A/N: The world of Exile/Avernum is the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, rather than me. Persons (King Micah) and places (the Castle) found in the game will be put back unharmed when I've finished with my fun.

Exhausted from the journey from Almaria, as well as the long hike up to the Castle itself, none of the companions looked fit for an audience with the king, a fact that was underscored by the guard's expression.

"Adventurers coming to see the king?" he said.

"That's right," said Ansel, "and we got our token, you wanna see?"

"Nah," he said, "that's for them what guard the throne room proper. You want a bit of advice?"

"Sure," said Ansel.

"You look pretty done in," said the guard. "Go left, and down the hall, don't bug nobody, but you'll find some guest rooms you can bunk down and clean up afore you go showing yer faces to his majesty."

"That's a great bit of advice," said Ansel. "Thanks."

The guard waved them in, and Ansel started to lead the way as they'd been told, although he opened one door, and found a huge man dressed in heavy armor with a halberd against the wall sitting at a desk, looking almost as weary as the companions.

"Hello," said Ansel. "You in command of the castle guards?"

With a grunt, Captain Houghton replied, "I'm in charge of the defenses here while the other commanders lead raids against the sliths. I used to lead the raids. For years. I did more than my share. Now I mainly take care of the Castle defenses. For when we get attacked."

"We're going to be attacked soon?" said Brynja.

"They said that someone like me should be watching the Castle, because it's so important! And they were right!" said the captain, who started to sound as though he had taken one too many thumps on the head in his raiding days. "I've had four months to prepare, and I bet they'll charge any day now, and I'm ready! I have a great plan!"

"What's your plan of defense?" asked Duncan.

"I can't tell you that. But I'll tell you this. The first band of sliths which comes here will stumble into crossing streams of missiles and magic the likes of which Avernum has never seen," he said. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have to prepare." Ignoring them, he returned to his work.

"Sorry to bother you," said Ansel, and he closed the door. "Loony," he muttered, looking at his companions.

"Not so loud," said Duncan.

"Yeah, I never been good at that," said Ansel with a grin, openly acknowledging the reason that he'd gotten sent into Avernum.

Without too much more difficulty, however, they found the guest rooms, but only one room seemed to be unoccupied.

"Guess we'll all bunk in here," said Ansel, taking a look at the four large beds in the room.

"OK, promise you'll keep the racket down," said Brynja, as she latched the door, and staked out one of the beds.

"C'mon, Jynx," said Ansel, guiding her with a hand on the waist to one of the other beds, "not enough--we gotta share."

"A tragedy, I'm sure," said Jynx before she burst out with a giggle.

"Then me and Rudel got this one," said Duncan, as Brother Theo set his things on the fourth bed.

The night had been quiet enough, and they found these beds the most comfortable that they had yet encountered in Avernum. Feeling well-rested, they began washing up, and on their way looking for the king's throne room, came into a large dining hall, and paused to get something to eat along with the various soldiers, servants, and other people who were on whatever business they might have in the Castle.

"Like the post?" said Ansel, sitting down at the table with one soldier and his companions.

"Oh, it's all right," he replied, "not as much fun as the last place, but then ... Fort Remote is kinda in a class all their own."

"Oh?" said Ansel.

"Yeah, you just have to go out there and see them sometime," he said, "nothing I say can do 'em justice."

"Maybe we will," said Ansel, "ow!" as Jynx kicked his shin under the table.

"Unless there's a reason to go that far?" she said.

"You never know," said Ansel. "Just never know. Going up to Blosk after here."

"Glad you let us in on the plans," said Duncan, laughing. He pushed away his empty plate, and said, "C'mon, we better get ourselves in to see his majesty."

"Youse gonna see him?" said the soldier. "Look like a lot of adventurers to me--and they're picky."

"Oh, we got our token," said Ansel, grinning at the deflated look of a soldier who must have thought he'd be selling a 'token'.

Leading the way, they found their way to a fine wooden door with two impassive castle guards standing there.

"What's your business with his majesty?" asked one.

"We got this token," said Ansel, showing it off, "and heard there was call for adventurers."

"So there is," said the guard, "go on, then," and he waved them through the door.

Sitting on a throne on a raised platform surrounded by more guards was a very slight, old man dressed in loose-fitting silk clothing with a gold circlet on his head. Although he appeared frail, his blue eyes had a piercing quality.

"Sir, may I ask about your position in this castle?" said Ansel.

"Ansel!" said Jynx, appalled.

"It is simple. I am the chosen King of Avernum," said Micah. "I provide leadership for our people and mastermind our actions against our enemies." He smiled and looked the group over, measuring the quality of the material brought before him.

"What do you know of the caves, sire?" said Jynx.

"Ah, yes. The rich, greatly underrated caverns of Avernum," said Micah, with a sad smile. "I dream of the day the abovegrounders find out what a wonderful place they gave to those they hated. I have long ago learned that Avernum brings great good along with the bad."

"Surely your majesty is joking!" said Brynja. "I can't stand this pit."

King Micah frowned, and said sternly, "If you do not love this land, Avernum--our home, which I fight to serve and protect, then you are no friend of mine."

Seeing the guards also frowning, Jynx wished again that Brynja weren't so likely to speak her mind directly, and said, "How did your majesty come to arrive in Avernum?"

"I was a rebel leader. I was becoming well known and even feared, by the Empire. Then I was betrayed and caught. The Empire did not want to make me a martyr, so they sent me and my son down here. My fame aboveground had preceded me," said Micah. "That was how I arrived, and how I started on the road to being the king of this great land."

"I must say," said Brother Theo, "that while it was difficult, we have started to see how beautiful this land is."

"I'm pleased," said Micah. "Do not mistake me. I miss the sun. I miss the trees and the breezes and the feel of good, honest dirt underfoot. But Avernum, in its own way, is a good land, and the people are strong and kind. This is my home, and I've learned to love it."

"How do you regard Avernum?" said Jynx.

"When I was sent down here, I first thought that this was an ugly place, devoid of joy and hope," said Micah, his eyes fixed on Brynja, who had the grace to blush furiously. "Then I saw the land the people who had come down here before me had created, and I learned that being here was not the doom I thought. Now, despite the many threats that surround us, I work to maintain our government."

"How fares the government of Avernum?" asked Jynx.

Micah gave a grave nod and said, "We have good, brave people. We have excellent resources and skilled magicians. What we do not yet have, alas, is a clear choice for my successor. My son is, shall we say, inadequate." He gave the group a long, careful look, and added, "I always look for those who can lead. Remember that. You might ask me about possible missions."

"So we're threatened?" said Ansel. "How bad."

"Yes, threat enough for us to try to hire adventurers to help us combat it," said Micah. "An idea much disliked by the council."

"What is this council?" asked Rudel.

"My co-rulers. The mayors of the six largest cities--Silvar, Formello, Cotra, Almaria, Blosk, and Dharmon. Wise, capable people--but too untrusting of any weapon not held by a soldier," said Micah. "I don't hold that view. I would even welcome help from the Abyss!"

Remembering what they had heard when they were still new arrivals, Jynx said with a carefully neutral tone, "Who lives in the Abyss?"

"Some of the people sent into Avernum are actual criminals. When they act up, we sentence them to their own Avernum. We send them to a cavern called the Abyss. There, they have their own cities and ways. And means," said Micah. "There, they butcher thmselves in peace, well away from us. I would accept their help, but I would watch them carefully."

"So, tell us about our enemies," said Ansel.

"The slithzerikai are our most organized and deadly foe. Long we have tried to slay their leader, and long we have failed. Then of course, there are the nephilim. And the nepharim. And the aranea, and giants, and undead. Our foes are many, and strong."

"What would you like us to do for you?" asked Ansel.

"Avernum is in a brutal war with the slithzerikai. To the north, there is a large slith castle on an island," said Micah. "Inside lives the slith king Sss-Thsss, their great leader. If you can sneak into his throne room and kill him, I will reward you greatly."

"I see," said Ansel. "Thank you for talking with us."

Realizing the magnitude of the mission, the companions set out from the castle, waiting until they were past the guards before speaking.

"Gods, Brynja, you have to speak your mind like that?" said Jynx. "We're lucky we didn't get thrown into the Abyss or something for insulting him."

"Stuffy old coot," said Brynja. "Don't tell me you're getting used to it down here."

"Not really used to it," said Jynx, "but ... well, sometimes, it's better not to speak exactly what's on your mind."

"Yeah, sure," said Brynja. "Think I'd remember, as it's how I ended up here in the first place. But don't mind me. You do the talking next time we see kingy."

"When we see this Sss-Thiss, you can do all the talking you want," said Jynx.

"Deal," said Brynja.

"So, we're really going to Blosk?" said Duncan, surprised. "That's a fair distance."

"Yeah, let's stop at this Fort Emerald," said Ansel, looking at the signs. "Be a good day's journey."

"And I bet you're thinking of taking a swing by this Fort Remote," said Jynx, "aren't you?"

"Sure," said Ansel. "Way I figure it, been years they been trying to off the slith king, so what's the hurt in letting it go a bit longer, while we figures out the best way and all."

"Sounds reasonable to me," said Rudel.