The Road to Castle Maerimydra
As the heroes trekked forward, they could see Castle Maerimydra looming ahead. They approached it with silent caution, weapons drawn and alert.
Around them the ruined city was eerily quiet. The rotting corpses of dead drow hung from gibbets and rats scurried from street to street.
“The vermin in this blasted place rank higher than the drow in my opinion,” muttered Varr.
As he spoke, one of the rats transformed into a female drow.
“And what right does a dwarf have speaking down upon vermin?” she scowled.
Varr huffed in surprise and raised his axe.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The voice echoed and bounced off the crumbling walls. From the darkness stepped a stylishly dressed male drow. His hair was as black as his inky skin and he had armor to match. At his side was a childlike half-drow, her eyes drawn to Ziona.
“Well, it’s good to see another male drow who as broken from the norm of the matriarchy,” said Belasco as he lowered his weapon.
“What purpose do you have wandering in Maerimydra?” asked the dark-haired drow.
“We are here to stop the drow raids that are plaguing the surface,” explained Dent.
“I saw your prowess in battle, though I do not think you will be able to take the Castle so easily.”
“I suppose you plan on stopping us?” growled Varr.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” smiled the drow. “I am Hamadh the Unseen. My companions and I follow our own order and would like nothing more than to see Irae T’sarran crushed. You have already destroyed Kurgoth, so I can see you’re serious about removing Irae as well.”
“Irae holds Castle Maerimydra,” said the half-drow girl. “She is vicious, she is cruel. She should be destroyed. She is more evil than any drow…”
The child rambled on much like the lost Lox. Ziona smiled upon the girl. “We plan to thwart her evil ways, child.”
“You can try,” said Hamadh. “But you will not get far without our assistance.”
“You wish to accompany us?” asked Ziona with surprise.
“We are The Hidden. Our numbers are fewer than your own,” said Hamadh with a smile, “but I have valuable information that will get you within the walls of the Castle.”
“And why would you give us this information?” asked Dent.
“Better yet, why would we trust the information?” muttered Varr.
“Because they want to see the wench fall as well,” said Belasco. “They just don’t have the means to do it.”
“Precisely,” said Hamadh. “We skulk about the city, avoiding Kurgosh’s thugs and Irae’s wrath. We have gathered much information, but have not been able to put it to use. It would seem your odd group may have a chance of overthrowing the wretched witch, even if it is a slim chance.”
“What type of information do you have?” inquired Tark, “And what will this information cost us?”
“I can provide a password that will allow you to pass through the spell of forbiddance that has been cast upon the castle,” said Hamadh. “I can also provide a place out of sight for you to rest yourselves before you begin your task. I ask nothing in return. I only hope that you succeed.”
“I must say, this is the last place we expected to find hospitality,” said Ziona. “We appreciate your assistance. May Eilistraee shine upon you.”
“Ah, a worshipper of the Dark Maiden. Interesting,” said Hamadh rubbing his chin. “Come along. You have destroyed Kurgoth and Grodu, but there is still much danger lurking about the streets of Maerimydra. I’d hate to see you snuffed out before you get a chance to brave the Castle.”
The heroes followed Hamadh and his companions into a large, disheveled inn that looked as though it had been looted and burned. Within, they rested and readied themselves to enter Castle Maerimydra.
The Adventure Continues…