General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.

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Ust Natha

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Xan knew she was standing behind him -- he was surprised it had taken her so long to corner him, if he was being honest with himself, but he was fairly happy she'd been too preoccupied with Kivan and his idea of training to come searching for him. It had meant he got a good night of reverie, reliving some of his happier memories of his home. Remembering the few of his peers who he felt a close kinship with... people who were not as complicated as Maiyn. People who no longer could be part of his life.

He continued to sort through the vials of liquid he carried as part of his spell component collection. He had been dismayed to notice how low he was running on fish oil, and had dryly told himself that he was unlikely to find a suitable source for self-collection while they were in their current predicament. Still, the chances of him needing to cast any of the spells that used it were slim -- and for the more important ones, he could always substitute some of the fish scales he'd been hoarding...

He paused in his thoughts, realising that the silence around him seemed heavier than before. She must have said something. He turned to look at her and offered a polite smile. She stared back at him, her eyebrow raised expectantly. He blinked once.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't hear you?"

Maiyn rolled her eyes. "I asked if you'd be ready to leave in an hour or two."

"Ah, that should be fine, yes," he replied, returning to his possessions. He was the only one still in the hostel, the others enjoying the company of the svirfneblin through in the tavern. He knew subconsciously he'd come through here in the hope that she'd follow, but now he was at a loss over what to say. Instead he went back to rummaging through his pouches.

Her soft footsteps broke the silence, and she appeared by his side, sitting down on the bed as he stood beside the table. She was looking up at him -- he could feel her eyes on him, almost read her thoughts. It would be so easy to enter her mind -- he even had the correct items within his grasp. She needn't hear his murmuring, she wouldn't know what was happening...

He dropped the two small rubies immediately, his hands recoiling from them, almost in fear. He glimpsed to her face -- curiosity adorned it as she regarded his actions, and he sighed heavily, running one of his now free hands through his hair. Her countenance turned to one of concern and she patted the space next to her. Reluctantly he perched on the corner, his gaze carefully aligned with the posts of the bed at the opposite side of the room.

"Did you rest well?" she asked.

"Thank you, yes, I did." It felt formal, and he shifted uncomfortably. Another silence lingered.

"You said we needed to talk," she said eventually. "I... well, this might be our last chance for a while."

He sighed heavily, but caught her hand as he noticed her sorrowful look and her move to stand up. "No, don't go," he said quickly. "I am just... unsure as to what to say."

She nodded. "I can imagine that things have been... difficult for you to deal with, recently," she acknowledged. "It hasn't exactly been easy sailing for any of the others, either."

"Or you," he whispered. He met her gaze, allowing their eyes to lock. She smiled weakly, shrugging slightly. He reached out, gently brushing the hair away from her face.

"Thank you," was all she said in response. Then, "I didn't intend for this to happen, you know."

"I know."

"I didn't think that I'd change so much. I had no idea something so drastic could happen."

He nodded; there were no words that he could use.

"I didn't expect anything between us."

Xan stiffened slightly, watching her as she stared at some faraway point on the far wall, a melancholy look drifting across her face. He desperately wanted to say something, to comfort her, to tell her it'd be all right. Her eyes flitted over to him and she looked at him hopefully. He took a deep breath.

"We're doomed."

She chuckled, but it wasn't fuelled by humour -- it seemed to be fuelled by the same hopelessness that he felt. She nodded to him, standing up and slowly walking to the door before she stopped and looked back at him.

"Come through when you're ready to go," she said. "We'll leave then."

"I thought we had time, yet?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

She smiled to him wryly. "So did I." She swiftly disappeared around the corner of the passage outside, leaving the enchanter sitting alone uncomfortably at the edge of the bed. He should feel relieved, shouldn't he? The talk was done, everything was resolved. He need no more worry about the unnecessary complications of involvement with a Bhaalspawn. It was right again.

But if it was so right, why did it feel so wrong?

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The Stairway of Shadow proved to be quite far from the svirfneblin village, but their guides moved swiftly, making the journey as short as possible. Maiyn's heart raced when the gnomes told them in hushed voices to retreat, pushing them back down the passage before darting off ahead. The voices carrying down the corridor were in an unfamiliar tongue, but Xan had paled significantly and Kivan's teeth were clenched as he gripped his bow. The svirfneblin confirmed her fears when they returned -- drow scouting parties were common in the area, and they'd been lucky to detect them before they'd been heard.

The light gem lived up to its light, the faint glow from it rapidly increasing as they made their way down the wide fleet of stairs. Eventually they could see a wide cavern opening up before them and the ranger's gait slowed in caution; Goldander had seemed sincere enough with his offer of aid, and she was sure, deep down, that there would be nothing to fear... but her caution won her over, and she found herself slinking along beside the wall, carefully skirting towards the open area.

Her gasp was enough for her companions to halt tensely and exchange worried looks. One by one they made their way down to be next to her, and each intake of breath marked the surprise of a comrade as they gazed in awe at the Silver Dragon watching them intently. Larger than Firkraag had been, the beast was elegant and fearsome at the same time, but a benevolent aura seemed to radiate in the room.

"I know you are there," she said impatiently, "so do come forward so that I can see you."

Slowly they made their way forward, assembling themselves before the mighty creature that examined each of them in turn before she spoke again.

"Welcome... Welcome to my lair. I have watched your progress with great interest."

"I... thank you," said Maiyn hesitantly.

"I did not allow you to come here due to sheer generosity," continued the dragon. "I am not as tolerant as others of my kind, but I think we may be able to help each other. I am Adalon, the guardian, and I have done my duty as well as I have been able for many a century. I was not the first, but I know the history. My charge is the elven ruins above; there are others elsewhere, but this was the first."

Maiyn looked puzzled. "The first what?"

"The temple marks where the elves of dark hearts first descended, truly separating from Elven kind and becoming Drow," replied Adalon. "The Drow keep the outpost of Ust Natha here as a symbol, one that is fought over regularly, though I have governed the hostilities and seen peace for decades at a time."

"A symbol of their shame," muttered Kivan. Jaheira shot a glare at him, but the dragon spoke on, seemingly unconcerned by his tone.

"There has been a crime here recently, and I can no longer honour my commitment. I will ask your assistance, and in return I will aid you," Adalon said, her sparkling eyes fixed to Maiyn.

"I... I will do what I can," replied the ranger hesitantly.

"Silence!" snapped Adalon, her wings fluttering with annoyance. "I... I will tell you when you may speak. This is a very important matter, and I will not be interrupted."

"Of course, my Lady Adalon," said Jaheira smoothly; Adalon appeared appeased by her words. "Maiyn, do keep quiet," the druid continued in a whisper. Maiyn sighed.

"The drow respected the borders of this place for centuries, only venturing out for sport and small skirmishes," said Adalon. "That was the balance. The two you seek, this Bodhi and Jon Irenicus; I believe they have made a deal with the drow for their own safe passage and offered a way to tip the scales against their elven enemy." Maiyn could hear Xan's groan.

"It is unfortunate that they did not offend you in some way," remarked Jaheira dryly. "We might have been spared the headache of this journey if they had to face an angry Silver."

"You may ask why I do not extend my influence," relented Adalon heavily, while Maiyn glared at Jaheira -- a look that clearly said, 'Why didn't you get yelled at?!' The dragon continued sorrowfully: "I cannot. Irenicus bargained with my most prized possession. He violated my lair and stole from me; they have taken my eggs."

"Unfortunate," mused Jaheira, ignoring Maiyn's frown. "I assume they threaten to destroy them should you venture out?"

Adalon nodded to the druid. "I have been informed that to move from my lair is to cause the destruction of my eggs. It is the final straw in a long list of atrocities I have been witness to. You must retrieve them for me. Do this, and I will reveal a safe escape route to leave the Underdark, one that emerges close to where Irenicus plots his next move. In addition to placing you near your target, I will also make a gift of an item from my hoard. It will be powerful, and worthy of your service."

"We would offer to help you even if there were no reward," stated Jaheira calmly.

"Very noble, though I have had many a person give up on such vows before," snorted the dragon. "My term here has soured me on the company of non-dragons. I am grateful however, and will see to your success. I do not ask you to assault the city, rather to enter it with subtlety."

"Oh, no..." came Xan's voice.

Adalon continued. "You will take the identity of a group of Drow I dispatched recently, a party from another city destined for Ust Natha. I will transform you, and you will be able to pass among the Drow with ease. They will not see through the fiction I create. When you arrive at the gate, tell them you are from the city of Ched Nasad, and that you seek sanctuary within Ust Natha."

"I question the logic of this," said Maiyn quickly. Adalon's gaze returned to her inquisitively. "I do not know the ways of the drow as well as I should, and I have no knowledge of their tongue or their customs..."

"Improvise," said Adalon dismissively. "They are in the turmoil of war at the moment and will overlook much. They will not turn away extra hands. You travel with other elves who can inform you on what you need to know, and the illusion will grant you knowledge of the drow language."

Maiyn hesitated; the very notion of the act seemed to creep through her bones, making her want to recoil from everything around her. She looked over to Kivan and Xan; both had dark expressions on their face, neither looking at her. They'd known entering the drow city was unavoidable; but neither had expected it to be under pretences.

"We will do it," came Jaheira's voice strongly. "Let it be done."

"Yes, let it be done," agreed Adalon, closing her eyes and murmuring something strange and lilting that Maiyn couldn't recognise. The air seemed to swirl around them, colours drifting past as they underwent the change. Maiyn looked down to her hands as the skin darkened, and she caught sight of her hair turning white. A brief look over to Minsc showed the berserker becoming more slender, shortening slightly, but still being the tallest in the group by far, and his features became sharper. White hair appeared from his head, hanging neatly down his back. Everyone else had changed likewise, and suddenly the feeling stopped and the dragon looked back down at them.

"It is done," she said. "You now resemble the denizens of the drow city, complete with a house insignia that will not draw undue attention. I suggest you act like Drow when speaking to anyone you meet. The illusion will last as long as it needs to, but be warned; trying to leave the city through their main gate to the surface will dispel the magic. You will be on your own against impossible odds. I am sorry, but I must protect my interests -- the only safe escape is through my influence once my eggs are recovered."

"We will do what we can," assured Jaheira.

"I thank you. Remember, you are from the city of Ched Nasad. Take a drow name as well. Use 'Veldrin,' as it is commonly used, and perhaps your comrades would benefit from altering their names also. I will leave that decision to you. Go now -- retrieve my eggs and you will see the light of your sun sooner than you think."

Jaheira bowed her head respectfully and led the rest of them away from the dragon and up the stairs. She paused near the top, while they were still safely behind Adalon's wards and looked to Maiyn. "What do you want to do about names?"

Maiyn shrugged helplessly and looked to Kivan. He was drumming his fingers on his bow and he just shrugged in return. Xan failed completely to even allow eye contact to be made.

"I have some knowledge of drow names," continued Jaheira thoughtfully. "But should one of us slip and use the wrong name..."

"Then no," replied Maiyn quickly. "If anyone becomes too interested in anyone's name, we can say they were made up, or something, a way of making us more mercenary."

Jaheira nodded. The svirfneblin had informed them of the direction of the drow city before they'd parted ways, and the group quietly made their way back out to the dark tunnel, slowly advancing towards their course nervously. No one spoke a word as them went; even Minsc seemed disturbed by the transformation, only claming down when he realised that Boo was unharmed by the process. Sime had spent the time pulling forward strands of her hair, seeming to marvel at the colour, so different as it was to her normal raven-black wisps. Jaheira, Maiyn noted, was as determined as usual, striding along as if nothing had changed; a complete contrast to the visibly bothered pair of Kivan and Xan, lingering at the rear of the group, one looking as if he'd explode in anger at any moment, the other with his head hanging low, and a defeated expression written across his face.

Steadily they walked, and as they got closer to their destination, Maiyn felt her heart beat faster, and her mouth turn dry. The large gates of Ust Natha appeared before them, and the only coherent thought she could manage was, 'I'm so glad Kivan kept that figurine...'

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"Who is there!" The voice rung out around them causing most to jump in surprise. It was coming from the darkness beyond them, near to the gates; Maiyn felt herself recognising the words, but they still sounded strange to her ears -- this is what Adalon meant. "You are Drow, but there are no scheduled patrols this day! Identify yourselves!"

The group stopped and Maiyn looked around as tentative glances were thrown in her direction. She cleared her throat and tried to work out what to say.

"Intruders without cause will be killed where they stand!" came the voice again. It was male and sounded annoyed. "Speak your purpose!"

Maiyn glared into the gloom; she was already fed-up -- what with being stuck in the Underdark, undergoing a radical make-over that she didn't want, and having been, effectively, ditched by Xan. It wasn't that he'd said things were over... more the lack of him saying things would actually continue, or be all right. She grit her teeth in annoyance before she replied.

"Stand down, male worm!" she shouted. "I am Veldrin from the city of Ched Nasad. Let me pass!"

She caught the astonished looks from Jaheira and Sime before they composed themselves; they were nothing in comparison to the looks of horror being worn by Kivan and Xan. Even Minsc was regarding her curiously, though he was paying heed to the instructions of not talking unless he was expressly told to beforehand, much to the ranger's relief. There was a brief silence.

"My apologies, I merely follow my duty in questioning you. You are welcome to pass, Veldrin of Ched Nasad." The gates swung open slowly, revealing the drow city behind them and the form of a tall armoured and armed man who had addressed them. He bowed his head humbly as Maiyn strode over. "There would normally be an extensive questioning of you," he explained, "but we were expecting your group from Ched Nasad. Your late arrival has delayed the plans of Solaufein."

Maiyn looked past him, drinking in the sight as he droned on. Above them was an iron archway, the metal twisted intricately into a dark design that seemed ugly to her eyes; an obsidian disc sat in the middle, tails... or legs, perhaps... extending from it, with spikes protruding viciously. A round platform lay beyond, walled with black stone that opened up at various points to lead further into the settlement; the dark, twisting passages offering nothing but a feeling of foreboding and hostility to the her. The ground had been covered with a smooth grey marble, the form of a giant arachnid taking the pleasure of decorating it. As well as the roads leading away, there was a raised platform to her right, where several female drow were standing, cloaked in magnificent looking robes and conversing in hushed tones. To her left were more drow -- traders, it seemed, peddling their wares in the hub of activity as others made their way past, most failing to look twice at any merchandise on offer. Racks of cages were beyond the merchants; creatures, Maiyn could only assume, that had been captured by the drow for slavery. She could make out a troll and an umber hulk from where she stood, and she turned away before she caught sight of anything that would make her visibly react.

A large, glowing blue tank sat prominently at the far side of the room. A nervous looking duergar sat before it, ignored by everyone passing him, his eyes shifting through the crowds as if he was looking for something. To his side was a table, covered in skulls -- all shapes and sizes, seemingly a collection with a fair bit of variety.

"Enter quickly, and be sure that you seek Solaufein's counsel," came the guard's voice. He was looking at her strangely, and she quickly glared back at him -- no real drow, she quickly figured, would find the city such an interest this early. "He of the Male Fighter's Society will instruct you on your conduct within Ust Natha," he continued. "Be aware that your welcome is conditional, and that if you fail to meet with him or fail him in any other way, you will be hunted for sport by all that care to join in. The Male Fighter's Society is in the north end of the city, past the Female Fighter's Society and just before the spider pit."

It took Maiyn all her composure to not shudder at his words, and she was thankful when Jaheira stepped forward, loudly dismissing the male and herding the others through and fully into the plaza. They stood there, uncertainly for a few seconds before the druid hissed into Maiyn's ear.

"Are you going to lead us to this society, or shall we stand here and announce ourselves to be imposters without the use of words?"

The ranger straightened herself, frowning darkly as she marched off towards the nearest road away from the area. She steered clear of the blue tank -- something about it unsettled her even more than the drow swarming around her managed, and she felt herself sighing with relief when they turned a corner and allowed it to disappear from view. She marched on grimly, relaxing with each step as she realised that Adalon's spell was stronger and better than any of them had imagined -- all they had to do was find her eggs and leave, and they'd be away from this accursed place all too soon...

She stopped, dead in her tracks. Sime bumped into her, then quickly shrank away, trying to evade Kivan as he grabbed her arm. Jaheira took Maiyn's hand firmly but discretely, checking to make sure they were alone before ruthlessly marching her on, past the giant spider that stood in the middle of the road. It paid no attention to them, chittering gently as its mandibles rubbed together. Before long they'd wound their way around another corner, and Maiyn pulled her arm away from the druid's iron grip.

"I'm fine," she snarled, wondering if drow managed to become pale -- she certainly felt like she'd paled, but it was hard to imagine how it'd work on such a dark creature. She focussed on this for the rest of the trip, determinedly finding the Male Fighter's Society and striding up to the man standing outside. She gave him a disapproving look, and Jaheira snorted from behind her -- Maiyn recognised it as a disguised sign of approval.

"Ah." He studied them intently, completely ignoring Maiyn's glare. Jaheira also threw him a hostile look, and Sime had cottoned on to the superior-female mindset, returning his look with a haughty glance. "You are the newcomers that have been sent my way, I see. As if I do not have enough to accomplish in a day without suffering for the welfare of the weak."

Maiyn's eyebrow threatened to leave her forehead and disappear into her mane of newly-white hair. "Of everyone present here currently, we are not the ones who are weak," she said, trying a sneer. She wasn't sure if it came out right at all.

The man snorted. "There is no 'refuge' to be had in Ust Natha, fools. We pay for our existence here with blood and you shall do the same. My name is Solaufein, and for now you shall do as I say to prove your worth to the Matron Mothers. Failure is death." He raised his hand as Maiyn opened her mouth to speak. "And just because you are female, do not think to challenge me. You are a foreigner, here, and no better than a slave until the Matron Mothers think otherwise."

The ranger threw Jaheira a quick glance, and the half-elf shrugged slightly in return. Quickly, Maiyn put her attention back to Solaufein, who was looking less than happy at their arrival.

"Pfeh!" he snorted. "I suppose I should get your shepherding underway. Have you a name, vagrant? Or shall I simply refer to you as the female?"

"The name is Veldrin, and I demand the respect I am due!" She scowled at him, her glare intensifying as he broke into a loud laugh.

"Hah! You shall get none from me, regardless of your achievements in Ched Nasad! But your spirit may serve you well in Ust Natha, if you know when to show it. No matter... One of the Matron Mothers has taken an interest in your arrival and wishes to avail herself of your skills. She has sent a Handmaiden to speak with you at the entrance platform to the city and I am to take you there, no doubt, to herd you on your mission like a nursing mother. The Handmaidens are notoriously impatient -- I suggest you keep up with me."

He pushed his way past them, leaving down the same road they'd previously travelled. Maiyn groaned, only catching herself as Jaheira threw her a sharp glance. The druid fell into step beside her as they walked, talking in a hushed tone.

"We must be subservient, Maiyn," she advised. "To them we are lesser drow and no doubt under suspicion. Any sign of disobedience would bring scrutiny upon us."

"I thought females were meant to be dominant!" protested the ranger; drow society was proving to be much more complicated than she'd anticipated.

"Generally they are," mused Jaheira thoughtfully. "However -- try to stay slavish -- not humble, but submissive, until we know where we stand."

Maiyn sighed and nodded, picking up her pace as they passed the spider that was now scuttling along the route. The others followed in silence as Solaufein wove through the other drow as he relentlessly made his way back to the city entrance. Maiyn thought back to the platform she'd seen there, and the harsh looking women standing upon it. Her heart sank slightly as she realised where they were and what they were doing. Oh Fenmarel, help me through this.