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When Kramor helped Loner up, she wrapped her arms around him and held tight. She wished they could stay there forever, with his strong arms around her…She gently pulled away and found her horse, remaining silent the whole time. She and Kramor rode side by side to catch up to the others.

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

T’lainya explored the herb cabinets murmuring to herself. “Aldaka for sight, bittermourn for long life, coltsfoot to draw infection, aha gefnul.” Her voice trailed off as she catalogued the herbs she needed. Darkpoet and Ria’ya heard the occasional word, “ holy water, crushed pearl, and powdered acorn” among them. Dp looked at Ria’ya who looked at him. They both smiled as T’lainya swiftly made small bundles separating the plants in some formula known only to herself. She glanced up once, oblivious to the dusty smudge on her face, and asked if there was a larger mortar and pestle than the small one she had brought. “This will take some time.” She spoke to no one in particular. She divided the bundles into two groups, one for the wounded and one for Ria’ya. She glanced up at Ria’ya who was hovering a bit nervously. “I’ll need to study the tome some more, but I think this is possible. Some of the spells result will depend on your will. You must want the spell to succeed.” She looked at Darkpoet who was studying a shield that hung on the wall. “Are you ready to go check on the others?”

The group moved ahead, Nippy leading the way. Darkpoet’s horse didn’t like it very much; he forced his way to the front. Ignoring Kramor’s efforts to pull him back, “You are stubborn as a mule.” Kramor muttered to Hunter’s Moon. The horse just, rolled his eyes and flattened his ears back. Kramor grabbed the pommel of the saddle, just in case Hunter was going to try to throw him. But instead, the horse’s ears perked up and he snorted quietly. Kramor smelled smoke, as Hunter stopped. Kramor threw his hand up to stop everyone. “Drow.” Kramor spoke quietly, so the others could hear him. He didn’t have to urge Hunter at all, the horse moved on it’s own. As man and horse moved though the heavy wooded area. The smell of burnt flesh and wood, hit Kramor, like a wall. Moving further, the forest opened up to acres of scorched earth. Nothing, but dead Drow and charred trees. Kramor whistled for the others, he watched their expressions as they approached the clearing. Kramor dismounted and searched the area; he could tell it was a large camp. It looked like the whole Drow army, or most of it.

Yshania looked at the carnage, “Who could of done this, with such precession?” “A dragon, perhaps two of them. From the looks of it.” A voice said behind her. She turned, looking at a handsome black haired Elf. He seemed familial, but she couldn’t remember.

“Menadir, so this is where you have been hiding.” Kramor walked up and shook his hand. Menadir smiled and nodded to the others. “The Drow are in full retreat, who ever did this, knew what they were doing. They took out all the magic users first, then polished off the rest. We could use a tacticians like this. What are you all doing out this way??” He looked at everyone suspiciously. Kramor cleared his throat, “Um, we are after a Tarrasque, which is hunting a couple of friends of ours. Did you say dragon??” Kramor quickly changed the subject, the mentioning of dragon. Peaked his interest; Darkpoet is friends with a dragon. Menadir shook his head, “Yep, the only thing that could produce this much destruction. By the way, how are my cousin and Darkpoet doing?” It was Kramor’s turn to shake his head, “I’m not going to even start, and you go ask them Menadir. When you do, ask Darkpoet about Teshana.” Menadir’s face darkened, “You saw her??”
“I saw someone talking to Darkpoet, but I didn’t know who it was until later. Even T’lainya, talked to the Drow, the two almost fought. T’lainya just walked away, leaving Darkpoet standing there all by himself. Like I said, you let him tell you. What do you know about Teshana?”
“She has been attacking anything and everything. Killing everyone, no survivors. She also leaves her mark, a bloody amulet print. You just watch yourselves. We have to move on. Be safe and watch your back.”
The group watched the black archers; move quietly into the woods and out of sight. Kramor turned and looked, at what use to be the Drow encampment. He stood thinking, about the dragon.

[ 10-03-2001: Message edited by: KramoR ]

Yshania watched Loner walk heavy stepped back to Kramor. She could not hear the hissed conversation between them. She turned and put her hands on Hunter’s Moon. Hunter snorted and skittered before settling, nervously. Yshania did not remove her hands until he was steady. Gently she placed her forehead on his shoulder and started to mutter charm animal. Slowly she felt the beast’s muscles start to relax, to stop their tensed shivers. A moment later he snickered softly. Standing back, she admired him again – what a beautiful animal.

Yshania turned quickly at the sound of Loner approaching the stable. She was livid and struggling to control her emotions. Yshania thought to offer some words of consolation but could find none. Loner snatched the reins of her horse, leapt onto it’s back and galloped away. Kramor stood watching sadly for a moment before taking the reins of his horse and walking towards Yshania.

"Here Yshania, this mare is a little more trusting. I'll take the hammerhead roan. Nippy, go on up ahead, Loner and I will catch up in a bit."

Yshania took the mare, smiled weakly at Kramor then followed after Nippy and Lomoro.

They had gone some way before deciding to stop and wait for Kramor and Loner. Yshania back-tracked a little to see if she could see them. In the distance she saw their hunched figures on the ground. Loner appeared to be crying, Kramor offering what comfort he could. Yshania’s heart went out to the couple…these were tragic times. Eventually Kramor lifted Loner to her feet and they embraced then headed to their horses. Yshania returned to Nippy and Lomoro – who had a concerned expression.

As Kramor and Loner approached she noticed Hunter’s Moon yanking at his bit. Kramor deftly held the reins short but appeared to be struggling to slow down the roan.

“You are stubborn as a mule.” Yshania heard Kramor say.

Yshania clicked her tongue softly at Hunter as he stomped past, pleased when she saw his ears raise and heard his snickered response. Yshania softly dug her heels into the flank of the mare to fall into step beside Loner. Loner was riding with her head down, hiding her face. Yshania had no words to offer…quietly she reached across and put her hand on Loner’s for a moment. Loner looked up at her then away, dropping her eyes briefly Yshania faced forward and kicked the mare to catch up with the others.

As she approached Kramor, his horse stopped suddenly, the party fell in behind him. Yshania felt the hairs on her skin raise as she caught the smell of them on the wind…Drow!!

‘Drow’ Kramor echoed her thoughts as he pushed ahead into the clearing.

Yshania itched to follow but held back, the lump in her throat threatening to choke her. At Kramors whistle the party moved forward, Yshania had tied the reins around the pommel and held her hands over the hilts of her scimitars.

‘Come on!’ she willed, to the Drow to make themselves present, to herself to hold her courage.

As they arrived she gasped at the carnage before her, the place stunk of burnt flesh and failed spells…and something else…

“Who could of done this, with such precision?” she whispered

“A dragon, perhaps two of them. From the looks of it.” A voice said behind her. She turned, looking at a handsome black haired Elf. He seemed familiar, but she couldn’t remember.

“Menadir, so this is where you have been hiding.” She vaguely heard Kramor say.

Menadir? Darkpoet? She lost the line of conversation whilst she tried to place the names…

Gradually she recalled where she had heard the names before…they were the friends back home! Many years had passed – she had wondered what had become of them…she shed a silent tear at the picture of Darkpoet’s family lying in pools of blood under the Drow onslaught. Dead…her heart reached out to him. Abstractly she wished she had taken the stew, that simple act of kindness in the face of such tragedy was heart breaking. She wrapped her fingers into the mane of her horse, head down, now oblivious to the conversation around her…now was not the time to remind Menadir of their early acquaintance – how had his family fared?

Smoke chuckled to himself, as he watched Darkpoet. He sensed that Darkpoet, was much different than the last time, they had met. Darkpoet was calm and surer of himself. Must be the woman, but Smoke known that was only part of it. He was impressed with the Elvin Priestess, but was amused, with her thinking that the others could help her with the resurrection of Queen Ria’ya. As he listened to T’lainya mumble and mutter around, going though the herbs and potions. Constantly checking the tome, making sure she had the right things. “There is only one thing missing, that she needs. Me.” He thought to himself, chuckling. At that point, Ria’ya was staring at him. He didn’t know if she saw him or not. Smoke saw her eyebrow lift and a sly smile spread across her face. “Damn, she can see me. You can never trust the spirit world.” He said to himself, shaking his head.
Smoke was about to pop his head in the window, but he caught movement, out of the corner of his eye. Looking up, to see what it was. He groaned to himself, he saw the Kinder dragon Jinx, who had attached himself to Smoke. The worse thing was, Jinx called him dad. He watched the small blue dragon, silently approach the sheep. As he heard T’lainya ask Darkpoet, “Are you ready to go check on the others?” The sheep started to make noise, trying to alert anyone about the small dragon. Smoke cursed silently and headed over to Jinx.

“The sheep!” Darkpoet replied, still staring at the shield. “WHAT!” Both T’lainya and Ria’ya exclaimed. T’lainya groaned, she started thinking that Darkpoet had another demon in his head. Ria’ya just looked puzzled, not knowing what to do. T’lainya slowly walked over to Darkpoet, keeping her motions in check. She did not want to deal with another demon. As she approached Darkpoet and touched his arm, he faced her. He face dark, his eyes black with anger. “The sheep. Some thing is after the sheep.” He took off, before T’lainya could say anything, so she went after him. When T’lainya ran outside, she saw Darkpoet tackling a small blue dragon. What shocked her even more was the sudden appearance of a larger dragon. Who separated both Darkpoet and the blue dragon. T’lainya was about to conjure up a spell, when Ria’ya spoke behind her. “Just wait, T’lainya. I sense no evil in this dragon, he has been watching us for a while. It must know Darkpoet, because he is not harmed.”
T’lainya slowly approached the three, she heard Darkpoet yelling and cursing at the little dragon, the dragon in turn was yelling and cursing back.
“ENOUGH!” Roared Smoke. “Enough of this nonsense.” He set down Darkpoet, flicking him into a mud puddle. Smoke then, set down the small dragon. “Jinx, don’t move.” He warned the blue dragon, as the Jinx started to move, Smoke stood on his tail.
Smoke watch as T’lainya, approached him. He lowered his head, sniffing. “No fear, with this priestess, just a temper. She will do just fine.” He thought, looking over at Darkpoet. Who sat in the puddle, angrily staring at him. Smoke smiled at Darkpoet,
“You have chosen a good friend and the last time I saw you. You were dirty also, aren’t you going to introduce me, to your lady friend?”

Darkpoet stood up, still glaring at Smoke.

“What I should do is, have her change you and your thieving child there into Dragon fritters. However, since I am in a good mood, I will not ask her too. Smoke, this is T’lainya.”
Darkpoet wiped mud off his face and clothes.
“T’lainya, this multi colored Dragon is Smoke. He helped us out a while back and he had a famous mother who was killed by the Drow. You might remember Adalon, she was his mother.”
Smoke bowed his head to T’lainya.
“At your service, Priestess T’lainya. A friend of Darkpoet’s is a friend of mine, I do honor my word.”
Smoke turned and glared at Darkpoet.
“This is not my kid, you make another comment like that. I will make a fritter out of you. His name is Jinx, he is a Kinder Dragon and that is as big as he gets.”
Smoke smiled and snorted, which blew Darkpoet back in the mud puddle. Who stood back up, glaring at Smoke.

T’lainya curtsied politely to Smoke and extended a hand.
“I’m honored to meet you Smoke.”
She touched one of Smoke’s talons in greeting. T’lainya had never been so close to a friendly dragon before. She had seen the sleeping dragon guard of Evermeet and she had fought 2 evil dragons when they started raiding populated lands. She had also spoken at length to a friendly Steel dragon, although he was polymorphed to elf form at the time. She admired the silver scales of his face, the same color as the stars she thought. The silver color went to his neck, changing to iridescence and deepening to gold, copper and bronze streaks. She looked at the small blue dragon, struggling to free his tail from Smoke’s large foot.
“The sheep are favorites around here, perhaps Jinx might find a meal elsewhere.” She smiled at the small dragon who gave her a dragon grin, showing all his teeth. They all looked at Darkpoet who was standing in the mud scowling. T’lainyas lips twitched as she stifled a giggle. Darkpoet glared at her.
“Not a word. Do you hear me? Not a word.”
Smoke snorted in amusement and Jinx gave a reptilian snicker. T’lainya looked up, her body shaking with silent laughter.
“Smoke, may we assume your presence here is no coincidence.”
She walked over to Dp and started brushing the mud off of him.

The kitchen still buzzed with activity. Dragon Wench found something to nibble on and headed to Vivien's corner. Realising that her friend had been absent for much of the day, Vivien briefed Dragon Wench on recent events.

Hushed whispers of Drow attacks permeated the kitchen, Dragon Wench shivered, clenching and unclenching her fist as muted conversations continued. She understood the deeply-rooted desire for vengeance all too well, who was she to question others for articulating those same needs? Running her hand through her hair, she glanced at Vivien, and asked if she'd seen Gwally anywhere around.

At that, Vivien wrinkled her nose thoughtfully,
"No, not recently I haven't....you'd think he'd show up in the kitchen when there is cooking going on."

Dragon Wench nodded almost absently, and looked out the window towards distant hill tops and craggy cliffs.

A loud rumbling noise, can from the direction of Jinx. He smiled sheepishly, “What can I say, I’m hungry.” His yellow eyes glowed, as he stared at the sheep. Smoke rolled his eyes, “You are always hungry. You ate all the food you could find at the Drow camp, not to mention three deer, on the way over here.” Smoke muttered. “Well I would have had some nice tasty sheep, if he hadn’t stopped Me.” said Jinx, as he pointed to Darkpoet.
Darkpoet thanked T’lainya for helping him. He walked over to Jinx, “those are my sheep, and you can’t eat them. If you are hungry, go over to the Keep and find Vivien, or Dragon wench. They will give you something to eat. Just tell them, I sent you over there. Smoke, you can get off his tail now.”
Smoke lifted his foot off Jinx’s tail. The smaller dragon, sat and rubbed the spot, where Smoke was standing on. He came over to Darkpoet, whispering, “Who is this Dragon wench, and what does she look like?” Jinx’s eyes gleamed with excitement, and he had a leering smile. Smoke groaned, putting his claws to head. Darkpoet contained an outburst of laughter. He waved his hand at T’lainya, to not say anything. Darkpoet patted Jinx on the shoulder, “Well, I think you should go and make that judgment for yourself. But, be careful, she does have a temper.” Jinx was off before Darkpoet could say anymore. Grinning as he watched, the dragon fly off. Turning to Smoke and T’lainya, he saw they were not grinning. “What? Serves him right for trying to eat my sheep. They are for tonight’s dinner. So, what else do we need to do, to make Ria’ya whole again?”


Teshana angrily jerked the reigns, turning her horse around. The more she thought about Darkpoet, the angrier she got. “How dare he, turn her down for a weak minded priest.” She thought as she rode to the Drow encampment. The smell of burnt and rotting flesh, hit her like a brick wall. Teshana slowed the horse, as she rode into the camp, or what was left of it. She did not believe her eyes, her people dead and scattered. The bodies scavenged by animals, the birds had been feasting on the carcasses also. Slowly Teshana, slide off her horse, to look around. Many friends, she recognized lay dead. Tears slowly rolled down her dusty face, leaving trails on her cheeks. “How could this happen? Who or what did this?” she wondered. Teshana knew the Elves and the humans together could not do this. She let her sadness turn to anger. With further examination, she located where the army was heading. Back to Menzoberranzan, Teshana decided to catch up later. She had some unfinished business to take care of. Finding a bow, she walked around until she had gathered enough arrows. Taking the horses reigns, she moved away from the desolated camp. Finding a small stream, Teshana cleaned herself up, the best she could. Trying to rid herself of the stench of death and dust. Making a small smokeless fire, Teshana started to work on the bow. Seeing it was in perfect shape, she sharpened her sword and dagger. “By night fall tomorrow,” Teshana thought to herself. “Darkpoet will be nothing, but a memory, a dead memory. Teshana’s eyes glowed, from the reflection of the fire.

Teshana worked quietly though the night. She knew he would arrive soon, as he did every morning as the sun came up. Putting the last piece in place, she got up off the ground and brushed herself off. The sun was about to rise. Quickly she erased her tracks or any sign that anyone was on the hill. Teshana moved into the woods and waited for Darkpoet to arrive.

When Darkpoet left the Keep, he was feeling good. With Smoke’s arrival made Darkpoet feel even better. He adjusted his swords and made his way up the hill. It was something he did every morning, watching the sun that comes up, standing next to his father and brother’s grave. Darkpoet thought it was something he had to do. As he made it to the top of the hill, he was dumbfounded at what he saw. There was a headstone with his name on it and today’s date. His blood chilled as he looked down in the hole, his grave. As Darkpoet went to scan the woods, an arrow hit him in the side, just below the ribcage. He grunted and fell to his knees, look towards the direction from where the arrow came from. Teshana stepped out, her sword and dagger drawn. Moving quickly towards Darkpoet, she spoke. “I’m going to finish this once and for all. If I can’t have you, either can she, or anyone else.”
Darkpoet broke the shaft of the arrow, so it would not get in his way. He stood up quickly, closing his eyes to the flash of nausea and pain. Drawing both of his swords, he quickly moved towards Teshana. “Still can’t fight fair can you Teshana? You always had to have the upper hand; it will not work this time. I told you, the next time I saw you, I was going to kill you.” He parried Teshana’s sword and dodged her dagger. Darkpoet turned and cut Teshana across the stomach then felt the bite of her dagger in his thigh. The two fought hard for half an hour, both sweating, and bleeding from many cuts. Teshana had to close one eye, to keep the blood out of it, from a cut above her brow. Darkpoet’s left arm was useless; one of Teshana’s slashes cut the tendons in his wrist.
Teshana and Darkpoet stood out of breath, staring at each other. They both stared at each other, with hatred that boiled from their souls. The both of them knew, what had to be done, it was kill or be killed. The two charged at each other, with the ringing of steel. Then it happened, there was no fancy moves or sword work. The swords found their target, there was more surprise then shock. Teshana grabbed Darkpoet face, sadly smiling, she kissed him. Stepping back, she fell to the ground, her body taking one last breath. Darkpoet staggered, leaning against a large oak tree. He tried to pull out Teshana’s sword; he did not have the strength to. Falling to the ground, he watched a hawk as it circled in the sky. His eyes closed and Darkpoet’s head slumped to his chest…………………………

They had travelled through the night, Yshania sure they were not far now from the Templar encampment. The party rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly Yshania was snapped out of her meditation by the scream of a horse. Hunter's Moon was bucking and rearing madly, his eyes rolling, he was starting to froth around his bit. Kramor shouted and wrestled desperately with the roan before he was unceremoniously dumped to the ground, stunned and bruised. The roan galloped off back the way they had come.

Glancing briefly at the stunned faces of the others,Yshania kicked the flank of the mare and set off galloping after Hunter's Moon, after a frantic, and exhausting, chase she saw him stop, breathlessly whinnying and stomping beside the bodies of two people.

As Yshania caught up she recognised one of the bodies as Darkpoet, the other a drow. Hating the drow with renewed vengeance she leapt from the mare and fell beside Darkpoet, checking over his injuries. Carefully she removed the sword and sobbing freely she began to bind his injuries, reading his Ki he was alive but only barely.

@No, no - not you as well' she cried. She yelled for help, knowing it was futile as she was beyond earshot. Summoning all the composure she could she cast heal on Darkpoet. The bloodflow stemmed, but he was badly injured. Immediately she cast strength of one upon herself. Casting one last hateful look at the drow, Yshania heaved the body of Darkpoet accross the back of the mare and secured him as best she could. She snatched the reins of the mare, leapt on the back of Hunter's Moon, praying he would trust her in his distressed state, then set off at a fast pace, as quickly as she dared, back to the keep.

On arriving at the gate she hastily dismounted and half fell towards the great doors...

'Help him!' she cried, banging on the heavy wood 'please...someone!'

[ 10-07-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

Gwalchmai’s soft snoring took on an almost musical tone as he dreamt about soft caresses from the hands of several lovely women. Across the room from his bed, a panel in the wall slid open almost imperceptibly. A dark, blue-tinged elven face appeared from the recesses of the panel. She froze, eyes wide, as she saw Gwalchmai lying on his cot. Behind her, muffled voices of three other young drow lasses could be heard, one of which said, “Hurry up Mavin! You’re blocking the door!” A shove, and the four drow maidens fell into the room in a tumble. Each wore dark purple cloth uniforms, and each had a sashes across one shoulder that were decorated with various embroidered badges.

“Girty! You idiot!” Mavin hissed, “There’s someone in here!” The four girls froze. Then Pickly whispered “He’s asleep, isn’t he?” Gwalchmai indeed hadn’t stirred, and his breathing was still regular and deep.

Mavin thought about it for a second, then said “I’ll make sure he stays that way.” She tried to remember the words to the sleep spell, and fingering her Novice Magic Badge helped her recall. The spell seemed to work, for they could touch Gwalchmai’s shoulder, and his snoring continued.

But Girty seemed dubious, “Are you sure you said that right?” Mavin shot Girty a withering look, and straightened to her full height. Mavin was the tallest girl, a full head taller than the others, and she was also the oldest. She was nearly of age to join the Women Warrior’s Society, and she lorded that fact over the other girls at every opportunity. More than once, when her opinion had been challenged, the offender would find themselves soundly cuffed. Consequently, the other girls of the Spider Scouts would rarely challenge her leadership, despite the fact that she invariably made poor decisions. She was about to start wailing on Girty, but Mouse stepped between them and said, “So where are we?”

Pickly piped up, “I figured that the tunnel would put us near the Keep of the Dark Flames, but I didn’t realize it would actually connect to the Keep itself.”

Mavin snickered, “Shows you what you know.” She looked at the sleeping Gwalchmai, and pulled out a small dagger. “Well, let’s kill this guy and go find a few more surfacers to knock off. That Surfacer Killing merit badge isn’t sewing it self on our uniforms.”

“Wait a minute,” Girty said thoughtfully, earning another look from Mavin, “If this is the Keep of the Dark Flames, this guy could be someone important. Maybe even Darkpoet himself!” All the girls gasped. The prospect of accidentally killing the beloved of Teshana withered their resolve. They couldn’t imagine the horrors their punishment would bring. Mouse had been the first to overhear Teshana ruminating to herself about her lost slave, her lost love. But all the girls of the Spider Scouts had eventually heard Teshana bemoan her lost love as they scuttled through the walls and behind the curtains of the Women Warrior’s headquarters in pursuit of their Subterfuge and Enemy Intelligence badges.

“This could very well be Darkpoet,” Mouse said as she regarded the sleeping form of Gwalchmai. “He certainly looks handsome enough to be Teshana’s lover. He much more handsome than most humans.” Gwalchmai slept only in a breechcloth, so his broad shoulders, large hands, and chiseled features were clearly evident. The other girls sighed their agreement, but Mavin still scoffed, “He’s probably just a slave.”

“Why would you say that?” Pickly asked.

“Think about it,” Mavin said in her usual superior tone, “These dark Flames are the most beautiful and powerful warriors in the entire surface world. Surely they would have a whole army of slaves to do their bidding. And the most handsome slaves at that!”

“That might be true if we were in the Underdark,” Mouse said, “but remember the surface world is backward. They have a patriarchal society.”

“Patree Arker?” Mavin said.

“Men rule over women and think they are superior,” Girty said, rolling her eyes. The other girls shuddered. “That is just one reason why the surfacers deserve to die.”

“Darkpoet is the only man we have ever heard about being associated with the Dark Flames, except for some unknown cleric a while back,” Mouse continued. “It stands to reason that a man worthy of Teshana’s love would be the only one powerful enough to draw together so many powerful women. Since such a man would never tolerate such a good-looking man as this,” here, she motioned toward Gwalchmai again, and the breath caught in her young throat at the sight of him, “to live freely among the Dark Flames, its obvious that this must be Darkpoet.”

None of the girls could think why this reasoning wasn’t the truth. But they were at a loss of what to do. “So what now?” Girty said, “We can’t kill Darkpoet, and we can’t go wandering around in a keep full of the finest warriors on the planet.”

“I thought we were just gonna sneak into the camp and slit the throats of a few wounded elves.” Mavin whined. “I mean, we’ve been walking through those tunnels for a day, and now we can’t kill anything!”

“No, this is even better!” Mouse said with a smile. “We have captured the great Darkpoet! We can take him back to the Spider Scout’s club house, wait for Teshana to get back, then present our prize to her! She will surely reward us all with early memberships into the Women Warrior’s Society!” The girls all agreed this was a great thing, and began lugging Gwalchmai toward the hidden panel. His body proved too heavy for them, until Girty quaffed half a strength potion, and she could carry most of his weight.

“Shhhh!” Pickly said, “I think I hear something!” She dropped Gwalchmai’s head with a thump on the floor, then moved to the door of his room. After listening for a moment, she carefully opened the door and peeked down the hall. Seeing nothing, she shut the door, and motioned to the other girls to keep moving. They quickly retreated through the panel, shut it, then disappeared into the labyrinthine tunnels that led to the Underdark. They did not realize that they had not captured Teshana’s beloved, and Darkpoet had just killed Teshana herself.

*****

Harry was exploring the keep. He was seeking out all the dark spots and shadows to be found in the hallways, places he could hide and sneak should the need arise. Finding one dark hallway, he practiced hiding in the shadows, and crept around an imaginary enemy. “Harry the Great disappeared before the very eyes of Dork the Orc, the largest, meanest, most-orcish warrior of the northern realms. Dork is threatening to destroy the fair town of Happyville. The Dark Flames were unable to best this mighty brute, and lie at his feet, defeated, so to speak. Dork the Orc leers menacingly at the lovely Lady Vivien. But before a hair on her head could be harmed, Harry casually saunters behind the great orc, unseen, unheard, and backstabs the foul cretin with a sharpened fingernail on his pinky. Such is the skill of the Great Harry, that he causes super-quintuple-quadruple damage, and with one blow the fiend is torn asunder, body parts flying in all directions. The whole town cheers its hero, and everyone is amazed by the amazingness of Harry the Great!” Harry began miming deep bows to imaginary villagers, saying, “Thank you. Thank you. It was nothing…”

Then Harry spied another hallway that he hadn’t been down, and decided to practice more of his Hiding in Shadows skills. To a casual on-looker, Harry would have seemed to be dancing, slipping out of a shadow, saying “Now you see me….” Then slipping into the shadows saying, “Now you don’t!” He continued doing this as he walked down the hall.

He happened to be in the shadows about halfway down the hall, when he saw the door at the far end open slightly. The face of a young Drow peek out, glanced around, then the door shut again. Harry stood gaped-mouth for a moment, then ran down the hall. He came to the door, which was marked,

Gwally’s Room,
Dark Flames Welcome
Darkpoet Keep Out

Harry burst through the door, and saw an empty room. Confused, he thought he might have been imagining things. He shook his head and said, “I should go tell Viv.”

Harry burst through the door, and saw an empty room. Confused, he thought he might have been imagining things. He shook his head and said, "I should go tell Viv". Harry hurried back to the kitchen where he found DW and Viv talking quietly, still hiding in the shadows he startled the ladies when he spoke "I think I may have seen some drow in Gwally's room".
Looking shocked and worried Viv and DW followed Harry back to the room where he made a thorough check for hidden doors and traps. "Aha" he said as he pushed in a part of the wall casuing a panel to slide open revealing a dark opening. DW and Viv went to get some torches and inform the others while Harry stared nervously into the gap in the wall.

( OOC Dork the Orc?... i bet that strained your creativity nature boy )

T’lainya had risen at dawn as was her custom. She greeted each day according to elvish tradition, admiring the rosy dawns, or as weather permitted the stormy gray skies, considering both a blessing and a necessity.In the early hour before dawn she had felt Darkpoet slip from the warmth of their bed. She knew he went to honor the graves of his father and brother and thought it best he came to terms with his loss in his own way. The priestess slipped silently to the courtyard, She hailed the moon as it sank from sight, murmuring a prayer to Sehanine, and she waited. She faced the sun, letting the pale pink rays shine on her face and hair. She went through her morning prayers and rituals and stopped to reflect on the spells she had petitioned. As she sorted them in her mind she was struck with a tremendous flash of pain. She gasped with shock, the blood draining from her face. She drew in a sharp breath, overcome with a premonition. She looked up; heart hammering in her chest like a thousand horses hooves. She started running for the doors in time to hear a frantic voice screaming for help.

T’lainya threw the doors open and helped Yshania carry Darkpoets barely breathing body to the closest room. She was so shaken she could barely hear the words Yshania spoke, but her attention was caught by one phrase.
Her head turned sharply, “You said drow?” T’lainya spit the word out like venom. “Male or female?”

Yshania looked at her in surprise. “Female, she was dead already, by Darkpoets sword I believe.”

T’lainya seemed to have barely heard the other woman. She muttered a quiet curse consigning Teshana’s soul to the layer of the abyss she deserved. She barely noticed the arrival of the other residents of the keep. She started removing Darkpoets shirt, hissing at the gaping wound in his chest. Her eyes were wide and staring and her hands were clenched so hard that her knuckles were white.

A huge roar came from outside as Jinx poked his head in through the door.
“What happened? We saw someone bringing Dp in slung over a horse. Is he ok?”

Smoke was roaring and the smell of scorched wood wafted in through an open window.

Viv patted the small dragon on the nose. “I’m not sure, he seems to be hurt very badly.” She went and stood by the others; unsure of how she could help.

T’lainya meantime was monitoring Darkpoets condition and frantically beseeching Corellon for the proper spell. She felt the power building in her like a storm. The strange necklace and matching earrings she had found started throbbing in time to the spell. The metal grew warm, the blossoms that formed the pieces opening and releasing their magic. Through the haze of energy she saw Darkpoets life-force dim and flicker as his blood drained from him. She held steady for a moment more, then let the power flow from her hands. The air crackled with electricity, surrounding the priestess with tiny blue sparks. T’lainya held Darkpoets cold hands in hers and willed every ounce of energy she possessed towards the resurrection spell.
“Don’t leave me” she whispered, trying to draw him back to her and to his body. The power building around them coalesced into a blazing blue-white arc. The bolt traveled down the priestess’s arms and entered Darkpoets body. T’lainya felt like they were adrift on the ocean, she couldn’t feel the floor beneath her, nor see the room around her. There was only light and the energy pouring from her into Dp. She heard his sudden raspy intake of breath and felt the life return. She kept willing the healing magic to continue, knitting arteries and bone and muscle until he was whole. She heard his breath grow quiet and steady and his heartbeat was steady and strong. The floor came into focus and she felt dizzy. She put her head on Darkpoets chest, reassuring herself the spell had worked. She looked up at the others gathered around her, and smiled shakily. She looked back at Darkpoet and breathed a sigh of relief, sliding into unconsciousness.

[ 10-08-2001: Message edited by: T'lainya ]

Nippy saw Yshania bolt after Hunters Moon, he glanced at Loner, Kramor and Loromo to make sure they were ok and then he spurred his steed, willing his horse onwards, Yshania didn't know these lands and with Drow about she wouldn't be safe. He came upon a scene of battle, he found a female Drow and hard hoofprints in the direction of the castle. He had a bad feeling and bolted back to the others. He reported his findings and waited for their responses.

Vivien studied the darkened and mysterious tunnel before them., wondering if this keep would ever stop producing mysterious ruins, doors or dimensions. But, in truth, much better to live amidst excitement than in the boring country home of her birth.

As her eyes searched the gloom ahead, an image passed through her head of a cute dragon looking up at her happily, a hand that looked like hers was petting it. Viv narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, trying to figure out such an odd thought. With a loud smack to her head she muttered a slight curse, and remembered that she had been playing around with the spell ‘Simulacrum’ that morning after dressing. The silly other Viv had probably been wondering around all morning with her not controlling it! She’d been getting visions of flowers and trees, and had ignored them as usual Viv thoughts, but clearly her other self had been spending time frolicking in the garden. With a quick snap she dispelled the image and had only a momentary regret that she wasn’t down in the kitchen. Dragons could be so cute. And, maybe if she fed it and flattered it and charmed it, it would let her ride on it. To soar through the clouds! She smiled dreamily with soft far away eyes before realizing that she stood alone and that Dragonwench and Harry had disappeared down the tunnel.

“Wait up!” She called almost tripping over her feet as she hurried. She’d really have to get better shoes than her usual sandals!

Yshania watched as T'Lainya worked her magic, she appeared oblivious in her concentration. Yshania willed the priestess to stay focused, and willed Darkpoet to pull through. Silently Yshania berated her own stupidity, a ressurrection spell was beyond her abilities but her heal spell should have been more effective...watching T'Lainya work effectively over Darkpoets still gaping wounds she felt useless.

Yshania had allowed herself to become complacent and neglectful of her studies...she could not remember the last time she had recited her more seldom used magics, life in a civilised town was a lazy life...and there she was marching off into battle with the Tarrasque and declaring war on the drow. How stupid and unprepared, and how close she had come to being responsible for the waste of a life...

As T'Lainya collapsed against Darkpoet, Yshania snapped out of her self deprecation and glanced around the room. She caught sight of the flame haired mage standing idly by the window...the mage seemed a little distracted, vacant. Yshania momentarily dismissed the mage and knelt beside Darkpoet...it seemed like he was going to be ok. He would need rest to complete the healing.

Glancing back up at the mage Yshania noticed her tracing patterns in the dust. Slightly annoyed she bent to check over T'Lainya. T'L was fine, though she was exhausted and had minor burns around her throat from her necklace. Yshania rested her hands on T'Lainya's burns and mumbled a simple cure light wounds. She, too, would be ok.

She stood and turned to the mage 'can you help me drag a mattress in for them?' she asked

'Hmmm?' mused the mage

'where are the mattresses?' the mage just stared at Yshania...was she alright? As Yshania stared, the mage seemed to shimmer...then solidify again, like a signal...a weakening signal at that.

'Huh?' Yshania gasped, 'what are you doing?' She shook her head at the mage's indifference and wandered out of the room to locate a cot.

Dragging a mattress back into the room, she noticed T'Lainya had awoke. Yshania dropped the mattress...'are you ok?'she asked. T'lainya, nodded, saying nothing, then turned to Darkpoet and laid her hand on his face. 'I think he will be ok' offered Yshania 'I have brought him a mattress, he needs to rest'

'I know that' reponded T'Lainya, though not unkindly. Yshania dropped her eyes, embarrassed, then set to pulling the mattress beside Darkpoet. Between them they carefully lifted him into a more comfortable position. 'can I get you anything?' Yshania asked T'Lainya, straightening and wanting to feel useful...

T'Lainya shook her head 'no...thanks...I...' then turned back towards Darkpoet.

Out of the corner of her eye, Yshania noticed the mage start to move silently towards the door - suddenly alert, like she was answering some silent call...curious Yshania followed, leaving T'Lainya and Darkpoet in peace.

The mage lead Yshania down the hallways, passed the room she had slept in, and around the corner. The mage stopped at an open bedroom door and tipped her head...she appeared to be listening for something. Yshania watched as she disappeared into the room, 'what a strange woman' Yshania thought to herself...wondering whether this poor girl had been driven mad by what had been going on. She resolved to find out if she could help.

As Yshania entered the room she was surprised to find it empty. 'Strange' she muttered, then considered that it might be herself going mad. As she turned to leave she heard a scuffling from the far corner of the room. Going to investigate she discovered a hole in the wall, with a loose panel discarded close by.

Placing her hands either side of the hole she leant inside. It was pitch black. 'Hello!' she called, surprised at the sudden warbled weakness of her voice. She cleared her throat and called again 'Is there anybody in here?'

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

The trip back through the tunnels was much faster then the trip out, despite the heavy load they now carried. For one thing, they were not searching the myriad unmapped tunnels for the one that would take them closest to the Keep. For another, Mavin was not leading the girls. She had designated herself as the one to cover their tracks, since she was the only one who had a Path-Losing merit badge. She did the best job she could, and was convinced that none but the most skilled of Master Thieves would be able to follow them. All others would most likely get lost or choose the wrong tunnel, leading them to more dangerous portions of the Underdark. Mouse led them directly to the trapdoor beneath their Spider Scouts Clubhouse, where they deposited Gwalchmai on a pallet in the main room so they could keep an eye on him. As a precaution, they all practiced their knot tying, referencing the “Prisoner and Lover Binding Skills Merit Badge Handbook” to be sure they got it right.

“Now what do we do?” Mouse asked.

“We wait for Teshana to get back from her raiding, and then we invite her to see our prize.” Girty said.

Pickly looked at the nearly naked man who lay trussed up at their feet, “Do you suppose he’s really such a great lover? I mean, he is human, after all, and they are know to be inadequate in many ways.”

“How would you know what is adequate?” Mavin spat, implying that she was the only one who could possibly know such worldly things.

“Oh, she knows….” Girty whispered loudly, and Mouse snickered.

“What do you mean?” Pickly asked, trying to sound innocent.

“Girty and I saw you with your foot on your cousin Bob’s neck. We all know what that leads to….” Mouse snickered. Girty guffawed. Mavin looked confused.

“And so what?” Pickly roared, “Its not like you can get the Dominatrix merit badge by just reading the handbook!”

All the girls laughed at this, and Mouse walked over to Gwalchmai’s sleeping form. “Well,” she said, peeking into his breech cloth, “you don’t have to worry about this one being inadequate, Pickly!”

The girls started to take a greater interest in Gwalchmai, when Girty suddenly stopped them. “Hey!” she said, “Why hasn’t he woken up yet? Damn, Mavin! I knew you said that spell wrong!”

Kerlin walked into the room and glared at the four female Drow. "How do you know it that is Darkpoet? Did you look for scars?" Kerlin walked over and looked at the side of Gwally's head. She didn't see the scar from a Drow arrow, underneith his hair line. Kerlin check his inner thigh, the bite mark from a gibberling wasn't there either. When she looked under the breech cloth, her eyebrow went up. "So is it him? Mouse asked Kerlin. "Nope." Kerlin said, shaking her head. "He is not that big, and the scars are not there. Put him on the rack and get the spiders. We will find out, who this imposter is." As Kerlin, turned to leave. Another Drow soldier came and whispered to her, then left. Kerlin turned, tears ran down her cheeks. Rummaging in her pack, she pulled out a leather bundle. As the other four, tied Gwally to the rack. Kerlin, on did the straps of the leather bundle, opening it. Her eyes glowed at the shiney torture tools, grinning with no humor. She spoke quietly, "This imposter will die a slow, death. He will pay for Teshana's death, slowly......................"

Upon hearing Vivien's yell, Dragon Wench motioned for Harry to slow down. He paused and began to check for traps as Vivien caught up. Dragon wench looked around with interest, mildly surprised to observe that her usual claustrophobia had not surfaced upon her entry into this particular tunnel.

The passage was dry and sandy, and the faint scent of patchouli seemed to linger in the air. Examining the walls, Dragon Wench noted that they seemed to glow faintly, casting a muted, slightly hazy light into the darkness ahead. She bit her lip, puzzled. Realising, however, that the search for Gwally was more important than determing the origin of the tunnel's unusual qualities, Dragon Wench hoisted her pack higher on her shoulder and followed Harry down the twisting path before them.

[ 10-08-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

(OOC: Let's see if my computer kicks me off this time!)


"Hello!"

Viv screamed in fright at the sudden sound ringing through the tunnel, causing her to back away from the darkened backs of Dragonwench and Harry. Her only thought was to reach the brightness of Gwally's bedroom, which may have caused her to mix up her feet in her rush to get towards the light. That was the only explanation for her fall through the tunnel entryway, taking down the elven woman Yshania in the process.

"Er...oops." The woman under her said as Viv tried to untangle her legs from Yshania's arms. The woman was blushing as they managed to separate, and Viv thought she heard something about 'clumsy self!', but that might have been the voices in her head. A button from Yshania's top got caught on a leaf on Viv's skirt, which took them a good five minutes of fumbling to extricate. They apologized, they blushed, they stammered, but in the end a r-i-i-p sound from Viv’s leafy green skirt freed the button. Smiling, Viv complimented the other woman on her fast thinking under pressure, and was waiting for a reply when a cleared throat got both of their attention.

Dragonwench smiled warmly at both of them, the vague form of Harry crouching and studying the ground behind her.
"We really should save Gwally, and you are welcome to come friend." Dragonwench said to Yshania with her usual vibrant voice.