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.
Alex and Kristi cursed aloud as they were each sent to their separate chambers.
Kristi started talking aloud to herself. "They're planning something, but what?" Pausing, "I don't want to think like them. . ."
Alex began to pace. "My gods, how the hell do I get out of here?" She tried looking for a door, but could find none.
Jarlaxle nodded, "the next step Master Mizzrym."
"Of course," he said, producing an emerald gem from the folds of his robe. He lightly waved his fingers over it, then sprinkled some dirt on it from a pouch, and chanted in an ancient tongue. When it was complete, "it is ready, if they do make contact we shall hear all which they say. . .now to make their eyesight go dark."
Pharaun clenched his fist muttering and opened his fist to reveal a clear crystal. "It is done."
Kristi was engulfed by darkness and she immediately, for lack of better words, started to freak out. "What the hell?! I already can't see far away! Damn it!" She tried concentrating her eyes to make out the smallest discernable shapes.
Alex stopped pacing, noticing she could no longer see. "Oh my gods, no! No, no, no, no, no, no! I already have poor eyesight, I don't need this."
Kristi mumbled, "The darkness will not overtake me."
Alex proceeded to talk to herself, "I can handle this."
Kristi took a calming breath. "Okay relax." She closed her eyes and attempted to walk around the room. She succeeded in tripping. "Damn it!" She concentrated again, "I do not need eyesight."
Jarlaxle turned to gaze at the wizard. "If we can figure out how to break their mental link, if one should exist, it will be easier to break their wills."
"Yes, they should be much easier to exert influence on; I will have to consult the aged texts to find a spell." He waved his hands and a door appeared. "Would you like to retreat to my study for some viewing pleasure? We can watch both of their actions."
"Of course."
They entered the study and proceeded to watch the girls by a scrying mirror.
Kristi stumbled around the room attempting to concentrate. "My mind can overcome the darkness, it will not overcome me." She had her hands outstretched in front of her, but slowly drew them to her side. In her mind she could make out the logistics of the room and she mumbled to herself, "great no door." She sat down cross-legged and proceeded to meditate.
Alex still talked to herself. "I can do this. It's only darkness." She sat on the floor where she stopped and sighed deeply. "Okay, this is not so bad. I can handle this."
"Are they talking to themselves?" Jarlaxle asked Pharaun in amusement.
"I think they are."
Two hours later Kristi finally stopped meditating and looked around the room strangely. "Why do I have a feeling like I'm being watched?"
Pharaun chuckled aloud as he answered her question to himself. "Because you are my dear."
Alex had a similar feeling as Kristi where she was. "I sense something."
"It looks like the other suspects something as well," Jarlaxle pointed out.
Alex jumped up, thinking she heard something from above. "What the hell? No, it's just my imagination."
Kristi heard something but dismissed it. "If this is some kind of demented test I'll. . ." She trailed off in warning, but stopped herself from saying something more, calming herself.
Alex started to pace again. "I can't take this I am going to crack! Oh by the gods, where is Kristi?"
Jarlaxle mused aloud. "Hmm, it seems that the light haired one will be the easiest to break."
"It will be most entertaining to break them," Pharaun said with a laugh. "The one seems to gain strength from the other, if that one falls to us the other will follow, with resistance of course."
Kristi wondered aloud. "I hope that Alex is okay." She paused to think, "she is, she must be."
Alex quickened her pace. "I'm going to crack! I can't take much more of this."
Kristi slowly started to pace her room. "I can't sleep. Something keeps me awake, but what is it?" She reeled slightly as she felt Alex panic.
Alex went to lie on the floor. "I'll just try to sleep."
Kristi paused. "Of course. . . I know what they seek to test us on. But I best get some sleep. The world of the unconscious dream, privy only to me awaits." She went to lie down on the bed, but couldn't get to sleep.
"She is catching onto our plot," Pharaun said getting anxious.
"Give it time Master Mizzrym."
Alex thought to herself, 'maybe if I contact Kristi...' Her eyes widened. "No! They may be able to sense it. That's why they separated us. No, no, that can't be right. How could they know?"
"Clever little humans aren't they? Perhaps we should take measures to force communication."
Pharaun looked to the mercenary. "What kind of measures?" He chuckled as Jarlaxle smirked widely. "I see. . .which would you like to persuade?"
"You best take the difficult one." He drew his sword. "The fair haired one will crack under pain." He disappeared from the study.
Alex tossed and turned on the bed. "It's too damn dark in here. Everyone always told me I had good night vision, but it is not helping me now is it?" She tossed again.
Jarlaxle snuck into Alex's room quietly.
Alex sat straight up as she sensed something changed in the room. She turned her head wildly. "Hello? Is someone in here?!"
Kristi sat up suddenly in her bed and looked around. "I know you're in here, why lurk in the shadows?" She rolled out of the bed just as a stray spell hit the bed where she was lying. "That would be Pharaun. . ." She inwardly cursed because she still couldn't see.
"Blinded by the darkness human?"
"Not as much as you're blinded by hatred Pharaun," she said dodging another spell.
Jarlaxle silently crept forward.
Alex sensed something to her left, so she rolled to her right. A sword slashed down where she was sitting. "What the hell? Who's there?!"
"Fear. . ." Jarlaxle said quietly as he slipped to the side again.
Alex clenched her eyes shut. "I will not give in to their will." She dodged to her right as something rushed by her left.
Pharaun advanced from the shadows and pushed Kristi back into the wall, grabbing her throat. She tried to scream but couldn't get air to her lungs. She kicked Pharaun aside coughing.
"Resistant aren't we human?"
Through a cough, "who me?" She charged at a presence to her left. Pharaun stepped back but pushed her away with magic. "Fool, do you honestly think you can best me?"
Kristi faced his direction painfully. "Best no, resist yes."
"Do you know what could happen to you?"
"I don't care."
"Indeed. . .not for yourself, I see through your façade."
"There is no façade, you assume too much."
Pharaun extended his hand toward Kristi.
Kristi grasped her chest and fell to her knees. It felt as if someone was squeezing her heart.
"Ah. . .bowing, such a respectful position."
Kristi tried to use her magic to push him away but he only tightened his grip.
"Why are you doing this?" She managed to stand in defiance.
"Because I can," he replied extending his other hand to cause pain in her head.
Jarlaxle remained in the shadows. He was a sly wraith waiting for the opportunity to strike. He grinned and thought, 'trying to be strong for your friend's sake. But how long will you last?'
"Answer me! Who's there? Answer me. I demand it!" Alex said clenching her fists at her sides.
Jarlaxle laughed aloud. The noise started Alex and she yelled, "Answer me damn it! Now!"
He quietly snuck behind Alex and wrapped his arms about her, pinning her arms to her sides. "Would you like to know who I am?" he asked laughing into her ear.
"Jarlaxle," Alex gasped. It was the only word that came to her mind. Composing herself, "Why? Why are you doing this?!"
"Because I can, and maybe you posing as a bed slave was not as fake as you thought," Jarlaxle said with a grin.
"No!" Alex said immediately panicking. She thought to herself, 'oh gods, Kristi . . .no I can't, that's what they want.'
Kristi could see Alex through the pain, but didn't dare call out. "You'll not get what you want!" She held her head in anguish.
"Oh yes I will," Pharaun said with a smile.
She was growing angrier by the minute sensing Alex's panic. Her anger fueling her, she used her last bit of strength to send pain to Pharaun and Jarlaxle. Pharaun felt the effects immediately and fell to the ground, momentarily stunned. Kristi fell as well and crawled for the dagger in his boot. She held it in her hand, but dropped it in disgust, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You can't do it," Pharaun said picking up the dagger and slowly standing. He walked over to her and placed the dagger in her hand, then put the tip to his chest. "Do it. Shed the blood."
She knocked the dagger away, "no!"
Jarlaxle kissed Alex's ear. "Give in. . ."
"No! Never! This is just a trick."
The spell took its effect and Jarlaxle was jolted with pain. Feeling his grip loosen, Alex kicked him in the knee and scrambled to the other side of the room. She started to rock slightly and mumble, "no, no, no."
Jarlaxle swiftly made his way over to her and pinned her to the ground. "Give in."
She struggled in his grip. "No!"
Meanwhile, Kristi was struggling with Pharaun and grabbed an emerald gem from a pocket of his robes. They fought over that and they were surrounded by a green mist, transporting them to where the other emerald gem was located. That other gem just happened to be located in Jarlaxle's pocket and Kristi and Pharaun fell into the room where he was.
"Ow. . ." Kristi said looking around.
Alex turned her head, "Kristi?!"
Kristi ran over to Jarlaxle wrenching his sword from the sheathe at his side. "You better get off of her right now! I won't kill, but boy will you be hurting!"
Jarlaxle blinked, but shook his head and let Alex go.
Kristi's eyes burned with hatred as she breathed heavily and painfully. Walking over to Alex, "you okay?"
She looked to her friend. "Kristi. . . how-?"
"Don't ask, don't even ask. Even I have secrets from you."
Alex shook her head and whispered, "I almost gave in."
"But you didn't."
"But if you had not come I would have!"
"What can I say? It's a gift." She turned to the two drow, "well?" She still gripped the sword tightly in her hand.
Alex looked to the two drow as well.
Pharaun turned to Jarlaxle, "how did she get your sword?"
He shrugged. "Not even I know that."
Kristi lowered the sword and tossed it back to Jarlaxle, much to Alex's dismay. "We still need their aid."
Alex slowly stood up and braced herself against the wall. "Answer us!" Lowering her voice, "Why?"
"Yes, we deserve an answer!" She folded her arms in defiance.
Jarlaxle grinned. "It was but another test."
"Hah! I don't buy it," Kristi spat out. After a moment she calmed herself.
Alex shook her head refusing to believe his answer. But she didn't say anything, not wanting to anger the drow again. "I would really like to be able to see again."
Pharaun sighed heavily and clenched his fist, then opened it muttering a spell.
Kristi and Alex blinked and after a few times they were able to see the two drow clearly.
"Well, I'd say you passed the test," Pharaun said with the hint of a pout in his voice.
Jarlaxle nodded. "Let them retire to their room."
"Fine, I must retire to mine. . .to mull over this matter privately," Pharaun said exiting the room swiftly.
Jarlaxle motioned for the two girls to follow him.
"Should we?" Alex asked Kristi.
"May as well, we're together. If he tries anything he's has to go through me."
Alex nodded and they both followed Jarlaxle.
"Thank you," Alex whispered to Kristi.
"No problem," she whispered back, eyeing Jarlaxle warily each time he turned around.
Jarlaxle led them to their room and gestured them inside, once they were inside he locked the door from the outside.
Both hearing the door lock Alex groaned and said sarcastically, "great."
Kristi tried the door and sighed.
"Well at least we are together," Alex said.
"Thank goodness for that." She then dragged a chair and used it to block the door. "Just in case.
Jarlaxle walked back to his study and contacted Pharaun.
"Yes?"
"That did not go according to plan. They are stronger than we thought."
"Yes they are, but they are only strong together, divide them and they will fall. How close was the fair-haired one to falling?"
"She was about to fall, that was until the dark haired one appeared."
"I suspected as much, you always seem to have a. . .substantial influence on humans. . ."
"Yes, yes. But now how do we proceed?"
"The dark haired one resisted, but I feel as if I am slowly breaking her spirit even though she will never admit it."
"Then that is an advancement."
"We must proceed again tomorrow, how about we train them together? Together they are strong, but together we are stronger."
"That could work, but how do you suggest we go about it?"
"We must find their weakness, what they fear the most."
"Yes. . ."
"We find that fear and use it against them."
"Then they will bend to our will."
"Precisely, they cannot resist it for long."
"Especially the fair haired one," Jarlaxle said with a grin. "She will be the first to break. Once she falls the other will follow."
"Yes, but once she ends her resistance both of us will concentrate our efforts on the darker haired one.
"Now, what shall tomorrow's training be?"
"Tomorrow I shall have a spell which will reveal their fears to us, I know of one. Then we shall commence the training."
Jarlaxle's grin widened. "We may win after all."
"Yes, we may win yet. Now, I must consult some magical scrolls. I shall meet you tomorrow."
"I bid you goodnight then. Meet me tomorrow in front of their room."
"I will be there."
Jarlaxle closed the link of the gem and walked calmly to his room.
Kristi sat on the bed looking at Alex. "Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?!" Alex stopped, realizing she snapped at her friend. "I'm sorry. . .yeah, I think so."
"You think so?" Kristi asked giving her a look.
Alex nodded. "It could be worse really."
"What did he try to do?"
"Kristi, you already know, so why ask?"
"But it weighs heavy on you even now, you have to let it out or it will haunt you."
Alex rolled her eyes. "Why must you always be right?"
"It's what I do best," Kristi said with a sly smile.
Alex smiled slightly despite the gloomy conversation topic. "Can we just sleep?" She rolled over on her bed.
"Sure, you don't have to talk about it now; your dreams will ease the pain."
Alex laughed sarcastically. "Dreams. . . What good dreams would come after today?"
"Remember Alex we still can control our dreams, don't let them hold sway in them."
Alex nodded. "You're right, as usual."
'"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. . .yet there is hope. . ."' Kristi said quoting from the Lord of the Rings movie. "Come on, you know the rest. I know you can see it in your mind."
'"When company is true."'
"Exactly, just dream of Lord of the Rings and the city of Rivendell."
Rolling over to look at Kristi. "Now tell me honestly, are you frightened?"
"I've been frightened every single day of my life; if I don't have fear then I won't be who I am."
Alex nodded and asked quietly. "Can I dream of Middle Earth and adventures there?"
"Yes, you can dream of that, of happier times."
Alex smiled and nodded. "Thank you, good night."
"Good night my friend," Kristi said. She waited until Alex fell asleep before hugging her knees to her chest and dropping her head. A few stray tears fell down her cheek but she quickly wiped them away and drifted to sleep.
When morning came there were no pleasant rays of sunlight upon their faces. Kristi yawned and found that Alex was still asleep with a small smile on her face. An idea crossed her mind and an amused grin formed on her face as Alex rolled over and mumbled in her sleep.
She splashed water on her own face to wake herself up, then with a grin went over to Alex sprinkling water on her face. She silently laughed to herself. As she sprinkled she softly sang, "it's raining, it's pouring."
Alex blinked open her eyes in confusion and awoke to a smiling Kristi. "Now that's not nice. . ."
Kristi laughed aloud at the expression on her face. "What? I dreamed of rain, so I decided to share some with you." She laughed again splashing more water at her.
"Don't make me have to hurt you."
Kristi smiled deviously and continued splashing water.
"That's it!" Alex stood and started attacking Kristi with water.
"Hey! No fair! I know you didn't dream of a storm!"
"And so what if I didn't?"
"Oh no reason. . .did I mention I dreamt of a bed?" Kristi hit Alex with a pillow.
Alex retaliates, "it's been a while since I saw a good storm."
"Yeah, me too," Kristi said as she dodged a pillow, "with thunder and lightning." She sat for a moment in a slight reverie.
Alex took advantage of this to toss another pillow and arm herself with another. "Try me now," she said as she charged.
Kristi stepped out of the way and tossed a blanket on Alex before being knocked onto the bed.
Jarlaxle absently twirled the feather on his hat as he waited for Pharaun outside of the girls' room. He shook his head in disapproval of the laughter he heard within the room.
Pharaun strode over to Jarlaxle and tilted his head slightly. "Do you hear. . .laughter?"
Jarlaxle nodded. "Yes, and I disapprove."
"Yes. . .odd behavior." He went to unlock the door but found a chair blocking his way.
Jarlaxle shook his head. "This is not going as planned."
Pharaun sprinkled some powder into his hand and lifted it in order to magically lift the chair. "Since when has anything gone as planned?"
"We must take drastic measures."
Pharaun's eyes lit up deviously as he nodded, wondering what drastic measures Jarlaxle was concocting under the bright green hat he was wearing.
Alex stopped attacking Kristi as she noticed the door open.
"Oh great, they're here," Kristi said in a sarcastic tone. She dropped her pillow.
"Lovely. . .just lovely," Alex said in a similar tone.
Kristi mumbled to Alex, "I don't think they'd comprehend a pillow fight."
Alex absently nodded and backed up a few steps when she saw Jarlaxle.
Kristi casually stepped in front of Alex and stared at the drow with a raised eyebrow, ever suspicious of their motives.
Authors' Note:
K: Well, there were variances of 'fun' in this chapter. But what drastic measures await the two girls? Will their sense of fun dwindle as the gloom of the Underdark settles on their souls? In the next chapter you shall get a hint about these answers. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it! *Kristi holds out Jarlaxle's hat while Alex holds a sign, which reads 'please leave a review'*
Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our reviewers thus far. Thank you to Sarah who has dealt with the two of us talking about the RP (for it seems like ages now) and now shall have better understanding. Thank you to Becky who has glimpsed the future of the RP and is now learning of its past. Thank you to Oracle10 whose comments always put a smile on our faces. Thank you to singvogel for saying what it is that you like and you're welcome, lol. Thank you to koga711 whose comment made me do a little dance about my house...erm, you didn't hear that... And finally thank you to Griz whose review was a nice surprise and greatly appreciated. Even though this update took me a month *grumbles about 'evil papers and exams'* I shall try to edit and update weekly since I'll be on my summer break come the end of April/early May...ah, the life of a college student...
Alex and Kristi cursed aloud as they were each sent to their separate chambers.
Kristi started talking aloud to herself. "They're planning something, but what?" Pausing, "I don't want to think like them. . ."
Alex began to pace. "My gods, how the hell do I get out of here?" She tried looking for a door, but could find none.
Jarlaxle nodded, "the next step Master Mizzrym."
"Of course," he said, producing an emerald gem from the folds of his robe. He lightly waved his fingers over it, then sprinkled some dirt on it from a pouch, and chanted in an ancient tongue. When it was complete, "it is ready, if they do make contact we shall hear all which they say. . .now to make their eyesight go dark."
Pharaun clenched his fist muttering and opened his fist to reveal a clear crystal. "It is done."
Kristi was engulfed by darkness and she immediately, for lack of better words, started to freak out. "What the hell?! I already can't see far away! Damn it!" She tried concentrating her eyes to make out the smallest discernable shapes.
Alex stopped pacing, noticing she could no longer see. "Oh my gods, no! No, no, no, no, no, no! I already have poor eyesight, I don't need this."
Kristi mumbled, "The darkness will not overtake me."
Alex proceeded to talk to herself, "I can handle this."
Kristi took a calming breath. "Okay relax." She closed her eyes and attempted to walk around the room. She succeeded in tripping. "Damn it!" She concentrated again, "I do not need eyesight."
Jarlaxle turned to gaze at the wizard. "If we can figure out how to break their mental link, if one should exist, it will be easier to break their wills."
"Yes, they should be much easier to exert influence on; I will have to consult the aged texts to find a spell." He waved his hands and a door appeared. "Would you like to retreat to my study for some viewing pleasure? We can watch both of their actions."
"Of course."
They entered the study and proceeded to watch the girls by a scrying mirror.
Kristi stumbled around the room attempting to concentrate. "My mind can overcome the darkness, it will not overcome me." She had her hands outstretched in front of her, but slowly drew them to her side. In her mind she could make out the logistics of the room and she mumbled to herself, "great no door." She sat down cross-legged and proceeded to meditate.
Alex still talked to herself. "I can do this. It's only darkness." She sat on the floor where she stopped and sighed deeply. "Okay, this is not so bad. I can handle this."
"Are they talking to themselves?" Jarlaxle asked Pharaun in amusement.
"I think they are."
Two hours later Kristi finally stopped meditating and looked around the room strangely. "Why do I have a feeling like I'm being watched?"
Pharaun chuckled aloud as he answered her question to himself. "Because you are my dear."
Alex had a similar feeling as Kristi where she was. "I sense something."
"It looks like the other suspects something as well," Jarlaxle pointed out.
Alex jumped up, thinking she heard something from above. "What the hell? No, it's just my imagination."
Kristi heard something but dismissed it. "If this is some kind of demented test I'll. . ." She trailed off in warning, but stopped herself from saying something more, calming herself.
Alex started to pace again. "I can't take this I am going to crack! Oh by the gods, where is Kristi?"
Jarlaxle mused aloud. "Hmm, it seems that the light haired one will be the easiest to break."
"It will be most entertaining to break them," Pharaun said with a laugh. "The one seems to gain strength from the other, if that one falls to us the other will follow, with resistance of course."
Kristi wondered aloud. "I hope that Alex is okay." She paused to think, "she is, she must be."
Alex quickened her pace. "I'm going to crack! I can't take much more of this."
Kristi slowly started to pace her room. "I can't sleep. Something keeps me awake, but what is it?" She reeled slightly as she felt Alex panic.
Alex went to lie on the floor. "I'll just try to sleep."
Kristi paused. "Of course. . . I know what they seek to test us on. But I best get some sleep. The world of the unconscious dream, privy only to me awaits." She went to lie down on the bed, but couldn't get to sleep.
"She is catching onto our plot," Pharaun said getting anxious.
"Give it time Master Mizzrym."
Alex thought to herself, 'maybe if I contact Kristi...' Her eyes widened. "No! They may be able to sense it. That's why they separated us. No, no, that can't be right. How could they know?"
"Clever little humans aren't they? Perhaps we should take measures to force communication."
Pharaun looked to the mercenary. "What kind of measures?" He chuckled as Jarlaxle smirked widely. "I see. . .which would you like to persuade?"
"You best take the difficult one." He drew his sword. "The fair haired one will crack under pain." He disappeared from the study.
Alex tossed and turned on the bed. "It's too damn dark in here. Everyone always told me I had good night vision, but it is not helping me now is it?" She tossed again.
Jarlaxle snuck into Alex's room quietly.
Alex sat straight up as she sensed something changed in the room. She turned her head wildly. "Hello? Is someone in here?!"
Kristi sat up suddenly in her bed and looked around. "I know you're in here, why lurk in the shadows?" She rolled out of the bed just as a stray spell hit the bed where she was lying. "That would be Pharaun. . ." She inwardly cursed because she still couldn't see.
"Blinded by the darkness human?"
"Not as much as you're blinded by hatred Pharaun," she said dodging another spell.
Jarlaxle silently crept forward.
Alex sensed something to her left, so she rolled to her right. A sword slashed down where she was sitting. "What the hell? Who's there?!"
"Fear. . ." Jarlaxle said quietly as he slipped to the side again.
Alex clenched her eyes shut. "I will not give in to their will." She dodged to her right as something rushed by her left.
Pharaun advanced from the shadows and pushed Kristi back into the wall, grabbing her throat. She tried to scream but couldn't get air to her lungs. She kicked Pharaun aside coughing.
"Resistant aren't we human?"
Through a cough, "who me?" She charged at a presence to her left. Pharaun stepped back but pushed her away with magic. "Fool, do you honestly think you can best me?"
Kristi faced his direction painfully. "Best no, resist yes."
"Do you know what could happen to you?"
"I don't care."
"Indeed. . .not for yourself, I see through your façade."
"There is no façade, you assume too much."
Pharaun extended his hand toward Kristi.
Kristi grasped her chest and fell to her knees. It felt as if someone was squeezing her heart.
"Ah. . .bowing, such a respectful position."
Kristi tried to use her magic to push him away but he only tightened his grip.
"Why are you doing this?" She managed to stand in defiance.
"Because I can," he replied extending his other hand to cause pain in her head.
Jarlaxle remained in the shadows. He was a sly wraith waiting for the opportunity to strike. He grinned and thought, 'trying to be strong for your friend's sake. But how long will you last?'
"Answer me! Who's there? Answer me. I demand it!" Alex said clenching her fists at her sides.
Jarlaxle laughed aloud. The noise started Alex and she yelled, "Answer me damn it! Now!"
He quietly snuck behind Alex and wrapped his arms about her, pinning her arms to her sides. "Would you like to know who I am?" he asked laughing into her ear.
"Jarlaxle," Alex gasped. It was the only word that came to her mind. Composing herself, "Why? Why are you doing this?!"
"Because I can, and maybe you posing as a bed slave was not as fake as you thought," Jarlaxle said with a grin.
"No!" Alex said immediately panicking. She thought to herself, 'oh gods, Kristi . . .no I can't, that's what they want.'
Kristi could see Alex through the pain, but didn't dare call out. "You'll not get what you want!" She held her head in anguish.
"Oh yes I will," Pharaun said with a smile.
She was growing angrier by the minute sensing Alex's panic. Her anger fueling her, she used her last bit of strength to send pain to Pharaun and Jarlaxle. Pharaun felt the effects immediately and fell to the ground, momentarily stunned. Kristi fell as well and crawled for the dagger in his boot. She held it in her hand, but dropped it in disgust, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You can't do it," Pharaun said picking up the dagger and slowly standing. He walked over to her and placed the dagger in her hand, then put the tip to his chest. "Do it. Shed the blood."
She knocked the dagger away, "no!"
Jarlaxle kissed Alex's ear. "Give in. . ."
"No! Never! This is just a trick."
The spell took its effect and Jarlaxle was jolted with pain. Feeling his grip loosen, Alex kicked him in the knee and scrambled to the other side of the room. She started to rock slightly and mumble, "no, no, no."
Jarlaxle swiftly made his way over to her and pinned her to the ground. "Give in."
She struggled in his grip. "No!"
Meanwhile, Kristi was struggling with Pharaun and grabbed an emerald gem from a pocket of his robes. They fought over that and they were surrounded by a green mist, transporting them to where the other emerald gem was located. That other gem just happened to be located in Jarlaxle's pocket and Kristi and Pharaun fell into the room where he was.
"Ow. . ." Kristi said looking around.
Alex turned her head, "Kristi?!"
Kristi ran over to Jarlaxle wrenching his sword from the sheathe at his side. "You better get off of her right now! I won't kill, but boy will you be hurting!"
Jarlaxle blinked, but shook his head and let Alex go.
Kristi's eyes burned with hatred as she breathed heavily and painfully. Walking over to Alex, "you okay?"
She looked to her friend. "Kristi. . . how-?"
"Don't ask, don't even ask. Even I have secrets from you."
Alex shook her head and whispered, "I almost gave in."
"But you didn't."
"But if you had not come I would have!"
"What can I say? It's a gift." She turned to the two drow, "well?" She still gripped the sword tightly in her hand.
Alex looked to the two drow as well.
Pharaun turned to Jarlaxle, "how did she get your sword?"
He shrugged. "Not even I know that."
Kristi lowered the sword and tossed it back to Jarlaxle, much to Alex's dismay. "We still need their aid."
Alex slowly stood up and braced herself against the wall. "Answer us!" Lowering her voice, "Why?"
"Yes, we deserve an answer!" She folded her arms in defiance.
Jarlaxle grinned. "It was but another test."
"Hah! I don't buy it," Kristi spat out. After a moment she calmed herself.
Alex shook her head refusing to believe his answer. But she didn't say anything, not wanting to anger the drow again. "I would really like to be able to see again."
Pharaun sighed heavily and clenched his fist, then opened it muttering a spell.
Kristi and Alex blinked and after a few times they were able to see the two drow clearly.
"Well, I'd say you passed the test," Pharaun said with the hint of a pout in his voice.
Jarlaxle nodded. "Let them retire to their room."
"Fine, I must retire to mine. . .to mull over this matter privately," Pharaun said exiting the room swiftly.
Jarlaxle motioned for the two girls to follow him.
"Should we?" Alex asked Kristi.
"May as well, we're together. If he tries anything he's has to go through me."
Alex nodded and they both followed Jarlaxle.
"Thank you," Alex whispered to Kristi.
"No problem," she whispered back, eyeing Jarlaxle warily each time he turned around.
Jarlaxle led them to their room and gestured them inside, once they were inside he locked the door from the outside.
Both hearing the door lock Alex groaned and said sarcastically, "great."
Kristi tried the door and sighed.
"Well at least we are together," Alex said.
"Thank goodness for that." She then dragged a chair and used it to block the door. "Just in case.
Jarlaxle walked back to his study and contacted Pharaun.
"Yes?"
"That did not go according to plan. They are stronger than we thought."
"Yes they are, but they are only strong together, divide them and they will fall. How close was the fair-haired one to falling?"
"She was about to fall, that was until the dark haired one appeared."
"I suspected as much, you always seem to have a. . .substantial influence on humans. . ."
"Yes, yes. But now how do we proceed?"
"The dark haired one resisted, but I feel as if I am slowly breaking her spirit even though she will never admit it."
"Then that is an advancement."
"We must proceed again tomorrow, how about we train them together? Together they are strong, but together we are stronger."
"That could work, but how do you suggest we go about it?"
"We must find their weakness, what they fear the most."
"Yes. . ."
"We find that fear and use it against them."
"Then they will bend to our will."
"Precisely, they cannot resist it for long."
"Especially the fair haired one," Jarlaxle said with a grin. "She will be the first to break. Once she falls the other will follow."
"Yes, but once she ends her resistance both of us will concentrate our efforts on the darker haired one.
"Now, what shall tomorrow's training be?"
"Tomorrow I shall have a spell which will reveal their fears to us, I know of one. Then we shall commence the training."
Jarlaxle's grin widened. "We may win after all."
"Yes, we may win yet. Now, I must consult some magical scrolls. I shall meet you tomorrow."
"I bid you goodnight then. Meet me tomorrow in front of their room."
"I will be there."
Jarlaxle closed the link of the gem and walked calmly to his room.
Kristi sat on the bed looking at Alex. "Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?!" Alex stopped, realizing she snapped at her friend. "I'm sorry. . .yeah, I think so."
"You think so?" Kristi asked giving her a look.
Alex nodded. "It could be worse really."
"What did he try to do?"
"Kristi, you already know, so why ask?"
"But it weighs heavy on you even now, you have to let it out or it will haunt you."
Alex rolled her eyes. "Why must you always be right?"
"It's what I do best," Kristi said with a sly smile.
Alex smiled slightly despite the gloomy conversation topic. "Can we just sleep?" She rolled over on her bed.
"Sure, you don't have to talk about it now; your dreams will ease the pain."
Alex laughed sarcastically. "Dreams. . . What good dreams would come after today?"
"Remember Alex we still can control our dreams, don't let them hold sway in them."
Alex nodded. "You're right, as usual."
'"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. . .yet there is hope. . ."' Kristi said quoting from the Lord of the Rings movie. "Come on, you know the rest. I know you can see it in your mind."
'"When company is true."'
"Exactly, just dream of Lord of the Rings and the city of Rivendell."
Rolling over to look at Kristi. "Now tell me honestly, are you frightened?"
"I've been frightened every single day of my life; if I don't have fear then I won't be who I am."
Alex nodded and asked quietly. "Can I dream of Middle Earth and adventures there?"
"Yes, you can dream of that, of happier times."
Alex smiled and nodded. "Thank you, good night."
"Good night my friend," Kristi said. She waited until Alex fell asleep before hugging her knees to her chest and dropping her head. A few stray tears fell down her cheek but she quickly wiped them away and drifted to sleep.
When morning came there were no pleasant rays of sunlight upon their faces. Kristi yawned and found that Alex was still asleep with a small smile on her face. An idea crossed her mind and an amused grin formed on her face as Alex rolled over and mumbled in her sleep.
She splashed water on her own face to wake herself up, then with a grin went over to Alex sprinkling water on her face. She silently laughed to herself. As she sprinkled she softly sang, "it's raining, it's pouring."
Alex blinked open her eyes in confusion and awoke to a smiling Kristi. "Now that's not nice. . ."
Kristi laughed aloud at the expression on her face. "What? I dreamed of rain, so I decided to share some with you." She laughed again splashing more water at her.
"Don't make me have to hurt you."
Kristi smiled deviously and continued splashing water.
"That's it!" Alex stood and started attacking Kristi with water.
"Hey! No fair! I know you didn't dream of a storm!"
"And so what if I didn't?"
"Oh no reason. . .did I mention I dreamt of a bed?" Kristi hit Alex with a pillow.
Alex retaliates, "it's been a while since I saw a good storm."
"Yeah, me too," Kristi said as she dodged a pillow, "with thunder and lightning." She sat for a moment in a slight reverie.
Alex took advantage of this to toss another pillow and arm herself with another. "Try me now," she said as she charged.
Kristi stepped out of the way and tossed a blanket on Alex before being knocked onto the bed.
Jarlaxle absently twirled the feather on his hat as he waited for Pharaun outside of the girls' room. He shook his head in disapproval of the laughter he heard within the room.
Pharaun strode over to Jarlaxle and tilted his head slightly. "Do you hear. . .laughter?"
Jarlaxle nodded. "Yes, and I disapprove."
"Yes. . .odd behavior." He went to unlock the door but found a chair blocking his way.
Jarlaxle shook his head. "This is not going as planned."
Pharaun sprinkled some powder into his hand and lifted it in order to magically lift the chair. "Since when has anything gone as planned?"
"We must take drastic measures."
Pharaun's eyes lit up deviously as he nodded, wondering what drastic measures Jarlaxle was concocting under the bright green hat he was wearing.
Alex stopped attacking Kristi as she noticed the door open.
"Oh great, they're here," Kristi said in a sarcastic tone. She dropped her pillow.
"Lovely. . .just lovely," Alex said in a similar tone.
Kristi mumbled to Alex, "I don't think they'd comprehend a pillow fight."
Alex absently nodded and backed up a few steps when she saw Jarlaxle.
Kristi casually stepped in front of Alex and stared at the drow with a raised eyebrow, ever suspicious of their motives.
Authors' Note:
K: Well, there were variances of 'fun' in this chapter. But what drastic measures await the two girls? Will their sense of fun dwindle as the gloom of the Underdark settles on their souls? In the next chapter you shall get a hint about these answers. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it! *Kristi holds out Jarlaxle's hat while Alex holds a sign, which reads 'please leave a review'*
Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our reviewers thus far. Thank you to Sarah who has dealt with the two of us talking about the RP (for it seems like ages now) and now shall have better understanding. Thank you to Becky who has glimpsed the future of the RP and is now learning of its past. Thank you to Oracle10 whose comments always put a smile on our faces. Thank you to singvogel for saying what it is that you like and you're welcome, lol. Thank you to koga711 whose comment made me do a little dance about my house...erm, you didn't hear that... And finally thank you to Griz whose review was a nice surprise and greatly appreciated. Even though this update took me a month *grumbles about 'evil papers and exams'* I shall try to edit and update weekly since I'll be on my summer break come the end of April/early May...ah, the life of a college student...