Having handed Minsc one of his katanas, and trusting Aerie to supply a spiritual shield if necessary, Negrath looked towards the archway from his seat on the stone wall, as their employer came into view, chuckling softly all the way;
"Delightful. Simply too delightful." She purred. "Finally we will all have our chance at revenge, no?"
"Viconia?" Negrath demanded
"Don't you worry about her." were the amused reply; "I'll have her meet you at the docks."
"And we are still here…why?"
"As you wish. Our ship is waiting…Come, my pretty ones!" she called into the shadows, calling forth an impressive group of vampires that quickly formed a protective circle surrounding the lesser group of near-vampires burdened by the coinbags…
As they met up at the docks, Negrath were sufficiently preoccupied looking for his dear Drow, that he knew nothing before he had her attempting to squeeze his life from his body, close to hysteria.
"Viconia, what…?"
Holding on to him like he was her anchor to the ground, she fought to control her breathing, choking on tears as she spoke;
"I…They showed me…things…terrible…things Lolth herself would have reeled from. I…they said I were to be next…"
Turning accusing eyes at Bhodi, he got a shrug in reply;
"We had to keep her mind occupied. Dreamless sleep can be such a bore, I tell you."
"And of course you would not even consider giving her a break?"
Baring her fangs in a grin, the vampire queen chuckled derisively;
"Is she not Drow?"
"Not…not even my sisters would be able to stand what you and your…maggots showed me! And you are telling me it where simply to give me something to think about?" the shivering Dark Elf retorted, a semblance of her old self evident as she spat at the woman most commoners would assume she cooperated with.
"Viconia?" Negrath queried, regaining her attention;
"We are about to travel by boat at nighttime…remember?"
Looking out over the water, a slow, weak smile spread across the cleric's face as she turned back to him;
"Yes."
"Drown the unwanted memories in the view as we travel…I doubt you'll fail by much, if you remember to look up, as well…"
"You…will you…be there?" she asked, still fighting to regain her former calm, and knowing she would find it with him.
"Within arm's reach at all times." Negrath promised them both.
"Do not make promises you cannot keep." Bodhi cautioned, a bright blue katana at her throat in an instant;
"Touch her again, and I'll have your entire district burned to the ground, flooded with holy water, and staked like a porcupine!"
Lifting her hands defensively, but never letting her smile waver, the vampiress only chuckled, before disappearing down the stairs to where the boat was waiting.
Looking back as he waved his friends after her, he became aware of a regretful, almost sad look in Jaheira's eyes as she looked at the still-recovering Cleric in his arms, Keldorn pointedly ignoring the scene. Aerie simply stared at the ground beneath her feet as she passed, Minsc being the only one stopping to hold out his hand, Boo chittering happily in his palm.
"Boo says he'll be happy to help you get forget the evil of your past." He smiled happily, offering the rodent to her.
Looking back and forth between the ranger and his pet for a while, Viconia finally gave a genuine smile, accepting the small animal, almost chuckling as it quickly climbed onto her shoulder, where it settled against the side of her throat.
Stroking it gently, she turned eyes brimming with tears of joy at the large man;
"Thank you, Minsc. You have my word that I will protect him with my life."
"Drow's word worth nothing." Minsc growled, before beaming proudly, as he brandished the borrowed blade; "But Minsc will thoroughly kick whichever butt doubts friend Viconia."
"That I have no doubt of." Negrath smiled, pleased to see how quickly she improved.
He had to admit though, that he was a little jealous of the furry shape at her shoulder…
Having acquired the protective symbol of a Cowled one that would have fit better in a cell in the asylum, they found themselves at the foot of the imposing building, slaughtering creatures of both the undead and magical variety. That done, they spent a long moment staring at the door, tossing quick glances at each other. Somewhere in there, Irenicus no doubt waited.
The clerics having exhausted their protective and enhancing spells on as many of the group as they had the ability to include, Minsc, ignorant of the possibility that it might be open, hurled his weight at the wooden obstruction.
……
Clanging to a halt two spear-lengths into the hall, the ranger quickly climbed to his feet, as he was approached by a hooded figure who saluted them as long-awaited guests. Sensing something amiss with the man's voice, Negrath decided to press the issue of Imoen. Unfazed by the groups insistence, the man led them through a tour of the Asylum's "guests".
They had to admit, quite a few of them appeared to be quite the danger…especially the little gnomish fellow who claimed to be the "master of the world". He seemed familiar, somehow…
Nevertheless, they soon found themselves face to blank face with the goal of their journey…moments before they fell, the man having removed his hood, revealing the face of their main opponent as he made a comment on how easily the foundation of spells could be incorporated into an everyday meal…
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Last modified on September 2, 2001
Copyright © 2001-2003 by Hans-Olav Bråtun. All rights reserved.
