Disclaimer : (singing to the Oscar Meyer Weener tune) Oh how I wish I owned
the Forgotten Realms people... (chirping crickets) What? Was that not
funny? (pause, eagle screeches in the background) Hey! Is anyone alive out
there? (someone in the audience throws a tomato at Semdai) Hey! That
wasn't very nice! (runs away while being pelted with over-ripe vegetables)
Ah! Over-ripe vegetables!
Mirror Me Dark
By Semdai Bloodquill
Chapter Five : Lie With Me
Triel Baenre reclined arrogantly on her magnificent throne. Dagasta knelt before her, awaiting permission to rise. Behind him, Zandrath also groveled to the unruly matron.
"Rise," Triel yawned, "what do you want?" Dagasta rose as quickly as he dared, but kept his eyes down.
"I came to inquire the circumstances of Zandrath's losing an eye," the patron stated, keeping his head bowed.
"This eye," Triel taunted calmly, holding up Zandrath's missing eyeball. The golden iris quivered as if it was frozen in time and trying to break free. Dagasta stole a glance up. The sight made him sick. "I ordered its removal," the matron said smugly.
"May I be so bold as to ask why," Dagasta requested, "would not a drow with two eyes fight more efficiently than one with only a single eye?"
Dagasta received a vicious blow from Triel's snake whip for his request.
"You dare to question my actions, insolent male," the matron roared, raining blows down on Dagasta. The patron prostrated himself before Triel and arched his back. Zandrath winced at the sound of the snapping whip.
"No, Matron," Dagasta cried.
"You forget your place, Dagasta," Triel admonished, "patron of this house you may be, but as far you have given me no daughters." It was the patron's turn to wince. It was well known what happened to patrons who could not produce daughters for their houses.
"Lie with me tonight, my Matron," Dagasta dared to request, still keeping his head down, "if I can sire a daughter will you return Zandrath's eye?" Triel would have killed Dagasta then and there if his request had not been so shocking. Never before had she seen a male be so bold to request his matron to lie with him. In drow society, it was supposed to be the other way around, except males were never given the option of refusing. But the prospect of a daughter from Dagasta's seed was enticing to Triel. His sons were among the finest fighters in Menzoberranzan. How powerful might his daughters become?
"I will grant you this request, Patron," Triel conceded, "you will lie with me when Narbondel's light begins to decline. Should you sire a daughter, I will return Zandrath's eye. Should you fail or sire another male, I will tear out your innards one by one and feed them to a spider colony."
"Yes, my Matron," Dagasta gulped.
"Come here, Zandrath," Triel commanded, switching her attention to her son, "stand before me." Zandrath stood shakily and slowly approached Matron Triel. He stood before her with his head down. "Your brother tells me that you cut yourself intentionally," Triel hissed, "is this true?"
"It is true, Matron," Zandrath confirmed quietly.
"Show me," Triel ordered. Zandrath pulled back his left sleeve and revealed the healing wounds. For that, he received a sharp slap in the face. "I want to see you do it, foolish male," Triel snapped.
"I'm sorry, Matron," Zandrath apologized hastily. He quickly pulled back his other sleeve and drew his dagger from his belt.
Dagasta, who was peeking at the scene, held his breath.
Zandrath sliced the sharp blade across his arm, deeply gashing the flesh. He gritted his teeth against the pain.
"Again," Triel ordered, smiling at the pain on her son's face. Zandrath made another gash, parallel to the first. This time he loosed a stifled moan. "Once more," Triel pressed. Zandrath slashed again, diagonally across the first two. His hands and jaw clenched so hard he was sure they would never relax. Blood flowed down his forearm, dripped from his elbow, and splashed on the floor. He gradually lifted his head and stared Triel in the face. "Well done," the matron praised, "the two of you may go."
~*~*~*~
Of all the ports on the Sword Coast, there was no captain more calm and poised than Deudermont; however, standing before the lords of Waterdeep, he did not seem so.
"I'm telling you, I have to go back out there," the old captain insisted, "that's MY crew out there and I have to go help them!" It wasn't like him to be so overwrought about something, but then again his ship and crew had been captured by one of the most notorious pirates on the Sword Coast.
"We are charting the most likely course of the pirates and planning a counterstrike meant to reclaim the Sea Sprite and any surviving crew members," the lord in charge assured, but his voice was too calm for Deudermont's liking.
"How do you know where the pirates are going," he demanded, his voice starting to rise in volume, "and even if you could catch them do you think a single ship could take back the Sea Sprite?" The lords were uncomfortable in their silence. Deudermont continued, "you didn't see this pirate leader. I did, stared into her black eyes, heard her voice as she sang in a tongue I didn't understand."
"Please calm yourself, Captain," one lord interjected.
"How can I after what I experienced at her hands," Deudermont despaired heavily, "I should have heeded the stories of her violin. That cursed instrument. She must have received it from a demon of the Abyss." A dejected expression formed on Deudermont's aged face. "I find it hard to believe there's anybody who survived such attacks to tell the stories."
"We are doing the best we can, Captain," the leader lord assured, "we are making negotiations with the southern ports to ask for their assistance." The old captain shook his head.
"The southern pirate hunters are too scared to go after her underships, let alone the flagship itself. It's her territory and she rules it tightly. Even Calimshan's armada won't go after her. No one knows how many vessels she commands. She ambushed my ship with three hidden vessels of her own. Three! And we never knew they were there until they had us boxed." He sighed deeply.
~*~*~*~
Bone Ghost, tied in the last pier of the dock, was well named. A powerful caravel she was, sturdy of build and full of sail. But her hands all had wary eyes and twitching fingers. They were a ragged crew, a few of them sported some visible brawn, but most were built with only enough muscle tissue to make them move.
The captain was little more than a skeleton with vital organs and skin. Her figure was so wasted, Entreri could have clasped her neck in one hand and still have all his fingers touch each other. Her eyes were huge, green as new grass, and stared into Entreri's very soul, or so they seemed to. Her name was Eleanor Calicol, the fifth link on Living Dead Girl's chain.
"Passage for one to Icewind Dale, you ask, Powerful Assassin," Eleanor calculated, her large head lolling on her spindly neck, "not often a service we do."
Entreri cursed his luck. If only one of Seivriel's other ships had been in port, any ship but Bone Ghost, even the volatile Demon Pinion would be better than this skeletal caravel. Eleanor had the same effect on him as a drow female did. She made his skin crawl.
"I'm an associate of Seivriel," Entreri pressed, "when will she dock here again?"
"Works with Seivriel, nobody knows," Eleanor droned, her famished figure swaying as if to a silent tune, "out she goes, back she comes, never know do we underlings." Her word choice irritated the assassin.
"When was the last time Crimson Fell Beast sailed," Entreri demanded as calmly as he could.
"The flagship sails when Seivriel says the flagship sails," Eleanor drawled. Entreri made several silent curses.
"Well, an associate of mine and Seivriel's needs passage north," He argued.
"North... not our waters are the cold seas beyond Baldur's Gate," Eleanor stated, "make exceptions we do not often." Entreri wanted so badly to strangle the maddening pirate. "Ask Seivriel will I," Eleanor declared, standing up. She sauntered past Entreri to an iron stand which held a large bowl made of black pearl and filled with a not so mysterious, red fluid.
Eleanor, who also happened to be the ship's only wizard, took a pinch of red sand from a dish on the lower shelf of the stand and sprinkled it into the bowl. The scarlet liquid bubbled and swirled.
"Why am I called to by Bone Ghost's captain," a voice from seemingly nowhere demanded. A voice that was familiar to the old assassin.
"There be an assassin here asking passage north," Eleanor replied, staring into the scrying bowl as she spoke.
"The northern waters are not our territory," the voice stated, "tell him to look elsewhere for his passage." At this point, Entreri stood and joined Eleanor at the scrying bowl, pushing the pirate aside and gazing fully at the face of Seivriel Versail.
"It's been so long since we last did business together, Seivriel," the assassin chuckled, "I'm inclined to think you're not happy to see me again." The pirate leader's face smirked.
"Well, well," she teased, "look what fell out of the black dragon's mouth. Artemis Entreri, what brings you to be seeking my humble services?"
"A friend of mine needs a swift ride to Icewind Dale," Entreri repeated, " and no one on the Sword Coast has faster ships the yours."
"Artemis Entreri keeps no friends," Seivriel smirked, "or has life as a bounty hunter changed your attitude?" It was true. Entreri's life up until a decade ago had been a bounty hunter's life. That was how he had met Seivriel and her pirate band.
"That is irrelevant and a waste of precious time," Entreri blocked, "you remember Lazuli, correct?"
"Of course," Seivriel's face replied, "she'd be about seventeen now, if memory serves me right. Why? Is she the one going to Icewind Dale?"
"Still sharp as a dragon's talons," Entreri remarked with a casual grin. He ran a hand through his graying hair before continuing, "so can you do this for me?"
"Anything for Artemis Entreri," Seivriel's face grinned mischievously.
~*~*~*~
"What were you thinking," Dantrag exclaimed, "actually asking Triel to sleep with you?" Dagasta shrugged, not paying attention to Dantrag's antics. He sat on his bed with his head in his hands, lost in thought. The patron wondered if he was being rational in his chosen path. Of course it was impossible for him to turn back now. But would his course really help his golden eyed son?
"Are even listening," Dantrag growled.
"No," Dagasta replied absentmindedly, "actually I wasn't."
"Why are you doing this," Dantrag repeated.
The patron thought for a few seconds before answering, "I really don't know."
A loud know on the door preceded Antioch's arrival. The emerald eyed fighter grinned smugly at Dagasta.
"Matron Triel is ready for you, Patron," he smirked. Dagasta's heart ached to his son so warped. Nevertheless he followed Antioch, solemnly and silently, to doors of Triel's private chambers.
Dantrag watched them go with mixed emotions. It confused him that Dagasta would give his life for the sake of his son, but at the same time he understood that the patron treasured his sons, even the sadistic Antioch. Dantrag could not understand the why, though. Why did Dagasta feel that putting his life on the line was worth helping his son? Why was Dagasta willing to give himself to Triel for Zandrath? Why?
Dantrag didn't sleep that night. Whenever he closed his eyes he heard screams of pain and saw a scimitar reaching for his chest.
Not so far away from Triel's private rooms, Zandrath also found no rest. He lay on his side, his head sinking into his pillow, brooding and shaking. His mind was too troubled to allow him to sleep.
But, there was another reason for Zandrath's insomnia. From his room, the young drow could hear the cries of agony coming from Triel's chambers.
~*~*~*~
Lazuli shoved her equipment into a worn leather pack: Gloves, extra cloak, comb, pouches of coins, and spare weapons. She fastened her belt, complete with her throwing daggers and sabers. After checking to make certain that her enchanted earring and scarlet bandanna were in place, the young assassin slung the pack onto her back and headed for Jarlaxle's room.
"I'm ready to go," she announced.
"Entreri said to wait until he returns back before you leave," Jarlaxle countered. Lazuli stopped in the drow's doorway, a puzzled expression on her sharp face.
"Where did he go?"
"I know not," Jarlaxle shrugged. He sighed heavily and reclined. "I miss my chair," the drow complained, "but Artemis said to stay in bed."
"Your sick," Lazuli reminded, "you should be sleeping rather than complaining."
"Nonsense," Jarlaxle brushed aside the matter, "I can sleep after you leave."
"Are you saying that I'm loud," the girl teased, dropping her bag on the floor and pulling up Jarlaxle's swivel chair.
"Not at all," Jarlaxle laughed, "but once you leave, it will be so quiet around here." Lazuli smiled at his jest. "Entreri is silent we he walks and he only talks to me when he's either lecturing or threatening."
"You talk enough for the both of you," Lazuli remarked. It was Jarlaxle's turn to grin. Lazuli suddenly stopped smiling and her tone grew serious, " Jarlaxle, I have to ask you something."
Jarlaxle copied her manner, "And what would that be?"
"About what happened a few weeks ago," Lazuli started, her speech was faltering, "what if..." She could not bear to voice the fear. Jarlaxle sensed her uneasiness and clasped her hand.
"Everything will be all right, Lazuli," he assured strongly, "you'll see." Somehow, his words were comforting to Lazuli. She wiped the rising tears from her eyes and smiled.
The sound of a closing door announced Entreri's return.
"Father's back," Lazuli observed.
"I've booked passage north for you, Lazuli," the old assassin notified when he entered the room, "I pulled some strings with an old associate and they've agreed to take you as far as the Sea of Moving Ice. From there it's an easy trek to Icewind Dale."
"Once there I speak with the dwarves and ask for someone by the name of Seralon," Lazuli recited, "I will not forget."
"Please don't," Jarlaxle pretended to beg, causing the Entreris to grin.
"The ship you're to sail on is called Bone Ghost," Artemis continued, " she departs at dawn." Lazuli nodded. "They will take you to their secret port. After that, you will meet a woman named Seivriel Versail, she will take you to the Sea of Moving Ice and point you toward Ten Towns. The rest of the journey you will have to make alone."
"I can do it," Lazuli resolved, standing tall, "I shall not fail."
"Dawn approaches," Jarlaxle notified, "we should be on our way to the docks." Both assassins gave him skeptic looks. "You don't think I'll be content to stay in bed while Lazuli leaves do you?" Artemis and Lazuli sighed and shook their heads slowly. They both knew it would be futile to try and make Jarlaxle stay behind.
It took little time to reach the docks, even with Jarlaxle having to stop several times to regain his balance. Entreri thought it foolish to allow Jarlaxle to stumble about the streets practically waving a sign saying, 'I'm sick so I won't be able to defend myself!' Not that the old assassin was at all worried; Jarlaxle had a knack for getting out of trouble with little or no effort. Still, what would the Night Eyes do if they knew? Nevertheless, the trio reached the docks without incident.
Eleanor Calicol was waiting for them at the end of the pier, perched at the bottom of the gang-plank with her arms on her knees and her head on her arms.
"So speedily," the complex pirate questioned, dropping her head to one side, "sail we don't 'til comes the dawn."
"And fast approaching is the dawn," Lazuli countered, mimicking the pirate's unusual sentence structure.
"True that be," Eleanor admitted, "come you aboard if so wish you do." The pirate stood and sauntered up the plank and onto the deck.
Jarlaxle buried Lazuli in a playful, but gloomy, hug. The drow whispered something into her ear that Entreri didn't catch, then he released her. Lazuli gave him a warm, sad smile before turning to her father.
Entreri put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. There were so many things he felt he should say to her; be careful around the pirates, don't lean too far over the rails of the ships, don't hurt herself trying to do a job she wasn't fit for. However, none of those phrases made it to his mouth. He could only pull her into a tight embrace and wish with all his heart that she would return safely.
"Don't worry about me, Father," Lazuli assured, inhaling sharply through her nose, "I'll be fine."
"I know you will," Artemis agreed, letting her go, "and I know you will make me proud."
The sun broke over the edge of the horizon, bathing the trio in its new light. Lazuli backed onto the plank, her hand still gripping Entreri's. A woeful expression came over her fair face as she was forced to let go of her father's hand.
The order to loose the sails was heard and the pirate vessel pushed off and rode away on the morning tide. Lazuli ran to the stern so that she could watch Jarlaxle and Entreri as they faded from her sight.
"I will save Jarlaxle and make Father proud..."
To be continued...
AN: (cracks neck) Well that chapter didn't take very long to write. This chapter ends Part One. The next chapter is another journal entry/essay and then the story itself will continue. Also I'm coming out with a new comedy called Lord of the Crystal Shard. And for those wondering, I am still writing The Halloweenies, a new chapter is going up very soon.
For a future note the internet connection at my house has been terminated, so now I have to log on at school t post my work or do it at a friends house (Thank Meilikki for floppy disks) So updates from now until we get our internet back will be a bit slow. Thank you for your patience.
~Semdai Bloodquill
Mirror Me Dark
By Semdai Bloodquill
Chapter Five : Lie With Me
Triel Baenre reclined arrogantly on her magnificent throne. Dagasta knelt before her, awaiting permission to rise. Behind him, Zandrath also groveled to the unruly matron.
"Rise," Triel yawned, "what do you want?" Dagasta rose as quickly as he dared, but kept his eyes down.
"I came to inquire the circumstances of Zandrath's losing an eye," the patron stated, keeping his head bowed.
"This eye," Triel taunted calmly, holding up Zandrath's missing eyeball. The golden iris quivered as if it was frozen in time and trying to break free. Dagasta stole a glance up. The sight made him sick. "I ordered its removal," the matron said smugly.
"May I be so bold as to ask why," Dagasta requested, "would not a drow with two eyes fight more efficiently than one with only a single eye?"
Dagasta received a vicious blow from Triel's snake whip for his request.
"You dare to question my actions, insolent male," the matron roared, raining blows down on Dagasta. The patron prostrated himself before Triel and arched his back. Zandrath winced at the sound of the snapping whip.
"No, Matron," Dagasta cried.
"You forget your place, Dagasta," Triel admonished, "patron of this house you may be, but as far you have given me no daughters." It was the patron's turn to wince. It was well known what happened to patrons who could not produce daughters for their houses.
"Lie with me tonight, my Matron," Dagasta dared to request, still keeping his head down, "if I can sire a daughter will you return Zandrath's eye?" Triel would have killed Dagasta then and there if his request had not been so shocking. Never before had she seen a male be so bold to request his matron to lie with him. In drow society, it was supposed to be the other way around, except males were never given the option of refusing. But the prospect of a daughter from Dagasta's seed was enticing to Triel. His sons were among the finest fighters in Menzoberranzan. How powerful might his daughters become?
"I will grant you this request, Patron," Triel conceded, "you will lie with me when Narbondel's light begins to decline. Should you sire a daughter, I will return Zandrath's eye. Should you fail or sire another male, I will tear out your innards one by one and feed them to a spider colony."
"Yes, my Matron," Dagasta gulped.
"Come here, Zandrath," Triel commanded, switching her attention to her son, "stand before me." Zandrath stood shakily and slowly approached Matron Triel. He stood before her with his head down. "Your brother tells me that you cut yourself intentionally," Triel hissed, "is this true?"
"It is true, Matron," Zandrath confirmed quietly.
"Show me," Triel ordered. Zandrath pulled back his left sleeve and revealed the healing wounds. For that, he received a sharp slap in the face. "I want to see you do it, foolish male," Triel snapped.
"I'm sorry, Matron," Zandrath apologized hastily. He quickly pulled back his other sleeve and drew his dagger from his belt.
Dagasta, who was peeking at the scene, held his breath.
Zandrath sliced the sharp blade across his arm, deeply gashing the flesh. He gritted his teeth against the pain.
"Again," Triel ordered, smiling at the pain on her son's face. Zandrath made another gash, parallel to the first. This time he loosed a stifled moan. "Once more," Triel pressed. Zandrath slashed again, diagonally across the first two. His hands and jaw clenched so hard he was sure they would never relax. Blood flowed down his forearm, dripped from his elbow, and splashed on the floor. He gradually lifted his head and stared Triel in the face. "Well done," the matron praised, "the two of you may go."
~*~*~*~
Of all the ports on the Sword Coast, there was no captain more calm and poised than Deudermont; however, standing before the lords of Waterdeep, he did not seem so.
"I'm telling you, I have to go back out there," the old captain insisted, "that's MY crew out there and I have to go help them!" It wasn't like him to be so overwrought about something, but then again his ship and crew had been captured by one of the most notorious pirates on the Sword Coast.
"We are charting the most likely course of the pirates and planning a counterstrike meant to reclaim the Sea Sprite and any surviving crew members," the lord in charge assured, but his voice was too calm for Deudermont's liking.
"How do you know where the pirates are going," he demanded, his voice starting to rise in volume, "and even if you could catch them do you think a single ship could take back the Sea Sprite?" The lords were uncomfortable in their silence. Deudermont continued, "you didn't see this pirate leader. I did, stared into her black eyes, heard her voice as she sang in a tongue I didn't understand."
"Please calm yourself, Captain," one lord interjected.
"How can I after what I experienced at her hands," Deudermont despaired heavily, "I should have heeded the stories of her violin. That cursed instrument. She must have received it from a demon of the Abyss." A dejected expression formed on Deudermont's aged face. "I find it hard to believe there's anybody who survived such attacks to tell the stories."
"We are doing the best we can, Captain," the leader lord assured, "we are making negotiations with the southern ports to ask for their assistance." The old captain shook his head.
"The southern pirate hunters are too scared to go after her underships, let alone the flagship itself. It's her territory and she rules it tightly. Even Calimshan's armada won't go after her. No one knows how many vessels she commands. She ambushed my ship with three hidden vessels of her own. Three! And we never knew they were there until they had us boxed." He sighed deeply.
~*~*~*~
Bone Ghost, tied in the last pier of the dock, was well named. A powerful caravel she was, sturdy of build and full of sail. But her hands all had wary eyes and twitching fingers. They were a ragged crew, a few of them sported some visible brawn, but most were built with only enough muscle tissue to make them move.
The captain was little more than a skeleton with vital organs and skin. Her figure was so wasted, Entreri could have clasped her neck in one hand and still have all his fingers touch each other. Her eyes were huge, green as new grass, and stared into Entreri's very soul, or so they seemed to. Her name was Eleanor Calicol, the fifth link on Living Dead Girl's chain.
"Passage for one to Icewind Dale, you ask, Powerful Assassin," Eleanor calculated, her large head lolling on her spindly neck, "not often a service we do."
Entreri cursed his luck. If only one of Seivriel's other ships had been in port, any ship but Bone Ghost, even the volatile Demon Pinion would be better than this skeletal caravel. Eleanor had the same effect on him as a drow female did. She made his skin crawl.
"I'm an associate of Seivriel," Entreri pressed, "when will she dock here again?"
"Works with Seivriel, nobody knows," Eleanor droned, her famished figure swaying as if to a silent tune, "out she goes, back she comes, never know do we underlings." Her word choice irritated the assassin.
"When was the last time Crimson Fell Beast sailed," Entreri demanded as calmly as he could.
"The flagship sails when Seivriel says the flagship sails," Eleanor drawled. Entreri made several silent curses.
"Well, an associate of mine and Seivriel's needs passage north," He argued.
"North... not our waters are the cold seas beyond Baldur's Gate," Eleanor stated, "make exceptions we do not often." Entreri wanted so badly to strangle the maddening pirate. "Ask Seivriel will I," Eleanor declared, standing up. She sauntered past Entreri to an iron stand which held a large bowl made of black pearl and filled with a not so mysterious, red fluid.
Eleanor, who also happened to be the ship's only wizard, took a pinch of red sand from a dish on the lower shelf of the stand and sprinkled it into the bowl. The scarlet liquid bubbled and swirled.
"Why am I called to by Bone Ghost's captain," a voice from seemingly nowhere demanded. A voice that was familiar to the old assassin.
"There be an assassin here asking passage north," Eleanor replied, staring into the scrying bowl as she spoke.
"The northern waters are not our territory," the voice stated, "tell him to look elsewhere for his passage." At this point, Entreri stood and joined Eleanor at the scrying bowl, pushing the pirate aside and gazing fully at the face of Seivriel Versail.
"It's been so long since we last did business together, Seivriel," the assassin chuckled, "I'm inclined to think you're not happy to see me again." The pirate leader's face smirked.
"Well, well," she teased, "look what fell out of the black dragon's mouth. Artemis Entreri, what brings you to be seeking my humble services?"
"A friend of mine needs a swift ride to Icewind Dale," Entreri repeated, " and no one on the Sword Coast has faster ships the yours."
"Artemis Entreri keeps no friends," Seivriel smirked, "or has life as a bounty hunter changed your attitude?" It was true. Entreri's life up until a decade ago had been a bounty hunter's life. That was how he had met Seivriel and her pirate band.
"That is irrelevant and a waste of precious time," Entreri blocked, "you remember Lazuli, correct?"
"Of course," Seivriel's face replied, "she'd be about seventeen now, if memory serves me right. Why? Is she the one going to Icewind Dale?"
"Still sharp as a dragon's talons," Entreri remarked with a casual grin. He ran a hand through his graying hair before continuing, "so can you do this for me?"
"Anything for Artemis Entreri," Seivriel's face grinned mischievously.
~*~*~*~
"What were you thinking," Dantrag exclaimed, "actually asking Triel to sleep with you?" Dagasta shrugged, not paying attention to Dantrag's antics. He sat on his bed with his head in his hands, lost in thought. The patron wondered if he was being rational in his chosen path. Of course it was impossible for him to turn back now. But would his course really help his golden eyed son?
"Are even listening," Dantrag growled.
"No," Dagasta replied absentmindedly, "actually I wasn't."
"Why are you doing this," Dantrag repeated.
The patron thought for a few seconds before answering, "I really don't know."
A loud know on the door preceded Antioch's arrival. The emerald eyed fighter grinned smugly at Dagasta.
"Matron Triel is ready for you, Patron," he smirked. Dagasta's heart ached to his son so warped. Nevertheless he followed Antioch, solemnly and silently, to doors of Triel's private chambers.
Dantrag watched them go with mixed emotions. It confused him that Dagasta would give his life for the sake of his son, but at the same time he understood that the patron treasured his sons, even the sadistic Antioch. Dantrag could not understand the why, though. Why did Dagasta feel that putting his life on the line was worth helping his son? Why was Dagasta willing to give himself to Triel for Zandrath? Why?
Dantrag didn't sleep that night. Whenever he closed his eyes he heard screams of pain and saw a scimitar reaching for his chest.
Not so far away from Triel's private rooms, Zandrath also found no rest. He lay on his side, his head sinking into his pillow, brooding and shaking. His mind was too troubled to allow him to sleep.
But, there was another reason for Zandrath's insomnia. From his room, the young drow could hear the cries of agony coming from Triel's chambers.
~*~*~*~
Lazuli shoved her equipment into a worn leather pack: Gloves, extra cloak, comb, pouches of coins, and spare weapons. She fastened her belt, complete with her throwing daggers and sabers. After checking to make certain that her enchanted earring and scarlet bandanna were in place, the young assassin slung the pack onto her back and headed for Jarlaxle's room.
"I'm ready to go," she announced.
"Entreri said to wait until he returns back before you leave," Jarlaxle countered. Lazuli stopped in the drow's doorway, a puzzled expression on her sharp face.
"Where did he go?"
"I know not," Jarlaxle shrugged. He sighed heavily and reclined. "I miss my chair," the drow complained, "but Artemis said to stay in bed."
"Your sick," Lazuli reminded, "you should be sleeping rather than complaining."
"Nonsense," Jarlaxle brushed aside the matter, "I can sleep after you leave."
"Are you saying that I'm loud," the girl teased, dropping her bag on the floor and pulling up Jarlaxle's swivel chair.
"Not at all," Jarlaxle laughed, "but once you leave, it will be so quiet around here." Lazuli smiled at his jest. "Entreri is silent we he walks and he only talks to me when he's either lecturing or threatening."
"You talk enough for the both of you," Lazuli remarked. It was Jarlaxle's turn to grin. Lazuli suddenly stopped smiling and her tone grew serious, " Jarlaxle, I have to ask you something."
Jarlaxle copied her manner, "And what would that be?"
"About what happened a few weeks ago," Lazuli started, her speech was faltering, "what if..." She could not bear to voice the fear. Jarlaxle sensed her uneasiness and clasped her hand.
"Everything will be all right, Lazuli," he assured strongly, "you'll see." Somehow, his words were comforting to Lazuli. She wiped the rising tears from her eyes and smiled.
The sound of a closing door announced Entreri's return.
"Father's back," Lazuli observed.
"I've booked passage north for you, Lazuli," the old assassin notified when he entered the room, "I pulled some strings with an old associate and they've agreed to take you as far as the Sea of Moving Ice. From there it's an easy trek to Icewind Dale."
"Once there I speak with the dwarves and ask for someone by the name of Seralon," Lazuli recited, "I will not forget."
"Please don't," Jarlaxle pretended to beg, causing the Entreris to grin.
"The ship you're to sail on is called Bone Ghost," Artemis continued, " she departs at dawn." Lazuli nodded. "They will take you to their secret port. After that, you will meet a woman named Seivriel Versail, she will take you to the Sea of Moving Ice and point you toward Ten Towns. The rest of the journey you will have to make alone."
"I can do it," Lazuli resolved, standing tall, "I shall not fail."
"Dawn approaches," Jarlaxle notified, "we should be on our way to the docks." Both assassins gave him skeptic looks. "You don't think I'll be content to stay in bed while Lazuli leaves do you?" Artemis and Lazuli sighed and shook their heads slowly. They both knew it would be futile to try and make Jarlaxle stay behind.
It took little time to reach the docks, even with Jarlaxle having to stop several times to regain his balance. Entreri thought it foolish to allow Jarlaxle to stumble about the streets practically waving a sign saying, 'I'm sick so I won't be able to defend myself!' Not that the old assassin was at all worried; Jarlaxle had a knack for getting out of trouble with little or no effort. Still, what would the Night Eyes do if they knew? Nevertheless, the trio reached the docks without incident.
Eleanor Calicol was waiting for them at the end of the pier, perched at the bottom of the gang-plank with her arms on her knees and her head on her arms.
"So speedily," the complex pirate questioned, dropping her head to one side, "sail we don't 'til comes the dawn."
"And fast approaching is the dawn," Lazuli countered, mimicking the pirate's unusual sentence structure.
"True that be," Eleanor admitted, "come you aboard if so wish you do." The pirate stood and sauntered up the plank and onto the deck.
Jarlaxle buried Lazuli in a playful, but gloomy, hug. The drow whispered something into her ear that Entreri didn't catch, then he released her. Lazuli gave him a warm, sad smile before turning to her father.
Entreri put a hand on his daughter's shoulder. There were so many things he felt he should say to her; be careful around the pirates, don't lean too far over the rails of the ships, don't hurt herself trying to do a job she wasn't fit for. However, none of those phrases made it to his mouth. He could only pull her into a tight embrace and wish with all his heart that she would return safely.
"Don't worry about me, Father," Lazuli assured, inhaling sharply through her nose, "I'll be fine."
"I know you will," Artemis agreed, letting her go, "and I know you will make me proud."
The sun broke over the edge of the horizon, bathing the trio in its new light. Lazuli backed onto the plank, her hand still gripping Entreri's. A woeful expression came over her fair face as she was forced to let go of her father's hand.
The order to loose the sails was heard and the pirate vessel pushed off and rode away on the morning tide. Lazuli ran to the stern so that she could watch Jarlaxle and Entreri as they faded from her sight.
"I will save Jarlaxle and make Father proud..."
To be continued...
AN: (cracks neck) Well that chapter didn't take very long to write. This chapter ends Part One. The next chapter is another journal entry/essay and then the story itself will continue. Also I'm coming out with a new comedy called Lord of the Crystal Shard. And for those wondering, I am still writing The Halloweenies, a new chapter is going up very soon.
For a future note the internet connection at my house has been terminated, so now I have to log on at school t post my work or do it at a friends house (Thank Meilikki for floppy disks) So updates from now until we get our internet back will be a bit slow. Thank you for your patience.
~Semdai Bloodquill