This is a continuation to the cliffhanger ending in Chapter 9, well not so much a cliffhanger as I was tired and it seemed long enough to post. If you are easily offended then this is probably a chapter to skip. This chapter contains some out of the box thinking by a certain drow cleric so fair warning.
Chapter 10: Viconia has a plan
"So what is going on? Is Mae'Var disloyal? Explain yourself!" Jeral glared at the recently freed prisoner with rage in his eyes. The young man nodded nervously as he replied.
"Absolutely, he hates the current guild leadership and was plotting to kill them all, every last one of them."
"Who is he working with?"
"I do not know much about them. They call themselves the Night Knives, they are actively working to overthrown the guild and take over crime in Athkatla. A number of members of our guild have defected to them, and others have just disappeared. They always attack at night and never leave survivors."
"The pretty one seems conveniently well informed Jeral. Can we believe him? Perhaps I should encourage him to speak the truth. I am sure I can get the truth from him and make the pain that Mae'Var inflicted look like a child's kiss in comparison. I can start with his good hand."
The lad paled and eyed Viconia nervously as he quickly glanced back to look at Jeral with wide pleading eyes.
"Please Jeral, I swear on my mother's life that I speak the truth. This key will open Mae'Var's strong box. The evidence you require should be there."
Jeral nodded curtly at the young man. "Well before we go any further let's start with something simple. Who are you?"
"My name is Kretor."
"I have heard tales of this one Jeral. He is supposed to be a burglar without compare. Able to scale the smoothest wall and open any container, this one is a rising star in the guild."
Kretor gave Yoshimo a mocking bow and held up his mangled right hand.
"Well I may have to get by on my reputation now for I will not be climbing anything in the near future. I fear that my star will rise no further. "
"Thank you for the information Yoshimo. So let's assume for a moment that I believe you Kretor. How can we get the evidence we need and get out of here? The guild is clearly warded against invisibility spells so we will be seen wherever we go."
"Jeral, perhaps we should depart and collect our companions at the tavern. With Minsc and Anomen we could certainly force our way upstairs and collect the evidence we need."
"Yoshimo, you are timid like an old woman. There is no need for such heavy handed methods. Sometimes the simplest approach will work."
Yoshimo's face flushed in anger before he regained control of his features and nodded tightly. Looking to head off any argument Jeral stepped between the pair end eyed the cleric with a quizzical look on his face.
"Ok Viconia, you have our attention, what do you have in mind?"
Smiling Viconia took off her helmet, dropped it on the floor, and ran her fingers through her hair.
"You and Yoshimo are going to walk out the front door and return to the tavern. Tell anyone who will listen that Mae'Var has taken a shine to me and sent the two of you away to await further instructions. Kretor and I will do the rest."
"What are you and Kretor going to do?"
"Jeral, I will tell you when I meet you at the tavern. I expect wine, blood red, strong, and extremely expensive. For one of my background this is simplicity itself. I will walk upstairs unchallenged and master of all. They will take me for one of their betters and not dare to stand in my way."
Yoshimo and Jeral looked at one another, indecision apparent on their faces. Viconia glared at the men with a look of supreme confidence on her face. To doubt her was to face her wrath. Yoshimo shrugged once and started walking out of the torture chamber. Jeral locked eyes with Viconia and slowly followed Yoshimo out of the room.
Viconia calmly watched the two depart the chamber and then turned to face Kretor. She scanned the room with a critical eye before locking her gaze upon Kretor.
"First things first boy. Quickly search everyone here and take anything of value."
Kretor nodded and hastily searched through the carnage in the room. He found Mae'Var's heavy coin purse and a lighter one on the cleric who lay beside him. He tossed both of them to Viconia who smoothly tucked them into a small pouch at her side as she looked around the room warily.
"Anything else here that we want?" Kretor pointed towards the floor.
"Mae'Var's armor. It is incredibly valuable. Mae'Var claims it helms him move unseen."
"Well it did not help him today did it? Pity though for we cannot take it with us. It is too large to conceal and too well known. Should we go upstairs with this armor everyone there will know something is amiss, and then we would have a problem."
Kretor rose to his feet and eyed Viconia.
"So now what? You allowed your friends to leave so we are one woman and a cripple trapped in the basement of the guild."
"Where I come from I would have you shipped for such insolence." Smiling Viconia licked her teeth as she eyed Kretor hungrily.
"Take off your clothes and tell me the path to Mae'Var's bedroom."
Kretor gaped at the drow but the look on her face brooked no argument. Shyly he quickly removed the clothes he had put on only moments before as he stammered out directions to Mae'Var's private chambers.
Viconia pulled a pair of thin purple ropes out of her pouch and loosely tied Kretor's arms behind his back with the first rope. His hands looked tightly bound but in reality he could escape the bonds with a simple flick of the wrist. She then folded up his clothes and tucked them into her bag. Smiling evilly she then tied the second rope around his most intimate of areas and stood back to admire her work. Unlike the knots on his wrists this knot was well tied and very secure.
Viconia turned on a heel and draped the rope over her shoulder. With a flick of her hair and a gentle tug of the rope she strode off down the hallway.
"Come slave. Mae'Var has told me to amuse myself with you until he can join me." Kretor stared dumbly at the floor as he trailed after Viconia.
The odd looking pair strode upstairs and entered the common room of the guild. The half dozen men in the room started wide eyed in astonishment as they eyed the bizarre sight in front of them. A few stammered half hearted challenges but none dared confront the drow or change Mae'Var's wrath when she suggested they check downstairs to speak with Mae'Var personally. Viconia boldly strode through the room and up the stairs to the upper level of the building.
Passing another dozen or so awestruck onlookers Viconia slowly made her way to the back of the building. She strode through the building as if she owned it and she was taking her time on a leisurely stroll. A young woman stood in the hallway a few paces from Mae'Var's door as she worked to pick the lock on a panel affixed to the wall. She was clad in simple leather armor and wore pale grey leggings. Her thick black hair was tied back with a matching grey band. A dagger on her belt was her only visible weapon. Viconia snapped her fingers and looked at the woman with a haughty glare on her face.
"You there. Come here immediately. I require your assistance."
The woman slowly strode over to stand before Viconia, a confused look plastered on her young face as she fiddled with the lock picks held in her hands.
"Yes?"
"I have need of your opinion. You look like a women who has known many men. Does this one appear pleasing by surfacer standards?"
The young woman blushed furiously and Kretor thought that she was still a maid based on her reaction. She could not look at him as she shifted her gaze between her own feet and Viconia's.
"Come now lass. Look at this male."
Viconia grasped the girl's chin in her left hand and forced her gaze on Kretor. The girl blushed, took a deep breath and then took a long roving look taking it all in as she gazed up and down and back again.
"Well done. Hold this while I open the door."
Viconia handed the young woman Kretor's unconventional leash as she turned to unlock the door. The girl jumped back a step causing the leash to tug at Kretor painfully. He gasped and shuffled forward.
Viconia turned to eye the girl with a critical eye.
"Gentle there, do not damage that. For if he cannot perform I will require you to service me in his stead."
Viconia returned her attention to the door, unlocked it and opened it wide.
She strode into the room as if it was her own bedchamber.
"You there, bring in my amusement. Quickly now."
The girl reluctantly stepped into the room and her eyes darted nervously about the room.
"This is his room. No one is supposed to be in here. That is one of his rules."
"That rule obviously does not apply to me. I am Mae'Var's. He gave me the key and his prisoner so I can amuse myself until he comes up and joins me. Now lay him on the bed and untie his leash for I need those parts unfettered to better pleasure me."
"I can't do that." The girl looked at the floor and muttered the words softly.
Viconia rounded on her and stood inched from her face.
"What is your name?"
"My name?"
"Do not make me ask again!"
"My name is, um…..I mean, I am called…uh..Miressa."
"Well Miressa, Mae'Var is going to be up here in minutes. When he is lying with me in bed should I tell him how helpful Miressa was or how she was a disobedient whelp undeserving of his favor? The choice is yours, but I suggest you choose wisely."
The girl swallowed and nodded mutely as she led Kretor over to the bed. She quickly helped him lie down on his back with his hands awkwardly underneath him.
"Quickly girl, set him free from his leash. I have needs and am growing impatient."
Miressa nodded mutely, set her jaw firmly and with a look of determination leaned in to untie the knot. Her nimble fingers struggled to untie the intricate knots. She forced herself to focus on the knot and not the surroundings. She started to pull and tug on the rope as she wanted to finish her task and depart as quickly as possible.
Kretor struggled to remain quiet as the woman continued to tug at his groin. He raised his head off the bed to see what she was doing and the sight of her dainty hands on him caused nature to take its course.
As his excitement because apparent she sat up with a start. Before she could say anything the handle of Viconia's war hammer struck her violently on the back of the head and she collapsed on the bed.
Viconia strode over to the door and quietly closed and locked it before she turned to face Kretor. After a long lingering gaze she tossed him his clothes.
"Get dressed. You will have to go barefoot for I could not carry your boots."
"No matter. I cannot believe that you managed to get us in here."
Viconia laughed and tossed her hair back.
"Pretty one know this. Most people are sheep, if you act like you belong and act confident that can take you almost anywhere. Besides, when a woman is leading a woman around by his manhood how can anyone suspect anything underhanded? Something that outrageous had to be done with Mae'Var's approval."
"Fair enough."
Kretor hopped to his feet and then looked down.
"Uh, I hate to ask but I cannot untie this with only one good hand.
Smiling Viconia pulled the knife from Miressa's belt and leaned forward. Before Kretor could protest the rope fell to the floor, sliced neatly in half. Viconia winked and tossed him the knife as she walked to the other side of the room
"Now get dressed and get that safe open."
Kretor hastened to respond and after dressing he opened the safe. Inside he found a handful of scrolls, a small bag of gems, and a pair of boots.
Kretor put on the boots while Viconia tucked the scrolls away in her bag. Viconia took the bag of gems and tucked them deep in Miressa's shirt. Seeing Kretor's confused expression Viconia just shrugged.
"Something about her reminds me of me a very long time ago. She is through in this guild so hopefully those gems will allow her to make her way in the world. Is the window safe to open?"
Kretor scanned the window carefully and after a few moments nodded.
Viconia threw open the shutters and pulled back the curtains. A quick glance out showed that there were no guards on the side of the building.
"Follow me, and be quick about it."
Viconia placed her hand on the window ledge and boldly leapt out of the window. She nimbly landed and dropped to a knee as she scanned the immediate area for any threats. Without raising her head she whistled softly and Kretor dropped to the ground next to her. Viconia gave him an approving nod as the pair strode out of the alleyway and into the crowds moving about the docks. The pair drew no undue attention as they moved away from the building and arrived at the Sea's Bounty a short time later.
Entering the common room Viconia heard Minsc before she saw him. Heading towards the back of the common room she saw her five companions seated around a large round table in the far corner of the tavern. The remains of a large lunch were spread across the table. Boo was lying on the table surrounded by a large pile of nuts and bread crumbs. Apparently the rodent had eaten its fill and was in need of a nap. As Viconia and Kretor made their way across the room Jeral and Anomen rose to their feet to welcome the pair.
Jeral smiled broadly and handed Viconia a silver goblet of wine.
"Glad you made it. Here is your wine. While not the best vintage I can assure you it is the most expensive wine in this tavern and in their nicest goblet."
Smiling wolfishly Viconia nodded her thanks, took a healthy drink of wine, and sat down at the table. Jeral patted Kretor on the back in welcome and offered him a chair between he and Yoshimo. Yoshimo clapped his hands and a young serving girl quickly approached. The bounty hunter directed her to bring lunch for two more and strong ale for Kretor. Within moments she was back with a mug of ale, two small loaves of bread and bowls of a thick lamb stew.
"So how did it go? Did you get the evidence we need?"
Kretor shrugged his shoulders and locked eyes with Jeral.
"I think so. We got everything in his safe but we did not have time to read it. If he has any correspondence that will incriminate him it has to be here."
Viconia tossed the scrolls on the table where Yoshimo, Kretor and Nalia started to unroll them and scan through them. Jeral just eyed Viconia across the table. She locked eyes with Jeral and smiled blandly at him. Jeral felt his heart beat faster, something about the drow just drew him in, he realized that he was smitten and wondered what would come of it.
Kretor hammered the table with his undamaged hand as he exclaimed, "I knew I was right!" He held up a scroll triumphantly and waved it in front of Jeral. "This lays out his agreement to support the Night Knives in exchange for increased standing in their new guild structure. He sent good men to their deaths for his own greed and revenge. We need to get to the guild, they need to see this!"
"Patience good Kretor, you need to eat you have suffered much and need to regain your strength. This will wait."
Kretor drained his mug of ale and tore off a heel of bread from one of the newly arrived loaves. He then rose to his feet and eyed Viconia with a pleading look on his face.
"My lady I am ready to make my report to the guild. Would you and your companions accompany me? I am sure you will be richly rewarded for your assistance."
Viconia took two bites of her stew, drained her wine and slowly rose to her feet.
Looking at the others she smiled sweetly at the group as she cooed, "let us go and return this child to his home. We can collect our reward and be on our way. I need to go shopping for a new helmet, for I left mine at Mae'Var's."
The others quickly got to their feet. Yoshimo threw a handful of gold on the table, swatted the serving girl on the rump and followed the party out into the afternoon sun.
Kretor led the way as he raced through the crowds to return to the guild headquarters where the party had started their day. As the seven approached the building the guardsmen stepped forward out of the shadows as they had done before. Seeing Kretor approach one of the men raced forward and embraced the young man in a massive bear hug while the other opened the door to the guild and patted him fondly on the back as he strode past.
As Kretor entered the guild a roar arose from everyone in the entrance chamber. Men were clapping and welcoming him back. A crowd of a couple dozen closely gathered around Kretor as the party stood on the edge of the crowd watching the raucous homecoming.
"Son!"
A hush fell over the room as Soreal's voice cried out from the far side of the room. She raced across the room and stopped inched away from Kretor. She looked him up and down and cradled his mangled hand in her palms. She dropped her head and started sobbing, her entire body wracked with tears as she wept with joy. Kretor leaned forward to embrace his mother as he broke down as well. The crowd around Kretor immediately silenced and they slowly walked away from the intimate moment.
After a few moments Soreal stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes. Looking at Jeral she smiled and nodded her head in joy.
"Thank you, I had almost given up hope but you have done it. You have returned my son to me."
"I did not know you had a child. You look too young."
Soreal flashed a glare at Yoshimo that indicated that the flattery was unwelcome and poorly timed.
"Yoshimo, you are not one of us, not really. I keep my private life very private as you can understand for one in work such as this. But enough of this. Renal is expecting a report. You all had best go on back, he is waiting. I will be waiting here when you are done."
Soreal reluctantly dropped her son's hand and watched as he led the way into the back and up the stairs to Renal's office.
Kretor strode into Bloodscalp's office and stopped six paces from his desk. Jeral and the others filled in the room behind them. Renal smiled at their approach and leaned back in his chair as he affected a casual air; despite his feigned indifference Jeral could tell the man was very excited by their return.
"Well well well. I did not expect to see you lot back so quickly. And I did not expect to see you every again. Welcome back lad."
Kretor nodded slightly and held himself stiffly erect. Renal gazed at Kretor for several moments before he shook his head slightly and leaned forward in his chair.
"Right then. What have you found? Is Mae'Var a fine fellow or not?"
"Absolutely not. Take a look for yourself."
Kretor laid the scrolls out on Renal's desk and stepped back. Renal unrolled them and spread them out over the desk. He scanned them for long moments before he burst out in laughter.
"This is too delicious! I knew that son of a whore was plotting but I had no idea it was this impressive, and so well documented. Kretor. Jeral. All of you, very well done. So tell me, how did Mae'Var die?"
"How could you possibly know Mae'Var is dead?"
"Come come Kretor don't look so surprised. We heard you were taken by Mae'Var and he never would willingly part with one of his toys. You are standing here in front of me relatively whole and healthy, therefore he must be dead. So who killed him?"
Jeral stepped forward and placed a hand on Kretor's shoulder.
"Kretor did. We managed to free him and during the fight he put a cleaver into Mae'Var's skull."
"Excellent, very well done my boy, very well done. Sorry I was not there to see it myself."
Renal leaned back in his chair and motioned to one of the men standing by the wall. He walked over and Renal whispered something in his ear. The man nodded and quickly departed the room trailed by two others.
"Kretor, you may go as well, spend some time with your mother. I will speak with you again later. Well done."
Nodding at the others Kretor quickly strode from the room. Renal waited until he departed before he continued speaking.
"I have dispatched some trusted hands to go and claim Mae'Var's body and that spectacular armor of his. We will also allow the members of his guild the choice to return to the fold or depart the city never to return. But enough about guild business, we have more interesting things to discuss. Now let's get to your payment. I have already alerted Gaylen to credit 4,000 gold towards your tab for information on your sister Nalia. I also have an addition 6,000 gold here for you. I have already separated it into six pouches to make it easy for you to split up amongst yourselves."
Jeral was overwhelmed by the significant amount of coin that Renal had paid them. It was far more than he expected. Even Anomen looked impressed by the man's generosity.
I also want to provide something more personal to you as an expression of my gratitude. Renal rose to his feet and removed his sword belt. He slid the scabbard off the belt and drew a short sword. Once clear of the scabbard he held it up in the light and twisted it slowly from side to side.
The blade of the sword was clearly razor sharp and heavily enchanted. Additionally, the blade seemed to absorb the torchlight and did provide any reflection. The blade appeared to be made of darkness woven into the metal of the blade itself.
Renal reversed his grip and held the blade out hilt first toward the party. Jeral stepped forward and took hold of the blade. He stepped away from the others and took a few practice swings. The blade was incredibly light and also extremely sharp. Jeral sucked on his finger where he had rubbed it lightly against the blade. The finger came away bloody from the lightest touch on the weapon.
Renal chuckled as he watched Jeral gaze at the blade.
"By rights this should go to someone within the guild but you have more than earned it. This blade is truly one of a kind. Heavily enchanted it will strike faster than any other weapon and will never reflect any sort of light to reveal your position. It is known as the 'Night's Gift' and has been passed down for centuries within this guild. Use it well."
Wordlessly Jeral unstrapped his short sword from his left leg and replaced it with the new blade. He laid his old blade on Renal's desk and indicated that he wanted the man to have it. Renal nodded his thanks as he strapped the other blade to his belt.
"While no match for this blade that is still a very good weapon Renal. I thank you for your generosity and hope this one serves you well."
Renal smiled broadly and Jeral noticed with a start the for once the smile reached his eyes.
"I thank you and your friends once again for this great service. You have made an ally today of both me and the entire guild. Fare thee well."
Jeral nodded his thanks and led the companions from the room. Downstairs the met with Kretor and he and his mother agreed to join them for dinner at the Copper Coronet. The six departed the guild and made their way back to the Copper Coronet to prepare for dinner. Yoshimo suggested that they use some of their new funds to rent out six rooms for as long as they were in the city. Hendak and Bernard were more than happy to comply and provided the party six rooms at the end of the west hallway on the second floor. The group would still be together but each would have some privacy, and more importantly no one would have to share a room with Minsc. His snoring was legendary and whomever roomed with Minsc spent a long uncomfortable night listening to him rumble.
Since dinner was a celebration Bernard arranged for them to have the private room off to one side of the common room. The staff of the inn went to great lengths to make the dinner memorable. Somewhere Bernard managed to find a white table cloth and drape it over the table. While Jeral appreciated the effort he wryly noted that the overall affect was somewhat lessened by the dried bloodstains at one end of the table cloth. Apparently the last diners who used the table cloth had an interesting evening. Everyone in the group had bathed and dressed in their finest attire. Anomen was the only one who arrived at dinner in armor but he did leave his helmet and shield in his room. The others wore no armor but each did bring a weapon with them. Even in the tavern it did not make sense to move about completely unprepared. Delicate dishes, crystal goblets and candles completed the scene. Serving girls brought in an endless stream of ales and wines to provide plenty of libations to the group. Trays of fresh fruit, freshly baked bread and cheeses started off the meal.
Jeral had just finished his first ale when Soreal and Kretor arrived to join them for dinner. Unlike Jeral and his companions the pair were armed and in armor. Even for a celebration it was risky to venture out at night. Soreal was in her grey leathers and armored with her rapier while Kretor wore a finely made set of dark brown studded leather armor. A short sword was strapped to his left leg and the hilt of a throwing knife peeked out from the top of his left boot.
After a round of cheerful greetings Kretor placed a set of leather boots on the table. Seeing the confused looks around him he smiled and slid the boots towards Yoshimo.
"These are the boots Viconia and I found in Mae'Var's safe. They are heavily enchanted to aid one in silent movement."
Viconia smiled at the young man and he blushed in return. Sipping her wind she inquired, "why don't you or your mother keep the boots? I am sure you can put them to good use."
Soreal smiled and patted her son on the arm.
"I am sure we could put them to use, however we owe you our thanks for saving my son's life. Yoshimo is your scout and is very talented, however these boots will make him even more effective."
"The guild has already rewarded us richly."
"Indeed my lady, I did not expect thieves to be so generous or honorable."
Soreal nodded in acknowledgement at Viconia and Anomen in turn as she sipped her wine.
"Squire Anomen, even those in our profession can have honor, although perhaps not as much as one in the Order. Never the less, the guild may have expressed their gratitude but this is personal. You brought back my son and for that I am forever in your debt. If these boots can aid you in your quest please take them. Know you have an ally in me."
"And me, after all you did save my life. While I am of little use until I can get more comfortable using my left hand, my blade and my life are yours."
Touched by their words silence fell over the party. Yoshimo reached across the table and pulled the boots towards him. Quickly removing his own boots he slid on the enchanted pair. He stood up and took a few steps before turning to face the table.
He smiled and bowed deeply, "you have my thanks. These are a perfect fit, and know that I will put them to very good use."