"Of all the people I never expected to see here, you’ve got to be at the top of the list!" exclaimed Green Arrow. "It’s been years, my good halfling! How came you to this place? And why? Come on, don’t be shy!" "Yes, by all means tell us," added Miae. "I’m sure it isn’t to secure a new supply of delicacies for your meat-packing business," she said, winking at Arnold.
"As it turns out, you aren’t that far off," replied Arnold, "although it’s not meat that’s the "delicacies" I’m dealing in." He went on to brief the group on his recent activities. For the last several years, he explained, he had been establishing an identity as a trader in rare surface goods in Erelhei-Cinlu. "I’m now well-known here at The Far Night," he said. "This is a pretty safe place for surface-dwellers, especially humans and other people like us." He glanced around to make sure nobody was too obviously listening, then whispered, "I’ve got a pretty good little operation going here, made a few good connections, got some friends here and there who tell me things. Like when a party including a surface elf and three fine ladies, one of them being an exceptionally attractive half-elf, showed up here." Arnold nodded toward Miae. "They let me know you were heading here, so I made sure I’d be around too."
Just then a roguish and slightly disreputable-looking fellow at the bar took his leave and headed out of the common room. "Ah, seems my friend in the Rakes has seen something noteworthy too," said Arnold. "The Rakes?" inquired Lina. "One of the factions here in the Vault. Outcasts, all of them. Thieves, muggers, rogues, kind of like me, but more so," he chuckled. "But probably the closest things to what you’d call "good guys" here in the Vault. Lots of them half-breeds with humans or surface elves. They ultimately want to see a real revolution here, throw out the nobles, even," and he said the next words almost inaudibly, "even the priestesses. Start a whole new society. A more, er, normal society." He paused. "Haven’t made much progress toward that goal, as you can see all around you! Maybe someday. Anyway, their head man is a half-breed called Jalvan. Works out of the Tavern of Nines, off Crescent Alley. Nobody gets in there except by invitation only."
"Have you been in there?" asked Green Arrow. "Of course," responded Arnold. "I like the way they think, and they like me–and who doesn’t?" he laughed.
The adventurers continued their conversation, Arnold filling them in with more insight into the doings in the Underdark, the others briefing him on their many encounters since they last worked together and mentioning their desire to "establish themselves" in the Vault. "Hmmm, good idea. And it just so happens that I have a place in mind where you can see and be seen. It’ll make a good impression. Or what passes for "good" here, that is, which basically means morally depraved and corrupt!"
The place Arnold had in mind was known as the Black Widow Inn: a gambling hall and bordello frequented by adventurers as well as local drow. Arnold knew the proprietor and was well-known there for his gambling and frequent losing. That made him welcome, and gave an entree to any friends of his who might have similar interests.
The party agreed to see and be seen, and Arnold led them to the establishment. He tipped the doorman on the way in, and the party entered a large gambling hall, full of adventurers, human, humanoid and otherwise, along with a goodly number of drow. A wide, ornate staircase led to the upper level, where rooms were available for whatever purpose the customer desired.
Amidst the crowd of gamblers, Arnold spotted a familiar figure: Keluvos Nysin, the proprietor. He promptly made for Nysin’s location, the others following close behind him. Arnold greeted Nysin and introduced the rest of the party. "Welcome to the Black Widow. What might be your pleasure?" Nysin asked in a seemingly friendly manner. Firiona and Lina only wanted to indulge in a bit of gambling and take a room for the night. Miae, however, had different plans. "I understand that your establishment offers, shall we say, pleasurable pastimes with pleasant companions," she said, winking at Nysin. "Indeed we do," Nysin confirmed. "Well, we would be interested in suitable accommodations for spending time with, say, a beautiful human girl. Wouldn’t we, love?" Miae asked Green Arrow, caressing his arm. Green Arrow nodded. "I believe I have just such a girl," said Nysin. He bent down to whisper something to Miae, who promptly pulled out fifty platinum pieces from her coin purse and handed them to Nysin. "Come along, love," she said to Green Arrow, and dragged him along behind her as she followed Nysin up the stairs.
From the top of the stairway Nysin escorted Miae and Green Arrow along a corridor, stopping at a large red door. He opened the door and led the two into a large two-room suite. The parlor was decadently furnished, with fine furniture, erotic sculptures and tapestries depicting various acts of greater or lesser debauchery. The bedroom beyond contained a huge bed with silken sheets and plush pillows of dark red. A stunningly beautiful human woman, age about mid-twenties, stood up from a velvet-covered sofa when the three entered. "This is Senja," Nysin said, introducing her to Miae and Green Arrow. "I’m sure you will find her a most pleasant companion," he continued, as he headed back to the door.
Miae took Senja in hand and sat down on the sofa, motioning Green Arrow to sit on the other side of the girl. "Let’s all get acquainted," she said.
In the morning (or what would have been the morning on the surface), Senja said, "One of the benefits of being part of this establishment is getting to meet so many different people, and different kinds of people. I love to hear interesting stories about far-away places in particular." She asked Green Arrow, "Are you from a far-away place with interesting stories to tell?" Green Arrow, however, said nothing, so Miae slapped him! "A little rude, don’t you think?" she said to him. "Especially after we had such a fun time all together," she continued, looking at Senja at the same time. "Well, I am rather an accomplished archer," Green Arrow finally admitted. He proceeded to tell a few stories of his exploits–all of them imaginary, but who would be the wiser? After a while, Miae finally got up and said, "Well, we mustn’t take any more of your time, dear." She hugged the girl and said, "It was ever so much fun, you know!" "Oh, it was, it was," agreed Senja. "Please, come back any time. Ask for me." With that, Miae and Green Arrow took their leave of Senja and the Black Widow Inn, returning at last to the Far Night Inn. Miae reflected that it was well that Edward was on penitential duty and thus not with her at this time . . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment