-1By the time I had reached the ship, I had formulated a plan in my mind. It would prove to be simple. Since I was leaving, I needed to take my possessions, or at least those that I thought the most necessary. Using the shadows, slipping past the few crewmembers not asleep or passed out from drink was easy. I entered my quarters and opened the chest that contained my belongings. Most important was my house brooch, to facilitate my ability to levitate. House Syn'alar may be near the bottom in rank in Menzobarrenzan, but a noble is a noble. I left the longsword I took from the gnolls, preferring the shortsword and the kukri instead. I tucked a few books into a pack and fastened it on my back. The rest I left. I had no need for it. I slipped out of my quarters and headed to my next destination.

The gnomes, while decent magic users, were predictable creatures of habit. They shared more than their ability to cast spells, they also shared the other's love of drink. I neared their room and paused, listening. Even their snoring was in sync. I cast a simple spell to detect magic to discern if they had warded their door. They had not. It was a simple matter to unlock the door and slip in. Each gnome was in his own bed, sound asleep. I looked around for a moment, examining their belongings. Once I had decided what I needed from them, I moved over to one of them. I drew my kukri from its sheath and placed my hand over the mouth of the sleeping gnome. His eyes popped open as I applied pressure. He struggled, trying to escape, but I held him fast. I slid the blade across his neck, and he died quickly drowning in his own blood. When I finished with him, I turned towards his brother. I had planned to kill them both, then take what I needed, but a thought occurred to me, a particularly wicked thought. Letting one live while the other did not would be worse than killing them both, especially for the surviving brother since they relied on each other for most everything. With a smirk, I picked up a magical bag and placed into it numerous books, a few rings, a pendant, and a half dozen wands. I then left and headed up onto the deck.

Once on deck I looked around. A guard stood on the forecastle, another on the stern. Standing the shadow of the main mast I listened. After a moment, I could make out the sound of feathers rustling softly. After a quick glance around the ship, I activated my house brooch and levitated. As I neared the crow's nest, I slowed my ascent until I was just below the nest. I peered in and saw Jovin curled up, sound asleep. It was a simple thing then to reach into the nest and place the disc on his shoulder. He twitched suddenly, his eyes opening and locking onto mine. He started to move, but froze suddenly, and quite literally. I could not help but watch in awe as blue ice began to spread from the disc. It quickly encased his head and traveled down his body. He tried to struggle, but in moments his entire body was frozen solid. I could not resist reaching out and touching him. He was frozen solid. Another moment, and the frozen avarial simply vanished.

I stared at the empty crow's nest for a moment, in awe. Here was a mage, a wizard of great power. He was my means to gain the power I desired. Armed with the knowledge I hoped I could glean from him, I could do...anything. Revenge on my house in Menzobarrenzan perhaps. I chuckled softly and let myself float to the deck. Remaining in the shadows, I slipped off the ship and headed across the island.

The island was bigger than I had first thought, and even at a steady jog, I only reached the opposite side as the sun was starting its climb upwards. It was not difficult to spot the woman's ship. It was a small ship, with a single mast and red sails. Standing on the prow was the bard. I made my way down towards the docks. I made no attempt at concealing myself as I approached the docks. Shouts rang out as I was quickly spotted. Archers stood up from hidden positions on either side of me, as well as in front of me. I stopped as they pulled their bowstrings taut. I raised my arms slowly and pulled back my cowl, revealing my identity. Upon seeing what I was, more than one archer pulled their bowstrings a bit tighter.

The red headed female whistled sharply, drawing the attention of the archers. They looked at her, and she made a signal with her hand. They relaxed their bows and motioned me towards the ship. With a deep breath, I headed towards the ship and the next step in my travels. I moved down the slope and onto the docks. The red headed bard walked from the prow where she was standing to the gangplank.

"Well done, Tyr'eth." She said with a smile. "My employer was pleased with the speed at which you completed your task." She reached out to take my hand, but I did not oblige. She quirked a brow slightly but her smile remained. "I fear I have been remiss. I have neglected to give you my name. I am Toresca Darkleaf." She sketched a slight courtsey.

"I am Duros von Strassel." The large human from the bar boarded the ship with the archers. He glared down at me as he passed, moving to stand by Toresca's side.

"Excuse Duros." She smirked. "He has the manners of a Tarrasq." She looked at him. "Inform the captain we are ready to sail."

He bowed and walked away. Toresca gave me a brief tour of the ship. It was much smaller than the Vagabond. I mentioned as much and she informed me that, while my former ship was designed not only for overtaking, but also for transporting a large quantity of fighters. Her's was a ship solely for speed. We would reach the mainland in two days. She showed me to my quarters and I remained their for most of the journey.

I was not idle during those two days. I spent much of it examining the items that I acquired from the gnomes. I laid the items out on the cot and studied them. One ring was similar to the healing rings I had seen back in Menzobarrenzan. Another had an image of a feather engraved on the sides. The third I could not identify. All three were useless, as were the other items until I could learn the activation words.

I looked over the wands and I was not able to discern the functions of any of them, nor could I identify the pendant. The books, on the other hand, were definitely worth the risks. Two were spell books, two more were encyclopedias of magic. Another book was a journal written by the gnomes. That perhaps would be an interesting read, but I doubt the contents would provide me with much useful information. As a plus, the magical bag was not actually empty. Along with the items I placed in the bag, a dark hilted dagger. It had a darkened steel blade, slightly curved. It definitely radiated magic, though what was exactly I did not know. None the less, I removed the kukri and replaced it with the dark blade and its equally darkened sheath. The only other things in the bag was a small pouch of gems. I returned everything to the bag except for the healing ring, which I placed on a finger, and the dagger.

I remained in my quarters throughout most of the day. I thought it best to let this crew think I was like my people when it came to light. I slipped into a light reverie and waited until the sun started to sink to the horizon. Then I buckled my blades to my sides and stepped out onto the deck. I also decided to keep the appearance of a fighter, and keep my interest in magic quiet for now. Toresca was at the wheelhouse of the ship, in conversation with the bruiser Duros and a smaller man I took to be the captain. I moved towards them. The crew seemed to have a fear of me, and steered clear as I traversed the deck.

"Welcome Tyr'eth." Toresca said. "I take it your quarters are to your satisfaction?"

I shrugged. "More than I require." It was true, but I was glad for the privacy. "What happens one we reach land?"

"We travel north. To the mountains far to the north, where the snows never melt." She grinned. "I hope you brought a coat."

Snow? What was she talking about? I tried to maintain a neutral expression. "I have no coat."

She waved a hand. "I am sure we can find one for you."

We docked a day later as night fell. It was a remote dock, away from any habitats or towns that I could see. A dozen men and horses awaited us, along with three covered wagons as we debarked from the ship. Only Toresca, Duros and myself left, the rest sailing the ship away. I was kept in one of the wagons, Toresca stating that many between here and our location might not look to kindly on Drow traveling in the open.

"The locals have had, well, issues with your kind in a large expanse we must travel near." she explained. "Best to keep nervous eyes away, hmm?"

I could not disagree. At least not until I met her mysterious employer. Spirited away in a wagon, the group headed north.