The Dark Flower, Book II - Chapter 2

[Mikayla]

The doors to the temple of Eilistraee in the Promenade opened. Sheyreza, standing upon the temple’s dais next to Qilue and Iljrene, turned to glance at who was entering. An elf woman, a surface elf woman to be precise, walked into the temple from the Cavern of Song leading two males, one dwarven, one human. The elf woman Sheyreza recognized as Azune, Arizt’el’s lover. She was expected. The human Sheyreza recognized as Kalev, a self proclaimed Paladin. He was not expected. The dwarf Sheyreza did not know.

Gryndal and Inthara, both standing on the steps below the dais where the priestesses were speaking, moved to bar the way as did the handful of protectors present. Sheyreza looked to Qilue. The chosen were not hostile, but they were cautious. While some level of trust existed towards Azune, the males were relative unknowns. Caution was called for.

“Here then are the rest of those who have volunteered to recover Arizt’el’s remains.” Sheyreza said to the High Priestess. Azune began translating for the two men. Sheyreza raised a brow. Azune’s comprehension of the drow tongue was better than she would have given the surface elf credit for. That was something to keep in mind. “We will need the supplies I mentioned previously.”

Qilue Veladorn, nodded and smiled slightly. “The Maidens are bringing the supplies now.” She gracefully gestured to several drow females whom Sheyreza knew to be priestesses in training. The women were entering the temple from one of the side doors and with them they brought armor, clothing, weapons, potions and more.

“Thank you,” Sheyreza said. “I must go explain our plan to the others.”

“Of course.” Qilue replied. “May the Maiden’s blessing be upon you.”

Sheyreza bowed and then turned to face the newcomers. She gestured to the temple maids were spreading out the equipment they had brought on the temple floor below the dais.

Azune introduced the dwarf as Rugnar of the Battlehammers. Sheyreza narrowed her eyes as the name of that dwarven clan evoked memories of her time in their dungeons. Mixed feeling of hatred, humiliation, and gratitude gripped her heart as she looked upon the stout form of the dwarf before her. She felt a comment coming on, the kind she was known for. The kind that had earned her tongue a reputation for being as sharp as any blade. She bit back on the impulse. This dwarf was most likely had nothing to do with her suffering, and even if he had been one of her jailors, so what? Had they not allowed her to live?

“Come,” Sheyreza said. “I will explain what we plan to do while we ready ourselves.”

Sheyreza led them to where the maids had laid out the equipment. Gryndal and Inthara were already picking up potion vials and secreting them about their persons. At their feet were shirts of drow chain mail, swords with spider embossed hilts, unholy symbols of Lolth, and other equipment more suited to those who followed the Spider Queen than those that followed the Lady of the Dance.

“The plan is simple,” Sheyreza started. “Tel’s remains are held, so far as we know, in a stronghold in Undermountain. We are going to infiltrate that stronghold.”

Kalev frowned. “How am I going to infiltrate the drow? I am a white human, not a black elf.”

Sheyreza frowned in turn. “If you would let me explain, you would know that you are not going to be doing the infiltrating. Look at what we have accumulated.” She pointed at the armor. “There are three sets of armor. Three sets, for the three of us.” She indicated Gryndal, Inthara and herself with her hand.

“Well, what’s our role than?” Kalev asked.

Sheyreza bit back on her urge to dismiss Kalev. Dealing with humans was like dealing with weanlings. They had no patience. Everything had to be right now, right then.

“If you would stop asking me questions, I would be able to explain the plan in detail.” Sheyreza glared at Kalev.

Kalev nodded. “Right. Sorry.”

Sheyreza continued. “We three drow will don this armor and equipment and masquerade as emissaries from Kesra Tanor’thal. I happen to know that when Kesra desires to speak, she sends emissaries; a priestess and two escorts. I know this because she sent some here. Unfortunately, there was a … miscommunication … and Tel and I ended up killing the emissaries. This equipment is theirs. I have hoarded since that cycle for just such an occasion as this.”

“We will approach the drow of the Undermountain enclave as emissaries of Kesra. We will tell them Kesra wants Tel’s remains so she can perform various divinations upon them, such as speak with dead. If they balk and suggest little can be gained from such, we shall ‘admit’ that Kesra really wants to use the remains to make a zin-carla, a spirit-wraith, with which to attack the Promenade.”

The mere mention of the zin-carla made Inthara blanch to a pale grey. A Zin-carla, a spirit-wraith, was a form of undead created by high priestesses of Lolth to do their bidding. Unlike most undead, zin-carla were not mindless. They were fully sentient and possessed of all the abilities they had in their former life. The thought of Tel raised as a zin-carla was a terrifying one, for such a foe could wreak great havoc upon the Promenade before being stopped.

Sheyreza saw Inthara go pale but she continued. She knew the mention of such an unholy monster would not go unnoticed in a temple of the Dark Maiden, but those who volunteered to delve into Undermountain after Tel’s remains were going to have face far worse things than words they did not like. “If they need further convincing, we shall offer to buy the remains with promises of Kesra’s future favor and if needed, some gems which we shall carry.” Sheyreza paused, looked from one to another of her party. They all seemed to be following the plan so far.

“If the drow we encounter are hostile to Kesra and the Tanor’thal, I shall identify myself as Val’rae Tlabbar, of Qu’ellar Tlabbar in Menzoberranzan. I will tell them I am here in Skullport hunting my heretic older sister, Elvalayl Tlabbar, who as most in Skullport and Undermountain know, has become better known as L’olath’anon, the Dark Flower of the Chosen in the Promenade. In short, I will be posing as my younger sister on the hunt for myself. ‘My’ allegiance to the Tanor’thal will thus be one of convenience. If they are hostile to Kesra, I will offer them an allegiance with the Tlabbar, who would stand to gain from the elimination of the Tanor’thal and the establishment of a foothold in Skullport and an ally in Undermountain.”

Sheyreza took a deep breath.

“If everything goes to the pits, and they do not believe us, or care, and they get hostile, I will summon a monstrous spider.”

A number of the party and of the drow in the Temple made audible gasps. A number muttered “why” under their breath. A few muttered something worse.

With a slight frown Sheyreza addressed the crowd. “If I have a spider under my control, they will know attacking me, us, will mean fighting the spider. Even a high priestess of Lolth will hesitate before cutting down one of the Spider Queen’s sacred creatures. In that moment of hesitation…we run. It may just give us the edge we need to escape.”

Sheyreza could tell by the nods that she has assuaged the crowd’s doubt, at least about the summoning if not the plan in general. She looked to Kalev. “As for you,” she said. “You three will help us get to the drow enclave. We will have to make our way through Undermountain, so every sword and spell will be welcome. Once we near the enclave, we will change into our Tanor’thal equipment. You three will guard what we leave behind and serve to help us escape when we leave. We may also stage a ruse, a fake fight, near the entrance of the enclave to help us be more readily accepted.”

Kalev frowned. “So you want us to just sit around Undermountain guarding your armor?”

Rugnar frowned. “I don’t like this plan. I cannot stay anyway. I’ve things to do.” The dwarf looked around between the others. He pointed an axe towards the roof of the cavern. “There is a war on above, you know.”

Azune looked upon the grim dwarf with a sad smile. “Well, thank you for coming anyway my friend. Have a safe journey home. Hopefully I will see you soon.”

Rugnar and Kalev also exchanged good-byes. Sheyreza thought briefly of trying to convince the dwarf to stay but upon reflection saw no point in it. The moment he had said he would not stay, she felt relief, not loss. It was not because he was a dwarf or because he was a Battlehammer; he was simply an unknown and Sheyreza did not like going into combat with unknowns.

After Rugnar left, Kalev returned to his query about his role in the plan. It seemed guarding the infiltrator’s equipment and waiting to cover their escape was not glorious enough for him.

“If you would prefer to try and infiltrate the enclave yourself, you are welcome to, though as white human I do not think you will be successful.” Sheyreza offered, her brows furrowed and eyes narrowed. “Your other option is to storm the stronghold in a frontal assault. Would that be more appealing? Now, this plan is the best I could come up with, but it is not the final word. I am open to suggestion.”

The young human relented. “Alright.”

It was Azune’s turn to speak up. “Well, you want us to just stand guard in range of their scouts? How about giving us some scroll of greater invisibility?”

Sheyreza smiled slightly. Yes, how about that Qilue, she thought. “I have requested such things already. What the temple is willing to give is sitting before you on the floor.”

Azune shifted her weight in her armor. “I would have thought your temple would be more forthcoming. We are trying to rescue one its most valuable fighters.”

The smile on Sheyreza’s face grew. Yes, I thought that too. “Well Azune, I have done what I can to obtain the Temple’s aid. If you think it is insufficient, the High Priestess is right there.” Sheyreza pointed across the room to Qilue who was speaking with Iljrene upon the dais. “Be my guest if you wish to approach her and ask. I have no doubt you are in better favor with her than I am.”

A look of suspicion and confusion crossed Azune’s face for just a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. “I will do that then.” Azune gave the rest a quick look, then strode across the temple to speak with Qilue.

Glad to hear it, Sheyreza thought, perhaps it will do Qilue some good to hear from someone else what I have been telling her for so long.

Inthara offered Sheyreza some of the potions the temple maids had brought, but Sheyreza did not need them. She had to find away to carry all the extra Tanor’thal equipment. She glanced at Kalev. Like all humans, he was big. Big did not always mean strong, but in his case it looked likely.

“Kalev, could you carry some this equipment into Undermountain for us?” Sheyreza asked.

The human looked at the armor and weapons. “What does that chain mail weight do you think?”

“Forty pounds or so.”

He nodded slightly. “Yeah, well..yeah, I guess so. I need to drop off some of the stuff I am carrying though. Do you have someplace safe I can put it?”

Safe? Sheyreza thought. The memory of the recent intrusions into the clerical dormitories came to mind. No, there is no place ‘safe’ here my brave young fool. Sheyreza smiled, nodded and lied. “Yes, of course. You can put your things in my room. It is as safe as any place in the Promenade. I need to get a Tanor’thal mace out of my trunk anyway. Come, I will show you the way.”

Kalev followed Sheyreza out of the temple. As she walked passed the line of protectors she noticed a male leaning against the great statue of Eilistraee. Her heart skipped a beat. The male was unfamiliar and the way he rested on the statue was incredibly disrespectful if not down right blasphemous. He was not one of the Chosen.

Sheyreza changed course in mid-stride. By the time she reached the male her sword was in hand and leveled at the stranger.

“Vendui’” she offered, her voice cold and even.

The strange male smiled. “Is that the way you greet people here? I was told this was an open place, where everyone was welcome.”

Sheyreza narrowed her eyes. He was right of course. Everyone was welcome here. It was a policy Sheyreza had a difficult time getting used to. After more than a year in the Promenade her first reaction to strangers was to challenge, not welcome. Still, there was something very wrong about this male. Sheyreza lowered the tip of her sword, but only just barely. She took a half step back as well. If he was hostile, the extra half step would give her the moment to bring her sword back level.

“We welcome all those who do no violence.” She looked the male over. He was dressed from shoulder to toe in black, and was devoid of any symbology. “Perhaps you should go up to the temple. The high priestess is there, she would be more than happy to welcome you.” And then if you so much as look at us wrong twenty of us will send your soul to the Demonweb.

The stranger shook his head. “Why go up there when the object of my quest is close at hand?”

“And what is the object of your quest?”

“I have come looking for you, the Dark Flower, you are about to embark on a very foolish mission.” The male’s smile disappeared.

Sheyreza’s eyes narrowed to thin strips of red and blue. “Kalev, go up to the temple, and tell Qilue we have a guest. Do it now.”

Kalev did not hesitate. The seemingly cumbersome human turned and sprung up the hill towards the temple like a large hunting cat.

“Well,” Sheyreza said to the stranger, “here I am. What do you want?”

“Let’s talk somewhere more privately.”

“Alright.” Sheyreza lowered her blade a bit further and motioned the male towards a group of buildings erected around a fountain on the north side of the Promenade’s enclave. Sheyreza knew there were only two full time occupants of that building cluster; one was a child, and the other was dead and missing in Undermountain. The stranger and Sheyreza walked silently into the gloomy courtyard formed by the nearly empty houses.

“Well?” Sheyreza asked. Her eyes moved around constantly for any sign of deception or treachery by the male.

“We know what you are about to do.” The male said, grinning.

“Oh? How is that?”

“We have been scrying on you for a long time. And spying. Your defenses are weak.” He said, still smiling.

Tell it to Qilue you pile of rothe dung, Sheyreza thought, because you are not telling me anything I don’t know.

The strange male continued. “So I have an offer for you.” He said, almost pleasantly. Sheyreza found that she was rapidly growing to hate this male’s smile. It made her feel like running her blade through his navel just to see his expression change. Forget that he was likely a servant of Lolth, or Selvetarm; forget that he likely had something to do with Tel’s death; what was really irritating about this male was his smug little smile. Sheyreza closed her eyes and tried to force the anger out of her mind. It did not work. Instead, she imagined running her sword through this man’s guts and seeing his smug little smile change to an expression of shock, then pain, then horror. That would be fun. It would not last long enough of course. He would die too soon. There had to be a way to make that expression of shock, pain and horror last. Ironically, her brief daydream of torturing and slaughtering the messenger calmed Sheyreza and made her smile.

“Alright,” she responded, “I am listening.”

“We have your friend’s remains. We know you are about to try and retrieve them in vain. Foolish, very foolish. But we are willing to trade them to you.”

“For what?” A million thoughts passed through Sheyreza’s head. What would she give for Tel’s remains? What would she not give?

“Two statues will be arriving by ship to Waterdeep’s docks. We want those statues. Bring them to us, and we will return to you your friend’s remains.”

“What are they statues of? Why do you want them? And who do they belong to?” Sheyreza rattled off the pertinent questions.

“What they are and why we want them is none of your business. As to who they belong to, well they will be in the care of a human watch commander named Gaeden.” The male was all business now. No smile. Thank Eilistraee for that, Sheyreza thought.

“What do they look like?” Somehow, she just knew that even this simple question would not elicit a straight answer.

“Just get the two statues being watched by Gaeden.” The male replied. “Do that, and we will return your friend’s remains.”

Sheyreza stretched her neck. “Fine. We will look into it. How do we contact you? Give me a name and I can contact you via a magical sending.”

The male looked at her without responding for a moment, as if to discern her real intent. Then he nodded. “My name is E’lsyth.”

“Very well E’lsyth, I will be in touch.” Sheyreza looked the male over briefly. Time to set the stage for future interaction my smug, smiling, doomed friend. “Whom do you serve E’lsyth, the Queen or her Champion?”

E’lsyth smiled. “None of your business.”

He took my question as a challenge, not an opening. Sheyreza realized. “Well then E’lsyth, regardless of whom you serve, I appreciate the offer you have brought us. Whether we take it or not, I will remember your courtesy.” She paused to let that sink in for a moment. “And if we meet again, regardless of the circumstances, I will meet you with respect.” There was a moment of confusion on the male’s face and then he nodded slightly.

Sheyreza smiled inwardly. And the seed is planted. When next you lay eyes on me, your first thought will be to parley, and in that instant, if the moment calls for it, I will put my blade through you and you will never smile again you smug piece of dung.

The thought warmed Sheyreza’s heart. She gave E’lsyth a soft smile. “Well, I should get back and relay your answer to our leader.”

E’lsyth nodded again. “Of course, do not let me keep you.”

Courtesy? Politeness? The seed grows fast in you E’lsyth. You do not know how to deal with females who act outside your norm. It will be your undoing. Well, it will be if Qilue permits it.

The two walked out of the fountain courtyard together. As they parted ways, Sheyreza headed to the temple, E’lsyth headed towards the underdark. Sheyreza spared him a last glance. “Aluve’ Master E’lsyth.” Sheyreza said, sheathing her blade. “I will be in contact.” She smiled. E’lsyth nodded and offered his own good bye.

She watched the male go until she saw him pass through the far archway which led from the Cavern of Song into the Underdark. Her smile disappeared. The enemy knew their plan. The enemy had somehow scryed on Qilue’s own temple, or spied on it, or both. The lack of security and basic defenses in the Promenade was disgusting, embarrassing and dangerous. Was there no enemy of the Chosen who could not violate the sanctity of their domain at will? The situation was utterly ridiculous.

Still, Sheyreza felt an enormous sense of relief. The enemy knew they were coming. The enemy knew Sheyreza, even if only as L’olath’anon, the Dark Flower. This ruled out any hope of infiltration. Sheyreza knew in her gut that they could not attack the enemy in a frontal assault. So, what was left? Nothing. Nothing at the moment anyway. The raid was off. They would not be venturing into Undermountain this cycle. Sheyreza looked back at the cluster of buildings surrounding the north fountain. Tel’s house was there. Kestal was there. How long was Kestal going to have to wait to hear about her mother?

A long sigh passed Sheyreza’s lips and she closed her eyes. Maybe it was better this way. Regardless of whether Sheyreza could, or even would, deliver the requested statutes, at least they had opened communications with those that had Tel’s remains. Now the negotiations could begin. First thing though was to find out more about these statues. Sheyreza opened her eyes and looked back towards the temple.

Kalev had done as requested. Now, the entire raiding party, a group of Protectors, and Iljrene were on the steps of the temple looking for Sheyreza. She saw Kalev among them. Perfect. The human male was some sort of self-styled guardian in Waterdeep, or so he had led her to believe. Perhaps he could lead her to Gaeden, and through Gaeden, she could learn more about these statues. Sheyreza started walking towards the others, deciding what to tell them and what not to tell them. She decided not to tell the raiding party of the offer’s details until she had conferred with Qilue. Qilue might want her to steal the statues and it would not do to alert the statue’s guardians if that were the case. Something was nagging at her though.

As the others came running over to meet her Sheyreza realized what it was. She wanted a bath; a very, very hot bath. The kind that washes away all the scum and filth left behind on one’s body by a particularly foul cycle in the underdark, and it was most certainly one of those cycles.

[Zakharra]

Wow.....so that's what happened...

[Misty]

Wow!


So... then what happened?

[Vendrin]

Sweet.

Nourish that anger and rage.

[Zakharra]

I want to be there when Shey guts him.