Alex looked to the book and let out a frustrated cry, "Aghh! I am going to go insane. The little words seem to be meshing together." She closed the book and set it on the table. "I'll just give it a rest for a bit."

Jarlaxle peeked his head in. "I know you're not done, you only have a little more to go."

Alex groaned, "This is not moral!"

"What was that my dear?"

"Nothing," she opened the book and tried to read it again.

Jarlaxle walked over to her. "My dear, if you were to write the book what would you change?"

Alex looked up in surprise. "Huh?"

"Well, it seems that you are finding this book tedious. What would you change to make it more interesting?"

Alex looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "well, I would not drag out the meanings of things. I would make it straightforward."

"How my dear?"

"I. . .umm. . ."

"Do not be shy my dear; your insight on the book would be appreciated," Jarlaxle said smoothly.

"Ummm. . .well you see, I really do not write historical stuff."

"It need not be a historical opinion; epics and great stories are based on history are they not? Whether it is the history of the character or a chronicle of their adventure?"

"Well yes and no," Alex said, "but still, in order for me to actually write something I have to be in the right mood."

"A mood of inspiration perhaps?"

Alex nodded, "yes."

Jarlaxle motioned for her to follow as he turned. "Come with me."

"Huh? Where are we going?"

"You will see," Jarlaxle said taking her hand.

Kristi had put herself in a mild meditative trance as she pretended to battle various Star Wars characters.

Pharaun walked into the room. "How goes the training?"

Kristi snapped out of it. "Fine."

"That is good. Are you ready to try a new weapon?"

"Sure, what's next?" She placed the scimitars to the side.

He handed her a sabre and dagger, "These."

Kristi mumbled, "The pen is mightier than the sword." She took the weapons from him.

"What was that you said my dear?"

"A saying where I come from, 'the pen is mightier than the sword'." Pharaun didn't say anything, so she continued. "You know, the written word."

"You write my dear?" Pharaun remembered what Alex told him. "What do you write?"

Kristi looked flustered for a moment, but composed herself. "Well, many things, like poetry and stories."

Pharaun smiled. "Poetry? Could you share something with me?"

Kristi blinked, she had been thinking of a poem that reminded her of the Underdark. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I would like to hear some of your poetry."

Kristi took a breath and began:

Darkness envelops

the Shadowed façade

of reality-

Sealing fate of

chosen addressees-

Certain immortality

becomes the

Shards of eternity-

Shattered expectations

harden into

Dreams of darkness.

Kristi ended the poem by softly closing her eyes and thinking quietly about her current situation.

Pharaun stared in awe.

Kristi nervously looked to Pharaun. "What did you think?"

Pharaun was momentarily speechless, but managed words. "That rivals even a drow poem. Alex was right," he said trailing off.

"Alex?" Kristi looked to him, confirming her suspicions. "Well Pharaun if you wish to know more about me, uncover the secrets in the poem and you uncover apart of me. You don't need to ask around."

Pharaun visibly thought about the poem, running it over in his head a few times as he thought about its meaning. "If I have to guess, I would say it involves you and your friend's time here."

"There are many meanings to a poem, just as there are many meanings to me," Kristi said cryptically. "But yes, you have uncovered a part of them."

"Many meanings?"

"Yes, haven't you ever interpreted a poem? Or looked at a person finding many meanings? Many facets to their personality?" Kristi was in a poetic mood and that meant she was cryptic.

Pharaun sighed. "No, when I was young I was not allowed to enjoy the arts. Those are for the females. And now, I just do not have the time for it."

Kristi blinked, "Really?" Shaking her head in disgust, "No one should be excluded from the arts." Looking to him, "I'm really sorry that you were excluded."

"There is no reason to be. That is our way, the way of the drow. If you are born male, you do not have the chance to enjoy the arts," Pharaun said.

"It may be your way, but where I come from there the arts are available to all." Sighing, "yet not many appreciate their true beauties and their forms. They're are many of us and yet so few."

Pharaun abruptly asked, "Have you ever associated with the 'fairies'?" He spit out the last word.

"Huh?" She was perplexed at his question, but highly intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"The surface elves. . .the fairies. They excel in the arts." Pharaun shrugged, "I just thought that maybe you learned under them."

"No," she said shaking her head. "I taught myself. I merely write what comes to me."

"I see, then you are quite talented my dear."

"No, not really. I really just write what comes," Kristi said humbly. She wasn't used to this kind of attention.

"But to put it into words like that," Pharaun said with a slight smirk, "not just anyone can do it."

Kristi blinked in surprise.

"Don't look so shocked. I only speak the truth," Pharaun said.

Kristi still had a shocked look on her face. A drow just complimented her poetry, and then compared to elves, she really was on another world. She looked to Pharaun, "that means a lot, what you said about speaking the truth."

"I am a drow of my word my dear.

"Your word," Kristi said with a raised eyebrow, "your society speaks otherwise."

Pharaun sighed, "Yes, that is true."

"Yet no society can deny that there are those who are different than the standards that society upholds," Kristi said trying to rationalize society as a whole.

"True, but in this society, if you do not go by the set standards you die," Pharaun said trailing off.

"Physically yes, mentally and spiritually no," Kristi said trailing off quietly and thoughtfully.

"You are wise for one so young."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Kristi said with a soft smile. Tapping her chin thoughtfully, "I always wondered, why? But, I choose not to answer my own musings."

Pharaun laughed at the absurdity of her statement. "I have not laughed so much in my entire 300 years of life."

Kristi gave him a mock glare. "Hey, you try organizing the thoughts in my head!" She laughed softly of the absurdity of that notion.

"Is that a hard task?"

Kristi gave him a look. "I've been trying to organize my thoughts since the day I was born. Through my writings I've managed some semblance of organization, but there are many thoughts which will never be organized."

Pharaun laughed again and Kristi couldn't help but join in. Humans really were such chaotic creatures when it came to actually organizing their thoughts.

Jarlaxle led Alex by the hand, while Alex stared at their joined hands in shock.

"I am going to show you a place of inspiration," Jarlaxle said with confidence. He led Alex to a room filled with a private collection of gems he acquired from the svirfnebli. The walls were the color of ebony, containing flecks of silver, which were reminiscent of stars in the sky. Various gems were on display, resting on velvety fabric atop sharply defined shelves. They were illuminated by faerie fire in the background. The gems seemed to flicker and radiate a powerful, but beautiful energy.

Alex looked around with wide eyes.

"What do you think my dear?"

"They're beautiful," she said in awe, "where did you get them from?"

Jarlaxle surveyed the beautiful display of gems before answering, "the svirfnebli. I once stayed with them for a time."

"Svirfnebli? You stayed with them?" Alex looked confused, "I thought they were enemies of the drow." She knew that the deep gnomes of the Underdark were fierce enemies of the drow.

"They are," Jarlaxle said shifting slightly, "but for a time, when I was wounded long ago, I stayed with them. Those certain svirfnebli are far enough away from the drow for them to be of any importance."

Alex took her eyes away from the gems to look at him. "Injured?"

"Yes, but I cannot remember from what," Jarlaxle said thinking aloud, "I remember my time there, yet I cannot remember precisely what it was that brought me to the outer regions of their city."

"I'm sorry," Alex said absently. She curiously asked, "What was your stay there like?"

"At first they were suspicious, but I meant them no harm. After all, I needed to heal. We negotiated, I learned their tongue, and then I struck a deal with them for trade," Jarlaxle said recounting a brief history. "I dare say it was the feeble beginning of Bregan D'aerthe."

Alex looked around the room, walking around its perimeter to gaze at the crisply cut display of gems, fashioned into various items. She spotted a beautiful jeweled necklace that sparkled like a deep blue sky and she picked it up, gazing at it in awe.

Jarlaxle walked over to her. "Do you like it my dear?"

"It's beautiful," she said examining the gems.

Jarlaxle gently took the necklace from her and placed it around her neck. "It suits you my dear," he said clasping it, "and it is yours." He brushed her hair back gently so it fell on the necklace.

Alex brought her hand up and touched the necklace.

Jarlaxle took her hand into his own, "do you like it my dear?"

She whispered, "yes."

"It is a token of inspiration for you my dear."

Alex turned to face Jarlaxle. "You are really giving this to me?"

"Yes," he replied. He motioned to the expanse of the room. "I have many gems. And these gems, on this necklace, should go to you."

Alex was at a loss for words. "I. . ."

Jarlaxle placed a finger to her lips for a moment. "You need not say anymore my dear. I only hope that one day you will be in the mood to write and show me what inspiration has in store for you."

She again placed her hand to her neck. "I thank you," she trailed off speechless.

"No need to thank me, the gems make you look lovely; but even they cannot outshine your beauty."

Alex blinked at Jarlaxle.

"You seem surprised my dear," Jarlaxle said noticing a slight blush on her cheeks.

"I am. . .it's just," she found it hard to find words.

"If you cannot speak the words," he pulled out a quill and some ink from a pouch to his side, "then write them down my dear."

She looked to the quill and ink. "I wish it were that easy."

"It can be that easy if you just try," Jarlaxle said reassuringly.

Alex shook her head and pushed the writing utensils away. "No, it's not. Unlike Kristi I cannot come up with things on the spot. I have to think about them for a day or more to get it set out properly."

"You have time my dear," Jarlaxle said. Musing aloud, "I have a feeling your friend thinks about things for days on end, but doesn't reveal it."

Alex shrugged. "I honestly could not tell you that." Alex shifted, "may I ask something?"

"What do you wish to know?"

She looked down to the floor. "How much longer are Kristi and I to stay here?"

"We still have about a week to go I'm afraid. I have managed to get us pushed up a few days," Jarlaxle said, "but still, we must be patient."

Alex sighed. "I see. It's just that this place lays a heavy veil of darkness on my heart."

"Do not be troubled my dear, I am sure when you see the light of the surface once again it will be lifted."

"I hope so," Alex said softly, "but I do know that I will forever be changed."

"Events such as your situation do change a person; perchance you will realize that you have grown," Jarlaxle offered.

A few stray tears fell from her eyes, but she looked up with a smile. "I think I realize that even now."

Jarlaxle smiled knowingly. He sometimes knew far too much for his own good.

"Before we see the Matron Mother, what else must we learn?"

"Proper behavior in front of the Matron Mother," Jarlaxle said.

"Proper behavior?"

"Why yes," Jarlaxle said, "we can't have you angering the Matron Mother now, can we? That would be rather messy. Come to think of it your friend must learn her manners, unless that is apart of her charade to be rude to me."

Alex couldn't help but smile as he referred to Kristi. "Not sure, she really does not trust you though."

"I wonder why she wouldn't trust me," Jarlaxle said trailing off thoughtfully.

Alex absently shuddered, "probably was because of the whole 'disguised as a bed slave' ordeal when you showed me the city."

"Oh," Jarlaxle said thoughtfully, "well, that is in the past." He inwardly thought, 'for now.'

"Why? Why this sudden change?"

"Is it really that sudden?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, actually it is."

"My dear, I assure you that not only have the experiences here changed you," Jarlaxle said smoothly, like spider silk sliding across ice, "they have changed a small part of me as well."

Alex looked at him questioningly. "How so? And how can I really trust you? You are a drow after all."

"I may be a drow, but I would have thought you of all people would realize you can't judge an individual by their society," Jarlaxle said meeting her eyes.

"But, from what I know the drow can never be trusted. No matter what," she said.

"Under normal circumstances yes, but in others, trust can take them a long way," he absently thought of a drow who escaped the Underdark.

"So, you will not turn around and betray us?"

"Why would I do a thing like that?"

"Just a feeling," she said quietly.

"Can you even trust your own feelings?"

"What?"

"Do you trust your feelings? Do you even trust yourself?"

"Yes, it is all I have," she said.

"I see," Jarlaxle said, "it is all that I have as well."

He led her back to the room and gestured to the book. "See if you can make that more interesting and perhaps the trust in yourself will lead to inspiration."

Alex nodded and couldn't help but think about what was said earlier. "The bed slave thing. . .why? I mean, why did you say and act that way to begin with? It is something that has been bothering me for a while."

"I spoke only the truth about what happens to some and I'd hate to see it happen to you," Jarlaxle said. He exited the room abruptly and thought, 'at least, not without my guidance.'

Alex watched his abrupt exit with a confused stare, but shook her head and returned to the book.

Kristi stared at Pharaun, still in shock at actually making this drow laugh. However, she turned serious. "Having a sense of humor is good, but accepting reality through the humor is good as well." She started feeling philosophical again.

Pharaun groaned. "Are you always so philosophical?"

Kristi gave him a look. "No, not always." She paused, "well. . . actually, yes." She couldn't help but smile slyly.

Pharaun rolled his eyes, "humans."

Kristi rolled her eyes at the same time and said, "Drow." Taking a breath, "Pharaun, will I see Alex soon? A sadness is overtaking her and she needs some humor in this dark world."

"In due time. I can keep you updated." Pharaun walked over to her and took her hands into his, "do not be troubled, Jarlaxle will take fine care of her."

"I suppose," she said absently, not pulling away. "Are we going to be disguised as Drow in front of the Matron Mother or will we go as human slaves?" She practically spit out the last two words.

"A good question," Pharaun said.

Kristi blinked and pulled away. "Aren't you supposed to know these things!"

"If you went as slaves she may want to use you as a sacrifice. If you are disguised there is a chance that the spell may be detected," Pharaun said considering the options.

"That's not very reassuring," Kristi said trailing off.

"I know and I am sorry, but it is the best we have right now."

"I think that disguises may be our best bet," Kristi said. "True, it's a risk, but I'm willing to take it and I know Alex is too."

"But think, what would happen to Jarlaxle and myself if she were to find out that we are helping you?" Pharaun paused and laughed, "at least we would all die quickly."

"How can you laugh at a time like this!" Kristi couldn't believe his cavalier attitude about death. "I thought you said you could talk your way out of anything."

"Yes," Pharaun said, "with my Matron Mother. But that was before I was exiled."

"You were what?"

"You heard correctly," Pharaun said enjoying her confusion. "Come to think of it, my sister is still hunting me." He chuckled to himself.

"What did you do?"

"I ran from my House in an attempt to save my life from my sister. I came to Sorcere and begged the Archmage for a position in the academy."

"Why would your sister try to kill you? I mean, I get angry with my brother but I wouldn't go to that length," she paused realizing she was in a drow city and changed the subject. "Please tell me you're at least in Lloth's favor."

"I am but a mere male," Pharaun said, "but yes, I am in the favor of Lady Lloth, in more ways then you will ever know."

"What do you mean by that?" She thought of before when she was in the cave and saw the spider.

"I have seen the glory of the spider queen up close," he said.

"Glory? How? I mean," she trailed off not fathoming how he could come into contact with a deity.

Pharaun laughed again at her expression. "I was given to the spider queen for judgment."

Kristi mouth dropped open.

Pharaun took his hand and gently closed her mouth.

Kristi composed herself. "I take it you passed the judgment?"

"But of course, how else could I find my self here?"

"Do you even know why you passed the judgment?"

"I have no answer to that," Pharaun said. "That will be something I will never know."

"Perhaps you weren't meant to have an answer; only to seek it and to ponder its ways," Kristi offered.

Pharaun shrugged. "Perhaps."

Changing the subject she asked, "so what's the plan Pharaun? Are Alex and myself masquerading as drow from another city? We could probably pull it off if we concentrated our magic."

"Yes you could, but there is much you have to learn."

"I'm willing to learn," she said with a determined glint in her eyes, "and so is Alex."

"That is good, without this knowledge it would be certain death."

"Another reassuring comment," Kristi grumbled. "What must I learn?"

"Simple spells that a priestess would use, and by all means they are not simple. Proper respect for a Matron mother, and so on," Pharaun said waving a dismissive hand.

"Why do I have this bad feeling that I'm going to do a lot of talking in front of the Matron Mother?" She realized that males aren't exactly allowed to talk and that Alex would hardly be up to it.

"Is that sarcasm I sense my dear?"

"Me. . .sarcastic? Never!"

Pharaun laughed.

Kristi thought, 'oh great now he can sense my sarcasm.'

His laugh was infectious and she joined in.

"My dear, do not worry once I have trained you, all will be well." He didn't add the last thought which was, 'or so I hope.'

"Of course," Kristi said with a nod. "We must remain optimistic. Though, don't think I can't sense that doubt." She mumbled, "we need a positive attitude. . .positive."

"You are a child of many talents," Pharaun said observing her.

"I do what I can," she replied with a smile and a shrug. Okay, so the positive attitude was a front. She was really thinking, 'aww hell I'm screwed! Wait Kristi, positive! Oh yeah!' It was safe to assume they were doomed.

Jarlaxle entered Alex's room to see how she was coming along. "Finished with the book my dear?"

Alex looked up. "Just finished the last page."

"Grand! Have you been inspired yet?" He noted with great satisfaction that she still wore the necklace.

"It is not as easy as you think," she said.

He nodded and then noticed several sheets of paper near her appeared to have small drawings on them. "What are those?"

Alex looked to the papers and hid them behind her. "Umm. . .nothing."

"It is not nothing. Why do you hide them?" He walked over to her. "May I see them?"

"Really, they are nothing," Alex said trailing off.

Jarlaxle picked up one of the sheets she missed and his eyes widened in surprise. "These are not nothing. They are beautiful. Never have I seen the likes of them in Menzoberranzan."

"You," Alex blinked, "you really think so?"

Jarlaxle nodded, "this," he motioned to the paper, "eye that you draw and these sharply defined characters are, dare I say, incredible?"

"Thank you," Alex said with a slight blush, "I've always thought that they were just stupid doodles."

"Why would you think these doodles," he said the word 'doodles' in confusion, "are stupid? I assure you they are not. May I see more?

Alex shrugged and handed him the papers from behind her back. "If you like."

Jarlaxle took them excitedly, but composed himself. "I've always held a fascination for the arts."

"Have you ever tried them? I mean, have you ever written anything?"

"Me?" Jarlaxle shook his head as he looked to papers. "No, I've not the talent for the arts. I'm merely a purveyor of them, an admirer. I haven't written anything, for I've nothing to write about. My writings I dare say are stifling and boring, merely transactional processing and trading inventories."

"I see," Alex said, "what about drawing?"

"Well," Jarlaxle said trailing off. He thought of the personal account of his travels, filled with his drawings. But he shared that only with himself. "No, I haven't."

"I see," Alex said again. She looked to the book resting next to her. "Do I have to read any more today?"

"No, not today," Jarlaxle replied.

Alex sighed in relief, "good, I don't think my mind can process any more of the history of this city."

"It is fortunate then that tomorrow you will read about another city," he said with a grin, "but for now we'll do some weapons training. We have to put a dagger to use."

Alex groaned. "All right, lead the way."

Jarlaxle smiled at the groan and had her follow him to a room that had targets at the opposite end of the doorway.

"What is this?"

In a swift movement Jarlaxle unsheathed a hidden dagger and tossed it at one of the targets. It hit the center mark. "This is where you learn how to perfect your aim."

Alex was confused, looking from the target to Jarlaxle. "Huh?"

"My dear you will be disguised as a female warrior from another city. Others will wish to challenge you in the Baenre household to show that Menzoberranzan is the better city. You must learn how to perfect you aim with the dagger and," he handed her a long bow and some arrows, "these."

Alex looked at the weapons on shock.

"In your 'city', there are warrior priestesses," Jarlaxle said, "but they do not know that. Come now, try tossing the dagger I've given you, I know you've got it hidden on you somewhere."

"I. . .umm," Alex nearly dropped the bow, "I have never used a weapon in my life."

"Really?"

She nodded.

Jarlaxle thought, 'this will be harder than I thought.'

"I have seen them used," Alex said, "but I never actually touched them."

"Well, the dagger that I've given you is magical," Jarlaxle said, "imagine the target and toss. Your aim will be true." Motioning to the targets at the other end of the room, "try it."

"All right," she said hesitantly. She set down the bow and arrows. Taking a breath she removed the dagger from a hidden sheath on her thigh and then slowly closed her eyes, picturing the target in front of her and her dagger hitting it. With a slight flick of her wrist she tossed the dagger into the air and hit the target slightly above the center. Opening her eyes, "did it work?"

Jarlaxle blinked in surprise since her eyes were closed when she threw the dagger. "My dear, with practice you might just hit the center." He stifled a laugh, knowing she was happy the dagger didn't hit the wall or him.

"How? How did I do that?" She stared down at the other end of the room.

"Next time try throwing it with your eyes open," Jarlaxle said with a smirk, "then you can see how you did it."

Alex rolled her eyes and Jarlaxle replied with an even wider smirk. She looked from the target to him, "shall I go get the dagger?"

"Of course, I'll return in an hour's time. I expect perfection when I return," Jarlaxle said heading to the door. "Then we'll get onto the long bow."

Alex just looked to him in shock.

Jarlaxle paused. "Oh yes, the dagger will return to your hand at your call."

"Huh? How so?"

"Just think of it being in your hand and it will," he said leaving the room.

Alex mumbled, "Oh this should be fun." She pictured the dagger in her hand and to her surprise it returned. "Whoa!"

She tried throwing the dagger a few more times, each attempt getting closer to the center space on the target.

Kristi was given another book about priestess magic by Pharaun and was humming to herself waiting for him to return with some 'spells' as he called them.

Pharaun walked quietly into the room and overheard her humming. "What is the song that you are humming?"

She was zoning, ensnared by the music in her memory. She looked to Pharaun, registering that he said something. "What?" Her mind processing his question, "oh. Just a song I heard. Don't you have music?" Inwardly chided herself for humming music from a certain fantasy trilogy.

"Of course we do, you think that we drow would not?"

"Just curious, but what kind of music do you have?"

"Well it is hard to explain," Pharaun said. "When we go on tour of the city, I shall take you to a tavern and have you experience it first hand."

"Oh okay," she paused, "what! Tour of the city! And a tavern?"

Pharaun nodded. "That is in a day's time or so. It will be at that point you will also be able to see your friend. But only for that day."

"Oh," she said. She thought, 'a day or so is still a long time.'

Pharaun looked to Kristi, sensing that she was troubled. "You wish to contact your friend, don't you?"

"Well yes," she said, "I'd like to see firsthand that she is okay."

"I can make you a deal," Pharaun said.

"What kind of deal?"

"If I allow you to contact her one today, without my or Jarlaxle's knowing what you say. You have to promise me that you will not do so again or there will be a price to pay," he said making the last part a threat.

"What kind of price?"

"I shall not say, but are you in agreement with this deal?"

"When you say not again," she said, "how long does that entail?"

"Until you reach the surface realms," he said matter-of-factly. He knew that might be a considerable amount of time.

"What!" She paced about the room. "But that could be weeks." She stopped her pacing, "we are traveling together up to the surface, right?"

"Yes," Pharaun said answering both questions. "The two of you will have to learn how to work without one another until that point. Now, are you willing to go along with this deal or not?"

"What kind of contact are we talking about?"

"I know the two of you have that little mental link," Pharaun said smugly. "You can use that, for I know not where Alex is at this moment."

Kristi considered the deal for a moment, staring rigidly ahead. "You have a deal," she said quietly.

Pharaun chanted a spell allowing Kristi to again 'speak' with Alex. "I will return in an hour's time," he said as he left the room.

Kristi cast her eyes downward. (Alex? Can you hear me?)

Alex was startled and nearly missed the target. (Huh? Kristi?)

(I'm sorry. . .but I know they would have cut us off anyway without contact)

(What are you doing! They will hear us) She willed the dagger back to her hand.

(They're going to separate us, to see that we can remain strong without each other.) Kristi paused. (We have an hour to speak. They'll hear us anyway after this; from what I've read, Pharaun could have cut us off at anytime)

(So right now this is private? They cannot hear us?)

Kristi nodded even though Alex couldn't see her. (Yes, it is private.)

(Thank god.)

(I'd be able to sense if anyone can hear us.)

(I see. Where are you right now? Are you all right?)

Kristi looked around the room. (I'm in the Wizard Academy of Sorcere and I'm fine. Are you all right? Where are you?)

(Well umm, I am not actually sure. I do know that it is a practice room somewhere within the maze of Bregan D'aerthe.)

(We can't contact each other mentally again, but we can talk in front of them. I have a feeling I'll figure out a loophole in front of them.) She sat down and flipped through a tome. (What kind of practice room? Let me guess, it has either a bow and some arrows or some other kind of weapon?)

(Yeah, right now he has me practicing with this dagger that he gave me.) Alex leaned against the wall. (What do you mean we cannot contact each other again?)

(I made a deal of sorts, but it's better than nothing. They would have stopped our mental link anyway. We can't contact each other again unless we're in front of Pharaun or Jarlaxle or until we're on the surface. I'm sorry. We will be traveling together though. I know that much, of course that's if we get past the Matron Mother)

(What do you mean 'if'?)

Kristi almost forgot her positive attitude mantra. (Nothing, we'll get past her. Positive attitude, positive!)

(Yes positive) Alex trailed off mentally.

(Just keep your humor about you, no matter what. Hell, if I can make Pharaun laugh.) She chuckled. (Never mind.)

Alex sighed. (Jarlaxle is truly confusing me Kristi, I do not know what I should do)

Kristi turned serious. (What do you mean by confusing you?)

(Well you saw how he was when we first appeared here. Now he is giving me all these jewels). She out a hand to the necklace. (He seemed kind, but I can see that there is something else in his eyes)

(He gave you jewels! Damn girl!) She paused and took a breath. (Alex, don't take this the wrong way, but I think he likes you. He came to me for advice. Go along with it for now, but do not fall for something that cannot be. He is a drow. Never forget that)

(I understand.) She nearly fell as she realized Kristi's words. (Wait! He came to you for advice!)

(Well, kinda sorta yeah. He was way too obvious about it too. Males. I saw right through him. Too many people come to me for advice. And let me guess, Pharaun came to you to about me?)

Alex mentally laughed. (Yes, you are correct. I tried not to tell him too much.)

(Thanks. Hey! I heard that laugh!) She laughed mentally as well.

(So, should we just go along with this for the time being?)

(Yes for the time being, but I have a plan. I have a little loophole to bypass our contact. Technically our dreams are in the realm of the unconscious so if we just happen to send images of each other through the unconscious technically we're not contacting each other, at least not mentally. Therefore I don't violate the deal and I don't suffer the consequences.)

(What consequences?)

Kristi paused. (Actually, I'm not quite sure. But since I made the deal, I don't plan on breaking it.)

(Stay strong for your sake, as well for mine.)

(I will. I'll see you in a few days, allegedly for a tour of the city. I'm not sure what that's all about, but I guess we'll see in time)

(I shall do my best. Just please do not go getting yourself injured. Goodbye until we meet again.)

Kristi couldn't help but smile. (Will do. Goodbye my friend.) She sensed Pharaun coming.

Pharaun entered the room. "Your hour is up my dear."

"I know," she said.

"And is all well?"

"Yes all is well," Kristi said with a nod.

"Good," he said. He softly chanted a spell that brought up a 'wall' to prevent the two from contacting each other.

"You didn't have to do that. I already severed the link myself," she said. She could sense the barrier and it felt like a literal wall across her brain, if she concentrated on its physicality.

"This deal goes for her as well, she cannot contact you. For if one contacts the other, both of you will suffer," he said trailing off. "It is for your own good."

"What do you mean both? I made the deal, me! If it does not go well I suffer," Kristi said standing and facing him. "I know perfectly well that it's for my own good thank you very much."

"I am sure nothing will happen," Pharaun said easily, "but it is just in case."

"Right," she said trailing off. Putting on an emotional mask she changed the subject. "So what 'simple' spells must I learn?"

Pharaun handed Kristi a few scrolls. "I need you to memorize these. I shall be back in a few hours time after I speak with Jarlaxle."

Kristi took the scrolls and sat down. "Memorize the scrolls, no problem."

Authors' Note (K):eyesight blurs: 19 pages of editing. . .but. . .I did it:tosses confetti into air: Also, the poem in this chapter is an original one, modeled after the style of Emily Dickinson. Thanks for baring with me folks. My spring semester was insane, but you'll be happy to know I managed a nice GPA. Apologies once again for the later chapter, my computer died, I lost some files, had to salvage files, then I got sick, then I had a convention to attend. . .and then I tied myself to the computer chair and edited this. . .okay, so it was a drow that did. . .

The story increases in complexity, as the girls must face their training alone. Jarlaxle is up to something involving Alex, so his Out Of Character nature may be because of that. :winks slyly:

Next chapter, will the girls figure out a way to contact each other? Will the journey into the city end in peace or mayhem? Will the danger and hilarity continue?

:shakes magic 8 ball: Ask again later.

Well, once the next chapter is edited these questions will be answered. Hope ya'll stick with me. I look forward to your reviews and humbly thank you!