Dark Flower III, Ch. 3: Plots & Spies

[Mikayla]

Dark Flower III, Chapter 3

Plots and Spies

[author's note: Two things - first, I want to thank Burt and Vendrin for this chapter - without them, such great plots could not have happened. Second, please forgive typos and such, as I have had no time to edit this one or even give it a 'once-over' - and if I do not post it now, I will not be able to save it (long story) so I will come back and edit it later - thanks for your patience.]



The bloody fate of Clan Deepgloom was duly celebrated in the halls of Qu’ellar Auvryndar and Tuin’t Luthol. Sheyreiza was, for her part, amply acknowledged as the leader of the raid that spelled the end for the Duergar merchants. Though she had every right to rest and enjoy the praise that was given to her, Sheyreiza was not happy. Things were still not settled; Deepgloom was not behind Faerylene’s kidnapping and the real kidnappers were still unknown. Someone else had used Auvryndar to destroy the Duergar. This was, apparently, pleasing to Lolth so Sheyreiza had done what needed to be done. However, even if it pleased Lolth Sheyreiza was not fond of being manipulated. At least not by anyone but Lolth. The obvious suspects were Tuin’t Luthol; they were direct competitors with the Duergar of Deepgloom it seemed and they had played an instrumental role in the Clan’s destruction. Sheyreiza needed some evidence, and that of course meant she needed an informant. With this in mind she picked up one of the enchanted axes taken by Qu’ellar Auvryndar during the raid and left the Auvryndar compound alone. Cloaked and hooded, she quietly made her way down through the city’s layers until she came before the gates of the House Unnamed. Her spies had told her that one of Tuin’t Luthol’s mercenaries, the scout Pharaun, was inside. Pharaun was abnormally intelligent for a common mercenary, and intelligent people were more likely to take advantage of opportunity when it presented itself.

Sheyreiza entered the spacious main room of the House Unnamed holding the enchanted axe just below its head, keeping it close to her body. The House Unnamed was as plush a drinking pit as this level of the city had to offer. Frequented by successful mercenaries, it was home to as many deals, negotiations, and betrayals as any of the noble houses themselves. Looking around the room from under her hood, Sheyreiza spied Pharaun lounging upon a divan, drink in hand, his back wisely to the wall. She walked to him casually but as she neared she let the axe slip down until she had a fighting grip on it. As she came with in a stride of the scout, she raised the axe up and leveled it at him. The male’s widening eyes quikly traveled from his wine and settled upon the wicked blade that hovered at neck level. Mouth agape, he looked up from the axe to see Sheyreiza smiling.

The grinning priestess flipped the axe around in her hand and offered Pharaun the handle. “Here, its from the raid. A present for Tuin’t Luthol from Qu’ellar Auvryndar. It is enchanted.”

Pharaun, shaking slightly, took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you.” He said unsteadily, taking the offered weapon.

“In return I would like to take your seat while we speak. I prefer to have my back to the wall.”

The scout stood and twisted the axe around in his hand. “Yes. The reason I chose it.”

Sheryeiza sat and crossed her legs, watching with some amusement as Pharaun fumbled around with the heavy axe. “Your company trades in slaves, yes?” She asked as sweetly as she could. Pharaun nodded as he tried hooking the unwieldy weapon to his belt, nearly throwing himself off balance. “Any worthy of the arena?” Sheyreiza probed.

The scout sat heavily in an adjacent chair. “Many would be with adequate feeding and training Yathallar.”

“Good, I am interested in acquiring a few. I think I would like to start a stable of gladiators. It seems like a fun pasttime.” That was true but it was only half true. Sheyreiza had been to the recently renovated arena; she certainly knew how and where to acquire gladiator-slaves on her own. She mentioned it now as an incentive; the person she purchased her slaves through would stand to make a nice profit.

“And quite lucrative I am sure.” Pharaun replied, fully aware of the money that exchanged hands in the gladiator business, both in and out of the arena.

“I suppose so, if successful.” Sheyreiza smiled.

“I am certain you could come to an agreement with Tuin't Luthol...though I am not sure I am the correct person to contact about such things. I am only a common soldier with little aptitude for business.”

An interesting dodge, Sheyreiza thought. Pharaun must smell the spinning of a political web and he obviously desired not to get caught up in it; for a commoner, a simpler life often meant a longer life. Sheyreiza was not going to let him dodge her web so easily, however. “I am sure you will learn. You seem relatively intelligent. Tell me, are you truly a follower of Selvetarm?

“Of course.” The mercenary replied. “Do I appear otherwise?”

The beautiful high priestess smiled wickedly in the dim light. “As I said, you seem relatively intelligent.”

Pharaun could not help but smile a little himself. “True, I have more skills than a sword and shield, but I am still faithful to death.”

“Ah, but fatihful to whom? Selvetarm certainly, or so you would say, but to who else?”

The smile was gone from Pharaun’s face now; treating with a high priestess in matters of faith was treating with one’s life. He pulled a spider symbol of Lolth from a pocket at his breast. “The only other deity, that is.” He set the holy symbol of the Spider Queen in his lap, almost as a dare to Sheyreiza to challenge his faith.

Sheyreiza had no such intention however. She was not truly concerned about Pharaun’s soul at the moment, but about his sword and his mind. “Who in this world has your faith?”

“You are speaking with him.” The scout answered.

Hearing the answer she wanted to hear brought another smile to Sheyreiza's face. “Prudent.”

“I would be unwise to put an abundance of faith in anyone else.” Pharaun explained.

“Indeed. Tell, me, what do you know about the plot against Auvryndar and the city?”

Pharaun frowned. “Plot? What makes you believe there is a plot, Yathallar?”

In contrast to Pharaun’s dour expression Sheyreiza laughed lightly. “Many things, but Sergeant Vedo's reports about what he found outside the city are the ones which I am thinking of at this moment.”

The scout replied in the drow sign language. We should talk about this elsewhere.

With a nod Sheyreiza stood; now she was getting somewhere. “As you wish. Come with me.”

Pharaun followed her out of the House Unnamed and up through the webbed layers of the city. They walked in silence for a while, each cloaked and hooded, but it was a long walk and Pharaun decided to take advantage of it. “I understand you teach classes at Zhennu Orbb on occasion.”

“Indeed.” Sheyreiza answered simply, scowling at a passing Illithid. “I have been asked to be a mistress of Xonathull Magthere, the battle school. It seems my experiences are held in some esteem.” Just a few cycles earlier Sheyreiza had been made a Mistress of the Academy. She was to teach patrol tactics at Xonathull Magthere. Matron Shyntlara had secured the prestigious position for Sheyreiza in part to reward Sheyreiza, in part to advance Auvryndar’s honor, and in part to simply keep Sheyreiza busy. An energetic ambitious high priestess with too much time on her hands would soon become a fierce enemy for any matron.

“Xas? A position you are well deserving.” Pharaun’s flattery sounded sincere, but Sheyreiza did not bask in it; she merely gave him greater respect as an actor. “Perhaps I will be fortunate enough to become one of your students.” This seemed something of an overture, and exactly the kind Sheyreiza was looking for. She did not answer however; when deep-lake fishing, it was best to let the hook lie in the fish’s mouth for a while. Jerk the rod back too fast and the hook would fail to set, slipping out and allowing the prey to escape.

In due time they entered the outer gates of Qu’ellar Auvryndar and made there way through the concentric walls and redundant gates until at last they stood in the main keep’s entry way. “Welcome to Qu’ellar Auvryndar.” Sheyreiza said.

Pharaun’s eyes drifted over the elaborate architecture, ornate carvings and brilliant faerie fire, hardly taking notice of the sword-armed undead that guarded the four exits. Sheyreiza led him through one of the iron doors and down a long hall way from which rooms and other corridors branched off. A wide stair case at the end of the hall led up into a plush lounge decorated with plants from both above and below the surface. Beautiful, delicate vases of porcelain sat atop expertly carved tables of zurkhwood. Spicy incense filled the air, mixing with expensive perfume to make a heady bouquet for someone used to the dung filled pits and alleys of the lower layers. Sheyreiza crossed the lounge and opened the door to another room. Pharaun followed and found himself in a smaller, but even plusher lounge. One half of the chamber was filled with marble baths arrayed about a great cauldron of steaming hot water. A thick, fuzzy rug occupied the other half of the chamber, and on the rug were strewn dozens of silken pillows, an antique divan and a throne like-upholstered chair. Sheyreiza sat in the chair and motioned Pharaun to sit.

“Thank you.” Said the scout somewhat timidly. “I am unused to such
luxury.”

“These are the quarters and chambers of my lesser noble relatives.” Sheyreiza said with a perfunctory smile. “The royal chambers, where I live, are far above us. But these will do.

“Quite sufficient.” Pharaun said, nodding his agreement.

“Now, we were discussing the plot against this house and our city.” Time to get down to business, Sheyreiza thought.

Pharaun shifted his seat amongst the pillows. “I do not know how much to say.”

“As much as you know would be good.” Sheyreiza hoped the subtext was clear: And to say less would be…bad.

“I have told no one anything I have learned, and wisely so. It is dangerous information that I would lose my head for knowing. But very well, I will tell you something that ought to concern you.” The mercenary paused, Sheryeiza supposed for dramatic effect. Males could be so over the top. “Faerylene Auvryndar's captors were not of Clan Deepgloom.”

“I knew that before the raid.” Sheyreiza said simply.

The wily scout was not so easily deflated however. “Then you also know that they were likely hired by Tuin't Luthol.”

“I believe that is most likely, of course. I am curious, however, how you know this but are not a part of it.

“I know for two reasons.” Pharaun answered, clasping his hands on his lap. “One, an Illithid told me. That as of itself does not amount to any substantial proof. But two, I aided in setting up Auvryndar.”

A bold admission, Sheyreiza thought. But not one he would make without reason. “So you are a part of this? Good, do explain.”

“Are you aware of the assassination of one of your wizards in the House Unnamed?” Pharaun asked, leaning forward a bit.

“No, I am not. Or rather, I was not.”

“No matter, I am sure you can verify it later. I was there when he was killed. His assassin was posing as a bodyguard, or something to that effect. I was to help in completing the kill. When I arrived on the scene I recognised him as a wizard of Auvryndar. And I promptly killed his 'bodyguard', but not before your mage fell to his blows.”

Sheyreiza suddenly realized she was listening to a prepared speech, more or less. She might have sought out Pharaun and brought him back here, but he was either planning on coming to Auvryndar of his own accord sooner or later, or he knew he was going to get a visit from someone like Sheyreiza. The odd thing was that it did not sound like he was spinning this tale to get himself off the hook for a crime against Auvryndar. What was his motivation then? To trade information? If so, for what? “This assassination was ordered by Tuint Luthol then?”

Pharaun watched Sheyreiza for a reaction, his gaze eventually settling on her weapons which remained at her side. “No.” He smiled. “This is the clever part. Have you heard of an organisation called 'The Shadows'?”

“No.” Sheyreiza admitted.

“They are supposedly a splinter group of Tuin't Luthol, and one with aspirations against us. However, they were at least partly controlled by our Ventash'ma through a figurehead. I was sent to complete the assassination by a Tuin't Luthol member who may or may not be the Ventash'ma...the contact he gave me was a Shadow.

“An actual undead shadow?” The talk of shadows evoked images of the Shades and a brief stab of fear went through Sheyreiza that her foes from the Night Above had followed her to the World Below.

The scout was already shaking his head however. “No, just a silly name.”

“I see.” She wondered if Pharaun could hear the relief in her voice. Not that it mattered. “Go on.”

“After the wizard was dead I became aware of Tuin't Luthol's open stance against these Shadows. The Ventash'ma now desires that they be completely wiped out. Presumably to eradicate the link between Tuin't Luthol and the conspiracy to use Qu'ellar Auvryndar.”

“And to eliminate a rival I would presume, much like Deepgloom was destroyed.”

“Yes, but the Shadows were working for Tuin't Luthol. Whether they knew it or not. They were doing exactly what the Ventash'ma wanted. They presented an easy disposable method of turning Auvryndar against Deepgloom.”

“And now you think he wishes to dispose of the link?”

“The Shadows? Yes, undoubtedly so. I am supposed to infiltrate and expose them as my next assignment.”

Sheyreiza frowned just slightly. “What you are telling me does not make me favorably disposed towards your Ventashma.” It was time to probe the scout’s motivations a bit.

“Of course not, which is why he has done his best to distance Tuin't Luthol from the Shadows.”

That much was obvious. “So why tell me all this?”

“As you said, Yathallar, I am reasonably intelligent. I believe it would be in your interests to simply sever Tuin't Luthol's head rather than crush the entire body. Remove the Ventash'ma and you can effectively rule the organization with your own figurehead.”

“Indeed.” So that was it; Pharaun wished to use Auvryndar to perform a coup upon his band’s leadership. Such were drow politics. Sheyreiza was not disinclined, but there were details to be worked out. “Two problems though. First, who shall be the new Ventashma? I assume you have a prospect?”

“Likely you expect I will put myself forward, no?” The scout smirked. The thought had crossed Sheryeiza’s mind, but the more she spoke to the scout the more she respected his wiliness and she thought it more likely he would set up a puppet. “That is not the case. I propose Mik'laysee. He has done it before and has the tongue for such a position.”

“So I have heard.” Mik’laysee was a minstrel, a bard, oft called the Chronicler of Ched Nasad or some such thing. Sheyreiza had heard of him in passing but paid little attention. The chronicles of Ched Nasad she learned from were not the songs or poems of an entertainer, but the tomes of lore housed in the dark libraries of Zhennu Orbb and the vaults of Auvryndar. One thing she did know, however, was that Mik’laysee was the original founder of Tuin’t Luthol, though he had lost leadership of the band to the current Ventashma. It seemed Pharaun was not so much a puppet master as a restorationist. “He was, actually, the one I presumed you would put forward. I have heard a bit of his past. Very well, assume Mik'laysee it will be.”

“Truly Yathallar, I do not care who it is.” Pharaun said earnestly.

Odd thing to say, she thought. What was Pharaun angling for then? Favor with Auvryndar? What for? Did he wish to be noble? He would not be the first common mercenary to seek elevation to the Qu’ellaren. So be it; if that was what he wanted, Sheyreiza could certainly use that to manipulate him as well. “Now, second problem; your current Ventashma.”

“Yes, that is the difficulty.”

“I used a very powerful magic to try and see him and yet I could not.” A few ten days earlier Sheyreiza had watched the games at the arena. The Tuin’t Luthol lieutenant, the minotaur called Rua, had been called to fight by no less a figure than the Matron of House Melarn. Predictably, the minotaur had not lasted long. However, as Sheyreiza was collecting her winnings she saw the very same minotaur walking about the outer hall of the arena, quite alive. When she questioned him a disembodied voice answered; the voice identified itself as the Tuin’t Luthol Ventashma and it told Sheyreiza to mind her own business in no uncertain terms. Sheyreiza was not pleased to say the least. A few hours later there had been a sit down at the House Unnamed. Sheyreiza and her patrol met with members of Tuin’t Luthol and the voice of the Ventashma sounded again. Sheyreiza had used the most powerful spells she had available to see this ‘leader’ but whatever concealed him was more powerful than her magic. Nevertheless, he had apologized for his breach of etiquette. Unable to even lay eyes upon the Ventashma, Sheyreiza was forced to accept his apology and the matter was laid to rest. Not being able to see or find the Ventashma made plotting against his life difficult, if not simply moot.

“I am afraid to make it more difficult for you, but you must take him alive.”

“Must I?” Sheyreiza was always amused when a common male presumed to tell her what she must or must not do. However, while Pharaun may have let his tongue slip a bit he was not stupid. If he was saying this, even if inartfully, there was probably a reason. “Why?”

“Because the conspiracy against Auvryndar and even Ched Nasad goes far, far deeper than killing duergar, and the Ventash'ma knows what is happening.”

“Oh? Explain.”

“I believe you know the next names: Kannyr Vhok and his Scoured Legion?” Pharaun paused for a sign of recognition from the high priestess.

“I do.” Which was true, but she knew only the barest facts about Kannyr Vhok, the fiendish ruler of the labyrinth beneath Hellgate Keep, and his army of tanaruk. “They are a hazard on the route to Menzoberranzan. What of them?”

The scout did not answer her directly. “May I ask what it is Vedo found outside the city?”

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Siege equipment.”

“Ah yes, that.” Pharaun ran his fingers through his hair.

“How is Kannyr involved in this?” Sheyreiza asked growing more impatient in direct proportion to the growing importance of this conversation.

“Much of what I know is speculation.” The mercenary cautioned.

“I would love to hear it.” Sheyreiza said as evenly as she could given her growing agitation. She did not want to hear excuses, back-pedaling or disclaimers. She wanted to hear what was going on.

“I had intended to wait longer to bring anything concrete to your attention.”

“I appreciate that but my sources tell me that time is running out quickly.” She gestured around her. “The chaos within the city grows.”

“Very well.” Pharaun relented. Sheyreiza suspected he would have no matter what, but like a bashful lover, just needed a bit of gentle coaxing. “Do you know of a Balor Lord named Wendonai?”

“Yes.” Sheyreiza replied with a slight grin. How did she know it would lead back to that fiend?

“Good. I was on the expedition in which his summoning occurred, you may have heard this from Vedo.”

Vedo had mentioned the demon, and she had learned much from Hartex, but she wanted to know what Pharaun knew. “Tell me in your words.”

“I was given the assignment by Rua of Tuin't Luthol to dispose of a troublesome group of orcs occupying the Ammarindar mines. After assembling a group, including your nephew Vedo, we departed and after a short journey arrived. The orcs proved uninteresting and little challenge, but as we neared the end of the mineshaft we came across a group of wizards conjuring the demon. Of course as the creature came into our world I ordered the retreat, knowing it would be impossible to kill such a thing. It's voice rang out as we fled: ‘Tell your people Wendonai has returned.’” Sheyreiza’s eyebrows went up but Pharaun continued. “That is not the interesting part. It was the small slip of Rua's tongue that caught my attention. He cursed Kannyr's name for acting 'too soon'. It is obvious then that the demon, Kannyr and even Tuin't Luthol are linked somehow.”

“Indeed.” If what Pharaun was saying was true, this was a conspiracy that went beyond bringing down one house; this was a conspiracy that could threaten the city. “Kannyr the force outside, Tuint Luthol, or some of it, the force inside, and Wendonai the unifying and motivating force.”

Pharaun shook his head. “No, I do not believe so. I think Kannyr is the driving force.”

“Then he has gotten much more ambitious.” From what little she knew, Kannyr was but an opportunistic brigand; not the sort with ambition, brains or courage enough to take on an entire city like Ched Nasad.

“I have more to tell Yathallar.”

The scout was impertinent, but Sheyreiza was ready to forgive any slight breaches of etiquette; if true, his information was far too good. “By all means, continue.”

“I believe the next thing I tell you should greatly concern you. On another mission given by our beloved Rua, I was informed that I must secure an alliance with one of Kannyr's underlings, a demonkin called Alisza. The nature of the alliance I was not informed of, but Alisza gave something away, though I do not put much stock in it myself: ‘The top 12 houses of Ched Nasad hold the strength, but much of it is invested in the Shade War.’ She alluded that whoever could remove those Houses would have the city - something obvious to almost every cretin in one hundred miles, but still, worth noting. Anyway, Alisza would only agree to arrange a meeting with Kannyr for Tuin't Luthol provided I could garner her an audience with Shurtallistryl the wyrm.” Pharaun paused again, looking at Sheyreiza intently. “Something, Yathallar, in which I succeeded.”

She let out a long sigh. “It seems our city's enemies are unifying.”

“What they spoke of I do not know, but I imagine it was an arrangement not in Ched Nasad's favour. What is worse is that when I returned to Tuin't Luthol with my success, the Ventash'ma and Kannyr had already come to an agreement. Removing Clan Deepgloom served one purpose: solidifying Tuin't Luthol's position in the city - and everything that entails.”

“It did more than that.” Sheyreiza said with a wry little smile.

“Oh?” The scout could not hide his surprise or his curiosity.

“You have not asked me why, if I knew Deepgloom did not abduct Faerylene, that we went forward with destroying them.”

“I did not think you would tell me.”

“Fair enough.” Sheyreiza admitted with a tilt of her head. “But I shall tell you, for I find it interesting in light of the circumstances.” She leaned forward in her chair, smiling beautifully. “The destruction of Deepgloom was willed by Lolth.”

Pharaun blinked. “How do you know this?”

Sheyreiza sat back in her chair. “We divined early on that Deepgloom was not responsible, but we also divined that Lolth wanted them destroyed.”

“I see.” The scout thought on this for a moment. “That makes no sense to me, but I am no yathrin.”

“I can see the reason why.” Sheyreiza said with knowing arrogance. “Deepgloom was a rival and a possible threat to Tuint Luthol. With its destruction, Tuint Luthol is secure and this pleases Lolth. This tells me Lolth would prefer the body of Tuin’t Luthol, as you would say, to be spared.”

“You are wise, Yathallar. That does indeed make sense.” Pharaun said at once.

Sheyreiza almost laughed. Wise? Certainly Pharaun would want to her to think so as it meant the difference between Auvryndar killing the Ventashma or purging the entire membership of Tuin’t Luthol, Pharaun included. “Indeed, it inclines me towards removing the head only, as you say, for Lolth has moved Auvryndar to secure the body of Tuin’t Luthol already.” She looked the mercenary over for a moment. “Is there any
more?”

“Yes. One more thing, and it is important.”

“I am listening then.” She replied.

“You may or may not know of a letter found on the mission in which Vedo saw the siege weaponry?”

“I heard of it.”

“Do you know what was said in the letter?”

“Not precisely, no.”

“I have it memorised.” Pharaun said gravely. “ ‘Auvryndar will destroy you without the support of my House. You can still be of use to us. Ensure the items arrive and all will be well.’ You may be wondering how I know the letter so well. It is because I found one exactly the same in Clan Deepgloom's hall, on the desk of their leader.

“Did you? I did not even notice.” She nodded and smiled with a bit of respect. “Very good on your part.”

“I hope you will forgive my theft, but I knew your Qu'ellar already to be in possession of its brother, so I took the liberty of investigating.”

“Was either letter signed? Addressed?”

“No, of course not. Which is why I investigated further. I hope you will also forgive my use of a heresy to find the letter's source...but I did not have the means or inclination to ask a drow. I found a diviner, a duergar cleric.”

“You are forgiven..this time.” But she would make a note of it just the same.

Pharaun continued. “I asked her to divine the letter's author, and for a princely sum she agreed.” He paused, flexed his fingers and swallowed hard. “She cast whatever spells were required...I will not forget the terror in her eyes as her body immolated and she fell into a pile of smouldering ash. Before she died, she said the following. She told me she saw a male drow with fine clothes sitting indoors, but then she became adamant it was not a drow. She then cried out in fear and said that she had been 'seen.’ The last word she uttered was ‘Wendonai'”.

“Unfortunate for her and for us. Is that all of it then?” Normally hungry for information, Sheyreiza had her fill of bad news already and she prayed he was through delivering it.

“Yes, everything I know so far. But I learn more every day.”

Time to make the deal. “Pharaun, if what you say is true, then Auvryndar will decapitate Tuin’t Luthol and leave the body alive and healthy...for you and yours. And naturally, Tuint Luthol will enjoy a long and profitable contract with us.”

“I have no interest in becoming the Ventash'ma. It is a position of too much danger.”

“Mik'laysee is fine.” Sheyreiza offered. At this point, one puppet was as good as another. “What we need to know is how to decapitate Tuint Luthol. The ventashma has proven rather...difficult.”

“I do not know for certain how to deal with the Ventash'ma, but I will find out.” Perfect, Sheyreiza thought. She stood as Pharaun spoke and began stripping out of her armor. The scout watched with growing curiosity and apprehension. Once stripped to her silk undergarments, she slipped a hand into her sex and began rubbing herself. Pharaun, clearly uncomfortable, began shifting around in his seat as the high priestess masturbated in front of him. She did not finish however. Instead, she withdrew her hand and gently wiped her moist fingers on Pharaun’s lips and then ran them through his hair.

“Look upon my sex, and see how my tattoo is drawn there. If any ask why you came here this cycle, just tell them it was to satisfy me. Nothing more.” And such an answer would hold up even under magical interrogation for it was true; he was here to satisfy her desire for knowledge. Pharaun’s eyes drifted, almost reluctantly, from Sheyreiza’s face to her sex. There he saw what she meant for him to see; a tattoo of webbing coiled up her left leg and then across her body. Its strands were decorated with tiny spiders; the whole of the tattoo, webs and spiders, was white – except for one tiny spider just above her sex that bore a unique color.

As Sheyreiza began to dress the door to the lounge opened and Sheyreiza’s acolyte, Faerylene walked in.

“Vendui Yathtallar Sheyreiza.” Faerylene said with a nod while eyeing Pharaun.

“Vendui' acolyte.” Sheyreiza said with a playful grin. “Pharaun was just demonstrating his oral skills.” Which was true also, in its own way. Sheyreiza finished dressing and dismissed Pharaun who left without further prompting.

So this was the grand plot; Kannyr Vhok had caused the return of the fiend Wendonai. Having successfully brought the demon back into this world, he now gained control of a force inside the city, Tuin’t Luthol. To secure Tuin't Luthol's position, and perhaps to punish the duergar for not cooperating, Tuin't Luthol set Deepgloom up to bear Auvryndar's wrath with a spin-off organization called the Shadows. But even that was not enough; to this mix add an alliance with the black wyrm Shurtallistryl which lived not far from Ched Nasad’s gates. Kannyr, it seemed, was getting ambitious, brave, smart, and thorough. Sheyreiza, however, did not believe it for a second. Wendonai might have needed Kannyr’s wizards to summon him back to the material world, but she had no doubt who was really pulling the strings here and it was no misbegotten half-fiend brigand and his misshapen orcs; one way or another, Wendonai was behind this. And he was an opponent to be respected.

Against this plot Sheyreiza now put her own into motion; with Pharaun's aid, and the forces of Qu'ellar Auvryndar, she would decapitate the leadership of the newly strengthened Tuin't Luthol and usurp control. Of course, all of this depended upon what Pharaun said being true. Before leaving with Faerylene to see the gladiator games in Skullport, Sheyreiza left orders for her servants to remove the hearts and blood from several more goblins; while the Ventashma might be protected against divinations, Sheyreiza doubted Pharaun would be - and she would know whether he spoke truth or not. Indeed, she intended to learn all she could about her new spy.

[Zakharra]

So that's what happened before I walked in.

[Mikayla]

OK, now its edited just a bit with a bit more added to the ending.

[Burt]

A pity we won't be having anymore interesting conversations like the one above.