Happy belated 2016! Holiday season got away from me so I apologize for the gap between chapters. I hope to get back to a chapter a week shortly.
All the best! JCL1371
Chapter 9: Working for the shadow thieves
After breakfast in the common room of the Copper Coronet the party departed the Slums District in search of the Athkatla Thieves' Guild. According to Yoshimo the thieves' guild was located in the Docks District of the city. He led the way through the crowded streets as the others followed while keeping a wary eye out for any slavers out for revenge. The Docks District was comprised of many levels of terraced shops and homes that gradually descended to the docks and the sea. You could smell the district before you could see it. The smell of salty sea air and fish was ever present in the area. Jeral closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The fresh sea air reminded him of standing on the walls of Candlekeep and gazing out at the ocean. He always loved the smell of the sea; it reminded him of home, of safety, of Gorion.
The view from the entrance to the district was spectacular. The massive stone blocks that made the terrace levels ensured that anyone entering the district could see the entirety of the district at a glance. The view then carried the eye to the dozens of ships tied up at the docks and beyond that to the entirety of the sea. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city in that moment everything was quiet as Jeral watched a handful of sea birds glide to and fro in the wind. Yoshimo quickly slid close to Jeral and spoke in a whisper.
"Ah Jeral, I should inform you that my past freelance activities may have drawn the ire of the guild here. They may not be thrilled to see me, they have this odd notion that they need to control all the creative activities within the city of coin. They frown on my independent bent."
Jeral snapped out of his reverie, shrugged his shoulders and patted the bounty hunter reassuringly on the back.
"Well I wish you could have told me earlier but no matter. I am sure it will be fine Yoshimo. I know how to deal with thieves' guilds. In fact elements within the guild at Baldur's Gate had a problem with Imoen and me a few months ago."
"I heard that a segment of that guild was decimated by an unknown assailant."
Jeral merely raised an eyebrow at that last comment. Yoshimo gazed at Jeral for long moments in silence before he finally nodded ever so slightly.
"Indeed. Well I may have underestimated you Jeral."
"I get that a lot Yoshimo, have ever since Imoen and I departed Candlekeep."
Yoshimo led the group to a large nondescript warehouse on the edge of the district. The building was two stories high. The first floor was made of stone while the second floor was made of thick wooden planks painted a dark shade of green. Nothing about the building made it seem anything other than a warehouse, one owned by a moderately successful merchant house. It looked much like any of the dozens of similar building scattered throughout the city. Yoshimo headed directly for the building and that told Jeral they had reached the Athkatla Thieves' Guild.
They approached the guild building and a pair of guards stepped out of a shadowy alcove by the door. The guards were larger than Anomen and each wore studded leather armor, steel bracers, and carried a short sword on their belt. Both men looked well trained and very comfortable with violence. They looked closely at the party, nodded at Yoshimo and wordlessly stepped to the side.
"Well I guess we can go in," Jeral mused.
The entrance chamber of the guild looked like a slightly chaotic general store. Dozens of dark clad men and women were looking through tables of equipment under the watchful gaze of a very attractive older woman. Clearly the proprietor of the store, she wore a set of well made - and very tight fitting - grey leathers. Throwing knives were tucked into special pockets on the upper thighs of her armor and a short stiletto hung from her right hip on a scarlet sword belt. Her grey hair was tied back in a severe bun on the top of her head. She moved with a grace that reminded Jeral of a dancer as she walked smoothly through the crowds. She turned her dark green eyes to take in the new arrivals and smiled broadly as she quickly strode towards Yoshimo and the others. Up close Jeral realized she was more than twice his age and stood a head shorter than he did. Despite her lack of stature she had a commanding presence that told Jeral she was no mere rank and file member of the guild.
"Greetings strangers. Welcome to my humble establishment. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. And if you wish for something you do not see please let me know for I enjoy handling special orders."
The group paused for a second as they absorbed the scene before them.
"Good morn my lady, we wish to see the leader of the guild."
The women looked at Jeral for a second with a shocked look on her face and then started to giggle as she placed a gentle hand on his forearm.
"Oh Jeral how delightfully impertinent of you. That is quite impossible. At this time the guild master does not wish to see you. However, I know for a fact that one of his more senior men would love a few words with you."
Jeral felt a flash of annoyance at the refusal of the guild leader to meet with him. Before he could formulate a reply Nalia stepped closer to the grey haired woman.
"How did you know his name?"
The woman smiled broadly, stepped away from Jeral, and looked at each member of the group in turn before her gaze returned to Nalia.
"My dear I know who each one of you is. Information is my stock in trade as much as any of these goods that you see behind me."
She walked up and stood in front of Nalia. She was shorter than the young mage and had to look up at her.
"You lass are the last of your name, the Lady Nalia de'Arnise. You are a mage of some skill who is properly registered with the Cowled Wizards as befitting someone of your upbringing. You are also pledged to marry the eldest of the Roenall sons, a lovely looking man named Isaea. Their family has recently inherited your ancestral home after the untimely death of your father."
"I am not marrying anyone! Least of all that bastard!"
"My dear calm yourself. I have no desire to marry you off so focus the anger where it belongs. Although I had yet to hear that you were anything less than an enthusiastic bride. I will have to remember that."
She looked to Nalia's side and looked up taking in Minsc in a slow lingering glance.
"My my my. You are even more imposing in person, how delicious. Here we have Minsc the mountain of a warrior from the north. The tales speak of your berserk skill in combat and your absolute loyalty to Jeral and his sister. I do so hope I can remain on your good side large one."
Minsc looked down quietly at the woman as he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot under her gaze.
"The handsome one in the back is the Squire Anomen Delryn who has recently suffered a grievous loss and will soon face his test for acceptance as a Knight of the Order. You have my heartfelt condolences for your loss. I can assure you we had nothing to do with your sister's death."
Anomen scowled and snapped at the woman.
"Spare me your sympathies cur! Words from one such as you are less than worthless."
The woman shrugged her shoulders and impassively eyed the Squire.
"Believe what you wish Helmite. But know that the shadow thieves do not murder innocent girls. That was a low to which we would never stoop, at least not while the current man is master of this guild. Should we learn the identity of the killer we will certainly provide that information to you, and we will even do so free of charge."
Without waiting for a response she eyed Viconia and looked her up and down. A small smile crossed her face.
"You my dear are the one I find most fascinating of all. A renegade dark elf, banished from her land having forsaken the Spider Queen. I would enjoy some time learning more about you. The things I have heard about your people are so very …intriguing."
Viconia pulled the hood away from her face and looked down at the thief.
"I assure you that anyone who gets to spend time with me must consider themselves very fortunate indeed. Perhaps I will consider your request for you look more appealing than the average female."
The women just eyed each other with impassive faces for long moments before the grey haired thief broke eye contact and shook her head slowly. Smiling she eyed Jeral and looked him up and down critically.
"And here we have Jeral of Candlekeep, hero of Nashkel and Baldur's Gate and one of the infamous Bhaalspawn from the prophecies of Alundo. I thought you would look more like Minsc, or at least Anomen given the dark power that flows through your veins. But no matter, for looks are often deceiving."
Jeral nodded his head slightly in greeting.
"My lady you have us at a disadvantage. May we have your name?"
"Since you asked so nicely I will grant your request. You may call me Soreal."
"It is a pleasure to meet you my lady Soreal."
"Such manners Jeral, Gorion definitely raised you well."
"How do you know so much about us?"
Smirking Soreal ran her fingers over the top of her head and ensured that her hair was still tightly held in her top knot.
"Jeral while information is indeed my stock in trade in this case it is simple. Everyone knows the heroes of Baldur's Gate so you and Minsc are very well known. Anomen and Nalia are members of prominent families while Viconia is a drow who escaped a burning at the stake mere days ago. Yoshimo is well known to our guild as a freelancer with a disturbing proclivity for independence. A blind and deaf shut in knows who all of you are. And I am no blind and deaf shut in."
Jeral nodded wryly as he eyed the small woman.
"Well if the guild master will not meet with us who will?"
"As I said, one of our more senior members will meet with you."
Soreal pointed to a darkened hallway in the back of the room.
"Down that hall and up the stairs, he is waiting for you."
Jeral started off towards the back of the room when Yoshimo laid a restraining arm on his shoulder.
"Jeral before we proceed we should see if there is anything we can use. I promised Lady Nalia I would assist her in purchasing a set of thieves' tools and there is some excellent equipment here."
"Good idea Yoshimo. Let us take a look and see what they have."
Anomen and Minsc stood against the wall while the other four walked through the tables. Yoshimo led Jeral to the table and Jeral was soon holding a new bag of caltrops. Jeral beamed as he looked over his purchase and rolled a few of the small metal spikes around in his hand. Nalia looked at him with a confused expression and asked what they were.
Smiling Jeral replied, "Caltrops are small metal objects with pointed barbs on their ends. If you scatter a handful on the ground you can wound a man or lame a horse if you catch them unawares. I read many books in Candlekeep on the greatest thieves in the realm and they were mentioned prominently in a few stories. I try and gain any advantage where I can so I like to have a bag of them around just in case I ever need to run away."
"Thank you for the lesson, teacher Jeral."
Nalia laughed and shook her head as she turned back to Yoshimo as he held up a small set of lock picks made out of silver and ivory. The dozen small picks and files nestled in a bed of black velvet, each tool held in place in a small pouch outlined in silver thread.
"My lady Nalia, these should serve you well." Yoshimo handed over a handful of gold to Soreal and handed the pouch to Nalia.
"Thank you Yoshimo, this is a generous gift."
"It is nothing my dear, I will also be pleased to work with you on improving your skills."
Jeral quickly bought a similar set in a red pouch and tucked it into his pack.
"I assume those are for Imoen?"
"She is very talented with locks, and loves understanding how they work, so I am sure she will appreciate a good set of tools. Anything here of interest to you Viconia?"
"I have no need of anything here. The poisons are second rate so there is nothing I need."
Yoshimo cleared his throat and bowed theatrically.
"Good Soreal we thank you for your time but we have a meeting to attend. Come Jeral, Renal is this way."
Soreal's eyes briefly widened in surprised before she regained control over her facial features.
"I did not say who you are going to meet."
Smirking Yoshimo winked at the diminutive rogue as he headed towards the back room. .
"My lady, you are not the only one who trades in information."
They climbed to the second story and entered into a good size office. A small mousy man with flaming red hair sat at a table. His narrow face was pockmarked with scars and covered in freckles. His red hair was long and unruly and held back by a black scarf. Four diamond studs pierced his left ear while three pierced his right. He wore blood red leather armor and Jeral counted eight throwing knives openly displayed in a bandolier across his chest. A half-dozen thieves slouched in various dark corners of the room while a further half-dozen heavily armed guards stood alertly against the wall closest the door.
Yoshimo walked tentatively in the room. "Jeral, may I present Renal Bloodscalp."
"Out of the way Yoshimo, that's a good man. Ahhhh you must be Jeral of Candlekeep. I expected someone, well bigger, given all the stories that have reached my ears."
Renal leaned forward on his elbows and smiled broadly showing a mouth full of uneven yellowed teeth. Jeral noticed that the smile did not reach to his pale green eyes; they remained cold and focused, alert for any threat.
"And I expected more from the leader of the thieves' guild myself, particularly from a man with such a name."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk Jeral. You need to listen better for I am sure that Soreal told you that I am I am not the leader of the entire guild, well not yet anyway. But I am close enough so that it should not matter to you. I am also, like you I suspect, far more than I appear."
"Well that is one area in which we can find some small agreement."
"Enough pleasantries. I can see from the scowls on the faces of your two large plate clad friends that we need to get right to business. Very well, the leader of a small subordinate guild here in the Docks District has come under suspicion. Nasty fellow named Mae'Var. He seems to be too ambitious for his own good. I need someone to investigate and determine where his loyalties lie."
Jeral quickly remembered his disastrous experiences in Baldur's Gate when he refused to work the guild there. He was forced to fight his way out of the guild to save both Imoen and himself.
"And if I refuse?"
Smiling Renal licked his lips and shifted back in his seat.
"If you refuse you are free to go with my blessing. However, know well that we would be a powerful ally in your efforts to free Imoen and this small errand could earn you the goodwill of the guild. Without us your path to reclaim your sister is far more challenging, perhaps even impossible."
"Why not use your own people?"
"Do not be a simpleton Jeral. Using guild members can only cast doubt wider. A trusted outsider will help remove any threat and also will not throw blame back on the main guild should anything go awry."
"Fair enough. So what do you want us to do, and more importantly what is in it for us?"
"Investigate the guild and you will be richly rewarded, I know for a fact that you have need of a substantial amount of coin. In addition, you will gain access to the resources of the guild should you ever require assistance in the future. Furthermore, you will get my personal gratitude. While that may not sound like much I assure you I am a man of my word."
"It had better be a very rich reward. I accept your terms."
Renal snapped his fingers and a thief handed Jeral a scroll container.
"This letter of introduction will gain you entry into Mae'Var's guild, Yoshimo knows where it is. This scroll says you have been sent to reinforce the thieves in the guild against the attacks from a new guild that is attempting to challenge our dominance over this city. Step carefully and obey Mae'Var for he is not known as a gentle leader."
Jeral nodded and turned on his heel to depart the room. Renal cleared his throat and Jeral froze in place.
"I have to make one last request before I can allow you to leave."
Jeral pivoted on his heel and glared at Renal.
"Allow? You may want to rethink that word else we may have a problem."
The tone in Jeral's voice chilled the room and the thieves and guards quickly straightened up and placed hands close to their weapons. In response Minsc and Anomen strode forward to flank Jeral, ready to protect him from any threat. In close quarters the two heavily armored warriors would decimate their lightly armored opposition.
Sensing the danger, Renal looked around quickly and held his open hands up away from the desk.
"Jeral merely a poor choice of words on my part. No need for such concern my lad. You are of course free to leave as I said. However I would suggest that you may want to leave a few of your companions behind before you visit the guild. Anomen and Nalia are too well known to possibly work for a thief while Minsc is not built for subterfuge and subtlety. Yoshimo is known to all in the guild so his appearance will not arouse suspicion. As for her, a drow renegade working with our guild also makes sense. Your appearance is suitably common that most would not assume you are anything more than a young lad looking for some excitement. You even wear light armor suitable for one of our ilk so you three should arouse no suspicion at all. Just a suggestion. Good day."
After dropping off Minsc, Nalia and Anomen at the Sea's Bounty Tavern the remaining three headed on towards the subordinate guild house. Mae'Var's guild was a dark, decrepit building at the very edge of the docks that resembled a rundown tavern. The building stood a mere stone's throw from the smaller piers that held the local fishing fleet. The windows on the ground floor were covered by weather beaten shutters while the windows on the second floor were painted black. A quartet of tough looking men in leather jerkins loitered outside the building and glared at Jeral and the others as they approached. Yoshimo subtlety flashed a complex series of hand signals and the guards stood aside to allow the trio to pass.
Jeral and the other two entered, and after handing over the scroll provided by Renal they were soon escorted by a pair of guards to meet Mae'Var in the basement. In the back of the basement was a narrow passageway leading to a dungeon. The escorts stepped aside and motioned for Jeral and the others to proceed down the passageway. The trio walked down the passageway and soon entered into a second smaller chamber. The small room was poorly lit by a pair of torches, dank, smoky, and smelled of death. A quartet of leather clad guards stood along the far side of the room while an older man in a chain mail tunic stood to one side of the table. In the center of the room was a wooden table with a young muscular man strapped to it. The obvious leader of the guild stood behind the table. The trio came face to face with Mae'Var himself. Mae'Var was a large man, everything about him was unattractive. He was of a height with Jeral but a few stone heavier. His solid frame was covered by a majestic set of studded leather armor that seemed a few sizes too small for him. The armor was black and seemed to blend into the very shadows themselves. His heavily scarred face was covered by a thick black beard that glistened in the torch light. His closely cropped hair was dark as his beard and served to highlight that he was missing most of his left ear. The sleeves of his tunic were rolled up to the elbows and his massive hairy forearms were covered with blood and viscera from the poor soul strapped to the table before him.
He held a pair of small knives in his hands and raised them up as the party approached. Jeral watched transfixed as large drops of blood fell from the blades. Jeral could swear that he could smell the blood from across the room. He inhaled deeply and shuddered involuntarily as a wave of revulsion washed over his body.
"Well well well. What do we have here Peria? New meat for the table?"
One of the guards escorting Jeral and the others scurried forward and handed the scroll to the older man next to Mae'Var before rapidly backing away. The older man slowly unrolled the scroll and read it carefully.
"These here are folks sent from Renal to add to your strength my lord."
Mae'Var smiled broadly and flashed a set of gold capped teeth as he eyed the trio critically.
His thoughts were interrupted as the man on the table groaned slightly.
"Blast it all! I nearly let work get in the way of my recreation. Torim, keep this one alive. I have not given him permission to die just yet."
"As you command my lord."
The older man stepped forward and muttered a brief incantation as he held his hands over the man on the table. Faint color returned to his skin and Jeral could see the man breathing shallowly.
"Well done Torim. Now I can chat with this rabble without worrying about this one dying too soon."
"What did he do?" Jeral inquired.
"SILENCE! I did not give you permission to speak!"
Mar'Var shouted at Jeral as he pointed one of the small blades towards the bard with an arm shaking with anger. Mae'Var's face purpled with rage and spittle flew from his mouth as he roared at the bard.
Jeral lowered his eyes slightly, feigning deference to the leader of the guild, and waited for the tirade to end. After a long moment Mae'Var calmed down and smiled again at the group.
"You are new here so you are forgiven for not knowing my rules. There are many but the first two to remember are quite simple. Never interfere with my time down here and never speak unless commanded by me."
Jeral just stared blankly ahead as did Yoshimo and Viconia.
"Well I can only assume from your silence that you understand my simple rules. That gives me some hope that you may have some intelligence pooled between the three of you. Now stand there and be quiet while I decide what to do with you. I have a few minor projects where I could use disposable rabble such as you."
Mae'Var quickly returned his attention to the man on the table before him. Smiling gleefully he drew a blade along one leg and ripped the pants open exposing a muscular thigh. He then leaned forward and slid the second blade deeply into the meat of the leg. Jeral watched horrified as the blade slowly slid down towards the knee and the entire thigh opened up before his eyes. Blood poured out as the man moaned piteously on the table. He struggled feebly against his bonds as Mae'Var gleefully cut deeper and deeper until Jeral could see the thigh bone exposed.
Jeral fought back a wave of bile as he struggled to control his stomach and broke out in a cold sweat. Jeral saw his own flesh parting under the blades of his captor and imagined that Khalid suffered much as the man did before him. With less than a fortnight of freedom from the dungeons of the mage Irenicus Jeral's memories of the pain suffered pain at his captor's hands were all too fresh. Jeral realized that he could not watch as another man suffered such tortures at the hands of a sadist. Jeral took a deep breath and felt strength and speed course through his veins as he called upon the power within his blood. His stomach settled and rage quickly replaced revulsion as he critically eyed the sadist standing before him. Jeral slowly scanned the room and realized they there were facing eight armed opponents, four against the far wall two in the center of the room and two behind them. Badly outnumbered the only chance was to strike with surprise and trust that Yoshimo and Viconia would follow his unspoken lead.
Undeterred, Jeral prepared to act as he slowly moved his right arm across his body to draw the Blade of Roses. Viconia noticed a change and sensed the rising tensions within Jeral. Looking to forestall any rash action she slowly reached out to place a restraining hand on his wrist, He roughly shoved her hand aside as he drew his blades and wordlessly leapt at Mae'Var. As the first blade sliced towards Mae'Var the torturer hurled himself backwards and flipped the table over on its side to serve as a barrier between the two men. As the table hit the floor the room exploded in violence as Jeral's companions wordlessly leapt into action. Yoshimo drew his katana and attacked the pair of guards closest to him while Viconia hefted her war hammer and strode across the room to face the quartet of guards gathered there.
Jeral hopped over the table and lunged at the blood coated guild leader. Mae'Var hurled the dissection knives at Jeral but the unbalanced blades bounced harmlessly off his armor. The older man by the side of the table picked up a spiked mace and swung it at Jeral's head, forcing him to turn away from Mae'Var. Filled with rage Jeral contemptuously parried away the blow with his long sword and stabbed out viciously with the short sword held in his left hand. The enchanted blade easily slid through the man's chain mail tunic and Jeral drove it in to the hilt. Warm blood poured over Jeral's left hand. Jeral smiled as he realized that he had dealt the man a killing blow.
The man's eyes widened in pain and shock and his mace fell from his hand. Jeral gave the blade a twist to maximize the pain inflicted before tearing it out. As the blade withdrew the man collapsed to the floor and moaned as blood poured out of his massive wound. Jeral saw the glint of steel out of the corner of his eye and twisted to avoid the blade. Despite his efforts the blade sliced through his studded leather armor and bit into his side. As pain washed over his body Jeral knew it was a minor wound and he squared up to face Mae'Var.
The guild master had regained his feet and held a cleaver in his left hand and a short sword in his right. The short sword was coated with Jeral's blood and Mae'Var smiled as he faced the smaller man.
"Renal is getting sloppy to send such rank amateurs to assassinate me. You three are no match for us. You are all gonna die slow on my table; although the dark one may serve in my bed first."
Out of the corner of his eye Jeral saw a guard fall to the ground and he was confident that Yoshimo and Viconia were more than capable of handling the handful of remaining guards.
Embracing the hate running through his body Jeral roared, "Shut up and fight you sadistic freak!"
Jeral charged into Mae'Var and blades clashed noisily. Jeral was stronger and faster than his opponent and steadily pushed him backwards under a fury of blows. Mae'Var parried blow after blow but was completely on the defensive. His back foot slid into the wall and he realized that he was out of room to maneuver; he could not back away from Jeral's attacks any longer. Mae'Var slashed out wildly with the cleaver and Jeral leaned back to escape the blow. Mae'Var quickly pivoted his hips and followed that attack up and stabbed out with his short sword. Jeral was caught flat footed by the second strike and lashed out with the Blade of Roses in a desperate attempt to parry the strike. Jeral was a spilt second too slow to parry the blade and it bit deeply into his stomach. Jeral's blade swung down in a blur of silver and severed Mae'Var's right hand from his arm. He howled in pain and cradled the bloody stump against his chest as he dropped the cleaver from his left hand. Moaning in agony he leaned heavily against the wall and slowly slid to the ground. Jeral looked down and was horrified that Mae'Var's severed hand still clutched on the hilt of the sword that was embedded in Jeral's stomach. Jeral ripped the bladed from his stomach and dropped it to the floor. He quickly called upon his powers to close the wound in his stomach.
Confident that his wounds were no longer fatal Jeral quickly scanned the room and saw that Viconia was fighting two guards in one corner of the room while Yoshimo was finishing off the last guard facing him. Jeral raced over to join Viconia and the pair quickly dispatched the remaining opponents. Breathing heavily Jeral eyed Viconia and Yoshimo as he fought to regain control and push the rage back deep down inside himself. The pair showed evidence of minor wounds but nothing too serious. Despite the long odds they had survived.
Jeral strode over to stand before Mae'Var and pointed his long sword towards his chest. Blood continued to pour from his wounded arm, drenching his clothes, and pooling on the floor underneath his body. His face was drawn and pale as he struggled to breathe. He raised his face to look upon Jeral with pain filled eyes. He quickly looked around the room and realized that all of his guards were dead.
"Mercy good sir…Please show mercy."
"HA! Pathetic male. One small wound and you turn into a mewing child."
Viconia pulled a torch from the wall and strode over to stand next to Jeral. Mae'Var looked up at the pair piteously.
"Please don't let me bleed to death. I will do anything you require, just do not let me bleed to death."
"Very well. Hold out your arm."
Mae'Var extended his right arm and held the bloody stump up for inspection. Blood poured from the wound and Jeral stared in fascination as he looked at the end of the bones at the wrist. The blade has easily sliced through muscle and bone leaving nothing but a smooth surface behind.
Viconia stepped forward and quickly pinned his arm to the floor under her boot heel. Viconia swiftly touched the flaming touch to the wound and Mae'Var howled like a wounded animal as the flesh sizzled and cracked. He struggled to pull his arm away but Viconia had it securely pinned under her heel. The smell of burning meat assaulted Jeral's nose. Viconia pressed the torch down a second time and Mae'Var howled in pain before he passed out. Viconia pulled the torch away and gazed at the wound dispassionately.
"That has stopped the bleeding, he will not trouble us for some time, if every again. I suppose you want me to look at this foolish male on the table now?"
Jeral shakily nodded in the affirmative. Viconia snorted in amusement as she returned the torch to the wall sconce and moved to examine the man strapped to the table. Pulling a dagger from her belt she quickly cut the straps holding the man to the table and laid him out on the floor. She cut away the remains of his clothes and eyed his wounds with a critical eye.
"He will live Jeral. His right hand is too damaged for me to repair but everything else is just largely superficial. This Mae'Var was pathetic. He did not know the first thing about inflicting pain. I knew more as a child."
"Please do what you can for him Viconia. We will take him with us. We need to get out of here before anyone one else in the guild notices what we have done. If they attack in numbers we will be trapped down here."
Viconia nodded in reluctant agreement and mumbled a few incantations. She healed the remaining major wounds of the man on the table and stepped back as he started struggling to stand up. With an effort he made it to his feet and he eyed Jeral warily. The man standing before Jeral looked of a similar age but that was where the similarities ended. The man standing before Jeral was short and thickly muscled. His skin, where it was not covered in scars of bruises was pale and almost hairless. His face was handsome and he looked at Jeral with pale green eyes filled with intelligence and suspicion. Although dirty and blood covered in spots his light hair was cut short in a style considered fashionable amongst the nobility.
"I owe the three of you my life. I am in your debt. I would shake your hand but Mae'Var has ensured that is something I can no longer do."
"Introductions can wait, as can your words of gratitude. Can you walk? We need to get out of here before anyone notices what we have done."
"I will do whatever I have to do to get out of this horrible place. Please get me back to the guild and you will be richly rewarded."
"Very well let us leave this place as quickly as we can."
A gentle chuckle caused both Jeral and the freed prisoner to turn and look at the drow cleric. She placed her hands on her hips and started longingly at the man in front of her.
"Male, I admit that I am not fully versed in the ways of the surfacers but I am reasonably sure that a naked man walking through the city will draw undue attention. Even one as heavily muscled and attractive as you are.
The lad, belatedly realizing his nakedness, blushed and hastily covered himself with his hands.
Chuckling he looked around the room. "Uh she is right; let me see if I can find some clothes here."
He quickly scrambled amongst the bodies and pulled together a pair of pants, boots and a rough hewn tunic. Other than a few small blood stains they looked nondescript enough to escape notice for the short trek to the main guild.
"You fools will never make it out of here. My lads will cut you to pieces the minute you head upstairs. You got lucky against my men down here, I suspect that will not happen again."
Everyone turned with a start to stare at Mae'Var. Pale from the loss of blood, and clearly in pain he struggled to push himself to his feet. Panting from the exertion he eyed Jeral with hate filled eyes and a smug expression on his face as he took a tentative step towards Jeral.
Jeral drew his long sword and pointed it at Mae'Var. The man's confident gaze faded as he stared nervously at the blade that had taken his right hand and backed up against the wall. Licking his lips he held up his left hand in front of his body.
"You kill me and you will never make it out of here alive. Spare my life and you may have some small chance of escape."
Viconia sneered at the offer.
"Jeral you cannot possibly trust this one, he will betray us the first chance he gets in order to save his own skin."
"She is right Jeral. We were sent here to find evidence of disloyalty; instead we have killed seven loyal guild members, maimed the guild leader, and have no evidence of any wrong doing. Your rash actions may cost all of us our lives. We need to escape from here and then consider fleeing the city."
"Fear not my friends. Spare my life and I will make no mention of the men you have killed. They are nothing, less than nothing. Walk away and all will be forgotten."
Mae'Var pushed himself off the wall and started walking towards Jeral and Viconia. Smiling he held his arms out wide as he approached Jeral and Viconia. Jeral raised his sword and pointed it at Mae'Var. He stopped inches away from the blade and eyed Jeral.
"Come, come lad enough with the pretences. You are not going to kill me. That is clearly not in your nature. You could have let me bleed to death but you made the dark one save my life. You could have slit my throat while I was helpless on the floor but you did not. You lack the commitment to your cause. The other two would kill me without hesitation yet they follow you so I am in no further danger. If you wish to leave here with your skins you will do exactly what I s….. unggggghhh."
Mae'Var never finished his sentence as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the floor. As the body collapsed onto the floor Jeral started at the meat cleaver buried in the back of his head. The blade had smashed through bone and brain delivering its killing blow.
The newly freed prisoner reached down and wrenched the meat cleaver from Mae'Var's head and smiled as he looked at the corpse.
"I can get you the evidence you need. We must hurry."
Jeral eyed the man critically and then sheathed his long sword.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I know your mission. I was sent here a week ago to find the very same evidence. I was noticed entering Mar'Var's room and brought down here. Apparently they sent you after I did not return. "
The lad knelt down and started rifling through Mae'Var's pockets. Smiling he held up a small platinum key. "This opens the safe in Mae'Var's room and we will find the proof we need there."
"How can you possibly know that?"
Mae'Var likes to brag, I learned much while strapped to his table."