I found myself unable to properly reproduce the scene after getting out of
the dungeon, so I'll start that bit a while after the fact…and therefore
also found me forced to skip a somewhat unnerving oath, a location-related
conclusion and following explanation, not to mention a certain quest(or
three?) regarding a circus…sorry *apologetic smile*
1 NEGRATH'S TALE, 1.3
1.1 - Making ends meet…
Having settled down just within the door leading out from the corner of the room they now all considered "the grave", the tension among them as they sat along the walls, were tangible.
Having its origin in a druid that would be unlikely to raise her head again, save her steady glare at Imoen, it had been worded in a single, toneless accusation;
-"You knew."
Gesturing weakly, the thief sighed the sigh of one knowing they can't win;
-"Yes, but I didn't think we'd…"
-"So when would you tell me -then-?" The Harper replied, almost to low- voiced to be heard.
-"I'd…I'd…" finding that she'd had no such plan, innately knowing they'd find him sooner or later, the younger woman slumped against the wall.
From where she sat against the opposite wall, the druid, simply looked at her, eyes heavy with perceived betrayal.
-"We should…leave this place?"
-"Why?"
-"…"
-"Because if we don't, we likely won't get the chance to repay the fool."
Head snapping up, the Harper's eyes flared momentarily, before appearing to find life in the kensai's words.
A malicious grin widening on her face, she nodded ominously;
-"A fool he is…and I intend to let him feel every drop of his stupidity in letting me live."
Gazing at the closed door they had come stumbling through, Negrath sighed;
**Now she will become virtually impossible to control…Khalid…rest assured we'll all give him a few from you in amongst our own…and those will be many!**
………
Having dispatched the odd human intruder, along with a mephit and some goblins, neither very willing to discuss the adventurers' current situation, they found themselves standing at one end of a long hall, just having seen some dwarven members of the madman's attackers be disintegrated by traps the power of which they had no wish to face themselves.
Imoen, having decided to leave off worrying about the druid's accusations to after they were out of the dungeon, searched around for some way around them.
Tired and hurting as her mind were, she nevertheless found the connection between the rather unnecessary pillars along the walls, and the spot at which the dwarven folk had met their demise.
Soon enough she found that what made place such a dangerous area to wander aimlessly in, where magical staffs, solidly attached to metal holders…metal holders with a hole in their base…
Counting the pillars, she grinned;
-"Yesss!"
Opening her mouth to call for the druid, she quickly closed it again, instead deciding to let her actions speak for themselves…
Plucking the sticks, collected from the moment she saw the first of them, from her pack, she studied them intently.
-"Not worth it chancing punishment for the wrong keys…" she muttered, finally picking one she deemed fitting, and inserting it in the slot.
Catching the staff as it fell from the holder, she couldn't hold back a chuckle;
-"How's that for "useless sticks", eh?"
Proceeding thusly down the line, giving a squeal of delight every time the key proved right, she returned with a literal armful of staffs of every type and sort.
Letting a simple look take the place of the teasing "I told you so" that itched at the back of her tongue, as the druid approached, she offered the bundle to her, smiling as she lately had had few reasons to do;
-"I guess these will help in your quest?"
By way of response, Jaheira gave the staffs a cursory glance, before gesturing at Negrath with her free hand and tightening the grip on her staff, shaking it for emphasis;
-"I got all the help I need right here."
Not doubting that in the least, Imoen hurried over to her half-brother to deliver her magical cargo, setting off across the hall immediately thereafter.
Assuming that meant the road was clear, the others followed, Negrath hoping the Harper's mood would improve once they were out.
………
Unnerved at the number of exits from the hall they passed unchecked, they had little choice but to follow the quick figure up ahead as she ducked into the farthest of the many openings, the kensai inwardly groaning as he heard a low growl from Jaheira.
**You're not making things easier here sister…** he sighed.
As they caught up to the quick-footed thief, her having stopped only a few steps in, they all heard it; the hiss of released steam, the clang of repeated, rhythmic impacts of metal on metal…the signs of major smithing activity.
-"More duergar." Jaheira snarled, having developed a sudden distaste for the species.
-"Boo thinks the owners of the buttocks you plan to kick, will kick yours if you go in alone."
-"But I won't have to do that, now will I?" were the biting retort as she glared at him.
-"…no."
-"Let's go then, and leave the son of a city-dwelling shadow druid a few helpers poorer!"
Momentarily puzzled by the unusual curse, they soon followed, more to catch up to her than anything else…
………
-"Well, that was sweaty work. Shame we still have the real workers of this group left." Negrath commented, cleaning his blade on a convenient goblin corpse, and wiping his brow as the system driving the two massive furnaces in the room sent out yet another bout of boiling-point steam, thankfully quickly drafted out of the room by another system.
-"They've been quite ingenious about this." He added, quickly adding "But that's no reason to let them live" as Jaheira threw an annoyed look his way.
-"The quality of their work is irrelevant. Their importance to him is irrelevant. What IS relevant, is that their helping him, and shows all signs of not stopping because of a friendly request." the druid pointed out.
-"Do we go then?" Imoen wondered, finishing the refilling of her quiver, evidently having forgotten all reservations about using her bow.
Nodding brusquely, the Harper rushed headfirst through the small passage between the two rooms.
The others following right behind, they almost fainted as the ran nose first into the very same steam previously so gladly bid adieu.
Quickly locating their druid, they found her driving off the heated smoke with an impressive evidence of her true control over the staff;
It whirling in an unceasing motion all about her, they, having taken a cautious step back, could simply follow as she cut a beeline for a diminutive figure moving about ahead of them, appearing to be unaware of their presence.
As the wooden implement descended in a lethal arch through the remaining smoke once they were near enough, however, it danced aside, pulling it from her hands as the system that fed the smoke into the room reversed, sucking it out within moments...
As the others looked about, momentarily confused, Jaheira dived for the dwarf's throat, evidently none to pleased with the theft.
Dismissing the possibility of seeing any trace of the guy again as non- existent, Negrath drew his blades, enjoying the fact that the one from the creature Imoen had inadvertently released fit right into the motions he had worked in with a longblade, despite its "bastardly" nature.
A sudden gasp causing him to spin around, he found that the two duergar that had appeared on either side of the room had taken up bows, for some reason considering Imoen the main threat. Seeing the thief duck out of sight into the previous room, arrow still protruding from her shoulder, the kensai glanced at Minsc, who looked back at him;
-"Boo says; bad move."
-"Isn't it, though." Were the calm reply, before the Bhaalspawn jumped over an inconvenient table, proceeding to cut the closest of the less-than brilliant archers into so much duergar salad.
Looking about after the deed, he chuckled as it became clear that his prediction about Jaheira's victim had been correct…not hair nor tail of him could be seen anywhere nearby…although there were a pretty many chunks of -something- scattered about her where she stood.
Idly noticing that the berserker had effectively split -his- impeding table down the middle in his thirst for vengeance, Negrath then found that no matter the circumstance, Jaheira should not be -that- unmoving…
Approaching cautiously, on the off-chance it was some area-covering spell that held her, he gently touched her shoulder…and found himself in a vise- like grip, almost believing he could hear bones snap as she violently embraced him, all but sobbing her lungs out as she drenched his shirt with tears…
………
The obligatory search and collection of items being concluded by Minsc, and Imoen busy thanking what deities she could name for the luck that the arrow had hit the "wrong" shoulder(*), Jaheira and Negrath spent the time remembering Khalid…
………
His pet having started to make noise about something, Minsc led the party back the way they'd come, "all" the way to the first exit after the entrance.
Holding the Realm's best guarded hamster before him, allowing the animal to detect whatever it was searching for, Minsc smiled widely;
-"Boo says that there is fresh air down there."
-"Down?" Imoen wondered, pointedly looking about at their pretty level surroundings.
-"Boo says "down"." Were the ranger's matter-of-fact reply.
-"Fine…let's go "down", then." Imoen chuckled, heading -down- the passageway.
Nodding in the same manner as he had spoken, the large warrior took two long strides, and remained in front as the group wandered after the tiny pet's nose.
………
-"No-one crosses the shadow thieves an…* " the black-clad man gurgled as he fell.
Having heard the claim often enough during the encounter with the very human foes, the adventurers quickly searched the bodies, Minsc almost tapping his foot with a strange case of impatience;
-"Boo must have his exercise, lest he bite us all in hard to reach places!" he warned, presenting the animal like a weapon of terror.
Jaheira was less than impressed;
-"What does it matter? We will leave, that is not a question of if, only of when…so why rush? We won't find the suicidal fool any faster by doing so."
-"And what if we do?" Imoen quipped as she "pocketed" the last batch of arrows the "shadow thieves" had not used.
A blink, and then the druid positively fled out of the room.
Scurrying after her, they stopped momentarily as it became clear they would have to descend a staircase to continue…
-"Don't." Warned Imoen her fellow Bhaalspawn. "Just don't."
With a significant wink in her direction, Negrath petted Boo, and headed off after the Harper once more.
……..
………………….
………
-"Been here often, have you?" Negrath quipped, commenting on the fact that Jaheira seemed far more at home in her surroundings once they entered the slums of Athkatla…
-"I believe I told you that before." Were the druid's distracted reply as she spotted a strange fellow approaching them from an alley.
-"Coo!" exclaimed, giving the impression that it, along with his somewhat annoying grin was a rather usual expression from him.
-"I heard ye be looking for the lady that vanished with the cowled ones this mornin'. Thought ye might like to know I've got a plan for her rescue.
You interested?"
-"Imoen? Damn right I'm interested! Where is she?!?"
-"Out of your reach, that be certain." The man chuckled, waving off any possible insult the statement might have been perceived to contain, and continued;
-"Aye, but I be in steady contact with a group that would make the task, quick and easy."
-"Not for free, I' wager?" Jaheira commented.
-"Even in a city of beggars and thieves, that be a wager you'd win!" the supposedly influential man nodded, never loosing his grin.
-"How much?" Yoshimo requested.
-"Ah, suffice to say you'd not be stumblin' over it in some goldpot anywhere."
-"How much?" Negrath insisted, closing a hand about his katana."
-"A hundred times ten, and then twice ten of them."
-"Are you mad?!?" the Harper protested, while the kensai still pondered the math.
-"Quite, some would claim, but, I daresay, ye won't find a similar offer at a cheaper price…that be assumin' that you can find one at all!"
-"He has a point." The group only current thief sighed, looking to the Bhaalspawn;
-"Have him tell us where we can find him once we got the coin, and let's move on."
-"I'll be knowing it when you do, and have a boy waitin' at the Coronet. See ye then!"
And with that, the group where (relatively) alone once more.
-"Do we…do we have to work with such people often?" their most recent addition wondered, evidently unsure of how much right she really had to talk.
-"Well, from what I have seen, in the city of coin those without significant sums are rarely even acknowledged." Jaheira replied bluntly, in her own way telling the Avariel that her opinion, though based on little actual experience, were worthy of civilized response.
Leading them further into the district, she then headed to a building that appeared to have been constructed by a large number of smaller houses, forming the centerpiece in the heart of the town's less appreciated part.
………
-"Well, it sure seems you have the all the right friends in all the wrong places." Yoshimo commented, after the druid rejoined them at a corner table, having been in a most companionable discussion with the barkeep…a discussion that, after the initial explanations and condolences, had derailed something serious, leading to shared tales of experiences that went right over the heads of the rest of the group…
A certain elfkin having shown a decided interest at first, but then having gotten just as decidedly embarrassed at the topics raised, Aerie had problems lifting her eyes from the table.
The druid chuckling as she put two and two together, she tapped a finger on the table.
As the elf looked up briefly, Jaheira looked pointedly at the woman's ears;
-"Burning, aren't they?"
As Aerie once more turned her head down, Jaheira reached over, lifting it again;
-"Look, one having bad ears and using them, are far better off than the one with the Realm's greatest hearing that ignores what it tells them. You understand what I'm saying?"
With a weak smile, her "student" tried to nod, producing a somewhat peculiar motion.
-"Speak." The druid reprimanded softly.
-"…Yes..."
-"Don't wait for me to offer a title. Had you used your ears, you'd know my name already. Beyond that, I don't care."
Deciding to make sure the copy of "the history of Tethyr" that he had plucked with him from the dungeon library ended up on her nightstand, and hope she took the hint, Negrath spoke up;
-"You arrange for us to momentarily forget our problems?"
-"As I understand you get little to no effect from such, and Minsc is picky about it, I'm guessing the one of us likely to need it besides myself can get it for himself?" she explained, turning darkly amused eyes on the Kara- turan.
-"That I can." He agreed, rising and heading for the bar.
-"That man" Jaheira stated, indicating the barkeep with a gesture, "Is quite good with his eyes, so the thief will be returning with both our mugs.
As a matter of fact," She added, "I think he'll come back with enough for all of us."
She grinned; "Never thought I'd be glad for the usual hostility that arises whenever someone pops in and sits down without even asking for an ale."
-"You sure you…need more?" Negrath prodded, wondering if this was the Jaheira Khalid had known before the start of their companionship.
-"No, I don't -need- more…does that mean you will try to tell me that I can't have it?"
-"Why would I do that? I trust you."
-"Good. And just to avoid unfriendly visitors in the night, take a sip or two from the mug you're about to get, before you leave." She advised, grinning widely as the thief returned, quite correctly carrying a tray like he worked there.
Acting as if there was nothing wrong with that, he proceeded to put the mugs down before each and every one of them, before returning the plate.
-"Does…does that count for all of us?" Aerie wondered.
Momentarily picking up the avariel's brew and sniffing it, Jaheira grinned even wider, for once with real humor in her eyes;
-"I wouldn't worry about it; Bernard has watered it out so as to almost make it little more than water with an unusual taste…to say the least," She chuckled as the "groundbound" one's eyes widened in surprise as she took her first sip.
Looking disgustedly at the fluid, she almost glared at the druid;
-"You can let him know I do not need -that- much help, thank you."
-"I will, I will." The druid allowed, gesturing at "Bernard" as she did so.
-"You…you told him to do that, didn't you?"
-"Quite so." Her teacher nodded, smiling humorously to herself as she drank deeply of her own ale.
-"May I?" the avariel then asked, gesturing at Minsc's mug, still untouched before him as he was busy "discussing" the clientele with Boo.
Looking up, the large man shrugged, glanced to his pet, then nodded;
-"Boo says it's OK."
-"Does he now…" muttered Jaheira ironically.
Giving it a cursory sniff, she lifted the suitably large container to her mouth, sipping carefully.
Putting it down carefully, she licked her lips, almost stubbornly, before gazing coolly at the druid;
-"And knowing I would do so, you told him to water this one -up-. Correct?"
-"-Spiced- up, girl, spiced up…and yes." She replied, getting to her feet, steady as a mountain.
-"I'll be leaving for my room now. I trust I'll be seeing you all tomorrow for some husbandkiller-hunting. Good night."
Gathering at a table the next morning, they were soon approached by a young, noble-looking woman they had seen wandering the inn the previous evening.
Evidently having a question to which she were not expecting a very positive reply, she momentarily looked between them, as if to figure out who the leader was, before just talking to the one across from where she stood.
Unsurprisingly, Negrath found, that was the druid.
-"Are you…are you mercenaries? I could use some help…and if you can do it quickly, your pay will be substantial. Please?"
-"What will we be facing, and where?" Yoshimo wanted to know.
-"I'm…I'm Nalia de'Arnise, and I'm here to get your help in preventing our keep from being overtaken by a most…stubborn group of foes…I'm sorry, but I really can't tell you more."
-"And you have asked others with the same conditions, and wonder why they turn you down?" Negrath "pointed out".
-"No, I've -told- the others…and they turned me down upon hearing it…I -really- need your help in this matter!"
-"Sure we'll help." Minsc smiled, producing a surprised look from Yoshimo;
-"Will we?" he asked Negrath.
-"But of course! We need the coin…there will be coin, correct?"
-"Coin and what valuables you can collect. I just want my home free again!"
-"Fine, calm down, you have your help. Would you mind telling us what we might need?"
Studying their faces, as if not quite ready to believe, she pondered for a moment, presumably trying to find the least dangerous reply;
-"…Heat?"
As the others exchanged looks, drawing various conclusions, she hurriedly added, as if to make it more difficult;
-"And-and-and…Poison?"
Almost laughing outright, Jaheira shook her head at the woman's attempts at secrecy;
-"Girl, two pieces of information is worth more than one…and I do believe there is no-one at this table that honestly believes you did not mean fire."
Hanging her head, she sighed as one ready to just lie down and never get up;
-"So…you won't do it?"
-"Lady," the druid began, quite evidently not eluding to the woman's standing.
-"I said you had your help, and I usually stand by what I say." A quick, slightly conspiratorial glance at the others, she continued; "But let me tell you that had we first figured this out once there, we would have turned and left."
Giving Negrath a warning glance while putting a hand over Minsc's beginning protest, she explained;
-"We simply do not have enough of such material to deal with any sort of "stubborn" group, as you put it."
Turning to the others, she leaned back in her chair;
-"So there's the shopping list for today, then; items that burn in whatever way."
With that, she had them pool their current resources, and, sending Minsc to do the dealing, carefully having instructed him where to go, she settled in to wait.
Wandering about, the group found themselves worsening a few situations while improving others…and all of them having a joyous time watching as a kid with high-flying ambitions fawned theatrically over Aerie.
Initially polite in her rejections, she ended up threatening bodily harm to have him let go of her hand…
As she rejoined them, the boy, having followed her with a heartbroken expression, lighted up as his eyes fell on Jaheira.
Momentarily stunned at the guy's stupidity, the others could only watch as he approached her, initiating his "offensive";
-"Ah, I sense you have an earthly wisdom about you, my sweet. I find that most sensual."
-"Do you also find sensual my disdain for your disgusting manner?" were the chill reply, a gesture at the boy's latest victim
providing the unnecessary explanation.
-"Ah such passion, you set me afire with your words…" his eyes taking an admiring stroll up and down her form where she sat; "…and with your exquisite body as well."
-"I could set you on fire with far more than that, if you truly wish…" Jaheira replied, grinning wryly.
His certainty wavering, he looked about for a moment, before shaking his head, somewhat hurriedly;
-"…N-no, not really…?"
-"Your first statement of sense…the first of your entire day, I gather."
Making a beeline for the bar behind him, she threatened; "Now get out of my way!"
As the young man danced sideways in surprise, he jumped almost half his own height as she delivered a resounding *smack* to his backside in passing.
………
Stepping outside the inn the following morning, Aerie soon directed their attention to a boy that looked as if he didn't quite know where he was, or what he was doing there.
-"Should we not help?" she pleaded, evidently uncomfortable at the thought of just passing him by.
-"With what?" Negrath wanted to know, as it seemed to him as if the kid only were momentarily confused.
Their pace having slowed though, he soon gravitated towards them, uncertainty glowing from his every motion.
-"What do you want, child?" Jaheira barked, giving a commendable effort not to, as she stopped.
-"I…I-I was sent to get help…soon help…help soon. Quickly." He clarified, apparently in a hurry with something.
-"Help for what?"
-"Mean tree-people."
Momentarily stunned, the druid bent low to stare the kid in the eyes;
-"You saying your village sent you because every able man and woman there were busy fighting -druids-? Druids that had
-started- the attack?!?"
Cowering from the furious half-elf, the boy nodded;
-"That-that's the…word…they used…sorry."
Turning to leave, he almost jumped out of his skin as she grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him back around;
-"Where? Since when?"
-"…The village…the village is called Trademeet, mam, and the attacks started about half a moon ago…"
-"And they sent -you-…to the -slums- district of -Athkatla-…alone?!?"
-"N-no, mam…they sent me to the gov…the gov-ver-ment district…but they wouldn't let me in…"
-"You said they used the word "druid". Why?"
-"The attacks…the animals were attacking…many times…"
Snatching her hand from his shoulder, she clenched it into a fist so tight Negrath was afraid there'd be blood when she opened it again.
Whirling on them, she fumed;
-"Animals attacking villages…under the supposed control of druids! Tell me we will correct this! NOW!"
Minsc baring his blade in preparation for his usual salute of agreement, Negrath gestured for him to stop.
Kneeling before the child, he queried;
-"Would this be a job needing immediate action?"
-"Well…papa said "the sooner, the better"…"
-"But no-one put an actual "Rush"-word on the job, right?"
Puzzling out what the man meant, the boy nodded;
-"That's right…they didn't." He clarified at the kensai's curious expression.
-"Well, then. We'll take care of that as soon as possible. Don't you worry."
With a confused ranger and a druid walking in subdued rage in tow, he led them all off to "cleaner" settings…
Wandering through the Government "district entrance", he became aware of an unusual sight at the other end of the entry plaza…
As he led the party closer to study it, an aging Paladin lifted a gauntleted hand to stop them;
-"Hold! No one disturbs this site in any manner until it's burning."
-"But once it is, we can do whatever we damn well please, right?" the kensai quipped.
The paladin was not amused.
Lowering his hand, he placed it on the handle of his sword instead;
-"That, my good man, will never be the case."
-"Peace." Negrath conceded, looking at the piled of twigs and planks, liberally sprinkled with some vile-smelling substance, supposedly in the interest of making sure the whole thing caught fire at once.
-"Who is to be burned? Some disloyal servant?" Jaheira queried, appearing to be of two minds regarding the very concept of burning.
-"No, a captured member from the darker of the people making up half your lineage." The "guard" replied, with the expression of one who likes what he hears, but is not allowed to show it.
Working faster than it had 'til then, the conclusion made by the Bhaalspawn's mind made his heart skip a beat;
-"Might it be allowed to ask…is this Drow a female?"
-"Most certainly." Were the cryptic reply.
-"And…would she be swearing to Shar, by any chance?"
-"We wouldn't know. Aside from a select few curses that would have shamed the worst of pirates, she says not a word in any known tongue."
-"Not even known to you?"
-"Son, I've never traveled to the Underdark, nor have I met the one Drow I'd be proud to shake hands with, but that doesn't mean I would take any effort to do so, or to prepare for the event."
-"What would you say if I told you that we have met -two- Drow that would be more than acceptable companions…?"
-"Are you about to tell me that the prisoner to be burned is the other?"
-"Why don't you let her see me, and decide for yourself from her reaction?"
-"…"
Studying the kensai's travelling companions for a good and lengthy while, the paladin paid particular attention to Minsc and Yoshimo, blinked in confusion at Aerie's presence, politely passed Nalia by, and met a calm, steady gaze from Jaheira…belying the grip that looked like it was about to snap her quarterstaff in half.
-"Fine. But if she does not acknowledge you, you will not interfere, directly or otherwise, as she is led to the stake this evening.
Agreed?"
-"If you agree to consider this…If you found her the way I think you found here, what are the chances she were here on order from her kin?
I don't think many has been chased from the Underdark, but you must agree; It has happened, has it not?"
Nodding gruffly, the older man glanced up to a large, imposing building a ways back the way they'd come, before looking back to the group, gesturing impatiently;
-"Go. You'll get your meeting."
………
-"See me?!? That's…" the exclamations suddenly halted, the dark-skinned elf stared at the approaching Bhaalspawn through the unnecessarily thick bars.
-"Well, you sure brought out some sort of reaction;" the paladin, having presented himself as "Keldorn" to the guards at the door; "That's the first time she has shut up around anyone in armor since her capture."
-"Capture." The extremely familiar Drow spat, not particularly eager to agree.
-"Viconia…" Negrath whispered, to stunned to raise his voice.
-"Do you seek confirmation, or are you just pointing out the generally obvious?"
Chuckling to himself, he found himself wiping tears from his eyes, smiling in recognition as the Drow he remembered as Viconia deVir leaned back across her "bed", crossing her legs, evidently pleased with the situation;
-"Now what would that be for? Sorrow that I'm caught? Joy that I'm not burned yet? Or the other way around?"
Ignoring her verbal jabs, and imagining that it left her somewhat annoyed, he turned to Keldorn, Gesturing at the cage, tiny by the most generous of standards;
-"I demand that you get her out of there. Put a blade to my throat, if you will, but set her free!"
-"Now why should the old tincan put a blade on -your- throat? -I-'m the most dangerous creature in the room, and the fool knows that well enough. Don't you, flamepants?"
pondering the finishing remark a moment, Negrath decided to ignore the conclusions he drew, and turned back to the group;
-"Any of you having any interest in a servant of Lolth walking the surface world?"
Insistent headshakes all around, including a bar-clattering "NO" from the cell's occupant;
-"Give me a spider to dismember any day; I'll do it barehanded if necessary! Those creatures have poisoned my life enough!"
-"Then why Shar?" Negrath pointed out, almost laughing out loud as she winked;
-"Fits me, doesn't she?"
-"Of that there can be no doubt. She has taken ample vengeance for her people's forced Descent."
-"Oh, the Hells take you with your "accusations"! You burn every thief you catch? That is all I ever were in this pile of human filth you call a city!"
-"Bad enough." Keldorn nodded.
-"To be burned?!?!?"
-"A thieving Drow within the city, hidden as another assassin."
-"Tell me then when you will be arresting these "Wizards" that are running the town?!? They are hooded, they steal your magic-users, and they give no indication to be of your kind in any way that can not be an illusion. When will you burn -them-?!?!?!?"
-"…"
-"Oh, but I were -caught- being what I am, weren't I? Can be no excuse for that. To the pyre with the fool heretic!"
-"Back away from the door." Were the paladin's toneless reply.
Unnoticed up to that point, she had gradually approached from her prone position, and now leaned against the bars, graceful as a balance artist;
-"Whatever do you mean?" she queried, laughing out loud as the holy knight looked skyward, lips soundlessly moving.
To Negrath's puzzled expression, she explained;
-"He cannot touch me. I am "not to be harmed in any way, shape or form", until the torch is set to the setup outside. Probably to avoid that some "torturers" should get "inventive", causing themselves to become "unclean"." She pondered aloud, making it quite clear what she meant as she casually withdrew to her designated resting place;
Snaking down to lay prone upon it, only supporting her head on the back of her hand, she simply smiled secretively for a moment, before darkening her expression considerably;
-"The moment the mere consideration were made, though, whatever wound they might have given, whatever safety measures they might have taken, would be all but ignored, and they would be dead. Do not doubt that."
-"Then maybe it was ordered to keep their people safe as well?" Negrath pointed out.
-"If they were smart, so they did."
-"They are the brightest minds in Amn!" Keldorn protested.
-"And who said Amn even mattered on the scale of the entire Realm?" Viconia wanted to know.
By way of response at being silenced once again, the man's eyes went blank as he simply ignored her outright…and evidently were most pleased with the result…
-"May I take her along, then?"
-"What?!? Take her along? But she's a…"
-"And I got a druid and a ranger in my party…I think you'll find them both as far away from the darker side of things as such people can be…and I've had the avariel with me for a few days now…even through a battle of two…she's still with us, healthy as when she was born…well, aside from the obvious…" the kensai muttered, cursing himself for not having lowered his voice before as he saw the elf turn her eyes inward, knowing from the aftermath of an earlier occasion that she would be torturing herself with memories she had been only too willing to share, for several minutes time.
Studying the group once more, Keldorn froze momentarily as the captive cleric began a simple, self-made song in the common tongue, for all intents and purposes tailor-made to feed insults to whatever knight might be present at the time…and just as evident, painfully familiar to the paladin.
Sighing the sigh of one who knew he'd regret it, he nodded;
-"Agreed. You may have her…but I, as her named guard, must follow. She must not be allowed out of my sight until I, helped by my divine superior, deem her worthy of walking freely among surface folk."
-"I wouldn't worry about that, old man." Were Viconia's acidic comment, added to as she once more approached the cell-door;
-"There is not a village in the realms that will not chase me across the Hells upon seeing me. Far as I know, your beloved -male- defector will be alone in his surface fame for all time to come. So you can rest easy. I won't go where I'm not wanted…and that would include "home"." She added as the holy knight opened his mouth to reply.
-"Wait by the district exit in one hour. I'll arrange things." Keldorn tonelessly stated, before turning on his heels and all but fleeing the room.
………………………………………………………
Oh, darn!
This ain't at all appropriate for the (main) intended recipients, is it?
Not to mention that there must be inserted a -fourth- piece to bridge the gap completely.
While I remember, just assume the dwarf-issue was some crazy idea on Negrath's part…there won't be any such creatures in this "pre- history"…aside from the odd duergar, of course; most of which has already played out their part :-P
Well, then we got Keldorn, Viconia and Aerie with us in a generally detail- less series of events…shame, really…but somehow, I just couldn't get myself to do the entire, time-consuming thing…sorry. *shrugs apologetically*
Hopefully this will prove sufficient.
See you all in about two weeks…(hey, if you ain't a pessimist, how do you avoid being disappointed? ;P)
And of course…;
*: as if either of them would have been the "right"! :P
1 NEGRATH'S TALE, 1.3
1.1 - Making ends meet…
Having settled down just within the door leading out from the corner of the room they now all considered "the grave", the tension among them as they sat along the walls, were tangible.
Having its origin in a druid that would be unlikely to raise her head again, save her steady glare at Imoen, it had been worded in a single, toneless accusation;
-"You knew."
Gesturing weakly, the thief sighed the sigh of one knowing they can't win;
-"Yes, but I didn't think we'd…"
-"So when would you tell me -then-?" The Harper replied, almost to low- voiced to be heard.
-"I'd…I'd…" finding that she'd had no such plan, innately knowing they'd find him sooner or later, the younger woman slumped against the wall.
From where she sat against the opposite wall, the druid, simply looked at her, eyes heavy with perceived betrayal.
-"We should…leave this place?"
-"Why?"
-"…"
-"Because if we don't, we likely won't get the chance to repay the fool."
Head snapping up, the Harper's eyes flared momentarily, before appearing to find life in the kensai's words.
A malicious grin widening on her face, she nodded ominously;
-"A fool he is…and I intend to let him feel every drop of his stupidity in letting me live."
Gazing at the closed door they had come stumbling through, Negrath sighed;
**Now she will become virtually impossible to control…Khalid…rest assured we'll all give him a few from you in amongst our own…and those will be many!**
………
Having dispatched the odd human intruder, along with a mephit and some goblins, neither very willing to discuss the adventurers' current situation, they found themselves standing at one end of a long hall, just having seen some dwarven members of the madman's attackers be disintegrated by traps the power of which they had no wish to face themselves.
Imoen, having decided to leave off worrying about the druid's accusations to after they were out of the dungeon, searched around for some way around them.
Tired and hurting as her mind were, she nevertheless found the connection between the rather unnecessary pillars along the walls, and the spot at which the dwarven folk had met their demise.
Soon enough she found that what made place such a dangerous area to wander aimlessly in, where magical staffs, solidly attached to metal holders…metal holders with a hole in their base…
Counting the pillars, she grinned;
-"Yesss!"
Opening her mouth to call for the druid, she quickly closed it again, instead deciding to let her actions speak for themselves…
Plucking the sticks, collected from the moment she saw the first of them, from her pack, she studied them intently.
-"Not worth it chancing punishment for the wrong keys…" she muttered, finally picking one she deemed fitting, and inserting it in the slot.
Catching the staff as it fell from the holder, she couldn't hold back a chuckle;
-"How's that for "useless sticks", eh?"
Proceeding thusly down the line, giving a squeal of delight every time the key proved right, she returned with a literal armful of staffs of every type and sort.
Letting a simple look take the place of the teasing "I told you so" that itched at the back of her tongue, as the druid approached, she offered the bundle to her, smiling as she lately had had few reasons to do;
-"I guess these will help in your quest?"
By way of response, Jaheira gave the staffs a cursory glance, before gesturing at Negrath with her free hand and tightening the grip on her staff, shaking it for emphasis;
-"I got all the help I need right here."
Not doubting that in the least, Imoen hurried over to her half-brother to deliver her magical cargo, setting off across the hall immediately thereafter.
Assuming that meant the road was clear, the others followed, Negrath hoping the Harper's mood would improve once they were out.
………
Unnerved at the number of exits from the hall they passed unchecked, they had little choice but to follow the quick figure up ahead as she ducked into the farthest of the many openings, the kensai inwardly groaning as he heard a low growl from Jaheira.
**You're not making things easier here sister…** he sighed.
As they caught up to the quick-footed thief, her having stopped only a few steps in, they all heard it; the hiss of released steam, the clang of repeated, rhythmic impacts of metal on metal…the signs of major smithing activity.
-"More duergar." Jaheira snarled, having developed a sudden distaste for the species.
-"Boo thinks the owners of the buttocks you plan to kick, will kick yours if you go in alone."
-"But I won't have to do that, now will I?" were the biting retort as she glared at him.
-"…no."
-"Let's go then, and leave the son of a city-dwelling shadow druid a few helpers poorer!"
Momentarily puzzled by the unusual curse, they soon followed, more to catch up to her than anything else…
………
-"Well, that was sweaty work. Shame we still have the real workers of this group left." Negrath commented, cleaning his blade on a convenient goblin corpse, and wiping his brow as the system driving the two massive furnaces in the room sent out yet another bout of boiling-point steam, thankfully quickly drafted out of the room by another system.
-"They've been quite ingenious about this." He added, quickly adding "But that's no reason to let them live" as Jaheira threw an annoyed look his way.
-"The quality of their work is irrelevant. Their importance to him is irrelevant. What IS relevant, is that their helping him, and shows all signs of not stopping because of a friendly request." the druid pointed out.
-"Do we go then?" Imoen wondered, finishing the refilling of her quiver, evidently having forgotten all reservations about using her bow.
Nodding brusquely, the Harper rushed headfirst through the small passage between the two rooms.
The others following right behind, they almost fainted as the ran nose first into the very same steam previously so gladly bid adieu.
Quickly locating their druid, they found her driving off the heated smoke with an impressive evidence of her true control over the staff;
It whirling in an unceasing motion all about her, they, having taken a cautious step back, could simply follow as she cut a beeline for a diminutive figure moving about ahead of them, appearing to be unaware of their presence.
As the wooden implement descended in a lethal arch through the remaining smoke once they were near enough, however, it danced aside, pulling it from her hands as the system that fed the smoke into the room reversed, sucking it out within moments...
As the others looked about, momentarily confused, Jaheira dived for the dwarf's throat, evidently none to pleased with the theft.
Dismissing the possibility of seeing any trace of the guy again as non- existent, Negrath drew his blades, enjoying the fact that the one from the creature Imoen had inadvertently released fit right into the motions he had worked in with a longblade, despite its "bastardly" nature.
A sudden gasp causing him to spin around, he found that the two duergar that had appeared on either side of the room had taken up bows, for some reason considering Imoen the main threat. Seeing the thief duck out of sight into the previous room, arrow still protruding from her shoulder, the kensai glanced at Minsc, who looked back at him;
-"Boo says; bad move."
-"Isn't it, though." Were the calm reply, before the Bhaalspawn jumped over an inconvenient table, proceeding to cut the closest of the less-than brilliant archers into so much duergar salad.
Looking about after the deed, he chuckled as it became clear that his prediction about Jaheira's victim had been correct…not hair nor tail of him could be seen anywhere nearby…although there were a pretty many chunks of -something- scattered about her where she stood.
Idly noticing that the berserker had effectively split -his- impeding table down the middle in his thirst for vengeance, Negrath then found that no matter the circumstance, Jaheira should not be -that- unmoving…
Approaching cautiously, on the off-chance it was some area-covering spell that held her, he gently touched her shoulder…and found himself in a vise- like grip, almost believing he could hear bones snap as she violently embraced him, all but sobbing her lungs out as she drenched his shirt with tears…
………
The obligatory search and collection of items being concluded by Minsc, and Imoen busy thanking what deities she could name for the luck that the arrow had hit the "wrong" shoulder(*), Jaheira and Negrath spent the time remembering Khalid…
………
His pet having started to make noise about something, Minsc led the party back the way they'd come, "all" the way to the first exit after the entrance.
Holding the Realm's best guarded hamster before him, allowing the animal to detect whatever it was searching for, Minsc smiled widely;
-"Boo says that there is fresh air down there."
-"Down?" Imoen wondered, pointedly looking about at their pretty level surroundings.
-"Boo says "down"." Were the ranger's matter-of-fact reply.
-"Fine…let's go "down", then." Imoen chuckled, heading -down- the passageway.
Nodding in the same manner as he had spoken, the large warrior took two long strides, and remained in front as the group wandered after the tiny pet's nose.
………
-"No-one crosses the shadow thieves an…* " the black-clad man gurgled as he fell.
Having heard the claim often enough during the encounter with the very human foes, the adventurers quickly searched the bodies, Minsc almost tapping his foot with a strange case of impatience;
-"Boo must have his exercise, lest he bite us all in hard to reach places!" he warned, presenting the animal like a weapon of terror.
Jaheira was less than impressed;
-"What does it matter? We will leave, that is not a question of if, only of when…so why rush? We won't find the suicidal fool any faster by doing so."
-"And what if we do?" Imoen quipped as she "pocketed" the last batch of arrows the "shadow thieves" had not used.
A blink, and then the druid positively fled out of the room.
Scurrying after her, they stopped momentarily as it became clear they would have to descend a staircase to continue…
-"Don't." Warned Imoen her fellow Bhaalspawn. "Just don't."
With a significant wink in her direction, Negrath petted Boo, and headed off after the Harper once more.
……..
………………….
………
-"Been here often, have you?" Negrath quipped, commenting on the fact that Jaheira seemed far more at home in her surroundings once they entered the slums of Athkatla…
-"I believe I told you that before." Were the druid's distracted reply as she spotted a strange fellow approaching them from an alley.
-"Coo!" exclaimed, giving the impression that it, along with his somewhat annoying grin was a rather usual expression from him.
-"I heard ye be looking for the lady that vanished with the cowled ones this mornin'. Thought ye might like to know I've got a plan for her rescue.
You interested?"
-"Imoen? Damn right I'm interested! Where is she?!?"
-"Out of your reach, that be certain." The man chuckled, waving off any possible insult the statement might have been perceived to contain, and continued;
-"Aye, but I be in steady contact with a group that would make the task, quick and easy."
-"Not for free, I' wager?" Jaheira commented.
-"Even in a city of beggars and thieves, that be a wager you'd win!" the supposedly influential man nodded, never loosing his grin.
-"How much?" Yoshimo requested.
-"Ah, suffice to say you'd not be stumblin' over it in some goldpot anywhere."
-"How much?" Negrath insisted, closing a hand about his katana."
-"A hundred times ten, and then twice ten of them."
-"Are you mad?!?" the Harper protested, while the kensai still pondered the math.
-"Quite, some would claim, but, I daresay, ye won't find a similar offer at a cheaper price…that be assumin' that you can find one at all!"
-"He has a point." The group only current thief sighed, looking to the Bhaalspawn;
-"Have him tell us where we can find him once we got the coin, and let's move on."
-"I'll be knowing it when you do, and have a boy waitin' at the Coronet. See ye then!"
And with that, the group where (relatively) alone once more.
-"Do we…do we have to work with such people often?" their most recent addition wondered, evidently unsure of how much right she really had to talk.
-"Well, from what I have seen, in the city of coin those without significant sums are rarely even acknowledged." Jaheira replied bluntly, in her own way telling the Avariel that her opinion, though based on little actual experience, were worthy of civilized response.
Leading them further into the district, she then headed to a building that appeared to have been constructed by a large number of smaller houses, forming the centerpiece in the heart of the town's less appreciated part.
………
-"Well, it sure seems you have the all the right friends in all the wrong places." Yoshimo commented, after the druid rejoined them at a corner table, having been in a most companionable discussion with the barkeep…a discussion that, after the initial explanations and condolences, had derailed something serious, leading to shared tales of experiences that went right over the heads of the rest of the group…
A certain elfkin having shown a decided interest at first, but then having gotten just as decidedly embarrassed at the topics raised, Aerie had problems lifting her eyes from the table.
The druid chuckling as she put two and two together, she tapped a finger on the table.
As the elf looked up briefly, Jaheira looked pointedly at the woman's ears;
-"Burning, aren't they?"
As Aerie once more turned her head down, Jaheira reached over, lifting it again;
-"Look, one having bad ears and using them, are far better off than the one with the Realm's greatest hearing that ignores what it tells them. You understand what I'm saying?"
With a weak smile, her "student" tried to nod, producing a somewhat peculiar motion.
-"Speak." The druid reprimanded softly.
-"…Yes..."
-"Don't wait for me to offer a title. Had you used your ears, you'd know my name already. Beyond that, I don't care."
Deciding to make sure the copy of "the history of Tethyr" that he had plucked with him from the dungeon library ended up on her nightstand, and hope she took the hint, Negrath spoke up;
-"You arrange for us to momentarily forget our problems?"
-"As I understand you get little to no effect from such, and Minsc is picky about it, I'm guessing the one of us likely to need it besides myself can get it for himself?" she explained, turning darkly amused eyes on the Kara- turan.
-"That I can." He agreed, rising and heading for the bar.
-"That man" Jaheira stated, indicating the barkeep with a gesture, "Is quite good with his eyes, so the thief will be returning with both our mugs.
As a matter of fact," She added, "I think he'll come back with enough for all of us."
She grinned; "Never thought I'd be glad for the usual hostility that arises whenever someone pops in and sits down without even asking for an ale."
-"You sure you…need more?" Negrath prodded, wondering if this was the Jaheira Khalid had known before the start of their companionship.
-"No, I don't -need- more…does that mean you will try to tell me that I can't have it?"
-"Why would I do that? I trust you."
-"Good. And just to avoid unfriendly visitors in the night, take a sip or two from the mug you're about to get, before you leave." She advised, grinning widely as the thief returned, quite correctly carrying a tray like he worked there.
Acting as if there was nothing wrong with that, he proceeded to put the mugs down before each and every one of them, before returning the plate.
-"Does…does that count for all of us?" Aerie wondered.
Momentarily picking up the avariel's brew and sniffing it, Jaheira grinned even wider, for once with real humor in her eyes;
-"I wouldn't worry about it; Bernard has watered it out so as to almost make it little more than water with an unusual taste…to say the least," She chuckled as the "groundbound" one's eyes widened in surprise as she took her first sip.
Looking disgustedly at the fluid, she almost glared at the druid;
-"You can let him know I do not need -that- much help, thank you."
-"I will, I will." The druid allowed, gesturing at "Bernard" as she did so.
-"You…you told him to do that, didn't you?"
-"Quite so." Her teacher nodded, smiling humorously to herself as she drank deeply of her own ale.
-"May I?" the avariel then asked, gesturing at Minsc's mug, still untouched before him as he was busy "discussing" the clientele with Boo.
Looking up, the large man shrugged, glanced to his pet, then nodded;
-"Boo says it's OK."
-"Does he now…" muttered Jaheira ironically.
Giving it a cursory sniff, she lifted the suitably large container to her mouth, sipping carefully.
Putting it down carefully, she licked her lips, almost stubbornly, before gazing coolly at the druid;
-"And knowing I would do so, you told him to water this one -up-. Correct?"
-"-Spiced- up, girl, spiced up…and yes." She replied, getting to her feet, steady as a mountain.
-"I'll be leaving for my room now. I trust I'll be seeing you all tomorrow for some husbandkiller-hunting. Good night."
Gathering at a table the next morning, they were soon approached by a young, noble-looking woman they had seen wandering the inn the previous evening.
Evidently having a question to which she were not expecting a very positive reply, she momentarily looked between them, as if to figure out who the leader was, before just talking to the one across from where she stood.
Unsurprisingly, Negrath found, that was the druid.
-"Are you…are you mercenaries? I could use some help…and if you can do it quickly, your pay will be substantial. Please?"
-"What will we be facing, and where?" Yoshimo wanted to know.
-"I'm…I'm Nalia de'Arnise, and I'm here to get your help in preventing our keep from being overtaken by a most…stubborn group of foes…I'm sorry, but I really can't tell you more."
-"And you have asked others with the same conditions, and wonder why they turn you down?" Negrath "pointed out".
-"No, I've -told- the others…and they turned me down upon hearing it…I -really- need your help in this matter!"
-"Sure we'll help." Minsc smiled, producing a surprised look from Yoshimo;
-"Will we?" he asked Negrath.
-"But of course! We need the coin…there will be coin, correct?"
-"Coin and what valuables you can collect. I just want my home free again!"
-"Fine, calm down, you have your help. Would you mind telling us what we might need?"
Studying their faces, as if not quite ready to believe, she pondered for a moment, presumably trying to find the least dangerous reply;
-"…Heat?"
As the others exchanged looks, drawing various conclusions, she hurriedly added, as if to make it more difficult;
-"And-and-and…Poison?"
Almost laughing outright, Jaheira shook her head at the woman's attempts at secrecy;
-"Girl, two pieces of information is worth more than one…and I do believe there is no-one at this table that honestly believes you did not mean fire."
Hanging her head, she sighed as one ready to just lie down and never get up;
-"So…you won't do it?"
-"Lady," the druid began, quite evidently not eluding to the woman's standing.
-"I said you had your help, and I usually stand by what I say." A quick, slightly conspiratorial glance at the others, she continued; "But let me tell you that had we first figured this out once there, we would have turned and left."
Giving Negrath a warning glance while putting a hand over Minsc's beginning protest, she explained;
-"We simply do not have enough of such material to deal with any sort of "stubborn" group, as you put it."
Turning to the others, she leaned back in her chair;
-"So there's the shopping list for today, then; items that burn in whatever way."
With that, she had them pool their current resources, and, sending Minsc to do the dealing, carefully having instructed him where to go, she settled in to wait.
Wandering about, the group found themselves worsening a few situations while improving others…and all of them having a joyous time watching as a kid with high-flying ambitions fawned theatrically over Aerie.
Initially polite in her rejections, she ended up threatening bodily harm to have him let go of her hand…
As she rejoined them, the boy, having followed her with a heartbroken expression, lighted up as his eyes fell on Jaheira.
Momentarily stunned at the guy's stupidity, the others could only watch as he approached her, initiating his "offensive";
-"Ah, I sense you have an earthly wisdom about you, my sweet. I find that most sensual."
-"Do you also find sensual my disdain for your disgusting manner?" were the chill reply, a gesture at the boy's latest victim
providing the unnecessary explanation.
-"Ah such passion, you set me afire with your words…" his eyes taking an admiring stroll up and down her form where she sat; "…and with your exquisite body as well."
-"I could set you on fire with far more than that, if you truly wish…" Jaheira replied, grinning wryly.
His certainty wavering, he looked about for a moment, before shaking his head, somewhat hurriedly;
-"…N-no, not really…?"
-"Your first statement of sense…the first of your entire day, I gather."
Making a beeline for the bar behind him, she threatened; "Now get out of my way!"
As the young man danced sideways in surprise, he jumped almost half his own height as she delivered a resounding *smack* to his backside in passing.
………
Stepping outside the inn the following morning, Aerie soon directed their attention to a boy that looked as if he didn't quite know where he was, or what he was doing there.
-"Should we not help?" she pleaded, evidently uncomfortable at the thought of just passing him by.
-"With what?" Negrath wanted to know, as it seemed to him as if the kid only were momentarily confused.
Their pace having slowed though, he soon gravitated towards them, uncertainty glowing from his every motion.
-"What do you want, child?" Jaheira barked, giving a commendable effort not to, as she stopped.
-"I…I-I was sent to get help…soon help…help soon. Quickly." He clarified, apparently in a hurry with something.
-"Help for what?"
-"Mean tree-people."
Momentarily stunned, the druid bent low to stare the kid in the eyes;
-"You saying your village sent you because every able man and woman there were busy fighting -druids-? Druids that had
-started- the attack?!?"
Cowering from the furious half-elf, the boy nodded;
-"That-that's the…word…they used…sorry."
Turning to leave, he almost jumped out of his skin as she grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him back around;
-"Where? Since when?"
-"…The village…the village is called Trademeet, mam, and the attacks started about half a moon ago…"
-"And they sent -you-…to the -slums- district of -Athkatla-…alone?!?"
-"N-no, mam…they sent me to the gov…the gov-ver-ment district…but they wouldn't let me in…"
-"You said they used the word "druid". Why?"
-"The attacks…the animals were attacking…many times…"
Snatching her hand from his shoulder, she clenched it into a fist so tight Negrath was afraid there'd be blood when she opened it again.
Whirling on them, she fumed;
-"Animals attacking villages…under the supposed control of druids! Tell me we will correct this! NOW!"
Minsc baring his blade in preparation for his usual salute of agreement, Negrath gestured for him to stop.
Kneeling before the child, he queried;
-"Would this be a job needing immediate action?"
-"Well…papa said "the sooner, the better"…"
-"But no-one put an actual "Rush"-word on the job, right?"
Puzzling out what the man meant, the boy nodded;
-"That's right…they didn't." He clarified at the kensai's curious expression.
-"Well, then. We'll take care of that as soon as possible. Don't you worry."
With a confused ranger and a druid walking in subdued rage in tow, he led them all off to "cleaner" settings…
Wandering through the Government "district entrance", he became aware of an unusual sight at the other end of the entry plaza…
As he led the party closer to study it, an aging Paladin lifted a gauntleted hand to stop them;
-"Hold! No one disturbs this site in any manner until it's burning."
-"But once it is, we can do whatever we damn well please, right?" the kensai quipped.
The paladin was not amused.
Lowering his hand, he placed it on the handle of his sword instead;
-"That, my good man, will never be the case."
-"Peace." Negrath conceded, looking at the piled of twigs and planks, liberally sprinkled with some vile-smelling substance, supposedly in the interest of making sure the whole thing caught fire at once.
-"Who is to be burned? Some disloyal servant?" Jaheira queried, appearing to be of two minds regarding the very concept of burning.
-"No, a captured member from the darker of the people making up half your lineage." The "guard" replied, with the expression of one who likes what he hears, but is not allowed to show it.
Working faster than it had 'til then, the conclusion made by the Bhaalspawn's mind made his heart skip a beat;
-"Might it be allowed to ask…is this Drow a female?"
-"Most certainly." Were the cryptic reply.
-"And…would she be swearing to Shar, by any chance?"
-"We wouldn't know. Aside from a select few curses that would have shamed the worst of pirates, she says not a word in any known tongue."
-"Not even known to you?"
-"Son, I've never traveled to the Underdark, nor have I met the one Drow I'd be proud to shake hands with, but that doesn't mean I would take any effort to do so, or to prepare for the event."
-"What would you say if I told you that we have met -two- Drow that would be more than acceptable companions…?"
-"Are you about to tell me that the prisoner to be burned is the other?"
-"Why don't you let her see me, and decide for yourself from her reaction?"
-"…"
Studying the kensai's travelling companions for a good and lengthy while, the paladin paid particular attention to Minsc and Yoshimo, blinked in confusion at Aerie's presence, politely passed Nalia by, and met a calm, steady gaze from Jaheira…belying the grip that looked like it was about to snap her quarterstaff in half.
-"Fine. But if she does not acknowledge you, you will not interfere, directly or otherwise, as she is led to the stake this evening.
Agreed?"
-"If you agree to consider this…If you found her the way I think you found here, what are the chances she were here on order from her kin?
I don't think many has been chased from the Underdark, but you must agree; It has happened, has it not?"
Nodding gruffly, the older man glanced up to a large, imposing building a ways back the way they'd come, before looking back to the group, gesturing impatiently;
-"Go. You'll get your meeting."
………
-"See me?!? That's…" the exclamations suddenly halted, the dark-skinned elf stared at the approaching Bhaalspawn through the unnecessarily thick bars.
-"Well, you sure brought out some sort of reaction;" the paladin, having presented himself as "Keldorn" to the guards at the door; "That's the first time she has shut up around anyone in armor since her capture."
-"Capture." The extremely familiar Drow spat, not particularly eager to agree.
-"Viconia…" Negrath whispered, to stunned to raise his voice.
-"Do you seek confirmation, or are you just pointing out the generally obvious?"
Chuckling to himself, he found himself wiping tears from his eyes, smiling in recognition as the Drow he remembered as Viconia deVir leaned back across her "bed", crossing her legs, evidently pleased with the situation;
-"Now what would that be for? Sorrow that I'm caught? Joy that I'm not burned yet? Or the other way around?"
Ignoring her verbal jabs, and imagining that it left her somewhat annoyed, he turned to Keldorn, Gesturing at the cage, tiny by the most generous of standards;
-"I demand that you get her out of there. Put a blade to my throat, if you will, but set her free!"
-"Now why should the old tincan put a blade on -your- throat? -I-'m the most dangerous creature in the room, and the fool knows that well enough. Don't you, flamepants?"
pondering the finishing remark a moment, Negrath decided to ignore the conclusions he drew, and turned back to the group;
-"Any of you having any interest in a servant of Lolth walking the surface world?"
Insistent headshakes all around, including a bar-clattering "NO" from the cell's occupant;
-"Give me a spider to dismember any day; I'll do it barehanded if necessary! Those creatures have poisoned my life enough!"
-"Then why Shar?" Negrath pointed out, almost laughing out loud as she winked;
-"Fits me, doesn't she?"
-"Of that there can be no doubt. She has taken ample vengeance for her people's forced Descent."
-"Oh, the Hells take you with your "accusations"! You burn every thief you catch? That is all I ever were in this pile of human filth you call a city!"
-"Bad enough." Keldorn nodded.
-"To be burned?!?!?"
-"A thieving Drow within the city, hidden as another assassin."
-"Tell me then when you will be arresting these "Wizards" that are running the town?!? They are hooded, they steal your magic-users, and they give no indication to be of your kind in any way that can not be an illusion. When will you burn -them-?!?!?!?"
-"…"
-"Oh, but I were -caught- being what I am, weren't I? Can be no excuse for that. To the pyre with the fool heretic!"
-"Back away from the door." Were the paladin's toneless reply.
Unnoticed up to that point, she had gradually approached from her prone position, and now leaned against the bars, graceful as a balance artist;
-"Whatever do you mean?" she queried, laughing out loud as the holy knight looked skyward, lips soundlessly moving.
To Negrath's puzzled expression, she explained;
-"He cannot touch me. I am "not to be harmed in any way, shape or form", until the torch is set to the setup outside. Probably to avoid that some "torturers" should get "inventive", causing themselves to become "unclean"." She pondered aloud, making it quite clear what she meant as she casually withdrew to her designated resting place;
Snaking down to lay prone upon it, only supporting her head on the back of her hand, she simply smiled secretively for a moment, before darkening her expression considerably;
-"The moment the mere consideration were made, though, whatever wound they might have given, whatever safety measures they might have taken, would be all but ignored, and they would be dead. Do not doubt that."
-"Then maybe it was ordered to keep their people safe as well?" Negrath pointed out.
-"If they were smart, so they did."
-"They are the brightest minds in Amn!" Keldorn protested.
-"And who said Amn even mattered on the scale of the entire Realm?" Viconia wanted to know.
By way of response at being silenced once again, the man's eyes went blank as he simply ignored her outright…and evidently were most pleased with the result…
-"May I take her along, then?"
-"What?!? Take her along? But she's a…"
-"And I got a druid and a ranger in my party…I think you'll find them both as far away from the darker side of things as such people can be…and I've had the avariel with me for a few days now…even through a battle of two…she's still with us, healthy as when she was born…well, aside from the obvious…" the kensai muttered, cursing himself for not having lowered his voice before as he saw the elf turn her eyes inward, knowing from the aftermath of an earlier occasion that she would be torturing herself with memories she had been only too willing to share, for several minutes time.
Studying the group once more, Keldorn froze momentarily as the captive cleric began a simple, self-made song in the common tongue, for all intents and purposes tailor-made to feed insults to whatever knight might be present at the time…and just as evident, painfully familiar to the paladin.
Sighing the sigh of one who knew he'd regret it, he nodded;
-"Agreed. You may have her…but I, as her named guard, must follow. She must not be allowed out of my sight until I, helped by my divine superior, deem her worthy of walking freely among surface folk."
-"I wouldn't worry about that, old man." Were Viconia's acidic comment, added to as she once more approached the cell-door;
-"There is not a village in the realms that will not chase me across the Hells upon seeing me. Far as I know, your beloved -male- defector will be alone in his surface fame for all time to come. So you can rest easy. I won't go where I'm not wanted…and that would include "home"." She added as the holy knight opened his mouth to reply.
-"Wait by the district exit in one hour. I'll arrange things." Keldorn tonelessly stated, before turning on his heels and all but fleeing the room.
………………………………………………………
Oh, darn!
This ain't at all appropriate for the (main) intended recipients, is it?
Not to mention that there must be inserted a -fourth- piece to bridge the gap completely.
While I remember, just assume the dwarf-issue was some crazy idea on Negrath's part…there won't be any such creatures in this "pre- history"…aside from the odd duergar, of course; most of which has already played out their part :-P
Well, then we got Keldorn, Viconia and Aerie with us in a generally detail- less series of events…shame, really…but somehow, I just couldn't get myself to do the entire, time-consuming thing…sorry. *shrugs apologetically*
Hopefully this will prove sufficient.
See you all in about two weeks…(hey, if you ain't a pessimist, how do you avoid being disappointed? ;P)
And of course…;
*: as if either of them would have been the "right"! :P
