Lost in Realm
11
Ratfolks were like fury haflings, but with rat heads and tails. They could speak in various languages. And since all of them were in thief business, it wasn't all that surprising they are fluent in Thieves Cant. It wasn't that unusual they were here either. After all, this was Rat Alley. Nhilva, however, was curious if it was those people's idea to kidnap a merchant's son. She seriously doubted they got the brain for such a complex thing. But she could be wrong. It was no matter, anyway. She would find out soon enough.
Quietly, the Drow female reached for her boot to draw out her dagger. It wasn't one of those well crafted, intricate ones her people love to use. She parted with hers before even leaving the Underdark. She got her current one from one of the dead bodies on the way to Luskan. The blade was still sharp, so she thought it will be suitable to be a defense weapon. Her brain also quickly filtered through a number of basic spells she thought she might still able to cast. After that language interpretation spell in the tavern, she was a little more confident there might be more awakening. One with Fire Bolts, maybe. It was a pre-school spell. One should be able to wake it from dormant state without difficulties. Besides her, the Drow m ale already took out his scimitar and checked the door.
"Not even locked," He snorted: "..Should have known."
Nhilva knew the weapon master had participated several night raids of other houses back in the days when they were both living in the Underdark. This would not be so much of a mission to him. A walk in the park, should she use the terminology her world is using. Watching him carefully open the door without much of a squeak, she looked in and found by some luck, the two Ratfolk individuals were at the other side of the room. Both of them were facing the other direction, with their back turning toward the two Drow. Under the dim candlelight, they geared the same cloaks she saw in Cutlass. Her observation occurred only in a few split seconds. Reflexes instilled deep within Drow's sinew made the next few minutes feel like gentle wind blow. It took them no time at all to disable the two ruffians.
"Haven't even tested my spells," She grimaced, stealthily crossing the room: "No wonder most of our lot here becoming pirates."
There was another door. The door panel wasn't even there. It was just a long curtain-like drape hung over the doorframe. They could both hear shovelling sound coming from the other side. And muffling noise, too.
"Taking down the weakest house in Menzoberranzan is way more fun in comparison, no?" Jhalnin chuckled and lifted one side of the heavy curtain.
Before them, a giant furry two-legged walking rate stood before a cupboard with a tiny window. The Merchant's son's face could be spotted through the metal bars. He was looking at her with so much hope in his eyes, she would thought herself had become a goddess.
"Oi, now lookie here, mate," The weapon master called out, brandishing his scimitar at the ratman: "Don't think your cute little plot worked so well, aye? Tell you what, hand over the boy and we will leave you be."
Nhilva doubted he would. It was all figure of speech in negotiation.
Clearly the Ratman did not believe in such nonsense, either. Narrowing his beady eyes, the male darted his gaze from one to another, before tossed his head back and burst out a sudden, ground shaking shriek. Then they saw him toss something in the air. As a reflex, both of them took a step back.
A shimmer of silver light surged through the body of hideous looking man, before he b egan to engorge. Suddenly, he was about the size of the room. His head nearly reached the ceiling.
"Enlargement."Nhilva swore. Her sister Ilphaufein was specialised in the spell, not her. She had seen her cast it several times, mostly on spiders during battles.
"Ah, that,"Jhalnin recognised it as well: "I recall yours is a little...shabby?"
"Lolth didn't think I need it to start with," She couldn't help but blurted it out. Both of them were training to be priestesses. She was heading towards the clerical side whilist Ilphaufein wasn't. But it was beside the point. Now the pressing priority was how to get rid of this giant rat.
The Comprehend Language spell had worked pretty well. It was time to put Fire Bolt to the test. Taking a deep breath, the Drow female gathered the magical force around her and channel them through her core. She could feel her once barren centre of her power glow a little brighter. Raised her fisted hand, she made a movement as if someone was about to throw a baseball. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed Jhalnin beside her twitched his left lower eyes lid. Yes, it was a little exaggerating and un-Drow like. But hey, no one said she could not do that. A red shimmering ball of light spun out of her uncoiled hand. Turning and whiling, it bolted at the giant beast and hit straight at one of his eyes.