"So you and Heart had finally returned home after all that time away?" I asked the dark lord before me.
"Yes an' no," he replied.
"I guess it wasn't really home without the others, was it? Not to mention the mists cast over it," I acknowledged.
"The real fight was just beginnin'," he nodded, "However, before it could, we had somethin' else to deal with...Somethin' I'd hoped Heart wouldn't have to..."
"If not Xanathar, then what else? Asteroth?" I prompted.
He shook his head, "A foe we didn't know we had. Then again, maybe we should have guessed it."
"Do you remember this then?" I inquired.
"Yeah, I do..." he admitted, while taking the lead on the next part.
I'd guided us from Lucille's manshion all the way to the castle. Keeping the mists from being cast over us as we used the secret passage between the two. We would find ourselves at the lonely front gates of the palace, looking up at it's forboding form towering above us.
"We don't know what will be here," I mentioned to Heart.
"We have to find out, it may be the key we need," Heart replied.
I gave a nod and got to work unlocking the gate, "May as well use the front door, I think any enctrance will be jus' as dangerous at this point-?"
The lock undid itself as I brought my tumblars and picks to it. Raising a brow, I stepped back as the gates now creaked open for us.
"I doubt that's due to it recognizing me," Heart commented dryly.
"Either way, someone knows we're here," I replied while walking up to the door with her, "Have some magic ready jus' in case, okay?"
She gave a nod as I went to open the door that was already allowing us entry. Yet no one was there. Not an attendant or staff member, nor a guard or anyone that we could tell. The hall before us was lined with suits of armor typically warned by their army. Each held a weapon in their gauntlet wearing hands, and some holding shields as well.
"It would be wastin' a spell to detect magic here, but I really don't like the look of this," I mentioned while keeping my free hand near the hilt of my saber, with both of us stepping passed the doors.
Too late, they slammed shut. Leaving us in that darkened room, with only the torches along the walls to give off any sort of light. Heart would cast Dark Vision over herself, just in time to notice beside me, "Duke!"
Hearing the shifting of armor drawing closer, I drew my saber and turned to block the sword of the hollow knight. Heart would turn and dodge a spear being thrown at her, drawing her own blade to then defend herself with. Back to back now, we would face the circle of armored air.
"There's 8, so 4 an' 4?" I suggested.
"Sounds good," Heart answered before another swung at her.
This time she blocked the morning star, deflecting it, and then growing out her scales to better protect herself with. As it swung again, she dodged it and lunged forward. While I disarmed the first swordsman.
It didn't take very long to pick them up one by one, even with the larger number of suits of armor to fight. Our travels on the road showed in our capability to dismantle them so quickly.
With the last one falling into a heap upon the floor, I began to turn to Heart, "That wasn't so bad-"
"I see I have some guests?" an amused voice caught our attention, causing us to look towards the grandstaircase we'd been heading towards.
Before us stood a strangely familiar voice, or at least a younger version of it. Adorned in lavish fabrics that crafted together made an elegant gown and glistening jewels, stood a regal appearing woman. Standing with the posture one was taught while being raised to take a throne, or even be close to one. As I now realized too late was why all of this had happened, as we looked up to see her narrowed gaze fallen upon us.
"Not you too," I breathed while stepping between her and Heart.
"Aunt Victoria, is that you?" Heart questioned in a gasp of bewilderment.
The much younger woman before us began to laugh, a hand over her painted lips as she looked down at us, "Well, that was my name, wasn't it?"
Glancing at Heart, I could see the refusal to believe what I'd already seen in this woman's cold eyes. Even as she said, "We've been looking for you! How did you survive the attack? Have you been here the entire time? We're-"
"Heart!" I caught her by the arm before she got passed me to approach the woman she called family.
"What's wrong, thief? Trying to keep her in your greedy hands?" she scoffed with emerald eyes now nearly glowing as she eyed us both.
We heard the doors lock behind us, and I knew there was no point in trying to undo them.
"I'm keepin' Heart away from ya, ya snake!" I shot back with anger and contempt rising in my chest on her behalf.
"I'm merely greeting my neice that you stole away that night! I've been looking forward to her return!" she assured while not taking a step closer, not at all as relieved to see Heart as Madame Lucille had been.
There was a reason she wasn't drawing nearer yet, for on the way down were several more sets of motionless armor to walk by. As well as windows and other such reflective surfaces. However, I'd already caught a glimpse when glancing down at a piece of fallen armor near me, seeing the truth behind the illusion of skin and flesh she claimed to wear. For their in the reflection, was the standing skeleton still dressed in silk and jewels. The lady's green eyes hollowed to leave behind an eerie glow of piercing blue.
"You won't slip away with her this time, and this castle will remain in the right hands," the once Victoria assured, not knowing what I'd seen.
Even now I saw it, and I realized as to why. While my left eye saw the illusion Heart was, the eye of jasper in place of my missing one could reflect the truth to me. Causing me to keep Heart's hand now tightly in mine.
"You're not gettin' near her!" I hissed back.
"Heart, I must say, this urchin-," the regally dressed skeleton scoffed.
"Don't talk about him like that!" Heart snapped.
The skeleton raised a taunting brow, "Oh dear, he's taught you to behave so brashly, I see? We can't have that for the throne, now can we?"
"What's happened to you?" Heart asked, as though trying not to believe it still.
"Heart, whoever that is...it's not-"
"Believe me, scoundrel, it's me. I've just finally achieved what should have been mine along time ago," the woman stated, "and the years returned to me to go with it!"
"I guess when ya shed your mortal coil, ya can have all the years ya want, right?" I glared up at her.
Only now did I see a flash of true anger in the woman's gaze. That piercing blue and contempt filled green, both setting us in their sights.
"That reminds me," she hissed now, "There's a payment to this reward that is yet to be paid."
"Aunt Victoria, stop this! I don't know what's happened to you, but we're here to-"
"To undo all that I've worked so hard to put into place!" she sneered down at her neice, who could all but disbelieve things now.
"What have you done...?" Heart finally asked while looking up at her.
"I got what I always wanted," her aunt said simply with a shrug, before adding sharply, "And I don't intend to let it go."
With that, she suddenly waved her hand towards Heart, with a silver chain dangling over her open palm. Revealing a now glowing onyx gem as she gave a chilling laugh, "It's time to pay up, and I'm afraid you're the price I'm willing to pay!"
"Heart!" I tried to pull her back too late.
As suddenly Heart's form began to fade from beside me. Realizing too late, as she looked to me, Heart was only a glow of burgundy aura, my hand phazing through her. Before she was drawn to that wretched gem. All the while the woman she called her flesh and blood at one time merely laughed. She then cradled the twisted jewel in her palm, caressing it as she cooed, "Only 24 hours, my dear neice. Then I shall let you free."
"Let her go, ya banshee!" I ordered while beginning to lunge at her with my saber drawn.
She looked over at me, her brow raised as she scoffed, "Oh yes, the rabble I have yet to deal with!" Pointing a finger straight at my heart, I would suddenly feel a bolt of necrotic energy surge through it, causing me to cry out as I fell to my knees.
It wasn't enough to kill me, but it hurt like heck. I tried to shake off the pain and get to my feet, growling, "I won't let ya take her!"
"I believe I just did?" She taunted while grasping the onyx tightly in her pale/skeletal hand, "Stolen right out of a thief's hands too. If you hadn't brought her back here, you'd still have her in your flithy grasp."
She looked me over, "Now then, what to do with you?"
I'd been half way up the steps when she'd struck me with that spell. Pushing myself up, albeit shakily, I tried to think on how to get the gem. Being undead, not a lot of my spells would work against her. Even my spells revovling around lightning wouldn't do much. I couldn't go head first if I wanted that gem. Then again, Heart never counted on me to go head first. Otherwise she would have picked a knight. No, she'd chosen a thief.
So a thief I would be.
"I'm free of her," I said to the current queen.
"What's that?" she mused.
"I reacted out of instinct an' impulse...but I jus' realized...I'm free of her quest, an' her," I said while looking up at the cautious skeleton.
"If ya allow me to go free, ya won't have to worry about me 'causin' trouble for ya again," I promised, "I'm no threat to ya anyway."
"Really now?" she questioned, "Just like that? You've dropped your ties to her?"
"What ties?" I asked, "What sort of ties could a thief have to a princess, an' a failed one at that?"
She gave a cruel smirk, "I suppose that's true."
"I'm no threat to ya, Your Majesty. I merely acted as I did 'cause I was stuck with her. I'd much rather leave through the mists an' find a new place to regain my reputation," I commented with a grumble to emphasize my irritation.
"It's odd to let a thief go free, but then again, you can serve as an example, I suppose?" she mused while looking over me.
"An example, your highness?" I inquired while daring to look up at her.
She stepped nearer to me, her gown gliding along the stairs she was decending. I remained kneelng, not daring to flinch as I kept my gaze focused on her. Looking upon her with the respect and dread she craved, watching as she basked in it. All while holding Heart's soul in the gem in her hand. A wave of dread washed over me as she stood looming over me now, her undead nature hinting at her promise as she said, "Warn others to stay away from my kingdom. Warn warriors and thieves alike of the horrors that will befall them as you run away like the slithering coward you are!"
I had little choice but to obey, giving a quick nod and hurrying to the door as commanded. That fear clinging to my very spine, like a brutal clutching a tree in it's grasp. I didn't stop until I was outside the palace and near the gates. With the double doors slamming shut to lock me out.
Only then did I get a hold of myself to stop in my tracks and take a quick breath. Knowing she was too busy gloating over what she'd done to notice as I turned to look back at the imposing palace. With a cold glare of contempt in my remaining eye, and letting go of my own humiliation, I knew, "24 hours, an' then what?"
I couldn't wait to find out. Then I thought back to the advice given from Madame Eva as of recently. What I'd been resisting as much as possible. Yet with Heart in her own aunt's wicked clutches, what else could I do? Our magic wouldn't work on her very well, and with the fear she'd put me through, perhaps it would be better to accept more of what I was? Though what would that entail? What would it cost me? It couldn't be worse than losing Heart if I didn't.
I began looking into the now surrounding mists, seeing as they began to embrace the castle. As they nearly took me in as well, a bit of clarity rang through me. No, I didn't need this to get what I needed. Instead, I began to move, and found a window to scale up to. Before I'd had magic, I'd had something else. Skills to take whatever it was I wanted. Why should this be any different?
With this I slipped in through the window and began my search for anything that might help me. Before I could steal Heart back, I would need some answers. I would need leverage if things got too tense. Starting with her bed chamber, where I found a destroyed set of furnature, curtains, artwork, and everything else Lady Victoria could have done to take out her anger on her missing neice. Sifting through broken glass and torn apart fabric, I found little I could salvage for her. All in the same drawer, with a lock I'd managed to pick to get in. It seemed her aunt had been unable to do the same. I gave a grimace of a smirk as I heard it click. Just some tucked away jewelry left in her nightstand, a hand written legend of the Black Viper from before she'd taken the mantle, a journal in regards to strange things that had occurred around her and other stories she'd heard...?
There seems to be a famous rogue somewhere in Water Deep, one that has been elusive to the guards. In my ventures I have yet to catch even a glimpse of him. His calling card is simply a note with his name, Duke L'Orange. I wonder if I'll come across him the next time I head out.
"She knew about you?" I asked the dark lord, quite surprised by this note.
He couldn't help but smile with a decent dose of pride, "It seems so? At the very least, she'd heard of me. I was quite the thief then, so I shouldn't have been that shocked."
He attempted to shrug it off, but the smile remained on his scarred lip.
"You can hide a lot," I told him, "but I don't think you can mask the affection from remembering that, can you?"
"That's suggestin' that I can feel it," he remarked playfully.
"I think you're starting to remember," I prompted.
"Perhaps a little?" he shrugged as he continued.
Along with these were a circlet, and some drawings Heart had done. Mostly of the sketches of the very dragons she'd been admiring since she could imagine them. All of these treasures I tucked safely into my satchel for her.
With this I continued my search, avoiding being spotted by any armor lining the halls. In case she'd cast a scrying spell on them to see throughout her lavishly decorated halls.
Or at least they once were. For now the curtains and carpets were torn and caked with dust, as though years had gone by instead of months. Within the mists, this was quite possible. This made it easier to slip by through the unlit halls, using Shadow Walk to avoid being detected by anything else that may be there. However, I would find that the undead queen had very little to guard her. In fact, it seemed only the hollow armor offered any defense.
"That makes things a little easier," I thought while slipping into the study to try and find any recent records.
My search brought me to the tucked away space, the one I had to slide a piece of the wall aside to get to. As Heart had shown me once before. That seemed so long ago now.
This is where I found the truth written almost plain on the walls. In an open tome lying on the desk, were the scribing of a twisted spell. One drenched in the very shadows she would attempt to cast Heart into. Beginning with the treachory noted for anyone to read that found this, the death of Heart's parents. The night she was supposed to have died with them...as Madame Lucille had chillingly told me just before we'd come here. The child was not meant to survive the attack on her mother, I suspect that cat to have to do with it...but how? How could she live from that?
Then...as I read on, I feel her presence at the edge of my kingdom. Their grasp aches for their reward, and I shall willingly give it. The soul of that accursed draconic demon!
A pact to complete, a palace and kingdom cast in shadow. A soul traded to those very shadows reaching around the domain as though to gate it inside. Once the deal is complete, a new queen will remain within these walls. In control of her land for all endless time. Nothing will change within it, not the walls nor her skin. Her reign soaked in crimson and death.
"Once the soulstone is broken, not before 24 hours have passed, will my neice's elusive soul be sent away without hope of return," I read in barely a whisper, my remaining eye growing wide.
Stepping back, I tried to think fast. I needed to find that gem, but it would certainly be on Lady Victoria, guarded well by her own magic. Running a hand through my white streaked hair, I realized I had little time to ponder over this. Either I got it back, or Heart would be...I would be...
"I'm not givin' up on ya," I swore as I decided to sneak my way to the false queen's chambers.
The shaded path I took along the ebony walls made this quite easy. As I began to lend myself to what I knew best. I'd been under these pressures before for jobs and even sometimes for fun. I'd even snuck into Xanathar's lair and survived, hadn't I?
I tried to boost myself up a bit with these memories. However, one part did make this harder. Before, it was only me on the line. I could have perished and no one else would have...
"Stop it!" I could almost hear her voice calling out, causing me to refocus.
Reaching the bedchamber of the queen, I would find it shockingly unguarded. Then again, the more I thought over this deal, the more I began to understand things. The door had been left open ajar, allowing me to take a good look inside the room cast in the same shadows I stood in. Across from this opening, the self-crowned woman admired her skeletal reflection, or more so the jewels and fabrics she was adorned in. Resting securely with the aid of the chain draped around her neck, was the ever swirling stone that she couldn't help but caress.
As she did, she nearly sang in a twisted tune, "Soon you will be taken care of at last. You should have stayed away with that backstabbing thief of yours. It would have been a more merciful end than what's to become of you."
I held my breath as I smoothly ducked down to avoid being seen by her reflection's glowing blue hollow eyes. With this, I began to slip into the darker shadows of the room, casting a stronger form of Spider Climb upon myself so I could crawl along the walls in paths she wouldn't think to look towards, or even just walk. If she could pull her gaze from the mirror that is.
"I should have been queen all along," she mused to herself, "And that I will be from this day on. Not some urchin loving wretch!"
I waited from my position upon the ceiling now, soundlessly hoping she would retire for a bit. While she pondered over her eternal reign that had only just begun, I thought over the spells I'd been practicing with Heart as we'd neared home. Ones I could use to keep out of range of her chilling touch.
At last she turned to the bed, "I have some time, and she's been abandoned to her fate. I may as well get some rest."
I stepped back against the wall from upon the ceiling, making sure she couldn't spot me as she went to her bed and rested herself upon the plush pillows. Not stopping to wonder how easy it was to lend myself to this nature I found myself embracing more and more without realizing it, I then took ginger steps along the ceiling. For as the light of her empty sockets went out, I would take my one in a million shot. Standing directly above her, I cast an old favorite without a word. Handing the jewel I'd picked out of my pocket to the invisible hand that carefully decended down, I focused carefully as it slipped it just under the chain in place of the one it was now plucking from that chain. Before the hand could finish it's task, I cast Telekinesis, and commanded the gem I wanted to float up to me. Taking it carefully in hand, I about willed myself not to be affected by the energy trying to lash out at me.
"I've got ya, love," I promised whether she could hear me or not.
Then I noticed something glinting up at me from the darkness. From within her left hollowed out socket. A gem similar to the one in my hand. Focusing again, I began to have it float up to me, carefully slipping it out of it's resting space. Taking it in hand, I didn't have time to look it over as those burning blue eyes flared awake.
An unearthly shriek flooded the chamber, "THIEF!"
I darted away along the ceiling, heading straight for the window and out to the mists. The castle shook with her rage, her bones rattling as she got up to give chase, "You will not take this from me! You won't free her! If you destroy that gem, she will die either way in your hands!"
I didn't listen, I just ran. Taking my shot, I slipped out the window and was embraced by the thick fog that wrapped around the castle. As I did, I would hear her shriek once more, but her body ceased in it's movements. Crumbling into a heap of bones and fabric upon the floor.
"It seems your reign is as hollow as you!" I remarked with full contempt as the lights raged on and then went out the further I moved away from her.
Casting Feather Fall on myself, I took that leap of faith further into the mists below and ran. Remembering what had been said a number of times to me since this journey had begun, I gave in a little more and relied on what was becoming instinct. Guiding Heart and myself through that dense fog, until I found the familiar tents I was looking for. Praying I wasn't too late. Practically sprinting to inside the tent where, "Madame Eva!"
The elderly woman glanced up from her warm soup she'd been eating, a gentle smile on her wrinkled face. It were as though she'd been expecting us for some time when she said, "Ah, we meet again, my children! Please, bring me the prize you've taken."
I knew better than to question how she knew of this, but did ask, "Which one?"
"The one you need cared for first," she assured in almost a motherly tone as she looked up at me.
Giving a nod, I retrieved Heart's stone and set in her rather ancient looking palm, only requesting, "Please, save her."
She gave a nod, and said, "Of course. Do not fret."
"What about this one?" I asked, while retrieving the other from my satchel.
She looked it over and shook her head, "That one I can not save, and will be sent as the price to be paid."
"Ya know what she did?" I inquired.
"You would not have had to guide yourselves through the mists otherwise. Now, to work, before Heart is lost to us, and you along with her."
Again I didn't question this. Only nodding before I watched without a sound. As she began the ritual and the murmurs of a spell, placing the deep violet stone upon the table. She whispered a gentle "shhhh" to it, as though comforting it, or her, I realized, "You've learned a hard truth, but you've heard a wonderful lie as well. Come out and see just what is what."
With this, the stone began to crack and chip away. Until a light of soft pink began to glow over it's breaking form. With a swift flash, it grew to the size of the young woman I'd come to know very well. As the illumination faded away, she grew from tranparent to solidly sitting there upon the table. Her knees hugged to her chest, and her face burried in her arms.
"Heart?" I attempted gently.
She looked up at me, those sapphires touched with the tears she was trying to hide. Pulling me quickly to her as I threw my arms around her, quickly assuring her, "Ya didn't belive I'd turn on ya, did ya?"
She shook her head, her hair tickling my ear as the strands brushed it. As she burrowed her face into the space between my neck and shoulder, "No!" Her arms were already around me in return, "I know you wouldn't...I just..."
"I know, sweetheart...I know..." I whispered while caressing her hair, "There's jus' some things ya never want to believe to be true, no matter how cruel an' harsh it is..."
"Which is why the decision will not be left in your hands," Madame Eva then said soothingly, causing us both to look over at the elder in confusion.
"Decision?" Heart asked.
She nodded, before gesturing to the other gem in her hand, "Payment must still be given for what she's done...and you are not going to be the one to make it for her. Setting things back in balance for this land will be your toll to bare. Focus on that."
"Aunt Victoria, what will happen to her?" Heart inquired.
"You're sendin' her to that realm in Heart's place?" I realized.
Madame Eva looked to us both with her milky eyes, and replied, "Magic comes with a price, as does anything. This woman was willing to pay that blood, but didn't want what it really would mean to be gifted such things she desired. Even with trading her very own flesh and blood, she was a poor excuse for even a Dark Lord as she was becoming." She looked to me, and I felt a chill run up my spine when she did, "However, her reign will come to an end now, and her gift returned with her to the realm she made this deal with. Unfortunately, she has set other possibilities in motion with the damage she's done, but I have a feeling you were prepared for that risk?"
I gave a nod, "As long as I got Heart back, I'm not lost,"
A thin smile attempted to curve the woman's lips, "Perhaps that is true."
Then she followed this with, "Please, rest your weary heads here for now. You've still much to prepare for. Xanathar's grip on the true WaterDeep remains, and we will have to move on with the mists when they part here. When they do, the spell over this land will wash away, and you'll find what you're seeking back at where you began your journey."
I looked to Heart, "Back where we...? I looked out towards the street and shot a guess, "The clock tower?"
She didn't give a nod, nor did she shake her head. Though the elder vistani woman did allow a soft smile as she watched me still holding onto Heart. With this, she said, "There are a number of posibilities down the road for you both. Twists and turns you never thought possible, resist, or accept it, it's up to you."
"Is there anythin' else you can tell us? A nudge in the right direction? How to fight Xanathar?" I asked.
She gave a nod as she then looked distantly out the same fabric door, and said to us, "A storm is on the horizon for you and your crew. A question of loyalty will emerge, but not of those you trusted this land to in your stead. The warriors you sought out are unable to give their power, as they are frozen where they currently stand, until the domain shifts into the right hands. A horrible transformation has taken place beneath the city, one involving that of the great treasure, twisted by the mists that are beginning to ebb. Accepting what you are is a possible great key for you to hold as well, however you choose to use that."
Taking this all in, Heart would then reply, "Thank you, Madame Eva."
"Of course, child," Madame Eva said in a motherly tone, "Now get some rest, and hold onto what you know deep within yourself. With this, I know we will meet again."
Heart gave a nod, and with that we watched as Madame Eva retired for the evening. As did we, holding onto one another as we took in all that had happened since returning home thus far.
When morning found us, we would find the Vistani camp heading away, only waiting for us to pack up and leave our own way. Heading towards the clock tower, we would quickly notice the all but faded mists, but with the sun still hidden by thick gray clouds overhead. Rain fell over us, as well as the structures we began to come upon. Stone figures neither of us recalled being there. Among them were those that resembled the very friends we'd made on our journey. Wildwing, Nosedive, Grin, Tanya, and Mallory, all in the forms of...
"Statues?!" Heart exclaimed in horror.
Looking over them, I would nod with a grimace across my face. Before she could recoil, I assured her, "Let's find the others, and see how we can make this right. We've grown from our quest, an' I'm sure they've learned a few tricks too."
With this I was able to guide Heart away from our trapped friends, and up to the clock tower. Where we found another strange sight.
For as we parted the curtain door and stepped into the main chamber of the tower, we would find our allies strewn about on the floor. Hurrying over to them, with me rushing over to Mr. Bump and Buttercup, who were both curled up beside one another. Heart would go to Latha and Harlequinn, the latter slumped over at her desk, and the former sprawled out on a makeshift table. We would realize quickly with some relief, "They're asleep?"
I nudged the goblinoid I was crouched down beside, and he responded with a deep snore. A little relief washed over Heart and I, as we then began trying to awaken them.
First of which to awaken was the tiefling spellcaster, as she jolted awake spouting a quick spell and the ritual needed to perform it. Before she shook her head and realized, "Wh-What's happened?"
This helped the others to finally stir, until one by one they were all awake.
"Duke! Heart!" Mister Bump exclaimed as he lifted us up into a bear hug, "Well aint yas a site for sore eyes!"
We both could feel our backs cracking from the embrace, but laughter of relief escaped our lungs as well.
"There's a lot to tell you," Latha warned with her usual troubled twitch as she began to remember what they'd been through,
"I imagine we all have stories to tell," Heart noted as she was set back down beside me.
"Well first things first," Harlequinn butted in between us, "I'm only sitting through a few pictures, and I hope you brought me back a souveneir!"
Despite raising a brow at this, Heart couldn't help but laugh. Perhaps it was the stress of everything, or just sheer relief to see them all as we remembered them. No twists or hidden agendas, for the most part, or at least ones to do us harm with. At long last, we were home.
