Glad he was running through an open field, he could only wonder as to how long she would have to be kept running to cool off…he somehow doubted he would be able to find out…

Hearing her utter a single, intense syllable, he felt something cutting into the back of his right knee, instantly dissolving to spread fire throughout his leg.

Knowing her knack for playing around with ways to make destructive spells more effective, he could only assume, as the sudden failure of his leg to cooperate sent him rolling with the built-up momentum, that she had introduced magical poison to his system…poison that just might prove to be quite the bit more effective than the version most clerics satisfied themselves with…

Rolling to a halt, flat on his back, multiple parts of his body sending him messages of extreme discomfort from the unnecessarily rough stop, he couldn't even collect himself to get to his feet as she came running…

Leaping at him from a couple of steps away, she landed on him, producing more than a few screams from his protesting body…he could only hope someone would see them…if not enough to stop her, it might just distract her.

Reminding himself that he was still a Kensai, with the training to prove it, he looked defiantly up at her,…and found himself wishing those who found him would bother to tell someone with a Resurrection ready…

**You think those eyes are frightening?** the voice he thought he had chased away, returned with.

**Go on**

**Show her what yours can do**

He didn't dare…and could only "watch" in inner amazement as the voice receded once more.

Breathing heavily, as she strained not to kill him outright, the dark- skinned cleric straddling him began a thorough demonstration of just how much pain an angry Drow could inflict on a victim with their bare hands…he found it was quite a bit more than he had ever imagined able to feel…

A good while later, as she supported herself on her arms, staring balefully down at him, beads of sweat having formed from her exercise, and her white hair dealing a most unintended caress of his face, he could only croak what he had earlier planned to calmly state;

-"Truth hurts, doesn't it?"

Grabbing his hair with a growl, she sat up, and eyed something on the ground outside his vision for a moment…quite possibly a rock to break his head on…she let go, looking tiredly down at him;

-"Human, that I still take advantage of my training to maintain control, does not mean I have anything to do with the practices they have…as I see it, you should be asking for lessons, not berating me."

Closing her eyes, she leaned forward to rest her head on his, smiling with tired amusement;

-"You are anything but weak, Negrath, you shall have that. You think any others would even consider talking harshly to me if they could not count on backup?"

-"Never in a elven City's lifespan...and that's just because of your skin." He commented.

-"My thoughts exactly."

-"…"

-"…"

-"Think the others would care much if we were to bathe at the same time?" she queried, raising herself to sit back on his legs, seemingly ignorant of the wince of pain crossing his face at the careless addition of weight…yet allowing some small relief as she, without word or gesture, gave him the benefit of the Ultimate Heal he had supplied her with before their first visit to the Keep.

Shaking his head in denial, well aware that they would have quite a few things to say about it between themselves, he calmly gestured for her to release his legs.

Holding her position, for a while, it seemed she considered to do more…but then decided better of it.

Getting up, she gave a crooked smile as she reached a hand down to help him up, clapping with something approaching delight as he stood under his own power;

-"That's the way to go!

You do not need -anyone-!"

-"Not true." He stated, smiling warmly at her for a moment, before heading toward the large stone structure he were supposed to own, and the bath available within…



Inherently sorry they couldn't ask for another, bigger tub without rumors causing him to loose valuable points with his subjects, he could only admire her as he sat, relaxed and calmer than he could recall ever having been, where she sat in her own tub, facing him as he faced her.

Smiling, he decided to make a quip;

-"What? Your Drow Dexterity not up to the task of having the servants clean one less tub?"

-"If I enter yours, Someone will Somehow know, and call for a third…besides, I thought I were supposed to be the insatiable one?"

With a mutual grin, they settled back to enjoy the feeling of warm water cleansing them both physically and mentally…



Later, finding himself buying the holdings in the area that an important merchant threatened to sell if he didn't do something with a band of rogues that had accosted one of his caravans, Negrath ensured the man that he would spend much of the Keeps coffers to pay for a proper band of Mercenaries to deal with them. (a decision reached after a quick glance at the Major Domo to see if it would be acceptable to volunteer his own group, which it evidently wasn't)

That taken care of, Negrath proceeded to gather his friends in the dining hall.

Momentarily disappearing into the library, he quickly came back with a number of small leather bags that tinkled slightly as he walked.

Dumping them on the table, he stated;

-"In these six bags, are jewels and gemstones worth, according to the Domo's rough estimate, the 20 000 Aran has demanded.

For all intents and purposes, my work here is done…unless there's something any of you would like to remind me off?"

Looking between themselves with querying glances, they were soon back to looking unwaveringly at him.

Taking a seat, at the head of the table, one of the little bags dropped next to his plate, he nodded at the kitchen servant who had been waiting by the door, while stating with an air of relief at finally being able to take up the chase in earnest;

-"Then I find it only proper that we should have as good a meal as this keep can give us, while we're still here.

And I've made amply sure that the meal currently being carried from the kitchen, will be of quite another quality than if there had been more to do this side of Athkatla…A little reward for agreeing with me." He concluded with an amused grin, chuckling as they laughed in reply.

As the others all turned expectant eyes to the door the food would arrive through, he counted on them to pick a bag with them as they retired for the night, and, grabbing his own in such a manner so as to keep it quiet, he slid from the chair and vanished out the door opposite the one demanding all their curious attention.



Hearing them call out in wonder and delighted surprise as he ascended the stairs to the roof, he smiled; the massive investment in various high- ranking food-suppliers had been worth it…

Chuckling, he mused that it just might be enough for other than Minsc to fill their belly…who knew…the ranger with the wise little pet might have to proclaim himself stuffed, for once…that had been Negrath's secondary goal with the investment, after all…