The trip home ... A Faerun tale ... (by Jain & Sunset)

[Sunset Fallow]

Maharetii hadn’t spent much time at sea. She could see the allure it held for the sailors who made it their life, but it wasn’t for her. The deck lurched beneath her feet like a beast trying to be rid of its rider. She wasn’t sure they should be sailing through this storm…before the wind, though they really had no choice since that was the direction of their next port. She staggered across the deck, pitching from railing to mast to cabin wall, sure that her next step would be her last before she was washed overboard. She wouldn’t stay in her cabin, despite all the warnings. At least she wasn’t sick; her magic had taken care of that.

The evening was the worst. The crew was all human, or so she assumed. They couldn’t see at night, but still worked the riggings, pulling and setting the sails with an expertise only a well experienced crew could realize. She was impressed and relieved at how smoothly things ran despite the storm raging about them. It gave her some reassurance that she might even live through this.

She stood at the rail and peered into the darkness watching the storm rage all about her. The storm was beautiful in this way; the swirling maelstrom of rain and seawater bordered from below by the rolling sea and above by the masses of thick and impenetrable clouds. Lightning would split the skies and send thunder rumbling across the sea like an angry God’s battle cry.

“Reti...whatcha doin?” It was Lyanthi. She stood some distance away near the door to the cabins below.

Maharetii turned. “Lookin’.” She yelled back through the wail of the storm. It seemed the obvious answer.

Lyanthi moved across the deck with a fluidity that surprised her. She came up next to her and placed an arm around her waist. “Reti, you need to come inside. Please. We’re worried.”

“Okay”.” Maharetii nodded and lurched across the deck with Lyanthi at her side, holding her securely.

They entered the narrow hall leading to the cabins and stood, dripping rain and seawater onto an already wet floor. “I didn’t mean to worry you guys.” Maharetii looked at Lyanthi with a calm and concerned face.

“You were gone a long time...come on, we have some hot drinks in the cabin.” Lyanthi pulled the door shut and latched it against the wind. She was about to follow Reti down the hall and into the cabin, but instead found Reti just standing watching her. “What?”

Without preamble or warning, Maharetii hugged her. The thin tiefling wizard was warm and soft against her and really quite disturbing, in a good sort of way. Lyanthi stood for a minute and then placed her arms around Maharetii, returning the hug. “You’re welcome.”

Mahareti smiled, her lips pursed tightly and eyes averted in her typical reserve. They moved to the cabin and found Zaryna inside just finishing the drinks. “Found her. She was talkin’ to Talos about something...” They both smiled as Maharetii stood watching them, her eyes slightly narrowed.

“I’ll introduce you one day.” Maharetii smiled.

[Jain Zar]

Down, below deck the girls each soon found their petite bunk, and after a goodnight kiss and hug they were soon asleep.


The next morning Zaryna woke up, seemingly as first and opened the small window. She smiled and quickly got in her long red dress, combed her hair and rushed out to the deck where she was welcomed by a pure, uninterrupted blue sky that stretched flawlessly across the horizon. It was as if this azure wash above her would be here the next day, the entire next week, and perhaps even forever. But Zaryna was not naive and had witnessed how fast the weather could change out here. Nevertheless, this was heaven on earth and as she padded barefoot towards the prow she enjoyed to look at the endless blue vault of water upon which the blinding sun poored its light.

Below her, the veeshaped hull was effortlessly slicing through the seemingly flat waters like a hot knife through butter, creating only very little spray. Above her there was the reassuring creaking sound of the wooden masts under a full load of canvas, the rigging clattering gently as befits a well maintained quality ship. The schooner she had picked was perfect for their trip. It was fast, more than capable of outmanoeuvering pirates -if any- and definitely seaworthy. A smile lined her lips as she leaned over the ship’s railing, and as she inhaled deeply with her eyes closed, fresh salty sea air filled her lungs.

When the weather was perfect and the winds were right, and when they decks were swept clean by the raging seas, it was kinda hard for sailors to keep busy like all the time. And after all, did they or did they not had been engaged with the ship and the safety of its passengers like all night? As Zaryna opened her eyes again and looked out over the surface of sparkling sapphire, three men approached her from behind. She overheard them whispering and she was just fast enough to turn and witness how one of them poked the guy in the middle, motioning him forward in her direction. He was still more a boy than a man, his skin not as tanned and weatherworn as his companions’. The freckles that showed in every inch of his face also gave him this too boyish appearance, but Zaryna could see this guy one day probably would be a handsome man.

The blondish boy cleared his throat and he opened his shaking fingers, holding out a small flower to her. The two others sniggered behind they boy’s back, poking each other and then looking over as if expecting misfortune to happen to their young friend. Zaryna smirked faintly but then turned her gaze to the boy and accepted the white flower. Without a word she put it in her red hair and offered him a warm smile.


“Thank you… you are an angel.”

The boy shuffled with his feet but nodded, returning the smile with a deep flush on his cheeks before he turned to his comrades who chuckled and slapped him on the back.

“Nay pay ‘ttention to ‘im, miss Zaryna. Pinky ‘ere is jist bein’ ‘n good lad, ‘n evva since ye got on th’ ship he be havin’ ‘n crush on ya.” The sailor winked at her while “Pinky’s” face displayed a few more shades of red.

Zaryna smiled kindly and addressed the boy. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of… and if you keep this up, I’m certain one day you will hook up with a fine lady. You impressed me, so why wouldn’t you impress her?” She winked at him and then grinned at the other two before they went back to work, kinda not expecting it to end like this.

The beautiful tiefling chuckled softly to herself. She touched the flower in her hair as she looked out over the water again while thinking how wonderful this all was and would become…

[Sunset Fallow]

She dreamed of her mother. It was before the slave camp; before they were taken. Her mother was brushing Lyanthi’s hair and singing softly as the two sat in the early morning sun. She sat in a weathered old chair that was at the front of their wagon near the edge of one of the villages where their troupe would usually perform. It was spring; a perfect day.

The sound of water splashing against the hull greeted her return to reality. Sunlight illuminated the cabin in sharp contrasts of dark and light. She woke to see Reti sitting at the foot of her bed, brushing her long white hair and humming a song quietly.

“My mother used to sing that song.” Lyanthi sat upright in the bed and hugged her knees to her chest.

Reti turned her head slightly, but didn’t look at Lyanthi. “I’ve never heard the words. I could hear the woman in the house next to ours sing it, but could never quite catch the words.” She turned to Lyanthi. “I always wished my mom would sing to me.” A sad smile passed across her face as she turned away.

Lyanthi waited a few moments. “We should go find Zaryna and maybe get breakfast.”

“Kay....I have just a couple things to do and then I’ll be up.” Maharetii ran her fingers through her hair then, almost effortlessly, plaited it into a manageable braid that hung loosely down her back.

Lyanthi slipped out of bed and dressed. She was up and out of the cabin quickly, and saw Zaryna talking with some of the crew. She walked over to a portion of the deck and railing that was mostly deserted and stood, looking out over the water surging past the ship. She stood a few moments and then turned to see Reti emerge from the cabins and onto the deck.

_________________

Reti shaded her eyes a moment as she looked around the deck, then saw Zaryna laughing with a few of the crew. She wanted to be with Zaryna, but it was hard for her to approach seeing the others there, so she just stood. She felt awkward again, the tall pale girl standing alone.

She saw that Lyanthi was standing near the aft railing, and then watched as she went over to some of the crew. She watched her a moment as she followed the crewman across the deck and vanish into the forward cabins. She looked back again at Zaryna, and sighed. She turned and went back to their cabin and laid back on the bed. It wasn’t going to be different, not like she thought. She closed her eyes and saw the walls of her closet close in around her; her prison, her refuge.

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna wondered for a moment what was taking the others to get up. So after a few moments she went back down to their cabine, only to discover her lover was alone. She bit her lip but then decided to go through with an idea that invaded her mind.

Upon re-entering the cabin this morning Zaryna found Reti dozing on the bed, a small journal laying open in her lap. Reti’s eyes fluttered open at her touch...a smile curved her lips. She closed the journal hastily, and slid it to the side, turning to wrap her arms around Zarya’s neck. But not all of that before Zaryna caught a glimpse of an entry written in a difficult language she nonetheless could read.

"....The documents and evidence obtained are without dispute. I have naught but to conclude that the woman, Lyanthi, and I are..." some words were missing ”...and for some reason separated. I feel an almost irrational fear of...”

And nothing more was seen...

“Lover...” Reti whispered and kissed Zaryna. But just as Zaryna's hands started to wander down her lover's flanks, the clang of the ship’s bell interrupted their what would have been a small amorous encounter.

The clapper struck the bronze bell's interior walls, emitting an eerie sound. Zaryna jumped up and off the bed again as she recognized that signal. They were sounding the alarm. She grabbed Reti's hand," Come on, let us see what is up!"


When they arrived on the deck they saw the captain and the rest of the crew near the prow, looking in the distance.

"Hey guys, what is going on?"

The captain grumbled," Pirates m'lady but nothing to worry yet. To catch us they would have to sail against the wind." He squinted at the horizon. "But they are obviously waiting for us, probably notified by a raven. Looks like we be making a small detour."

"What kind of a detour?" Zaryna asked, though more concerned on meeting the pirates than the loss of time.

"We got two choices. Either around the Moonshae islands... Or, heading for Amn."

[Sunset Fallow]

Reti moved to Zaryna’s side as the Captain explained their dilemma. She squeezed Zaryna’s hand anxiously. “I’ll fight, but this is the Captain’s ship, and I’ll not put him, his crew or this ship in danger unless he asks us.”

Then she added, the Captain looking on at the two tieflings questioningly. “Captain, I don’t think the pirates realize what they’re up against with us on board. Also...” Reti glances at Zaryna briefly, “That could...”

Lyanthi stepped forward, interrupting the three as she approached. “Don’t go around.” She paused. “I won’t run, if I have a choice. And I’ll pay...whatever the cost of damages.” Lyanthi nodded to the Captain. “But if we run and find ourselves boxed in on the other side of Moonshae, they can stand off with ballistae from both ships.”

Maharetii spoke quickly. “I think Lyanthi’s right. They probably expect us to run, and I’d bet there’s another ship waiting for us on the other side of the Moonshae; two or three ships working together catching ships as they run to one side or the other. It’d be better to take on what we see than chance what we can’t.” Reti finished, an almost imperceptible trembling to her body that only Zaryna noticed.

With that Lyanthi draws two very sinister looking blades. “I think they’ve bitten off much more than they can chew, Captain.”

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna’s heart skipped a beat at Lya’s fighting spirit, although she herself had had her share into stuff as well during her many journeys. Zaryna wasn’t the person to back away either when it really came to such things, and a few times she had even initiated an attack in order to protect herself and her travel companions at the time. Battle and adventuring were inseperably linked as much as ill-health and poverty were entwined. But Lya almost seemed out for blood, as if she hated pirates. Could be as Zaryna didn’t really had the chance yet to learn more on the other tiefling’s past but as soon as there was an opportunity… she would.

On the other hand, Zaryna was aware of the fact that their combined powers were probably enough to teach those pirates a lesson or two. And if they actually let (some of) them get away, they might think twice after an encounter with them and leave ships with a less fortunate and less gifted crew alone. Her chestnut eyes shifted to the captain who was shaking his head to Lya.


“Captain, I’m afraid it is actually a good idea to go out there and face them.” Zaryna quickly explained her intentions and then looked at Reti. “I was also considering to toss a small ice storm in, think you could join me in that, love?”

The captain and his crew, bolstered by the presence of the tieflings agreed to teach the ‘bloody’ pirates a life’s lesson. As the three tieflings talked with each other, one of the crew members walked by and grinned at the ladies. “Tief’lin trouble, them be shish kebabin’ them’selves.”

Behind the three tieflings the captain shouted orders at his crew, eying them with a twinkle in his eyes. That showed he was not a coward but a man who was concerned but also proud of his people. Spoiling for a fight, the first crew members crowded at the prow, their swords pointing menacingly in the direction of the ship at the horizon.
And not one of them seemed drunk…


Slowy they got closer and closer...

[Sunset Fallow]

“We need to get in fast, Captain.” It was Lyanthi. She had a longbow in hand and stood at the ships prow.

“Aye, Lass...she’s got all the sail she kin handle.” The captain stood watching the approaching ship calmly, his crew working the ship in a tight weave, never showing too much, and making good speed. The pirate’s ship had turned broadside, their ballistae now firing in rapid order. “They’ll be tryin’ fer our masts an’ sails, Lass. Keep yur heads low, an’ pray they don’t start throwin’ fire.”

A ballista bolt the size of a man’s leg ripped through the foresail and main sail, barely missing both masts. They were nearly in spell range and the two spell casters stood shoulder to shoulder on the foredeck, their faces locked in concentration as their bodies lit with magical energies.

Lyanthi had begun a slow but steady barrage of the pirate ship with her longbow at maximum range; fiery death raining upon their crew from a bow that had near the range of their heavy ballista.

“READY YURSELVES, MEN...I be knowin’ this pirates name afore we’re done this day.” The Captain was now yelling above the screams of his men as they pulled near the pirate ship. He waved a heavy sabre in the air as he gave orders to the helmsman guiding his ship within boarding range of the pirate vessel.

A fiery glow lit the two spell casters...their hands extended and flames leaped to race towards the pirate ship. Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the center of the pirate ship. Men on both ships stopped as flames ripped through canvas and riggings, tearing the mainsail from its mast and igniting several secondary fires. Men, now flaming silhouettes, ran screaming to jump into the water as a second, then a third explosion ripped through the aft side of the pirate ship.

“HARD STARBOARD...CAST OFF. PUSH ‘ER OFF, MEN!!!” The captain yelled from where he stood near the prow of the ship. “SHE’LL BE GOIN’ DOWN!” The men were now using long poles to push their ship from the rapidly sinking pirate vessel.

The pirate’s ship was now totally engulfed in flames. A huge explosion nearly ripped the vessel in half as the ship’s magazine detonated, sending a shock wave across the water.

“Alchemist’s fire...they musta been carryin’ a ton of the stuff below for their catapults.” The captain had come up beside the three women. “They’ll be no survivors, lasses...you did your job well.” There was a tinge of sadness to the captain’s voice.

Maharetii and Zaryna stood in shocked silence as they watched over a hundred men die. Lyanthi turned to the captain. “It’s a hard life they chose, Captain. I can’t say I pity them...their day is done. It’s the living who suffer.” Lyanthi turned to the two caster whose faces still reflected the horror of the scene before them.

“Aye, lass.” He then turned to the two casters still standing silently, watching as the last of the pirate ship sank to its watery grave. “Don’t be too hard on yourselves, Lasses. It were them or us, way I see it.” He nodded to them, pausing for a minute, then turned to start the repairs and get the ship underway.

“We make port in three days...two with a fair wind and if’n I can get this canvas repaired.” He turned back to the tieflings. “Thank ya...it was a fine piece o’ magic.”

Maharetii and Zaryna now hugged each other.

[Jain Zar]

Zaryna did watch the ship sink with a heavy heart as she knew some of those people didn’t really deserve such a horrible death. In her life she had met more than once people who displayed pirate sympathies. She could actually understand some of it as pirates tend to gather the slave power at their back and believe that true freedom would be impossible without them. And also those who are the lowest of society were more than an easy prey. Discontented beggars, abused children, privateers who witnessed how corrupted rich people took all they could and more. Yes, sure, there were also the mutineers and rebels, inveterate cut-throats, pig-headed thugs, rapists and bloodthirsty psychopaths. And agreed, it was difficult to gauge a pirate’s mood and intentions once one stands face to face with them. Still... this was tough...

She wrapped her arms around Reti and silently granted the dying a small prayer to Lurue, wishing them all the best on their ultimate and final adventure. Then she looked over at the other tiefling and said,” We’ll be going downstairs again for a moment… if you wish you could join us for a small drink.” Truth was that Zaryna wanted to get the stench of burned flesh out of her nosetrils. As she coaxed Reti to the stairs she glanced over the railing. And the sight of people, charred and melted beyond recognition she also wanted to forget as soon as possible.


Downstairs, she motioned Reti to take a seat at her bed and fetched a bottle from her bag. Zaryna wasn’t really someone who drank a lot, but for certain occassions, good -or- bad, she kept a small supply close with her during her travels. She never would have guessed that she be needing this so soon though. The priestess popped the cork with her teeth and took a seat next to Reti, her arm moving around her lover and while she offered her the bottle she looked over at the door to see if Lya had followed them.

[Sunset Fallow]

“I’ll be down in a minute.” Lyanthi called out to Zaryna. She turned to where she saw the captain standing and walked to his side.

After a moment the captain spoke, his gaze never leaving the distant horizon of the sea’s blue expanse. ”We’ll make land in a couple of days.”

“I know.”

The captain paused, his hands thick and callused wrapped tightly about the railing. “My offer stands…I want her to go to someone….” He didn’t finish.

Lyanthi nodded, her dark red hair now covered in the same fashion as many of the crew. “I can’t captain.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” The captain turned to look at Lyanthi. “I see the way you look at her.”

“It’s not what you think.” Remorse tinged her voice. She couldn’t say more, she already felt the burden of what she knew sitting in her gut, twisting her insides every time Reti was near. There was something more than the casual friendship she professed between her and the white haired mage. Yet it wasn’t what people thought.

“Aye.” The captain turned his gaze back to the sea. “You’ll be coming back this way, the red haired one told me.”

“Perhaps.”

“I kin wait...till then.” The captain stiffened, pushing off to stand upright as he turned toward the bridge. He was far older than Lyanthi and had probably spent his entire life at sea. His offer had come as a surprise, and was far more tempting than he could possibly know.

She stared out over the sea. A year ago, she’d have taken his offer. A year ago Reti had been gone. She thought Maharetii dead. It’d been two years then…two years since she had simply vanished one day.

It took her a few minutes to rouse herself to move from the railing and return to their cabin. The slight wrench in her gut returned as she heard laughter from within their room. The two women sat close and had obviously had more than one drink before she arrived. Their arms were locked around each other as they each held a small earthen cup which they used to salute her as she entered the room.

“To Lyanthi...our brave companion.” They both laughed merrily, their faces showing a slight flush and wide smiles.

Lyanthi returned their smiles and bowed in a mock courtly gesture. “And where is my drink? Or have you two finished off the bottle before I could even have a taste?” She placed her hands on her hips in feigned annoyance.

As one they pointed to another cup and a large traveling flask sitting on the cabinet next to the bed. “You’ll have...to...ummm...hurry. We’ve had a couple of...drinks.” Reti slurred her words noticeably.

“Ahh, and a fine night we’ll have.” Lyanthi poured the amber liquid into her cup smelling the sweet alcoholic aroma fill the air. She looked into Zaryna’s eyes. Perhaps if Zarnya knew. She dismissed the idea immediately. She knew Zaryna would voice her sympathy…but it wouldn’t change anything. She wanted what she wanted. It wasn’t that she was cruel, it was just the way of things.

She wondered. Would this be another passing fancy, a woman who professed a great love only to grow bored? She’d seen it before, the lust and passion that gleamed in their eyes with every new conquest, a different warm body to explore. Then only to have their desire fade as the novelty became old and used. It was a story as old as human existence.

They spoke of loyalty to their dying breathes, and it sounded wonderful at the time. They probably even believed their own words. She could only wait. She couldn’t say anything to Zaryna until the luster wore from her eyes. How long...she stiffened trying to hide the twist in her gut.

“To beautiful women...of more than human descent.” Lyanthi raised her cup.

“To us.” The other two responded.
___________________

The day and night passed quickly as the labors of the day and the drink found all three early in bed. The next day dawned with a fair wind and a moderate chop to the water. Reti had regained her usual calm demeanor and lazed about the deck occasionally watching Zaryna or simply reading from one of the several books she carried. Reading made most people sick on a ship if they weren’t acclimated to the constant motion. Reti carried a spell of warding. Lyanthi had to smile. She suspected as much but it was good to finally know. It meant Reti had felt it too and knew there was something more to their similar appearance. The persistent ward protected her from the same twist she felt, and allowed her to read without the usual nausea most people felt if they read aboard a ship.

“Land ho....!” Lyanthi heard the cry from the crow’s nest. They’d sail up the coast a day and be in port early. She’d miss the smell of the sea and comradery she felt with the captain and his crew. She watched Reti as she placed her book into the pack she carried and walked over to where Zaryna sat. They sat close, their arms enfolding each other lovingly. She hoped it would last.

[Jain Zar]

After the encounter with the pirates, their journey had brought them to Athkatla from where they either could wait for a ship to sail them north to Baldur’s Gate or Waterdeep, or from where they could seek a guide to lead them through the Cloud Peaks. Not that a guide would be necessary… not entirely at least since a part of those mountains had been home to Zaryna for a few years.

It were the days when she had received education from her old mentor, a moderate Talos Stormlord who had trained her in combat and the use of more destructive powers should she ever need those. The reasons for this training had been peculiar and it was something Zaryna didn’t spread just like that. During that period Zaryna discovered she could never really worship Talos but that it was in fact Lurue who had been ‘calling’ to her. Nevertheless, Zaryna was forged into a full-fledged Stormlord herself and she became capable of crafting a spear that could be turned into a powerful, storm-fueled weapon. Yet she never had been fully recognised and had no desire for it either. She had control over this aspect of her divine powers and would only use it in times of need. She was geared to weed out both weak and strong opponents and she understood she was potentially lethal. She was also aware of the fact that she could use the power of storms for her own personal advancement, use her magic as well as her martial prowess to reach out for higher goals. But that was not how she was… neither had she ever felt destructive…

The fact Zaryna announced their options and that she could look for a guide for the Cloud Peaks option was because she had no intentions at all to reveal anyone but Reti about that part of her powers and past.

Athkatla, the capital of Amn was bathing in the golden sunlight. But even that, what could be a wonderful setting -a city built next to the sea-, did not bring much glory to its appearance and looks.





By the time they sailed into the harbor, shadows had grown richer in color and elongated to exaggerated proportions, shrouding dark alleys between the slum like buildings in wariness. In more remote corners of the lands it was rumored that the streets of the City of Coin were paved with gold, but in reality and specifically the streets at the docks were rough, full of crime, and at times littered with blood. The entire place was notorious for its history of violence, poverty, lewdness and even slavery.





When the three tieflings went ashore, the shadows of the houses had started to occupy the docks. The evening was now dark purple with a little gold, hazy. A peculiar warmth rose up from the city, a gentle breeze blowing from the land to the sea.

Zaryna looked over at the other girls. “Let’s just stay on the main road… I… looked into some maps earlier and happen to know where the merchant’s district is. We could find a place to stay there.” As they walked down the cobblestoned street, Zaryna’s eyes detected the outline of a few men waiting into a deeper part of one of the countless alleys… and by the looks of it they were up to no good but she had no idea what and with who.

Instead she (needless) motioned the other two to walk a little bit faster yet without running. After a few moments Zaryna glanced over her shoulder. Nothing…

The tiefling relaxed a little. She nodded brief and politely to a man crossing their path. And then, all of a sudden, footfalls echoed through the alleys around them, growing louder by the second.

“Son of a …” Zaryna started to mutter when a medium-tall, slim figure -a hooded woman by the looks of it- dressed in a dark pants and black shirt stepped out of the darkness from behind a wall and approached the three tieflings.

She grinned and winked at them from under her hood. “You ladies better keep going as what is about to happen here will not be a pleasant sight.” The stranger’s eyes shifted to the male the trio had just passed, and who was now startled holding up his hands to a small crowd of dark figures surrounding him, pretty much like a flock of dark hawks descending upon one single dove...

[Sunset Fallow]

She saw the tension in Zaryna’s muscles. The encroaching darkness and the absence of any others on the street only accentuated Maharetii’s apprehension. Something wasn’t right...where are all these people? Her gaze darted from alley to darkened doorway. Yet all appeared ordinary, if a little too quiet.

Maharetii ducked in closer to Zaryna as a man passed close to the three. She heard the foot falls and then felt Zaryna startle. “Son of a ...” Zaryna’s voice carried a warning of something gone wrong. Her fingers tightened reflexively on Zaryna’s arm.

The three tieflings stopped suddenly as a woman stepped from behind a wall in a darkened area and approached, moving to within a short distance in front of them. She knew Zaryna could feel her trembling, and also that should they need to cast, she should loosen her grip...but she couldn’t, despite what she told her fingers.

The woman spoke to them, her voice even and calm. “You ladies better keep going as what is about to happen here will not be a pleasant sight.” She glanced back at the man who had passed them just seconds before and was now surrounded.

Lyanthi move between them and this woman, her hands resting easily on the pommels of her blades. She knew Lyanthi was capable of doing some very terrible things, and quite quickly, should the need arise. But it was Zaryna that she wanted to protect, and from whom she sought protection.

Slowly, she forced her hands and fingers from Zaryna’s arm. She moved slowly so as not to appear threatening...or hoped as much. Neither Lyanthi nor Zaryna moved. She hoped they could just move away before whatever this woman intended was done. But something was happening beyond the woman, and now it seemed they were destined to both see and hear whatever it was.

[Jain Zar]

The unknown woman seemed only to have eyes for the scene behind the three tieflings and stepped passed them, ignoring them for now.

Meanwhile they all four could overhear a conversation starting between the man and his would-be-assailants. The man reacted surprisingly calm even while surrounded by these dark figures, his face and features illuminated by a very weak, twilight glow but enough for Zaryna to notice he was not in the least bit intimidated or scared to be mashed into a pulp, or worse. Zaryna did notice the light but keen blades in the hands of the black cloaked figures and imagined none of them had any pleasant intentions.


“So Alfonso… did you -really- think you would get away with it?” One of them -obviously the leader- asked the lone man. “I have to admit… you are very brave, but also very foolish. Taking down one of us only means another one will step into his or her place… especially when it’s a leader.”

The man glanced from masked face to masked face and shrugged. “I don’t wish to raise a grievance with you, sir… nor do I have anything to discuss. My business was with Singleton, and Singleton only.”

The leader of the dark figures nudged one of his comrades and chuckled. “Listen to this guy… he does not wish to raise a grievance with -us-, but he already seemed to have forgotten who we really are.” His eyes flicked back to the man and for a moment he looked like the type of guy who would try to prolong the life of a dying person just for fun. Pretty much like a cat playing with a mouse with a torture factor that would be related to pure pleasure rather than survival.

Slowly he advanced upon the man until he was practically standing nose to nose. “We are family… -mister- Alfonso, and if you touch one of us, you touch us all...” He glanced over the man’s shoulder and nodded to someone.

The tieflings saw how a man standing behind Alfonso raised a club, clearly intending to knockdown their prey. But Alfonso was quicker and lightning fast produced a dagger in his left hand and blindly stabbed his adversary behind him in the eye. Simultanously, Alfonso who at first had seemed to make no attempt at all to defend himself, produced another dagger which he plunged forward in the leader’s chest where it found his heart. With a groan the two men sank to their knees and it all had happened in an eye blink.

The unknown woman standing before the tieflings and watching the scene clapped her hands excitedly together and cheerfully shouted,” Now you will learn the true power of a master duelist!!”

And with that it became clear that this woman was not a part of the group surrounding Alfonso.

Three cloaked men stepped forward in order to stab Alfonso down, but the man was already gone as he had dropped down and spun around quickly around his axis, performing a forceful sweep kick and using the built up momentum that resulted in a very rapid series of striking combinations ending with a spinning aerial kick. As daggers flashed and legs and feet struck home, at least half of the men lay sprawled awkwardly to the floor. Those kicks definitely must have hurt and after this brief but ferocious storm of kicks and slicing, the remaining men backed up a little bit.

The unknown woman flashed a grin at the three tieflings behind her. “Still there I see. We really should start asking money for this.” She glanced back at Alfonso. “And they really should have sent in even more men to catch him...”

But then the air crackled with energy and they were just in time to see how a black fire raced towards Alfonso. Billowing and deadly it crashed against him like waves against cliffs. For a moment Alfonso seemed to disappear from sight as the fire washed over his form, a dark grey wall of twilight surrounding him.

“Oh… crap…” the unknown woman muttered. And then she leaped forward to the warlock in the midst of the attackers, a rapier in her left hand...


At first Zaryna had had no intention at all to get mixed up in this as who knows what was going on and what gangs were involved. And if any of these were connected with the infamous Shadow Thieves, they’d be in trouble along the entire Sword Coast. Witchcraft however was something that was not appreciated a lot, and most likely not in the way how it was used here. They’d be taking a risk but she couldn’t watch how people were murdered in such a horrible way. She mumbled a quick prayer that caused an encouraging feeling to descend upon the tieflings. “Lets help her.”

[Sunset Fallow]

Light erupted in a blinding greenish glow. A haze surrounded Lyanthi and eerie luminescent auras lit the space around each of the other two tieflings. Maharetii stepped to one side, her hands quickly tracing a complex pattern that glowed and grew as the tracing became alive, taking the form a gigantic demonic beast more than twice as tall as any human.

Lyanthi glanced back and saw the beast materialize, stretching leathery wings that spanned the entire street. It took a step forward and bellowed, the rage and pure volume of it causing dust to rise and mortar to fall in a dim haze, and left all within that narrow passageway stunned at its sudden appearance.

Its massive form began a slow and but determined advance towards the group assailing the lone man. Clawed feet tore into the cobbles as it accelerated, leaving gaping holes with each stride. A huge sword held in one hand struck at the ground raising shattered stone and gravel into the air around it. Lurid flames danced along its form illuminating the shadowy depths of the street in a flickering glow.

Lyanthi launched herself to one side to avoid the thing, rolling neatly as a huge hand with talons the length of her forearm nearly removed her head. She looked back at Maharetii, her breath coming in a shallow pant, confusion etched in her eyes and aspect.

Maharetii stood motionless, her eyes glazed and body held rigidly. The dim aura that surrounded her pulsed with each stride of the beast. Lyanthi moved quickly to within a few feet of Reti, her senses now poised to take any blow, any arrow or bolt that might come Reti’s way. She knew the mage controlled the beast, but only as long as she wasn’t distracted. Nothing must be allowed to break that concentration.

[Jain Zar]

Before Zaryna could take any action towards the woman and the with magic assaulted Alfonso she quickly wove a ward that would protect them all from the creature summoned by Reti. She had recognised the spell immediately and it caused goosebumps to rise up all over her body seeing Reti capable of such grand magic. Normally the creature wouldn’t turn on them under these circumstances, but it was always better to take precautions.

The conjuration however had drawn the warlock’s attention and he ceased casting the ray of foul, black magic upon Alfonso. Unlike the rest of the gang all backing up a little at the sight of the Balor, the warlock turned over to the beast with a grin. He drew a few symbols in the air while starting an incantation by which he seemed to gain in stature and strength as he mumbled dark words. Blood started to trickle from his nose and Zaryna watched in horror how the man’s body changed under the dark sorcery into one of the ugliest monsters she had ever seen. Low rumbling growls twisted and tangled together as the beasts assessed one another.

‘This is all just a dream’ Zaryna first thought, but those rows of shredding teeth and the stinking breath seemed awfully real. The warlock had become at least as big as an ogre and the pair of enormous wings with wicked hooks on tips and elbows sprouting from his back overshadowed his companions. Strengthened by the addition of a likewise creature within their own ranks, the remainder of the gang turned their attention to the unknown woman... and to the three tieflings who had dared to interfere. There was no sight of their earlier victim and it could be assumed that Alfonso was down on the street among the bodies of the gang members he took out.

The unknown woman, somehow not in the least intimidated by the sight of the horned devil, had charged upon Alfonso’s attackers. Her lithe body was like a taut bow, her movements smooth and agile, her attacks remorselessly driving two gang members across the street with a beautiful balletic swordplay that forced her opponents into clumsiness.

As the two giant creatures’ bodies clashed into one another, clawed crimson fingers ripped into the devils soft flesh when the horned devil immediately grabbed the Balor in a vise-like embrace. And they could actually all overhear how some demon ribs snapped under the devil’s strength. But even as the demon’s deep hollow voice echoed painfully between the buildings, this fight was far from over. The demon’s flaming whip came up, smacking at the devil’s face while its claws tore some muscles on the devil’s back apart. The Cornugon’s face twisted in rage as it screamed in pain and it was forced to loosen its grip on its archfoe.

While the two titans struggled to gain the upper hand, Lya protected Reti from three incoming gang members charging upon them. Meanwhile Zaryna found herself a few opponents of her own when she tried to reach the fencing woman. The red haired tiefling lashed out at them after she pushed the button on the stick in her hand, an ingenious mechanism ejecting a spear-like part from the tip on one side, and an extension part from the other side. Her first opponent was down before he had the time to dodge, and a second one took a nasty hit on the nose from the butt of Zaryna’s weapon as she twisted it around. With another bone-cracking thwack on his head she made sure he toppled down to the ground, and would stay down as well...

[Sunset Fallow]

Bright green ichor dripped from the wounds across the Balor’s body. Reti could feel the beast was losing the fight, she also knew it was her fault. Her control was hindering the beast, but her fear of the thing was such that she hesitated to free it. She momentarily glanced at the others, her lover fighting so valiantly. She had to...she bunched her fists and her hands dropped to her sides. She staggered and nearly fell as muscles rigid and unmoving were finally relaxed. It was done.

The Balor reacted immediately. The terrible beast bellowed in renewed rage. It launched itself at the Cornugon in a flurry of blows with the whip and sword, lashing and sending crushing blows into the Cornugon’s wings and torso. The Cornugon fell back before the onslaught, wide gashes appearing where the sword rent its leathery skin, leaving wounds that oozed and healed almost as soon as they formed.

Lyanthi watched the Red Haired Priestess as she stepped into the fray, her weapon appearing in her hands as if magically summoned. Three men had separated from the rest and ran at her and Reti. They had spaced themselves widely, she couldn’t stop all three before they reached the mage. She glanced back at Reti and saw her suddenly sag. The men would be on them in an instant.

Lyanthi whispered three words she had only memorized in a language she didn’t understand. Light flared from around her body and weapons. Her skin glistened in a silvery sheen that glowed dimly beneath an aura that just as suddenly faded. Silvery knives, slim and razor sharp, appeared in each hand. As the three approached, Lyanthi spun lithely and slashed viciously into the first assailant leaving deep wounds across his neck and under one arm, blood fountaining from each wound as he staggered to his knees and toppled slowly to the cobbles.

She took the second man in the back, raking her knives into his flank and shoulders, tearing through thin clothes and flesh. Unable to slow his rush, she leaped almost atop him and drove her knives from behind and above into the space where his neck and chest merged down into his body, crushing bone and rending muscles and driving her blades into him until they were buried to their pommels. He staggered as blood erupted from his mouth and nose, then fell dead as Lyanthi yanked her blades from his bloody corpse.

But just as she rode the body of the second man to the ground, she saw the third reach Maharetii. The mage had drawn a weapon that dripped a glowing green fire, scorching the cobbles beneath it. With one hand holding the weapon and legs spread shoulder wide in a fighting stance, Maharetii held out a hand toward the oncoming attacker. She whispered words in an arcane tongue that twisted and blurred the air around her. Suddenly a blinding light erupted from her upraised hand and streaked in a shallow arc to strike the advancing man. As once he staggered as if struck a heavy blow, light erupting from wounds and flaring from his eyes and mouth. He stiffened as his muscled constricted, then fell lifeless to the ground at Reti’s feet, his body rent and covered in blood.

A movement caught her eye. A man emerged from the shadows and came at Maharetii screaming as he raised his axe, towering above her. Maharetii dropped to a knee and thrust, never believing her aim would find its mark. Yet he fell, her blade impaling him to the hilt, his lifeless copse dragging her arms to the ground. She looked to where Lyanthi stood, slowly panting, bewildered...a dagger, Lyanthi's dagger, had taken him and protruded from the back of his neck.

Reti rose and kicked the body from her sword. Lyanthi smiled then turned to watch the red-haired priestess as she lashed out with grim determination felling one attacker after another. Zaryna, now with the women and man they had first seen cross their path, began to advance on their foes in a deadly symmetry of magic and battle finesse, forcing their attacker to retreat before them.

The beasts were locked in their struggle and seemed untiring in their efforts to destroy each other. But the Balor had the upper hand, rending the devil relentlessly with sword and whip. Without preamble, the demon faded, its summoning finished. The devil collapsed to the ground, its garish blood pooling around it. One wing was nearly torn from its body. It leaned heavily on one massive arm while the other hung loosely, bone and sinew gaping from wounds that now slowly closed.

Reti looked up at the struggle. Her legs still weak, she saw as the devil recovered, its wounds closing more rapidly each second it was allowed to rest. She leaned heavily on her sword and walked grimly toward the wounded beast. Lyanthi advanced ahead of her felling any and all who came near with an artistry that was both beautiful and deadly.

Reti had walked within a few feet of the devil when the beast raised its head and pushed itself from the ground. Arcane energies flowed about her as she began a complex enchantment. The devil spread its now healed wings as it prepared for her attack, and then, as Reti completed her spell and pronounced its final words, fell lifeless to the ground; her enchantment draining its life abruptly.

The attackers hesitated and now began to falter in their mêlée. Nearly half lay dead or dying. Their beast lay sundered and lifeless, his body now returned to the human form from which it had come. Lyanthi and Reti turned to watch Zaryna and the others advance on those who remained.