Company+of+the+Phoenix+Session+9

** Session 9** **5/13/16** **A Traitor and an Ally in the Huntscrowns, A Magic Alley, and A New Lead on the Shade**

The heroic companions slept well in the Goldsword estate. As they were eating breakfast, a young King's Blade came to retrieve them at the request of Nilyniel.  Alix had disappeared early in the morning, but Alaric, Charlemagne , Tiri , and Anuul went with him to the palace. Anuul was very excited, racing around to get ready. After being attacked by the masked figures the night before... everyone went in full armor, prepared... following the Blade who moved with swift purpose through the city.

Nilyniel greeted them, "I have received word from the Huntscrown estate outside of the city... in the King's Forest . There has been an accident, but I don't know what happened. I need you to go check it out." "It could be the assassin trying to cover his tracks. We'll check it out immediately," Alaric nodded, "Has there been any sign of the shao assassin?" The battlemage shook her head, "He is either both magically and mundanely disguised or he has managed to make his way out of the city. The nobleman sorcerer nodded, "We shall get to the bottom of this... for the King... and for all of Cormyr." She turned to the elven priestess, "I regret to inform you that there has been no change to your brother." "At least that means there was no change for the worse," Tiri nodded.

The four took horses, riding out to the King's Forest, taking the Way of the Dragon. The trees parted to reveal an enormous multi-dwelling estate. There was smoke coming from the chimneys, guards that walked along the tall towers, and people in the courtyard. Guards greeted them with polearms at the gate, "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Alaric nodded in greeting, "We are the Company of the Phoenix. We were sent by Nilyniel. She said that there was some sort of accident here and that we were to investigate and aid you however we can." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Excellent, please come in," the guard nodded.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "I'll take you to the body." Tiri blinked, "That must have been quite the accident then." "You don't know why you've come?" the doorman looked questioningly at them. "She just told us that you'd had some trouble," Alaric explained. "The patriarch of our family... Lord Huntscrown... has been murdered," he spoke solemnly. "So sorry for your loss," the elven priestess tried to offer some small comfort. He thanked her and led them up a stone stairwell that wound around a wall to the left. There were a number of buildings that held the barracks, servants quarters, and the like before another wall partitioned off a larger building that led to another gate to get up to the main multi story house that sat higher on a hill. He called for a young boy named Reggie who took the companions' horses off to the stables. A house guard led them up the stone stairway to the main house. Everyone in the area seemed very downcast... Windows were open and several Huntscrown families had been uprooted and moved together in this large estate. An older man, the patriarch of the family... was laid out on a table. Several knife wounds were on his chest.

"He was found in his study... in his chair," the guard nodded, "His nephew found him." Alaric, Charlemagne, and Tiri looked over the body while Anuul looked around. The patriarch had 3 knife wounds in his chest, 2 in his back, and ink was smeared on the sides of his hands. They were led past a courtyard and into the high house through several family members who watched them with interest and caution. They made their way to the study where there was blood soaked into the chair and the rug beneath it. There was blood and ink spattered on the desk. It looked as though there were once papers where voids in the spatter were on the desk. Charlemagne got some old charcoal from the fireplace and lightly sprinkled it onto the desk. A very light impression was left on the matting of the desk. They could only make out the addressee... R.

Detecting magic around the room, Alaric discovered that the inkwell on the desk was magical and never emptied. There was also a book that glowed lightly on a shelf of the massive bookcase in the room. The book did not contain spells... instead there were hand-written notes hidden with magic inside the book. Tiri spoke with their young guide while Alaric studied the book. "The master almost always worked in his study with the door locked... when we found him, the doors were open," the boy explained. Charlemagne looked around the room to find closed windows and open doors on the balcony. It appeared that the elder man was stabbed in the back twice and then pushed back in his chair as his assailant angrily stabbed him three more times in the chest.

Alaric read the letters hidden in the book to find a condemning note to the Patriarch Huntscrown from the signature of R... The writer was angry that the patriarch had failed his opportunity 4 years ago... Thinking back... it was 4 years ago when Kalaree interrupted the assassination attempt on her father, Azoun. It seemed that the patriarch and this "R" had a hand in the assassination attempt.

The nephew who had discovered the body eventually arrived at the study. Marcus Huntscrown. "It was late yesterday evening. I was making my way to my room. I am formerly from the north... but we arrived yesterday morning. We are staying up on the fifth floor. On my way up," he gestured to the doorway, "I seen the door was open... when I looked in on it, I seen the body." "Were you close to your uncle?" Tiri asked. "Not really," Marcus shook his head, "My father is his brother and there was some animosity there... so I never really got to know him." "Had you noticed your uncle arguing with anyone that day?" Alaric asked. "To be honest... there's been a lot of arguing around here... and I've heard his name come up in conversation, but I didn't see anyone arguing with him directly," Marcus shook his head, "And most didn't talk about him too much in the open." "Probably wise," Alaric nodded, "The patriarch of the family and all..." Marcus nodded to him, "And he didn't let us forget about it." "Who has taken your family's exhile the hardest, do you think?" Charlemagne asked. "The families in Suzail are pretty bitter, but most of the family is pretty angry," Marcus frowned, "I hope that you can get to the bottom of it... things like this shouldn't happen in ... families like ours." He couldn't say nobility anymore... but the companions could tell that the word had been on the tip of his tongue.

"Were there any non-family visitors here recently?" Alaric asked. "Not since I've been here," Marcus shook his head. "Who was he closest to in the family?" Alaric asked. "He has two sons. His wife passed away two summers ago," Marcus answered, "But oddly enough... he will often use my mother as a confidante and sounding board." "He confided in her?" Charlemagne asked. "Often," Marcus nodded. He led them up to his mother's room... Miriam Huntscrown.

He knocked on his parents' room, "Mother... the inquisitors have come to speak with you." An older woman who's hair had turned white answered the door. She was still attractive, but age had certainly touched her. Alaric thanked and dismissed Marcus before turning to the human woman, "May we come in and speak with you?" She nodded, opening the door wider to invite them in. "So sorry to disturb you during such a trying time," Charlemagne apologized to her. She shook her head sadly, "It's very upsetting." "We would like to get to the bottom of what's happening," Charlemagne explained. She nodded, "We would like that as well." "We heard that the patriarch respected your opinion and spoke with you often," Alaric added. "Yes," she nodded, "When he had need of me." "Did he ever discuss with you the attempted assassination on King Azoun?" Alaric asked very directly. "N-no! Of course not!" Miriam looked shocked and taken aback that they knew... it was obvious that she knew... but she didn't think anyone else knew, "Preposterous! I'm insulted at the very insinuation!" "Madame..." Charlemagne spoke calmly, "Calm down. There's no need for these hysterics. We're all adults here and standing at least a little bit on the same footing." "There were no accusations made... it was a simple question of had you discussed it," Tiri added, "However... with a reaction like that..." "I think that you know more than you're letting on," Alaric finished for her, adding, "We were tasked by Lady Nilyniel to get to the bottom of things here." Tiri watched the elder woman scowl at the mention of warmage princess.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "And I think were we to show her the evidence we've collected of your patriarch's involvement..." Alaric went on, "Well let's just say that exhile would be a walk in the park compared to what she would do to your family at that point... and we would hate to have something happen to your family." Miriam sighed heavily and sat on the edge of her bed, "No need... How do you know this?" "We know that he's been in contact with an individual... some correspondence passed between the two... but we only know that your patriarch referred to him or her as "R"," the golden haired sorcerer answered her, "Perhaps you can tell us who this individual is as he seems to be the one that led your patriarch down a bad bad path... and maybe we can save some of your family." "Raven... his name is Raven," she answered, her face falling with crushing despair. "Who is this Raven?" Alaric pressed further. "He's a shade," she answered. Charlemagne scowled, "That doesn't sound good." "How involved are you?" Tiri asked her, "Do you know why he was striking bargains with this Raven?" "He was just a man... who sought power... trying to better his family through... less than honorable means," Miriam sighed.

"And you knew of this?" Alaric raised an eyebrow, "What dealings have //you// had with this Raven?" Miriam shook her head, "I have had none." "But the Patriarch spoke to you about it?" Alaric asked again. She nodded, "To me and me alone." "And surely you told him that it was madness... and he did it anyway?" the charismatic sorcerer pressed. "Indeed," Miriam nodded. Tiri watched her, Miriam didn't appear to be lying, but she didn't seem to be telling everything either. "And who else in the family knew about this?" Alaric asked. "Only he and I knew," Miriam answered, adding, "Unless he told someone else that I didn't know about." "Don't worry," Charlemagne assured her, "We'll tell everyone else." Miriam looked to the floor, dread hanging on her, "Thank you... so very much."

"Do you know what this Raven looks like? Have you ever seen him?" Alaric asked. She shook her head. "Did he say what he was offering your patriarch in return for his efforts?" Alaric asked. "He was going to put him on the throne," Miriam answered solemnly. Charlemagne nodded, "So he obviously felt it was worth it if he could've pulled it off."

"And what is it about Nilyniel that makes you furrow your brow?" Tiri asked. "They are the battle mages," Miriam answered. The young elven woman raised an eyebrow, "And?" "Some years ago... a battle mage was using her power to extract information from an unwilling victim... mistakes were made and the woman died... the good king, Azoun, made that kind of magic illegal... and I don't believe Nilyniel holds strictly to those laws," Miriam explained her. "Ah, I see," the blue haired priestess nodded.

"So do you think this Raven guy is just tying up loose ends?" Charlemagne turned to his cousin, referring to the now dead patriarch. "That could be," Alaric nodded to him, "It's possible he's spoken with someone else... once the Huntscrowns lost their status, his usefulness to Raven would have diminished." Charlemagne nodded.

"With the death of Gregory, our patriarch, I believe that makes my husband our new patriarch," Miriam drew their attention back. "Isn't that convenient," Charlemagne muttered. "And it is getting late," she continued, "May I offer you all rooms here for the night?" Alaric frowned... staying in a house of murder, lies, and traitors didn't sound like the best idea... but the three decided that it would be better than their possible chances on the road at night possibly being hunted by the assassin. Tiri suggested the three of them stay in the same room with one of them keeping watch. Miriam agreed to have a room set up for them.

"Let's go find the guard captain," Alaric told his companions as they walked down the hall. "What do you want with the guard captain?" Tiri asked. "I intend to have that woman arrested," he answered simply. "Excuse me?" Charlemagne blinked in surprise. "Why?" Tiri asked. "For treason," Alaric answered, "She knew and she didn't tell." "Did she know after the fact though?" Charlemagne asked. "She's known for four years," Alaric replied. "But you want to arrest her and then spend the night here?!" his brown haired muscular cousin looked at him in shock, "Why don't we arrest her in the morning? Before the whole family comes in here to liberate her while we sleep?" Alaric frowned, "She may attempt to escape during the night... I'd hate to give her the opportunity." "Did you tell her we were going to arrest her?" Charlemagne asked. "Well no... but she probably figures that's what's going to happen," Alaric shrugged, "I still think we should arrest her tonight." "I agree with arresting her, cousin," Charlemagne nodded, "It's your timing that I have a problem with." Tiri nodded beside him, agreeing. "I'll speak with the guard captain then," Alaric nodded, "I'll ask him to make sure that no one leaves here this evening." "Perhaps suggest an extra guard on Miriam to protect her in case the assassin is still in the area," Charlemagne nodded. Alaric agreed and informed the guard captain.

The family offered them a room in one of the dens and gave them pillows and blankets. The three settled in, hoping that there would be some sighting of the assassin in the night... Thinking about arresting Miriam and what might happen to her... Charlemagne recalled when he seen the body of the assailant in Suzail that had tried to kill the king... It had been drawn, quartered, entrails dumped, and hung on the bridge in Suzail. He shuddered. Light dinners were brought for each of them, and Tiri wove a purification over everything before they ate.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Anuul set a teacup in front of the door to alert anyone of the door opening in the night. Charlemagne walked through the room, checking it out. He found that the brandy was the same as in the other study. There was a secret door behind a painting of Gregory himself. The group carefully went down the secret staircase lined with sconces that Alaric lit as they walked. The stairs went down to a small room with an altar to Shar. Goddess of darkness, forgetfulness, and loss. "A closet Shar worshiper... the sins of this family run deep," Alaric shook his head in disapproval. Tiri looked disgusted by the holy symbols and laid a finger to the star on her forehead as she whispered a prayer to Corellion. "Do you think the whole family worships this woman?" Charlemagne looked over the altar and back to his companions. "I hope not," Tiri shook her head. They set another tea cup in front of the hidden door and made sure the den was well lit. Anuul, Charlemagne, and Alaric were just starting to doze as Tiri took the first watch.

The priestess quickly nudged the others to wake when she heard running feet and screams coming from above them, "Sounds like trouble. Meet me upstairs!" The three quickly got up and followed after the priestess who was already running up the stairs in full stride. A bloody smear ran across Miriam's bedroom door that had been blown off of it's hinges. Miriam had been stabbed repeatedly and her husband's head had been cut off! With no doubt that both were dead, the elven woman turned around and followed the blood trail back down the hall. As her companions were on their way up the stairs, she ran back past them heading down, and they quickly followed.

Exiting the main house, they passed a large fountain and seen lights coming on in another house where screams quickly followed! Tiri skidded through the house to see several younger teens and children holding a teen who had been cut and they pointed down the hall, "He went that way!" She barely slowed down, thanking the kids as she ran. First into the living room, she seen a shirtless man wearing a white mask and driving a large knife into another couple on a loveseat in the room! He glanced back over his shoulder and turned to face the priestess with an aggressive stance. She stood her ground, "I'm not a member of the Huntscrown family. Cease and desist." He maintained an aggressive stance, holding the knife, and moving like he was going to charge her. The young elven woman sent a gold bolt of pure energy from the silver star on her forehead to rush through the masked man... but he seemed perfectly unharmed. She blinked at him in surprise, "You're good?" He tossed the knife, catching it, and charged her to knock her aside with his forearm!

Alaric, Anuul, and Charlemagne came through the garden to see the white masked man running out of the door with the blue haired priestess right behind him. "He's of good align," she shouted at them, "Just take him down." "Just stop! Talk to us!" Tiri yelled at the assassin running ahead of her. "Surrender!" Alaric held up his hand to the man running toward them. "More corrupt guards hired by my family? Never!" the young man retorted. "Who is your family? We are not hired guards," Tiri replied, skidding to a halt behind him, "We're the Company of the Phoenix." "The Huntscrowns are my family... or were... those still deserving of the name," the man replied, adding angrily, "You were hired to prove their innocence, right?" "What? No!" Tiri shook her head, "We're working for the palace." "We were sent to find out what happened here," Alaric agreed. "What is your name, boy?" Charlemagne asked, looking at the masked man who was a little older than he. "Mikhail," the man answered... he was one of Gregory's sons. "My name is Tiri'Elenai," the priestess nodded to him, "We've been uncovering the truth." "How did you come to know of the plot of your family?" Alaric asked. Mikhail was becoming calmer, and his shoulders drooped, "I uncovered his letters." "As did we... tonight," Tiri nodded.

"He tried to kill the king 4 years ago... had a second chance just recently," the once noble son spoke solemnly. "We'll be taking this news back to the palace," Tiri started to explain. "It doesn't do me any good now... my family's name is rubbish," he scowled. "The sins of the father are not the sins of the son," she tried to continue. "I know that!" he interrupted her, his frustration coming through gritted teeth, "Azoun wont care! He'll kill us all... burn this house to the ground!" "Is that how your king operates?" Tiri turned to Charlemagne and Alaric who shook their heads. "He would only punish those directly involved with the plot... not those of the family who are innocent... although I doubt there is little that we can do to restore your family's place in Suzail," the golden haired sorcerer answered. "I have already punished those involved," Mikhail growled his words. "Then come with us to the palace... state your case. Show them that you are honorable. Bring good to your name... it is//your// name now," Tiri suggested. "I don't want it," Mikhail shook his head. "You may not want it," Alaric replied, "But there are still young Huntscrowns who wish to become old Huntscrowns." "And they're going to need someone to look up to," Charlemagne agreed, "Perhaps you can capture what your predecessors have lost for you." "And if you come with us," Alaric nodded, "We hunt the shade called Raven." "The one my father was speaking with... the one who tricked them," Mikhail nodded slowly, "Deal."

There was no blood on Mikhail's knife... "That's quite the interesting blade you have there," Tiri nodded toward it. "It will not harm the innocent," he replied. Tiri frowned, thinking of the young teen he had cut on his way through the house. She healed the boy and the companions gathered to look through Mikhail's gathered evidence. As it turned out... the black onyx spider gems were a trick sent as punishment for Gregory's failure 4 years prior... getting him thrown out of the city. The letters spoke of a meeting between Gregory and Raven in Suzail, but mostly they met in the estate here. A Huntscrown was a door guard in the original plan 4 years ago who let the assassin in the door.

The group spent the evening burying the bodies and settling the family. Charlemagne nodded to Mikhail, "If you're ever in the area, you're welcome at my family's estate. I don't mind giving someone a second chance. We'll be glad to give you a hand up." "Thank you very much, it's all I could ask," Mikhail nodded to him.

They didn't get much sleep before they headed out in the morning. Mikhail agreed to get his family's estate in order and to meet them in Suzail. The companions returned to the palace where they filled in Nilyniel on everything that happened. They brought her letters of proof and Shar holy symbols from the estate. "So the shades have turned their eyes to Cormyr?" the battlemage princess frowned. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> "At least one of them," Charlemagne and Alaric answered at the same time. The sorcerer nodded to his cousin and continued, "Certainly after their defeat in Sembia, it seems they're looking for more bolt holds to hide in. Having a puppet on the throne would have been to their liking." Nilyniel nodded, "Retire into luxury... forcefully become a member of the family... kill the family... and then take the throne."

"Not all of their family was bad though," Tiri assured her. Alaric nodded in agreement, "One of their members... a Mikhail..." "His son," the princess nodded, recognizing the name. "Yes... he discovered his father's plot," the green-eyed sorcerer explained. "He exacted his own justice on his family," Charlemagne nodded. "He attempted to restore his family's honor in a most... bloody and permanent way," Alaric agreed. "So... he's a good guy?" the battlemage looked at them questioningly. "Well... he wasn't involved in this plot," Alaric answered. "Okay then," she nodded, content with that answer. "He certainly exacted a bloody retribution on all of his family that did know of the plot," Alaric continued, "And our priestess cast a spell that would normally harm an evil individual and it didn't cause any harm to him... so it credits him that he was not a part of the wrongdoings of his family nor trying to deceive us... and he wishes to aid us in hunting down this "Raven"." Nilyniel nodded, impressed by the boy's credit, and asked, "Do we have a lead on this shade?" "Unfortunately not much," Alaric shook his head, "We only know that they met here in Suzail and the Huntscrown estate... and I doubt he has any reason to return to their meeting places now... and from what I understand of shades, they are tricky to find even if you know where they are... but it seems he is still involved in trying to kill the king and his line. He was responsible for the onyx spider gems... and likely for that shao assassin who shot at Sebathian... since there is a Shar connection there." Nilyniel nodded, "I'll check with my priest to see if he's deciphered that prayer scroll you found with the shao." "That may help," Alaric nodded, "We don't have a lot of clues to track him down... Perhaps if you could do some scrying on these holy items... maybe one or more of them came from Raven and will show some connection to him that way." "I will see to that," she nodded. "Is there anything else that we can do for you?" the nobleman sorcerer asked. "I'll get started with these items and do some scrying right away... I'll get back to you," she answered, looking over the strange circle of purple surrounded by a circle of black symbols. "We will be at the Goldsword estate should you need us then," Alaric nodded, "Though I'm sure Tiri would like to see her brother." The elven woman beside him nodded her head. "Of course, I'll send someone when I need you," she nodded to the sorcerer before turning back to the priestess, "Follow me."

Tiri followed Nilyniel down the halls, "Have other priests and priestesses been brought in to try and draw out the darkness?" "Several," she nodded, "He doesn't appear to be getting worse..." "So he's in a sort of stasis?" she asked. "It appears that way," the battlemage nodded. She took her to a large and luxurious bedroom where her brother lied on the bed made as comfortable as they could make him. Several runes had been drawn over his skin from head to toe. The blue-haired elven woman sat down next to him, taking his hand into hers, and chatted with him as though he could hear her.

Alaric and Charlemagne returned to the Goldsword estate with Anuul. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Katelyn quickly presented herself to meet them, "Where have you been? I've been worried sick!" "I'm sorry I worried you, Mother," Alaric embraced her, "I was on an important mission from the palace. Your son is moving up in the world." "So I've heard! I'm very proud! Concerned for your safety... but very proud," she smiled, pausing for a moment, and nodded "Now that you're moving up in the world... so you say... We had plans to give this to you when you were a bit more knowledgeable... but it seems that you have need of it now." "I bow to your wisdom," he deeply nodded to her, "You are my mother." She smiled, "Come with me..."

Charlemagne took the opportunity to head to the local tavern while Alaric accompanied his mother. She led him down the stairs where an ancient chest sat on a shelf. She opened it with a key, "This was your grandfather's... and it has stayed here, waiting for you." She removed a grand scepter that appeared to be carved from dragon bone. It had a metallic gold dragon woven around a fiery orb where another dragon was depicted flying within. (Currently works like a lesser rod of empowerment) Alaric nodded in impressed approval, "Thank you, Mother. I shall wield it proudly in the name of the Goldswords." "May it guide you to warm fires and new heights," she nodded. He embraced her warmly.

"This doesn't mean you can go out and be reckless," she chastised, "You be careful!" "Of course not, Mother... You've never known your son to be... //that// impetuous," he grinned at her, "Though perhaps a little impetuous... but I have friends now... Charlemagne is strong, and the elf keeps me healed..." "And me!" Anuul's singsong voice came from the doorway behind them. Alaric turned around in surprise, "Shouldn't you be with the ranger? What are you a stalker? ...you are a stalker, aren't you?" She blushed, twirling back and forth while holding her tail, "Maybe..." "Well this is mine," he clutched the scepter in his hands. "It's awfully shiny," she craned her head to get a better look. "Mine," he replied more firmly, "Hands off."

Charlemagne enjoyed a couple of hours at the bar, his badge of the phoenix and Ashweaver on his hip caught a few glances. Tiri spent time praying over and talking to her brother. Eventually Nilyniel came into More'nue's room, "I may have a lead..." "Your highness," the elven priestess nodded deeply to the battlemage, "A lead on Raven? or the shao?" "Possibly on Raven," she answered, "And I believe we have the scroll translated. Can you gather your company?" "Of course," Tiri nodded. She patted her brother's hand in farewell and left the palace at once.

Everyone gathered to speak with Nilyniel at the palace. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> The battlemage princess met them in the courtyard, accompanied by Rhaine Blacksilver. Alaric nodded to the young woman, "Rhaine, it's so good to see you again." "Master Goldsword," the young King's Blade nodded back to him in greeting. "Your highness," Tiri bowed her head in greeting to the fourth daughter of the king. Nilyniel nodded, "My priests were able to decipher the scroll from the shao... and it was in fact a short prayer to Shar. So it would seem that this shao is in league with Shar." "So it could be an agent of this Raven," Alaric nodded, "Or it could have even been Raven himself... we don't know." The beautiful leader of the battlemages nodded in agreement, "We don't know... but we scried the holy items you brought as well... the results were interesting." "Where did they lead?" the golden haired sorcerer asked. "To a corridor... here in Suzail," she answered. "Really?" Tiri blinked in surprise, "Well that //is// interesting." "Indeed," Nilyniel nodded, "And nod just any corridor... Come with me."

She led them through the city, through the market, and to a dead end in an alleyway, "Only the elite know of this place... Once inside, seek the Gold Dragon. He is gifted in perception. He would have noticed a shade's passing. ...I have had these crafted for each of you and hopefully they will serve you at least temporarily." She passed a single mask to 3 of the companions. Anuul waited excitedly with her hands held out, but Nilyniel shook her head, "Sorry, young one, but you do not get to go." The kitsune's face fell and her shoulders and tail wilted. Tiri laid a gentle hand on Anuul's shoulder, "We'll be right back for you, Anuul." Charlemagne donned his mask... it was that of a great bull faced warrior with a ring in his nose, horns, and teeth gritted. He grew to a daunting 8 feet tall and 4 ft wide! Alaric slipped his over his face, showing the head of a great gold dragon with horns and a snout. His shoulders appeared wider, and golden scales ran down his arms. Tiri's was sprite-like and elvish, making her beautiful feature look like she was carved from wood. She appeared taller, and branches grew out as part of her hair. All of them were shocked as they looked around at each other. Anuul quivered as she looked them over, wided eyed, "You're all so pretty..." Once they were ready, Nilyniel nodded and cautioned them, "Don't stay here long. Anything can be bought or sold here, allowing time and money." She gestured to open a doorway in the alleyway. Music flowed within and the smell of incense wafted into the alley.

The three stepped through, pushing curtains out of the way. They appeared on the second floor of a vast club. There were people dancing, smoking hookahs, and drinking at the bar. There were curtained off private rooms all around the room. Everyone here was in a special mask that made them look like all sorts of things... elves, demons, beasts, and all sorts of magical things. A devil was tending the bar. Charlemagne nodded to him as the three of them stepped up, "Well, well, well... Beelzebub, how's it going?" "My man," the devil nodded to him, his voice a charming whisper of temptation and seduction, "What'll you have? House special?" Charlemagne nodded in agreement, watching as the devil uncorked a bottle with a green aura. Smoke wafted out of the bottle and the red-skinned bartender breathed it in for a moment as he poured the glass, shuddering in pleasure with his eyes rolling partially back. He corked the bottle and slid the glass to the Charlemagne, white smoke still wafting up from the glass. "First time, right?" the devil smiled, "This one's on the house. Don't let the smoke stop... drink it while it's fresh." Charlemagne picked up the strange glass and breathed in the smoke... it smelled like joy and happiness and tipping it just to his lips, it tasted like candy... He tossed it back to drink the shot, and felt his body go numb for a moment... and slowly his body tingled back to feeling...

As his cousin sat in stunned shock and pleasure, Alaric turned to the bartender, "We're looking for a kin of mine... a gold dragon." "Of course you are," the devil smiled and gestured across the room, "Third curtain from the corner... I think your daddy is there." His laugh was mocking and menacing at the same time. Charlemagne watched trails of color waft off of everyone's hand gestures. He could see odor and smells... A cackling witch and a werewolf walked by. "You saw that, right? Tell me you seen that too," Charlemagne looked at his companions. Tiri nodded, watching the two walk by, "I see them too." "Walk with confidence. Stay focused and follow me," Alaric nodded seriously to both of them... the people here would chew them up easily if they sensed weakness. The golden haired sorcerer strode across the room, directly to the curtain with Charlemagne and Tiri following behind.

Pulling the enormous rope to draw the curtain open, the companions seen a bald man... weighing around 700-800 pounds... and fully painted in gold. Three breath-taking beautiful women fawned over him. Each was also painted in gold. One stood on a chair behind him, rubbing his bald head while another laid across his mammoth thigh, stroking his enormous belly. The third stood off to the side, fanning him with a wide woven palm leaf. He watched the expressions on the three companions as they took in the sight, and he chuckled with delight... showing his teeth that looked like baked beans and broken tic tacs!

"Greetings, gold dragon," Alaric nodded respectfully. "Come in," the bulbous and massive golden man spoke with a deep and vibrating voice, waving them closer, "I heard you were coming... what can the Gold Dragon offer you?" "We seek a shade," Alaric answered, "One named Raven." "You have his name," the Gold Dragon nodded in approval, "then you already have power." "He lurks like a snake in the grass... plotting assassinations," the sorcerer sneered at the very thought of the despicable thing they hunted. "All shades plot assassination," the golden man spoke slow and deep. "We seek to bring him into the light, and hope that you can help us," Alaric nodded.

"What do you offer?" the massive man asked, a fog of stench hanging around him. "What do you want? Perhaps we can offer some information in return?" Alaric answered. "I would settle for your names," he nodded. "Oh... that is a powerful thing you ask for," Alaric nodded. "I'm sure your king would reward you well," the man nodded.

"Griffendale Whitestrake," Charlemagne nodded, offering a fake name. "Whitestrake," the golden massive man seemed to taste the name as he spoke it, and then lifted his arm... enormous rolls of fat hanging off of it... and a sickening cloud of foul stench rolled out, "Lick my hand." Charlemagne turned a little green as he looked at the extended hand, and shook his head, taking a step back, "I'm gonna pass... I have this hand allergy..."

Alaric shook his head and nudged his cousin aside, "I am Alaric Goldsword." "Goldsword," the foul golden man nodded, tasting the name with approval, "A good name... a prosperous family." Alaric nodded. "And you?" the odorous and enormous man turned back to Charlemagne. "Charlemagne Rallyhorn," the warrior spoke his name like it took all of his will to mutter it off of his lips. "Rallyhorn... the King's Sword," the Gold Dragon nodded in approval. "Well... some people say that," Charlemagne agreed, looking at the green and brown swirls of odor that clung in the air... a foul scent that only the warrior could see. "And this... delightful creature," the Gold Dragon turned to the elven priestess. The young elven woman gathered her courage and stepped forward, "I am Tiri'elenae Embermoon." "Tiri'elenae... Embermoon..." the golden man took his time with each syllable of her name, "That tastes nice... Cormanthor." He nodded and swallowed. "Thank you?" She asked, hoping it was a compliment, before stepping back.

The Gold Dragon nodded, "Your shade passed through here." "Through this place?" Alaric gestured to the club around them, "Or through Suzail?" "Through here," the enormous man nodded, "We are... between... if you can understand." "Between worlds?" Charlemagne asked. "Not... between worlds... more... between places," the ever slow and deep voice of the Gold Dragon answered. "Does he come here often?" Alaric asked. "Not often... less than casual," he answered. "What does he look like when he is here?" the golden haired sorcerer asked. "When he is here... he looks as the angel of death," the enormous man grinned, showing his brown and broken teeth. "Appropriate," Tiri nodded, "You said this is between places... where is the other place?" Tiri asked. "It's between many places... if you know where to find the doors," he answered, and then smiled, "Would you like to go home? I could take you there." Home... Tiri closed her eyes to hear the sound of the forest and see the sight of her precious Crescent Moon shaped city on the side of the great lake... and she could almost smell the crisp and clean air. She sighed softly and opened her eyes, "Mmm home does sound nice, but no... I have more important obligations. Thank you though."

"Where did this shade leave to last?" Alaric asked, quickly changing the subject. "Raven still lives in what you call The Waste," the Gold Dragon slowly turned back to the sorcerer. "That's an awfully big area... 2 or 3 times the size of all of Cormyr," Alaric shook his head. "I am told that he lives near the Scimitar Spires that surround the Shadow Sea," he replied, "and he has also traveled to Sembia." "What is it that he seeks?" Charlemagne asked. "To rebuild his people," the Gold Dragon answered. "But what is it that he needs to do that?" the brown-haired warrior asked. "A seat of power... Sembia failed him. He nearly died," the robust and foul man nodded, "You should seek what it is that he seeks to draw him out." "Power," Alaric nodded, "Or perhaps a puppet on the throne." "He is a Shar lap dog... but I have heard that he blazes the trail for another," the Gold Dragon nodded. "Blazes the trail for another?" Charlemagne frowned. There was someone else more powerful behind this? The Gold Dragon nodded, mentioning a name from myth, "It is he who follows Shar... If he gets his way... then the sun may never rise again." "That's not good... I happen to be rather fond of the sun," Alaric shook his head. "These Shar worshipers are starting to piss me off," Charlemagne grumbled, "I'm a fan of the sun. How am I supposed to get a tan without the sun?" Tiri nodded in agreement, "Horrific." "Is there anything else that you might be able to tell us to help track him down?" Alaric asked. "Seek the darkest chasm that you have ever seen," his deep slow voice rumbled, "They cling to life there." Tiri frowned, "That doesn't good at all." "Maybe it's where the undead walk in that chasm we seen before," Alaric nodded, "Thank you for your time and the clue." The Gold Dragon nodded and gestured past the curtain, "I think your bartender is coming for you." Charlemagne followed his pointing to see the devil carrying a tray of drinks... the drinks were waving at him, so he waved back. "We should go," Alaric nodded to the malodorous golden man, "It was a pleasure to have met you." "Feel free to come again," the Gold Dragon nodded to him, "Now... if you'll excuse me..." He pulled the cord slowly to close the curtain... the girl who was rubbing his head, leaned down and licked over the top of his head as the curtains closed. Charlemagne was waving back at the drinks on the tray. "Let's go," Alaric nudged him along. The three of them moved quickly back the way they came passing past several people having a very good time. They pushed their way through the curtains into the bright light beyond... Nilyniel and Anuul were there waiting for them. It had been about a half hour. Alaric removed his mask and offered it back to the battlemage. She held up a single hand, "Keep it. You may need it." Tiri nodded, slipping hers into her pack, "Thank you." Alaric and Charlemagne put their away as well. "I hope it was informative?" Nilyniel looked expectantly at the companions. Alaric nodded, "We may have a lead." Charlemagne nodded, "I had a green drink with smoke in it." The mage princess turned to look at him in surprise, "Don't eat or drink there..." "What?" he blinked at her, "Bad water?" "You tell me," she smiled. "It seemed like a very nice place," Alaric nodded. "You guys smell funny," Anuul wrinkled her nose, looking at her companions. "There were a lot of herbs being smoked in there," Alaric replied to her. "And the man we talked to didn't smell very good," Tiri wrinkled her nose. "I think that's what I smell," Anuul nodded. Alaric nodded, "I feel like I need a bath." Tiri nodded, "Me too." Charlemagne nodded to her, "Want to share one?" "Oh, you want to wash my back for me?" she smiled at him, "Fantastic." Alaric shook his head, "We have female servants that can help her with that. "Of course," Charlemagne muttered something under his breath. "Anuul will come help me, won't you Anuul?" Tiri turned to the kitsune. "Yeah sure, okay," Anuul nodded to her. "Great!" Tiri took her hand, turning back to the others, "We're going to bathe!" "Can I watch?" Charlemagne asked, looking over them both. "I... I... Really?" Tiri tilted her head curiously, "I mean... I guess... Do you have a thing for soap?" "I'll admit... all of this," Anuul gestured at her own body, "Doesn't look as good wet." Tiri giggled, looking over herself, "I... I don't know... Do you think I would look good wet?" "I do bathroom nudes," Charlemagne nodded, "I'll add it to my collection." "Really?" Tiri tilted her head, "You have the strangest hobbies... Is that in your poem books?" He nodded, "Yes, I put them with my poems." "Well it's very sweet that you would consider us models..." Tiri nodded, "Though admittedly I'm a little weirded out by it... anyway, we're going to go bathe." She held the kitsune's hand and walked toward the Goldsword estate, waving behind them. Alaric turned back to Nilyniel, "He told us to look for a dark chasm where they barely cling to life... and we seen a dark chasm up a mountain to the north where the undead walked... so we're planning to look back into it. It needs to be dealt with anyway." The battlemage nodded, "I have heard of this undead problem... though I haven't heard as to whether it's been deal with yet or not. I've been a little preoccupied." "I hate necromancy," Charlemagne nodded, "He could be raising an army of undead... there's no shortage of them." Nilyniel nodded, "There are always dead people." "And they're not thinkers," Charlemagne nodded. Alaric nodded, "Kind of like fighters." "What was that?" Charlemagne turned to his cousin. "Nothing," Alaric shrugged, "We'll leave tomorrow. If any other information comes up, we'll be at the Goldsword estate. Would you like to send one of your agents along? I believe there was one in the service of the King who already offered her service..." "Ah Miss Blacksilver," Nilyniel nodded, "And will your slayer be joining you?" "Yes, I believe once he's concluded his business he'll be rejoining us," Alaric nodded. "Those bounty hunters..." she nodded, "always distracted with their businesses... where the money is... he should follow the example of his much more noble family members." She nodded to Alaric and Charlemagne. "I see you're carrying your grandfather's staff," the battlemage princess nodded toward Alaric. "Indeed," he nodded, "It is a symbol of my family. My mother felt that it was time I wielded it in the Goldsword name." She nodded with approval. "We'll leave tomorrow. Rhaine is welcome to join us. We'll be taking Mikhail along as well. I'm sure if that shade is in there... he'll want to have a discussion with him," Alaric nodded, "Sharp pointy words." "Very good then," she nodded. Anuul and Tiri bathed, helping each other with their backs and hair. The kitsune had a real talent for doing hair... lots of practice. Asking around, the blue haired priestess found out that Nuada was staying at The Colonial, a very posh hotel in the city. It was elaborate and decorated with columns carved into vines and trees. The desk clerk spoke perfect elven and directed her to the inner bar. She stepped into the room decorated like a forest with vines woven into the walls, and the bar was like a tree. Several elves were in the room. Most were reserved and quiet, sipping elven wine. The back corner was loud with Nuada and his whole crew. Several elven women, some of the staff, and a few other gentlemen had joined them. One of the men sitting at the table, Tiri recognized as Naalin... the nobleman paladin to Kelemvor who had provided Tiri and Iowyn with a place to stay in Arabelle while they were there. Several of the scouts stood up and waved to her when they seen her, "Tiri! We're back here!" She greeted them warmly, walking back to join them. One of the guys and Nuada scooted over to make room for her where she sat down next to the prince, "It's so good to see you guys! I was hoping you hadn't left yet." They got her a glass of fine elven wine and she sipped it, sighing happily as she recalled the horrific taste of the ale she had gotten so drunk on before, "This is so much better than the crap I've been subjected to as of late." "I can't even imagine," Nuada nodded to her, "Welcome home." She sighed happily. Naalin clinked glasses with her, "You've made good company." She grinned, "It's good to be here. It's great to see you in Suzail." He nodded to her, "I came in for the lovely... tragic wedding." "Yeah..." she sighed softly, "That makes two of us... and more." "How is it you've come to know the prince?" Naalin asked her. "Which one?" Tiri tilted her head, uncertain if he was referring to Nuada or Sebathian. "Prince Nuada," he gestured at the elven man at the table with them. Tiri nodded, "Nuada was kind enough to help Iowyn and I when we were traveling through Cormanthor Forest on our way to help in Arabelle." The nobleman paladin nodded in approval, "Excellent! How are things going since?" "Fairly well," she nodded, "I ended up in the King's Forest where I joined some people to form the Company of the Phoenix to help with the influx of orcs and goblins in the area." "I've heard of this Company of the Phoenix... you have made quite the name for yourselves," he nodded. "Have you? Our name is traveling fast," she blinked a little in surprise, "Well I've been traveling with Alaric Goldsword who wields magic, Charlemagne Rallyhorn brings the brute strength, and Alix Ebonhawk helps us out with stealth." "Excellent," Naalin nodded, "And who is this lovely creature?" Tiri turned to see Anuul standing behind her, blinking in surprise, "Did you follow me?" She laughed, "This is Anuul. She was Alix's friend, but he introduced us and now she's all of our friend." "Gentlemen," Anuul curtsied in greeting. Everyone scooted over, making room for Anuul to join them. She picked up a glass, her tail wagging, "I would like to try that." "I've never had the pleasure of meeting a kitsune," most of them admitted. Tiri nodded, "Me neither. She's my first. She's fantastic. She stays cheerful even in the darkest of times." Happy to have lots of attention, the kitsune flirted with several, and enjoyed her wine. "So how have you been since the wedding?" Tiri asked. "Well several came in for the wedding, and it was more than they expected at my family's estate... so I came here on a recommendation," Naalin answered. "That's fantastic! Because it means we get to see each other again," she nodded, looking around at the group, "So how long are you guys going to stay? Are you returning to High Moon soon?" He nodded to her, "Unfortunately there's not much we can do here to help... so we informed Nilyniel if she needs us that she only has to call." Tiri nodded. Naalin added that he would be returning to Arabelle unless he was needed as well. "We will be heading to Eveningstar... there are undead there that need to be dealt with," she nodded. "Undead?" Naalin perked up. "Someone was drawing up zombies from the graveyards in the area... calling them into a great chasm up the mountain," she nodded. "I, of course, offer my assistance," Naalin nodded quickly, "Whatever we can do to put these undead to rest. Kalemvor would think little of me if I did not insist that you take me along." She smiled, "I appreciate the offer. I'm sure you would be most welcome. I'll introduce you to the others." She excused herself for a few minutes, asking Nuada to borrow him. Anuul happily slipped up to Nuada's second and leaned against him a little. Tiri giggled, sure the kitsune was in good hands. Tiri took Nuada off to a quiet corner, "I don't know how many people should know... which is why I'm pulling you aside. Please be careful... we've learned more. There is a shade behind the attempted assassination 4 years ago... he was manipulating the patriarch of the Huntscrowns. Raven, the shade, sent the spiders as punishment for the failure 4 years ago... He seeks to control the power of Cormyr. I don't know that he would venture into the elven lands... but please keep your eyes open," she cautioned him. He nodded to her, "We have run across a couple of shades through the years making their way through the mountains. They're dead now." She nodded, "Two less to worry about." He nodded, "There aren't many of them... but they are powerful. You be careful... if they are your goal, then you run towards danger." She smiled, "It's not the first time... and likely wont be the last." "I had that feeling about you," he smiled and nodded, "If there's anything I can do to help... you have but to ask." "Thank you," she nodded. "I'm sure that you are under the good watchful eyes of Alaric who wants nothing but the best for you," he nodded to her. "Mmm," she frowned, thinking back on all of the ways the charismatic sorcerer spoke about her and her people... "the best for her" wasn't exactly the way she would put it... but still... she had trust in him. She looked up to meet her eyes with that of the elven prince, "I do hope that we cross paths again." He smiled his most charming smile and nodded, "I have no doubt that our paths will cross... You and your Cormyrian noblemen are always welcome in Highmoon." "Thank you," she nodded, "And, of course, you and your men are always welcome in Myth Drannor. My family would gladly welcome you to stay in our estate." He nodded, "Thank you." The two of them rejoined the table of merriment.