Session 1:Serendipitous Meetings continued...
Phallon, Thourne and Uthar’zen heard the fighting and shouting. They could barely see the mounted armored forms moving about just beyond the forest’s edge. After a short while, the sounds of fighting subsided and cheers of triumph could be heard.
As the cheers began, all three noticed the dark elven mage amongst the trees a good one hundred feet from their hiding place. A few moments passed as the dark elven mage canted some spells and disappeared.
“Be ready, something is happening” the twins said as each notched an arrow and took aim at the area they thought the cloaked dark elves were hidden in.
Uthar’zen nodded grimly. He did not enjoy killing his brethren, but he also did not enjoy the reputation such unprovoked attacks brought upon the dark elven people.
The Riders continued to cheer for Vaevictus. A few of them nearer to the forest’s edge failed to notice their horse’s uneasiness.
Suddenly most of the Riders, Beorn, Lar, Vaevictus and their mounts were enveloped in a white aura of intense cold. All save for Beorn, Vaevictus and a few of the Riders who had been lucky enough to be outside the area died instantly.
Vaevictus stood unharmed, though his mount was frozen dead. With some effort, he pulled his hand from Lar’s icy shoulder and dismounted from his dead steed. He looked about and saw floating in the air a short distance away a dark elf man in robes with an evil look upon his face.
“Cur, cowardly mage, my wrath will be the equal of your magic for I will have retribution for this act of murder” he shouted as a manifestation of rage crossed his draconic face. He roared and rushed towards the mage not knowing how he would assail this flying enemy.
The remaining Riders looked about stunned by the sudden magical onslaught. Before they could regain their wits, a hail of small bolts struck them and their mounts. It did not seem like such a small bolt could kill a man, but the riders begin to fall from their horses nonetheless.
“Vaevictus…poison…be wary…” one of the remaining riders shouted weakly.
Vaevictus watched the wood around him come alive as cloaked dark elves brandishing shortswords rushed towards him and the fallen Riders. They cruelly slew those who had succumbed to their poisoned bolts.
“Do not worry, you will join your friends soon enough dragon knight” the dark elven mage said mockingly. He floated in the air a comfortable distance away from Vaevictus.
“So be it, but I will bring with me as many of you accursed drow as Torm gives me the strength to slay” Vaevictus said with steel in his voice.
It did not take the cloaked dark elves long to murder the helpless Riders and Beorn who had not crawled before he was pierced by drow shortswords. Vaevictus did not let such treachery go unpunished. He set upon cloaked dark elves with a fury that none could withstand. Many of them fell to his greatsword. The dark elven mage pelted Vaevictus with magical missiles that did little to stop his furious onslaught.
Holly held up her hand and halted the group. She listened intently as did Braydin and Kaela. Ahead they could here shouting and the sound of steel upon steel.
“There is battle ahead. Follow me, we must see if we are needed” Holly said as she set off towards the source of the sounds at a quick pace.
“Wait a minute. We don’t even know who is fighting…Holly, wait…Holly…” Braydin whispered loudly.
“C’mon Braydin, we can’t let her die alone either” Kaela said as she followed Holly.
Braydin sighed. “Brandobaris, if there was ever a time I needed aid, this is it.” He trailed the women moving as fast as his short legs would carry him.
Phallon, Thourne and Uthar’zen watched the cloaked dark elves rush out of the forest. They loosed arrows at them that thunked into intervening trees causing a few of the cloaked dark elves to halt.
The Lolthite had remained in the forest. She was flanked by two of the cloaked dark elves. She spun around to see who had fired the arrows.
“Eilistraeean’s…” she spat “You five…” She randomly pointed at five of the cloaked dark elves “kill the Eilistraeean’s. Make sure they don’t interfere with our plans.”
The cloaked dark elves nodded and made their way towards the attackers.
Phallon and Thourne sheathed their bows and drew their blades. Uthar’zen had already set out through the wood. He met the cloaked dark elves head on running one through with his rapier. It was not long before Phallon and Thourne joined Uthar’zen, together they easily cut their way through the enemy.
“Impertinent male” the Lolthite screamed as she canted a prayer calling upon the power of the Spider Queen while holding a small straight piece of iron pulled from her hair.
Uthar’zen felt the hold of magic upon him as he was compelled to cease moving. He stood helpless before the single cloaked dark elf that he had not killed.
Out of the corner of her eye Phallon noticed Uthar’zen’s predicament. She moved with the speed and grace of the elven dancer that she was yanking Uthar’zen’s cloak as hard as she could causing his stiff body to fall backwards onto the ground while at the same time deflecting the killing blow that would have claimed his life.
“You’ll not have his head today servant of Lolth” she said as she made short work of the cloaked dark elf.
The Lolthite drew her longsword. “I see that I will have to kill you and your wretched sister myself, Phallon.”
“How do you know my name Lolthite? I have never met you…and killing my sister and I is no easy task, others have tried and failed” Phallon retorted.
“Your name and that of your sister Thourne is known to me as are all those whom you know and love traitorous wench. You and your whole traitorous family will pay for their defection.”
Phallon and the Lolthite met in battle, blade to blade. Thourne was still engaged with one of the cloaked drow and Uthar’zen lay upon the ground held by magic.
Vaevictus was beset on all sides as two of the more skilled warriors amongst the cloaked dark elves flanked him. He heard shouts coming from the wood. Two women with dark skin, not dark enough to be drow he determined quickly, and a Halfling ran towards him.
One of the women, the shorter of the two, fired arrows at the dark elven mage while the other unleashed a barrage of magical missiles. The Halfling stood with the women with a small rapier ready in hand. The arrows and magical missiles did nothing. The dark elven mage laughed at them.
“Dragon knight, are these fools with you? Now you will watch them die as well” he jeered while unleashing a blast of cold upon the newcomers alike to the one that had killed the Riders.
The woman with the bow was enveloped in the blast. The Halfling reacted so quickly that he completely avoided it. The woman who had launched the magical missiles had run ahead of the others which had saved her from the icy blast. She drew her scimitar and attacked one of the cloaked dark elves battling Vaevictus.
Vaevictus did not need aid but did not refuse it either. He and the woman who had launched the magic missiles fought against the remaining cloaked dark elves together.
Vaevictus looked at the women, “Who are you and why do you aid me?”
“I am Kaela. I aid you because my foolish friend cannot help but come to the aid of anyone and everyone who seems to need it. She claims her god commands her to do so, though she needs little provocation to follow such a creed” said Kaela.
“Have you any means to slay a mage Kaela?” asked Vaevictus.
“Usually I can hold my own in matters of magic, but this mage is too powerful and is resistant to my Art” replied Kaela.
“Then you had best flee while you have the chance. I have no means to slay this mage either. I would not have you die here with me” Vaevictus said.
“Normally, I might consider it, but…” she looked in the direction of Holly who was shivering from the cold blast while continuing to launch arrows at the dark elven mage. Braydin stood near her with bow in hand also launching arrow after arrow.
The dark elven mage ignored the arrows and directed his attention towards Vaevictus while canting. “Dragon knight, why do you fight against me? It is these newcomers that slew your friends. I tried to stop them, but I could not. You can see they are strong enough to withstand my Art” cooed the dark elf mage.
“What? Why would they wish us dead?” replied Vaevictus no longer feeling any anger towards the dark elven mage. He felt suddenly amicable towards the dark elven mage.
“Why did they not aid you sooner then? It is because you have been tricked into fighting against me, even though it is they who seek your death.”
“No, I don’t think so. It is you who have been deceived by these treacherous drow. Aid me against them so you can be redeemed.”
‘He does not obey’ the dark elven mage thought to himself. ‘I will try another.’ He canted once again his eyes upon Braydin.
Braydin lowered his bow, “Wait Holly…stop attacking him. What are we doing? This guy is our friend.”
“Braydin, no he isn’t. He is a murderer. Look at all these dead people” said Holly. “Snap out of it.”
“Yes, Braydin...I am your friend. I have no wish to harm you. Why do you trouble me? I have done nothing to you. Please tell your friends to stop attacking me” said the dark elven mage in a kindly voice.
“Holly, put your bow down. We don’t need to…” Braydin quicker than a blink whipped out an arrow from his quiver and launched it at the dark elven mage. It barely missed.
“Dammit” exclaimed Braydin “You idiot mage, Halflings, especially Bramblefoot’s, don’t take well to charming and the like. Your damn lucky because you missed dying by a hair you black hearted drow.”
The dark elven mage’s face creased with irritation. “You’ll die for that Halfling” he swore.
“Is that what you use magic for dark elf, death and domination? Have you learned so little in your long life but to use magic in this evil and petty manner?” a stern voice drew the attention of all present.
There stood a fair man with silver hair and vibrant blue eyes carrying a wooden quarterstaff; fearless he seemed and more than capable of dealing with the threat at hand.
The dark elf mage was unsure of the danger this blue-eyed stranger posed. New enemies were coming from the forest like so many hidden secrets meant to bring about his demise.
“We’ll meet again” the dark elf mage said as he turned and fled into the forest.
It didn’t take him long to locate the Lolthite who was winning her battle against Phallon. He spied the bodies of the dead cloaked dark elves who had accompanied them, not one of them was standing, not even Drov who was a warrior of no mean skill. He was quite surprised to see the Lolthite battling against another dark elf woman with two other dark elves, a man and a woman, moving in to flank her.
“We must go. There are too many to defeat and a mage of unknown power has joined them. Quickly take my hand” the dark elf mage flew above the Lolthite extending his hand to her.
“So be it. We will meet again Phallon. You know I am the better warrior and when next we meet I will bleed you like a beast” the Lolthite grinned wickedly at Phallon as she grasped the hand of the dark elf mage.
Phallon and Uthar’zen swung at the Lolthite and dark elf mage, but struck air as they disappeared suddenly.
Phallon was worn down. The Lolthite had not lied; she had been overmatched and knew better than to speak idle threats.
* * * *
The last of the cloaked dark elves lay dead. Vaevictus followed the Halfling, the blue-eyed mage and Kaela into the forest. Holly searched for survivors amongst the dead humans. She found none.
Vaevictus, the Halfling, the blue-eyed mage and Kaela came upon two dark elf females and a dark elf male. About them several of the cloaked dark elves lay dead with no sign of what or who slew them. Vaevictus levied his blade, “Surrender or die, drow curs.”
The three dark elves raised their blades. One of the dark elf females stepped forward and spoke in common, “I am Thourne. This is my sister Phallon and our friend Uthar’zen. We mean you no harm. We have aided you this day in what way we could and have slain our own kind in doing so. Please, lower your blade so we may speak as allies and not enemies.”
Vaevictus studied the woman for a few moments. Her words seemed true and he lowered his blade, “I will parley with you drow, though your kind are known for their treachery. Your clothes and manner seem different than these others, and that weighs in your favor. What say you Kaela?”
“I do not know them, but they seem truthful. I would not put them to the sword until you knew better their natures” Kaela responded while flashing a flirtatious smile at Uthar’zen, which he returned.
“I do not know you other two. Speak your names and state your position” Vaevictus eyed the Halfling and the blue-eyed mage.
“I’m with Kaela. The name’s Braydin Bramblefoot and I don’t kill folk who I’m not sure are worth killing. I say we talk to them first” replied Braydin “By the way, what’s your name?”
“Vaevictus is my name”, he looked directly at the blue-eyed mage, “And what say you?”
“My name is Celtavian. I know well these women and their friend. They are no enemies of yours or any other good hearted folk. They follow Eilistraee, a name few may know, but known or unknown those who follow the Dark Maiden fight against the wicked and the cruel”, Celtavian spoke calmly, “It is good to see you Thourne, you as well Phallon and Uthar’zen. I arrived as soon as I could, but unfortunately not soon enough.”
Thourne smiled, “I am pleased to see you as well Celtavian. Late or no, I am glad you received my summons or it may have been a worse day.”
Phallon looked at her sister and shook her head. “I should have known who you called” she chided playfully making her sister blush, “Good to see you as well Celtavian, though on a less than cheerful occasion I’m sorry to say.”
Uthar’zen nodded at Celtavian.
“Enough idle talk, what do you know of these other drow who lay here dead?” intervened Vaevictus.
“Nothing at the moment, but they knew our names” replied Phallon.
“How came these drow to know your names if you are not in league?”
“I cannot say with certainty, but I would venture to guess that they serve those of our family who still reside in the Underdark. Not all our family serve Eilistraee” said Phallon.
“Then you can help me find the drow mage who escaped and any others who escaped with him?” inquired Vaevictus.
“Yes, perhaps” said the twins.
“Then let us bury the dead and begin the search.” Vaevictus walked out of the forest. He came upon Holly. She was busy laying the bodies in a straight line next to each other, so they could all be properly prepared for burial.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I am Holly Windstrider, servant of Shaundakul, the Helping Hand. This is a dark day that so many lay dead beyond my ability to aid. Do they have families? If they do, we must be sure to take word to their families.”
“Some have families, and one is my brother. Lar was his name. His father will be both sad and joyful to learn of his son’s death. Let us cover them with their cloaks so that they will not be easy prey for the carrion birds. I must send word to the Rider’s and the Church of Tyr about what happened this day.”
After Holly and Vaevictus laid the dead next to each other and covered them with their cloaks, he smiled at the young woman, “I thank you for your aid this day Holly Windstrider. It is most appreciated.”
“It is my duty to help those in need. Shaundakul requires it. I only wish the wind had carried to me sooner the sound of this battle so I could have arrived before all these lives were lost. May the wind bear their souls to the heavens where they may receive the blessing of their gods” Holly’s eyes were tear-filled, though she did not weep.
Vaevictus said a short prayer to Torm for Lar and the others. He looked upon his fallen brother as he knelt next to the body, “I will avenge you Lar. You, Beorn and the others, I will avenge you all. I swear by Torm and Tyr that I will have vengeance upon the accursed drow that slew you and all dark-hearted drow who trouble the Dalelands.”
Phallon and Thourne watched Vaevictus walk away. Uthar’zen was investigating the bodies of the cloaked dark elves. Each dark elf’s cloak clasp was also a house insignia bearing a symbol known to him. He used a dagger to cut an insignia from a cloak. He showed it to Phallon and Thourne who studied it.
The house insignia was an eight-legged spider with its legs wrapped around the moon as though it were engulfing it. The symbol of a prominent house in the city of Sschindylryn notorious to both Phallon and Thourne, they spoke to Uthar'zen in elvish,
“This is the insignia of House Spidermoon, at least those that worship Lolth. So, our family is at work in the Cormanthor.”
“
So it would seem” replied Uthar’zen.
“It was only a matter of time sister” said Phallon.
“Aye, what a pity! We will have to look into this matter soon, but at the moment we have other matters to attend to” said Thourne.
Kaela listened to the drow . She was fluent in elvish and understood much of what the dark elves said, “So, do you need a hand with anything?”
“We are going to burn the dead to honour Eilistraee after we have removed what valuables they carried. If you wish to aid us, you may” replied Phallon.
“I’ll gladly give a hand with that” replied Braydin.
“I will assist the Halfling” said Uthar’zen.
Phallon cleaned her blade and smiled at her sister as though some secret existed between the two. Thourne blushed again.
“Go and speak with him, sister” said Phallon in Undercommon.
Thourne strode to Celtavian and embraced him as she spoke in elvish,
“It is so good to see you my friend. I did not know if you were close enough to reach us in time. I only hoped that you were.”
Celtavian embraced Thourne,
“I was not overly distant. I travel much these days and know well the path you normally take to see me. Yet, I am glad that you called to me or I would have rested along the way and might not have been close enough to provide any kind of aid.”
“We have much to talk about” replied Thourne,
“I will attend to the dead and then we will all sit and talk. Maybe then we can learn more about the events that occurred here today.”
“I will assist you in what way I can” Celtavian replied.
Uthar’zen and Braydin looted the dead removing what valuables they carried and putting them in a pile for later division. Phallon and Thourne gathered the dead dark elves into a mound outside of the forest. They found what loose wood they could and set the mound aflame.
The smell of burnt flesh carried into the air. The two dark elf women danced with their hair twirling about them as they pirouetted gracefully around the flaming mound with swords in hand singing in elvish to Eilistraee:
“Woe to the wicked, woe to the cruel;
Woe to those who darkness doth rule;
The Dark Maiden’s blade has set upon thee;
Death is the judgment by her holy decree.
Foe of the wicked, Foe of the cruel;
Foe of those who darkness doth rule;
The Dark Maiden’s blade rose against thee;
Swift death has come by her holy decree.”
Kaela stood next to Uthar’zen, “Is this a religious ritual? I have never seen such a ritual before, not even followers of Tempus dance about the dead.”
“Nor do any other gods or goddesses that I know of save for Eilistraee. Who can say why a goddess imposes such rituals upon her followers? She is a goddess of dance and song as well as a goddess versed in the ways of battle, maybe that is why she finds such a ritual beautiful” Uthar’zen replied, “You have a fair smile Kaela. It is not often that I have the pleasure of speaking so freely with a human woman.”
“And you have a very nice body, Uthar’zen. You are much, much more handsome than I would have expected given all the vile stories spoken about dark elves. I expected you to look like fiends rather than just dark-skinned elves.”
Uthar’zen raised an eyebrow and glanced at her without turning his head, “What have you heard about dark elves, Kaela?”
“The common myth is that you are all dark-hearted and treacherous. That you look like devil elves and steal away good folk in the night. You are murderers and thieves whose souls are corrupted by hate, lust and greed. All that I have heard about dark elves has been horrifying. I am not one to believe such children’s stories. I would rather see for myself what manner of people the dark elves are” Kaela turned towards Uthar’zen and studied his handsome face, “I cannot imagine a people so attractive could be so evil.”
“Do not be fooled by the beauty of the dark elves” Uthar’zen turned towards her eye to eye, “Many of my kind are evil, though not all. You are a very forward woman. I like that. Perhaps we can travel together for a time and enjoy each others company.”
“I would like that very much, Uthar’zen” Kaela smiled mischievously, “Very, very much.”
After the dead were laid to rest and the valuables accounted for, the eight travelers came together. Each stood once again with their original traveling companions save for Celtavian who stood with the dark elves and Vaevictus who stood alone.
“The dark elves carried much of value. Their cloaks and boots are made for moving about silent and unseen. Their blades and hand crossbows are well-crafted. We have divided the coin equally” stated Thourne as she lay eight pouches upon the ground in front of her, “You may count the coin in each pouch to be sure we have not deceived you. Also, feel free to take what items you wish from those recovered. We only request that whatever remains you allow us to give to our fellow Eilistraaean’s. It will greatly help us in our efforts to drive evil from the forest.”
“I do not have need of coin. You said that you would aid me in finding the mage who murdered my brother and the other Riders. That is the only payment I require” Vaevictus said grimly.
“I’ll help you track down the murderer’s Vaevictus. I don’t need the coin either. I say we give it to the families of the fallen, at least give mine, Kaela’s and Braydin’s share to the families of the fallen” Holly said.
Kaela and Braydin looked at each other incredulously, though they did not protest.
“We have equally divided the gold, so all may choose to do as they wish with their share” said Thourne, “My sister and I will gladly give our gold to the families of the fallen.”
“As will I” said Celtavian.
Uthar’zen signed to Thourne in the strange language known as Drow Silent Tongue.
“Uthar’zen also agrees to give the gold to the families of the fallen” she looked directly at Vaevictus, “He wishes you to make it known that dark elves donated the gold. Not for pride, but so that not all the tales told about dark elves are of their evil deeds.”
Vaevictus nodded in agreement, “It shall be as he requests.”
“It is decided. The coin will go to the families of the fallen. Now let us speak of other business. You seek the perpetrators of this murder. My sister has an idea of their whereabouts” said Thourne as she gave her full attention to her sister.
“I have studied the coins the dark elves carried. Some are common coins minted by humans or elves, but some are ancient coins not made by any human or elf still living.” She held up two of the gold coins upon which were stamped crossed spears and a pile of scrolls. “These coins are from Myth Drannor. I have seen coins such as this before possessed by elves who have traveled to the ancient city. If they have such coins, perhaps that is where the others might be found. It is not assured, for it is just as likely they could have robbed someone who had journeyed to Myth Drannor. But it is my best guess.”
“Well done sister” said Thourne.
Vaevictus considered what was said, “So, Myth Drannor is where they may hide? That place is known to me, but only as a legend.” He thought to himself, ‘The city my father defended.’ Myth Drannor had been oft mentioned when his mother told him tales of his draconic father.
“Myth Drannor, the home of Shaundakul’s Throne my god’s greatest temple; we were already headed there. I will gladly accompany you Vaevictus” chimed in Holly.
“Holly, I would not take you into unnecessary danger. You are too young for such a dangerous journey” said Vaevictus.
“I’m already going there with or without you, might as well travel together. Anyhow, my sister is a servant of Torm. She would be angry with me if I didn’t help you.”
“You are stout-hearted. I will accept your company then, but I do not know the way to Myth Drannor” said Vaevictus.
“Nor do I” said Holly. She didn’t mention the fake map she had bought from Feldon, neither did Kaela or Braydin.
“I know the way. It is a place revered by the elves of the Cormanthor. Any elf that lives in the Cormanthor for very long learns the way to Myth Drannor, but I have never walked in the ruins. It is a place of danger and death, or so it is said amongst the elves” said Thourne.
“I do not fear danger or death. If you will take me, I will find my own way within the ruins” said Vaevictus.
“If we take you, we will travel with you. It is not the way of Eilistraaean’s to lead folk to danger’s door and then not enter ourselves” replied the twins.
“I would accompany you as well Vaevictus. A trip to Myth Drannor would be most educational” said Celtavian in a quiet voice.
“Since no ones asking” Braydin glared at Holly, “I’d be happy to come along. As Holly said, we were already on our way to Myth Drannor and if the good Lady Thourne can get us there, I’d be more than happy to follow.” He bowed graciously to Thourne.
“I’m always up for a good adventure” said Kaela happily. She was really looking forward to traveling with Uthar’zen.
“So it is decided. We will travel to Myth Drannor” said Thourne.
To be continued...