Ixian studied a map that had been placed before him as he stood silent in a rather large tent. Patiently he was awaiting news of the twins. It was then one of his advisers opened the great doors and walked in pushing a human boy before him bearing news that would please his lord.

"Dark one, one of the twins seems to have changed his mind and wishes to have council with you."

Ixian looked down at the boy with no concern before he looked back at the faux Silverymoon commander.

"And of the female?"

"She is still with Ravnos, but with the twins apart, it will be easier to capture them."

Ixian nodded in agreement reaching down he forced Drevon to his feet, "Then we start a war with Silverymoon, with her brother in our hands. The female will have no choice to come to his aid. And Ravnos will come with her."

"Good my lord. Then we will start." the adviser said walking away.

Drevon began to think that it was not Shela, but he who was making the mistake. Ixian circled him, "So what made you think that changing your allegiance was the right choice?" he asked not truly caring for an answer but either way he loved toying with humans and their fears. Drevon kept his tongue silent.

Miles away just outside the great city of Silverymoon stood a tall regal looking woman, looking down into a clear lake she saw her own reflection. One of a young beautiful woman of no more then 26 years of age. Though she was much older, older then most of the forests around her at the moment, and older then even some of her enemy. Her long dark hair was held back by strands of silver and gold, her gown glistened against her curves as she began to sing a song of peace and love, and hope of a new dawn.

The two travelers had heard her song, and they had come from afar to seek her council.

No matter how well the two were with their own stealth when Alustriel had caught their presence she smiled but did not at first turn to greet them.

"I am happy to see you both well." she said turning her head to look at the two of them, the first was a woman in her middle years with fiery red hair and a bold nature that even the spirited Alustriel could not deny. The other held skin the color of pitch and eyes of a vibrant lavender.

It was the lavender eyed drow who spoke first, "You know I could not deny you Alustriel." he told her with a smile that seemed so out of place and yet honest. Alustriel smiled at his wayward garb and how his unkempt silver hair blew about in the wind, "As I could never deny you good friend."

He seemed to blush if it were possible for one of his kind to do so, but the drow tiefling was not hesitant as he stepped closer to the taller woman. "When you summoned me shining one you spoke of a great danger, is Silverymoon under attack?"

She snickered at his words, even during a time of rest Drizzt worried about things he should not struggle over, but it was a good sign coming from that of a pure blooded drow. To see one of his kind live to fight for the survival of others, Alustriel could not ignore that show of peace.

Her full lips widened as she gently took his hand into her own, "Drizzt Do'Urden, I have called you not for the sake of Silverymoon and her people alone. But for the sake of the entire of Toril."

Within her eyes shined the light of a millenia but the tiefling could sense the apprehension within. Alustriel did not fear for herself, but for those she cared about.

The news had come so suddenly and was far from being invited, Adriara had indeed found herself on the material plane and by the gods of all that was good luck was on the whole of the plane itself as she was banished back to Avernus with her entire legion. Though it was told that not all the devils had returned with the dark mistress. He had heard that one had remained here. Now the drow found himself wandering this dark path to Hellgate Keep, on one side of him rested the beauty and tranquility of Silverymoon and on the other the darkness that had taken everything from him. Elleara had been destroyed, he could feel it and now the tiefling was uncertain of even his own son's survival.

But even for the years of peace that the Eilliestrean had given him Heredon needed to know the truth, and felt it was his duty to make sure that Adriara did not find a place here. Even better Heredon would see her destroyed for good.

He knew there was good reason for the bitch to keep one of her own here on this plane, she wanted to return and had knowledge of how to accomplish that feat.

There was a rather proud step in the tiefling's gait as he turned down the path toward the keep, most would not see him as much as his garb was travel worn. The leather vest he wore was no longer as black as it had been before, his boots were worn down to the sole and even his hair was left to hang in strands before his green and yellow eyes.

In the underdark he was considered a handsome specimen of his race, a prize most females would love to keep chained to their beds but Heredon had a wily temper and a sharp tongue. But here on the surface he was more of a ruffian then the wizard that he truly was and didn't care for regal garb nor company.

A gentile nod sufficed as enough courtesy for all who he would pass as Heredon made his way down the path, a sly grin on his face and a coin flipping between his fingers.

Morning came and the group were ready for the journey, the earlier they leave the farther ahead they get before dark comes once again.

Ravnos was busy saddling Risen when Myria led Brutus up to them.

During this entire trip Myria seemed distant and sometimes a little rough around the edges and Ravnos had wanted to ask her what was bothering her but the time just never seemed right.

But as she came up beside him he caught the bravery and spoke up.

"Is everything alright?"

Myria looked over at the red haired tiefling, part of her wanted to gripe about the new girl's interest in him and the other just wanted to keep silent.

So she sighed, "Everything is fine Ravnos, why?"

"You just seem upset more often then naught, I just..."

She pursed her lips happy to have Ravnos for herself for once without that little clinging girl butting in, "Don't worry about me Ravnos, there's no need to stress really."

Ravnos didn't believe a word that she said to him but wouldn't push the conversation any farther then she was willing to let it go.

"It's time to go." was all he said as he led Risen away. Myria was perplexed, Brutus felt this and playfully nipped at her hair to cheer her up which as always worked to make her laugh. She gave him a pat before taking up the reins and jumping onto his broad back.

Shela herself seemed at peace as she came out of the woods with a smile on her face. She nodded to the group as she got into the saddle of her newly acquired horse and rode up to them.

"Is everyone ready to go?" she asked.

Ravnos jumped into the saddle, "I believe we are." the tiefling saw Shela wink in his direction and gave an odd look back before tapping his heel against Risen's skin. In reaction the animal began to trod forward with the other's behind him.

Renna sticked with Myria as she strode atop her little pinto pony, "Sure she looks pretty happy for some reason. I think she knows something we don't."

"Oh Renna, you always think that of someone."

The halfling pushed her long brown hair back and looked at her friend with large almond eyes, "And sometimes I'm right aren't I."

"Yeah well." Myria replied with a snicker as the two followed the troupe away.

Their travels took them through the grasslands and into one woodland after another. Soon the heat was getting hotter and the animals were showing signs of exhaustion. There was a heavy depth in the air one that all could feel. It made Ravnos anxious, Kai apprehensive, and the others tremble. They were now within the reach of Hellgate Keep, and the devilish army's presence had not yet left the area completely. Silverymoon was not far away now but the group did not realize that they had unawares passed right into forsaken territory.

Ahead of them something watched from the cover of the trees, it's little beady eyes gazed infernally narrowing as they moved closer.

It was at the edge of the trees that Gremis put his hand up to warn the others, he could sense something wasn't right with the place.

"Ravnos there is something watching us very closely."

"What do you think it could be?" the tall warrior said riding up beside the hobgoblin as he looked ahead.

Gremis stared at the trees, "It's not natural Ravnos. But it's evil."

"Should we go around?" Kai'lair asked. But the two warriors shook their heads at his answer.

"That would throw us back by days Kai, besides by going around we would have to wander through much more dangerous lands."

"Then let's find out what it is and get this over with." the black haired tiefling said in his impatient way as he pulled his sword.

Ravnos signaled for Myria, Shela and Renna before turning to Gremis, "Gremis, keep them in front of you. If we get attacked get her to safety no matter what." the red warrior ordered in a strict manner, "No matter what happens to us."

Gremis said nothing but nodded in response.

As they left Ravnos dismounted leading Kai'lair into the trees very slowly, keeping his senses up for any sign of movement in the trees or bushes.

He decided to keep the animals moving, they needed to get out of this forest before anything would happen. Suddenly there was a loud noise and as the two tieflings looked around them they saw nothing but red and yellow eyes staring back at them.

It didn't take long for the tieflings to bring out their weapons nor did it take long for the orcs and kobolds to leap from their places and attack the intruders.

Gremis rushed his horse through the trees, "Hurry, we're surrounded!" he called to the girls as they too tried to maneuver their mounts through the heavy growth of the trees. The hobgoblin's big mount snorted as it dodged one large tree coming almost to an open prairie but just before his big hooves left forest turf something whipped out before him.

The horse whinnied in fright as he was helpless and fell forward throwing his rider down hard and unconscious. As it rose to run away a group of orcs surrounded the hobgoblin, Gremis opened his eyes and for a moment saw Myria and Renna being dragged off their mounts by more of the brutes. A flash of metal and a dark skinned tiefling leaped through the orcs like a ghost and Gremis thought he was seeing things. Then all went black.

He rushed through the forest, his swords held to his sides as his stride took him quickly and almost silently through the maze of trees, already ahead of him the red haired woman nocked her bow.

With a raised eyebrow and a sly grin she quickly glanced down at the drow warrior as he came up beside the tree where she rested comfortably, "Yer late."

Drizzt gave her a cross look but couldn't help the grin as he slid up the tree and rested on a branch not far from her, "The orcs, they're coming this way."

"And I can't wait." was her reply as she watched and waited. Soon as she had anticipated and as her drow companion had foretold the orcs came bounding through the trees, two carrying the body of yet another of brute blood and behind them two more hefted two young girls upon their shoulders. Both women struggled to be free of their captors.

Cattie pulled the draw, her hands still as she made her aim and waited for the right moment. It was then that Drizzt signaled for her to stop, he then pointed to a shadow that seemed to loom through the trees before raising his finger to his lips.

The drow was uncertain as to the manner of creature this new being was but a premature attack could put both him and Cattie in more danger then he was willing to allow.

When the figure formed Drizzt narrowed his eyes, the being was tall, built and bore two great wings and horns upon his skull. He was not of this plane, he was pure evil.

Ixian took within himself a deep heavy breath as his body became whole, stepping forward he glared a threatening look at the orcs before looking down at what was supposed to be the other half of the fool he now held captive.

At first he groaned at the hobgoblin, snorted displeasure at the small halfling, and then his eyes fell on Myria and a grin erupted on his dark face. By the fear in her eyes she remembered him and Ixian remembered her all too well, "so the red haired fool lost his pet once again." he spoke gruffly as he leaned close to Myria and licked her cheek just to make her tremble, "Or do you wish to share another play with me?"

"Leave her alone you big brute!" the halfling called to him kicking with all she could. This amused the tiefling and he snickered at her attempts, "Not so smart halfling, I would see to devour you for a midday snack. Sckorn!" Ixian called out to one of the orcs as he pointed to Myria, "This is not the she bitch I asked for. Where is the other one."

The orc was at a loss and could only shrug his answer.

"I should not expect much from an orc." Ixian growled motioning for the big brute to come closer and when he did the tiefling leaned forward, "I do not do well ordering around a fool."

Blood shot forth from a ripped chest as Ixian pulled out the orc's still beating heart and held it before the brute with a smile upon his face. As the orc fell Ixian saw some leaves fall from a heavily grown tree, immediately his eyes caught a glint of metal and he pulled his hand forward. An arrow meant for his heart tore through his palm but did nothing more then anger him, pulling it out Ixian unfolded his wings.

"Come out and play with me!" he called out to his attacker in a challenge, "You cannot hide, I smell you bitch. And what is that other scent, tiefling?"

"Drow." came a voice behind him as Ixian felt a sharp stab to his side. With one wing Ixian moved to push away his attacker but the smaller framed drow was rather quick and his blade had honestly hurt the big tiefling.

"My mistake."

Ixian watched Drizzt move before him, he eyed both scimitars with boiled anger before landing his brimstone orbs upon the tiefling with malice, "And does this drow have a name?" he asked licking his own blood from his fingers before flicking the rest away from him.

Drizzt knew well of the other planar beings and their tricks, and this one was trying to bide his time. He returned the bigger warrior's smirk, "Enough with the idle chatter tiefling, let's get this over with."

"Oooh you're quick to face your death elf, always heard the drow were willing to die."

Drizzt's eyes narrowed as the tiefling made his first move.

Ravnos heard Myria's call, fighting his way through the weeds and branches the tiefling caught sight of a group of big brutes carrying the girl off. Quickly he moved to follow when an arrow came from out of nowhere lodging itself into a tree just beside him.

Ravnos turned just in time to see yet another arrow, and the one who shot them. He dodge to the side before he got hit then returned fire, literally.

Cattie Brie gasped when she saw the flames coming toward her and jumped down just in time to miss a scorching blow from the flaming ball, she shook her head and reached for her sword when she heard deep growling. To her dismay two large lupine beings stood at each side of her, their lips raised in a snarl as they growled a threat in her direction, one move and she could find herself dog food. Yet they would not be her only danger, a sharp point to the front of her throat caught her to look up and she was rather surprised to see the being before her. His skin was ashen, his hair crimson and black and his eyes shined of green in the darkness. He was no normal being, Cattie knew she was in trouble.

Ravnos himself glared down at the girl, "Where are they taking her?" he asked rather harshly.

"I don't know, and ye won't get much out of me with these two mutts breathing on me."

This was not an answer he wished to hear. Ravnos stepped on her wounded ankle before falling to one knee and leaning above her, "Wit, woman, will only make me want to kill you more. Now tell me, where are they taking her!!?"

"I don't know, we." Cattie stopped herself, "I was trying to save the girl, the halfling, and the brute when ye came in and stopped me. Twas not my fault they were taken."

"Partially, you interfered." Ravnos growled and before she knew it he had her hands bound behind her back and her weapons in his clawed hands, with a whistle he gave each large wolf a weapon to carry as he hoisted the red haired woman upon his shoulder, "You said we, who else is with you?"

"I'm alone."

Shaking the girl Ravnos sighed, "You'll tell me more, I assure you of this."

He pushed his way back to Kai, and the horses.

Ixian parried away the glinting blade of Icingdeath before he fell back against an old tree, Drizzt was upon him in an instant and the tiefling found himself pinned, two swords, edge to his skin were waiting to rend his head from his shoulders.

"I'll find you tiefling. Find you and kill you." Ixian growled knowing that he was in a dangerous position, one that he possibly could not break himself free of so he used one of his innate abilities. Drizzt looked on in shock as the big warrior began to disappear into a smoke and before he knew it, he was alone.

Sheathing his swords the drow tiefling turned back, "Cattie!' he called out but no reply came.

"Cattie where are you?"

No response. Drizzt became concerned and followed a trail that she had given him just in case they should be parted, the tree branches were broken here and there and then it all abruptly stopped, not far away there were heavy large bootprints in the mud along with the prints of two rather large wolves. A scuffle had ensued for the ground had been beaten down. Drizzt kneeled down to take some blood from a leaf.

In another place Cattie was set up against a tree, her hand held to her chest as blood dripped down the rope that bound both hands together. She watched the big tiefling closely, he had found a companion and though she found it somewhat hard to believe the dark haired one seemed to actually be trying to help her somehow.

"Ravnos, I don't think she's working for the devils. Look at her, she doesn't look evil."

The red haired tiefling looked to where his companion pointed but his green eyes did not rest upon Cattie for long before a call came from the trees.

"Ravnos!" Shela cried running from the darkness and straight into his arms, she held tight to him as tears fell down her eyes, "They took them! The orcs.."

"We're going to get them back." he said, "We're going to get your brother back."

Cattie watched from where she huddled against the tree, the big warrior seemed so tender with that young girl, and he seemed intent on saving that girl and the others.

Maybe she could get through to him...

Miles away was a creature that lived for the darkness, and he was close to bringing it to the worlds for eternities. All he needed now was the young female human and he would become the lord of the black worlds.

Grinning Ixian walked over to his scrying pool and looked in, the form of a pretty young female came into view and the monster began to grin, they were not as far away as he had thought earlier.

"Soon you will be mine to conquer." he whispered under his breath to her before he was interrupted by one of his guards.

"Here is the human you asked for my lord." the dark creature said in a raspy voice as he led Drevon into the room where Ixian was standing.

The boy was quite scared of the tiefling's immense size, but he was no longer afraid to die. His only family had abandoned him for a bastard tiefling and he wanted revenge for the pain that the big fool had caused him.

And this was the being that was going to help him in his path.

As Drevon stepped closer Ixian held up his hand to stop him.

"That is far enough boy, I do not wish you to come closer."

Ixian did not need to see the boy to know that he was trembling and this made the devil blood smile just a little.

"Are you afraid of me human?" Ixian asked as he turned to face Drevon, "Because that may or may not be your downfall in the end."

"I wish for your help to aid me in the destruction of the group that has my sister."

"You wish." Ixian said stepping down off of the platform and standing in front of Drevon. The smell of human sweat and the sound of Drevon' s pulse racing made Ixian smile even more, he lived to cause fear.

"Tell me human, what has this group done to you? Have they captured your sister?"

"They warp her mind dark one. I need to get her back. Will you help me?"

Looking away from Drevon Ixian held out his claw, a clang of metal and to the boy's awe a sword came off the wall and went straight into the big warrior's open claw.

"Are you skilled with a sword boy?" the tiefling asked cutting his palm with the blade to Drevon's dismay.

The human could only shake his head and Ixian smiled at his disgust as he licked the blood from his flowing wound.

"You are ever much frailer in body then the ones that you seek to destroy boy, you will need to learn to defend yourself from their attacks. But we will find them and get your sister back from their hands."

Drevon smiled and looked in awe now as the blood from Ixian dripped down the blade.

And Ixian had what he wanted, now for part two.

To Cattie Brie's delight the bright light began to peak over the mountains and life began to take hold of the lands once again. All night she fluttered in and out of sleep, the big tiefling made her nervous with his nocturnal wanderings. The other tiefling had fallen asleep against a tree and the girl too had fallen asleep only after the big warrior calmed her nerves.

Sniffling the red haired woman watched as Ravnos came around the remnants of the fire, "Ye gonna leave me bound tiefling? I told you, was not me who took your beloved."

"She's not my beloved." Ravnos corrected as he turned his head to look at the woman, "and I hold not trust in the fact that you claim no ill intent should I release you."

He huffed in her direction before kicking Kai's boot to wake his companion. Kai'lair groaned and turned to roll over completely forgetting that he was not in a bed, there was a thump and the tiefling was wide awake as he jumped up.

"catch your beauty sleep Kai?" asked Ravnos slyly as he pulled Cattie to stand. Kai's response was short and sweet with one motion of his fist before he turned to wake Shela.

"You thirsty?" Ravnos asked Cattie as he held a water skin up, she nodded and he allowed her to drink. Soon they were mounted upon the remaining horses, Brutus and the others had arrived back at the camp so there were riderless mounts to lead also. Cattie did not realize that the big beast she was riding held a special place in the tiefling's soul, though it was not the beast itself but it's rider.

The road was now leading away from the normal woodlands and became more prairie with hills. Along their travels they passed many a curious human shepherd with flock that stared in awe as the group rode by.

A storm erupted from the north and the thunder could be heard as the hardened horses moved on. Some rain fell cooling Ravnos as he closed his eyes reveling in the cool droplets of water as they fell down his face, it was such a calm feeling this storm had brought him. Though Shela and the other woman seemed to be somewhat bothered by the falling rain. A strange feeling over came him and he understood the feeling, instinct told him it would soon be necessary to take cover from the storm.

Lucky for them there was a small town located just ahead of them on the road. By the time that they arrived there the rain itself was already in a down pour and both horses and riders were soaked and muddy. Risen snorted as he led the group down the muddy street until he was halted in front of a tavern and boarding cottage.

The group dismounted there, Ravnos lifted Cattie from the back of Brutus he then threw a cloak over her shoulders, "You say one word and it'll be your last." he warned her while pushing her up the steps and into the bustling inn.

Kai'lair got down then helped Shela off her horse before he too followed the girl into the inn.

At first the clerk of the tavern watched the newcomers with a strange and all too concerned look on his face, and when the taller one stepped to the counter his hand holding tightly to the small framed cloaked figure his look was suspicious.

Ravnos saw this and pushed Cattie to his other side.

"Sorry traveler but we are out of rooms for the night." the clerk told Ravnos in a timid manner. He was bothered by the tall figure cloaked in darkness.

"I'm sure that you can find something if you try harder." Ravnos hissed quickly grabbing the innkeeper's hand. The man gasped when he saw the stranger's fingers were tipped with deadly claws, he looked to face the dark form when Ravnos pulled down his cloak and revealed his face. A panicked look came upon the keeper's face when he saw the pointed ears and canine teeth of the tiefling.

"Yes we may have something for you. Give me a few moments." he said as Ravnos let his hand go and smiled.

"I thought you'd see things my way."

"So'd ya get us a room big guy?" Kai'lair asked walking up to Ravnos shaking his wet hair from water. Kai saw the smile on Ravnos's face and snickered. Ravnos tugged Cattie back "Of course I did. I'm great at negotiating Kai, you know that." the tiefling said patting Kai'lair on the back and walking into the bar room.

The group found and sat at a table in the back. They were hiding from any unwanted attentions that some of the patrons of the bar may give.

Kai'lair himself watched a few of the larger humans that stood across the room giving them strange looks. He had a feeling that they would start something.

"I don't mean to bring this up to be harsh Shela, but this morning you said something about a she devil and her offspring in your dreams? Would you know what either looked like?"
The pretty female sighed heavily as she looked down, "Her son had burning eyes, and he was very big. Much taller then you Ravnos."

The leader groaned, "Ixian, it has to be. Guess my suspicions were correct, the celestials banished the entire devil army Except for him."

"But why would he want Shela? What does she have a place in all of this?"

Ravnos took the last of his drink and set the glass down before he answered. Yet he didn't know the reasons.

"There must be something within." he said abruptly, "She must have an inert power that is hidden from us."

"But how does Ixian know of it and we don't." Muttered Kai'lair as he pulled out his dagger and started to carve things into the wood of the table.

Ravnos gazed into the liquid that was in his glass, right then an idea came to him. Why hasn't this occurred to him before.

"Maybe it's not magic, could it possibly be within her soul? After all Ixian is a devil, and he would pick up on something in her soul?"

Ravnos agreed to a point but shook his head, "If that were the case Kai, I would have felt something too."

Then the big tiefling turned to the girl, "Shela, of your parents is there something that set them apart from other people? Did they feel different to you, or look different?"

She thought for a moment, "My mother, she always seemed to have this soft glow about her eyes. Could that be something?"

Kai's jaw dropped and he almost dropped his mug of ale as Ravnos leaned forward, "Your mother had this?" he looked down then back up again, "Shela, your mother she could have been a celestial. This explains a lot, and yet it explains nothing."

"How so?" Kai asked wiping his arm where he happened to spill some ale. Ravnos explained.

"If she had strong celestial blood, it is possible that her soul could be harnessed to summon a portal and a spell that would not allow banishment for the armies of hell that would march through. It was a spell, a myth I heard of long ago when I was in Avernus."

It was then that he gave Shela a soft gentle look, "but the soul would need to be taken by the dark intent of another... the wielder of the soul's own flesh and blood." a look of realization crossed his face, "their twin."

Shela felt her heart drop, Drevon they intended to use him to kill her.

Those on the street cared not to notice the dark cloaked figure as he slipped through the dwindling crowds. For hours he had been stalking the red haired tiefling and his cohorts, always some time behind but he was skilled in the ways of tracking.

And it was hard not to take note the heavy steps of the tiefling's big mount.

Drizzt pulled his hood tighter as the rains became dense while it fell, stepping through the rain beaten streets of this village the drow knelt down. Hoof prints of all sizes and all shapes now battered into the mud, Drizzt lost Cattie's trail.

But there was some condolence, no doubt the group would rest tonight in an inn. And in a village of this size, of those there could be but a few.

The room was not so small, actually to the tiefling's there was some amusement involved. Ravnos' intimidation factor must have worked like a gem.

"Wow big guy, you got us the suite!" Kai said as he plopped down into a rather plush seat and put his feet up, "You should do that more often."

Ravnos though he was smiling at all of this shook his head at his companion, "That was the last time hopefully Kai. I don't enjoy scaring the hells out of people...anymore."

The tiefling winked as Shela and she smiled before turning to look at Cattie who had been rather silent this entire time. It was time to talk with her.

"It isn't true is it?" she asked taking a seat beside the woman as Ravnos watched from across the room.

"What isn't true?"

Shela sighed, "You aren't working for the evil ones, right?"

To this Cattie shook her head, "Yer big friend o'er there seems to think that, though I assure ye that it be far from the truth."

"He's just trying to protect me." Shela whispered sadly as she looked over at Ravnos who was now busy cleaning his blades, "The girl and the two others were his companions. And they were taken from him because they like he are trying to stop the hells from erupting upon the surface."

Looking down at the rope around Cattie's wrists the young girl added, "He isn't evil, he's just... angry now, and scared though he doesn't want to admit it."

Cattie looked over at Ravnos, "Then he must understand, I was trying to help the girl from the orcs. Thought he was the enemy."

Shela nodded standing up she smiled at Cattie before she went to Ravnos.

When the girl had left her Cattie began to toy with the ropes.

Outside of the room Kai'lair strolled down the lantern lit hallway, again on a hunt for the most prestigious of species, the gentler or sometimes gentler sex. For some reason Kai could not shake the feeling that he was being watched, but with a peculiar smile and a raised eyebrow he brushed it behind him and refocused on his hunt. Suddenly a large shadow brushed pass him. Kai fell back against the wall, "I did not just see a big black cat run down the hall did I?" he asked himself looking back behind him just in case. He saw nothing so with a shrug he continued down the stairs.

The ropes were beginning to burn, hurting her wrists raw and Cattie wanted some relief from the bonds. How she missed her friends, her father. The old dwarf would most certainly turn the tiefling into mush for doing this to her, but as was Wulfgar, Bruenor was not here with her. Nor did they have any idea just what trouble the girl had found herself in, but Drizzt knew. And he would come for her.

She was so busy thinking that she failed to see the shadow loom over her and it was far too late to pull her hand away when Cattie realized that the big tiefling was standing before her, a sharpened dagger in his hand held ready with intent.

"Oi, here it goes." Cattie thought to herself, fighting back any tears as she wished to die with honest bravery. But wouldn't she miss her friends, wouldn't she miss Drizzt?

"You better not be tricking us." she heard the tiefling say in his harsh deeply accented tone, she felt the cold steel touch the skin of her arm and then her hands fell to her sides. Looking back up Cattie saw the tiefling standing a few feet before her, the rope and the dagger in his hands.

He didn't kill her.

Relieved she began rubbing her sore wrists when the tiefling spoke again.

"If you are indeed telling us the truth, then I should send you some apology." Ravnos said looking somewhat ashamed for his actions, "It was all wrong, what I did to you. But I have a question that needs answered."

"Speak out." Cattie said with uncertainty. The tiefling slammed the blade of the dagger into a heavy wooden table, "What were you doing there, I would doubt you were passing through and decided to play good samaritan for the day."

She pushed her hair back still rubbing the soreness of her arms with her hands, "Aye, you have an understanding now. I was here, summoned by Alustriel herself to help fight against the threat ye seem to be hunting down. We have the same goal tiefling."

It all made sense now Ravnos was about to respond when he heard and felt an odd aura just outside the door. The feeling was otherworldly, it tingled his senses so Ravnos signaled for the girls to get back away from the door itself, just in case.

Slowly he went to turn the knob, taking great care to keep his dagger ready. Slow and steady he thought to himself as Shela stood beside Cattie, both women apprehensive on what was out there.

Suddenly the door splintered inward, throwing Ravnos hard back onto the floor. It all had happened so fast that the tiefling barely had time to put his forearm up and stop a crushing set of jaws from ripping into his throat. Heavy claws ripped through his armored chest fighting to find a weakness in the armor itself as Ravnos looked up into the ethereal yellow eyes of a pitch black panther.

Her jaws were a vice, biting harder down upon his forearm and causing Ravnos to growl back in pain as he hastily reached over for the dagger that had fallen just out of his reach.

It was no use and the beast's jaws were gripping tighter, Ravnos reached down to his belt and pulled a small trinket from within a satchel.

Guenhwyvar herself felt she had won this fight, soon enough the tiefling would weaken and her teeth would plunge straight into his vulnerable flesh. But the sound of growling and scent of dog filled her senses, the large panther looked up into the eyes of a wolf.

Jerackan's lips were locked in a snarl as she challenged the great cat, puffing out certain growls she kept her ears flat to her head, "Come get me fur ball." she seemed to say to Guenhwyvar, "Only weaklings fight an unarmed opponent."

"Weakling!!?" Guen mustered her jaws shaking now as their grip upon the tiefling's forearm loosened, "I eat dogs like you for a snack."

With her white tail flicking about the wolf turned her back to the big cat, urging the animal more, "Then prove it."

Guen's claws released and the big cat launched off of Ravnos, going straight for the white wolf.

Cattie was shocked at what happened, before she could even call to Guen a wolf white as the new fallen snow appeared from a black mist to challenge the big cat.

Ravnos himself took hold of his dagger as he rose up quickly, looking to the two women to see how they fared he was about to turn around but the sharp point and razor edge of a sword stopped him.

"Friend of yours?" Ravnos groaned as he glanced at Cattie. She was about to respond but the tiefling's form dissipated leaving Drizzt a bit confused. Sharp senses told the drow that his enemy was now behind him, and both scimitars spun about in time to stop the heavier blade of the tiefling's long sword. Ravnos not quite used to such a quick style of Florentine was having some trouble keeping track of blows but he was not having any trouble dishing out some dangerous attacks to his opponent. Drizzt held more knowledge and knew that the tiefling was trying to outmatch his speed with strength and power, to keep ahead of the big warrior's attacks, and his grip was of the best advantage to the drow.

Using one sword to parry Drizzt maneuvered Twinkle around the tiefling's blade but Ravnos backed away barely missing the slice of the glittering blade of Drizzt. If he could only get inside, behind the tiefling's blade he could find a strategy but Ravnos was far too smart for that. He had much on the drow, strength, and reach.

He would have to use these then to his advantage.

One shot grazed the tiefling's thigh as Drizzt spun around him, Ravnos counterattacked with a backhand, pommel out smashing it right into the shoulder blade of the tiefling, right in the small of the back. As Drizzt stumbled Ravnos ran for him, holding his blade point down intending to break right through the defense of the two swords. Drizzt saw him just in time.

Jerackan turned around as the big cat slowed her prowl, the wolf and the panther locked sight each not willing to show weakness to the other. In her brute size Guenhwyvar had some girth on the sleeker dire wolf but Jerackan had something that the big cat did not.

Guen moved forth her slender tail moving gracefully back and forth as her big paws beat upon the ground, "Play time is over." she seemed to say as she quickened her pace. Jerackan stood there, her teeth showing and her hackles raised, waiting. Watching for the right moment.

The big cat's front paws raised off the surface as her powerful hindquarters pushed her to a jump. Jerackan raised her nose to the air, and Guen felt she would win this fight.

That was until something slammed hard into her right side, causing both her and her new attacker to crash into a wall. A flash of red and soon Guen felt sharp teeth dig right into her shoulder. The big cat growled, rising up and snapping at this new wolf with her sharpened teeth. It was then that Jerackan came around Guen's other side slamming her body into the panther to knock the beast off center, then she would go for her throat and it would be over. But Guenhwyvar was not so easy a prey.

Ravnos fell into the table, breaking it to pieces as his sword slid across the floor. He looked over with dismay before the flash of his foe's blade turned his attention.

"I will kill you where you are tiefling." Drizzt cowled his lavender eyes flashing of malice as he pulled Twinkle back from Ravnos' chest.

"You can tell those who have met me before this tiefling." Ravnos muttered with a heavy breath, "I'm not so easy to kill."

Drizzt only saw the quick light of flames before he felt a incinerating heat, it did no harm merely blinded him for a moment giving Ravnos enough time to stand and gather himself for another attack.

Wiping his hair from his eyes Drizzt glared at Ravnos and it was then that Cattie ran to stop this madness.

"He is not our enemy." she said to the drow putting a hand to Icingdeath's handle, "ye have been fighting an ally Drizzt. He seeks to stop the same as we."

Ravnos glanced down at his torn armor before focusing a comment on them, "You telling me that you work with him?"

"And ye seem to see some trouble in that?" the red haired woman commented back snidely. Drizzt slowly allowed his swords to fall to his sides, "You mean...?"

To this Cattie nodded.

Suddenly both Ravnos and Drizzt's eyes widened in unison they called out the names of their otherworldly companions.

Guen had Riger down on his back, her claw resting upon his chest as the wolf locked his jaws about her other leg. A few times she leaned forward to snap at his throat but Riger jerked his body away. And the wolf tearing into her back was not helping matters any.

Suddenly and almost right on time they heard the call of their names and all three beasts stopped their fight, the call of their masters was too strong a command to disobey and so the beasts slipped back into the shadows.

Staring down the tiefling Ravnos tried to make sense of this, could they be allies against Ixian and Adriara? If so the drow would be a much needed aid, though in all honest Ravnos held too much pride to show him how much his help would be appreciated so the tiefling merely took his sword up from the floor, "You too were sent by the shining lady?" he asked of the tiefling.

Drizzt nodded finding it slightly distasteful that one of such dark blood would even speak of Alustriel as an ally. But as a grace the drow held that thought to himself, "Yes, we were asked to find the remaining devil and send him back into the hells where he belongs."

"Then we have something in common." Ravnos chided back sheathing his blade as he cast the tiefling an arrogant look.

It was then that there were footsteps in the hall and standing in the shattered doorway was Kai. Biting a piece out of an apple the tiefling looked at Ravnos, to the mess in the room, the shattered doorway, then to the strange white haired tiefling before raising an eyebrow.

"This is some turn down service."

Ravnos took a deep breath as he rolled his eyes at Kai's ignorance.