"Yes I did, several prominent citizens have been slain in their beds by silent assassins, the rulers are in a state of confusion."
"And why did it fall to you to call for help?"
"Military help is not what is important at the moment, what is needed is tough people who can investigate this danger before it escalates. Also, I am the man responsible for equipping and supplying adventurers in this city, people are likely to listen to me."
"Understood, I would like to look at these portals," Liath declared.
"It is not up to me to allow or deny such a request, why would you want to anyway?"
"If there is a common connection, then perhaps we can find a way to use them to our advantage," Liath replied patiently.
"I would try the one in the university in the west of the city by the river. It is a wizard's academy mainly and they have spent the last weeks trying to stop the incursions."
"Good, I will go there in the morning. What are our plans beyond that?"
"We will send our people down into the caverns to find out what has happened and stop the attacks happening. I have the support of the city guard but they will not move until there is proof and a chance of success."
"If I might?" Daelin, the half orc put in.
"Of course," Durnan said, the half-orc nodded his head in acceptance.
"How many soldiers can we count upon?"
"Perhaps three hundred are willing and able enough to join us once we have a definite lead," the old innkeeper said.
"And the enemy will have twice that," Liath muttered, her head declined as she considered the possibilities.
"We do not know their strength yet," Santos said in place of his friend.
Unexpectedly she nodded her acknowledgement. "This is a fact, I assume I have my room for tonight?"
"Yes you do, it is still only two hours after noontime."
"I have business to attend to in the city," Liath declared.
"Bloody elves," Sharwyn muttered, just loud enough to hear but not enough to cause an incident.
The mask turned to stare its cold stare at the human, to the bard's disappointment, there was no reply.
"May I come with you?" Linu asked unexpectedly.
"Of course you can my dear."
The elf looked a little surprised by the strange term of endearment, Tomi sniggered something which all ignored, to his disappointment.
Linu stood and moved over to where the black robed woman was standing; both elves moved out the door, they were soon followed by the other three companions. Santos looked to Durnan, "she is a strange one. What is with the mask?"
"I don't know Maelius, I believe it is to cover an injury or disfigurement she may have, but what it is? I cannot tell."
"Can she be trusted?"
"Wait and see, she seems to make a few enemies as it is so let's see if the drow take the liking to her that we do."
The city of Waterdeep was much brighter in the daylight, the gloom and depression of the night was gone, replaced with the common sights of any big city. People were everywhere, the main streets were packed with stalls belonging to every race common to these lands. The two elves flowed through the crowd like oil in a flow of water, not stopping to talk until they reached the great square of the palace of Waterdeep. To the north and west was the palace, a great fortress surrounded by twin stone walls covered in guards and protected by heavy gates. In the centre of the square was a large marble fountain whilst to the south and east were the estates of the wealthier people, those who could afford to live in the great square. Abruptly, Liath slowed and looked back to the cleric who was having trouble keeping up with the pace set by the older woman.
"We are very close to where I have to go and a little early, let us talk."
Linu seemed a little taken aback, "talk? Talk about what dear?"
"Well, since we will be going to the academy tomorrow, I want to know who I am fighting beside."
"I am?"
"You do wish to stop these incursions or else you would not be here," Liath said like she was talking to a child.
"Oh, sorry. I got distracted. Well, what do you want to know?"
"I know your name and that you are an elf cleric, this is good but I know nothing else about you."
"Sorry dear, I am a cleric in the service of the goddess Sehanine Moonbow. I was once a resident of Ekeldra and a priest there but I, I left," she finished with a blush.
"What happened that made you leave?" Liath asked in high elven.
Linu clearly disapproved of this shift but complied, "it is not something I often talk of." Her face was flushed as she looked into the mask, "if you must know, it is because I am different from other elves."
"I have noticed that you have a somewhat awkward walking style as compared to other elves. It seems you concentrate very intently on it, when you do it is almost normal but forced."
The ears of the cleric were now pink as her embarrassment rose, "I have a reputation for being clumsy. When I am around, accidents just seem to happen, I accidentally destroyed my own temple, I was not banished, just firmly asked to go elsewhere."
Linu expected harsh scorn or even worse, a polite comment that was worse than any insult. Instead, the masked woman laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, the cleric was aware of the keen gaze of the hidden face. "It is not easy being an outcast my dear, I know that too well." There was a deep pain and regret in the voice which the mask could not nullify. "So you concentrate on yourself so you will not be the target of ridicule, in the end though you overcompensate."
"Yes, I suppose I do," she replied softly.
"Then you can be assured that I will not scorn you, I judge a person by their soul, not their body."
The elf cleric was utterly surprised by this, the warm tone of the voice had pierced even the shroud over the black robed elf's face. "Thank you Liath, it is so nice to hear someone say that."
"I do what I can for those I look upon as allies. Please do go on."
"Well, shortly after, I came to Neverwinter and met Eairth when he saved me from a host of thugs by the docks. He took me back and helped cure my wounds, we became friends but nothing more. The rest of the tale is well known."
"It is indeed my dear, so what will you do now?"
"I will see this danger through, there is a hundred thousand gold pieces promised to the one who rids the city of its evil."
"And this sum is why you are here?" Liath asked.
Linu detected a faint note of disappointment, she rallied quickly, "of course not. I am a cleric, my aim is to help those in need. This city has no shrine to my lady though, I would have one created for those who also worship her."
"An interesting idea," Liath said thoughtfully.
"And what of you Liath? What will you do when this is over?"
"It has barely began my dear," the elf said evasively. "Speaking of which, we should be going."
Linu did not miss the deliberate sidetracking, she decided to go obliquely to the point. "You must forgive Sharwyn, she is a little quick to anger sometimes."
"She is human, that is what makes her human," the voice said bitterly.
"What did they do to you that you hate them all?" Linu asked, she half expected an angry riposte or even a threat but instead received a quiet demur.
"That, my dear is something you do not need to know. It will not interrupt our mission I assure you but I have reasons for it."
"Is that why you wear the mask?" Linu asked, knowing it was a foolish thing to ask.
"Yes," came the hateful response, then the woman was moving away quickly, Linu hurried to catch up, her mind wondering at this development.
Linu checked her rapier was still at her side as she turned the corner to face the impressive temple of Tyr in the streets of the Castle Ward. Outside the door, Liath was waiting for her patiently, next to her was a priest of the temple.
"Priest La'Neral, this is Priest Triew, we have important business to discuss, I will not be long. Please stay inside the temple courtyard until I return."
With that, the elf led the other man who might have been a half-elf by the looks of him into the temple; Linu followed until she came to the main courtyard of Tyr's main temple in this mighty city. Linu wondered why her companion was talking to a priest she had never met before, this of course assumed she had not been here before. She had said she had not but Linu was starting to doubt the claim as the two shook hands and sat in a small room, closing the door. For some reason, the pleasant young elf was troubled by something, something was not right here, the stranger was not all she appeared. And they knew nothing about her, not even if she really was a friend of Eairth, she had certainly not sounded like a friend. The elf knew she had to get closer, she wanted to hear what was being said so she moved through the shadows towards the distant doorway. She leaned in close, her elven ears proving they had more then decorative value as she leaned against the door like she was waiting for someone. No one accosted her, no one called out for her motives, the temple was busy but others were also slumped against walls, waiting so she blended in. Although most of those around her were human, there were enough elves to not create undue attention in her direction. She heard the conversation, already halfway through.
"-situation is growing worse." A strong male voice spoke, obviously the priest, or whatever he was.
"Has anything more been found?" Liath's voice questioned, she was talking normally without her mask. Linu knew that she was not lying about her injuries, but here she was, showing them to a priest she did not know?
"No, we have parties searching the north of-" the priest put in.
"That is not important, I do not care for that human fool."
"Your dislike for humans may undercut the success of this mission Liath."
"I do not need to be lectured, Knight," she snapped.
"As you say, his lordship is anxious for the situation to proceed."
"And what of our mutual friends beneath the city?"
"They are waxing strength against this excuse of a city. I anticipate that it will only be a matter of days before proceedings start."
"Then our real mission will begin, Knight," Liath said happily.
"We will be ready, it will be a good introduction for you. His lordship is eager for this matter to be, resolved."
Linu's eyes widened despite herself through out this whole conversation, something was definitely wrong here. The two were talking like old friends, discussing the situation as through they were part of a group bent on secrecy and shadowy actions. The elf cleric sighed in panic as the conversation was apparently drawing to a close.
"Then remember your objectives Lady Bel'cador and may Aurelius protect you."
"I do not need his protection, all I need is for my sword to perform its duties," the voice became muffled as the mask was once again donned.
Linu panicked, she did not know what the words meant but knew that admitting to spying would be a terminal mistake. She sprinted across the courtyard and headed towards a spare alter where she could pretend she had prayed to her goddess. The door was just opening behind her as she was reaching the alter. In her relief, she looked away, then things went wrong. She had not seen the Priest of Tyr, she had not seen the crack in the flagstones beneath her and she had certainly not seen what the man next to him had carried. He was carrying a large iron torch, such as the priests used in their rituals, the head priest was wearing an elaborate cloth robe as befitted his station. Linu hit the crack in the pavement and cried briefly before she impacted the priest. The elf, light though she was, ploughed into the two men with surprising force, throwing the older priest into his acolyte; the acolyte with the burning torch. By one of those ironies that the elf was by now accustomed to, the cloak of the older man was made of wool ingrained with oil to resist water, it burst into flames. The priest with the torch had meanwhile dropped his implement and fallen over, onto a sundial that collapsed in a heap. The head priest, his robe on fire however shrieked like a banshee and threw himself into an ornamental pond; there was a hiss of stream and he spluttered to the surface. Linu was face down on the cobbles, she was uninjured save for a scrape on her hand and a bruised ear, the latter hurt, but not as much as her embarrassment.
A hand picked her up effortlessly, lifted her like a rag doll and set her on her feet. Expecting angry priests and monks with fearsome intentions she gabbled something unintelligible. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean, you should know," she began.
"I leave you alone for a quarter hour and this is what happens Priest La'Neral?" came the blank but slightly humoured voice of Liath. Linu's face burned in shame but the rational part of her mind knew that it was the perfect cover for her listening at the door.
"Liath, I am sorry I have embarrassed you, you see what I mean?"
"I see you were not lying it is certain; an amusing distraction, even for one as jaded as I. Now, let us go before something else happens."
"You there, stranger!"
"Oh dear," Linu muttered at the apparition appearing before her.
The head priest was a mess, his robes were soaked with large patches of scorch marks, his beard was singed and even his near bald head was black. His eyes were also full of fury, "what is the meaning of this, this prank?" he bellowed.
"It was just an accident sir," Linu said helplessly as the man advanced.
"I damn well hope it is, attacking a priest in my lawful bounds, I will have the guard flog your miserable elven hide."
To Linu's surprise, Liath seized her roughly and turned her to face the enraged priest. The masked woman seized Linu's ear and held it firmly, ignoring the pained gasps of the cleric.
"I assure you sir, this servant will not go unpunished," her voice had become definitely more masculine and showed a hint of anger.
"I would have her punished her and now for her insolence. Do you own her?"
"In a manner of speaking sir," Liath said bluntly. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a small bag. "Should two hundred gold be adequate to cover the damages to your property? I will see this pitiful excuse for an elf whipped," she said.
The priest nodded, "that will be adequate my lord. A new comer to Waterdeep?"
"Yes, I made contact with a priest of your temple who had intimate knowledge of the area. I did not expect this worthless female to injure a personage such as yourself."
"You're hurting me," Linu said and received a light crack on the ears.
"Silence, you have done enough today. With your permission? Liath asked, still using her tone of command.
"Good day to you lord, my god will be satisfied by your reparations."
Linu was frogmarched away until they were out of sight where she was released, stumbling into a wall. The elf cleric looked up at her resentfully, "that hurt Liath, how would you like me to return it?" she asked peevishly.
"At the appropriate moment my dear," Liath replied, her feminine voice returning. The voice was humoured and almost, suggestive?
Linu looked at the other woman as she said the strange statement and felt a blush rising slightly. As usual there was nothing to be seen through the mask, she had the impression though that the other elf was laughing at her. "It was just an accident," she muttered.
"Of course it was young one but priests make bad enemies, they are so fanatically devoted to something they ignore reason. That is why I hurried you out of there before somebody did something worse than bruise your ear."
"Thank you then Liath," Linu said humbly.
"You are so cute when you are embarrassed, I know you would not be alive still if it happened in battle so I will not chide you so."
The cleric looked at the blank covering, trying to see if the words were teasing or actually genuine, she could not decide so decided to play safe. "We had best get back, I can sense that something is going to happen tomorrow."
"I know something is going to happen tomorrow my dear," Liath said and strode away, leaving the cleric deep in thought about the last words.
Durnan's Inn, The Yawning Portal was crowded even more than the night before, people thronged the main room as the sun set outside. The old adventurer employed about a dozen staff who weaved amongst the crowd, trying to serve the people there and maintain some semblance of order. The inn was unusual in the fact that it had none of the less civilised aspects of many such establishments, no women, gambling or fighting pits; people went elsewhere for that.
Liath appeared out of the dusk, leading the bruised and dirty elf cleric along; the half-orc guard made a half hearted salute but was ignored. Various people of all races and genders looked up as the cloaked figure entered the room, followed by the embarrassed elven priest. The two made their way over to where the three remaining Neverwinter adventurers were sitting. Sharwyn was about to arrogantly turn away when she saw Linu's embarrassed, slightly bruised face.
"Been in a fight Linu?" she asked innocently. Daelin looked at Liath with a subdued anger, anger if it was the masked woman who had hurt his friend.
"I had, had an accident, yes," she muttered.
"Set fire to a priest and then pushed him into a divination pool, by accident of course," Liath stated dryly.
"With some help from you?" Sharwyn asked stiffly, deigning to accuse the elf.
"I was on the other side of the temple, but she was forgiven her sins."
"Looks like someone hauled you along by that ear of yours aye?" Tomi asked innocently.
"A necessary diversion to escape having her punished by the angry priests."
Tomi laughed at that, "I knew them pointy ears were useful for something."
Linu blushed slightly but before she could speak, she was interrupted by Liath standing up. "I will be in my room, I would be happy if you did not come in unannounced."
"Hiding your pretty face again?" Sharwyn said, she obviously could not avoid the pick.
The gloved hands clenched by the elf's sides before she abruptly turned and left the room.
"That was good, remind me to put some of your wit on your headstone," Tomi said to the bard who glowered.
"Just before I had my accident today, I overheard her talking to someone. I think we should watch her closely." Linu surreptitiously tried to straighten her hair but stopped when Tomi raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Think she's crooked do you?" the rogue asked.
"Perhaps not, Tomi, I think there is more going on then we can see."
"We will keep an eye on her," Daelin rumbled. "I will monitor her to see if she does anything strange."
"Lady Bel'cador, if we might speak a moment?" the elf turned gracefully at the words in her language. Lord Maelius Santos moved to intercept her, she waited until he arrived.
"Duke Santos, you are known to me," she said to his utter surprise.
"I am? I had not met you before today," he said but she shook her head.
"You had not met me before today, I was told of you by Eairth."
"A good man, if you do not mind me saying," he said, still in elven.
It was clear that she did mind but she put the objection aside, her voice was still slightly colder than she had employed before. "He was good at what he did," she acknowledged.
"I have been assigned command of the scouting party into Undermountain, I wanted to know something of your experience."
For the first time since arriving in Waterdeep, the elf chuckled softly, "indeed. I am to be this year, six hundred and thirty seven years old; of course, age means nothing without skills. I have lead forces from ten men to ten thousand into battle, I have never had an independent army command but led smaller formations. As for myself, I am a swordsman, a good one," there was no boasting, just simple facts.
"Then we are lucky indeed to have you, too few adventurers know how to both lead and fight."
"Well I was a commander first and a fighter later," Liath said truthfully.
"Then you will lead the first group down into the tunnels. With you will go Eairth's four companions and three others who I will choose for you. I will have my captain lead the second group, hopefully you can join up and help each other at a lower point."
"A bold move, I will do as you request. We will doubtless face stiff resistance from the enemy but we should be able to press on."
"What is your quarrel with the bard?" Santos asked, encouraged by her reasonable, military nature.
"It is not with her exactly, it is something you would not understand."
"Will it affect this expedition?" he asked.
"No, it will not, it is nothing personal but I have no liking for most humans."
He seemed shocked and even impressed by her free admission, he played safe. "Well I hope that you and I might put this behind us and work together."
The words were innocent but the fists of the elf woman clenched and her breaths became deeper. "Perhaps, now go. I am not to be disturbed.
The Duke of Westphal walked slowly across the floor to where Durnan waited, "I would not like to fight that woman."
"Let us hope the enemy agrees," Durnan said thoughtfully.