The Unfortunate First Steps
"Are you sure you are ready, Caderyn?"
Valen questioned the young man as he slipped on his new clothing and tied back his bags. Caydern shot him a dirty look, his eyes narrowing and his features forming a scowl that was less than intimidating. Valen could almost find himself chuckling at how absolutely unimpressive the man was outside of his beauty. He had expected the hero to be more... heroic. Yet, he did not find himself rejecting the petite, pouting gentleman but merely, endeared to him in a way he would a stray.
"If you keep staring, I'll turn into a statue, Tiefling," Caderyn snorted, pulling back his silver locks into a small ponytail, piece of his mane falling to frame his feminine face.
Valen frowned before sighing. He left to clear the way for their passage to the ship, ignoring Caderyn's gaze as he exited the room. Caderyn looked downcast for a moment, his thin fingers caressing the metal of his light armor. His mind elsewhere as the lights from the fires caught the iron in such a beautiful way. The silver haired man shook himself out of his thoughts and dressed himself finally.
There was a strange purpose in his stride as Deekin babbled on about his curiosity of the undersea. Caderyn 'ho'ed and 'hum'ed with each question that Deekin posed to him, his mind in a warrior zone. His doubts bubbling over his in chest with his eyes shifting to the drows working on their day to day activities. These people lived in war and constant darkness- yet they continued on as if it were nothing.
Caderyn couldn't wrap his mind around it.
He had seen darker things, yes. But something about the light in these drows hearts he found to be strangely endearing. Finally approaching the dock, Valen's prominent red hair stood out among the endless bleakness stretched out before them. His height towered over a strange hooded man, too covered for his features to be seen. Caderyn stood before him; Valen nodded an acknowledgement to his arrival.
"I've already spoken to the shipman, he will take us across the river," Valen started, "If you are ready to depart on our first journey to enlist aid- I am here."
Caderyn eyed the hooded man curiously. A gurgle, hushed whisper escaped from the man causing Caderyn to jerk back.
"I am Cavallas of the dark river, and only I can navigate its treacherous currents.. I've been waiting for you," he began, a slow nod following, "I hear the dark river's voice, it whispers secrets like the dying gurgles of a drowning man. I know why you have come."
Caderyn flinched.
"You had to find the creepiest fucker here to sail the ship, didn't you Tiefling?"
Valen snorted, "Sadly, he's all we have, Mr. Rivvil. So, if you have anymore issues then we better board quickly." Caderyn groaned inwardly before running his gloved fingers through his hair. He narrowed is eyes, the green striking through the Underdark with a strange fervor.
"Why are you helping us?"
Caderyn finally spoke up, his hands on his hips in an authorative manner.
"The Valsharess is dark and cold and wishes to control even the dark current. She wishes to tame the Dark River itself and bend its current to her will and whims. This cannot happen... That is why I will take you to the islands."
There was a pause, Caderyn eyeing the hooded stranger. Valen shifting eyes between them curiously and the pervading awkward silence rose to an extreme level.
"Fair enough… Obnoxious little boat isn't it?"
Caderyn shrugged. He handed his bag to Deekin who took it with a large "Oof!" and began to walk onto the ship. He smirked cockily at the boatman then turned to nod his head into the emptiness of the dark sea.
"Tell me, what are the Isles?"
The boatman looked to him.
"There are many islands in the Underdark, all quite curious and unique. However, two stand out to your cause, which have been quite… interesting. The Isle of the Maker…and another Isle with a strange little town."
Caderyn thought for a moment as Valen finished putting the equipment onto the ship. He held his hands out to the tiefling, two small fists. Valen looked at him curiously.
"What do you want?"
Caderyn smirked, "Lets leave it up to fate! Left or right, Tiefling?"
Valen rolled his eyes, but a small smile appeared on his lips. Caderyn wasn't letting the darkness and the overwhelming pressure of the Underdark get to him by letting himself go along with the ride. He pointed lazily to the left fist, Caderyn looked at it and nodded. He turned to the boatman and pointed to the darkness.
"Take me to the Isle of the Maker!"
"It seems your information is proving worthwhile, after all, dread Mephistopheles."
The Valsharess gleamed, her shining armor reflecting the fires lining the stoned walls of her fortress. Her long hair pulled behind to fall down her back and eyes studying the bound demon carefully and with precision.
"The one you warned me of is reported to be in the Underdark now, working alongside the ragtag rebels who yet dare to oppose me…"
The demon bowed with a fervor that seemed almost comedic.
"All is as I said it would be, Matron Mother."
"You shall call me Valsharess, I have summoned and bound you, Mephistopheles, and you will bend to me will as you must!"
The Valsharess snapped back, angrily, her teeth gritted and her hand tossing itself through her luscious locks. The beautiful drow haughtily looked down at the demon from her alter until the demon lowered its head slightly.
"Of course, great Valsharess, what is it you desire?"
She smiled once again, smugly.
"I desire to know how this Surfacer arrived in the Underdark so quickly. I desire to know exactly where this Surfacer is!" The Valsharess opened her arms to emphasize, "And most of all, I desire this Surfacer DEAD"
The demon grimaced, showing little desire to speak to the woman and listen to her requests. She harped on him like a child and he was growing more than a little sick of her demanding nature. He merely rolled his eyes and sighed loudly before proclaiming to her disappointment:
'The one you seek is beyond my sight, Great Valsharess"
"Beyond your power, Mephistopheles, I would like to know how that is – continue to search for the surface. I will find him and when I do both he and every last one of those wretched rebels will pay"
Cadyern stared out at the black ocean and the boat creaked, the strange captain seemed to know exactly where to go with twists and turns that Caderyn ended up losing count. Valen sat silently against the side of the ship, cleaning his sword without much conversation as Deekin hummed to himself. The hero of Neverwinter studied the Tiefling, his eyes glazing over the muscles and the curves of the man. He never really sat to take a look at his partner, for the first time Caderyn would not that he was attractive.
However, not as attractive as his past lover.
Caderyn paused, why was he comparing Valen to lovers when this was man that boiled his blood more than most. Shaking himself out of the thought, Cadyern spoke up.
"I think I see land-ho!" he joked, putting his hand over his forehead and leaned over the bow, "I think I could get used to life on the sea much more than fighting!"
The boatman remained silent, Valen sighed outwardly and Deekin giggled to himself. Caderyn rolled his eyes – everybody is a critic, he muttered to himself in his head.
Finally landing, Caderyn chanted a spell for light on his weapon and Valen hummed with approval to the usefulness of the cleric. Turned out, Caderyn knew a spell or two to qualify himself as a halfway decent cleric – who knew? Deekin trailed behind Caderyn, putting Valen to the pack, much to Cadyern's appreciation. Despite everything Cadyern attempted in making it more comfortable, the Tiefling continued on their journey with a wave of awkwardness that just made Caderyn cringe.
Climbing the hill, Caderyn stopped as Deekin pulled on his cloak.
"Them looks like duergar. Grey dwarves, they is. They might be okay, boss, but be careful. Old Boss say they be very moody and not tasty at all"
Deekin trailed off.
Cadyern rolled his eyes.
"God, your old boss sucked."