The Sea of Swords rose and fell, as the mighty vessel came ever closer to shore. The ship was not on one if its normal errands, which raiding Waterdeep. In fact, it was some several walking days north of the mighty port city. The mountains known as the Spine of the World stood out against the virtually flat landscape they stood upon.
The vessel neared the shore, and drove up onto it. The Captain had picked the perfect spot for landing; soft ground so the ship would not break open, but hard enough to keep from breaking away. The crew climbed down from the ship and began tying it up. They pounded pegs into the icy ground, and tied lines to them. The Captain jumped down, landing gracefully. His tattered clothing blew in the wind, but he did not find the northern winds cold. After all, he had spent most of his days up in north, raiding town and cities. He began walking north, not bothering to see if his crew was following, for he knew they would. They were treated fairly, and they revered him as their Captain.
"Whatever keeps them happy. They'll end up like the last crew… dead, but having served their purpose."
His first-mate ran up to him and said, "Captain Searay, sir. The crew is getting cranky. They didn't want to land at all, and go off looking for something in those god-forsaken mountains! They are afraid of what lives there."
Hanzo Searay glared at the first-mate and said, "They'll do what I tell them. They know what's good for them. Besides, once we find the loot within those mountains, they'll be happy enough." The first-mate nodded dumbly and went away.
Hanzo adjusted the bandana around his head, and the one around his mouth. He then adjusted the cutlass on his left hip and the thin bladed longsword on right hip so they would not trip him up when he walked. This was going to be a very worthwhile venture, he could feel it!
…
Druelk was standing on a ledge of Tierpeak Mountain. Its name came from the many natural ledges that gave the mountain about ten levels. He stood on the second. His gaze went south, across the icy planes, to the warmer areas. Where was his friend? Zarlel had never been gone for such an amount of time. From what the message had indicated, he should have been back several days ago. Something must of held him up. Jernaltor came out of the inner chambers of the mountain mine and stood beside his friend. "He'll be back. We never knew him to leave us." The halfling said, trying to comfort the dwarf.
"I have a feelin' something's comin', Jern. And I'm afraid that if Zarlel is not back when it arrives, we might not last long enough for him to get here."
Jern knew his friend was serious. Never did the dwarf talk of defeat so readily. He and his small clan of dwarves had face many foes, large and small, and they never gave up. Whatever was giving Druelk the unsettled feeling, Jern knew that it was much bigger than he would be able to take.
…
Zarlel sat at the exit to the tunnels that led down into the Underdark, listening to the last words of Ray'ne's offer. There was nothing for it, so Zarlel nodded his head.
The drow smiled and said, "Wise decision Zarlel. I shall uphold my end of the bargain, of course. Your parents are being held by a small thieves guild outside of Baldur's Gate. Not very far, just far enough out of the Guards' reach of them! I know not more than that, so you'll have to find the guildhouse yourself. Good luck, Zarlel."
Zarlel cocked an eyebrow at the drow, "'Good luck'? I've never heard those words pass the lips of a drow. I believe the closest thing to 'good luck' in the drow tongue is translated to 'succeed or die.'"
Ray'ne smiled and said, "If you succeed, Zarlel, I succeed. You have a part of the deal to honor as well. But it can't be completed until your parents are free. Now go!" Ray'ne turned and ran back down into the darkness. Zarlel shook his head and began walking north, back to the Spine of the World where his friends awaited him… And where a crew of pirates marched.