Disclaimers: Okay, the only thing I own is the story and those characters not from books or the games. With that said, Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate II and its associated character are Bioware's. Drizzt, Innovidill, Jarlaxle, and Artemis are Salvatore's. Liriel's is Elaine Cunninghams. I will probably have to keep doing this till the end of this story. I also might get around to telling the tales of my characters. Please R&R!
Chapter 1: The GatheringSoft light filled the throne room as the as several beings moved about another central figure; a woman; that stood tall and proud. Her white hair staying still as the other's finished their preparations for the spell. One of those nears her; a male; addressed her and said; "We are nearly ready Valsharess, though I fail to see the need for this as no one can defeat you." The female turned to reveal she had night black skin, red eyes, and pointed ears that marked those of elven birth.
The woman was a Drow and she replied to the male Drow with a slap to the face that left him sprawled. "Foolish male!" She said with rage at being questioned, "You should know better than to question my orders. As for why this, that maybe true but my sources have means of getting information beyond those of us. He says there are those that could prove to by my undoing." She turned from the male as he scampered away, not wanting to anger the Drow female.
She looked as another said, "We are all ready to begin at your command Valsharess." She gave her silent consent for him and the other mages to begin. The slowly began to work as a group, chanting in an arcane tune and hands moving in deliberate gestures. The air in the chamber began to fill with energy that had even some of her hair standing on end. The mages began to kneel and continued working till they stopped and put their hands to the floor.
The whole building shook with an earthquake as the floor came alive with the spider symbol of Lloth; the Drow goddess who had went silent all of the sudden some months ago. The mage she had slapped earlier then stood up as the first illusionary image came up. The Valsharess sneered at the image of a human male with dark brown hair that extended to his mustache and beard; he wore leather and had a scimitar strapped to his gold belt and wore a green cloak.
The mage closed his eyes as the divinatory magic gave him some knowledge of the man before speaking; "His name is Wolf Goldeyes, a hero from a place called the Silver Marches. Supposedly a Druid from the magic." The Valsharess looked and said, "A surfacer, and a male no less." Though she didn't underestimate what a Druid could do as there were those in even Lloth's clergy that answered the calling of the Underdruid.
The image shifted again to that of an elven female; a wood elf. She had on a purple cloak that seemed to have a hundred twinkling stars. By her side was a sword topped with a white gem that was very finely cut and she had a bow in hand. "Nalia Kelenfeltyie is her name; a Bard Arcane Archer hailing from the elven city of Suldanessellar to the south on the surface." The mage commented, telling of her. At least this one was a bit more impressive if just as enraging as the human male before her. She heard about the disastrous raid by the Drow of Ust'Natha some years ago on the city.
The next image was that of two people; another of the male rivven and another female surface elf. The elf was dressed in the finest robes with a blue cloak and had a staff; obviously a cleric or mage of sometype. The male though next to her was imposing indeed in his red armor; obviously made from Dragon scales; the brown cloak adding to his bulk. In his hands was a huge sword with a blue pommel gem that was shaped into the resemblance of an eye.
The mage spoke up about them both; "The man is named Robin Pendragon, a Paladin from a place called Athkatla. The woman is his Avariel wife, Aerie Pendragon. I can't tell you much else cause soemthing is blocking the information." The Valsharess didn't need anything more as she heard of these two were involved in repelling the raid by Ust'Natha. If what she heard in that raid was true, then they needed to be the first to die.
The image then shifted to that of another human male; this one in leather armor and a black cloak. He had a hard look to his eyes and his face sported a beard and mustache as well. In his hands were a dagger and a red-bladed longsword. "Artemis Enteri is his name; an assasin from the southern parts of the surface." The Drow just huffed at the mention of this. No human could match a drow save for maybe the one before. He would die quickly and easily.
That is when the room went quiet as the illusion shifted to show a drow male with a green cloak and a mithril chain shirt. On his belt was a pair of scimitars. The Drow male began to stutter as he spoke the name of this one, "Drizzt Do'Urden is his name. A renegade Drow ranger from originally from Menzoberranzan. Now living on the surface." The Valsharess was slightly stunned but otherwise no impressed. A drow male on the surface had to be either a weakling or a rogue from his house.
That wasn't the end of the surprises as the image shifted again to that of another Drow male; this one dressed in a radical manner; as if he wanted to the world to see him. A broad-rimmed purple hat with a Diamtyra feather in it and an eye-patch over one eye. "Jarlaxle is his name; I can't get anything else." The mage said with obvious shock. The Valsharess noted in this one's eyes was a cunning that would be ideal in a mate. Such a shame he would have to be killed.
The room then let out a gasp as the image shifted again. The new one now that of another Drow female in a white dress and wearing both a piwafwi and black boots. She seemed to have around her a small necklace that sported an amber-teardrop with a spider caught in it. The mage nearly ate his own tongue as he spoke her name. "Liriel Baerne is her name. Lives on the surface, I can get nothing more." No one needed to be told the significance of that name. Any member of the First House of Menzoberranzan was to be considered a dangerous threat. But yet why live on the surface unless you are disowned. Her gold eyes and fox-like face gave the impression she could be trouble; but not enough to worry her.
She turned on the male and asked him with a hint of both disappointment and anger; "Is this all that is a threat to me? Have you spells become faulty fool?" The mage started to try and reply, "No Dread Mistress, these are indeed the ones who shall be your undoing." The Valsharess just shook her head and stepped close to the male before ripping her dagger from its sheath and cutting his throat open. He fell to the floor gagging on his own blood as he died. She turned to couple of males and commanded; "Remove this dead fool and summon my Red Sisters now!" They nodded and moved quickly to pick up the corpse and haul it out.
She quickly turned to another male; a wizard, and nodded as he spoke some words and the images of those shown appeared around the room. Several more drow females; dressed in red armor, stepped into the room and infront of the Valsharess. "See these iblith? They might be in the rivven's city we are attacking. Hunt them down and eliminate them immediately." The nodded as one and quickly left to carry out their mission. She turned and looked at them all. "As for all of you; The Drow will strike swiftly and without mercy." The Drow than left to handle other matters as the Drow mages broke the spell.
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Artemis Enteri looked to his traveling companion as they held up the flyer that had appeared in the tavern in Vaasa they were staying at. The guards had given them some trouble over Jarlaxle being Drow himself and wanted proof of where they came from. He held up one of the things that they managed to procure from King Gareth Dragonsbane at their request when they left to come to Waterdeep upon hearing of the trouble. The King himself signed the letter and had the royal symbol stamped into it.
"As you can see, my friend and I are here to help the best we can. So if you will kindly let us through; we will get down to running my fellow Drow back into the Underdark." Jarlaxle said to the guards. They just shrugged and the commander said, "Fine but one wrong move in that city Drow and you will end up worse off than a Goblin at a Dwarf-filled Tavern." Jarlaxle just laughed and they walked through the east gate of Waterdeep.
Artemis then spoke up, "Why are we even here?" He asked his friend as the Drow; former commander of the mercenary company Bregan De'Arethe, just looked at him with that same grin. His eye patch switched to cover his right eye today. "Simple, I want to know why the Drow are even up here and leading such an army. This type of thing wasn't out of the scope of what I did as captain of Bregan De'Arethe and it does slightly bother me on how they did it." He than quickly added, "The nearest city I believe is Lith'Myathar so that must be where they are launching the attacks from."
The assasin could only shake his head as they walked on. He was so busy wondering about this whole situation that he nearly missed it as Jarlaxle stopped in his tracks and looked about cautiously. He than spoke in Common carefully; "I know I said something about blackbirds earlier but I wasn't expecting them on the night watch." Artemis than caught motion from the side of his vision and quickly dodged the incoming attack by a drow female. He noted the red clothing and would ask his friend about it later.
He looked to see Jarlaxle engaged in his own battle with another drow woman that was dressed the same. The swashbuckling Drow had produced a pair of longswords thanks to those enchanted bracers and was holding his own; toying with his opponent. He didn't have that patience as he brought his dagger and Charon's Claw out from their sheaths and readied to dance with the one who was obviously there to kill him.
Artemis moved left and swung the sword, it's curtain of ash hiding him from even the Drow's vision. She charged through to not even find him there and turned around quickly in case he came from either side. The assasin instead came from behind the dissipating curtain and struck quickly; taking advantage of the surprise. His sword battered hers aside as the dagger went into the drow bitch's throat, blood spurting from the ruptured blood vessels and drowning the female in her own blood.
The man turned to see his friend had also quickly dealt with his own attacker. "Seems someone was awaiting our arrival. Might pay to be careful from now on my friend." Artemis could only nod in agreement as he wiped his dagger on the woman's clothing. "Any idea what is with the clothing?" Jarlaxle thought for a moment and said; "If it means what I think it means, we might be facing a very cunning enemy." He then simply continued on to where they were supposed to meet up with those others who volunteered to help Waterdeep; The Yawning Portal Inn
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It had been awhile since she was last in Waterdeep and nearly lost it as the guards gave her the Nine Hells for having black skin. Didn't carrying the flyer with the signatures of all the Witches of Rashemen carry any weight here. The only thing that saved her from being turned away was the fact one of them found Danilo and he cleared her. She continued walking through the city, not hiding she was a drow. It was probably the white dress that she was wearing probably the only thing keeping her alive. The figured any Drow here not carrying "visible" weapons wasn't a threat.
How wrong they were and no wonder they were losing. She came when the flyers reached her part of the Faerun and decided she wanted to check into this. Last time her people made any grab for the surface was when her grandmother decided to attack Mithril Hall; with disastrous results. She had to wonder what made these Drow do it. She was probably one of the few people that understood what made the Drow act like they did; hence why she came.
She did note that fact that she was being followed and then spoke in her native tongue. "Ele xun dos flohlu uns'aa?" She asked, turning around with a smile. The drow woman stepped out of the shadows and held her blade with a grim smile on her face and wearing some garishly red clothing. Obviously an assasin though sent by her family or whoever was behind the attacks on Waterdeep. The people panicked and backed away.
Liriel smiled and her hand flashed; a throwing knife lodging in the woman's sword arm. She clutched in pain and then looked up as she reached for another weapon in time to see spellbolts hit her in the face. She dropped like a rock as the guards ran to see what the commotion was. One looked to the dead drow and than to Liriel. The Drow Mage said, "You might want to get things that allow you to see invisible and stealth." She simply turned on her heel and continued to the Yawning Portal.
Somebody knew she was in town and obviously wanted her dead. Liriel smiled and muttered; "This could be fun." She than let out a melodic laugh at the thought of a real challenge again since she Fyodor and had fought side by side.
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Drizzt nodded to the guards as he and Innovidil walked past the guards. They had let him in cause he was known to them. Many people eyed him warily and the ranger would be glad to help them and remind them that there was at least one or two Dark Elves who didn't much care for the way things were done amongst his people. He looked to the Moon Elf next to him and asked; "Something on your mind?"
Innovidil just shrugged and said; "We go from facing an Orc horde to a Drow-commanded army. Seems a bit ridiculous if you ask me." The blonde elf than laughed and added; "But than again, who else to help repel them." She looked to Drizzt with a grin as they walked on.
It was after a little while that Drizzt had this sense that something was not right. He looked back and than to Innovidil before turning and brandishing Icingdeath and Twinkle. The Elf from the Moonwoods taking out her swords and asking; "What in the hells?"
She was answered as two Drow females in red cloth stepped from the shadows; people pulling back. One rushed for Drizzt as the other went for Innovidil. Drizzt just shook his head and moved; his enchanted anklets moving him faster than the Drow. He was behind and lashed out with Twinkle. The blue-scimitar cutting into the clothing and slicing her backbone. He spun about and moved to the front; bringing
Icingdeath cutting into her abdomen and spilling blood and intestines onto the cobblestone pavement. She dropped where she had been standing, dying quickly. He turned to see Innovidil holding her own and then she ducked under and shoulder-butted the Drow in the stomach; forcing her back far enough for the one of the elf's longswords to pierce the chest. She died as the blood flowed from the wound.
Innovidil than said, "You think the Drow knew you were coming?" Drizzt just looked to the bodies. Somebody knew they or him was coming but had sent an obviously under-prepared pair to deal with him. That left out anybody from his birthplace involved in this attack; they would have sent more than two. H nodded to his traveling companion and they turned; hurrying to the Yawning Portal. Something was definitely not right in Waterdeep.
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Nalia had spent the last few days traveling by foot to reach Waterdeep. Queen Ellesime had brought her flyer and she looked at it. She decided to go with the Queen's persuasion; probably cause she needed to get her mind off Neverwinter. That Lord Nasher though could take his reasons for having Aribeth executed and shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
She was walking through the cities when her keen hearing picked up something being moved aside behind her. It was just a rock but it had a quality to it that made the Wood Elf's senses tune in to an even greater degree. One just didn't survive the plague; traversing the area around Port Llast; survive a Luskan gone mad; defeat the greatest Red Wyrm of the North; and single-handedly take on an army without knowing when an enemy was possibly following you. She brandished her bow and turned around, notching an arrow and letting it fly in the direction of the sound.
There was no click of metal on stone but a Drow female stumbled from the darkness with an arrow lodged right between her eyes. Now that was a lucky shot; Nalia thought; as the Drow assassin dropped to her feet and then fell face first to the cobblestone dead. Nalia though didn't like surprises and knew something more was going on in Waterdeep. She turned and made haste for the Yawning Portal.
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Robin and Aerie Pendragon came through the South Gate finally on his white horse. "Don't worry Aerie. I am quite sure Aran can handle taking care of Quayle for a little bit." He turned around to his wife as they rode horse back through the city. She than shook her head; "But I just feel so bad not being there right now my love."
Robin shook his head; "You will feel better once you take out all that frustration about not being there on some Drow skulls." The horse they were on stopped and backed up. He had gotten this horse a couple years ago to be the Inquisitor's mount; stabling him in the stables for The Order of the Radiant Heart. The armored warhorse; named Whitesteel; only acted like this when there was trouble to be found. Aerie picked up and called to mind the spells she had memorized earlier this day. Robin through brought Carsomyr out and held it with one hand as he leaped down and then took hold with both. He closed his eyes and prayed silently to Torm than openned them.
The Drow knew they were coming apparently as six red-clad females surrounded them and slowly approached. He then charged at them, surprising them and taking one out as the holy avenger blade cut her in two across the waist. Aerie looked and yelled; "Fireball!" She launched the magical attack and it exploded against the wall; sending Drow running for cover as she unloaded spellbolts into them. She turned the horse around and grabbed the reins while lashing out with her staff and catching the unfortunate fool in the head; knocking her into the street some distance away; the impact cracking the Drow's skull open.
She then looked back as Robin had one Drow by the throat and was just stared. The woman had a look of pure terror on her face before Robin asked. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
She nodded fearfully and spoke in common; "Yes." Robin nodded and said; "I have a feeling if you tell whoever sent you that you failed, you will die right?" The woman was practically shaking. He took out something and put it in her hand. A gold disc engraved with the symbol of the Radiant Heart. "You will go south to Amn and hold this out. It has my name on the back and they will rush you to the Order. Be very thankful I am showing you mercy Drow." He let her go and she fled. Aerie smiled as her husband could be merciful, even to the cruelest people. Though having seen most of your allies die in single blows from that sword would probably make one reconsider their whole life and their path.
Robin got back onto Whitesteel and said, "Somebody decided to throw us a welcoming party. I intend to thank them personally." Somebody obviously wanted them dead. She would be happy to give them that chance personally. They made a quick trot for the Yawning Portal Inn to meet Durnam and whoever else was going to help save the city of Waterdeep from this menace.
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Wolf quickly awoke drenched in sweat and quickly looked about as if something was deadly wrong. He had on only his tunic and cloth pants as he saw a Drow elf by the chest with his stuff in it. She made it vanish with a scroll and then saw Wolf was awake and went to deal with him; a dagger in hand. Wolf jumped from the bed and reached for his own dagger.
The door than openned as a woman; Durnam's daughter came in. More importantly; Storm Fang, his Dire Wolf companion came through the door and knocked the Drow to the floor. He pulled back; his snout and fangs bloody as the animal had ripped her throat out. Wolf looked up and asked with alarm in his voice; "Is the Inn underattack?" The woman shook and said, "No it isn't my lord." Wolf shook his head even more. "No need for honorifics please. Just Wolf will do dear." He stood up and patted Storm Fang on the head. "Any idea where I can get some replacement clothing?"
She fumbled in her pockets for a moment and brought out a key as she blushed. "No need to be so kind sir; the first door to your right has some things my father collected over the years. There should be something for you in there.
Wolf smiled and said, "Thank you dear." She nodded and quickly left the room as Wold smoothed out his clothing and hoped there was some decent armor in the storage room she spoke of. He just couldn't shake the dream of seeing this one Drow woman in front of these images of other people. Some he recognized from stories and others he didn't. Wolf wondered what it all meant and would probably consult with clerics of diviners if he had the time.
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Translations:
"Ele xun dos flohlu uns'aa?" --- Why do you follow me?
Author Note: Well; the first chapter of this tale is now here. Should have the second ready this weekend and up. Please Read and Review! I want to know what others think of this story and how I am doing.