Light Wrapped In Darkness 7
Magicman: AHHH! GRAMMATICAL ERRORS! GET THEM OFF OF ME! GET THEM OFF OF ME!!!!
(Magicman runs screaming from the room. An elf in purple wizard robes walks in.)
Daevan: Hello, my name is Daevan. I'm one of Magicman's numerous PCs for Baldurs Gate 2. It is a source of irritation to us both that he doesn't have the expansion set, thereby limiting the potential of other PCs and me. Anyway, seeing as he's bugged out for the moment I've been appointed to take over the construction of his fic. Normally his evil side Smokegirl would do it but he's banned her from this fic. She has too much of an appetite for destruction, if you know what I mean. Now to address an issue, no Taurus isn't one of Magicman's PCs, though he could become one at any time. Meanwhile the rest of us have to put up with him. Also, Taurus picked up some Drow language from Viconia.
(Magicman goes screaming past the elf.)
Daevan: -_-' Anyway, I suppose that I should start writing, shouldn't I?
***
Minsc was screaming a battle cry as he hacked and slashed at several trolls that had just charged down the stair where the gang was still waiting for Taurus and Aerie. Yoshimo had just come back so they all had to wait, figuring that there wouldn't be much trouble, seeing as they had just cleared the lower floor of trolls. It seemed however, that the Yuan- ti were much smarter than the trolls. They had kept a relief force on the second floor, which was currently besieging the five companions. Led by a massive Yuan-ti who kept shouting out encouragement to his forces, they were relentlessly pushing out of the staircase. Once they were out they would be able to spread out and overwhelm the companions.
"Slay them all!" howled the Yuan-ti leader, brandishing his monstrous sword above his head. "Let none escape!"
Jaheira was really getting sick of him yelling that. She grunted as she cracked one of the snake men over the head with her staff and twirled, blocking a blow from a troll. Behind her Yoshimo and Nalia were sending arrows into the pack of monsters with wild abandon and Viconia was calling down the wrath of Shar as she smashed right and left with her mace. But it was hopeless. Eventually they would be overrun and slaughtered. They would have to find a way out, but Jaheira was at a loss as to how.
"What the Hell???"
Jaheira looked up and was startled to see Taurus and Aerie standing at the top of the stairs. The elves looked surprised to say the least. Relief and frustration flooded through her and she let it all out by clocking a Yuan-ti across the face. She glared up at her wayward companions. "Get down here and help or we're all dead!"
Taurus smiled and waved at his grumpy friend. He put his hands together and began chanting.
Aerie was already casting her magic. With a flash of light the air was suddenly filled with thousands upon thousands of sticky strands of thread. The thread descended rapidly and encased the startled monsters within a giant spider web. They struggled and thrashed and hewed at it with their swords but this only made them even more stuck.
Then Taurus finished his own spell. A crackling bolt of lightning flashed from his fingertips. The magical electricity scythed a path through the packed monsters, killing or wounding many. Then it struck the far wall and ricocheted back through the path, dragging even more electric pain with it.
It bounced back and forth three times. After those three times were up only the massive Yuan-ti leader stilled lived. Barely. He hissed in agony as he glared his hate at the Crintri. Then it slumped over and lay still, a charred mass of flesh.
Taurus smirked. "Grilled lizard anyone?" Aerie looked a little sick at this.
Jaheira sighed. "I don't know what's worse. Fighting trolls or living through your sense of humour".
Yoshimo nodded. "But that's what we get for being in the party".
Taurus picked his way across the landscape of fried monsters. "So what did I miss?"
Nalia proudly lifted up a flail with a cold blue head. "We've got part of my father's flail. Only two more heads to go!"
"And with most of the trolls outside we should be able to get through the castle pretty easily" Aerie chimed in.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let us kick butt!" Minsc ploughed his way over the bodies, Lila chattering nonsensically. Jaheira and Yoshimo followed and Taurus was about to when he glanced over at Viconia.
The Drow woman was eyeing the charred corpses distastefully. She wore a stubborn look and Taurus sighed. He walked over to Viconia and, much to the surprise of all, caught her up in his arms.
Viconia opened her mouth to protest angrily. Taurus cut her off. "You didn't want to walk through them and you weren't going to without a lot of arguing. My way saves both of us a lot of time and all you have to do is swallow some of that pride of yours."
Viconia shut her mouth and smiled ruefully. "You're lucky that you are who you are," she said. "Any other man would have regretted manhandling me like that. You are fortunate that you are my Abbil."
"I must be" Taurus said cheerfully. He carried her to the top of the stairs and deposited her with a flourish. "Here you are milady."
Viconia brushed herself off and favoured him with a smile. Aerie seemed to bristle and moved to stand behind Taurus where she glared at the Drow woman. Viconia saw the look and smirked disdainfully before turning her back on the other elf. The heat from Aerie's anger increased.
Taurus meanwhile seemed blissfully unaware of the rivalry between the two women. He went over to Nalia and Jaheira and put himself into the conversation. "So what's next?"
Jaheira glared at him. "Just because you're our omnipresent authority figure doesn't mean that you can just butt in whenever you feel like."
Taurus smiled. He never minded making a nuisance of himself to his friends. It was a sign of endearment.
Jaheira massaged her temples. "I need sleep" she grumbled. "I was up all night worrying about everything under the sun and this big fight certainly didn't help any!"
Nalia nodded. "I'm feeling kind of tired myself. What's say we move upstairs? That way we don't have to climb a bunch of steps when we're still half asleep."
Taurus nodded. It seemed like a good idea.
And so, the troupe marched upstairs and found themselves in a big storage room. Taurus and Aerie weren't too surprised seeing as they'd been through here before to get to the others. Yoshimo however immediately started poking around through boxes, looking for useful weapons and items.
Minsc took first watch, which let the other rest. Jaheira unrolled her blanket and lay down. She immediately fell asleep. Taurus decided to emulate his old friend and sat down on the floor, his legs stretched out and his back leaning against a big wooden crate. He closed his eyes and mumbled something to himself.
Viconia glanced casually out a nearby window to look at the late afternoon sun. "What strange hours we keep."
Yoshimo looked up from his rummaging. "'The hours that you keep are second to the company that you keep'".
Aerie looked up from her spell book. "Who said that?"
"I did. Weren't you listening?"
Viconia rolled her eyes and rested her back against the wall. She wasn't the least bit sleepy and her magic was all memorised so she consigned herself to a long wait.
*** Daevan: Viconia has quite a bit of patience, doesn't she? ***
"Hey, what kind of troll is always on guard duty? Give up? A pa- troll".
Taurus ducked the book thrown by Jaheira and was promptly hit by another book thrown by Viconia. The Drow stepped forward and ran her hands over Taurus' shoulder as she murmured something that vaguely sounded like a healing spell. Halfway through she was hit in the face by another book thrown by Aerie.
Viconia glared at Aerie who smiled innocently. "Oops".
Nalia rolled her eyes at the childish antics and pocketed the key. They had spent the past half-hour looking for her family key that was supposed to unlock every door in the house. They had found it the keep library where the rest had summarily made a big mess of things. They had found a couple of magic scrolls though. She had agreed to go over them with Aerie and see if there was anything worthwhile.
Minsc watched the antics of his comrades impatiently. "Boo must get his exercise" he warned, "Lest he bite us all in hard to reach places."
Yoshimo winced at the thought.
After the short book war the companions travelled around the various corners of the upper floor until they came to a door. Nalia inserted the key into the lock and opened the door to reveal a very nice room.
Obviously Lord De'Arnise's room, it had bed curtains, a fireplace, the works. Taurus stared in awe.
"Wow" he said, his jaw hanging open slightly. "Your father knows how to live".
Nalia shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm kind of worried. Aside from a few servants we have seen very few dead. Where are the guards?"
Viconia snorted. "The cowards probably ran at the first sign of invasion."
"I seriously doubt that." It was Nalia's turn to snort. "At the very least Glaicus, father's personal guard would have stayed. But where is he?"
"Maybe the trolls have the guards stored somewhere for a snack" Aerie suggested. Nalia made a face.
"That's gross!"
"Don't blame me, I picked it up from Taurus."
Yoshimo stalled any further discussion by finding and opening a secret door. He stood back and admired his handy work. "Unless I miss my guess there's something down here that we could use." He then slunk through the doorway like a shadow. Aerie shivered.
"It's really creepy how he does that" she said to Nalia before they followed him.
Minsc came after Aerie, trying to silence the chattering sword and Jaheira, Taurus, and Viconia brought up the rear.
"Hmmm... I am wondering this" Viconia said in conversational tones, "Do you ever entertain the notion of marriage?"
Taurus choked suddenly. Viconia continued, seeming to not hear his distress.
"To commit to one person in all matter? It seems a bizarre internment to me, tantamount to slavery."
Having recovered himself, Taurus was able to answer the question with a degree of sense. "Why on Faerun would you think it slavery?"
Viconia shrugged sensually. "Variety is the spice of life. The drudgery of having the same partner...it would have to be a unique and special person indeed."
"Well of course. You can't fall in love with just anyone."
"Love?" Viconia smiled a twisted smile. "From what I have seen surface custom is not so different from ours. Marriage is used as a trading tool to name one of its many myriad uses. Of course, Drow culture allows for 'husbands' to be disposed and replaced."
"A wedding sounds like an epic time for a male down in the Underdark"
Viconia laughed. "You are quite fortunate that you live up here. In Menzoberanzan a Handmaiden would have collared you long ago!"
Taurus laughed too. "Lucky for me that I've got you to watch my back!"
"And why is that exactly?"
"You'd terrify a dragon, let alone some lousy Handmaiden!" Viconia whacked him on the shoulder. "Ow! My point exactly."
Viconia snorted and lifted her nose. "Keep that up and I may just let the Handmaidens drag you away in chains!"
Taurus threw up his hands in mock horror. "Oh anything but that! I don't want to be dragged away and used as a pleasure slave for a bunch of hot Drow women!"
Viconia tried to snort again but she ended up laughing again. She shook her head. "Ah Taurus, you are quite the character." She looked at him through half-opened eyes, as if judging him.
Smiling under the scrutiny Taurus decided to take the offensive. "So what about you? Would you ever get married?"
Viconia slowed and thought carefully about the question. "Perhaps" she said at last. "I haven't devoted much thought to it, though I have noticed that the role of male and female are reversed on the surface. It might be...fun to play the submissive for once."
The Crintri raised an eyebrow. Viconia smirked and whacked him on the shoulder again. "Ow!"
"As entertaining as this whole conversation is" Jaheira spoke up, "Would you children mind catching up with the rest of us?"
Taurus made a face. "Yes mother." Jaheira whacked him on the shoulder. "Ow! Every time..."
The hidden passage had come to an end at last. Yoshimo was busy fiddling with the lock of a door while Nalia watched, interested.
"Always remember" Yoshimo explained learnedly to his small audience, "Traps can come in many forms. Adapt and you will succeed. Try the same method every time and you won't last long." The lock gave with a sharp click. "Ah. There we go." He stopped and listened intently.
"What do you hear?" Minsc asked curiously. Yoshimo remained silent, listening. Finally he pulled back.
"Someone is in that room" he pronounced. Viconia raised an eyebrow.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"The sounds of breathing and armour rattling are quite plain to the ear that has been trained to pick up the slightest noise."
"Oh".
"Can you tell if whoever is in there is friend or foe?" asked Taurus.
Yoshimo shook his head and the Crintri sighed. "Then I guess that we'll just have to find out the hard way." Before anyone could stop him he pushed open the door and walked in. Nalia followed on his heels.
The room was large. It had a table in the middle but not much else. Except of course for the big man wielding the two-handed sword standing on the other side of the table.
The man stared at Taurus with hard empty eyes. "For my new master who's magic has shown me the way I shall destroy you all!"
Nalia's eyes widened in shock. "Glaicus??? What are you doing?" She backed into the previous room as the huge man advanced. "Something's wrong Taurus! He must be dominated or something. Otherwise he would never do this!"
"Well someone must have forgotten to tell him!" Taurus crossed his two swords as Glaicus brought down his own weapon with the force of a sledgehammer. His legs bucked and bent but he managed to keep the vicious weapon away.
Minsc shoved Taurus out of the way and burst into the room. He wielded Lilarcor with both hands and yelled out his battle cry. "Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!"
The two titans met with a crash of steel. While they flailed away at each other, Jaheira picked up Taurus and set him on his feet. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Taurus shook his head dizzily. "I'm fine. Minsc can sure pack a wallop."
"Well you'd better reassure your fan club before they have an attack or something." Jaheira rolled her eyes meaningfully at Aerie who was watching the Crintri worriedly and Viconia, who was trying to look unconcerned and failing.
While Taurus set about reassuring the two women Jaheira Yoshimo and Nalia watched the fight with frustration.
"They're too close for us to help!" Jaheira growled. "We'd probably hit Minsc rather than the other guy."
Yoshimo shrugged as he watched. "I wouldn't worry. It looks like he's a match for this Glaicus."
"I doubt it" Nalia said in a small voice. "Glaicus was my father's best guard. And look!"
Glaicus had locked Minsc's sword with his own. With his free hand he yanked a potion bottle off of his belt and raised it to his lips. When he poured the contents down his throat his eyes suddenly brightened. With inhuman speed he jerked forward, checking Minsc. The startled ranger fell back. Even as he raised his sword the guard gashed through his armour and cut a bloody line across his chest. The man continued to rain blows down on Minsc, who struggled to defend himself.
"This is quite enough!" Jaheira pulled out her staff and attacked. Glaicus whirled, blocked her swing, and shoved her back into a wall. Yoshimo tried to fell him with a couple of arrows but he suffered the same fate as Jaheira. Flashes of fire announced the arrival of the mages into the combat. Aerie and Nalia fired Magic Missiles and flaming arrows wildly. The man grunted but still stood. He hurled over to the women and raised his blade, his intention clear enough. The two women scattered at his approach but Viconia stood firm before his charge. She beat off his first attack with her shield but his second knocked her backward. Taurus tackled Glaicus before he could finish her off however.
Minsc had unslung his great longbow and fired an arrow of fire. The magical projectile sank into Glaicus' leg, the fire burning him to the bone. The pain stalled the warrior long enough for Minsc to rise to his feet, Lila in hand and fiercely angry. The match was more even now, as Glaicus' speed advantage was negated when the arrow hobbled his leg. It was only a matter of time before he fell under the constant barrage of blows.
Nalia looked sadly down at the corpse of the guard. "I wish I knew what happened to him." She asked softly. Yoshimo patted her shoulder.
"It wasn't your fault."
"I know..."
Minsc took the heavy set of full plate mail from the deceased guard and replaced his old suit. Viconia set about healing him while Taurus bent over to examine the body.
"Hello. What's this?" The Crintri straightened, lifting a spiky green metal ball in his hand.
Nalia whistled. "That's one of the heads to father's flail!" She smiled. "We only need one more and the flail will be complete."
"Do you have any idea where it might be?"
"No I don't. It would have to be on this floor though so it's probably hidden." Nalia bit her lip. "Father wouldn't hide it in the basement. It used to be a dungeon and he hates bringing up such bad memories."
"Then it's likely where the trolls are holding him" Viconia remarked dryly.
***
"Who goes- Miss Nalia!" The guard was delighted to see the girl. "You're alright!"
The companions had opened another door to be challenged by a frightened guard with a spear. He had a tense look about him and they soon found out why.
"We've been locked in there ever since the invasion. I've even had to fight them off a few times! It wouldn't be so bad except..." The guard paused, thinking of a word.
Nalia smiled. "Auntie's being a pain, is she?"
"Well...yes."
"Don't worry Henderson. I'll talk to her."
The guard looked at her gratefully and skirted to the side to make way for the tall imposing woman. Her grey hair looked almost like a battle helmet. This was an appropriate metaphor, as it turned out.
"Oh it is like a nightmare!" The woman spoke with her nose in the air as if it was below her to even look at the people who had come to rescue her. "More hooligans to track their dirt over our floors! I've already told your leader that he will get nothing from me. Now remove yourself from my presence immediately!"
"Auntie!" Nalia protested exasperatedly. "We've come to rescue you!"
The tall woman looked down at Nalia. "Nalia? My dear, what have you brought home this time? Pfaugh!" She looked at the companions as though they were dirt. "Need I remind you how your mother died?"
Nalia knuckled her forehead. "I've heard it a million times Auntie."
"Nonetheless it bears repeating. She went about the lesser peoples just as you do. She helped them, gave them charity. And how was she repaid? With a disease that took her life! Mark my words, if you keep this up you'll end up the same way."
Nalia continued to champion the lost cause stubbornly. "Auntie, we could learn so much from these people! Have any of the Roenalls or the Tombelthans come to help us? No, these 'lowly commoners' have!"
Nalia's aunt resisted the notions just as stubbornly. "This never ending discussion is pointless Nalia. Now I shall take my leave of you and your...friends before I catch my death of cold. I shall have to fire the servant in charge of the heating."
"You dare to rebuke those who have no doubt given their lives in defence of this keep?!" Jaheira snapped angrily.
"Eh? What's that?"
Taurus picked up where Jaheira left off. "All throughout this keep we've seen servants dead because of these trolls. They died defending you from things that you can not possibly imagine and all you can do is insult them?"
Nalia rolled her eyes. "Oh please don't get her started."
"Oh course. It is my lot to be served and it is their lot to serve me. Any who did not defend the keep should be docked wages for laziness."
Taurus' eyes flared but Aerie grabbed him and held him back before he could do anything rash. Jaheira simply cursed quietly in elven.
"Nalia" Aerie said, pulling back on Taurus' arm, "Maybe we should go? NOW?"
Nalia took a look at Taurus' face and nodded. "That would probably be for the best. Auntie you should go now that we've cleared the way. Go to captain Arat down in the palisade. You'll be safe there."
"Very well then" Nalia's aunt said grandly. "I shall depart. Do try and save my brother, won't you? I believe that it's your duty after all. He's somewhere in the dungeon. You'll find a way through the back of the room." Without another word the woman strolled casually from the room, followed by the somewhat less enthusiastic guard Henderson.
Nalia cocked an eye at Taurus who was regaining control of his temper. "A surprising bit of restraint on your part" she said ironically. "Don't judge her too harshly. She is decent enough but very set in her ways. Come. Lets save my father."
While Taurus was calming down Nalia walked up to the back of the room and knocked on it twice. It slid open mysteriously, leading into a small room with a staircase. Most of the group walked directly toward the staircase. Yoshimo on the other hand walked right up to the wall and placed his ear against it. Viconia eyed him oddly. "What ARE you doing?"
Yoshimo didn't answer. Instead he placed his hands on the wall in two different locations and pressed lightly. The whole wall fell inward.
The rest of the party just kind of stared while Yoshimo dusted his palms off on each other and walked in. He came out a moment later with a red spiky ball. "Here's the third piece of the flail" he announced. "Now who wants to do the forging?"
Jaheira looked in the room to see a half dozen golems all standing and staring at nothing. "...I don't know, I don't want to know, and I don't care how you got it."
"Actually it was a simple matter of deducing which item activated which golem-"
"I said 'I don't care'" Jaheira grabbed the flail head from Yoshimo and caught Minsc by the back of his platemail armour. "Come. We're going to put this thing together. Nobody move, we'll be right back."
After Jaheira left Yoshimo shook his head. "Is she always this grumpy?"
Taurus shrugged. "Sometimes dealing with us youngsters is just too much. Besides, she gets cranky if she doesn't get her afternoon tea."
***
Daevan: I really feel for Jaheira. You know, when I'm the PC she's my romance interest. Too bad I can't force my way into the fic. Anyway, please tell me what you think. Don't worry about Magicman. He'll be better in no time.
(Magicman runs by screaming again.)
Daevan: -_-'
Magicman: AHHH! GRAMMATICAL ERRORS! GET THEM OFF OF ME! GET THEM OFF OF ME!!!!
(Magicman runs screaming from the room. An elf in purple wizard robes walks in.)
Daevan: Hello, my name is Daevan. I'm one of Magicman's numerous PCs for Baldurs Gate 2. It is a source of irritation to us both that he doesn't have the expansion set, thereby limiting the potential of other PCs and me. Anyway, seeing as he's bugged out for the moment I've been appointed to take over the construction of his fic. Normally his evil side Smokegirl would do it but he's banned her from this fic. She has too much of an appetite for destruction, if you know what I mean. Now to address an issue, no Taurus isn't one of Magicman's PCs, though he could become one at any time. Meanwhile the rest of us have to put up with him. Also, Taurus picked up some Drow language from Viconia.
(Magicman goes screaming past the elf.)
Daevan: -_-' Anyway, I suppose that I should start writing, shouldn't I?
***
Minsc was screaming a battle cry as he hacked and slashed at several trolls that had just charged down the stair where the gang was still waiting for Taurus and Aerie. Yoshimo had just come back so they all had to wait, figuring that there wouldn't be much trouble, seeing as they had just cleared the lower floor of trolls. It seemed however, that the Yuan- ti were much smarter than the trolls. They had kept a relief force on the second floor, which was currently besieging the five companions. Led by a massive Yuan-ti who kept shouting out encouragement to his forces, they were relentlessly pushing out of the staircase. Once they were out they would be able to spread out and overwhelm the companions.
"Slay them all!" howled the Yuan-ti leader, brandishing his monstrous sword above his head. "Let none escape!"
Jaheira was really getting sick of him yelling that. She grunted as she cracked one of the snake men over the head with her staff and twirled, blocking a blow from a troll. Behind her Yoshimo and Nalia were sending arrows into the pack of monsters with wild abandon and Viconia was calling down the wrath of Shar as she smashed right and left with her mace. But it was hopeless. Eventually they would be overrun and slaughtered. They would have to find a way out, but Jaheira was at a loss as to how.
"What the Hell???"
Jaheira looked up and was startled to see Taurus and Aerie standing at the top of the stairs. The elves looked surprised to say the least. Relief and frustration flooded through her and she let it all out by clocking a Yuan-ti across the face. She glared up at her wayward companions. "Get down here and help or we're all dead!"
Taurus smiled and waved at his grumpy friend. He put his hands together and began chanting.
Aerie was already casting her magic. With a flash of light the air was suddenly filled with thousands upon thousands of sticky strands of thread. The thread descended rapidly and encased the startled monsters within a giant spider web. They struggled and thrashed and hewed at it with their swords but this only made them even more stuck.
Then Taurus finished his own spell. A crackling bolt of lightning flashed from his fingertips. The magical electricity scythed a path through the packed monsters, killing or wounding many. Then it struck the far wall and ricocheted back through the path, dragging even more electric pain with it.
It bounced back and forth three times. After those three times were up only the massive Yuan-ti leader stilled lived. Barely. He hissed in agony as he glared his hate at the Crintri. Then it slumped over and lay still, a charred mass of flesh.
Taurus smirked. "Grilled lizard anyone?" Aerie looked a little sick at this.
Jaheira sighed. "I don't know what's worse. Fighting trolls or living through your sense of humour".
Yoshimo nodded. "But that's what we get for being in the party".
Taurus picked his way across the landscape of fried monsters. "So what did I miss?"
Nalia proudly lifted up a flail with a cold blue head. "We've got part of my father's flail. Only two more heads to go!"
"And with most of the trolls outside we should be able to get through the castle pretty easily" Aerie chimed in.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let us kick butt!" Minsc ploughed his way over the bodies, Lila chattering nonsensically. Jaheira and Yoshimo followed and Taurus was about to when he glanced over at Viconia.
The Drow woman was eyeing the charred corpses distastefully. She wore a stubborn look and Taurus sighed. He walked over to Viconia and, much to the surprise of all, caught her up in his arms.
Viconia opened her mouth to protest angrily. Taurus cut her off. "You didn't want to walk through them and you weren't going to without a lot of arguing. My way saves both of us a lot of time and all you have to do is swallow some of that pride of yours."
Viconia shut her mouth and smiled ruefully. "You're lucky that you are who you are," she said. "Any other man would have regretted manhandling me like that. You are fortunate that you are my Abbil."
"I must be" Taurus said cheerfully. He carried her to the top of the stairs and deposited her with a flourish. "Here you are milady."
Viconia brushed herself off and favoured him with a smile. Aerie seemed to bristle and moved to stand behind Taurus where she glared at the Drow woman. Viconia saw the look and smirked disdainfully before turning her back on the other elf. The heat from Aerie's anger increased.
Taurus meanwhile seemed blissfully unaware of the rivalry between the two women. He went over to Nalia and Jaheira and put himself into the conversation. "So what's next?"
Jaheira glared at him. "Just because you're our omnipresent authority figure doesn't mean that you can just butt in whenever you feel like."
Taurus smiled. He never minded making a nuisance of himself to his friends. It was a sign of endearment.
Jaheira massaged her temples. "I need sleep" she grumbled. "I was up all night worrying about everything under the sun and this big fight certainly didn't help any!"
Nalia nodded. "I'm feeling kind of tired myself. What's say we move upstairs? That way we don't have to climb a bunch of steps when we're still half asleep."
Taurus nodded. It seemed like a good idea.
And so, the troupe marched upstairs and found themselves in a big storage room. Taurus and Aerie weren't too surprised seeing as they'd been through here before to get to the others. Yoshimo however immediately started poking around through boxes, looking for useful weapons and items.
Minsc took first watch, which let the other rest. Jaheira unrolled her blanket and lay down. She immediately fell asleep. Taurus decided to emulate his old friend and sat down on the floor, his legs stretched out and his back leaning against a big wooden crate. He closed his eyes and mumbled something to himself.
Viconia glanced casually out a nearby window to look at the late afternoon sun. "What strange hours we keep."
Yoshimo looked up from his rummaging. "'The hours that you keep are second to the company that you keep'".
Aerie looked up from her spell book. "Who said that?"
"I did. Weren't you listening?"
Viconia rolled her eyes and rested her back against the wall. She wasn't the least bit sleepy and her magic was all memorised so she consigned herself to a long wait.
*** Daevan: Viconia has quite a bit of patience, doesn't she? ***
"Hey, what kind of troll is always on guard duty? Give up? A pa- troll".
Taurus ducked the book thrown by Jaheira and was promptly hit by another book thrown by Viconia. The Drow stepped forward and ran her hands over Taurus' shoulder as she murmured something that vaguely sounded like a healing spell. Halfway through she was hit in the face by another book thrown by Aerie.
Viconia glared at Aerie who smiled innocently. "Oops".
Nalia rolled her eyes at the childish antics and pocketed the key. They had spent the past half-hour looking for her family key that was supposed to unlock every door in the house. They had found it the keep library where the rest had summarily made a big mess of things. They had found a couple of magic scrolls though. She had agreed to go over them with Aerie and see if there was anything worthwhile.
Minsc watched the antics of his comrades impatiently. "Boo must get his exercise" he warned, "Lest he bite us all in hard to reach places."
Yoshimo winced at the thought.
After the short book war the companions travelled around the various corners of the upper floor until they came to a door. Nalia inserted the key into the lock and opened the door to reveal a very nice room.
Obviously Lord De'Arnise's room, it had bed curtains, a fireplace, the works. Taurus stared in awe.
"Wow" he said, his jaw hanging open slightly. "Your father knows how to live".
Nalia shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm kind of worried. Aside from a few servants we have seen very few dead. Where are the guards?"
Viconia snorted. "The cowards probably ran at the first sign of invasion."
"I seriously doubt that." It was Nalia's turn to snort. "At the very least Glaicus, father's personal guard would have stayed. But where is he?"
"Maybe the trolls have the guards stored somewhere for a snack" Aerie suggested. Nalia made a face.
"That's gross!"
"Don't blame me, I picked it up from Taurus."
Yoshimo stalled any further discussion by finding and opening a secret door. He stood back and admired his handy work. "Unless I miss my guess there's something down here that we could use." He then slunk through the doorway like a shadow. Aerie shivered.
"It's really creepy how he does that" she said to Nalia before they followed him.
Minsc came after Aerie, trying to silence the chattering sword and Jaheira, Taurus, and Viconia brought up the rear.
"Hmmm... I am wondering this" Viconia said in conversational tones, "Do you ever entertain the notion of marriage?"
Taurus choked suddenly. Viconia continued, seeming to not hear his distress.
"To commit to one person in all matter? It seems a bizarre internment to me, tantamount to slavery."
Having recovered himself, Taurus was able to answer the question with a degree of sense. "Why on Faerun would you think it slavery?"
Viconia shrugged sensually. "Variety is the spice of life. The drudgery of having the same partner...it would have to be a unique and special person indeed."
"Well of course. You can't fall in love with just anyone."
"Love?" Viconia smiled a twisted smile. "From what I have seen surface custom is not so different from ours. Marriage is used as a trading tool to name one of its many myriad uses. Of course, Drow culture allows for 'husbands' to be disposed and replaced."
"A wedding sounds like an epic time for a male down in the Underdark"
Viconia laughed. "You are quite fortunate that you live up here. In Menzoberanzan a Handmaiden would have collared you long ago!"
Taurus laughed too. "Lucky for me that I've got you to watch my back!"
"And why is that exactly?"
"You'd terrify a dragon, let alone some lousy Handmaiden!" Viconia whacked him on the shoulder. "Ow! My point exactly."
Viconia snorted and lifted her nose. "Keep that up and I may just let the Handmaidens drag you away in chains!"
Taurus threw up his hands in mock horror. "Oh anything but that! I don't want to be dragged away and used as a pleasure slave for a bunch of hot Drow women!"
Viconia tried to snort again but she ended up laughing again. She shook her head. "Ah Taurus, you are quite the character." She looked at him through half-opened eyes, as if judging him.
Smiling under the scrutiny Taurus decided to take the offensive. "So what about you? Would you ever get married?"
Viconia slowed and thought carefully about the question. "Perhaps" she said at last. "I haven't devoted much thought to it, though I have noticed that the role of male and female are reversed on the surface. It might be...fun to play the submissive for once."
The Crintri raised an eyebrow. Viconia smirked and whacked him on the shoulder again. "Ow!"
"As entertaining as this whole conversation is" Jaheira spoke up, "Would you children mind catching up with the rest of us?"
Taurus made a face. "Yes mother." Jaheira whacked him on the shoulder. "Ow! Every time..."
The hidden passage had come to an end at last. Yoshimo was busy fiddling with the lock of a door while Nalia watched, interested.
"Always remember" Yoshimo explained learnedly to his small audience, "Traps can come in many forms. Adapt and you will succeed. Try the same method every time and you won't last long." The lock gave with a sharp click. "Ah. There we go." He stopped and listened intently.
"What do you hear?" Minsc asked curiously. Yoshimo remained silent, listening. Finally he pulled back.
"Someone is in that room" he pronounced. Viconia raised an eyebrow.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"The sounds of breathing and armour rattling are quite plain to the ear that has been trained to pick up the slightest noise."
"Oh".
"Can you tell if whoever is in there is friend or foe?" asked Taurus.
Yoshimo shook his head and the Crintri sighed. "Then I guess that we'll just have to find out the hard way." Before anyone could stop him he pushed open the door and walked in. Nalia followed on his heels.
The room was large. It had a table in the middle but not much else. Except of course for the big man wielding the two-handed sword standing on the other side of the table.
The man stared at Taurus with hard empty eyes. "For my new master who's magic has shown me the way I shall destroy you all!"
Nalia's eyes widened in shock. "Glaicus??? What are you doing?" She backed into the previous room as the huge man advanced. "Something's wrong Taurus! He must be dominated or something. Otherwise he would never do this!"
"Well someone must have forgotten to tell him!" Taurus crossed his two swords as Glaicus brought down his own weapon with the force of a sledgehammer. His legs bucked and bent but he managed to keep the vicious weapon away.
Minsc shoved Taurus out of the way and burst into the room. He wielded Lilarcor with both hands and yelled out his battle cry. "Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!"
The two titans met with a crash of steel. While they flailed away at each other, Jaheira picked up Taurus and set him on his feet. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Taurus shook his head dizzily. "I'm fine. Minsc can sure pack a wallop."
"Well you'd better reassure your fan club before they have an attack or something." Jaheira rolled her eyes meaningfully at Aerie who was watching the Crintri worriedly and Viconia, who was trying to look unconcerned and failing.
While Taurus set about reassuring the two women Jaheira Yoshimo and Nalia watched the fight with frustration.
"They're too close for us to help!" Jaheira growled. "We'd probably hit Minsc rather than the other guy."
Yoshimo shrugged as he watched. "I wouldn't worry. It looks like he's a match for this Glaicus."
"I doubt it" Nalia said in a small voice. "Glaicus was my father's best guard. And look!"
Glaicus had locked Minsc's sword with his own. With his free hand he yanked a potion bottle off of his belt and raised it to his lips. When he poured the contents down his throat his eyes suddenly brightened. With inhuman speed he jerked forward, checking Minsc. The startled ranger fell back. Even as he raised his sword the guard gashed through his armour and cut a bloody line across his chest. The man continued to rain blows down on Minsc, who struggled to defend himself.
"This is quite enough!" Jaheira pulled out her staff and attacked. Glaicus whirled, blocked her swing, and shoved her back into a wall. Yoshimo tried to fell him with a couple of arrows but he suffered the same fate as Jaheira. Flashes of fire announced the arrival of the mages into the combat. Aerie and Nalia fired Magic Missiles and flaming arrows wildly. The man grunted but still stood. He hurled over to the women and raised his blade, his intention clear enough. The two women scattered at his approach but Viconia stood firm before his charge. She beat off his first attack with her shield but his second knocked her backward. Taurus tackled Glaicus before he could finish her off however.
Minsc had unslung his great longbow and fired an arrow of fire. The magical projectile sank into Glaicus' leg, the fire burning him to the bone. The pain stalled the warrior long enough for Minsc to rise to his feet, Lila in hand and fiercely angry. The match was more even now, as Glaicus' speed advantage was negated when the arrow hobbled his leg. It was only a matter of time before he fell under the constant barrage of blows.
Nalia looked sadly down at the corpse of the guard. "I wish I knew what happened to him." She asked softly. Yoshimo patted her shoulder.
"It wasn't your fault."
"I know..."
Minsc took the heavy set of full plate mail from the deceased guard and replaced his old suit. Viconia set about healing him while Taurus bent over to examine the body.
"Hello. What's this?" The Crintri straightened, lifting a spiky green metal ball in his hand.
Nalia whistled. "That's one of the heads to father's flail!" She smiled. "We only need one more and the flail will be complete."
"Do you have any idea where it might be?"
"No I don't. It would have to be on this floor though so it's probably hidden." Nalia bit her lip. "Father wouldn't hide it in the basement. It used to be a dungeon and he hates bringing up such bad memories."
"Then it's likely where the trolls are holding him" Viconia remarked dryly.
***
"Who goes- Miss Nalia!" The guard was delighted to see the girl. "You're alright!"
The companions had opened another door to be challenged by a frightened guard with a spear. He had a tense look about him and they soon found out why.
"We've been locked in there ever since the invasion. I've even had to fight them off a few times! It wouldn't be so bad except..." The guard paused, thinking of a word.
Nalia smiled. "Auntie's being a pain, is she?"
"Well...yes."
"Don't worry Henderson. I'll talk to her."
The guard looked at her gratefully and skirted to the side to make way for the tall imposing woman. Her grey hair looked almost like a battle helmet. This was an appropriate metaphor, as it turned out.
"Oh it is like a nightmare!" The woman spoke with her nose in the air as if it was below her to even look at the people who had come to rescue her. "More hooligans to track their dirt over our floors! I've already told your leader that he will get nothing from me. Now remove yourself from my presence immediately!"
"Auntie!" Nalia protested exasperatedly. "We've come to rescue you!"
The tall woman looked down at Nalia. "Nalia? My dear, what have you brought home this time? Pfaugh!" She looked at the companions as though they were dirt. "Need I remind you how your mother died?"
Nalia knuckled her forehead. "I've heard it a million times Auntie."
"Nonetheless it bears repeating. She went about the lesser peoples just as you do. She helped them, gave them charity. And how was she repaid? With a disease that took her life! Mark my words, if you keep this up you'll end up the same way."
Nalia continued to champion the lost cause stubbornly. "Auntie, we could learn so much from these people! Have any of the Roenalls or the Tombelthans come to help us? No, these 'lowly commoners' have!"
Nalia's aunt resisted the notions just as stubbornly. "This never ending discussion is pointless Nalia. Now I shall take my leave of you and your...friends before I catch my death of cold. I shall have to fire the servant in charge of the heating."
"You dare to rebuke those who have no doubt given their lives in defence of this keep?!" Jaheira snapped angrily.
"Eh? What's that?"
Taurus picked up where Jaheira left off. "All throughout this keep we've seen servants dead because of these trolls. They died defending you from things that you can not possibly imagine and all you can do is insult them?"
Nalia rolled her eyes. "Oh please don't get her started."
"Oh course. It is my lot to be served and it is their lot to serve me. Any who did not defend the keep should be docked wages for laziness."
Taurus' eyes flared but Aerie grabbed him and held him back before he could do anything rash. Jaheira simply cursed quietly in elven.
"Nalia" Aerie said, pulling back on Taurus' arm, "Maybe we should go? NOW?"
Nalia took a look at Taurus' face and nodded. "That would probably be for the best. Auntie you should go now that we've cleared the way. Go to captain Arat down in the palisade. You'll be safe there."
"Very well then" Nalia's aunt said grandly. "I shall depart. Do try and save my brother, won't you? I believe that it's your duty after all. He's somewhere in the dungeon. You'll find a way through the back of the room." Without another word the woman strolled casually from the room, followed by the somewhat less enthusiastic guard Henderson.
Nalia cocked an eye at Taurus who was regaining control of his temper. "A surprising bit of restraint on your part" she said ironically. "Don't judge her too harshly. She is decent enough but very set in her ways. Come. Lets save my father."
While Taurus was calming down Nalia walked up to the back of the room and knocked on it twice. It slid open mysteriously, leading into a small room with a staircase. Most of the group walked directly toward the staircase. Yoshimo on the other hand walked right up to the wall and placed his ear against it. Viconia eyed him oddly. "What ARE you doing?"
Yoshimo didn't answer. Instead he placed his hands on the wall in two different locations and pressed lightly. The whole wall fell inward.
The rest of the party just kind of stared while Yoshimo dusted his palms off on each other and walked in. He came out a moment later with a red spiky ball. "Here's the third piece of the flail" he announced. "Now who wants to do the forging?"
Jaheira looked in the room to see a half dozen golems all standing and staring at nothing. "...I don't know, I don't want to know, and I don't care how you got it."
"Actually it was a simple matter of deducing which item activated which golem-"
"I said 'I don't care'" Jaheira grabbed the flail head from Yoshimo and caught Minsc by the back of his platemail armour. "Come. We're going to put this thing together. Nobody move, we'll be right back."
After Jaheira left Yoshimo shook his head. "Is she always this grumpy?"
Taurus shrugged. "Sometimes dealing with us youngsters is just too much. Besides, she gets cranky if she doesn't get her afternoon tea."
***
Daevan: I really feel for Jaheira. You know, when I'm the PC she's my romance interest. Too bad I can't force my way into the fic. Anyway, please tell me what you think. Don't worry about Magicman. He'll be better in no time.
(Magicman runs by screaming again.)
Daevan: -_-'