Adrian: Baldur's Gate

They descended to the final, lowest, level of the mines.

As they entered the deepest bowels of the mines, a thick blanket of silence fell. There was no magic to it, it was simply that they were so deep, and the walls so thick, that there was nothing to hear. Even the silence of the forest had the twittering of small birds and the rustling of the occasional animal in the bush. Here there was nothing, but the sounds of their own breathing, and of their own hearts beating.

But for Adrian, it was more than that. He felt a scrutiny, a presence. It was though the Gods themselves were watching him.

Perhaps some of them were.

But soon the silence was broken by the clanking of armor. A soldier was tromping toward them, in full plate. Obviously a high level bodyguard. Obviously trouble.

Edwin twitched his fingers, and suddenly obvious trouble became an essential ally.

The guard stubmled in his forward march, then came on. Stomping to a halt in front of them, he punched his chest plate three times fast, presumably an Iron Throne salute.

"Lieutenant Shadrach reporting for duty, sir," he said.

"Excellent," purred Edwin. "Report to Commander Adrian."

Shadrach turned to Adrian. "Sir."

Adrian almost smiled. "Report on all relevant details of the layout, Shadrach."

Safana lurked in the shadows of the hallway, disarming the traps that would have summoned the armored horrors and fireballs. Then dashed back before the Archmage could notice her.

Edwin re-charmed Shadrach, then Adrian and Shadrach marched down the corridor.

"So, the stoic adventurers have found their way down to my lair. Are you some sort of noble fools, or are you merely after my treasure? No matter. Allow me to introduce myself, I am called Davaeorn; I would ask your names but have no interest in learning of the dead."

Adrian smiled and opened his mouth to Scream...but suddenly he was surrounded by a swarm of summoned wolves! He started to hack and slash, and Shadrach did too, as Davaeorn teleported away, laughing maniacally.

Adrian felt a twinge of fear. For the first time in a long time, things had not gone to plan.

Fortunately he had alternatives.

"Edwin! Xzar!" he shouted. "Coran!"

The mages cast their magic missiles, and Coran readied his bow. The magic missles turned in midair, seeking their foe, and the three followed them.

Then things went sour. Faldorn, fantaic and half-mad, went screaming ahead alone. "Die, despoiler!"

"No, you idiot!" Adrian cursed.

Yeslick closed up, hammering down wolves.

"Shadrach, find Davaeorn and kill him!" Adrian ordered.

But before Shadrach could even begin to move, Faldorn and Xzar were knocked out of the next room, flame following them.

Adrian looked in, and saw Edwin, standing with a dreamy expression on his face, head cocked to one side, flanking a smiling Davaeorn.

Edwin had been charmed. They were in serious trouble.