On the Road

Day One

Baleon and Trik depart from Thorn’s manor on the moors at first light the next morning, riding two nondescript brown mares.  Tiadora, dressed again as the grieving widow, sees them off from the stables.  “Goodbye my dears,” she says coquettishly.  “I’d bid you safe travels, but I think that is rather unlikely, don’t you?”  She reaches up and hands Trik  the leather packet containing Thorn’s instructions and maps.  To Baleon she gives over a clay tablet inscribed with the pentacle of Asmodeus surrounded by a tangle ot thorns. 

Her fingers run playfully over the back of Baleon’s hand.  “When your mission is completed, break this seal and I will find you.”  Suddenly her playful expression drops away to be replaced by a glare of hellfire and cold iron and her delicate fingers close in a vise-like grip around the drow’s wrist.  “Fail our master, and I will still find you.”

Baleon jerks back as she releases him and the playful smile returns to he lips.  She retreats into the manor with a wave.  Trik leans over to Baleon as the two ride out onto the road.  “I don’t know about you elf, but that girl scares the piss out of me.”  He flashes a grin.  “Although, might be a good way to go eh?” 

After about half a day’s journey Baleon makes to turn inland when Trik calls out.  “Whoa, elf!  Where are you going.” 

Baleon reigns in.  “Zhaanzen-Kryr lies this way human.”

 "That may be so, but that’s not where we need to go - at least not first.  Didn’t you read Thorn’s packet?” 

Baleon hides his irritation.  All morning with nothing but a cloak to shade him from the hateful sun had left his patience thin.  He tried not to sneer as he replied.  “You mean the packet you’ve kept to yourself since we left?” 

Trik grins.  “Oh, right. Here, read this.”  He tosses the leather satchel over and Baleon snatches it out of the air, and reads the documents inside as Trik continues to talk.  “Master Thorn wants us to form an alliance with your people, but to do so he feels you need to return to them triumphant – you know, like you actually accomplished that suicide mission your loving sister sent you on.”  Trik makes an obscene gesture as he mentions Baleon’s sibling.  “In order to do that, we need to visit Thorn’s contact in the city of Ghastenhall.  Apparently he’s got information for us on where we can find one of these high and mighty drow artefacts.  Trik spurs his horse forward and calls over his shoulder.  “So, Ghastenhall first, Underdark second my taciturn friend.”

*** 

Day Two

“Hey Baleon?” 

“Yes Trik?” 

“This sister of yours… is she hot?”

“What?” 

“Well, because every elf woman I’ve ever met has been hot, and well, you could introduce us.”

 “She’d likely spit you over an open fire.”

 “Nahh, she’d be into me.”

“Why?” 

“Well, your people revere Father Asmodeus right?” 

“Yes.” 

“I’m a priest of Asmodeus.  The voice of the Father made manifest and all that!  She’d totally be into me.”

Baleon shakes his head as he pictures his sister arranging Trik’s entrails into a pentagram on the family alter.

Trik, his mind wandering in a very different direction, grins and holds up his five pointed holy symbol to catch the light.  “Yeah, chicks dig pentagrams.”

***

Day Three 

Finally the pair ride into the city of Ghastenhall.  While not the biggest of the three major cities in Talingarde, It is the most metropolitan due to the sheer volume of foreign trade that comes through its sheltered port. 

 “Ah Ghastenhall,” whistles Trik as they ride through the wide gates.  “This is where me and the other White Ravens first came ashore in Taligarde.  Of course, we were being smuggled in and under aour dear Tiadora’s watchful eye the whole time so we didn’t get much sight seeing in.  Hey Baleon?  Why don’t we take in the sights while we’re here?  I’m told there are all manner of diversions in this town for those who care to look.  We can spare an afternoon before we meet our contact can’t we?”