Delorian stepped from the shadows some three hundred feet back down the passage. He listened carefully for a moment, then shadowstepped again, this time even deeper in. Now he could hear her. The former beholder slave drow woman was not trying to be quiet, she was just moving as fast as she could. Somewhere outside of his sight, he heard her come to a halt. Raising his hands, a white piece of cloth dangling from one hand, Delorian spoke out clearly in common. “The threat of the beholder and the mind flayer are no more. We would speak to you of the city. I mean you no harm.”
The only answer was a small crossbow bolt fired from the darkness. Delorian easily slapped it out of the air.
“Violence is unnecessary, but if you insist, I will bring you back standing, or slumped over one shoulder. The choice is yours.”
Another crossbow bolt whizzed down the passage. Again he easily slapped it out of the air. Frowning, the monk began to stalk down the corridor toward her.
“We can do this all day. You cannot fire bolts any faster than I can deflect them. Do not make me take you by force.” As she came into sight, he could see she was already reloading again. As he got closer she abandoned the hand crossbow and drew her rapier.
“Let me pass, or by Lolth I’ll kill you!” She took a few hasty steps forward, her rapier sparkled with electrical energy.
“I doubt that.” Delorian leapt forward, but she was ready for him. He had to twist to one side, to avoid the tip of the blade, but then he was within her reach. He slammed a palm up into her chin and her head whipped back. While she was off balance he hooked one leg with a foot and sent her sprawling to the ground. As she landed with an dull thud the monk was on her. His knees came down hard, one right her midsection. His other shin planted on her throat. “You could already be dead.”
Her eyes closed, and defeat came over her features.
“Come with me, and I will guarantee your freedom after you tell us what we want to know.” This offer seemed to get her attention.
“You release me after I tell you and your companions what you want to know?”
Delorian nodded, then stood and let her up. He nodded down the caves back toward the beholder’s layer. “After you.”
**
Marcus tossed another sack down, then dropped down two suits of full plate armor, piece at a time. Will instantly recognized the armors as both magical, though one much more than the other. Good, the fight with the beholder and the illithid had not been a complete loss then. He glanced at the armor suits, then at Malaghym’s corpse. Looking to Varick he said, “We could get a few gold for these…” The question was left hanging, and Varick picked up on it fairly quickly.
“Indeed. But the armor would be better used as a defense against further damage than to convert it to gold in attempts to undo damage that is already done.” He looked down at the body then turned and walked away. The intent was clear, the dark-elf would need to find solace in the after life as the power of Mystra would not be returning him to life.
Will nodded, “Regardless, we need to go back to Saerloon and see if your temple has managed to secure us any supplies. We can get them to liquidate our other loot and return immediately to our travels.”
Varick nodded then looked to Marcus who was returning from a side cave the illithid had lived in.
Marcus handed Will a strange little bone device. It glowed with a lingering transformation effect. Marcus spoke up as Will studied it. “It was right were your arcane eye said it would be, but there was no other treasure in the Mind Flayer’s lair. He must have carried his things on him.”
Will frowned, “That’s regrettable.” Noise from the entrance signaled Delorian and the female drow’s return.
“She has agreed to talk, but I promised her that she could go free afterward.”
Will nodded, “I have no problem with that, assuming she does not server the White Banshee.”
The drow looked confused, “The White Banshee? What has that little cult have to do with anything?”
Will frowned and looked between her and the others. “Why don’t you tell us what the last thing you remember of Maerimydra?”
The drow nodded, “The city has been sacked. A horde of goblins, orcs and giants, swept in and destroyed most everything. I was a part of a group of survivors that fled toward Szith Morcane. My companion and I got caught in the open when Sekkr attacked. Many of the others made it through.”
Will nodded, “When the city fell, where the priestesses not helping?”
The woman shrugged, “They must have been fighting amongst themselves, because they were not helping us very much.”
Delorian interrupted, “The White Banshee has taken control of the city, and of Szith Morcane. At least they did till we liberated it.”
The drow cocked an eyebrow and studied him a moment, “Liberated?”
Delorian nodded, “It is still in drow hands, but no longer controlled by the forces of the White Banshee.”
She nodded, “Then that is where I will go then… if we are done.”
Will held up a hand, “Almost. I need to know the layout of the city and how its entrances are guarded.” He pulled out a sheet of parchment, an inkbottle and quill.
The drow officer scowled, “I’m no scribe, nor map-maker, but I will tell you what I know. There are three gates that lead into the city. Each is set in a wall that covers the passage that leads to the gate. In the city, there are grazing and growing fields along most of the outer edge of the city. The far northwest corner is raised above the rest and is home to the largest houses and the temple. Castle Maerimydra dominates the center of town. The southeast portion of the city holds a large lake. Near the lake is the arena. In the northeast corner of the city is the Shattered Tower, the cities school of the arcane. That’s about all I can tell you about that. Last I saw the north gates were sundered from their hinges.” She looked toward the exit of the cavern that would eventually lead her to Szith Morcane, then looked back impatiently. Finally Will nodded and she spun and stalked back into the darkness.
Delorian, Varick, Will, and Marcus looked between each other and mulled over this new information. Marcus spoke up first. “It explains the tracks we have been seeing. The tracks of goblins to giants heading toward the city were the invaders. The first group of drow tracks leading away was the Lolth loyalists that fled the city.”
Delorian added, “And the second drow track set were the White Banshee’s followers chasing after them to Szith Morcane.”
Will nodded, “If the city was destroyed, then the White Banshee would be gone, but we have heard from their leader and know she is very much alive. We need to get into the ruins and find out what is going on.”
Varick nodded, “A goblin hoard or an undead cult. It’s easy to see who is the greater threat in the long run. I’m not sure if these developments make me more at ease or less. On one hand the drow seem to have, at least at some point, lost control of the city. On the other hand, something just as evil, if not a little less organized, controls it now.”
Will picked up his pack and shouldered it. “We should head up the shaft and rest up. Once we have rested I’ll teleport us back to the giants to get what we left with them. Then a jump back to the temple to drop it all off and see if they have gotten anything together for us, and then one last jump back to here. We can get at least a good half day or more of travel in still tomorrow, make up for some of the time we are losing today maybe.” The others agreed and quickly made their way up into the beholder’s lair.
The next morning the group held onto each other as Will cast his teleport spell. The energy of the spell once again felt like it was turning them inside out. Will however was concentrating harder than ever. His image of the spot he want to go to was burned into his memory, but he was having trouble focusing on it. A hazy glow that seemed to pervade his consciousness as he concentrated was distracting him from completing the spell properly. Finally the world warped back into existence. Pain ripped through the companions for a brief instant before Will was once again guiding them through the magical energies of the Weave. Finally the world came back into focus and they stood in the chambers of the stone giants.
Marcus fell to his knees coughing up blood. Delorian stumbled to one side and propped against a wall. Varick wheezed and bent over gasping, his hands on his thighs. Will dropped down to a knee, panting, a small trickle of blood leaking from both his eyes.
Marcus was the first to voice his displeasure. “What was that?” He looked over to Will.
Will coughed then straightened. “The magical radiation these rocks give off. Its hard to get a teleport through them successfully. But we made it in one piece.”
Delorian growled, “Mostly.” The monk stood up straight, any remnants of the pain from the teleport already gone due to his shadow’s healing powers in darkness.
The booming voice of the stone giant elder came from above. “Friends! You have returned so soon!” With a loud thud he joined them in the lower chamber. “You sacked the elfling city so soon?”
Will shook his head, “No. We are headed back to the surface to resupply then are headed back to the city.”
The giant nodded, “Ahhhh… supply run. I get it.” He winked and clapped Will on the back, sending him sprawling. “So why come here?”
Marcus frowned, “To get our things.”
The stone giant paused, then frowned, “Your things? Err… well.” He seemed to think a moment then shrugged, “Why not? Lets get your things. They are after all… yours.” He grinned and lumbered off, returning after a few moments with several large bags. “Here you are!”
Varick asked, “So have the kuo-toa given you any trouble?”
The stone giant laughed out loud. “By the gods no! They are scared witless of us. Why just the other day I saw one. Tossed a rock at it, and it looked like it muddied the water around it, then swam away so fast I couldn’t even taunt it in time! Har!” The giant slapped Varick on the back, sending the priest sprawling.
Will looked up and broke into the conversation again. “So we talked a bit about others coming through here when we were here last. Did you see a goblin horde come this way?”
The stone giant thought a moment and then nodded, “Aye… indeed. A large group of goblins and fire giants came through. Probably some ogres and trolls with them as wells, orcs and the like… though many were not quite right. They were… uglier, twisted… you know…” He thought a moment then got the imagery he wanted, “much like The Claw!” He held up his hand in a twisted mockery of a claw.
Will looked between his companions and nodded up to the giant, “Our thanks my large friend. We should be going.”
The giant nodded, “Of course… finish your supply run… and have fun sacking the city!” He waved and clambered back up the shaft leading to the giant chambers.
Will looked to the others, “More fiendish creatures. There sure seem to be a lot of them crawling around these parts. That’s definitely something to keep our attention on.” With a grin he added, “So, you guys ready to teleport again?”
This time it was the launch that was bad, and not the landing. Once again they finally appeared at their destination, the steps of the Temple of Mystra in Saerloon. Marcus was cussing worse than a sailor. Delorian glared up at the sun, growling. Varick moaned a bit, and Will just slumped to the ground his hands shaking a bit.
After they took a moment to collect themselves they looked around. Delorian looked up at the temple. “How long will you be within?”
Will shrugged, “No more than an hour. Just long enough to drop of our things and collect whatever they have for us.”
Delorian nodded, “I will watching the temple entrance from a distance. I’ll meet up with you when you are done.” The others nodded and turned to walk inside. Delorian looked around for an elevated overhang with enough shadow to allow him some comfort.
The guards obviously knew who they were, as one of them quickly commented, “We have been awaiting your arrival. Please come quickly.” He led the group to a side chamber, passed many acolytes that were obviously moving about with some purpose. In fact the whole temple seemed to have shifted from its more relaxed mode into a mode were everyone was busy doing something toward some larger end.
After being told were to go Varick led Marcus and Will to a small chamber. Lady Firehands soon met them. “It pleases me to see you all well. Is the shade still with you?”
Will nodded, “He is waiting outside.”
Celia nodded, “He has not turned on you yet?” She seemed honestly surprised. “Very well, come with me please.” As she walked she intoned a small incantation.
Outside, her voice cut into Delorian’s thoughts, “You have served your companions loyally, there is much to discuss, and your presence is requested inside.”
Delorian responded in his thoughts, “Very well. I will be in shortly.” At least, he thought, it would be out of the sun.
As he was moving toward the temple the others met Plickit Ka in the halls. Will smiled, “Plickit, what are you doing here?” Plickit just cocked his head to the side and looked at Celia.
“Plickit went south beyond the sea to find another tribe of Thri-kreen to help in his personal mission. He brought something very interesting back. I’ll show it to you in a moment.” She reached into a pouch and pulled out a small bag that jingled. She handed it to Plickit and bowed to him. “Thank you Plickit, your aid in this will prove invaluable.”
Plickit took the bag, bowed and turned to walk away. As he went around the far corner, Delorian came around a near one, escorted by a guard.
Celia smiled at the monk and looked back at his companions, “Gentlemen, right this way.” She led them through a series of halls and doors. “We received your message. After you left we have been working diligently on trying to ready supplies and aid for you.” Varick nodded slowly. It was good that the temple was mobilized for this cause.
Celia led them all into a smaller worship shrine. Delorian frowned but entered. The back of the room held a shrine, where several priests of not only Mystra, but Azuth and another diety were chanting some form of ritual. On the shrine lay a body, draped in white cloth with a shining long sword laid across its form. The body seemed to fade in and out of existence.
Celia explained. “The men with the lion symbols on their chests are priests of Nabanion. The agent that went south, that you met earlier…” She glanced at Delorian while refraining from naming Plickit, “…came upon their temple. The sword is a relic of theirs, the blade that was wielded by their great war hero from over a hundred and fifty years ago. Its hilt was stained with blood, the hero’s blood. He knew that with that blood we could bring him back. He told the temple of our plight and they agreed to lend the sword, and their hero to our cause, should the hero find it an acceptable reason to return to the land of the living.”
In one corner of the room, near the door, on a stool sat a lone female figure. She was wearing rugged traveling clothes, but had the look of an archer. Her forearms had archery bracers on them, and quiver and pack sat beside her. Celia turned the parties attention to her. “This is YaDichi, the daughter of one of the Knights of Myth Drannor. She is an archer of some great reknown and has heard the call we made for heroes willing to aid in your quest. She will join you if you will have her.”
YaDichi nodded and smiled. Then Delorian stated the obvious, “An archer with no bow?” YaDichi reached down to pull the bow from within the small quiver, a feat only made possibly by magic. It was unstrung, but an impressive bow indeed. It looked massive, and was obviously made of bone. Will whistled at the powerful magical energy bleeding off the bow.
YaDichi turned the bow this way and that, showing it to them. “It was carved from the dracolich that my father helped to slay.”
Celia smiled and noted, “Its ability to slay undead with a single shot and to strike clear through multiple targets is well known. YaDichi’s vow to continue the honor and ways of the Knights of Myth Drannor are deeply ingrained. She will be a valuable addition to your group.”
The chanting stopped at the front of the room and everyone turned to see the well built form under the cloth open his eyes and sit up, grasping the hilt of his sword. One of the Nabanion acolytes rushed forward and prostrated himself at the base of the alter, “Lord Taran… you answered our call, by Nabanion’s grace.”
The holy warrior blinked a few times and looked around then down. He looked finally at the acolyte. “I’ll be needing some clothes.” He swallowed, grabbed the white cloth, to wrap around his waist then stood. “I am sure there is much to be done.” The room was hushed for a moment, the figure of the half naked warrior, even as battle scarred as his form was, impressed even the cynical Delorian. The man just had an air of confidence, strength, and genuineness that was almost infectious.
Celia nodded and clapped lightly, “Welcome back to the land of the living Lord Taran. There is much to discuss.” She turned to the others, “We can retire to my study while Lord Taran has a few moments to collect himself and get dressed.”
In a few minutes the entire group, including a dressed and somewhat informed Lord Taran and the better informed and eager to be started YaDichi, sat or stood about the comfortable study of Lady Celia Firehands. Celia started the discussion, “Lets see what you have found in the Underdark, then I’ll give you what we have for supplies.”
Will began to empty the contents of various containers, showing Celia the things they would not need. He looked to Taran and pointed to a suit of full plate armor. “This armor is enchanted and will especially protect your vital organs from grievous wounds. We also have belt of strength that you could probably use better than any of us.”
Lord Taran took the items and nodded, “They will all be returned when the quest is at an end.”
Delorian looked about to protest Will’s freely giving the items over, but Celia quickly added, “I will compensate you all for them in the meantime.” Delorian nodded to that and settled back into the darkest corner he could find in the room.
Will continued, “These are the items of a companion that was with us a short time, a dark elf spellfire wielder named Malghym. He did not survive our last encounter.” As Will placed the items on the table he pointed to the breastplate and elven thinblade that Malaghym had carried. “These have some sort of enchantment I’m not really familiar with I…” As the group watched, Will laid the items onto the table, not thinking much about the rays of light that spilled in from the window. When the rays hit the blade and armor they instantly began to sizzle and pop. Will started and covered his face with his arm a moment.
Delorian began to stand up, “Get them out of the sun… they’ll…” It was too late. With a hiss both items dissolved into nothingness.
Celia raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. We’ll move on.”
Will sighed and shook his head, “Damned dark elves.” He inventoried the rest of the items. A wand of minor healing went to Varick, and Lord Taran received an pair of bracers of health since no one else had use for them.
Celia looked over the haul and nodded, “We will make sure these are put toward your expenses. We have gathered many items for you. First…” she pulled a small bag from a smaller pouch at her side. The bag bulged and clinked of glass when she set it down. “…are ten potions of healing.”
Will began dividing them up. “Hmm, six into ten… not even… guess I’ll only take one.” He started handing out the others.
Celia stopped him. “Actually… that brings up something that we need to discuss.” She looked at Marcus. “We have learned that Zhentil Keep knows something about what is going on. We are not sure what, so we need a spy to enter the keep and find out for us. It’s a dangerous mission that requires someone who is adept at breaking and entering.” She smiled to Marcus. “Think you can handle it?”
Will smiled, “Sounds right up Marcus’ alley.”
Marcus grinned, “Anything is better than fighting undead. Those things are natural. You stab them through the heart and they just don’t seem to care. Sure… I’ll do it.”
Celia nodded, “Great. The guards outside will show to your chambers, I’ll brief you soon.”
Marcus stood and nodded to his companions and took his leave.
Will sighed a bit, “Well, that’s two a piece then…”
Many more potions and scrolls were handed out. Varick received a cloak of charisma, Will received bracers of armor, Delorian received gloves of dexterity, all of considerable power. Finally Celia was done handing out the supplies. “That’s most of what we have for you. Oh, here is ten thousand gold worth of diamonds, just in case.” The party members all blinked a bit in surprise and Varick took them for safe keeping, hoping he would not have to use them for their intended purpose, bringing back the dead.
“Lastly I have this for you.” Celia handed over a bag. “This bag…” She held up a bag that looked much like the one she just handed over, “… is the twin to that one. Anything put in one will appear in the other. I will have this one on me at all times. When I sleep, one of my assistants will carry it. If you need to send us something, just put it in the bag. If you need something particular, put a message in the bag. I’ll do what I can to get you supplied that way.” The group all nodded, seeing the wisdom in such devices. It would save them a lot of time and energy, not having to teleport back and forth as often. “Oh, and make sure you don’t put anything dangerous in the bag with out sending a confirmed warning.”
Several more minutes were spent getting YaDichi and Lord Taran fully briefed on where they were going, and most of what had come to pass before. With that, the group gathered for another teleport.
.Of course,playing something THAT fanboyish (drow are cool!Spellfire's cool!Spellfire wielding drow?YAY!!! 
