A/N: And here's the next chapter, Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.

Chapter 73: Sultana Sulphura

Krisyra, Xitlalcotl, our new allies, and I continued checking out the petrified people. The elf in mages robes caught my eye.

"I'll bet this one knows something," I said, "He certainly looks like the scholarly type".

"Sounds good to me," said Krisyra.

She opened another of the spell scrolls, and read the incantation, restoring life to the petrified elf. As the stone finished turning back to flesh, he examined his surroundings before fixing his gaze on Krisyra.

"Ah, thank you for the assist," said the Elf dropping his voice to a whisper, "but I you must be cautious, a powerful medusa resides here!"

"We've already dealt with that," said Krisyra, "do you know anything about the dragon that lives here?"

"Chlorothra? Yes I know of him. He captured me, and forced me to use my magic to assist him. If he's still here, then use caution— he's a clever one. He'll likely use the illusions I prepared for him to attempt to deceive you".

Uxarix stepped forwards and bowed slightly to the elf.

"What kind of illusions?" asked Uxarix, "It would be good to know what we should watch out for".

"I know of two," said the elf, "one is a illisonory wall to conceal his sleeping chamber, while the other is a illusion of Chlorothra himself. He had me place it atop his hoard, so that he can cause any foes to waste their resources upon the illusion".

"Good to know, what's you name anyway?" I asked

"You may call me Mindartis Othronus," said the Elf, "Arcanist extrordinare!"

We moved on, searching for at least one more person to set free. I noticed that Zannairth pause and glance at a human in what looked to be leather armor, his face locked in a cunning grin.

"This human looks familiar," said Zannairth, "he looks like a roguish fellow who I befriended. May I suggest we free this one?"

"I've no problem with that," I said, "Krisyra?"

She stepped over to the rogue, and unfurled the last of the four spell scrolls. The statue returned to living flesh, and the rogue stretched as he was freed.

"Well, that was no fun," said the rogue, "thanks for the assist".

Zannairth stepped closer, and looked the rogue over.

"Is that you, Alric?" asked Zannairth.

"Wha… wait, I know that voice!" said the rogue, "Zannairth, how ya' doin'?"

"Better now," said Zannairth, "it seems we've run into the same trouble. Would this be your bad luck again?"

"My bad luck!?" said Alric, "It's because of you I ended up here, you big lizard! You went galavanting off to satisfy your curiosity, and someone had to come along the keep you from getting in too deep!"

Zannairth and Alric stared each other down, before Alric began laughing.

"Ah, whatever," said Alric, "so, now that we're not statues, what's the plan?"

"We have been joined by a group of adventurers, several others who were trapped here, as well as that Red Dragon over there. For this time, we are ustied towards a common goal of defeating Chlorothra. Will you me on this, my friend?"

"Sure, what the heck," said Alric, "better than just standing around".

After this, we joined the rest of our allies near the southern end of the chamber, Verrax noticed us first.

"My, it seems you've gathered quite the eclectic collection of allies," said Verrax.

"True enough," I said, "have you found anything interesting yet?"

"Let's see," said Verrax, "Lydratir collected the bow that medusa had been using, as well as the enchaned arrows she'd been equipped with. We also found another magic arrow concealed amongst the gallery. additionally, I found another arrow atop a hidden ledge, and this one look particularly nasty".

"In what way?" I asked.

"I've seen depictions of weapons similar to this one, but usually they're swords," said Verrax, "this type of arrow is specifically good at penetrating scale, as in dragon scale. We were about to examine the southernmost extent of the room".

This southernmost section of the room sat about 10 feet lower than the adjacent section, with stairs allowing easy access. It was simply furnished, with a large pile of furs sitting to one side as a bed. Pushed agaist the back wall was a wooden chest with iron bands. Nearby, a bronze brazier containing magical flame constantly burned away, casting flickering light. As well there was a changing screen made of fine silk depicting a fanciful fey scene. Charles tried to open the chest but it wouldn't budge.

"It's locked," said Charles.

"If I may," said Alric, "I've got the tools for this job".

Alric stepped cloer, and examined the lock.

"Hmm, well made," said Alric, "ah, hello there trap mechanism, I almost didn't see you there. Disarm that… and then a little flick of the wrist… and done!"

The lock popped open, and we are able to retrieve the contents of the chest. Inside, we found 10 indentically cut siamonds, a mace with as head of silver and rubies sent into handle, and a large box decorated with infernal imagery. Withing the box, we discovered three bottles of what looked like oil, three bottles of grey, viscid liquid, and acrystal flask containing what looked like smoke.

"Wait… that last bottle," said Verrax, "I think I know exactly what that is. Pull out the stopper, and be prepared for the creauture within to emerge".

"Uh, okay," said Charles.

He pulled the stopper from the bottle, and immediately the smoke began to swirl out and expand, taking a vaguely humanoid form. It was clearly an Efreeti. Standing a full 12 feet tall, the efreeti had bright red skin adorned with black rune-like tattoos on her arms and back. She was clad in a blackened, low-cut chain shirt with her muscled midriff exposed. Below her waist was a trailing cloud of black smoke. Her black hair whipped around like an uncontrolled flame, and her facial features were angular. She hefted a two-handed, black iron great scimitar with flames dancing along the blade.

"Greetings," purred the efreeti, "I am the Sultana Sulphura. You have released be from my imprisonment, and as such shall be properly rewarded".

I knew better than to blindly trust the word of a genie, so I proceeded with caution.

"How will you reward us?" I asked, "What do you offer?"

Sultana Sulphura looked us over, and smiled.

"I offer to aid you in battle for a time," said Sulphura, "however I will ask for compensation for my time".

"What sort of compensation?" asked Narcrath

"That can be discussed later," said Sulphura, "so what do you say?"

"No," I said, "I'm not letting you come with us on some uncertain terms. If you wish to aid us, then tell us what you want as payment. Otherwise, the exit's to north of here, and then to the left".

"Another thing," said Zannairth, "from what I've heard, once freed from a bottle a genie of any kind must either attack those that release them, serve them for a time, or grant them wishes. While I never expected myself to do this, but I agree with with Valignatirisk. Either give us the help you already offered, or leave us to our task".

"Oh, you're not fun," said Sulphura, crossing her arms, "very well. I will aid you as I am required to by the Laws of the Realms… unless of course, you desire a wish?"

"Not interested," I said, "I can already grant some of my own".

"How did you aquire that power!? You are an interesting one, dragon," said Sulphura, "Shall we go now?"

With our newly expanded collection of allies, we made our way back north, and towards the right side exit to ths chamber, continuing on our path to encounter Chlorothra.

A/N: And there we go! The party certainly does have the bizarre collection of companions, doesn't it? I any case, next time, the our heroes will finally reach the chamber where Chlorothra resides. Then will come the inevitable showdown with said Green Dragon see you then!