Jessi: Again I must apologize for the lateness of this chapter. I'm ill and currently feel like shit (to put it bluntly). The next chapter may also be late if I don't recover. Sorry...

Chapter Five: Malurion

As Targ entered the building he whistled low under his breath,

"You've certainly come up in the world." Underneath his hood a smile widened on Malurion's face, a small expression of pride in his home.

Home for Malurion was now a manor in a wealthy district of Waterdeep and, though in a human city, elven influence showed through. The garden was filled with huge trees, shielding the house from the street. The door had been a thick wooden one, covered in elegant carvings of animals and elven runes of protection and welcome.

When that door had been opened by a servant it had lead into an entrance hall where, redolent of the Teithr household, a single curved stairway lead to the upper levels. On either side of the stairs stood marble statues, one of paladin, the other of a gold dragon. Expensive tapestries covered the walls, made of silk and velvet with percious stones sewn into to them.

Malurion turned back to his companions,

"It is a pleasure to see you all in Waterdeep..." his blue eyes glanced towards the mage, "We should talk in my study."

Malurion led them up the stairs, seeming unconcerned of the accompanying moorhound. He opened the first door that they came too, another work of art, this time in pale wood.

Lledr was the first one to speak once they were inside,

"I see that you have been... busy."

Malurion was a rogue and a dragonstalker by trade, he had indeed been kept busy in the latter trade. Mounted on the walls were the heads of five dragons: ranging from the alligator-like visage of a green dragon over the fireplace to the gaunt black dragon head on the opposite wall. A long desk made from a dark, tropical wood was facing the door. The wall above this was reserved for a longbow, made out of the bone of a dragon- the first dragon slain with Targ and the others, the old blue dragon, Haeddiant.

The rogue undid his cloak and hung it on the coat rack by the door then settled behind the desk.

Malurion had changed. Not as much as the dragonslayer had but there were slight differences. He had filled out his previous emaciated figure and looked healther. His hair was cut neatly into a shorter style. The clothes he wore were elegantly styled and made from costly material

The Teithr family resemblence was as strong as ever though. Like his older brother Lledr, Malurion had the extraordinary deep blue eyes and hair as well as the pale, blue-tinged skin. However the eyes seemed unnaturally old and across his left cheek were three parallel scars travelling straight across.

Rhisiart suddenly let out a cry and drew his sword, speaking in his rapid Elvish, his tone threatening. The Teithr elves unseathed their own weapons- a dagger and a shortsword- and abruptly added their own quick speech.

Targ's head reeled with the effort of keeping up with them, but he gathered that most of the shouting was directed to Rhisiart. The black-haired elf appeared to be trying to get around Lledr to attack Malurion.

The argument abruptly ended with the sound of flesh on flesh. Rhisiart staggered back, Lledr's handprint a vivid red against the warrior's pale flesh. The mage spoke slowly in Elvish,

"I will not stand here and allow my family to be insulted-"

"But Lord Teithr! He is herwr!" Rhisiart protested. Behind Lledr, Malurion flinched. The dark-haired elf continued, "Don't you know what will happen if you are caught with him?"

"I am aware of the penalties."

"Lord Teithr... please do not risk yourself for a murderer-"

At this Malurion slammed his fist on the desk top,

"I didn't murder anyone!" He got to his feet and Rhisiart brought his sword up as the younger Teithr elf headed towards the door. He paused by his older brother,

"Perhaps it would be best, Lledr, if you weren't seen with an outcast."

With that he swept out of the door.