Adrian: Baldur's Gate

They tromped onwards, leaving the spider areas behind, thankfully. All of them were glad, but Viconia most of all.

"Something severe must have happened to you," offered Coran, "For you to wish spiders dead so much--"

"I'm on the surface, alone, working with humans and dwarves," she interrupted him. "Figure it out."

"You try too hard," chuckled Safana. "You always did."

Coran shrugged and looked groundwards.

"Civilization seems far, city dweller," came a voice.

"Oh great, more druids," Adrian sneered.

The man was, indeed, another tree-hugger, armed only in leather and wielding a staff.

"Are you friends or enemies of the Iron Throne?" this one asked them.

"Enemies," Adrian said, without hesitation.

"That is good. The druids of the forests may prove to be your allies then. Seek out Faldorn, to the north, at the Henge." He walked off.

Adrian blinked. He certainly hadn't expected that reaction.

"I assume we'll bypass this Faldorn?" sneered Edwin.

"Perhaps...." Adrian shrugged thoughtfully, then marched on.

Edwin and Viconia exchanged a bemused glance. Coran smiled.

"I am Faldorn," said the woman by the Henge. Like the other, she was dressed in leather, armed only with a stave. She had long brown hair and eyes. "I would aid you against the Iron Throne."

"Hold a moment. Conference," he called to the others.

They circled. "Adrian, I cannot beleive that you are serously--" Edwin began.

"I know, I know. But if we have her with us, the other druids will leave us in peace. And besides, dressed as she is, she will probably get herself killed in the mines anyway."

"Hmmmm," agreed Edwin.

"I approve of her being in the party," said Coran.

"Of course you would," said Adrian, not looking at him.

"It's strange she hasn't heard about the killing of the others," said Safana.

"There are rival sects of druids," said Coran, thoughtfully.

"It's agreed, then?" Adrian asked.

Coran nodded. Safana, Edwin and Xzar shrugged. Viconia made a face, but said nothing.

Kagain said, "She can't be no worse than Coran."

Viconia chuckled at that, and Coran sighed.

They entered a cave, planning to seek shelter for the night. An armored man stood before some small winged things.

"I do apologize," said the man smiling charmingly, "But I must assist thee some other time."

"You are aware," Faldorn said coldly, "That those are baby Wyverns behind you?"

"Ah yes, of course. No trouble if treated with natural respect."

"Indeed," she said. "But you are not treating them with respect. You are training them."

"As guardians for that mine!" Coran realized.

The man opened his mouth to say something else, but Faldorn's staff smacked into his face. Adrian and Coran knelt and began firing into the animals, aided and abbeted by the wizard's magic missles. Safana, Viconia and Kagain aided Faldorn against the man.

The fight was over in minutes.

"You proved yourself well," said Adrian. "But never--and I mean NEVER--usurp my comand authority again."

"It shall be as you say," said Faldorn, apparently unmoved.

"Good. Ye don't mind the Wyvern's deaths?"

"I do," she said, "But they were already corrupted."

"Ah. One more thing."

"Yes?"

"Sleep downwind of me."