Adobe Acrobat Format - The Grey Company

wishing to know what evil was being perpetrated to cause such anguished cries. She cast a wary glance at
Nalynn who followed along with the troop. "What was that strange flicker I saw?" she wondered to herself.
For her own part, Nalynn walked along in silence, the memories of Ebonstarr's pleasures and
torments still strong in her mind. She sensed a presence, but was unable to detect its location. "Yessss, fair
lady" a voice whispered in her ear, "I have many such pleasures and pains to share with thee." It was a
repulsive voice and some inner sense recoiled at its sound.
As Riklaun and Tizer forged ahead, a foreboding overtook them. "Danger is near Tizer, we must
be prepared," Riklaun warned. "The witch is most treacherous." Nalynn followed behind them with
Sheilandri bringing up the rear, a growing dread gnawed at her stomach. They reached another fork in the
underground maze; the elves paused to get their bearings. Silently, Riklaun pointed to the right. He took a
step forward. A snap echoed through the corridor as a tripwire broke, and the wall to their left disintegrated
revealing a horde of Fire Elementals and Ogre Mages.
They drew their weapons and prepared to fight. A fiery glow erupted in Nalynn's eyes. She whirled
and drew her sword, holding it against Sheilandri's breast. "One step closer and the she-elf dies!" she
snarled.
"Ebonstarr! Vile witch!" Riklaun hissed as he and Tizer closed ranks. The Elementals surrounded
them as they quickly cast their globes.
"Go ahead, puny elves, your globes will not save you here. These caverns have sapped your energy
and strength! Fight if you must, but lose you will."
"Riklaun, don't fight her." Nalynn said, struggling to free herself of the other who possessed her
mind and body. "Silence, feeble elf!" the witch sneered as she reasserted her claim of the elf's body. "Now,
shall we all go ahead into my chambers below?"
Facing overwhelming odds, Riklaun nodded to the other elves to sheath their swords. Solemnly
they walked, Nalynn cautiously poking her sword into Shiel's side. They decided it was better to visit
Ebonstarr before anymore elves died.
Chapter 30
Brisid watched his drow captor walk out of the cavern. "Who's that?" he whispered to Dwaerten,
the deep gnome prisoner.
"That's Sar'Nav'ell, some priestess from another drow house."
"Riklaun told me that he had destroyed Ebonstarr's house. We have always wondered how she has
so many resources." The elf changed the subject, "I have to get out of here. I wonder why they didn't wipe
all the spells from my mind." Before Dwaerten could respond, he had closed his eyes and was casting a
lockpicking spell. As he opened his eyes, laughter echoed through the cavern. The drow priestess was
standing in front of him, watching with glee.
"Did you really think Ebonstarr would make the same mistake twice? Riklaun had once escaped
because of an overlooked 'Knock' spell. This time you are surrounded by an anti-magic globe in addition to
the lightning bars. Your weakest spells will just fizzle. Your stronger ones will be amplified and reflected
back to you," the drow boasted. "By the way, you'll be happy to know your friends have been captured and
will soon be joining you. Then the party will begin." The drow laughed again and moved out of the cave.
* * * * *
Thirteen efreeti taunted and teased the captive elves, poking and prodding, laughing and mocking
them. Dînalqua sat on the hard ground, her dress singed, her mind frayed, her hopes dashed. The other
elves, Randow, and the party of four who stayed together, shot bitter words to their captors. The efreeti
responded by turning up the flames on their fiery prison bars.
When Macheala and Blank poked their head over the hills, the efreeti were all together in one
place. Blank was about to advise a cautionary rescue, when Macheala stood and released an Ice Storm. The
efreeti were thrown from their group, trying desperately to keep their flames intact, and four lost that battle,
their skin extinguished, they winked out of existence entirely. Blank, seeing the damage done, stood and
charged the battle with spells of every kind, in rapid fire succession.
One efreeti fell, then another, then another. The knights saved no magic against the foes, and soon
there were only two left. The one turned to attack the caged elves, the other hissed and disappeared, to
warm his master.