"Stroll in a City of Spiders"
Disclaimer: Forgotten Realms belongs to RAS, WotC, and all the wonderful writers who have contributed to the world of Faerûn. We seek not to steal the ideas, only to embrace them and create a story of our own. The characters and the world may belong to RAS, but the plot is our own.
Note: And remember folks parenthesis (. . .) indicate telepathy or rather the ability to talk to one another within our minds.
The girls managed to get some sleep. However, after a few hours there was a knock on their door.
Kristi woke up with a start.
"Go away damn it!" Alex said with her eyes still shut.
Kristi glanced over to Alex who seemed very angry to be awakened.
"Let us sleep, we've been put through enough."
Kristi looked around. "How long have we been out?" With a yawn, "couldn't have been more than a few hours!" Regardless, she went to the door with a slight limp.
"That's exactly why I want to go back to sleep," Alex said.
As Kristi opened the door Pharaun said, "Good morning my dears."
Kristi closed the door and Alex rolled over, pulling the covers over her head. Kristi sighed and changed her mind about the door. Opening the door again, she opened it to a very surprised Pharaun who had his arms folded.
"Wise choice," he said.
"Yeah, yeah," Kristi said rubbing her eyes. "Alex! You're so not hiding on me now!"
Jarlaxle walked to the door. "Good morning."
"Aw hell," Kristi said seeing Jarlaxle.
"Hell yes I am," Alex said hearing Kristi. She pulled the covers tighter so Kristi couldn't get them off easily.
"You're as bad as a guy!" Kristi said yanking the covers off.
"No, mine!" she said pulling them back.
Jarlaxle looked amused. Pharaun used a spell to have the covers fly off.
"Fine, just ruin our fun," Kristi said.
"Aghh! No!" Alex curled into a ball. "Must sleep."
Kristi smiled and said innocently. "Now you wouldn't want the nice drow to wake you up would you?"
Alex reached over and bundled herself up in Kristi's blankets.
"Hey! Those are mine!"
"Who the hell said I am getting up?!"
"Me," Pharaun said folding his arms.
Alex wrapped herself tighter in the covers.
"The dark faced elf with the bad attitude," Kristi said.
"If I could see you I would stick out my tongue but I am not moving. . .so goodnight."
"We have more training today," Pharaun said.
"Yes. . .lots more," Jarlaxle said looking to Kristi.
"Now Alex do you remember the simple spell from yesterday it'd be a shame to use it again. . ." Pharaun said trailing off with a threat.
Alex jumped out bed. "I'm up! I'm up!"
"Wow, that's impressive," Kristi said to Pharaun.
Alex mumbled, "evil sadist bastard."
Kristi laughed quietly to herself, until Jarlaxle tossed her a sword. "Oh no not you too! Pharaun got to you. . .you know you wanted to sleep! But no!"
"No it was I who woke him up," Jarlaxle said with a grin.
"Damn," Alex and Kristi said at the same time.
Jarlaxle handed Alex a crossbow.
"Oh great, give her a weapon!"
Alex looked at the weapon in her hand. "A cross bow? But it's so small."
"Well if you prefer we do have longbows, but not everyone can operate them," Jarlaxle said.
"Give her the larger one," Kristi said.
"Try me," Alex said with a smile. Glancing to Kristi, "I have had practice."
He shrugged and handed her the larger set.
"And you," Jarlaxle said pointing to Kristi, "must learn to enchant your sword and weaponry."
"Her with magic?!" Pharaun said in slight alarm.
"What?" Kristi asked.
"I'm not the only one here that has powers," Alex said.
Kristi just shrugged.
"I thought those were a fluke. . ." Pharaun said trailing off thoughtfully.
"Really?" Jarlaxle asked looking at the two girls thoughtfully.
"You thought wrong," Alex said to Pharaun.
"Okay, so maybe I have a few powers up my sleeve," Kristi said. "I mean, nothing big unless I want them to be."
Pharaun looked to Jarlaxle. "May I train this one today?" He motioned to Kristi.
"What?!" Kristi mumbled, "Thanks Alex."
"Of course," Jarlaxle said.
"What did I do?" Alex asked innocently.
Kristi's jaw drops.
Alex shrugged. "Sorry."
"Great the guy who put a spell of suffering on you is going to train me. . .great. Well, I had a feeling this was coming."
Pharaun looked to Kristi suspiciously, but with expectation.
Jarlaxle motioned to the bow in Alex's hands. "You any good with that?"
"Umm," Alex smiled. "Yes, I suppose so."
Pharaun walked over to Kristi. "Are you ready to train?"
"If I said no would it matter?"
Pharaun folded his arms.
"Guess not."
Placing a hand on Kristi's shoulder, "this will be a most interesting day of training."
"Great, just great."
Jarlaxle bowed to Alex in a sweeping gesture. "Are you ready to train milady?"
"Umm I guess so," Alex replied. She flashed a skeptical look to Kristi.
Kristi looked to Alex and whispered, "Now you know what I dealt with."
"Same to you," she said. Giving her a hug, "good luck."
"You too," Kristi said. (Aw hell, now I gotta spend a day of probably getting my ass kicked by Pharaun. Hmm. . .I suppose I should actually be a polite student today. His last name is Mizzrym right?)
(Yeah)
Jarlaxle motioned for Alex to follow him. "Come along my dear."
Alex cringed as she walked with Jarlaxle through another magical door that closed behind them. (Oh by that Valar I wish they would stop calling us that)
Kristi walked over to Pharaun. "I am ready for my training. . .Master Mizzrym, are you ready for me?"
Pharaun looked skeptically to Kristi. "A show of respect from you? An unexpected turn of events."
"Of course Master Mizzrym, after all how could I possibly be rude to a purveyor of knowledge?"
(Well ask what your training is Kristi)
(Fine, fine) "May I inquire the nature of my training?"
Pharaun smiled and waved his arms causing Kristi and himself to be transported elsewhere.
"I'm curious to know what such magic you possess. . ."
(Uh oh, he wants to know what magic I have, how the hell am I suppose to know?!)
Pharaun muttered and incantation and a beam of energy projected from his fingers. Kristi instinctively covered her face with her arms and blocked the spell, somehow managing to deflect it.
Alex turned to Jarlaxle. "So um Jarlaxle, sir. . .umm may I ask what my training is this day?"
Smiled and took Alex's hand, "My dear who said anything about training. I just wanted to be rid of Pharaun. We are going to take a look at the City of Spiders."
Alex's eyes widened. (Oh shit!)
(What is it?!)
(I am going to die, die, die. He's taking me into the city!)
(What?! I bet you're going as a slave or something, just think positive)
(How can I?! I'm going to frickin die!)
"What are you doing my dear?" Pharaun said walking over to Kristi. "What secrets are you hiding in your mind?"
"My secrets are my own." (You're not going to. . .die, well at least I hope not, just make sure you listen to Jarlaxle and don't piss off any drow)
Jarlaxle noticed that Alex seemed somewhat frightened. "Relax, you will not be noticed. I possess items that priestesses cannot dispel, they wouldn't dare attack me."
(I am going to die! Slowly too!)
Pharaun grinned to Kristi. "Oh really? They are your own?" He placed a hand on her forehead and Kristi recoiled slightly. He blinked in surprise. He could not extract anything from her mind.
(Alex you're not going to die slowly!) She turned to Pharaun. "Master Mizzrym again you speak cryptically. What does my training encompass?"
He laughed. "I want you to get a. . .feel for the Spider Queen."
(Okay Kristi, how about if I just come out and tell you that I am downright scared?)
Kristi blinked both at Alex and Pharaun's words. Looking to Pharaun, "pardon?" (You're scared! holy shit! spider queen! holy shit!)
"I'd like to see what Lloth's denizens see in you," Pharaun said advancing toward her.
"Come my dear we are wasting time," Jarlaxle said to Alex. He took her hand again and was surprised that she pulled away.
(Are you okay Kristi?)
(So far I'm good. . .so far. What are you doing?)
(What's happening? Me, I am refusing to go into the city) She looked to Jarlaxle's gaze. "Umm can we wait on this please?"
(Wish I were with you)
"Come. . .Kristi," Pharaun said saying her name too innocently. "Do you have doubts about the all mighty Lloth? Perhaps I can dispel them."
(Definitely wishing I was with you)
"My sweet, why would you want to wait on seeing the splendors of the city?" Jarlaxle grabbed Alex's arm more forcefully, dragged her through another door, and out onto the streets of the city, right in the middle of an open street filled with Drow commoners.
Pharaun chanted to conjure a light that surrounded Kristi and himself, transporting them to some kind of cave that was adorned with spiders.
Looked around at her surroundings wide eyed, but sensed where Alex was and worried for her. (Oh gosh! Alex. . .)
Alex looked around, very frightened at her surroundings. (Oh no. . .wait, are you okay?)
(Please don't tell me you're in the middle of a street. . .wait a minute, where the hell am I?)
(Where are you?) She turned to Jarlaxle and said with pleading eyes, "Please, I beg you take me back now. . .I do not want to die at a young age. . .please." (I am resorting to begging)
"It's not that I doubt. . ." she looked uneasily at the spider decorations.
Pharaun chuckled. "Please I see through your façade." A spider crawled onto his hand and he whispered to it, and it started crawling toward Kristi.
(I don't know where I am. . .Alex, just be glad you're not here, there's a spider)
(This whole damn city is filled with the buggers! I want to get out now!)
Kristi slowly backed away from the spider as its brethren joined it. She started to slowly panic. "What the-? Pharaun, what are you doing?!"
"Just a simple test," he said observing. "I want to witness your magic firsthand as does my goddess."
(Ah! spiders lots of spiders! I can't kill them, if I do with my luck something bad will happen)
Jarlaxle looked to Alex grinning, then snickered.
(Oh great he is grinning at me now)
"My dear as long as you are seen with me, that will think nothing of this situation, after all I am Jarlaxle. And my ways are none to question. Now up my dear and let us walk. . ."
(You best go with him Alex) She stood rigidly as the spiders crawled over her and noticed a mist forming to her right.
(Oh my gosh! Kristi, are you okay?! I do not like this, this is worse than yesterday)
Kristi watched as a spider approached her, but Pharaun didn't seem to see it.
He asked her anxiously, "What do you see?"
(But I really do not like this I am being glared at in a not so nice way)
(Well don't look at them! avoid eye contact!) "I don't see anything."
(I'm trying!) She stood up and followed Jarlaxle.
Pharaun knew she was lying, so muttered a spell that would cause the wound on her shoulder to grow cold. He watched as she winced in pain. "What do you see?"
"Just a spider!" She breathed a sigh of relief as the spiders crawled off of her, but then she fell to the ground.
"Curious. . .very curious, you do possess magic after all."
"Well yeah! What in the nine hells did you do that for?" She glared at Pharaun.
"For my amusement," he paused. "What are you thinking?"
"Things I'm not going to tell you!"
He waved his hand to cause Kristi to be in more pain. "What? No crying?"
"None that you'll see now," she was growing angry and sent some of her pain to him, causing him to stumble back in anger.
As they walked in the city Alex mumbled, "I do not like this."
"What do you not like about this my dear?"
Alex looked around, "Them. . .they are all staring or leering at me."
Jarlaxle laughed. "My dear, humans in this realm are slaves, and those as pretty as you are often bed slaves for the frustrated males that can hide them." He placed a hand to her cheek.
(Oh shit Kristi! I know this was going to be bad!)
(What?!)
(He said that humans as pretty as myself are bed slaves!! Can we go home now? Please?!)
(Damn drow. . .) Inwardly she thought of many obscene words.
Pharaun laughed and waved his hand, transporting them to a street in the city.
"Aw hell."
"Now where is Jarlaxle? I sense he is not training your. . .what did you call her?"
"Friend."
Jarlaxle saw Alex's fear and chuckled. "Don't worry my dear they will not touch you as long as you are with me. You see these men here," he motioned to the other drow on the street, "are of my mercenary group and are under my command."
Pharaun stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Though, Jarlaxle's training methods are rather odd." He turned his attention to Kristi. "Let us now attune your senses." He motioned to a drow that looked angrily to them. "What do you think of him?"
"Why? He's probably a member of the sixth house or something," she blinked at her own words.
Pharaun appeared surprised. "How did you know that?"
"Some questions are best left unanswered. . ." she replied, for she didn't know how she knew herself.
Alex whirled to face Jarlaxle. She was angry despite her fear. "So I am posing as your slave then?" She glared, "This is madness! What does this have to do with us going back to the surface?"
Kristi blinked overhearing Alex. (I told you you'd be posing as a slave)
(Well this is not fairing good in my book. I just want to go home!)
(Amen to that. We have got to get to the surface; it's the only way. Here there is dark magic which will lead to dark places; we have to get up there. . .there's someone who can help us. These guys are stalling. . .I'm not sure why though)
Jarlaxle laughed at Alex's comments. "You are right about posing as my slave, but as to the reasons why we are doing this. . .you and your friend shall have to wait to find out. There is no escape to the surface without us."
"What do you mean with you?"
(What does he mean us?!)
Jarlaxle laughed, but not joyfully this time, and he glared down to Alex. "Do you honestly think two humans can brave the Underdark alone without any aid?! The only reason that the two of you can even see in the realm is because of the spells that Master Mizzrym and myself have set upon the two of you."
Alex stammered, "I. . .I am s. . .sorry. . ."
"Master Mizzrym why are we on the street?"
Pharaun took her to the side into a secluded alley. "You best keep your voice down."
"What aren't you telling us? I sense that you are hiding something. How naive do you think humans are?"
He glared at her. "Honestly do you think your mind can comprehend the Underdark? You sense its darkness. But, why don't you gaze into the darkness my dear?"
Kristi answered quietly, "Because then the darkness gazes into you."
Pharaun was pleased with himself. "Precisely." He took her arm and dragged her onto the street.
(Oh great both of us on the street, this is not good. Good thing I can act)
Jarlaxle laughed at Alex's words. "You have only glimpsed the Realms of the Underdark and you think the two of you can venture into its wilds unprotected and come out unharmed?" He glared down to her. "Without us the two of you would be on the alter as an offering to the Spider Queen!"
Alex trembled slightly and looked to the ground.
(Stay strong Alex)
(At least you are not being threatened)
(Not physically threatened. . .more like a darkness settling on my heart. But we both must stay strong)
(I don't know if I can stay strong)
(We have to)
Pharaun showed Kristi a slab with what appeared to be dried blood on it. "Do you see this? Unless you learn the dark ways on the drow this is where you will lie as you are sacrificed unto it."
Kristi looked to the slab, staring at it in a mixture of horror and knowing. "Fine, I'll learn what I must."
Alex trembled more and was fighting not to break down. (I can't! This is too much! I don't think I will be able to do this!)
(Yes you can!) Kristi worried for her friend and she whirled to Pharaun. "Where is Alex?"
Alex shook her head. (No! No I can't!)
Pharaun shrugged. "How am I supposed to know what Jarlaxle does with her?" He held Kristi in a vice grip as she tried to break away from him. His eyes widened as Kristi's anger grew in intensity and they were surrounded in a dark smoke. When the smoke cleared they were beside Jarlaxle and Alex.
Jarlaxle saw that Alex was trembling and wondered what was going on inside her head. It seemed as if she was arguing with some inner force. He blinked in surprise when Pharaun and Kristi appeared.
Kristi looked to Jarlaxle with ice in her eyes. She went over to Alex placing a hand on her shoulder.
Jarlaxle walked over to Pharaun, a look of puzzlement in his eyes. "How did you get here?"
"There's more to these humans then they let on."
Alex looked up to see Kristi and hugged her. "I can't do this. . ."
"Yes you can, look at me." Alex cast her eyes down. "Just look!"
Alex shook her head and growled, "no!"
Kristi met Alex's eyes. "We have made it this far. . .do not fear the unknown or death for that matter. Face it head on and we will survive. . .do you hear me? Look at me. . .you know it to be true; we must stay strong, if not physically but mentally. We can do this together "
Alex took in a deep breath. "I. . . I. . .will try for both of our sakes."
"Good, I don't know what would come over me. . .what force would take over if we didn't face this together."
Alex hugged Kristi again. "I would have lost already if it weren't for you."
"No prob," she said slightly embarrassed by the hug. "Dude, not in front of the drow." She suppressed a laugh and Alex giggled a little.
Jarlaxle watched the girls in growing wonder, then shook his head and turned to Pharaun. "How did you get here?"
"The darker haired one is a force to be reckoned with when she is angered. I'm not sure how she sensed the other. It is an interesting conundrum."
"I noticed that Alex seemed to be arguing with something mentally. Do you think that the two of them some how have a link?"
"It is very rare, but I have suspected as much."
Jarlaxle whispered to Pharaun. "We could test them. Instead of having them stay in the same room tonight. We shall separate them. And we can cast an undetectable spell to see if they can communicate with each other."
Pharaun smiled, "I have such a spell."
Kristi noticed that Jarlaxle and Pharaun were talking quietly amongst themselves. "I can sense that they are both plotting."
Alex nodded. "But what are they plotting?"
"Well, my dears training today has come to an end. . .you shall retire to separate chambers tonight," Pharaun said with a grin peeking at his lips.
Kristi sighed, "that."
"Separate?!"
"What? They can't do that!"
"I do not like this. . .I do not like this at all."
"Neither do I Alex, we're pawns in their cruel game. . .let's play it and become victorious. Its like chess Alex, remember a pawn eventually can become a Queen." She grinned to Alex. "Don't you love it when I get philosophical?"
"Sometimes," Alex said rolling her eyes.
"I wonder where our 'separate' chambers will be."
Jarlaxle grinned to her, "That you will never find out."
Pharaun chanted a spell and the girls were enveloped in a blue light as they were sent to their separate chambers.
Jarlaxle chuckled. "Then it is done, but shall we heighten the odd?"
"Heighten? How so?"
"To make it more interesting we could remove their spells of sight. . ."
Pharaun smiled evidently amused. "This will be most enjoyable."
Authors' Notes:
K: When drow say something is enjoyable, maybe it's just me, but I get nervous. And if you think the training is bad now. . .oh boy, just wait until later. Now please review before a spell prevents us from seeing your comments!
Many thanks go out to people who have reviewed so far! *Bows head in their direction*
Disclaimer: Forgotten Realms belongs to RAS, WotC, and all the wonderful writers who have contributed to the world of Faerûn. We seek not to steal the ideas, only to embrace them and create a story of our own. The characters and the world may belong to RAS, but the plot is our own.
Note: And remember folks parenthesis (. . .) indicate telepathy or rather the ability to talk to one another within our minds.
The girls managed to get some sleep. However, after a few hours there was a knock on their door.
Kristi woke up with a start.
"Go away damn it!" Alex said with her eyes still shut.
Kristi glanced over to Alex who seemed very angry to be awakened.
"Let us sleep, we've been put through enough."
Kristi looked around. "How long have we been out?" With a yawn, "couldn't have been more than a few hours!" Regardless, she went to the door with a slight limp.
"That's exactly why I want to go back to sleep," Alex said.
As Kristi opened the door Pharaun said, "Good morning my dears."
Kristi closed the door and Alex rolled over, pulling the covers over her head. Kristi sighed and changed her mind about the door. Opening the door again, she opened it to a very surprised Pharaun who had his arms folded.
"Wise choice," he said.
"Yeah, yeah," Kristi said rubbing her eyes. "Alex! You're so not hiding on me now!"
Jarlaxle walked to the door. "Good morning."
"Aw hell," Kristi said seeing Jarlaxle.
"Hell yes I am," Alex said hearing Kristi. She pulled the covers tighter so Kristi couldn't get them off easily.
"You're as bad as a guy!" Kristi said yanking the covers off.
"No, mine!" she said pulling them back.
Jarlaxle looked amused. Pharaun used a spell to have the covers fly off.
"Fine, just ruin our fun," Kristi said.
"Aghh! No!" Alex curled into a ball. "Must sleep."
Kristi smiled and said innocently. "Now you wouldn't want the nice drow to wake you up would you?"
Alex reached over and bundled herself up in Kristi's blankets.
"Hey! Those are mine!"
"Who the hell said I am getting up?!"
"Me," Pharaun said folding his arms.
Alex wrapped herself tighter in the covers.
"The dark faced elf with the bad attitude," Kristi said.
"If I could see you I would stick out my tongue but I am not moving. . .so goodnight."
"We have more training today," Pharaun said.
"Yes. . .lots more," Jarlaxle said looking to Kristi.
"Now Alex do you remember the simple spell from yesterday it'd be a shame to use it again. . ." Pharaun said trailing off with a threat.
Alex jumped out bed. "I'm up! I'm up!"
"Wow, that's impressive," Kristi said to Pharaun.
Alex mumbled, "evil sadist bastard."
Kristi laughed quietly to herself, until Jarlaxle tossed her a sword. "Oh no not you too! Pharaun got to you. . .you know you wanted to sleep! But no!"
"No it was I who woke him up," Jarlaxle said with a grin.
"Damn," Alex and Kristi said at the same time.
Jarlaxle handed Alex a crossbow.
"Oh great, give her a weapon!"
Alex looked at the weapon in her hand. "A cross bow? But it's so small."
"Well if you prefer we do have longbows, but not everyone can operate them," Jarlaxle said.
"Give her the larger one," Kristi said.
"Try me," Alex said with a smile. Glancing to Kristi, "I have had practice."
He shrugged and handed her the larger set.
"And you," Jarlaxle said pointing to Kristi, "must learn to enchant your sword and weaponry."
"Her with magic?!" Pharaun said in slight alarm.
"What?" Kristi asked.
"I'm not the only one here that has powers," Alex said.
Kristi just shrugged.
"I thought those were a fluke. . ." Pharaun said trailing off thoughtfully.
"Really?" Jarlaxle asked looking at the two girls thoughtfully.
"You thought wrong," Alex said to Pharaun.
"Okay, so maybe I have a few powers up my sleeve," Kristi said. "I mean, nothing big unless I want them to be."
Pharaun looked to Jarlaxle. "May I train this one today?" He motioned to Kristi.
"What?!" Kristi mumbled, "Thanks Alex."
"Of course," Jarlaxle said.
"What did I do?" Alex asked innocently.
Kristi's jaw drops.
Alex shrugged. "Sorry."
"Great the guy who put a spell of suffering on you is going to train me. . .great. Well, I had a feeling this was coming."
Pharaun looked to Kristi suspiciously, but with expectation.
Jarlaxle motioned to the bow in Alex's hands. "You any good with that?"
"Umm," Alex smiled. "Yes, I suppose so."
Pharaun walked over to Kristi. "Are you ready to train?"
"If I said no would it matter?"
Pharaun folded his arms.
"Guess not."
Placing a hand on Kristi's shoulder, "this will be a most interesting day of training."
"Great, just great."
Jarlaxle bowed to Alex in a sweeping gesture. "Are you ready to train milady?"
"Umm I guess so," Alex replied. She flashed a skeptical look to Kristi.
Kristi looked to Alex and whispered, "Now you know what I dealt with."
"Same to you," she said. Giving her a hug, "good luck."
"You too," Kristi said. (Aw hell, now I gotta spend a day of probably getting my ass kicked by Pharaun. Hmm. . .I suppose I should actually be a polite student today. His last name is Mizzrym right?)
(Yeah)
Jarlaxle motioned for Alex to follow him. "Come along my dear."
Alex cringed as she walked with Jarlaxle through another magical door that closed behind them. (Oh by that Valar I wish they would stop calling us that)
Kristi walked over to Pharaun. "I am ready for my training. . .Master Mizzrym, are you ready for me?"
Pharaun looked skeptically to Kristi. "A show of respect from you? An unexpected turn of events."
"Of course Master Mizzrym, after all how could I possibly be rude to a purveyor of knowledge?"
(Well ask what your training is Kristi)
(Fine, fine) "May I inquire the nature of my training?"
Pharaun smiled and waved his arms causing Kristi and himself to be transported elsewhere.
"I'm curious to know what such magic you possess. . ."
(Uh oh, he wants to know what magic I have, how the hell am I suppose to know?!)
Pharaun muttered and incantation and a beam of energy projected from his fingers. Kristi instinctively covered her face with her arms and blocked the spell, somehow managing to deflect it.
Alex turned to Jarlaxle. "So um Jarlaxle, sir. . .umm may I ask what my training is this day?"
Smiled and took Alex's hand, "My dear who said anything about training. I just wanted to be rid of Pharaun. We are going to take a look at the City of Spiders."
Alex's eyes widened. (Oh shit!)
(What is it?!)
(I am going to die, die, die. He's taking me into the city!)
(What?! I bet you're going as a slave or something, just think positive)
(How can I?! I'm going to frickin die!)
"What are you doing my dear?" Pharaun said walking over to Kristi. "What secrets are you hiding in your mind?"
"My secrets are my own." (You're not going to. . .die, well at least I hope not, just make sure you listen to Jarlaxle and don't piss off any drow)
Jarlaxle noticed that Alex seemed somewhat frightened. "Relax, you will not be noticed. I possess items that priestesses cannot dispel, they wouldn't dare attack me."
(I am going to die! Slowly too!)
Pharaun grinned to Kristi. "Oh really? They are your own?" He placed a hand on her forehead and Kristi recoiled slightly. He blinked in surprise. He could not extract anything from her mind.
(Alex you're not going to die slowly!) She turned to Pharaun. "Master Mizzrym again you speak cryptically. What does my training encompass?"
He laughed. "I want you to get a. . .feel for the Spider Queen."
(Okay Kristi, how about if I just come out and tell you that I am downright scared?)
Kristi blinked both at Alex and Pharaun's words. Looking to Pharaun, "pardon?" (You're scared! holy shit! spider queen! holy shit!)
"I'd like to see what Lloth's denizens see in you," Pharaun said advancing toward her.
"Come my dear we are wasting time," Jarlaxle said to Alex. He took her hand again and was surprised that she pulled away.
(Are you okay Kristi?)
(So far I'm good. . .so far. What are you doing?)
(What's happening? Me, I am refusing to go into the city) She looked to Jarlaxle's gaze. "Umm can we wait on this please?"
(Wish I were with you)
"Come. . .Kristi," Pharaun said saying her name too innocently. "Do you have doubts about the all mighty Lloth? Perhaps I can dispel them."
(Definitely wishing I was with you)
"My sweet, why would you want to wait on seeing the splendors of the city?" Jarlaxle grabbed Alex's arm more forcefully, dragged her through another door, and out onto the streets of the city, right in the middle of an open street filled with Drow commoners.
Pharaun chanted to conjure a light that surrounded Kristi and himself, transporting them to some kind of cave that was adorned with spiders.
Looked around at her surroundings wide eyed, but sensed where Alex was and worried for her. (Oh gosh! Alex. . .)
Alex looked around, very frightened at her surroundings. (Oh no. . .wait, are you okay?)
(Please don't tell me you're in the middle of a street. . .wait a minute, where the hell am I?)
(Where are you?) She turned to Jarlaxle and said with pleading eyes, "Please, I beg you take me back now. . .I do not want to die at a young age. . .please." (I am resorting to begging)
"It's not that I doubt. . ." she looked uneasily at the spider decorations.
Pharaun chuckled. "Please I see through your façade." A spider crawled onto his hand and he whispered to it, and it started crawling toward Kristi.
(I don't know where I am. . .Alex, just be glad you're not here, there's a spider)
(This whole damn city is filled with the buggers! I want to get out now!)
Kristi slowly backed away from the spider as its brethren joined it. She started to slowly panic. "What the-? Pharaun, what are you doing?!"
"Just a simple test," he said observing. "I want to witness your magic firsthand as does my goddess."
(Ah! spiders lots of spiders! I can't kill them, if I do with my luck something bad will happen)
Jarlaxle looked to Alex grinning, then snickered.
(Oh great he is grinning at me now)
"My dear as long as you are seen with me, that will think nothing of this situation, after all I am Jarlaxle. And my ways are none to question. Now up my dear and let us walk. . ."
(You best go with him Alex) She stood rigidly as the spiders crawled over her and noticed a mist forming to her right.
(Oh my gosh! Kristi, are you okay?! I do not like this, this is worse than yesterday)
Kristi watched as a spider approached her, but Pharaun didn't seem to see it.
He asked her anxiously, "What do you see?"
(But I really do not like this I am being glared at in a not so nice way)
(Well don't look at them! avoid eye contact!) "I don't see anything."
(I'm trying!) She stood up and followed Jarlaxle.
Pharaun knew she was lying, so muttered a spell that would cause the wound on her shoulder to grow cold. He watched as she winced in pain. "What do you see?"
"Just a spider!" She breathed a sigh of relief as the spiders crawled off of her, but then she fell to the ground.
"Curious. . .very curious, you do possess magic after all."
"Well yeah! What in the nine hells did you do that for?" She glared at Pharaun.
"For my amusement," he paused. "What are you thinking?"
"Things I'm not going to tell you!"
He waved his hand to cause Kristi to be in more pain. "What? No crying?"
"None that you'll see now," she was growing angry and sent some of her pain to him, causing him to stumble back in anger.
As they walked in the city Alex mumbled, "I do not like this."
"What do you not like about this my dear?"
Alex looked around, "Them. . .they are all staring or leering at me."
Jarlaxle laughed. "My dear, humans in this realm are slaves, and those as pretty as you are often bed slaves for the frustrated males that can hide them." He placed a hand to her cheek.
(Oh shit Kristi! I know this was going to be bad!)
(What?!)
(He said that humans as pretty as myself are bed slaves!! Can we go home now? Please?!)
(Damn drow. . .) Inwardly she thought of many obscene words.
Pharaun laughed and waved his hand, transporting them to a street in the city.
"Aw hell."
"Now where is Jarlaxle? I sense he is not training your. . .what did you call her?"
"Friend."
Jarlaxle saw Alex's fear and chuckled. "Don't worry my dear they will not touch you as long as you are with me. You see these men here," he motioned to the other drow on the street, "are of my mercenary group and are under my command."
Pharaun stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Though, Jarlaxle's training methods are rather odd." He turned his attention to Kristi. "Let us now attune your senses." He motioned to a drow that looked angrily to them. "What do you think of him?"
"Why? He's probably a member of the sixth house or something," she blinked at her own words.
Pharaun appeared surprised. "How did you know that?"
"Some questions are best left unanswered. . ." she replied, for she didn't know how she knew herself.
Alex whirled to face Jarlaxle. She was angry despite her fear. "So I am posing as your slave then?" She glared, "This is madness! What does this have to do with us going back to the surface?"
Kristi blinked overhearing Alex. (I told you you'd be posing as a slave)
(Well this is not fairing good in my book. I just want to go home!)
(Amen to that. We have got to get to the surface; it's the only way. Here there is dark magic which will lead to dark places; we have to get up there. . .there's someone who can help us. These guys are stalling. . .I'm not sure why though)
Jarlaxle laughed at Alex's comments. "You are right about posing as my slave, but as to the reasons why we are doing this. . .you and your friend shall have to wait to find out. There is no escape to the surface without us."
"What do you mean with you?"
(What does he mean us?!)
Jarlaxle laughed, but not joyfully this time, and he glared down to Alex. "Do you honestly think two humans can brave the Underdark alone without any aid?! The only reason that the two of you can even see in the realm is because of the spells that Master Mizzrym and myself have set upon the two of you."
Alex stammered, "I. . .I am s. . .sorry. . ."
"Master Mizzrym why are we on the street?"
Pharaun took her to the side into a secluded alley. "You best keep your voice down."
"What aren't you telling us? I sense that you are hiding something. How naive do you think humans are?"
He glared at her. "Honestly do you think your mind can comprehend the Underdark? You sense its darkness. But, why don't you gaze into the darkness my dear?"
Kristi answered quietly, "Because then the darkness gazes into you."
Pharaun was pleased with himself. "Precisely." He took her arm and dragged her onto the street.
(Oh great both of us on the street, this is not good. Good thing I can act)
Jarlaxle laughed at Alex's words. "You have only glimpsed the Realms of the Underdark and you think the two of you can venture into its wilds unprotected and come out unharmed?" He glared down to her. "Without us the two of you would be on the alter as an offering to the Spider Queen!"
Alex trembled slightly and looked to the ground.
(Stay strong Alex)
(At least you are not being threatened)
(Not physically threatened. . .more like a darkness settling on my heart. But we both must stay strong)
(I don't know if I can stay strong)
(We have to)
Pharaun showed Kristi a slab with what appeared to be dried blood on it. "Do you see this? Unless you learn the dark ways on the drow this is where you will lie as you are sacrificed unto it."
Kristi looked to the slab, staring at it in a mixture of horror and knowing. "Fine, I'll learn what I must."
Alex trembled more and was fighting not to break down. (I can't! This is too much! I don't think I will be able to do this!)
(Yes you can!) Kristi worried for her friend and she whirled to Pharaun. "Where is Alex?"
Alex shook her head. (No! No I can't!)
Pharaun shrugged. "How am I supposed to know what Jarlaxle does with her?" He held Kristi in a vice grip as she tried to break away from him. His eyes widened as Kristi's anger grew in intensity and they were surrounded in a dark smoke. When the smoke cleared they were beside Jarlaxle and Alex.
Jarlaxle saw that Alex was trembling and wondered what was going on inside her head. It seemed as if she was arguing with some inner force. He blinked in surprise when Pharaun and Kristi appeared.
Kristi looked to Jarlaxle with ice in her eyes. She went over to Alex placing a hand on her shoulder.
Jarlaxle walked over to Pharaun, a look of puzzlement in his eyes. "How did you get here?"
"There's more to these humans then they let on."
Alex looked up to see Kristi and hugged her. "I can't do this. . ."
"Yes you can, look at me." Alex cast her eyes down. "Just look!"
Alex shook her head and growled, "no!"
Kristi met Alex's eyes. "We have made it this far. . .do not fear the unknown or death for that matter. Face it head on and we will survive. . .do you hear me? Look at me. . .you know it to be true; we must stay strong, if not physically but mentally. We can do this together "
Alex took in a deep breath. "I. . . I. . .will try for both of our sakes."
"Good, I don't know what would come over me. . .what force would take over if we didn't face this together."
Alex hugged Kristi again. "I would have lost already if it weren't for you."
"No prob," she said slightly embarrassed by the hug. "Dude, not in front of the drow." She suppressed a laugh and Alex giggled a little.
Jarlaxle watched the girls in growing wonder, then shook his head and turned to Pharaun. "How did you get here?"
"The darker haired one is a force to be reckoned with when she is angered. I'm not sure how she sensed the other. It is an interesting conundrum."
"I noticed that Alex seemed to be arguing with something mentally. Do you think that the two of them some how have a link?"
"It is very rare, but I have suspected as much."
Jarlaxle whispered to Pharaun. "We could test them. Instead of having them stay in the same room tonight. We shall separate them. And we can cast an undetectable spell to see if they can communicate with each other."
Pharaun smiled, "I have such a spell."
Kristi noticed that Jarlaxle and Pharaun were talking quietly amongst themselves. "I can sense that they are both plotting."
Alex nodded. "But what are they plotting?"
"Well, my dears training today has come to an end. . .you shall retire to separate chambers tonight," Pharaun said with a grin peeking at his lips.
Kristi sighed, "that."
"Separate?!"
"What? They can't do that!"
"I do not like this. . .I do not like this at all."
"Neither do I Alex, we're pawns in their cruel game. . .let's play it and become victorious. Its like chess Alex, remember a pawn eventually can become a Queen." She grinned to Alex. "Don't you love it when I get philosophical?"
"Sometimes," Alex said rolling her eyes.
"I wonder where our 'separate' chambers will be."
Jarlaxle grinned to her, "That you will never find out."
Pharaun chanted a spell and the girls were enveloped in a blue light as they were sent to their separate chambers.
Jarlaxle chuckled. "Then it is done, but shall we heighten the odd?"
"Heighten? How so?"
"To make it more interesting we could remove their spells of sight. . ."
Pharaun smiled evidently amused. "This will be most enjoyable."
Authors' Notes:
K: When drow say something is enjoyable, maybe it's just me, but I get nervous. And if you think the training is bad now. . .oh boy, just wait until later. Now please review before a spell prevents us from seeing your comments!
Many thanks go out to people who have reviewed so far! *Bows head in their direction*