The Tale of Negrath Chapter XXIV.

Having "procured" a key that probably would prove vital from the fellow that had offered the expensive aid of the thieves guild, the group dispatched quickly what resistance had been waiting outside the Guildhouse, and found themselves the target of a rabble amateurish warrior-thieves. Not wanting to waste time on them, the group headed for the room from which, they had been told, they could access the secret route to the basement. Pausing momentarily to unlock the door with the key, they left the room a number of protectors poorer, placing a Skull Trap in the opening before decending.

Negrath's assumption that Aran had gathered his best closer to him was confirmed as they stepped onto the landing at the top of the stairs in the room below; A large number of skilled assassins danced towards them, various amulets on their person lending a soft, blue aura to their appearance.

Jumping off the side of the landing, as Keldorn and Minsc thundered down the wooden steps, Negrath could hear Jaheira start her call for The Swarm…evidently, she had seen someone she recognized as a spellcaster. Engaging a few opponents equally light-footed as he, he moved across the room knowing that mages would be standing only as close to swinging blades as they had to.

A number of distractingly stinging cuts as payment for his split attention, he found the robed one eagerly tossing poison arrows at the elfkin at the top of the stairs. Looking back, he found them having retreated behind the doorframe, seemingly cooperating about something…he could naught but feel sorry for the guy, and stay well away from him, instead charging at one of the archers that were spread around the room.

Doing his best to keep an eye on "his" spellcasters, he soon saw Keldorn and Minsc hurrying up to block the doorway, just as a duet of chanting announced that Negrath and his friends were about to do their best to utterly ruin their opponents day. The two skilled warriors had little contest from the close-range fighters, as they simply kicked them back down like dominoes as soon as they came within reach, and therefore spent most of their time shielding their face from the incoming arrows.

As the chanting ceased, twin circles of fire formed on the floor at the base of the stairs, rapidly increasing in size and heat, before contracting into two flaming Fire Elementals. One momentarily challenging it's caller, the other set out toward the mage, whose protections were quickly fading.

He did not get the time to call forth new ones, as Minsc and Keldorn stormed back down the stairs, leaving the females to toss their quick-and-easy "annoyance" spells at the mage, before turning on the archers as the Fire Elementals reached the frail man.

Moments later, as the one most used to do so, Jaheira, her Fire Elemental standing calm next to her, could be seen tossing and turning corpses around, searching whatever pockets and containers they may have had, looking for anything likely to help them bring in a sufficiently large pile of cash when sold.

Aerie, busying herself with controlling her new servant, seemed to find that she enjoyed having the power to command such a creature, and could soon be seen standing looking up at it, probably reveling in the knowledge that she had won it's challenge, and proved herself stronger.

Glancing over at Negrath, the expression of proud satisfaction vanished, and was replaced with a regretful sadness; the last one to deal her a lesson of her inner strength, had been Viconia…

"Of all people," Negrath mumbled, shaking his head, and looking towards the door beside the stairs; "Think that's the one, Keldorn?"

Recalling what the diviners of his order had managed to learn, he slowly nodded;

"Yes, if we find a bridge-like structure in there, that will be the one."

"Well, let's go then." The Kensai stated, striding towards the barrier with measured steps.

"NO!"

Turning, he saw Jaheira hurry to catch up with him;

"We need to get these things stored safely somewhere…somewhere outside the guild." She concluded, as he gestured towards one of the unlocked chests in the room.

Setting up a makeshift camp, the rest of the group sat down to wait as Keldorn and Aerie went to store the winnings at the Inn.

Upon their return, the original trio had already taken care of two attempts by the Shadow Thieves to regain control of the room, and Jaheira had called forth her second Elemental in preparation for the expected resistance. Aerie "dispelling her visibility", as she put it, vanished from sight, and slid quietly out through an obediently silent door, only to return a moment later, invisibility still in effect;

"The wooden bridges are there…falling blade-traps, Keldorn?"

As he nodded, she continued;

"On the opposite side, obviously waiting for us, is a small group of very professional-looking fighters, all but two in armor. May I use your friends, Jaheira?" she queried, looking at the druid.

Turning to her Elementals, the woman pointed in Aerie's general direction, instructing them to obey the mage. As they approached, completely unfazed by her invisibility, Aerie called her own over, and went back through the door. Moments later, the room just beyond it erupted in the growling calls of charging Elementals, and interrupted chanting.

Stepping back in through the door, invisibility fading, Aerie fanned herself with a hand;

"Phew, I don't think you will find a lot of useful items on those, Jaheira. Complete cinders, they are…shall we go?"

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Last modified on September 2, 2001
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