-1As luck would have it, the twin gnomish mages seemed to take an interest in me. Once, they cast a spell over the entire crew, making the Vagabond appear manned by a crew of drow. The effect was dramatic to say the least. Our opponents surrendered without a fight, much to the disappointment of the crew, especially Garak. The hulking brute had a taste for battle, and was very upset when denied. The gnomes spent three days tied to the mast.

The spell they cast was a mass illusion, and once they learned I had a curiosity for magic, they eagerly began to teach me. It was difficult trying to follow them as they spoke, since neither of them ever finished a sentence. One would speak, and the other would complete. This was they way of their spellcasting as well. I had to take the disjointed way they cast spells, and re-work them into something I could manage. Once I began learning, it took very little time before I had a small arsenal of spells at my command.

During my training with the gnomish wizards, the ship was docked in the cove for repairs, I slipped away and ventured into the ramshackle town where the pirates lived when not at see. I had been into the town a few times, and I always took great care to conceal my identity. Not as a member of the Vagabond's crew, but as a drow. I had no doubt that the rumors of a dark elf serving aboard a ship ran rampant through the town, but I was not about to fuel that fire just yet. I needed a way back to the mainland and a tavern was just the place to find transportation.

Wearing my piwafwi and a cowl pulled over my head, I stepped into the tavern. It was, in a word, seedy. I had to step over a large human passed out on the floor. Three pirates were fighting over something pointless on one side, and a red headed elf strummed her harp off to the other side. A grimy fat man tended bar, and tables were tended to by repugnant, less than hygienic wenches who were far too friendly for their own good. I found a table away from the others in the tavern and sat down. I declined a drink when asked as I had yet to find a substitute for the mushroom wine from home.

Hours passed as I watched the tavern patrons come and go, usually through the door, though occasionally one would be tossed, either from a fight, or by the hulking orcs that served as bouncers. So far, none of the drunken patrons would suffice as a way off the island. As I sat and watched, a server sat a glass of red liquid on the table in front of me.

I looked at her, being careful to keep the cowl covering my face from moving too much. "I ordered no drink."

"Yeah," the server replied. "Its from the bard." She tossed her head slightly in the red headed elf's direction, then sauntered off.

I lifted the glass and sniffed at the liquid within. It had an aroma of wood and moss, both smelled pleasing, but I chose not to drink. I set the glass down and looked over at the bard, only to find her sitting across from me. She wore dark green leathers and tight fitting brown breeches, calf high black boots and a slender sliver rapier belted to her hip. She had long flowing red hair and piercing green eyes. She rested her harp on the table and leaned forward, elbows on the table and her chin cradled in her hands. She smiled slightly.

"Searching for something, no doubt?" She almost purred.

"What makes you think that?" I replied.

"Sitting along, features hidden, not drinking." She leaned back with a bit of a smile. "Seems to me you are putting all of your efforts into searching for something."

"And what might that be?" I countered.

She leaned forward again. "I could only guess."

"Enlighten me."

She chuckled as she reached forward, lifting the glass and taking a sip. "Well," she said, setting the glass down and running a finger around the rim slowly. "A dark skinned sailor, serving aboard the ship of misfits. I would bet a month's gold you are the drow from the halfling's ship." She paused, watching me. I did not reward her with any reaction. She flicked the glass with a black lacquered nail. "I would think you...pardon...he would be more comfortable sequestered in his own quarters on the ship instead of wasting time in a tavern. Unless..."

"Unless what?" I had spent enough time with my own people to know she already knew who I was, and not blindly guessing.

"Unless he were looking for something." She paused, looking at me. "Or someone."

I tilted my head a bit, studying her. She reclined against the chair returning the favor. I decided to take a chance. I reached out and took the glass, allowing my sleeve to pull up slightly, revealing a bit of my skin between the sleeve and my glove. She raised a thin red eyebrow slightly, the corners of her lips turning upwards slightly. I lifted the glass to my lips and wet them.

"So," I offered. "What is so interesting about the Vagabond that has you risking a conversation with me?" I set the glass down. "What do you want?"

To her credit, she did not show her surprise, although to my heat sensitive eyes in the darkened corner of the tavern, I could easily detect the heat rising in her body. She surreptitiously cast a glance towards the main part of the tavern, then looked back to me.

"My employer wants something that your captain has in his possession."

Well, I thought. Now things become interesting. First things first, however. "Who is your employer?" I asked.

"He is a...collector of sorts, you might say."

"I might, if I knew more." I figured that I had another question or two before she would cease offering me information.

She chuckled. "Are all...of your kind this curious?"

"Only when it suits us."

She nodded. "He is an eccentric old wizard with a fancy for things different. A collector, as I said."

A wizard! A plan immediately came to mind. I was certain that the interest would be readily apparent on my face, but fortunately for me, the cowl concealed my dark features. Instead, I nodded. "I see. And what does the halfling captain have that your master desires?"

She smiled, leaning forward slightly. "You have a crewmember that would fit in well in my employer's horde of oddities."

Alarms went off in my head at that. Surely a drow on the surface would qualify! But she continued.

"A certain elf, with wings is what my employer wishes."

He wanted Jovin. I had to agree with him. I had never seen an elf with wings until I came to the surface. He had his uses, I had to admit, but he was a means to an end.

"I will assist, for a price."

She laughed softly and took another drink of the wine. "I expected as much. Name your fee."

Now came the time where I would see how badly she wanted to please her employer. "Take me with you. I wish to meet your employer."

It had the effect I had hoped for. She blinked, then tilted her head slightly as she set the glass down. "How irregular. I am not sure..." she trailed off. Her eyes glazed over, taking on a milky white appearance. She remained motionless for a moment, then her eyes returned to their normal bright green. She smiled. "My employer would like to meet you as well. You...interest him." She turned her head and looked towards the exit of the tavern and motioned to a large human. He nodded and walked out. Then she turned to look back at me. "Do not worry, he has more than enough Drow in his collection. He simply would like to meet and speak with you."

I stood, and she did as well. "Very well, how do you suggest I pack the elf for the trip?"

"It is a far easier trip for him than it will be for us...?" She trailed off, hoping for a name. I obliged.

"Tyr'eth. And what do you mean?"

She reached into a pouch, pulled out a small disc and handed it to me. I could feel the cold through my gloves. "Place this on his body. He does not have to be living, but it is preferred." she waved a hand. "something about making the transfer easier or the like, I am not sure." She looked back at me. "Once he has it, meet me at the docks on the northern end of the isle. My ship is small, but fast. The Red Fugue."

I nodded and placed the disc into a pouch. "Very well. Expect me within a day."

She smiled and winked. "I look forward to it. We will be ready."

She turned and walked out of the tavern. I left via a different door and headed back to the Vagabond, trying to figure out how to place the disc on Jovin. I had my opportunity, and now it was time to act.