Adrian: Baldur's Gate

"...and why exactly should the Black Network help the Red Wizards?" Xzar asked in an indignant tone.

"You should know that each Red Wizard has his own agenda and mission," Edwin countered smugly. He was learning not to underestimate Xzar. He was mad, yes. But not stupid. And Montaron was devious in his own way. And he would need their help....at least for now. "Surely there are numerous ways in which our friend could help both Thay and the Zhentarim against common sanctimonious foes."

"Aye..." said Montaron, hesitantly. "But we do not trust ye, Thayvian."

"Of course not, you'd be fools if you did. But we have a common interest."

Xzar nodded slowly.

At this point, soft footsteps could be heard, and the three of them knew that they could hear those soft paddings only because Viconia wanted to be heard. The red eyes of infravision glared at them from the darkness as she stalked over. Montaron was not affected, he himself having infravision, but both mages were disturbed by the scarlet stare.

"I heard you talking." she said softly, but with menace.

"I knew," said Edwin.

"I care not if you knew. The point is, Adrian saved my life. And I will stand with him against any adversary. Any at all. Including those who seek to use him for their own ends."

"Be assured, we wish him to live," said Xzar. "He would be useless to us dead."

"Be ye aware of his special heritage?" Montaron asked.

"No. But I know he is powerful. And I will continue to support his leadership. I trust you know what that means."

"Yes," said Edwin disdainfully.

"Aye," Montaron grunted. Xzar merely nodded.

"Good." She turned and walked back to her sleeping place.

Montaron went to sleep easily enough, but the wizards lay awake late.

The next day they snuck back up to the fortress in the dim gray predawn light. The sentinels were dispatched easily enough; Adrian was a sniper with that crossbow. But then they had to storm the fortress proper.

Then it was a fight....then it was a War.

"Die scum," snarled the Gnolls, in their deep, growling voices, over and over again, until Adrian thought the sound of it would drive him mad.

It was close quarters fighting now, and Adrian couldn't use his advantage with ranged weapons. He shifted his sword from hand to hand as needed, though he favored his left, blocking Gnoll halberds, slicing mongrel flesh.

Viconia called upon Shar as her mace cracked against a Gnoll's skull. Montaron leapt and dodged and jabbed in his short sword at the knees and thighs of the enemy. Kagain chopped down gnolls as though they were trees. Xzar and Edwin blasted the foe with their spells. But there were so many of them. So damned many. A veritable army of the things were camped out here; obviously a major settlement of them on the coast. What in the Nine Hells did they want with the Witch, anyway?

The forced their way up into the upper levels of the fortress, and Adrian was suffering from many minor cuts and nicks. He gladly let the ever-healing Kagain take point, as they forced their way along the upper parapet. The Witch had to be up here....somewhere...

The Gnoll tribal chieftain's halberd clanged against Kagain's axe. Adrian slashed his way through several Gnolls, trying to help him. Normally it would be no contest, but Kagain was already weary, and the Gnoll Lord was fresh.

Hissing in frustration, not knowing fully what to do, Adrian flung out his open hand, and to his own amazement, a blue ball of energy flashed from it. It was that spell Xzar had used at Friendly Arm; Larloch's minor drain.

It struck the Gnoll in the neck and it staggered back; Adrian felt himself grow stronger. The Gnoll's momentary weakness was all the advantage Kagain needed. He cut the Gnoll down with several more bloody hacks of his axe. It fell back into a pit.

They looked down into the pit and saw someone who could only be Dynaheir....