Adrian: Baldur's Gate

Fortunately, no one challenged their entrance to the Blushing Mermaid this time. Kagain, a veteran of the city, had not known of this entrance to the Undercellar, as it was known, before, but neither did it surprise him.

They paid the fee to the guardsman without fuss. Adrian was calmer now, a bit. Having more than enough gold for his needs soothed him. Kagain was still tightfisted, however, as to him gold was the end in and of itself.

"It's a whorehouse!" Edwin laughed.

Indeed it was. Four long corridors ending in a circular lounge area, and along each corridor were cribs for the ladies of the evening.

Viconia cocked her head in puzzlement. "Commoners have a smiliar arrangement in Drow cities," she said. "The nobles of course have their own pleasure servants, the husbands in most cases. But even amongst the commoners, these sort of places are stocked by....males..."

"Oh come now Vickie," said Adrian. "Surely by now you're used to seeing women consorts."

"Yes," she agreed. "It's the scale of it that surprises me, that's all."

Several of the ladies enticed the men in the party, but got no response. Adrian knew aforehead Viconia was better at the sensual arts than any of them, Kagain and Tiax preferred women of their own race, Edwin was still thinking of Jessa, and Xzar's tastes were more...particular.

"I hope," said Viconia with a sound of genuine distaste in her voice, "That you do not truly love the dead in that way, Necromancer."

"No," giggled Xzar. "But let's just say I prefer a woman who's of the same bent as myself."

"What, insane?" Kagain grunted.

"No, but I favor a fellow Necromancer, a particular one. Work for the Zhentarim long enough, and we'll meet her."

"I don't work for them," Edwin said. "I answer to no one but other Thayvians."

"You answer to me," Adrian said.

"I contracted to work with you. That is different."

"Well, you're also contracted to work with the Black Network by extension," said Xzar.

Edwin harrumphed.

"Tiax thinks this discussion is meaningless."

"Pot, kettle, black, Cyricist," sneered Edwin. "If there were ever one who spoke meaningless phrases it would be you. (Honestly, of all people...)"

"Peace, children," said Adrian.

They came to the last chamber on the left before the central lounge area. A few nobles could be seen in there, enjoying themselves. But that last crib was there immediate concern.

The doxy was a little older, though still in her sexual prime. Wavy golden hair hung to her waist.

"Mistress Tegana," said Adrian formally.

Tegana eyed them. "Yes, what can I do for you? Mercenaries needing some R and R?"

"Meaning no disrespect to the talents of yourself or your courtesans, no. We seek the cloak of Balduran."

She flinched. "I know not what you speak of."

Adrian strove to be reasonable. "Lady, I care not whom you think you protect it for. I will make it worthwhile for you to part with it. Name your price. I know I can match it."

Tegana shook her head. "I know nothing, tis true, tis true."

Adrian sighed, then drew his blade and pressed it aginst her throat. "Name your price, and as an added bonus I will spare your life."

Tegana was nothing if not professinal. She remained calm, then slowly began reaching her hand towards her waist sash.

Adrian pressed a little harder. "We can kill any help you might summon, we're skilled enough as you can see. But it doesn't have to be that way. Besides, many of your employees would die in the fire."

"He's being unusually reasonable today, Tegana," added Edwin. "Take the offer while it's still good. Tis true, tis true," he added, mocking her with her own speech pattern.

She sighed, and nodded. "Eight thousand gold."

Adrian slowly took the sword away, and Kagain produced the money. Her eyes glowed when she saw it. "You speak true!"

"I do. Now where is it?"

Tegana retreated to a small desk by her bed, and opened it, pulling out a folded heavy cloak of violet, embroidered with gold trim.

Adrian passed it to the wizards. "Is that it?"

First Xzar, then Edwin felt the fabric. "Aye," said Edwin. "I can feel the power, and there is definitely no curse."

"Yes," crooned Xzar.

Adrian nodded. He fastened the cloak around his neck. The others gasped, including Tegana. It made him look noble somehow, regal. Powerful. More than just a mercenary, but a lord of men.

"Give her the money," he said to Kagain.

Kagain first blinked in disbeleif, then grimaced. But when he saw Adrian was serious, he handed it over.

Adrian saluted Tegana with his sword. "Pleasure doing business with you."

The party left, leaving Tegana rubbing her throat, and eyeing her haul of gold with amazement.

"Why did ye nay kill her?" Kagain asked as they made their way back to Borogove's estate.

"You said it long ago," Adrian replied. "Gold runs the world. And besides, I use murder only as a tool, not a means to an end itself. That is one of the differences between me and my 'dear brother'. He spat the last words.

"But we're gonna murder now," said Kagain.

"Yes, we'll have to. If we let Borogove live, he'll come after us, and we'll have to kill him anyway."

"We could just let him have the stuff and take the money."

Adrian sighed and stopped. The rest of the party did as well. Kagain braced himself for a Bhaalscream.

But to his surprise, Adrian said, "First of all, there's no gaurantee he'll pay up. He may try to kill us anyway. He struck me as that sort. Second, you're wearing the Helm on your head, and I know you don't want to give it up. Third, money is just a means to an end too, Kagain. Not an end in itself. Money can buy luxuries, that's largely what attracts me to it. I believe you understand these things, else you'd have sold us out to the Throne when the opportunity presented itself. But if I'm wrong, take your share of the party treasure, the Helm included, and go. I'll find someone else."

Kagain stared at him in amazement. "Yer not angry?"

"Annoyed, yes. Angry, no. I'm learning to control my father's fury, if only to spite him. So what is your answer?"

Kagain thought it over. "I'll stay. And I'll abide by your decision. I just would rather have the gold. Never enough gold for me."

Adrian shrugged. "More will come our way, we're not retiring tomorrow. And there's still Sarevok to face."

Kagain sighed, then shrugged, and fell back into rank.

The rest of the march to Borogove's was full of thoughtful silence, but Xzar and Edwin kept shooting eachother amazed glances. Kagain and Tiax were each lost in thought over what had just happened. Viconia was merely proud of her lover.

And Adrian....Adrian was finding himself. Much to Bhaal's dismay.

Borogove had been unable to replentish his lost magical defenses, and the party close in on him fast. But before he fell, he gated in an apprentice and a dark warrior bearing a huge warhamer. Xzar was forced to call upon his undead beast to even the odds.

Once it was done, the mages looted the corpse of Borogove and his apprentice. Viconia was healing a scar under one eye.

"Wizards," said Adrian. "What sort of fellow is this?" He nudged the fallen body of the dark warrior with his boot.

"A Blackguard," said Edwin. "A paladin of evil, I suppose you could say. An unholy warrior."

"Really," mused Adrian, and moved to loot the corpse, but it vanished. He spat in frustration.

Far to the south the shadowy pair cursed their luck.

"Borogove and the Dark One have failed us." said the woman.

"But we have retained the Dark One's equipment," said the man. "I told you it was too soon. It may be months yet. And remember, it may be Sarevok we take, not this one. Too soon to tell."

"I grow impatient," she hissed.

He nodded. "So do I. New souls are needed. But it can't be helped now. We will survive as we always have, by waiting."

Adrian's troupe was returning to the Low Lantern when Xzar suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Adrian asked him.

Wordlessly, Xzar reached into his pack and produced a black envelope with a bright blue glowing "Z" rune on it.

"A communication from my masters in the Black Network," said the Necromancer. "It is the same way I report to them from the field." He opened it and read the message on the black vellum within. "They expect us tomorrow; they have a comission for us."

"Good," said Adrian. "We will be prompt." He grinned unpleasantly. "I always fulfill my employer's expectataions, after all."