Author's Note: Minor changes from the original chapter.
6...Surprises from the Shadows
Alone, silent as any predator from the Underdark, Solaufein watched the small drow camp. He'd asked the others to wait for his return. "I could pass the kobold off as a slave," he said. He ignored Deekin's indignant rumble. "But your presence will raise too many questions," he told Haer'Dalis.
"Are you sure this is wise?" Haer'Dalis asked. "Should these drow turn hostile, we won't be close enough to help."
"Were they led by a female, I wouldn't risk the deception," Solaufein said. "A couple of males I can bluff. If not-" He shrugged. "I know a trick or two. A group so small won't take me down."
He watched the scouting party long enough to convince himself that the drow were commoners of little consequence. If either male came from House Kilath, the house he impersonated, this ruse would be short-lived but what were the chances of that? The attacks on Waterdeep could not come from one minor house. Many houses must be working in alliance, strange as that seemed. He hoped to learn why from these drow. He patted his charm, now safe in his pocket, for luck.
And luck he had. The duergar huddled together on one side of the camp and talked in low, resentful voices. The startled and furtive looks he got from the two drow when he showed himself told a story of their own. All was not well here. Solaufein let an expression of disdain stiffen his features.
"Who are you?" asked the older male. He had braided his hair out of his face. His looks were coarsened by an oft-broken nose. One arm hung awkward in a sling. The other drow stood with a slight stumble that suggested he also had been wounded. Solaufein looked across the camp where the duergar watched with wary eyes. They, too, bore the marks of recent battle.
"You may call me Veldrin," he said with but a blink. It was a common name, the one the Bhaalspawn had used when she came to Ust Natha. His own name had been rather well known, at least to any who had heard news from Ust Natha or, for that matter, the surface. He let his cape swirl to show the house sign. The younger male made a respectful hand signal and the slight surliness of the older male's expression smoothed into blandness. "And you?" Solaufein asked.
The older male was Bhinica. The younger, who had a broken front tooth, was Nillin. Until that moment, Solaufein had not realized the strength of his hunger for the sight of his own kind. He had not realized his weariness with pale skin, dark hair and strangely colored eyes. To live on the surface is to give this up. How many years will it take before the faces of my kin and even my own appearance become alien to me?
"We expected the Red Sister," Nillin said.
Red Sister? Solaufein gave him a look honed over years as the leader of Ust Natha's Male Fighters Society, over decades of asserting command over unknown males. They both looked down in deference. He had seen their type many times-males of low status and modest abilities, well-accustomed to obedience. "What have you to report?" he snapped.
The drow gave their information in a rapid nervous flow. They had found no new ways to the surface. They had seen no surfacers. They had fought numerous skirmishes with the local monsters and regretted to report that their patrol leader had fallen in one of these. The ogres that killed her had taken her body, presumably to eat, and with it, they feared to relate, their only map. And so they waited here, afraid to resume their patrol lest they become lost.
"This place changes," Nillin said. "The map was wrong in many places. It is the fault of the human mage Halaster."
"Nonsense," said Bhinica. "The Red Sisters have the mad mage under control. Soon they will break him and we will leave this place. If we are lost, it is because the other creatures here find and deface the signs we leave to mark our path. They watch us. I can feel their eyes upon us. Can you get us reinforcements, Veldrin? Could we join your patrol? Where is your patrol?"
Solaufein gave a haughty look. "I will decide later. Any other news?"
"We ran into one of the other patrols some time ago," Nillin said. "They heard rumors that rebels have been seen here in Undermountain." Solaufein raised his brows. Rebels? "We have seen none of the Eilistraee scum. Plenty of time to go after them when we have a clear passage to the surface. They won't stand long against the might of the Valsharess."
"Great indeed is her might," said the older drow. Solaufein could not tell if his words were sincere or sarcastic. "But you know that better than any of us." He gestured at the insignia on Solaufein's cloak. "Such glory she brings your house. What can you tell us of our queen's plans?"
Solaufein stared at Bhinica, eyes hooded. "I am not here to tell you anything." Did the Valsharess come from House Kilath? A self-proclaimed queen rose from the weak and minor House Kilath and prevailed over the great Houses in Menzoberranzan? How could that happen? And how could that happen so quickly? Was there a god's hand in this? Was this why Eilistraee called him to act? So many questions and no way to ask them without giving away his own ignorance.
Bhinica glanced at the duergar slaves. "Our meal is almost prepared," he said. "You will join us, Veldrin?"
Solaufein weighed the risks. Against the possibility of picking up useful information and, he admitted, feeding his own hunger for drow company there was the danger of betraying his deception. "I am expected back," he said with reluctance.
He did not make a direct return to the others but meandered about until he found a cavern well lit by luminous fungi. He climbed a crumbling ledge and wiggled into a large cleft in the rocks near the ceiling. The brightness of the room would obscure his heat signature, he hoped. He waited with the patience of the hunter.
Before his feet could become numb with immobility, his simple precautions paid off. Bhinica glided into the cavern. He had removed his arm from its sling, although he held it close to his side, favoring it. Solaufein drew his sword. He thought he made no sound but Bhinica looked up and spotted him. He drew his own sword and stepped back. Solaufein dropped lightly to the floor to face him.
"Why do you follow me?"
"To see where you go, of course," Bhinica said.
"You do not need to know where I go. Return to your post."
Bhinica studied him in silence a moment. "Tell me. Why are you here and not on the surface with the others of your House?"
Solaufein looked down his nose. He stood a head than the other male. "How is that your concern?"
"Are you a deserter? Or are you, like us, left here to die? Why are you alone when we were ordered to travel in patrols?"
"Why are you alone then?"
Bhinica made a signal with his wounded hand. "I am not alone." Only keen hearing could detect the soft ratchet of the crossbows at Solaufein's back. "I suppose the answers to my questions are unimportant. What is important is that your House destroyed mine. I had hoped Kiaransalee would give me the chance to spill Kilath blood before I die in this wretched place. I am happy my prayers are answered."
"You are not my enemy."
"No? But you are mine."
Curse you for forcing this on me! Solaufein leapt forward. Bhinica attempted to parry but Solaufein guessed he had never fought a master of the z'ress a'thalak. Bhinica was unprepared for his opponent's heavier weapon and far greater strength. Solaufein meant to disable him but his second stroke cut deep into Bhinica's belly, a mortal wound.
Crossbows spit their bolts. One bolt skidded off his dragon armor; the others missed, for Solaufein whirled with blinding speed. He ran down the nearest duergar and chopped his arm before he could reload. The other dwarves used their innate invisibility spell and vanished. Solaufein blinked his eyes to infravision. The duergar did not stand their ground but ran, presumably back to their camp. Their wounded companion lagged behind the others. Solaufein let them go. Where is Nillin?
Bhinica appeared to have the same question. He lay on his side and cradled his spilled guts with both hands. The heat of his flowing blood was bright and shining upon the cold rock. "Brother, avenge me," he called. Solaufein scanned the cavern and saw no signs of other life.
"His silence is answer enough," Solaufein said.
"Tried to-talk me out of this. Puts his skin-above his honor. Always so with him."
Solaufein squatted beside the dying elf. In a low voice, he said, "I am not of House Kilath."
"Your cloak-"
"I killed its owner."
Bhinica grimaced. "Is it so?"
"Tell me what you can of House Kilath and this Valsharess. I swear I will strike against them as best I can. Tell me who to strike."
"One of the rebels, are you?" He shuddered. "I die. What does it matter? I am cold-cold as death." He paused and gasped for breath. "You know nothing of Sinvyl Barita'ar?"
"Is that her name?"
"Matron Mother of House Kilath. Her son-a mage. She too is-skilled. In the art."
"How did she rise to such power?"
"An unholy alliance. When Lolth went silent-"
"What?! Lolth is silent?"
Bhinica stared up at him. "You do not know? Is this black skin-a disguise? Are you darthiir? Damn you."
"I am as I appear."
"You lie."
"Please tell me more of the Valsharess. Tell me of the Red Sisters."
Bhinica looked away. He said nothing more. He died.
Solaufein took the medallion of Eilistraee from his pocket. He held it a long moment before he slipped the chain around his neck where it belonged.
"You're back. Too bad," Sharpbriar said. "I hoped you'd been eaten by harpies."
"He'd give them indigestion," Haer'Dalis said but Solaufein did not miss the look of concern in his eyes. He gave a reassuring hand signal and told them what he had learned from the drow.
"Our next step must be to learn where Halaster is kept," he said.
"No," Deekin ssid. "First we must tells Durnan of this. Durnan the boss."
Solaufein frowned. "As yet we know little more than rumor," he said. "And I feel-I feel a sense of urgency. As of now, this place in inimical to our enemy. Undermountain protects the city above us. Should Halaster be persuaded to aid the Valsharess, she will be able to move her forces at will."
"We must be telling this to Durnan," Deekin said.
"We can make better time than the surfacers that work for Durnan," Solaufein said. "By the time we return to the Yawning Portal and then come back here-I don't know. I don't think we have that much time."
"You don't have much time," Sharpbriar said. "Not much of my time, anyway, If you think I'm going to be at your beck and call much longer, you're as big of an ass as you look. Got business of my own to get back to. Frond told me to lead you to Halaster's workroom and that's all you're getting from me."
"That's also a consideration," Solaufein said.
Deekin bounced in agitation. "But we promised-"
"Feel free to return if you think that is so important," Solaufein said.
"By myself? Little Deekin, all alone?"
"I thought you were a kobold hero," Solaufein said.
"I'd prefer if you travel with us awhile longer," Haer'Dalis said. "Perhaps we will find a way to send a message to the innkeeper."
"Don't look at me," Sharpbriar said. "I ain't no messenger bird."
They saw no more drow that travel period, although Solaufein never quite lost the feeling of unseen eyes upon them. He took first watch when they stopped to sleep. Deekin sidled closer to the rock he'd chosen as a seat. Solaufein, expecting a renewal of his pleas to return to Durnan, narrowed his eyes.
"Deekin wondering why that drow followed you. Why that drow attacked you."
Solaufein suppressed a sigh. Why did surfacers always feel the need to talk? Could they never be silent? "Revenge, of course, against House Kilath. I was alone. He thought he wouldn't be caught."
"But he working for this queen lady. Why he do that if she his enemy?"
"This so-called Valsharess can expect no loyalty from the troops she has enslaved."
"Sounds like kobolds," Deekin muttered. Solaufein gave him a curious look but the kobold stretched and moved away.
Haer'Dalis turned in his blankets and looked at the drow. Sometimes Solaufein forgot that his hearing was sharper than most surfacers. "Is this lack of loyalty a weakness we can exploit?"
"I wouldn't think so. No Matron Mother expects loyalty. Should she face overwhelming odds, many of her soldiers will desert her. She will pick her battles with care so that does not happen."
The hours passed as Solaufein walked the camp. He heard little other than the peaceful rhythm of the sleepers' breaths. And then, between one breath and the next, a woman appeared before him. As he snatched for his scimitar, she crossed open hands against her chest in a drow sign of truce. When she turned, Solaufein caught a glint of gold in her white hair. She wore form-fitting leather, soft boots, all dark as her skin. On her right hip swung a rapier, on her left, a long dagger.
"I mean you no harm," she said. Her voice was low, melodic. With one hand, she sketched a sign of Eilistraee, a secret sign he'd been taught long ago in Ust Nasta, back in the days when Phaere claimed to love him, before all tenderness was tortured out of her. His hand rose but he let it drop and did not return the sign. I cannot trust a strange woman, even in this. Not one who moves so silently.
"Who are you?" he asked, voice harsh.
"I am Nathyrra."
"Your house?"
She gave him the frown he'd expected-for a male to question a female was bold-but she answered him with only a slight hesitation. "I am an outcast, Solaufein. The Valsharess destroyed my house years ago."
"How do you know my name?"
"I was sent to find you, to guide you," she said. "We knew you would come."
"I do not understand."
"You were given a dream. So was my leader." She gave a low laugh. "I see you are confused. Don't worry, I am also. I belong to a group that fights the Valsharess. We were called to this fight as you were, by the goddess."
"You belong to the rebels?
"So they name us, as if the Valsharess was already our queen in truth, and not just a matron grasping after more than she can hold. We are led by a priestess of Eilistraee, a seer of great power. She has foreseen your coming and sent me to find you. She sends you a message."
"What is it?"
"Come."
Solaufein waited and watched the small smile slowly bloom on Nathyrra's lips. "That's the message?"
Her smile broadened. "Sorry, that's it." Her eyes slipped past him to his sleeping companions. "I can't stay. For now, I wanted you to know that you're not alone. You have allies."
"What do you know of these attacks on the surface? What does the Valsharess want?"
"From Waterdeep? She wants slaves and riches, of course. Her ambition knows no bounds. She seeks nothing less than to conquer the Underdark and that will take resources. She will pluck what she needs from the surface if she can."
"Such ambition seems like madness."
"Perhaps."
"How can a minor house have risen so high so quickly?"
"Her house was never in favor with Lolth. When Lolth went silent-"
"That is true then? What happened?"
"No one knows. But the Spider Queen is silent and the prayers of Her priestesses go unanswered. Can you imagine the chaos when that happened?" Solaufein shook his head, amazed. "With her rivals gutted of power, the Valsharess acted. Her weakness became her strength. She conjured-allies and without Lolth, the other houses could not stand against her."
"Allies?"
She leaned forward and lowered her voice. "She has enslaved a devil. He is said to be a great lord of the hells."
"Do you believe this?"
"Have I seen him with my eyes? No. Do I believe? Yes, I do."
"Eilistraee save us."
She nodded. "It is our hope that She will. The Red Sisters have captured Halaster. Should the Valsharess turn him to her will, Waterdeep will have much to fear. She will sack the city."
"Who are these Red Sisters?"
Another of her enigmatic smiles. "They are her elite assassins. Some have been sent to weaken the city's defenses by murdering key leaders. Others seek a safe path through Undermountain for the Valsharess' armies. They will move quickly, Solaufein, so you must move more quickly still. Once she has conquered Waterdeep, she will turn her attention back to the Underdark."
"Halaster is the key to stopping her here?"
"I believe so," Nathyrra said. "His power can swallow armies. Were he free, he'd turn his forces against any who invade Undermountain. He hates our people."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I must go, Solaufein. Please remember the Seer's message."
"Come?"
"Come. But first, seek out Halaster."
darthiir-surface elf
z'ress a'thalak-'force of war', an uncommon drow fighting style that requires great strength
