I had a one week's worth vacation far from home and so I wasn't able to work on this, and then I had to "fight" with administration (getting documents and all that sh*t), but still, I decided that it's taking too long. Chapter 4 will be the longest so far, and it just reached over 7000 words, and I'm still not finished... It's really taking TOO long. So, I will update this chapter when I'm finished, but for now, I will give you the finished part to read. Expect the finished chapter IV between 3rd-6th August probably.

Anyway, I got rid of some parts of original HotU events. Nobody gets robbed, Maenaz is not the chosen one blah blah blah who gets a dream about how the supposedly most dangerous Drow bitch in existence wants him dead, she doesn't get an email from her archdevil servant about how there's one guy who can beat her, and so on. Everything is supposed to be slightly more mysterious in this fanfic, and so, some of the characters named in this chapter aren't described, and not everything goes like in HotU. Enjoy reading !!

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Chapter IV
My hated friends, my beloved enemies

The drow kneeled before the taller woman, noticeably uncomfortable. Presence of the female – and a one exceptional even among the drow – was enough to make him quite shaken. However, it was what lurked in the chamber BEHIND her throne room that truly frightened him… Terrified him. He caught a glimpse of the creature only once, as no one but Valsharess and the Red Sisters were allowed in the chamber. Those who attempted a conversation without the Empress’ permission where outright executed, male or female.
At times, he wondered whether the Queen herself was afraid of what she bound to her service or not. However, to suggest such a thing in her presence would be very unwise. The female spoke, her voice cruel and dripping with poison. Indeed, she was intimidating. But the one time she spoke to him with a softer, kinder voice, he realized just how powerful and alluring her personality was, and why so much of the Underdark decided to follow her.
-Dispatch the newest Red Sisters commando to Waterdeep, Viis. I believe our wizards and Elamash will be capable of creating a portal for them. Go, I have other matters to attend to.
-Of course, my Empress.
He immediately moved to the door, and as he was leaving, he just barely turned his head to see her shapely form moving towards the hidden chamber. He wondered again about the being in there…
But decided he had enough fear for a day.


Durnan, the owner of the inn, decided to wait for more “heroes” to arrive until tomorrow evening, so Maenaz decided he might as well rearrange his room. He put his magical jewelry into a chest which was placed on a shelf next to his bed. His armor suit and sword were put into their own case, his boots were put next to the bed and his cloak was placed over the chair. He ate his last meal that day and went to sleep. He never was a heavy sleeper, and recently, it became even more true as he believed he always had to be prepared.
Thus, when something slid into his room through the window, his eyelids slowly opened, noticing the movement in his room…

The newly recruited Red Sisters obviously seemed incredibly arrogant, like they just conquered at least a tenth of the Underdark with just their own might. The tall, emaciated creature glared at the little dark elven women, still not being able to comprehend how did his master end up being bound to a single specimen of drow in a ritual that almost nobody of people currently interested in magic had ever heard of. He was one of his most powerful servants currently on the Prime Material, but wondered why master didn’t try to bring any more powerful servants along. It would obviously increase the chances of his release, though it would also lessen his position when he returned to his realm. That was obviously the case – a powerful fiend would not like to look pathetic in front of his servants. After serving under him for a couple centuries, he known that master either had a plan, or was well-prepared for any opportunity that came along. He just wondered why HE had to do this… servant work. Helping these drow…
The portal was finally ready. The male drow next to him spoke.
-The portal will be closed in half an hour. That is to prevent any intervention in case you failed. Anybody who doesn’t make it through should wait and assist in the attack from below the inn. In case you kill somebody or have to run away from them, you’re supposed to take their equipment back.
-Yeah, right, just shut up…
A few whimpers where heard over the room, apparently some females accusing him of being a high-ranked Red Sister’s “bitch” to get into position that he could ALMOST order the females around. Curiously, the drow did nothing to retaliate. A curious species, but their matriarchal society was stupid in his opinion.
The drow females went through the portal. They ran through the streets to the inn. Their gloves were armed with claws, which served their purpose – helped them climb onto the walls of the inn and into the mercenaries’ rooms.
Tonight, those that dared to oppose Valsharess would die.


The person in the room moved slowly to his bed, obviously armed. He rolled his eyes in frustration. For supposedly “skilled” assassin she was awfully slow and… well, in a moment, that particular one would prove to be inefficient. His hand slowly rose from the sheets, and the person stopped.
-I’m not in the mood to get assassinated right now.
Eldritch energy swirled in his hand and blaster the female’s body into the wall. He jumped out of the bed and grabbed the chair, throwing it at the elf’s upper torso, the wood apparently crashing her ribs. Just to be sure, he fired another blast into her carcass, as he heard screams coming from other rooms.
He didn’t expect the drow to just charge straight at them, but he wondered how did they get accurate informations about the inn. Spies ? Traitors in Waterdeep ? It didn’t matter, really. Just a few moments later a girl rushed into his room, obviously agitated,
-I’m sorry, is everything…
She turned her head to the cracked wall, the drow’s rather badly treated corpse stuck halfway into the stone. She gasped.
-I really take assassination attempts to myself. They’re irritating. Can leave you quite dead. This one’s preferred payment for letting go of her mission was to be blasted into the wall.
-I’m… terribly sorry. Some people were assassinated in Waterdeep, but it’s the first time someone was attacked in our inn. I hope everybody’s okay.
-Sorry to disappoint you. Technically everybody had less than one in a two chance of waking up and about one in a three chance of beating an armed and trained assassin while being in their sleeping clothes. Unless the innkeeper brought some really badass fellows here, that gives one person alive on every six here. Now… do you always rush into guest’s rooms like this ? I know I blasted a dark elf halfway through the wall, but that’s not a real reason to keep staring et me, especially the way I am *dressed* right now.
Her face instantly got red, as she realized she nearly overlooked the fact he was only wearing his pants as she came in. He could swear she “subtly” looked him over before turning away and saying something about going to her father.
Maenaz took his things and started dressing. He wouldn’t get much sleep anyways, so he decided to spend the rest of the night awake.


The drow commando was making their way up through the Undermountain, prepared to strike at the weakened forces of “heroes” in the inn. Sending in the Red Sisters wouldn’t probably leave much to fight with, however the attack was ordered by some of the chief Red Sisters themselves, and so had to be done.
The leader noticed that, curiously, there was one person less in the attack than expected. Did the one dispatching them made a mistake, or did one of her subordinates run away ?
Truth was, the “subordinate” was staring at them from the shadows.
The Seer had ordered her to get a hold of any information she could about the events in Undermountain, as well as help any creatures from the surface.

-Hey, guys, look over here !
A group of people walked to the halfling that was standing at the entrance of the room.
-The bed is clean…That guy here apparently had little trouble. Maybe we should ask who it was ?
- I’m not sure I want to meet a person who is capable of cracking a wall like that just AFTER waking up to quite well trained assassin walking into his room through the window. I mean… paranoid, powerful, and either violent or rash.
-Hey, at least we’re sure some guys ain’t no wussies here. I mean we cannot defeat the drow menace alone, probably.
-Hey, but we are supposed to get this hundred thousands of gold pieces, and share them equally,
right ?
-Equally, yes. I get a half, and y’all get a half, too.
-Very funny, halfling. If this guy done it by hand, we’re screwed. And if he’s a mage… still, pretty impressive.
-Would you stop talking about the prize only ? We should be trying to help !
-Everybody’s motivation is their own.
-My motivation is cash ! One hundred thousand shiny gold pieces !
-Technically, it’s twenty five thousand.
-Oh, shut up.


He was sitting by his table, just when the tavern’s door opened and a quite tall, blonde woman entered. She was dressed entirely in white, and her blonde hair were put in a bun. She could be described as strikingly pretty rather than beautiful, and her dress was accentuating the curves of her body. The blonde looked around, settling her eyes on Durnan for a longer moment. Despite her apparent dignity, something was unsettling about her gaze, it was somewhat… predatory. Maenaz noticed that nearly every man currently in the room looked more or less into her direction. She smiled seductively as she also eyed her “audience”.
He looked away. No need to attract unwanted interest. The woman noticed that, however, and closed in, looking at him curiously.
Apparently, he just attracted unwanted attention. He looked at her through the long bangs of his hair, and her face instantly brightened, despite the rather unpleasant gaze he gave her. After a slight grin, her eyes shined and she licked her teeth. He quickly averted his gaze, slightly disturbed. That young woman was either a complete whore, or had a very unusual taste in men – or both.

Anyway, something else was now getting the attention of some people at the tables. As a young elf woman was going down the stairs, apparently wanting to speak to Durnan, she tripped, and fell painfully, sliding down the last three stairs on the way. Most of the people couldn’t hold a laugh, but his eyes widened in shock. “You gotta be shitting me…” Maenaz thought to himself. “What is SHE doing here ?” He turned around, attempting not to look suspicious, and put his hood over his head.
The elven woman was now talking to Durnan about something and he told her to bring down her “friends”.
Great. Like if she wasn’t enough. She HAD to bring “friends”. Regardless of whether they were who he thought they were, he was angry at these “friends” already.
Oww, he hated how the situation was unveiling. Drow assassins, a slutty priestess, a night without sleep, and now…Linu. With some “friends”, no less.
He hated it all.


The creature crawled on the ground into her direction. The drow looked at her with some disgust – any beauty this being might have once possessed was destroyed by it’s current state, the result of it’s master’s doing.
-What is your bidding, o *Great* Valsharess…
-I don’t like your tone, creature.
-Just get over it, drow princess, and…
-Do you want to die ?? Is your mind diseased completely as well ? I don’t need your master to kill you, If I want to, I’ll do it myself… Now, listen.
-Yes…
- You’re going to leave to Undermountain immediately. We captured Halaster, and you are to keep an eye on him. If you’re even barely suspicious that he might try something, you know what to do. As you see… You’re the best for this job. I don’t want you here anyway… I am surprised that he doesn’t find you expendable, Youfier.
-Master… takes a good deal of interest in what he… remakes. Unlike your Goddess.
-Stop your pathetic attempts at retorting and do as commanded.
-So be it, O Great Valsharess…
The drow just whimpered in annoyance, and turned away as the creature slithered to the shades on it’s snake-like tail.

The rest of Linu’s group was already downstairs. Boddyknock decided to stay in Neverwinter, and Grimgnaw disappeared soon after Sharwyn and Maenaz left the city. Sharwyn traveled for quite some time alone, but when she heard of the recruitment in Waterdeep, she decided it was her chance. Before beginning the journey, she met up others from Neverwinter, who were on a leave sanctioned by Lord Nasher, as they helped to rebuilt the city but decided they wanted to taste the trill of adventuring once more. Having most experience from her own travels as well as being about toe-to-toe with Grimgnaw the person that accompanied Maenaz most on his mission, she became their unofficial leader as they decided to help Waterdeep together and share the prize.
Tomi and Daelan sat at their table while Linu went to get some soft drinks. Accompanied by the guy whom Sharwyn already labeled, in thought, as “Fatass”, and who was following Linu for… well, he was there when she entered, and Linu already seemed nervous… probably two hours at least. She decided to give Linu a helping hand before continuing her job of…Gathering information ? Well, she was really trying to get to know who was who here, and to learn something about those that will be “helping” in their quest. In truth, Sharwyn thought the reward system was stupid. As long as the Undermountain would be free from the drow menace, the last man standing would receive the reward. There is nothing told about information on those drow nor anything else. One reward and a bunch of fame seeking adventurers and gold hungry mercenaries. Really clever move.
Anyway. She got to Linu and started speaking some stupidities, and then turned to the fatass and spoke :
-Buzz off, man ! Ladies are speaking here !
Fatass turned around when she gave him a more serious glare, and she whispered to Linu.
-He’s been annoying you for a couple of hours now.
-I asked him to leave me alone…What else could I have done ?
-I could get rid of him in 30 seconds. Unless he wanted to lose something important.
-I… can’t imagine myself doing something like that.
-You should begin with something nice, like “Guy, you’ve got a second to get the hell out of my sight, or you’ll be looking for your balls in your chest.” Believe me, it works.
- What if… it was somebody nice, someone I like, and I didn’t want to scare him away ?
-That’s another story. Now let’s go. The guys must be getting impatient.

Linu sat at the table, but Sharwyn simply stood beside it.
-What is it, bard ?
-Well, just so you’d know. Tomi, don’t fucking steal anything. Durnan’s wife – she pointed to the woman near the other corner of the room – is a former Paladin. Durnan, as you see, is in Daelan’s league when it comes to muscles. So… you get what I mean.
-Yes.
-Ok. The woman that keeps giving you strange looks, Daelan, is White Thesta. I don’t know why White, but apparently, she’s a pretty powerful Sune priest. I talked to her for a moment, and she keeps giving some guys those stares… Taking that into consideration, seems she should have chosen Sharess for her patron, but whatever. Just keep it business.
-But…
-You don’t wanna get any diseases, and she DOES seem suspicious. I mean come on, she’s glaring at a married guy, a timid half-orc from Uthgard, and that man in black over there. Don’t spend too much time with her alone, OK ?
-If you say so…
-Fine, about the others. In short, we are surrounded by a bunch of newbies who thought this is easy money. Of course, quite a couple died when the assasins attacked, but I doubt they were much better. There is one serious mercenary group, and a couple adventurers who stand out of the crowd. Glim out there is an accomplished thief, apparently once Shadow Thieves took note of him. Still, he isn’t that great. Pappilon is tall and quite strong, but apparently lacks stamina and reflexes to really get the job done. Parley is an experienced druid and could be of help. Apparently, she protects a forest here in the North alone, and managed to get through some abomination threat with the help of a pair of rangers.
Drezzy, the dwarf, would be quite dangerous, but likes drinking to much. People tell he tends to say too much “my life” stories… apparently he’s adding a bit of his own fantasies to them to make himself seem brave and mighty. One guy to watch for is LaFontaine. Apparently, he’s a Half-Elf cleric, and he got here just because the mission concerns drow. That means he believes either in Shevarash, which might as well mean he is a psycho on the loose, or Eilistraee, which isn’t so good either, because he might stop his blade half way because of some thoughts of redeeming them.
The last guy to watch for is the one that I believe made the crack in the wall. The guy in black on the left side of the room – nobody knows much about him, even Durnan. Also, there’s something about him that picks almost a third of Thesta’s interest.
-I thought you’d been kidding on this whole “I was offered to join the harpers but told them to buzz off because I was too young and pretty for them” but it seems you’re a damn spy. Did Zhentarim or Luskan try to employ you lately ?
-Shut up Tomi, I’m not done yet. I’ll get to know more of the mercenaries, and more importantly - that guy. He seems…
-Don’t want to lose to Thesta, do you ?
-I told you to shut up. A guy that appears out of nowhere and cracks a wall with a little drow girl is worth some interest. And I’m not interested in him the way Thesta is. If you’re so jealous of the attention, talk to the Halflings in the kitchen.

It was annoying. A priestess watching him like he was a freshly baked cake, and nearly all of he’s we-have-a-story-back-in-Neverwinter buddies being in the same room… this combination was ticking him off. Durnan has finished explaining the situation and about how Halaster’s fate was unknown, but he was suspecting that he had allied with the Drow for some reason. Anyway, he had to buy a helmet (though he disliked how most limited his field of vision, as he had pretty sharp eyesight), and move to Undermountain quickly. He hoped for no complications. No deeper meaning behind the drow attacks in Undermountain, no fight with an archmage…
And none of his former comrades sitting right next to him like Sharwyn just did.
He looked slightly away from her as subtly as he could, pretending that he simply did not care to look at her. Thankfully, he had his hood as well as different hairstyle, but somebody as well acquainted with him as Sharwyn would definitely recognize him if he looked her straight in the face.
-Excuse me, mister, but the lady near the entrance seems to be quite… interested in you. In that way. She often walks by you and keeps giving you those stares.
-I noticed. So what ?
He could feel that her voice stirred somewhat. His voice sounded too much like usual, and she might have recognized it.
-So, if you’re interested, too, perhaps I should invite her here and you would get aq…
-I AM NOT, and I can take care of myself.
-Ah, so it is as I thought. You wanted to be alone. However, I didn’t know you were aware that this woman looked you up. I just wanted to see your peace undisturbed.
-And yet it is you who came here, talked to me, and keeps sitting only a short distance away from me, redhead.
She chuckled.
-It’s funny how you’ve been looking away the whole time, and yet you still know my hair color, mister.
-I tend to kill people who are being too…
-Thesta is over there. Besides, if I can speak my mind…

White Thesta looked with annoyance as one of her chosen targets was apparently being picked on by that human bard who talked to her some time ago. As far as she remembered, she was quite an accomplished adventurer from Neverwinter, one that worked as a mercenary during the infamous Wailing Death incident where Waterdeep’s city’s famous archmage Khelben Arunsun helped curing the disease. She had to admit the bard was pretty, but since she already picked the man as her target, she should be first. What’s worse, the man was answering to her ! He seemed to be such a deliciously bad boy… why was he talking to this arrogant redhead ?
She was going to take things into her hands soon.

Sharwyn took a deeper breath before she spoke. The thought came to her head that this man knew her. All the ideas about who he was were a bit crazy however.
-I don’t think you’re THAT much of a killer. I mean, you obviously try to seem all brooding and dark and you keep up the lonely wolf image in order for nobody to annoy you, as well as… you want all the prize for yourself. You don’t want to hear any offers of sharing, and you would prefer the competition to be smaller...You’d like to see less people here. I’m right, am I not ?
She could swear the man’s eyes slightly widened, and he turned his sight slightly more towards her. The irises were green, which combined with his black hair, slowly formed an image… Impossible image ?
-If you’re so well versed with psychology, go and take care of sick people. If you think you’re correct, sitting here beside me is rude and against my will. I want to be left alone.
-You’d prefer to be alone with Thesta than with me ? Like she’s prettier or what ? I just thought…
He gazed from the corner of his eye, finally staring straight at her, like she hoped. These eyes carried much emotional weight, and their familiarity confirmed her suspicions. Now to see…
She crossed her arms across her chest, causing her ample bosom to rise and become more exposed to vision.
-I thought everybody could use some companionship.
He didn’t even flinch, his eyes still in the same place they were. Many men would start staring like her chest was made from gold when she did that or something, and the shy ones would turn red and try to look away, but there was at least one person that had exactly this kind of reaction… or rather, lack of it.
-Not a single look ? That’s quite admirable composure. I’m Sharwyn, thought I believe you know that. I’d put half of my share of reward that we know each other, mister. You remind me of someone. What’s your name ?? And, um, could you, for a moment, look straight at…
-Marcus of the Shadow Thieves. Gods damn it, you sure are persistent. Isn’t it obvious I don’t want to talk ? Since you’re being so rude, no way I’m telling you my name. Especially since I might have not lied with that Shadow Thief part.
It was probably him. All the confirmation she needed was if he had a ring placed at the end of a chain as a necklace. That would make her sure.

Daelan had a problem. Between Thesta regularly looking at him and Linu sitting in front of him, the only thing that caught his attention would be Sharwyn having a chat with the man in black. However…
-Is it just me, or is our bard hitting on that guy ? She got from like, two steps distance, to like, “I’m about to start whispering in your ear” distance. – Tomi spoke.
-I’m sure… there’s a good reason that she’s sitting like that. – Linu said,
-Yes, Sharwyn always has a good reason when she starts exposing her tits to people she just met. Gods, is it me or is she touching his chest ? Did she turn to sadomasochistic practices when she was gone ? I mean this guy seems…
-You’re underestimating Sharwyn’s ability to extract information through every method that comes to her mind – Daelan retorted. – And even if she likes him… well, it’s not our business.

She leaned closer to him and her hand was now before his neck, apparently searching for something to grab. His necklace ? Maybe, but more importantly his heart was pumping now. Either she had recognized him, or, just as bad, his friend was now all over him attempting to get more closely acquainted.
-I insist that we already know each other. Do you wear a necklace besides this amulet ?
He turned away from her rapidly.
-And I insist you leave me alone, bard.
-Correct ! It’s fascinating how you know everything about me ! A fateful meeting indeed… Or maybe you’re a stalker ? You know, I’m young, but past the phase were I dream of a secret admirer, and since you seem so intend on loneliness, I’m still going with my version.
Suddenly, a girly voice spoke :
-Father, what’s this noise ?

A bunch of drows rushed into the room, clearly intent on spreading mayhem and death.
A couple were shocked, but most adventurers raised from their seats immediately, weapons in their hands as they prepared to attack the drow. Maenaz noted, annoyed to say the least, that his left-handedness would give more clues to the bard standing right next to him, and decided he should avoid using his powers at all, since being a black haired left handed warlock he might as well introduce himself with his full name to his old companions. He rushed towards the drow, but noticed one of them was casting a spell. Apparently a wall-type magical effect, that meant they wanted to separate from the main force of close-combat adventurers and try to kill them with magic and ranged weapons. He decided he had to use that single power and attack them while possible, especially since there were many rangers, assasins and probably fighters that were capable of quite spectacular jumps. He leaped forward, and, with a graceful motion, beheaded the first drow who attempted to load his hand-crossbow. Turning to the first melee-fighter that attacked him, he blocked his thrust. The drow was fighting using a rapier and a short sword, so apparently, he was more of a speed-and-finesse oriented fighter. Warlock dodged some of the initial attacks the elf threw at him, and guessed that his opponent was physically inferior to him, and about as experienced in sword fighting as he was. He got in a nearly clear strike at the drow’s ribs, but was then smashed to the side with a mace. It was two on one now, and together his dark-skinned opponents managed to get an advantage. He cursed the fact that he was forced to fight with only his sword, as he would wipe the floor with them if he could use his whole array of abilities. After a few moments of defending, one of his opponents was shot by an arrow from Sharwyn. Maenaz immediately impaled him on his sword and turned the blade inside his opponent to maximize the damage. He grabbed the drow’s head and pulled out his blade, proceeding to throw his opponent onto the ground. He was about to take care of the other one, just as a lighting spell struck him. He instinctively wanted to return the favor, moving his hand in front, but stopped and attacked the other drow instead. After a short clash he managed to disarm his opponent of the short sword, and so he attacked again from the left, piercing through the dark elf’s lungs. He dodged a fireball spell and jumped forward, slashing the mage across the chest. The fight was going well, but…

Sabal walked into her mistress chamber, anxious about the situation. The assassination attempt was only mildly successful, and apparently they underestimated some of those called upon to stop their efforts in Undermountain. Still, someone had to report to Valsharess.
-Come in, Sabal. What is it about ??
-Mistress, the assassination attempt in Waterdeep… It seems that our Red Sisters met their match. Most died, and they were only partially successful.
-Met their match, you say… We should have sent better assassins. However, now we know what we’re up against. Apparently, the fiend wasn’t lying about the strength of some groundwalkers. The daarthiir and rivven living in Waterdeep will most certainly attempt to thwart our efforts in the Undermountain… Halaster should be made to cooperate as soon as possible. In any case – send more trained males in there. As for my Red Sisters, I will have different missions for you know.
-What of this naut-elghinyrr cult in the Drearing’s Deep that… he… spoke of ?
-It’s real, and interesting. I plan to recruit these undead for my cause… personally. As for you, Sabal… There are certain rumors of a mountain appearing in one of the nearby caves, and apparently it houses a civilization. You’re to investigate if this is true, and, moreover, try to get whatever is useful from that civilization. Artifacts, allies, slaves… That sort of thing. Do not return until successful. I’ve had enough of… failures from the Red Sisters.
-As you wish, my Queen.
-Go, now. Me and the fiend have some things to talk about.


Linu was being surrounded. With the wall of blades right behind her, she had nowhere to run, and the drow were closing in on her quickly. Well, they had another priestess, but he somehow… didn’t want to see Linu gone. And he had no idea whether Thesta was capable of resurrection.
He decided that even if he didn’t use his powers, Sharwyn would force the issue. He was pretty sure she already recognized him, even seeing just his left eye, hair, and a small part of his face. They have never done anything to him. None of them deserved to die.
Well, Tomi maybe.
-Linu, down !
He wasn’t sure if the elf dropped down on the floor of own volition or because of her clumsiness, but the effect was as he had hoped. He rushed in, his hand aimed far higher than when he usually used it. A pale green flash… and a wave of acid was unleashed, shaped like a cone. Linu was lying on the floor and so wasn’t damaged, but most of the drow he aimed for got into the blast. Of course, he damaged the wall, and probably the roof too, but who fucking cared, the dark elves screaming as the acid ate through their flesh. Most of the adventurers paused for a moment, some because they weren’t expecting such an ability, some because they started recognizing their former comrade back from Neverwinter. Thesta bombarded the leading drow female with a Flame Strike spell, and he Daelan proceeded to cut her down. He pointed his finger at the other drow, unleashing an Eldritch Chain composed of acid. He was well aware of drows’ quite significant magic resistance, and so this type of blast suited the fight best, but he was holding back the more destructive variant because of unwillingness to hurt other adventurers right now. After a short fight, the dark elves were slaughtered.
-They’re using MY way into the Undermountain to get here ! How dare they ? We must stop them !
-The drow are not attacking yet. I should tend to the wounded. – said Thesta, moving towards the group from Neverwinter.
-I’m fine, priest. Well, except that I have a huge family reunion here, one I’d like to avoid.
-It is you after all.
-I knew it ! – the bard exclaimed.
-Sharwyn, you were picking on HIM !?
-Tomi… I’ll rip your head off.
-We shouldn’t be hasty. He might have saved my life.
-Still, he is…
-Silence, everyone. You shouldn’t treat him like that. We all traveled with him, and I’m sure his motives are fair. Even if he is here only for the reward… well, so are some of us. Maenaz’s presence here is an asset, not a problem. And he DID save Linu. And didn’t do anything destructive. And he’s a hero of the whole freaking Neverwinter, whether you like it or not.
-YOU are the “Hero of Neverwinter” ?
-One hundred thousand gold pieces is still fine.

Same time, in Valsharess private chambers.
-You were right, slave. Most of the regiment send to deal with the mercenaries hired to thwart our doings in Undermountain has been killed.
-It is as I predicted, Matron Barit’tar.
-I told you many times you should refer to me as Valsharess. You do have some serious issues with authority. Hold your response, for you may regret it. I want you to tell me what you know about the most powerful mortals in the areas around Waterdeep.
-Other than Halaster ? Well, in the Waterdeep there is a certain wizard… Khelben Arunsun, called the Blackstaff, and his… mate, Laeral Silverhand, a child of one of the goddesses of the upper world. How to describe them… most of your famous wizards…let’s say, Gromph Baenre of Menzoberranzan isn’t much of a challenge for him. He’s also stronger than any member of the ruling council of Sshamath, which I’m sure you heard of, as your matriarchal society would probably make quite an upheaval of such a… revolution.
-I’m quite aware of it… As well as of the apparently lower status of females in the Lower Planes, as well as in the Upper World, where it’s far more visible. But you serve me now, and you’d better accept it. As for your stories of powerful wizards… How did anybody with such a short lifespan grew so powerful ?
-Most of powerful humans are in fact Chosen of Gods, or grew to the level of ability great enough that they extended their lifespan through magical prowess – or by becoming undead. Also, though it may seem shocking to you… as far as “excellent” specimens go, humans are well above most other races, including yours. You drow often lead to the downfall of those with most potential, and there is only so much power that Lloth gave to her worshippers. So, the most talented mortals can grow more powerful than most drow. Accept that truth or don’t.
-I do not ask for your opinion. I’m going to become the most powerful creature in this world, whether you survive it or not. And I would prefer to get rid of my mortality as well. Anything else ?
-The Gray Hands. Twenty adventurers of noticeable power, can be called upon by lords of Waterdeep anytime, though I believe they have not moved against us yet. There may be more, but I only have so much knowledge of these lands. Shall Youfier engage any of those that will be actually send into Undermountain, I will have a pretty good idea of their own powers.
-You can extend your senses through fiends under your command ?
-Mostly not, but… she’s one of the special cases because of her current… state. The source of her less regular powers allows me to perceive what she is able to, though I believe she could limit or destroy that connection if she wanted to.
-Why give power to someone who can use it for their own ends, or even against you ?
- She was an experiment, and…archfiends aren’t gods. It’s… difficult to empower others to truly great heights directly through your own might when not being a god. Besides, what you’re asking is stupid. I wanted servants with their own abilities, not ones that only rely on me for their power. They’re more useful in certain… situations. And it’s more enjoyable to dye their personalities to the color that suits me, rather than just force them to worship me and rely only on the power I share with them.
-You’re more twisted than I had anticipated. And partially right. However, it’s stupid as well. What if a servant manages to surpass you in terms of power because you haven’t limited their growth ?
-You saw it perfectly in drow society. You killed your superior, haven’t you ? As far as I go… that’s a story for another time altogether.

As Thesta was healing those wounded in the attack, of whom some decided to abandon their goal of getting the prize, Maenaz was again approached by his old companions.
-We need to talk.
-We have nothing to talk about. You came here for the prize, so did I. I don’t intend to share, and neither should you. Neverwinter is in the past. It’s time to move on.
-Maenaz, you left Neverwinter like you were a criminal, and now… instead of joining with us, you plan on to work alone, and try to free Undermountain yourself ? Even you could use some help, and you’re treating us…
-Like if we were strangers ? Well, we are. I’m no longer the “hero of Neverwinter”. Am I even known as such ? Or did Nasher say that the city owes everything to himself and Aarin ? One way or another, Neverwinter could use another hero. Go and finish your carriers as adventurers there. Probably you’ll be thrown into the dungeons and executed as soon as you fail in something. Do you fancy a grave in the Tomb of the Betrayers ? Or did Nasher change the usual reward to burning on stake while I was gone ?
-You tell us that Neverwinter is in the past, but it is you who behaves like it wasn’t – Sharwyn spoke. – I do not want to come across as your enemy. Neither to them, probably. We just want you to join with us this one last time. We won’t talk about it again, if you do.
-No, Sharwyn. I refuse to join forces with any Neverwinter scum, ever again. Soon my title shall be changed to “Liberator of Undermountain” or some other shit, and that’s exactly what I want. If you guys now what’s good for you, you will stay out of my way.
-We are not here as representatives of…
-Shut up, Linu.
Daelan started to grew angry and grabbed Maenaz by the front of his cloak.
-Don’t speak to her like that. You have no right to treat us like trash.
-But that’s exactly what you are ! You serve Neverwinter, so you will save it, or help to save it, then you will fail at something, will be judged guilty of the whole situation, and be killed to the masses’ delight ! And thrown into a mass so-called grave… Isn’t that how you treat thrash ?
Daelan put his hand into a fist and shook it in front of Carn’renor’s face.
-Say a word more, and…
-Go ahead ! I wonder how much damage I can do to a wall with someone of your mass ! Do you think we’ll be able to make a new entrance to this inn ? I’d really appreciate your help !
White Thesta closed in on them, and spoke.
-I believe that whatever the source of the conflict is, you shouldn’t let it affect your work, and that is helping to save Undermountain. And you have more chances of accomplishing it if all work together. However, if this man doesn’t want to be your companion, you shouldn’t force him to do this. Especially since I do not think you can push a person of his reputation into it.
-What you call his “reputation” was lessened by our city’s Lord in order to provide the citizens with greater sense of security and lesser sense of indebtness when he left the city because of his and Nasher’s conflict. His presence here would all but guarantee our success, if he weren’t stubbornly refusing help. – Sharwyn retorted.
-Not to mention that you offer only a single prize and so your so-called heroes will saw mayhem among their own ranks in an attempt to win the prize for themselves. That was very wise move on the part of Lords of Waterdeep. – Warlock added.
-That is enough ! I will not tolerate violence among those called upon to help Waterdeep in times of need. You should prepare for your venture inside…
Durnan suddenly shut up as Maenaz raised his right hand towards him, energy swirling in it. He dodged left, but when the blast was fired, he realized it was never aimed for him. More drow were getting into the room, which meant that those that already went down were either killed…
Or being slaughtered right now.

The number of drow inside the well’s chamber was lesser than he anticipated, but then, that creature appeared. A beholder, working together with the drow ? All alliances between beholders and drows factions were rumored to be temporary, but the fact that one existed here was undeniable proof that there was something more sinister behind the attack. What did they plan to do with the Undermountain ?? Or was it Waterdeep itself that was their target ? Or even, did their ambitions go beyond that ??
He decided to try and blast the beholder’s central eye, which was their main weapon against spellcasters. He managed to hit it, but the central eye was undamaged, and now the beholder fired it’s rays towards the rest of adventurers. It drew closer to him, apparently recognizing the warlock as a threat. Maenaz decided that from this range, he could try and fry the beholder’s eyes with a cone of fire. He drew his palm towards the beholder, but as he tried to summon the fiery power…
Nothing happened.
The beholder attacked immediately, six of his ten eyes firing rays of different, but destructive properties into his body. Maenaz even felt a Death Finger-like effect, but he survived, despite the dangerous damage. The last ray thrown him into the wall, and he fell onto the floor, aching all over. How is it possible that a mere beholder dealt so much harm to him ??
Warlock raised his hand towards the attacking drow, deciding to try if the blasts failure was the effect of the beholder’s central eye looking at him, or was it his own powers failing him. As he tried to fire the Brimstone Blast, again, nothing happened, despite him being sure that it was all done outside the area in which the aberration’s powers worked. He blocked the drow’s sword with his own, punched him into the stomach, grabbed his head and run his neck through with his Astral Blade.
He noticed that his, once overwhelming, desire to see his enemies burn was now near completely gone. He desired to see them hurt, incapacitated, bleeding, dead, or permamently crippled… But his pyromaniac’s instinct, slowly dissipating through the last months, was now completely gone. And apparently, so was his ability to use the fiery variation of his Eldritch Blast. He heard a female voice next to him, obviously concerned. Linu.
-Are you all right ??
Maenaz raised his right hand towards the beholder, focusing, and deciding to use another power this time. To his relief, a pale green flash appeared just outside his palm, firing a ray that carried acid onto the aberration’s body, damaging it badly. The creature was ready to turn back and escape any moment now.
-Not all, but it seems I wasn’t affected as badly as I thought…
What happened ? Why only that power was affected ? Was his blast always somehow affected by his faith ? Or was it Kossuth’s blessing itself that augmented it into fire ? Did it have anything to do with his desires ??
He thought for too long, and too absent-mindedly. He was slashed across the chest without a moment for reaction, as his head was turned towards Linu, not the enemies, and his thoughts were elsewhere, not focused on battle.
A mistake that cost many a warrior their lives.


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The drow were retreating, and so was the beholder. Daelan rushed after them, attempting to finish the creatures off, despite protests from Linu. Tomi followed, mainly because he was not willing to leave his half-orc friend alone in the Undermountain with all these monsters. Maenaz was lying on the floor, bleeding heavily from his chest wound. The drow that attacked him was subsequently blasted into the wall an fell all the way down to Undermountain from here, but the wound was serious and prevented his any further use in the battle. Linu turned to him and Sharwyn, who was kneeling by him. Thesta approached the Neverwinter heroes, and spoke.
-You should go and help your friends down there. They were wounded, and are now alone in the Undermountain.
-That was stupid…
-Sharwyn, you know how Daelan can loose himself when he fights. Actually, you would rush in with him, had he not be lying here.
-As I said, the halfing and…
-We know, gods damn it ! But he is bleeding out here !
-I shall take care of your friend. But those two are at danger down there. Unless Durnan has something else to say, you should go help them.
-I can take care of…
-Linu, go. She’s right. I’ll stay and talk to him when he is fine.
-There’s no need to. I can explain the situation to him.
-You don’t understand. If we just leave him here… he’s going to go with his whole “freeing the Undermountain alone” thing, and he’ll see us as rivals at best. He’s my friend, but his relations with the rest of us are… troubled, because of what happened in Neverwinter. I don’t want it to be that way.
Thesta relaxed somewhat.
-Friends, huh ? I’m sorry, you just seemed to cling to him too much… I fought you were, how to say this… former romantic partners ?
Sharwyn glared at her.
- Oh… you understand, I’m sure. Those kind of relations… make people become too shaken… and hysteric… when the one in question gets hurt, and so they shouldn’t be around during the healing process.
Before Sharwyn responded, Durnan approached them and spoke out.
-Just great… About half of the initial number of those who answered our call have been killed during a single day, my well has been attacked and in retaliation, some of those who remained rushed into the Undermountain completely unprepared, including an unlikely pair from Neverwinter.
Furthermore, the so called hero of the mentioned city is lying here bleeding, which about sums up our situation as a whole. How is he ?
-He’ll survive easily if we treat the wounds. I should have him back on his legs tomorrow.
-We don’t have so much time, Thesta.
-Well, it’ll be up to him if he will be too tired to return to his duties. Now help me get him to my room.


Why did Valsharess send that creature here ??
She was doing a fine job keeping Halaster in check. There was no real need for that… thing… to come down here. While the creature was still definitely female, it’s origins and it’s current state were disgusting, and made her less than that. The human-like part of it’s body was already malformed and slightly misshapen, and the creature had other traits that made it even less humanoid. Instead of legs, it had a snake-like tail. On it’s back, two wings rested against her skin, twisted and deformed. While most of it’s kind apparently had feathery wings, that one’s lost most of feathers, the sight giving a visual impression that they were burned off.
She quietly wondered if that was how all fallen celestials ended.


Maenaz was lied out on Thesta’s bed, and she just took most of his upper clothing off.
She sat on the bed next to him.
-So, you’re that Hero of Neverwinter… Though you’re more known out here for infiltrating the fallen Helm’s Hold and getting back the medicine thought up by Arunsun really.
She shifted his left arm, exposing his injury, and tied his hand to the bed’s base to prevent movement.
-It’s a wonder how guys like you sometimes survive a hit by a meteorite, and sometimes get stricken down by one well placed hit with a barely enhanced sword. Oh, but where’s my manners. I should be telling you this when you’re conscious…

He felt something soft pressed to his cheek, and the wound on his chest was now hurting far less than before. He opened his eyes. There was a pretty blonde lying next to him on a fancy bed, and for a moment he wondered whether he got drunk and…
No. Thesta.
And his chest actually was better, meaning he was here to be healed.
But why was he tied to the bed ?
-So, our little hero has woken up !!
She leaned onto him, licking her luscious lips.
-What the hell ?
-Oh, we finally have a chance to spend some time alone, and you’re complaining ? Come on, a little fun in addition to healing will be far better than me just patching you up…
-You’re sick. Heal me or not, but let me go.
-I hate when guys act high and mighty when all I need to do is play with their cock for a minute and they’re practically begging to let them fuck me.
He was unable to retort, as she leaned in and kissed him passionately.
-Better now ?
-No.
-You gotta be shitting me… First kiss ?
-No.
-You’re a virgin ?
-Not your business.
She pulled something off the table. A shining mixture inside a small bottle. Was it a healing potion, or…
She opened it… and drunk it. What the hell ?
Thesta leaned close to the wound on his chest, and spit some of the liquid onto it. She started licking it all over the cut, just as she stripped off the top of her gown, releasing her quite shapely bust. Maenaz hated to admit it, but he DID feel a tingle of arousal at the whole situation.
-Ohh, that’s so sweet, your little guy has moved ! And you’re all blushing ! That so screams “I’m
virgin !!” And you seemed so badass in the inn !
-You’re a hopeless slut, you know that ?
-Boys like it.
-That’s quite unprofessional for a cleric. I lost quite some blood. And it has nothing to do with healing me.
-It’s true, sex usually doesn’t heal injuries… Unless it’s with my miraculous pussy !
He grimaced at that, as she touched his wound with her finger, casting another minor healing spell.
-If you were fully healed, you would release yourself easily, and try to escape. But since you’re a virgin, I think I have a method of keeping you interested.
She got lower again, and tucked off his pants.
-You’re still not really hard yet. I’d like to see something. You’re gonna have the best time of your life in a moment.
-Stop, on all the Nine Hells !
-Never fancied the planes of Law.
She took a long lick at his left testicle, all the way up to the head of his member, and then sucked on the head gently. She repeated it with the other nut and then continued to lick his ballsack until he has grown fully hard.
-Hey, you’re quite well endowed !! I mean, you understand I’m not surprised, I’ve seen bigger… But it would be a shame if I didn’t take that prick’s virginity right now !
-Leave me alone, you sick b…
She pulled his free hand down, grabbing it strongly to prevent movement, and started sucking on his now hard member. It had actually shut him up, as he was trying to concentrate on not getting TOO excited. She was very good with her mouth, indeed. Lewd sound of slurping started to fill the room, as his prick was moistened whole from the base up and got painfully hard. This felt comfortable, wrong, kinky…
And incredibly good.
She was right. Unless he cut that bullshit off now, he would screw her for half a day before getting back onto his mission.
Moreover, while he had kissed and had a girlfriend as a teenager, he actually WAS a virgin. And so, orgasm started approaching him fast.
-Damn it, Thesta ! Stop ! Now !
The only answer was a gurgle as she put his penis all the way down her throat, and he moaned loudly in pleasure.
-Stop it, or…
With a popping sound, his penis left her mouth, painfully hard, entirely wet, end begging to get back in. A part of him was actually disappointed.
-The only threat you’ll be capable of now would be threatening to fuck the shit out of me, which… Sune damn it, I want to hear that. Say it.
-FUCKING STOP !
-Or you’ll fuck the shit out of me ??
-Like hell !
-Poor choice of words…
Energy swirled in his right hand, but he had a certain… concentration problem ? The blast was weak, and it was fired slowly, so it just flew past her as she shifted her position.
-Are you so violent in bed too ? It’s gonna be interesting… Bad boy…
She shifted her hair with a finger, opened her mouth and buried his cock back in it. She continued sucking vigorously, and it wasn’t long before he whined, feeling his orgasm nearing.
The situation got completely out of control, and he felt less and less capable of stopping her, even though he knew he would lose most of his self-respect afterwards.


Sharwyn was a bit suspicious from the start, but considering that there WAS actually a strange atmosphere in the air and she DID hear some loud voices in the room, as well as something which might have been Maenaz’s Eldritch Blast, she decided to rush in. Of course, it might have been consensual and all…
But she knew Maenaz enough to know that he wouldn’t want to get into the clutches of someone such as Thesta.
And she knew men enough to know that in certain situations, when properly motivated, any of them would fall for such an attractive women. It was better to intervene now. Rushing through the hall, she pulled a small piece of metal and started picking the door. The mechanism was luckily easy enough. She kicked the door and rushed in. Thesta looked like she was crawling onto the bed from the floor, her head positioned around the warlock’s thigh, and a slurping noise was filling the room. Noticing her entrance, Maenaz immediately moved his head and started shaking it vigorously, hoping she would somehow understand what he meant. His eyes were wide open and he was all sweaty, obviously close to just bursting up and giving in to the pleasure that Thesta was providing. The bard pointed onto her ears, and then quickly cast a spell. Her siren voice filled the room, but was immediately changed into something else, a terrible shout that actually damaged the wooden base of the bed.
Maenaz reflexively covered his ears but was struck nonetheless. Thesta got the worse side of it, taking most of the shout’s blast onto herself and her ears hearing the whole cacophony of the sound. She fell onto the bed, a scream of pain escaping her throat. Sharwyn rushed into the room, picked up a chair and struck the priestess’ back and her neck, completely knocking her unconscious. She sincerely wanted to lean closer to her friend and asked if his all right, but about seven and half an inch of hard meat in front of her abdomen made her realize just how awkward the situation was. Her face was slightly flushed, as she somehow never expected to actually see Maenaz naked with an erection. When he came to his senses again, he quickly looked at her and nearly shouted :
-It was nonconsensual !! She tied my hand to the bed !! I was still weakened
from my wound, and…
-And you’re male and when you got an erection all attempts to stop this were slightly half-hearted. I know. I know you wouldn’t do this in good conscience, and if you actually would have done this with her you might regret this later. Especially since I don’t know if this is your f… Oh, sorry… Do you want… some time alone now ?
-Hell no. I need a healing potion, and a quick, cold shower. And, ummm, thank you. It must have been… awkward ? I truly start to feel pathetic right now.
- Pardon me, but I’m not completely sure if you’re being almost completely naked makes you more or less convincing to me.
He immediately pulled his pants up, and grabbed his shirt.
-Sorry.


The warlock got out of the room, now in battle gear, and in far better condition. It took a great effort on his side just not to release his sexual tension himself after almost orgasming inside a Sune’s cleric’s mouth, not to mention to fight off the strange thoughts that popped in his head (some included taking advantage of the priest’s unconscious state and others involved asking his bard friend to “finish the job”) but he had enough pride to at least attempt to put it behind him and behave as if nothing happened. Sharwyn explained to him how Daelan and Tomi foolishly rushed into the Undermountain, and how Linu went down to help them. She also apologized for leaving him alone with a decidedly one-track-minded priest, but he just put her off, saying that he would like to forget about that and thanking her for her timely intervention. Then, one last question appeared.
-So, Maenaz, are you going to join forces with us ? Both sides could use each other’s help…
-If it were just you and me, I would accept… but I’d rather avoid working with anyone serving Neverwinter, and… Sharing one hundred thousand gold pieces with one other person is acceptable. Reducing it to twenty thousand by sharing with four others is not. I need these money, Sharwyn.
-Why would you need such a ridiculous amount of cash ? Are you establishing your own country or what ?
-I’m not sure if I can tell you. Come on, Sharwyn, just you and me, like the old times.
-I cannot just leave them, Maenaz. We have to help them, and they deserve to make some reputation and money of their own. We’ll work something out, if twenty hundred thousand is not enough for you. And I’m sure the loot in Undermountain will be worth quite much by itself.
-We don’t need their help.
-I’m not just thinking about us needing them, it’s the other way around, too.
-I don’t care.
-They’re your comrades, Maenaz, and my friends.
-I said I don’t…
-You used to be different. I didn’t think her death would change you so much. But is she really the only one that this cool and reserved guy I met in Neverwinter ever cared about ?
-…
-Come on, give it a chance, Maenaz. I’m sure everybody would like to get to know you better, and besides, whatever goal you have with these money… You have time. You used to have a cold head… You’re half a year younger than me, remember ? With your abilities you’re going to get many chances like this. If we get through this, who knows, we might make a team and get some dragons killed, or whatever. They usually hoard these ridiculous amounts of treasures, right ? A couple months and you’ll be disgustingly rich, girls will worship you, and the lords of Sword Coast will all acknowledge you as someone to be reckoned with… If that is what you really want.
-No. I want something more along the shadowy lines. And I won’t let anybody stop me. But fine, Sharwyn, I’ll consider that offer. And we’ll definitely save their butts from the Undermounain. One condition though.
-Yes ??
-If there’s a conflict, you’re on my side, not theirs.
-I have my own mind, dearie. I guess there’s a lot of right on your side, but you shouldn’t start anything nasty, either.
-So be it. Undermountain awaits.

“How did the drows’ attack on the Yawning Portal go ?”
“No survivors from the initial attack, no one returned from the second wave yet,, M’lord. I have little information on how it went.”
“The drow dead, good riddance.”
“Was there any mention of rank of the defeated group ? Any abnormalities ? Gate’s open ? No such thing ? ”
“What Gates ??”
“It’s a spell, little one. No, M’lord. None of such. Apparently, there were either many adventurers up, or they have at least some on the level of a Hamatula. There are no information on anything stronger than that. And apparently, Arunsun isn’t in the city. No moves on the behalf of Laeral yet, either. “
“ I don’t care about Hamatula level. You know nobody in that range could be useful to me. And I doubt we can employ Halaster, especially since now you are his warden. Any moves from him ?”
“He’s… waiting. And I doubt you could convert him, Master. He’s completely insane. “
“There’s no such thing as insane. I’m insane by the standards of my own people. It’s just… breaking out of the usual thought patterns. And believe me… I doubt there are many souls that cannot be… poisoned. You just need the right approach.”
“It hurts. It always hurts when we talk with the Big One too long. Why do I have to hurt ? Stop. Now. I don’t want you to talk anymore.”
“Just one last thing, little one. Master…. If anybody strong appears, what’s the approach ?”
“Fight him, and decide your fate if he’s THAT strong. If he is below your level, or just about approaching it… Undeath must suffice. ”
“That’s it. Me ending the brain talk right now.”

They were going through the Undermountain for almost an hour now. After clearing out a chamber of the old kings, and retrieving an apparently intelligent weapon, the sword Enserric, Sharwyn decided to break the silence.
-So, you never answered that question.
-I told you I will consider it.
-Not that one. I mean, I stated that differently, but… Did you ever have a girlfriend ? Or even a romantic interest ??
-Well, nobody really asked me that. I actually come from a small village on the edge of the Neverwinter Forest, closer to Helm’s Hold than to Conyberry. Life there was somewhat… rough. I was always a bit different from the rest of the children my age, timid, and silent, so I rarely had the chance to interact with girls. When my powers started to manifest ever so slightly, people looked at me with… contempt. However, my initial powers were only weak, subconscious manifestations of one of my invocations and so it was just deemed as a strange kind of luck. However, there was a girl who considered me… interesting. Anna was something of a first love for me, and the first girl I kissed, but we never went further, as we were young and then… well, I started to Eldritch Blast things around. That got me totally alienated as warlock powers are rumored to ALWAYS come from fiendish sources, at least in my sides, and as such I was deemed either fiendish offspring or one that consorted with demons himself. I almost managed to start a relationship with another girl, Alexandra, who was also alienated like me – she recently arrived to my village and was, actually, an air genasi, but I concluded we would only have been seen as a pair of freaks, and I probably wasn’t completely recovered from breakup with Anna who now viewed me with just slightly lesser disgust than other people. A short time after I heard about recruitment in Neverwinter, and went there, my decision being to put my future on the line by starting and adventurer’s life.
-So, you did have feelings for someone else than Aribeth before, however, your love life was always destroyed by tragic events…
-What I was feeling for Aribeth was stronger than whatever I felt for Anna at any point in the past, even though we had so little time in which we were actually both aware of that feeling.
-Still, is it not possible that you… would ever love another ? Aribeth’s love was killed to, but she did start to have feelings for you. Your current situation mirrors hers.
-I wouldn’t even consider such a thing. I’m too much different than the kid from that village, and Aribeth was the only person that ever made me feel… that way.
-Are you sure ? Haven’t you ever imagined a life, or even a one-night stand, with another woman ever since you arrived in Neverwinter ?
-…
-Like me, for example ?
Maenaz eyes slightly widened.
-We are friends, Sharwyn. I thought us calling each other “friends” pretty much renders me as a non-sexual and unattractive object of slight nonromantic affection, and makes any sort of other relationship impossible.
-Well yes, most girls would see it that way… But, though to some it may seem like just wishful thinking, relationships sometimes DO grow smoothly out of friendships. Besides, I’m only suggesting, as I seem to be the only woman who you spend significant time close to. Haven’t you thought of me as something potentially more even once ?
It was completely obvious to both of them that they were two young humans who talked about something they didn’t ever imagine themselves talking about, and both of whom were heavily blushing.
-I… I mean, I was glad we became friends, and we had great working relationship, and throwing in something like that seemed stupid and immature…
-But…
-I suppose…
-Yeah, once or twice…
-Something like that…
-But it was too risky and we’re not exactly that kind of people…
-It’s…
-Awkward…
-Sharwyn, you’re sitting too close, and if we do something rash now, we will feel like stupid teens for a whole year.
-I don’t wish for “friends with benefits” either… I mean, you’ve a strong character and are quite attractive… Damn I’m not making this any better…
-You’re actually sitting closer now.
-I am…
-We’re so totally…
-Yeah, totally…
They said the last line together.
-Not doing this !
They both raised and turned slightly away from each other, also making a step back each.
-Don’t say anything. It’ll make this more awkward.
-It wasn’t so awkward, it was interesting to consider our relations in such a way…
-This conversation would be so TOTALLY over if it ever happened, but it never did.
She made a forward motion.
-I have a slightly different opinion.
He immediately placed a wall of fire between them.
-It’ll make things easier… Wait, I can still use it…
He pointed at the wall, and attempted to use Brimstone Blast, but nothing happened. Supposedly, his powers were strange…
-What’s wrong, ‘Nazzy ??
-If you’re going to invent me an affectional pet name and use it regularly I’m going to bitchslap you so hard you won’t be able to bury it under a ton of make-up. Besides, it sounds almost like an idiotic name for a gnome, or a Halfling.
-I guess I’m not making this any less awkward. What happened ?
-During our fight with the beholder, I noticed I lost the power of infusing my blast with fire. I wonder why is that… You know, I was always something of a pyromaniac… Watching things burn and feeling the heat was totally psyching me up… But now, that is gone, too.
-A PYROMANIAC ?? I’m so glad we didn’t have a relationship !!
-It sounds strange considering it’s past tense and I’m not a pyromaniac anymore.
-Well, it’s okay, since you’re still the only guy who didn’t even grin idiotically when I let him stare at my boobies. Thought that does make you special to me, in a way.
-Sharwyn, on all the layers of the Abyss, STOP ALREADY !!


It felt so utterly unnatural… to be fighting with someone who looked like you, moved like you, and fought like you… But the other him was cruel, and far more aggressive in battle. As long as he wasn’t in a battle rage, Daelan often had some scruples about hurting others. That, coupled with the surprise of the attack, gave his mirror reflection an edge in their combat.
He was losing. And something was going along the hallway. He could hear it.


Neither the warlock nor the bard could believe their own eyes. Two Daelans were fighting each other. That was too much.
-Uthgardian, what the hell is happening in here ??
Both Half-Orcs looked at him.
-Well, I’ve entered the room with many mirrors, and my…
-…Own reflection jumped out at me, and now Is trying to put the blame on me !!
-Must’ve been the Room of Mirrors. People rarely survive fighting with their reflections, because of the shock. The reflections are normally a total opposite of one’s personality and often want to kill the one whom they reflect.
-You have to help me !!
-It’s so annoying when both of you speak. How in hell I’m supposed to know which one of you is the real one ?
-I have problems with it, too. Should we ask him questions ?
-This doesn’t solve anything, Sharwyn. I have a better idea.
-Yes ?
-We’ll kill them both. That way we’re sure of our safety. And there’s one dumb half-orc less in the world.
She gave him a skeptical look, but then turned to Daelans.
-He does have a point.
-Fine. I’ll blast them both and hopefully we will be done with it.
-Sharwyn, you can’t let him do this !!
-Oh, come on, dear ! I don’t care at all ! Actually, I’m glad to get rid of you. I always liked Tomi more, anyway.
Maenaz came forward, pale green energy swirling in his hand.
-Goodbye, idiot.
As the blast came, one of the half-orcs just stood in place, while the other dodged vigorously. Maenaz rushed at him, completely ignoring the other one. In a couple blasts later and a short swordfight, the barbarian was defeated.
-Wow, Daelan, I actually thought you wouldn’t figure this one out.
-I wouldn’t, if Sharwyn didn’t say she liked Tomi more. I mean, she likes almost everyone more than him. I’d have to be an idiot to believe that.
-Did he overdo it ? I’m pretty sure his acidic blast is the most damaging of all…
-I’ll be fine, Sharwyn.
-What happened with Linu and Tomi ??
-Linu caught up with us, but decided to stay with some poor souls trapped in here. As for me and Tomi… apparently, this part of the Undermountain is a battlefield for a bunch of fairies and some grunts supporting a fey “queen” and an ogre mage respectively. We got separated by one of the fights. He was captured by the ogres’ force, but managed to escape.
Sharwyn chuckled.
-What ?
-Maenaz apparently has issues with fairies… We fought this fey queen, and as soon as she started… negotiating… her freedom, he blasted her into the wall.
-That’s just cruel. Why is that.
-Well, I suppose her offer was… unacceptable ? As I know now, you have to be quite special to make Maenaz consider that sort of thing.
She patted him on the back, grinning.
-Am I right, Na…
-Think about handprints. On your face.
-I suppose chivalry is dead.
-So are the fairies.


It was incredibly hard to remain out of sight and attempt to accomplish her mission. Apparently, humans died quick in Undermountain, as she saw some dead bodies, a few fresh. However, the drow serving Valsharess were now talking about some more serious threat taking the “chains” away from them and how the leader would be displeased.
Perhaps that was the person the Seer dreamt of.


Later in Undermountain

They pried the sarcophagus open, to see a heavily wounded dead elven body inside. Sharwyn almost cried because of the fate that met Linu.
-Daelan, the body hasn’t even started to decompose yet. I need you to go to the Yawning Portal and ask the priestess to revive her.
He handed the half-orc a small bag full of money.
-That should cover it. Now go. You’re the only one who can carry her all the way, and the way back should be safe now.
When he left, Sharwyn again almost broke into crying.
-Why did she… I mean, she was always good for everyone, and all…
-I’m afraid I have to say good people always have their goodness abused and punished in the end. That’s the way world is. No one was ever able to change that.
-You’re not thinking about Linu, even not now !! It’s just Aribeth this, Aribeth that… Gods, damn it ! I never thought somebody like you could get so obsessed…
-You’re angry and you speak stupid things. Calm down.
-I’m… sorry. It’s just that… She doesn’t deserve…
-Good people do not deserve the evil that befalls them, and evil people often do not deserve their luck. But they get it. World is cruel like that.
She hugged him, and quit sobbing. It was not even a full day they spend inside Undermountain yet, and things were already turning out badly.

It was certainly a long trip. They saved Daelan, albeit unconventionally, recovered Linu’s corpse, found Tomi’s dead body (they left it in a relatively safe place buried in a bunch of blankets as they decided to retrieve it on the way back), killed one of Halaster’s favorite fairies, all but gave the control of the upper Undermountain to an ogre mage, fought Rakshasa’s and drow and everything. What was concerning him, however, was that the deeper they got, the darker the surroundings have gotten… the more he felt at home in this place. He felt as if the very depths of his soul started to respond to the surrounding shadows, and his mind dwelled on shadowy thoughts of death and revenge.
As he pondered on this, a drow came out of the shadow. But, curiously, this one didn’t attack. It didn’t even draw it’s weapon. After a second of closer inspection, the shadows revealed a feminine silhouette that did not make any rash moves.
-I mean you no harm, human.
-A talkative friendly drow ! I knew you had a civilization somewhere ! Putting you on equal footing with ogres is wrong after all !
-I… think I understand. You do not trust me. I’m Nathyrra. What’s your name ?
-It depends on where you go. Hero of Neverwinter, Liberator of Undermountain, the Not-So-White-Knight, That Son of a Bitch the Warlock, and Fairyslayer are all valid titles.
-Look, me and my companions in Underdark are drow, but we’re not like the others. We don’t kill other creatures for no reason. We’re rebels.
-Believers of Eilistraee ? – Sharwyn asked.
-Yes, that is correct. May I know your name ?
-Maenaz Carn’Renor.
-I suppose this is you…We want to help you free Halaster, and the Undermountain, and in stopping the forces of Valsharess that threaten Waterdeep.
-Valsharess ?
-Valsharess is a drow matron leading a fraction of Drow that recently gained a lot of power in the Underdark. Talking about her right now is unnecessary. Suffice to say, the attacks on Waterdeep are her doing.
-Why, and how, do you want to help me ?
She proceeded to explain things to him. About the attacks, about the drow fractions, and a bit about Valsharess. It was also now confirmed that Halaster was being held as a prisoner.
Things were becoming clearer now.


He was sitting in the deepest chamber of Valsharess private quarters. She was out, negotiating with undead, and so, he was bored. He could try to break down the sealing wards again and make an attempt to free himself, but as soon as she was back, he would probably be sealed once again and tortured. So, the only thing he could do was to tap into the senses of his servants for a time, those moments intertwined with long, silent consideration. Simply giving in to the drow’s demands was out of the question. She didn’t want him as a servant, only as a source of power, and so, he had to find a way to free himself. But his servants were too few among the masses of drow – he needed mortal help. Most of the powerful drows were utterly loyal to Valsharess, and so, using them was out of the question. The only immediate hope could come from either his worshippers, whom he have no way of reaching, or from the adventurers that were send against the drow in the Undermountain.
For once, he hoped that Toril had enough strong heroes to send some against a great evil while retaining hopes of victory.


They were already very deep inside Undermountain, and Maenaz certainly hoped they were close to their final destination. The drow female Nathyrra proved to be of some help, but he still preferred to quickly leave any drow’s vicinity.
Like if she was summoned by that thought, Nathyrra appeared.
-You’ll probably be happy to hear that your quest to get Valsharess out of the Undermountain is coming to an end. The mad wizard is just behind the corner, protected by some of Valsharess’ most trusted servants. They will undoubtedly attack the moment they spot us.
-Us ? You plan to join the battle ?
-You want to destroy the evil that threatens Undermountain. So do I. The only way to do this is to kill the drow that protect Halaster, and free him. He is trapped inside a magical sphere, powered up by three stones. If they were to be destroyed, Halaster would be free – and probably more than glad to help us get rid of the remaining drow. Together, we have a bigger chance to succeed. So yes, I plan to help you. Come, let’s free Halaster at last.

They entered the cave. It was quite illuminated, and Halaster was visible… But so were they. And the drow. And another strange creature.
It seemed almost feminine, but had a snake-like tail in place of legs, and a pair of large, feathery wings, which appeared burned and scorched. She might have been beautiful once, but her current appearance was a mockery of the image of an angel her wings might have brought up. Her body had a sickly pale yellow color, and the skin appeared rather dry. Veins were visible, and their patterns seemed somehow strange. Her face appeared brittled on the right side, the skin seemed like chalk. The left side of her face would have been unblemished were it not for an apparent vein eruption under the skin on the cheek, which left a dark splotch covering quite a large part of her cheek. She had grey-tinted bags under the eyes, and was actually naked from the waist up, which revealed another disturbing feature of her body. A bit under her left breast, swelled a disturbing bulge, which slightly pulsed in tandem with her breathing.
He wasted no more time, putting a wall of fire between themselves and those of the drow which were armed in melee weapons, proceeding to fire a blast at one of the crossbowmen.
The head priestess cast a spell, and rays of negative energy hit him and his female companions.
-We should split up !
Technically, there was nothing stopping him from using his most destructive power right there and then.
And so he did.
As his eyes shone, a pale green pillar of light appeared between the drow. The only two who managed to react were the strange snake-like creature and the drow priestess. A giant wave of acid came down on them, bathing the dark elves into the Other World.
In a single attack, most of the drow were killed where they stood.


The dark being immediately livened, and connected to the…thing… inside his servant’s body as he felt the wave of power it perceived and which he sensed through their bond. He started to see things around her, and immediately noticed how many drows were killed in what was apparently a single attack. Some strengthened acidic spell ? Or was it something else ? Regardless, both Youfier and her parasite appeared fine. She was under a quickening effect, and quickly moved upwards, shooting an arrow aimed for the man who apparently did all this.
The archfiend was stunned.
That person was a human, and apparently just some time over his teenage years. Standing just below six feet tall, with long, flowing black hair, he seemed certainly human, though he might have possessed some elven blood as there was little sign of any facial hair. The man nearly dodged the arrow despite it’s deadly aim. His servant was then bombarded by a barrage of magic missiles, and he noticed that this person was accompanied by a drow woman and by a human redheaded female. The drow bore the markings of a wizard as she had a magical air about her, but the force behind he was unable to feel. The male, on the other hand… His entire soul blazed as a font of powerful energy, something visible mostly in sorcerers and warlocks. However, he was very physically fit for a sorcerer… On the other hand, he couldn’t be a warlock, as he bore no signs of fiendish nor fey legacy, and no fiend’s mark was upon him. His servant fired a Sound Burst spell against him, but even if he was stunned, the female redhead immediately countered with the same… Bard ? Would make sense. Youfier shot a couple arrows at both female targets, but it wasn’t enough to bring them down, especially as only two arrows hit the human and only one the drow.
His view on the human male’s powers immediately changed just as he noticed a blast fired straight at his creature. A natural, apparently self-powered, human warlock.
Now that was something pretty unique, wasn’t it ?

-Ladies… I’ll take care of this thing, whatever it is. Sharwyn, I have to ask you to try and hold off the main priestess, as she is the only other real danger here, as Nathyrra will finish off the other remaining drow.
-Maenaz, this creature can fly. Will you be able to really take it down by yourself ?
-It’s fine by me, Nathyrra. As you just saw…I’m pretty good when it comes to fighting at a long range.
-So be it.

The creature wasn’t there. It apparently flew at high speed. He felt an arrow below the back of his right ribs, and immediately jumped left, to avoid further damage. Eldritch energy started to emanate from his hand, as he tried to reach deep inside himself. Something inside him was responding to this place ever since they came deeper into the Undermountain, and that connection was finally reaching it’s peak. His craving to see things and beings burn was now fully replaced by other, darker desires, and now, it was time to set them free.
These desires were a catalyst for a new power.
The rays of energy emanating from his hand suddenly darkened in color, as something looking like black dust appeared inside them. The small grains of “dust” then expired, forming a nearly black haze, which swirled in his hand, mixing with the blast’s energy, reinforcing it. He turned to face the creature.
Rushing forward, he fired his new blast directing it as much at her head as possible. It connected, and the dark haze around the ray immediately moved to surround her eyes. He jumped forward, and then by a series of leaps attempted to attack her by jumping on her back, swinging his sword at her wing. However, she somehow predicted this, and he landed next to her without actually cutting her significantly. The being’s tail moved in the blink of an eye, grabbing his ankle and pulling it, causing him to fall on the floor.
-What the hell ??
-Let’s say I have a different method of perceiving the world than you do.- The creature said, her tail now wrapped his leg completely and started to constrict his waist. – You’ve done pretty well so far, but how are you going to get out of this… tight… situation ?
He felt a strong pressure on his body as she started to crush what she already managed to wrap with her tail. He felt a lot of disgust for this creature, her body now moved closer to his. What the hell was she ? She reaked of almost every possible minor disease he had known, and yet was very much alive… and actually with quite a formidable vitality at that.
-It’s pretty obvious, actually…
-Yes ?
He produced a wall of green flames straight behind her, and shifted his body, preparing for something.
-You only grabbed one of my legs.
Maenaz kicked her upper body into the flames, repeatedly, until they started to deal serious damage. Her wings, hair, and bow catched on fire, and she whined in pain. Her tail let go of his leg, as she flew further away, onto a higher block of rocks.
-You’re pretty frustrating, human. You can dodge arrows aimed at your heart and withstand those that don’t hit vital marks. And you have an… unusual array of powers.
-You are capable of using sound spells and seem to be carrying diseases without them affecting you. And you can dodge attacks while blinded. I also believe you are the first person to date to fully evade my Eldritch Doom blast… Guess we are even in our frustrations. What are you ?
-Youfier, fallen Lillend of Beastlands. Currently an employee of the drow Empress… And as you can see, thanks to a certain someone I pretty much completely disconnected with my Upper Planes heritage. And you ?
-Maenaz Carn’renor, a warlock and ex-hero from Neverwinter.
-Warlock ? Pretty rare. You gained powers from a deal, or did your mother like to play with satyrs in the forest, as I doubt that you’re of fiendish blood ??
-I was born with it… And I know my father, if you ask that.
-Pretty nice chit-chat here, but I believe during the time we spent on it, my friends have arrived.

As the warlock looked upwards, he saw about a dozen or so big spiders falling from the cave’s ceiling, each one almost the size of a full-grown Halfling.
Sharwyn was pushed back by the priestess powers, the bard not exactly used to fighting someone on this level one on one. She shot two arrows, none hitting it’s mark, and moved forward. Her voice went out of her throat, quickly transforming into a painful cacophony of sound, as the cleric grabbed her ears, whining in pain. Sharwyn immediately followed by shoting one more arrow on the run and piercing the drow’s thigh, then drawing her rapier and proceeding to slash at the drow multiple times. The initial dodges were clumsy, a testament to the female’s damaged hearing, balance and the shock from the sound, but she quickly regained her stature.
The drow proceeded to cast Hammer of the Gods, smashing Sharwyn with divine light. The bard didn’t come out unfazed, and the drow proceeded to smashing her further away with her mace. Sharwyn rose up, dodged another attack and returned the assault, a flurry of wild slashes managing to reach the priestess a couple of times. She then swept her leg, kicking the drow in the ankles and throwing her off balance, and pierced the dark elf’s right breast with ther rapier, then rising her leg and using it to push the drow off the blade and onto the ground. The priestess quickly cast a spell, and Sharwyn recognized it, jumping back to avoid being cut to pieces by a forming wall of whirling blades. The priestess then cast a powerful healing spell upon herself, trying to get back into the fight.
Sharwyn took out her bow again, and started shooting at the cleric, thought the other one was doing quite a good job of avoiding being killed, with her armor and reflexes saving her from grievous damage. The priest proceeded to attack with a more powerful spell, as a pillar of flame came down on the human bard, who almost managed to dodge but was still heavily scorched by the heat of the flames and the power’s impact. Sharwyn then noticed something, and cast a different type of spell this time. The dark elf felt as if her mind was suddenly disconnected with her body, with her unable to move even a finger. She never managed to regain control, as another drow suddenly cut her up from behind, piercing the heart.
Nathyrra.


The spiders were swarming up against him, and he manage do only get bitten once… well, maybe twice. Which was still bad. He blasted the spiders with a cone of energy and turned his attention more to the lillend. Her bow was too damage to use, and now, she drew her scimitar against him. He was prepared to put a wall of flames between them, to make the fight a long-distance one again, just as she emitted a scream identical to that coming from one of Sharwyn’s spells. Maenaz grabbed his head, feeling it aching and blood pulsing wildly inside, as his body was shaken by the sound. The spiders proceeded to attack him again, and he felt something like three more bites adding more poison to his body. He managed to shake the feeling of the sound off, as he jumped away from the spiders and put a wall of fire before them, proceeding to blast the ones that jumped through it with acid. The lillend then came down on him from the left, a strong slash getting through his armor and cutting his body. She was certainly far stronger than she appeared. Carn’renor returned the favor, a vigorous flurry of swings getting through her defense regularly. She attempted to swing her sword down on his elbow, thus probably cutting his hand of, but his left hand moved quickly and parried the blow, pushing her sword to the side. He then almost put his right hand on her chest, a pale green light appeared.
-It’s going to hurt you far more than it’s going to hurt me.
Her entire upper body was splashed with potent acid, the creature screaming in pain, drawing back, attempting to fly away. He pulled back his Astral Blade and as she got off the ground, threw it like a spear, piercing her wing. The fallen celestial fell to the ground back again, and released a burst of sonic energy, which he withstood easily. Warlock unsheathed his newly attained blade – Enserric, the wizard’s voice screaming something about “fucking otherwordly bitch”, and jumped forward, their blades meeting again. The strange tumor on her stomach was now pulsing vigorously, sickly colored flesh underneath the skin now visible. He ducked and aimed for it, but she backed off, almost panicking when the blade lightly cut the skin.
Warlock was now pretty sure that it was somehow important. He parried her furious strike and backed away, energy swirling in his hand. He reached out into the shadow again, a dark haze infusing his blast, and he let it go, aiming straight for the bulge on the edge of her chest. She screamed out, more in panic than in pain, as her vision was obscured by the shadowy haze. He run forward and right, and leaped forward, thrusting Enserric straight into her tail, and through it, with all his strength, pinning her to the ground. This time, her whine was one of true pain, and he was just getting started in that department. He jumped away from her, and put a wall of fire in a way that her human part of her body was in the center of it, but the back, and thus Enserric, were barely touched.
The creature screamed out, but contrary to his expectations, met her end calmly. She spoke something out, but he wasn’t able to make out the first part of the sentence, only the last. “…we found one.”

The group proceeded to destroy the stones that bound Halaster with magic, Maenaz satisfied that the quest in Undermountain was finally over.
Clueless about what will happen when the archmage approached him, it was all just the beginning.


The archfiend had a sly smile on his lips the whole time he “watched” the last part of the fight, and nothing was changed when his underling was being slaughtered by a mortal who apparently guessed the source of her one additional sense. No, in fact, something has changed. He chuckled. And again. In a short moment, it was a chilling, evil laugh that came out of his throat, with him being unfazed as his supposed “mistress” walked in on her fiendish “servant” laughing his ass off on something that she couldn’t even grasp. A twenty-some years old human male… That was close in power to that pseudo-empress of the drow herself, despite her might basing itself mostly on him. He already liked this “enemy”. Maenaz Carn’renor, wasn’t it ?
-What’s so funny, fiend ?
He ceased his laughing, but a sadistic grin was now making his face more otherworldly and intimidating.
-Oh, nothing, mistress. I’m just happy to see children growing up so quickly.
She raised an eyebrow, a skeptic half-smile appearing on her face, as she looked the man towering over her straight in the eye.
-You’ve got some things to explain, ex-lord of Baator.
He slightly hunched, but it was undiscernable whether he wanted to intimidate someone, or just ridiculed a courtly bow.
-But of course, *o great Valsharess*…