"Well, at least now I have a place where Khittix can wake about without getting into trouble," Viconia said as she was letting Khittix roam free in a luxurious backyard. The backyard, surrounded with fresh soil and luminescent mushrooms, had a lovely view of the city below and beyond. The house it belonged to was a single floor luxury home with a lot of rooms built in a nice neighborhood consisting mostly of merchants, champions and the occasional mage. The entire neighborhood was suspended above the city and built on a rocky plateau, being connected to the rest of Ust Natha with a series of impressive walkways.

Ust Natha was very much a vertical city, built around the circular cavern, into the rocks or on platforms. Below at the bottom of the cavern, the commoners dwelled amidst the rivers of lava that slowly made their way across the caverns. Above them was the Great Marketplace, the entrance to the city, the houses of the wealthy, the noble houses, the Great Houses, and, completely suspended on top of the cavern, hewn out of a hanging stalactite, was the temple of Lolth, towering over all.

This particular house was very near the Three Sister's Spire, which was so high it reached and was reachable from several levels of the city. And, much to the priestesses dismay, the Spire was the first building to be seen when entering the city, instead of the temple of Lolth. The backyard also had a small wall at the end, because beyond the yard was a long drop straight down into a lava-river.

Laska stood at the double doors leading into a den, a cavernous, well furnished room filled with artworks... rather tacky ones, according to Viconia. Several bedrooms flanked this den, as well as a hardly used study and several bathrooms. The only windows were facing east or south, only in the direction where the chasm overlooking the lower parts of the city was, to give the house and air of privacy.

"Phaere, is this ours?" Dynaheir asked.

"Laska's," Phaere corrected with a smile. "All that belonged to Lasoanar now belongs to her. And he did win the tournament 2 times in a row, so he amassed quite a bit of wealth."

"I'm sure I'll find something to spend those 100.000 gold prize-money on," Laska winked.

"Aye," Korgan chuckled. "Booze, booze and more booze."

"Oh, that's only a fraction of the profits I made from this entire competition," Phaere grinned. "But I'm sorry I had to ask you to leave on such a short notice, but this house had just become... available and I needed that floor to house all those trapped in the city... against a modest fee, of course."

"How are the people of the city taking the news?" Keldorn asked.

"Since when is Martial Law a popular measure?" Phaere sighed. "People are miffed, soldiers are unhappy and the merchants are downright aggressive. Ardulace doesn't seem to realize that between the war, the regulation of supplies, the shortage of fresh water and food, and now this curfew, there's a revolt brewing. The priestesses are so caught up in their own glories they don't stop to realize it either."

"That is worrying," Keldorn replied, knowing they'd be caught in the middle if the Drow started shooting at each other.

"Indeed," Phaere sighed. "If this city destabilizes, it'll really cut into my profits."

"Not to mention the loss of life on both sides," Dynaheir added.

"Ah, yes," Phaere rolled her eyes and then snorted. "That too, I suppose.That means less income because there will be less people to spend money at the Spire. Not a good prospect."

"Guys," Laska beamed like a monkey which had just found seven barrels of banana's. "I just wanna show you all my trophy one more time."

"We've already seen it!" Keldorn said through clenched teeth.

"We've already seen it fifteen times," Jan added.

"Only fifteen?" Keldorn replied. "Lucky bastard."

Laska, who was still somewhat bruised and battered, was lugging around a golden cup, artistically adorned from top to bottom with depictions of bloody one-on-one combat, including several gruesome deaths. The trophy was huge, taller than Laska, and completely made from gold inlaid with precious stones. "Lovely, isn't it? I won it. I killed and then I won it!"

"I'm certain your dead victims are happy to have died for you to get your trophy," Keldorn spoke.

"Would they? How nice of them!" Laska grinned. "Where will I put it?" she said, and then started to place the trophy at several spots against the wall of the den. Not being satisfied with any of them, she kept trying.

"Boo likes the view, oh yes," Minsc smiled as he leaned on the railing, but nobody listened.

"Excuse me," Viconia said while leaving the room. "I'll go check up on Imoen."

"Why the sudden declaration of Martial Law?" Dynaheir asked.

"Something has my mother riled up," Phaere said. "She's planning something big for some time, I know that much, but all my regular informants within her circle have recently turned up dead. And that means mother has hired competent people, which is a sure sign she's up to something because she's the biggest cheapskate in the city."

"What's this about a break-in in the temple?" Dynaheir probed. Unfortunately, Jan and Keldorn took deep breaths and looked at Dynaheir exactly at the same time. Phaere raised and eyebrow for a moment, but then seemed to relax.

"How did you know that?" Phaere said as she paced towards the archway, beckoning the others to follow her into the den. "Mother does her best to keep a lid on that. But I supposed it's no real secret, though. Some hapless fools try every year during the tournament, but until now, thieves have never reached the treasury and made off with gold and a lot of ancient artifacts. Mother was rather nervous when the priestesses sweeped the treasury, but... according to my little stool pigeon in my mother's elite guards, she was rather relieved when the priestesses gave her the inventory lists. Strange, though. Something inside that treasury was more important to her than ancient artifacts."

"Weird," Dynaheir said.

"Profoundly strange," added Keldorn quickly.

"Almost as strange as my uncle Susan, and he wore a giantess' pink panties," Jan nodded.

"Rrrright," said Phaere, but then dismissed any thoughts she might have had. Instead, she turned to Laska.

"I don't believe it!" Laska grinned. "That prick Lasoanar has his own bar right in his house! Amazing!"

"I've made sure it was stocked," said Phaere. "And, well, if you get lonely, the Spire is but a few steps away. And I'll make sure to visit you... often."

"Oooh, 871DR!" Imoen said as she picked a coin from the Bag of Holding and put it on the pile next to the bed she was sitting on. She then took another one. "Wow, this one is 12 DR!" Imoen replied, "Oldest one yet!"

Viconia entered and quickly closed the door behind her. "What are you doing?!" Viconia hissed. "Phaere is here! Do you WANT to be caught and tortured?!" Viconia was in a foul mood... and, of course, Imoen had picked the most tackiest room in the house to sleep in : soft drapes, vibrant colors and velvet paintings of Spiders Playing Poker on the wall. She felt like vomiting.

"Heya, Vic," Imoen chuckled. "Just looking at my winnings. I know a lot of coin collectors that are going to be very happy when I get back to Amn."

"If you get back to Amn!" Viconia started. "Because if you are caught..."

"But I won't be," winked Imoen. "Come, check these out."

Imoen reached into the bag and pulled out some strange looking artifacts. "Check this out," Imoen said and took a little obsidian spider. She opened its hind-quarters and a song started playing.

"A children's toy," Viconia said. "How did that find its way into the treasury?"

"The diamond eyes might have something to do with that. All eight of them," grinned Imoen. "Cute song too. Check this out!"

Imoen removed a long stave from the bag. It was blue and made of an unknown metal. At the top of the stave, was a broader, semi-flat surface with a large ruby at the very edge. The whole stave looked as if it was a cobra dipped into a vat of the strange metal and pulled out. "I get a magic feeling about it, but I can't get it to work."

"Interesting," remarked Viconia. "What else?"

"This!" Imoen said as she pulled out a magnificent dagger. "Cool, huh?"

"That's a sacrificial knife," said Viconia. "Used to carve out the heart of the victim."

"EEEEWWW!" Imoen threw the knife back into the bag. "Oh, check out this one."

"It's a broken sword," Viconia said as she looked at what had been the handle of a most elegant sword. "The blade is gone, and it looks like a pommel gem is missing."

"That's why I thought," Imoen chuckled and reached into the bag again, "but then I remembered this," she said and pulled out a blue round gem to place it into the hilt. Of course, the gem didn't hold, but it was a perfect fit.

"We found this Irenicus' dungeon WAYYYY back a long time ago," said Imoen. "Strange, I wonder how Irenicus got hold of it."

"It doesn't matter," Viconia said. "That gem won't fix the sword."

"Maybe we'll find the other piece," Imoen replied as Viconia sat down on the bed next to her.

"Imoen," asked Viconia, "why did you take such an enormous risk to get these... trinkets? There were four golems chasing us and you stop to scoop up gold."

"Only four golems, no problem."

"They were quite larger than us."

"Nah."

"Yes, they were."

"Alright, alright, fine," Imoen sighed. "It was just thief's pride, you know? I wanted to get away with at least something. Besides, I figured a good theft would make them think we hadn't touched the eggs."

"We could have been killed... or captured."

"But we didn't!" Imoen giggled. "So what's the problem?!"

"Why do you do this?" Viconia inched closer to Imoen and started to lay her hand on her shoulder, noticing Imoen had stiffened a little. "Why do you insist on getting into trouble? Insist on driving me inside with worry?"

"Worry?" Imoen grinned. "Come on, why worry? You're okay, I'm okay, there's no problem."

Viconia started to stroke Imoen's hair and moved even closer. "Why worry?" Viconia paused a moment to catch her resolve. "Because every time I think of you getting hurt, I die a thousand deaths." After saying that, Viconia sighed. She had practised that line over and over again in her head, but she still wasn't satisfied how it came out. Then again, she was new at all this.

"V... Vic..." stammered Imoen. "Do... do you mean that?"

"You should really let your hair grow longer," Viconia smiled. "Did I tell you, that you are beautiful as a Drow? You are equally beautiful when you are yourself." That said, the Drow slowly tilted her head and slowly moved her lips towards Imoen's.

Imoen was literally as stiff as a board, unable to move, unable to breathe... and when she remembered to breathe, she was almost hyperventilating. She could hardly believe that her dream was finally about to come true... She felt she had to hold on to something, even though she was to afraid to touch Viconia right now. Her hand snaked around the stave still lying on the bed and Imoen grasped it firmly.

A brilliant flash of light followed, startling Viconia and Imoen just before their lips could meet. From the stave, a translucent ball of power shot through the air, filling the room with the sound of ionizing particles. The ball slammed through the wall, incinerating the stone and passing right through before dissipating when it met the second wall on the other side of the room outside.

Imoen and Viconia watched the new airhole in their room in stunned silence for a while, until Imoen sudden started out of her state of being and grabbed the stave. "Dibs!" she shouted while holding onto the stave. "Dibs! DIBS! I call it!"

"Typical," Viconia replied. "We've only been in this house for half an hour and one of us has already blasted a hole in the wall."

"It's mine!" Imoen cradled the stave. "All mine!!"

But from the other room, Laska's wail of sorrow resounded throughout the entire house : "MY TRRRROOOPPPHHHHYYYYYYY!!!"

"Spiders Playing Poker," Laska said as she watched the painting hanging over her new bed in her new luxury bedroom. "I like it."

"Well, it is a classic," said Phaere. "Lasoanar certainly obsessed with spiders playing poker. It led to a certain incident a while back which was quickly covered up..."

"Too bad about my trophy," sniffed Laska as she carried the now half-molten and deformed trophy, suddenly being half the size it used to be. "It would have looked good in this room."

"Your little sister certainly was eager to experiment her magics," Phaere replied.

"I'll take it out of her hide tomorrow," Laska grimaced.

"Hey," Phaere admonished. "You should take proper care of your little sister. I take good care of both of mine."

Laska paced around the room. The central part of the room was occupied by a large double bed, covered with sheets and pillows made from the finest of spider-silk. The doors led to a private balcony next to the backyard overlooking the city. Next to the doors was a small Jacuzzi, fitting three occupants. A dresser and some oil-lamps finished the decor. On the ground lay red carpet.

"What are those?" asked Laska as she pointed to several strange looking devices just sticking out from under the bed.

"Excersize machines," Phaere smiled wistfully. "For a while, I imported those from the surface and sold them late at night on the scrying bowl. People who bought them probably never even used them, but I don't care... I made a bundle."

"I see. So," Laska asked as she sat on the bed. "What can I expect from my new title as Champion of Ust Natha."

"Well, little duties, I suppose," Phaere said. "You need to come flex your muscles at small gatherings from time to time to show your face, sign autographs for the kiddies, that sort of thing."

"Is that everything?"

"Lasoanar, being a male, had other duties, you could say. Matrons came to visit him expecting them to please them. That jacuzzi in the corner has seen plenty of use, as well as the whipping post next to the door."

"Oh, so that's what it was," Laska muttered. "I thought it was a broken table."

"Don't worry about high-profile guests coming to you with high expectations," Phaere grinned. "I've spread the word that you are... tied to me. The matrons dare not to offend me."

"Aw, I was kinda looking forward to visits," Laska winked.

"Oh," Phaere grinned and sat closer to Laska. Slowly, she ran her hand over Laska's back, until she was softly kneading her shoulders. "You won't feel neglected. I'll make certain of that."

"Good," Laska grinned when Phaere pressed her cheek against hers.

"You should expect some challenges, though," Phaere said when her arms snaked around Laska's waist. "Some young hotshot from the fighter's guild thinking he can take you easily... they never survive long. Just last week Lasoanar wiped the floor with four of those youngsters at the same time."

"And I wiped the floor with him... after he wet the floor with my blood first," Laska admitted.

"I did promise you a celebration, didn't I?" Phaere said and started to nibble on Laska's earlobe while one of her hands disappeared inside of Laska's vest.

Clothes came off quickly.

Laska grimaced as she felt her side. She was still battered and bruised and her side still hurt... so she was grateful when Phaere finally seemed satisfied enough and had gone to sleep. Laska still hadn't regained all her energy yet, after all.

The spider silk felt incredibly soft and comfortable on her skin... but not nearly as soft as Phaere was. The Drow lay on her side, sleeping peacefully, her long white hair flowing next to her body as she lay underneath the spider silk blankets.

Laska reached over and caressed Phaere's cheek with the back of her hand, finally moving her fingers over her neck to end with stroking her hair.

But when Phaere moved a little in her sleep, Laska stopped, fearing she would wake her. And knowing Phaere, she'd see the physical contact as an invitation and would want another back-breaking session of passion... and seeing her side had started to sting again, she was not really up for the task.

Deciding to leave Phaere to her rest for a while, Laska slipped out of the bed. After a moment to get her footing, considering she had trouble walking for a few moments, she staggered outside to the balcony, dragging her bare feet over the stone until she supported herself on the railing to overlook the city.

It was deep in the night, most lights were out. The city was quiet and only the molten rock lava-flows emitted any real form of light. The yellow-red light danced on the building mostly created from black obsidian. Laska did not feel cold. The rock was warm underneath her feet.

After taking a drink from the water bottle next to the door, Laska headed back inside, holding on to the doorpost to keep from falling. A strange feeling suddenly overcame her as she looked at the sleeping Phaere.

All of a sudden, the image of Phaere was replaced by that of a lazying half-elf with strawberry-blonde hair, lying on her side. Then, she herself came in, her skin grey, her hair black. She was wearing a bathrobe and carried in a tray. The half-elf expected her and turned around... just as she tripped over a sock. Like a madman, she caught the tray before it fell, saving most of the food that was on it. The half-elf laughed and shook her head.

"So much for elven grace," the half-elf chuckled.

"Hey, I caught most of the stuff," she replied.

"The tea is all over your robe."

"Hm, wet robe," she grinned. "I'd better take that off."

Laska watched as the half-elf ate her food, while she herself hugged her from behind and nuzzled her neck ever so often. "I love you," she heard herself say to the half-elf.

Then, as quickly as the vision came, it was gone. Phaere was once again sleeping in the bed. Still, Laska tried to remember the face of the half-elf, but found she could not concentrate... instead, her mind was assaulted with a barrage of violent images from her past, blocking out any attempt to dig into her memory.

Laska found the entire affair quite unsettling and quickly slid into bed. Phaere reacted to Laska's warmth and allowed herself to be taken into a firm embrace. Laska briefly kissed Phaere's lips while the Drow slept, but found she could not yet sleep herself.

"Wasn't that kinda illegal?" Lliira said as the goddesses stood around the scrying pool on the Plane of grasslands.

"Like, we're totally screwed if we don't do something!" Sharess wailed. "If that dork Irenicus hadn't stolen her soul, she'd be a goddess right now! Major bummer, dudettes!"

"No kidding," Meilikki said. "Ao has forbidden direct interference."

"I didn't interfere," Sune smiled. "I just prodded her memory a little. If we're lucky, it'll help her recover. If not..."

"You roll your dice and take your chances," Tymora nodded. "I heartily approve."

"I do not. If she feels she belongs with Phaere, then that should be her fate." Sehanine added, being a recent addition to the group. "Besides, she is a child of the moon. I am certain she will do well."

"Who let her in anyway?" Sharess said.

"Laska is a moon-elf, remember?" Sehanine replied. "And who is the goddess of moon elves? Who convinced the Seldarine to sponsor her?"

"Well, the way it's going now, it can only get better," Liirra said. "But you risk Ao's anger by that stunt you pulled, Sune."

"Am I?" Sune grinned. "Rose is a follower of my faith, I did nothing to influence our champion directly and it probably has no lasting effect... but the seed of doubt has been sown."

"And promptly buried by violence," Liira bent her head.

"It's all perfectly harmless," Sune said.

"I'm sure Cyric won't see it that way," Meilikki replied. "He's been looking for an excuse to rat on us."

"Cyric?!" Sharess snorted. "Well, he's a butt-hole with a fat butt and his butt smells and he likes to kiss his own butt!"

"Nevertheless," Meilikki said, "he's pretty pissed about losing his champion to Abazigal last week."

"I wonder what it's like to be eaten by a dragon," Sharess wondered.

"Would that be before or after Abazigal sat on him?" Sune winked.

"Seriously, folks," Liira said, "my sources say the evil gods are anxious. Apparently, something's really got them riled up, but they're not sharing what they know."

"What about Eilistraee and her supposed 'Ace up her sleeve'?" Meilikki asked.

"I trust Eilistraee's judgment," Sehanine replied. "She is my half-sister, after all. But she's not even telling me about this 'Ace'. She just doesn't want to risk exposing her plan."

"Until then," Sune sighed. "We can only hope for the best."

Then, the goddesses resumed watching the scrying pool intently.

"GUYS!" Sharess shouted when she saw a Glabrezu wearing a red and yellow coat riding on a bicycle appear over the hill. "The pizza is here! How many slices, guys?"