Chapter One: The Road of Kings

[Captain Hesperus]

With the arrival of the pretty monk, the tense air of impending violence was rent asunder and replaced with a far more jovial air. Otiorin watched the whole affair with a bemused expression on his face, before offering a bow to the monk.


"Fair maiden, allow me to thank you for interceding and preventing an ugly altercation. I place myself ever at your service.", he said, his face a picture of genuine gratitude.


At her accusation, he sucked at his teeth and replied, "I find a scoundrel is needed among a group of upstanding folk such as these. They are too polite and honest sometimes, so I have to do the underhanded things that are necessary on occasions."

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

"It is a pleasure to meet one such as yourself." Wolf said and gave a small bow with his head. Then he glanced at the gauntlet strapped to his left arm. "And your eyes do not deceive you. It is indeed a hunting bird's brace, though it lacks the hunting bird at the moment, but let me see what I can do..."


The ranger looks up and visually locates the falcon, then whistles sharply to get his attention and hopefully gets the bird to return to him now that looming ground mess has been averted.

 

[Purr]

The Ko monk watches Otiorin with a hint of awe as he speaks and she nods in return. As he explains his stance, she cannot help but giggle again at Otiorin. "So you enjoy being a rascal, too! Oh, what fun!" She shakes her head in a friendly fashion and adds, "I don't have it in me to do what you do, but it sure is fun to see the effects!"


Then she turns to Wolf and listens to him. Her soft brown eyes follow his to the sky, and with his single sharp whistle, the two of them (and anyone else watching) see that little falcon-head turn right to Wolf. The hunting bird readjusts his glide and dives down in a very controlled fashion. There is a collective "Whoaaaa!" from the people as they watch his beautiful wings unfurl, his talons reaching toward his perch on Wolf's arm. And suddenly, he is there, latched onto Wolf in more ways than one.


The fabulous-looking falcon chirps a few times, but to a Ranger like Wolf, the chirping seems to have deeper meaning than what most civilized ears hear.


"Oh, look at you!" your guest says with a clear expression of admiration.

 

[Purr]

Pecker's words are meant for Wolf. "I see from above. Lots of men say, 'Ha ha!' at you. You ready. Then lots of men have face of shame. Then, 'AWWWWWWW!" Then 'Ha ha' again. Now some of them eat dirt and cry. I do not understand men. You have treat? I am good birdie!"


Your party does not have to know the language of beasts to know that Pecker often asks Wolf for treats whether or not he deserves them. It is likely very clear to Wolf that his words are meant to show Wolf that Pecker was paying attention (this time).


It is at that time your party notices the man in the orange-feathered cap and Grimdell. They are speaking, and it is not pretty.


"...You understand that all must be quiet when the good master is having his nap. He must be well-rested before tonight's journey, you know. You don't honestly believe being Bilal the Rich is easy, do you?"


Captain Grimdell sighs. "Of course not, Stewart. You are not his best lackey for nothing. But you are no warrior and you do not understand these things."


Hand on his chest, Stewart looks taken aback. "I know I am no warrior! What are you trying to say, mercenary?"


"Listen. I do not answer to you. My men and I made no deal with a weak-willed, self-effacing toadie like yourself - we deal with Bilal and Bilal only. And if he has a problem with me, he will come out here and tell me himself."


"But-"


"Go along, Stewart, and tell your master he has company that wishes to see him." Grimdell's eyes move right to your party. "Capable company." He then grins, nods once, and turns away from Stewart.


Stewart storms off and up to the wagon he had come from. There, he quietly knocks on the door, and a moment later, slips inside. Wisps of strange blue smoke lift out of the room before the door is closed and all is quiet there again. A minute scarcely passes when Stewart returns and addresses you with beckoning hands from the top of the massive wagon.


"You there! 'Adventuring Heroes' or whatever you call yourselves... Bilal the Rich, the most respected merchant alive, has a few moments for you. So, make haste! Come on! He hasn't got all night to see the likes of you. He is an important man after all..." Stewart cringes at his own comments, as if he is somehow sorry to make them, yet his voice is loud and clear as he glances behind him.

 

[Kaerri]

Kitrin grins at the monk's question about Meri. "Yep, she's my grandmother! Doesn't really understand me, nor me her, but we get on all right. Been to Highwind before, have you? Or met her on the road? Though you don't look old enough for that."


When Stewart issues his announcement to the party, Kitrin looks at her companions and shrugs. "Guess we've been summoned." She looks at the monk as she starts to move towards the massive wagon. "Say, d'you...what did you say your name was? Are you coming with, on escort or whatnot? You seem a good sort, maybe when things settle we can help you out a bit - since you helped us and all just now." She glances at her party again as if to ask if they agree.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna brushes a stray hair out of her face. With a bit of a sarcastic tone, she says, "Let us not tarry! Bilal the Rich has a few moments for us! Oh, my stars!" Then she adds a girlish giggle to it. "Seriously, let us find out just what kind of man our future employer is." Then she looks over at the monk. "I hope to speak with you again, perhaps over a game of chess sometime? I carry a small set with me to while away the hours as I travel, but my companions rarely play with me anymore."


She then heads up to the wagon to meet the high and mighty merchant.

 

[Purr]

As you make your way past the eight great horses that pull the wagon, the monk points at Kitrin. "You? You're really Miss Meri's granddaughter? Oh, wow! What a day for surprises!" She pauses and looks to Luna for a moment.


"'Chess?' What kind of game is chess?" the monk asks.


Then she pauses at the foot of Bilal the Rich's wagon. She takes a deep breath and focuses herself, and then addresses your team. "You really seem like fine people to me. I would like to travel with you-"


"Oh no!!" The two adventuring representatives turn away in disappointment.


"What?! What's wrong?"


"Nothing..." one tries to smile. "They asked you first." Then they make their ways back to their own parties empty-handed.


"What was that about?" the monk looks to everyone nearby for an answer.


"Not importaaaant!" Stewart wags his finger and ushers you up the stairs to the door. "Less than a minute before- Ah, please hurry! Oh, and once inside, mind your steps around the pool, won't you? It is slippery."


"O.K., sir," she replies. Then the monk turns her attention back to each of you and says, "Um... I really want to thank you for having me along. I don't know what dangers we will face, but I will do everything in my power to help each of you on our journey together. Just being with you makes me feel more certain of things to come." She says this with an expression of worry followed quickly by a soft smile of relief. "I think there will be things we can do together that we never could if apart."


"My lady!" Stewart shrieks.


"Oh!" She rushes up the stairs up to the front door before turning to you once more. "I'm Bria! Bria of the Ko." And she smiles to you in such a way that, just for a moment, all of your worries vanish, replaced by the cute and happy smile of someone who has firmly decided to genuinely care about you.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Pool? Truly the life of an affluent merchant must be replete with ostentatious frippery! Otiorin mused to himself as he trailed along, listening to Bria talking to the others. The man must be richer than kings to own a wagon large enough to have a pool inside. The avaricious little beast inside Otiorin coiled even as he considered the vast riches the merchant must have. What treasures does he conceal? What hazards has he placed sentinel over them? Otiorin's senses prickled and he made special care to observe every surface and alcove with the casual eye of a master thief.

 

[Purr]

As the sun sets behind the trees, Stewart opens the stout, gold-rimmed door, its iron handle set with mystic runes. He bows deeply and meaningfully, and in a calmer voice he says, "Do not mind the smoke, honored guests. It is harmless to you." He turns the handle downward and as the door opens, a thick wall of sky blue smoke wafts in the doorway, sending spicy-scented wisps many feet into the air. The few flying insects near the door waiting to get in immediately bolt away. Your feet take you through the doorway and inside.

Spoiler

This music your ears as you enter. It echoes as if it is being played from within some great hall. Surely your ears must be playing tricks on you.


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYVTr1u3EYc[/media]


The inside of Bilal the Rich's main wagon is a less-modern version of this:

It is clear that some powerful magic is afoot here. One does not need a keen mind or roguish senses to note the physically-impossible. The great six-wheeled wagon with its eight massive horses keeps not the cramped interior of a wagon, but the full-blown luxury of a fantastic room dedicated to the whims of its master. A grand pool stretches out before your eyes, and seems to invite you for a dip into its crystal-clear waters.


There are about a dozen people here all dressed similarly to Stewart, half of whom are playing musical instruments that add to the civilized ambiance. At once, they all turn and bow to you in unison. Stewart points to one of these and glances at the door. The young man moves immediately, but not hastily, as if to replace Stewart's position outside. Stewart then escorts you around the pool to the left. "Right this way, please."


As he does so, you hear him counting down. "Two... one... about now, I suppose..." And at that precise moment, the door on the far left of the room swings open, and out come a trio of beautiful human women wearing little more than what they were born with.

They are smiling and surrounding an older, round-looking fellow who is not smiling with them. You do not need Stewart to tell you - this is Bilal the Rich. He moves slowly and is dressed in a voluminous silk robe of rich reds and golds with a jeweled sash about his waist, and a fine gold chalice in his hand. This he drinks deeply from as beautiful rings shine from his fingers and ear. His expression is like that of a man in a dream until he sees your party approaching. Then with a nod, he allows you to approach him.

"Ahhh," he stretches and yawns lazily like a cat. Then he pauses when he sees your party. And without a word, he looks you over thoroughly, like a man appraising goods - A well-practiced man appraising goods. He seems to examine your gear, your body language, and more. His expressions are subtle, but you can still tell much from them.


He looks at Otiorin and his expression says, "What? Whose idea was it to bring your kind before me?" But he keeps his mouth shut and turns his narrowed eyes to the next person.


He pays Wolf little attention, seeming to pass him off as a person of little importance, but oh, do his eyes go straight to Pecker! Then.. after a moment of scrutiny, he appears bored.


When he looks at Kitrin, he seems puzzled. He scratches his head and looks to Stewart as if to say, "What is that and where did get it?" Stewart nods and smiles with hope in his expression in a clear attempt to show approval. "Fine, fine," the merchant's face seems to reply.


But then he examines Luna and Bria together and this he does with open joy. His eyes take in your figures and outfits, in that order, and then finally, your faces. He does not appear to spot Sparkle. His wide grin and trembling hands betray him while his female attendants try not to appear envious of his attentions on you. Then Bria glances at Luna as if to say, "Do you think he is thinking what I think he is thinking?"


At this point Luna remembers something else about the Ko monks - they can be remarkably naive when it comes to the outside world. They often travel in groups as not to be fooled by the cunning and the shady. And yours appears to be quite alone in that regard.


Then Bilal barks in a loud voice and claps, "Oh, these two will do nicely, Stewart! Terrific catch! Simply terrific!"


"Good master... these people are not of that host. These are adventurers..."


"Oh..."


Clearly disappointed, he finally spies the scrollcase in Bria's hand. He speaks with the same kind of authority as Captain Grimdell, as if he is a man long-used to being in charge of his own destiny. "Are you the first to see me about my generous offer? 1,000 gold to each surviving member once we reach the gates of Highwind. Easy money for a group like yourselves, isn't it?"


"Um, I hope so!" Bria replies as she admires the pool with longing.


"Of course, it is. You must stay close and guard my supplies and merchandise and keep them safe. Very safe! My merchandise is not easy to come by. In fact, impossible for most! And wait until I make my case before King and Queen Wildegard! Oh... their entire city of Highwind will be chatting about me. Me! Oh, how I will corner the market and make it mine! "


Then he reels himself in, seeking a chair to deposit his heavy frame into. He plops down and looks up to his women. He points at the pool and shouts, "Swim!" They nod eagerly and after slipping out of their skirts, they leap gracefully into the pool. Loud splashes crash over the music momentarily as the water ripples and drifts about.


"Come now," he says to you. "Ask your questions! Your kind always has questions."

 

[Purr]

As Bilal the Rich is speaking with you, there is a quick knock at the door, and in enters the young man who took Stewart's place outside. Stewart says, "Pardon me," and meets the young man. After a brief conversation, Stewart considers something and then nods. The young man disappears outside for a brief moment and returns with a tall, strong-looking man wearing well-maintained studded leather armor. None of you have met him before.


His hair is brown with a streak of white, and his eyes are of differing hues; one brown, one white. He carries two hammers on his belt; one a deadly-looking warhammer, the other is a hammer of making. Stewart approaches the fellow and says, "Follow me to rejoin your party, sir."


As they approach, Stewart shows Bronze a place right beside Kitrin and Wolf, as if he already belongs to your team. Bilal, apparently too busy with each of you does not notice his addition, and he looks up from behind his chalice to study the man with the same expert scrutiny as he has shown each of you. Within moments, he appears to pass him off the same way he did Wolf. Then he relaxes on his chair and admires his bathing beauties in the pool.


Bria looks up to Bronze and appears a little startled by his sudden appearance in your team. "Um, you're new to the team too, I take it? Hi-hi! I'm Bria of the Ko."


"So, this is your party," Bilal says with a tone of finality. "Fine, fine. What name do you all go by? You do have a name for your team, don't you? All professionals do." And something in each of you realizes that a man of Bilal's expensive tastes might not deal with amateurs...

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin was distracted.


From the moment Bilal's beauties entered the room, he'd become distracted. Now they were gaily swimming and splashing in the pool, their lithe forms sweeping through the crystal clear water, his mind was almost completely elsewhere. There was a persistent noise in the room, a wah-wah-wah sound, and he had to force himself to focus on that sound and not on the nubile lovelies that were swirling through the pool feet away from him.


"Fine, fine. What name do you all go by? You do have a name for your team, don't you? All professionals do."


Otiorin's finely-pointed ears stood up. A name for the group? That had been something they had not really settled upon. There had been several titles tossed around: Wolves of Winter, Champions of Summerset, Blades of the Righteous, The Hands of Justice and his personal favorite The Companions of the Grey. Dare he speak up and put a name to the group? But in doing that, he might be seen as the leader and, by all the gods, he did not want the problems that came with being a leader.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna does her best to summon up the social pleasantries that were drummed into her head by her mother. "Oh, noble Bilal, we are known as the Grey Wardens." There, name chosen. I hope that everyone can deal with me stepping up like this. "We are, of course, honored to be in your presence, and I believe that I can speak for all the members of my Circle that we will serve your interests well in keeping your caravan safe and sound." She curtsies deeply, her eyes cast down.

 

[Kaerri]

Kitrin was also distracted, but in her case it was because the whole pool-inside-wagon thing was so unexpected. And of course one can't help wondering what on earth is in the rest of the wagons that's going to be such a hit in Highwind! Her attention comes back to the conversation when Bilal asks for the party's name. Oh, help, I hope someone comes up with something good! What were the ones we talked about, again? She lets out a sigh of relief when Luna speaks up with something they can all live with, and nods in agreement with the rest of Luna's statement as well.


She then manages to notice that a new person (Bronze) has been put next to her and Wolf, and that Bria has been talking to him. Gah, I hope I didn't miss his name! She nods to the man in a friendly fashion, but in the interest of looking unified in front of a prospective employer, she doesn't make a big deal out of welcoming him.

 

[Wolf Rawrrr]

Grey Wardens? Wolf thought to himself, still wondering at the unexpected interior of the wagon. This must have been one of the reasons why they called him Rich.


The ranger greeted the new arrival with a meaningful glance and nothing else, keeping his attention on their soon-to-be employer - whenever it wasn't on the swimming women.

 

[Purr]

"The 'Grey Wardens', are you?" Bilal holds out his chalice as a servant moves to refill it. "Stewart... have I heard of them?"


"You have not heard of them, good master."


Bilal looks right at you with narrowed eyes and says flatly. "I have never heard of you." Then with a clap of his hands, he summons his servants forth. They come bearing trays of fruits and chocolates and fine cups filled with even finer drinks like mead and good wine. "But now that I have both guardians and wardens protecting my caravan, I think I do feel a little safer! Stewart, sound the trumpet!" And Stewart moves to do just that.


Not a moment later, you hear the blaring of a trumpet outside. And not a moment later, while you do not sense movement, something in your mind knows without a doubt that you are now on your way - to Highwind.


And outside, as darkness crosses the land, Bilal's Grand Caravan along with Grimdell's Guardians begins its journey along the Road of Kings, which fulfills its reputation among the people once again. For those with you now head north to danger and the colder unknown, perhaps never to return, perhaps to return as rich as kings. Others, most of them would-be adventurers, sigh and choose the road south to Summerset, and back to the world they know all too well.


Such is the difference between the dreamers and doers in Sharseya.


"Refreshments for the Grey Wardens!" Bilal the Rich declares. "Make yourselves comfortable. Enjoy my hospitality, my food, and my pool. Oh, and do tell me about your group! Just who are each of you and what do you do? My interest is not an easy thing to gain, you know!"


Bria takes her eyes off of the water and says, "Oh, Mister Bilal, do you mean it?"


"Ah, the pool? Of course I mean it. Jump right in," he says with a lazy wave. The merchant turns to Luna, apparently about to ask her something when Bria raises her knee up to about chest-height and begins excitedly slipping off her boots right then and there. Her satchel plops to the floor next. Bilal the Rich rapidly looks back and forth from Luna to Bria as if he really did not expect any of you to take him up on his offer. But the biggest change you notice is when Bria looks down across her robes and performs three downward-sweeping movements with her hands.


A swirling nimbus of brightly-colored energy surrounds her for the briefest of moments. This is a style of magic each of you have seen before. Glamered armor. Bria's clothing can take on different shapes and styles and colors and still protect her.


And now, your Ko monk is no longer wearing Ko battle robes, but instead... this:

Spoiler

"Hooray!" she cries. "Come on, let's all swim together! Wheeeeee!" She pauses at the edge long enough to see who else among you seems willing to join her.


Bilal the Rich's unblinking eyes are as wide as you have ever seen them. They are dwarfed only by the great and ridiculous-looking smile now worn on his face. You think he may be drooling. Without taking his eyes off of her, he reaches over and tugs on the nearest Grey Warden within reach. This turns out to be Kitrin.


"All right, all right! I give! Where did you get her, how many more of her are there, and how much can I pay you to promptly deliver all of them to me as soon as possible? Name your price! Name your price!"

 

[Kaerri]

Kitrin sighs as Bria's robes shift into a bathing suit. "So jelly. I wonder if that comes in chainmail, or just soft armor?" Kitrin pictures herself in a chainmail bikini. Somehow it works for her, though the shield looks out of place in her mental image. Maybe as a surfboard?


Her thoughts are interrupted by a tug on her arm.

"All right, all right! I give! Where did you get her, how many more of her are there, and how much can I pay you to promptly deliver all of them to me as soon as possible? Name your price! Name your price!"

"Erm." Kitrin tries to come up with something proper, but ends up with, "Outside, no idea, and I don't think monks have a price. Can I swim too?"

 

[Sherwood]

Luna's gaze doesn't leave the pool as she murmurs, "I don't swim well, but I would enjoy a nice soak. Oh, that water looks divine. Good sir, is there a place where I can change into something more appropriate for the pool?" She does her best to avoid a pang of jealousy at the sight of the malleable armor worn by the monk. Wow! That outfit is awesome! I wish I had a suit of clothes that could do that!

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin's eyes bulged as Bria tugged off her boots and dropped her pack, then as she changed her outfit....

Spoiler

He watched, speechless, as she dived into the pool, then seriously considered following her. But there was something nagging in the back of his mind. Something about a job?


"Master Bilal, you mentioned that your merchandise is impossible to obtain. My curiosity drives me to ask you what it could possibly be?", he said, fighting manfully to devote his attention on the corpulent merchant-prince.

 

[Purr]

Bria does not seem to notice, or look for, any particular reaction from Luna. Instead, she stands at the water's edge, trailing one foot through the water. "The temperature is perfect!" The women in the water smile up to Bria and Otiorin both as they wade about. They are watching your party, especially the men, and clearly enjoying themselves in the process.


Bilal looks to Kitrin and Luna. "Of course you can change and swim. Be my guests!" Bilal snaps his fingers and up comes a handsome male servant who nods to Bilal. "Show them!"


The broad-shouldered servant bows to Kitrin and Luna and says in a smooth voice, "This way, if you please." He escorts the two of you to the doorway on the far right side of the room. As you pass through that door and enter yet more of this "wagon", you enter a fine hallway with two ornate doors on each side and one at the end. It is this last door that the servant opens. He stands in the doorway like a gentleman and performs a well-practiced gesture of welcome. Beyond him is a lavish bedroom dominated by two four-post beds of no small value along with matching dressers, three chairs, and a table. A full length mirror stands on four sturdy legs not far from the door. The servant enters only long enough to light three small pots. These quickly illuminate the room with a warm glow as incense from each pot makes the air smell of flowers. The only thing this room seems to lack is a window.


Your servant smiles. "I will bring fresh towels for you both and leave them at the door." He indicates a thin table in the hallway that seems to have that very purpose. As you enter, he closes the door behind you, leaving you alone.





Back in the pool area, Bilal the Rich notices Otiorin's distraction and it seems to bring him great pride. He listens to Otiorin's question and his face twists up in thought. "Oh, I don't know if I should blurt that out so soon. We have just met after all, and I don't want you to get any ideas, you know. How about you let me get to know you better first? Your names, for example. You most certainly know mine."


One of the women drifts lazily up to the side of the pool and watches Otiorin closely. "Good master," she says her gaze directly upon you, "may I know his name, too?"


"Ooooh, it seems you have made an admirer!" Bilal the Rich practically bounces in his chair. "Such fine company to share my pool with! I might take a dip myself," he says as he steals another glance Bria's way. Then he takes another good pull from his golden chalice and smiles to Otiorin. "If you like, my good fellow, Sarissa here can show you the changing rooms," he indicates the door to the left. Then he adds with a sly whisper, "I don't mind. Go ahead! Hop in with her after you're changed. She is a lot of fun to be in the water with! Oh, and in... other places..." Bilal's chuckle makes his wide belly jiggle.

 

[Sherwood]

Luna closes the changing room door behind her. "Sparkle, can you believe this wagon? I have never seen the like before! Its amazing! I'm just trying very hard not to become overwhelmed by all of this; after all, who knows what this mysterious cargo is? But, I must confess that I am very much looking forward to enjoying the pool. Do you wish to join us? I know that you can swim, and perhaps you'd enjoy it." Luna pulls out a much more conservative swimsuit than Bria's, one that covers her and keeps her modesty intact.

 

[Kaerri]

Kitrin grins at Luna as she puts on a fushia-pink swimsuit not unlike Bria's. "This is pretty incredible. Whoever thought of putting a swimming pool inside a wagon? There's got to be magic in all this, huh? Especially with extra rooms and all." She tidily puts away her gear and clothing into her pack, though she leaves the pink ioun stone floating around her head.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Otiorin followed behind Sarissa, a ravishing blonde maiden with eyes of steel-grey. As she lead, he could not restrain himself and asked, "Are you a servant of Bilal or... a slave?"

 

[Purr]

"Which would you prefer?" Sarissa purred in response. "I tease. We are quite willing to be the good master's servants, especially my sisters and I." She indicates the two other women in the water speaking with Bria. Otiorin, despite his distraction, notices Bria watching him follow Sarissa in through the door on the left. Bria, with her feet in the pool, looks happy enough, but her eyes peer down the hall as if to discover what lies there. Then she turns to Bilal the Rich as if asked a question.


The door to the pool closes behind Otiorin and he finds himself in a hall identical in description to the one Kitrin and Luna were in. As with Luna and Kitrin, Otiorin finds himself in a posh, grand bedroom, but this time the servant stays for a moment. She pulls her fingers through her blonde locks, smiling at Otiorin, as she lights three urns in the room. The room soon smells of flowers. "O man of the road, it has been such a long time since anyone has cared for Sarissa's destiny. All they see is Bilal's riches, his fame among the wealthy inner circles, and their own way into his favor. Your concern is sweet."


Sarissa turns to Otiorin and studies him, her hands behind her back as she sets herself in a pose that lends well to a man's admiration. Then Otiorin's sharp senses detect the sounds of heavy feet coming down the hall. You turn and there is Bilal the Rich in the bedroom doorway. He holds in one hand a long red rod made of metal. It has a tiny dragon's head on one end; a dragon's head with bared fangs. Bilal's smile is as wide as you have ever seen it, and his eyes are alight with purpose.


Then the room begins to slowly wobble to your vision. As Sarissa joins Bilal's side, she says. "So very sweet. It is a pity."


"Almost," Bilal says as the room suddenly becomes blurry and a heavy blackness starts to take you, "but not quite!" He aims the rod at you and adds, "Come now! Show me how long you can last against the lotus!"


* * *


Meanwhile in the bedroom Kitrin and Luna, a certain little pseudo-dragon prowls around the foot of one of the beds. She looks quite small in the enormous room, but she appears irritated. Sparkle, in Luna's experience, has never been one quick to trust the unknown, and right now is no exception. Instead of speaking to the two of you, she communicates to you with the very power of her mind, as if she thinks the very walls might have ears.


I tell you both, I just don't think we know enough about this Bilal the Rich! Yes this magic is impressive, but if you like this, you should see the caverns of Caermorvath. Now that dragon knows how to use temporal magic! One moment you think you are in a wet and dirty cave full of mushrooms and glowing lichen, the next you are in the most opulent palace you have ever beheld! Oh, she is draconic to the last...


Sparkle scratches her nose before camouflaging herself at the foot of the bed. Every scale on her body seems to fade from sight as she becomes still, one with the colors around her; not invisible, yet unseen. But I digress - this Bilal the Rich. I just... have too many questions about that one. Certainly he has the gold to pay us, but from what means did he get it? Why does he want the Grey Wardens when he has two score mercenaries outside? Why did he only interview our group and not even give the other teams a chance? What makes us so special? Whatever the case, thank you for keeping me hidden from him, Luna...


Luna?


Why do you wobble so? And whatever is wrong with you, Kitrin?


You look like you're drunk. Luna?


As you are conversing, suddenly the whole room seems to turn on its own accord as if someone had their hands on your head and were slowly moving it around without your consent. All you smell are flowers. Flowers everywhere. And all you begin to see - is blackness...


PYRI!!

 

[Purr]

Luna sees Kitrin fall to the floor as Sparkle flees under the bed. Through their bond, Luna senses Sparkle slip deeply into unconsciousness. Your body is fighting whatever it is in the air, but the battle cannot last forever.

 

[Sherwood]

Holding her breath, Luna grabs her bag and frantically pulls on what few artifacts she took off to go in the pool. From what she knows of sleep magic, Kitrin and Sparkle will be out of action for a long time, even if she pulls them out of the room. Thankfully, her Mage Armor spell is still in effect and will be for several hours. Once she has gathered her stuff, Luna grabs the sleeping halfling, tucks Sparkle under an arm, and pulls the two of them out of the room. Hopefully they will wake up on their own soon.


Taking a deep breath of the fresh air (hopefully) out in the hallway, she looks around for signs of anyone coming to take advantage of their incapacitation. If there is no one in sight, she pulls her clothes on, the woozy feeling fading from her as she takes in the fresh air. Bilal the Rich my ass! He has much to answer for, and I mean to collect! May the Gods protect him if he has done any permanent harm to my friends!

Spoiler

Current memorized spells:


Cantrips: Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Detect Magic


Level 1: Shield x2, Gravity Bow, Burning Hands


Level 2: Mirror Image, Scorching Ray x3


Level 3: Fireball x2, Displacement