Adrian: Baldur's Gate

Sarevok stood atop the Iron Throne tower in Baldur's Gate, and watched the sunset. It was quiet up here, and peaceful.

Hadn't always been so, though. He remembered throwing a fellow Bhaalspawn off this very same roof, a few nights before killing Gorion. A little piece of side business, that had been. The boy's name had been Vartek. He had the bloodlust of their father, but no real courage outside the moments of frenzy. He had also developed one of those damned fool consciences, and so he had tried to slake his evil by joining the Flaming Fist and taking it out on the "guilty". In the end he had plead piteously for his life, and Sarevok had enjoyed killing him immensely.

He was disturbed from these recollections by a soft footstep as someone else joined him on the roof, but he turned slowly and clamly, knowing who it must be.

"Tamoko," he greeted his lover. "What news?" Sarevok was, rarely, almost in a good mood.

The Kara=Turan's mouth was set in a firm line. "Adrian has dissapeared from the city entirely. No one knows where he's gone."

Sarevok nodded, slowly. Much to Tamoko's surprise, he didnt break anything or lose his temper. "He's a worthy foe, is brother Adrian," Sarevok said. "He's trying to throw us off the trail. But he'll reveal himself again. He has to. In the meantime, we can move forward with other elements of the plan."

"Gone?" Imoen asked Khalid.

"Y-yes, Imoen. Vanished completely."

"Not...killed?"

"We d-don't think so. If the Throne had killed him, they'd've made it a p-point if displaying the bod-dy. And he didn't leave the city by the g-gates."

Imoen sighed. "I'm worried about him."

"S-so are we, Imoen. So a-are w-w-we."

Adrian and his troupe were still savoring the delights of Nya D'Nar, the pirate capital, as the sun set. The buildings were all relatively new, as apparently in the pirates had lived in huts of wood and straw. Only the pirate castle had any older parts to it, and Varren had expanded on it greatly.

Adrian was no student of architechtural styles, but he certainly did notice the preponderance of domed roofs and tall towers. The city had a strange elegance.

They had eaten in the inn where they would stay the night, and again Adrian was stuck by the preponderance of fish but utter lack of lobsters and their ilk. The islands were fertile, and enabled small-scale livestock raising. In addition, there were foodstuffs imported from Maztica, including the ubiquitous potato.

Safana and Tiax, who had been here before, had been their guides. Viconia had been fascinated, and Edwin and Xzar had gone nuts in the mage shop, which while not being the Sorcerous Sundriees by any stetch, was still well stocked. Adrian had gotten some enchanted crossbow bolts there, as well.

Finally, they returned to the Inn. Most of the party began to drink themselves silly in the bar below, but Adrian and Viconia retired up to their room early.

Viconia reclined on the bed; Adrian leaned against the wall. There was an awkward silence for a minute.

"Adrian," said Viconia slowly. "I've held my peace in the party, but you know I'm a Drow."

"Aye, so? That doesn't bother me."

Viconia smiled sadly. "I know that. But as a Drow woman, there will come times when I will try to command you."

Adrian nodded. "Naturally, but I am my own master. Safana found that out."

"I know, but sometimes I'll still slip."

Adrian shrugged and nodded. "I wondered that it hadn't happened sooner, truth to tell."

Viconia smiled. "In the meantime, there's something I can teach you."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Yes." She got up off the bed and difted over to him. "I can pleasure you far better than Safana ever could. The Drow are the masters of sensuality. Let me show you..."

Safana had watched Adrian and Viconia go upstairs and sighed.

"Don't tell me you still want him?" Coran asked her.

"In a way, yes," said Safana. "He had skill. And I had thought to keep bedding him until he would return to the city. But it didn't work out that way."

"He won't leave us yet. And I'll stay."

Safana looked at him, honestly puzzled. "Why?"

Coran stared at her. "You know I still have feelings for you."

Safana rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, Coran, I'm not a girl to love."

"But I do," he said earnestly.

"Why? You know I don't love you."

"No, but you know that you can trust me to stand by you. Isn't that enough?"

Safana looked at him, and now her look was thoughtful.

"Unless Captain Zavrian--"

Safana laughed. "No, not for a long time."

Coran nodded. "Well, think about it then."

"I'll think about it."