Chuckling to himself, Valen goes to track down Nessa and Deekin. He rounds a corner to find the two of them working out the melody for a duet. Their heads are down and they're busy picking out notes and discussing what he takes for bard things. Not wanting to interrupt, he leans against the wall of the cave and listens. To his surprise, it's actually quite good. When they reach a point where they're still working out a few bits of the song, Valen levers himself away from the wall and approaches them more closely. Deekin, not realizing that Valen has been their audience for some time, is startled to see the tiefling.

Deekin looks at him closely and frowns to himself. "At least nasty goat man," he thinks, "looks happy." Valen catches Deekin's speculative look and smiles at him as he holds his hands out in a placating gesture. "I think you're right, Deekin. We're even. I will forgive you if you forgive me. Let's start over." Caught off guard by the tiefling's offer, Deekin nods hastily. Nessa looks back and forth between the two of them, just as surprised as Deekin. After a few moments, she leaps to her feet, grinning and runs to Valen.

She throws her arms around him and hugs him, delighted. Still chuckling, he hugs her back for a moment. He smiles down at her, "Will you show me what you two are working on or is it a big secret?" Nessa shrugs and looks at Deekin for confirmation. Deekin shrugs as well, so Nessa leads him back to the rock they've been sitting on. Deekin begins to play a harp and some pan pipes while Nessa sings. Valen's not sure what the words are, since the song seems to be in elven, but tune is lovely and so is Nessa's voice. He sits there listening to the song and contemplating her elven heritage. He chews on his lip while he considers that her lifespan will likely be many times his own. He shrugs, deciding that she isn't being forced to associate with him.

&&&&&&&

Nathrrya lays on the bed roll, shaking uncontrollably – first from fright and then from rage. She had been certain that the weapon master would kill her out of hand. Once her fear fades a bit, she becomes angry. "No jaluk is going to toss me around like a rag doll," she rages, "I'll teach them all." Mumbling darkly to herself, she searches through Deekin's things, looking for the ring that Burg left. Once she finds it, she quickly summons the devil. A soft pop indicates his arrival behind her. Nathrrya turns to face him, grinning evilly.

"You there, devil," she smirks, "I want revenge, and you are going to help me."

Burg chortles at this, "Listen up, old girl, I don't have to help you do anything. You muffed the ritual."

"What do I have to do," she asks through gritted teeth, "to get you to help me?"

Burg considers for a moment, "Weeeell, I suppose I could draw up a contract…."

Nathrrya doesn't even hesitate, "Do it. Quickly, before I change my mind."

Burg arches a brow at her, "Are you certain? If you are, I can go fetch some of the standard forms, fill in a few blanks, and…"

Nathrrya gives him a dangerous look, "I…said…do…it…now."

Burg shrugs and pops away. He reappears a few moments later wearing a clerk's visor, half sleeves, and a pair of jeweler's magnifying glasses accompanied by an imp and several boxes of paper. He waves a sheaf of paper at her and points at the boxes, "Let me know when you're done reading it. I've been busy filling your name in all the appropriate places, except the ones where you have to sign. The imp will show you where you need to sign."

Nathrrya eyes the boxes of paper warily, "I don't have time to read all that. They'll be back here soon. Don't you have a short version?"

Burg shrugs, "It's your soul…"

He pulls out a much smaller document and waves it at Nathrrya. She flips through it quickly, not bothering to read it very well, since it looks pretty standard to her.

Contract between Oikkaburgett and Nathrrya

THIS AGREEMENT, ENTERED INTO THIS 12th DAY OF Consummare, Standard Year 877462 is by and between the Baatezu, on behalf of the Baatezu represented by Oikkaburgett, (hereinafter referred to as "the party of the first part") and Nathrrya, a drow on Toril (hereinafter referred to as "the party of the second part") to be identified by a blood sample. The blood sample will be taken from the signature on this contract.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS the party of the second part has determined that the Baatezu has the expertise to provide specific contracted services, and

WHEREAS, the party of the first part wishes to obtain certain specific valuables from the party of the second party in exchange for the aforementioned services;

Section I. Terms of Mutual Agreement

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties mutually agree as follows:

Article I.TERM OF AGREEMENT. This agreement shall be effective as of the 14th day of Consummare, Standard Year 877462 unless terminated earlier in accordance with provisions of Section 1, Clause 2 below.

Article II.TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT – This agreement shall not be terminated unless the party of the first part releases the party of the second part. The party of the first part shall have the right to abandon or cancel this agreement at any time and shall be entitled to compensation for all services performed prior to written notification of such termination. Partial payment is discussed in Attachment B.

Article III.ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. The party of the second part will reimburse the party of the first part for other agreed upon expenses incurred by the party of the first part as a result of providing services. Additional expenses are detailed in Attachment C.

Article IV.RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. In performing the services specified under the terms of this Agreement, party of the second part agrees that the party of the second part shall be duly liable and responsible for all actions or inactions with the subsequent consequences thereof proceeding from providing services by the part of the first part.

Article V.CONFIDENTIALITY. Except as may be required by Baatezu law, neither the part of the first part nor the party of the second part shall disclose any reports, recommendations, conclusion or other results of its services unless the data contained therein have been previously approved for release by both parties.

Article VI.SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this agreement or any application thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the agreement and any other application of such provision shall not be affected thereby.

Article VII.WAIVER. Failure by either party to insist upon strict performance by the other of any term or condition of this agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any such term or condition.

Article VIII.USE OF NAME. The party of the second part shall not advertise the fact that it has contracted with party of the first part, or appropriate or make use of party of the first part's name or other identifying marks or property, without the prior written consent of party of the first part's Office of Business and Finance. (Note: This usually requires a separate contract and separate means of payment).

Article IX.GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Baatezu regardless of its place of execution. Any actions, suits or claims that may arise pursuant to this Agreement shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in Maladomini.

Article X.NON BINDING ARBITRATION - In the event that a dispute arises out of this agreement, a non-binding arbitration may be requested by either or both parties. Once an arbiter or arbiters is agreed upon, both parties will work through the arbitration process.

Section II. Acceptable Forms of Payment

Article XI.COMBINING FORMS OF PAYMENT – Combining forms payment is a common practice particularly when a client wishes to enter into an agreement but no longer has the means with which to do so themselves. This is often the case with lawyers, politicians, and blues singers. In order to facilitate business, Baatezu law now allows the combination of various forms of payment. The following equation will explain how this is to be calculated.

Article XII.For more information, you will need to refer to Attachment B, Section IV, Clause 16, Sub-paragraph 6.

Article XIII.ALL OTHERS – Payment of fifty souls of any variety will be acceptable provided that none of the souls are not otherwise indebted, mortgaged, rented, loaned, leased, or encumbered in anyway. This represents quite an opportunity for party of the second party to be rid of undesirable, annoying or inconsequential individuals for the party of the second part's gain.

Article XIV.SPECIFICALLY DESIRABLE – Certain individuals are possessed of a soul that the Baatezu find specifically desirable. Should you wish to pursue this route, contact the Baatezu representative listed at the top of this contract to find the name(s) in your area. Since some of these souls vary in desirability, you will be apprised of what portion of your fee each soul on the list will cover. You will also be apprised of any time limits on obtaining those souls at the time the list is provided to you. For more information about the specifically desirable payment program, please refer to Appendix E.

Article XV.EXTENDED FAMILY – This represents quite an opportunity for party of the second party to be rid of undesirable, annoying or inconsequential family members for the party of the second part's gain. Payment of six souls of extended family members will be acceptable provided that none of the souls are not otherwise indebted, mortgaged, rented, loaned, leased, or encumbered in anyway. Extended family is defined by a direct blood/biological relationship excluding the biological father, biological mother, biological brother, biological sister, or biological child of the party of the first part but still within 3 degrees of relation.

i.Three degrees of relation refers to the fact that there is a common biological ancestor not more distant than a great-grandparent.

ii.For further definitions of Extended Family, please refer to Appendix A.

Article XVI.IMMEDIATE FAMILY – Payment of three souls of immediate family members will be acceptable provided that none of the souls are not otherwise indebted, mortgaged, rented, loaned, leased, or encumbered in anyway. Immediate family is defined by a direct blood relationship further qualified as being the biological father, biological mother, biological brother, biological sister, or biological child of the party of the first part.

i.For further definitions of Immediate Family, please refer to Appendix C.

Article XVII.SELF – Payment of a single soul will be acceptable provided that the soul is the one belonging to the party of the first part and it is not otherwise indebted, mortgaged, rented, loaned, leased, or encumbered in anyway. For further definitions of Self, please refer to Appendix D.

Section III. Acceptable Locations for Payment

Article XVIII. PAYMENTS - All payments shall be made at the First Bank of Maladomini. Payments made to field agents which are not received by the Bank will not be recorded toward payment of the debt. The First Bank of Maladomini has branches in Sigil, Ghenna, and throughout the Abyss. Branch locations are acceptable locations for payment.

She only gets as far as the locations for payment before she looses interest. She snatches the pen that the imp waves at her, ignoring the pain when it pricks her finger, and signs. She waves the contract in the air for a few moments to let the "ink" dry before handing it back to the devil.

Burg signs and has the imp witness it. He waves a dismissive hand at the imp and his attire, the boxes of paper, and the imp all pop out of sight.

He looks at Nathrrya, "There's a three day period before the contract goes into effect. If you change you mind, I'll let you cancel the contract."

Nathrrya snarls at him, "I want revenge now."

Burg shakes his head, "Listen up, old girl, once you ask for service, the waiting period is over and there is no cancellation. Payment will have to be made. I'd suggest you take your three days and think about what you've just done. While there are several ways to pay us, most of those means are closed off to you. As the last surviving member of House Kan'tar, you do not have any immediate or extended family who can assume your tab, willing or unwilling. I'll be back in two days and we'll see if you still feel the same way."

Before she can answer, Burg pops away again. Nathrrya, not having anything else to do, lays down and goes back to sleep. She dreams of all kinds of revenge.

&&&&&&&

Nessa stops singing abruptly and says, "We're not done with it yet. That's as far as I've gotten with it. Well….what do you think?"

"It's lovely," he smiles, "like you. I had no idea you had such a lovely voice." He turns to Deekin, "I'm impressed. I had no idea you could play so well."

Deekin grins at him, "Deekin learns lots from Boss. Deekin only ever plays kobold music 'til Boss. Old Boss likes Deekin's music, but no one else. First time Deekin plays in a tavern, Deekin gets pelted with rotten vegetables. Deekin not likes turnips. Stupid stinky gnomes."

Valen chuckles, "I know some songs I could teach you. I'm no bard, but I've been a lot of places and heard things that no one here would know."

Deekin grins at him happily, "Deekin likes that, goat man."

Valen narrows his eyes playfully, "I am not a goat man."

Deekin laughs, "Deekin knows that, but you gots horns like a goat, and yous belligerent like a billy goat, and you gots eating habits of a goat. Deekin not cares who your daddy is. Deekin thinks you is part goat. That be why Deekin calls you goat man."

Valen laughs heartily at this, "Hrmph! I'd still rather that you use my name."

Deekin gives him a sidelong glance, "Tells us why Burg be so impressed with you and Deekin not calls you goat man anymore."

Valen sighs heavily, "You know about the Blood Wars?"

Deekin nods, "Boss says you be in them. Right?"

Valen nods slowly, "Let's just say that I was general."

Deekin and Nessa both look at him curiously, but it's Deekin that speaks up. "Deekin thinking that maybe he writes epic about yous too, 'though Deekin thinking he be leaving out parts about you kissing Boss. Burg says that yous famous."

Valen shakes his head, "I am not what I was. I don't really want to talk about it yet. I…I don't know either of you that well, yet."

&&&&&&&

Burg trots in to his superior's office, waving Nathrrya's contract, "Look, Yiddie, I managed to make my quota for the month after all." Iyiduporyz, or Yidde for short is the pit fiend that supervises him. Yidde snatches the contract and reads it. He gets slightly past where Nathrrya stopped before he starts laughing. Yiddie nods, "Well done. One more month of making your quota and you'll be eligible for advancement."

Burg grins and trots off.