Volume 2, Part VIII: Mingling
Sand opened the door and exited the room, locking it behind them. He quickly and quietly walked down the stairs, pausing occasionally to give Torio the opportunity to gather up her skirt and navigate the steps. The doorman opened the heavy wooden door, bowing slightly. "M'lord, lady."
And then they were out on the streets of Luskan. The sun had just begun to set as he led her northeast. Asrar's home was within walking distance of the Seven Sails Inn, near the middle of the Reach region of Luskan. The citizens of Luskan walked past them without paying them much attention, all hurrying home or hurrying out now that darkness was rapidly approaching. Merchants were closing up shop, drawing curtains shut and locking doors and the torches along the street were being lit one by one, small bursts of light and hope appearing in the dusk.
Orban Asrar's house was a large bricked building, with cracked marble stone steps leading up to red oak doors. Sand stopped Torio a moment, watching the people enter the house in twos and threes. Mostly human and nobody seemed to be particularly well armed. "Time for our grand entrance, my wife." He led her across the street and up the stairs, into the large house.
A guard immediately halted them as they crossed the threshold. "Invitation, please," he droned. Torio watched as Sand proffered the parchment, and the door guard glanced over it in dutiful boredom, noting their names and professions. He handed it back to Sand after a moment. "Follow me. Sergeant Hilskur! Take my post, I have distinguished guests to announce."
Another guard appeared as if from nowhere, and the guard led them through the entrance foyer, past small pockets of already chattering people, finely dressed and eyeing them curiously as they were swept passed. "The dinner party is open to many visitors, tonight," explained the guard as he led them down a long hallway leading to a pair of double doors. "After the dinner is over, Master Asrar will invite you and the few others selected to partake in the auction; not many are being afforded this opportunity, so I would suggest you police your manners while in my Master's house." The doors were pushed open by the guard's heavily-mailed hand, and he held the wide double doors open for them; the hall was brightly lit, tables set off to the side with places set for nearly a hundred people, and the wide, expansive floor in the center was filled with all manner of guests. A carpet stretched from the door towards the Head Table, which was standing in a place of honor on the center dais.
As they stepped through the doors, the guards called out, "Tanith Couleuvra, Merchant and Master Mage of Waterdeep, and his wife, Nagendra."
The discordant buzzing of the crowd paused for a second as the guests looked up at the doorway; it resumed as Sand and Torio made their way to the floor. Sand realized he was clutching Torio's arm rather hard and he forced himself to relax. He looked as casually as possible through the crowds. Most of the humans were congregated on the floor; he noticed the elves sitting at the various tables at the side. There were even a few Drow and tieflings here, sitting as far away from the crowds as possible.
A large figure standing near the Head Table drew Sand's attention and he realized it was an Ogre mage, standing surrounded by a small contingent of gray dwarves. A group of halflings and gnomes were huddled together at the edge of the floor.
The air of the room was thick, tangible, with magic. As Sand walked through the room, the magical energies were making his skin tingle and dance. There would be no way the magical aura from their polymorphed selves would be noticed in this arcane soup.
Sand whispered lowly, "Shall we find a seat, dear girl? I have no desire to mingle." But before Torio could answer, a jovial voice hailed them. "Greetings! Traveled all the way from Waterdeep! How was the journey?" A short, stocky red-faced man approached them. "My, you're one of the lucky ones in on this auction! I only got invited to the dinner but that's good enough for me. You don't turn down an invite to Asrar's if you want to know a good meal! Heh heh!"
Torio's eyes flicked imperceptibly to Sand's face before she smiled ingratiatingly towards the man. "You weren't invited to the auction, good sire? I can hardly believe that; you seem quite the courtly type, well experienced in fine dinners such as this." She leaned forward conspiratorially, lifting one delicate shoulder in a half-shrug and exposing a wide expanse of the uplifted tops of her breasts above her bodice. "This seems such a delightful house; do you know much about Master Asrar?"
Sand watched, amazed, as Torio jumped right into the game. By the gods, this girl was good. His eyes went back to her and were immediately drawn to the massive amount of bosom she was flashing to this portly stranger.
What would a good husband do? Cover her up? Scold her? Make a joke?
Sand started to speak but the stranger just plowed ahead in his conversation with Torio, blithely ignoring him. He was laughing amicably, his eyes obviously looking at her chest. "I've known old Orban for years, the bugger is always tinkering with this that or the other thing." He leaned forward as well, suspiciously too close to Torio than was needed. "I hear he's even starting to make contacts with Lantan to help with his inventions but don't let that get out. Lantan is still a sore spot with Luskan!" He winked at Torio. "First time he's had an auction like this though! What a big affair. Top secret stuff, won't even tell me about it. Says I can't afford what he's selling so it's safer that I don't know. Means it's going to be good, whatever he's got."
Sand interrupted, "Ah, I don't believe we've finished introductions. I am Tanith Couleuvra, and this here is my wife, Nagendra. You are?"
The man grinned at Sand. "Abelor, at your service. And I know she's your wife, else I wouldn't be flirting with her quite so much. Married women are easier to handle: most of them don't want another marriage, don't want children with you and don't want more in-laws!" He guffawed.
Torio's mind immediately and desperately tried to sort through the sudden outflow of information from the portly Abelor. Connections with Lantan? This Asrar was either much braver or dumber than they originally thought; or he felt so confident in his social position and power that he had no reason to fear the Hosttower's wrath...
"Oh come now, Tanith," She said placatingly, shooting a wink at Abelor. "I'm merely having a conversation with a new friend." She smiled at the portly man. "I'm afraid my husband and I will have to mingle...he's not as sociable as I am, I'm afraid." She glanced archly at Sand, before nodding back at Abelor. "But of course, I expect to talk to you later." She let only the slightest slip of suggestion leak into her voice, before nudging Sand onwards, keeping her pace slow and leisurely.
Sand gave a steady, sidelong glance as they moved away from Abelor. "Merely a conversation, Nagendra? His face was practically between your breasts. If that was a conversation, I should have them more often with you, Wife." His mouth gave a small amused twitch. A pretty Elven serving girl passed by them and offered them each a glass of sparkling white wine. "Master and his lady - wine from Calimport." Sand handed a glass to Torio before taking one for himself. Sand nodded his thanks before moving on.
They slipped in among the crowd of humans in the middle of the floor, Sand's ears alert for snippets of conversations, sipping the wine. The wine had a clear sweet taste to it. The guests were all dressed well, the men in formal shirts or robes, the women in long dresses. Sand noticed a tall imposing man in flowing red robes standing slightly to the left, his face covered in as many tattoo as to rival the warlock's. A Red Wizard - and most likely there for the auction. Sand carefully guided Torio away from him and back towards the more casual, less dangerous revelers. It appeared however that most of the people were adroitly avoiding the topic of the auction and focused on more benign topics...
"...caught my daughter sneaking out with the boy from..."
"...the healer said my mother would be all right if she would only..."
"...best way to cook squab is with a honey marinade..."
"...the economy will crash if he doesn't adjust his tax practices..."
Sand squeezed Torio's arm, giving her a questioning look. "Shall we join a conversation? You're the one that likes to mingle."
Torio swirled the wine in her mouth appreciatively; well, if we're going to die at least I'll have tasted a decent vintage beforehand. She returned a few smiles sent their way, scanning the crowds; there were many people of large wealth and little value crowding the floors, although she could note the most likely candidates that were going to be invited to stay for the auction.
Her mouth twitched in amusement. "You could stand to learn the value of mingling, husband." She arched her head towards a small cluster of animatedly speaking men and women. "Shall we?"
Sand snorted. "I'm a wizard. By that virtue, I'm supposed to loathe mingling." But he followed her anyway into the crowd of people.
They walked to the small group, and Torio smiled as seven pairs of eyes looked over at them. "Pardon me...but..." she glanced around secretively and then lowered her voice, her eyes gleaming as she leaned in to their small huddle. "Are any of you invited to the auction later? I can hardly contain myself; just look at that Ogre mage!"
One of the men laughed. "Only Gweynn here is invited later, and she won't tell us a word about it, will you, love?"
One of the women, supposedly Gweynn, smiled; she had a faint aura of magic about her, but seemed dressed no differently than any of the other partygoers. She patted her hair demurely. "Orban and I go way back, you know; it's only fitting that I get invited tonight." She eyed Sand speculatively as Torio introduced both of them, her eyes openly appreciative.
Torio found her arm clutching Sand's a little tighter.
Another one of the men said lowly, glancing over his shoulder, "I hear Master Asrar's keeping the object up for auction in the upper levels of the house; most of the guards have been drawn to the staircases, have you noticed?"
"Levin you're just speculating again; you have no idea if whatever it is, is really here or not," Scolded another woman. "I swear, if you even so much as suggest we go peek at it..."
Levin laughed. "You're the one suggesting it, good woman, not I." He looked over at Sand and Torio. "From Waterdeep, are you? And I take it you've been invited to the auction, as well?"
He fought back a laugh when Torio subtly glared daggers at the woman, Gweynn, while maintaining an iron like grip on his arm. He nodded to the woman, now a competitor, in the auction, trying not to let himself blush at her openly hungry expression.
Sand smiled at Levin and the other woman. "I wouldn't advise trying to sneak up and have a look. If all the living guards are down here, it would not surprise me if he had other magical means of protecting his wares." He took a long sip of the wine. "We have been invited to the auction. Very fortunate of us. Now we'll see if we can be so fortunate as to win it." He raised his glass genially towards Gweynn.
"Hear hear!" said Levin jovially, before drinking from his glass. Torio took a sip from hers as well, narrowing her eyes over the rim of her glass towards the wizard woman who dimpled prettily in Sand's direction.
"I'm sure it will be a scintillating evening," Gweynn said pleasantly, her eyes fixated on Sand for a moment. They flicked to Torio's face, and for a moment, the woman's dark brown eyes seemed to bore into hers...
..she felt an imperceptible nudge against her thoughts, and immediately blocked them off. The woman was trying to trawl her...
Torio's voice was smooth and pleasant, but her eyes were flashing sharper than the edge of a blade. "It is impolite where I come from to attempt to touch a stranger's mind without their permission, my Lady." Inwardly, her heart was hammering with sudden anxiety. There was much more to this woman than first appearance warranted...
"Oh, my apologies," said Gweynn contritely, her eyes giving Torio a look that said she wasn't sorry at all. "It is almost a habit with me these days, I'm afraid; please, forgive my social faux pas."
"You don't have to forgive her, you know," Levin said to Torio, waggling an eyebrow at her suggestively. "I never have, and I'm still in her good graces." He winked towards Gweynn, and everyone laughed, diffusing the tense moment as if it had never happened.
Sand tensed as he heard Torio's keen voice castigate the other woman. He immediately guarded his thoughts carefully, squeezing Torio's hand warmly and reassuringly. He smiled graciously at Gweynn, "I am certain tonight will be an interesting and entertaining evening even if we do not win the auction. So from where do you hail?" Or as Sand refrained from asking - why do you want the map?
Torio felt her irritation settle somewhat as the conversation went to more neutral grounds. Sand squeezed her hand, and she exhaled long and low, and she took another drink from her glass, watching Gweynn carefully as the woman spoke. "Oh I'm a native, Master Couleuvra," she said coquettishly. "Luskan is my home, sea and sail." Before anyone could say another word, a loud, sibilant gong sounded, and a well dressed manservant appeared at the double doors. Heads turned almost in unison as he announced, "If everyone could please be seated, we will begin serving the main course shortly."
Levin smiled at the couple. "Come, join our table! We're over there!" He gestured vaguely towards the middle.
"Well, I'm certain you'll be better company than him." Sand tilted his head in the direction of the Ogre mage. "Better table manners too, I suspect." He followed the group and was slightly amused to see Abelor fall into step with them too.
"Mind if I join you folks? Always a pleasure meeting new people. Gweynn!" He gave the woman an enthusiastic pat on the back. "Orban loves you more than me; either that, or he thinks your money is better than mine!"
Gweynn gave him a small strained smile. "Abelor. Fancy seeing you here."
The group of six seated themselves at the table - Abelor to Torio's right, Gweynn to Sand's left and Levin and the other woman (whom Sand realized he had no idea what her name was and was now too embarrassed to ask) across from them.
The torch lights magically dimmed and the manservant announced, "Presenting your host for the evening, Master Orban Asrar."
Orban Asrar stepped through the doors, giving a curt nod to the crowd. "Friends! It is good to have you all here! I see some old faces and many new ones. May tonight be a night of good fortune for us all!" He sat at the Head Table, surrounded by other men and women of note. Sand took a moment to study him. He was a tall human, likely in his mid-40s, with dark brown hair that was starting to gray at the temples. His eyes were dark and intense, scanning the crowds. Asrar caught Sand's eyes and for a moment, the two men stared at each other but then Asrar raised his wine glass in Sand's direction, before his gaze fell on Torio.
Torio settled into her seat, smiling politely as Levin reached across the table a refilled her glass. "You'll love Orban's food, Nagendra," he exalted, shaking his head in admiration. "I swear the man has a salve-galley of chefs in his kitchen, working night and day."
Gweynn scoffed. "He served excellent dinners, Levin, but you've never been invited to High Master Corshin's festhall; incomparable, I tell you." She rested her chin on her hand slyly, glancing over at Sand. "If you're ever in Luskan again, Master Couleuvra...can I call you Tanith?...you should visit his hall. I would be delighted to take you." She added, almost as an afterthought, "You and your wife, of course."
His 'wife' tightened her grip on her wineglass momentarily, before smoothing down the elegant knot of her hair, saying placidly, "It sounds like a wonderful idea, my dear." She touched Sand's arm, lightly, almost absently, but she could see Gweynn's face harden at the possessive gesture, and it filled her with no small end of satisfaction. "We should take her up on it the next time we're in Luskan." Which will be never, gods willing. What had gotten in to her? They were on a dangerous, important mission and here she was, feeling pangs of jealousy shoot through her like poisoned needles...
She felt eyes on her...her skin crept in the familiar sensation of the thoroughly watched, and she glanced up, catching their host's gaze trained on her where she sat.
"...I know from reliable sources that Asrar has an... affinity for blondes, and with your considerable talents from your time in Luskan, I know you can find a way to get closer to him than the auction practices normally allow for..."
She could almost hear Gend's words in her head, and quickly looked away, watching as a serving man placed a plate in front of her filled with all manner of delectable food. She suddenly felt a chill cross her spine, and reached for her glass, taking a quick drink, her face otherwise smooth and immobile.
Sand felt like shrinking in his seat, feeling suddenly like a piece of fish between two possessive cats. He was beginning to get the feeling that it wasn't him they were fighting over, but merely the principle of the thing. Because, really, Torio - fighting over him? "Ah, of course. Please, everybody, call me Tanith. We're all trying to be friends here right? Let us drop the formalities." He picked up a fork and began eating. "And thank you for the invitation. It sounds like a lovely time. Good food, good company and meeting new people is always a wonderful opportunity to travel."
Abelor laughed heartily. "Well! I can't let Gweynn here upstage me." He turned to Torio. "I have a ship, the Lusty Luskan, I could take you out for a trip. Adventures on the high seas. Go see the Icepeak mountains?" He winked at Sand. "Unlike Gweynn, I won't even pretend to be interested in inviting your spouse." He began enthusiastically eating as well. "Or here's a deal - Gweynn, you take Tanith, I'll take Nagendra and we all go home happy?"
They were already closing in on them, however teasingly; she could feel Abelor's fingers inching forward across the table, trying to tap lightly on her wrist, and Gweynn was eyeing Sand as if he were tied naked on a silver platter, ready to be served as the next course in their dinner. Torio sighed inwardly. Ah, Luskan. She laughed, inching slightly closer to Sand's chair, her eyes glittering at Abelor as she tapped his hand once, lightly. "Ah, but how would I ever get home again, dear Abelor?" She winked at him coyly.
Abelor laughed. "Maybe once you've tasted my hospitality you won't want to go back home eh? Solves that problem!" He glanced deviously at Sand. "Besides, a powerful mage like your husband should be able to get you home if he really wants you home."
Sand stabbed a small leafy vegetable with his fork a lot harder than he intended to. "Ah Abelor, you - my friend - are such a joker. Of course I want her back - life would be a lot less interesting without her." He turned and gave Torio what he hoped was his most 'in-love' smile before kissing her on the cheek.
Torio felt her eyes half-close in pleasure as Sand's lips brushed against her cheek. Her gray eyes flicked to Abelor's face as she smiled smugly. "I'd get seasick anyway, my dear Abelor."
Gweynn curled her lip up at Abelor. "It's amazing that Orban even invites you to these affairs. You show as much class as an Uthgardt barbarian." She turned to Sand, purring. "Really, Tanith, I'm just interested in getting to know another mage. And his wife, of course. Tell me, Nagendra, how did you meet your husband?"
Torio felt her heart skip a beat for a moment. Technically they hadn't rehearsed this part...But what better cover story than the truth? "We met over a dispute, actually," she said, twirling a few noodles of some unidentifiable pasta around on her fork. "We were both on opposite sides; he had the most aggravating way of twisting words around. I absolutely abhorred him." She didn't realize the affectionate tone that had leaked in her voice as she reached for her wineglass and took a sip. "His side won...pure luck, of course, you all understand." Levin was grinning at her, Abelor laughed; Gweynn merely snorted lightly. "But we saw more of each other after that...I suppose we couldn't stop sniping at each other." She glanced at Sand from the corner of her eye, giving him a flirtatious wink. "Or maybe he just couldn't stay away."
Sand chuckled. "And I still win all our arguments, if you must know. And of course I couldn't stay away. Somebody has to keep an eye on you. I swear, this girl would get away with murder if it wasn't for me." He smiled at Torio, returning her wink. "And I twisted my words no more than you did, dear girl." Sand shook his head lightly. "Abelor, you know what? If you think you can handle her, you are welcome to have her and try."
Abelor laughed and held up his hands. "Whoa whoa now Tanith. Now you're making me worried. Is she a hellion of a wife? Is she a real succubus in bed?"
Sand nearly choked on the wine he was drinking. Levin and the woman besides him were laughing and Gweynn was glowering. He sputtered a moment, trying to regain his composure. "I...ah... don't kiss and tell."
Torio actually felt her cheeks flush, and mentally cursed her paler, polymorphed skin. "Cold feet, Abelor?" She smiled, a seductive curl to her lips as she arched her head at Sand. "No matter; there are some things that only a powerful mage with an extensive...spellbook... can handle."
The woman at Levin's side nearly guffawed. "Is that why you've taken such an interest in magic, Levin?" Levin pulled at his collar uncomfortably as Gweynn smiled, her eyes narrowed. "You've got quite the tongue on you, Nagendra," she said silkily, tugging on one of her curls languidly. "It's a pity you don't seem to have any magical talent, yourself; none that I can sense on you, anyway. You might find quite a place for yourself in Luskan." She smiled ingratiatingly at Sand. "But perhaps you could follow your husband here, I suppose, if he decided to come make his presence here more permanent."
Abelor slapped his hand on the table. "Oh! Heh heh!. Tanith, she is quite the woman. You'll have to tell me all about these...spells, good Nagendra."
Levin grinned at his partner. "Well I was always taught the arcane arts were to be used wisely and prudently." He nodded at Sand. "But I see your methods have brought you great success."
Sand finished chewing and swallowing a piece of rather tasty meat before replying to Gweynn, "The possibility of coming to Luskan on a more permanent basis has not escaped Nagendra and me. There remains of course, things to consider. I am quite comfortable currently in Waterdeep. Coming to Luskan would mean essentially restarting for us."
Gweynn had a strange light in her eyes. "Ah of course. Unless...you happen to win the auction tonight, is that correct?"
Sand held his gaze steady. "Certainly such an item would not...hurt... my prospects here." Gweynn nodded, seemingly satisfied that she had figured out why he was here. "Well then, Tanith - I suppose if you win, I should look forward to having you - and your wife - over for tea."
The waiter at their table, a human male, began clearing the dishes. "The dessert tonight is a delightful truffle cake, made with the finest creams from the herds of Longsaddle. We also have a sweet dessert wine from Baldur's Gate."
Torio leaned easily back in her chair, letting the waiter take her plate. His eyes flicked to her face momentarily before he was gone again, and then a smaller plate with a delectable, fluffy mound of cake was placed in front of her, along with a small flute glass filled with a pale pink wine. The talk seemed to filter down to aimless comments as delicate dessert forks impaled the cakes set in front of them; Abelor and Levin were going back and forth over the possibilities of sailing out to sea within the next week on an impromptu pleasure tour, and Levin's woman was gesturing wildly to one of the waiters, pointing to her empty wineglass. She absently chased a piece of cake around her plate, wanting desperately to touch Sand's mind with her own; and yet with Gweynn sitting on the other side of him she didn't dare open her thoughts up...
There was a clinking of a dining utensil against a glass, and all of the talk quieted down as a figure stood up. "I would like to propose a toast! To our fine host, Orban Asrar, and his gracious, never ending hospitality!" Torio dropped her fork and lifted her glass, echoing the toast as the others around her took up the cry.
Sand raised his glass in Asrar's direction and then drained his glass of the sweet nectar. The man stood from the table, bowing and nodding. He smiled at the crowd, but the mirth never reached his eyes. Sand swore he saw the man's dark eyes rest a moment upon him and Torio. Just your imagination...
Conversation quietly resumed but as the time for the auction approached, the light banter was slowly fading. Slowly, the guests not involved in the auction stood, making their way over to the Head Table to say their farewells.
Levin and his woman stood. "Best of luck, to the both of you. Tanith, Nagendra - safe travels back to Waterdeep. If you do return to Luskan, please, look us up. It has been a pleasure. Gweynn - we will be seeing you soon I am certain."
Abelor took this as his cue to leave as well. "Ah Tanith, sly old dog - you have a good woman. Keep an eye and your hands on her at all time - though I'm sure that's not a problem - else somebody might steal her away! Nagendra!" He kissed her on both cheeks. "My ship is always available to you! Just leave the husband at home!" He left their table.
Torio laughed, brushing her lips genially against Abelor's cheek. "Keep your ship in good sailing condition, then," she said. "We shall see!" She smiled at Levin and his woman as they left, and gave a cool, polite nod towards Gweynn. I suppose we'll never be best friends.
Gweynn stood as well. "The auction will be commencing soon. Tanith - happy bidding."
Torio smirked slightly as she watched the wizardess move away from their table. Pity, that. "Hands and eyes on me at all time, is it?" She discreetly reached across their laps underneath the table and touched his hand lightly, her nerves shredding just barely at the thought of the auction finally commencing. She bent in to his ear, muttering quietly, "Best of luck to us indeed, husband."